There is a unique kind of buzz that fills the air right before a major live show, a mix of nervous energy, excitement, and creative anticipation. For creator, producer, and actor Anjali Bhimani, that buzz is centered around one very special, highly chaotic, and deeply personal project: The Puppy Roll 3.
Ahead of taking the stage live from Gen Con at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, Bhimani sat down with Temple of Geek to discuss bringing the beloved tabletop charity event to a live audience, stepping into the role of Dungeon Master (or “Doggy Master”), and using storytelling to save animal lives.
Puppy Roll 3 is Bringing “Joyful Chaos” to a Live Audience
Having already raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity, The Puppy Roll 3 marks a major milestone as it steps in front of a live audience alongside Dungeons & Dragons. Set inside the Indiana Repertory Theatre, transformed by D&D into the “D&D Tower,” the event shares the stage with elements from The 20-Sided Tavern.
When asked what feels different about doing the show live, Bhimani highlights the collaborative spirit of the tabletop community.
“Gamers are so supportive and so loving, especially tabletop gamers,” Bhimani says. “It’s one of the few spaces where not just people support each other, but even companies support each other… It’s a very collaborative space, and it also happens to be a very giving space.”
The biggest addition to this year’s live show? Actual adoptable puppies. A local Indianapolis shelter is bringing real dogs to the theater, while all in-game Non-Player Characters (NPCs) are inspired by currently adoptable pets.
Combining a live crowd, an ambitious story, an all-star cast featuring Neil Newbon, Felicia Day, Mark Meer, Jason Charles Miller, and Jon Le Graziano, and actual dogs on stage is a recipe for pure unpredictability.
“One-shot gaming events tend to be a little bit chaotic, but with puppies, I mean, puppies are joyful chaos no matter what, right?” Bhimani laughs. “Much like puppies, [the cast] may need to be herded a little bit, they may need to be guided a little bit, but I’m totally okay with that.”
Building Empathy at the Table
Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) have a distinct ability to foster empathy, making them an ideal platform for fundraising and awareness. For Bhimani, the connection between D&D and animal welfare is a natural fit.
“Every time you are playing D&D, one way or the other, it feels like you are saving the world,” she explains. “What better way to save the day than to provide an animal with a safe and happy home, or help an animal with health problems get veterinary care?”
Partnering with Petco Love for the third year in a row, the initiative supports medical care for shelter pets, assists pet parents who cannot afford veterinary services, and promotes Petco Love Lost, a nationwide database utilizing image recognition technology to reunite lost pets with their families.
The Heart Behind the Game: Charlie’s Legacy
For Bhimani, supporting animal welfare is far more than just a passion project, it is deeply personal. She shares how her late dog, Charlie, whom she rescued in 2010, transformed her life and ultimately inspired The Puppy Roll.
“He cracked my heart open and filled my life with joy and chaos and love in a way that I hadn’t ever experienced before,” Bhimani recalls.
After Charlie passed away, The Puppy Roll became a core part of his legacy. The game’s setting, the Land of Doggo, was created straight from Charlie’s imagination, complete with “Mayor Charlie Barkinter” presiding over a world designed specifically for real dogs. Rather than playing anthropomorphized animals, players must navigate real-world canine challenges, like trying to open a door or climbing a tree.
Bhimani also revealed an ambitious milestone goal: if donation benchmarks are met, she plans to work with a third-party publisher to release the campaign adventures from all three years so fans can play the module at home with their own pets.
Stepping Up as the “Doggy Master”
While Bhimani resisted the DM chair for a long time, taking on the role for The Puppy Roll shifted her perspective on game-mastering.
“I realized it is a support job,” Bhimani shares. “It is absolutely something where I am providing a platform, providing a space for people to not only safely have a good time, but safely explore aspects of humanity… I want to be able to make a world where they can experience that.”
That world comes complete with custom-reskinned D&D mechanics, featuring abilities like Mage Paw, Ring of Puptection, and Hunter’s Bark, along with original songs created for the show, now available on Spotify.
How to Get Involved Beyond the Stream
For fans watching online or catching up after the live event, Bhimani emphasizes that saving lives doesn’t require a massive platform or deep pockets.
“Donating is just one way,” Bhimani says. “Donating your time, spending time with shelter animals, volunteering at your local shelter, and signal boosting. Signal boosting, signal boosting, signal boosting… Your voice and your online voice have meaning, have weight, and can save lives.”
The Puppy Roll 3 charity drive on Tiltify remains active all year long, featuring signed posters, custom dice, milestone rewards, and auction items from past and present cast members.
To support the cause, view campaign rewards, or make a donation to Petco Love, visit the ongoing Tiltify campaign page.
