I received an email today from someone named Sean that is asking to join the group. I sent him an email asking a few quetions and giving him a bunch of information about our game to see if it even works. He saw my post on ENWorld which is SOOOOO old. Here was his simple email to me and my response:
Hey,
It's a long shot, but I saw your ad. Still looking for a player? I'd love to chat.
Sean Teasdale
Hi Sean,
Right now, I’m playing with the same 5 players for many years. Usually, we stay with a maximum of 5, but I understand how hard it is to find a game and always want to help. Let's start with a couple of things about my game which will help decide if you are even able to make the day, time and if the play style fits yours. We play every Wednesday from 7pm-11pm. When I say every Wednesday, I'm not kidding. There are no reminders about the game date and time as the group always knows the game is on and the time and day. Attendance and consistency are important to all of us at the table. Yes, things come up but typically the game is full as this adds to the game enjoyment. Situations and emergencies are always understood but we ask that all make the game a priority. We play Pathfinder 2.0 with some house rules like critical hits and misses. We are all in our 40's now, work full time with some having families. We play in Staten island in my basement. I live in Oakwood. Two players smoke but they go into another space in my basement when they do. A few of us have drinks during the game as well and that includes me.
I have thousands of minis (and I mean thousands) as well as tons of terrain. We always play with minis and when the battle requires it terrain. I have 1 player coming from Brooklyn, 2 from NJ and 2 from SI. I'm married with 2 kids that are now in their 20's. One lives at home and the other in PA. I also have a small dog (Shiba Inu) in case you're allergic.
Why don't you share some information about you and your gaming. How long have you been playing? Have you ever been a GM? Are you on Staten Island, NJ or Brooklyn? What type of gaming do you prefer - role playing or roll playing. Of course, we have both, but we do role play often when the situation requires it. I also have another player named Sean 🙂!
Thanks for reaching out.
John
Yes, I said we are in our 40's! Don't want him to think we're all a bunch of old farts! 50 just sounds so much older!
I think his comment you highlighted just meant he knows it would be challenging for a group like us to take in a new player...anyone disagree?
DM Speaks:
I'll be honest I'm not entirely against the idea of bringing in another player. As I've always said "I make decisions which are best for the game" A 6th player assures the game of having the minimum I like of 5 if someone ever left. I'm not aware of anyone leaving but things come up out of nowhere and as DM I like to be prepared for that. If something comes up where you can't play any longer you tell the group and are gone with no chance for the DM to prep for it. An additional player gives me a buffer and maybe an outside 6th player could be fun. I'm listending to your thoughts and opinions as always as that will make the decision in the end.
DM Speaks:
I highlighed the red because I took that as sort of an odd comment? Maybe my interpretation is wrong so I ask what you think? I always try to figure out a players personaility through email before they arrive in person. GIVE ME INSIGHT!
Hey John,
I appreciate your reply. First let me say that I totally understand the intricacies of group dynamic. Unfortunately, I think it's one of the downsides of old school tabletop gamers is that we get married to our group, it's comfortable, and it makes change difficult. So again, I greatly appreciate the response.
OK, a bit about me. I'm a 48-year old married father of 3. I've been playing RPG's (mostly D&D variants) since I was 9. I love all systems, and honestly, am in it more for the story and camaraderie than the system. I've never campaigned a character higher than 8th level. I was blessed to have a core group of my own since college days (the halcyon days) that has since splintered (geographically due to life). And in that group I was 'second' DM. Meaning when our primary DM needed a break from running the game, I was the guy. But I have always preferred being a player first, and as such know what effort it takes to be a DM and like to think of myself as DM 'friendly' and not a 'rules lawyer'. Presentyl, I live near Morristown, NJ, but after moving out of Brooklyn, used to commute across the Verrazzano once/week to attend the regular game in BKYLN. I like to think of myself as adaptable, I prefer role-playing for sure, but can certainly adapt to a roll-playing style. Additionally, I will say, I respect that it is a group decision, and if anyone in your group (assuming you are bringing it to them) has any questions or wants a 'try out', that's fair and I am an open book.
Best regards,
Sean
Crazy as it sounds this guys name is Sean Porshee?! 😯
I responded:
Hey Sean:
I will bring up the discussion this Wednesday with my group about a 6th player. I'd like to think we have a great game, but I know everyone thinks of a great game differently. I respect that. I have some very experienced players that have played with many GM's before but have always considered our game the best! I'm big into creating graphic art and have made huge 3x5 laminated maps of every city in our world. We have a world map posted to the wall that I made and also all sorts of 3D terrain. I have Dwarvern Forge and so many others. Whatever fits the bill best that night. Sometimes its simple Tact-Tiles but other times much more.
Our gaming group are friends that were either before the game or built on the game. In the end getting along and having similar interests and fun is important. Not that we need to be clones but if someone is strctly against a beer or someone else smoking then the game wouldn't work. We are liberal and allow all that is legal, have no prejudices, accept all and are simply a fun group. I've been DM'ing for 30+ years non-stop. Now, don't get me wrong I'm not a nut as I have so many other interests, but I do love my 1x a week commitment to the game.
Good to see you are similar to the rest in being around our age, having a family and that sort of committment. Don't get me wrong, being young and not having family is great . It's just that sometimes with gaming great age differentiations cannot be as smooth as when you have similar interests and family life as the others. Like I said let me talk to my group. We also have a communication web site where we post and talk in and out of character.
John
He responded promptly:
Hey John,
I appreciate your reply. First let me say that I totally understand the intricacies of group dynamic. Unfortunately, I think it's one of the downsides of old school tabletop gamers is that we get married to our group, it's comfortable, and it makes change difficult. So again, I greatly appreciate the response.
OK, a bit about me. I'm a 48-year old married father of 3. I've been playing RPG's (mostly D&D variants) since I was 9. I love all systems, and honestly, am in it more for the story and camaraderie than the system. I've never campaigned a character higher than 8th level. I was blessed to have a core group of my own since college days (the halcyon days) that has since splintered (geographically due to life). And in that group I was 'second' DM. Meaning when our primary DM needed a break from running the game, I was the guy. But I have always preferred being a player first, and as such know what effort it takes to be a DM and like to think of myself as DM 'friendly' and not a 'rules lawyer'. Presentyl, I live near Morristown, NJ, but after moving out of Brooklyn, used to commute across the Verrazzano once/week to attend the regular game in BKYLN. I like to think of myself as adaptable, I prefer role-playing for sure, but can certainly adapt to a roll-playing style. Additionally, I will say, I respect that it is a group decision, and if anyone in your group (assuming you are bringing it to them) has any questions or wants a 'try out', that's fair and I am an open book.
Best regards,
Sean