Stern
he/him
5.0
(23)
Timezone
Language
About Stern
Hi there! You can call me Stern, I'm an old Dungeons and Dragons player become DM. I started my journey with 3.5e and jumped straight into 5e when I decided to start hosting games for friends. I've been running a long-term, rule of cool, easygoing D&D game for close friends over Discord from 2020 up to the present. I'm a big fan of Foundry VTT, and love using its lighting system, special effects and music to help makes the whole experience memorable. I personally think games should be fun, with the occasional dramatic moment for some tension. While I always prefer a little levity, I will always respect serious character moments. I do my best to 'yes and' player choices so long as they're within the realm of possibility. I encourage players to come to the table with: a backstory (something they won't mind touching on at some point in the game, this can and should include living friends or family members), short, medium and long term goals for the story, and a healthy appetite for hijinks! I believe that compelling stories are character driven, especially when it comes to any form of TTRPG. Characters and players are at the heart of what makes this sort of game so enjoyable, and their choices should shape how the story flows.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
40 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Rule of Cool, Teacher
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
Featured Prompts
I became a GM because
I originally became a GM when a small group of my friends wanted to try a TTRPG over discord but no one was willing to take on the job of running it. Having no one else to turn to, I figured I'd give it a try. Years later, all I can think about is what to conjure for the next adventure...
I got started GMing...
My first attempts to host a TTRPG game began back in 2013, with a D&D 3.5 edition westmarches style server shared between friends. Since then I've helped co-GM a few other projects over discord, and began my longest running game to date in 2020 with a 5th edition game with 4 close friends.
My favorite system of all Time is
Despite all of its faults, I've become hopelessly attached to Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition. I think in terms of CR, hit points, AC and saving throws. I've come to love the Forgotten Realms lore, and the many buried histories therein.
How Stern runs games
While I love to host combat as much as the next DM, but my focus is mostly on story and roleplaying. I love hijinks and player driven schemes, so if the table comes up with a wild plan of action to solve their problems I'll do my best to facilitate it. I try to have an easygoing atmosphere at the table, where everyone is free to speak up. I do my best to encourage my players to get creative when approaching problems and to work together as a team when doing so. I try not to leave people out of scenes, which can be a struggle at times, but I want to make sure everyone has their chance to "do their thing" and shine in key moments at least once per game session. I never want to leave someone feeling as if they've been left out.
Featured Prompts
My games focus on...
My games focus on character-driven stories, specifically ones that involve the character's past and their current objectives. I've found that the only real way a game survives is if players are invested, and I think the best way to do that is to make sure they help shape the story.
Rules are...
Rules are a framework used to tell a story, they offer resistance to the agency of the players and help to present challenges to them over the course of their adventures. Rules are there to keep us on the ground, but can and should be bent whenever the players put in the effort to do more.
When it comes to voices
I usually run text based games, and in the rare chance I'd run one over voice chat I will not ask anyone to put on any sort of special voice when speaking in character. Likewise, I won't be putting on any sort of voices either.
Stern's ideal table
My ideal table is filled with people who enjoy adventure, lighthearted fun, character-driven stories and an emphasis on role playing. I like to empower my players whenever they come up with an interesting course of action, I'm forgiving on rules and rolls if people can give me convincing descriptions of actions or really good dialogue My ideal player is someone who enjoys working together with others, is invested in their character's story, and takes an interest in the stories of other characters.
Featured Prompts
If you're into ___, you're going to love my table
If you're into high adventure and fantasy with a little silliness then I think we'll mesh well together. I try to keep dramatic or tense moments intact, and follow through on serious topics whenever they pop up. I want to run a world that's bright, but dips into serious scenes at times.
I love it when a player
I love it when a player finds a solution to a problem that's either really thematic, relates back to their character's past adventures and experiences or compliments another player character in some way. I'll lower DC, bend rules and generally enable people when they're doing something inspired.
My table is not the place for...
My table isn't the place for grand schemes of self-aggrandizement, like characters who secretly want to become a lich and betray the party near the end of the campaign. Likewise I don't do PvP in any capacity, that includes stealing from or attacking your fellow players.
Stern's Preferences
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