Ep 42 - Backhand of Good Luck

## Episode 42 - Backhand of Good Luck

Listen to the episode Here!

Zelf must step up - not only to solve this brand new murder, but to finish this most epic magical meal. Janni isn't looking so good, and it's not just food poisoning. Patty is hot on the trail of a secret identity, and Zelf is too. That's right, there are TWO dramatic reveals this episode! Can Zelf save the day? If not, can Janni? Also featuring our first (but probably not last???) solo side recording with Justin and a lone PC.

Read the episode transcript here!

## NPCs in Description

NPCs in this episode:

* Paltra Mimosa - A suspect. Brunch noble, runs the artisanal poptart shop.
* Grist Caskchill - A suspect. Practices Dwarven ale magic.
* High Chef Chiffonade - Former instructor of Chairman Naga and leader of Birwine, created the Kaelf Garden Program. The Chairman eventually ate him and stole his recipes.
* Bovil Flaskforge - Advisor to the Janni Squad at Shadowend. Keeps an extensive diary about the timeloop, currently in the team's possession. Believes he is destined to be the next demigod of Hybdall.
* Count Vilnit - Rules over Mealnor. Father to Alok, a part-time vampire. The team is staying at his house while investigating his grandfather's missing fingers, which can impart magical cooking knowledge.
* Bantaro Valentine - Shadowend Commander specializing in music and performance.

## Summary

* At Marth by Marth, Zelf has to continue the banquet but he freezes up with everyone's eyes on him.
	+ Janni runs to the kitchen to slap him in the face, but Zelf is still transfixed.
	+ Janni takes more constitution damage to allow Paris France, the ratfolk chef, to pilot his body and cook the next course.
	+ Janni slaps Zelf again and Zelf is able to break out of his fascination. Zelf makes dessert.
* At the table, Patty interrogates Paltra and Astra interrogates Grist about the death of Duke Marth.
* The banquet ends. In the kitchen, Zelf thanks Janni for helping him before threatening to bury him if they ever have a cook off again.
* Zelf has the dinner guests line up (Paltra, Grist, the sous chefs, and Buttercup) before dramatically revealing that Paltra is a Chiffonade.
* We cut to a secret recording between Justin and Paul. Zelf mixes the vials of blood together and uses Gratin's validation spell to determine that Paltra is a descendant of the Chiffonades.
* The squad fights Paltra, who is angry that the Chairman and his apprentices stole the Chiffonades' legacy.
	+ Paltra turns into a mimosa ooze, and Patty uses her tankard to scoop some of her up.
	+ They quickly knock her unconscious, and Janni, Patty, and Zelf are now level 7.
* As they head back to the Vilnit estate, a bird token from Bovil appears. He tells them that Windstar attacked him, but he stole her boat and is headed to Nan Tahrum to activate the meteor. He says to meet him there in 3 days.
* At the estate, Zelf tells Count Vilnit and Bantaro about the Chairman hunting down the Chiffonades.
* Astra watches as the Little Stranger grows in power, and she is now level 6.

## Trivia

* On the Spotify app, this episode's poll reads: "What's the worst thing that has happened at one of the squad's dinner parties?" with the results "Door is destroyed" at 17%, "Astra has panic attack" at 0%, "Patty eats eleflute" at 31%, "Someone rude to Manny" at 31%, "Zelf has panic attack" at 3%, "Literal murder" at 10%, and "Janni covered in milk" at 20%.

## Characters

### Player Characters

* Astra Blep
* Janni Brightchild
* Patty Hurts
* Zelf

### Actually Showed Up

* Buttercup
* Manny
* Gentry Til / The Dentist
* The Little Stranger
* Other unnamed dinner guests
* Grist Caskchill
* Paltra Mimosa
* Sevel Marth (as a body)
* Countess Vilnit
* Count Vilnit
* Prince Erling
* Paris France
* Bantaro Valentine
* Marth by Marth sous chefs
* Bovil Flaskforge (via bird token)

### Mentioned

* Ebnir
* Wyn Marth
* Mouschino
* Glorihan Phirel
* Elarinya
* Gratin Dofinwa
* Nipip
* High Chef Chiffonade
* Ten-Face
* Bokus Dore
* Chairman Naga
* Rabual the Generous
* High Chef Vilnit
* Rachiel Windstar
* Gyiha

## Locations

### Visited

* Mealnor
	+ Restaurant district
		- Marth by Marth
	+ Vilnit estate

### Mentioned

* Mealnor
	+ Restaurant district
		- BnB 3.5
	+ Sewers
* Swanspell
* Bigrim
* Nan Tahrum