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GM Marshall

GM Marshall (he/him)

5.0

(8)

2 years on StartPlaying

11 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Rule of Cool, Sets the Mood

About me

I've been a lifelong fan of fantasy and adventure in many forms (movies, books, videos games,etc), but it wasn't until 2020 that I was introduced to the wonderful world of D&D. I quickly fell in love and TTRPGs have become my obsession in the time since. As my group neared completion of our first campaign, I began preparing to take into the mantle of DM for our next adventure. Stepping into this role provided me with a creative outlet that has been absent from my life for several years. In the time since I have been playing multiple games per week in different systems as both GM and player. Kelsey Dionne's 5e adventure "Ghostlight" was the first adventure I ever ran, as an intro adventure to Ghosts of Saltmarsh. Her writing style inspired me to be a day one backer of Shadowdark RPG, which upon release quickly won my heart and has become my game of choice. In my games you can expect a wide open world that will unfold for us all through emergent gameplay. Player choices and actions will shape both the adventure and the world around them.

GM Style

In my Shadowdark campaigns, I strive for a balanced and engaging experience by blending the three pillars of RPGs—roleplay, exploration, and combat—into a cohesive and immersive adventure. I value creativity and collaboration, encouraging players to contribute their ideas and embrace the 'rule of cool' to enhance the storytelling. My goal is to create a dynamic and enjoyable world where player agency and imaginative play thrive.

Games played
Game Master Reviews (8)

Proficiencies

Players say this GM is great at:

Creativity

Rule of Cool

Sets the Mood

Derek avatar

Derek

Played 10 sessions

Marshall, once a champion of chaos (seriously, ask him about the badger and Wishmaster Grod), has made the leap from player to GM with the grace of a bard twerking to distract lizard men mid-combat. Over the past 1.75 years, I’ve logged countless hours (3–6 per week, for you math wizards) in the chaotic-good world of Marshall’s creativity. Both as a player and recently an GM. Let me tell you: the man knows how to run a game. His maps are pristine, his music is perfectly timed, and his storytelling? Chef’s kiss. If a tavern burned down every time he dropped a plot twist, the fantasy real estate market would be in crisis. He’s got the rare combo of being ultra-organized while still encouraging goblin-level nonsense from his players. One minute you’re navigating complex moral choices, the next you’re surviving a blind knife fight to win a enchanted goat. And it all makes sense in Marshall’s world. If you get a chance to join one of his games, do it. Just pack snacks, respect the map, and never, ever underestimate the badger.

Ted avatar

Ted

Played 10 sessions

I've had the pleasure of playing with Marshall as a GM and a player for a couple years now. He's fantastic at prepping and running games. He puts in the extra effort for great maps and tokens. He has a firm grasp on the rules to avoid "let me look that up" pauses in the action. He's open and encouraging to player creativity. I'll play in any of his games if there's a seat open.

Darth Gandalf avatar

Darth Gandalf

Played 8 sessions

Marshall is my first online GM, and it was my first time playing Shadowdark. He explains the rules well and is patient with new players like me. The atmosphere of the dungeon was presented in a great way so that you could immerse yourself in the game. It was great fun. A definite thumbs up for me, and I'd happily play again.

Jack Wolf avatar

Jack Wolf

Played 1 sessions

After a descriptive yet concise summary of the last game's events, the party was immediately thrown into the action, with no time wasted introducing new characters. I played a game today with GM Marshal, and it was fun, exciting, and well-paced. He clearly knows the rules and does an excellent job allowing players to play to their characters' strengths. As a bonus, he even pulled a table or two from his growing trove of Shadowdark supplements. I'm looking forward to playing again.

ethan lovern avatar

ethan lovern

I’ve played with Marshall for a few years now, and I only have amazing feedback. Marshall builds an intriguing world full of outlandish characters, captivating hooks, and in-depth mysteries. He is the kind of DM that asks what you want out of the experience and tries to make sure all players feel fulfilled. But most importantly, I’ve seen DM’s not really have fun and are stressed with the responsibility of running the story, not Marshall he’s there for the same reason we all are, to have fun creating a story with friends.

Rob Knight avatar

Rob Knight

He's great at running modules and has a flair for homebrew. More than that, he's a great storyteller that doesn't let rules get in the way of telling a great story. Always patient with new players and is happy to teach.

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