Blinking neon tavern lights flickered in the rain, painting slick stones with colors that promised both danger and laughter. Deep inside the Player’s Handbook, masked by half-hearted chuckles and the rolling eyes of table veterans, slumbered a subclass most would dismiss as a joke: the Drunken Master Monk. One glance at the name conjured images of swaying fools, tankards in hand, stumbling through fights on sheer, unpredictable luck. Many brushed past it, convinced their adventuring party would benefit from solemn, stoic ki-warriors instead of a tipsy trickster. Yet, behind this boozy mask hides a marvel of mobility and misdirection, born from a tradition that reveres chaos as much as discipline.
Drunken Master’s origins lie tangled in cinema and folklore, most famously animated on the silver screen by Jackie Chan’s legendary “Drunken Boxing.” Its martial roots stretch back centuries, where real monks from the Shaolin temples mimicked the unpredictable, weaving movements of those deep in their cups. Dungeons & Dragons took inspiration, blending slapstick with Deadly Serious, but the trope survived only as a punchline for many. The class’s mechanics smoldered quietly, often left unexplored as players stuck to what battle-hardened veterans called “optimal choices.” A shame, considering the breathtaking flexibility and knife-edge cunning the subclass brings to any table willing to let it stagger into the spotlight.
Look closer! Not a single ounce of wasted motion is found in the dance of a Drunken Master. Each stutter, each misstep, twists expectation. Where other monks stride along straight lines and predictable patterns, the Drunken Master whirls through combat with a swagger that blends might and misdirection. Drunken Technique, Tipsy Sway, and Drunkard’s Luck form the backbone of a style that blurs the border between chaos and control. The subclass rewards risk-takers and tacticians alike, flipping the script on the tired “comic relief” trope that has haunted it for far too long.
Passing this subclass over does the game a disservice. Too often, the Drunken Master languishes in the shadow of sterner monastic traditions, dismissed for its apparent silliness. That smug laughter misses the point. Players who grip a mug and charge headlong into the role discover tools to outwit, outmaneuver, and outlast opponents who mistake laughter for weakness. What the Drunken Master surrenders in brute predictability, it regains in dazzling unpredictability and an almost supernatural ability to stay one step ahead.
This article aims to overturn that bias. Lifting the veil, we’ll dive headlong into the mechanics, the myths, and the madcap genius inherent in every Drunken Master Monk. Together, let’s smash the glass on tired archetypes and pour something new into our campaigns. Whether you seek to upend the battlefield, dazzle friends with offbeat tactics, or ride the razor’s edge between comedy and danger, the Drunken Master offers an intoxicating path. Prepare to see your table and this subclass through clear, sober eyes.
- Unraveling the Misconceptions of the Drunken Master
- Unique Mechanics: A Deeper Look at the Drunken Master’s Abilities
- Strategic Advantages Often Overlooked
- Role-Playing Richness of the Drunken Master
- Real Table Examples: The Drunken Master in Action
- Synergy and Party Composition
- Final Thoughts: Why Your Next Character Should Be a Drunken Master
Unraveling the Misconceptions of the Drunken Master
Eyes narrow. Someone at the table suggests picking the Drunken Master Monk. Groans echo immediately, punctuated by someone’s flippant impression of a tipsy fool collapsing on the battlefield. The stereotype stands taller than the subclass itself: all flavor, no substance, forever pigeonholed as comic relief. The truth, of course, couldn’t sit further from the surface. Laughter is a smokescreen; the Drunken Master is built for those who savor subersion just as much as success.
Try my AI Tabletop RPG generators...and an extensive library of content!
Far too many players lock onto the visual gags and thematic trappings, assuming nothing serious could lie behind a name so overtly silly. They imagine a character who stumbles through conversations, slurs words, and serves as little more than a punchline waiting to happen. In encounters, they picture a Monk who can’t contribute meaningfully, overshadowed by Way of the Open Hand’s brute force or Shadow Monk’s supernatural stealth. Even tables hungry for something new keep the Drunken Master at arm’s length, convinced its value ends at the edge of its concept.
A darker misconception lingers: that the Drunken Master functions only in contrived or situational scenarios. Dismissed as “niche,” players assume its strengths only emerge in rare, forced set pieces where taverns or inebriation matter. They believe that outside those moments, the subclass falls flat, unable to match the utility or damage output of its monk brethren. Few realize that the trick lies not in staged comedy, but the quiet precision of engineered chaos. Hidden mechanics whisper beneath the laughs, the kind of design that rewards daring inventiveness and punishes rote monotony.
Misunderstandings like these have haunted the Drunken Master since its introduction. Most players never test the subclass’s resilience, never see it slip between the grasp of would-be jailers, never watch it unravel a battlefield with acrobatic genius. The result: an untapped resource left idle in the character creation pages, robbed of its chance to upend expectations and claim its rightful place at the table.
Ten Common Misconceptions About the Drunken Master Monk:
- Only good for comic relief or jokes
- Lacks damage compared to “serious” monk subclasses
- Relies entirely on alcohol-based roleplay to function
- Requires specific “drunken” situations to shine
- Subclass features are all “flavor” with little mechanical benefit
- Can’t be played as a serious, complex character
- Can’t contribute to tactical combat or party strategy
- Movement abilities are wasted or not versatile
- Is forced to play a foolish or chaotic persona
- It’s just the “jack-of-all-trades” monk and master of none
- Defensive abilities are unreliable or hard to trigger
- Not compatible with high-level play or demanding campaigns
Engagement with the Drunken Master shouldn’t begin and end with laughter. Peel back the slapstick, and mountains of depth reveal themselves, a vast playground for players who crave unpredictability and shrewdness over brute force. Approaching the subclass with fresh eyes doesn’t strip away the humor; instead, it layers complexity atop charm, making each misstep feel like a calculated gamble.

Fantasy RPG AI Generators with ChatGPT+
Make life as a Game Master easier.... If you play Dungeon & Dragons, Pathfinder, or other fantasy tabletop role-playing games, check out my DND character backstory generator and other fine AI RPG tools at LitRPG Adventures Workshop today.
Turning aside the shallow assessments, players can uncover a resourceful combatant and a role-player’s dream. At the table, a Drunken Master wields misdirection like a blade, laughing on the outside but always calculating angles, leveraging the chaos to save allies or spring traps. Leave the surface-level judgments behind and step into a style where nothing is as it first appears.
So, step lightly. No more rolling your eyes or passing over the subclass for those “serious” options. The Drunken Master Monk beckons, ready to dazzle the patient and the daring. Challenge the myth; discover the monk who transforms chaos into cunning advantage, and who, behind every joke, harbors the wily essence of a true martial artist.

Unique Mechanics: A Deeper Look at the Drunken Master’s Abilities
Laced through the Drunken Master’s fighting style are signature moves that would leave even the most calculating tactician dizzy. Drunken Technique, unlocked at third level, takes the nimbleness of your average monk and coats it in unpredictability. Every flurry sends the Drunken Master whirling out of reach, snatching opportunity from the jaws of chaos. Here, mobility is not just movement; it’s a shield, a weapon, a declaration of mastery over the battlefield’s rhythm.
Tipsy Sway emerges as a study in oblique defense. By twelfth level, the Drunken Master can redirect a missed attack, shoving an assailant into a fresh line of fire, or simply embarrassing would-be threats. This isn’t just evasion; it’s weaponized embarrassment. Where one monk might parry or block, the Drunken Master invites attackers to swing harder, only to tumble aside at the last possible second and turn the enemy’s momentum against them.
Drunkard’s Luck arrives as the ultimate trump card against fate itself. Whether wriggling out of a magical web or slinking past an ambush, this feature lets the Drunken Master twist misfortune into slapstick triumph. Burn the ki, reroll the dice, and watch as doomless grins replace grimaces of defeat. Mechanically, it injects a level of control rarely afforded to monks, wrapping chance in layers of tactical safety.
What distinguishes the Drunken Master from its monastic siblings is this: not a single feature thrives in isolation. Each ability weaves into the next, forming a tapestry of misdirection and improvisational power that rewards innovation over routine. To play this subclass well is to become the vodka in the punch, stirring, transforming, impossible to pin down, yet always with a sharp kick.
Ability Name | Description | Combat/Role-play Advantage | High-Impact Situations |
---|---|---|---|
Drunken Technique | Grants Disengage and extra movement after Flurry of Blows | Allows hit-and-run tactics; exit melee range safely; slip through crowds | Escaping grapples, navigating tight battles |
Tipsy Sway | Redirects missed melee attacks to another target; ignores difficult terrain when Dash | Weaponize enemy attacks; reposition easily; laugh off hazards | Facing hordes, terrain chokepoints |
Drunkard’s Luck | Spend ki to cancel Disadvantage on an ability check, saving throw, or attack roll | Bypasses dangers; insulates against bad luck; clutch saves/attacks | Overcoming traps, critical spell saves |
Leap to Your Feet | Stand from prone for 5 feet of movement instead of half walking speed | Rapid recovery from knockdown; minimal lost momentum | Dealing with area knockdowns, traps |
Intoxicated Frenzy | Make extra attacks against different targets with Flurry of Blows (if multiclassed with Barbarian) | Multi-target control; flattens weak mobs | Swarm fights, protecting squishier allies |
Slippery Stagger | Allows disengage without opportunity attacks as bonus action with Flurry of Blows | Consistent safe repositioning | Surrounded by melee attackers |
Misleading Movements | Enemies have disadvantage on opportunity attacks as long as you move at least 10 ft on your turn | Dodge gauntlets, break enemy lines easily | Enemy lines, fleeing, rescuing allies |
Beneath the surface, every quirk of movement becomes lethal utility in the right hands. Sudden disengagement keeps foes guessing, never knowing where the next blow might land, or when the Drunken Master might flood through their ranks. Even in defeat, these monks never stay down long, springing to their feet and challenging luck as if fortune were one more adversary to be hustled.
To play a Drunken Master is to become a vortex of improbability, an agent of surprise whose greatest asset is never doing what’s expected. These mechanics demand improvisational thinking, tempting risk while always providing a safety net for those cunning enough to exploit it. Creativity, not chaos, lies at the subclass’s heart.
Move past the assumption that this is a one-note joke. The Drunken Master’s abilities interlock like gears in a finely tuned clock, mechanically rewarding those who innovate and adapt under pressure. To truly unlock their potential is to recognize that every apparent misstep is simply new choreography in a dance with destiny.
Strategic Advantages Often Overlooked
Cautious generals and battle-hardened paladins squint at the Drunken Master, searching for obvious leverage or brute force. They often miss the real treasure: a suite of strategic advantages hiding in plain sight, razor-sharp for those nimble enough to wield them. The subclass doesn’t steamroll its enemies or grind forward in predictable patterns; instead, it disassembles enemy formations with dizzying grace, and takes the party with it.
Most players spend their time surviving the enemy’s tactics; the Drunken Master seizes control, dictating the rhythm of the battlefield. With Disengage always ready after Flurry of Blows, tight-knit enemy clusters become invitations rather than threats. Where others shrink from swarms, the Drunken Master surges through chaos, cutting off escape or plugging vulnerabilities before foes know what’s hit them.

Fantasy RPG AI Generators with ChatGPT+
Make life as a Game Master easier.... If you play Dungeon & Dragons, Pathfinder, or other fantasy tabletop role-playing games, check out my DND character backstory generator and other fine AI RPG tools at LitRPG Adventures Workshop today.
Enhanced mobility lets these monks turn the entire battle map into a weapon. Difficult terrain, enemy zones of control, and layered hazards mean little; the Drunken Master pirouettes through danger, springing ambushes and outflanking monsters all in a single turn. This ability to close gaps, leap to vulnerable targets, and rescue allies stranded behind enemy lines elevates the subclass from survivalist to tactician.
Evasiveness, meanwhile, emerges as an almost-unbreakable defense. Drunkard’s Luck and Tipsy Sway together build a web of improbable survival. Enemies find themselves off balance, wasting attacks, burning reactions, and committing resources where they matter least. The Drunken Master pulls focus away from softer targets, manipulates threat priority, and upends enemy priorities without ever breaking a sweat.
Twelve Strategic Scenarios Where the Drunken Master Shines:
- Darting through enemy lines to disrupt spellcasters in the rear
- Baiting enemy reactions, then slipping effortlessly out of range
- Repositioning to provide flanking bonuses for party rogues or fighters
- Holding a chokepoint solo while leaping back and forth through foes
- Pulling mob aggro away from fragile spellcasters
- Soaking up attention so allies can complete objectives or heal up
- Disengaging to rescue downed teammates without triggering attacks
- Turning environmental hazards against enemies with forced movement
- Redirecting missed attacks so enemies damage their own ranks
- Exploiting the extra movement to chase down fleeing enemies
- Surviving devastating area-of-effect spells by repositioning instantly
- Outmaneuvering grapples, webs, or movement-impairing effects with ease
Savvy Drunken Masters become glue, stitching the party together while sewing up holes in enemy defenses. They spot opportunities most ignore, converting threat into advantage with every tumble and sidestep. Their unpredictable momentum unnerves enemies and galvanizes friends, tipping the balance of dynamic combat scenarios.
As tactical play deepens, these strengths multiply. Each encounter becomes a puzzle, with the Drunken Master’s movement and misdirection unlocking solutions where others see only dead ends. Parties that embrace this unpredictability find themselves rescuing fallen comrades, turning certain defeat into slapstick victory.
Longtime dungeon crawlers might scoff at first, reaching for familiar, “dependable” options. Yet it’s precisely the overlooked, the underestimated, and the adaptable who rewrite the terms of battle. In the hands of a clever player, the Drunken Master shifts from bystander to lynchpin, turning chaos into order one caper at a time.
Players who experiment, who lean into the subclass’s asymmetrical strengths, discover new ways to command the battlefield. Invite chaos; make it dance to your tune. The Drunken Master Monk was built for those who stand light on their feet and heavy on initiative.

Role-Playing Richness of the Drunken Master
No two Drunken Masters tell the same story. Beyond its surface comedy lies a goldmine of narrative hooks, personal arcs, and complex interpersonal relationships waiting to be unearthed. A Drunken Master Monk invites players to sink deep into role-play, juxtaposing foolish façade with hidden mastery, painting character arcs in lush, unpredictable strokes.
The very concept begs for backstory. Perhaps a fallen hero finds redemption by masquerading as a fool, using laughter to disguise pain. Or a runaway noble, fleeing their past, adopts a stumbling persona to remain invisible, even as they rescue towns from lurking threats. These contradictions breathe life into the subclass, transforming it from jester into storyteller.
Every session teems with opportunities for organic drama. Humorous moments become bittersweet when undercut by genuine skill or hidden sorrow. Scenes shift from riotous brawls in seedy taverns to deadly serious duels where the Drunken Master drops the act, revealing honed reflexes and calculated malice. Here, laughter becomes a weapon, a shield, and a language with which to challenge the world.
Try my AI Tabletop RPG generators...and an extensive library of content!
Group dynamics never stay static. Parties grow to distrust, admire, or even envy the Drunken Master, never knowing quite where the truth ends and the illusion begins. In cities teeming with spies or warlocks obsessed with control, the Drunken Master slips through, turning suspicion into court intrigue or slapstick investigation. There’s always something unscripted, a new chance for growth, tension, and surprise.
Fourteen Role-Playing Hooks and Narrative Opportunities for Drunken Masters:
- Former champion hiding behind buffoonery to evade a dark past
- Secret martial arts master using comedy to scout rivals
- Misunderstood hero, scorned by authorities but revered by the downtrodden
- Chronicler of barroom legends, blending fact and myth in their reputation
- Reluctant mentor drawn to train unlikely students
- Unconventional sage whose insights come laced with riddles and jokes
- Drifter on a quest for the “perfect brew,” solving local problems for coin or ale
- Double agent who feigns drunkenness to gather secrets unnoticed
- Noble in exile, using low status and faux drunkenness as a disguise
- Penitent soul atoning for great wrongs, helping others from the shadows
- Lightning rod for suspicion, always underestimated by foes
- Comedic performer who goads tyrants into revealing weakness
- Lone survivor of a destroyed monastery, haunted by memories and relics
- Alchemist blending martial prowess with strange brews and potions
Beneath the surface, every stumble hints at calculated risk, every slurred joke at lessons learned the hard way. The Drunken Master isn’t just a “funny” monk; they’re a study in masks, secrets, and second chances. Storylines surge forward, driven by the tension between what the world believes and what the Drunken Master knows.
Never underestimate the impact of strong role-play. A Drunken Master can catalyze the party’s development, drawing out unexpected confessions, elevating lighter moments into profound revelations. Sometimes the greatest wisdom comes disguised as a jest, and the keenest blade is hidden in seeming incompetence.
Unlocking the narrative potential of this subclass means asking and answering bigger questions; of identity, redemption, trust, and the true cost of laughter. Lean into those themes, and your Drunken Master Monk can steal scenes, hearts, and more than a few enemy secrets.
Dare to play the fool, and you may discover the wisest voice in the room belongs to the one everyone else overlooks.
Real Table Examples: The Drunken Master in Action
Under the flicker of table lights or the relentless glare of virtual dice rollers, the Drunken Master Monk reveals itself as a kinetic trickster, always unbalancing friend and foe alike. At one crowded table, a player’s monk weaved through fire giants, springing from prone, grabbing fallen allies, and escaping a gauntlet of opportunity attacks none expected him to survive. Another group watched their party’s Drunken Master bait a cult leader into flailing attacks, only to redirect her wrath onto her own acolytes, a riot of slapstick turned tactician’s dream.
Combat ceases to be a grind when the Drunken Master’s in the ring. In one dungeon’s twisting passages, a monk used Drunken Technique to flash past ogres, smashing levers and collapsing bridges with every flurry. Friends marveled as enemies wasted attacks on air, chasing ghosts while the party moved like water behind their unpredictable vanguard. Victory arrived with a half-bow and a sly grin, the battlefield more performance-art than dry arithmetic.
Yet it’s not all zaniness and chaos. In a tense city heist, a Drunken Master Monk infiltrated an underworld syndicate, using apparent clumsiness to distract guards while thieves slipped through shadows. Their ki-powered “accidents” drew guards into disastrous positions, turning disaster into opportunity. By campaign’s end, this “idiot” had disrupted the entire criminal empire, winning grudging respect from even the haughtiest war mage.
Players discovering the subclass’s potential often recount the moment it finally “clicked.” A half-orc took a risk, sacrificing an attack to save an ally from certain death. A halfling, trapped in a mage’s web, burned Drunkard’s Luck to break free and turn the tide. Laughter at the table changes in these moments, not mockery, but awe as dice and design dance together.
Scenario Title | Creative Use of Drunken Master | Memorable Outcome / Moment | Lesson Learned |
---|---|---|---|
Fire Giant Fiesta | Darted through giants with Flurry of Blows escape | Escaped unscathed, saving party | Mobility wins over brute force |
Cult Leader Chaos | Redirected missed attacks onto cultists with Tipsy Sway | Killed her own followers | Enemies’ aggression can destroy their unity |
Heist at the Hideout | Clumsy distractions allow allies to bypass guards | No alarms triggered | Deception and teamwork go hand in hand |
The Great Grapple | Spent ki for Disengage, slipping all grabs | Captured monk escapes solo | Always keep an ace up your sleeve |
Tavern Brawl Blitz | Used environment, knocking enemies into obstacles | Turned lethal brawl to a wild show | Stagecraft can win as often as swordplay |
Inferno Rescue | Staggered through flames, rescuing villagers | Party inspired, morale surges | Heroism wears many faces |
Ogre Pinball | Tumbled between ogres, disrupting their formation | Broke enemy ranks, secured victory | Movement is sometimes the best attack |
Arena of Fools | Played dead, then sprang up with Leap to Feet | Surprised crowd cheers | Underestimation is a weapon too |
Web of Destiny | Burned Drunkard’s Luck to escape magical bonds | Foiled villain’s plot | Luck can be manufactured with the right tools |
Duel of Disdain | Outmaneuvered arrogant duelist, never struck | Opponent concedes in rage | Humility beats hubris—and patience pays |
Each tale reinforces a singular truth: Drunken Master Monks shine brightest when pushed to their improvisational limits. The line between disaster and glory blurs, and the subclass thrives on that tension. Laughter at the table becomes respect in the aftermath, as players recount moves no one else could have pulled off.
It’s in those moments that the value of deep mechanics and dramatic role-play reveals itself. Strategy is not just about spreadsheets and math; it’s about seizing the moment, taking calculated risks, and forging unforgettable memories.
So don’t let this subclass gather dust. Cultivate risk. Invite a little chaos to challenge your group’s assumptions, and let your own Drunken Master story unfold in the space between disaster and genius.
Synergy and Party Composition

A Drunken Master Monk exists not in isolation, but as a wheel spinning wild at the heart of a well-chosen team. Properly paired, their unpredictable rhythm unlocks unique synergies, amplifying both their own strengths and those of their companions. Even the most orthodox party can be electrified by a Drunken Master in the ranks.
When paired with rogues, the Monk’s unpredictable mobility draws enemies out of position, often creating flanking opportunities for devastating sneak attacks. Wizards and sorcerers benefit as well; Drunken Masters disrupt enemy lines, soaking up attention and keeping threats off frailer spellcasters. Fighters and paladins, sometimes slow to reposition, hang back while Drunken Masters break engagement cycles and keep enemies scrambling.
Healing classes rest easier with a Drunken Master buying them time. Slipping past enemies to deliver potions or drag wounded party members to safety, the subclass transforms from distraction to lifeline. Even siege-focused warlocks or barbarians find value in the chaos; while the Drunken Master stirs up the battlefield, allies land devastating blows under much less pressure.

Fantasy RPG AI Generators with ChatGPT+
Make life as a Game Master easier.... If you play Dungeon & Dragons, Pathfinder, or other fantasy tabletop role-playing games, check out my DND character backstory generator and other fine AI RPG tools at LitRPG Adventures Workshop today.
Ten Excellent Class Synergies with Drunken Master:
- Rogue: Takes full advantage of flanking and scattered enemy lines
- Wizard: Keeps threats away, disrupts concentration attacks
- Fighter (Battle Master): Sets up maneuvers and distracts for advantageous positioning
- Paladin: Baits attacks so paladins can finish foes with smites
- Cleric: Protects from harm and enables crucial heal/damage spells
- Bard: Turns combat into a performance, synergies with inspiration and area control
- Druid (Circle of the Moon): Buys time for animal forms to reposition between threats
- Warlock: Draws fire, allowing warlocks to strike with eldritch blast from safety
- Barbarian: Chaos on the field allows reckless attacks to go unnoticed or unpunished
- Ranger: Opens up paths for ranged attacks/run-and-gun tactics
- Artificer: Disrupts lines for turret setups and support gadgets
This subclass isn’t just for solo flourishes, it thrives on teamwork and coordinated mayhem. Unpredictable movement means coordinated ambushes, dramatic rescues, and rapid objective retrieval become standard fare. Clever parties set up plays for their Drunken Master as they would for any star performer.
A group that leans into the chaos, preparing to exploit every opening, will see the Drunken Master unlock potential none suspected. The boundaries between roles become porous, with each member supporting, covering, and amplifying the others’ best features through shared tactical risk.
Drunken Master’s value increases with mutual understanding. Encourage your party to plan, to experiment, to create openings for the subclass to maximize its disruptive potential. The result: a table where predictability vanishes, strategies evolve, and victory feels earned by teamwork as much as talent.
Unlock the full flexibility of this subclass by seeking creative synergy. Every party composition has room for a wild card, the Drunken Master Monk. Give them space to play, and watch as the entire adventure dances along, one step ahead of the enemy.

Final Thoughts: Why Your Next Character Should Be a Drunken Master
There’s no virtue in playing D&D safely; not for the storyteller, nor for the tactician who stirs trouble at the table like a storm. The Drunken Master Monk, so often overlooked as a punchline or a mechanical oddity, delivers wild surprises to those who dare to play against type. Its mobility, improvisational strength, and layered defense form a foundation more resilient than most suspect, ripe for both drama and fun.
Those who give the subclass a fair chance find themselves unlocking decades-old traditions of misdirection and subtlety. Every encounter becomes a dance. Every laugh masks a challenge to the status quo. What seemed silly in the character builder blossoms into cunning and chaos, transforming both the battlefield and the narrative in ways only the boldest players can truly appreciate.
Beyond the numbers and mechanics, the Drunken Master is a lightning-rod for storytelling opportunity. Character flaws become strengths. Mistakes turn into moments of glory. A single failed deception check can spiral into an improvised rescue, a joke transformed into a legend spoken about for months after the campaign ends. There’s nothing quite like the moment a party realizes just how deeply they’ve underestimated the happy-go-lucky monk, who never quite stumbles the way they expect.
You’re not just picking a subclass. You’re picking an experience, a rallying cry for laughter, risk, and subversion at every turn. Cast off old judgments and step into the unknown. Give the Drunken Master Monk its due and discover a world of possibilities waiting to surprise you. The next epic tale at your table starts with a misstep, if you’re brave enough to let it.