Main Page >> Online Chat Conventions

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Playing D&D in a chat-based environment requires a few tricks.

1) The DM ends blocks of descriptive text with a § (Alt + 0167) symbol.

• DM > The wind rustles the leaves of the trees, and you shiver in your cloaks against the unnatural chill.§

If there’s a big brick of text, along with a map or illustration, I’ll try to just e-mail it to you during the game.

2) Anything your character attempts gets * asterisks * on either side:

• Felicity > * Petal creeps up behind the demi-lich, hoping to catch a peek at what it is writing. *
• Besilana > * Besi searches the refectory for religious icons. *
• Taliesin > * Taliesin takes a running start to leap over the pit. *

3) Any dialog goes in “quotes.” If it isn’t obvious who’s speaking, or to whom, use the character name. You can also add physical business with the asterisks:

• DM > Elmo says, “Could you please stop getting hit?”
• Besilana > “I find your lack of faith disturbing.”
• Felicity > * Petal speaks in a stage whisper to Besi, * “Do you think they want to see me naked?”
• Taliesin > * Smirking, Taliesin transforms into a wolf. * “I’m gonna kick your ass.”

4) Out-of-Character conversation goes in (parentheses).

• DM > * The kruthik swings its sharp appendages at Besilana! *
• DM > (Does 16 hit?)
• Besilana > (No, AC 18)
• DM > * But the creature clangs up against her armor. *

• DM > Shadows lurk in the many corners of the old warehouse.§
• Taliesin > (Can I see anyone in here?)
• DM > (Roll Perception)
• Taliesin > (13)
• DM > (Looks clear.)
• Taliesin > * Taliesin strides boldly into the center of the large room. *

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We’ll be trying to use Roll20. Hopefully, it will be a smooth combat interface. Also, for GM to Player notes (and vice versa), we can use IMs or the Roll20 “whisper” function.

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