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The Twenty-Fifth Hour is conceptualized as a forum variant incarnation of classical text-based games, wherein the players offer very limited input via posts and the character in question, as described by the Game Master, responds to that input. Such a limited input would be no more than three mildly complex sentences that describe actions, reactions, dialogue both inner or outer and so forth. The intent is to create a dynamic and reactive experience where the players' choices matter more based on what few things they can manage with the character, rather than through their elaboration or length. Furthermore, in paying homage to these far more crude text-based games, the responses given by the Game Master are more elaborate and lengthy, so as to provide players with critical information, but not to exceed two complex paragraphs.

Continued, to foster a sense of urgency in posting, the most recent posting player in response to the Game Master's reply is the one who decides the next series of actions. However, once they have posted and the next reply sent, they may not again determine the events carried out; another player in the group must post before they may again. It remains despite this, a "first come, first served" mentality. The goal of the players is to create a unified narrative between them and guide the shared character to success. Because, keeping with older design philosophy, punishment and failure are real threats; failure means defeat and presumably death for the character in some cases. To help further incentivize players, all aspects of the character are driven by their decisions, the Game Master merely plays out the outcome of those decisions almost akin to an invisible driving mechanism for the narrative, rather than making them for the players.

As imagined, the game leans conceptually toward a more mature take on its elements and is intended to be played seriously. There is an underlying sense of something strange involved, as one would suspect when the narrative is initially vary malleable and only further evolves as players refine it by their choices, thus horror could be considered an undertone but not the focus. No less, because it generates dynamically, there is no real prediction what other genre it will branch into or borrow from; all the Game Master can do is interpret the inputs of the players and attempt to use context to guide the narrative. This further adds incentive for players to try to be cohesive and collaborate to build a narrative, as incompatible elements amount to a waste of time and thus a turn.

The game is not intended for more than five players, with two at minimum preferred in order to alternate. It is not intended for parties who have no interest in potentially mature themes, i.e., descriptive violence. There is no element in its intended concept to appeal to all individuals; this topic's "game" is for a niche audience and is meant to play differently. It is strictly meant to be an elaboration of text-based adventure games of old in a slightly different medium and with a group playing a singular character.

"I stop where I am and decide to hide in the bushes. I then check my inventory for binoculars, hoping I have a pair. From there, I look at the strange tree and investigate it, watching it for a few minutes."

"You rummage through your crude hiking pack, hoping that you might have something of use. Fortunately, fate would have it that your binoculars made it through the events that led you here, still functional as they had been, albeit slightly worse for wear. Despite their damage, upon adjusting them to your eyes in the dying light of the evening, they reveal that the strange tree on the horizon was worthy of being suspicious of. Odd, filament like sprigs hang from its branches, reminding you of a weeping willow, although the uncharacteristic grey bark of the tree and its ominous cracked wood suggests there is more to it."

"You notice, as you hide in the undergrowth, that there are no sounds of birds. This wasn't the case earlier and now the lack of any animals around you at all is mildly disquieting. It becomes evident the longer you observe your surroundings over your period of concealment that something is terribly wrong but you cannot quite put your finger on it. Whatever it is, the uncanny circumstance is foreboding and troubling internally. With this in mind, you return your attention to the unsettling, pale tree as it remains still in the silent forest."

The expectations are exceedingly simple. The Game Master has the final say on any event and the parties involved, both in the meta and the game itself. Players who become inactive will be discredited and eschewed from the game, as will invalid entries, such as those by non-sanctioned parties or players in any violation of rules associated with the forum by their proposed action. Posts should come daily by at least one member, so long as they are not determining the actions twice; any period of delay more than a few days will result in the game automatically progressing as if the character's decision was to do nothing.

Interested parties that wish to know about any further details not outlined in this post may pose their comments, concerns, and questions to follow. Responses to these will appear in this section for further use in a typical "Question and Answer" format to serve as a registry for potentially other interested parties and or readers. Please check this section before posing any remarks. If a response from the Game Master is unclear, despite the message already being included here, please specify the issue taken.


The following are persons who previously voiced interest. If you are receiving this notice, please respond with a confirmation of continued interest or a declaration of abstaining upon knowing more: @DocRock, @Polybius, @Pyromaniacwolf.

Interested

Still interested although I'm curious as to what the exact setting of the RP will be? And the way this has been described makes it seem as though all the players are in control of the same character, which is completely fine by me I just want to make sure My sleep deprived mind isn't reading it wrong.

Part of me is liking the potential of this turning into a kind of weird meta horror where the character becomes aware they're being dragged around on different directions by different individual forces but I'm not sure that's exactly the desired theme here.

@Pyromaniacwolf

Still interested although I'm curious as to what the exact setting of the RP will be?

The exact setting will be determined by the players, depending upon what is done once the game is initiated. By virtue, this makes the start of the game extremely important and quickly sets the tone and direction. The two most major paths it can take is toward fantasy or science fiction but it may branch into other elements. That is purely up to the decisions and actions - or lack thereof - from the players.

And the way this has been described makes it seem as though all the players are in control of the same character, which is completely fine by me I just want to make sure My sleep deprived mind isn't reading it wrong.

You are correct, all players are in control of one singular character. There is only one main character. All other characters, if any, are under the assumption of the Game Master who controls them as individual entities. This is to prevent the narrative from splintering into a thousand directions when presented with what amounts to grand levels of free will, limited only by where one falls in posting order.

Part of me is liking the potential of this turning into a kind of weird meta horror where the character becomes aware they're being dragged around on different directions by different individual forces but I'm not sure that's exactly the desired theme here.

This outcome is entirely possible based upon decisions taken by the party. It is not out of the question that the character starts to realize they are being pulled in many directions. However, there is truly no telling or knowing just where the narrative may go.

I'm here, and having read up, I am so down for this.

First come first serve for actions, weee

I can certainly imagine this being very split-esque, intentionally or otherwise. Regardless, I'm interested!

@Dark Light, @Pyromaniacwolf, @DocRock, @Voltus_Ventus, then it is settled. The game can be expected to begin tomorrow, in which case all will be mentioned again as four is a solid enough number to start. Recall, there should be strong emphasis to post, as the first post received by the Game Master will always be accepted unless invalid or if that person was the last to have replied with the course of actions. As well, the start is the portion where the narrative is the most likely to be set in stone, so being vigilant and ready to respond helps shape the narrative more toward one's own desires.

Of course.

I'm going to probably be unable to respond to anything from four am to around six pm tomorrow, and four am to eight pm weds. Classes plus some assignments I have to work on.

Maybe instead of a death race to be the first to post we can set up a rotation? Or all reach a consensus about what we went the character to do before one of us posts it? Or just have a death race?

This single character thing is a bad idea... I’m just still here for the train wreck :p

Maybe instead of a death race to be the first to post we can set up a rotation? Or all reach a consensus about what we went the character to do before one of us posts it? Or just have a death race?

The rotation is whoever posted last may not post again to determine actions until at least one other member has posted. If the players outside the game reach a consensus or agreement, that is their doing, but there is no obligation to do so. The only obligation that exists is that one does not attempt to retroactively alter the continuity or change it; that would be an example of an invalid post. One of the goals of playing the game in this manner is that players should want to post and not dawdle.

This single character thing is a bad idea... I’m just still here for the train wreck :p

One of the core ideas of the game is to make it different and keep it in the spirit of the archetype, wherein there was one character and one life. The players, unless they wish to lose, need sort it out for themselves and or respect the narrative forming rather than trying to push their own individual agendas.

I missed your mention Harbinger, but I'm on board :)

All parties should be aware that the game has begun.

Due to inactivity by other parties, those players have been removed. Three more may now apply in their place to join in the mystery. A brief synopsis has been provided and thus far only a few major decisions have been undertaken.

Three more may now apply to join in the mystery. A brief synopsis has been provided and thus far only a few major decisions have been undertaken. Opportunities still do await and the game may still be radically shaped.

There is still room for a maximum of three more players to partake in the self-determining story. All actions and events, unless time passes, are decided by the players through their choices, which in turn shapes the entire world of the game. Effectively, the players drive the narrative, and thus whatever they wish to see begins to manifest more.

I understand that it's meant to be played seriously, but who I am and how I percieve and react to situations doesn't necessarily match up with how my characters handle things, and I lean towards characters that usually have a comedic or strange element to them.

That being said, would there be room to accomodate, or at least to consider ol' Doc and whatever bastard creation he brings to the table?

I'm thinking of a man who slowly goes nuts from being stranded, but more like in a Castaway way than in a Shining way. Stuff like talking to coconuts and having schizophrenic episodes.

@The Harbinger of Ferocity

I am willing to afford you an opportunity, provided you do attempt to play the straight and narrow, steering clear of the comedic or strange. As well, if one can avoid purposefully working against the party, I cannot say that I will decline outright, @Doc Doctor. If you are agreeable to this and have reviewed the topic itself for a rough sense of what it entails, by all means do let me know the outcome of your decision.

This story is continuing still and is seeking up to three more members. Recall that it is guided by the players, so one has a great amount of opportunity to determine the narrative, while also being low in time commitment required. It is also recommended that the players coordinate some amount of what they wish to do for their own benefit. Given the topic is open and looking for that, curious parties might be well rewarded.

Players interested may still join this topic. Three slots remain and the narrative is preparing to seemingly move inland on a quest for answers.