Daniel talks to Killua about DnD basics, he gets to have a little fun.

A\N: I have not played DnD (But I want to, one day), so I will fuck up rules… and I'll make mistakes. However, I hope this will be a little bit of a fun experience. I'll try to follow DnD fifth Edition mechanics… to the best of my ability, but he'll be covering basics.

He won't be helping Killua roll a character. That will come later, with Iason's help.

Daniel pulled out his tablet, setting it down in the middle of a table. With a basic template in front of Killua, he scrolled through the fifth edition book, trying to find a spot where to start. That was until he remembered one crucial detail…

Killua had no idea what the game Dungeons and Dragons, was about.

"I just realised, explaining mechanics without explaining what the game is about, is like telling you how to throw a touchdown, without telling you what sport you're playing." As Killua raised an eyebrow, Daniel cleared his throat "Basic answer, it's a combination of multiple types, dependant on how the DM runs their session. Usually, it's dictated verbally, the DM describing the situation, your surroundings, any enemies, etc."

The man searched through google, showing images that would best represent his explanation "They might run it with a document open on their laptop, noting key points in the area, he could be overlooking a board that has figurines representing pieces of the room, or they could be a classic DM, with a pencil and paper in hand, with everything written down as they scrub and change details while the game progresses. Each game is different, no game turning out the same as a simple dice roll could screw you over, or progress the game into hilarious, unpredictable situations. For example, a guy's rolls were so terrible, that he accidentally flirted with the villain, rather than harming them… it didn't help that the DM rolling for the villain got equally terrible rolls. He ended up rolling a Nat 20, which is when you roll a twenty on a twenty-sided dice… that being a game-changer."

The man smirked at his friend "Rolling Nat twenty can be a game-breaker… especially if you roll two in a row. That Goblin that had two hp left, well you smacked it so hard with your club, not only its bones shattered to pieces, its blood and guts got caked across the cave walls like an art piece with zero direction."

"That's… a little overkill, descriptive-wise."

"Exactly! Anyways, the guy rolled a Nat twenty when he got so frustrated and stated he was going to seduce the villain out of their criminal ways. Everyone but the guy laughed about the situation. Under normal situations, it wouldn't be possible… even if you rolled a few Nat twenties in a roll, the game wouldn't allow you to seduce the final boss in a game. Especially… if his Charisma is low."

"Charisma?"

"It's pretty much your negotiation stat, in layman terms. It affects your ability to bribe, bluff, intimidate, barter, etc. The other stats are Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence and Wisdom."

The man held up a finger, explaining each stat "Strength, affects your melee power, your ability to bash locks, Athletics. Dexterity, besides your armour class, it can also affect your range damage and hit chance. That also includes acrobatics, stealing and stealth. Constitution, basically your Hitpoints, or health. Intelligence… well it's in the name. It boosts Arcana, History, Investigations, Nature and Religion stat. Wisdom… it's similar to Intelligence, but it's more for holy-type classes. Clerics and Paladins, for example. More about that later. The last was of course Charisma, but I already told you about that."

The man started to scroll through the E-book "Before I talk about classes and the other juicy stuff… I first have to tell you more about the game as I went off the path so to speak. Besides rolling affecting games, we have the story… of course. We've got pre-written stories; ones about areas like Waterdeep… Eye of Beholder, for example. Sword Coast… Baldur's gate… Forgotten Realms… These are areas within the game history. There are other examples, but there are side stories and histories within those locations that game editions are based around. It can be as simple as going to slay a dragon, to uncovering the plot of who killed a King. Then there are those DMs that can build worlds within these worlds. Creating their own stories which players, like you'll be… be able to play. The game can be played from any direction, it's up to the DM…"

"So, who is the DM, exactly?"

"The Dungeon Master…?" Daniel hummed as he thought about it, "Most likely Iason or Meleoron. I'm not sure. Shoot dabbles, but he prefers being a player like Knuckle… if Iason is DM, you'll be fine… If Meleoron is, he'll be annoyed, but Iason will help you along the way."

"So… The Dungeon Master or DM will control the story?"

"They'll control the progression and the main bulk, but the players will control what path they take."

"Sounds easy enough. So how do classes come into this?"

"First, we'll talk about the races… then we'll do classes."

"Races?"

"Well, if I use us as an example. My race is Human, you'll be Valiskarian."

"Right…"

"We have the basics… Humans, Dwarfs, Elves, Halflings, Half-Elves, Gnomes, Half-Orcs, Tieflings and Dragonborn. There are subraces of some of them. For example, a Dwarf can be a Duergar. Each class has their pros and cons, but I'll leave that to a DM to talk about when you go to roll your character. It's better if a DM helps you, rather than me… the guy who hasn't played a game for a loooong time."

"Okay…"

"Now for the classes… now this is why I talked about races and stats first, before classes. Classes focus on certain stats. Barbarian, for example, is strength… The others include Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard and Artificer. There are of course subclasses of each, like a Rogue can be a Thief, Swashbuckler, an assassin… it really, depends on the type of build you're going for. Speaking of Build, if you were to build a Barbarian, you'd want to go with a Dragonborn or Half-Orc, both provide plus two to strength, the best stat for the class."

"What do you play…?"

Daniel awkwardly scratched the side of his cheek "A Tiefling Warlock…"

"Why a warlock?"

"Because it goes against what I study? The dark arts… fiendish magic… otherworldly beings…" The man paused for a second, "I ironically said that to an alien."

"What?"

"Otherworldly being… Anyways, I'd play that or a bard cause I'm a sucker for Charisma-based classes. And who doesn't want to be a mage that summons the creatures of hell, the otherworld to do their bidding… Bard because, he has a musical touch… swaying friends and foes alike on his Lute."

"Lute…?"

"Musical instrument it looks like…" The man pulled up the picture of a Lute "Like this one."

"Hmm…" Killua looked at the image, it seemed familiar, "It looks similar to our… what would the human translation be? Talodah?"

"Can you describe what it looks like?"

They went on to describe it, pointing out several of its features.

"It doesn't sound like a Lute… it sounds closer to our version of a guitar. Except for being way more advanced, given from the sound of things, you can connect it remotely to a speaker."

"Not necessarily remotely. You can't connect it to your neighbour's speakers and blast them in the middle of the night. It has to be pre-connected to the speakers, and on the day, you plan to use them, so that, you can't hijack another's Music Concert. Speaking of which… do you play any musical instruments?"

"I can play the flute…" Accidental sexual joke, thankfully, Killua will not register "and a little bit of the violin. But don't expect me to serenade you with my musical gifts… what about you?"

"Nah, it wasn't a part of my itinerary…"

"Aww… While I do not have any musical talents, music can be a great thing to have. Especially when you need to fill the silence. Do you at least listen to music?"

"I dabbled, but never had the chance to properly… Most of it was in the background."

Daniel flicked through the tabs, opening YouTube. He scrolled through his list of music, trying to find specifically, an instrumental song… the kind without lyrics. Hitting play, Virulence by Fractal Dreamers ran in the background "How's this?"

Killua listened intently, trying to pick apart the music. Human music sounded… different. When the music shifted, the beat got louder, deafening their sensitive hearing. The ears flickered at the noise, a low complaint escaping their throat from the disturbing noise "It's rough… agitating on the ears."

"Hmm…" The man stopped the music, scrolling through his list once more. He stopped on one song, dropping the volume down lower just in case it was also a factor in his poor friend's sensitive hearing "How about this?" He played the next song, Thy Sleep Shall be Sweet by Efisio Cross "Better?"

"Actually… it is… it's softer on my ears."

"Good…" Daniel left it running in the background, making sure the video stops at the end, and not randomly playing another video clip. He gave his friend a soft smile, "I'm glad there are some songs you can listen to… although, I'd advise you if the DM does play any background music, ask if they can turn the volume down. Tell them you have sensitive hearing… they'll understand. Although, given that you'll be playing a game, it might not be as loud. It'll be basic fantasy background music. Especially, if Iason is DM…"

"The more you talk about Iason, the more I want to meet him."

"He's a great friend to have… I hear his also a great boyfriend, mainly from Gon… But he hypes up all of his partners. Sakura included. Sakura may be shy… but once you get him to open up, he plus Iason is… the perfect duo, out of the trio."

"What do you mean by perfect duo out of the trio?"

"Gon, Sakura and Iason are dating each other. They're in a polyamorous relationship."

"I remember you mentioning that, but I don't believe you ever told me what that means."

"Ah… If you're dating one person, you're monogamous. If you're in a relationship, with two or more people it's polyamorous. If you're monogamous, and your partner is polyamorous, you could technically have an open relationship. Where one side or both sides can see other people…"

"I guess… Valiskarians are mostly Polyamorous, with very few, strictly being Monogamous then…"

"And you?"

"Polyamorous… I guess." Killua thought it over. From their few interactions, they guess they'd lean more on that side. But in their ideal situation, Monogamous sounds better for them. They like the appeal of having one partner to spend their life with. Polyamorous, if they want to just have fun with other partners.

"You guess…"

"What's wrong?" Killua shifted their gaze, curious as to why Daniel looked saddened by the news. Were they missing something?

Daniel felt disheartened at the news. It wasn't that Killua was Polyamorous, he has dated one or two were on that spectrum. One ended in disaster; the other was it was difficult for the two of them. They were trying to get him involved, which was nice and all… but he was there to only date them.

He was being supportive, telling them that he won't stop them from being who they are to the core. Hell, they went as far as to update him on every single guy they were seeing, Daniel, getting involved only as far to check some of them out.

In the end, they agreed, that breaking up was better for them.

It was a clean break, a comfortable one at that…

They might find the person better for each of them and he can do the same. Last he heard, they were dating someone else, who had another two partners of his own.

However, so far, it hasn't been good for him. But he's back in this position again… liking someone who might be Polyamorous, who may want to date others, not just himself. Breaking out into a smile, he tried his hardest to not betray his internal struggle.

Unfortunately, his tone did that for him "It's nothing…" the man sighed, "I'm just reminded of the situation yet again… I'm single, you're hot and you could probably get whoever you want… but as another species, you're limited with who you can date."

"Thanks for the reminder…" The alien let out a huff of annoyance. Then it struck them… why did Daniel mention he was single?

They were about to ask, but Daniel was already moving on "Where was I in the long list of rules before I diverted…"

Killua closed their mouth. He's not ready to talk… He's not ready to tell me why he's acting this way… when I want to know "Last thing I remember is playing background Music…"

"Oh, I was talking about classes then tried to bridge it into music. This is why I brought up Iason as DM. Bringing it back topic the topic at hand, you're going to be looked after if he's the DM. Because sometimes, he makes up his own, campaigns, and stories… building them within these worlds. Since you're new, he might create a miniature world where you can join in, without first knowing what happened previously. Building the plot off of the current story like a side quest, where you can be severely under levelled, without suffering too much… no matter how much the others are over levelled when compared to you."

"He'll do this because… why?"

"He'll want you to have fun on your first adventure."

A small crack appeared on Killua's face "Have fun…" I think I'll have fun either way. Sounds like an interesting concept "So how exactly, do you play?"

"I'll give you a scenario so you can understand, but it'll require a little world-building. First, let's choose a race and class, doesn't matter which… we won't go in-depth, just enough to use it in context."

"Okay…" Killua thought about it, which one will work for them? Should they play into their upbringing… or try not to look suspicious "Which one feels… non-Human?"

Daniel raises an eyebrow, a little confused at the statement "Everyone… but the human?"

"No, I mean which one is the least human…"

"It's a toss-up. If you're talking the least number of human traits, Dragonkin, Half-Orc or Tiefling… if you're talking humanoid, then… every other class, besides humans. You pick."

"What if I said… closer to resembling me?"

Daniel's expression fell "Elf or Tiefling."

"Tiefling Rogue, then…"

Daniel tilted their face slightly to the right, "Is there a specific reason for your previous question?"

"Just curious what you'd say about me…"

"You picked the demonic-looking entity, so here goes…"

As Killua's expression fell, Daniel changed the music, picking something generic with a milder calm tone. With a smile, he began his short introduction story, "I'll take a page out of Iason's book for this one… The door of a Tavern swung open; the blistering cold of the night sky entered through the open doorway. The once loud and boisterous venue silenced, not a peep as your cloaked figure entered the building. You glance around carefully, trying not to jostle the hood of your cloak, lest it falls, announcing your heritage to the crowd. When the door slammed shut, the tavern returned to its loud volume, the patrons returning to talk amongst themselves, ignoring your presence."

Killua was looking at Daniel, expecting the man to continue, "And…?"

"Here's where you step in… so you've got some choices, the pick is up to you."

"So, I can walk up to the nearest person and stab them?"

"You could… but that would be a concerning approach to the beginning of the game. What are you going for, a Chaotic Evil character?"

"A what now…?"

"Oh, right… alignments. You got Good, Neutral and Evil… each coming with its own, flavour. True, Lawful and Chaotic."

"You barely gave me any context. Besides, it was once a loud, tavern and it's blistering cold outside."

"That is true…" Daniel sighed, "Okay, how about this I'll give you three locations to focus on."

"Sounds good."

"You take note of three spots, the empty unused table, dirtied by the flagon from its previous owner. The barstool near the barkeeper and the patrons gambling at the table, an empty spot unclaimed. Where do you go?"

"I'll go… to the barstool."

"Your character heads to the barstool, taking the unclaimed seat, head down. The barkeeper takes note of your secretive behaviour. With a smile, he addresses you, asking what you want? He hands you a list. With not many coppers in your pocket, you can order a cheap beer or a small meal. Now, remember, you can shift the conversation by tone as well. You can address them politely, act dismissively… or be arrogant, how you talk in person may change depending on how you approach the situation. It's a good reminder to have, given that your tone comes off as dismissive, in nature."

"So, I can say… I politely ask for x?"

"Or you can say it like." Daniel coughed, clearing his throat, before giving an example of each scenario.

Killua thought it over, "Alright…" Clearing their throat, Daniel interrupted them "You don't have to physically clear your throat between each interaction. I had to because it's had to switch between tones after vomiting up a scenario."

Killua gave a nod, "I point at the menu, asking for the small meal."

"With a nod, the bartender took notice of your gentle tone, happy to comply. He was glad to not serve an arrogant drunk for once in his life."

"Thank you…"

"I live to please…" Daniel smiled gently, "He yelled out to the back, putting your order through before returning to serve other patrons. What do you want to do as your wait? Sit there in silence, or have another look around?"

"I'd prefer to have a look around."

"Facing the crowd, you first notice that the two previous locations were taken. A large clocked individual sits at the gambling table, a hand swiping at his winnings as his opponents annoyingly demand them for another game, hoping they could regain some of their losses. He looks in your direction for a second before looking back at the table, going for another game. Where the empty table was, a shaky man's frame stares back, annoyingly asking what you're staring at?"

"I turn away, I know enough to not get involved with those kinds of people."

"Annoyed by your lack of response, he gets up, stumbling with great difficulty towards you. His arm slings over your shoulder, breath stinking of cheap booze. He repeats his question."

"I shove him off… he can barely walk, so he won't be getting up."

"Normally you'd roll for initiative at this moment, but-"

"What do you mean by, roll for initiative?"

"Certain circumstances can have different outcomes, depending on your luck. The DM will decide in the scenario… for example, you need to roll a twenty-sided die, with twelve and up being a success. Eleven and down will result, in failure. For this situation, failure means he stays slung over you, while success means he falls on his arse. But… I won't make you roll for this situation, it's merely me bringing you through an example campaign."

Daniel held out his hand, dismissing the idea of having Killua do any of that for right now. All he wanted was for them to get an idea of how a campaign would run "Due to his toxicity, he stumbles backwards, pulling off your hood in the process. Your heritage is accidentally revealed in the process. Thankfully, due to the situation you were in, the hooded figure who was gambling early had already moved toward you. He was hoping to just guide the drunk fool away, but when the drunk pulled your hood down, he instead lifted your hood, throwing it over your head before anyone could realise what is happening. The towering figure lifted the drunken fool up, slipping a few coppers into his hand before directing them back to their table. With the drunk bribed, the figure stands before you."

"I'll thank them, but tell them as it wasn't needed."

"With a nod, the large figure takes a seat beside you. He quietly whispers what a strong independent Tiefling, huh. You don't see too many of those around these parts. Placing a hand on the table, you notice his black scaly skin… your rescuer was a Dragonkin. At that point, you could tell him to fuck off or point out his a Dragonkin, which is equally not a standard to the region… I feel like I've shown you enough of the game to get the full picture. What do you think?"

"I'm curious… was the Dragonkin a stand-in for your character?"

"Too obvious?" Daniel quirked a smile.

"Very obvious… but I think it could be fun and interesting. It'll be strange to try at the start, but I get the gist of the game."

"I'm glad I could assist you on this fine, blistering cold night, Mysterious Tiefling."

Killua burst into laughter, unaware of the man's soft smile being directed at them.

A\N: If I were to play, I'd choose the race Shifter, Tabaxi or Dragonkin… Warlock. Warlock, cause it's by far the coolest class, to me. The races… cause why not.