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GM Niv

he/him

5.0

(5)

Timezone

America/indiana/indianapolis

Language

English

Identity

Teacher/Educator
Game Designer

About GM Niv

I've been immersed in D&D for over two decades, ever since I stumbled upon my father's vintage collection – back when Elves and Dwarves were classes, not races! With this, I bring a deep understanding of the game's evolution to the table. I run my games on FoundryVTT, a platform that's both powerful and free for players. While I'm comfortable with theater of the mind, I also utilize maps for those who crave a more visual and tactical experience. My passion lies in crafting RP games with dynamic combat. Think engaging roleplay with a focus on blooming narrative, but don't worry about the lack of crunchy combat. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a wide-eyed newcomer, I'm excited to welcome you to my table. I love fostering a fun and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing to the story.

At a glance

1 year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Rule of Cool, Creativity, Knows the Rules

Average response time: 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

...one summer break, while helping my father clean the attic, I discovered his 2e D&D collection and showed interested. Shortly after I went to school and invited some friends over to play weekends. After my father ran an introductory campaign, I took over to keep the game going.

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

Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder, and Call of Cthulu

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

...preparing for the next game I run! I enjoy many different facets of story telling, and tend to indulge in them all, from reading novels to playing video games. My day job involves bookkeeping and material estimates for construction; until I find a way to do this full time!

How GM Niv runs games

Prepare to explore unique settings and encounter original challenges, all carefully crafted to provide an unforgettable D&D experience. I draw inspiration from everything, including classic modules as well as the latest releases, adding my own twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Leveraging many tools at my disposal, from virtual tabletops to cutting-edge AI. AI can be scary, but it is another tool that allows one to produce studio level quality with indie level resources. You're not just playing a character; you're helping to shape the narrative. Your choices have real consequences and contribute to a living, breathing world. While I respect the rules, I prioritize creating memorable moments. If it's cool and makes narrative sense, we'll make it happen! Above all else, I want everyone to have a blast! Expect a relaxed and supportive atmosphere where laughter and excitement are always welcome.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

... providing source material and reasoning as to why a ruling will go in a certain direction. I am not infalliable, I'm sure there are rules I can be reminded and corrected on.

My games focus on...

... player agency. Everyone is the hero of their own life, and I'm here to provide the challenges and trials that forge them from the fires.

Rules are...

... there for balance generally, but that said, the first rule is Rule 0. To ensure everyone is having fun.

GM Niv's ideal table

Our table leans towards a whimiscally dark game, but we're all adults, mostly, and joke about different things at times. My roots inlvove a DM who was a big 2e player, so lots of dungeon crawling and war gaming, as that's how D&D was introduced to me. TTRPGs has definitely evolved beyond that since then, and I tend to incorporate roleplay as much as possible. My favorite thing to do is to try to make people laugh.

Featured Prompts

I am for a vibe that's...

Whimsically dark. I try to stay less vulgar but darker things are usually insinuated without being too graphic.

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

making tactical decisions and developing a character's story,

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

Constantly want to go off on their own, don't care about other players' stories, or judge others' ideals instead of building upon them and providing constructive suggestions.

GM Niv's Preferences

Game Mechanics

d20 System
d100 System
OSR

Game style

Combat Heavy

Dungeon Crawl

Sandbox / Open World

Roleplay Lite

Tactical / Crunchy

Social

GM Niv's games