The Marshal

I’m Troy Mepyans, an author and freelance writer with deep roots in the tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) industry. With over 45 years immersed in tabletop RPGs, beginning in 1979 with Basic Dungeons and Dragons, and 15+ years as an author/writer, my portfolio spans game design, novel writing, and mentoring new writers and players in the industry.

I began my professional journey in 2009 with the release of my first novel, “Paladin’s Quest: Riddle of the Horned Gate”, and publishing its two companion novels, “Paladin’s Quest: Into the Darkness” and “Paladin’s Quest: Creation’s Font” by 2012.

I have spent eight years with Modiphius Entertainment on Star Trek Adventures—as a play—tester for both editions, then contributing the missions, “Ends and Means”, “Upsetting the Balance”, mission briefs, and adding content for key rulebooks like the "Klingon Empire Core Rulebook," and the "Star Trek Adventures Second Edition Core Rulebook."

I have been a member of The Yellow Hand, creating the TTRPG, Ashland 2d20; aiding in the creation of the TTRPGs Sentience, and Tales of Menace and Mystery. I am a contributing writer for The Yellow Hand in Call of Cthulhu, Once Upon…, and myriad adventures and content for the above games as well.

I am the creator of Ashland 2d20—a post-apocalyptic TTRPG licensed by Modiphius and published by The Yellow Hand—and am also the creator of "The Good, The Bad, and The Savage", its campaign setting, "The Road to Redemption," and several other titles for Savage Worlds. I have been granted Aces status under the name “Tin Star Games”, as an official licensee for the Savage Worlds system by Pinnacle Entertainment, supporting one of the most beloved systems in the TTRPG scene.

I was co-founder and President of Dragon-Knight Publishing, along with best friend, Jon Neddo-a writer for the Fallout RPG by Modiphius Entertainment-and helped create "Whispers of Starfall", "Secrets of Starfall", “Curse of Partelisa”, and wrote the novel, “Shadow of the Necromancer”.

Rooted in Kalamazoo, Michigan, my writing is shaped by fantasy RPGs and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, R.A. Salvatore, Louis L’Amour, Tom Clancy, Larry Hama, and Michael Shaara. I am married with three adult neuro-diverse children and two cats-Gandalf and Shuri-named for a wizard and a super hero, naturally.