Alistair
he/him
5.0
(6)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Alistair
I've played TTRPGs since Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1e, with experience playing and GMing D&D5e, WFRP4e and Shadowdark RPG. I currently run games online and in-person for local charities and at my FLGS. I'm a business change programme manager, postgraduate teacher and professional coach with a particular interest in neurodivergence, disabilities and LGBTQ+ communities. There's a huge crossover there, with worldbuilding and shared storytelling playing a part in developing people, as well as coaching and teaching techniques playing a part in running TTRPGs. I enjoy the shared experience at the table, everyone playing a part in building the story, and supporting one another in developing their characters. I also really enjoy introducing people to TTRPGs, D&D in particular. Seeing someone over the course of a session relax, engage with their character and the world we build is an absolute joy. I use WorldAnvil to support my GMing, as a tool to share the journey, and respond to events in each session, giving me hooks to use later in a campaign.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Knows the Rules, Creativity
Featured Prompts
My favorite books are
The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett The Culture series by Iain M Banks Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkein (naturally)
My favorite shows/movies are
I watched Bladerunner as a teenager and it's stuck with me ever since. He is a replicant. TV shows over time I've enjoyed; Firefly, Babylon 5, The Handmaid's Tale, Vikings. For non-fiction; The Traitors.
When I'm not running games I'm...
a professional coach, programme management consultant and educator I enjoy hillwalking and cycling
How Alistair runs games
We play TTRPGs to have fun, spend time with others in a companionable environment and to build a story together. My style tries to balance the three aspects of TTRPGs; social interaction, combat and exploration. I started playing and GMing with Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st Edition, broadening to DnD5e, WFRP4e and more recently Shadowdark RPG I try to maintain a table where we laugh and enjoy ourselves, whilst leading our characters through their adventurers journey. I approach the rules as a framework that keeps us honest and consistent, and I'm open to an explanation of why you might be able to do something, subject to the roll of the dice. What you can expect from me is tricky dungeons, tough combat, laughter, puzzles and conundrums. For safety tools I use a Safety & Consent questionnaire, Lines and Veils and the X-Card. I also have an open door for any of my players to approach me out of game if things change or on reflection there is something that concerns them.
Featured Prompts
I once ran a session...
based on a player asking me the names of the Oxen pulling the cart. We played for three hours and never arrived at the scene I'd prepared for. The off the cuff encounter has spawned a canon feature in the world.
Rules are...
a framework that allow us to build a story together. They make sure we stay consistent and fair. They're not perfect, so they need to be interpreted, and if you come up with an interesting or entertaining way to do something I'm open to devising a way to test that, then the dice decide.
Alistair's ideal table
I like a party that's keen to work together, rather than a collection of individuals. Your character needs to have a reason to be with the party, and to follow the breadcrumb trail that's cast out in front of them. People who enjoy their time together, laugh and have fun. I have no tolerance for bigotry or discrimination and demonstrations of sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism or other forms of such will result in removal from the table.
Featured Prompts
I am for a vibe that's...
Collaborative companionship, laughter and challenge.
I love it when a player
a new player realises what they can do in a TTRPG, seeing that lightbulb moment and the engagement with the game change is an absolute joy.
I think min/maxing...
can be a bit boring in a campaign. Fine for a short heist or a one shot, but the party work together. A party works better when greater than the sum of its parts.
Alistair's Preferences
Systems
Game Mechanics