Marco "Polo" Ricci

he/him

5.0

(6)

Timezone

America/new York

Language

English

Identity

No Gen AI

About Marco "Polo" Ricci

I'm Marco, a D&D 5e Game Master who loves helping players turn unexpected ideas into memorable stories. My games are a mix of character-driven roleplay, meaningful choices, tactical combat, mysteries, and shenanigans. Whether you're completely new to D&D or have been rolling dice for years, I'll help you learn the game while making sure your character has a real place in the world. I started playing D&D around 2020, and when my first group eventually fell apart, I decided the obvious solution was to become the DM myself! After running a few one-shots, I ran a campaign that lasted more than five years, from level 2 all the way to level 20! I bring that experience to my tables through detailed preparation, recurring NPCs, interconnected mysteries, and stories that respond to what players actually do. My favorite moments are when a player makes a choice I never anticipated, and I get to figure out how the world responds. Giving the players the consequences of their actions is the highlight of my sessions!

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Creativity, Rule of Cool, Storytelling

$15 per session

Average response time: Under 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

People are always surprised when I tell them

My first D&D campaign I ran as a DM went on for five years from level 2 to level 20!

When I'm not running games I'm...

Cooking, baking, or doing science! Which is really just all science since cooking and baking is just science you can eat.

How Marco "Polo" Ricci runs games

My games are story- and character-driven, with a healthy mix of roleplay, exploration, puzzles, and tactical combat. I prepare the world extensively; NPCs have motivations, locations have histories, and player choices have consequences. I don't prepare your decisions, just how the world responds to them. If you follow the obvious path, great. If you decide to investigate the weird thing in the corner, befriend the suspicious NPC, or attempt something completely ridiculous, I'll figure out how the world responds. I especially love mysteries, interconnected lore, recurring characters, and moments where a tiny detail from several sessions ago suddenly becomes important. I know the rules and value consistency, but I also believe the rules should make creative ideas possible rather than shut them down. My goal is for everyone at the table to feel like they are helping create the story, not simply experiencing one I've already written.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

Finding a fair way forward. I know the rules and value consistency, but D&D can't cover everything. When it doesn't, I'll make a ruling, keep things moving, and revisit it afterward if needed. Creative ideas should have room to breathe.

I prep by

Preparing the world, not your decisions. I keep detailed notes on NPCs, lore, locations, and consequences, while leaving room for you to surprise me. My favorite prep is connecting small details into something bigger.

Marco "Polo" Ricci's ideal table

My ideal table is a group of people who want to play together, not simply play alongside one another. You don't need to be an experienced roleplayer, know every rule, or be comfortable doing character voices. I care much more about curiosity, kindness, communication, and a willingness to give everyone at the table room to shine. You'll probably fit especially well at my table if you enjoy character-driven stories, mysteries, lore, meaningful choices, creative problem-solving, recurring NPCs, and the occasional moment of complete nonsense. I love players who make theories, investigate strange details, get invested in their characters, and occasionally ask, “Wait... can we actually do that?”

Featured Prompts

If you're into ___, you're going to love my table

If you're into character-driven stories, mysteries, lore, recurring NPCs, creative problem-solving, and turning stupid jokes into serious plot, you'll fit right in.

I love it when a player

Makes theories and speculations on the plot! Even if the predictions are way wrong or surprisingly correct, that level of investment is super exciting.