Dwight
he/him
5.0
(7)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Dwight
Decades ago (seriously, 40+ years!) - with Iron Maiden in the background, older cousin behind a weird tri-fold screen, a table with a red box, painted figures, familiar white dice and colorful, weird-shaped dice I’d never seen - I was handed an index card with stats for a 1st-level gnome illusionist. I rolled my first d20 and... I was hooked! I memorized the entire PHB, the matrix of rolls needed to hit AC 10 to -10 (IYKYK), and I pored over graph paper dungeon maps and random loot tables like a fiend. But over time I found the experience of kick down the door, kill the monster, take its treasure and repeat to be… “meh.” So I started running my own games. I fleshed out a world that I cared about, with depth, laced with meaningful narratives and hooks for adventure. I started to think about “what next,” “WHY is this troll sitting in this dungeon room on a chest full of gold coins - what's his story anyway?!," and "what can characters' swords NOT solve?” I love an immersive game that evolves with players' decisions. Their characters and world feel alive. Stats matter, just less. When I did my first escape room, an untapped font of inspiration opened and has been distilled into my signature "The Mad Pen & Quill" brand of puzzle-driven, escape-room-inspired adventures. The Mad Pen & Quill's take on "what makes a great game" is a blend of escape room elements, puzzles, and riddles with compelling narratives, evolving mystery, even horror elements (for those who are on board with that!) and plenty of humor*** for balance! ***For example, I'm a project manager by day, and a DM by night. So here's one of my favorite Dad-Joke-Level D&D/Project Manager crossover jokes: "Why are vampires such bad project managers?... ...They won't engage with stake holders." (Insert groan here.) Drop a Dad Joke better than this one? You gain Heroic Inspiration!
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Storytelling, Teacher
Featured Prompts
The three words my players would use to describe me are...
Crafty! Puzzles at the core bring a unique flavor. Every encounter feels meaningful. Creative! From humorous to heartwarming to heavy, it's all in there. Immersive world, vivid narration. Fun! Dad Jokes & puns for comic relief. Over time, our table will develop our own inside jokes. For sure.
When I'm not running games I'm...
Me time? I'm behind the DM screen, brewing up my next puzzle, honing my puzzle quill on today's NYT or LinkedIn puzzles, hitting up an escape room - or loading my Quiver of Dad Joke Arrows! I might go get in a lift at they gym. But right now? Good chance I'm shuttling one of three kids to practice.
How Dwight runs games
I’ve been playing D&D for 40+ years and doing escape rooms for 10. I’ve blended those passions into my signature style of game that leans heavily into escape-style puzzles, riddles, and mystery. Because of my background as a writer, editor and Language Arts educator, the motivations and decisions of characters and NPCs matter, and the consequences of their actions ripple through my game world and shape its evolving story. I strive for a game laced with puzzles, riddles, and interactive challenges. Combat is purposeful. This yields meaningful and memorable encounters that don’t just gain you experience points - they ARE an experience. My adventurecraft is infused with a good balance of humor*** and drama. Cinematic descriptions immerse you deeper into the game world. The story evolves with every decision players make. I create the framework of an epic adventure, but I don’t railroad players. We collaborate. I seek their input in the story sometimes by prompting players to narrate, sometimes by simply listening and infusing their perspectives into the game. They make meaningful contributions to a story that is satisfying to all at the table. At my table new players will find patient guidance, and veteran players will find unique challenges. If you love escape rooms AND D&D, you’re in the right place! (Obvs!) But whether it's my brand of puzzle-laced adventure, or a custom experience tailored to your table’s play style, I’m here to create a game that fits you. ***"For my birthday I asked for a new Monster Manual, but all I got was a new d20. It's ok... I'm rolling with it..." (Can you believe you scrolled down just for THAT?!)
Featured Prompts
My games focus on...
Escape Rooms & Puzzles heavily influence The Mad Pen & Quill brand of TTRPG experience! The story matters and there is puzzling at every turn. That said, I can also craft the game experience my players want, and design bespoke one-shots and campaigns to match your table's style & interests.
Rules are...
Rules give structure to how we tell our story, and when they don't contribute to a fulfilling and meaningful experience as much as a clever idea does, they take a backseat. Rules do NOT dictate whether or not we have fun during our game. We define together what a successful session is.
Dwight's ideal table
My ideal table includes anyone who puts story first; puts camaraderie and fun above stat blocks and rules-lawyering; is compelled by laughter, intrigue, and a sprinkle of the macabre; and is moved by meaningful stories that they they can immerse themselves in and contribute to. Power-gamers and Min-maxers may prefer another game. And did I mention puzzles yet? Puzzles. Lotsa puzzles! At my table, scenes can get serious, but we are DEFINITELY going to laugh. Scenes will sometimes be heavy, with emotional depth, challenging choices to be made, and undesirable outcomes to manage. But they'll be well-balanced with lighthearted encounters, interjections of humor (I'm a Dad Joke Opportunist!***), and a growing rapport that I facilitate with my players to establish a comfort level and familiarity that lets everyone be themselves as much as it encourages them to dive deep into their characters... and the puzzles. (In case I didn't mention puzzles yet!) Bonus: You like puzzles? Escape-room-style scenarios? Then you're going to love my Mad Pen & Quill puzzle-based adventures! Have something else that resonates with the players in your group or works best at your table? That's great! Let's collaborate to make this YOUR ideal table too! ***Speaking of opportunists, here's one about Rogues: "What's a Rouge's favorite armor?... Hide armor." (Ba-dum-dum.)
Featured Prompts
I am for a vibe that's...
...a blend of humor, serious tones, even a dose of the macabre to keep things interesting! My games are anything but monotone. Like life, my campaigns, even a single session, can span the spectrum of levels of emotional gravity. And we'll always steer the vibe toward what is most fun for the group!
If you're into ___, you're going to love my table
Everyone who has read my bio Should see by now I'm Crazy about games with A good amount of escape-style Puzzles! Clearly I talk about Escape rooms a lot & my Reviews note how I blend puzzles with Other elements Of a great game to make my sessions truly Memorable! See what I did? Fill in the blank!
Dwight's Preferences
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