Craig B
he/him
5.0
(23)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Craig B
Hail, fellow gamer and well met! Aho. I've enjoyed many years (and still learning!) as a Storyteller/GM/DM and sometimes player. Typically, with a wonderful variety of groups, systems, styles and people! If you try me out, I do my best to allow for a lot of roleplays. You will experience a fair amount of tactical combat as well as some time for exploration. You will most likely laugh and enjoy yourselves while forgetting some of your real-world troubles. You will experience my calm voice and demeanor over which many have said that I should be in voice acting or radio work. With a long background in theater and customer service I often feel as though I may have been meant to do this pro GM thing... It has been a fulfilling yet challenging experience so far! (Profile pic with Mark Twain at his old house) I believe that on a deeper level, the things we create become reflections of our selves. The fantasies that we create embrace a lot about who we are in real life. They can represent the things we want to accomplish and experience. The fights we want to win and the values we wish to cherish or reject. A roleplaying game gives us the opportunity to do so safely in a comfortable, relaxed space for such fantasies! My intention is to enable a sacred, safe place for your imagination to roam freely, where each of us can play off and with each other in harmony. One of my favorite games ever was with a large group in my college days. Everyone played their own Dark Elven Matron mother, totally evil. Complete with their own noble House. Deep down in the in the Underdark. Daughters, males, slaves, evil Lloth worshippers and all... it was a furious game of note passing, deceit, backstabbing, building power and survival. Insanely challenging but great fun, with permissions of course! This and several other campaigns have lasted for several years or more of play time and have always been highly enjoyable! I do tend to get a little hyper-focused on these games. I also tend to prep way more than is actually required. Part of that is because I am neurodivergent with ADHD and some definite overlap into the Autistic Spectrum. I often recognize and genuinely empathize for others with these and other societal differences and hope that you'll feel safe and included in the environment that I work to provide. I've learned through time how to manage much of it though there's always room for new challenges. In addition, when not gaming I do love to kayak, raft, e-bike or hike in the great outdoors whenever possible. I love to read, a lot. Mostly TTRPG books nowadays but I've read a decent library of sci-fi, fantasy, including many other types through the years. Many in a hammock outside in nature (wish I could be there more!). I join and host several drum circles each month. I have dabbled in drawing and painting quite a bit through my years. I spent a lot of time making jewelry as a silversmith too. Leathercraft, tool work and dyeing was probably my first hyperfocus on arts and crafts though. I've been known to watch a bit of video entertainment, as I cannot always give reading the focus it deserves. Sometimes, I just need to not think so much, which can be challenging as my kind of neurodivergent! My hyperactive self tends to be way more mental than physical. I find myself empathizing with the Indigenous communities throughout the world for the terrible things, including genocide, done to them and their ancestors. I believe that we should listen to many of their voices and begin to resume roles as caretakers of the land, even if only for the sake of our descendants on this world. Parts of this come from the fact that I love gardening and natural landscaping. I helped run an organic wildflower nursery for many years too. I've built many miles of rock walls as well as hiking trails. I have planted literally thousands of trees throughout the years. Even more than that in perennial herbs and flowers! Check out the profile point boxes on this page for a little more insight into me and my style if you'd like. Hope we get to meet and play some games with you sometime soon!
At a glance
2 years on StartPlaying
123 games hosted
Highly rated for: Knows the Rules, Teacher, Creativity
Average response time: 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
Featured Prompts
I got started GMing...
I was nine, maybe ten and got to run our first forays into Star Frontiers! What a great game. I had already played the Basic D&D red box with my brother and our neighbors. We would often alternate, so we all had a chance to be players and DMs. We branched into many systems soon after that.
My favorite books are
So many! Anything by Terry Brooks, Robert Heinlein, Tolkien, Piers Anthony. I love Hugo award winning Sci-Fi by Mira Grant who also writes excellent fantasy as Seanan McGuire. Tracy Weiss, Margaret Hickman, Michael Moorcock, Glen Cook, RA Salvatore have all created some epic, D&D style fantasies!
My favorite system of all Time is
World of Darkness would have to be my favorite (though I shall always love DnD +others)! Now, which splat in WoD? Idk if I should answer this but definitely Mage (20th). I like them all in their own ways, but you can literally do anything your character believes they can in this system (eventually).
How Craig B runs games
•Story comes first I run games with in-game consequences, twists, based on your characters actions and behavior. What you do really matters. •Character-driven play I care about characters who feel real. Messy, layered, and alive. If you’re invested, I am too. •Tailored to you Whether it’s a published module or custom content, I shape the world around your group’s choices, ideas, motivations and goals. •Collaborative worldbuilding Your backstory helps shape the setting and story. We build the world together, one decision (or lack thereof) at a time. •Inclusive and safe My tables are open to queer, trans, neurodivergent, BIPOC, and disabled players. No hate. No excuses. •Distinct NPCs You’ll meet weirdos, villains, allies, and everything in between. They all have their own quirks, motives that you'll not forget. •Everyone gets a moment Spotlight is shared with all. Everyone gets a chance to shine, grow, or crash into chaos! •Beginner friendly New to the game? Not a problem. I’ll walk you through the rules and make sure you feel right at home with us. •Fun is the point Sessions are creative, relaxed, and full of "what if" energy. The goal is good stories and a good time, shared together. •Always improving I stay sharp on rules, tools, and storytelling so each session feels smooth, focused, and fresh. Note: Nazis, racists, sexists, transphobes, homophobes, and other bigots are explicitly prohibited from playing, reading, watching, or enjoying my games. In fact, I'd rather you avoided my games altogether. If you have to ask whether this statement is about you, it is.
Featured Prompts
I prep by
Most of my prep is knowing my NPC's, their motivation, persona. Then it is mainly bullet points for clues, possibilities, and key points. I reread that systems books beforehand also, whether confirming rules, coming up with new ideas or just checking out the latest tidbit of interest; I read daily.
Rules are...
RAW is the backbone of any system. We'll try to keep them as consistent as possible for everyone, so you know what to expect. I have nothing but respect if you know the rules better than I. I'm typically willing to adapt and correct to the proper usage if wrong. I often reread rules, to be sure.
When it comes to voices
I do have a background in theater including some summers hosting Murder Mystery cruises on the Ct River. I love to mess around with voices and accents; it can be great fun!
Craig B's ideal table
You will experience an inclusive, comfortable atmosphere at this table. I want you to be able to feel like we are all sitting around with a group of friends in a relaxing, safe space while enjoying ourselves! Playing games, having conversations and fun together on a reliable and consistent schedule. In my games you will participate in lots of roleplay and combat with some room for exploration and the occasional puzzle. I tend to be more Rules as Written but there will be occasional Rule of Cool lapses for something awesome to occur. Especially when it is for the benefit of the player characters interaction with the story line. My goal is to find more players who agree with my approach so we can all meet, get along, collaborate on stories and share the spotlight while we have some fun together. I'm looking for reliability. Folks who enjoy laughing, having fun, hanging out in a friendly, relaxed environment with no pressures to perform. As much as I enjoy short term games or a one shot, wouldn't you rather develop a group that would be able to stick around for some long-term play? That being said I'd like to mention availability for ECONOMIC PAIN RELIEF. I'm trying to build these tables to last despite the growing economic uncertainty. Typically, I can sustain 1 or 2 long-term players at the table who have recently had a life changing event. Reduced fee or free seats for those suffering from economic upheaval is available on request for my players to keep the group together. We're all trying our best.
Featured Prompts
I think it's a red flag when players...
I will not tolerate any discriminatory behavior towards players at my table. It should be simple to respect one another. I expect you to be fairly reliable too. Each character should be adaptable, friendly to pc's, willing to share the spotlight and support each other in having a good time together!
I think metagaming...
Is ok to a small degree, like knowing the Rules as Written but you should not need to look up a monster's weaknesses or the next piece of plot in a published adventure for example. I'd prefer to keep your real world, in game knowledge away from your Player Character's decision-making processes.
I think min/maxing...
When I was a younger player, I'd min/max every character for maximum exploitation. All of us did it, every character, just to fit in! I can see the benefits, but roleplay can be gained from weakness, or lack of ability. Often it can be a more beneficial disconnect or shared experience to have flaws!
Craig B's Preferences
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