Listen, I almost never post my own ramblings on tumblr dot com, but I have not stopped thinking about Twenty-Sided Tavern since I saw it (twice!) this weekend (because Aabria), so I Must Shout into the void.
Okay so I saw a thursday evening show (Diego!Warrior as Chester, Jasmin!Spellcaster as Leggs, Maddie!Trickster as Barry) and I knew very little going in and was delighted at every turn. Barry betraying the party? Command "submit" and then starting to turn to stone? The creepy earth elemental hyena who taunted him about not being so different? Losing his arm to stone right as he got cold feet and tried to wipe his friends' memories of his betrayal? And then to come so far, but not be strong enough to dispel the Havoc... the sadness of not saving the day, mixed with the hope of never giving up the good fight (Diego got me right in the heart with "y'know... I think there might be a prison riot tomorrow")... masterful!
So I dragged my friends with me for the saturday matinee (Erika!Warrior as Chester, Jasmin!Spellcaster as Ethel, Maddie!Trickster as Katya) (plus Cassidy as Tavern Keeper because NO BOYS ALLOWED ON NATIONAL WOMENS' DAY). And to still be surprised at so many turns?!?!? Yes, there were obviously going to be new little silly bits (different riffs! different npc names! minute meteors as a hail of chanclas! that guard named wingdings!), but HOLY SHIT. I was HONORED to be in the room for the bbeg fight against "Just Madelyn Murphy." I respect the shit out of Maddie being ready to go for blood against her fellow players, both by actions in combat and by just. Planking menacingly in the corner. She and Aabria are a terrifying duo (and they're so right for that! womens' rights to emotional warfare!).
Yet, for "Just Madelyn Murphy," with her busted-ass statblock and all, the thing that defeated her was the power of storytelling. The power of her own character, reminding her that despite the difficulties that come from being a nerdy "backpack girl," she found her way to being able to tell badass stories with badass friends on a BIG CITY STAGE! That's what we do this for!
Anyhow. This absolutely goofy show put tears in my eyes twice this weekend so. Had to ramble.
And because I know she's in these streets: @quiddie if you see this, know that you're a legend, one of the most prolific storytellers of our generation indeed. Your command of story and stage is immaculate. I think it's wonderful that I get to live in a world where, instead of suing for emotional damages caused by an Aabria Show, I get to buy rush tickets to get my heartstrings played in person. At an Aabria show.
