Byron

he/him

5.0

(6)

Timezone

America/new York

Language

English

Identity

Asian

Game Designer

About Byron

I started being a DM in the early 1980s, when I was a pre-teen, with the Basic Dungeons and Dragons box set. Like most DMs, I started being a DM because someone had to do it and I was the most motivated to play in my friend groups. I've since played several versions of D&D. I skipped 4th edition and only recently got back to the 5th edition. I've played many other games in my life and I may choose to run classic games from my college days in the 1990s. But, I'm starting with D&D 5th ed 2024, running games for new players 18+ to try and expand the hobby and build groups that will want to continue playing for years to come.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: World Builder, Knows the Rules, Creativity

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

As a kid, I would listen to my brother running his D&D group (despite their annoyance) and while their group didn't last long my love of D&D did. I never got tired of playing RPGs. I've had a long journey playing many different games. I'm ready to spread my love of D&D to new players!

My favorite books are

The Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, of course. I've also read just about everything Isaac Asimov has written. I'm a fan of the Song of Ice and Fire and I'm annoyed he still hasn't finished it. I like the Witcher and I read the Timothy Zahn Star Wars books before the prequel movies were released.

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

I'm a nerd and do computer work for a living, boring stuff you probably never heard of but helps run websites and financial systems. I've played war games, painted miniatures and played my fair share of computer games.

How Byron runs games

I encourage role playing. I'd describe myself as being focused more on challenges whether they be combat, social, puzzles or any other type of plot complication in the story of the game. Role playing ends up factoring in on social challenges often and should influence the player's approach to the game story and its plot points, conflicts and resolutions. I like to make sure the story maintains a good pace and contains a good mix of player interactions with a variety of content. Too much of anything can cause a good game to become tedious. Too much combat, the game becomes a grind. Too many puzzles, the players might get mentally fatigued or frustrated. Too much talk and some of the players might tune out or get bored. Roleplaying should emerge naturally and not be forced. I try to make sure a combat happens at least once per session. Puzzles (short term), investigations (up to a session) or mysteries (multi-session), I like to sprinkle in to add spice. Social challenges come up either in the story or as an alternative to combat. I like it when players find ways to talk their way out of a fight or around a guard rather than overcoming them.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

Read the rules, provide an interpretation, make a ruling, move on and maybe follow up offline to sort out any problems. But get the story moving and don't get bogged down.

My games focus on...

A interesting world and making everyone feel like they have space to contribute to the story.

Rules are...

A great way to give structure and set expectations, but not a shackle that keeps us from doing what is cool and telling a great story.

Byron's ideal table

I'm looking for players that want to immerse themselves in a different world, with a different life, doing exciting things where risk taking isn't so scary, but still as exciting. I like to make sure we have a combat at least once a session, but also plenty of other challenges both intellectual and social. You won't be able ti fight your way out of every fix or charm your way past every confrontation. Knowing systems and min/maxing is helpful, but my goal is to make immersion more important and bring out your creativity.