Jer Jones

he/him

5.0

(19)

Timezone

America/chicago

Language

English

Identity

Published Writer

About Jer Jones

Nothing makes me happier than providing a fun experience for others, be it through tabletop roleplay, creative writing, gaming, or any other means. Almost as soon as I learned how to play Dungeons & Dragons as a teenager, I decided to become a dungeon master. I suddenly had a whole new way to tell stories, and guide my friends in telling them, too. One of my fondest memories brings me back to the grocery store where I was stocking shelves, and a new friend approached and asked, "So, do you know about all the dragon colors?" Work quickly became far nerdier. I love using tabletop to build a story around the creative ideas of every player, and believe even the newest players can be the greatest. The best way to learn is to play, and I'm always happy to help be the guide while that happens. I am a career journalist who loves weaving in themes from history and literature into my games, and even playing homage to the rich literary history that inspired many of the tropes that survive in gaming today.

At a glance

2 years on StartPlaying

502 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, World Builder

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

I saw the opportunity to center the creativity and clever thinking of my friends.

How Jer Jones runs games

I build games that are highly narrative in focus, with the power in the hands of the players. I'll supply the world, the supporting characters, the challenges, and the inciting incidents. If the players want to follow breadcrumbs, they'll be there, but if the players come up with their own plans, or react in unique ways to the drama presented, I'm ready to let the world open up. I referee with a slow burn style, allowing players to explore the world, pull back the curtain, and spend considerable time getting to know characters, factions, and themselves. By default I build games with 50% combat and 50% roleplay in mind, but as the group develops if the game leads further into roleplay or calls for more social challenges, that excites me. I love presenting parties with tough choices, and leaving it up to them to decide what's best — or to find a creative way to have their cake and eat it, too! One of the core themes I love to explore in tabletop is the idea of a party overcoming adversity together. I run games where the players are expected to be "big damn heroes" capable of kicking in the door and changing the world. I also run others where players will play heroes struggling and scraping for every victory, and every day. I love both equally.

Jer Jones's ideal table

I aim for tables full of players who are excited to center each other, and support each other through challenges. My games are best for those who want a slow burn style allowing them to become truly invested in their long-term story, and the stories of those they are sharing this wonderful experience with.