unknownmercury

they/them

5.0

(4)

Timezone

America/chicago

Language

English

Identity

Streamer

LGBTQ+

Artist

About unknownmercury

I'm Xan! I've been a DM for 17 years, and have run an uncountable number of games in an uncountable number of systems, including D&D 3.5, Pathfinder, D&D 5e, Pathfinder 2e, and Powered by the Apocalypse. My style is heavily narrative- and player-focused. I'll run a grand overarching story while incorporating player backstories and motivations. I can also run modules, one-shots, and mini-adventures if that's what players are looking for. I'm good at improvising and adapting to player choices on the fly, so feel free to try off-the-cuff ideas. My stories are usually fairly lighthearted, with the occasional bit of darker or more dramatic moments thrown in, but I always make sure to bring the mood back up after a low point. My players should never feel like they're being constantly beaten down and dragged through the mud.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Inclusive, Teacher, Storytelling

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

I love telling stories. Ever since I was a kid, I would make up stories to get laughs from the people around me. I'm a novelist at heart, even if I can't write a book to save my life.

The three words my players would use to describe me are...

Improviser - I adapt well to off-the-cuff ideas and unexpected situations. Experimental - I love trying new things and non-standard ideas just to see if they work. Helpful - I'm happy to help people figure out a system or flesh out a character idea.

When I'm not running games I'm...

at the theatre! I love being on stage, and I've recently stepped up to help direct my community production of Sweeney Todd!

How unknownmercury runs games

Lighthearted and adventurous tone, with moments of drama and high tension sprinkled in. Player-focused narratives. I'll have an end point in mind for the campaign, but how we get there is up to the players, and I always make sure their motivations and backstories are being addressed and included. Expect to have full character arcs.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

Finding the relevant rule in the book and implementing it. If the rule is vague or non-existent, or if we've been doing it another way for four sessions, I'll do whatever makes the game run smoothly.

My games focus on...

Grand narratives that incorporate player backstories and motivations. I have a destination in mind, but that can change, and how we get there is up to the players.

When it comes to voices

I do my best. I'm better at accent work and particular ways of speaking than I am actual voices.

unknownmercury's ideal table

Laid back and lighthearted. We're just here to have fun, and my job is to facilitate that. I can work with new players and veterans, roleplayers and tactical combat lovers, and I do my best to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves.

Featured Prompts

I love it when a player

Reads the tone of the scene and matches it. Nothing gets under my skin as much as having a dramatic scene between two or three characters, and someone who's not even present in the scene undercuts it with a joke.

I think min/maxing...

Is fine to an extent. You can make an awesome combat build who dumped Charisma, just don't get upset when we get out of combat, get into the roleplay, and your character has nothing to do.

My table is not the place for...

Murder hobos, characters who "wouldn't go on this adventure", or players trying to "win" D&D. We're here to have fun, and those things aren't.