Ben
he/him
5.0
(6)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Ben
I’m happiest as the forever-DM. I’ve been doing it for over 30 years now. I started in 1994 on AD&D 2e, and I’ve loved it ever since. My adventures have spanned the known campaign settings and beyond. I've also helped to run D&D through Toronto-based meetup groups, and Adventurer's League as well as run the D&D tables for a popular gaming convention BreakoutCon. Lately, I've been running Thursday Night D&D for kids 8-16 at my local LGS, which has been a tremendously rewarding (and challenging) experience. Beyond D&D, I’m an avid fan of Powered by the Apocalypse games. The freedom and fluidity of those, more narrative focused, games is truly a delight. They’re fantastic for new players or as a fresh look at TTRPGs for veterans. My longest running RPG group has been going for about 8 years now once or twice a month with my wife and her writing friends. We’ve played only PbtA games and it’s been a blast. Ultimately, I'm happiest when behind the DM screen (though I rarely actually use one). I've played and DMed for so long I can safely say that although *playing* a D&D character is great I prefer being everyone else.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Teacher, Creativity
Featured Prompts
I became a GM because
I love to tell stories and find interesting ways to challenge people!
People are always surprised when I tell them
I was literally in a cult. I actually have a lot of sympathy for "cultists" in fantasy games. They get a bad rap... I think they can be saved.
When I'm not running games I'm...
Video editing professionally. The skill of pace, timing, and storytelling really dovetail between the two professions.
How Ben runs games
I'm a story-first DM. In one of the earliest version of the Dungeon Master's Guide, Gary Gygax wrote at the end of the book that: "it is the spirit of the game, not the letter of the rules, which is important." That's my driving principle as a DM. I love any kind of story, whether it be high-fantasy, modern-day monsters, or a rollicking space adventure. But in my heart the traditional sword and sorcery of Dungeons & Dragons is where I am most comfortable. I have run heavily tactics based combat with wargame-minded friends and I have winged whole campaigns out of thin air with nothing but some simple prompts or a few cards drawn from my Deck of Many Things. For me, stakes are the most important element, and engaged players will remember the events of a game long after the specifics of any one combat have faded from memory. I love to engage my players and help them feel part of the world that we're building together. When the players are engaged, and on the edge of their seat, or debating with each other on the best course of actions, that's the best.
Featured Prompts
My games focus on...
Fun and engaging stories where the players can feel the stakes.
Rules are...
There to serve the stories.
When it comes to voices
I really feel like they help me get into character as my NPCs. I can and will do them as often as possible.
Ben's ideal table
I love to play with engaged players who have investment in the story and the adventure. I love when players work together to solve problems and play to each other's strengths. I enjoy playing with generous players who can help move the spotlight around the table and celebrate the successes of their teammates. At my table you can expect a supportive environment where everyone is given a chance to shine and you are encouraged to come up with creative solutions to the problems set out before you. Even when playing games with more restrictive rules (like D&D) I like to draw from more free-form rulesets like Powered by the Apocalypse.
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
incorporates other players into their plans and finds a way to work with their teammates despite differences in morality and ethics. A rogue and paladin can be best friends, you just have to be creative and generous.
I think metagaming...
is inevitable. I don't mind if my players talk to each other, even during combat, about what they should do. This game is a conversation after all. Why would I restrict how and when people at my table can talk?
My perfect party mix is
A group that can have fun together. There is no "perfect" party composition. Though, when players work together to create characters with complimentary skills and design their characters to not step on each other's toes, that's great.
Ben's Preferences
Systems
Game Mechanics