Raco (GM Smitty)

he/him

5.0

(15)

Timezone

America/los Angeles

Language

English

Identity

Asian

Artist

About Raco (GM Smitty)

Let me tell you a story... Hello and welcome! I'm Raco, or 'GM Smitty' online. I am a professional touring musician with an incredible passion for collaborative storytelling and worldbuilding. While creative writing has been my hobby for ages now, my introduction to TTRPGs began in college only a few years ago, with a group of friends who signed up too late for the D&D club deciding to just... make our own! After that, numerous friend groups found out that I played, and from that day forward the 'Forever DM' curse spread its roots throughout my soul, never to be healed again. No matter the game, system, or setting being played at my table, there is one rule that triumphs over all: YOUR story first. I have experience with both beginners and veteran GMers alike, from tables of 2-12+ players. While I still keep to the mechanics and rules of the game, I value creativity and bold choices over all, and I'm nothing if not homebrew friendly! Interweaving arcs, meaningful character growth, and dynamic worlds are my specialty, and my only hope is that you're having as much fun as I am building this wonderful story together. Feel free to message me with any questions, comments, or concerns! (Or just to say hi)

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

9 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Rule of Cool

Average response time: 17 hours

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

I wanted to break the cycle of my friend groups constantly begging to play D&D together, without anyone offering to take the reins as the Dungeon Master. I loved to write stories, but I didn't think I had the confidence to share that with others. Once I passed that hump, there was no turning back...

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

Dungeons & Dragons 5e Anything 'Powered by the Apocalypse' Cyberpunk RED My very first TTRPG, my favorite system for roleplay, and my favorite game setting.

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

reading, writing, gaming, tending to my needy girlfriend (she made me write that in), or if none of the above: gigging as a drummer! My main profession has always been in music performance, and away from my hours behind a screen I'm usually behind a drum kit. Fellow nerdy musicians, I see you!

How Raco (GM Smitty) runs games

From homebrewed worlds to reimagined adventure modules, I bring a healthy mix of well-prepared worldbuilding and proficient improvisation to the table, allowing for a dynamic and believable setting catered to my players' storied desires. I love roleplay most of all, but I am no stranger to tactical, intense combat, and puzzles if the party so wishes. My primary game system is Dungeons & Dragons 5e, and for the most part I stick to the core (2024) rules as closely as I can in regards to combat, buying/selling equipment, and now bastions! No matter the framework, I practice the well oiled art of 'rule of cool', allowing light bending of rules if it suits the current story, or if it's just way too awesome NOT to allow. Expect grand storylines, engaging dialogue, and meaningful choices that will shape the world and the game around you- because I am merely the narrative vessel guiding YOU to a victorious end. There will rarely be an idea, in-game choice, or curious question that I will shoot down; I'm always in favor of (constructive) player agency! Outside of pure storytelling, I offer a robust and seamless online D&D experience through linked Discord and D&D Beyond servers. Virtual tabletops through D&D Beyond's Maps feature, shared sourcebook/module content for your viewing pleasure, music and soundscapes catered to your campaign; I do all I can to ensure you're kept immersed and engaged. All art in my campaigns is directly taken from the adventure modules or sourced from public domain. No AI will be used.

Featured Prompts

I once ran a session...

at three in the morning, blackout drunk, and on my birthday. According to eyewitness accounts and some video footage, the epic finale of my party involved me stumbling to arrange my GM tools on the dining table, building an entire 3D terrain, and running a level 20 battle royale with my friends.

I prep by

thoroughly understanding everyone's characters. No matter how much story beats I'm given for a party, my first step is always to figure out what interests my players the most. I would hone in on my pantheon for the cleric, write an arcane school for the wizard, form guilds for the rogue, and so on!

Rules are...

just fine! They are a foundation for sessions to run smoothly. While my games can certainly allow for some leniency, D&D thrives in weaving the chaos alongside its rules. I follow the system as best as I can, but if bending it makes the story better, why not let it slide?

Raco (GM Smitty)'s ideal table

Having begun my TTRPG experience jumping in completely blind with my close friend groups, I have GM'd for practically every kind of player imaginable- usually all at the same table! The lore seekers, the min-maxers, the joke characters with a surprisingly profound backstory; you name it. Those daunting first sessions taught me the value that every single playstyle offers to the group, and as such, I accept all players and the curiosities they bring. That being said, I personally enjoy when roleplay takes center stage; when players hold lasting connections with their characters, or when they find unique ways to solve problems other than combat. Choices in-game will have a heavy impact, challenging grasps of morality through high stakes. I love a good OC, and the more backstory you feed into my brain, the more excited I'll be in planting it throughout the world of our games. If any of that interests you, we're going to have a fun time! Above all, if the players are having just as much fun as I am, then I can rest easy.

Featured Prompts

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

Worldbuilding, no doubt. Your characters and their backgrounds have such an important role in these settings. I want the world to feel dynamic and responsive; if your backstory includes a cult, then that cult will play a vital role somewhere, somewhen. Collaboration is key.

I love it when a player

thinks outside of the box. A player who showcases their knowledge of their character sheet, and yet simultaneously makes a choice so outlandish in the moment, that I can't help but gaze in awe at the fact that there's nothing to argue against it. Those choices are what made me fall in love with D&D.

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

play just to "win" the game. Of course this is a game after all, but I believe the point of D&D isn't really to 'beat' D&D. You should feel inclined to play for the exploration, the close calls of a hard fight, the intense heartbreak of a fallen beloved NPC. Failure is a story's great page turner.