Zari

she/her

5.0

(2)

Timezone

America/new York

Language

English

Identity

Streamer

LGBTQ+

Neurodivergent

Women/Femme Identifying

About Zari

A lover of storytelling and writing, Zari's life goal is to inspire people through her words, providing a safe space and drawing together a community of like-minded people. She discovered Dungeons and Dragons in late 2017 and dove in headfirst, immediately sliding into the Dungeon Master seat. Her approach has always been centered around the story and characters, immediately building immersive worlds and dynamic stories for the players to seamlessly integrate. Zari enjoys the improvisation and collaborative writing aspect of Dungeons and Dragons (and other TTRPGs) and loves making all at the table feel included, important, and comfortable. She has built three total worlds, ran two full homebrew campaigns and several homebrew mini-campaigns, and played in many other table settings. Zari currently works as a Bookkeeper, Twitch Streamer/Youtuber, Writer, and now business owner. She is currently working on her debut novel, with several other books and series on the backburner, as well as continuing to write for DnD. She loves her Twitch community dearly and enjoys streaming and recording gaming content, co-working encouragement, and DnD sessions. Living in New Jersey with her fiancé and their three adorable cats, Lily, Neptune, and Ryu, she works hard to maintain a healthy and creative lifestyle, with a love for cooking, working out, and reading.

At a glance

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Rule of Cool

$20 per session

Featured Prompts

I got started GMing...

because an old friend group wanted to play, but none of them wanted to GM. I ran the Lost Mines of Phandelver for them and then immediately started homebrewing a campaign. I ended up finding a group online, and then started GMing a group of kids and their parents in person!

My favorite books are

the Throne of Glass series, the Inheritance Cycle (Eragon), and the Tomes & Tea Series (You Can't Spell Treason without Tea - it's a cozy fantasy series). I also am currently reading The Night and It's Moon and love it.

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

writing, reading, and gaming! I'm currently working on writing a novel, and I stream gaming content (and DnD content) regularly. I also enjoy working out, cooking, and spending time with my fiance and friends. We love to find new food places and travel!

How Zari runs games

My approach has always been centered around the story and characters the players bring to the table; I love to build immersive worlds with dynamic stories that include player backstories and allows them to explore what they want in games. I believe in collaborative storytelling, and love to make the table feel included, important, and comfortable. I'm very adaptable to player's fun, and include a "what do you enjoy in your game" section in my RPG Consent & Safety form. Dynamic Roleplay is always a must for me, but I can adjust from easier/alternative combat to punishing/tactical combat, choose to include political or social plotlines, actually engaging puzzles, lots of history and lore, etc., depending on what the players prefer. My specialty is integrating character development and story into the main story. I do better with a more mixed tone of some serious, some goofy energy! I tend to be a more 'rule of cool' DM, and use the rules as guidelines and a game structure, rather than very strict lines, but always prioritize making things fair. I typically run homebrew and have a ton of experience with balance for the game! Couple of notes: I am LGBTQ+ and will ALWAYS prioritize safe spaces for people, and I am very good at respectful communication and am unafraid of confrontation. The safety and fun of my players is always my top priority.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

good communication. I care the most about table safety and rules, making sure everyone is on the same page and feels comfortable. As for game rules, I'm very knowledgeable but not super strict. They are the backbone of the game, but it's sometimes fun to color outside of the lines. Bit Rule of Cool!

My games focus on...

collaborative storytelling at the heart. I'm a very RP and story-focused GM, who loves to incorporate player backstories. The additional elements (combat style, politics, puzzles, etc) can be adapted on a sliding scale depending on the players. BUT I am good at making combat epic regardless of level

When it comes to voices

I can do a few! But I also believe that the table should be a safe place to experiment or just stay comfy. Feel free to try (practicing is where they come out!) or just stick with your natural voice. No judgement from me (nor do I allow it at the table).

Zari's ideal table

My table style is focused on collaborative storytelling, backed by table safety and good communication. I love to incorporate player backstories, roleplay, and explore an amazing story together. I like to say that I'm smack in the middle of 'super serious' and 'silly vibes;' I love to have serious and heart-wrenching moments, but also will laugh at a good bit. I have a ton of experience with all levels of combat and know how to make it epic even if it's easier, but also am not afraid to whip out something intense if that's what the players want! I love puzzles, intrigue, and so much lore. I've had romance, political involvement, and incorporation of involved pantheons. I'm very much a true fantasy person, but wouldn't mind branching out because I like to grow as a person. I'm a pretty open DM to interesting builds and am good at game balance. I am not a rules lawyer; while I do believe it should be fair across the board, I do bend things occasionally for the story. As long as there is good communication and consistency, I am happy! My main focus is always on the players' (including myself) fun as a table.

Featured Prompts

I love it when a player

gets really in character and into the story! My favorite is the "ah-ha" moment when they figure out a story beat, or the dread of their backstory coming back to haunt them.

I think metagaming...

is not fun. Since my focus is always on storytelling and the characters, it's not really a place for meta-knowledge. I don't mind jokes or revealing information, as long as it doesn't affect the game or in character decisions!

I think min/maxing...

can be fun! I don't mind balancing combat and encounters for a powerful character. HOWEVER, I will work to balance out the rest of the players to the level (with magic items, additional abilities, helping them in combat, etc.) so that no one feels left behind or underpowered.