Dungeons & Dragons Turned Hansel and Gretel Into a Near-Perfect Adventure

Dungeons & Dragons adventures often revolve around epic fantasy battles against ancient necromancers, demons, or invading armies. However, a whimsical fairy tale like Hansel and Gretel can also provide a memorable gaming experience. “Baker’s Doesn’t,” published in 2024 by Wizards of the Coast as part of Dragon Delves, is one such adventure that combines the magical elements of Dungeons & Dragons with the light-hearted charm of a classic tale.

In “Baker’s Doesn’t,” players are tasked with rescuing a mischievous wyrmling named Briochebane, who has been captured by a witch. The adventure unfolds in a candy store, where Edith Applegarth, the confectioner, suspects her rival baker Fill Flourforge of arson. The story takes a turn when Fill reveals that his young ward, Briochebane, is the real culprit. Players must follow Briochebane’s trail and face a series of bizarre challenges.

The adventure is replete with colorful and quirky adversaries, such as cockatrices that turn enemies into chocolate statues with their bites, bugbears selling saltwater taffy, and dryads that offer candied apples to kids and animals. Players can also transform their characters into candy creatures, though the consequences are purely for entertainment purposes.

The most formidable foe is the hag Uncle Nibblecheek, who has charmed Briochebane. Players can bribe the dragon with Fill’s cinnamon buns to avoid being targeted by his breath weapon. The final boss encounter is a delightful twist on the traditional confrontation, with the hag’s ultimate goal being to keep Briochebane as her captive.

While the adventure is already charming, some modifications can enhance the experience. In the source material, Briochebane is a gold dragon, and Fill is a former brigand. Changing Fill’s background to that of a former adventurer and dragon slayer who has raised a baby red dragon can add depth to the story. Additionally, Edith's betrayal and the townspeople's potential reaction to her involvement can be expanded upon for a more compelling narrative.

The gingerbread people guarding Asger, Briochebane's captor, are a standard encounter in the original adventure. However, the adventure's creators suggest replacing them with a more challenging humanoid adversary or transforming them into candy forms. This change not only makes the fight more engaging but also provides players with unique and memorable experiences.

Overall, “Baker’s Doesn’t” is an excellent adventure for level three characters, suitable for a brief gaming session or an introductory experience. It encourages creativity, strategic thinking, and role-playing, making it a delightful addition to any Dungeons & Dragons campaign.