The Thentao Dice Server
The Dice Server is designed as a way to have a “trusted” third-party roll dice when communication is done using email.
Overview
The person who wishes to roll the dice (aka “Roller”) sends a plain text email message to the dice server address (which is not included here for security reasons). The Roller must “CC” the other person(s) who need to see the roll.
When the dice server receives this message, it will roll the dice and send the results to the Roller, as well as any person CC'd on the initial message.
The “V2” mailing list uses the dice roller for all messages, so no “CC” tricks are necessary. Simply send your dice request to the mailing list and the results will be seen by all on the list.
Syntax
Note: In the syntax below, square brackets surround optional parameters.
Messages sent to the dice server may contain any number of lines as follows:
- “!roll” dice-expression
Where dice-expression is as follows:
- [ repeat-count “x” ] [ number-of-dice ] [ “(” top-dice “)” ] “d” dice-size [ ('+'/'-') dice-adder ] [ “x” repeat-count ]
- repeat-count = Number of times to repeat the roll (May be in front or after the main dice expression.
- number-of-dice = The number of dice to roll (1..1000)
- top-dice = The number of high dice to count. (Example: To roll 4d6 and keep the top 3, use “4(3)d6”).
- dice-size = The size of each die. (Need not be a normal number. Feel free to roll 13-sided dice, if you want).
- dice-adder = The amount to add (or subtract) from the total.
Examples:
- !roll d20
- Roll a single d20
- !roll 3d6
- Roll three six-sided dice, show the individual numbers, and the total
- !roll 2d4+2
- Roll two four-sided dice, show the individual numbers, add two to the total and show it
- !roll d20x5
- Roll a single d20 five times
- !roll 6×4(3)d6
- Roll four six-sided dice, keeping only the top three – and do this six times
Caveats
If you do not “CC” anybody, the dice server will still roll the dice, but the response will be seen only by you – which defeats the main purpose.1)
The dice server currently ignores “HTML” sections in email – so please send plain text only.2)
Each recipient will always receive TWO copies of each message – one from the original sender, and a second from the dice server. The exception to this is the “V2” mailing list – as explained earlier.