High Rollers DnD - Altheya: The Dragon Empire #49 | A Maiden's Kiss (Part 2)

Episode Date: January 30, 2025

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["Pomp and Circumstance"] Welcome back to part two of Ulfair the Dragon Empire. Our heroes have been developing their downtime decisions. We have been building an arcane workshop, identifying magical celestial rods, carving a blackened wooden necrotic heart to empower some undead, and researching proto-magi vaults. Hell yeah.

I would say that this sort of, over these two weeks, some of this stuff has taken place. Then we have the events of the live show, the Volant Vault. And then as we move into the second week, some interesting things happen. First of all, welcome to summertime, everybody, as we transition into the month of Redmouth,

which is sort of height of summer. Okay. It's in Draconic, known as Caldkiss. Month of Red? Red mirth, red mirth, or Caldkiss, if you're speaking in Draconic. Okay. As your sort of downtime is nearing its end,

but as it does so, there is a festival taking place. Oh! Really? A holy day of festival. It's been a while, because you were not in Ashen's Rest for St. Ambronore's Day, which was another little festival. And the last one you were part of was the tournament, which I believe you got to be a participent, a participent in.

Which would have been on the first of Bronze Glow, so basically nearly a month ago now. Or a cauldron month, sorry, an Ilmeran month. But it is, on the second of Redmouth, it is St Typhines Day. Oh, my favorite. So, well, it's up to you. The town of Ashenrest is decorated and prepares

for a two-day holiday, a festival dedicated The town of Ashenrest is decorated and prepares for a two-day holiday, a festival dedicated to the saint of love, home, family, and redemption. If one wishes to be fully accurate, love is both the sense of romantic love, but also physical love, if one wishes as well, as she is the former redeemed succubus who came to Ulthaya and redeemed herself. Yeah.

In two days. There's a weird musk in the air. There's a weird musk in the air. It is, the place is decorated, roses are like a common symbol, you know, there are wreaths of roses hung up everywhere, you know, cauldrons love St. Typhines because it's very, it's very much about passion. There's lots of reds and pinks and sort of, you know, you know, very sort of

lovey dovey kind of colors around in the air as well. Is it Valentine's Day? Sort of, but not quite, because it's also a celebration of like family and home and stuff as well. And redemption and home and stuff as well. And Redemption's a big one as well. But there's lots of fun to be had, and in a town like Ashland Rest, there is perhaps a bigger focus

on the sort of commercialization of it. There are games and stalls, all selling sorts of things that are going on, and things that if any of you wish to, you may participate in as well. It's also, you would notice that there are a larger amount of Tieflings or Tieflings in town, as St. Typhine is the mother of all Tieflings,

and so they often come to the nearest settlement to pay pilgrimage. The House of the Rose, the bath house, is exceptionally busy during this time, and in fact, the Reverend Mother and Dandily are big proponents of the holiday and do a lot around the town being involved in a lot of the events.

Some little things that if any of you wish you can participate in. There is a very common game which is kind of set up throughout the town. It's called Maiden's Kiss and it is a large wooden screen with a number of painted doors and windows on it. You pay a small, like it's a bronze coin, and you choose one of the windows or doors to open,

and you place your cheek next to it as you open it, and if you pick the right window, then a person dressed as Saint Typhine will lean out, give you a little kiss on the cheek, and you normally get a little prize, you know, a wreath of flowers or something like that. If the others have mild pranks, you might get like a sort of wet sponge in the face or you might get like a tickle with a feather

or something like that. But if you pick one of the windows contains the prude friar who will slap your face and yell shame at you. Um. Nice. So, and you see these are set up all over the place. It might even be, so like in the main center, in the plaza of Ashen's Rest, the big plaza,

it is Reverend Mother O'Rela herself who plays the role of Saint Typhine, something she quite likes to do. But it might be on your street, on Red Steel Street, there might be one set up and there might be, you might have somebody just before the festival come around and be like, would any of you like to play Saint Typhine for this year's, for the Game of Maiden's Kiss on the street?

It's like a little, they come around asking for volunteers to participate in the festival. What does that entail? Well, we need somebody to play Saint Typhine, and you'll basically be positioned behind a door, and then you move which one that you're behind, and as people guess, if they guess right, you give them a little peck on the cheek

and you give them a gift. But we also need people to play the Prude Friar, who sort of slaps them around the face and yells shame at them. It's a little game, it's a fun little game for folks as they're visiting Gruff. Shame! Yeah, I mean.

I was leaving with claw marks. I think Gruff's like, oh no, I couldn't, I wouldn't possibly do that, I don't think. Wait, can any of us be any of these roles? Of course, yes, no, they're open to any genders. Wow, okay. Whoever wishes to play some type of game. I couldn't slap anybody.

We have the costume that we provide, and so each little part of the city has their own version of this game, and it's normally like a community, like some seamstress has made the outfit and there's like fake horns that you put on and like a wig and everything else and things like that. And they have different versions of it and stuff.

The Prude Fire has like a monk's robe with it. It's very austere with a belt and a little cap with like a fake bald spot and a wig around it. Well, I think that sounds like delightful fun. I'd like to have a go. We would be honored if you would, absolutely. It's probably Maeve who's organizing it for the street. Oh, nice.

We'd absolutely love if you could do that, Sister Ophelia. I mean, would you like to be St. Typhoon? Yes, please. Of course, yeah, absolutely. No problem at all. I think, you know, the old man across the street, the cobbler, he said he's happy to play the friar, but if anybody else wants to,

he's more than happy for someone else to do it. He must be a friar. I couldn't slap people, it just feels mean. Well, you know, it's just a little light slap and a bit of fun, but it's up to you, Rowan, if you don't feel comfortable doing it. I'm okay, thank you. That's all right, no problem.

I think, no matter how you dress me up, if someone opened the door to this, they'd think it was Saint Typhoon. Maybe, yeah, sure, sure, absolutely. Gee! Fucking eek. Would any of you like to help with the pranks? We do need at least one other person

who helps with the pranks. You give a little tickle with a feather, a wet flannel in the face, or sometimes you hold up a little stink bottle and you give them a whiff. Oh, that sounds fun. Sort of, we need like three people in total. But if none of you want to do it, that's fine, we've got other people we can get in.

It's not a problem. Wet flannel. Hmm? St. Typhoon. No, not me. Sure, I can smack someone. Is that what you're asking? Sure, so you guys.

Or be the troll. Are you walking for the troll? Or would any of you like to go and play the game elsewhere in the city? Because this is going on in a real place. Oh, I'd certainly be playing. I'd be going around playing it, yes. Okay, great.

I think faith is on our side. Okay. Faith is on our side. So, Ophelia, you spend like, for the most of the festival, there are like, you do it in shifts basically, but like, you play Saint Typhoon, and like, you know, when the game's set up, and pretty much most of the local residents

in this part of the town come along, and like, you know, it's set up outside the new inn, and everyone's like, oh, what's gonna happen with that? Is it open for a bit? And people are trying to see what's going on. The big board is set up outside Tyria's Rest and it's decorated, it looks like a big meadow-y field and each of the doors are flowers, basically.

And so, and there's eight of them and they pick a door and you get, throughout the day, you get people that come up and they guess right and you lean out and a little peck on the cheek and you give them a little rose garland and stuff. Can this be like occasionally like just forget ourself and like go for like a nip? Oh like just, and then bit the,

and then the last minute like, and they're like, oh, okay, and then they like move on, yeah absolutely. Yeah. It gets dangerously close, I'll spend a fate point actually. People like woozy like, Typhoon bless me. I'll spend a fate point actually. Like woozy, like, Typhoon bless me. I'll spend a fate point, and at one point,

maybe Gruff is there and has to be like, Ophelia! Like, he sees you go, Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr This person is quite scared by you doing this. Those of you who are helping, you're kind of like hidden behind this screen and it's Ophelia, the old man cobbler from across the street, he's playing the front, he does a brilliant job of it by the way. He like, as soon as somebody gets here, he's like, shame!

He like gives him a proper like slap, bellows it and like he'll cack, he's like as soon as the door closes, he's like, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh wet sponge and he like, you know, wets their face or whatever. It's a little fun game. Those of you who wanna play. Like children walking away from this with like bruises. Children aren't, yeah, children aren't, children don't get, they just get the shame.

Okay. They don't get a slap. Those of you who wanna play can roll a D8 for me. And I will roll a D8 and if it matches mine, you get the right door. Wow, okay. Six, six. You open it up, Rowan, and this is the, I'm assuming you go to the main plaza one

where Reverend Aurelia is staying, and behind it, you see a very stern-faced, what's his name, one of the dwarf blacksmiths, dressed as the friar. Shame! And he gives you a slap around the face. Everyone sort of laughs, has a bit of a giggle. Oh, it's funny, isn't it?

Yeah, if I roll a one and you don't roll a one, then you get the friar, basically. So yeah, you get the shame, unfortunately, Rowan, as you play the game. Oh, poor Rowan. Better luck next time. How about Xantheus? A three.

A three! Xantheus opens the door and there she is in her fake horn. Reverend Mother Orellah, oh, hello, my child. Muah, and gives you a kiss on the cheek. And then over your, on your Anakin Skywalker haircut places a lovely wreath of like little flowers, roses. He's got a flower crown. And does have a little flower crown on.

I love this festival every year. What about, does Daisy participate? No, Daisy's looking for the snack stands. Snack stands, yeah, there are, it's very, so here it would be like chocolate dipped fruit would be like the thing that's like the festival kind of food. So there are all these vats and they've imported chocolate from the Suncrest Isles and there are these big vats

and it's like strawberries and bananas and like, lovely little fruits, lovely sort of stuff and it's very sweets heavy. Happily make yourself, just stuff yourself on all the lovely treats and things like that as well. And when she's just sitting munching on fruit, when Rowan gets that, oh, oh, he's okay, Rowan. I thought that was the one.

I know, he's okay. You got shamed, bro. Got shamed. At least it wasn't the guy at Typhoon's Rest. He really got the spot. He really goes in. It's like blacksmith, like soot covered hands. You've just got this guy.

I'm really sorry. It definitely leaves a little imprint on it. Other things you could do, just these little silly things, but there is also, throughout the town for the next two days, there are regular poetry contests. So at the taverns and things like that, people do little poetry nights. It's often done as a little bit of a performance as well.

The idea is that normally it's like you do like a love poem to like somebody in the audience as if they're your love, you confess your love by reading a poem and stuff like that. Anybody who wished to participate in that could just make a performance check if you wish to participate. Do some slam poetry.

Rowan, you could write about the rock. You love, I've got- You love the rock so much, Rowan. I could wing it, couldn't I? Yeah. Your song is almost finished, right? No, I've got two words. Two words?

We spoke about the moss, we spoke about all the little rocks and the big rock. I haven't worked out how to integrate the moss yet. Okay, all right, but I think you'll do wonderfully. Your story's always so good. I'll give it a go. Either way, I'll let the lute play. Well, sure.

All right, performance check here. Performance, yeah, just straight up performance. 10 plus? Nine. 19. Wow. 15, yeah, like this, like, you know, people weep. This beautiful poet.

I play mostly a song. Yeah. And at the end, just little. My rock. And it's in the tradition of it, like you single out maybe like a dwarf in the crowd who's got like very prominent earth skin of some glorious like quartz or something like that.

And you kind of get on one knee and sort of like bow to them and stuff. My rock. And then there are just people like, so poignant. With only two words he said so much. Daisy's standing at the back of the room with the smaller rock going like this. Rowan's eyes are like looking at that rock.

It's actually looking at that rock. But there are people like analyzing it, like you are my rock. That's it, like, they represent his stability and like, who he relies on, it's so multi-leveled. And like, they really like, overanalyze it. I do feel like my rock. One, another festival event that might interest

Ophelia and Xanthias is an event called the Walk of the Roses, which is a cauldron specialty. Each day of the festival, at the House of the Rose, a special fashion show is prepared. Each day of the festival at the House of the Rose, a special fashion show is prepared. Each day there is a different theme, and a panel of judges decide on the winners. Each winner gets a small prize. The judges are Reverend Mother Arella,

Nick's a Mist from Mystique, and there's also a lottery that's won through the guilds. And so you have this like real country piece of straw out of their mouth like Carmen was like, don't do much, but I'll do me best. But like, they're like that and they got a pair of leather overalls on and they're like, I'm here, I'm doing my judging.

Have I, cause I was an entire week like before this festival, have I preemptively been back to Mystiques to? Sure, let's flash back to that. Well cause I. No, Mystiques to? Oh, let's flash back to that. Well, cause I. No, no, no, Tom, let's flash back to that. So you go to Mystiques and you turn up on your invitation. I was meant to be at that point. Yeah, it was an option, it was an option for you.

Yeah, you go to Mystiques and you make your way in and as usual, you know, there's not many customers in, if anything, if any, and out of the shadows, Nix and Mr. Pierce. Ah! Oh, it's a different corner this time. Mr. Xanthius. Yes, Nixer.

Are you here to make good on my offer of a new wardrobe? Well, if you were offering some new outfits and adventuring gear for me, then absolutely, I won't. Of course, of course. Turn that down. But this is a bespoke service, sir. I will need to take your measurements. We need to discuss styles and colors and everything else.

Do you have, you know, this will maybe take an hour or perhaps an hour and a half. For measurements? I think I might have them if you want them. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. This will have, this is a bespoke service, sir, please, this is part of what is done. Okay, how, what are we talking, just torso, leg length?

Oh, follow, please, come with me. Okay, all right. Takes you out back of the storefront into what is clearly a beautiful workshop, just rendered, you know, fine cloth, bolts of cloth, a sewing contraption, like a kind of pedal wheel-based sewing machine, haberdashery-like mannequins, and things for making hats

and millinery and stuff like that. And yeah, like draws a long tape measure off of a rack, gets pins that puts them in their scales, doesn't need to use their mouth, just puts the pins directly into the scales and things like that. Look at all these works of progress. Who are these for?

Oh, various customers. I don't just work for people here in Ashland Rest. I deal with many clients in Caliscarus and Feros and many other places. I'm quite a connected tailor. Okay. And he kind of wraps the tape measure around your waist.

I guess we're going. And begins sort of taking notes. As he does, Nixa will sort of begin as, forgive me saying, Mrs. Antheus, having quite a renowned figure in here. Where are you from? Are you from Caldre? Oh, he's digging. Where am I from, Cal you from Kaldra? He's digging.

Where am I from? Well, I guess I lived in Kaldra, in a village in Rusten, not too far from here, I'm sure you've heard of it. I believe I have, quite on the outskirts, near Gildi. Near Gildi, yes. If you don't mind me asking, obviously you are a gold, rather splendid dragonborn.

Do you have family in Gildi? Oh, yes, I suppose. I don't know too much about my family, I'm sure you understand. Oh, of course I wouldn't mean to pry. No, of course not. No, no, no, no, no. Begins like taking different measurements

and things like that. And what brought you to Ashen's Rest in the first place? Oh, well, I was traveling with, obviously, my companions, the heroes of Ashen's Rest. We were traveling here after an incident in Burnell. Burnell is quite to the north, isn't it? Quite to the north, yes. But same as-

So did you travel from Rustend to Burnell or were you coming from somewhere else? I was traveling, I was on a journey to Kelskares to see the sights of the great city. It is a wonderful place. It is. I must admit, I love to visit it as often as I can. No, an incredible place.

And yes, no, I was traveling back from there and ended up in Burnell and that's when I encountered. You met your companions there? Yes, in Burnell, yes. Oh, wonderful. And you had some sort of adventure there, perhaps? Yeah, events occurred. Yes, an incident.

Yes, you are, yes. I'm sure you get up to many such things. Wonderful weather we're having. Yes, yes, it's lovely to get into the summer months. We get away from that frightful, rainy spring. Oh, I do, it's all the heat. Yes, yes. Yes, and, okay.

Inside leg seam, kind of, how wary does Antius get when he moves to take chest measurements? I am almost trying to get to a point where I'm like, are you sure I couldn't just take the measurements myself? I have them recorded from all of the previous outfits that I've bought in the past, and I don't imagine much has changed.

Oh, well, if you don't mind me saying so, you don't have a tailor's eye for these things. You know, just the slightest variance can make all the difference in the fit. No, I must insist I take those. Okay, well I have to make you aware that in our recent adventures, I did unfortunately sustain quite the injury to my chest,

so it's quite, Quite sore. Quite sore there, so it's quite sore there. You get a deception check. I can absolutely make a deception check. Use fate? We do have a fate now. Oh no, this is before, so I can't use fate.

Oh yes, sure. That's right. I can. I do have. I can spend a point of fate. So if you'd like, you can now spend a point, because I'm gonna spend a point of fate. And that would burn one out. And then that would burn the two out. a point of fate. So if you'd like, you can now spend a point, because I'm going to spend a point of fate to add a turn in side check.

And that would burn one out. And then that would burn the two out. Yes, I think I will. Okay. Use a fate, but I do also have a plus six, which is new. I now have a proficiency interception thanks to the new update. 23.

23. Of course I wouldn't want to put you in any form of discomfort, Mr. Xanthius. Well, why don't you, and he'll hand you the tape measure just for the chest measurements. Absolutely, of course. And I'll make my recommendations.

So he lets you do the chest measurement yourself and you're very careful to avoid certain areas. Maybe add a couple of centimeters. Yeah, yeah, he does. He's just like, yep, and he'll take that down. Then he takes the tape measure back and does your arms and like round your neck and things like that. The whole process maybe takes sort of like 30 minutes

because he does, he's very meticulous and then he brings over different bolts of cloth and colors. He's like, now what are we thinking in terms of color, Mr. Zen? I think this entire process, I would be talking like the whole spectrum of colors where I'm like maybe the purple would look good on me but then the yellow scales and the golden scales that doesn't quite work with purple.

Purple and gold can be quite complementary but it needs to be done in the right way. There's like this conversation of like it kind of returns to the fashion and things like that. I think I would talk through the entire wheel until I eventually just get down to, I kinda like what I have. Yeah? The black and gold and the browns and stuff. And like, you know, Nixa is like working on that.

Nixa would like, as this conversation is going on, would be like, are you said you were visiting Kelskares? Were you there for long? Not too long, unfortunately, no. Just seeing the sights. Just seeing the sights and... Deception check.

Yes. Yep. I will spend a fate, by the way, so you will gain a fate. I'm gonna burn all of our fate away. Yep, so that burns two more fate. I think there is definitely, I mean, I'm deceptioning it, obviously,

but there is a clear uncomfortable... When you're looking... Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm being very vague with the descriptions, I suppose. That is... 18. 18? Yes, just seeing the sights.

What a beautiful city. I do love to visit it as often as I can. Do you go there often? Yes, I have many clients, many clients, many of the wealthy merchants and some of the socialites like my style, shall we say. Right, yeah, speaking of style. Yes.

The new, the festival's coming up. Are you going to be, I'm changing the conversation. It's like swiftly moving on and like, makes us like, yes, I'll be one of the judges. And St. Typhoon's Day is one of my favorites, I do so look forward to it. A bit of a devotee myself. And sort of, you know, the conversation goes back onto that.

Yeah, yeah, I try and rotate it quickly. The last thing before you finish up, as like the final finishing touches, like are we going to have a hat or a scarf, like accessorizing, things like that? I never considered a hat. You're... A lady.

Now I'm pretty sure that Xanthius has formally said his surname in the greater context of Ashen Dress. He's introduced himself as Xanthius Oregon on multiple occasions. I think I've, I consistently try, I think I said Oregon to this person. I think you have. But I normally try to just say Xanthias.

Yes. So you would, you would, Nixxer, be like, if I may be so bold, your family name, Oregon, I'm sure that that is quite a prevalent Draconic family. Oh, is it? Well. Not close, then. Not close, then.

Not close, no, like I said, raised and grew up in Rust End, in Cauldron, almost through and through. Yes, yes. Ignoring the coloring of the scales, of course. This isn't quite a deception check, but can you give me a persuasion check to sort of, you're kind of deflecting.

Yeah. Oh, are they? Hmm. Who? Or a what? Ha ha ha. Never heard gonna be in my life! Woo! That's a hard natural one.

Natural one, okay. For a seven total, but... It just, Nix is just like, oh yes, yes, yes, of course, yes. I mean, sometimes we're, you know, us Dragonborn, I know that sometimes our families are a little bit of a sore point, but I can't help but my curiosity in it. I'm not particularly close with my own family. Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. No, no, no, it's absolutely all right. I've made myself quite a,

I've made my own Dragonborn self. Well, such talents as these. I mean, this is feeling already splendid. Change conversation as fast as possible. And that's kind of like the last thing, right? Yeah. You get given this lovely new outfit, it's custom made for you,

very much reminiscent of your old clothes, but the level of like quality is significantly better. Like before you were, you did the best you could with the sort of cheaper peasant clothing you had. It was like, yeah, a thrown together adventure. It was like plain cotton. It was like, you know, linens.

This is now like rich fabrics. This is the gold is like properly embroidered, little flourishes here and there. Yeah. You know, little extra touches. Just to like add to it, like a pair of fine leather boots, like perfectly measured. Everything's got cut for your tail

and everything else like perfectly. Maybe like even like a little piece of jewelry to go on the tail, like little optional extras if you fancied them. And as you're kind of leaving, well, it has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you a bit more, Xantheon. And I thank you very much for that.

This feels so wonderful. I'm so glad. I'm so glad. Am I getting back ups? Yes, I can have a few. I can have at least, let us say two more made. Two more, that is very useful, because I have a way of...

And you are staying, you and your companions have required the inn in the southern part of the city. The inn, Taurias Rest, on Red Steel Street. Yes. Yes, that's the one. Well, I do hope that you will recover from your injury. Oh, thank you. It's getting better.

Good, good. Well, pleasure to see you, Mrs. Hathias. And you. And you go about your way. As we flash back to... Get some butter. Yeah. Well, as an adventuring injury would.

Oh, one last thing before that flashback ends, and I know that it's not going to be great, but there's always the chance you roll a 20. Can you make a perception check for me, please? A perception, oh my God. Watch him fucking rolling that 20 on this though now. Watch this happen. Minus two, watch this drive.

Oh, it's 18. 18 to go, down to a 16. Not terrible. Thank you once again. Nicks, nicks up, nicks, whatever. 16, 16. Not terrible. Thank you once again. Nix, Nixle, Nixle, whatever. 16. It's not ready yet. 16.

You don't catch the full detail of this, but as you're leaving, Nixle or Nix, reaches out and shakes your hand, and they're like a dragon monster, it's like a fully clawed, scaled hand, but they'll be like, a pleasure, and they shake your hand. So the last minute as they're pulling their hand back,

you can see they're wearing like a signet ring, and something in your memory's like, I recognize that, but you don't see the symbol or anything on it, you just see this ring and you're like, that looks really familiar, and then it's gone. He's back in the shop. I pick up my bags. Yep. Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de participating in. If you wish to, so this is either you can do this

as a straight charisma role, or you can do it as a more creative intelligence role. It's like the creativity of like your fashion. But it already can be a charisma role. See how well you wear it. And then you have to tell me what you're wearing and how like what you do on the little runway walk, basically. Anyone can participate if you're wearing and what you do on the little runway walk, basically.

Anyone can participate if you wish. Oh man. Go on. Beep. So I think Ofili would probably wear her ceremonial robes. But like, man, but yeah, she would almost embrace that priestess prayer style and just go full vibe.

This is like Ossian. Full Ossian. Priestess, everything. Spooky vibe. Veil. Veil. Like, yeah, hiding the eyes but leaving the dark red lips and the flowing robes of black lace,

maybe like a skull in one hand, coming out looking like the absolute blood queen of death. Are you going with Percival as well? Percival, yeah, he'll be holding my train back. So that you have this hooded monk holding your thing back. It makes a statement, for sure. Brr, brr, brr, brr, brr, Broom, broom, broom, broom, broom, broom, broom. So give me a roll.

This would be the straight Charisma or straight Intelligence. Charisma or Intelligence. Whoooo. Wheeeee. Stuck on sleep. Oh, Charisma, that is a eight. Eight, okay. I think that it looks fabulous.

It's terrifying. Like people are. I think that it looks fabulous. It's terrifying. Like people are just like intimidated by it. Like people are, and like the Reverend Mother of Eloise is like, yes, quite lovely, but you can see she's like, oh my god, it's like a wraith has come out of my life. Like your pale skin, your gaunt features. It's scary as hell. Kids start crying, like,

there are like literally kids crying in like the audience. Like, mommy, mommy, is she scaring me? He's saying on the side going, too much death. Ophelia's giving death. Death. But you look fabulous. And like, maybe like, there's a few people in the audience,

like Teresa and maybe Vraxxus Gale, who are like, mm, good. They're like, not in their heads yet. Great, yeah. All the edgelords, there's a couple of goth teenagers in the back and they're like, oh my god, she's so cool. Behold the beauty of the House of Blood. Yeah, but there's definitely a whole thing.

You do the whole, you do the voguing in the end. What is, anybody else joining? What would you like to do? I am tempted to say that Xanthius' cockiness, he would just go up in his regular outfit. Regular clothes, yeah, the new outfit from Nixon. Like it's just the cauldron-guild eye fusion. Yeah, yeah, I like that.

And I just go out like that. Maybe I'd borrow Ophelia's sunglasses. Yeah, yeah, okay. Be careful with them. Oh, of course I will. Very precious, don't break them. Of course I will. Straight Charisma roll or a test roll?

Straight Charisma roll. Here we go. Yars Queen Slay, natural 20. Yes, natural 20! Yes, natural 20! I was gonna roll for the other contestants, but I'm not gonna bother now. Yaf's queen sleigh.

It is like, I like to imagine that you use like magic to have like spotlights come on you. Like there's a pause, all the music in the lights in the temple go dim. This single spotlight appears on Xanthius in his sunglasses. Dun dun, dun. Like struts down the runway, vogue's it,

full on Zoolander like blue steel, and then just walks back. Literally, there are like a couple of men and women who faint. Like they're just like, ah! And then they just go down. Like they are just totally like, whoa!

There's like a standing ovation. Everyone is just. I fucking hate that you did that. I hate that. It is like, yeah, this is the highlight of the weekend. This is like the thing. And there's like somebody from the Clarion newspaper writing this down,

like, oh my god, like, you know, they come up to you afterwards like, Mr. Oregon, can we take a sketch of you? I simply don't have time. Oh, okay, then, then. It's from a Clarion newspaper, so just a quick sketch. The Clarion, yeah, well. Like, speed draw you, basically.

This is my best side, just kidding. I feel like it was like- There's no bad side. She was like is my best side, just kidding. There's no bad side. She's like in the corner just like. One of the attend, I hate to rub it in for Ophelia, one of the people in attendance is Elana Vidante. Oh no. And just like, she sees you and there's like a slight interest or sort of kind of like cooling of emotions,

but then seeing Xanthius and it's just like she, her, she is just enamored by Xanthius. She's bad news, she's bad news. You don't fucking do anything to her. You don't say anything to her. Is that a feature? I can't hear you over all the fans. No!

As you like- I'm going back to my shrine. He's got the flower crown on that he won. Like, it's Xanthius' best weekend ever, basically. Kill me now. Kill me now. But- Why'd you wake me? You are given a prize, Xanthius,

and it is a full spa treatment complimentary at the House of the Rose. Exfoliation, like massage, like it is the whole package. Wait, is the full St. Typhine, is that like an even better service than normal? Yeah, this is like the top level, like the best of the best. You know, it's a full pampering.

I'm afraid my week is all booked up. I've got appearances now. But yeah, though, you know, I'm sure, unfortunately, if you're not here, there is like a tournament that goes on, and I'm sure that Gruff would wanna go and watch the Knights fight and things like that. The tournament of St. Typhoon's Day, though,

is a little bit special. There's probably a reason why Gruff doesn't participate in it, because it is a tournament of love. So this is like knights who are either in love with each other, face off, in like a lovers' kind of rivals' match kind of thing, or it's like they, you know, a couple of knights

who love the same person are like, no, I will win their honor, and like, they do this kind of thing. There's a theme of like love based around it. So, or it's like a knight who wants to announce a proposal, like who wants to propose, they would do it as part of the tournament basically. So maybe it explains why maybe Gruff

doesn't necessarily take part in this one. He gets up and he proposes that Xan stop being a little shit. He's gonna be so smug for a long time. Yeah, that's true. Oh, Ophelia, thank you for these by the way. I'm already gone, I'm already gone. Get lost.

Get lost, okay, all right. Guess I'll just keep these. No, no, give them back. Oh, you want them, okay. Thank you for your assistance, darling. Ophelia scowls like she's pissed. Like you see like just hate burning in her eyes. So funny.

Rowan, I'm sensing a lot of tension in that host right now. This is so exciting. I know him by the way, I could take questions. Somebody comes up to you, is he single? Yeah. Ah! He works at Tyrea's Rest with me, he's my best friend. Okay, good to know.

The name of Tyrea's Rest, if Rowan's going around telling people, I don't know what he said, we own Tyria's Rest, maybe that will have an effect in the future as you get people that want to come in for custom. They're not printing my full name, are they? Oh yeah. Oh shit.

Tom, you posed for a sketch for the Empire-wide paper. But I'm telling them just my name, is that just Santhius? for a sketch for the Empire-wide paper. But I'm telling them just my name, is that just Santheus? Well, I think that enough people probably know, like people start asking, who is this? Or it's like, who is this gold dragon ball? Santheus, picture of Santheus. Is that a blessing, Gilderoy? Oh no.

Taylor says he's from Rust End. Yeah, yeah. There's a lot of this going on. You're gonna kill the eye? Oh no. Taylor says he's from Rust End. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. There's a lot of this going on. You might think that Nat 20s, they're great. Sometimes the consequences come with them as well. They're great for the story. Yes, so the St. Typhines day, the festival,

St. Typhines holiday comes to an end, and the festival ends, and you guys go back to all your various downtime activities that you've been slowly working on. At some point during this time as well, you have some visitors to Tyria's Rest. You are all maybe in the inn, working on your various things.

Daisy's painting. If you're looking for that, Daisy's not here! Daisy opens the door. You open the door and say that, Daisy, and then realize that you are staring into the face of two figures. One is quite tall and imposing, the other is a little bit more hunched and sickly looking

as Sister Malady and Sister Benedicta of the Ecliptic Order. Malady will say, ah, has Young Xanthius' little brush with fame been causing some difficulties? Yeah, maybe don't mention it to Ophelia because she gets real angry. Benedicta will say, really? This day's getting so much worse! Benedicto will say, really? Ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha! This day's getting so much worse!

Uh, well, we wanted to come by as I've recovered from my condition, and I wish to come and speak with you all if you are all present. Just as little gathering, a little catch-up. Come in, the inn is in a much better state now. Ah yes, the spirit I am no longer sensing an anachronic energy. No.

The spirit has been laid to rest then. Gone now. Marvelous. No details. Benedicta is like, hmm, like scamming around like, that's okay. Like looking around,

Maladie kind of makes her way in, sits down at one of the lovely, probably sits near the fire actually. Like I actually know it's summer, there wouldn't be a fire going in at this time of the day. Like just finds like a corner with like the window, sunlight coming in, sort of relaxes her shoulders a little bit.

And yeah, like says like, I would love to speak with everyone if you, if they're available. I'm just now coming down the stairs from the third floor, or the top floor, humming the song that was playing as I went down the thing. Obviously I'm going past Ophelia's room humming this. I'm not doing it on purpose. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

This was like a couple of days ago, maybe like this will happen. That is, I swear. What's wrong? But the great father, if you keep humming that song one more time. It's just so catchy. It's just gotten really, it's really stuck in there. It's really not catchy to me anymore.

Really, I'm enjoying it. Okay, well, maybe next time. Also, when are those girls gonna stop showing up to the house? We have company! Oh, do you want Ken? Sorry about that. Who's here?

Oh, welcome. Hello again. Hello again. Hello everyone. Hello. Hello, I thought you were ahead of Cal-Scaris. No, we said that we would be remaining in Ashen's Rest for some time. Keeping an eye on things.

No, I recall. We have been waiting for a new deacon of the Bright Shadow Cathedral. I have been fulfilling some of the role in that time. But a new deacon has arrived and we'll be taking over that responsibility at Bright Shadow Cathedral. So my sister and I will be returning to Kelskar shortly.

That's why we wanted to come and speak with you all. I have a rather pertinent question. Mm-hmm. Several... a week or so ago now, on St. Abra-nor's Day, a few days before you all returned to Ashenrest, Lady Embarissa and Lord Obsidius made a rather hasty departure from the city. I was led to believe that you were embarking on some investigations in the Ash Hill.

I would like to know if there was discovered anything of import or anything of that of great concern. Something that my sister and I should know about or you would like some assistance or advice upon. Well, I mean, we could, we just gathered everyone up. Is that a week now? It's been a week. It's been so much as happens. So much as happens. Did I leave my rock up? I left my rock upstairs, I think.'s been a week. It's been a week. So much has happened. So much has happened.

Did I leave my rock up? I left my rock upstairs, I think. You might have done. I'll be right back. We also need to go get Gruff. I imagine Gruff would tell them pretty much that... Let's say for the sake of arguing that Gruff is out and about.

I'm gonna say that. Gruff's on some business. Yes, yes. So that you don't have that. Well, Daisy would know from seeing you do... You would know that Gruff, yeah. Yes, yes. So that you don't have that. Well, Daisy would know from seeing the Duke. You would know the Gruff, yeah, yeah, yeah. Basically, would tell the extent that we told the Duke. But we wouldn't, like, yeah, there was something.

Yeah. Don't go into too much detail. I mean, above the table, I recall us basically, maybe I'm wrong in this, for me, I was kind of trusting of these two already, right? We know they're part of the ecliptic order, but I don't remember us ever really being suspicious of them, plus we literally saved their lives.

Yeah, I think Maladine knows your deal. Yes, I would probably say. They're probably gonna find out about it anyway. So, I don't know if you wanna elaborate. They helped us with the curse as well. Yeah. Like, I don't think we necessarily have hidden anything from them before.

Yeah. Or have felt any ill effects of telling them stuff. So I'm not hugely suspicious of them. Daisy won't tell them. But it's been a while since I've spoken to them, which is why I'm asking. Sure. Interesting, a cult invested in crown steel.

Now, to make it really clear. Yes, Rowan. I've got my rock now. We've not told the duke and other dragons the full story. Very wise of you. Yes, so we'd very much appreciate and respect your secrecy on such sensitive matters such as crown steal.

Benedict, sort of folds her arms. I am not the investigator like my sister is, but does Obsidius know? Yes. He, what, yes. He's very much aware. Why do you ask that question specifically? We know that Duke Ignorius has a hatred for Crownsteel.

Lady M. Barissa we are uncertain of, but she has shown no great interest in magical power. Political power, but not magical. She looks down to Malady. interest in magical power, political power, but not magical. She looks down to Malady. Lord Obsidius Ignarum has been a concern of mine for a while. I'm not saying that the noble draconic lord has done anything or would do anything, but we of the ecliptic order are very aware

of how magical power of any form can be very dangerous in the wrong hands. And that many... Cough, cough. You see some blood splatter on her hand. She begins wiping away with a handkerchief. Many who seek the path of good intentions find themselves in the pits of the Hellion.

People who seek to do good are often those who are so easily led astray. Xanthias. Was there much crown steel in this place where this cult was? Sorry. A pile. I'd say, I mean, I don't know how big the pile, how big was the pile? It's pretty big.

And you left it there? It was, I believe we tried to discard of as much of as possible as best, well, I went nowhere near it at that time. But mostly lesser quality crown steel than most we've encountered before. We did suggest that someone go with Obsidius if he was to go anywhere near it

because I did think the same. This other dragon, Lady Verythira, the green dragon, she was going to be in attendance as well. She wanted nothing to do with it. She was very strong, actually. She created a little bit of a pouch within her form Truly. so that she didn't consume any

and she could just throw it up and she's very good. Very thoughtful, quite clever. Yes. This is good for us to know. She looks up at Benedict, Benedict and Nance. You need not fear. This is information I will not discuss openly or share with anyone else, but it is good to know.

I will have someone sent along to keep an eye on Lord Obsidius. I think that's a good idea. Yes. Lady Ambarisa is very much occupied with other matters and didn't seem to want to interfere with anything, but Lord Obsidius was very keen to be involved. I recognize that in my pursuits,

I hand the Benedictus just says paranoid, malady sort of smirks. One way of putting it, sister. But I fear that with dragons and crown steel, like the planar powers, one cannot be too careful. There are many dangers in this world. But thank you for telling me. I'm glad that we have established this trust between us.

Yes, well, you've helped us before. We've helped you before. Yes. You're my life, in fact. Are there any other members of this ecliptic order? You said you were to send someone with them. Yes, the ecliptic order is a... It is a small part of the greatest Zionist church,

but there are agents of the ecliptic order all over Elmira. There are those of us who are more tailored to investigation, more tailored to battle, like my sister, and then there are those who are more clandestined. I will send a junior who is more specialized in espionage, just to keep an eye on the noble draconic lord. And it's one of those you are going to send with Obsidius to this... I think that if it is likely that Obsidius will have guards

or at least someone there with them, I'm sure that we could have someone infiltrate such a unit to keep an eye on. Okay, a good plan. Yes, Obsidius, I believe he will be smart enough to stay away from this pile of crown steel, but when he saw mine, there was a lure that he was able to resist, but even just mine on its own

was enough to shift his perspective just a touch. Mm. I trust in him to at least stay away from crown steel. Why? I trust in him to at least stay away from Crownsteel. Why? That's a good question. Because I know the effects that Crownsteel has. It wouldn't be so easy to hide if it was affecting him, I believe, at least. Maybe it's different for a dragon was affecting him, I believe, at least.

Maybe it's different for a dragonborn like him, but... Don't twist my mind. I already don't like the guy. I am not trying to twist anyone's mind. I am merely... I was curious as to the sudden departure of the dragons. It was in the middle of a festival and Embarissa was very panicked with whatever it was

that drew her and Obsidius away. You arrived a few days later. I knew that you had been intended to head to the Ash Hills. I made my connections. But... I made my connections. But, Obsidius has always been interested in arcane power.

That is what causes me some concern. Crown steel, even when it is not consumed by a dragon, has enhancing properties for magic. If what you say is true, even if it is of low quality, such a vast amount would be difficult and dangerous. But this is beyond the point. You have returned and you have passed this information on. Perhaps it is out of your hands now. We'd like to hope.

We did say that we were willing to help. If we need to help again to solve the issue, then we will assist. Perhaps the time will come. Perhaps the time will come. But even if my worst fears were to come true, I do not believe the Lord of City is to be foolish enough to do anything reckless now.

He will bide his time. The Black Wing did say he was ambitious. Yeah. by this time. The Black Wing did say he was ambitious. Yeah. That would be, you are familiar with the Red Dragons of Caldra, passionate. Pride is their attribute, common amongst all Red Dragons. With Black Dragons,

deserve. Ambition is quite prevalent. You're ambitious. Black dragons deserve ambition. It's quite prevalent. They're ambitious. So potent combination. Yeah, quite. Still, I'm not here to be some foreteller of doom. Just merely wish to gather my thoughts.

Still, we will be leaving soon. Is there anything my sister and I can do in assistance to any of you? Well, I guess we are still trying to figure out our next steps, but is this after Rowan's been speaking about the vaults at least to us, or is it still you wanna hold off on that? Because the festival's happened, it wouldn't.

Distracted Rowan, maybe. Distracted him for a bit. Okay. It's not happened yet. Yeah. Yes, there are potentially plans to maybe go to Kelskaris, maybe to head south instead. We're not quite sure yet.

Gruff is going on a nightly pilgrimage. Ah, Benedict nods, he's like, oh yeah, good. So we might go along and help with that. But there are some other maybe concerns that we need to talk to. What's the name? Cassandra. Cassandra. Dame Cassandra, about before we decide what to pursue.

Very well. Well, as I said, my sister and I will be traveling back Andra, about before we decide what to pursue. Very well. Well, as I said, my sister and I will be traveling back to Kelskaaris to our order to report on our findings here and such things as well. Well, if we do end up in Kelskaaris, then we'll be sure to at least try and send word to you. Please do. You have,

think of me as, I worry, I concern myself. I do not wish to see you led astray by the wrong forces. Kind of looks at Ophelia, smiles, and then looks around at the rest. Looks at Daisy, looks at Xanthias. Doesn't necessarily look at Gruff and Rowan so much in the same way. But I will forever be grateful for your efforts during the attack and for your continued honesty with me.

And I hope that I will reciprocate it, should you have any questions. Please do not feel that you must be coy. If there is anything you wish to ask, or a favor, or a way that we can repay you, I'm more than happy to provide it. Just happy you're doing better. Thank you, my illness is one I have lived with

since I was a child, but using vast amounts of magic can make it worse temporarily. But it is the price that must be paid. Well. Yeah, I mean, I do wanna know more about the Ecliptic Order and stuff like that, but I don't know if we hold off on that one for a bit or. It's up to you. Maybe.

What exactly will you be reporting when you get back to Kelskaros? We will report on the event with the lamp lighters. Such a dramatic demonic incursion. I'm already having sending spells, requesting my updates upon it. I've been limited in my responses. There is a matter of...

My sister wishes to speak of miracles that she witnessed, looks at Daisy. But I think that perhaps such a talented sorceress would be able to manifest such powers. Yes, that would be great. Because really, we don't wish any ill on anyone in anywhere in the universe. We just want to be good.

Can I tell you a story, Lacy? Long ago, there was a gentleman, a human warrior, not a knight, a mercenary. He fought in a battle that went very badly for his side. He was mortally wounded. It's the rest of the forces that he was allayed against, I believe a coalition of bandits or some such. They pressed upon them, going about, the injured finishing any off who still lived. As he clung to his dying breaths,

he claimed that he heard a voice, whispering to him that it would keep him alive in exchange for safety. The man thinking he was about to die, not knowing what, thinking it might be a delusion, delirium, he said he would do anything. The reports of that battle report a great flash

of a bright golden light, and a man who killed hundreds, where before he could barely kill one. That man appeared throughout Ilmeraera, a sort of soldier of fortune who would appear and arrive where he was needed, wielding a sword made of light, on wings like that of an angel. He called himself a Daver, and said that there was a spirit within him who sought not to harm, not to corrupt his soul, but was running away from a far greater thing. He saw himself as a protector of this spirit, said that he was protecting someone who wished just to be free. The ecliptic order has collected many of these stories. They are not common,

very rare, but every few decades we learn of people who display similar abilities. Thus far it has been the decision of the council not to pursue these individuals, for they do not seem to pose a threat to the souls of those they are connected to. But I would advise caution. Whomever bonds with these spirits, it is not as far as we know something that is easily undone. We do not know the extent of what happens should they die. Just remember the celestial realm. People think of these beings as lawful, as good, beings of order, but through order there is tyranny. They fight an endless, eternal

war. Imagine that. Imagine being a soldier forever and ever. To die, to only be reborn, to fight again and again. That is the fate of many who befall to the planar powers. Here, on Althea, there is peace in death. Your soul can ascend. You are reborn, remade. No such peace awaits for those touched by the plane. But some are willing to make that choice. And I, though my sister may disagree,

I'm more than happy to let such individuals make that such choice. Be prepared that you are willing to make it. She just nods her head in your direction, Daisy. I trust your own efforts, diplomatic, are going well, Sister Ophelia? Yes, very well, very well. I can practice freely in the... As I have been informed, yes. Well, I would be most curious,

perhaps will you be running one of your sermons I've heard about? Yes, I will be soon, hopefully. I'm getting pamphlets made, and I'm going to put them up around town and do a better advertising job this time. Benedicta, like, is like gripping the edge of a chair, like...

I might have something very special to show as well this time, so it might be a good one. Well, and is anyone invited to these summons? Anyone, anyone who would like to listen, to learn of the Grey Father in Osseus are more than welcome. Well then, perhaps before I leave for Kelskaris, I will have to attend.

For how can I consider myself a scholar of the realms and of the worlds if I do not learn from one first hand? That would be my pleasure. It would be mine as well. You see, Benedicts are like, Malady, you cannot be so... Is it not our duty to learn of our potential foes, sister? How can we advise those about the nature of their soul

if we do not know what is being whispered to them? Well, I certainly can. I could not attend such a thing. Well, you will not need to. I'm sure that Sister Ophelia will make sure that I'm cared for. That you will be. Then I will attend.

Very well, Benedict, let us go. Well, a noble pursuit, knowing your enemy. Enemy, I do not like the term. The ill-informed. I see. Well, you are always welcome at our inn. And let us know your snacks of choice at any of Ophelia's sermons.

We're the snack people. Plain celery and carrots and water, I'm afraid. I have a very, I'm not allowed to eat much more. Right, write that down. I'm not allowed to eat much more. Right, write that down. I'm not. Good, great. I still have a pen. But thank you for coming down,

and if we do head up to Kelskares, we'll be sure to let you know. And if you are familiar with the Sending Spell, should you require advice about matters of the Plains or such, I'm always available. Of course, I can learn it. That will leave you to your business. Yes.

She gets up. You can see that she's still stroked. This isn't like she's not still ill, but just getting up out of a chair leaves her like, and she has to sip from her water skin and coughs a few more times and then sort of weakly takes Benedict's arm and the two of them sort of.

Yeah, I kind of guide them to the door and as they're leaving, wave them out. Close the door, turn around. Daisy the Sorceress now, is it? Conjuring magical spells and creating wings of light. Yeah! With magical energies, right? That you learned over time.

Yes. That's the story we're telling. The story. Yes. You would hear in your head, Daisy, I do not understand the sickly woman, little one. Is she not an agent of those who hate my kind in this world? Why would she lie to protect me and us?

Maybe she hasn't seen any trouble so far from it, and that it's not logical to... I do not know any other deserters who have come to this place, but we were always told that they are hunted down by priests of the mortal world, that we are exorcises if we are demons. I do not understand. I did not realize that more of my kind were here. Maybe we can try and find some?

Allies would be useful. If the 12th Legion are pursuing us and trying to banish us back. Perhaps there would be strength in numbers Well, we can try we can do some research reports of maybe that soldier with the light sword Yes, perhaps see if we can find anything. It is a thing. I had not considered little one, but with my essence bound to yours There is a chance that you will live a very long time, longer than most humans or most people of Elmira. Well, it was that or I died, so...

Yes. But yes, perhaps there are travelers like us who still are around. I'll add it to the list of things that are scary but need something done about. Okay. If we have a chance, could you visit the cathedral for the music? I would like to hear it again soon. Okay. I can do that.

Just nuts. With that, only makes a way. Any business for any of you. You've gone so distant again. I was talking to Nim. Sorry. Hi. Okay. I did not get that story. It was a cool story.

But I don't understand the relevance. You've... Rowan. Huh? You know that Daisy's not a sorceress, yes? Yes. Right. Not conjuring spells like I do.

Different. Different. Radiant. Because of... Because of... The... The... Thinky flappy wings.

Not the thinky daisy. Oh! Really? Nim. Yeah? Yes. Oh! Yes! Which, which, as I recall,

we've heard so little about. Yeah. I've talked about it heard so little about. I've talked about it. Well. I mean, we know of an entity, I suppose. That's pretty much what I know. That's as much as you know. I don't know that much.

All I know is that I have the power things and then the people are hunting for these kind of spirits. So I kind of have to keep it on the down low. Right, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, why? But where from? But how, but who? Did you pray?

Is this like a, like, you pray and then it comes and gives you power? No, it just- No, I just- No, she's a sorceress. Rowan. No, she's- Not a, well that's, I mean, honestly, yes, she is a sorceress.

And that's how, if anyone asks about her radiant or magical ability, it's a sorcery. I didn't pray for any abilities, I didn't want any abilities, but I was on the verge of death, I was going to die, and then this being- Wait, too late. Yes, this is new, this is new to us.

But this being bonded, no, it's not, I've told you this. I literally have told them this I think. I don't think you have. Have I? No. I'm pretty sure I have. I'm also struggling to remember. You've said about Nimble, I think you've said the origins.

Yeah, I've said that my family passed away. Yeah, but not that you were close to death. Yeah. That's new information. I think you said that your family burned in a fire. I thought it was a student. No, it's fine. There was a traumatic event with fire

and your family said fire, but not. Yeah, I was in the house. So I don't really like fire, so. I think like, because you were so young when it happened as well. I was very young. For you, it's like all you remember is like heat and pain and crying

You hear this voice and you remember a bright flash of light and then you were outside the building like Like like nearly a mile away. You were just gone like and that's and then you came to you were just So it was either Join but this spirit by was so little I didn't really know but there was pain and horrible things, and that kept me alive. So it doesn't really matter, because it was either die then, or live and take care of this spirit, Nym, because they need help too. That's like the story.

Yes, yes, no, yes. I mean, I don't know. care of this spirit, Nym, because they need help too. That's like the story. Yes, yes, no, yes, yes. Now, but, okay. Fascinating, tragically fascinating. I think it's great. It's fine, it's just that, it's better to know now that they're not,

like they're not hunting me down because I thought that they were. They were hunting you down. They are not, no. The Ecliptic Order might, but Malady and Better, it seems like there are some people in the Ecliptic Order who are like, they're not the thing we need to worry about right now.

Like, let's worry about all the other stuff. When they were sent here, I thought that they were gonna try and take me down. Because I thought they were after me. Well, they probably were too, let's be honest. But the fact that they're not is good, but there's still danger. Because see that, the person who had the rod,

they were sent by another celestial to find deserters here. I think they're jealous. Whoever this rod wielder is, they're like, oh, this person's got cool sorcery powers. Yes. And oh, gonna bash those in to stop cool people having cool wings, right?

Sure. Maybe. I mean. I think it's all jealousy. If the church can't have them, your ecliptic order can't have cool powers, they put a stop to it. But it's fine though, because it's,

I don't intend to do any bad things. I think you've proven yourself. I mean, it's fine. And that's why they're okay with it. Yeah, but doesn't mean that everyone will be. Well, they're wrong. But they might still be violent and try and do bad things,

so let's just not tell everybody the full extent. I am sorceress. Yeah. You are. Yes. And you wield radiant magic. We would let nothing bad happen to you, Daisy. You're far too precious for that. Thank you. You and Stuart.

Stuart's pretty great too. He is very great. He's not, he's just a normal dog. He's, he's. Well he's a magic dog. He has, he has the power of cute. He has that in buckets. Mm.

Oh and of course Nim as well. Yes. Nim is great. If you say he's great, then they're great. If you say they're great, then I trust them too. Well, you can talk to them at some point. Can we? A lot of people.

But maybe not today. It's been, there's a lot going on. I think we should introduce ourselves. I think that would be a lovely idea. They're part of the team as much as you are, really. Well, Nim is why I can talk to you all in my hair. Does Nim hear the conversation? Wait, how much does Nim know and see and hear?

Oh yeah, everything. Oh. Right, okay. How does this Nim feel about... Not great, Xanthius, not great. Okay, okay, okay. Does that influence your perceptions on me as well? Well, no, because so far you've been okay,

so we're just... Okay. I think the feeling's mutual across the board. Yeah. You did scare me a little bit with the reclaimers. What, why, me? No, come on. Yeah, you were a bit scary.

A little bit. I'm Zan Zan the Fashion Man. Oh my God. You are that, but also, it's the... He's trying to deflect, don't let him. But... It's the unpredictability that scares me a little bit. See, what's so unpredictable about me?

I'm Xantheus, the same Xantheus you knew day one. No, you seem a bit... Hi, Dom. You're a little different. Yeah, seemed a bit spaced out recently. Everyone's a little bit different. The things we've gone through, the things we've seen, all of us.

That's true. And you've been so preoccupied with that workshop. Yes, yes. We've all just been so busy recently. You know what we need? A quest. No, that's not what I was trying to say. We need something to occupy our minds a little bit more.

I think that you're doing that too much. Yes. No, I don't think so. You need therapy. Yeah. But yeah, Nim's not great on it, but that's, I feel like, the entirety of this continent, to be fair.

Yeah. So that's not news. It's not really any different. Okay, well, as long as Nim is otherwise entirely on our side and the things that we do and doesn't try to turn you against us, then. No, Nim's just cautious and wants to protect me. Can Nim?

That's what Nim's always done. Can Nim manifest outside of you? No, hasn't done. Apart from the wings and the daggers. Nim would say in your mind like, that is not, that is beyond me. Nim says no. I am bound to you. It is, we have a symbiosis.

I cannot be without you. I can channel power through you, but. There's the power thing and the wings and stuff and the radiant things, but no. It's just me. Can you draw Nim from your mind? Yeah, do you know what he looks like? They look like?

Yes. I could, I guess, couldn't I? Could I be able to? Because Nim would have- Nim can share like memories. Communicated memories. Yeah, like Nim can share, and we could share memories of how they were

when they were a celestial, yeah. Just a crystal. Well, they would appear to Daisy when imagined in your mind, Nim would be a resplendent androgynous figure with like a pale blue skin, white, silvery white and gold hair dressed in a sort of,

kind of like Roman Legion inspired sort of armor set and things like that with a gladius blade, like sheathed. But they also have like a medics kit. They have like a kind of, a sort of satchel filled with, not like bandages, but like crystals and like strange golden wands and tools and things like that. And maybe like the image that they conjure is like the day that they, before they went out on their first like mission or their first patrol basically.

I know, Nimzey Scout, not a medic, sorry I'm getting confused, not the medic thing, so would be like, would have like a angelic looking crossbow like on their back and a gladius blade and a hood that can be pulled up over their hair. Like sandals that have got like ornate styled wings and like a plated skirt and things like that. Very kind of angelic celestial, like a pair of beautiful wings like folded behind them,

but built for like scouting and like guerrilla kind of like maneuvers in combat and stuff like that. Probably like two blades actually, like two swords and then this crossbow, and then like a kit of like all sorts of shenanigans and a big cloak. And this would be like the day that they were first like reforged before they like, you know,

this is like a core memory of them like looking in a, in maybe like a glassy surface, like seeing themselves, and it's like this core memory that they can project into your mind. Yeah, very, very, that kind of handsome, beautiful feature, like again, quite androgynous. Very genderless, basically, but that, like again, quite androgynous, very genderless basically, but that pale blue skin, like eyes not of pupils,

but of glowing light. And just very... I'll connect them just to put the image in, but not speak with them, just so that they can see. But you will recognize the blade as the blade that Daisy throws. Cause she throws her dagger as one of them, but the main blade that she throws is Nym's blade weapon. It's Nym's, it's Nym's.

That's amazing. And there's even like you guys, cause all of you would remember when Daisy transformed when you were fighting the Lamplighters, that Daisy's form almost takes on, like that armor kind of almost shimmers around her and like the face kind of almost has that nature to it, like overlaid over Daisy's, like the hair,

like it's that, you recognize so much of the nymph that Daisy projects in your mind to that sort of figure. Almost like a very faint ghost overlaid Daisy's body, do you know what I mean? Wow. Wow, they're amazing, you're amazing. You are. You managed to, this being, they're drawn to you,

because you're so amazing. They don't go to any dying persons really, otherwise everyone would have one. Well they might, because, I don't know. There'll be a lot more. Yeah, well they didn't go to any dying person, really, otherwise everyone would have one. Well, they might, because, I don't know. There'll be a lot more. Yeah, well, they didn't go to... And then, the story. Yes. It's a rarity.

Yes. Yes. It was probably just timing, maybe I just happened to be in that position at a time when they did it. No, don't believe it. No, I think you've been chosen specifically. Well, actually, the dagger, if Nim is unable to manifest themselves beyond your mind, where did you get the dagger from?

That's actually my grandma's. Oh, it's so cute. It was the only thing left in the house. So it was saved and then I took it with me when I left. So that's mine, that's my family's, so. And Nim is this, as they were describing before, like eternal warriors. And Nim must have been transferred from other people

even before you, right? What, Nim? No, I believe that your friend Xanthias has the wrong idea of it. I don't know how I came to be. It was so long ago, thousands and thousands of years, I think. Was I born a celestial? Was I made? Was I mortal and die? I don't know. But I just reached a point,

little one, where I couldn't fight anymore. It was just so much and I didn't want to fight anymore. And when celestials begin to doubt or refuse orders. They are taken to be remade. And I knew what that would mean. I would lose myself. I would forget. I would become someone else. And there were always whispers, rumors, that we could… There are celestials who know how to send us here to the mortal world, but we cannot exist as our full forms there, we become a tiny spark, a piece of us. And when I came to you, I was sent here and I wandered for some time, and I could feel myself slipping away. If a Celestial does not bond with a mortal quickly, they lose

sight of themselves, they lose, they become wind, nothing. And so when I found you and you were so small and helpless and in so much pain, I knew I could help. So that is why I bonded with you, to protect you and to protect me. I relay information. I see. Rona's sobbing. But it's fine though. Everything's fine because now I'm here

and now I have my own room. You have this, yes. And you have all of these abilities and thankfully, Nim is able to bind themselves to you and continue their story as well. But if you care to know, we will of course keep that secret safe and your abilities safe. I just didn't realize we had so much in common.

Well. Nim would say in your head, I do not see how we are alike at all. Harry, not. You know, just hiding a magical ability that we don't want people to know about. Sort of similar. I'm sure Nim will agree.

Puzzle comes in, round of coffees. Oh, thank you, Percy. Coffee, pastries. Thank you. At one point, Rowan, when Daisy's away from the group at some point. It's got me thinking. What has? When Daisy mentioned- It's been multiple hours.

Has it? What day is it? I've been thinking for a while. Okay, you've been silent. Let me lower the lantern. Yes, okay, you're thinking lantern. Daisy told us about Nim, right? Yes, yeah.

That they don't remember. It's been thousands of years. Mm-hmm. They don't remember how they came to be. Can you imagine how many times they could have been remade? Thousands of years of thousands of... hundreds of thousands of people. If they don't remember where they started,

I'm just saying it's likely that they were remade multiple times. They had those doubts and got put back in, you know? There might be more memories beyond that that they just can't access anymore. Of their different previous lives. How does, sort of hearing Rowan say that, Ophelia, how does Ophelia feel about this? Because like you would have been taught that the Greylands and the Grey Father, best thing ever,

100% what everyone should do, all those pesky other planes keep trying to rule the universe and he's stopping them. And now you're hearing about Mim and this deserting and stuff like that, and these spirits get remade. They get made to force to forget who they are. That doesn't happen to one dead. That doesn't, the Great Father rewards you

and lets you live forever for real. And if they're deserting, then it can't be horrendous, right? If they're deserting. I'm interested, does Ophelia have thoughts or feelings about any of that? Ophelia would just be like, it would just cement her own beliefs in that, you know. Grey Father bests.

Grey Father best, Grey Lands are the best. Like, yeah, just. No doubts that maybe the Grey Father does stuff like that and that you just don't know about it. No, just. Nope, okay, great. I wouldn't even cross their mind. I wouldn't even cross their mind.

Nope, love that. Full sail on ahead. Love that. Perfect, all right. Man, all the other ones are rubbish. I would deserve the. Love that. Perfect. All right. Man, all the ones are rubbish. I would desert the Grey Father, the Grey Lands are great, I've seen them for myself,

so why would I desert them? You saw the worst part of it. Exactly, so it's gotta be pretty good, right? It's gotta be way better, right? I've been promised so much more than that anyway, so. I think it's a similar fight vibe for a lot of us. I mean, we literally saw the Grey Father bring you back from the dead.

It's kinda hard to argue argue it even from our perspective. But yeah, it makes sense you're so devoted. These powerful beings, they love people being devoted to them. They're happy to go out their way. Anyway, with that, is there any other business? Otherwise, we will bring today's episode to a close. How'd your research go, Rowan? I found a lot.

Here we go. And then on that, I was going, so I think, because I think with that, there is a high chance that it won't be a regular High Rollers next week. We might have a couple of people away, so we'll do something, but it means that what I would like is for everybody to be back, and I think we're going to start with Rowan revealing his research,

and maybe telling us a little bit more about Rowan. And then maybe that will be the thing that then launches into a brand new quest. To head to the Rustwale Woods. Like a trailer quest. We could some quests. Yeah, we've got a lot. Yep, there's a lot of stuff.

A lot of stuff to do. A lot of things to do. But with that, that is gonna be it for today's episode. Thank you for joining us here on Hyrollers. Yeah baby. Don't forget you can go and get our nostalgia merch, which is got merch from our previous two campaigns. It's available on the store right now.

It's only gonna be around for a few more weeks, so don't miss out. Once it's gone, it's gone. Yeah. But with that, thank you very much. We'll see you all next time. Hell yeah. Bye. Bye. See you later. Bye.

See you later.