Rumors of War

I’ve been mastering roleplaying games almost as long as I’ve been playing them. Over the years I’ve adopted a couple different titles as game master, starting with the obnoxiously pretentious “storyteller” to the more specialized “dungeon master” until finally settling on the more straightforward “game(s) master.”

When I say “mastering,” I mean it in the same way one might use the verb “hosting,” and generally view the role as something akin to a “master of ceremonies.” Game mastering is equal parts performance and host. Roleplaying is both a cooperative game event and social gathering, and generally consider it a performance art.

Experience Building
I take a great deal of pride in my skills as a game master. At the time I write this, I’ve been running and hosting roleplaying games for almost ten years. I don’t necessarily consider myself a particular “type” of game master, and I disdain attachments like “grognard” or “new/old school” or “casual” or “hardcore” gamer.

My friend Don introduced me to Third Edition Dungeons & Dragons, and my very first D&D character was a half-elf bard named Thamian Crowe. Shortly after joining the D&D group, I took over as GM. I was also invited to a Big Eyes, Small Mouth group, and I created a “magical girl” character, Angelique Harper.

After several years, I started volunteering to run games at conventions like Anime Expo, GenCon, Dundracon, and Mikomicon. There was a time when I was attending five or more conventions a year, just to run more games. I have always enjoyed the convention gaming experience and hope to return to it one day.

Services For Hire
At various points throughout my gaming career, I’ve offered my services as a game master or consultant for hire. I have hundreds of hours of professional game master experience, have planned and run over a dozen campaigns of varying complexity. I have experience running games at the table, on Internet forums, and via Skype.

My starting rate is fifty dollars for one three-hour session for between one and six players, though this price is negotiable and is waived for “pickup groups.” I charge the same rate for consultation, and I’m available for both world- and character-building.