Charles

he/him

5.0

(29)

Timezone

America/los Angeles

Language

English

Identity

Veteran

About Charles

Hello, my name is Charles and I bring a classic essence with a modern presence. My first gaming books were the black-cover AD&D 2e reprints, and the pictures remorselessly ensnared me. Since then I've journeyed far and wide, and explored countless systems only to find myself right back at D&D. Today I offer several interpretations of the original games, where old-school atmospheres meet modern systems. I will provide an adaptable experience to what you and your group want and need! 🎙️ Radio voice actor, ready to bring characters to life in the game! 🧙‍♂️ Decades of experience, including both play-by-post and live games, covering a wide spectrum of play-styles. 🏔️ Brings real-life adventure experience into my games for an immersive narrative.

At a glance

2 years on StartPlaying

63 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Teacher

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. I have traveled the proverbial gaming spectrum and come to you with only my best skill and drive!

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

• Swords & Wizardry. This system is easy to learn, and is incredibly versatile and hackable. • Black Sword Hack. This game is packed with flavor, and is rules-lite! Arioch! Arioch! • Hyperborea. This system is just a joy to play! All of the beauty of AD&D, but cleaned up for ease of play!

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

...taking my dog on many adventures. Whether backpacking, snowshoeing, exploring local parks, crossing the country to see a new forest — we love spending our time bathing in nature. My plethora of experiences outdoors help shape and color my dungeon mastering style.

How Charles runs games

My Game Style Combat: 🌑 🌒 🌓 🌔 🌕 Explore: 🌑 🌒 🌓 🌔 Humor: 🌑 🌒 🌓 🌔 Puzzles: 🌑 🌒 Social: 🌑 🌒 🌓 🌔 Romance: 🥱 🌈 Inclusive & Safe – I actively involve every player, use proven safety tools, and ensure the table is welcoming, respectful, and comfortable for all. 🎭 Player-Driven Play – Your choices matter. I encourage bold ideas and creative solutions beyond the limits of character sheets or rigid rules. 🌀 Adaptive GMing – I adjust pacing, plot, and mechanics on the fly to match player energy, surprises, and evolving storylines. 🛠️ System Mastery – I know the rules deeply, handle complexity smoothly, and help players learn without slowing the game. 🔥 Experienced & Enthusiastic – With broad system and genre experience, I bring energy, confidence, and excitement to every session.

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 decades of experience exploring systems have given me an acute talent for making intuitive decisions that keep the game flowing and fun high!

My favorite trope is...

...the old world, ancient beyond belief and still hiding secrets in the mountains old or in caverns deep. Bridges made from the skeletons of dragons or ruined statues half buried in the earth, these spark my imagination far more than villainous twists or any kind of farmer-to-hero tale.

My games focus on...

...creativity, empowerment, and, above all, fun! I want you to feel comfortable with your zany plots or off-the-wall tactics, or taking actions as a character who has had a life beyond just this particular story. My job is to present a world for you to explore and with which to interact.

Charles's ideal table

I can accommodate any type of player at my table, from the most narrative-focused to the min-maxer. All I ask is that you come with good intentions and the capacity for fun! My table is not an antagonistic one, though I do try to present challenges. I keep a positive attitude at the table and encourage my players, and want players that bring the 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

...discovers how to blend rules and narrative, taking a step back from their character sheet, and just tells me what their character wants to do in the world! There is a sort of glow that accompanies that realization, and I strive to guide all my players to that epiphany!

I think min/maxing...

...is a dirty word for a perfectly valid play style. Just as many engage in the narrative first and foremost, others find enjoyment in the system itself. And just as railroading is simply linear storytelling taken too far, min-maxing is a play style that can be brought to extremes.