Playing Dungeons & Dragons with an Actual Dragon

He didn't even bring snacks. Dragons, amirite? Give the gift of D&D: bit.ly/ABKdnd #giftofdnd #ad
Additional Material and DM Expertise: Sasha Ellen ( / sashakellen )

[@yesilovenachos]

Alasdair didn't even CGI that skeleton. He had to lose that much body mass to portray the skeleton. Such dedication to the role.

[@notsurt]

Amazing that he's just wearing a bald cap (scalp and jaw). He's naturally that white and eyebrowless.

[@groofay]

There's method, and then there's _method_

[@afonsodeportugal]

@@notsurt "Eyebrowless"... best adjective ever!

[@mikekasich836]

the interdimensional abk can do that

[@griffincrump5077]

He died and rose from the dead to do it

[@miriviews]

DM: "You can't fly because you're -" Dragon: "Stupid, yes." = Me imagining why "orphaned and raised by dragons" isn't a common backstory, because "time to leave the nest" involves a lot more screaming.

[@warlockpetersen7810]

Thank you for providing me with my next backstory :)

[@OptimusSledge]

The Golden Age comic book superhero "The Black Condor" could fly because he was raised by condors after his parents were killed and he studied the birds until his flapping paid off. He also impersonated a dead US Senator. Honestly, I want to see this film rather than Bruce Wayne's parents being shot as a string of pearls snaps and falls to the ground in slow motion again.

[@MamaMOB]

@@OptimusSledge “He also impersonated a dead US senator.” That’s what gets me!

[@OptimusSledge]

@@MamaMOB Apparently the Black Condor failed to save the senator from assassination, so took on his identity. I don't know why one of JFK's bodyguards didn't think of that.

[@detectivefoxley9912]

Thanks for my next character.

[@phitsf5475]

The dragon costume is great, and to think it's little more than doing your hair slightly different. Amazing!

[@SirBrasstion]

@Anonymous Annoying Mouse Commitment to his craft.

[@Jonathan.D]

@Anonymous Annoying Mouse Is that why we have to wait so long between videos? Hurry up Tom Hanks. Sheesh

[@fitandhappy42]

Astounding what a bit of backcombing can do.

[@shanesullivan460]

The CGI on the dungeon master is a little weak, though.

[@alejandroguzmanrodriguez854]

Wasn't it the beard? I see his hair practically the same

[@lindybeige]

I'm impressed that you got D&D sponsorship!

[@loteixeira]

Oh god, the beige man is here!

[@poelmeister]

Nobody would stoop to that level if they weren’t already ginger. Imagine the horror.

[@catfish552]

Getting your D&D sketch sponsored by actual D&D is such a power move.

[@djonkasrb7278]

Lloyd! Why am I not surprised...

[@dalejmobiledalej6361]

Well, he is a skilled & tallented youtuber.

[@alextowers3564]

I love the implication that dragons in DnD use frightful presence by just shouting "frightful presence"

[@ABeckettKing]

Is that NOT how it works?!

[@BagOfMagicFood]

I thought the implication was that dragons kiss using their frightful presences!

[@martinfiedler4317]

​@@BagOfMagicFood Reds do indeed hit on each other by demonstrating how frightful they are. It does wet their ... kisser.

[@renarddubois940]

@@BagOfMagicFood Most birds reproduce by doing what is often called a cloacal kiss

[@AegisGaming99]

i mean to be fair if a gigantic dragon roared in an ancient, incomprehensible language id be pretty scared

[@wiiseeyou]

I love the diversity in this video. A cute redhead, a redhead wizard, a redhead viking, a redhead dragon, and a former redhead.

[@martinfiedler4317]

I have the slight suspicion, that Alasdair is making subtle propaganda for the Red Supremacists movement...

[@findiwindles]

Yeah and the dragon wanted to slap the skeleton in the Ginger Kiss. There's definitely a theme going here.

[@ComicalRealm]

"The most difficult part of DnD is finding a day when everybody can play. " - Master Oogway

[@tabularasa0606]

True story.

[@Torthrodhel]

(Kai entrance music intensifies) "Funny. I don't tend to have that difficulty."

[@countluke2334]

True for 5v5 esports, as well.

[@nilus2k]

Its the curse of any group. My 13 year old son has just gotten into D&D really hard and half the time he is telling me about a new character idea he has and the other half he is complaining how hard it is to get a group of 13 year olds together at the same time every week. I told him that lucky for him it will briefly get better when they turn 16 and can start driving and you may find a golden age in your late teens and early 20 when you are in college and find you can play a lot more. But then adulthood hits and it will just get harder and harder until one day it will just not be worth the hassle. I imagine that in my 50s, once my kids are grown, I will find time to play again and will be one of the old Grognards telling stories of 3rd edition multiclassing and prestige classes

[@Warhammered]

D&D? *Insert any Tabletop RPG here*

[@JustBackgroundNoise]

Your visual effects are great. I had no idea you were a dragon this entire time! The rendering time for the hair must take ages.

[@trublgrl]

He fooled you! Thing is, he's actually a silver dragon, and just uses "Polymorph" to become the other characters, INCLUDING Red Dragon D&D Guy!

[@DaxterL]

judging by the channel being comedy centered i'd say he's definitely a copper dragon. They love a good joke.

[@hedgehog3180]

I'm just about to watch one of your videos and then I see this comment, what are the chances?

[@groofay]

"Is this because I can't do Thursdays?" It appears Critters also do hot yoga.

[@DoctorScrimguard]

You've read Critters?

[@terra_the_nightingale135]

Looks like I do know

[@ariaflame-au]

@@DoctorScrimguard critters = fans of Critical Role which runs on Thursday nights

[@DoctorScrimguard]

@@ariaflame-au Critters = an obscure D&D comic about a group of child monsters (a medusa, an ettercap, a swamp hag, a dryder, an umberhulk, and a dinosaur) exploring the Underdark after the dwarvan slaver train carrying them crashed.

[@petrichor3797]

@@DoctorScrimguard link ? Cause Google says something entirely different

[@westrim]

Fantastic! Now the only logical thing to do is record a bunch of prisoners chained up in a dungeon playing D&D... Actually, that makes a lot of sense for people with nowhere else to be.

[@Jonathan.D]

It's the game of choice in Gitmo! 👍

[@AxxLAfriku]

I recently revealed the genders of my two girlfriends. It got a lot of hate and now has 30 times more dislikes than likes. I am really sad that people can be so mean. Sorry for using your comment to talk about my problems, dear qes

[@FatherTime89]

There's actually a documentary on D and D's popularity in prisons. I haven't seen it but it sounds like it'd be up your alley.

[@Elvalley]

@Leandro Aude "revealed the genders of my two girlfriends" is the weirdest clickbait word salad I've seen this week.

[@AllyOJustice]

@@FatherTime89 I was about to mention some story I heard of where prisoners were playing Pathfinder. So OP’s theory definitely holds up.

[@tymoteuszkosinski5352]

That dragon is my favourite character in anything since now

[@ducktorquake6827]

read Vainqueur the Dragon if you liked this dragon youll love this series

[@jonsku6662]

"I'll grind your bones into dust!" - presumably neither chaotic nor evil Wood Elf Monk

[@CreativeWarrior-]

"This must be a Thursday. I could never get the hang of Thursdays." - Arthur Dent

[@omp199]

A great line but sadly not applicable here. Apparently, Chris can't do Thursdays.

[@devsingh6699]

Thursdays are always so special for me and today is 1. I hope for great happenings not just tidings and it's 13.33 as I write this. I am a leaf in the stream of creation

[@aaronruf8421]

"oh I use dark vision!" "You're not a dragon!" "Elves have dark vision" "... he's right" That got me good

[@gnaskar]

Being one of the old timer nerds, my immediate thought was "no, they don't, they just have low-light vision", but apparently Chris is more up to date on the rules than me, despite forgetting the limitations of his character.

[@ohrats731]

You guys are telling me that the DM *wasn’t* CGI. Wow. Astounding practical effects

[@MassiveKreutz]

Nah, the DM was CGI. Didn't you notice how neither the dragon nor the skeleton actually ever touched him, and how he didn't even smolder realistically from the dragons breath?

[@Spirit_0000]

@@MassiveKreutz I can't tell if Ur being sarcastic or u actually think the person is being serious lmao

[@timopper5488]

@@MassiveKreutz Yeah, I did notice that.

[@lornaginetteharrison7168]

"It’s not just for ginger nerds…..anymore!" Someone needs to print that on a T-shirt!

[@garbo215]

I would totally buy this shirt.

[@omp199]

I hope the printers spellcheck that and add the space between "any" and "more".

[@brainlock72]

I know someone who would wear it! …if he hadn’t been cremated since April. 😢 #fuckcancer

[@WellBattle6]

If you post that on Twitter eventually bots will come along and it will be up on a T-shirt store online.

[@susie9893]

The anymore should be on the back

[@themigmadmarine]

Why is everyone so in favor of the dragon when we should be supporting northern skeleton?

[@Desdinova721]

If by some miracle they ever bring back adventure games where the instructions come on a dramatized VHS tape and are narrated by a creepy disembodied head, I hope they pick you to play that head.

[@tas6773]

Announcing "I have darkvision" at the first opportunity all the time sounds quite chaotic evil though.

[@clogs4956]

Elves eh?

[@joshuaxiong8377]

The himbo energy from the dragon is fantastic. Also, the DM was very vague on descriptions and way too smooth on letting Chris hit Skelington. The DM knew what he was doing. XD

[@pcyumwa]

Lost count of how many times I’ve watched this… something endearing about that dragon..

[@kritiosboy]

Well hot yoga is better than ambient yoga.

[@dseray9494]

And significantly better than freezing cold yoga

[@TheZetaKai]

I'm lukewarm on it.

[@Jonathan.D]

I hear Omicron Yoga is to die for! You get hot and cold flashes.

[@marcocappelli2236]

And what temperature is naked yoga? Chilly yoga?

[@d00dEEE]

Underwater yoga is second only to outer space yoga, but far more accessible.

[@Somnogenesis]

There's such a tiny thing, in the middle of all the surrounding gloriousness in this video, but it's a particularly spot-on ABK observation. The DM's little moment at 1:25: "Oh-kay, as youuu... _slap_ the skeleton into pieces...?!" I've never played D&D, but I've taken part in enough other roleplays (Warhammer Fantasy, etc.) to perfectly recognise that hesitant tone of amused exasperation - the incredulous shake of the head, then the resigned wave of the hand. It's the universal reactions of any GM confronted with a player hell-bent on doing something _really_ random, plot-irrelevant and quite possible fatally stupid, trying to treat this with both patience and the contempt it deserves. And preparing to bring the roof down on them if truly necessary.

[@drago939393]

The dejected resignation after realizing that their foolish move has succeeded due to an most lucky and improbable nat-20 roll.

[@JahlisMan]

actor, writer, editor, VFX artist, possessor of great hair... you just gotta be such an inspiration that I start to feel useless and inadequate, eh:D

[@Panurus_biarmicus]

He is so white that you are projecting

[@Rubensitoc]

Don't feel that way - be happy about who you are

[@HarmonicWave]

I have a good friend who I've played D&D with, and he goes by the name UselessWizard. Don't feel bad.

[@AlexanderGieg]

Heh, I know an otherkin dragon who has that exact "Oh, so just because he's a dragon he's automatically chaotic evil?" every single time he finds media or games in which dragons are evil. On the flip side, he loves media in which dragons are good, and even more if they're the protagonists.

[@danielhirst3151]

That Dragon is awesome. Needs his own series…. On Thursdays.

[@Azdroc96]

I love how excited Chris sounds when he says that elves have dark vision.

[@MadHatter42]

First we had The Little Man Who Lives in the Crisps, and now Chris the Dragon. Alasdair is slowly building a universe of impressively-CGI-ed fantasy creatures, and I can't wait to see who's next.

[@janmulcahy1458]

I love the little man who lives in the crisps. His appreciation for pombears and intolerance for hula hoops and his sweary irishness - I identify on every level!😂

[@muskatDR]

"Just because hes a dragon hes chaotic evil?" No hes evil because hes a chromatic dragon

[@alexandrebeaudry8377]

That was racism in plain sight

[@kenneth6102]

Now you sound like a ginger nerd.

[@Gruntvc]

Chromatic dragons are literally born evil. So, yeah, Red Dragon is bad. Can a dragon survive in Warhammer 40k?

[@ФедяКрюков-в6ь]

@Leandro Aude That's only because of adventuring parties with their lawful good attitude ravaging their nests and hoards for centuries

[@PSIworld13]

@@Gruntvc Well actually, Fizban's Treasury really mixed things up and that's not necessarily the case anymore; sure, there's a tendency towards certain alignments, but it's not 100% all the time an inherent trait anymore. there's ideas in there within tables that have the possibility of Good Chromatics, Evil Metallics, Non-Neutral Gem Dragons and even mix-ups on the lawful-chaotic axis. Welp, a few settings like Eberron and quite a few homebrew settings already had that possibility, so having it in an actual official book really is interesting btw!

[@natezabinski5615]

The "I have darkvision!" joke was spot-on.

[@nathanfealko9193]

we were all screaming that mentally before he even said it

[@MrEgofreak]

"He's right."

[@ariverbythesea]

Can't believe you were actually sponsored by D&D themselves!

[@dragonick2947]

As a dragon, this is very relatable!

[@dragondude9637]

Same here!

[@lloydmartel]

cant wait for the sequel, "Playing Dungeons & Dragons with an Actual Dungeon"

[@zv7ws]

This is one of your best ones so far, the kisser joke totally caught me off guard. Hilarious 😂😂

[@uladzimirdarozka3882]

I've seen and heard a lot of D&D advertising, but this time, okay, you've nailed it. Gotta get myself a box. Great work, Sir! (: and the dragon. And the skeleton. (:

[@DanteCorwyn]

I've been in games like this. The dragon was the best player I've ever gamed with.

[@mdccxcii6340]

A masterpiece in under two minutes.

[@BlueCanary7]

"Is this because I can't do Thursdays??" I love this so much 😆

[@somerandomdragon558]

The dragon is adorable.

[@TheZetaKai]

So, according to the dragon's logic, walking into a cave flame-breath-first is fine, but reacting to another dragon with hostility is not okay?

[@hjalfi]

TBF, he was roleplaying as an elf at the time. They're jerks.

[@jodofe4879]

Red dragons are immune to fire damage

[@MSte21]

He was doing that to cast light, not burn things. Smh, just assuming he wants to hurt people just because he's a dragon?!

[@floricel_112]

@@MSte21 nooo, but fire has the unintended side effect of setting things on FIRE

[@somerandomdragon558]

Breathing fire to make light is not hostile. Its a very common (but not very effective) way to make light!

[@guilhermeferrao5968]

The dragon unironically seems like a good player

[@SugarandSarcasm]

Coming up with names is one of the hardest parts of dice RPGs

[@Dovahninja]

That Dragon somehow looks both terrifying and Adorable

[@The-Real-Blissful-Ignorance]

"Take that abomination! I'll grind your bones into dust!"

[@Hengebobs]

All I can think of is the character Duncan Fisher shouting "I cast *FIREBALL* !"

[@itshammertime4297]

Unrealistic, the dragon would have brought up dark vision the second darkness was mentioned

[@DimJongUn]

I'm in advertising. I wish I could write an ad this well. Just brilliant, and how advertising should be.

[@gubson-xy2ow]

my dad once told me a story of when he was a kid in the 70 and went over to his friend's house to play real-life dungeons and dragons in his basement, with real torches, most of it was burnt to a crisp

[@Scrubworks]

Oh I see, just because he's a skeleton he's automatically Chaotic Northern!

[@Ciprixe]

This and Sam Riegel's old D&D Beyond skits are the best promo's for D&D :D

[@Letham316]

The "dorky 80s jingle" he sang, which D&D Beyond actually took and used in an animated promo. :D

[@vitalino1981]

I like how ABK played dragon, and a skeleton.

[@youkofoxy]

A cave with a evil "chaotic" dragon and a skeleton. A Dragon player who is chaotic and has a skeleton friend. Are they invading the Dragon, who roleplays as elf, home?

[@alansturgess1324]

"How do dragons kiss?" "Move on" - classic.

[@GarrigKitten]

I started following you because of the early videos that wandered across my timeline. This video has only served to assure me that that was a marvelous decision as this was beautifully made, mate. Keep up the amazing work!

[@zacmarulo8721]

Now I want to know how dragons kiss.

[@baptistenormand2723]

I cackelled like an old hag in the middle of the open space. My coworkers frowned at me. Worth it.

[@TheKeyblader133]

Wow, I wish I was friends with a real dragon and skeleton, they seem cool. The Dragon/Skeleton tension seems a bit hard to handle though, hopefully they can get along better soon.

[@ostr0znie100]

that "anymore" made me feel included in the community again

[@ultgamercw6759]

Ok we need more of this dragon.

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

So... If you can develop Chris the dragon into an app where he can just hang out at a party, or a D&D session, you will be extra rich. I want to hang out with that guy.

[@sweetpie8]

Now we just need "Playing Dungeons and Dragons with an actual dungeon"

[@nystemy]

Actually, as a dragon myself, I can relate to 0:28 Since honestly, that trope is so worn out... Can't dragons have a bit more individuality than that?

[@alienz8641]

This video has fantastic timing. I was just thinking about forming a D&D group myself! Update: I formed one! I’m playing a halfling that looks like Gollum wearing clothes!

[@Simon39759]

Welcome to the hobby! May it brings you hours of fun and sparks many new friendships!

[@alienz8641]

@@Simon39759 I know! Can’t wait!

[@Jonathan.D]

Are you all Ginger nerds or regular nerds? Remember not to play D&D too much or your Fleshlight will get lonely!

[@twothreebravo]

Well that's not saying much, everyone knows once you've played D&D you're always thinking about forming another D&D group!

[@Sienisota]

I have never played. I wish I knew people who were interested in trying it with me.

[@mentor397]

We played MERP instead of Dungeons and Dragons, but otherwise, this is EVERY. SINGLE. GAME. Every one.

[@archsteel7]

Played with a dragon before, they were a real good player. Unfortunately, they could get a bit heated and ended up incinerating the rogue's player after he tried stealing from the party. Game fell apart after that, but we're still in touch.

[@Ajan-X]

Holy Molly, i need more of this! D&D should sponsor you a series! Edit: Forgot to mention Gunnar Gunnarson.

[@janmulcahy1458]

But it did include his cousin dragon dragonson!😆

[@CorvoFG]

Can we have a series of this, please!

[@eddthehead123]

It is because he is a *RED* Dragon that he is evil. Each dragon has it's own alignment and personality.

[@theautisticnerd8207]

I ain’t gonna lie. The dark vision joke got me.

[@harrylarrybarrygarry8932]

“Alexa, nominate ABK for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography”

[@BarterTom]

I love Chris the Dragon.

[@jonsku6662]

As a dead person myself, how dare he That critical slap was insulting enough

[@stanleywang8686]

'I DO have hot yoga' will be my go to excuse from now on

[@FallenTrinty]

We need a part 2 this was great

[@ryanparker260]

The fact that the person looks at the DM screen to determine if elves have darkvision, and not the players guide, is great.

[@InformationUnavailable]

If all ads were like this I wouldn't mind them so much

[@ceruleanllama5917]

We need more Chris the Dragon you're gonna get alot of very good fan art when the scalies see this Also hot yoga as apposed to room temperature yoga and bitterly cold yoga

[@Friedegger]

Hot yoga is a real thing: the hotter you are, the more flexible your muscles become, allowing for a greater range of yoga positions.

[@ceruleanllama5917]

@@Friedegger you see this is where I've been going wrong everytime, I've been doing lukewarm yoga

[@catbwoy]

Scalies? Like troublesome youth from Liverpool?

[@Pingviinimursu]

@@catbwoy Scalies, as in like furries but scales instead of fur. But I guess they aren't mutually exclusive?

[@nystemy]

I think that might happen faster than you think. Especially with the whole kisser innuendo at 1:07

[@jomo999]

Commercials are rarely amusing, so it's great to see a sketch that's legitimately funny as well as a great plug for the product.

[@trublgrl]

And thank you, D&D for providing the dragon. That was great.

[@benfarrar741]

That ending. I love it.

[@BellaVita1890]

"..it's because I have hot yoga" got me. Lmao

[@aix83]

We need more dragon in future videos

[@enjoythestruggle]

The dragon voice sounds so much like Brian Blessed, it's amazing.

[@eleethtahgra7182]

0:02 I wonder how it would go if Alasdair doing Cato Sicarius speech.

[@xzigalianisiochfhradha3204]

The most impressive part of all of this is that spot-on Brian Blessed impersonation.

[@Electroporcupine]

The dragon had to be a Red Dragon because Red is the only way Alasdair knows how to be

[@fuzzyzombielove]

He's not automatically chaotic evil just because he's a dragon. He's chaotic evil because he's a _red_ dragon... _Wait, that's..._

[@eddiebabinski407]

Please have the dragon in more skits!

[@reachandler3655]

🤣🤣🤣 reminded of the game where I played a young dragon. The group captured an enemy soldier, tried torturing him for information to no avail; I suggested making friends with him, I offered him food and water, and to show that I was friendly I kissed his cheek, the same way a puppy does, he told us everything he knew! Although I was upset he begged the others to keep me away from him...

[@dijjidog]

another extention to the "dangerous game" video

[@SlickRieck]

Aww damn D&D was one of my last ginger nerd refuges, guess it's back to Warhammer 40k

[@dallassukerkin6878]

:applause: And /whisper ... that dragon guy is a bit power-gamey! I'd check his character for any min-max shenanigans :)

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

I don't even mind that this was just an extended advert for D&D, hilarious stuff!

[@cdrunner7876]

Play it in a dungeon and you’ve got the full package.

[@DanJMW]

Dragon "I take the goblin's gold and add it to my vast horde." Other players "... Yes actually that tracks".

[@tiamatmichellehart6821]

Now this is brilliant, even if *it's giving me PTSD flashbacks of trying to play a naked hatchling dragon in the World's Largest Dungeon's deadliest starting area(s):* Orc Barbarian Companion (readying his axe): *"What colour are you?"* Me (worriedly but proudly): *"Bronze!"*

[@dunwitch]

FYI: Many reptiles and related animals (LIKE BIRDS!) mate through a process known as "Cloacal kissing" where they align their urogential openings in a "kiss". Then they exchange sperm. So when a dragon says "right in the kisser" he/they might actually be talking about the cloaca, or the butthole.

[@aylawilkinson7056]

"I'll grind your bones to dust" whilst punching the enemy to pieces is actually perfectly standard as a monk maneuver. Im only surprised the dragon didn't stunning strike him. And shame on the DM for using skeletons and red dragons as stock enemies. Thats not being very inclusive to the table.

[@Nergalsama01]

1:21 Ok, that's usually the point where the dragon botches and instead slaps the dwarf in the face, but this is fine, too.

[@lt.branwulfram4794]

Well, there is a Monastic Tradition called the Way of the Ascendant Dragon which switches the damage property of the attacks made with Martial Arts and improves movement speeds with flight.