Homework from this YouTube video.
Write a DND comedy about a group of friends with mediocre skills who are on an epic quest to save the world. They actually fail and the world is destroyed, but along the way they work through latent relational issues and reconciled.
The Prompt
Characters
Bindle the Bard
An overly enthusiastic bard who wants to inspire but struggles with self-confidence.
Gretel the Barbarian
A towering, strong warrior who freezes up at inconvenient moments.
Lysandra the Rogue
A sarcastic, quick-witted rogue who seems to care very little about others’ feelings.
Zonk the Wizard
A self-important wizard who’s secretly insecure about his abilities.
Act One: The Call to Adventure
Scene: A dimly lit tavern, early evening. Our heroes—Bindle, Gretel, Lysandra, and Zonk—are slouched around a table. An old wizard stands before them, looking desperate.
Wizard: (Waving a crumpled map) You’re my last hope. No one else would take this job. You four are the only ones left.
Bindle: (Brightly, trying to bolster the group) And maybe that’s why we’re the chosen ones! The heroes from humble beginnings! Rising up to— (His lute strings snap mid-sentence with an awkward twang.)
Lysandra: (Deadpan) That’s… not a good omen.
Gretel: (Trying to be encouraging) It just means you’re, um… resourceful, right, Bindle?
Zonk: (Scoffing) Yes, “resourceful.” I’m sure that’s why we’re here, and not because we’re the last four people in the tavern who can hold a weapon.
Wizard: (Clears throat) Yes, well… you four are tasked with stopping the Dark Lord from ending the world. (Pauses, looking them over) Or, at least… slowing him down?
Lysandra: (With a smirk) Slowing him down, huh? I didn’t realize we were signing up for stalling tactics.
They all exchange glances, realizing the absurdity of the situation but also their lack of better options. With a resigned sigh, they agree to set out.
Act Two: Trials and Tribulations
Scene: The Forest of Peril. The group is trekking through dense woods, bickering as they stumble over branches and roots. The atmosphere is tense, each of them trying to maintain a front of competence.
Scene 1: A Moment of Panic
They reach a clearing where a swarm of magical butterflies flutters across their path. Gretel suddenly halts, stiff as a board.
Bindle: (Cheerfully, oblivious) Look! Butterflies! This must be a sign of good luck!
Lysandra: (Scoffs) Yeah, if you’re a toddler.
Gretel: (Trying to sound nonchalant) Uh… maybe… maybe we should go around.
Zonk: Around? They’re butterflies, Gretel. Are you serious?
Gretel: (Hastily) I just… it’s strategic, you know? Avoid distractions. Keep our eyes on the prize!
The others glance at each other, confused. Gretel’s face is tense, her eyes never leaving the butterflies. Lysandra opens her mouth to comment, then stops, sensing the underlying tension.
Lysandra: (Shrugging) Fine, whatever. We’ll take the long way. I could use a break from all the… inspiring speeches anyway.
Bindle gives her a hurt look but doesn’t say anything. They edge around the clearing, Gretel noticeably relieved.
Scene 2: The Climb
They approach a rocky cliffside, their next obstacle. Zonk stands at the base, eyeing the climb with clear unease, though he tries to mask it.
Bindle: (Excited) This is where we prove ourselves! Just imagine the view from the top!
Zonk: (Grumbling) I don’t see why I need to climb. I’m a wizard, not some… adventurer with a death wish.
Lysandra: (Rolling her eyes) You’re in a group of adventurers, Zonk. Pretend for five minutes, would you?
Zonk hesitates, clearly uncomfortable, but tries to keep his pride intact. He begins climbing, but his movements are hesitant and awkward, each handhold a struggle.
Gretel: (Watching him, biting back a comment) You… want a hand?
Zonk: (Brushing her off, defensive) I don’t need your pity. Just… give me a minute.
They wait as Zonk awkwardly scrambles up, his supposed “dignity” making the scene unintentionally humorous. He reaches the top, flushed with embarrassment.
Scene 3: The Swamp of Secrets
They find themselves trudging through a swamp, wet and muddy. They’re tired, frustrated, and snapping at each other.
Lysandra: (Accidentally triggering a tripwire that releases a wave of muck over them) Oh, perfect. Because we weren’t disgusting enough.
Gretel: (Sarcastic) Nice job, rogue. Aren’t you supposed to be good at avoiding traps?
Lysandra: (Snapping back) Excuse me? At least I’m doing something! All you’ve done is scream at butterflies and swing that axe like it’s your first day in a gym!
An uncomfortable silence falls. Gretel looks hurt but says nothing, stomping ahead of the group.
Bindle: (Trying to break the tension, nervously tuning his lute) We’re all on edge. Maybe we just… need to believe in each other a bit more?
Zonk: (Sarcastic) And how, exactly, is “believing” in each other going to help us defeat a dark wizard?
Bindle looks down, clearly wounded by Zonk’s comment but unwilling to push back.
Lysandra: (Noticing Bindle’s reaction, softens slightly) Look, all I’m saying is… maybe we’re not cut out for this. Maybe none of us are.
Gretel: (Muttering under her breath, barely audible) Yeah, well, I didn’t think I belonged here anyway.
Act Three: The Dark Citadel
They finally reach the Dark Citadel, bruised and exhausted, their confidence shattered. The Dark Wizard stands before them, calmly observing as they fumble with their weapons, trying to look formidable.
Scene 1: The Confrontation
Dark Wizard: (Mockingly) So, these are the brave heroes sent to stop me? A bard who can’t even tune his own lute, a barbarian afraid of insects, a rogue who can’t avoid a simple trap, and a wizard with only one spell. Pathetic.
The group looks at each other, their weaknesses exposed. They’re each on the brink of giving up.
Bindle: (Desperately, trying to rally) Look… we may not be the best, but… (Pauses, searching for words) maybe that’s okay? Maybe… maybe just standing here, together, is enough.
Lysandra: (Sighing) Who am I kidding? I’m not here because I care about saving the world. I’m here because… because I don’t know where else to go.
Gretel: (Quietly) I thought being here would… prove I’m not a coward. But… maybe I am.
She stares at the ground, ashamed.
Zonk: (Glares at the Dark Wizard, voice trembling) I pretended I was better than all of you because… I was terrified that I wasn’t. That I’m not enough for this.
The group stands in silence, each of them stripped of their facades. The Dark Wizard, momentarily unnerved, falters.
Scene 2: The Final Moment
Dark Wizard: (Shaken, almost pitying) You… you actually think this makes you stronger?
Bindle: (Smiling sadly) No. But at least we’re not hiding anymore.
The Dark Wizard completes his spell. The room fills with darkness, the ground trembling beneath them. Instead of running, they stand together, holding hands.
Gretel: (Choking up) At least… we’re facing it together.
Lysandra: (Softly) Yeah… maybe that’s enough.
Zonk: (With a weak smile) Even if you’re all… insufferable.
They laugh quietly, sharing a final moment of peace as the world crumbles around them.
The lights dim as the stage fades to black, leaving the audience with the realization that, though they didn’t save the world, they found solace in each other and finally accepted themselves.
Radically Happy 
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