Ryan (recursive.faults)

he/him

5.0

(6)

Timezone

America/chicago

Language

English

About Ryan (recursive.faults)

Just like with movies and books, there are TTRPGs I'll never forget. How wonderful would it be for more people to have experiences and memories like that? I'm still in love with this hobby even after 20 years. Still reading? Well, here are some other bits about me: 🐝I'm a beekeeper 👶I'm a dad of two kiddos 📈I'm a freelance software consultant 🍗I love cooking 🎓I have training as a facilitator and life coach (I think this helps me as a GM) 📚I've published adventures and RPGs in game jams, and authored a book on tech careers

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Creativity, Knows the Rules, Teacher

Featured Prompts

My favorite system of all Time is

My favorite system is the one I'm currently reading. I love reading new games and thinking through what would make that game great and enjoyable. Having said that, I do tend to favor OSR/NSR style games.

The three words my players would use to describe me are...

I think my players would describe me as fair, fun, and creative. Fair because I always want to hear the player's perspective. Fun because my players have told me as much, and my games are memorable. Creative because I can incorporate what players bring, and add unique twists that stand out.

When I'm not running games I'm...

When I'm not running games, I'm bouncing between being a husband and dad, taking care of my bees, taking care of my business, and clients. Always in the back of my mind, I'm thinking of new adventures and ideas that I can jot down quickly for another day.

How Ryan (recursive.faults) runs games

When I think about what matters to me when I plan and run games, there are a few things that stand out. 1️⃣The story that happens at the table matters more than what I prepared 2️⃣Memorable and fun games happen when players make meaningful choices 3️⃣The world and environment should feel as real as possible 4️⃣The best tragedies aren't good vs evil, they're good vs good or evil vs evil 5️⃣Combat is a choice, and sometimes a lethal one 6️⃣I will almost always accept your version of how things go over my own 7️⃣I'll always try to communicate consequences in advance 8️⃣I love variety in games and sessions 9️⃣I'm fascinated how mundane things sometimes turn into the best adventures 🔟I'll always GM in earnest to make the game enjoyable What players have told me in the past is that the games I run have an atmosphere that feels real, that even dying in my games was fun, and all the choices matter. I look forward to hopefully running a game for you soon!

Featured Prompts

I once ran a session...

I once ran a session about bunnies. Bunnies that can't count above 4, struggle to communicate with other species, and are prey to almost everything. Every choice mattered. 10+ years later, those players still talk about it as one of the best games in their gaming careers.

My games focus on...

My games have changed a lot over the years. Early, they were about big sweeping heroic epics that I felt always fell flat. Today, my games are about situations where interesting characters make interesting choices in a world where they could make a difference while they juggle risks and rewards.

Rules are...

I think rules are really important, but can only do so much. In any given situation, I'll judge it against the rules-as-written, and I'll also be open to other interpretations of the situation that we can decide on as a table. Often, it isn't the rule that is interesting; it's the consequences.

Ryan (recursive.faults)'s ideal table

My ideal welcomes you! A great table is full of people who are ready to have a great time laughing, building together, and making tough choices together. A great table favors kindness and respect over teasing and selfishness. A great table is excited to hear what the other players bring to the game, and add to it themselves.

Featured Prompts

I am for a vibe that's...

Exploring a dark forest where anything can happen, and after the hard, strange journey realizing that the trip home with all their baubles will be just as eventful.

I love it when a player

I love when players add unique details to the story and situation and find creative uses of what seemed useless.

I think metagaming...

I think metagaming is fine because it doesn't exist! If you have a great idea, the only real thing to do is decide how to bring it into the game. Having said that, if I ever run a published adventure please keep your knowledge of it to yourself for the sake of others.