game master profile header image
DM_Alex | Zoological Gardens

DM_Alex | Zoological Gardens (he/him)

5.0

(26)

Published Writer
Artist
Teacher/Educator

Less than a year on StartPlaying

126 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Teacher

Average response time: 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

About me

DISCLAIMERS: 1) I use no A.I. to run or prep my games -- I believe in the real, human experience behind TTRPGs! 2) Enjoying the game is more important than money, always. Nothing makes me more sad than someone having to leave a game because they can't afford it. I'll always be flexible about that, no matter what! Now, more about my DMing style! *** I'm a children's librarian, writer, actor, and musician, but of all my ever-multiplying hobbies, I love running TTRPGs the most. I came to this site to run games for engaged groups who love telling stories, building worlds, and solving problems together.

GM Style

Improvisation & problem-solving šŸŒ€ Unexpected player choices and contradictions are what these games are all about. I adapt to twists and story developments to make them meaningful and memorable. Player-focused experience šŸŽ­ As a children's librarian and former high school English teacher, I have plenty of direct experience adapting to different play styles and skill levels, ensuring every player feels engaged. Story-driven GMing šŸ“– The story and your characters are my top priorities. The fun part for me is when things DON'T go how I expect! Style awareness & detail-oriented 🧠 I adjust the campaign after each session to fit your style, and I’ll remember players might forget, like your spell slot count, your feuding pet chickens who only show up every few sessions, or that you forgot to level up last time! Balanced tone āš–ļø I blend humor with dramatic depth, ensuring levity where it fits while keeping serious moments impactful. I love a goofy game, but I'll follow the players' led! Exploration & social interactions šŸŒ While I balance all aspects of D&D, I emphasize roleplay and discovery, creating immersive worlds for you to engage with. Swashbuckling combat šŸ—”ļø I craft encounters to be cinematic, with high-energy, creative battles (yes, please do swing from the chandelier!). Inclusive 🌈 create a space where all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are celebrated. My table is LGBTQIA+ friendly, neurodivergent-inclusive, and adaptable to different needs and playstyles. At my table, I value respect, collaboration, and storytelling that uplift diverse voices! Beginner-friendly 🐣 I love teaching and encourage collaborative learning—check my reviews for more details. Fair pricing & refunds šŸ’ø If you ever feel you didn’t get your money’s worth, just let me know—I’ll issue a refund, no questions asked. I would rather make this free & fun than a monetized slog! (And please make generous use of the "Skip Session" feature!)

Game Master Reviews (26)

Proficiencies

Players say this GM is great at:

Creativity

Storytelling

Teacher

Ben  avatar

Ben

Played 19 sessions

Alex is a great GM. I am in my first play by post campaign and he is DMing it. He has Discord set up expertly, so that it is very easy to run the game and keep things organized. He is very helpful(I am bad at the tech side of the game) and his writing style as a DM is very engaging and descriptive of the world setting of the game. He has a real knack for drawing you into the world of the game. If you're looking for a good DM who is very helpful and runs fun games, Alex is the one for you!

Brock Lee avatar

Brock Lee

Played 19 sessions

Great Gm.

Jackson Vanbuskirk avatar

Jackson Vanbuskirk

Played 19 sessions

I've had a great experience in DM_Alex's game. This is my first time playing in Play by Post format and DM_Alex's help and game experience has been awesome! Direction for the party is clear, tooling support through discord is great, and of course the group is great :) Easy 5 star from me!

A.J. Falcon avatar

A.J. Falcon

Played 8 sessions

Alex is engaging and kind, his play by post are fun and give each participant a chance to shine, risk and reward hides behind every corner and the excitement for more is contagious. Take a chance, roll the dice!

Ali avatar

Ali

Played 5 sessions

Communicates well with players and does their best to describe environments and keep things moving.

Constance avatar

Constance

Played 3 sessions

DM Alex has been very engaged and enthusiastic in our LotRRP PbP game. His NPCs have shine and character and his storytelling is engaging. He is transparent about how he is running the game and the lore and he always communicates with us. He keeps maps and combat and all the crunchy details organized and quickly addresses any inconsistencies or mistakes. He is also very accommodating to player needs and checks up on us if he thinks something is off. His game has been very enjoyable! Thank you DM Alex!

What's StartPlaying?

Tabletop Roleplaying Games Run by Game Masters

  • Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.

  • Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.

  • If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.