Guides

Practical advice for play-by-post games: running a campaign, writing great posts, session zero, backstories, combat and commissioning art of your character.

• How to run a play-by-post campaignA practical guide for Dungeon Masters running 5e by post: pacing, posting rhythm, spotlight, combat, and how to keep a campaign alive past the first month.
  For Dungeon Masters · 8 min
• How to write a good play-by-post postWhat makes a great play-by-post post: length, giving other players something to react to, dialogue, and the small habits that make you the player every DM wants.
  For players · 6 min
• Session zero checklist for online and play-by-post gamesA complete session zero checklist for online and play-by-post 5e: tone, content limits, posting rhythm, absences, character creation and table rules.
  For DMs and players · 5 min
• How to write a character backstory your DM can actually useWrite a short, useful 5e backstory: a want, a wound, a person and a loose thread. Examples and a template for play-by-post and live games.
  For players · 5 min
• How to commission art of your characterHow to commission a portrait of your tabletop character: writing a clear brief, references, what it costs, turnaround, revisions and how to pay safely.
  For players · 6 min
• 20 one-shot adventure ideas for 5eTwenty quick 5e one-shot adventure hooks for any party level, each with a twist, that work at a live table or in a play-by-post game.
  For DMs and players · 6 min
• How to keep combat moving in play-by-postCombat is the slowest part of play-by-post. Initiative options, combining rolls and actions, smaller fights, and other ways to keep 5e battles fast by post.
  For DMs and players · 5 min

New to the game itself? Start with Learn 5e, or look anything up in the free rules reference.