Episode 8: D&D Combat 101

It's the night of the Midnight Gala, and Kara Ryder knows all about Virella Duskvale's heist at the Gilvar Museum tonight. As she arrives at the gala with her ex-cop neighbor, Earl, she has to make friends with the rich party-goers to find the upper-class thief before she can set her plan in motion. Kara will also run into a friendly face, and get to witness Virella and Lockjaw leave the party together. Can she find them and stop the heist in time?

What happens when your character's health drops down to zero? Usually it means your character is dying, and you'll need to know how to make Death Saving Throws. However, if you're playing with younger players, you can just let it mean they get knocked out rather than dying. Don't want your character passing out? You can heal with potions or healing spells, or you can just take a long rest!

A rich socialite. A stolen crystal. A gala invitation that’s too perfectly timed.Detective Kara Ryder heads to Chief Boggart’s office to report her confrontation with Penny Vell; only to meet Virella Duskvale, a charming but suspicious halfling celebrity and the original owner of the broadcast crystal. But something doesn’t sit right with her. With a secret tracker planted and the heist timeline accelerating, Kara may be closer than ever to uncovering the truth, and stopping one of the biggest heists this city has ever seen.

Let’s break down how leveling works in Dungeons & Dragons: more hit points, new abilities, and powerful class features. You’ll also learn the two main ways we track when it’s time to level up: XP vs. milestones. Then, Kara Ryder will move from level 1 to level 2, allowing us to see a real example in action!

After successfully handling the glowing crystal situation, Kara Ryder returns to the police station to ask Professor Inkwort more questions. She encounters a policewoman who wants to take the crystal to Evidence Lockup for her, and Kara becomes suspicious. She recognizes signs of a magical disguise! She follows the policewoman and confronts her, only to realize it is none other than the wily Penny Vell, illusion artist extraordinaire! Will Kara be able to stop Penny Vell from running away with the crystal?

Magic is central to so many Dungeons and Dragons stories, so you should know how to use it! Wizards and sorcerers might use magic wands, bards use their instrument or their voice, and clerics call down heavenly help from their god. But be careful! Your magic is measured with spell slots, like a battery, and when you’ve used them all, you’ll need to stop and rest to recharge them! You’ll meet Josh the wizard as he practices his firebolt spell and shows us step-by-step how to cast a spell! This episode brings spellcasting to life in D&D for kids, parents, and new players alike.

Kara Ryder is woken up in the night and called to help with a crisis situation! A magical experiment has gone terribly wrong on the top floor of an apartment building, and she is one of the only detectives who might be able to help. She’ll need to navigate 8 floors filled with strange waves of magic flying through the air, and even stranger side effects, to secure the area and save everyone in the building!

Let's get ready to rumble! This week we're learning the basics of battle. You'll learn how to roll for initiative to see who swings first, how to roll your dice to determine whether you hit and how much damage you do, and how your Armor Class protects you!

Last episode, Kara Ryder realized that the thief Lockjaw is going after a priceless art piece at the Gilvar Museum. She visits the museum again to warn them and examine their security. After that, Kara is called to investigate the theft of an enchanted mirror, and proves why she's smart enough to be a detective!

You've created your character and you know how to get started on your adventure, but you're going to need help at some point. Whether it's asking for directions or making a new friend, you are going to have to interact with some fictional people in your fantasy world. They are called Non-Player Characters (NPCs). They sometimes have funny voices, attitudes, or backstories. Unlike your character, these characters are all voiced by your DM! This episode will show you how to talk to NPCs, and how to think of original ones if you are DMing for your friends or your kids!