Dungeons and Dragons

[Myroria]

Alright we've been discussing it off and on for months.

How do we get a Taijitu dungeons and dragons game together and who's in?

[Khem]

Okay so it's a matter of which edition and who is DMing. I can provide copies of the core pdfs for those who need them for 5th edition if we decided to go that route. In the DMG of 5E there is an optional rule called Plot Points* which could allow for a rotating DM. I am definitely in but can not be counted on to run the game every time. Additionally we will need to figure out a scheduled day and how often for play to happen.

(click to show/hide)

PLOT POINTS
Plot points allow players to change the course of the
campaign, introduce plot complications, alter the
world, and even assume the role of the DM. If your first
reaction to reading this optional rule is to worry that
your players might abuse it, it's probably not for you.
USING PLOT POINTS
Each player starts with 1 plot point. During a session,
a player can spend that point for one effect. The effect
depends on your group's approach to this optional rule.
Three options are presented below.
A player can spend no more than 1 plot point
per session. You can increase this limit if you like,
especially if you want the players to drive more of the
story. Once every player at the table has spent a plot
point, they each gain 1 plot point.
OPTION
1:
WHAT A TWIST!
A player who spends a plot point gets to add some
element to the setting or situation that the group
(including you) must accept as true. For example, a
player can spend a plot point and state that his or her
character has found a secret door, an NPC appears, or
a monster turns out to be a long-lost ally polymorphed
into a horrid beast.
A player who wants to spend a plot point in this way
should take a minute to discuss his or her idea with
everyone else at the table and get feedback before
settling on a plot development.
OPTION
2:
THE PLOT THICKENS
Whenever a player spends a plot point, the player to his
or her right must add a complication to the scene. For
example, if the player who spends the plot point decides
that her character has found a secret door, the player
to the right might state that opening the door triggers a
magical trap that teleports the party to another part of
the dungeon.
OPTION
3:
THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY
With this approach, there is no permanent DM.
Everyone makes a character, and one person starts as
the DM and runs the game as normal. That person's
character becomes an NPC who can tag along with the
group or remain on the sidelines, as the group wishes.
At any time, a player can spend a plot point to become
the DM. That player's character becomes an NPC, and
play continues. It's probably not a good idea to swap
roles in the middle of combat, but it ca n happen if your
group allows time for the new DM to settle into his or
her role and pick up where the previous DM left off.
Using plot points in this way can make for an
exciting campaign as each new DM steers the game in
unexpected directions. This approach is also a great
way for would-be DMs to try running a game in small,
controlled doses.
In a campaign that uses plot points this way, everyone
should come to the table with a bit of materia l prepared
or specific encounters in mind. A player who isn't
prepared or who doesn't feel like DMing can choose
to not spend a plot point that session.

[St Oz]

http://roll20.net/ I've used this three times and it's a pretty damn good browser tool. Not sure about the DM side, but it seemed to be simple enough to use.

[Khem]

Pretty sure we can run it with nothing but FriarTuck, though I've been curious to try Roll20.

[Letonna]

I would be in, time permitting. Would it be done over skype? Post by post in the forums? Through a land line phone?

[Allama]

I'd love to play, though I'm not certain how often I'd be able to do so; I already have several regular gaming commitments IRL. Would we do this on a regular schedule or simply play whenever it works for everyone in the group?

Plot points remind me of Fate Points from Burning Wheel. My Mouseguard group uses them a la options 1 and 2 from Khem's post.

Another question: are we married to Dungeons & Dragons or are folks interested in playing a different system entirely? There are several I'd like to try but D&D is always fun if that's what y'all want.

[Myroria]

I'm fine with other systems, and I think I would prefer something not on a strict schedule as well.

[Allama]

Most excellent; a strict schedule would probably rule out my involvement. Any systems you'd particularly like to toss into the ring?

[Khem]

Mutants & Masterminds, Fate, GURPS

[St Oz]

I personally liked pathfinder the most out of all the systems I played, but I know some people who probably think it might be too simplified.

[Khem]

I love playing Pathfinder but I hate running it due to all the fiddly bits. Pathfinder would be easiest for my character concept.

[Allama]

I'm already in 2 Pathfinder campaigns right now so I'd prefer something else, however much I enjoy it.

Fate or GURPS would be cool. Not familiar with Mutants & Masterminds so I'll look it up.

Paranoia and Dungeon Crawl Classics both seem really fun.

[The Empire]

Have tried Roll20 and it's a really awesome tool, especially due to custom die rolls, maps and stuff as well as integrated voice/video chat. It's simplest to use with chrome.

[Myroria]

I'm not too picky on a system; I'm not a big player so most are unfamiliar to me.

[Khem]

5E via Roll20 using the gods must be mad plot point system, would be my preference.