Chris

he/him

5.0

(5)

Timezone

America/chicago

Language

English

Identity

LGBTQ+

About Chris

My name is Chris and I've been running games consistently for the past ten years, with periodic games for the fifteen years prior. My preferred systems are World of Darkness and Call of Cthulhu, and I currently run games of both Vampire: The Masquerade and Call of Cthulhu for friends. I also have a few years experience with Mage: The Awakening, 2nd Edition. My games have run from one-shots to multi-year campaigns. While I have run modules, such as Masks of Nyarlathotep or Horror on the Orient Express, my games are primarily written by myself. I much prefer theater of the mind to miniatures and tactical games.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

7 games hosted

Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Inclusive

Average response time: Under 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

I love to tell stories and express myself creatively. Having the chance to build a narrative with others is an excellent outlet. I get a big rush out of a major plot hook landing or a character story coming to fruition.

My favorite system of all Time is

Mage: The Awakening, 2nd Edition is probably my favorite system for raw creativity and flexibility. The magic system is well done and allowed for maybe the best game I've ever run with friends.

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

Writing and editing my first fantasy novel, or playing video games with my wife and daughter. We love Split Fiction, It Takes Two, Fortnite, Overwatch, and Expedition 33.

How Chris runs games

My games tend toward roleplay and story. I never run adversarial tables, where the Storyteller/GM and players are at odds. We're here to have a good time and make a story together. I want my players to succeed and cater my games to that end. Character creation should be about interesting PCs, and the game should suit their skill sets in a challenging way, rather than the game becoming an arbitrary benchmark to be beaten. Safety tools are an important part of games. While I run horror games, that doesn't mean boundaries must be breached. Any player can take a topic off the table and out of the game, no justification, no vote, no veto. Again, it's a game. If it's not fun, what are we doing?

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

In the event of a rule dispute: If you have a concise argument to make, please do so. I'm open to that. If it seems as though it's going to take much time away from the game or kill our momentum, I'll make a ruling and afterward we can discuss or amend what we do going forward.

I prep by

I prepare for games by assessing what each NPC wants and what they're willing to do to get it. Social situations and combat are simply different dice pools. Motivation and interaction drive games forward.

When it comes to voices

I don't often do voices. I more often convey who is speaking through body language, cadence, and style. I find that accents or odd voices are often distracting when not done exactly right.

Chris's ideal table

Players who are ready to engage in a story where success is not the only measure of fun. Drama and engagement come just as often from the consequences of hubris. I don't run adversarial games. It's not me vs. the players. You'll find I'm probably your biggest cheerleader and I want to help you get the most out of who you are playing while challenging you to explore the bounds of what makes you tick. My tables are about fun, but we have serious scenes as well. I've had tables with tension that made people shut off web cams to hide their expressions and not spoil the scene for the character in that moment's spotlight.

Featured Prompts

I love it when a player

I love it when a player is actively engaged in making the best game for everyone present. Optimal decisions are nice, but appropriately dramatic choices are often more fun. Players who are in it for the table and not just themselves are amazing.

I think it's a red flag when players...

For me, a red flag in players is building chaotic characters as an excuse to act out and do whatever they want, whenever they want at the expense of others. I've been burned by too many Malkavians trying to be the center of attention and steamrolling other's enjoyment. It's a group effort.

My table is not the place for...

My table is not the place for characters looking to steam roll through every obstacle with violence and never look back. If you can't be a part of the group or prefer lone wolf type characters, mine isn't the style or table for you.