Gabriel Cooper

A Truly Superb DM Experience! I had an absolutely fantastic time, and I can confidently say this was a five-star experience! If you enjoy exploring complex, immersive worlds with lots of opportunities for roleplay, Merlin is the perfect DM for you. The world he created was rich and detailed but not overwhelming, with plenty of room for creative exploration and action. He also utilized music to add ambience to the adventure. One of the things I appreciated most was Merlin's flexibility in allowing players to interact with the world in unique and creative ways. For example, I was able to create an improvised poison grenade using a pneumatic pump and a giant spider's venom gland—such inventive solutions were always encouraged! I also had the chance to climb and ride on larger creatures to gain an advantage in combat, which added an exciting and strategic layer to the gameplay. What really stood out to me was how easily Merlin weaved my character's backstory into the campaign. I played a warforged named Argo, inspired by the Ship of Theseus. The philosophical question of identity and change was a core part of her character, and I was amazed at how seamlessly Merlin allowed me to explore that through in-game interactions. Whether it was replacing a wooden finger or marveling at land-dwelling creatures, each of my backstory beats was given meaningful attention. Merlin also excels in creating emotionally impactful moments. The ending of the one-shot was truly moving, leaving the other three players at a loss for words! As a frequent DM myself but first time player, I was impressed by how well Merlin managed to introduce me and the other new players to the rules and structure of the player side of the game. He made sure we felt confident and engaged, creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for all of us. In short, I cannot recommend Merlin highly enough. He’s a fantastic DM with a great balance of creativity, narrative depth, and technical skill. I truly enjoyed my time outside of the DM station, and I’m already looking forward to the next adventure with him!