Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

"Questions Every Greenhorn Asks"

Getting Started

Do I need to know anything about Deadlands to play?

Not at all! The Ford County Library has everything you need to learn the setting and rules. If you're familiar with Westerns and don't mind a supernatural twist, you'll do fine. We'll teach you the rest as you go.

Do I need to own the Deadlands books?

No. All the essential information is available in the Ford County Library. However, if you want to dive deeper into the rules or setting, the books are helpful. The Marshal has access to everything and will guide you through character creation and gameplay.

I've never done text-based roleplay before. Is this for me?

Absolutely! Text-based RP is more accessible than you might think. If you can write a few paragraphs and enjoy collaborative storytelling, you'll fit right in. We'll help you learn the format, and the 72-hour posting window gives you plenty of time to craft your responses.

How do I join?

1. Join the Sim Central Discord and accept their community rules
2. Find our Game in #join-a-game on the Sim Central Discord Server
3. Chat with the possee in the prospective character channel
4. Work with the Marshal to create your character
5. Get approved and start playing!

Technical Questions

What's the difference between Nova and Discord?

Nova is where you write your in-character story posts—the actual roleplay happens here. Discord (Telegraph) is for out-of-character communication, dice rolling, card drawing, and coordination. Think of Nova as the stage and Discord as backstage.

Do I need to be online at specific times?

No! That's the beauty of text-based play. You post when you can within the 72-hour window when tagged. No need to coordinate everyone's schedule for a specific game night.

What if I don't know how to use Nova?

The Marshal will walk you through it. Nova is user-friendly, and we'll show you how to create posts, format text, and navigate the site. It's easier than it looks.

Do I need a webcam or microphone?

Nope! This is entirely text-based. You write everything—no voice or video required.

Character & Gameplay

What kind of characters can I play?

Almost anything that fits the Weird West setting! Gunslingers, lawmen, outlaws, hucksters (magic users), mad scientists, blessed (faith-based characters), shamans, drifters, gamblers, con artists—if it works in a horror Western, we can probably make it work. Discuss your concept with the Marshal.

Can I play a supernatural character?

Possibly, depending on what you mean. Hucksters, Blessed, and Shamans all have supernatural abilities. Playing one of the Harrowed (someone who came back from the dead) might be possible with Marshal approval. Playing a monster or inhuman creature is probably not appropriate for this campaign.

Do I have to be good at combat?

Not necessarily! While there will be action and danger, the campaign values investigation, social skills, and problem-solving just as much as gunfighting. A fast-talking con artist or a brilliant inventor can be just as valuable as a crack shot.

Can my character be from the Union? The Confederacy?

Yes! The posse works for Colonel Brennan, a Confederate industrialist, but he hires based on competence, not loyalty to any flag. You can be from anywhere—Union, Confederacy, Disputed Lands, Sioux Nations, Coyote Confederation, overseas, etc. This diversity creates interesting dynamics.

What if my character dies?

In the Weird West, death doesn't always stick. You might come back as one of the Harrowed (if dramatically appropriate). Or you might create a new character and join the posse with a fresh start. The Marshal will work with you to handle character death in a satisfying way.

How long are tags supposed to be?

Usually a paragraph or two. Quality matters more than quantity. Make your tags engaging, give others something to respond to, and advance the scene. Some posts will be longer (opening a scene, describing a complex action), others shorter (quick dialogue, simple reactions).

What if I can't post within 72 hours?

Communicate! Let everyone know in Discord that you need more time or are dealing with real-life issues. We can work around absences if we know about them. For longer absences, submit an LOA (Leave of Absence).

Setting & Story

How "weird" is the Weird West?

Very. The dead walk, manitous (evil spirits) are real, mad science creates impossible devices, and magic works—at a price. But it's still grounded in Western tropes: dusty towns, gunfights, rail barons, and frontier survival. Think of it as a horror Western where the monsters are real.

Is this historically accurate?

Historically flavored, not accurate. We use real locations (Dodge City, etc.) and acknowledge real history (the Civil War, westward expansion), but the Weird West diverged from real history in 1863 when the dead rose at Gettysburg. We prioritize good storytelling and atmosphere over perfect historical accuracy.

Who is Colonel Brennan?

Your employer. Colonel Augustus "Gus" Brennan is a wealthy Memphis industrialist who has a stake in the Black River Railroad. He's hired you as troubleshooters—fixers who handle problems too dangerous, strange, or sensitive for regular employees. The pay is generous. Survival is not guaranteed.

Do we have to do what Brennan says?

Mostly, yes—he's paying you. But how you accomplish missions is up to you. Brennan cares about results, not methods. You have considerable freedom in how you operate, and moral gray areas are part of the campaign. Working for a ruthless industrialist creates interesting ethical dilemmas.

Is this a good vs. evil campaign?

More like "survival vs. the weird and horrible." You're not traditional heroes—you're hired troubleshooters working for a morally ambiguous employer in a dangerous world. You'll fight genuine monsters and evil, but you'll also make hard choices about loyalty, profit, and what lines you won't cross.

Will there be horror elements?

Yes. This is a horror Western. Expect supernatural threats, disturbing imagery, and tense situations. However, we follow our content rating (3-2-3) and community standards. Horror serves the story and atmosphere—it's not gratuitous.

Community & Rules

What's Sim Central?

Sim Central is a roleplay gaming community that hosts multiple games. Colonel Brennan's Troubleshooters is affiliated with Sim Central, which means all players must be members of the Sim Central Discord and follow their community rules in addition to our game rules.

Why do I need to join Sim Central Discord?

It's part of our affiliation agreement. Sim Central provides hosting services and community infrastructure. In return, we extend their community standards and require all players to be members in good standing.

What happens if I break the rules?

It depends on the severity. Minor issues (missing a post, forgetting to communicate) will get a friendly reminder. Serious or repeated violations (harassment, inappropriate content, ghosting) can result in removal from the game. We prefer dialogue and restorative justice, but we have zero tolerance for harassment or harmful behavior.

Can I play in other games while playing this one?

Absolutely! Many of us play in multiple campaigns. Just make sure you can keep up with posting requirements in each game.

Every expert was once a greenhorn. Ask questions. Learn. Survive.