The Zarreva Survey (the zah-ree-va survey)
GREETINGS TRUE BELIEVERS!
Earth is a big place, even though technology makes it feel small. New advancements appear every day, and make a person think there are fewer mysteries left to uncover in the world.
But, what if I was to tell you, that might not be true?
Even now, hidden away from the eyes of the world, the highly advanced city-state of Matumaini has found itself caught in the grip of a stirring mystery.
Ancient ruins in the deep jungle? A missing research team with barely any clue how they vanished? That spells the making of a mystery right there, True Believers!
Now Matumaini has its own heroes and so few allies. Any other time, they would deal with the problem themselves. But this situation is so startling and unusual they reached out to one of those allies: the legendary Captain Fel Kur'Talak.
In response, the good captain believes he needs some help with this one as well. A little help from two of Earth’s heroes with the will and the means to tackle this twisted tale!
So, True Believers! A mystery in the making! Let’s check in and see what it’s all about!
This is Not Stan Lee saying ...
EXCELSIOR!
Starring!
Notes from the Game Master
For those who haven’t enjoyed a Play by Post adventure, below are a few ‘Rules of Play’, and a little on the structure. But first, the theme…
The Theme
Tales of Justice is a world of superheores. It’s an Earth struggling to cope with super science, humans with powers, mysterious aliens, corrupt corporations, and criminal organizations. On that Earth there are people who see others around them that are suffering or helpless, and make one simple decision:
I can make a difference. I can help. I must make a difference.
They take a stand against the suffering, against the unknown. It’s their choice.
You are one of those people. Will you turn away? Or will you make that choice?
That simple choice to become a Tale of Justice.
General Rules of Play
Some expectations between player and Game Master!
Read the Rules of Play
Play By Post Rules of Play
The Narrator or Game Master (that’d be me) will work hard to keep things moving along at a scene every 1 to 2 weeks. Life gets busy, really busy, so that may get slower but also may get faster!
For Game Master posts, I’ll use third person. Probably Third Person “close” which is really kissing cousins to “first person”.
On posting, please try to post at least something every two weeks. Otherwise, I’ll be the proverbial pain in the shorts to you about this.
If I can’t Narrate for Life reasons, I’ll let everyone know when the game goes on a brief pause so it will leave no one hanging (other than a cliffhanger, which delight me to no end :D )
In each post, a character may do two things: 1 move action (walk, run, etc) and 1 "action" action (fight, throw something, etc). No more, no less. Talk? No limit on that, of course!
Speaking of Character Conversations!
If PCs are having a conversation,
- It is fine to have multiple posts between those two that are the conversation
- We all remember when we used to write as a single post:
Let's not do that.
- Write in each post what your character says right now in a normal conversation exchange. Players set to Maximum Verbosity probably already recognize that they need to read it aloud before posting to make sure they aren't monologuing.
- Answer in sequence as that same conversation would happen in realtime
- Yes, this probably means a long thread of short posts! Great! That will still count as One Move for those characters.
This one is important... we're here to ROLEPLAY, not ROLLPLAY. Don't jump to the dice right away. Explain in character what your character is doing. You don't have to go into detail, but give me your character's viewpoint here. It may turn out you do such a great job, no dice roll is necessary!
Now, on using other people’s characters in your move… DO NOT DO THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE CLEARED IT WITH THE OTHER PLAYER FIRST, and LET ME KNOW THIS IS GOING ON. I mean it.
Your 'in character' move should involve your character taking steps to solve the problem. No one here is supporting cast. Only the NPCs are supporting cast.
Now, if you go over 4 weeks without posting and I’ve nagged you until you’re screaming and you aren’t posting… THEN… your character goes up for grabs by the rest of the group as an NPC. This is to keep the story moving.
BUT! If you’re having trouble with a move or action, please get in touch with me or your fellow players over our Discord. Collaborate and brainstorm ideas, then post a move.
Don’t EVER be afraid of a failed roll. Never. Those weak results are a gold mine for play by post. Lean into it.
Communicate! Communicate! Communicate! The best Play by Post games I’ve been involved in are the ones where the players talk their buttocks off about worldbuilding, actions, and moves.
And don’t be afraid of posting moves that don’t involve dice actions. Those can sometimes be as important as the once with dice rolls! I’ll be reading and taking notes off those as well. Post conversations! If you feel like your character should sing and you have terrible lyrics in mind that you like... make a post!
Last, but not least, and MOST IMPORTANT… have fun. If this works as I hope, I will run more of these.
The Adventure Structure
I will structure the adventure in ‘Chapters’ (or Acts if you prefer) where each ‘Chapter’ will be a separate Discussion Board. As the adventure progresses, we’ll move to new Chapters, until that inevitable end!
Relations
Protagonists
Tales of Justice
Discussion Boards
The Zarreva Survey
Chapter 1
Mon, Nov 28th 2022 12:58
November 10, 2009, New York City...
... An Unexpected Invitation
Plot type
Adventure
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