Aaron Jahns
he/him
5.0
(5)
Timezone
Language
About Aaron Jahns
I’ve been playing Dungeons & Dragons for over five years and Dungeon Mastering for more than two. I love collaborative storytelling, shared laughs at the table, and the kind of moments that stick with you long after the session ends. Outside the game, I’m happily married and share my home with my wife and our three cats. I enjoy tables that balance roleplay and humor with a genuine appreciation for story and meaningful combat. Above all else, I value respect between players and a table culture where everyone feels welcome, heard, and comfortable engaging fully in the game.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
1 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Inclusive
Featured Prompts
I got started GMing...
I got into GMing after my first Curse of Strahd game ended halfway through. Later, I ran my first one-shot with ancient dragons and Tiamat and was hooked. I always wanted to finish Strahd, found the coffin box at my FLGS, and have been running multiple versions ever since.
My favorite books are
My love for sci-fi and fantasy started early with Narnia, Middle-earth, and Redwall, and it has only grown since then. Lately, I’ve been working my way through Brandon Sanderson’s ever-expanding collection of worlds, along with Pierce Brown’s Red Rising saga.
When I'm not running games I'm...
When I’m not running games, I’m usually chasing three cats who firmly believe they run the household, cooking and doing book club nights with my wife, building and painting tabletop miniatures, or hopping over to the other side of the screen to play D&D myself.
How Aaron Jahns runs games
I run roleplay-forward games where story, characters, and player choices take center stage. Combat is important and meaningful, but it serves the narrative rather than replacing it. I care deeply about who your character is when they enter the story and how they change as a result of the world, the people they meet, and the decisions they make. Curse of Strahd holds a special place for me. It was the first full campaign I ever played in and the first I ever ran as a Dungeon Master. Since then, I’ve revisited it multiple times, both as written and with light homebrew adjustments, each time with a deeper understanding of its themes, villains, and emotional weight. My games emphasize atmosphere, memorable NPCs, and consequences that feel earned rather than arbitrary. I aim to challenge players fairly while encouraging creativity, emotional investment, and thoughtful roleplay. I want the journey through the campaign to feel personal, cohesive, and rewarding, with space for both dark moments and much-needed levity along the way.
Featured Prompts
I deal with rules issues by...
I handle rules issues by making a fair call in the moment to keep the game flowing. If needed, we can discuss it afterward, and I’m open to amending the ruling going forward to ensure consistency and fairness for everyone.
When it comes to voices
When it comes to voices, I do my best. Key NPCs get the most attention, and I try to make each one distinct. I’m not a professional voice actor, but I enjoy pushing myself to improve and make the game more immersive for everyone.
Aaron Jahns's ideal table
My table is collaborative, character driven, and story focused. I aim for a healthy balance of roleplay, meaningful choices, and tense combat, with RP often taking center stage. Humor is welcome and encouraged, but never at the expense of the story or other players. Players who fit best at my table enjoy inhabiting their characters, engaging with the world, and respecting the shared space at the table. You do not need to be a voice actor or rules expert, just willing to participate, listen, and support the story everyone is telling together. Veterans and newcomers alike are welcome. The general vibe is mature, respectful, and immersive. Dark themes may be present, especially in gothic horror, but player comfort always comes first. This is not a murder-hobo or PvP focused table. It is a place for trust, teamwork, and watching characters grow through difficult choices and earned victories.
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
I love when players come up with unexpected, outside-the-box ideas that make a session memorable. I also love seeing players deeply connect with their characters, leaving each session excited to see what happens next and how their story unfolds.
I think min/maxing...
I think min-maxing is overrated. I love characters you connect with first and optimize second. Powerful builds can be fun, but they shouldn’t come at the expense of personality or enjoyment. Play what’s fun for you, but let your character breathe and grow at the table.
My table is not the place for...
My table is not for murder-hobo play or intense PvP. Inter-party conflict is fine, even heated disagreements, but it should be resolved meaningfully in-game and handled with clear communication and safety above the table to ensure everyone stays comfortable and the story remains satisfying.
Aaron Jahns's Preferences
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