Runkle Plays Games

he/him

5.0

(13)

Timezone

America/new York

Language

English

Identity

Veteran

About Runkle Plays Games

If I had to sum myself up in a single sentence, it would be this: For the love of the game. Telling stories is in my DNA. Meeting new people, throwing dice, and crafting memories, this is what I live for. I’ve been rolling dice longer than some adventurers have been alive. Over 35 years of storytelling, world‑building, and late-night laughter have shaped me into the GM I am today, a gamer who genuinely loves this hobby and the people who make it so unforgettable. Along my own adventure, I’ve worn just about every hat in the RPG world: Player, GM, convention director, community builder, blogger, and Kickstarter consultant. Every role has taught me something. Every table has left its mark. That experience is the foundation of how I run games today. My games are built on immersion, agency, and momentum. I want you to feel like the world is alive, breathing, reacting, remembering. YOUR CHOICES MATTER. I tell the story, but your actions shape it. And the story always keeps moving. I run games for the love of the game, the characters, the chaos, the camaraderie, and the memories that stick with you long after the session ends. I take pride in creating a welcoming, inclusive space where every player feels heard, respected, and excited to jump into the adventure. As a GM, I’m genuinely invested in your fun. That’s why I do this, and I’d love to do it with you. If you’re ready to roll some dice, shape worlds, and make memories worth laughing (or crying) about for years to come, I’d be honored to have you at my table. Grab some dice! Let’s craft some stories together!

At a glance

2 years on StartPlaying

69 games hosted

Highly rated for: Storytelling, World Builder, Creativity

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

I discovered Dungeons and Dragons at my local library and a group that played there as well. After only a few games as a player, I had a burning desire to tell stories for the players and the table! After 40 years of running and playing, I still love the game!

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

On my first deployment in the military, I carried in my bags the 1st-edition Micro D&D Monster Manual, DMG, and Player's Handbook, with a credit card magnifying-glass bookmark. West End D6 Star Wars is easy to teach and run, and I love Star Wars. Cypher System a simple, elegant RPG for any Genre.

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

RPG-wise, I like to take time to write and work on my personal homebrew RPG world a few hours a week. Non-RPG wise I enjoy the challenges of survival games and play several with my friends. Valhime, Enshrouded, Dune Awakening, Runescape Dragonwilds, and more! I also enjoy making candles!

How Runkle Plays Games runs games

TLDR — For the Love of the Game! My core philosophy: • Fun > Rules • Immersion > Perfection • Player Agency > Railroading 🧾 Descriptive, Immersive Storytelling 👄 Character Voices (Mostly Bad) ⚔ Fast‑Flowing, No‑Drag Combat 🗺 Visual Aids & Bonus Maps 🫂 Inclusive, Welcoming Table At my table, the goal is simple: Create epic moments, tell great stories, and walk away with memories worth laughing about for years to come. I run games for the love of the game, the story, the characters, the chaos, and the unforgettable moments that only a tabletop session can create. My approach centers on roleplay, where your choices matter, and the world shifts in response to your actions. I want players to feel like they’re shaping the story, not just walking through it. My worlds are meant to feel alive, breathing, changing, reacting to everything you do. I'm no Matt Mercer, but I still do voices. I try to breathe life into my NPCs and add a layer of charm, humor, and immersion to interactions with them. Rules matter, but fun matters more. I keep the game moving and the story flowing. I am not about taking long pauses for page‑flipping or technical debates. That means sometimes I will get a call wrong at the table. But it’s always in service of momentum, energy, and making sure everyone has a great time.

Runkle Plays Games's ideal table

My table is a casual, friendly place. Each of us are gathered to have fun and enjoy each other's time while creating stories and throwing dice! My players and I strive to embrace the action as well as the story and roleplay, all while not taking ourselves too seriously and being mindful to be respectful of every player's moments and time.

Featured Prompts

I love it when a player

I love it when players pitch wild, out‑of‑the‑box ideas. That’s where the best collaborative storytelling happens. I won’t always say yes, but I’ll always listen and weigh the Rule of Cool against keeping the game balanced and fun. I’m all for making something unforgettable happen!

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

I think it’s a red flag when players try to play someone else’s turn. We’re here to build a story together, and everyone deserves their moment to breathe, shine, and make their own choices. If someone asks for advice, absolutely help, but guide them; don’t take over their agency.

My table is not the place for...

My table isn’t really the place for Rules Lawyers. I like to keep the game flowing, and sometimes that means making quick calls to keep the momentum alive. I’m always happy to chat rules after the session or do a quick check mid‑game as long as it doesn’t slow things down or pull focus from fun.