Staff Introductions-Jared(Martel)

1. First off tell us a little about yourself Jared/Martel?

I’m Jared or Martel on Discord and most social media. I grew up in Northwest Florida, USA. My dad built his own business during my upbringing as a finished carpenter. I have worked for him since 2011. I got married to my high school sweetheart in 2013 and we just moved into our first non-rental home this past August with our two dogs. We are expecting our first child this July.

2. When and how did you get started in tabletop games?

I was first introduced to TTRPG’s back in the fall of 2013. A friend invited me over to his home and I was introduced to my first GM and created a character in the Palladium system.

I started GMing the following spring and since then I have played and GMed in a variety of game systems including AD&D, 3.0, 3.5, 5ed D&D, Traveller, and many more. I have played Pathfinder 1st edition and Palladium–Fantasy, Rifts, Beyond the Supernatural(BtS), and Heros Unlimited. I have dabbled in Deadlands and Deadlands Noir, played a few games in Primeval, and GMed a few games of Iron Kingdoms. I’ve got quite the varied experience, and I like to pull from all of it when I run and play TTRPG games. I have also built and play-tested a homebrew system that I created in 2014. 

3. What keeps you running and playing games?

I enjoy seeing the balance in gaming mechanics and therefore lean more towards the rules as written(RAW) of most systems, but my main focus while running games has always been to give the players the opportunity to be the heroes of the story and defeat whatever I put against them. I enjoy seeing them solve their way through challenges and puzzles that the villains throw at them. 

I also appreciate the comradery that has come with the gaming community and the enjoyment that I have seen at the gaming table, both virtual and physical. I want everyone to have their kind of fun at their gaming table, whatever that may look like.

4. Where did the name Martel come from?

Well, that came out of something different. When I was 15, I became involved with an international medieval reenactment association and in that, you make up a persona of who you want to reenact from your period of choice. I chose to personify a character from the early French era – at that time in history they were called Franks – and in looking into the history of the time, I found a name I liked. Martel. In old French it means, “hammer.” Funny enough it later evolved into the modern name, “Martin.” So in creating that persona and still using it when being involved with that society, I have used it on multiple platforms as my handle.

5. What made you want to create the RPGCounterPoint blog?

Personally, I prefer to read articles rather than watch videos, and I have trouble listening to something I want to understand while I am working or doing other things. Therefore, I thought I would create what I would like to see in the community of TTRPGs; a newsletter, sharing news and promoting the discussion of ideas in a constructive and healthy environment. As with anything, it is all just opinions. I am by far not the authority on any given topic or the best GM or player. I want everyone to have a voice, succeed, and have fun at their gaming tables. In my opinion (there’s that word again) the best gaming table is one where everyone is having fun and relaxed enough to enjoy their time with friends – new and old. So, with that goal in mind, I want to invite others to contribute as guest authors to the blog and the eventual newsletter. 

6. What do you see as the future of RPGCounterPoint? Goals?

I want this to be a source of inspiration for GMs and players alike and be a safe place to constructively put out ideas and experiences to help hone everyone’s gaming experience. Goal-wise, I want it to grow both in community but also the contributing voices, such that if someone goes looking for answers or help to make their gaming table better, they can find whatever they are looking for at RPGCounterPoint, whether its in blog posts or in the discord community that supports the blog posts.

7. What can people expect coming into the RPGCounterPoint server?

For the moment, it is small. Ideally people will find it welcoming and the members helpful. I would like newcomers to the discord to voice what they are interested in within the community, whether they want to read and discuss articles, contribute articles, help with the discord, etc.

Thank you to all that read and contribute to this blog community now and in the future. This is only possible as a group effort! 

Game on!