Ash

she/her

5.0

(12)

Timezone

Europe/stockholm

Language

English

Identity

LGBTQ+

Neurodivergent

Women/Femme Identifying

About Ash

Hello from Scandinavia! I'm Ash - Aussie expat, long-time DM, wayward dreamer, and weaver of stories! Tabletop gaming has always been a major passion of mine, having enjoyed it as both a player and a DM for more than a decade. I use handcrafted worlds, stories, maps, and lore to craft a range of adventures, from one-shot tutorial sessions for newcomers to multi-month campaigns for the veterans. And if you're new to the tabletop scene - no worries! I've a particular love for teaching new players the basics of systems (primarily D&D 5e) and their relevant mediums (roll20). Though my compendium of possible adventures is ever growing, my priorities as a DM will never waver. I work to ensure my players are comfortable, know that it is safe to speak up about anything, and are encouraged to engage with the rest of the party. And, of course, that everyone comes away from the game having enjoyed the experience!

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

21 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Teacher

Average response time: 7 hours

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

When a younger, shyer version of me realised she had a surprising knack for making people laugh, she figured she could build confidence and communication skills by gathering her friends and running gaming sessions. Best decision she ever made, honestly.

People are always surprised when I tell them

I've two Bachelors degrees: Engineering (Materials w/ Hnrs) and Science (Chemistry & Astrophysics). I also come from rural Australia, was the only one who graduated my class in highschool, and had to do firefighting training as a teen due to the severe bushfires making us evacuate every few years.

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

Spontaneous, flexible, engaging, rule-breaking, encouraging.

How Ash runs games

Mechanically, most games will include both roleplay and combat situations. However, it these games will have a very versatile gamestyle that will depend on group experience and expectations. Can be changed in game if requested. I primarily focus on presenting the setting/story/world and encouraging inter-player communication and collaboration. Character roleplay highly encouraged - but no issue if you're new or nervous! I am incredibly relaxed and encourage an atmosphere of comfort and support between players. BEGINNER GAMES: More relaxed and supportive style where the DM assists new players in learning the game and platform mechanics. If requested, DM can subtly guide new players in understanding how components of their sheet may interact with certain game scenarios. Less restrictive mechanics employed to encourage exploration of gameworld. NON-BEGINNER GAMES: More focused tone and pace. Standard game mechanics employed. Less guidance from DM, with greater emphasis on in-character collaboration, strategy, and roleplay to overcome problems. Higher level characters encouraged.

Featured Prompts

My favorite trope is...

When a solution to a problem is clear and free and right in front of my players... and they opt for the most convoluted, strange, complicated solution instead. Like when a simple unlocked door separates them from the goal, and they choose to try and dig their way through the wall instead.

My games focus on...

Engagement. Problem solving. Worldbuilding. Testing the limits of your characters. Encouraging players to read their sheets and apply their skills. Thinking outside the box to find solutions.

Rules are...

Rules may be written, but like everything else, they're not infallible. I do my best to run games within the rules, but in some cases, I'm flexible in their application and limits. Give me a good enough reason as to why a rule shouldn't be applied in a given scenario, and I just may consider it.

Ash's ideal table

My ideal table consists of players who are both patient with their allies and engaged with the story. I always encourage an air of comradery and communication; while your characters don't have to always agree with one another in-game (I even encourage the roleplay), I expect out-of-game interactions between players remain respectful and kind. Players should feel encouraged to roleplay and interact with story elements without feeling embarrassed or nervous. Again, we're all here to have fun!

Featured Prompts

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

Tricky problems, engaging storylines, subtle Simpsons meme references

I love it when a player

does not engage in metagaming. For example, a character who fails to detect an obvious trap would not realistically react to prevent triggering it. I love it when players immediately accept these events and actively allow their characters to experience the consequences.

I think min/maxing...

Isn't something inherently good or bad. However, most strictly min/max builds I've seen sacrifice character depth to focus on raw mechanical power. I would encourage players to keep an open mind and appreciate that my games don't need characters to be perfect - they just need to be engaging.