Tess (they/them)
5.0
(4)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
11 games hosted
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Storytelling, Sets the Mood
About me
Hey, there! My name is Tess (they/them) and I've been been a Game Master for about nine years as of 2025! I love to run roleplay-heavy, narrative-focused games that are fun for players both new and experienced. I value player safety and enjoyment above all. To me, being a GM is about being my players' biggest fan. I don't believe in adversarial GMing; I'm there to make you guys feel awesome! I want to balance challenge and fun in a way that is rewarding for the entire table. Though system rules are important frameworks for running games, the occasional Rule of Cool makes experiences much more memorable. I can't wait to adventure with you!
GM Style
I tend to value roleplay over anything else. I always give time for my players' characters to interact and bond, though of course I always make sure to balance this with developments in the story! With combat, I find that both "bandit ambush!" and more tactical encounters are valuable. While gimmicky fights can be fun, sometimes you need a straightforward battle to break up roleplay-heavy sections. I'm typically not one to put a large amount of focus on wilderness survival mechanics or long dungeons. I'm not too fussed about keeping track of rations or non-magical ammunition. I find that this keeps my games more streamlined and focused. I also give all players a "Lines and Veils" checklist to ensure no one's boundaries are crossed. Player safety is important!
Games played
Game platforms used
Game Master Reviews (4)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Inclusive
Storytelling
Sets the Mood
My experience with Tess has been absolutely fantastic. They're a fantastic storyteller who builds rich worlds, and they're great at working with players to integrate characters and ideas into the world, and they strive to provide a safe and fun table for their players. I'm also consistently impressed with the production quality of their sessions, the attention to detail and atmosphere is incredible and really comes through in the music, stagecraft and art they use in their sessions!
Great to work with for new or experienced players! Takes good care to make an inclusive and safe environment for the whole group as well as provide all resources for creating and playing. Great at setting up a world and easy to follow narrative that you get completely invested in!
Tess has hosted so many truly amazing sessions for my group, they have quickly skyrocketed to my favourite DM ever. The way they describe scenes, provide accommodations for party compositions (we lack a healer, so we got potions and custom items to help make up for it) and run combat is truly wonderful. I love playing with them and will absolutely be a repeat customer
What's StartPlaying?
Tabletop Roleplaying Games Run by Game Masters
Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.
Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.
If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.