There are many forms of role playing games both on and off the internet. Many online RPGs are also known as SIMs (short for simulation). A PbEM RPG is a collective storytelling group in which a mission is set (similar to an episode) and the members of the various teams each write posts from the perspective of their characters and thus further the story bit by bit.
Unlike the majority of role-playing games, there is no set system to determine your character's actions. Chronicles of the SGC uses two methods of game play, freeform and semi-freeform. There is usually not much combat (unless of course, it's part of the Episode) and conflict between personalities is more apparent than conflict involving weapons. The only real limits on game play are common sense, creativity and your imagination. Thus this PbEM's primarily focus on character development, role-playing and interaction.
A PbEM is a form of interactive e-mail storytelling that works a lot like a collaborative novel, but at the same time it does not. A collaborative novel is when several writers works together and agrees on the creation of the characters, content and completion of the story. But this is NOT so with an RPG. Truthfully, players actually thrive on not knowing what is going to happen next during the game. The excitement comes when the little surprises here and there that are encouraged and no one (except maybe the Games Masters and Moderators) really knows how the Episode will end. RPGs like this are also different since the story is in all honesty truly open-ended. Yes there are episodes that have ended. But, just any series the story is ongoing and continues to develop with each subsequent episode. So, you don't really know what's going to happen next. The campaigns (series) are truly on-going since a new storyline or story arch are always starting (and of course ending) very regularly since Games Masters (directors) and players will come and go over any span of time.
The story of the Chronicles of the SGC follows closely the history of the MGM Television Series Stargate: SG-1, and the original Movie that inspired the show. Elements form the Movie and the Novels that where inspired form the original movie has been incorporated into this Campaign along with other real world facts to increase the realism and believability to create a better universe.
The Mailing Lists
The main mailing lists for the Chronicles of the SGC are located on Yahoo! Groups and is where all of the main campaign posts are to be made. This is so that the archive can contain every episode of each of the associated campaigns (series) of the Chronicles of the SGC. That way anyone can read the various episodes of and enjoy them. This also allows you to be able to read anything you have missed, to check other earlier posts for reference, and to read about the kinds of things that has happened in your team prior to your joining it. It is required to join the main mailing list when you have joined the Chronicles of the SGC. There are also two Campaign specific mailing lists for each of the individual Campaigns (series) that are part of the Chronicles of the SGC. Each of these lists is used for carrying out the each of the Campaign's episodes, and one that is for all out-of-character chatter and for organizing each episode. These mailing lists allow for the games to occur at their own individual pace without causing confusion for the other ongoing campaigns.
The Chronicles of the SGC Main
Moderator (Executive Producer):
Moderator (Producer): Nita King ([email protected])
Moderator (Producer): Shawn Shines ([email protected])
Moderator (Producer): Johnny Motley ([email protected])
Moderator (Producer): Megan Robertson ([email protected])
Moderator (Producer): Richard A. Spake ([email protected])
Moderator (Producer):
Technical Advisor:
The Chronicles of the SGC Mailing List
Chronicles-SGC ([email protected]) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chronicles-SGC/
The Chronicles of the SGC: Out-of-Character Mailing List
Chronicles-SGC-OOC ([email protected]) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chronicles-SGC-OOC/
SG-13 (Troubleshooting & Exploration)
Games Master (Director): <name> (<email address>)
Website:
Stargate: SG-13 Mailing List
SG13-PBeM ([email protected]) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SG13-PBeM/
Stargate: SG-13 Out-of-Character Mailing List
SG13-PBeM-OOC ([email protected]) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SG13-PBeM-OOC/
SG-15 ()
Games Master (Director): Jeremy Cox ([email protected])
Website:
Stargate: SG-15 Mailing List
SG15-PBeM ()
Stargate: SG-15 Out-of-Character Mailing List
SG15-PBeM-OOC ()
Posting
As any PbEM (Play by E-Mail) game is completely based around the posts that have been written by the Players and Games Master, there are a few common guidelines that players really should follow. Please note that players who do not follow these recommendations can really hold up storylines, and generally run down the overall follow of the games they are part of.
1.) Players should check their mail at least twice a week to keep up with the game. This ensures that you remain in contact with the other members of your team if they need you.
2.) Players are expected to post at least once substantial post every week (or even more depending upon the team that you have been assigned to).
3.) If you are going to be unavailable for some amount of time (and you are aware of this in advance), please notify your Games Master (director) and one of the Moderators (producers) so they know not to expect you to post so you will not be penalized. This allows your Games Master to work your absence into the game so your character is not relied upon for interaction.
Joint-Posts: A Joint Post (or JP) is a game post that has been written via either private emails or through Internet Messenger Services with one or more players. Joint Posts are excellent if you need a lengthy dialogue response from another character/s, or you simply prefer to write a post with another person to make the situation easier, or more enjoyable, or simply to move the game along a lot faster. Each of the players� work together to create a post with their own additions in a coherent whole that reads like a short-story. Once it is decided by all of the parties involved that the post has been finished and ready for posting, one of the players then sends it on to the mailing list labeled (in the subject header) with the surnames of all of the characters involved in the post.
Style: Posts are expected to be written in the past tense & third person as is found in the majority of popular fiction adventure novels. Please do not use first person or present tense in making your posts since this makes it a much harder read. Also this RPG does not except script nor does chat format for the same reason.
Spelling & Grammar: When in doubt, please use a spell-checker. Some mistakes are expected (after all, we're only human), but constant bad spelling and grammar will be frowned upon since we want our posts to be easy to read and not a struggle.
Paragraphs: Yes, we are asking you to use paragraphs. We are sorry, but it's a requirement to make it easier to read. If you're not sure how to form paragraphs correctly, just look at any modern adventure novels. Paragraphs consist of a few sentences and total approximately 100 words minimum.
Titles: Every post requires a title. Please use Episode Title and Episode Number for those posts that are part of the official adventures of the Chronicles of the SGC. Additional posts that fall outside of the 'official' Episodes should also be given a title since they are part of the campaign. They just are not an official mission, but they are just as important since they are part of character development.
Headings: All posts should have the following in the subject line of your email: <team> "Post Title" - character surname. Example: SG13 "When the excrement hits...� Cross
Character Signatures & Tag-Lines: At the bottom of each post, the signatures or Tag-Lines of those whom have contributed to the post should be listed. Signatures should list your rank/title, name, team and possibly your service, a call sign and a quote.
Behavior
All players are expected to behave in a socially acceptable manner. No rudeness, fighting or abuse will be tolerated. All players are expected to follow the Moderators and Games Masters lead since they have been placed into positions of responsibility and authority for a reason. No Moderator or Games Master is permitted to abuse their power, and if any player has a problem with such abuse it is to be brought to the attention of the other Moderators immediately. While it is expected that lower ranking characters will adhere to the chain of command and take orders from higher ranking characters while in-character, but it is also expected that higher-ranking characters respect their subordinates (unless you are portraying a character that does not really deserve their position of authority).
Mutual respect for all players is not only expected, they are required...
All players are equal, and have the right to voice their opinion on every game-related matter. Games Masters are expected to deal with problems that come up during the Adventures (Episodes) they are running as part of their Campaigns (Series). But if a problem remains persistent they and the Players that are involved with the problem are to bring said problems to the Moderators.
But if ruling ends with a player or games master not getting their own way, they are expected to deal with it in a mature manner. If a player or games master continues to act inappropriately, they will be consulted by one or more of the Moderators. It is hoped that the Games Masters will attempt to try and sort out any situation that arises, but further inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and the offending party will be asked to leave.