Karma

Quick overview for those who have never played Dispatch:

In this AU Impulse works as a superhero dispatcher, someone who analyzes a team’s strengths and weaknesses and answers distress calls by the sending the hero most suited to the job. However, he’s been assigned to the Hermit Program, a team of former villains trying to become heroes. To say the least, it’s like trying to herd cats and the office and comm lines are always in chaos when the Hermits show up to work.

Bro Dude nailing the backflip when Max flubbed it is HYSTERICAL

I’m so glad the dice gods smiled upon that one

Bro and Ruby liking each other immediately is adorable and so very in character for Impulse and Gem. The dad and favorite daughter will find each other in every universe.

Grian calling Mr. Wizard by a different random name every time is very funny

This just in: Ruby smells like feet

The first hour of roleplay is a little awkward and cringy as they try to feel out their characters and find the balance between goofiness and story progression, but I mean my first campaign was the same way so I get it

Had to go back and watch the “training session” after stream ended and honestly I’m glad I missed it the first time. The secondhand embarrassment is real. As a fellow chronic low-roller I feel the pain but GAH.

The goblin fight is fabulous (and with the benefit of hindsight I cannot BELIEVE how much foreshadowing there was in that encounter)

Bro Dude putting himself forward to protect his new friends, Ruby turning around to save Redmond, Max directing Mr. Wizard to help Redmond because “don’t worry about me I can handle myself”—mmm delicious

Also totally normal about the fact that Impulse’s character was the only one to take damage and had to take shelter behind the bar after being wounded. Definitely not having whumpy thoughts about that.

Also Scar constantly asking advice from the magical voice who whispers in his ear (Pix) is very funny

I didn’t realize until I went back and watched the start of the stream that Bro and Mr. Wizard had known each other for approximately fifteen minutes at that point. The whole “ah here you go Wizzy” and throwing him a bottle across the bar made me think they’d been old friends for years. The dad and favorite son will ALSO find each other in every universe.

Also Mr. Wizard calling Broghini “Broseph” is my favorite

Pix taking this opportunity to demonstrate how a Short Rest works is genius

Bro Dude being perfectly happy on a cushion because “I’m close to the ground anyway, doesn’t take much” is the most adorably charming of things

Pix’s narration continues to shine, the man can paint a PICTURE with his voice alone, my word

The gang starting to get the hang of the roleplay as they go off into the woods!

Impulse being the leader of the group for a bit is very cute, and his explanation of “yeah I can feel the earth underneath me guiding the way” was a brilliant little bit of improv

Also the brief attempt at a Scottish accent was very cute

Love love love Pix’s inspiration mechanic and using it to reward good roleplay decisions. Excellent way to incentivize players into making a story out of their encounters rather than just trying to hit things really hard.

I’m honestly kinda glad Pix let the bear get away, even though it meant Impulse missed out on this encounter

Max continues to be the most annoying and also the most charming all at once

“BWAUGH GET OUTTA MY HEAD”

“Are you from Cardiff??”

Owen Finrod. Owen Finrod. OWEN FINROD. Pix you are aware that that’s like calling someone Joe Legolas right.

As soon as Joe Legolas expressed concern about the Boar Moss I was like “Oop. I know what the twist is.”

“Owen.” “Aye.” “Do you want to see a backflip??”

Pix’s snuffling and snorting noises are almost uncannily good

“We should be sneaky.” “I pull out my bagpipes.”

On one hand, I’m glad that there are some braincells in this gang and Ruby was being nice and stealthy and scouting ahead. On the other hand, I’m also glad that this campaign runs on “always pick the funniest option possible” and let Max thoroughly ruin it.

“I’m leaning into the anti-rizz that is my character” is actually a brilliant acting choice on Grian’s part. Yes, it makes his character annoying, but it provokes fun interactions out of the other players, rather than just letting them take a back seat and move from one combat encounter to another without roleplay or storycrafting. As always, Grian knows how to bring out the best in his friends by being an obnoxious gremlin, and the world is better for it.

“I see DINNER!” “I see an idiot.”

This just in: Ruby flipping a “vulgar symbol with my hand” at Max is the only thing that gets him to stop playing the bagpipes. Sibling energy.

The boar encounter is also fabulous. First boar felled by two arrows from Ruby and Bro. Impulse’s character stepping in front of his friends and getting wounded again (heehee). Mr. Wizard defending Bro with a well-placed Magic Missile. Max healing Bro’s wounds with “a little neck rub”. And Bro cutting the Twig Blight down in one fell swoop.

“I just missed a golden opportunity to give you neck kisses.” “Maybe next time. There will be more opportunities for Cure Wounds.” “Can’t wait.” Impulse shjdjgghsj

True to form, the party spent so much time arguing about the dead boars and razzing Scar for “King Great the Legend” and nominal determinism that it actually caught me off guard when we got back to the plot and started arguing about the moss instead

Mr. Wizard getting a divine lightning bolt of inspiration to perceive the true nature of the moss is a fantastic bit of story; the idiot character finally proving to be the one with the key to the entire mystery is just great storytelling and I love it when the dice do that

And the way the party then puts it all together—Ruby remembering the goblins that weren’t goblins, Bro realizing that they showed up mysteriously while they were out training, Max speculating about the cellar—all of them bonding over putting other this perfectly formulated mystery

Only to be broken with the slap upside the face of “DOES ANYBODY WANT TO EAT THE MOSS”

Cannot. Express. Enough. How much I love Max putting the moss on his tongue. Totally understand why Pix gave Grian a point of inspiration for that one. Actually the funniest possible option and it worked beautifully for the story.

“Could shove it up the boar.” Impulse my gosh if Skizz was here you’d give him a headache

Trick question: How many knuckleheads does it take to break down a door?

Max stealing Ruby’s idea and acting like he came up with it himself after his own idea didn’t work is very annoying and therefore very good character work

Ruby getting her time in the limelight to pick locks and vault walls and see in the dark

Impulse’s quiet “good job Ruby” I hjshdjkgh

Love love love the tension before the final encounter. I know exactly what that feels like—creeping forward, tense as all get-out, almost forgetting you’re playing a game because you’re both looking forward to and dreading what you’re about to find. And the reveal is just *chef’s kiss*

(Also Mr. Wizard turning Max into a light source is very funny)

“I PULL OUT MY BAGPIPES—”

Impulse having “other choice words” to describe Marchessa ROFL

Impulse’s character once again the first one to get hurt heeheehee

“Max, get those neck kisses ready…” “I’m puckering up!”

Bro missing his first swing at Marchessa, but taking a huge chunk out of her leg as she retreats

Everybody’s laughter as they realize Grian is considering using Create and Destroy Water on the barrel of badness

I felt like I was watching a sports game as I listened to Grian deliberating what to do and literally pumped my fist in the air when he chose to use Bless.

For two reasons: One, mechanically, it’s the smartest choice to help his teammates win the climactic battle of the campaign.

Two: I love role reversals. I love it when the annoying, selfish, idiot character does the right thing when it’s right down to the wire. Max is self-centered and foolish at every other time, but when it really matters, he prioritizes the well-being of his teammates over revenge and even his own glory. That’s good character work. That’s tasty stuff right there.

May or may not have giggled like a schoolgirl and, had I not been driving, would have kicked my feet at Impulse’s description of the brutal way he finished Marchessa off. Like okay sir. Go off.

Word of the day is “schlorping”

Just saying, btw, the fact that the Grey Ooze made from Broghini’s blood was so powerful is a pretty good indication of Bro’s strength. It’s sort of a weird compliment, if you think about it.

Honestly, I feel bad for Redmond. I’ve got a soft spot for the characters who were manipulated and coerced into doing evil things. Poor dude was nothing but a tool, and he wakes up and has to face the reality of the lie he’s been a part of for years.

Max like “give me one good reason I shouldn’t have the dwarf cut your head off right now” and Redmond like “honestly I deserve worse” and Bro like “as much as I like swinging my axe I think we’ll let him live” 🥺

God bless the GIGGS not being murder hobos and actually having some mercy and kindness despite their rough edges

“Redmond, would you like some boar?”

The stunned and humbled and grateful and cautiously hopeful tone that Pix puts into Redmond’s voice in response to that line oh my GOSH

“Let’s help him up the stairs.” “Yeah. Come on, Redmond.” Gem and Impulse you sweethearts

No spoilers for the final scene, but let’s just say that Pix is a fabulous storyteller in every way.

AND GRIAN’S NAT 20 ON THE FINAL BACKFLIP!!!

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