Roll for Initiative is a two-act, approximately one-hour play I wrote for a class in about half a semester. It follows Paul Ayer, the understudy of a freelancing adventurer’s duo, as he tries to hunt down a dragon–the likes of which haven’t been seen in over a century–in order to prove himself to an elite guild of adventurers. Along the way, however, events are set in motion around him that threaten to upend his worldview and pit him against the powers-that-be.
You may download and read the play here.
Below is a scene from the play:
Scene 2
KEN MUNCH stands near the corpse of some big, fantastic-looking monster, which rests on top of PAUL AYER. The two men wear contemporary clothing underneath some medieval fantasy-style armor. KEN’s armor is fuller and heavier, while PAUL’s is much lighter. KEN wields a sword and shield while PAUL wields a bow.
PAUL and KEN will sometimes speak to the GAME MASTER, who presents as a disembodied voice and will sometimes produce the sounds of dice rolling on a table, among other noises. No other characters will acknowledge interactions with the GAME MASTER; they are effectively the non-player characters in a tabletop roleplaying game, unaware of the conversations happening between players outside of their imagined reality.
PAUL
Am I dead?
GAME MASTER
(Distracted, flipping pages in a book)
Yet to be decided…
KEN
Don’t forget to factor in my Blessing of Protection.
GAME MASTER
That would’ve worn off by now.
KEN
Divine Favor extends the effect period.
GAME MASTER
…Hm… So it does…
KEN
(Aside to PAUL)
You’ll be all right.
GAME MASTER
He can’t hear you. He stands at the threshold between life and death.
PAUL
I can hear fine.
GAME MASTER
Shush, you.
KEN
He’s not at death’s door. If that attack didn’t hit, he’s alive and just…
(Sniffs)
Gonna smell really bad.
GAME MASTER
Are the threads of fate cut, or still taut? We do not yet know.
KEN
Pssh. So dramatic.
GAME MASTER
Someone has to be.
(Mumbling to self as a passage is read. Pause.)
…Hmph. Ken’s Divine Favor saved you, Paul. Congratulations.
KEN
See, what’d I tell ya?
PAUL pushes himself out from under the monster’s corpse and brushes himself off.
PAUL
Thanks, I guess.
KEN
That last shot was pretty sweet.
PAUL
Lucky’s what it was. Might’ve been nice to have the paladin with–you know–the shield between me and this thing.
KEN
Hey, I’m only human, man.
PAUL
Oh! Now you’re only human?
KEN
(To GAME MASTER)
Any good loot on the monster?
GAME MASTER
Does it look like it has loot on it?
KEN
Fine. How much experience for it?
GAME MASTER
Well, considering you were supposed to bring it back alive…
KEN
Hey, accidents happen, man. I can’t be blamed–
GAME MASTER
You’re supposed to be lawful good.
KEN
Paladins can be neutral.
GAME MASTER
Not chaotic neutral.
KEN
Who ever said I was chaotic neutral?
PAUL
You do. All the time.
KEN
Pah! Name once.
GAME MASTER
(Rustling some papers)
Oh, I’ve kept a list…
KEN
Anyway, Paul–
PAUL
Oh! Sorry. Hold up.
(To GAME MASTER)
I’d like to make a vigilance check. Any more enemies nearby?
GAME MASTER rolls a die.
GAME MASTER
You do not detect any threats.
PAUL
Okay, cool.
(Back to KEN)
Sorry.
KEN
No, good! You’re learning, man. Always gotta be on guard.
PAUL
Especially with this GM.
GAME MASTER
I’ll take that as a compliment.
KEN
Anyway, I heard back from the Guild.
PAUL
You were talking to the Guild?
KEN
Didn’t I mention it?
PAUL
No.
KEN
Huh… Anyway, they were impressed by that golem takedown. Sent an invitation to join them.
PAUL
Whoa! We’re gonna be in the Guild?
KEN
I’m going to be in the Guild.
PAUL
…Just you?
KEN
I tried, man. I really did. But they need more paladins and, hate to say it, rangers are kind of a dime a dozen these days.
PAUL
I’ve never met any.
GAME MASTER
There are a great many lands beyond the walls, far from home.
PAUL
We don’t do “walls” anymore.
KEN
Point is, our city’s not the only one with adventurers.
GAME MASTER
And you two aren’t the only ones here, for that matter.
KEN
So, yeah, there are a lot of rangers.
PAUL
But we’re a team, right? We can’t just split the party…
GAME MASTER
(Mumbling)
I’m surprised you haven’t already.
KEN
I’ll have plenty of backup in the Guild. Better gear, too.
PAUL
Yeah, but what about me? You’re our tank and our healer.
KEN
You’re a resourceful guy. I’m sure you’ll figure something out.
GAME MASTER
He is under-leveled…
KEN
Hey! It’s not just about the stats, man. It’s about heart. Isn’t that what you two are always saying? A good adventurer can do anything if he’s creative enough?
GAME MASTER
Speaking of numbers… Remember I said you don’t detect any threats, Paul?
PAUL
…Uh oh.
GAME MASTER
You’re ambushed by goblins. Roll for initiative.
As dice are heard rolling, a small band of goblins emerge, either from off-stage or behind cover, brandishing crude weaponry.
GAME MASTER
Your roll was bad enough, they get an ambush bonus.
KEN
Ah! But my Boots of Haste give me a bonus to initiative.
GAME MASTER
(Sigh)
Of course… You get first move.
KEN
Begone with you, scum!
KEN charges toward one of the goblins. As a die rolls, he hacks at the goblin and it falls.
GAME MASTER
It’s dead. The goblin next to you sees an opening.
PAUL nocks an arrow and draws his bow.
PAUL
I’ll cover Ken. Aimed Shot.
A die rolls.
GAME MASTER
Miss.
KEN
I got this.
A die rolls. The goblin tries to bring its weapon down on KEN, but KEN spins and blocks it with his shield, then counters and downs the goblin.
GAME MASTER
It’s down.
KEN
Just down?
GAME MASTER
Yes.
KEN stomps his foot, crushing the goblin’s head.
KEN
How about now?
GAME MASTER
Dead, sir paladin.
KEN
Neutral!
GAME MASTER
One’s coming for you, Paul.
PAUL spins to see a goblin closing on him quickly, so he draws a knife.
PAUL
Going for a parry.
A die rolls. The goblin knocks the knife out of PAUL’s hand, then misses a follow-up attack as PAUL dives out of the way, barely in time.
GAME MASTER
Several goblins see you’re down and rush at you.
PAUL
A little help?
KEN
Be right over…
GAME MASTER
Also, goblin reinforcements emerge from behind the ridge.
KEN
Ah, good… More experience points.
PAUL
Are you trying to kill us?
GAME MASTER
Aren’t I always?
PAUL brings his bow to bear.
GAME MASTER
Not so fast, Paul…
A die rolls. A goblin comes up from behind and knocks PAUL’s bow away. KEN finishes dispatching a goblin elsewhere.
PAUL
Seriously?
KEN
Okay, sorry. The hero swoops in! Divine Retribution!
A die rolls. KEN goes into a fury, mercilessly taking out goblins left and right. PAUL tries to get to his feet a couple times, but is shoved or kicked back down as long as there are still goblins around.
GAME MASTER
The goblins are routed. One survivor flees.
KEN
Oh, no, he doesn’t…
KEN picks up PAUL’s bow, draws back an arrow, and shoots the goblin in the back as it runs. KEN tosses the bow back to PAUL.
KEN
Thanks.
PAUL
…Don’t mention it.
KEN
Tell you what: let’s you and me grab up some of this loot, and we’ll hit ye olde tavern.
PAUL
You mean the pub?
KEN
Same difference.
PAUL reaches down to loot one of the goblins’ corpses, but KEN nudges him out of the way.
KEN
Nuh-uh-uh… That was my kill… And this one… And this one…
PAUL
See? I’d be screwed if you weren’t here.
KEN
What’re you talking about? You were fine.
GAME MASTER
Not with those rolls…
PAUL
You’re sure you can’t get me into the Guild?
KEN
…You know what, man? I have an idea. Help me carry this. Drinks are on me.
KEN dumps a massive bundle of looted items into PAUL’s arms, who almost collapses trying to hold it up. They exit, PAUL lagging behind as he struggles with the load. Blackout.