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Josh

Josh (he/him)

5.0

(6)

Game Designer

1 year on StartPlaying

1 game hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Knows the Rules, World Builder

About me

From playing "the pretend game" as a kid, to singing and performing as a teenager, to touring with a drama group for many summers, to finally discovering D&D in my college dorm room, my life has been one creative outlet to another. But I think all of those outlets accumulated into one once I discovered TTRPGs. And as much as I loved being a creative player, the moment I stepped behind the GM screen, I realized how much creativity I was missing out on. I've definitely had my fair share of utter failures in the beginning (unknowingly making my entire storyline the plot for Guardians of the Galaxy just to name one), but after about 6 years of being a player and a DM, I feel confident to start bringing quality, exciting, well-crafted games to people other than my close friends. So welcome. Let's tell some stories together.

GM Style

I would say my GM style is that of a jack of all trades. I love designing combat while making it fresh, fun, and challenging. I also love roleplaying and worldbuilding, giving the players memorable NPCs (good and bad) and a memorable story they contributed to. And I even love potentially sounding like an idiot attempting various accents, voice ideas, and monster noises that I will definitely be feeling in the morning. Ultimately, I want the most for my players. The most fun I get out of GMing is incorporating my players into the world we'll be playing in and making sure they have the most fun possible. This means I hate saying no to my players... just give me a good story reason why you're an plasmoid druid with a Ben 10 Omnitrix on your head in a ToA game (yes this is a real player and its amazing). I will even change parts of the campaign to make my character's stories be more naturally included. I also love crafting homebrew items, spells, and even subclasses for my players to use. I think it helps their character feel one of a kind, and only adds to their investment in the story we're telling together. In short, I'm here for your enjoyment as a player, and I'll make, adjust, and work with anything I can to make that happen. Because if you are having fun, I'm having fun.

Game platforms used
Game Master Reviews (6)

Proficiencies

Players say this GM is great at:

Creativity

Knows the Rules

World Builder

Joseph avatar

Joseph

Josh thrives in the potential of characters. His technique is creating stories in which his parties backstories become interwoven with the narrative being provided whether hombrew or module, all without scarficing quality. With that, his attention to detail is also on full display. His storytelling is full to the brim with information that would/is important later all without being neither blatant or overly hidden. Overal, josh is a DM who analyzes the players he has, the story at hand, and carefully crafts a story that all will remember. He was my first GM during college, and I still remember little detail his campaings to this day.

Nathan Franklin avatar

Nathan Franklin

Josh is legitimately the best GM I have had run a game for me. He perfectly balanced the rules with the creativity for my character. His story was engaging and I would jump at any opportunity to play at his table. He is someone who clearly gives his all to GM'ing and making sure players have a great time. I would highly recommend him!

Matthew White avatar

Matthew White

Josh has well fleshed out NPCs and guides to help players along the way. His stories show relatively clear objectives, but do allow flexibility in reaching those goals, or other personal character goals along the way.

Chris Halouska avatar

Chris Halouska

The games that I have played with Josh have been fantastic. He cares a lot about the world that he creates and allows players to help create lore for the world. Creating magic items and fully flushing them out is something that he is really good at. He also is great at helping new players find their way to enjoy the game. Adaptability is something that he is really good at and he makes it so that the game is fun to play for all players. He DMd my first game and allowed me to change my class without changing my character. Overall I would say that he is an incredible DM and I wish that I had more time to play D&D with him.

Nerdy Jolly_Giant avatar

Nerdy Jolly_Giant

He is a fantastic world builder and storyteller and does an amazing job setting up NPCs and environments and just a live world to interact with. also is very knowledgeable about RAW but has a perfect balance and availability for player involvement and creativity. I've played DnD with him for several years as a player and a DM, 10/10 recommend.

Jordan Bonville avatar

Jordan Bonville

The times I have played with Josh he has made a game that was well tailored to each individual player to keep their character involved and connected to the world! I loved how my endless backstories weren't for nothing because he wants to work things like that in if he can. When playing his combats they are immersive and creative allowing for new and different challenges each time.

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