Vivian
she/her
5.0
(5)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Vivian
Hii! I'm Vivian. When I was a kid, I used to draw comics and make up characters, and with my friends, build worlds. Since my youth, I've always been a creative, a storyteller, and a bit of a rat. I suppose that I've been running games for well over a decade, though my first experience with real meaty gameplay was just seven years ago, when I ran my first session of D&D for my online group. I could say it was perfect, but it wasn't. That first campaign lasted two or so years, and while clunky and imperfect, it was mine. It was my first true campaign, and with that group, I continued GMing. I became a terminal forever-DM, and have spent far more than a reasonable amount of time studying, practicing, and honing my craft. My shelf of books is overflowing, my collection of wisdom and practiced techniques an armory unending, and my amount of insane nonsensical homebrew and game design documents unsettling. I'm a storyteller first, an artist second, a writer third, and an enjoyer of Little Caesar's Lunch Special (Half a deep deep dish with a 20 oz soda! for just 8 dollars) fourth, but coming in a few places behind that, I consider myself an adequate, if not exceptional, Gamemaster... I mean, my players say I'm the best GM either, and I won't call them liars to their faces!
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Sets the Mood
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
Featured Prompts
I got started GMing...
As an extension of online roleplay I did in my youth, and the back and forth storytelling games I'd do with my friends. I wanted to try D&D, and decided I'd take up the role of DM... I haven't looked back since.
My favorite books are
The full Discworld series, specifically Reaperman, my favorite novel of all time. I also enjoy the rest of Terry Pratchett's work, and a variety of modern fantasy such as the Orconomics Trilogy and the expanded Riyria Canon. I also enjoy a lot of comic books, superheroes and fantasy and more!
The three words my players would use to describe me are...
After asking them, 'Engaging', 'Experimental', and 'Emotional' seem to be the consensus. Alliteration as always is accidental.
How Vivian runs games
Before you read further, note! My games are TEXT BASED! It's not play by post, rather sessions are scheduled, Forge (FoundryVTT) is used for the bulk of the experience. Long posts are not required nor even expected, as long as you have some amount of typing experience you shouldn't have any trouble enjoying my games. I find myself quite willing to try and extend myself into anything. So rather than picking out things I'm good at, I'll point out what I truly pride myself in! I, first and foremost, put as much effort into presentation as possible! I love sound effects, fancy maps, special modules and customized content. I want to wow my players, to make them gasp in surprise at the unique experience of seeing, hearing, and experiencing my games. Secondly, I love gameplay. I love Roleplay and Exploration and Combat, but no matter what's going on, I love GAMEPLAY! Mechanics! I build monsters to be engaging, to have gimmicks and pull! When you're fighting my baddies, handling my traps, and exploring my dungeons, you won't be dealing with bags of hitpoints and simple paragraphs, but interlaced intrigue of crunch and punch that you'd expect out of some kind of video game!
Featured Prompts
I once ran a session...
Where the party had to pay their taxes. Lining up, taking them individually to speak to the tax gatherer and his guards, answering questions, and then paying. It was one of the highlight sessions of the campaign, and incredibly fun.
I prep by
Large scale preproduction with custom art, foundryvtt mechanical setup, pitch writing and synopsis set up, integration of Player Characters and Presentation Setup... then the 8 Steps of the Lazy Dungeonmaster. The perfect balance of stunning display and flexibility.
My games focus on...
Character interaction and scenario development. I enjoy putting situations forth and seeing how they're dealt with by the players.
Vivian's ideal table
I love players who can really get excited about things, players who will grab the hooks I send out to them and hold on! I also enjoy engaged players who like to chart their own course, consider problems before them, and not try to guess at what I, the humble Gamemaster, WANT them to do. To really enjoy my game, a good bit of technical fidelity is highly preferred. I use a lot of Foundryvtt Modules to improve the experience, and getting to grips with Foundry and its interaction, is a must! Players who love NPCs and interacting with characters will find my table especially pleasing to them, as I attempt to build a cast of bystanders just as fun to engage with as traps, monsters, dungeons, and so forth. Finally, I try to set about an even space at the table for all players, but I do not in any way mind players who prefer to sit back and relax. Anyone from hardcore slayers to calm audience members are welcome to play.
Featured Prompts
If you're into ___, you're going to love my table
Interacting with NPCs and engaging with monster-mechanics
I love it when a player
Asks questions and considers options laid out, and especially options that AREN'T laid out!
My perfect party mix is
A variety of players who enjoy different aspects of the game. Those who like to kill monsters, those who want to engage in a setting, those who want to play out a great epic, and those who want to sit back and experience a fun story.
Vivian's Preferences
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