Tom (TeaPK)

he/him

5.0

(3)

Timezone

Etc/gmt

About Tom (TeaPK)

Hi, I’m Tom Pickering - the GM behind TeaPK Adventures, my personal project for all things TTRPG. I’ve been GMing for nearly four years and, truthfully, I’ve thrown myself into it headfirst. Before this, I spent over a decade working in esports as a commentator and host, telling stories with my voice. These days, that same storytelling energy goes into dice rolls, narrative arcs, and lovingly over-written prep documents. Across 600+ hours of game time, I’ve developed a style focused on player-driven consequences, character depth, and worlds that respond to the party’s actions. I’ve written over thousands upon thousands of words of lore and campaign material, some for my players, but mostly for my own chaotic brain. I currently run two main campaigns: - A custom Faerûn-based game using Dragon of Icespire Peak as a springboard — reworked and reimagined to suit a long-form narrative (90+ sessions and counting). - Aetheris — my original homebrew setting, used in a live-streamed campaign since 2022 (currently around session 26). It’s a world of divine law, forgotten wars, and memory-bound scars. I'm looking to offer D&D 5e (2014 edition) games set in Aetheris, with plans to expand into Daggerheart, Draw Steel!, and Crucible in future sessions. I use Foundry VTT exclusively, with character creation and levelling handled fully in Foundry. I can provide D&D Beyond content sharing where needed, but builds will live on the VTT side for smooth play.

At a glance

3 years on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Storytelling, World Builder, Visual Aid

Featured Prompts

People are always surprised when I tell them

I'm super dyslexic! I've had it my whole life and done my best to not let it get in the way, I couldnt read *at all* until I was around 8 years old, after that I became entranced with fantasy and stories.

How Tom (TeaPK) runs games

My games tend to be character-driven, with settings and storylines that adapt to what the players care about. I enjoy building custom adventures around official modules, or crafting stories from scratch in the Forgotten Realms or my own homebrew setting, Aetheris. I accommodate all kinds of players, from beginners just learning the ropes to seasoned veterans. Whether you want a serious campaign arc or a wandering character journey that reveals itself over time, we can shape the game around your pace. Combat encounters are dynamic and narratively grounded, and I regularly customise monsters and settings to offer a fresh challenge, even for those who know the Monster Manual by heart. I will add, if you're not into being involved in an emotive session, then I'm not likely the GM for you. Session Style: - Session length: typically 3 to 6.5 hours - Flexible formats: one-shots, two-shots, or long-form weekly campaigns - Platform: Foundry VTT (fully hosted) - I provide D&D Beyond sharing for books/content, but we’ll build characters in Foundry for ease of use.

Featured Prompts

I once ran a session...

Once? Not once. Multiple times I have had sessions focused purely within a tavern with the player characters chatting/discussing the world around them and the situations they find themselves in, interacting with their favourite NPC or just roleplaying being drunk.

My games focus on...

Invoking emotions, whether those be happy or dark ones, but the end goal to have an enjoyable experience that can be used for self development and exploring different facets of yourself...or you can play a squeaky sounding dancing gnome that tells poop jokes!

When it comes to voices

I will try my best and do a varied amount, but admittedly my voice is deep/gruff, so you get what you get!

Tom (TeaPK)'s ideal table

My table is story-first, player-led, and built around the belief that the game world should respond to your characters — not the other way around. Whether you’re the kind of player who dives deep into their character’s past, or you’re just here to roll dice and see what happens, you’ll be welcome at my table. I’m experienced with both new and veteran players, and I adapt to the group’s comfort level when it comes to tone, pacing, and mechanics. We might explore: - Morally grey choices with no clear "win" - Quiet downtime moments that lead to unexpected discoveries - Long-form arcs that echo back into your character's story Or maybe you just want a tavern brawl, some weird relics, and a goblin named Simon who thinks he’s a chef. That’s fine too. The vibe at my table is: - Collaborative – player agency and choices matter - Immersive – custom lore, hand-built maps, and living factions - Supportive – safety tools are always in use, and I check in with the group regularly I run with Foundry VTT and provide a clean, visually rich experience — with shared lore, integrated mechanics, and minimal tech hassle. Whether it’s your first campaign or your fiftieth, I’ll help you find your feet. If you like the sound of exploring a world that remembers what you’ve done, you’ll probably fit right in.

Featured Prompts

I love it when a player

Asks me about lore and wants to be involved, that is a sure fire way of encouraging me to put extra effort into your experience. I'm as egotistical/shallow as the next person, I love talking about my world!

I think metagaming...

Metagaming is natural and has its place in *most* games. The issue is when you go too far and/or try to rules lawyer *too much*, if you're sat there trying to tell me that a monsters statblock doesnt have X, Y or Z on it, then thats over-reaching. If you're planning out of character, go for it :)

My perfect party mix is

I'm open to a mix, but a mix is best. - Note taker? Brilliant. - Chaos goblin that presses the red button? Yes please. - Someone who wants to be more passive? Sure! As long as the whole table isn't.