The Ruling System

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The rules setting I will be using is 2nd Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, with a few exceptions. I expect all players to either own or have access to the relevant Player's Handbook. This will be a very free form RPG in that I will not be holding to all the rules and if ignoring the rules will make my job easier and the storyline more fluid/fun, I will do it. If all goes well, the rules system will be pretty much transparent within the storyline, as all the mechanics will be done outside of the mainstream message lines between all relevant parties.

First: Turns

I will post every weekend, depending upon the severity of my schoolwork. Turns are due by Friday night, Pacific Time. This is to give me time to assess the situation and formulate the next post. Combat will be resolved by either well roleplayed situations or by several rounds happening at each post. Most of the time I will be available to answer Question posts between the main posts, so feel free to email me if you need clarification on something, wanna ask a question, or jes feel like giving me feedback. : ]

Second: Posting

All posts will be done in third person, past-tense. This is to keep consistency within the game. The email messages responding to main storyline should have the following subject heading:

Subject: TR: [Turn number], Character Name

Therefore, my first post will be:

Subject: TR: Turn 1, DM

while your follow up posts to this will be:

Subject: TR: Turn 1, Krath

or something similar. The main posts are to be sent to all parties present at the event. That means your posts are to be sent to every party member present and that I should be CC'ed. These posts will be the ones that are posted on my webpage (assuming I have the time to get it up), so any information you do not wish to relay to other party members should be excluded from these posts. We will use (OOC): as "Out Of Character" remarks. These are general questions and remarks that you wish all to see. (IC): will be for In Character remarks, those you wish to be included in the storyline. Example:

(IC): The knight's speech was stunning. Waylan, tears in his eyes, stepped forward. "My sword bends to thy will, sir!" he cried, raising his sword high into the air. "I will follow where you lead!" Following this, his eyes roamed over the others in the party, as if waiting for them to follow suit.

(OOC): If the others in my party don't follow, I'll begin to berate them for not following the knight against the Orcish hordes. Also, has Aio returned from finding us an inn?

All posts that do not belong in the main email stream must have the line format: Subject: Questions - Character Name[Turn number] These posts are where you ask me about the feasibility of actions, more detailed descriptions of something, or other posts of that type. These posts will be sent directly to me and not to any other member of the group (unless you're acting in concert with another member). Conversations between party members may go on without DM intervention, but I ask that you CC me in so that I at least have an idea of what's going on within the party.

Third: Conduct

All PCs must be respectful towards other PCs. Anyone who violates this rule without good justification will be immediately dropped from the campaign.

However, the reverse is also true. If anything is done within this campaign that offends you, please try to understand that it is done in good humor and try not to take offense. If you have any problems about this, email me right away.

Fourth: Combat

As stated before, combat will be resolved by well played situations or by simple hack and slash. Remember, strategy will work (well, good strategy will work) if only you use it. However, if it does come down to simple hack and slash, well... that's how life goes sometimes.

When a combat situation arises, I will ask you all for a post explaining what you intend to do during the fight. This will be your general plan of action. If you do not reply again during the fight, I will assume you are following your plan. These posts will go DIRECTLY to me and no one else. No one is going to know exactly what you are doing unless they see you doing it. Therefore, the first post I'll send will be the initiative posts, where the monsters and PCs begin their actions. At this point, you can alter your actions as needed. Contingency plans are welcome. After this post, I will run combat through several rounds or until I need another post from the players. At that point, I'll send out a post updating the players on the situation. This will continue until combat is over. Then, we find out who won.

Fifth: Absences

Absences are allowed as long as I am notified before hand. Any three unexcused absences, or two in a row, will result in your removal from the game, as such disruptions in the game ruin it for everyone. If I myself will be absent, I'll send you all a note telling you when I'll return. This way, you won't be wondering whether or not the game is still running.