Open to Paid for DMs with 2+ years experience running 5E games
Game: D&D 5E 2024 Prefer: Online (Roll20 or D&D Maps with Discord for voice and/or video) Experience: Veteran (Player and DM since 1E) Location: New York, United States Availability: See below Preferred role: Player (but I usually DM)
Looking for: RAW, grid for battle, realism, and a prepared DM with solid rules knowledge. My ideal is roleplay 20%, exploration 30%, and combat 50%, plus or minus 15% in any category. I like a party of four players, but can handle five. I prefer a short- or medium-term commitment over a very long or indefinite one, so that probably means a module.
Ideal group: Minimal real-world politics or religion. No kids. I seek humility, reliability, and good humor for myself, and aspire to consideration, acceptance, and dignity for others, no matter our differences of age, race, gender, LGBTQ+, neurodivergence, or whatever else. I get along best with people of similar values. I game for fun, but I game seriously.
Current Availability (Eastern Time): MON 11AM-5PM or 8PM-12AM TUE 10AM-5PM** or 8PM-12AM WED 10AM-5PM** or 8PM-12AM** THU 10AM-5PM FRI 10AM-5PM or 8PM-12AM SAT 12PM to 4PM SUN --
**These three time periods are less desirable for me but I can make one of them work
Update: October 13, 2025.
So, after a week, I realize how unclear and incomplete I was in my original advertisement. So now I'm expanding it, at risk of straining some attention spans.
RAW, or Rules as Written, for D&D 5E 2024. By this, I mean we use the official core and expanded rulebooks for Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition, revised as of 2024, following the text without omission or modification. (This means no 3rd party or homebrew rules which introduce new classes, species, mechanics, or whatnot.)
Grid for combat. By this I mean I'm a good fit for a game that uses a grid map for its battles, and a poor fit for a game that uses Theater of the Mind for its battles.
Realism. By this I mean the game world is logical, consistent, and believable, and the choices of the characters have tangible consequences. This includes basics like encumbrance, along with food, water, equipment, ammo, and consumables. (If you venture unprepared into the wilderness, you soon learn that thirst, starvation, and the cold can be as deadly as any monster. If you have ten arrows and you shoot two per round, you're out of arrows in five rounds. A fighter with a 16 Strength can haul more provisions, gear, and ammunition than a wizard with an 8 Strength. And so on.) I don't mean waste a lot of time on micromanaging every little thing. I just mean that, for instance, when the party takes a Long Rest, each player takes a few seconds to deduct 1 pound of food and 1 gallon of water from their character sheets, knowing it actually matters if they run out. I also mean that realism is secondary to RAW. For instance, by 2024 rules, you can sleep and swim in armor, without penalty.
Roleplay 20%, Exploration 30%, and Combat 50%. This is very rough, with a range of 15% more or less in any category, but here I mean this; in my ideal mix, in a game session of three hours, we spend 36 minutes on Roleplay, 54 minutes on Exploration, and 90 minutes on Combat. (By roleplay I mean players, NPCs, or monsters are behaving or speaking in character while interacting with each other or the environment. By exploration, I mean discovering the game world and gathering information about people, places, monsters, mysteries, etc. which advances the story. By combat, I mean turn-based tactical positioning on a grid, where the party is in a fight, or might be at any time.) So I'm not a good fit for a game that's mostly roleplay and very light on combat.
Minimal real-world politics or religion. I don't mean we can't talk about anything from real life, like work, family, friends, health, troubles, triumphs, and so on. I mean I enjoy the game and the people I meet through gaming a lot more when, for the game session, we leave behind the aspects of the real world which so often invoke bitter arguments, disrespect, and division. We don't have to agree on everything, but we need to agree on that.
I'm in no rush. I'd rather wait a long while to get into the right gaming group for me than leap quickly into the wrong group for me. I'll bump this advert once per week for as long as I'm looking for a game, so if you still see it posted and open, it means I'm still available and looking. If this sounds like your kind of game, message me.
i invite you for a campaign start. The good is that our timetable match. I'm free and experienced. It'd be every Wed and Thu at 11 am EST. The bad is is don't follow RAW and combats are only 10%... It's more like roleplay 30%, exploration 60%, and combat 10%.
Good afternoon, my name is Leland and I have 1 spot remaining in my Dungeons of Drakkenheim campaign, 830PM EST Friday Evenings. We had our session 0 last week and Session 1 is scheduled for this Friday the 10th. If you would like more information reach out to me on Discord at lelandpalmer
Hey Bud I'm a pro dm on Startplaying and I've got a game waiting for a player to make it 4. Currently Ruinning Icewind Dale Rime of the Frostmaiden and I charge $12.50 for each session. The players are level 4 currently and it is in you prefered times. My games are Mondays 5pm Bst which is for you Midday till 3-4pm.
If you’re open to exploring a structured but flexible play environment, you might be interested in The Nexus — a long-running, Westmarch-style 5e community on Discord. We focus on collaborative storytelling, tactical combat, and consistent DM quality across many tables.
All characters start at level 3, and adventures are scheduled dynamically based on availability — ideal for players with shifting weekly schedules. While most of our DMs lean narrative, several of them also run tactical, grid-based sessions that emphasize mechanical clarity and realism.
I am 51F. I have been playing on and off since 2E. I have been DMing 5E content consistently since 2020.
I've analyzed your post to my session zero and come up with the following.
I run official WotC 5E campaign material, with Discord voice and the DND Beyond digital battle map for tactical encounters. I have restricted to only 2024 PHB content, or allowed 2024 with 2014 content (where it doesn't exist in 2024) and discussion with DM for approval. I can be flexible. I am also ok with running using 2014 content only.
I mostly run RAW, but I do use a few house rules to add flavor—like critical hit tables and flanking bonuses. I prioritize consistency and fairness, but if you’re looking for a zero-variance RAW table, mine might feel a bit looser. I will state that the only homebrew I really like to use is to design and/or reflavor items (ie. weapons, gear, potions). These are very carefully done so as to not be overbalanced with a goal towards being crafted in a way that suits the individual characters play style. I can provide you with a couple of examples if you'd like to see.
Combat always uses a grid or VTT map—so you’ll have the tactical precision you prefer.
I like realism in terms of consequences—reckless actions can have serious results—but we don’t spend time micromanaging rations or encumbrance unless it’s story-relevant.
Your preferred mix fits well. I’d describe my campaigns as roughly balanced—combat-heavy with space for exploration and meaningful RP moments. I want the Characters to be able to act as they should.
My table avoids real-world issues as much as possible during the session and stays strictly in-universe and PG-13.
My campaigns are usually based in the Sword Coast and grounded in the established lore of said region.
My games usually run 8:30–11 PM ET, which falls right in your evening window. I also prefer short- to medium-length campaign arcs, so our pacing should align well. I have a template for a consistent series of short encounters interconnected by a common 'base'. I cannot promise that every session will map out the way that you want as far as combat, roleplay, exploration %s, but I can do my best to come close
I aim for small, consistent groups—four-5 players is ideal for me too.
My table values the same maturity, reliability, and respect. I will state upfront that as I've been playing since 2E, I tend to continue to align with what I consider to be 'traditional' racial issues. I.E. you can play a goblin b/c its in the 2024 players handbook, but you may run into racial issues from NPCS. Same if you were to play a human and end up in a high elf city, or a Paladin of the Dawn Father in the 9 hells.
We use a few house tweaks for flavor, but nothing that breaks balance or consistency. If you ever feel uncertain about one, I’ll explain my reasoning openly.
RP is story-focused and purposeful, not endless side talk. Everyone gets spotlight time. Endless Side talk can result in 'situations'
I run a PG-13 table. I will not RP NPC/PC romantic interactions at all (they are almost immediately fade to black). Other Mature themes handled respectfully, no graphic content.
Metagaming is not allowed at my table. I've lost players at my table for reminding them that the player A cannot tell Player B what skills Player A's character has if Player B's character has not seen it or does not remember it.
Happy to discuss with you further.
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Open to Paid for DMs with 2+ years experience running 5E games
Game: D&D 5E 2024
Prefer: Online (Roll20 or D&D Maps with Discord for voice and/or video)
Experience: Veteran (Player and DM since 1E)
Location: New York, United States
Availability: See below
Preferred role: Player (but I usually DM)
Looking for: RAW, grid for battle, realism, and a prepared DM with solid rules knowledge. My ideal is roleplay 20%, exploration 30%, and combat 50%, plus or minus 15% in any category. I like a party of four players, but can handle five. I prefer a short- or medium-term commitment over a very long or indefinite one, so that probably means a module.
Ideal group: Minimal real-world politics or religion. No kids. I seek humility, reliability, and good humor for myself, and aspire to consideration, acceptance, and dignity for others, no matter our differences of age, race, gender, LGBTQ+, neurodivergence, or whatever else. I get along best with people of similar values. I game for fun, but I game seriously.
Current Availability (Eastern Time):
MON 11AM-5PM or 8PM-12AM
TUE 10AM-5PM** or 8PM-12AM
WED 10AM-5PM** or 8PM-12AM**
THU 10AM-5PM
FRI 10AM-5PM or 8PM-12AM
SAT 12PM to 4PM
SUN --
**These three time periods are less desirable for me but I can make one of them work
Update: October 13, 2025.
So, after a week, I realize how unclear and incomplete I was in my original advertisement. So now I'm expanding it, at risk of straining some attention spans.
RAW, or Rules as Written, for D&D 5E 2024. By this, I mean we use the official core and expanded rulebooks for Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition, revised as of 2024, following the text without omission or modification. (This means no 3rd party or homebrew rules which introduce new classes, species, mechanics, or whatnot.)
Grid for combat. By this I mean I'm a good fit for a game that uses a grid map for its battles, and a poor fit for a game that uses Theater of the Mind for its battles.
Realism. By this I mean the game world is logical, consistent, and believable, and the choices of the characters have tangible consequences. This includes basics like encumbrance, along with food, water, equipment, ammo, and consumables. (If you venture unprepared into the wilderness, you soon learn that thirst, starvation, and the cold can be as deadly as any monster. If you have ten arrows and you shoot two per round, you're out of arrows in five rounds. A fighter with a 16 Strength can haul more provisions, gear, and ammunition than a wizard with an 8 Strength. And so on.) I don't mean waste a lot of time on micromanaging every little thing. I just mean that, for instance, when the party takes a Long Rest, each player takes a few seconds to deduct 1 pound of food and 1 gallon of water from their character sheets, knowing it actually matters if they run out. I also mean that realism is secondary to RAW. For instance, by 2024 rules, you can sleep and swim in armor, without penalty.
Roleplay 20%, Exploration 30%, and Combat 50%. This is very rough, with a range of 15% more or less in any category, but here I mean this; in my ideal mix, in a game session of three hours, we spend 36 minutes on Roleplay, 54 minutes on Exploration, and 90 minutes on Combat. (By roleplay I mean players, NPCs, or monsters are behaving or speaking in character while interacting with each other or the environment. By exploration, I mean discovering the game world and gathering information about people, places, monsters, mysteries, etc. which advances the story. By combat, I mean turn-based tactical positioning on a grid, where the party is in a fight, or might be at any time.) So I'm not a good fit for a game that's mostly roleplay and very light on combat.
Minimal real-world politics or religion. I don't mean we can't talk about anything from real life, like work, family, friends, health, troubles, triumphs, and so on. I mean I enjoy the game and the people I meet through gaming a lot more when, for the game session, we leave behind the aspects of the real world which so often invoke bitter arguments, disrespect, and division. We don't have to agree on everything, but we need to agree on that.
I'm in no rush. I'd rather wait a long while to get into the right gaming group for me than leap quickly into the wrong group for me. I'll bump this advert once per week for as long as I'm looking for a game, so if you still see it posted and open, it means I'm still available and looking. If this sounds like your kind of game, message me.
i invite you for a campaign start. The good is that our timetable match. I'm free and experienced. It'd be every Wed and Thu at 11 am EST. The bad is is don't follow RAW and combats are only 10%... It's more like roleplay 30%, exploration 60%, and combat 10%.
Good afternoon, my name is Leland and I have 1 spot remaining in my Dungeons of Drakkenheim campaign, 830PM EST Friday Evenings. We had our session 0 last week and Session 1 is scheduled for this Friday the 10th. If you would like more information reach out to me on Discord at lelandpalmer
Hey Bud I'm a pro dm on Startplaying and I've got a game waiting for a player to make it 4. Currently Ruinning Icewind Dale Rime of the Frostmaiden and I charge $12.50 for each session. The players are level 4 currently and it is in you prefered times. My games are Mondays 5pm Bst which is for you Midday till 3-4pm.
Hey 5ETL,
If you’re open to exploring a structured but flexible play environment, you might be interested in The Nexus — a long-running, Westmarch-style 5e community on Discord. We focus on collaborative storytelling, tactical combat, and consistent DM quality across many tables.
All characters start at level 3, and adventures are scheduled dynamically based on availability — ideal for players with shifting weekly schedules. While most of our DMs lean narrative, several of them also run tactical, grid-based sessions that emphasize mechanical clarity and realism.
You can check us out here.
Weeky bump. See the original post for an update I made on October 13, 2025.
Hello,
I am 51F. I have been playing on and off since 2E. I have been DMing 5E content consistently since 2020.
I've analyzed your post to my session zero and come up with the following.
I run official WotC 5E campaign material, with Discord voice and the DND Beyond digital battle map for tactical encounters. I have restricted to only 2024 PHB content, or allowed 2024 with 2014 content (where it doesn't exist in 2024) and discussion with DM for approval. I can be flexible. I am also ok with running using 2014 content only.
I mostly run RAW, but I do use a few house rules to add flavor—like critical hit tables and flanking bonuses. I prioritize consistency and fairness, but if you’re looking for a zero-variance RAW table, mine might feel a bit looser. I will state that the only homebrew I really like to use is to design and/or reflavor items (ie. weapons, gear, potions). These are very carefully done so as to not be overbalanced with a goal towards being crafted in a way that suits the individual characters play style. I can provide you with a couple of examples if you'd like to see.
Combat always uses a grid or VTT map—so you’ll have the tactical precision you prefer.
I like realism in terms of consequences—reckless actions can have serious results—but we don’t spend time micromanaging rations or encumbrance unless it’s story-relevant.
Your preferred mix fits well. I’d describe my campaigns as roughly balanced—combat-heavy with space for exploration and meaningful RP moments. I want the Characters to be able to act as they should.
My table avoids real-world issues as much as possible during the session and stays strictly in-universe and PG-13.
My campaigns are usually based in the Sword Coast and grounded in the established lore of said region.
My games usually run 8:30–11 PM ET, which falls right in your evening window. I also prefer short- to medium-length campaign arcs, so our pacing should align well. I have a template for a consistent series of short encounters interconnected by a common 'base'. I cannot promise that every session will map out the way that you want as far as combat, roleplay, exploration %s, but I can do my best to come close
I aim for small, consistent groups—four-5 players is ideal for me too.
My table values the same maturity, reliability, and respect. I will state upfront that as I've been playing since 2E, I tend to continue to align with what I consider to be 'traditional' racial issues. I.E. you can play a goblin b/c its in the 2024 players handbook, but you may run into racial issues from NPCS. Same if you were to play a human and end up in a high elf city, or a Paladin of the Dawn Father in the 9 hells.
We use a few house tweaks for flavor, but nothing that breaks balance or consistency. If you ever feel uncertain about one, I’ll explain my reasoning openly.
RP is story-focused and purposeful, not endless side talk. Everyone gets spotlight time. Endless Side talk can result in 'situations'
I run a PG-13 table. I will not RP NPC/PC romantic interactions at all (they are almost immediately fade to black). Other Mature themes handled respectfully, no graphic content.
Metagaming is not allowed at my table. I've lost players at my table for reminding them that the player A cannot tell Player B what skills Player A's character has if Player B's character has not seen it or does not remember it.
Happy to discuss with you further.