Greetings, all! I am a very experienced, laid back player looking to join a free, story-driven D&D 5e game with sessions on Saturday or Sunday in the 10am-6pm CST time range. I can also do the occasional game on weeknights, but not on a regular basis and not Thursday ever, sorry! While I'd prefer a DM who is on the more experienced side and who is easygoing and encourages roleplay, plot, and individual character growth, I don't mind newer GMs as long as they can manage the flow and balance well enough and understand RAW vs. RAI and its implications. I prefer a homebrew setting with lots of depth and purpose, and with opportunities for individual character goals, but one that at least mostly adheres to official sources and rules, if only to avoid confusion (e.g. wait, you mean in your campaign I can't have this feat that I spent the last 4 levels waiting for? My entire character build relies on it!). I just want to avoid drama and just have some fun! To preemptively address some potentially controversial issues, here's some of the make/break or otherwise important points for me personally. By stating these preferences, I'm certainly not condemning anyone who prefers otherwise! That's the beauty of this game; there are so many ways to play it and have fun! I just want to be up front and open about these things so we can determine if we're a good fit for each other. Character death: While threat and challenge is definitely a huge part of the game, I really dislike character death, except in extreme or plot-driven cases. When I make a character, it usually involves a large amount of backstory and character arc to share with the rest of the players as we weave our story together. Dying before telling that story as a player is akin to a DM having a plot and setting all worked out and then having all the players quit. This being said, it is NOT a license to go around mooning the king or kicking sleeping dragons without consequences! Evil characters: While there are some exceptions with certain exceptional players, as a rule, I do not want to play as or with evil characters. I'm looking to play a hero who saves the kingdom from the scourge of Vecna's re-awakening or some similar sort of thing! Sure, the rogue's got a shady past and the Warlock is struggling against the will of the old one they signed a pact with to gain their power, but when true evil surges in the land, they all rise up to oppose it! Because that's what heroes do! PvP: No. The DM makes the challenges for the party to face together as a team. Now, there4 can definitely be some trust issues in RP, but when push comes to shove, I got other characters' backs, and I expect them to have mine. Romance/sex: No. I'm happily married, thanks, but that aside, it tends to not be group conducive. I don't care if other characters have relationships, but if it takes half the game to focus on and RP through, it's not fun for the group as a whole. Oppressive setting: I'm not interested in a Dark Suns type setting where despite your best efforts. you don't make a difference at all. I'm not looking for a game where everything I ever wanted comes to pass with a wave of my hand, but I'd like to at least feel a little heroic and like I made a difference in the world. Dark content: To stick to the PG-13 content rules for posts, I'll just say that it's probably a no for me. I play games like D&D as an escape from the terrible stuff out there. I don't want an explicit reminder. Yes, the heroes are defeating evil, but we don't necessarily need to explore the depths of what that evil exactly entails. DM ruling: DM's word is law. However, I do expect any ruling to be in the name of fun. Still, it's no fun when the game breaks down into a rules discussion. I think any disagreements should be handled outside of game time, so everyone at the table can have some fun during the time you've made for each other. MinMaxing: Umm, I admit that I'm a qualified guilty here, for the most part. I love number crunching and finding synergies; it's a lot of fun for me. However, when it comes to playing characters, I definitely understand how frustrating that can be for the DM and other players. I try to keep it toned down so it's not a big deal. Everyone should have their time to shine, and it can't always be about me, you, or any one player. Again, we're all doing this to have fun! If you ever feel like I'm pushing it too far, please let me know so we can find a compromise! Session Absence: Having consistent game nights can be like herding cats, to be sure. I try to be good about sticking to the games I've committed to, but life happens. I don't mind the mechanics of how it is handled too much, but certainly character death while not present is extra EXTRA poopy. Also, it really stinks to not receive experience and be behind other characters just because you had a life event. While it isn't a dealbreaker either way, I'm hoping that the game I play in either uses milestone levelling or grants experience whether present or not. Campaign Length: I'm mostly looking for something to do while my in-person games are suspended due to social distancing (I'm getting into the high risk category at this point in my life, so I'm being extra cautious. whee.). I don't know how long that will be, of course, but I'm guessing about a year, for me. If things are working out well and I can convince the wife, I may be able to keep going after that, though! Feats: I really like feats, as I think they usually make for a more interesting, complex, and unique character. It's not a dealbreaker, though. Encumberance: No opinion however you want to do it. Normally, it can be a little slow to work out, but roll20 (or some other tools) does make that a LOT easier! Anything else, just ask! As for me, I've been around for a while and seen/played a lot of things. I try to stay young at heart, and outside of D&D and other P&P RPG's, I play computer games (I haven't been much of a console gamer since PS2), watch anime and fantasy/hero/scifi movies. My default humor is innuendo, movie quotes, and pottymouth, but I can certainly tone it down; I probably will at first anyways, because it's usually not the best idea to lead with that stuff. Just let me know what level you're comfortable with, if it ever becomes an issue. As for RPG specific experience, here's a quick list: I started playing D&D 40 years ago, with the basic boxed set. I had a lull after college, but I've been seriously playing again about 7 years ago or so. I'm primarily a player, but I have been (and currently am) a DM. I've used Fantasy Grounds a little, but that group moved to Roll20 about 7 years ago, where I've played 3.5e, 5e, and Star Wars Saga Edition. I was a DM for a LARP D&D Con for a couple of years, and then I ran it as a player, where I got an award for best roleplayer. Game systems I've played: D&D 1e, 2e, 3e, 3.5e, 5e, Pathfinder 1, Starfinder, Star Wars: Saga Edition, Cyberpunk, Shadowrun, Gamma World, Paranoia, Tunnels & Trolls, Arduin, and a few others I'm forgetting now. I have played games where every word out of your mouth is in character as well as just beer 'n pretzels murderhobo hack 'n slash games and had fun with all of them. Let me know the tone that you want, and I'll do my best! I have been a medieval reenactor (SCA) for ~25 years, including chivalric and rapier combat. I have been a (primarily) Shakespearean actor for ~15 years. Don't expect this to help much, though. It's easier to do with a script! I have a folder full of character ideas I still haven't tried out, and even if none of them work for your game, I love working out character concepts!