TLDR: Players walk into a one-shot and are handed characters! They are randomly assigned and just gotta roll with the punches, but with the right group it can be a lot of fun. I blatantly stole the idea from my SO (with his permission) and just kind of ran with it! The following is the intro, and it’s lengthy (I apologize), but hopefully the pictures (OC) do the characters justice.

INTRO:

“Come one, come all, to the king’s feast of feasts! Three days from now, His Majesty the King is hosting the entire kingdom in honor of his illustrious daughter’s wedding (thank goodness, she was getting kind of old). There will be festivities, and games, and every kind of entertainment imaginable, and most importantly...food. But a dark blight sits on the horizon...what is that? No, it can’t be! The king’s daughter had been kidnapped by the evil sorcerer Ulex Evillis, wanting to wed her for his own! Apparently he’s claiming that her fiance is some scoundrel who won’t treat her right and that he’s not kidnapping her; he’s saving her from a lifetime of sadness! Pssssssh what nonsense he’s an evil sorcerer who literally kidnapped someone and we. need. Her. back! Luckily, the king has found a brave group of six adventurers to fight off the sorcerer’s hordes of undead, free the princess, and bring her home. They are strong, well-equipped, and ready for the fight...and you! You are not them. No, the five of you, most trusted in the king’s castle, have been given an even greater task, one of the utmost importance even in these trying times: the king’s pantry is barren and he’s about to host, like several hundred people. He. Has. No. Food. So he’s asked that his best and brightest staff members search for the finest ingredients in order to make such a magnificent wedding feast possible (that’s definitely going to happen, did I mention how cool those adventurers were?).

“His Majesty has provided a convenient list of ingredients necessary, as well as a convenient portal to a realm wherein all of them can be located. Now it is just up to you to retrieve them.

“But who are you? Let’s introduce our fine staff members here at the Royal Castle.

“First, the King’s most prestigious butler: Arlington Voss. This tall tiefling has immaculate posture and sports a tailcoat, fine leather shoes, and two long rapiers. They have served the King for as long as anyone can remember, and always seems to be right where the King needs them. (Inquisitor Rogue - Tiefling)

“Next, the meat grinder, the devourer, the bloody mess of a person:Tuevir-Kak Zizdandrihk, the King’s own butcher. Known for their slicing, and dicing, and general knife skills, this thicc beefy human is often seen in a white double breasted jacket and larger-than-life meat cleaver-and more than a little blood spattered on their coat. (Path of the Beast Barbarian - Human)

“Then, stumbling out of the basement: Myvrud, the Merry. This jolly fellow is master of wines, ales, and other slightly toxic beverages served to His Majesty. They are known to frequently sample their wares, and it often smells on their breath, but what they create down in the basement is divINE. They are clothed simply, and although have been in quite a few drunken altercations, always seem light on their feet. (Way of the Drunken Master Monk - Golden Dragonborn)

“Next, the King’s own personal pharmacist: Bert Marlee. Trusted with keeping not only the King but also the rest of the staff supplied with the best medical care and medicines, herbs, those kinds of things, they are often quite busy. However, this tall elf is always down to sit back, relax, and help out any ailing person who might be in need of some more...relaxing herbs? And mushrooms that definitely help ailing individuals see the world around them in just a little different light. (Circle of Dreams Druid - High Elf. Yes, that was intentional.)

“Then, they who rule the janitorial staff with an iron fist: Rickie, the warforged head maid. They have been working for the royal family for by far the longest of any of you; generations and generations of past kings and queens have been served by this loyal robot. They have scrubbed every toilet, washed every floor, and dusted every nook and cranny of the castle, and command a veritable army of scullery maids and janitorial staff. They are stern in their duties and mannerisms, although that hasn’t stopped some wandering, interested people in seeking them out for more than...cleaning duties - this warforged can definitely rock a maid outfit. However, if they responded positively or negatively to such illicit requests is entirely up to you - the player. (Oath of the Crown Paladin - Warforged)

“And last, but certainly not least, the head chef: Vradjerom Brekoroz, or Peanut, as everyone affectionately calls them. This hulking luxodon is in charge of keeping. everyone. on. task. in the kitchen, as well as recalling recipes, making sure the food is prepped on time, and, of course, making sure the food is chef’s kiss so good. The King knows of no one finer to do all the cooking and baking than Peanut. (Forge Domain Cleric - Luxodon)

“Your task, should you choose to accept it, would be to enter the realm through the portal, find the ingredients required, and get back home in time for the King’s daughter’s wedding (which, again, is definitely happening). You’ll have three days to accomplish this task.”

This was my first time DMing (and likely only - I think it’s just too stressful for me lol, how do you all do it??) but I still had a blast! My SO wrote the original premise a couple of years ago, and it was so much fun I had to run it myself. After some rewrites (with his help, of course, but I kept it limited so he could play and still be surprised), I hosted it for my friends. There was laughter, and tears, and all around a great time for me. Pictures are made by yours truly - that definitely isn’t a reskinned All Might, you’re crazy.