The Cave Troll Bard

he/him

Timezone

America/indiana/indianapolis

Language

English

Identity

Veteran

About The Cave Troll Bard

I'm a lover of stories. Been telling them my whole life to make people laugh. I'm pretty chill but I also have a good-natured sarcastic streak. I'm invested in lifting other people up. We all can't get to the top of the mountain if we don't take the time to lift each other up. Leadership has been a huge part of my life. From the military to my days of being a bouncer at a club, to leading audits of the objects at the Smithsonian Institution. I understand that people learn at different rates in different ways and have always balanced my approach when teaching something new. Guiding people to knowledge is often better than telling them. It's been 20 years since my first taste of a campaign. In the intervening years, I’ve spent my free time writing science fiction and fantasy stories while also devouring movies and tv shows. It wasn’t until recently that I've just fallen in love with D&D, hard. I’ve been working with some really great groups across a couple of campaigns on Roll20. I’m newish to the world of D&D but I’m learning fast with the help of a much more experienced DM. I want to help people unburden themselves, step away from the grind, and get lost in a story where they can be the hero. Ultimately, I believe that collaborative storytelling is the most interesting way to tell stories. I’m flexible and open to discussing whatever ideas someone would bring to the game. I hope everyone finds an adventure and I hope to be the person helping them tell the story.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

I became a GM because I love telling stories.

My favorite books are

The Ex-Heros series. Dresden Files. A Bridge Too Far. The Remaining series. The Slow Regard for Silent Things. Anno Dracula. Playing for Pizza. Ocean at the End of the Lane. Black Company series. 14.

My favorite shows/movies are

TV Shows: Doctor Who. Coupling. An Idiot Abroad. Stargate. Sherlock. Movies: Aliens. John Wick. Blades of Glory. Captain America the Winter Soldier. Conan the Barbarian. The Conjuring. Enter the Dragon.

How The Cave Troll Bard runs games

I'm a lover of stories. Been telling them my whole life to make people laugh. I'm pretty chill but I also have a good-natured sarcastic streak. I'm invested in lifting other people up. We all can't get to the top of the mountain if we don't take the time to lift each other up. I craft games depending on the group. I use music to provide a more dramatic experience and an immersive environment. Roleplaying is so much fun. I'll spend time easing you into it if you're not comfortable. I’ll happily talk it over with you before the game even starts. I also use discord to allow for opportunities to practice out of game through text. My time in the military has given me a more tactical view of combat but I won’t create a situation that I think you can’t handle. Rules are important but the rule of cool is equally important. Everyone is welcome at my table. I do mean everyone. I’m open to 2024 and 2014 during character creation in dndbeyond but it’s unlikely we will use some of the new rules from 2024 unless the group decides as a whole that is what they want to do. The games will be run through Roll20. There is a super easy extension that allows for the use of dndbeyond characters in Roll20. Both Roll20 and dndbeyond are free. You’ll have access to the library of books that I own during the campaign. I can't wait to tell the story of your adventures.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

In the moment, I make a ruling to keep the session rolling. After the session is over, I set up a time to discuss the issue on a discord chat.

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

The Russo Brothers.

I prep by

Reading the modules. Setting up the maps so I can run the games efficiently so there is not a lot of time spent waiting on me. I set up music to fit the mood for the session. I review monster stat blocks. I add small changes to the story to enhance the experience.

The Cave Troll Bard's ideal table

I'm a pretty chill person. People that would fit my table would have a sense of humor. Willing to role-play or willing to learn. Folks that keep it cool and fun.