
GMApelles (he/him)
5.0
(30)
4 years on StartPlaying
159 games hosted
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Voices
About me
I'm a GM with roughly 10 years of experience with an expertise in story writing. I've run hundreds of custom games that specialize in backstory incorporation and building the world along with the players. If you have a crazy (read "broken") idea, I am an expert in balancing - rebalancing and evolving! RPGs are social foremost, and I love meeting new people and getting everyone on the same page. I'm a little tough as a DM, but new players always appreciate the clarity and fairness I bring to the table, and old players love the surprises and respect to everyone involved. My favorite thing is introducing new people to the hobby, and at this point I've worked out the kinks to ensure your first time is a fun time! www.4Storygames.com
GM Style
I like story first and foremost. How that story unfolds is up to the players. I've had door kickers and monologuers, epic fantasies and one shots. The only constant I have seen that makes the games memorable, is that a personalized story has been told. I am a writer and so descriptions are key. I am an auditory DM that loves introducing players to recurring characters that they fall in love with, or grow to hate. I usually only break out the map for combats, as I want most of the time to be spent in the moment with each other, but when we do dip into combat, I often make the goal more complex than just killing every bad guy on the map. I enjoy putting my players in situations where ingenuity and bravery are rewarded just as much as mechanical precision. My favorite feeling is getting duped by characters who outsmart or outclass my encounters and the more clever the players, the more clever I allow myself to be in return.
Games played
Game platforms used
GMApelles's Games
Game Master Reviews (30)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Storytelling
Creativity
Voices
Amazing DM! He helped me develop a detailed character, bring them to life, and integrate their backstory into the plot. As the only new player in the team, he made sure I actively influenced the game and stayed engaged. The story he created was fascinating, and he clearly explained all the rules and consequences throughout the game. He also has an incredible talent for building a strong community around his games. Amazing experience!
Apelles is a GM who knows how to make world feel alive and make your characters feel integral to the world. He always finds a way to shock me and make me think on my feet and is always fun to sit at the table with. I would play in every game he had if I had the time.
Apelles creates excitement and maintains a thoroughly entertaining atmosphere every time he DMs. He never falters if players get off track, he just politely and intelligently adjusts or gently guides us back. He's amazing with both experienced and new players. I have absolutely nothing but high praise and appreciation for this DM!
While I dropped out after session zero, my experience with Apelles as a gm was a great one! He does so much prep work to make sure that everyone is comfortable while playing and is ok with what is happening in game. I also really like that he has some ground rules to make gameplay go smoother, like not talking over each other, etc. His world building is wonderful and he intertwines players characters, or npc’s, stories together wonderfully. He does that while still allowing for mystery and for players to make their own decisions. He really works with the group to make a setting both in game and in discord that they’ll enjoy. While I decided to back out after session zero, even that was a great process. He’s quick to communicate and explain anything, game wise or startplaying wise. I would definitely recommend playing with him as your gm, and I would still join him again as a player some other time!
What's StartPlaying?
Tabletop Roleplaying Games Run by Game Masters
Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.
Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.
If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.