Doctor Corvis

he/him

5.0

(5)

Timezone

America/new York

Language

English

Identity

Cosplayer

Voice Actor

About Doctor Corvis

I have decades of experience in live and virtual rpgs, I focus on long campaigns, player agency, a reactive world, and the creative application of rules, and I favor Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay. My style? It feels like the Terry Gilliam movie The Adventures of Baron Munchausen... a slightly more lighthearted and comical version of the usual grimdark Warhammer setting. A world where you're encouraged to find ways to use skills in unique ways, where you're free to try ludicrous stunts with some hope of success, and the phrase 'hilariously lethal' is extremely appropriate. I'm also a professionally trained voice actor, and I research obscure historical and anecdotal facts to fuel the Miniature History youtube series, and set those facts loose on the imaginations of all.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Inclusive

Featured Prompts

My favorite books are

The Coldfire trilogy by C.S. Friedman, Steven Brust's Dragaeran series, including both those dedicated to Vlad Taltos and Paarfi's historical romances, Neuromancer by William Gibson, Snowcrash by Neal Stephenson, and the Expanse series by James S A Corey. And tons more, to be honest.

My favorite system of all Time is

Technically, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, but it's just the foundation. Whenever possible, I pull in ideas from other systems... a bit of Ars Magica's spell system, some of Unknown Armies' approach to sanity and character design, or a hint of Blades in the Dark's temporal flexibility, for example.

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

Researching and recording short videos on medieval history, negotiating the terms of residence with three cats, finding inspiration in books and movies, and spending some time every day outside gardening, collecting firewood, or just enjoying a mug of cider and a breeze.

How Doctor Corvis runs games

I excel in long, sandbox style campaigns, where the actions of the characters shape the storyline. I give humor and fun priority over realism, in some cases. I encourage the creative usage of skills, and work with players as much as possible to bring their ideas to life. Collaborative storytelling is the goal, and the outcomes of scenarios are often as surprising for me as the rest of the group. In long campaigns, I aim for balance in content. For example - what begins as a simple mystery in town, with emphasis on roleplaying and investigation, leads into a dungeon crawl where strategy and tactics take center stage, which in turns could lead to a political arc as the group begins to acquire fame. Through everything, though, player choices and backstories have lasting effects on the plot. Who becomes an ally or enemy, the fate of villages, towns, or cities... all of it will be built on the results of player choice. That kind of reactive world is something I savor.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

Flexibility, and beyond that, there are two major goals - keeping the game moving, and allowing for the most character agency. Asking the entire group for their preference works well, as does allowing a temporary suspension of 'rules', then coming back to it later to clarify it for the future.

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

Edgar Wright, no question. Characters tend to be funny, even when they're potentially lethal. Scenarios can go from mundane to absurd and back again, while still retaining a core of rationality. Think Hot Fuzz, or Shaun of the Dead. No matter how serious the danger, there's always room for comedy.

When it comes to voices

I'm a trained voice actor who actively seeks out work in that industry... so I hope I can provide at least a few good voices and professional line delivery. Fingers crossed on that. I did meet Mel Blanc once, when I was 5 or 6, I think. Here's hoping a little of his talent rubbed off on me.

Doctor Corvis's ideal table

My ideal session is a balance between tension and laughter. Skills can succeed in surprising ways, and the dice rolls, both good and bad, provide openings to exploit. The hard rules? Collaboration and respect. I want a table of players who want everyone in the group to succeed, and feel like unique, valuable additions to the team. I want an environment where everyone is given moments to shine, and when a spotlight hits one character, it reflects on the others as well. If I've done my job well, you should have hilarious and epic memories, and hopefully have new or stronger friendships due to the ordeals you've survived and the awesome moments of cinematic greatness we've all created together.

Featured Prompts

I am for a vibe that's...

friendly, comical, and tense when it needs to be. I think the real world is dark enough, so I try to keep the game world more lighthearted. Apart from that, the best part of being a gm is watching a party come up with ideas I would never have dreamed of, and then seeing how they play out.

I love it when a player

finds a creative way to use a skill, or digs into the process of creating a new item or ability. I love finding ways to tweak game mechanics to reward creativity. Just remember, success isn't guaranteed... but even failed rolls can provide openings, just at a cost.

My table is not the place for...

Animosity. Friendly competition and good natured jokes are fine, but the party needs to support each other, both as players and characters. Not that you have to be 'good'. As long as they get along, I'm happy to let 'evil' necromantic cultists loose on the game world, if that's what the group wants.