#but most girls just want to be treated like we're capable intelligent humans

[side-b-bumblebi]

Men who view women as their intellectual equals 😍

[nerdythebard]

#50: Erin Solstice [The Wandering Inn]

(Art Credit: cmarguel on Twitter) ---

Welcome back, my lovelies.

I will be honest with you, I've been putting this one on hold for some time because I wasn't sure if I can do this right. One of our newest friends, @bomoboo, gave me quite a challenge. I didn't want to straight-up deny a request, so it kinda sat there until I got my things together. This one's not perfect, and I know it, but I hope we can work on those together and enjoy creative D&D plays henceforth. Anyway, Erin Solstice, would you mind inviting us for a game of chess?

Next Time: You either die a hero or... well, you don't become a myth.

So, what is our strategy for this game?

Isekai Protagonist: Erin is a human girl from Michigan, who ends up in a fantasy realm after walking into the bathroom. It really doesn't get more anime than that.

Peaceful Warrior: Just because Erin doesn't like fighting, doesn't mean she can't. She'll take on an entire army for you, and then happily invite you over for a game.

Jacqueline of All Trades: Anything you can think of, Erin can probably do. She crafts, she plays chess, she cooks, she brews her own ales.

---

The story gives it to us right away, Erin is a Human. But since she's essentially an anime protagonist, we're making her a Variant Human. This gives us a +1 to two abilities of our choice (Intelligence and Charisma), we can speak Common and one other language of our choice (perhaps Goblin?), we gain proficiency in one skill of our choice (Persuasion), and we get to pick a feat; for the best [Innkeeper] in Izril, we gotta pick the Chef feat from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. We can increase our Constitution or Wisdom by 1, proficiency with cook's utensils, and the ability to prepare some food and treats during a rest that provides those that eat them with some extra Hit Points. Just like mama used to make <3

Since Erin literally came to Izril from another world, we're gonna make her a Far Traveler. We gain proficiency in Insight and Perception skills, proficiency with one musical instrument or gaming set (do I need to say anything?), and one more language proficiency. The All Eyes on You feat definitely makes us stand out at first, but those curious glances and whispers could be used to our advantage to, for example, secure an audience with somebody important in exchange for a tale or two from our homeland.

ABILITY SCORES

While Erin is a talented chess player and a very pragmatic thinker, we're gonna put Charisma as our priority for her persuasion and manipulation capabilities. For her equally impressive willpower, we're getting Wisdom next (both are the most common saving throws against compulsion), followed by Intelligence.

Constitution will be next, as Erin's alcohol immunity, endurance, and recovery seem to be pretty good. Dexterity is on a lower end, and we're gonna dump Strength.

CLASS

This one was difficult, but when accounting for all of Erin's skills and items, we have to go with a Bard, start-to-finish. Bards get the d8 as their Hit Dice, [8 + our Constitution modifier] initial Hit Points, proficiencies with light armour, simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, and shortswords (feel free to pick whatever, for the purpose of the build we'll go with the classic leather, also perhaps include a dagger to mimic the knife she got from Pelt), as well as three different musical instruments. Our saving throws are Dexterity and Charisma, and we get to pick any three skills (Investigation, Performance, and Survival).

Level 1: We start with Bardic Inspiration, the class's staple. Through the means of singing, poetry, or a little entertaining jig, we can give a creature within 60 feet of us an Inspiration Die. The creature can use the Inspiration Die to add its result (starting at d6, increasing as we level up) to the next saving throw, ability check, or attack roll it makes within the next 10 minutes. We have a numer of Inspiration equal to our Charisma modifier and we regain all expended ones after a long rest.

Bards also gain Spellcasting at level 1. Charisma is our casting ability and we know cantrips, regular spells, and rituals. Bards have access to their entire spell list and get a fixed number of spells as they level up. We start with two cantrips (Friends and Prestidigitation) and four 1st-level spells (Charm Person, Cure Wounds, Detect Magic, Heroism).

Level 2: We can now reach one of our goals and became a Jack of All Trades. From now on, we can add half of our proficiency bonus (rounded down) to any ability check that we lack proficiency in. We also learn the Song of Rest: during a short rest, we can revitalise our allies with songs and stories. If the characters spend Hit Dice for healing, they can add extra 1d6 HP (the dice value changes as we level-up).

We also learn one more 1st-level spell. Since we're an innkeeper, we need to resupply. How about getting some better prices for our wares with Distort Value.

Level 3: At this level, we get to pick our subclass, our Bard College. Since Erin relies a lot on her charisma and persuasive skills, we're going to pick College of Eloquence. By carefully and beautifully weaving our words, we can resolve conflicts and achieve our goals without the need to draw a weapon. We start with Silver Tongue: whenever we make a Persuasion or Deception check, we cannot roll lower than 10. This essentially give us Rogue's Reliable Talent (a feat from Level 11). We also get to speak Unsettling Words: as a bonus action, we can spend one Inspiration Die and choose a creature within 60 feet of us. The targeted creature then have to deduct the ID result from the next saving throw it makes before the start of our next turn.

At level 3, we also get the first part of Expertise. We get to pick two skills and double our proficiency bonus to any ability check used with those skills. Let's pick Insight and Persuasion.

We also unlock 2nd-level spells. Let's pick Borrowed Knowledge.

Level 4: We get our first Ability Score Improvement. Let's bump our Dexterity up by two points for better AC. We also get a new cantrip (Vicious Mockery) and another 2nd-level spell (Locate Object).

Level 5: At this level, our Bardic Inspiration die increases its value to d8. We also become a Font of Inspiration, and now we can recover our Inspiration Dice during a short or long rest.

We unlock 3rd-level spells here, so let's grab Motivational Speech.

Level 6: We get Countercharm. As an action, we start a performance that lasts until the end of our next turn. During that time, creatures within 30 feet of us (ourselves included) gain an advantage on saving throws against being frightened and charmed.

For this level's spell, let's get Nondetection to mimic Erin's anti-scrying ring.

Level 7: We don't any new features here, but we do unlock 4th-level spells. Feel free to grab Dimension Door, in order to replicate Erin's Magical Door.

Level 8: Time for another ASI. Let's increase our Constitution by two points for that nice HP bonus. For this level's spell, we're gonna go back a level and pick Summon Fey Spirit.

Level 9: Our Song of Rest value now becomes d8, and we unlock 5th-level spells. Let's grab Mass Cure Wounds to better support our allies.

Level 10: Halfway through the build and we get a bunch of goodies. First of all, our last cantrip of the build (Mending), then our Bardic Inspiration Dice become d10s, we get two more skills to put Expertise into (Perception and Survival) and a massive spell boost with Magical Secrets. We can choose two spells from any spell list and add them to our repertoire, as long as they're of a level we can cast. We're gonna grab the 1st-level Shield spell for some AC boost and the 4th-level Fabricate spell.

Level 11: At this level, we don't gain any new class levels, but we unlock 6th-level spells. From now on, our spell gain is slowing down, so we have to make it count. Since the best Innkeeper has to serve the best food, it's clear we're gonna go with Heroes' Feast.

Level 12: Another ASI. This time, we're gonna bump up Dexterity by two points.

Level 13: Our Song of Rest now becomes d10. Additionally, we unlock 7th-level spells, and it's finally time for us to get our beloved Wandering Inn (and it actually will be wandering!) with Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion.

Level 14: Time for another magic haul. From our subclass we gain Infectious Inspiration. Whenever we successfully inspire someone and they use their Inspiration Die, we can use our reaction to automatically inspire another creature (other than ourselves) within 60 feet of us without losing an ID. We can do that a number of times equal to our Charisma modifier per long rest.

We also get to pick two more Magical Secrets. This time, let's grab Guards and Wards to have complete control over our inn, as well as Drawmij's Instant Summons to always have a pick-me-up at hand.

Level 15: Our Bardic Inspiration dice now become d12. We also unlock 8th-level spells. Let's grab Glibness to raise our charisma to the level of gods.

Level 16: Time for another ASI. Let's grab some more power before the endgame and bump up our Charisma by two points.

Level 17: Our Song of Rest value now becomes d12. We also unlock the pinnacle of D&D magic (for players), the 9th-level spells. However, let's grab the Mind Blank spell from level 8. Just wait and see...

Level 18: We get two more Magical Secrets here, and it's time to make an actual wandering inn. As long as we'll get the funds for it. And we will, because the final spells of this build are Mighty Fortress and Wish.

Level 19: For the final ASI, we're gonna bump up our Dexterity by two points.

Level 20: Our capstone is Bard 20, which gives us Superior Inspiration. Whenever we roll Initiative, if we don't have any Inspiration Dice left, we regain one.

---

And that's the lovely Erin Solstice. Let's see how we did:

First of all, we're a master manipulator. With a Passive Perception of 24, we know what happens in our inn while being in its basement. With our subclass and Expertise in Charisma-based skills, I can assure you most of your conflicts will end before they even begin.

Our AC is 14 (with a standard leather armour) or 19 (with the Shield spell), we have a +3 to our Initiative and the average of 136 Hit Points.

As you can clearly see, this build was made for support purposes. We're not a frontline fighter. Our job is to make sure our allies can defeat their enemies, and then live to fight another day. Our strengths lie outside the battlefield, and we're a strong candidate for the party's Face.

---

Phew, now that was something. Once again, I cannot express how thankful I am for your patience and support, my darlings. Things are starting to come up Nerdy, so I hope I can return to my groove.

I'll see you soon <3

-Nerdy out!

[ghostlyhamburger]

As somebody who doesn't believe in souls but digs your writing and wants your thoughts, I think it's possible, just possible, that the Adrien-is-a-Sentimonster thing could actually be quite life-affirming rather than tragic. Depending on how it's carried off, of course, because y'know, sticking the landing is everything.

I think Miraculous Ladybug itself has at least touched on the themes involved before. Things like Markov, an artificial intelligence who's treated as a discrete individual, plays on it. His emotions can even get him magically possessed! Ditto Chat Noir quitting after he almost killed Uncanny Valley, who's an android, but also somebody's beloved daughter and sister. They've got off buttons and were built rather than born, but they're still people, is the thing. Someone took the time to treat them that way.

Hell, more than one person on Miraculous previously worked on Code Lyoko, the show where they spent every S1 episode risking their asses trying to get a virtual girl out of a dangerous computer. Because she was a person, and didn't deserve to be trapped that way forever, even if she wasn't "real." She was capable of feeling and being felt for, and that was what counted. That's what made her a person.

(Code Lyoko symbol reference from Optigami, ayy.)

Anyway, not to get all corkboardy, but you remember how Adrien compared Plagg to the genie from the lamp from The 1001 Nights? There are actually two genies in that story, and I think it's relevant.

One is the djinn in the lamp, who grants wishes. The other is the djinn of the ring, who's more of a servant. He has to obey the wearer of the ring... kinda like Plagg (might even have been him). Or, in the theory we're talking about, like Adrien.

The most popular modern adaptation of that story is Disney's Aladdin (also a cartoon). It ends with someone using a wish to ensure that the genie, an all-around nice guy who's finally found a friend, gets his freedom. A thing every person deserves.

It's a big ask to spend a wish on such a "small" thing, but of course Aladdin does it. He loves his friend, and he's become the kind of guy we can rely on to do the right thing.

Before this story is over, it seems very possible to me that someone is going to spend a wish (or equivalent magic) making sure Sentimonster-Adrien gets to be a real boy. Free and clear. Because he deserves it.

In the original Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi (from 1883), the story ends when Pinocchio does a very selfless favor for the Blue Fairy. His kindness proves to the audience that he was, and deserved to live as, a real boy. He wakes up in a human body, no longer constrained by the puppet one that had imprisoned him.

I guess all we can do is spend a wish hoping that Sentimonster-Adrien is in the good graces of a kind "fairy" who really thinks a lot of him.

Fingers crossed!

Honestly, I actually really like your view! 

The problem is that the Adrien becoming real part has to be included in a potential sentiAdrien arc, and I do not have faith in the writers to do that well with how much of a rushed angstfest this entire season has been.

It’s all well and good for Marinette to love him just as much as if he were human, but the presence of the amok is an absolute danger. if that’s broken, poof, Adrien is gone. The end.

Ladybug’s cure could not bring him back, otherwise we’d still have Sentibug. Once a sentimonster is gone, then it’s gone forever.

And it makes me extremely uncomfortable that anyone can have that kind of power over him.