Nelson | The Charming Trickster
he/him
5.0
(7)
Timezone
Identity
About Nelson | The Charming Trickster
Hi! I’m Nelson. Project manager by day, stage magician by night, and in my free time, a dice-rolling Sorcerer Rabbit with a haunted past. I’ve been playing TTRPGs - mainly D&D 5e - on and off for years, but over the last two, I’ve jumped in with both feet, playing twice a week and loving every minute of it. I really found my footing here on StartPlaying, I have been welcomed by inclusive, fun, and deeply creative GMs and players. That experience has inspired me to give back by becoming the kind of GM I would’ve loved to have met at my first table. I run D&D 5e (both 2014 & 2024) for friends, family, and anyone looking for an adventure with heart, comedy, and edge of the seat thrills. My background in project management helps me guide groups through creative challenges and navigate conflict with clarity and care. And as a professional magician, I bring theatricality, wonder, and a touch of spectacle to every game I run.
At a glance
1 year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Rule of Cool
Featured Prompts
I got started GMing...
I started GMing because I wanted to be the kind of Game Master I had always wished for. One who sparks wonder, shares the spotlight, and builds a world where players feel seen, empowered, and excited to be heroes. I wasn’t just craving a game, I was craving a shared experience.
The three words my players would use to describe me are...
(1) Storyteller (2) Clever (3) Fun
When I'm not running games I'm...
baking sweet treats with my wife, walking my hairless dog, probably playing Mass Effect for the 500th time, catching up on my giant unread comic book stack, performing magic shows either on cruise ships for money or senior centers for free, or at the archery range missing the center of the target
How Nelson | The Charming Trickster runs games
I am first and foremost a player at heart, which means my guiding principle as a DM is always: what will make this fun for the players? I reward creativity, encourage collaboration, and follow the rules - until something much cooler (or dumber) comes along. I’m not a voice actor (many of my NPCs mysteriously sound like Brooklyn cab drivers), but I bring enthusiasm to every role. I have zero shame in being silly if it serves the story, the fun, or the joke. I tend to rely on published, time-tested material as a foundation - but the players shape the narrative, and the dice decide the outcomes. I’m a radically progressive and inclusive DM who values communication above all else. Whether you are brand new or a seasoned adventurer, I strive to create a game that's safe, welcoming, respectful, and FUN for everyone. All d20s are equal under the sun.
Featured Prompts
If my games were Movies they'd be directed by...
Tex Avery & Tim Burton. Expect cartoonish chaos, eerie intrigue and high stakes adventure. One minute you're dodging a pie-wielding goblin, the next you're solving mysteries in a haunted toy shop. My games are fast-paced, weird, and heartfelt with plenty of quirky roleplay.
My favorite trope is...
My favorite trope is “Save the Cat”, those small, tender moments that reveal a character’s true heart. Whether it’s a gruff hero rescuing a kitten or a rogue helping a stranger, it adds depth, humanity, and emotional weight to a story. Plus, it’s just narratively satisfying.
Nelson | The Charming Trickster's ideal table
My ideal table is one where everyone feels safe, welcome, and empowered to tell a great story together. The vibe is playful, collaborative, and story-driven with plenty of room for laughter, character moments, and the occasional over-the-top twist. Rules are respected, but fun and creativity always take precedence. The players who thrive at my table are curious, kind, open-minded, but most of all want to play. Whether you're a tactical thinker, a roleplay enthusiast, or just here for the vibes, there's room for you. You don’t need to know all the rules - just bring your enthusiasm, your ideas, and your willingness to share the spotlight. We cheer each other on, we celebrate bold choices, and we accept the chaos of the dice with good humor. If you're looking for a space where everyone gets a voice and the story belongs to the table, not just the DM, then you’ll fit right in.
Featured Prompts
If you're into ___, you're going to love my table
thrills, chills, shenanigans, hijinks, high adventure, close calls, plot twists, narrow escapes, daring rescues, dramatic reveals, secret agendas, over-the-top monologues, cursed objects, monsters, talking animals, mysterious strangers, wild magic, unlikely alliances, and dice-fueled destiny
My perfect party mix is
3 cups Corn Chex, 3 cups Rice Chex, 3 cups Wheat Chex, 1 cup mixed nuts, 1 cup pretzels, 1 cup garlic bagel chips, 6 Tbsp butter, 2 Tbsp Worcestershire, 1.5 tsp seasoned salt, 3/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder / Coat & Microwave 5 to 6 min. Wait... did you mean... like... a D&D party?
Nelson | The Charming Trickster's Preferences
Systems
Platforms
Game Mechanics