Zen Ferno

he/him

5.0

(6)

Timezone

America/new York

Language

English

Identity

LGBTQ+

Disabled

Teacher/Educator

Game Designer

About Zen Ferno

I've been GMing nearly every week for over 26 years! I've done professional GMing for events such as birthday parties, corporate events and even a bachelor party once. Personally, telling and sharing stories is my life. Everyone brings something totally and perfectly unique to any tale, and I live to see those moments realized. When I'm not playing games, I enjoy designing them (though whether what I make is any good is a matter of fierce debate...).

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Knows the Rules, Creativity, World Builder

Average response time: 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

My friends wanted to play but I was the only one willing to read the rules. I *stayed* a GM because I became absolutely addicted to telling incredible stories.

My favorite books are

1984, John Dies at the End, A Wrinkle in Time, Fight Club, Survivor

My favorite system of all Time is

Impossible to choose! I've been in the hobby long enough to watch systems change, and the hobby of role play with it. I'm excited to see where it keeps going.

How Zen Ferno runs games

I think a game's play style should arise organically as a conversation between a game's setting, the GM and the players. I build large-scale narratives based around impactful non-player characters. In play the narrative evolves based on player actions (and inactions). The party decides their own involvement in the overarching plot. This light-touch approach gives players the freedom to pursue court intrigue, running a cozy tavern and/or leading armies to large scale battles. I do enjoy combat when it makes sense in the story. I do my best to ensure combats are dynamic and meaningful to the plot of the game.