The Fog Campaign - Episode 73
In this chaotic, character-driven episode of Nerd Poker, the party faces a dire race against time as a massive underwater chamber fills with ocean water, threatening to drown them all. The central threat is a possessed Leviathan — a colossal, tentacled beast now animated by the spirit of the undead Caius — that attacks relentlessly. Amid the escalating tension, Blaine proposes a wildly creative, if absurd, plan: polymorphing the Leviathan into a tiny creature (like a naked mole rat) to weaponize it as a 'glug bomb,' hoping the sudden size shift would violently expel the trapped Glug from its stomach and deal massive internal damage. The idea is rejected by the DM as too risky, but the conversation becomes a hilarious meta-commentary on D&D's rules and the absurdity of magical logic. As the water rises, the party scrambles toward a shrinking hole in the ceiling, using a mix of swimming, spells, and sheer luck to survive. The episode culminates in a surreal, high-speed rocket ascent through a narrow shaft — a chaotic, physics-defying escape that launches the entire party 100 feet into the air above the fog-shrouded city of Delsmith, setting up a dramatic landing in the next episode. The tone is irreverent, packed with inside jokes, and celebrates the unpredictable joy of collaborative storytelling. The episode’s standout moment isn’t the battle, but the absurdity of the 'glug bomb' idea — a perfect example of how D&D’s rules become a playground for improvisation and humor.
Polymorphing a creature with a trapped ally inside won't shrink the ally — the internal creature remains the same size, making 'glug bomb' tactics impossible.
The party must escape through a shrinking hole in the ceiling as water pressure forces them upward at high speed, requiring Dexterity saves to avoid bludgeoning damage.
A successful Athletics check (DC 16) ensures the group stays together and avoids smashing into the ceiling during the ascent.
The 'Bless' spell grants a +1d4 bonus to attack rolls and saving throws for one minute, but doesn’t prevent damage from environmental hazards like ceiling impacts.
The group’s survival hinges on a series of high-stakes rolls, including a critical failure on a Dexterity save that results in 4 more points of bludgeoning damage mid-ascent.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to The FOG Campaign
Brian Posehn kicks off episode 73 of Nerd Poker, introducing the cast and setting the tone with humor and absurdity. He jokes about hair, references 'Gleam in the Tube,' and sets up the chaotic energy of the session.
Shoutouts and the Banana Peel-ah Sponsor
Brian thanks Patreon supporters with playful nicknames, including 'Latwig' and 'Blaine's Obscure References.' The episode is sponsored by Banana Peel-ah, a product that peels bananas in 10 minutes.
The Water-Filled Chamber and the Leviathan Threat
Dan describes the dire situation: the party is trapped in a chamber rapidly filling with ocean water, with a possessed Leviathan — once ridden by the Lich Thief Queen — attacking them. Glug is trapped in the beast’s stomach and barely alive.
The Lightning Strike and the First Save
The Leviathan casts Lightning Strike twice at Chris, who fails his Dexterity save. Brian uses a divine intervention mechanic to reroll the save, succeeding and reducing damage to 15. He then casts Absorb Elements to halve it again.
The Race Against Time and the Hole in the Ceiling
The group realizes they must reach the hole in the ceiling before the chamber floods. Dan reveals the hole is 85 feet north, and the only way out is through a narrow, shrinking shaft under extreme water pressure.
“You all sort of blink, use your passive insight and look. You slow to a stop about 100 feet in the air, and all of you can see Ken is about 60 feet away from you.”
“I'm wondering if I can like weaponize polymorph. Here's the thing. If you take the thing down to zero hit points, it turns back into the thing but still takes all that damage. So I'm wondering if there's a way like how much would that work?”
“So I will go ahead and say it. Oh, Ken, save it. I want to try that again. Yeah, save it. What is it? Dex you said yes. Dex saving throw. Yes. That is the same. I will use my last luck point.”
Host
Guests
Nerd Poker
media
Dan Telfer
person
Blaine A. K. Telfer
person
Brian Posehn
person
Ken
person
Chris Ayers
person
Glug the Kulatoa
other
Engineer Sam
person
Gleam in the Tube
media
Naked Mole Rat
other
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