Hoogie (he/him)
5.0
(9)
3 years on StartPlaying
5 games hosted
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Rule of Cool
About me
π° ππ‘π π²πππ« π°ππ¬ ππππ π° I was introduced to tabletop RPGs in the worst way possible: a level 16 DnD 3.5e adventure with maybe 20 other people and just as much rule books in a loud and crowded mall beside a basketball shootout contest. We did half a battle. ... π π°ππ¬ π‘π¨π¨π€ππ. βββββββββββββββ Hi. I'm Hoogie, and I run games in the OSR style. What's OSR? It's a π§ππ«ππ«ππ‘ of π€π‘π π¨πππ€π€π‘ philosophies and techniques used to run games more free-flow and to invoke creativity, engagement, wonder, and accomplishment. βοΈ face varied challenge levels π solve problems creatively π follow the threads you want π get rewarded for exploration π² accept your fate with random tables If this sounds like your flavor of madness, grab a chair and let's play.
GM Style
β οΈ ππππππΌπ β οΈ - If a player creates a situation where they no longer need to roll to succeed, they won't. I also don't like limiting a player through their character sheet. I embrace chaos, but uphold logic. Player ingenuity is rewarded. I also use random tables to surprise myself as much as you. βοΈ πΎπππ½πΌπ βοΈ - Quick and deadly, but telegraphed and avoidable. Running is sometimes the best option. XP is not through successful combat, but through discovery and adversity. πΊοΈ πππππππΌππππ πΊοΈ - Backgrounds are detailed and colorful. I like describing as much of the six senses as the situation allows me. The world constantly evolves whether you take part in that evolution or not. π¬ πππΎππΌπ π¬ - Roleplay is recommended. I also allow cohorts/followers. However, an NPC's outlook towards you can change over time. All NPCs, including monsters, have morale and reaction rolls, as well as motivations and concerns. βββββββββββββββ We'll use my private discord server and my Foundry VTT server hosted at Molten. I like talking a bit before games, usually 5-15 minutes. After your game is done, feel free to stay in my Discord, as you'll get a bunch of announcements regarding new games. If you have friends who might be interested in this sort of thing, please invite them!
Game platforms used
Game Master Reviews (9)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Storytelling
Creativity
Rule of Cool
I first played with Hoogie in 2022. He introduced me to the OSR systems and guided me through character creation. Then we played a one-shot he was experimenting with, and I must admit, it was one of the most well-thought-out games I've ever played. It was immersive and exciting and I was on the edge of my seat most of the time. Ultimately, he made me feel that my character was a hero, and I could not be more grateful
Hoogie is a passionate and knowledgeable DM. I met him first in a Discord server where he manages and hosts a ton of various games and systems. He is very interested in his OSR systems and I've played alongside him for over a year. He is patient, kind, and very welcoming towards everyone. His games are always a labour of love and his worldbuilding is top-tier.
Hoogie is a creative mastermind. Among the very few GMs who are able to work with and upend player expectations while still maintaining a cohesive narrative. Most of his handiwork can be seen in OSR-based systems including Lamentations of a Flame Princess and MΓΆrk Borg, wherein GM's narrative skills, use of maps and themes, as well as theatre of the mind, play such an important role in defining a player's experience. Hoogie's presentation of free will, player choice, and creativity, especially within systems that can seem restrictive and minimalistic, is a sight to behold and an unmissable experience. Beyond OSRs, Hoogie presents exceptional prowess in handling different types of players and player engagement, a suite of group dynamics, as well as the ability to involve players regardless of their level of experience with a system. Between juggling the rule of cool and providing a palatable and grounded mechanism to induce innovative problem-solving in the worlds he builds, Hoogie is one of the best GMs I have had the pleasure of playing with. I could not recommend him more.
Hoogie has all the quintessential qualities of a traditional DM, great storytelling, immersive and interesting puzzles, and the flexibility to accommodate players. Hoogie is also a great teacher to new players, providing clear and concise explanations and providing a safe and fun environment for all to enjoy. Overall a solid Game master who is very fun to play with!
I'd select more tags if I could. Hoogie is a fun, friendly DM who's been playing table top games for quite a while and in doing so has set himself up as a DM that understands his characters and their players. Allowing for campaigns that aren't just a marvel to experience through the eyes of your character, but ones that are influenced by your choices; for better or for worse >:)
What's StartPlaying?
Tabletop Roleplaying Games Run by Game Masters
Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.
Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.
If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.