Ukulele Mike
he/him
5.0
(30)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Ukulele Mike
Collaborating with players to create background and backstory is what I enjoy most. Creating a great character-driven narrative that we will tell for years is my goal. My preference is for RPG systems that support the story and also allow for players to have the option to succeed at a cost, driving the story to a climactic finish where all those checks must be paid. RPGs work best when it's like a jazz ensemble, where the whole group plays together most of the time but everyone gets a chance to step forward for their solo from time to time. I'm available for a custom session or campaign. I can put together a quality one-shot in a few days if it's a system on my list. If it’s not on my list, it may be similar to something I already know, so please feel free to ask anyway.
At a glance
3 years on StartPlaying
282 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Beginner Friendly, Rule of Cool
$15 per session
Average response time: 4 hours
Response rate: 100%
Top Game Master
One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
Featured Prompts
I ran my first game...
before MS-DOS existed.
I started running games because...
I like to tell stories with other people. It's important to me that everyone has a say in the stories we tell together. I'm a good storyteller but I am a better storyteller with the help of everyone else at the table.
People are always surprised when I tell them
. . . that I play ukulele.
How Ukulele Mike runs games
🎭 My GM Style For me, role-playing is the beating heart of every game. I bring NPCs to life with distinct voices and personalities—whether it’s a major figure who drives the story forward or a colorful side character who adds flavor to the world. ⚔️ When it comes to combat, I focus on making the action feel cinematic and story-driven. I use the mechanics available in the rules-lite systems I run, and I’m happy to lean into the crunch as much (or as little) as my players prefer. 🗺️ My tables usually run on theater of the mind, but I break out abstract maps and zone-based layouts for action sequences and combat to keep everyone grounded without slowing down the flow. 🎨 I also love using evocative art to set the mood, spark the imagination, and help establish a sense of place. Above all, I adapt my style to fit both the setting and the players at the table—making sure the game feels like your adventure as much as mine.
Featured Prompts
Rules are...
secondary to the narrative but provide the structure for the game.
Ukulele Mike's Preferences
Systems
Game Mechanics