Cory
he/him
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Identity
About Cory
Hi, I’m Cory—a GenX lifer in the TTRPG space, raised on rulebooks older than most streaming services and weaned on systems where a bad die roll meant rolling a new character. I run games that reward smart play, bold choices, and player agency. Whether you're navigating a derelict freighter in deep space or prying open dungeon doors in a dying realm, I offer high-stakes adventures where your decisions matter and survival is never guaranteed. My roots are in Alternity (1997), early D&D, and the OSR movement—but I love helping players new to these styles find their footing and thrive. You won’t find handholding here. What you will find is: 🎲 Tactical gameplay with real consequences 🧠 Encouragement of player creativity and critical thinking 📖 Rich, immersive worlds built around your decisions 💀 A healthy respect for the “one-bad-roll-and-it’s-over” philosophy I run one-shots, short arcs, and full campaigns. No prior experience needed—I’ll walk you through the rules, set expectations, and make sure the table feels safe, engaged, and invested. Yes, I use modern safety tools—Lines and Veils, X-Card, Open Door Policy—because I want every player to feel secure enough to go deep into the story. This is dark fun, not real trauma. So if you’re looking for a game that feels dangerous, grounded, and wildly reactive—grab your flashlight, check your ammo, and step carefully. You just might make it out alive.
At a glance
3 years on StartPlaying
Featured Prompts
I got started GMing...
Because I love writing and creating stories to share with others. This seemed like a natural evolution. It's weird to me that it isn't everyone's goal at a game table to sit behind the screen.
My favorite system of all Time is
Alternity. I always default to it. My gaming groups always end up learning Alternity lingo no matter what system I'm running. My current in person group is just used to Action Check instead of Initiative check.
When I'm not running games I'm...
Reading, writing, playing board games, painting minis, enjoying time with my kids, nature walks, watching movies.
How Cory runs games
I run games where: 🎬 Epic stories unfold from player decisions, not DM monologues 😂 Humor flows naturally, from sharp banter to "oh god we just set it on fire" 🧠 Creative solutions are rewarded—whether it’s using mage hand to sabotage a ballista or convincing a skeleton army to unionize ⚔️ Combat is meaningful, not mechanical—every fight has stakes, drama, and consequences You don’t need encyclopedic knowledge of the rules to play at my table. I meet players where they are—whether you’re brand new or have 300 sessions under your belt. The tone is heroic with a wink: you’re the main characters, but the world isn’t going to make it easy on you. That’s what makes your victories memorable.
Featured Prompts
Rules are...
Written for a reason, but made to be flexible.
Cory's ideal table
Featured Prompts
If you're into ___, you're going to love my table
Monty Python and other movie quotes.
I think metagaming...
Has a certain place. We all know we're in a game, so yeah, this is a puzzle that we're trying to solve. How many first level characters do you have to run before you KNOW what orcs are blinded by bright light? I'm bad about enforcing metagaming rules because we DO know this is a game.
I think min/maxing...
Makes for unplayable characters in role play scenarios. I think that sticking to your character concept and story is more important than getting 1 extra hit point at first level or a ridiculous attack bonus for a wizard.
Cory's Preferences
Systems