Sylus
he/him
5.0
(5)
Timezone
Language
About Sylus
Hey there! Welcome to the Laughing Goat Tavern, I'm the barkeep and owner, Sylus - or at least that is the name I have adopted over the years. My real name has been lost to time. I have been the owner of this fine establishment for nearly 20 years and the stories I have collected in those years are too vast to recount here. My more frequent patrons tell me I should offer my stories and tales to a wider audience, so I have decided to join in this lovely guild of storytellers in the hopes of providing good times to those who seek it. I am well versed in many genres be it Action, Comedy, Mischief, Historical, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Romance, the odd Political Intrigue tale, and even Horror from time to time. I wouldn't say I have a particular fondness for any one type of tale, but my skills sway heavier towards lower fantasy, realism where survival is the key piece - stories that revolve around the lesser known heroes often not acknowledged. Heroes chosen by Gods are always good fun, but I find more enjoyment in giving praise to the group of citizens who rally against a goblin hoard or the local youths who banded together against a corrupt official - anyone who sets out to make a difference deserves to be recognized, no matter how small it may seem. My preferred vessel of telling these tales is through Foundry VTT/Discord using Fabula Ultima or a lighter version of 5e. So, if it takes your fancy, why not drop by sometime? I am sure you could bring a tale or two yourself.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Teacher, Rule of Cool
Featured Prompts
I got started GMing...
When I was maybe 10, my dad had some 2nd Edition D&D books that he was gifted. He never used them so I constantly borrowed them until I eventually got some friends interested. I had no clue what I was doing, but we had a blast. Been running games ever since.
The three words my players would use to describe me are...
Savvy has been used more than once. Practical is another one that I have been told before. And finally, flexible. I have taught a lot of people how to play D&D as well as Fabula Ultima and I am always pushing creative solutions as well as encouraging out of the box thinking.
When I'm not running games I'm...
Either playing games on the computer, writing, or cleaning the house. Rimworld, Avorion, Minecraft, and Civilization are my usual go-to games I enjoy playing, but I do greatly enjoy JRPGs and the like. I am hopefully soon to start work on getting published.
How Sylus runs games
While I do love a good tale of high heroism and grand battles against the forces of evil, there are many out there who already tell those tales with practiced skill and certainty. I, myself, prefer to tell the stories of the smaller people - those who will not be remembered in songs throughout history or written about in the official archives kept stored away for record. No, I keep chronicles of those who risk everything to protect their homes - the common folk who are thrust into situations they are not prepared for and must scrape by with every skill that they have in order to survive and the sacrifices made. My stories may not be filled with mystical magical wonder, but they are no less emotional, impactful, and important. The farmer who risks everything to protect his livestock by tracking down an Owlbear when his request is denied, the orphan living as a rat catcher who stumbles upon a group of Skaven setting up under the city, the local historian who finds an unmarked and unchecked book recounting of a hidden treasure, the businessman who keeps his store supplied by gathering the goods himself... These are the tales I tell. What of those who the heroes do not help? What of those whose bravery is not born of a grand prophesy but by their very own need for survival? Fights are dangerous, exploration and travel require preparation and knowledge, funds are low and skill is lacking - often times a sharp tongue will serve better than any blade. All levels of play can enjoy.
Featured Prompts
I prep by
Building a rough outline of expected events, jotting down notes about the world and history, and having an idea of things that could be happening around - but I have learned to not over prep and instead let my players build the story they wish to tell, adjusting accordingly to events of each session
Rules are...
Meant to be used to guide the game along, but they are not meant to be strictly followed at all times. Sometimes for the sake of the story or the fun of the game, rules can be altered or dismissed temporarily. This does not mean that rules should not be followed at all, they are there for a reason.
When it comes to voices
I do enjoy trying to do voices - but I will be the first to admit, I am no voice actor. Sometimes they are fun, other times I will forget the voice entirely or lose track of it and opt to describe the voice as best as I am able.
Sylus's ideal table
When it comes to taking a seat in the Tavern, you should always expect there to be a friendly atmosphere and warm welcoming smiles. When the story begins, attentiveness is of the utmost import as I do enjoy leaving many crumbs and hints to things to come in even the smallest of details. While action and danger are exciting and thrilling, they are not always the only way to go about things. Certainly there are times where blades must be drawn or spells flung, but more often than not, a practical or careful approach will yield far better results. Knowledge is power in my stories - I do not often recount tales of powerful heroes anointed by the gods or chosen by prophesy, the characters in my stories are often the common folk who use their wits to gain the advantage in any situation or recognize when something is beyond their means. Questions and exploration are encouraged and if someone is feeling lost or doesn't understand why something is happening or how, then it is also encouraged to speak up and learn. I welcome all skill levels at my table - though I am not one to allow higher skilled players to outshine or overtake those who are newer, everyone should be treated as an equal and help one another.
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
Takes notes and gets involved with the world or the story. Piecing together hints, information, and details left around or acquired through conversations and investigations. When I get questions about things outside of the game, it never fails to make me smile.
I think metagaming...
Has a place. Just like min/maxing, metagaming can sap the fun out of things - not just for the players, but also the GM. If a player has meta knowledge and uses it to beat a fight or solve a puzzle, it can feel cheap when others were excited to take on or present a new challenge.
I think min/maxing...
Takes the fun out of playing a character. While it is understandable that being powerful is enjoyable, if you have nothing that you can be challenged by, the enjoyment of playing the game will wear off quickly as stakes will no longer exist. Having faults brings new approaches and clever solutions.
Sylus's Preferences
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