My Roll20 Profile
My name is Rob, and I live in New Jersey, USA. I’m a forever GM, and I’ve been playing ttrpgs for over 45 years. My preferred genres are horror, sci-fi, and cyberpunk, and my go-to game is Call of Cthulhu. My favorite part of ttrpgs is creating memorable moments with the other players. Below is a list of my expectations as a GM and player.
• Be chill – This is my only hobby, and I do this to have fun and relax. It is a game, and it shouldn’t be a chore. Don’t nitpick and complain about minutia. Don’t talk, eat, or yell over the other players, and keep your background noise to a minimum.
• I’m not a therapist – Don’t bring your personal problems to the table. I won’t deal with it. If you have real world mental issues, please seek professional help.
• Be respectful – I won’t tolerate bullying, racism, sexism, misogyny, bigotry, homophobia, transphobia, or any other hang-ups you may have. If you do it in my game, I will kick you and file a report. If you do it in a game I’m playing in, I will make a complaint.
• I don’t game with children – I’m an adult. I swear, I drink, and my games contain adult themes*. I am not comfortable gaming with adolescents.
*I don’t depict scenes of graphic sex or torture. These things may be alluded to off-camera or faded-to-black. I won’t subject PCs to sexual assault, and I expect the same from everyone else.
• Be prepared – TTRPGs demand a certain level of commitment by the GM and players. We make a social contract with each other to show up and be inclined to participate. If you can’t dedicate the time and effort to be present and know what you’re doing, then maybe this isn’t the hobby for you?
• Don’t game the game – As far as I’m concerned, the rules are optional. I trust that the GM knows what they’re doing. As both a GM and player I make snap decisions to keep the game moving. If you’re a rules-lawyer, don’t contradict me during play. I won’t flip or scroll through rulebooks during a session. I will make, or expect, a decision at the moment, and questions can be resolved after and in-between game sessions. The GM’s word is final. I understand power-gaming, but I don’t run or play those types of games.
• Be clear – TTRPGs are a collaboration between a GM and players. If I’m running a game, I will hold a session zero to get to know everyone, create characters, form a party, and discuss expectations. Sometimes I will ask for your input in creating the world. This is also the opportunity to make clear about situations that you may not be comfortable with.
• I am not here to entertain you – Despite popular belief the GM is not responsible for your fun. I’m not a professional actor or screenwriter. TTRPGs are a group activity, and you get out of them what you put into them. We create its moments together. As a GM I have only three obligations:
1. Present the world
2. Challenge the PCs
3. Adjudicate the rules
The bottom line is that I take my hobby seriously. I put in a lot of time, effort, and money towards it. I love it, but this is not my job. I don’t get paid for this. I expect some of the same dedication from my players and other GMs. If you share my principals, then drop me a PM. Tell me about yourself and your ttrpg experiences. I will look up your profile, and the more I know about you the more likely I am to admit you into one of my games or play yours.
Thanks