[Omnis]

Recruiting

Gaslight Investigations is a game which has already existed in a previous incarnation. Through player attrition and a game system switch to FATE, I need to recruit.

There will be one returning player so this should feel as much like a brand new game as possible.

I'll be looking for 2-4 players.

P.S. A quick word on FATE. This will be the first time I will be GMing a FATE game. I don't think it will inhibit my ability to effectively GM, but for those who are FATE experts/purists, you should take my experience into account as you decide whether to apply.

My GM philosophy

Like everyone, I play to have fun. As a GM, fun for me is working with the players to create great stories that contain great characters (PCs and NPCs) who experience the joys and sorrows that we subject them to.

I am more a "role" than "roll" play person, but with the FATE system I feel those two styles are closer than in some other, less narrative, systems, so I expect to be using the mechanics as needed.

What do I look for in a Player?

- I am looking for players who enjoy cooperative storytelling and role-playing, who want to adhere to the “spirit of the setting”, and will do what they can to support me and their fellow players in making the game a success.

- I am looking for players who value story above mechanics and who will work with me and the other players in putting the characters through arcs that make them dynamic and interesting.

- I am looking for players who want to tell me the story of their characters. While I'm telling the primary story as the GM, each player should be trying to tell me (and each other) the story of their characters.

POST EPISODE REVIEW

I know that playing PbP is a long process and that sometimes RL rears its ugly head and you just can't keep up with a game. Therefore after each episode each player will be given the opportunity to decide whether they want to continue onto the next episode, have their character sit an episode out, or retire their character entirely (leave the game permanently).

Also, I will be reviewing the quality of play for each player and if there are issues I feel need addressed I will provide feedback to those players. If a player is particularly absent or otherwise disruptive to the game, I will ask them to retire their character and leave the game.

In addition to me providing feedback, I will be looking to the rest of the players to give each other and me feedback. I hope through the process of developing stories and characters this will be a continuous thing without having to call it out specifically.

ABSENCES

If a player is absent for 2 weeks, they are no longer considered part of the game and their character is permanently an NPC (unless another player steps in to take over).

Of course if you send me a PM of any absences you foresee (holidays, vacations, work trips, etc…) we can work something out.

SYSTEM

The game system we will use is "Strands of FATE", a generic FATE implementation (similar to Dresden Files RPG but not exactly the same).

I have some quick FATE information up on the wiki, but it would be advisable for each player to have a copy of the rules. They are $10 on rpgnow.

POSTING

In-Character Writing Style: Present Prose style (3rd person / paragraph form).

Text Format:
Speech is in “bold quotes”
Actions are in regular text
Direct thoughts or emphasis are in italics

Players should attempt to post at a minimum once a day (24hrs) on Mon – Fri. Holidays are also exempt from posting.

Players are expected to use their judgment when it comes to posting more than once a day or on the weekends. It is fine except when it disrupts the natural flow of the game or interrupts someone else.

The application process consists of completing the following:
1. Answering the Questions
2. Developing a Character Concept
3. Providing a Writing Sample
4. Providing a Gaming Example (optional)

Questions

1. What is your experience level with FATE? Have you been a player or a GM (or both)?

2. How familiar are you with the Victorian age (either historically or through fiction)?

3. Have you ever played in a Victorian/Gaslight campaign setting before? If so, as a player or GM? What game system was used?

7. What do you expect from a game set in the Victorian Horror/Detective genre?

8. At the end of the day, when we're finished, what would make you feel the game was "successful"?

Character Concept Guidelines

Association with Dr. Anton Arnheim: Each character needs to have some association with Dr. Arnhiem. He is a German alienist of some repute (psychologist) and works in London. His personal life is somewhat mysterious, but he works with the Yard on their more difficult cases and he brings the group together.

Occupations: I'd like characters who have occupations that lend themselves to the genre. I've come up with the following groups to consider:
- Military / Law Enforcement
- Medical
- Academic / Scientific

Concept vs Mechanics: Generally I don't like to have applicants develop full character sheets, more just a concept, but FATE does an excellent job of integrating the two, so while I don't expect a full list of aspects, I'd like at least 3 main character aspects.

Writing Sample

Please provide a brief writing sample. I encourage you to take this opportunity to showcase your character concept in some manner, either through description or voice.

Gaming Example (optional)

For those of you who have been around on MW, I'd ask that you provide at least one example of a post (or posts) in a game where you feel you've done some good role playing.

To My Esteemed Colleague,

I have recently been informed by the Chief Inspector that Scotland Yard is indeed still interested in consulting with me. That puts me in the place of having to constitute a team on which I can thoroughly rely. When we last spoke, I had told you that I may have need of your talents and so I am calling on you to join me and a number of other excellent persons in this most serious endeavor.

Now a word of caution. Give this matter serious thought and do not enter into this partnership lightly. We shall be dealing with matters beyond the fortitude of the Yard's most hardened men, and so your mind, body, and possibly soul shall be under constant attack. That being said, I would not be writing you if I did not think you had the resilience to handle such matters.

If you choose to head my call, I invite you for a long weekend at The Primrose House, to meet with me and the others. This should give us a chance to get to know each other better and decide the manner in which we shall proceed.

Please arrive this Friday at five in the evening, prepared for an excellent supper.

As Always,
Dr. Anton Arnheim

I'd like to start off quickly with a case that gives each player the ability to introduce their character to the group, let us get our heads around FATE, and flesh out the rest of the character sheet.

As you have read above, Dr. Arnheim has invited everyone to a long weekend at "The Primrose House" a hotel in upper London north of Regent Park near Primrose Hill. It is here he wants everyone to meet and discuss what the future holds for this investigative group.

Obviously it won't be that simple...

I will review the applications, the applicants’ user stats on mythweavers, and may ask some follow-up questions if necessary.

Then, I’ll pick the players, notify them, and we’ll move into the game forum...

Thanks everyone!