Interest Check: Tabletop-campaign-style story-based RP?
 

Let's see if we can't dust off this poor roleplay forum. I was thinking of trying to start an RP on here that would be more in the style of a typical DnD/Pathfinder/etc campaign--rather than having an open stage, there would be a set conflict to deal with and storyline to follow. The players, through their characters, would advance the story, and shape its course to a degree. In addition, I'm considering implementing some sort of extremely simple dice-and-stat system that would allow characters to make attempts at critical actions (for instance, a character trying to move rubble to escape a burning building would use their Strength stat or something plus a virtual dice roll to determine success) but I'm not sure about that yet. Either way, the main focus would be on character interaction and storytelling, rather than just stats.

As for the story, I'm still working on it, but I'm thinking that it will either be set in some sort of alternate timeline or several years after MO, where all-out war has erupted between the Native and Industrialist factions. It'll also possibly involve a threat of some kind serious enough that the two might actually have to end up cooperating to survive.

Just curious to see if anyone would be interested in this, so I know it's worth continuing to work on this story and get licensed to start an actual RP thread. Thoughts and ideas are welcome as well.

EVP_Glukkon and I are always ready.

I wouldn't mind doing a DnD style RP, but I don't know how you'd do the rules and everything, and then apply it to a forum PbP style.

What?

I guess comparing it to DnD wouldn't be the best description since it won't really be about just fighting monsters and whatnot. I'd just be taking a few mechanics from those kinds of games. To answer STM's question, I'm thinking that players would allocate points to stats/skills/whatever I'm going to call it upon making their character, to determine attributes such as physical strength or mental power--skills you'd need to solve a challenge of some kind. I'd be acting as a sort of dungeon master (though I might have a character of my own) and handling things such as the environment or NPCs, and determining how those entities react to the actions of the player characters. Since I don't think OWF has any kind of dice-rolling plugin, I would probably using something like random.org to roll for people when their character is performing a critical action. That roll's value would be added to whatever stat is being used in that post to determine if they were successful or not.

I'm essentially trying to come up with a way that will cut down on godmodding/powerplaying and add an element of uncertainty to the game, to keep things interesting. I dunno, it may not work.

I could've sworn I replied to this, but I'd definitely be down to try this

I have never role played.

Of course you haven't, sweetie <3

Sorry? I have never role played, but I want to give it a shot.

It's basically everyone creating a story together (at least the way I do it) so if you enjoy writing, it's a lot of fun.

It'll probably be a while until this is ready, but I'm glad to hear some people are interested in this. Will post updates/questions if/when I have any.

You'd be better off running it on iirc or something, they tend to have die rolls built in and you don't have to wait more than a few minutes for people to response. I'd be game if you could bastardise DnD or CoC or something into an Oddworld format. I'd be up for it.

That's certainly a possibility, though I'd like to keep it forum-based if I can. I'll look into it, though.

Varrok, don't be shy. Come join your new family.

I think I'll pass. Experience taught me the outcome's gonna be the same regardless of my decision, anyway.

Eh?

He's already role playing the negative character.

It's the usual cycle of OWF Roleplaying:

-Somebody notices OWF Roleplaying is dead and starts a thread to gather people
-Some people agree and start roleplaying
-For reasons undisclosed the activity stops (e.g. host stops paying attention)
-OWF Roleplaying is dead

Ah. I've seen the same cycle on dozens of RP sites myself so I know why you'd feel that way. I'll do my best to see this through, but no hard feelings if you aren't on board.

The most efficient way to revive the RP section would really just be for small groups of 2-3 to roleplay very isolated events. I'm not sure why every time the RP section gets any attention it's always "hey let's make a big group RP" because that's way harder to sustain.

Keep in mind, anyone who's interested in RPing: you dont have to RP an OC, you can use actual existing characters and take on their roles if something like this doesn't suit your fancy.


Best of luck, FF. None of this was a shot at you and I look forward to seeing what comes out of this idea.

Let's say I'll consider joining after you guys managed to run it for a fair amount of time without it dying ;)

Varrok the free-rider.

I'm with Varrok.

Fair 'nuff, Varrok and Nep.

Actually Slog Bait's idea about writing the thing out in small chunks rather than one giant thread is actually a really really good idea. It could play out in "scenes", sort of. That way, characters could be spread out around the world, doing their own thing but still affecting/being affected by the main plot, rather than all stuck in one big clump together. Obviously I'd need to work out a timeline and keep things organized buuuut this has given me something to think about.

E: And while I would prefer people use OCs, I could certainly try to work in canons too.

EE: Anyone here ever written a tabletop campaign? I want there to be a solid storyline for players to follow but at the same time, the players pretty much make the storyline as they go through the game, so I can only outline so much to begin with. Pointers appreciated.

EEE:
A'IGHT BITCHES SO THIS IS HOW IT'S GONNA GO DOWN

I'm going to be taking Slog Bait's idea and running with it, and trying to run this game like a whole-forum RP, rather than a one-thread RP. SO, that means while there will be big important plot-related action threads that players can participate in, they will also be free to make their own small-group/1x1 threads that will take place within the same world/storyline as the plot threads, but will just be for fun and character interaction. We'll have some OOC threads as well--one for rules and info and whatnot, one for character records, one for chat/plotting, etc. As for the diceroll/stat thing, I'm still looking into that, but now I've come up with a couple alternate ideas that I want to run by you all to see what sounds best. I'll be making a poll for that here.

I very much want this to happen, it's been to long since i properly rp'd

I don't have any experience with tabletop campaigns, but I'm certainly good at creating and fleshing out stories given mybackground in Games Design, so I'd be willing to help should you need it.

Woo fellow Game Design student :D (How's that working out for ya btw? Will I actually be able to find a job?)

And that's fine since while I know I said this was tabletop-esque, it'll still have most of it's focus on writing and characters an' whatnot. I'll run some ideas by you later.

I also studied games design. I don't anymore because it's shit. Hurrah!

I've started to fall into that mindset given that this semester's courses are total bullshit (with the exception of one, and even that one has an idiot teacher) but hopefully I'll actually be learning things next year.

Don't count on it.

From my experience schools can't teach making great art.

Game design is art.

Am I art?

Insider art.

When are we going to play?

Hopefully very soon. Getting some feedback from a couple people before I put it all together and apply for a license.

I look forward to roleplay with you guys.

What began as mere skirmishes and raids has erupted into full-fledged war. The industrialist factions held the advantage at first, possessing funds and firepower leaps beyond what the native resistance could muster. However, alliances of Native tribes, in forces unseen since the Age of Alchemy, slowly brought down company after company and freed hundreds of slaves, making up for their lack of numbers and weaponry with guerrilla tactics and a vicious determination that no conscript soldier could ever hope to match. As cash flow slowed to a trickle and the rebel natives grew in number, it soon became obvious that drastic measures had to be taken, and soon.

With all other options exhausted, a dispatch of envoys from several major corporations, headed by the Magog Cartel, was sent into the depths of Nolybab to beg help from their investors. They returned with an affirmation, and an ultimatum: if they spent time and resources developing a new weapon to combat the native forces, they expected it to be used.

With no other choice, the industrial factions agreed to the contract. One year later, massive crates of unknown cargo began to travel out of Nolybab, to be received across Mudos. The operation was kept a matter of utmost secrecy, but things always had a way of slipping through the cracks...

How does that sound for an introductory plot? Not my best writing, but I'm still trying to figure out what mood works best for an Oddworld setting. Also, how does "Something Wicked" sound for a title? Too melodramatic?

Sounds good to me, interested to see where you take this!

I agree.