Rogue: 16 - Bard: 9

D20s clattered on either side of the table. Deception and Insight were the rogue and bard’s worst skills, as the pair had a negative score in their charisma and wisdom respectively. Yet despite a true dumpster fire of a wisdom modifier the bard still had a slight edge on account of her Jack of all trades bonus, giving her a +0 to the rogue’s -1. Even so, luck would be a major factor here!

ROGUE, shielding her die with her hands: Okay, what did you get?

The BARD grimaced: Nhng, a 9.

ROGUE, showing her roll: Hah! I got a 16!

DM: Bard, you’re taken in by the rogue’s ruse, convinced she’s being truthful she couldn’t get the chime to work. And perhaps your competitive streak starts to kick in… Surely you can do better when it comes to magic!

BARD: ”Pft, I’m sure I can do better when it comes to magic. Hand me that chime, I’ve got this.”

ROGUE: ”By all means…” I’d like to join her as she goes up to the barmaid, I’m not missing this.

DM: Okay, for the sake of expediency you go up to the barmaid to declare you’re about to give the answer and persuade her to join you in the back room again. She closes the door behind you and stands opposite you, arms crossed in the dim light. ”I trust you’ll make this quick, I do have a bar to run you know. Do you have my answer?”

The BARD took her inevitable demise with grace, leaning into it in order to heighten the comedic value: ”Watch a master at work, darling,” I say to the rogue, and I strike the chime at the barmaid with a calculated incantation: “Abra… cadabra!”

ROGUE: Abracadra, seriously?

SORCERER: Wouldn’t it be funny if it turned out the curse was a one-time thing?

DM: It would, but it ain't so. The chime once again flares with a sickly dark glow, releasing a discordant note, and the item rebounds on your own form, sending buttons popping and buckles… unbuckling. I- is there a better verb for that? Anyway, please roll a D8 for me!