Beacon Academy was buzzing with excitement as Winter Schnee and Penny Polendina returned from Atlas for an extended visit. After a couple of weeks fulfilling obligations in Atlas, the duo had finally returned to Beacon, ready to rejoin the group's antics—and their beloved D campaign.

Penny practically launched herself into Ruby's arms, spinning her in a joyous hug. "Ruby! I've missed you and our adventures so much!"

Ruby laughed as Penny twirled her. "Penny! We missed you too! And Winter, welcome back!"

Winter offered a small smile, nodding in greeting. "It's good to be back. Though I suspect I'm walking into chaos, as always."

Yang leaned against the table with a grin. "Oh, you have no idea. Last time? Bacon grease. Boots. Pyrrha yelling about her knees. Girl's Night was wild."

Winter raised an eyebrow at Pyrrha, who groaned and waved the comment off. "Please don't remind me."

Weiss cleared her throat, stepping forward with the poise of a conductor about to lead an orchestra. "Now that you're both back, we'll be starting a new campaign. And this time, I am the Dungeon Master. So prepare yourselves for an adventure of sophistication, structure, and brilliance."

Ruby rolled her eyes. "Sophistication? Brilliance? It's D , Weiss, not a corporate board meeting."

Weiss smirked. "Says the DM who used bacon grease as a problem solver."

Pyrrha groans as she slams her head on the table, leaving Jaune confused.

Weiss introduced their new roles with dramatic flair.

Weiss: "Winter, your character is Lady Althea Frostblade, an arcane knight of unmatched precision and power. You have the ability to summon almost anything you desire—armor, weapons, shields, even food—but you cannot summon a giant knight."

Winter frowned. "Why not a giant knight?"

Weiss shrugged. "Narrative limitations. It's part of your arc."

Penny leaned forward excitedly. "What about me?"

Weiss: "Penny, you will play Lyra Harmonix, a robotic bard with retractable wings for flight. Your enchanted lute can charm anyone who listens to your music, but for safety, your teammates will need to wear earmuffs when you play."

Penny gasped in delight. "That sounds so fun! Flying and music!"

Winter studied her character sheet, her expression unreadable. "This seems… unnecessarily complicated."

Weiss smirked. "It's called nuance, Winter. You'll thank me later."

The Adventure Begins

The party gathered in Weiss's carefully crafted world: the bustling city of Azurehaven, teeming with merchants, musicians, and mysteries.

Weiss (as DM): "You find yourselves in the central square, the sun warm on your backs as merchants hawk their wares. The city is alive with music and chatter, but there's an air of tension in the streets. Your mission is to find the Crimson Shard, a relic said to hold immense power. But beware: danger lurks in every shadow."

As the group navigated the marketplace, they stumbled upon a cloaked figure offering a glowing vial to Blake's character, Selene.

Weiss: "The merchant beckons you, Selene, and whispers, 'This potion is not for the faint of heart. Do you dare drink it?'"

Blake's eyes narrowed. "What's the catch?"

Weiss: "That's for you to discover. Do you drink it or not?"

Blake glanced at the table, then shrugged. "Screw it. Selene drinks it."

The dice clattered as Weiss instructed her to roll. It landed on a natural 1, making Blake going eyes-wide. Weiss's smirk widened.

Weiss: "Oh, dear. Selene, you feel a strange sensation wash over you. Everyone around you now appears as candy. This curse, aptly named Sweet Tooth, fills you with an insatiable craving for sweets. You will roll for willpower whenever you're tempted to take a bite of your party members."

Blake groaned. "What kind of candy are they?"

Weiss: "Roll to find out."

Blake rolled, and Weiss consulted her notes with wicked glee.

Weiss: "Winter's character is a peppermint knight. Penny's is a candied apple. Pyrrha's is a red licorice adventurer."

Blake braced herself. "And Yang's character?"

Weiss smiled. "A giant caramel-filled, chocolate-dipped marshmallow."

Blake slumped in her chair as the table erupted into laughter. "You're kidding."

Yang grinned and wiggled her eyebrows. "So, you think I'm sweet, huh?"

Blake sighed. "Don't tempt me. I'm cursed!"

The group couldn't help but act out the ridiculous scenario.

Blake leaned forward, her expression filled with faux hunger. "Selene locks eyes with Mira"—she motioned to Yang—"and licks her lips. She tries not to think about marshmallows. Or caramel. Or taking a big bite out of Mira's head."

Yang smirked and leaned back dramatically. "Whoa, whoa! Hands off the chocolate marshmallow!"

Ruby burst out laughing. "This is ridiculous!"

Weiss pointed at Blake. "Roll for willpower."

Blake's dice landed on a 4.

Weiss: "Selene lunges toward Mira with alarming speed, teeth bared."

Yang pushed her chair back, acting out Mira's reaction. "Get back, you candy-craving maniac!"

Blake, trying not to laugh, pretended to be held back by Jaune's character, a noble paladin. "I can't help it! You look delicious!"

The group dissolved into laughter as Weiss kept the narration going, enjoying every moment of Blake's torment.

THE FLIRTY KING

The group sat at the table, three hours into Weiss's carefully crafted campaign. Snack wrappers and soda cans were strewn about as everyone leaned into their characters. The tension was high as Weiss, the Dungeon Master, set the stage for their latest encounter.

Weiss adjusted her posture and voice, her delivery theatrical.

Weiss (as DM): "The grand double doors of the castle creak open, revealing a magnificent hall of marble and gold. A red carpet stretches from the entrance to a gilded throne, where a man of striking appearance lounges with an air of confidence. King Andvar, with flowing golden locks and a jeweled crown, stands as you approach, his eyes gleaming with interest."

She leaned forward, adopting an overly smooth, honeyed tone.

Weiss (as King Andvar): "Welcome, adventurers. You stand in the presence of greatness. But tell me, who is this radiant being that graces my hall with her fiery beauty?"

Ruby's eyes darted around the table. "Uh… who's he talking to?"

Weiss smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "You, Emberia Flare."

Ruby groaned, realizing Weiss was targeting her character specifically. "Why me?!"

Weiss didn't miss a beat, her expression as smug as ever.

Weiss (as King Andvar): "Because you shine brighter than the sun itself. Emberia Flare, a name that burns into my heart as fiercely as the flames you wield. Truly, fate has blessed me this day. Gods, you truly are beautiful!!"

The table erupted into laughter.

Yang: "Oh my God, Weiss! Are you actually flirting with Ruby right now?!"

Ruby: "No, Weiss is flirting with Emberia! Which is somehow worse!"

Blake leaned back, smirking. "This is the best thing that's ever happened. Please don't stop."

Jaune struggled to keep a straight face. "This is amazing. Ruby, roll to, uh, resist the king's charm?"

Ruby crossed her arms, clearly flustered. "I'm not rolling for anything! Weiss, can we please skip this part?"

Weiss tapped her DM screen, her tone as innocent as ever. "Oh, but this is integral to the story. Emberia Flare, do you accept King Andvar's invitation to a private dinner?"

Ruby's jaw dropped. "Private dinner?! Weiss, stop!"

Penny, ever the optimist, chimed in. "Oh, Ruby! Emberia should say yes! Perhaps it will help the quest!"

Ruby: "No! We're here for the Crimson Shard, not for… whatever this is!"

Weiss, thoroughly enjoying Ruby's discomfort, leaned in again.

Weiss (as King Andvar): "The Crimson Shard? Ah, yes, but surely we can discuss such matters over a feast? For you, Emberia, I would have the castle's chefs prepare only the finest dishes."

Ruby buried her face in her hands as the group dissolved into hysterics.

Ruby: "Weiss, I swear, if you don't stop, I'm throwing my dice at you."

Yang: "Come on, Ruby. It's not every day a king falls head over heels for you. Let Emberia shine!"

Blake: "Plus, you might get free treasure out of it."

Ruby peeked out from behind her hands, glaring at Blake. "You're supposed to be cursed with Sweet Tooth! Shouldn't you be trying to eat Yang or something?"

Blake shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, don't worry. That'll happen soon enough. But for now, I'm here for the drama."

Ruby groaned, slumping in her chair. "Fine. Emberia tells the king… thank you for the invitation, but we need the Crimson Shard. No dinner. No flirting. Just the shard."

Weiss, as the king, looked theatrically wounded.

Weiss (as King Andvar): "Ah, my heart breaks! But your wish is my command. The shard will be yours… once you prove yourselves worthy."

Ruby: "Of course. There's always a catch."

Weiss: "Naturally. This is Dungeons & Dragons, Ruby."

The group erupted into laughter again, the memory of Weiss's flirty king antics destined to live on for weeks.

THE SURPRISE QUEST

Weiss shuffled her notes, a mischievous gleam in her eye. "Alright, adventurers, you think your mission is complete, but as you begin to celebrate your success, a cloaked figure bursts into the room."

She motioned to Jaune. "Jaune, you're the messenger. Take it away."

Jaune, surprised, pointed at himself. "Wait, me? Seriously?"

Weiss nodded. "Yes. Use your best 'urgent news' voice. Sell it."

Jaune grinned, straightening up in his chair. He cleared his throat, dramatically lowering his voice into a deep, gravelly tone that immediately made everyone laugh.

Jaune (as the Messenger): "Heroes! A dire situation has arisen in the nearby village of Gloomshade!"

Yang snickered. "Gloomshade? What's with the depressing names in this campaign?"

Weiss: "Focus! This is serious!"

Jaune continued, trying to maintain his composure.

Jaune (as the Messenger): "The villagers are being plagued by… by a—"

He paused, unsure how to continue. Weiss mouthed a word at him, and his eyes widened in realization.

Jaune (as the Messenger): "—a plague of rabid… sentient turnips!"

The table exploded with laughter.

Yang: "Rabid turnips?! Weiss, what even is this campaign?"

Weiss groans in annoyance, but allows it to happen.

Ruby: "Oh no! What will we do? How will we survive the wrath of vegetable-kind?"

Jaune, trying not to laugh, raised a hand. "No, no, it's serious! These turnips have been terrorizing the village. They've chewed through crops, buildings, even the local tavern! The people are desperate!"

Penny tilted her head. "This does seem concerning. How sentient are these turnips?"

Weiss interjected, smirking. "Sentient enough to set traps and lead coordinated attacks. They're organized."

Blake: "Wait. So they're like… root vegetable commandos?"

Weiss: "Exactly. And they have a leader. The villagers call him… the Tuber Tyrant."

Jaune couldn't keep it together anymore, cracking up along with the group.

Yang: "Oh my God, Weiss, did you just create a turnip mafia?"

Weiss: "Yes, and you're going to deal with them. Now get into character!"

Jaune, still chuckling, adopted his messenger voice again.

Jaune (as the Messenger): "The Tuber Tyrant and his minions have taken over the village square. They've barricaded themselves in, and no one dares approach. The village council is offering a reward for anyone brave enough to root them out!"

Blake groaned. "Did you just say 'root them out'? Jaune, did you really?"

Jaune shrugged, grinning. "Weiss told me to say it."

Weiss: "Hey, it fits the theme!"

Ruby clapped her hands together. "Alright, team. This sounds ridiculous, but it's our job. Let's go squash some turnips!"

Yang leaned back, smirking. "I see what you did there, Rubes."

Ruby: "You're welcome."

Blake (as her character): "I don't know if I can fight them. What if they're delicious?"

Everyone turned to Blake, confused.

Yang: "Uh, what?"

Blake looked down at her sheet, then at Weiss. "Oh no. Do I still have the curse, by the way?"

Weiss grinned deviously. "Yes, Blake. The Sweet Tooth curse is still in effect. Every turnip you see will look like a glazed donut."

Blake groaned, dropping her head into her hands. "This is going to be a nightmare."

Blake's character turned toward Yang's character with a predatory gleam in her eye. "You're starting to look… really tasty."

Yang leaned back in mock horror. "Blake, no. Don't even think about it."

Blake: "But you're so sweet!"

Ruby, cracking up, waved her hands. "Alright, alright! Let's wrap this up before Blake tries to eat Yang. Weiss, what's next?"

Weiss smirked, savoring the chaos she'd created. "You arrive in Gloomshade to find the villagers cowering in fear. A barricade of crates and wagons blocks your view of the village square. But you can hear the sinister chants of the turnips beyond it… 'Mash the intruders! Peel their resolve!'"

The table erupted into laughter once again, the group's spirits high despite the ridiculous quest ahead.

As the laughter died down, Blake's character lunged at Yang's character, aiming for her neck.

Blake: "I can't help it! Marshmallow!"

Yang's chair screeched as she pushed herself back from the table. "Weiss, do something! She's gone feral!"

Weiss (barely containing her laughter): "And that's where we'll end tonight's session."

The room filled with groans and laughter as the group prepared to pick up the chaotic adventure next time.