Derek

So, updating this as its been a dozen or so sessions now? I've been in a couple of games of Suse's so far and am probably going to join a third one soon, so that somewhat speaks for itself. But why? Not every game needs to be a another fighty DnD game, and instead what i get from Suse is a real nice deep narrative that is as far from a railroad as one could hope to get. I genuinely get to feel like a character with agency, which only helps encourage good roleplay and even a bit of collaborative world building too. She even helped me with my character art :)

I've been waiting for years to finally get to play one of the 'Big Two' Call of Cthulhu campaigns and with Jacob i was finally able to undertake The Masks of Nyarlathotep. This is often cited as the very best that CoC has to offer, a heavily detailed and sweeping campaign full of rich narrative where your characters can truly go any which-way, no rails here. The only issue of course is that a game like that needs something better than your average GM to deliver the overall desired experience...and we've ticked that box here for sure. I've reffed games myself for many years and i don't think i'd be up for tackling this one behind the screen, so i can but doff my cap to someone who can do, and do so well.

I play in four online games at the moment, all different refs and all different systems; and this one is my clear favourite. I think for me its becuase of getting the combintation just peftect between the risk and jeopardy inherant to a game worth playing, whilst also making enjoyment and creativity a well rewarded priority. Given that this is all coming from an introductory pre-written adventure (where half the players do'nt know the systems or setting) i think that is pretty impressive. Its been fun, its been tense, its been cool, and its beingg perilous all in good measure. I'm loving it and long may it continue.

We're playing both a system and world that is new to all of the players, but none of that has been any sort of barrier to getting into the feel or rhythm of play thanks to Tom. Genuinely my only 'complain' would be that we're playing fortnightly and i'd happily do this more regular; so much wonderful story to be part of!

Blades in the Dark is not an easy game to ref; not only do your improv skills need to be super on-point for it to function, but those skills are going to get tested over and over. I can honestly say that at no point was Preston stumped or lost for ideas. As a result this system newbie had a grand time and i'd be very surprised if he wasn't reffing me again soon, and i'd heartily recommend you book yourselves in with him too.