GM Charles

he/him

5.0

(30)

Timezone

America/los Angeles

Language

English

Identity

Military Veteran

About GM Charles

Hey there, I'm Charles, your next GM! I've played and run tabletop RPGs for decades and I still love seeing a group come together to tackle new adventures. I get excited teaching new systems, rewarding creative ideas, and watching players shape a narrative through their choices. When I'm not running games, I'm outside exploring nature. Skiing, cycling, backpacking, or kayaking, often with my puppy in tow. My wilderness experiences inform my games, bringing my worlds to life. I run games with flavor baked into the rulesets. Games that ooze vibes. Games that immerse you. I'll send waves of minions for you to slay, embody the city grinding you down, and manifest the looming darkness seeking to consume you... 📚 New-player friendly without turning the game into a classroom. ⚡ Fast-paced sessions keeping momentum high and energy building. 🎲 Flexible rulings rewarding creativity and keeping focus on play. 🌈 Inclusive and welcoming table where everyone can participate comfortably.

At a glance

3 years on StartPlaying

68 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Beginner Friendly

$30 per session

Average response time: Under 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

...as many did, far too soon. But when I came back with intentionality and experience, I found it was something that brought me more joy than nearly any other aspect of the game.

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

• Dragonbane: "Mirth and Mayhem" in a buttery-smooth system, with playable ducks! • Shadowdark: Bridging the gap between old and new systems while also being easy to learn and run. • Cyberpunk RED: For when you need an intuitive system to Fight the System!

My favorite books are

• Hawkmoon, by Michael Moorcock. Lasergun-wielding knights riding giant flamingos? Yes, please! • Thieves World, by Robert Asprin et al. Pulp fantasy city filled with ne'er-do-wells. • Book of the New Sun, by Gene Wolfe. Science Fantasy weirdness at the end of the world!

How GM Charles runs games

My Game Style Combat: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Explore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Humor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Puzzles: ⭐⭐ Social: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Romance: 🥱 Teaching Players: 👍 Inclusive Table: 👍 Player Agency :👍 Fast-paced Play: 👍 Fair Challenges: 👍

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

...considering the intention of the rule and the context of the situation. Rules are not utilized in a vacuum, and situations often require a ruling.

My favorite trope is...

...the old world, ancient beyond belief and still hiding secrets in mountains tall or in caverns deep. Bridges made from the skeletons of dragons or ruined statues half-buried in the earth, these are what spark my imagination. I bring these environments to my games!

Rules are...

...tools for play, not obstacles to it. I use them to keep the game moving and focused on what the players are doing.

GM Charles's ideal table

I welcome both new and experienced players, from story-focused roleplayers to tactical optimizers. All I ask is good intentions and a willingness to engage with the game in good faith. My tables are collaborative and welcoming rather than adversarial. You will face real challenges, but they are fair, consistent, and driven by the fiction, not the GM. I maintain a positive, focused table culture and value players who contribute to that same energy.

Featured Prompts

I am for a vibe that's...

...serious in nature but filled with good humor. Vibe is everything to me, and I tailor my games to emphasize and showcase that preference. I want you to live and breathe the world I provide, and to understand the tone I am presenting!

I love it when a player

...takes bold action, gets creative with their approach, and tells me what they want to do in the world so we can figure out how it plays out together.

My table is not the place for...

...disruptive behavior, adversarial play, or rules arguments that slow the game down. I run an inclusive, welcoming table where collaboration is expected and respect is non-negotiable. Racism, sexism, harassment, and other forms of bigotry have no place here.