Andrea

he/him

5.0

(5)

Timezone

America/vancouver

Language

English

Italian

Portuguese

Identity

Published Writer

Educator

Game Designer

Multi-lingual

About Andrea

I'm an educator, writer, web developer, amateur improv actor and GM with over 25 years of experience. I grew up in Italy, moved to Canada and got adopted into Brazilian culture. I live a multicultural, eclectic life and I bring this variety to my table. I'm well-versed in old-school and contemporary play styles, so my games are fun for casual players and hobby enthusiasts alike. I discovered TTRPGs in the D&D 3.5 era, when I ran several Forgotten Realms and Star Wars d20 campaigns. I eventually branched out into Cyberpunk 2020 and Vampire, as well as indie titles. After discovering the OSR, I GM'd many games using Swords & Wizardry: White Box, Old-School Essentials, Mothership and Shadowdark. I also have a soft spot for epic fantasy systems (Against the Darkmaster, The One Ring) and pop culture-inspired PbtA systems (Cartel, Pasiòn de las Pasiones). Professional skills I use as a GM: 🎓 Humanities PhD. My in-depth knowledge of literary genres helps me portray them convincingly in games. 👨‍🏫 Teacher. I read players' emotions well, and ensure everyone shares spotlight time. 🎭 Improv. I welcome unexpected situations, and transform them into storytelling opportunities. 💻 Tech. I'm proficient with digital tools, and aim to use them to make online sessions as fun as in-person ones. 🗣️ Polyglot. I can run games in English, Italian and Portuguese, including Learn to Play sessions. When you sit at my table, you get a GM who is friendly, professional, organized and fun!

At a glance

2 years on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Inclusive, Beginner Friendly, World Builder

$20 per session

Featured Prompts

My favorite shows/movies are

Movies: 12 Angry Men, Airplane!, Big Trouble in Little China, Blade Runner, Boyhood, Call Me By Your Name, Escape from New York, Ghostbusters, Goodfellas, Knives Out, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, Total Recall Series: Garth Mareghi's Darkplace, Glow, Love, Mad Men, Severance, Succession

How Andrea runs games

My games are perilous and immersive, but players at my table find support and encouragement. 🎲 Lite-Hard Mode I play RaW by default, but welcome rule changes by table consensus. Player skills complement PC skills: Character sheets matter, but so does how players use them. Dice rolls always have an impact. There is no plot armor for PCs, but if bad things happen to your character, we find a way to keep you playing! 🎬 Deep Roleplay, Casual Laughs I'm a "meat and potatoes" GM. As a fan of narratives stemming from character motivations, I encourage RP and aim to immerse the group in the game world organically. Still, my players speak in the first and third person interchangeably, and I enjoy a good laugh together. 🗺️ Simple Tools, Inclusive Props I prefer uncomplicated VTTs like Owlbear Rodeo, but use visual and audio aids extensively, such as maps, location backgrounds, tokens, portraits, dynamic sound effects and music. I rely on them both to keep sessions engaging and accommodate any accessibility needs. I want everybody to feel engaged and get 100% of what is happening in the game. 🤝 Collaboration & Openness I facilitate with patience and care. I'm happy to repeat or clarify, and I meet players halfway. In-game, you never hear a flat "No" from me. Instead, I say "No, and..." or "No, but..." to help you continue the narrative. Session 0 is an ongoing process. After we agree on table rules, I frequently check in to see if adjustments are needed.