Newmarket

A massive hand reaches down from the heavens, and places a massive door in the side of the mountain before you, having bestowed this gift of a simpler path, drawing a long shadow across your party, the hand retreats, it's… your DM?! I'm Mari, DM of 6 years, narrative plot session truther, homebrew setting embracer, and odd NPC creator! My love of stories began similarly to many others, not through the telling, but through the listening and consuming that comes before. After spending far too long yearning for an opportunity to engage in the medium I'd spent so long watching on Dimension 20, and several podcasts like Dungeons & Daddies, Legendlark, and more, I decided it was finally time to make that scary leap to try D&D for myself. And just as I'd fallen in love with it by proxy, so too, did I fall in love with it directly. I quickly became obsessed, started researching, and DMing, and gained a reputation at my university as a woman who was incredibly excited to try to get other women and newbies into this delightfully nerdy hobby. Friends and friends of friends began approaching me for some good ol' kitchen table games with roommates, and many one shots and a few home games as player and DM later, I haven't tired of it. Through it all, I've connected with so many people in vulnerable and unique ways, and found a way to add special touches to prewritten adventures, especially one-shots, and found a profound love of homebrew settings. If you love playing with the mysticism of things much bigger and more mysterious than you, uncovering mysteries of the universe, and seeing our own world reflected in a fun-house mirror of mysticism and magic, I'd love for you to join me in as many adventures as your heart desires! Our world is filled with beautiful diversity, and I don't see why the worlds I create with my players should be any different. I adore introducing newbies to the format, helping people flesh out character backstories that weave into our plot, and making everyone feel like they have a special secret to bring to the table. I'm excited for every opportunity to paint the setting of your adventures, placing mountains, trees, people, towns, gear and plot hooks for you to engage with, conquer, destroy, or help build!

With a background in acting and teaching, I took too TTRPG’s in late 2023 and finally ran my own one shot a year later. Subsequently that one-shot was then turned into a full campaign that is running still to this day. I’m an avid gamer and consumer of stories. From niche anime, popular cartoons to obscure short stories- all of this brings life, enthusiasm and creativity to the worlds I built, the NPC’s I play and the games I run. My goal is to be able to create a world and a game that my players have crafted alongside me. A world for my players to explore not only as their character but as themselves. From discovering why a floating city has declared themselves as the rulers of the continent, to the monstrous purple worms that call the battle-hardened deserts of the orc’s home. To a simple story about how acquiring the deed to a bakery will finally make your town whole again. Stories can be grand and I strive to get my players to ask questions about the world they could be inhabiting. At my table, I try to create a space that brings us into the moment and lets us all hangout together and at the end of the day- play a game. A fun environment where my players can do what we all want to do in the end- go on an adventure.

I’ve been a forever DM since 2022 and have been playing video games, especially RPGs, since I was about eight years old. I blend my passion for storytelling with good music and sound design to create immersive tabletop roleplaying experiences. My sessions focus on collaborative worldbuilding, inclusivity, and player agency. I’m all about creating living worlds where heroes rise, choices matter, and every roll shapes the story we tell together. As an educator, I’ve brought tabletop roleplaying into the classroom to support math, literacy, and social skills, inspiring students to learn through creativity and play. I also run afterschool programs and community games through Roll with Guidance, a branch of my work dedicated to learning, healing, and growth through TTRPGs. Whether guiding new adventurers or seasoned heroes, my goal as a DM is to create immersive, inclusive worlds where every player feels part of something epic.

When I first jumped into D&D as a player, it was with a bunch of complete strangers. Over countless sessions full of dangerous quests and heartfelt RP, these strangers have become my inseparable friends. As a dedicated STEM educator and fantasy enthusiast, I adore the collaborative storytelling, imaginative problem-solving, and roleplaying moments that D&D makes room for. I've been lucky enough to be a part of multiple long running campaigns with many creative and passionate individuals for the past several years, and by DMing, I aspire to share these experiences with new and old players alike! Everyone should have the chance to experience the same joy of finding new friends to embark on magical adventures with. Outside of DMing, you can find me trying my best to be a real-life Artificer, as I add to my long list of crafty hobbies by leatherworking, sewing, drawing, and crocheting my way through various projects! I’m always more than happy to talk about my D&D campaigns, show off my ever-growing dice collection, or share my latest crafty creation!

As a seasoned Dungeon Master with over 6 years of DMing experience, I've dedicated my passion to crafting immersive and unforgettable D&D adventures. Since my introduction to the game in 2006, I've been captivated by its ability to foster creativity, teamwork and enduring friendships. I thrive on the thrill of witnessing a players' imaginations take flight as they navigate challenging dungeons, overcome formidable foes and roleplay their way through social encounters. My goal is to create a safe and inclusive space where players can escape the ordinary and embark on extraordinary journeys together.