The Zone of Adventure: Imbalance - Episode 2

Magnus rushes in. Taako considers a new career path. Merle forges a new connection. The Captain does some housekeeping. Who can still handle themselves in a fight, and who exactly are they even fighting?
DM'ed by Aabria Iyengar: / quiddie

[@jacklandismusic]

God, hearing a sixty-something-year-old man with friendly granddad energy nailing they/them pronouns makes me so fucking happy. Thanks, Clint. You’re the best.

[@mendaxMultorum]

i didnt even realize this was happening!! thats how good he is

[@rideronthedrumbeat]

He was great about it in Amnesty with Hollis' pronouns too. Love that guy.

[@casertanick]

@@mendaxMultorum me neither when was it

[@megbennett626]

@@casertanick I think it was when he was talking to Kuo and had the little connection moment with them. right around 25:34 is one I found, but I'm sure there were other times too

[@rewcana7581]

remembering pronouns? no problem. remembering names? can't help ya there

[@mog1755]

Travis: "Well, the Flaming Poisoning Raging Sword of Doom has been destroyed, so I will draw the Flaming Raging Poisoning Sword of Death, a completely separate sword Magnus acquired off screen."

[@imphie]

The Squeakl

[@ASquared544]

Magnus, Taako, & Merle: _goofing off while being invaded_ Davenport: *”I came here to kick gum and chew ass, and I’m all out of ass.”*

[@HeyItsNovalee]

Davenport showing how balance would have gone down if he’d been involved 😂

[@tiannaroberts6153]

Theres a reason he was the captain

[@psyducktective]

I love that Taako’s whole reason for not using magic is a petty bet with Kravitz I’m losing it

[@cassied.6731]

I mean tbh it tracks though

[@Madhattergirl56]

But it's so in character

[@kab6754]

I mean it's on brand

[@quinnmarchese6313]

every time justin does something that is peak Taako, i think he literally can't do something more Taako, and then he does this. Just peak Taako once again

[@Owlbear26]

I made the mistake of reading the comments while watching and got spoiled 😂 it’s such a bad habit of mine lmao. The bit was still super funny when I got to it

[@adude6910]

Aabria: *says Magnus takes enemy’s arm off* Me: Ah yes, much like the stories of old.

[@faunaprince4466]

Old dogs, new tricks you know

[@sirstrongbad]

Playin' the hits, baybeeee! 😆

[@benh2339]

The way Griffin is always way too close to his camera is comedy gold.

[@k4eru20]

very davenport-esque

[@faunaprince4466]

Dad energy

[@howdyitsren]

big 48 energy

[@MorganBondelid]

@@faunaprince4466 Davenport is big dad energy 💯

[@kittymarie397]

he is the perfect distance from his camera

[@DeerBonesBaby]

Taako is going to go the whole adventure without casting a spell and Kravitz is going to kill him for it

[@megbennett626]

We got Magnus rushing in, We got Taako being good in here, now we just need Merle to cast a Zone of Truth and the saga will be complete!

[@Josbird]

Plus we have Davenport... is his name

[@laceladybug]

lucretia just watching that whole battle in the back like i’m good they’ve got it

[@aceisawesome_]

just sipping some tea watching the boys run back and forth

[@LeviathanLP]

Thank you for noticing too lol

[@charliepie1212]

She's just chilling in a forcefield.

[@hexedrocket]

She's watching with pride at their hard work

[@mackpeterson6496]

To be fair she outa be in her 60-70s

[@abj6920]

Griffin said "I'm just a lil guy" as Davenport the 17th level artificer pirate, I am happy. The corelation should be obvious.

[@TheeRubee]

Aabria: I've lost the thread of why she's in the scene Me DMing most NPCs ever lmao

[@voodood]

20:50 Clint, "Does he still have the Adamant[ium] Spanner?" Griffin, who is the one who took it away in the Suffering Game, "Yeah, I don't see why you wouldn't."

[@pink_sunflower_girly4705]

"that's a wicked low HP"

[@unhallowedyves]

@@pink_sunflower_girly4705 oh, is it? Is it griffin? Is it “REAL LOW?” Is it almost like some fucking liches of your imagination sucked the hit points away from me, a wizard?

[@HeyItsNovalee]

@@unhallowedyves this is why he was so eager to give up magic 😭😭😂😂

[@Bee-sl8dm]

Hearing Justin say “taako’s good in here.” Made me SO HAPPY

[@sarachampion4231]

big same

[@ryanmcgrath4967]

In my head while pumping my fist. "H*ll yeah, HE SAID IT! Everyone, he said it!"

[@fluffyking94]

You're the top comment. Thanks for the spoiler.

[@Pablo360able]

@@fluffyking94 gee, people in the comment section talking about what happened in the video? how will people reading the comments before watching the video avoid spoilers now?

[@hermitized4391]

Griffin can have a little destroying the DM's plans, as a treat.

[@masterofskillz14]

God, Aabria giving Merle that awesome moment after he got ribbed (as usual) for making a creative combat choice with the water was SO cathartic!!! Clint 5eva

[@sarachampion4231]

Fan. freaking. tastic GM choice.

[@megbennett626]

I was soooo happy that Aabria gave Merle that awesome moment when he had made a choice that used what he had observed about the enemy in a creative way and she rewarded him for it, that was extremely satisfying!!

[@masterofskillz14]

@@megbennett626 absolutely, honestly every time I fall off of TAZ for a while it's after getting annoyed at the boys for clowning on a legitimately cool/creative/in character choice that Clint makes. Then I saw Clint in Tiny Heist (which was ok on the whole, but w/e) and seeing Brennan engage more charitably with Clint really showed me how awesome of a player he is, and then graduation happened and they literally nerfed him into the ground by not understanding sneak attack! I'm not mad I promise

[@quinnmarchese6313]

@@masterofskillz14 we dont talk about graduation in this house

[@quinnmarchese6313]

@@masterofskillz14 also, the way i honestly saw Merle in TAZ was he got proper credit when making creative and often brilliant decisions, he just also got a lot of shit for trying to fuck every plant he saw and not being a very good cleric.

[@very_much]

Davenport comforting this burning gentlemen before fully shoryuken-ing them gave me fucking life.

[@megbennett626]

Travis rolling a nat 20 (32:23) , followed immediately by a nat 1 (33:43) , and then immediately again by another 20 (34:18), is just such peak Magnus/Travis energy and I love it. Our boy can only go big or go home!

[@gaarakamaru]

When Aabria let that Dispel Magic succeed I was so shocked because I mean... when it’s the very thing that your BBEG’s scheme hinges on, my instinct and many DM’s would just be to say “nope, that doesn’t work, not that easy”. But she lets griffin’s good roll work, works with his cool idea, still allows the plot to move forward in the necessary way, but rewarding the players as well by letting them help to build the next scene. Maybe that was her plan all along but she goes with their flow and “yes and”s so well. Absolute masterclass DMing, as always!

[@SweetDeath777]

If nothing else Aabria is never a fucking coward when it comes to honoring dice and the rule of cool

[@Gildedpossum]

The fact that last week half the fandom was making fanart and posts about how depressed taako is AND IT WAS JUST A BET?? 😂

[@cas2762]

I mean he’s still very much depressed tho

[@rmsoia3365]

@@cas2762 wait what happened what did i moss

[@y_n6]

@@rmsoia3365 the first ep. taako basically feels disconnected from everyone etc

[@raebaer8580]

Justin torturing Travis over the size of Taakos tree‘s as Griffin defends him feels a lot like the Chili Song bit all over again

[@partlyironic]

Could you give a timestamp maybe, if you can? Roughly? I would love to hear this bit

[@raebaer8580]

@@partlyironic it starts at 30:25 griffins “justin didn’t decide this travis” has the same vibe as “who are you gonna believe travis, our brother or a song?”

[@partlyironic]

@@raebaer8580 thank you! You’re a sweetheart x

[@Doriansgirl19]

Props to the editor who is doing such a good job of placing the classic Balance songs throughout this campaign xx

[@quinnmarchese6313]

TAZ when from good to brilliant as soon as Griffin started producing music for it. he's super unexpectedly talented at making the OSTs.

[@arielle5752]

Chills every time

[@mrgaberoberts]

Does anyone know the name of the song that plays with the credits? Just spent an unreasonable amount of time digging through griffins bandcamp and couldn’t find it :/

[@daboredghurl]

honest to god started tearing up when Meaning of Strength came on while they were discussing the details near the end, it was such a good detail

[@daboredghurl]

@@mrgaberoberts it's the ending of Reunion Tour!!

[@maggiejackson2160]

Literally my new response whenever anyone tells me I can’t do something is gonna be “I am changing the timeline, my guy.”

[@Vitreia]

As always, Clint McElroy is a goddamn gift to the TTRPG world

[@zigzagzoom369]

Clint prepping a 'Create Water' spell after spending a whole season playing a water genasi: "My time has come" Edit to add: Ok but it's actually really gratifying that after the boys dunk on Clint's creative idea to put out the burning enemies, Aabria went "no, I'm gonna reward you for your inventive, non-violent solution"

[@Rikoshima]

god i'd love to hear the full unedited "one in the front, nine in the back" conversation lmfao

[@alfalfa_art]

I'm just grateful for that clip at the end oh my god

[@theberrypie]

This one went right over my head. it has heavy innuendo vibes but i just don't get what its implying o.o"

[@acehensley8710]

"are we killing innocent people?" CHARACTER GROWTH. how far they've come from destroying entire towns

[@1440cartoonboy]

well now that one was an accident, they had no control over Phandolin XD

[@micahwhoward8316]

There's something poetic about the first 9th level spell cast on TAZ being "Create Water."

[@flamyangelwings7410]

"it was more of a bet." THank you! I've been worrying about whatever angsty reason Taako doesn't do magic anymore all week!! But it's just 'Kravitz bet him he couldn't' instead!!

[@flamyangelwings7410]

Just after the Suffering Game?!? WHEN THE HUNGER IS THERE?!? Like. 'Stormy Death Weather Happening Now' time???

[@ALucidThomas]

Seeing Clint get expressively excited, proud, and genuinely visibly happy to be thanked and appreciated for using his abilities well filled my life with laughter and love in 2021.

[@ouvreture]

It's funny to me how Travis used to have the unkillable tank Magnus and now that he has the frail ex-convent boy Devo he's unused to having all these op stunts and tricks up his sleeve

[@sarachampion4231]

Aabria is the absolutely most perfect GM to wrangle the McElroy boys. She takes the chaos and goofiness over top of fun character dev and worldbuilding that is their undeniable and delightful brand and twists it into a compelling and fascinating story - that honestly feels like coming home. This is fantastic and I so hope you all will do more collaborations. PLEASE do an Amnesty short like this one!!

[@emmavoid]

She is *so amazing,* and I honestly feel like she ties the group together? Like, Griffin was a wonderful DM, but Aabria just meets each of them on their own level and it's so good!!!

[@mpbx3003]

@@emmavoid She allows Griffin to play along with them in a way which was limited by him having to jump out of NPC moments and back into DM mode. She's such a great addition!

[@andievaldez6476]

She's really great. I saw her DM on Critical Role and that fandom absolutely ripped her apart which was kind of disheartening because she's very fun and pretty great at NPC/character conversations.

[@vmckay4118]

"why would you do this to me?" Is such a sibling thing to ask

[@mpbx3003]

I truly love how easily they can slip back into these characters and nail the essence of them. And how much Davenport is a cheat code here.

[@LunykStormdragon]

honestly, i feel like the voices are different now and it’s really jarring!

[@kraztar]

steam punk iron man davenport is so fucking cool. idk just the idea of "casting spells" with tesla coils and other technology is so fuckign cool to me

[@sarachampion4231]

Yeah this adds so much to the Davenport Character. I'm super loving how Griffin is spinning him in the aftermath of Balance.

[@TheBigbear091]

It’s the bronzed griffin mbmbam story

[@daniellehalen3479]

I so want to look at Aabria's notes for GMing games like these. You can tell she is always so passionate about the worlds she GMs for

[@sarachampion4231]

She's amazing at it - it's so delightful to hear her spin a tale for these goofs using the framework they built in Balance.

[@portmomteau]

I thought Merle gave the spanner up in Wonderland? Edit: Annnd then Griffin addressed it. THAT'LL teach me to comment WHILE watching instead of AFTER.

[@Soren015]

Adventure Zone, Dimension 20 and Critical Role; At this point I fully expect Aabria to go for the full circuit and DM Aquisitions Inc. for a few months, too.

[@lyssadee3832]

Don't forget Not Another D&D podcast! :) i would love to hear her DM for the 2 crew!

[@hipsterbrigadier9428]

DM’s beware, she’s coming for your spot

[@zigzagzoom369]

I for one welcome our new Aabria overlord

[@lyssadee3832]

@@zigzagzoom369 all hail Overlord Aabria!

[@ljubomirjuraj9658]

Abria is great and all but i really wish Griffin takes up the DM mantle again cause he is amazing, but it makes sense that he wants to take a break.

[@raebaer8580]

is anyone else gonna talk about how in magnus first attack he literally disarmed the Goliath? MAGNUS IS BACK BABY!!

[@GweenPenguin]

You've disarmed my boy! Also, 69th like on your post. Nice.

[@Thedegu]

"You're basically demigods now" Me: *flashback to cr1*

[@braedenjmcclain8693]

cliff diiiive

[@enternickname]

Keyfish would like a word

[@bEccleston]

description: "magnus rushes in" me: **cries because i've missed this so much**

[@sloandarkhorn44885]

Is Lucretia back at the broke ass house with Susan and Kravitz picking glass out of Thai food?

[@HyperKatatonic]

^ this

[@kraztar]

H2 OH YEAH (that was fun: the waterpark)

[@megbennett626]

OMG that was absolutely my first thought as well!!

[@rylie8989]

Everyone basically immediately started calling it the Flaming Raging Poisoning Sword of Doom and then went on to use that name every time, even though yes it was originally named the Flaming Poisoning Raging Sword of Doom. But honestly the meter is so much better the FRPSoD way, please don't change how you all call it!!

[@abj6920]

Griffin talked on Wonderful about the strange, intuitive rules of English for adjective order. It makes sense that it was named something that doesn't sound good since I believe it was named by an actual kid, so eventually it becomes an actual item and integral to the plot and the wording intuitively changed

[@rylie8989]

@@abj6920 that is a really cool phenomenon but I'm not sure if it's what's going on here. Like that ordering is with what type of quality the adjectives are describing (like e.g. color adjectives go after size adjectives, "a grey small cat" sounds wrong and "a small grey cat" sounds better. But raging and poisoning are kinda the same type of adjective, raging and poisoning are just kinda like 2 actions that the sword does (sorta anyway.) In this instance I think it's just a metrical thing. I've never really studied English poetry so I'm not sure like what meter it is, but FRPSoD fits in to some meter that sounds good but FPRSoD doesn't.

[@abj6920]

@@rylie8989 I mean if we go by meter it's just that Flaming and Raging rhyme really well and it sounds better to see such a clear rhyme resolved instead of interrumpted by Poisoning which only technically rhymes one sylable and not the two. The order we all like is like saying Flaming-Flaming or Raging-Raging it feels a lot more singsong-y. Hickery dackery dock, Bibidy Babidy boo, poisoning works as the third sort of soundalike that breaks the rhyming pattern. Yeah, I guess it's just more pleasing and not particularly order of adjectives. Specially if you're saying it fast (which you kinda have to cause it's a mouthful) it feels better to go with the rhyme

[@pixeldotgamer]

The crystal kingdom motif kicking in at 12:00 in such a gentle/subtle way took my kneecaps out when I noticed so thank you editors for that one!

[@greent0rtle518]

Me too! I love how the music connected us back to themes of the old archs

[@Yngvolkayno]

"The Shocker is *different*, now!" I'm DEAD!!

[@hayleybarnes8498]

I have not cried laughing like that in a LONG time

[@McBehrer]

After 2020 it takes a lot to shock us anymore...

[@JodyWhite]

Griff's face at "he does it at ninth level" is incredible.

[@sirstrongbad]

"Pent up stupidity" shall be a my explanation for a LOT of things from now on.

[@mayor3767]

griffin looks so excited during all this its honestly the greatest thing THANK YOU FOR THE TAZ FACECAM

[@rikkir6229]

She is such an INCREDIBLE GM like whoa

[@miguelcantu1835]

I’m a huge fan of hers. Maybe she’ll gm for them. She could be the fourth heat they needed.

[@SP3CTR0L1T3]

Davenport's total overkill was incredibly funny.

[@emmavoid]

I will eat my hat if Aabria doesn't wind up giving Travis a nice big plot-important tree to chop down by the end of this

[@tripatomz3441]

How was the hat??

[@emmavoid]

@@tripatomz3441 delicious tbh

[@hmm_norah]

I am so happy that Aabria is here DMing. I've always wondered if The Adventure Zone could benefit from having a new person involved in it, and I hope this format continues going forward, I love it!

[@hacktplanet450]

Clint going “hey!! That was foley :)” after he shook the water bottle was so cute lol

[@hotelbravowhisky7084]

I'm really loving this so far, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't extremely disappointed upon realizing Lup and Barry weren't gonna be in this.

[@cihojuda]

I just want, like, one line about where Lup, Barry & Angus are. It can be hand-wavy but I gotta know.

[@coolkid92223]

@@cihojuda for whatever it may be worth, aabria did comment "too busy fuckin'" on a tumblr post discussing the whereabouts of lup and barry. as for ango, he was at the battlefest situation, so we may at least get a peek at past angus (and klaarg)!

[@MrGreedylou]

Blue Jeans 4life

[@cloverlucky5977]

Am I the only one wanting Garfield? And maybe Edward and Lydia? I mean, I know none of them are a part of the "main group" but I miss my vogue liches and lasagna warlock :(

[@jmagus]

Was cry laughing when Griffin uppercuts the guy. Omg

[@thehannahANDmaryshow]

53:16 (nine in the back, one in the front) watching Justin's face during this was absolutely DELIGHTFUL

[@anikumin4201]

Aabria: "I'm not one to take things" YOU TOOK HIS CAT!! >:(

[@rideronthedrumbeat]

This is my first time hearing Aabria DM & I am so captivated by her style. Even her tone of voice tells a story.

[@coolkid92223]

Merle did good cleric-ing! I'm so proud of you, plant dad!!

[@tabethafox1847]

I absolutely adore how griffin looks so happy at the very end

[@mbell3609]

I ADORE Aabria, she is a wonderful DM!

[@jnd3774]

I love that takko’s mid life crisis involved becoming a ranger

[@clanofclams2720]

God, it's so satisfying when Clint's creative and interesting solutions are actually rewarded and aren't immediately shat upon.

[@Adkcosplay]

Griffon did amazing building Davenport for this game. I'm still vastly in love with Taako and what Aabria did when Merle cast his water spell, with the cast encouraging him, was amazing!!! Awesome use of a non violent water spell

[@mylahobbit1815]

personally, I think lucretia went back to the moon to get her lemon tart once she realized there was going to be a big battle because she figured they'd have handled it by the time she got back and she could show off her baking skills in the ruins of taako's home. also, she's (probably?) a 17th level abjuration wizard (since her relic was the abjuration one) who jeffandrew, *one of the beings that created the universe*, called the most powerful magic user in existence, so she would absolutely demolish this fight.

[@ravipalat2869]

Merle has absolutely tried the bit with Create Water before. I distinctly remember him getting shut down last time too with "it's not THAT much water".

[@vampirefoe]

Aabria is awesome, I love her and how she rolls with the chaos that is the McElroy Boys

[@v.roswell5058]

Oh this series is just absolutely fantastic!! Balance arc was so close to my heart and this is such a fun addition to it. Aabria is a wonderful DM that really hooks me with her storytelling, character voices, and incredible sense of humor. Plus, I have so much respect for her taking on a role like this for a pre-existing, already very beloved series and just absolutely NAILING it!! tysm McElroy family and the fantastic Aabria Iyengar!

[@djripley42]

Just realized Clint was wearing an Augustus Parsons Cashew Company shirt and you KNOW I'm always here for a TAZ Dust throwback. god I wish we could've had Dust & Amnesty both

[@igerstel]

Really curious how long the 9-in-the-back bit went on and was cut because we lost a hood and we gained some glasses and I imagine it got Pretty Nasty™.

[@kaitlynrauch3454]

I know this is only supposed to he like three episodes but....can we have more cause I need her to DM for these four forever.

[@PocketUnv]

Damn, Travis' water bottle could probably hold all of Merle's rain!

[@binary_terror2]

Clint helped them with the mechanics of DnD, I'm so proud of him

[@DaveTh3Ninja]

It's gone, baby. It doesn't matter what the sword is called. Garfield is spinning in his grave. The sword is gone.

[@veronicaholme803]

Are there really only 3 episodes of this? Not fair.

[@TyrannoLime]

Riiiight I NEED MOAAAARRR

[@eatketchup]

"TRUST AABRIA. TRUST AABRIA."

[@the.youtube.of.sam.gotter]

10:46 Davenport here with the PTSD

[@theblakeney]

The Adventure Zone: I Write Tazedies not Tragedies

[@Nono-hk3is]

1) I am so sorry I didn't check this out sooner 2) I enjoyed this adventure SO VERY MUCH, and I am so grateful for it. My heart swells. Thank you!

[@howdyitsren]

Aabria is so engaging! Absolutely captivating. And the music was amazing, natch. Love how i can pick it out from different arcs, but it’s all perfect for this new chapter of the story. Everyone involved just is doing such a good job and it’s amazing to watch.

[@sirleebutler]

i heard "flaming raging poisoning sword of doubt".

[@hacktplanet450]

@@dziooooo that’s such a good theory

[@Kuhan37able]

Yeah yeah, the time dragon, we've all seen it

[@hacktplanet450]

Anyway What I was saying………before I saw. the tIME DRAGON ??!!??????

[@alexandrawelch1721]

I kinda hope Ango is there watching Battlefest lol I would love to see his reaction to this

[@halfbelieving]

Man i love this one off. Aabria is KILLING IT

[@Adurnis]

Literally just before I started this episode I was reading an article saying “you don’t expect to be stabbed at a dinner party.”

[@avevee9708]

“Just. Leave. You. Use. Less. B*tch.” Is my new favorite Kravtiz line

[@MrGreedylou]

Loving this series! Especially the high quality DM!

[@sycastells1212]

I live for these accidentally brilliant Merle moments

[@erokvanrocksalot7545]

Aabria can take any DM’s creation and make magic with it… fucking love her! Does she have her own game/channel where she’s DMs regularly… or is she just a magical pixie, like Marry Poppins, pops in to a game world and makes it better?

[@TatyanaVogt]

I have to say that i am truly LOVING everything about this! I am so glad that you guys are doing this!!

[@thebadpoet]

I ran a no prep one shot for my family last Thanksgiving. My mom was fully chaotic and unexpectedly randy, my sister did great world building, my brother in law had an inspired character choice… my dad was allowed to choose the setting and he picked literally the town they live in. The bit at the end with the scene building reminded me of the absolute joy trying to navigate the bonkers world everyone else described… but just in Virginia.

[@jennifergraves2547]

This is just so nice, thank you Aabria and McElboys.

[@lizabee]

21:30 "a nature-roll 20!" "that's good trav!" 💕

[@myblackcat555]

This makes me smile. This makes me smile so much. I am in love with this I'm so glad they brought the boys back.

[@paulkuhr5044]

Can't wait to see Taako change their mind about being a Hunter and becoming a Luchador instead

[@LARKXHIN]

Me hearing the crystal kingdom theme play faintly in the background: 😢

[@nicholasdigenova1320]

Pretty big shoes to fill but I think Aabria is doing an excellent job

[@drdigdugo]

Aabria is a reallly fantastic dm

[@crunchevo8974]

Don't you just love watching then suddenly the background music hits and suddenly you got full body goodebumps and maybe a few tears?

[@alextheaverage2654]

How does Trav not remember bisecting Trent??

[@TheJakev91489]

Because that happened in 2015

[@megbennett626]

or the tree he squished a couple slimes with in a swamp before Murder on the Rockport Limited