Overview #

System Theory is a Table Top Role Playing game set hundreds of thousands of years in the future in a galaxy far outside the Milky Way. Humanity has spread and populated many solar systems; origins unknown. Many civilizations have emerged and collapsed in that time. Some spanning many solar systems. Others oblivious to the existence of anyone else outside of their planet.

What is a Table Top Role Playing Game #

A table top role playing game is a game where the players take on the role of a character they create. Players then control that character by describing actions and improvise dialog trying to move the story forward presented by the Game Master (GM). The GM runs the game and acts as an arbiter for the rules of the game. They also take on the roles of all of the characters that the players interact with.

Your First Game #

The following section will help you prepare for your first game.

Looking For Group #

Friends and family are not your only means to finding a group to play with. Many game shops have spaces to play and nights dedicated to setting up play groups. Since the Covid19 restrictions online play has exploded with sites such as D20 and video conferencing. There are many online communities where you can find groups playing online.

Preparation #

If this is your first time playing, start by reading the rules. Generally speaking it is a good idea if both the players and the GM read the rules. If you are GM and running a pre-made mission / campaign, you should read that or at the very least familiarize yourself with the content. To actually play the game you will need:

• 1 twenty-sided dice, and at least two six-sided dice.
• the rules for reference.
• one character sheet per player.

It is not required but nice to have:

• a pencil and paper for notes and record keeping.
• A GM screen to separate information from the players.

The Flow of the Game #

TBD, link to an actual play as well.

Setting Expectations #

Ok, you have a group to play with, you have read the rules, you know the ins and outs of the mission you are going to run, you are ready. Before you sit down for your first session it is important to communicate to your players what the game is, what the expectations of the players are and what the expectations of the GM is. They should know that a single session can take several hours to get through. System Theory is a role playing game, all the players and GM are expected to role play to some extent but it’s ok if players have different levels that they are comfortable with. Some players like to act out what there character is doing while others will describe it, others do something in between. All approaches are valid and the big thing to remember is to have fun. This is a cooperative game the players are meant to cooperate with each other and with the GM to weave a semi-improvised story. There is nothing wrong with a player going against the grain of the rest of the group, however, it can be difficult to role play that type of character in a way is fun for everyone. If you are going to play a character that doesn’t work well with others it should be with the rest of the play groups permission. If you absolutely must play a character that will constantly go against the grain of the group, it might be a good idea to build up some TTRPG experience first.

Tips for Players #

• have fun! This is a game!
• Remember you are working together with the GM to move the story together. It is good and fine to be creative and go against the grain, but remember role playing a character difficult to get along with should be reserved for advanced players and only with buy in from the rest of the group.
• try and read up on the rules yourself. It helps the GM immensely to lift some of the cognitive burden off of them when the players do not need every rule explained.
• That said, do not be a pedant. A pedant is a person who is excessively concerned with formalism, accuracy and precision, or one who makes an arrogant show of learning. It is great to know the rules and help the DM, but it is also great to be somewhat flexible of the rules name of fun. House rules exist for a reason.

Tips for GMs #

You are the arbiter of the rules acting as a referee for the game. It is not expected to have every single rule memorized but you should have a thorough understanding of the core mechanics and rules of the game. Improvisation makes up a large part of RPGs and because of that a lot can happen outside of the initial story laid out before the session started. Take plenty of notes before and after the game. Some play groups will assign a different player each week to take notes for the whole group. It is really helpful to use those notes to create recaps for the next session to give you and your players a refresher on where the story left off.

Before the game begins the GM should communicate the expectations and make sure everyone is on the same page regarding rules, settings and expectations. Be open to feedback throughout the game and don’t be afraid to adjust in the name of fun.

Managing the Game #

As said above the GM is the referee for the game. As the GM you are responsible for describing the setting, scenarios and events. In other words what do the players see, hear, taste, etc. You will play the part of any characters that the players interact with other than themselves. These characters are called Non Player characters (NPC). Players react to events and NPCs, describing how they respond to you. The GM will let the players any skill checks that are needed and possibly rolling skill checks of their own on behalf of the NPCs. This sequence will continue for the rest of the game.

Time management and pacing are underrated skills of a GM. Try not to let rule discussions detract from the flow of the game. If a rule cannot be easily resolved, the GM should make a decision on how to handle that makes the most sense at the time and make a note to look into it further after the session. Do not be afraid to push the story forward if players are floundering or not making progress.

Respect in the Game #

Before starting beginning a session with a new play group, explain to the players about the safety of the game. Let them know they can opt-out of scenes if they wish. This game is meant to be fun and should be played in a respectful manner. If a player is causing issues for the table, try to handle it in a private manner. If the player continues to cause issues or takes something too far, do not be afraid to ask them to leave.