S5E41 To Puzzle Or Not To Puzzle

FromNerd Poker

Start listening View podcast show

S5E41 To Puzzle Or Not To Puzzle

FromNerd Poker

ratings:

Length:

63 minutes

Released:

May 16, 2023

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Now that the herd has been thinned out a bit (RIP beloved NPC) it's time for everyone to make a choice- do they try to crack the elaborate puzzle laid out before them in the enchanted door, or do they smash through it because puzzles are for jerks? To our credit, we do CONSIDER the first option. For merch, social media, and more be sure to head to nerdpokerpod.com. And for 3 bonus episodes a month and more, subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/nerdpoker.

Released:

May 16, 2023

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Each week, under dark of night, in a dining room in Encino, a group of warriors led by Brian Posehn plays Dungeons & Dragons and you’re invited to attend!

Skip carousel

Episode 15 - Never Stop Portalling: The stakes are high! With Dessa interrogated, it's clear that the Zinzerena death cult has some nefarious plans to not just do something to the moon, but to locate ancient drow artifacts. And what does our party do when the stakes are high? They... by Nerd Poker
60 min listen
Episode 5 - Time Crimes: This episode our heroes meet a foe beyond any of them, a familiar annoyance, and one of the more mysterious properties of Amynna. Will they take control of their destinies or lose their faith? Only time will tell. by Nerd Poker
64 min listen
Episode 1 - Amynna: The time has come to meet our new heroes: Bodhi, Tom Diretto, and Twee. They have sailed to the mysterious land of Amynna and found a shroud of mist. Will they find their fate without having to first pin it down and punch it to death? Only time will... by Nerd Poker
66 min listen
Episode 12 - I Wouldn't Do This in Real Life: As our heroes continue their chat with the creepy moon elf something snaps in their heads, and things start to get a little warm in the woods. Will their alignments shift? Will Smoky the Bugbear show up and lecture them? Only time will tell. by Nerd Poker
63 min listen
Episode 2 - Pillbug Shadows: Our adventurers have followed their new companion Lekyss the Dragonborn into the woods, only to encounter flickering shapes and a strange beast. Will they burn all the evil down? Only time will tell. For bonus episodes and to listen to all episodes a... by Nerd Poker
59 min listen
Episode 17 - I Have No Mouth, and Cannot Argue: Our heroes are departing Count Bariss' castle with some gifts they love and one in particular that they DO NOT LOVE AT ALL. They must also make a choice of heading Southeast through a halo of ghosts and a mysterious gate (spooky), or Southwest through... by Nerd Poker
60 min listen
Episode 4 - Aw Netty: When last we left our heroes, they had uncovered a tentacled beast in the abandoned Drow city and Tom Diretto was looking a little woozy. As he awakens things seem a bit different. Will he reunite with the love of his life? Or will he start chopping... by Nerd Poker
58 min listen
Episode 8 - Coccyx: This time around Twee makes it ABUNDANTLY clear just what his Doss Lute lets him do! And just in time, as not everyone is so happy that Count Ahmelegdha is dead. A lupine beast of some sort is ripping apart one of the recently liberated merchants in... by Nerd Poker
63 min listen
Episode 6 - Nightmarish Chewing and a Vampire: Misophonia Trigger Warning: Ken decides to digest a slice of pizza directly into the mic and there's nothing to be done about it. But it eventually stops, and we hear our heroes! They meet a vampire named Count Ahmelegdha, and he is indeed a literal... by Nerd Poker
64 min listen
Episode 3 - Manannan and the Lost City: This episode our heroes learn some intel from the evil fairy named Goggo about the sea god Manannan and a strange rumor about wizards and the end of the world. Will they venture into a lost city, or get super emo from the bad news? Only time will tell. by Nerd Poker
65 min listen
Episode 24 - Claw of the Great Blue Green: They did it! Sort of! Warchild has been plugged into the nerve center of the lost city, but now the lost city's immune system has one more obstacle to throw at our heroes: an amalgam of treant guts and wood elves that wants to absorb our heroes into... by Nerd Poker
63 min listen
Episode 9 - Phantasmal Pop Tart: In this episode our adventurers realize they have a castle to explore and a leveling up to enjoy. And they meet Edmund, a thrall of the 8 vampires of Amynna, 2 of which are now dead. And now that they know there are 6 powerful vampires on their way to... by Nerd Poker
64 min listen
Episode 14 - Shrug To The Camera: Our heroes formally initiate a raid on Count Bariss' castle, leaving a mess on his doorstep before heading through the north tower window. Will they murder everything? Will their alignments change? C'mon, you know the answer. They kill a lot of gross... by Nerd Poker
61 min listen
Episode 18 - Deep in Misery's Halo: Their new gifts and burdens weighing on their backs, our heroes Bodhi, Twee, and Tom venture deeper into the windy mists that circle Misery's Finger. Their new friend they love to hate, Shmoo, also reaches out again to make contact. Will Dan stop... by Nerd Poker
58 min listen
Episode 19 - The Bowels of the Mists Erupt: As our heroes approach the final leg of their spooooooky journey through Misery's Halo, they encounter a flurry of horrors. And yes, one of the horrors is Goggo's attempts to engage in melee combat. Warning: The episode includes a string of some of... by Nerd Poker
66 min listen
Episode 16 - Toasty!: The pyrotechnics just keep on comin' as the assault on Count Bariss' castle reaches its epic climax. There are not just damage rolls to be made, but also many, many charisma checks as the party confronts a special someone in sparkly armor. How many... by Nerd Poker
56 min listen
Episode 10 - Vorpal Bosch: Our adventurers have gotten slap happy from their vampiric victories and are now having fun storming the castle. Will they succeed in their campaign against Woody? Will they be defeated by a creepy door? Only time will tell. by Nerd Poker
61 min listen
Episode 15 - Bariss Junior: The siege of Count Bariss's castle continues, and as the party digs deeper through its chambers they encounter more and more disturbing abominations, including one of those soda machines with all the flavorings in it. Will everything get set on fire?... by Nerd Poker
58 min listen
Episode 13 - Stomp On It: As our heroes finish their standoff with the Lunar Elves, they make their way towards the castle of Count Bariss. On the way they meet many creatures that push all of Bodhi's buttons, and it will be a miracle if he doesn't immediately stomp on all of... by Nerd Poker
58 min listen
Episode 11 - Misery's Finger: This episode the party decides to venture East to the mountain castle on their new map, only to encounter a creepy Daphne Zuniga looking moon elf. Will they once again slay every NPC they see? Or will they ask for directions for once? Only time will tell. by Nerd Poker
54 min listen
Episode 23 - Warchild Ritual: And so the legend goes that one fateful evening, after carrying their friend Shmoo across the dismal plains, he was renamed Warchild. What happened next was a flurry of dark choices. Will Warchild survive? Will our heroes? Only time will tell. by Nerd Poker
60 min listen
Episode 7 - Did the Wrong Thing, But Oh Well: Ever watch Innerspace and wish you could be inside Martin Short’s nose while he died of a sinus infection? Well you're about to find out as a monstrously congested Ken Daly somehow manages to fellate the microphone without anyone else noticing or... by Nerd Poker
60 min listen
Episode 22 - Morgatholl's Haunted Guts: Ahoy! Here we have an episode we crafted deep within the smoldering oven of Brian's living room with great love and farts. This episode our heroes and their new wood elf companions trudge through the ghostly chlorophyllic entrails of what was once... by Nerd Poker
59 min listen
Episode 40 - Dimensional Echoes: With the bottom of Amynna glowing up through the caverns, the party is faced with a possible endgame. But time and space appear less than stable, and if everyone doesn't stick close the fabric of reality itself may begin to fray at the seams. As... by Nerd Poker
67 min listen
Episode 26 - Horrors in the Wastes: Kord has reached out to bless our heroes, who receive gifts that bend the rules of the universe. But it may be too late, as dark acolytes are hunting them, and they strike with the unforgiving fury of one of Brian's farts. Who are these dark horrors?... by Nerd Poker
62 min listen
Episode 20 - Riddle of Cowardice: This week our adventurererers emerge from the mists and discover a little bit about themselves, as well as a small building that Dan may or may not have bullied them into exploring. Will our heroes learn a little too much about Jolly Ranchers? Will... by Nerd Poker
65 min listen
Episode 39 - The Guardian Awakens: Our party has traveled deep beneath the land of Amynna, and the battle with the boulder-like Beholder is now in full swing. Also, everyone is less sick this episode so the overall energy (and Skeletor's Dick references) is kicked up a notch. Will the... by Nerd Poker
59 min listen
Episode 5 - The Fungal Spire: Why is everything in this world so gross? There's no easy answer as the party continues to carve its way through the magical school of Roke to find survivors. And they do find some, though Twee continues to be haunted by his arcane trigger finger.... by Nerd Poker
67 min listen
Episode 30 - The Truth About The Moon: Bodhi, Twee, and Tom have ventured across Amynna to gather an army against the Demelith, and now they arrive back at the wood of the Lunar Elves. Goggo the evil faerie is in as good a mood as ever, which probably isn't a good sign given that he is a... by Nerd Poker
63 min listen
Episode 31 - The Vampire's Jitterbug: It's coming. Boss fights that almost feel final. Our merry army of Demelith slayers has encountered Count Diandell, a powerful bard who knows more magic than any foe thus far. Will Tom's new sword finally explode with power? Will Twee survive a... by Nerd Poker
63 min listen

More Episodes from Nerd Poker

Skip carousel

The Mountain Campaign - Episode 16: Hopefully Dan is almost done torturing everyone with a torture room that is possibly the rudest, most effed up room he has ever made in this silly game. If they can just smash this last surprise (please let it be the last one) they can continue up the... by Nerd Poker
57 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 15: Everyone is on their last legs, both our heroes and the horde of blood-soaked quaggoth. Heroes fall, rise, and fall again. If they could just stop getting blinded, possessed, and poisoned this could all turn around! And soon it will, one way or the... by Nerd Poker
61 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 14: The Quaggoth situation is only more and more bloody. Pish Posh is down, and Mordecai is managing a few status issues. And in classic Nerd Poker fashion, one of our crew cannot make it to the episode (Sarah) and that means their character (Brix) gets... by Nerd Poker
51 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 13: The torture chamber has exploded in flame, and the crew now faces wave 2 of the quaggoth qreeps. There's the usual lackeys, another giant one, and now a floaty one with a staff. And uh, nobody has rested since the last wave. Some people definitely die... by Nerd Poker
53 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 12: Wow so the torture chamber really IS a place where people could lose a limb? Our mountainy crew cuts through a wave of quaggoth and takes a peek at a cage with what may be a surviving captive. Probably a friend. Probably no more waves of quaggoth.... by Nerd Poker
52 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 11: Welp, the ol' Dungeon Master made good on his promise to for this to be a deadly campaign. And now a cheery lil' torture room full of death bears! Okay let's stop being falsely optimistic for laffs, Dan has gone bonkers and we're all going to die.... by Nerd Poker
60 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 10: Our crew continues to engage in what is hopefully just a friendly game of drop-the-stone-scythe. So, time to wrap up this fight with the- undead demi-god? Or whatever? Juniper will probably be fine. For merch, social media, and more be sure to... by Nerd Poker
57 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 9: Oh an archfey. That's probably not that big a deal, just that thing that some people worship that cause trickery that undoes reality. And this is just a chill little negotiation where we give away some trayzure! Easy peasy. For merch, social media,... by Nerd Poker
54 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 8: New artifact! Giant ghost vanquished through persuasion! The crew is on a roll! So as long as the next thing they meet isn't, you know, omnipotent or something, they'll probably be fine. Oh right, a Total Party Kill is supposed to be possible this... by Nerd Poker
61 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 7: Haunted mountain stairwell ahoy! The giant behind them and a Glibbles in their pocket, our crew get to ascending stairs that aren't for touching. There is surely violence at the top, it sure would be nice if it was a chill use of common stairs, and... by Nerd Poker
51 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 6: Sooooo this fight with a mutated giant and a pile of sentient viscera has been fun and all, but it feels like about time to get the hell out of here. Our heroes kinda wanted to sneak through, and they'd like to honor that intention by not dying. And... by Nerd Poker
55 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 5: As Pish Posh begins some very unpleasant business with the Flesh Meld and Glibbles sits in Juniper's pocket, it begins to seem as though Dan is more than willing to make good on his TPK threats. Hopefully everyone won't wipe on the first fight.... by Nerd Poker
62 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 4: It is time to traverse The Pillars of Despair Murder! The plan to jump from pillar to pillar unseen obviously fell apart long ago, but Glibbles the goblin is unafraid to lead the group anyway. Hammers will fall, and so will humanoids clinging for dear... by Nerd Poker
64 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 3: Behold! A mighty hero emerges from the heavens to alleviate the burden placed on our heroes. Finally, with the help of this powerful bastion hope, there is a chance the vile dragon Glut will be slain. For merch, social media, and more be sure to head... by Nerd Poker
57 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 2: It's time to head to the actual mountain! While the crew debates how to spell Mount Dukes, it becomes clear that yes indeed they picked the weirdest and hardest of the three paths. For merch, social media, and more be sure to head to... by Nerd Poker
58 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 1: Our heroes meet around Brian's table for the first time in almost 4 years! And some other heroes show up (the pencil and paper kind). There's two mountains, a dragon, and a nest. How will we rid this valley of the terrifying dragon menace? Only time... by Nerd Poker
59 min listen
Mountain Campaign Announcement!: A quick message from Brian! by Nerd Poker
5 min listen
Coming in January: The Mountain Campaign!: What's that? A special Christmas message from Brian? That's right! We recorded in Brian's house and we can't wait for you to hear it! We just need the holidays to pass so we can actually, you know, be available to record more in a timely fashion!... by Nerd Poker
3 min listen
Update: New Campaign Coming Soon!: Thank you for following us here, please support us on Patreon if you can. We will see you soon, IN PERSON PLAY INCLUDED. For merch, social media, and more be sure to head to nerdpokerpod.com. And for 3 bonus episodes a month and more, subscribe to our... by Nerd Poker
2 min listen
S5E60 Demigod Energy: Our season finale is here! Dan attempts to tie a tidy little bow on five season's worth of narrative (hence the season-long boss fight). Crits connect, epic praise is heaped upon the surviving members of the Ice Five, an old friend returns, and Gus... by Nerd Poker
62 min listen
S5E59 Final Final Boss: The doors to the courtyard have been opened and the real, very really final boss of the campaign has revealed itself. Will our heroes triumph or be smote upon the cobblestone? Listen and find out! For merch, social media, and more be sure to... by Nerd Poker
53 min listen
S5E58 Mechanical Men Ahoy: There are warforged at the gates of the evil city... Probably friends, right? In the meantime let's try to get out of here without stumbling onto another boss fight. For merch, social media, and more be sure to head to nerdpokerpod.com. And for... by Nerd Poker
53 min listen
S5E57 That Whole Dimensional Problem: Oh riiiiight! We're not just in a crumbling tomb, but that tomb is in a weird pocket dimension, which is connected to the castle with a swirling vortex tether thing. Well you know what that means- it's balcony surfin' time! Maybe! For merch,... by Nerd Poker
58 min listen
S5E56 Tomb's Last Call: It's time to take the elevator up and get out of this tomb in an evil pocket dimension. Most of the crew is rolling well, but of course not everyone is. And no word on those damn NPCs, some of which they dragged down there, others not so much. Time to... by Nerd Poker
56 min listen
S5E55 Collapse in Judgment: That Orcus is a pile of eyebally ooze, but it's never too late for Dan to keep that TPK dream alive. The crew is rushing towards a tomb of dead royalty... that's probably fine, right? For merch, social media, and more be sure to head to... by Nerd Poker
56 min listen
S5E54 Ticket out of Crown Town: With the floating demi-god crown in tow, it's time to book it the hell outta here. The boss... bosses?... is/are dead so this is probably not going to be hard or anything. Dan would never collapse the dungeon for a TPK after the big victory. Right?... by Nerd Poker
58 min listen
S5E53 Hasty Exit: The mood has shifted for testicular-pulverization-reasons (no spoilers!) and its time to make a fast retreat from the battlefield. Hopefully only 5 or 6 NPCs will be left behind! For merch, social media, and more be sure to head to nerdpokerpod.com.... by Nerd Poker
58 min listen
S5E52 Smashy Smashy: Well it took him long enough, but Orcus has realized that the elemental guy slamming his demon nards over and over again is something of a problem. Sorry Blaine, but this one's probably gonna hurt. For merch, social media, and more be sure to... by Nerd Poker
60 min listen
S5E51 The Final Demon: Blaine continues what now feels like a months-long ritual of destroying Orcus' genitals. Death saves are in the future of some characters, and apparently the players expected that to happen because it's a very emotional experience to get that far. For... by Nerd Poker
54 min listen
S5E50 Chode Chopper: Yes, this is a reference to what Blaine is doing to the demon Orcus. The final battle appears to be turning in the favor of Ronnie's Raiders! Hopefully this is a very chill and not at all passive-aggressive dungeon master we're dealing with, and this... by Nerd Poker
59 min listen

Related podcast episodes

Skip carousel

S5E32 Torture Chamber Chaos: The group enters a room where the NPCs go bonkers, more NPCs are discovered, and they all go bonkers too. Time to light it all up! For merch, social media, and more be sure to head to nerdpokerpod.com. And for 3 bonus episodes a month and more,... by Nerd Poker
55 min listen
Episode 102 - Murder Aboard the Krusty Lobster: An Original Dungeons and Dragons Adventure by Sneak Attack!
60 min listen
Episode 110 - Put a Ring On It: An Original Dungeons and Dragons Adventure by Sneak Attack!
52 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 10: Our crew continues to engage in what is hopefully just a friendly game of drop-the-stone-scythe. So, time to wrap up this fight with the- undead demi-god? Or whatever? Juniper will probably be fine. For merch, social media, and more be sure to... by Nerd Poker
57 min listen
S5E49 The Unfortunate Anatomy of Orcus: It was bound to happen if an evil, gigantic creature was walking around. Someone's character would inevitably realize whilst running between their legs that the canopy above was ripe for called shots. And then, of course, there would be disgusting... by Nerd Poker
55 min listen
50. House Party I: After the Council of Bright destroyed the capital, everything is in disarray. Three months later, we’re adjusting to the new way of life. Inara refuses breakfast. Tracey brews some tea. Everyone is on their guard. Sponsors - , the password... by Join the Party
69 min listen
Episode 101 - Recovery: An Original Dungeons and Dragons Adventure by Sneak Attack!
52 min listen
Remember The Game? #227 - Ape Escape: EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/rtg Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Ape Escape is one of those games I've been hearing about since before I started this show. It shows up on every "Best PlayStation Games" list... by Remember The Game? Retro Gaming Podcast
93 min listen
Episode 122 - The Trials of Virgil Folklore, Part 3: An Original Dungeons and Dragons Adventure by Sneak Attack!
60 min listen
Episode 106 - Just Akio Things: An Original Dungeons and Dragons Adventure by Sneak Attack!
65 min listen
43. Hunting Party IV: What has a slamming door, elevator music, a mild-mannered docent and two thumbs? This episode! The party looks for a museum to heist while searching for the Midnight Man. Tracey is a relic. Inara interns. Finale’s crackin’ skulls. Sponsors... by Join the Party
55 min listen
Episode 109 - Let's Talk: An Original Dungeons and Dragons Adventure by Sneak Attack!
64 min listen
Barony by GROGPOD Roguelike Podcast
83 min listen
s01e53 - It's All About That Butt: The adventurers find themselves face-to-butt with a dastardly maze staple! The Gorgon! Things get weird as they try to figure out this next room in Xonthal's Maze, but maybe that means the solution will be clear. Flint creates new butt cracks. Thia gets stomped. Nulara goes for the butt stab. by Dumbgeons and Dragons: A Dungeons and Dragons 5e Actual Play Podcast
58 min listen
The Mountain Campaign - Episode 8: New artifact! Giant ghost vanquished through persuasion! The crew is on a roll! So as long as the next thing they meet isn't, you know, omnipotent or something, they'll probably be fine. Oh right, a Total Party Kill is supposed to be possible this... by Nerd Poker
61 min listen
42. Hunting Party III: With the massive Oatcake dealt with, the party takes refuge in a secret bar. But the patrons might be more dangerous than the monsters outside. Inara starts a bidding war. Tracey orders nachos. Finale drinks the drink. Sponsor - Twenty Sided... by Join the Party
58 min listen
54. House Party V: Brink reveals herself as the turncoat who put everyone else in danger. This is bad. Inara takes an eye for an eye. Tracey chops the unchoppable. The party doesn’t forget. Sponsors - , the newest standalone fantasy novel from Garth Nix. ... by Join the Party
48 min listen
52. House Party III: The party makes their way into the Council’s stronghold. It is easy and there are no problems at all. Inara boops. Tracey makes a mess. Chad is definitely a human who can run and hug. Multitude - Get tickets to our on October 10th now!... by Join the Party
51 min listen
#79: Transformers One - First Reactions by Triple Takeover Toycast
112 min listen
3. Join Forces III: In the wake of the charity auction robbery, our Lake Town City residents need some time to think. But someone else wants them to act now. Milo bids. Aggie gets interviewed. Val remembers high school. Sponsors - , the subscription cocktail box... by Join the Party
79 min listen
Episode 86 - A Most Persistent Foe: An Original Dungeons and Dragons Adventure by Sneak Attack!
55 min listen
Abnormal Mapping 136: Norco: approaching a decade stealthily, talking about another game about exploitation and death in the modern world, normal things by Abnormal Mapping
20 min listen
Abnormal Mapping 125: King of Dragon Pass: pro duck, anti dragon bias by Abnormal Mapping
20 min listen
Episode 6 - Exploring the Cavern: An Original Dungeons and Dragons Adventure by Sneak Attack!
56 min listen
2. Join Forces II: Masked goons are storming the auction at the First National Bank. Someone has to do something! Aggie moves fast. Milo’s got the spirit. Val spears. Sponsors - is a trans-owned company providing accessible, comfortable, and safe options for... by Join the Party
65 min listen
POP Ep.135: Boxing Days (Voicemail line: 713-893-8069): This week the usual suspects discuss: Punch-Out!!, Raiden Fighters Aces, Dead Space, Zen Pinball, Demon's Soul, Super Stardust HD, Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars, Peggle Dual Shot, Klonoa, ART STYLE: Pictobits, and Metroid Prime Trilogy, amongst... by Player One Podcast
85 min listen
Episode 154 - The End, Part 1: An Original Dungeons and Dragons Adventure by Sneak Attack!
49 min listen
S5E5 Kill The Eyeless Murderers: Looks like the cave has all those eyeless owl harpies you ordered! After deftly disarming a trap and interrogating a corpse, it's time to test our heroes' mettle in combat! For merch, social media, and more be sure to head to nerdpokerpod.com.... by Nerd Poker
64 min listen
S5E0 Session Zero: Before every campaign, there is planning! And we thought that this time we'd let listeners be privvy to all of it. Enjoy hanging out with all of us as we contemplate whether to create new characters, bring back old ones, or create a spin that ties... by Nerd Poker
68 min listen
12. The Woods I: Camp Diogenes Staff Handbook, Rule #64: As soon as you realize that you're lost in the woods, stop moving. It's much easier for rescuers to find a stationary person than someone who is moving around. Only continue to move if you know where you are,... by Join the Party
67 min listen

Discover this podcast and so much more

S5E41 To Puzzle Or Not To Puzzle

S5E41 To Puzzle Or Not To Puzzle

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from Nerd Poker

Related podcast episodes