Uncle DM

he/him

4.9

(32)

Timezone

America/chicago

Language

English

Identity

DMs Guild Writer

Streamer

Podcaster

Veteran

Neurodivergent

Published Writer

Game Designer

About Uncle DM

Welcome! I've been running games for over 40 years, and I've published material in the game industry before. If you decide to play with me, you'll discover a fun-forward game without having to drop the fun in favor of encumbrance. I tend to lean towards rules-as-written, but that's so we all start with the same rules. I will provide you with an experience that puts your character up front, with tie-ins to backstories and developing moments in the story that involve you directly. If you're looking for old-school style play with all the flavor of new editions and play styles, then I'm the DM for you.

At a glance

3 years on StartPlaying

656 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Storytelling

Average response time: Under 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

My favorite books are

The Magician series by Raymond E. Feist and the Ancillary Series by Anne Leckie.

I became a GM because

I have stories to tell.

I got started GMing...

I started GMing in 1980 as the only person on my block who could read among my friend group. We were 5 and 6 years old, so, it wasn't uncommon.

How Uncle DM runs games

I like to describe myself as one part beer and pretzels DM, and one part grand storyteller. I appreciate the minutiae of a game, and what makes the moments tick by. I like to throw hard fights against the party, and intricate puzzles, but it's all in service to telling a grand story for you.

Featured Prompts

Rules are...

An agreed upon framework for us to experience the shared universe in so it makes sense.

I once ran a session...

I once ran a session with zero prep at 1 am because of time zone scheduling errors. I thought the session was the next day at noon. Ooops! Ran it and they loved it.

I deal with rules issues by...

We'll discuss it for five minutes. If we can't find a concrete rule, I'll make a ruling on the spot, and when we find the concrete rule, or evidence towards a ruling, I'll revise my initial ruling if need be.

Uncle DM's ideal table

I have tables that are high drama and tables that are Monty Python. It varies from table to table. I find the players decide the tone of the game, more than the GM. An inclusive player who is dedicated to telling a grand story, one arc at a time would fit in well at any of my tables. Experience is not a factor, just a willingness to play the game and share a shared experience with others.