Ryan
he/him
5.0
(8)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Ryan
Hey! My name is Ryan and I've been a Game Master for over 8 years. After years of listening to online games, I took the plunge and began playing in college with a close group of friends. That quickly grew into an obsession that has only strengthened ever since. I started off running Pathfinder 1e with my friends, running several published modules and adventure paths before I took the plunge with my first front-to-back homebrew campaign. Several years later, we transitioned to Pathfinder 2e and moved from pen and paper onto laptops and Foundry VTT. I've now only recently began playing online on SPG, making new friends and inspiring me to run my own games online. I am extremely passionate about my games, whether that is as a GM or a player. I pride myself on being open and supportive with my players, and I am more than happy to help with anything that comes our way.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
7 games hosted
Highly rated for: Knows the Rules, Creativity, Inclusive
Featured Prompts
I got started GMing...
for my friends back in college! My first system was Pathfinder 1e and my first adventure was Crown of the Kobold King. I started off all analogue, with hand-drawn maps and coins for my monsters. The obsession has only evolved and gotten deeper since then.
My favorite system of all Time is
Pathfinder 2nd Edition, though 1st Edition holds a special place in my heart.
When I'm not running games I'm...
I'm a Civil Engineer focused on bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Outside of work, I love cooking, grilling, biking, hiking, listening to music, and going to concerts. I'm also the father to two VERY spoiled orange cats.
How Ryan runs games
As a GM, I like to run games with a healthy mix of high-stakes tactical combat and heavy roleplay. Each half becomes better for having the other, after all! I generally like to follow the Rules as Written, since Pathfinder2e provides a great framework to play with. However, I am no stranger to making adjustments to the rules or reflavoring items to suit a player's vision for their character. I love to be generous with player options--Free Archetype, Ancestry Paragon, Automatic Rune Progression--each allows you to expand on and further fine-tune your character. I am more than willing to sit down with my players and help work through concepts on their backstories or theorycrafting the best character options to take at each level.
Featured Prompts
I prep by
I like to ask my players what they're hoping to do next at the end of each session to guide my prep. If I'm running an AP, I'll balance that with the next events in the adventure. I use OneNote for my session notes, and both Forgotten Adventures' assets and DungeonDraft for my maps.
My favorite trope is...
anything related to Robin Hood--be it greedy nobles or a pack of benevolent bandits.
Rules are...
there to serve as a guide, but not infallible. They keep the game fair and grounded, but can be adapted when they stand in the way of the story and fun.
Ryan's Preferences
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