Mike Skelly
he/him
5.0
(10)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Mike Skelly
I’m a storyteller at heart. Stories bring light to darkness and hope to those in despair; they give us dragons to slay, and fill us with the belief that we truly can slay them. That’s what draws me to tabletop games: the way they blend imagination, courage, and collaboration into something transformative. By day, I’m a special education teacher, and I bring that same sense of purpose and creativity to my GMing. I run a tabletop RPG club for my students, teach “How to GM” workshops at local libraries, and occasionally host one-shots for new players curious about the hobby. I love making TTRPGs accessible, welcoming, and empowering for everyone who sits at the table. Over the past few years, I’ve shifted from introducing new players to tabletop games to introducing new games to experienced players. I’ve run nearly a dozen systems and studied many more, each one deepening my appreciation for storytelling and player-driven creativity. My tables are places of discovery and collaboration where every player’s choices matter, and every story can shine. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned adventurer, I aim to make sure you leave the session inspired, connected, and ready to face your own dragons.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
1 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Storytelling
Featured Prompts
I got started GMing...
too late, and I still kick myself over it. (You mean I could have been playing this in high school and college when I had functionally infinite time??) What stories could we have told? I got into it because my brother thought it would be fun and I was the rules reader at boardgame night.
How Mike Skelly runs games
With about a decade of experience running TTRPGs, I bring immersive storytelling, cinematic pacing, and collaborative worldbuilding to every session. I’ve led campaigns across multiple systems including DnD, Draw Steel, and Candela Obscura, tailoring each adventure to fit the tone, experience level, and play style of the group. Whether you want a fast paced terror filled one-shot, a deeply character-driven campaign, or a mystery steeped in lore and tension, I’ll craft an experience that feels alive. I’m well-versed in both in-person and virtual play, using platforms such as Roll20, DnDBeyond, Codex, ForgeSteel, and Discord to deliver smooth, visually engaging sessions. I value narrative depth, strong character arcs, and a seamless player experience ensuring eveyone has an adventure (and can steal a boat or two.)
Featured Prompts
Rules are...
the sinew that holds the muscle of the moment (characterization, choice, and the situation at hans) to the structure of the story (genre, pacing, and the bigger picture). These things work together to let us have fun at the table telling stories - you can't sit without your skeletalmuscular system.
Mike Skelly's Preferences
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