Hey, I’m Josh, though folks also call me Locket! Wanna play a game?
⚙️The Basics⚙️
I've been running games on and off for 17 years and moved to running professionally after many recommendations from friends impressed with the level of commitment and skill making a fun, engaging experience for them with dynamic and player-centric RP, tense and fast-paced combat, innovative designs of creatures & items,
Prior to running professionally full-time, I co-founded a therapeutic start-up school for students with behavioral challenges stemming from prior trauma
I've ran over 500 games yeah, I did the math (
⚔️ My Start ⚔️
My introduction to tabletop roleplaying games was when my sister taught me how to play D&D 3.5 after learning it from her friend, Brennan. Yes, that Brennan. His game as a teenager inspired my sister's love of RPGs enough to show her younger brother how to roll up a character, and, from then on, I was instantly hooked as a life-long ttrpg player.
Since my initiation, I've ran games for friends on and off through college and then professionally for adult groups in NYC and therapeutically for young adults and children both for other organizations and for a special education school I eventually founded.
I'm most comfortable with D&D 5e, but I've ran games in Pathfinder, World of Darkness, Apocalypse World, Monsterhearts, Vaesen, Burning Wheel, The Sprawl, Blades in the Dark, Band of Blades, and more.
I'm an extremely experienced GM who got into rand finding the part I loved most were the games I created for students along the way.
🧙 My GM Style 🧙
🟣 A World of Choices & Consequences
The PCs are the driving force in the world and always hold agency over their fate. My role is to craft narratives that interweave character backstories, motivations, and choices into a larger plot with dramatic foils for them, not to force them on specific rails.
I create engaging dynamic scenarios based on the story thus far and root for you to succeed without pulling any punches. Every decision matters, and success is never guaranteed. Thus victory is all the sweeter when it comes.
🟣 A World with Rules & Consistency
I know the rules and follow them closely but adapt to “rule of cool” moments when appropriate.
You can count on me for consistent rulings and clear explanations when you need them. If there’s confusion, we’ll sort it out together, and I won’t play “GOTCHA” if something wasn’t clear upfront.
🟣 A World of Levity & Darkness
My games blend intrigue, action, mystery, and horror while balancing humor and darker moments.
I prefer humor rooted in in-character actions rather than meta jokes. The characters in your favorite books and shows are funny in ways that enhance their depth and avoids breaking immersion.
🟣 A World with Depth & Mystery
Games I run feature deep background foundational lore that isn’t essential to enjoy the games but there for players to dive into, should they choose. There are often many mysteries beneath the surface for the most invested players to solve, if they are so inclined.
I keep track of in-world time religiously. Where players choose to spend their time has a massive impact on the world overall. Who did they save, and what becomes of the quests, jobs, or requests they chose to ignore? Time always moves forward. Choose how you spend it wisely!
🟣 A World of Bonds, Betrayal, & Friendship
I create dynamic NPCs with consistent motivations and backstories and bring to life the characters in your backstories in the same way.
NPCs develop and change realistically based on player actions and in-game experiences just like real-world folk would. No NPCs role in our story is set in stone, and the players always decide who their allies and antagonists are. After all, it’s your story!
🟣 A World we Share in Creating Together
I encourage players to join me in collaborative world-building through mechanics both in-session and outside the game through backstory work. I believe players need a level of agency to feel fully grounded in the setting and invested in high-stakes adventures.
🛠️ Talents, Tools, & Resources I Bring 🛠️
All of my games feature…
🔷Welcoming environment for all players
🔷Voice-acted NPCs and tactical, fast-paced combat
🔷Custom maps, animations, and soundtracks
🔷Original art, immersive handouts, and a game wiki
🔷Unique, balanced items that can be found, purchased or created
🔷Expanded downtime options, and NPC Follower mechanics
🔷Virtual access to all official and select third-party D&D books
🌈 Player Safety 🌈
My table is a safe space for LGBTQIA+ players. I use a Lines and Veils system for all participants to keep players on the same page of what to expect during game sessions. Specific game Lines and Veils can be expanded in Session Zero to ensure everyone is comfortable and excited to play!
Lines are subjects that will NOT show up at the table in any way, including off-screen.
LINES: Animal Cruelty, Bestiality, Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Violence
Veils are "pan away" or "fade to black" moments. Veiled subjects may be part of the story, but they are kept out of the spotlight. This allows us to have dark themes without having to describe potentially triggering or just plain uncomfortable graphic details related to those themes.
VEILS: Depictions of Sex, Friendly Animal Death, Slavery, Torture Scenes
🥳 My Pledge to Keep Darker Themes Fun 🥳
Some of my game worlds include darker aspects where oppressive politics, war, violence, bigotry towards fantasy races, arranged marriages, cruelty, etc. exist, but how we depict them matters. My goal is for everyone to have FUN at the table.
If something makes the game unfun, please let me know during or after the session so we can address it. Your enjoyment is my priority, and I’m only having fun if you are. My door is always open!
⚔️ My Approach to In-Character Conflict Resolution ⚔️
We play this game to have fun, and conflict and drama can enhance storytelling when handled responsibly. Adversarial rolls against party members are only allowed if both players consent, ensuring everyone enjoys the experience. While the dice can add excitement, out-of-game discussions help align player and character goals for satisfying story outcomes.
Separating character desires from player desires is expected from everyone. I’ll pause the game if needed to keep things respectful and ensure a collaborative atmosphere.
Over time, groups learn to trust one another and participate in an exciting give-and-take very fluidly. We'll get to play out some super satisfying, compelling drama. I hope you're all looking forward to that as much as I am! It's a major reason why I play!
🛑 No Jerks Allowed 🛑
You are expected to behave respectfully to me and your fellow players both in-game and in-server. Trolling, toxicity, bigotry, sexism, violation of Lines, harassment, bullying or anything in that realm will not be tolerated.