Syd (Shawk)
she/her
5.0
(18)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Syd (Shawk)
Hey there! If you're looking for a narrative, player-driven, inclusive experience - I'm your chef - no wait, game master! My gaming ingredients are: 🥩 protein-packed - I love games with real chewable moments for players. Dig into your feelings! 🫐 fruity - I'm a part of the LGBTQIA2+ community and my ideal games reflect all sorts of diversity, neurodivergence included <3 🥬 nutrient dense - love lore? love digging into complex and interconnected systems? we stan a story built around the players! ☕️ warm and cozy - I aim for an experience that draws players together and fills our buckets! Safety tools are a must! Check out the available games or contact me for a custom one-shot or campaign pitches! Here's a little bit more about my time in and out of the kitchen (game world!) I've gm'd and ran learn to play sessions, one-shots, mini campaigns, and full campaigns (30+ sessions, multi-year) for: 🎲 5e (2014, module and homebrew) 🎲 Powered by the Apocalypse system games (Brindlewood Bay, The Between, Monster of the Week, Avatar Legends) 🎲 Dicepool games (Blades in the Dark, R'lyehwatch RPG, and Slugblaster) 🎲 OSR games (Cairn, Mausritter, and Perils & Princesses) 🎲 one page games (Rat Chef, Lasers and Feelings, Cracker Barrel has Fallen, Boy Problems, Honey Heist, etc - really anything I can get my hands on.) I'm the ~librarian~ of my ttrpg circle, constantly backing or supporting new games on kickstarter, patreon, or drivethrurpg. I enjoy creating a homebrew experience or tailoring content for the game my players want - so they can shine in their roleplay, character growth, and community. What I love most as a player AND a GM are those GASP moments, where jaws are hanging open, players realize a woven plot thread, or we all collectively revel in major story moments.
At a glance
2 years on StartPlaying
120 games hosted
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Creativity, Teacher
Featured Prompts
I became a GM because
I love setting up a home run for my players, or a delectable feast of plot hooks. Watching a player group expand, grow, and lean in to the spotlight in a game? That's magic. I thrive on teaching systems and setting scaffolding for my players to climb to new heights - sharing that story is wonderful.
My favorite shows/movies are
I love shows like Avatar The Last Airbender for the interwoven, connected story arcs, the realistic depictions of character growth and struggle, as well as the epic sequences of action.
When I'm not running games I'm...
writing them! I am a published third party supplement writer for a few systems, and I've got a folder of half-finished games of my own to get out there! Besides games, I'm a card collector, a musician, a budding cook, and lover of long walks to niche specialty stores.
How Syd (Shawk) runs games
I'm a narrative first, player focused game master! My games primarily revolve around exploring internal and external conflict, combat as a narrative tool, and collaborative decision-making. We're more of a writer's room - and player input is welcome and encouraged! Players can expect: - a collaborative experience built with and for my players that celebrates their storytelling - memorable NPCS with voice-work - to be provided all necessary materials for the game played (and handmade supplements!) - twists on horror that give players the autonomy - evolving and inclusive lore, with player-inclusive world-building. - AI free! All assets are human made, and character art is commissioned for long term campaigns! We love artists and makers around here! - Safety tools are a core component of the table experience! Check out my DMing in action down at the YT link below!
Featured Prompts
My games focus on...
The internal journey and the external journey of a character doing a delicate dance throughout the campaign. My games focus on storytelling, collaborative efforts, and more opportunities for player autonomy. The world building is as much yours as it is mine!
Rules are...
Scaffolding for a game experience. They're helpful in alleviating decision fatigue and curating a play journey, but they are not ALWAYS iron clad. Rules are a guide, they're not a dictator.
When it comes to voices
I'm eagerly trying out new ones! Are they going to be the most consistent thing ever? Likely not, but I aim to help differentiate NPCs and provide additional character context by utilizing voice work - not just speaking tone, but manner and cadence!
Syd (Shawk)'s ideal table
Collaborative players who are interested in intertwining stories with others? Players who love a dramatic moment, but also love to spotlight someone else's dramatic moment? Love being bought into the narrative elements at play? Queer, neurodivergent, and/or a wonderful ally? Then this table is for you! I work hard to curate tables that grow together, that celebrate one another, and that are interested in telling a good story alongside one another. We laugh, we check in with one another, we name if we feel off one day or another, and we get into the story! If you love a bit, a silly voice, or telling an impactful story, stop on by.
Featured Prompts
If you're into ___, you're going to love my table
suggesting ways that a situation could be worse, big gonzo moves, crying over our the shared narrative unfolding, bits that last a campaign, cliffhangers, and coming of age journeys,
I love it when a player
takes a big risk, offers up a juicy plot hook, or is okay with their character failing before they succeed. I also ADORE it when a player shares their spotlight and incorporates other players at the table into their scenes.
Syd (Shawk)'s Preferences
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