Robert

he/him

5.0

(5)

Timezone

America/los Angeles

Language

English

Identity

Published Writer

Artist

Game Designer

About Robert

My name is Robert, and I am keen to run games that have story and drama. I started playing D&D with the Basic Set in seventh grade; but prior to getting the rules I had already designed two dungeons. I continued learning and playing when AD&D came out, mightily resisting the urge to color in the monster manual. I played in a campaign with my step-brother and I remember when my step-mother had to make a rule: 'No D&D talk at the dinner table!' In high school I picked up the original Champions and began running lunch-time bank robberies with a variety of villains for my friends. I still have many of the original character sheets from that rogue's gallery. I collected many more game books than I ever had time to play; I was intrigued at the variety of approaches to TTRP. I managed to end up working as a programmer at SSI when they had the license for D&D: Dark Sun, and while I had not played in it previously I developed a fascination for the campaign. My real passion is for the Eberron setting. I've explored several campaign ideas in a PbP board, and I'd love to revisit those (Sharn: CSI, Stormreach: the Razor Coast). I'm also system curious, and there are several games that I want to learn and run (Blades in the Dark, Daggerheart), and some that I've run that I want to try again (Mythender, Don't Rest Your Head). My goal is to make the best experience of collaborative story-telling for myself and my players!

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

3 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Teacher

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

• Started with the Holmes Basic D&D Set in seventh grade; before getting the rules I had already designed two dungeons • Continuing to play when AD&D came out. • Picked up the Champions in high school and ran for my friends. • I ran a bunch of PbP games on RPOL

My favorite books are

• Chronicles of Amber by Zelazny • The Deed of Paksenarrion by Moon • The Foreigner Series by C.J. Cherryh • Fafhrd and Grey Mouser books by Fritz Leiber

When I'm not running games I'm...

• Programming. • Gardening. • Fixing Something. • Taking Care of Kids.

How Robert runs games

I love story-driven games where character comes first. Every player’s character matters to me - I’ll ask questions, draw out details, and weave those elements into the narrative so your backstory genuinely shapes the adventure. When I ran play-by-post games, every NPC had a face: from high-profile actors representing key figures to found images of everyday people, because I believe visual and emotional grounding makes a world come alive. My sessions balance roleplay and exploration with tactical or cinematic combat as needed. I enjoy running published modules as springboards for unique player-driven stories, and I often mix in freeform storytelling or sandbox hexcrawls with emergent dungeons. Whatever the format, I’m always searching for the arc that makes it memorable.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

• Propose a Solution • Solicit Opinions • Briefly Check Rules • Execute Iron Clad Ruling

My games focus on...

• Story-driven games. • Character comes first. • Backstory. • Drama. • Mystery. • Horror.

When it comes to voices

• I like doing voices, but I really don't sound like a woman...

Robert's ideal table

I’ve GM’d across editions of D&D (Basic, AD&D, 3.5, 4e, 5e) and Hero System, as well as Call of Cthulhu, Trail of Cthulhu, Cortex, Don’t Rest Your Head, Fiasco, and Mythender. I’ve played 7th Sea and Legend of the Five Rings, and I’m eager to run Blades in the Dark, Dungeon World, Mouse Guard, Fate, and more. I love Eberron, the Lovecraft Mythos, classic TSR and Judges’ Guild modules. I’m open to running fantasy, mystery, horror, or sci-fi in medieval or modern settings. Whether you’re a first-time player or a seasoned veteran, I’ll tailor the experience to you. I’m comfortable with Roll20 and Foundry, and happy to learn D&D Beyond or Fantasy Grounds. Sessions can run via Zoom or Discord. • I will care for the players: The games may be imaginary but the feelings are real. The game will be a safe place to explore. • I will prepare the adventures. There's a lot of prep. Even if the adventure is pre-written the players will see customization and imagination. • I will explore new systems. There are a lot of game systems, and each might just be that perfect one for playing a particular kind of story. I have a stockpile that I want to try: • Don't Rest Your Head • Mythender • Lady Blackbird • Monsterhearts • Blades in the Dark • Trail of Cthulhu

Featured Prompts

If you're into ___, you're going to love my table

Having your character arc explored. I love dragging in backgrounds and extended stories into play.

I think metagaming...

Okay, so there are some things that go on in RPG that are frustrating. Metagaming is one, where the player knows something the character does not, and the character acts on the unknown information. It's important to know what you know, and ensure the character only knows what they know.

My table is not the place for...

The real evil of RPG is Godmoding: a player making characters not their own do or think what the player wants. Agency is the one thing that should be inviolate.