Matt the Bard

he/him

5.0

(6)

Timezone

America/montreal

Language

English

Identity

Artist

Game Designer

About Matt the Bard

I have always said that Dungeons & Dragons is the best game ever invented, and I have yet to change my mind! I believe D&D is a game that uses more distinct skill sets than any other hobby, past-time, or group entertainment. I have seen it create lasting social bonds, teach various essential life skills, and engender unique experiences that bring a lot of happiness to a lot of people. I am the type of DM... - Who loves the immersion that great storytelling can create within a group. - Who truly enjoys the unexpected outcomes of interesting and varied roleplaying opportunities, with heroes and foes who come alive before your eyes. - Who uses his artistic, musical, and entertainment industry experience to enrich the story and performance of every game. - Who enjoys creating original content for my games. - Who knows the rules - but is not afraid to bend them when it makes our story better. - Who really sinks their fangs into the strategy of combat scenarios. And... - Who loves weaving a story around the personal interests, backgrounds, and boundless creativity of the characters. I started playing with the 1983 "Red Box" basic set that was given to me as a gift, and have enjoyed a ridiculous number of hours immersed in the game ever since. I have been a player and DM for decades; doing voices, building worlds from scratch, crafting maps, theory-crafting heroes and villains, constructing unique encounters, providing bespoke artwork, and writing myths, mystery, and legend. I love it all. I am also a game designer, and am intrigued by game philosophy, which I think gives me an advantage when I need to create new game mechanics on-the-fly, or when home-brewing up something fun is in order. So, hoist the sails, strap on your armor, stow the potions, and polish your swords! Let's spin a yarn together - and see what epic hijinx lie ahead!

At a glance

4 years on StartPlaying

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

I love games and I love telling stories.

People are always surprised when I tell them

I used to compose music for TV shows, video games, and film in Los Angeles, CA.

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

Gardening on my micro-farm or digging into some Environmental Geology field work.

How Matt the Bard runs games

My go to DMing style is about 50% improvisation, 50% scripted - but I alter my approach to best fit the needs of the group and the type of game they have chosen to challenge themselves with. - Love Role-play? Check. - Big on Story? Check. - Voices? Check. (Not all of them good, mind you.) - Crunchy Tactical Combat? Check. - Music and Sound Effects? Likely. I am best suited to groups who have at least a modicum of experience at the outset and have access to the D&D 5e Player's Handbook. However, I love guiding new players to the game. I'm happy to book a session with those folks who (alone, or with their friends) want to go over the basics or even have a session of character creation). My years of experience are at your disposal. *Important note: I strive to maintain mutual respect at our virtual table and won't tolerate anything that detracts from our collective enjoyment and entertainment. It is important to create a comfortable space together where each player has a safe and thoroughly pleasurable experience. All are welcome! (If you have questions not addressed here, please feel free to contact me directly.)

Matt the Bard's ideal table

My table consists of people who are open-minded, kind, and have a real love of the game. They like to have a good time and have a laugh just as much as they like drill down and focus on a puzzle. The vibe at my table is usually a mix of down-to-earth and focused. We will fit well together if you have a good sense of humor, like to immerse yourself in your passions, and if you enjoy being a decent respectful human.