Crabhaus Gaming (C.J.)

he/him

5.0

(5)

Timezone

America/los Angeles

Language

English

Identity

LGBTQ+

Veteran

Artist

Voice Actor

About Crabhaus Gaming (C.J.)

Follow me on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/crabhaus-gaming.bsky.social You deserve to enjoy your game. We all do. We all have different reasons for joining a table but, once there, we all want to feel powerful. Whether we are playing the hero, the anti-hero, or the villain; we want to experience an epic tale. This is exactly what brought me to the table over 30 years ago. It started with that very special Red Box and carried on to Marvel Super Heroes, Rifts, Vampire: The Masquerade, The HERO system, and many more. TTRPG's speak to my analytical side and my creative side. I love to see what I can build but, I also want to see what you can build. I have spent over three decades in gaming learning from fellow players and GM's. Now, I want to learn from you. So, after all this time, what kind of GM am I? I'm what happens when a theatre major becomes a power gamer. I dig into the lore and the rules because I want to understand how to run the game. I prepare for my games like an actor preparing for a role; only, as a GM, I am playing all of the roles except yours. On Roll20, where I run my games, my Display Name is "Everybody Else." It's not me against you. I want you to succeed and feel powerful doing it. I want you to feel safe and valued here as well. The only thing I will not tolerate is intolerance. I welcome everyone from power gamers to beginners. I also welcome your criticism. I need it to grow and I will never stop growing as a GM.

At a glance

3 years on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Knows the Rules

Featured Prompts

My 3 systems I'd bring to a desert island would be

Only THREE?!?! 1) Pathfinder: It's that perfect combination of lore and customization. 2) HERO Games: Incredibly adaptable. You can use it to build ANYTHING! 3) White Wolf: My best RP memories come from these games.

The three words my players would use to describe me are...

From 4 of my current players: Creative, Fun, Educated Narrative, Spontaneous, Inclusive Knowledgeable, Adaptive, Helpful Intelligent, Outgoing, Quirky

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

Picking up heavy things and putting them back down, spoiling animals, rooting for sports-ball teams, enjoying good food with my wife, listening to music, and building your next grand adventure!

How Crabhaus Gaming (C.J.) runs games

Collaborative storytelling is paramount at my table. Combat will vary between facerolling enemies and epic challenges. Roleplay is encouraged. I enjoy voice acting important NPCs and named enemies. Original cut-scene style dialogue will be used to communicate lore and plot devices in lieu of flat exposition. I generally run pre-gen modules which come with maps, however, if I don't think a map is adequate, I will certainly create an original version. All this is accomplished through extensive preparation ahead of time. I'm not saying I have a prepared answer for every scenario you can throw at me; I have been doing this too long to make that claim. Instead, my preparation allows me to be confident enough to improv when I have to (and I love to improv)! I make sure I know the rules and mechanics of the enemies and challenges you will be facing as well as the abilities of the characters you will field. I don't mind being challenged, though, and I appreciate a quick citation from my players. But, for all of those random scenarios that the rules simply don't cover, I will always rely on the Rule of Cool.

Featured Prompts

If my games were Movies they'd be directed by...

From my current players: Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg, Guillermo del Toro, and Peter Jackson. It seems I have a knack for balancing epic action with epic story-telling. I'll take it!

I prep by

...spending WAY too much time doing WAY too much research. My goal is to so familiar with the story and the rules that I am able to handle the glorious chaos that my players being to the table.

Rules are...

...the starting point from which we build an incredible story. When you build your character, you do so with the expectation that I will respect the rules you used to design it. Rules will never be more important than my players, though. I would much rather change a rule than a player.

Crabhaus Gaming (C.J.)'s ideal table

I prioritize collaborative storytelling. It's OUR story. I want you to succeed. I want you to feel powerful. If you are a beginner, I would love the opportunity to share one of my favorite hobbies with you. I was in your position at one time, we all were. I remember the good GM's and I remember the not-so-good ones as well. I want your first experiences with RPG's to be better than mine and mine were awesome! If you are power gamer, we are kindred spirits. I want you to enjoy playing a powerful character because I know that feeling. Your experience and understanding of the rules will be valued at my table so long as you share my vision of collaborating with the entire party. Everyone should have the opportunity to feel the thrill of being an important part of an epic tale. Your level of skill is not as important as your enthusiasm. I can teach you the game and, hopefully, inspire you to play again. Your willingness to be an important member of a band of heroes (or villains) is all you need to bring to our table.

Featured Prompts

I am for a vibe that's...

...determined by consensus. During our Session 0's we will discuss the play style we are going for and I will adapt to that consensus to the best of my ability. My expectation is that everyone is similarly inclined.

I think it's a red flag when players...

...employ the "lone wolf" trope. It's a collaborative effort. Your character should be motivated to work with the party. ...work against the party. Interparty conflict is not the same as sabotage. ...gives me compliments. No, I'm just kidding. This is fine.

I think min/maxing...

As a power gamer, I build characters the same way I design encounters; to do one thing REALLY WELL. This creates a challenge for my players and allows for weaknesses which the party can exploit. I encourage my players to build their characters similarly. Everyone deserves an opportunity to shine.