Arms Outstretched - The Adventure Zone Animatic

After two months or so of working on this, it's finally finished! Arms Outstretched is the most amazing moment from the podcast, and no matter how many times I listen to it, I still get chills.
The audio and music are from the Adventure Zone, which you can listen to here: www.maximumfun.org/shows/adven...
You can also find more of my art here:
/ artisticazurite
/ azurite-draws

[@ninjabacon4986]

See this is one of the hardest hitting moments in the show because it’s the time Magnus was the one who needed protecting, the time Taako was entirely selfless, and the time Merle was perfectly competent, with a grasp of what he needed to do to help his friends.

[@yenee94]

Beautifully put

[@belenhernandoscocchi649]

ha a grasp

[@jorjastevens984]

So beautiful- Taako overcame his selfish nature to take care of his friends, Magnus let someone else save him for once instead of taking the big hit, and Merle... Merle wasn’t a dumbass! For once! Hallelujah!

[@fluffies2981]

@@jorjastevens984 PRASE PAN

[@TheLawlessRogue]

It's funny because the spell Merle used wasn't even supposed to do what he did

[@nellhalls60]

And just like that, they bypassed an entire arc through the astral plane

[@9-bitfox]

Fox: The momment they all couldve said " Abraca-FUCKYOU" lol

[@FunnyFany]

D&D 5e speedrun strats

[@ShapCast]

Was this an actual arc that Griffin planned to do?

[@ethanrajczak3041]

NothinButRags ye Magnus was supposed to go in alone and fight the big bad. While friends had to find a way to get to him.

[@sofialaya596]

@@ShapCast they talk about it on the The The adventure zone zone podcast, after the episode of Balance final

[@nschwartz311]

Love that Griffin fully intended to kill someone off but everyone went “actually fuck this”. It was such a good moment that despite knowing Merle’s spell wasn’t supposed to work like that, and despite knowing he’d have to scrap his partially fleshed out idea for an entirely different arch, Griffin was 10000% on board for the direction the end of the Wonderland arch was now hurtling towards

[@Blitzcomo]

Of course the dad is gonna save his boys though

[@gimmicsripoff]

I was just scrolling through and that comment killed me

[@kuukuusings9641]

Could you imagine how Clint would have felt ooc if he did not do anything during this all and magnus or even taako was just gone

[@soble5535]

man why you gotta do me like that

[@MiloKuroshiro]

Fuuuck you, you kill me like that

[@Sco6014]

it goes even further than that. it's all of them trying to save their late mother from the Astral plane. it really tugs at my heart strings because in fiction they can pull someone back from death but not in real life. such a great story I love TAZ

[@eldon8712]

"Magnus, you landed on skull in the last round, didn't you?" "Yes." "𝘉𝘢𝘥 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘬."

[@andrex1456]

Absolutely love the touch that Merle straight up turns his back on the enemy to save his friends

[@handysandy5753]

Y’all think that when Taako saw Magnus’ body suddenly gone, somewhere deep in his mind he thought “I can’t lose him. Not another one. Not again”

[@Blitzcomo]

Handy Sandy OH YIKES

[@bonhll8070]

Handy Sandy HOW DARE YOU

[@spider_plantt]

:( hey man

[@fluffypuff766]

Well..um...bud...about that L_L:

[@GreenGirl713]

excUSE YOU HOW DARE

[@fist-of-doom487]

That moment when you realize that Taako and Merle basically just did necromancy.

[@MrStrife137]

Fist-of-doom nothing wrong with a little necromancy between friends

[@RedLithic]

Necromancy is just late healing, and healing is for frens.

[@JDDragon2009]

No technically about it in Taako's case, Magic Jar is 100% a Necromancy spell lol

[@krullachief669]

Long as it ain't like Lichdom or unwilling soul revival, or just revival outside a certain timescale, I don't think the Raven Queen cares too much

[@wigglespeedturbo6324]

@@RedLithic It's the only healing Merle does

[@mafiabadgers4651]

merle: *slam dunks magnus' soul into a mannequin*

[@icaruslukas7041]

at first i read mannequin as napkin

[@sarahw7790]

The way you drew Taako’s expression when he sees Kravitz destroyed me

[@soble5535]

sorry to ruin 69 likes but the comment was just so good

[@restlesswretch3555]

I didn't get any sense of attachment between the two at that point in the story though. They hadn't gone on the date yet, I think that was (and was represented in the animation as) simple horror at the knowledge of the coming end of another. Watching people get hurt does things to you, and watching them die does moreso.

[@musicalraven1997]

@@restlesswretch3555 I get where you're coming from but they had gone on the date by that point. Idk where exactly the date was but it was def before this point as Kravitz is trapped until Taako and Jaqueen(?) pull him out. So there was definitely some attachment at this point

[@restlesswretch3555]

Oh you're right. I was sure the date happened after, but I just checked.

[@echoyanez662]

the look on Taako's face said "I want to save Kravitz, but my friends come first" and as a person who loves his friends, this hit me hard. I love Taako's character development throughout the entirety of the Balance arc. he goes from "I don't really care about you guys" to "I am willing to sacrifice everything to save the ones i love". they all have gone through the same transition, and its not just Griffin's storytelling, its the rest of the McElroy's connecting with their characters. -Weaver of Stories

[@RanCossack]

Merle is the true MVP of this whole thing, and honestly, I rarely see people give him his due in his moment of awesome here during the Wonderland arc. Exceptionally well done. Definitely gonna be sitting in my Favorites from here on.

[@cricocadazzle4439]

Especially since that's not how planar ally works at all.

[@YeetSpace]

@@cricocadazzle4439 FINE, NEW SPELL, UM, UHHHHH,

[@YeetSpace]

@@cricocadazzle4439 RECLAIM THE LOST

[@Judgepokemon]

Literally his “are you my friend?” line is probably the best in the show

[@hamc7112]

For this spell not really, he used it super fucking wrong.Merle does deserve all the love for the hunger arc tho

[@strangehistorian6411]

"I cast Planar Ally!" I cast Crying My Eyes Out 😭

[@violetcalhoun3035]

When Merle clearly breaks the rules of his spell but finally gets away with it and results in one of the best moments of TAZ history. I cried when this happened. Great animation on Edward and Lydia!

[@cscotch1127]

The Rule of Cool should be written into the DM book, TBH. Because it allows for moments like this.

[@eldon8712]

@@cscotch1127 I'm pretty sure it is, something along the lines of "Don't be afraid to make your own rulings if it makes the game more fun"

[@deltaphant_]

How is it that every single thing related to TAZ gives me chills without fail?

[@RobertSmith-be2mq]

its just all so good

[@sofialaya596]

because they're great storytellers

[@themannfordman6951]

"Because you're dying." Mnf, chef kiss. One of the overlooked lines of the series for how it was delivered. Astounding job with how this scene was handled, with the moment of Magnus' soul being so beautifully shot with sudden monochrome and blackness along with the titlecard, and the flashing descriptions of the scene, mmnf, all of it is tasty.

[@scj8863]

How does Magnus die?

[@MinkSignal]

​@@scj8863"bad luck", a result of a sacrifice made to progress. Very bad luck indeed.

[@SandersCat_yo]

as much as i love this moment, i'm still kinda sad we didn't see magnus and kravitz team up...

[@betsyb]

Yeah it’s kinda sad to think about the Kravitz content we missed out on, but I wouldn’t trade this scene for the world

[@Companion92]

@@betsyb same

[@samofthegamofthegee]

This is two years late, but the shot of Merle with his arms literally outstretched as he casts Planar Ally is frigging AMAZING

[@HollyBroWoo]

It's even more hard hitting because there aren't any words. Excellent job.

[@lanielazer5449]

When they all say “word of mouth” in unison I got CHILLS-

[@Ray-hk1zm]

I KNOW Because that's something Griffin's been saying throughout the ENTIRE SERIES and they all know it so well and the moment you realize that it's not just Magnus, Merle, and Taako figuring out the liches' plan, it's Travis, Clint, and Justin, too, and AA. Also, maybe an unpopular opinion, but I always wish these animatics would leave the voiceover in? Especially Justin's parts, they make me feel feelings. Just something about the boys saying 'to hell with it' and choosing to stick by each other, no matter what, KILLS me.

[@newbestfriend5867]

Magnus and Taako die: Merle: *"n0t t0day-"*

[@tristonanan]

Your expressions and mannerisms are spot-on. I didn't even think what this would've looked like for Merle at the beginning, but you showed him being worried when Taako suddenly fell to the ground. The way you showed the differences between the planes was beautiful. The arms that Merle made? Stunning. Your art is so good, and I loved it all as both a consumer of art and an artist.

[@extr8737]

This was awesome! This is one of the most touching scenes in the show, right after when they restarted the bond engine, because it really shows despite all of the teasing and sometimes downright cruel remarks they make to each other, they really are super good friends.

[@YeetSpace]

I think the best part is that them saving him want supposed to even happen, he(magnus) was supposed to go with kravitz but they rolled a nat20 and sved him

[@nicestpancake]

Anyone who makes any form of Arms Outstretched animatic is blessed by Pan, Istus, and the Raven Queen.

[@MerileeGoLucky]

I have yet to see an animatic of this scene that gave me the same visceral response as listening to it the first time did. Until this one. I got chills, teared up, and was grinning ear to ear. Like frick you nailed it.

[@Toffeehammer]

I love the look Merle gives the twins when they're grinning at him. Annoyed but also like he kind of pities them.

[@Erin-wp3vs]

God I love Merle in this scene what a DAD

[@ceilingeye]

Erin McCubbery this is one of those moments where Clint really shines through his character. He’s just protecting his boys

[@Starrik1996]

Despite all of the teasing, between this and "Are we friends?" Merle has some of the most amazing moments in the show

[@turidrowned]

I like the animation of Merle scooping them up way more than them grabbing on to an astral hand for him to pull them.

[@WakkaMadeInYevon]

God. How the sound just drops out when the song starts gives me chills every time. The text flashing across the screen really gives me a Monogatari vibe. Just in general you really well captured the feelings of this moment. The linework and colors are so nice I even forget it's an animatic completely. Love your Taako btw. What a good lookin young lad. I like it when male characters have braids.

[@ArtisticAzurite]

THANK YOU!!! And yes you're absolutely right about the monogatari vibe, that is absolutely what inspired that part :') I think you're the first person to point that out.

[@WakkaMadeInYevon]

It really meshes well with that first part of the song. Kinda gives you a mixed feeling of confusion and dread.

[@HeyItsNovalee]

HOLY FUCKKK What really gets me every time during this scene is Merle casting planar ally, because I already died when taako went to help but seeing the two of them working together to rescue their best friend gets me every damn time. The three of them working together and being so competent then for each other makes me wanna cry and the song captures it so well. God this was done really well thank you

[@k.whatever9046]

this is the first time that an Arms Outstretched animatic with no dialogue has given me goosebumps. Griffin's narration is definitely a huge factor at making this scene so chilling but u made do with just the soundtrack and ur incredible art and direction. ur freaking awesome. excuse me as i watch this about 20 more times again

[@iffern]

not gonna lie, this is the best Taako i've seen yet :D also this is really great, thanks for posting it

[@kylemercier7549]

pluto they all look really good

[@iffern]

it's really true, they do. you are absolutely correct

[@MsTweetyWright]

I love how at 2:37 Magnus is clearly Edward because he has the same smile as Lydia. Such a great detail! This is awesome.

[@fluckadrift]

I've seen pretty much no one else taking this approach to animatics - just drawing the events instead of using the podcast audio - and I'm now all in for it. Love Merle's look of screw-you-elves determination when he casts Planar Ally, and the way his hands cradle them as he brings them back in.

[@maximumdm9612]

Does anyone else notice how Merle’s spell just cradles them gently to bring them back? Well done my friend nice detail

[@WizardlyMagicks]

-Smashes that like button. Adds to favourites. Subscribes- Aaaand I'm crying again. This was, this is...brilliant. Beyond words brilliant with everything you did. Aaaaaaa.

[@Stanzafly]

That "Bad luck" spooks me every time. I love the editing you did on this video. The text narration and the music transition were perfect. I got chills.

[@harveydangerfield]

This is absolutely stunning. The love you put behind every single frame of this masterpiece is self evident. I hope you're incredibly proud of this piece because you really, really should be. It brought me to tears all over again, especially the look on Merle's face right before he cast planar ally. Gorgeous, incredible work. Two thumbs so far up they're through the ceiling.

[@PetDrAndrea]

yes yes yes! The look on Merle's face right before he turns is solid gold.

[@elithezombieguy8872]

To me, his face says one thing: “No one else. Not today.”

[@annakitty9900]

I remember listening to this scene, feeling like my heart had dropped into my stomach. I was so tense I was almost breathless. This animation perfectly captures that. Well done!!!!!!

[@froggybeaux]

that shot of merle turning around to cast gets me EVERY TIME. i cry EVERY TIME. god bless the adventure zone

[@EmilyHoot]

dang these visuals made it like hearing this scene for the first time all over again .. chills

[@rinco1532]

Arms Outstretched is one of the best moments not in TAZ but in DnD history overall It captures the spirit of freedom, imagination, comradery and fantasy and I LOVE IT

[@D-structman]

This is years old, but I just want to say what a brilliant choice it was to make the Ethereal plane void of color

[@megbennett626]

This is one of my favourite animatics of this scene because you very clearly included the part about Merle turning his back on the liches to reach out to his friends (2:43) and that to me has always been one of the most impactful parts of this scene and one of my favourite moments in the show. Awesome job!

[@ClaireJamesLadybug]

poor Kravitz in the back

[@catherinelariviere8562]

This is hands down the coolest portrayal of arms outstretched I’ve seen, it was gorgeous

[@gabriellemickelson2029]

Dang. When Taako stood up, just...dang!

[@plants2448]

arms outstretched will always be my favorite part of the podcast, along with "i saw seven birds", lup's return and taako's speech to barry during stolen century. god tier.

[@trinity6302]

And Lup and Barry's performance together

[@NikitaShishli]

Holy crap this is great. I love how you only took the music and not the rest of the podcast audio, it is so dope!

[@raew.1782]

I didn't even think about the fact that for a moment there, poor merle was left completely alone

[@alexandriaharrison6306]

Not sure why i decided to watch this in a cafe since i'm now having to try so hard not to cry in public. amazing work, the colours, the expressions, the timing....

[@JustOneEarth]

I love the blithely menacing expressions of Lydia and Edward, especially Edward-as-Magnus. Really amazing.

[@SakiMcGee]

I don't think I've ever seen a video with so many likes not have a single dislike before (as of writing this comment anyway). But you deserve it--amazing work.

[@stankywizzleteets8305]

Saki McGee i disliked it then liked it because of this comment

[@Stanzafly]

Saki McGee ya jinxed it. :(

[@alexadams4017]

Saki McGee Now there are 11 people who disliked it and 11 people that need to be banned

[@jamesscott7215]

Still even now, over 20 k likes and only 16 dislikes

[@jamesscott7215]

Oops meant over 5 k my bad

[@jenumoo]

It's funny because I've been holding off on watching this, because I haven't actually listened to the moment in the podcast. Well, I just finished and raced over here and I've never been so happy to watch something. This's so amazing and well done

[@julischrier]

I love this and especially the facial expressions?? Even tho it's music playing I can practically HEAR them shout Also the colors are fab and I love how you made the astral plane colorless :D

[@vivmiv4014]

This is so rad. Gave me the chills. The character designs? Lovely.

[@_The_Dumbass_]

when Merle casted that spell it was just a moment of "I hope to *Pan* this works"

[@queensalmon4905]

You even gave the mannequin a little eye scar ahhhh that's so amazing!!!!!!

[@roxannesilverdee8130]

This is the best rendition of this scene I have found thus far! I just finished the Balance arc today, and bar none, this has to be my favorite moment in the podcast. The danger that Magnus was in felt so real, and you present that wonderfully. I felt like I was listening to this scene all over again, on the edge of my seat. The visuals lined up with how I imagined it, the white creatures and Kraavitz and the mannequin. And the detail! Magnus' armor, Lydia's dress, and the contrast between the grey scale and color environments, which I didn't even catch onto until when Merle was casting Planar Ally. And the way he cups them! When he pulls them back in! Just!! This is absolutely stunning!!

[@maxkensei]

This animation was so beautiful it made me cry. I just finished balance and listening to TTAZZ and finding out this wasn't how this scene was supposed to play out and yet these characters' willingness to sacrifice for each other was awesome. You captured this BEAUTIFULLY (and probably my favorite depictions of the tres horny bois I've ever seen)

[@EvelynV123]

Holy shit this made me cry so much, thank you. This is amazing.

[@tepesht]

this is an INCREDIBLE animatic. usually I prefer ones that keep all the talk in, but this? this is made more powerful because they say *nothing*. because, in the show, they don't have to say anything, it's the first time they're so perfectly in-sync. the colors are vibrant, the expressions are perfect (special mention to Taako's face when he sees Kravitz, and then closing his eyes as he focuses on Magnus, what's right in front of him, what he can do now). Merle locking gazes with Edward and Lydia before he turns his back on them and saves his friends. the way Magnus and Taako's faces light up when they see Merle's soul hands. you capture the power in this moment so incredibly well.

[@Gormathius]

Moment of appreciation for how fucking cool you made Kravitz.

[@haveyoumettess]

Omg I love the way you pictured Merle’s arms 😭😭 it makes the scene so much cooler

[@Naomi-tj1qz]

I absolutely love all of this! But the moment that made me like and comment was when Merle looked at the situation and his expression dropped into a "done with this shit" and he turned his back to perform his most MVP moment ever! Thanks for making such an amazing version of this scene!

[@beefyboy49]

You can bet your ass I'm crying. This is so amazing to see one of the most emotional scenes in taz so beautifully animated with so few of the words that originally partnered it. Just the music to guide the absolutely fucking *stunning* just unbelievably *amazing* art

[@nathanhunter6201]

The most incredible moment in a podcast full of incredible moments, and like most of them it's elevated by Griffin's constantly flawless musical choices.

[@tabletoprhythm]

I was hoping there was an animatic for this scene. This scene, when listening to the podcast, gave me CHILLS as I listened, and what went through my head as I did looked almost exactly like this. Tres Horny Boys are epic as hell when they aren't goofing off, and even then, they still somehow manage to be clumsy badasses and I love them all the more for it.

[@antikinetic]

God DAMMIT this is good. Your characters are so expressive -- grinning, possessed Magnus is just chilling. I love it!

[@shadowbrine114]

Something about how fed up Magnus looks at the start is hilarious to me. Thank you

[@kaygirl2016]

This is hands down my favorite rendition of this moment. The art is gorgeous, I love Taako's design, the whole thing is beautiful

[@landeroplinger4373]

Love the depiction of Cravitz, he looks so badass!

[@tys6609]

Ooooh, I get it! "Animatic" is the long-form of "Masterpiece"!

[@clarastanford8754]

Hi I’m crying at how you made the hands that Merle cast just cup taako and Magnus so tenderly and gently 🥺🥺 that moment was so beautiful

[@kimhill3614]

The drawing in this cartoon is excellent. It's a perfect example of how cartoons can bridge gaps between fantasy and reality.

[@sunsetsynth]

This is wonderful! The timing of the music to the visuals was perfect. Thank you so much for giving focus to Merle!! Like, 2:50, with the lights dancing softly behind him?? Stunning. He always seems to get left behind in animatics for this scene even though it's, without question, one of his most defining actions in the entire campaign, so I really appreciate seeing him get some love too 🌱❤️

[@TalsMovingCastle]

This is amazing! The synchronization of the animation/music timing, the use of color vs. B&W, the scar on the mannequin... I could go on. Beautiful art and brilliant video.

[@ivydignity6894]

HOLY FUCK!!! WHAT WAS THAT??!! That was AMAZING!! I thought this would be a regular animatic but then you cut the voices and everything is just BEAUTIFULLY illustrated, and we see what is happening ourselves without the narration. And the expressions, HOLY FUCK the expressions. I am just here in awe. Thank you for making this.

[@gataslice7663]

So great. That moment was so powerful and emotional that I can't describe it in less than one thosand words.

[@rosemarycat5]

oh my GOSH THIS IS SO GOOD the facial expressions! especially those relieved smiles! - kravitz! - the mannequins!

[@ezranexcalibur]

this made me cry more than listening to the actual moment jesus christ good job my dude

[@lanielazer5449]

Also I can’t imagine how confused poor Merle was in this situation. One of your friends is betraying you suddenly and the other just straight up passes out.

[@k.whatever9046]

god im getting chills. ur artstyle is beautiful and i love how u synchronized the scenes with the music. the music slowly reaching towards a crescendo as merle stares the twins down and then casts planar ally. its so breathtaking

[@jacobrodriguez5289]

Ugh. This is obviously the most emotional scene in my opinion. How dare you add animation to make me cry

[@syaoran5476]

Your Magnus is so handsome oh my goodness

[@Sanshaino]

This keeps being my favourite animatic of arms outstretched, by a wide margin, because you actually took the time to very carefully sync up the sequence of events with the emotional beats of the song. And by virtue of doing so, this is also the only animatic I've found that gives Merle enough credit for his part in this.

[@patriciabristow-johnson5951]

this is so good. I love how you just show what's happening over the music without the narration

[@TheDimensionDweller]

Seriously, I just keep coming back every so often to watch this because I love it so much

[@azureflame2223]

This, has to be, the best thing ever. The art is really well made, awesome alongside the lack of sound giving an even greater sense of power, not forgetting the amazing music which really adds to the feeling of struggle and wonder. Thank you for this wonderful video.

[@ZekromAndYugiAndDrago123]

A character serving the God of Life, making sure someone gets to fairly continue living theirs.

[@RLmediashow]

jesus fucking christ this is breathtaking. I love the coloring, and your Taako design is the best thing I've ever seen, thank you so much for creating this!

[@OogieBay]

This was so well done, it gave me chills. It brought together all of the emotions I felt listening to this scene.

[@pbgandie]

One of my favorite moments in the podcast, and you did it justice. Beautiful work.

[@allenjonhson9959]

my favorite moment of the whole series had me in literal tears and you sir pulled it off perfectly out of all the other animations of this scene by far the greatest one

[@Ventilator313]

I adore Merle's expressions in this. There's just something about those moments when the goofball character gets serious.

[@wayverleesoulsong]

The fact that you edited out the boys’ ooc talk makes this scene even more powerful

[@SystemsAndStories]

Oh my god I just started crying watching this. The music, the art, and just the memories are so amazing. Thank you so much!

[@catrionamackenzie524]

This was one of my favourite scenes and you have done so well capturing all the emotion packed into this moment. I absolutely love this

[@IdrisLehu]

My favourite Merle moment. Casting insect plague to stealth past a guard post coming in at a close second.

[@SamCVA]

I have watched this moment, so, so, many times and every-time I get teared up. Wonderful video!