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Shawn Drake

Shawn Drake (he/him)

5.0

(6)

Podcaster
Veteran
Disabled
Published Writer
Voice Actor
Game Designer

4 years on StartPlaying

1 game hosted

About me

Hey there! I'm Shawn, and I've been playing Tabletop Roleplaying Games for twenty some-odd years, and started DMing from about my fourth session. Since then, I've dabbled in a couple dozen other game systems and built up an inordinate love for collaborative storytelling. In this time where tabletop roleplaying games have inexplicably become cool and popular, I've come to the staggering realization that there are a lot of people out there who don't have a weekly group with which to tell amazing stories. That hurts on a deep and personal level. Nerts to that. I'll run games! Oh, and I make tabletop games for a living. Court of Blades, Dead Belt, HEDGE, Disaster/Peace, Disaster/Wing, and a few others. That's not germane to the conversation, but I like saying it. My games tend to run the gamut between heroic fantasy, rollicking steampunk adventure, taut political drama, spine-tingling horror, and various shades and blendings along those spectra. I believe in being the players' (and their characters') biggest fan, and filling whatever world we're running in with daring adventure, sweeping mystery, funny accents, and surprises aplenty. If that sounds like fun to you, reach out and see if we can't get something rolling.

GM Style

I'm a collaborative fiction junkie. I'm excited about your ideas, and willing and able to let the game follow the fiction we develop together. I'm also a whiz for character voice and roleplay; embodying the non-player characters in your story is my joy. As far as combat and tactics, your antagonists will be smart and looking to win, but good teamwork and bravery will probably carry the day.

Game platforms used
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Game Master Reviews (6)
Gamey Lannister avatar

Gamey Lannister

Played 1 sessions

Had a great One Shot of Blades in the Dark. Shawn was a patient and effective teacher and great with the voices, story and improv. Basically, everything you would want in a GM! Highly recommend.

Crawley avatar

Crawley

I have been a player for Shawn for almost 2 years; I joined his game from an ad on roll20. If you've ever used roll20 to find people to play with, you'll know that just that part of it is a roll of the dice. Finding one person that you gel with and would like to keep playing with in perpetuity is pretty rare. I got the good fortune of three people, later four, and I think that's in large part due to Shawn's ability as a GM. He's quick-witted, creative, funny, is willing to do silly voices, is invested in what the players want, our feedback, and our criticisms. I can't think of a time when he's faltered or fumbled in response to us, narratively, and even less when he hasn't set us up to do cool stuff. He's also a good person and an understanding one. If you want a good game, with good people and good banter, look here.

Travis avatar

Travis

I began playing with Shawn online in March of 2019. He was pitching a game for a system he was interested in but had never run at that point. In that initial conversation, he asked more than a few questions and I could tell immediately from this engagement he was interested in running a solid game. Since then we have played together in a variety of systems. Some were one shots to introduce new comers to the hobby. Some were short runs to expose a new system to players looking for something different. Others like that first game, were longer and more involved campaign arcs that saw the development and evolution of both a truly memorable cast of characters as well as supporting non player characters, worlds and related lore. I was even lucky enough in this time to get the opportunity to test a passion project system hack custom designed by a Couple of Drakes. While that might sound dangerously close to work for some, I would remind skeptics that it is never really work if you love what you do. With every project, every game, every idea that Shawn brings to the table it is resoundingly clear that he loves what he is doing. The enthusiasm with which he meets ideas that others bring to the conversation is infectious. All around the ideal sort of GM you would want behind any sort of GM screen and I have not even mentioned the voices. Do ask about the voices.

The Magnificent Will avatar

The Magnificent Will

Hello fellow gamer, I have been an avid D&D player and fan for more then 20 years now. I have experienced the good the bad and the normal Dungeon Master. I have bore witness to great stories, voices, and characters a like and I must say Shawn Drake has provided a solid performance across all aspects of this glorious job. From playing with him for over 4 years he has provided me with great worlds, thoughtful characters, and amazing stories for my imagination to live in and enjoy. Also he can produce witty jokes and great voices almost out of no where... If you're looking for a solid DM to spend some time with. STOP and look no further. I can promise this is a choice you won't regret. Thank you and God speed traveler.

Alicia Cristy avatar

Alicia Cristy

Drake is an amazing storyteller who weaves all of his players interests and individual character goals into his sessions. I’m not actually sure how he isn’t a professional voice actor, with his stable of amazing character voices, but I digress. My all-time favorite game in twenty years of playing was run by him, wherein our all-halfling, fresh-faced adventurers faced an old mage’s magnum opus of a puzzle dungeon. It was filled with so many amazing vignettes, I wouldn’t know where to begin. By the end, my little halfling, filled with existential dread, decided to return home and become something sensible; like a baker. I, the player, am now ruined and forever chasing that level of amazing in my games. Can’t. Recommend. Enough.

Josh Walles avatar

Josh Walles

Shawn is a great GM that has a knack for narrative and explaining rules to players new to a system. While I have been playing most of my life (about 30 years), Shawn helped me as I learned Blades in the Dark and made the experience fun. In the process, he has become a good friend. Highly recommend 10/10

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