Professional Game Master

Morningbirdshe/her

About me

Hi folks! I'm a geeky gamer mom who loves a good story. I run wholesome, accessible, PG-13 games from a variety of systems. I prefer fantasy and horror settings and love to run a good mystery or heist. Folks under 18 are permitted at my tables if an adult family member is also playing and the rest of the table agrees. I am committed to making my games accessible! Please let me know what your needs are and I will do my very best to accommodate them. What I provide for my players: * Interesting stories, challenging puzzles, and complex NPCs. Every encounter has multiple possible outcomes and every choice affects the world. * A PG-13, Safe for Work experience that embraces diversity. * Gaming customized to your needs and communication requirements. * Smaller groups: I limit my table size to a maximum of 5 for public games. * Personal help learning the rules and mechanics as well as with character and backstory creation as needed. * A customized gameplay experience that integrates your character into long-term storylines- Even when the game is based on published materials * A consistent schedule. * Interesting one-shots and side quests for remaining players when some of our players can't make it. * Optional homebrew expansion related to downtime, foraging, crafting, tool kits, and gaming sets. Additional items include plants, books, and magical items, New animals for your wild shape and companions, and animal training. * Google docs setting guides and campaign notes for reference during and between sessions. * Special events like holidays, fairs, circuses, rodeos, and carnivals for downtime. * You can contact me via Discord or Startplaying.games anytime and I will respond within a day. (Except perhaps Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday.) * The whole group can roleplay, chat and share information between games via our private Discord channel on my Discord server. What I expect from my players: * Create a character that will be fun for other players to play with and who fits into the story and the setting. * Cooperate with your fellow players. * Show up on time, ready to play, or notify me well in advance. * If you disagree with a ruling, do so politely and calmly, and then let it go. I will look into it later and if I agree with you, the rule may change going forward. If I don't agree with you, holding up the game by arguing isn't going to change my mind. * Be polite, compassionate, and kind to your fellow players. Allow others to finish speaking before interrupting and allow others to answer questions directed to them, rather than answering for them. Mute your mic when someone else is speaking. * If someone asks you to stop doing the thing; Stop. Do not argue or try to convince them they are wrong. * Sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, ableism, and racism are not okay. They may occur in the world of the game, but they will be viewed in a negative light by civilized people- A problem to be fought. * Do not talk about real-life politics or religion at my table. * Please tell me if you have any issues, in character or out of character, that are interfering with your enjoyment of the game or your ability to attend. I might be able to help. * Stay in character during game time. You do not have to roleplay in the first person. You do not have to voice act. You should, however, try to be inside your character's head, not your own. Please let me know if you have trouble with this. I can help.

GM style

* I like to play by the rules as written, but I do add to them sometimes (I have Docs!) * I expect the characters in my games to fit the setting because I am always thinking of ways to work them into the setting and the story. * I am all about collaborative storytelling. I do not care about how well your character does in combat as much as what your character is bringing to the story. If all you care about is combat, I am probably not the GM for you. * I love puzzles and mysteries and red herrings and plot twists. * My NPCs are complicated and they all have a price- Even if they don't have names. * My D&D5e games are exclusively in the Forgotten Realms. With a little bit of Feywild, Shadowfell, and other overlapping planes. * I do not tolerate bullying, real-life politics or religion, excessive swearing, or derogatory language at my table. * I love to use sound effects and music. I make my husband create custom music for me sometimes. * I don't use a lot of automation because I feel like it ruins the classic tabletop gaming feel and many of them require you to constantly check they're working right anyway. My GM Influences * I have a degree in Cultural Anthropology. This affects the way I approach the characters, stories, and locations in my games. * I am a farmer/homesteader. * I was an animal trainer for many years. * I am a mom and have been for over 30 years. I started running games for my kids 20 years ago. I continue to run games for friends and family. I welcome kids to my table as long a parent comes too. * I am a big fan of darkly funny youth and adult fantasy; Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, L.G. Estrella, David Slayton, Diana Wynne Jones, and Angie Sage. I allow the following books in my D&D 5e games. I am old-fashioned. The Player's Handbook The Dungeon Master's Guide The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide Xanathar's Guide to Everything Volo's Guide to Monsters Mordekainen's Tome of Foes The Tortle Package

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