RolePlay onLine RPoL Logo

, welcome to Community Chat

07:31, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Read only in one group, posting in another.

Posted by tmagann
tmagann
member, 796 posts
Mon 29 Aug 2022
at 14:55
  • msg #1

Read only in one group, posting in another

I have a small issue, and I don't think there is a feature that works around it, but I wanted to ask.

I have the situation in a new game where one of the characters will be in 2 places at once, routinely. And not always the same character. It's something of a scrying situation.

I want them to be able to post on one list, while only being able to read on the other. And I want to chage who that applies to as needed.

As far as I know read only is Lurker only (or a list closed to everyone), which makes it one or the other, not both.

Does anyone know a way around this other than trusting the players to keep straight where they are and when they can post? (Something that has failed more than once in the past, in my experience).
SunRuanEr
subscriber, 454 posts
Mon 29 Aug 2022
at 14:57
  • msg #2

Read only in one group, posting in another

As someone else that manages a lot of cross-group posting, I don't think so. If there is a way, I haven't found it.

A workaround, if you didn't mind giving it away to the other players on the cast list, would be to give them a "Scrying" character, that had access to the group they're watching. They'd still be able to post with it, but it would be obvious to everyone if they did screw up and post, that it was a screw-up.
bazhsw
member, 62 posts
Mon 29 Aug 2022
at 19:26
  • msg #3

Read only in one group, posting in another

In reply to SunRuanEr (msg # 2):

And if I recall correctly, control of the Scrying character could be restricted to the GM and temporarily given to which ever PC requires it.  It would need some GM management to control this, and it does mean that all the players would know that at some point one of them could have the 'scrying' character and have visibility of certain threads they are not in.  If that's not a problem I think SunRuanEr has your solution.
tmagann
member, 798 posts
Mon 29 Aug 2022
at 19:36
  • msg #4

Read only in one group, posting in another

It's not a problem. It's the new spelljammer, actually, and the Helmsman can sense everywhere, so the characters would know it, anyhow.

But if I have to make a new character and transfer it between Helmsmen, it's just as easy (or difficult) to just transfer access to the Helm room list between Helmsmen, and leave them on the general list.  And hope they remember not to post on the general list, which is going to be true either way, it seems.
donsr
member, 2663 posts
Mon 29 Aug 2022
at 21:41
  • msg #5

Read only in one group, posting in another

we have a 'Flex  Thread" . the thread can only be used for  finishing RP  so the players  can go into 'current  time' while finishing  a delayed  post....They cannot use   'future knowledge in their 'flex"

 this helps move the game and gives people a chance to finish their  RP  and such

 There  are two rules   people need to  follow ( especial in battles or  missions).. at leat 'skim'  all the new posts  so you can see if your name is mentioned.

 the 2nd one, is ' you can't  be everywhere  at once'.

 Though i love  active players..some times you need to   pull the reins in.

 The Battles  are  a bit Choatic ( they are meant to be. like watching a TV show or Movie)..there will be COMs  in one thread, that players need to pick up in another, while players in their  thread  that  may cross over to another  area's  threads.

 If some one 'misses something' it  is chalked up to 'Fog of war"

  we..meaning the players and myself.. keep an eye on folks who try to jump into all the  Threads  and such. As much as the activity is welcome, it has to make sense, and not annoy anyone

 'Flex'  cures  some of that, The rest is on the GM
tmagann
member, 799 posts
Mon 29 Aug 2022
at 23:52
  • msg #6

Read only in one group, posting in another

Unfortunately, my current problem is someone who CAN be everywhere at once, more or less. But all the fun will be happening where he or she can't actually do more than watch.
Quiet Whisper
member, 13 posts
Tue 30 Aug 2022
at 00:08
  • msg #7

Read only in one group, posting in another

First thought about the Spelljammer helmsmen being a PC and not NPC is that it's gonna be not fun for that PC if a lot of stuff is happening on board the ship and they just watch idly instead of posting about anything.

If you're going down the route of private groups for different parts of the ship or whatever you're planning and for whatever reason need things all hidden from the other players then as others have said create a 'Helmsman' character which has access to all the ship groups and give it to the player on the helm. Just tell the plays not to post with it and if they do everyone will see it immediately and know it is an accident/to ignore it as it is a post by "Helmsman" and not their buddy "Space Bob".

Or just get rid of having so many groups and let everyone see everything and trust them not to post in the wrong place.
tmagann
member, 800 posts
Tue 30 Aug 2022
at 00:28
  • msg #8

Read only in one group, posting in another

In reply to Quiet Whisper (msg # 7):

You're thinking about 2n edition Spelljammer. Crewing numbers are much smaller these days. The Helmsman IS the crew outside of combat. At least as far as moving the ship goes. You only need NPCs if you have more than one siege weapon on board.

As in all things 5e, it's been simplified.
evileeyore
member, 719 posts
GURPS GM and Player
Joined 20150819
Tue 30 Aug 2022
at 03:08
  • msg #9

Read only in one group, posting in another

There are a couple of ways to handle this...

One, as you mentioned all the other Players already know the Helmsman can observe everywhere at once, so just adding them to the threads and having them just avoid posting is the simplest.

Two, you can create a Notice thread with a Group that includes only the current Helmsman, and just copy over everything relevant... and to take it a further step Private each post you add for the current Helmsman's PC so future Helmsmen cannot see what happened before outside their purview.
tmagann
member, 801 posts
Tue 30 Aug 2022
at 03:29
  • msg #10

Read only in one group, posting in another

In reply to evileeyore (msg # 9):

I'm already set up for that for other reasons. I don't actually want that much work on a daily basis. It would be easier just to go in and delete errant posts and remind the player to not make them. Much, much easier.
This message was last edited by the user at 04:14, Tue 30 Aug 2022.
Quiet Whisper
member, 14 posts
Tue 30 Aug 2022
at 03:32
  • msg #11

Read only in one group, posting in another

Good point on the 2e/5e change.

An alternative idea is to add a magical p.a. system to the ship and actually just let them post and talk to the crew while in the chair.
tmagann
member, 802 posts
Tue 30 Aug 2022
at 04:18
  • msg #12

Read only in one group, posting in another

In reply to Quiet Whisper (msg # 11):

That's on them. They have a free Helm and Orrery, already. And a Hot Plate (patent pending).
Brianna
member, 2258 posts
Wed 31 Aug 2022
at 15:28
  • msg #13

Read only in one group, posting in another

I'm tired so I may not have understood clearly, but I think you have a Helmsman character who should never post, and who may belong to different players from time to time.  Could you mark that character as 'Helmsman non-posting'?  Someone might still slip up, but they might also notice that designation when they go to post since IIRC they would have to choose that character since they would have more than one?
tmagann
member, 803 posts
Wed 31 Aug 2022
at 15:40
  • msg #14

Read only in one group, posting in another

In reply to Brianna (msg # 13):

Oh, they can post, just in limited areas. And I adding and subtracting characters to them as they change who's on the helm might work, I suppose. Or at least, not work less often.
Sign In