About Young Dragonslayers™

Founder, Player Coordinator

Location: Davidson, NC ( just outside of Charlotte)

How I started playing D&D: I discovered D&D as an adult, through the D&D actual play podcast The Adventure Zone. For some reason, I assumed the game was too complicated for me to learn…and who would play with me? When I moved from NYC to North Carolina in 2018, I was invited to join a campaign. I hoped it would be a good way to make friends. It was!

Favorite D&D Class: Wild Magic Sorcerer is the right mix of rules and chaos for me. In real life I’m probably more of a cleric and I’ve really enjoyed playing that class, too.

Favorite Fandoms: Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, The Last Kingdom, The Last of Us…really at this point I’m a sucker for any HBO prestige drama.

Other Games I Love: I consider myself an entry-level game nerd. I’ve dabled in Kids on Bikes and recently discovered the indie game Dialect, a roleplaying game where you create your own language. I love it! Aside from those I’m more into chill board games like Ticket to Ride and Pandemic.

When I’m Not Playing D&D: In my real life, I’m a children’s therapist who specializes in helping kids and tweens with anxiety and OCD. When I’m not in the office, I’m probably listening to a podcast (maybe about one of those HBO prestige dramas) or wrangling my three cats and one toddler.

Co-Founder, Game Master

Location: New York, NY

How I started playing D&D: I came to D&D through hanging at the comic shop after middle school let out, mostly playing Magic and Pokemon. The older kids had this other fascinating game I wasn't allowed to play, so of course I wanted to more than anything; eventually, one of them offered to DM for my brother and I, and my curiosity turned into my new favorite pastime. I played from middle school through college, and, after a hiatus in grad school, I was reintroduced to D&D 5e by Ashley Johnson of Critical Role!

Favorite D&D Class: I love the flexibility of Clerics: some offensive and support spells, some tanky mace and shield combat, and some potentially strained relationships with whatever entities you worship in exchange for your powers -- great fuel for roleplay and eclectic gameplay!

Favorite Fandoms: Critical Role for sure! I'm also obsessed with What We Do In The Shadows, which was a quarantine discovery. A few other classics include X-Files, Twin Peaks, David Bowie, and, of course, Shakespeare.

Other Games I Love: Magic: The Gathering, Storybook Brawl, World of Warcraft, Portal, Sentinels of the Multiverse, Kingdom Hearts, The Last of Us…the list goes on and on…

When I’m Not Playing D&D: I act in TV, Film, and Theatre in New York City, tutor high school and middle school standardized tests, sous vide cook every recipe possible, and spend time with my girlfriend and our awesome friends throughout the city.

Video Producer, Game Master

Location: Seattle, Washington

How I Started Playing D&D: I first played D&D in 2019 when a friend invited me to play in a one-shot with 10 other people, which was delightfully chaotic. After that I wanted to create a world of my own. When the pandemic hit, I really got into D&D, creating campaigns for my friends as well as integrating the game into my job working as a Behavioral Health Technician in hospitals.

Favorite D&D Class: As someone who does everything in their power to avoid combat, I love playing Sorcerers. Their high charisma is great for smooth talking and their ability to cast subtle spells is amazing for my play style. That or druids, because turning into animals is fun.

Favorite Fandoms: I love pretty much all things, from the classics like Marvel and Studio Ghibli to weirder stuff like Frasier and everything that Lin-Manuel Miranda touches. My current obsession is the D&D show Dimension 20 which is just AMAZING!

Other Games I Love: I like other TTRPGs that have unique systems from D&D, like Blades in the Dark and Kids on Bikes. For video games, my favorites are A Short Hike, Shadows of the Colossus, Spider-Man, Helldivers, etc.

When I’m Not Playing D&D: I’m currently in school working towards getting my Master of Science in Nursing. For my creative downtime I create videos for the Young Dragonslayers™ Youtube channel as well as creating a podcast with my friends. When I’m not doing that I love to cook, tinker in workshops, and hangout with friends.

Game Master, Blogger, Social Media Manager

Location: Kalamazoo, MI

How I Started Playing D&D: In early 2017, an experienced D&D player invited everyone in our lab to start a campaign. Having spent the previous year listening to (and loving!) the Campaign Podcast, I was intrigued by the concept of tabletop RPGs and decided to give it a shot. I was surprised by how unintimidating the experience was, how much room there was for asking questions and coming up with ideas, and how genuinely fun the game was - it ran all the way from level 1 to level 20! We still play together to this day, but that first campaign is an experience I'll never forget.

Favorite D&D Class: Paladin, by far! I still remember the first time I used Divine Smite on a Natural 20, rolling a huge pile of d8s and absolutely obliterating a sea hag. The combination of magical and combat ability works so well both thematically and mechanically, and there are tons of storytelling options to explore with the available pantheons and oaths.

Favorite Fandoms: Nerdfighteria, Marvel/DC (particularly Spider-Man, Captain America, Batman, and Superman), Studio Ghibli, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Spy X Family, Pokemon, Ace Attorney, Legend of Zelda, Persona 5, and a ton more!

Other Games I Love: As far as tabletop RPGs go, I'm a huge fan of Evil Hat's Fate and Apocalypse systems, but I also love weird indie MicroRPGs like Bird Trek and Honey Heist.

When I’m Not Playing D&D: I work with LGBTQ+ youth in Kalamazoo, write about anything and everything, and make pop-culture- and Pride-themed art at Janatee Craftily.

Game Master

Location: Rochester, NY

How I started playing D&D: I actually got into Dungeons & Dragons having played about a dozen other RPGs and finally seeing a D&D setting that I thought looked cool (Spelljammer). My first TTRPG was when I was 10 in 1985 and was Marvel Super-Heroes Role-Playing by Jeff Grubb. How’s that for classic?!

Favorite D&D Class: Warlock. What can I say? I like a bargain!

Favorite Fandoms: Besides basically all RPGs and board games, I’m a comic book scholar with a wide-range of knowledge of the comic stories and the history of the industry (which has some stories that are unbelievable!), I’m also a lifelong Doctor Who fan and a pro-wrestling fan!

Other Games I Love: I love a ton of RPGs, but I’ll break it down to these - my favorite gaming genre is superhero, my favorite RPG system is the Apocalypse-Powered system, and my favorite RPG setting is Palladium’s Rifts setting (basically a gonzo melting pot of all science fiction and fantasy tropes).

When I'm Not Playing D&D: These days, I’m mostly taking care of my newborn little girl, Mickie, but I also podcast, perform comedy, and write all sorts of stuff!

Game Master

Location: Cleveland, OH

How I started playing D&D: In 2018, a friend of a friend wanted to start a Dungeons and Dragons campaign and I had been looking for a Dungeon Master for a group that had never played before. We played every week between classes and clubs and I fell in love with the game. I still play with that group and have expanded to running one-shots and DM-ing campaigns for other groups of friends as well!

Favorite D&D Class: I love the versatility of the Cleric class. You can build them for any purpose in DND - healer, tank, fighter, mage, etc. It also helps that my favorite character to play is a Cleric of Knowledge.

Favorite Fandoms: Yu-Gi-Oh, Fire Emblem, Ni no Kuni, Fate series, Fairy Tail, JJBA, HunterXHunter, SpyXFamily, any fantasy or romance anime

Other Games I Love: In terms of role playing games, I enjoy Call of Cthulhu and Monster of the Week. I am also a big fan of board games, especially Betrayal at House on the Hill and Sub Terra.

When I'm Not Playing D&D: I am currently pursuing my Master of Public Health degree and working in clinical research at a local hospital. When not working, I am spending time with my dog, Terrence Barker, reading, or spending time with friends watching anime or trying escape rooms.

Game Master

Location: Seattle, WA

How I started playing D&D: I had a theatre friend who loved introducing new players to the game. He got me involved in a campaign he was running, but it wasn't until I started playing the current edition of D&D and running games for students in 2015 that I really got excited about playing. However, I've ended up as the DM more often.

Favorite D&D Class: I've found that I enjoying making memorable characters more than playing specific classes. That being said, I'm generally a fan of Rogues and Bards. I like playing a highly versatile smooth talker. If I can be a swashbuckling character like Mal Reynolds or Jack Sparrow I'm pretty happy.

Favorite Fandoms: Board games and roleplaying games, sci fi and fantasy literature, graphic novels, and yes, Star Wars and Marvel.

Other Games I Love: If I am not playing D&D, I love shorter roleplaying games like Lasers and Feelings or Lady Blackbird. I also love board games like Scythe, Wingspan, Root, and Fog of Love.

When I’m Not Playing D&D: I love being outdoors. My partner and I do a lot of rock climbing, hiking, camping, and skiing. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I've got amazing adventure options in every season!

Blogger

Location: Davidson, NC

How I started playing D&D: In high school, one of my friend suggested we play Dungeons & Dragons. It took us three tries to actually get a campaign off the ground, but I was quickly hooked. I currently run the Dungeons & Dragons club at Davidson College, and I occasionally play at home in a campaign with the same friend who introduced me many years ago.

Favorite D&D Class: My first real D&D character was a Monk, so I’m fond of dextrous fighters who need nothing more than their bare hands to fight.

Favorite Fandoms: When it comes to D&D: I’m a huge Critical Role fan (Campaign 2 in particular). In terms of music: A Day to Remember, Kendrick Lamar, and Jacob Collier.

Other Games I Love: I like casual single player games mostly. The Sims 4, Red Dead Redemption, ARK Survival Evolved, Stardew Valley. Every once in a while I’ll jump back into some Overwatch 2 with my friends.

When I’m Not Playing D&D: I’m studying Music and Neuroscience on the Pre-Medicine track at Davidson College. I spend my time doing school or volunteer work, playing or listening to music, exercising and being outside, and planning goofy activities with my friends.