Character Assassination is the seventh episode of season 3 of Adventuring Party, which features the main cast. They answer fan questions following the ninth episode of The Unsleeping City: Chapter II.
Guests[]
Cast[]
Highlights[]
The episode begins with the group discussing the recent events at the US Capitol Building and then dives into the episode's plot, specifically the museum fight. They proceed to answer viewer questions about the show's lore, their characters, and personal experiences. The episode concludes with a lighthearted discussion about food and pies.
Questions Asked[]
From Marissa: “Going off the subject of a person amongst Muppets. If the Unsleeping City was a mostly Muppet cast with one human, which character would be the one human?”
- Brennan strongly believes Kingston would be the perfect fit for a Sesame Street-style Unsleeping City. He envisions Kingston appearing in his signature trench coat and coffee cup, briefly explaining concepts like numbers to the Muppet residents before heading off to St. Owen's. This portrayal aligns with Kingston's role as a protector and educator within the Unsleeping City.
- Ally proposes JJ as the sole human. The cast finds humour in this suggestion, noting the irony of JJ being the only human in a Muppet-dominated world. Ally describes Lowell as a "live-action hyperreal" character, further emphasising the contrast between human and Muppet elements.
- Zac suggests Rowan Berry, could make a cameo appearance as a real famous person among the Muppets.
- The cast playfully debates whether Pete would be a human or a Muppet. Ally argues that Pete's inherent Muppet-like qualities make him more suited to being a Muppet, while Siobhan suggests his nature fluctuates between human and Muppet depending on the context.
- Brennan observes that Ricky's acceptance of the strange happenings in The Unsleeping City mirrors the experience of a human interacting with Muppets. The cast agrees that Ricky wouldn't find it unusual to be surrounded by Muppets, given his generally unfazed attitude towards the fantastical elements of the city. Siobhan even suggests that Ricky would believe the Sesame Street Muppets were real and be heartbroken to learn otherwise.
From Karl Barks, author of The Dog Capital and The Canine-unist Man's Best Friendo: Alejandro, Dale, references to Kugrash. Thanks to the magical nature of The Unsleeping City, we've had the good fortune of getting to hang out with a lot of characters who had since died. Any chance we'll be meeting up with more departed characters this season? Sondheim, original Santa, maybe even dot dot dot, Robert Moses, whoa! With his soul promised to both fairy and hell. What happened to it? Also, are we going to get confirmation that Sophia has been traveling to Arizona once per year to kick Don confetti's ass?”
- Brennan noted that during Dimension 20 sessions, some actions or remarks aren't completely canon, and everyone acknowledges it and moves on.
- Brennan, the Dungeon Master, states he can "neither confirm nor deny the possibility that the future or characters that have passed will or will not be met".
- Brennan affirmed that Alejandro felt like the right choice due to Kingston's connection and his powerful background as an archmage, which added an interesting dynamic to the gameplay. Playing Alejandro was very enjoyable.
From Felix: “Where is Pete's mind at now that he is once again doing some drug dealing, after his progress with his sobriety and his new chapter working in the bookshop. It must be strange to be back in this situation.”
- Brennan reflects on Pete's return to drug dealing after his bookstore job and sobriety, emphasizing the realism of the situation. He discusses themes of isolation and desperation under capitalism that drive Pete back to 53/3N, highlighting the conflict between his goals and his financial struggle, and how panic leads to his choices. It was an intriguing narrative decision.
- Ally wanted a realistic portrayal of addiction, avoiding dramatic narratives. They noted the challenge of changing others' perceptions, especially in relationships with people in that world, where interactions fall into familiar patterns.
- Brennan emphasized that habits formed through skills and relationships can be hard to abandon, even if they are harmful, as in Pete's case. It's tough to let go of something you're good at, despite knowing it's not beneficial. Pete is back to drug dealing and isn't in a good mental state, but it's not a full relapse—more like a bad step related to his lifestyle around the addiction.
From B: "Hello, loving this season. Unsleeping city has a special place in my heart, especially this year. My questions for Siobhan. The Draconic ancestry choice is very cool. I visited Krakow Poland and they have a local folklore/myth about a dragon burning down their castle. (I think the 1400s). I believe a peasant boy finally defeated it with a sick charisma saving throw, Must've been a Bard, if I recall. it's definitely played up for tourists but they do have a dragon statue that spits fire and everything. "Did you know about the story and is it part of why you chose this subclass? Unrelated question. As someone thought about what their characters Zodiac signs would be, I know Ally knows. Much love to the whole cast and crew, heart."
- While Siobhan didn't know about the dragon folklore from Krakow, Poland, she explains that "every town has a dragon story. They're freaking 10 a penny". Her choice to play a draconic bloodline sorcerer was driven by a simpler motivation: "I have a tiny dragon. Dragons are cool. I like dragons".
From Al: "Congrats y'all, we made it through 2020. A lot of things have changed in the last year and many things haven't. If you could change one roll or moment for any of your D20 seasons, akin to NADpod’s and Nannerfly effect tour, what would you change? You could change one roll or moment for any of your D20 seasons."
- Siobhan suggested it would be fun if Adaine turned into a werewolf. The idea sparked enthusiastic reactions from the cast, with Brennan excitedly imagining an alternate storyline where Jawbone turned Adaine, drastically changing the narrative. The group collectively agreed that such a twist would have transformed the story into an entirely different world.
- Lou considered how radically things could have changed if Ally hadn't rolled a Nat 20 on a crucial religious check during Fantasy High. Without that miraculous success, the battle against Goldenhoard would have likely led to the systematic defeat of the party, ending the first season on a tragic note with the teens meeting their demise. The cast mused over how a grim conclusion to their debut season would have reshaped the show's trajectory and tone. Brennan recalled the intensity of early *Fantasy High* episodes, where the group's lighthearted antics turned shockingly dark with the infamous murder-suicide scene involving Aguefort. The cast was struck by the surreal escalation, especially given the episode began with slapstick humor, making the abrupt shift to brutal violence all the more impactful and unforgettable.
- Ally humorously wished they could trade any previous Nat 20 just to have succeeded in nailing Kristen's ribbon dance. They would sacrifice any critical success for that one perfect moment. Brennan Lee Mulligan responded with exaggerated, playful resignation, saying that if Kristen had mastered the ribbon dance—achieving flight through sheer skill alone—he would have to retire as a Dungeon Master on the spot. In his whimsical vision, Brennan imagined narrating Kristen's flawless mastery of flight, solving all the world's problems without magic, and then dramatically exiting the scene by walking up an invisible staircase into the sky. The cast joined in on the joke, envisioning Brennan's theatrical departure as the perfect, bittersweet conclusion to his DM career.
- Zac wished he could have rolled a Nat 20 on Lapin's death saving throw in A Crown of Candy. This pivotal moment haunted him, imagining how Lapin surviving that brutal cathedral battle could have drastically altered the campaign’s trajectory. Brennan, highlighting that the cathedral encounter was one of the most brutal battles he'd ever designed, intentionally evoking the shock and tragedy of the "Red Wedding" from Game of Thrones. Brennan noted that while other battles were challenging, none matched the intensity and stakes of that encounter, especially given Lapin’s critical spells that could have turned the tide. Had Zac succeeded on that roll, the group might have escaped unscathed, which would have changed subsequent events, like Gloomstalker Liam's arc and the presence of other characters such as Peppermint Preston. Brennan reflected on how A Crown of Candy was uniquely unpredictable, with an open-ended structure that meant any character could die at any moment, unlike the more linear mystery-driven Fantasy High. Siobhan mused on the what-ifs of playing their alternate characters, lamenting the paths never taken. The discussion underscored how that single roll could have shifted the entire narrative of A Crown of Candy, leading to wildly different outcomes.
- Lou wished that Fabian could have landed a series of crits against Captain James Whitclaw during their iconic duel in the crow's nest. Brennan recalled that moment, admitting he'd considered how different things might have been if Fabian had rolled a Nat 20 instead of the infamous Nat 1 after delivering his powerful and intimidating speech. In the original scene, Fabian’s kick missed spectacularly, but Brennan mused that had the attack been a critical hit, he might have let Fabian’s blow instantly kill Whitclaw. Brennan explained that while Captain James was a personal nemesis for Fabian, his death wouldn’t have shortened the season, given the other ongoing storylines, like Adaine being hunted by elves. Reflecting on the potential narrative shift, Brennan playfully imagined Fabian's kick being so forceful that it would’ve punctured Whitclaw’s heart, sending him flying out of the crow’s nest, instantly resolving their rivalry in an epic and absurd fashion.
From Tom: "Hey gang, I've got a food question. What condiments do you and your PCs consider essentials to have at home? Hope you are all staying safe and thanks for your incredible season and show that has made 2020 more bearable."
- Lou said both he and Kingston are devoted to hot sauce, specifically vinegary ones like Louisiana Hot Sauce or Crystal.
- Zac imagined Ricky as someone who eats plain chicken breasts with a bit of barbecue sauce — a classic, no-frills condiment for his protein-heavy diet.
- Siobhan shared that Iga would enjoy something like smoked paprika sour cream — a flavorful, creamy accompaniment.
- Brennan didn't have a specific character answer but mentioned that he and his partner Izzy love to add cinnamon to their coffee grounds, sometimes mixing it with cardamom and black pepper for a chai-like flavor.
- Ally expressed their current favorite as curry ketchup, which they discovered during a homemade bratwurst and mulled wine feast.
From Licks at fissile sprung: "Very important question for the whole cast. What is your favorite type of pasta? And is there a specific dish? You like it in best. PS, thank you for making the show. It brings me a lot of joy and I hope you and yours are safe and healthy."
- Siobhan: Loves lasagna, especially when made the traditional way with béchamel sauce instead of ricotta, emphasizing the buttery richness of this preparation.
- Zac: Prefers a classic angel hair spaghetti with his brother-in-law’s slow-cooked meat sauce, which includes meatballs, sausages, and ribs. It’s a special holiday dish he enjoys for days.
- Brennan: Favors fettuccine in general, with a preference for carbonara. However, he also appreciates a rich fettuccine Alfredo, noting it’s a dish that requires a post-meal lie-down due to its heaviness.
- Lou: Agrees with Brennan on Alfredo being delicious but admits it’s so rich that it makes him want to lie down right after eating. He late adds baked ziti for its simplicity—cheese, sauce, and the oven, without the fuss of a béchamel sauce like in lasagna. He claims he’s "never met a baked ziti he didn’t like",
- Ally admits that they "don't like pasta" and avoids it, especially due to dietary sensitivities. However, they're open to gluten-free noodles, particularly in a ramen context, though it's not their go-to. Instead, Ally prefers nachos over pasta dishes.
From Sephiroth Geller: "favorite pie?"
- Siobhan: Loves lemon meringue pie, as well as custard tarts (especially those from England, topped with nutmeg). She also enjoys Bakewell tart, a pie with raspberry jam and almond frangipane.
- Lou: Prefers bean pie, a sweet custard pie made from Navy beans, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, and spices. He shared nostalgic memories of getting bean pie from a street vendor. He also enjoys pecan pie and pumpkin pie.
- Zac: Likes pecan pie and pumpkin pie, calling pumpkin pie perfect for breakfast when served with coffee.
- Ally: Enjoys pumpkin pie with coffee, calling it a great combination, but otherwise prefers lemon desserts, expressing a strong dislike for cake as dessert in any other flavour but tolerating pumpkin pie as the exception.
- Brennan: Enjoys pumpkin pie, especially if it's homemade with a graham cracker crust and topped with whipped cream. He also dislikes citrus in desserts but likes chess pie, an honorable mention, due to its delicious taste at Milk Bar.
Trivia[]
- Brennan casually announces his engagement to his fiancé Izzy publicly in this episode, with permission
- The episode title, “Character Assassination,” is a recurring joke throughout the episode. Brennan repeatedly uses the phrase, often in a humorous and exaggerated manner, whenever the cast teases or criticizes him.
- When Siobhan jokes that Brennan’s first improvisation was splitting his pants on stage, he responds with “Character assassination! Character assassination!”
- At the end of the episode, when the cast suggests that the episode itself is a form of character assassination against Brennan, he leans into the microphone and whispers, “Character assassination.”