Gerry
he/him
5.0
(19)
Timezone
Language
About Gerry
I started playing Basic and AD&D in the early 1980s, then took a 40-year sabbatical. I resumed playing in 2019 and have been DMing for 5 years. I've completed several mid- and long-term campaigns with a variety of players. I'm interested in games that focus on players' stories.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
1 games hosted
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Beginner Friendly, Inclusive
$20 per session
Featured Prompts
I started running games because...
I enjoy shared storytelling with different people, be it a one-shot or a campaign.
The three words my players would use to describe me are...
creative, flexible, and approachable.
When I'm not running games I'm...
Preparing adventures, trying to get better at tennis, and enjoying time with my family.
How Gerry runs games
My games focus on role-play and group storytelling. I find collaborative world-building to be immensely satisfying and welcome player ideas and input. Player choices will always impact the world they inhabit, and I make players' backstories a key element of the game. I prefer grounded fantasy to over-the-top hijinks, because humor comes naturally when grown-ups play pretend. I'm a welcoming GM who provides a safe space for players of all backgrounds, gender identities, and skill levels. I believe that we all learn a lot from each other during games, and I'm open to saying "I don't know" and finding a solution together. I find it most rewarding when people genuinely feel something while playing together, which requires creating a safe space for one another and a willingness to be vulnerable, and that includes me. Games have existed since the dawn of humanity, and seem unique to our species. I genuinely believe that we are most human when we let go of our egos and fears to engage in play. I hope you'll want to play with me.
Featured Prompts
I deal with rules issues by...
seeing if it is something that can be quickly solved. If not, I'll adjudicate it at the table on the fly, and look into it more later. If playing an ongoing campaign, we can implement the rule going forward or (if the party agrees) we can make up something that works for the table.
Rules are...
completely necessary to provide structure for a system, but the best rule will always be the rule of cool. If a player wants to try something incredible outside the rules, I generally negotiate that on the fly and see where it takes us.
Gerry's ideal table
I like to lean into players' ideas and characters' backstories to propel the adventures forward. I enjoy roleplay at the table as much as I enjoy combat, and I liberally apply the rule of cool during adventures. I love a diverse table, not only in terms of experience, but also age, identity, and location. I strive to provide a welcoming, fun, and positive experience for everyone who has honored and trusted me to be their game master.
Featured Prompts
I think it's a red flag when players...
Consistently talk over others at the table or criticize their choices. I've found most players offer positive advice or feedback, but a few seem to think it is their job to make everyone at the table the type of player they think is best. That's not cool.
I think metagaming...
is inevitable, especially with experienced players. If I feel that's happening, I resolve it by asking the player to roll to see if the character - not the player - has knowledge. I like to create challenging environments to accompany homebrewed adversaries, keeping the game fresh for everyone.
I think min/maxing...
is a perfectly valid way to play, but if a player is only looking to create "the best" character, they will probably optimize much of the fun out of the game - not only for themselves, but for others as well. Creating a character with a few flaws leads to a more dynamic experience and story.
Gerry's Preferences
Platforms