Riz and the Mirror (aka Romaence Partnaer) - Fantasy High - Dimension 20

[@JackMValentine]

"Do you approach the mirror in a way that your reflection is visible?" Is incredibly threatening in a very low key way.

[@DeathnoteBB]

“WELL NOT ANYMORE???”

[@brendansoucy2220]

Kind of like rolling low on a perception check and getting "Everything is as it should be."

[@phantomswagger9363]

@@brendansoucy2220 Everything seems fine!

[@jeezuhskriste5759]

@@brendansoucy2220 Especially when they roll a die for no reason first.

[@alecLogan]

“I’m respecting your agency as a player by not saying you did, but establishing my dominance as a DM by specifying your course of actions!”

[@PineappleLiar]

A lesson in never giving Brennan anything unless you want pain. You make a dumb goof about a fake boyfriend once and suddenly you’re in a horror story.

[@guywhotellsthetime1585]

It wasnt a boyfriend it was a romance partner of unknown gender

[@HotTakeYeller]

@@guywhotellsthetime1585 Rhömænce partner*

[@EverTheFractal]

@@guywhotellsthetime1585 Riz refers to Baron as male twice, doesn't he? Once in this clip and another in the nightmare forest I'm pretty sure.

[@dragon1130]

@@EverTheFractal The mirror creature is most likely genderless. Riz probably just gave it a gender in the moment. I haven't gotten to the nightmare forest yet, but I presume its probably the same thing going on.

[@EverTheFractal]

@@dragon1130 eh well it's all guesswork really. We don't know for sure until it's confirmed. I guess its really up to interpretation

[@HexQuesTT]

"It is not my fault I am born of lies" is a raw ass line

[@tatltails3923]

what really completes it is the next part: _"It is the fault of the deceiver."_

[@PVT_Lewdogs]

I feel it in my toes every time, that tickle to run

[@Rabbit-the-One]

Yes

[@sleepytimetaquito]

“We went to HELL and it wasn’t even this bad”

[@aaronkeser3647]

"what- whaT aRe You DOING yOu WeiRd litTlE sKelEtOn BoY?!"

[@vcagande7998]

After the gang called the Corn Gremlins cute Brennan started to plot his revenge...

[@Cairi-]

I love how soft and adorable Brennan became when everyone told him he was scary

[@invaderzam]

I have the same reaction whenever I can freak out my players with a horror session. "You guys were actually disturbed? I'm so happy!"

[@magazinekirby]

Total tonal shift

[@lorenzovecchia1579]

Happiest I've been Dungeon mastering was scaring the shit out of my players

[@belindaluna2067]

It's an awful feeling when you go for a specific reaction and you don't get it.

[@LucaBirchtrees]

He’s so proud!!

[@nicolleebba2990]

“YOU HAVE BEEN NAUGHTY THRICE” LORD

[@maisieaverie6424]

“You immediately know that your reflection is wrong.” HOW. THATS SUCH A SCARY LINE. HOW.

[@amistakeprobably7295]

oh to be a terrified camper listening to Brennan Lee Mulligan telling scary stories

[@PatheticJedi]

"I'm a camp counselor, so if I can't tell scary stories, what good am I?" Brennan just seriously creeped me out for nearly ten minutes then immediately after made me go "aww!" out loud. This man has far too much power.

[@carolkoski4875]

I deeply admire Brennan's ability to turn simple one-time Murph gags into big scary plot points First it was Baron, then the Night Yorb, now I really wanna see what bit makes Murph regret he ever did it on Junior Year lol

[@mannya.h.967]

*SPEAK NOT OF THE NIGHT YORB*

[@Cookiesandcreamss]

HOW MANY TIMES DOES THE HANGMAN HAS TO FUCKING SAY IT? DO NOT SPEAK OF THE NIGHT YORB

[@nosuchthingasgoodcows7003]

STOP SAYING THE NAME

[@michaelwilson6480]

@@mannya.h.967 I swear that was one of the funniest gags of the entire series. I was dying every time it came up.

[@xCalisSoul]

Or * looks back* chungle down bim…

[@antoniofernandez7641]

Zach's "can we be done" comment had me rolling.

[@druid_the_lizard_wizard]

Just as a little side note, it's Zac but also YES. He always has amazing comedic timing

[@erikandchristine102]

This was such a good scene and I know it was killing Murph when he had to keep to canon and not react like he normally would.

[@davidrosenberg9615]

Well, I think he knows better than to metagame. Riz would've done everything he did.

[@loricality]

aroace goblin is taunted by the gender-neutral nightmare manifestation of his fear of romantic relationships (not clickbait)

[@tatltails3923]

Wait, Riz is aroace?!

[@loricality]

@@tatltails3923 I mean, he's canonically never been attracted to anyone (and never wanted to kiss or have sex). In sophomore year half his story was about overcoming the fear that all his friends would leave him for romantic partners, which is an incredibly common aro anxiety. he has not gone "I'm aroace" but tbh he's better rep than some characters who have

[@connorp3618]

@@loricality kinda weird to just declare him as aro/ace just off of that alone, just because something isn't openly disproven doesn't mean it's one way. it simply means that that aspect of his character is unknown

[@loricality]

@@connorp3618 "off that alone"... my dude its like the majority of his character arc in s2. people claim characters are canonically straight or gay/bi/trans off way less evidence - and I'm not saying they're wrong, to be clear, but many people only have a problem with it when it comes to other identities. In terms of aro/ace headcanons, yes, often the basis is "this character never actually expresses interest in anyone." and that's fine if thin evidence, but as I said this is... not the case here anyway. riz is actively uncomfortable. and given I can count the number of 100% canonically aspec characters I know of on my hands... let aspec people declare whoever they want to lol, it's not hurting anyone. have a nice day

[@connorp3618]

@@loricality not saying it's hurting anyone i just don't see why people always declare characters as this or that when it's not actually a thing like two male characters that are close "they must be gay" or a character that doesn't show intrest in any relationships in the short time they are on screen must be ace frankly i think it makes sense for his character ace or not to not really be bothering with relationships since he's really focused when it comes to solving mysteries. He seems like the type to put his head down and not bring it up untill the work is done now that's not saying he is ace but it's also not saying that he couldn't be ace my point is i'm not sure why people like to label things that are very clearly undefined nor bring sexual orientation into things for no reason (typed on mobile so ignore any typos and such)

[@EverTheFractal]

Lou's constant terrified fidgeting is honestly so relatable

[@Maurenriques]

Travis Willingham would be having the absolute worst time of his life if he was there

[@georgeweasley54]

I’m just imagining his face the entire time they were in Dashilla’s lair

[@cw3598]

He would have role played it better.

[@romxxii]

Now I need Brennan to host/DM a Call of Cthulhu or Betrayal at the House on the Hill game, with Travis as one of the players.

[@WuberWreath]

I want nothing more than a horror one-shot with him sitting next to Lou

[@toddalexander5015]

GUESS WHAT YALL!?

[@Batcreaturez]

Rīś gütgæck

[@Anna-wy7zq]

Nice profile picture

[@Tony-Anderson]

More like Rīs Gøtgæk but close enough 😂

[@kaddotta4926]

I have never once in my life when imagining a scary accent thought “french canadian” and _yet?_ brennan lee mulligan is a powerful mind

[@emorys.9369]

holy fuck lmaoo i just pictured the baronese as quebec and now I'm losin it 😂

[@mrmcthiccc5053]

He is a good dm

[@sierrak6388]

God french canadian accents are really terrifying though.

[@larkermouse]

I mean, I'm from Eastern Canada, and I didn't think this was a French Canadian accent, but I can, kinda hear it?

[@imOverWhere]

As someone who lived in Quebec i can say that this aint a french canadian accent

[@wonkusbonkus8528]

2:49 Emily: [whispering] jump in the mirror Lou: [laughs] [Running motion] [diving motion] Emily: [diving motion] Zac: [Looks at Emily] [Diving motion]

[@GamzeenMakara]

I love that they are always on the same wave length

[@Rylee_G]

I couldn't see that. I need something bigger than a phone to watch these on

[@whitenoise509]

I totally missed that the first time around. Thanks!

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

+

[@extragarb]

This is what happens when you go into a season about the Nightmare King and don't think the words "Nightmare King" are anything more than a flavored way to say Evil Bad Guy. Welcome to Nightmare Town! Let's get dark and spicy!

[@thomast3363]

Lesson here is if you get any concept of a trap from a mirror in a fantasy setting, either get out of there or lay it reflective side down.

[@matthewfuerst6456]

If riz put it down then Brennan would have had to come up with an even more fucked up way to get the romance partner out

[@sabrinab7974]

@@matthewfuerst6456 Exactly what I was thinking!!! He would probably have him look down the place the mirror on the ground and look up to see his romance partner

[@Jermbot15]

It's fun watching the players react. Emily's shudder, Murph's going look of disgust. Siobhan upright horror face. Ally Beardsley's weird looks flipping between delight and disgust. And probably most disturbing Zac Oyama and Lou seeming to be mellow and enjoying, only to have those visceral physical reactions at the end.

[@Chl0r0f0rmG1rl]

At any given time I am thinking about the raw power in the line "It is not my fault I am born of lies, it is the fault of the deceiver"

[@ojjolley9906]

Zac's little "can we be done?" never fails to make me laugh

[@jamesamala7371]

Römance Pærtner....

[@great-wall-of-nowhere9377]

@@artemisfowldragon idubzz?!

[@samanthabailey8003]

LOVE this moment!! I don't often get scared while watching RPG shows like Fantasy High, but this scene genuinely was creepy. Also Lou's reactions are hilarious!! Thanks for posting this :D

[@magazinekirby]

Same this gave me actual nightmares

[@LucaBirchtrees]

It’s just so unsettling, you sit there watching it very uncomfortable. Zac asking “Can we be done” puts it perfectly

[@wickedamoeba8719]

What goes on in Brennan’s head? Dude goes from haha fun times to WTF 3000.

[@Kaotiqua]

I love that Baeron is French Canadian. XD

[@lesserr6]

Kaotiqua haha I know. Such an odd choice but it totally works.

[@benjaminjane93]

@@lesserr6 I think Brennan is clever enough to have taken the 'I have a girlfriend in the Baronese' which is this worlds version of 'I have a girlfriend in Canada.' and took it to its comedic extreme. The expression used to be code for confirmed bachelors back in the day as well.

[@qualityshloimy]

Just saying, the first I watched this I was genuinely terrified, alone, in my office, working a little late and binging fantasy high and then this piece of eldritch horror just drops out of Brennan's mouth and into my consciousness. I was just like, nope, peace out y'all *chucks dueces* I'm done

[@rexamillion8446]

7:47 "Why don't you do what you most want to do." "Leave?"

[@andreassen6197]

watching lou react to all of this is the best shit possible

[@benjaminoechsli1941]

Absolutely. "This is making me uncomfortable in three separate ways, someone stop this man!" 😆

[@geekwithglasses2897]

This was genuinely a harrowing experience and I doubt I’ll ever recover

[@druid_the_lizard_wizard]

Can we just appreciate Brennan here for a minute? He's an amazing story teller and he kept the tension so high and made this fucking terrifying. Like, give this man an Oscar PLEASE

[@IceMetalPunk]

Two and a half years later, and Brennan's love of mirrors has now terrified Travis Willingham as well 😂

[@Feasco]

the 7 years of bad luck breaking a mirror is nothing compared to whatever the unending terror of whatever Brennan brings out of one

[@billyb7852]

We stan a rømænce pærtnẽr who knows his own worth

[@koshi6505]

Murph used all his high rolls in a scripted fight.

[@mirabelmadrigal8956]

Lou was me that whole episode tbh

[@simonwayne7916]

4:50 Zach's reaction is so good xp

[@Lucifersfursona]

But who will give me a comp of every time Brennan makes Lou just so upset 😂

[@okashi10]

This scene was seriously so scary.

[@mishapenmoonmoth]

lou’s reactions whenever murph is role playing as The Ball off on his own are always so good

[@florallychaotic]

"I pull out my..................Gun."

[@hotelmario510]

"People went to _hell_ and it wasn't that bad." - Lou Wilson

[@last2nkow]

i mean... can you actually imagine going away to camp as a kid, getting away from home and the city and being out of your element and sitting around a fire and Brenan tells the scary story to the group after sundown? scars for life friends. mental scars and therapy

[@marcykiger9899]

Baron was the first clip I ever saw of D20 and I’ve been a major fan since. They may be born of lies but they did introduce me to these maniacs.

[@viperv6768]

I loved Baron so much, I wish he showed up more. Horror is my jam, so this nightmare encounter is just gorgeous

[@unrealcreature]

Quick question where is barron from I cannot remember.

[@connorp3618]

@@unrealcreature he's in the video lol, riz made him up because everyone was shitting on him for being alone then brennen twisted it into an unholy abomination

[@urktheturtle2988]

I love how genuinely scared Lou Wilson is XD

[@thomasedge8438]

If Brian and Emily are ever in a real-life argument, she should break into this accent. He'll know he's in trouble when she says, "You should be very careful about saying such hurtful things, Riz Gukgak."

[@danniruthvan3265]

The Lord Fauntleroy wig is what did me in.

[@shard640]

i love the "we went to hell and it wasnt that bad"

[@bluesapphireymca]

This bit genuinely terrified me

[@connorjudy2330]

My favorite thing is that the usual loud boisterous adventuring party is fucking DEAD silent Lolol

[@taakotuesdays]

I love and hate how stressed ally and Lou are lol

[@AlexGoldhill]

The fact that the new season they announced is supposed to be the horror one fills me with a lit of dread.

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

Hi from the future! Good and / or bad news,, ,

[@MrKChusker]

Emily’s reaction at 7:07

[@elmtree9951]

I'm not gonna lie I was watching Lou through all of this. His reactions are just so fun, I love him

[@margohughes7074]

Watching Lou freaking the fUCK out is making this entire thing for me

[@pandablossom_2659]

when i watched this for the first time i was like how is he going to make it so that riz left the room the way the others found it before and the fact that he led murph to the claws and throwing the photo so effortlessly added to how scary this was

[@FlyingWolfWings]

Who else wants a römäncë pærtnêr named Baron?

[@benjaminoechsli1941]

They'd be whatever you say they are. It just won't be true.

[@Platypi007]

Brennan ran an entire season of nightmare fairy tales, with some of the most horrifying scenes in D20 history ("...the smile of a devil you never believed in..."), but this is still the most frightening D20 moment.

[@FaithfulPuppy]

I don't know what's creepier, Brennan's description of Baron or the way he says romance partner as Baron

[@octodaddy1602]

I wish I could watch this scene for the first time again... The part about the pressure against the other side of the mirror sent chills down my spine

[@Bodyknock]

5:54 The whole tables' reactions when he say "My name is Baron" and they realize that's his "made up girlfriend" is priceless. Ally seriously looks like she's freaking out! 😄

[@tatltails3923]

Ally is a they btw, I know the comment's kind of old but still

[@SCosta-ku5hm]

i have watched this clip more than any other clip of Dimension 20

[@martinwinski1988]

Shoutout to Planescape Torment, the first game I've heard of where false identities can come into existence like a tulpa. (If you lie about your name enough times, that lie forms against you)

[@Interitus1]

The one downvote is from Murph

[@rocketracoon709]

I have to say i like how the frames are missing from this clip you put up, something about it made watching their simultaneous reactions a bit easier? Like theres less distance in each frame. Kudos!

[@quinnsinclair7028]

This would make an excellent short film.

[@thatpinhead7543]

Baron is the scariest Römæñce Pærtñer Ive ever seen

[@alexrapp2577]

I hate mannequins so much and this did not help!!!! But truly awesome job on both Brennans and Murphs parts

[@tauron17]

LOVE that, sooooooo much, watched the episode and so muchly enjoy reliving the scene, it is freaky as helllllll! wicked awesome.

[@Dohyden2]

Brennan is in the prime of his life and I am so happy to see it. The way he GM's these games are a real delight to watch.

[@vante2]

Lou's expressions throughout the entire segment were the best, especially near the start before the mirror

[@dragon7493]

YOU HÆVE BEEN NÄUGHTY THRÏCE RÏZ GÜKGÆK!!!!!

[@backtoids]

god i wish i had a roémænce pårtnèr

[@nickh3205]

I honestly want to see this animated

[@benjaminoechsli1941]

Someone made this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYG3XniwfKuabJI

[@Marchchio]

This scene never fails to give me shivers😳

[@natosvids]

I love that he reminded himself that his character doesn't know what the player does about the situation. Then makes the obviously bad choice based on that.

[@guntotingmonk]

I've watched this three or four times and it's STILL intense and scary!

[@116th]

If every single one of us, as children, could have had Brennan as our camp counsellor, we wouldnt have needed our parents, and the North American cultural and political landscapes would probably be at peace right now.

[@woodsytheowlscharedcorpse4761]

The way that Brennan smoothly manipulates Murph as this goes on so the office is set up properly for the time we saw the aftermath in the previous episode is so freaking satisfying. I keep going back to this scene because of that and because it’s also being done during one of the best and scariest scenes in all of D20 while barely ever being recognized.

[@lewisloeb3009]

Wouldn't there be an easy way to overcome this nightmare being (never saw fantasy high so im not sure but based on what baron and riz said i think this would work)? Telling more lies to make baron more real and grounded in riz's favor. It is what baron wants, so work it in your favor. When prompted to do whatever he wants couldn't riz ask to make a call? "Hey Fabian, its the ball. Im leaving the clue on my desk. I just caught up with my romance partner Baron and may not be avaliable for a while. He is so sweet and kind always going out of his way to protect me and keep me safe. we are going to get ice cream maybe do some dancing after. Oh don't worry Fabian, baron's a loving being, a great spellcaster, and would never purposely hurt me. How about you grab your romance partner and we have a double date. I really want to show off my man... sorry romance partner" Boom. Party knows Riz is in danger, well Fabian but he can let the others know. Baron has more lies that he (and dm Brendan) must abide by. And even if brendan improvs danger for riz, baron must try to help riz and keep him safe without harming him. Also Baron gets to go get ice cream and the others could catch up and do a "double date" to ensure riz's safety.

[@kayleyhodson7079]

Fair points, except that Baron isn't just a manifestation of Riz's lies, but a manifestation of his worst fears of being forever alone. The next time Riz meets Baron he's forced to confront those fears. That would happen either way, whether Baron is constrained to the lies Riz tells or not

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

Remember what we've learned today everyone: If something creepy is IN the mirror, do not break it or you'll let it OUT

[@deborahstonebraker6894]

You know sometimes the time this pops into my head. And every time I watch it and start wheezing with laughter because this is a scene of my friend and I think about quite a lot her and I will be sitting in my living room we will just look at each other and say riz gukgak. Like Brendan Lee Mulligan when voicing Baron and we burst into fifth of hysterical laughter for like 45 minutes and we cannot look at each other we think about the scene this moment in Time way too much 😂

[@bellesmith8925]

Lou and Zac just freaking out in the background the whole time 🤣

[@oliviafrancis1926]

I love this so much ugh oh my god

[@redbeardsworkshop]

This is one of many Brennan clips that live in my head rent free

[@drtoonie]

Brennan Lee Mulligan is so good at horror

[@HutchTheWolf]

Why am I watching this before going to sleep? Creepy as hell.

[@vcagande7998]

I watched this episode when I was alone in the house, I had to go downstairs to the kitchen because my closet has a huge mirror on it and I was scared.

[@haydenwest7978]

this is how zoomed in it shouldve been for the whole season

[@nataliebland3078]

One entire side of the table cringing at the little lord Fauntleroy curls is sending me

[@needmusicnow7]

Those poor kids coming back from camp emotionally scarred

[@peter-subramanian]

"O hai Riz"

[@heidismith3228]

This is legit so fucking scary and I hope Brennen knows that.

[@benjaminoechsli1941]

9:28 his reaction to being told that. He's... a person, alright.

[@GMdelsXT9]

And this all came from a dumb fake story about having a romance partner.

[@jamjamflute]

The timing of the drums at 6:16! Did Brennan start a new track there, or did things just line up?

[@tritt7617]

I think they did the music in post for prerecorded seasons

[@evanc.1591]

​@@tritt7617Yeah, but this game was recorded as a live stream. I think it just lined up really well. And the players were feeling the music, unconsciously acting in time with it.

[@edgarallanpoestan]

This was so eerie

[@lokeyacolyte2145]

Honestly begging this beard to be featured again in a future season

[@aech619]

I wish I knew the score playing in the background. I would love to use it to create tension during my campaigns