Jesse Duvall
he/they
5.0
(2)
Timezone
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Identity
About Jesse Duvall
My name is Jesse, and by all the Gods and Devils, I swear an oath to run a sweet game for you. I have been running tabletop games for over a decade as a professional game master. Some of my favorites include Cyberpunk (Red and 2020), D&D (Honestly, 3.5 is pretty good, but 5e is a juggernaut), Kids on Brooms, Lancer, CAIN, S...shadowrun. I guess. Listen I love Shadowrun, in theory. All that aside, I love telling stories, I have authored a few books, I love to do improv and often join community theater groups for productions when I can! I am a dramatic dork, but beyond being a drama nerd, I work with underserved folk to get them into better situations and safer environments. All of this is to say that when I run my games, I work hard to make sure that the game that we share, that the story that we tell together, is one that we can enjoy and love. That we can tell to other people with shimmer in our eyes. I will always strive to provide a safe space for you and the other players at the table, even if that means that we have to part ways with another player, or even myself! I am LGBTQTIA+ friendly, Black/POC friendly, Indigenous friendly and Anti-Bigot. You are welcome and safe here, and I will make sure of it when I can. Your safety, your fun, and your time are my top priorities, and I am so excited and hopeful to see what kind of stories we can tell together!
At a glance
3 years on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Knows the Rules
Average response time: 18 hours
Response rate: 100%
Featured Prompts
I got started GMing...
All the way back in 2006! Running games at both the local game store and at home for my friends and other nerds! I was just a sweet little 13-year-old nerd then who felt like an outsider all the time, but getting to play these games with other nerds made me feel so seen and known in a wild way.
My favorite books are
Dungeon Crawler Carl, He Who Fights With Monsters, The Lord of the Rings, Anything and Everything written by Terry Pratchett, though Very Specifically the Guards Guards and the Witches series in Discworld.
How Jesse Duvall runs games
I am a storyteller first and foremost, and with that, it is essential to know that I am not a restrictive game master. I will let you do just about anything, but there will always be a cost or a consequence for your actions. Do you want to play a piece of toast that knows wizard magic? You are going to, unfortunately, die very quickly due to the nature of a slice of bread being in the world. How does that slice of bread survive? What does the mold do to it? We can tell this story! You are just going to have to treat the joke seriously and answer questions that you might not have thought about when you thought up the character. I love combat and exploration, getting to be the world and the opponent for players to overcome is a grand experience for me! But I also adore roleplay, I always want to give my players the space to act out a scene or to be an NPC that they want to talk to! OR avoid! There is joy in all aspects of these games for me. I do, though, in all of this, really love to do large-scale political events and things happening out of the notice of the player characters, machinations of the world move forward even when you are in a dungeon fighting skeletons!
Jesse Duvall's ideal table
This is a hard question with an easy answer. I run a collaborative, story-driven table built on respect, communication, and a willingness to play together. The biggest thing I look for in players is the ability to communicate like an adult and engage with others in good faith. That means being open, respectful, and not letting ego take over the table. We’re all here to tell a story together, not compete for control of it! I welcome both new players and veterans, as each brings something valuable to the table. What matters most is a shared mindset: don’t take yourself too seriously, and be willing to enjoy the game with others. This is a space where we can explore, experiment, and have fun without needing everything to go perfectly. The vibe at my table is relaxed, creative, and a little chaotic! I enjoy riffing, joking, and building on player ideas in the moment. If something is funny, clever, or interesting enough, there’s a good chance it becomes part of the world. Flexibility and a willingness to “roll with it” go a long way for me. I make a strong effort to ensure everyone gets time in the spotlight, and I look for players who support that, people who can share space, engage with each other’s moments, and constructively contribute to the group dynamic! If you enjoy collaborative storytelling, a bit of humor, and a table that balances structure with creative freedom, you’ll fit in well with me, I think!
Featured Prompts
My table is not the place for...
Transphobes, Homophobes, Cops, Nazis, or Bigots of any stripe. Full stop. I promise you, I will call you on your shit if you step up to my table, and if I think you are going to be a 'fun-tax' for myself or another player, I will remove you from the table. Simple as.
Jesse Duvall's Preferences
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