Dante Winters

he/him

5.0

(5)

Timezone

America/denver

Identity

Veteran

Disabled

Neurodivergent

Published Writer

Artist

Teacher/Educator

About Dante Winters

I’m a therapist by day, grimdark author by night, and a prolific daydreamer in all the in-betweens. I run a mobile blacksmith wagon to teach all ages the wonder and beauty of smashing things with a hammer and throwing them in the fire… not in that order. I specialize in immersive, narrative-driven tabletop RPGs with a strong focus on roleplay, atmosphere, and psychological tension. I’m passionate about creating vivid fictional worlds with depth, complexity, and dark surprises that feel obvious after they come to pass. I’m down-to-earth and care far more about the shared experience at the table than getting my way. If it’s possible to have no ego, that’s me. I love mysticism, magic, grimdark fantasy, cosmic horror, storytelling, and impossibly complex puzzles. If you play with me, buckle up!

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Inclusive, World Builder, Rule of Cool

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

I love guiding players into total immersion and the emotion of the game.

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

Creative, twisted, humble

How Dante Winters runs games

I focus more on story, experience, and emotional weight than strict rules or complex mechanics. For me, the beauty of tabletop RPGs is the chance to truly live inside a character and experience a world firsthand. That said, I’m flexible. You don’t have to be an immersive role-player or do voices to belong at my table. In fact, the players who tend to be most impacted by my campaigns are the ones who play characters that feel authentic to themselves. I’m a therapist by trade. Emotion and story are my bread and butter, and I have a strong sense for pacing, tension, and what moments need space to land. My campaigns are filled with puzzles, riddles, and hidden mysteries that unlock deep lore and backstory over time. If you enjoy using your head and playing with your heart, you’ll feel right at home.

Featured Prompts

If my games were Movies they'd be directed by...

Guillermo del Toro

I prep by

Daydreaming and writing brainstorms in my journal

Rules are...

A framework to keep the game running smoothly, but also open to interpretation and flexibility.

Dante Winters's ideal table

My tables are collaborative, thoughtful, and intentional. I value trust, curiosity, and players who are willing to sit with uncertainty instead of rushing to answers. I don’t run adversarial games, but I do run worlds that push back when you push them. Choices matter here—sometimes immediately, sometimes much later. I’m not a rules lawyer, but I do care about internal consistency. I’ll always prioritize narrative logic, emotional impact, and player agency over strict mechanical optimization. I encourage questions, experimentation, and creative problem-solving, especially when it comes from character rather than meta-knowledge. I tend to run games with a slower, more deliberate pace. Silence, tension, and restraint are part of the experience. Spotlight is shared, not competed for, and I’ll gently rebalance things if one voice starts to dominate. My goal is for everyone at the table to feel engaged, respected, and genuinely affected by what unfolds. Above all, I want my table to feel safe enough to explore dark, strange, and meaningful stories together.