Hello,

I'm an experienced player, having played both Pathfinder and 5e (honestly, more often than not as a DM).  I'm looking for a group to join that plays 5e on weekends (any time from 10am - midnight CDT is fine), preferably weekly (though I can do every other week, I'd rather not have sessions spaced out further than that).  I am *not* looking for a paid game (I'm not willing to pay $x per session when I don't even know if I'm going to like the DM/group); however if, after a few sessions, I find that the group is good and I'm enjoying the game, I'd be willing to contribute to the DM (such as paying for premium subscription, purchasing resources from the marketplace, etc).  No promises on that, but I'd certainly consider it for the right group/DM.

I prefer games that use voice, whether through Discord, Roll20, or another program.  I'd rather not do a text-only game.  I can do video if required, but I would prefer not to.

I know that often there are a list of things expected of players that are looking for a group, so see below for some of that information.

Name: Ben

Age: 30

Experience with the game:  I'm an experienced player, having both played and DMed in Pathfinder and 5e.  I'd consider myself fairly creative, able to come up with defined character concepts, builds, personality, etc without need for assistance.

What's my favorite part of D&D:  I enjoy the social aspect of it.  I'd like to find a group who I can get along with and have fun with.  From the game itself, I enjoy a good mix of Roleplay and Combat (maybe around the 50-50 mark, give or take 10).  In my opinion, what's the point of playing a game like DnD if you aren't going to Roleplay (at that point, I may as well just play an MMO or something), and what's the point of creating an awesome character with cool abilities if I never get the chance to use them.  I do tend to really try to get into the head of my character, and play them true to their character, but also try to avoid the whole "my guy" syndrome that can ruin a game for everyone else.

A little about my playstyle:  As I said above, I enjoy the roleplay aspect of DnD, and like to really act out my character.  I also am happy to flex and meet the needs of the party; I've got a lot of character ideas for almost every general "type" of character (defender, melee and ranged striker, controller, support/buffer, leader), and would happily play any of them to fit the group.

Character ideas (not backstory):

  1. A suave Swashbuckler Rogue (perhaps with a dip in Battle Master Fighter for the maneuvers) - likely a half-elf or Variant Human.  Character would be played like a member of the three musketeers.  Witty insults to my enemies mid-combat, diving in and out with my rapier.  Can also act as the face for the party.
  2. A Lore Bard, focusing on battlefield control and/or party support.  I'd be shouting "your momma" jokes at the enemies for Cutting Words and Vicious Mockery.
  3. A Revised Ranger of the Beast Conclave.  Wading into melee combat side by side with my animal companion.  Depending on how this character plays, I might dip into Barbarian for rage or Druid for shapeshift, but most likely wouldn't bother.
  4. A Warlock, specced out to be a Blaster.  Theme the Eldritch Blast to be my character firing "magical arrows" from a spectral bow.  This character could also act as a party face due to the high charisma.
  5. A Moon Druid.  Haven't fleshed this idea out super much, but I like the idea of transforming into a leopard, bear, etc and tearing enemies apart.
  6. A Fighter (either Battle Master or Cavalier) focused on defending his group.  Use maneuvers to lock down opponents, or cavaliers abilities to more directly force enemies to pay attention to me.  Probably grab Sentinel feat if feats are allowed.

Backstory:  So, I'm not going to bother writing out the backstory for all of those character ideas above, but I'll give a simple backstory for my Swashbuckler Rogue as an example:

Born to a lesser noble house, Aiden spent his first five years living in the lap of luxury.  That ended in his fifth year.  There was an orc attack on the village that Aiden's family ruled over.  That day, his grandfather raided the village's coffers, took everything he could and ran (never to be seen or heard from again); abandoning his people and his family to their fates.  The village were able to fight off the Orcs with heavy losses, but Aiden's family was cast down, disgraced, their family divested of their noble title, and their property seized by the crown.

From that day forward, Aiden and his family were treated with contempt, considered traitors for the actions of his grandfather.  Aiden, in order to prove himself and his honor, set his life goal:  To join the revered King's Guard, a group of the best soldiers in the nation.  While he hasn't yet obtained his goal, he still strives to prove himself, and will do anything to do so.



If anyone has other questions they'd like to ask, please feel free.  I can be available to play as early as this weekend (though I do have plans for Sunday during the day, so if that day it'd have to be the evening).