Today we’d like to introduce you to Game Master Ariel.
Hi Game Master Ariel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My decision to become a Dungeon Master was one that was inspired by the joy of collaborating with my friends around a table – armed with a handful of dice, a character sheet, a yummy meal and 9 times out of 10, a thematic outfit or costume! Dungeons and Dragons, and Table Top Roleplaying Games (TTRPGs) as a whole, are a pastime that was once considered niche but has since captured the hearts and minds of people on a massive scale worldwide! And I was one of those people! In an age where social media is at its height and we are so used to connecting virtually – especially following the 2019 COVID Pandemic – I think a lot of people crave time with friends and family doing something that sparks their creativity and takes them on an adventure, even if they never leave the comfort of their kitchen table. Playing a TTRPG does just that but so much more, and me and my friends wanted to give it a go!
Thankfully, some of us had some game experience who helped guide us newbies in our new favorite pastime. Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition, our original game of choice, was incredibly easy to pick up once you became comfortable with the mechanics but that took some time. Once we got into the flow, however the experience was INCREDIBLE! I had a blast playing with my friends and being a part of the group.
Very quickly I realized that I would get so invested in the overall story that I was finding playing as a single player character to feel a little limiting. I wanted to craft fun puzzles and engaging villains and big-bads! I wanted to be BEHIND the Dungeon Master (DM) screen, helping guide players on their journey! And so I transitioned from being a player to being a DM and I haven’t looked back!
There is this concept in Dungeons and Dragons of the “Forever DM” – it’s an individual who always finds themselves as the DM for their friend’s games because DMing is a lot of work! Huge shout out to all my fellow (Forever) DMs and GMs out there – you are much appreciated for the hours of planning and facilitating you do to craft a night of fun for the people at your table! You make the world go round! And it can be such a tough job for some that being a Forever DM can lead to burn out, but I’ve found it incredibly empowering!
Since I became a Forever DM, I’ve gotten to run countless games where nothing EVER goes as expected and yet my players walk away with smiles on their faces and it’s THAT that invigorates me. I love helping others have fun as they play the game, meet new people, and learn new things about themselves and what they are capable of creating, and I can’t WAIT to keep doing so!
Lastly, an important part of my journey is that this year, I had the amazing opportunity to GM and DM professionally for two of the DMV’s most popular conventions! Blerdcon 2026 and Otakon 2026! Blerdcon was an incredible three days of DnD shenanigans with a group of fellow superstar DMs! And for Otakon, my DMing was their first time EVER having a DM or Dungeons and Dragons offered as an activity onsite and it was a HUGE SUCCESS! BOTH opportunities were – every game I offered sold out completely at both conventions and I had a huge waitlist for Otakon! This was an incredible honor and I look forward to continuing doing so at those conventions and others in the future!
When I started, I was so worried that no one would be interested in my games. And now I bring my games to conventions and other events and players have so much fun! I’m so thankful to the community for welcoming me, to my players for trusting me, and to my friends and support system for always being their to cheer me on and support me – I couldn’t do what I do without all of you!
To any players looking for a fun, silly night of Dungeons and Dragons, please reach out to me on Instagram and sign up!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think if it had been smooth, it wouldn’t have been interesting or challenging- and what’s true fun without a little challenge?
The biggest struggle as a DM in the DMV is SCHEDULING. My friend’s calendars hate to see me coming! The reality of playing a campaign – which is a series of games that are connected by a broader storyline that can take weeks, months, even years to complete – is that you need a bit of momentum to get the party invested and to get the game going! From what I’ve learned from other DMs who have been successful in having longer campaigns is that the key is to have a group of 3-5 players that can gather virtually or in-person on a regular schedule.
My friends and I are very socially active, so when I started that meant that there was never a consistent schedule we could keep to more than a month or two at a time. And we lost momentum quickly.
From that experience, I decided as a GM that I would specialize in running games referred to as “oneshots”. A oneshot is a TTRPG that can be completed in a single session (in as little as 1 hour to sometimes longer than 5 at my own table!). I have written my own oneshots and have run popular pre-existing games as well. I find I prefer the games I write myself because I am intimately familiar with the plot hooks, non-player characters (NPCs), puzzles, and monsters because I crafted them myself! But I learn so much from the pre-existing games that have taught me how to better prepare and plan for my players.
One day, I hope to consistently have a group willing to go on a long-term journey around a table with me because I have several campaigns prepared that I can’t wait to use! One day, a group shall be ready to answer my call and I look very forward to it! For now, that is my biggest challenge.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Game Master (GM), Dungeon Master (DM) and purveyor of Cozy Caiman Games. Cozy Caiman Games is the banner under which I run all of my oneshot games to better organize game offerings, and create a sense of community amongst my players. I facilitate games for groups who sign up with me online or at conventions to play! I do everything from writing and preparing content, scheduling and organizing players, running the game itself, teaching new players and DMs, and sharing the joys of TTRPGs with a wider community one game at a time! I am known for sillier games intended to make my players laugh (at least a little), and specialize in games geared toward newer players. But all experience levels are welcome and encouraged! I am most proud of my ability to help people get comfortable with role playing a character and being silly for a few hours – from being a charismatic Noble-born Kitten to trying on an ice breathing Frost Dragonborn for a night! I think my game style and collaborative nature make for a welcoming environment to let one’s hair down. I always tell my players – nothing’s impossible at my table! Tell me what you’d like to do and we can see what’s possible!
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
The biggest ‘risk’ with TTRPGs/D&D that I’ve experienced as a GM/DM is that I am responsible for facilitating the experience of everyone at my table, and that can be very daunting. The more players at my table, the higher risk of players not getting their moment to shine, or being left out, or not getting long, or becoming uncomfortable! In addition, TTRPGs can explore content that some players may find more difficult to talk about than others. That’s why I implement RPG content consent sheets (ESPECIALLY for new players) and try to keep my games to under 6 players so that everyone is supported and considered.
Pricing:
- None that I would like to include currently
- But let them know I am interested in paid booking for events, parties, etc.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @cozycaimangames
