I never thought I’d be out here representing a Dungeons and Dragons show. But I am gobsmacked by how much I’m enjoying the latest season of Dimension 20.
While using a modified ruleset of Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, the focus of this season (A Court of Fey and Flowers) is on the Bloom. A magical event within the fey realms, where all of the nobility of different fey houses gather and share tea and crumpets. Magical tea and crumpets.
You may have guessed it, but it’s regency roleplay.
Think Jane Austen, Bridgerton, or High Society, the card game where the poorest player gets shunned. It’s a cruel world of wit and wonder, where everyone’s wealth is measured in reputation and dress. Where everyone’s so reserved that the smallest of gestures has the biggest of impacts.
Aabriya Iyengar, as a game master, has magnificently crafted this world. She has an uncanny knack for taking small moments and pouring emotion into them like chardonnay into a crystal flute.
It makes for compelling watching, where even a newbie like me can follow along, and I’m dying to learn the next part of the story.
Introducing the Court
Outside of Aabriya, there are six other members of nobility surrounding the table.
Squak Airavis & Chirp Featherfowl – Lords of the Wing
Lord Squak Airavis, Earl of Peckersberg played by Lou Wilson, and Lady Chirp Featherfowl, Countess of Cluckingham, played by Emily Axford are tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum. By reputation, they are troublemakers. Only this year, their Grandfather – inventor of birds and who is very much alive – has put them on their best behaviour. Now tasked with finding a love match and fighting their urge to be party fowls, their antics are nothing short of hilarious.
Captain K. P. Hob – Goblin Court
Next, we have Captain K. P. Hob, a venerated soldier of the Goblin Court played by Brennan Lee Mulligan. While not nobility, he’s accompanying the Lord Blemish and Lady Boil of the Goblin Court. He is using his time to spy and gain intel on the other houses at the Bloom. K. P. Hob stands out not only because he has no pants. But because his nature of honour and duty is at ends with the court he represents.
Prince Andhera – Unseelie Court
Then from the Unseelie Court, we have Prince “Pillar Boy” Andhera played by Omar Najam. This is his first Bloom as an adult. He has a lot to prove, but still, he’s this Bloom’s most eligible bachelor.
Gwyndolin Thistle-hop & Delloso de la Rue – Court of Wonder
Finally, from the Court of Wonder, we have Gwyndolin Thistle-hop played by Surena Marie, and the Master of Ceremonies, Delloso de la Rue played by Oscar Montoya.
Gwyndolin is a mysterious guest who seems to have been invited by mistake. However, we quickly learn that’s only the start of their mystery.
Meanwhile, Delloso de la Rue is the Bloom’s organiser. They’ve been in charge of running the Bloom for so long that it’s become tedious. Yet there’s something special about this Bloom and Rue find themselves more and more involved with the activities.
As an aside, Rue is also the most fashionable character. Whenever Rue reveals a new outfit it is the highlight of the episode.
No dungeons or dragons, how does it work?
For starters, and probably why I enjoy it so, A Court of Fey and Flowers is focused heavily on roleplay. Moments of combat are sparse and not carried in the traditional manner of maps and miniatures but through – I wave my hand through the air – imagination.
Another oddity is that instead of the party working together, each character has their own court and goals. Goals that are often at cross purposes with the other characters. Creating tense moments of roleplay, where everyone knows what’s going on, and what’s at stake… except for the characters.
It leads to complex relationship dynamics, which are then egged on by the secrets and relationships the players have withheld from one another. These secrets are revealed one by one over the episodes. Leaving viewers and players slack-jawed from the shock.
To add more spice, at the start of some sessions, players spread rumours and start scandals throughout the series. By adding a rumour, players can change the known information around the table. Introducing new conflicts they all must navigate.
Finally, each player has a reputation track that moves throughout the series, depending on how the public views each character. Characters with high reputations receive treatment like the nobility they are, while those with lower reputations…
Well, the less said about them, the better!
Where to watch Dimension 20, and what else to watch
Unfortunately, the only way you can watch Dimension 20 is through the CollegeHumor subscription service, DropOut.tv.
Now in defence of yet another subscription service, unlike bigger services, DropOut feels small and independent. Where your money isn’t swallowed by the CEO’s bonus, or given as tribute to the almighty shareholder.
Instead, it feels like a real investment into these performers who I’ve grown to enjoy watching over various shows. But, money is money, and given the skyrocketing cost of living, you need to be a conscientious spender. Therefore, to make the most out of your subscription, you should also watch the shows outlined below.
Game Changer
A hilarious grab bag of a game show where the rules change every episode. From the contestants making different sounds based on prompts, to selling weird items, to a game of comedy Survivor. No matter what they’re doing though, you’ll get a laugh!
Unless you’re watching that one episode.
Um, Actually…
A nerd trivia show hosted by Mike Trapp, where he gives the contestants an incorrect statement and they have to find the inaccuracies. The guests might not be the most knowledgeable geeks on the planet, but they are all likable. Additionally, you get to put your nerd cred to the test, where even if you can’t get the answer right you still get to learn more about nerd culture. While Um, Actually isn’t a super serious affair, it does make for great comfort watching.
Play It by Ear
This show is coming out in September and I couldn’t be more excited. Based on an episode of Game Changer, each episode will attempt to create an improvised musical based on prompts from the host. If it’s anything like the episode it’s based on, it will be equal parts funny, and impressive.
There are numerous other great shows like Total Forgiveness, Dirty Laundry, Make Some Noise, and a never-ending stream of Dimension 20 content. All of these shows are largely improv, and panel format, which I find is a perfect counterbalance to all the other scripted television I watch.
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