Herd
Get App
The Adventure Zone podcast cover art

The Adventure Zone

ByThe McElroys
382 episodes

Podcast Summary

Dive into "The Adventure Zone," where the McElroy family—Justin, Travis, Griffin, and their dad Clint—embark on an epic journey through the whimsical world of tabletop role-playing games. This unique blend of storytelling and improv comedy transforms traditional gaming into an engaging audio adventure, filled with laughter, drama, and unexpected plot twists. Each episode showcases the brothers’ creativity as they craft characters, face fantastical challenges, and navigate hilariously chaotic scenarios, often featuring memorable guests like the talented singer-songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda and comedian Rachel Bloom, who add their own flair to the storyline. From battling quirky monsters to unraveling intricate plots, "The Adventure Zone" captivates listeners with its rich narratives and heartfelt moments. The show’s charm lies not only in its playful banter but also in its ability to foster connections among family and friends, making it a must-listen for both RPG enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Join the adventure today!

#1

Ep. 1: Here There Be Gerblins - Chapter One

In this, the pilot episode of The Adventure Zone, the McElroys create the characters with which they'll build a new -- and hopefuly very, very lucrative -- fantasy fiction franchise. Join in the campaign as Justin (Taako), Travis (Magnus) and Clint (Merle), led by Dungeon Master Griffin, take their first steps into the unknown.

2014-12-03•1hr 53mins
#2

Ep. 1.5: Here There Be Gerblins - Chapter One (Super Cut)

In this, the pilot episode of The Adventure Zone, the McElroys create the characters with which they'll build a new -- and hopefuly very, very lucrative -- fantasy fiction franchise. Join in the campaign as Justin (Taako), Travis (Magnus) and Clint (Merle), led by Dungeon Master Griffin, take their first steps into the unknown. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to listen to the FULL first episode! Also, be sure share with friends!

2014-12-03•50mins
#3

Ep. 2. Here There Be Gerblins - Chapter Two

Our heroes’ first job is not going especially well. Taako, Merle and Magnus are hot on the trail of their employer’s kidnappers, leading them into a perilous gerblin den. Will they discover the fate of Gundren and his ward, Barry Bluejeans? Or will they find themselves held up by complicated gerblin office politics?

2014-12-04•1hr 7mins
#4

Ep. 3. Here There Be Gerblins - Chapter Three

With one half of their former employers effectively rescued, our party begins the hunt for Gundren Rockseeker in earnest. There are just a few things standing in their way: They don't know where he is, they're all Level Clown-Shoes, and also, a jelly monster.

2014-12-18•1hr 17mins
#5

Ep. 4. Here There Be Gerblins - Chapter Four

After solving a particularly difficult jelly puzzle, our heroes journey ever deeper into Wave Echo Cave. Taako meets a kindred spirit, Merle does some missionary work and Magnus does some really cool stuff with some chains.

2015-01-01•1hr 5mins
#6

Ep. 5. Here There Be Gerblins - Chapter Five

Merle, Taako and Magnus complete their rescue mission, but then completely fail an entirely new, far more important mission. Taako acquires a powerful artifact, and doesn't seem so stoked about it.

2015-01-15•58mins
#7

Ep. 6. Here There Be Gerblins - Chapter Six

In this, the thrilling conclusion to our first Adventure, Merle, Taako and Magnus pursue their engulfed employer into the heart of Phandalin. Will they be able to douse him before things get out of hand? Also, are you going to finish that Luna Bar?

2015-01-29•56mins
#8

Ep. 7. Moonlighting - Chapter One

In this interlude chapter to the Adventure Zone saga, the mysteries of the universe are revealed to our heroes. Magnus has a good cry to some elevator music. Taako further unravels The Eldritch Riddle. It's about to get super weal up in here.

2015-02-12•1hr 3mins

Listen to your favourite podcasts.

Now ad-free.

Download herd and enjoy uninterrupted, high-quality podcasts without the wait.

Download on the
App Store
#9

Ep. 8. Moonlighting - Chapter Two

Now that they can finally understand like, anything that anybody important is saying, our heroes seek employment in the Bureau of Balance. Merle brags about how smart he is. Taako accidentally encounters some life-changing intel. Magnus does horrible, horrible things to an automaton.

2015-02-26•1hr 11mins
#10

Ep. 9. Moonlighting - Chapter Three

Having passed the Bureau of Balance's punishing test of initiation, our heroes stock up on supplies and learn abilities that will help them immeasurably in the future. Merle finds a new god. Taako has a difficult encounter with a coin slot. Magnus advocates for moon-dogs.

2015-03-12•1hr 6mins
#11

Ep. 10. Murder on the Rockport Limited - Chapter One

Our heroes are sent out on their first mission as Reclaimers for the Bureau of Balance. Their initial task is an impossible one: Do they possess the competence required to be on time for a train? The answer may surprise you, but — no, actually, it probably won’t.

2015-03-19•1hr 6mins
#12

Ep. 11. Murder on the Rockport Limited - Chapter Two

Our heroes attempt to make the best out of a swampy situation, and race to Rockport before they miss a fateful train. They also meet a beloved radio personality and spokesperson, and hold him ransom for MaxFunDrive donations. Magnus exhibits his upper body strength. Taako gets charming. Merle takes a stink-bath.

2015-03-26•1hr 3mins
#13

Ep. 12. Murder on the Rockport Limited - Chapter Three

Our heroes board their fateful train to Neverwinter, and are rude to just about every single person aboard. Merle strikes out at evangelism. Magnus learns that he may not, in fact, have the biggest muscles. Taako just wrecks some baby carrots.

2015-04-16•57mins
#14

Ep. 13. Murder on the Rockport Limited - Chapter Four

As you might have guessed from the title of the past few episodes, our heroes' journey isn't going to be an especially calm one. Because of all the murder, I mean. Taako mourns the dead. Merle finally plays his part. Magnus does one of the absolute coolest punches ever.

2015-04-23•55mins
#15

Ep. 14. Murder on the Rockport Limited - Chapter Five

The game is afoot! The game of murder-solving, I mean. The game of Dungeons & Dragons has been afoot for a while. Magnus finds unorthodox uses for furniture. Taako practices his interrogation techinques. Merle becomes a robot mom.

2015-05-07•56mins
#16

Ep. 15. Murder on the Rockport Limited - Chapter Six

In this penultimate chapter in the Rockport Limited murder fiasco, our players deduce the true culprit of the titular heinous crime. Merle runs out of magic. Taako finds more creative applications for Levitation. Magnus gets some fresh air.

2015-05-21•59mins
#17

Ep. 16. Murder on the Rockport Limited - Chapter Seven

In the final chapter in the Rockport Limited story arc, our heroes have little time to stop their runaway train from colliding with Neverwinter, potentially ruining some other group's D&D session. Magnus takes a tumble. Merle channels Gary Sinise. Taako does some pretty dope magical stuff.

2015-06-04•1hr 0mins
#18

Ep. 17. Lunar Interlude I: Carnival Chaos

In this brief interlude between adventures, our heroes attend an office party — well, a carnival — at the Bureau of Balance’s lunar headquarters. They also hit up the Fantasy Costco, where they must match wits with their most fearsome mercantile foe yet. Taako makes a discrete trade. Merle tries on some cool-ass slippies. Magnus finally finds a friend.

2015-06-18•1hr 9mins
#19

Ep. 18. Petals to the Metal - Chapter One

In this first chapter in a new Adventure Zone story, Merle, Taako and Magnus are in hot pursuit of a master criminal in the metropolitan city of Goldcliff. Can they stop The Raven before her crime spree tears the town apart? I don't know, because we haven't finished playing this part of the campaign yet. Magnus does some chopping. Taako learns to Nightcrawl. Merle has a genuinely upsetting encounter with some vines.

2015-07-02•59mins
#20

Ep. 19. Petals to the Metal - Chapter Two

Our heroes attempt to reconcile with Trent the Treant; a task made difficult by the fact that one of them just cut him in half. After that, buckle up y'all, because it's ELEVATOR TIME. YEEEEAAAAHHHHHH ELEVATORS. Merle befriends a crowbar. Taako does a rope trick. Magnus holds on for dear lives.

2015-07-16•54mins
#21

Ep. 20. Petals to the Metal - Chapter Three

In this installment, the question isn't 'Will our heroes survive,' it's, 'What's going to kill them first?' Our money's on either the elevator shaft full of sentient vines, or the godlike criminal waiting for them at the top of said shaft. Magnus has an embarrassing pants accident. Taako runs out of juice. Merle goes walking in Memphis.

2015-07-30•54mins
#22

Ep. 21. Petals to the Metal - Chapter Four

Having straight-up embarrassed themselves in their first encounter with The Raven, our heroes look for alternative methods of defeating her. Merle channels a Train God. Magnus makes a fishy deal. Taako receives some bathroom aid.

2015-08-13•1hr 5mins
#23

Ep. 22. Petals to the Metal - Chapter Five

Our heroes attempt a sneaking mission to retrieve a vital Battlewagon component, and end up doing something ghoulish that they'll have to keep secret forever. Also, a beloved character returns. Merle saves his heals. Taako grows a third eye. Magnus clefts.

2015-08-27•58mins

Listen to your favourite podcasts.

Now ad-free.

Download herd and enjoy uninterrupted, high-quality podcasts without the wait.

Download on the
App Store
#24

Ep. 23. Petals to the Metal - Chapter Six

Can our heroes secure their hairy compatriot and their arcane objective while not killing everyone in sight? Also, can they go five whole minutes without making a dildo joke? Merle soothes some anger. Magnus sets his axe to stun. Taako reveals his spirit animal.

2015-09-10•55mins
#25

Ep. 24. Petals to the Metal - Chapter Seven

BWAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! That's the sound of a horn, meaning it's time for the Battlewagon Races we've been building up to for six episodes to begin. BUCKLE UP. Taako holds a coronation. Magnus leaps before looking. Merle gets a face hug.

2015-09-24•57mins
#26

The Adventure Zone Presents: The Great Switcheroo of 2015

You didn't think our heroes were the only adventurers in the world of The Adventure Zone, did you? In this episode, the hysterical folks from The Flop House take over, introducing the world to a new, lovable trio of mercenaries. Strap in for a two-hour D&D session starring Stuart Wellington as DM, Elliott Kalan as the Dragonborn Bard Jeremy "Scales" Fangbattle, Dan McCoy as High Elf Druid Lucian Buttwatcher and Zhubin Parang as the noble Tanzer Silverview.

2015-10-08•2hr 4mins
#27

Ep. 25. Petals to the Metal - Chapter Eight

This episode is basically a self-contained Fast and the Furious movie, if that film franchise incorporated actual arcane magicks, rather than just "movie magic." Magnus does some risky jumping. Merle takes a tumble. Taako summons a new best friend.

2015-10-22•59mins
#28

Ep. 26. Petals to the Metal - Chapter Nine

In this penultimate installment of a race that has gotten wildly, profoundly out of hand, our heroes take on a trio of automotive threats. Merle starts himself a convoy. Magnus fights a shark. Taako catches up with an old friend.

2015-11-05•1hr 2mins
#29

Ep. 27. Petals to the Metal - Chapter 10

This is it. Our heroes are in a dead heat with The Raven, the finish line in sight. Who will emerge victorious? Who will end up with the mighty Gaia Sash? More importantly, is there any prize money for this thing? Taako does some sunbathing. Magnus gets shredded. Merle executes the weirdest brag ever.

2015-11-19•1hr 8mins
#30

Ep. 28. Lunar Interlude II: Internal Affairs

Our heroes return to the Bureau of Balance's moonbase after a job kind-of well done. They've got a lot waiting for them: A heated debrief, a major change in the payroll and, of course, a visit to everyone's favorite fantasy bulk shopping outlet. Magnus makes a tentacle connection. Merle gets Zone of Truth-blocked. Taako really just wants to get down on some Quiznos.

2015-12-03•1hr 14mins
#31

Ep 29. The Crystal Kingdom - Chapter One

A new adventure begins! Join our heroes as they host a relatively successful office holiday party, and mourn as that party gets totally sidelined by a potential apocalypse. Magnus puts his carpentry to good use. Taako perfects his macaroon recipe. Merle does some re-gifting.

2015-12-19•1hr 1mins
#32

Ep. 30. The Crystal Kingdom - Chapter Two

Our heroes make their way into Lucas' floating, crystallized lab, and face off against their deadliest foe yet. Will they thrive under the pressure of an apocalyptic time limit? Or will they waste too much time just standing around, debating the names of members of the band U2? Magnus gets caught fibbing. Taako learns about a Grandpa. Merle gets Touched by an Angel.

2015-12-31•1hr 2mins
#33

Ep. 31. The Crystal Kingdom - Chapter Three

Having survived an encounter with their deadliest foe yet, our heroes take a moment to reflect on some of Faerun's most prodigious scientific achievements. Later, the trio is forced into a deadly test of intellect, and you can probably guess how well that goes. Merle does some pest control. Magnus makes a token of friendship. Taako enjoys some "Taako time."

2016-01-14•59mins
#34

Ep. 32. The Crystal Kingdom - Chapter Four

We may have finally found a challenge that our heroes cannot overcome: Math-based trivia. Can our heroes stump their animatronic captor before turning extra crispy? Can they stave off a crystalline death for one more episode? Merle seeks divine intervention. Magnus makes an otherworldly find. Taako's good out here.

2016-01-28•1hr 3mins
#35

Ep. 33. The Crystal Kingdom - Chapter Five

Our heroes face a series of challenges while exploring Lucas' lab that are, admittedly, all pretty adorable. But still super deadly! Just, like, huggably deadly. Merle performs a random act of kindness. Taako remembers an acrobatic nursery rhyme. Magnus experiences the magic of flight.

2016-02-11•58mins
#36

Ep. 34. The Crystal Kingdom - Chapter Six

Can our heroes achieve a competent victory against three relatively unkillable foes? More importantly: Can they do any sick stunts while doing so? Taako conjures up the ultimate terror. Magnus has a public service announcement. Merle faces a crystal conundrum.

2016-02-25•1hr 0mins
#37

Ep. 35. The Crystal Kingdom - Chapter Seven

Our heroes recover after performing some impromptu emergency surgery on their holiest team member, and then, after kicking it for a while, learn the secrets of the universe. No big deal. Taako tries on a new voice. Magnus does some backseat Regulating. Merle learns about an exciting new plant.

2016-03-10•1hr 9mins
#38

The The Adventure Zone Zone

Happy MaxFunDrive, everybody! To celebrate, we're doing a between-weeks episode of The The Adventure Zone Zone, an informal chat show about the rest of the podcast that we do. Join us for a discussion of Taako's Taco Quest, the origins of Barry Bluejeans and what's in store for future campaigns! And visit maximumfun.org/donate!

2016-03-17•1hr 42mins
#39

Ep. 36. The Crystal Kingdom - Chapter Eight

Hey, things aren't really going that great for our heroes right now, but on the plus side -- it's MaxFunDrive time! You can support our show by going to maximumfun.org/donate, though unfortunately, you can't really support our heroes right now; they've got to un-goof this situation themselves. Merle saves a life. Magnus gets new legs. Taako introduces a long-overdue tentacle scene to the show.

2016-03-24•1hr 20mins
#40

Ep. 37. The Crystal Kingdom - Chapter Nine

It's going down. Our heroes have a thrilling showdown with three of their most deadly, most dead foes -- but will they fare as well in Round Two as they did the first time around? Taako defies gravity. Magnus adds to his collection. Merle learns the basics of the Cleric class.

2016-04-07•1hr 3mins
#41

Ep. 38. The Crystal Kingdom - Chapter Ten

It's time for the final confrontation. Who's been hunting our heroes all throughout this campaign? What's Lucas really after? Why is Merle getting just completely boned in every fight? Answers to these questions and more linger just behind the play button. Taako has a plan. Magnus has a snack. Merle says his prayers.

2016-04-21•1hr 12mins
#42

Ep. 39. The Crystal Kingdom - Chapter Eleven

After a climactic victory, our heroes have a few loose ends to tie up before moving on to their next adventure. Will Lucas and Maureen get Regulated? Will Kravitz claim his undead bounty? More importantly, how are they going to get that big, magic rock out of Magnus' tummy? Merle does prank medicine. Magnus tells a fib. Taako just twerks it out.

2016-05-05•1hr 12mins
#43

Ep. 40. Lunar Interlude III: Rest & Relaxation

That last adventure was a tough one. Our heroes have earned some time off -- both from mortal danger, and from each other. But how do adventurers spend their downtime between jobs? Also, what's hot and fresh at the bakery counter of the Fantasy Costco? Magnus considers a change in careers. Merle dishes out some beard-centric philosophy. Taako takes on a pupil.

2016-05-19•1hr 31mins
#44

The Adventure Zone LIVE in Boston Announcement!

The Adventure Zone is doing its first open-to-the-public live show! We'll be at the Wilbur Theater in Boston, MA, on Fri. July 15. Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, June 1, at noon EST. Tickets will be available at bit.ly/tazboston! They will probably go quickly! Do not sleep on them!

2016-05-30•2mins
#45

Ep. 41. The Eleventh Hour - Chapter One

After a fairly morose start to the episode, our heroes are launched -- with great speed -- into a new adventure. What awaits them inside of the time-stuck anomaly? More important question: Who's ready for SUMMER FASHIONS? Merle exhibits classic Dwarven jealousy. Magnus loves a fish. Taako accidentally saves the day.

2016-06-02•1hr 8mins
#46

Ep. 42. The Eleventh Hour - Chapter Two

What waits for our heroes on the other side of the time-stuck barrier? Seriously, what could be in there? A dragon made out of time? A parallel universe where people eat time like snack chips? A genuinely kind of innocuous, rustic town? Whatever it is, one thing's for sure: There's about to be some trouble in that bubble. Merle does some successful evangelizing. Taako gets caught red-handed. Magnus rushes in!

2016-06-16•1hr 9mins
#47

Ep. 43. The Eleventh Hour - Chapter Three

Our heroes start to get a hang of the difficult business of repetition as they learn more about Refuge and the events that led the town to such a sorry state. How much catastrophe can they undo in 60 minutes? Certainly they can't make things worse -- can they? Taako burns some spell slots. Magnus goes Over the Top. Merle's evangelism is met with the usual reception.

2016-06-30•1hr 10mins
#48

Ep. 44. The Eleventh Hour - Chapter Four

Our heroes explore an extremely deadly derelict mine in an attempt to find out what's happening to Refuge every time the clock strikes noon. They do so with the usual amount of caution and grace, which is to say things go very, very, very poorly, very, very, very often. Merle makes some furry friends. Magnus finds a trap the hard way. Taako flies to Heaven.

2016-07-14•1hr 13mins
#49

Ep. 45. The Eleventh Hour - Chapter Five

Now that Refuge's destroyer has been revealed, our heroes work together to discover a way to stop it. But how many more attempts will they get at solving this, their most deadly mystery yet? Merle leads the group in prayer. Magnus plays hardball. Taako gets on his diamond grind.

2016-07-28•1hr 4mins
#50

Ep. 46. The Eleventh Hour - Chapter Six

If our boys want to get out of this time-locked quagmire, they're going to need some divine intervention -- and the only way to get this particular god to play ball is to get up to no good. Let's hope that big wheel doesn't stop turning on this rotation, yeah? Magnus hurls a friend. Merle does horse stunts. Taako gets the gold.

2016-08-11•1hr 24mins

Listen to your favourite podcasts.

Now ad-free.

Download herd and enjoy uninterrupted, high-quality podcasts without the wait.

Download on the
App Store