StartPlaying logo
game master profile header image
GM Greg

GM Greg (he/him)

5.0

(8)

Streamer
Published Writer

4 years on StartPlaying

1 game hosted

Highly rated for: Inclusive, Voices, Storytelling

About me

I've been gaming since the late 80's, back when I stumbled into my cousin running a session of Marvel Super Heroes (the old-school FASERIP system) while visiting family in New York. He handed me a character sheet and some dice and said that the characters were breaking into a science lab to steal something. Well, I lasted about 5 minutes before my ADHD-addled eight-year-old brain demanded I find something more stimulating, but a seed had been planted. You see, it wasn't long after that trip, I began to feel an itch that only making multicolored math rocks go click-clack could scratch, and I soon found myself at my friendly local comic shop, asking my parents to get me the Marvel Super Heroes Advanced System boxed set. And from there, a monster was born. Whether it was exploding d6s with West End's Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, or counting successes on d10s while playing the various World of Darkness RPGs after hours in the science classroom at my Catholic high school (I mean, everybody has a Goth phase, right?), I was hooked. Soon, I found myself playing all kinds of TTRPGs - including Palladium, GURPS, Street Fighter: The Storytelling Game (yeah, that's a thing) and the EverQuest TTRPG. And while my 18 Dex 3 Str Elf Rogue quickly met his doom by falling off a cliff during my first-ever AD&D Session (leaving quite the foul taste in my mouth, let me tell you), I eventually embraced the granddaddy of all RPGs with the release of D&D 3rd Edition. Being one of the few out of my large gaming circle who had most of the books, I quickly found myself as a regular DM, running everything from one-shots to multi-year campaigns for my friends. While I enjoyed world building and writing original campaigns, I found that I enjoy running published adventures and modules more, especially in organized play. Upon moving to Los Angeles, I found myself driving all over the southland to attend various RPGA (and later Adventurer's League) events, both as a player and as a Dungeon Master. I even attended the inaugural GenCon SoCal as a volunteer DM for Wizards of the Coast, running back-to-back tables of The Legacy of the Green Regent campaign 12 hours a day all con long. Now a Los Angeles-based Professional Dungeon Master for Hire running games online and in person, I am thrilled to offer Secrets of the Barrowmaze, my West Marches MegaDungeon campaign. You can also catch me behind the DM screen every Monday night on YouTube, running games for some of his best friends, the Brute Squad. Away from the DM Screen, I'm an award-winning actor, published playwright, and critically acclaimed theatre producer focused on bringing new stories the stage at my intimate theatre venue in Los Angeles, California. I'm also a black belt in WTF Tae Kwon Do and a proud cat dad. Finally, I follow the Boston Red Sox with a near-fanatical devotion. Players should be forewarned: to bash the Sox at my table is to court death and/or disaster. Check out my official website at GregoryCrafts.com for more information on my various projects, productions, and hustles. If you're in Southern California, I'm also available to run games in-person! I'm happy to run one-shots for special occasions such as birthday parties, bachelor parties, etc., or meet up at FLGS throughout Los Angeles for regular ongoing adventures or campaigns. Shoot me a message to make arrangements.

GM Style

I like to think of myself as a facilitator for collaborative storytelling more than a referee. I enjoy creating memorable characters and working with the players to spin an epic tale. But that's not to say I don't mind running a good fight! I enjoy challenging players by running my monsters intelligently. I'm a big fan of Tucker's Kobolds and The Monsters Know What They're Doing.

Game platforms used
Social
Game Master Reviews (8)

Proficiencies

Players say this GM is great at:

Inclusive

Voices

Storytelling

Renée Felice Smith avatar

Renée Felice Smith

Greg was super friendly and approachable! We were a group of mostly beginners and he was very patient and kind to all players! We had a blast!

Andrew Robinson avatar

Andrew Robinson

Greg is a pro! He was able to adapt a module for a custom one-shot. He showed up with maps, tokens, and fully prepped so that our session was all about adventure.

Victoria avatar

Victoria

Greg is an incredibly considerate and inventive GM. He is excellent at rolling with changing scenarios inside and outside gameplay — all while keeping a genial attitude. He also has amazing bad accents. Seriously, he’s just oodles of fun to play with.

Saturn avatar

Saturn

Greg is fantastic and the absolute BEST. He runs campaigns for the public library I work at, with me overseeing them, and so I have gotten to witness firsthand for a couple of years now how wonderful he is with the kids. (Even when they're being really, really annoying!) He keeps the adventure running smoothly, patiently helps kids having trouble with their tech or confused about the rules, sets scenes thoroughly, and does absolutely PHENOMENAL voices/roleplaying that regularly have the kids and me in stitches. The kids have a blast and keep returning for new campaigns. I honestly couldn't ask for better and hope he'll keep DMing for us for years to come!

Adam Southard avatar

Adam Southard

Greg is the best. Not only is he a great story teller, but he's patient. That makes him perfect for advanced groups as well as for groups just starting out.

Paul Masterson avatar

Paul Masterson

I had a tremendous time playing Greg's six hour one-shot of Strand Must Die! From the dynamic lighting of the maps, the epic music for the different areas, and the non-stop suspense, to action, to panic, to suspense, it was AWESOME! I highly recommend Greg as a GM and look forward to the next time I get to sit at a table where he is running the adventure. P.S. I especially appreciate how he works with players of all skill levels, making sure that everyone feels comfortable so they can immerse themselves in the story. A true Host/Entertainer of the highest caliber.

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.