Michael
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About Michael
My name is Michael, and I've been playing and running tabletop role playing games since the 90s when I was a young teen. My first character was a paladin in AD&D 2e. I was hooked. I became a FASA fanboy; Battletech, Shadowrun, and Earthdawn became my favorites. I attended a few conventions as a teenager and learned to appreciate all kinds of RPGs: GURPS, Rifts, Cthulhu, etc. When D&D 3.X hit, I ran a ton of that for my friend group. But then I moved away, went to school, began a career in teaching, and started a family. I took a long break from gaming not thinking I'd return. But 2020 was a wild year for everyone, and I got right back into gaming. I started a local in-person group then, and we still play weekly more often than not. We have a good problem: we have too many GMs. Since I don't get to GM as much as I would like, and my kids are at that age where they spend less time with dad and more time with friends, I started a second group online using Discord and theatre of the mind. I ran one consistent Shadowrun campaign for a year and a half, running published adventures more than biweekly. This was unaffiliated with StartPlaying, which I had not heard of at the time. I have a bucket list of systems, settings, and scenarios I've always wanted to run but haven't had the opportunity to do so in person. I am looking forward to running them for you, so let's StartPlaying.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Knows the Rules, Beginner Friendly, Storytelling
$20 per session
Featured Prompts
My 3 systems I'd bring to a desert island would be
This is a tough one. A desert island would allow us to do in-depth, crunchy games: Earthdawn 4e, Shadowrun 1-3e, and Chronicles of Darkness (yes, all of them). If I could only ever run three games for the rest of my life, the answer would be: Castles & Crusades, Delta Green (CoC), and RuneQuest.
My favorite books are
Classics: 1Q84 by Murakami, Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, Great Expectations by Dickens, Dracula by Stoker, Frankenstein by Shelley Appendix N: Howard, Lovecraft, Vance, Tolkien, etc. I read more game books than fiction, but I always have an audiobook going while driving or doing chores.
My favorite shows/movies are
Movies: Aliens, Predator 1 & 2, Ghostbusters 1 & 2, They Live, In the Mouth of Madness, Conan, Princess Mononoke, Willy Wonka Shows: Jericho, Firefly, Red Dwarf, Supernatural, Buffy, Pirates of Dark Water, Thundarr, Exo Squad
How Michael runs games
I enjoy reading, adapting, and running published adventures. I believe in authorial intent in systems, settings, and scenarios, so I tend toward running them faithfully while being open to unique player solutions and fun. I also run my own adventures with minimal prep (what could fit on a page or two while reviewing the relevant system/setting parts). I look forward to also trying a more proactive play style requiring more from the players: joining factions, setting character goals, and balancing player spotlighting. However, that doesn’t usually mesh well with published adventures, so let’s make sure we’re on the same page for a campaign. I use OSR-style random tables to add cool, unique experiences. I regularly use a simple dice oracle at the table to make in-world decisions that weren’t predetermined. I inform players and make deals with them before we roll dice to make sure we understand the stakes. I ask questions and repeat my understanding of a player’s stated intentions to aid that. Immersive role play and interesting problem solving with exciting combats are not mutually exclusive. That balance is usually determined by the system, scenario, and players. Two thirds of the phrase “role playing game” are oriented towards fun, and one third is on acting; that’s usually a good balance for an entertaining evening. RAW over too many house rules. I roll in front of players. The dice fall as they will - no fudging. Use luck. I dislike min-maxers and cheaters. No ERP.
Featured Prompts
If my games were Movies they'd be directed by...
John Carpenter, James Cameron (Aliens SE & T2), and Peter Jackson - with an occasional appearance by David Lynch.
I prep by
Published Adventures: Buy it, read it, place it in a category (no, go, or mod), annotate it, adapt it to group, run it, reflect on it, and continue running it. Homebrew: Index cards are amazing. I use the COOL acronym: Concept, Objectives, Obstacles, & Links. I make little islands of note cards.
Rules are...
Rules are meant to evoke a theme, tone, and unpredictability that makes the game worth playing. Fiction comes first, but rules as written usually captures the spirit of what the games' creators had in mind and might just be worth experiencing prior to house ruling. Embrace the dice as oracle player.
Michael's ideal table
Good people gathering around for a good time. Seriousness balanced by levity. Flexible, adaptable play to fit both our desires and the adventure. Something for everybody. Combat is fun, and so is role play. Recognize that you may sometimes have to adjust "what my character would do" to fit what the GM prepped and what the other players want out of the game too because otherwise there won't be a game. When playing published adventures or settings/sandboxes, go with the flow. Recognize that it's an amusement park, not a railroad, and find the fun that's obviously available right in front of you. When playing heavily improv games (sandboxes and soap operas), be more proactive. Select goals, interact with factions, and seek out your fun. The above playstyles aren't mutually exclusive. We often go offscript with modules! Some crassness, vulgarity, and absurdity is fun. Keyword is some. Do not bring the vibe of HR, PC, or work to the session. But when a comfort level is crossed, speak up. We can work it out, agree to disagree, or part ways with no hard feelings.
Featured Prompts
I think metagaming...
...occasionally has a place at the table. The player recognizing for the sake of the group's fun and campaign longevity/coherence to go along with something he's not 100% behind or thinks her character wouldn't do. But not getting into the spirit of the horror genre is anathema.
I think min/maxing...
... isn't fun. I get power fantasy being attractive, but if you prioritize stats and "winning" an uncompetitive game over role play, background, goals, and the collective story, you're missing the point and are definitely at the wrong table.
My table is not the place for...
...discussions on politics, religion, current events, gossip, and controversy. There are other outlets. We're here for entertainment. Play with people from all walks of life without putting them through purity tests. I can play with everyone, and not everyone will become my friend. And that's okay.
Michael's Preferences
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