Thanks for the very clear RPG's organization.
The suggestions below aim just at squaring things it one step further. It is not necessary, but it should make life even easier.
Remarks:
RPG Introduction.
RPG Rules and Introduction last hyperlink to Helpful Phrases and Names is empty.
This thread could be given the title of: "Read-me-first: RPG Rules and Introduction".
Character creation.
Character Creation is well explained, with:
1. procedure
2. equipment (or rather, battle equipment)
3. skills.
I would expect that
Sample Character Paths be the 4th post and
Mage Class Characters and Magic rules be the fifth, rather than two independant one-post threads.
Also, the link to Helpful Phrases and Names would be expected at the end of the first post of that thread.
Character summary.
I noticed long ago that many RPlayers add a summary of their character to their signature.
I've seen nowhere in RPG rules that it was mandatory or recommanded.
Pros. I acknowledge that it helps the reader (and even the writer!) to remember who is acting and what are his main characteristics.
Cons. I don't like, however, the cumbersome signature which is visible also in all the non-RPG threads the player writes. Also, if the RPlayer participates to two different RPG, it becomes confusing.
Finally, it is not completely standardized.
My way to solve that was the following:
- I copy/paste my summary at the end of my posts rather than have it automatically inserted into my signature, in order to keep that signature in one line as I like it, and not to encumber the other forums with irrelevant information.
- If I were to have simultaneously two running characters (which I don't plan ATM), only one would show up in each thread.
- If anyone in the future was to read the long finished story, he would have the information about the character still in there.
Of course, for someone who's main contribution to D.net is the participation to a single RPG, using the signature is the most appropriate, so I do not suggest that my procedure became mandatory; at least, I wish it was an agreed practice.
Suggested standardization: I like to keep administrative information as compact as possible.
I used this format:
"Name" (Group xx) - "Class/Path" - WSx Sx Tx Dx Ix
Skills: ...
Battle equipment: ... Inventory: ...
Rationale:
- When the group starts, or for readers external to the group, it is nice to remind the class of each character.
- First comes the character's identity, which will not change.
Next are the skills, which improve slowly.
Last is the inventory, which changes as the story unfolds.
The colour helps to identify who's talking with a single eyesight, while strolling across the thread.
I considered to enrich the equipment's description with its characteristics, such as: Bastard Sword (P4S3), Crossbow (P4S2R5), Light Armour (P2H1). But as nobody does it, it probably doesn't help the mods that much.
May I suggest to add, at the end of
Character Creation's first post, a few recommandations about the character's summary?
Thanks for the RPG modding.