Who wants to play a (online RPG) game?

Cafe Society
1

I must be nucking futs, because I want to start this up again. In January 05, I started this game with a bunch of Dopers and Snopesters, and it was loads of fun, but also loads of work (mostly for me). And I’m crazy enough to want to try it again, though this time around I’m older and wiser, and can avoid the pitfalls of last time.

At least I’m tossing the idea around. I want to see how many people might be interested.

For newbies (who are very welcome to play), an RPG is a role-playing game. You take on the persona of an imaginary person, and play as if you were that person while trying to win the game. I will serve as both moderator (GM) and as every character in the world not played by another player.

Unlike most RPGs, there are no real rules. Combat rules are unnecessary, as are character rules, etc. This version of the game is 100% verbal. You will be armed only with your intellect, verbal skills, and social interactions (by that last I mean your ability to flatter and backstab simultaneously). There will be a few very minor stats, but these only reflect your ability to vote, and how much power your vote carries.

It’s essentially a game of negotiation and diplomacy.

It will be played via e-mail, where public proclamations are made via “reply to all” (or an e-mail list), and private negotiations are made via personal e-mails.

I hope to timebox play to around 4-6 weeks, subject to needs and availability of players. I certainly don’t want to impinge on players’ personal or professional lives. You would be expected to participate maybe 5-60 non-contiguous minutes per day. One of the mistakes I made last time was letting the game run for over eight months, and people started getting bored around month seven. That won’t happen this time.

For those of you who played last time, you are welcome to participate again, and possibly play a different character. One thing I will not do is invite long-term veterans to play, as they tend to run rings around the newbies. With all newbies, the playing field is level. Also, for those who played last time, I will change things around enough so that you can’t predict the surprises I pulled last time.

An ideal number for this game is 12. It is playable with up to 33 players. With less than 12, it becomes pretty unplayable (So ask your friends and neighbors!).

Here is the scenario:

On the mythical isle of Harn*, in the feudal kingdom of Kaldor, King Miginath is growing old and infirm. He has been ill for all of his 27 years of peaceful rule. His health is waning fast. However, he has named no heir to the throne. He has three bastard sons, but has not acknowledged any of them. There are also a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews. All told, there are some 15 people with a claim to the throne. Should Miginath pass on without naming an heir, his royal clan and tenents-in-chief must decide who the new ruler of Kaldor will be.

Will there be a smooth transition of power? Will there be a major shift in power structure? Or will the kingdom be plunged into full-scale civil war? The outcome depends on your ability to negotiate!

So, who is interested in this?

*Harn, all related proper names ans story are copyright 1983-2006 Columbia Games and N. Robin Crossby. As with last time, written permission for use will be obtained.

2

I’m using my free bump to bring this back to the top. Then if no responses, buh-bye game.

If it seems too complicated (or simple) or too time-consuming (or not enough), I’d be happy to answer your concerns.

If you were involved in the last time we played it, feel free to witness, for good or for ill.

3

It seems interesting. I’d like a little more information as to what the playing mechanics would be like, but count me as a tentative yes.

4

I am intrigued enough to want to know more. Count me as a tenative yes, also.

5

Thanks for the interest.

I’m not sure what else you want to know, so ask – but I’ll try to elucidate a little more.

I pretty much outline the mechanics of e-mailing above. You would all play nobles of the realm – Courtiers, earls, barons, sherriffs, or the Archbishop. You have all been called the King’s castle for some important news. This will, of course, result in public and private conversations. In game world, these would take place in public or private rooms. In actuality, you’d e-mail one or more players.

“Sir Conwan, who do you favor for king?”

“I favor me. Support me, and I shall make you an earl. Reject me, and I shall see your head on a pike.”

And so on. All interaction will be verbal only. There will be no drawing of swords, no casting of spells, etc. 100% dialog.

The game will have the following phases, each lasting perhaps a week or two, depending:

I. Getting to know Harn. Maps, texts, etc. A lot of this can be done browsing the web, but I’ll give you a lot.

II. Assigning characters to players, and getting to know your character and those of your fellow players. You may be privy to information that others are not.

III. Negotiations with others. This is sort of a free-for-all, though I ask that I be cc’d on every message, so that a) I can share in the fun, and b) I can correct you should you go wildly off on incorrect information.

IV. The succession council. Open discussion with all players, followed by a vote for king. Not all players can vote.

V. Further negotiations.

VI. The royal council, with a different vote.

VII. Final outcome. Depending on how the votes go, there are several outcomes. Remember that this is not a zero-sum game. The continued peace of the kingdom is a win for all. Civil war is a loss for all. But even in the best outcome, some players may gain or lose wealth, priveleges, prestige, or power. The goal is to make the best deals for yourself.

Each player will get a short character description, including name, age, position, and other stuff. He or she will also get three stats: Whether he or she can vote on either council, and power points. These reflect how much pull one has in the second vote. Three people with 1 power point each, for instance, will not outvote one person with 4 power points.

Clear as mud? Ask specific questions.

6

It all seems like fun to me. You can change my tentative to a certainty.

7

Excellent! If rainwalker78 is in, you two can decide who is king and who is not. Should take about 5 minutes. :wink:

Better yet, let’s recruit at least 10+ more “definites”, and we may have a “game on!”

I hope, I hope, I hope. I’ve spent some time thinking about this, and I’m looking forward to the time well spent.

I love this game.

8

Can my 5-60 non-contiguous minutes be spent in the early AM and late PM? If so, I’m game. I’ll bookmark this thread and see how things progress.

9

I’m in, but only if you have Cheetos and Mountain Dew. Also, I insist I be allowed the use of my Ogre-Slaying Knife (+9 vs. Ogres).

:smiley:

10

Go ahead and count me in too. I hope I don’t ruin the game for you :eek:

11

Sure. We’ll be on a sort of 24 hour schedule anyway, as I expect we’ll be getting people with all sorts of crazy hours and from all sorts of crazy parts of the world, even from all sorts of crazy hemispheres.

12

We have ale from Abriel Abbey, and you can use an axe of Khuzan make. Nobles don’t partake of cheese, being that preserved foods are the sign of common folk. Some fresh roasted boar, perhaps?

Take it or leave it. Your Grace.

13

I hope you don’t, either. :stuck_out_tongue:

You’ll do great. Welcome on board, m’lord.

14

It sounds interesting. Is it basically like Amber Diceless, as if so, I’ll give it a try.

15

Yes, absolutely!

16

We’re up to nine players so far, with a few tentatives.

Let’s let the recruiting go on through the weekend (during which I’ll be away), and then we can start.

I’m awaiting permission from Columbia Games, which I don’t anticipate will be a problem.

17

And that puts us up to twelve. Forsooth and hail! We have achieveth gameage! (Additional players are still welcome.)

If all players could do the following:

Send me an e-mail to nealtodd (at) comcast (dot) net. Please start the header with “KSC”, such as “KSC - let’s game!” or something.

Include the following information, which will be shared by all players:

-The fact that you are a Doper
-Your first or full name
-Your SDMB user name
-Your preferred e-mail address
-Your availability (include hours, your time zone, anticipated vacations, etc.)

Also include the following information, which I will keep confidential:

-Your gender (which will not disqualify you from any role)
-The gender you prefer to play (the more flexible, the greater choice of roles you have, but I find that people tend to play their own gender best. Usually.)
-Which type of role you might prefer (though nothing is guaranteed):
*Candidate for king
*Non-candidate, but voting clan member
*Tenent-in-chief
*Aggressive asshole (can be one or more of the above)
*Miscellaneous or any

I’ll send you a confirmation reply within 24 hours.

18

Could you expand on these?

19

Is it too late to jump on the bandwagon?

If not, count me in :slight_smile:

20

Sure. This PDF (warning - PDF!!!) explains some of it pretty well. See pages 2 and 3.

But in my own words:

*Candidate for king

Or queen.

A blood relative of the king. Normally the eldest son. Since there is none (except an unacknowledged bastard), it could go to an eldest male cousin or nephew. The king’s niece was once a contender, but was passed over, so things look bleak for her. Her 16-year-old daughter, once she comes of age, is a strong contender.

*Non-candidate, but voting clan member

As above, but not an eldest child. There are several people who fit this bill. The first that comes to mind is the king’s niece (younger sister of the one named above), who is also Royal Chaimberlain (I think).

While these people will never rule, they have a say in who does. Often they are quite powerful, and have influence far beyond their offices and family ties.

All (of age) blood relatives may sit on the succession council. Everyone who does gets one vote.

*Tenent-in-chief

An earl or baron (and the Archbishop) who holds land directly from the crown. A baron who holds from an earl is not one of these. They sit on the royal council. They must ratify (or fail to) the vote of the succession council.

Note that some t-in-cs are also clan members, and will sit on both councils.

*Aggressive asshole (can be one or more of the above)

There are three specifically that I’m thinking of. OK, maybe they’re not assholes, but they are definitely aggressive, manipulative, and scheming. The niece and her daughter, mentioned above, are not above tactics worthy of a medieval soap opera.

The king’s eldest bastard son (who holds several high offices) has a reputation for being ruthless. He sits on neither council, but feels he should sit on the SC. He has a point, and is not afraid to press it.

*Miscellaneous

There are some who don’t fit into any of the above categories. One that comes to mind is Lady Erila Kaphin. She holds the office of Lord Privy Seal. She is also the king’s main squeeze. Although powerless on paper, she is not one to be tossed aside lightly.