Michael
he/him
5.0
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About Michael
THE NO AI GAME MASTER --- Audio Bio --- DM and Host of the Podcast "With Sword and Spell." Want a preview of my play style and our typical session? 100% of the players started with StartPlaying.Games - I knew NONE of them before the campaign started. Listen for free on Spotify, Apply, Stitcher and more: https://linktr.ee/withswordandspell?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=18098ffb-6a59-46d8-829b-7186297de8a2 ---- Written Bio --- I first started playing D&D when I heard it being played during recess during 3rd grade. I became a DM shortly thereafter and have been playing ever since. I have played every edition of D&D, as well as several other systems, but my default is D&D 5e. More systems may be added in the future. I offer players a mix of Role Play, skill challenges, puzzles, and (of course) combat through a series of homebrew worlds and events. I am an author of dozens of worlds some of which I have self-published through DMsGuild, though those are not the worlds you will play in ;) I also can run my players through lightly-modified versions of officially produced WOTC content IF requested. D&D is a place where you, my dear players, can right wrongs, defeat the unjust, and find fantastical treasure in roughly four to five hours per session of pure escapism. You are the hero, I am not your enemy (though I will play those enemies ably) and we're all here to have a great time that we'll talk about for weeks or months later! My rules as DM: * Not "No" but still grounded "Yes, and..." or "Maybe..." * LGBTQ+ safe space * No Ageism, sexism, racism, ableism, or other discrimination ever allowed * Clear Red Lines prior to play (what is NEVER allowed) * Negotiable Veils prior and during play (what can be implied or hinted, but not expicitly stated) * Responsible and responsive play; open door policy about character, setting, play style, etc
At a glance
4 years on StartPlaying
315 games hosted
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Teacher, Inclusive
Featured Prompts
My favorite books are
Lawrence Watt Evans' many semi-themed books such as "The Misenchanted Sword", "With a Single Spell" and the "Wizards and the War Machine" Terry Pratchett's Discworld series The Redwall series by Brian Jacques Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
My 3 systems I'd bring to a desert island would be
By myself on an Island? I'd bring a Choose Your Own Adventure series from the 1980s called Lone Wolf series b/c they had character sheets and progression through the books series. With others? D&D, Powered By The Apocalypse, and Hero Quest (not a system, but a awesome board game)
My favorite shows/movies are
Princess Bride, Firefly, Battlestar Galactica (2004), Dungeons & Dragons animated, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Conan the Barbarian (80s Sci-fi/Fantasy film), Star Wars (all; I said what I said), Lord of the Rings, Sucker Punch, The Mandalorian, Andor, She-Hulk, Moon Knight, The Expanse
How Michael runs games
Role Play-centric with a cast of characters whose voices may or may not be good, but whose personality will always be memorable. Puzzles and challenges to test your wits (or, at least, the wits of your characters) Combat that can range from super-dungeon delve to seemingly-random but will never be superfluous or forgettable Prefer homebrew games to run, but will run official adventures if requested. LGBTQ+ safe, anti-discriminatory Lines & Veils Check-ins and feedback
Featured Prompts
If my games were Movies they'd be directed by...
Michael Curtiz (Captain Blood, The Sea Hawks, etc.), Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise), Stephen Herek (Three Musketeers), Rob Reiner (Princess Bride), or Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley (D&D:HAT)
My games focus on...
Fun for all involved, becoming the best version of ourselves, saving the day/year/realm/world, everyone heartbroken when session ends and eager for next session to begin.
I deal with rules issues by...
Asking if I wanted to see this in the trailer for a film. As long as it is within the plausible scope of the world and would make a moment truly meaningful, epic, rousing, or emotionally resonant, rules can be suspended for the moment.
Michael's ideal table
An ideal table is where strangers sit down with each other and find connection through this medium we play in. They begin to care about each other's characters which may mean they care about each other. Whether they Role-Play like a lost member of Critical Roll or Dimension 20, or plot and scheme in a way that would turn Iago green with envy, or Min-Max their way to combat perfection, or just want to quietly roll dice and be the best at what they do, I want everyone to feel special and have a great time.
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
Thinks about their character outside of the game session. They plan their character's future - the levels, powers, loves, grudges, ideals, flaws of their character and lean into them.
My table is not the place for...
Stuff from the "Real World." In my games, all that gets left at the metaphorical door. We're here to play the game and the game is what it's all about, regardless of the hats or masks we wear in the outside world.
I think min/maxing...
Is fine. It's another way to play the game. While many choose to focus on the "Max" part making a character that is a beast at certain things, there's always the "Min" they have sacrificed in order to achieve max. Balance is largely overrated, but opportunity costs are always there and inevitable.
Michael's Preferences
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