Richard and the Boys

This is a one off adventure DMed by Jenny (who played Hope Lovejoy in Arc 1) as a thank you for the Patreon hitting a goal of $4,000 monthly pledges. It aired as a livestream on Twitch on Sunday, June 27th 2021, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and was also uploaded on YouTube. The one shot follows Richard Lovejoy and his friends, "The Boys", during the "Lovejoy Family Decennial Family Celebration Of Love And Joy" that takes place during Arc 2.

## Characters and Players

**DM** (Jenny - She/Her)

**Richard Lovejoy** (He/Him) (played by Sam - She/Her), a High Elf Oath of Devotion Paladin (level 3). Richard has taken an Oath of Devotion to "The Boys". As he is a Lovejoy, Richard is invited to the party.

**Jorid Joridson** (He/Him) (played by Madison - She/Her), a Barbarian Tiefling (level 2) and Richard's "main man". He is Richard's +1 to the party.

**Florid** (He/Him) (played by Haley - She/Her\*), a Forest Gnome Wild Magic Sorcerer (level 2). Florid does not have an invite to the party, but that happens.

**Bob** (He/Him) (played by Julia - She/Her), a Human Fighter (level 2). Bob does not have an invite to the party, but plans to charm his way in.

**Grass** (He/Him) (played by Gus - He/Him), a Half-orc Circle of the Land, Grasslands Druid (level 2). Grass does not have an invite to the party and is also not a fan that Jorid is Richard's +1.

\*Haley has since changed her pronouns to She/Any.

## Magic items

Each of the characters had 4 magic items - a generic magic item, a Patreon-submitted magic item, a Never Ending Flask and a Friendship Bracelet.

* **The Never Ending Flask**: This is drinking flask that has been enchanted to be never empty and never spill, and it has the ability to change the contents at the owner’s will. The contents must be a drink the owner has consumed before. (Item submitted by 5 patreons: Kailyn, Colby, Neroc, Lathe and Tatum S)
* **"Richard and the boys” matching friendship bracelets:** Matching silver chain bracelet (except Richard, his is gold). Engraved with “The Boys: Established...” with the year the group become “The Boys” (unconfirmed). Richard’s bracelet is different due to “Power of the Posse”, granting Richard advantage on all charisma checks while wearing it. The silver bracelet wearer (being in Richard’s shadow) gets advantage on stealth checks. If the character already has advantage (due to inbuilt ability or from external content) the player adds +2 to the roll instead.

Richard

* A stud earring that functions as a "Good Luck Stone"
* **Breath Spray of “Cool Story Bro!”:** Once per day this small crystal vial of breath spray can be used as a reaction to freshen breath and also allows the user to immediately cast “Gift of Gab”. When you cast this spell, you skillfully reshape the memories of listeners in your immediate area so that each creature of your choice within five feet of you forgets everything you said within the last six seconds. Those creatures then remember that you actually said the words you speak as the verbal component of this spell. (Submitted by Alden)

Jorid

* Boots of Striding and Springing
* **The Belt of “Do You Even Lift Bro?”:** The person wearing this item is able to to add a +5 to any strength related check once per day. (Submitted by Rachel)

Florid

* Charlatan's Die
* **Ball Cap of No Cap:** A person wearing this cap once per day can cast “Zone of Truth”. (Submitted by Tatum S.)

Bob

* Cloak of Many Fashions
* **Ring of Chill:** The wearer can touch one creature once per day and say the magic words “Like, just chill out bro.” The touched creature must succeed on a Charisma Saving Throw set by the DM depending on how much the creature needs to chill. If they fail the creature is instantly chilled out and stops whatever non-chill action (or actions) and feeling (or feelings) they are going through. (Submitted by Anika.)

Grass

* Philter of Love
* **The Crown Juul:** A fantasy juul that when the command word is spoken (user’s choice) can be used to cast a second level “Fog Cloud”. However, the user must succeed on a DC10 con save or the spell fails, and the user spends an action coughing uncontrollably. This item can be used once per day. (Submitted by Tatum S.)

## Plot

The adventure begins with "The Boys" meeting to discuss how to bring in the uninvited boys (Florid, Bob and Grass) to the party. They are all excited to party, especially Grass who hasn't been to a party in "12 years". After a huddle, they decide to arrive before any staff arrive and walk in, and if needed use Plan B - which is to rely on Bob's charm to get into the party (as no one has ever told Bob no). The boys celebrate this decision with a drink.

At 4 past clock on the day of the party, the boys arrive outside the Lovejoy Manor at the main door. There is no security guards, but the door is protected with a chain gate covering it and barring entrance. Jorid pulls out his great axe and bashes in the chain gate, popping it out of the hinges. Jorid then breaks down the main door, resulting in it being destroyed. Richard surmises they (meaning the Lovejoys) will just buy a new door, and the boys head into the manor, obvious to the implications of their actions.

The boys arrive in a massive room revealed to be the Exhibition Hall, where the achievements of the Lovejoy family are put on display. The boys immediately set down to partying, with Richard and Florid using their magic to create strobing colorful lights. Richard hears Penny Lovejoy, his older sister and party organizer, heading towards them, so the boys hide. Bob uses his cloak to match the curtains and drapes it over his head, Grass pretends to be an artistic statue and uses "Druidcraft" to cover himself in flowers and moss. Florid hides behind Grass, and Jorid jumps up 28ft and holds onto a curtain (despite having an invitation to be there and therefore not needing to hide). Richard keeps dancing to keep the attention on him.

Penny arrives and is flustered by Richard and the broken door situation, identifying Grass (but not anyone else). Richard claims Jorid is sick, and so Grass is now his +1 for the party. After some back and forth (in which Florid sneaks to hide with Bob in his cloak), the stressed Penny agrees to the substitution of Grass for Jorid (delighting Grass), but insists that Richard and Grass come back at 7 past clock, when the party actually starts. She then signals to four guards to escort Richard and Grass out, as well as sourcing a replacement door. Penny leaves, so Grass pulls out his Juul and offers a hit of it to a guard named Prim. Prim instead throws it out onto the street, and orders them to leave. Grass is so upset by this he angrily casts "Entangled" on all the guards, and the boys escape deeper into the manor (after Grass collects his Juul first).

After some discussion on what to do next, the boys decide they are hungry, Grass states he hasn't eaten for 12 years. After finding the kitchen empty, Bob prepares a smoothie of meat protein, raw eggs, fruit and bread for the boys, and the boys consume it, before deciding to play beer pong. Richard and Grass form a team and Florid and Jorid form the other, with Bob playing referee. They have a few more drinks, switching the flask contents to Fireball for shots, and all start to become a bit tipsy.

The boys realise it is almost 5 past clock, when some staff are due to appear according to Penny's carefully planned schedule. Deciding to pretend that they are kitchen staff, Florid looks for clothes to help them blend in, and finds the catering outfits stowed earlier by "Traveler's Provisions", the caterers for the party. The boys all dress as caterers, but realise the staff arriving are security, not the catering staff (who are due to arrive at 6 past clock.) The boys decide they are the "pre-caterers", and start prepping food for the party, despite not knowing how to cook.

A staff member eventually hears them in the kitchen and pops in, but believes the boys to be kitchen staff and leaves them to their work. The boys are so impressed at how legit they look as “pre-caterers” they decide to do another shot. Jorid ends up vomiting into a pot. Richard tells Jorid he needs to drink some water so Grass uses “Create Water” to make 10 gallons of clean water fall onto Jorid, drenching the kitchen. As it nears 6 past clock, the boys decided they have done enough prep the whole party should be catered now, so they leave the trashed, drenched kitchen and attempt to find Richard's room in the manor. They end up unknowingly breaking into Archer Lovejoy's room instead. The boys do the "Huddle Cuddle Power Post Pre-Game Nap" and rest for an hour.

Upon awaking, the boys have their “Post Post Pre-Game Pre-Game” shots, which results in both Jorid and Bob vomiting. The boys head to the party, choosing to use the staff entrance since they are still dressed as caterers. The staff entrance is guarded by 2 guards and a fancy gate, which is later revealed to be a magic item detector when the boys step through and set off the alarm. The guards question the boys about their magic items, and Grass attempts to use his Juul to cast "Fog Cloud", but chokes on the inhale. Jorid then tries to muscle his way through, and one of the guards named Roger tackles the group to the ground. In the chaos, Florid casts "Disguise self" on himself, making Florid look exactly like Roger, before trying to convince the remaining guard that he, Florid, was the real Roger. To prove this, the guard asks Florid what his wife's name is. Florid casts "Friends" on the guard, before stating that the wife's name doesn't matter to "bros". This works, as the guard states "Bros matter more" and escorts the real Roger out. The boys head into the manor.

Just before the boys head into the party, they find numerous carts with prepped food and wine, ready to be taken out to the party. Jorid pops open one bottle of wine and they all have a drink. Florid vomits right on the floor but uses “Prestidigitation” to clean it up, which freaks Bob out as he is now so drunk he has forgotten what magic is. Bob ends up breaking down crying and Richard fist bumps Bob, which helps him to remember magic. Jorid calls a huddle and the boys confirm that it is ok to cry, that they love each other, and they are ready to party. They raise their fists in the air and strut into the ballroom

In the ballroom the boys see many of the extended Lovejoy family, but not Penny or Gem. No one is dancing and most people are just sitting at their assigned tables. Richard introduces the boys to Grandma Sage Lovejoy (or G-Ma) and Great Aunt Clarity, although Clarity has previously met and remembers the boys. Bob offers G-Ma some of his flask, but Grandma Sage reveals she has also pre-gamed. Grandma Sage also states that although the Lovejoys may have many riches, she believes Richard is the richest Lovejoy in the family. Clarity agrees, indicating that a lot of the Lovejoy's present “don’t really know what matters in life” hinting at some old Lovejoy family drama.

After the boys decided they are a little hungry (with Grass again stating they haven’t eaten anything in 12 years), they all decided to eat some of the appetizers trickling into the party. The boys still don’t see Penny and Gem and decide to help “get the party started” by dancing. Richard and Florid create colorful strobing lights again, Grass uses “Druidcraft” to dim the existing torches, Jorid starts beatboxing, and Bob unbuttons his shirt. The boys KNOW how to party. Art Lovejoy joins in with Jorid on his harmonica, with Melody Lovejoy harmonizing with her opera skills. Clay, Miles and Chase Lovejoy all join in on dancing, and soon most of the ballroom party goers joins them on the dance floor.

The boys start a dance circle, and the boys decide to do another shot, resulting in Bob crying again. Richard spies a variety of chocolate themed desserts, and the boys decide they need it. Jorid feeds Florid dessert by lobbing it towards Florid’s mouth, which Florid easily catches as they have practiced this a lot. Bob is still upset, so Richard fist bumps him back in. Richard also casts “Heroism” on Bob to make him feel better, and the rest of the boys do another shot.

Having had enough dancing for the moment, Grass decides to Wild Shape into a “bucking bronco” so big all the boys can ride, and they hop on as Grass attempts to buck the boys off. Only Richard manages to hold onto Grass Bronco, and it is at this point Penny walks in (as per the schedule) and is horrified to see not only all the boys in attendance but also what has happened to her carefully planned party. Bob attempts to use his Ring of Chill on Penny, but she simply says no (being the first person to ever tell Bob this). Seeing this, Richard casts “Command” on Penny and demands she parties. Penny begins to tell Richard off, but Richard’s spell takes hold, and she begins to dance and chug down a wine bottle. Even though Richard’s spell lifts after six seconds, Penny lets herself go, getting drunk and explaining how stressed she is from all the party planning she’s had to do, as well as being stressed from replacing the broken door the boys broke earlier and dealing with the destroyed kitchen (not knowing the boys are the cause of this too).

The boys reassure Penny that the party is amazing and she did a good job. Penny, exhausted by Richard’s antics, begins to berate Richard for ruining her party. Richard, not understanding, interrupts and again states everyone is having a great time. Penny finally looks around and notices the party, realizing that while the Lovejoy events are usually about the legacy of the Lovejoy family, the boys have brought together everyone and reminded them family is about being there and supporting each other, and the party is now a true celebration of love and joy.

Penny finally concedes and thanks Richard, and the boys group hug Penny. Penny leaves, partially feeling overwhelmed by the party, but also to avoid Gem Lovejoy's wrath at the disaster of the party. The boys also do not want to face Gem, believing she will yell at them (Grass even states that this will be the worst thing that will happen to her all day. It is not.) The boys decide that their job here is complete, and they should move on to the Filthy Oyster. They invite G-Ma to come with them, and she readily accepts, with Jorid carrying her. Together, they all head off into the sunset towards the Filthy Oyster, seeing a Fire Genie flying toward the manor on the way (therefore tying in the events of Episode 6 of Arc 2).

## Trivia

* This one shot was the first time Jenny had DMed for humans - after DMing for her cat in the Catpaign, also for Unprepared Casters. After the completion of the game, Jenny almost swore to never DM for humans again, but decided that she would potentially.
* The decision of which cast member would play which boy was decided during an episode of "The Verbal Components" (TVC Arc2 Ep3). Discussing a fantasy podcast arc revolving entirely around the boys, the guests (Gus, Haley, Julia, Sam, and Madison) used random dice rolls to see who would play who. When the one-shot was confirmed, the group decided to keep this casting.

## Fan Additions

https://uquiz.com/quiz/5v1xjQ/which-richard-and-the-boys-chatacter-are-you Which Richard and the Boys Character are you? UQuiz by Petall