Fantasy High: Freshman Year is the first season of the popular actual-play series from Dimension 20, blending high fantasy with the chaos of high school life. Set in the magical realm of Spyre, this campaign combines comedy, heartfelt storytelling, and creative worldbuilding. It introduces viewers to a group of teenage adventurers attending the magical high school of Aguefort Adventuring Academy. With a mix of magic, monsters, homework, and teen drama, Fantasy High: Freshman Year has captured the hearts of fans who love tabletop RPGs, character-driven narratives, and imaginative settings.
Setting and Worldbuilding
The Realm of Spyre
The story takes place in Spyre, a high-fantasy world that includes elves, orcs, dwarves, and dragons but with a modern twist. This is a world where sword fights happen alongside locker gossip, and magical creatures walk the same halls as awkward teenagers. Spyre is rich in lore, combining traditional fantasy tropes with suburban life, creating a setting that feels both whimsical and familiar.
Aguefort Adventuring Academy
At the center of Fantasy High: Freshman Year is Aguefort Adventuring Academy, a prestigious school for young heroes. Founded by the eccentric and powerful Principal Aguefort, the academy trains students in combat, spellcasting, and monster-slaying while still assigning essays and group projects. This setting provides the perfect backdrop for an adventure filled with growth, mystery, and magical mayhem.
Main Characters and Their Roles
The Bad Kids
The player characters in Fantasy High are affectionately known as The Bad Kids, a group of misfits who find friendship and purpose in the chaos of high school life. Each character brings unique abilities, perspectives, and backstories to the table:
- Fig Faeth A rebellious tiefling bard with a mysterious heritage.
- Kristen Applebees A cleric struggling with questions about faith and identity.
- Fabian Seacaster A swashbuckling fighter from a wealthy, pirate family.
- Riz Gukgak A goblin rogue with a sharp mind and detective instincts.
- Gorgug Thistlespring A gentle half-orc barbarian raised by gnomes.
- Adaine Abernant A high elf wizard dealing with anxiety and family pressure.
These characters are brought to life by the players’ creativity and the chemistry they share. As the season unfolds, their individual arcs are explored in depth, giving viewers a chance to connect with their struggles, victories, and evolving friendships.
Story Arc and Themes
The Freshman Experience
Fantasy High: Freshman Year follows the Bad Kids through their first year at Aguefort. What starts as a typical school year quickly becomes a sprawling narrative involving conspiracies, magical threats, and secrets that go far beyond classroom walls. The students must juggle classes, cliques, and monsters while trying to uncover the truth about a growing evil in Spyre.
Major Plot Points
Some of the central storylines in Fantasy High: Freshman Year include:
- The mystery surrounding missing students and a shadowy organization known as The Nightmare King.
- Uncovering secrets about the school and Principal Aguefort’s true intentions.
- Discovering personal truths about family, identity, and belonging.
- Forming deep bonds and learning to work as a team under pressure.
These plots are driven by player choices, resulting in unpredictable twists and emotionally impactful moments that keep audiences engaged throughout the campaign.
Gameplay and Storytelling Style
Brennan Lee Mulligan as Dungeon Master
The success of Fantasy High owes much to Brennan Lee Mulligan, the Dungeon Master, whose storytelling skills, improvisation, and character work have drawn widespread acclaim. Brennan blends humor with emotional depth, allowing the players to explore their characters fully while keeping the plot moving with energy and tension. His performance is equal parts theatrical and thoughtful, making each session memorable.
Balancing Humor and Emotion
One of the strongest features of Fantasy High: Freshman Year is its ability to shift between comedy and heartfelt drama. Moments of slapstick and teenage awkwardness are balanced by serious discussions about trauma, faith, identity, and morality. This range makes the story feel authentic and deeply human, despite its fantastical setting.
Why Fantasy High: Freshman Year Stands Out
A Fresh Take on Fantasy
Fantasy High takes the classic elements of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign magic, monsters, dungeons and places them in a modern-day high school setting. This combination creates opportunities for unique encounters, creative problem-solving, and relatable teenage drama. It also opens the door for humor and genre parody, making the show both fun and clever.
Character-Driven Storytelling
Rather than focusing solely on quests and battles, Fantasy High prioritizes character growth. Each player is given space to explore their character’s internal conflicts and relationships. Whether it’s Adaine dealing with her family’s expectations or Kristen questioning her religion, these arcs ground the fantasy in real emotional stakes.
Community and Fandom
Fantasy High has built a passionate fanbase that appreciates its inclusive storytelling, memorable characters, and collaborative creativity. The show’s focus on friendship, support, and embracing who you are resonates with viewers across different backgrounds. Fan art, cosplay, and online discussions have kept the show thriving long after its first season ended.
Impact and Legacy
Launch of Dimension 20
Fantasy High: Freshman Year marked the beginning of Dimension 20, the actual-play anthology series from Dropout. Its success helped establish the format and tone for future seasons, each with different settings and characters but the same spirit of collaborative storytelling. Fantasy High remains one of the most rewatched and recommended campaigns in the Dimension 20 catalog.
Introduction to TTRPGs
For many viewers, Fantasy High was their introduction to tabletop roleplaying games. The clear rules, accessible humor, and emotional depth made it easier for new fans to understand how D&D works. It also inspired many to try running their own games, especially campaigns set in non-traditional settings like modern schools or cities.
Fantasy High: Freshman Year is a shining example of what can happen when imaginative worldbuilding, strong character development, and collaborative storytelling come together. With its modern twist on classic fantasy, emotionally rich narrative, and unforgettable cast of characters, it offers something for everyone whether you’re a Dungeons & Dragons veteran or a newcomer to the genre. The first year at Aguefort Adventuring Academy may be filled with chaos and danger, but it also holds friendship, discovery, and the start of a magical journey that fans will never forget.