IvanGMT
he/him
4.9
(38)
Timezone
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About IvanGMT
Well met! I’ve been GM-ing since 2019, my storytelling style tends to be gritty, character-driven fantasy with enough humor to bring out the occasional laugh. I draw inspiration from writers like Joe Abercrombie, George R. R. Martin, and Tolkien. I’m also influenced by video games such as The Witcher, Shadow of the Colossus, and Heroes of Might & Magic. At my table, player freedom is at the core of the experience. I enjoy it when players test the limits of my imagination and push the story in unforeseen directions. I tend to return the favor by placing players in situations where they have to improvise on the fly, which can be both challenging and rewarding. If you enjoy that type of challenge, you’ll likely have a good time at my table. My goal is always to create a vivid theater-of-the-mind experience where players can unleash their creativity and leave with unforgettable stories. I favor theater-of-the-mind GM-ing because I want to mimic the feeling of a real-life table as closely as possible.
At a glance
1 year on StartPlaying
54 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Rule of Cool
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
Top Game Master
One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
Featured Prompts
I became a GM because
It's the best thing
How IvanGMT runs games
As previously stated, I run sessions fully theater-of-the-mind. This keeps immersion front and center, creating a natural flow and strong momentum. Your character’s backstory is not only welcome, but woven directly into the narrative. Of course, if you’d rather keep your backstory separate from the main plot, I won’t force the issue. Players in my games have true freedom of choice. You’re not limited to the options I initially describe - you can propose creative solutions and even add details to the world, almost like being a “micro-GM.” For example: GM: ''The thief you’re chasing climbs to a balcony some 40 feet high, there's a staircase leading up as well as a scaffolding left by whoever was refurbishing the outer walls. How do you pursue?'' PLAYER: ''The thief's too nimble, none of us can match her dexterity. There any trebuchet's nearby we could use to launch ourselves up instead?'' The more ludicrous the idea, the harder it is to pull off, but the option is always there. This freedom of imagination is at the core of my games.
Featured Prompts
My games focus on...
Role-playing & immersion
IvanGMT's ideal table
I focus my games on character interaction and immersive role-play. I love hosting tables where players stay in-character, banter in-character, and build the world through their conversations. While I enjoy combat too, social interactions are at the forefront. To put it in perspective: 70%Roleplay/Exploration/Action scenes 30% Traditional Combat Regarding combat, I like to make use of the environment. There's almost always an opportunity to interact with your surroundings mid-fight to change the state of the battlefield/encounter.