Ep. 50: Lunar Interlude IV - The Calm Before The Storm

"Ha! Bet you goobers didn't see that one coming! What other tasty turns and twists await you in... the Adventure Zone!?"

Synopsis
''Our heroes have some well-earned free time between missions, although some of their sidequests are a bit more relaxing than others. Enjoy it while it lasts, fellas. Taako has a date with death. Merle spends time with some VIPs. Magnus takes a swim.''

The Tres Horny Boys have some mysteries about themselves to solve, and some secrets they'd like to keep.

Taako
In the last episode, Taako was visited by Kravitz, a bounty hunter who works for the Raven Queen. During this visit, both of them had a long off-screen conversation about the people of Refuge's situation, and whether or not the boys should be taken in for the number of the times they died there. Their conversation was cut short, however, when Kravitz was summoned to hunt another bounty for the Raven Queen. Before leaving, Kravitz attuned Taako's Stone of Farspeech to his own, and told him that they'll continue they're conversation at a later date. Taako, wanting to take initiative and also wanting to sway Kravitz to his way of thinking, invites Kravitz to the Chug N Squeeze to discuss the additional deaths in Refuge.

Taako manages to book two seats for him and Kravitz at one of the Chug N Squeeze's Cab and Vase classes, and gets there early to prep his station. Also at the Chug N Squeeze are Killian and Carey, who are there on a date. After a long while, Kravitz finally comes in, hangs up his cloak, and sits uncomfortably next to Taako, unsure of why he would bring him to a place like this. Kravitz asks why Taako would pick a place like this to finish their conversation instead of just finishing it in their dorm, and Taako explains that, ironically, he thought things might get weird, but now he clearly sees that this wasn't that great a choice either. Also, he was afraid of being alone in the same room as the guy who tried to kill him and his friends a few months ago. Kravitz tells him not to fret as he's not here to collect a contract on the boys or the people of Refuge, as none of them currently have any bounties set on their heads at the moment. Rather, he just wants to know what makes Taako and the boys so special, seeing as he's never seen any other group of people who can consistently do the things they do on a daily basis. Kravitz lets out a small chuckle at this, and praises Taako for his renegade spirit. Taako, getting back on topic, points Kravitz to the middle, flat part of the bowl. He tells him that this is the part where everyday, regular "Joe Pastas" fall under, and also the only part people who mantain he status quo, people like Kravitz, should be concerned with. As long as Kravitz keeps this group of people under control, he says, and as long as he keeps the herd thin there in that part, everything will be continue to be fine.Kravitz is taken aback by the honesty of Taako's answer, and Taako respond that if he "can't be honest at the Chug N' Squeeze then frankly, my man, I don't know where I can." As far anyone else is concerned, his days as a celebrity chef is over, and, due to the nature of his job, he can't put any of the cool stuff he's done working for the Bureau on any future resumes, so what else can he do? Kravitz can relate to what Taako is feeling, and explains that he never thought in all his life that he would land a job working as a bounty hunter for the goddess of death.Kravitz tells Taako that he appreciates him being open and honest, and, hoping to sell Taako's case to The Raven Queen, asks him much more death he can expect from the boys.

Towards the end of the date, Kravitz thinks he might sense an undead spirit but can't figure out what it is. Meanwhile, the umbrastaff attempts to shoot a Scorching Ray at Kravitz but Taako aims it at the sky.

Merle
Merle is in Neverwinter when he realizes he's being followed — by Angus McDonald. Then it turns out that Merle is there for a visit with his kids: stepdaugher Mavis and son Mookie.

As the visit is winding down, an out-of-control wagon careens down the street and almost hits the kids. But it is mysteriously diverted. Merle sees the Red Robe, who has apparently diverted it before disappearing.

Magnus
Magnus is still dealing with the scroll that June gave him at the end of the Eleventh Hour arc. After looking at it again, and not being able to understand, he goes for a swim with the voidfish. The voidfish attempts to communicate with him but keeps running into static. It appears that the voidfish knows things about Magnus' past that he himself does not.

After the swim, he reads Johann's transcription of the voidfish's song and discovers that the notes spell out E-G-G-B-A-B-E.

[money zone]

Weird Phone Call Interlude
Travis gets a phone call about an apartment. Griffin, Justin, and Clint make golf-style commentary about it.

Fantasy Gachapon

 * Magnus: Ring of the Giant Slayer
 * Merle: Broom of Flying (aka the Vroom Broom)
 * Taako: Band of Projected Thought (also, Taako basically breaks Leon by doing a dumb stunt with Mislead and has to look up his item himself)

Fantasy Costco
Merle buys the Ring of the Grammarian and decides to save the rest so he can buy the Flaming Poisoning Raging Sword Of Doom. Someday, if he makes enough money.

Magnus buys the Pocket Workshop, and because it doesn't come with the advertised distortion field, gets Garfield to include the Grappling Hook as well...if Magnus gives up a few sideburn hairs.

Taako buys The Slicer of T'pire Weir Isles and the Rickul Axager's Pocket Guide to Adventuring, Third Edition (giving up his Ring of Pointing for store credit)...which he then uses together to bargain for...the Flaming Poisoning Raging Sword Of Doom. Which he only just wants to use as flair.

[leveling up occurs. they are now level 12.]

Epilogue
Griffin describes a room (cave?) of someone who appears to be tracking the Relics and has a map of the BOB HQ.

END OF EPISODE!

Featured NPCs

 * Kravitz
 * Angus McDonald
 * Mavis
 * Mookie
 * Voidfish
 * Garfield the Deals Warlock
 * Leon the Artificer

Featured Music
Into the Quarry

Featured Locations

 * Bureau of Balance
 * Chug N Squeeze

Quotes
Instructor: Hey, it's vase day! It's Cab and Vase! No bowls!

Kravitz: Was this call for business or pleasure?

Taako: Yeah, I mean, a little bit of both.