Dirk
he/him
5.0
(3)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Dirk
Hi! I'm Dirk and I've been GM-ing for around twenty-five years by now and like to think that I've gotten fairly good at it. Like many people, I started playing Dungeons and Dragons (3.0 back then. Just in time for the complains about 3.5. Yes, edition wars are that old). Fairly quickly, I found that some stories are better told with other systems and so, I built up a slightly oversized collection of books and experience with a plethora of systems. I've ran games for groups of friends and also like to run games at conventions and the like. I find that every story should be tailored to the people at the table, whether it's virtual or an actual one. Aside from games, I enjoy painting miniatures, literature, and, of course, cooking and baking. Those however are a little less relevant for online gaming.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Beginner Friendly
$15 per session
Featured Prompts
I ran my first game...
just after I got some of the books for DnD for my birthday. I only had the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master Guide, early 2000's internet access, and a poor grasp on English. But despite that, we had fun with my self-written adventure and weird baddies.
People are always surprised when I tell them
that I can't watch horror movies without endangering those around me because of jump scares.
How Dirk runs games
The way I run games really varies based on the people in the group. But generally, I prefer character-driven games where the players are free to discover the world around themselves and to get to express their characters. I tend not to be the most rules-lawyery of game masters, so I don't do things like tracking exact weight or ammunition unless it's actually a vital part of the adventure. When it comes to combat, I like it when there is freedom for multiple approaches. So, I tend to describe the setting and then let the players find their own way, whether they want to swing from a chandelier to get behind some baddies or charge in directly. Or run away for that matter. Because of that, I also don't really use battlemaps. I find that they can be restrictive to the creativity of players. I like to leave space for humor, even in a horror game. Or perhaps especially so because those are the games where a hint of lightness is most necessary.
Featured Prompts
I once ran a session...
when one of the players was feeling really down. So instead of continuing with the main storyline, the players hijacked a beach party, got drunk, and one of them got engaged with the DJ.
My favorite trope is...
Musical episodes. But because of my own lack of singing skills, that unfortunately isn't something that would work for a game. So I'll instead have to go for humour in the face of danger and quippy one-liners.
Rules are...
a helpful guideline to move the story along and to determine what happens. They aren't written in stone though and there always are situations that they don't cover. In such situations, I prefer to improvise a solution to keep moving and discuss things later.
Dirk's ideal table
To me, the most important thing is that we're collaborating to tell a story. Sure, the Game Master lays some of the groundwork, but it is the players who build on that and who, through interactions, make it something truly special. I honestly believe that everyone has their own creativity within themselves and just needs the right circumstances to bring it out. The most important thing for that is that everyone feels safe and comfortable, which means that it is my task to ensure that everyone is more or less on the same page.
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
comes up with creative approaches that I didn't think of myself. I also really enjoy it when players are open to humour and add little quirks to really bring their character to life.
Dirk's Preferences
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