JP McClendon

he/him

5.0

(23)

Timezone

America/new York

Language

English

About JP McClendon

I have been a player and game master for several games for over 30 years. I have a home-brew background as well as a published TTRPG background. I tend to stick with older games, as I am often not fond of the newer versions. My style is partially scripted and partially off-the-cuff. I tend to be tough, but I always try to be fair. I'm not perfect and I do make mistakes. If I make one, let me know and I will rectify it. I have been know to chuck rules I don't like, or at least modify them (and make you know about them up front!) so that they are less unfavorable. I want my players to feel challenged, but still have fun. I prefer role-playing and not roll-playing. I am cool with new players and veterans. I stick to older editions of multiple games mainly because I actually prefer them over the newer editions as opposed to being too cheap to upgrade. That said, I am not above running a game in an edition I am not fond of, but I tend to charge more for it as the trade off.

At a glance

3 years on StartPlaying

350 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Knows the Rules

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

At gaming cons in my home state when gaming was the dorky, nerdy, and uncool thing to do. I've never been the cool one. Gaming was me with my true peers.

My favorite books are

Movie or TV show novelizations or books that inspired a movie or TV show.

How JP McClendon runs games

I prefer role-playing over roll-playing. I am tough, but it is not me vs. the player. At times, the rules rule. Other times, things will slide. I often don't use some of the rules, or I will modify a rule in an attempt to make it less dislikeable. Either way, I tell my players about any mods up front. Rules are for order, not knee-capping of the fun. I am definitely NOT perfect. I will make mistakes. However, if I make a mistake, I don't double-down, I own up to my error and correct it. I can be theatrical at times when I portray the NPCs. Who likes boring NPCs anyway? Combat will happen, but I often make it an option. Sometimes savvy role-playing from a player or the party can diffuse a potential combat situation. I don't show up with tons of pre-generated maps so as to allow the players more freedom to roam or decide on what order they do their quests and objectives. If I need to give you a map, I'll just do it on the spot. Give me a couple of minutes.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

It depends on the rule. Some are not able to be broken, by the PC or the GM. Some can be bent. Others should be ignored completely.

Rules are...

For following and for breaking. Some rules of a game need to be followed at all times. Others are terrible and should have died in beta-testing. Mind you, some rules can be tweaked to improve them. Yes, I do all three.

When it comes to voices

I use them. Having a voice for a character, either a PC or an NPC, can lend to their identity and make them more real and more rounded out. Is using a different voice from your own absolutely critical? No, but it can be helpful. That's the key, use what works.

JP McClendon's ideal table

Players who can blend playing the game with having a good time are what I look for. Some of my games can be silly. Others are quite serious. Regardless, we are playing a game. Gaming isn't always what you see on things like Critical Role. Gaming is part goofing around and part playing the game.

Featured Prompts

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

Can't, don't, or won't read the character requirements for a campaign. Then, when their character either doesn't get approved during character creation or that character is a bad fit with the rest of the players and a lack of fun results, it creates sour feelings.

I think metagaming...

Is the cardinal sin of gaming. The stories that exist as a result of metagaming are sometimes the stories of gaming horror. Don't do it. What's even the point? This is a game.

My table is not the place for...

Rules lawyers and drama llamas.