Steven

he/him

Timezone

America/costa Rica

Language

English

Spanish

Identity

Hispanic/Latinx

Teacher/Educator

Game Designer

About Steven

I’m a Game Master with over 17 years of experience creating memorable stories for all kinds of players. I’ve run campaigns and one-shots in many formats: from community tables and independent events, to organizing sessions in cafés and local game stores, and producing larger-scale geek culture events in Costa Rica.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

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I got started GMing...

I started GMing because I love telling stories from behind the curtain. My first all-nighter was the D&D 4e Red Box with friends, learning as we played. Since then I have kept polishing that hidden talent: planning, pacing, and payoff.

People are always surprised when I tell them

I do all my NPC voices myself (no voice changer). I improvise and weave story so well that players ask if it was in the module. I just smile: "Maybe."

The three words my players would use to describe me are...

Charismatic (vivid scenes, distinct voices). Surprising (creative twists, big reveals). Detail-oriented (tight continuity, no plot holes).

How Steven runs games

My GM style is highly thematic and built around immersive worlds that feel alive. I love crafting adventures with strong atmosphere and clear identity, whether it’s horror where you’re trapped in a ruined county under the shadow of a dark god about to be reborn, a paradisiacal island with a time-travel twist where you must prevent a catastrophe before everything sinks beneath the sea, a holy city in the desert plagued by corruption among its highest ranks and demons lurking in the margins, or a frozen mountain that hides a sprawling dungeon cursed by a fey queen. My games aim for intense emotional beats: joyful and epic highs, but also room for drama, tragedy, and hard choices. Players often tell me they walk away with a complete experience, celebrating hard-earned victories, feeling the sting of an unexpected twist, and sensing real urgency when duty comes knocking. The feeling I want to leave is like watching a great series, film, or reading a book: I guide you into a world you can care about, then you and your group decide the direction, the consequences, and how this story will end… as a tale you’ll remember for years.

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I deal with rules issues by...

I use the 30-second rule: quick check if it’s easy. Otherwise I make a fair temporary ruling to keep momentum, note it down, then confirm after the session and apply it consistently going forward.

I prep by

I start from the theme, then prep a tight session outline, NPC goals, and a few standout set pieces. I weave player backstories into the plot, prep maps/handouts, and leave room for improvisation and surprises.

My games focus on...

Cinematic, theme-driven adventures in living worlds. Big emotional beats, meaningful choices, and clear stakes. Roleplay-forward with exploration and tactical set pieces, your party’s decisions change the finale.

Steven's ideal table

My ideal table is for players who are committed to the story and consistent with scheduling (especially in campaigns). I love characters that fit the theme and “play the tone” of the adventure: in horror, characters who can feel fear, have flaws, and still cooperate; in high fantasy, heroes who answer the call when the world is on the brink. The vibe is cinematic and collaborative: reading the scene, understanding what’s at stake during tense moments, celebrating and laughing when it’s time, and respecting dramatic beats when the story calls for it (without jokes that break immersion). My goal is to offer you a memorable world, and give you the space to build your character’s story from what the world presents, together with the party.

Featured Prompts

I am for a vibe that's...

I am for a vibe that’s collaborative a party: serious story, fun people. We laugh, cheer big moments, and respect tension when it matters.

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

If you're into narrative, theme-driven adventures (horror, intrigue, epic fantasy) with immersive NPCs and choices that matter, you’ll love my table.

My table is not the place for...

My table is not the place for disrespect, spotlight hogging, unwanted PvP and scenes, or jokes that break immersion. Safety tools and consent come first.