Jess
she/her
5.0
(1)
Timezone
Identity
About Jess
I'm a games researcher, published author, and lifelong storyteller with a deep love for collaborative narrative. I’ve been playing D&D for about seven years and have been a Dungeon Master for five of those. My academic and creative work both explore how games shape identity and community—insight I bring to the table with every session. A major part of my growth as a DM came through my time at The Basement, a free gaming center located in the University of Texas at Arlington Library. While there, I founded and led the tabletop team, building out a full program for tabletop roleplaying games. I didn’t just run campaigns—I created onboarding tools for new players, introduced safety and session zero protocols, and mentored others in learning how to become DMs themselves. I led workshops, shared resources, and helped foster a welcoming environment for players and game runners of all experience levels. System-wise, I’m most familiar with D&D 5e, D&D 2024, and Delvebound (an Elder Scrolls-inspired system based on 5e), and I’ve run games in both homebrew worlds and established settings like Faerûn, Greyhawk, and The Elder Scrolls. I also regularly work with pantheons and mythologies including Greek, Norse, Egyptian, nautical/eldritch, Celtic, and fey lore. I’m primarily fantasy-focused but have experience with space-themed campaigns like Planescape and have a a dream of running a Firefly-inspired space western.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Rule of Cool
Average response time: 24+ hours
Response rate: 100%
Featured Prompts
My favorite books are
Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere. I've read all the Stormlight Archives and am working my way through Misborn right now. Most of Holly Black's works. I love her Elfhame universe and am currently making a TRPG world out of it. Any story with pirates, sirens, and/or mermaids.
How Jess runs games
I'm a story-driven, roleplay-focused Dungeon Master with several years of experience creating immersive, character-centered campaigns. My background combines narrative design, collaborative worldbuilding, and player-focused facilitation. I specialize in emotional arcs, meaningful choices, and high-agency storytelling where the players help shape the world through their characters. You can expect deeply personal narratives, vibrant NPCs, and environments shaped by your actions. I emphasize roleplay and character growth, while weaving in combat that reflects the world and its stakes. Whether that means brutal survival, strategic encounters, or cinematic heroics. I prioritize player safety, consent, and creativity, and welcome all experience levels. I’m flexible with rules when it serves the story, and I believe every session should leave you feeling like your character matters. We build the world together—and your choices echo throughout it. I've run mostly fantasy with a wide range of themes from gritty political intrigue to whimsical fey court drama. From long-form campaigns to even single one-shots, I focus on helping players build character-driven stories that feel personal, meaningful, and magical.
Jess's ideal table
I like to consider myself a fairly adaptable DM and I try to fit myself to most tables based on what the players are looking for. I can say I don't do well with heavy rules-lawyers, anyone who is disrespectful or pushy, anyone overly competitive who thinks the game is about "winning" and can't handle a loss in combat, and/or anyone constantly wanting to mess with or sabotage the group. I am a balance between being firm and being flexible. It truly depends on the situation and how information is being presented to me. I often ask for group input, and am open to being respectfully corrected, but once I make a ruling it's usually final. Additionally, to me, this is a collaborative narrative game. Meaning the players need not always be aligned, and some in-game conflict can be fun and push the story along. However, a player wanting to be the center of attention all the time, repeatedly and purposefully butting heads or being disagreeable with other players, or trying to always go off and do their own thing, are not behaviors I allow at my table. I allow occasional conflict in the game and side stories, but not to the detriment of the table as a whole. So, if you find yourself constantly arguing with your DM or pushing back against rulings, or wanting the game to be all about you, we will likely not get along.