GM Manu
he/him
5.0
(7)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About GM Manu
Hi, I'm Emanuele and I help busy professionals free themselves of their job-induced mental burden by immersing them in an engaging narrative experience that will reignite their feelings and make them daydream again. Like many others I nearly quit TTRPGs during my late teens. I started in high school, playing with friends, goofing off until campaigns fizzled, or trying online games that never clicked. Back then, TTRPGs felt shallow compared to books, movies, and video games. I couldn’t grasp collaborative storytelling, I didn’t even realize it was just one step away. Then one day on Discord, I met Andrea, the GM who changed everything. His worlds were alive, immersive, detailed, with no forced hooks. We were drawn into adventures that felt earned; every loss and victory carried weight. For the first time, I truly felt tabletop gaming’s magic. I didn’t just enjoy it; I understood how much I needed it. TTRPGs broke the monotony of daily life, letting me experience emotions without barriers. Now, I help others escape half-hearted campaigns. Through sharp pacing, character-driven stakes, and reactive worlds, I facilitate the birth of memories that stick; because no one should settle for a game that feels like just another hobby.
At a glance
1 year on StartPlaying
3 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Knows the Rules
Featured Prompts
My favorite shows/movies are
The Bear, Better Call Saul, Arcane
My favorite system of all Time is
Not The End, an incredibly elegant game that uses simple yet original mehcanics to focus on the personal development of our heroes.
When I'm not running games I'm...
Playing videogames or card games at the store; hanging around with my friends yapping about anything; working out or playing sports casually.
How GM Manu runs games
My top priority is weaving your character’s ideals, goals, and relationships directly into the overarching narrative we build together. I’m not here to pit myself against the party, I’m here to create compelling situations you can genuinely care about and feel immersed in. I aim for deep immersion and emotional engagement, gently bending the rules when needed to keep the roleplay flowing smoothly. The rulebooks are our scaffolding, not a cage, and I’m always open to homebrew content, both mine and yours. When it's time for action, expect dynamic, original challenges filled with meaningful stakes and mechanics that support the moment rather than distract from it. I favor Theater of the Mind for its cinematic flexibility and free-form tactics. At my table, there's no binary "win or lose", only the natural evolution of story shaped by your choices. Every outcome opens the door to new consequences, discoveries, and emotions, guiding us toward a satisfying, character-driven conclusion… whether it’s triumphant, bittersweet, or tragic.
Featured Prompts
I deal with rules issues by...
Choosing the most intriguing option for everyone at the table.
My favorite trope is...
The old dry man scarred by a profound sense of guilt that finds his way back to joyful life thanks to a foolish hopeful youngster.
My games focus on...
You!
GM Manu's ideal table
My ideal table is full of players that care about crafting a compelling story by "passing the ball" between each other but also reading the room and understand when it is a good time to focus on their own narrative.
Featured Prompts
If you're into ___, you're going to love my table
Character development
I love it when a player
Showcases how their character has been deeply changed by the recent events through some unexpected action.
My table is not the place for...
Cold and detached players who are only interested in playing the game mechanically as if it was a boardgame or arcade videogame.
GM Manu's Preferences
Systems