Rian
he/they
4.8
(15)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Rian
I was pulled into the world of TTRPGs in 2018 and have been hooked ever since. I started out as a player and have dabbled in being the GM on a few occasions, for my friends. I love writing and creating stories, and after some very heavy encouragement from my little group of pals, I've decided to share my story with the world. I am Neurodivergent (Autistic), LGBT, Gender Diverse, and POC. I am very very accepting to people of all walks of life. I offer respect to anyone who will freely give it in return. I try my best to create an accepting environment for everyone as much as possible.
At a glance
4 years on StartPlaying
391 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Storytelling
$25 per session
Average response time: 2 hours
Response rate: 100%
Top Game Master
One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
Featured Prompts
I became a GM because
Because I love storytelling and world building! I've been doing this sort of thing since I was little, day dreaming about characters who they are and what they'd do in different scenarios and worlds. What those worlds would look like. Creativity is my thing!
My favorite system of all Time is
The system I created! Join one of my Wizarding World games and you'll see!
When I'm not running games I'm...
Running around with my kids! Both of my littles are competitive dancers! <3
How Rian runs games
My GM style combines dramatic, character-driven roleplay, crunchy tactical combat, and a laid-back approach that gives players room to drive the story. I love emotional investment: complicated friendships, fierce rivalries, difficult choices, and conversations that change how characters see each other. My NPCs have their own personalities, ambitions, flaws, and histories. Getting to know them, earning their trust, or finding yourself at odds with them is a substantial part of the game, not just something that happens between fights. KOW & HOG Downtime blurbs I prepare extensively, but I do not expect my players to perform a predetermined story. I build locations, relationships, conflicts, and opportunities, then leave room for you to decide how to engage with them. Follow your curiosity, pursue your character’s goals, investigate a suspicion, or spend time on a relationship that interests you. I am comfortable letting a scene breathe and responding to an unexpected direction rather than constantly pushing everyone toward the next planned encounter. Your decisions give the preparation its direction. Haunting of Greylock When initiative is rolled, I enjoy combat with substantial mechanical depth. Positioning, teamwork, resource management, and understanding your abilities should matter. I build encounters around distinctive enemies, battlefield conditions, and objectives that can require more than dealing the most damage. I want players to have meaningful decisions to make, opportunities to use their strengths, and reasons to adapt when their usual approach is not enough. My relaxed approach to storytelling does not mean the fights are easy. Haunting of Greylock I value clear mechanics and consistent rulings, while leaving room for inventive problem-solving. A clever use of a spell, an overlooked piece of equipment, or a coordinated plan can change how you approach a challenge. I am interested in what you actually try, not simply whether you guessed the solution I prepared. At the same time, I do not need to turn every conversation or social activity into a complicated subsystem. There is room for tactical depth and free-flowing roleplay at the same table. Haunting of Greylock Atmosphere and contrast are important to me. I use detailed scenes, maps, character artwork, and ambient music to support the experience, but I also make space for humor, everyday interactions, and quieter character moments. Not everything needs to be a crisis to be worth playing. I want players to become invested in the world through what they experience and choose within it, with the freedom to surprise me and each other along the way.
Featured Prompts
I deal with rules issues by...
Talking about it. I like to get my players input on what they think is the most fair and the most fun and we can test something out until we either like it or we think it doesn't serve us the way we want. Collaboration is super important to me.
My games focus on...
Dynamic roleplay and storytelling. I like creating a game in which the players have freedom to shame and mold where the story ends up going. I create the foundations, and my players make the story! I love shaping things that way!
Rules are...
Guidelines! Especially in roleplay scenarios. If we are in an RP scene my answer is hardly ever no! BUT In combat, rules are rules and are used for balance purposes, but I do love when someone comes up with cool flavour or a unique use of a feature or spell!
Rian's ideal table
My table is goofy, laid-back, and built around enjoying each other’s company. I love cracking jokes and acting like absolute fools together, but I also love the moment everyone gets invested and a scene turns serious. Our out-of-character dynamic can be lighthearted even when the story is not. I enjoy dramatic roleplay, complicated relationships, in-character conflict, and moral dilemmas without easy answers. Darker themes have their place when they make sense for the story, alongside humor, affection, and everyday absurdity. You will fit well at my table if you enjoy taking initiative and getting involved in both your own character’s story and everyone else’s. I prepare plenty for you to engage with, but I take a hands-off approach to how you engage with it. Follow your curiosity, start conversations, pursue your ambitions, and make choices I did not anticipate. I enjoy giving players room to drive the story rather than directing every interaction. Ideally, everyone brings something to the table while leaving space for others to have their moments. I also love crunchy, tactical combat, so a relaxed atmosphere does not mean an easy fight. Players who enjoy learning their abilities, coordinating with teammates, and finding creative ways through difficult situations will have plenty to work with. I want a group that enjoys both an emotionally charged conversation and a battle that makes them think, without treating either as something to rush through to reach the other.
Featured Prompts
I love it when a player
Comes up with something cool in their story! Has a really funny roleplay moment. Totally flips the party on its head with yourdramatic scene. Does an OUTRAGEOUS amount of damage in combat because of a spell or feature combo. I live for it!
I think metagaming...
Is super lame. Not only that, but I will not allow it . If it doesn't make sense for the character to know or behave in a way based on meta knowledge I'm not someone who allows that to slip.
Rian's Preferences
Systems