David of the North
he/him
5.0
(11)
Timezone
Language
About David of the North
I was introduced to Dungeons & Dragons in 1986 by my amazing 5th-grade English teacher, and I’ve been hooked ever since. A lifelong love of fantasy, sci-fi, books, and storytelling turned out to be the perfect mix for a budding Dungeon Master. Now, with close to 40 years of experience behind the screen, I’m excited to share my style of game mastering with players beyond my usual circle of friends. When I’m not rolling dice or crafting adventures, you’ll probably find me mountain biking, hiking, gaming, reading, catching a live rock show, or hanging out with my cat.
At a glance
2 years on StartPlaying
3 games hosted
Highly rated for: Teacher, Storytelling, Creativity
Average response time: 5 hours
Response rate: 50%
Featured Prompts
My favorite books are
Gaunt's Ghosts (WH40k) by Dan Abnett : War is hell. Future war is even worse. The Bloodsworn Trilogy by John Gwynne: The only fantasy Ragnarök saga you'll need to read. Great world-building and lead characters. Arthurian Tales by Giles Kristian: Camelot done with grit and realism, my favourite.
My favorite shows/movies are
Shows: Battlestar Galactica (revival) The Expanse Andor Robin of Sherwood Fringe Penny Dreadful Cowboy Bebop ST:DS9 Spartacus Films: The Lord of the Rings OG Star Wars Evil Dead 2 Dead by Dawn Raiders of the Last Ark Alien(s) The Road Warrior Big Trouble in Little China T2 Back to the Future
When I'm not running games I'm...
Trying to catch up on my plethora of backlogged shows/movies and video games. Playing with my new cat, Jonesy. Mountain Biking. Hiking while listening to audiobooks. Looking for new assets to insert into my games.
How David of the North runs games
My game mastering style leans toward “ruling-over-rules”—prioritising flow and storytelling over rigid mechanics. I value both immersive role-playing and dynamic dice-driven action in equal measure. I run adventures that span classic fantasy quests (both small-scale and grand), mysteries, horror, or a mix of all three, with a focus on keeping combat fast-paced and cinematic. Think 30-45 minutes, not three hours. I believe role-playing shouldn’t vanish during combat, and I strive to avoid turning encounters into turn-based grinds. The Rule of Cool guides my table, and creative thinking beyond what's written on your character sheet is always encouraged and rewarded. My online games include visual scenes to pull you in, music & SFX to engage you and silly voices because it's fun. If this sounds like a style that suits you, then let’s begin your story.
Featured Prompts
I deal with rules issues by...
Making a decision and moving on while promising to discuss disputes after the session.
If my games were Movies they'd be directed by...
Terry Gilliam. Light with dark undertones. Guillermo del Toro. Horror with heart. Edgar Wright. Silly, charming, personal, great music.
My games focus on...
Character, story, combat. I want to help you develop your character while also having my goblins try to murder them. All in a narrative-focused scene.
David of the North's ideal table
My tables tend to attract players who enjoy rich storytelling and character-driven narratives—but who also appreciate a well-earned, meaningful combat encounter. If you're into min/maxing every stat or playing a no-limits "murder hobo," my style likely won’t be the right fit. The same goes for players who expect their characters to be untouchable—death is a real possibility, otherwise what's the point of combat? I like to keep the tone light and fun, with space for jokes and levity, but when the story calls for seriousness, I expect players to lean in. During game time, I ask for everyone’s full attention. Distractions not only make my job harder, but they also disrupt the flow and enjoyment for everyone at the table.
Featured Prompts
If you're into ___, you're going to love my table
80's fantasy/sci-fi films. Classic TSR.
I love it when a player
Thinks of new & unexpected ways to accomplish a task or involves other players in their ideas. When I hear players being excited or talking about their experiences with others. Ask me questions.
My table is not the place for...
Min/Maxers, murder hobos, the immature. In my entire life, I have only had to ask one person to leave my table.
David of the North's Preferences
Platforms
Game Mechanics