Kings of the Nile FAQ

Q: What is Kings of the Nile?
A: KotN is essentially a role-playing game similar to the ones played before in the Throne Room(TW RPG Archive). All players are represented by a single in-game general or family member. You are completely responsible for the fate of that person, not only in terms of life and death battles, but also in the complex world of politics and power. The are no overall goals or objectives in KotN and it is impossible to 'win' the game. You get to decide what the purpose behind your character is. You can achieve great political power, conquer a foreign foe and countless other things. You can even battle against your fellow players in a Civil War, perhaps even slaying the Basileus (Emperor) himself in single combat. The fate of your character is up to you.

Q: How do I join?
A: Post in this thread. I'll take care of the rest.

Q: Ok, I've joined. Now what do I do?
A: A good first step, if you haven't already done so, is to read the Rules from top to bottom. They are based on various previous RPG game Rules and are designed to be reader friendly, but they are still complex and can take some time to get used to. If you have any questions about how the game works, post them in the OOC Thread. Next, you should create a post for yourself in the Status and Orders Thread. Now you're ready to start roleplaying and controlling your avatar. Roleplaying can be done in many places, but is mainly confined to The Royal Council for official government purposes or in a specific thread for more casual purposes, and the various 'Alliance' threads. The Royal Council is generally open to all players, but it is considered bad form to post in an 'Alliance' thread without first being invited to do so. Roleplaying also regularly occurs in other places, such as through PMs and on secret forums located outside the Org. The Chancellor will regularly post updates on the state of the game and the latest saved games in the Reports Thread. From there you can download the save to move your avatar and fight battles. Summaries of battles can be posted in the Battle Reports Thread. These are optional, but it is considered good form to at least post a screenshot of the results of the battle. Finally, if you want to write a short story about your avatar, you can post it in the Stories Thread.

Q: Where can I upload save game files?
A: The preferred spot is the Org’s own PBM File Uploader. Just click 'Upload File', enter a name for the file, then scroll down to the Upload File section and browse to the file you want to upload and hit Submit. If that system is experiencing an error that prevents you from uploading, then you could use various off Org sites(Mediafire, Gamefront etc.) Regardless of which one you use, make sure that you compress (.zip or .rar) your files before uploading them.

Q: I have never done a PBM before so don't really understand how you shift the save around.
A: Here is a good explanaition from The Celtic Viking he wrote for WotB:
When they downloaded the save game, they do what they want (and have authority to do), saves the game and uploads it. The next guy then takes that save, does his stuff, saves and uploads. So it goes on until the Chancellor takes it, does his things and ends the turn. He then uploads a new save and the game goes on.

So to clarify it: Lets imagine this game only with three players, TCV, IK and CP. TCV is the Chancellor. The names are completely made up, and does not refer to any real person.

Phase 1: TCV uploads a save.
Phase 2: CP downloads the save and notifies everyone that he has it. He makes his character walk from Sardis to Ipsos, and then he's done.
Phase 3: CP saves the game and uploads it in the thread.
Phase 4: IK downloads the save CP uploaded and notifies everyone that he has it. He fights against an enemy stack and loses horribly, killing 4 enemies and losing 2000 men. He's done.
Phase 5: Cursing and swearing to personally execute every god anyone has everbelieved in, he saves the game and uploads it in the thread.
Phase 6: TCV takes the save and notifies everyone he has it. He changes the taxes, trains up a new army for Ib.. er, IK to waste, and is done.
Phase 7: TCV ends the turn, saves and writes a report on what he's done and what has happened in and around the Arche this turn. He uploads the save.

Then it's back to phase 2.

Or to use a metaphor:

TCV writes his name on a paper, and then leaves it out for others to do the same. CP gets to it first, and writes his name on it, then puts it back where he took it. IK who is the slowest gets to it the last, and then writes his name on it before putting it back. TCV takes back the paper, takes a new one and does it all over again.
Q: I dont know how to get screen shots up at all!
A: The easiest way to take screenshots is to simply press the print screen button, and then looking up the picture in the tgas folder where you installed RTW. However, if you do it this way when you have anti-aliasing (AA) on the picture will just turn out completely black.
If you don't want to turn off AA the easiest way is to download fraps from http://www.fraps.com/. It's completely free and legal, and when you've installed it you just open it, and then you can assign a which button you want to take screenshots with. You can also choose where to save the pictures; the default is C:\Fraps.
There are loads of places where you can upload a picture. http://www.imageshack.us/ and https://www.photobucket.com/ are options too. http://www.picoodle.com/ is another one.

Q: Well, how do you become Basileus, then?
A: The Basileus names you as the Faction Heir, signifying that you will become Basileus when the current Basileus dies. That is how you become Basileus.

Q: What is the proper format for proposing Edicts and Laws in The Royal Council?
A: Edict/Law X.Z: Text of Edict/Law. (X = Number of the Council session, Z = Number of the Edict/Law within the Council session.) For example, the third Edict proposed at the fourth Council session would look like this: Edict 4.3: All Strategoi will wear hoplon. The numbers of all Edicts and Laws proposed during an Emergency Session will be the same, but with an E preceding the numbering (i.e. Edict E4.3).

Q: How do I communicate with other players anonymously?
A: If you want to contact someone IC without them knowing your identity, create an 'anonymous' message (such as an unsigned note) and PM it to me along with a list of the players that you would like it sent to. I will forward the message with your name removed and forward any replies to you.

Q: What are Private Funds and what can I do with them?
A: Private funds is an out of the game currency. It's main purpose is to give the Players ability to buy Private units and pay their upkeep. Other activities you can do with Private funds are listed in the Royal Treasury thread.

Q: Private Units? What are they?
A: These are units you have bought with your Private funds. They allow you to figth your own battles and follow your own secret goals.