Old West Group

Description

Welcome to Old West Group, a roleplaying group set in the untamed, dangerous world of the United States push west during the 1880s. In a time of lawlessness, settlement, and rapid change, the West is full of opportunities… some profitable, others deadly. Your character’s journey is one of survival, moral dilemmas, and the search for justice… or its absence. Whether you are a lawman tracking outlaws, a cattle rustler evading the law, a rancher trying to survive, or a wanderer looking for your next chance at fortune, there’s a place for you in this wild, expanding frontier.

Here, WE, the writers, portray characters in a time of heroes, adventure, hardship, and discovery in a time of stories. Old West Group (OWG) takes place in a time period shrouded in the lore of gunslingers, gunfighters, hanging judges, cowboys, runaway herds of cattle, snowstorms, drought, gold rushes, train-robberies, bank-bustin’, and clashin’ with Native Americans. A time and place where outlaws could use the power of the gun to be a power unto themselves. A time when the law man could be gunned down in the street and the community would accept it as merely part of the job, something to be expected.


The world is vast, the landscapes endless, and your fate uncertain as you explore the rugged, unpredictable territories of the Old West. From dirt-covered streets of small towns to the endless, open range, every choice you make can shape your character’s journey.

Definition

The "Old West" refers to a period in American history during the 19th century, when the western part of the United States was being settled and developed. It is most commonly associated with the time between the end of the American Civil War (1865) and the closing of the frontier in 1890.

This era is iconic for its rugged, untamed nature and the cultural and historical developments that occurred as settlers moved westward.

Available Themes ::

• Survival : Characters may face daily struggles for food, safety, and shelter.
• Lawlessness vs. Order : An opportunity to be involved in a tug-of-war between outlaw gangs and newly established lawmen or vigilantes.
• Redemption and Revenge : Personal journeys that may lead to moments of redemption or paths driven by vengeance.
• Adventure : Exploring vast wilderness, seeking riches, escaping danger, or becoming legends.

Possible Settings ::

1. Dusty Frontier Towns ::

• Atmosphere: Muddy streets, saloons filled with gamblers and rowdy locals, churches offering hope to the weary, and lawmen struggling to maintain order.
• Key Features: General store, saloon, sheriff’s office, hotels, town square, stables, blacksmith shop, post office.
• Possible Conflicts: Disputes over land, business competition, sheriff corruption, vigilante justice, feuding families.

2. The Open Range ::

• Atmosphere: Vast stretches of open land with few settlements and even fewer people. Herds of cattle, the scent of sagebrush, and the sound of winds howling across barren terrain.
• Key Features: Cattle drives, cattle rustlers, distant ranches, small watering holes, homesteader shacks.
• Possible Conflicts: Land disputes, drought, cattle rustlers, wildlife danger, struggle for water rights.

3. Mining Camps ::

• Atmosphere: The clang of pickaxes and shovels, dust rising from mining efforts, men digging for gold or silver with dreams of striking it rich.
• Key Features: Mines, makeshift shacks, gambling dens, mercantile, boarding houses, train stops for transportation.
• Possible Conflicts: Claim jumping, disputes over the riches found, dangerous mine accidents, outlaws stealing goods, lawmen trying to maintain control over the chaos.

4. Native American Territories ::

• Atmosphere: Wild and untamed, with rugged landscapes like deserts, mountains, and forests. Tensions between settlers and Native American tribes are ever-present.
• Key Features: Tribal villages, sacred grounds, hunting grounds, military outposts, ruins from previous conflicts.
• Possible Conflicts: Battles over land, broken treaties, forced relocation, cultural clashes.

5. Railroad Towns and Stops ::

• Atmosphere: Busy hubs with tracks running through them, bustling activity as goods and people move across the country. Tensions arise between settlers, railroad workers, and native tribes.
• Key Features: Train stations, supply depots, loading docks, railroad camps, local saloons.
• Possible Conflicts: Strikes by railroad workers, robberies, sabotage of train lines, competition between towns for business.

6. Ghost Towns ::

• Atmosphere: Desolate, crumbling buildings, windswept streets, and long-forgotten secrets. Once prosperous, now abandoned after the gold or silver ran out.
• Key Features: Empty buildings, abandoned mines, overgrown fields, broken wagons, unmarked graves.
• Possible Conflicts: Haunted by ghosts, treasure seekers, rival groups hunting for riches, danger from unstable structures.

Possible Plots ::

• The Outlaw Hunt : A notorious outlaw gang has terrorized the frontier, and a bounty has been placed on their heads. Lawmen, bounty hunters, and even vigilantes are hunting them down. Will they capture the criminals—or fall victim to their own pursuit?
  
• Cattle Wars : Two ranchers vie for control of a piece of land that’s crucial for grazing their herds. Tensions are rising between the ranchers and their respective supporters. This could lead to all-out violence… Will a third party intervene or help escalate the conflict?
  
• Stagecoach Robbery : A heavily guarded stagecoach is scheduled to make a risky journey, transporting gold and valuables through hostile territory. Outlaws plot to rob the coach, but things don't go as planned. Will anyone survive the robbery?
  
• Indian Territory and Broken Treaties : The government is attempting to force Native American tribes off their lands, sparking raids, rebellion, and conflict. Tensions rise as both settlers and Indigenous tribes fight for survival and control. What side will your character choose—if any?
  
• Ghost Town Secrets : A seemingly abandoned mining town is rumored to hold a secret treasure. However, when the group arrives, they find the town is far from empty. Are the stories of hauntings and disappearances true? What lies beneath the dust?
  
• The Gold Rush Still Lives : Old claims in remote areas are being rediscovered, and people are flocking back to the mountains and deserts to strike it rich. But they aren’t the only ones seeking the treasure… ruthless outlaws, rival prospectors, and even lawmen are all in pursuit. Will your characters strike it rich or fall victim to greed?
  
• Lawless Justice : The town of Black Ridge has no official law enforcement. A new sheriff has been appointed, but there are rumors that he might be as corrupt as the criminals he’s supposed to be catching. Does your character support the law or take advantage of the chaos for personal gain?
  
• Train Robbery Gone Wrong : A group of outlaws plans to rob a train, but a series of unexpected events leads to a deadly standoff. Will your character be caught in the crossfire, or will they have a chance to make a profit?
  
• Settler’s Dilemma : A group of settlers is attempting to move through dangerous lands to settle on new territory, but they’re being harassed by outlaws, dangerous wildlife, and even more perilous challenges like harsh weather. Who will protect them… and who will betray them for a share of the land?
  
• Revenge of the Apache : A group of Apache warriors has declared war on the settlers in a remote region after a massacre years ago. Some settlers are desperate to make amends, while others are willing to fight back. Can peace be reached… or will revenge destroy everyone?

-- Players are encouraged to develop detailed backstories and motivations. While setting and specific location aren’t the focus, characters should have clear goals, fears, and ties to the themes of the Old West.

-- The RPG Rating System allows a level for how much harsh language, sexual content, and violence is allowed. The Rating was created because ratings for other media just did not fit with what our members needed. Being a free forum, we must abide by the Terms of Service (ToS). The rating is not a value judgement on content - it doesn't mean that using bad words is Wrong - but rather, it's a way for roleplays to know how intense that content is so they can decide what they enjoy. The interpretation of these numbers is open to our staff members who create it, but the basic guidelines are in place to understand what the numbers mean.


Using the RPG Rating System as a guide, the Admins follow unlimited possibilities for interpretation of what the numbers mean. From 0 to 3 and in the categories of L (Language), S (Sexual Content), and V (Violence), there are combinations we have provided to really tell our members what our rating is all about.

We shall use the below as our guide:
L - 3 — Swearing and mature language is permitted.
S - 3 — Sexual content may be described in detail; although members may still use suggestive and vaguely described scenes (Fade to Black).
V - 3 — Explicit violence is permitted.

We use this L3-S3-V3 for various reasons and consider Ages 21 and up for our Forums to avoid TOS violations.

At times, there may be reason for a story to contain violence, raw language, strong portrayals of suggestive sexual content, suggestions of sexual violence, and gore. Please use appropriate to those accompanying your character in a thread.

-- Players can be aligned with different factions (lawmen, outlaws, settlers, etc.) but will be encouraged to interact across those divides to create complex storylines.

-- Conflict and Resolution: Roleplay can often revolve around players solving conflicts, whether through violence, negotiation, or cleverness. The world is unforgiving, and moral decisions are central to every interaction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in the event someone is confused about one thing or another. If you do not see your question here feel free to DM a moderator. If enough people ask the same question it will be added to this list.

Q1: What if I do not know about the history of the realm or the world’s time period?
A: People get intimidated by the aspect of an original site, or a time period of which they are unfamiliar, in that they think they would have to actually know the original history’s period to participate and they’re wrong, it’s really not necessary.... Most people are concerned with ahistorical fiction sites because they are not history nerds... So if you are fine... if not, don’t worry... You don't have to be a nerd...just a person who enjoys writing, participating, or just reading a good story or two, or three....

If you think on it, Stories are Stories... I can take the same theme and apply it to any realm.... Besides this is ahistorical fiction... we make it what we wish to enhance the Plot and its sub-Plots.

You know... It’s funny how you really can apply any story arc to any established setting... All this is very nice... we here appreciate accuracy of any sort, but it doesn’t compare to just having a relaxed environment to RolePlay (RP) in....

Don’t be afraid... if you have a muse, an idea, or an urge, it can be molded into our theme... do let your muse go... Have questions? ASK !!! and have fun writing and socializing with others who enjoy the same thing !!!

Q2: Do I have to use a real person for my play-by?
A: No. Art is acceptable, as long as it looks periodic. Using any celebrity photographs or real person pictures / photographs that aren't clearly free to use is technically copyright infringement. It's not automatically okay to use someone's image without permission for a particular purpose. I've heard the fair use argument and no, it's not fair use either. If a celebrity or real person is angry about the images being posted online... they can in fact send a take down request. Thus, we will immediately remove all contested images.
((NOTE: Use your best judgement, I would not use any image or piece of content if the owner or guardian of the work(s) especially if known to file take-down requests over it. Public figures generally have different rules regarding expectations of image use with respect to privacy. The manner in which you use it could also aggravate the situation. In light of an actual legitimate request from an entity to remove it, we shall not refuse a take-down request; if we refused, well - that would be a bad route to go, but I think you get the idea. If they don't want it used, do you really want to fight a celebrity or parent over this or the celebrity/parent/child's agent/lawyers?))

Q3: Does my face have to be period correct?
A: Preferably! If your play-by / Face is a celebrity that has never appeared in a period film or drawing that is perfectly okay! Please use an image that is clothed appropriately (e.g no swimsuits etc); or you can use art, or a drawing… even your own. (Refer to above answer to Question 2)

Q4: Can I take a character from a Book, Movie, TV show, Music Video or some other already publish medium and just use the same details here but just change the name?
A: Yes. Although that is called plagiarism, we do use canon information minimally to some extent. (Refer to above answer to Question 2)

Q5: What member group should I pick for my character?
A: That's up to you! If your character could fall into two or more categories, simply pick the one you think suits them the best!

Q6: Is there a word count?
A: No. Although we do request that no one liners be used. A general rule of thumb is a few lines for reflection, a few lines for responding to the post before and a few lines of new content. Some players like to write long posts and others much shorter ones. Just give the person you are writing with some content to reply upon.

Q7: I’ve been having some issues with another player. How do I handle it?
A: Let an RPR monitor or moderator know immediately. Be sure to tell us what the problem is so we can handle it appropriately.

Q8: Can I jump into any posted thread?
A: If a thread is posted as ‘OPEN’, you may add your character to it. If a thread is closed or ‘OPEN’ is absent in the title/sub-title, you must ask the players involved if you can join in...

Q9: What do you provide?
A: I am happy to say that the chance to utilize the group for free-writing, a characters options for ascertainment are very broad. We provide stories set among member(s) as well as large group chronicles. I recommend creating scenarios for play that utilize your areas heads, if such is applicable, for this purpose. The people in their places are there because they are fabulous storytellers, always happy to help.

Q10: I want to write a thread that goes beyond the 3-3-3 rating. Where should I put it?
A: Going beyond the L3-V3-S3 rating is hazardous. Possibilities such as *beyond L3-V3-S3* fringes upon social and personal taboos and legal lines. Be aware, there may be strict RPR policies regarding the playing out of plot lines that goes beyond the 3-3-3 rating are involved… and we DO NOT allow anything illegal, such as child abuse, child molestation, or child pornography, and/or bestiality and WILL NOT be allowed to be written in our forum or on our Discord in any format or form. Be aware of such !!! Accordingly, we feel it is best for the forum and the players that these plot lines are prohibited beyond reference.

Regarding the rape and/or sexual assault aspect in Real Life versus Roleplay... Though our theme may be conducive to rape and/or sexual assault upon, or by, our characters, as such is a factor of characters' life and social norms, and thus involved in a story for a variety of reasons… but rape and/or sexual assault is a serious and disturbing subject to many people, ones that should never be treated lightly or flippantly. For many, the subject is a trigger that causes the resurfacing of serious mental and emotional distress, re-invigorate latent issues, and should be avoided. There are limitations on the subjects we MUST consider; due to the players' and viewers', our members, personal limitations.

If a player wishes to write out such a scene that is in regards to, such as rape and/or sexual assault, child abuse, child molestation, or child pornography, and/or bestiality, THAT is PLAYERS' CHOICE and we cannot stop it from occurring, but I recommend contacting a Moderator for advice... that is our only concern.