Accidentally Funny

Humor is not that unusual in gaming sessions.  When it happens on accident however, it can create long-lasting memories.


Once upon a time, I ran a solo adventure for a dwarf named Happy Jack.  Happy was a psychic and an inventor of sorts.  From the pressurized wooden keg full of alchemist’s fire worn on his back with the spray nozzle and sparker to his own brand of beer, Happy Jack was an innovator.  His player always made sure to take good notes of his adventures so he could review what had happened and plan Happy’s next move.

For the adventure, I adapted the AD&D 2nd ed module “Wizard’s Challenge”.  I placed my telling of this tale in Eveningstar in northern Cormyr.  The village, a favorite retreat of King Azoun’s was ruled over by Tessaril Winter.  She was known for mentoring mages of all talents and was a magnet for hopeful apprentices. Several years prior to Happy Jack’s adventures in the village, mysterious circumstances caused the sudden demise of several apprentices and traveling wizards who were passing through the area. When the dwarven psychic arrived, a ghostly figure was threatening the area. 

 I had Ejrik speak with a grating, raspy voice, sort of like Sir Guy of Gisborne in “Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves”.   

The figure, one Ejrik Spellbinder was a ghost.  He had been killed in the accident that he had been responsible for that claimed the lives of several of his peers.  Ejrik however, managed to cling to his existence.  He had bound his spirit to a skull that he was able to use as a storage vessel.  When Happy Jack ventured near enough, the ghost attacked and rendered him unconscious.  Happy Jack awoke several hours later and began trying to track down the renegade spirit.  The dwarf finally caught up and the two faced off against each other, only for Happy Jack to discover that Ejrik had made a copy of his body!

Ejrik taunted Happy Jack, monologuing as all true villains must, when the dwarf asked “Who are you?”   

I replied “Ejrik Spellbinder”.

The player then asked “How do you spell that?” clearly asking me (as the DM) but I totally missed the switch between character and player and responded, still using my “Ejrik” voice “E-J-R ….” at which point we both broke down laughing.
The fight that followed was brief and brutal and Happy Jack emerged victoriously from the fray and made the countryside safe for wizards once more.

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