þ Game Notes & Introduction

     Welcome to the game finally.  A bit late but finally getting most
  of the characters done and ready to go.  Still have a few missing
  various things and some haven't even been started but most are ready.
  As discussed earlier this game is being done over the Internet via
  E-mail/Mailing List and Echomail via BBSes and networks.  As a result
  there are two primary locations this game is being done.  Because of
  this one on the list may not see what is posted in the echomail area
  (there are only like 3 players in echomail while most are in email).
  I will merge those posts into the main GM update posts so you can
  see what is going on and vice versa email posts on echomail areas.

  þ Mailing List
    Most of you have already been signed up to the mailing list by me.  If
  you have problems or go on vacation please alert me of the situation.

  þ Player Watches
    As a player you really only need to worry about a few things of your
  basic character.  I as GM will handle most of the number crunching for
  skill, spell and combat actions.  I will record each success or failure
  on the character sheet.  As a player you should review your character
  as a whole every once in awhile.  However you really only need to keep
  up with your Equipment, skills and/or spells.  For obvious reasons if
  you use alot of gear and lose it then you should track it.  I will do
  it as well but if you forget you had a sword in combat and realize it
  later this is why you should track it :).  Skills and spells should
  be tracked mainly for what skills and spells to USE.  There might be
  a situation where your character could bring something to the current
  situation than others could.  Also any special things like background
  plot points, special attributes or such should be in the back of your
  mind as well in order to keep track of things that I might pull into
  the game :).

  þ Character sheets
    At any time you can request your updated character sheet and I will
  either email or get it to you in some form.  I will never post it to
  the public areas (list/echomail) as characters are private.

  þ Support Web Site
    I am in the process of making a web site that will have game updates
  resources and things like this file at the site.  It might take a bit
  but it will be eventually up.  So those who might lose track of time or
  have email problems or return from vacation can see what has occured
  in game summaries.  I will also likely do alot of referencing to the
  main P&P web site for maps or other information if needed.

  þ Playing PBEM Games
    It will take most a bit of time to get used to playing a PBEM game that
  might not be used to it.  Basically I as the GM will present things to
  you the players to react and act upon.  Dialogue or "talk" is the most
  important aspect to this situation and should be done to present your
  role-playing of your characters.

    Dialogue: Talkinge in a pbem game is the most important aspect for the
  characters and GM.  There are some suggested guidelines to chat that I
  would like to have followed.  If you would like something different
  that's fine just let me know or explain it at the time.
        Character talk: enclose in quotes "" like "hello, dragon.."
        Character actions: enclose in ()'s like (I move around the wall)
        Other comments: enclose in []'s like [Hey Farseeker why not use..]
      I will consider all talk in "s to be publically said and done.  If
  you are jesting or joking about a situation that's fine just don't
  include the "s so we know its not your character but YOU saying it.

    Actions: Its best to be as detailed as possible in order to explain what
  your character is doing.  This will not only help me but others.  For
  example you might say something like:
        Player- "Now you die!"
          (I reach for sword quickly turning and ducking to the ground
  as I avoid the incoming arrows from the above platform.  I then draw
  the sword...standing up quickly and charge the three men standing
  by the door...)  Something like (Duck, get sword and fight) isn't too
  exciting nor elaborate is it :).

    Items: This style of game is a fire come first server situation with
  booty or items you might find.  As a result I will deal with it that
  way.  If however there is a situation where you wnat someone else has
  then talk to him/her about it and trade.

    Combat: Combat is the most complex and hardest situation in a pbem game.
  Mainly due to time.  What might only be 3 seconds in game time might take
  weeks for a pbem game.  Thus in order to speed up combat I would like
  maybe each person to let me know ahead of time (now) or at the time
  of a potentional combat situation (ie your about to walk into 30 orcs)
  to tell me what your top 3 combat actions will be.  If you mainly use
  a bow and stand back say so.  If you throw 2 daggers, assess situation
  and then draw sword say so.  This will help me.  I will likely try to
  automate some of the combat a bit but its best to role play the isution
  from your point of view in terms of actions for me.  I will then take
  the top combat actions and perform #1 first if not possible (ie bow in
  a melee situation) then I'll do #2.  For those who do not post actions
  I will either do defensive or if in a bad situation offensive actions
  based on the character sheet at hand.

     After-actions: I have termed after actions as the ability to do things
  after the time/event.  If for example you were in a town and needed more
  rations you could say while on the boat you meant to and spend the money.
  HOWEVER, these actions are not to be helpful to you.  For example if
  you forgot to buy that one item that could save you now then that's
  not my problem :).  But things that will not affect the game or current
  situation are fine.

  þ Maps
    I will use some form of maps if I am able to.  With the various email
  programs out there I might have to do them in some form of file and
  just file attach them to you guys.  Otherwise I'll use a form of
  Ansi map (color)-to view you need something like ansi.sys but then
  again some have no OS for that.  Thus I will likely try a ascii backup
  or a text based map.  Like so...

        /  \__/  \__/  \__/  \_
        \__/  \__/  \__/  \__/
        /  \__/  \__/  \__/  \__
        \__/  \__/  \__/  \__/
        /  \__/  \__/  \__/  \__
      Would be used in a combat type situation or for a area map.
    I will also be referencing maps from the actual P&P that are on the
  main web site so stay tuned for links.  I can send files to you if
  you have problem with the web page.  Keep in mind I am no artist so
  I will not do any fancy maps :<.

  þ  IRC/chat gaming
     Seems only 4 of the 14 players have ability to do live gaming so I guess
  that will be out.  HOWEVER if any of these players wish to get questions
  on the current situation or maybe go into a group by themselves then
  we could do it that way (would speed things up).  :)

  þ  Game Updates
     I've tried to take a consenus from the group as a whole to see when
  game updates should be done.  It seems twice a week is best for everyone.
  I will thus do it that way.  For sure one update will be done on Friday
  some time (likely afternoon/night).  The other day looks to be Tuesday.
  If you think another day would be better i will like feedback.  I am
  in Florida (USA) in the EST Timezone so all updates will likely be
  from 4pm-3am in that range on that day.  Please have replies done before
  those update 'days' if you are able.

  þ  Busy schedules
     I know that most of us including myself have private lives and busy
  schedules.  As a result I will not yell if you miss a week or two of
  the game.  Heck I might even get bogged down and not do updates sometimes
  but will try.  This game you signed up to be is in for the long haul.
  It might take several months to get into the game and finish it.  A
  typical pbem is 3-8 months long for 'one' adventure.  If you are busy
  and just not posting I will have your character as if he/she is not
  doing anything.  I will not kill anyone tha tjust stands there during
  a combat.  I will assume either your in a defensive or offensive mode
  depending on the character :).

  þ  Contact
     IRC - send email for contact on this
     ICQ : 24436933
     email: pnpgm@comcast.net official GM email)
       longshotgm@comcast.net

  þ Posting
    If you have a public action then post it publically in the echomail or
  mailing list.  However, if you wish to do something privately then send
  private email to me NOT to the list (be sure of this because you might
  forget to do it on the list) :).  If you wish to talk to other players
  in the game that is fine in a haggle or something but I'd do a carbon
  copy email or send a private netmail/email post to me if possible.  
  This way I can see what is going on out there :).

  þ Final comments...
    I hope that the game will be good for everyone.  We have alot of P&P
  GMs here who own and know the game.  So that makes my job a bit more
  harder than most times where none of the players own the game :).
  Please if I am doing something wrong or you think something is just
  not right please give feedback.  I am doing this for fun and not
  to be a rules lawyer :).

  Updated: 7/27/15