Session Types

The following gameplay styles are supported in the AG format. Dungeon Masters can choose to run any or all of these types of games through the server.

## One Shots

One shots are adventures that last for only one session. In the AG this is the most common session type, and it follows as stricter set of reward rules than adventures that span over multiple sessions. The maximum rewards are detailed in Dungeon Master Guidelines, and there is a cap on how valuable single magic items handed out in these sessions can be based on level.

The AG places certain expectations on the DMs running one shots. These DMs should:

* Provide a session that provides players with a balanced risk/reward for the tier being played.
* Post for recruitment (or, if players pre chosen, post to claim the appropriate channel) following the recruitment template in the Dungeon Master Guidelines page.
* After the session, post a session log following the template in the Dungeon Master Guidelines page.

## Multishots

Sessions that a DM plans out that cannot fit into a one shot, or a one shot in which events occur and the players and DM agree to continue at a later time.

Characters in the session are considered “locked in”. As a general rule, locked in characters cannot participate or benefit from events in RP chat, cannot participate in one shots, they cannot participate in auctions, and cannot trade with characters outside of session while locked in. Some exceptions can be made if it makes sense.

Multishots can have up to 20% higher rewards that oneshots, and have the additional benefit of removing the maximum residuum value for magic items, allowing more powerful rewards.

The AG has the following expectations for DMs regarding multishots:

* Provide a series of sessions that provides it's players a balanced risk/reward for the tier they are playing.
* Have some of the rewards planned ahead of time, with more flexibility to give additional rewards based on interactions.
* Announce sessions ahead of time in the recruitment channel, pinging the players, alerting to the date and time of the session, and reserving a channel.
* Sessions must be at least 3 hours apart.
* After each session, post a session log following DM rule #5

## Campaigns

Campaigns are the traditional method of playing D&D. In the AG, campaigns can exist outside of the server framework and can follow any rules for rewards the DM desires. A DM informs a moderator of their desire to run a campaign and gives the campaign a name. They receive a private text channel where they can invite their players and post whatever is needed, including pinging the players for notifications. DMs have control over their players in a campaign and are free to remove players and add new ones if needed.

Players in a campaign can eventually join the AG, under the following conditions:

1. The player chooses to retire the character from the campaign, with DM approval, and requests the character be integrated into the AG.
2. The campaign ends early, at DM discretion, and the players wish for their characters to join the AG.
3. The campaign reaches its conclusion and the players wish for their characters to join the AG.

Character integration happens by the DM notifying a moderator of the intent. Moderators will expect the following information per character :

* A full character sheet, including rewards earned.
* Whether the character used the AG point buy system, or a custom system.
	+ In the event of a custom system, the character will have to to redo their stats to meet AG requirements.
* Descriptions of any homebrew magic items.
	+ Homebrew magic items are subject to approval by Rules Team and may be rejected. Compensation for these items are not guaranteed.
* The level the character started at
* The level the character ended
* DTD earned from play

Moderators work with the DM and/or players on finalizing any changes to the characters. The changes can involve, but are not limited to, gaining levels, removing items, swapping items, redoing stats, and removing homebrew abilities. Any homebrew items are presented to the Rules Team for approval or modifications, and at moderator discretion can involve the Rules Team in finalizing per character rewards. The characters are then permitted to join the AG in its full capacity.

When determining DM rewards for a campaign there are two options.

1. Take regular DMXP rewards, treating each session as part of a multishot.
2. Take only downtime days, and make a character at the conclusion of the campaign at the same level as the player characters. Contact a moderator about equipment and final approval of the character.

The AG has the following expectations for DMs regarding campaigns:

* DMs are consistent with their sessions and give proper notice when a session needs to be cancelled.
	+ Continuous cancellations may be looked into by the moderators.
* Make sure players are informed of when the next session will be.
* After each session, post a session log following DM rule #5

## Plothooks

Plothooks are sessions that are designed by a DM but requested by one or more of the players. Players can apply for a plothook by private messaging a member of the World Builder team with the information below, after which the application will be reviewed, then posted for our DMs to view and apply for. Once a DM is agreed upon, the DM and player/s will find a time and date that suits all parties to run. These sessions vary in length, and can be either oneshots or multishots.

Plothooks give expanded rewards for the DM, players, and session. Always round down when calculating the following.

* DM's receive x1.5 DMXP from plothook and WB approved sessions.
* Plothooks have their residuum and gold budget multiplied by x1.5 (x1.7 if a multishot).
* Both the DM and Players receive x1.5 DTD from the session.
* Max Magic Item Budget is removed for one-shot plothooks.

For DM's if you want to claim a plothook, talk with the player first, and make sure they're good with you taking that request after having a discussion with them about it. After having their affirmation, you can talk to a World Builder (the one who posted it will likely be the quickest) affirming that you've talked to the player and would like to take the plothook.

Players may only have one request at a time, until theirs is run to completion, or is requested to be taken down. Additionally, DM's can only claim one plothook at a time, until they've run that plothook to completion. Once the quest has been run to completion, one of you should message the World Builder who posted the plothook so that it can be taken down properly.

If you want to request a plothook, message a World Builder with the following format:

**Quest Title**

**Character** (Race / Class Levels most notably)

**Session Goal / Hook** (This should include the general story lineup of the session, as well as any mechanical hopes and reasons)

**Deadline** (If you have a particular deadline or timely desire to have it run, put it here, as well as any specific scheduling restrictions you have like work, etc.)

## Play-By-Post (PBP)

Play by Posts are sessions ran without a schedule. They can be any of the session types, but typically fall into the multishot category.

To run a PBP, DMs must have had the DM role for at least one week and ran at least one live session on the server. If they meet this criteria, they contact a moderator and inform them they are going to run a PBP and provide a name for it. They are then given a dedicated text channel in which they have full rights to and can invite players.

Because PBPs are post-as-you-go, it’s very hard to determine what constitutes a session in terms of the AG loot system. DMs are given the flexibility to make the call when they feel enough has happened to fill the equivalent of a 3 hour time block, and can give rewards accordingly. In the likely event that a PBP goes beyond one session, loot rewards follow the same rules as a multishot.

It is possible to run a campaign via a PBP. If this is the case, the moderators should be aware it is a campaign, and it then follows the same rules as a campaign above and the characters will be subject to the same rules above for integrating back into the AG.

The AG has the following expectations for DMs regarding PBPs:

* Provide a balanced risk/reward for the players for the given tier that will be played.
* The DM will make unbiased and fair judgement calls on when to record the end of one session and the beginning of the next for determining loot.
* After each session, post a session log following DM rule #5
* Notify the moderators when a PBP is completed, so it can be archived