Pen and Paper Inn Rules- Please Read Before Posting! The Pen and Paper Inn is different from other World Projects in that we are not so much a singular game as we are a completely separate subforum within the Colosseum that exists specifically to give individuals wishing to play D&D and other tabletop titles via the play-by-post method.
You can play in all sorts of exciting adventures, or even run your own.
However, before you do, there are a few things that need to be broken down and clarified.
First off...
Subforum Breakdown-
The Main Forum- This is the place for posting adventure signups and gameplay. It's a fairly self explanatory place.
1. Please post gameplay threads, discussion threads, homebrew threads, rules threads, and signup threads. Notes belong in Campaign Notes and Character Creation threads belong in the Character Hall
2. When a thread is complete, it is the responsibility of the thread creator to alert a moderator or World Project Leader in some way so that we can close and/or retire that thread. Often times, we are hesitant to close a thread for someone without speaking to them first, because there may be more to do within that thread of which we are unaware.
3. However, on a related note, if a thread goes too long without any activity, we will retire it with or without the DM's approval. In the case of signup/character generation threads, these will be retired as soon as gameplay begins in most cases. In the case of games, these will be retired if a year passes without any activity. On request, a retired game can be unretired.
Character Hall- This forum is the archive of character creation threads, where character sheets are stored. Threads are typically not created here, but rather moved here from the main forum upon completion. Players can, however, edit their sheets here as they see fit.
Rules for the Character Hall-
1. In general, there is no need to repost your character sheets in the Hall, as they will already be chronicled in their respective character generation thread. However, in the case of some PCs, it is acceptable to post a thread specifically for your characters, provided these characters are not already archived in a character creation thread. (In example, creating a character for a one-shot adventure or to participate in a thread akin to the now retired Grimkey's Tavern would be acceptable.)
Past Adventures- This is the archive for retired threads.
Rules for Past Adventures-
Posting is restricted in Past Adventures. As such, there are no rules for this subforum.
General Rules in the Pen and Paper Inn- Now that we have broken down the areas of the subforum, there are some general rules on playing and posting here. Please read them carefully.
Rules on Open Gaming Content- As some of you may already know, the d20 System used as the core for Dungeons and Dragons 3.0/3.5 is published under what is called Open Gaming Content.
Open Gaming Content allows the basic skeleton of the system to be developed and shared without fear of copyright infringement, and because of this it allows for a great deal of design flexibility and player opportunity that has helped make the d20 System one of the most prolific of modern tabletop systems. Players and DMs can run games without ever having to spend a red cent on a book thanks to this, and developers can use the core of the system to invent all sorts of great variations and new games.
However, this does not mean that all d20 Material is open to everyone. Only a select portion of the system may be distributed freely. We'll explain in detail what is and isn't acceptable for the purposes of the Inn.
1. To preface, you CAN use non-OGL material in the Inn. Under fair use laws, all materials are approved for private use, and this includes play-by-post games.
2. However, there is a clear line between fair use and copyright infringement. As such, a player or DM can use the material but under no circumstances can they reproduce the information within that material.
For example, if you were to use the book Savage Species for a campaign or character, you could use all material within it, and that would be fine- you could list any class, races, class features, or new spell on your character sheet and use them as they came up in the game. However, you could not merely take info out of the book and repost it verbatim.
To summarize, I'll post an example of something that is and isn't acceptable
Fair Use-
Quote from Shaharazad »
Llwyr steps up behind Ialida wearing a wicked grin, and unleashes an eldrich blast, enfused with promises of euphoria at one of the doomed men.
[spoiler=Llywr's turn]
Start at B-13, taking a 5 step up to E-12 while shooting a "euphoric" blast at the ruffian at J-10
Ranged touch attack roll
Dice 1 roll on a 20-sided dice with +7 modifier: 11
Fort save at +16 to avoid being sickened (-2 to all attacks, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks)
End turn on E-12
In this example, Shaharazad's character Llwyr, a warlock (a supplemental class from the Complete Arcane supplement), makes use of his classes eldritch blasts and invocations, but doesn't explain how they work in such detail that someone could drop by the site and copy this post in order to use the information in another game. As it stands, both Shaharazad and any passers-by would both need to own the Complete Arcane in order to fully utilize the warlock and it's features.
Copyright Infringement-
Quote from A Bad, Bad Poster »
So guys, I'm going to use the following feat from the Complete Loser
Improved Minmaxing
You are more adept at optimizing yourself than others. Prerequisite: First level, must have an 18 in at least 2 abilities score, 4 ranks in Play: (Magic the Gathering) Benefit: All checks and skills that would be based on Charisma are instead based on your Strength score. Normal: You suck at Diplomacy, but have +12 to hit on first level
Do you see the difference? In this case, the player just copied and pasted the written material right from the book, and made it available to everyone. Even though it was just a single feat, for players who would be using the Complete Loser (not a real supplement, btw), there would be no need for them to go out and purchase that book now that someone had made the info public for them.
Minor violations of this rule will result in your posts being edited or possibly deleted, but any major violations of this rule will result in the poster being reported to the moderation and/or administration of MTGS.
Additionally, while it's not uncommon for players to make use of PDFs, we do NOT, under any circumstances, support downloading illegal PDFs. Do not ask us to provide you with a PDF of a book, and if you are the sharing sort, do it off-site.
Conduct Rules- There is a basic etiquette to be followed on this subforum. As would be expected, all forum decency rules apply as per normal, but there are some other rules that also apply.
1. Please make all text a legible font and color.
2. Please do not use bold red text. Bold red text is the domain of moderators, and as per forum rules should also not be used (even by WPLs).
3. Respect your DM. He has the final say in everything in your game. If you feel your DM has done something unfairly, then it is acceptable to bring it up with him via PM, but do not bog down the game threads with needless arguing. Furthermore, respect your DMs decisions. You may not agree with what they choose to do, but as long as they are running the game and you have agreed to play it, you are required to honor their wishes.
4. DMs can play in other games, but cannot play in their own games. This is to prevent a conflict of interests. DMs can run NPC characters that accompany a party, but those NPC character are not considered true characters, and cannot be used in one-shot adventures in the University.
5. Before making a campaign, please check the General Campaign Interest Thread, to see if there isn't already a campaign of that style going. Additionally, you will want to look and see if there aren't already people waiting on a game of your preferred style waiting to play.
6. Players will be required to update and maintain a character sheet in a specific thread dedicated to character sheets. You are required to update your character sheet whenever a major change occurs, and at the end of any encounter. It is your responsibility to log your experience totals, HP, power points, spells per day, or anything of that nature. If you forget to level yourself up after gaining a level, your DM will try and remind you to do so, but ultimately it is your responsibility to do so. If you neglect to apply a level up before the next encounter, you may be forced to go through that encounter on your previous level.
7. Character sheets for all characters must comply with the rules of the game as determined by that game's DM before they will be allowed to play. Please check with your DM before submitting via PM to see if your character sheet is acceptable.
8. The DM withholds the right to personalize his own games as he sees fit, but must maintain a fair environment, and be ready to explain and educate all his players on any house rules he may be using.
9. Players will be required to maintain a certain level of activity to ensure smooth gameplay. This doesn't require a lot of time, but does entail staying vigilant in combat scenarios, so that the game doesn't grind to a halt if you miss your turn. If a person is delayed in posting when required, the DM can PM that person and nudge them, and if they do not reply in a certain amount of time, the DM should be able to assume control of that player's character until such a point that they can be controlled again. It is a DM's perogative to decide how long they will babysit your character. Also, keep in mind that no one player is guaranteed a spot in any game, and if you are perpetually lacking in activity, your DM may write your character out of the game entirely- and it may not always be pleasant.
10. DMs reserve the right to deny or approve any specific class, character, concept, weapon, feat, spell, sourcebook, etc. Some DMs will outline very clearly what supplements are acceptable at the beginning of a game. Others allow supplements to be incorporated on a case by case basis. It is permissible to approach a DM with a new supplement for approval, but understand that the DM may not have access to that supplement. Furthermore, if a DM denies you use of any specific supplement, it is his right to do so. This also applies more than just supplements- the DM holds the right to deny any race, alignment, class, feat, spell, house rule, weapon, magic item, prestige class, campaign setting, et al in his own game.
System/Game Availability- The Pen and Paper Inn is currently designed to support play of all d20 System Games, but this isn't set in stone. There are other game systems that we are open to hosting, but with certain stipulations.
1. Please prefaces discussion and rules threads with what system that applies to. Good Examples: 2E question on wizards, [WOD] About the Tremere, True20- Adepts Too Powerful?
Bad Examples: What about Kits?, Question on the Malkavians, Kyriotates of Jean too Powerful?
2. Unlike in previous times, we are open to running any pen and paper roleplaying game. Be it Dungeons and Dragons, Dark Heresy, World of Darkness, or Wuxia RPG, it has a home here if you can generate enough interest for a game.
Other Issues- Anything not specified above can be addressed here. If you have anything to add to this, please PM a moderator or World Project Leader, and we will answer the questions for you to the best of our ability.
Q. How active do I need to be?
A. That depends on the game. Ask your DM for more details.
Q. I just made my own homebrew campaign setting/d20 system game. Can I run it here?
A. Sure! We'd love to see your innovations!
Special Note to DMs: Please request to join the Pen & Paper Inn DM group, so you can access a hidden subforum to store campaign notes.
You can play in all sorts of exciting adventures, or even run your own.
However, before you do, there are a few things that need to be broken down and clarified.
First off...
Subforum Breakdown-
General Rules in the Pen and Paper Inn- Now that we have broken down the areas of the subforum, there are some general rules on playing and posting here. Please read them carefully.
Rules on Open Gaming Content- As some of you may already know, the d20 System used as the core for Dungeons and Dragons 3.0/3.5 is published under what is called Open Gaming Content.
Open Gaming Content allows the basic skeleton of the system to be developed and shared without fear of copyright infringement, and because of this it allows for a great deal of design flexibility and player opportunity that has helped make the d20 System one of the most prolific of modern tabletop systems. Players and DMs can run games without ever having to spend a red cent on a book thanks to this, and developers can use the core of the system to invent all sorts of great variations and new games.
However, this does not mean that all d20 Material is open to everyone. Only a select portion of the system may be distributed freely. We'll explain in detail what is and isn't acceptable for the purposes of the Inn.
1. To preface, you CAN use non-OGL material in the Inn. Under fair use laws, all materials are approved for private use, and this includes play-by-post games.
2. However, there is a clear line between fair use and copyright infringement. As such, a player or DM can use the material but under no circumstances can they reproduce the information within that material.
For example, if you were to use the book Savage Species for a campaign or character, you could use all material within it, and that would be fine- you could list any class, races, class features, or new spell on your character sheet and use them as they came up in the game. However, you could not merely take info out of the book and repost it verbatim.
To summarize, I'll post an example of something that is and isn't acceptable
Fair Use-
In this example, Shaharazad's character Llwyr, a warlock (a supplemental class from the Complete Arcane supplement), makes use of his classes eldritch blasts and invocations, but doesn't explain how they work in such detail that someone could drop by the site and copy this post in order to use the information in another game. As it stands, both Shaharazad and any passers-by would both need to own the Complete Arcane in order to fully utilize the warlock and it's features.
Copyright Infringement-
Do you see the difference? In this case, the player just copied and pasted the written material right from the book, and made it available to everyone. Even though it was just a single feat, for players who would be using the Complete Loser (not a real supplement, btw), there would be no need for them to go out and purchase that book now that someone had made the info public for them.
Minor violations of this rule will result in your posts being edited or possibly deleted, but any major violations of this rule will result in the poster being reported to the moderation and/or administration of MTGS.
Additionally, while it's not uncommon for players to make use of PDFs, we do NOT, under any circumstances, support downloading illegal PDFs. Do not ask us to provide you with a PDF of a book, and if you are the sharing sort, do it off-site.
Conduct Rules- There is a basic etiquette to be followed on this subforum. As would be expected, all forum decency rules apply as per normal, but there are some other rules that also apply.
1. Please make all text a legible font and color.
2. Please do not use bold red text. Bold red text is the domain of moderators, and as per forum rules should also not be used (even by WPLs).
3. Respect your DM. He has the final say in everything in your game. If you feel your DM has done something unfairly, then it is acceptable to bring it up with him via PM, but do not bog down the game threads with needless arguing. Furthermore, respect your DMs decisions. You may not agree with what they choose to do, but as long as they are running the game and you have agreed to play it, you are required to honor their wishes.
4. DMs can play in other games, but cannot play in their own games. This is to prevent a conflict of interests. DMs can run NPC characters that accompany a party, but those NPC character are not considered true characters, and cannot be used in one-shot adventures in the University.
5. Before making a campaign, please check the General Campaign Interest Thread, to see if there isn't already a campaign of that style going. Additionally, you will want to look and see if there aren't already people waiting on a game of your preferred style waiting to play.
6. Players will be required to update and maintain a character sheet in a specific thread dedicated to character sheets. You are required to update your character sheet whenever a major change occurs, and at the end of any encounter. It is your responsibility to log your experience totals, HP, power points, spells per day, or anything of that nature. If you forget to level yourself up after gaining a level, your DM will try and remind you to do so, but ultimately it is your responsibility to do so. If you neglect to apply a level up before the next encounter, you may be forced to go through that encounter on your previous level.
7. Character sheets for all characters must comply with the rules of the game as determined by that game's DM before they will be allowed to play. Please check with your DM before submitting via PM to see if your character sheet is acceptable.
8. The DM withholds the right to personalize his own games as he sees fit, but must maintain a fair environment, and be ready to explain and educate all his players on any house rules he may be using.
9. Players will be required to maintain a certain level of activity to ensure smooth gameplay. This doesn't require a lot of time, but does entail staying vigilant in combat scenarios, so that the game doesn't grind to a halt if you miss your turn. If a person is delayed in posting when required, the DM can PM that person and nudge them, and if they do not reply in a certain amount of time, the DM should be able to assume control of that player's character until such a point that they can be controlled again. It is a DM's perogative to decide how long they will babysit your character. Also, keep in mind that no one player is guaranteed a spot in any game, and if you are perpetually lacking in activity, your DM may write your character out of the game entirely- and it may not always be pleasant.
10. DMs reserve the right to deny or approve any specific class, character, concept, weapon, feat, spell, sourcebook, etc. Some DMs will outline very clearly what supplements are acceptable at the beginning of a game. Others allow supplements to be incorporated on a case by case basis. It is permissible to approach a DM with a new supplement for approval, but understand that the DM may not have access to that supplement. Furthermore, if a DM denies you use of any specific supplement, it is his right to do so. This also applies more than just supplements- the DM holds the right to deny any race, alignment, class, feat, spell, house rule, weapon, magic item, prestige class, campaign setting, et al in his own game.
System/Game Availability- The Pen and Paper Inn is currently designed to support play of all d20 System Games, but this isn't set in stone. There are other game systems that we are open to hosting, but with certain stipulations.
1. Please prefaces discussion and rules threads with what system that applies to.
Good Examples: 2E question on wizards, [WOD] About the Tremere, True20- Adepts Too Powerful?
Bad Examples: What about Kits?, Question on the Malkavians, Kyriotates of Jean too Powerful?
2. Unlike in previous times, we are open to running any pen and paper roleplaying game. Be it Dungeons and Dragons, Dark Heresy, World of Darkness, or Wuxia RPG, it has a home here if you can generate enough interest for a game.
Other Issues- Anything not specified above can be addressed here. If you have anything to add to this, please PM a moderator or World Project Leader, and we will answer the questions for you to the best of our ability.
Q. How active do I need to be?
A. That depends on the game. Ask your DM for more details.
Q. I just made my own homebrew campaign setting/d20 system game. Can I run it here?
A. Sure! We'd love to see your innovations!
Special Note to DMs: Please request to join the Pen & Paper Inn DM group, so you can access a hidden subforum to store campaign notes.