MasteringMarv

he/him

5.0

(10)

Timezone

America/los Angeles

Language

English

About MasteringMarv

I am a husband, father, software engineering manager, ballroom dancer, and lifelong Dungeon/Game Master. I look forward to meeting you and bringing you along on a story telling journey. I have experience running and am available for TTRGs for corporate team bonding. I am also available for booking original custom campaign experiences.

At a glance

2 years on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Creativity, Knows the Rules, Storytelling

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

My first D&D playing experience was at 12 years old. My elf died beneath the ruins of a castle. My immersion in the story and how much I cared about my character's death was mind blowing. I knew then and there I wanted to become a DM/GM and do that the rest of my life.

My 3 systems I'd bring to a desert island would be

D&D for the boundless worlds it has opened up for me in this lifetime. Call of Cthulhu for the mood. Paranoia for the palate cleanser. Honorable mentions: Daggerheart for its focus on player storytelling, Pathfinder for its game balance and rich setting, and Og: The Roleplaying game for simplicity.

The three words my players would use to describe me are...

Creative, adaptive, and friendly.

How MasteringMarv runs games

I work with players to create a shared storytelling experience. I like to lean into the PC backgrounds as best I can to make it a world felt lived in. I see good pacing as foundational to an enjoyable TTRPG experience. And the experience should be tailored to the players’ interests (roleplay, exploration, tactical combat, problem solving, etc.). I like to intermix theater of the mind and battle mats, depending on the game system and encounter. Both experienced and inexperienced players are welcome at my table. I prefer to have a session zero to help you connect to online systems, roll up your character, understand the rules, and help you flesh out your character concept.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

If there is a disagreement over one of my rulings, I will work with the table to sort it out. This could be as simple as me saying "let's go with my ruling for the rest of this session and later discuss how we want the rule to work moving forward". I like to keep the pacing of the session going.

I prep by

I think about the themes and tropes of the campaign. I imagine scenes that might happen and create corresponding nodes of prep. These nodes allow me to adapt the campaign to the PCs' actions.

Rules are...

Rules (and lore) provide a framework for creativity and story to blossom. However, I will not let a rule (or established lore) get in the way of us having fun at the table. Also, I expect experienced players to know the mechanics of their character better than me.

MasteringMarv's ideal table

I run both prewritten and original adventures. Modifications to any planned adventure will include changes for player interest, pacing, and character backstory. As a GM, I really enjoy when unexpected things happen at the table. There is no one “right” way to play. If everyone is having fun and making meaningful choices for their characters, then we all “win”. Inclusion and tolerance are core values of mine. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated by me. I use an ‘X’ card for safety. Since all player's expectations are different, I welcome feedback on how the campaign is going for you.

Featured Prompts

I love it when a player

A good player finds the balance between what their character would do and what the players at the table need for their character to do for everyone to have a good time. I appreciate it when I notice a player attempting to find that balance.

I think it's a red flag when players...

It's important for players not to tell other players what their character should do. It's great when players help each other with mechanics and when players speak as their character to suggest actions to other player characters. But everyone should feel like they have a voice for their own character

My table is not the place for...

Intolerant right-wing politics is not welcome at my table.