James Harris (Lost Fables)

he/they

5.0

(6)

Timezone

America/denver

Language

English

Identity

DMs Guild Writer

Queer

Artist

Voice Actor

Game Designer

About James Harris (Lost Fables)

Hey, y'all, I'm James -- ArkhamHermit on most platforms. Born in chilly Alaska and living in the Utah red rocks, I played my first catastrophic game of D&D(3.5e) in my junior year of high school and was instantly hooked. With over ten years as a GM and with decades of experience in theatre and improv, my goal is to create immersive tales with your characters at the center. I put a heavy focus on creating a colorful, living world to serve as backdrop to your decisions and interactions. But don't get too comfy! Though I'm an RP aficionado, I also love putting interesting obstacles in the party's way, often leading to explosive combat (mapped and unmapped) where your powers of strategy will be challenged and I'll make sure every strike gets the dynamic and hard-hitting description it deserves. I have a penchant for punchy KOs. Most important to me is that my players get to enjoy their characters to the fullest. Even in a quick one-shot, I will do my best to take each character's backstory, motivations, and unique quirks into account whenever possible. This story belongs to you. And as an avid and meticulous homebrewer, I'm happy to make almost any player content possible in our game. I have the mechanical know-how to back it all up, and I'm more than happy to take the time necessary to help players understand every aspect of the rules as well! We're all in this together. If deep stories loaded with personality, rule of cool, rewarding action, rich aesthetic, and a personal touch are what you seek, then my table is for you. **My work has never and will never incorporate any AI-generated content.**

At a glance

5 years on StartPlaying

3 games hosted

Highly rated for: Inclusive, Creativity, World Builder

Average response time: Under 1 hour

Response rate: 50%

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

With Mutants & Masterminds 3E in 2015. I felt I should try something more off-the-beaten-path before D&D, and so I tried my hand at my first game. The year-long campaign, full of plagiarism and wild homebrew, was messy but joyful, and in it I discovered my love of telling stories through die rolls.

My favorite shows/movies are

Films: Jurassic Park, Howl's Moving Castle, The Thing, Mad Max: Fury Road, Annihilation, Knives Out, The Birdcage, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Snapcube's Shadow the Hedgehog Fandub (seriously) Shows: Gravity Falls, Archer, Castlevania, Midnight Mass, Stranger Things, Over the Garden Wall

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

Hanging out with my wife, playing with my parrotlet, reading, enjoying retro games on the tube, watching Smosh/Dropout, and thinking about Shadow the Hedgehog (listen, I just think he's neat, okay?).

How James Harris (Lost Fables) runs games

🎲I like a balanced game: Roleplay, Exploration, and Combat. I lean a bit more heavily on character work and roleplay! ⚔️I am never against my players; I'm just at a different side of the table. My objective is that we all have fun! 📜I like to create a rich world with interesting histories and environments 💡I follow the principle of "yes, and/no, but;" all choices can take us somewhere interesting, and anything you attempt can progress the story. So be creative and take risks! 📒I love helping new players learn the game and experience what a positive table feels like! Put simply, I like exciting descriptions, interesting NPCs, and giving entertaining answers to player questions.

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I deal with rules issues by...

Quickly referencing the rule. If this is not possible or timely, I'll use my best judgment to make a quick ruling in the moment that will fall within balance but also hopefully satisfy the group. I will then make a note and double check the rule later.

Rules are...

A solid framework for our game to operate on, to be changed where necessary or more fun. Assume we will follow RAW unless you hear me specify otherwise, but never be afraid to check if you can do something that bends those laws.

When it comes to voices

I have pretty pliable pipes, and so enjoy giving distinct voices and accents to my NPCs (and monsters?) where they feel appropriate.

James Harris (Lost Fables)'s ideal table

The players that fit most comfortable at my table are creative, character-focused, and down for a laugh. I also love to throw a bone to my number-crunchers and combat fiends with exciting combat encounters and unique enemies. The table is a social contract: We are here to create fun for everyone. If anyone (me included) decides their own preferences are more important than this contract, the game can become frustrating or even stressful! So it is very important to me that players approach my table with empathy and a team mentality. As they say in improv circles, "leave your ego at the door." I like to keep the vibe friendly and fun, with everyone knowing they are in a safe environment.

Featured Prompts

I think min/maxing...

is a valid way to play, so long as it doesn't become a distraction from the game itself, or a power struggle. Big numbers are a lot of fun, but we're here to create a story together. Don't presume that building the crunchiest nova paladin will allow you to just steamroll the game.

My table is not the place for...

Hate. I do not tolerate intolerance: sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, or any other forms of hate, harassment, or degradation -- or the downplaying of these issues on a systemic/global level. The only place I want a fascist at my table is at the epicenter of a 5th-level Fireball spell.