Da Comedy in Phlan - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

So as we continued our story in Phlan (Defiance in Phlan: A Shock at Evenfeast), we were approached by the Emerald Enclave to help them find a powerful and dangerous magic item that was located somewhere in the inn where we were enjoying our evening meal. The cast included:

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#1 iserith Nov 22, 2014 10:38:25	So as we continued our story in Phlan (Defiance in Phlan: A Shock at Evenfeast), we were approached by the Emerald Enclave to help them find a powerful and dangerous magic item that was located somewhere in the inn where we were enjoying our evening meal. The cast included: Lady Tessele, a noble wizard, the brains and de facto leader of our group (played by Ghaliyah) Open Music, a tiefling bard who acts before he thinks (played by bawylie) Butch Uprise, a human fighter who has taken one too many hits to the head (played by me) I thought this session was a good example of a light-hearted approach to resolving the challenge, one in which the DM rolled well with the players' actions despite the intended direction of the adventure as written. The players were building on each other's moves without blocking and the scene had some fun interaction. Everyone was very consistent to their established characterization as well and with a couple of players missing this session that would normally balance out the personalities, it very naturally lent itself to a straight-man-and-two-buffoons scene. I'm posting the transcript of that scene here for your enjoyment. To make it clear, I broke out a couple of side interactions when party members were dealing with separate NPCs at the same time. I think this shows the strength of the improvisation skills of the DM and players, even if comedy isn't your cup of tea. Show Dungeon Master: The Tea Kettle is crowded this evening, as the Evenfeast meal has brought many hungry patrons. A young halfling woman named Blaizette, obviously one of Freona's daughters, wears a blue kerchief and acts as your server for the meal. She manages to keep a smile throughout the meal. After she brings your meals and heads off to another table, a half-orc pulls up a chair and smiles a toothy smile at you. "Just act normal," he says through clenched teeth, "But listen closely. Everyone's life may be in danger. My name is Buhrell Caah. I represent the Emerald Enclave, a group that watches over the happenings in Phlan and beyond. I was just told by an associate that a devastating magical object was brought into the Tea Kettle. We don't know what it looks like or who has it, but I need your help finding it. Could you split up and talk to anyone who looks suspicious, and find out if they are in possession of a powerful item? Do not let anyone know what you are doing, for the possessor of the item might set it off if they know we are aware." Butch Uprise: No problem, pal. Tessele mops her gravy with her biscuit, expression vaguely displeased and disgusted as she studies the half-orc. "Oh, I think that can be arranged. Powerful, you say?" Butch Uprise: I'll just polymorph around the common room and ask people on the sly. I'm known for my slyness. [Butch recently learned what “polymorph” meant from Tessele and frequently applies it wrong.] Open Music: Sly Butch Uprise, they call him. Butch Uprise: Yeah that's right. Open Music: I thought it was short for Sylvester, but damn it all if it isn't because he's so crafty. Tessele mutters under her breath. "Or possibly we're all going to die." Open Music: I think you mean "We're" all going to die. Butch Uprise gets up, napkin still tucked in as a bib and picks up his tankard. Butch Uprise scans the common room while taking a sip, trying to look all casual. Dungeon Master: There's seven tables in the room, the people at each pretty much equally suspicious. One of the tables has you at it. Dungeon Master: Apart from that... table 1: Wild Elf in leather armor. Table 2: Two old human women. 3: A human man and dwarf woman. 4: Half-elf man and a book. Table 5: White dragonborn woman. Table 6: Three halflings. Butch Uprise coughs and sputters as he swallows the wrong way, spilling some of his drink on himself. Open Music: Oh no! Open Music performs the Heimlich maneuver on Butch. Open Music: Quickly! Does anyone have a powerful magic item that we could use to help this choking man?! Butch Uprise coughs and chokes in an obvious fashion. Tessele leaps to her feet in disgust and stalks away from the table. Dungeon Master: You know what? Butch, Charisma (Deception). Open Music: Won't any wild elf in leather armor, or combination of halflings come bring some magic item to help us? (helping - advantage) Butch Uprise tests his people skills! Butch Uprise: Charisma check: 15 Butch Uprise tests his people skills! Butch Uprise: Charisma check (advantage roll): 15 Dungeon Master: The human man with the dwarf twitches at the mention of powerful magic items. Butch Uprise gives Open Music a sly nod. Dungeon Master: The halflings chatter in a language none of you speak. Open Music: Alright, now Tess can tackle the dwarf… Or... Caw. CAW CAW CAW! Get him! Open Music continues to make crow noises trying to signal the half-orc. Butch Uprise thinks that the halflings are clearly the ones with the item and walks over to talk to them. ------------------------------- Tessele stalks over to the dwarf and her human companion, expression long-suffering. "Pardon me, gentles, but could I perhaps share your table? My companions seem to be deeply in their cups." Tessele: "Frankly, if I consort with them longer, I'm likely to murder them." Dungeon Master: "This is a private meeting," the dwarf replies to Tess. "And needs to stay that way." Tessele: She flicks a glance at the man and smiles slightly. "I wouldn't want to interrupt. It's just that I need the excuse of shelter or they're likely to try to speak to me. Perhaps I could impose on you both to tolerate me for a moment. I'm very discreet." Dungeon Master: Persuasion, Tess. Tessele: Persuasion: 5 Tessele: Aaaaand I'm spending Inspiration. Dungeon Master: Good idea. Tessele: Persuasion: 13 Dungeon Master: "Couldn't you possibly find somewhere else?" The man asks, glancing at his bag. ------------------------------- Butch Uprise: Hey, what language is that you're speakin'? Is it halfling? I only speak Dwarvish. Also Common, I guess, otherwise it'd be odd talking like I am right now. Wouldn't make no sense. Dungeon Master: The halflings look up at Butch and gesture at him, saying something else in their language. Butch Uprise tries to puzzle out what the halflings are saying based on their tone and gesture. Dungeon Master: Intelligence check, Butch. Butch Uprise tests his intellect! Butch Uprise: Intelligence check: 5 Dungeon Master: They're asking for the restroom. Butch Uprise: It's over there, man. Looks like you'll need to be on your toes in there, harrharr Dungeon Master: The halfling looks in the direction Butch indicates, confused. ------------------------------- Open Music sees Tess and Butch strike out. Open Music strolls up to Tess, human, and Dwarf table. Open Music: Pardon me… Do you have any… NAPTIME! Open Music casts Sleep: 24 hit points affected. Tessele: "Go away.” Tessele: (OOC covers my face) Dungeon Master: And they're both asleep. Open Music: Tess, their bags, if you please. Tessele is already on that. Tessele searches their bags briskly. Butch Uprise has obviously not picked up on what transpired. Dungeon Master: Neither do the halflings. The human women are ignoring it. Butch Uprise: I don't want to hold you halflings up if you gotta use the can. So good luck in there. Maybe bring a stool, ya know? Butch Uprise walks over to the wild elf and compliments his leather armor. Dungeon Master: The bag has a book, a bunch of cloth and clothing, and a very thin-walled glass sphere holding what appears to be the idea of lightning. Open Music: Hold it over your head and say you have an idea. Dungeon Master: There's also a dagger on the man's belt. On closer inspection, the dagger isn't a dagger. Tessele stands and addresses the crowd, already hiding the sphere and the book under her usual cloak. "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. This public safety inspection is now concluded." She helps herself to the dagger as well. "You may all return to your meals." Dungeon Master: It's a tooth with a wooden handle attached to it. A big tooth. Open Music: Hey Butch, check out this dragontooth dagger. I think this guy might be a cultist. Butch Uprise walks over to Lady Tessele after hearing her announcement. Dungeon Master: The elf smiles to Butch, then blinks as he leaves. Butch Uprise: I guess we struck out then. I'll go tell that guy. Butch Uprise marvels at the dagger. Butch Uprise: Whoa… Where'd you get that, Muse? Open Music: Tess grabbed it when she robbed these fellahs who suddenly fell asleep when I shouted at them. Butch Uprise: You think it's got something to do with the Cult of the Dragon? Open Music: Pretty clearly I think.Open Music: This human fellow had it. Let's take him with us. Tessele walks back over to the table with the half-orc, lowering her voice, and murmurs to him in an almost lazy tone. "Now, let's discuss price." Dungeon Master: "A hundred gold for each of you," the half-orc replies. "For the dagger. Keep the sphere. I'll throw in a potion of healing, too." Tessele rolls with it. "As you like." Dungeon Master: "I'll need your friend to give me the dagger," he says. Open Music is flipping the dagger into the air and catching it. Butch Uprise: This got something to do with the Cult of the Dragon? Tessele: "Butch, darling," she says, pitching her voice to carry, "bring the nice man his dagger please." Dungeon Master: "The Cult? I'd imagine so... that's a blue dragon tooth," the half-orc says to Butch. "They can be enchanted to work as weapons of terror... and that one's likely to detonate soon. I need to neutralize it." Butch Uprise: You mean this dagger that Muse is tossing around right next to me? Dungeon Master: "Yes. That dagger." Open Music: I bet I can lodge this into the ceiling. 10 gold if it stays up there 10 seconds? Dungeon Master: The half-orc goes pale. "Please don't." Dungeon Master: He looks at Tess. "We're all going to die." Open Music: I think you mean "We're" all going to die. Tessele is out of the building already. With her payment. Butch Uprise: Eh, just give him that dagger. We'll question that man when naptime is over. Meanwhile, I'll keep looking for this dangerous item on the sly. Open Music: Sounds good. I think Tess has money for us. Open Music tosses the dagger to Caw. Dungeon Master: "... ****." He says when he sees that Tess is gone, then he sighs in relief. "Oh, good." He takes the dagger. "Your friend... appears to have lifted my purse. With your payment." Open Music: You carry a purse? Butch Uprise: I'll let you know if I find that magic item, friend. It might be them two old ladies what got it. Butch Uprise casually moves over to the two old ladies and flirts. Dungeon Master: "I do... ... ... ... you do that," the half-orc replies to Open and Butch. "I'm going to go neutralize this dagger now." He heads upstairs. Tessele settles down at the edge of town to count her share of the gold and examine the curious item. And wait to see if the town explodes, of course. Dungeon Master: Annnnd... that's the mini-episode. There was a big chase in it, but it ends exactly where we are. And you bypassed that.

Lady Tessele, a noble wizard, the brains and de facto leader of our group (played by Ghaliyah)

Butch Uprise, a human fighter who has taken one too many hits to the head (played by me)

I thought this session was a good example of a light-hearted approach to resolving the challenge, one in which the DM rolled well with the players' actions despite the intended direction of the adventure as written. The players were building on each other's moves without blocking and the scene had some fun interaction. Everyone was very consistent to their established characterization as well and with a couple of players missing this session that would normally balance out the personalities, it very naturally lent itself to a straight-man-and-two-buffoons scene.

I'm posting the transcript of that scene here for your enjoyment. To make it clear, I broke out a couple of side interactions when party members were dealing with separate NPCs at the same time. I think this shows the strength of the improvisation skills of the DM and players, even if comedy isn't your cup of tea.

Show

Dungeon Master: The Tea Kettle is crowded this evening, as the Evenfeast meal has brought many hungry patrons. A young halfling woman named Blaizette, obviously one of Freona's daughters, wears a blue kerchief and acts as your server for the meal. She manages to keep a smile throughout the meal. After she brings your meals and heads off to another table, a half-orc pulls up a chair and smiles a toothy smile at you. "Just act normal," he says through clenched teeth, "But listen closely. Everyone's life may be in danger. My name is Buhrell Caah. I represent the Emerald Enclave, a group that watches over the happenings in Phlan and beyond. I was just told by an associate that a devastating magical object was brought into the Tea Kettle. We don't know what it looks like or who has it, but I need your help finding it. Could you split up and talk to anyone who looks suspicious, and find out if they are in possession of a powerful item? Do not let anyone know what you are doing, for the possessor of the item might set it off if they know we are aware."

Butch Uprise: No problem, pal.

Tessele mops her gravy with her biscuit, expression vaguely displeased and disgusted as she studies the half-orc. "Oh, I think that can be arranged. Powerful, you say?"

Butch Uprise: I'll just polymorph around the common room and ask people on the sly. I'm known for my slyness. [Butch recently learned what “polymorph” meant from Tessele and frequently applies it wrong.]

Open Music: Sly Butch Uprise, they call him.

Butch Uprise: Yeah that's right.

Open Music: I thought it was short for Sylvester, but damn it all if it isn't because he's so crafty.

Tessele mutters under her breath. "Or possibly we're all going to die."

Open Music: I think you mean "We're" all going to die.

Butch Uprise gets up, napkin still tucked in as a bib and picks up his tankard.

Butch Uprise scans the common room while taking a sip, trying to look all casual.

Dungeon Master: There's seven tables in the room, the people at each pretty much equally suspicious. One of the tables has you at it.

Dungeon Master: Apart from that... table 1: Wild Elf in leather armor. Table 2: Two old human women. 3: A human man and dwarf woman. 4: Half-elf man and a book. Table 5: White dragonborn woman. Table 6: Three halflings.

Butch Uprise coughs and sputters as he swallows the wrong way, spilling some of his drink on himself.

Open Music: Oh no!

Open Music performs the Heimlich maneuver on Butch.

Open Music: Quickly! Does anyone have a powerful magic item that we could use to help this choking man?!

Butch Uprise coughs and chokes in an obvious fashion.

Tessele leaps to her feet in disgust and stalks away from the table.

Dungeon Master: You know what? Butch, Charisma (Deception).

Open Music: Won't any wild elf in leather armor, or combination of halflings come bring some magic item to help us? (helping - advantage)

Butch Uprise tests his people skills!

Butch Uprise: Charisma check: 15

Butch Uprise tests his people skills!

Butch Uprise: Charisma check (advantage roll): 15

Dungeon Master: The human man with the dwarf twitches at the mention of powerful magic items.

Butch Uprise gives Open Music a sly nod.

Dungeon Master: The halflings chatter in a language none of you speak.

Open Music: Alright, now Tess can tackle the dwarf… Or... Caw. CAW CAW CAW! Get him!

Open Music continues to make crow noises trying to signal the half-orc.

Butch Uprise thinks that the halflings are clearly the ones with the item and walks over to talk to them.

-------------------------------

Tessele stalks over to the dwarf and her human companion, expression long-suffering. "Pardon me, gentles, but could I perhaps share your table? My companions seem to be deeply in their cups."

Tessele: "Frankly, if I consort with them longer, I'm likely to murder them."

Dungeon Master: "This is a private meeting," the dwarf replies to Tess. "And needs to stay that way."

Tessele: She flicks a glance at the man and smiles slightly. "I wouldn't want to interrupt. It's just that I need the excuse of shelter or they're likely to try to speak to me. Perhaps I could impose on you both to tolerate me for a moment. I'm very discreet."

Dungeon Master: Persuasion, Tess.

Tessele: Persuasion: 5

Tessele: Aaaaand I'm spending Inspiration.

Dungeon Master: Good idea.

Tessele: Persuasion: 13

Dungeon Master: "Couldn't you possibly find somewhere else?" The man asks, glancing at his bag.

-------------------------------

Butch Uprise: Hey, what language is that you're speakin'? Is it halfling? I only speak Dwarvish. Also Common, I guess, otherwise it'd be odd talking like I am right now. Wouldn't make no sense.

Dungeon Master: The halflings look up at Butch and gesture at him, saying something else in their language.

Butch Uprise tries to puzzle out what the halflings are saying based on their tone and gesture.

Dungeon Master: Intelligence check, Butch.

Butch Uprise tests his intellect!

Butch Uprise: Intelligence check: 5

Dungeon Master: They're asking for the restroom.

Butch Uprise: It's over there, man. Looks like you'll need to be on your toes in there, harrharr

Dungeon Master: The halfling looks in the direction Butch indicates, confused.

-------------------------------

Open Music sees Tess and Butch strike out.

Open Music strolls up to Tess, human, and Dwarf table.

Open Music: Pardon me… Do you have any… NAPTIME!

Open Music casts Sleep: 24 hit points affected.

Tessele: "Go away.”

Tessele: (*OOC* covers my face)

Dungeon Master: And they're both asleep.

Open Music: Tess, their bags, if you please.

Tessele is already on that.

Tessele searches their bags briskly.

Butch Uprise has obviously not picked up on what transpired.

Dungeon Master: Neither do the halflings. The human women are ignoring it.

Butch Uprise: I don't want to hold you halflings up if you gotta use the can. So good luck in there. Maybe bring a stool, ya know?

Butch Uprise walks over to the wild elf and compliments his leather armor.

Dungeon Master: The bag has a book, a bunch of cloth and clothing, and a very thin-walled glass sphere holding what appears to be the idea of lightning.

Open Music: Hold it over your head and say you have an idea.

Dungeon Master: There's also a dagger on the man's belt. On closer inspection, the dagger isn't a dagger.

Tessele stands and addresses the crowd, already hiding the sphere and the book under her usual cloak. "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. This public safety inspection is now concluded." She helps herself to the dagger as well. "You may all return to your meals."

Dungeon Master: It's a tooth with a wooden handle attached to it. A big tooth.

Open Music: Hey Butch, check out this dragontooth dagger. I think this guy might be a cultist.

Butch Uprise walks over to Lady Tessele after hearing her announcement.

Dungeon Master: The elf smiles to Butch, then blinks as he leaves.

Butch Uprise: I guess we struck out then. I'll go tell that guy.

Butch Uprise marvels at the dagger.

Butch Uprise: Whoa… Where'd you get that, Muse?

Open Music: Tess grabbed it when she robbed these fellahs who suddenly fell asleep when I shouted at them.

Butch Uprise: You think it's got something to do with the Cult of the Dragon?

Open Music: Pretty clearly I think.Open Music: This human fellow had it. Let's take him with us.

Tessele walks back over to the table with the half-orc, lowering her voice, and murmurs to him in an almost lazy tone. "Now, let's discuss price."

Dungeon Master: "A hundred gold for each of you," the half-orc replies. "For the dagger. Keep the sphere. I'll throw in a potion of healing, too."

Tessele rolls with it. "As you like."

Dungeon Master: "I'll need your friend to give me the dagger," he says.

Open Music is flipping the dagger into the air and catching it.

Butch Uprise: This got something to do with the Cult of the Dragon?

Tessele: "Butch, darling," she says, pitching her voice to carry, "bring the nice man his dagger please."

Dungeon Master: "The Cult? I'd imagine so... that's a blue dragon tooth," the half-orc says to Butch. "They can be enchanted to work as weapons of terror... and that one's likely to detonate soon. I need to neutralize it."

Butch Uprise: You mean this dagger that Muse is tossing around right next to me?

Dungeon Master: "Yes. That dagger."

Open Music: I bet I can lodge this into the ceiling. 10 gold if it stays up there 10 seconds?

Dungeon Master: The half-orc goes pale. "Please don't."

Dungeon Master: He looks at Tess. "We're all going to die."

Open Music: I think you mean "We're" all going to die.

Tessele is out of the building already. With her payment.

Butch Uprise: Eh, just give him that dagger. We'll question that man when naptime is over. Meanwhile, I'll keep looking for this dangerous item on the sly.

Open Music: Sounds good. I think Tess has money for us.

Open Music tosses the dagger to Caw.

Dungeon Master: "... ****." He says when he sees that Tess is gone, then he sighs in relief. "Oh, good." He takes the dagger. "Your friend... appears to have lifted my purse. With your payment."

Open Music: You carry a purse?

Butch Uprise: I'll let you know if I find that magic item, friend. It might be them two old ladies what got it.

Butch Uprise casually moves over to the two old ladies and flirts.

Dungeon Master: "I do... ... ... ... you do that," the half-orc replies to Open and Butch. "I'm going to go neutralize this dagger now." He heads upstairs.

Tessele settles down at the edge of town to count her share of the gold and examine the curious item. And wait to see if the town explodes, of course.

Dungeon Master: Annnnd... that's the mini-episode. There was a big chase in it, but it ends exactly where we are. And you bypassed that.