Dungeons & Dragons 5e
When I run Dungeons & Dragons, rather than the typical high-fantasy carnival of light-hearted comedy often portrayed by the majority of the D&D community, my approach gives the game a mature, grounded tone where realism and grit replace cartoonish excess. Every campaign has moral weight, every fight has consequence, and every decision leaves a mark. My sessions lean more toward grim cinematic storytelling than dice-slinging spectacle—where players become collaborators in crafting meaningful narratives rather than tourists in a fantasy amusement park. D&D serves as the structural spine for my homebrew systems, but the flesh and blood are darker, heavier, and more deliberate. It’s D&D for those who want to think, feel, and experience danger like it matters. I use the 5th Edition ruleset as a foundation for my original worlds Gloria Nocturna and RIVET.
Gloria Nocturna
Set in an alternate 18th-century Earth steeped in gothic horror, Gloria Nocturna follows the missions of the Black Order—a religious military brotherhood waging a spiritual war against the Gloom. Their faith, a fictionalized version of ancient Israelite monotheism (Judaism), stands alone amid pagan kingdoms and dark cults. The setting blends candlelit dread with early-industrial aesthetics, from rusted muskets and carriages to subtle steampunk inventions. The Kingdom of Eldoria mirrors a dark fantasy reflection of the early United States of America, haunted by cryptids drawn from North American folklore and original horrors born of sin and madness. Every mission challenges not only skill and courage but the soul itself. Gloria Nocturna is gothic, moral, and merciless—a world where righteousness and survival often collide.
RIVET
RIVET is a post-apocalyptic science-fiction nightmare where players serve as the Ground Team aboard the colossal mech USM Judgment. Towering five hundred feet above the wasteland, this machine is both fortress and last hope. The team descends into the devastated city of Lakewood—an infernal sprawl crawling with warped creatures, psychic anomalies, and unexplainable horrors. Inspired by Aliens, The Thing, Mad Max, MechWarrior, and Star Trek, RIVET fuses military sci-fi with existential dread. It’s about survival, loyalty, and holding on to humanity when the world has forgotten what that means. The tone is grim, cinematic, and relentlessly atmospheric—a descent into a dying Earth’s final war against itself.
Shadowrun (2nd Edition)
I run Shadowrun 2nd Edition with homebrewed rules that preserve its gritty, retro-futuristic feel. This edition embodies the 1980s vision of the 2050s—a world where neon lights cut through toxic rain and megacorporations rule the streets. It’s part noir detective story, part hacker fantasy, and part street-level survival. My tables focus on mood and tension rather than min-maxing spreadsheets. Expect trench coats, cyberdecks, synth music, and moral gray zones where nothing is free and every favor costs more than you can pay. It’s not about saving the world—it’s about surviving it in style.
HeroQuest (Enhanced Edition)
My HeroQuest tables transform the classic board game into a full role-playing experience. Players explore a detailed world map, travel along wilderness routes, and visit towns alive with conversation, choice, and consequence. I’ve created six male and six female heroes, each with unique character classes, and dozens of new quests, monsters, and homebrewed rules. Designed for children ages 10–14, this version of HeroQuest encourages imagination, teamwork, and problem-solving while keeping the excitement of tactical battles. It’s the perfect bridge between simple board games and deeper role-playing adventures—a gateway to the wider worlds of fantasy storytelling.
Legendaria
Legendaria is a bilingual tabletop adventure game that bridges English and Spanish through play. Inspired by HeroQuest and Dungeons & Dragons, it combines the best of both—more role-playing than HeroQuest, but lighter and faster dice rules than D&D. Designed for ages 10–14, Legendaria teaches language, math, and good conduct through exciting fantasy adventures rather than dull lessons. Players journey through a classic medieval world filled with castles, dragons, and moral choices that encourage honor, courage, and wisdom. It’s both a homeschooling tool and a gateway to a lifelong love of storytelling. But this isn’t a boring educational game that feels like homework—in Legendaria, school lessons are woven into the treasure you find along the way.