Post by DM Ian on Dec 9, 2016 17:00:31 GMT
Hello, DMB Forums!
Now that school is over for the semester, and things are returning to a sense of normalcy after the craziness that is final projects week, I have the time to actually sit down and introduce myself to all you lovely people.
To that end, I am Dungeon Master Ian (a.k.a. DM Ravenswick, which happens to be the name of both my first character and my Xbox Gamertag, as well as the origin of my family's Scottish geographical surname). I am the newest host on the podcast, and, at least as far as my knowledge goes, the newest global moderator on the forums.
I have been playing RPGs for twenty years-ish (since I was around 10 or so) beginning with my first module of D&D in the mythical 2nd edition of the game. After my first taste of wizardry (yes, I do love me a good wizard), I was hopelessly hooked. But just like with DM Chris, I grew up in a very conservative home, and to say the least, my parents were not thrilled with me playing D&D in the slightest.
Of course, my parents relaxed a bit over the years, and once I reached middle school and continuing through high school, I got back into D&D in the middle of the transition between 3.0e and 3.5e, which up until recently was my favorite edition (yes, I am a 5e convert; and if I can be converted, you can, too!). Upon finding a solid gaming group with several of my best friends, I resurrected as my first character, Ravenswick, in his 3.5 incarnation; this mythical wizard, who through a series of masterful adventures with his party, managed to supplant Boccob as the god of magic in our homebrew world. Good times.
My gaming crew in California also rotated between two DMs. But as happens with all of us from time to time, we get burned out on DMing and at some point long to return to the simplicity that is being a player, at least for a little while (then that longing for control, and the exquisite pain and pleasure that is having a story that needs to be told, takes over). On one such occasion, my friend Preston looked at me and said, "You need to DM". As this suggestion took root, I realized that I did indeed have a story that I wanted to tell, and what one supposed to be a one-shot adventure, turned into a nine month marathon of twists and turns, triumphs and defeats, for both me, as I learned how to be a DM, and for my players who fell prey to the wonders and horrors of my imagination. I made my fair share of mistakes, which I hope to share here and on the pod, as well as to share some of my greatest successes. I ultimately became addicted to sitting behind the DM shield, and life has never been the same.
I hope that over the span of my time here with the DMB, and the rest of the Block Party Podcast Network, which I hope is a long, long time, that we can have fun together, share and support each other in the triumphs and failures that is this lovely, torturous craft of DMing, tell the stories that are burning in our chests to tell, and in the process forge ourselves together into better Dungeon Masters.
As always, may the gaming gods smile down upon you,
DM Ian
Now that school is over for the semester, and things are returning to a sense of normalcy after the craziness that is final projects week, I have the time to actually sit down and introduce myself to all you lovely people.
To that end, I am Dungeon Master Ian (a.k.a. DM Ravenswick, which happens to be the name of both my first character and my Xbox Gamertag, as well as the origin of my family's Scottish geographical surname). I am the newest host on the podcast, and, at least as far as my knowledge goes, the newest global moderator on the forums.
I have been playing RPGs for twenty years-ish (since I was around 10 or so) beginning with my first module of D&D in the mythical 2nd edition of the game. After my first taste of wizardry (yes, I do love me a good wizard), I was hopelessly hooked. But just like with DM Chris, I grew up in a very conservative home, and to say the least, my parents were not thrilled with me playing D&D in the slightest.
Of course, my parents relaxed a bit over the years, and once I reached middle school and continuing through high school, I got back into D&D in the middle of the transition between 3.0e and 3.5e, which up until recently was my favorite edition (yes, I am a 5e convert; and if I can be converted, you can, too!). Upon finding a solid gaming group with several of my best friends, I resurrected as my first character, Ravenswick, in his 3.5 incarnation; this mythical wizard, who through a series of masterful adventures with his party, managed to supplant Boccob as the god of magic in our homebrew world. Good times.
My gaming crew in California also rotated between two DMs. But as happens with all of us from time to time, we get burned out on DMing and at some point long to return to the simplicity that is being a player, at least for a little while (then that longing for control, and the exquisite pain and pleasure that is having a story that needs to be told, takes over). On one such occasion, my friend Preston looked at me and said, "You need to DM". As this suggestion took root, I realized that I did indeed have a story that I wanted to tell, and what one supposed to be a one-shot adventure, turned into a nine month marathon of twists and turns, triumphs and defeats, for both me, as I learned how to be a DM, and for my players who fell prey to the wonders and horrors of my imagination. I made my fair share of mistakes, which I hope to share here and on the pod, as well as to share some of my greatest successes. I ultimately became addicted to sitting behind the DM shield, and life has never been the same.
I hope that over the span of my time here with the DMB, and the rest of the Block Party Podcast Network, which I hope is a long, long time, that we can have fun together, share and support each other in the triumphs and failures that is this lovely, torturous craft of DMing, tell the stories that are burning in our chests to tell, and in the process forge ourselves together into better Dungeon Masters.
As always, may the gaming gods smile down upon you,
DM Ian
