Charles
he/him
5.0
(10)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Charles
Hello players! I am a lover of tabletop games, whether it's reading, playing, or just talking about them I think that these games are art and they deserve to be treated like it. When I am running games at my table I ensure that the system is going to be used to it's utmost capability to create an original story that couldn't have been made anywhere else. I prioritize narrative in my games and love working together with everyone around the table to craft experience that speak to the interests of players. I look to create comfort for players of any background. Before a quality game can be played, a quality environment has to be established where everyone can communicate sincerely and transparently. I want to have everyone share their creative vision for the game and feel empowered to do so.
At a glance
2 years on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Inclusive
Featured Prompts
I became a GM because
...I haven't been able to find any other form of entertainment that allows for me to create incredible memories at such a reliable rate. Working together with other players to explore, fight, argue, learn, love, and lose brings me so much joy that I can't stop coming back.
My favorite books are
...comicbooks and graphic novels. Many of my biggest inspirations come from superhero comics. I think there is a huge overlap between the visual story telling tools used in TTRPGs and sequential art. They both rely on creators who smoothly bring the audience's attention across different details.
My favorite system of all Time is
...Masks: A New Generation. It was the first system to teach me that a game can be about the emotional state of a character instead of the physical obstacles in their way. Since I have started playing Masks, I started to consider the internal worlds of my characters and not just what they project.
How Charles runs games
Above all else, I prioritize character drama and narrative. I am my player's biggest fan and adore putting their character's into situations with complex emotional stakes. I provide story-first games that invite the players to create unique characters that will be challenged by the world that we build together at the table. I strive to make sure that at the end of every single session each player has an interesting tale to tell and something to look forward to in the next game.
Featured Prompts
I deal with rules issues by...
considering what conclusion is the most fun or interesting. I always err on the side of convenience and player agency. Sometimes a rule is obscure or annoying and knowing the difference between when it's worth ignoring so we can move on and when the wording is crucial to a tense moment is important.
My games focus on...
rich characters. Players are going to bring great ideas to my games for who they want to portray so it's my responsibility to match their enthusiasm. When I'm preparing for every session I consider the motivations of all the characters in the game and the most interesting challenges for them.
Rules are...
a set of recommendations for how to tell a specific story. What a game chooses to say about combat, exploration, and dialogue all have an impact on the choices players feel encouraged to make. A good set of rules make it hard to have a bad time even if you were trying to.
Charles's ideal table
I have described my table in the past as a writer's room. Every session I arrive with my own ideas for what will happen in the game but so does every other player.
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
...takes a direct interest in the game. Some players love to take notes, ask lots of questions, or diligently follow plot hooks, but all of these things show signs of engagement. I believe everyone wants to feel like the other players care and that level of interest is contagious.
I think metagaming...
is a useful tool that people are too scared of. Many players do use metagaming to try and break games, but I find that metagaming used wisely allows a player to further the story. Players can make the game better with metagaming by doing what they know is fun instead of what helps them "win".
My perfect party mix is
...a mixture of experienced and new players. As much as it's convenient to have a party of people who are well familiar with the rules of the game I cannot deny that I enjoy bringing new perspectives to the table. Either the player is new to the system or the hobby but they always have fresh ideas.
Charles's Preferences
Systems