Kain

he/him

5.0

(7)

Timezone

America/new York

Language

English

Identity

Veteran

Disabled

About Kain

I have been playing RPG's for almost 25 years and I started GM'ing about 20 years ago (which I found I preferred). I entered RPG's through D&D, like many others before me and while I still run Fantasy Medieval like D&D, I spend a lot more time running Sci-Fi and Horror games. Online, I go by Kain. I'm an east coast US citizen, work took me up and down the coast over the years. While gaming has been a consistent part of my life and I have found transitioning some of the gaming groups I was with to online to be a very comfortable process. I've also found the story telling medium to be a great way to share perspectives and ideas in a non threatening, non debate, medium with mature players.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

17 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Rule of Cool

Average response time: 24+ hours

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

I love telling stories to my friends. In high school, GM'ing was a way to explore new kinds of stories, themes, people, and ideas.

My favorite books are

The Dresden Files

The three words my players would use to describe me are...

Playercentic, Cinematic, Adaptable

How Kain runs games

Whatever form conflict and problem solving takes, I try to tailor to the characters themselves. My priority is telling stories with the characters. If the party composition leans more to combat, then violence will be a valid path forward more often for example. Roleplay is the most important aspect to me and I will use Rule 0 to reward good roleplay so long as it isn't unfair to the others at the table. In game systems with high risk of consequence or death, I try to make sure the narrative pay offs are of similar consequence and severity. I enjoy running games from little conflict, mostly roleplay and a handful of dice rolls all the way to very gritty technical tactical combat.

Featured Prompts

My favorite trope is...

Are we the baddies?

My games focus on...

The player characters. Even when using published adventures, I will regularly make changes to reflect characters players bring to the story. The more integrated, the more investment, the more payoff and mutual fun!

Rules are...

Important. Rules keep things consistent and fair for all players. Makes sure things keep working the way they are expected to. But sometimes, a rule 0 can be a great narrative reward, so long as it doesn't compromise the fairness or fun.

Kain's ideal table

Commitment to characters, casual players. I treat the characters and their stories, fortunes, and misfortunes with respect. We all work together at the table. But as players, we can't take things personally. Instead, be supportive of bad fortune, and have a laugh when things just go funnily. Come prepared with a well thought out character and a good fun attitude!

Featured Prompts

I love it when a player

Gets emotionally attached to their characters stories.

I think metagaming...

It's okay for players to conjecture and have player knowledge. Characters acting on knowledge they can't have isn't acceptable at my table.

I think min/maxing...

I don't care if characters are higher on the optimization scale so long as there is narrative justification. Expect the Min part to be targeted though! Characters can't grow unless challenged!