Interview – Kirthana Kuhendran (Dungeon Mother Kir)
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This is our 100th interview! We are so honoured to have spoken to so many incredible women in the TTRPG industry and community, and our 100th interview is no different. This week we spoke to the incredible Dungeon Mother Kir — a game master, content creator, and co-founder of Femme & Fate, dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming space for women in the TTRPG community.
Kir shared her experiences as a content creator in the industry, and what its been like to develop Femme & Fate, a women run TTRPG community in Malaysia, and brand new podcast!
1. What brought you to content creation in the online TTRPG community?
As a player and game master in the local TTRPG scene, I kept running into the same problem. I wasn’t seeing content that felt like me. There was no shortage of male GMs with polished profiles, promoting their games and building their brands, but where were the women? Even on a global level, the majority of content available wasn’t relatable to a Malaysian-Indian woman like me. Where were the Southeast Asian voices? Yet, every time I thought about putting myself out there, imposter syndrome reared its ugly head.
One day, a switch flipped. I realised that if I wanted to see more diverse faces in this space, I had to start with my own. I asked myself, What if I became the representation I was looking for? And just like that, Dungeon Mother Kir was born. What started as a fun little content experiment has since become a full-blown adventure. One that has led me to GM overseas, collaborate with incredible creators, and, well, land interviews like this! It’s been a wild ride, and I’m proud to be putting Malaysia and Southeast Asia on the global TTRPG map, one roll at a time.
2. What first inspired you to start running games and events for women in your local game store?
The moment I decided to take up space as a Game Master was when I realised how often people assumed I didn’t belong in that position. I’ll never forget my first event as a GM. I walked in with a male friend, and before I even opened my mouth, someone immediately assumed he was the one running the game. That moment stuck with me. It wasn’t just about me; it was about the unspoken assumption that Game Masters were men.
That fire of frustration turned into action. I decided that if people weren’t expecting women to GM, I would make sure they couldn’t ignore me. I became the Dungeon Mother, running games loudly, proudly, and unapologetically. Teaming up with like-minded folks at Here Be Dragons MY and Nightshade Tavern, I started hosting and joining events, creating spaces where women and marginalised players could roll their dice without hesitation. What started as a mission to prove a point became something even bigger. A growing movement of incredible women stepping up to the GM screen, ready to tell their own stories.
3. What effect has Femme & Fate—your inclusive, women-focused space—had in your local community?
Femme & Fate was born at 3AM over a plate of roti canai and a deep conversation with my co-founder, Game Master Lali. We talked about the communities around us; the spaces that never quite felt like ours, the experiences of sexism and racism that we had learned to “just deal with,” and our frustration of feeling invisible in the hobby we loved. That night, we decided we weren’t going to wait for someone else to make space for us. We were going to take it.
Since then, Femme & Fate has become more than just a platform—it’s proof that women and marginalised voices belong in the TTRPG world. We’ve created live plays, podcasts, and community-driven events that have not only drawn in new players but have also inspired others to step forward and claim their own space. Seeing women in leadership roles as GMs, creators, organisers, has had a ripple effect, encouraging more people to take the plunge and be part of this world. Representation matters, and Femme & Fate is our way of making sure no one else has to wonder if they have a seat at the table.
4. How has the TTRPG community changed since you first started playing, and what would you like to see improve?
When I first dipped my toes into TTRPGs, I stuck to a tight-knit group of friends. The idea of walking into a public game felt daunting. I didn’t see many people who looked like me, and I was made to feel like I had to prove I was good enough to be there. I let that fear hold me back for too long.
Then something changed. Here Be Dragons MY, a women-run board game and TTRPG café, opened its doors, and suddenly, there was a space where I felt seen, welcomed, and encouraged to grow. It wasn’t just a place to play, it was a community built on shared accountability, where people actively worked to protect and uplift one another. Since then, I’ve seen the local TTRPG scene flourish, with more women entering the TTRPG space.
But we’re not done yet. While progress has been made, I still see organisations patting themselves on the back for highlighting women only on Women’s Day, as if one day a year is enough. I want to see consistent support, real inclusivity, and genuine accountability. I want to see people like me, not just once a year, but always.
5. What role can content creators play in developing a more welcoming and diverse TTRPG space?
Content creators are the representation of the culture in this space, whether they realise it or not. The way we present our games, our players, and our stories sets the tone for what is seen as “normal” or “desirable” in TTRPGs. That’s why representation isn’t just important—it’s necessary.
When someone sees a GM who looks like them, when they hear accents that sound like home, when they watch content that reflects their experiences, it tells them that they belong here too. As creators, we have a responsibility to uplift diverse voices, showcase different perspectives, and set a clear standard for the kind of community we want to build.
For me, it’s not just about putting a spotlight on diversity, it’s about making sure that the spaces we create are safe. Women in TTRPGs, especially here in Malaysia, deserve to play without fear of harassment, dismissal, or gatekeeping. Content creators can lead that charge by calling out toxicity, fostering inclusivity, and creating environments where everyone can roll their dice with confidence.
My journey as a content creator has been about more than just rolling dice, it’s been about rolling change. Every post, game, and event is one more step towards a more inclusive and vibrant community. But no one can do this alone. If we want real, lasting change, we need more voices, more stories, and more people willing to stand up and say: “This space belongs to all of us.” So, support women-led games, uplift marginalised creators, and most importantly, make room at your table, because EVERYONE deserves to play.
Thank you so much for reading our interview with Kir! Help us celebrate hitting this huge milestone of 100 interviews by giving this a share and following Dungeon Mother Kir.