Alex
he/him
5.0
(6)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Alex
I was lucky enough to start gaming in the White Box D&D days (before, actually -- ask me how I got started sometime. It's a cool story!) so I have been a GM (mostly) and a Player (sometimes) on and off for 50 years. I've been a professional storyteller, writer, improv comic, and actor and I bring all of those skills to my table. I'm most interested in creating genuine emotions with my players; "co-operative storytelling" is one of the hallmarks of any table at which I'm GM. I believe that amazing memorable experiences are more important than experience points. Tables that I GM at are safe and welcoming spaces for anyone who is respectful of the other players. Because I sometimes deal with adult themes, we'll use a variety of safety tools. Which ones specifically are determined by the needs of the players and the genre we're undertaking. I've GMed at GenCon for Lurking Fears and I'm part of the Monte Cook Games Asset Team.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Sets the Mood
Featured Prompts
My favorite books are
My partner and I redid one of our staircases to look like a stack of books. We selected titles that were meaningful to us, like: The Cases of Sherlock Holmes; Dracula; the first three AD&D books; The Bridge of Birds; Neverwhere; Will Eisner's 'The Spirit'; and The Dark Tower.
People are always surprised when I tell them
that I started playing D&D in 1974. Really.
When I'm not running games I'm...
...creating! Cooking delicious meals, doing woodwork, writing, or producing theatrical shows! It's not all work; I also hang out with my cats (Jack & Bart) or drive to NYC to see my family.
How Alex runs games
I run character-driven, collaborative games where story, tone, and player choice matter more than “winning.” Expect strong roleplay, clear stakes, and worlds that react intelligently to what you do. I love scenes where characters talk themselves into (or out of) trouble just as much as moments of danger, mystery, or horror. I use audio and images to set mood, but my games are firmly theater of the mind. The focus is more on imagination, description, shared experience, and creativity, and less on grids or tokens. My in-person games are highly immersive, and while we can’t play by candlelight or share thematic food online, I work hard to make virtual play feel as close as possible to sitting around a table together. When running horror or adult-themed games, I focus on atmosphere, tension, and emotional stakes rather than shock value. I use safety tools from the start, establish boundaries clearly, and check in as needed so players can engage deeply without being blindsided. Fear comes from uncertainty, consequence, and investment in the characters, not from crossing lines. Rules matter, but momentum matters more. I’m transparent, consistent, and happy to explain rulings, but I won’t let rule debates stall a good scene. When questions come up, I make a quick call, keep play moving, and revisit it after the session if needed. Above all, I aim to create a table that feels safe, respectful, and playful, where everyone leaves feeling heard, invested, and excited to return.
Featured Prompts
My games focus on...
character-centered stories. I'm much more interested in talking about an event that changes YOUR world, than some world-ending catastrophe. Together, we tell real stories about fictional people and that's a kind of magic.
Rules are...
Rules matter, but momentum matters more. I’m transparent, consistent, and happy to explain rulings, but I won’t let rule debates stall a good scene. When questions come up, I make a quick call, keep play moving, and revisit it after the session if needed.
When it comes to voices
I have to admit...I love doing voices! Anything I can do to bring one more level of immersion to the story, I will. My background as an actor gives me some great tools to help bring NPCs to life -- sometimes realistically, sometimes ridiculously.
Alex's ideal table
My table is collaborative, immersive, and player-driven. I care deeply about atmosphere, character choices, and emotional stakes, but I never lose sight of the fact that we’re here to have fun together. Expect strong descriptions, vivid NPCs, and a focus on “theater of the mind” rather than tactical mini-play, even in combat-heavy systems. I run games where the story reacts to you. Player decisions matter, consequences are real, and the world remembers what you’ve done. I love moments of tension, mystery, horror, and dark humor, often in the same session. Think candlelight and whispers rather than chess clocks and grids. My table is a great fit for players who: • Enjoy roleplay and character-driven stories • Like making meaningful choices, even when there’s no perfect answer • Are curious, creative, and willing to lean into the fiction • Respect table boundaries and other players’ spotlight time • Are comfortable with mature themes (when clearly discussed in advance and consensual) You don’t need to be a voice actor or rules expert. New players are welcome, and experienced players who enjoy digging into character psychology, moral ambiguity, or unsettling worlds tend to thrive here. Players who strongly prefer highly tactical, map-heavy, optimization-focused play may find my style less satisfying. The vibe is respectful, intentionally inclusive, and mutually supportive. I use safety tools and clear session-zero expectations so everyone knows what kind of story we’re telling together. Horror and “adult” themes are handled thoughtfully, never for shock value alone, and always with player consent. Online, I aim to recreate the feeling of sitting around a real table: evocative audio, strong visual cues when helpful, and plenty of space for imagination to do the heavy lifting. The tone at the table is focused but relaxed, intense when the story demands it, but joyous and sometimes just plain ol' silly. Above all, my goal is for players to leave the table feeling seen, engaged, and excited to come back for the next session. I prefer to run on-line games over something like Zoom or Streamyard as opposed to a VTT, but I'm happy to run on Roll20 if that's your preference.
Featured Prompts
If you're into ___, you're going to love my table
If you're into breathing life into your character and exploring a world that's as real as we can make it together, you're going to love my table!
I love it when a player
contributes to the story of the world. Players who gently take the reins to create NPCs with whom they have a history or places they've visited, help me bring the world to life. I love it when players have genuine emotional responses to events, whether those are whoops of joy or frustrated snarls.
I think it's a red flag when players...
talk over each other or try to dictate the actions of another character. You don't need to agree with each other, but you do need to allow each other to be heard.
Alex's Preferences
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