Will this work?

angelius · Post by **angelius** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 3:58 am

Hi everyone I'm thinking of running a kingdom/vassal scale RPG campaign online via play by post. Where each player controls a vassalage under the rule of a lord. I'm thinking of starting with 4 players max first then growing as I get used to it?

I've always dreamt of running something on this scale but it would be difficult in person. I figure something like 1 post every 3 days or something as the pace of the game?

Players will make decisions for politics, economy, military (i haven't decided the "turn" phases yet) but I want to build a homebrew ruleset based on this concept.

Thoughts? Any interest trying this out with me?
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 3:58 am

It's almost like some sort of "kingdom simulation"...
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 4:07 am

Using the way back machine, something like this was originally envisioned for the Castles and Crusades Society, to be set in Aihrde. So, as the former Seneschal, I would like to say that it would be interesting, and if you have the rules, can you please send them to John (seskis) or myself, so we can see about setting up something like this? I think its a marvelous idea, by the way, but the logistics can be a nightmare...
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Plaag · Post by **Plaag** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:05 am

This reminds me of Zantius

Would be interesting to see how it works though.

ShaneG.

Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:45 pm

angelius, is there going to be elements of Diplomacy involved?
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:47 pm

I agree. It needs someone to CK/DM it and that's why I think starting with 4 players first would be useful to see how it functions. And if it works maybe expand it player wise and then DM/CK wise as well.

I suppose, I'm a little selfish as well because I was going to set it in my fairly well developed homebrew world that I've used for like 15 years.

I also imagined it to be fairly feudal, deep in the heart of the territory of man. Therefore little interference from orcs/elves/dwarves etc. And low magic.

------

Well let's get started shall we?

Over the next few days I'll write up the "turn" sequence and take in some comments, suggestions that you'd like to see. Maybe it'll be something, maybe it won't but we wont know till I try it out?
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:49 pm

Lord Dynel wrote:
angelius, is there going to be elements of Diplomacy involved?

Definitely, I want politics to be dominant. ie. A lot of PM's flying around! Spying, marriages, keeping the king's favour ....
At the same time, economics (handle via shocks and stimulus challenges handed out by the DM) will play a big role as well.

You know the saying, take care of business at home first. You gotta feed the peasants, keep them happy by fulfulling your feudal duties as a lord (protection etc.)

Military will be very simple, handled simply by the players sending me batle tactics and i'll simulate it on my end.
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:04 pm

Plaag wrote:
This reminds me of Zantius

Would be interesting to see how it works though.

ShaneG.

Yup saw that. I believe that I can bring something deeper and better AND most importantly free...
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:06 pm

serleran wrote:
Using the way back machine, something like this was originally envisioned for the Castles and Crusades Society, to be set in Aihrde. So, as the former Seneschal, I would like to say that it would be interesting, and if you have the rules, can you please send them to John (seskis) or myself, so we can see about setting up something like this? I think its a marvelous idea, by the way, but the logistics can be a nightmare...

Yeah I was thinking of logistics too, it will likely need a dedicated sub-forum. I ran this for my players a while back and they loved it.

What I ended up programming was a economic simulation for various commodities as well, strictly dependant on supply-demand actions by the players.

It was fun.
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 6:30 pm

Anyone want in? I want to start with 4 players first.

Here's a website that I just threw up with the details
Lykarnia
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Heruka · Post by **Heruka** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:55 am

Yep,

I'm game

What do you need from me to get signed up?

angelius · Post by **angelius** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:26 pm

Nope that's good enough. With enough people I'll just start putting together a bunch of draft notes that I have into one cohesive document and then distribute it!
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Lurker · Post by **Lurker** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:05 am

This sounds great! I'd kill to play in a game like this tooooo bad that my school work is killing me! Condensed classes are EVIL!

If it was a "play by post" kind of set up and I could do it while pretending to be studying or researching I might be able to throw in, but I don't want to take a seat from someone that has more time to put into it.
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:03 pm

Lurker wrote:
This sounds great! I'd kill to play in a game like this tooooo bad that my school work is killing me! Condensed classes are EVIL!

If it was a "play by post" kind of set up and I could do it while pretending to be studying or researching I might be able to throw in, but I don't want to take a seat from someone that has more time to put into it.

Well it's not too bad. It can get involving if you get addicted to it. (Some do!) But we make 1 turn every 3 days in real life.

I'm having a hard time saying no to people. I have 1 more coming in for Turn Two. If you want in you can, but be warned that I must have a strict deadline for turns because I can't look out for everyone. So if you miss it, you miss it. If you're okay with that you're more than welcomed.

It has already started and its going quite well so far.
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Troll Lord · Post by **Troll Lord** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:36 pm

Has this game already started? Where are the forums. I remember way back when Davis used to play...this was crica 1902...a Hyborean play by mail game. He loved that thing. He was always attacking people. (in an interesting aside he plays some game called something or the other online that has some 45000 players, you build a village and land and then do whatever, he's ranked the 65th most aggressive player LOLOLOL). My brother is an ass.

At any rate. He did just turn over the war gaming rules for Aihrde, i wonder if they would port to the online game you are playing.

Steve

Peter is going to read this in a minute and tell me we need to finish the Aihdre map. haha
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:43 pm

Troll Lord wrote:
Has this game already started? Where are the forums. I remember way back when Davis used to play...this was crica 1902...a Hyborean play by mail game. He loved that thing. He was always attacking people. (in an interesting aside he plays some game called something or the other online that has some 45000 players, you build a village and land and then do whatever, he's ranked the 65th most aggressive player LOLOLOL). My brother is an ass.

At any rate. He did just turn over the war gaming rules for Aihrde, i wonder if they would port to the online game you are playing.

Steve

Peter is going to read this in a minute and tell me we need to finish the Aihdre map. haha

It has indeed started sir! We have expaned to four players and two more coming in for turn two. There are also two NPC vassals to keep things interesting.

This game is based on a system that I used for my players when they grew too powerful. The world is specifically based on my homebrew setting that I have used for many years.

I have expanded it further and (I'm at work now) later tonight I will post the latest version of the ruleset and give you a link. You can check out the quick and dirty website I put up for this here. I will add more when I have time.

Basically, yes, I know that other computer games can do better, nicer graphics etc. etc. But play by post with a GM, is the still the ultimate in fluff, flavour, unpredictability.

So far the feedback has been really good for this little pet project of mine.

I'll post more details when I get home.
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:48 pm

The updated ruleset is now available for download
www.bigironvault.com/Lykarnia/WOLPlayerHandbook.pdf
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