Andrew Dunlop

they/them

Timezone

America/toronto

Language

English

Identity

Queer

Published Writer

Game Designer

About Andrew Dunlop

I have played and run tabletop games for over twenty years, starting with 2nd edition AD&D, and progressing through various iterations of Dungeons and Dragons, Shadowrun, Paranoia, Cyberpunk, Kobolds Are My Baby, FATE Core, Traveller, World of Darkness (various flavours), Exalted, and other games too numerous to briefly summarize. I helped to run story at three local live-action roleplay games, and currently work as an adult program instructor running Dungeons and Dragons for my hometown as part of the local recreation department. In that time, I have taught people how to play games, and learned from them. I have always been impressed by the creativity that a fantastic world and a few lines on paper can inspire in people, and I love to give people the opportunity to explore exciting new worlds with new challenges and opportunities for adventure.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

In grade 5 - a few friends and I had played at a table with one of the friend's fathers, and then I became something of a forever GM because I had stories I wanted to tell too!

My favorite shows/movies are

Clue the Movie, LOTR, Star Wars, although recently toss in KPop Demon Hunters and Gravity Falls!

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

A writer, poet, and project manager - I love spending time with my partner and our pet parrot, Mango!

How Andrew Dunlop runs games

I love roleplay and adventure - the art of seeking out mysteries and solving them. Sessions that I run usually involve discovery and investigation, but I'm not afraid to put in challenging combat or other skill-testing elements, depending on the session, the scenario, and player choices.

Andrew Dunlop's ideal table

My ideal table has people that respect one another and the space. I want to share the joy I feel of helping to tell interesting and engaging stories, and I want to bring people with me on a journey that explores different parts of the hobby. They want to engage with the story, and they want to try new things!

Featured Prompts

I am for a vibe that's...

Friendly and open-minded, but respectful of everyone in attendance. I want people to feel like what they're doing matters and is cool, and that challenges are there to be overcome, even if that may not take the shape of facing them head-on.

If you're into ___, you're going to love my table

Adventure, mysteries, a little in-game politics, and the occasional bad pun.

My perfect party mix is

4-6 players who support one another where they overlap in skills and abilities, and fill in holes for one another where a character may have weaknesses.