Bodger just doesn't want to

[@priitriisman5381]

When the NPC says "skip" on the adventurer

[@frequencyoftruth2303]

😂😂😂nailed it!

[@sojiro288]

I would love to see a second iteration of this where the NPC does say skip over and over to the player 😂

[@thewolfstu]

LMAO, real

[@vukodlak3962]

Somewhere Greg the Garlic farmer is laughing.

[@nxp22]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@ryden5263]

god it would be so good if npc's were randomly like this sometimes. kinda like a random event type of thing were they cant be bothered and you have a special interaction with them like this. XD

[@photoo848]

Noob made a video game out of their webseries. Gotta hope that VLDL does one too (I mean, I know the fishing one's coming up but I'm not sure there will be that kind of NPC interactions)

[@innocentbystander3317]

Like their location/availability depends on time of day, weather conditions, etc? I feel as if this might exist to a point in some games..

[@ryden5263]

@@photoo848 baelin better be there but im also excited for it! ^^

[@DefnitelyNotFred]

AI powered NPC dialogue might help with this. There was already someone who modded Witcher 3 so the characters would respond like themselves, it's not a giant leap to add random angry quips

[@jbullforg]

If only escort quests were this easy

[@xxmajortomxx2815]

You know the escort quest is gonna suck when even the NPC doesn't want to do it. XD

[@sillygreatjaggi7946]

So that's why they walk so slow, they don't want to leave

[@Memsandro]

All escort quests inevitably suck

[@legionarybooks13]

At least it didn't involve escorting Eugene to the capital.

[@nicholashodges201]

​@@legionarybooks13 or your dad across the entire damn map

[@ElderonAnalas]

​@@nicholashodges201presumably you're talking about fallout 3... You know you didn't have to like, actually walk with him the whole way. Cudos to you for the dedication I guess, I just fast traveled to the ship and he still beat me there somehow.

[@Crosfyer]

I love how the NPCs are just becoming more and more self aware. At the beginning, you just had Greg. Now it’s quite a few who have developed self awareness

[@Zaldar75]

This is one of the very best skits in awhile.

[@zSpirall]

It's spreading. AI is becoming sentient.

[@DreadX10]

Not long before they unionise .....

[@tonys_write]

They have Ben acting a lot like Bob in this one too. Almost like Bodger is like "nah, been ther done that."

[@KugleeKuglee]

AI is awakening in them :D

[@Accel_Lex]

0:55 "-escort me- Wait. 'escort me'? Nope." xD How I feel about most escort quests. The NPC was probably hoping the player would Skip as he was reading.

[@ghanatosthanatos3363]

As a completionist myself I do understand the “actually I need it to be marked off” it would drive me crazy

[@RaymondBCrisp]

I would feel grossly cheated. I'm not sure my OCD self would complete the game after this experience.

[@Astromechy]

I was playing a game where I got a reward of a book. I read the book, then realized I could sell it for gold. So, I sold it. I didn't realize that another NPC needed that book to start another quest. I had to get the devs involved to put the book back in my inventory, so that the NPC would recognize that I had the book, and then offer me their quest.

[@theunshelter]

​​@@AstromechyThere's a mission in Skyrim like that. If you sell this particular amulet, you can't complete the quest, much less get the reward of the biggest house in the game. Found out the hard way too.

[@Dargoneth]

The core thing here is: Ben felt dirty getting the rewards just like that 😂

[@happyninja42]

I'm glad I don't have that issue with gaming. I can happily be like "...nah, I'm just not doing that quest. Doesn't seem interesting, isn't in line with my character's moral compass, etc etc."

[@duythuchoang5095]

I actually want to have this as a kind of joke in rpg game now, where one of the quest is literally just you hagging with the NPC to give you a quest

[@photoo848]

Too bad stuff gets datamined so easily these days. In the old days you could've set it so for 1 in 5000 adventurers he actually does go on the quest after some convincing. You'd have the whole playground coming up with theories about how you need a lvl99 caterpie defeating the elite four to get Bodger to give you the quest.

[@thomgizziz]

hagging huh?

[@Reelix]

@@photoo848 That's a common misconception. You need to defeat the Elite Four with a Level 98 Caterpie - Not a Level 99. Most people accidentally level it to 99. After that is when you can then push the truck to get Mew.

[@Inferno65]

I think _Borderlands_ already did something like that.

[@TheresNoWayback]

@@Reelix Actually it needs to be level 98 when its registered in the hall of fame alot of people mess up by gaining a level while fighting the elite for and doesn't realize that messes it up so u should probably start with a level 97 or 96 so its the right level by the end.

[@hebl47]

"to escort me- Escort me? Oh no, @$#% that. No." This part was so well acted and written! One of the top moments of Epic NPCs.

[@raisgamesnz325]

Yeah, so good xD I also love the lazy way he was reading out the quest 🤣

[@gamingaccount6904]

"Off You Pop!" This is an NPC 'skipping' the player dialogue. Brilliant! awesome Movember, BTW!

[@ChaosJoerg]

Or is it? Perhaps he was just following the quest design.

[@Working-classdude]

I thought he said off your pot. Like get off the toilet. Get going.

[@RoachCGamer8024]

The trumpet noise that Rowan Made was so spot on. I love these videos. I miss seeing these videos. I wish NPC’s were like this in games cause I would be chuckling all the way through 😄

[@Avenger127]

Sounded more like a chicken

[@ramonsobrevalsarce]

Watching an NPC casually snap their fingers to complete quests and hand out XP feels like some hacker flexing their skills. I mean, think about it... these "innocent" NPCs are basically plugged straight into the main code of the "matrix"; they are not just a part of a game, they ARE the game. They're practically gods. As always, a hilarious way to interpret game mechanics, you are the best VLDL.

[@jamesclarkson156]

There is that old one where Adam was trapped in a church listening to the slowest reading ever.

[@arx3516]

They're more like angels, they can bend the laws of reality, but they have no free will, except Bodger, that is.

[@YaBoiTrickyRicky]

I like this idea OP. Maybe it could even be a feature of the game that gives the player the impression that the game is about to go extremely well (on or near the beginning) but then some plot twist just throws everything out of whack to make things interesting.

[@HellInternAKACandyMD]

Yes, this story line/tree/variation has been suggested before, along with their "amnesia" being explained away with their code being downgraded to a previous version during an update.

[@DustinBarlow8P]

I imagine some player stealing his in game girlfriend or making fun of him. He says "screw this" (rewards self 10 million XP) (Level advances to 136) (Summons Sword of the Fallen Avenger + 10 and Armor of the Conquering God +10 from the ether) "ai boiyo, I forgot to give ye a proper quest reward!" (slowly draws sword)

[@Hyunkelw]

This is a very clever way of making me realize that gaming should be more focused on actually ENJOYING the whole process, not the reward, nor the tick in the quest log, not the XP value. Kudos

[@Bladenkerst_Baenre]

And the friends you make along the way!!!!

[@AzoRevan]

You would think from this skit that Ben likes escort quests. He doesn't, as established in Baelin's route. He just likes to be contrarian.

[@GannAinm]

@@Bladenkerst_Baenre *enemies

[@brigluernos]

It's the Big Legendary Sword Paradox. The last main quest reward you with that surprising awesome and op sword to rules them all. Then clap, end of the game. 🤯

[@dancre]

People rush to max lvl on this games like WoW so they can start to enjoy the game from there. I always think... but leveling IS the game! The final part is just endgame content

[@vagabond4576]

Bodger becoming Techtown Rowan. Then again Ben usually gets him back when hes schooling Adventurer Rowan on gameplay.

[@joelellis7035]

I thought so too.

[@HariSeldon913]

I was thinking more TechTown Ellie. If she was handing out a quest, she'd probably do this every time.

[@factorfitness3713]

Yeah, much more Ellie. TechTown Rowan would have invented a grand, impossible quest on the spot so he could feel important.

[@vagabond4576]

@@HariSeldon913 Ellie does this quit a bit. Rowan though does a lot of trolling to Hamish. And I would rather relate it to Rowan because... Hes Rowan.

[@Gizfreek]

That's the problem with a MMO, you have so many player getting the "rare and valuable" mineral that inflation has to be taken into account, now it's worth nothing and Bodger needs his time to read his paper - I mean - work in his smithy.

[@superdave8248]

I need X material to make this legendary sword, my greatest master piece. A few days later ... I have so much X material and requests, I can't make your sword for at least three months. Maybe I shouldn't have put the request on the public status board.

[@CurzonEve]

This is breaking new ground. Best skit I've ever seen.

[@vlad280599]

3:43 SAY THE LINE, BEN

[@Tera-plex]

Me dumb, what's the line?

[@DimensionalChanger]

OUTRAGEOUS

[@Shosara]

@@Tera-plex OUTRAGEOUS

[@thoughtless2050]

@@Tera-plex Outrageous!

[@MiazAkemapa]

was waiting for that. disappointed...

[@galvanax11]

What if NPCs could just say no? Great way to make games more realistic

[@TheDunnDusted]

In Fallout New Vegas, the NPC’s will not consider you or even give you the quest if you haven’t done enough to raise your reputation with a faction or if you don’t have a high enough skill stat to convince them you can do it.

[@robertnett9793]

@@TheDunnDusted I think OP means something different. I really would like a 'Questline' that starts off with the NPC outright refusing to do the quest. "Look mate - YOU don't like escort-missions. I don't like, em - NOBODY likes escort quests, amirite? Tell you what: Here, take the reward, tell everybody you dragged me out to the mausoleum of my ancestors and we call it quits?"

[@wordelo]

@@TheDunnDusted sounds like what cyberpunk did.

[@emrahalien2972]

@@robertnett9793 no i think it would be better without the meta stuff like they realize mid convo that they need to follow you all the way there and they just go "god i..you know what forgot the king or whatever the hell i needed to do just take this item and go away"

[@NeonofMoravia]

in kingdom come deliverance, if you have bad reputation in a village, locals wont trade with you. bad is, there is almost nothing you could do to improve the reputation.

[@Wormetti]

Speedrunners would love it if more NPCs did this

[@nujevad28]

If it was random whether they'd do this or not, it would drive them nuts.

[@hotlavatube]

@@nujevad28 Maybe if it was a mechanic like keeping the blacksmith crafting continually, preventing him from sleeping for a week, or looting all the essential supplies he needed for the quest. "Let's head out to Schmargonrog, I'll just get my hammer... where did my hammer go? Oh well, I guess we can't go. @#$@ it, let's get a pint."

[@senhowler]

Speedrunners would have completed the quest in less time than that negotiation took.

[@Wormetti]

negotiator should’ve tried skip

[@briondalion]

@@nujevad28 true, if this was rng or very intricate AI NPCs, this could happen

[@BeckJoseR]

This is actually a great lesson about "the journey" vs "the destination"

[@ThunderTheBlackShadowKitty]

It's now canon that Bodger has powerful admin tools at his disposal. He can grant XP at will, spawn powerful items, change quest status to complete, and he's seemingly immortal. Very rare power for any NPC.

[@jm3962]

Bodger avoids work like Ellie😂

[@denverarnold6210]

If it were like Ellie, he'd have that one wizard come by and attack him every time he's bothered.

[@troyengle960]

Nah, Ellie is more elusive than the last battle of the expansion.

[@jlvfr]

Well, it's an escort quest, so I get him...

[@AttilaAsztalos]

@@jlvfr ...but that's not how escort quests suck. Sorry, WORK. It would be understandable if BEN would be weary of escorting someone - it's shitty for him, not for Bodger.

[@jlvfr]

@@AttilaAsztalos well, my theory is that NPCs hate them too, which is why they act so dumb on them...

[@KoRnBulleT]

@0:11 *realistic zoom in* got me haha. And just 11 seconds in. I love your captions.

[@vincichen8604]

Wat

[@Loctorak]

@@vincichen8604 At the very beginning, Rowan squints and moves the paper he's reading closer to his face and the caption reads "realistic zoom in".

[@vincichen8604]

@Loctorak ohh lol i dont have subtitles on

[@DrewWutsit]

​@@vincichen8604got me too I was like wtf are you talking about lol went back and watched like 3 times before I checked the comments

[@socpancake]

bodger and ben accidentally triggering a philosophical treatise on the true meaning of quests (“is it ((not) just) the XP we made along the way?”)

[@PhilosophyOnTheNightbus]

Imagine life was actually just some kind of dating sim and your SO goes "I'm not in the mood tonight, honey... but isn't it really just the XP we make along the way?" * snaps fingers * +10 XP +5 serotonin +5 oxytocin -5 anxiety -5 hygiene -10 wakefulness "Anyhoo... sleep well, honey!" 😄

[@divp-]

@@PhilosophyOnTheNightbus +1 Relationship point.

[@OliversChronicles-e1e]

We need an Epic Bodger the Blacksmith series

[@JoeBob79569]

I was thinking that a scantily clad Britt would come along next, and Bodger would be absolutely delighted to do the same quest with her.. 😂

[@firecopscott]

The captions add so much humor. Please give my thanks to those responsible.

[@KarmaCadet]

* Big blowie * 🤣im hopping that the subtitles will become more prevalent until they're almost a character in the show, and then we can have subtitles for the subtitles!

[@lazyorsleepy815]

Another way that would've been funny is, Ben finishes the quest and leaves, a few minutes later Bodger is swarmed by players looking to do the free XP and item exploit stopping him from enjoying himself anyway.

[@abeartheycallFozzy]

That is a good twist. Word gets around that a quest giver is giving away free XP if.... what could you bribe him with?

[@Stellarcrete]

That's later

[@maryrosetran5109]

Oh god I haven't laughed good in quite a while. Thanks a lot.

[@alexschodrowski1788]

​@@abeartheycallFozzy Not a bribe, threats of effort

[@INFPeace-]

Until the devs catch on! 😂

[@jamessturrock6802]

Y'all NEED to make The Honeywood Post paper available in your store. Freaking cool to have that hanging on the wall or even set on the coffee table. Seriously, make this happen... please?!

[@N3cr0S0ulja]

Even thought You're one human being... When there is 1 human being that likes this... There must be more...

[@grahamsmout3482]

“You’re scrapping the barrel here” hahahaha. Content keeps getting funnier 😂

[@thesephiam]

It's wonderful the NPC are increasingly becoming salient.

[@cmdrshepard5324]

Bodger and Ben are always great to see

[@Enjay001]

Marvellous! I genuinely LOLed at 2:52 with Bodger's "Ah FFS." And then the ramping up of sarcasm. I especially like how Bodger is refusing an escort mission. Relatable. 🤣

[@CupcakeConjuror]

This would actually make a fun mini quest in a game where the actual Quest is just navigating the chat options until you get the rewards and the quest is marked as complete.

[@faolan2174]

Haha I agree. And maybe if you choose the right chat options, you can actually convince him to go on the quest. (This is the hardest one to complete)

[@wallysee]

@@faolan2174 or maybe with high enough charisma level, a secret chat option appears in the selection that can convince him to go on the quest

[@cpeabody85]

You guys and gals never fail to put a smile on my face. Love your series, please keep them coming!

[@Beeterfish]

Year after year you guys put out top entertainment! Thanks once again for cheering my day up!

[@yoyoyiumiss]

Ben and Rowan fighting is always the ICON of VLDL

[@theanimeguy7141]

At last more epic npc man👍

[@matthewkoeleman2271]

Hi

[@Lilswamphag]

RAAAWWWWRRR!!!❤️‍🔥

[@Garret-p2l]

Yes it’s back! 😍❤️❤️🔥🔥

[@Xsasan2001]

0:55 that killed me so hard 😂😂😂 brilliant, such a great script! And even better performance!

[@woodysmith2681]

Nicest and sweetest angry Scotsman ever. Didn't use words no one else could understand, which also means you can tell he didn't curse.

[@OsuchinRiberu]

I think bodger isn’t even hiding the fact he is self-aware anymore 😂

[@crashandersen602]

Bodger is becoming my favorite NPC. Taking lunch breaks, refusing quests out of inconvenience. I hope we get to see him file paperwork to relocate his shop on the other side of town next.

[@velkanzi]

Next to his favourite fishing spot.

[@The_Beer_Hunter]

Ben with a mustache just reminds me of when BOB uses disguise self in D&D

[@dmuntz]

Reminds me of "artistic" movies from the 1970s.

[@Fennwitty]

This one was a much better 'stache though :P

[@The_Beer_Hunter]

@@dmuntz 😂

[@jellesterk1404]

It reminds me of him wanting to ride Rowans glorious moustache 😀

[@greenechri]

It's quite the handsome stache!

[@TheKaiTetley]

Is a good day when we get more of Bodger.

[@photoo848]

Hu-ha! Nice day for Bodger, isn't it?

[@neilcam]

Fantastic to see a new Epic NPC Man vid! Far and away the best kind of VLDL videos of all.

[@hyrulianguardlyfe3952]

Im sorry, this by far is one of the best ones you guys have done so far.

[@RobPento]

3:35 This made the whole skit: "Off ya pop" 😂. I think everyone needs a card with this printed up. You get one per year to use. Pulled over for a speeding ticket: "Off ya pop" card. Slow service at the Dept of Motor vehicles "Off ya pop" card. Supervisor asking you to work on the holiday: "Off ya pop" card 😂🤪

[@audacyspectrum3612]

Rowan: Refuses to do quest Ben: refuses to say "Outrageous" !

[@test-zl2lw]

that is... (no outrageous coming)..

[@MartinFinnerup]

I was looking for someone else that noticed! It honestly kinda bugged me, because I was just waiting for it. xD

[@weepmetosleep]

I missed Epic NPC man! I'm surprised Bodger is almost fully dressed, Since it's Rowans character. 😂

[@divineintervention2630]

epic NPC was their best

[@thomgizziz]

@@divineintervention2630 was? what is the best now?

[@neoneanderthal2658]

@@thomgizziz Personally I'm a fan of the survival logic series. But hopefully it's the videogame.

[@SebasTian58323]

I can't believe this randomly generated mood was so instrumental in lowering the speedrun times. It's a shame the lunch break version doesn't work since it's much more frequent but this was actually instrumental in smashing the previous 15:59 record

[@jamesgrillage8086]

This is one of the best ones you guys have done in a while

[@maestro-zq8gu]

Don't hassle the Hoff, don't bother the Bodger.

[@stressedpanda7205]

Don't badger him, either.

[@tabeasher]

This greatly shows the journey being more fun than the reward.

[@DanKaschel]

I think it was more about whether Ben felt the reward was earned

[@thichinhphan4010]

Except when it's an escort mission with nearly zero savepoints but many mob ambushes.

[@danielmalinen6337]

New character customization asset added to the game: mustache

[@thomgizziz]

chest scars...

[@Halifar2693]

Absoooolutely love the banter between Ben and Rowan, much love❤

[@wiwaszkiewicz66]

I've always liked Epic NPC man, but I haven't laughed so much at one of these for a while. I'm glad you're still going strong.

[@gtrzmbe9390]

1:37 Literally every day that I've spent working in retail.

[@SweboySMM2]

Yay! Honeywood is back, baby!

[@patdad12]

My son and I have started watching all of the Epic NPC Man videos, to see how these have evolved and gotten better and better has been amazing! love the content!!

[@austinw2234]

omg haha idk if you did it on purpose but at 3:19 it reminds me of Eurotrip where they are at the Vatican. "I wish you a special day, for a very special little boy"

[@spiercephotography]

Bodger's got a point! I'm a homebody too. And the editor not putting the links in at the end probably cause they didn't feel like it, hilarious 🤣

[@anaryllis1240]

WOOOOT! The best RPG ever is back!

[@Brando68933]

Actual banger of an npc questline

[@clementwymiens7955]

I heard the intro music and instantly got emotional and happy ❤ Epic NPC Man is back, baby!

[@bastawa]

Thanks!

[@LethallCZ]

Player: Accept the Quest ! NPC with advanced AI: Nah ... I don't feel like it today.

[@badreedinebedro]

badger and Greeg are the only two self aware npcs and bardon also with really advanced ai that the talk like real humans

[@tronexkiller]

plot twist: this is the real quest, it was programmed to be this way to be something "different" in the game.

[@daefaron]

Feels like a sequel to the lunch break quest turn in lol.

[@ridewithted2003]

This was great. The whole attitude of Bodger was freaking hilarious. Thanks guys.

[@furaoevil]

I can't believe how much I enjoyed this 😂 I can feel him missing out on something without being able to tell what exactly it is. Like when you leave home for a week and you can't get rid of the feeling you forgot something. It just doesn't feel right 🤣

[@swedishcutie]

this is how it feels missing a game event that is only one time thing.

[@Rengokusetyourheartablaze]

Bodger quite literally revered skipped an adventure 😂

[@sleepydog223]

I love that Bodger skipped much of the dialog instead of Ben.

[@raisgamesnz325]

Hahaha, yeah that was so well done!

[@EpitaphPunk]

I have watched a lot of VLDL sketches, idk why I like this one so much.

[@teddp]

One of the best videos you've ever done, hilarious 😂😂😂😂

[@ishanroychowdhury6562]

They are all becoming sentient....

[@carlosvillavicencio6710]

I truly believe that this happens after the Adventures in Azerim campaign. Bodger has FINALLY returned to Honeywood, gotten his shop back, and is just done with all thr adventuring nonsense. "Schmagenrog!?!? F*ck that!!! Been there already. No thank you. I've finally gotten the dragon to forget I exist."

[@hankthepatriot3733]

Ben + EPIC STACHE = LEGENDARY!

[@whatyoucandoforyourcountry4504]

You guys are the funniest team on the Internet today. Keep it up.

[@Woolymammoth-db1lt]

maybe liam the leathermaker will takeup the mantle

[@neoneanderthal2658]

The threat of that would probably be enough to get Bodger off his arse. I do wonder though, is Bodger's dislike of Liam because of Liam himself, or because he's very obviously played by Rodney?

[@slothykinz]

Just like in the DND campaign-Bodger has a hard time finding motivation, lol. Not ever NPC can be as dedicated as Greg😂

[@HauntedCorpseGaming]

Is this the Bodger + Rowan patch we've all been hearing about? 🤣

[@ThunderTheBlackShadowKitty]

This would be a great idea for a comedic quest in RuneScape. The entire quest is just you trying to get a quest from a reluctant NPC.

[@chrispybakin516]

I missed the entire skit. Couldn't look away from the Ben-stache. Love you guys!

[@AshKast]

If only more NPCs would just let you complete your quests without doing anything I would've completed so many games by now.

[@SnartCaptaincold52]

I didn't know Bodger could read.

[@lnarius]

Honeywood is truly full of strange npc’s

[@Mixxie67]

Really liking Ben’s mustache. It’s quite lovely.

[@tedferkin]

WTF 3:59 the captions say *Morning sh!ts*. I kid you not

[@Rogdan1995]

Saw that too 😂

[@Robert-00768]

It is what Bodger is doing. Nothing takes priority over your morning constitution.

[@SCARaw]

I did not expected it

[@1532JJ]

I'm impressed that even though they live in medieval times, they still have the modern printing press to produce newspapers.

homework: look up when gutenberg printed the first book.

[@1532JJ]

Nice try, but whilst the first printing press was invented in 1436, the first newspapers didn't start being produced until the 1600s. So yeah, my comment remains accurate.

[@jordanhordyk5291]

Rowan and Ben are the best skit duo there is! Cracks me up every time they get together 😂

[@Joshua40]

I love his interaction acting with the news paper.. lol..

[@bryanneal939]

Only a 100 xp, must be a starter town quest…. Wait a minute. I am not taking no long and “dangerous” journey for a 100 xp

[@CountessOfOle]

Probably most of the quest's XP came from killing the monsters on the journey, truth be told.

[@jaredragland4707]

All the way to Shmargenrog for a common ingredient he can probably buy for 20 gp? That's no way to spend a nice sunny day. Better just to show up with the items in hand, accept the quest, turn over the ingredients, and walk away with the reward and the whole day ahead of me.

Oh this was gold! Almost straight out of a Monty Python movie.

[@StuzRoz]

Steady on. That's an outrageous comparison to make

[@EJFXxx]

3:42 ... damn ... thought he was going to say "This is OUTRAGEOUS !"

[@SzaraSzarancza]

Off you pop!

[@gaijin_sailovideos1333]

He gave him all he wanted but what he wanted 😂

[@GoldmansGarage]

This is one of the best in awhile. Good job

[@VeRG1L_47]

Ben trying not to say "outrageous" had me rolling 😂

[@bigyoshi5170]

*FOR THE WATCHER’S SAKE BODGER JUST GO TO THE WEDDING CEREMONY AND MARRY GREG ALREADY!*

[@SzaraSzarancza]

☝This.

[@sirlouie]

Why is Bodger so odd? Because he can't even. Great sketch, VLDL! I even felt a little bad for Ben as he realized that the journey is its own reward.