Service Intruption: A D&D moment
(This is from a session of a homebrewed 5e D&D game)
What you need to know about Vendus: As much as he seems to love attention and playing the face, he is more of a hype man. He’s used to being a fall guy, a miscreant, a fake. He plays into the scoundrel casanova type on the surface but is the most generous; without thought to reimbursement, divine recognition, or social status. He doesn’t care for the tithes of royalty, society or anyone. He wants to have a good adventure and sing tales. And maybe cut back on the rum
On their way to a known portal to the Feywild, the party was forced to take a train to cross Bavelia, Vendus’ home country. They had just stopped a bunch of bandits from robbing a high-class, arcane-propelled train. Hearing the bandits reasoning for their failed robbery, Vendus untied the surviving bandits the party captured (with some minor complaints) and gives them 1000 gold*.
*The party prior to Vendus joining gained a ton of wealth. Once he joined he pulled from their money vault unsupervised and gives freely to any NPC they encounter that is in need of a bit of gold to escape crime.
As the party devises a plan to get the newly reformed bandits off the train, there was a shake through the car. Then a violent quake as a gargantuan purple worm erupted ahead of the tracks.
The party and bandits quickly move from the engine, Vendus taking up the rear. Everyone is panicking, unsure how to proceed. Vendus yells, “Move! Get everyone off the train!” as he waves for everyone to keep moving back.
A couple of members of the party speed off, passing straight through all the cabins. Those who remained turn as they hear an eardrum-breaking sound. Vendus cast Knock to break the connection of the rest of the train from the engine.
Amber, the paladin, shouts out, “Vendus, you’re on the wrong side!”
Yes. Vendus stayed with the engine, which is slowly moving away. “Don’t worry!” He says. “It’s a gamble, but I’ve got a plan! Just get everyone off the train!”
He watches the slow separation of the cars, seeing his party run off down the train.
With guitar in hand and a heavy strum, Vendus then casts Thunderwave toward the separated train. It won’t slow it down to a stop, but it will at least be slower as he rockets to the worm. The party and passengers need time to escape. Vendus will do what he can to give it to them.
He rushes to the control console and rapidly starts pushing buttons. He needs this engine to move faster. After a frantic moment, he presses the right switch. The engine jolts at full speed. Great! He had no idea if the collision will do anything, but at least the worm can focus on this car.
He runs back to the exit door, hundreds of feet separating him from the rest of the train. Now all he needs is the last 12 seconds before impact.
Vendus turns and watches the worm through the front window. It was beyond any size he’s heard for such a creature. It lowers its head onto the track and opens its maw wide. Rows of pike-like teeth ready to shred apart this cart.
Vendus, focusing against shaky bravery, casts a Stinking Cloud at the front of the engine. No idea if it’ll do anything against this, but if it can it will buy him time.
Vendus in a flurry strums his guitar, a Dimension Door opens with a purple rift in space. He has to leave or be swallowed whole with the engine.
In a sudden thrust, Vendus appears at the door of the new front of the train. He can see the worm shallow the engine whole, unfazed. The train is still moving forward. The worm still moving toward them.
He pivots, shouting, “Whoever is left, you got to GET OFF NOW!”
He pulls out his flask of rum and begins dowsing the car he’s in. It happens to be the kitchen, so breaks any bottles of flammable liquid to add to the fuel. He needs to make this as hazardous as possible against the worm. Prestidigitation, a small candle-sized flame jumps forth.
Poof. The kitchen car is on fire.
Vendus rushes to the next car. He sees down the train people who haven’t jumped off yet. “GET THE FUCK OFF THE TRAIN!!” He screams as a sudden lurch shakes them.
The worm is upon them, biting down on the burning cart, and is lifting them up into the air.
Shit.
Vendus, hanging onto the doorway between two cars, casts Knock again and separates the rest of the train. He can hear the worm consuming the flaming car behind him. Again he stayed in the endangered car.
Frustrated and exhausting his magic, he casts Phantasmal Force. A burst of dark blue and purple swirls around the worm’s head, creating an image of cold wraiths attacking it with the hopes of this spell buying more time. Upon the worm’s thrashing, Vendus falls from the door frame and lands in the doorway of the next car.
Fighting his aching body, Vendus lifts himself up and looks down the hall of the remaining train.
People. Are. Still. Here. What is the rest of the party doing?!
Vendus, maddened that his attempts to give them more time are being wasted, “Jump off this train NOW or I will FORCE YOU OFF.” Ready to cast a Thunderwave to throw the civilians off the train if he must.
Everyone does jump, with Vendus being the last one standing on the train. He turns, and though feels his Phantasmal Force spell still going, the worm is coming down to continue its assault. With a breath, and a light stroke on his instrument, a rift opens once more.
The party escaped the train early during the encounter. A few misty steps, a shield surf, and a tumble for many. The passengers were left to jump or die without aid from them. They witness the train being demolished by the worm, bit by bit. No sign of Vendus.
Minutes pass as the destruction continues, while airship militia start flying in. Still no Vendus. They see the charging of arcane weapons and a flurry of harpoons rain down upon the worm.
A glow of purple rips through space nearby, and a panting Vendus comes through his Dimension Door nearby. He gives a look around, “Is everyone here?”
With confirmations given, the group quickly decides they must get everyone to safety and avoid attracting the worm.
The party knows they need to get to a safe place, yet they have no idea where they are. However, the crew of the airships will. With them here the party can tell them where the civilians are and hopefully get a ride to their destination.
Vendus summons forth a giant fly from a small ebony statue, and the party’s rogue Kuro brings out a flying broom. They reach one of the airships, informing the captain of the group's location.
Then, as a final act upon returning to everyone, Vendus plays a Song of Rest to help the wounded heal as they wait.
His magic spent, his body beyond exhausted, Vendus knows his actions will be left to the past. There will be no celebration for what he did. Even as he plucks the last few notes before the airship picks them up, there would be no thanks, no offers to help him rest.
Yet he would do it again. He could be seen as a villain, a bastard, or a lowly bard. He will keep saving people in whatever way is needed and never think of it—still singing songs while his story is unsung.
*Authors Note: Yes, no one in the party helped a passenger get off the train while Vendus was the sole distraction. Yes, Vendus did give a group of bandits 1000 gold and released them, and was the only one who didn’t want anything in return beyond them getting out of a life of banditry. And yes, Vendus had at this moment shown more honour than anyone.
**This table is casual and jokey with play.
***Will happily play Vendus in other games that love doing deep RP and respect character moments.
***Final note: I'm not a professional writer and have not done any serious writing work for a time. Please excuse any grammar mistakes.