High Rollers DnD - Altheya: The Dragon Empire #8 | The Toad and the Tower (Part 2)

Episode Date: January 18, 2024

Xantheus is teleported into the Ravenstar Spire and reveals some secrets to an ancient being! 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. 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. When things heat up, you don't just want a cold one. You want the coldest one.

The cold-loggered, cold-filtered, cold-certified one. Mountain cold refreshment. Coors Light. The chill choice. Visit CoorsLight.ca to learn more. Celebrate responsibly. Must be legal drinking age. Previously, our party have been exploring the town of Ashen Rest, and having finally decided on a place to stay for the evening and engaging in a children's game involving a fortune-telling toad, our party have also gone to explore a location called Ravenstar Spire. On arriving at this tower, Xanthius spotted a figure within who seemed to spot him back, and a doorway was revealed to him, but when he brought the others to explore it,

they seemed unable to see this door, and in fact, upon drawing closer, found that their minds became mired by some sort of enchantment that caused them to dismiss the idea of a door being there. by some sort of enchantment that caused them to dismiss the idea of a door being there. When Xanthias reached up to touch the door, he vanished. Xanthias. Whoopsie doopsie. And I do apologize, team, you might be quiet for a little bit here.

That's okay. If that's all right. We're enjoying the drama. I will try and switch back. But Xanthias, there's a flash of darkness, and you are no longer outside the tower. You appear inside a quite elegant but simple, it's both elegant and simple in its design. A sort of sitting room. You find that there are two chairs, plush, wooden with cushions in front of a table.

Everything here is constructed from the same unusual silvery wood, almost birch-like, but unlike any wood you have ever seen before the room is lit not by windows or sunlight but motes of light that appear to be insectoid or butterfly-like organic as they flitter up on the 15-foot-high ceilings. You can see that there is a staircase, a spiral staircase that leads up. And you also see there are sculptures and paintings. But none of it is of a world or objects that you recognise. The paintings are more, to your eyes, like streaks of colour, None of it is of a world or objects that you recognise.

The paintings are more, to your eyes, like streaks of colour with vague, impressionist almost, shapes of humanoid-like figures. Okay. The sculptures are organic, but yet alien to you. Is there anything of the stone that the tower was constructed? Yeah, the walls and the floor. Okay. All made from the same dark stone.

So it does, I guess, feel like I'm inside the same tower. Feels like it, yeah. You look behind you. There is no door. And a kind of faint scratching sound calls your attention back to the centre of the room. As you see that on a perch, kind of tucked in the corner, maybe you didn't notice it when you were first taking in the room, you see there is a bird.

There is a raven on, like, one of these silvery wood perches. It just kind of cocks its head and is watching you. Kind of makes, like, a faint sort faint sort of like cooing noise. It's like... You see that the table has been laid out with a pitcher of water and two glasses. There are plush cushions on these wooden chairs and you hear footsteps.

So soft, they sound like somebody walking amongst autumn leaves. But there is no foliage here. It is like the brushing of wind as a figure emerges from the staircase. They are pale skinned, very very slim, and they wear long flowing, quite exposing robes of almost gossamer-like silk. Like almost see-through, but not quite. But around their mantle, around their shoulders and their back and a high collar is of black feathers. They wear jewellery around their wrists and arms and fingers made from that strange silvery wood.

Their hair is jet black and long. They wear it in a high ponytail with bangs and strands framing their face. And those details are all quite common, but what would Xanthius, and you have to put yourself in Xanthias' mind here. Sure. What would Xanthias expect an elf to look like?

I mean, well, Xanthias himself is more of elven inclination, I suppose. So, I mean, I don't know if this is different for Alfea, but I guess somewhat like sharp features, the sort of pointy ears. Yeah, this is entirely, it doesn't matter what Alfea, it doesn't matter what the official lore is, this is what Xanthius expects an elf to look like. I see. Yeah, I think they're tall, slender.

Pointed ears, non-pointed ears. Very kind of beautiful and sort of androgynous kind of look to them. That's exactly what this person looks like. Right. But with the long, dark hair, as I mentioned, and all these details. Okay. But they have this almost quintessential elven face. Very calm and very placid.

And they walk down. And you can see that their eyes have almost a soft glow about them, and that same silvery blue. And they walk down, and they are faintly smiling, not a broad smile, just a very faint passing of the lips, and they see you, and they will look towards you. Tuvaren, please, sit. Are you, are you a man? And they see you and they will look towards you. Tuvaren, please, sit. Are you...

I'm being very, like, cautious where I am. I think as I'm, like, walking around this room for the first time, I'm, like, trying not to touch things. They watch you impassively. But as I see them and start to speak to them, I'm kind of moving backwards to where I believe this door to be, if there was an escape. I guess right now there's no sigils on the wall as a way out or anything like that.

A thing that you can see. Very cautious and kind of not feeling entirely safe right now. Are you the one I saw, the figure I saw in the window? Yes. Why have I been allowed to enter this tower? Because there is something unusual about you. I see. And I was curious.

And they are looking at you in a way that nobody has ever looked at you before. Like a piercing stare. But it's unblinking, just drinking you in. And they say, do not worry. For those outside, this will feel like mere moments.

My friend out there spoke of this tower being older than Althea. Older than... Who are you? What is this place? Are we still in Ashenrest?

When you say that, there is a deep sadness. Yes. We are still in Ashenrest. We are still in Ashenrest. We are still in the world that you call Alfea. We are still upon Material Plane. This is my home.

I believe that they, the others in this place, they call it Ravenstar Spire. A pretty name. Some here call me Blackwing. And what is your actual name? They smile, if you wish to know it, though it is difficult for Tuvarin to say. I am Irvena Laethas Irneiweth. I think in that you're correct.

Do you mind, Blackwing? A name is a name. You call me what you wish. As I... I find this concept... What you would call a name is very different to me. My name is more a meaning of my soul. It is not just a moniker. Blackwing will suffice. Please, sit.

Um, before I do... What is it you sensed from me? That I do not know. Something unusual. Something I have not sensed in many who have passed by my tower before. I was curious. One thing I have sensed... When they make their way down and they pull the chair out and they sit, they don't drink the water.

They hold the cup and the water just vanishes, as if slowly being drunk away as they just touch it. They will look at you. But I do know, in your eyes, I have seen something that I have seen in many who have come to visit me. You desire something. You desire something.

Well, I... I wish to learn more of magic. I wish to understand... the power that I now possess. Yes, this statement is true. Learning magic, it is not magic. You have learnt to use magic. I see it in your skin and in your scales. Powerful magic, born within you

there is something else a source of magic that is not your own you desire something you wish to understand something in your time in Althea, what is it you... What do you know about the world of Althea? What do you know about its history?

Very little. I spend most of my time trying to see beauty and art and life as I once knew it. In my home. A home that is long lost to me now. I know little of your world. But I know that what you carry is not Orthaen.

Not truly. That is why I am curious. is not Orthaen, not truly. That is why I am curious. Forgive me, I have trapped you here, I have, you see me as a threat. Not as a threat. As such. I need someone... Someone I can trust. Trust.

A difficult thing in this world. Your lives are so short, so fleeting. Ambition, power, greed. Common drives of this world. How can you trust any idea? That is a question I have been struggling with for the past week or so. is a question I have been struggling with for the past week or so. What I carry for anyone out there,

if they knew, would no doubt be a death sentence. They cock their head curiously. They stand up and they begin to move towards you. And as they pass one of these kind of magical lights, you see that a lot of the lights in this chamber almost give off torchlight, like you would expect. But a couple of the lights here give off another kind of light altogether, as if shining, as if some of the light is that of the

sun and some of it is that of the moon. Where these two lights cross over, it creates a third third type of light, almost golden or silvery dusk or dawn light. And as the figure moves between these lights, part of their face catches one of these beams where the two lights compress and create this dawn or dusk light. And as the elf moves through it, their whole features seem to change. And that image that you, that what Xanthius expects an elf to look like flickers for a moment. And you see almost like bird-like raven feathers protruding from the side of their face and along their arms. Their eyes become black. their eyes become black, their mouth is too wide, there's a flicker of like a glamour breaks, and then as soon as they're out of that half-light,

it changes back to what you expect. But they don't approach aggressively, they approach very naturally. But trust is, of course, it's something we should both hold of each other. And yet, you seem to be hiding. Forgive me. It is not intentional.

The light of your world is very different to the light of mine. Elves like me, of the Feywild, it is a land of dusk and dawn, the light of ever twilight, and within it our true forms are visible. When we are out in the light of Althea

beneath your scions, I believe you call them. There is an instinctual magic, a glamour. You perceive us as you expect to see us. I do not do it intentionally. Please forgive me, Tuvarin. I do not do it intentionally. Please forgive me, Tuvarin. I do not seek to hide. I have no fear of you. I understand.

I think there's a part of me that's almost trying to almost change my expectations, I guess, in some sense. Like, trying to recall that flickering sort of facade. Well, not even facade, their true self, I guess. Yeah, and you do find it, like, you can imagine it, and as you try and imagine it and see this elf with that in mind, you see almost, like, faint remnants of it, but it's so hard to keep hold of.

Yeah, yeah. But you now know that what this elf looks like to you in normal light isn't really how they look yeah and you know that now like you can see that um with this particular elf blackwing um you do not trust the ones who wait for you beyond Do you trust the ones who wait for you beyond? I am learning, too, some of them. I don't know how they would react just yet. Do you wish for me to perceive this power?

Perhaps I can help. I know much of magic. In my world, I was a weaver. We who can take the threads of magic itself, of life, of the fae, of light, of the heart and we weave it, sew it, make it into something new. I am a mage of sorts, capable of creating blessings and spells and charms. Like a weaver, are you able to Are you able to... ..take this thing away from me? I would need to examine it. Uh, they kind of caught their head and they're looking at you in this very bizarre way. This need not be a decision you make now, Tuvalu.

I will be here for many, many, many years. The door, will that be available? I have allowed you to perceive it. I can allow the others to perceive it as well, if I so wish. I hide to protect myself. I hide to protect myself. There are many traitors to my kind who would seek to do me harm.

Traitors in Althea? Yes. Elves who wish to return to the Feywield. But to do so, there is only one way. They must join those who cast us out, join those who betrayed us, slaughtered us. They must become Unseelie. Unseelie?

Forgive me, is there a, an Alfean counterpart to Unseelie? I would not know it if there was. You do not know much of the elves, though I see some traces of our kind's blood within you. From my mother, yes. But I haven't been very close to my family, my lineage. You carry the blood of dragons too. Your mother, she was not a true Elvari. She carried perhaps a grandfather or a grandmother or a great-grandfather or a great-grandmother, perhaps.

I believe so. I am afraid, again, quite distant from any party. The elves came to this Althea approximately 300 years before. We once lived in a world, a planar realm called the Feywild. A place of beauty and life that you cannot imagine, Tuvarin. You simply cannot imagine it. It was a place... And there is this deep remorse, like deep mourning that you feel,

that I can never return to. When we came here, we were pursued by wicked things, terrible creatures. They sought to slaughter my kind and many others for control of the Feywild. Our only... our only way to survive was to sacrifice our immortality,

to disconnect from the planar worlds, and to come here, where we sought refuge. There are many who live here in Althea and in this empire of dragons. I have chosen this place. I find Caldra to be the most lively, full of passion and life. To me, it is as close to home as I can get. And this tower, your home, has been here... since before even Ashenrest was created?

No. I built it. The stone is from the Feywild, and it is older than anything here. This stone... I here. This stone... I first found this stone... while I was still young. You must understand that in the Feywild we do not track years,

we do not track cycles, there is no sun or moon for us to follow. If I were to guess, if I were to try and calculate it, to you I would be 30, 40,000 years old. If you were to calculate it, right. But time passes differently. And there is no way for you to return to this Feywild. If I were, I would be hunted, hunted by the Unseelie.

Even here, their agents try and find us. And this is what brings me to a matter. You seek my assistance with this trouble you find yourself in. And yet you wish to establish trust. That applies for me as well, Tuvarin. I may, perhaps now, perhaps in the future, ask for your assistance. If I learn of threats to my life, or perhaps agents who wish to aid the unseelie, ask for your assistance? If I learn of threats to my life,

or perhaps agents who wish to aid the unseelie, would you return a favour if a favour I provide? If you assist with this problem, then I believe I would owe it to you. That would be... I would owe it to you? That would be... I would be grateful. I can offer other assistance. You and your companions are travellers, I believe, yes? Yes, we are.

Well, as a weaver and as a magician, I have the ability to... ..provide blessings and boons, magic. And I can create..... boons, magic, and I can create items of magical power if you are to bring me resources, ingredients, things that I can use to create with. While I do not yet trust those outside with, uh... Well...

Your problem, T'Varden. Yes, my problem. Would you allow them to enter this tower with me? Yes. Do you wish to do so now? And then perhaps your problem is something we can discuss in private another time. I'm curious to meet them. Two of them carry unusual traits, just like you.

Do they? Hmm. Hmm. It's good to know. But... Hmm. It's good to know. But I think I'd like you to take a everyone's seen like the bandages I have. I would sort of be talking through not necessarily what I know of it as such, but the powers that it's given me. I've been able to cast runic magic.

At least I believe that's what it's called. They look like runes. They come from my hands. They protect me. They allow me to cast spells. But sometimes these spells are empowered. The flames are stronger than ever before, than I believe they reasonably ever would be.

But I have something... that I think the people of Althea would be terrified of. Show me. In that case, I would slowly, like, remove the cloak and, you know, down to what would just be the bandages. I don't know if they get anything from that. As you do, you see

them just very subtly with their hands as threads from their fingertips almost begin to weave out of air. Almost like the air coalesces into these silvery glowing strings. And then they begin to almost like a,

when you do like a cat's cradle, create these shapes. And a mask, like a masquerade mask, appears over their face and it kind of shimmers as they cast a spell, a detection, a divination spell of some kind. And then with the bandages, they are looking intently and they are staring at a spot under the bandages

and you know that they haven't seen it, but they can tell that there is something there. Do you take off the bandages? I don't. Okay. I see what they are able to. There is a momentary pause We'll see what they are able to... There is a momentary pause,

and then you see Blackwing seem to grow immensely. They become nine feet tall. Their hands become like talons. Armor seems to almost shimmer across their body as they hold out a hand. I need you to make a wisdom save. Let's go! What?

Wisdom save. Well, let me ask you a question. Can you beat a DC 23? Maybe with some fate on my side. You can add it to a saving throw. I would like to use some luck in this case. One of these dice, I mean, it's not great. It's not great.

A minus one. All right. You need to roll very high. I do. Oh no, unfortunately not. It's a 14. 14. You feel yourself just freeze up.

What is this? And you hear their voice suddenly very Gandalf when he's talking to Bilbo. The shadows seem to expand and the room now is engulfed in night. Dozens of red-eyed birds begin to appear in the darkness. What terror have you brought? What is this? Tuvarin, do you know what you carry? I can speak.

You can't speak, but this voice is in your head now. I don't wish to carry this thing anymore. I know exactly what it is, and I am just as terrified of it as you are. Within this, within you, is chaos and the fires of the hellion and the light of the lucent peaks merged together into one hideous form. It is like poison in your veins.

And can it be removed? Can you take this away from me? Can I be cured? Shadows begin to retreat and you now see that there is a menagerie of crows and ravens and corvid birds within this room. but Blackwing shrinks back down, and now there is almost a visage of pity. This is beyond my power to remove. It is. It may be possible, but not with my power. This.

This. possible, but not with my power. This... You see Blackwing almost looks up, as if looking up at the sky, and then looks back down. This is of a great power, power beyond me. But But there were once those who stood against it. I may be able to help you, but it will take time to research. How much time? I do not know. You understand time, for me, is somewhat more precious. Yes. You have experienced it once, yes?

Transformation. Yes. And I would happily show the... Show off your glove and you see this hand, these blackened fingers and lines of molten fire. Each time it will take longer and longer for these mutations. You have perhaps 10, 12 before If you are strong of mind, strong of soul, strong of body, you can resist. I may be able to help slow the process,

but this will also take me time to learn. But you have some time before the next change. sometime before the next change. You feel your body become your own again as the whole person spell is dismissed on you. I do not wish to harm you. I hope you know that, or anyone. Be wary, Tuvarin. The words you speak now, I believe.

But as this poison burns through you, your mind, like your body, will change. And that need, that hunger, will grow. If you come to me again, I will expect you to be of sound mind. If you come to me and I believe that you are lost, I will make sure that you do not threaten anyone again. For you are an anathema of light and freedom and life.

I would expect nothing less. When they mentioned the people that stood before, is this something I'm aware of, I guess, as a first little inkling? I don't know if this is a... People that you stood before. When he said the people I would look for are the ones that stood against.

You can make a history check. Okay. As an elf, they are being a bit vague and cryptic, but you might be able to piece it together. Okay. I mean, if Tom has an idea, then I'm fine with Xanthius having that idea. But if you are asking me,

Mark, can you give me a hint, then that's what the role is for. Sure, that's what it is. If there was some piece of lore that I might have missed, then... But I got a... What was it? A 15.

15. You suspect that they mean the proto-magic. I see. Okay. Yeah. I'll just find those. Easy. Easy peasy.

Oh, Tom. They, Blackwing, will look at you and just nod. My offer to assist you still stands. And should your companions wish to come and speak with me, I shall make the way open to them. I have boons and blessings and enchantments. And as I said, if you find materials or things of power and you wish for me to craft things for you, it can be done.

I will be watching, Tuvarin. I would very much welcome the assistance. And as I said before, I do wish to help you, but I... Now that can be assured. And as I said before, I do wish to help you, but I... Now that can be assured I will ask for in exchange. They gesture with their hand, and on the wall behind you where you initially began, you see the same silvery runes appear to create a doorway.

I'll start heading over towards that, but saying to them, I am sorry for all you have experienced, and especially sorry for what I bring to you today. They smile, in a kind of a slightly patronizing way, unfortunately. There is a kind of like an adult laughing at a child who said something, right?

Like, oh, bless you. It's that kind of like, oh, sweet thing. Do not be sad for me, Tuvarin. I kind of have enough sadness for ourselves. And do not fear. I am not darkened by what you have brought here. I am afraid for you, if nothing else. I simply do not wish to see more death and destruction. Me too.

And that is what you carry. Mm-hmm. Farewell. We spoke of names. I apologize. Tuvarin is a name I give to all of your kind.

What is the moniker, the name by which others call you? Xanthius. Or a gun. Or just Xanthius. Xanthius. Blackwing bows their head. I will be watching. And then they just stare.

I will, yeah, put a hand to the door again. You are outside again. For Gruff, Daisy and Rowan, it's been maybe a minute. Xanthius walked up, he touched the tower, and then he vanished. What do you guys do? Daisy is probably trying to find the door where he disappeared.

Cold stone, yeah, just touching. Yep, make an investigation check for me. What is my investigation? Rowan's panicked. Xanthius? 13. 13, you're like, there's no scene, there's no nothing, like it's just stone, like, it's like he just vanished,

like he cast a spell or something. Yeah, Rowan's like, you know, you're panicking. Where is he? I'm looking at, like, footsteps on the ground. None. In case he's like runaway invisible for whatever reason. Yeah, I mean, make a perception check for me. Sure. You start like,

because there is grass and stuff, so you're trying to find if there's tracks or something. Can't see anything. Nothing. What about Gruff? He's trying to climb the tower. Okay. So just start trying to abseil the tower.

Yeah, sure. Like claws out, just trying to... There's no thought he's panicking. Do you have a climb speed? I was looking at this. Tabaxi do. Leonin don't. What a shame.

Athletics check then, please. This is a perfectly smooth stone. There is no foothold or handholds. I know. Him knows. 17. 17. There's just nothing.

It's like you dig your claws in, but the stone is so hard you can't get your claws in. There's just nothing. Like, it's like you dig your claws in, but the stone is so hard you can't get your claws in. There's just no purchase. You're like jumping up, trying to grab stuff. There's just, yeah, you can't climb it. Swear and a lot. Yeah. Rowan shouts, tower, return Xanthius to us.

Yeah, you shout it down. At once. So what was the prophecy? What did the prophecy say? What did it say about the spire? The maiden's... Is anyone crying right now? A little bit, yeah.

I'm crying. The maiden cries, and then the shadow of the spire lingers. There is no shadow. Clem, a turn, what do you mean? What is this prophecy? Scrabbling at the stone. So still just like, yeah.

You probably hear like, you know, you guys are shouting a lot. You do get somebody, there's like on the other side of the street, there's like several sort of townhouses and like businesses. And you do like an old lady kind of, be quiet down there.

I'm trying to sleep what's all this racket for um tis noon time madam i'll sleep when i want shut up yeah just just bloody travelers i'm gonna start to look around the rest of the town. I'm going to try and do a circle. Yeah, because you guys are making checks and stuff. Rowan's patting on the ground trying to search for stuff. You're shouting up.

Gruff's trying to climb it. About a minute after, Xanthia's... You just appear at the base of the tower. I'm expecting to see them exactly as I left them because they said to me, like, Yeah, only a moment. Only a moment passed, yeah. But I look around, can I see anyone immediately? Yeah, you see Rowan on his knees, like,

Tyler! Daisy just like crying, just like, Woo-hoo! Ross just sliding down the side of the wall. Woo-hoo! What is happening? By the silence of space, Xantius!

Where did you go? Where have you been, young man? Thank you, spy. I went into the tower, through the door, like I said. There's not a door! There's no door. When you guys now look, there is now a door. You guys now see the same thing Xanthius did,

this silvery blue outline of a door. There was no door. There definitely wasn't a door. I was telling you about the door, and now there's a door. I was inside the tower. I met with a very powerful, I believe, mage, who said they can assist us.

Well, did you just go in and have a two-second conversation about help and then come back out? You've been gone for no time. What do you mean you've had a conversation? Two seconds, a minute, ten, twenty. Felt like a long time. An eternity. An eternity.

I can assure you I have not been in there for an eternity. I just, for some reason, I was chosen, maybe because of my magical ability, to enter the tower. And when I spoke to them, they said they were more than happy to let you come with me next time I decide to enter the tower. And they would assist us with enchantments, with magical things.

What were you trying to do? Climb the tower. You were trying to- Brock was trying to climb. Why? You disappeared. You're my charge. There's no door. I just vanished. Yes. You just disappeared.

Okay. What was he supposed to do? That's a good question. Clearly. I appreciate the concern. And what were you shouting? Nothing. You might have prayed to the clever toad. Slightly.

Oh, of course. You really shouldn't do that. Pray. I was desperate. No, pray to the scions, not to dead toads. I did that too. Okay. I was cursing the toad.

Gruff, you are the only one to notice this. I don't think anybody else has passive perception 15 or higher. I think Gruff is the only one. No, you're not. Feels pretty good, huh? I know. Yeah. Gruff, you're the only one to notice this.

Out of the top window, one of these windows that's high up, that you would try and climb up to, a raven basically flies out and lands on the roofs of the, it flies out of the tower, and it just lands on one of the streetlights. All around Ashenrest, there are these metal streetlights. And they're not licks, it's the middle of the day, but it lands on top and it's just watching the four of you.

It's just like a raven, just flies out. Just watching the four of you. It's just like a raven. Just flies out. Well, again, I appreciate the concern. If you, I'm safe, I'm fine. Well, do you want to go back into the tower? Because now we can see the door, so. If you'd like to enter, I mean.

And it's safe, not dangerous. It's totally safe. Very interesting mage in there. They didn't possess you, did they? I don't feel possessed. I still feel like Xanthius. Did you put your clothes back on? Yes.

I would assume he did his sharp and stuff. If you are Xanthius... Who's he going to pinch him on the arm? It's a bit scaly. Okay, what? It's me. I'm not illusory. I'm not possessed. I had to check.

I don't know. You disappeared through a non-existent door, and now there's a door. And I don't know what's real anymore. If you are Lord Xanthius, where did we meet? Not Lord Xanthius. On the road outside Burnell, I was infirm, vulnerable.

Weak. Weak. No, it was infirm, vulnerable... Weak. Weak. No, it was not weak. The third one. Meek. Traitor. I saw Xanthius vent, he's the Amogus. He's the Amogus.

Well, vote Rowan. Meek, meek, not weak! Infirm and vulnerable. That's the three things that I was. Outside Burnell, that's where we met. You were playing a song about pebbles. You have a very, very fancy dagger, and there's another one, Ophelia. I don't say another one. It's Ophelia. She has a skeleton friend, which I don't say so loudly that everyone around me...

What did he say? A skeleton? No, I'm joking. She's just eating sweets. No, she's a bit of a fucker. Well, if we've been granted entry, we should meet this powerful mage. I don't see why not.

They wish to help us in our travels. But us? Yes. Do they have anything to do with the birdie that's watching us? I mean, it's just like a crow, right? It's a raven, sorry. A point at the raven. Yeah, you guys all now see the same raven.

It's watching. Possibly, I suppose so. I'm going to wave at the raven. It flew out the window. In that case? The one I was trying to climb. Most likely then, yes. I could have climbed up there, you know.

I really believe you could. I take that back. I don't think there's any chance. I would have given it a bloody good try. I'm sure you would have. And I appreciate the attempt that you did make. I can see a couple of scratches. Actually, would there even be any claw marks in this stone?

No. No. It's there. Claw's too hard. Didn't even No, no. It's there. Class two. Didn't even go into it. It's too hard. By all means, lead the way. All you have to do is just touch the door and you'll be transported in there.

What's the problem? Makes me vomit. What does? Transporti spells. If it helps, it was just a tiny little bit of darkness, and then you're there. It didn't feel like anything to me. You'll be fine. I can stay outside if you want to stay outside. No, I need to see who Xanthias' new friend is.

Okay. All right, Rowan touches it, Rowan vanishes. Daisy? Oh, that's what it looked like. Yeah, no, Rowan touches it. Rowan vanishes. Daisy? Oh, that's what it looked like. Yeah, no, that would be terrifying. Rowan! Tower!

Climb the wall, yes? Praise the toad. No, don't praise the toad. That's blasphemous. Get in there. I will touch the door. Sure. Touch the door.

All right, well, Rowan's the first to arrive, but you actually all appear almost simultaneously. You arrive in the same area that I described before, a kind of sitting room. This time there are five chairs around a table, each wonderfully padded like cushions, like I said, all that silvery wood-like texture, the dark stone walls, a I said, all that silvery, wood-like texture, the dark stone walls, a spiral staircase, et cetera.

There is a crow in here on that perch that seems to be looking over everything. And you can see admiring a painting is a figure. Like I said, the same description that I gave generically, the gossamer thin robes, the black hair tied up in a high ponytail, very pale. But to each of you, it is whatever your character expects an elf to look like, right? So if Gruff hasn't encountered or if you've met elves, you know, elves are very rare. I should point out that an actual true elf, somebody who is half elven or elven descended,

a bit more common. So things like pointy ears, that's kind of like expected. But a true, true elf is quite rare. So it's whatever your character would expect like a true elf to be. And most of you know that elves come from another world. They come from another plane. You know that that is where the elves came from originally. Even if you don't know the full story,

you would know that they are these other planar creatures. Daisy. Hello. In your mind, you hear your friend. Nim will just say to you, little one, I... Of all of my foes, the elvenkind, it is not so much I trust them. They are masters of trickery and deception, illusion, enchantment. But of

all of the planar realms, they were the closest thing we could call allies. Well, that's really good. Yay! Just be cautious. They are tricky and vague and strange. And I know that they paid a great price to come to your world. Well, okay, so usual, be cautious, as normal, but kind of maybe good thing. As you're having this conversation, the figure turns around and is staring directly at Daisy.

As if they can hear the conversation you're having. Ben, can they hear you? I don't know. I didn't think they would be able to. No. The figure just stares. You are all friends of Xanthias. Welcome. You may call me Blackwing, a name that

is most commonly given to me. It is a pleasure to meet you, Blackwing. I am Rowan. And this is Gruffydd. You just nod. Of Tremorro. Of Tremorro. Up in Iceheart.

And this is Daisy of nearby. Goodbye. Hi. The figure begins to drift towards you. And there is this kind of alien, uncomfortable, like... If you met somebody and they just immediately walked very intensely up to you, like, quite close, there is this unnaturalness to their social behaviour. And they almost, like, walk directly up to you.

And they are tall as well. They're not quite um rowan tall but they're probably about six foot two you know they're tall and they look down at you Is someone there? I think yes. I like stare into your eyes and to you their eyes almost look like these soft glowing blue irises like almost white you know pure pearlescent kind of look. I sense a familiar sensation here. No it's just me. I sense a familiar sensation here. No, it's just me.

I am sorry. What? You have given up much to be here. In a different way to me and my kind. You must bond like this. I am sorry. I do not believe we ever met on the battlefield. But I apologize if we have caused one another pain before.

Nim is silent. Welcome. Do we hear that? Oh, Blackwing is saying this out loud. Blackwing will turn and say, You are all welcome guests here. Please, would you care for food or drink? Oh, that's so very kind of you. Very generous indeed. Of course.

I'm peckish. You wave a hand and you see little cakes. Little cakes. Like little fruits that are like almost sweet candied fruits that are laid out on like a platter, little plates, and glasses of a juice, like a fruit juice, just materialize on the table. Please sit.

Yeah, we'll... Yeah, I think I'd feel... Look around for approval, but we'll be edging towards it all. Yeah, I would be probably more, I would obviously be more comfortable than others, I suppose, having been here before. But yeah, I'd take a seat, and I just thought

you might like to meet those that were waiting for me outside. Indeed. You are travellers and you accompany Xanthius. I wished to offer my services. I am... In my world I would be called a weaver

similar to a magician or a mage here. And I have enchantments and blessings and I am capable of creating magical artefacts if I'm provided with the right materials. Wow. I ask for coin or favors or services in return for such things, but

I'm always willing to help others. I don't have that much money. It sounds all very extravagant. It need not be. I have simple things for simple needs, and I do not always. Coin is not something I require. Quite often, perhaps a favor or a promise would suffice. Now. Is there something you need, Rowan,

or something I can help you with? Only information right now. If I have it to give, information I believe should be shared freely. Good. I know Xanthias is special. But what drew you to him? He carries a special magic which sparked my curiosity, and it will lead me to ask questions that I have yet to ask myself. Rowan, is I rubbing his temples? OK. You carry something unusual about you as well.

I sense old magic. This, when you bring out the loot, Blackwing, very normally impassive, very neutral in emotion, but you see tears in their eyes, and they hold it for a moment. They don't react, they don't sniffle or rub the tears away. They don't, they don't pog.

They do drop. They do kind of drop down their face, and then as they fall off their skin, they just seem to evaporate and twinkle away. What a beautiful instrument. Yes. May I hold it? Of course.

Sostenuto. Sostenuto. Sostenuto. Please meet Blackwing. Black... You see, Blackwing talks to the loot. Blackwing is the name that this place has given me. I am Irvena Laethas Irneoweth. And he's talking to the loot

you are a thing of exquisite beauty crafted with such love and life and they turn it over in their hands and they begin to play it Rowan starts bawling but holding it back so he can listen to the music well I will say this for the rest of you blackwing doesn't play as well as rowan does like you've heard rowan play it and it

is incredible they are competent but you can tell they're not a musician but they play it with skill like this is like imagine if a friend of yours who'd never played an instrument in their life picked it up and really played it quite well but didn didn't quite play it like Mozart level or something like that. But they still play it incredibly well. So when Rowan plays it, we can hear almost this symphony behind it, the feelings. You don't hear that. It's just...

It is a lute. It is a really nice lute. Yeah, you hear a really nice lute. But this is... You get the sense that this isn't Blackwing playing it because they want to play a lute. There's something else here, and they play it very softly, and the melody, Rowan, hits you.

It is tragic. This is a lament. And you can, they're not singing, but their mouth is moving as if they're mouthing words in a language that you don't speak. And then they play a few, maybe a chord or two, maybe sing a verse, and then they steal the notes and they pass it back to you. Thank you.

It is very rare to encounter such works in this world. I am not prepared to encounter such works in this world. Such an instrument would be at home in the Feywild. Please. And they will reach out, and they will touch your arm, Rowan, and you see magic begin to fill sort of the air around Rowan as a dawn golden light kind of reaches out

from Blackwing's hands and infuses into him. Blackwing will grant you the blessing of dawn, Rowan. Oh. This will grant you plus 10 movement speed for 24 hours. Oh, wow. Cool. 10's pretty good. I thank you.

A blessing I normally give to those who seek my powers, but for introducing me to such a gift, please. Sostenuto, although a small part, has taken a share of your sorrowful burden. Thank you. In its song. That seems to resonate deeply with Blackwing, and they just nod their head. And I believe that we have Gruffydd of Tremorro. I must admit I know very little of the world beyond Caldra

and of your world entirely. Please, is there anything I can help you with? I, uh... Probably not. Although, could you enchant my staff? To provide an enchantment, I would need reagents, materials, and things like that. If you can bring them to me, if you find anything unusual, I can likely do so. But not with anything I have to hand.

The bird. Because there's engravings of birds on the staff and things, isn't there? Very amateur, I'd say. Like, Groff's done it himself. Yeah, OK. But I can see that there is a minor enchantment placed upon it already. A spirit of a bird. I have an affinity for birds myself.

Illusion. I didn't want to bring my birds with me. I didn't want them to be in danger. But I could only afford for one bird to be imbued into the staff. One illusion. And really, I'd quite like Ira to join Saren. I miss them both. I don't want one to think I favour them over the other.

They get very jealous. I do indeed. With these enchantments... I do not know how the mages and enchanters of your world perform these, but I could do such a thing for you. But I would require, um... the spirit of... of a bird-like figure, of something to use in attunement and to...

to consume in orderunement and to consume in order to provide this magical power. If you were able to provide the feather of a powerful, magical beast, a griffon or some such, one of its feathers, I might be able to provide this enchantment for you. It would need to be fresh, something from a fair griffon alive, not one that has been dead for a long time. But if you encounter such a thing,

I would be able to provide it. I'll bear that in mind, thank you. Allow me to give you this, perhaps in compensation for being unable to assist you. And they will go over and they will snap off a piece of wood from their crow's branch. They just snap off like a twig, sort of about four inches wide. And they hold it.

And then you begin to see the wood almost begins to warp and grow and twist as it creates a bird, an ice diver-like shape, like a wooden, not statue, almost like it's made shape, like a wooden, not statue, almost like it's made from twigs and sticks, but it kind of grows off like branches. And they place it in your hand, Gruff, in your paw. This totem will allow you to speak with birds for an hour. It will be consumed in its use, but.

Thank you. A small gift. That's a lovely blessing. I wish that I could speak to my two, but too far away. But it would be very nice to speak with birds all the same. They have much wisdom. Birds are... In the Feywild, they are seen as creatures of great wisdom. Cunning. Perhaps they will provide answers when humans cannot. When Tuvadan cannot. You and I have already spoken. We have.

But I... We are hoping to go meet the Duke soon. Indeed. The Duke Ignarius is a character, I believe. Oh, you know him. to go meet the Duke soon. Indeed. The Duke Ignarius is a character, I believe. Oh, you know, I'd say. I have dealt with the Duke a few times. He was kind enough to grant me permission to build my tower here,

to provide me with the space to grow it and to place it. And in return, I have provided magical assistance from time to time and given him advice. I find him many of the Duke's kind. The Red Dragons I have found to be a little vain and arrogant. And the Duke has those qualities too, but they can be quite endearing in him. I enjoy his company, and it is nice to speak with a creature The Duke has those qualities too, but they can be quite endearing in him. I enjoy his company, and it is nice to speak with a creature who understands the wisdom of ages as well.

Okay, well, we have been fortunate enough to receive a Duke's favor. We just don't really know what to use it on, I suppose. Well, first of all, we have to book an appointment with the Tuvar. But we have to book an appointment and so on and so forth. But it's good to know that you have spoken with them before. Are you asking me for advice on what your favour should be used for, or is that simply something you mentioned?

Forgive me, sometimes I do not understand the subtleties of Tuvaran interactions. I don't think it hurts. Any recommendations that you may have? Well, do you intend to travel the roads forever? Perhaps the Duke is in a position like myself. When I came here, I asked for a place to call my own a spot of land to build my tower upon

perhaps that is something that would be of benefit to you even if it is only temporary tower an inch taller than this one I'm assuming Rowan doesn't say that that was all Chris Trott even if one is not intending to be here for the rest of your life and doesn't say that. Kristross is that. That was all Kristross. Even if one is not intending to be here for the rest of your life, having somewhere to call your own

certainly will save your coin purse, I believe. Mm-hmm. And what of you? I speak now to Daisy. That's correct. I'm just, I don't know, I'm just. Is there anything that I can help you with? Knowledge, a blessing, a gift?

For you, or? Maybe. I don't know. Daisy just is like, like a rabbit in headlights. It's like, ah! I think in her head she'll say to Nim, do you need anything? Can we trust the person?

They can probably hear me just now, so... I think that I wouldn't say as far as we trust them, but this one has clearly separated themselves from the other elves. They gave up on the planar realms. I have no quarrel with this one, but I don't need anything from them. You, you're everything I need. Oh, well, that's nice.

Yeah, I should find my thing. They might be able to help you. I mean, I just wanted to make sure that they weren't... I don't know what to do when someone can maybe potentially hear you, so, you know, that's kind of weird. They... Black Queen doesn't show any sign of, like, reacting to the conversation you're having.

You're not sure if they can... They are looking as if they can hear you, but you don't know if they can hear you. But they're just doing that thing where they're just staring into you, like boring into your soul. I go, the self sure is a weird person. Nothing?

Oh, okay. I thought they might react. For us, are you just slightly... They're just staring at each other. Rowan interjects. You could glow like me. Glowing's nice. Sure. I don't mind. I'm fine. But if you have anything that you think might help. Wow. Have you ever wished to fly like a bird?

Yeah. They will snap off the other half of the branch that the crow is sitting on. The crow just flies off and lands on her shoulder. It lands onto their shoulder. God damn it. And they take that and very much like the ice diver, this time it shapes into a crow, like it becomes like a little crow.

And even the silver would become slightly darker and black to match the crow's feathers. And they will hand it to you. This totem will break when you use it, but it will allow you to become a bird for one hour. And then you can speak to gruff. You will be limited. You will not be able to speak,

but you will retain your mind. Thank you. You are welcome. I give these gifts as a way of earning trust and to show kindness. I trust you. Thank you. I will not always be able to assist.

But I hope that I can in the future. I will need to do much research and thinking on some matters, but you are always welcome as my guests for drinks or food. I have sequestered myself away for too long. Perhaps I have been caught up in the tragedy of my people for too long. Perhaps I have been caught up in the tragedy of my people for too long. I like to, I like it when there is music and cheering and laughter within the streets when the festivals come. That is normally when I leave the Tower. It reminds me a little

of the festivals we had back home. But please, it's always nice to have guests. Well, if you wish to learn more of Althea and lands beyond Caldra, then I hope that we can provide some more light and music to your stay here. Thank you, Xanthias. Now that Nim is okay and doesn't have any quarrel with Yael, Daisy's going to be taking the fruit. Okay.

She was kind of frozen for a bit, but now she's like, run. It's wonderful. It's quite sweet, but it's very wonderful. It's very flavorful, especially the fruits. But yeah, and Blackwing, like just to kind of like shorten time blackwing will probably make small talk like ask you little bits about like where are you from or like tell me about yourself or like you know tell me about ice heart and things like that wanting to learn a little bit more about like where you come from and cultures and customs

and things like that um doesn't reveal too much about themselves or about elves, but will generally give you the broad strokes of things, if asked. But unless you guys have got any specific questions or things you want to talk about with Blackwing, we can just say some time passes and you guys make acquaintance. And at this point, yeah, Blackwing basically becomes a person that you now know in the town that you can maybe go to if you have specific matters. Are they as open about their past and stuff as they were with Xen? person that you now know in the town that you can maybe go to if you have specific matters are they

as open about like their past and stuff as they were with like zen yes they will give the broad strokes so they will talk about the what is called the fall of the elves or the exile of the elves the exodus of the elves um they talk about that as a matter um not in great detail they kind of give you the the overview they don't go into the the detailed topics but they talk about how the sealy uh the unsealy sorry the hags the formians and the dark fey basically overthrew the elves um in a great coup in the fey wield and the only the elves who survived along with several other fey creatures um centaurs satyrs gnomes and a few others basically had to sacrifice their planar immortality to transport themselves to the material world which the material plane was kind of protected and secluded from the other planes but the elves knew about it and knew that they could send themselves there

but to do so they would basically have to become mortal basically um because planar creatures if they get killed they generally just reform on their plane, and that's why the fighting is eternal. Whereas the elves are now mortal. The only other thing that maybe picks up is, I suppose Ophelia's not here, I don't know, would any of you ask about, as Blackwing is telling the story,

would any of you ask what happens if you die? Or ask a question about death or mortality? That's such an Ophelia question. Yeah. I don't think I would. I mean, Gruff just fully believes what he's been taught in his life. If it doesn't come up, then I won't say anything. Because Blackwing won't talk about that

unless it's something that he's brought up. But yeah, they give you the broad strokes about it. Most elves, most true elves in Elmera still live in Mistwall, the Green Dragon's province, because it's the most like the Feywild in terms of terrain. It's very natural, it's very forested, things like that. Blackwing came here because Caldra is very lively and passionate and there's lots of colour and music and things like that,

and that's why they came here. You get the impression that Blackwing lived in a elven city rather than out in the wilderness, and that's why they feel more comfortable here. At some point, Black Rowan will just subtly speak to Blackwing, while everyone else is like tucking into snacks or something. Maybe it's not important right now.

We have other pressing matters, and I'm sure there's others that have more important things to do. But it would be nice if you have knowledge, or I might ask you about something. Something in the future? Of course. I'm pursuing something. Yes.

My knowledge of magic and things is vast, but my knowledge of things here in Arthur is more limited. If there is a way I can help you, you are always welcome to ask. And if I do not know the answers, perhaps I can point you in the right direction to find them. Right. Well, we'll get other things out of the way first. My door is always welcome to... I have removed the enchantment that obscures my doorway to all of you. If there are any others of your companionship that you wish to allow passage, please bring them here and I will.

Yes, Ophelia and Percival, they're our best friends. Bring them to my tower. Do we just say their names? You will need to bring them to the tower, and then I will unlock the way. Right. I will allow them to see past my illusions. We'll do just that, thank you.

Of course. see past my illusions. We'll do just that, thank you. Of course. Well, it has been wonderful to have you and I hope that I can provide you answers or some comforts

or just assistance. They will bow their head. May the blessings of Vornay and Llewelyn go with you. Lilwyn. Yeah. Vunay and Llewelyn. Vunay and Lilwyn. Lilwyn. Lilwyn. It's very Welsh. Lilwyn. And may the Silvari bless you Silvari a dragon in the province of

Iceheart oh right oh right Silvari okay you mean that's the dragon right yeah you said province and that confused me

same thing I was like yeah they don't seem to like obviously to them that doesn't mean anything. Yeah. Same way that she, what they say. Same nice stuff, innit? Yeah, yeah, exactly.

All right. Being polite. You probably spent like an hour sort of having a chit chat, eating some snacks, everything else. Yeah, just getting some. Seems pretty cool. Get some magic on our side.

Yeah. Not bad. Well, with that, it is about four minutes. Seems pretty cool. Get some magic on our side? Yeah. Bad? Well, with that, it is about four o'clock in the afternoon. Okay. It is springtime, so the sun is beginning to set,

but it's probably about an hour or so out. I'm guessing we don't know necessarily while we're in the tower, but does time still go slower for everyone when we're in? No, it seems that that might have been a one-time thing for you, whereas once everyone came in, it just seems like it's normal. Okay. It seems like it might be something Blackwing chose to do. Cool. Not bad. Yeah, so time just passes regularly now.

It is, yeah. You must be very special, Xanthius. Why is that? To be the first invited into such. Well, as they mentioned, the strange magic that I am yet to fully understand. Yes, strange. The sigils, the runes, the way it protects me,

it's quite new to me. The fire that hurts you. The fire hurts quite a lot of people, really, if you get too close. Yes, it does. But yes, I hope to learn more about it in order to protect all of us. And I believe they may help.

And they might help all of us as well with enchantments and magic and an understanding of everything that we are. With that, just before we wrap up the episode, I would like to know, what do you plan on doing next? Like I said, it's about four o'clock, so you've still got loads of time. It's going to become night time soon, but the city doesn't stop until very late. The city will still be most shops and places and places of interest will be open. It's going to become nighttime soon, but the city doesn't stop until very late. The city will still be... Most shops and places of interest will be open.

It's been quite a while since we exfoliated. You have a room booked. Where would you like to go next? I should also point out on our map, because I just realized that you would have passed it on your way to the Clever Toad and the Spire at point number 10,

you would have seen that there is a sign out the front. I'll just describe it to you, actually, and then give it to you. A few minutes off the Central Plaza, on the main street as you pass, is a vibrant shop with a large front bay window and beautifully carved wooden beams. Various plants grow in window boxes and hanging baskets all around the building and inside it. So it's kind of like very Fantasia,

like these little like clockwork kind of things. And the sign says Aquilos Alchemical. And it's an alchemy shop. I'm going to need you to speak. Yeah. Is there... Which number was Dante's as well? Dante's is number nine.

Yeah. And this is number 10. And it is A-Q... Mm-hmm. U-I...L-O-S-Alchemical. A-L-C-H-E-M-I-C-A-L. Nice. Aquilo.

Aquilo's Alchemical. And it's an alchemy shop. So you would just pass that and you can mark that on the map, let you know it. Is there any, like, I'm guessing, you know, healing potions and so on and so forth. Is there any indication? You would need to go in and speak to the shopkeeper. Okay.

Know about that kind of stuff. I will tell you now, healing potions, as they are in normal D&D, are very exceptionally rare and they're not going to work the same way that you do in D&D. A healing potion in this world, and I think I mentioned this before, it is like you drink it, it knits your wounds back together, it's a huge chunk of health.

It is basically like a get-back-in-the-fight potion. It's not like a, oh, I need 10 hit points, somebody's on zero, get them up kind of thing. Rarer, more expensive. It's more substantial. It's the kind of thing of like, yeah, if you're down and somebody pours one of these healing potions, you are back in the fight properly, right?

But they are very rare and they're very expensive. What is more common, and you guys would know this, you kind of travel around a little bit, maybe you've heard stories. What is far more common is things like vitality potions, which will give you temporary hit points to represent you kind of getting energy or like, you know, your wounds kind of, you know, not necessarily being damaged,

but your skin being tougher and things like that. So rather than it being like a way to get somebody up who's down up, it is a way though of saying, well, I can take a vitality potion, get a bunch of temp HP, and then if I get attacked, it's coming off that, not my real hit points, right? And then there are things like healing solves.

All solves, too. Which you can use during short rests. If you don't want to spend hit dice, you can use these to give actual hit points back. Right. But they take a long time, so you have to do them on a short rest or a long rest. So basically hit dice.

Uh-huh, yeah. They're basically giving you free hit dice, yeah. And for some of the non-fighters, So basically hit dice. Uh-huh, yeah. They're basically giving you free hit dice. And for some of the non-fighters, these healing salves, healing salves, they're probably better than your hit dice because they're actually D10s.

Like a healing salve is normally going to be a D10, basically. Okay. And then the other thing... Supposedly stronger. Yeah, basically. But only during a short rest. You can't use them in a fight. And then another common thing, which these are the three things which you can buy here, by the way, are weapon oils.

So these are things that you can pour on a weapon. It lasts about 10 minutes or on 10 pieces of ammunition like arrows. And they give you like default fire, cold, or lightning damage. It's very Dark Souls-y, like you pour it on a thing, you get 10 minutes of burning weapon, basically. Oh, that's cool. It doesn't make it magical. So if you're fighting a creature that's magic-resistant,

your normal damage is still resisted, but that fire or frost or lightning might not be, but it doesn't count as a magical weapon. And what is it to apply? Bonus action for all of them, except the salves. The salves are short rest. Yeah, yeah. Same with the vitality potion,

same with an actual healing healing potion. Weapon oil, they're all bonus action. So you can do them on your turn and then still attack. Yeah, I was going to say, if it's like mid-fight, we realize that we took fire or whatever. Yeah, you don't need to do a witcher and do it beforehand and stuff like that. You can do it in a fight. It's more like they'll just pour it over the weapon

and it pops off. Cool, nice. But the duration is pretty much a fight. Like it's a fight. Oh, okay, it's not just one action. No, no, no, it will last for a fight. Like, it's a fight. Oh, okay. It's not just one action. No, no, no. It will last for a fight. Okay, nice.

And then the vitality potions, yeah, it's temporary hit points instead. And you can get vitality potions, like old-school D&D potions. There's, like, greater ones, masterwork ones, and they do more and more and more and so forth. Okay. Yeah, in terms of, like, plans next time if someone else had something immediately. Gruff.

Gruff. Whether or not someone goes with him or doesn't, or he does it on his own, he doesn't mind. But he would like to go to the cathedral to talk to the holy knights and ask them some questions about... The Right Shadow Cathedral. Well, you are very close to that right now.

The Right Shadow. Right Shadow Cathedral. Who was he told by? Oh yeah, the person, the master raider. Recommended that he go and talk to the holy knights at the cathedral. Don't believe we have it numbered, but we can put it on there.

So this is point 20. Bright shadow cathedral. Right, so I'll put that down for something Gruff would like to do. And then if anybody wants to go with Gruff, you can. It is an impressive building. Like, you can see it from where you are now. It is a grand, we are talking like a massive cathedral. It looks very rich.

It looks to be very popular as well. And coming towards sundown, there probably would be a holy service, and all of you who are, especially Gruff, being quite religious, there will be a service to Melia, the goddess of the moon, the kind of shadowed goddess, would probably be happening around sundown. So just as the sun sets and it turns to night, there is normally a service to Melia.

Same as at dawn, there is a service to Pyrrhus, the goddess of the sun. All right, anything else from anybody else? Make an appointment. is normally a service to Mele. Same as at dawn, there is a service to Pyrrhus, the goddess of the sun. All right, anything else from anybody else? Make an appointment. Yeah, I think finally making a... So you wanna head to the Dominus Ignarum. Dominus! Yeah, we should be, what, 30, 40 minutes away?

Ignorinus! I think Rowan, depending on how much time we have pre-that, would definitely want an oracle's insight before we... Blasphemer! So maybe while Gruff is going to the Church of the Scions, you go off to the other one. I'm going to go play music. It is next to the Dominus Ignarum,

that massive gate to get into that place, at least. It is, yeah, it's on the way, yeah. House of Blasphemersous Blasphemer. In the sight of the church. And we can pick up Ophelia on the way to the Dominus Ignarum as well, provided she's not passed out and under a table or something. No, she is not. She gives me the impression she could drink forever.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Nothing would happen. That's a fucking good toad. That's a good toad. For podcast listeners, that's a fucking good toad it's a good side the podcast listeners that's a good toad um all right well with that in mind i think that's a great place to wrap up this time's episode and then we can pick up we could do another three hours i mean we could you want to put up another three oh i mean listen i'm in a very fortunate position where i did a ton of like prep work on

we've got a home the town so I could probably do another three. I am genuinely really impressed with all of these places that we've been to have just been so... Alive. And also, just keep in mind, by all means, you don't have to visit everywhere, you don't have to follow up on every thread.

There's going to be a lot of stuff here. It's side quests. Yes. I realise we have... Oh, we haven't even... You've not gone to the bounty board yet. Oh, no. Which is going to be a full-on, like...

You cannot say that to me. Well, those aren't even the side quests that NPCs give you. Like, exactly. Like, I've given you a very specific little side quest. Where is that? Oh, you haven't found it yet. So, with that... Three will kill us't found it yet. With that... Rhi will kill us if we carry on.

Thank you so much, everybody. That is going to be it for this part of High Rollers. This is episode eight, and I do quite like the idea of the Toad in the Tower. So episode eight, the Toad in the Tower. Thank you very much for joining us. We'll see you next time. Take care. We love you.

Bye-bye. Bye-bye. Bye. Bye now.