How to Run a Play-by-Post Game

Running a play-by-post campaign is game mastering at a different tempo. You trade the energy of a live table for a story that builds in writing, day by day. Done well, it is one of the most rewarding ways to run a long campaign. Here is how to set one up and keep it alive.

Recruit the right table

A play-by-post group needs people who will actually post. When you invite players, be honest about the rhythm:

Say how often you expect posts — for example, once a day on weekdays.
Say how long the campaign is likely to run.
Ask what they want from the game: heavy roleplay, tactical combat, exploration, or a mix.

Even three committed players beat six who drift away.

Set the ground rules up front

A short session zero does a lot of work over text. Cover:

Pace — when everyone posts, and how combat turns work.
Safety tools — fill in lines and veils and explain the anonymous X-card so anyone can flag a moment without speaking up.
Tone and content — what kind of story this is, and what is out of bounds.
House rules — which system you are playing and any table conventions.

Role by Post keeps the first two in the channel itself, so they are always one tap away.

Structure your scenes

Without a session clock, scenes can drift. Give each one a shape:

Open with a prompt that states where the party is and what is at stake.
Play — let players post actions and dialogue; answer with replies so threads stay readable.
Close when the objective is met or the scene has run its course, then open the next with a scene break.

Not every scene needs combat. Downtime, travel, and conversation are where character moments live in this format.

Run combat with clear turns

Combat is the part that most needs structure, because it is the only place strict order matters.

Put initiative and the active player on the status bar.
Announce each turn plainly and name who is up next.
Remind players they can tap dice notation to roll, or open an ability check with their modifier already filled in.
If a player is away, use AFK status and either skip, delay, or take their turn for them — but decide the rule before it comes up.

Play the world, not just the plot

Play-by-post shines when the world feels alive between the main beats.

Give NPCs names and portraits and let them speak in their own voice.
Let players pursue personal goals in side scenes.
Use the status bar for ongoing notes — a countdown, a riddle, a promise the party made.

Keep the campaign moving

Post every day you promised. A Game Master who goes quiet teaches the table that silence is fine.
Recap often. A short summary at the top of a scene helps anyone who fell behind.
Ask directly. "Kira, what does your character do?" brings a quiet player back in.
Export the story. Save the campaign to Markdown now and then; it is a chronicle worth keeping.

Get started

Create a channel, write your session-zero post, and invite your players. Role by Post gives you the timeline, dice, NPCs, safety tools, and notifications an asynchronous campaign needs. Read what play-by-post is or the D&D by post guide for more.