My Table Principles

For Myself

Your character is human, and colourful (read picaresque). Roald Dahl knew; kids know what horror and death is - therefore death in the game is common. Make a new character, argue over your previous chars stuff, and continue playing.

An anarchist, Anti-Capitalism stance on the "6 Stat System" (oh yes I know it's owned). M.A.R. Barker Perfected it, Arneson built on it (The Landshut Rules), Gygax ran with it and made the 6 stats. (D&D is essentially a homebrewed system. The "skills" are special instance of actions, not as the norm) Lo! And so we have HD, 6 stats, 3d6, FighterThiefWizardCleric. Then steal and break it as you desire! (Also note the GLoG because it's free from the outset). D&D is the game you play at your table. Read Troika!

Player Skill can vary - There are two philosophies in this regard, each has its strengths and weaknesses One that the game is one where you inhabit an thin shell, and interact with the world (Classic D&D). The other is that the shell has certain qualities (AD&D 2e onwards more or less). There are some cases where a "check" would make sense based on the character, others not so much.

The world is dangerous, you are a hero because you do heroic things (read, in play) not because "you are a hero"(read, mechanically)

The DM is a player - the world. Their responsibility is to portray the world fairly, and make rulings.

Face-to-Face play is the touchstone of the hobby. Immediately engage with table trouble, kick out those who do not engage with troubles.

Emergent Storytelling - All good things are better when you know you can taste the bitterness. Some days will be shit, others incredible.

Mostly mundane world, with reasonable fear of "magic" and the unknown, peel back layers and balk at the weirdness.

Moral Quandary - Power is the true motivator, not good or evil (up for revision honestly, Players really struggle to vibe with this)

Make your own world!

StealStealStealTakeInspirationSteal - Do not read this blog, do not read other games. Read other games, steal from and desecrate this blog. Read trash, read classics, copyright exists but mickey mouse can go suck a dick. Everything has use in life, and in your game: Potatoes, Metals, Mundane Animals, Religions, History. Read This.

There should be more DMs than Players - Pretty elitest view, but it really improves your game if you have run one.

Do not bring your sexual proclivities to the table. Do so only with consent of everyone there. No sexual abuse of any kind is tolerated. 

For the Players

This is a game. We're here to have fun. Sometimes our ideas of fun clash. Just play and don't stress it.

I run a sorta grimdarkish game. You could die, I don't really like it if you do.

Make a backstory, but you are not exceptional by any standards. If I take longer than 30 seconds to read it then you probably need to reconsider it for my game. It needs hooks into the world

I really like it when you involve yourself in what I have made - it makes me run the game better and you enjoy the game more - involve your idea of your character in it.

Speak up - if you have a problem, please speak up. Avoiding the pain of confrontation erodes the table atmosphere. Speak up if you feel a vibe with the others you are unsure about (simmering rivalries and unspoken disagreements) I value the honesty.

That being said, we are not a therapist group. If you feel pain, difficulty or severe levels of anger or awkwardness among others, I recommend you get help. If you cannot get help, we will help you get it.