Maidstone Academy - How does it work? a.k.a. Rules of play

From: "Tim Cowles" <tim@videoclips.co.uk>

Date: Sun, 13 May 2001 21:23:55 +0000

Maidstone Academy PBEM Rules Of Play Version 1.0
Character generation is covered by a separate document.

1. Turn Timetable
Turns will always be sent out at the beginning of the week (generally on
Monday).
The return date for turn responses will be stated on the turn
(and will normally be 5 days from the turn date).

You will receive immediate confirmation that your turn has arrived.
In the future you will be able to post turns at the game website,
"http://www.maidstoneacademy.com/" and will receive an automated
confirmation.

2. Email Naming Convention

Maidstone Academy operates sequenced turn naming conventions.
Each turn that is sent out will have a turn number e.g. 1,2,3 etc
When you are replying to a turn number please write the turn number in the
email subject header.
If you supply more than one reply per turn (because you are confirming
information with the GM or
engaging conversation with other characters), please increment the number in
your subject header
e.g.
Maidstone Academy - Turn 1
Maidstone Academy - Turn 2
Maidstone Academy - Turn 2.1
Maidstone Academy - Turn 2.2
Maidstone Academy - Turn 3

This will really help us out so that we know exactly what situation you are
responding to in the subject
line. Also the increments (e.g. 2.2) let us know that we'd better answer
quickly so that we can get your
full response in before the next turn!

3. Game turns and responses

There is no fixed period of time allocated to each game turn. As such the
following recommendations are made
when sending in your response to a turn;

a. Length - Try and describe what your character will be doing for the
longest period you can.
e.g.
instead of just saying ;
  "I look through the ancient 'CreatLore' tome to find out as much as I can
about Ebron daemons"
try saying this as well ;
  "When finished I scour the library for other reference books of interest.
If the librarian is not in
   I sneak into his private study and examine what's on his desk. And I look
through any drawers if
   they're not locked. If I get caught I'll say I'm looking for the keys to
the microfiche room. Later,
   I'll type up my research into an email and send it to Kirby - asking him
to comment on it. If I run
   into Ashley at school, I'll ask her what she's doing and try and get her
to help me do the research
   I mentioned earlier."

The more information you can give the more involved you'll become in the
story.

b. Contingency - Give as many contingency plans as you can.
e.g.
  "I try and crack the code to access the computer personnel files. If it
works I copy the files to disk
   and make my way home with them. If it doesn't work, I start looking round
the office for signs of
   what Mrs Taylor's password might be, paying attention to the walls and
desk. If I still can't find anything
   I'll take a note of the Direct Dial number (if there is one :-) and try
and break in with a modem later.
   If I'm caught whilst in the office I'll say that Mrs Taylor has asked me
to look at her computer because
   she thought she had a virus."

c. Standing orders - You'll already know what you're going to do in some
situations, and you'll want to respond immediately.
These orders can be given at the start of the game, or anytime during, but
the events may or may not ever happen.
e.g.
  Somebody shoots at me - Run!. Oh yeah, and scream.
  Watch friend get killed - Attack the killer, regardless of my own safety.
  Teacher issues detention - Don't turn up.

This isn't an exhaustive list and it isn't meant to be. Standing orders
should be used for situations you feel strongly about, so that
the GM can respond for your character in the right way.

4. Storytelling

In addition to sending in your response to the latest turn, you may also
want to include your own section of storytelling.
This should be a passage of description which is unlikely to interfere with
key plot elements or non-player characters. I particularly
encourage flashbacks and character thoughts as they add extra dimension to
the characters within the game.

e.g.
  "Whilst scanning over Mrs Taylor's desk, Geoff's eyes come to rest upon
last term's school photo. As if by involuntary reflex he immediately
   becomes focused on Cynthia Jones, standing tall in the back row, next to
Sally and Emily. He feels his chest tighten suddenly as the image
   of Cynthia flailing wildly disappearing down the mine shaft rushes into
his head. Just another memory that will torment his sleeping and waking
   hours...."

Ultimately, anything that doesn't throw the plot into oblivion can be passed
on with little editing into the next turn. Don't get me wrong, I'm all up
for the plot getting turned up on its head, but that can only happen by
submitting skillful turn plans that have the effects that you want, instead
of
just telling me that you've succeeded without any effort :-).

5. Disputes

Maidstone Academy always has at least two GM's (details at
www.maidstoneacademy.com). Everybody should enjoy their experience of
playing Maidstone Academy. If a turn passes in which decisions have been
made that have greatly diminished your enjoyment of the game
please email your GM. Although it would be exceptional to change a storyline
that has already been cast, in some cases it may be for the greater
good, and in all other cases the GM will be able to detail more clearly why
the disputed actions took place.

6. Communicating with other characters

For the first trial of Maidstone Academy all correspondence should be
through the GM. It will hopefully be impossible to differentiate between
a player character and a non-player character. This should hopefully
heighten the realism of the game.

In the future, when everybody is comfortable with the game, we will take a
poll to see if players wish to communicate directly with each other.
If agreed, all emails relating to the game should be copied to the GM.

7. Missed Turns

For whatever reason, a missed turn will result in the GM running your
character for the turn. Consistently missing turns may result in turning
your
character over to a lurker or new player completely.

8. Combat

Combat is often quick and deadly at Maidstone Academy and best avoided. No
dice rolls will be made for combat. Instead, a thoughtful and detailed
plan of your character's responses and actions to attacks will help you
prevail. Look for hints in the turn description to overcome enemies.

9. Lurkers

Lurkers are welcome at Maidstone Academy. Pay attention to the copyright
notice below.

10. Turn Summary

In summary, the average response may contain the following sections;

Core Response
Actions for next turn
Contingency for next turn

Optional
Standing Orders
Storytelling narrative for inclusion next turn
Conversations with other characters
GM Specific Questions
Additional Comments / Suggestions

The Maidstone Academy documentation, settings, main characters, storylines
and artwork are Copyright 2001 Tim Cowles. No reproduction of the
documentation, settings, main characters, storylines or artwork can be made
without express written permission by Tim Cowles. Fansites and publications
surrounding Maidstone Academy must maintain references to and acknowledge
this copyright notice.

Character responses do not form part of this copyright notice and remain the
intellectual property of the owners.

We withold the rights to publish character responses on the PBEM website -
www.maidstoneacademy.com - unless otherwise notified
by the owners.

References

Re: New PBEM - Maidstone Academy - Public School Horror
"Tim Cowles" <tim@videoclips.co.uk>
Sun, 13 May 2001 09:56:02 +0000
New PBEM - Maidstone Academy - Public School Horror
"Tim Cowles" <tim@videoclips.co.uk>
Sat, 12 May 2001 18:29:21 +0000