Firbolg Accounting

Wanted to dip my toes into making a sorta-animatic, so I chose this wondrous clip from The Adventure Zone: Graduation. Love, love, love my Firbolg son. Audio and characters belong to The McElroys.

[@XDHX100]

...why does Justin consistently make the Best characters in The Adventure Zone, its not fair to his dear papa and brothers

[@coltonspahr864]

Travis actually comments on this in TAZ Hootenanny

[@tristantries9211]

He makes the consistently funniest characters probably because he is the best at acting and improv but I do always adore Clint's characters. Justin brings the laughs Clint brings the heart- for me.

[@zankaa8031]

Fortunately he made up for it by having the worst character in Ethersea

[@garglfluz]

This is Angus MacDonald slander

[@somedragonbastard]

theyre all simultaneously hilarious, deeply compelling, and so, so very gender.

[@user-ut5nx6hm9d]

"No you have become my opus" Im dying. (on one hand it's funny, but I'm also happy that the teacher takes his student's lack of understanding as a challenge rather than as a disqualification for the Firbolg to be taking the class).

[@thesatelliteslickers907]

Said student later destroys capitalism

[@Arrakiz666]

The fact that Justin's character is an anarcho-communist-primitivist-mutualist warms my heart.

[@joanofsnark5690]

That’s much more accurate description of him 😂 comrade jokes are funny but I don’t think he’s actually a straight-up communist

[@Arrakiz666]

@@joanofsnark5690 Only because he's got some theory to brush up on. After a lecture of Das Kapital he might find accounting far less painful.

[@joanofsnark5690]

@@Arrakiz666Yeah, I just know he isn’t a by-the-book communist as much as he is the other things you mentioned (lots of people, especially tribes) have operated under similar ‘rules’ over thousands of years, communism is a more recent more structured version of that, i hope I’m making sense lol

[@Nionivek]

Communism also has a lot of extra things in there that diverges VAAAASTLY from the simple idea of "No one owns anything, we do", which is a more of a unrealistic idyllic rendition of what is actually in communism. The Firbolg realistically taken would probably find Communism more abhorrent to his ideals than Capitalism. . Though realistically taken the Firbolg society makes sense if you assume that at some point in history they had bountiful amounts of food nearby (Their current state being new), so much so that the biggest threat to their society was someone overharvesting. Which means their society is structured around the idea of having effectively unlimited foods at all times and all seasons so long as you put the time into foraging. Add in that they are sedentary society who make permanent dwellings (and do not switch based on the season) and you get the scope of just how idyllic their lands were. . Mind you I am sure the McElroy Brothers did not actually plan that carefully and extrapolate their society off of what would have been realistic given their description. (I am sure the actual explanation is Druids casting Goodberry.

[@GrayYeonWannabe]

@@Nionivek what is your definition of communism? i doubt that the firbolg would find it more abhorrent than capitalism. dont get me wrong, i have my fair share of criticisms of pure communism

[@MxMcGeeky]

I was Master Firbolg throughout college, “THERE IS A SPLITTING!!”

[@kikiohearts]

As an actual CPA (certified public accountant) The logic..... is pretty solid....

[@uskids9413]

Travis, the man voicing the owl, actually read up on accounting and how to teach basic accounting so that he could weave it into the plot. The Firbolg's accounting skills are actually an important part of the resolution and it all started here!

[@kikiohearts]

@@uskids9413 holy crap. That is some dedication... cause accounting reading is prolly some of the most dry educational material I've ever read in my life.

[@trapfethen]

@@kikiohearts true, but having the knowledge saved up really counts..... I'll leave now

[@Sleepy12ftPanda]

The comedy of this scene comes from the individualist framework of capitalism brushing up against the communal worldview of mutualism. Barthalimus assumes that everybody wants as much as possible for themselves while the Firbolg believes that there is no bottom limit to which people can share. Through this contrast, capitalism is revealed to just be greed codified in naturalistic language to keep its victims from realizing what they're actually being deprived of. Asserting this truth is cathartic, and that's why it's funny.

[@kikiohearts]

@@Sleepy12ftPanda I 100% agree with you. But I put in a point for Mr. Furby. If you are born into a naturalistic view of mutualism where all of your things are also your neighbors and vice versa. How will you know what you are missing if you are not introduced to a capitalist centric view. I think they would react the same was a Furby. Theres gotta be a good middle ground somewhere tho lol. Also. Thank you for the brain tickler. I needed one about now...... I'm dying from the lack of brain stimulation from my coworkers.

[@FieryArtemis]

Do you ever think that Griffin sits back and just enjoys some of his other brothers getting a taste of dealing with the shenanigans he had to deal with all the years he was their game master?

[@Thr3leven]

As I am the only person in my group who wants to DM, I dream of this day.

[@Tannershide]

The brothers are great but Justin as the Firbolg is a national treasure.

[@christinebudzinski8314]

He continues to create the BEST characters

[@jacobfike3697]

Agreed

[@tothra15]

I love all of the McElroys, but Justin as any of his characters is a national treasure!

[@oobieboobiekanoobiscoobied5972]

Clint is awesome too

[@RastafarianPilgrim]

VAT IS SYLLABUS

[@anthonyb4479]

Can’t like...critical like mass has been reached... edit; made a lot more sense when this had less than 70 likes...

[@drakkenmensch]

CAN YOU HEAR THE CLANGING IN MY HEAD

[@NotSceptile]

I love imagining that Griffin's laugh is just one student far in the back, losing it over this conversation. Your character designs are so good! So tasty!

[@charityquill4965]

imagine it's the one other student in class that is bored to tears by accounting but they HAVE to take it so they grumble in the back of the classroom. then they see the professor proceed to have a breakdown as he tries to explain the complexities of economics and capitalism to this firbolg that's struggling with the mere concept of owning something that isn't shared by others. the student smiles to themselves and thinks that maybe this class won't be so boring after all.

[@FireRose720]

Me whenever someone asks me to do math: "THERE IS A SOUND OF A CLANGING! Surely... you hear this, yes?"

[@spacetearable]

Dere is a fire...behind de eyes...De splitting..has RETURNED.

[@susie7150]

"VAT IS SYLLABUS" is still the most relatable line

[@nomnomgoblin8901]

The best thing is that he didn't just make this into a one-off joke, that through the rest of Graduation (at the time of this comment) he kept up with bits to do with his accounting knowledge.

[@cariswilliams5808]

I adore Justin's character creation and role playing and this scene is one of the many reasons. But got dang is this also some incredible role playing by Travis. You can hear the character dying inside trying so hard to teach this guy. Such an incredible bit.

[@witchlamb]

this is criminally underviewed

[@rxdice]

Haha, thank you! ❤️

[@moongod5013]

"Because they're buying it from a SQUIRREL!" is my favorite quote.

[@isabellarussell4407]

I used “this is a great shame” often because of this podcast.

[@gabsterj2010]

“Is this....... necessary...... this class.......”

[@tristantries9211]

I love when later he is like "I asked to transfer "

[@rebekah5052]

who filmed my dad trying to teach me math

[@angelapirko371]

Travis rolled so fucking well with this. What a champ.

[@YorkJonhson]

"Sweet bird in Heaven..." and "You have become my opus." both had me rolling.

[@annikayu9513]

justins first groans RATTLED my brain thru my headphones

[@Blizardstar1200]

My favorite thing about this is how much it effectively taught me about accounting

[@Silverwind87]

"Sweet bird in heaven."

[@thewiglesswonder]

"Æcorn"

[@amk4312]

1:57 “(and by share I mean sell)” You stumbled upon the flaw in your logic and slipped up, old man!

[@mateochavez8455]

This firbolg is very wise

[@silentdebugger]

"This is what we will do! On my very first day at this school, I tried to learn accounting, and I wished that....math.... would be destroyed! And now I have learned.... I should have listened to my instincts all along!"

[@russelllahna2268]

I'm starting my first college class on Monday and all I can think is "VHAT IS SYLLABUS???????"

[@kesitepe]

I love how expressive the teacher is even without a mouth!

[@handfulmousefly]

My last two brain cells in a very basic math class:

[@courtneysmith9807]

This is me in every econ course

[@Flameclaw123]

God... imagine being one of the other students in this class. Those poor kids. Excellent stuff! The face of genuine pain at 7:42 is killing me.

[@TheNitpickChick]

Oh gosh I LOVE your design for the Firbolg! He looks so friend shaped! ❤️😊❤️ Legit one of my favorite scenes, and you did a fantastic job! Well done!!!

[@rxdice]

Aww, thank you! It was a bit challenging trying to balance his simultaneously imposing but friendly demeanor in terms of design. I looked at what other people had done to see what sorts of stuff appealed to me and matched with how I saw him in my head. I'm glad it worked out ❤️❤️❤️

[@somer4213]

@@rxdice I’m genuinely so confused is this like ur 2nd account?? Bc ur not the one that posted this vid???

[@rxdice]

@@somer4213 oops, yeah, my phone likes to log me into this account. Same person though! 😛

[@mikkosimonen]

Comrade Firbolg!

[@CassReidIsSomeone]

Finding this after just finishing the latest episode (spoilers below) . . . . where Trav swears up and down he didn't mean to make capitalism the villain this scene is even funnier.

[@mysteriousanonymous7992]

Travis "accidentally" made an anti capitalist tale and Griffin and Justin rolled with it hard. Clint is also there

[@skracha2]

capitalism has always been the villain

[@Lady_in_Yearning]

You never mean to make capitalism the villain but it always is. It always is.

[@laurenyork6095]

Firbolg is me in math class from grade 5 to grade 11. I have found my soulmate.

[@kindoflame]

Congratulations, you have single handedly convinced me to listen to all of The Adventure Zone with just a 9 minute video.

[@moongod5013]

This is amazing. This scene is so golden.

[@masonallred5569]

I was dying laughing just hearing this scene for the first time and it's been made even better by your work!

[@Greenwickpress]

This scene was when I got hooked on the current arc.

[@Xhumed]

Travis has been remarkably restrained in Steeplechase, now I remember this.

[@theslowpokegamer334]

Congrats! You just got added to my “Good animation TAZ” playlist because...this g o o d

[@GrayYeonWannabe]

i love that this bit basically happened bc justin was like "ooh thisll be a fun character trait" & travis was like "no no no, you started this, we're gonna see it through" lmao

[@datamancy138]

i love how [redacted] looks???

[@joanofsnark5690]

[redacted] killed me 😂😂😂 thank you ❤️

[@TheeGrumpy]

My second-favorite scene in all of Graduation. (Number one is Firbolg singing "On Earth My Nina" to his dying parent.)

[@isekaistation3682]

Hes a solid teacher

[@drakkenmensch]

The laughing in the back would be me, who first gets intrigued then gradually fascinated by the complete imperviousness of this student's brain to the subject matter offered, which he has zero foundation to even grasp. Watching these two day after day would be my new mission, to record and analyze for generations to come.

[@yardencalif241]

ven do I get de acorns

[@MS-zr9fg]

The slow zoom in on the owl killed me haha! Fantastic job

[@DementisVenustas]

DERE IZ A SPLITTING! ...that's just me with math in general

[@TheMightyMcClaw]

This was the single best scene in Graduation.

[@TaldrenMGMoonGuard]

This is what it feels like to have a learning disability and your teachers just don't get it but try and fail. Plus "WHAT IS SYLLABUS??!" makes me laugh every time! I Love this so much

[@michieltom9988]

I have no idea what the audio is from but damn if this wasn't the funniest thing ever. It was really enjoyable even without the context.

[@tigerserum]

it’s from the current arc of the podcast the adventure zone!! super good show!

[@ACDBunnie]

The firbolg is a mood. I felt what it was feeling

[@danniemiesse4643]

"Very well then; I can see, I will have to TEACH you, how to be; accountants!"

[@narniaknight]

Justin is an amazing character actor.

[@origaminosferatu3357]

That slow zoom on the owl as his whole world comes undone. Nice

[@Sleepy12ftPanda]

The comedy of this scene comes from the individualist framework of capitalism brushing up against the communal worldview of mutualism. Barthalimus assumes that everybody wants as much as possible for themselves while the Firbolg believes that there is no bottom limit to which people can share. Through this contrast, capitalism is revealed to just be greed codified in naturalistic language to keep its victims from realizing what they're actually being deprived of. Asserting this truth is cathartic, and that's why it's funny.

[@l3gacyb3ta21]

this but unironically

[@olddog476]

You could right a research paper on this if you wanted.

[@catnerdadrian7601]

SPLITTING!

[@lydia3570]

I love the design for Master Firbolg tbh. This is great 💕

[@thehoodedone8]

me taking physics for a gen studies science credit

[@chloewapelhorst2404]

This is one of my favorite scenes, thank you so much for animating it. I love the Fierbolg so much

[@huntermorgan4201]

Firbolg is beautiful *heart eyes*

[@gastonmarian7261]

Walk into Accounting 101 and the professor says, "i expect you to have a basic knowledge of accounting"

[@zach5539]

'its worth 25' '..acorns' '..sure' 😂 dead

[@Maivillain]

This is amazing. This scene is my favorite part of Graduation and this animatic is perfect.

[@merksmirs]

Oh my god this is so good

[@zachdcm722]

I wish the rest of Graduation was half this good

[@TheClairesable]

Got me with the thumbnail and kept me hooked!

[@caeod]

This is the best part of Graduation so far.

[@thesatelliteslickers907]

"We need to destroy capitalism"

[@Skidoodle18]

I love all of your design, and the color change with the splitting, I love all of this!

[@avamorgan7860]

yeah, this is when i knew master firbolg was my fav character in this arc.

[@aduiel]

Bless you for making this. I must have listened to it half a dozen times and it makes me laugh so hard every time.

[@Hollyjcat]

Omg this is amazing! XD Brilliant job on the character designs as well. It all looks so good! ^-^

[@goldieguard]

this is so good

[@norriec6323]

Incredible

[@shivernaut8607]

I honestly wish travis would have stuck to his guns on this finance angle I thought it was really cute and funny

[@relativelyjilly]

incredible

[@reshibunny9684]

most relatable thing I have ever heard in a podcast-

[@pidgeonpatrol861]

Very good!

[@trinity6302]

The slow zoom on the teacher is everything

[@TessBre]

me in all classes forever

[@pecanarchy]

I’m in LOVE

[@artisan2906]

pog

[@alexkorinth6459]

This the best.

[@sydneygorelick7484]

Delicious

[@taylorabbis586]

God your amazing

[@puppibrain6827]

ok but like this is me when someone asks me to do math

[@djoshman]

Should have trusted his instincts

[@johnthomason9980]

This is an absolute treasure to watch while high

[@TindraSan]

me in math class forever

[@JavanPatrickReigner]

this was a very long 9 minutes.

[@RuviGaPo]

M E

[@Alt-ec4nv]

elf in wat?

[@jonathanjernigan3865]

Is the arakokra deity just the platonic ideal of Bird?

[@mudpie6927]

Ah I see so the FUrBolg this is Russian

[@cole4783]

Jamaicanxgermam accent

[@tehchar9000]

i mean that class is probrobly the most important as a hero or villan you need to know how to handle your assets and moeny if you want to run your buisness succesfuly withought that you cant apply anything you have learned from the other classes because you have gone bankrupt and canot continue to lend your services to others as you are out of moeny for the up keep of your business and it shall colaps and you will become a failure in societly and die a sad life cold and homeless and broke

[@josephtaylor4115]

Justin was the only good part of this campaign.