Grayson
he/him
5.0
(16)
Timezone
Language
About Grayson
I have always valued imagination & playing make believe as a kid. I was outside with toy lightsabers with my friends going on adventures in a galaxy far far away, or I was inside with action figures having Spiderman, Batman, & other heroes team up against villains with world ending plans. Our ability to tell stories & use our imaginations is such an incredible thing. As I got older I got more into acting, writing, film, & videogames. When I got into high school I was introduced to D&D. At first I didn't like it. I didn't like how my story & character could end or go in ways that I didn't expect. However when I returned to the hobby a few years later I enjoyed the system update a bit more, as well as playing with new people, as well as the more important thing that changed, I realized that improv & finality made things in the game more meaningful. What I value about TTRPG's like D&D is it's a culmination of acting, story telling, gaming, theatrics, & an exercise in reactive adaption. Ideally while spending time with fun & cool people who you become friends with. When we talk about D&D stories we talk about them like they really happened, like we were there, they make such deep impacts into our memoires. So for someone like myself, who is a very stereotypical nerdy guy, D&D hits that sweet spot of a hobby in so many ways. I love to tell stories, to act, to world build, to game, & to spend time with fun people, laugh, & enjoy the beauty of stories.
At a glance
3 years on StartPlaying
220 games hosted
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Voices, Teacher
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
Featured Prompts
I became a GM because
I became a GM because, honestly, I couldn't find a DM that fit what I had in mind for a D&D game. I saw such great potential for a game like D&D but sadly I couldn't find the right combination of traits, play style, & a mix of rules vs flexibility I wanted. So I would aim to be the DM I'd want.
The three words my players would use to describe me are...
I don't actually know what three words my players would use. I would guess maybe. 1. Passionate 2. Creative 3. Humorous. To be fair I think this depends on what tone of game I'm running, as well as if they match my play style.
When I'm not running games I'm...
When I'm not running games I playing video games, watching movies & tv shows, working, & of course preparing for my next game haha. I love fantasy, scifi, horror, RPGs, story focused games, marvel, DC, star wars, fallout, lord of the rings, etc.
How Grayson runs games
I'm a GM who emphasizes role play & putting story first before other aspects of the game. This doesn't mean I throw out the rules or game system in the trash, we are still playing a game after all, & that requires structure & framework. However, I don't look as the rules of the game as something written in stone, I'd rather it be more flexible when needed. I follow Rules as Written unless they don't suit the needs of the game or if I disagree with them. I try to look at Rules as Intended, as well as Rules as Fun to reach what I like to call Rules as DM'ed. I enjoy thinking deeply about the NPC's I play, & I role play them & the world realistically & complexly. This means when I role play I do voices & put myself into the role, but more than that, they will react like real people would when talking to player characters. This also means when I play villains & intelligent opponents they will strategize, optimize, & aim to win. I as the DM aim for balance, & hope my players succeed, but with certain villains or scenarios punches aren't pulled. Running the game I would rather have players tell me what they are trying to do, or what their goal is, & I then will work with them & the rules to determine what can be done & how.
Featured Prompts
I deal with rules issues by...
I think that the DM has final say on the rules. We can discuss them & have conversations, but if I as the DM say what my final ruling is, that is the end of the topic. I value reminders & quick corrections, I'm not perfect. However, I don't want long or heated arguments at all.
My games focus on...
The games I run focus on a combination of main campaign plots combined with player character focus. In this balance I find games feel focused but allow branching & exploration. I also like to focus on the themes of the world & the story the players help create. Emotion, ethics, & achievement.
Rules are...
The rules to me a foundation to build up from & use as a framework. However, I don't think they should be set in stone or restrict the game. I value flexibility, fun, & balance. I think the final say on the rules should firmly be placed in the DM's control. The rules are guidelines for us to use.
Grayson's ideal table
Players should only join my games if they match these things. 1. Love to Role Play. 2. Can work well with a group & puts the fun of the whole group first. 3. Respects the time & effort that I put into the game. 4. Won't get upset about rules disagreements & will respect the DM's final say. 5. Don't spotlight hog or have main character syndrome. 6. Is actually willing to learn to play the game & at least their character relevant rules. 7. Follow the tone, theme, campaign goals, & setting when making characters & engaging with the world. 8. Will put in effort to help the game be fun for everyone included. 9. Communicate effectively & kindly. 10. In general... like don't be a rude jerk or something haha.
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
I absolutely love it when players are willing to put in effort to role play in what ever way is most comfortable for them. I also love it when they include others in choices, activities, goals, & planning. I love it when players learn the rules but are willing to let them be bent & respect the DM.
I think it's a red flag when players...
I think it's a red flag when players come to the game with characters that were made before they know about the campaign or session zero. Your character should be made for the game we play, & should fit the campaign & work well with the group of characters.
I think metagaming...
I think there are two kinds of meta gaming. The kind we need to run the game, & cheating/what kills Role Playing. I make it very clear in my games when something is the bad kind of meta gaming. I will say something & shut down that stuff real quick haha.