Michael

he/him

4.8

(6)

Timezone

America/new York

Language

English

Identity

DMs Guild Writer

LGBTQ+

Neurodivergent

About Michael

Hello! I have been playing and running TTRPGs for over a decade. I specialize in D&D 5e but have experience in other editions (AD&D, 3.X, and 4e) as well as other systems, ex. Call of Cthulhu, Draw Steel, and Monte Cook's World of Darkness. I have been DMing on a near weekly basis for the last 10 years.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Inclusive, Knows the Rules, World Builder

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

I had a group of friends show me how to play when I was in college. When I moved home, I didn't know anyone who played or even where to go to play. I decided If I wanted to play, then I would be the GM for my friends. 10 years later and I still DM for some of them every week.

My favorite system of all Time is

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2e! I was a little late to the party on this one, but once I ran it for the first time, I was hooked. Unfortunately, others don't seem to be as keen on it as I am, so I mainly stick with 5e.

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

consistent, knowledgeable, and tactical.

How Michael runs games

I tend to run very story focused games. I like the Player Characters to have real stakes in what is going on. I love to tie their backstories into the adventure. My story telling is collaborative and I enjoy creating a world and adventure with my players. I do like to run tactical combat, often with consequences that are more than just Hit Point taxes. My games often involve some sort of political intrigue and have lots of opportunity for roleplaying. I want my Players to feel like their Characters actually live in the world that they play in. If I was to condense it down to a single, quippy sentence; When you play with me you should expect action packed combat, deep roleplay, and story focused collaborative storytelling.

Featured Prompts

My games focus on...

the blended storytelling experience. We are all taking this journey together, I want your Characters to succeed just as much as you do. My focus is on the world and the story we are telling in it and how the Characters fit into that world.

Rules are...

there to help guild us on the journey. The Character Sheets and rules of the game are imperfect representations of the Characters that we are playing. We use the rules to have a base line that everyone can understand and keeps the game consistent. However, rules can, at times, be bent.

When it comes to voices

I do my best. I do like to give my NPCs their own unique character, and sometimes that means voices. I'm not a professional voice actor, but I try. As for my players, it is completely up to them. I won't force anyone to do something they are uncomfortable with.

Michael's ideal table

I like to run groups of 4-5 Players. I welcome all types and enjoy the challenges that a new playing style brings me. As long as there are no issues from differing styles and personalities, I let all sit at my table. The vibe is relaxed but focused. There will be times to be silly and time to be serious. Times to be sad and times to be happy. Feeling at my table is highly encouraged. Side conversations should be kept to a minimum and should not get in the way of the main scene. I also make sure everyone has a voice and the opportunity to shine. No one person is the main character in my games. We all play and have full together.

Featured Prompts

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

going on adventures with friends and sharing a world, a story, and an experience

I think metagaming...

is a tricky topic. As some who is the GM, I know that it is hard to not know something, when you do know it. I think it's fine to acknowledge that you have out of game information, and even to share that with the other players. I draw the line at the Players using that to make in-game decisions.

I think min/maxing...

is fine. If that's the way you like to play, I'm down with it. As long as it does not disrupt the whole table, I can work with it. If it does cause a problem, we'll talk about it.