Critical Role - C3E8 A Woodworker’s Quandary

Episode Date: December 23, 2021

The group gets to know a very unusual new friend who requests their help in a missing person's case while Dorian receives some unwelcome tidings from a beloved family member...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.

Once upon a time, a group of curious storytellers breathed life into epic tales set in the wide fantasy world of Exandria. This is Liam O'Brien, here to welcome you to Critical Role. We'll dive into the story in just a moment, but first, a few notes. This is the audio-only version of our broadcast that streams Thursdays at 7pm Pacificm. Pacific over on twitch.tv slash criticalrole and youtube.com slash criticalrole. If you subscribe to our Twitch channel, you can watch the video on demand immediately after the broadcast.

And it's also available Mondays at 12 p.m. Pacific on YouTube. And of course, for all you wonderful podcast listeners, freshly minted episodes release right here on the Critical Role Podcast Network one week after our broadcast on Thursdays. With all that said, let's get into the story. Hello, everybody, and welcome to tonight's episode of Critical Role, where a bunch of us nerdy-ass voice actors sit around and play Dungeons & Dragons. Before we get started for tonight's session,

we do have some announcements to get through, beginning with the first of our two sponsors tonight, Sam with Old Spice. Old Spice, guys. Sure. Yep, that's happening. It's not on the proctor, so I'm stealing your script. Here we go.

Tonight's sponsor is the master of scents. There it is, Old Spice. And their brand new Witcher scents. The world of The Witcher was full of bad smells because Old Spice didn't exist yet and damn did those people need it. Now to celebrate the release of the second season of The Witcher on Netflix, Old Spice has created six scents, scents with a T.

Three amazingly good and three very, very bad. So you can smell just like you belong in the 1200s. And tonight, we're lucky to have a sneak peek at these wondrous scents from Old Spice. So thought it'd be fun to let each of you take a whiff and see if you can guess what these scents are. You have a scent before you. Take a sniff one at a time.

Tell me what you think, what it smells like, bad or good. Taliesin, you're up first. Oh god, here we go. Okay, that's base notes of leather with high notes of sweat. Some animals' pheromones. I'm going to guess this is the smell of your bedroom sand.

Correct. No, actually, this one the smell of your bedroom, Sam. Correct. Yeah, yeah. No, actually, this one's called Roach, named after Geralt's horse. I said his name right. You said it right, thank you. Oh my god. Big Witcher fan. Liam, you're up next. Oh, hold on, let me break the seal.

Okay, this is if you buy a chili cheese dog, but you're late for an audition, so you save it in your car for later. Then you nail the audition, and you go so excited you forget to eat, and the chili cheese dog, it rolls under your seat, because that's where they go, and it stays there for two months.

And the heat from your car, you know, cooks it over and over until one day you find it, and you kind of, but you get the roll, and that's all that matters. That's very descriptive, and it sounds delicious. That stench, that smell is called the smell of surprise. It's all that matters. That's very descriptive and it sounds delicious. That stench, that smell is called the smell of surprise.

It's actually quite lovely. This one actually smells good and the script makes no sense. A little side note, I wrote the script before they gave me the sense to smell. All right, next up is Laura.

Take it away. Smell it. Actually smell it. Do it. Do it, open it. Come on, go. Oh, good. Why are you going to go no. Smell it. Actually smell it. Do it. Do it, open it. You want to go. Oh god! Did you? Why are you going to go so close?

Why did I really smell it? That smells like if Jar Jar Binks was a smell. You know, it's like something I would never, ever, ever want to experience again. Correct! Mesa smell good. That one's called Kikamora Corpse. Okay.

Ashley, Yussa up next. Okay. Oh, you're taking off the plastic. Oh, you're going to bring this out. I don't wear deodorants, so I don't know how to use these things. You don't? Yes, she does.

She's all done. We'll never know. Okay. Question. Fresh anteater pit. Oh. Fresh anteater piss. South American variety, no question, final answer. Correct. That one's called Blaviken Before the Butchering.

Ooh. Very good job, though. Very descriptive. That one smells good. This one smells good. Yes, this is good. Okay, Travis, you're up good job, though. Very descriptive. That one smells good. This one smells good. Yes, this one's good. Okay, Travis, you're up. Oh, yeah. Oh god. Oh, yeah, nice try. This is just Laura's perfume.

I love you, babe. I love you, baby. Oh, that is so sweet, but incorrect. That's called Yennefer's Underarm, and it is delicious. All right, last up, Robbie. I saved the best for you, sir. Of course. Jesus! The full hit. Put it back, put it back!

It is... No, hold on, hold on! It is pungent. Tangy, I would say. And sophisticated, yet beautiful. This is bathwater, unmistakable. Absolutely right. It's called Geralt's Bath Water.

Yes! Same! Close one! Put it back, put it away! I just got a scent out of nowhere, and I don't know who it came from, but what's it? That is real people in there, for sure. Yeah.

And because Marisha didn't get to go, we only got six scents today, I'm going to give you a bonus round. This time, you're going to smell me. And I think what I'd like to, oh, oh, you're just going to go in? Okay. Oh gosh, she's in for two.

Yeah, that's real bad. Yeah, it smells like Omar's broccoli farts, a little methane, rogue kill. She's in it. Kid Rock. like Omar's broccoli farts, a little methane, rogue kill. She's in it. Kid Rock. I imagine this is what Kid Rock smells like. That's interesting, because I was going to say, I haven't put on the scent yet.

That's just me. That's just my natural smell. I was going to put one on, but you jumped the gun. But thanks, that's great. I guess I need some of that Yennefer's Underarm. Try this one. Thank you. Oh, it's great. I've always just wanted to see how far they go.

You get a lot of product. Listen, no matter which one of these awesome Old Spice scents you slather on to hide your 800-year-old body funk, you're in for a delectable sensory treat. Three are great, three are terrible. In the meantime, go check out all the fantastic Old Spice scents from the Witcher world for yourself now

at OldSpice.com slash Witcher, and enter their giveaway for a chance to win the good scents and the scented trading cards. What? Matt, back to you. Wait, they're doing trading cards? Just like in the game? You guys. Well, that broke her heart. What?

Do they also have sexy ladies on them? I don't know. You have to patch it to get the actual attention. Thank you so much, Old Spice, for whatever the hell our room smells like now. It's unique, you guys. That was so much. Old Spice, for whatever the hell our room smells like now. It's unique, you guys. That was so much. It is special.

It really smells. It smells of season two. It smells like an episode of Hoarders right now. Our second and much better smelling comparison to this mixture right now, sponsor Ghostfire Games. Ghostfire Games. Our friends at Ghostfire Games have their new episodic subscription service, Fables. Each Fable consists of six episodes released monthly,

and in each of the episodes are four chapters. Now, each episode is about 80 pages, and also comes with digital maps and digital tokens, making the perfect all-in-one adventure. And first up is a grim hollow adventure, Citadel of the Unseen Sun, an adventure set within a world where the sun has vanished from the sky

and vampires rule the land with an iron fist. Check it all out now at Ghostfiregaming.com slash Fables hyphen Critical Role. And if you sign up for the Fables membership before December 31st Eastern Time, you will get your subscription for 9.99 per month for the first 12 months. I think that's it for our sponsors.

Marisha, you had something to talk about. Yes, this is our last episode of Campaign 3 for the year, you guys. Oh shit! 2021, right? And we're out. Just for the, yeah. 12 episodes, we're out.

We're taking off the last two weeks of December for our cast and crew to have a relaxing holiday break, and we will return to campaign three with episode nine on Thursday, January 6th, 2022. So three, nine, one, six, two, two. Wait, what? What? Episode three, campaign three, episode nine. First month, sixth date.

You can't even say? Year 22. This is making it worse. We got it. Mark your calendars. That's it, that's my announcement. Thank you, Vricia. Matt doing more announcements. The sentence ruined us. Thank you, Vricia. Thank you, Sam. We do have news also from Darrington Press.

The Tal'Dorei campaign setting Reborn is coming January 18th! Woo! The creative team includes my fellow designers, Hannah Rose and James Hayek, and a slew of talented artists. We've packed this book with lore, subclasses, monsters, magic, and even a gorgeous poster map with cartography by the amazing Andy Law.

We cannot wait for you to discover how Tal'Dorei and Vox Machina have changed in the two decades since their campaign, and so, so much more. Now visit DaringtonPress.com to learn more about this. And with that, I believe it is time for us to jump into tonight's episode of Critical Role. Whoa! Critical.

Thursday. Critical. Thursday. It's Thursday night. All right. Hold your breath and roll. How do you want to do this? It's Thursday night. All ye critters come join us. It's time to continue our flight. There is magic and mystery. Who knows what will happen? Ye might. But one thing's for sure.

We never give up on the fight From the healer to the renegade We all share the same goal Adding more allies, taking more chances Hold your breath and roll You can certainly try It's Thursday night All ye Critters come join us

It's time to continue our play There is magic and mystery From darkness our friendship will rise But one thing's for sure We never give up on the fight Oh, get ready, it's Thursday night And welcome back. SAM and LAURA say goodbye. And welcome back.

So, last we left off, this group of heroes, upon forging themselves a space here in the city of Jrusar, you encountered some dangerous denizens, you made some allies, and you began to discuss about the possibility of this becoming a thing. Upon searching some of the various rumors that are swirling about, you had heard that there were mysterious vanishings,

people who have gone missing around the Dreamscape Theater. You went and got tickets for the show, enjoyed the performances, and then began to ask around for information about these recent disappearances. As you began to travel about, you pieced together some interesting details, met some curious characters, and eventually found yourself ambushed in the back alley

where these disappearances you discovered had been occurring as a part of the wall seemed to attack you. You managed to defeat this strange, amorphous, nightmarish wall creature, and as it lay slain on the ground, the Wardens, the Wilders, came to inspect the brief interrogation to yourselves, and being supported by the denizens

of the Dreamscape Theater as well, you were given a pass. And as they continued to inspect the body of this corpse and hopefully close their investigation into these disappearances, of which they did not do the hard work, you began to walk away, where in the alleyway, there was someone awaiting you.

An older gnomish gentleman that seemed to have been keeping an eye and an ear open to your penchant for seeking out missing persons. Upon introducing themself, you met Chetney. Chetney. At which point you went ahead and said, Shit. At which point, you went ahead and said, walk and talk, we're going to head to the Spire by Fire and we can figure out what the hell is going on.

And that is where we pick up. As you all now exit the alley on the side of the Dreamscape Theater to make your way back towards the Spire by Fire, this strange new character is in tow with just the briefest of introductions. I like your shoes. They're so pointy.

Oh, thank you, yes. I've had them for years. How many years? Actually, I can't actually remember. It's been decades. Let's say 75. How many years? Actually, I can't actually remember. It's been decades. Let's say 75. Wow. 85.

It's been a while. Decades or years? What? Never mind. Do you mind us asking your age? We just went around a little bit with an older gentleman, and we just want to make sure that we take good care of you.

You're awfully nice. I mean, I could be fucking armed to the teeth. You don't know me. Are you armed to the teeth? Yes. What the fuck is going on with you? Holy shit. My name's Laia.

Don't touch me! I'll cut you! My god. That tracks. That tracks. She's with you? Yeah. Part of the deal? Part of the deal. Cool.

You said you needed our help. Well, it seems like you guys are good at finding people. Huh? Did you say fighting or finding? Finding! Well, I don't actually know how good we are at finding. What would make you think that? What, I paid you for finding people

that went missing, no? You were only looking for them. Did I miss something in that exchange? They were dead, though. Yes, and in fact, we keep finding dead people. Oh. More dead than alive. Just dead folks?

I think we're trying to branch out. We'd love to find live ones, but so far, just dead ones. Maybe give me a call when you get your shit together and find the live ones. I'll see you around. Wait, wait, wait, wait! We should just let him go.

It's all right. Do you need to be escorted back to a house or something? He's late. Are you lost? No. What? I'm sorry. You're so all up in my shit.

Take a step back, in fact, blue boy. It's all right. He's a key player. Blue boy? Vaguely offensive. You're all rushing up on me like you know me. You don't. I could be a criminal! Are you? I think I am.

Maybe. What else might we not know about you? I don't know. Buy me a drink. We'll see what comes out. Oh. Maybe that's a good idea. That's a good idea. That's a great idea. What do you like to drink?

Oh, what was your name? Chitney. Chitney, that's right. What do you like to drink, Chitney? Anything that burns. Makes me feel young. I think we can arrange that. Also, we're all just fucked up right now. We should probably sit down somewhere for a little while.

Till you're dead. Yeah. I thought you were already dead. Well, you know. More than normal. It's un-debatable. So follow along. Have you been to the Spire by fire?

I don't think so. Are you, have you been in town for a while? Yeah, you from here? No, a couple weeks. No, I came to find someone here, and I'd been spending some decent time with him and then he just fucking disappeared. Him who disappeared?

His name's Gurge. Gurge, Gurge. It's a great name. Gurge. Gurge. Gurge. I didn't fucking name him. Why are you telling me it's great? Zurg. E or a U, Gurge?

I didn't ask him how his name was spelled. What is your deal? I'm sorry. I'm just curious. Shit, you, I'm shit. Look at all your stuff is clean and nicely. I don't see a wrinkle on you. I don't have a wrinkle on me. I'm going to wander more into the group.

I'll keep an eye on you. So were you spending time with Gurge here in the city? Yes. And he ditched you. Well, no, I was supposed to meet him this morning. No, yesterday morning, and he just wasn't there, but there was a ruckus where he was. He was a messy individual, don't get me wrong, but then- First off, who is Gurge?

He's your brother, your friend, a colleague. No, someone I was just introduced to. He was helping me out. Okay. Helping you out with? A new acquaintance. What do you need assistance with? I just need to find him, that's all. So everything was destroyed where he was supposed to be?

It looked a little tossed about, but again, he was a messy motherfucker, I tell you what. Do you know if, did you happen to see any of the furniture that was in disarray? Was it moving on its own? Thank you. I was, yes, good job.

The furniture? The furniture. Did it look like someone had scuffled it up, or did it scuffle itself? Did it have a personality? It was on its side, like in the room. So it didn't attack you? No, but it was very well made. I mean, this was really, really nice craftsmanship.

You could tell, because you can tell the head made stuff from the shit they just put through the machines and whatnot. Very true. Yeah, it was really nice. He had a couple really accent pieces. I was really interested in. Interesting. Sounds like you have a real appreciation for woodwork. So?

I am simply trying to make conversation on this overly long walk. You know, Laudna has a lot of appreciation for fine furniture as well. It's true. Who's Laudna? That's, I tried to introduce. Fuck! Hi. Hello.

Maybe just raise your hand before you talk. Oh, I don't know if you want her to raise a hand. You don't want that to happen. Why? What happens if she raises her hand? Oh, you're all sorts of fucking crazy, ain't you? Okay. About this time, the firelight from the interior of the Spire by Fire becomes visible,

cresting around the corner as you turn, the warm, inviting hearth of the interior calling desperately for you to enter. Oh, thank god. I'm so confused. Table upstairs? Table upstairs. Yes. All right.

Well, what would you like to drink? I just pull my hood up, Table upstairs. Yes. All right. Well, what would you like to drink? I just pulled my hood up. Go upstairs. Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. He's good. That little guy's fast. He's as surprised as you are. A bottle of something painful. Yeah, okay, no worries.

I got you covered. Is he out of earshot at this point? He is, yeah, he is out of earshot and upstairs. What is this? I don't know. What's happening right now? I'm so confused. We keep coming here with old people who end up dead. How many glasses you need? Uh...

Eight. Eight? Eight. All righty, I got you. Here's a bottle. Thank you. Maybe we should just don't sit next to him. I'm not going to say it. He doesn't seem to like me. He does not like me very much. How does he know so much about us? How does he know so much about us?

Did he know about us? I was about to say. He said that he knew. He found people. He was waiting for us. Was he following us? I think he was just watching us on this job that we were on, maybe. But he just happened by? You find that strange? That's true. How did he even find out about us? All right.

I think what we need to decide is if we're going in, if we're going in rough with this old timer, or if we're going in nice. Should we just go up and beat his ass? I want to see your version of rough really bad. It wouldn't be me, but you know how they say, play good Wilder, bad Wilder? Mm-hmm.

I want to see your bad Wilder, though. I bet it would be really fun. See, to me, it would be really fun. See, to me, it would be fun. All right, I'll try. So wait, who's the good Wilder? Maybe you? I think you're the good Wilder. Okay.

This is fun. What's life if you're not stretching, really? Agreed. Yeah. All right. Let's walk up and try to get him. We'll be upstairs when those drinks are ready. Okay. Me and Laudna are going to go upstairs.

All right. We'll follow in a minute. Okay. Oh, does everybody else leave? They're coming when they're ready. Oh shit. What happened from down there to up here? Look, Chetney.

You know, I think if you're just honest with us, you could find friends, you know? We're your friends. I'm going to just start spinning my saw blade a little bit. Whoa! Do you use that on living things or for manufacturing purposes? They're not living for long.

All right. I don't know. This is my only mood. Did you hurt your head while you were spinning? You look like you checked for a cut. Well, I just didn't. Yeah, it's kind of sharp. Do you bleed? No, I don't, actually.

Don't tell me you're supposed to. None of your business, old-timer. All right, sorry for kind of sharp. Do you bleed? No, I don't, actually. Don't tell me you're supposed to. None of your business, old timer. All right, sorry for asking, shit. I know. Grass don't play. You can get very dusty. Okay. Wait, you know my name?

Yeah, you told me on the way over here. Okay, sorry. I mean, keep it to yourself. Don't. So. This is going great. Who told you about us? You know, how did you learn that we find people?

Well, all the commotion after you guys were fighting the wall drew a few people, but most people ran. But afterwards, the guy that paid you all the money, he was just saying that you guys were very useful and I might've been in the theater before when y'all were. Oh, what did you think about that show?

It's a little short, right? I didn't like it. Oh. Yeah. All right. You know, amateur shit when you see it. What were you doing in the theater? Snooping on us? I was looking for Gurge.

Is... Did you want to go now? Yeah, yeah, let me just try one more thing and then I'll turn it over to you. Listen, we don't got a lot of patience for folk like you. Oh man. This feels really awkward. Don't mind my time.

You should put your blade, slam it into the table. Well, it rolls. Well, I'll try. I'm four inches taller than you, friend. Oh shit. That's pretty cool. I'll try to tower over him. All right, now he's just a- Did you have a question?

No, I didn't! Ashton! All right, everybody up, everybody up. The glasses have been distributed before you walk up. What do we see? I mean, downstairs. I'm stuck! They were trying to be real mean,

and then he put it in the table. Yeah. We found nothing out. We found out that Chetney was with us in the theater. Oh. He didn't like the show. Yeah. That he overheard people talking about how great we are, and we really should be proud

of what we achieved down there. I have money. This isn't supposed to be any kind of charity. I could throw some gold your way. Well, why don't you just tell us a little bit more? We've just had a rough night. I thought we were probably going to find a place to lick our wounds, but. You're going to do what?

Lick our wounds? Not metaphor. Why would anyone think that? I don't know, but his face, when you said it, it does work. I feel like he's done it before. Yeah, I honestly, when, look, she got in my head really fast, and so I thought it would be a one-on-one thing,

and then y'all are like a group deal, so it's just, you know, I come up to your kneecaps, except for my man here, and it I thought it would be like a one-on-one thing, and then y'all are like a group deal, so it's just, you know, I come up to your kneecaps, except for my man here, and it's just a little much. Just need a little time. You can sit down. I am sitting down. Well, we will, of course.

You say I look shi- No, we will sit down, and that way we'll all be on the same plane, if you will. Yeah, why don't you tell us your story, Grandfather? Why do you call me Grandfather? Do you have children or grandchildren? No, I don't, no. Did you ever have one children?

I've been a man of romance for many years. Mm-hmm, lots of relationships, but I never settled down. I like to roam the wilds free. Was there ever a certain special someone that you just can't get out of your brain? Nope. Oh, all right. No one at all?

It just comes to mind whenever you think about anybody? Not really. Not really, I mean, you know, they come and go. So many ports and so many towns and stuff. Perhaps we should introduce ourselves. Yeah! Why are you so, why are you so mean to me? We are new friends.

Why are you so mean to me? Sorry, as you should read it. Can we just tell Chetney our names, please? So this is getting so strange. We know all about his love life, but he doesn't know our names. You should tell him. Sometimes that goes, though. My name is Dorian. Oh, we're going to start with you? Yeah. You should tell him. Sometimes that goes, though. My name is Dorian. Oh, we're going to start with you?

You go first, huh? I was the one who was talking. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Chutney. I'm so sorry. Apology accepted. Thank you. Let's start with the ladies, maybe. I don't know.

Chivalry Dad? Nope. You are correct, Chutney. Laudna, what's your story? You remembered my name! Well, I've only heard two so far! Nothing. Well, Matt, you know, we'll get to my story.

Let's just complete the introduction. Oh, I get it. I spill my guts. Nothing from you. I'll give and no take. Just give him the book jacket first. Oh, all right. I was alive, but then I was dead, and now I'm alive again.

I'm originally from Whitestone, and this is Pate, my pet rat. Oh, hello, I'm Chetney. Hello! Good to meet you, Chetney. Hello, Patty! See? They made friends. Do you like him? Do you like him, Patty? I do!

I truly do. He likes you. The feeling's mutual. See? That's what's wrong. Alive and dead, that explains a lot. Me again? Well, smiley day to you. My name's Fresh Cut Grass.

Sorry about before. We were trying to get information out of you and I might've come on a little bit too strong, but I don't want you to get the wrong impression about me. I'm here to help. It was pretty impressive, I have to say. I believed you for a few moments. Well, thank you. Yeah, no problem.

Can you sit back a little bit? Thanks. I think you'll find that these folks that you're with are a wonderful group of individuals and they all have something to offer. And maybe you being here will be a catalyst for some of them to start figuring out what they need to change as well. You're my favorite, Sylvain.

How about you? Hello, my name is Fearne. This is Mister. Is that a monkey? Yeah. Okay. He's just my pal. And, you know,

I like flowers. I like long walks. That's about it. Oh, you're the nice one of the group. They should lead with you. This is great. Well, I... That's a good idea.

We'll try that next time. I like Fearne, too. Everyone likes Fearne. She's great. Thanks. Yeah. Mind reader? You just hear in your head, My name's Imogen.

Ah! Is that all the time, or just whenever you want to? Whenever I want to. You hear in your head, balls! Okay. Nice. Chetney, I think you might be making our, you're hearing this all in your head,

you might be making our friend Dorian a little nervous, so it might be good if you were a little kinder to him. Who's Dorian? I'm sorry. Who's Dorian? Me. I was first. Do you look like a Dorian?

Joke's on you. All right, let's have it. What? It? Ah, introductions. I have what? It was your turn. We can come back. It's okay. Really? Did you start it?

I said I'd start. I was the first, remember? I said, Dorian, and then you said, why are you first? I tuned it out. Sorry. I look two inches down at this old man. It's simple. I'm Orym. I'm Dorian's friend.

Oh. Is that okay? Yeah, yeah. It's fine. What did you do to him? Nothing. I'm so, why does he know all that, guys? I don't know. I'm so surprised he's not that guy's. I don't know. I feel like we were so nice.

But he really doesn't like you. That is correct. All right. And you? I'm Ashton. I don't know, I hit things for money. And specifically for most of these people at the moment. And I don't mean to stare.

I know I asked you about it before, but it's okay, right? Oh yeah, it's fine. It's not like a clock that's ticking or anything? I mean, aren't we all? That's so deep. Some more than others. Well.

I want to know more about you. Speaking of clocks that are ticking. Yeah, well, what can I share? Um, I'm Chetney Pockerby. I love working with wood. Who laughed? Why? Me too. I also love working with wood, so I just- You do?

Yes, yes. Oh, that's wonderful. You pull the cloak back, and I've got all these, like a wooden mallet, chisel, all sorts of woodworking tools. This is my rock hammer. That's incredible. I got a hair in there.

Like part of your scalp came off. Stop! Well, we'll have to trade up. Okay. I haven't been able to work on any new pieces in a while. What's the specialty? Furniture? Well, yes. Actually, I started with furniture and there wasn't much of a market for that where I was.

I wanted to make something that people loved, so I switched to toys. I'm particularly good at making rocking horses. Oh, rocking horses. Yes. Well, you know, people, they don't quite appreciate all the time it goes into a chair or a table.

They just fucking sit at it and drink, and then they spill all over it, and no thought to who made it. So I rarely drink on a rocking horse. It's true. Where are you from? Well, kind of all over. I spent most of my time in Uthodurn.

Uthodurn. I haven't heard of that. It's over in Wildemount, north of the Savalirwood. Oh, how far. Yeah. Did you say Pock-a-pee or Pock-a-bee? Pock-a-pee. Pock-a-pee. Two Ps. Two Ps, okay.

Okay, I just wanted to make sure. You can just say whatever, though. I just go by Chutney. How long have you been here from Uthodurn? In Marquet? Maybe about a month, a little longer. I haven't really been keeping track. Is Uthodurn north?

Yeah, from Marquet, it's northwest, if you were looking at a map. Northeast! Northeast, okay. Because I'm holding it up to you! Oh, you have a map. Nope. What brings you here? That's going to be rough.

You were specifically looking for Gurge? Yeah. In town? And you've met? You came, sorry, sorry. No, go ahead. You came here to find Gurge. Are you being nice to the other version this time? Oh, I'm always pretty nice. Oh, okay. Unless you want me to be mean.

Sometimes. I might just ask for it on the fly. All right. Okay. But you came to Marquet to find Gurge? Yeah. And you found Gurge. I did. And then you find Gurge? Yeah. And you found Gurge. I did. And then you lost Gurge. Yeah. And how long ago did Gurge go missing?

Yesterday morning. Okay. I knew he liked the theater, so I came to look, but I wasn't there. Is this a relative of yours? No. A kid of some sort? No, no. Do you want to murder him?

No. Not yet. Where did you lose him? I was just supposed to meet him yesterday morning. Where? Oh, he was at, what part of Marquet was he in? No, he was in the front. Why are you talking to the wall?

Don't you? Not that fourth one. That one's probably the fourth one. Yes. Don't you? Not that fourth one. That one's far better. Yes! He's helping me out with some stuff. Look, I just want to find the man. He could be waylaid or maybe he was arrested. Do you guys have any connections

with the local authorities? The Wilders? Good ones. The what? That's what they're called, the local authorities, right? The Wilders? The Wilders? Good ones. The what? That's what they're called, the local authorities, right? The Wilders? The Wilders. Oh, that's good to know. We've almost gotten captured by them, though.

Oh, that's not good. So was he in this spire? Was he in another one? Sorry, I burped and it burned my nose. This spire? This spire. You know how there are several spires in this city? Oh, the pointy things! Yeah. Yeah. This spire? This spire. You know how there are several spires in this city? Oh, the pointy things!

Yeah. Yeah! Was he in this one, or was he in a different one? This spire? Yeah. Yeah. What does this gentleman look like? Or do? That's a good question. Or intend? Yeah, he's got dark brown,

oily, scraggly hair that comes down shoulder length. He's got a real broken-ish nose. Our height or taller? Oh, yeah. Our height. No, taller. Taller. Yeah, like Ashton's height. Perfect, well done.

About six. All right. He doesn't really stand out. He's raggish and stuff, but I think he likes to keep a low profile. That's why I thought it might help to have someone help me look for him. Was he, I'm sorry. No, no, no, go, go, go.

Was he a criminal of sorts, or was he just? It's not a problem. Yeah. Either way. I don't actually know. I don't think so. I don't think so. I don't think so. He didn't seem like a dangerous person at all.

He was very helpful. Helpful with what? He's just trying to help me out to understand a couple things and to introduce me to some folks that were going to maybe give me some gainful employment. What was the nature of the work you were doing together? Oh, I actually just sought him out.

He didn't really know me at all. So you found this guy, you established contact briefly. He was going to help you get a job, and now he has bamfed out on you. Yeah. But it feels suspicious. He's usually pretty, of his word, punctual, punctual, punctual.

Punctional. Thank you. How many times did you hang out with him? He disappeared. A handful, half a dozen. Oh, okay. It would help us a whole lot if you were a little bit more forthcoming on some of these details,

like what were you trying to do with him? Or what kind of job was he helping you attain? Or where did these events occur? Just might help us find him, is all. Yeah. He was supposed to help me meet up with someone that might be outside of Marquet, so he was the waypoint on the way to something else,

but who? It's just a group. Called. Are we dancing around sensitive territory here? I mean, slightly. Look, my woodworking skills are a bit of a rarity, but master craftsmen or MCs. Are you an MC?

Some would say yes. Wow. MC Chetney. Okay, where was the last time that you saw him? Where? We could start there. Specifically. At his place. Perfect.

Hey, wall! Well, there you go. I forget! And Jusar. Within Jusar, he was staying at a hovel, technically on the outskirts of the Smolder Spire. It's technically on the outskirts of the Spire. So was I'm just not sure. So was he on the ground level, or was he in the spire?

He was in the spire, but at the very, very base portion of it, which is the more rough and tumble. And you said you went to his place and it was all tossed, there's furniture everywhere. Yes, and I'd only been in once or twice. Normally, we'd go out and walk and talk and just kept it loosey-goosey,

but the door was slightly open when I got there and it just seemed a little more disheveled than usual. No nope, no nothing. Did you know him enough or spend enough time with him to know that he had any enemies, anyone had it out for him, sucker emcees? I don't think so. But again, he wanted to keep a low profile.

He was always pretty guarded. I know I'm not giving you much to go on, but it's only because I don't know that much. Chetney, I'm going to take his empty glass and pour him a drink. May I ask you a question? Is that all right with you? Yes.

Thank you. You said perhaps you thought he might be arrested. Did you check the jail or the prison in the Smolder Spire by any chance? God, it's almost like I just said, maybe he was arrested or something. But... I'm, I know. No, you're trying. You're trying to beat me halfway.

I'm asking you. I appreciate it. I am, I am. I'm trying to show you some kindness. So I have one question and I just want to ask it. Did you go to the jail yourself and look to see if he was in jail? Oh! No, I didn't. Huh. That's just a possibility. to the jail yourself and look to see if he was in jail. Oh! No!

I didn't. Huh. That's just a possibility. That's just a possibility. Enjoy your drink. I hope you enjoy it. Dorian, that's a great place to start. Thank you. Good job, Dorian.

Thank you. Good job, Dorian. No, no, no. Good job. Thanks for the extra. You're welcome. You know, the smaller we are, the more it hits. Yeah, cheers, right? Cheers! And have you been back to his hovel since hovel?

Hovel? Hovel? Hivel hovel. Hovel. Since it happened. I genuinely don't know, is it hobble or hubble? Hobble. Hobble. Hobble?

I went in the morning, he wasn't there, and then I went back later in the day, still wasn't there. Okay. And then this morning, I went back, he wasn't there. So then I went to the theater. He wasn't there. No, he wasn't there.

Were you supposed to meet him at the theater or you just wanted to see a show? He said that he just likes the theater. He talks a lot about the theater. Yeah, I guess he likes the theater. So you were like, screw it, I can't find him. I'm just going to go watch a show. Yeah, I went by one place that we had a drink before.

I don't remember the name of it. I'm just like a landmark person. And then I went to the theater. Tengul says it was the soot and swill. Okay. Down in the Smolder Spire. So maybe in the morning, we're the first person you've told that Gurge is missing?

Well, yeah, Gurge is the only other person I've really talked to. So in the morning, you know, is it pretty late now or is it mid-afternoon? Oh, it's late. It's late. It's very late. We are covered in blood. Fucked. You know, is it pretty late now or is it mid-afternoon? Oh, it's late. It's late. It's very late. We are covered in blood.

Fucked. How about in the morning, we make a trek out to the hovel and we see Hovel. Fuck. And we see Hovel. Hovel. Hovel. Hovel. Round, round.

Hovel. I'm just seeing the word shovel in my head. You know, hovel. Yes, yes, yes. Hovel. Hovel. And we see if we can track him down. I would like that. Mm-hmm. All right. Okay. How much?

Oh. You know, that's a tough one, because we haven't named a price for anything yet. How much do you have? Like, on my person? Yes. A bit. I suggest that we just swing by in the morning.

Maybe we get lucky, and if it's more complicated than that, then we talk about money. I think we make you a toy. I've been down for that. Did you say something about a toy? Yes. She said that you might make me a toy.

Are you fucking with me? No, I'm not. Oh. Do you like toys? Who doesn't like toys? What? What kind of toys? You name it. All kinds.

Can you make tiny rocking horses? Like for a monkey? Yeah. What about tops? Little wooden tops? Yeah. What if you made each of us a toy? Oh yeah.

This is the payment? Little toys instead of coin? We have to think about it, I'm sure. He's a master craftsman. Yeah, it must be worth something, right? I've never had something made by a master craftsman. Oh man, there's nothing like it. I kill it with the details.

Could you make a little girlfriend for Pâté? Yes. I'm quite horny, you see. Well, I'll be sure to take that into account with the design. Did you do that, Pâté? We'll make sure it's girlfriend material. Anatomically correct. Yep.

I've seen a puppet show like that before. What is my specialty? So slingshots, tops, rocking horses, you know, anything, airships? Like model airships that fit in jars? I suppose. I've never gone that small before. But I'm up to the challenge.

I'm baffled by all of this. This sounds amazing. Yeah, I was thinking of doing it out of the goodness of our heart, but I think I want the toy. I would like a toy. Who doesn't like a toy? I cannot believe I want to say this. I want the toy.

What happens if, you know, we find out that Gurge is no longer with us? What will you do then? You got someplace to go? No. Well, you said someplace to go? No. Well, you said you wanted to be a lead to these other master craftsmen, right? Maybe we could be your escort.

We could direct you to the job. We could be your DJs, direct you to the job. Mm! I guess a DJ for an MC would be a pretty good combination. We could set up, but I... I feel like without Gurge, I wouldn't really know where to go. I think Robbie's just dying inside, I'm not sure.

I like how his lower lip twitches. Trying to give you space. I can't. I hope we just give you space. I can't. I hope we just find him alive. I really wouldn't know where to go after that. Were you whispering? We're- Continue. We're un-

This is an unrequested whisper. I don't think this has ever happened. I don't know. I'm just going to whisper in your ear. Oh, okay. I'm not going to whisper in your ear. Oh, okay. I'm not going to whisper in your ear. Yay! But I can pay. I can make toys.

And I have services. I don't expect all the risk to be on your part. I'm very good with small tools, and I have quick hands. Oh, oh! Do you pick locks on things? I certainly can. Oh my gosh. we are in dire need

of someone who can actually do that. Yeah. Will. Yeah, yeah. You can open doors and things. We've had problems with doors. These pointy-toed fuckers are quiet as shit. That's great. Where did you get those, by the way?

Oh, I made them. There was some leftover leather and I just worked. I had some that were smaller, but I like the frill. So I had to get bigger points. There's a burp that's right here and I just can't get it to pick a side. Oh god, that's the worst. Oh, it's so small. There you go.

I think I need some sleep. Yeah, nice. Question, you're all covered with blood. What's the black stuff? Oh, oh, that's, um. Is that the monster? No, that's just my magical essence, my necromantic abilities. Right, alive and dead.

And also, I think a little of the monster. I don't know, is this dried blood? No. I don't know. It all blends together. That is definitely not dried blood. So who are you trying to find? We were trying to find someone, but Several different people.

some patrons of the theater. They were all dead. We did find them. Unfortunately. Do we need to report back to anyone about this theater? Well, we did. Are we okay? We should maybe tell Lord Eshteross about it. You all seem busy.

I mean, this is just on your timeline kind of a thing. I don't really have anywhere to be. Well, you seemed urgent about finding Gurge. It seemed like. Well, yeah, she crept up into my head. I was just peeping on y'all all pervy-like and then got interrupted. But I mean, if you have,

if it's important to find Gurge quickly, then we should, I mean, they say that the most important time is the first 48 hours of when a person goes missing. Is that right? Yeah. You are full of very useful information. Oh, thank you, thank you. Fresh cut grass and fern,

fighting it out for top spot in my heart. Oh, I forfeit immediately. Fern is just a delight. Although I will say this, Fearne, you are a delightful person. You're wonderful to be around. You're so sweet and nice. But sometimes I wonder, why do you take things?

Well, I just. I mean, no judgment you're welcome to, but is there a reason that you don't, you're taking other people's things rather than making them on your own? Well, I have some things of my own, and if somebody asked me for something of mine, I would give it to them.

I just, sometimes when I see things, I like to collect things. I see. You know, I like to, I like to just keep little things as a reminder of my travels. Here, I have a couple of these mini chisels. Chisels? Like the size of your thumb, I realize, but you could use it to hold corn.

It's good for detailing. This reminds me of, I remember when I was a kid, there was something called See's Candy. And they would have little, it was toffee or something, and they gave you a little hammer that you would crush it up with,

and that's what this reminds me of. Like Werther's? Kind of. I steal two. There's nothing wrong with that. No, no, no judgment. I was just wondering if it was a compulsion or if it was to fill some sort of void

or lack in your life. Could be both. While this whole conversation is going on, Orym will place a hand on Imogen's arm and deliberately make eyes and say, and think, and deliberately make eyes and think, can you hear me?

I can't hear you right now. Can you read my mind? And then I'm going to go into your head and say, okay, now say it again. What were you trying to say? I've got to make a connection before I can hear what the things you're saying. But I'm here now.

Can you hear me now? Yes, I can. Somebody has followed us from the theater. Not him? somebody else? Correct. Okay. Someone that Lavna and I followed and lost. Oh, that guy.

I think one of the Corsairs. He's downstairs right now. All right. Do you think he wants to talk? I don't know. What's he look like? He's down in the, I don't know. What's he look like? He's down in the, I don't want to look, he's in the far corner of the room

and he's got a hood up. Can't really make his face out too well from here, but. Do I see him? Make a perception check. You got an urge to find Gurge. There's a core stair on the stairs. On the stairs. On the stairs. Yo!

13. MC Chet is in the house. You can just make out the shape of somebody who's found a table on the far corner and has basically eyeline past the railing to the second floor where your guys' table is. Did he see y'all following him? I don't think that was clear.

You're not entirely certain. You followed him and then he vanished. Do you think he found us? Laudna and I, and we're still thinking all this. Laudna and I chased out into the street and it was just too crowded and we lost sight completely, but it would've been really easy for them to be looking at us.

Well, we don't have a horrible relationship with the Corsairs, right? Nope, just letting you know. We have a tale. Should we go approach them? What do you think? I mean, I imagine if he came to find us, he's not doing an incredibly good job

of hiding himself right now. I'm going to tell Laudna, the guy you were following is back. What? Oh! He's down there. Nope, don't! Okay. All right, now we're going to talk to him. We're trying to decide if we should go talk to him.

Good Wilder, bad Wilder? I just think it's a corsair, so I don't want to get on their bad side, or else they could kill my dad. Well, or I seem to think, yeah. All right. Yeah. Should we try and get his attention? Pull him up here, make him come on our turf, on our terms?

Should I try to make eye contact with him? Sure. Maybe I could throw something at him, get his attention. Why is she making crazy eyes at you? What is she saying? Oh I could throw something at him, get his attention. Why is she making crazy eyes at you? What is she saying? Oh, she's asking if we should get his attention. She wants to know if she should throw something at him. Why? Or maybe we could just try

to make eye contact with him and see if he comes up. Calls Buffy. While all that's going on. And that's why the first 48 hours is the most important 48 hours. Look, sometimes you got to steal to make it in speed, okay? Yeah, I know, listen. It's a crazy world out there.

Strange, I didn't make any judgment assertions about it. All I did was give you one look, Chetney, one look. I'm just saying, come correct or get corrected. Are there any visible weapons on Chetney other than his tiny tools? Maybe 20 digits is a weapon. From what you can tell, Leap.

there are a number of various sized woodworking tools and a mallet, and that's all that you see. How do you want it? How do you sing? How do you want it? How do you feel? What are you singing? That's lovely. Well, yeah. I kind of get lonely if I don't sing.

Yeah. He's a very wonderful musician and singer. Yes. Oh shit. Oh, oh shit. You're famous. You're lovely. You're lovely. You're not? I am not.

What? Yes. Oh. Are they your security detail? No, no, they're my friends. They're just my friends. Oh. Yes. And Orym. You have that fan. Orym is my very good friend.

Yes. And we're all very good friends. Got it. I am just making crazy eyes. Oh, no, wait, Gav, no. After you're there? Scare him away. Make it look inviting, look inviting.

If she's done that, I'm just going to go like. Is there another person in your group? Getting, is this? There's a guy that was following us. Oh shit. Is he looking at us? After you looked over, you can see the figure leaning back a little further into the shadow,

and then as soon as you did the hand motion, it got up and begins to leave the establishment. Oh, come on. Boo! Wait! What's going on? Come on. Can you stop? What's going on? Come on! Can you stop? Send him a message. If you want to.

Oh, hello. Where are you going? Oh my god. Grabs both sides of his head and goes like, and darts outside. Right, and he hears my voice, too. Come on. It's fine He hears my voice, too. Come on, it's fine.

Just get back up here. No one's going to hurt you. We just want to talk. We're not going to hurt you. True, true. I will hurt you. Yeah, no, he's not going upstairs after that. Goddamn it!

I thought that would work. What? Should we go after him? I can follow. Yeah, come on. All of us? I mean, is there somebody you need tailed or followed? I don't know. I don't have anywhere to stay. Can you get it, though?

Fuck yeah. Come on, shorty, you and me. Let's go before it was him. Let's do it. Go, go, go. We'll give you your old stealth checks, please. Oh! 20. Oh yeah, 14. 14, okay.

You emerge and as quietly as you can, you step out into the night and you can see the figure is heading down the road a bit. You, unfortunately, as you're following end up stepping on a piece of errant lumber that snaps a bit. The figure turns the head real fast and glances in that direction.

You swerve around the other way. Glancing over you, they start speeding up a bit, but you can see there's a tiny little sliver of space beneath the adjacent building where they're going, where you might be able to cut off if you head around. Juke, spin move. Yep. In an impressive, for such an appearing to be

old codger individual. Tracking it. Actually, with your passive perception, you are not tracking. Oh, okay. Ooh! You hear the snap and go, oh shit, look up, you see the figure dart around the corner

and you go to follow and Chetney, we got to. Chetney's just gone. Shit. So you're darting. What's your movement speed? Fuck, 25! Tiny legs.

Marvin the Martian. So you head and you head to the small, little passage space behind, and then turn to the right, and it leads off to this, what looks to be almost be a rain spillway, less than an alleyway, but an actual path where the rain can actually go out

into the main streets of stone. And as you head around the edge, you can see the figure just beginning to pass in front of you. Yeah, I pull out a stick from my back and I start whittling on it. Evening. Evening. He just keeps walking past.

Ah! Yeah. So you've caught up now and you come around the corner and the figure's not running. They're just keeping a brisk pace, trying to, you recognize the technique of trying not to look hurried so they can blend in,

but also definitely walk with intent and purpose. Chani, Chani, oh jeez, you're right there. Use a different name. Split up and converge, go now! I'd like you both to roll fact checks again now, since you've... Let's go! Oh no, I wish I was wrong still. Eee! 10. 10.

Oh! 10 and a 10. Well, that adds up to one. The figure is maintaining pace, but you can see occasionally the head turns and they acknowledge being tailed and they're a little bit quicker than you both because they are a larger figure, although your speed is? 30. 30, so they're a little bit quicker than you both because they are a larger figure,

although your speed is? 30. 30, so you're keeping pace. Come on, keep up, keep up. I'll make my way over to where Orym is. Oh, really? Do we need to stop this guy or just tail him? Well, he knows we're coming still. Come on, man.

Seriously? Roll a persuasion check. I love this. Oh shit. Me too, Dejan. Come on. Come on, man. Come on, man. Oh no! It's hilarious.

That's right, buddy. Holy fucking shit. Come on, man. Just fuck this. That's heroic fantasy right there. Oh man. Come on, man. We did this twice. He's old.

Don't make him run around town. Come on. The figure stops. Doesn't turn around to face you. I'm to talk with your friend, the blue one. Say what now? I am to talk with your friend, the blue one.

The figure's still not turning around. The blue one! Thanks, Chet. Is this a friendly conversation? Yes. Where, here? Send him out and I'll talk to him. Wait here.

You want me to stay with him? Yeah. Okay. To the back of your head. Shit! The figure takes a few steps and leans against the wall, arms crossed, still facing away. I go over as Orym walks away

and post up the opposite direction. The blue one, huh? I get a dicey read off of that guy. Really? Yeah, I just met him like an hour ago. What do you know about him? Not terrible much, but we got business. Hmm.

Would you say he's a trustworthy fella? Best I can read, I'd say probably. Oh. Shit, that was not the read I got at all. Okay. Well, listen. Stay here. I'm dying.

Oh, all right. So I jog back, get inside. Did you catch him? Sort of. What'd he do? What'd he say? What does he want? Dorian. Oh, is this another fan?

There is, surely not. Oh my god, you're so famous. What's going on? He says that he wants to talk to you. I left Pock-a-pee. Pock-a-poo? Pock-a- to you. I left Pock-a-pee. Pock-a-poo? Pock-a-pee, I think. Pock-a-pee, got it right. Pock-a-boo. Back there to watch.

I think he's expecting just you to go, but I don't fucking care. I think we should all head over there. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You're not going out there alone. We're not doing this again. I'll speak to him. Sure. What's it about?

Oh, oh. Yeah. Oh, you're being weird. Yeah. I saw a corsair in the wings of the theater. This person, did you get a look at them? He didn't turn around, right? Didn't turn around, but what you just saw was a light gray hooded cloak. You do recognize the attire, now that you think about it.

This was an individual that you saw in the room with the other corsairs. I didn't get a good look. He's good at keeping turned away, but. Of course. Dressed like one of the cats we saw when we visited the Corsairs. If it's the Corsairs, it's about all of us.

I'll go. We'll go with you. Please. Yeah. Should we keep our distance? No. No. I'm going to get right up on it. I mean, only if- I'll give you your space, but. All right, let's go. Let's go. Fuck it, let's go.

Yeah. Are you nervous? Yeah, yes, I suppose. They're not going to kill you while all of us are there. How would they kill me? I don't know. Why do they want to talk to you? I don't know. Do you know anyone in this town? Does anyone want to kill you? Not that I know of, no.

You said kill me. I didn't say kill me. Why did you say kill me? I don't know, because he looked shady. It felt implied. It's weird that, well, I wasn't that nervous before, but now I am a little nervous. Calling a fight or something, not kill. It's curious because it's not like

they're after this guy's after us. Yes, you are. They're after you. So you have to have some sort of history here. I don't know. Maybe. Let's go. Shall we go? Yeah. Are you okay? I'm out in the street. I'm not here.

I'm in your head! Red free, bitches. Did we already pay? Red free, Pockaboo. Yeah, I already paid. Pockaboo. Ugh. Yeah, let's go. I'll walk outside with everyone. All right.

Are you heading in a particular formation, like as a group? We got a boat to pick with you! We want to spread out, be stealthy, and just make sure that we can watch this from a distance. Flying V behind Dorian? Yeah, Flying V. Before we leave, I don't want to waste that big bottle.

I don't want to waste! We just bought a bottle of booze, didn't we? Yes, you did. I will just chug it all. Oh, thermos. For later. Okay, there you go. Thanks, Letters. First you had a flask, now you are the flask.

This is the natural progression of Sam Riegel. One of the many talents of DJ FCG. Oh my god. I'm the flask now. Before they get there, can I see anyone else that might be keeping eyes on this corsair individual? Make a perception check.

Yeah, I'll do that. Oh my god, whatever. This gets killed on its alley. Only if his dick's out. Only if his dick's out. Only if his dick's out. Ease your dick out. Have to look. At 19.

No one in particular is showing any keen interest at the moment. You do see, at this hour, the streets aren't terribly crowded. Oh shit, it's dark and late and stuff, right? Yeah, it's at this hour post-midnight, so it's the early, early hours of the morning. You do see, looks like, a pair of wardens or wilders that are patrolling, but they've already passed this section

and they're just heading around the corner. You occasionally can see the hooded figure glancing over, keeping watch on the vicinity. A couple of individuals wander past, they're a bit tipsy and wandering back to wherever their events are for the evening, but no one else catches your radar. Fair enough.

As you all follow up behind the path, not that far from where the entrance to the Spire by Fire is, turning the corner, you see the figure leaning against the path, not that far from where the entrance to the Spire by Fire is. Turning the corner, you see the figure leaning against the wall, arms crossed, and as your approach, unstealthy approach catches their attention, the figure turns a little bit

and glances over the shoulder. You can just see the profile of the face. You going to be okay, Tori? Yes. Cut your back. We are here to speak to you. I'm here. Hello. Just pat his back. You got this, Dorian.

Hello. How far away is he? About 15 feet from where you are. You can see all of us. You can see me. Can we see your face? Making this oddly strange for me, but sure. The figure turns around a bit and you can see the, standing tall at about 6'3",

a burly-looking, strong-physiqued man with, from within the hood, you can see this wavy black hair that passes by, a blue face to the same shade as Dorian's. You see a gold septum piercing. That's about the details you can make out in this low evening light.

You keep these people around you all the time. It's hard to catch you alone. Yes, yes. Well, what do you want? I just want to catch up. I'm going to step away and try to get closer to him. Okay. Yeah.

What do you want? What do you want? I just want to see how you're doing. I'm good. I'm good. What are you doing here? Why now? Why this? I was going to ask you the same question. It's been a wild few months. I figure we can... We probably shouldn't.

No, stay, stay, stay, stay. Please. I have missed you. Keeping this company around you, do they know anything? No. Can you trust these people? I don't know.

Then we should talk elsewhere. All right. What do I tell them? I don't know. Why are you following us? I'm not following you all, I'm following you. Yes, but we're doing a thing. All right, this is getting strange.

Where do we go? How do we meet? Just, I guess maybe when, you know, I'll go to bed, just hang out in the tavern for a bit and we can find a table and catch up. They think you're some sort of a group of assassins, criminals. I'm not an assassin.

He's a... Oh, that's something a totally innocent person would say. Yeah. I'm convinced. I am. This is my brother. Oh shit. Well, I mean, they look alike.

That's what you said, you weren't sure if you could trust him. I trust him. This is my brother. I didn't know he was here. Say hello, everyone. This is Cyrus, my brother Cyrus. Oh, small, but nice. Cyrus! Hi, hi. Hi, everybody.

You see the toothy grin peek under the square jaw. Handsome, handsome figure, from stepping a bit into the light, looking over the rest of you. Sorry to make things weird, just kind of... Why'd you run away? Well, it's been an unexpected reunion. I mean, you know.

He's not with the Corsairs. No, I am actually with the Corsairs. That's why I'm trying not to. What? What are you doing in the middle of the street? I'm not supposed to say that? What the fuck is happening right now? What's wrong with the Corsairs?

I like the Corsairs. They're like Robin Hoods. Sure, yes, that's just what you were meant to be, Robin Hood. Dorian, do you want to take this off the street? Dorian? Yes, Dorian. what you were meant to be, Robin Hood. Dorian, do you want to take this off the street? Dorian? Yes, Dorian.

My name, Dorian. My name, Dorian. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Yes. That's how everyone says it. Especially a brother, yes. Wow. Cyrus and Dorian.

Yeah, Cyrus and Dorian. Huh. Brothers. Yeah. Wow. Cyrus and Dorian. Yeah, Cyrus and Dorian. Huh. Brothers. Yeah. Wow. Are you? Cyrus Storm? This is a lot right now. Dorian Storm. Yeah, yeah, let's take this off the street.

Oh yeah. I think that's a good idea. You are brothers, aren't you? Yeah, yeah, we're brothers. We are brothers. Yeah, I believe that part. You were having a drink. Would you care to join us?

Family's always welcome. Yeah. Unless there are other corsairs creeping in the shadows. No, no, I'm pretty sure I wasn't followed. He wasn't followed. I'm not a fan of the theater, a lot of the folks there. Yes. Sure, let's get a drink.

He has an awkward moment, just looking down at the ground, twiddling his thumbs for this cloaked, imposing figure, just for a moment, looking just for a moment, looking for a brief instant childlike before it takes a deep breath and follows. So we'll go back to the tavern we were just at when you ran away from us? Yes, I will, if that's okay,

ask whatever you were doing with my head to not do that, please. Sure. Yeah, yeah, please. Sure. Yeah, yeah, exactly. It's fucking crazy, right? It's very creepy. It may be very uncomfortable. You should send a chime first

or something to soften up the entry. Hey, hey, hey, easy. Sorry. She can't help it sometimes. Could we do that? Like a little like, do, do, do, do. That's great. Unless I was singing it, probably not. Oh, sure.

You have a lovely voice. I don't think it goes. I was going to say, if you can sing, that's actually, I mean, I don't need it, but you know. I read a little discomfort in your reply. I apologize if I put you on your back foot. Yes, let's get a drink. Let's get a drink.

Please. Hey, Dorian. He trusts you. Yes. I, Dorian, he trusts you. Yes, yes. I questioned him while I was running away. Yeah, he trusts you. Very insightful, Chetney. Thank you.

Older brother or younger? Older. We had a table upstairs, correct? Yeah. Yeah, let's finish off that bottle. We still had a upstairs, correct? Yeah. Yeah, let's finish off that bottle. We still had a bottle, right? Well, yeah, hold on. We're going to have to do a thing.

Oh, you're making a funnel? Yep, flip when you're ready. Fearne, can you flip me over? Sure. Fearne, make a strength check. Okay. Remember, he's a heavy figure. We got to make a little hole in you

that we can just stop her up. I don't think that's a good idea. Well, well. That could go real wrong. It takes you a second, but you just managed to get something. He's just so much heavier with all the liquid in it. There we go. It's dead weight.

As this is happening, Cyrus leans over to you and says, This is an interesting company, brother. Seems like you are keeping some interesting company, too. Touche. Would you two family members like a separate table to have some privacy? I don't know what this is all about,

so I suppose that's not up to me, is it? I mean, if you're comfortable, I just... Hmm. Well, you were the one who was being all sneaky. That's very fair. Well, the person I wanted to talk to was surrounded by, and I'm going to be perfectly honest here, a very strange group of people.

Thank you. Just because they're different doesn't mean they're strange. Thank you. Although we are strange. Very strange. I take out my straw that I got from Shadana. Open your mouth, FCG.

It's like a... It's like a reverse baby bird. Oh man. Aw. Aw. It's important in some D&D games to have a wineskin or play as one. By my standards, it's pretty fucked up.

You can get it at Disney. Oh my god, we could make those, right? It's so cool. All right. Oh my god. Todd is immersed in it. Could he just be a healing potion pegger? Rick Gangsta or something?

Just hold onto his mouth. Feet up. Chat me up, Rick Gangsta. Well, I mean, I guess I'll just put it out there. I just wasn't expecting to see you. You disappeared a while back. You had no idea where you went.

Didn't know if you were okay. So it took me for a shock when you showed up and just wanted to see how you are. Took you for a shock. You for a shock. Interesting, interesting. Well. Everyone, this is my brother, as I said.

Fjallraos? Yes. Things you should know about him. Do you mind? I mean, we're getting to know you, right? It's the kind of thing we all do when we're getting to know each other. Are we playing What the Fuck is Up with that? I think Special Edition.

I'm not sure if I'm in the mood. But sure, if you'd like. The Corsairs? No rolls? What the fuck is up with that? Well. I just looks around at the rest of you at the table and just looks back to Dorian.

When you left, at first I was angry. I was frustrated. But the more I talked with Zanotto, the more they explained to me that it is the nature of our people to wander. And in my sense of betrayal at your

unexpected exit, the more questions I asked, the more I began to realize maybe I was the only one that wasn't stepping out of my comfort zone. Take that back. Betrayal? Sense of betrayal from me? So you're saying you had this great impulse to set off on the world on your own quest

and make something of yourself, and yet it was my fault that you decided to leave. I inspired you. That's interesting. Look, I took it as betrayal only because that's what I was told to feel. But I see that's not the case now. Look, our mother and father, I didn't even know this,

but they had taken their own journeys before they ever settled down. What? It's the basis of who we are. It's why we keep moving. But how fair is it for us, who are shackled with responsibilities, to be cloistered and hidden?

It's what never bothered you before. Never once. The ever stalwart First Son, slave to his duty. And as soon as I leave to seek my own path, you decide it's your time as well. Isn't that convenient? Years I spent in your shadow, and I make my own way.

And now you try to follow in mine? So fair. Not following your path, in my? So fair. Not following your path, following my own. Okay? Please, please enlighten us. What is your own? I don't know. I just wanted to get away. The responsibilities, the expectations.

It just wasn't fair what they put upon both of us. It just wasn't fair what they put upon both of us. And look, I may not have been the best brother, and I question my capabilities, now that I've seen the world beyond the Silks, in being a leader without having experienced it the way that those before us have. And I got the sense that we're being held back

just to protect us, and that is unfair. And honestly, when I got past the anger, I realized that though I was your older brother, you were definitely the more mature of the two of us. So I... Well, I followed suit and took my own path to fly beyond the Silken Walls, if you will. Everything you say is so lovely.

Are mother and father well? At last I checked. Though I'm sure they're tearing their hair out now that both of their rising sons are now missing to the winds. Which I can't deny. Feels kind of good. It is a funny image. Father has always been

proud of his hair. I imagine him tearing it out. Father has always been proud of his hair. I imagine him tearing it out. Ah, I hope he enjoys it while it lasts. It comes for us all. Look, I'm sorry, Dorian. I'm sorry for a lot of things. I thought I knew a lot more about the world, but if anything,

I am not ready for what's expected of me. I'm in a bit of trouble. What kind of trouble? I made my way through the Hellcatch Valley about seven months ago and just kind of just wanted to see what was out there. Got in some challenges of might and tried to make friends, assert dominance,

just live it up for a bit, you know? Party like I see so many folks do from afar. See what life was like without the shackles. And it was fun. But, you know, when you run out like that, you don't really prepare for how much things cost and how quickly the money can go.

So I had to get some work. Yeah, I'm pretty decently trained with a blade at my side. Started doing some escort work, as I, uh... As a sword handler. Sure, sure. That's what I assume. Handle the sword. We're not listening.

Yes. Anyway. I got mixed up with some folks. Got a bad situation placed on me, and I'm just trying to work off some debt, so. Oh, please don't say you're asking for money. No, no, no, I'm not at all. All right.

I'm going to earn this. I'm going to earn this myself. I'm going to get this figured out. That's my prerogative. I just want to ask if you could not tell Mom and Dad about this. You know, at first I was very mad at you, but now I am starting to enjoy this just a little bit. No, no, no this just a little bit. No.

Just a little bit. What do you want, brother? Look, there's a bounty on my head. And if I can't do this in time, And if I can't do this in time, I just want you to know that you're next in line. Whoa, whoa, whoa, stop, stop, stop. Excuse me.

I'm next in line. I am next in line. And next in line for what? No. If I'm gone, Mom and Dad passed, you're the next in line. No, no, no, no. Okay, not next in line to be murdered.

No, no. All right, all right. You didn't do the thing where they're like, we want collateral, and you were like, my brother is around here somewhere. The Corsairs. No, no. I'm, all right. You didn't do the thing where they're like, we want collateral, and you were like, my brother is around here somewhere. The Corsairs. No, no. I'm not your collateral, am I? No, and this wasn't with the Corsairs.

The Corsairs have been actually pretty great. They're a good group of people. They got some good heads on their shoulders, they like some of their ideals. Well, that's always been the deal. I'm not going to let anyone murder you, but I know. My middle name is Second Son. Second Son.

Oh. Fearne had a question. Oh, right, yeah, sorry. No, I'm not listening at all, but I just, how much is the bounty on your head? I was wondering. Oh, it's a thing. Last I heard at the whispers, it's about 20,000 gold.

Gold? What did you do? What are you doing sitting at a table in the middle of a bar? I thought you said it were with you, your friends were trustworthy, yeah? We're trustworthy. They are trustworthy and new, very new friends,

some very, very new friends. I don't want to make this awkward, but I have this group on toy retainer, so maybe... It'll be sunup soon. Oh god. Just pick between the two. Look, I didn't know what I was getting mixed in with. It's fine.

I was supposed to make some coin escorting a caravan through the Honor Trails here. The people that I was hired alongside, apparently, I wasn't aware that they were going to rob the caravan. And they took something that looked really expensive, really important, and very strange, and I got arrested for it

and managed to escape. And I'm just trying to, if not pay off the bounty, try and return what was taken so I can go back home. What did it look like? Yeah. Well, I only saw a little bit. This group began to stop the caravan

and hold it up and get money. And there was this one cart, had some, looked plain with initials on it, and then suddenly it broke open and this nine, 10-foot stone person, like a golem of some kind, just started thrashing about and

scooping up the money, but for these thieves. Then they ran off. It was like a golem with two arms and two legs sort of situation? Yeah, yeah, that kind of a thing. Wait, that's the thing that you stole? I didn't steal it. Sure, sure.

But it was moving on its own? Seemed to be, but it was moving with these thieves. Do you remember what the initials are on the caption? It was a J-H. J-H. J-H. J-H. Theam seemed as surprised as I did when it showed up, but the leader, Nova, just started giving commands and it followed suit.

Nova was the leader of the thieves that you were hired by. I wasn't hired by the thieves, I was hired by the caravan. Oh, to protect it. Yes, but everyone else who's hired, they were all working in together and they used me as the fulcrum.

Oh, that's actually a pretty good plan. It's good. Got to see that coming. Who hired you? I guess the caravan people. Caravan people. Yeah, yeah. So the bounty out for me right now

is by the guild that runs the caravan. Well, I mean, I happen to have about six platinum that I could help with the cause. Oh, I mean, it's all appreciated, really. The group that runs the caravan was called what again? It's the Gold Guild of Treshi. Treshi. Oh! Oh, oh, oh!

Treshi! Oh, oh! That's fine information. Huh? How weird, it's all connected? How long ago was this that this happened? This is about two months ago. Two months. Three months. And how long has the bounty been on your head?

How long ago did the people start going missing from the huts? It was a couple weeks. Oh, okay. I knew that. Three weeks. Three weeks. Bounty, how long has the bounty been on your head? As far as I'm aware of it,

not long after all this went down. Two months? Yeah. Two months? You've ducked a 20,000 gold bounty? Well, the Corsairs have my back. Once again, maybe I was a bit too trusting So you've been coming. Two months? Yeah. Two months? You've ducked a 20,000 gold bounty? Well, the Corsairs have my back. Once again, maybe I was a bit too trusting at the forefront, but the fact that they're still working with me and helping me out and haven't turned me in.

You should not leave their hat out. You should not be here. Should I go? Should I go? Probably, you know, just be quiet as you go. Pulls the hood up a little closer over the face and starts looking more and more nervous and anxious, looking around. Dorian, this is your family.

You should tell us how you would like to proceed. Sorry for the awkwardness tonight. We, as Chetney was just saying, we just made a brand new acquaintance and were being propelled along a path to help this old gentleman out. Now you've come and complicated that a bit. Well, no complications.

I'll figure it out. No, family's important, you know? But the Morse-ers are giving you shelter when you're not out squandering it? Yeah, yeah. Okay. All right. They're pretty well connected. They have no leads, nothing?

No. No. Two months. You've stayed safe for two months with him? So far, yeah. I've just done a few jobs here and there. It works fine. I can keep mostly to the Lantern Spire and...

Any close calls? Like, have you seen any bounty hunters? Close calls? Anybody get to you? There was one individual that I was told was following me, but they apparently took care of them for me. We had a pretty strong brotherhood, those Corsairs. But once again, criminals, don't tell Mom and Dad, please. When they say took care of,

do you send them packing or like? I assume so, yeah. Why not just leave? Why not go home? Bounty gone. Never come back. Oh no, you see, the thing is, I couldn't bring the shame back home.

I'm going to take care of my business. I'm going to get it handled. I'm going to clean the slate. I'm going to return on my own terms without them knowing any of this transpired. Without who knowing? Mom and dad. Mom and dad. The parents.

Oh. Yeah. It's like that with your parents, I mean. That's fascinating. I don't know, this is such an interesting perspective. You're having people die on your name. Nobody's died by my name, they just took care of them. What do you think that means? What do you think that means? What do you think that means? Oh no.

Did you ever have a puppy that had to be taken up continent, anything like that? Up continent. Oh, brother, they were definitely murdered. Did you ever have a pet that has to go to Vasselheim? Did they say who was after you? Did they give you a name? Thank you.

Not specifically, no. Look. I hate to admit this, I'm not as good as you are at these things. Obviously. You literally fucked it up right out of the gate. I did, I did. I'm genuinely very embarrassed by all of this, but I'm going to take care of it.

I'm going to make you proud, make Mom and Dad proud. This is all going to be fine. And if it isn't, then you should probably go home and pick up where I left off. Don't say that. I'll make it right. I just thought it was important to tell you. All right.

Where did you leave off? Are you, are you, what are you? Make a persuasion check. I'm saying. I know, I know,asion check. I'm saying. I know, I know, I know. I'm saying it. Just saying. Come on. 24.

Ooh! You'll get it! Jiminy-griminy. We're one of the eldest sons of the noble leadership of the Silken Swole. Silken Swole? Squall. Squall. The eldest, so there's more siblings?

Oh. No. No. We are the... You are the sons. Yes. Inside check. Make an insight check. Squall? 15. Squall.

Just us. It's just us. Your parents are the leaders of this place? Oh, people. King and queen. Not quite. Prince Cyrus queen. Not quite. Prince, Cyrus, Prince, Dorian. Most apt analogy, yeah.

We're not really into labels. You've always liked to say that, though. We have some importance. Our people have been fractured. Do you wear a crown? Hmm. Would you call it a crown? Not necessarily. More of a laurel.

Yeah, ceremonial mostly is circlet. That's very cool. I was planning to add on to it. Walk down the street, do they say, all hail the Storm Family? No, no, no, we're there. We are... Is it really worth it,

keeping the name secret at this point? Just delighted by all of this. I still call you Dorian. I just wanted to know. Your full name is? Cyrus Storm. I love you so much. The long and short of it is,

our people have been fractured for a long time, and occasionally, they come to our family to seek guidance. If someone has a question about how they think something should be handled within our global community, we do our best to give them the advice that they deserve for many generations. Which is why, when I was talking with Zanato,

it was important to be a little more worldly. And apparently, we're not the first. In fact, we're kind of late bloomers when it comes to taking this trek, but. Well, this isn't news to me. As it was to me, too. So I didn't have to sneak away. Oh, I think you did.

I think Mom and Dad wanted to keep us there as long as they could. I get the sense they didn't have the best experience on their trek and they wanted to continue our containment. So you ran away from a family of generations of oracles, is what you're saying?

Mm. Yeah. It's amazing that they didn't see it coming. Yes. No one sees the future. We just have generations of family wisdom. Let's call them very respected opinions. But you're so naive.

We never left our home, ever. No, this is my first time away. Mine as well. It's going great, obviously. Yeah, I managed to not get myself almost murdered and rack up an insurmountably unimaginable bounty on my head. You did? I did not, I did not.

I did manage to not do that. To be fair, tonight you did almost get murdered. You almost got murdered multiple times in my presence. See, I'm not the only one. Oh, this is starting to get hurtful. We're alone, but yeah. We almost got murdered tonight. Together. Together.

The wall was scary. That was a very scary wall. I feel like Chetney might still want to kill you. I knew you were famous. So what's your real name? I mean, what's your real name? I mean. What's your real name? First name? Will that suffice? I mean, whichever order you want to give it in.

My real name is? Make demands before you give it. Always make demands before you give it. All right. You need a straight trade here. Yes, yes! You need a straight trade. I'm not your friend. Don't look at me. I want to claim my toy design now. Oh shit, hold on.

Get a little notepad out. Hit me! I would like an airship. Airship? With the biggest wingspan you can imagine. Oh god, keep going. And I'd like the underside to be coated with brumestone. Oh, fuck.

So that when I toss it up into the air, it floats on its own. Have you ever done anything like that? Oh, we're going to have a problem. Okay. I only work with wood. Oh. I thought you were a master craftsman. I am an MC, motherfucker,

but I don't taint my stuff with outside materials. It's wood only. Now, if you want to use your imagination and make it fly, like most children do, All right, all right. then I'll give you the best woodship ever. I thought you said you didn't have children. No, no, I make toys for children.

And you don't have children. Am I going too fast? No, you don't think children. No, I make toys for children. And you don't have children. Am I going too fast? No, you don't think that's creepy, that you don't have children and you make children's toys? Who was your employer where you're from? Oltgar? Oltgar? Oltgar.

Oltgar. Do you know? Oltgar? Do you follow up on toy craft? Are there toy conventions? Oh my god, are there conventions? Not lately. Oh. An airship with a really big wingspan

with some wooden brumestone on the under. No wooden brumestone. And I should put the SS first name. Bronte. Bronte! Did we learn this at one point? How do you spell that? We haven't learned that.

Bronte? How do you spell it? R-O-N-T-E with a little. Oh, I like those. Bronte what? Bronte, second son. You were listening, you were very perceptive. I do that. You are sneaky, sneaky, eh?

What's the last thing? Storm. Storm? Really? Yes. It really is storm? What did you say? It's insight check.

Thank you! No insight check needed. I'm just doing it for fun. Get him, Ashton! 13. You brought this. You brought this here. You.

I was trying to talk to you one-on-one. I know. Impossible. Have you noticed? Impossible. I know. I was waiting for a moment, but they can't seem to leave your side. There is no moment. To be fair, most of us probably won't know

the last name anyway. That's true. That's true. Also, last time we left one of our members alone, he died. Also true. In an alley, by himself. That's horrible. It wasn't actually very funny. It was pretty sad. Yeah, I know, that sounds funny. It was pretty sad. Yeah, no, that sounds awful. It was so sad.

That's nice. Go on, brother. You can tell them. Wyvernwind. Is that it? Cyrus Wyvernwind and his brother. Bronte Second Son. Wyvernwind. Son of a bitch.

Now, have we ever heard that name before? That's pretty dope. Make a history check. Oh shit. The name of the wind. Nope. I got nothing. Never heard of it. Get off me.

I have advantage on history checks. Fuck that natural. It's a dirty 20. You do not have advantage on history checks. Fuck that natural. It's a dirty 20. You do not have advantage on them. What was the first roll? You do not have advantage. 12. 12? Yeah, you're also not from Marquette,

so you would definitely not know this. For sure. I rolled a natural one. Yeah. So he grins. You know, the Wyverwind, the whole family of the Silken Squall. Where are the Wyvernwinds located?

Everyone's Silken Squall, yeah. It's a nomadic group of people. It's somewhat famous, right? Yeah, very. I mean. Obviously, they haven't been around much. That's all right, though. You'll learn. Not even. As you grow more worldly. Another genasi you haven't heard at all?

No. You used the word global, though. Yes. World around? Hmm. For generations. But we've been in Marquet for quite a long time. Yeah. A couple of decades in Marquet for quite a long time. Yeah. A couple of decades in the big world. We always move.

We move, but we never see much. We stay within the walls. It's a tent city. Oh. Floats. Silken's Wall. Wow. It's really beautiful. That sounds beautiful. It is. It's also really boring after a while.

It is. How far is really boring after a while. It is. How far is that from here right now? As of seven months ago, it was making its way through a Shenador. Oh, it moves. So wait. How will you find it again if it constantly moves? Just ask around, see if folks have seen it.

I don't know. I haven't left home before. I didn't think this through. You can see it from the ground, like pass by? Yeah. It's a giant tent city out. We usually stay within the outskirts in the wilds, but yeah. Yeah. Wow.

I guess people would notice if they saw it, and then you would just ask people, have you seen a giant fucking floating city? Right, no. They'd be like, that was more or less. Holy shit, this thing just flew by last seen a giant fucking floating city? Right, no. They'd be like, that was the best we've seen. More or less. Holy shit, this thing just flew by last month. It took a week. Yeah, yeah. But mostly other air genasi.

I quit drinking. They seek us out, and any air genasi is welcome within the walls, as it were. Huh. All right. Are people who are not air genasi welcome inside the walls? I mean, they're under

strict invitation and guard. They are allowed. But if the royalty of the city invites people in, then obviously they would welcome us. Oh, totally, yeah. This would not be a problem. Great. Sure. Yeah, if you had your best friends with you, they would let us in,, totally, yeah. This would not be a problem. Great. Sure. Yeah, if you had your best friends with you,

they would let us in, right? What's that? If you went and we all were to go visit, they would let us all in. She said we were your best friends. Yes! Are we your best friends? You are, you all are. There's a lot of technicality in that, but I'll take it.

You too, Chetney. But. Poor Chetney. I feel like he came in pretty hot with a mission for us, and now we've got this other thing. Well, I agree with Imogen. It feels like it's all connected. You're looking for a Master Craftsman's Guild.

This golem was stolen from a mason's guild, and the mason's guild also repaired the street, but the evil wall. Yeah, mason's guild was the wall. Gold guild, I think you said. Yeah, the gold guild of Treshi. Treshi. But the Treshi house was also connected. They're the mace of the mace.

Yeah, part of my ignorance. Now you know we're a bit cloistered. What is Treshy? She's a family. It's a family. Yeah. And they have two guilds? Or they're a part of an umbrella guild? I don't know. I don't know. All right.

Would we know how that works? Are you proficient in history? No. On how guilds work? We would. Well, no. Specifically to this area. How does it, I just slapped him in the arm. How does it work around here? This is a trashy house. Thank you.

It's got multiple guilds. There are different noble houses. That, if they have enough power and influence, can be in control of or partner with other noble houses to run multiple guilds. Okay. So the Treshis have partnered with another family and they help run the Masons Guild?

From what you know, apparently this name is attached to two different guilds. That's all you know. Okay. I understand. Very little. So the Treshis got done. Very little detail. Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay. Well. And also, you know, oh, sorry, go ahead. No, you go.

I was going to say, I mean, it just, it also sounds familiar to what you were talking about. Didn't you say that, you know, you were, people were attacked and you're looking for, you know, this person who also was attacked. I don't know that it's connected yet. If I were to go looking for people, I would start at the Smolder Spire.

That's not crazy. Can I talk to Ashton? Yeah. May I speak to you privately? Oh yeah, anytime you like. I think it's fucking great. All right. Now, I don't want to to do the... Oh yeah, any time you like. I think it's fucking great. All right. Now, I don't want to say this in front of everyone,

but you know when you showed me that letter, I did happen to see a couple of initials on it. Those initials happened to be the same ones that he said were on that chest. Oh shit. Oh shit. Read the book. Oh shit. Oh shit. Read the book. Oh shit.

Let us. Do you think it might be connected? I really hope not. I don't know who it is or anything about it, but it just struck me as quite a coincidence. Yeah, that's a story. I'm thinking this. Yeah. That's a complicated story. All right.

Just thought I'd put it out there. Yeah, let's give it a day. If nothing turns up, then maybe it'll be time to have that conversation. That's a plan. Ah, shit. Anyway, sorry to interrupt your evening. Didn't mean to spook you if I did.

I just wanted to make sure that, I just wanted to check in, see how you're doing. A little bit, but also all that ends well-ish. I'm glad you're all right, Bob. Yeah, you too. Are you going to be all right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm fine. I got this. Can I at least take you back to where you're staying?

Oh, yeah, yeah, I can do that. Yeah. Do you mind if I? No, the two of you will draw far less attention than the group of us. That is very true. I'll take you to the Corsairs. To be fair, we've been almost murdered

by furniture and walls so far, so perhaps their protection is. There's a lot of that going around. We can talk about it on the way. I know, I know. Let's go back. I'll come back to you this evening. We'll be here.

You're going to be all right. We'll be fine. My brother is infinitely capable. I can do a lot. If you get into trouble, maybe you should take one of the stones. He's got it, yeah. I was about to say, you know where to find us.

All right. Just shout. What's that? Lucky rock. Oh, that's cute. I used to have a lucky rock. Nice. It was a pet rock, and if I recall, you let it die somehow.

He's such a himbo. Let's go. Sorry, I'm just taking a moment. It's been a while since I thought about Rocky. Wow. Oh, yeah. Anyway, sorry. It's been a pleasure to meet you all.

And I hope the pleasure was mutual. See you soon, Your Majesty. Yes. Don't take it. Just please don't do that again. Okay, your grace. Whatever you say, Your Majesty. I'm going to lead him down the stairs.

They seem really nice. They're all right. That one dark head one's extremely upsetting. It's true, especially at first, but. You're talking about me. She grows on you, she does. I would burn that off. That's the only damage that works.

Like a tick. So you go ahead and head back to the Lantern Spire, to the Elder Post, to the same space where you originally encountered the Corsairs. Along the way, if there's any conversation you want to strike up. I'm indebted to these people. They've been good to me, things have been well,

and at first I was very upset to see you, but now my heart's at ease. I'm scared for you, but I'm glad that you're here in front of me now. Hey, you know what? It'll be a great story that you and me and no one else will know about. We'll discuss how much we tell Mother and Father later,

but please stay safe, not for me, but please stay safe. Not for me, but for us. Our family needs you. No, I know. I know that look on your face. Yes, yes. Oh, everything's fine. I've got this. I can tell when you're scared.

I don't know what I'm doing. That would be a first. It's been the hardest lesson coming out here in the world is realizing, yeah, yeah, sure, I'd be fine if I stayed home the whole way. But, I mean, what is a life as a leader when you don't understand the world at all?

And that, I don't know, there's just something that's always been there that I didn't think about, didn't listen to until you left. Just something that just tells us to go, to fly. And you, and I mean this with nothing but appreciation

and a little fear, you forced me to listen to it for the first time. And yeah, sure, there's a bounty on my head and I'm going to try and investigate and figure out where the hell these people are and get back what they took before I get killed in the middle of broad daylight, but I'm thankful for it. We have been caged for too long.

I have a question for Matt. Yes. Am I privy to the range on the Sending Stone? You would know based on the conversation you have in purchasing it and utilizing it. It does the spell Sending, if I recall correctly, once per day, which is anywhere in the world. Okay.

And is it, whose technically is bought, whose is it? Because it was given to me and I can't recall who bought it. Didn't someone buy it? It was given to us, right? No, no, we bought it. We bought it together? Together. Yeah, we had funds. Yeah, we bought it together.

All right. If you need anything, take this. Jesus. Your lucky rock? It's more than that. You can reach us any time. Just go to a shop, look it up. You'll probably talk to my friend Orym.

If anything's happened to me, he'll know what to do. And if anything happens to you, do not hesitate to call for help. Sorry I killed the last one. If you lose this one, I'll kill you. Stay safe. Okay, you too, you too. See you back home in a, I don't know,

a few years, whatever. We'll see. All right. He reaches out and muscles your hair a bit. Oof. I hate when you do that. I know. Night. Night.

He's back inside. I'll start walking by myself. Back to the tavern hall. Yeah. Are you walking stealthily? I feel like I should be, since I just dropped my brother off at the Sindin. Go ahead and roll a stealth check for me.

Fuck me! With the only method of communicating with anybody in case anything went wrong. And you match his description. Uh-huh. Have you checked my intelligence? Oh no. Not great.

10. Okay. So you quietly make your way through the Lantern Spire. The late night, nearly empty streets, that bit of jungle fog beginning to settle in into the streets, corners, and edges. You cross the long bridge to the Core Spire. As you approach, not far within eyesight

of the Spire by Fire entranceway, you get there safely. Oh! It goes out by itself at night. That's so stupid. I love my brother! I love him. And as you let loose,

breath and sigh of relief upon arrival in the warm interior of the inn. We're going to take a break. Yes! Because we're at that time. Long rest. Long rest. Long rest. Long rest. Can we?

Yeah, if you guys want to go straight to bed and continue your conversation in the morning, then by all means. Yeah, let's sleep. Okay. I'm not sleeping. Are you under my bed? I'm going to whittle out the weak ones. Auditions are over.

It's like Noam De Niro in 3D. Fantastic. We'll pick up shortly after our break. We'll see you guys in a few minutes. Thank you so much. Oh, man. Hello, Critters. This is Ashley Johnson,

president of the Critical Role Foundation, our 501c3 nonprofit organization with a mission that might sound familiar. To leave the world better than we found it. We partner with other nonprofits to raise funds supporting causes that mean a lot to us. And we allocate 10% of all donations to an emergency relief fund that 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. And welcome back. and to donate, visit CriticalRoleFoundation.org. And welcome back. So. What did she say? Have you have all taken a night's rest? A long rest, which you can take now. Oh, please! So refreshed! Please!

Yeah, that was rough. Eventually, you all come to consciousness in the early morning light and gather in the Spire by Fire for your modest breakfast that is included, continental, as part of your stay. Oh. Cornflakes, la-la.

I got a banana. Based on how late you were up and how exhausted most of you were, we'll say it's a little later in the morning. So the sun wouldn't be quite as low in the sky at this point. So as it transitions back into more of a midday, late morning feel for your meal.

That's viable. There are numerous people in the tavern finishing their dishes. Some people are just in the process of enjoying the space, reading books or gambling in separate corners, but the table we are all sitting at is yours to think about what to do with the day and your new interest

in a compatriot. How did you sleep, Chetney? Oh, I slept excellent. Where did you sleep? Out here. Fantastic. Just in the middle of the tavern? Well, yeah, I just get used to, you know,

most people don't notice me. I just throw the cloak over and I'm out. Wow. Yeah. It kind of pays to not be seen. Well, you could probably fit in bed with us. Oh yeah? Yeah. You offering? Sure.

You're a little small for me, but I could make it work. That's okay. A lot of wisdom with these years. I'll make up for it. Same here, baby. Let's keep it professional. Sure, sure, sure. Okay. I'm professional. So, Dorian.

What? Are we still calling you that? No, you can have us his real name. Oh. What do you prefer? Yeah, that's a good question. Prefer. I prefer what you know me as. Dorian.

Might be a bit of a fib, but. It's your chosen name. That's right. It's how we met. I like it better. It does suit you. Thank you. So is it dire to look after your brother right now, or is Chetney somebody who's missing,

or is Chetney somebody who's missing, and they've only been missing for a short while, and you might lose their trail. The first 48 hours is very important. As you have said. Yes, yes, 48. First 48. As much as I want to be my brother's keeper,

he seemed all right for now. Do you want to be your brother's keeper? Is that true? Not particularly, but he was in, what did you say, dire circumstances? He feels safe with the Corsairs, so. I don't know. It's not about me. He's safe with the Corsairs.

You do? I do. They're very well hidden. You know? I mean. As long very well hidden, you know? As long as he stays hidden. 20,000 gold is a huge bounty. It is. Do you... Do you want to be...

on the throne? I don't know what to call it. Like, do you want to be? It's more of a big, comfy chair. Okay. Two, actually. But, um. It sounds like a throne.

Mm-hmm. Not particularly. Okay. Not now. My parents are older, but they're still very capable, so. I am concerned about my brother, if that's your question, yes. And I'm also concerned about you, Chetney. Two chairs, does that mean you're betrothed?

No. Not technically, but husband and wife have equal voice in our village. Not technically, but husband and wife have equal voice in our village. They weigh in equally on their opinions. There's no king or queen. They rule as one. So I suppose whomever my brother would eventually marry and they would rule together. But both my parents are sound and fine, according to my brother, so.

I am worried about him, but he is blasé about everything, and he seemed all right. I don't know. I don't know. Meanwhile, Chetney's friend, was it Grog? Gurge. Gurge. He's missing. Meanwhile, Chetney's friend, was it Grog? Gurge. Gurge. He's missing. And we have absolutely no details about him at all.

Well, I mean, look, we could go to where he, you know, his domicile, if that's what you want to call it, and you'll give it a look. But I'm afraid I don't have much more. I feel like if nothing turns up at the Smolder Spire, that's a good place to start with your brother anyway. Plus, the Smolder Spire was connected to the Brimstone, potentially.

I'm very curious. I don't remember that, but sure. Dugger was making trips back and forth between the Smolder Spire. But we didn't catch where. No. Okay. I'm very curious how all these Mahon families work with all their guilds and whatnot. It's a lot to unpack. It's a rich world.

You all are from here, right? Oh no. Not's a rich world. You all are from here, right? No. Not this city, no. Oh. How do you find people so well? Oh, they were all dead. You wait till they die, then we find them. Conveniently, they move around a lot less.

Is anyone from Jrusar? Originally? Are you? No. No. Ashton's been here the longest. A while. Oh, okay. That'll help. Maybe. I guess then. Let's head to the Smolder Spire

and see what we find. Yeah. You know the address or wherever? I can lead you there, but also, if I can just make myself useful as well, I don't want to draw too much attention if we need to see your brother to safety, or... It's so hard. I think my brother will reach out.

He found us last night. If things get worse or he's in more trouble, I suppose he'll find a way to contact us. How would he find us? He's very resourceful. I think he'll find a way to reach out. All right. So this is our journey.

Let's do what we all feel is right. Let's go, then. There is a bit of commotion to the left of the entrance of the Spire by Fire. You can see there's a couple of tables over there with some individuals in the middle of eating breakfast. There's just some lively conversation, a person who's standing there talking with them.

Say Orym, Fearne, Fresh Cut Grass. You all pick up bits of the conversation. It seems to be them, an individual standing at the table, hood back, you can see it to be human, a little older, sun-weathered skin, conversing with a handful of what looks to be pre-shift miners

or hard-working craftsmen wearing leather materials and heavy gloves or have them off to the side on the table while they're finishing their late breakfast. They're having a lively conversation. One of them shouting, not shouting, but loudly exclaiming, I know, it's bullshit.

This whole place is just falling apart. And somebody else across the table goes, No, I think if we don't do anything soon, we'll just have to find another place. And at this point, the person who's standing there with the hood back, you can see, is nailing something to the relatively blank job board. Just take heat, puts the hood up, and then exits.

Job board. I'm going to run down. It's more of a post board. Oh. I'll go look at it. I heard something hit the job board, run down. Oh! J-H.

Everywhere. What does it say? Too many words. The rise in violence, attacks, and dangerous lawlessness at the hands of the Hubot Corsairs. I can read. Hubot Corsairs grows at a disastrous rate, unimpeded. We, the people of Jusar, will not stand idly by

as the Quorum ignores our plots while the Wardens of the Wild are stretched too thin. Demand skilled hands to protect us. Demand Quorum approval and the authority for the Paragon's Call. What is a Paragon's Call? Demand to end this anarchy once and for all. History check for you. Mm-hmm.

Sounds like an uprising. Weird. Not great. That's an eight. Eight? You would know it just because of where you grew up, but you don't know too much about them. But the Paragon's Call is a well-known mercenary,

a well-known mercenary group that works through the Hellcatch Valley, that made its name in the conflict 20 years before between Aesha and Adore and the Stratos Throne. Not fun mercenaries. No, they're effective for those who have the money, but they're definitely known for doing whatever it takes to get the job done,

which is efficient and why a lot of people continue to use them. And without times of conflict, they tend to work whoever has the best mana calling. Who puts out? Your brother, there's bounty. I'm assuming that bounty is by the guild, right? Yeah, who put the bounty on his head?

Was it the Wilders or was it that question? He was set up to take the fall, so whomever hired him to guard the caravan, I would guess. Did he say Nova? Did we hear him say it? Did we hear you say it? He did not specifically say, did not specifically ask. Who's Nova? Nova was the leader of the crew that apparently

absconded with this expensive-looking, golem-like thing. Was he, I'm sorry, was he a part of the crew that was supposed to be guarding it? Correct. Yeah. So it was an inside job. That was the other side of the... Correct. Essentially, the entire crew that was hired

to protect this caravan, he was the one outlier. Right. The rest of them just left with the goods. He's the fall guy. He's the fall guy. Ashton, have you ever had a bounty on your head? Yes. How did that work? What do you mean, how did that work?

Who put the bounty on your head? Was it resolved? No. Well, that's complicated. Is there still a bounty on your head? Probably a couple. You got warrants? Not really, no. Which county?

I mean, not really. If you get caught, you either or you pay it off. Whoa. Paying a couple things off. Hmm. So you can pay the amount of the bounty and cancel it out? I mean, they want their money.

They don't want you. They don't care about you. They want what was stolen or the value of it. Do they hire a specific person and they pay them? Or is it just whoever gets there first? Traditionally, it's whoever gets there first. More of an open contract. Yeah. Think of it as the reverse

of a lost dog poster. Mm-hmm. But you want to kill the dog. Except it would be a wanted, dead or lost dog poster. Mm-hmm. But you want to kill the dog. Except it would be a wanted dead or alive dog poster. If that makes sense for you. That makes sense for you. I don't know about everybody else. But traditionally, if you can get the money to them

or make an arrangement, then it's not really a problem. Okay. Traditionally. Traditionally. But your brother was a fall guy. This post doesn't seem like that. Well, if your brother did take the blame, they may be more interested in making him disappear

and wrapping everything up than they are the money, so that is worth thinking about. Or the item. Or the item. What sort of item would be worth 20,000 gold? Giant golem. Wait, was the golem the item, or was there something that the golem stole?

I think the golem was the item. But it also picked up the budgets to the end. Yeah, they got the item. They got him under their control, and then he took everything else. So now they have a golem in their army or whatever. What a confusing heist. Yeah.

Right, because he said that the thieves could puppet the golem or was listening to him. All right. So they basically have a very large weapon on their side? Okay. But perhaps the golem stole the item of value. Maybe Paragon's Call is trying to take over the city. Maybe they're growing in power and... This flyer seems to indicate that they want

Paragon's Call to be given authority by the rulers, right? Maybe Paragon's Call put this up. To go after the Hubot Corsairs. This has a very militia-y feel. The Corsairs are the people in charge. No. No. The Quorum's in charge.

The Corsairs are Robin Hood. They're our own people. I understand. I do. Should we talk to the guy that put it up? On the... If we believe that the Corsairs are generally well-intentioned,

then there's a chance that Paragon's Call are feral. They're shady, evil people. Well, and also, if the Hubob Corsairs are more prone to stealing from the rich, then I imagine that these Paragon Skull mercenaries might be employed by the rich. What did we hear the people saying exactly as they were? Rhubarb corsairs?

They were complaining about a general lack of safety and control over the city Yeah, a general lack of safety and control over the city and lamenting about maybe moving elsewhere. Okay. Do you think this Paragon's Call is like a overzealous neighborhood watch? Yeah, sounds like it.

It sounds like angry, rich people who are like, the neighborhood's gone to shit. Private security. Yeah. You knew that really well. Look, it even has a hole in it for when it was posted on the job board. Details. Oh shit. It's the details.

Pass it down this way, Fearne. Oh yeah, here you go. All right, we need to meet. Should we discuss further as we walk towards the Smolder Spire? Yes, let's walk towards the Smolder Spire to find Grog. Gorg. Gorg. Gorg.

No, we're walking and talking this whole time. Yeah. Fair enough. Yeah. Okay. So. Oh, we have to take one of the cable cars, don't we? You do. What's wrong with that? I just hate the cable cars.

I love the cable cars. Oh. Are you afraid of heights? I just, I love heights. I love looking at things when you're standing still. But this is shaking around on a tiny little wire that could break at any minute. I can't fly.

That's all. It's the reverse. I hate heights, but I really like these things. I don't know. Wow. I like them too. Yeah. How many stories have you heard about one of these things coming down? There's 11 here.

Zero, one. Heard about or actually seen? Either or. Oh, heard tons of them. Never seen one go down, though. Statistically speaking, though, you're much more likely to die in a submerged crash than in a cable car accident. Well done. Even walking to the cable car.

Well done. Well done. Well done. That's a daughter's plot. I mean, people talk. A short jaunter on the opposite side of the Core Spire, you head to one of the viable cables you see attached. There is a small station that hits at the very, very far end of this part

of the spiraling street side. There, you can see there is a small tower and this large jutting piece of rock in which the cable is affixed to it. You can see metallic structures, almost like a skeletal structure reinforcing the hold. That's the cable you see bowing and vanishing up to, actually, this would be more of a downward arc

towards a base portion of the Smolter Spire, which you can now see. You've seen it from a distance here, but even closer up, you can see it. It has a similar reddish rock as to a lot of the other spires, but across it, there are heavy industrial portions of the city.

You see a few, what looks to be lower-income residential spaces you see a few lower-income residential spaces and a multitude of processing machines, almost. Large factories that are emitting these plumes of black smoke. You can see this general haze that sits around this spire in comparison to others. Since it's still early-ish in the day,

there's this mist that still is rising up from the jungle below that seems to almost mix with the smoke to create this gray haze on the upper portions of the spire. It gets harder, more obscured, harder to see towards the top of it. It is not one of the tallest spires, but it's definitely the most unique visually upon the others. As you approach the gondola itself,

you see the cable just, the previous car comes and stops, docks, and about six or seven individuals step out before the doors open. You can see the person running it leads you inside. It is one silver piece each. Is it well known what they produce from those smokestacks, like in the industry around here?

You can roll a history check with disadvantage. Disadvantage, my... What? That's pretty good. Oh, 13. 13's not terrible. From the time that you've been around here, a lot of it stems from processing metals and coal

and other energy-generating materials. Metal. They do pull gems out of the earth, too. There is a diamond mine, things like that. I have no beef with gems, but metal's fucking, hmm. It's a lot of mining operations, mostly. The door closes in the gondola, and actually, at this point,

it would be just your crew within. It sways slightly before you see it begins to shift and head down the wire. It bows slightly as soon as it lifts off of him. You feel it grinding on the stone before it drifts and the full weight hits the gun and it bounces for a second. It begins to take you further down

towards the Smolder Spire. Does it matter if I smoke? I'm just kidding. Asshole. That would be funny, though. Fearne takes a hog head out of there. Yeah. For sure. Character choice.

Rip, rip! I'm going to start. FCG Vong would be great. I'm going to start wiggling, trying to get the car to... It doesn't take much. Oh no. After a short time, the gondola begins to sway,

like the wind's hitting it from the outside. Oh no. Oh no, I think the cable is fraying. God, he's burning. Like what? Like what? Are you serious? Huh?

We're going to die? It's quite possible. I mean, we're all going to die at some point. That's what I find comforting about this, actually, is that there's just no question about it. If something goes wrong, there's nothing you can do, and it's just all going to be over real quick. Yeah. Not real quick.

I mean, pretty quick. I mean, we'd all go together. That's fair. What if you get to the end and you don't die immediately? I mean, that's a very long drop. Yeah, but we're in a big protected car. What if you just get injured real bad

and then you're just at the bottom of the ravine? I assure you, this is, I promise you this is way too much drama. I'm just going to roll over to Imogen and take her hand, if she'll allow me, and look in her eyes and tell her, just look at me, don't look out there. Everything's going to be fine.

I'm going to cast Calm Emotions. Aw. That's lovely. Hope it works. Three to seven stories. That's lovely. Hope it works. Three to seven stories. That's really where everything goes, really fucking badly. Make this save. Thank you.

How long does this last? Let me look. After 60 seconds. One minute. Well, it isn't a very long ride, necessarily. It's down on the cable. Yes. Oh yeah, man.

About the time that the spell would wear off, you do dock into the Smolder Spire. Fuck. You stop there, and as you emerge and step out onto the street, you can see the roads here are a little more haggard. The stonework and exposed clay mingle together to give this kind this, this is definitely

a workman's region of the city. And already you can see there's a faint layer of soot that rests on the top of any small wall off to the side or any construction or tower that is within eyesight. You can see the black layer on top. As soon as you step aside, you can see there is about a seven and a half foot tall

stone-based arcane automaton that has its arms built into the wire wench device. And you've seen this before, these are what actually run the gondolas up and down the wire. Sweet. The doors close behind. That are what actually run the gondolas up and down the wire. Sweet. The doors close behind. It's just attached to the wires?

Yeah, the wires, the gondola itself, it has a spittle piece on each side that runs through. So I can go ahead and crank it up, which pulls it across the gondola. Humanoid-looking thing? Upper half, humanoid going, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Dope. That's cool.

Hi! No reaction. Can't hear us? Not quite like you, is he? No. Does that make you lonely? No, I've got all of you. Funnel closes.

It's got its purpose. Should we free him? Oh, we're going to play that game. It's my favorite game. Free him from this fresh hell that he's in. That probably gets great joy from his role and his task. Okay, well, leave him alone. Okay.

Ah! Great, that's a good three. Two people. Woo! Whoops. My bad. What the fuck? Stepping into this district before you,

there are small structures, what looks like homesteads, that are built in the sides of the wall. You can see there is attempts to bring more color to the space in some of these areas. There are wires hanging clothing and other strips of cloth or colored silks and other materials to bring a little bit of liveliness

to this otherwise very industrial portion of the city. But since, for the majority, most of you have not spent time in this portion of the spire and you haven't had too much of a reason to come by in a while, at the very least. Yeah, I've got very little going on here. Is there a specific place you wanted to go here? We're following him.

Looking for the hovel. Yeah, follow me. Hovel. Keep an eye out. Hovel, hovel. Havel. Havel. I know we're a big group and everything, but just keep your head on a short level. It's got a great hurt.

Okay. You leading them further down the grade of the spiral in this portion of the spire to almost a full 180 to the opposite end of it. And there, the neighborhood passes by what looks to be a large industrial factory of some kind. The smell that emerges from it has almost

like a sulfurous smell with elements of a heated iron. It causes your nose to sting a bit as you pass by. Kind of like Jar Jar Binks. Sure, yeah, yes. Very much like that. It's so stinky. Just beyond this large factory.

Even in the portion of walking by, you can look at your hand and you can see there's almost already a layer of gentle, black material starting to gather. That way. That was the spot, right? Yep. Just press a digitation. You can tell it's really bothering you.

No, that's fine, thank you. Well, you're clean now, and you'll be clean until it lands again. Thank you. And, you're clean now, and you'll be clean until it lands again. Thank you. And there you go. Not too far beyond that, you recall where the small building that Gurge was briefly renting for your stay in the city.

Stay back. Let me make sure that he didn't, you know, come back in the night or something. Set up a perimeter. I just heard, can you do that? Yeah, yeah, yeah, we'll definitely do that. Fan out. All right. I'm going to approach his place,

but keep your eyes open. See if anyone's locking me. I'm going to walk up to the door and see if it's locked. What? It is locked. Locked? What, just hold, fuck, give me a minute. Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.

I'm just going to knock. Gurge! Gurge! Kisgrig! What? Anything? Kisgrig? What is Grig? Gurge Kisgrig?

Grisby? Kisgrig, it's his last name. It is closed and locked as you left it last. Kisgrig. But no answer after a few minutes. Last? It is closed and locked as you left it last. That's where I go. Kiss Grigory. But no answer after a few minutes. Any other signs around the doorway of intrusion or tampering? Make an investigation check.

Yeah, you bet your ass. 14. 14. Looking around, it looks like since your initial investigation after his disappearance and then subsequent locking behind you, there is no other signs of entry, forced or otherwise, that you can make out?

I locked the door when I left, but I don't have a key. So just hold on a second, and I'll take out some tools and begin to pick the lock. Okay, go ahead and roll that. Just look up in the sky and see if anybody's watching. 19.

19. Nice. Yeah, we're working with fire now, bitches. It opens up slightly within. That was impressive. Thank you. Wow, so much faster than anything we've done before, Razor. I know.

Is it dangerous to go in, you think? I don't know. Boom! I kick the door. One of the hinges break slightly. What are you wielding? I just grabbed a hammer and a wood chisel. Okay. Do I smell anything? Roll a perception check.

Yeah, all the checks. 18, 19. Okay. I mean, the interior's a little musty, but nothing different than how you left it. It's clear. Show me you can earn your money and do what you do. I'll stand guard out here.

Our toys. Let's look for our toys. We settled on toys. Is it a coin again? I can get rid of those. No, you just said money. You said it. Well, are we still going to get our toys if we don't find them in here?

Look, it'll be toys or money, whatever you want. I'll just make a bunch of extras. Extra money? Don't resettle. I'll carve my initials. It's fine, whatever you want. Okay, I walk on in. We need to look for clues. Yeah. Yeah.

I'll go in there as well and look around. Actually, I'm going to stick outside for just a second. Chetney, have you ever seen furniture come to life? Oh yes. Oh, you have? Before my very eyes. Really? Did it attack when you did?

The senses? Nightly. An onslaught of beauty. Oh, I don't. Hour by hour. Chip by chip. Little nick by little nick. The word blood just working itself into the wood grain. Oh, it attacked, all right.

It left its mark here. Has it ever attacked you physically? I'm sorry? We saw a bunch of furniture come to life. I just didn't know if maybe somebody- Are you speaking in hyperbole? No, you know what? I'm just going to go inside.

You had real furniture attack you? Yeah, like a table and a broom and a kitchen knife and a rug. I don't remember everything else. No. No, can't say that I have. Did other people see this happen? Everyone here.

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm. How are we supposed to focus on that? I can't. I can't finish it. A little bit, so much. Meanwhile, the rest of you. Start rolling, please. Thank god we are rolling.

It's dark in here? There is no light source. It is a very small room. This is a pretty small ramshackle abode. I will cast Light. Okay. I will activate my light mechanisms that I have inside. In your eyes?

Yes, my eyes glow like two shiny torches flashing. Like two magic spells. Yeah. Oh. Looking inside here, the actual room, and it is a single room abode, is about 10 by 15 feet. There is no window, and most of it is heavily woven thatched roof onto simple stone

and mason work for the basis of the structure. Looking around inside, you could see all the furniture's been tossed, at least the majority of it. You could see there was a double-wide chair that's knocked over on its side. You can see there looks to be a blanket that's shredded. It looks like there are a number of clay bowls

or maybe pots, some, some pottery or accessories for eating that have just been broken and shattered on the ground. Looks like there's definitely signs of a struggle of some kind, or at least a person who is angry at the interior, maybe. Who knows? Are they all inside? There. I shut the door.

I open it. Just fucking with you. Anything? Hold on, give us a second. We're still looking, we're still looking. I'm going to scan the walls for any sorts of holes or divots. Perception or investigation check.

Perception. Can I roll? Mm-hmm, if you want to, yeah. You roll. Or you can roll twice. Yeah. Oh boy, both bad. No, wait, what was the first one, eight?

12. 12, okay. The base of this structure doesn't contain any specific reinforcement to the bottom of the walls, so the stone is just what's available. Moving aside what looks to be a small table. No, there are no holes or cracks or anything that falls in line with what you've encountered previously

with the shade creeper movement. Any signs of a beast or an attacker or what does the scuffle look like? Make an investigation or perception check, if you'd like. Doop, doop, doop, doop, doop, doop, doop. Just a perception, you said? I miss Beau's investigation. Let me guide you.

I'll guide you with some guidance. I'll take some guidance. Ooh, 18 total. 18 total, very good. Looking at the overturned, it's not even a couch, just a wide chair for two people to sit in. It's knocked over.

You can see there are definite gashes in the wood. It looks like something cut across parts of the furniture. With that high roll, you can see they are definitely consistent, striated gashes, like claw marks. Chetney. Yes?

I'm so sorry. What'd you find? The mahogany. It's been so damaged. Oh. Oh no, I'm sorry. It's horrible. Godfather's reading, oh, okay.

There's a silent scream, yeah. Like, TV show? That would've been a hobby haul. Are the claw marks that you're referencing, are they the same width from shade creepers? No, they look a bit too large to be a shade creeper, or at least the shade creepers that you've met. Mm.

Can I, what's the ground like leading up to the abode? It's the same rough dried clay and stone. It looks like there was once a road here that ascends, and there might still be road beneath it, but layers of soot and clay and dust have built up over it to coat some portions of the stone-laid roads that surround it. Can I look outside and dust away some of the soot

and see if there's any claw marks outside as well? Sure, make an investigation check. Make an investigation check. I recognize the drug guy. Ooh! Good job. That was so aggressive. She was starting. Investigation. 21!

21! I know. You, looking around the base of this chamber, around the outside of the front door, and inspecting the ground, you can see what looks to be some light scrapes in a similar clawed fashion, but it's light, and you only see two marks on the outside, and that's about it.

Do they look like they're heading into the house or away into the house or away from the house? It's hard to tell, really. Right about this time, as you're inspecting down at the ground, you hear a voice from behind that goes, Sorry, can I help you? Who's talking?

You glance up and you see a woman in probably her late 50s or so, by the point of the ears, they have half-elven descent, You glance up and you see a woman in probably her late 50s or so, by the point of the ears, half-elven descent. This woman has her hair pulled back extremely tight in a bun that seems to emerge into a small braid that goes to the nape of her neck. You can see

somewhat simple-looking dark green gown that has seen some years, but it looks like it's kept. It's almost sentimental in the way that it's maintained, though you can definitely see some stains available. Her arms crossed and a very stern look on her face. She goes, Like I said, and a very stern look on her face, she goes, Like I said, can I help you?

Oh, well, we were just looking for our friend and couldn't seem to find him and wanted to make sure he was okay. I take it you're friends with Gurge, then? Mm-hmm. Hmm. Well, he came to rent this place from me

and then hasn't returned to pay the bill. Yeah. How long has that been? Just a couple days, or? He's only been here a couple days, but he was supposed to, well, take care of this within this short period of time. Is this how the place always looked

when you rented it to him? She leans in and looks past the door. What happened in here? We're trying to figure that out. I don't know if he's going to be able to pay that bill, Sam. Did you hear anything strange in the last couple days? Of course, all over the city there's been. I'm specifically here.

There was a direwolf attack not but a day ago down the street. Yeah, but right here. Between that and the burglaries, the explosion at the core, the hauntings at the Pyre, god, the wardens in the city are fucking useless. That we can agree on. Explosion, what? Explosion at the core.

Bontens? Were there explosions? Were we there for that? Which core? The core spire. I've heard word that there was some sort of a magical detonation. Wait, were they?

That's where the furniture went! Yeah, yeah, yeah. So you didn't hear anything weird in the last couple of days from Gurge's apartment? Not from the apartment, no, but I mean, I live a few blocks down that way. Do you know who lives next door? I do not know the neighbors there specifically.

How far away were the direwolf attacks? That was past the factory. I don't know the specifics. I just know it was down that region. The fact that direwolves are coming, and how do they get up here, anyway? I have no idea. How many days ago was this?

Sorry to hear. No, no, please. It's about a day ago, day and a half ago. Ooh. You said wolves, plural. That's what I heard, yes. You seem very upset. How can we help you? How can we make you feel a little bit more calm?

Pay for this furniture. Oh, well, I mean, it's not really our responsibility, but we have a woodworker with us who might be able to repair it for you. I'll also say we're looking for Nurg, and we can make sure that he knows that he's got to take care of this. We'll make it very clear that he's got responsibilities,

clearly, that he has to take care of. You seem to know a lot, by the way. It's very impressive. I've listened to the various rumors and things that are muttered in the neighborhoods, yes. And as a landowner in a few homesteads in this space, it's very bad for business. Just to back up a few,

did you say the word hauntings as well, or did I mishear that? Haunting? Haunting. Hauntings? Hauntings? No, I heard that there is rumors of spirits haunting the pyre and the lantern. Okay.

This whole city's going to shit. What was your name again? and the lantern. This whole city's going to shit. What was your name again? In case we get any news? Sirach. Tirach. Tirach? Sirach. Sirach. Sirach. I hate to use it, but I could concoct a wood putty

if it would help to repair some of this furniture. I could do a little bit of mending. Yeah, I'll tidy up. We're on a schedule, we're on a schedule. We'll come back, we'll come back. Come back. We should go find out where that dire wolf, because this looks like, does the, did,

how big are dire wolves? The claws look like it could have been the same sort of... Go ahead and roll a nature check for me. Are dire wolves big-ass wolves? Yes. Yes, they're huge. They're like diurnal wolves, but dire. Bigger. Not my joke, but I'm proud of it. No. Nature?

Yeah. Four. Four. Four. You're not sure. You've heard about direwolves. You've never encountered one, thankfully. But when you hear they're pretty big and these claw marks are fairly big. They could be connected. I think it's a lead worth looking into. Is there any, did you find any blood?

I didn't look for blood. Is there any blood? I look for look for blood. Is there any blood? I looked for blood. Did you think it was me? And also paperwork or anything that looks like he could have had somebody attack him, like somebody came after him. And while they're looking, I'm going to start tidying up anyway.

I'm just going to set some chairs up or just straighten shit a little bit. Okay. In straightening the chairs and stuff, you do see there are a few smatterings of blood across the ground. Oh shit! Oh no. Like puddles or like paintbrush?

Like paintbrush. Ooh. Material spray. Ooh. There's an arcing pattern to it. Ding, ding. Do you want Dexter hat on? Yeah. Well, if it's just, you know, it's not huge puddles,

then maybe he's still alive. Maybe he wasn't destroyed. When his body's not here. Yeah. They dragged him back to the vest. Yeah, they didn't drag. There's no blood trailing out the door or out the back. If you go ahead and look where the drag marks

you saw up front, the claw-like pattern that came through. Go ahead and make a perception check. I'm going to use Presidigitation to get rid of the soot in the area, see if it clears it up at all. Okay. Oh. It's Presidigitation, it's not a wind dust.

It's got to go somewhere. No, it doesn't. It doesn't get vamped into a pocket dimension. You don't know. It's not like wizard poo going into some random dimension. It's getting the shit out of me. That's terrible world building at that house. He's getting the shit out of my lungs.

A perception, eight. Putting on my vacuum arm. Well, with presentation, clearing up the soot and stuff, you can see it looks like there are. I was like, cover your mouth! Well, you did also roll a 21 in the original one, too. A nine.

A 21, yes, I did. So, which you've already inspected pretty closely in this area, beyond the soot moving and looking in the grooves, it looks like there are signs of similar dark, dry blood that has since been cleaned. Oh. Like intentionally cleaned.

Like intent, where you're only finding it in certain parts of the grooves. In between where certain bits of the stone are there. So somebody came back. But on the main surface, they're cleared. Mr. Wolf, he thinks fast, he talks fast. He was fast. Fucking fucking.

Mr. Dire Wolf. Would I know the claw marks Would I know the claw marks from having been a dire wolf at one point? Oh! I've been a wolf in my turn. Would I recognize that that may be what it is? It could be.

I mean, it looks a little small for a full-sized dire wolf, but dire wolves also, different ages can vary. It depends on how deep it went and which points it hit. It's hard to tell. Can you smell the pheromones? Alt Spice. Oh yeah. Can you track?

Go to Alt Spice. Are there any tracks leading away from the place outside in the dirt or ascent? Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. You've got animal shit. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. This is your animal shit. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What is it?

Animal shit. Why did you do this? Come on, Beastmaster. Wait, there's something. There's, there's... Use your Sniffer. Does the sun set and then you become a wolf and one of us becomes an eagle? Or I'm trying to remember how that works.

Do some animal shit. Well, I could, I could... I don't know if I should save something if we're going to be in it. No saving. Yeah, you should be able to save something. We have no leaves right now. What if we have, I know if we get into a fight. You have no leaves! now. I know, if we get into a fight. Let me just, can I just sniff?

I'm just going to get on the ground and I'm going to sniff and start, I'm going to lick. Lick it. What are you trying to ascertain, my dear Gish? I'm trying to, she's just licking it. Nothing to do, nothing to cut off. We have no leaves. I respect that.

You have everything you got. I'm trying to see if I can smell a, oh, Direwolf, if I can smell the... Get that piss scent. The piss scent. Roll a perception check. Okay. You should say piss, anger, or anger.

Piss scent. I'm going to find this piss ant. 10. 10. 10. If there were any lingering scent, it's been too long for it to be recognizable, unfortunately. Are these drag marks at the front entrance or is there a back entrance?

Is it out still up? There is only one entrance to this house. Oh, there's one. Yeah. All right. At least we're in the hobble. Were there any papers or anything disheveled at all? A suitcase or a trunk or?

Nothing. And you would know, this was a temporary journey. This is not Gurge's abode. This was a temporary rental. Air D&D. Oh. Oh. Yes.

Oh. Yes. Bring it back. Sirach, was it? That is my name. Oh, hi. Question. She takes a step back. Where was I step forward?

She takes a step back. The other direwolf attack. She takes a step back. I used to have it up the block. That's all I know, I didn't see it. Towards the factory, was it? It's past the factory. Past the factory. You don't know anybody who saw that. No, it's just word of mouth gets around.

If something like that happens in this area, of course people are going to hear about it. Could go ask around. Yeah, I think that's what we should do. Who did you hear about it from? I heard it from my friend, Gina. She said that the wardens were able to put it down, but. Oh.

Oh, so we could talk to the wardens, I guess. Yeah, what are they supposed to do with a dire wolf that finds its way up into the city? Well, let him go back to where he came from. To his family, probably. Rude. You're rude. How am I rude?

You just said I was rude for no reason, so that makes you rude. Oh, I wasn't saying you were rude, I was saying they were rude for putting him down. Oh. You're fine, Serac. I wasn't talking about you. My apologies.

That's okay, I accept your apology. You sorting out your problems just by talking. That was really great. Well, you know, I've learned some things from you guys. If you find Gurge, he owes me money. If Gurge is indeed dead, who owes me money? Gurge's son. Who owes me money? Gurge's son.

Greg? Greg. Make a persuasion check. You mean Greg Krizgreg? Greg Krizgreg? Yeah. They got out of school with Grog Stonejar. No, his father. Persuasion? 14.

Ooh! Do not even know if he has a next of kin. At least it was only a few days. I'll have to clean this up and get it rented again. Well, good luck. We'll close behind you when you finish cleaning. Mm. I mend the table a little bit. All right.

Sticks off. Gash marks out. This keeps happening. We're going to houses that have been ransacked. Yeah. So is this discouraging for people of your talent, or is it pretty par for the course? No, no, we don't get discouraged. We keep going. We're just getting started.

We believe in ourselves until we get the job done. Yes. You have no other information. What is his actual abode? You were meeting him here, but you know he doesn't live here? He's rumored to be a wild man. He lives out in the jungles of Marquet, outside the city.

But I don't know where. Whoa! That just seems like a lot. That's why I didn't mention it. I mean, the jungles are like the jungles. That's fair. Yeah, and this is just where. Wait, he lives in the jungles? Well, out in the wilds.

Wait, what is this place? It's where I was told to meet him. I think it's his office or something. I understand. How did you connect? I was told to meet him. I think it's his office or something. I understand. How did you connect? I was sent here. I pulled this little piece of parchment out and it just says, Kirchkisgrig.

That's it? Just his name? It doesn't say what he does or why you came here? No, I just couldn't remember his name. So you wrote it down? No, they did. Who's they? The people that sent me here to him! Who are the people who sent you here?

Out of Usa Durn, I stopped in the Savalirwood and the Master Craftsman's Guild, they sent me down here. Oh, so he's a craftsman and you were going to take some lessons from him? I'm trying to find work down here. I got kicked out of my old gig. Oh. Yeah. I'm sorry.

I had to start fresh. Was that a long-term gig? Yeah, a few years. I'm so sorry. Thanks. Didn't really feel wanted anymore. Aw. Oh no.

What? Hmm? Hmm? Are you telling the truth? Yes. You didn't want your old job anymore? No, I didn't feel very wanted anymore. Very much wanted. Oh.

I'm sorry. It was like, kind of like I got let go without the actual being let go part. Was there a new craftsman that they got to replace you or something like that? It was more like a change of direction by my employer. Did they not want to work with wood anymore?

Are you in my head? I'm not. Did he get it right? Something like that. Hmm. Oh. You said you hated metal. Can we get going? Sorry, sorry. I said you were at that factory.

Just past the factory. Okay. Is she gone, by the way? Sirach? Sirach? Sirach has walked away, yeah. Far enough away, I'm just going to peek out. She's gone. Here, put that in the jug. Nine.

Daniel's here. I'm going to take a quick moment on our way out, and I'm just going to pogo stick on my hammer and just smash that table and see if I can put a nice, big, thick dent in the floor just and I'm just going to pogo stick on my hammer and just smash that table and see if I can put a nice big thick dent in the floor for fun. You have a pogo stick on your hammer. Grab it, pound down.

I just, whoop! It divots a bit, yeah, it's a soft ground. Damage the floor a little bit? A little bit, yeah. All right, I'm also going to make sure that I hit the door on the way out so it breaks a little bit more. Okay. I don't like it.

I just fixed the table. Yeah, it was too nice. I'm going to spit on the floor. You did a really good job. She's in too many people's business. I don't like it. She did have nosy neighbor vibes. See, this is why I got out of furniture. Guys got fucked up.

She's worried about her money. Fuck that. It's true. She's got to up. She's worried about her money. Fuck that. That's true. I just got to pay for the floor. Anyway. I use Fearne's spit to just spit polish a little bit right where. She's looking good.

She's looking better. With your hands there, just with your hands, you have to then. Just a little rag from my skirt. Does it get morph covered in blood? Yeah. In the ears? It's just gross.

It's making it grosser. It's not really helping out at this point, yeah. It's a lost cause. No, no, no. Ectoplasm left behind. All right. What's the plan? Head down.

Towards the factory? I guess, just track down where the dire wolf came. Yeah, is there anything else down by the factory? Is the Take It or Leave It or the Sit and Swill in that direction? The Sit and Swill and Take It or Leave It are a little further up the spire. Yeah.

All right, we'll start at the factory. Well, I mean, with you turning back towards the factory, it is an upward curve. It is in that direction. So it would continue in that direction. That at least gives us a destination. But you head towards the exterior of the factory and you can see in the front entryway,

and it's just a single arch, simple reddish-brown stone entry with pillars on each side. You can see there are heavy chains that are slowly rotating on some unseen device that is affixed within the actual factory, but out front, you can see there are two wardens that are both sitting in chairs, spear to their side,

just keeping an eye out. One of them is in the process of playing a game of solitaire on a small side table as you approach. They look over. Afternoon. Afternoon. Sorry to bother you, we're looking for a friend in town

and he's not at home, but we've been hearing rumors about something to do with direwolves in the neighborhood. Is that true? Yeah, yeah, we had an unexpected direwolf attack about a day and a half ago, went out not too far beyond here. wolves in the neighborhood? Is that true? Yeah, yeah, we had an unexpected dire wolf attack about a day and a half ago. Went out not too far beyond here.

Where did it come from? We don't know, but we took care of it. Just one? It was just one, yeah. Did you see if he had, was anyone attacked? Well, probably a few people were attacked. I imagine it's a dire wolf. Are they in the hospital or under medical care right now?

The dire wolf? No, the people that were hurt. Are there any survivors? If there are, they're being taken care of. Is there a place that they would be taken care of? Maybe our friend was one of the people that were attacked and we don't know about it. Yeah, we're just concerned.

He looks over at the other warden. The other warden has left his card game and is leaning over, interested in your conversation. He goes, Let me ask a question. Hold on. He gets up and walks inside the factory. The other warden goes,

Yeah, who's your friend? Gurge. I'm going to cast Detect Thoughts. Okay. Gurge Kitzgrub. Kitzgrub. Kitzgrub. I justgrub. Kitzgrub. Kitzgrub.

Kitzgrub. Kitzgrub. Kitzgrub. Kitzgrub. Klaatu, Rok'tot. Kitzgrub. Kitzgrub. Whatever that sounds to me.

It's a... Girge. All right, what's the spell, DC? You just know him as Girge. Just 13 wisdom. 13 wisdom? All right, the first thought you get is like, who the hell are these people?

This is a fucking weird ass crew rolling up here. We'll be to the end of the campaign. The next wave of thoughts comes to, how the fuck do they know this guy? I need to go ahead and check in with the boss. Right at that point, he stands up and goes, I'm going to go ahead and ask some questions, too. Be right back. Where are they going?

Inside the factory, yeah. Oh, inside? Inside the factory, yeah. Is it unlocked? It's just an open archway. Can you lock it? Is it gone? That's weird. Yeah. Okay, okay, okay, okay! Hi. Hi.

Smile. It's going to be a great day, but these fellows are lying to us. These fellows, we should go in there and pursue them. I'm going to turn into a rat. But they're wardens. Yes. You can turn into a rat and go inside. We can'm going to turn into a rat. But they're wardens. Yes. You can turn into a rat. We can't just pursue the warden.

Absolutely pursue wardens. You're just a rat. Are you going to go follow them? Okay, I can hear you. So if you want to say anything to me, just go. Okay, I'm going to go in here. It's just bad warden, bad warden. Put a bad warden in.

You're going in? Yes. Okay. Fearne's a rat. She's going in to hear what they're saying. I'm just going to give you guidance. Oh, look at that, Srihanka Fresh Meat. Oh! Oh!

Oh, jeez. Oh! Even for me, they somehow made it weird. That's why they're so inappropriate. Look at this, you have bending Imogen. So you're turning into a rat. Yes. Are you doing anything, Fresh Cut Grass?

No, no, I was going to give her Guidance, but that'll break my, I still got to take Thoughts up for another 30 seconds. In case they come back. Come back, okay. So you are now a rat. Let me know if you hear anything. Okay.

So scurrying past, you enter, and you can see beyond the archway within, there is an actual metal grate doorway that is closed. You can see the guard that had walked in has just finished locking up behind him for the moment. But there are enough spaces in the grate for you to step through as a wrap.

So following through, trying to catch up, you can see he turns off to the right and there's a person who is holding a lantern and walking by and goes, Why are we closing? He goes, Hold up, we're just closing down for just a second to keep everyone solid. It's warden business.

He continues walking past and the person looks confused and goes back, walking back from the hall where they came from. Following past, I need you to make a stealth check as a rat. Seeing the rat's dexterity modifier. That's a good rat. That's a good rat. Rats are, rats are, come on.

I don't know, there's nothing. That's just what I roll. There's no dexterity modifier for a rat? Is there any stealth bonus for being a rat? Fuck, don't tell me. I'll give you advantage because it is low light in the interior here. 15.

15, okay. Pushing past, you watch the warden that just finished locking the door behind continues to the right. Just walking like this. On your hind legs? On your back legs? Yeah. Make sure they don't see me.

Now, you are much slower than them being a rat, so you can't keep up with it, but you can follow the path and you can hear the footsteps, so you're not losing them. You go to the right where the warden was last seen turning, and in front of you,

you can see the staircase descends and there's a large open chamber that breaks off into multiple different portions of the interior factory that's built into the spire. The air here is very thick and warm. And you probably can imagine that working in this vicinity for many years would be very unhealthy for a person. But you continue following down.

It goes up a slight stairway, which, as a rat, I'm going to have to ask you to make an acrobatics check for me. Upstairs. Rats can go upstairs. Well. Yeah. Yeah, you can. Show us. Yeah.

What kind of office is this right in the hat? Come on. Oh! Do I do it again, also, advantage? You do not have advantage on this, no. 13? Oh, okay. Yeah, 13's okay. Okay, okay, okay. It wasn't terrible.

I mean, it wasn't a terrible difficulty, so you just had to not roll low. So, up on the stairs, you get to the next platform and head down, and you come to an area where you can see there's a door to the right and left, and the hallway continues, but to the next platform and head down and you come to an area where you can see there's a door to the right and left and the hallway continues, but to the right, you can hear hushed voices talking.

There's a slight gap under the door. Get my wiggle in there. Okay, this door space is wide enough for you to push through as a rat. So you come through and you can see this is an office. Within the interior, it looks like there's a shield on one wall. There is a desk.

It's not very well decorated, but it seems to have a little more of an officious nature to it. And you can see the two wardens are currently standing across the desk from another individual that is wearing similar shoulder pauldrons, but does not have a helmet on

and looks like they're in the process of doing some paperwork. And as you step in, you can hear the voice respond. It's like, Why are they asking about this Gurge fellow? We don't know. It's a strange troop. It means describing each of your companions

visually to them. It's a strange pinkish hair girl came in, very tall, fuzzy-eared lady, voluptuous. There was a tiny man with a shield, short hair, a scary man with a big wound in his head. He had an automaton to the side. He had a bright blue, fancy-looking fellow. Tiny old, crotchety, known creature, and this nightmare of a woman.

It's very strange, but nevertheless, they asked about this Gurge fellow, and we were told not to engage in any sort of speculation with this thing. And the guy across the table goes, First and foremost, say nothing more. Tell them that Gurge has been arrested and held in the Granite Hold

and will be released upon business that is none of theirs. I'll take care of the rest. I'll take care of what? I'll take care of the rest. What? They care of what? I'll take care of the rest. What? They're going to kill him! They're going to kill him! Or he's already dead. Greg's going to be crushed.

Yeah, they're lying. Greg's dead. Orphan. He could be dead already. But he said, don't say anything about Greg. Are they lying? Yeah, he's lying. Don't say anything other than this, and he's lying about this.

He's not explaining anything about it. Yep. The other warden goes, If anybody else asks to take, He's eating other than this and he's lying about this. The other warden goes, If anybody else asks, say, you don't know anything about it. Stop answering questions, you fucking idiot. I feel bad about that guy. Oh, well, you know, I've just been on a job for a while.

I've seen some action. I thought I while. It's great. It's crazy. It's an old school. I thought I got some action out front. No, dismissed. They both turn and begin walking towards the door. I think she's making a dexterity saving throw. Oh. Let's go. Come on, Fray. Let's go, Mighty Mal.

Oh, what if you get smooshed? Ratatouille, Ratatouille. She doesn't poof, she's a ghost. Oh no. Eight. What? Eight. Yikes. Oh rolls. Eight. What? Eight. Yikes. Oh no. You, okay, here's what I'll do.

Let's go. Roll a d6 for me. On a one to three, the weight does just enough to get a hit point of damage to you. On a four to six, you manage to shrug it off and not take any damage. Do you have one hit point?

Two. Oh my god. How many hit points do you have as a rat? It's got to be a 1d4. One. It's a 1d4. Okay, roll a 1. So you can't have less than a one?

Roll a 1d4. Oh my god, what if you get... Get a four, get a four, get a four. Yeah, he's running. I'm sorry, runs happen. Yeah, I'm sorry. So. Oh my god. She goes. Let me double check.

Let me double check your offense. She doesn't pumpkin out. She grows six feet. It's a two. Yes! You have one hit point. Wait. A rat, a tiny beast has one?

Wait, did you say roll a d4? Yeah, that's right. Okay, sorry. So it says under rat, right? Yeah. What's it say for hit points? It says one, and then in parentheses, it says 1d4 minus one.

Okay. Oh no, so you minus one, so. My cat was max four. Yeah. This is a trash. As you're listening in, listening in, both guards about face and walking towards you, and you scramble away right as you feel the pressure

of one of their heavy armored boots step down upon you. As it does, suddenly your vision reverts to eye level with the two wardens. Six foot. They both look at you, eyes wide, and the man behind the counter of the desk goes, and that's where we're going to go ahead and check out. Yeah!

Awesome! That is awesome! Awesome! Over the holidays! Over the holidays! Oh my god! Damn, it's 2022! It's okay, I know what to do.

It hasn't been that long! You do? Burn them all out of here. Oh man. I have a plan. Good. What do you have? You have all holidays ahead.

Because that went south real fast. Real fast. One on three. One on three. Oh man. It was the it in the head first. It was the logic in my head of like, all right, this is not a small, or this is a small entryway.

You snuck under the door, they immediately turn to leave, and like, let's go ahead and roll. If it had been a 10 or higher, you would have saved, and it would have been fine. Okay. Okay. You're great. It's okay. It's all good. We're fine, we're fine, we're fine.

We're going to figure it out. We're going to figure this out next time. Okay, okay, okay, okay, it's okay. It's all good. We're fine, we're fine. We're going to figure it out. We're going to figure this out next time. Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay. Next year, what? Oh yeah. Oh man. In 2022. Tune in next year. All righty.

So we'll pick up there with Fearne on our own and three wardens in the middle of a Smolder Spire factory with some sort of strange conspiracy going on. Cool. And we'll see you for that. Thank you all so much. Have a wonderful holiday break. We love you very much.

And is it Thursday yet? Good night. Good night, everyone! Good night! Good night, everyone! Thank you so much for joining us on this adventure. To help new listeners discover the show, please give us a rating and review

on whatever podcasting app you're listening on. Until next time, is it Thursday yet?