Sterling D.

he/him

5.0

(15)

Timezone

America/new York

Language

English

Identity

Veteran

About Sterling D.

Embark on a journey into the heart of imagination with me on StartPlaying. My love for tabletop RPGs started as a kid, watching my dad and his friends dive into 2nd Edition D&D. That early fascination turned into a lifelong passion, and now I'm excited to share that with you as I host games on StartPlaying Games. I live in Maine with my wife Kailey and our 1-year-old daughter, Aeva. I run weekly games both online and in-person, creating immersive, engaging adventures for players of all experience levels. I believe in collaborative storytelling, where your decisions shape the world and every game unfolds into the unknown. My goal is to blend the rich lore of D&D with dynamic gameplay and innovative narratives, making each adventure uniquely memorable. Whether you're casting your first spell or you're an experienced adventurer seeking new challenges, I invite you to join me. Together, we'll explore mystical lands, craft unforgettable stories, and build friendships that extend beyond the game table. Your legend starts now, and I'm thrilled to see where our tales will lead.

At a glance

2 years on StartPlaying

53 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Storytelling

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

I love crafting immersive stories, building unforgettable moments, and helping players escape the real world for a few hours. After years of playing and running games, I’ve turned that passion into a professional service that’s welcoming, fun, and cinematic.

My favorite shows/movies are

Shawshank Redemption for the hope, Breaking Bad for the descent, and Adventure Time for the weird, heartfelt magic.

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

being a dad to my baby girl Aeva, working a full-time job, tackling household chores, and (of course) prepping for the next big adventure.

How Sterling D. runs games

Step into a world where your choices shape the story and every action has consequences. As your Dungeon Master, I craft balanced, immersive adventures blending combat, exploration, and social intrigue—tailored to you and your fellow adventurers. ⚔️ Combat: Smart, strategic foes demand teamwork and creativity. 🌍 Exploration: A world rich with secrets, discoveries, and mysteries. 🗣️ Social Interaction: Meaningful roleplay with dynamic characters. Adaptive Storytelling ensures your decisions matter, shaping the world and driving personal character growth. Fair but demanding challenges reward ingenuity, while open communication keeps the experience engaging and collaborative. Join me in crafting a legendary tale of heroism, camaraderie, and adventure! All players will receive a private invite to my community Discord after booking, where we coordinate games, post updates, and hang out between sessions.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

focusing on fun first and clarity second. I make quick calls in the moment to keep the story flowing, then look it up after if needed. I’m always open to discussion, and I encourage a table culture where questions are welcome and collaboration comes first.

I once ran a session...

where the party had to parley with a dragon mid-flight—leaping between floating ruins as a storm raged around them. They bartered with ancient secrets, dodged lightning, and saved a village by convincing the dragon her lost egg had been stolen by a god.

My games focus on...

immersive storytelling, dynamic combat, and meaningful player choices. I blend cinematic moments, character development, tactical challenges, and occasional humor to keep players engaged, invested, and excited to explore the world we've built together.

Sterling D.'s ideal table

My table is a welcoming space where story, collaboration, and character moments come first. I run immersive games that balance rich roleplay, cinematic combat, and player-driven choices. Whether you’re a brand-new adventurer or a seasoned player, if you enjoy engaging with the world, connecting with your party, and helping shape the story, you’ll fit right in. I focus on setting a tone that matches the campaign—sometimes epic, sometimes gritty, often emotional, and always fun. Out-of-character, my tables are friendly, respectful, and supportive. We celebrate creativity, laugh at the chaos, and make room for everyone to have their moment to shine. You’ll be a good fit if you’re curious, cooperative, and excited to contribute—whether by diving into roleplay, strategizing in combat, or just sharing wild theories between sessions. I’m here to guide the world, not dominate it, and I love when players bring their own energy and ideas to the table. Safety tools, session zero, and clear communication are part of every game I run—because a great story only works when everyone feels comfortable and heard. If that sounds like your kind of table, I’d love to have you.

Featured Prompts

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

cinematic storytelling, dramatic choices, and character-driven plots. Combat that’s tactical but fast-paced. Roleplay that’s fun and meaningful. A space where creativity shines, teamwork matters, and everyone gets a moment in the spotlight

I love it when a player

brings a character to life and invests in the story. Whether it’s sharing a detailed backstory, leaning into roleplay, or making bold choices that surprise even me—it’s that energy that fuels my games. We can laugh together, but I also love when players help land the serious, emotional beats too.

I think metagaming...

I think metagaming is a natural part of TTRPGs—players have knowledge, and using it within reason is fine. I just ask that they explain how their character might have come by the info. That keeps the story grounded while allowing smart, satisfying decisions.