Dice Shame - 150 | 'On Borrowed Time'

Episode Date: August 25, 2022

Comedy, action and a whole lot of shaming come together in Dice Shame, an Actual Play Podcast of Storm King's Thunder by Wizards of the Coast! Join our GM Jo; her partner Harlan, his brother Alex & their best friends Justin and Rob as they tackle the daunting world of Faerun in this legendary adventure module!Dice Shame is a podcast that welcomes its audience to the gaming table. Like the games they play at home, they try not to take themselves too seriously. The show aims to be entertaining, inclusive, and irreverent, while still taking the rules (somewhat) seriously.Join us every Thursday morning for brand new episodes available on all major platforms including; Spotify, iTunes, Google Play and more! If you haven't checked it out yet... what are you waiting for?!?Content Warning: swearing, violence, horror, mental illness and suicide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm starting to feel a little bit silly. This is where it all comes together. Oh my god, you wouldn't have believed it. He's got people on his team who care about him. This is not a fight you want to do. Get your arms off of me. Pull whatever pieces you want. Because there's a bad place for you to be.

I have to say that rabbit stew was perfect. You always could bring a smile to my face. Sorry, this sucks. It hurts. Oh, I love you guys. I feel like we buried you that day too. Welcome back to Dyshane. This is episode 150 on Borrowed Time. MVP this week is Tortoise of Fury for their wonderful review.

They made us nostalgic for talks of tall burgers and secret candy. Secret candy. We cannot wait until you hear what we have next. Thank you so much, Tortoise. This weekend is Fan Expo 20. 22 in Toronto. And Dyshame and Malevolent will be there. Join us on the show floor at the Canadian Podcasting Awards booth on Friday around noon.

And it's also your last chance to RSVP to our social events on Friday and Saturday nights. If you'd like to hang out with Harlan and I, as well as meet some of our lovely community members, go join our Discord or Patreon and we'll fill you in on all the details. Expect nachos, beer, and a lot of laughs. We can't wait to see you. All right, shall we do this? Yeah, let's play some D&D. Woo!

Your horses are outfitted with swinging lanterns that light the wintry road between the Humperat Villa and Nguanar's hold. It's been a long time since you've traveled on familiar horseback. Maybe you're reacquainting yourself with a feel of the saddle beneath you and your mounts particular dispositions. we have shit fart Amakir and Glyn as well as B

and Oren who've opted to come with you mostly to see what all this fuss is about. You know I'm starting to feel a little bit silly about naming my horse shit fart now anyways I do feel I feel strange about

not waiting for red that down far behind you was he B I mean I would have expected him even to see us as we were taking off. You know, Dad, he sees something and gets distracted, and I'm sure he'll catch up with us once he sees our note. Yeah, I'm true. I wasn't supposed to leave a note, was I?

Nope, don't worry, Doran. Doran, I thought you left a note. I got to take care of it. I'm always happy to one to write a note. I will jump at the chance. I'm sure he's fine. He knows how to look after himself, that red. trotting along

Dorn turns to he kind of saddles up next to Jack and he says So Jack What What's the deal with

You know Krilloff And then It's okay I've actually been I've just started this character Oh man I've had a loss of words

For like days I don't understand really why Kralath would be so concerned about going to find these knights of Kalimvor. I mean, he used to be one, but I don't know. If I imagine myself as Kralath right now, certainly, you know, from everything he's kind of hinted at, didn't depart Kalimvore's service on the greatest terms. I could picture that, but I mean, I think we've got to be thinking about that. That's a village full of people, man.

People we thought we, I don't know, I thought we tried to say. save and make their lives better. Well, people are burning it down or whatever's going on. We've got to go help. Yeah. Whatever Kralas reasons for going,

I'm sure the good will come out of them. Yeah. Kralath, you're up ahead leading the party through the twilight woods, the crunch of your horse's hooves sounding loud in your ears. And I hear the conversation behind me kind of muffle out.

and as he's riding he reaches over and he grabs onto his mace and just with one hand the other hand on the bridle yes force terms tuning into himself he begins to speak he says Rayelle it's finally happening I'm gonna have my chance my moment to to get back at Kellenvore for how he wronged me. Oh, you know, I gotta thank you for everything you've given me

these powers. And he feels the tingling of his body, the power that he feels at his fingertips. He feels more powerful than ever. I've never felt, like this and not when I was alive, not when I was a husk of a servant to Kelimvor. Now, now I know what it feels like to truly exist. Please help me to continue to balance my own scales as I see fit. Give me the strength to do what must be done. And with a grin, he releases his mace.

and picks up the pace just a little bit. You ride into the night, the breath from your forces rising in plumes as you disappear into the darkness. You make good time arriving in Noanar's hold in the early morning. The sun has dawned red into the sky. The pine woods unfold around the village of Noanar's hold, revealing itself to you in the dawn light. the last time you were here you left the town ablaze after the confrontation with the hunt lords having hurled a massive ball of fire to take down the undead threat now cottages still bear the marks of the old combat with scorched black logs some bearing the patchwork look of new lumber mixed with old on the hilltop overlooking the quiet village the hunt lord's keep sends up slow

plumes of black smoke into the sky. From this distance it's hard to gauge the damage but clearly a fire burns from somewhere deep inside. The rest of the village appears to be safe currently though there are no signs of movement

not even from the White Hart Inn. Well you were right about one thing it's certainly not a town party I don't see any celebrations and that fire is burning something hostile. Hmm that must be the knights they've

found their mark Is that what they do Like moths to a lamp In a sense Except if a lamp is Anything having to do with unddeath Hmm More like fireflies in this metaphor

Oh come on We're wasting time Looks like the townsfolk are all right We should see what they're up to Yeah Say Kralath What are we gonna do If we come face to face

with these knights. I mean, are we really going to kill, you know, those who used to be your brothers? I mean, they're not going to attack us, right? And Kralov stops, and he turns Glyn around slowly and walks back up to Doren. And Kralov looks Doren in the eyes and says, I'm going to let them decide.

There were a lot of issues with my old order. Oh. I have a feeling. that they will not be happy about my presence but

perhaps this can be an opportunity for growth among the ranks of Kullimvore The sound of steel horseshoes on cobblestones

heralds an approach echoing around the stillness as if searching for you an armored figure atop a mare in barding sitting poker straight in their saddle approaches you observe an amber-skinned teafling with an aquiline nose and calm orange eyes she grips a mighty-looking

great sword in one hand the reins of her horse in the other on her gleaming breastplate the scales of kellenbore are etched atop licking scrolls of flame have you come to settle what has been left undone litch looks around. I see no litches here. Are you a lich, B? Leave me out of this, Kralov. Yeah, yeah. No lich is here.

Just four travelers. So what do you call yourself then? Oh, well, my name's Kralov. This is my friend Jack and my friend Dorn and my friend B. Hello. We saw the fire on the horizon and I came to investigate. What brings you here? Knight? You cannot hide your true nature from me. Oh, I do not mean to. And so do you deny yourself?

I still don't see how that makes me a litch, if that's what you're implying. Who are you? I am Janella Tane, the necrobane of Oria, and I am here to do battle with the ones known as the Hunt of Lords. Oh. Oh, you might have missed that. I know of what happened here, and of the ways they have changed. It is kismet that I have come across you, Kralov. Oh, mm-hmm. So you'd heard my name before?

Yes. You hear that, guys? Mm-hmm. My reputation precedes me. Strange situation. I've heard your name. before from the lips of Kelimbor. Many of us have. You were a Knight of the Eternal Order yourself for a long time. You did a lot of good work. I've never heard of this

night of the Eternal Order. Yeah, it's before your time, young one. It's a long story. I don't want to take up too much of your time. You look like you've got important things to do. None more important than this, which lays before me now. I am ready To set you to your rest Whoa Oh well I wouldn't mind a good sleep

Was a long night of riding But it's okay I can put myself to bed, thank you If I were you I would beg for the end I would need to know That there were still those in the world That would seek me out and destroy me

Who would recognize my nature for what it is An abomination Have you fallen so far? Oh, I thought that was a rhetorical question. Um, let's see. Have I fallen far? Well, I mean, yeah, I may be undead, and I may not be among your ranks anymore, the ones that would seek out undeth. In fact, I have come to learn that there are ranges of, how one can live there

on death. Now I know that's what's the word, Jack? Contradiction. Contradiction. Yep. Living on death. But I'm doing perfectly fine just living my life. I don't feel the need for anyone to come and put me down. For now.

What do you mean? Your friends will die. Will you bring them back to life? Of course. Will you animate them for company? Will you breathe the false breath of life back into their chests, keeping their rotting smiles by your side? Hey, hey now. Immortality, regeneration, animation of dead flesh.

How can you not see where this will lead you? How can it be that you have forgotten your teachings? I have slain vampires, whites. but none of these have been so in denial of their true nature as you are now. If you are permitted to walk the lands, eventually your nature will turn to ash. Any good intention corrupted, the flawed logic will create evil deeds wherever you act. This is law. Mm. Yep.

I remember all of that. law it's funny you say that because even after he's died he seems to have still been able to do some good in this world so relative or not it's still better than some of the things that i'm sure you've done Hmm. And Krayloff leans back, and he folds his arms, and he says, So what do you intend to do, youngling? Do you intend to strike me down right here? Is this your challenge? It is.

Janelle, be reasonable. You said yourself, corruption happens over time. This isn't the end for Kralath. You don't need to end him to save him. We've got good things to do in this world. He has a purpose here greater than anything. You don't need to pick the slim pickings, the easy cream off the top,

the uncorrupted, those on the start of their path. There's giant-ass vampires out there. Go kill them. Go deal with a real hunt lord. We got this one. I promise you. Janella turns to you, Jack. He's got people on his team who care about him.

Who are in, who are. Tell me truly. have you not seen a difference since your companion fell and was revived through evil magics has there been no change it doesn't matter

because we know we know how to save his soul and that's what we're going to do and Kralath he freezes and he glances over at Jack nervously then at Doren Kralath is not bad he's not bad he's like he was good and then he died and but he's not bad right you're not bad

i'm not as good as i used to be jack looks over it at crayloth and like his face says yeah i've seen it and i'm really trying to be on your side buddy but pro undead stuff isn't gonna that's still Kralath. It's still him. He's sick. He's not, you can't kill sick people just because they're sick. You don't, you don't take the plagued people and set them on fire. You help them. And that's what I'm going to do with my friend. And Krayloff is a little bit taken aback by Jack's words and he, he goes to say something to Janelle and turns to Jack and says, you think I'm sick, huh? You've been through so much. I don't know if, It'd be totally understandable if you didn't know where you were at.

You died and came back and you don't have your soul and we can go get it. It's going to be okay. Why can't he just accept me? Kalimvor speaking to you. Some punk when I had served him for a thousand years. why can't he just accept me why can't he accept that this is viable

that this is an option I gave him my entire life and I was not rewarded in the slightest in fact I don't even get to continue an existence that I would want the only existence that I was ever allowed was for him

and your God's forsaken order if you want to strike me down then I suppose you can be my guest and Kralov pushes himself off the back of Glyn and

nods at Doren and Jack you don't have to do this no you don't you're you can get better Kralath it's it's no I'm not leaving this behind

If this knight wants a fight, then I will show them what it is that I am capable of. And Krayloff pulls out his mace and immediately relaxes, and a smile overtakes him. And he says, this isn't your problem. You can go. I'll be fine on my own. You know we can't. No way. You're still our friend. If you have to stand here, I'm standing here with you. Then I'll kill all three of you.

The priest clasps a gauntleted hand over her decorated breastplate and begins to recite a charge that you are familiar with, Kralov. Death is but part of life. Fear it not, evade it not, and view it not as evil. To fear death delivers you into the hands of those who can bring death down upon you, die with dignity, neither raging nor seeking to embrace undeath. Do honor to the dead, for their strivings in life brought Feroon to where it is now. And to forget them is to forget also where we are now and why.

And she hops down off of her horse. And Kralath, twirling his mace in his hands, laughs to himself. Oh, that's a good one, Jeanette. Well, one that I've heard before, and he hefts his mace threateningly. You ready for the punchline? Doran throws a glance over at Jack. No, we can't let him fight. Your unholy tactics don't puzzle me, Lich.

Kellenvore has well prepared his loyal servants for the likes of you. She casts a spell on her sword and takes an aggressive step towards you. B, Orrin, you've got to get these horses and get out of town. We're going to get Kralath and we'll be right behind you. Yes, Master Jack. You don't deserve to walk the ground beneath your feet. Doran rushes up and stands in front of Kraloth and presses his hands against Kralat's breastplate. Kralath! Kralath! This is not a fight you want to do. This is not a fight you want to take.

Please! Krayloth is surprised. Doren, Doren, get out of my way. This is between me and me. the night. Don't you see what you're doing? This is, this is absurd. Kraloth turns back to Doren, breathing heavily, and his grip tight on his mace. He says Doren, get out of my way. We're not going to let you do that. Shut up, Jack. No. I can't. We can't let you go get yourself killed. She's way too strong for you. This isn't where you end, man. We gotta get out of here. This is a silly fight, Kralath.

Come on. We even got red with us. I mean... We've traveled too far. We're already here. This is the end of the joke, guys. This is where it all comes together. Don't you see that?

Don't you see that this... No, I don't see it. If you don't stop right now, I'm going to raise my axe at you. And Kralov grabs Doren by the side. and shoves him out of the way and goes to grab his mace and raises it and hefts his mace up high over his head, ready to strike. Jack pulls out his bell-guard sphere

and then where the three of us were standing is an explosion of thunder and we're not there anymore. Kralov follows through with his swing and it smashes against a rock that shatters and pebbles the snow. at Kralov. What are you doing? What are you doing? Thank you, Jack. Did you come here to pick a fight? Are you trying to get yourself killed? You've got shit to live for it, and we're going to see you live again. Why did you take me out of there? And Kralov turns.

Because it was a bad place for you to be. I was ready to have my redemption. I was going to end. That's not redemption? What do you even, what does that word even mean to you if you think that's redemption? Tell him for, and Kralov slams his mace against the ground. steps up right against Jack's face, an inch apart from him, and says, Kalimvor abandoned me. Do you know how that feels? Do you have any family in this world?

No, neither do I, but I had my God, and he stood beside me every day, and he abandoned me after countless centuries. Do you know how that feels? No. I put my arms around him. Jack. I don't know how that feels, man, but you're not. Not alone.

Get your arms off of me. No. I'm sorry. This sucks. It hurts. You've been through a fucking lot, man. But you're not alone here. Doren's like on his hands and he's kind of watching this all unfold.

He eventually gets up and dust himself off and he says, Kralath. Wake up, man. It's over. And Kralath. slumps in Jack's arms, his big, bulky frame towering over him. And Krayalov relaxes in Sajak's arms, shaking his head. We didn't pick this, ma'ams.

Nobody wanted this. Oh, I, it would have felt so. I, I, I just wanted to feel something, Jack. I just wanted to feel. I know. I know, man. But not like that. A lush, sun-dappled clearing in the woods slumbers in peace.

The verdant tangle of ferns and undergrowth concealing rich, dark earth. tiny white star-shaped flowers peek out from hiding places in the deep glade no breeze stirs this quiet place no rustle of life in the undergrowth and then a shadow passes over like a cloud but deep ripe as fruit heavy the darkness settles on every leaf and flower like raindrops dragging them to bow corroding them The ferns flatten under its weight. Twigs shear and drop from branches. Soundlessly the trees are crushed. Limbs bent and cracked. The shadow bearing down. The forest is flattened in the space of a moment. The shadow destructive as wildfire, revealing the shape of the land, black and jagged, leading up towards the spire of a church on a hill. The path to the church is crawling white teeming with insects and that is when the bell tolls the bugs curl their invertebrate bodies in response all at once and then the land is no more there is just the dark cloister of the church under the bell tower its arched hall seems to stretch and distort with the

second reverberation of the bell the sound rippling and penetrating the columns cracking them like glass and reshaping them over and over. The bell swings on its yoke, impossibly slowly, as big as a wagon and etched with time, its clapper lurid, panting out from underneath. When the final toll is rung, blackness closes in from all sides, leaving nothing but the echo which turns into the riptide sound of a wave. Sunlight drenches your bed, Kralath. Though the room is cold, and a rhyme of frost coats the bottom of the window panes, your hearth is dark, the room is still.

You're alone in the relative comfort of your chamber at the Hobrat Villa. Your mace and shield and armor hung in the proper places. Your boots where you kicked them off by the door. door. Your sheets and undergarments are twisted. Kralath stares at the ceiling. His eyes wide as he takes a deep breath. There's sweat on his brow, and after a moment of staring blankly, he wearily looks around the room. You see familiar artifacts that you've collected along your journey. but you don't hear any movement in the house.

Krayloff goes to push himself out of his bed and is surprised to feel that his muscles are strained. They feel heavier than they've felt. His whole body, his bones ache. And with some effort, he pushes himself out of the bed. and walks over to the standing mirror in the corner of the room. And he looks at his reflection.

And he's not completely surprised to see that his face is sagging. The bags under his eyes are black. And his posture is slouched. He looks frail. and in that moment he turns and looks by the door where his mace is hung and he feels the pull the temptation to hold the mace again but he's brought back to his dream and something calms him in that moment a sense of nothingness emptiness whereas at one point it was cold and unbearable he finds solace

in its lack and he doesn't reach for the mace so instead he reaches for his bag he digs down to the bottom where he finds his tambourine and he just holds it contemplating and he thinks about

the music all of the music Denna teaching him long, long ago how to hold a rhythm while she played her lute. The music of Waterdeep that there's nothing else like it. Oren singing. Singing about him, the Nightstone Four. A string quartet playing as he swirls across a dance floor with Marina Sindergather. Red dancing on a table.

Jack's hand in his forehead. Doren pounding back, a mug of ale, that he chuckles to himself. And, uh, tear rolls down his cheek. The door creaks open, and the tiny black face regards you tentatively from the corridor, maybe drawn by the sound of the tambourine that Jackson hasn't heard in a long time. Oh, hey there, little buddy. what brings you here he pads into the room his big yellow eyes looking up at you with a little bit of fear and curiosity he stretches his black feathered wings and then hops gracefully up to the bed to sit beside you been a long time since you came in for a cuddle and kreloff pats the bed next to where he's sitting mm-hmm something's got to change jackson

i've been running running from the great unknown i've been running for a long time i don't know if i ever told you this but uh i named you after my brother he was small like you and he had a good heart and i loved him to bits and uh the day came when i I had to say goodbye. I had to say goodbye in the most terrible way one could imagine. In some ways, I think that I never really said goodbye to them. Maybe that's why you got the name. I'm between two worlds of love. the world I've been in

I can no longer access and the new world the world that's always been there I've been too afraid to venture into and there's nothing here for me in the in-between the trasm head butts you in the chest looking for more scratches

oh sorry and Kralath shakes his head and reaches into his bag, and he pulls out a bit of dried fish in front of Jackson. Jackson pounces on it like he's afraid it's going to run away from him. Oh, you like that, do you? Hmm. Thank you for being here with me on this journey.

Oh, it looks like you might have given me an idea. Yeah, and Crayloff stands up and stretches in his tidy whitties, and he ventures downstairs. Jack and Doran, after resting for the night at the Hamperat Villa, you've returned to the road to discover what's become of your friend Red. It's a gorgeous morning for the month of Hammer. Sprightly chickadees are keeping curious pace with you and the horses, and it's clear that though the cold season is long, a thaw is coming eventually.

You smell that, Jack? Yeah. It's not shit fart. There's spring. There's spring in the air. It's far off, but I can smell it. It's still hammer, buddy. We're like three weeks into past deep winter.

We got a long way to go. I appreciate your optimism. I'm trying to get there. Can't wait to roll on the clover. I really can't. Where's red? Well, I mean, that's what we're going to find, right? B last saw him in Belyard, so we've got to go there and pick up the trail.

Yeah. I hope he's all right. Dorn kind of puts his hand up, shading his eyes from the sun, and looks up the road. He's not up there. Let's keep going. Jack Soda looks back towards the way they came. You see a small figure waving wildly from the side of the road, maybe a couple hundred feet behind. Hello?

Wait a minute. There's someone waving back there. That's two from far away. Wait, did we pass him? And Red runs up. Red? I thought I'd never see you again. Oh, my God.

Where you've been? What happened? Oh, my God, you wouldn't have believed it. It was the craziest thing ever. I got a sack put over my head and... On purpose? Hey, where's Kraloth? Kralath is...

He's resting. We left him in bed. In bed. It was a long night without you. What? Yeah. You know, it's... Admittedly, we missed you, Red, and Doreen kind of approaches you with arms open.

It's sort of not, like, looking for a hug. He kind of looks to the side. Dorn, what are you looking out over there? Oh, oh, oh, oh. And Red slowly kind of embraces you for a hug. Red, we missed you, friend. There, there. Are you okay?

It's good that you're safe. I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried about you in the slightest, but I know you can handle yourself. And Red sort of sees the face on Dorn and Jack, and something happened, didn't it? Kralath's not just in bed because he needs rest. I don't know. The Church of Kellenvore sent a night to No Oner's Hold. And Kralath needed to ride off to meet her and got pretty dark. Yeah.

Yeah, we really could have used your humor there, Red. Really. He's kind of lost his way a bit. But you got him out of there. He's all right. Well, we got him out of there. I mean, it's been a rough month for him, you know. I don't know.

I've never seen anybody struggle so much internally. I mean, you know, I've seen myself struggle internally, but I've never seen anybody struggle that much. I don't know. Yeah, I feel it too. I think we all have, as of late, is something shifted in Kralath and I guess

maybe this is the first time the three of us alone have been able to talk about it and frankly and Red sort of looks odd at Doran for a second well Jack maybe Doran and I should let you in on something

that we found back in Silvery Moon and Red pulls from his pocket a small ring look the night before Kralath I guess really changed you know after

after that burial mound he he was different cursed yeah but but he but he became so much different the morning after doran and i found this and i thought maybe it's something to do with it yeah until we talked to him and uh red shows the ring to jack this is the ring that crayloth found in water deep the one that allowed him to speak with his captain you spoke with the captain Yeah. Yeah. What a freaky experience.

Dorn and I did once or twice, trying to find a way to help Kralath, maybe find a way to fix what was wrong. But he said some things to me that I think might be really important to hear. And Red offers the ring to Jack. Jack picks up this ring and studies it carefully. And he slides it on his finger. The captain arrives without theatrics, Jack. materializing midstep as he seemingly continues an uninterrupted path of pacing around your position as if he's been doing it this whole time he doesn't look up at you is this armored man semi-transparent he's looking off into the trees looking for some unseen threat captain Treneros Jack says

and cast some minor illusion just to try and let everyone else see where Treneros might kind of be in space just so we're all looking at the same vague pointing around it. I can see something. I couldn't see him when you put that on the ring. Captain Treneros?

What do you want? Uh... Treneros, tell Jack what you told Dorn and I. Tell him what... Tell him what you told us about Kralath. what's done cannot be undone i've told your companions many times there is no magic i can fathom that will return sir crayloth to himself he languishes here in this plain in on death his spirit rotting where his flesh remains there is nothing more you can do for him but treneurus continues his pacing circling around to the back of your party.

I watched him die, just like the rest of you. I saw him fall to that creature. Everything that has happened since has been nothing. It's insane to think he could die after he's been with us for nearly a month after he's died.

I mean, can't we just make it work? You should know better than the rest, Doring, that sometimes companions fall in. battle. That is what happens. Oh. And Doran sheepishly looks down. Oh, people do die. But this is a curse. This, this is something...

No, Jack. The curse is what brought him back. The curse is what's not real. What happened is that Kraloth died. And we've tried our best to pretend that wasn't the case. but that's the truth. Maybe. Jack says as he pulls off the ring and tosses it back to red and climbs back up on amicure and sort of stares into the middle distance as he rides back towards the hamperish house.

I always think there's hope. I mean, look at me. I failed so many times and yet I'm still here. It's not about failure, Doran. It's about accepting that things do break and things eventually do die. The three of you enter through the double doors of the hamperat villa

and are greeted with the smell of cooking. Oh. That's a smell I haven't smelled in a long time. What is that? Wow. All right, Rebecca, you make sure that you get those scones out in no more than five minutes. All right, Jared. Jared, I want you to stir that rabbit stew, just right?

Just clock, like, here, let me show you. Just a clockwise motion, just like this. Nice and even, you got it? All right. Now, how are those galets coming? Oren, you're doing all right with the stage back there? Yes, master. No, no.

Crash, you hear a crash. Can you go help him out, little one? All right, yeah. Red walks into the kitchen. Kralath, Krayloth, you're cooking. And Krayloth turns around, and he's, wearing a bright pink, frilly apron and just his linens. And he says, oh, Red, thank goodness you're here.

Running out of some of the materials, thought you'd be able to go downstairs and get some wine from the cellar. Everybody's busy, as you can see. Sure, yeah, of course. Oh, Rebecca, you're all done. Perfect. You just let them sit there. Here, why don't you go get the wine from downstairs?

And, yeah, Red can stay here. and Kralov goes over to Red and puts his hand on his shoulders and says You all right We're worried about you there for a little bit Yeah I uh

Yeah I'm all right Oh it's good to see you And he pulls you in for a hug Oh And pats you on the back And Red hugs Kralov back Oh Kralov You feel warm

Kralov smiles warmly at that Yeah You might be right about that. Are you hungry now? I imagine you're starving. Starving. I literally haven't eaten in 24 hours.

Hey, do you want to help me out? Sure, I'll go set the table. And Red grabs a stack of dishes and heads out to the dining room and sets them up. And it's at that moment that Doran comes in carrying three balls of wine and in front of him is Rebecca, hands empty. And he says, here, Kralath. Maybe this will make you feel better, although you look like you're doing pretty good. Well, thank you, Doran. Thank you. I got a good night's rest, I guess. Yeah.

And Kraloft takes the bottle. He takes a few swigs, pours a little bit in the rabbit stew, and he passes it back to Doren. It's been a good morning so far. It's been a good morning for us, too. We didn't have to go too far. He met us about halfway. We had a good ride back, and the weather is turning, and it looks like it's going to be spring soon. There's just a lot to be excited about Kralath. Jack is in the kitchen sort of crouched down, petting Kieran for a minute, and kind of looking pensive and he stands up as there's a little island of calm

and the chaos of getting ready today. How you doing? Kralov pauses what he's doing and turns to Jack and says, ah, I, um, I'm feeling balanced, I guess. Good. Thanks to you. Well... And Doran.

You know, I guess always trying to plant seeds of hope. That's sort of the mission, right? Hmm. Yeah. Hopefully you can see a little further in front of you now. To the next sunrise, you know. And Kralov gives a knowing nod. Yeah. I do see a path forward.

You'll be okay. It will be okay. Especially when you get some food in your belly. Now, could you bring this? I think it's done, Jared. Can you take this over to the table? Oh, sure. There's some, some placemat sounds.

We don't burn the wood. I've admit, it's going to be hot, the pot. Oh, yeah, yeah, of course, of course. Let me help you here, Jared. It's like a three-year-old boy. You got it? He's like going side to side. He could fit in the pot is the problem.

And after your hours of labor, everyone sits down to a family-style meal. full of the favorite things that you've all enjoyed over the past little while, notably cooked by hand this time with love, with help, and not magic. Doran finishes regaling the children at his end of the table about his tails and licks his plate and he looks over at Kraloth and he's about to comment on just how delicious that rabbit stew was. There was something in it that just caught. him. But, you know what, instead of saying anything, he sees Krayloth looking around the room.

He's not talking anybody. And Duren decides, you know what, he's not going to make a common. He's just going to enjoy the situation and let Kraloth enjoy the situation. Red skews the chicken to the wall as he tosses a breast up and all the kids scream and laugh. As he says, oh, go pull whatever pieces you want. And sort of he looks to Doren nodding, who's laughing and clapping. and nice shot his eyes meet crayloth who's just sitting there smiling taking it all in not unlike he used to and red sort of meets his eyes and nods to him as well and then jumps down and chases the children to the other room and that's why i think they're the best silversmith in the desert and valley honestly be and if you try another bite of the skillet i think he's almost got it i'm not going to say as good as torren but it's

it's up there i won't tell him if you don't What a chef. And after your plates are cleaned and the kids are upstairs on their way to bed, maybe you all retire in front of a crackling hearth with a drink in hand to relax and chat. Kralath, I have to say that rabbit stew was perfect. I have never had such a savory stew. I could have eaten the whole, well, I... Don't tell the kids.

I hate most of it. Well, that's why I made extra. I knew you'd be here. And Kralov turns and stares into the fire a little bit. There's this moment of silence. And then Jackson comes out of the darkest corner of the room and winds his way toward you. Kralov feels his presence and turns.

And then kneels down and begins petting Jackson, smiling. He looks up at his friends and says, any of you know what it's like to feel neither here nor there? Hmm. Not really, no. How do you mean? Yeah, I mean, like, I would love to get back home.

I've been on the road for a while. Is that what you mean? Maybe not too dissimilar. I've come to a realization. this existence that we're witnessing right now it's not sustainable I've been trying to delay a decision for as long as possible

but I'm at a fork in the road and I can't go any further without going left or right and I'll stop being metaphorical now On the one hand, I could have chosen to let myself perish and be at peace. Then I would have to say goodbye to everything that we've accomplished together. And to you all, people I care most deeply about. or on the other hand

I could stay be with you yeah I thought that that's what I wanted but I think that the souls of Denna and Jackson and Cherneros himself

they're already onto the next stage doing whatever needs to be done in the great beyond And while I consider the three of you, my brothers, and he pets Jackson again, I know that my true brother is in that beyond. And I think it's time that I allow myself to be with him. Because as all fates would have called for, I already should be, and you know that fact as well as I do. and Kraloff looks at Red. I think Red is looking at Jackson. Kind of picture Jackson, maybe a little loose in your arm,

and he's trying to match eyes with Jackson, kind of like absent-mindedly trying to get the cat's attention, like a child, trying not to pay attention with what's in the room. Just kind of like, hey. cat doesn't look at you as it hasn't for a long time and red sort of just

drops his eyes to the floor yeah yeah you're right this has been a month of borrowed time no we're not out of options yet

Kralath we don't we could take you to water deep You know, there must be something that my sister or my dad could help us do to stop this curse, or we could, you know, we're, we're, we're, there's, there's, there's so much more we could do. What are you, what are you talking about? We, Jack. We don't have, we don't have to stop. You, you don't have to give up. Jack, this is a decision that's already been made by more than just me. It doesn't have to be a bad thing. Doesn't have to be. sad but it's not just the only way it's it's my way red nods as you talk just sort of absent-mindedly nodding along and he looks towards jack and sort of nods at jack he's right jack jack's just sort of stunned quiet shaking his head his eyes welling up with tears his mind racing a million miles a minute to try and solve this problem and find another solution it's not a

problem jack you don't have to be sad crayloth isn't choosing to die he's accepting that he already has and red looks at crayloth and stands after we washed up on that shore and found that woman and child in the basement we buried them under the awakened tree we left our bloodstones on that pile and red takes a step towards kraloff and another step and then grabs his hand almost shaking it i feel like we buried you that day too and i am so thankful that i got another month with my best friend red did you know that you have the most brilliant soul that i've ever seen it shines like a star brings light to a world of darkness keep that light shining and crayloth does a firm grip and handshake kind of doubles down on the handshake and red turns around and and oddly red's not crying

Reds cried at the drop of a hat. He's bawled over Asta, and he's bawled over the loss of friends, but he seems satisfied in a way that he hasn't a long time as he sits back down. Kralath turns to Jack, and he takes a couple steps and kneels down before him, puts a hand on his knee, and says, my partner investigator, team corpse inspectors. Jack, I'm incredibly grateful for what you and Doran did yesterday. I truly am.

And you know just as well as I do that death isn't the last stop in our world. This is Faroon, and he gestures around. You know the map better than that. than I do. You understand there are planes of existence that while I may be saying goodbye to you, there is another story for me and another plane. That's where we're all going. I'll keep the fire warm for you. Okay. I love you. I love you too. Thank you for everything. Doren is staring deep into the fire as you're talking to Red and Jack. Kraloth, I understand.

I do. I understand and I appreciate that you're coming to terms with your reality. You know, someday I will have to face my own reality. Mortality, really. What can I say to you? What should I say to you? we all lead our own lives our own paths in death and in life obviously too you know i've learned things along my journey with you folks about magic things i have never even considered before

hell before meeting you i didn't even know there was another plane of existence i just assume that when we die the worms eat us and then we've been plant food and then we eat the food and so i guess someday i'll be eating you crayloth and in a way i kind of think it's a bit ironic considering you know some of the best food i've had has come from you and so you always could bring a smile to my face even on my darkest days you uh a long and middling smile You happen to be the bravest person I know. Brave and stupid. Well, they're the same thing, right?

I mean, I didn't want to say it, but... I'll say it, don't and stupid. Oh, I love you guys. Oh, shit. And Kralov hangs his head and shakes and says, I'm going to miss you guys. We're going to miss you, too, buddy. Through the stone corridors, you wind your way toward the bowels of the villa, to the place where you fought and defeated the devils,

where Jack summoned a fiend, where you discovered the cursed shield. The traces of the evil cult are mostly gone, washed from the tables and chipped from the stonework, sconces and fireplaces filled with sweet cedarwood and warm-smelling resin. The only evil that remains here is the memory of evil, an invisible stain. You come now to the,

metal hooks on the wall, bespoke mounts in the stonework for the items you took from here long ago, the shield of revival, the mace of deception. This is where it all started. The cursed shield, the imp, the hemp rat woman. You know, I ended her in cold blood. Well, the balance is an interesting thing ain't it funny how the scales tip but here we are and uh well maybe it's a bit of an eye for an eye this is where my journey ends no crayloth it's where it's beginning a new kind of balance Yeah And Kralath unfurls the mace

That's in a towel And He places it Up against the wall On the hook Won't be deceiving anyone else Not on this plane at least And then he reaches down for the shield

And he holds it up And looks at it And he places the shield On the wall next to the mace. As you hang up the shield of revival, you forfeit your cursed essence. A light breeze whips up dust in the hall, whispering.

Mist begins to leak from Kralath's body. His eyes turn hazy, and with a final smile, he dissolves into nothingness. Goodbye, Krayloth. Red nods and walks away and slowly ascends the stairs back to the warmth of the hump rat house. And as he does, he stopped seeing the face of Jackson on the top step, staring back at him. And again, he reaches a hand out with a little...

Hey, hey! he meows low at you and curls his way toward your ankles affectionate for the first time that you can remember and red puts him on his shoulder and he says he's all right buddy we'll press on he's with us It's episode 150, and we've had some milestones under our belt before. Episode 50 felt big. That was when we did our Rhyme of the Frost Maiden crossover. That's right. Episode 100 was a big deal for us.

I think we did a three-parter in Pellow's Want. That's right. Yeah. Where we introduce the notion of the hunger. The hunger. Now, episode 150 marks another landmark for the show. Yes. I'll be leaving the show, not just as a character, but also as a player.

Kralov has been on a long journey, and so have we. It's been a long road the past two and a half years producing this show together. years almost three years that's yeah that's right wild uh i it's it's it's been a difficult decision to uh to come to and not one that i make lightly um but the past several months i've been trying to balance everything in my life and uh yeah just had to come to the difficult decision to make some space for myself to uh you know be able to focus on some other aspects and regain some of that balance in my life. And this

is how you tell us? In the middle of an episode? While we're recording an intro live? Yeah, sorry, guys. Yeah, definitely. Just dropping this bomb on you guys didn't. I'm going to scrap the session. Yeah.

You guys rolled with last session so well. Oh, man. Just speaks to the quality of the improv. I mean, it's a tale as old as time, right? getting older and having to sort of refine your hobbies and choose what you make space for. And I mean, we absolutely understand the choice that you make and we're going to miss you on the show

and the audience is really going to miss Kreylaught. Yeah. Well, I'm going to miss you guys, of course. I mean, it's not goodbye, goodbye, goodbye. Right. You're still going to be in my life. Of course. And but definitely, yeah, I mean,

being a part of this show, being able to, you know, spend time with you guys so regularly and create in this way has been very fulfilling for me and has led to a lot of growth. And also just seeing how the audience has responded to Dice Chain has been really amazing to watch and, you know, we're really fortunate to have such just kind, warm, thoughtful talented, creative listeners. And I'm going to miss, you know, seeing the art and the conversations

and the live blogging and all of that stuff. And I'll miss, I guess, contributing to it, but I'll still pop in to see what's going on because this ain't the end of the show. No, it's not. Well, it's been a ride. and I'm so honored that you took it with us and I hope you continue to listen

and to everyone who loved Krayloth who's listening right now. Here. Here, present as well. Thank you and I promise that we're going to continue making a story that you're going to be really excited to listen to as well. Dragging Krayloff's body everywhere is going to be really too much.

I got his leg. I want to say all of the best to you guys. You've got incredible momentum here on the show. Incredible people. So many people are tuning in now and listening, and there's just so much incredible energy that I see for Dice Shame. And I'm really excited to see where you guys go next.

The Great Peaks, probably.