Craig Baker
he/him
5.0
(31)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Craig Baker
I fell in love with tabletop roleplaying games on Christmas, 1979, when I was only seven years old. My neighbors had received the Basic Box Set for D&D and asked my brother and I to play with them. I was instantly obsessed and we played for the rest of our vacation together! I had already begun designing worlds and maps. I swiftly fell into the role of game master as I gathered as many interested friends as I could find to play. We explored many different systems before I ever worked my way through college. 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 our imaginations to roam freely, where each of us can play off and with each other in harmony!
At a glance
2 years on StartPlaying
186 games hosted
Highly rated for: Teacher, Knows the Rules, Creativity
Average response time: 3 hours
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 Baker 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 can do a few voices, some more subtle than others and not all with accents. I spent some years in community theater troupes and a few seasons performing murder mystery cruises on the Connecticut River. Lately, I try to attend an online improv class each week for practice and refinement!
Craig Baker'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 Baker's Preferences
Systems
Game Mechanics