Charles

he/him

5.0

(35)

Timezone

America/new York

Language

English

Identity

DMs Guild Writer

Published Writer

Teacher/Educator

About Charles

I enjoy the collaborative effort that comes with hosting games. I like seeing how different groups react to and handle the scenarios that I prepare for them. The entire endeavor, from prep to delivery, is a source of fulfillment. I build the scaffolding, but the Players shape the sculpture of the story.

At a glance

4 years on StartPlaying

337 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Teacher, World Builder

Average response time: 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

When I'm not running games I'm...

Game prep, work, spend time with daughter

How Charles runs games

I work to design story arches that stretch across multiple sessions. My worlds contain more than stat blocks. NPCs, humanoid or monstrous, are alive with goals, flaws, allies, enemies, and secrets. I enjoy developing layered webs of social intrigue in which to entangle the Player group. I treat combat like the dangerous and chaotic endeavor that it is. Not all encounters will be "balanced". Your victories will be hard fought and well earned. Certain enemies may not fight till the last one reaches 0hp. Some may try to negotiate or surrender. Some may try to flee.

Featured Prompts

I prep by

For pre-published campaigns, I prep out 2-3 chapters ahead of the Players' current spot in the story. That way I'm ready if they make their way through something more quickly than expected. For original campaigns, I set up threats and scenarios that are relevant to the story arch.

My games focus on...

The Player Characters. They are the stars of the story.

Rules are...

I usually defer to rules as written. It keeps everyone on the same page and helps make the fantasy more believable.

Charles's ideal table

I run a casual table. Players are open to group decisions and often help each other out with feature usage, which I encourage. Unless there's a ticking clock situation, I allow all the time needed to role play, prepare, investigate, etc.