Oenanthe

she/her

5.0

(2)

Timezone

Etc/gmt

About Oenanthe

I've been playing RPGs for roughly 35 years and GMing for 34 of those, I quickly realised i was happier behind the screen than in front of it. Originally it was for friends around the table, and then when Covid hit, I joined Roll20 and have been running games on there for the last 5 years. Over the years I have seen many changes in the hobby, from the crunchier systems, to the more mechanics light ones, from relying on books, to the increased use of the internet as a resource, from a time when being a female GM made me stand out in the crowd, to a the current era when the hobby is far more open to all. While some may debate whether crunchy or light system are better, whether books are better to internet, I think we can all agree that the increased inclusivity has added nothing but good to the hobby, and while not yet perfect, I hope the trend continues. I will also mention that while I do have some sight, I am Severely Sight Impaired. I do may best to not let it get in the way of what I want to do.

At a glance

4 years on StartPlaying

18 games hosted

Highly rated for: Inclusive, Knows the Rules, Teacher

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

I started playing TTRPGs when I was at University and after a year decided that I fancied trying my hand at GMing. The first game I ever ran was Call of Cthulhu. I very quickly realised that I was happier behind the screen than in front of it, and have been a forever GM since then.

My 3 systems I'd bring to a desert island would be

Vampire the Masquerade V20 D&D 4E (I'm one of those odd ones that likes this edition) 7th Sea 1st Ed. Of course there are plenty of others that I would try and smuggle in as well, Nightlife, Call of Cthulhu, Victoriana, WFRP, Polaris, and plenty more I can't think of off hand.

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

I make hand made leather accessories which I sell at UK Craft Fairs and online to UK residents. I have learnt to sew leather by tough and sound as much as by sight, and can decorate the items using pyrography using a range of magnifiers to help me see the design.

How Oenanthe runs games

My style adapts to the game I'm running, for some I go with heavy tactical combat (D&D 4E), others heavy roleplay (V20, 7th Sea), some I run as actual session in Roll20, others I run as Play by Post games. I try and make sure the players know what type of game to expect from the way I advertise it.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

I normally make a ruling to keep the game flowing, and then check up later. I always let my players know what my decision is. If I don't agree with a rule then I will ask my players what they think and go with the majority decision.

Oenanthe's ideal table

My games are meant to be fun, but I take my fun seriously. I dislike joke characters, I tend to run campaigns and find a one trick pony joke character can get very boring after a few sessions. Mostly I want players who want to play, and have a degree of dedication to the game. I want players are willing to communicate with me if they are not happy with things, whether it is the game or other players. I want a chance to sort things out, rather than to have people just drop out

Featured Prompts

I think it's a red flag when players...

Refuse to work with a party. Show a discriminatory tendency, even when they don't realise they are doing it. Argue with a GM about table rules. Try and hog the limelight all the time

I think metagaming...

has its place, but players have to be aware that they are metagaming, and be able to separate what they know from what their character knows. It can be brilliant when a players realises something, but their character still acts in ignorance of it.

I think min/maxing...

has its place, but can lead to a very unbalanced character. In the end it depends on the system, there is a place for it in some games, but it should never be forced on other players.