J.

he/him

5.0

(4)

Timezone

America/denver

Language

English

Russian

Identity

Neurodivergent

Published Writer

Teacher/Educator

About J.

Hey! Call me J. I'm an author and Dungeon Master looking to share my stories and have some fun. I first started DMing around 15 years ago (GURPS, D&D 3.5), but have been using D&D 5e ever since it came out. I tend to write my own campaigns, and focus on building sprawling worlds filled with mystery and adventure where the characters' actions have a concrete effect on the story we tell together. Most times I don't even plan an ending for the campaign—that's up to the players.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Rule of Cool

Featured Prompts

My favorite books are

My favorite books are "The Princess Bride," "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy (including "The Hobbit" and "The Silmarilion"), the "Warm Bodies" series (Isaac Marion PLEASE call me, we'd be so happy together), "The Alchemist," and "The Tao te Ching."

People are always surprised when I tell them

People are always surprised when I tell them that consciousness is a fundamental force of the universe and exists to compel the quantum world to become something concrete for the purpose that the universe might experience itself through us. "What are you talking about?" they say, and "please stop."

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

When not running games, you'll find me working/finding ways to keep my lights on, taking care of home and family (I've got kids, and that keeps one very busy), gaming ("Hades II" and "Hollow Knight: Silksong" have ruined me), and writing (I'm deep into the novelization of my Aethmiran campaign).

How J. runs games

The story that the players and I tell together will ALWAYS be the priority. Therefore, I strive to create *deep* lore (I wrote nearly 200 pages of history, culture, and lore for my last campaign) and complex worlds where are still accessible and memorable for the players. The narrative should help the players actually want to roleplay, and the players should feel that the choices their characters make have a real impact on the world and story. In terms of style, I default to the rules as written. That being said, I see the rules merely as a framework for fun and storytelling. I use the rules to serve the experience and NOT the other way around. I also build brain-teasing puzzles and intricate combat encounters, but also work diligently to provide the kind of feeling or "vibe" that the players are looking for. If the players start leaning into roleplay (which I love), then I'll pare back the combat. If the players start getting munchkin-ey and leaning into combat, then I'll adjust accordingly.

Featured Prompts

My games focus on...

I try to hit the three pillars (Exploration, Social Interaction, Combat) equally—or, at least, I provide the players opportunities for all pillars equally. But the game is going to focus on: a) the story we tell together, and, b), whatever else the players want. Remember, we're here to have fun!

Rules are...

Rules are: a) important in the sense that they provide a structural framework for our game, and b) should never get in the way of fun. I try to default to rules as written—unless my players come up with something much cooler. Fun is more important.

When it comes to voices

When it comes to voices, do what you want! *I* am going to give my characters voices because I think it's fun. Feel free to do the same! Or don't. I'm not your mom.

J.'s ideal table

I'm a pretty chill guy, and very flexible with games and players. I mean, look, we're all here to have fun—right? My only asks are these: 1) treat everyone at the table with kindness and respect; 2) know your character sheet, my job is everything else; 3) we're at the table to play the game together, so don't make/play a character that doesn't fit in that mold—in other words, don't ask "would my character do this?" and instead ask "how would my character do this?"; 4) engage with the game instead of being on your phone; 5) have fun!

Featured Prompts

I am for a vibe that's...

I am for GOOD vibes: tell jokes, tease each other, use substances (responsibly), engage with the other players and the game, tell me how awesome my campaign is, be good sport, etc. My table is a safe space for all. You're an adventuring party and your lives are in each other's hands—act like it!

I love it when a player

I love it when a player: * says to another, "you haven't said anything in a while—what do you think we should do?" * has cool backstory ideas they want to fit into the world/campaign * reads the lore and remembers it during gameplay (!!) * is patient and kind with less experienced players * has fun.

My table is not the place for...

My table is NOT the place for: * insults, unkind words, immature communication * violence, tantrums, bullying, and/or other immature behavior * introducing triggering content outside campaign scope/expectations * racism, homophobia, xenophobia, bigotry, chauvinism, etc. * Nazis. I *hate* Nazis.