Derrick

he/they

5.0

(40)

Timezone

America/phoenix

Language

English

Identity

LGBTQ+

Neurodivergent

Teacher/Educator

Game Designer

About Derrick

I've been in love with TTRPG's since the first time I sat down to play with friends after school 20 years ago! That initial sense of freedom and wonder at being able to craft exciting stories and go on adventures with those I share the table with has never left my mind. It’s become something I’ve wanted to share with anybody I get the chance to, pushing me to become a game master so I could make the perfect space for all the friends I make to get to have the same kind of one of a kind experience I did when I first started playing tabletop games! After a decade+ of long spanning campaigns, and making new friends along the way I realized I’m never having more fun than when I see giddy smiles on my players' faces, hearing them talk excitedly after a game about all the hijinks they got up to. I realized it’s become more than just a hobby for me, it’s what I want to do to make a difference in the world. I want to meet new people, make new friends, and give them a safe space where they can tell the stories they want to tell together, and that’s what brought me here! So come on in and take a seat! Get friendly and tell me about the characters you've been cooking up so we can see what sort of adventures we can go on, i'm looking forward to meeting you!

At a glance

5 years on StartPlaying

558 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Inclusive

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

I love helping others tell stories, and being a part of it. Nothing brings me more joy than hearing the concept for a cool character and figuring out what world and scenarios we can put them in to really make them shine!

My favorite shows/movies are

Princess Mononoke- The gorgeous world painted in this movie has me still daydreaming about it to this day, and its beautiful message still tugs my heart. Fullmetal Alchemist- Classic "Media you watched when you were way too young that sticks with you forever" Dungeon Meshi- It got me into cooking!

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

"Inclusive" -Rachel "Humorous" -Saph "Patient" -Cory Honorable Mentions: Compassionate, Life-Changer, Heartfelt, Sagely, Warm, Attentive, Strange-Little-Guy-Lover, Effervescent, Immersive, Imaginative, Supportive, Wise, Passionate, Patient, Creative, Reliable

How Derrick runs games

I love running a good story that’s satisfying for the whole table, and making sure everyone gets their moment to shine every session while keeping a steady line of communication to ensure you are getting your money’s worth when you are in one of my games. One of the best ways to do this I’ve found is utilizing a players backstory whenever I can! You can expect me to work with you on your backstory, asking you questions and working together to brainstorm plot beats. Nothing puts a bigger grin on my face than seeing a character finally track down the person they’ve been seeking vengeance on during the whole campaign, or finally saving the person they cared for most. Those kind of moments are what I live for!

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

Having an open discussion about the rule in question at the table, how it makes my players feel, and what its design intent was. Then I use their feedback to come up with a solution. Communication is always king in my games.

I prep by

Spending time thinking about the players characters, and trying to come up with story beats that will help them shine. This often leads me to poking my players in DMs and running ideas by them. I try to always give a "spoiler free" version or a way to opt out if they'd like to be surprised!

My games focus on...

My games focus on trying to make the world the characters live in a better place. There will be tragedy, but that tragedy makes hope shine brighter. My goal is for characters to end the campaign as their best selves, or if they perish, to make sure their unforgettable sacrifice was not in vain.

Derrick's ideal table

You’ll find you have a lot of fun in my games if you are a team player, excited to work with the others in your group to enhance their stories and looking to them to help enhance your own. Stay flexible, and open, and be willing to listen to others so that when it’s your time to shine you know everyone else will be absolutely enrapt as during your own time of triumph, or during your tragic and vulnerable moment. More than anything in the world I want to foster groups where my players can be comfortable enough with one another to get talking to each other in character, delving into each other's backstories and becoming closer as secrets are revealed and shared. I also love taking time after a session to hang out with my players, talking about what had them excited and eager for more. If everything you just read gets your heart pumping with excitement to start rolling dice, then don’t be shy because you sound like the perfect player to me!

Featured Prompts

I am for a vibe that's...

Comfortable, fun, and not afraid to be tense when the story calls for it. I aim to have the whole party abuzz with excitement at the end of each session, discussing what happened, theories of what will happen next, and letting me know what they are excited for so I can make sure we will get to it!

I love it when a player

Is a fan of the other players at the table. Go out of your way to have your character interact with theirs. Plan moments you want to have, and tell me so I can help make those moments happen. Cheer when they succeed and pick them back up when they falter! We are all here to make lasting friendships.

I think it's a red flag when players...

Put their own enjoyment above the needs and boundaries of the party or me the GM. Bad behavior in bad faith with not be tolerated. Safety always comes first before story, because these games are a collaborative effort that only work when we all feel secure enough to express ourselves.