Benjamin

he/him

Timezone

America/chicago

Language

English

Identity

Neurodivergent

About Benjamin

You either die a player or live long enough to become the GM... or, secret third option: you just jump into GMing at the start. I have been a GM for over 3 years now, averaging my IRL homebrew campaign at a session every 3 weeks (depending on scheduling, of course). However, one can never get enough D&D in their life, so here I am hoping to be off on another adventure soon.

At a glance

1 year on StartPlaying

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I got started GMing...

I started GMing right after my child was born. I had a lot of idle time all of a sudden that I didn't seemingly have before, so I spent that time diving deep into D&D and Dimension 20 on Dropout. This seemed really up my alley, but no one in my area was up to GM, so I took the mantle.

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

When I'm not running games, I am usually trying out a new Dutch Oven recipe, trying to min/max Stardew Valley, or I'm working up new ways to playfully mess with my players using Boblin the Goblin and his bag of holding. All in good fun, of course.

How Benjamin runs games

60% Social Interaction and Exploration, 40% Combat. Descriptive writing and roleplay are definitely my strong suits, but I do like to keep players on their toes with combat. Voices, lair actions, side quests, you name it. We're all here for a good time but not a long time, so I like to keep a good vibe going, but there is always time for a dark plot twist.

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I deal with rules issues by...

I deal with rule issues by being plain with the group. Rule of Cool, sure, but if there is an issue, I will bring it up to the group for a vote on how to proceed after reading RAW. If we, as a group, can't come to a consensus, then we will stick with exactly RAW for fairness.

If my games were Movies they'd be directed by...

If my games were movies, I would like to think they are directed by Rob Reiner and Mel Brooks. Little bit of serious, little bit of fun, with everything coming to a twisted but satisfying ending that makes you want for more.

Rules are...

Rules are meant to be toyed with. Twisted, bent, coiled, but never broke. Rule of Cool is good as long as everyone agrees and is having fun.

Benjamin's ideal table

My table has a little bit of everything, ranging from notetakers to jokesters to min/maxers to bookworms. As long as everyone understands that we are all here for a good time, then we can all vibe together and play off each other's strengths and weaknesses, both in character and as players.

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I love it when a player

I love it when a player asks if they can do something or says "So I would like to do *blank*". The possibilities of these games are endless, and so should our imaginations. The only thing holding you back from doing the super cool thing is yourself.

I think metagaming...

Metagaming is inevitable, once you've played TTRPGs long enough. Eventually you will just remember what creatures are resistant to fire or what has legendary resistances. However, if you can find a narratively satisfying way that your character would already know that info, then I am all for it.

I think min/maxing...

Min/Maxing is like pulp in orange juice: some people like it, but ask around before just pouring a glass for everyone. I know its my jam, but if that's not the vibe of the group, then maybe dial it back a notch. Hercules wasn't a genius, Einstein wasn't a brute, and no one is the best at everything.