Dr. Dranzel's Spectacular Traveling Troupe

Needs to be updated for Scanlan's encounter with Dr. Dranzel in "Best Laid Plans..." (1x50).

## Dr. Dranzel's Spectacular Traveling Troupe

Fan art of the flute-off between Kaylie and Scanlan, by Thomas Brin.

## Membership

### Notable members

* Dr. Dranzel
* Eselmyr
* Kent Plucker
* Zedd
* Samson

**Former:**

* Scanlan Shorthalt
* Kaylie

## Relationships

### Allies

Vox Machina

**Dr. Dranzel's Spectacular Traveling Troupe** is a group of musicians that, as of 811 PD, traveled Tal'Dorei. Before joining Vox Machina, Scanlan was a member of the troupe.

## **History**

At some point before 795 PD the troupe visited Athova-Rae, and after the Musetide Festival of Drobanagos, they sailed to Tal'Dorei with the Glorious Ones.

Between 795-796 PD, the troupe performed in the Darrington estate, intending to stay there for a few days, but were forced to leave in a hurry, as Scanlan had an affair with one of the family's handmaidens and in an unknown way corrupted Howaardt Darrington's bed.

Vox Machina first met the troupe at the Diamond Nest Tavern in Emon, where they had been performing for Winter’s Crest. They later encountered them in the ruins of the city after it had been destroyed by the Chroma Conclave.

### **The Legend of Vox Machina**

In the animated series, Scanlan first encountered the group when he stumbled across Kaylie in the ruins of Westruun after the dragon attack. Kaylie had been traveling and performing with the troupe, and they were all familiar with tales of Scanlan Shorthalt and his exploits. The evening after Kevdak was defeated, the troupe performed during the celebration in a tavern, joined on stage by Scanlan and Kaylie singing and flirting together.

## **Members**

**Current**:

* Dr. Dranzel (half-orc, violinist)
* Eselmyr (half-elf, singer)
* Kent Plucker (halfling, lutenist)
* Zedd (human, percussion/drums)
* Samson, a teenaged halfling, acts as a dogsbody for the doctor and pickpockets the crowd during performances.

**Former members**:

* Scanlan Shorthalt
* Kaylie
* Ranthiel Volthor (promoter, potentially)

### **The Legend of Vox Machina**

* Dr. Dranzel (half-orc, violinist)
* Kent Plucker (halfling, lutenist)
* Zedd (human, percussion/drums)
* Kaylie (gnome, singer)

## **Side Business**

As well as pickpocketing the crowd during performances, Dr. Dranzel sought to break into (and rob) General Krieg's abandoned house in Emon's Cloudtop District. He convinced Vox Machina to do so on his behalf.

## **Trivia**

The cast sometimes refer to Dr. Dranzel as "Dr. Dra" as a parody of real-life artist Dr. Dre.

## **References**

1. ↑ "Choose Their Adventure...Again!" (Sx81) takes place in a time in Scanlan's life when he's still inexpert and lacks confidence, and by the end of it he's trying to behave more like the charismatic Ranthiel Volthor. Since between 795 and 796 PD Scanlan had a messy affair with a member of the Darrington Estate staff that forced the bard and his troupe to leave, presumably the gnome's time with the Glorious Ones preceded this incident in Deastok. For more information see "Curious Tides" (1x89) at 1:13:37 and "*Talks Machina* #17: 'Voice of the Tempest'" (TMx17) at 56:37
2. ↑ See "Choose Their Adventure...Again!" (Sx81).
3. ↑ See "Curious Tides" (1x89) at 1:13:37.  In 811 PD, Taryon claimed to be 28 years old and remembered that Dranzel's performing troupe with Scanlan made their appearance when he was 12-13 years old.
4. ↑ See "*Talks Machina* #17: 'Voice of the Tempest'" (TMx17) at 56:37.  Sam out of character confirmed this story.
5. ↑ See "A Musician's Nostalgia" (1x37) at 2:08:34.
6. ↑ See "A Musician's Nostalgia" (1x37) at 2:21:11.
7. ↑ See "Choose Their Adventure...Again!" (Sx81) at 2:26:39.
8. ↑ See "Echoes of the Past" (1x38) at 1:10:08.

**Art:**

1. ↑ Fan art of the flute-off between Kaylie and Scanlan, by Thomas Brin (source). Used with permission.