Well, these aren't so much standing orders as they are suggestions and guidelines for how we should play the game, mechanics-wise, but hey. "Standing Orders" sounds better.

So:

Once a week (Sunday's, I'm thinking), a summary that weaves the previous week's email threads into the story will be posted; included if necessary will be new narrative to move things along. Players will post in response to said narrative (and then to one another's posts) using the list I've set up (jc-pbem@dangermutt.net -- you're all already on board. It's magic!) to make sure everyone gets copies of whatever gets posted. For secret actions between players, you can email only the player in question, but remember to always copy the GM on the message.

As of June 9, 2002, the involved parties include Alistair Gillies as Sergeant Harry Mandrake, John Guilfoyle as the GM, Dennis Kirkpatrick as Lieutenant Everett Gunther, Bryan "Grizzly" Lee as Lieutenant Vice Valkurie, Robb Neumann as Private Arianna Cyan and Chris Schaller as Lieutenant Athena McGregor.

We'll be writing the game in third person, past tense. For example:

Commander Loth looked over his bridge crew with a critical eye; he had a junior group, and he knew it.

Rather than:

Commander Loth looks over his bridge crew with a critical eye; he's got a junior group, and he knows it.

Or:

I looked out over my bridge crew with a critical eye; they were a junior group, and I knew it.

Tense boo-boos are easy to make, but hopefully they'll all be caught and cleaned up by the time the week's activities are compiled into the weekly summary. It's difficultly to have a story written by six different people read smoothly, but that's something to shoot for.

Before posting in response to a thread which is an ongoing scene where several players are involved, make sure to read each message in the thread, as each will build on the last. Respond where appropriate -- which is usually, but not always, to the latest post.

Change the subject line as appropriate as well... if the subject was [JC-PBEM] ALL SYSTEMS GO -- Episode 6 and the thread has evolved into something else entirely, feel free to help with the summarizing process by changing the subject line -- to [JC-PBEM] On Patrol, or whatever fits. (The list will add the [JC-PBEM] bit, so don't worry about that.)

When posting, don't put words into other PCs' mouths or have them partake in any kind of questionable activities. Let the player of the PC decide that sort of thing. The same is true for NPCs, but to a lesser extent. Treat important NPCs just like PCs -- let the GM make the important decisions and deliver the crucial dialog. Incidental NPCs can be handled with less care. The group will eventually find a comfort zone where some people may end up being okay with other players giving their PCs minor dialog and activities. Though play we'll find that zone.

Speaking of major tasks and actions, refrain from just writing right though those sorts of things, as the GM will need to do some dice rolling to resolve certain (typical RPG) tasks. The game mechanics will be completely behind the scenes, but will be standard Silhouette rules. If folks want to see the results of the skill rolls and whatnot, that kind of detail can be included. Speak up if you want it.

The tone of the game is still a bit up in the air; once we all get going, we'll settle on something we all like -- there will probably be a healthy mix of both lighthearted and serious moments. Straight-up melodrama may be a little over-the-top, as might be a lot of wacky super-deformed action.

When issues come up, be they about the direction of the story, our posting schedule, player participation, etc., don't be shy about raising them. This is a group effort, and we'll solve our troubles as a group.

That's about all from your GM. Let's get going on the game!

-John

ALL SYSTEMS GO is set in Dream Pod 9's Jovian Chronicles universe. Jovian Chronicles, the Jovian Chronicles logo and Silhouette are trademarks of Dream Pod 9, Inc. Exo-armor, Jovian Confederation, CEGA, Silhouette and all other names, logos and specific game terms are (c)1993, 2002; all Jovian Chronicles art and designs are Copyright (c)1994-2002 Dream Pod 9, Inc. No challenge to these copyrights and trademarks is intended.

Except where noted, all original content is copyright 2002 John Guilfoyle, Alistair Gillies, Chris Schaller, Robb Neumann, Dennis Kirkpatrick, Alex Altman and Bryan Lee. Page last updated on June 23rd, 2002.