yourplayersaidwhat:

Content: We were playing a one-shot discovery campaign with brutality-level difficulty. The party was engaged with the citadel’s high-ranking militia forces due to fraternizing with the lieutenant of a major resistance movement. My character, an Orc Cleric (Asgard), just healed himself from the brink of death. Our Human Rogue (Adrianne) was fending of some soldiers, and our NPC Monk character (aka the lieutenant) was bashing skulls outside the tavern. And our third party member, a Watee Genasi Fighter (Mercer)? Well…

DM: So, a new soldier wearing robes has entered the battle. He raises his hand out to you all and calls out, “Begone, villains!” Everyone, roll a charisma save.

Asgard (me): *rolls 19*

Adrianne: *rolls 13*

Mercer: *rolls nat 1*

DM: OH, WOW! Okay, um, let me check something really fast.

Mercer: What?!

DM: So, Asgard and Adrianne are fine, but you, Mercer, find yourself warped in a place beyond the battle. The entire area feels off and congested. You have been banished to an island in some ethereal place, alone.

Mercer: WHAT THE HELL?! What do I do?

Adrianne: I’m not sure if there’s anything that can be done about that.

Asgard: I would go and get you, but I’m a liiiiiittle busy right now.

a couple turns later~

DM: After some time, Mercer, you’re brought back into the tavern. Currently, you see Asgard being pinned down against the bar by a massive Commander, and Adrianne is pushed up against the wall, nearly at the window. The situation is tense, what do you do?

Mercer: I am frightened so I will scream! The hell is going on?!

At this point, the DM goes silent for a moment, but he then begins to chuckle, making the entire party look uneasy.

DM, Now, I want EVERYONE, except Mercer, to make a constitution saving throw!

Mercer: What’s going on? What is happening?!

DM, in-between his laughter: I gave all of your characters a hidden skill that could’ve been used, but it would be a surprise. Your scream triggered a 9th Lv. spell!

The entire party: WHAT?!?!

Adrianne: *rolls 4*

Asgard: *rolls 13*

DM: OH MY GOD! Asgard, you just barely failed the DC on this! Both of you are at zero HP, as well as most of the other people in this area; you are now unconscious. The Commander, however, withstands.

Mercer, laugh-crying: What did I do?!

DM, excited: You casted Wail of the Banshee!

Mercer: I DIDN’T KNOW I HAD THAT!

DM: EXACTLY! WELCOME TO DISCOVERY/BRUTALITY!

That scream pretty much sealed our deaths as the campaign went on. No healing, no powerful attacks. We were picked off one-by-one.
And we weren’t even at the final boss, too.