Harry (he/him)
5.0
(6)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Teacher, World Builder, Knows the Rules
About me
Been playing D&D since 2003 in the 3.5 days. Discovered the OSR (Old School Renaissance) around 2007 and haven't looked back. I GMed for public libraries for about 10 years (both adult and teen programs). It was a fantastic experience introducing new people to the hobby at libraries, and I hope to continue that work online. I usually run games using my own home-brewed game system inspired by OD&D and B/X. (In technical terms, although a little bit more complex and less lethal than a system like B/X, my system sits comfortably in the OSR milieu.) Naturally I don't assume any player knowledge of the rule-set, nor should any be required. I favor a looser rulings over rules approach anyway, and a preoccupation with the rules by the players can often get in the way of effective immersion in the role-playing experience. I can usually have those completely new to role-playing (let alone my idiosyncratic system) generate their characters and be exploring the dungeon less than half-way through the first session. I run my games over discord in voice chat, usually with a shared google doc for character statistics and a streamed document for visuals (often dungeon map, actively revealed as the party explores). I welcome players from marginalized backgrounds and identities, and I will not tolerate harassment or disrespect of any other players or identities. We're here to have fun together in a collaborative immersion in a fictional world. My games are set in a world I've been developing through play for nearly 15 years. I strive to maintain a dynamic campaign setting, where players can leave their mark and influence the world's development through the actions and achievements of their characters. As is typical in old school games, becoming a political mover and shaker in the world is often an end goal of play, where high level fighters can expect to become landed nobles and command armies, and high level mages become famed wizards cloistered in ominous towers between adventures. In addition to my homebrewed OSR game system I also sometimes run a heavily modified version of 5e D&D, modeled on the character options available in B/X classic D&D. This game is set in the same setting as my other games are, with the rules modifications better fitting the low-magic, human-centric character of my world than standard 5e. Players who strongly prefer the core mechanics of 5e (though not the specific character options) can request I use these rules.
GM Style
I see my role as a GM to be foremost a world builder/setting curator and a referee to facilitate players' interfacing with the game world. I strive for impartiality. This means you shouldn't expect me to pull any punches from monsters or NPC or fudge rolls in the players' favor, and in the inverse I won't be stacking the odds against the players or using meta-knowledge to benefit monsters or NPCs. Simulation and verisimilitude are my direct goals when I run a game. This doesn't imply exact and detailed rules (I usually favor abstract and rules-light games), but just that the bias of the rules and my rulings is toward consistency and realism (fantastical elements not withstanding), rather than toward dramatic tension or balanced tactical game-play. I prefer drama and exciting narrative to be authentic byproducts of an immersive, consistent game than the contrivances of illusionism. Players can expect, especially at low levels, for character death to happen. I advise players to not become overly attached to a character during character creation (which should be fairly quick), and don't write backstories. Rather, let a character's personality and backstory emerge as you play them. Survivability greatly increases with experience anyway, so by then time a character has been played enough to justify a strong attachment by their player such a character is much less likely to bite it, and their friends will more likely have the resources to raise them from the dead in such an eventuality. Keeping in mind that any dangers PCs encounters are not expressly tailored to their level, players should usually consider retreat to be an option.
Game platforms used
Game Master Reviews (6)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Teacher
World Builder
Knows the Rules
Kimberly Schebler
Harry has been my DM for over six years. I love playing in his campaigns. Harry is an excellent DM for players of every level. I started out as a total noob in one of Harry's pre-covid library games. As a person picking up D&D in my thirties, I was concerned about not being nerdtastic enough to get into the club and learning all the D&D lore I didn't know, but Harry helped me build a character, explained the rules (every time I asked, without impatience), and made it SO MUCH FUN. I was totally hooked after my first game. He's made some fun NPCs and is excels at creating exciting dungeons. I'm grateful Harry has allowed my completely ridiculous character to survive despite their stupidity and impulsive desire to push buttons and pull levers. Harry is flexible, super smart—he seems to know all the D&D things, is a creative world builder, and provides totally acceptable limitations that hold you to the logic/physics of the world without being a stickler. I highly recommend Harry as your next DM! You'll have the best time ever!
teabot
I have been playing with Harry weekly in a continuous campaign for over 4.5 years. (I can't help but brag about how amazing and consistent this group is!) I like to share the story about how I began playing with him because I think it says a lot about Harry and his approach to player relationships as a GM: As a woman who was still fairly new to the hobby, when Harry initially invited me to join a campaign, I was nervous that I might have signed up to play with a group of intimidating boys-club-type guys that would belittle my lack of experience. When I joined the chat, I was pleasantly surprised and relieved to find that the players (who all knew each other and had played with Harry previously) were mostly women and that they all felt comfortable and welcoming of me as a newcomer to the group. This friendly environment is one that Harry has a strong hand in fostering and which is in turn reflected by his players toward each other. As other reviewers have said, Harry is really fantastic at welcoming new players to the hobby and is good at balancing this with more experienced players as well. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the rules, but is open to being flexible with them (within reason) to allow players to be creative in problem-solving and create memorable moments. He is constantly thinking about how to improve his game system and is open to feedback on the player experience--he's a very approachable and open GM. Harry cares deeply about his games and players, which shows through the efforts that he demonstrates both at the table and behind the scenes.
Namek
A newbie’s perspective: I joined one of Harry’s groups more than three years ago and have been playing ever since. As a near-complete novice to TTRPGs, he has been kind, helpful, and infinitely patient with all of my questions. Gameplay is detailed and inventive, with scenarios ranging from lighthearted to serious, and I truly look forward to it each week. Do not hesitate to choose Harry for your DM!
Morgan Elisabeth Scholastica Richard
Harry is excellent for players like me, who aren't that good with math skills, and has really good world building! I've been playing with him for over 5 years!
Kachojal
Harry puts a tremendous amount of effort into his craft. He frequently demonstrates a depth of knowledge about his world and rules and of tabletop gaming more generally. He is an immersive storyteller that still finds ways to let his players express their creativity. The tone at his table is serious but fun. He's adept at finding ways to challenge his players without making those challenges insurmountable. I couldn't recommend him more for new players as he is one of the most patient, reliable and easygoing DMs you could imagine and always brings positive energy to every experience.
Dominic Gentile
A DM who's crafted his own system and world to his strong points that is versatile enough to allow for pick-up games on index cards with brand new players all the way to multi year campaigns with friends involving conflicts between nations and races. The game is simple but never gets dull with his unique spin on classic systems, and the world is fun to learn about with the different races & gods having creative variety. Harry also has an interest in historical systems such as how armies and hierarchies operate, so if you ask "why" he's almost guaranteed to have an answer. All kinds of players will have a good time with him.
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