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Darren

Darren (he/him)

5.0

(45)

DMs Guild Writer

3 years on StartPlaying

958 games hosted

Highly rated for: Knows the Rules, Visual Aid, Creativity

Average response time: Under 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

About me

Greetings, brave adventurers! I am Darren Ruckle—Master of the Multiverse—with over four decades of storytelling mastery and immersive game mastering expertise. For more than forty years, I've guided countless heroes through realms of wonder, intrigue, and legendary adventure. Today, through the incredible platform of StartPlaying, I invite you to embark on a journey that transcends the ordinary and becomes truly unforgettable. My approach to running games is driven by innovation, immersion, and storytelling excellence. Using a highly customized and modded Foundry VTT, I have crafted a virtual tabletop experience that brings fantastical worlds vividly to life. Prepare to be captivated by stunning animations, streamlined automations, and meticulously designed environments that enhance every moment of gameplay. Beyond the virtual tabletop, my passion extends into a thriving Patreon community, offering exclusive content, early access to exciting new modules, and the chance to directly shape future adventures through patron-only polls. As part of our vibrant Discord community, you'll join a fellowship of enthusiastic gamers—sharing stories, exchanging insights, and forming lasting friendships with adventurers from around the globe. With me at the helm, every game session becomes a carefully crafted tapestry of dynamic encounters, intriguing narratives, and memorable characters tailored to inspire your imagination and keep you engaged at every turn. Whether you relish daring dungeon delves, intricate plots brimming with political intrigue, intense battles, or rich roleplaying moments, my decades of experience ensure each adventure is nothing short of extraordinary. So, whether you're a seasoned hero seeking your next great challenge or a curious newcomer eager to experience the magic of tabletop RPGs, your epic journey awaits. Join me on StartPlaying and let's create adventures that you'll carry in your heart for a lifetime. Ready your character sheet, summon your courage, and step boldly into the multiverse. The adventure begins now. – Darren Ruckle, Master of the Multiverse

GM Style

GM Style: Epic Combat & Seamless Adventure Flow Welcome, brave adventurers! I am Darren Ruckle, your Game Master dedicated to crafting thrilling, action-packed sessions defined by strategic combat, rapid pacing, and meaningful player choices. If you seek adrenaline, strategy, and immersive storytelling rolled into one unforgettable experience, you've come to the right place. In my style, combat isn't merely an encounter—it's an art form. Every battle is thoughtfully designed to challenge your tactical abilities, reward clever teamwork, and ignite your creativity. Whether it's an epic showdown with a formidable foe or a tense skirmish that demands quick thinking, my encounters keep your pulse racing and your mind engaged. But an exceptional adventure isn't limited to combat alone. My games emphasize a dynamic and seamless flow that moves swiftly from exploration and puzzles to dramatic storytelling moments. I carefully balance pacing to respect your time and maintain excitement, ensuring each session is packed with action, intrigue, and progress. Roleplaying, while not always the sole focus, remains essential. I encourage players to dive deeply into their characters, bringing personalities vividly to life. Engaging NPC interactions, captivating narratives, and compelling moral dilemmas provide ample opportunities for immersive roleplay, enriching the game world and deepening your connection to the story. As your GM, I emphasize consequence-driven storytelling. Every decision you make has weight, shaping the world around you and influencing future events. Your actions ripple through the adventure, ensuring that your journey is genuinely meaningful and uniquely yours. Clear and open communication is a cornerstone of my sessions. Your voice matters, and I actively incorporate player feedback and ideas into the narrative. Collaboration is key, ensuring every player contributes to a shared, vibrant story that evolves organically. Whether you're drawn by tactical combat, quick-paced storytelling, or immersive roleplaying, join me on StartPlaying for adventures that will captivate your imagination, test your skills, and create lasting memories. Ready your blades, sharpen your minds, and prepare to embark on adventures where glory awaits those bold enough to seize it. Are you prepared for greatness?

Social
Game Master Reviews (45)

Proficiencies

Players say this GM is great at:

Knows the Rules

Visual Aid

Creativity

David Franco avatar

David Franco

New review

Played 3 sessions

Excellent DM with a clear mastery of the 5E and Foundry. Lots of well developed custom content. Games move quickly, with all players engaged and focused.

Jon  avatar

Jon

Played 38 sessions

First off, Darren is very helpful with any questions you may have. He is extremely knowledgeable with Foundry and D&D. His Foundry is very smooth to work with and easy to understand. The thing I am most appreciative of is he runs a fair table. Also you can tell he has taken the time in creating his maps and is always prepared if the group decides to go off script.

Billy avatar

Billy

Played 93 sessions

Darren is a great DM. Knows the rules very well, keeps combat moving and is great with new players. He is also one of very few DMs that can handle high level campaigns and I have played several all the way to level 20 with him.

Jake avatar

Jake

Played 124 sessions

I've been playing with Darren for about 2 years now, every week like clockwork. His system mastery for pathfinder2e, and other systems, is evident and clear. I've now played 5 complete Adventure Paths, and we are closing in on the end of our 6th and have the plans for the 7th in the works, with Darren. One of the best parts of playing with Darren is the community he has built to discuss character & campaign ideas with. You aren't just getting someone who runs a game you play in once a week, you're also getting all the players he plays with too. I cannot recommend Darren enough - In fact, I did is so much that my dad joined up and is in two of his games every week!

Mikey  avatar

Mikey

Played 92 sessions

Darren is by far one of the greatest GM I have had. I have been playing with him weekly for almost 2 years now. What I love about Darren is that he is always reliable and consistent. I still play with 4/5 of the same people from when I first started. He is extremely knowledgeable of the game and has great pacing in terms of combat but also story. He is very flexible and conveys a very epic story. If you ever want to find your forever pathfinder group, I highly recommend Darren as your GM. He will always be there for you and his games are highly sought after.

Alexander avatar

Alexander

Played 24 sessions

Darren is a great DM, was able to help facilitate crazy ideas as long as it fits into reality/Rules and provides quite a lot of combat with the time I had him as a DM. Was very diplomatic and while sounding strict was always toward the benefit of the group and keeping the game balanced in the good way. Plus he puts a lot of work in the background that isn't much noticed in the longer term but is greatly appreciated. Would easily be a player for him again.

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