Jerd
he/him
5.0
(7)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Jerd
Hello! My name is Jared (known online as Jerd) and I've been running and playing tabletop games since 2016. When a group of friends expressed interest in starting to play Dungeons & Dragons, I elected to volunteer to DM a homebrew Fifth Edition game, which set me down a long and incredible journey into gaming! That journey only escalated during the pandemic, when I began to take my hobby online and play almost daily! Though most of my experience is in the fantasy genre (Dungeons and Dragons 5e/the 2024 revision, Pathfinder 2e, Daggerheart, etc.), I have also run World of Darkness settings including a Berlin-based Vampire play-by-post for almost two years, newer and popular systems like Outgunned and Shadowdark, and I particularly enjoy horror games like Mothership, Alien, and Candela Obscura. I have proficiency in Roll20 and Owlbear Rodeo, and I typically use Discord for communication. If preferred by the group, I am also able to pivot to Google, Microsoft Teams, Zoom calls, or Band.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Inclusive
Featured Prompts
I became a GM because
I have a passion for storytelling, whether that's writing screenplays or collaborative narratives! Some of the best stories I've ever told have been running a game, whether that's saving a desert village from a demonic incursion or taking control of the streets of Berlin as a Coterie of vampires.
My favorite shows/movies are
My favorite shows lately have been Andor, The Pitt, and Chernobyl, but I have a passion for television and regularly keep up with just about anything that others recommend! I studied film so it's hard to narrow it down, but I love horror; recent favorites are Sinners, Talk to Me, and Nope!
When I'm not running games I'm...
either working out in the gym, catching up on my favorite TV shows, or cooking and working on my own catalog of recipes!
How Jerd runs games
In general, I do my best to tailor the table experience to the group of players! I love integrating backstory into the narrative and if you have any gaps or blanks when you're planning in character generation, I'm excited to work with you on building those connections. Narrative takes the point position at my table, but I do prefer to keep combat or initiative-based encounters quick and snappy, and webs of intrigue or puzzles are not uncommon. Though things can become tense, I try and make sure characters have plenty of moments of respite (even if it's just an NPC with a funny accent), and I encourage comedy and jokes so long as they're appropriate!
Featured Prompts
I once ran a session...
in Never Stop Blowing Up (a homebrew take on the Dimension 20 series) where the player characters were all Disney princesses taken out of their original movies, and thrust into famous action movies. The campaign concluded with these princesses fighting Nic Cage combined with Thanos.
Rules are...
a great guideline to run a game with! But, if the narrative requires it or something makes more sense at a table, I'm more than happy to run with it. I roll in front of the table, just to make sure everything is upfront (and so everyone can laugh at my poor dice luck.)
When it comes to voices
I like to think I'm fairly good with accents! I try to differentiate characters with distinct manners of speaking and voices, while not overall distracting from the story altogether.
Jerd's ideal table
In general, I enjoy players who are engaged both with the world and each other! My favorite moments are actually when I can step back and take notes as PCs interact, and I can just conspire behind the screen. I love to leave hints, foreshadow, and incorporate backstory into the overarching narrative whenever I can, and I love moments of tension and cliffhangers to get everyone excited for the next week. All that being said, a great joke and a moment of levity as my cat jumps on top of my keyboard can almost always be expected!
Featured Prompts
I am for a vibe that's...
focused mainly on narrative and bringing out a story that appeals to everyone. Whether that's moments of triumph and heroism, found-family style bonding, or just the chance to kick up your feet and relax with a tale you can be proud of!
I love it when a player
takes the initiative to make bold choices with their character, even if it may not be the most optimal decision that they could make!
I think metagaming...
has a time and a place! I'd ask that even if you know something about a creature you're fighting or a scenario that you find yourself in, you do your best to put yourself in your character's mind. Ask yourself "I may know this, but would my PC?"
Jerd's Preferences
Systems
Game Mechanics