AJ
he/him
4.7
(6)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About AJ
Hello! I’m AJ, a Dungeon Master with experience dating back to 2018, including nearly four years of running games on stream. My approach to play emphasizes the three pillars in this order: social interaction, exploration, and combat. I focus on immersive storytelling through careful attention to detail, including vivid sensory descriptions, believable NPC behavior, and environments designed to feel natural and internally consistent. I usually run games in my own custom setting, but I am equally comfortable using official settings when preferred. While combat is third in my priorities, I still make it engaging, dynamic, and challenging. My goal is to create meaningful tension without becoming unfair or overly punishing. Players can expect encounters that reward smart decisions and teamwork rather than simple endurance. I am also very comfortable working with new players. I have introduced many people to the game over the years and enjoy helping them learn the rules, build confidence, and develop good habits for future campaigns. NOTE: I am currently only available for one-shots/mini series or monthly sessions for campaigns. Unless, theyre play by post!
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Teacher, World Builder, Inclusive
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I became a GM because
I became a GM because I couldn’t find a game I truly enjoyed when I got to college. After several bad experiences, I decided to create a better one for anyone willing to join my table. I prioritize fairness, pacing, and player agency so sessions feel engaging, coherent, and memorable.
I got started GMing...
In college, after joining a campaign where my friends and I didn’t feel welcome, I decided to leave the game and learn to run it on my own. I began watching shows like The Unexpectables and TFS at the Table, and through them I learned both the game itself and how to DM in my own style.
The three words my players would use to describe me are...
Detailed, Encouraging, and Committed
How AJ runs games
My primary focus is always social interaction, whether that means facilitating meaningful roleplay between players or bringing NPCs to life through natural, responsive dialogue. I aim to create conversations that feel engaging and consequential rather than transactional. I am highly confident in dungeon design, building spaces that combine puzzles, traps, enemy encounters, and unique boss fights. These challenges are rarely one dimensional and can often be approached from multiple angles beyond direct combat. I want players to feel rewarded for creativity, planning, and experimentation. I structure my sessions using a flexible beat sheet rather than rigid scripting. This allows events to unfold organically based on player decisions, ensuring the story feels dynamic and player driven. For exploration and puzzles, I favor skill challenges and scenarios with multiple valid solutions to maintain pacing and avoid stagnation. When it comes to combat, I design encounters to be engaging and appropriately challenging. I do not aim to kill characters arbitrarily, but I keep outcomes fair and transparent, letting the dice fall where they may. Success or failure is earned at the table. That said, heavily optimized power gaming is not typically the focus of my tables. Players who prioritize narrative, immersion, and collaboration will get the most out of my games.
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I prep by
My prep process involves: evaluating the premise of the adventure, preparing any necessary areas, and then the NPCs with in starting in order of importance, I outline a beat sheet of points id like to hit, prepare maps and encounters, and then I get to focus on finer details to make it come to life.
My games focus on...
I focus on roleplaying and storytelling first. Combat and dungeons matter, but they serve the story. I plan encounters in advance, whether combat or NPCs, but I don’t script them. I leave space for things to unfold naturally at the table.
When it comes to voices
I tend to do my best to give varied character voices, but a player is under no obligation to do so. Doing the voice is is not what makes a good role-player, thinking in the mind of your character instead of your own is. If you'd like to do a character voice, you're more than welcome.
AJ's ideal table
My table is built around a shared goal: telling the best story we can together. Everything we do, whether roleplay, combat, or decision making, supports that collaborative narrative. I value players who respect each other’s time and contributions, and who actively engage with the world and the group. I put a significant amount of time into preparing each session to make sure the experience feels immersive and worthwhile. In return, I look for players who bring energy, creativity, and a willingness to participate. This is a table where character comes first. Play a person, not just a stat sheet. If you lean into your character and make bold, interesting choices, I am happy to reward that with a bit of rule of cool when it fits. Above all, this is a collaborative space, not a competitive one. We are not here to win. We are here to create something memorable together. Players who enjoy storytelling, teamwork, and bringing characters to life will fit in best here.
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I am for a vibe that's...
Comfortable and compelling. I want to create an environment where people aren’t afraid to try something new or act out a scene that may be a bit outside their comfort zone, something that gets players invested and eager to participate in the story where creativity thrives and every voice matters.
I think it's a red flag when players...
I think it is a red flag when players wont think beyond their first approach to solving a problem. I think an open mind is important to have in collaborative roleplaying game. This stops things from grinding to a halt when the first approach may not work. I don't believe in 1 solution problems.
My perfect party mix is
My ideal party isn’t about a specific mix of classes; it’s about a diversity of approaches. A group full of “hammers” tends to see every problem as a “nail,” focusing almost exclusively on combat. I prefer to DM for players who want to tell and experience a compelling story together.