Riley
he/him
5.0
(4)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Riley
I've been GM-ing for a little over 7 years now, and have used primarily Roll20 as a VTT. I prefer to play in-person games, but since the pandemic, I have learned how to utilize VTTs to best fit my players' immersion. My play style is role play heavy with major combat occasionally. I typically use D&D 2024 rules now, but I am proficient in 2014 rules as well. As a homebrew master, I have created and designed many pivotal magic items, deities, and consumables for my games. Themes that I typically focus on are Morals/Ethics vs. Personal Values/Beliefs, Good of One vs. Good of Many, and Sacrifice. You'll never know when each theme is being played, so it makes it suspenseful and engaging.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Knows the Rules
Featured Prompts
I became a GM because
At first, I became a DM to be able to allow friends to play. At this point, I got away from the convenience. Now it's PASSION. I love to watch players grow internally and that effect their PCs in turn. I also, love watching people learn how to play.
My favorite system of all Time is
Dungeons and Dragons, but 2014 rules. I think they were extremely well-balanced, and not much had to be done in homebrew to keep many classes from becoming OP (talking about Sorcerers getting too much and Wizards getting completely nerfed).
When I'm not running games I'm...
Typically, I'm running games in my free time. If I'm not running, I'm typically working on my house, hiking, playing soccer, or planning sessions.
How Riley runs games
I live for and love roleplay, but a high-stakes, suspenseful combat keeps a campaign from becoming monotonous. My rules are simplistic yet engaging, and world-building is vital to the engagement. Let's put those skill checks that you built to good use.
Featured Prompts
I once ran a session...
I once ran a session where almost nobody at my table would talk or get involved. Afterwords, I sat down with them and explained that if they wouldn't immerse themselves, we could dissolve the campaign and find other groups. It was a one-off, but the game thrives on player engagement.
I prep by
I always start with the end of a session. I ask each player, what does your PC intend to do from here? I believe that effective prep relies heavily on what players want to do and working to fit that into the session as best as possible. Then, it's a lot of flow charts. So many flow charts.
Rules are...
Rules are amazing once combat is started. In an RP and initiative start scenario, I personally believe that rules can be bent around and worked to make things work for the party.
Riley's ideal table
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
I love when a player realizes something from multiple sessions prior. Beginning to put puzzle pieces and dropped information get me so excited.
I think metagaming...
I think metagaming is disruptive and breaks immersion. I'm running a game to play make-believe with people. If you're going to cheat at a make-believe game, my table is not the one for you, unfortunately.
I think min/maxing...
I think min/maxing is a red flag. It's very hard to role play with a min/maxed character because CHA/INT/WIS stats are meant to be based around a PCs personality characteristics. It also makes combat boring when a character is min/maxed.