Guide to Play-by-Post PbP / Asynchronous Roleplay
What Is Play-by-Post Roleplay?
Play-by-post (PbP) is a form of text-based roleplaying where each player contributes to the unfolding story one post at a time. Unlike traditional tabletop sessions, play-by-post is asynchronous—meaning you and your fellow players don't need to be online at the same time. You can write and respond to posts on your own schedule, making it perfect for those with busy or varying time commitments.
PbP allows for deeper character development, immersive writing, and slow-burn storytelling with thoughtful narrative pacing.
How Does It Work?
Asynchronous Turns
In PbP, players take turns posting replies within a shared thread. There’s usually a general expectation of how often players should post (e.g., once every 24–72 hours), but the pacing is flexible depending on the scene.
Thread-Based Scenes
Each scene or story arc takes place in a dedicated thread, often created by a Game Master (GM). Threads might represent locations, quests, downtime activities, or purely social interactions.
Some threads are GM-led (e.g., an official adventure), while others are player-initiated and sandbox-style, focusing on character development or casual interactions.
Narrative Focus
While Pathfinder 1e’s rules still apply, PbP leans heavily into narrative. You’ll write not just what your character does, but how they feel, think, and react. This means:
- Descriptive writing is encouraged.
- Dialogue and internal thoughts are explored.
- You’re expected to contribute to the atmosphere and tone.
What Does a Typical Post Look Like?
A good PbP post answers:
What is my character doing, saying, and thinking in response to the scene?
Example:
Talia narrows her eyes, watching the merchant’s trembling hands. “You’re hiding something,” she says, her voice low. Her fingers drum on the pommel of her sword. “Tell me what really happened—before someone less patient starts asking.”
You may also include:
- Mechanics (dice rolls, spell effects, skill checks)
- Out-of-character (OOC) notes for clarity or coordination
- Scene advancement that invites others to respond
Post Formatting Tips
While every forum has its own style, consistency helps everyone follow the story. Here's a basic structure:
- Bold for spoken dialogue
- Italics for internal thoughts or emphasis
- Brackets or (parentheses) for OOC notes, if not using separate channels
Make sure to change the Actor from your default username to the character that is replying before you post.
Optional:
- Use third person, past tense for narration
- Avoid controlling another player's character without permission ("godmodding")
Posting Expectations
- Be clear and descriptive – Focus on your character’s response to the situation.
- Respect pacing – If your group has an agreed posting speed, do your best to follow it.
- Collaborate, don’t compete – PbP is about building a shared story, not dominating it.
- Communicate OOC – Use designated channels or notes to ask questions, clarify intentions, or coordinate with the GM.
Combat in PbP
When combat happens, turn order (initiative) is typically followed. GMs may summarize combat rounds or post prompts asking for your actions. In your post, include:
- What your character is doing (movement, attacks, spell use, etc.)
- Any rolls made (using the forum or Discord dice bot)
- Descriptive narration of the action
Example:
Kaelen ducks under the goblin’s wild swing, drawing his blade in one smooth motion. “You picked the wrong caravan,” he mutters, lunging forward.
Attack Roll: 1d20+5 = 17
Damage: 1d8+3 = 6
Non-Combat & Social Scenes
PbP really shines outside of combat, where players can engage in character-driven scenes, forge relationships, scheme in taverns, and reveal hidden backstories.
These scenes are:
- Open-ended
- Collaborative
- Great for roleplaying growth and alliances
There’s no “initiative order” in social scenes, but be respectful of the flow and give others time to react before jumping ahead.
Downtime, Shopping, and World Interaction
In Æther, we use special threads or forms for in-game systems that aren’t tied to immediate roleplay. This includes:
- Downtime: Training, crafting, gathering resources, running a business
- Shopping: Acquiring items, supplies, and services
- Events & Announcements: World updates, GM plot hooks, seasonal changes
- Nations: For player-created kingdoms, politics, and diplomacy
These threads often follow structured templates and may require GM approval or tracking.
Etiquette & Collaboration
- Be patient: PbP is slower than live play. Don’t rush scenes or pressure others to post.
- Be considerate: Avoid “hogging the spotlight” or skipping over other players' input.
- Communicate clearly: If you're going to be slow to post, let your group know.
- Ask before you act: Especially if your post impacts another player (stealing from them, starting a fight, etc.)
Strengths of PbP Roleplay
- Deeper character exploration
- Flexible participation around real-life schedules
- Richer worldbuilding and longform storytelling
- Room for quieter moments and thoughtful development
- Ability to split scenes—your character can be in downtime while another thread is active
Final Thoughts
Play-by-post is a slower, more deliberate style of roleplay—but incredibly rewarding. It gives you time to savor each moment, explore the world in depth, and craft truly memorable narratives with others who love the same.
Whether you're here to wage war, broker peace, chase mysteries, or just tell a damn good story—your words matter here.
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