DM Yan
he/him
5.0
(16)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About DM Yan
Hi! I’m a passionate GM with 5+ years of experience, specializing in D&D 5e. I craft immersive, story-driven adventures where your choices shape the world. Expect rich lore, dynamic NPCs, and a balance of meaningful combat, roleplay, and exploration. I run custom campaigns using Foundry VTT with full automation, animated maps, music via Discord bots, and campaign wikis. My background in Biomedical Informatics brings vivid detail and realism to every scene. Whether you’re new or experienced, you’ll be welcomed with a Session Zero and open feedback culture. Let’s create something unforgettable together!
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
42 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Storytelling
Featured Prompts
My favorite books are
Some of my favorite reads are Percy Jackson, Ransom (David Malouf), the Drizzt Do’Urden saga, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and of course, Narnia. They inspire my tables with epic worlds, encounters with the unknown, and the thrill of losing (and regaining) control.
The three words my players would use to describe me are...
🎭 Immersive – My narration and visuals make players feel inside the story. 🧠 Empathetic – I embrace their ideas and shape the world around them. ⚖️ Flexible – I use rules as support, always prioritizing story and fun.
When I'm not running games I'm...
When I’m not DMing, I’m plotting new sessions, binging RPG podcasts, or raiding YouTube for inspiration. I cook like I roll dice—sometimes spicy crits, sometimes burnt fails. Music fuels me, and if I don’t forget, I fiddle with my violin (pun intended).
How DM Yan runs games
My GM style mixes immersive storytelling with cinematic, tactical combat. You'll meet fully voiced NPCs with depth and purpose, in a world that reacts to your choices. Expect a 70/30 focus on roleplay and exploration, with character-driven plots and emotional stakes. Combat is dynamic and narrative-rich, with animated maps, vivid effects, and dramatic twists. Every battle means something, beyond just hit points. All adventures unfold in Korala, a living world shaped by players—full of lore, politics, and consequences. I value safety, laughter, and storytelling with heart. Foundry VTT, immersive audio, and a custom wiki bring it all to life.
Featured Prompts
My games focus on...
My games focus on the bonds between heroes and the worlds they walk. Every prayer whispered to the gods, every dream stirring in the quiet of rest, every word exchanged with mortal or myth—these shape the tale. Even in dungeons and war, story breathes louder than dice.
Rules are...
Rules are the framework for shared imagination. They guide expectations and reflect the world’s tone—but they’re not walls. When the story calls for it, rules can bend or break to serve the moment and keep the game meaningful.
DM Yan's ideal table
My table is built on engagement and shared storytelling. Players who thrive here create rich, passionate characters and care about the group’s journey. It's a collaborative space where story comes first, and everyone helps shape something bigger than themselves.
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
I love it when a player surprises me—bringing their own depth to the story. When characters engage with the world and each other in organic, heartfelt ways—sometimes in conflict, sometimes like a family—that’s when the game truly comes alive.
DM Yan's Preferences
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