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Episode 17: A Date with Death

You began in the woods of Mab, close to the workshop of Yannik. Still unsure of how to deal with Petra (the remaining tiefling under the thrall of Dolly's Suggestion spell). Raidion and Kelnys attempted to convince her that her companions had been killed by gnomes. They swiftly failed in this objective, but Petra (seemingly resigned to the idea that chaos would follow the deaths of the Virtuous) was willing to talk. She shared a strange conversation with Raidion as the wood elf helped her bury her tiefling companon. Meanwhile, Quincy (savant of the workshop) headed back inside with I (tCntM) to make the necessary repairs to I's Grēnweard crossbow. As the gnome and the kobold tinkered, the first tentative bonds of trust emerged between them. With Quncy coaching I through the process. Dolly set to reading the tome that Torian gave her, as Raidion attempted to gain more information on Iago (the leader of the gang that Petra was a member of). She revealed that he ran card games and was an expert at winning games of chance by whatever means necessary. She also explained that the gang had raided the gnomish workship hoping to find funds that would cover their costs while they waited for a substantial debt to be paid. Petra told him that they did not plan to return to the gang, instead striking out on her own, greeting Raidion's idea that she should relocate to Mouse with scorn. The burial complete, Petra headed out into the woods alone. Meanwhile Quincy and I had completed their renovation of the crossbow and the kobold shared his plans for a high chair with the gnome, the two of them riffing on more ways the design could be optimized. Quincy agreed to try to created a formal schematic that I could take to a carpenter needing a day in her home in Yannik to finalize the design. Having rested that night, you headed towards Yannik, deciding on some extraordinary pseudonyms, including Missy, Pebble, and Steve Chase. Now, sure to avoid detection, you reached the farms that bordered the town. You were initially concerned that there were no signs of life in the fields, though Quincy reassured you that the populace would be gathered in Oratory Square in the center of Yannik (where the people meet to vote on matters of great importance in a tradition called "The Right of Common Voice"). This proved to be the case when you reached the town center. All the folk of Yannik gathered as a single elf stood atop a fountain pontificating and philosophizing to the frustration of the assembled crowd. You learned that this elf was called Penick Winter von Ven, a member of a group called "The Learned Friends" (a glorified debating society and educational institution who often hijack the Right of Common Voice to practice their debating skills). The reason for the gathering of the people seemed to be the attack on the workshop and the gnomish community's desire for the watch to be dispatched to rescue Quincy. When Quncy revealed herself to be alive and well, the crowd began to disperse before Elowen spotted a familiar face making her way through the crowd towards your gnomish friend. It was Aeris (mother of Isolde and 'Reeve' of Yannik). Elowen asked Quincy to make introductions and Aeris attempted ot hid her surprise at Elowen's appearance, inviting you all to the official residence where you could talk in private. Spotting I's newfound proximity to Quincy, Raidion and Dolly attempted to interrogate the kobold on whether any romantic feelings had begun to develop. I was genuinely baffled by the insinuation (not understanding the first thing about romance), yet he still somehow managed to get himself politely turned down by Quincy (who remained none-the wiser throughout the interaction). In the house of the Reeve, Elowen told Aeris of Isolde's wish (that the people of Yannik relocate to Mouse). Aeris agreed that it would be wise, but the traditions of the town decreed that she cannot issue an order, only invite people to vote. She told you that the main obstacle to such a vote being cast was the Learned Friends, and chiefly Penick Winter von Ven (who choked any chance of a decision being made by monopolizing the debate). He made multiple offers to kill various members of the House of Learned Friends, all of which were politely rebuffed by Aeris. Raidion recalled Iago being owed a debt by a highborn elf and came to the conclusion that Penick could be the elf in question. So you headed to the Black Cat Tavern (which Aeris had told you was located at the southern edge of the town). It was a run-down establishment owned by a surly dwarf called Tommen (who was reluctant to buy spoons, but quite happy to sell information). He told you that Iago might be found at the card table at the Tipsy Scholar. So that was where you headed next. Workshopping a name for your new spoon-selling company on the way. You found the Tipsy Scholar to be a far salubrious establishment with its halfling landlord Broderick starved of conversation by his haughty clientele. Dolly successfully schmoozed him and secured a few spoon sales until he offered her a seat at the exclusive card table that his son Finley runs in the back of the tavern. As Dolly secured rooms for the night, the rest of you occupied a table and waited for the card game to start. The conversation drifted to relationships and romance with Kelnys becoming distant as the focus turned briefly to him. After some time passed, the door to the tavern opened and a tiefling entered and spoke to Broderick. It was Iago himself, searching for someone. Having told Broderick to do what he could to ensure a certain acquaintance of theirs sat at the table that evening, Iago left the tavern, followed by Raidion and I. They snuck across Oratory Square, watching as Iago stared at the House of Learned Friends, only moving when a scholar emerged. He tracked the scholar down a quiet side street; Raidion and I managing to keep pace without being seen themselves. Reaching his prey, Iago forced him up against a wall where he threatened him, cutting him with a whip carried at his side and telling him to make certain that another scholar attended the card game. Deciding against attempting to steal Iago's whip, Raidion and I (tCntM) headed back to the Tavern where Broderick led you through to the card room at the rear of the Tipsy Scholar. There you found Iago waiting, along with Finley (Broderick's son) sat at one of the tables. Dolly joined them and they played a few hands in anticipation of a third party. As the rest of you busied yourselves with books and took your seats at the remaining table, Dolly and Iago traded wins and losses with Dolly realizing that her fellow tiefling was forcing cards and cheating (though she decided not to call out this trickery). After the second hand was played, you heard the noise of someone approaching the card room. It was Penick Winter von Ven. Iago changed in an instant, insisiting that everyone leave. Broderick and Finley did so (the rest of you remaining) as Iago struck Penick with his whip before Dolly stepped in. Elowen closed the door, leaving the five of you alone with Iago and Penick, the tiefling smiling as he considered his options. Roll Initiative Iago has just watched you shut the door, Elowen (with Kelnys nearby). Dolly, you're directly in front of him with Penick nearby, prone on the floor. The other three of you are 15 feet away towards the far wall where the other table is located near some bookshelves. Iago looks at you, Dolly. Takes in your friends and says, "You made a very big mistake." You watch as he lifts his hand, and from his palm spreads a sphere of blood-red mist.

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Previous Episode: Politics and Poker Faces

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Episode 16: Politics and Poker Faces

You began in Mab. The Docent of Grace having spoken words you heard in the orbs at the peak of Mt Atria. After whispering into Kelnys' ear, the dragonborn asked to know more, whereupon the Docent recounted everything you had heard from the orbs at the top of the mountain. Exhausted by the effort, the Docent needed support from Dolly, not knowing where this new knowledge had come from. She did, however, recognize the party, having seen Barabask's message in the sky after the battle for Mouse. The Docent reassured the newly dead that she did not believe Barabask. Five mortals surely couldn't slay nine gods and four antiqua. Reassured, Kelnys offered a gift. A staggeringly beautiful cherrywood spoon. Moved by the craftsmanship, the Docent offered Kelnys a truth, telling him that "Yilder seeks the son of the Tree Speaker". You bade farewell to the Docent and headed into Mab, finding a tree under which you could make a camp. As the rest of you slept that night, Dolly was left to watch, though she failed to hear footsteps stumbling through the wood. Fortunately, Kelnys (tossing and turning in a sleepless night) was roused and headed towards the noise, finding a gnome stumbling through the woods. The gnome's name was Quincy and she was Savant of the nearby gnomish temple which had hosted a gathering of the local gnomish folk after Barabask's revelation. During their discussion, a gang of tieflings had entered the workshop, demanding that the gnomes turn over any gold that they had hidden. When Quincy protested, she had been knocked unconscious, only waking in the night and sneaking away. You offered to help her on the condition that you receive some form of reward, with Quincy agreeing to your terms and guiding you through the woods. At the workshop, you approached to the sound of voices within. Two tieflings arguing over Quincy's escape mentioning a highborn elf who owes a debt to Iago (their leader). Raidion led as you gained access pretending to be a party of refugees from Mouse looking for shelter. Dolly cast Charm Person to sweeten the deal with the two tieflings while Kelnys took the remaining bandit (a human wizard) into a side room where he tried to subdue him. The dragonborn was unable to do so and the Wizards summoned an earth elemental. Dolly convincing one tiefling to drink wine outside with her as the rest of you scrambled to dievert attention away from Kelnys' fight. As I (tCntM) and Ellowen joined forces with Kelnys to kill the caster and consequently the elemental he had summoned Raidion battled with the remaining tiefling. Another clutch use of Hypnotic Gaze turning the tide of battle in his favor. Together you downed the hypnotized tiefling and searched the temple (finding no wealth, nor bodies, but) revealing a spectral hologram of Ristrin (the gnome deity). That done, you headed outside, where the remaining tiefling happily drank wine with Dolly, revealing that Iago (their leader) sometimes had rooms at the Black Cat Tavern in the attic. You left Petra, still under the thrall of the Suggestion spell and rejoined Quincy, resolving to head into Yanick with the gnome, though not before she made repairs to I's Grēnweard crossbow. It is still nighttime. The smallest of the small hours; 2-3 o'clock in the morning. You're on the edge of the tree line. Quincy with you having just agreed to fix I's crossbow. You can hear the occasional satisfied slurping of wine from Petra away at the front of the workshop on the grass.

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Previous Episode: Blood, Wine, and Moonlight

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Episode 15: Blood, Wine, and Moonlight

Last time, you began in the aftermath of the Battle for Mouse. Barabask's projection fading into the Winter sky, having declared you 'god killers'. Torian fled, sobbing, towards the castle. Having reasserted their trust in you all, the brothers followed him to offer some comfort. Left alone in the battlefield, Dolly began to search Morgan's body, her hands absent-mindedly touching his shadow, whereupon her visage changed to his and she sensed the last remnants of Morgan's turmoil in the hours before battle; how he wished to free himself of his compusion to fight. As Dolly sloughed off Morgan's features, the rest of you set to searching the bodies of the dead. Finding many carved stone whistles in the shape of skulls, as well as the numerous cloaks, masks, and gloves of the Gloam. I (tCntM) climbed to the top of the now ruined brewery and found Morgan's bedroll and personal effects. Among them was a letter, which Endellion/Ellowyn read and appeared to be from Morgan's mother. Endellion/Ellowyn headed deeper into the town of Mouse, where she found the body of Mina (master of arms for Castle Grēnweard) who had laid down her life buying time for the brothers to save the villagers as the Gloam attacked. Having paid her respect, you all headed back into the castle where you were greeted as heroes. You returned to Endellion/Ellowyn's room and discussed Rivenna and the Deck of Many Friends. Raidion telling the others that the Deck was too powerful an item for him to wield alone. The rest of you agreeing to use it only in moments of dire need. You dressed for dinner (I (tCntM) doing so with particular panache) before you dined with the Grēnweard family. Endellion/Ellowyn telling her family the story of how you came to be decried as 'god killers' and your involvement with The Web. You decided to journey to The Sanctum where Grawnoth had told you Parvus would be. Perhaps the Kobold Antiqua would have information on Themself (Kobold deity), the only Virtuous still unaccounted for. Dinner over, you made to leave. Torian taking Raidion's arm to ask about the Virtuous and the scene at the top of Mt Atria. Raidion spoke with him (and despite his previous penchant for telling believers that 'their gods are dead') he found the right words, perhaps for the first time. Torian emboldened by the strength he found in battle, told Raidion that he had something that could help Dolly; that she should see him before you leave. You split up and wandered the castle. Kelnys procuring a charcuterie platter for four as Dolly and Endellion/Ellowyn headed to the observatory at the top of the castle. There Dolly took Endellion/Ellowyn into her confidence revealing that she was also a native of Mouse, but she never felt the love for home that Endellion/Ellowyn had. Dolly took advantage of her new ability and assumed Morgan's visage once more, using his voice to contact The Spinner through a former associate's sending stone. "The supplies were delivered by the tiefling and the elf, but the Grēnweards held fast, Mouse stands." The reply from The Spinner arrived, "You know what this means, Morgan. She will pay the price." Back in Endellion/Ellowyn chambers, Kelnys shared out a stinky cheese and pickle platter before you all settled down to sleep. The next morning you woke, LEVELED UP, and (eager to learn what you could from the Grēnweards before you departed). Kylen schooled Kelnys in the use of martial weapons and gifted him a chain shirt so that he could be more aggressive in battle. Dolly went to see Torian and was given a book that could be studied to improve her constitution. Dolly questioned her friend's brother on the nature of good and evil, but the tiefling was wracked with doubt over matters of far greater significance. Her scent. Torian was instantly out of his depth but confimed that she smelled lovely. Finally, I (tCntM) was giften Kellin's magical Grēnweard crossbow, though the weapon was in need of attention from an armorer or blacksmith for it to function properly. The only condition demanded was that I was sworn to fight alongside his sister and keep her safe. He happily agreed. The party discussed Endellion/Ellowyn and her new name, with the Grēnweard daughter asking to be called Ellowyn from now on. Lesota gifted Ellowyn a large bag of gold originally intended for her dowry and mother and daughter shared a moment of understanding. Ellowyin then tracked down Agatha (her tutor) and asked for books that could help her teach I to read. Agatha found some suitable texts including a book of Ellowyn's own adventure stories written by her long ago. As you prepared to leave, you spotted Eden and his wife Isolde having a whispered argument. As your path to the Sanctum led you past Yannick (the open town where Isolde was raised) she wanted you to tell her mother Aeris (the Reeve (mayor) of Yannick) to relocate the populous to Mouse, thereby increasing the chance of both populations surviving another attack. You agreed to do so and then hit the road. Taking the path north towards Baruun, then crossing the Serafin river and heading into the woods known as Mab. That evening you returned to the tavern where you met Paddy and rested there that night, reaching the Serafin river the next morning. The river had changed, opaque and bright blue, much to the confusion of a dwarven fisher. Your investigations revealed nothing of use. The river behaved exactly as expected, the only change seeming to be the color. Despite your confusion there seemed little else to do and you continued over the bridge and into Mab. As you journeyed deeper into the woods, you began to smell herbs and perfume on the wind. On a verge beside the road you found wagon of hazelnut wood covered in layers of gossamer fabric. Sat at the rear of the wagon was a figure in robes the colors of Autumn leaves, their face hidden behind a golden mask with a long, hooked tube over the mouth. You recognized this figure as a member of The Gracious (an order of mystics who trade in scurrilous rumors, forgotten truths, and lost stories). Dolly wished to hear a truth and was taken into the wagon with the mystic, who she recognized as the senior member of the order (The Docent of Grace). Placing the end of the mask into Dolly's ear, the Docent breathed and whispered revealing that someone Dolly sought could be found in the Fort Forest in the southeast of the continent. Raidion was encouraged by the others to hear a truth of his own and under duress agreed to follow the Docent into the wagon. As she searched for a truth for Raidion, he was pulled into a vision. A figure with golden skin stood before and unscarred Raidion holding the bag that contains the Deck of Many Friends, then they spoke, "It will come for you Astarlis. Why? Why must you act on every impulse if you care about anything but yourself?" Raidion demanded that the vision stop and the Docent led him back out into the light to join his companions. As a token of good will, after the money the party had spent, she gifted them all a single line from a story. Then when she began to whisper to Kelnys, she shuddered and spoke something you first heard from the orbs in the peak of Mt Atria, "The Murk is thick, the Briar will hold." Kelnys, you feel the beak of this mask almost trembling. She takes a step back and the rest of you see she reaches out a hand as if to steady herself. Her masked face still turned towards you (Kelnys) and she says in a voice that you can barely hear, "I do not know this story."

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Previous Episode: Secrets for Sale

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Episode 14: Secrets for Sale

You began the night before the Battle for Mouse. Dolly (having revealed her mission from the Spinner and the party agreeing to turn from the Web) refused to hand over supplies to the Gloam. You did, however, decide that delivering the bag as promised could give you an element of surprise. You soon set to planning your attack: Dolly, Raidion, and I (tCNtM) would deliver the bag to the Gloam (Dolly and Raidion claiming they had left the rest of the party behind whilst I waited in the trees) Raidion sent a Firebolt into the sky. Endellion, Kelnys, and the Grēnweard brothers would attack from the castle trapping your enemies in a pincer. I was keen to use the bag of holding to transport Kylen (Endellion's biggest and strongest brother) into the brewery beyond the walls and thus into the thick of the action. Along with Dolly you went to convince the barbarian to go along with the ruse, but despite Endellion's permission, Kylen refused to leave his brother's side. Meanwhile Raidion sought out Lesota (Endellion's mother) finding her on one of the towers overlooking what would come morning be a battlefield. He asked her about family and about love before Lesota offered him words of comfort and acceptance along with a very awkward hug. Kelnys was preparing for the morning and, along with Wilder the Cook, searched for Goodberries in the well-stocked pantry beneath the kitchens. As he did, Endellion (or Eloen) took a moment to herself in her father's observatory far above the rest of the hubbub as Castle Grēnweard prepared for battle. Below in the courtyard, Dolly bolstered her companions with a speech. I (tCNtM) was still unsure that the plan (in its current state) would work. Together you formed a new strategy: Construct an explosive that could be detonated in the brewery to help level the playing field and catch the Gloam unawares. Endellion had returned to the courtyard and (having teased Eden from the sidelines as he trained up a militia) sparred with her eldest brother, learning that her weapons were capable of greater utility than she had previously realized. That night you all returned to Endellion's room where Raidion pitched his new nickname to Endellion. Pebble. The fact that Endellion neither attacked him, nor stormed out of the room spoke volumes for the growth of their relationship. Kylen woke you the next morning. You put your plan into action. Dolly and Raidion entered the brewery to speak with the Gloam whilst I watched from the trees. Inside the brewery the Gloam had begun to grow suspicious and made an attempt to seize the tiefling and the wood elf. Dolly casting Darkness to cover their escape as Raidion slammed the homemade bomb into position by the door. As Raidion and Dolly sprinted towards safety, I (tCNtM) emerged from hiding and lit the place up. As the gates opened, Kelnys and the Grēnweards stormed into battle. Kellen sniped from a distance whilst Eden and Kylen charged straight into the throng, as I (tCNtM) picked off Gloam warriors with his crossbow. Dolly cast Shatter. Endellion fired arrows into her foes. Torian attacked with unexpected ferocity. Raidion killed multiple enemies with a devastating fireball and Kelnys was behind a hedge. Just as you seemed to be in the ascendancy, Eden fell. His siblings and militia stunned into inaction by his death before Dolly brought him back with a Healing Word. As the battle continued to rage, I entered the smoldering brewery where he was met by an unexpected foe. Morgan. He struck I with a Blinding Smite almost downing the Kobold, as Raidion began to hear the familiar whispers of the deck in his pocket before they coalesced into a single word: "Help." I was calling out, blinded and cornered. Hoping for the aid of his friends in bringing down his foe, but Morgan the Oathbreaker Paladin summoned new reserves of fervor from his fellow Gloam members as they all attacked with sudden speed. Finally Raidion arrived to aid his Kobold companion. A clutch use of Hypnotic Gaze finally paying dividends as Morgan was rendered incapacitated. Kelnys and Torian formed a rear guard and were dealing with the Gloam that attacked in waves. Endellion fougth alongside Eden and Kylen. I had managed to flee the brewery with Dolly unable to act as Raidion remained inside with Morgan. The wood elf was stunned to realize, that merely by wishing it could be so, he had teleported from the building still retaining enough power to cast Fireball. As you mopped up the remains of the Gloam warriors, you descended en masse upon Morgan who had left the brewery and was moving into the main body of the fight with a resigned heaviness. Kelnys struck him with lighning as Dolly stabbed Morgan with a dagger who in turn struck her down (with what surely would have been a killing blow) before Raidion called (for the first time) on the Deck of Many Friends. As the card began to spin and glow, a figure emerged, Revenna Snacks. Her hair a flock of ravens that descended upon Morgan, causing him to miss his previous swing at Dolly, though she still dropped unconscious after he attacked again. Raidion revived Dolly with a Goodberry before it fell to Endellion to land the final blow on Morgan who (tear-stained and blood-soaked) thanked her as he breathed his last. Revenna became a flock of ravens and was absorbed by the card which then turned to dust. Then a figure appeared in the sky. Barabask. He accused the party of killing the Virtuous and betraying the Antiqua, naming them 'God Killers' and declaring that they were in league with the Gloam. He then proclaimed himself the new god of Reliquiae, Barabask the Sinless. You stand in the snow. The frozen ground hard beneath your feet, surrounded by bodies. Steam rising from black blood in the crisp winter morning. The image of Barabask fades, the clouds darkening. You can hear the calls of far off birds, the wind in the trees, the ragged breathing of those beside you still suffused with the exhiliration and terror of battle. Then Kylen swings his axe towards the sky where Barabask appeared and shouts "Fuck you! Fuck you! You will not harm my sister! You will not take her from us!" You hear footsteps in the snow and Torian is running back towards the castle and you can hear him sobbing, immediately having burst into uncontrollable tears.

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Previous Episode: The God Killers

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Episode 13: The God Killers

You began in the cellars of Castle Grēnweard, stood before Lesota, Endellion's Mother. Seemingly in shock, she automatically began to prepare bread and soup while Roose (the castle priest) introduced to Isolde, Eden's wife. Lesota took Endellion aside and briefly burst into tears telling her they had much to talk about but that she had better go and inform her brothers that she was home. You decided to split up. Dolly, Raidion, and I (tCntM) heading off to explore the castle whilst Kelnys went with Endellion as she reunited with her brother Kellin while she trained villagers in the use of a longbow. The others climbed the ramparts to the top of the tower at the southwest corner of the castle where they found Eden (eldest of the brothers) being guarded by Kylen (the youngest of the Grēnweards) still resident in the castle. On telling them that their sister lived, it was immediately apparent that Eden had been aware all along, sparking anger from Kylen who thundered away to find her. Raidion took the opportunity to ask how he could best gain Endellion's confidence. Eden telling him that his sister would only respect actions, not words. Down at the training grounds, Endellion was painfully embraced by Kylen and greeted with a wry smile by Eden before the brothers went inside and you were reunited with one another outside at the castle gates. You were led up to Endellion's room, covered as it was in dust, and still full of her old belongings. Raidion and Endellion buried the hatchet after their set two in the tunnels before Jeremy Teaberry (valet to Eden) asked the party to meet with the Grēnweard family in Riodhir and Iota's chambers. The reunion was complete, as Endellion was embraced by her final brother Torian. You shared stories of The Gloam, attempting to form a plan of action that would break their siege. Eventually you resolved that the party would journey through the tunnels arriving to flank the Gloam as the brothers attacked from the gate. A plan of action decided upon, Lesota once again took Endellion aside for an unfamiliar heart to heart. Despite her discomfort Lesota apologized for her daughter, offering explanation and context for the choices she made on her behalf (during a childhood in which mother and daughter had often felt distant). As recompense, she gifted Endellion her own family short sword of a life Lesota had wanted to escape, but realized now, her daughter had always craved. Back in Endellion's room, you shared stories of your families. Endellion reading a letter her father had left on her bed; written to the daughter he thought he'd lost. She was snapped out of her reverie by shouts from the battlements, where you joined the rest of the Grēnweard family. In the field beyond the walls, fires had been lit. Dolly heard a message in her head as a masked woman delivered an offer: Leave with the wounded and surrender the castle. Her threat accompanied by the sounds of screaming from nearby buildings. Bolstered by the support of his sister, Eden refused to abandon the keep. The Gloam emissary then calling out to imply that there may be traitors in our midst, ending her threat with the words, "The Web is Wide." Dolly demanded to speak with you all and left the battlements. In a stable far from the burning buildings and the Grēnweards, Dolly revealed she had been told to deliver the supplies to the Gloam and that the Web had allied itself with the cult. Knowing that to disobey orders was to risk everything, you resolved to strike out from the Web. Flies no more, you would fight for one another and for the survival of House Grēnweard

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Previous Episode: Flies in the Ointment

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Dream of the Dragonborn

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> Step into the mind of a Dragonborn! In this special one-shot episode, join the team as they dive into the dreamscape of a snoozing Kelnys. But can Endellion, Raidion, Dolly, and I navigate the twisting turns of his imagination, or will they find themselves trapped in a nightmare?

> Join Natural Six as they explore the new 2024 Player's Handbook in this standalone and spoiler-free adventure! See their characters crafted using the latest rules, offering a sneak peek at the changes coming your way on September 17th.

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Episode 12: Flies in the Ointment

Last time you began in the Distau Woods on the borders of Mouse. Endellion bringing the party up to speed on the series of trials that awaited in the tunnels before you could enter the Grenwyrd Keep via the cellars. When the others questioned how she would have such knowledge, she told them that (rather than possessing any privileged information) she was merely a native of Mouse and had learned some things in her years living there. Not entirely satisfied, you settled down to rest. The night passing without event until Kelnys, alone in the dark, decided to investigate the deck of cards that Raidion carries. An attempt to take them silently from the Wood Elf's pack roused the trancing wizard but he allowed his companion to open the pouch and study the deck. Searing pain passed through the dragonborn as he began to see names appear on the cards before they faded again. By now the entire party were awake and looking on as Kelnys closed his eyes and attempted to attune to the deck as whispers and the sounds of water grow in his head. Next he spoke to the cards but the druid felt another surge of pain and (having received no answers) returned the deck to Raidion's pack. The next morning, Endellion led the party to the base of a great tree and (moving rocks aside) revealed a seam that ran through the center of the trunk and led to a spiral staircase. You all descended, entering a series of natural caves filled with the sounds of running water. Endellion led you through the caves and behind a waterfall to a space where the Grenwyrd children had made bunks for themselves in fissures in the rock. Once more, the others questioned Endellion of her knowledge of these caves but she remained steadfast in her refusal to entertain such inquiries. You reached a great door. Endellion using her dagger to open it before you entered a chamber that housed a great mass of red glowing rock covered in limb-sized holes. Upon approaching it I (TCNTM) realized that fierce heat was emanating from the rock. Dolly spotted letters carved into it reading: How much can you bear? How much can you sacrifice? Raidion placed his hand into one of the holes, enduring searing pain and choosing to take close to his max hp in damage, though a failed CON save caused him to lose consciousness. As he did, a hollow circle of flame appeared in the far wall. A section of it filling with fire as Raidion sacrificed himself. The rest of you all placed your hands into the rock. I (TCNTM) also falling unconscious as he was overwhelmed by the pain. With Dolly's final contribution, the flaming circle was completed. The glowing stone cooled as you gained access to the next chamber and you were able to revive Raidion and I. Within you found a stone grid on the floor of a narrow chamber. A single letter carved into each slab. After experimenting with various spellings, magic missiles and bouncing wildfire spirits, you eventually identified that a series of stalagmites and stalagtites in the far end could be lined up to reveal the series of letters 'ASATO' (As Strong As The Oak). Endellion (knowing that this was the first half of the Grenwyrd family motto) completed the phrase with 'AFATF' (As Free as the Forest). Stepping on the stones bearing these letters allowed you all to pass through the chamber; the far wall opening up as the puzzle was completed. In the third chamber, what appeared to have once been a trap (that would cover the intruder in bird seed and set wild birds on them) was rendered less difficult with the birds long since having died. A chamber beyond was different than those you had encountered before. A constructed room of mid-gray stone blocks. Then the far wall moved; a stone golem standing before you. You soon realized your attacks had little effect on the creature and that there seemed to be no way out of the chamber. A clutch use of Bestow Curse from Dolly prevented the golem from attacking. Attention turned to Endellion (the rest of the party reaching the conclusion that she was the "Disappeared Grenwyrd Sister". Despite the appeals of her companions, Endellion would not budge, continuing to wait for the golem to attack before she played any cards she may have. Still, Dolly, I, Raidion, and Kelnys continued to do all they could to convince Endellion to reveal the truth of her identity to the golem. Raidion attempting to used Hypnotic Gaze to make her more amenable to the idea. He failed, but Endellion (enraged by this act) told the stone golem that she is the family Grenwyrd. As the golem knelt and crumbled to dust, a passageway into the wine cellars of the Grenwyrd Keep was revealed. The party (tested by infighting and mistrust) approached a wooden door, hearing voices behind it. The door was thrown open by a woman wielding a dagger and holding a hound at the end of a leash. On seeing Endellion, the dog (named Duty) leapt up, a puppy again, and began to lick his former mistress' face. With Duty's paws on her shoulders, tail wagging with joy, Endellion keeps looking at her mother.

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Previous Episode: Trials of the Brothers

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See the characters designed by popular gaming personalities that went into the deck that Raidion cannot escape.

This short 3 minute video

is rife with potential spoilers for those with a keen eye and clever video editing skills.

Until now we had only known about Sam Lake making one of the cards. You might recognize names like Matthew Mercer, Anjali Bhimani, Neil Newbon (Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3) and Troy Baker (voice of Joel in The Last of Us). There's also gaming enthusiasts like Jane Douglas (from Outside Xbox) in the mix and teasing more to come.

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Episode 11: Trials of the Brothers

Last time you began dancing the night away in the Orange Tree Tavern. Kelnys was cutting shapes (as I (the character, not the me) tried to ascertain what strange poison was affecting his companions) before the Kobold slipped away to his bed. Raidion was diving deeper into his cups. Feeling invincible (as he joined Kelnys on the dancefloor) before a sudden, violent bout of vomiting signaled the end of his night. As Dolly helped Raidion upstairs to the privy, the elf passed out and Dolly took the opportunity to examine the deck of cards Raidion carries in his pack. As she did whispering voices surrounded her and filled her head before she asked, "What are you?" For a moment the whispers coalesced into a single word, but she couldn't ascertain if it was 'friend' or 'foe'. She replaced the cards in Raidion's pack and (with Kelnys' help) took the catatonic elf to bed. Downstairs Endellion nursed a drink hoping Derwin Grenwyrd would appear. Eventually she headed out into the street, bumping into him as he stumbled into some bins and they shared a drink in the Orange Tree before Endellion, too, headed to bed. The next morning, Kelnys, Endellion, and I (the character, not the me) headed to collect the supplies from the Council of Equals, while Raidion nursed a truly catastrophic hangover with Dolly (who wanted to keep a low profile having seen her description on Wanted posters across the city). Endellion, I, and Kelnys gained access to the Council building, where Barnaby informed them of his displeasure that they could not be found in the barracks where Trusk could have offered them lodging. The council were now in session, so Endellion hung back while the other two ventured in to retrieve the supplies. I and Kelnys (to their credit) did their very best. They attempted to assuage any doubts the council may have about their suitability for this mission. Ezra Silverkin II (a member of the council) continued to have his doubts. I was given a brief lesson in the concept of metaphors by a dragonborn (and showed everyone how fast he could run) before the supplies were fetched and they were on their way. Meanwhile Dolly and Raidion had been making their way out of the city until guards approached and asked Dolly to come in for questioning. After flashing the ring that showed she had the favor of Trusk, Dolly was able to turn the tables on the guards and gain an apology from them, promising to return for quesioning at a time of greater convenience. You were all reunited after I, Endellion and Kelnys made their way down to the Depths. Kelnys (spotting Vim clearly under arrest) being escorted to Baruun jail for questioning. Raidion thought it was time to get out of town. You hit the road, heading south towards Mouse before Kelnys spotted a cart heading towards you. Onboard was a gnome who Dolly recognized as Silas, but was going by the name Marv. He was heading to Baruun with his wife Alice, with their cart (loaded with the larger possessions). Silas and Dolly spoke of their past and he told Endellion of the fall of Mouse and The Gloam (shadow will flood group) that had gathered to lay siege to Castle Grenwyrd. You continued, making camp in the woods at night. Endellion read a letter (from the Bag of Holding) in which Riodhir Grenwyrd offered words of encouragement to his eldest son Eden. Raidion and I (TCnTM) asked Endellion more questions of her past, though she refused to offer any information. I (TCnTM) told the story of his tribe who disappeared suddenly as he was tracking a gnome through the hills near his home. The conversation turned to friendship with Endellion reluctant to admit that any friendship existed between herself and the rest of the group. Kelnys pivoted onto spoon carving, teaching the gang about spoons, growth and mindfulness. After a restful night, you journeyed yet further south. Happening upon an abandoned cart, piled high with family heirlooms and Dolly spotted a family of halflings hiding in the undergrowth. They were fleeing Mouse, but one of the wheels of their cart had shattered and they had been unable to journey towards Baruun in safety. You spent half a day repairing the wheel. Raidion gifting his necklace to the small halfling boy before they departed. You continued to walk towards Mouse. As night fell, you happened upon a tavern full of villagers making their way north. Among them was Paddy, a baker who Endellion recognized from her childhood. After you revealed your mission, Paddy offered you day-old pastries and sorted you out with a prime spot by the fire. Raidion gave the baker the key to Jesco's in Baruun and told him it was the perfect place to establish a business. When you woke the next morning, the villagers had a whip round for a few coins and brought you another bag of old pastries. You graciously declined the money, you graciously accepted the pastries, and continued your journey. Half a day from Mouse, you encountered a party on the road. Four cloaked figures flanking a family of orcs that dragged a hand cart. As you walked closer, Kelnys spotted the mother orc mouth the word "help". This information was passed on to Dolly and a questioning of these cloaked figures began. One human took the lead insisting they were all from Mouse and journeying north together for safety. After further probing and a little intimidation, the situation culminated in Raidion casting Magic Missile on the leader and Kelnys joining the attack. After a clutch use of Silvery Barbs from Dolly and an arrow to the cheek from Endellion, the combatants admitted to trying to extort the orcs and were stripped of their possessions and clothes, scurrying semi naked into the forest. At last you approached Mouse on the fringes of the Distal Woods. You made camp in the woods in preparation for the next stage of your journey and that's where we are now. Night is falling fast in these woods.

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Previous Episode: The Kindness of Strangers

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Episode 9: The Prisoner in the Attic

Last time we began in a plaza on The Crest, buildings blazing, flames flickering high into the winter night. I (the character, not the me) watched horrified as Grawnoth was stabbed and fell before his assailant disappeared in a curl of smoke. The kobold dropped to all fours and dashed towards the stricken Antiqua, passing Kelnys (Wildshape-d into a 'larger than average' black cat). As I reached Grawnoth, he smelled a mineral, metallic smell where the smoke from the assassin still lingered in the air. Brunhilda arrived and cradled the Antiqua's body, a healing potion doing nothing to bring the dwarf back. Soon Dolly, Endellion, and Kelnys (back in his true form) began to figure out an escape as I leapt up the walls of the plaza and tried to spot the diminutive assassin as they fled. He was met by upturned faces as those in The Deal watched flames bloody the sky. A group of guards headed up to fight the fire. As I returned with what he had learned, Dolly insisted that fleeing the scene was the best course of action. Meanwhile, Raidion was investigating the final at the end of the row (already burning, thanks to Endellion's efforts) he made his way inside, briefly battling with a pair of blood-sucking surges (D4 reference?) before (driven by growing whispers from his mysterious deck of cards) he attempted to use the deck as kindling, casting a fiery Chromatic Orb before the deck reflected the damage of the spell back at him. I (who had gone searching for Raidion so that the party could escape together) spotted the wizard as flames licked up his chest. The kobold leapt into action dampening the flames and dragging Raidion into the shadows. As Dolly, Kelnys, and Endellion scurried into Grawnoth's estate, I cast Silent Image to create a large ornamental plant pot, which obscured he and Raidion from the guards. They (Dolly, Kel, Endel) hurriedly arrived on the plaza as Brunhilda (still holding Grawnoth's body) gave orders to the guards. I created the sound of screaming from the far buildings allowing the party to sneak away. Wearing I's Cloak of Many Fashions Raidion attempted to pass as a guard but was pushed from pillar to post by Brunhilda and the other guards before he eventually made his way to join the others on the walkway. Together you fled The Crest as the sky burned and decided to head for the one place you felt you could hide until things blew over; Casper's hideout. On arriving, Endellion caused the wall to fade and you were struck by a familiar metallic smell. I recognized it as the aromas in the smoke after the disappearance of Grawnoth's assailant and as you descended the stairs, you were met by Medea. Scrawling in a book, her face streaked with blood, sat amongst the bodies of Casper, Juno and Goff. You battled with Medea in the cellar, Dolly forced to attack her companions (though Endellion restored the tiefling to her senses by slamming her head into a crate). I (falling for the first time before being brought back by Kelnys) and with the help of Calum the Wolf, a first successful use of Hypnotic Gaze (by Raidion), and an imaginative use of Medea's prized murder journal, you eventually bested the halfling. Studying the journal, Kelnys learned that Medea had been keeping Rasheed, a dwarf, captive in the apothecary. You searched the bodies of the dead, finding a set of Goggles of the Night, a Perfume of Bewitching and clutch of expired potions. This done, you settled down to take a rest before I (the character not the me) crucially took a dagger to the eyes of Medea. That is where we are now, fire still flickering in the grate. The bodies have been rolled up in bed rolls and pushed to one side. It is quiet. It is still. The blood staining the flagstones around you.

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Previous Episode: The Bodies and the Book

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Episode 10: The Kindness of Strangers

Last time we began in the aftermath of the fight with Medea. The bodies of Casper's former chapter wrapped in bedrolls in the corner of the basement of the abandoned apothecary. As you prepared to rest for the night, Kelnys made one last search of the bookshelves and discovered Juno's Spellbook among the potion bottles, allowing Raidion to add another wizard spell to his list. Dolly took Endellion to one side and they shared a hushed conversation as Kelnys, I and Raidion cleared away the debris of battle with Medea and prepared to sleep. As Endellion and Dolly returned to the group, you began to talk about family; Kelnys revealing that he had not seen his for many years, toying with a pendant around his neck as he did so. That night you slept among the bodies and awoke as Level 5 adventurers. The next morning you emerged into Baruun, the city suffused with rumor after the events of the past few days. I (the character, not the me) picked the lock that held the doors of Jesco's closed and you entered the abandoned apothecary. Kelnys found some coins in the till, though not very many, and slid a door across to reveal a room filled with Medea's possessions. Kelnys recovered his scimitar and I was gifted a set of (potentially gamebreaking) boots as Raidion sounded Endellion out regarding the possibility of a later shopping trip. You ascended a flight of stairs (Raidion being pushed down a few after Endellion debuted her goggles of the night) and opened a door at the top to reveal a chained figure. It was Rasheed, member of the Council of Equals. You tended to the dwarf and he told you how he had been attacked by Medea but had been kept alive forming a strange relationship with the halfling in the hope he could save her. Having been told of the death of Grawnoth, he was keen to return to his post in the council. After I had a brief existential crisis (after failing to fade the secret entrance to the basement), Raidion encountered Evandris (a nauseating lifestyle guru) you reunited to guide Rasheed towards The Crest and the Council building. As you ascended, you encountered Eleanora Obsidian (half-elven member of the council who recognized Rasheed and (torn between relief that he was safe and a desire to swiftly reunite him with Trusk and the others) tried to hurry the exhausted dwarf along). As Dolly insisted that she give Rasheed more time, Eleanora revealed that Lode (The Dwarven Capital) had fallen to a mask-wearing cult who called themselves The Gloam. As you hurried into the council building, you heard a furious argument from Grenwyrd's chambers before you were ushered in to see Trusk, who embraced Rasheed and told you more about The Gloam. They had also attacked Brack and were laying siege to the Grenwyrd estate (a fortress that guards the small town of Mouse). After some discussion, Trusk asked whether you might be able to deliver supplies to Mouse to help the Grenwyrd's break the siege. Despite the seriousness of the moment, Raidion couldn't help but notice a certain 'je ne sais quoi' between himself and the High Advocate. As you found a quiet room to discuss your next move, Raidion ruminated on what has passed between them and what might yet come to be. Having decided that you would transport the supplies, it was decided that Raidion would speak to Trusk alone. He entered the High Advocate's chamber freshly-musked and ready for whatever may come. After confirming that the newly dead would take on the task appointed to them, he made a series of attempts to connect with Trusk on a more emotional level before a successful Insight check literally revealed that he had woefully misread the situation. Leaving with as much dignity as he could muster, Raidion reported back to the group including news that Trusk had gifted them rings that showed that they were favored by the council and by her in particular. Endellion decided she wanted to see whoever was left in Grenwyrd's chambers and slipped inside for a private conversation. You headed to the orange tree, Kelnys spotting a wanted poster that described a pink-skinned tiefling that the guards wanted to bring in for questioning regarding a 'crime of great significance'. After arriving at the tavern, you got various levels of 'white girl wasted'. Raidion drinking increasingly esoteric wine, egged on by Salis (a self-indulgent sommellier sufficiently sozzled...). Endellion and Raidion went on a shopping spree with the elf buying necklaces for his companions while Dolly and I returned to the hiding place where you had stashed the 'Gloam' cloaks and masks before you entered the city. You reunited at the orange tree, Kelnys dancing the night away as Raidion presented his gifts. It is the night before, rather than the morning after. The night is spent in revelry. A little bit of relaxation after a tough few days.

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Previous Episode: The Prisoner in the Attic

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Episode 8: The Bodies and the Book

Last time you began at the Whispering Walker, Casper informing you that the Spider Prince had arrived in Baruun and was demanding an audience. Clearly shaken, he led you through the streets of The Deal as night began to fall. Ascending a stairway to The Crest and arriving at a large building on a quiet plaza. He escorted you into a room in which two figures were waiting. The Spinner (lieutenant of The Web who you first met on the night you fought the basilisk) and The Spider Prince himself. Clad in black robes with silver thread, his face obscured by a mask made of innumerable black gems. He questioned you on the events at the top of Mount Atria, toying with a silk bag on the table as you spoke. Apparently satisfied with your answers, the Prince moved his attention towards Raidion Thornbear, demanding to know of his family. When Raidian told him that he remembered, the Prince turned towards The Spinner telling him: "I think you're right, but I don't understand how." I (the character not the me) told the Prince of the orbs, the words "The Shadow Will Flood", and the blight that you found at the peak of the mountain. Kelnys spoke of the child mentioned by the voices in the orbs. With all your reports made, The Spinner took the floor and told you of a new mission. You were to burn down the five buildings that share a plaza with Grawnoth's residence. The Web has been financing the expansion of the city of Baruun and debts are owed. At this point, Raidion stepped forward telling the Spider Prince of Barabask's betrayal and stating his desire to kill the Elven Antiqua, should the opportunity ever present itself. He wished to speak privately with the Prince and the Spinner, but was summarily dismissed in this request. Dolly turned to leave before The Spinner called her back. She alone was to remain. The others shuffled out and could hear nothing before Dolly emerged, discussions having taken place. You headed towards the plaza in order to stake out the five buildings, passing a few drunk workers who you overheard speaking of a colleague, Vim, who was as yet unaccounted for. You split up and began to investigate. Raidion casting Disguise Self to take on the appearance of one of the drunk workers and happening to stumble upon Vim. A tiefling trying to sleep off a hangover in a pile of insulating fleece. A moving one act play followed and Vim eventually stumbled off with a belly full of booze and a heart full of hope, leaving Raidion with a set of keys he had pilfered from the tiefling's pockets. As Kelnys overheard some of the commotion, he tripped over a pile of building materials, setting off a series of unfortunate stealth checks suffered by the party, which gradually increased the attention of Grawnoth's guards. I (tCntM) managed to throw them off the scent with a feline use of Silent Image and a little persuasion. But Brunhilda and the guards were beginning to pay attention to the growing commotion in the plaza. After a few failed attempts to climb some trellis, Dolly started a fire at the base of one of the buildings and Kelnys summoned his Wildfire Spirit (in the form of a pine marten called Hank) to begin a blaze in another. Raidion Misty Stepped into an unoccupied building. I (tCntM) fell foul of a magical door knocker and Endellion enjoyed a less than ideal time in the darkness as she attempted to get to the farthest building and prepare it for ignition. Her fire started, Dolly feigned insouciance as she headed towards Grawnoth's estate. Brunhilda and the guards emerging as one of the buildings succumbed to the flames and collapsed. Dolly cast Suggestion on Brunhilda and told the captain of Grawnoth's guard to head to the building at the farthest end of the plaza where Endellion had succeeded in starting a fire. Meanwhile, Dolly began to plant seeds of fear into the mind of a guard, causing him to develop an aversion to a slightly larger than average black cat, which I (tCntM) had caused to appear earlier in the encounter. By now Raidion had set another building ablaze and he dashed out to see Brunhilda, telling her that Vim had gone crazy and had been declaring his desire to burn the buildings to the ground. By this point it was only the building nearest Grawnoth's estate that was free from flames. Kelnys soon saw to this and the whole plaza was engulfed in fire and smoke. As Brunhilda arrived at the final building, she spotted Endellion in the shadows and (flummoxed and flustered) the fighter could not give a convincing reason why she was there. Soon I (tCntM) interceded and managed to convince her to head back towards Grawnoth's estate with Endellion in tow. As they approached, Endellion and I (tCntM) saw a figure next to the gates. that led to Grawnoth's residence. I (tCntM) realized that it was Grawnoth himself emerging to inspect the blazing plaza where multiple buildings had now fallen to their foundations. As I (tCntM) looked on, a figure emerged from the shadows and plunged a knife into the Antiqua before disappearing in a whirl of smoke. As far as the rest of you are concerned, nothing has yet changed. Endellion, you have seen this figure slump to the ground against the gate post. You've seen an assailant disappear in a curl of smoke. I, you know who it was, you know this was Grawnoth. The flames are flicking higher, licking up the sides of the walls. The three remaining burning buildings are on the verge of collapse.

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Previous Episode: The Spider and the Flies

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Episode 7: The Spider and the Flies

We began as Endellion listened in on the scenes unfolding around the jail complex. Despite the cacophony and chaos, she decided to return to Casper's hideout, trusting that her companions would succeed in breaking out Medea. Having arrived back at Casper's and trying unsuccessfully to coax conversation from Goff, she warmed herself by the fire. Meanwhile the others were up to their knees in wastewater in a rancid reservoir beyond the city walls. They sought out a nearby well and some clean clothes to regain a little dignity, though I had "gone into his shell" after his struggles during the breakout. The worst of the filth removed, Kelnys, Dolly, Raidion and "I" (the character not the me) re-entered the city, bought some ill-advised mystery meat and returned to the hideout. Once there, you washed, rested and ate. Raidion took the opportunity to interrogate Dolly on her connection to the prisoner, Indy, and the truth of her past. They shared a little of their lives before resolving to try to trust one another as Kelnys secretly listened in. Casper attuned Endellion to the gem that allowed entrance to the hideout and they shared a secret conversation which I shan't spoil for players who weren't present (so if you want want to find out about that go back and listen to the previous episode). Endellion brought "I" out of his funk with an elaborate ruse to convince him he was capable of controlling the gem. As the others slept, Kelnys spied Radion placing something into Dolly's pack. When you woke the next morning, Raidion (full of apologies for his previous impulsiveness) asked the rest of the party to trust him and to follow along with his plan to speak to Grawnoth. It was now that Kelnys spoke up regarding Raidion's actions in the night, but a search of Dolly's bag revealed nothing. Raidion removed a leather pouch from his pack containing a deck of cards. I reached out to touch it and felt a jolt of pain in his head, hearing whispers coming from the deck. Raidion told the others that the cards called to him and that he feared using them, though (at Kelnys' request) he removed the deck from the leather back and you observed that patterns of mountains, thorns and black water on the cards matched patterns in the Palace of The Virtuous. With the deck carefully placed back in its leather bag, you headed to The Crest (the highest level of Baruun) still partially under construction. There, you made your way to Grawnoth's estate where Brunhilda (captain of his guard) led you to his chambers. Propped up in bed you found Grawnoth unnaturally aged since you last saw him at the peak of Mount Atria. You told him of Barabask's betrayal and Jasmee's wisdom. Horrified, he told you the truth of the world: that mortals were first bred as soldiers in The Divine War and that the gods placed some of their own power into these mortals, and as their numbers grew, they drained more and more divine power from the gods. Realizing that the collective power of mortality now outweighed that of the divine, The Virtuous, Vile, and Wild agreed a truce; creating three separate planes of existence (Reliquiae, The Fae Wild and The Shadowfell) so that mortality could never unite and destroy those that made them. Endellion told Grawnoth of the voices in the orbs and the words "The Shadow Will Flood". Showing him the mask, you you'd taken from the group in the forest, Grawnoth knew nothing of the words, nor "the child" mentioned by the voices in the orbs, though he speculated that the forest group may be affiliated with The Vile and that this child of a god could hae been the reason that the powers of The Virtuous faded suddenly a century ago. Perhaps there is a new demigod. He also revealed that the Antiqua had tied their lives to that of their deity (ie. with The Virtuous dead, the Antiqua's powers would diminish and they would die. Danily the halfling cleric of Persephone had already fallen. Grawnoth planned on telling the Council of Equals the truth in a few days once he had recovered his strength. Raidion showed him the deck of cards and though Grawnoth didn't recognize them, he could sense great magic coming from them. You then asked him where to find the other Antiqua and he told that they would have returned to their respective capitals with the exception of Parvus who would be at The Sanctum (the seat of dragonborn power). Grawnoth then told "I" that he did not think that Themself was responsible for the deaths of the other Virtuous and that they may well have sought refuge in The Old Dark (a semi-mythical place in kobold culture said to be the place where they first came into being). Though Grawnoth could not tell you where to find The Old Dark, he thought Parvus would know. Led by Raidion, you asked to be allowed to go to the Council of Equals yourselves and to warn them of the coming danger, fearing that Grawnoth's condition would not improve that that he (as Danilo had) would succumb to death. Grawnoth was (at first) reluctant to do so, fearing Raidion's impulsiveness, though eventually he agreed and sent you off with a letter than declared that you spoke with his voice and in his name. You made your way to the Council of Equals and gained access to the council building, having left your weapons at the gate (though Endellion and "I" managed to hide a dagger and thieves' tools about their persons). Endellion was keen to keep her head down throughout and spotted a red-haired, mustachioed man entering a chamber as you were led to see Trusk Moore, High Advocate of Baruun and leader of the Council of Equals. Dolly recognized this man to be Riodhir Grenweird, the Reeve of a small town called Mouse. Once inside Trusk's chambers, Dolly told her of the group in the forest and the threats made upon her life. She seemed relatively unconcerned, though revealed that she had already tightened security since the disappearance of a member of the council, the dwarf Rashiid. Then Raidion played the hits and told Trusk that the gods were dead. Blindsided and unwilling to accept this, she stormed from the the chamber to see Grawnoth herself. As you followed, Dolly went to open the door through wich she had seen Riodhr Grēnweard disappear before Endellion stopped her, insisting that 'it's not where we need to go". Skeptical, Dolly agreed, but told Endellion that a conversation would be required down the line. You reclaimed your weapons and headed back to Grawnoth's residence, where you waited until Trusk emerged after long discussions with the Antiqua. She was now accepting of the reality of the situation and returned to the council chambers to inform them. Raidion pressed Endellion on her actions outside Grēnweard's chamber, though got short shrift. You headed to the Orange Tree Tavern for a drink to touch base and take the edge off, but after Endellion said she heard a voice within, she suggested a different location. you decamped to the Wise Walker where Dolly and Endellion studied one another in silence before Casper burst in with news.

The Spider Prince wants to see you.

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Previous Episode: Hot Heads and Fast Words

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Episode 6: Hot Heads and Fast Words

Last time you began in the forest. Kelnys, Dolly and Endellion disguising themselves in the cloaks and masks of your fallen foes. Raidion and I (the character, not the me) hiding among the branches of nearby trees. After hours of waiting, and Raidion and I sharing a hammock nap, someone finally arrived. It was an exhausted, hungry, masked dwarf who refused to give her name. She passed on a message that you were to "return to the caves", but as Dolly questioned her further on those caves and probed for more information, she became wary. She suggested that you should make your own way without her; that she needed to rest and recover her strength. High in the trees, I made a gesture to rell Raidion to say silent, though after a poor insight check, Raidion let fly with a Mind Spike which both harmed and terrified the dwarf. As Kelnys and Dolly attempted to intimidate her, she fled towards the tree line. Raidion casting Web before an arrow to the back from Endellion's longbow snuffed out the dwarf's escape. Chalk one up to experience. You headed towards Baruun and stashed the cloaks and masks beneath the grate in one of the sprawling shanty towns that spreads out from the city walls. Kelnys spotted Raidion replacing his cloak and mask in his pack, and though making his disapproval clear, the dragonborn did not prevent his companion from doing so. At the gates of Baruun, your bags were summarily searched. One of the guards moaning that someone called Grenwyrd (a member of the Council of Equals) was throwing his weight around unnecessarily by insisting on checking the packs of travelers who entered the city. You gained entry to The Depths, the lowest level of Baruun, and hive of industry and activity. At its center you found a great staircase with a mural of The Virtuous scarred by the words "The Shadow Will Flood" in black paint. Raidion spoke to a guard called Marcus about the group you had encountered in the forest and demanded a reward for this information, swiftly being shot down in that request. Marcus took the party's names (though Dolly referred to herself as Pamela) before you made your way up into The Deal (the second level of the city). After filling your bellies with meat skewers, you approached a tavern called The Wise Walker. Endellion, Kelnys and I headed inside, but Raidion spotted a hooded orc beneath a half-finished web symbol scratched into the tavern's exterior wall. He revealed himself to be a member of The Web. Telling Raidion and Dolly that The Spinner sends his regards. The others were retrieved from the tavern and you all followed the orc, Casper, to his hideout beneath an abandoned apothecary. There you met Juno (Casper's lieutenant) and Goff (a silent soldier who stared unblinking into the middle distance). Casper informed you of your new mission: to break out a member of their chapter, a halfling called Madea from Baruun jail. You headed out to case the joint before midnight when a guard change would give you a chance to spring and escape. Down in The Depths again, Kelnys Wildshaped (it was a big moment for everybody really) into a cat and searched the walled jail complex (making friends with a guard and discovering a sickening act of violence that had been perpetrated by a female inmate that day). He also spotted a halfling matching the description of the one you were meant to rescue locked in a basement by looking through a grate in the jail floor. This done, he returned and explained the layout. "I" took up a vantage point overlooking the area and resolved to make his entrance via the roof planning to shimmy down on a rope secure to the outer walls of the city. The plan for the others involved a Disguise Self-ed Radian and Endellion posing as guards while Dolly played the part of a prisoner, though Endellion wisely decided that her skills lay elsewhere, so she would keep a watch from outside. Kelnys turned back into a cat and slipped again into the jail complex. Raidion and Dolly put on quite a show at the gate, gaining access on the condition they were accompanied by another guard. As they made their way towards the jail, "I" misjudged his distances, crashed into the ground (alerting the guards to his presence) but a swift clamber back up the rope afforded him a chance to stay unseen on the outer walls of the city. Kelnys entered the jail before dropping his cat form and trying to open a large door that gave access to the basement. Here he was spotted by a prisoner who begged to be released, though Kelnys snuck away as Raidion, Dolly and the other guard entered. Raidion convinced his guard companion to go home for the night, though not before lending Radion his keys. As you passed his cell, the prisoner made another plea, this one to Dolly. She recognized him as Indie, an old acquaintance and agreed to release him. He was too scared to help with the escape of the halfling however and instead snuck away towards the gate house. By now "I" had made his way down to the ground behind the jail house (taking some falling damage in the process) before he scaled the building and shimmied down the chimney, joining his companions as they relieved the guard on duty in the basement. There you met Madea. Bloodied, bound, and unafraid. Chained in a cell between grates in the ceiling above and the floor below. As you heard the sounds of Indie being recaptured in the courtyard, you quickly removed the grate in the floor allowing access to the fast flowing sewer water beneath. Radian unchained the halfling but triggered a glyph which left him briefly paralyzed. Madea insisted on having a weapon and having been lent Kelnys' scimitar, thrust it through the throat of another inmate who "had been looking at her in a way she didn't appreciate." Heaving Raidion's paralyzed body with you, you all jumped into the sewer. As Raidion regained the use of his limbs, you negotiated protruding pipes, sudden drops, and a near-death experience for "I". As Madea managed to swing herself clear of the water, the rest of you were catapulted out of the sewers into a lake beyond the city walls. Stinking but alive. Endellion, you have watched your companions (as cats, disguised as guards, and as rope-toting Kobold rogues) disappear towards a prison complex. Then you have started to hear shouting. You can't hear names, but you hear that someone is being recaptured in the courtyard. You are at a distance. There was a kind of collection of buildings that you were near. “I” had gone up and got a vantage point and looked into the compound. You, for now, have stayed on the ground floor.

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Previous Episode: The Girl in the Cell

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Episode 5: The Girl in the Cell

Last time we began in the aftermath of the fight with Jasmee. The five of you and (Housewives' Choice) Morgan, the newly dead, alone in the forest. Holding a letter in which Barabask had condemned you. Morgan told you it was time for him to depart; that he would be reporting back to The Spinner, who had been kept abreast of developments up to this point. Knowing that your path led towards Baruun, you said goodbye. Before the sounds of the Festival of Benediction and the promise of caramel treats proved impossible to resist. Dolly, I and Kelnys convincing Endellion and Raidion to let them 'check out' the market. You slipped unnoticed into the tents, I stealing his body weight in artisanal gnomish popcorn before Endellion was finally able to take the edge off with a goblet of spiced wine. Dolly spied an opportunity to make some quick coin and set up a store hawking the many spoons that Kelnys has made along his travels. A crowd soon gathered and spoons were selling like hotcakes before Endellion spotted Pollyanna (the junior cleric of Theolon who you first met when you entered the festival). Kelnys scrambled to gather his spoons as you all prepared to run before a clutch use of Thaumaturgy from Dolly attracted the attention of Pollyanna and the other festival goers to a new caramel seller's startup. It's rich story telling. You left the festival, and guided by Kelnys, you knew the roads well. Made your way to a tavern, the Old Oak. There you drank and ate your fill; Kelnys gifting Dolly an ornate spoon and I gleefully discovering the existence of high chairs. As the others made for their comfortable beds, Raidion sought out the quiet of the forest. He dug a hole in the earth and buried a deck of cards inside it, silencing the perpetual whispers and screams he could hear in his head. With that done, he burst into uncontrollable tears (God he's complicated, but I know I can fix him!) The next morning you headed for Baruun, taking a shortcut through the forest so as to avoid a ponderous journey by road. As you made your way through the dense trees and foliage, Kelnys spotted light and heard whispered voices. I (the character, not the me) and Raidion snuck forward, spying two figures dressed in slate gray cloaks with silver masks. They were disagreeing over their orders (to wait in the forest) with one of them relishing the chance to "bleed the council" and making particular reference to someone called Trusk. The other insisted that, having written the message, they were now to wait for further instructions. Raidion snuck back to relay this to the others and Dolly approached, but a misplaced step in the dry bracken alerted the vicars to her presence. She attempted to pass herself off as a lost traveler heading for the toilet miles from the road, but as she headed back into the dense forest I watched as the masked figures prepared to follow. The kobold bolted back to you all with Dolly still in the open and the others hid as an arrow flew from the trees and struck Dolly in the chest. Another followed and Dolly fell. Two enemies, one wielding an axe and the other a bow, approached to inspect the body. Raidion cast web, restraining two of them, as Endellion emerged to slice into the axe man. A third enemy emerged from the trees, wielding a rapier, and he too went on the attack. I was first to Dolly, bringing her back with a potion of greater healing and from this point on, Dolly rescued from death, it got pretty dark. Raidion killed the archer with a mote of acid. Before the rapier-wielding mask man battled with and (sliding a rapier between his ribs) downed Kelnys. I (the character, not the me) slew the axe man with a crossbow bolt as Dolly brought Kelnys back with a healing word. Raidion cast mind spike on the rapier wielder and gained the ability to psychically locate him. Realizing the danger he was in, your remaining enemy fled into the forest with the words, "the shadow will flood". Thanks to the Mind Spike, Raidion and I were able to track him through the trees before another well-placed crossbow bolt to the back brought the runner down. I approached, wearing a mask like that of his enemies (having cast silent image) and attempts to gain more information, but learning little. You discovered a letter on the body. Raidion arrived and begrudgingly praised I before reading the letter which said, "Camino, write the message on the mural, then return to the forest and wait. The water will soon rise." As Raidion put the letter in his pack, he discovered the deck of cards he buried in the forest had returned to him. As you searched the bodies in the area around the campfire (where you had happened upon your enemies) you discovered black paint and and a brush before Raidion suggested that Dolly, Kelnys, and Endellion adopt the identity of the three enemies you had killed, and wait for instructions to arrive. This course of action decided on, you remained in the forest and that's where we are now.

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Previous Episode: The Newly Dead

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