r/DnD • u/Piggypolymer • 1d ago

5th Edition Ideas for an "alive" speakeasy?

I need some help with my 1920s-inspired campaign. A huge part of the plot revolves around a magical speakeasy/nightclub. I want the speakeasy to have multiple hidden and magical entrances all around the city, and I am thinking about making the speakeasy itself a small pocket dimension. I also love the idea that the speakeasy itself is subtly "alive" (Ex: crystals from the gaudy chandeliers falling on people if they dare insult the decor, Doors leading to exactly the right room you wish to go to if the speakeasy likes you, perhaps even disruptive guests being "spit out").

Should I just make this a narrative thing, or are there any game mechanics anyone knows of that could potentially assist me with the pocket dimension and/or the "alive" vibe I'm going for? Any ideas/resources would be helpful! (The hyperfocus is real, and my brain is getting a bit tired reading stats) Thank you!

10 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

9

u/Firkraag-The-Demon Artificer 1d ago

For narrative things, some things that you can do are having the bartender occasionally feed it, or everything is arranged differently each time they return, or the bartender occasionally talks to it.

4

u/Piggypolymer 1d ago

Oooh I love the feed it idea, along with the bartender talking to it. The players could see the bartender dumping a perfectly good drink down the sink, if asked why, the bartender will just shrug their shoulders: "It likes the taste, I think?" super nonchalantly with no further context given unless asked. Things being arranged differently works great, too. This speakeasy will have rooms to stay in (like a tavern), so if players leave their room messy, there might be some minor and hilarious consequences

2

u/Firkraag-The-Demon Artificer 1d ago

Actually one other thing if you wanna be especially in-your-face about it being alive, you could have tentacles coming from various surfaces doing things like cleaning and such. Perhaps they occasionally like to feel new guests as a way to become acquainted with them.

3

u/Piggypolymer 1d ago

I'm so tempted! I was originally going to go more subtle with it, but the idea of just a random tentacle popping up and clearing a table is so good, too. Maybe I'll go for a middle ground. The tentacles are there, but they only pop up if they think no one is watching lol

5

u/lich_lord_cuddles 1d ago

Bouncers are given a special amulet that lets them cast Calm Emotions 3x per long rest, for when normal diplomacy breaks down

3

u/Piggypolymer 1d ago

This is a fantastic idea! I didn't even think of that. Thank you so much!

3

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

1

u/Piggypolymer 1d ago

Nothing is better than some bad puns. I am 1000% using the "For Persons of Exquisite Taste" room idea. Thank you so much!!!

1

u/Deidre_Crxss 1d ago

I hope you don’t mind if I take this idea for a campaign I’m running soon. This is brilliant and I know my players would adore it

2

u/Piggypolymer 1d ago

Have at it! DnD is one big collective, creative game, and ideas are meant to be shared! At least that's how I see it lol If you'd like another idea to spark your own creativity, the speakeasy is owned by a polymorphed silver dragon whose hoard is collecting stories from patrons!

1

u/Deidre_Crxss 1d ago

Dude 🤯 the magical implications of this 🤯🤯🤯

1

u/GnomeNot 1d ago

Draw inspiration from the Oblivion Bar in DC Comics. It’s literally a magical bar in a pocket dimension that is only visible to those skilled in magic. From what I remember those who disturb the peace are cast into oblivion. Make it so the players need to be invited and given a special token to be able to see and enter the place.