Gene - Wanderlust Tavern

he/him

5.0

(1)

Timezone

America/chicago

About Gene - Wanderlust Tavern

Hey there!!! I'm a Dungeon Master with years of experience crafting immersive, character-driven adventures in Valoria ( a personal, well built-upon homebrew 5e setting). That said, I can run Faerun, CoC, and with time any other settings that may be preferred. My DMing style blends rich lore, dramatic tension, tactical combat, and meaningful player choices to create stories that resonate beyond the dice rolls. I specialize in collaborative storytelling and player-led narratives, weaving detailed arcs around backstories, choices, and party dynamics. Whether you want political intrigue, classic dungeon crawls, heart-wrenching personal quests, or high-stakes boss battles... I tailor each session to the group’s tone and preferences. Fair warning, I don't run "kill everything", "evil", or "min-max murder-hobo personal fantasy" type games. Typically, I work with every player and craft backstories into the game to feel real and like a part of a living, breathing narrative. Here for the story, not the numbers. Sessions are run professionally with clear communication, punctual scheduling, and tools that make remote play easy and enjoyable (Discord, Foundry, some experience with Roll20). Open to one-shots, long-term campaigns, or special event games. LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent friendly, zero tolerance for toxic behavior. Let’s roll initiative and tell a story you’ll never forget.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Creativity, Knows the Rules, Inclusive

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

I got my start with my friends, but I ultimately became a GM because the game is a creative outlet for everything I enjoy. From my artwork, to my storytelling, to being better at communication and interaction with people, the game has helped me have an outlet and even improve myself over the years.

I got started GMing...

My friends wanted to try it and since I was the author/artist of the group I got elected. We found a Player's Handbook and a DMG and from there that was pretty much all she wrote. I've been hooked on the game ever since.

The three words my players would use to describe me are...

I think my players would best describe me as energetic, fair but firm, and creative. While I'm not the best out there I tend to inject a lot of enthusiasm and energy into my world and my npcs. My hopes are that my enthusiasm at the table sticks with my players long after the books are closed.

How Gene - Wanderlust Tavern runs games

Veteran Dungeon Master with years of experience crafting immersive, character-driven adventures in Valoria ( a personal, well built-upon homebrew 5e setting). That said, I can run Faerun, CoC, and with time any other settings that may be preferred. My DMing style blends rich lore, dramatic tension, tactical combat, and meaningful player choices to create stories that resonate beyond the dice rolls. I specialize in collaborative storytelling and player-led narratives, weaving detailed arcs around backstories, choices, and party dynamics. Whether you want political intrigue, classic dungeon crawls, heart-wrenching personal quests, or high-stakes boss battles... I tailor each session to the group’s tone and preferences. Fair warning, I don't run "kill everything", "evil", or "min-max murder-hobo personal fantasy" type games. Typically, I work with every player and craft backstories into the game to feel real and like a part of a living, breathing narrative. Here for the story, not the numbers. Sessions are run professionally with clear communication, punctual scheduling, and tools that make remote play easy and enjoyable (Discord, Foundry, some experience with Roll20). Open to one-shots, long-term campaigns, or special event games. LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent friendly, zero tolerance for toxic behavior. Let’s roll initiative and tell a story you’ll never forget.

Featured Prompts

I once ran a session...

A player bought out my BBEG. She was a kind but naive tabaxi, and had spent most of the game collecting valuables and money that she refused to share. Last session she bought out the BBEG who had started a war over starvation. Quite literally asked him "How much for your people to survive?"

My games focus on...

My games focus more on the story and the collaborative effort of the players and dm to get involved and savor the lore and emotion of the game rather than numbers or just murder hoboing our way through. I want players to walk away feeling like they reached the ending of a book they want more of ...

Rules are...

I value rules at my table in that I like things to flow along and rules provide a structure. They're absolutely a necessary tool for a ttrpg. That said a bent rule here or there can equal some amazing character moments. I judge each situation as it comes, with a focus on being firm, but fair and fun

Gene - Wanderlust Tavern's ideal table

At my table, storytelling takes center stage. I run immersive, character-driven campaigns with a balance of narrative depth, tactical combat, and moral complexity. Expect emotionally charged moments, layered NPCs, meaningful choices, and cinematic set pieces that tie directly into your backstory and the world at large. Players who enjoy building flawed, evolving characters and engaging with the world on a deeper level will thrive here. I value respectful collaboration, strong roleplay, and creative problem-solving. My worlds are reactive and dynamic. Choices matter, consequences unfold, and your characters leave a mark. There's room for humor, heroics, and heartbreak, often in the same session. What Works Well at My Table: -Roleplayers who stay engaged in the story and with other players -Players who enjoy serious themes with occasional levity -People open to slower pacing when it serves drama or tension -Those who enjoy rich lore and making their impact on the world -Flexible minds: rules matter, but narrative always comes first What Doesn’t Work Well at My Table: Murderhobos or constant edge-lord types Players who metagame excessively or break immersion Those looking for loot-centric dungeon crawls with little story People who disrupt others’ scenes or hog the spotlight Min-maxers who care more about mechanics than character motivation Not to say these players are bad or not, they're just not a good fit at my table. If you’re here to help tell a great story, explore your character’s personal struggles and triumphs, and leave the table feeling like you lived something, this is your place, and I can't wait to have you!

Featured Prompts

I love it when a player

Stays active at the table and engages with the game, delves deep into the lore and engages with the group around them and focuses on a shared positive experience. This can be especially hard sometimes when singular character moments happen, so it's always appreciated to see the effort.

My perfect party mix is

My perfect party mix is 3 to 5 engaged players who value character depth, emotional storytelling, tactical combat, and collaborative worldbuilding. Everyone brings something different but respects the story, the table, and each other.

My table is not the place for...

I'll give a list here, though I'm sure most players have an idea of most of these: - Minmaxers - Spotlight Thiefs - Toxicity or Exclusion of any type - Politics or otherwise charged topics that are best left off the table - Vulgarity or extremely uncomfortable actions