Jant Braidley

"Jant Braidley" is the fifth episode of *Daniel Kravitz, Chosen One (Volume 3)*, and the thirty-first installment of the series overall. It was performed on September 14, 2019 at MadLab theatre in Columbus, OH as the third segment of Show LI. It was released as podcast episode 254.

Written by Nick Arganbright

Directed by Kristin Green

Previous episode: *Packer & Ratcliff* "The Pursuit of Packer"

Next episode: "Cult of B.O.B."

## **The Story**

It's evening on the ranch in Kalispell, Montana. Rufus Reginald Rochester and Josh Wallace have completed their sweep of the student living areas, and meet Daniel Kravitz and Grezit the Green, whom Daniel says is pretty smelly tonight. Rufus sends Grezit on a perimeter check and he leaves, grumbling and annoyed.

Abby Reynolds arrives with Alexis Augustus Armentrout to start a meeting with the others. She says Alfredo is working on understanding the portals they took from the villain using them to spread zombies, so he can't attend. Josh reports that he and Khoo are about ready to begin digitization of the texts, and Rufus is happy that the armory is finally fully stocked to his satisfaction.

Alexis tells them about a mission that needs to happen tonight, based on a tip from the resevation. A strange man is passing through, inquiring about buying livestock, which they believe he is stealing and slaughtering. When Daniel complains this would be better left to the cops, Alexis reveals that he thinks the slaughter is to summon Sarulic the Nighteater, a deity of immense power. This gets Daniel excited again, even though it is a 'school night.' Alexis asks Daniel to assemble a team.

Daniel wants Alfredo, but Abby reminds him the sorcerer is unavailable. Being told he can take nubes, Daniel settles on Novir (Josh's suggestion) and Stephanie Garcia, who has been out of sorts since she watched her friend Humphrey Jacobs die. Daniel then chooses Alexis, much to Alexis' surprise, telling Rufus he needs to stay back and research their target. Josh wants to come, but Daniel says no because he doesn't have magic. Grezit then arrives, and despite Daniel's protests, Rufus asks for Grezit to go, too.

A few hours later, the team exits their vehicle at the edge of farmland. Novir sets out ahead. Stephanie hangs back nd Daniel tries to buck her up. She responds with sass, which Daniel likes. Grezit is still moping.

Ten yards away from the barn, their target, Rufus calls in, having used magical means to check out the property. He reveals that their query escaped from a mental institution, so may not be what they thought. Rufus and Daniel argue over strategy. When Grezit is told he must back up Stephanie, he storms off. Instead, Alexis follows Novir and Daniel takes Stephanie, whom he reassures one more time, around to the other side, and they burst in.

Inside the barn, a man named Costello is talking to the cows, promising them they will all be a feast for Sarulic. He responds as if the cows are talking back. As Team Chosen One runs in, he holds up an amulet. Daniel sneaks up behind Costello and allows himself to be taken. Once Daniel has Costello feeling confident and distracted by Stephanie's taunting, Daniel teleports behind him and, with Stephanie and Novir's help, neutralizes the threat.

Believing Costello to be no threat because he was institutionalized, Daniel assumes the amulet to be a toy. However, when he tries to break it, it explodes with light and tears through hay and wood. Thankfully, everyone is unharmed and Alexis takes the amulet away from Daniel.

A short time later, they exit the barn. Alexis notices Grezit on the roof and nudges Daniel, who teleports up. The sulky Gahroo resists telling Daniel what's bothering him for mere seconds, then spills that he hates not being in the front of combat, and forced to throw fights with the students. He feels laughed at and forgotten. Daniel tells him not to be a Jan Brady, insecure, and that Daniel needs Grezit to help these kids learn to do things on their own so they can grow their team. When Daniel says he would gladly fight beside, or even behind, Grezit, Grezit perks up and declares he will no longer be a 'Jant Braidley.'

Grezit asks Daniel to teleport them down. Daniel hesitates, but does so, and they go home.

## **Guest Starring**

* Nick Arganbright as Novir
* Katie Boissoneault as Stephanie Garcia
* Keith Jackson as Costello
* Jerome Wetzel as the narrator

## **Trivia**

* The theme song for this episode was performed based on a rearrangement by Nick Arganbright. Unfortunately, the re-arrangement was built off of the original version, not the Volume 3 revamp, and it was decided not to continue using it. It was replaced in the podcast with a rendition from another episode.