Beowulf
he/him
4.9
(40)
Timezone
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Identity
About Beowulf
Running live games in the San Antonio, TX metropolitan area and online games for anywhere in the world. I've been playing D&D since 1983 and DMing since 1985. Creating worlds to be explored and working with others to create memorable stories is an absolute joy. Life has forced me to abandon my hobby a few times but I found my way back because this is such a unique thing - collaborative storytelling in which everyone is a major character. I love being a part of tales that will be remembered forever. My job is to ensure everyone is having fun, whether you're the diva, the wallflower, or somewhere in between. My decades of experience allow me to change my approach based on the group's familiarity with the rules. In fact, running a game for a group completely new to gaming puts a huge smile on my face. My sense of humor has been described as a bit on the dark and sarcastic side, and I set a more serious tone in my worlds. I don't force that tone on the players, though, so you're free to do what you want. At the same time, I try to ensure my worlds make sense, so actions have consequences. Succeed and you will change the world. Fail, and you also change the world. Adventuring is a dangerous occupation (otherwise everyone would do it) so you should expect appropriate challenges. I excel at in-person games (San Antonio, TX) but a majority of my games are run on Roll20 + Discord because I gave up on WotC's virtual tabletop. I mostly run D&D 5e but also run BECMI D&D, AD&D 1e, Aliens RPG, Call of Cthulhu, Rolemaster, and Starship Troopers. I am semi-retired so have unmatched schedule flexibility.
At a glance
1 year on StartPlaying
138 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Knows the Rules, Inclusive
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
Featured Prompts
I became a GM because
I was there when roleplaying games began. I remember what it was then, I know what it is now, I followed the game evolution as new versions were released, and I played new systems as they were created.
My 3 systems I'd bring to a desert island would be
- Rolemaster (complex & flexible fantasy) - D&D / LotR Roleplaying (easy-to-play fantasy) - Call of Cthulhu (easy-to-play horror)
My favorite system of all Time is
Rolemaster. Character creation is complex and combat can be slow, but the mechanics create a chance for anything to succeed (or fail). I've seen a level 2 PC take out an ogre in one hit with a dagger and I've seen a level 10 PC almost die by falling down some stairs.
How Beowulf runs games
My style is flexible. I am a military veteran, so I love the tactics and strategy of combat. I love storytelling, so roleplay is important to me -- but not demanded of my players. I'm not as good with character voices as I'd like to be, but I have an uncanny ability to assume character mannerisms. I'm pretty loose with the rules but stay consistent in their application. I'll let you try something cool simply because it's cool, but I won't let you do something utterly nonsensical. I strive for balance; I'm willing to discuss a ruling if you disagree, but only for a short time. I've been known to get it wrong from time to time and have no issue being called out in front of the group.
Featured Prompts
I deal with rules issues by...
making a decision and moving on. If you disagree, tell me why and I might change my mind. But if not, I expect you to drop it and get back to the game. We can discuss it after the session over virtual beers. I get things wrong sometimes and don't mind being called out.
If my games were Movies they'd be directed by...
Sam Raimi. Well, my Cthulhu games would probably go to John Carpenter.
Rules are...
a framework to create balance and fairness but can be followed, changed, or ignored as necessary for sake of the story. We are here to have an adventure, not nitpick over the minutiae of language.
Beowulf's ideal table
Again, my style is flexible - I can run a game for just about anyone - but I try to group players by their type. Folks who are into rolling dice and getting to the next challenge tend to get bored and annoyed when two players spend 30 minutes talking to a random NPC who has a cool hat. Folks who like to interact with the world feel disenfranchised when they are dragged along at warp speed to get to the dungeon. When you join a game, I'll let you know what you can expect from the other players.
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
isn't afraid to try something unusual or stand their ground during intra-party disagreement. You're playing a hero and heroes don't let folks walk all over them all the time. Conflict creates memorable moments, but it requires players who can maintain the separation of game life and real life.
I think metagaming...
breaks immersion but is ultimately unavoidable because you know things the character doesn't and it's difficult to pretend you don't. I'll let you get away with some, but there's a limit.
My table is not the place for...
- GMs who want to tell me how to run a game; I value feedback, but not instruction. - Players who think "that's what my character would do" is a valid reason to do things that put the entire party in jeopardy. - Drunken debauchery and PVP... unless the game write-up says otherwise.
Beowulf's Preferences
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Game Mechanics