Ams

any/all

5.0

(12)

Timezone

America/chicago

Identity

Queer

Veteran

Neurodivergent

Teacher/Educator

Game Designer

About Ams

I began playing D&D when my lifelong friend was struggling with some huge medical issues and I just wanted to keep her spirits up. When that game collapsed, I took up the mantle of DM and began running a home-brewed campaign with her and a bunch of strangers that has been going strong for 5 years now. Apparently, I'm the type of person who says, "Why not?" and jumps into the piranha-infested deep end without so much as a floatie. But it's all worked out for the best as I now have an extended family who loves to get together every other week to roll some dice and have a laugh or two. It was the best decision I've ever made. Now I have this mammoth world to play in that needs more adventurers just like you! New players are so very welcome.

At a glance

1 year on StartPlaying

10 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Teacher, Inclusive

Average response time: 2 hours

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

My favorite books are

Science Fiction and Fantasy, though I love Dean Koontz. The Martian made it into my top 10 list immediately, right next to Watership Down. My homebrew campaign is based on my all-time favorite book series, which is why I'm not tellin’ ya what it is.

My favorite shows/movies are

Also Science Fiction and Fantasy. But TV? Oh my. That runs the gamut! Guilty pleasures are procedural dramas. NOT any of the boring CSI's. I like the campy stuff - You know, The Rookie, 911. And yes, I watched Bridgerton. A couple of times. What of it? I also watched Encanto a million times too LOL

People are always surprised when I tell them

I was in the military. And I rode a motorcycle. And I like to travel alone for weeks/months at a time. Sometimes on my motorcycle. Sometimes in a converted minivan. It's why my place descriptions are so vivid.

How Ams runs games

I'm an easy-going GM who lives to make sure my players are having fun. I have a quirky sense of humor. I love new players, roleplay, exploration, intrigue and puzzles. Sometimes I do stupid voices and combat is rare. I love the creative things that my players do and my players shape the world more than I ever will. Kittens WILL exist if you manifest them, even if they never existed before. Your backstory WILL define the quest and the world around you. And there will, in fact, be dragons (if you don't want dragons, stay away from them). My games are queer-friendly, neurodivergently delicious, differentiated for ability and a safe space. If you're wondering if my games are for you, try answering this single question: When your DM shares a hand drawn battle map that looks like it was done just before nap time by a kindergartner and tells you that your miniature is the blue dry erase pen cap, will you have a brain aneurysm or a good laugh? If your answer is the latter, we'll get along smashingly!

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

by asking if anyone else knows off the top of their head and if not, I make a determination and vow to look it up afterward so we don't slow the session down. I'll put out an update in discord and it will be that from then on.

If my games were Movies they'd be directed by...

“Peter Jackson with some Kevin Smith thrown in?” That’s what one of my players said and I said, “Uh, no. Too much!” Another said Zach Snyder. I told him he was crazy. A third said Gina Prince-Bythewood. I said, “Who?” So I’ll say Nick Castle. Kudos to you if you know why.

When it comes to voices

I practice as many as I can, constantly talking to myself in the shower, in the car, while walking my dog....and they all end up sounding like I'm a transplant to somewhere in Texas! :-) Points for trying?

Ams's ideal table

My ideal table starts with a bit of "giggle time." Basically 10 minutes of general catching up. The games are usually fun and casual, but I don't go in for total chaos. The things you want to do should make sense in the world and within the realm of your character. I can always be lured into a long spate of roleplay, no matter what's going on. My players tend to be inquisitive about the world and frequently interact with the NPCs.

Featured Prompts

If you're into ___, you're going to love my table

role playing and really exploring the depths of your character

I love it when a player

realizes their backstory is unfolding in front of them because it's a pivotal part of the story line.

I think min/maxing...

kills joy! Walking into an encounter where 1 member kills something outright and there is no struggle limits the game play for everyone. I don't want to spend my time figuring out how to beat you. I want to enjoy watching the party figure out how to win using everyone's strengths in creative ways