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The Alchemist

The Alchemist (he/him)

5.0

(3)

Teacher/Educator
Game Designer

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Knows the Rules

About me

Welcome, adventurers! I’m the father of a future dungeon crawler, PhD scientist, and outdoorsman who’s been playing TTRPGs for nearly a decade and GMing for five years. I run 5e, Star Wars: Saga Edition, Call of Cthulhu, and Daggerheart campaigns. I'm happy to run short adventures and love an epic long format campaign for groups of all experience levels and play styles. New players getting into TTRPGs are always welcome too; it is a great community to be a part of. I’ve always been a huge fantasy and sci-fi reader, but TTRPGs have become my favorite creative outlet since I got my first Player’s Handbook in 2016. I especially love collaborating with players to develop homebrew elements, such as new mechanics, unique class features, and rich character arcs that make each game feel special. I will literally never give you an outright no to a creative character idea... possibly to my detriment... I currently have a player that convinced me he needed a folding boat at the start of CoS because of "backstory reasons". He uses it for everything and it's infuriating and hilarious! At my table, you’ll find an enthusiastic storyteller who’s just as thrilled as you are when your level 5 wizard fireballs half the party and a squad of underpaid guards for the first time... poor fellas. I aim to craft captivating stories with PCs front and center, whether we’re building a homebrew world or storming Castle Ravenloft (not recommended!). Let's go on an adventure!

GM Style

I’m here to craft your heroic adventure, an epic tale to be told for years to come! At my table, creativity and clever ideas matter as much as a lucky roll, and the rule of cool always has a seat. If your plan fits your character and you can describe it, we'll find a way forward. I’d rather narrate how you climb the wall or slip past the guards (maybe even trap a dragon???) than watch a bad roll ruin a well-conceived plan. I look for a balance between immersive roleplay, tactical combat, and thoughtful problem-solving, but cater to all types of preferred play style. I'm happy to let a team roleplay to their hearts' content while gently guiding them forward, or I'll roleplay every merchant in town! Battles are dynamic and shaped by the environment, where hazards and smart tactics make all the difference. Puzzles often involve interactive maps, time limits, and twists that keep you on your toes. I also work closely with players to craft backstories and then weave them deeply into the adventure; expect personal stakes, old rivalries, hidden secrets, and plot twists that shine a spotlight on your character’s journey. Homebrew or classic module, your story shapes the world around you. In my opinion, both expansive maps and vivid handouts really help immerse players in a scene. Whether you’re planning a heist at a sprawling manor or navigating city streets as you race away from the city guard, you’ll have the space and visuals to think big. Together, we'll tell heroic tales worth remembering!

Game Master Reviews (3)

Proficiencies

Players say this GM is great at:

Creativity

Sets the Mood

Knows the Rules

Miguel Lorenzo avatar

Miguel Lorenzo

Ben is an amazing DM. He's great at working with the players vision for the world and their characters and bringing them to life while maintaining a balanced play style. In our campaign he worked with me to make a Warlock with the vision I had and it was nothing but perfect and satisfying. He also takes his time to design and create an interactive play session! I highly recommend, 10/10!

Brandon Sosa avatar

Brandon Sosa

He taught me how to love again. Very involved and creative GM. Felt like he had a plan for everything. I tried DD plenty of times but it never stuck, tried again with Ben and did not regret it! I would 100% recommend for beginners and seasoned players alike!

Nicholas Tucker avatar

Nicholas Tucker

Ben was my first ever DM and really inspired a love for DND. I really like the way he allows for player autonomy which feels more real for ttrpgs than the rigid structures I've experienced otherwise. I highly recommend him for DND players of all experience levels since his patient teaching style and homebrew worlds offer something to everyone. You can definitely tell he puts his heart and soul into the world building.

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