Author  Message [bottom]
YemayasSon
 member, 17 posts
Mon 9 May 2022
at 18:58
 msg #1
GM Advice?
((Forgive me if this isn't the right place to pose this question. I can't think of anywhere else, the Game Proposals, Input, and Advice rules post made it seem like it was for specific game advice so I figured this would be best. If I'm wrong, please let me know and I'll move.))

Anybody got good advice on keeping GM notes/ NPCs/ story beats well organized?

I have folders for in person games but for something like PbP I wonder if there are any good resources out there?
bigbadron
 moderator, 16099 posts
 He's big, he's bad,
 but mostly he's Ron.
Mon 9 May 2022
at 19:08
moderator post | [quote] | [reply] | msg #2
GM Advice?
Just on RPOL...

There is a Scratchpad in every game you are playing in or running, which can be used to store notes.  Nobody but you can see it (if you're a player, it is even hidden from the GM).

As a GM, you can also create threads in Groups that nobody else has access to, where you can also keep notes.  Create a thread for Notes, one for NPCs, one for Location Ideas, another for Plot Ideas.  Even one for Character Background Points That Will Come Back To Haunt Them...
YemayasSon
 member, 20 posts
Mon 9 May 2022
at 19:26
 msg #3
GM Advice?
In reply to bigbadron (msg # 2):

Oh snap! This is an amazing idea!! Thank you!!!
pdboddy
 supporter, 753 posts
 EST/EDT [GMT-5/GMT-4]
Mon 9 May 2022
at 19:29
 msg #4
GM Advice?
In reply to YemayasSon (msg # 3):

There are some who start a new game just to be the notebook.  It's a safer option because you won't notify all your players if you accidently put notes in a group they can see.

When you are starting a new thread, it will default to group 0.  Be sure to change this to one your players can't see, to protect your SEEKRIT PLANZ. :)
YemayasSon
 member, 21 posts
Mon 9 May 2022
at 19:47
 msg #5
GM Advice?
In reply to pdboddy (msg # 4):

Also great advice, appreciate it! ;p
donsr
 member, 2581 posts
Mon 9 May 2022
at 19:51
 msg #6
GM Advice?
I have  three  journals  for my Games, to keep track of   NPCs  and  such, storylines  aren't too hard because of the threads.

 I also have  a 1 inch mound of  scrap paper just for my Space game  with NPCs  who  i thought would be  'one offs' That the PCs  turned into regular  reoccurring characters.. the good thing about the Nore  books and scratch and scratch pears, is you can work on it offline, in spare time.
YemayasSon
 member, 24 posts
Mon 9 May 2022
at 20:52
 msg #7
GM Advice?
So how do Groups work? Are all groups besides 0 private until someone is assigned? I.e. If i make group 2 "GM Notes", and then create a thread with that group, can anyone else see the thread if I don't personally assign them to group 2?
Ski-Bird
 subscriber, 196 posts
Mon 9 May 2022
at 21:23
 msg #8
GM Advice?
YemayasSon:
So how do Groups work? Are all groups besides 0 private until someone is assigned?


You have that correct.  If everyone in your game is assigned to Group 0 and Group 1, and then you created some threads and assigned them to Group A ... None of the players would be able to see it because none of them are in Group A.
YemayasSon
 member, 27 posts
Mon 9 May 2022
at 21:29
 msg #9
GM Advice?
In reply to Ski-Bird (msg # 8):

Thanks a bunch! :)
bigbadron
 moderator, 16100 posts
 He's big, he's bad,
 but mostly he's Ron.
Tue 10 May 2022
at 03:21
moderator post | [quote] | [reply] | msg #10
GM Advice?
There are a couple of wrinkles to Groups that it can be useful to be aware of: /help/?t=help&page=gamegroups
SunRuanEr
 subscriber, 439 posts
Tue 10 May 2022
at 14:05
 msg #11
GM Advice?
Interesting, BBR. While I knew most of that, I didn't know this part:

quote:
When a thread is archived, all users of RPoL can read it, and all Private Lines within that thread become public text.


Does this also apply to archived threads in Adult games? If so, could we get an addition to either the 'Adult & Mature Games FAQ' or the 'Adult Games Policy' (in the RPoL FAQs) informing GMs of that fact? While the Archive Thread option for GM thread edits does warn, "(shows all private lines)", it makes no mention of the thread changing to fully public as far as reader access goes.

Currently, all it says (that I can find) is the following:

quote:
What other requirements are there?
In an Adult game, any part of the game which contains Adult content must be out of view of the casual user.  This means that all threads with Adult content must be in groups other than 0 or public (since anyone can view threads in those groups).  Likewise, games are never permitted to have Adult content in the Game Intro or Character Description areas since all visitors to the game can see these items.


If Archiving threads does effectively force them into a makeshift 'Group 0', it might be useful to add 'Archived Threads' to that last sentence.
pdboddy
 supporter, 754 posts
 EST/EDT [GMT-5/GMT-4]
Tue 10 May 2022
at 14:21
 msg #12
Re: GM Advice?
SunRuanEr:
Does this also apply to archived threads in Adult games?


I went to check one of my inactive, old, Adult game.  Yes, yes it does apply to archived threads in adult games. >:|
Zag24
 supporter, 734 posts
Tue 10 May 2022
at 18:00
 msg #13
GM Advice?
I'm pretty sure that non-adults can't even open adult-rated games.
pdboddy
 supporter, 755 posts
 EST/EDT [GMT-5/GMT-4]
Tue 10 May 2022
at 18:02
 msg #14
Re: GM Advice?
Zag24:
I'm pretty sure that non-adults can't even open adult-rated games.


I am able to view my adult games without having to login.
YemayasSon
 member, 28 posts
Tue 10 May 2022
at 19:03
 msg #15
Re: GM Advice?
bigbadron:
There are a couple of wrinkles to Groups that it can be useful to be aware of: /help/?t=help&page=gamegroups


Thank you for the heads up! This is very useful.
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