The Adventure Zone: Ep. 51. The Suffering Game - Chapter One
October 20, 2016 8:31 AM - Subscribe

After a summer spent tirelessly training, our heroes are finally prepared to take on their next, harrowing mission. What horrors -- or fortunes -- await them in Wonderland? I mean, this arc is literally titled "The Suffering Game," so you can probably piece it together yourself. Merle hangs ten. Taako's like a bird. Magnus drops in on an old friend.
posted by Tevin (7 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Our boy Griffy really does know how to end 'em, huh?
posted by Tevin at 9:40 AM on October 20, 2016 [1 favorite]


He's our good good cliff hangin' boy.
posted by WidgetAlley at 12:16 AM on October 21, 2016 [2 favorites]


I like the beach dwarf callback by Clint (though I'm not sure if that was intentional), I thought the assault on the brig was a brilliant bit of character work by Travis and handled pretty well by Griffin, and just all around thought this was great.
posted by X-Himy at 6:00 AM on October 21, 2016 [1 favorite]


Lots of fun as always, and I'm intrigued to see how this section plays out. Sounds like Griffin is going to be a bit more focused on using the rules for what sounds like a more combat heavy mission.

Poor Pringles.
posted by nubs at 5:00 PM on October 21, 2016 [1 favorite]


I've now caught up to date after a two week binge starting from the first episode. Two weeks....

So! It's pretty clear the penalty to Merle's healing roll is just the thin end of a negative modifier wedge, and I'm interested to see how Griffin keeps things fun while pushing the characters into a grueling situation.

It's interesting to observe the interaction between the running of the game and the needs of the show. Griffin is pushing Clint to roleplay more, which is definitely the right choice for the show, but it's not something I'd typically do as a GM unless that kind of character play was something everyone had agreed to upfront as part of the premise of the game. It's interesting to see how extrinsic factors driving "player buy-in" can affect the dynamics of a game. Of course, the seemingly profound trust and comfort that they all have with each other is another key factor.

It's interesting that Taako is now canonically non-straight, after what Justin said during The The Adventure Zone Zone about wanting to avoid drawing him as a stereotype of a gay manelf. I wonder if the depth of character that Taako has now achieved makes them feel more comfortable about expressing that aspect of him.

Also, it's wonderful to see how engaged with the fantasy Travis has become. He clearly aspired to doing deep roleplay from the beginning, and he seems to be getting so much out of the opportunities he has been given. I'm still struggling to understand whether "the seven birds" are people or the relics. We've had the lonely journal keeper, and presumably (?) Magnus is or is connected to "the protector". I expect we'll find out more on this arc, which I now have to experience in real time! Grr.....
posted by howfar at 12:19 PM on October 22, 2016 [4 favorites]


I'm excited to get back to a more combat-y storyline. While I dug the amount of character building in the last arc, I want to actually hear them use the sick powers and Fantasy Costco items they've got now that they're so high-level.
posted by thirdletter at 5:11 PM on October 22, 2016 [1 favorite]


I'm glad to hear Griffin push harder on Clint toeing the line of Pan, which is the price any Cleric knows is necessary to get access to those juicy spells. Likewise, I'm glad Griffin is going to pay closer attention to spells used. It's not because I'm a D&D stickler, it's because limitations make for better roleplaying. Skipping the 10 minute casting time for Garyl is fine, but slinging another high-level spell at every new problem is less interesting than coming up with a more unique solution.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 5:30 PM on November 21, 2016


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