The 8 Player Characters of The Bloated Toad

One of the things that makes The Bloated Toad special is that every time you play, you get to choose a new character. Each has their own puzzleline, their own flavor, and their own little corner of the tavern to shine in. With eight unique roles to pick from, there’s something for every type of player, from the logic-driven thinker to the musically inclined.

Alchemist

I wanted a scientifically minded character for players who enjoy technical challenges. Equipped with a Table of Elements, the Alchemist requires reasoning, deduction, and sharp observation. To progress, players must use their knowledge of the universe!

The Alchemist’s goal: to complete a grand experiment and prove that science can thrive even in the most unlikely tavern.

Bard

Perfect for players with a musical streak, the Bard wields a modified piano as their instrument of choice. While rhythm is not required to solve their puzzles (I knew to avoid that since I’d struggle myself), a good ear will certainly make the experience even more fun.

The Bard’s quest: to compose a new song worthy of being sung from coast to coast, filling the tavern with music that echoes beyond its walls.

Cleric

This puzzleline has lived in my head for years, originally imagined for a cyberpunk setting. The Cleric is a wordsmith, charged with “building” words and phrases out of fragments. 

For anyone who loves word games, this is your playground.

The Cleric’s duty: to forge a Word of Power for the King, binding speech and spirit together.

Druid

The Druid’s puzzles revolve around animist stones that represent animal spirits. This is a spiritual reworking of the finale puzzle from our old Clancey’s Lodge room, with an added emphasis on pattern recognition and logical placement.

Players need a balance of reasoning and a little knowledge of animals to bring this puzzleline to life.

The Druid’s journey: to achieve spiritual harmony and restore balance within the Toad.

Ranger

The Ranger belongs to an order of riddlers, and as such, their puzzleline is built around a series of riddles to solve. Of all eight characters, this one feels the most like a “classic escape room” challenge.

It’s direct, it’s clever, and it scratches that itch for anyone who enjoys pure brain teasers.

The Ranger’s mission: to track a dangerous quarry through the streets of the city, guided only by wit and words.

Rogue

The Rogue was the very first character I imagined for The Bloated Toad. Inspired by a lockpick puzzle from our old CEREBRAL room, this new version lets players test their sleight of hand and cunning in a fresh way.

Naturally, the Rogue spends most of their time behind the bar, looking for ways to get at the goods.

The Rogue’s pursuit: to master the art of the heist within the tavern.

Paladin

The Paladin was always going to have a massive shield. While players do not get to swing it (thankfully), the presence of such an iconic prop adds weight to their puzzleline. Alongside the shield, the Paladin carries a UV torch to uncover hidden secrets within the room.

Their challenges revolve around values, vows, and uncovering what lies in the shadows.

The Paladin’s vow: to root out corruption in the Toad, guided by oaths of honor and light.

Wizard

The Wizard suffers from numerophobia, the fear of mathematics. It’s a tongue-in-cheek choice, since so many escape room players tell me their inability to solve math puzzles.

The Wizard’s path involves pushing through that fear, solving unusual number-related challenges, and eventually gaining access to a wand that can cast magical light in the room.

The Wizard’s destiny: to overcome their curse and reclaim confidence in their craft.

Every character in The Bloated Toad is a doorway into a different kind of puzzle-solving. Whether you are a duo aiming to master every puzzleline or a larger group trying something new together, the character system makes sure each playthrough feels fresh.

The tavern is the same, but the challenges are not.