Colten

he/him

5.0

(10)

Timezone

America/new York

Language

English

Identity

DMs Guild Writer

Published Writer

Educator

Game Designer

No Gen AI

About Colten

I've been GMing and playing ttrpgs at least weekly for the past 8 years. D&D 5th edition is where I spend the bulk of my time, but I've also played in/run other systems such as Wildsea, Shadowdark, Daggerheart, Nimble, Starfinder, etc. I've DM'd multi-year campaigns with a consistent group as well as brief community mini campaigns and one-shots with rotating players. My focus as a DM is on story, but I pride myself on encyclopedic rules knowledge (that I'm nonetheless willing to bend if it maximizes the fun at the table). I run custom campaigns far more often than published modules, and am most excited about telling stories *with* players, rather than *at* them. I have extensive experience creating mechanics, subclasses, items, and spells to match the stories players want to tell and characters they want to build, and am always excited when players come to me with ideas. Storytelling at my table is collaborative, and the players, the dice, and I are all equal partners. I am currently running: 🪼Scavengers Reign: A sci-fi reskin of D&D in which players crash land on an alien planet teeming with life. (Full) 🐈‍⬛Cat Bells & Lattes: A cozy, low-stakes D&D campaign in which a group of adventurers have decided to settle down and start a shop. (Seats open) 🌹Roses from Ruin: A learn-to-play mini campaign for the eclectic Wildsea ttrpg. (Full)

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

12 games hosted

Highly rated for: Beginner Friendly, Inclusive, Storytelling

$20 per session

Average response time: 3 hours

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

By being bored out of my mind at work one day, so I decided to Read All the Rules. Then I informed my friends we were playing the next week and I'd GM. And it's all been magical from there.

People are always surprised when I tell them

I majored in both English and Accounting in college! The joke I always give is, “one to pay the bills and one to keep me sane,” but in retrospect I think it was early indicator of DM Brain.

How Colten runs games

I think of myself as a versatile DM who, if left completely to his own devices, will build campaigns focused on grand storytelling and world building. I design combats that are challenging and rewarding, but not *always* deadly, and that put the players at the forefront of inciting events. Roleplay-wise, I take my cues from players. No voice actor am I, but I can flirt/threaten/cower/implore/banter with the best of them in the couple character voices I do have. If you prefer to stick to the narrative style of "my character asks x," however, that's just fine with me too.

Featured Prompts

I once ran a session...

in which everyone cried (including me). Years later, each of the players still ranks it as one of their favorite sessions.

Rules are...

what makes D&D (or any ttrpg) a game, instead of just sitting around a table telling stories together. The rules provide structure and skeleton, but should never get in the way of what is ultimately most important: having fun and telling a great story.

When it comes to voices

I do my absolute best. I’ve got THREE voices, and can do TWO accents (on a good day), but I use enough narrative indicators to make it apparent who’s talking. At the very least I can capture an NPC’s demeanor, so players have some substance with which to interact.

Colten's ideal table

My table is all about collaborative storytelling. I’ll lay out the premise (unless players approach me with one), and have the skeleton of the session(s) planned of course, but from there I really want to see what YOU do. What are your character’s goals? Where are you going to take the adventure? Let’s make something amazing together.

Featured Prompts

I am for a vibe that's...

relaxed and safe above-table while being thrilling, engaging, and impactful in the world of the game.

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

narrative-focused play and compelling character creation

I love it when a player

Really takes the message of “collaborative storytelling” to heart and takes a big swing with their character, in a way that ratchets up the enjoyment of the table and/or raises the stakes.