Rating:

General Audiences

Archive Warning:

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Category:

M/M

Fandoms:

Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid

Relationships:

Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Kip Grady/Scott Hunter, Ryan Price/Fabian Salah

Additional Tags:

Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, Alternate Universe - Dungeons & Dragons

Language:

English

Stats:

Published: 2026-06-13 Words: 1,892 Chapters: 1/1

For the Kingfisher

Summary

A quick thought experiment about the Game Changers as D and D characters, concentrating on the first three sets of protagonists in the books.

Notes

I am far from a D and D expert, so please feel free to correct me in the comments if I've got terribly wrong, this is all very vibes based. All the characters are human for the sake of this exercise. I'm also level capping at 6, ala Epic Level 6 gameplay. Essentially, all the characters still have some mortal limitations.

Is this the nerdiest thing I've ever done? Potentially!

Campaign Background:

In the Year 17, after a great and terrible battle, Scott Hunter stood amid the ruins as it's undisputed victor along with his brothers-in-arms. Before them, the remains of his enemies and the non-combatants of both forces, he forswore his god and dedicated himself to a new one. It thrust a small, previously oppressed religion, into daily conversation. It drew in new worshipers and changed the landscape of every future battlefield. That he also kissed his boyfriend (now husband) did not go unnoticed.

His new god, The Kingfisher, claims no gender and no race as it's own. It remains a true neutral force, a watchful bird's eye that moves to it's own internal logic. It's sole shrine is a tavern where all are welcome, but few choose to stay. The only principals all it's worshipers seem to hold in common is that everyone should be free to love as they wish and those that struggle with unseen demons should not struggle alone.

The Kingfisher Devotees

Scott Hunter

Alignment: Lawful Good

Background: Folk Hero

Previous Deity: Tempus, God of War

Class: Paladin (lvl 6), Oath of Devotion

Fighting Style: Protection

Spells: Lay on Hands,Channel Divinity: Harness Divine Power, Shield of Faith, Divine Smite, and Aura of Protection

An orphan, Scott gave his life to his city and to his god. Part of his sacrifice was his heart, laid on the alter of a god who did not make use of it. When Scott found someone worthy of holding it and then almost lost them again, he found within him the power to defy his past and reach for a future better not only for himself, but others. Some call him an oathbreaker, but Scott believes his changing of gods was the greatest act of faith in his oath that he could manage. The Kingfisher seems to agree and his abilities have grown rather than dimmed with his changed allegiance.

Kip Grady

Alignment: Lawful Good

Background: Scribe

Previous Deity: None. Lifelong devotee to The Kingfisher

Class: Wizard (lvl 6), Abjurer

Spells: Create Bonfire, Dancing Lights, Light, Alarm, Detect Magic, Arcane Lock, Mage Armor, Shield, Silvery Barbs, Tasha's Hideous Laughter, Counterspell, Dispel Magic, Remove Curse

Kip didn't mean to become an adventurer at all. He studied magic with a focus on it's beauty and strength. When he left academics behind, he worked at the Kingfisher shrine as he waited for a path forward. Like many wizards, he quickly missed his books and frequently studied what he could when he could. His encounter with a certain paladin put him on a new path and his studies took a fresh turn. He still finds beauty in magic, but he knows now it is a tool that can be twisted to many uses. He will not allow the thing he loves harm people whenever he can help it.

Where they are now:

"Sorry, love, I've got one for you," Scott said as if Kip couldn't see the man he carried in his arms.

"It's not even noon," Kip said, arms on his waist. "And I sent you out to get more honey."

"I got it!" Scott assured him. "It's in my pack. I found him on my way back. It's definitely a curse. I can't get a lick of healing done on him."

"You can see curses now?" Kip asked wryly.

"I know them when I feel them. He's sticky," Scott said.

"Gross. Okay, put him in the back and let's see what we can do."

The curse was a tricky one and Scott wound up having to hack up the demonic entity that had laid it which was always hell on the floors. The man wasn't even particularly grateful, but he wasn't stupid enough to leave without making an offering to the Kingfisher at least.

"I'll get the mop," Scott said, looking forlornly at the ichor-stained floors. "I don't know why this keeps happening."

"We're a beacon now," Kip reminded him.

"No, I don't mean the curse-breaking and all. I meant the staining. I swear I've refinished these floors with every magic-enhanced sealant I can find and none of them stop it from soaking in. It's such a mess."

Scott's hands were still burning brightly from his banishment of evil and his battleaxe gleamed with fluids. He should be the picture of divine ferocity. Instead, he looked like a put out innkeeper. Kip got up on his toes and kissed his cheek with delight.

"You'll get it one day. For now, I think it adds character."

Shane Hollander-Rozanov

Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Background: Soldier

Previous Deity: Tempus, God of War

Class: Paladin (lvl 6), Oath of Glory

Fighting Style: Great Weapon Fighting

Spells: Lay on Hands, Channel Divinity-Peerless Athlete, Heroism, Divine Smite, Aura of Protection and Cure Wounds

Protector of the City, Shane embodied perfection as a paladin. He rid the land of monsters and oppressive forces with his battalion. Inside his well armored chest, he carried a heavy secret and an unrelenting love. Hunter's broken oath rekindled his waning faith, but not in the god he had once worshiped.

Ilya Hollander-Rozanov

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Background: Solider

Previous Deity: Halmyr, god of strategy and skill in warfare

Class: Fighter (lvl 4)- Champion, Sorcerer (lvl 2)

Metamagic Options: Quickened and Empowered spells

Spells: Prestidigitation, Shocking Grasp, Sorcerous Burst, True Strike, Ice Knife, Silvery Barbs, Thunderwave

Under his father's iron grasp, Ilya's natural wild magic remained hidden as he trained as a fighter. He left his home country to seek glory and adventure as well as freedom. Instead, he found that prison installed within can follow you anywhere. As part of a raiding group, he clashed again and again with Captain Hollander and in that fight, they both discovered the bond that would ultimately free them.

Where they are now:

A coward's move to strike a man from behind. Ilya went to his knees, spitting blood into the sandy dirt. They were outnumbered, but their opponents were weak men. Still, Ilya was tired and dizzy from the fresh blow. He could hear the cackling exaltation of Kent as he raised his blade for what he likely thought was the killing blow.

"Mistake," Ilya sing-songed.

"Your foolish mouth has spoken for the last time," Kent growled.

"Has it?" Ilya grinned.

A wet gurgling sound was his only answer. Just before he could faint, a familar hand wrapped around the back of his neck. Shane's magic never felt like magic. It felt like an extension of Shane's own rock solid will, his iron certainty thrust into Ilya's very bones. It said 'There is no world where you do not get up and fight again at my side'. The wound in Ilya's gut vanished as if it had never been.

"Get up," Shane said as if Ilya had been napping. "We're not done."

Thrusting his blade into the dirt, Ilya leveraged himself back to his feet. He stood shoulder to shoulder with his husband and regarded the brigade before them. They moved forward, more hesitantly without their leader.

"Hello, boys," Ilya said jauntily. He hefted his greatsword back up casually. His magic was not as certain as Shane's, nor as solid. It was his mother's magic, untameable. "Ready for some fun?"

The knife of ice manifested in his hand and before any of them could respond it was lodged in the chest of their second-in-command.

"You think this will be fun?" Shane asked with a slow blink. "I'm bored already."

Shane's sword, twin to Ilya's flashed through the air and drew blood, again and it parted a man from his life. They bore forward. It was an overwhelming amount of enemies, but they did their fair share of damage before the rolling cry and hoofbeats filled the air.

"Their battalion!" Someone cried. "Retreat! RETREAT!"

There was blood on Ilya's teeth, magic singing in his veins. Beside him, his husband wasn't even breathing hard, the glow of his dedication and power illuminating his armor in the growing dark. It was good to be alive, in the name of the Kingfisher.

Ryan Price

Alignment: Lawful Good

Background: Soldier

Previous Deity: Helm, God of Protection

Class: Barbarian (lvl 6), Path of the Giant (retired)

Abilities: Crushing Throw, Giant's Stature, Elemental Cleaver

Ryan wanted to train as a fighter, but his size and tempter when suitably provoked put him on a different path. For years, he let his rage guide him through battle, then mourned the consequences afterwards. His slow detachment from his brigade and decision to retire were helped along by a song heard on a long walk that put fresh inspiration into his heart. He no longer goes into a rage, but he will stand guard against those that seek to harm the one that helped him back to his true self.

Fabian Salah

Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Background: Entertainer

Previous Deity: None, Lifelong Kingfisher devotee

Class: Bard (lvl 6), College of Creation

Spells: Mote of Creation, Song of Rest, Bardic Inspiration, Countercharm, Performance of Creation, Animating Performance

Fabian's songs have always had a profound effect on his audience, when he could get them to listen. Getting an audience for song of peace in a world obsessed with fighting has always been an uphill battle. Good thing then that Fabian is as stubborn and unrelenting as any warrior. As the Kingfisher rises in power, so does it's chosen Voice, putting voice and fiddle to work on showing people another path.

Where they are now:

The last note of the song faded. The dance of furniture in the meadhall came to an end. For a long suspended moment, the audience went on moving as if they could not accept that there was a conclusion to the evening. Fabian's fiddle hummed in his hands, sated with the night's work. He hummed too.

"Another!" Someone cried.

"Fair people, I have no more," Fabian said.

They clamored towards him, their hunger unsated. Tomorrow, they would not be able to remember why they were so frenzied, but they would remember the name of the god that Fabian channeled. It was worth the moment of vague concern as they lunged for him to know his art had swayed more souls.

"Ready to go?" Ryan asked mildly, stepping up onto the stage.

"Yes, I think so," Fabian said.

To the crowd, the man beside Fabian became a monster. He swelled in size, an inhuman hulking shape. To Fabian, it was his lover, showing off a little to make sure they left untouched. Fabian let Ryan's shadow obscure him and together they walked out of the hall and into the welcoming night. Ryan had set up camp for them down the road. They sat down to a merry fire and Ryan returned to his usual, still massive, shape.

"We'll move on in the morning," Fabian said.

"I think we have to, love," Ryan said with a laugh. "Do you want to go home for a few days or keep pushing on?"

"Pushing on. There's more to see and the Kingfisher is patient."

"We'll be able to eat for a week there on stories."

"And longer still on the tips. My pockets are heavy tonight."

Fabian spilled coins in their coffer. One day, he would retire too and they would live the quiet life that Ryan craved. For now though, they walked this path together and he'd have it no other way.