Ariadne

she/her

5.0

(4)

Timezone

Pacific/auckland

Language

English

Identity

LGBTQ+

Artist

Game Designer

About Ariadne

Kia Ora, I am Ariadne and I am from New Zealand. I enjoy reading, watching YouTube, making TTRPG maps and generally being a bit of a social potato. I have been playing TTRPGs for nine years and have been a major DM for five years. I am most proficient with the Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition ruleset. I recently gained the confidence (and lots of encouragement from my friends) to take my skills to this site because I know that I can provide a quality experience. It is one thing to run things and test games on your friends and another to run a business. I love playing and running games for people because I find enjoyment and fulfilment. I was introduced to TTRPGs when I entered a roleplaying club during university. I was exposed to a wide variety of TTRPG systems and game styles. I got started on Pathfinder first edition, but quickly found my home in Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition. I often used and dabbled in other systems such as Call of Cthulhu, d6 systems, and custom homebrew systems during my university days. I also did some LARPing, which was very enjoyable. I started dipping my toes into being a DM for fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons after two years of being a player. My first attempts were disastrous, resulting in a homebrew one-shot TPK to zombies and I have come a long way since then. I really started to get the hang of things when I was running fifth edition games for my family and flat mates during the COVID lockdown. This is also when I learned of my love of map making. I have since created all sorts of battle maps, world maps and reginal maps in my spare time for games or personal interest. I have been DMing Dungeons and Dragons games in person and online for five years now. I have helped review and test homebrew TTRPG systems that they have created. I am not a streamer; none of my sessions will be recorded or used by me. I am inclusive sort and welcome all sorts of folks. I also take the Code of Conduct from this site very seriously.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

5 games hosted

Highly rated for: Inclusive, Sets the Mood, Storytelling

Average response time: 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

I enjoy running games for my friends.

My favorite shows/movies are

Babylon 5, Everything everywhere all at once.

When I'm not running games I'm...

Reading, watching Youtube or making a TTRPG map.

How Ariadne runs games

As a DM I am a follower of the rules more often than not, with allowances for the rule of cool when appropriate or funny. I will toss rules that make no sense, are bad, or everyone agrees are terrible and may include new (agreed upon) rules for a better experience. I am fair and firm, yet sometimes silly or cruel in my handling of the rules and sessions. I aim to provide a fun experience for my players first and foremost. I also add tension and real stakes for the players to enhance their experience and ensure that their game and character moments are more impactful and enjoyable. I will often add spicy details and mechanics to surprise and delight new players and veterans alike. Additionally, I enjoy and encourage roleplay and voices from both myself and my players, but I am not a strict enforcer. I am a slow and methodical DM who enjoys the devil in the details and emersion. I paint a picture of the world and environment with my words and take meticulous notes. I enjoy working with my players to weave their backstories into the main campaign. I will always come into a session with preparation and a plan, but if things get weird I am happy to flex my improv skills. I provide music to set the atmosphere, but players are free to opt out if that is their preference. I also enjoy making custom TTRPG maps in my spare time, so you can expect me to pull out all the stops for a big finale.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

Asking the players about their opinion on the rule and what they think it should be or what is in the book. Then refer to the main source material for the rules. Then make a decision based on what the rule is, the player situation, and the player's argument.

I prep by

Making sure that I know where the players are going at the end of the previous session and preparing for where they will be. I ensure that there will always be something interesting, challenging, engaging or lore heavy.

Rules are...

The framework by which the game is facilitated (which is important), but not the be all, end all of things.

Ariadne's ideal table

I like a variety of people at my table, but I generally like a laid back co-operative table. A chill vibe. Button pushers are always great because they drive the plot forward and are up to try new things (which makes my job as a DM easier ;) ). Roleplayers are fun because they always give the story we are telling together more depth and drama when they engage with the narrative. Tacticians and optimizers have such a fierce passion for the mechanics and details of the game which takes my breath away (and it always helps if there is someone else around who knows the rules well). We also have our quiet little nuggets who just enjoy hanging out; I see you and I appreciate you.

Featured Prompts

I love it when a player

Is having fun.

I think it's a red flag when players...

Hurt each other's feelings. Are extremely unco-operative with the group. Has main character syndrome. Says "that's what my character would do" because they are a certain alignment. I want to hear more of, my player did this or didn't do thing because they believe . . .

I think min/maxing...

Is how some people enjoy the game and should be facilitated.