Grayson
he/him
5.0
(9)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Grayson
I began playing Dungeons & Dragons in 1979, and knew even then that I would be a lifelong GM. TTRPGs have been a part of my life ever since, and have shaped who I am in so many ways—as a writer, reader, storyteller, history buff, and lover of mythology. Wherever I’ve lived and whatever I was doing, I’ve always been part of an active gaming group. I’ve played a number of different systems, including Call of Cthulhu, Traveler, Gamma World, Toon, Paranoia, GURPS, Vampire: The Masquerade, Daggerheart, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. My two great loves in the TTRPG world are the Marvel Superheroes FASERIP game, and of course Dungeons & Dragons. These days, 5e is my primary focus. Even after all these years, I am continuously amazed by the power of TTRPGs. Gaming is a unique creative field of its own, a shared playground of the imagination in which we create stories and excitement together. I would love to be able to share the joy of gaming with more people.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
1 games hosted
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Teacher, World Builder
$25 per session
Average response time: 24+ hours
Response rate: 100%
Featured Prompts
I got started GMing...
I love storytelling, and I love creating worlds. Inviting others into my imaginary playground is a continuous joy to me.
My favorite books are
A far-from-complete list of my favorite authors would include Douglas Adams, Stephen King, Dick Francis, Ursula K. Le Guin, T. Kingfisher, Jim Butcher, David Brin, George R.R. Martin, Patrick O’Brian, Tana French, Neal Stephenson, the James S.A. Corey team, and (of course) J.R.R. Tolkien.
When I'm not running games I'm...
... preparing for games, writing stories and adventures, and reading.
How Grayson runs games
I am a roleplay-first GM. Combat for its own sake can be fun, but the game really gets traction when every combat serves the story and the journey of the PCs. My GMing style is both “Rule of Cool” and “Rule of Reasonable Verisimilitude” (which is a fancy way of saying I try to make gameplay make sense). I’ve built in time-tested homebrew rules meant to encourage creativity and make the game more engaging. I’m a “yes-and” GM who will work with you to create a fun, challenging, and unforgettable game experience. I consider my players to be fully participatory members in creating the story we experience. I encourage players to add their own ideas to the game. The GM and the players should be in constant dialogue to create the game world together. I can run a game in almost any style, so long is everybody is having fun and nobody feels unsafe or left out. What I bring to any setting is creativity and writing skill. I love to surprise players with new creatures, homebrew twists on familiar monsters and magic, and stories with unexpected twists. I know how to escalate tension, build compelling mysteries, and deliver satisfying and epic payoffs.
Featured Prompts
I deal with rules issues by...
- Sharing my homebrew rules in each game - Listening to players’ creative ideas - Making prompt decisions that don’t slow down the session - Deciding post-session if a ruling needs to be revisited
I prep by
- Reviewing an adventure carefully with a pro-editor’s eye - Always asking: “How could this be better?” - Making changes that reflect player history, goals, and choices - Practicing voices and NPC personalities - Keeping extensive notes about every session
My games focus on...
- The PCs as main characters of an exciting story - The big and small details that make that story unforgettable - Collaboration and cooperation at the table - Making sure everyone is having a good time
Grayson's ideal table
My table is a welcoming space for players of all levels of experience. I want each player to feel encouraged to add their own creative ideas and roleplaying style. I love players who get invested, whether it’s in their backstory, the world, or that peculiar NPC that I didn’t think was going to be important. I appreciate a group that respects everyone at the table, and the tone of the adventure itself. When players and the GM commit to mutual support, an adventure can easily veer between dramatic tension, lighthearted moments, and even madcap nonsense without ever “breaking” the narrative.
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
Comes to my rescue to illuminate some aspect of the story that I hadn’t thought about. I enjoy incorporating player ideas into my adventures when they sync with the setting and tone. That’s what co-creating is all about.
I think min/maxing...
A legit way to approach a game. I encourage min/maxing to be balanced with roleplaying. Does it make narrative sense for a PC to multiclass? Would your character pick up that evil sword just because it has great specs? I think characters are most fun when they are more than the sum of their stats.
My table is not the place for...
- Players who can’t share the spotlight - PvP - Disrespect - Rules lawyering - Being mean to fellow gamers under the guise of roleplaying - Bigotry