StartPlaying logo
game master profile header image
Mikael Hellstrom

Mikael Hellstrom (he/him)

5.0

(34)

Streamer
Podcaster
Neurodivergent
Teacher/Educator
Game Designer
Multi-lingual

3 years on StartPlaying

465 games hosted

Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Knows the Rules

Average response time: 2 hours

Response rate: 100%

About me

🎭 Step Into a World of Stories That Feel Real 🎭 Are you looking for tabletop adventures that go beyond dice rolls and battles? Since the mid 1980s, my games are all about exploration and dramatic connection—where your choices shape incredible stories. ✨ What Makes These Games Special? * Discover Hidden Depths: Uncover the secrets of rich, immersive worlds that evolve with your decisions. * Collaborate and Build Friendships: Create unforgettable memories with like-minded players in a respectful, welcoming space. * Feel the Drama: Be part of tales that stir emotions and keep you thinking long after the session ends. 🔍 Whether you're a seasoned player or new to role-playing, these games are designed to bring out the best in your creativity and imagination. 🎲 Grab Your Seat Today and Let’s Create Something Amazing Together! Find me on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3NLvax-01FJ5MTQoMdZ_hA And Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mythmachin3

GM Style

At my table, safety and respect come first. Every campaign begins with a discussion on safety, where players are encouraged to express their boundaries and use safety tools effectively. This creates a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. Newcomers receive helpful guidance, and I maintain a fair and balanced approach to the rules, ensuring everyone feels at ease. My games are built for deep, character-driven role-playing. From Session 0, we work together to craft a rich and nuanced background for your character: * Who are they? How did their upbringing, family, and friends shape them? * What shaped their worldview? Career choices, formative moments, and personal values. * What drives them? Motivations that fuel their actions in the story. With these elements, I design long-term, slow-burn campaigns where arcs unfold over dozens of sessions. Plot points introduced in the early adventures blossom later in surprising and impactful ways, making the story deeply rewarding. To ensure every player has a meaningful role in the narrative, I use collaborative prompts to build personal story arcs for each character. Everyone contributes to crafting an engaging, immersive experience. I enhance the atmosphere with scene-setting descriptions and thematic music, bringing the world to life around you. I balance structure with creativity, following a "Yes, and..." or "Yes, but..." approach to incorporate player ideas into the narrative. This creates memorable moments where your decisions drive the story forward. I calibrate pacing carefully to ensure your character has their moments to shine, whether it’s a dramatic confrontation or an epic achievement. NPCs are portrayed with enthusiasm and detail, adding depth and vibrancy to the world. If you’re looking for immersive storytelling, player-driven narratives, and a supportive gaming environment, join me for an unforgettable tabletop adventure. Together, we’ll embark on a journey through captivating worlds, crafting memories that will last long after the dice have stopped rolling!

Game platforms used
Social
Game Master Reviews (34)

Proficiencies

Players say this GM is great at:

Storytelling

Creativity

Knows the Rules

Wouter Buijs avatar

Wouter Buijs

New review

Played 30 sessions

Great GM, played in several games which were very enjoyable, would certainly recommend anyone to give an adventure with Mikael a try!

Jake Moore avatar

Jake Moore

Played 5 sessions

Awesome GM, great at juggling multiple scenes at the same time. Also does well to incorporate character storylines.

Domi avatar

Domi

Played 38 sessions

Mikael is a great game master! When I originally joined his VTM game I was a bit sceptical of him choosing a clan based on my character’s archetype rather than me picking itself. But he was really in depth with character creation and over time I came to really like this as my character was expertely woven into the setting and story! The characters players and NPCs really feel alive (or as alive as a vampire can appear haha). Despite having played a little VTM before, I still feel myself asking game mechanic and lore questions frequently, which he is helpful with. Good for new players!! Was also very chill with me playing a gay character, which I appreciate. He takes safety at the table seriously and paused the game to check up on me when something came up.

Regan Thompson avatar

Regan Thompson

Played 1 sessions

Mikael was extremely helpful in character creation and walked me through step-by-step what to do. Additionally his assets on Foundry are incredible and allow for total immersion in his story telling! Highly recommend!

Bo Knows RPGs avatar

Bo Knows RPGs

Played 3 sessions

Mikael was friendly, knowledgeable, and fluent with the technology. He welcomed me to the new campaign and made me feel comfortable. Our session got going after some tardy players logged on and went smoothly from there. Great visual aids, good mood music, and solid GMing.

Roger avatar

Roger

Played 103 sessions

This is a GM who can handle both serious in-depth character creation for a Vampire game, and the adventures of a bunch of Call of Cthulhu desperados who'll do things like ride in a Bentley with a ghoul in the middle back seat. These games are like the best of what you'll see on YouTube.

What's StartPlaying?

Tabletop Roleplaying Games Run by Game Masters

  • Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.

  • Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.

  • If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.