Today we’d like to introduce you to Colton Mayo
Hi Colton, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For years growing up, I dreamed of playing Dungeons & Dragons, but I struggled to find anyone willing to invite me to their table. D&D is a collaborative game—you need a group, and as a beginner, playing alone isn’t really an option. That changed when I served an LDS mission in Ohio and discovered *Magic: The Gathering*. Teaching myself that game opened a door to the broader world of tabletop gaming.
After my mission, I spent a summer working as a ropes course instructor at Aspen Grove Family Camp. I made friends with staff members there, including a lifeguard who ran a D&D campaign for a group of us. One night, while helping him close the pool, he walked me through creating my first character on D&D Beyond and even gave me my first set of dice. From that moment, I was hooked. I quickly picked up the game, learned how my character worked, and eventually started designing characters of my own.
Our group bonded over D&D and other activities, like trips to Evermore Park. It was during those visits that I realized how much I loved the “nerd life,” even though I was still new to it. But as life went on, our group grew to an unwieldy 14 players, and schedules got busier. I eventually left that campaign, unsure of how to find or join another group. Still, I’d had a taste of D&D, and I wanted more.
When my original DM moved out of state, I decided to try running my own campaign. I found a website where DMs could advertise their games, and I launched a homebrew campaign inspired by the *Ranger’s Apprentice* series. Admittedly, I stuck too closely to the source material, but my players had fun and offered great feedback, helping me grow as a new DM. Although that campaign fizzled out, it taught me a lot about storytelling and player engagement.
Around this time, I started working for a cosplay company, performing as characters like Spider-Man, Flynn Rider, and Peter Pan at events. This job sparked an interest in Renaissance fairs, and I began creating costumes—eventually adding a pirate and a Viking to my collection.
Then, I got an email that would change everything: *We Geek Together* was opening a D&D tavern in Provo and looking for Dungeon Masters. I applied, interviewed, and was added to their roster. Back then, I was still relatively inexperienced, but I was passionate and determined to improve. Over time, with guidance from the community and fellow DMs, I gained the skills and confidence to run immersive, engaging games.
Today, I’m proud to call myself the Warbeard DM—a name that reflects both my love for warlocks and my iconic beard. I now run premier games at events like FanX to support the Foundation for the Prevention of Violence, host one-shots in the *Cosmere RPG* at Dragonsteel Nexus, and help organize large-scale TTRPG events. What started as a personal dream has grown into a thriving career, and I’m honored to help bring the magic of D&D to players in Provo and beyond.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been anything but smooth. The road to where I am now has been filled with challenges—mentally, emotionally, financially, and even physically. But I firmly believe that all good things require hard work and perseverance.
Throughout my journey, I’ve faced depression, imposter syndrome, and the struggles of overworking myself in an effort to grow. Financial setbacks have caused stress, injuries from other workplaces have slowed my progress as a Dungeon Master, and I’ve taken on projects that were beyond my skill level at the time. Each of these challenges pushed me to adapt, improve, and find ways to overcome.
These experiences taught me resilience and a deep commitment to not only becoming a better DM but also a better person. The road hasn’t been easy, but every obstacle has helped shape the Dungeon Master I am today—and I wouldn’t trade those lessons for anything.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in creating dynamic and engaging warlock patron relationships. For me, a warlock’s patron is more than just a name on a character sheet—it’s a powerful storytelling tool. I love bringing the patron into the campaign as an active force, driving the warlock to make bold, intriguing decisions. By fleshing out the details of the deal they made with their patron, I turn it into a motivating force that shapes the story. While I can do the same with a cleric and their god, the imagery and complexity of a warlock-patron dynamic often catch players’ attention in a unique way. Ultimately, these storytelling elements can be adapted to any character. If a player includes someone significant in their backstory, I make it a priority to flesh out that relationship and use it to enrich the campaign.
One thing I’m most proud of is my growth as a Dungeon Master. Over time, I’ve developed the skills to craft entertaining and safe spaces where players feel free to think creatively and immerse themselves in the game. I’m also known for designing challenging and dynamic combat encounters. My goal with combat is to keep it close and thrilling—if the barbarian limps out with two hit points, thinking they were about to die, then I know I’ve created a well-balanced fight. But I don’t stop at just making combat difficult. I incorporate interesting movement, puzzles, and unique mechanics to ensure every battle feels fresh, engaging, and memorable.
What does success mean to you?
Success, to me, is multi-faceted. Financial success means being able to enjoy life and focus on creativity without constantly worrying about bills or day-to-day stresses. It’s the easiest aspect of success to measure, but it’s not the only one I value.
As a Dungeon Master, my success is deeply tied to the enjoyment of my players. The more fun they’re having, the more successful I feel. Of course, fun is a hard thing to quantify—it’s not just about the number of players at the table but the quality of their experience. Another measure of success as a DM is the storytelling. I strive to create narratives that are unique, engaging, and unpredictable while still making sense within the world. If I can keep my players guessing, invested, and excited to see what happens next, then that session, campaign, or story feels like a success.
Ultimately, success is about reducing stress and increasing joy—both for myself and for those I interact with. Whether that’s through financial stability, crafting compelling stories, or helping others have fun, success is about creating a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.
Pricing:
- $15/player We Geek Together one shot
- $25/player We Geek Together epic campaign
Contact Info:
- Other: https://linktr.ee/warbearddm
