Iago
he/him
5.0
(5)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Iago
Hello! I'm Iago, an Artist, Indie Game Designer, and Pro GM from Brazil. Currently in college getting good at computers so I can one day make Disco Elysium 2. In the meantime: Tabletop storytelling is my lifeblood, and what I was put on this earth to do. My earliest memories are of my cousin and me building Lego worlds, creating friends and foes to populate them. Now I do it through the web, with you all. I personally believe our hobby has been with us since the cognitive revolution, when collective fictions first appeared as drawings on cave walls. We turned it into a game through mathemagical rocks and random tables, but it’s all the same at heart. And in those 70.000 years, we’ve only scratched the surface. I look forward to exploring and gaming with kind adventurers from all walks of life as we Start Playing.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Storytelling, World Builder, Creativity
Featured Prompts
I became a GM because
Telling gamified stories was the best excuse I had to make new friends on the weird, wide world. Somewhere along the way, I kind of fell madly in love with it.
I got started GMing...
As a kid! It all started with a big-time Brazilian actual play podcast my brother showed me on a family road trip. That was a nice trip.
When I'm not running games I'm...
Making games! And also, living the good, simple life. We're gonna make it big, though.
How Iago runs games
Collaboration is at the heart of how I run games. I make sure to listen closely, follow what excites everyone at the table, and let the story grow from that shared creative crackle. I very intentionally don’t come in with everything mapped out, but with strong ideas, a deep feel for the system and setting, and room to improvise within the fiction’s ebb and flow. We discover things together in emergent play, in a table-centric style guided by me. That approach shapes the feel of the game. It’s cinematic and character-driven, with player agency always at the forefront. You should play however you wish, grounded in respect and kindness to your fellow players. My role is to weave everything into something cohesive. I use voices, vivid descriptions, soundtracks, and ambience to bring our sessions to life. Mechanically, I stick to the rules as written, with a touch of rule of cool and homebrewed fun when it feels right, blending action, exploration, and social play dynamically, in proportion to what helps everyone at the table have the best time. Narrative-wise, my worlds are original, lived-in, and shaped by past play. They explore themes like community, the human experience, science, the environment, and the beauty in the strange. Expect intimate, weird, dangerous sandboxes full of mystery and personality, with tones ranging from lighthearted slice-of-life downtime to high-stakes action drama. On the practical side, I run games via my own Discord community, The Vampire Attic, using Theater of the Mind or Alchemy and Owlbear Rodeo as needed for a more tactical battlemap approach. It all depends on each game’s demands. To support that space, I employ my own Code of Conduct at the table, ensuring a safe and productive game environment. My pre-game "Min-maxes" questionnaire helps me tailor each session to every player’s preferences and sensibilities. Lastly, I’m always learning. Doing this professionally keeps me pushing my craft forward, and I take that seriously. It matters a great deal to me, and I want to keep getting better at it. I see its power, and in turn, it makes me a bit more powerful too, like a Cleric.
Featured Prompts
I prep by
Building Toys (a.k.a. The Mulligan).
My games focus on...
Roleplay with a healthy sprinkle of exploration and action! Yes, we have our cake and eat it too.
When it comes to voices
I try my damn best! I’m currently taking a voice acting course on the side. :)
Iago's ideal table
The table is supposed to be a gathering place of hearthfire and bonding, where everyone is expected to be present and mindful of each other. Conversations flow without people talking over one another and there’s a clear sense that everyone’s time and participation matter. There’s room for all sorts of different personalities and playstyles, as long as they exist within a baseline of mutual respect. Respect for all identities and ways of being is non-negotiable, and any form of prejudice or offensive behavior is not tolerated. Humor is integral to the experience, but should never be at someone else’s expense. We value cooperation, which means giving others room to participate and helping maintain a positive group dynamic. If conflicts arise, they are handled calmly and directly, with the priority being a fair and healthy resolution for everyone involved. This table works best for players who understand how to share space. You don’t need to be extroverted or highly experienced, but you do need to listen, read the room, and contribute in a way that supports the group as a whole. People who consistently dominate conversations, ignore boundaries, or treat the table as a purely individual outlet will likely not find a good fit here. On a practical level, sessions start on time, distractions are minimized, and everyone is expected to show up and help build something special and fun. Communication is kept clear and respectful, both during and outside of sessions. In short, this is a table for people who want a genuinely shared space, where everyone can settle in, trust each other, and enjoy the experience without friction.
Featured Prompts
I am for a vibe that's...
Packed with unexpected crazy ideas that somehow resolve into something deep and well-structured!
I love it when a player
Builds alongside me and brings a bit of themselves into the game!
My perfect party mix is
A bunch of engaged players portraying unique compelling characters who actively drive the story and have meaningful stakes in it.
Iago's Preferences
Systems
Platforms
Game Mechanics
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Combat Heavy
Theater of the Mind
Sandbox / Open World
Hexcrawl / Exploration