Rav
she/her
5.0
(4)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Rav
I've been playing TTRPGs for over 30 years, starting with D&D and then moving into the World of Darkness, and more games than I can count since then! I began writing for a few projects for White Wolf Publishing in 2003, worked on Changeling 20th for Onyx Path, and then wrote, edited, or developed part of every book published for Chill 3rd edition. I've played a lot of games in those decades, too, both for playtesting and for fun. I've even been a part of two Actual Plays (one as a player, one as a GM). I GM'd occasionally during the ensuing years, mostly an assortment of horror games, then Magpie Games published Masks in 2017 and I fell in love and really ramped up my GMing. I've spent the decade since then running Masks for players as young as 10 and as old as "don't ask a lady her age", including a recently completed game that ran for almost five years, with players who started at age 12 and 13; the game ended because they graduated! The Actual Play I GM'd was also Masks, for Dragon Con Goes Virtual in 2020. Masks, Kids on Bikes, Chill, The Magnus Archives, and the Warriors Adventure Game have become my frequent fliers, though I've run one-shots of other games and enjoy PbtA games in general. I love a spooky or unusual narrative, systems that introduce new players to the joy of TTRPGs, and games that lend themselves to both one-shots and long campaigns. Flexibility is key!
At a glance
1 year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Inclusive
$15 per session
Featured Prompts
My favorite books are
The Time Traveler’s Wife, Tamsyn Muir’s Locked Tomb, Maggie Steifvater’s Raven Cycle, Dungeon Crawler Carl, all of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere, and probably a dozen more “favorites” in the comfort reread rotation
My favorite system of all Time is
Powered by the Apocalypse (though my husband's Cornerstone system is a close second). I enjoy the player-centric, RP-centric nature of PbtA. I like how the playbooks tend to be laid out. I love how flexible it is, and how many different genres it can accommodate.
When I'm not running games I'm...
Teaching equally nerdy classes, running events, and attending conventions! I teach LGBTQ & neurodiverse–friendly classes on popular media and culture, which includes running an age-appropriate club for young furries. I also appear on panels or run youth programming at conventions in Atlanta.
How Rav runs games
Players in my games should expect narrative-drive sessions with a focus on highlighting character choices and roleplay moments. I tell stories that parallel real-world issues, providing a means to take different perspectives and beat the fictional version of the "bad guy" that we can't always defeat IRL. My games have high emotional stakes, but those stakes will often be very personal to the characters. Systems, to me, should be in service to the narrative and player actions.
Featured Prompts
I once ran a session...
where my players made such a huge difference to their city's physical layout while time traveling that the change became a beloved city monument they then all remembered as having always been there.
Rules are...
second to character and player moments, but still important to understand. Rules keep us pointed in the right direction and provide parameters, but a clever or insightful decision, an excellent bit of roleplay, or players willing to take risks are the real heart of a meaningful game.
When it comes to voices
I love doing distinct NPC voices. I think it's helpful to the players to provide auditory differences.
Rav's ideal table
Relaxed and welcoming. I like players to know the rules, but not be nitpicky about them, especially in situations where players have done really meaningful roleplay or when they figure out a loophole I hadn't considered. Respect is paramount; I won't tolerate players treating each other disrespectfully or using slurs or other derogatory language. I like when players really love their characters and get attached to each others' characters as well.
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
makes a point of stepping back to let another player shine. Some players are naturally more extroverted, have a better understanding of the system, or are just playing louder characters. When you stop and spotlight a fellow player and their character, you've made my game!
Rav's Preferences
Systems
Game Mechanics