Welcome to Roadworthy! This is a chance to show off a Road Crew Judge and allow them to share their experience and wisdom. We provide these profiles to help provide insight into their personality and style, and maybe give up-and-coming Judges some advice on improving their game.
The Road Crew theme for 2018 is Strange New Worlds! Head out and find unique places to run games for willing participants. Do something that makes us take notice! Who knows, maybe we’ll put you up on our website. Jump on into the Road Crew program for your chance!
This time out we’ve got something a little different: An Xcrawl DJ! DJ King Mob, also known as Judge Sean Smith, steps in to give us a break from his AVN to share his experiences and his wisdom!
Roadworthy: DJ King Mob (aka, Judge Sean Smith)
What’s your name, where do you live (and game), and how would you describe yourself?
Hail all! Im Sean Smith, living and gaming in NYC and Brooklyn. Avid RPG gamer with 35+years Playing and GMing through many editions of DnD.
I work in the Film and Video Production Business. Big Fantasy and SCI FI, comic book and fantasy art enthusiast, with a love for classic rock and the Beastie Boys. Have dice will travel. I can be found at the major gaming conventions across the US every year.
How did you first discover DCC?
I’ve always admired the retro covers to the DCC modules as a fan of Erol Otis artwork. When Xcrawl started to convert to DCC rules it really caught my attention, and my gaming group started in with some Xcrawl and experimenting with the level 0 DCC adventures. We now spread the love at our local game shop—The Brooklyn Strategist—and its been a fun experience for new gamers and old.
As of “right now,” how many Road Crew games have you run in 2017? Or 2018?
I ran 12 games of mixed Xcrawl and DCC in 2017, and am up to my 6th game already in 2018 as we try to establish a bi-weekly and monthly meeting at our local hobby shops. We started a Midnight Madness tradition of DCC at a local convention in Connecticut—CONN CON—to great reception this year.
What’s your favorite Road Crew game experience so far?
The level 0 funnels are great fun. I just ran again The Shambling Undead again to a great reception and vivisection. Some of the peasants died so fast the players didn’t even get a chance to properly name them!
Tell us where you run your Road Crew games.
Typically at The Brooklyn Strategist, and I’m in talks with starting up a Summer bi-weekly Thur night chapter of DCC and Xcrawl at Brooklyn Game Lab.
What advice would you give to other Road Crew judges?
I run the DCC games like I’m directing an action film. I read the material ahead of time, and note what scenes are key and important to make memorable. Keep the story moving, try to pop in a few memorable NPCs and encourage some character interaction. Props, or music or miniatures with terrain all can enhance the experience. I try to use maps and minis for the combat to engage the senses and game experience.
Also good food! Sometimes its pizza and snacks, sometimes we all pitch in for a pot luck meal while we play. Eating and gaming brings the crew together! Fun and atmospheric music, even if you just play it out of your phone or laptop can add to the experience as well, and is easy to do. Keep smiling, even when you are working your Death Stamp!
