David of the North (he/him)
5.0
(5)
1 year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Voices, Creativity, Storytelling
About me
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.
GM Style
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.
Games played
Game platforms used
Game Master Reviews (5)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Voices
Creativity
Storytelling
David has been great as GM for this newcomer. Explains things well and crafts engaging scenarios which always gives player agency in determining outcomes. Great at playing and bringing to life the NPCs. Constantly keeps the party on our toes and puts up with us flirting with the travelling merchant for an hour 😆
I have been playing in campaigns that David has run for several years now, and all my best memories and greatest gameplay highlights have come from his sessions. He's amazing at maintaining the perfect balance of structure and creativity, and knows just how to build the story and action around the preferences of his players. He is perfectly in tune with each person's play style, and never fails to include something suited just for them and their character. The groups I've played with tend to be a bit on the silly side, yet he somehow manages to adapt flawlessly to our outside-the-box choices, keep reasonable structure to the story, and laugh right along with us. He leaves enough room for us to create really fun memorable moments while knowing where to control the rules and pacing to make the game feel meaningful and worthwhile for everyone. Honestly, David is both a really experienced and talented GM as well as just an all-round great guy. It doesn't take long to pick up on his relaxed but focused demeanor, his care and attention to the unique playstyles of the group, or his sense of humor. Guaranteed you'll have one of those "oh THIS is gonna be fun!" moments that's preceded all your best campaigns with him as your GM. Thanks for being the best GM ever, man!
David is a phenomenal Dungeon Master who truly brings the world to life with his storytelling. His ability to immerse players in rich, dynamic settings is unmatched, and his dedication to character voices and accents adds an incredible layer of depth and personality to every session. What really stood out to me was his openness to creativity, he always encourages player-driven moments and builds off them in such a natural, rewarding way. Whether you’re brand new to tabletop RPGs or a seasoned adventurer, David’s games are engaging, inclusive, and unforgettable. Highly recommend him to anyone looking to experience a truly great game night.
David is an absolutely phenomenal Game Master. Our games with him are consistently the most exciting and creative experiences I've ever had. He has an incredible knack for weaving narratives that truly take you away from reality, and his voice acting abilities are top-tier – every NPC comes alive! Honestly, the amount of effort and talent he pours into each session is astounding; he could easily charge ten times what he does, and it would still be a steal. If you're looking for an unforgettable role playing adventure, look no further!
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