Alan

he/him

5.0

(8)

Timezone

America/los Angeles

Language

English

Identity

LGBTQ+

Queer

Artist

Teacher/Educator

About Alan

My name is Alan! I began my TTRPG journey in late 2020, during a global pandemic. I found solace during the chaos of working from home, and community with my group on Discord until we could safely meet in-person. Since 2020, I have been in several games, many right here on Start Playing. I was a little reluctant to start GMing at first. But I answered the call, and I ran the Lost Mines of Phandelver online with some friends who hadn't played before. After that experience, I decided that I really liked collaborating to create stories through games like D&D. I have been a graphic designer in higher education for almost 20 years. In 2023, I began to wonder if there were any other D&D fans at the university where I was working. With a little encouragement from my co-workers, I started a D&D club. During a time when I felt deeply burnt out at my job, the club members reminded me of my own creativity and passion. The club boasted close to 30 members before I left my job in 2025. I started my own business called the Short Rest Society. I originally got started with making homebrew magic items as a hobby. In 2026, I expanded to create graphics like stickers, tokens, and handouts for players and GMs to bring my cozy, crafty design aesthetic to their games. I bring the same immersive attention to detail to my games that I do to my graphic design projects, creating collaborative, player-focused experiences to remember.

At a glance

3 years on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Inclusive, Storytelling, World Builder

Featured Prompts

People are always surprised when I tell them

I am learning how to speak and write Thai. My partner is from Thailand, and we hope to relocate there one day.

The three words my players would use to describe me are...

Creative, Passionate, and Thoughtful

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

Creating cozy vibes to share with the TTRPG community with my designs. I enjoy reading about mythology and folklore. I also play Dungeons & Dragons or Daggerheart with my chaos gremlin friends as often as I can.

How Alan runs games

I run games where the characters are the focus, and the players’ choices shape the world they are playing in. I love world-building, but I get so much satisfaction from how people interact with my worlds and the story we write together. It will always be OUR story. I am a natural planner, but I have learned to set flexible goals for our sessions so that you, the player, can use your own voices and find your own solutions with your unique problem-solving skills. While game mechanics are important, I don't want them to weigh down our time together. If you are still learning, I would be honored to be a part of your journey and know you can learn in a welcoming environment. Making my players feel comfortable, safe, and seen is very important to me. We spend so much time and effort making our characters just right. From fashion to flaws, all of your choices deserve to be celebrated at my table. My table will always be a safe space for people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, and anyone who has been underrepresented and forgotten. Every player and their characters have agency, and I promote this emotionally grounded way of playing at my table. So get cozy and let’s start a new adventure together!

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

I refer to the rule books and ask the other players if my understanding of them is sound. I value their justification and try to find a solution somewhere in the middle. I want the players to be able to do cool things, so I try my hardest to find alternative solutions that allow for that.

I once ran a session...

My first D&D campaign as a GM was hilarious. I ran 'The Lost Mines of Phandelver' with some online friends. They decided to fix up every ruin, lair, and mansion they encountered and flipped them for a profit. I never imagined that a real estate adventure could be so fun!

I prep by

I prep by getting visuals ready, setting up encounters, and reviewing character backstories. I also like to discuss new ideas with my players and refer to session notes to keep the story cohesive. And of course, I prep some snacks and a warm drink to make the table cozy.

Alan's ideal table

I strive to create a cozy atmosphere at the table, where players feel warm and comfortable being themselves. I enjoy teaching new players, but I also enjoy learning from more experienced players, so everyone can feel included. I have a fun and quirky playstyle, rather than being highly optimized, but I encourage my players to express themselves however they like. I think my table would be a great fit for players who love collaborative storytelling, character-driven roleplay, and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Featured Prompts

I am for a vibe that's...

Cozy, fun, and friendly. Some of the best friends I have are from the tables I have been a part of. I want to create a space for everyone to be able to do the same.

I love it when a player

I love it when players feed off each other's energy to create witty banter, clever solutions, and unexpected moments.

My table is not the place for...

Murder Hoboing or creating undesirable chaos at the cost of the plot, constant arguing over rules to gain an advantage, not collaborating with the group in good faith, and introducing themes that might make others uncomfortable without consent.