"Gather close that you might harken... the story of Fat Neil."
Last week produced at special and unexpted treat, an episode of the comedy show Community that focused on Dungeons & Dragons. I don't watch the show (though that is likely to change now), but fortunetly Revil told me about it and let me know that the episode entittled Advanced Dungeons and Dragons was a must watch for obvious reasons. I'm glad he told me about it because it is one of the best episodes of any show I've ever seen. It so good that it was easy for me to list these five reason to love it.
(Beware of Spoilers!)
Reason #1 - Accessibility
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| Neil feeling better after defeating some Goblins |
As I said, I have never seen a single episode of the show other than this one. Despite the show already being in its second season I had no problem jumping right into the story and its fairly simple premise. Everything you need to know is provided by the narrator at the beginning of the episode. Neil, a chubby boy at the college has been made fun of for being fat his whole life, but thought things would change when he left high school. He finds out he was wrong when he gains the nickname "Fat Neil" around Greendale Community College. Severely depressed Neil contemplates suicide as a means of escape, but his friends deduce his plans and think of a way to stop him: Make him feel better by having a game of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. They are sure all he needs to do is feel like a winner for a change, something the game is sure to accomplish.
Reason #2 - The Characters
Just as the story is accessible, the characters are people you can quickly and easily understand and have motives you can sympathize with and root for. Well, except Pierce, but we'll get to that.
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| "I am Brutalitops! The Magician! Magic User, baby!" |
The episode features eight characters involved in the game, seven players and one Dungeon Master. The Dungeon Master, Abed is frankly amazing. He is idiosyncratic, amazingly entertaining, and absolutely dedicated to the game and his role as the Dungeon Master. Throughout the game he is asked to help the heroes by just giving them items and information they need as well as helping them against the villain, but he always refuses stating that he needs to be impartial or the game has no meaning.
As for the characters the most entertaining is probably the shortest lived. Chang, who the group never meant to be there is the first place, proves right away that he is the most dedicated to the game by dressing up in full Drow makeup and wig. His introduction of his character Brutalitops is nothing short of amazing. I had the misfortune to be drinking some soda during this part and things didn't end well. Unfortunately the brightest flames burn out the quickest and this mighty Brutalitops was decapitated not half way though the show.
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| Jeff, skeptical about the game |
The leader of the group, Jeff, is the one who originally figured out Neil's plan and organized the group to take steps to prevent it. He doesn't think much of Dungeons & Dragons, Advanced or otherwise, but he is firmly committed to helping Neil. Just like everyone else, Jeff finds himself really getting into the game by the end, driving the group toward their objective of obtaining a Pegasus when even Neil wants to quit and cheering during crucial moments.
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| Britta trying to stop the opression |
Another one of the characters, Britta, was very entertaining for Revil and I because she reminds us so much of the way one the members of our group (Bear) plays the game. When the party is ambushed by Goblins at the start of the adventure Britta launches into a theory that it is probably THEIR rightful land and from their perspective they are the trespassers. Before she can continue her theory though she is shot by an arrow, which I found thoroughly entertaining. Later in the adventure she continues he Hermione-esc championing of lesser races when she meets an oppressed gnome waiter. When the waiter later dies, Britta is horrified at the injustice, much to Jeff's incredulity.
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| Annie describing her lovemaking techniques |
The other characters, Troy, Annie, and Shirley all have their roles to play and their moments in the sun. In fact, one of the most entertaining parts of the episode was when Annie, who ended up with the character Hector the Well Endowed, had to seduce the beautiful Elf Maiden who guarded the Pegasi so the group could catch up with Pierce. There is a montage as the she and Abed play out the the love scene while Troy takes notes.
Each of the characters has something that makes them unique and special, just like a D&D adventuring party. Their skills and passions, Annie with her love making and Britta with her indignation for people less fortunate, not only comes into play but is essential to the party's eventual success against their dreaded foe.
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| A somewhat over supportive Troy |
Speaking of their foe, Pierce Hawthorn, played by the always entertaining Chevy Chase, is in so many ways the perfect villain for this tale. As the narrators points out "For reasons that should be obvious, Pierce the Insensitive, also known as Pierce the Dickish, and Grampa the Flatulent was not invited." This lack of invitation is what spurred Pierce's ire, much like Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty. However, much like the black Queen of dread, Pierce doesn't need an excuse to be a dick... hence the nickname.
When Pierce shows up he demands to be put into the game as himself. Abed complies and informs everyone that his character will die of exposure because he is naked. Neil, finally meeting one of his greatest tormentors in an arena where he is both confident and powerful introduces himself as Ducane of Clan Ducan. He also gives Pierce his cloak so he won't die from the cold. At which point Grampa Flatulent says that Ducane is a stupid name and takes Neils sword, kills Brutalitops, and runs away. Everyone shouts at Pierce to give Neil back his sword and Neil himself confesses that it took him "10 years and 50 campaigns to get that sword" which is a one of a kind sword forged by his character's ancestors. Pierce, the villain that he is describes that he is rubbing his balls on the sword.
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| "I Won! I Won Dungeons & Dragons... and it was Advanced!" |
Without meaning to, Pierce has provided the most vital piece of the puzzle for the game to succeed. All great story's need great villains and you can't achieve true victory without some great obstacle to overcome. The game really mirrors life in this episode and just as Neil attempts to overcome his tormentors in real life he is now forced to do the same within the game. Pierce has given him an area to work through his "Fat Neil" issues, not with any good will in mind, but still a vital contribution.
Reason #3 - The Adventure
The adventure, Caverns of Draconis, is not a real adventure, but it both looks and feels like one the way it is described. It has a simple premise; nearby dwells the legendary Red Dragon Draconis who possess a mighty hoard of treasure. The party's objective is to slay Draconis and claim the treasure for their own.
The adventure's simple but effective concept is perfect for this episode.
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| Abed the Dungeon Master with the adventure |
Now like I said, the Caverns of Dragon's is not a real adventure, but I'll be shocked if someone doesn't make a full version. This episode oozes inspiration and I bet before the end of the month we'll see a playable version or two of this adventure.
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| Shirley praying for success |
Reason #4 - The Climax
All great adventures deserve a great ending and this one has one. Neil, our downtrodden hero recovers the sword of his ancestors hurls it at the amulet that Pierce acquired which has allowed him to take control of the mighty Draconis. The Dungeon Master informs Neil that his called shot is very difficult and will require an 18 or higher to succeed. Everyone hold their breath and crosses their fingers as the die is being rolled.
The die lands and the camera zooms in... You might have expected a 20, I know I did, but instead the die reads 19. It is a success and the group goes wild!
Now many people feel that the one thing wrong with this episode is that it wasn't a 20, and I kind of agree. It would have been the perfect time for one. It makes me wonder why the writers opted for a 19 instead of a 20. Maybe it is because there was a 20 rolled earlier when Pierce decapitated Brutalitops, but I for one would have loved to see that magical two-zero on the die. Oh well, it's a minor thing I suppose.
Reason #5 - The Portrayal of the Game
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| Wherefor art thou, 20? |
Amazingly, and in stark contrast to the glory days of AD&D, the game is showed in an amazingly positive light in this show. Those who play it are not your stereotypical nerds sitting in their mom's basement eating chips and drinking mountain dew, but rather normal people. Niel himself may be somewhat outcast because of his weight, but he obviously has the capacity to make friends. Those who gathered for the game are doing it for him because he is their friend.
The game is also portrayed as a safe environment for people to work through their issues. Neil is depressed, lacks confidence, feels ashamed of his weight, and is constantly bullied by Pierce and people like him. By the end though he is able to get past that, gain confidence, and stand up to Pierce. More than that he realizes that Pierce is such a miserable human being who only wants to torture and torment others because Pierce himself is not happy. At that moment Neil takes an entire turn to pity Pierce within the game and that pity turns out to be the party's saving grace.
Above all the group is portrayed as having fun during the game. These are normal people who don't often game, but they have a really good time none the less. AD&D isn't portrayed as some weird activity that only social rejects can enjoy, it is portrayed as a game that anyone can play and enjoy.
In the end there are a ton of reasons to love this episode of Community, feel free to add yours in the comments section. A couple of things of note before I close this one out.
First, I thought it was odd that the DM did all the rolling for this game. Has anyone ever played in a game with worked like that? I'm guessing that this was just the show's creators wanting to keep things simple, but maybe there are those that play that way and I've never heard of it.
Secondly, why didn't they use D&D 4e? It is after-all the current version of the game so why go with AD&D? Personally I'm glad they did, but it is something to think about.
A model for an internet show to succeed financially is not only a realistic possibility, most think it is inevitable. Couple that with a fanatic fanbase like the one Firefly has and you have the recipe for potential Revolution.
The Blog of Holding has been doing an absolutely Hilarious series about creating and playing with rules inspired by the awfully awesome movie Mazes & Monsters starring Tom Hanks when he was still young and desperate enough to star in any piece of trash that came along. Their playtest was a great read that had me laughing from start to finish. Bizarre rules, such as the one that states that the Maze Controller (GM) must say something "may be a trap" or it can't possibly be one, are so hilariously accurate that it is obvious that writer of tBoH must be a huge Mazes & Monsters fan. Head over there and check it out, but do yourself a favor and, "Beware the Sacrilege!!!" 
Normally this is where we highlight a quote from another great gaming site or blog, but today we are going to take a look as some words from a different source, D&D Head of R&D. 
Dragon Age was a great game with a great setting. It produced a couple of great videos that caused us here at the Labyrinth to question why couldn't the D&D movie have been that good? Well now they be showing us once again what they can do on film by creating a web based miniseries written and starring Felicia Day. Day, known for her work on the amazing web series, The Guild, will be bringing a lot to the table on this project, not the least of which is her passion for video games, and her familiarity with Dragon Age in particular. 
This is a great move by Bioware in my opinion. Felicia Day has a great reputation among games for more than just her good looks. She brings a very real passion to her projects. Add to that her web series cred from the Guild and you have a built in winner. This will really grow Dragon Age's reputation and will certainly bring in new fans to the series. 
Within a single group of gamers the range of musical preference can be staggering. Taking our group for example, we’ve got members that listen to everything from Anime Theme Songs to Viking Metal to Indy Rock to Gangster Rap to American Pop. Not only that, but the sheer amount of music that’s released in a year is so staggering that even two different fans of one genre of music may not listen to the same bands. Plus, interpretation of music tends to vary somewhat from person to person, so if you decide to take inspiration from a song it’s likely that your players may not realize it even if it’s one they love.
Above all the group is portrayed as having fun during the game. These are normal people who don't often game, but they have a really good time none the less. AD&D isn't portrayed as some weird activity that only social rejects can enjoy, it is portrayed as a game that anyone can play and enjoy. 
