Nora

she/her

5.0

(1)

Timezone

America/chicago

Identity

LGBTQ+

Disabled

Neurodivergent

Women/Femme Identifying

About Nora

I’m a neurospicy spoonie with a dark sense of humor, and I absolutely love teaching new players! Long before becoming a DM, I was a Classics major, a fencing instructor, a sailor, a SCUBA diver, and a world traveler. I’m now a psychotherapist by day, so I’m sensitive to trauma triggers and phobias, and I prioritize safety, inclusion, and accessibility in every game. That said, please keep in mind that I'm not YOUR therapist; that costs extra! [If I *am* your therapist, please don't join my games here; that could get weird.] I originally started playing D&D in high school (back in 2e) with a suboptimal DM who didn't bother to learn the rules. I was the only girl at the table back then, and it wasn't a great experience. Luckily, in college I had the privilege of playtesting the Serenity TTRPG with an immeasurably talented GM who put character development and proactive roleplay first, and showed me the true potential of TTRPGs. I returned to D&D in recent years with some formal DM training, an expansive homebrew campaign, and hundreds of hours of research. I work hard to give my players an imaginative, delightful, and character-centered experience as we weave stories together!

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Teacher

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

because I wanted to offer TTRPGs as part of a support group at my therapy practice. But as I learned the ropes of 5.5e/5r, I fell back in love with TTRPGs, and D&D has been my main hobby ever since! Now I run games for fun, to playtest my homebrew world, and to teach new players the joy of D&D.

My favorite books are

Discworld, Vorkosigan Saga, Golden Compass, Diamond Age, Song of the Lioness Favorite movies/shows: Firefly, Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Steven Universe, Station Eleven, Andor, Arcane Favorite games: Secret of Mana, Zelda, Zork, Portal, Fez, Limbo/Inside, 999, The Last of Us, BG3

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

working on my Greek-mythology-inspired homebrew world! At the time I'm writing this, it has at least 150 named NPCs already, but I'm also adding new hooks and quests to every campaign based on the characters' backstories/goals and the players' hopes and dreams.

How Nora runs games

Firstly, I value player agency over almost everything else, so your goals will drive the story, and your choices and actions will truly impact events (as will your inactions!) Safety is my top priority, so I offer an anonymous feedback form as well as multiple safety tools and an open-door policy. I have no tolerance for homophobia, transphobia, racism, or sexism between players, but a high tolerance for respectful profanity. My games tend to focus more on exploration and roleplay versus constant forced battles; I offer plenty of opportunities to fight, but it’s often avoidable or escapable. I do enjoy puzzles, but these are also typically avoidable, and I give layered hints so no one gets bogged down for long. I keep the tech side simple to prioritize accessibility and flexibility over shiny graphics. I use a lot of "theater of the mind" (i.e. verbal descriptions to set the scene) and I avoid complex VTTs (virtual tabletops) with steep learning curves and high CPU-demands (so you won't need a fancy gaming computer!) That said, I do use ambient sound/music and maps where appropriate, and am happy to add additional visual aids or whiteboards to accommodate player’s needs. My games tend to be humorous, supportive, adaptive (math optional!) and run at a moderate-to-slow pace appropriate for true beginners, and for folks who haven’t played in decades. In fact, I especially enjoy teaching new and/or returning players, and will happily adjust the rules-burden to accommodate each group’s needs and wants. You’re not too old, and it’s not too late!

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

being honest if I'm not sure, by promising to look it up later, and by rewarding players who are impacted by my errors. Some groups (especially newcomers to D&D) may prefer to look it up in the moment, and I'm cool with that as long as everyone's onboard! Otherwise, I'll follow up with you later.

I prep by

creating a skeleton of situations that might fit well with your character's goals, traits, and themes. I plan situations instead of stories so the game adapts to the players (instead of the other way around.) There is no plot point I won't sacrifice in service of my players' enjoyment!

Rules are...

there to make the game feel real! If PCs never run up against any limits, the game quickly stops being fun or meaningful, and players stop feeling invested. That said, I'll often fudge rules in service of the "Rule of Cool," or to meet a group's needs/priorities.

Nora's ideal table

I love newbie players, older players, and players who haven't felt welcome at other tables. This hobby is for everyone, including you! I aim for a relaxed vibe, and I reward curiosity, creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, and humor. You don't need to fake a British accent or perform a caricature, though you're welcome to do both if you wish! If you're looking for a dead-serious campaign with no chatter or jokes, you might be disappointed. That said, expect some serious stakes and tough decisions at pivotal moments! It's all about balance.

Featured Prompts

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

Discworld

I think metagaming...

is mostly fine. D&D is a social game, so if you're having fun discussing and plotting with your party members, I have no problem with this! But if you're Googling monsters and/or bogging down play by trying to perfectly optimize every turn, I'll gently encourage you to move it along. It's a game.

I think min/maxing...

misses the whole point of the game! I prefer characters whose traits reflect the lives they led before starting this adventure, which often means prioritizing non-combat skills, tools, and spells. If your PC's entire personality is "optimized for fights" they're going to be pretty boring to play.