Well, I guess introductions are in order
Jul 11, 2015 5:51:05 GMT
joatmoniac, Samuel Wise, and 1 more like this
Post by dmjack on Jul 11, 2015 5:51:05 GMT
Hi I'm Jack, and I'm a Dungeon Master.
First, some general information. I am a physics major, looking to hopefully become a lecturer or maybe a professor one day. I am currently a driver for a sheet metal company, which has left me plenty of time to listen to podcasts (Dungeon Master's Block being one of my priority podcasts, next to Freakonomics and the Skeptics Guide to the Universe). In addition to being a science nerd and math geek, I am also a stage actor as well as a studier of stories and narrative. (In truth I have many interests, I'm a Jack of all Trades, if you will). Striking a balance between a personal discipline of rigor, and a creative nature, I typically offer my unique perspectives to anyone willing to listen.
How long I have been meeting strangers in bars.
I have been playing role playing games upwards of 17 years, and have been a GM for 15 of those years. In truth, I have played relatively little actual D&D, and have played self created home-brew systems for the majority of my years playing. What I have played of D&D has been the 3.0 to 3.5 era, not really venturing past that because of the group that I am currently with. I have also played or ran: World of Darkness, Shadowrun, Amber, Fallout, Several Superhero games, and more home-brew systems than I can count. I have been a consistent GM for most of my time, more or less constantly running a game for my full 15 year run. My focus on style has been heavily narrative based, using my years of studying story as the backbone for creating powerful narrative in games. I am one of the few GMs I have met that employ narrative and ludonarrative techniques to drive home powerful points, though I am sure I am not alone in that. My strengths include narrative study, world building, character building, heat vision, super strength, and flight. My weaknesses are relatively little time spent in traditional systems, a brash nature, sometimes being a little too kind to players, dependence of solar energy, and kryptonite.
I came to the Dungeon Master's Block forum to see if I can help new and old GMs alike whenever I can, and hopefully be helped when I need so in the process. Look forward to meeting all of you.
EDIT: It has come to my attention that it is traditional around these parts for several top lists. Now, I don't believe in favorites, so I will be doing a list of five, in no particular order.
Five Awesome Movies in no particular order.
5) Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Kahn. - Yes I'm a Trekkie, but even if you aren't, this is a very well put-together movie, in which balances the themes of egos clashing, revenge, and sacrifice to a very powerful experience.
4) Flash Gordon - This movie is cheesy. Gloriously, Wonderfully, Absolutely Cheesy. Cheese is it's own artform, and with this conceit, if Flash Gordon is not the Mona Lisa, it certainly is a Starry Night. This movie contains: A bald Evil (with a capital E) villain, a kickin' soundtrack from Queen, and Brian Blessed dressed up as a hawk. No movie with all of these elements can be called bad. It's against the law.
3) Spirited Away - A Miyazaki classic, deserving all of it's renown. This movie, which is steeped in Japanese culture head to feat is a beautiful story about loss of innocence, and too quick loss of childhood.
2) The Man Who Came From Earth - An indie movie to not lose my cred as a cool kid, The Man Who Came From Earth is about a conversation on if a caveman lived to the modern age. Literally, it is a conversation, and it is amazing. Tackling thoughtful subjects such as science, religion, history, and mental illness, all in this little conversation. It's great.
1) Young Frankenstein - My favorite Mel Brooks movie of all time. If you have not watched it, drop what you're doing and watch it. (The kids can watch themselves).
Five Awesome Comic Books in no particular order.
5) 52 - The original 52. A followup on Identity Crisis, this circles around Ralph Dibny trying to save his wife, Dante's Inferno Style. This book also has Lobo becoming space pope.
4) The Sandman - An amazing series surrounding the God of Dreams, written by Neil Gaiman. This series has such great lines as: "You get what everyone gets: a lifetime, no more, no less." and "Ask yourselves, all of you, what power would Hell have if those here imprisoned were not able to dream of Heaven?"
3) Fables- Have you played the Wolf Amung Us? Read Fables. This is the story the Wolf Amung Us is based on, it it is still amazing.
2) The Killing Joke - Possibly the most famous Batman story, and for good reason. This thoughtful peace about Batman contemplating whether he would have to break his one oath to finally stop the joker gives great life to these iconic characters.
1) Superman: Crisis at Hand - Superman finally faces the greatest threat. An abusive husband. In all seriousness, this is the book that I think highlights why I think that the people who dismiss Superman as being too overpowered fail to even try to understand this character. In this book Superman is faced with a common threat, that his intervention can make worse. This moral struggle of whether or not to intervene highlights the great strength of a character that is always at odds with the magnitude of his own power.
Five Awesome normal wordy books in no particular order.
5) Dune - Read Dune. If you like Star Wars, or Sci Fi, Read Dune. This grand daddy to the space opera is an amazing piece about the responsibility of power, and the gap made by class. Plus, Sandworms are awesome.
4) The Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett - Really, all of the Discworld is a must read for fantasy fans, comedy fans, or Hitchhiker's Guide fans. It is an amazing and funny series. And technically you should probably read Witches Abroad before this one. But this is an amazing book about the glamour and terror of Elves, and how things are never quite what they seem.
3) Neuromancer by William Gibson - From the first words: "The Sky was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel." Through to the end, this book is a introductory course to cyberpunk, and is a great inspiration to using colorful language to add detail.
2) God's Debris by Scott Adams - From the creator of Dilbert we have... a thoughtful philosophy book? Being about a man meeting the world's smartest man, this book is fun and interesting for a thought exercise.
1) The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas - This monster of a book is ripe with inspiration for realistic villains, and stories of vengeance. It's a long read, but a satisfying one.
Five Awesome Shows and Anime in no particular order.
5) Welcome to the NHK - Very few shows have changed my outlook on life. But this slice of life anime about a pathetic shut in, who struck a little too close to home, allowed me to think about myself and change the course of my life.
4) Avatar: The Last Airbender- Watch Avatar. No, Seriously, Watch Avatar.
3) Star Trek: The Next Generation - As mentioned, I'm a Trekkie. And of the Treks, at least in shows, The Next Generation is my favorite.
2) Puella Magi Madoka Magicka - This is a series that I liked more than I thought I would. But this has the absolute most plotted storyline I've ever seen.
1) Steins;gate - A time travelling mad scientist tries to stop CERN from taking over the world. Go and watch it.
Five Nerdy Activities other than D&D in no particular order.
5) Anime - In case you hadn't noticed, I watch more Anime than western TV. I like that much of it are contained stories (between 13-26 episodes), and I love the artstyle, and the elements of Japanese Culture.
4) Stage - I'm an actor, and I love the stage. There is nothing like standing in front of the crowd, and fooling them into believing that yes that was your real line.
3) Physics and Math - There is no underestimating my deep seeded love of science. It effects my life, and the course I wish to take with it. Of all the activities, this is the one I take the most seriously.
2) Analyzing Stories and Songs - I'm the kind of guy who wonders: what make stories work? Why did I like that character. I have been a critically, formally and informally for years. So I love dissecting stories and making sense of them. I love characters, themes, archs, tone, and mood.
1) Video Games - Like, a lot of indie and important video games. Video Games of all kinds. From 2D platformers, to Shock-Style FPS. Indie Bureaucracy Games, to alien Strategy Games. Shadows of Mordor to Sam and Max. I'm a PC gamer, but I've owned most of the console throughout my gaming career, so I like to think I have a balanced view on games.
So with that done, I guess I'll open up to AMA.
First, some general information. I am a physics major, looking to hopefully become a lecturer or maybe a professor one day. I am currently a driver for a sheet metal company, which has left me plenty of time to listen to podcasts (Dungeon Master's Block being one of my priority podcasts, next to Freakonomics and the Skeptics Guide to the Universe). In addition to being a science nerd and math geek, I am also a stage actor as well as a studier of stories and narrative. (In truth I have many interests, I'm a Jack of all Trades, if you will). Striking a balance between a personal discipline of rigor, and a creative nature, I typically offer my unique perspectives to anyone willing to listen.
How long I have been meeting strangers in bars.
I have been playing role playing games upwards of 17 years, and have been a GM for 15 of those years. In truth, I have played relatively little actual D&D, and have played self created home-brew systems for the majority of my years playing. What I have played of D&D has been the 3.0 to 3.5 era, not really venturing past that because of the group that I am currently with. I have also played or ran: World of Darkness, Shadowrun, Amber, Fallout, Several Superhero games, and more home-brew systems than I can count. I have been a consistent GM for most of my time, more or less constantly running a game for my full 15 year run. My focus on style has been heavily narrative based, using my years of studying story as the backbone for creating powerful narrative in games. I am one of the few GMs I have met that employ narrative and ludonarrative techniques to drive home powerful points, though I am sure I am not alone in that. My strengths include narrative study, world building, character building, heat vision, super strength, and flight. My weaknesses are relatively little time spent in traditional systems, a brash nature, sometimes being a little too kind to players, dependence of solar energy, and kryptonite.
I came to the Dungeon Master's Block forum to see if I can help new and old GMs alike whenever I can, and hopefully be helped when I need so in the process. Look forward to meeting all of you.
EDIT: It has come to my attention that it is traditional around these parts for several top lists. Now, I don't believe in favorites, so I will be doing a list of five, in no particular order.
Five Awesome Movies in no particular order.
5) Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Kahn. - Yes I'm a Trekkie, but even if you aren't, this is a very well put-together movie, in which balances the themes of egos clashing, revenge, and sacrifice to a very powerful experience.
4) Flash Gordon - This movie is cheesy. Gloriously, Wonderfully, Absolutely Cheesy. Cheese is it's own artform, and with this conceit, if Flash Gordon is not the Mona Lisa, it certainly is a Starry Night. This movie contains: A bald Evil (with a capital E) villain, a kickin' soundtrack from Queen, and Brian Blessed dressed up as a hawk. No movie with all of these elements can be called bad. It's against the law.
3) Spirited Away - A Miyazaki classic, deserving all of it's renown. This movie, which is steeped in Japanese culture head to feat is a beautiful story about loss of innocence, and too quick loss of childhood.
2) The Man Who Came From Earth - An indie movie to not lose my cred as a cool kid, The Man Who Came From Earth is about a conversation on if a caveman lived to the modern age. Literally, it is a conversation, and it is amazing. Tackling thoughtful subjects such as science, religion, history, and mental illness, all in this little conversation. It's great.
1) Young Frankenstein - My favorite Mel Brooks movie of all time. If you have not watched it, drop what you're doing and watch it. (The kids can watch themselves).
Five Awesome Comic Books in no particular order.
5) 52 - The original 52. A followup on Identity Crisis, this circles around Ralph Dibny trying to save his wife, Dante's Inferno Style. This book also has Lobo becoming space pope.
4) The Sandman - An amazing series surrounding the God of Dreams, written by Neil Gaiman. This series has such great lines as: "You get what everyone gets: a lifetime, no more, no less." and "Ask yourselves, all of you, what power would Hell have if those here imprisoned were not able to dream of Heaven?"
3) Fables- Have you played the Wolf Amung Us? Read Fables. This is the story the Wolf Amung Us is based on, it it is still amazing.
2) The Killing Joke - Possibly the most famous Batman story, and for good reason. This thoughtful peace about Batman contemplating whether he would have to break his one oath to finally stop the joker gives great life to these iconic characters.
1) Superman: Crisis at Hand - Superman finally faces the greatest threat. An abusive husband. In all seriousness, this is the book that I think highlights why I think that the people who dismiss Superman as being too overpowered fail to even try to understand this character. In this book Superman is faced with a common threat, that his intervention can make worse. This moral struggle of whether or not to intervene highlights the great strength of a character that is always at odds with the magnitude of his own power.
Five Awesome normal wordy books in no particular order.
5) Dune - Read Dune. If you like Star Wars, or Sci Fi, Read Dune. This grand daddy to the space opera is an amazing piece about the responsibility of power, and the gap made by class. Plus, Sandworms are awesome.
4) The Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett - Really, all of the Discworld is a must read for fantasy fans, comedy fans, or Hitchhiker's Guide fans. It is an amazing and funny series. And technically you should probably read Witches Abroad before this one. But this is an amazing book about the glamour and terror of Elves, and how things are never quite what they seem.
3) Neuromancer by William Gibson - From the first words: "The Sky was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel." Through to the end, this book is a introductory course to cyberpunk, and is a great inspiration to using colorful language to add detail.
2) God's Debris by Scott Adams - From the creator of Dilbert we have... a thoughtful philosophy book? Being about a man meeting the world's smartest man, this book is fun and interesting for a thought exercise.
1) The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas - This monster of a book is ripe with inspiration for realistic villains, and stories of vengeance. It's a long read, but a satisfying one.
Five Awesome Shows and Anime in no particular order.
5) Welcome to the NHK - Very few shows have changed my outlook on life. But this slice of life anime about a pathetic shut in, who struck a little too close to home, allowed me to think about myself and change the course of my life.
4) Avatar: The Last Airbender- Watch Avatar. No, Seriously, Watch Avatar.
3) Star Trek: The Next Generation - As mentioned, I'm a Trekkie. And of the Treks, at least in shows, The Next Generation is my favorite.
2) Puella Magi Madoka Magicka - This is a series that I liked more than I thought I would. But this has the absolute most plotted storyline I've ever seen.
1) Steins;gate - A time travelling mad scientist tries to stop CERN from taking over the world. Go and watch it.
Five Nerdy Activities other than D&D in no particular order.
5) Anime - In case you hadn't noticed, I watch more Anime than western TV. I like that much of it are contained stories (between 13-26 episodes), and I love the artstyle, and the elements of Japanese Culture.
4) Stage - I'm an actor, and I love the stage. There is nothing like standing in front of the crowd, and fooling them into believing that yes that was your real line.
3) Physics and Math - There is no underestimating my deep seeded love of science. It effects my life, and the course I wish to take with it. Of all the activities, this is the one I take the most seriously.
2) Analyzing Stories and Songs - I'm the kind of guy who wonders: what make stories work? Why did I like that character. I have been a critically, formally and informally for years. So I love dissecting stories and making sense of them. I love characters, themes, archs, tone, and mood.
1) Video Games - Like, a lot of indie and important video games. Video Games of all kinds. From 2D platformers, to Shock-Style FPS. Indie Bureaucracy Games, to alien Strategy Games. Shadows of Mordor to Sam and Max. I'm a PC gamer, but I've owned most of the console throughout my gaming career, so I like to think I have a balanced view on games.
So with that done, I guess I'll open up to AMA.
