I am creating a new site with a co-admin I have spent a lot of time roleplaying with. The board will be account per character and part of it will be medieval fantasy. We are considering a system where members gain points by posting, with longer, non-spam posts awarding more points than one or two line posts. The points could then be exchanged for abilities and items. Except for more powerful/unique items and abilities, the cost of the power would not be subtracted from the character's total so the character could exchange abilities as long as they do not exceed their total number of points.

I have admined on a medieval fantasy board before where characters were allowed to pick powers at will, pending admin approval to ensure that characters didn't have too many powers or abilities that could be considered god-like. The system worked fairly well, but made me think that perhaps a better definition of possible powers could be fun, as a character's mastery over a certain power could be more respected, there would be more assistance in picking powers so the same basic few weren't reused a million times, and characters could learn abilities in a more realistic manner. As the new site will be aimed at intermediate and advanced roleplayers however, I wasn't sure if the new system would seem to hinder the rp more than enhance it. (If it affects anything, we haven't decided if characters will start out will a set number of points, but they likely will.)

Opinions and comments? Anyone tested a system like this, regardless of genre?

It sounds like an interesting system. It sounds like it would need alot of players who are willing to put the time into getting these powers...or that HAVE the time to put into their characters. In theory it could work I suppose

Sounds like an interesting system - if I were looking for another forum (I'm already on five; I don't think I need a sixth haha), I would totally join. It's unlike any system I've ever seen, and I think it's a little more interesting than teaching characters or using a shop system, although we do use the latter. I think the only disadvantage would be time and having to look at posts in order to award points, but if you have the time, it's a good idea. I like it.