Worlds Collide When 5E D&D Meets The Office

Over on Twitter we received a request to imagine the characters from The Office as fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons characters. As banner waving 5E D&D enthusiasts and (in my case anyway) a proud Dunderhead how can we refuse? I’ve already tipped my hand indicating this exercise focuses on the US version of the television series. Since realistically the employees of Dunder Mifflin would more than likely be commoners and other generic NPCs instead we’ll assume the day to day operations of the Scranton branch are an epic campaign and give them class and subclass options from 5E D&D.

@Nerdarchy Please make a video about The Office characters were D&D characters

— Andrew Drow (@AndrewDrow) May 3, 2020

The Office characters in 5E D&D

The complete cast of The Office swells as the series progresses, so I’m keeping it simple for this exercise and taking the list of characters from Wikipedia. We’ll choose background, class and subclass for each character, assuming everyone is human. A wise woman once advised “Don’t make it harder than it has to be,” after all. Truth be told a few names not on the list left me a little disappointed (no David Wallace?). A solid list of characters from The Office nevertheless remains, representing the principal characters working at the Scranton Business Park location.

Michael Scott

Background: Charlatan

Class: Bard

Bard College: College of Whispers

Michael Scott deceives others constantly in a quest for acceptance and leverage over others. He misrepresents himself regularly and causes pain to others quite often, while remaining aloof. Nevertheless he can inspire those around him.

Dwight Schrute

Background: Folk Hero

Class: Druid

Druid Circle: Circle of the Land

Dwight Schrute exemplifies the rural roots of his upbringing, holding fast to traditions and heeding the call to greatness. Selling paper maybe isn’t the most druidic thing to do but despite his accomplishments as a salesman and businessman Dwight always puts his connection to his family farm first.

Jim Halpert

Background: Gambler

Class: Warlock

Otherworldly Patron: The Archfey

Jim Halpert takes risks, despite remaining at what he stated was only a temporary job and not a career in any way. His pranks require Deception and his Insight particularly into his nemesis Dwight help not only pranking others but also leading sales. Jim is charismatic, but there’s a dark side from a certain perspective too.

Pam Beesly

Background: Hermit

Class: Wizard

Arcane Tradition: School of Abjuration

Pam Beesley begins the series as a meek character without much power in around the office. Over time she grows very accomplished at maneuvering through not only company policy and procedure but the individuals who surround her. Developing keen insight into particularly Michael Scott enables her to protect herself and others from his erratic behavior.

Ryan Howard

Background: Outlander

Class: Rogue

Roguish Archetype: Mastermind

Ryan Howard arrived at Dunder Mifflin as a temp, earning him outsider status from the get go. He shows contempt and disdain for those around him and frequently tries to manipulate actions and perceptions of others.

Andy Bernard

Background: Noble

Class: Barbarian

Primal Path: Path of the Berserker

Andy Bernard comes from wealth and often brags about this including his alumni status with Cornell University. However, he is not very bright and displays serious anger problems. Andy enjoys performance like singing, acting and playing musical instruments, and while these pursuits bring him joy, a bard he is not.

Robert California

Background: Charlatan

Class: Monk

Monastic Tradition: Way of the Drunken Master

Self proclaimed Lizard King Robert California (or is it Bob Kazamakis?) remains a mystery. One thing is certain — he presents a philosophical outlook unlike any other characters on The Office. Debauchery and pleasure drive him but there’s a quirky discipline to his methods that get results.

Stanley Hudson

Background: Guild Merchant

Class: Ranger

Stanley Hudson knows his territory and protects it. Most of the time this is a mundane responsibility and Stanley enjoys plenty of time to pursue his own interests like crossword puzzles. But make no mistake — Stanley is ready to fight if need be whether it’s overcoming a physical challenge to go home early or sumo wrestling to become manager.

Kevin Malone

Background: Gambler

Class: Bard

Kevin Malone applied for a job as a warehouse worker and wound up an accountant. His gaming skills are above average and Kevin loves gambling. He’s also a decent musician and athlete, cook, brewer and naval history expert.

Meredith Palmer

Background: Urchin

Class: Barbarian

Meredith Palmer’s history remains murky but she’s street savvy and tough. More than other characters she’s been subjected to injury and survived. Once you get Meredith going she’s got the energy and attitude to handle just about anything.

Angela Martin

Background: Acolyte

Class: Cleric

She may be hypocritical at times but Angela Martin remains outwardly religious for the most part. She definitely appreciates strict guidelines, procedures and hierarchy.

Oscar Martinez

Background: Sage

Class: Wizard

Oscar Martinez is more than once described as the smartest person in the office and greatly prizes logic and reason. He keeps the company financials in order with his accounting wizardry and while he might be a know it all to a fault, he is a font of information.

Phyllis Lapin

Background: Spy

Class: Sorcerer

Phyllis Lapin may not gather intelligence for a powerful faction but she definitely knows all the gossip around the office and plenty of secrets about her coworkers. She might not throw fireballs around but Phyllis is charismatic and works her own kind of magic at Dunder Mifflin.

Roy Anderson

Background: Soldier

Class: Fighter

Not a whole lot about Roy Anderson comes up on the show so I’m inventing my own backstory for him. It’s not hard to imagine Roy served his country in the military before his job in the warehouse. And he’s certainly prepared to fight.

Jan Levinson

Background: Urchin

Class: Paladin

The series implied Jan ran away from home at an early age and going on to become a powerful executive takes discipline. If you wrong this woman she’ll smite you.

Kelly Kapoor

Background: Anthropologist

Class: Artificer

Kelly Kapoor shows remarkable skill recognizing and adapting to cultural changes and more than any other character keeps up to date on popular culture and societal trends. Fashion and commerce are the tools and systems of her trade.

Toby Flenderson

Background: Acolyte

Class: Cleric

Toby Flenderson left seminary to pursue the woman he’d marry and later divorce. As a Human Resources representative he earnestly seeks to keep everyone in good physical, mental and emotional health.

Creed Bratton

Background: Charlatan

Class: Rogue

Who exactly is Creed Bratton? By his own admission the details are confusing and vague stemming from numerous stories of his earlier life. Possessed of myriad skills Creed engages in many scams and falsehoods to perpetuate his lifestyle, although this eventually catches up with him in the series finale.

Darryl Philbin

Background: Entertainer

Class: Ranger

Darryl Philbin is an accomplished musician, which he displays on several occasions. He is also very protective of his warehouse domain and those who work within it. If he has a Favored Enemy it’s probably Michael Scott, who frequently endangers himself and others in the warehouse and more than once kept Darryl from advancing his career.

Erin Hannon

Background: Far Traveler

Class: Sorcerer

Erin Hannon often finds the ways of Dunder Mifflin’s employees strange and discomfiting, and likewise her own goofy habits and beliefs make her seem strange to others. But there is something magical about her that others come to appreciate over time.

Gabe Lewis

Background: Hermit

Class: Warlock

Gabe Lewis arrives in Scranton and his awkward demeanor quickly turns him into a target of insults and mockery. Gabe is a sycophant, and what better way to represent this trait than sucking up to an Otherworldly Patron for a bit of power? I’m actually the most frightened of this 5E D&D Office character!

Holly Flax

Background: City Watch

Class: Paladin

Holly Flax follows the path of institutional right and good, from her hall monitor status as a child to safeguarding the human resources under her charge at Dunder Mifflin.

Nellie Bertram

Background: Courtier

Class: Bard

Nellie Bertram follows a unique set of personal guidelines that have led her to some unusual circumstances like racing a Formula One car and spending some time as a Sabre and Dunder Mifflin executive. Nellie is very adaptable and savvy.

Clark Green

Background: Faction Agent

Class: Rogue

Clark Green arrives in the final season of The Office as a customer service representative but pretty quickly shows his ambition and dedication to the job. Clark relishes the strange environment around the office and learns to manipulate situations and people to his advantage.

Pete Miller

Background: Failed Merchant

Class: Monk

Pete Miller spends his time at Dunder Mifflin rather unremarkably, really not impressing anyone with amazing job skills or contributions to the company. If I’m honest this was the most difficult one because Pete, or Plop, is pretty vanilla. He does have excellent Dexterity and enjoys sports, albeit none of the big three, instead preferring boxing, tennis and NASCAR.