John Rodrigues

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How John Rodrigues runs games

I love both roleplay and combat. Character development, combat strategy and high stakes decisions will be the daily bread of our campaigns. Begginers will have time to learn and grow, yet the world is mean, and death will be ever present. Veterans will still find my combat encounters and roleplay key moments tough and real. ❓❗ Combat & Puzzles: ▪ Don't expect dumb monsters! Intelligence and cunning are not only for players. Monsters will behave tactically, according to they're background and environment. ▪ Not all doors can be opened by magic and chests with lockpicks. Expect tough but rewarding puzzles and challenges on your adventures. 💬 Roleplay & Metagaming: ▪ Accents and weird voices are not required, but you will feel immersed and compelled into roleplaying your character like never before. ▪ You will not be punished for minimal metagaming. However, there will be consequences for taking too long to act, group debating in game and to many above table conversations. ✨ Gameplay & Creativity: ▪ Rules are a guideline, not a hardline! I'll handle most of the rules so you can focus on the fun. Yet you are expected to know well your character sheet, abilities and backstory. ▪ The mind is our best tool, yet complementary tools are helpful. Background music, AI generated art and location maps will be used to enhance our collective experience. ▪ We will use tactical and descriptive 2D square and hex grid maps drawn by me or from adventure modules. Allowing for better gameplay and creative actions. 📝 Narrative and homebrew: ▪ Whether using adventure modules, adapting narratives or using homebrew universes, I'll always adapt the narrative to include character backstories, new interesting arcs and encounters. ▪ The narrative is made for the players and will be shaped by the players! Expect your backstory to become part of the plot and your actions to have major impact on the narrative! ▪ No module is absolute! Homebrewing content to become more of the liking of the party is always a priority. Are you a blind drow coming to the surface looking for a cure to your illness? Or an orc shaman banished from your tribe because of your patron? Maybe you're the great-grandson of a legendary ghost pirate looking for your inheritance? Whoever you are, prepare for an epic journey full of plot twists and fun to be had. The stories we'll build together will becomes songs and odysseys passed down through the generations, long after we are gone! Roll for initiative!

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John Rodrigues's ideal table

Before the session starts, we take 10/15 minutes (normally the time it takes for late players to arrive) to chat IRL stuff and last minute questions about lore, narrative and rules. During the session we avoid above table chat at all costs and the focus is on roleplay and story progression. Every player has the chance to shine in the spotlight regularly and when using FoundryVTT the text chat is used for side conversations (in character) while the spotlight is on a different scene or character. We take a break midway most of the times, but if delays happened or the session needs to end early for some reason, the group can decide on talking no break or a quicker 2/3 minute break. After the session ends, players can remain for around 15 minutes to unwind, chat about the session and plan stuff for the next game. All and all, I aim for a chill, respectful and friendly environment at the table. As long as people are respectful of each other and the schedule, fun is to be had at every minute!

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