David

he/him

5.0

(4)

Timezone

America/chicago

Language

English

About David

My name is David, and I've been playing tabletop roleplaying games since the early 90's. After that first experience I realized I'd found my obsession. I quickly discovered not long after that I loved running these games even more than I enjoy playing them. For over a decade now I've been running multiple games a week, with all sorts of systems. From running homebrew settings to pre-made adventures, one-shots to full length campaigns that took players from level 1 to 20 and beyond, systems that don't even use dice and are purely narrative to highly complex and mechanical systems that require a lot of learning and teaching, I've had a ton of experience that I can bring to any game. As long as everyone at the table trusts one another, works to help the group achieve their goals, and is ready to use their imagination, then I can promise you'll have fun with a game I'm running, because in the end, that's what it's really all about. Having fun!

At a glance

1 year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Creativity, Knows the Rules, Storytelling

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

I loved the experience of playing a TTRPG, but had a deep desire to create. Once I got a chance to try it out, I knew this was the part of the experience I wanted to focus on. That was many years ago now, and since then I've run multiple systems, and had many different players with different needs.

I got started GMing...

Because while I enjoyed the experience of being a player, I craved creating the scenarios, the world, the maps, all the things that went with being the storyteller. I write a lot, and love reading, and I prefer focusing on multiple characters and the environment over just one person.

My 3 systems I'd bring to a desert island would be

Call of Cthulhu, because it has the least amount of buy in. People seem to always "get" the game. D&D 5e 2014, as it lends itself to an enjoyable experience that always manages to please. Monster of the Week, because I love coming up with the scenarios, and it's easy to get invested in.

How David runs games

Improvising is a big thing for me. Players often do things you aren't expecting, and I love that so much because it gives me a chance to answer questions about the world and its characters I hadn't even considered. Creating a person or place on the fly then running with it is just so much fun! If a game has fairly complex combat rules, I tend to try to run them as written, unless the rules just don't cover something, or some of the rules just don't make much sense. I do sometimes use custom rules if I feel the original ones aren't as good, but only on rare occasions. The difficulty of combats I run really depends on the situation. I tend to lean towards logical behavior from my NPCs in combat. A bear might rush in and bite and claw you, but if you hurt it enough, it's just going to run away. A band of brigands probably aren't very disciplined, and so might get nervous and turn tail if the party takes out two of their best fighters in the first turn, while a group of highly skills assassins who've caught the players in an ambush probably aren't going to pull punches. I like to treat the world in the game as if it's a real place, and so it reacts realistically to your actions. That said, the real world tends to be unforgiving. That's why I'll often offer warnings if the thing you're about to do might end poorly for you based on the situation. That is, provided I even see it coming myself. I try to be as fair as possible, but I also believe the dice fall where they may. If a

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

First hearing out what the issue is, then if it's something that can easily be resolved, doing so. If it's more complex and requires more time to find an answer, I make a quick ruling in the moment, then write down the rule issue for later, and get back to the player with the correct ruling.

I once ran a session...

Where my players went from level 23 to 24 then to 25 in one session! Mind you, we were using D&D 5e, but with a third party supplement that allowed for epic level play. Why? They had True Polymorphed into Ancient dragons, and were able to defeat that many high level things in one session. Crazy!

I prep by

Whatever means necessary. Some systems require little to no prep, others, especially pre-written adventures, require a lot of reading and often map work. Ultimately, I've never been one to over prepare unless the situation called for it, because players always do things you're not anticipating.

David's ideal table

I've always focused on getting to know my players and encouraging them to express themselves at the table both as their characters, and as a person. I aim to create a space where everyone at the table is both invested in the game and enjoys each other's company. I don't think it matters what system you play, so long as everyone likes the people they're playing with and feels comfortable exploring the game world together. On top of that, I try to bring it, and make the game come alive, from practical things like maps, tokens, monsters, scenarios, setting the mood. Everything that is required of a good GM. I'm always open to teach, and even learn from my players if they've got something to add.

Featured Prompts

I am for a vibe that's...

Inviting and fun. There are a wide range of emotions that are expressed at the table, but the key to enjoyment is that the players want to be there, and are having a good time. That means feeling comfortable enough to express yourself, and encouraged to participate. Our time together matters!

I love it when a player

Is excited about the next session and can't wait to talk about what might happen, what did happen, and where things are going. When players talk about their character as if they were a real person, or their favorite character in a book or movie.

My table is not the place for...

Anger, divisiveness, holding grudges, or being mean. No one should be trying to cause conflict with each other. There are bad guys and bad things in the game world, and that should be the focus. Leave the deeply held beliefs that upset others on social media. Where's here to have fun.