If you’ve ever watched a group of teens lower their guard—suddenly collaborating, reflecting, and finding unexpected courage—you already understand what I’m trying to build with my new Patreon.
Like many creators, I’m joining Patreon not just to share my work, but to stay accountable to a vision: helping people grow through stories. This platform gives me the structure to keep creating—and it gives you the tools to do the same.
The Power of Story at the Table
I discovered the emotional depth of tabletop roleplaying the very first time I played Dungeons & Dragons with my son. Right after our first session, he confided that his character was a lot like his real self—and he shared struggles he had never spoken aloud. That moment turned me from a casual player into a lifelong advocate for role play as a tool for connection.
I soon became a Game Master, then a paid Game Master, and eventually co-created Ealdsmyth, a TTRPG system built from the ground up to support character-driven growth, empathy, and resilience.
Over the few decades of my adulthood, I’ve shifted from a life of creative vagabonding to teaching high-school theatre. Watching students navigate productions full of tension, conflict, and catharsis, I began to wonder: What if story-based games could teach collaboration and emotional intelligence, too?
Turns out they can.
What Is SEL?
You’ve probably heard the term SEL—Social-Emotional Learning—especially in the years after the COVID-19 shutdowns. Schools across the country began incorporating SEL to help students rebuild the relational and emotional skills that atrophied during isolation.
But often, it got buried beneath everything else teachers had to juggle.
Now, in a world still feeling the aftershocks of collective trauma, SEL is more important than ever—and not just for kids. Story-driven roleplaying offers a low-stakes, high-impact way to foster empathy, reflection, and community.
A New-But-Old Way to Grow
Early into the quarantine, my friends Roger Speer, Gregory Peterson, and I hosted online game sessions to stay connected. The experience sparked something powerful in our players. After the pandemic eased, we began planning an in-person TTRPG retreat—woven around character-driven storytelling.
We quickly realized that just handing a Game Master the Dungeon Master’s Guide wasn’t enough to recreate the kind of experience we’d been cultivating. We needed a system of our own—something simple, emotionally resonant, and intentionally designed for player growth.
That’s how Ealdsmyth was born.
What Is Stewarding?
In Ealdsmyth, GMs are invited to set aside ego and become Stewards—empathetic guides rather than omnipotent rulelords. A Steward fosters emotional safety, manages group dynamics, and nudges players toward meaningful narrative arcs.
Stewarding follows in the footsteps of medieval bards, West African griots, and Japanese rakugoka—storytellers who believed in the power of narrative to shape character, heal wounds, and build communities.
What Is SEL-Driven TTRPG Stewarding?
SEL-driven Stewarding is where story and growth converge.
The modules I create aren’t just meant to entertain—they’re designed to help players:
- Navigate uncertainty
- Practice empathy
- Rebuild trust after conflict
- Reflect on their own growth
You’ll also find:
- Emotion-rich NPCs and moral dilemmas
- Reflection prompts for use after sessions
- A metric ton of d20 tables that keep players improvising and emotionally engaged
Whether in a classroom or around a kitchen table, these tools help players reveal parts of themselves they may never otherwise share.
What You’ll Get as a Patron
If you’re a GM, educator, counselor, or simply a fan of meaningful games, this Patreon is for you.
The Torchbearer – $5/month
Support the vision and stay in the loop.
- Behind-the-scenes dev logs
- Exclusive polls and previews
- Supporter credit in all published projects
📜 The Lorekeeper – $9/month
Game-ready tools for intentional storytelling.
- 1–2 original d20 tables each month
- Monthly mini-module or lore drop
- Print-friendly SEL tools and PDFs
- Full access to the growing content archive
🏰 The Worldshaper – $15/month
Shape stories with soul.
- Full Ealdsmyth modules or story arcs
- SEL-rich GM tools (emotional arcs, safety mechanics, conflict frameworks)
- Experimental mechanics and NPC/PC spotlight features
- Everything from the Torchbearer and Lorekeeper tiers
Who This Patreon Is For
My Patreon space is for:
- Teachers and counselors running games that foster growth
- GMs craving emotional depth without sacrificing fun
- Creative leaders who see storytelling as a force for healing
- Curious supporters who believe in what I’m building
If you’ve ever told a story that helped someone grow—or wished you could—you’re exactly who this Patreon is for.
What’s Already Waiting Inside
To thank early supporters, I’ve prepared a starter bundle to get you rolling:
- A mini-module: “Mending the Rift” – focused on empathy and conflict repair
- Two d20 tables: “Moments That Changed Them” and “What They Need to Hear”
- A welcome PDF: Why Storytelling Can Teach Empathy
An Invitation, Not a Pitch
If what I’m creating speaks to you—if you believe in the power of games to build empathy, resilience, and joy—I’d be honored to have your support.
Whether you’re running games in the classroom, around the table, or simply cheering from the sidelines, this journey is better with you in it.
👉 Join the Patreon here
🖋 Or leave a comment—I’d love to hear what you’d find useful!
