High Rollers DnD - Altheya: The Dragon Empire #8 | The Toad and the Tower (Part 1)

Episode Date: January 16, 2024

Rowan and Xantheus report back about their tavern of choice but get very distracted by a Toad and a Tower! 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) 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. Pick from over 190 assets and start with the $10 in your pocket. Easy. Go to Kraken.com and see what crypto can be. Non-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. Peanut butter and bacon biscuits? Has HomeSense always had all this great pet stuff? Oh, and Dad, look.

Huh? Made with locally sourced ingredients. We should get these for the dogs. Peanut butter and bacon biscuits. That sounds like human food, not dog treats. But they're only $10. $10? You know I love to spoil my little fur babies.

Put them in the cart. Deal so good, everyone approves. Only at HomeSense. Our party have arrived in the prosperous town of Ashen Rest, home of the local draconic noble Duke Ignarius. Seeking to make themselves more presentable before visiting the ducal palace Dominus Ignarum, the gang have headed to the local bathhouse, which also serves as a shrine to Saint Typhine, the gang have headed to the local bathhouse which also serves as a shrine to

Saint Typhine, the Saint of Love. The Reverend Mother and Reverend Father of the Shrine, Aurella Everdue and Dandalee Everdue, informed our heroes of a problem with the baths and asked for their help in resolving it, which resulted in a confrontation with some belligerent water spirits and a malignant aura of magic that was influencing the magical fountains of the bathhouse with the problem resolved and our heroes continuing to explore the wonders of ash and rest we begin to make preparations to meet with the duke and that my friends is where we pick up again this week a kind of sort of we are in this uh town um samuel if we can get a lovely close-up

of the map i can show this off again as well, perhaps through the full zoom. So you have the town of Ashenrest, you've identified a few points of interest here and there, but you still have many places yet to visit. And I believe the very last thing was you were considering where you would like to maybe stay this evening,

or setting up a kind of base of operations, at least for the interim. And that was where we... Checking out different places to stay. Me and Rowan are looking at the Clever Toad, which is full of kobolds. Yeah, yeah. The Clever Toad, when you went in there, does seem to be operated by a family of kobolds.

For your sort of law explanation, kobolds normally serve as kind of stewards and attendants to dragon nobles. They're normally sort of like, they are like nannies and butlers and things like that. But sometimes kobold families go off and they run smaller businesses, but they are big family like kind of packs, like normally they operate in large family groups

and things like that. family like kind of packs like you know normally they operate in large family groups and things like that um and the clever toad uh in does seem to be such a place uh run by the tarik uh clan or the tarik family tarik uh and normally kobolds will have you know um the matriarch or the patriarch of the family will have the name so in this case tarik tarik uh and then all of the siblings will have another name and then the whoever gets basically pronounces the new matriarch matriarch takes on the name tarik tarik so oh i didn't write down all the individual names of them all oh good because i certainly didn't i completely forgot which things i gave them or five they kept rotating yeah luckily there's 24 of them so i don't ever need to remember the three you met ever again. I can just make up new ones.

But the Wikipedia team. Yeah, the Wiki team. They're on it. Yeah, you're the guest DM. But before we begin, there is, of course, something important to do. Oh, yeah. The crucible of fate. Okie dokie.

This is our system to generate a pool of dice, which you can use to influence your rolls, maybe add little details to scenes, or I can use to add complications. Oh, come on. Every time. Get a roll in, everyone. Wiki team has documented our rolls and I rolled like a 5, 5, 5, 2, 5 and a 6. Hey, okay, so

a 1. Yes! The streak has been broken. Finally! A 1. That is a dice for me. I've lost every single time. Thomas? I'm no longer a curse, it's just Katie now. I got a 5. A 5, a dice for me. I've lost every single time. Every single time. Thomas? I'm no longer a curse, it's just Katie now. I got a five.

A five, a dice for you, hell yeah. A six. A six, a dice for you. For you. Curse. Don't touch my dice, you psychopath. And a turn of dice for me. And then for me.

Do we need to roll for Rhi or does it fall? Nope, Rhi is not here, so if there's less of you... There's less fate. It is a five, yeah, because Ophelia's influence on the story isn't here. A five, so that's another nice for you. So three for us, two for you. Three for two at the minute. Well, not us versus you, but...

No, no, no, but fate in terms of the forces of fate. Bad luck and good luck. Yeah, basically. Luck is on our side today. For now. For now it is. Yeah. Might be on our side today. For now. For now it is. Yeah. Might be.

You feel lucky. No, I feel lucky today. I feel like this is the day. This is the one. This is it. Is it? So we have Rowan and Xanthius are currently in the Clever Toad, which is actually down in the Riverside District,

closer to the river, the Ruby River's edge. And yeah, it's like I said, there is this very busy family of kobolds all running around, you know, attending to the inn. You can see that this is definitely a rougher place. You have quite a lot of few sort of like drunken sailors, carpenters, labourers, that kind of thing. Going through windows.

There have been a couple of fights. Despite it being like midday, there was a couple of fights. Somebody went through the window and a couple of the kobolds are quickly patching it up. There is also this strange device at the end. You can see that this place does have food, but it's more like snacks. They have like a little yakitori grill

that they're making, like little yakitori sticks and stuff. At the end of the inn, there is this kind of booth, like a kind of wooden plinth with a glass kind of box, and inside of which is a taxidermied toad in a little wizard's hat that seems to move and speak. And if you put a coin in, there is, you know, you can see some people are playing with it. I think it was like a group of dwarven teenagers.

The toad seems to open and close its mouth and almost seems to be saying something. And then, you know, there's some sort of like. Is this just a copper coin? It's not gold, is it? They're bronze coins, yeah. Bronze, silver, gold here. Named after the three dragons.

Types of metallic dragons. I turn to Xanthius knowingly. Well, of course we're staying here. Oh, we're staying here, you're convinced? I was gonna to say. Absolutely convinced. They do seem very accommodating, these kobolds. It's cozy.

I love it. You love it. Well, in that case... I'll see you in a minute. I'm going to go over to the toad. Okay. Yeah, you make your way over. You can see that there are three dwarven teenagers,

two boys and one girl, and they are playing with the box. And you can tell they're teenagers because none of them have the earth skin. None of them have the metal protrusions. They don't tend to come in until puberty. I'm going to wait in a queue-like format, but impatiently.

So looking over them and seeing what they're up to. All right. I'm going to see if they give a shit about you in there. Okay, so you're waiting for a little bit, and you can see that one of the boys fishes out another bronze coin. He pops it in, and they're all kind of laughing. They haven't noticed you yet. They're just so focused on the toad.

And when the coin goes in, and there seems to be some sort of clockwork system, the boy pulls a little lever, and then you begin to hear music. You begin to hear a kind of like It's like very plinky plonky kind of. Sometimes some of it's out of tune as well.

And then eventually the music stops and the frog's eyes open and they glow softly and the mouth opens and a voice speaks out and it says, today you will have good luck. And then he goes back to sleep. And they just kind of laugh and they, you know,

they seem to be kind of more interested in like how it works and you can hear them sort of like, how do you think it must, it's got to be a bit of magic in it. And they're kind of like talking. And then the girl like seems to notice you and like shoves the two boys. It's like, oh, this guy. And they're like looking up at you

and your very large, yacht-near frame seem a bit intimidated and they quickly kind of... As soon as you say hello to them, the three of them are just like, and then they scurry off. Run off out the inn, basically. I scurry excitedly up to this booth.

Okay, yeah, you have to crouch down because it's built for like human size, so you have to kind of scoot down a little bit. I look for a coin. Okay, yeah. Bronze coin, I assume I have denominations. I mean, do you? I got given, we got given that money.

In gold. In gold. I'm gonna ask the closest table. I'm going to go up with a gold coin and ask, does anyone have any bronzes that they can exchange? Yeah, the first table you go over to, a very surly-looking, you know, laborer, old human, two pair of old humans.

One's kind of got bald hair. The other one, she's got like long gray hair, very rough, callous looking hands. And he's got an eye patch. He looks up at you and he's like, I can exchange that. And he just puts out one bronze coin. I don't think that's all of it. I think that's you wanted to exchange it, right?

One for one. Oh, no, sorry. My misunderstanding, that's on me. I would like the equivalent exchange, if possible. They just, uh... They kind of grunt. If you don't mind.

I don't have enough of that coin on me. You have to do it up at the bar. Okay. Yeah, you can go to Cobalt's. Cobalt's can exchange it. Cobolds can change it up. Is Sam just watching me? I mean, I think having, if I, I'd be, like, by the door,

seeing you just go over to this toy, essentially. Starts talking to, yeah, basically. Like, is it, this device. Well, you'd have to go up to an exam. But if I do, I was going to head over to Rowan as he is trying to make this exchange with a honestly quite scary-looking individual. But this device, this toad thing,

is this a thing that has been seen before? Is it a common thing, or is this like a magical artifact? It's definitely not a common thing. It's like somebody has built, you know, like a Zoltor machine, like a little kind of carnival machine. It's definitely not common. Like, you've never seen anything right okay like 100 but it's not like something i've heard of like zolta and zolta so it's it it looks like a unique thing to this okay yeah um but yeah i'd come over and sort of meet you at the bar um what are you trying to use this?

One second. Okay. Yeah, the kobold is like, kind of like dishes out your change. You don't have change for one gold into bronze. I need to see that. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And he kind of takes the coin and fishes you out. Oh, thank you so much.

Nine silver and nine bronze. Amazing. Thank you so much. I'll be right with you. I am going to be a stickler for coins, all of that stuff. Do you believe in this sort of thing, Rowan? I believe in

happiness, and I run off. Yeah, you've got your bronze coin. You ask where I am, and then immediately, shut the fuck up. I was asking. As soon as you got to Troy. Not as Rowan. Yeah, you run over to the machine.

Also, I said I'll be right with you. No, I know, I know. 88 gold, so I need to do this, sorry. Yeah, please do. Wait, how much did you have? And then I've got... What was the silver, sorry? So you'd get nine silver back and nine bronze coins. Copper coins. I know on D&D Beyond it's copper,

but in this universe it is bronze. It's not copper. It's bronze. Okay. I put a coin in. Put a coin in. And then you can see... And there's instructions.

Well, you put the coin in, and there are instructions that are... It basically says, Whence thou hast placed within a bronze coin, pulleth thine lever to receive thine fortune. It's like written very, you know, very stenciled. You pull the lever, and you hear the clicking and whirring of like clockwork mechanisms and things like that. And then there is a faint sort of like, and then you hear the clicking and whirring of clockwork mechanisms, things like that.

And then there is a faint sort of like chug, and then you hear that music. It kind of plays the music again. The toad's eyes open, its mouth opens. Beware the shadow of noon tomorrow. And then it closes its eyes again. Oh, no. Oh no. Beware.

Xanthius! You know these things... Oh, you're right there. Yeah, I was right behind you. You know these things probably spit out just random answers for everybody, right? You've seen the clever toad before. No, but, I mean,

how can it know that it's you that it's talking to clever give me a coin it's ice glow one bronze for you thank you I'll prove it and I'll put it in believe it says you get music then in front of it so I can see you oh of course eyes open opens again. It doesn't move its mouth when it speaks. It just opens its mouth and a voice projects out. That's a bad thing. You can make an arcana check, actually, for me, Zen. Yeah, if there was like a speaker box in there

or something like that. Oh, good God. That was a black dice. Seven. Seven. You don't really know how this thing works. It's actually kind of somewhat impressive. There's probably a little bit of like a,

oh, how does this thing work, actually? But when it opens its mouth, it just goes... And it would say... Beware. Beware the shadow of noon tomorrow. That really felt like Tank Dawn at the end there. Tomorrow. It will say... Tomorrow. That really felt like Tank Don at the end there. Tomorrow.

It will say, when the moon is full, your destiny awaits beneath the stone arch. See, what could that possibly mean? What stone arch? What full moon? Okay, write it down. I need to remember these things. I need to worry about the shadow of the noon moon.

Wait, noon, wait, that's your one. Noon tomorrow, shadow of noon was your one, but I just don't want you to get worried about it. Beware. Okay. There's gonna be plenty of shadows tomorrow at noon. Just so you know. Shadow, I'm not going to go in any shadows.

There's shadows all over. Okay, but... At noon specifically. Sure. So you're going to stay outside, is your plan. But outside makes bigger shadows. My question is, how long are you going to keep staying with this machine, or are you going to head back and meet the others?

Like, do I need to cut across? This could be like a walk and talk thing, I suppose. But, I mean, there was a reason why I also wanted to come to this side of the city as well, because there was that Tower 11 on the map, which is very, very close to where we are right now. Mm, it's not too far. You can see it.

That was the magic tower with no door. And a dragon coiled around it, like a... with no door and a dragon coiled around it like a oh was that there's several towers you're thinking of a different tower I think it's

six might be the dragon coiled one but this was the one there's a there's a mage there that delights the children but there's also no door

seems to be no entrance I almost want to you did learn the name of this one it's called Ravenstar Spire Ravenstar that's the one and

I was kind of nudged in that direction so I I almost want to of this one. It's called Ravenstar Spire. Ravenstar, that's the one. And I was kind of nudged in that direction. So I almost want to, as we're leaving, because it's right next to it. We're not leaving. We're not leaving. We need to go get the others. We've got eight bronze here. I won't do that.

No, I do. I want you to do it. I want him to go until he gets repeat of one of the fortunes and then goes, wait a minute. Well, look, Rowan, I'm going to do it. I want him to go until he gets repeat of one of the fortunes, and then goes, wait a minute. Well, look, Rowan, I'm gonna go back and get the others. One more, and I'll come with you. Sure, I'll wait outside. Could Klink pull the lever? Mark it off. For one more.

Oh, and I'll pay you back for the one bronze. It's a gift. Get the music. Eyes, the clever toad's eyes. You can see, like, the kobolds are delighted that you're putting this much money in. Like, they're like, are they working? Almost, like, Xanthius would probably notice

when the kids ran off, the kobolds were like, oh, bums, probably nobody's going to play with the clever toad all day. And then Rowan shows up and he's like, cha-ching, cha-ching,webs were like, oh, bums, probably nobody's going to play with the clever toad all day. And then Rowan shows up and he's like, and they're like, yes. Like someone in a casino. Yeah.

You can hear the music, you hum along with it, you pick up the beat, and it's eyes open. When the maiden cries, the shadow of the spire lingers. And then it closes. Fuck.

That's really clear, yeah, yeah. Thing is, in like 20 episodes, we're gonna be like, what? Go back, it's gone. What you mean? There's never been a clever toad machine here. The clever toad machine was destroyed 20 years ago. Oh, no.

Sure. All right, so Rowan does this last one, and then he has the plan. You want to stop by the spire before making your way back to the central plaza. Yeah, I just wanted to go outside, and if I can see the spire from where I am, or if I can just take a quick,

I don't want to basically walk off so far that Robin gets lost on his own. Let me just check in with Gruff and Daisy. Are you guys just going to wait for the boys to come back and find you? I think we'd probably wait. I feel like we'd probably had an agreement to meet back in the centre of time

and just be like, okay, we should go and stay here. So I think the last thing is you got drinks. So Ophelia's got her bottle of wine. And she didn't have a bottle of wine. So if you guys, she'll probably be like, no, I'll just stay.

I need to repent for doing work earlier. So I'm going to enjoy my wine. So if you want to come find them, you can. But I'm just going to sit here. And Ophelia and Purcell are quite happy to just sit and she's going to nurse a bottle of wine all day, basically. Don't drink her mommy. Yeah.

But if there's anything else you'd like to do, just so I don't just focus on Drought and Tom for a little bit, I want to make sure you guys, if you have anything you would like to do. I feel like we'd wait a reasonable amount of time before we start getting worried for, like, boyos. Sure. And finding boyos, so I guess...

I mean, it would take about an hour, I think an hour-ish for us to get there and back. Yeah, it's like 20, 30 minutes to walk to the other inn and then 20, 30 minutes to walk back, so, you know, you can probably... But also, like, you can see that as the day goes on, after about sort of... Because you're about midday, you came in here as the day goes on, after about sort of...

Because you're about midday, you came in here. After about an hour, about one o'clock. When it gets to, like, closer to, like, more closer towards two, this place is going to free up if you wanted to have lunch here. They serve food. And Ophelia is probably going to buy that. She's probably going to get, like, a meal here while she can. Probably finds, like, a a very very rare steak uh

you know orders that so rare as mooin as rare as just just meat just put the meat on my table uh can i have the blood um but no uh so you could get food here as well or like there are you did see there are some places near the plaza that you can get to without going too far if you wanted to where was that fancy armor shop was that too that's literally just opposite in fact that's actually just opposite, in fact. That's actually just on the plaza itself, so within a few moments, like, you can still look in. Yeah, Gruff's gonna be staring at, out there staring.

Yeah. Oh, because of the, yeah. She's just gonna be staring. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's what he's doing. So when you go out and you start looking, I'm assuming Daisy, you'd go with Gruff and keep an eye on, or do you wanna go off and do your own thing? She's probably gonna go with Gruff, but then, like, find a little spot to sit in the center,

and just people watch, observe the town, and just do some little doodles. And she probably would have picked up a snack on the way or something. Sure. I mean, in terms of the people watching and things like that, in the middle of the plaza you have these gorgeous statues and this large fountain. It's a large fountain. You can see that it's almost like a kind of like a tourist spot. People come here.

They, you know, go and see the fountains. People are throwing like bronze coins in and things like that. There are all these different statues. You have various knights and you have this interpretation of the Dragon Empress in the middle. And yeah, you can see that people from all over really come. A lot of cauldrons here, but you do see travelers from other parts of the empire and things as well um you do see um you know uh folk that are perhaps

not as common um you know people from ice heart and azar uh both coming here and there and in fact you see a traveler and you you can you you think that they must be from the azar step because they travel with a menagerie of creatures. It's almost like they have a wagon that they're taking through the town, like a small wagon, but it's loaded with little cages and you can see all sorts of dinosaurs, like little tiny dinosaurs.

And the wagon itself is being pulled by a kind of slightly smaller Triceratops, kind of like maybe like a young triceratops. And they make their way through the thing. And you can see that on the wagon, it almost looks like it can be lowered down and almost turned into a tent or a kind of traveling kind of place to stay overnight.

A gazebo. A gazebo. Like it almost has like a caravan-esque element to it where you can pull the side down that goes on poles. You pull down canvas straps. So it looks like it's somebody, and this traveler is like making his way through you see a bunch of kids run up and like oh and like asking loads of questions about it i mean he takes out basically like a an arm-sized pterodactyl like a parrot-sized pterodactyl has it on his arm he sends it flying around it comes back to him he does a few tricks with it

and things like that the kids are all super super excited and loving it as they watch this traveler go. Maybe a couple of adults come by, he kind of talks to them, and then he goes off on his way, heading off out through the city. Gruff, when you look across the plaza to this armory, this smithry, you notice a few more details. I think I described it, you could see in the window, a display of these beautiful sets of armor armor red velvet backgrounds very high end we're kind of talking like a harrods or a you know a proper london like rich kind of department store vibe to it and just inside the door when the door opens

you can see that it's very similar on the inside glass cabinets uh plot like dark wood flooring red velvet curtains very high end um and you see that in gold, beautiful script above the door, it just says, Dantes. Cool. And you can see that there is what appears to be a human man on the inside who maybe is like a shopkeeper or something like that. Yeah, Gruff is just, like, he's not going in.

Like, he is too nervous to go in. You know, probably feels very out of place and very aware of his very basic... Like, his shield is literally made out of an old fishing raft. It's, like, stapled together. And, like, you can see that, I mean, it is all mostly metal. Like, you can see all the armour and weapons are all mainly like steel and things like that um but there is a an exceptional craft to them these aren't just weapons and armor you can see that these are custom made um and some

of the weapons are almost you can see uh what appears to initially be like a spear but it actually has like a folding hatchet like a halberd blade, that can actually curtail out. They're almost really custom masterwork pieces. And very few people come in and go. The people that you do see enter it, though, look very wealthy. And they go in, and they seem to be in there for a very long time. And many of them don't come out. They don't carry anything with them.

It's very much a kind of, you know... But you can see that this place is on pride of the plaza it must be you know very very wealthy people that come and go here um can you make a history check with disadvantage because you're from ice heart so you're very far away to know this but i just want to see if you know the name dante i wrote a 19 and a 12 plus 1 so 13 13 i'd say with a 13 in your cultural kind of background, there is something about that name, Dante, and your stories about knights and everything else. You don't know the full details,

but you're pretty certain that this is a very well-known name. This is not just like a random weaponsmith store in this town. Dante is a name that you're like i've heard of this and i i think that this this is more than just a one-off kind of little armor to the legends kind of yeah kind of or like a kind of like a masterwork painter or a sculptor like knowing the name leonardo da vinci right like you've heard the name dante weapons dante's um you know probably not an ancient thing like not something like from Sir Isabel's time or anything like that,

but probably something that, especially when walking through Kelskaris, maybe you overheard gossip or you heard people saying like, oh, I heard that Sir So-and-So got a Dante's blade, a Dante original, and things like that. It's a name you've heard of. So very fancy.

Dante's Inferno. Yeah. Maybe. It's a name you've heard of. So very fancy. Dante's Inferno. Yeah. Maybe. Then we cut back to Rowan and Xanthius. Xanthius, you are leading. The full moon. Is the idea here that you're leading Rowan with you? Like, Rowan, are you just following?

While he was having another little spin on this machine, like, if this thing is visible from just standing outside. It's visible. It's probably, like, a five, ten-minute walk to get there. Oh, okay. In that case, yeah, I would... Ask Rowan to sort of accompany you. Yeah, we can just have another little look around before we head back. Yes. See what else is around here. Don't worry, I'm not spending too long away.

Well, we'll head back immediately. We should have pre-booked rooms for everybody. Well, we don't actually know their preferences. True. And remember, we did come here looking for Ophelia Standard. Nothing could be better than what we just saw. It can't be. I mean, they were so accommodating and so fun and charming.

So much stuff. True. Oh, actually, did you see any wine? Oh. Behind the bar, maybe? I didn't think to look. Because that might be a deal-breaker. True. Oh, actually, did you see any wine? Oh. Behind the bar, maybe? I think, look. Because that might be a deal-breaker. True.

Yes, that's going to be what the deal-breaker is. As you're having this conversation... It's a walk and talk sitch. Yeah, I figured that as you're walking, you can see Ravenstar Spire long, as you're making your way towards it, it stands out. It's that tall. And I've described this before,

most of the buildings here in Ashen Rest are at least two or three stories. So there is this constant kind of like the streets, you have these big, tall buildings on the side of you. Most businesses, some businesses are on the second or even third floor. Like, you know, it's very kind of got that, that closed in feeling, but Ravenstall Spire, you see even above those, it stretches quite high up into the sky maybe sort of 70 80 90 feet up you know you're looking at it tall above the towers and as you draw closer you can't help but remark on how impressive and beautiful it is it's a dark stone tower with bird-like gargoyles all over it the The dark stone that it's made from is different to anything else in Ashen Rest.

Everything in Ashen Rest seems to be built out of what's called ash stone. It's a local stone, kind of light grey in colour and texture. It's kind of got a rough texture. This is obsidian-like, but it's lighter and glossier. And it almost seems to...

Yeah, it almost seems to shift to a dark blue as the light catches it. And then it shifts to an almost silvery blue and then back to black, like almost like it's molten or... It's very... Like you've never seen anything like it and the whole tower is made from it.

As in the entire... The stone itself is shifting or just from as we're moving? It's pearlescent, but there's something more to it than just that. This isn't just light reflecting off of it. This is something in the stone itself that's almost shaping. What's the name of the tower again?

Ravenstar Spire. And as you were told, as you get closer to it, you do not see any sort sort of door the space around raven star spire is quite open and there is almost like a small garden um that is attached to it you can see a little tree um there's like a kind of lawn um but there is no doorway that you can see um about uh i think it is about put my details on how high it up is um it is uh about sorry uh oh i think i already don't have uh 50 feet up sorry okay uh there are windows so you actually can see that there are windows beautiful glass you can't see into the windows they don't appear

they almost opaque with that same dark night blue. Right. But there are windows with windowsills. But they're about 50 feet up, and you don't see any other entrance. This is at a distance. I'm assuming that you guys haven't actually approached the tower directly. Any statues nearby?

Statues. There are... So a little ways, about sort of five minutes walk, you can see a set of stone stairs leading up to a hilled like an elevated part of Ashenrest and there are two statues, quite large statues

of knights basically almost kind of framing the staircase that leads up into this and you can see there are very posh looking houses you also see the cathedral is up on this elevated part of the city as well. So that would be these stairs here and this elevated part of the city. Yeah, into Duskrise.

So these two statues here are kind of overlooking and imposingly looking over Ashen Rest. But they are large. Anyone walking around the base of the spire right now? Nobody walking around, as in attending to the tower itself? I mean, there's people in the street, yeah. There's always going to be people walking around. People in the street.

Biddy-dee-da-bit. Biddy-dee-da-bit. Yeah, no, there's people making their way, going about rounds, doing towns. They don't look unhappy. No, no. Nobody looks particularly unhappy. Rowan is looking at all these people.

Very curious. Rowan, what at all these people. Very curious. Rowan, what do you make of this tower? I'm looking for a maiden. Excuse me? A maiden. Why? Beware. Not beware, but the shadow of the spire will linger

when the maiden cries. I'm looking for them. I see the message. Prophecy. Prophecy, sure. From the toad. Well, I was pointing for them. I see the message. Prophecy. Prophecy, sure. From the toad. Well, I was pointing this direction. This is a fascinating structure.

It is. I was pointing this direction. Well, apparently there's someone here that might be able to help me learn some of my magic. But I was informed that no entrance. I just can't figure out how to possibly enter this tower. Are you approaching terror, or are you just looking at it from a distance?

Because I'm assuming that you're kind of stood at a distance looking at it right now. Maybe this is like a... We take the side road north of the tavern that we were at, 16, and then rejoin the main road. We're just walking past it. Okay, so you'll walk quite close to it then on your way back. Yeah, I think we're just walking past it. Okay, so you'll walk quite close to it then, on your way back. Yeah, I think you'll go right past it, yeah.

Yeah, can you both give me perception checks? Perception, oh. Sure. Let's see here, what do I have? Oh God, yeah. All right. 18. Natural 20. Hey!

I'm back, baby! It's a lucky day! The birthday luck. There is a moment. I got minus one, yeah. And I think I'm going to describe this in two different ways. So Rowan's going to get different information than Xanthius. First of all, you rolled a natural 20.

Even though crit's not a thing, I'm still going to give you some extra information and stuff. But for Rowan, you have a unique sense in this because you are very attuned to stone and the rhythm of the stone and the tone and the melody of things. And this tower is unlike anything you have heard. And I do mean anything you've heard. Anything.

There is something about this tower, although it is this dark blue, this near obsidian, it is nothing like the stones of Kaldra, it is nothing like the stones of Kaldra. It is nothing like the stones of Azar. It is nothing like the stones of Kelskaris or the city. There is a somber tone to this place, a mourning, a sense of loss. But there is also captured within it something mystical and ageless

as if the stone of this tower is older than Althea oh my god what is this place and although it has no door you know that it is concealed.

There is a door, but it is just hidden from you. You can feel almost like the vibrations, like as you draw near part of the tower, the vibrations are slightly off, and you can almost feel in the air, like you can tell that there is some sort of hidden entrance here. I imagine whilst Xanthius is asking these questions about,

and talking about like, well, my people, well, I could learn more here, et cetera, et cetera, that kind of fades into a muffled background noise as the tone, the somber tone of this kind of drifts over Rowan. He's almost taken on a emotional journey, so to speak. And yet he's just in his own world for a bit before he kind of shakes his head and comes back to you.

Sure. And then for, I'm also like looking at this tower. This tower while I'm sort of communicating with Rowan, even if he doesn't hear me. So I guess that's where my perception would come in. So for your perception, with a natural 20, you are looking around and you just glance up. And in that window, for a brief moment,

although it's quite opaque and dark, there is a shape. And your eyes almost seem to penetrate. And there is a figure, and you know that that figure is looking at you. Oh! And there is a moment where you just sense that whoever is up there and is looking at you, you can't see any details,

but they are looking at you, and you see them, and you kind of glance for a minute, and then there is almost a flicker as the textured stone of this tower ripples, and you see an outline of a door. Oh, shit. Rowan does not see that.

But you can now see, as it flickers, a door is revealed to you, and you know you can go up and open that door. Oh, my God. I think, like, I wouldn't necessarily, like, cut off what I was saying, but if I was having, like, this idle sort of chatter, it would sort of slowly drift off as,

like, if I see something looking at me, it would almost, I'd be in my own sort of world as much as Rowan is, just as like we both kind of just transfixed. We probably both come to and realize that we are both like... Silently staring at this thing, at this towel. You sense it too. Can you not see the door?

The outline there, can you see it? I know there's a door. You know there's one, but you can't see it. It just looks like pure black stone to you. I can. It's plain as day, just a shimmering shape. This spire is beyond anything I've seen ever.

It's maybe even older than the lands we stand on. Althea itself. How is that possible? If it's right here right now? I don't know, but it's it's drawing us in.

It has a tone, all of its own, but unnatural. Nothing like I've seen before, ever. I know we should fetch the others, Rowan, but I really wanna take this opportunity. I wanna go in the door so bad, Xanthus. But we should get the others. What if it's dangerous? If I look at this, is the shape still as clear as it was?

To you, yeah. Don't want to make sure it's not like a... There is no door handle, but there is the shape of a door. Yeah. Kind of almost carved into stone. You're seeing the outline of it. You can see that the door itself has glowing runes,

this kind of silvery blue that outline it, very much like the door to Moria, when you have the starlight. Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I grab Xanthius by the arm. Ow! Look at him intensely. What is it?

It is as the Clever Toad says. This is our prophecy. Now remind me what the Clever Toad said again. When the maiden cries. I've heard no maiden crying. The shadow of the spire lingers. That is ominous. What does this mean?

What was my one? What was my one? Read my one again. Something about the full moon beneath the stone. There's an archway. I didn't get the whole thing. Oh, I don't see any archway. There's no archway. No archway. By me, I'll look around. There's an archway. I didn't get the whole thing. Oh, I don't see any archway. There's no archway.

No archway. By me I'll look around. There's no archway. I guess there's no moon. There's not. There's the crown. Is there the crown? The crown is always, always visible.

It is on the far horizon, but it is always visible. Day or night. We're not in the shadow of the crown? One could say that Ulfea is always under the shadow. There are times when the crown no longer looms over Ulthéa. Sorry, it looms over Ilmera, but it will loom over somewhere else. But it's always bearing down on the wall. Where is the spy's shadow being cast on the ground right now? Well, it's interesting you ask that,

because this tower doesn't cast a shadow. I just looked down at the ground. And the thing, you notice that the sun, the Temple of Pirates, the sun itself, all of the other buildings are casting these long shadows. It's past midday, but it's high up in the sky. It's high noon. You're in spring. This tower, there is just no shadow whatsoever.

Okay, Rowan, we have to calm down. What the toad said. Why? What the toad said can't be a thing, a real thing. There's no way. Then why? But I can see the shape right now so clearly, and I was told to go this way. I'm nodding.

Nodding so hard right now. We simply have to get the others. We need our best friends for this. But we're staying in the... We need to stay close to this spire. We're staying here. Okay, good. We'll convince them. And Ophelia. Yes.

All right. What's the plan? What are you going to do? We rush like two excited school kids. School boys. Yeah. Back to the plaza. Does the door disappear as I sort of... As you get further away, it does, yeah. Okay. Yeah, hoping it's still there.

Okay. You guys make your way back, and probably for Daisy and Gruff, it's been like an hour and a half by the time they get back, and you see very excitedly running into the plaza, giggling like little schoolboys. Do we both just talk over each other?

You have to come back! There was like 24 kobolds there. It was amazing, but they were very accommodating. I didn't see any wine, though. That could be a problem. Big tower. I was told to go that way so I could learn magic. Look at me, look at me, boyos.

Okay, yes, what is it? One at a time, one at a time, you're talking over. You go, you go. Did you say 24 cobblers? Yes, sorry, we went to the other tavern. The Trenetode. And I personally. It's wonderful.

It's delightful. Delightful, divine. Very accommodating, I think it's exactly what we're looking for. Cheaper as well. Only a few fights. Only a few fights. Oh, the guy that went through the glass? Yes.

But... Very quickly patched up. Very quickly patched up. He was rushed away almost immediately. But I think if we are on our best behavior, we'll have no problems. We don't know the prices of the rooms. Or if they have rooms. Did we get... You know what? I don't recall the prices of the rooms. Or if they have rooms. Did we get...

You know what? I don't recall the prices of the rooms. But? But? They were quite cheap. More importantly, the prophecy. Tell them about the prophecy. Now, there is a machine at the back of this tavern.

It's a toad. Now, I'll be the first to admit I am not one for prophecies or the idle chatters of a machine at the back of a 24-cobalt tavern. It's more than a machine. But we went to... Now, Rowan is sold by this. We put a bronze piece in there. Not gold. That would be insane.

A bronze piece in there, and it told us... It gave us messages. You know, watch out for the shadows at noon. I laughed at it. It was a toad. A toad, yes. A magic toad. Well, a magical toad, yes. It opened it. I don't fully know how the magic works.

It glowed and gave us prophecies. We should go see the toad. Now, the one that Rowan got to begin with was something about watching out for the shadows tomorrow. Beware the shadow of the noon tomorrow. We all need to stay clear of all shadows at noon tomorrow. Which I think is ridiculous. Anyway, I'm not getting sold into this. Anyway, when we were having the baths, I asked someone where we could possibly go for me to learn magic,

which is something I think would be very useful for all of us. And they pointed me towards this tower that has no door. We got there. Someone was looking at me through the window and was casting... You didn't mention that. I forgot to mention that to you.

That's incredible. So I looked up. I thought for a second. Maybe, maybe I didn't. I don't mention that. I forgot to mention that to you. That's incredible. So I looked up. I thought for a second, maybe I didn't. I don't know. What were they? Who were they? I don't know. Focus.

Sorry. And Rowan could sense that. You tell them about what you heard. The stone called out to me. It has a somber, melancholic feel to it. But the stone itself is ancient. And also unlike anything else I've ever seen in all the lands

I've roamed so far. And also he said old, very old, very, very old. It could be older than Althea itself. It felt that way. Sounds impossible. And I know my rocks. He knows his rocks. He writes songs about them. And I looked at it and I saw a door.

A shape, or at least a door could be. We must go, Groff. Please, can we go? So what we're saying is we're staying... Groff, I want to see the toad. I want to see the magic toad. We're staying at the other one. Not this one. How was your place? I don't... We're going at this one.

Groff, magic toad! Why am I being shouted at about a toad? It's magic. You are all adults perfectly capable of your own destiny. Cruff's right. Why do you need my permission to go to the toad? I want you all to come with us. Yes, we're going to this place.

Right, this toad sounds blasphemous. Would this thing actually be blasphemous? It wouldn't be blasphemous. For someone who knows the Church of the Scions. So the Church of the Scions, there are oracles and people who can divine the future. But why would it be a toad in a box? Yeah, there's definitely an element of that.

But wizards can sometimes, you know, glimpse the future. Toad in a box in a pub run by cobbles. The Church of the Scions is not... Things like the heresy are more to do with planar magics and things like the crown and stuff like that. The idea of a wizard who can see the future

is not, is kind of okay. Like, archaic magic is alright. Toad in a box in a pub. It certainly sounds dubious. Maybe not heretical, but dubious.

Yeah, I was worried there. A flim flam, perhaps. I missed a part of critical Ulthian lore where it's like, if you speak to a toad that tells you the future... I'm going to change the entire episode.

It certainly sounds like a fool and his money has been parted. Well... You heard a prophecy too? Tell me more. A fool has been parted with their money. Who could that be? I guess we'll never know. Either way, ignoring this prophecy-telling toad,

which again, I'm not fully sold on. Not fully sold on. But it was close at the tower. Anyway, this place seems just fine to stay at for the night where's a failure she's getting day drunk with a bottle of wine good god A blast from here! By the silent. Do we see Ophelia in this place?

Yeah, she's here in a window. Are we in the plaza right now? Passed out at the table. She's been a while. She just like waves at you through the window and goes back to her wine. She's eating a very raw steak. She's repenting for work. Right.

Very important religious duty. The Grumpy Hog Tavern has a stage if you want to perform. Oh. I told them about the pebble song and he seemed interested. Oh, it's not finished. But you can sing another one. It's fine. I do have others. Now you can make a new one about the tavern.

There is no song, no note, no line, no melody that could replicate what I saw today. Okay. I need to spend more time with this spire. Can you write a song about the magic toad, though? Because that sounds fun. Yes, absolutely. It's easy, that one.

Magic toad. The lying toad. You don't know that. You don't know him. he might be a nice toad yeah he seemed very i mean in a box just to make it clear to rowan and uh cesanthius it was a very dead taxidermy toad it was it was like you could see stitch lines like oh i thought it was very no no no like a wooden no it's a dead toad. Oh, God. It's a taxidermy toad. Yeah, that's what I was thinking the whole time, yeah.

Oh. Yeah. Whatever magic they were using is inside the taxidermy toad. He has a little howl. He does have a little howl. Jaunty. He has a little wizard hat. Oh, God.

Did you think it was a live toad? No, no, I thought it was like a... A statue or something. Like a mechanical one. Oh, no, no, no. Well, it is. It is a mechanical one, just from a taxidermied big frog. Toad, yeah.

Is it even a toad? Is it just a big frog? All these questions. Lies. It is a toad. I incorrectly said big frog when I meant toad. Just, you know, so we don't offend. That's true, true.

Ragtile fanatics out there. Scalies, slimies. Scalies, slimies. Scalies, slimies. Froggies. So I think this place would be perfectly splendid to stay at. So I'm going to stay at the Grumpy Hog. Oh, okay. You heard the story we just said, right?

Yes, and I'll come with you and I'll visit. What's wrong? It sounds loud. 24 couples. Oh, it's extremely... What's wrong? It sounds loud. 24 kobolds. Oh, it's extremely loud. Oh, no, it is quite loud. I mean, it would be the perfect place to learn more about the city, speak with people who...

I mean, I get the impression it's mainly travellers that stay here. And we do want to learn more about the city. Yes. From the people that stay here, live here. 24 noisy kobolds. Yeah. Yeah, they are. Look, we went there and we were fine.

24 noisy kobolds, but one magic toad. Well, I'm definitely magical. What do you think of this place, the Grumpy Hog? Very fancy. Tis fine. Fancy. Good food, good drink. How much for rooms? Ophelia kind of paid for things.

Yes. Ophelia? Oh, you've already paid. Oh, wait, you've paid for... You bought some drinks. You certainly did not buy rooms. No. Ophelia inquired.

I can't remember. Did I write down? Gruff does not write things No. Ophelia inquired. I can't remember, did I write down? Gruff does not write things down. Gruff is not Nova. I know, but if you guys don't remember, that's on you. Yeah, that's Gruff. Where's your memories? Your characters' memories?

We've been walking for quite a while. I felt like a week. How far was it from Spire to Grumpy Hog versus Spire to- It's about the same distance, because it's really very, very close. It's like maybe 10 minutes less. It's like 10, 15 minutes towards the Spire. We could just stay here.

Oh, wait. I thought the other tavern was right next to the Spire. I mean, it is, but it's still five minutes to walk down the street or whatever, five, 10 minutes. Like, this map is... Yeah. Yeah, it's like from here to here is about 25 minutes. So cutting from here to here is like five minutes.

Okay. It's more just the pricing for me, to be honest, at this point. I know we just got quite a lot of money from this, but how often are we going to get a Duke's favour? Not very often. So we don't want to go spending all of our money immediately. And that place will be ours. Yes.

I'll be honest with you, I'm not really that bothered. I sleep in the open, a roof is nice. It's just the 24 noisy cobblers that's the sticking point for me. But I'm more interested in this ancient, before time began, tower with no door. Well, before Althea, at least. But still very, very old.

That's quite old, yes. Oh, but we are getting sidetracked, actually. Do we want to go see this tower? We obviously need to go see the Duke. As you guys are talking about this, Daisy, in your head, little one, you're the large musician. When he says that this place is older than Ulthera itself,

there is only one thing I can think of. Okay. It must be of the planes. It must be of the planar realms. Is that a good thing or a terrible thing? I do not know. It depends. But I cannot think of... Your world... Your world has existed, but it was created long after the planar realms. We have existed for an eternity.

But if he believes it to be older than this world, that is the only thing I can think of it could be. I will not know more until we see it, until I can sense it. But even then, you know that my senses are limited now. In our bond. What if I... touch the tower? That will help, but...

my senses and my abilities are not what they once were. But it may give me some more information. Okay, well... I will keep you updated on Weird Tower. Also, have you ever heard of magic toads? You hear the voice laugh. I have encountered toad-like creatures, ones that have been horrible, nasty things

that needed to be destroyed, but I don't think that that is what your friends are describing. I do not believe them to be the servants of chaos or fiends. Certainly if they were, I would not recommend one puts it in a box and has it tell the future if it was. So they're all clear on the magic toad then, that's fine by me. And we should go and see the toad and the tower. I'm really more interested in the toad, I have to say.

Sounds fun. You go where you will, little one. It's just the voice that you hear. Sort of trails off a little bit. Toad. Excuse me? Toad. You just interrupted me.

What do you mean toad? Toad. I wanna see the toad. You would want to see it, yes. We can head there now. It's a mystical experience. Toad or tower? Because you seemed as if you were gonna mess yourself I would want to see it, yes. We can head there now. It's a mystical experience. Toward a tower, because you seemed as if you were gonna mess yourself

if we didn't go see the tower immediately. Mess myself. Well, they're right next to each other. Lead the way. I rush off to Ophelia. She's inside. And, uh... Hello, Rowan!

I splurge all this information onto Ophelia in, like, mismatched, out of order, but excited. I mean, that sounds wonderful. I'm going to stay here. This other tavern sounds horrible. So I'm going to get myself and Percival a lovely room. Are you sure? Oh, yes. Oh, yes. No.

But the tower. You've mentioned vomit and noisy cobbles. No, I'd much rather stay here. What about the toad? The toad sounds wonderful. Maybe I'll come and visit, but I'm going to enjoy my wine. I need to make penance for doing that work

earlier. So I'm going to stay here and relax and enjoy a lovely time. We'll come find you. Yes, yes, yes. Well, I will just be here. I will be staying here. Come and fetch and enjoy a lovely time. We'll come find you. Yes, yes, yes. Well, I will just be here. I will be staying here. Come and fetch me when you're ready.

All right. But don't go and see the Duke without me. No, no. Good. Maybe book an appointment, but don't see him without me. Okay. But enjoy.

Enjoy your tower and your toad. Thank you. Bye. Episode tail. The tower and the toad. Maybe. We'll see. I. The tower and the toad. Maybe, we'll see. I wave and reluctantly look at Percy.

I have notes from Rhiannon. Ophelia is staying here. Percival has just got his head down. Yep, you guys may wait. All right, so question is, are you going to the tower or are you going to the tavern? So I guess if we take the main road, it would be the tavern first.

Yeah, I mean, it's like you have to kind of go off to go there. It's like it's down a side road to get to the tower. If you go straight down to the tower, but you just tell me where you want to go. It's not like you're under any time pressure. It doesn't matter which one you go to. No, I'm a man of pure logic, and the tavern is on the main road.

Yep. Or just on the corner of it. And that sounds... Well, we can go there and then we can side off to the thing. Literally doesn't matter. Just tell me which one you want to go to first. Go to the toad. All right.

Books and rooms. Yes. All right. You guys make your way back to the toad and tavern inn. It is, as I described earlier. Here it is. Welcome. You see it when you enter, once again, the

kobolds all in unison, the kobolds all behind the bar and all the kobolds serving all in unison when you enter. Hi, welcome! And they all scream hi, welcome. Isn't that delightful? They rush around, you can see them busy trying to clear tables and, you know, clean up. They're very, very busy, but they will always attend attend you there's enough of them. Yes. Oh and

Yep, so Rowan and Daisy rush over to the side putting bronze coins in Daisy's hand How many three all right many do I need I did three prostitute? You can do three. Oh, okay. Then we'll see how many more we can get. But I thought you only need one prophecy. I've got three. Why do you need three?

Okay. The third one was the most important because it was about the spire. Okay. While they're doing that, I'll book rooms with Gruff. Okay, so in the Clever Toad... I'm watching them. I'm following them. You guys were going on about this dead toad in a box.

The rooms at the Clever Toad Inn are cheaper. It's 20 gold for a room, a common room, which has four beds. Cheap single beds in it. It does not include any sort of meal. It is just the room. You get a key for the shared room. It's one key. And each of the beds has a storage trunk, like a chest,

which you get an individual key for. You get four individual keys for the storage chests. But it is, yeah, four to a room, basically. Okay, well, now there's four of us. And I guess someone said Ophelia's staying there. So it is paid for in advance. You pay 20 gold now, and they will give you Xanthius the keys, basically.

Yeah, sure. And do you want to pay for just one knight, or are you going to pay for multiple knights in advance? Is there a discount? Yeah, if you book for five or more knights. Five. We'll have a house at that point. Yeah, we will. multi-story very bold of

you to assume but sure what's the price that's all right i've been coming back starbucks so i can afford the house and i've been coming back on avocado toast so all right yeah that's all you need to do easy then you need to do also i have a huge loan my parents. I say it's a loan. They just gave me the money. I would like just one night, please. Oh, yes, yes, yes. The cobbled rushes over and he's like, where are the keys for room four?

Here they are. Room four, is that downstairs or where's room four? Maybe it's downstairs. No, it's not, of course, yeah. Room four, okay. It's just down on the left. You go down there. Room four is the second one down on the right.

Second one down on the right after I take a left. Okay, yes, thank you very much. 20 gold, was it? Yeah. Great. There you go. Okay, okay. Slam a bunch of keys down.

Oh, thank you. There you are. Great. Do you want someone to go to the room? You got bags or something? Oh, no, no joke. It's just me and those three over there by the toad. Oh, yep, yep, yep.

The big guy loves that toad, doesn't he? He does love that toad. Now, tell me a secret. That toad, does it... What's the claim of a toad? Well, does it really tell, you know, the future? Yes! Oh, okay.

Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Read your fortune, it does. Of course, of course. So, I've got you. Not like that fake up at the Coil of the Empress. Not like that fake.

Coil of the Empress? She's a fake. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Clever Toad's the real one. Sure. All your fortune's here. Hmm. What food and drink was available, sorry, with this?

Well, we don't, yeah, we just do snacks. We do, like, we do the grilled skewers, do grilled vegetables, it's like a little barbecue. We do a little food here and there. We've got drinks, got loads of drinks. Loads of drinks, good. Wine? Somewhere.

Somewhere. Yeah? I figured you would have been happy then. That's fine, don't worry about that noise. That's one of me kids down at the back. Ah, of course. Oh, by the way, that tower outside... Iskit, what are you doing?

Tower outside... Iskit. Iskit. Iskit. Do you know anything about... No, Iskit and Biscuit's the other one. Biscuit's the sister. Do you know anything about the tower outside, by the way?

Which one? Just down the road, five minutes away. There's loads of towers in Biscuit's the sister. Do you know anything about the tower outside, by the way? Which one? There's loads of towers in this. It's full of towers. The large sort of bluey, shiny, silvery... Oh, Ravenstar. It's a spooky mystery, that one, isn't it? There's no door. No door at all. What's it there for?

I heard... You can see that this is the matriarch. This is Taric Taric. She's a bit older than the other kobolds. You can see that this is the matriarch. This is Taric Taric. She's a bit older than the other kobolds. You can see that she doesn't look quite the same. And she's kind of got a little sort of dirty apron on. She's got like very simple kind of like peasant's garb on underneath that. Big bloomers, big pair of like baggy bloomers.

Look like they've been stitched up. She's just like, I remember it was a couple of years ago now for one of the festivals and this elf came out. Yes. They were like, night had come alive. And they came out and they did tricks for all the kids. They gave out little sweets and things like that. Okay.

And then those kids vanished! Did they? No, they didn't. No, okay. That would be a good story, though. Sorry, exciting. But no, it's very mysterious. But yeah, just some seems to come and go.

See birds going in the windows all the time. Really? Yeah, crows and ravens and that, like. And you've never seen anyone prior to that festival? Half of that elf, no. And they just sort of appeared. They flew out, flew down. Very curious. Very curious.

Very curious. Thank you for the information. You're welcome. Oh, and for the room as well. You're welcome. Don't worry about a guide. Like you said, take a left, second door on the right. Don't go in any of our rooms.

I won't. I mean, the key won't work for the other rooms, will it? No, it won't. But I've had people try and break in. If you try and break into our rooms, you'll have to deal with my son. Which one? Oh, he's not out here. Can't let him out here.

Okay, okay. Fucking hell. She kind of now wants to meet the man. I want to know who he is. No, he won't be breaking in to any rooms. Good. But it's good to know that we're protected if someone tries to break in. Oh, yeah, very won't be breaking in to any rooms. Good. But it's good to know that we're protected if someone tries to break in. Oh, yeah, very protected.

Oh, my boy looks after the place, he does, yeah. And I've got the little ones to deal with, you know, deal with the other people. I've spoken to a few of them already, yes. Very busy. Yeah. Bye. Bye!

Right. I put a coin in. Toad squad. Okay. Toad squad! Pull the lever. All the planning and prep for this campaign and the party gets transfixed by a toad.

Boblin the Goblin. You pull the lever. Music begins to play. I was singing along. Eyes open. Glow. Mouth of the toad opens. You will find luck in the dawn of the arch.

Oh, where's the arch? It's beneath some stone if it's the same arch. But the previous prophecy was about the full moon. So maybe it's bad luck in a full moon to go to the arch, but good luck if we go in the day. Okay, okay. I put another coin in there yes good idea just to check just to check if they give more information about the arch okay the music begins to play eyes of the frog open they glow the mouth opens up

The mouth opens up. The knight shall overcome. The maiden in the forest of dreams. He just keeps adding. Okay. I don't know what any of these mean, Rowan. They will come to us. I'm sure of it. I don't feel like any of these mean, Rowan. They will come to us. I'm sure of it.

I don't feel like they will, but I do like the... Forest of dreams. I like the frog's hat. He looks a bit beat up. It's a good hat. It definitely looks a bit frumbled. Yeah. What's Gruff doing? He's just standing behind these two, watching this,

and he's got his arms crossed, his tail's twitching, he's sighing and tutting and just... Dad is displeased. He opens his mouth to say something, sees these two delighted by what's going on and just shuts his mouth and says nothing. OK. sees these two delighted by what's going on and just shuts his mouth and says nothing. Okay. Would you like a go, Gruff?

Gruffeth? I'd rather not waste my money, thank you. It could save a life. I doubt that. I've got four coppers, four bronze left. Just the one. Would you rather not save it for food or drink or pay into the church as a tithe or, you know? Oh, I'd save one bronze for that. But there's still three.

I still think this is blasphemous blasphemous? what do you mean? the fact that Kroff has decided it's blasphemous there's no teaching for it but he's just like no blasphemy witch!

this toad is a witch is a witch should be drowned would do anything it's a toad is a witch! Is a witch! Better shot. Should be drowned! It wouldn't do anything. It's a toad. Would it make you happy if I... Very happy. ...communed with the toad? Yes.

And then we just need Ophelia to do it, and then everybody knows what's happening. Yes. They know what this very dead toad in a box. I'm gonna pre-roll the toad. Magic. Very dead toad in a box. In an inn run by 24 kobolds. Holds for the future. Did think the toad would look a bit more lively.

Put the coin. Pull the lever. Pull the lever. Get the music. Rowan's singing along at this point. Eyes light up, mouth opens. The spire and you shall find luck in the morning of shadows.

It's the same prophecy, but from your perspective. Same prophecy, eh? No, it's very different, but the same. Hearing a lot of the same words. Spurred you. In every single prophecy. Now that you've interacted with the Gruff and Daisy, if you'd like, you can both make arcana checks for me

as well, if you wish. I forgot the word. Or like, you can both make arcana checks for me as well, if you wish. I forgot the... Or investigation, you may also make. Oh, they're the same. Daisy, if you wish to be in childlike wonder and not understand how the toad works, you can choose not to roll. Or just to ignore whatever you just rolled. It's an 11.

It's an 11. 14. 14. With an 11, you could definitely tell Daisy that there's some clever machinery and some magic at work here. I'm not exactly sure how it works, but it's definitely a dead toad. It's definitely not the toad is magic. It is definitely there is some sort of enchantment. For Gruff, you understand a little bit better.

The spell Magic Mouth, there is a spell called Magic Mouth which allows reciting of sayings and things, but you have a feeling that a wizard, either a very bored or very well paid wizard, has taken the time to work with somebody like a clocksmith or somebody like that and basically created a

kind of reel of magic mouths that it spins and randomly selects set phrases and it just repeats and they're all individual different versions of this magic mouth spell that it spins and randomly selects set phrases and it just repeats that, and they're all individual different versions of this Magic Mouse spell with pre, it's just preset phrases and it rotates them around

like a big slot machine basically, like a slot machine of phrases. Daisy doesn't know that. But Gruff, yeah, Daisy doesn't know that. Because all it's done is make her draw a little toad with a wizard hat and now she's gonna keep drawing a little toad with a wizard hat, and now she's going to keep drawing a little toad with a wizard hat. Well, like a nicer looking... Daisy doesn't know exactly how it works,

so it might be that the enchantment is of a divination. You could still believe that there is some sort of fortune-telling spell on this. Gruff, however, knows that it's definitely a machine. It's like a game, it's a toy. While these two are delightfully throwing money at this thing, can I just subtly look at the box and see if there's a name or something? Yes, name the toad.

Oh, the toad doesn't have a name. No, like the wizard or like. Sure, make an investigation check for me. Okay. Oh no, is it SimSams? 19. You find. You search around the base and carved into the bottom of this cabinet,

very subtly done, there is just Z dot Z dot Z dot. He's here! Yes! Fucking hell. That's in the notes. I will chase you from one universe to the next, you motherfucker. You will. Who else was going to make something like this?

Who? Fuck hell. He does have magic. He could have made my fridge. Maybe. Okay. I mean, he literally used a book to transport himself to another world yeah it's magic yeah I hope you get a good cut out of this I

made it fucked off to fund his cake problem um it wasn't a cake sort of problem for new viewers don't worry about it it's a reference it's an ongoing reference it's a multiversal reference. You'll find out at some point. It's a multiversal reference. The most powerful creature. The most powerful. That might be his only showing up in this campaign. Just so as a point. I said that he would appear.

It doesn't mean he's going to always be a big part. Hey, we've got no idea. I'm going on Daisy's new quest is to find out the person who makes the magic toad. Magic frog. Okay. Strong. Any luck with the new prophecies?

Yes, we have plenty to work with. Really? Yes, Gruff also had a prophecy of the same spire. I see, oh, I have a room, by the way. I got a room for four beds. And I spoke to the person there, and I think I see Rowan still like having just the time of his life with this thing. Daisy's kind of got like this wonder as well.

Oh, very real. Very real. So real. Definitely not made by a charlatan. Oh, not made by a charlatan. Oh, not made by a charlatan. I'm like, nodding. Yeah, so if you're having fun with it, have fun with it is all I'm saying. But would anyone like to check out the room?

We shouldn't play with prophecy. No. It's not all fun and games. But it was fun. It was quite fun. It was a lot of fun. We should also see the spire. Promise me that you two aren't going to put

any more money in this, because you'll wear it out. Ro, as you guys. Maybe it'll turn into a curse, you know? As you guys are talking, one of the bar's patrons, one of the tavern's patrons, overhears Ro when he says prophecy, when he out loud is just like talking about prophecy.

And you see that she is a halfling, looks like a labourer, like not like a wealthy individual, but doesn't look drunk or anything like that. They seem to just be enjoying some meat skewers and, you know, a pint of beer or whatever. They've got some friends and she overhears you and she kind of sees you and has been sort of like watching you guys play with the frog and smiling and laughing. And will just say, hello dear,

you seem to be very interested in these prophecies. Very much so, yes. If you are looking for a real prophecy, you could always go and see there's a real oracle here in town.

I've got to find it. She is... She's a real oracle. She speaks for the Dragon Empress. I point at the Clever Toad. These are... She kind of smiles and is like, well, perhaps then prophecies that are less vague and are more personal.

I could refine my prophecy with this oracle, is what you're suggesting. If you are somebody who, if something like destiny and prophecy matters to you, I would go and seek out the Imperial Flame at the Coil of the Empress. The Imperial Flame. That is very kind of you. Of course. Thank you very much. The Imperial Flame at the Coil of the Empress. The Imperial Flame. That is very kind of you. Of course.

Thank you very much. The Imperial Flame. The late Empress. She's not gone. She's still with us. She looks after us. She does. She smiles.

And, yeah. Your name? Oh, Jenny. I'm Rowan. Hello, hello, Rowan. Nice to meet you. She just offers a hand. Oh, Jenny. I'm Rowan. Hello, hello, Rowan. Pleased to meet you. She just offers a hand. I'm Jenny.

I just, I work nearby at the Carpenters Guild. Lovely. Lovely to meet you. We should visit. Oh, no, it's just for carpenters, building things and meetings and all that sort of thing. But, no, you can find me at the Coil of the Empress. I meet with others there. We talk about the the Coil of the Empress. I meet with others there,

where we talk about the flame and talk about the Empress. Coil of the Empress. Yes. Thank you very much for this information. And she will, I don't know if that's on your... It is not. She gives you directions and points you to point six on the map, so down here.

Point number six. Just south of the plaza. That's where the Imperial Flame... The Coil of the Empress, it's called. Number six. Yep, number six. I think that, yeah, I think we'll check that place out someday. Thank you for giving us directions. This is Jenny. This is Xanthius, my best friend.

Hello, hello. Are you staying here at the tavern? No, I live nearby. I come in here for my lunch. I'm just on a bit of a work break. I'm working on some new... I'm a carpenter. I work on some of the barges that come by here. I just overheard and saw your friend enjoying the toad. Mm-hm. And yes, it's...

Because she's only been in the town for a little while now, but, I mean, everything she's told us, everything she says, it comes true. She doesn't just meet with everyone, though. She waits for the right people, and she conveys blessings, and she has the power. She has divine power. Is she known to cry?

I imagine like everyone, I've never seen her cry, but... Oh, is this the... The toad. Right, yes. But no, go there, tell them that you spoke with me, and ask to speak, if you go there and you would like to speak to her, ask for Kiva, the Guide of the Citadel.

Thank you, Jenny. Yes, that was right. Lovely to meet you. Lovely to meet you as well. Can we make a bunch of faces? Is there anything you want to ask me or? No, I'm just trying to remember something from... Guide of the what?

Guide of the Citadel. I was just rereading something about Gruff. Yeah, no. You love toads. Big fan of prophecies too. I'm just wondering if this is the... Jenny, was it? Yes, hello.

You said you believe that the Empress is still alive? Well, I said that she's still with us. Bit misguided, isn't it? No. That's what the Church of the Scions believe. The Church of the Scions are obviously very wise and they guide us in many ways, but there are things that they don't always understand.

Go and speak to Kiva. You'll understand more. But the Empress is not gone. She wouldn't just abandon us. And there are those who hear her and speak to her. He doesn't want to be rude. Sure. I think he'll just nod

and seeing how eager these two were, just say, we should probably go look at that spire you were talking about there, old Xanthias. It's not far. It's just outside the door. Well, and down a little road. I hope you enjoy your time here. And she just far. It's just outside the door. Well, down a little road.

I hope you enjoy your time here. And she just waves as you're sort of heading out. Yep. As we, well, when we're out of earshot, like outside,

walking to this fire. The Siles bless you. She just nods. She doesn't say anything back. Oh, very rude. You boyos might want to be a bit careful around the Imperial Flame. The Imperial Flame? We're not heading to the Imperial Flame. No, but that lady and what she was promising there... An oracle, yes.

...is not... well, the Church of the Scions, they think that the Imperial Flame are a bit deluded. The Empress, unfortunately, bless her name, is dead. They believe she is not. They know something. I'm just saying she seems very friendly, and people can be very friendly up until the point where they're not, because they've got what they want, and what they want is more believers in their faith,

in their interpretation of the faith. If they walk in the guidance of the Empress, I don't see any trouble with that. If they truly believe that the Empress is alive, that may be something else, but... I don't see a problem at least seeing what they have to offer. Just be careful with prophecies. They're a tricky thing.

Why? They're a very tricky thing. They're a little confusing. Those ones in particular are quite confusing, yes. Yes, but one instantly came true. Which one? Was it Crying Maiden? No. What I'm trying to say, Rowan, is...

One of the many that I've bought. Don't necessarily believe everything. Don't necessarily take everything at face value. Why? We can say that this conversation, by the way, is happening as you are walking towards Ravenslaw. I understand, Gruff. People have their own agendas in mind,

and sometimes our agenda is not honest. Jenny seemed lovely, though. Yes, like I said, they always do. Until they aren't. Has something happened to you, Gruffith? No, perhaps I've just been around a bit longer than you. I always do. Until they aren't. Has something happened to you, Gruffydd? No, perhaps I've just been around a bit longer than you. I've seen many charlatans

and people who take advantage, especially of very nice people, very honest people. I've seen very honest people fall afoul of very devious people. We should protect those people. I've seen very honest people fall afoul. Or very devious people. We should protect those people. Yes, we should. As you finish this conversation for Daisy and Gruffydd, you see what I described before, this unusual tower.

And the two boyos lead you to it. And yeah, you see this bizarre, ethereal almost stone and this kind of shimmering, inky black to blue to silver kind of pearlescence. No shadow with these bird-like gargoyles around the tips. And yeah, you see nothing. Santheus, as you draw closer that image, the door appears once more. The rest of you don't see a door. So this is it.

This is what we saw earlier. I mean, the stone itself is, like Rowan was saying, unlike anything he's ever seen, at least. I mean, he's much more well-travelled than I am, especially in the stone department. But there it is, the door. Anyone else pleased? Can you tell?

This shape that's appeared in front of me. No, no. No? Can you see it now, Rowan? Rowan can't see it. You can sense that there is something there, but you can't see it. I cannot see it, no,

but I agree with you there is a door. Okay, well, look, and I'll walk towards, like, I guess where an edge of this door would be, where I see, did you say it was like light coming through, or? Yeah, it's like the Moria door, so it's like silvery, runic, kind of glowing. As the three of you, as Xanthias draws closer to it, and the three of you kind of follow

and are looking at it, trying to see this door, can Daisy, Gruffydd, and Rowan all make wisdom saving throws? Ooh! Okay. 16 plus five, 21. 21. Natural 20.

Total? For a 21. 21. Sorry, not me. Not you. Five. Five. 21 you both got.

You both unfortunately still fail. Holy shit. I got a nat 20. That's the most I can ever get. It is, yeah. For now. The three of you, Daisy, Rowan, and Gruffydd, you look towards this door and like,

Rowan, it's weird. You know that there's something there, but then your mind is like, no, no you know that there's something there but then your mind is like no no there's nothing there like it's like you felt like there was something there and then suddenly you're like no no i'm looking at it there can't possibly be anything there and then daisy and gruff earth as you get you almost like you're you're like you're glancing over it like you're just like what's he talking about there can't be anything there like you're just kind of your eyes and mind are bouncing off this thing um and for out of game purposes there is an effect which is basically causing

you to kind of ignore it almost like kind of pushing your mind away from this place right but in character like so is that like a like an aura thing like even if i step closer to it oh no you're invisible to them okay yeah it's like we don't want to go near it we're just it's not that it's not like an aversion. You should dismiss the notion of it. It's just like a faint enchantment, which is basically causing you to be like, oh, there's no door here.

You're a madman. See, because all the people I've spoken to about this tower has mentioned that only one person has ever come out of here, and no one's ever gone in, and that the door just doesn't exist, and yet... Yeah, it doesn't exist. No, I don't see how. I was mistaken. I don't understand.

It's weird, Ronan, because you remember, you felt that there was something there, but maybe you were mistaken, or. I think we must have seen something, or. We got all excited about the clever toad, it's. Oh no, please, come closer, come, look, I can even, if I like go over and literally touch like the edge of this. Okay, as soon as... If I, like, go over and literally touch, like, the edge of this... Okay, as soon as you touch it, Santheus disappears.

What? And that's where we're going to take the... Oh! It disappears? Okay. Okay. That's the end of part one. We'll see you in part two.

Bye. Bye. Yes. Oh, fuck. Bye. Bye.