243 - DnD live play - McDnD - Which half - episode 1

several generations of McCann's playing DnD back in 2018

We fight the evil and attempt to build the hammer to crush the seed.

Grandfather - Mac McCann

Dad / Son - Andy McCann

Sister - Justine McCann

Son / grandson - Evan and Levi McCann

Nephew / Grandson - Joseph McCann
Family Friend - Justin Labrecque

Summary:

This episode is a live Dungeons & Dragons gameplay session featuring multiple generations of the McCann family playing together in 2018.
Character Introductions and Setup: The adventure begins with players introducing their characters - White Fang (a chaotic evil wood elf druid), Sigri Helmstottir (a neutral good dwarf rogue), Taverlin the Great (a half elf fighter), and Kieran (a neutral good half elf sorcerer). They are summoned by an old wizard in the city of Condor who reveals that the main heroes have failed and died, making these adventurers "Plan B."
The Quest Begins: The wizard explains their mission - they must find a legendary hammer in the catacombs beneath the city to smash a magical seed that created a powerful evil entity. The theory is that destroying the seed might retroactively prevent the evil from ever existing, or potentially create an alternate dimension.
Entering the Catacombs: The party descends through the Hall of Many Pillars into underground sewers/catacombs beneath Condor. They receive healing potions and basic supplies before heading down a ladder into the darkness. The catacombs are surprisingly clean-smelling despite being sewers, which the party finds unusual.
The Gargoyle Encounter: While investigating statues in the first room, a stone gargoyle grabs Sigri's wrists. Combat begins, but White Fang creatively persuades the gargoyle to stand down by appealing to it as a fellow creature of magic and promising they're seeking the same goal. The gargoyle cooperates, points them toward hidden healing potions in a crate, and directs them south.
The Imprisoned Man: The party discovers a prisoner chained in an alcove, emaciated and missing half his tongue. They free him with Sigri's expert lockpicking (rolling a natural 20) and provide him with a healing potion and food. Unable to speak, he gestures gratefully and escapes back the way the party came.
Trapped Alcove Discovery: In another alcove with empty shackles, Kieran detects air coming from holes in the wall - a dart trap. He catches one dart with exceptional reflexes while warning the others, who mostly dodge the projectiles successfully.
The Map Room Battle: The party discovers a room filled with maps and tapestries where two creatures (a duergar - dark dwarf - and a deep gnome) are arguing. Taverlin's plan to charge in gets complicated when Kieran tries to negotiate instead, alerting the enemies. Combat ensues with the party struggling initially with poor rolls.
Victory Through Teamwork: White Fang lands a critical hit with an arrow through the duergar's ear, killing him instantly. Kieran intimidates the gnome into surrendering, but when the creature attempts to flee, Kieran fires a fireball at his legs, accidentally hits him in the back of the head due to a "sneeze," and kills him with the kill shot.
Stealth Concerns: After the noisy battle, the DM has players roll to see if they attracted attention from deeper in the catacombs. Kieran celebrates loudly while Sigri attempts to shush him, creating a humorous ending as they prepare to continue their quest for the legendary hammer.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction and Combat Preparation
• 0:16 Character Introductions
• 2:18 The Mission Briefing
• 4:28 Descending into the Catacombs
• 6:18 The Prisoner in Chains
• 7:57 Exploring the Tunnels
• 15:10 The Dart Trap
• 17:10 Scouting the Map Room
• 21:19 Gargoyle Attack
• 32:06 Intimidating the Gnome
• 47:44 Confronting the Duergar and Gnome
• 53:09 Combat: Initiative and First Strikes
• 1:04:41 Victory and Celebration