Wizards & Blizzards
Meet Your Dungeon Masters
Odin Shafer
What is your name?
Odin Shafer
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Where do you live?
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Probably DCC (Maybe MCC or 1E WHFRP)
When did you start playing games?
My parents were playing 1rst edition D&D (pamphlets), they taught me when I was 5!
What was your first system?
1rst Edition D&D. But first time I read the rules AD&D.
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
When things go sideways! For DM or for the party. Chaos tends to lead to comedy, improvised tactics, and great memories.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
Dark magic, bodyhorror, ultra-violence, and comedy. When running a session or writing a scenario -- I look for ways to tempt the players into pressing their luck. Also demons disguised as lushly padded couches.
What have players told that they like about you running games?
I keep the tension on and that somehow everyone leaves the table having had memorable moments of both heroic badassery and idiotic epic fails.
What do you love players to do?
Taking the opportunity for cinematic moments. I'll always reward the player that glasses the bad-guy in the face while flipping the table-- instead of just pulling the sword and rolling to hit. Doing cool shit makes it more memorable and gets you bonuses.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
1. Negativity with other players. This isn't a competitive game. A TPK might still might be the funnest game you ever played. 2. Main character syndrome. I'm trying to give everyone a big moment-- don't steal someone elses chance. 3. Telling other players what-to-do, (esp. out of character and out of world). This is big no-no. If you don't want the barbarian character to kick down the door-- convince him --in character- or let him die that obvious trap.
Dinah McLean
What is your name?
Dinah McLean
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Where do you live?
North Hollywood, CA
What system are you running for the Invitational?
DnD 5e
What should your players expect?
Adventure, surprises, and fun!
When did you start playing games?
I’ve dabbled over the years, but I got hooked on rolling dice 10 years ago, one dark and stormy night in Northern Wisconsin at the Pearson lake house...
What was your first system?
ADnD
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
Collaborating with the players to tell an epic story.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
Hard to say—I might not travel with the LEGO set every time, but I can promise to try to offer something new & fun.
What have players told that they like about you running games?
Good story telling, fast pace, and an improvisational mindset.
What do you love players to do?
Take risks! That’s what the dice are for!
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Prioritizing a single character’s journey over the party’s overall adventure, either through litigating rules/options each turn, or going nuts with individual shenanigans. If other players are waiting for you every turn, then I might find a trap with your name on it...
Nathan Norrgard
What is your name?
Nathan Norrgard​
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Where do you live?
St. Paul, MN
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Shadowrun 6th Edition
When did you start playing games?
1989
What was your first system?
Palladium's Robotech RPG
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
Creating an initial narrative and then enabling and subtly guiding shared storytelling where every person at the table is contributing.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
Ensuring the players never see the guardrails, to whatever extent they exist, in the planned adventure.
What have players told that they like about you running games?
Grounded narratives that feel real.
What do you love players to do?
Find alternate ways to solve problems and achieve goals. Not everything can or should be attacked head-on; except for when it should, of course.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Forced humor that breaks the immersion. When a player tries to do something that their character wouldn't just to get a reaction at the table or to bask in the novelty of being free to do anything so they do something disruptive just to prove they can.​
Bryson Tyrrell
What is your name?
Bryson Tyrrell
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Where do you live?
Minnesota
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Shadowdark
What should your players expect?
Adventure, surprises, and fun!
When did you start playing games?
Summer of 2024 at an event commemorating a good friend.
What was your first system?
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1e
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What is your favorite part of being a DM?
The experience when players at the table do the unexpected.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
I try to bring a bit of a cinematic feeling to the adventure.
What have players told that they like about you running games?
The best compliments I have are being told everyone had fun and they would want to play with me again.
What do you love players to do?
The most fun I have as GM is reacting to the unexpected creativity of my players. It's made better when they play off one another and work as a team.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
We're all on the same side at the table telling a story together. Everyone should have their fair share of the spotlight, and everyone should get to play their character.
Alex Kammer
No survey results yet
Where do you live
Middleton, WI
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Alien
When did you start playing
Alien or generally? I will go with the later – 1982.
What was your first system?
Traveller
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
The experience of creating a shared narrative and seeing my players deal with the shenanigans I give them is amazing.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
A full metal experience.
What have players told that they like about you running games?
That they are immersive and challenging.
What I love that players do
Get into their characters and have fun with the scenario.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Players who are simply not engaged with the game.
Tad Leckman
No survey results yet
Where do you live
Northern, CA
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Mothership, Space Wierdos
When did you start playing
1980
What was your first system
Dungeons & Dragons Holmes Basic
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
Being surprised by my players.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
Careful planning with room for improvisation.
What have players told that they like about you running games?
Thoughtful, unexpected reveals and character moments.
What I love that players do
Things that I did not expect that propel the story in a direction I didn't know it was going.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Passive, disengaged or not aligned with the tone of the game we're playing.
Rob Ujazdowski
Where do you live
Neenah, WI
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Call of Cthulhu: Down Darker Trails
When did you start playing
1980ish
What was your first system
B/X or AD&D
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
When the players eventually have those eureka moments once all the clues fall into place, allowing them to complete their objectives.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
Originality, High Energy, Boyish Charm
What have players told that they like about you running games?
Fun concepts. Challenging obstacles. Fast paced action.
What I love that players do
Vibe! There is nothing more satisfying once everyone at the table is involved in the action in some way, which helps push the game forward.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Attention hogs or anything else that might lessen the enjoyment for anyone else at the table.
Keith Nelson
No survey results yet
Where do you live
Kakamazoo, MI
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Hyperborea
When did you start playing
1980
What was your first system
Boot Hill
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
Providing players with a framework and opportunities to create amazing stories.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
Chaotic spontaneity.
What have players told that they like about you running games?
Energy, engagement, and an element of surprise.
What I love that players do
Engage fully with the setting and the environment. Look beyond the character sheet.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Viewing everything as a combat. Expecting everything to be balanced.
George Krstic
No survey results yet
Where do you live?
Southern CA
What system are you running for the Invitational?
TSR Marvel (simplified rules)
When did you start playing?
As soon as I could hold a damn game-piece!
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
The wonderful tales, moments, jokes and friendships that are sparked from a good game.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
Improv storytelling and decades of world-building experience.
What have players told that they like about you running games?
Attention to lore/detail, willingness to lean into player's ideas, and patience with new and young players.
What I love that players do
Play to their character and push the story in unexpected (but not game-breaking) directions.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Selfishness, lack of self-awareness, negativity, PvP aggression, inability to read the room or compromise.
Jeffrey Talanian
No survey results yet
What system are you running for the Invitational?
HYPERBOREA
When did you start playing?
1981
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What is your favorite part of being a DM?
When the players are so engaged that they are on the edge of their seats waiting for the next moment.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
A pulp fiction, sword-and-sorcery style of play that harkens back to the fiction of authors such as Robert E. Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, and H.P. Lovecraft.
What have players told that they like about you running games?
The fast-paced action, the interesting investigations, the sense of danger.
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What I love that players do
Explore the world, collaborate together, and come up with plans that will either effect a victory or cause their ultimate demise (TPK).
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What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Hogging the spotlight. Everyone should have a chance to shine.
Cameron Maas
No survey results yet
Where do you live?
Milwaukee, WI
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Shadowdark
When did you start playing?
2015
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
I love being surprised by what the players come up with, and letting the game tell me where it needs to go I also love high tension, high stakes scenarios, usually horror based adventures
What have players told that they like about you running games?
Here are some direct quotes from my usual players when I forwarded them this question:
" You provide a smooth and confident experience relying on a vast background of ttrpg information to provide a fun and interesting experience."
" YOUR CREATIVITY YOUR WORLD BUILDING YOUR NPC INTERACTIONS YOUR WILLINGNESS TO HAVE FUN YOUR GOD GIVEN TALENT YOUR VOICE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO DO SOMETHING FUCKING CRAAAAZY " (yes it was texted to me in all caps, lol) "
I like how every session you run feels like a self contained one shot that adds to a greater story. like 90% of the time there's a build up, a little excitement, and some kind of reward be it gear or story progression. I also think you have a lot of respect for dungeons, and they always feel like thought out puzzles. With modules, I think you do a good job at "no but's" or making sure the party never gets stuck on an encounter but never giving an easy way out.... Also you let me suplex an alien one time and that was sick! "
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What I love that players do
I love when players look beyond their character sheet and interact with the fictional world as something that they can apply tactical infinity to. I like to take the game and game world seriously, while being able to have lots of laughs at the table removed from the actual situation of the game.
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What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
I think the only traits I don't prefer in a player are people who aren't willing to match the energy of the rest of the table. I run a lot of my games by bringing an energy that the table asks for and not trying to force my own. We're all there to have fun, and that looks different for everyone. I personally have less fun if I have to monitor a player to make sure they aren't stomping on another player's fun.
Todd Olson
No survey results yet
Where do you live
Minneapolis, MN
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Pelgrane Press’s GUMSHOE system, featuring Night’s Black Agents and The Fall Of Delta Green
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When did you start playing
I bought my Holmes Basic Edition D&D (look Ma, no dice!) at The Depot Hobby Shop in Galesburg, IL in 1981. I remember it like it was yesterday.
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What is your favorite part of being a DM?
I love meeting the players halfway, providing them with the cues and potential to create a great adventure. When they fully engage, it’s nothing short of magical.
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What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
I bring an enthusiasm for the cinematic. It’s not enough to play it; I want my players to see it in their mind’s eyes!
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What have players told that they like about you running games?
I’m universally acknowledged as enthusiastic, animated, and in love with play.
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What I love that players do
Engage with the scenario and concentrate on the collaborative narrative.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Premise denial.
Nathan Ramseth
No survey results yet
Where do you live?
Watertown, MN
What system are you running for the Invitational?
D&D (5.5e)
When did you start playing?
In middle school (early 90’s), I played AD&D (1e) with my older brother and friends.
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
Helping newer players learn the game and to see them have fun with it!
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
My goal (with a con game) is to build a framework that allows both players and the DM to enjoy creating the adventure together.
What have players told that they like about you running games?
My excitement for the game and rewarding players with inspiration points.
What I love that players do
Take chances, ask questions, the willingness to roll the dice and see where it goes!
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
I’m open to playing with anyone, but would ask them to be willing to go with the flow.
Rod Salm
No survey results yet
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Where do you live
Winnipeg, MB
What system are you running for the Invitational?
DCC, the adventure I'm running is a little odd there so it lends itself well to that system. Pre-made characters provided.
When did you start playing?
I've been playing games my whole life. My parents played games with their kids weekly. They would take us to Cribbage tournaments at the Legion when they felt we could play well enough. I'd often sit in as a spare in their weekly Bridge games and play chess with my brothers. I found D&D in middle school and played the hell out of it! Then MtG and VtM in the 90's and any other game I could get people to play. With my own kids I played games with them often and ran D&D sessions for them through covid. Avid, is a good way to describe my gaming habits! Gaming is a great way to forge bonds and memories.
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What is your favorite part of being a DM?
Surprising the players. Giving even the old timers something new to experience - like a twist they weren't expecting, builds that help immerse them into the game, or an encounter/environment that tests the players as much as the characters.
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What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
I bring as much immersion as I can, big terrain, character plots tying into the main plot, minis, sound, props, ingame games. I've been told I spoil my players by other dm's. :) I take notes on other DM's on what I liked about their game and look to incorporate those wins into my game. I try to make the game memorable, so years later the players remember the game better than me.
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What have players told that they like about you running games?
Long term players like how I integrate individual night game results into the larger campaign storyline and how my games feel more personal as a result. "A good thing Rod does is stay in touch with the players and keep the game rolling along."
Con players (or one-shot games) like how I keep the pace of the game moving and that I push them into being a big part of the story telling.
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What I love that players do
The DM is but one person playing the game, if you as a player can add to the game experience, then it is a much better game for us all. I love it when the players are descriptive, get involved in the action, try the heroics, and help out with the community narrative! Be as involved as the DM in the game!​
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What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Players who want their characters to do it all - at the It's a group game so I want ALL the players involved in the game. I don't like spotlight hogs at my table and if there is one they usually leave disappointed. I make room at my table for the shy, young, or new players to get involved as much as seasoned players.
Allen Selker AKA SelkeySmooth
No survey results yet
Where do you live?
Cleveland, OH.
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Mothership.
What should your players expect?
To rely on each other to solve the mystery and, hopefully, survive!
When did you start playing games?
20 years ago, around 2005.
What was your first system?
D20 Modern.
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
Meeting cool people and creating stories with them that engage everyone at the table!
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
Rules are cool, but the “Rule of Cool” rules.
What have players told you that they like about you running games?
Approachability - less crunch means more opportunities for cool stuff to unfold, even for a player gaming for the first time!
What do you love players to do?
Ask questions - work together - try to do something they’ve never done before.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Being unwilling to share the mic / spotlight. Extreme rules-lawyering
Ron Smith
Where do you live?
Burbank CA
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Modiphius; Space: 1999
What should your players expect?
Lots of miniatures and terrain, space bases, spaceships and space monsters set in a retro 70’s universe.
When did you start playing games?
1981
What was your first system?
Homes Basic D&D Boxed Set
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
That no matter how much time I spend prepping a game, I'll only ever know half of the story until the players interact with it.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
These games demand my joy and enthusiasm. Sharing that energy with the other folks at the table is the least I can do.
What have players told you that they like about you running games?
My energy level and that I seem to do a good job making sure everyone is meaningfully included and engaged.
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What do you love players to do?
Play off of each other’s ideas and innovations.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer? Everyone deserves that sweet, sweet limelight time, but you absolutely got to know when it is time to shut up and let the next player have their moment as well.
Josh Bailey
​Where do you live?
I live in Saint Paul, Minnesota in the Mac/Groveland neighborhood, with my wife Alina, and my two high-school aged sons.
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What system are you running for the Invitational?
I will be running a First Edition Advanced Dungeons and Dragons adventure.
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What should your players expect?
My players can expect a good mix of investigation, combat, and above all, fun.
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When did you start playing games?
I played my first RPG the Christmas of 5th grade, in I think 1984.
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What was your first system?
My neighbor got the Basic set for Christmas and we played almost every day during the break, and Friday nights after that.
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What is your favorite part of being a DM?
One of my favorite parts of being a DM is the recall of the adventure we created together as a party. The dice rolls, the epic feats (or fails!), the story, the encounters, or the outcomes. The shared experiences and the buy in of an adventure we all immerse ourselves in is awesome!
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What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
I really like to mix theater of the mind, scatter terrain, dedicated room terrain, and a little analog tech into my games which really amplifies the aesthetic and the experience. I make a point to let my players know that I am there for context and background, not to tell them how the story goes. That is up to them.
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What have players told you that they like about you running games?
I strongly advocate for the rule of cool. I am not a big fan of lawyer ball and many of my past players have told me that they enjoy T-ROC much more than being a rules wonk. Players have also told me that they like the cadence of the adventure and they appreciated that I keep everyone at my table involved.
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What do you love players to do?
I think it is great to see the creativity of the players, especially in tight spots. I have had players turn tables into boats, a single saved spell slot come through at the last possible minute that should not have worked the way it was intended and take chances with potentially dubious outcomes. I have run the same adventure for our home table, at Garycon, at CharlesCon, and at our second Invitational and have had four vastly different paths and outcomes to the same background, and I think that is great!
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What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
I have learned so much as a DM by running games with people that may play in a style that I might not be used to. It helps me broaden my skills as a DM, but it also helps me strengthen some player management skills as well. However, a challenging player characteristic for me is a “We” player. Those players that have a tendency to speak for the party. “We” do this on my turn, “we” go around this, or “we” sneak behind and “we” all “x”. I like to attribute that to excitement of the story, and not “it's my game and you other players at the table are NPC’s to me”, but that can be an unnecessary re-direct which pulls from the other players’ game experience. The “I need to be right” players can be tough as well. 30 minutes after an encounter, and the game has continued, a player stayed in the book and calls out the effect, range, etc. of a spell or rule that should have gone a different way based on how it was written, not interpreted. The moment passed, move on and doing this can strip the game of fun and no one likes that.
John Cammarata
Where do you live?
Haverhill, Massachusetts
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Hyperborea
What should your players expect?
A 1E based game that takes place in a dying world. A good mix of combat and teamwork.
When did you start playing games?
1979
What was your first system?
B/X and then quickly to AD&D
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
Trying to bring the world alive by descriptive story telling.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
I let the players and the dice tell the story. I just referee the action.
What have players told you that they like about you running games?
They like the stories and the descriptive combat.
What do you love players to do?
Take chances playing classes they do not normally play at their home games, try new systems, and I really like creative uses for spells.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Play your own character, describe exactly what you are doing, and if you say you are doing something then your character is doing it!
Joel Rennich
Where do you live?
Near Stilly, MN
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What system are you running for the Invitational?
1E, Top Secret
What should your players expect?
A fun, fast moving game that allows for an open world. No player request is too crazy, although beware of what you wish for as not always are the consequences in your favor.
When did you start playing games?
As a teenager in high school.
What was your first system?
1E AD+D
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
Being able to respond on the fly to players doing unexpected actions.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
Too many modules end up as pretty straight forward dungeon crawls. I like to have at least a few unexpected situations created, especially in reaction to the players actions. Keeps things fun and players on their toes.
What have players told you that they like about you running games?
They enjoy the fast pace and easy to play style. They liked not getting overly bogged down into rules minutiae, while still keeping the spirit and relative realistic sense of the game.
What do you love players to do?
Think creatively about the situation that they’re in and use their imagination. You want to rent a boat? Great, we can figure out how to do that. Need a particular piece of equipment that you think will come in handy? Fantastic, some gold and some roleplaying and we can make that happen.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
We’re not here to argue, we’re here to get treasure!
Curtis Cable
No survey results yet
Where do you live?
Moraga, CA, in the San Francisco East Bay Area
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Champions, 1st through 3rd Edition era, circa 1981-1988
What should your players expect?
Some exposition, some storyline, some background...then blasting supervillians through walls. This is part of a living campaign which began in and around 2019, and it's a period piece starting in the early 1980s and currently in Summer 1984.
When did you start playing games?
I started RPGs and tabletop games in 1983.
What was your first system?
Champions was actually the first, with AD&D two years after.
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
Creating a world I think the players would enjoy, with depth, cool characters, engaging plotlines, and the ability to affect a living campaign for years to come. Plus, of course, the memories of the killer times!
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
For me, it's the expanse and the depth of the games, the world setting which is familiar yet there are still surprises around corners.
What have players told that they like about you running games?
The characters and the campaign world has a grit and feel to it, and the players get to really explore both their PCs and place in it, with everything, and anything as they say, being possible.
What do you love players to do?
I see them solving problems, work out tactics...then get ready to duke it out!
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Players that don't roll with the flow of the game. I feel I am a reasonable DM/GM, but things that disrupt the rhythm of the group like arguing over the small stuff, or telling other players what to do, kinda kills the good vibes.
Matt Raskin
Where do you live?
Minneapolis, MN
What system are you running for the Invitational?
Darkspace (Shadowdark sci-fi hack)
What should your players expect?
A thrilling adventure where every choice matters. Player agency is at the heart of the game—your decisions will shape not just the story, but the outcome of the experience itself. Come ready with curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to take bold risks.
When did you start playing games?
Over a decade ago!
What was your first system?
D&D 1E
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
I love two things most: introducing new players to the wonder of TTRPGs, and watching a group come together to create something unforgettable. That moment when players realize the rules are simply a guide to endless imagination is pure magic. I also treasure the laughter, camaraderie, and shared stories that emerge around the table.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
Player agency and unpredictability. I embrace the dice as co-storytellers, letting them guide outcomes in surprising and memorable ways.
What have players told you that they like about you running games?
Immersive storytelling, exciting adventures, and a fun, engaging table atmosphere.
What do you love players to do?
Think outside the box, collaborate as a party, take chances, and keep the story moving forward.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
Focusing more on the rulebook than the story, playing solo instead of as a team, or resisting collaboration with the party.
Chip Pearson
Where do you live?
Saint Paul, MN
What system are you running for the Invitational?
AD&D (1e)
What should your players expect?
That we will focus on having a good time playing D&D. Meaning that having fun within the rule system is prioritized in that order. I will have stuff prepared and hope to guide you through an adventure that ends in you completing your mission. How you do it, if you succeed is up to you and the dice.
When did you start playing games?
1981
What was your first system?
Holmes Box set and then AD&D. In the small town where I moved all the kids played hockey and did not think D&D was cool. Lots of solo sessions at first and then on to AD&D.
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
Preparing something I think will be fun and then seeing what the players do with the adventure. I ran one game at cons and over 20 times playing it the players always did something unique or different in every game. Watching the creativity in how players resolve the unknown and work together is fascinating and I love watching it happen.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
Every game I play, whether at home with folks I play with regularly or with strangers at a con I like to get everyone connected and working together. I ask a few simple questions- what are you, where are you from and “what make a good game for you tonight?” I find in con games I will sit at a table not knowing the person next to me, what anyone wants out of our time and it is so much harder to get into a groove with other folks. I find by everyone hearing what makes the game good for someone else- it sets an expectation and standard that we all try to reach together. In using this approach, when I ask folks at the end of the game specifics about them getting what they want it is usually a heart felt yes!
What have players told you that they like about you running games?
The blend of encounters and combat alongside with good pacing. You can read their comments here:
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https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-DflRxD8SwOwEoqIVNF64gw_3D_3D/
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https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-I1_2BMgTsIh8T4uZ8_2BIj91Kw_3D_3D/
What do you love players to do?
Have fun, help each other and work as a team. A glorious TPK is better than an individual win.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
When people interrupt, speak for or direct other players. When folks are really wedded to the rules and disagree with a ruling and then are upset about it the rest of the game. These things happen rarely and can be redirected pretty easily. Rarely do I have player continue with overstepping once they are aware that they are doing it.
Amy Larson Pearson
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Where do you live?
Saint Paul, MN
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What system are you running for the Invitational? Dungeons and Dragons, 5e 2014
What should your players expect?
While I’m not sure about which scenario I will run in January, I usually run a standalone adventure that has enough options that every table plays it differently. I like to mix some theater of the mind for roleplay interludes with miniatures and terrain for combat or encounters. I’ll use music and lighting to build ambiance and encourage role playing by doing terrible NPC voices. I provide premade characters and will usually send out a link to dndbeyond.com to claim a character before the game as well as printed sheets at the table. I use dndbeyond.com at the table to help me run encounters and don’t mind if you do too, as long as you can use the resource and engage with the table at the same time. I welcome beginner and expert gamers, providing as much or as little support in the game mechanics as you want. I strive to provide a positive, welcoming environment to gamers of all ages, genders, and backgrounds at the table.
When did you start playing games?
I’ve played board and card games since I was a kid, but started playing role playing games in 2010.
What was your first system?
My first RPG was AD&D.
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
I like hosting a party, setting a pace and thinking up story sparks for the table. I also enjoy preparing challenges, settings, dilemmas and mysteries for players and then seeing them turn the whole thing on its head. The idea that none of us knows how the story will unfold is exciting.
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
I always hope to put the players and characters into a setting where they understand who they are, what they are trying to do and why. Even at a convention game, I want the players to feel like they can do anything they imagine. Like most GMs, I use some house rules that I clarify at the beginning, and, like most Keyholders, I invite players to share what makes a great game for them before we get going. Our shared time at the table should be fun for everyone.
What have players told you that they like about you running games?
Some players have liked the immersion and ambiance. Others have mentioned that they were curious about how they played the game versus other groups of players, which I infer means they considered or could see the story taking many turns.
What do you love players to do?
Be imaginative, be immersed, be kind and generous to each other. Also, give me grace as a GM!
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
A pet peeve of mine is breaking the pace of the game to litigate rules. I strive to be a fair and consistent referee but I won’t allow the game to get bogged down in books. So if you love gameplay that revolves around debating rules, this probably isn’t going to be your favorite table.
Troy Marcotte
Where do you live
Saint Paul, Minnesota
What system are you running for the Invitational?
1st Edition Dungeons & Dragons and some Mutant Crawl Classics.
When did you start playing
In the year 1977, A friend’s older brother, taught by none other than Gary Gygax at his school, opened the first portal for me. That weekend, I stepped into his campaign—and I have never turned away from the magic since.
What was your first system
Basic Dungeons & Dragons
What is your favorite part of being a DM?
A swift current of play, woven with laughter and wonder. Having people come up with great ideas and them solving problems
What do you bring to your games that you think is a nice hook or signature of your games?
Player’s immersion in realms both familiar and strange, and a play of true fun that anchors their journey.
What have players told you that they like about you running games?
That the pace is swift, the dice are abundant, and the encounters with danger and treasure!
Fun adventures, and where the stars themselves truly enjoy the play.
What do I love players to do
When they work as a fellowship, each adding their spirit, and fire to the tale.
What are player characteristics that you don’t prefer?
I seek collaborative flow of play—not the voice of one drowning out the thoughts of many. The song of the story belongs to all who journey together.