All I've done is free forms, but i want to try out the rules based, but none of it makes any sense at all to me.

Anyone care to give me any pointers?

The rules based forums are used for pen and paper roleplaying games such as D&D, White Wolf and the various d10 and d20 systems. They use an defined set of rules to determine statistics and actions (but still leave a lot of room for RP!) and usually require some understanding of the rules to play. There are rulebooks available to explain them, and Im sure you can find them online, although any links to such a thing escape me atm. Is this what you were asking?

Also, welcome to the Inn, it's always great to see new faces here.

I know a little bit about D&D rules, but it's hard for me to comprehend how it works online like this.

It caught my interest though, and I want to try it out.
Kinda broke, so I'll definitely be looking online to see if they have copies I don't have to buy.


And thanks.
I've got friends who recommended it to me.

Always good to see the word is spreading. Normally how this works with a play by post system is that outside of combat you have a given area you can act in, ("You're in a town, you should stock up before your next journey") and you just detail your actions (with detail!). In combat its usually one post is a full round of actions, and then the DM updates for that round and then another round, etc. Normally the DM rolls the dice for encounters so players have no idea how they fair until the update. If you have any other questions we've got one of the best communities out there, and Im sure you'll have no trouble finding help.

I had this same problem when I joined the Inn. Now I find it very simple. Assuming you are familiar with free-form roleplay online, the next few steps are very simple.

You make your character as normal, but some GMs have additional rules that they post such as "no this" or "no that". Still very simple.
After the game starts, you just post like you would in a free-form game but keep open the possibility of failure. The GM takes care of the dice-rolls most of the time, but there are few who trust their players to make the roll themselves and include them unfudged with their posts.
The GM then updates the game with information on how well you did.

It's easy as pie. How a pie can be easy, I have no idea.

Welcome to the Inn!

If you are wanting to know how rules-based games work, the best advice I can give is to read some posts from a few of the existing games. Every DM is a bit different, but there are some basic standards:

1. The DM posts a setting, or an event.

2. Each player posts their character's actions (or intended actions).

3. The DM posts the results of those actions, and posts the next setting/advances the story/details the next phase of combat, etc.

Second: As far as the reference thing goes, below are a fuw useful links to D&D game rule references that people on this site have shared with me. Therefore, I am obligated, in turn, to share them with whomsoever may be able to use them ... enjoy!

D&D 3.0 SRD (online Source Reference Documents)
D&D 3.5 SRD (online Source Reference Documents)
D&D 3.5 SRD (online Source Reference Documents)
D&D 3.0/3.5/Modern SRD (online Source Reference Documents)
And two more useful D&D references:
D&D Wiki -- Dungeons and Dragons D&D Wiki -- Main Page

A modern SRD, I was looking for that one. So you've helped me as well. Cheers mate.

and wags.

It's what I do. I mean the help thing. As much as I can. I mean the help thing again ...

If you would like to get you feet wet, I could help you out by doing a solo with you so you can get the idea of what rules-based play is like. If you want I can roll you up a charater to start out with and send the information to you. Then I can set up a setting and have to play through it while learning how rules based goes.

To make it easiest I would suggest a fighter type. I have a fun game that I use at Game Cons with -500 EX (expierence point(s)) players. That means you start out as a common person who, because of circumstances, takes up the weapons of a fighter or ? to handle a situation.

You can PM me about a solo.

Maybe, after a bit of playing, I can get a couple of others to join in so you can get an idea of what happens when there are others in the group.

I'll insert a shamelessly opportunistic plug:

I am recruiting for a first-level game. Since it is at first level, knowledge of the rules is not an absolute requirement. As with Dragon Mistress suggestion, I could create/generate a character for you, if necessary, and help you to tweak/customize it.

There are experienced gamers already signed up who (I hope) would be willing to help me to help you learn. I could see that as a unique and valuable learning situation, but I can't guarantee that you won't be confused at times ...

If you're interested, check out "The Inheritance" in the rearuitment section ...

Welcome to the Inn.

Regarding the srd links, is it possible to add them as permanent links under the 'links' tab? It'll be easier than constantly posting it each time someone is looking for them.

Doubtable, might not be a bad idea to someday make a helpful link thread.

is no real problem. I have them saved as HTML, so all I hae to do is open the document, cut, and paste.

Simple. And I don't mind the minimal effort.

I could, however, ask the MWIC (man what's in charge) about putting a link to a page on my own domain where I am putting my collected "helpful gaming links" like the SRD links, random generators, graphics, and such ...

I'll approach him about it. I really should do that. Someday. Soon. Maybe.

Utan, in the words of mighty Alacrity: "Less talkie, more posty", or something like that.

And Bezmir, welcome to the inn! Nice avatar.