The Alchemist
he/him
5.0
(3)
Timezone
Identity
About The Alchemist
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!
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Knows the Rules
Featured Prompts
I became a GM because
I love writing as a creative outlet and have always enjoyed strategy games like RISK and Catan. When I really dove into DND (2016), I was immediately hooked. I had to DM! It can be the perfect blend of tactical gameplay, creative storytelling, and RP... which I discovered that I loved also!
My favorite books are
Red Rising (GOAT), Dracula (fav book), LoTR, Drizzt, Crichton (anything), Dresden Files (weird flex, read series <1yr), The Historian (E Kostova; great Dracula spin), City of Brass x3, Harry Potter (obviously), old J Rollins, Anathem, a lot of Azimov & Tchaikovsky, King Killer Chron (w/ great anger)
When I'm not running games I'm...
A research scientist/engineer (fisheries and remote sensing) and a college professor. I spend a good deal of my spring-fall days offshore in the Florida Keys and teach grads/undergrad classes during the school year. On the weekends, I'm mountain biking or on an adventure with my wife & son.
How The Alchemist runs games
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!
Featured Prompts
I deal with rules issues by...
a quick review of the DMG or PHB and put it to the party for interpretation. If it's in a gray area, I side with players and trust them to make fair judgement. We're here to tell a story together, and I'd rather settle problems quickly to keep the story progressing and players immersed.
I prep by
preparing music that fits the scene and outlining paths players might take based on their play style. Big fan of visuals too, so I spend a lot of time on artwork and handouts :)
Rules are...
meant to provide structure/balance, but I lean towards the Rule of Cool. You're a hero meant to do amazing things! I know the rules well, but there isn't a mechanic for everything, so I have no problem with setting a DC on the fly.
The Alchemist's ideal table
At my tables you will find a GM that is invested in keeping the group energized and engaged. I really try to keep players engaged by moving focus between players and the story naturally. There isn't anything worse than sitting there idly for 45 min while the rogue solos the bandit fortress. There is a story element that each player can contribute to during those types of sessions, so no one gets left behind. Speaking of players, I do like a group that enjoys picking apart the world through GM questions and actions, while also roleplaying and interacting with one another to tell a more complete story. I'm willing to take the reins on storytelling, but more than happy to share the spotlight and work collaboratively. Overall, that is the vibe. I want players to be invested in the story. If something is unclear, stop me and get clarification. If you need to step out of the story for a moment or break the fourth wall in character, I'm here for it. I want us to be serious when it matters and laugh like friends whenever the mood strikes!
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
gets into character and really stimulates RP in the group, whether that's on a shopping trip or in the middle of battle.
I think metagaming...
is difficult to avoid completely. I want people to be honest and embody their characters but recognize that it's hard to be completely immersed. A little table talk is alright, but reading ahead in a story though, that just takes the fun out of it for everyone.
My perfect party mix is
a face character or two, an infiltrator, someone that can sit back and manage a crowd from a distance, and a tank or two. But honestly, I've always wanted to run a single class campaign with nothing but OP rogues or jedis, maybe a group of barbarians or just wizards. Could be epic!