I used to be a professor and researcher, once. But then I took a funding cut to the knee. I'm between mid 30s and mid 40s, have a family (one of which is an avid D&D enjoyer too), and am moving to a new place following my partner's career. I am jovial, creative, and admitting a little shy to start with new groups, but warm up after a session or two. I have 15+ years of experience at the table, both behind the screen and in the seat. I am relocating to the Duncan/Victoria corridor on Vancouver Island in May and am looking for an established group or players who want to build something new.
The Basics of What I'm Looking to Do
System: D&D 5.5e or Pathfinder 2e
Format: Face-to-face strongly preferred
Location: Duncan to Nanaimo to Victoria and surrounding areas (Vancouver Island, BC)
Pacific Availability: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays Role: DM or Player, happy either way.
As a Player
I lean toward support and tank builds, not because I min/max them, but because I enjoy making space for everyone else to have fun. I prefer the role play and character development over combat, so I might prepare a cantrip that has no tactical value simply because it opens a fun roleplay beat. If another player is visibly excited to try something, I step back. I play with the group, not over it. Alignment tends neutral to good and generally on the neutral to lawful side. But some exceptions like that one Kobold who was terrible at Sleight of Hand and couldn't make his custom leather business work in Waterdeep, so took to merchant protection (racketeering as some would call it).
As a DM (my preference)
I invest heavily in the world as world building is my thing. I create distinct NPCs that you might actually want to see again and have meaning. I'll use occasional props and try to generate a living setting that reacts to what the players do. I do not railroad. That's my number one DMing guide - never railroad the players into my story and world. Speaking of story, the story follows the characters, not the other way around. Although I will not pull punches on challenge, I will always give the table fair warning before a decision becomes irreversible. For instance, if you insist on visiting that shady warehouse in the Docks, and I've warned you three or four times not to, well, roll for initiative and let's see what happens! That being said, I never, ever, am out to kill players or TPK you. That's no fun for anyone.
Pertaining to my approach, I blend theater of the mind with tactical grid play for combat or high-stakes moments. So I'll set the scene and ask you to draw it for each other. When it's time to throw hands, out comes a grid sheet so we can make the best of our combat rounds. I pull from history and folklore when building encounters, whether that means adapting a published campaign or writing homebrew that fits your characters specifically. The goal is always to be the narrator for your story, not a competing protagonist.
What I Am Looking For
A friendly, respectful table where everyone gets room to play and have fun. System mastery is not big for me as a player or a DM. I'll work with everyone to create genuine engagement. Looking to get a start at a new table in my new home! Reach out here or send a message if I sounds like I could fit. Happy to hop on WhatsApp or Zoom and introduce myself to your players, or connect us all as your next DM.
Who Am I:
I used to be a professor and researcher, once. But then I took a funding cut to the knee. I'm between mid 30s and mid 40s, have a family (one of which is an avid D&D enjoyer too), and am moving to a new place following my partner's career. I am jovial, creative, and admitting a little shy to start with new groups, but warm up after a session or two. I have 15+ years of experience at the table, both behind the screen and in the seat. I am relocating to the Duncan/Victoria corridor on Vancouver Island in May and am looking for an established group or players who want to build something new.
The Basics of What I'm Looking to Do
As a Player
I lean toward support and tank builds, not because I min/max them, but because I enjoy making space for everyone else to have fun. I prefer the role play and character development over combat, so I might prepare a cantrip that has no tactical value simply because it opens a fun roleplay beat. If another player is visibly excited to try something, I step back. I play with the group, not over it. Alignment tends neutral to good and generally on the neutral to lawful side. But some exceptions like that one Kobold who was terrible at Sleight of Hand and couldn't make his custom leather business work in Waterdeep, so took to merchant protection (racketeering as some would call it).
As a DM (my preference)
I invest heavily in the world as world building is my thing. I create distinct NPCs that you might actually want to see again and have meaning. I'll use occasional props and try to generate a living setting that reacts to what the players do. I do not railroad. That's my number one DMing guide - never railroad the players into my story and world. Speaking of story, the story follows the characters, not the other way around. Although I will not pull punches on challenge, I will always give the table fair warning before a decision becomes irreversible. For instance, if you insist on visiting that shady warehouse in the Docks, and I've warned you three or four times not to, well, roll for initiative and let's see what happens! That being said, I never, ever, am out to kill players or TPK you. That's no fun for anyone.
Pertaining to my approach, I blend theater of the mind with tactical grid play for combat or high-stakes moments. So I'll set the scene and ask you to draw it for each other. When it's time to throw hands, out comes a grid sheet so we can make the best of our combat rounds. I pull from history and folklore when building encounters, whether that means adapting a published campaign or writing homebrew that fits your characters specifically. The goal is always to be the narrator for your story, not a competing protagonist.
What I Am Looking For
A friendly, respectful table where everyone gets room to play and have fun. System mastery is not big for me as a player or a DM. I'll work with everyone to create genuine engagement. Looking to get a start at a new table in my new home! Reach out here or send a message if I sounds like I could fit. Happy to hop on WhatsApp or Zoom and introduce myself to your players, or connect us all as your next DM.