Deanna
she/her
5.0
(8)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Deanna
Even though I specialize in Gothic Horror, I strive to allow my players to feel like heroes. I weave character backstory into the narrative and allow player feedback to shape the story we tell together. I love adding a bit of homebrew and fan content to the beloved module "Curse of Strahd" for unique, Barovian experiences. I pair dark themes with dark humor and fantasy for a little light in the eternal night that is Ravenloft. Above all, I reward creativity, kindness, and interesting choices at my table. I have run "Curse of Strahd" for a variety of tables, including my home group and for an after-school program with heavy modifications to be age-appropriate for high schoolers. My home game is lush, moody, and complex, full of religious symbolism, political intrigue, and character backstory payoffs. My after-school game was full of pop culture references, unexpected levity, and shenanigans akin to letting feral cats loose in a Spirit Halloween store. I know how to tailor a game to my players. I ask for frequent feedback to best serve my groups. As a member of the LGBT+ community, I feel it is important to give a voice to those who feel underrepresented in stories. As an educator, I feel it is important to demonstrate patience to new players who are eager to join the hobby. As a storyteller, I feel it is important to collaborate with my players to create something singular and beautiful. Finally, as a GM, I feel it is important to have fun while respecting boundaries.
At a glance
4 years on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Storytelling, World Builder
Featured Prompts
I became a GM because
I saw a need in my personal friend group. I didn't know I would love it as much as I do, but it makes sense. I love world building and creating interesting NPCs and encounters for my players.
I got started GMing...
And almost immediately got recruited to run an after-school D&D club at the campus where I taught. I've taught beginners to play the game and, in turn, they've taught me to expand my view of the way the game could be. I moved cities and am excited to meet new players to challenge me.
When I'm not running games I'm...
Reading! I'm a big fan of the classics and I'm currently rereading "Wuthering Heights" to get a dose of Gothic literature before my next "Curse of Strahd" session. I also read tarot and spend time with my wife and our two rescue pups, Luna and Desmond, who shed white fur all over my dark clothes!
How Deanna runs games
I am a very roleplay-driven GM. I love creating NPCs to give your characters a chance to demonstrate who they are when people are watching... which means, when you're not embroiled in intrigue or flaunting your charm, when no one is watching, I enjoy giving my players interesting conundrums to solve. I love creating a culture, a cosmology, a world that challenges players. Everything has the potential to be high stakes, to grow your character, and to be a great storytelling moment. I only ask that my players seize opportunities and work with the other players and me to make each moment count. I tend to add homebrew (both my own and other GMs') to existing modules (chiefly "Curse of Strahd") and other adventures to deepen the world. I also love to tie character backstories and motivations to things that exist in the game. I work with players to create satisfying narratives. I also work with players to ensure everyone at the table feels safe, seen, and heard. My Session 0 document is thorough, and we have both one-on-one conversations and group conversations. I like to test group chemistry before going forward with a game and might be inclined to run a one-shot to ensure the group is a good fit. During gameplay, I implement agreed-upon lines and veils to craft a story that everyone wants to tell. However, I will note that "Curse of Strahd" is a trigger-heavy campaign, so I advise my players to be open to darker themes.
Featured Prompts
I deal with rules issues by...
Looking it up together later. We have to keep the narrative moving, but I'm happy to discuss after the game and after the moment has passed.
I once ran a session...
Where the staff at Castle Ravenloft formed a workers' union. I love serious, dark campaigns, but I'm not above a little bit of well-placed humor.
My games focus on...
Character growth. I can't stress enough how character-driven my campaigns are. I try to give every player narrative hooks that tie to either their backstory or the themes embedded in their character. I want to give you cool moments, cool arcs, and deep bonds. Work with me, and all this can be yours!
Deanna's ideal table
My table is about having fun through storytelling. My ideal players have interesting, fleshed-out PCs that can be taken seriously, even if a glimmer of humor is threaded throughout their profile. We don't stress too much about doing character voices, but let our words and our characters' actions speak for themselves. We aren't afraid to explore dark topics, but we are equally unafraid to voice it if something has made one of us uncomfortable. Session 0 isn't a singular session: it's an ongoing conversation and live Google Document that is updated as needed. My ideal table is a safe place to indulge in Gothic Horror and other such challenging genres and topics. We play a game that is somewhere between RAW and Rule-of-Cool, keeping an open mind to new interpretations of the letter of the law. I create moments, you create characters, and, together, we create a narrative. I welcome and reward creativity, kindness, promptness, and attention to the story. And I reward as often as the dice punish. It is a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals, women, and minorities. The real world is a hard place to be; Barovia can be harsher. Therefore, we as players need to be kind to one another and create a collaborative, kind online space we can all enjoy every week.
Featured Prompts
If you're into ___, you're going to love my table
If you're into nuanced NPCs and situations, you're going to love my table.
I love it when a player
Gives me (and the other players) something to work with! Share your backstory and art! Tell me what you want to see happen for your character! Help other players shine at the table! This is meant to be fun and the magic of D&D to take hold, players have to give what they want to receive in return.
My table is not the place for...
Meanness. I don't tolerate it, and I don't think my players should, either.
Deanna's Preferences
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