DM Unchained's page

I've been playing roleplaying games since the D&D Red Box editions, where nobody who was anybody left home without a 10 ft pole and the tactically-approved response to encountering a Gargoyle* was "RUN AWAY!!!!" (Some monsters on the 1st level random encounter table had an asterisk by their name, meaning they could only be hit with magical weapons - even silver wouldn't do. Oh the fun we had.)

D&D is my first love, but I have also spent many happy hours playing Paranoia (where rules lawyers are summarily executed) and Call of Cthulhu (burn everything, and walk wide around the ashes). I discovered Pathfinder about 4 years ago; it's taken me a while to try out the PbP format but - after dipping my toe into the water in mid-2014 - I'm here to stay now, I think the medium is fantastic (in all senses of the word).

I played a Rogue (or "Thief" as they were called back then) in the original Tomb of Horrors, which taught me a lot about suffering - but also what RPGs should and shouldn't be about. Fundamentally I'm opposed to the 'adventure as meat-grinder' philosophy. For me, it is and should always be about the story. Which segues nicely into...

As DM, I do not consider that my job is to kill you - it's to create challenges for you to overcome in a way that makes a great story. Death is a risk, sometimes a strong risk, especially if you are doing something stupid (YMMV on what constitutes stupid, of course). Without that risk, however, there is no story worth telling. I know people get very attached to their characters (at least, I get very attached to my characters) but it's a dangerous world and sometimes the dice just don't go your way. That said, there's absolutely no fun in a TPK.

I'm currently running another PbP on these boards; I took it over after the original DM left. For those interested in my DMing style, it begins here.

In terms of maps, I was originally firmly against, partly since I do most of my posting from my phone (except at weekends), but also because I have traditionally preferred that old standby known as "Theatre of the Mind". However, my recent experience of DMing PbP has shown me that some sort of map really is indispensable; I will therefore do my best to provide them, with the understanding that I can only update them from my computer which will slow things down slightly.

I generally play by RAW (or RAI if RAW is blatantly stupid); but everyone should bear in mind that the Unchained rules are new to us all. I will get it wrong; you will get it wrong; we will all get it wrong. Please offer and accept correction graciously. Depending on seriousness, we will either retcon any errors or play on with the understanding that in future the rule will be properly followed.

Natural 1 is always a fail (even Bjorn Borg occasionally double-faulted). Natural 20 gives you some sort of special advantage, which I will determine based on circumstances.

No critical fumbles.

Use of take 10/take 20 mechanics will be strictly regulated: it's a dice game, roll the damn dice!

No third party materials.