Down a DM...

[X-Osoerde (Alan)]

Bjorn, with Jon being out for a while, what can we players do to lighten your DM load?

Some ideas I have are:

1.NPC Communication: Unless it is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL put NPC communication in your Free Actions. 

2. Ask Player's First: Ask questions on the forums first about rules, back history, etc.  If the answer is incorrect or you want to add more color, then you can respond as oppose to needing to formulate an answer from scratch.

[X-Medoere & RCS/KE (Thorsten)]

Another idea could be to add an OoC section at the end of NPC-communication stating what you try to accomplish. That way, if things get hairy for the good DM (he runs out of time etc.), he can choose to resolve it quickly with a "never going to happen" or "add it in you DO" kinda thing.
It may remove some of the charm of interaction with the NPC's but lighten the load in the long run.

[X-EOM/SS (Marco)]

agree with both ideas above

[X-Osoerde (Alan)]

Another idea could be to add an OoC section at the end of NPC-communication stating what you try to accomplish. That way, if things get hairy for the good DM (he runs out of time etc.), he can choose to resolve it quickly with a "never going to happen" or "add it in you DO" kinda thing.
It may remove some of the charm of interaction with the NPC's but lighten the load in the long run.

This is a good idea.

[X-Haelyn's Aegis/RK (Andy)]

I agree with all 3, how about:

4.  If you want a ruling on a new spell, building, etc, etc is put it up and let the piranha's chew.  If it's over powered, etc someone will say, and anyway it could always be tweaked in arrears if it was over/under in the end, but until Bjorn had a chance to make a final decision we could at least agree a broad brush 'sounds ok' sort of deal.

5. Minor NPC's could be assigned to players (those otherwise away from the action) on an honour basis with maybe minor prep notes - much of the NPC banter would be mainly huff and fluff anyway and anything big could be delegated back.  It would effectively expand the number of managable nPC's and give people who've found themselves out of the action a way of being involved.

[X-Osoerde (Alan)]

I agree with all 3, how about:

4.  If you want a ruling on a new spell, building, etc, etc is put it up and let the piranha's chew.  If it's over powered, etc someone will say, and anyway it could always be tweaked in arrears if it was over/under in the end, but until Bjorn had a chance to make a final decision we could at least agree a broad brush 'sounds ok' sort of deal.

5. Minor NPC's could be assigned to players (those otherwise away from the action) on an honour basis with maybe minor prep notes - much of the NPC banter would be mainly huff and fluff anyway and anything big could be delegated back.  It would effectively expand the number of managable nPC's and give people who've found themselves out of the action a way of being involved.

4. Very Good Idea!
5. Generally, if you want an NPC to do something, put it in your DO (Diplomacy).  Though I largely agree with you, it might be worthwhile for us to consider reworking the RoE 'area of play' as well.   Perhaps removing some of the fringe domains and shifting them to some of the internal domains.