High Rollers DnD - Altheya: The Dragon Empire #28 | A Brief Intermission (Part 2)

Episode Date: July 11, 2024

The gang get some tournament advice from Ser Griold and investigate some new weapons! HIGH ROLLERS LIVE in London on the 17th September 2024! Tickets live now: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/high-rollers/ Boost your Charisma with some HR merch! https://highrollersdnd.teemill.com/ Add the Heroes of Altheya Minis to your TTRPG collection here: https://only-games.co/collections/high-rollers Enhance your bath time experience with the official Altheya themed DiceBombs at https://geekyclean.com/! Check out https://www.highrollersdnd.com/ for all the latest HR News! Love the podcast? Give us a glittering 5 star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/high-rollers-dnd/id1401508198?see-all=reviews Support the High Rollers on Patreon and get early access to Podcast episodes, vods and more: www.patreon.com/HighRollers Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound, TCT Adventures (Solasta: Crown of the Magisters), Monument Studios and Jolene Khor! Check out Jolene Khor and all her wonderful work on High Rollers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1WX3ICiTmf4GpHwImnQMs6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pickaxe. away and staying out till 2. That's stop-loss orders on Kraken, an easy way to plan ahead. Go to kraken.com and see what crypto can be. Not investment advice. Crypto trading involves risk of loss. See kraken.com slash legal slash ca dash pru dash disclaimer for info on Kraken's undertaking to register in Canada. Welcome back to part two of Althea the Dragon Empire. Our heroes in this lovely little interlude episode are going about various business around Ash and Ress, preparing themselves for what is to come. A nightly tournament of future adventures, as well as building up the inn that they have inherited,

or been given, I should say. Building shrines, custom armor and weapons, and all sorts of good things. One thing I didn't mention is you guys were making your way to dante's armory uh you guys would have noticed that ash and rest for the last like day maybe day and a half have been preparing for the tournament and the festival the festival of the forge also known as saint misara's day and you can see that people are uh doing things like they are putting up uh communal fires like around the town like communal kind of like barbecues like you can see that there are cooking areas attached to these

fires um you know decorations are being hung up um the colors seem to be that of just the town so like orange red white um and uh and brown are like the main sort of colours of Ash and Rest. And so the penance and the banners have all those out. But like buntings being strung between the buildings. There are effigies of Saint Misara, who is depicted as a one-armed dwarf with like a hammer or sometimes with a wand or some sort of artisan's tool. They are very non-binary. Saint Misara is generally depicted as a non-binary figure. And yeah, you see those are being depicted around like murals and paintings. It's very much a celebration of art as much as it is like blacksmithing and forging. It is also a

festival about art and magic. You see magicians, like little illusionists putting up little booths to do little shows and like little stages here and there for singers and artists and things like that um people uh communal workshops you see around like parts of the town things like uh seating and easels are being set up for people to do little art workshops and like pottery classes and things like that it's very much a celebration of the process of creation um making things. You also see that a number of people are painting their left arm, which is the missing arm on Saint Massara, they're painting that arm either a dark purple, a blue, or a black. And those of you who are religious, which I think is primarily Gruff, Gruff would know that that is to symbolize part of the legend of St. Massaro

is that they gave their arm as a dwarf. They used their arm to make weapons and armor as some part of a larger story. And it was actually Melia, the goddess of the shadowed moon, that came down and wove a new arm out of the shadows in their forge for them to continue their work. So people paint their arm dark purple or dark blue or sometimes like soot black as a way of representing that as a sort of tribute to Saint Misara.

Hmm, left arm. Left arm. Damn it. Yeah. I'm gonna get it all to my right. Mine's just a permanent tribute. it. Yeah. All to the right! Mine's just a permanent tribute. Yeah. Yeah.

I got the wrong arm. This is wonderful. There's so much over everything. Creativity! Yeah, and for Ophelia, like, you don't know who this saint is. You see these depictions. But, like, yeah, this is all brand new to you. You don't have a clue what any of this is about. But people seem to be in good spirits. Like, that happened the lamplighters guild this is kind of being used as a let's have a nice celebration and do something which is about

making things and try and forget all of that nastiness with the lamplighters guild like people are trying to put it behind them now even though it's only been a couple of days okay so there's not like just a almost an underlying like tension i suppose there probably still would be but people are trying to like grin and bear it right like this is you know people are trying to be like look this is a nice thing let's focus on this nice holy festival and try and put that in the past um there is definitely like people glance towards the pharos which is still this you you know, ominous building. Horrible business, that. Yeah, there's a bit of a, ooh, let's not talk about that lamp light business.

It's okay, keep Calder and carry on. Yeah, like... Oh, no. People have probably, like, wrapped ribbons around the light posts and, like, tried to obscure, like, the bit where the light would be. They've tried to, that and try and distract

as much as possible from it. Never speak again. For everybody listening, we are not putting that on a mug. No, we're not. Or a t-shirt or anything. No, you can ask. That's not gonna happen. It's not gonna happen.

It's not happening. I want that buried. But yeah, just something that you would notice moving around Ash and Rest is that there are preparations for this festival, which starts tomorrow. So people are kind of getting ready for it. Okay. I think I feel like we should be poking our head around, curious, just looking at everything, watching the people painting.

You would see signposts, like, nobody's started yet, but there are billboards for free workshops, like public things that you can come and attend. Starting tomorrow, there's portrait painting classes here in the Plaza Square. It's 12pm, come and sign up. And things like that.

Lots of little events like that. Cute. Very nice. But we're going to be at the tournament. Yes, I was just admiring all the happenings. Oh, if we have a break, I certainly want to explore the town. Yeah, the tournament is not all day, by the way.

You can paint? I can try. Have you never painted before? I'm more into the physical displays of creativity, I suppose, like dancing and... A dance in my image. But I could try paint, I've never really... I could try and teach you.

I was going to say, Daisy, you know, we might not have time for workshops, but could you run a little workshop now? Yes. I would love a portrait of me. That would be wonderful. What would you do with it? Well, what sort of pose could I do?

We could hang it in the inn. We could hang them in the inn. We could hang them in the inn! What sort of pose are you thinking? Kind of, no, I can't, not the arm. Hide the arm, but I could look pensive. I could look mysterious, you know, like hiding in the shadows. Ooh, yes.

Or maybe very noble, like proud. Or what do you want from me? This is ridiculous. What would make you happiest? Yes. No one's asked me that before. That's quite sad. A portrait of all of us.

Oh, a group portrait. Yes. Well, maybe we could take it in turns to pose, because I'd quite like to see what your artistic talent is like. Mine? Yes. Awful. Artistic, I've never painted.

But it's a group effort. I think we should do a... They should do this. We all take it in turns to pose, and then we draw, and then... Yeah. I think we should do that. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'm not very good at painting. Neither am I, I've never held a pencil in my own entire life. Okay, well we can look into it. Yeah, I was gonna say, tomorrow, the tournament does not take all day, by the way. There is time for you to go and enjoy the festival if you want to as well. These things run throughout the day,

all late into the evening. The ones that are outside move inside. You can definitely participate in different things if you'd like to. Also, something I'd never thought of before, but for Daisy, I think this makes sense, even if you don't have. Also something I'd never thought of before, but for Daisy I think this makes sense, even if you don't have it already. I think you should definitely mark that Daisy has, like,

proficiency in painting tools or, like, you know, art tools. Because, like, it's never... I think it's so inherent to the character, even if it's not in your background, you should just have that for free because it makes sense that you do it. Because if you do want to do things like paint yourselves, it would be a check.

We're going to roll to see how good you are at it and stuff. I want to do it now. You can have a test go if you want, yeah. But poor Rowan's not here. He'd love to do that. He would. Yeah. He'd be amazing at it.

Is there anything we need to do in preparation for the tournament? Anything left? You have armour, you have a weapon, you have a shield. Banner. I'm going to make a banner. You need to make a banner. I'm going to do that. How are you feeling? Yes.

Do you want us to join you in the group battle? Do you want to stand alone and we are in the audience just cheering you on? Would you like a practice spa, perhaps? Yeah, maybe some training. You can also enter multiple elements as well. Honestly, I feel like I'm gonna keg myself. I would really like it, actually, if we could enter the group battle together.

We could do that. Yes. Now. Sure. Do I know how the teams are drafted there? Would it be a 5v5? You can sign up as, yeah, it would be a 5v5. You can sign up. It's generally either 3v3 or 5v5.

Okay. Well, we have the perfect size team for it. And I imagine the perfect... What's the word I'm looking for? Disciplines? Disciplines of the group as well. Yes. Yeah.

I'm the killer. Really? That's the role you gave yourself? I'm the one that falls on the floor and needs help all the time. Ah, I know that one, yes. And you're the helper. Yes. I'm meek, I'm infirm, and I'm vulnerable. Vulnerable.

Yes. You do listen. I do. I'm infirm and I'm vulnerable. Vulnerable. Yes. You do listen. I do.

Something that Sir Gryold would probably tell you or that you would learn. Generally, weapons are either blunted or they are basically rendered safe. There's a simple enchantment that can be placed upon them to basically dull the edges and things like that. Kind of, but not quite. Dull this! Yeah, it's, yeah.

Magic and things like is allowed. I don't think Daisy wouldn't do it. But it is also a case of, you know, if you accidentally kill someone, that is a crime. Cool story, still a crime. People are expected, like, you can do it, but obviously if it comes down to somebody's looking injured You are either expected to back out

Like if you are genuinely, like, really hurt It is seen as knightly to know when you're beaten Like, fighting until, like, whilst you are on death's door He never gives up I know, I know I do more But, as a reference, it is considered unbecoming of a knight to fight like a frothing animal.

Like, you are meant to bow to a superior opponent and be like, nope, you've bested me, I'll back out now. However, at the same time, if you do use things like magic, you are expected to also know your limits and be like, that person looks like they're about to die. Ray of death! Yeah, I'm not going to ray of death them. It's like you then try and finish

them off in melee or use a spell where you can use non-lethal force, that kind of thing. Because those do exist. If you use certain damage types, you can use non-lethal versions. Put that sword away. That sword drinks blood. Well, any melee weapon like that would have the enchantment to basically

dull the blade, so it becomes non-lethal for the duration of the battle. What about teethies? They can't, no. If you used your teeth, they would be lethal weapons. So you can use them, but if you kill someone with it, then it's bad. Lethal weapons? It's not just frowned upon.

I want to make it clear. It's not just frowned upon. If you kill or maim someone, it is very bad. I just want to be clear to you. You will go to jail. Sometimes as well. Like, sometimes it's just a straight fight. Sometimes they incorporate other objective elements to it.

So it might be a kind of capture the flag type thing where you've got to grab someone's flag and take it to a base, and that scores a point. It might be that, like, people have favours on them, and the objective is to remove their favours rather than to actually kill them. Depends on the challenge. And that's normally left up to the reigning duke or duchess

to determine the nature of the battles that you will fight. Pretty tailhack. Yeah. Sounds awesome. You did mention that you will fight. Pretty tail tag. Yeah. Sounds awesome. You did mention that you wanted to stop by the forge. You would see that when you do so, Gruffydd and anyone that goes with Gruffydd,

that the soldiers are all very busy. There is still a lot of work to be done. The Lord Marshal is making sure that patrols are being sent out. You would probably catch glimpses or snippets of conversation that maybe a team of scouts returning, and you would just overhear, like, any sign of the Sun Sword.

No, we've lost them. Like, they went off the road. We can't find any trace of them. We think that they've used magic to disguise where they've gone. They would overhear that, like, you know, these investigations and elements are still going on throughout it and stuff like that. But yeah, you find

Sir Gryold is probably not training himself. He's probably overseeing some other bits and pieces, but you can find Sir Gryold and he will sort of nod in your direction. He's like, ah, my friends! Hello, how are we? Good, preparing for the tournament.

Good to hear it. Good to hear it, Gruffeth. Do you feel ready? No. At least you're honest, a good virtue for a knight. We did stop by Dante's, and we have... Dante's? Outfitted Gruff with some new weapons and some rented armour.

Ah, you've done quite a... I mean, you must have had some honeyed words to get Lady... to get Mistress Iana, Ilana, to... Maybe. Yeah, that day. The boy did me a good deal. Well, no, that's... I mean, if she didn't wish to, she would not have done it.

I'm sure that Xanthius captured her attention, but it is your deeds and your reputation that has secured her a favour. It does, of course, come with a caveat of thanking them in our opening speech, but I'm sure you've... I'm in the same place. I have an ongoing relationship with the Mistress Ilana of similar nature. I make sure to thank her, and she gives me a good deal on my purchases and things like that.

Is it normal to feel absolutely bloody terrified? Not of the tournament, not of the demons we fought, but of Mistress Ildante and losing her favour? Oh, I would say that that's a very wise thing to be afraid of, Gruffydd. Terrifying woman. Very influential and very powerful. She's got friends all over Caldera. Oh, good.

So definitely not one to displease. Oh, great. So put on a good show, and that's what it's all about. But, I mean, you need to do that anyway, because you're not just advertising yourself and the services of the, of the, of Mr. Stante, but this is to capture the attention of the Circle of Loyal Hounds if they're there,

which I believe they are. I've heard word that they are on their way. They're either arriving late tonight or early tomorrow. So they will be in attendance. Whether they'll be participating or not, but they generally, it's a good opportunity to show yourself and show that you're interested. It may even be worthwhile during your announcement speech

to mention them and say that you seek the Circle of Royal Hounds. That's a surefire way to get their attention. Right. You just said two words there. It made a ringing in my ears. Announcement speech. Aye. Every true knight has to announce themselves or have someone announce for...

The most noble knights have someone who announces them for them. Xanthius, you should totally announce Gruff. Okie dokie. Sorry, Xanthius is chill with it. Tom? Well, surely it should go to a performer. Rowan could maybe do it. It is typically performed by bards or skalds

or somebody of that nature. Somebody who knows the knight's arts. Sorry, Trot, we're just going to dump you with that. I have a better idea. Let's be honest. Trot knows that that's going to be coming for him. That's fair. But aye, yes, it's a very important deed.

It would be somebody generally, the announcement includes a little bit about the knight, their accomplishments, their deeds, their things that they've done, and what they represent. But for you, it's an opportunity to... Bless you. Bless you. their things that they've done and what they represent. But for you, it's an opportunity to... Sorry. Great analogies.

But for you, Gruffydd, it's an opportunity for you to state your intentions to join the Circle of the Loyal Hands as well and advertise Mistress Dante's wares, of course. I'm not so used to being centre stage. As a knight, you have to get used to it. We're a humble folk from, you know... And there's nothing wrong with being a humble knight,

but you do have to get used to being somebody that is looked up to, somebody that is, if you truly wish to be a knight, somebody that has the attention of draconic lords and draconic ladies and people of high status. Knights carry a certain weight to it. I just wanted to protect. And that's a noble thing.

Focus on that. But it does come with a caveat. You have at least one person who looks up to you. Two. Three! Oh, bloody hell, it's still stuck. Four! I'm here. You've been here the whole time.

Yes. I've been busy with my rocks. Oh, no, not again. Does that make four already? Probably quite hard for you to look up at me, because you're taller than me. That's true. I look down, but not in that way. Oh, you all.

I can't find the words. I can't find the words. But my actions tomorrow, hopefully they will show you what it means to me. What is your intention, Gruffith? You have great and strong companions. I'm assuming you'll enter the team battle, but will you enter anything else as well? It's one thing to earn glory in one of the challenges,

but to earn glory in multiple, well, your status rises higher and higher. Well, I suppose, is there anything I can enter as a solitary? Aye, single combat. You fight with sword and staff, I suppose, so you could enter the Shieldsman tournament, aye? It's a one-on-one, you against another opponent. Simple bracket tournament.

Sounds like maybe that's the place for me. And you don't fight mounted you've never jousted before? No. Perhaps best not to engage in that one this time. I'll be competing in the joust. That'll be my only event, I think, for this one. I've no need to promote myself much further, but I do enjoy a good joust.

You'll be glorious. Well, I've heard there are quite a few strong contenders from around the Empire. After everything that happened in the last few days, people are rushing to Ashen Rest. People are quite interested in what happened here, so expect people from Kelsgaris, perhaps people from Feros, the capital of Guldra,

perhaps some of the other provinces will send knights. It's probably going to be quite a busy little affair. Oh, good. Hmm. What would you like me to... Eyes of the world upon us. What would you like me to... Oh god, you're right. Sorry, carry on.

What would you like me to write on your banner? Oh now that's a fine idea. Yes! See? What kind of thing goes on a banner? That's for you to decide, Gruffydd, not for me. What kind of things are on b banner? That's for you to decide, Gruffydd. What kind of things are on banners that people have for you? I've never had a banner bearer before.

I've been a Knight of the Realm. Well, I have the privilege of being under the Duke's banner, so there will be a banner bearer for all of the Knights of the Realm of North Vale. But, for example, on that it has the Duke's heraldry and it has the Duke's heraldry and it has the Duke's motto. It has things like that. It has a symbol, it has a representation of Duke Ignarius

and his battle over the Oriatans' erection. That's quite a lot. I have one night. I was just gonna write go Gruff on a big piece of fabric. Oh, I see, aye. Well, humble origins. Everyone loves the story of a knight from humble origins and well-meaning supporters.

I have no better supporters than these. Wait, no, that came out wrong. Maybe if I can make... That came out really wrong. I know what you meant. I'm open to suggestions. No one has finer supporters than these. If I can make a suggestion.

Yeah. And this is something for you to consider, Gruffith, as well. A knight, you need a coat of arms. I see you've got your birds. Perhaps one of Gruff's birds. Or a field of colours that you believe represent you. A shield. A protector, after all, Gruff is.

Think about what Gruff is. Think about who Gruff is. What they represent. Where they come from. Their story. That's what a banner should say. A fish and a kitten. A fish and a kitten!

A fish and a kitten. On a boat. A fish. On a boat! With a boat. Oh my goodness. Again, that's a complex scene. I'll try and make it work. I have some ideas. Okay.

I'll share them with you later. But I will say, you're probably gonna need two birds, because if I put one and not the other, the other will complain. Okay. They're very jealous. Okay, both. Both birds. They can be, yeah. Two birds.

Definitely something for you to think about is your Court of Arms. Court of Arms. What's yours? And he will show you, like he has it on like a, like one of his armor pauldrons, not pauldrons, but the things that protect the joint, I can't remember what they're called. It's like a, so his would be the head of a dragon,

which looks like Duke Ignarius. One of the horns is broken like Duke Ignarius is. And it's done in the colors, so it's like orange with like red elements to it. And behind it is a large mountain basically and it's and he's like well i bear i bear the duke's coat of arms because i'm a knight of the realm but you if you were to join the loyal hounds now the loyal hands there they have elements of their own coat but as knights we also sometimes have our own touches as well uh and you know he points to the eye on the dragon. It's not a dragon's eye.

It's like a more ornate, all-seeing eye for Sir Gryolt. The eye is one of mine, you know. Steel Eye, it's a family name, but also I'm known for being a great marksman. So I have that. And you can see that the dragon's, front claws are clutching clutching a pair of arrows that are crossed as well and the same goes for the arrows as well so little embellishments to my duke's crest that's a wonderful idea always perfect suits you to a tea thank you very much what is the crest of the order that you're seeking? I don't actually know. Oh. All I have is a list of the tenants that the traveller wrote down for me.

I remember something. I remember it's been a long time since I've met a knight of that order, but I remember that they had these quite funny-looking dogs. The illustration was a bit clumsy or maybe it was stylized i don't know but these kind of long dogs around like a circular shape and there was something in the middle but i can't remember what but it's kind of almost like hunting dogs but they were sort of illustrated you know like in those books those manuscripts and they get those funny animal and you know like them okay. Okay. It's like a medieval.

Like, you know, like a medieval, but imagine like a pair of hunting dogs, like kind of like running, so they're like stretched out. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, like that. In a circle. Yeah, basically as if they're chasing each other in a circle.

Yeah, I presume, hopefully we'll see them tomorrow. Okay. But, well, we can work on a banner. I say we. Daisy can work on a banner. I'm going to make two. I'm going to make an official one, and then I'm going to make one,

and I'm going to stand and hold it while you're doing your competing. Gruff is tough. Go Gruff. Protector of the meek, the infirm, and the vulnerable. That's a good, that's a good start. It's very long though. It's quite long. How much fabric do we have?

Not that much. Okay. How about, I don't know, something to do with roar? Gruff is roar-some. Gruff is roar. Roarsome. raw some sorry i just liked gruff is raw well you were trying to put rules it's fucking raw gruff is raw look at this meat

it's raw I can't think of any good punny things that's a very sweet idea Daisy either way we have a night to work that out but until then I think we're happy

to assist in the in the group fight duel competition yes if you wish to attend But until then, I think we're happy to assist in the group fight, duel, competition. Yes. If you wish to attend the shield fight, did you say it was? Or the staff and sword? Aye, the shieldsman. The shield master's tournament.

The shield master's tournament. We will happily wait in the wings, cheering you on, clapping, yelling, screaming, roaring. Sounds like a good day out. If you're willing to fight in two tournaments, that is. Make sure that you arrive... You can go and register now at the tournament grounds, but you can do it tomorrow morning as well if you need to. Make sure you go and register for the events

that you wish to participate in. But apart from that, Gruff, just get yourself ready. Good night's sleep, good meal. You know how to fight. I've seen you fight. You know how to do that. Thank you for your counsel, Sir Gryolt. Of course. No matter the outcome, it has been a real honour to work with you and to stand by your side. Ah, we fought side by side in defense of the people. I can think of no better way to bond than to see fellow warriors in arms doing what's right. Aye. Yay!

It may be that once things have calmed down here, I imagine, given my talents and my training, I imagine the Duke will ask me to task in tracking down Ilkara Sunsword. That will likely be my next mission from my Duke. So I may be gone

for some time after the tournament, but I don't think we're going to make any moves until then. We've not had any word from the scouts or anything like that. I'm hoping that tomorrow tomorrow some of the other knights of the realm might come by, so I've not just been on my own the whole time. It's been a while since I've seen Dame Cassandra or Sir Ignis, but we'll see. They have got missions and they've been busy elsewhere,

so fingers crossed they'll be here tomorrow. OK. It's going to be an absolutely dreamy day. There's going to be so many people there. So many of my heroes. Let's go spa. And not the spa. Spa ring, I mean.

What's the spa? Right. I thought you were expecting me to have another bath again. No, no, no. That's not a bad idea. You know, limber up the old muscles. Maybe I'll do that tonight, actually. I'm giving information to the competition.

Oh, I'm not competing in anything. No, I know. I'm not competing in anything. But we should get used to those new weapons. Yes. Good idea, Xanthius. I mean, I don't have them yet. You've got the weapons?

Oh, I've got the weapons. I do have them. Not the army yet, though. No. That's mean, I don't have them yet. You've got the weapons. Oh, I've got the weapons. I do have them. Not the armour yet, though. No, that's tomorrow, isn't it? That's tomorrow. But we can get you used to those weapons. We can train you in all sorts of different fighting styles. We all fight very differently.

Let's throw a load of spells at you. Right, I'm just going to bonk you on the head. I don't want that. I don't want to be hit on the head. No, I don't want to be hit on the head either. That's why I'm going to stay as far away as possible while I fling spells at you, at your shield. Right.

You need to be ready. Okay. For a fight, for any strategy. Okay. People from different areas of Althea. I'm up for this. Let's do it. Good.

Yes. Yeah. So Gryll will go over and speak to the Lord Marshal. The forge, the actual barracks of the forge are pretty empty because most of the soldiers are out. And it doesn't take much convincing for the Lord Marshal to be like, yeah, absolutely, use the exercise field, which is like a sparring field.

It's like a loose dirt field with a simple barrier. And yeah, if you guys want to fully play it out, but otherwise we can just say that you guys spend a few hours sparring with Gruff. I kick your ass. I cast Fireball. I empower it. And get yourself.

Blow up your spell. Last time I checked, you don't have Fireball in your spell list. I don't have Fireball, no. So he's a liar, too. He's a liar. But yeah, you guys spend some time. I imagine that, like, different people, like, Rowan comes in as just, like, a liar, too. He's a liar. But yeah, you guys spend some time. I imagine that different people, like Rowan comes in as just a generic swordsman, like Ophelia dancing and nipping around.

Who do you think Gruff would have the most trouble with out of your companions that are here that do engage with you? Daisy. Too quick. Because of the throwing a knife from a distance and it's radiant. So Daisy keeps just keeping a distance and you just can't close that distance,

can't get close to her to pin her down or do anything like that. Unless I do just a heckin' moonbeam. Don't do a heckin' moonbeam. But Gruff would not do a heckin' moonbeam. No, but you know that you could. That's how you would. There's that tactical thing of like,

well, okay, I physically can't engage with them so i'd have to use my magic and you know use that around them and that's probably she's she wouldn't try and hit gruff she would go for gruff shield but she'll be more focused on making gruff move like the movement is probably what yeah well because you've got cutting action as well so you're just constantly staying out of reach which is frustrating but now you know okay this is actually a weakness i have yeah and it's where maybe your allies if you see somebody who's very mobile you might want to direct xanthius or daisy to take them out so you can close and engage with the closer targets and things like that um you also pick up a few things like fighting against ophelia, noticing how mobile Ophelia

can be. She can be around you at any point and is very quick to adapt to movement around you. Can run up a wall. You raise your shield, she runs over your shield and is now on the other side of you. And that can be a useful thing for positioning and things like that

as well. The one thing you would definitely pick up on is Rowan in his little flimsy leather shirt is very, very open to attacks and does not know how to defend himself. He's not very quick. He is very vulnerable. No offense, Trot. You've got an AC of 11.

Might need a bit of armor on that lad. What about Xanthius? What if I fight you? I guess, I mean, in the context of this, I'd be having to try and use a sword and shield, right? No, no, because Gruff might have to fight mages. You can just buy, yeah. I don't know how much you would want to actually attack with full-on spells.

You could probably use Firebolt, and if you strike the shield, that counts as a hit or something like that. Yeah, Firebolt, maybe I'll throw out some mind slithers yeah i mean you really want to do that i'll shock and grasp you i've got that now so that stuns you in place so you can't hit me when i run away from you yeah but you would probably find that it's um xanthius trying to use that against you because you don't have metal armor it's not as effective as like if he uses it against like a metal target right so if you fight a heavily armored opponent that's a great thing for xanthius to like you know get in there and and then that also frees you up to move away and like

engage other targets and a lot of cool tactics i like to think as well i'd use the bill hook to hook xanthius and pull him towards me and be like blast me now shocking grasp yeah but using that bill hook like it's also like noticing things of like yeah if like somebody is just out of reach and it does give you a bit of extra reach as well being able to pull them in closer or pulling them closer to somebody like ophelia and now they're engaged with ophelia or pulling them closer or pushing them away from xanthius to let him move away you know there are things that you're like okay yeah like okay, yeah, like, as a team, like, you're kind of the linchpin

that the team can form around and sort of coordinate a lot of other stuff around. And then you're also there to protect Xanthius if he needs it and things like that, so. I think if everyone is sort of sparring against each other, at some point I'll be like, I think it's time for me and Ophelia to have a fight against each other.

Maybe we just go over here to this bench over here. I got some wine. Oh, okay. They're not paying attention to us right now. They're fighting each other. It's fine, yeah. Just sit and drink a bottle of wine together. There's a couple of winos on a park bench somewhere.

Fighting rubbish. It's water. I brought his water we're sparring we're learning so much from each other right now fighting a little spell

comes your way fighting oh wait they're looking at us fire blah oh my sword carry on as you

are there as you do do some of the sparring, Ophelia, like, in your pack, you feel something weird. You definitely feel, like, this strange sense of being watched all the time and, like, a heat coming from your bag or, like, knapsack or whatever it is you carry your objects in there's like a strange warmth and you get this like uneasy feeling of being watched

um if you just open her bag just yeah hello i mean you look in there just most of your items then you've got the the weird eyepiece that Goris Moldsight was. Goris. Morris Goldsight. There you go. Goris Moldsight. Oh. Snack, snack.

I can't help it. I got brain gum. Morris Goldsight's eyepiece that he was wearing, like it's kind of like with leather straps, like you would wear it over one eye, and it's got these weird lenses. And then you see that weird gun thing. And that's definitely where the heat is coming from.

You didn't really get like a close look at it before, but you do now. And there's my descriptions. So the actual like eyepiece, by the way, yeah, it's like it's got leather straps that like attaches it to your head. And then it's got all these brilliant little crystal sort of lenses that can be like slotted into place.

It's all beautifully made of like gold and leather and metal and things like that. And definitely, you you know seems to be quite intricate the demon gun as i've called it because you don't know anything more about it um it is very strange uh you can see that all over the weird dark gray blackish metal uh is stamped with markings and seals uh of the helium throne its grip is like jagged black with thorn-like protrusions that make it look like it'd be quite uncomfortable to hold. There is like a cylindrical central chamber

that can be rotated and opened. And you can see that there are six slots, two of which are filled. The rest are empty. And then the body and the barrel almost twists together like a corkscrew, but parts of it are missing, and little bits of metal hover next to those holes, and they just hover in place as you move it around.

They kind of move and follow it around. So it has these chunks missing out of this weird twisted barrel. they kind of move and follow it around. So it has, like, these chunks missing out of this weird twisted barrel. And there is a sense of heat coming from it all the time. And you can see, like, glowing runes. In one of those six chambers, one of the things inside has, like, a slight heat to it.

What was that, Ophelia? You said hello. Xanthius, this... The um, this, the demon gun. You still have that? Yes, I do. Really? Yes. Well.

Well, I tried to throw it away and it made a noise. It made a noise? Yeah, it screamed at me. Oh, it screamed. Okay, so you kept it. Yeah. That's normal. I, I, I was, I don't know what to do with it.

Now it feels hot and I feel like it's watching me. Wait, are you able to touch it? Or is it burning through your pack? I'm scared. It feels hot and I'm to do with it. Now it feels hot and I feel like it's watching me. Wait, are you able to touch it? Or is it burning through your pack? It feels hot and I'm scared to touch it. Hmm. Maybe just spill it onto the ground or something? Okay. Yeah, I mean, you spill stuff out.

On the ground. Yeah, I mean, like the gun comes out, the little eyepiece, like a few of your other objects, like, you know, your... My cup of goo! Yeah. Yeah, your cup of goo. Whatever random shit you have comes spilling out.

Just like Rhiannon's desk! Yeah. I figure, how are you carrying this much stuff? How do you fit it inside that bag? I don't know. Magic. Minor bag of holding. It's a very minor bag.

It holds just enough of Rhiannon's inventory. Any bag I have is always full and there's nothing useful in it. Yeah. You had to shake it a couple of times just to get it to burst out. It's like all the seats. Is it hot enough

to have an effect on the floor? No, not at all. Okay. Well, now we have made a mistake. We have to put it back into the bag. I was waiting for that to drop. It's now just on the floor. But you screamed at you. But you have touched it before.

I have, but I don't like it. Okay. It's demonic. Do you pick up the rest of the stuff? I pick up the rest of my stuff, yeah. Okay, what about the eye thing? Do you pick that up as well? I'll pick the eye thing up.

Okay. Does Daisy see this? Make a perception check for me. They went off to have their wine drinking. Far enough away that it still kind of looks like we're fighting. I'd say it's only like, we won't be a high DC, like 13.

Just see if you see them doing it. I rolled a 13. 13, there you go, yeah, so yeah. Like you definitely see Ophelia shake her bag out and a bunch of stuff spills out on the floor, and she's like, my goo! My precious goo! Yeah. And you see that it's basically, yeah,

it's the things that Morris had on him. Like, Ophelia's had the things that Morris has on him. I'll try and pick up the gun with my left demon hand. Okay. It's warm. Like, it just, it's like a warmth, like a stone that's been, like, sat next to a fire for a while. It's got that warm touch.

Okay. I mean, it's not screaming at me. You definitely, it's not screaming, but yeah, there's a weird, that sensation of when you feel like you're being watched. Yeah, this is odd. It's uncomfortable. You can definitely tell Xanthius, I mean, being a sorcerer, I'm not going to give you an automatic attack magic.

Sure. You can tell that this is obviously magical. Yeah. Looking at it, it clearly couldn't function as a normal thing. It's held together by magic. And the two chambers, like the two bullet chambers, you can definitely tell that, yeah, two of them have got stuff in it. The other four are empty. One of them,

you look at it and you can see arcane runes, like glowing, fiery runes on one of the bullets. Yeah. And then the other one is made of almost crystal and has that greenish-yellow light that was the phosphorus kind of light from the demons that you fought. It has two of those. It has

the two that it has okay and there's all sorts of like arcane sigils and runes all over this thing just out of interest if i pass it to my other hand feels doesn't feel hot anymore okay feels quite comfortable hmm yeah i mean you should be careful with it, whatever it is. I mean, we've seen something like this from opposite Commander Neros. It's only got two uses left. I tried to destroy it. And that's when it screamed at you? Yes.

We could sell it, I guess. But then I don't want somebody else getting their hands on this nefarious thing. And was it when you threw it, or did it hit something and then screamed? I think I threw it against a wall. A very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very I mean, I don't think it's going to cause much more danger to us. It's just uncomfortable. Is it watching us? You definitely find, Xanthius, as you're holding, when you held it in your non-demon hand, like, yeah, that grip, it has, like, these weird thorn protrusions, and it was quite uncomfortable to hold.

Like, imagine if you gripped it properly. It would actually quite hurt. In your crownsteel hand, you don't notice that at all. I'm, like, spinning it around. Like, it feels, yeah, you just don't notice those at all. I'm, like, spinning it around. Like, it feels... Yeah, you just don't notice those thorns. Like, it's not painful to hold, basically. Maybe we take it to Blackwing?

Maybe Blackwing could keep it safe or destroy it? Possibly. Maybe. We can give it a go. But, I mean, I'm not able to decipher exactly what kind of magic is in this thing. Well, it can't be anything good. Well, it's not going to pull an entire demon army through torches to destroy Ashen's Rest.

Let's put it that way. Well, I hope not. I've heard the word demon quite a lot and I'm really trying not to... We're fighting! Give back your demon! We were roleplaying. I mean, Deity, you can see Xanthus is holding fucking Morris' gun. He's got it.

He's like, oh, we're fighting. A little hand, some wine. What a recipe for disaster. Why have you still got that? Why does that still exist? Graf! Graf. Don't make me come over there.

It's okay, we're not going to use it. I'm coming over there. Don't come over. Okay, look, we're... By the time I come over there. It's okay, we're not going to use it. I'm coming over there. Don't come over... Okay, look, we're... By the time I come over there, that gun better be on the floor and not in your hand. Put it on the floor. Okay, Dad.

All right, but just know that it's not... I don't think it's too dangerous. We just need someone to decipher or... It's a demon gun! Well, yes, it's a demon gun, but... Have you been drinking? No. What have I told you about drinking and bearing arms? Actually, nothing so far. A weird amount, actually. It's a demon gun, but... Have you been drinking? No. What have I told you about drinking and bearing arms?

Actually, nothing so far. A weird amount, actually. It's strange how often you've brought it up, and yet I didn't listen. Bear arms where? I thought at the time it was weirdly specific that you were mentioning it to us, but now we're here in this scenario,

me with wine and a gun. I should have heeded the warning. Mr. Sofili, I expected better of you. I'm sorry, it was in my bag and it started feeling hot and I felt like I was being watched. I swear, I was going to destroy it. But it screamed. It screamed.

When she dunked it into a wall. Yeah. Right, that was your glorious plan for destroying a demon gun. First I've heard of this, by the way. It's all I could think of at the time. I'd never held a demon gun before. Don't you really hate demons? Yes. She tried to destroy it.

I did, and I thought it would be better in my hands as someone who hates demons than rather being in someone's hands who likes demons, like Morris, for example. Honourable. There is a logic in that, yes. Thank you. A rather twisty logic, but there is a logic in it. We were thinking we could take it to Blackwing and maybe destroy it or determine exactly

what kind of magic is in this thing or... I don't know. I haven't had long to think about this. I mean, that's the smartest idea you've had all day. Ever. I've had quite a lot of smart ideas today. That was a pretty good idea. Sorry? The wine was a good idea.'ve had all day. Ever. I've had quite a lot of smart ideas today. The wine was a pretty good idea.

Sorry? The wine was a good idea. The wine was a great idea. What's the point of us fighting each other? I know I'd lose. Look at her. Oh, thank you. I mean, you're powerful too, though.

Don't get me wrong. You have a couple of spells. You do. But, I mean, come on. Have you seen the whip? Could you put the gun down while you're gesturing? Just gesturing around, waving it around. Yeah, you're great!

Every time I gesture at anyone, I'm like... Take your finger off the trigger! I'll take it on the floor. Yeah, definitely when you go over there and put it on the floor, Xanthius, there is definitely a bit of a, oh man, it felt really cool. It felt strong. Felt good in the hand. But it just sits there.

It's just gum. I don't want it anymore. It's just feeling hot in my bag and I don't like the feeling of it. Groff's going to poke it with the end of his staff. Okay. And just go, hello in there. Gun on the floor.

I don't hear any voices, if that's what you're wondering. Right, it's not screaming anymore. What if I try and stomp on it? Do you actually stomp on it? Yeah. Kind of like flame flickers along the barrel. Not enough to hurt you, but there's definitely a response. I thought you stomped on the trigger.

Bang! Gruff's dead. See, I don't like that. I don't like that. What's your passive perception, Gruff? I know you're the highest. It is 17. 17.

I went out by one. Maybe Gruff hears the faintest... come from it. Right, I heard that. Mm-hmm. See, it makes noises. It growled at me. Oh, that definitely needs to die!

Oh, it didn't growl at me last time, it went like, Ah! Last time. Right, you in there, I can hear you. Stop playing silly buggers. I'll whack it with stuff. Pfft, bit of flame. Okay, let's destroy it.

Yes. I think maybe we should take it to, um, destroy it. Yes. I think maybe we should take it to Blackwing. Okay. I just have a feeling that if we hit it a bit too hard, it might blow up. Let's stop stomping on it. Or hitting it with staff. Don't.

Stomp on it. Stop it. Put that foot down. Gone. You know what's going to happen. It's foot down. Gone. You know what's going to happen. It's going to growl. It's going to explode. We're all going to die.

Yes. Well, yeah. Fine, let's take it to Blackwing. Sure. Are you okay to go to Blackwing? Yes, I am. Oh! Sure.

So just Xanthius is going to Blackwing, or all of you are going to Blackwing? No, we can all go. Oh, sure. You guys make your way there. The door appears as you get closer to the tower. You step inside that familiar sensation. They must be so sick of us just coming in and out.

Why do we give them access? You step in. You find, as normally, this kind of beautiful blue ethereal chamber. Drapes with silk gossamer drapes. Weird, strange-looking butterflies and plants all over the place. The crows, a number of them just on their perches, immediately turn to look at you when you step in. One of them opens its beak and Blackmouth's voice comes out of it.

Blackmouth? Who's that? Did I say Blackmouth? Yeah. Blackwing's. Out of the mouth, Blackwing's voice comes. Yes. Are you tired, Mark? Yeah, but also dyslexic. We've all been there.

It happens. Every day. You hear Blackwing's voice. I will be with you momentarily. Please make yourselves at home. Thank you. Sorry to intrude once again. It is not a problem. You are always welcome here, friends.

There is, once again, there is like fruit and juices. A lot of it's strange. But within a few moments, descending from their spiral staircases, always coming from whatever business they were up to upstairs, Blackwing descends in their very ethereal manner. Sorry, I just had an idea for a banner. Okay.

Do the roar. Do the roar. Do the roar. Do the roar. Do the roar. Do the roar. I think that banner would be incredible. Roar. It's clearly a meme I'm not involved in. It's from Shrek.

Oh. It's the little kid that just goes, do the roar. Do the roar. I, Shrek. Is it Shrek 2? It's Shrek 2. That's a Zuma thing. Yeah, Blackwing descends. Ah! Daddy!

What do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Hello again, Blackwing. In the previous fight, the... You were very successful, it seems. We were. With, thankfully, your raven helped us a great deal as well. Where? Ophelia recovered a gun.

A gun? Sorry. Let me change the terminology I use for which I describe this thing. I mean, to you guys, you'd be like, gun. But Blackwing is like, what's that? So a gun is like, okay. Yeah, you guys, it would be known as a pistol. Like, you know, like you would have,

because you've seen like dragon powder pistols and stuff before, like some of you. Ophelia probably hasn't, but it's fine. It's a gun. Some kind of pistol which has quite a lot of demonic influence. Ah, you speak of one of the demon weapons. Yes, one that we're not quite certain just yet,

but seems to maybe have some kind of presence residing in it. Oh yes. Ophelia tried to destroy it. Yes, that would align with what I understand of their weaponry. The elves, we tried to replicate their devices. They are quite clever, demons and devils. They have created these tools of warfare. They far exceed that of even the Celestials or us. But I'm familiar, yes. You said you can sense a presence. That is quite common. They take, the demons being what they are and devils indeed as well

the fiends, they take lesser creatures or fiends that have displeased their masters, their souls are remade, bound into these weapons which is partly what gives them their potency along with the matter of

felite and ichor that they harvest, demon's blood, as it is called, hell's blood. They use it to create these weapons. May I see it? Yes, I'll put it on the table or whatever's in between us. A bugwing gestures and it floats up in the air, like a mage hand is holding it.

Okay. Oh. Yes, not the most advanced of their weapons, but certainly not the most common either. A fine specimen, a fine weapon. We were just wondering what would be the best course of action to take in regards to this particular thing. Obviously, our first thought was maybe selling it,

because we're not sure of the presence that resides in this thing or if it's harmful to us, but we don't want this to fall into the wrong hands. Ah, I see now. You are concerned of if it poses a threat to you. Yes. Well, I can tell you that the entity, the soul of whatever creature, whatever fiend is bound,

I do not know if it is demon or devil, but it is not fully awake. It is a sort of sleep or stasis. Whatever deal, whatever pact was made to forge it has rendered it rather docile. Therefore, it is of no great harm. Were you to awaken whatever creature is, whatever creature's sentience or spirit is held within it,

that would then be quite interesting. It would have no power of its own to cause you harm, but it would be intelligent enough for speech or communication. And I am told that some of the more powerful weapons, once the sentience is awoken, it enables a greater sense of power in the weapon. I know much little else. I can tell you that, that the sentience is currently docile asleep.

It may react to external stimuli if you damage it or if you... Stomp on it, hit it with a staff. Yes, there will be reactions, but it is not fully conscious. What would make it fully conscious? That would... It varies. I'm afraid that the forging of these weapons is not my specialty When we created them in the Feywield We did not bind spirits to it in this way

We would try and encourage natural spirits to work with us To willingly be bonded to these devices But Fey spirits are fickle things They would work for a time, but then they may, they could abandon you in the middle of a battle and suddenly your weapon no longer functions. It is why we did not, we were able to replicate a portion of their power, but not to the same extent that the demons have their, the devils and the fiends have their mastery of these weapons. They truly have mastered this. They use the same process to create not just these firearms,

but also machines of war, wagons that can move upon their own, steeds made of metal and hell's blood. Powered by lesser creatures? The spirits and the souls of them, yes. How fascinating and also horrendous. Oh, yes, yes. That is the nature of their realm.

It is to be used or to be the one who is using. It is the very nature of their survival. They climb upon each other quite literally to reach the throne where they reside over all of their kin. Okay, well if possession of this pistol is not harmful in itself, then maybe... You mentioned trading it. You will struggle to trade it openly here in the Dragon Empire. I believe that these sorts of things are sort of frowned upon. You may find some traders, but they would likely be more clandestine.

Others, there are individuals of the planar realms, people of the primordial isles, or perhaps even other demons or devils would be most interested in buying something like this. I know someone who would be interested. Hmm? A certain green person that would be interested. Hmm? A certain green person that would be interested. Oh, not that charlatan.

I don't want to say their name. And I don't want to sell it to them. I want it to be gone. It would be a good bargaining chip. Eh. Next time they decide to show that they- But it will just, someone else will get it, and then they might wake it up or use it for bad things.

I just don't think that it should exist. Oh, I ask, I am confused. You seem reluctant to use this weapon, the spoils of your war. Why? Well, now that you say that that's what it was going to get to, the possession of it is not harmful to us, then I don't see why we can't use it ourselves. I, for one, will not be wielding a weapon of demonic influence.

It's an insult, frankly. It's profane. It's effective. And blasphemous. Would you like to know how it is used? I can analyze its magic to tell you more about it. Oh, well, inside there are two charges or something in there with runes on them.

I wasn't able to identify them. You see Blackwing casts Detect Magic. Eyes go multicolored, scans it over. Can I have the data sheet? Oh yeah. A little thing for it. Ah, yes. This weapon, this is interesting. These two, the six chambers within its central core, they can be filled

with some sort of catalyst. Think of them sort of helium rounds, rounds of the helium form. Each of them, they are not used. Once it is fired, it is not used. They can be used multiple times over. But you select, they have different effects, you see. It seems that this one, and Blackwing gestures to the brass, kind of metal, with fiery runes, this cannot be removed.

This is a permanent fixture of the weapon itself. It seems to be a sort of primary form of attack. But this, and he taps the... They tap the crystal with the phosphorus light in it. This has been inserted. This can be removed and replaced. And it allows for a different type of attack, if you wish. And yet there are still four more chambers to install.

Out of game. Yeah. It's a magic gun. Yeah. You can select the chamber, first chamber to sixth chamber. Each of them can be slotted with different helium rounds, demon bullets basically, and they have different effects. The standard does 2d8 piercing damage, but every shot after the first you take fire damage and then on the sixth shot it deals extra fire damage to the target so it gets hot it like heats up as you fire

it and then bam and then after the sixth shot it resets or if you change the chamber it resets as well it's a bonus action to change the chamber literally to like turn the chamber around the phosphorus shot is basically it does d10 piercing damage and then either uh radiant or poison damage on top and then you can

also fire a like smoke cloud that when it hits the target creates a big smoke cloud that poisons and blinds creatures in it wow and it's one fate to recharge that. Oh, cool. Okay. And then there are indeed four more slots if you were to happen to find more Helion rounds. Now, that is what the information is whilst it is in its slumbering state. Christ. I think there's a little boy at this table who wants that gun. Look at his little face.

Now, it is a firearm, so you need firearm proficiency. Which I don't have. But proficiency can be acquired through training, which is a downtime. If you take an extended downtime, like you take some time, you can learn to use it. I'm proficient with the sling and the dart. No, right now you wouldn't be able to use it.

But with training you could. Yeah. Well, I guess I could still use it, but like... Yeah, you just won't have your proficiency bonus. Now, if, for example... Remember when Quill couldn't shoot a giant window? Yeah. Now, if, for example, I fired a fire shot through this gun...

It does specifically say there it cannot be resisted. Oh, wow. Oh, you're empowering. This is not a spell. Okay. But I do like the idea that this is magic, and that's magic, and there is a connection there.

I would say only on the sixth shot, because that's the one that deals fire damage. Sure. Okay. Are you just taking it? No, I'm just... It's there. It's in the middle of the table.

He does have a good point. Blackwing has a point. If we have a weapon available to us, and it's not going to hurt us. That we know of yet, because it's asleep. Well, it's asleep now. How do we wake it up? I don't want to.

How would we avoid waking this thing up? I could not tell you. Even through the magic of identification, it does not reveal the nature of whatever spirit is within. It could be anything. I can tell you the nature of whatever spirit is within. It could be anything. I can tell you the nature. Bad. Bad nature.

It is your spoils to do with as you wish. Can't get rid of it. We can destroy it, sure, but... Destroying it would be difficult. Phthalite is a very resilient metal. Fire and forges here in Althea would not be hot enough to burn such a device. In that case, we either keep it or we bury it in a pit somewhere and pray that no one digs it up.

Oh, that would work. Xanthius, I can see that you want to keep it. Well, it's... I can be easily swayed. If you do, ground rules. You're not allowed to drink and wield it at the same time. I... It's a very basic ground rule.

No pointing it at any of us. I'm not going to point it at anyone. I know how to control a thing. You were not on the sparring grounds just now. You were waggling it around. I... Willy nilly. Out of character was not.

I dropped it way before then. I was very much Tom. Yeah. If you feel anything different with that gun, you tell us and we'll get rid of it. Okay. Anything different with the gun, I tell you. Anything different with the arm, I tell you.

Anything different in my chest, I tell you. Don't come near me with it. You have confessed to your companions the nature of your malady. Yeah, they do. But yeah, if you've got one thing you don't want eating away at you, why not have two? I suppose it's safer under our guard and our supervision in that regard. How many times I have heard such words.

Oh, Blackwing. You're not helping. Did you find anything else interesting amongst those who had allied themselves with the demons? Morris also had this, and I'll hand over the gold sight eye. Oh, curious. It's like something he made himself. Yes, the work

of the material plane. You people, you mortals here, you are very clever. Can't detect magic and will tell you. This is gold sight eye. So anyone can have this.

It does require attunement and to be worn. But basically, whilst you are attuned to this item and wearing it, you have advantage on intelligence investigation checks to examine objects or discern illusions. It has three charges.

You can spend one charge and use an action to cast one of the following spells. Detect magic, detect good or evil, detect poison and disease, or identify. And it gains D3 charges at dawn. And this is like a mortal-made artifice. It's something that an artifice-made gold site, Morris gold site made.

So I'll hand it back to you. That's really good. And it is, you will find these things in D&D Beyond as well, including Demon Gun. Oh, interesting. Demon Gun. It's currently in Ophelia's inventory, but it's just called The Demon Gun question marks.

Can I ask Nim? Can I just check in with Nim about it? Just be like, what's this gun going to do? There is a... I do not approve of Xanthias having that thing. Nope. But they are... I cannot disagree.

I cannot disagree with the elf's summary that they are powerful weapons. That is what makes the demons and the devils of the Twin Pits so dangerous, little one. They are untrained, undisciplined. They turn on each other as much as they fight anyone else. But they are vast in number and they have these weapons, this technology.

We have attempted to understand it and some of the Legion engineers have created similar things, but not to the same level of power. Ours was too reliant on resources and materials. I worry a slumbering demon sitting in someone's pocket. It is a recipe for disaster. I worry a slumbering demon sitting in someone's pocket. It is a recipe for disaster. Do you know, have you heard of how those things wake up? My understanding is it would depend entirely on if it is a demon or a devil inside.

If it is a demon that has been bound to it, then carnage, acts of violence, of suffering. It will feed on those things. It will be like a dog that is sleeping, awoken by the scent of meat. If it is a devil, things are more complicated. The devils are insidious and complex, and sometimes, sometimes unfortunately they

can be true to their word. It would likely have made some sort of deal when it was sealed. Something that will trigger at some specified junction but what that could be I do not know. Great. but what that could be, I do not know. Oh. Great. Maybe when you paint me, I should have the gun. I mean, it is... It does look good. Mm-hmm.

Is that really how you want to be immortalised? No. No. No. I don't think you should have it. I think it's a bad thing to have. Okay, let's get rid of it, then. But I don't think anyone else should have it. I think it's a bad thing to have. Okay, let's get rid of it then. But I don't think anyone else should have it either.

It's difficult. Well, who do you trust the most? Little one, that is a valuable point, that if you were to get rid of it, there is a chance someone could find it, someone far less guided. At least you are here to watch over Xanthias, to make sure that it is not misused.

And should it awaken, we have power to destroy it if necessary. Or at least get rid of it. There are ways. The elf is not as clever as the elf thinks. There are ways of destroying these weapons. Perhaps not on the material plane, but there are ways. Okay, fine. I'll just have to babysit him

when he has the gun. If need be. Somehow. Concentrated celestial light should destroy it as well, but it would need to be incredibly powerful and intense, not simply a spell or like the blade that we conjure. It would need to be more potent than that. Okay, good talk. like the blade that we conjure, it would need to be more potent than that. Okay. Good, good, good talk.

Yes, be cautious. No. Sorry, what? Well, it depends if it's a demon or a devil. What, in the gun? Yeah. Okay. In terms of how it wakes up. I've just been having a little chat.

If it's a demon, then if you're really violent, if there's lots of violence, that could wake it up. That's something that is likely to happen. It just happened to us. We don't get involved in a lot of violence. It just happened to us. That's how we got the stupid thing in the first place. That's a gun.

Anne? How curious that you would know so much about this. got the stupid thing in the first place. That's a gun. And? How curious that you would know so much about this little girl. Oh, don't act like you don't know. Do not know what? It seems very convenient for a gun to need violence

to wake up. That's exactly what it's for. Well, yeah, that's what I mean. It could be really easy to wake it up. I see, I see. Okay, any other way? Well, devils make a lot of deals, and if there's this, if one of their deals happens to, you know, something

triggers that, then I could wake them up. And you don't know what that is. That could be anything. Okay. With that, it's time to end the episode. I'm keeping a gun. Xanthius. I know you are. Loom the demon.

Finger off the trigger. Okay, fine. Look, I don't wanna just burn loot just cause demon. It's just that you have a- I probably should do that. You do have a- Did anyone in Eros have like probably should do that you do have a did anyone in a row have like a cursed item

that was like bad for their health I had crown rend and light fall you had crown rend and light fall someone had something sentry's weapon

did damage to her but it wasn't bad starbreaker was epic it looks like maybe we missed a generation it's passed from Kim to Tom

I feel like we no there was Tiangong but it's not the same Maybe we missed a generation. It's passed from Kim to Tom. I feel like we... No, there was Tiangong, but... It wasn't like a corrupting... Sounds like spoilers to me. If you want to find out if we did, watch a roast. Yeah. But with that, that's going to be it for today's episode.

Thank you very much for joining us. Nice little interlude, bit of shopping, bit of setting some stuff up, just to kind of tide things over in between. Next time... next time will be the full start of a new arc that is going to begin

with the tournament it's not a tournament arc before anyone's worrying we're not going to do a Dragon Ball Z tournament arc or whatever but it begins with

it begins with a tournament and we're going to pick that up next week a lot of people coming down to see it too we will see you then take care

bye bye we love you bye bye see ya bye bye see you then take care bye bye we love you bye bye see ya hello and welcome to the eurogammon newscast and this week we're discussing the biggest xbox leak in history we're looking ahead to the switch 2's potential launch lineup. We're asking why there are so many industry layoffs, or at least that's what I would be saying. If you're listening to the Eurogamer Newscast, hello, I'm Tom, Eurogamer's editor and host of our weekly discussion podcast, where we break down the biggest gaming news stories and share insight from our news reporting team. Head to your favorite podcast app now to listen, just search Eurogamer Newscast.