#{ the halfling hero }

[heytherecentaurs]

The quality of D&D actual play shows has only steadily increased over time. Every player is better than when they started, every DM is better, every member of each production crew is better, the editing and sound design in the podcasts is better, the encounter design is better, etc… I absolutely love the stuff from 5+ years ago and it’s only a testament to the people involved that they’ve made things better. We’re living at the best possible time for D&D content and there’s enough variety that you can find something to your taste. And that’s just great.

[annemarieyeretzian]

ashton telling orym “you seem like you know everybody.” and orym saying “oh, everyone’s an acquaintance. …I’m always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” and imogen smiling and saying “well, now you’re a bride.” (bonus: laudna saying “you’re a very pretty bride.”) 🥹

[donutdrawsthings]

Spend my evening animating my DnD character Willby on Hero Forge!

Would you believe me if I told you he's a monk

[skedizzle]

Koda in the back squealing from the cuteness. I adore season 2 and as soon as this happened I stopped everything to work on this furiously. Next is Mega Bug XD

[tatter-demalion]

Did this little prompt meme with some friends and got Almond for 👻 OC in a really bad disguise! Here he is trying to be a bush to catch some insects.

[tokidokifish]

everyone liked that

[emiko-matsui]

god gives his bravest soldiers his hardest battles (being the only person that plays dnd correctly)

[thinking-about-bats-again]

Random facts and canon tidbits from Heroes’ Feast: The Official D&D Cookbook

Dwarven cuisine doesn’t use many spices because dwarves have extra-sensitive taste buds and can detect complicated flavors in simple dwarven dishes like potato leek soup and corned beef and cabbage.

Halfling dishes include community cheeses (cheese fondue), melted cheeses (grilled cheese), oatmeal sweet nibbles (oatmeal cookies), and hogs in bedrolls (pigs in a blanket).

One recipe, Elven Bread, is said to be able to sustain an adventurer for a full day with only one bite. No, it’s not like any other fictional elven breads from famous high fantasy worlds. It’s cinnamon-swirled!

Speaking of totally original, legally distinct fantasy concepts, halfling meals include “second morningfeast.”

Dragonborns live in communal clans and eat mostly meat. As a result, they invented Brazilian barbecue. (Be careful when attending one, though, as some of the meat is from humanoids.)

Tieflings are the opposite of dwarves: their taste buds are charred, so they prefer extremely strong flavors. They also have a high spice tolerance, to the point where most tiefling spices could kill a human.

Half-orcs, being nomadic scavengers, often eat insects and grubs. Sometimes, they fry them or drizzle them in chocolate.

The book includes menus for restaurants on four different worlds. The menu for The Yawning Portal, a Forgotten Realms restaurant, offers four types of cheese. Checking the Forgotten Realms Wiki, I found that all four cheeses are from previous canon material, but the funniest one is Luiren Spring, which, according to the wiki, is a hard drug for halflings.

[lordrethandus]

Daily Writing Challenge November 2023 Day 6

Expectation / Selfish ( @daily-writing-challenge @zoronadotatanado )

World: Final Fantasy 14

Theme: Andrey Vinogradov - Reverse Dance 

The servants were just finishing up Princess Leleni’s morning routine. They washed and combed her hair until it shimmered like gold and flowed like wheat against the wind. Lotion was carefully rubbed into her round cheeks, her tiny nails were filed down and painted red, and the soles of her feet were rubbed and exfoliated until they were as soft as a baby's backside. She kept her eyes closed when they plucked and shaped her eyebrows, and kept quiet when they brushed her pointy white teeth. For most mornings it would be a time to unwind and relax with a dozen or two books from the castle library until supper, but this was not like most mornings; not for her nor anyone else.

“Milady,” softly called a servant when she peeked through the door. “He is ready to meet you.”

The princess rose from her seat and stretched her stubby arms out to each side. Her flowing silk gown was slipped over her hands and tied along her lower back, with her maiden cowl draped over her head; finally her five-pointed tiara was placed upon her crown to keep her cowl from slipping. When she opened her eyes again, she peered through the slits that concealed her beauty, and with a racing heart she waited for her servants to open the door so she may take her leave.

Today was the day she would meet her betrothed. Her father the king spoke highly of his accomplishments, and her mother the queen mentioned his talents once or twice, but neither of them gave her any details lest she turn her nose up at the prospect and start to fuss. Leleni was a difficult woman to love– she knew it, her parents knew it, everyone knew it; the last arrangement ended in disaster when Prince Gogotago made a joke at her expense, and in response she tossed a glass of wine onto his face, staining his favorite coat. A woman of lesser birth would have ended up in the dungeons for that, but because she was Kol'dini royalty all he could do was flail about and curse obscenely. Begrudgingly the marriage was called off, and King Fafasasho decided it would be best to wait a few more summers until trying with someone else again. As angry as he was, even he could understand– she inherited his temper after all. 

Princes were in short supply in the Southern Isles. All the eligible men were either arranged for marriage by two kingdoms shortly after birth, already married and waiting to take the throne with their wives, or refused to risk Leleni’s wrath and scornful nature. She wanted to make her parents, her kingdom proud… but she was picky– far more than she had any right to be. Even her little sister was already betrothed to the prince of Yuw'nal, and their first meeting showed great promise; yet both were under ten summers old, so that alliance wouldn't be solidified for another half decade at the very least. Perhaps a prince was not in the cards for this princess… perhaps her father had someone else in mind. 

Her heart fluttered at the possibilities. If her father was just trying to get rid of her then she could be arranged to just about anyone with enough status. Maybe this mysterious man was a renowned sailor, or a captain of a worthy vessel! Spending her life on the sea would be a dream come true, but Leleni was not so naive to think that would be realistic; still, living in ports while her husband sailed wouldn't be such a terrible thing. Some of her father's Bulwark Knights have recently retired after forty summers of service. He would be old, and battle-hardened, and even a bit grumpy, but there are no men on these islands or beyond with more honor than them; tending to a true knight, scarred and weary from countless battles would be an ideal life. Yes… it had to be one of Father's knights! The servants at the other end of the hallway opened the door and lifted away the curtains, allowing her to enter the audience chamber. Leleni stepped inside, fully intending to give off as much graceful elegance as she could muster.

Her betrothed fumbled with a ceremonial saber upon her entry, anxiously dropping it and kicking it under the nearby desk before whipping around to face her. He was a mouse of a man, with short hair as green as woodland moss, and he was Plainsfolk with bright silver eyes that– unlike Leleni and the majority of the Kol’dini people– had clear and visible irises. Not an ugly man by any means, until Leleni noticed the wispy whiskers growing across his upper lip; he had not yet fully grown a respectable mustache but that clearly wasn't stopping him from trying. Nervously he bowed after clearing his dry throat, and she in return gave him a most elegant curtsey. 

“Lady Leleni Nar Leni, Princess of Kol'din…” The man said, undoubtedly practicing it while he waited for her to be summoned. “I am Lord Nonobira Vem Rarabira. A pleasure to finally meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine.” She retorted, also rehearsed. He had no scars so he surely wasn't a knight, and the heavy rings covering his fingers foretold his immense wealth but little else. Yet she couldn’t take the suspense any longer– she needed to know! “Forgive me, but… I do not recognize House Vem. Are you a lord from a distant land? A friend of my father’s?”

He seemed to ease up a bit now that he could boast about himself. “I am both and more, my Lady. I am the Baron of Opals, of House Vem. We come from the Kingdom of Po’lah, but our trade expands across the star.”

“A merchant.” Leleni thought, grinding her teeth together as she listened to him. “This… could work. Merchants roam far and wide to sell their wares…” Her eyes flickered before asking, “You must have many tales of your adventures between the Isles… what is it like to travel so often?”

Nonobira blinked a bit before partially deflating; he could hear the excitement in her voice. “Oh! W-well I uh… don’t really… travel that often. As the inheritor of my family trade I can’t risk such dangers. But I have many men under my command that aid in my business and do the sailing for me!”

“Mmm…” Leleni couldn’t hide her disappointment, even while wearing her maiden cowl. She stood there staring at him while he timidly approached, offering her hand when he reached for it. He lowered himself to one knee and tenderly kissed her knuckles, with his mustache brushing against the top of her hand. He was gentle and kind, at least… but Leleni felt like sinking into the rug beneath them. When he rose back up to his feet, he was a few ilms taller, so that was nice– until she realized he was wearing elevated boots.

“Since… we are to be married soon…” He started, drawing her attention away from his feet. “May I… take a peek? And receive a fateful kiss?”

“Father would be very angry if he learned we broke tradition.” Leleni immediately answered, surprised she came up with that so quickly; in truth, the last thing she wanted was that mouse-like mustache against her lips. There’s no telling what the knights guarding the door would do to him if they checked in to see her maiden cowl off her face; not everywhere in the Southern Isles but certainly here on Kol’din, a virgin woman traditionally wears a cowl outside to conceal her face, only revealing her true self to her husband the night of their wedding. Any man who gazes upon an unmarried woman’s naked face is required to marry her or perish– many lowborn girls will intentionally reveal themselves to powerful and wealthy men in order to force them to marry, which is also why the unmarried lords of Kol’din keep their gazes to the ground or travel with a closed carriage to avoid such fates. “Perhaps we should sit? And talk some more?”

“Y-yes!” He released her hand and waddled over to the nearby chairs, pulling one out for her. “Of course!” For the next bell she listened to him describe his job, his accomplishments, and aspirations; none of which impressed her. Part of her convinced herself that this was all her fault– she had a prince locked down but she let him slip out of her fingers. All she could think about was that handsome but rude prince, who in all likelihood was married to another woman by now. Nonobira wasn’t a bad person, but he just wasn’t what she wanted. 

Leleni craved adventure. Heroism. Courage. She wanted her husband to hold any of these traits, but Nonobira seemed to have none. She wanted to make her parents proud and right the wrongs she committed upon her own family, but she also wanted to find true love. Was it too selfish to seek both? Was it so wrong to chase her own dreams? The one saving grace from this fateful meeting is soon she would be free to leave the claustrophobic confines of her family’s castle, which meant soon her father would allow her to choose a dozen Bulwark Knights to protect her for the next forty summers. As Nobobira rambled on about the intricacies of international trade, all she was thinking about were the brave knights that she would surround herself with. 

Perhaps, as she lived in her new mansion far away from her homeland, she could at least entertain the idea of being in the company of true heroes, of distinct men with great and infallible honor.

[ginger-canary]

Just like about 1900 others I've been (re)listening to the Rotating Heroes Pod to prepare for it's revival! So here's a little drawing of the original obelisk (also in the Discord as an emote)

Which you can join!

[gobs-o-cs]

"Well, I reckon this here problem ain't so intractable. C'mon, have a seat, let's hash this out."

Ambrose Hawksbeard

(He/Him)

Stout Halfling Cleric of Pelor, Light Domain

Neutral Good

Acolyte Background

Dice Set # 11 - Yellow w/ Blue Numbers

[heytherecentaurs]

Fuck - am i going to start the Adventure Zone? do i need another d&d podcast/show in my life (d20, cr, naddpod, dndads, worlds beyond number, three black halflings and rotating heroes aren't enough??)

yeah - i guess i'm gonna give it a try

[heroes-feasting]

Stuffed Egg-Battered Toast

“There’s nothing more comforting to a comfort-obsessed halfling than the warm intermingling scents of vanilla, maple, and walnuts filling their home.” - Heroes’ Feast, p. 120

French toast is a staple of Sunday Brunches everywhere, and it’s easy to see why. This fried breakfast bread is easily customized with whatever you want. Syrup? Eggs? Fruit? It’s all fair game to this tasty toast!

Taking a swing at its own version, Heroes’ Feast’s Stuffed Egg-Battered Toast looks to change it up by putting its toppings inside, rather than on top.

With each slice stuffed with mascarpone, walnuts, and a truly questionable amount of vanilla extract, your kitchen and taste buds are surely going to be treated to that homely vanilla smell that halflings crave so much.

Check out below for my notes on the results and for tips and tricks when making this yourself! Get Heroes’ Feast here: https://dnd.wizards.com/heroes-feast

Prep: 5 mins    Cook: 25 mins    Total: 30 mins

Ingredients:

4 ounces (½ cup, 120 g) mascarpone, at room temperature

¼ cup (25 g) walnuts, finely chopped

2 tsp. (10 ml) pure vanilla extract*

4 (1-inch-thick) slices of brioche or challah

2 eggs

½ cup (120 ml) whole milk

¼ tsp. (2 g) kosher salt

2 tbsp. (30 g) unsalted butter

½ cup (120 ml) maple syrup

Confectioners’ sugar for dusting**

* That uh… sure is an amount of vanilla for a ½ cup of mascarpone.

** I used chopped strawberries instead.

In a small bowl, stir together the mascarpone, walnuts and vanilla. (I forgot to take a picture of this each time I made it. L.)

Use a thin knife to cut a 2-inch-long slit through the side of each slice of brioche, creating a pocket.

Gently open the pocket and spoon 1 tbsp. of the mascarpone mixture into each slice.

TIP: As mentioned in the “cook’s notes” section, the bread is very delicate and tears easily- so take extra caution when opening and stuffing the pockets.

Alternatively, the notes mention that you could use ½-inch slices and spread the mixture between them like a sandwich. However, I worry about its structural integrity while dipping it in the egg mixture or flipping it in the frying pan.

But, since stuffing each slice is a pain, it might be worth going with the sandwich method.

NOTE: Only stuff the slices if they’re cut 1-inch-thick. ½-inch and even ¾-inch slices are way too thin and will tear.

In a pie dish or shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and salt.

BEFORE DIPPING the slices, melt 1 tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Dip two stuffed slices into the egg mixture, turning to soak both sides and letting any excess batter drip back into the bowl.

TIP: You only need to let each side soak for a few seconds. Any longer than 5 makes the bread mushy.

Place the sides in a skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Use a spatula to transfer the toasts to a warm plate.

Repeat to cook the remaining two stuffed slices.

Meanwhile, warm the maple syrup in a small saucepan over low heat for a few minutes.

TIP: The “cook’s notes” section mentions that warmed marmalade can be used to replace the maple syrup.

NOTE: I misread the instructions for this step and cooked all four slices at once. To fix the uneven browning, I flipped the lighter parts to the middle of the pan for about 20 seconds after cooking each side.

NOTE: To save on dishes, I chose to not warm my syrup.

Top the toast with strawberries (and/or confectioners’ sugar), drizzle with the maple syrup, and serve.

Overall, this recipe has one thing really working against it: the vanilla extract.

Personally, I found the filling to be inedible with 2 tsp. of vanilla extract in the mascarpone mixture. The alcohol in the extract doesn’t have enough time to cook out and leaves everything with a distinctly alcoholic taste. 

This would be fine if other flavours used in the recipe complimented the taste of the alcohol or if the taste was expected (like an alcoholic french toast). Unfortunately, nothing here works with it and, being a breakfast food, it isn’t expected. So, it ends up overwhelming the toast and making it unappetizing.

My solution to this was to cut back the vanilla extract to ½ tsp. The taste was still a little strong, but there was an improvement. If you’re planning to make this at home, consider cutting the vanilla back even further, or try using vanilla bean instead to skip the alcohol entirely.

It’s also worth mentioning that the mascarpone makes these very rich. Interestingly, I found that the syrup and strawberries really helped cut the richness. You’re still only going to eat one though.

Finally, as mentioned in a previous step, although the structural integrity might be questionable with the sandwich method, it might be worth it just to skip spooning the mixture into the pockets. The mess it creates really makes you wonder if it’s worth it.

All in all, the unaltered recipe gets a 2.5/5, going up to 4/5 when the amount of vanilla extract is reduced. Still losing points for the remaining alcoholic taste and messy and needlessly difficult construction.

[donutdrawsthings]

The Curse Of Strahd experience when you're playing as a drunk monk

[bugpysforge]

At school, Wishiwashi is the most popular guy. He can function well in a group setting alongside everybody, yet he can also get by on his own.

Race: Halfling Class: Bard Subclass: College of Prestige Location: Naranja Uva School Alignment: Neutral Good

View the pokedex of all dungeon pokemon by following the link in the menu.

[tatter-demalion]

Me and my friends did a little pose challenge with our ocs and I was inspired