Argyle by Email

average joe · Post by **average joe** » Sun Jul 07, 2002 1:02 pm

Okay guys. I know that the Blades of the Banshee was originally established as a guild for NwN, the computer game. However, I'm sure there are several of you who enjoy actual pen&paper D&D as much as I do.

I, along with Nippy, Rail, and others from gamebanshee, have been participating in a play-by-email D&D campaign, DMed by The Stranger. It has been great fun so far, and though I was at-first skeptical about a "play-by-email" format, The Stranger has proven to me that it is both an effective and fun way of carrying out an online D&D campaign.

It allows people like us, seperated by distance and timezones, to come together and play D&D as our schedules allow. We don't have to work in a 2 hour weekly session, but instead just post our turn when we log on to check our email.

The experience has left me thinking about setting up a similar thing for the Blades of the Banshee....."Argyle by Email" as the thread title says.

The way I see it, we could have four or five groups of three to six players, each led by a specific DM. This allows the DM, if he wishes, to participate as a player in a group other than the one he DMs. That way everyone can play.

Meanwhile, the team of DMs work closely to lead their groups in an extensive online campaign where the players strive to once again form the Blades of the Banshee as they adventure in the world of Argyle. We would use the material supplied by Silver Oaks Studios, the Pen&Paper version of Argyle, to supplement our adventures.

If anyone is interested in participating either as a player or DM, please post on this thread. If interested in a DM position, please tell whether you are "strongly" or "mildly" interested. Or, if you would rather not post such information here for any reason, just email me at alterego_23@hotmail.com. Please note, that is not my gamebanshee email address. Also, if you comments of any sort, feel free to either post here or email me.

I'll start by saying that I am very interested in participating as both a player and a DM, and I am willing to work closely with any other DMs to ensure that "Argyle by Email" would be an enjoyable experience for all involved. Thanks guys, and I hope to hear from you.

average joe · Post by **average joe** » Sun Jul 07, 2002 2:57 pm

For those of you who haven't played Pen&Paper Dungeons and Dragons before, please don't let that stop you from participating in Argyle by Email. Anyone who enjoys games, which I'm sure most here at GAMEbanshee do, and enjoys fantasy, should get a kick out of D&D. It allows you to take a character and do almost anything with that character. Pen&Paper is free from the limitations found in a computer game, and all you need is an imagination to supply the backdrops and scenery.

If learning 3rd Edition D&D rules intimidates you, I would encourage you to think again, as the Player Handbook provides good explanations for most areas a player would need to understand. Plus, you would have real people, such as the DMs, to help you better understand the rules.

I hope I don't sound to much like a salesman with this post. I just know that P&P Dungeons and Dragons is a lot of fun. I definitely enjoy it more than any computer game that exists today, and that includes NwN. So, I know that several of you would also enjoy it, and therefore I want to try to provide the experience.

Rhino · Post by **Rhino** » Sun Jul 07, 2002 9:34 pm

I don't see any responses yet to this great idea

I myself run a Play By Email (PBEM) campaign set in Argyle, and it's been great as a way to establish a feel for the land, immerse players in the culture that would theoretically be found and, from a DM viewpoint, it's a great way to learn the 3E rules. The players enjoy it alot too.

I would encourage anyone interested in doing a PBEM to jump in. Even as a DM, it doesn't take much time

average joe · Post by **average joe** » Sun Jul 07, 2002 9:50 pm

Well, I've already received two PMs from people who are interested. Hopefully many more will come with time, as I'd like to have several parties all working at the same time, keeping each parties actions coordinated in the big picture and having the actions of one party affect another party.

Like Argyle Online, characters will start off as level 1 with the wide world of Argyle before them. They will have to work their way to a position at which they can form the Blades of the Banshee and make a name for themselves in the realms. My character will be right there with the rest of them, DMed by someone other than myself.

I know we have a wide range of talent here at the Banshee, and hope many of you are interested so that we can utilize that talent.

Rail · Post by **Rail** » Sun Jul 07, 2002 9:52 pm

I agree wholeheartedly. I haven't been involved in PBEM games for long, but they're definitely fun and they allow you to immerse yourself in the setting and your characters in ways CRPGs can't accomplish. The pace of a computer game often doesn't allow you the carefully thought out dialogue and responses you think best fits your character. I like the idea and would be willing to join in on any such effort.

CM · Post by CM » Mon Jul 08, 2002 2:03 am

Hmmm...how is this on timing IRL?
Also i have no clue about the 3rd ed. rules.
Dont have a couple of the rule book.
Never played AD&D before.
So what exactly should i do?

Rail · Post by **Rail** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 4:12 am

I't not hard at all, CM.

The timing is set up by each DM according to the pace you all want things to run. The DM can send out what's happening and you post your responses. A round can be a day, or more, or less, depending upon what everyone can do. It's certainly slower paced, but that's sometimes a good thing, as you can get to know you fellow players and their characters much better. It's great fun.

CM · Post by CM » Mon Jul 08, 2002 5:49 am

Ok then sign me up.
Though i would like to warn you guys before hand, that RL really messes up my internet and e'mailing time.
I might disappear for weeks at a time, of course not without a proper warning.

I wont be posting my e-mail here.
So who do i send it to?
AJ or somebody else?

average joe · Post by **average joe** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 9:15 am

Yes, CM, go ahead and PM your email address me and I'll keep in touch.

It might be a good idea for you to invest in the Player Handbook for D&D as soon as you get a chance, as you'll need to have some idea about the rules.

Don't worry though. We won't be getting started on this for a while, so there is no hurry. We'll at least have to wait until Argyle releases the lorebook.

average joe · Post by **average joe** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 11:20 pm

Alright. Though there have been a few sentiments expressed that the Argyle lorebook will not be out for a while, I have decided that I definitely want to wait on it before I start running any campaigns.

Until that time, I will be reading the Dungeon Master Guide as well as purchasing written quests, which I will alter to make more Argyle-ish. Perhaps over time I will reach the point where I can write my own campaigns, but I'm not there yet.

At the moment, there are only enough people interested to have one campaign going. Though, as I have expressed, I would like several different DMs leading different groups all on different campaigns, I am happy with the number of participants so far. Hopefully this number will grow with time, but if not that is fine.

So, once the lorebook is released and I have lined up enough adventures and campaigns, I will be contacting those who have expressed interest, so that we may begin playing. Until then, I'm sure everyone has more than enough on their hands to stay busy with.

Thanks guys.

Rhino · Post by **Rhino** » Fri Jul 12, 2002 7:07 am

Lorebook info

Here's an idea for you Mr Average

Since our Lorebook won't be out for a while, and for NWN we're developing the Soberdan/Niire region first, why don't you think a bit on where you'd like to run a campaign and I can funnel you some Lorebook info (in draft form) for you to use, exclusive stuff! Catch me on MSN or email me to discuss if you like

Would I do this sort of thing for Guild Sin? I don't think so!

average joe · Post by **average joe** » Fri Jul 12, 2002 8:14 am

Thanks a ton, Rhino! I'll definitely contact you about it.

wolven86 · Post by **wolven86** » Sat Jul 20, 2002 11:02 am

damn i'd be up for that now i just have to find a copy of the 3rd ed ad&d rulebook they r damn hard to come by i will tell you that

any body in the london area know were i can pick one up i'd love to know

Saigo · Post by **Saigo** » Fri Jul 26, 2002 1:58 pm

Your Attention, Please!

Our very own man on the street, our incredibly common Average Joe, has stated via e-mail that there are now more interested participants than one party will accomidate. Therefore, I have developed a plot for a second campaign that will start at 1st level and should culminate high into the strata of the Epic Level Rulebook!

I will take some time (not too much I hope -- I already have the skeleton of the first few encounters laid out) to create maps, NPCs, etc. And meanwhile we should all pray that R/L doesn't jump up and snap off my jewels again anytime soon.

Anybody interested should contact me via PM, so we can get e-mail contacts established and begin character creation.

BTW, for those of you who don't keep up with such things, the E-Tools (formerly MasterTools) are due to be released at Gen Con (August 8th or so). This utility would make accurate character generation a breeze.

AJ, wanna play?

average joe · Post by **average joe** » Fri Jul 26, 2002 2:17 pm

Good to hear Saigo!

Do you want me to dump some of my players over onto you? Ten players is a bit much for one group.

Do you want to work together on this? Meld our campaigns together like I had originally hoped? If so, I'm ready to start working on it.

And yes, I'll definitely play in your campaign.

AJ

***EDIT: Yes people, ARGYLE BY EMAIL is still a go. We currently have 11 players, including myself and Saigo. And it seems that we will now have two campaigns going if that is Saigo's intention.

We are still accepting new players, though any more will probably require a 3rd DM to participate as well. So if you're interested, get in touch with me or Saigo, and we'll see where to work you in.

Saigo · Post by **Saigo** » Fri Jul 26, 2002 2:25 pm

Yes, we should definitely coordinate. And ask yor group if any want to jump ship.

4-6 players per group seems optimum.

average joe · Post by **average joe** » Fri Jul 26, 2002 2:36 pm

You and I should examine backgrounds and decide. Then see if the players are alright by it. Especially since my characters will start at 3rd level, and yours will start at 1st.

Let's take this to email, Saigon

Saigo · Post by **Saigo** » Fri Jul 26, 2002 2:46 pm

Cool. Use the NolanFairoak address.

Mysteria · Post by **Mysteria** » Tue Aug 13, 2002 5:55 am

just popping in to say that I'm in too ... and that I'll be gone from 19th August to 22nd August ... yes, yes, I know, I'm away a lot ... hope to play with you soon

... and a big thanks to the DMs for doing this

... hm, to the players too because you can't play without them

average joe · Post by **average joe** » Tue Aug 13, 2002 9:21 am

My group is getting ready to start their campaign, but if any of you Banshees out there are interested, I'm still taking players. Just PM me and I'll get in touch.