THE RPG RULES
Click here for Frequently Asked
Questions
Rule #1 - Stick to canon (for the
most part)
There aren't really a lot of rules
in this RPG. But there is one major one that all RPGs seem to
have in common...STICKING TO CANON!
Don't get me wrong though, not everyone is not held strictly to canon.
Characters ARE open to interpretation, but it has to fit in with what we
see on the show that's all. (For Example: We're doing a RPG that takes
place after Memento Mori. On the show, we know that Scully has cancer until
Redux II, so in the RPG, she would have to have cancer until Redux II also.)
This might bug some of you, but that's why they call them Role-playing
games folks...these characters have a history and when we get into their
shoes, that history should always be included in the choices that those
characters make during the game. It also makes it easy for us because M&S
have a lot of history together with all the episodes and the movie, so
it's really our only official way to know if everyone is playing correctly.
And even if we could, I don't think we should go changing existing episodes
anyway. I think it would just make things confusing. We all love the XF
the way it is for the most part anyway, right? But remember... nothing
is wrong with adding to the episodes. There are a lot of things that could
have happened at times that we didn't see and as long as it doesn't change
any of the major facts about the episodes that follow, then it's ok.
Rule #2 - Whatever is said first
in a RPG goes!
RPG dialogue can be fast and sometimes
we have to think quickly in order to respond the way we really want to.
Sometimes we can't think or type as fast as we'd like and before you know
it, someone has posted a reply or comment before you even have a chance
to answer. And that reply or comment might make your original planned
comment no longer valid. In that situtation, you have to re-think your
comment and respond accordingly. You cannot ask that player/character to
change his or her comment during the game. So whatever is said first is
what goes. See, it's just like real life. Whatever is said or done
first, is what goes. You don't get a second chance unless you make one.
:-) (Believe me, this makes dialogue exchange much easier.)
Rule #3 - Use your name when speaking
out of character
When you sign into the chatroom
for the RPG, you sign in as your main character or if you're just lurking,
your regular chat name. But if you want/need to interrupt the RPG, you
would type your name and whatever you need to say in all caps like: LISA:
SORRY GUYS I HAVE TO GO TO BED NOW, and we would continue on without you,
but not before we say JO: OK, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT, LISA!
CHRIS: G'NITE LISA! :-) This courtesy
helps us know who's talking at all times and again, keeps things from becoming
confusing.
Rule #4 - Have fun...it's just a
game after all!
Remember, the more the merrier! Member
participation is an important part of this RPG. :-)
RPG FAQ
When?
The RPG game normally takes place every
Sun & Weds nights, 7:00-7:30pm Pacific Time. However, there may be
times when the RPG can be scheduled on other nights of the week at different
times. Be sure to check the schedule above regularly
for updates.
Where?
At the LAXF
chatroom You must sign into the chatroom using your assigned character's
name.
How long will it last?
Once we start the real game...it will
continue until every week until we finish it. Our goal is just to
complete it, and that time will vary depending on the story. It could take
a month or it could take longer. For now, as long as we finish before Season
9 begins, it will be considered a success! :-) So the current deadline
would be November 11, 2001.
*A new schedule and rules will
be announced some time after Season 9 is underway if we decide to keep
the LAXF RPG underway.
Who do I get to play?
Characters are given out on a first
ask/ first cast basis, so if you really want to play a certain character,
let us know. Players are allowed more than one character, as long
as the others are minor characters.
For those who can't make it every
week, I'd recommend a character that we don't have to see on the show often.
But everyone will have at least one main character to themselves and an
alternate. And someone will always be assigned the "Dayplayer" role, which
is the person responsible for all those little extra characters that come
up unexpectantly.
How do we play?
Well, it's really quite simple. First,
we decide who plays who, then we have to lay down the basic 'rules of the
game': The TIMELINE & PLOT. We get to vote on these rules only
as a group. We'd also vote on casting if we needed, but we don't seem to
have a problem in that area yet. The rules are not meant to tell you what
your character can say and do, but they do provide some guidelines to go
by thus making it an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. For the
Warm-up games, these rules will change, but we will not need to keep thinking
of timelines and plots anymore once we decide on the rules for the real
game.
There's no particular order in which
you have to talk while the RPG is underway. If it's a scene between M&S,
then M&S would take turns talking for the most part. If you're Skinner,
or another character and you want to join in, you could interrupt them
if you feel like it, or you could just let them finish that scene and then
start another one when they have finished. It would be up to you. It's
just like pretending. We all did it when we were kids, right? The only
difference is that we're online and we have specific rules to follow and
a goal in mind. :-)
What do mean by Timeline?
The Timeline determines the time at
which the game (story) takes place. So it could include any of the 8 seasons
of the show, the movie included. So basically all that I'm saying is, depending
on the timeline, that you can't go making up things that don't fit in with
previous episodes. And, unless you're an original independent character,
you can't create your own history or alternative universe (AU), especially
if it involves a regular series character (like M&S). There are exceptions
to that rule: We would have no choice but to do an AU if the timeline is
post-Existence or Season 9. Also, an AU is ok if you want to create
a previous history with a minor character that has only appeared in a few
episodes like Maggie Scully, for example.
What do you mean by Plot?
I mean the basic plot (TV one-liner
style), nothing too descriptive. (see warm-up game plot descriptions above)
We just need to know what we are doing and where we are going with the
story. Once we reach our goal, the game is over. Just keep in mind that
it will be continued every week, so the plot should be something that can
we can work with for more than a few minutes.
If you have any more questions about
the FAQ or Rules or if you'd like to play, email Jo
LAXF
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