Week 4 Storytelling: Narayan's Ramayana

Author’s Note: I chose to write this retelling of the Ramayana as a session of the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). For those of you who don’t know how to play, the game mechanics can be found here. In essence, the Dungeon Master (DM) writes a story for the players' characters to play through. They set the scene verbally and then allow the players to have their characters interact with their environment. It's something like a collaborative storytelling effort. 

I felt that this would be a good fit for retelling the Ramayana because it makes sense to have the gods play as mortals when the original story is written about the incarnation of a god as a man. I decided to write the details of the story as more true to the game because it is, in my opinion, a better exercise for my writing skills to have to build more original material. I have, however, opted to keep equivalent characters' names the same in order to make sure it's obvious whose story I'm writing about. All explanations aside, let's get into the game.

(Dungeons and Dragons figurines)

PRELOGUE : Character Building

Brahma hadn’t planned on spending his entire Saturday playing D&D, but his friends, Vishnu and Ganesha had absolutely begged him to help them out since their regular DM was on vacation for the next 2 months. After the 2 hours of incessant texts, calls, and offers to cook for him, Brahma caved and agreed to write them a one-off session. He promised that if that went well he’d consider writing them a more expansive campaign.

Watching them sitting here, a film of sleep still covering his reality, at 9 in the morning building their characters, Brahma began to wonder what he’d gotten himself into. Vishnu and Ganesha sat close exclaiming every new detail of their characters with glee. At the end of three hours, the pair had built a pair of brothers. Ganesha’s created a noble monk named Lakshmana who placed a high value on family on loyalty. Vishnu crafted Lakshmana’s brother – a paladin named Rama who placed justice above all else. They were ready to begin their adventure.

SESSION 1 : Vishvamitra's Quest

Brahma: Rama and Lakshmana’s father is not just any noble. You’re both princes. You’re sons by different queens of the King Dashartha. For years you have been trained under the tutelage of the finest teachers in the land – this is why I’ve allowed you to build at level five. One day, an sage cleric from the south of your kingdom arrives at the castle seeking the help of your father. A terrible dark force has been tormenting his hermitage. He’s requesting that your father send you, Rama, to battle the force and free him and his fellow clerics from this life of fear. You and Lakshmana are both in the throne room as this occurs. What do you do?

Vishnu: Rama turns to his father and tells him that it’s only just for him to defend his subjects.

Brahma: King Dashartha is reluctant to allow you to go. You know, he needs his heir and all. I’m going to need you to roll persuasion.

Rama: [rolls d20] Yeah.. That’s a two.

Brahma: Your father is absolutely not convinced. In fact, he kind of thinks you sound foolish. He has no intention of letting you go.

Ganesha: Lakshmana offers to attend to Rama and guard him. He reminds his father of the training they have and the healing powers of clerics.

Brahma: Roll persuasion with advantage.

Ganesha: 6 and… 19!

Brahma: Dashartha is really keen on having you there to protect your brother. With two of you there, he’s almost certain you’ll be fine. He explains to Vishvamitra that the two of you will gladly go to rescue the village from whatever evil torments it. Vishvamitra then thanks you and explains that the evil is a Marilith known as Thataka. He advises you to be cautious in your quest and offers to guide you to the village.

Vishnu: Rama is thrilled to go with him. He tries to leave immediately before realizing he needs to pack.

Ganesha: Lakshmana rolls his eyes at Rama and gets ready to leave.

Brahma: Okay, the two of you prepare your things and follow Vishvamitra to the forest Thataka has been hiding in.When you arrive, there is no monster in sight, but Vishvamitra draws Rama aside and tells him that he’ll need your help channeling a particularly powerful spell if you want to have any hope of defeating Thataka and making it out alive. Vishnu, what is your response?

Vishnu: Rama quickly agrees to help channel the spell but asks why Lakshmana has not also been asked since, as a cleric, he is also proficient in divine spellcasting.

Brahma: Vishvamitra calls Lakshmana over and teaches you the components of a ritual-based spell that rains bolts of radiant energy down on the demon it’s focused on. 

Vishvamitra acknowledges it’s well above your current skill level, but he believes that if you channel the power together you’ll be able to manage it. Do you believe him?

Vishnu: Rama definitely believes in him. He has faith that the gods will use him as a tool of divine justice to vanquish Thataka. Level’s just a number.

Ganesha: Lakshmana is more cautious, but he definitely believes that he and Rama will be able to defeat Thataka one way or another.

Brahma: Good, so the three of you are working with this spell learning to perform it properly and you’re standing around the fire, actually starting to get the process when, suddenly, you hear this horrible crashing from the woods off behind Vishvamitra. Suddenly, a demoness who you’re sure is 

Thataka shoots out of the woods and throws Vishvamitra through the air, knocking him unconscious. Roll initiative.

Vishnu: 9.

Ganesha: 18.

Brahma: Alright, so that was Thataka’s surprise round that she got on you. She’ll be going last in the order. Lakshmana, you’re up first.

Ganesha: Lakshmana isn’t sure that this spell is going to work. He attacks her with Flame Strike and does 22 damage.

Brahma: Thataka easily outstrips this column of flame and only takes half that.

Vishnu: I turn to Lakshmana and urge him to help me cast the spell Vishvamitra taught us.

Ganesha: He’s not sure.

Vishnu: The worst that happens is we fail and have to keep fighting!

Ganesha: Fine!!!

Vishnu: With Lakshmana’s help, according to Vishvamitra’s instructions I cast:

Brahma: Reign of God!! As you cast the spell you see hundreds upon hundreds of divine spears of light skewering Thataka from the heavens. So many fall that you actually lose sight of her in this brilliant golden cloud. When the storm clears you look and see her, covered in blood, crawling towards you, snarling. Lakshmana?

Ganesha: I defer to Rama.

Vishnu: Rama draws his longbow and fires a single shot into her eye.

Brahma: Roll.

Vishnu: NAT 20!!!

Brahma: The two of you watch as Rama’s arrow hits the foul demon and she stops moving. Vishvamitra awakes and thanks you for your aid.

Author's Note: I know that Ganesha was only really involved in the original Ramayana as a periphery character, but I don't think it would have made sense for Vishnu to play four incarnations of himself. Though I did consider that option, as it would have been amusing, I felt that simply adding another god would be a better solution. I chose Ganesha because he is known for wisdom and intelligence which are two key features of Lakshmana so I felt that this would be most in line with the story I'm writing. I chose to write it in script form because I felt it better reflected gameplay and provided an interesting quality to the adventuring.

(Image of a demon)

Bibliography:

Naryan's Ramayana, Reading Guide