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Josh Abel

Josh Abel (he/him)

5.0

(7)

3 years on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Voices

About me

D&D 5e & Shadowdark Dungeon Master: Homebrew Adventures & Immersive Roleplay Welcome to your next great adventure! I'm a (semi)professional Dungeon Master specializing in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition & Shadowdark with a focus on rich storytelling, dynamic combat, and interactive worldbuilding. Whether you're a newcomer eager to explore or a veteran hero chasing new legends, my sessions strive to blend the best of homebrew creativity with the structure of beloved official modules. My games spotlight character-driven narratives, collaborative storytelling, and just the right amount of chaotic humor (bad puns included, no extra charge). Expect engaging roleplay, tactical encounters, devious puzzles, and a world that evolves with your choices. If you’re looking for a D&D or Shadowdark experience that’s equal parts heartfelt, hilarious, and heroic—pull up a chair. Let’s roll some dice and make some memories.

GM Style

My GM Style: Collaborative, Character-Focused, and a Little Chaotic (in a good way) I'm all about roleplay-rich sessions where your characters take center stage—and yes, I’m absolutely doing the voices, no matter how ridiculous they sound. Voice acting isn’t expected, just encouraged if you’re feeling bold. Every session blends immersive storytelling with tactical combat or brain-teasing puzzles, tailored to your group’s preferences and the evolving narrative. My priority is making sure everyone’s engaged, having a blast, and invested in the adventure. We’re here to tell an awesome story together, not grind through content like it’s a textbook.

Game platforms used
Game Master Reviews (7)

Proficiencies

Players say this GM is great at:

Creativity

Storytelling

Voices

Holland avatar

Holland

Josh was actually my first GM. Pandemic Blues hit me like it hit everyone else, and I decided to give DnD a shot and see what I thought. Two years later and I'm in three active campaigns and a shelf full of encyclopedias and bestiaries, and it's all thanks to Josh's work as a GM. Josh is a natural storyteller. His descriptions of locations, characters, and encounters are so vivid and rich in detail that you truly feel like you're IN the story. Add to that his immersive character voices and roleplaying, and it's very easy to lose yourself in the game. His strength as a storyteller also extends to his flexibility. A lot of GMs write their opus and try their best to wrangle their players along its course. Josh understands that the players write the story with their actions. Sure he has a grand scheme and plenty of details to populate it, but he's not afraid to throw everything out the window and switch tracks to follow the choices of the players (no matter how crazy they might be). I've played with several GMs in the past two years, but there's only one I will play with anymore and that's Josh. His love of the craft shines through in the details and performances surrounding his campaigns as well as his extensive knowledge of the source material/rules. He is what all GMs should strive to be, and there's no one else I would rather have running my campaign.

Choirfire avatar

Choirfire

-Clear descriptions & interesting scenarios for combat -Balance of Social, Puzzle, & Combat gaming -Pacing of the game was steady -Good consistent world building, variety of NPC's & lively atmosphere -Emphasis on fun

Phil avatar

Phil

Josh is a fantastic GM for both experienced gamers and those just starting out. He always comes prepared, knows the game inside and out and does a great job engaging his players. I've been playing in one of his D&D 5E campaigns for a couple of years now and it's still as fun now as when we began. His maps a great and so are his NPC characters. I encourage anyone looking for a fun RPG experience to ask Josh to GM for you!

dillon koenig avatar

dillon koenig

Josh has ran a few campaigns for me and my friends. It is always a blast to see what twists and turns he throws our way. He knows the rules of the game but also goes by the rule of cool. He is able to spin tales of adventure and triumph, and be able to throw in a bad joke while doing it. I highly recommend you give him a chance to be your GM!

Mari avatar

Mari

If you love dad jokes, Josh is the DM for you! Just kidding (sort of). Josh provides a wonderfully fleshed out world and NPCs. He also provides an excellent balance of combat and role playing, usually with a fair bit of both for each session. The ambiance is always set with music and background tracks so it is very easy to get immersed quickly. It’s easy to be creative and fun in his settings, as he keeps an eye on the rules but isn’t afraid to bend them for a good (or funny) idea. Favorite moment: West side story cranium rats New players, players who enjoy RP, and nice players who just want to play D&D would probably like Josh as a DM.

Abra Cadabra avatar

Abra Cadabra

A fantastic story teller, knows the rules and also knows fun. l never know where the campaign is going to go, and that is meant in the best of ways. The campaign is always so very well fleshed out, that it seems like every shocking turn (whether the results are good or bad) has been planned from the get go. I am lucky enough to be involved with a great party, and this GM, as my first true campaign that I have ever played. GM is excellent for new comers and veterans alike. Our campaign ranges from straight noobs (myself) to those who have been playing for decades. We are all having a great time. Personally, I feel that GM has a serious gift for doing this. My best endorsement is that I look forward to game night because I know it is going to be a great time. Their have been so many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life, and I am thankful to have been a part of them. GM also can handle any absurdity that can be thrown their way. To be extremely blunt, GM is good enough to have $$$ value for their services.

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