I was at adiscussion group recently where we talked about different styles of
poly--kitchen table, garden party, parallel, etc.--and I decided that my ideal
version is something I am calling game table polyamory (and this isn't just
because you will absolutely end up in my D&D game if you are involved with
me).

So--what is gametable polyamory?

It isn’t a paradigmwhich requires everyone to be involved with each other, be friends with each
other, or even know each other. It is a paradigm which requires that everyone
involved extend basic courtesy and respect to each other.

It isn’t a strictset of rules which guide what members of the adventuring party can or can’t do.
It is a set of loose guidelines for how we interact with each other.

At its core, it istaking the best parts of an adventuring party and applying them to my life and
loves.

It is a life whereeveryone involved has a shared goal, even if they aren't actively working
together (the goal, in this case, is the happiness and general well-being of
the adventuring party).

No one has to fit amold. We recognize that each member has their own strengths and challenges and
we work with those rather than against them. The wizard is important as the
fighter is as important as the artificer, and no one has to try and be something
they aren't or fight for their place at the table.

We celebrate eachother's successes, even if we aren’t sharing in the loot/love.

We help each otherfight our BBEGs (Big Bad Evil Guys).

I like the idea ofGTP because it allows for a frame without putting a lot of definitions on
things.

With some members ofmy polycule, people might say we are kitchen table. There are other members
that I barely know or have never met. But--I trust that the people at the table
are also working on the idea of building a healthy adventuring party.

As I said, this ismy ideal, and I have yet to participate in a perfect poly campaign, but I am
pretty damn close and, honestly, perfect is boring as hell. I love rolling
those natural 20s, but natural 1s do make for great learning opportunities.