Étienne's Table

he/him

5.0

(5)

Timezone

Europe/berlin

Language

English

German

Identity

Published Writer

Artist

Teacher/Educator

About Étienne's Table

Let's begin where all great stories end: with you. Your feet are planted in the mud, the tang of sweat and steel in the air. Across the battlefield, your nemesis locks eyes with you. This is it. This is the moment your entire journey has led to. Every choice, every friendship forged in fire, every whispered secret in a smoky tavern. You feel the sun on your skin, the weight of your weapon in your hand, and you are ready. This is the thrill, the wonder, the legend we will build together. But every legend has a beginning, and that beginning is built on the trust between a player and their storyteller. Who is Your Storyteller? My name is Étienne, and for me, stories are not just a hobby, they are my craft and my life's work. As a published author, I have learned how to build worlds from words. As the founder and managing director who ran a publishing house for ten years, I have guided countless authors on their journey from a simple idea to a finished saga. And as a private tutor for creative writing, I have had the great joy of helping others ignite the fire of their own imagination. These experiences have fundamentally shaped my approach as a Game Master. I don't see a campaign as a series of encounters, but as a novel we are writing together. I understand the art of building suspense, the importance of an unforgettable antagonist, and the power of a perfectly placed emotional moment. My Philosophy at the Table: I firmly believe that the magic of TTRPGs lies in the shared, unforgettable moments. My goal is to create the framework for exactly those moments to happen. • Your Story is the Main Plot: To me, a character's backstory is not just a document you fill out at the beginning. It is the most important cornerstone of our campaign. I love to weave personal plotlines, NPCs, and dilemmas from your past directly into the main story until the two are inseparable. • A Safe Harbor for Creativity: The greatest adventures can only be experienced when everyone at the table feels completely safe, respected, and heard. Open, honest communication and an unwavering commitment to inclusivity and safety are the pillars of my table. Your Path to Becoming a Hero: A Unique Onboarding The leap into a new world can be intimidating, especially for new players. That's why I offer every player a personal 1-on-1 conversation before we begin. In this private session, I take the time for you: 1. Character Deep Dive: This is the most important part. We will talk about your ideas and vision for your hero. I will help you create a character who is alive not just on paper, but in your head and heart. 2. The Author's Template: To support this process, I will provide you with my personally developed character biography template. It is a professional tool that I also use as an author to develop well-rounded, multi-dimensional characters. It helps you go beyond the stats to discover your hero's motivations, fears, and dreams. Whether you're a veteran who has traveled a hundred worlds or this is the very first time you've felt the call to adventure. You have a place at my table. That final, epic moment on the battlefield? It all begins here. Are you ready to turn the first page? Your legend awaits.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

3 games hosted

Highly rated for: Sets the Mood, Creativity, Voices

Featured Prompts

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

planning my next move on a chessboard. As a competitive chess player and tutor, I love the deep strategy and foresight the game requires. It's the same part of my brain that enjoys designing intricate plots, memorable villains, and challenging encounters for my players.

How Étienne's Table runs games

My game table is where my passion for storytelling, which I detailed in my "About Me" becomes a tangible, collaborative experience. Here is what you can expect from my style as a Game Master. Gameplay Philosophy: A Character-Driven Epic My style is centered on collaborative, character-driven storytelling. We will be playing epic, mature campaigns using Pathfinder 2e Remastered, a system that offers incredible depth for character customization. • The World is a Living Entity: Drawing on my experience as a writer and chess player, I build worlds that are dynamic and reactive. Factions have their own agendas, NPCs have their own lives, and the world will change based on your actions - or inactions. Your choices will have a real and lasting impact. • A Focus on Narrative: While we will have thrilling, tactical combat, it will always serve the story. My games are ideal for those who love deep immersion and rich roleplaying. Our time is typically balanced as follows: o 40% Roleplay & Character Interaction o 30% Exploration & Mystery o 30% Tactical Combat Structure & Safety: To create an environment where every player can feel comfortable enough to truly immerse themselves, I am committed to a highly structured and transparent process. Safety isn't an afterthought; it's the foundation of everything we do. • Before the Campaign: We begin with the Monte Cook RPG Consent Form. This tool helps me understand the entire group's comfort levels and tailor the campaign's themes from the very start. • In Session 0: This is the most important session. We will collaboratively discuss our Lines and Veils, establishing clear boundaries. We also align on expectations for the campaign's tone and style to ensure we are all excited to tell the same story. • During the Game: The X-Card is always available in Foundry VTT as a tool to pause or edit any content, no questions asked. We also take a planned 30-minute break during each session to give everyone a chance to stretch and recharge. • After Every Session: We conclude with a 10-15 minute "After-Care" period. This is a relaxed, out-of-character chat where we can share our favorite moments ("Stars") and express what we'd like to see in the future ("Wishes"). Our Tools of the Trade: I use a suite of tools to ensure a smooth, seamless, and immersive experience for all players. • Virtual Tabletop (VTT): We play on Foundry VTT. It is a powerful platform that allows for a rich, immersive experience with dynamic lighting, detailed maps, and atmospheric effects. • Voice & Communication: We use Discord for our voice chat and as our community hub between sessions. • Character Creation: Character creation is made easy using the Pathbuilder application. Once you have built your hero, I will import the character sheet directly into our game in Foundry. I handle all the technical aspects of level-ups for you - you just need to provide me with your new stats and spells.

Étienne's Table's ideal table

My table is a welcoming, respectful, and creative space for proactive players who love to engage with the story and each other. We are here to build a great narrative together, which means teamwork and supporting each other's character moments are key. The vibe is focused and immersive during play, but relaxed and friendly during our breaks. This table is a perfect fit for you if you are excited to contribute to the story and are looking for a memorable campaign.

Featured Prompts

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

deep character arcs, seeing your backstory become a central part of the plot, and making meaningful choices in a world that feels alive, then you're going to love my table. We create legends, not just clear dungeons

I love it when a player

takes a piece of their character's backstory and uses it to drive the story forward in an unexpected way. When your hero's motivations lead to a decision that makes the whole table gasp, I know we are creating a truly memorable legend together.

My table is not the place for...

lone wolves or players who view the game as a competition. We are a collaborative team, focused on building a shared story. Disrespect for other players, "main character syndrome," or disruptive arguments are not a good fit for the creative and safe space we build together.