Mathieu McDougall

he/him

Timezone

America/toronto

About Mathieu McDougall

I'm an experienced Game Master with a strong background in both official modules and homebrew storytelling. I’ve run full campaigns of Tomb of Annihilation, Tales from the Yawning Portal, Curse of Strahd, Out of the Abyss, and Tyranny of Dragons, along with a long-running homebrew campaign that I’ve been developing and running for the past two years. In addition to GMing, I’ve also spent a good amount of time as a player in various campaigns, which has helped me better understand what makes sessions engaging from both sides of the table. I’m comfortable running games both online, using platforms like Roll20 and Foundry VTT, and in-person, having led numerous live sessions. My focus is always on player immersion, collaborative storytelling, and adapting the experience to suit the group’s play style.

At a glance

1 year on StartPlaying

Featured Prompts

My favorite shows/movies are

My favorite shows and movies are a mix of heart and humor. Armageddon for the epic drama, The Office and Ted Lasso for the laughs, and Breaking Bad for the intense storytelling.

People are always surprised when I tell them

People are often surprised when I tell them I sing opera. It's not exactly what you'd expect from someone who also spends hours rolling dice and slaying dragons.

When I'm not running games I'm...

When I'm not running games, I'm usually diving into board games, gaming with friends, or just hanging out and sharing a good laugh.

How Mathieu McDougall runs games

My games strike a balance between immersive storytelling, character-driven roleplay, and high-stakes combat. I love giving players space to explore their characters’ backstories, relationships, and motivations, often weaving those elements directly into the world and plot. You can expect rich roleplaying opportunities, moral dilemmas, and choices that have real consequences. Combat in my games is tactical and meaningful. I enjoy designing encounters that challenge the party not just in terms of numbers, but through positioning, objectives, and unexpected twists. I use dynamic environments and custom monsters when appropriate, and I always reward creative thinking, whether that’s a clever use of a spell or a wild plan that somehow works. Whether we're playing a published module or a homebrew world, my goal is always the same: create an engaging, collaborative experience where the players feel like the heroes of an epic, unpredictable story. Expect a cinematic tone, emotional beats, and a few dark twists along the way.

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I prep by

I prep by focusing first on story and character. I always consider the narrative arc and how much time we have in each session, but my top priority is weaving in character backstories. In one Curse of Strahd campaign, one player was Strahd’s nephew, and another was the child of Baba Lysaga. Was cool

Rules are...

Like Captain Barbossa once said: "The Code is more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules." When it comes to D&D, I take the same approach. If you want to try something wild, like a triple backflip onto an ogre’s head, climbing into its mouth, and stabbing it from the inside; we’ll figure

When it comes to voices

When it comes to voices in D&D, I love playing around with them; switching up accents, tones, and styles depending on the creature or character. It’s one of my favorite ways to bring the world to life.

Mathieu McDougall's ideal table

My table is all about fun, story, and shared creativity. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or brand new to the game, you're welcome here as long as you’re respectful, engaged, and ready to collaborate. I love mixing heartfelt character moments with big cinematic action — think laughs, drama, and the occasional chaos from a wild dice roll. We focus on roleplay, character development, and player-driven choices. I adapt to the group’s energy, but I do expect everyone to be present, supportive of each other, and invested in the journey. If you're the kind of player who enjoys getting into character, reacting to the story, lifting up your fellow party members, and occasionally shouting "I want to try something crazy!" you'll fit right in.

Featured Prompts

I think it's a red flag when players...

Disrespect others at the table, hog the spotlight, act like it's competition instead of a collaboration. D&D is about shared storytelling, not winning. If someone constantly interrupts, dismisses others’ ideas, or refuses to engage with the group dynamic, it can bring the whole table down.

I think metagaming...

I think metagaming...is like trying to use your phone’s GPS while you’re lost in a fantasy forest. Sure, it might get you somewhere, but it kind of ruins the adventure! I prefer when players trust their characters to figure things out, not the player’s internet knowledge.

My table is not the place for...

My table is not the place for disrespect or anyone who doesn’t want to work as a team. I want everyone to feel welcome and have fun telling the story together.