In Dungeons & Dragons, players often long for particularly powerful magical items that can make them remarkably powerful. A moment from Critical Role’s The Mighty Nein proves, however, that it’s not about the rarity or power of an item, but about its application and a clever idea.
Critical Role has already proven in many episodes of their campaigns that they are up to almost any challenge. Through tactics, skilled actions, and of course a bit of dice luck, they have managed to defeat all enemies and become powerful heroes.
However, there was one moment when the entire group nearly had to give up. But only nearly.
In The Mighty Nein, the second campaign of Critical Role, which has also received a series adaptation on Amazon Prime, the group faced a problem they couldn’t easily solve. However, cleric Jester, played by Laura Bailey, proved that in Dungeons & Dragons, with a pinch of cleverness and a rather inconspicuous item, one can create an absolutely legendary moment.
Here you can see the trailer for The Mighty Nein on Amazon Prime with the original voices of Critical Role:
In episode 93 of The Mighty Nein, Jester honored her class (Cleric of the Trickery Domain). She used her skilled kindness and a little trick to outsmart a powerful enemy. All she needed was a simple leftover cupcake, as well as an item that can also be seen in the animated series.
Spoiler Warning: If you already know what happens in episode 93, or if you don’t mind spoilers, you can read on without hesitation. However, it is especially worthwhile for D&D players to see a particularly strong example of how to make the most out of their items.
A Deal with a Hag is Rarely Fair
In the episode, the group encounters a hag that has placed a curse on one of the members of the Mighty Nein, which plagues the person anew day after day. Jester does not want to witness this any longer.
However, a hag is not so easily convinced and demands a trade. One that is worthy of the curse’s resolution. It must be something that would make the tiefling just as unhappy as the plaguing curse.
While Laura contemplates what she is willing to give up, the Twitch chat, which is following everything, is already in a panic. But no matter what she offers, it’s not enough for the monstrous creature.
But Matt, who plays the hag, knows exactly what would truly hurt the cleric. She wants to take away her artistic side. She demands Jester’s hands so that she can never paint again. And since she would lose her hands through a curse, there is little hope of magically “regrowing” them, as the hag explains: “I think you know how intense and permanent these deals can be.”
So let this be a reminder: Don’t forget about your items that are gathering dust in your inventory. They might even save your life, even if you wouldn’t expect it.
In the world of Exandria, where the first three campaigns of Critical Role take place, the heroes acquire many other exciting artifacts that Matt Mercer has devised himself. The most interesting of these items we have summarized for you in this list: 7 magical items from the most well-known group in Dungeons & Dragons that you absolutely should know
You can see Laura struggling with the decision. A friend’s improved life for her own joy that she experiences through art. Instead of agreeing to the deal, she makes a counteroffer that turns the situation 180 degrees.
“So Delicious That It’s Almost Distracting”
Before Jester wants to give up her hands, she asks the hag to let her eat one last cupcake, while the chat screams at Laura not to agree to the deal.
The trickster wants to share the blueberry cupcake with the hag and offers her half after a persuasion roll of 24. When the hag bites into the cupcake, Laura informs the game master that the cupcake was sprinkled with “Dust of Deliciousness”. A rather inconspicuous item that she feels she has been carrying since the beginning of the campaign and bought from the merchant Pumat Sol in Zadash.
Even in the animated series on Amazon Prime, you can see how Jester buys the dust from him, with Pumat’s note that it makes any food so delicious that it’s “almost distracting”.
Matt can’t help but laugh at that moment. He seems to have underestimated Laura and lets himself be mercilessly outsmarted by the tiefling until the end of the discussion.
With Enough Wit, Even the Smallest Item Can Achieve Great Things
Under the influence of the Dust of Deliciousness, the hag has a disadvantage on all Wisdom checks and saving throws from that moment, which is immediately exploited. With the spell “Modify Memory” and a disadvantage on the hag’s saving throw, the cleric ensures that she now believes:
The hag liked Jester’s presence so much that she agreed to lift the curse. Simply because they had such a wonderful time together.
Here you can see how Laura outsmarted Matt. If you start the video from the page, you’ll jump in at the right moment. (Spoiler Warning: The video reveals who the curse affects!)
Considering all the time that the item spent unused and unutilized in Jester’s bag, one can see how underestimated the item ultimately was.
So let this be a reminder: Don’t forget about your items that are gathering dust in your inventory. They might even save your life, even if you wouldn’t expect it.
In the world of Exandria, where the first three campaigns of Critical Role take place, the heroes acquire many other exciting artifacts that Matt Mercer has devised himself. The most interesting of these items we have summarized for you in this list: 7 magical items from the most well-known group in Dungeons & Dragons that you absolutely should know
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