Von Mercer GM
he/him
4.8
(5)
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About Von Mercer GM
Hello there! My name is Von and I'm a GM with just over 20 years of experience. I host small tables, typically 3-4 players; that focus on character development and world exploration. I favor realism and drama in my games to create an immersive and believable experience. I mean, afterall we are traveling through high fantasy lands slaying orcs, dragons and everything in between. However, it is my belief that some of the more mundane details really dial in the feel of each swords and sorcery adventure. Travel, weather conditions, and survival in the wilderness are all key points that really breathe life into our worlds and produce great experiences. My games blend narrative design with a Hexcrawl sandbox feel. I populate maps with what I call story anchors and design tiles adjacent to them to offer hints to landmark locations, dungeons, bosses, and glorious treasure. As with Bilbo Baggins, sometimes the Journey is the adventure itself, not just the dragon sleeping beneath the mountain at the end of the tale. Each Campaign I run is a result of months of writing, planning, and playtesting the content with my Friend & Family group. No open book as written modules here but also not overly engineered custom homebrew either. I work out of the Forgotten Realms primarily because I know and can run and build that world confidently. Each Campaign is a canvas and I tinker and mold it to what fits that group. I love rules as written but I also follow the rule of cool. Inventive or exciting actions by your character should be rewarded. We are afterall playing a game. As real as I like to make the worlds feel miracles and lady luck have credence in even the most tactile of worlds. If you enjoy exploration, hidden locations, character hooks, and making choices that genuinely change the campaign, you will probably fit well at my table. I have been a Pro-GM for going on about 8 years now and cant wait to hop into more games here on SPG. Please feel free to reach out in regards to my current games as well as booking me for your personal campaign settings (Via SPG 's Private booking option) Until we meet again -Von Mercer GM
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Beginner Friendly, Inclusive
$20 per session
Featured Prompts
I ran my first game...
**I ran my first game when I was around 10 years old, taking turns GMing for my brothers. It was messy, improvised, and probably barely resembled the rules, but that’s where it started.**
My favorite system of all Time is
My favorite system of all time is D&D 4e. I loved its tactical combat, clear character roles, and how confidently it embraced being a game while still leaving plenty of room for roleplay.
People are always surprised when I tell them
People are always surprised when I tell them I still get nervous speaking in front of a group. GMing somehow makes it easier because I’m not performing for people, I’m building the world with them.
How Von Mercer GM runs games
I build campaigns with the preparation and structure of a written adventure, but run them with the freedom of a sandbox. I create the setting, conflicts, NPCs, factions, locations, and larger story already in motion, but I do not decide the path the players will take or how the story will end. Player choices, character backgrounds, relationships, and goals become part of the campaign and can change what happens next. The world has direction and consequences, but the players decide where they go, who they trust, what they pursue, and what they leave behind. My goal is to create games that feel intentional without feeling predetermined: strong themes, meaningful exploration, memorable characters, and a story that develops through play rather than following a script.
Featured Prompts
I prep by
I prep by building the world, encounters, NPCs, and possibilities around you, not scripting what you’re supposed to do. I want enough structure to make the world feel alive, with enough room for your choices to actually matter.
Rules are...
Rules are there to create consistency, not to get in the way of a good game. I follow them closely, but I’m comfortable making quick rulings when needed to keep things moving and preserve the spirit of the game.
When it comes to voices
When it comes to voices, I use them when they feel natural, but I don’t expect anyone to be a voice actor. Good roleplay is about intent, personality, and choices, not accents.
Von Mercer GM's ideal table
Bring me a character who has a reason to adventure with others, and I will give them a world worth exploring. ✅ I keep my tables small, usually 3–4 players max. I want everyone to have room to talk, make decisions, and actually matter. ✅ The world is there to poke at, explore, and get curious about. Ask questions, follow things that catch your attention, and don’t be afraid to stop and look around. ✅ I’ll keep the story moving, but I’m not going to rush you through it. If everyone is enjoying a scene, talking to an NPC, or just vibing with each other, I’m happy to let it breathe. ✅ A lot of the game happens between your character, the party, and the environment. If you spend twenty minutes talking to an NPC or trading stories with each other, that’s still part of the game. It doesn’t have to lead to something. ✅ Curiosity and engagement go a long way at my table. You don’t have to constantly speak, but I do want you listening, asking questions, and taking an interest in what’s happening around you. ❌ You don’t need to fight for the spotlight. There’s time for everyone to talk, and everyone should have room to contribute. ❌ Rules questions are always fine. Rules arguments are different. I make rulings, use rule of cool, and sometimes handle things differently in the moment. I need players who can be easygoing about that.
Featured Prompts
If you're into ___, you're going to love my table
If you're into exploration, meaningful choices, character-driven stories, and a world that rewards curiosity, you're going to love my table.
I think min/maxing...
I think min/maxing is great when it supports the character rather than replacing them. Build something powerful, clever, or optimized. Just give me a character behind the numbers and leave room for everyone else to shine.
My table is not the place for...
constant PvP, spotlight hogging, disruptive “it’s what my character would do” behavior, or players who don’t want to work with the party.
Von Mercer GM's Preferences
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