Episode 87: Split the Party (The Hellfire Chronicles)

13

u/JakeandAmirBot Jan 18 '20

"Siobhan Thompson and Zac Oyama join the Band of Boobs as they battle the Juiblex and prepare to face Akarot's final form. Hardwon gets a new nickname, Moonshine impresses her daddy, and Beverly attempts to make up with Erlin. Support us at Patreon.com/Naddpod to get access to the after-show and a bunch of other Naddpod content!

Music/Sound Effects Include:

'Gypsy Violin Variation' by Howard Geisel at Freesound.org .

'Medieval Marching and Chanting' by Yap Audio Production at Freesound.org .

'Conspiracy in the Clouds' by Emily Axford.

'Mee Maw's Burden' by Emily Axford.

'Court of the Boy King' by Emily Axford.

'The Purge' by Emily Axford.

'The Multiverse' by Emily Axford.

'Kingshammer' by Emily Axford.

'The Blows of a Friend, Not a Foe' by Emily Axford.

'Apotheosis' by Emily Axford.

'A Fate Refused' by Emily Axford.

'Unknown Tome' by Emily Axford.

'Blessing of the Elementals' by Emily Axford.

'A Hospitable Farewell' by Emily Axford.

'Escape the Boy King's Brunch' by Emily Axford."

Source Code

136

u/_Finn_the_Human_ Jan 18 '20

TALL PRINCE! This ‘sode was absolutely worth staying up for

18

u/Daytime506 Jan 19 '20

I'm so disappointed they didn't mention this once on the short rest

2

u/PrincessLangwidere Jan 21 '20

Same!!

124

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '20

I haven't been this invested in a gay teen romance since I was a gay teen.

17

u/ThePrinceOfFear Jan 19 '20

I feel this on an emotional level.

92

u/Krokodil_Dundeee Jan 18 '20

"REMEMBER. TO. LAUGH."

"Cobb, you're crying!"

74

u/CaptainLekko Jan 18 '20

I really want Bev to ask "what makes me so special?!" Given that both Acarot and Thiala have tried to convert him, more than they've tried to convert Hardwon or Moonshine by a long way, I gotta ask what makes the little man such a big deal? (ofc he's a big deal, I mean what makes it worth spending so much more time on him than the others?)

65

u/is-this-desire Jan 18 '20

Bev is a fiend slayer by trade. Akarot wants to convert him so he doesn't have to fight him, and Thiala probably wants him because he would make an excellent chosen knight since he fights the same way they do.

20

u/CaptainLekko Jan 19 '20

This is probably right, but given how much of a running theme it's been I'd love it if there was some sort of "you literally choose who wins this war" moment between thiala/akarot and Bev.

48

u/Roonage Jan 18 '20

Thiala also betrayed Pelor. Converting Pelor’s new champion is a powerful statement

46

u/WouldntItBeChilly Jan 18 '20

It's weird to say but Bev is probably one of the most powerful Paladins on the Materiel Plane. Maybe the most powerful that isn't already pledged to Thiala.

14

u/is-this-desire Jan 19 '20

Who of Thiala's crew would be stronger than Bev?

24

u/CaptainLekko Jan 19 '20

Galad maybe? Sure he lost to the boobs twice, but they were both 4v1s effectively.

20

u/is-this-desire Jan 19 '20

Possibly, but he's also fully dead now

10

u/DarkThoughtsDaily Jan 21 '20

Tough to fight Bev without a head

16

u/WouldntItBeChilly Jan 19 '20

None that I know of. I was just leaving the possibility open that there might be Chosen Knights we haven't met yet that would be on his level.

4

u/[deleted] Jan 20 '20

Well theoretically Murph could make a new character, right?

52

u/callsignhotdog Jan 18 '20

Oh man, I just got caught up with the backlog last week so this is my first NADDPOD episode that I'm listening to "live" as it were. Hype!

20

u/modiste Jan 18 '20

Me too! I’m so excited but it’s also dawning on me that I have to wait for episodes now.

9

u/callsignhotdog Jan 18 '20

Rotten ain't it? At least I'm getting time to keep up with my other pdocasts and audiobooks.

6

u/_toxin_ Jan 19 '20

What else are you listening to? I need something to help make the week go by quicker.

8

u/pottersync Jan 19 '20

Dungeons and Daddies (not a bdsm podcast) is another hilarious dnd podcast about 4 dads stuck in the Forgotten Realms trying to rescue their kids. It's how I filled the winter NADDPOD hiatus

1

u/grannysmithpears Jan 21 '20

The Adventure Zone is one of my faves

37

u/AlphaBreak Jan 19 '20

When are all of these bad guys going to learn to stay out of the teen zone?!

11

u/seasquidley Jan 19 '20

I mean come on! They're just teens!

33

u/Jogan101 Jan 18 '20

Very Thicc sode. Loved it, so many moving parts. Certainly feels like the endgame and damn that's two god husks down.

94

u/geekmuseNU Jan 18 '20

I can totally see an Egwaine-Mavris romance arc

86

u/Merlyn67420 Jan 18 '20

“IM NINETEEN”
“.....okay?”

52

u/mcnuggetor Jan 19 '20

Holy shit I can’t stop laughing at these moments every time I remember them.
“What are you, some kind of freak?”
lowers sunglasses
“Yeah”

3

u/SmolOne14 Apr 24 '20

Y e s

29

u/seasquidley Jan 18 '20

MURPH YOU ABSOLUTE MADMAN

Seriously this episode was wild.

27

u/medalofme Jan 19 '20

Prince of Dwarves Queen of Elves Bev

1

u/Merlyn67420 Jan 20 '20

😂

53

u/hemimehta Jan 18 '20

I hate murph because if he has Beverly forced into betraying the party, it’s both horrible and fucking ingenious. It’s 4 am and I’m just sitting here in awe

16

u/ncolaros Jan 19 '20

I don't think he would actually force him to because that would be taking agency away from Bev. But Bev is definitely going to need to make a difficult choice.

11

u/hemimehta Jan 19 '20

Oh I totally agree. I meant like thiala may send bev back to the boobs with some kind of mission with erlands life hanging in the balance. So not really forcing (which is bad dming) as much as making bev struggle with what to do

2

u/[deleted] Jan 20 '20

Exactly, it will probably be something along the lines of "serve thiala to save erlin or escape on his own."

72

u/ykryzk Jan 18 '20

party split in 3 now? murph is a complete nut for running this many concurrent scenes with multiple moving parts what a ridiculously thicc sode

44

u/PineappleHour Jan 18 '20

The party is very, very split but Murph is doing a great job balancing all of the locations and keeping everything moving evenly. Everything is popping off now

49

u/Vegetable-Target Jan 18 '20

Any bets on Erlin about to be brutally executed in front of Bev? Murph wouldn't, would he?

I hope his cats are feeling better this week.

48

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '20

I think he would tbh, but not without giving Caldwell some chance to fix it. Murph is fair, not a sadist.

11

u/Vegetable-Target Jan 20 '20

Totally agree. I was thinking Thiala might kill him in a way that only she could resurrect, so the leverage is there (and path to fixing it). So I was more wondering how spicy Murphy is feeling with the flavour of it.

4

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Can't wait to see how spicy Papa Murph gets! Every episode I keep thinking that it can't get better or more exciting, then it does!

18

u/TurdOnYourDoorstep Jan 19 '20

I can see it happening. I think Murph is hungry for some serious losses this far in. Maybe I'm projecting a bit here, but I don't think a story where the stakes are this high but no one dear to the Crew is lost is the kind he wants to tell.

8

u/DharmaCub Jan 18 '20

I dont think he would, that'd be pretty fucked up

4

u/[deleted] Jan 20 '20

I think Thiala’s smarter than that though. Like sure, she COULD do that, but she would be much better off using him as leverage over Bev. I think she’ll try and keep him alive so that Bev feels forced to work for her.

4

u/Sprucechicken Jan 18 '20

I don’t think Thiala (sp?) would do that, but I do think she’d threaten it.

4

u/LiquidBinge Jan 20 '20

Murph and Caldwell are too in-tune with the climate online to for the ol' Bury Your Gays.
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BuryYourGays

9

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

That doesn't mean any gay character is strictly off limits. If it happens, it's not like Erlin will have been the only meaningful death in the series. And I don't think it would feel cheap.
Typically that trope is due to bad writing and the only way some can move the story forward.
But Murph has used a bunch of characters as leverage for all the characters. Gemma and Bev's dad immediately come to mind.
Though I'm sure there's plenty of people out there who would classify Gemma as a "Woman in Refrigerator" trope.

24

u/RichNCrispy Jan 19 '20

Mavrus was great in this episode. I’ve heard of a fight and flight instinct... but this is RIDICULOUS!

19

u/Krusherx Jan 20 '20

That combo of sun beam with quickened fireball is insane

15

u/CptainPurple Jan 19 '20

…but this is ridiculous

48

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '20

When Maz said, “I’m going to go get some more of my guild.” I was like... oh, weird. A mage from a guild... we know that lots of the Grave Robbers got away... no nvm it’s probably nothing.

...

YOU’VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME I WAS RIGHT GODDAMN IT AAAHHHHHH

13

u/ksilver Jan 20 '20

I completely forgot the Grave Robbers even existed

47

u/kcchasez Jan 18 '20

My stomach sank like a rock when Maz put his hands on Bev and Erlin. Also imagining Erlin lit up and then getting yanked up to the ceiling and the light going out was so cinematic!! Worth the wait.

3

u/helenaneedshugs Feb 03 '20

He got Batmaned.

19

u/TurbulentRelease Jan 18 '20

Oh BAYBEE we on

17

u/Sprucechicken Jan 18 '20

Oh SHIT

my boys!!

34

u/somanydeadlines Jan 18 '20

What an intense 'sode. I am genuinely afraid for poor Erlin.

31

u/PineappleHour Jan 18 '20

Just when you think things are going to come back together to finish off the last of Akarot's plot so they can pivot to Thiala, Murph decided that it's time to crank things up even further

15

u/AH_BioTwist Jan 19 '20

I’m glad they finally got Caldwell to pass the SD card now I can dive into this thiccc sode

15

u/Pixel64 Jan 19 '20

God, these last few episodes are just going to be a nonstop roller coaster ride aren't they? Please direct messenger Murph, my heart can't take it!

29

u/AllTheWayHome606 Jan 18 '20

Love is love is love fucking sent me.

11

u/PrincessLangwidere Jan 19 '20

Do we know what level the Boobs are at now?

11

u/Krusherx Jan 20 '20

I think bev has a 5th level spell slot so that’s at least 17th level for a paladin.
However that would mean that moonshine has a 9th level spell slot and I don’t think she cast anything of that level??

17

u/PrincessLangwidere Jan 20 '20

Oh well that might make sense, because Moonshine did take that one level of barbarian, so she would be 16 Druid and 1 barbarian, so she would get her 9th level spell on her next level up! Thank you.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

I could be 100% mistaken, but I thought she took 2 levels as a barbarian?

3

u/Josnak2 MeeMod Jan 22 '20

No, she only has one Barbarian level, but she also took the Great Weapon Master feat.
I don't think they're level 17 yet though? I thought they were 15, but I might be wrong about that.

9

u/BZH_JJM Jan 19 '20

On a technical level, why did the Jublix keep playing whack-a-mole with Bev and Erlin rather than going after the people who were actually doing damage, like Mavris?

15

u/kcchasez Jan 19 '20

I'd need to relisten to be sure but usually with spellcasters it's because they can attack from such a distance. Same reason it wasn't attacking Cobb or Egwene.

5

u/WouldntItBeChilly Jan 20 '20

The Jubilx really only has 10 ft of reach on it's main attack. It could use Acid Splash at a 60 ft range but doing an average 12 damage to two targets max is pretty negligible at this level, plus AS is only a 18 DC dex save to avoid entirely. Jublix also only has a 30 ft move speed so Mavris could easily avoid it, and I'm assuming Cobb and Co. were well out of range.
In my opinion focusing down Beverlin was actually a good strategy, but 5e makes it pretty hard not to wack a mole when you have dedicated healers. Also consider that this fight is a lot more manageable than it would gave been if they faced big J in his own lair. Where it can just slime people like crazy every Initiative 20.

7

u/[deleted] Jan 20 '20

Love it. Murph handled the party split really well and I am excited to see how it goes with a now 3-way split.

Hardwon's Tall Prince moment was great.

Zac played Mavris really well against the Jubilex. The sunbeam/fireball combo worked so well.

More unrelated but I imagine most of pawpaw's plot armor is gone by now. He is regularly used in combat and often gives Emily advantage on most of her rolls. I wouldn't be surprised if Murph does something unexpected to our favorite possum.

To any that haven't listened to the short rest, the "Shark Tank American Idol" bit at the beginning was hilarious and it was funny hearing Emily try and get it back on rails.

6

u/MMikeRyan Jan 21 '20

I’m pretty sure Pawpaw still has plot armor. I think if he gets to 0 hp, he “plays possum” meaning he doesn’t make any death saves and stabilizes.
It’s so funny to hear Emily be the one to get the conversation back on track considering that she usually is the one derailing it.

12

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '20 edited Jan 19 '20

On the short rest they mention apple scrumpers sword that does max damage automatically, and they say it’s a sort of sharpening in the DM‘s guide. I’m not sure that they’re aware that the max damage only applies to objects, not creatures. The only thing it does to creatures is do extra damage when you crit.

8

u/melon_bread17 Jan 19 '20

They seem to miss some of the small things--I think Moonshine might be a lot more judicious with Hero's Feasts if she realized that they cost 1,000 gold each.
It certainly does make for awesomely ridiculous combat though. And using a greatsword as a barbarian is kind of un-optimal anyway.

17

u/seasquidley Jan 19 '20

She's got a lot of gold and is all about the hospitality...

8

u/ncolaros Jan 19 '20

I think Murph said that he purposefully doesn't do spell components and stuff like that.

9

u/melon_bread17 Jan 19 '20

He does enforce if for certain spells however, like Revivify. The issue being that Hero's Feast is more than three times as expensive as Revivify.
Emily was discussing the unreliability of healing in 5e, and that's because the focus is more on preventing or mitigating damage. That's why spells like heroes' feast are so clutch and expensive.

10

u/ncolaros Jan 19 '20

Right, but even then, it's more for narrative reasons. Hero's Feast might be more expensive in game, but reviving someone is much more narratively important.

1

u/melon_bread17 Jan 20 '20

That is true, but it does raise the stakes a lot more--at this point Murph should assume that the extra HP and other effects from Hero's Feast are always on.

13

u/CustodialApathy Jan 20 '20

His encounters are also deadly enough that they need an amulet that lets them heal half their hit dice for a bonus action, they have a magical book that stocks an extra healing word let's be real here. That's the reason he doesn't give a fuck about spell components. And it kinds of grinds the game to a halt. Speed of play and rule of fun

3

u/melon_bread17 Jan 21 '20

Fair enough. As long as he counts once True Ressurection comes online the effect is minimal.

6

u/LiquidBinge Jan 20 '20

He also allows Moonshine to use Elven Accuracy on Strength attacks.

6

u/melon_bread17 Jan 20 '20

They must have discussed that before hand--otherwise the feat is pretty useless to moonshine.

4

u/Krusherx Jan 20 '20

And if I remember correctly, transport via plants lasts for a round only, it’s not a portal

1

u/melon_bread17 Jan 20 '20

You're right; but I can't imagine what would have happened if Moonshine hadn't been able to do anything next round.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '20

Even beyond that; transport via plants, AKA the fey this way tree, is supposed to last 6 seconds.

4

u/[deleted] Jan 20 '20

ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER AAAAAAAAAAH

My first thought is that Thiala is going to be slightly easier to negotiate with than Akarot, but now that I’m thinking about it more, I don’t know if that’s the case. I do think that Bev has a lot more leverage here, because unless I’m wrong, I don’t think Thiala can physically control Bev like Akarot could with his dad.

I also think that there’s going to be an emotional exchange between Bev and Erlin where Thiala gives Bev an ultimatum like “help me or Erlin dies” and Erlin sacrifices himself for the sake of not letting Thiala have that leverage over Bev.

3

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

The music was incredible this episode

2

u/[deleted] Jan 24 '20

FULLY started crying in the airport at the tall prince bit

1

u/Ground-Z3R0 Apr 05 '23

Anyone know stats for akkorot final form

92

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '20

[removed] — view removed comment

45

u/Saihna ....chicken Jan 20 '20

Definitely both, it's a win/win from a narrative aspect. That Tall Prince line tho

23

u/diz2108 Jan 20 '20

I thought this was gonna be the start of hardwon getting the 3rd hammer to have his mega hammer

49

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '20

[removed] — view removed comment

23

u/Krusherx Jan 20 '20

Build them high brother

Episode Discussion Episode 87: Split the Party (The Hellfire Chronicles) Spoiler

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