General Game Rules and Info

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Sep 5, 2025 2:25 pm
I just require that everyone comport themselves with respect, decency and understanding for others and that at all times apply Wheaton's Law.

Communication is key to us having a great time. If you don't like something or are uncomfortable, let me know so we can see if something can be done about it or an accommodation made.

No Ghosting! If you decide you want to leave the game, or the real world forces you to take an extended break, please let me know.

Posting Frequency: The goal should be for at least one post a day. This will help to keep momentum going. If you don't have anything to add at a particular instance, post an ellipsis "..." at a minimum so time isn't spent waiting for nothing. The posting tempo is very important during combat as slow combat can kill a game.

Please note that the game's time zone is GMT+8, so set your expectations of posting around that. I may be asleep while you are bright eyed and bushy tailed. That said, I'm used to being on the "other end" of that, so understand waiting. I will aim for at least one post to progress the story a day, and more frequent combat or event posts if able.

My most active times will be my early mornings, and late evenings.
Sep 6, 2025 8:19 am
Character Creation:

We're going to start with Level 1 Characters. A link to the Shadowdarklings site is below to create your characters. I was originally going to limit the selections to Zine #1, but figured we may as well just dive in and see what happens.

https://shadowdarklings.net/settings/sources=CS1,SD,SG&ancestries=1,2,3,4,5,6,7&classes=1,2,3,4,7,8,9,5,6

As this is basically a one-shot, you don't need to develope a complex backstory. Just have an idea of some basic characteristics and what their basic motivation is for adventuring, and more specifically why they might have agreed, been tricked or coerced into going on this mission. Feel free to do more than this as well, of course. Make up cities, towns or villages as you like. This adventure takes place near the villag of Far Meadow. If you want to be from Far Meadow, have some idea how/why you gained your level/skills; why you are there/returned, etc.

Don't be surprised if your character dies. Maybe run up a second one, just in case. Not that it takes long to create a new one.
Sep 6, 2025 8:34 am
Character Sheet:

Once you create your character, transfer it use this character sheet for the game.
[ +- ] Shadowdark
Sep 10, 2025 11:30 am
Posting Etiquette:

Your characters actions are posted in unadorned plain text. My preference is to keep these in third person, present tense. Here I kind of explain why.
Quote:
The towering man draws the massive sword from his back, setting his stance against the upcoming rush of kobolds.
Your speech is done in bold text.
Quote:
Come and taste my steel! the barbarian growls, feeling his rage flow through his veins.
Internal thoughts are handled through italics.
Quote:
Dirty kobolds. Vile creatures. I would as soon bed a devil as I would to see a single of these vermin roam free. the sorcerer thinks to herself as she feels the wisps of poison start to coalesce in her hand.
Information about the spell you are casting in red font. I also try to include a link to the spell in the post, but I don't ask you to do that if you don't want. Just a quirk of mine so I can get to the spell details quicker.
Quote:
Casting poison spray. DC13 Con save or take damage.
Anything out of character is posted using the OOC tags.
Quote:
OOC:
The barbarian really hates kobolds. I'm not sure if this would give him any kind of advantage on the strike? Are there any other rolls you want to see?
DM Information I try to post in this color.
Quote:
Feel free to roll a Nature check to learn more about Kobold lighting preferences. Billy, do so at advantage because your mom is a kobold.
_______________________________________________________________

A few housekeeping items, so you all know what to expect:

1) Given the nature of PbP games, I will roll all initiatives. Typically combat will be side based, meaning all the PCs will go in one batch and then all the NPCs will go in one batch. In order to keep it "easy" to understand, I'll post the current combat lineup in Bold Teal. If your name is in bold, you are free to take your action. If not, no action for you!

Example:
COMBAT! Bold below may act:
Evil Monkey
Bob
Bill
Susan

Army of Grifters


During the PC’s initiative block there is no posting order. Just post your characters action and I’ll interpret them in the initiative order.

2) Please roll attack and damage when you declare your attack. If you roll a 20, edit in an extra dice for the crit damage. For example, make a roll like: Longbow Shot: 1d20+3, 1d8+1.

3) If you think your action will need a roll, post it. If I don't need/want it, I'll just ignore the result. :)

…this was stolen whole cloth from Dramasailor. Thank you!
Sep 21, 2025 1:09 am
Initiative Expanded:

Shadowdark’s default initiative rules are pretty strict about turn order, like a board game. It is touched on above, but I’m not sure how well that will work with PBP, so will use a loose initiative order only in combat.

What do I mean by "loose"? When it’s the characters "turn", don’t wait for the person "ahead" of you to post your action. Post when you are ready. I’ll sort out the action.

Generally all the characters will be in the same action group as shown in the example above, but there could be circumstances where they are not.
Sep 21, 2025 4:07 am
I like this plan and am thinking that I will adopt it in my Shadowdark game. I was giving the turns a try, and it just takes too long. It works way better in real-life, but too clunky for PBP.

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