Hello all, and welcome to Empire's Shadow! This is a text-based RPG set in the Star Wars universe, just a few years after the fall of the Galactic Republic, as seen in Star Wars: Episode III. You can find information about the Game Setting here, but if this is your first time on our forum please begin with the introduction and rules below before going anywhere else. We'll go over what exactly this is, what to expect as a player, and what the rules are. First, some acronyms:
RPG - Role Playing Game
Text-RPG - Text Based RPG
TTRPG - Tabletop RPG
GM - Game Master
PC - Player Character
NPC - Non-Player Character
OOC - Out of Character
IC - In Character
SWC - Star Wars Canon
SWL - Star Wars Legends
ESC - Empire's Shadow Canon
A text based RPG is a narrative driven, collaborative story that is created through group writing. Unlike TTRPGs, the Text-RPG has little in the way of simulation - aka "system mechanics" like stats or skills. Instead, each scene is written post by post, everyone adding their bit of the story as they go. The GMs will help add to the story, resolve conflict and arbitrate decisions where needed, but for the most part you are free to play who you want, and go on whatever adventures you want. Below are some ground rules. We also have an Etiquette Guide to help you write better posts and both the Game Setting and the Thing Explainer to help you understand our lore.
Rules:
1.
Before you play as a character, you must first submit an Application for that character in theApplications section. You can find a template for your application, and application rules pinned here. Your applications needs to be reviewed and approved by a GM before that character enters the game. You are allowed to have up to 3 Player Characters at a time.
2.
Actually playing the game - aka writing - has very few rules, besides be kind to other players, collaborate, and work off the principle of consent while collaborating. If you would like more specifics on the game world and how we determine ESC go read about our Game Setting, and if you want general tips for writing in a Text-RPG, please see our Best Practices/Etiquette Guide.
3.
You can use dice rolls or simulation to help direct your narratives, or settle the result of actions taken by PCs in scenes, but these things are NOT REQUIRED. If using chance to determine outcomes between players, be sure all players participating in the scene agree to the proposed mechanics first. You may also supplement your posts with pictures, music, etc., as long as the writing remains the key feature and primary storytelling medium.
4.
Please do not use AI to write your final posts. This is a collaborative writing project between us, the players, with the goal of working together to tell stories and improve our writing. Having ChatGPT write for you in a writing RPG is no fun for anyone and disrespectful to your fellow players.
And that's it! We want you to be able to go where you want with your characters and stories, the rules are mostly there to stop us from stepping on each others toes. Always remember, the point is to have fun!
Before getting your application started, head over to the Game Setting thread and give it a read, it will help you quickly come up to speed with our universe.
For more information on how to write posts, please see the Etiquette Guide here! We also have a Protected Plot Items thread, which details what important topics other player's stories cover, and who you should talk to to get involved!
