Schedule Integrity: There will be 5 players slots with 2 on-call players. I will run weekly with minimum 4 players to maintain schedule integrity. Running a campaign with this method requires 3 call-outs before a cancellation is made. Campaigns live or die on consistent scheduling.
Avoid Distractions: No browsing the phone, politics, playing other games, or in general not paying attention to the ongoing story effort. Especially in combat. My expectation is that players in combat are ready to act on their turn and to not begin thinking about their turn as it comes up. When the game flows well everyone has fun including me!
Stay In Character When Possible: I will generally use accents, tone of voice, or turn of phrase to note when I am speaking in character. I suggest the players to do the same. I like the occasional joke or meme, but constantly bringing them up in game is highly disruptive to the collaborative story process.
Avoid Metagaming: I will utilize Knowledge checks such as History or Religion when the player wants to learn more about something. In terms of monster knowledge, a party that scouts out their opposition can take time to learn about their enemy and see if they remember useful information. Going headlong into combat does not grant you this knowledge, keep this in mind.
DM Mistakes, Rules Lawyering: I have been playing TTRPGs through multiple editions a long time. However, I will make mistakes as a DM and sometimes I will have to rule on something and move on for the sake of the group/game. I will discuss rules questions and mistakes before or after sessions, never during session. If something if questionable, please make a note and discuss it with me after the session and I would be more than happy to discuss it then.
Don't Pre-Roll the Die, Narration First: Players must describe what action they are trying to take or what they are trying to do before a roll can be made. You will describe what your character is doing and I will assign the appropriate skill check to accomplish that task.
Player vs Player: I allow tension or conflict at the table between characters with a few caveats.
Rule 1: A player wanting to initiate a possible PvP situation must ask the other player if this is permissible. If it is not, you cannot proceed. (ex. Player 1: I want to confront your character about this situation, is this ok? Player 2: Sure let's do it.)
Rule 2: The DM has fiat authority to shut down any situation that is getting too heated or if there is a potential interpersonal player conflict brewing.
Rule 3: Characters may have internal conflicts but players should never have conflicts at the table. If you cannot handle a situation like this, don't say OK to the situation.
Table Safety Rules: I am a big believer in the X card. If a player touches or picks up the X-Card during a scene in a roleplaying game sessions, the DM stops or skips over the scene, no questions asked.
