Will
they/them
5.0
(6)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Will
Hi, I'm Will 👋 I've been playing tabletop games for 13 years, and have been a GM since the beginning. I started with D&D, but I like to explore new systems, to see the different shapes that tabletop games can take. The games I run are narrative-focused, where the player characters are deeply embedded in the story. Players will interact with fleshed-out, voiced NPCs. They will make important choices, and shape the worlds they are stepping into. Characters will have the chance to develop and define their own story. I first started running games in Uni. For our second-year house, we had a group of disparate people from different friend groups, so I set up a regular D&D game in the preceding months, as a fun way for everyone to get to know each other. It sparked my love of the medium, and it forged lasting friendships. I think there's something deeply interesting about players getting to know each other through playing characters. My tables are LBTQ+ friendly, all are welcome, including new players.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
4 games hosted
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Inclusive
Featured Prompts
My favorite books are
- Our Wives Under the Sea, by Julia Armfield - Children of Time, by Adrian Tchaikovsky - John Dies at the End (the whole series), by Jason Pargin - There is no Antimemetics Division, by qntm - Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishigiru Ask me about any of these! 📖
People are always surprised when I tell them
I sing in an acapella choir. I sing as a bass (the lowest part), though if a solo comes along I can keep up with the altos! We have a few charity gigs throughout the year, and will occasionally compete in amateur competitions - we came third in this year's Manchester Choir of the Year competition 🎵
How Will runs games
When I run games, my driving impulse is for the player characters to have an awesome story. I aim to immerse their character in the plot, and give them all the impactful moments they need to develop a satisfying arc. I lean towards roleplay-heavy experiences. I want the players to feel they can embody their characters and immerse themselves in the world. However, my table is also a safe space for those who prefer to narrate their character's actions. What I care about most is that your character gets to have their story. When combat happens, I want it to be snappy and exciting - I'm not here for hours-long combat slogs. I consider the rules important insofar as they enhance the experience. If the tone of the game is serious, then I ensure the rules are applied consistently, to make the stakes real. If the tone is more light-hearted or silly, then I'll bend some rules in the players' favour. When running Mothership games, I use the official Companion App, otherwise I use Roll20 for images and battle-maps when needed, and I use Discord for voice and video. All you need to bring is a solid internet connection and a decent microphone. If you're comfortable on webcam, it's nice to see each other while we play, but not a requirement. I employ safety tools and expect players to respect them. Especially when I run horror games, these are important for keeping everyone safe and having fun.
Featured Prompts
I deal with rules issues by...
...quickly checking official materials. If it's a more complicated or ambiguous rule, I'll make a judgement and that's what we'll apply from then on. I care more about consistency than adherence to the sourcebook.
Rules are...
...a framework for telling the story. They ensure some consistency, and stakes. But I don't have strong opinions on specific rules. I'm here to tell a cool story together.
When it comes to voices
I feel that voiced NPCs bring a lot of fun to roleplay interactions, so this is always a focus. However, there's no expectation on my players to give their character a particular voice, or even voice them in first person. Narration is totally okay at my table
Will's ideal table
My table is a safe space for all, as long as you respect everyone at the table. We are LGBTQ+ friendly here (I am non-binary myself), extroverts and introverts welcome (I'm a big-time introvert, though I hide it well at the table), and all experience levels will find a place here. Though I often run horror games, my main concern is that everyone feels safe and is having fun. The tone of the game tends to be serious, in that the characters are in dangerous situations, but the players can make jokes and relax. For safety tools, I use Lines and Veils, and the X-Card. I always explain these tools in the first session, no matter your experience level. If you like working together to tell great stories, then you'll be a good fit here. I want to give players unforgettable character moments - the kind of moments that you tell people to get them to try a tabletop game.
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
...used a tool or overcame an obstacle in a way that I never would have thought of. I love to interact with other creative minds, and see how they solve problems.
I think metagaming...
...is a shame. We want our characters to feel real, and we need to immerse ourselves in their world. We can't bring in outside knowledge, because it cheapens the story that we're telling together.
Will's Preferences
Systems
Themes