Dilldwarf

he/him

5.0

(19)

TOP GM

Timezone

America/chicago

Language

English

Identity

Game Designer

About Dilldwarf

Hey nerds! My name is Ryan. I have been playing tabletop games since 2012. My first foray into the world of TTRPGs was in a Pathfinder game where I played an android gunslinger. On the first day, in the first session, during the first combat, I rolled a natural 20 to hit a zombie. I was basically hooked from there. I've been a DM since 2016 when I started a Lost Mines of Phandelver campaign with my wife and in-laws. I have run five complete, year-long campaigns since then and a countless number of one-shots. As for outside D&D world, I am a full-time web developer, aspiring game designer, writer and musician (Piano). I also play lots of video games. Mostly strategy games, card games, and RPGs. I hope we can get to know each other and play games together soon. I love meeting new people and teaching people the hobby. Feel free to reach out to me on here or discord if you want to chat about running a game. I hope to play with you soon!

At a glance

4 years on StartPlaying

278 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Knows the Rules

$25 per session

Top Game Master

One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.

Featured Prompts

My 3 systems I'd bring to a desert island would be

D&D, Pathfinder 2e and Mothership.

My favorite shows/movies are

The Matrix, Lord of the Rings, Kung Fu Hustle, and Battlestar Gallactica

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

Probably playing the latest RPG or turn based strategy video game.

How Dilldwarf runs games

My style of GMing is a fully digital one. I like to use music, art and animation to immerse my players into the game. As someone with a background in video game design I have a unique skill set that allows me to deliver a multimedia experience in my games. I have knowledge in programming, digital art, 3D-animation, sound editing and video editing. I have found that GMing is the only hobby that lets me engage with almost every skill I have. FoundryVTT is the only VTT that can deliver the experience I want to make for my players. So I highly prefer to use it over other VTTs. I love Roll20 for getting me started on this journey but their product can't compete with Foundry if you have the patience and skills to take full advantage of it. My games are grounded by the rules. My philosophy is that the rules are needed to fuel the creativity needed to solve the problems I present in my games. With that said, I will bend the rules and sometimes break them if I think they are getting in the way of fun as long as it makes narrative and logical sense. I do not shy away from character death but I know the value of not letting a goblin one-shot a 1st-level player character in their first session.

Featured Prompts

I once ran a session...

where a Beholder was defeated by mayonnaise.

I prep by

making sure my players have choices. I try to run my games as open as possible but I recognize sometimes players need direction. So I always make sure I have hooks prepped. The NPCs and locations for those hooks. And enough random encounters or side content to distract them, if they want.

Rules are...

important but not the most important. While I want to run a well structured game that adheres to the rules of the system I am playing, I am a fun first DM. If a rule, spell, monster feature, class feature, or anything happening at the table is making the game less fun than it's gotta go.

Dilldwarf's ideal table

I try to run a relaxed game. Where everyone can feel comfortable to be themselves and even to be silly. A table that is safe for anyone to play at and one they look foreward to coming back to week after week. Make jokes! Make mistakes! Do silly voices! Or don't! We are here to have fun and even if things in the game get a little intense, we all know it's just for fun.

Featured Prompts

I love it when a player

does the thing. You know. The thing. The thing the DM secretly wants you to do. Yeah... do it. Press the button. Pull the lever. Open the door. JUST DO IT!

I think metagaming...

is fine as long as you don't make in character decisions based on that knowledge. There are things you character knows that you don't. It's my job to recognize when it comes up and inform you. And there are things you know that your character doesn't. Use it to make fun decisions, not just to win.

My table is not the place for...

hate. Period. I'd rather you didn't have it but if you do, leave it behind when you are in my game. Everyone is welcome at my table no matter their background but I have no tolerance for intolerance. If that means you can't play with certain others, than you are welcome to leave.