Critical Role - C3E2 Trial by Firelight

Episode Date: November 4, 2021

The three groups of adventurers slowly begin to form a cohesive unit as a tentative alliance is forged with the vigilant and mysterious Lord Eshteross...Due to the improv nature of Critical Role and other RPG content on our channels, some themes and situations that occur in-game may be difficult for some to handle. If certain episodes or scenes become uncomfortable, we strongly suggest taking a break or skipping that particular episode.Your health and well-being is important to us and Psycom has a great list of international mental health resources, in case it’s useful:http://bit.ly/PsycomResourcesWatch Critical Role live Thursdays at 7pm PT on https://twitch.tv/criticalrole and https://youtube.com/criticalrole. To join our live and moderated community chat, watch the broadcast on our Twitch channel.

Hi there, this is Matthew Mercer, resident Game Master here at Critical Role, to welcome you to this podcast version of the show. If you'd like to watch the stream as it airs, you can catch it Thursdays at 7pm Pacific on twitch.tv slash criticalrole or youtube.com slash criticalrole. Twitch subscribers can access the video on demand immediately after the broadcast, and it also becomes available on YouTube Mondays at 12pm Pacific. Podcast episodes land right here on the Critical Role Podcast Network on Thursdays, a week after the initial broadcast. Okay, with that info dump out of the way, let's dive into the story.

Hello everyone, and welcome to tonight's episode of Critical Role, where a bunch of us nerdy-ass voice actors sit around and play Dungeons & Dragons. We play Dungeons & Dragons! Vroom, vroom, vroom, vroom, vroom, vroom! Yeah! I am Laura Bailey. Matthew Marr's dressed up as Laura Bailey. And welcome to our Halloween episode.

Let's go around the table and see what other people are dressed as, starting over here. You. Oh, hi. I'm... I'm the Annie-wearing Sam Riegel. Perfect. And you, Ryan. Oh, I am Robbie Damon.

I know this is the face, pretty sure, right? And I'm Matthew Mercer. Hold on a second, hold on. Glub, glub, glub, glub, glub. Psh! Don't you make sound effects a lot? I don't know. I was trying.

Not monsters, water. I should just remind you, I should drink more water. Thank you, Robbie. Marisha. Yes, hello. I am Taliesin Jaffe. I'm 948 years old. Go dance in graveyards or eat pie or something.

Yeah, yes. You precious, huh? Hello. Oh, oh no. Hey, hey, hey, I'm Marisha Ray. I'm Marisha Ray, and I'm creative director of Critical Role. And this is what I'm wearing for Halloween. So, whoop!

Perfect! Ashley. Hello. Good voice. Don't freaking smile. Don't fucking smile. I'm partner with a guy! I'm Travis Willingham, CEO of Critical Role. Oh, fuck. I'm a dad.

My wife, Laura Bailey. Hi, baby! Hi, baby! And, um... Shit's coming off. That's it. My friend over here, who's here? Oh, hey. Oh. Hey. Oh no!

Oh, yes, yes. I'm Robbie Damond. You may know me from such shows as Oh boy. Spider-Man. I'm Hot Boy. Hello! I'm Ashley Jenkins.

But actually Liam O'Brien, but hello, star of such things as Narrative Telephone, Warlock. What about Gale? Warlock? You got Gale. Warlock. What is this mug?

It's a blind spot thing. Oh! Beautiful, beautiful. Well done. Nice work. Finally, I'm Liam O'Brien, Taliesin Jaffe, really. I'm Art Dad, who you probably know from Twitter. It's just lovely to be here,

and hello to all the critters out there. Aw! Art Dad! I believe Taliesin, I believe it's Art Daddy. Art Daddy. That's true, that's true. And dangerous. Well, all righty.

Well, after that little Halloween intro. I'll do some more serious things. Yeah, let's make this night completely serious. Let's get to some announcements before we jump into episode two. It's hot. I'm trying to make their upset. There's no instructions. It goes trying to... There it is. There's no instruction.

It goes under here, I think. Now Marisha looks like a wicked and divine character. Why does it work so well? It works really well. There it is, that's it, that's it. Beginning with the first of our responses for the night, Ravensburger, Marisha. Ravensburger.

Yo! Yo, yo, yo! I'm Times Square, a frightening gargoyle from the Big Apple! Hey, yo! I'm walking here! They call me Staten Island, and I love scaring tourists! I am Robbie Damon, and I don't really know what's going on. And you look at him, Famous Ray's the grumpiest, grouchiest gargoyle of all! Real talk, we're here to plug the sponsors of tonight's episode, Ravensburger, and their new title, Disney Gargoyles Awakening. Based on the first season of the 1994 fan favorite Disney cartoon.

Disney? The game, yeah, three syllables, obviously. The game includes six miniature Goliaths, Brooklyn, Lexington, Broadway, Hudson, my bro, and Elisa Mesa, each with totally tight, unique abilities. The accents, are they like New York or Jersey, or am I supposed to do the same thing? Is it a thing you guys rehearsed?

Use-can-play is a full cooperative experience, or one versus many game, and it contains four scenarios to play. Bada-bing, bada-boom! Check it out right now at bit.ly slash CRGargoyles. Now let's give the people our scary gargoyle faces. Rawr! Travis, can I switch to the other side? Rawr! It's scrolling so slow.

Now we're gonna say our favorite thing about being a gargoyle. Mine is defending the night. Go one, mine is casting spells. Okay, roll up, role playing. Mine is, I'll take a pigeon, I'll rip his wings off and throw him off the top of the roof. Whoa, holy shit, dude, what the hell?

Is that right? No, Robbie, that's not right. It's a kid's cartoon. Yeah, but you guys are being so scary, and I thought, like, ugh. Yeah, but why would you rip the wings off of a pigeon? That's, like, what did they do to you ever? They're gargoyles, and they're on the roof.

And I just thought. It was so specific though, right? I mean, you were fucked up, Damon. Yeah, yeah. But you know what? It's fine, Rob. You're new to this. So why don't you just read the tagline so we can wrap it up.

Sorry, okay. Gargoyles is available now at- In a New York accent, you pigeon hater! Okay, right, right, right. Gargoyles is available now at all retailers! Say yo, Maddie, back to you, baby! There it is, you got there. All right, thank you, thank you.

Hey, scoog-ups! Scoog-ups! It's a whole night. Do your best. It's fine. This episode of Critical Role is also sponsored by Bethesda, and ZeniMax Online Studios, and their latest chapter release,

The Elder Scrolls Online Blackwood, which is available now on all platforms, including Xbox Series X, S, and PS5. Join the over 19 million players in the award-winning RPG and enter the Gates of Oblivion, the year-long adventure which wraps up with the launch of the ESO Deadlands DLC, coming to PC in November on November 1st and to consoles on November 16th. We also want to welcome you all to join in the fun

and please check out everything at Elder Scrolls Online at elderschoolsonline.com slash buy. There it is, we did it. Did it. Oh god, man. You're so hot. You're New Yorker. No, seriously.

I want to do your best, that's it. It's really good. This is absolute chaos. Shit, Vodna should have been a New Yorker. It's just a spot. They won't know if you changed it. Motherfool! Oh, do over, do over.

Okay, well, thank you so much for joining us live on Twitch and YouTube. To join in our live and moderated community chat, please head over to our Twitch channel. And Tales of Exandria, The Bright Queen, issue number one with our friends at Dark Horse Comics is available right now at local comic shops and digitally via Comixology and Dark Horse Digital.

Laelis Crean has spent multiple lives in her pursuit to assemble the Luxon. With her eternal lover, Qana, at her side, she will stop at nothing to use its power to bring a golden age to the people under her rule. When what seems to be another piece of the Luxon appears nearby, Lilith sends Quanna to collect it, with consequences that may threaten

the entire Kryn Dynasty. Tales of Exandria is a four-part mini-series written by the incredible Darcy van Polghist and illustrated by a couple of kooks with covers by Elin Mask. Exclusive variants of each issue are also available only from Things From Another World, featuring cover art by David Mack.

It genuinely looks so good. We've had a blast consulting on it, seeing the story through. Please be sure to support local game, or local comic book shops, if you can, on this. It's worth your time. All right, moving on to, looks like Robbie and Ashley right here.

Okay! Oh my gosh. So confused. This whole game is going to be a problem. Kith and Kin, our first novel, with our friends at Penguin Random House, is available right now for pre-order and will be released on November 30th.

Ooh! Nice, Kith. Now, in case you missed it, the audiobook version is going to be narrated by none other than our dear friend, Robbie Damon. Robbie Damon! Robbie Damon. Robbie Damon! Robbie Damon. Robbie, shit! Kith and Kin's going to follow a brand new story

featuring the cunning ranger Vex'ahlia. Vex'ahlia. And the cunning rogue Vax'ildan. And of course, Trinket. Years before they meet Vox Machina. Why don't you give them a breakdown of the story beats? After leaving the unwelcoming refuge of Singorn, I am killing this.

The twins become entangled in a web spun by the clasp. For the first time, Vex and Vax find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict that threatens the home they've carried with each other for years. Ooh. Pre-ordering. I made it sound really interesting. sides of a conflict that threatens the home they've carried with each other for years. Pre-ordering. I made it sound really interesting.

Just like the book is also really interesting. Pre-ordering Kith and Kin physically, digitally, or as an audio book will give you access to a special virtual Q&A with Laura and myself and author Marika Nykamp, moderated by our good friend Mika Burton, the lovely Mica Burton, presented by our pals at Penguin Random House. The prerecorded Q&A will air on November 29th

at 5 p.m. Pacific for those who have registered to attend. So, register to attend. Learn more. There is no thinking here tonight. Learn more about this event and pre-order your copy by visiting criticalrolebooks.com. That's a new URL? That's a new one!

Oh, hey! We like books. We got books now. And for the merch update, Robbie. Yes. First up, they've been in my lap the whole time! Oh! You're awesome!

Joggers! Joggers! I need them. They are so comfortable. Oh my goodness, short-house joggers. These are designed by our fabulous Jordan Torrance. They're sweaty. They're not sweaty.

Every pair comes pre-sweated. Why would they be sweaty? They're sweaty! Who gave you this to you, Aria? Somebody's in trouble! Travis personally wears every pair for five hours. Just smell the crotch and we'll figure out who it is. Whoa!

Fucking whoa! Anyway, they're really comfortable. Check it out. That's Taliesin. The other thing we have available right now is the do-do-do-do-do! I have it! I have it! Hold on, let me prepare.

Come on, Travis, faster! Hit it under her pants. Yeah! It wouldn't fit me, though. I'm with these muscles. It was a fabulous redesign of our Scanlan reunion tour by artist Brian Weiss, thank you very much. This updated design also includes new...

New updated tour stops. Yeah. Go down the list, babe. Climb the ladder. Come on. Check it out online to see what... Robbie, that's Laura's husband. This is so weird. Um.

Continue, Travis. Yeah, so you check it out. They're in the stores. I don't know what stores, but they're in some of our stores. Shabdad, Crimroldad, Cam. There you go. wow, okay. Well-oiled machine.

I am so sorry. Poor Rusty. If you're a new viewer. If you're a new viewer. That's so sorry. This is a fraction of how it is normally, but we'll see. Wait, you have to show off your t-shirt, Matt,

because you have the fun t-shirt on, too, and you can't see it. The mama bear. Yeah! We're all hired. Go to. The mama bear. Yeah. Higher, higher, higher. Go to stand and kill. Yeah! Well.

I'm in trouble. I think that's all of our announcements. So let's all jump into tonight's episode of Critical Role. On the continent of Marquet, disparate destinies begin to intertwine as a few small groups of companions whose lives had folded together all begin to converge within the center of the O'Dearan Wilds,

amongst the various spires of the central city of Jrusar. Upon wandering your ways through the city streets, suddenly there was a commotion. It looks like a cart. Something had detonated and sent it onto its side and let loose a cadre of enchanted utensils and furniture. Jumping to the defense of the locals, this ragtag, unexpected group of allies

managed to throw them to the ground and keep everyone safe, as well as catching the eye of the esteemed, once esteemed fighter, Sir Bertrand Bell. Bertrand then offered to pay for a meal to this crew, assemble them and invite them if they are looking for work and opportunity

to a patron that he has relationship with. After some discussion and night's rest, you all gathered the next morning and followed him to the estate of Lord Eshteross. Upon being led into the somewhat dusty and dark interior, led by a woman named Evelyn, to a study, you stepped within

and were met with a roaring fireplace and a darkly lit, dark wood interior. The individual sitting in a chair facing away from you, Lord Eshteross himself, a well-to-do, older orcish gentleman began to inquire as to what Bertrand's reason was for coming to his estate. And upon pitching yourselves as possible allies,

hires, if you will, Lord Eshteross stood from his chair, turned to you all and said essentially, Show me. Then clutching his cane, rushed you. So that being the case, friends, I'd like you all to roll initiative. Shut up!

Straight up, straight up. Yeah. I'll be right back. Oh shit. Ooh, the lights are changing. Matt is getting a map. Oh my god. This is immediate.

These fucking balls of madness. Shit. God! It's all over my face. Ah! Whoa! Tire skin. Tire quarters, tire quarters, tire quarters! All righty, so. Me on board.

Directed. Are you all standing across on the opposite end? Yes, why did I take this shit? I'm only doing close quarters. She's about spell slayer. From four feet away. Laura's already seen how long that was. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Oh, he's right up. Oh no. Oh shit. Well, at least I know who I'm standing in front of on occasion, so. All right. This'll be fun. So. 25 to 20.

22? 20. 22. 20. 21. Jeez. All righty. Out of the gate, not too bad. Orm, Laudna, Ashton. All righty. I'm down.

20 to 15. 19. 18. 18. Dope. What's your newest? Probably not that great. Zero. 10. 18. So. What's your team's? Probably not that great. Zero. 10.

I go first. Oh, well earned. So Ashton, then who? Then me, Imogen, Fearne. Letters. Wait. Imogen, Fearne, Letters? Imogen, Fearne.

Yeah. All right, and who's left? All right, what we got? Five. 14. One of those is better than the other. That is true. Doreen and Bertrand. Bert himself.

Bertie. All righty, friends. I'm in the fight! So the moment that you watch Lord Eshteross grit his teeth, tusks firm under his lower lip, you can see the deep-set wrinkles under his eyes and the intensity of a person that's probably seen some combat,

though his dark burgundy smoking robe seems to belie his very formalized and trained stance. He darts forward, but at the top is Orym, with Laudna on deck. What are you doing? Orym is going to rush forward and roll 10 feet directly in front of Sir Bertrand Bell. Right there? Right there,

pulling sword out as soon as he gets up to his feet, shield out, and will say, We really don't have to do this, and I'm going to hold my action and strike at him if he rushes me or anyone behind me. You've got it. All right. That finishes your go, holding your action. Laudna, you're up with Ashlyn on deck. Wait, you just held your action?

I'm defending the group. Oh. All right, I'll help with that. I'm going to cast Hex on him. All righty, he is indeed. On. Yeah. Oh shit! Wow! I cast Hex on him. All righty, he is indeed. On or on? On. Oh shit!

Wow! That would be amazing. All right, he is on the list out here. Hex. Just sending a cloud of black smoke and fog. And then I'm just going to go ahead and Eldritch Blast him as well. All righty, go for it, roll for the attack. You're right.

What are you? What are you? You're fucked out. Eldritch Blast. Eldritch Blast for a 20. 20 hits, go ahead and roll damage. Shit, what do I roll? What am I? You're fucked out. Taliesin Chair.

Nine total. Nine damage, got it. As he's darting forward and Orym stepping the way, he begins to slow a bit, giving me a look over, and as he does, hitting the shoulder, he's pushed back for a second, and you can see a bit of a dark energy spiral off and dissipate off his shoulder.

I take that as the dark energy flies off, I yank it right back through him for Hex damage, two points. Ooh! Nice. What? And not forget how Hex works, right? You get to add a d6. Yep, d6 when you damage, that's correct. Orym sees and goes, Well, okay.

Lord Eshterosh goes, just chuckles, Are you staying put? Can I get the furthest away in the room ever? You got 10 feet that way, or to the very back corner over here, if you want to. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that looks good. Just hiding between the furniture?

Okay, there you go. Yeah, sink into the shadows. That's horrible. You got it. All right. So Laudis turns to Ashton, there you go. Yeah, sink into the shelves. That's horrible. You got it. It's horrible. Yeah. All right. Terrible. So Laudis turns to Aashton, you are up. Attack my own. Oh, hell yes, I'm going to rage.

Like Ficus. I'm raging. What's your dexterity? My dex is 15. Go ahead and roll a d20 for me. Why? 15. 15? Hold that thought. Okay. When Westeros had the same initiative

as you, he's going to go a little bit before you do. Okay. Kind of gives you a glance and is going to is going to go ahead and rush over this way. In range? He is in range as he rushes past you, heading in the direction towards

Bertrand, Bell, and or Fearne over there. Okay, so this is, first off, it's not a reaction because I said I was going to attack as soon as he rushed. Correct, well, it uses your reaction to then use the attack. Correct. Yes. Okay. So would I be able to use Action Surge on this, or only in a straight up? Action Surge is only

on your turn. That's fine. So I'm going to use a maneuver. I'm going to try to disarm him. That is low. Take away that cane. That is, I'm sorry. Don't trust it. Where's all my stuff? Weird. Oh no! All my weapons are not on my character sheet

for some reason, but they're probably not on the paper. That's a 15 to hit, if I remember correctly. 15 to hit. As you go ahead and swing your sword towards him, the cane comes back and sparks fly off as he immediately parries it to the side, the blade deflected. Oh shit.

Momentum carries. As soon as you react and look back, he's already gone. Got it. He is rushing over towards Bertrand and Fearne over here. More Fearne, though, right? And is immediately going to go ahead. Just waiting for the Fearne voice to come out of that beard.

Can I get you a Boilermaker? Bonus action. Bonus action. Rush past both of you. Oh. Uh-oh. Towards the one that immediately struck him, kicking the chair over. You, Bertrand. Reaction attacks?

Do you get an attack of? Yeah, you both get reaction attacks of opportunity, if you want them. Opportunity attacks, older editions. We're hitting them, right? Yeah, we're hitting them. Of. Opportunity attacks. Older editions. We're hitting them, right? Yeah, we're hitting them. Of course we are, old friends of mine. That's anus, that's 12.

Nope. Woof, woof, going wide. He's a massive figure. Even with his age, he still manages to move with an incredible, unexpected speed. And all of a sudden, as, Laudna, as you duck into the corner and turn around, he's right there in front of you and is going to unleash a barrage of strikes with the cane.

Oh no. Natural one on the first one, though, and hits the top of the edge of the desk and it splinters, wood flying wide, but it manages to deflect enough where you can duck out of the way. The second strike towards you, that's going to be a 15 to hit.

Shield. Ooh. As he goes for a second strike down towards you with the cane, this arcane barrier flashes and blasts off with a flash and he goes, he's going to spin around and make his third strike against you, Fearne.

Nice. That is going to be a 19 hit. That's you, Travis. Me? Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, that hits. Okay. So like you. I touch money.

I'm taxed all the time. Me. That will be a separation. Yeah, let's go for it. 13 points of bludgeoning damage as you get beamed right in the back of the skull as you're turning over to try and figure out how you got out of your range so quickly,

and then, whack, everything goes white for a second, and you hear that high-pitched whine as you had your bell rung. Not you. Oh! That's going to finish his turn for the moment. That brings us to Imogen with Fearne on deck. Oh. Oh, okay. Oh yeah. Oh no, sorry, no, actually. Yeah, that was what I said. Sorry, you're doing the same time as him, my Fearne on deck. Oh. Oh, okay. Oh yeah. Oh no, sorry, Ashton.

Yeah, I was about to say. Sorry, you're at the same time as him, my bad. All right. Sorry. Well, here we go. We're going to rage. Roger. And we're raging. Ooh, this is going to be fun. Ashton.

Ashton begins to flicker a bit with a blue image and a red image on either side that keep popping out a bit. It's going 3D. Yeah, a little bit. Sick! Put on your glasses. So I'm going to charge right in

to see if I can get some flanking. There is nowhere to flank. The only person that's currently adjacent to him are Laudna and Fearne, and they're both on opposite sides. Okay, well, I'll get in as close to the bookcase as possible to just try and... That's as close as you can get right there?

I'll get there. Yeah. And then Reckless Attack. Because apparently they're hard to hit. That's, yeah, that hits. I hope that hits. 27 to hit. That definitely hits. Dude, that's cool., that hits. I hope that hits. I think. 27 to hit. That definitely hits. Dude, cool.

So that's, and I'm also going to put a chaos burst into this. Certainly. Boom. So that's... Seven, eight, nine, 10. That's 17 points of damage plus. Nice. 17 points of damage plus

six points of lightning damage. Nice. Fuck. Big spark comes right out of that hammer. You see the arcs of energy spidering around his body. I'm so excited, hi. All right, does that finish your turn? Yep.

All right, now it is Imogen's turn with Fernanda. Okay. I'm going to back up. How far can I get? I'm going to back up across the room. Across whereabouts? To the other side, to where the bear rug. I'm trying to back up across the room. Across whereabouts? To the other side, to where the bear rug. I'm trying to get away from him.

Three, four, five, six. That's as far as you can go. That's as far as I can go? I know. I'm going to stand on Trinket. Oh no! And I'm going to open up my mind to all of the sounds that are filling my head, and I'm going to send it over to him,

and I'm going to cast Dissonant Whispers. Ooh, all right. Try to overwhelm him. Is it a wisdom? That's a wisdom saving throw. All righty. That is going to be a failure on his part. So that's 3d6 of psychic damage.

Ooh, heck! Oh, shoot! 11, 15 points of psychic damage. 15 points of psychic damage. Nice! Full damage. And what else does it do, Dissonant Whispers? Oh, that does do things, doesn't it? Yeah. in 15 points of psychic. 15 points of psychic. Nice! It's full of data. What else does it do?

Doesn't it whispers? Oh, that does do things, doesn't it? Yeah. Oh, if it's available, let's see. It must immediately use its reaction to move as far as its speed allows away from you. Oh, yeah. If the creature doesn't move

into obviously dangerous ground, such as a fire pit, on a successful save, but you didn't save, so it doesn't matter. Yeah. He's pretty far from you. He can move further into that corner, if you'd like. Just smush up against Laudna? The other way, the other way! Excuse me. Whichever way, it's as far as this away from me.

It's basically a frame me. So I'm pushing it in there. Am I taking the Cag of Opportunity? Sorry, sorry. Forced movement? I do not, it does not trigger up. I didn't know if it was. Unless it specifies any spell directly,

it would not trigger that. Okay. So as you release the extent of these creeping whispers that normally hint around the periphery of your perspective at any given point in time and thrust them out to his mind skip. You watch him duck in and slam his shoulder into the wall and is now pushed into the far corner of the room, barely visible in the dark shadows of the chamber.

Does that finish your turn? All righty, finishing Laudna's go does now Fearne's go. Oh wait, can I, wait. Oh yeah? Can I use my bonus action? This is probably not going to do much, but I'll use my bonus action to move Laudna five feet away from him so she can get away without triggering his opportunity.

Unfortunately, the way that she and him are placed, he has completely locked her into that corner. Fuck. I should have done that before. I'm sorry. No. I know. You're in that corner with him? Oh yeah.

Okay, she's locked in. All right, cast her in a corner. Fresh cut grass, you're up. Fearne's up. Sorry, Fearne's up and then Fresh Cut Grass. That's right. Okay, so I'm going to turn around. Oh boy.

Go cowboys. And I'm going to say, I really don't like hurting the ground, but I will. I'm going to produce a flame blade in my hand and try to stab him right in the gut. Okay. Flame blade is,

and that's a bonus action to catch back, correct? It is. So this large, arched blade of fire emerges from your hand as you then, to strike him, you have to move in. That's fine. Oh boy. Okay. I have so much protein to take to live up to this.

Okay, okay. This Popeye reboot is definitely taking over. Let's pick this. Oh wow, okay, that's great. 19. 19? No, he uses Reaction, so yeah, that hits. Go ahead. Okay. He uses Reaction to move, so he does not get a reaction. That's 3d6. Okay.

Pretty good. 12 points of damage. Nice! 12 points of damage. Nice. Let's see, let me see if I can do this as well. No, I cannot. That's it. All righty. That's all I'm going to do. You got it, Fresh Cut Grass, you're up. Fresh Cut Grass! Unless you want to move.

Does he get an attack repression? He's used his reaction because he ran. Ha ha. Yes, yes, yes, I'll back up a little bit. Okay you want to move. Does he get an attack of oppression? He's used his reaction because he ran. Ha ha. Yes, yes, yes. I'll back up a little bit. Okay, how long are we at? Yeah, around that. Around there? You got it. Okay.

That means your parents go, now you're up. All right, fresh cut grass is within 30 feet of everybody, right? Seems to be, yeah. Okay. I think I'm just going to help everybody out a little bit and cast Bless on Ashton, because they are important to me. Then maybe on Laudna,

because she seems like she's in a little bit of a pickle, and on Fearne, because she's just amazing. I'll just yell to them, be optimistic of all the isms! Optimism is the most optimistic! Then I'll roll towards Orym a little bit, I guess. Then as I'm doing, if I can use my bonus action to start arming my grappling cannon.

It's an action to do that. It's an action to do it. All right, I'll just get it out and ready. Okay, so you start working on getting that situated. You got it, finishing your go. It is now Dorian and then Bertrand. What you got going on, buddy? I'm before Laudnair.

Oh yeah, you're right. I am going to, and he's backed right there. I am just going to close the distance in between him and I'll get right behind him, I believe. All right, so you're now closing the distance and pincering him, moving next to Ashton, and he is now between you and Laudna in the corner.

Mm-hmm, yeah. And I haven't drawn something yet. I've got behind me where I've got my loot, I've got, I twist a little thing at the top right where the tuning things are, and I pull out my Moontouched Scimitar. And I am going to take a big upward strike at his back. Go for it.

Not great. Yeah, that's going to be 11. 11, unfortunately. Whiff-a-roo. Is he playing? You go to swing and unfortunately, with all the furniture in the way and him pushing against the way, clutching his head from the Dissonant Whispers that are currently rocketing through his mind,

he manages to push his arm out right as you go to strike and it hits you in the wrist and deflects the attack. All right. Well, second time's a charm. I'll use my bonus action for two-handed fighting and I'll pop out my handaxe and give it another whack. You got it. Sheesh, very bad. Stick to performance. Is this your three? That's a 13.

Is this your? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 13. The second Stryker come around, and all of a sudden, as you're coming around with a large arc with your axe, catches your wrist, not even looking at you. And just turns back. Boss move. Oh no.

Everyone else was fighting, I'm sorry! All right, that finishes Dorian's go. Bertrand, you're up with Orm on deck at the top of the next round. I'll see him catch the handaxe and be like, yes, you're all doing very well. Show him what Bertrand Bell and his sorceress swords have to offer and I I'll very jauntily

make my way towards the fireplace. I don't know if there's whiskey or brandy or anywhere, but I'll just post my elbow up on the mantle and offer encouraging words. He's just getting cold because he's an old man. You're doing well! There is indeed a bottle of half-drinking brandy there on one of the side shelves.

You can just grab and start. Okay. I close up. Nerves of steel. I close up. All right, is that your turn? That's it. You got it, you're up. Orym watches that and just goes, and then turns, and Orym makes a diagonal

straight at the bookshelf and leaps and clings to a bookshelf and hangs from it and slashes down on his weapon. You got it. Yes! So I'm going to try to disarm again. That hits. That's a 22 to hit. 22 hits. Okay, so that is eight plus.

14 damage, and he has to make a strength save. All righty. Party all in that corner. That would be a 19. Oh, he saved. So, action surge. Strong dude. I've just slashed down, and I'm going to try to knock it back up with the second swipe. You got it.

Knock it back up. That is a 19 to hit. That definitely hits. Okay, same deal. Two, oh, three of those. It's just an eight damage, but it's the same strength save. Got it.

That is going to be a 15. Still holds on to his weapon. Ah, good try, though. Good try! And he's just hanging, going, Sorry. All right, that finishes your go. Laudna, you're up. Yeah, pretty much.

Taking the Dissonant Whispers that Imogen just produced, I'm going to take that and magnify it and just say, Imogen, and I'm going to unhinge my jaw. It appears like my skin starts sucking deeper into my face as black pours out of it and my eyes go black. I'm going to do Unsettling Presence on him as I just reach out for his throat as my bones kind of crick.

Okay. Oh, I love it. That is a what save? It's a... Wisdom? Yes, hang on. I was just looking at it. I wish I would have had it.

Do you awesome whisper? Seven days. He just hears, Imogen, Imogen, Imogen, Imogen, Imogen. It is, shit, I am sorry. Pretty sure it's a wisdom save on that one. I think it is, too. As an action, you can unsettle a creature within the target.

Within 15, the target is disadvantaged on the saving throw, it makes the next move. It doesn't say. Oh, so you just use the action and it gives him that? I guess so. That might be it. Yeah. All right, yeah, it's used to your action. Okay.

So he has disadvantage on the next saving throw he makes. But it is your action. Yeah, that's good. Yes, that's it, that's it. Okay. That's all I got. Yeah, he can't really move either. Nope. All right, that finishes your go. It's now Lord Eshteross' turn.

Constitution saving throw. I've got Temporal Morass going. Oh yeah, that's right. Yep. What is that? Yeah, who knows? That's just 2021, you guys. You have it going? Disadvantage. Disadvantage that's right because of that.

Yeah. Rolled higher, so that makes him 14. Oh fuck. What is Morass? 13 is the save. Yeah, it's the saves. Fuck, it's a temporal morass. Yeah. Oh, you sucked the saving throw? Yeah, unfortunately. Fuck, I would've saved. There's a weird blur around him,

almost like time seems to shift to a slower phase before it ramps back up to where he is angry. Tech. Yeah, for his turn, he is going to, glancing up at the hacking from above, he's going to go ahead and do a cane sweep on you. Watch out! Ooh!

That's a 24 to hit. Yeah, that probably hits. This is with one hand. Takes a little less damage. Oh, but he did pretty well. 11 points of bludgeoning damage. I need you to make a strength saving throw. Oh, that'll go well. 11 points of bludgeoning damage. I need you to make a strength saving throw. Oh, that'll go well.

That's 12, even. 12, fail. He takes the cane and just bats your legs out from under you up on top of the bookcase. You hear a crack in where your kneecap is, and as you begin to lose your balance, you feel a hand reach up and grab your chest

and throw you onto the ground where he is. Oh! No, no, no! You are on the ground at the feet of Laudna and Eshteross, at which point he takes both hands on his cane and is going to take a strike with advantage on you because you are prone. Get it, get it, get it. That is going to be a 26 to hit. For sure.

Oh, jeez! I'm not sure if this is going well. You take... I am the littlest punching bag. 14 points of bludgeoning damage. Oh no! As it hits you right in the sternum, you feel the air get knocked out of your chest

as you're on the ground. He's going to pick it back up, look back at you, Laudna. Before that happens, I'm going to pick it back up. Look back at you, Laudna. Before that happens, I'm going to use Transfer Suffering and take half of that hit. Okay. I'll absorb that. 14, half.

You take seven, and you have seven temporary hit points at the moment. That hurt. All righty. With that, he's going to go ahead and third strike. Noticing the impact there, going to frustratedly growl, and he's going to make one and third strike. Do we hit? Noticing the impact there, going to frustratedly growl, and he's going to make one more strike on you on the ground

because that one didn't do as much as he wanted with advantage, and he's got it there. That'll be 19 to hit. Hits. Nice. You take 11 points of bludgeoning damage. Oh! Bonus action, he's going to do a second wind,

so he manages to like, Second wind! Fucking fire! You see him begin to get himself fired up once more seven points of bludgeoning damage. Oh! Bonus action, he's going to do a second wind. So he manages to like, Second wind! I'm a fucking fighter. You see him begin to get himself fired up once more and the impacts and the damage and the windedness of his first round of combat begins to fade a little bit. Orym is looking dazed as fuck.

Yeah, you're looking, wow. He's now going to action surge. What? This guy. And look towards you, Laudna. Natural 20. Ooh! Yikes! Matt, calm down!

Taliesin McGee! Calm down! This is episode two! That was a long time ago. Somebody get Laura a donut. She's out of control. The hangry is just out of control! So five double to 10 plus four, so 14 points of bludgeoning damage to you.

It hits you upside the head and pushes you into the wall, smashing your head against the wood, and you just see nothing but darkness for a minute, beyond just the visual perspective of it. You see a black ink just smear across the wall. Yeah. It's going to spin back and do a strike behind, towards you, Dorian, who you can feel right behind him.

That's going to be 21 to hit. Oh, that definitely hits. You take nine points of bludgeoning damage as it hits you in the shoulder and almost knocks you to the ground with a blast, but you catch yourself there. Ooh, that stings. The final strike is going to go ahead

and with that same momentum, up, and try and bring it down into the metal of your shoulders. What a great move. That's going to be a 17 to hit. Oh, for sure. Oh! I don't like that! That's a terrible sound. Double, double sixes in that.

So that's going to be 16 points of bludgeoning damage to you. And with the force of that impact, it knocks me out. Oh no! Wham! Dorian just falls to the ground, unmoving. Oh boy. Anybody got a... What the fuck is going on?

And with that space now free, Lord Estrach begins to step over his body and move. Oh yeah! Fucking gold! Smudges my game. Step over the doormat? It gets to the bat of your combat range. And doesn't Laudna get an attack, too?

Laudna does get an attack of opportunity if you want to take it. Mine, too. You are prone, which I can't. I can still hit, though, right? Yeah, you can. You have disadvantage in the strike. Okay. Yeah. I need Warcaster up in here. Why did I take Spell Sniper?

It'll come in handy in 20 episodes. In the corner, wedged in the corner. You need some spider shoes. Oh my god. You get an attack, though. You get a physical attack. Physical attack. This is going to be funny.

Watch this. I'm so excited. Remember, you're blessed. Uh-huh, great. I rolled a six. Oh, I'm sorry. What'd you get? With a three, a nine. 20.

And my strength is minus three, so that brings it back down to six. Okay. Oh no! So you hear him move and you strike out, but your eyes are still, like, vision is still gone, and you just flail out into the middle of the air, not realizing that he's already stepped away.

Orym does strike from the ground with an open arc. He's in a daze and sees him start to go and just takes his blade and goes and shoves it down into his foot into the floor. I rolled damage, 16, and that is a goading attack. He has to make a wisdom save. Ooh, 16 damage? Yes. Slick!

Yeah, that's really good. In the bootsies. That's great. All right, and was it a wisdom save? 14 wisdom save. Does not make it. So that was a goading attack. If he tries to attack anyone but me, he gets disadvantage.

That's great. And if he pulls his foot out, he's going to rip through the blade. Well, he does. Continue walking. Because he steps out of your range. He just keeps going, and the blade, you feel tear out. There's now a big tear in the leather of his boot.

He turned his foot into a hoof. You can see now it's leaving these little pools of red behind as he steps over Dorian and makes his way over towards where Fearne is, coming between both Fearne and Ashton. I was about to say, do I get advantage now? You would if you stay in your position. I'm going to stay in my position.

That's going to finish his turn. Ashton, you're up with Imogen on deck. All right, taking a big swing. Chronic Blast. Woo! She's probably a little messy for you. Brutal. You've got to be fucking kidding me, really?

Eight, nine, 10, 11, 12. 15 to hit. 15 is not hit. Funny feeling. You swing the hammer and he just kind of. Wait, you're Blast. I know. Oh, okay. Yeah, you go to swing the hammer

and he, looking back over his shoulder, just barely moves his head and it whiffs past it. Is that reckless, guys? Come on, fucker. Come on, what you got? What you got? I'm going to start scooting to the other side of Fearne over there.

Over here? Yeah, yep, yep. Right there, next to Fearne. Next to Fearne? Yeah, I just want to be able to give some coverage. You got trash talking as you were running off. Oh yeah. Yeah, me too. I'm going to get you, fucker. Hold be able to give some coverage. I think you were trash talking as you were running off. Oh yeah. Yeah, me too. I just wanted to get a two point.

Fucker, fucker. Hold me back, hold me back. Please, please someone hold me back. That's amazing. As you shout this and work around, you can see in his eyes this, gives this nod. There's a weird meeting of enjoying this.

I'm fucking ready. All righty. Finishing Ashton's go, that brings it to Imogen with Fearne on deck. All right, after seeing what he did to Laudna, Imogen's eyes flash white and her hands start to flicker brighter and she's going to reach out her hand and I'm going to cast Witch Bolt.

Okay. Straight at his heart. Go for it. At level two. At level two, all right. Go ahead and roll an attack on that. 17. 17 hits? Yeah, no, you can't do that. So yeah, that hits. Go ahead and roll damage.

Nice job, second. Ooh, pretty good. Is that 17 points? Ooh! Slick! As he's currently now facing down Ashton in front right there, he's got the semi-bloodied metallic cane in both of his hands. He looks over his shoulder just in time

to hear the crackling as the arc energy blasts into his chest. As it's like, you can see the energy swirling and crackling through and it leaves that anchor in his chest. As it's like, you can see the energy swirling and crackling through, and it leaves that anchor in his body. It's just staying. Yeah, it's just staying there, being the lightning damage.

Hell yeah. Yeah. He smiles at you. All righty. You're going to stay put? Yeah. All right. Finishing Imogen's turn. Fearne, you're up with Fresh Cut Grass on deck. Mm-hmm. Okay.

Not yet. So I'm going to saunter over to him. Hardwood. Okay. Just a little bit of a saunter. And I'm- Staying where you are or moving around? I'm going to move closer to him. You are right up against him.

Oh, I am? Okay, great. But you can move around this way. No, no, no, I'll just stay. I'm in arm's length to touch him. He does have a little bit of cover because the edge of the desk is right there. So if you're looking to do any melee against him, you might want to shift away from the desk.

Otherwise, it's going to give him a little bit of a benefit. Okay, yeah, I'll shift around. Okay. And I'm just going to put my hand on his chest and I'm going to cast Burning Hands. Oh shit. Delicate. Your cleavage is amazing. I know.

It's like you've got a butt. Make him dance, Travis, make him dance. Oh! That's what they look like, for sure. It's changed. Knowing Burning Hands and the range of it, you'd probably move a little further so as to not catch Laudna in it.

Oh, she's in that corner. So right there, we'll catch. I don't want to hurt anybody, so I don't want to hurt anybody else. So as you move around and then release this blast of intense fiery energy that burns past his chest, incinerates all the papers and books

on the desk behind him. In the back of the wall, there's a little banner that begins to curl up and burn. He, with a four, does not make his dexterity saving throw, so does full damage. Ooh, okay. That's my taxes. You teeny-teenies. You're not that far off, actually.

Oh, I'm not so low. I just fought for an LLC. Okay, now we get 14 points of damage. 14 points of fire damage. Yes. And let me see if I can do this one last thing. As a bonus action, Yes? I'm going to whisper some sweet nothings into my staff

and wake up my little snakes. Okay, so the staff tops, suddenly begins to curl and you watch as these snake heads begin to separate from the wood that you're holding. All righty. Great. Does that finish your turn? That finishes my turn.

All right, Fresh Cut Grass, you're up. Let's get our friend back. This is the sexiest Travis has ever been. That'll finish my turn. I'll start by casting Healing Word on Dorian. Okay, you got it. Oh, I got to roll for that? Yes, you do.. Oh, I got to roll for that? Yes, you do.

First level, yeah. That's a four plus three is seven. So Dorian, you come back to consciousness, face down on the ground with seven hit points. Oh, baby. I got you. Thank you. And then action, I'll complete putting on my grappling cannon.

Cannot use it, though, correct? Not yet. You have it attached now. You'd be able to. On this turn? On this turn, yeah. Oh. Okay, well then I'll fight.

Well, shit, how far away am I from this fellow? Sorry, I misunderstood. It's an action to attach it. So you take your action to do so. Great, then that's it. Then you take your action to do so. Great. Then that's it. Then I'll just wheel back and forth. Woo! You got it. I'm going to need you

for this one in a minute. Yeah, I'm ready. That finishes your turn. That's me. Dorian, you are up. I just came to an Orym. You're right next to me. Hey. Hey. This isn't going great, is it?

No, we should probably stand up. Yep. Hold on a second, wait. I'm going to log roll over to him. And just slap my hand on his shoulder and cast a level two Cure Wounds. Nice! Yeah, yeah, yeah.

You're on ground and healing him. That's so sweet. Oh, a eight. Yeah,ers do. Eight eights. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm so good. Eight eights. Yeah, eight total. That's awesome.

All righty. Double digits. So you can use your movement to get up if you want to. Yeah, I am going to use my movement to slowly get to my feet and rattle loose the cobwebs. That's it for me. You got it. All right, finishing Dorian's go. Bertrand, you are up. Oh yes, that's excellent teamwork, I see.

Well done. I'll start walking back towards Imogen. By himself in the fireplace. Just sipping a beer. I see you, well done. I'll unsheathe my gambler's blade and I'll take my sniffer of scotch and I'll throw it at the burning Asteros.

Oh! Okay. Go ahead and roll. Just roll a d20 and add your strength bonus. Oh, that's actually terrible. Natural one. It's all about Rupes! So. There's a dull thud on the back of your head, Fearne,

and then a strange wetness begins to creep down the back of your shoulders. It's an odd sensation. You hear the shattering of glass at the same time and glance over your shoulder to see Bertrand Bell standing there at the end of a large arc throw. You got this! Did you just throw your glass at the back of my head?

Who? Who? I saw the prize! Okay. Top of the round, Orym, you're up, Laudna, you're on deck. Okay, Orym is going to push himself up, wipe a bunch of blood off of his face,

and walk 15 feet over in front of this guy. You can get right there, yeah. Truce, nah. I'm going to try to slash the weapon out of his hand again. Yeah, yeah, yeah, go for it. That's a 22 to hit. That hits. That is a nine plus...

Six is 15 points of damage, and it's a strength save, 14. Natural 19. Oh, jeez! Damn this guy. I just grind my back heel into the ground and wait. Okay. That's it. That finishes your go, Laudna, you're up.

All right. I'll start trying. I'm really pissed as my head is smashed into the plaster. So you're just going to see, it almost looks like Laudna's shoulder just pops out of socket. No! As she cracks her head out. Crawl out of the wall.

I'm going to do my Form of Dread. So as I am crawling out of the wall, I'm going to do my Form of Dread. So as I am crawling out of the wall, I start to stretch unnaturally. The black veil comes over. More black stars to pour out of my face. I get temporary hit points. New character, who dis? Hang on.

Oh, dat's good. Dat's good. Oh, plus two, so that's 11 temporary hit points. And then, okay. I am just going to go big on an Eldritch Blast. All righty. You have a d4 on when I say, Oh yes, I do. What's the bonus action?

I need it. I'll get after it. 22. 22. 22, that does it. All right. And then I do an extra. It's okay. Is that okay? Yeah.

Good. Mm-hmm. Okay, that is 12 plus another four, 16 damage. 16. And he has to make a wisdom saving throw. Well, actually, because you had an X on him earlier, go ahead and make a concentration check for me. Because you really get to take

before that extra damage goes through. Concentration check. I'm good. I rolled a 14. You're fine. Okay, yeah. So that takes 14 points of damage from that strike. Blast it again from the other shoulder. Now you can see bits of the robe are burnt and frayed. He's taking slash marks and strikes.

He's bleeding from the boot. Does that finish your turn? Yeah. Okay. I just smear a black tear across my face. He's glancing at you out the corner of the eye after the impact. It is now his turn. Oh boy.

Oh, constitution save. That's true. Seven attacks. 19. God! I know, he's rolling well. Wow. He's got. Seven attacks. 19. God! I know, he's pulling well. He's got a high Constitution, yo. He takes the cane in both hands,

grabs the head of it with his left hand. Here it comes. What's inside? Slams it into the ground next to him and goes, Enough! Enough! He's down next to him and goes, Enough. Enough! And begins to walk past Fearne, back towards the chair across the room.

Oh. Is it my turn? It is your turn. Oh. I'd like to throw a knife at Bertram. Go for it. Thank you. Reckless.

Not that I need it, necessarily, but. Uh. How does it go? D4 to add to that. Eight, nine, 16 to hit? Yeah, it hits. Okay, cool. How many feet away are you? He would be, from you currently, 20 feet.

Good range. All right. 25, technically. That's three, four, five, seven points of damage, and there's a knife sticking in you. Enough, everyone, enough! Ah! Hey, look, you participated. Cool.

As you're reacting to that, Lord Esseroth walks past and puts his hand on your shoulder and goes, and just pushes you out of his way. Steps over, back to his chair, turns around. All right, all right. Oh, thank you. Bertrand, you surprise me.

Your companions have some skill. But there's one thing. Where does your spirit lie? He sits back in his chair and places the cane in the center and leans back, adjusting his shoulders a bit. Come closer. Drop the witch bolt. The energy disperses from where it's held.

Is he afraid of me from where I hit him? Is he going to make a wisdom saving throw or be feared for a minute? So I just wonder. So he gets up in the chair and tells everyone to come and just keeps looking nervously over at you. He's unnerved by you. Fucking dope.

Does everyone approach? Yeah. I'm going to hang back by Laudna. I probably shouldn't. Back row, back row, kid. I'll walk up. Technically, I think if I approach him, he would have to move away again. It would just be very awkward.

I'm going to walk over and I'm going to sit on the bear rug, and I'm going to pet my snake heads and listen. Very well. So everyone's gathering up except for Laudna and Imogen? I'm going to lean against one of the boat shelves and just hang back by her. Okay.

I'll walk over by Fearne and sit down, Indian-style cross-leg, sit next to her. You got it. Like a kindergarten story time. Uh-huh. We're about halfway between the group in back and the group in forward, and just going to sit on the hammer. Okay.

For everyone who's immediately in the proximity, he adjusts the top of the cane that he has, the small spherical apex of it. There's this very faint warmth that just briefly emanates within a 15-foot area around him, which would encompass all of you, except for the two of you on the opposite side of the room.

I need you all to make a wisdom saving throw for me, except for those two. No, sorry. Sorry, a charisma saving throw. Charisma saving throw. Charisma or wisdom? 11. 11. 15. All right.

22. All righty. Is this a magical? It is. So I have advantage against spells and other magical effects? Some of us have a d4 to this, too, because Bless is still up. Oh yeah.

23. Okay. Two. Oof. Five. Okay. You don't have to worry about it. You don't have to worry about it. The rest of you feel some strange,

hard to describe energy. Just faint sense, like something's watching. It's hard to express. But Lord Eshteross leans forward now on the edge of the cane. So you're here for work, yes? Yeah. Is that all?

Just coin? I think that that hole. Just coin. I think that that's our immediate goal. That's right, that's what Sir Bertrand Bell brought us here for. Yes, they had obviously shown their talent and I thought, not only a chance to earn some coin, but perhaps you could provide some connections throughout the city, as you want to do.

But if you're asking what are our longer-term goals, that's something that I'm really curious about as well. If y'all wanted to talk about it, we could sit down and one at a time talk about what we want to do with ourselves and where we are in our lives. I think they're saying what else you got. What else have I got? Yeah.

These are challenging times in the wilds. Terrible things happen to good people. And much of the Quorum promises protection or justice, but meet expectations with excuses. The Ivory Syndicate moves nearly unimpeded through Jrusar in the greater honor trails of the jungle, further tightening their grip on the fine people of this region.

And this is just the social struggles. Rumors of darker, deadlier things hide on the outskirts of these whispered streets. Dangers both ancient and new creep up in the jungles surrounding, even the further townships where protection is a luxury. So what do I have to offer? Well, employment.

For those who want to do something about it. I'm not interested in common sellswords. What about introductions? We're looking for someone to introduce us to the Starlach Conservatory, maybe. Didn't take you for the bookish type. I'm leaning on a bookshelf. So you are.

Wipes a little bit of leg blood from the corner of the mouth and leans back into the chair a bit. I do have connections, yes. But you have to earn one's favor for such a grace to be given. Why do you wish to go to this conservatory? They got books. I'm looking for answers.

Quest for knowledge. Very well. You, small one. What are you trying to do? Trying to get the lay of the land around here, for starters. What kind of work specifically are you talking about? I've worked with many mercenaries. I once was one, a lifetime ago,

before Mistress Prud'aj entrusted her estate to me when she passed. Can I do an insight check there? Sure, what are you curious about? You telling the truth on that point? Yeah. Go for it. Was it past? Yeah, what's that?

That's my... What is that roll again? It's been too long. Inside there. Inside, yeah. 11. 11? I mean, he's practiced being dodgy, but it's hard to tell how forthright he's being. That's fair, thank you. There are many in this city that want to

do right by the people of it. There are many in this city that want to do right by the people of it. I'm too old to be as much of a frontline hand, but I'm willing to put my resources behind those who have a like-minded heart. To do right by this place? Yes. Insight check.

Natural 20. Ooh! Whisper, whisper! Come on, Whisper! Whisper. Guys, Gargoyles was a TV show, and now it's a game. Gargoyles. Keith David starred, and now it's a game. Keith David starred in it.

I know. It's so much fun. It's fantastic. It's awesome. But didn't play Gargoyles the game. Tom Adcox was great in that as well. Robbie's here all night to give you voice acting. You got a win for the first time in two years.

That's great. Okay. To Tom. The first one in two years. Oh my god. Ah. Okay. Too tough. I have many contacts across the city, across Marquet even. And here are many places where people cry out for help unhurt. So I seek individuals

that can do these deeds in my stead, offer guidance, protection, or at least be my eyes and ears in the greater world. Doing this kind of work, as long as I have, tends to make some enemies, so it's safest I stay here. And those that work for me make no mention of it. He did. And this? You beat me to it.

I like you. Oh, thank you. I really just think you're so lovely. I think you are, too. Just everything, I love it. Oh, thank you. I really just think you're so lovely. I think you are, too. Just everything. I love it. Oh, fabulous. You work with him often? Not in some time. My lord, you see so many people. I only came to you because you demonstrated ability.

This braggadocious warrior was indeed once under my employ. Before he abandoned his troop, made a mission. What happened to his troop? One fell. The others left. Tragic. Unfortunate. Shit happens.

That must have been very hard for you. It does indeed happen. So we're not the first that you've hired for this kind of thing before? No. Did you send a group in to clear out a mine in the last couple months? No, that wasn't this fellow.

Just checking. Cannot say I have. All right. But thanks for asking. That seemed to be the thing to ask. So what are you thinking? You want us to deal with politics in the city or these dark forces?

Well, there's probably a decent chance in some places they dovetail. I would like to offer an arrangement. One that involves, indeed, paid employ. A chance to prove a unity of ideals and to show that you can indeed do some good. Maybe even a path to forgiveness.

You'll be paid for a completed endeavor, given a stipend at the outset. Once again, you cannot express who you work for for both your safety and mine. Is there a cover story or a false name we can give instead? I find that when someone wants to lie, it's better to have some sort of answer rather than just saying,

I'm not going to say. Can we say a fake name or something? He thinks to himself for a second as I think to myself for a second, too. Normally, it's not a problem. I pride myself on discretion. People respect that if you're doing the work. You just don't say nothing, huh?

You just say you're employed, and who you're employed by really doesn't fucking matter. Imogen and I don't talk to anyone. No, not really. You guys seem like you have a really good deal going on. You should keep that up. It seems nice. It's pleasant. If indeed we can build a trust between us,

maybe I can help you learn the way of the land. Connect with these individuals you are challenged to talk to. Maybe answer questions, offer guidance, open some doors that otherwise would be closed to those who aren't as involved in the Quorum, maybe. I don't know about the rest of you, but that'd suit me just fine. This Ivory Syndicate,

is it just a name or is it apropos? Do they deal in ivory or how did they get their name? I just find it disconcerting. I've elephant folk we see walking through town. And you are right to think so. They did begin the ivory trade long ago. But they've expanded their enterprise. But the name is stuck.

Do they ever deal in assassination? They deal in many things. So we'd be the good guys? I would certainly hope so. And the minute you prove otherwise, our business is done. There's enough immoral individuals crossing similar darkened paths these days. It becomes harder at times to see who has an idea

of how to do any good. Well, this is most encouraging. I think we are all of an accord, yes? Well, I mean, we're not really a... We don't have a leader or anything, so maybe we should just put it to a vote or at least express our opinions before we all agree to something.

I can only speak for myself. That's fair. Like a democracy. I mean, if that's all right with you, with you all. I mean, for myself, I always say, always judge a book by its cover. And this fella just seems strong and nice and polite, and he has a lovely decorated room,

and that's all I need. I'm good. Yes. For the record, if you need to take some time to discuss in return, you're welcome to. But on your way out, if you could please put out my desk. But you look over and it's still crackling. Oops. Very sorry.

I just, we can get you a new one, maybe. I'll be fine. Should we go talk it over, then, or? I think that seems like a great idea. Sure. More drink, more drink, more drink. Trevor, sir, it is noon. Sir Eshteross, we, my associates here

kind of messed you up good. Do you need any sort of magical healing, or? I'll be fine, but I appreciate your interest. I'm good. Bert, give me my knife back. Now. Look. Now. My tit is still bleeding.

Laudna goes over and just starts mending the desk a little bit, repairing it. Perfectly fixed, burned desk. Yeah. I'll press a digitation, the flame's down, so it's not burning at all anymore. Discuss, but either way, let me know soon. The forces that work against us do not rest.

Lord Eshteross, we thank you for this opportunity. We will not let you down. I'm sure we will be back to you without delay. Eshteross. Of course. Sure, we will be back to you without delay. Estoros. Of course, of course. Estoros. Very well. Evelyn will see you out.

We'll return when you have had your discussion. In the meantime, I'm going to pour a drink. Stands up. I should've. In the meantime, I'm going to pour a drink. Stands up, begins to make his way over towards the mantle before going, Shit. Off we go! Off we go! The door opens, unlocked.

Evelyn leads you back out and to the street on the exterior road of Eshteross Manor. Here, the morning light greets you once more, and you forgot about the warmth of the morning that was here before you enter this darker, more intense interior, but nevertheless, the morning is yours. I just lose track of time.

Fearne, do you mind, really quick, I'm just going to go in and just pat your back really quickly. That's fine. And it's still soaked. Yeah, it's soaked with the gravy. Okay. That's fucking great.

Goddamn. Do you want me to wring it out and get a little bit of the leftover? You can suck on my hair if you want. Just get it all out. I don't know how to handle dare. Fuck. Dare. Evelyn slowly closes the door.

Uh, goodbye. Thank you for your ask, pal. See you soon. Bye! So I guess it's breakfast beer. Oh yes, your breakfast beer. Breakfast beer, yes. I think we're in brunch territory.

Brunch. Is it brunch mimosa? I'm trying to remember. Let's find out. Yeah. Same spot for something new for your palates. You have some suggestions, some ideas? Yes, there are lots of places around.

Such as? What's your favorite? Yeah. Name your top three. Mm-hmm. Are you looking for other taverns in the Core Spire? Yeah, I have a question. Would Laudan, I know of any locations around that maybe are less populated around this time of day? Something that's a little less crowded?

Yes. Four seasons. It's a little bit of a walk over to the Lantern Spire, but you do know that the Weary Way Tavern tends to be, at this point in the day, pretty empty. Yeah, I would love to show you guys. That's in a different spire? It's in the Lantern Spire. The Weary Way Tavern?

Yeah. Awesome. Weary Way? The Weary Way. The Weary Way. Nice. All right. As you all begin to pick up and make your way. Nice. Okay. All right. So as you all begin to pick up and make your way towards the edge of the portal,

you begin to step across what's known as the Fate Walk. It is the only rigid bridge that connects any of the spires here. It is a wide and hundreds of feet long stone bridge that leads from the Core Spire to the Lantern Spire. The Fate Walk? The Fate Walk. You can see this hour of the morning, there are a number of people, traders and travelers

that are making their way into the town from the outside. I see you trying there. Fuck. Eventually crossing into the ramshackle neighborhood eventually crossing into the ramshackle neighborhood that greets you upon entering the Lantern Spire. You can see there is still an element of the spire that rises up and above that, there is what is referred to as the Prakash Pyre,

which is where that singular torch burns through the night, though currently it is extinguished. You can just see a bit of smoke smoldering from the night, though currently it is extinguished. And you can just see a bit of smoke smoldering from the night's beacon. Following Imogen and Laudna through the tight, narrow passageways and the somewhat still muddy flooring

that leads you through these tightly packed regions, you come to the side entrance door to the Weary Way Tavern. It's not much to look at. You see a sign that has probably been painted over three or four times as it begins to just give way due to weather and rot. But the front door is open.

You can smell the scent of stale liquors as well as some sort of cooked vegetable of some kind. Stepping in the inside, it's a smallish room compared to the Aspire by Fire, which is a much larger central gathering space. But beyond what looks to be two individuals that are probably between jobs and in the process of just thinking hard

while they stare at the wood grain on the table in front of them, it is yours to take. You quickly find a small table that can fit the eight of you. And within a short period of time, you see a female half-orc in her 50s or so, a boisterous smile on her face,

this long, somewhat curly black hair with bits of gray streaking through it, a leathern apron on, come over, and being set down glasses at the table, these thick, rough-looking, almost sandblasted glasses. Hey, so what can I get for you? Their stew is actually pretty good. Don't ask what's in it, but I swear. Lentils, mostly.

It tastes good, I swear. I'll have some. All right. Breakfast beer. Actually, now that we're here, I've got a better idea. I will definitely take the stew. I'll also have a black coffee, and if you can bring a big container of cream,

and do you have a whiskey or something, something I can just pour in the coffee to give it a little bit of a boost. I can arrange that. Can I have that as well? That sounds wonderful. Sure, for the table? Yeah, that sounds delightful. All right. May I have a glass of milk and two shots of whiskey, please?

All right. Thanks. Interesting breakfast party, but welcome. She goes ahead and heads back towards the kitchen area and begins preparing this unique meal. You all right, Dorian? Hmm? You all right? A little, still a little.

You got fucked up. He was right, and then with the boom. So that was all just a test. You brought us in there just to have him fuck with us, and you didn't warn us that he was just going to fuck with us? You've seen this kind of thing before? Oh shit, it's great. What a, can you get me a Reese's?

You fucking. I took a fall off. No, I don't You fuck. I took a small one. No, I don't need that. I don't need that. I don't need that. It's magnet right now. The old's not candy. Are you sure?

No, I'm fine. Whoa! I don't need anything. Ooh, heat. There it's coming back, huh? Give me them Whoppers. Working with children. We all got distracted.

Candy! I respect that. Happy Halloween! Oh my god. You're a big mom. Let's take this. The bit worked, we're good. He doesn't always do that. I think he's been stagnant recently

and just wanted to feel his old bones move, I can relate. And you held up admirably. That was very, very well done. I'm sorry for the slamming, though. That was a bit much. Did you know he was going to do that? He, on occasion, has similarly auditioned people in that way,

but I've also seen him just hold a natural conversation before. May I make a suggestion? Next time we're in a situation like that, it would be great for you to tell us. Of course, of course, yeah. And what I think she means is, it would be great for you to tell us.

Right. Yes, of course. Did you go through a similar audition? Yeah, many a time. In fact, with several groups. So I have a comparison. Did you actually fight in any of those auditions? Yes.

All right, fucking. And in fact, sometimes they ask me to stop fighting so that there could be a control group. Do I even need to roll for this? It's so deeply full of shit. Eight. Wow, you believe in it. I have fought before.

Oh, who the fuck knows. Well, thank you for making that introduction. Seems like we have a job offer now, you know? I guess let's move on to what we are doing. It was very kind of you, thank you. Yes, and I think you'll get your... Don't fucking look at me like that, goddamn it. You'll get your connections. Yes. And you'll be able to help people,

and you can tell people to fuck themselves, and it'll be great. Is this something that we all want to do? I mean, I feel like y'all were on separate paths. Hi. You were on separate paths when we bumped into each other, right? I mean.

I mean, yeah, but if this gets us what we need, then I'm willing to team up with y'all. Certainly. Try it. Yeah. Once. It seems like we're all in search of connections. You certainly are. You want to get into this school, right?

Yeah, there are a bunch of dicks up there. I mean, honestly, we've been trying for a while and nothing's working, so this is what it takes. And you both want to go to this school? It's not I don't want to go to the school. Well, it's a means to an end. You know, we're looking for information, and if we can find it at this school, then, you know.

Is it deep, dark information about a sordid past or a mystery you're trying to unravel? Exactly that. Oh, that sounds exciting. Yes. But you know Imogen, she's also very talented, very gifted. If she wanted to go to school, I would support that wholeheartedly.

You know. Food and drink begins to make its way, bowls of stew, shots of whiskey. It is- Can I just use Mage Hand? I'm just going to pick up one of the shots of whiskey and send it over to Bertrand and dump it on him. Oh. Oh, I'm so sorry about that.

It's not a problem. It's only the most expensive velvet in our kit. Well, it already had a big hole in it. I mean, after all. Yes, it did. I mean, technically, if the drink was worth something and now it's on the shirt, doesn't it just add to the value?

No worry then, I swear I won't do it again. No, it's fine. It's fine. I'll press the Digitation and lift it off of him and pour it back into Ashton's glass. Wasn't in my glass, but I'll take it. And this will line up with your plans, you three, from wherever you're from? Ways away. Fresh off the airship.

Yeah, so to speak. What are you looking for, by the way? Fresh start. Just a fresh start? Yeah. This is an odd city to choose. Yep. Is it?

Yeah, why not like Anquerrel, or one of the other more central districts? We've barely been here, and it's a wonder. Did someone recommend this city to you? Are you hiding from someone? Are you hiding from someone? This is a really good place for that. It seems that way, but no.

Are you looking for someone? Yeah. Are you looking for someone who's hiding? I'm putting it together. Y'all are looking at each other a lot, like who's going to tell the answer? Yeah, if you just tell us who, we might be able to, maybe we know them.

I know, yeah, maybe we run into them. Ashton knows a lot of people. Yes, I do. We're third parties, Trangius. Or at least a lot of people know Ashton and they're yelling at him a lot. That is also true. What is it, Luce?

I'll tell you what. Just met. Let's take the one job. Ask me again afterward. That's great. I got a good feeling off of Sir Bertrand's friend. And I wouldn't be willing to sign up with just anyone.

I'm not looking for a coin, and I'm not looking to sell my soul. I am looking to learn about this place. And I wasn't lying about starting over. That's real. Sounds like fun, and I trust you. You knocked me out cold and just rolled right over and brought me back. It was great.

Of course, I'm not going to let you just sit there and die. You're a person who needs to be preserved. It was great. Of course, I'm not going to let you just sit there and die. You're a person who needs to be preserved. You don't know me. You didn't have to. Or do you have to? Is it like a... I'm sorry if that comes across as judgy, but I don't know. Uh, no.

No, that's about right. I wouldn't like to see anyone pass away if I can help it, yeah. And you're healing magic. It is magic, yes? I don't know, it's just something I do. Does it come from a divine source? Are you a holy robit?

Uh, no, I mean, what? No, I just, um. We normally patch those. Ah! No, no, I was just sort of built this way. I don't, yeah, it's just how they built me. How do you, do you? We always keep asking new questions. I know, sorry about it.

No, it's fine. Well, here to answer. I've never met anyone like you, ever. So it's... Me neither. Really? Yeah, I mean, oh, thank you for that. Yeah, I've never met anyone like me either, but that's because I was made, you know?

I'm one of a kind. But you said you had a lot of brothers and sisters like you, correct? Sure, they weren one of a kind. But you said you had a lot of brothers and sisters like you, correct? Sure. They weren't exactly like me. Some of them were a little bit smaller, wider. They had more specific tasks. One of them was just,

oatmeal was just there to chop down and make firewood and campsites and stuff like that. What were the other one's tasks? We don't have time for that right now, necessarily. I feel like that's a discussion for another time. Okay, if you're interested in pussy, I can talk about it, but it seems like we should move on. I think it's best to slowly let stories happen,

because then you always have something to say. Absolutely. But the long and short of it is Dancer, my former associate, made all sorts of automatons, and I was, not to toot my own toot, but I was a little bit more tricked out than the other ones. I could do more stuff.

You have a variety of attachments, limbs. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll take off the cannon and, sure. Show it to Laudna. This never goes well. It's like a grappling hook, so if I ever, I don't know if you noticed this, but I don't have legs like y'all,

so if I fall over, I can use that to whoop, pull myself back up again. That's the first thing you do. I can also help with that, if it ever comes up. You can lift me up? Well, sure, I could help you out. Well, thank you. Here's your arm pack.

Oh, thank you very much. How many of those do you have? I mean, does it only work when it's on your? That's a lot of questions. Those are from his dead it's on your? That's a lot of questions. Those are from his dead friends, Bertrand. That's a lot of questions. Oh. Well, just a little more.

Is it rude to ask about dead people? When you're using their body parts, I think so. Wow. Don't tell Pâté. Wait, what? He doesn't matter, he doesn't matter. Pâté is my dead rat. Oh, I'm sorry, what? He doesn't mind, he doesn't mind. Pâté is my dead rat. Oh, I'm sorry, what? Yes!

This is an amazing detail that we just passed right over. We'll just show it to you. Yes! You have a dead rat? Yes! This is Pâté. Pâté de Rolo, specifically. Pâté de Rolo? Yes. Can I hold your dead rat? Would you like to meet him?

Yes! Pate! About this time, you see rubber bands snap from each of Laudna's tips that go to his head and each of his four limbs. They look like rubbery black sinew. She lifts him up and starts puppeting him. Oh, hello, I'm Pate de Rolo.

Pleasure to meet you, look at you. What happened when you first met him? Hello, can I shake its little paw? Oh, hello, it's you. Pleasure. Oh, I've never met someone like you. I never get Easter eggs. Ashton, are you seeing this? I never want it to end.

This is amazing. Two years, and I never get Easter eggs. How often does it happen? I love Easter eggs. Say hello to the big fan. How often does it happen? I love it. Say hello to the big fan. How did you attach the skull bit? That's amazing. Oh yes, do you like that?

It's a raven skull. I really like that. It just died in my house one day, ran into the wall, and so I just thought I would get a little adjustment. I can barely see your lips moving, it's amazing. I've had lots of practice. That's what a work of art, my goodness. Thank you.

I would like to pretty far look at myself. Oh hello. Pate! Oh. I just want a work of art, my goodness. Thank you. I would like to pretty far look at myself. Oh hello. Pate! Oh! Yeah, I'm sorry. You're so silly. I'm sorry, did you name the dead rat after the Dorolo family?

Oh. You're familiar with the Dorolos? Only a little. Yes. I mean. Well, they all have, like, there was a lot of P names, you know, and like, I don't know, it just sounds fancy. And he looks like dead liver.

How familiar are you with the Dorolos? Oh, well, I'm from Whitestone originally, I think I mentioned that. And the Dorolos were rulers for a time in my youth, and then there was a horrible coup when I was a young woman, and they all sort of died. I don't know, just gone.

Guess that's what happens when people want your political power. But they came back. Did they? I don't know. What do you mean they came back. Did they? I don't know. What do you mean they came back? I went far away from Whitestone and never looked back. Oh.

Yeah. Lost Son showed up. Good for him. Found his sister, brought it back. How do you know all this? I know you're from Tal'Dorei. Yeah, I mean, it's not a secret, really. That kind of spread.

I became a bit of a recluse after my time in Whitestone. Didn't talk to people much, and they don't want to talk to me. I don't want to pry, I just wanted to know about your rat, sorry. No, you're not prying. I love questions. So why are you puppeteering a dead rat?

Well, you see, Laudna here was quite alone for quite some time, and she needed somebody to keep her company, or else she would go insane, especially because it was just me and that voice in her head. He's so silly. Good job, Patel, you did it.

How have we not met before? How long have you been here? Fuck. Not that long. A month or so. Boy, I got some people for you to meet. Holy shit. How is it that you know about the Dorolos?

Do you know about the Dorolos, too? Oh. I should say so. The question is, how have you not heard of me before this? I hold out my lapel pin. I mean, clearly you recognize the symbol of Vox Machina. You see a circular pin on the lapel with a Vox Machina. Hmm. You see a circular pin on the lapel with a V and an M.

The thing for the DeLolos, that's kind of their thing? DeRolos. Whatever. Thank you. Vox Machina, from Ebon, Tal'Dorei, the defeaters of the Whispered One. No, you don't? Weird band name.

No of them haven't heard of you. Ah, well, yeah. There were many stages to Vox Machina in its glory, but I was there in the heyday of it all, rescuing Frog, Grog, Strong, Strongbone, large fellow, Beard. I think he's a Whitestone now, actually.

Some of that's familiar. I thought I remember a stone jar or something. Try it. Oh no. This is, I mean, the world is a very, very small place. I remember Keyleth and Vex Vex'ahlia, all of them, dear friends that I have not seen in a while. But how do you come to know them?

Well, Whitestone was nearly turned upside down looking for them, at least when I was there. Yes, yeah, I remember reading about that part. Hmm. I'm from Zephra. Zephra, Zephra. Ashari? That's right.

Are you a druid? Aren't most of them druids? Many of them are druids. Many of them are farmers. There's a lot of us. Can you do any wind stuff? A little light tickle. I send the door open behind. You can?

What the fuck? You have a sword and shit, you can do that? Really quick, though. Athletic. Yes, I would say so. I tell my nieces to shut the door. Thank you, I'm unable to do that. Well, Bertrand, speaking of, what do you want out of all of this? Oh, just to foster young talent

so you make your own place in the world. And you know, the coin is not bad. Really, you should look at this as a shortcut. So you'd be taking some of the coin, too? Well, naturally. I think Fearne recommended a democracy of sorts, right, equal shares. So you'd actually be fighting this time?

You'd actually be fighting with us? Did I not join you in the streets? It feels like you're more of a chaperone. I am more of a consultant. I mean, I have so much wisdom to share. But yes, I tend to get my blade dirty from time to time. I think you remember I gave that table what for. Are we ever actually going to circle back

to the living room and dinette set that attacked us yesterday? I don't know how we'd find that trail. Shit happens here all the time. Where were you, actually? I'm just going to be freaked out walking into any house again for the rest of my fucking life.

You came out of nowhere. I was in the tavern when the commotion started. Oh, you were in the tavern and then you came outside. I see. Okay. Well, I'll throw my hat in the ring. I'd like to try this out, Bell. If you guys are okay with it,

don't worry about it, Fearne. I go wherever you both go. Yes, this should be fun. Absolutely. So, it doesn't need to be permanent. Could just be a couple of days. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Test it out. Imogen, what do you think? You just hear in your head, I think I feel good about it. You? Feeling pretty good. So I'll say to the group, Yeah, we're in.

Ashton, what do we? I mean, okay. Decisive. I like these ties. They bind you well. This is a good recipe. This group, I can feel it. It's something special.

Old Miner's lung special. Old miner's lung layer. Miners? Can I just make one suggestion before we forge this pact? Oh yes, please. Hey, let's just try to be honest with each other, okay? I don't want to speak out of turn, but I've sensed a little bit of hesitation

in being forthright and forthcoming among some members of this little assemblage here. I'm just saying that we could probably get along okay a little bit better if we were all not deceitful towards each other for the next couple of days. Of course. Boys, right? Secrets don't make friends. It's a rat that's talking.

The rat makes sense. The rat checks out. That makes sense. If you find yourself doing something that you feel compromised about, if you find yourself doing something that goes against any kind of prior arrangement or agreement, you say it before it becomes a problem, we work it out. That's the best way to make these things work.

Don't let yourself get somewhere where you're not going to be okay. We will figure out how to go around you if need be. All right. We all want to make money. What? You're astute. It's almost like a code that you have. I like getting paid, and I like living. And it's good for your employer to know

that you're not going to take a better offer the minute it comes around, and it's good for an employer to know that you are going to stay on course and do the job you were paid for and not ask too many questions and hopefully not have any conflicting arrangements.

If you do, you bring them up. Speaking of employers, Imogen, how's breakfast? Delicious. Looks like it. You're right, that's a weird stew. Not going to help you? These are aristocratic types.

Might I offer a small suggestion? If he does contract us, let's ensure that whatever you need as far as connections to get into the library to find this book, Conservatory. we'll make sure it's in the contract. Yes?

That's brilliant. Yeah. Put it in writing. Put in the contract. Yes? That's brilliant. Yeah. Put it in writing. Put it in writing. I wouldn't have thought of that. Thank you. Well, you had a big desk, and if the contract isn't on fire, then I think we should ask to include it. Yeah.

Dorian, that was your name? Yes. All right. Thank you. Of course. Another rounder. Are we having another round? Oh, I mean, this is all sort of a shared tab. All right. Yours? Yeah.

Yes. Yes. All righty, let me go add it up. She wanders off to go ahead and put the coin together. Thank. Yes. All righty, let me go add it up. She wanders off to go ahead and put the coin together. Thank you again. We could vote really quickly just to push forward that democracy idea. All in favor of Bert covering this round? Round, everyone?

Aye. Sure. Fuck, democracy's great. Fuck yeah. You're so generous. Well, I'm a shepherd. I'm a bit of some sorts. I'm a little more sorry for stabbing you now.

Thank you. Well thrown, Dagger, though. Thank you. You can mark three gold off of your money. Oh. Just draining for Bertrand. These lentils are excellent. Yeah. Oh, oh, oh. Draining for Bertrand. These lentils are excellent.

Yeah, expensive lentils. I avoid any of the little meat chunks in my stew. You might want to do the same. Grooball just starts farting at the same time. I thought you were really bonded. He's coming out of me like, Wanda! Should we let him know? I guess so.

Yeah. Fuck it. Bell, pay the tab, and we'll head back. All right. And figure this out. Yeah. All righty. Gathering your things, finishing up your meals and drinks, you make your way onto the streets.

And you're just like... Is that just not even words now? It's just... Ah! Yep. Back towards Eshteross' estate. You're let back into the abode. Similar from the study, there is a dining area

where you can see Lord Estoros. Now it has late morning tea situated and is in the process of reading through a book before you all begin to enter. He turns a page, marks it, closes it, sets his saucers and tea to the side. So, you've discussed? Yes, my, actually,

they can speak for themselves. We've come to kill you. No, no, no, that's not right. His hand does go for something unseen. I think there's a sense of humor here. No, no, that's not right. His hand does go for something unseen. I think there's a sense of humor here. Just trying to see if you have a sense of humor. I do. He pulls his hand away from this stack of books

where you can see a glint of metal of something hidden between two of them. Ooh. And lets it rest. And at this point, Fearne, Orym, and Fresh Cut Grass, you glance around the room and there are all bits of furniture and vases and things set up in this dining area

and you start seeing hidden weapons throughout the entire room. Just things barely visible, tucked behind elements, barely peeking out from underneath a little bread basket. That umbrella has a knife in it. Fuck, that's cool, I want one. That knife is actually Nunchuck's. Fuck!

I want it even more! Nunchuck? Oh! Three nudges! Nunchuck. Well? Oh, I think. I want even more! Good job. Oh! Three mages! Good job. Well? Oh, I think. I displayed a sense of humor, perhaps.

What else do you need? We've come to kill you. It doesn't work that way. Is there a time? We're in. Not as effective, I apologize. One more time. Rule of three. We're in.

We're in. All of us. Very well. With a contract. Of course. All right. Once again, this is still a preliminary test. Should this go well, then we can enter a more formal agreement. But I do invest my time, my interests, and my coin into those that do right

by my, and their, aligned values. I can respect that. So do you want to tell us what the gig is? Let us work you up the chain from the bottom first. The Dayal Hall. Dayal? D-A-Y-A-L. D-A-Y-A-L? Is a privately funded learning center

here in the Core Spire for citizens of Jrusar of all walks of life. A longtime symbol of opportunity within the Wilds, regardless of economic disparity. It holds a very dear place in my heart. My estate has been overseeing the deliveries and storage of supplies and goods to the hall in recent years.

But in these past months, occasional signs of theft have begun to creep up. Crates are left open and portions of supplies have been taken. I would ask you to trek to my storage warehouse on the right-hand side, past the Fate Walk and the Lantern Spire, marked Prudaj Textiles.

Investigate however you see fit and return when you have specifically uncovered what is befalling these stores. You will be given 50 gold each as an advance, a payment of 150 gold each upon delivering a satisfactory conclusion. 350 gold each if the source of these thefts is dealt with.

Dealt with, just for clarity. Dead or alive? Assuredly prevented from continuing. The means are up to you. Do you want to give us legitimate access to this property? Do you have keys or anything that maybe we could? The people that run it work for me. Okay. Do not let them know you work for me,

but it is open. You should be able to ask around. Right. If anything, catching them not under my purview, likely to get some answers that aren't quite as guarded. All right. Tea? He points over to his arrangement

and platter of various steeping teas. I think we'll be getting to work. Yeah. Very well. Do a little scan of the book, of the bookshelves, just to see if anything looks interesting. Make a perception check. 11.

11. 11. I mean, most of them are random Arkesian, which you can read, but a lot of them seem to be based in local history. Some of them are based in what looks to be origins of different townships within the Oderan Wilds. There are also some books of mythology

and there are a number of other books that just at a glance, you can't quite read at this distance without inspecting. Nothing that catches your fancy too strongly. Am I close to any of the shinies that I saw? Maybe one. You're not sure what it is, but you do see a glint in the light.

I'm just going to try to take it. Roll a sleight of hand. Okay. Oh! Four. As you're all getting ready to leave, you hear as two books and a heavy bowl

hit the ground, the bowl is now I stop it with my hoof. It's not on fire. I am so sorry. I just, I'm so big that I just, I tripped. Make a deception check. Try something. Try something's got in the way. Oh boy.

I love that the beard is layering over top of your mustache. Nope. It's just lying around. God, it's just like, I'm sweaty, so nothing is sticking. Okay, five. So hot in this thing. Travis, how do you live like that? Okay, five. Five. So hot in this thing. Travis, how do you live like that? Oh, really?

Lord Eshteross gives you a look as you, and you reached it, you pulled forth, and you can see it's a really thin stiletto, about a good foot and a half long to its point. You're going to place it back where you found it. Here's the thing, though. I think we need this to complete this mission. It's coming together now as one piece,

and I can't talk through it. You could make it a mask to actually wear. That is, yeah. Just pull off the stash and go anywhere. Yeah, I think... I think we need it for what we're doing. She's not giving up. Make a persuasion check with disadvantage.

Trying to steal it? Trying to lie about it? No, she's going to try to. Anyway, did you say with disadvantage? Yes. I rolled a one. There's a long pause. He just goes, Put it back. Do you want me to hide it like how you had it? I'll take care of it.

Just leave. Just put it out there. Yeah, it's fine. Evelyn will see to your funds. You can purchase one if you'd like to on the way out. So that contract, would that be after we complete this mission or would it be prior to this mission

and then the contract would state, what, I don't understand, Dorian, how these things work. Would it say that if we complete this mission, that we also get your note of... This feels like, correct me if I'm wrong, sir, more of a show of good faith, and I believe we'll have a contract afterwards. Is that correct?

I don't want to speak for you, of course. But you are very astute. Shouldn't you complete this, then a contract will be written up, and we can begin to further define our relationship. Got it. We did great, though. Thanks. Very well. Does he still have his staff?

Make a perception check. His cane, yeah, whatever his walkie thing is. Cacks. Cacks, okay. Come on, just above a 10. I just want to see it. I know. Hey! Yeah, yeah, yeah. With Percent? 16. 16.

You do see it leaning tucked in the corner to his right, where it looks like one of the tables and this large shelf meet. It's tucked under, but you see a little bit of the metal glinting from underneath. It's within a quick grabbing range of him, if need be. And do I feel anything similar to what was radiating out of it

when he messed with it that first time? Not necessarily, I'd say. That strange sensation. Make an arcana check. Yeah. Hey! 18. 18? No, thanks.

You've thought on it for a little bit, and at first, in the tense circumstances of you guys for the first meeting, you didn't spend too much time. You've encountered it before, largely in your youth, largely when you were caught in a very heavy lie, and certain members of your family would employ somebody to place upon you essentially a forced truth.

Mm. Okay. You're like, I remember this. Okay. Interesting. But Evelyn escorts you out and pays you each 50 gold as your stipend as you exit. Oh, I don't need this.

Ashton, do you want mine? Yes, yes, please. I will put it to good use. You don't require a coin? What for? For purchasing. What do I need? What if you wanted to eat it?

Repairs or? True. Ashton will give it to me if I need it. Honestly, it just all goes into a little safety thing for repairs is basically where it's just going to keep it for rainy days when things need to get fixed. I got to pay somebody to fix them, so.

Oh, so you are not a, forgive me, a mechanic? Oh, fuck no. Oh. Yeah. I got a friend, so. Oh, good. Yeah. We've been staying with them at their crook house.

The crook's house? Crook house. Yeah, Milo. Milo Crook. Yeah, he fixed me up. I was damaged before and he fixed me right up. Just a question, if we are out in the wilds, as we soon should be, if you are damaged then, do you have a repair kit or do we need to acquire some tools in which to?

You're worried about me. That's so nice of you. Well, you look after everyone else. I figure you. Well, I hope you're good with a set of tinkering tools because you're going to be the one who's got to fix me. Me? You're the leader. I am.

I am. I'm just playing with you. No, I can do it myself. We'll be fine. Oh. I have a little experience, too. Oh yeah? Yeah. I mean, not with your kind, but with fixing things.

Oh, well, that's good. I'll let you take a crack. I have a hammer. Oh, is that what that is in your hair? It is. Wow. Is it a, does it talk, too? You'll find out. Are you going to make it talk?

I'm hammy. Oh shit. Bust out the hair puppets. I'm just going to keep looking at the hammer as we go, just waiting for it to do something. Should we make our way over to Crudosh's textiles to ask around right away? I feel a little, still a little funny tiles to ask around right away, or no?

I feel a little, still a little funny from getting to take this little break. How long are we at the Weary Way Tavern? I'll say, if you guys want breakfast, you can consider it a short rest. Yeah! Short rest! Oh, that's fantastic. Poop rest. Okay, wait.

Oh shit. Okay, oh my god. There is a short rest. Oh, one, come on. I'm going to play Healing. One is the lowest. How much hit dice do I have? You should have three d8 hit dice, plus whatever your constitution modifier is

for each you roll. Okay. One rage into my day. Will it automatically do my spell stats, I guess? How many do you get right now? Ashton, how many do you get right now? Three. Wow.

Beautiful. Still got that itch, don't you? And I've got four builds. How many you got right now? Three rages, four different kinds of rages. Awesome. Haven't gotten to use them all yet. I must know more.

Yeah, yeah. I'm a bit of a rager. He's a little weird. It's very weird. Yeah, but what about his character? Yeah. All right. As we're walking, I'm going to pull out my flute and just play a soft little song,

and the song of rest. And so everybody gets a little bump on a short rest. Oh, hell yes. So regain hit points in the end of a short rest by spending one or more hit dice. Each of those creatures regains an extra 1d6 hit points. Ooh! We roll or you roll?

Anybody who spent hit dice, you roll a d6. Oh, he rolls. Rolled that up. you get to add that. I'll try my best. Four. Yeah! It's a lovely song. Yeah, thank you. It's much better than when you were playing last night.

Hurtful, but thank you. He's very good. Sounds like him. Maybe he just gets stagefright. What? Oh, well, that's a thing that I've heard happens to... Maybe to you. Toot toot. The slightly less jaunty tune continues

as you mark your way for the second time across the Fate Walk into the Lantern Spire. Now, following the instructions that were given to you by Eshteroth, you begin to look around, and it doesn't take too long to necessarily find the building you're looking for. You find a large building of sun-bleached blue paint,

the faded sign Prudaj Textiles in Marquesian, established above two wide doorways. You can see it been multiple times placed on there and just, with with time faded. A fresher coat put maybe in the past couple months or so. It stands contrast against the rest of the dust-beaten back of it. As you approach, you can see one of the doors

is partly ajar. Who would like to enter first? Or otherwise? We're back on the Core Spire, right? You're in the Lantern Spire. Lantern Spire. We are a larger group. Yeah.

So perhaps. I could go in and just check it out beforehand. I'll stay outside. I'll go with. You know what, I'm going to do, is it built into the wall? Is there a perimeter situation? For this, it's nestled away from the main street.

You can see there's layers to this part of the neighborhood where there are other smaller storage facilities and some residential abodes. It's by no means a wealthy district, a little more purpose over presentation, but definitely functional. And at a glance, a lot of the buildings are probably intentionally nondescript,

partially to make it not so easy to see what they might contain. This one has a little bit of color to it, but it doesn't appear like there's much space between the buildings surrounding it. And it's not built into a wall or anything. It's not against the edge of the spire. The spire that begins to peek upwards

to where the Prakash torch is, is a little ways off. So there are some nooks and crannies that go around the entire building. All right. I'll, um, you talk to them, and I'll walk around outside. I'll hang back, too. Make some noise if you need somebody hit.

Of course, yeah. Or intimidated. Yeah, I'll stand up front with Ashton and make sure everything is safe. It's a textile store, yeah? Yeah, I think it's just a regular store. Does it look like it's open to the public? It doesn't look to be a store

more than it is a storage. Storage. Yeah, the sign that's there is marked not as a presentory welcome, more of just a visual marker. Even then, it's a little hidden off to the side to where the doors are. It's not at all designed to be a storefront.

Got it. So you're going to go around the side. May I come with you? Yes, please. We can please keep you around. All right. Away where we go. Oh, sure. Thank you. You're going in? Yeah, I'm going to go in.

With Orym? Mm-hmm. Sure. Need any help, or you good? Sure. Thank you. You're going in? Yeah, I'm going to go in. With Orym? Mm-hmm. Sure. Need any help, or you good? Sure. Maybe hang back. Great. You're very... Well, I don't know. I've never met anyone like you, but maybe that's...

Why don't you come? Come on. You glance over, and from the open door, a couple of objects get flung and hit the wall across the way. You look over and as they land, they look like some sort of rodent, limp, thrown with quite a bit of strength that just hit the wall and land not moving.

I kick it out of the way and walk through the door. As you step in, the first thing you see is a male dwarf with this very scraggly-looking, bushy beard that creates this giant dark poof around the bottom of his face. He's wiping a bit of sweat from his brow and he has his sleeves rolled up and he has these little gloves on.

You see him currently holding in his hand two other, look to be dead, rodents and is walking towards the front of the doorway before stopping and looking at you. Uh, could I help you? Uh, yeah, I'm a... I've been sent here by Madam Shadana. She's planning on opening up a shop over in the Core Spire,

looking for a new vendor for fabrics, and I assume this is a good place to start. I answer the rats for a second, make a deception check. Get it, yes. Let's go. Good call. Put the facial there, I'm sure of you. Yes! Yes, that's good. Deception, that's a 21.

Woo, woo, damn! Oh, okay, no worries. Sorry, I'm just doing a little bit of cleaning. Yeah, I noticed. He steps past you and throws the other two out. While he's doing that, I'll just cast, if I'm in there with you, I'm going to cast Guidance on you

if you have to do anything else. All right. Quick thing. These your associates as well? Yes, they also work for her. Oh, well, all righty. Let me just let the boss know I'll be right back. Steps inside for a moment.

So all of you are currently present right at the entryway, except for? Just the three of us. Oh, just the three of you. You two have gone on the sides. What are the rest of you doing? I followed them. Okay. I'm just standing out front,

acting like I'm waiting for someone. Yeah. Look out. Fair enough. My carriage will be along shortly. Where are you going? It's a ruse. Oh, it's a ruse. Are you going to go?

So as the three of you begin to head around the outskirts, you, you, and you. We're inside. Begin to enter after the dwarven figure leading you inside the warehouse. That's when we take a break, because we're past the two-minute mark. Two-hour, two-hour mark.

Two-hour. Two weeks. Two-two. So yeah, we'll be back here in a few minutes to pick up as the investigation kicks off here in the Prudosh Textiles building in the Lantern Spire. See you in a few minutes. Hello, Critters. This is Ashley Johnson, president of the Critical Role Foundation, our 501c3 nonprofit organization with a mission that might sound familiar, Thank you. allows us to provide immediate assistance in the case of natural disasters or other unexpected emergencies that require quick action.

To learn more about the Critical Role Foundation and to donate, visit criticalrolefoundation.org. Hi! Welcome back. And now it's time to begin our game. Game time. Once again. Not fun, you know that. So. Here in the midst of the street side chaos

of the Lantern Spire in Jrusar, inspecting what seemed to have been a series of thefts here within the Prudaj Textiles warehouse. The group has divided. We have one troop involving Fy'ra Pallcraphy, Fresh Cut Grass, Imogen, and Orym heading to the inside after meeting one of the dwarven employees at this warehouse.

We have Ashton and Laudna and Dorian currently making, and you're going as well with them? Standing out front with Bertrand. All right. Ready for my carriage. Looks like rain. Investigating the outskirts of the warehouse, and then, of course, Fearne and Bertrand just staring into space.

Hell yeah. All right. Let's go ahead and begin with the interior troupe. So Fresh Cut Grass, Imogen, Orym, as you step inside and your eyes adjust to the shift from exterior bright daylight to the shaded interior with a couple of oil lanterns flickering on the sides,

you're immediately hit with the smell of musty clothing in dust. There's an almost pungent smell of probably old mildew that's been long cleaned out, but not entirely, and just left a lingering smell. There is a faint bit of patchy carpet. You can see where a number of rugs have been laid down over time

to leave a comfortable spongy texture to the ground as you step. But stepping through the initial hallway, it opens up into a large warehouse. You could see about a little over two stories tall, and there are some catwalks along the sides where you can see all sorts of small rolls of various thick rugs

and some sort of an embroidered material, all manner of different strange bolts that you can't quite make out in this distance in low light. You see some ladders situated to the right and left and a number of boxes. It's not incredibly cramped. You can see there's a few things shoved off to the sides

and a handful of larger crates in the middle. And you can see there are three other individuals that are in the process of working through the interior. The dwarf that led you in is currently taking his gloves off and is going to go wash his hands in a basin on the side after handling dead rodents. You do see one male human, probably in his 50s or so,

a slight balding comb over. He's in the process of currently closing one of the crates and has one arm, a bunch of pieces of cloth draped over it and wrapped around that he's taking to another location. You see a female gnome with a bright shock of red hair who has a stack of papers and is the process of going around and making notations and keeping an eye on everyone else within the space.

Then on the far back right-hand corner, you see what looks to be a very tall, lanky, female dragonborn of black scale that is in the process of looking busy, but you can see is also keeping an eye on the gnome character facing the other direction, and is moving things from one part to another and then moving them back.

Then they all seem to, one after the next, notice your arrival at the interior as the dwarf goes like, Hey, we got some visitors asking around here. Think it's a business thing. You said you were going to get your boss? Right, right. Dennis?

And he goes and points over and the, Dennis. Oh, Dennis. Oh, yes, he's a Dennis. Dennis is in this motherfucker. High fantasy Dennis. No, Dennis, who is this motherfucker? High fantasy Dennis. No, Dennis is a late game protagonist. Be patient.

I'll fall before the Dennis. Dennis, the female gnome turns around and goes, All right, sorry, I didn't see you coming. Well, what can I do for you? She comes up and tucks her stack of papers under her arm with this bright smile. Yeah, we're interested in purchasing some of your fabrics and textiles

for a shop we're opening up over in the Coorspire. Oh, all right. I've never visited this establishment before. Is it possible to take a look around and see what kind of a stock you hold? Sure, sure, yeah, certainly. I'll go ahead and just feel free to look about. I'll just trail behind you,

answer any questions if you have any. Wonderful, and your name was Danas? Danas. Thank you so much. That is correct. By all means. Looks back and glances past your shoulder. Garudo! I can see you. Keep working.

You see the dragonborn spits on the ground and starts gathering up another pile and shifting it over the shoulder with a heave and begins working. The dwarf goes ahead and finishes washing his hands and starts walking up one of the ladders and going across the top catwalk area before sitting and just resting for a second.

The other human you can see, who's a bulky fella, muscular with a softer layer around it, but definitely you could see he's seen some hard work in his day with the faint come over. He finishes closing up one of the crates, goes and drinks a bit of water from a small metal canister, and then goes and takes a seat on one of the nearby stools,

just taking a rest and wiping the sweat from his brow. What would you like to do? I'll just ask Orym and and Freshie to look at the stock, you know, and make sure that all the fabrics seem seem high quality, I guess. Sure. Well, I ask Danas,

is this a normal amount of employees y'all usually keep here? Well, that's right, that's right. And how often do you get new stock in? Not too terribly often. This is more of a storage facility, not quite a most place of business. This visit's a bit curious, but...

I was just told to come here and look around. Who told you? My employer, Madam Shadana. You might not have heard of her. She's new to town. She's opening a store over in the Coors Byre. Make a deception check.

Guidance. That's pretty good. I'm sorry? Guidance gives me a d4. Yep. I know. Ooh, that's a four. 16ance gives me a d4. Yep. I know. Ooh! That's a four. 16 plus four, so 20.

Yeah. Right, right, okay. Not the orthodox method, but happy to facilitate if we can. She's new to town, you know how it is. A lot of times they're just working their way around, figuring it out. Right, right, okay. Yeah. Well, feel free to way around, figuring it out. Right, right, okay. Yeah.

Well, feel free to look around and ask any questions. She sticks to you as you begin to wander around. If any of you begin to, are you guys separating? Are you staying in one clump? We were told to go around and inspect the wares, so I'm going to just go around and look at textiles. Not quite sure what I'm going to look for. As I say that, I say to you, in your mind, you hear,

look for signs of any sort of burglary, stock that might be missing, crates that look like they've been broken into. Then I'll repeat that over to Orym in his head. I'm going to start wandering, meandering my way over towards the stock near Garudal, I think you said her name was. Point of order.

Is this the first time that you've placed your thoughts directly into the mind of either of these people? Yes, it is. You suddenly hear Imogen's voice emitting directly into your brain, sourceless, loud, like it is just emanating in your mind. It's a bit shocking. Then you slowly continue.

Does it have an echo in your brain? Because it's metallic. It sounds like this. Go check for missing stock. So you head over, is the password Garudal? I'm going to start looking into any open crates near Garudal. Okay. Just get closer.

All right. I'm going to cast Detect Thoughts to see if I can detect the presence of any thinking creatures that I can't see in the establishment. Nice. Okay. Within a 30-foot radius. You've got it.

All right. Are you subtly casting this spell? Does it have verbal and somatic components? Let me look. I've never done this before. It says VSM. So if you're trying to be subtle about this, we're going to have to make a sleight of hand check. All right, let's do it.

You're already a curious position because having an automaton wandering the interior of the business, you can see there is specifically Oton, or sorry, the male dwarf and the male human are both keeping an eye on you as you roll by. But go ahead and mix the handshake if you want to try. With your big mechanical bustle. 18.

18. You jostle by and quickly mutter to yourself and begin to cast Attack Thoughts. And where are you headed, Imogen? Oh, I'm just walking around fully next to Danas and just picking up different whatever the fuck is in here. Are you playing Distraction or are you also investigating?

I'm playing Distraction mostly to keep her sidetracked, asking questions about the stock. Asking questions about how often do y'all rotate out your storage? I mean, do you get, you know, how many often do you all rotate out your storage? I mean, do you get, you know, how many buyers do you have? Well, not really about lots of buyers per se, but wherever the information is, where the materials are sold out

to those who are inquiring from a business storefront, kind of what you're saying about, let me go ahead and continue those businesses. We have many of these come imported from all over the wilds and beyond, and we just go ahead and sort them for the business and ensure that they're taken care of and kept in a dry space until they're needed,

or we can start to rattle off the business elements. In the interim, you cast Detect Thoughts, begin to loosen your concentration a bit, and you pick up sources of intelligence of everyone within the room, a handful of individuals that you quickly make out to be your companions. Nothing beyond that out of the ordinary,

within your 30-foot radius. Okay. You can make an investigation or perception check. I'm going to make a perception check and I also want to get within conversation range of Garudal. All righty. And this is an advantage. That is a 20. 20, all right.

As you begin to wander in Garudal's direction, you can see there are three crates that look like they haven't been here for a while. There is no layer of dust heavily placed on them, and you can see there are three crates that look like they haven't been here for a while. There is no layer of dust heavily placed on them. And you can quickly make out that a lot of these are here for the long haul. This is definitely a storage place for offloading of, not to say unpopular textiles,

but the things that are more situationally useful. But there are these three larger crates that do not have anywhere near the layer of dust that are around here. So more recent arrivals. And how close are they in relation to Gerudal? They're maybe 10 feet away. Okay.

Gerudal, you can see at this point, has finished moving this large batch and closing one of the upper crates, the smaller ones in the top, and setting out on the ground, takes the wrap around her arm and begins heading over to prepare it in some way for delivery.

Okay. Are those crates open, the ones with the least amount of dust on them? Or no dust on them? You can't tell from here. Oh, okay. What in here moves the fastest? I'm sorry, what?

Like, just trying to get a beat on demand. Like, what sells fast? I mean, all sorts of regular linen. There's, when we get silks in, they go pretty quick. It's okay if I take a look in these? Glances past you, and Dennis, who is currently helping you, looks over. Yeah, sure.

She wipes the edge of her snout. You can see a little bit of residue, work-based snot trail off a bit like a string before vanishing, and then takes a couple steps away and crosses her arms and keeps an eye, not on you directly, but the space. Doesn't seem heavily invested, necessarily. Okay. Gargoyles.

Mike was out. I'm going to use my action, if I can, to move focus of the Detect Thoughts onto, I guess, if Garudal is the one who's in the rooms onto, I guess if Garudal is the one who's in the room with us, I guess? There's Garudal, there's the dentist, there is also the male dwarf and the male human. They're both taking a break.

They both, whatever their bustle is, they both clean up a bit or sat down and are just not letting their work get in the way of an impromptu showroom. None of them look particularly suspicious, I would imagine. Not at a glance. They all look like they're working class folk. Well, because Gerudal is talking to Orym,

I'll use that as an opportunity to peer into her thoughts. Gerudal's? Yeah, her surface thoughts. Oh, are you talking to Gerudal? Is that what you're? I just was talking to Gerudal's? Yeah, her surface thoughts. Oh, you're talking to Gerudal? Is that what you're? I just was talking to Gerudal, yeah. Okay. Just surface level thoughts.

I'm not probing too deep. You got it. So checking on here, the individual gets a wisdom saving throw, correct? I don't know if you do that for surface level thoughts. You can try and probe deeper as when you focus on somebody. Okay, yeah, I'll probe deeper.

So the surface thoughts you get from Gerudal, which you do get for the casting spell. It's just more of like, yeah, well, I'll take the distraction. At least I don't have to work while people are around. Wish I can go out and smoke my pipe. Okay, okay. How tall are these crates?

For you, they're a little over your head, but they're about five foot tall on any given side. Grouped together? Loosely. They're not pushed together tightly. They're just in the same vicinity. It looks like whatever these new arrivals are, either came together or came in rapid succession

and were relegated to one specific area as the new arrivals. Can I open them, being three for three? You can certainly try. Okay. Walk around out of eyesight of Garudal and just squat down and go, and land on one.

Okay, you land on the crate. And then I'll walk over and try to, can I get over a nearby one, or are they too far? From on top of, are you going and getting on top of one of the actual crates? I want to open one, but I can't open one that I'm standing on. Correct.

I'd say you could probably get to one of them. Okay. Go ahead and make an athletics check for me. All right, I can do that. Athletics. That is a, oh, I can do that. Athletics. That is a, oh, it's a natural one, which I get to reroll because I'm a halfling, motherfucker! What a stupid rule.

That is a 22. 22. So this looks like it was opened and then resealed, but the second resealing process was just nailing some of the nails back in their place, which means it wasn't that much of a strong seal. So with that, you and easily lift one edge up,

and as that one lifts, the other sides lift, and the lid is open. This crate is at your disposal. All right, what fineries do I see? Cocaine. I don't know why. Looking inside here, you see some cloth bolts and material, but it's very simple. It's cottons, it's just standard everyday fabrics,

like burlap and general breathable, common folk clothing. You can actually see clothing in there as well, not just bolts of material and cloth, but there are shirts, there are long blouses, there are a number of other even smaller sized. And nothing weird or squirreled away in there? You can make an investigation check

if you want to dig around inside. Sure. Oh, that one looks good. Interesting texture. That is a 17. A 17, okay. Pushing past pairs of doughty pants and some other elements.

You can see sacks of... What are doughty pants? It's a type of wrap pants. These are so cute. These are so cute. Like Eastern Asia area. India, specifically. Others are in the vicinity. You find a few small sacks

that contain food, like dried figs and some grains in there. It's a bit strange to find in a textile place. There is definitively, as you step around and look around one of the other edges, the edge that you didn't force through, there is splintering. There are signs of forced entry on that side

of the crate itself. As you look back down to where things are, everything in here seems untouched, except for this gap in the center, where it's almost like a folded pit, where something was once here and is now gone. Okay. I look over at Gordal.

It's good. Yeah. We do good work. So something was here, something was hidden within and removed is the appearance I'm picking up. Glancing around, because you rolled pretty decent investigation,

there's an oddly minimal amount of goods taken here. Like if someone was coming here to steal whatever was in here, they only grabbed a few armfuls of anything. But also. It's like hiding drugs in coffee. Yeah, you only looked at one of these crates. You do also notice there's a strange, odd residue as you push through.

The things in this pit area are a bit loose. Everything is packed pretty tightly, and that center area is loose bundles of cloth and shirts. As you look inside, there is this odd, almost crumbly, like a gravel-like residue around the inside of it. It's hard to tell the color without some proper light. Okay.

Just light up your dagger. That's the wrong guy. Cool, cool, cool, cool. I spy Imogen in the room and call out, I think she might like these. Good pattern. Good to know.

Fresh cut grass, what are you doing? Hi, if I, if, are the others all within sight range of me? O-Town, Danas, and the human male? The human male, the dwarf, his name is O-Town, though he didn't introduce himself yet, that was a slip on my end, but his name is O-Town. But also, say with the spell, you learn their names,

because that's the thing that can happen when you read Surface Thoughts. They're all within 30 feet of you. LAURA and LAURA and LAURA and LAURA and LAURA. Hey, some people are very self-centric. So yeah. Make it your own, babe. I'll pick that human male

and shift the spell over to them. You pick up the name, Carak. What? Carak. Carak? K-A-R-R-O-C-K. Not Carak. Didn't we have a Carak? Yeah, we knew a Carrot.

People have the same name in the world, guys. There is only one, Dave. Dennis, meet Dennis. No! Such a menace. Only one can survive. You get a bit of the thoughts. I'm laughing, man.

Terrible, terrible. I just want to wait for my break. Aww! I'm tired, I'm almost done with my shift. I just want a piece of pie. Aww, Carrick just wants pie. That's not the same. Kill him!

Okay, good to know. Okay. That was Combover Man? Yes. That was Carrick, though human know. Okay. That was Comover Man? Yes. That was Carrick, though human male. Comover Man. Mm-hmm. Yes, thank you. As Danis is talking to me,

I'm just going to send a message over to Orym. Did you find something interesting? I start to think, can you hear me? Yeah. Wild. Yeah, but I can't see too well, and I'm hoping you can help me out.

Okay. I'll make my way over there in a moment. Hi. Yeah. You broke it open. She's the dial tone. You broke it open. Yeah. Broke it up. Just the dial tone. Yeah. And I'll say to Danis, after she's done, so I'm taking from your information

that we can actually purchase fabrics from another area and bring it here and store it then. It can be like a holdover sort of situation? With approval of you know, Boudage Textiles and its owner. Oh, great, who's the owner of this? It's more of a... If you haven't made that connection yet,

it's sort of a handshake deal. You got to come back once you figure that out. Got it. A lot of stuff around here works like that. Funny. All right. But stuff is safe here, right? I mean, y'all don't have a problem with theft. I know a lot of areas around here do.

Well, I, there are... I mean, things get stolen. After I ask that, I'm going to just open up my mind. Okay. How close are we to everyone else in this room? I'm hoping we're 30 feet away from everyone, but. No, everyone else is within 30 feet. Oh shit, well, there you go.

Well, are you using a spell slot, or are you? No, I was just, I was going to use the stand. Okay. Then. That would be one, two, three, four, five. Five, six, seven. Okay. Okay.

We can all talk while you say what. Yeah. So yeah, go ahead and... I rolled a 12. Okay. Well, you do get to utilize the ability, but the load of whispers is becoming difficult to keep at bay.

Okay. So for the remainder of the day, any concentration checks may be disadvantaged until you get a long rest. As the oppressive thoughts of the world around you continue to push deeper and deeper into your mind against your will. But you are focusing, you have cast the Detect Thoughts.

Yeah. And you are focusing. I had just asked about any kind of theft situations. Right. Surface thoughts are, who are these people? What are they asking about? I'm starting to think maybe this isn't, how much of a business do you have?

There's a mistrust and a general tense nervousness. I hope you don't mind, Madam Shadana, she's had issue with this in the past, and she just likes to make sure that her wares are safe. No, I understand, I understand. Well, that's why we have Garud and Carrag here. They're our watchers, both for physical labor

and keeping an eye to make sure people don't take things that don't belong to them. Oh, good. All right. Well, that's wonderful news. Yeah, I'll just make my way over to Orym. Very well. Dennis follows you. Yeah.

I think what's in here is good for the line of coats that she was talking about. Oh, right. Yeah, coats. It's cold here. You get this Mickey Deception check. Uh-huh. No one wears coats here.

I didn't say fur-lined parkas. We could get chilly at night. It's a big five. All right. This is more of a continued period of deception. It's all just insuring there isn't any sort of weirdness that begins to go. So as you begin to come and help and inspect,

you see the same interior of the crate, the same missing gap there, the same grab of a few materials there, and that same granular. Can I just take a handful or a few of the, a little bit of the grains and pocket it? Yep. Fresh-cut grass, what are you doing? I'm looking around at crates,

but while I do, I'm going to shift that focus over to O-Town. Okay. Well, first make an investigation check as you are glancing at other boxes and storage bins. What is that? Is that a one or a 20? That's a 20. Natural 20.

Hey! Plus? Plus what for investigation? Minus two. Perfect, so an 18. He's freaking out. No! Okay. You, glancing around,

some of the same batch they're over, you can see signs of very, very minimal breaking on the edges of the crate as well, like crowbar and damage set to it that are signs of either somebody just brusquely getting through, if they're in a rush, or somebody who is tending to unlawfully do so.

But looking at the other crates around, you do not see signs of similar forced entry. So there's one that stands out. Well, there's two that stand out beside the one that they're currently looking at. Oh, cool. While also focusing on Oten, you said? Mm-hmm.

Oten's gone. Nothing at all. So focusing on Oten, you get the first surface thoughts, which are just like a, oh, well, I don't know, like a, oh, well, I don't know, like a cheese sandwich. Ah, yeah. Like a goat cheese, like a still goat cheese.

It's a little frothy. I like the froth. It's a bit chewy. Then you try and peer past that. It's not digging much deeper there. If there are layers beneath it, it's got a strong will. Why don't they constantly think about their crimes? Oh no.

Go Jesus, brother. We're powering this bitch. Go down, go down. Go Jesus. What do you bite? Then I'll just walk over to that crate that I saw was messed with and try to, you know, see if I can see inside.

Okay. It's a bit tall. Oh. But with your armor extension, you could probably try and push it over. It won't be subtle, but. I don't care, I'll just do it. They know we're here looking at stuff.

The lid crashes over on the opposite side. I got it! A little bit of dust around the edges of it, slowly settles. You have to clamber up to look down inside. The interior of here looks like it is a number of deep, rich browns and greens in thicker material. Nothing extremely fancy, but definitely a step up from the standard street wear.

Similarly, there is a pocket nearest the corner to you, where you can see some of the bolts have been unrolled slightly, and there is a little bit of an opening in there. Hmm. Can I reach down there and fish around? You feel around. You feel more material

and the same granular residue. Just a little bit, just slight elements. Can I... I don't want to take up too much turns over here, but. Go for it. Can I cast Identify on, oh, is that going to be a thing? Are they going to?

VSM, shit! Oh, but wait, this is, I can ritually cast it. I don't know if that'll add 10 minutes to it. Matt, I forgot that I had Guidance on me, and that. Guidance is one use. Oh, it is? Yeah. Okay. Well, then never mind.

No worries. Is it only sorcerers that can do silent casting? If they have the right magic, yeah. I'm sorry, this is not a cast spell. This is from an object. I have a lens that can go over one of my ocular sensors. Oh! Awesome! That's pretty rad.

What? Yeah. Make-believe is cool. Why make-believe? And it's the goggles of object reading, so it can cast Identify. Oh! Correct. You still have to cast the spell, though. There is still an initiation.

It just allows you to focus the spell through it as opposed to the energy coming from you. Oh, cool. That's really cool. to focus the spell through it as opposed to the energy coming from you. Oh, cool. That's really cool. So you can still cast it as an action, but you definitely have to see if you can keep it subtle as well. Okay.

You can do it. I'll try. All right, make a sleight of hand check for me. When I get at these. It's a weird robot. You guide yourself? I didn't know that. 16. 16. 16, okay. As far as you're aware, maybe nobody saw you,

but you go ahead and the spell begins to take hold, glancing at this, the dark shades of the space. The color goes from the dull, lightless gray to a somewhat vibrant sky blue color, almost, like a light cerulean. And it's a dull piece of brumestone. Oh. Do I know what that is, maybe, or no?

Make an arcana check. Really good. Oh. Oh, okay. So I said negative two to our comma. It also says, advantage on intelligence checks made to reveal information about a creature or object you can see. Correct, so roll again.

Okay. It's not going to be much better than the 19 I rolled, so I'll take the 19. Negative two, 17. Brumestone is a very, very rare substance. It is... The only sources of it that are known currently are very, very heavily controlled, largely by the Allsphere Union,

which operates at Abankurel. And the Broomstone was utilized in the Age of Arcana as the basis for the various floating cities in the mageocracies that would pass throughout the world. Yeah, we know. Yes, we have. The destruction of these cities have led to mining operations to control the remnants of recovered broomstone,

which have now been used to create the skyships that sail across the many continents in the world. They are the blue stones that are embedded in skyships to keep them aloft. So, and this is just Liam asking, and maybe you can't answer this, but there's no mining of this or fetching of it now.

It's just going back to what people from the past had? That's the one? That's known of. That's known of? Yeah. Cool. Most places where it's been found, it's been recovered from some of these fallen cities or other devices that utilized it. Any natural source that has been untapped,

you have no idea. Oh yeah. Cool, but I don't know that. While you're having these revelations, the group wandering the exterior of the warehouse. So Dorian, you and your compatriots Revelations, the group wandering the exterior of the warehouse. So, Dorian, you and your compatriots, Laudna and Ashton, what would you like to do? I want to, briskly, but with an eye out,

head towards the back of the warehouse and see what's going on back there. Not too briskly. Not too briskly. Draws attention. Okay. We're a lot. You are a lot. Yeah. Yeah. Me or him?

Yeah. Us. If you're trying to go unseen, I would like you all to make a stealth check, please. Pass without a trace. Oops. Pass without a trace. Ooh, pass without a trace. Thank you. Kacked.

Kicked. Kicked. Kicked. Okay. Light of hand. 20. So not 20. 20, great. Very flashy, 11.

Is that a plus 10? Oh, it's a plus 10. No, great. A very flashy 11. Is that a plus 10? With a plus 10? Oh, with a plus 10. No, no. Yeah, but only one. You watch as you step around the alley, Ashton concentrates for a second and all the shadows seem to grow deeper around you and you feel unnaturally shielded within the darkness.

So you get a plus 10 to yourself to check. Seeing what Ashton is doing, Laudna immediately falls into step and sinks into the shadows with a 26. Great. So that's a 21 on your end? Yes. All right. You all begin to shift around the alley corner and to the back side of the warehouse.

You can see there is one other entrance to this warehouse. It is a singular door, but it looks to be sealed and barred. There are three metal bars that are welded across the front in some way. As we're walking around, I'm just going to drag my fingers along the edge, just to have them there.

Okay. On the edge of the building. You got it. Sealed and barred? Seems to be, just from a glance. How? I'm going to get a little closer. Someone decided to close this and that it shouldn't ever open again,

kind of sealed and barred. Make an investigation check. I'm making an investigation. Look into the details around it. This is going to suck, because my investigation sucks. Hey, never mind. 18. I rolled real high. Not too bad.

As you both keep a watch around, Ashton gets down low and starts getting some very dedicated attention towards this door. As you look around it, one, yes, it was intentionally sealed. It looks like this building may have been repurposed as a warehouse and whatever the previous tenant of it utilized this door, currently it is intended

to be put into disuse. You can see it is a bit rusted at the edges and the elements that do seal it were put in a long time ago. Is there a lock behind the grate? Does the door itself have a lock besides just the metal bars? You do not see any sort of handle at all.

There is a small slit where it looks like it would maybe be slid open to one side, like it's on a track on the interior of the structure, but all the metal bars are jammed into the ground from the exterior point, and there are parts of metal that have been melted to keep it sealed shut. Cool. Cool, cool, cool.

And are there any signs of life back here? Do people chill out back here? Make a perception check. Okay, I'm just going to keep doing this. This will be a great roll. Yeah, look at that. Perception check. What am I at?

Oh, that's 12. 12, glancing about. Not much in this small alley. It's pretty tight and to the right and left of you, it hooks around and meets back to the, for lack of a better term, the central alleyway that these small little alcoves that surround the warehouse spring from.

This seems private, though. Yeah, it's fairly private. All right. I'm just going to slip down the alleyway and look at the adjoining alleyway and just get a lay of the land. Okay. I make my way toward Ashton and sort of

check out what he's checking out, sort of over his shoulder, and investigate. Okay. Do I see any obvious path where people would enter or exit? Does it feel like they could be very secluded? It looks like the front double doors that lead to the entrance, the label,

where your three friends went into, is intended to be the bottleneck entrance and exit, from the ground floor perspective, at least. Looks like what was once the opposite side door is the one that's sealed. Would you go ahead and glance over Ashton's shoulder and you can also see how this is very definitively a long ago sealed exit from the structure.

This just might be a way in later if we have to be quiet about it. We could probably open this back up. Your friend. The fuck was that? I'm looking for it! I'm looking for it! Think we're cool, think we're cool.

Shit. Sneeze is the new fart. Good, that was my last 20 seconds, by the way. I was like, don't sneeze, don't sneeze. Look in the lights, look in the lights. Achooey! That'll do. Didn't get on my glasses.

Sorry. If we have to, your friend's pretty good with fire. If we had to, we can burn through this, I think. It feels like there's got to be an easier way, because how did others come in? Probably through the front door, but we'll finish our roundabout, but if we want to come back at night,

this might be a good way of not breaking in in the street. All right, we don't know what's going on inside. I thought for sure you were going to suggest breaking and entering right away. I like breaking and entering. It's a hobby. You're more pragmatic than I thought. Oh, bless you.

Do I see, I'm going to look up, do I see any signs of physical distress on the building? Make perception check. Forced entry, with my handy knowledge. Perception? Yeah. 19 total. Ooh!

Level three's rolling high all game here. Start combat, we'll kill that. Yeah. Yeah. The just-over-two-story top, as you glance off the side of the building, there's general wear and tear from just light and weather, though a lot of the buildings here are built well to withstand a lot of the rain

and the other more extreme weather that comes through the O'Ddeeran Wilds. You can see elements of what looked to be a rope ladder that went to the ceiling, but it looks extremely rotted. Like it only comes down about three or four feet from the ceiling, so there's about a 15-foot gap or so before you can even reach up to it. Do you think you could reach that?

On jumpy jump game? I think we could reach that. If you wanted to. I'm going to pull my cloak back and click my heels together and reveal my boots that have wings on them. Ooh! That's fancy.

As an option. Hmm. Your choice. What are you suggesting? A hitch ride? Princess Carrie? Very uncomfortably, scoop her up. I just like a spindly spider climb.

I feel her dead rat brush against my thigh. It's like holding a scarecrow. Yeah, yeah, yeah. She's very light. She weighs 20 pounds wet, I mean. Are you ready? Yes, we can get this over with. All right.

I'm flicking my heels together like Dorothy and we'll try to float on up. You both lift up, up towards the edge of that little rope ladder and up to the edge of the roof. There on top, you can see the lip along the very, very top of the structure. It's maybe about a foot high lip.

Across the way, you can see all manner of things that have been dropped here. One, you see all spatterings of long, white, dried bird and simurgh shit that has just been loosely piled and forgotten up here. Speaking of simurghs, as you guys do come up into the light, you can already see two simurgh riders

of the Skywardens just glancing overhead, doing their general patrol, if you would like to take a moment to avoid their side. So, both make stealth checks. Oh no! Do we still have to pass on our hands? You are not within 10 feet of him. Oh shit.

Leave mine. Ooh! Roll better than me. Ooh! Oh, that's good! That's a natural 20! You're getting a natural 20. This is going to go to the next side. There it is. Hey! There it is.

Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! All right, so natural 20. I rolled a seven. Okay, well. SAM and LAURA and SAM and LAURA and SAM and LAURA I'm going to take my cloak and be like,

what are you doing? And I'm going to cover her up with my cloak. Which is great, too, because as you get up onto the top of the roof here, the white dried bird and Simurgh shit With my cloak. Which is great, too, because as you get up onto the top of the roof here, the white dried bird and Simurgh shit and your white cloak wrapping around her does manage to cover the lightless dark spot

that she would normally be from an overhead perspective. He watches the two skywardens pass and glide overhead. The massive crimson-winged Simurghs and their ever-watching hound-like heads glancing past and making. They got dog heads? They got dog heads? Yeah, Simurghs. I'm going to keep walking around while they talk.

I'm an indoor kid. Can you describe the Simurgh again? Simurghs are these large, deep crimson, feathered, winged, almost hawk-like creatures, but the heads are, depending on the type of the lineage, range from dog to wolf-like, depending. They're a little more bird-like with a hint of dog. Are they like Joust?

Like the things that you ride in Joust? Oh yeah, the big ones. Sure, sure. Yeah, very easy to equate it to the four-bit, 10 pixels of a creature. Yes, they look just like that. Yes, they are indigenous to this area in Marquet, but the Skywardens here have a whole cluster

of trained Simurgh that they utilize to keep watch over the many different spires of the city, as well as a handful that have them tamed and used as taxis throughout the different spires for those who have the money to pay. But you both wait for a moment. They pass on ahead, and you feel pretty confident in the moment to not be under siege.

I want to scan the roof for a skylight to see if there's any natural light coming in from the roof. Make a search engine. That's a good idea. I'll assist. All right, that's advantage for you. She's assisting, so you do have advantage in the roll. Okay, that's very helpful.

Thank you, Fjord. What did you roll? I missed it. It was a five. I'm going to need you. Oh shit, come on. Yeah, let's go. No! No! We're bad, we're very bad at this. She's so fucking bright. It's a nine.

It's a nine. You glance across. Do you have anything? Nope, zero. For what? For perception, it's a zero. Ooh, okay. Sorry. Giving a pretty thorough glance,

you see what looks to be an abandoned wasp nest. Hopefully abandoned. Hopefully abandoned wasp nest. Hopefully abandoned. Hopefully abandoned wasp nest. What looks to be a sack or satchel of some kind that is just left to the elements on a far corner, but no signs of any sort of a skylight or entryway. Get that satchel! Yes, I'm in. Kick the wasp in the ass. She grabs Get that satchel! Yes, I'm in.

Kick the wasp in the ass. She grabs the dirty satchel. All right, you grab the satchel and you pull back, and as you do, you hear the sound as you partially tear it away from the elements of dried bird shit and have it plastered to the roof. It tears open as you pull back

because it looks like, through the constant rain and heat and moisture, it's just rotted. Nothing but platinum. It's just shit. Sorry, it's going to go back to shit. Is there anything in there? Nothing. It's just shit. It looks like there was some sort of a leather case,

but it is covered in a thick gray-black mold. Ooh. Of course. I take the leather case. All right, all of this. Lick it. No! You do? Yes, I do.

Yeah. Ew. That's horrible. What the fuck? That's so gross. Do you have everything that you want? Let's go. All right. I'm going to slowly start hovering back down to the valley. Okay. What the fuck? While they're doing that, Ashton, what that you want? Let's go. All right. Then we're going to slowly start hovering back down to the valley. Okay.

What the fuck? While they're doing that, Ashton, what are you doing? I'm slowly making my way back around. Oh my god! Okay. It's never going away. We got to stop saying it. Well, never will. Just slowly finishing my round

to see if there's anything else to see. Anybody watching the building? Any other weird doors on the other side? No, then I'll collect back in other side. Okay. And I'll collect back at the front. Nothing else catches your eye. There's no other interested parties keeping a close eye, any sort of shadows off in the corners

based on your initial perimeter search before you gather up with the rest of your troop. In the interim, Fearne, Bertrand, are you doing anything or are you just keeping watch? Do you have a significant other? Uh, no, no, no, not in a few years. I felt being independent was best. It really is so nice to just do what you want.

You as well, solo? Mm-hmm. Do you have any children? Not that I know of. You? Not that I know of. Do you have ambitions for family life? Hmm.

Yes. Oh, that's wonderful. A little bit of a dangerous lifestyle that we need for that. Well, I know, it is, but you know, you have to settle down at some point, they say. Oh. I've never heard that. By the way, we should be keeping an eye out for,

is there anyone near us? Make a perception check. 11. We are kind of paying attention to Elan. I'd like to see if there's anyone clocking us, taking us in. Also make a perception check. Okay, okay. Let's go, let's go.

Bertrand, you can look past the initial alley entrance that led you to this further corner, deeper into this part of the neighborhood. Also 11.'ll say 11. Yeah, 11. Great. Yeah. Both of you glance over and see that

there are people walking past the entrance to the alley. You can see the busy street a couple of blocks beyond is beginning to pick up in its early afternoon bustle, but there's nobody in the immediate vicinity that's catching your attention as to be paying an eye towards you. I think people are watching us. Really? Yes.

Where? I just look around. I don't see anyone paying particular attention to us. Well, you need to pay more attention. My eyes have gotten very poor. That's okay. I can look for the both of us. One thing to keep in mind. This Ivory Syndicate. Yes.

That Lord Eshteross told us about. Okay. Our previous group was tasked with keeping an eye on them, and it went afoul. But dangerous. keeping an eye on them, and it went afoul. But dangerous. Can I relay to her what I've seen before in terms of what they look like or where they met, or if this could be anything that might be related to that?

Sure. And from your experience, there is very little consistent, I think for lack of a better term, there's no uniform, for the Ivory Syndicate. There is meant to be no real personal demarcations so that it would be easy to suss out in a social environment. They work by looking like anybody.

And it's only at certain gatherings, only at certain moments that those who are part of the faction come together, which is why it's so hard to trace. You do recall, actually make a history check for me. 17 plus five, 22. 22. 22. You do recall that there is a lot of speculation that the Chandei Kor,

the anonymous grouping of various Han houses and nobles and powerful figures in the city that overlook and protect the people of Jrusar and the greater Odyran Wilds. There is a lot of rumor and speculation that some members of the Quorum work directly with the Ivory Syndicate and keep them safe, keep them obscured,

keep their business and dealings. I'm sorry, Laura pranked me while I was eating trail mix. Well done. Sorry, I'm sorry, guys. That's okay. What was the prank? I just put food in my mouth and Laura kind of... Don't say that.

Made it go bad. So. Don't say it, don't say it. The Chandei-cor? Chandei-corum. Chandei-corum could be working with Don't shout, don't shout. So the Shandekor? Shandekorum. Shandekorum could be working with, may be working with the Ivory City Council. There is a lot of rumor, speculation,

and loud calls from the standard civilian who feels disenfranchised by the Quorum's protection and organization over the Wilds, that there has to be some collusion because there's very little public presentation of any sort of aggression towards the Ivory Syndicate that has seen any fruit. There's been no public arrests

of any high-level members. Either the Quorum's working with them or the Quorum is not doing a very good job or has the right people doing the job. But yes, that you do recall and can express on there. So my hesitance to go inside could be from someone that maybe worked with the Ivory Syndicate and my face might

trigger something. You know what I think we should do? What? I think we should kill them all. I'm just kidding. Which, which, which, which, who were you in that? Were you talking about the people inside the warehouse

or just everyone? Were you talking about the people inside the warehouse or just everyone? Unless you want to. I don't remember. Your sense of humor is very hard to lock down. So I'm told. You don't want to go in there. We can, but I prefer to stay out. In case they know who you are.

On the off chance. It's a huge syndicate, but still. I think it's better to be safe that way. Did you want to go inside? No. Why do I feel like you do? I kind of do. But it's just, there's not a lot in there, I'm sure.

I'm just going to wait. I'm sure they're almost done. Well, maybe they need your help. Maybe they're just shitting the bed inside. Maybe they need someone to really come in and shake things up. I think you're probably right. Yeah.

I'm going to go inside. Oh no! So Dennis is right there, patiently watching and occasionally making a note and watching you guys go through the crates as you all three begin to gather. And you just make this revelation of what this material is.

I'm not with them, though. Right, you're about maybe 15 feet from the third crate in this area of the warehouse that was similarly more recently deposited. Oh, Imogen, want to come check out the thread count of this one? Well, sure. You can see some of the figures in the room,

Dennis and Otan specifically, go, I didn't realize it talks. I have a lot of talking automatons around here. Oh, this is an advanced model. All right, impressive. Thank you. Following orders. Don't even need a deception check. Like, they don't know what to think.

Nevertheless, you were called. I walk over there, and I'll mentally say to you, what did you find? Don't act weird. What did you find? I'm going to think back to her. At this moment, you enter.

Oh no. Hello. I need your nicest materials for myself. And I need to see where you keep your nicest things. Danas looks back at you, looks at, I don't know how word got out there, but we're not really a storefront.

Are you here as an individual? As opposed to what? A business. We deal directly with business distribution. Oh, just myself. All alone. We cannot help you, dear. I'm so sorry. I need to be with a business?

Yeah. Well, that's so funny. I am with a business. And what business would that be, lass? It's the... Orym falls on purpose. Oh, sir! Oh! Are you okay? No, I don't think I am. Oh, the old Oh! Are you okay?

No, I am. The old flipping fault. Actually. Looking at these great bolts of fabric for coats. The tech thoughts are getting close to fading. This will last for a minute for both of you both. Oh, okay. Oh god, yeah, what is everybody thinking right now?

Well, it's all still surface thoughts. If you want to peer specifically, you have one more chance to focus on somebody, if anything. Or you can just exit or go deal with this. I'm about to go. I will focus on Danas. I think that's the only one I haven't focused on yet. Okay, focus on Danas.

I'm going to give myself 1d6 falling damage. It's a strong will. You get that from, you know, Danas' force of personality and how they run. It very much fits like a managerial position here. What you catch is, get them out, get them out, get them out, get them out. And not like in a rushed from embarrassment feel,

in a I'm extremely uncomfortable with them here right now. Okay. I'm going to try to think at you. Okay. Can you hear what I'm? Okay, I'm just going to try to think at you. I can hear you thinking, what? Don't rush me, don't rush me, shut up! I found something very rare, residue over there.

Yeah, we found the same thing. But it's like it can float cities and stuff. Oh shit. Then also, that gnome there is freaking out. I know, I can tell. She is freaking the fuck out. All right, have you found what you're looking for?

It's been a lot going on. I think I really hurt my back. I can't hear him anymore because I'm focusing. I'm thinking it's so hard. Someone notice, someone ask. I can hear from my periphery just I'm thinking it's so hard. Someone notice, someone ask. I can hear from my periphery just out, out, out, out, out, out, out, out,

clouding my thoughts. Garudal, if you could be so kind as to help our friends here out, please do, if you'd like to have your business associates reach out to ours, the connections there, I think, will work out fine. We can go ahead and talk about, what was your boss's name again?

Shadana. Shadana. Have Shadana go ahead and reach out to the head of Prudaj Textiles. Of course. And if we can. And how late are you all open? We close at sunset. Sunset, got it. All right, all right.

We'll be reaching out. Thank you so much. No worries. Gerudal! And the black dragonmonger goes, Hey, sorry, you got to get out. Of course. Can I just, while my thoughts are fading on the... I'm just going to focus on Gerudal as we're walking out.

Mm-hmm. Gerudal, you get to peer deep past the exterior and Gerudal is definitely a bundle of wanting to be done with their shift. Definitely looking forward to seeing a show tonight. Looks like they have tickets to see a performance at the Dream Theater and are very excited to go ahead and drink a lot and then heckle some people.

That's pretty cool. Nice. Nice. Put that down. No, it's fine. All right. Eventually, you're all pushed back out the door. The doors close.

I'll come back with my business. No response. All of them. There's no response. How much of the broomstone Oh, it's like a faint, it's like a palm filled of cat litter. Like, it's a very, very small amount. Just put it in a little satchel along with whatever you grabbed.

Yeah, sure. Are we all outside now? Did we all? Those who were inside are there. The rest of you. We've got people on the roof. Yeah, Bertrand Bell. Are we all outside now? Did we all? Those who were inside are there. The rest of you. We've got people on the roof. Yeah, Bertrand Bell would probably be right outside. Right outside the door, yep. Yep, and the rest of you?

I'm hiding on the corner. I'm still stealthed. Yeah, imagine while they were doing this, we're back huddled in the alley, waiting for them. Okay, you see them all emerge and the doors close behind. Psst. Psst. What? What?

Oh, come here. Hi. Over to the corner. Yeah, we walk casually. You walk casually. Is he suspicious at all? Don't be suspicious. Don't be suspicious. Don't be suspicious.

Okay, what did we gather? Much to. Very fruitful investigation in there. We found, well, I don't know what y'all found, but I found a crate that looked like it had been disturbed and inside it had a residue of this very strange substance called brumestone. We found the same thing. I mean, I assume it's the same looking shit that you found.

Yeah. Yeah. And that one, the gnome was acting real suspicious-like. I noticed that, too. So what do we do? She didn't want us there. Oh, what did y'all find? I found this moldy case. Have you opened it? What's inside of it?

I haven't yet. It's like a treasure trove. What is that little wet spot on it? I licked it. Would you like a sample? I can't taste or smell. You've licked it with your tongue? Mm-hmm. It's very cured, it's age.

Ugh. You make a great tea, honestly. Are you going to open it? Yes, I open it. The Sword of Kaz. The Sword of Kaz. Make a next charity sale. That's it.

These loot boxes are bugged. Shit. Catch it next episode, shit. Just the letter opener of Kaz. The catheter of Kaz. Sorry. Did you mean to leave a comma? Make a strength check. What?

Yeah. Aw, a strength check. What? Yeah. Aw, a strength check. Can you guard her? Oh, man, do that. That's my job, right? Just straight strength, right? I will guide you. She's already trying, all right.

I will not guide you. Not needed. She's a stronk. 16, so 13 total. Ooh. Okay. Negative ronk. 16, so 13 total. Ooh! Okay! Her bonus? Negative three. Wow.

Yeah. Her arm breaks. Right, because I'm just using my modifier, right? Yeah, yeah. Ow. Ah! Ah! I open a bag of chips with the strength. Yeah, it does tear open.

There is some sort of, not really a locking mechanism, but definitely a mechanism to keep it sealed, and it's rusted shut. When you try and pull and pull, it just tears the leather open. As it does, bits of fuzz and other rotted, moldy elements out in front of you.

Look, I broke a fingernail, and I just hold out a whole fingernail. Oh! That looks like that. You do hear the clattering of coin, though, and it looks like 12 silver and 10 gold fall from this case. It was some sort of a...

And now you can look at the back of it. There are some loops where it might've been affixed to a belt, like a small wayside belt pouch, but the loops had fallen apart. Nothing else, that's it? Nothing else. Someone lost their coin purse. But it was on the roof!

Why would they throw a satchel on the roof? I don't know, I think someone was up there. There's also a door in back that's been sealed up. Might be a way in if we want to be sneaky tonight. Dory and I found a rope ladder situation leading up to the roof. Didn't seem like there was any access, though. And what about you, Bertrand Bell and Fearne?

What did you discover? We learned a lot about each other. And... that's about it. Not much, actually. We were just making sure that nobody came in and attacked anybody, and we were security. Someone's going to sit at the door?

Yeah. Sure. Yeah. You're saying there was something suspicious inside? Were we thinking that this is some sort of pass-through point? I feel like, I mean, that's what it seems like, right? Unless, maybe not all the employees even know, but definitely someone in there has an idea.

The door we encountered, was it a door into the main space, or was it like a cellar door? Did it feel like it went to the same space or somewhere different? It looked like it entered into the same area, like it was on a track and once slid open to the side to let people in.

Like a heavy theater door that had been sealed a long time ago and had since been left to rust and in disuse. So you're thinking this is an inside job? I mean, that's a vibe I got. I don't know, I just sensed that that manager was pretty uncomfortable. Yeah, maybe we could catch them red-handed

or whatever, if we watch, stake out? I don't know. How does this work? Yeah, it could be a front for something else. I mean, it would make sense. They wouldn't do anything during the day. Perhaps on a cover of night, they'll show their colors. Did they say how long they'd be here? Closed at sunset, they said.

Are there any windows around on this building? No. Nothing. There are oil lanterns within the interior that are placed intentionally far from any of the flammable textiles and materials, but the entirety of the interior is lit by torchlight. Can anybody melt metal?

Does anybody have the ability to melt metal? Can anyone go invisible? I could turn into, you know, a crab or something. You could. I don't. Wow. You can turn into a crab. I can turn into pretty much whatever I want. And I can pretty much make anyone invisible.

Whoa! That is very true, which actually might be more helpful than a crab. A crab sounds really fun, though. What invisible crab? I don't know. But I don't know if I could understand what's happening in there. It's like you're covering up your cleavage.

I know my titties are just so out there, so I want to make sure I cover it up. I get uncomfortable. I have to revert my gaze from Travis a lot of the time. I'm going to get these arms and rest. Yeah! There it is. About what time is it?

I'd say between travel to and from the different spires, time spent casing the vicinity, it's mid-afternoon. How long can you make someone invisible for? Um. I don't know. As long as I'm able to concentrate on it, maybe. Ooh. Would you say duration about an hour, I think?

Yeah, I think so. I've got it here. Let me recall my arcane training. It's all yours. Ah, yes, up to one hour, I think? Yeah, I think so. I've got it here. Let me recall my arcane training. It's all good. Ah, yes! Up to one hour, Bertrand. Thank you for asking. Not bad. Maybe right at sunset, you could turn one of us invisible, or yourself,

and then as they're opening up the door to head on out, you could sneak in. Brilliant idea. See? She's so brilliant. Me. Or anyone. Can I ask you a question? Yeah. You talk right in there.

Yeah. How far apart? Quite a distance, actually. But it only lasts for a short amount of time. I mean. We're talking a couple of minutes or? About three minutes. Oh yeah, Ashton, don't be surprised

if you hear Imogen's voice in your head, because. You hear my voice in your head saying, Oh hi. What if you were invisible inside? Good to know. Good to know, good to know. And you saw people coming in, and then you'd be able to reach out?

Only if I can see you. Oh. Can you talk in my head? I talk to you in your head. Oh, hi, Ferry. It's so cool. I think turning into a crab is pretty cool. That's all you hear in your head.

I'm not saying that out loud. I can communicate as well for people, just not as silently as Imogen. And I cast Message to Fearne, and I go, you see what I mean? And you can reply to this message. I think in my head and I don't say anything out loud, which I don't know if that'll work.

Okay. She said okay. She said okay, hello. It's working? Yes. You don't hear anything from her. She's not speaking out loud. Yeah. But you can read lips because she's 10 feet from you.

That's just what she thought it is. Yeah, she thought she replied to her message. She replied to my message. Let me double check. I think message you have to actually speak it. Oh, you do? Yeah. Oh!

You can whisper it. Yeah, it's whisper. Message is the cell, yeah, it's the cell phone. Yeah, you whisper it. A lot of you whisper it. Can you hear me at all? I can hear you, I can hear you. Can't text, only call. Okay. We're doing a stakeout? A stakeout.

Some of us are staking out outside. Some of us are going inside. Who? How many people can you turn invisible? I can make myself invisible. I can make any of you invisible. One at a time or multiple people? Yes. It's like Embarrassment of Riches, though.

We have Crabbe, Invisible, and I think Hammer versus Rusty Old Gate as well. Thank you. How many of you have actually crimed before? I mean, sort of. Obviously. Really? No, I mean, I've been around a while. Mine was mainly for survival, though.

Right. We don't do it on a habit. Well, what qualifies as a crime? Something that if someone caught you doing, they could have somebody with a day job put you into a box and not let you go. Generally breaking the law. Yeah! Breaking and entering.

Can you just keep re-upping the invisibility spell for as often as you need, or is there a limitation to how long you can do it for? If you go in at sundown, is it going to run out after three hours? One hour, and I have to concentrate the whole time. Also, who's quiet, who's sneaky?

Are any of us quiet? Well, yeah, that's fair. I don't think I would be the one because I'm just not very quiet. But if you're a crab, you're probably more quiet. But the thing is, I think if I'm just not very quiet. But if you're a crab, you're probably more quiet. But the thing is, I think if I'm a crab, only crabs.

Only turn into crabs. I don't know what it is. Circle of crabs. The circle of druids of glass. Do you have the brain of a crab? I think I would have the brain of a crab. Actually, no. Druids, when you transform into creatures,

you keep your full intellect. You're a very tall woman. Yeah, you're smart. Polymorph is different, but it's not Polygen. Would it be a small crab or a big crab? Uh-huh. Yeah. I don't know. Yeah, made that mistake.

Yep, mothy. Yep. I'm writing that down. Okay. You? Do you become an actual, like a small crab? A dungeness crab? A blue crab? I could be any type of crab. An Alaskan crab.

So if someone's leaving the building. North of Isilra. I suppose. I imagine people, they'll leave it open for a bit as people are coming in and out, right? Traditionally, when they're leaving the business, they'll lock it up. The people leaving will either be leaving by themselves

or maybe carrying a big package. If they're carrying a big package, we can just follow them, mug them. There's a lot of options. You can just take their shit, especially around here, it's pretty quiet at night. I'm still got fucking past all this trace up. I'm still low key.

That's for 10 minutes, right? One hour. One hour? That's right. Boom. You were correct. I checked. Ooh. Then if someone goes in in the middle of the night and doesn't seem to be leaving,

we can sneak in and maybe either pick the lock or break the door down. Can anyone pick locks here? Kind of. Kind of as well. Does that mean hitting things with that hammer? I don't just hit things with the hammer. I like to mostly hit things with the hammer,

but I can do some stuff. It's a very nice hammer. Thank you. Maybe it's a better idea to let something get taken and figure out what the deal is. Hmm. Steak out tonight. If we don't learn anything, sneak in tomorrow.

We could even, early in the morning, maybe, if nothing happens, last thing we can do before going to bed is do a little damage to that back door so that the next day we can open it. All right. It's very well done craftsmanship back there. It might take, you know, solid effort.

It's some bars. I think we can just heat them, beat them, whatever we need to do. So many things rhyme here. It's that kind of town. I'm going to spin behind me and look around. Does it look like there's good places for a stakeout? There are a number of surrounding rooftops.

If they're unoccupied, that would give you a number of decent vantage points. This is an industrial portion of the district, and a lot of the buildings are, once again, built for function than display. And you figure there's probably, if you can get onto them, some decent places to keep a watch.

Though once again, if you're on a rooftop, you are open season to anyone flying overhead. They're full time, yeah? They're day and night, 24 hours? I mean, they keep watch, but it's not like you're under a police state watching. They've had patrols, and if you were to keep watch for a while,

you could probably pick up a pattern, but you haven't spent time on that. Is Grodd-level bare bones, or is there stuff around? Are there any crates or storage or anything outside of the warehouse? There are a handful of pieces of crates. Most what is out in the middle of the alleyway here

looks like it is partially discarded or abandoned, supply crates that fell apart, lost their function, and nobody has taken the time to actually dispose of properly. So there are some places to hide, but nothing that's too intact, necessarily. Did you guys find a way in on the roof, did you say? Nothing. No.

No, just a new purse for her. So we want. It was very bright, though. It was blinding. So we want two teams, probably, front door, back door, even if that door seems sealed, maybe it isn't for the right people. Watch both ways in, but both teams need to have communication,

so that's you and that's you two. That's the smart one, all right. One leader. Then whoever sees something go down, reach out, and then we follow. Sounds good. Just got to find a place to lay low. Well, once the sun sets,

I'm always a fan of laying high. Building across the way, you get up on the roof, bring a couple fucking liquor bottles and people will just assume that you're trying to find a place to get drunk and, you know, that you don't have a place to go. Are there any food carts or restaurants or anything in this area somewhat nearby?

Oh yeah. There's not much in the way of high dining, necessarily, but there are small hole-in-the-wall food places and small mini taverns that are pop-ups in the city, if you will. But no, just a number of carts that constantly shift and move. It's not that it's illegal to do any street vending here,

but based on the day of the week and based on the trends of business, they will shift to where the most workers and the most people are during that day and try and make the maximum amount of money. So it's not terribly crowded in this space right now, but there are a number of small street vendors where you can find some food.

Drink will take a little more work, but not too much. You can spend a little bit of money and buy a bottle off of one of these hole-in-the-wall places in the next hour if you wanted. What are you thinking? Hungry? Try to blend in? Well, we got to pass the time until the sun goes down. We could always, you know,

there's a lot of sewer systems around here. And Laudna and I have certainly had our experience with shade creepers. There's different types of sewer systems around here. Laudna and I have certainly had our experience with shade creepers. There's different types of entrances everywhere. I mean, I would love to look around the city and see along the street if we can find any sewer entrances. Make it a street check for me.

Cool. Come on. Guidance! No. Guidance? Sure. Didn't shout it before he rolled it, if you wanted to. It doesn't really matter.

My history is dog shit. Terrible, terrible roll. I rolled shit. Yeah, no, six. Six. Balls of... So you don't, you haven't heard much about the structures of the sewage of the city.

There are places, public rest stops, where people can publicly relieve themselves. There is no definitive sewer system beneath the city. There are a series of carved holes that all conjoin, and then at certain spaces at the bottom of each spire, there are exit portals. Oh, gross. There are certain areas around the base of the spire

that people do not go. Would I know? A lot of creatures do. Oh fucking hell. Would I know if there's a similar, if the Lantern Spire had a similar thing to mine? If it was a little bit of an underground community. Would I not know what was going on?

You would, you would actually. The Lantern Spire, you would know of what is called Elder's Post. Elder's Post? Elder's Post is a number of residential subterranean tunnels that weave through the mountain rock of the spire and all meet in this weird, haphazard, almost spider filaments of tunnels.

And in that space, a lot of people of different walks of life, everywhere from modest income to paupers, just all co-mingle. And it's also the place where you can find goods that fell off carts, where you can find goods that may not have been legally acquired.

It is often also raided by the wardens. Sure. Would I know where an entrance to this would be nearby? We would know a few, yeah. Is there anything, would there be an entrance super close? To where you are right now? I'd say within a 20-minute walk or so.

I mean, I got a place we could go pick up some stuff if anyone's interested. It's a little out of the way. Stuff like items or food? A little food, little booze, maybe ask around a bit about contraband. See if anybody's got a line on anything? I also have a thought.

While we were in there, I heard Gerudal thinking about the fact that they were going to be at the Dream Theater later on this evening. Now, what if a couple of us went to the Dream Theater and just happened to be around Gerudal, made friends, and we could find out a little bit more about the situation? That's a good idea.

Wait a minute. Dream Theater, Dream Theater. Dream Theater's a great place. Is Annie playing there tonight? Annie Otta is playing. Or auditioning. Okay. Yeah, Annie Otta's hoping to audition for the Dream Theater. Okay, that tonight, or? Is practicing for the opportunity soon to audition?

You didn't give a specific date. Not to win me tonight, all right. I'm dusting off my monologues. Is it hard to get tickets to the Dream Theater, Wodana? You've never been. So he was looking to audition. No, this was Ashton's friend is going to audition.

Garudal has tickets to the Dream Theater. But Garudal is going to go see a show. Is it hard to get tickets? Depends on who's playing, to be honest. If it's a show no one wants to see, then no. Just an idea. I don't know who's playing tonight. Well, the afternoon is growing later.

The light in the sky begins to turn from a strong blue to the beginning stages of a coming sunset in the next two or so hours. What would you like to do to prepare? If you want to go after the items, I don't mind staging a lookout across the street and just keeping an eye out. All right, anybody want to go buy some shit?

20-minute walk, give or take. What's there to buy? Little food, little drink, and just, I don't know, see if anything shifty has run through this part of town. Also, if we want to send a couple people to talk to this Garudal. Garudal. We know where he's going to be.

That'll be after sunset, though. That'll be later on this evening, I'm assuming. I feel like we should just stay here and stake out. All right. I'll take the back if you want to take the front. Sure. Across the street. I'll take the back if you want to take the front. Sure. Across the street. I'll stay in the shade.

I'll take the back, too, since we need to hit a door. I'll hit a door. Now, here's a question, because you have thoughts about maybe someone coming up from underneath, right? Yeah. Do we want one of us?

That's so nice. Inside? Right? Yeah. Do we want one of us inside? I feel like one of us inside would be helpful, but I had mentioned just staking out tonight and going in tomorrow. That's dumb. I mean, we can go in tonight if you want. I'm just a little distracted. Are you having some anxiety? Do you want to talk about it? You could call it that.

No, I would not like to, but I, yeah. You just hear everything? Sometimes, Fearne. That's a lot. Yeah. We're going to have a limited window. When the last person locks up for the evening, we have an opportunity to go in.

We could make someone invisible. Fearne could become a tiny crab and try to sneak by. Or a mouse or whatever it is. Whatever's indigenous to this area, I don't know if a crab is. They might see it and try to kill me. Or cook me. You know if a crab is. They might see it and try to kill me. Or cook me, you know? It's delicious.

All right. All right. I like this plan. I like inter, what did you say? B and... B and E? B and D! That's what you said. Sure. I think that's fun.

So who's in the back and who's in the front? I can go in the back with Ashton. We'll take the back. I'll take the back. Oh wait, we need to be in the back because you're going to be in the front communicating? Are you going in? No. I wasn't planning to,

but I imagine Dorian here will be. Yeah, I'll be in the front. Are you sneaky Dorian? No. Not particularly, but. Maybe you can make Orym here invisible. You know, he's kind of silly. That's the way to do it.

Smells bad. You bitch. Don't want to go. You take your ass inside. You're going to do some deception check or you're going to peek on my sheets. Peek on sheet sheets. All right, so what's the plan? It's true, if you hit me and I can wait by the door

for when they close up shop. Yeah, you can go straight in. That's easier for you to sneak in. Yeah. Yeah. And then if... I can hear you for three minutes, once you're inside. Orym, do you want to do this? I think I should. Three minutes, once you're inside. Orym, do you want to do this? I think I should.

All right. What are you going to be looking for? Somebody coming in from above or below. Something we're not expecting. Are there two floors in there? It looks really tall. Oh, it was just a high ceiling. Yeah, okay. Right? Yeah, it's about, say, 20 feet up.

Okay. We're looking for floaty stuff, so that definitely opens up the options of where they could hide it. Yeah, plus, as long as you're invisible, you can hide behind one of those crates. I could barely see you behind those things. Yeah, just if somebody comes from a direction

we're not expecting, how do I? Signal. Signal. Knock on the back door. I can message you, at least let you know, and then you can message me back, and I can always communicate to Imogen. Can you do that? Like, regularly?

Yes. Okay. Is it going to be creepy? That's up to your interpretation, darling. It's going to be creepy. Yeah. Let's do it. If things go real wrong, knock on the back door and we'll break in.

Guns blazing. Boom, boom. What's it, what's it? We'll break in with... I've never seen it. Ready, boom. What's it, what's it? We'll break in with the other scene in. Ready, break. Never mind. Go! Here we go. So as it starts to get dark,

maybe we can wait until we see the door open before you turn him invisible so we get the most amount of time out of it, you know? I think they'll come out as a group together. Potentially, yeah. That'll be the time. All right, so the backdoor team's going to go in the back and just find somewhere to sit They'll come out as a group together. Potentially, yeah. That'll be the time. All right, so the backdoor team's going to go in the back

and just find somewhere to sit that looks not suspicious? Backdoor team. Backdoor team. I literally am dressed as somebody who sits behind a warehouse and doesn't look suspicious. Great. I love it. So team backdoor.

Say team backdoor, say Team Back Door! Say it! Say Team Back Door! So Team Back Door. Yay! That's what we do. You all gather yourselves to peruse and hide towards the rear entrance of the facility. Uh-huh. Mm-hmm.

All right, I would like you all to make a stealth check as you keep yourselves somewhat subdued from the public. It's done for the day. It's done-skis, all right. Hold it off. Can I guide this? You can guide yourself or somebody else. I'll guide myself for this. Because I think I get disadvantage.

Nope. Right? Mm-hmm. For stealth? Because of? Buster? Is there a d next to it? Yep. Yep.

I rolled a one. You rolled a ten? No! I did. I rolled a two and a one. Oh! What'd you roll? I rolled an eight for a 10 total. Yikes, you're the worst! What the fuck?

No, this is exactly what we're doing. Wait, we're Team Backdoor? Should I play D&D for six years? I rolled a 21. Not very sneaky going through the room. Okay. All right, all right, all right. Okay. Oh, you're Team Front Door. No, I'm Team Backdoor. Oh, you're Team Backdoor as well, all right.

We hide behind Fearne. It's just me back here. I'm just going to sit by, on like, against, I'm not going to try and hide. I'm just going to sit against the wall like an asshole. Yeah. You all gather yourself and Just look natural.

Yeah, pretty much. You try and remain natural and out of sight. And at one point, there is a late afternoon drunkard who is already clutching what looks like a green glass wine bottle in one hand and sputters through and looks over at all of you. You want some? Yeah. I'll take a little bit.

Yep, yep, yep. Thank you. Just for him. Oh no! Oh, go. What was it? I don't know, somebody gave it to me. That's fucking cool. If you see them, say thanks. I will. You have a great night.

And then passes out. Oh no. Right there on the ground next to you. I'm going to gently put them up against the wall with us. Okay. I raid his pockets. Let's see what's inside them. Yes, let's see. Fearne and I, inside of his pockets.

Turn them inside out. His pockets. Three copper, half-eaten apple, and a bunch of dried grass. And a bunch of poop. Never take copper. You just never take copper. That's kicking someone while they're down.

Didn't you eat these? Do you want them? I did. I'm not particularly in need. I think Ashton's right. We should put it back in their pocket. You take silver if they're an asshole and you take gold regardless. But one man's copper is anotheron's right. We should put it back in their pocket. You take silver if they're an asshole and you take gold regardless. But one man's copper is another man's food.

That's just sad. You just got to put that back. That's just so sad. What are you going to do with three copper? There are many uses for this copper. This asshole needs it. I'm just saying, this asshole needs those three copper. I just open his shirt and pour it down his shirt.

Yeah, no, I respect that. That's great. All right, so you guys are posted up. Team Frontor? Yeah. Fronting. Team Missionary? What do they call you? I don't know. Team Full Frontal. What is Full Frontal?

Full Frontal. Full Frontal. All right. Full Frontal's a good one. All right, what right. All right. All right. All right. All right. What are you all doing? We're posted up. Is there another alleyway across the street,

or is there anywhere we can hide across the street? Around the building, there are, the alley continues past the right and left and splinters off into a number of other alleys. There are a few corners here. There aren't a lot of direct hiding spaces that aren't completely invisible from all perspectives from the front door.

There's also, I guess I mentioned rooftops, uncertain what's on them beyond the one that you guys already visited, but that is also an option. What are you looking and doing? Well, hopefully we want a quick route for me once. Yeah, once we start to see the door open so we can go.

They don't suspect us or anything. What if we just posted up at one of the food carts and pretended to be patrons and waited until they came out? Well, if you're going to run a hunt, to me, that can be obvious. You're right. Yeah, so we should hide in an alley or something. Just out of sight for the moment, you know?

Okay. As the sun gets lower in the sky and you guys are figuring this out, you do notice that Karak leaves with a sack over his shoulder and exits. When he leaves, does he just open the door and go and shut the door? Or does he open the door for a moment,

gather shit, walk out? He looks like he already has all his stuff and just exits and leaves. Door closes behind him. Shit. Before, I would have told you, he seems pretty innocent. What were you saying, Dorian?

Nothing, I was thinking. Well, now that Carrak has left, maybe, I mean, I don't know, what do you think? Turn him invisible and then you can just be right next to the door the minute it opens, you go on in? Yeah, yeah, it's gambling, but he's quick. You duck in as soon as the next one comes out,

or when the last one comes out? When anyone comes out. Yeah, just get in. Yeah. What's the sun like right now? Right now, the sky is starting to turn to that bright orange. You probably have another, I'd say 20 or so minutes.

No, 20 minutes. Oh. Shit. That's if they all leave together. Is there anyone walking down the street with cloaks or any sort of more common fare than my duds? Yeah, plenty of people. I mean, outside of the alley, yeah. Like the main street, they're all.

Can I try and catch up with someone and offer them two silver for their shabby cloak? Sure, yeah, you approach one young gentleman. Looks like he's a courier of some kind. He has what looks to be a paper-wrapped package under his arm, and he's in a bit of a brusque. Excuse me. Hello?

I'm sorry, it's a bit cold tonight. Would you take a few silver for your cloak for an old man? How many silver? Two. Three. Five. Four. Make a persuasion check.

I love this, this whole game is just slowly training. Just get 50 gold? 14. 14 goes. Four. Four silver. Thank you. Just continues running. I'll back up against the building and throw it over my front

and lean up like I'm sleeping like a drunk person against the edge of the thing, but it covers up all the poofs and ruffles. It does. It does end at your knee. This gentleman is a little shorter than you, so it's a little small, but it works for what you're trying to do.

All righty. Let's give it 10 more minutes. We'll see who else comes out. Yeah. Laudan leaves. Similar scenario. Drops his bag, picks it back up. Reaches into his pocket and pulls out

some sort of a dried roll. Looks like it had some sort of a glaze on it, but it's gotten a bit lint and stuff from his pocket on it. He just flicks it off, takes a bite, and just leaves. Okay, I think this is the moment. This is the moment. Come here, sir. Oremund!

Oh my god. I'm going to bring Oremund, and I'm going to reach inside that winged pauldron on the inside and just pull out a little piece of gum. It usually would be whatever, but it's got an eyelash in it. Yeah, I'm sorry, I'm barely saying words. And I have it in my hand and I'm just going to walk up to Orm and I'm just going to tink it right on his little forehead,

right between the eyes, and cast Invisibility. Shoom! He's gone for a second. Wow. I'm still here. That's a neat trick. Thank you. Thank you.

I'm going to tiptoe over to the building now. Don't forget, Orym, if you attack anyone or cast a spell, you'll become visible again. Just going in the door. All right't forget, Orym, if you attack anyone or cast a spell, you'll become visible again. Just going in the door. All right. Hmm. You know what? Yeah? Oh, if you can't see him.

Yeah. Oh! Well. Yeah. That's fine, that's fine. I just, I'll lose connection with you. I've got three minutes from here. Oh shit. Before I can't talk to you anymore.

Well, I'll tell you what, if it goes wrong, not the worst, but if I don't get in, I'll just come back. Sure. If you see the door open and five minutes goes by and you don't hear from me, I'm in there. Yeah, that'll work. Sure. Okay. Be careful, Orym.

Bye, guys. You head up to the side of the door? I'll wait five feet to the left or the right of it. Okay. Wait. 10 minutes, the light in the sky gets slightly darker and darker. The door opens up and you see a black-scaled female dragonborn step through with a large

leather pouch and pack over, well, it looks almost like a hiking pack on her back. As she steps through, turns back, You all you got? You hear from the inside, Don't worry. I'll close up, I've got it. All right.

Looks up at the sky. I hope I'm not going to miss it. Turns and closes the door behind. I soft foot my way towards that door as I swing and shut. Okay. You slip in, make a stealth check with advantage. Let's go. Yeah, come on. Let's go, daddy. Come on, come on.

You can't fail. Well, no, I did not fail at all. I did real well. That is a 23. 23. Thank you, boy. Unnoticed, he closes behind you. The interior is very dark.

You see just the little bits of oil lanterns flickering on the four different corners of the interior chamber. Make a perception check. Do you have dark food? No, happens to not, right? But I have really good perception at advantage, so it would be a straight roll, maybe? It would be a straight roll,

because you were in low light. We sent in a guy who can't sit in awesome. Are you also looking at one? 15. 15. Okay, looking around, you hear footsteps, quick ones. Oh shit. More than one set or one?

Just a single set of lighter footsteps. Right. You glance as your eyes adjust and you can see the far back of the chamber where you were all inspecting those tampered crates. You can now see Danas is currently setting the lids back on, looking inside, gathering things, rushes back near where you are, looks around for a second,

grabs some things, throws a scarf over around the shoulders and around the face, puts a hood up. You can see a jittery energy to her. She swallows hard, pulls out her keys, opens the door, steps out. Are you staying? Staying in, yeah. Closes the door.

You hear it lock. The rest of you who are outside, I would like you to make a stealth check for me. Make sure you are unseen. Hold on, front door, front door, full frontal? Yep, full frontal. Go ahead and make a stealth check, please. Full frontal?

Boom. 18. Let's go. Natural 20 or anything. Woo! Six. Woo! Six. Ah! A natural 20. Sexy six. Sexy six.

Sexy six. So as soon as you guys hear the door open again, you notice that Imogen's leaning a little far out, and you, Dory, grab her, pull her back. You guys watch as the door locks, and you can see that as goes and pulls something out, and I don't know if I read something in her pocket, looks off and begins to make a very, very brisk run

away from the warehouse. We got to follow her. Who's following her? I'm going. Is he? He's by himself hiding. No, I stood up. I'm not drunk anymore. We got to go follow her. Should we following her? I'm going. He's by himself, hiding. No, I stood up. I'm not drunk anymore. We've got to go follow her. Should we follow her? Why are you asking me? I don't know.

Can you save your mind to get to the other side? Yeah, no, I'm saying it just to you. Should we follow her? You two can go if you want. I'm not leaving my friend alone. I'm sorry. It's up to you, but I'm staying here. We should follow her. Yeah, I'm going. Okay, we'll follow her. Oh no. So it's just the two of you? Can you tell anybody else'm staying here. We should follow. Yeah, we'll follow. Okay, we'll follow. Oh no. So it's just the two of you? Can you tell anybody else?

I can't see anybody else. Nope. We're going. I'll wait until Laudna sends me a message and I'll let her know what's going on. Okay. Okay. Sidebar, as soon as Dennis leaves, before I lose all light completely, I'm going to move to the perimeter of the room

and find some cool. That is enough, too. As Dennis leaves, they extinguish all the oil lanterns because there's no need to have open flame burning within the warehouse. So as soon as she's gone, I'm now feeling my way to the side. You're the one, Alex!

I'm fighting my way to the side of this warehouse and looking for boxes and then just sitting between the wall and crates and just trying to sit down and listen. Okay. Ooh, does it feel spooky? In theory, you have an adventurer's kit or something, right?

I could do a torch. You have to have a lantern or something. Of course, but I'm not doing that. Okay, okay. I'm sitting in the darkness and listening with my keen ears. You've got have a lantern or something. Of course, but I'm not doing that. Okay, okay. I'm sitting in the darkness and listening with my keen ears. You've got it.

That's my keen mind. Okay. What are the rest of you doing? Well, I will. You would've heard the door, like the series of doors opening and closing, opening and closing. What's the right number? How many was that?

I don't come back in five minutes. No. Okay. I think it's four. Four. That was four. Let me check in with the front door, too. He's still with you. All right. I know. How's all the people in the back?

My boy's there. Oh, Imogen. How's it going? Oh god, Laudna, there's people. Okay, Orym's inside. I would know how many words I can say for this message. Is this a message, Phil? Is this a 25-word message?

I would know. There we go. Message doesn't really have a word limit. It's not the same, it's not the same. It's not a word, there's no word limit. It just says short. Distances? No, short message. Oh, short message.

We're chasing after Danas. Orym's inside. And Dorian is in the front. That's all. It's going great. They're chasing after Danas. Orym is inside. Dorian is in the front.

Send another message and ask who's chasing them and if they need any more help up there. Oh Imogen, who's chasing them and if they need any more help up there. Oh, Imogen, who are you chasing? Do you need any help? What's the range of our message? I know, 120 feet. 120? Yeah, so.

Dead skis. Yeah, there's no response. Barely. Probably reach the first place. Don't know. They're off living their best life. Well, I will cast a message inside the building.

I was about to say. You could do that, too. Yeah, except mine's slightly different. Orym, you'll just get a feeling of curiosity from your good old pal, Fresh Cut Grass. What? In the dark. Here we are. You basically feel like you're being watched then. Is that what that means?

Like suddenly you're in the dark feeling like you've been watched. That's the worst feeling. That's terrible. You're more cute, I guess, now. I send a message to Orym. Better. Orym. Better. Orym!

Are you well? Are you well? Are you well? Are you well? Are you well? Yes. Is it fun? Is it fun? Is it fun? Is it fun?

Less and less so. That's what I'm going to need to help her, or anyone in there. Do you need assistance? Assistance. Well, I'm pretty sure I'm locked inside and I can't see shit, but I think this is the plan still.

And don't worry, Dorian and Belle and Imogen are out front, so they've got me covered. Oh, he's totally out of the loop. It's quite adorable. Wait, what do you mean he's out of the loop if he's in there alone? Wait, we should go. Oh, he thinks his friends are still waiting out front,

but they're totally gone. We are his friends. Oh! Are we friends? Well, I don't know, actually. Oh my god. I don't want to be presumptuous. I mean, I'm his friend. This is at the very best of this point.

You are his friend. Yes. See? Do you want to go up front and just check? Or maybe I'll go with you. We can go check. I'm going to just... I'm going to... I'm going to knock on the back door.

What? No? Yeah, sure. In the shadow of darkness, Oh no! after a stillness, you hear, boom, boom, boom. Shh.

I try just under the crack. I get down low. There is no crack. It is sealed. Hey! This back door has no crack. That's just right. Yeah, well played. I try to just get where I think the crack is. Orym, can you hear me through the door?

You hear this high-pitched vibrations. Very high-passive reception. How rusted are the bars on the back of the door? It's intentionally prevented. It's practically welded. Okay. Can you heat this stuff up, maybe? Heat the door up?

You keep asking if we can heat things up. Let's heat one of the bars up, see if we can pull a few of these off. Absolutely. Pfft! Oh my fucking god. Wait, are we busting in? Wait, are we going in? Are we going in? We'll turn the bars up, see if we can't pull a few of these off. Absolutely. Pfft! I'll fuck you, fuck you. Wait, are we busting in? Wait, are we going in, are we going in?

I don't know, you seemed intent. We can try the, I mean, like, I don't know how. Should we just let him do his thing? Let him do his thing! He's doing, he'll be fine. That's worse. All right. So.

You currently sit in still darkness, blade drawn, facing some sort of metallic banging noise. Some of the crew is currently in the exterior of the back, debating on how to progress. Bertrand and Imogen. Are you with them as well, Dorian, or are you staying? I am out front pacing nervously. All right. Yes. As Bertrand, Bell, and Imogen have darted off

into the Drusar sun setting evening in pursuit of Dunas. It's in the middle of this chaotic cluster that will pick up next time. No! Wake up! No! It's getting so cold!

Because it's getting late! I know! I'm going to have anxiety for a week. Good, me too! Never split the bite! I'm sure it'll be fine. I shouldn't have gone. I'm going to sleep here by myself?

That's good. Somebody had to fucking come. Come on! Perfect, yeah. It's great. I'm here for this. Oh my god. We're going to pick up in the middle

of that clusterfuck next week. Yeah, let's keep going for another four hours. I love it when one person is like, follow me, follow me, follow me, shifty, shifty, shifty. Doors! Darkness! You're having the worst out-of-body experience right now. You're in a sensory deprivation chamber

and just being tortured. I'm at Nott's Scary Farm right now. It's so creepy. Happy Halloween. Happy Halloween. Happy Halloween. Happy fucking Halloween. All right, we'll pick up there next week.

Woo! Thank you all so much for joining us. Happy Halloween. We love you very much, and is it Thursday yet? Yeah! Good night. Bye. Thank you for listening to this episode of Critical Role. If you've enjoyed this ever-weaving story, please consider rating and reviewing our podcast.

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