Joseph

he/him

5.0

(9)

Timezone

America/los Angeles

Language

English

About Joseph

I have been playing TTRPG's since I was 8 years old. I started with the basic red box and have worked myself through a modest library of systems. I enjoy a lively table, and lean toward strong player agency within the confines of a given system.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Beginner Friendly, Creativity, Inclusive

$25 per session

Average response time: 2 hours

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

Because I came to really appreciate the role of a GM in games. It's something I can literally philosophize about for hours. I enjoy the study of and implementation of interactive communal storytelling from more narrative adventures. I also enjoy the more adjudication focused OSR approach.

My favorite books are

The King In Yellow, Night Shift, and Roadside Picnic

My favorite shows/movies are

Horror anthologies. I am a giant fan of shows and films like Creepshow, Tales From The Crypt, Tales From The Dark side, and Monsters. I blame these for my love of one-shot games in horror systems.

How Joseph runs games

I aim for impartial adjudication of rules and maximizing player agency. I try to focus on the core themes of the genres I enjoy and run. Cosmic horror, psychological horror, dark fantasy, and grim dark. I particularly enjoy mixing gallows humor with grimdark.

Featured Prompts

I prep by

I try to study every thing I can. Hypothetically, I would read the module and familiarize myself with its supplements/handouts. I would most likely watch or read a review to see if there is anything cool I can steal from another GM. If needed, develop pre-gens.

Rules are...

This really depends on the game and the situation. I think they can be an excellent framework to facilitate play and if used properly can be enforced without being a barrier to fun. A well-timed character death can be like a dash of salt, really enhancing the flavor of the meal.

When it comes to voices

Use them if you like. I slip between character voices and the "they say" approach. If I wasn't prepared to be at a table with dorks, being one myself, I would have picked a different hobby.

Joseph's ideal table

I've been told I run a pretty good table.

Featured Prompts

I love it when a player

Go for a "hail Mary" or clearly choose a bad idea. Nothing makes me happier than when a party splits up at a stupid time. The feeling of desperation on the part of my players in a rough spot always makes me happy. I also love good strategy and puzzle solving if I'm running sci-fi/fantasy games.

I think it's a red flag when players...

Cheat. My taste in games don't benefit narratively from constant success. Furthermore, most horror and dark fantasy games will teach you to put trap rolls in a scenario, rolls you don't want to succeed at. If you are cheating, you're shortchanging yourself.

My table is not the place for...

Rudeness or thoughtlessness. I can tolerate a great deal and I see a role for some controversial takes on role-playing, but I won't abide human to human rudeness. To clarify I can enjoy in character arguments and conflicts. I will not stand for two people hurling actual insults at one another.