Bill
he/him
5.0
(3)
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About Bill
Hello! I'm a 32 year old ADHD Dad who loves to play tabletop games! I've been an avid gamer all my life, and my dad got me into dnd when I was very young with 3.5. (I played a Dwarf Monk) When I was about 25 I got the 5e 2014 bundle of books and started to look for people to play with me, however since no one around me could commit to a static play time I went online to Roll20 and started there. Since then I have run about 3 Long custom campaigns, and did published content in between sessions. I've also been involved in a few west march games. As for my experience with other tabletop games, it's been mostly as a player. I've dabbled with Savage Realms, currently play in a Pathfinder game, had a brush with Call of Cthulu, and read about many more. In general my gming style is more relaxed and focused on helping the players accomplish what they aim to achieve, while still using the rules to help structure the story.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Rule of Cool, Inclusive
Featured Prompts
I got started GMing...
While I was working a nightshift stocking job I started listening to Campaign 1 of Critical role, and it reminded me of how much fun I had when I was a kid with my dad and 3.5 dnd. That inspired me to jump on getting the DnD 5e (2014) bundle, and make my first Campaign on Roll20
My favorite books are
I am quite fond of the Dresden Files, and read a ton of Webcomics and Manga. Some stand outs are Stellar Swordsman(Webcomic), Kaiju No. 8 (manga), Love 4 a Walk(webccomic), and The Weekly Roll(webcomic) I also tend to read a lot of random wikipedia's when the ADHD Hyperfocus hits...
When I'm not running games I'm...
Having Family time! Gaming (sometimes with a very 'Helpful' 5yr), mostly on PC. Lastly, I tend to dream up story beats, new monsters, and even character concepts constantly!
How Bill runs games
I am a fairly relaxed GM, I love to work with my players to help them with what they want to do at any certain point. In 5e, when a caster inevitably wants to use a spell a little different from Raw, I like to have them roll a 'Spellcraft' check, where I ask them to roll a check +Prof+Primary casting mod. I also like to let players succeed on trivial matters, such as a rogue with +13 thieve's tools really doesn't need to roll to pick the Peasants door. I firmly believe in having a balanced game, and strive to have roleplay and combat in what I do, and for every dungeon delve I will gladly let the players explore town, talk amongst each other, whatever drives them. I also tend to balance my games around the players, as an ex. if there is no healer I typically use a simple Poultice system I made, same tiers and healing as Healing potions, easy to get, but must take an action and pass a medicine check to use in combat (guaranteed with 5 min time.) My Favorite session I ever ran was actually an experiment with the concept of level 0 characters. Everyone chose their race and background, started with 4hp+con, a reduced stat array (-2 to the array spread), was given a few gold to 'gear' up, and then we went through the day they 'leveled up' into their actual class! It was a simple goblin attack on a small town, but they worked with the villagers, backed up the Lone guard, and earned their first level! (where they added 2 to all their stats and got their classes base hp) & More
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I deal with rules issues by...
Listening, and quick decisions. If I can quickly look up the rule, or ruling, to satisfy the question I will (30seconds). If it's more complex or I need to make a personal ruling I do a at the table snap ruling, then will think/research until nest session and establish the ruling at the top then.
I prep by
I really look at the party and do most of my prep to let the party have moments to shine. A religious mystery for a cleric, a trap filled room for the Rogue, really I take into consideration everyone and make sure no one is left out.
Rules are...
A structure to help us fill out a story together. They help keep things flowing, but can be bent or interpreted as needed. For the most part I let RAW guide me for simplicity, but I have several homebrew and interpretations even within that.
Bill's ideal table
I am a pretty relaxed GM, but I prefer to run good aligned games, or at least if you're evil you *must* cooperate with your party and not sabotage their goals. I also don't run pvp in my games, I encourage my players to hash out things in character, but I don't allow skill checks *versus* players, nor attacks typically. I love a table that can get together, and find creative solutions or a joint cause to experience in their game!
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
Invests in their party, and their environment. My favorite moments as a GM are when I guide the players to expressing themselves to each other, or frantically theorizing about the new NPC or Faction they met, or even just a calm fireside chat at rest time. Tell your story!
I think min/maxing...
Min/Maxing has it's place in DnD! And at my Tables I don't discourage it, as I plan to have a healthy amount of roleplay and tasks that a Paladin/Hexblade Warlock may not be able to handle. It's all about what you want for *your* character.
Bill's Preferences
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