High Rollers DnD - Breakers of the Curse | Altheya: The Dragon Empire #118 (Part 1)

Episode Date: September 15, 2026

The heroes return to Emberissa's estate to meet with old allies as they prepare to break the curse of the Diadem's tattoo! Can't wait for Part 2 of each episode? Join our Patreon to get early access EVERY week (+ a few other bonuses)! www.patreon.com/HighRollers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________ Boost your Charisma with some HR merch! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://highrollersdnd.teemill.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Add official High Rollers Minis to your TTRPG collection here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://only-games.co/collections/high-rollers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bless your table with the Clever Toad Dice Set: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dispeldice.com/collections/high-rollers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enhance your bath time experience with the official Altheya themed DiceBombs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://geekyclean.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.highrollersdnd.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for all the latest HR News! Love the podcast? Give us a glittering 5 star review! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/high-rollers-dnd/id1401508198?see-all=reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound, TCT Adventures (Solasta: Crown of the Magisters), Monument Studios and Jolene Khor! Check out Jolene Khor and all her wonderful work on High Rollers on Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/1WX3ICiTmf4GpHwImnQMs6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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You should listen to our show, Tales from the Stinky Dragon. It's an immersive D&D actual play show with a fully voiced cast of characters, plus sound design. And then I finished my action with a high five. Go ahead and make a dexterity check. That's an 18. Oh, that's a good high five. I rolled a 16 on initiative.

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wherever you listen to podcast today. Hello, and welcome back to Althea the Dragon Empire. Our heroes finished up investigating the Opel Lounge, trying to learn as much as they could about the diadem. During this, Xanthius also began to investigate the magical tattoos put on Faria and Alejandro, hoping to find a way to remove them. During this process, Alejandro's tattoo was activated and caused him immense mental pain. But Xanthius did discover key information for suppressing and removing the tattoos, though they lacked the elements required to try removal in the moment.

Things did become quite tense, as Ophelia, Xanthius and Vricks considered killing Alejandro, out of mercy and for convenience. But Rowan sought Gruff and the other three, along with Daisy, interjected and stopped them. As time wore on, they decided to polymorph Alejandro and Dimension Door Faria out of the lounge. Just as it seems, the wormguard discovered the secret entrance and began to investigate, leaving Xanthius, Ophelia, Gruff, and Vricks to flee the scene. However, their bad luck resulted in being spotted by a griffin rider on the lounge's roof, and Vricks, seeking to fulfill her contract,

leapt onto the Griffin and attempted to wrestle it to the ground, buying the other three time to leap off the roof and escape into the streets, leaving the Dynastian warrior to be arrested, defiantly shouting against the diadem and claiming victory. The heroes that then fled, trying to avoid the main streets and guard patrols, costing them valuable time as they make their way back towards the Ignarius estate, hoping to seek Lady Verithera and other allies in their help removing these tattoos. And that, my friends, is where we're going to pick things back up. It is about 3 a.m. in the morning. The street lights, the lanterns of Kelskaris are on

and a few taverns have dull glows in their windows but the streets are quiet, eerily quiet. The Ignarius estate looms before you and you can see that there are a few dim lights on within. You stand outside the gates. You currently have Farrier who is adjusting the lead-lined gloves on his arms.

I believe the polymorph of Alejandro would have worn off as it's only an hour and you have been wandering these streets for quite some time. So either you could keep it topped up, but he also seems to be in a state where he will just follow sort of very absent-mindedly. He does not seem to be very cognizant in what is happening. And if you sort of even just take him by the hand or lead him by the arm, he will just follow whoever is sort of pulling him in a direction.

Seems very supplicant. It is late. So if there is anything before you head inside, otherwise I will assume you make your way in. I imagine this has been a very awkward walk. It's been four hours of sneak running, I think, right? I think you really haven't had much time to talk or think about what has happened because it has been a case of you've been hiding from guard patrols,

you've gotten lost, you've been trying to circumnavigate your way around, and the guard are active in the city, certainly as you were closer to Volt Watch, and that has spread out. It seems that word of some sort of attack has spread out, and there are patrols. So trying to avoid the wormguard wherever possible, you have used the back streets and the sort of alleyways, rather than going down the main streets.

During that time, have we picked up on any of the, or even heard, I don't know, on the streets or whatever, like the conversations from the guards of like who they're looking for or... I think you would catch glimpses but not much. You would hear that, like, you would hear like, there's been an attack in Volt Watch. They arrested some sort of dynastian, blah, blah, blah, blah.

There were others with them, but you don't hear too much about that. Okay. Are you both still in disguise? Xanthius is not a filialist. Does it last for just as long as you wear it? She's still wearing it, so... Mm-hmm, okay. It's a physical, yeah, physical disguise.

Yeah, physical disguise. I mean, it will deteriorate. Yeah. You know, I'd say, like, certainly anything more than eight hours probably is, you know, it's going to start falling apart. Yeah, so I guess for the Griffin Rider that got us full look at us before they were wrestled to the ground. Yeah, you and Gruff were very, yeah, Xanthius and Gruff definitely were recognized.

Now, how much trouble that will cause you in the future? Hard to say. Hmm. You have powerful allies like Malcolm Toon, who may be able to pull some strings. But also, if they didn't get a name, you know, they have a description, they might be able to match that to the records

of you entering the city, but, you know, it's, who knows? The diadem already know all of us. Yeah, the diadem certainly do. That's fine. All right. There was no way around it, though, really. Also, we're not to worry about wormguards,

because they're like, what, that big? Yeah, tiny. Yeah? I mean, slow worms are pretty big, though. That's true. But that's not slow guard, is it? No, but what if they have like the Dune-style worms? Oh my god.

Oh, I didn't think of that. Yeah. And we could ride them. I will make it clear we are using the W-Y-R-N-B-W. What, this whole time? Yeah, the whole time. I'm thinking about the Dune. So before we head into the Ignarious estate,

if there is nothing else, we will roll fate. Okay. I could do it. Watch this. Oh, fuck! That's a dice for you. I got two. This one.

Trez. Two, one for me. The D6s with pink writing always do well for me. I got a one. Another one for me. Five. And another one for you, lovely. Well, it's up to me once again.

Will Stevens win out? One, that's a dight for me. Not even Stevens at least. No, I'm not even. Good. It's odd Bob. It's odd Bob. Satch.

Hmm. You make your way up to, you make your way up to, you make your way. away up to the gates leading into the Ignarius estate. There are the late evening guards set by the actual entrance into the house who are expecting you. One nods. One seems to go in ahead of you, maybe to deliver a word that you've arrived.

The other one opens the door and lets you through. She's like, quick, hurry. Sure you or not? Very clearly does not want you to be seen. Did we message ahead? Yeah. Yeah, yes, I did. Because I, no, I messaged Malady.

Malady. You message Malady, but they seem to be expecting you. So I guess, well, I guess if Malady went there. Through the worm garden. I feel like would Ophelia have gone to get Percy from the inn? We can say that you've got Percy with him. Yes, yeah. You wouldn't have forgotten. Does he have my Xbox?

I leave it up to Ophi. Yeah, if it was in the room, then, yeah, I think Ophelia would. Have him grab it? Percy would have it, yeah. Grab anything that was left behind. Yeah, anything that was left in the room, yeah. What do you enjoy again? Yeah.

He's played, what would you have played? I will remind you it to make-up box. Let's be very clear. No, no, what's he played? Original four, sir. Need for Speed Underground? Oh, yeah. No, that was on place.

Jade Empire. Mm-hmm. Good game. Very good game. Biowear. Byware. Good time. So, you have everyone gathered, and you make your way inside.

Most of the estate is dark, but you can, You can see that in a large lounge, a fire has been lit, and you can sense that there are multiple people inside. When you enter quite a large group of you with the five of you, Percy, Alejandro and Farrier now, so eight of you in total, you look and see probably the first figure stood by the fire, looming, tall and imperious, is Lord Obsidio. Oh shit.

Cool. Stood with his back facing towards where you enter. Uh-oh. Like kind of looking into the fire, he sort of glances over his shoulder. Sat down at a small table just inside. You see Sister Malady sipping her herbal tea, her remedy. Sister Superior, sorry, Sister Superior Malady. And Sister Superior Benedicta, as always stood at her side,

her ever protective guardian and, you know, attendant. On the sofas, sort of in the center of the room, two sofas facing each other in front of the fire, you see Lady Ambrissa, and you see Sir Eldrach, and Lady Verithira on the other side. Quite the crowd. A collection of daddies. How are you all stood, and where are the three that you've brought?

Well, I suppose the two. Percy counts as one of you. So you have the six of you. Where are Farrier and Alejandro, at this point? I think Rowan would be assisting Alejandro. Yeah. Yeah, he's, I imagine that, yeah. Maybe groth.

You've kind of got like, you've got your hand and like his arm. You've kind of like, not hooked it in a room, but you're kind of like guiding him. And he's just head down. He's been sort of muttering to himself, you know. Occasionally he's like glancing around. Like he can see things that you guys can't. I imagine when Xanthias met up with him,

I sort of passed Farrier, Farrier's guard back away. to you because I dimension toward him, but if you come back, I'll probably, he's your friend, so allow you to, well, more that I would imagine that you wanted to make sure he's okay. We think Domsom, and we skipped the entire way. Fab, fantastic.

He seems like the type, yeah, to skip with you. He seems real pleased. Again, where Alejandro is next to Rowan? So are you, where are you guys? I guess he's leading to charge, I suppose. It's Rowan, Alejandro Gruff. Okay. either side. I guess we're probably first. Sure. So where are Xanthius,

Ophelia, Daisy and Faria specifically? Probably coming in behind, just quite quiet. Yeah, we'll be ahead of Daisy. Yeah, I think... In Ophelia are pretty chill right now. I think Ophelia would just be like taking off her costume bits as she walks in, just making herself feel more normal. I'm kairying. Can I get from everybody your passive perception and insight. Not from me. Hang, give me a second.

Give me a second. Such a very personal question. I'm not telling you. I've lost it anyway. Daisy, perception, passive perception. 19. And then insight? 15.

15. Zantheis. Perception? Passive perception, please. Eight. Passive insight. 12. Graph.

Oh, laugh. 15. Rowan. He's never perceived before. 16 for perception, 14 for insight. Insight and then Ophelia. Both 14 for me. Both 14.

Gruff and Daisy. I hate it's all. He's all low. He's mad. There is a still, there is a stillness to Lord Obscilius. Glancing around the room, you don't get the sense that he's mad. He's concerned. You get the sense that there's concern, not in a loving way,

in a paranoid kind of way, just a worry of general. and Sister Malady and Benedicta calm, you know, looking as relaxed as possible. Lady Verithera just looks a little nervous and a little unsure. Emberissa relaxed, perhaps a little sort of curious as to what's happened. It is Eldrack. As soon as Farrier draws close, you begin to see Eldrack's arm begin to tremor. He turns pale, sweating. No one else has noticed this yet.

It probably won't be long. What do you do? I still have a group chat with gruff and Rowan. You have maybe six seconds here, until somebody maybe notices what's about to happen. Eldraq knows Farrier. No, I will make it clear. You don't think he knows him. Farrier has crown steel in his arms.

Oh, so he... I'm not El-Dak's addicted to it. And El-Drak, well, you get the sense that this is some reaction to being close to Crown Steel. Don't forget, Zanthius' Crown Steel is completely shrouded and protected. Can I pull Zanthius and Farior back? Because I'm at the back.

Can I pull them behind me? Yeah, yeah. And just say, take him out. We'll kill him. No, take him out. Okay, okay, I'm going. Yeah, so you pull that. Let me just make a couple of checks here

to see if anybody, what people notice of this. I mean, I'm not being subtle. No, I know. But, like, there is also a lot going on, like the others have all entered the room. Is it only Daisy the nurse? Gruffin. Gruffend.

It's like Gruffin, Daisy. All right, so Rowan is kind of just taken back by this sudden movement. Yeah. Yeah, you guys can play it how you want to. I would whisper to Rowan, like, because you're nearest, like, Elchuk.

Like, like, points. Oh, right. Yes. As you pull them back, Daisy, and, you know, how far you pulling Farrier and Zanthias back? I'm gonna pull them behind me and then turn and say to Zanthius, take him out of the room immediately.

What's happening? What's going on? Take him out the room. Okay, okay, I'm going. So, Farrier looks to you like, what the hell's going on? I don't know, I have no idea. So where do the two of you go? It's important that I know the positioning of Farrier. I mean, we came in through a door, right?

Like, I guess I would literally just... You know the layout of the estate, right? know, like, you could take him out into the gardens, you could go upstairs, you can get far away from the room you were just in, or you can go out into the street. I mean, I think I would literally just the other side of the door and close it shut behind me, but, like, I don't know... Okay, 100% why I'm doing it.

I didn't see at all. I've also not fucking wise. Would it be too quick for Rowan to turn around? Too much of her, because I didn't notice, so El-Drag. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, you definitely noticed Daisy, like, shoving Xanthius and then Zanthius shutting the door. And at what point do you reckon the whisper would have come in?

I think maybe at the same time that Daisy... Probably, like, shubs them back. Yeah. I'll just gesture to Xanthius. Mm. He's gritting his teeth and rubbing his core on. That's the last thing you see before the door shut, Zanthias. Rowan's got an edge.

I think we need to sense with it, yeah. Yeah, Farrier just looks like, what the fuck? I thought these people were going to help me? They should still help you. It's normally a lot smoother than this. Trust me. Daisy and Graf, El-Drak suddenly clutches like his chest. He almost looks like, and you see Emberissa.

It's like, what's wrong? Son, what's wrong? Are you all right? What's very feodor? What's happening? What's wrong with him? Excuse me, Rowan, take Alejandro for a moment. Perhaps El-Drak needs to be excused

and I will walk immediately. after Santhias and Farrier. So you open the door and head back out. You see them literally stood on the other side of the door. It's okay. We can keep going. We can keep going further if you want. We might need to go from it,

and I would say it in a whisper. So, I'll track with the crown steel. Oh, oh. Oh, Farrier. Oh, okay. He's reacting to it. Shit, right. We're going to... Maybe far away from this room, I don't know.

Okay. Let's go. Those of you, so I think at this point it's just Ophelia, Rowan, Daisy in the room. Obsidious has watched this, and with a very careful eyes, looking at Eldraq, looking at the door, looking at Xanthia shoving this man away. Oh shit, because he didn't know. Obsidius didn't know what? Eldrack.

You see Verithira. The El Drac had the crest. Oh shit. Verithira gets up. That reaction, we're fucking fantastic. It's real. Verithera gets up, immediately rushes to Eldragg's side. Elsa, Eldra, I think perhaps this is too late for you.

You need more rest. I think perhaps we should get you to bed and get you up to. I think perhaps this late night awakening is causing some problems. Um, Obsidious just sort of raises an eyebrow. Is everything all right? Yes, it's just Sir El Dorac has not been well since his recovery, but I will attend to him, Lord Obsidius. Please, do not worry, do not trouble yourself.

I will return shortly. I'll leave him with me, Lady Ambrissa. Get the sense that she almost went to call her just, she went to call her something else, and then she had to, like, quickly backtrack. El Drac is like, baby. I do not, I do not feel very well. I'm so thirsty, I'm so hungry. It's like, all right, we will get your food, do not.

And she literally just, like, picks him up like a baby. Like, you know, she's a dragon in human form. She just kind of picks him up. And with one hand, there's, like, a gust of wind. The doors open. And she will check to see where have those, like, gruff Xanthias Farrier. Like... I guess...

I mean, I guess I would just... I wouldn't even think about going upstairs necessarily. I think I'd just keep going to... The far ends, like the kitchen and stuff. Yeah, like, if we're trying to avoid Eldrack, I don't know where his rooms are, I would assume they're upstairs. Like I said, you have a vague idea. You know that he's got rooms upstairs.

Yeah. You know, he's got a bedroom. So I wouldn't be going upstairs. I would just be... Sure, you go to the furthest point in the kitchen. Are they passing me when they exit the room? Yeah, they are. Can I say to graph, which part of the mansion are you in?

Where you're going? Oh, are you still in the kitchen? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, go too. Far kitchen, basically. Far kitchen, basically. You're like taking you to the far end of the kitchen, Our kitchen. I think they want to get something to eat to them on the way out.

Okay, yeah, very fair. Make a role for obsidias. Grohl is feeling the vapors. He gets his sugar up. Very theor is like, oh, good. Thank you, Daisy. I will be back shortly, my friends. And just whisks him away.

Emberissa is very worried. Like she's watching kind of like nervously, unsure of what's happening, unsure of what just happened. Obsidious is definitely looking at Daisy. You can see he kind of watches you. I'm going to say to grow. Obsidious is looking at me.

He's going to question me. Come back. By the signs, by the signs, by the science, by the science. Oh my God. Who is Xanthus' new friend, Daisy? Someone that he knew when he was young. We have only just met. at him today.

Interesting. It felt like there was a way to turn it off because I would mute that shit so hard. Systemality, you see just, it's kind of smiling. Delightful tea. He puts it down. That was an entrance. Quite.

I assume after a while, what do you guys do? Farrier and Zanthias and Gruff have moved to the far end of this kitchen. I think Roman would try and distract the topic. Sure. Showing Alejandro. We have an ailed person here, very infirm, very vulnerable. Unfortunately, by our hand.

What happened? Not by our hand. I think we need to stop saying by our hand, because there wasn't us who did anything to him. It was a diadem. Okay. We didn't care. He has a tattoo.

He's an agent of the diadem. Yes. You've brought him here? Yes, we felt... What happened to him? I can see that something has happened to his mind. The tattoo triggered once. Yes.

And this is the effect? Yes. Mm, curious. I examined Nixomist's tattoo, and I was aware that it had effects that could be triggered, one of these being this mental... but I was not aware that it was this potent.

Curious. Yes, the effect was quite strong. I witnessed it. This happened a few hours ago, and he's still in this state. Verithira will have a better idea of damage done to his psyche, but I can at least tell that whatever magic this is, this is even beyond what I was expecting. What is... what is the goal here?

Are you hoping that we can hear? heal this man so we can get information from him? I can gather, I can get into his mind and gather information if his mind is returned. Rowan kind of squints a little bit at Obsidious. Mm-hmm. We're doing the right thing. Yes. Stopping the diadem. Helping someone.

This man. Yes. Looks a man. All he's been saying since this happened is he said he wants to go home over and over and over and over. Well, yes, I imagine that when one suffers the consequences of one's actions, one does tend to regret and perhaps whimpers and wishes for such a thing. But perhaps you should have thought of that before he joined this organization. Some people don't get that choice. We don't know their story. No, but I can find out once his mind is settled. At least we agree that they need help.

Well, he's of no use like this. That's for certain. He wasn't particularly cooperative before this, either. Ah, my dear sister, Ophelia, I have methods that perhaps you do not. I'm sure you do. Yes. I can ensure he's cooperative.

Yeah, Rowan doesn't look at Obsidious anymore. Mm-hmm. Emberus is just like, why... You've brought this criminal here to help him. Are you hoping, is this, is this you, are you hoping that Lady Verithera will help him, or are you going to help him, one of you? Why, why, you understand bringing him here is considerable risk.

To not only, or to our legacy and to our reputation as well. But if he was found by the people in the diadem, then they could extract him. information about us. I suppose. I'm sorry for embroiling you in this. Thank you, Rowan. But...

We didn't want to leave it. It was a risk. And I offered you my home. You are the safest place that we thought to in the spur of the moment, so... I understand, and I did offer you my home, but thank you. If we can get this matter resolved quickly and have him out of here, Lord Obsidious, my brother has also said that you caused quite a stir in Vault Watch. Now, I only have to have him.

have so much political power here, but basically let's try to not cause too much of a stir in the next few days. We can hopefully lay low if this gentleman can be out of here and not that will give us some time to handle this. But it will be difficult. We appreciate all the help even just letting us in, thank you. Of course. I offered you my and as you know. Not under these terms, so we understand. But I offered it to you and I owe you a great debt, as I have mentioned.

So, for now, yes. Do as you see fit. I'm going to go check on Eldrack. I'm worried about him. Yes, he went very pale. He hasn't been that hill in some time. He's been recovering. I don't know what happened.

I'll go and speak with Verithira and return shortly. Return shortly. She gets up her enormous nine-foot draconic form as she makes her way out of the door, sort of moving past you, leaving you with just obsidious, Malady and Benedicta. In the chain, I'll sit.

I think you can come back now. He's been taken away to rest. So let's cut over to the kitchen with gruff. Santhia. So things with our allies are a little bit complicated. I'm sure you understand. But you will be safe here. I know this place is...

Will I? Oh yes, absolutely. This place is amazing. Don't worry. I don't own it. But are you hungry? Would you like anything to eat? I'll go reading through cupboards. No, I'm not hungry, Zanthias. Biscuits?

Okay, you're saying it's safe from... I'm assuming you mean from people outside. I'm a bit more concerned about the three dragons that were just in that room. Yeah. Yeah. Which ones do you want to know about specifically? All of them.

All of them. Okay, well, the one standing by the fire is obsidious. We've helped him a lot in Ash and Rest. And then there's Verifera. Verifera is, you're looking at me very weirdly. You do understand I'm a criminal. You've brought me to the home of these three dragons. I'm a member of the diadem. I'm a criminal. Yes.

And you're sure they're going to help me and not throw me in a dungeon. Well, the good news is, under the eyes of the Scion, I'm a criminal having this, and they've helped me an awful lot. Okay. I don't know if the accommodations they're making for you are going to extend to me. I'll make sure they do. Three dragons, Antheus. Okay. I'm really quite convincing. He looks at you, Gruff.

I want to hear it from somebody who's not currently hyped up on his own legend. Your pride is showing. Am I in danger? We all are. They will help. They know about crown steel. Do they? Turns out quite a lot of people do.

I mean, obviously everybody knows about it, but, I mean, if they know that I've got... I guess they must... Do they know about Santhius? All of them? Just obsidious, right? Obsidious. No, malady does. And verithera does as well.

So it's just empericera. So it's just Emberissa doesn't they're asking about the dragons. Everyone in that room that wasn't Lady Emberissa. The female dragon. A red dragon. But again, you've done things. You've earned their trust. I'm nobody, I'm a stranger.

Are they, I don't know if they're going to give me the same protections that they give you. Especially that black and red dragon. He gave me a funny look when we left. I will not allow them to harm you. I believe that from you. You seem a good, a good man. Master Farrier. Just farrier, please. The master is very unnecessary.

I am a knight-errant from the order of the loyal hounds. My first tenant is to protect the meek, the infirm and the vulnerable. I think I count for that last one. And I will protect you. Thank you. It's not... You're very powerful. I've seen that. I've seen that. Three dragons.

And also, yeah, what happened with the dragon born? He got sick when we came in. Is he alright? It's not contagious for anything. He has crownsteel sickness. He must have reacted to your arms. Mine is shielded. Yeah, you're shielded. We might be able to find some way to extend that to you as well.

I'm willing to do some tests. You're very optimistic. Yeah. Now I... You shouldn't have brought me here. If he's crowned so crap, if he has that sickness, you shouldn't have brought me here.

It was a grave oversight. I must admit. My thought was, there are components here for me to cast greater restoration. Right. The cobalds in this household were getting me diamond dust. Right, okay.

And also the sister superior is there. They can also cast powerful... They're from the church. They can also cast powerful magics. I need their resistance. Fuck. And you're sure they're not going to try and kill me or throw me anywhere? They know everything about Santhius and he still stands before you.

I would not have contacted someone I did not trust. Okay. Okay. If this gets rid of the tattoo, I'm all for it. I will do my best by you. And look, we've... Okay, if we're talking about it, it seems like we can talk here. We've been traveling together for a few hours now.

You should know these gloves, they don't shield the whole thing. Like, that's probably why this guy, that Eldrack guy, reacted. Like, I can't be around people for too long because I know it affects them. We're probably got a good few hours left, but I shouldn't be around any of you for too much longer. much longer. All they do is dampen it. They make it less intense. But it's dangerous for me to be around people. Malia Di Malady and Benedicta might also be able to help with that. They deal with

transporting and recovering crowds deal all the time. It's in these anties. Yeah. Unless they're gonna cut my arms off. I'm a very optimistic person. Well, let's get this over with. Do we want Faria to come back with us into that room? It's probably when you get the message from Daisy saying that they've taken out dragon stuff. What about the other dragons? What do you mean?

Obsidious. What about, I don't know, what about Obsidious? That's why I'm saying, do we want Farrier to go back in the room? Indirect line of sight of Lord Obsidious. I mean, he's already seen that I'm here. He caught me when we walked in. And then when Daisy bundled this out, he saw me. If I say it's good to go in, I think it's good to go in.

Okay. So I think at this point, yeah, like the three of them return. It's been a little awkward silence. As you guys make your way back in, Obsidious is now directly facing the door, like it's timed as full attention as you enter. And there is this just silent moment where there is just everyone's looking at each other.

Benedicta, steely gazed, it's sort of, you get the sense that out of everyone, she's probably the one out of place, out of sorts, most of all, but it's trying to suss out what's happening. Malady, just with her gaunt, thin face, the greasy sort of hair slicked across her scalp, you know, her hat resting on the table, just sort of takes out a notebook, takes out an ink pen, just begins to write something.

Thank you, Malady and Benedicta, for responding to my sending. It's rather urgent. It, unfortunately, is quite... You called for ritual expertise. Yes, and I apologize for the late hour as well. It's all right. It's all right. I think you've upset Benedicta with that more than me.

I don't tend to sleep very well these days. But yes, it's quite a curious thing. And it's intriguing to be in the presence of Lord Asidious again as well. Did you also call for his expertise? I did, yes. Thank you as well. Lord Obsidious for... How was the journey? It was fine. I used some of my magic to teleport here after I'd put my affairs in order.

You contacted me very late at night. Yes, sorry about that as well. But when I arrived at Vault Watch, it seems that whatever you were doing, the place was a mess. There were guards. There were people. searching the place, I saw a dynastien being bundled off towards the central district. Fricks, yes. And I assumed that as I could not see you in the district and you were not being arrested, that you had managed to elude the guard there, but I did not know where you were.

And I assumed that if you would either contact me again or you would make your way here. Yes, well, unfortunately the stone you gave me only once a day. Yes. Thank you for coming down anyway. As I mentioned, diadem, safe house, whatever it was, gone. Dismantled, I suppose. Rowan and Daisy have already informed him that this one,

the tattoo has been triggered, their mind has been broken, and you wish to heal or help them. I wish to heal or help Farrier. in what way? Also has a tattoo. They are also a diadem agent. Unwilling, diadem agent, captured around the same time that...

Deception check. That is not true. It was not captured. He was blackmailed into it, but he was not captured. Not massively dissimilar to what he told me. But that's fine, because I've got deception out of the wazoo. Watch this drive. Oh my God.

Don't say that. Deception. Okay. Okay, okay. He is not like being forced entirely against his will. He was sort of like, it's mafia-esque. He's not forced into it. That is a 19. Please and thank you.

There seems to be a lot of these diadem agents who are not doing so with their own will that they are being forced into it. Horrible group. I'm aware of it. of the group. Yes, I know. But either way, tattoos, finding a way to remove them,

will help more of those unwilling agents. If we wish to do the right thing and rescue those people, it doesn't hurt to learn about those tattoos, understand how they work, why they work, maybe their origin as well. I'm aware of how they work. I simply do not have the magic. the magic required to remove them is not a kind that I have access to. It is magics of a more divine or primal nature, not of the arcane.

Your lordship, I believe I can a supply from what Santius has told me at least some of this magic. Yes, you can. As can systemality and as can Lady Vera Thira. I'm aware of this. I know the spell that can be done, it can be used to undo it. I simply cannot do it or help. What I can do

is get information from their minds or from them if they are they connected are either of these two connected to Oregon's and the Crown still we do not believe so

they were lower agents is it just us and obsidious and Alejandra right now Malady and Benedicta as well huh I find that interesting just the obsidious just says Crownsteer?

I mean, Melody's spoken to Obsidious. This is, like, kind of, like, the little, your little, um, uh, conspiracy of, like, a group of people. Like, you know, everybody in this room currently is, well, perhaps not Farrier, but everyone here is kind of aware that Xanthius has got

crowned still in his chest, like, that you're all sort of working against Oregonis, like. I think they worked with each other at one point as well. They certainly have had conversations together. Yeah. Of all the agents, Alahandra appeared to be one of the more higher-ups in that building at the time. How many rings? Five, I believe.

Five-ring agent. And what of you, Dragonborn? He speaks to Faria. Technically only three, but as Xanthius says, it's not exactly by choice. What does that mean? Not exactly by choice? Well, let's just say they don't look very kindly on people that run out on them. Faria has also given us a lot of information, everything he knows, freely. And in return, he wants free of this tattoo, I assume.

He deserves it. We very rarely get what we deserve, Griffith. But if that is the price, if that is what you have offered to him. As I said, I cannot help with the tattoo removal, but it seems you've gathered systemality here, who I believe can, and Lady Vera Thira is also capable of doing so. Her healing magics will be of great use to you.

What is it you want me to do, then? Why send for me? Well, I was hoping for advice on the tattoo, but also, yes, like you said, gathering information. The diadem will be scrambling, I imagine, it is late hour after what we just did. did to their safe house. There might be some movements you can track, some people you can spot, interrogate, discover more so we can continue to strike against them. My power in Kelskaris,

my contacts are limited, but I will do what I can. I am chiefly my concern. The diadem's greater aspirations, their greater business, I'm not interested in. I do not care for whatever else is happening. What I care about. is there involvement with Oregonis and involvement with the Crown Steel? You say this one and he points Alejandro may know something of that? I believe so, yes.

More than what you have already gathered from other investigations? No. You don't think he knows more than what you already have? I think I know more. You're telling the truth, right? Because I think, yeah, that's pretty on it. Sirius looks at you hard, rough.

I am happy to speak with you, but my priority right now. Troiology right now is Faria. I believe you. I do not think you are a man who would lie to me, Griffith. Very well. So this Alejandro has nothing useful connecting to the Crownsdale in Oregonis.

Then do with him as you wish. I have no interest in him now. His, whatever you do with him is up to you. He wasn't a named agent. He was below that status. I think we learned more from what we found from Perido. Will you, and you will provide me this information. Absolutely. Good. In that case...

We may actually perhaps need your assistance. It's an event that is happening soon. That is something I'm interested in. Very well. I will leave you with this matter then, but I will remain here in the city. I will speak with what contacts I have. And I will try to undo some of the damage. Zanthius and Gruffeth, you were specifically identified. Yes. It was chaotic, but I believe so.

Your rest of the dynastian will do good to help cover up and to lay blame. The Worm Guard will have their scapegoat. Yes. Rowan. Is it possible that we can help Fricks? Our dynastian friend? Help in what way? They've been arrested.

Yes. They were caught ready. handed after attacking a bar, a lounge in the city. They did it for us. And? They deserve... That doesn't change the reality, Roman. They were arrested.

They are being taken to the central chambers to a prison right now. There is nothing. They are being held by some of the elite guards of the city. Do you intend to break them out? No, I was hoping... You know, you do lots of things that bend the roars. Yeah. I mean, it's not our...

Our sole purpose. Taking a... Taking a diadem agent out of a small barracks like Ash and Rest. That I can do. Abducting a dynastian from the central chambers, one of the most closely guarded, fortified buildings in the city. I'm not so arrogant to believe that my powers are all encompassing. Your dynastian friend has been arrested.

They did whatever they did. to help you, now you must live with that. They will buy you an opportunity for me to perhaps smooth things over and maybe perhaps these guards will forget that they saw Xantheos and Gruff and they will instead focus on the one that they have apprehended.

Your friend has done a lot. They have. If I could help them, I would. Beyond my reach. Very well. I cannot fix everything. No. That's all right. We'll fix it.

I would encourage you and I advise you, leave your friend where they are. They committed crime. They were witness. They were caught, red-handed by the Worm Guard. There's nothing you can do. They made their choice. Live with it. Like I said,

not everything is so binary. I'm afraid that in matters of law, law in the empire. Some things are, but I will leave it to you. If you wish to get yourself arrested and thrown in jail alongside your dynasty, so be it. Wouldn't be the first time? So be it. Contact me after you, whatever this business with Farrie or friend here is done. I wish to hear everything, Gruffeth, about what you learned. Daisy, it seems you know quite a lot as well. I would like to hear from you what you learned and what you discovered. And then we will step forward.

It's the same as graph. Graph decoded some messages. Please make yourself available on the sixth moon. That is when this event is taking place? Yes. The sixth first moon. We should act, we should try and do what we can before then. So after this, whatever this is, come and speak with me. Good night. As he passes you, Xanthias and Farrier,

He just leans in, does. I wasn't hiding it from you. Be careful. Always I am. With absidious leaves. Quite a little moment, wasn't it? Quite an intense fellow. As ever.

We didn't bring any treats for him. I think that was probably. I don't think he deserves him right now. I'm kind of angry. Oh, okay. Yeah, Daisy. I agree. My part. Were you under the impression that Lord Obsidius was different to that? Usually he's quite nice to me.

That was mostly the same to what I know. I think, Daisy, you see too much good in people. Well, I try to. You do, and it's very sweet and very endearing and very precious, something that should be protected. But unfortunately now that is exactly what Lord Obsidius is like. He is very... He's very dedicated in his ambitions and his objectives.

But he does not always consider... Simaldi. Yes. Because I'm about to fall asleep on my feet. Yes. If I may, we need to cast a spell on Faria here to remove this tattoo from him. There is.

Zanthias knows the better details of what has needed, but I believe it needs a combination of us working together. I have the components here. The cobalt should have them. Unfortunately, I do need to rest before we do it. I think that that would be advisable. I myself have not fully rested, and I would not wish to attempt something this complicated.

I must ask, I do not know these full details. You talk a lot about, Santhius, knowing the details, but do we, is there a time limit? Is there what exact spell? Until they find out. just short form. Yeah, yeah. I tell Malady what I know about it.

I would, yeah, say obviously that the time limit being that anyone could trigger it at any point, I've put the death ward on it that would last eight hours. So it's the same for Alejandro as well, right? Like, it can happen to him too. But he doesn't have the death ward though. He doesn't, no.

So I also warn of how easy it is to trigger of the tattoo as well. If you are intending to rest, it is very late. This will bring us by the time you are fully rested and recovered, perhaps midday tomorrow. That is eight hours from now.

He's already had death word before because it took us like four hours to get here. Let me see here. Systemality, are you able to cast death ward as well? I am. I am. Santhias, can you cast it, Enfaria? I think that was your last one, wasn't it? He was.

You specifically said it was your last? Could you do it twice? I can. And this is for this other fellow, this other agent. Yeah. Seems to have had his mind broken. Yes. Yes.

I would hopefully get them through the night, at least. Yeah, I was looking through my features if I could recover spell slots for my sorcery, but I don't have any of those left either. Oh. Do you wish me, I can cast the death ward. Do you wish me to do it now or in four hours' time when the current death ward elapses?

I don't know how the diadem work. I do not either. My friends, I do not say this in any cruelty or callousness. I need you to tell me what to do here. I do not know these men. If you cast it in four hours, will that disturb your rest and therefore disturb your abilities tomorrow? I will be fine.

Then please. I've already had some rest. This would be not too difficult for me to do, as long as I get some rest. I think it would be beneficial if it made the most out of the time we have. But also, Alejandra doesn't have any. So I guess then what I'm asking,

do you wish to gamble this Alejandro's life for four hours? And then I will cast the death ward on both of them if they still stand? Or should I cast one now and one later? What would you like me to do? I'm afraid that I must pass this decision to you. Well, if it were me, it would be to protect them both equally right now. But I don't think all of us agree with that.

I think we should protect both of them for the full eight hours and then come back together. It's just double-checking if you can, do, multiple creatures. I will need... No, she can cast it twice. But it doesn't overwrite, like, if you cast it. it twice, it does. For me, it would just reset the duration. Yeah.

Right, right. It would just overlap it. You can't, like, it wouldn't make it 12 hours. I know, I just mean on two separate people are going to have death award on two people at the same time. Yeah, but I don't believe it's concentration, so there's nothing stopping. As long as it's on different people.

It's pretty crazy. But it means that she has to spend two spell slots. Yeah. Malady isn't really have spell slots, but you know what I mean. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Deplete her manner. Yeah. Actually, you know.

As long as you feel that... So Daisy and Rowan would like me to cast both now. But as you said, you do not all agree with it. I would prefer a consensus from all of you, even if it is simply a majority vote. There's an agreement, aye. Aye. Aye.

Well, I'm afraid that... I'm afraid I can't count Percival as a vote as I know that he would only do what you do, Cisrophelia. Yes, well, I would say not to waste your magic. Your opinion and statement is noted. Yes. but I'm afraid your companions currently outnumber you. Oh, Sidious needs information.

Very well. She moves over to Alejandro, who sort of reflectively, like, pulls away from her as this clammy, thin, gort hand tries to take it. Easy now, my friend. She dabs, like, her finger into, like, a fine powder from a poucher, her belt, a silvery powder. She draws a crescent moon shape on here.

his forehead and you hear her whisper something but you probably don't really hear it sounds like maybe a prayer to Malia and you see a shimmering magic kind of fall over him. She approaches Farrier who sort of nods, thank you, um, sister, sister Malady was it? Sister Superior Malady but just call me Malady. Yes, um, interesting. What unusual gloves you wear. Quite thick. Lead. Is it? Yes, I have a... Don't lie to me, boy.

I'm very aware. You bear a crown still in your arms. Old friend of yours, I believe, was said. Did you acquire your gifts at the same time as Deer Zanthia's here? Yes. Yes. Yes. Then perhaps when you wake tomorrow, I very dearly like to hear about the incident

and also your experiences and learn as much as I can. I would love to be in, I would love to hear that too. We will not have much time, perhaps after the ritual is completed. We will have to act very swiftly in the morning. Once the ward ends, that will be the end of the rest. We will have to act almost immediately. And you wish to help this one first, yes, Farrier, is it? Yes.

Yes. Steps a hand. draws a crescent moon on his forehead. Seems a bit weirded out by it, but he sort of bows his head and thanks. You see a blue shimmer, silvery shimmer, kind of fall over him. Eight hours.

Make the best use of them that you can. Whilst this is happening, Sister Benedicta will move up to a sister of failure. As this, because I mentioned that this conversation like, you know, it's kind of drawn the focus. Yeah, yeah. Are you all right?

Yes. I'm fine, why'd you ask? You seem very different how I last saw you, how we last spoke. That fight was hard. Yes, imagine dealing with these criminals. You seem to not really care about this one. Well, I don't really have much love for the diadem, I suppose. Yes, it's true.

They are criminals, I suppose. I just wish to check in. You seemed just different. I'm fine. I have made choices. I've repented for mistakes made. Made choices. What do you mean? I, uh, I offered part of myself to my God in reverence. To your grave father? Yes. Not part of yourself?

It doesn't concern you. It doesn't concern me anymore. It's gone. I sat down and spoke the last time. I felt like we connected. Whatever you're dealing with, I know what it's like to keep things from the people that are close to you, that you care about. It's hard to talk to them. If you wish, sister Ophelia,

I am here to speak to. But if you do not wish to discuss it, it's your business. Perhaps in other situations, yes. Right now things are. I'll be tense. If you wish to talk, as one who can perhaps understand better than most, she sort of steps back.

It is good to see you. You as well. I feel useless in this talk of magic. Me too. You sort of take a step back. I'm assuming you would all like to long rest. God, yes. It's right where we stand.

You may long rest. Power down to. Yeah. Good night. Don't think I make it's a bedroom. Cobalt just carry me. Long rest. Yes, please. Recover all my shit? Absolutely, yes.

Spell slots. It's half though, isn't it? Half hit dice. I also recover my exhaustion. Half hit dice, yeah. Yeah, half hit dice. Half hit dice, yeah, because it gives you an option now in 2024. That's right, half hit dice. Yes, oh, get rid of my exhaustion.

Fuck off. go off. Done. And let me double check that I have. Where you're going to be fucking embarrassing, wouldn't it? Like, here I go. Well, the nice thing that drew it is, you get to prepare them every day.

Yeah, yeah. You get to choose them. Just prepare them right ones. Yeah, but we don't have another day. So what I'm saying is like... No, you have to prepare them now. This is like, you do a long rest and you choose the right spells. That's what I was saying.

It would be embarrassing if I just forgot that I didn't have it because I thought I had it, but I didn't have it. And then I just went to go to do a ritual and it's like, shit, so you go another 24 hours? Yeah. Where does Faro stay? That's a great question. You're? On the party.

Because you're protected from Crownsteel. I am. Yeah, exactly. You take him upstairs to the bedrooms? Am I protected from Crown... Am I... You're protected from your Crownsteen? I'm not protected from Crownsteel at all. No.

Are you not? No, I've been... No, you're not. You're not. You're not. Yeah, I've been deep on that shit. Yeah, he won't. Okay, maybe we need to...

Let them up. Is there a guest room? There can be a guest room. Cobol... You can find a guest room. Cobalt's protected from Cransdale. What is this? But we inquire as to what is the room that is furthest away from any dragon or dragon born.

You take him up to the bedrooms, you are not going to get him far enough away from the dragons, from Sir Eldrack, from Xanthia. It's like, they are like, it's like a corridor with like rooms, you know, it's like they're all pretty close. close. Is there like a garden shed? Not really, no. She doesn't have nice gardens? She has nice gardens, but like, I don't know if there's a shed, and certainly if there is a shed there is not anything comfortable to sleep in.

Can you think you still have a room at the end? Kitchen? Technically, you do. Yeah, but that's quite far back as well. I am not leaving. We need that tiny hut spell. What about back in the kitchens or... Somewhere downstairs. You can, I mean,

like, there's settees, there's sofas. You can Kip on one of those. But Farrier also doesn't, you know, he kind of only, yeah, I guess he knows about the crown still, but yeah, he can sleep downstairs, basically. I just wanted to, if you guys had been like, yeah, I just, he sleeps in Zanth's room, I would be like, okay, and then

I would have been like, yep. No. Pretty much I'd say anything now. Yeah. That would have been juicy. Um. He still sleeps there if you want. I mean, you're still around him for quite a considerable amount in time, but like I said, the gauntlets do reduce it, but you don't know.

Yeah. You don't know if... See how long it takes. But I imagine that, yeah, eight hours, he sleeps downstairs away from everybody else. A malady would take one of the guest rooms, but Benedicta just stands guard. Like, she seems like she's got enough sleep.

She's on watch now, basically. You awake the next morning. Or could I have a chat with him? You could, if you want to sneak down? Yeah, I do. It would be disrupting your eight hours of rest. I don't just pull we go up and everyone goes out. I suppose actually no, it's eight hours of rest.

I'm not going to necessarily say it's eight hours of sleep. As long as you're not doing anything strenuous, if you cast a spell or do anything strenuous, you break your long rest. Just like roll down the stairs. Yeah. Yeah, you can talk to him. You just can't do anything like slide into the room.

Lie flat on the floor when you talk to him. You're rest. As long as you are not attacking. Still awake, Faria. Yeah, it's not like I can really sleep on a sofa. Right. Sorry about this. Too plush.

Yes, well, I'm sure you can understand, had to make some different accommodations. The blanket's okay? That's fine. What'd you want? Well, I wanted to ask you about your experience with the Crown Steel. What's using it's been like?

Yes, kind of like that. Obviously, mine is, you know. Um, but I want to know what it grants you. Do you feel different, more powerful? Do you, do you hear voices? I don't hear voices, no. You don't? Pretend I didn't say anything then.

Wow. Maybe either. Assuming you do? Yes, yes. It's not true. I heard a voice once. You did. But it was before I had the crown still.

It was when it was in that room. When... How much do you remember of the explosion of what you were sent to get? How much do you remember it? I remember going through the gates of the city and then waking up... Well, Gruff was picking me up outside of the city. Right. I brought you to the city and took you to a tavern

and then we had to blindfold you we had to put a bag over your head at a mask you couldn't know the location that we were going to it was here in Burnbray actually it's a wine merchant is a basement secret door cellar one of the one of the various rooms that the diadem keep

I was what I was sent I was told to bring you there as part of my deal. And as far as I knew, like, you had been told what you were coming. It wasn't like you were unaware of what was going to happen. I was just, I was more like a courier. I wasn't doing anything than just bringing you to the place you needed to be. Were you aware of what was going to happen?

I didn't know. I had no clue what was going to be down there. All I knew was I was told by the people that, I owed a lot of money to you was that my old friend from Roest End would be coming to the city and I was to bring you,

guide you in and then lead you to this place and so all I was told apparently it was for some big client of theirs did you think I was in danger no the way they talked about it was like

you were picking up a package you were working for this big curry and it was a courier that they feared and they respected. So I didn't think you were in any danger. Right. There's hundreds of those kind of deals and it's normally just to

deliver this person to a place, they pick up a package, they leave, jobs done. Okay, that's normally what I did. But when we got down there, I knew it was different. Once we actually got down into that basement, Mr. Ruby was there.

a bunch of other diademes, five rings. I'd never seen a five ring before then. And there was a plinth with something on it. And that was what you were here to collect. And they were, everyone was excited and buzzing. Like, this was a big deal. And then when they pulled the cloth off, they heard a voice.

And it told me not to let you take it. And so when you reached for it And you really don't remember this. I get flashes, but nothing more. It's been a while. The look on your face when this thing, when it appeared, it's like your face twisted into a person I'd never known. Like you became this other person.

It was like something possessed you. And you wanted that thing on that pedestal more than anything you'd ever wanted in your life. And you feel the same? I felt something and I heard this voice and the voice it was weak it was like a whisper and it said don't let him take it and when you rushed for it I went to try and take it back from you and stop you taking it and when we both touched it and we pulled on it it's like we both had our hands our claws on it and we were fighting over it and then there was and then I saw it your magic, your ruins, they sort of started appearing and glowing and then there was this explosion. And that was the last thing I remembered.

And then the room was, I mean, it was totaled, it was collapsed. I literally survived by sheer luck. I was underneath a support beam. Everybody else was crushed when the cellar caved in. I managed to eventually claw my way out. But you were gone. You had, you'd gotten out of there somehow. Did you, did you recognize the voice? Did you... No, it was a wist, it was a faint whispering. It was, it wasn't male, it wasn't female, it was, it was just a voice.

It was faint, weak. It was weird, and, and, but it, it wasn't just this voice. It was seeing you like that. It was seeing you ravenous for, I think it was a blay. of some kind. It was a crown steel blade, I guess. Right. I don't, I don't fully know what caused that. Still, the magic was new to me when I woke up outside of the city. No, I didn't. That's the thing, and when I saw those ruins and that explosion, I mean, I had a little touch of magic before,

and now it's stronger a little bit, but, I mean, not to the level that I saw you use. Well, I've been, Learning a lot about this magic and crown steel and trying to get an understanding of it. You should see, back in Ash and Rest, I made a box that can stay cold forever. But... Sure. I'm doing my best to try and understand these things.

If you're not hearing that voice, then... It's the only time I can remember hearing a voice. Have you seen any... What did you see at the time any figures that weren't meant to be in the room? It's hard to tell. It was shadowed. I was distracted. Right. Maybe there were people there that weren't diadem,

but I can't really remember. I'm sorry. I know Ruby was there, Mr. Ruby, but... These other agents, but they were all killed. Like, I know that they all died in that collapse, but I don't know if these other people got out on it. So we were the only two that survived? Well, like I said,

maybe there were other people there, and I don't remember seeing... The only dead I remember seeing were diadem. So maybe they got out. And the thing is, I mean, seeing that thing in your chest and what I've got in my arms, that's not the whole blade. There was more of that blade than what either of us have in our bodies.

It's like you got most of the blade itself. I got most of the hill, but the handle. I mean, there was still, I'm a, you know, me, I was a blacksmith. I know weapons. I can judge that the amount of metal I saw on that pedestal and that blade. What I've got, what I've seen in your chest, it's not enough. It's not enough. Do you happen to know if any was recovered from the rubble after the fight?

They never told me anything more. I tried to escape. I got, I mean, I barely made it to the city gates before the diadem grabbed me again. It made me answer to tell them everything. And that was it. They've owned me ever since. What we have is apparently exceptionally pure, so those shards will be highly sought after. I want them gone. As soon as you get rid of this tattoo, I want to find a way to get rid of this stuff.

Well, you're in the right house. Am I? Apparently, yes. I don't like the way that Obsidious looked at me. No, he's... We've been through a lot. Trust is difficult with that one. It's not just trust, Antheis. There's obsession.

I've seen obsession. People like glitter and peridot. Maybe you haven't encountered it much. But when I saw that dragon, the way that he looked at you and the way that he looked at me, the hatred and his eyes, that's more than just, I mean, that's obsession. And obsess people are dangerous.

Yes, well. You just have to take my word for it. These are the experts we could gather that are on our side. I'm doing a lot of that. I'm putting a lot of faith in you, Xanthius. I don't have much of a choice, but I'm putting a lot of faith in you. Yes, well. I do appreciate it.

But frankly, I want this stuff gone. I want this tattoo gone. And I know you said that you want me back in your life. in your life. You want to... But I don't know if I can do that. I just want to go home. I want to... I want to be a Smith.

I don't want any of this. I just want to live a normal life. Me too. Somehow I get the feeling you don't get a choice in that. No, I... Like you, I've been caught up in some very big things that are much bigger than me or us

or anyone in this house. Um... But I'd like to go back as well. You say you hear voices. What kind? See visions as well. What do they tell you? What do they say?

Well, there are messages from Sovereign himself. Fuck off. Yeah, I know. That's... You know that these things can mess with your mind, right? Yes, I thought it was all in my head as well, at one point until... Well, until he killed me.

What? Yeah. I... He... He said something. some things, he said some things, he cast a spell, I died. It's been a wild few months. You got a voice in your head that killed you,

probably because you were mouthing off to it. I wouldn't say those words. You were mouthing off to it. Well, no, that's not exactly entirely true. If you heard the voices, you'd be the same. Uh-huh. You were mouthing off to him. Maybe. You're not listening to these voices.

right. I'm not. Disseller. Okay. Well, no, that's not true. It's not... Just a little bit. I know Tom Hazel and I know that... I've got a half ear open to it.

I don't know, maybe they'll say something nice at some point. I said plenty of nice things recently. Yeah, that's a 15. 15. Good. You shouldn't. I won't. If you've got a divine... You've literally got a god in your head who kills you for mouthing off?

Mm-hmm. I'd be staying far away from that as much as possible. Well, unfortunately, it's taken up residence. Yeah, but... But... It's like the tattoo, right? There's ways to remove this stuff. Yes, there is.

And we've been on adventures, gathering essences, ethereal essences, magic stuff, um, to do exactly that, separate that kind of. but... Well, listen, as long as you're not listening to him, that's the main thing. Is there anything else you want to know? Yes. No, well, I was going to say, uh, we'll try and get you a bed soon. Listen, I don't want to stay here. I don't like the idea that I'm making that other guy sick. I don't like that. Um, I said I just want this stuff gone.

Like, let's do this ritual, get rid of this tattoo, and then we can get the fuck out of here. Absolutely. Sure. Like, if... yeah. And if you know somebody, you know somebody, You can help remove the crown still. Great. Take it. I do not want to. But yeah, like, I'd rather we just... I don't want to be in this place. I don't want to be around that guy.

Okay, absolutely. Fine. Perfect. Go get some sleep. You're going to need it. There's biscuits in the kitchen. I only had half. Yeah. Sure. So enjoy. See you tomorrow. See you tomorrow. I need you rested.

I don't... You need to... I don't know any of these other people. Like, Gruff seems great. Don't get me wrong. I trust Gruff entirely. Mm-hmm. I don't know the rest of him. I need you.

I need you to do your absolute best because I know how easily this ritual can be fucked up. Right. Yeah. I saw what happened. I do not want what happened to Alejandra to happen to me. Everything we can to stop that from happening. Cool.

Just be on your best game. Always am. Okay. And with that, I'm assuming. when you finish your rest. Sleep well, sleep well, bed, die. You asleep yet? I'm awake in my belly.

I'm assuming, is there anything else from anybody else or do we just wanna jump to morning? I do want to do something, but I'm just aware of the time. We can take five minutes, we've got five minutes. Do you want to do? Is everyone happy to do that? Yeah. In which case, Chris Trott, can I swap chairs with you please?

Oh, I definitely don't want to go to break now. Oh, ho ho ho. Let me stand aside. I want to see, I want to witness. Hello. Oh, your chair is so, hello. Delicious, yum, yum. Trot's chair is very low.

It's fine, very temporary. Many temporary. Gruff sneaks out of his room. Goes over to Sister Ophelia de la Rose's room. Hello. Yes, hello. Um, Sister Ophelia, are you decent? Oh, gruff.

Just about, hang on. Just to hear like a flushing. I open the door. Hello, Groff, yes. May I come in? I won't be long. That's okay, yes, come here. Crosh very awkwardly walks into the room.

You can tell he's very awkward, nervous. Yeah, I think Ophelia would match that energy. There's a nervous energy. It's just kind of like, I know, he goes to a dressing table and just fills or something. Cicitherto Ophelia, um, yes. It's all right if I sit down. Yes, of course.

Paws are quite... Anywhere. Tired. Would it be okay if you sat down next to me? Okay, yes, yes. Would you like me to remain? Oh, of course, Percival. You're no bother. Very well.

Thank you for getting my Xbox. Back into the corner. Notice some of the things are scratched. Sister Ophelia, I was wondering if you were aware of my third tenant. A lot of people obviously know the first, weak, vulnerable and firm, that one. But I wonder if you know the third one. Please, do tell it. It is to bring hope and comfort to those in need

and to walk beside them along paths we have already taken. I'm just aware that in the last couple of days, you and I perhaps have not seen eye to eye, and you said something. I was about to say last night, but I realise it's actually earlier today. Yes, don't remind me.

What is time? You said it's hard to walk in your shadow when I'm the one casting it. Yes. And, um... I'm rather bothered by that. May I ask what you meant? Are we simple, I suppose.

I... I'm aware of the shadow I cast over you, especially the last few days, the way that I have been acting. Perhaps we have not met eye to eye, like you said, and I can assure you it's not done through malice, perhaps lack of perception, naivety on my part. But I know you're a good man, and I do not wish to tarnish what is good in your heart with what seems to be the opposite of what mine has intended. I do not think you are a bad woman, sister Aphelia. Do not think you cast a shadow upon me. I struggle with your beliefs in the grave father. I have tried to understand it. I have been to your

sermons, I try to learn. I don't know if what happened last night over Alejandro was part of your beliefs or a change in you. I don't understand your relationship with the grave father. And when I tried to help you with what you were doing with that glitter. I, I don't know if you know. I offered blood. I offered the words. And I could see you. Wherever that place was, with glitter. I wanted to help because I saw you dying. And I was stopped by a herald. So you saw the herald? She said to me She doesn't need you I didn't want you to get hurt

I didn't even know what's happening myself I want you to die If that was to be my fate Then so be it but not for you And I didn't want you to die either But In this I think perhaps

While we were dodging through those alleys I reflected And I think I've been doing everything wrong I have tried to pass my standards and my beliefs to you. But as your Harold said, you don't need me. You met that situation and you came out of it. Can I share something with you, Sister Ophelia? Because I've not been honest with you or any of the others.

Okay. What is it that you need to say? He takes your hand. It's poor. It is cold. It's cold now. Cicerofili, I have a son. You have a son?

I have two sons, actually. Two sons? And a daughter. Right. Morfran, Kri, and Talison. Talison is the one that reminds me of you. At first, I thought Santhius. But I come to realize it's you.

he was passionate he knew what he wanted and it was not to be in Tremoro and we butted heads a lot a lot and I never saw things

from his point of view and the second tenant of mine to pass on the wisdom of age it is the one that scares me the most because the one I cannot do. I drove him away with it. As a parent, you try and set your children right.

You try and guide them to make them, not make the same mistakes you've made in life. And I failed because I didn't see him. And I'm not seeing you. I drove him away. And when he left, He said something, very similar to what you said to me, about walking in my shadow. I am sincerely sorry.

Sister Aphelia, I need you to know. I love you. Don't say that, gruff. Don't... I want you to succeed. Don't say you love me. Don't... I can't return it.

And that's okay. No, I... No, because sometimes that would mean is to be apparent. They don't love you now. But maybe they will come to see in time that everything that you were trying to do was for them.

Sejorin, he taught me. Because that was the one that gave me the most problem. Passing on wisdom. What do you do when no one bloody listens to you? But what I can do, is be here. I will be there for him when I find him. And I would always be here for you

if you need me and if you need me to pick you up. But I am sorry for interfering in your beliefs, in your duties. It's just like the dream I had. What dream is that? The one with the rooms. But the corridor, the two rooms. That light, I can't go to it. That light is you.

It's everyone. It's not for me. Can you believe that? Well, they say when a wound is infected, you just cut it off, stop the infection. That's what I've done. Can't love you back. I cut it out.

What do you mean? My heart is gone. What do you mean, Sister Rfealia? I gave it to him. You're cold. I have to do. This burden, this love is like... I can't carry it. It's too heavy.

I had to give it away. Do you regret it? I can't regret it. I respect you. And I do... I do love you, but right now I can't feel it. Do you want help with that? I don't know. I don't know what I want. I think I do. I think I know what I want.

I see him. him. He's everywhere. He's in my mind. He's in my soul. And it's, it's like he's everything. And when he's gone, there's nothing. I have to carry on and just try and do my best. I don't have answers for you. If this was me a couple of days ago, I would have said that I would do everything to help you, find it. But as I said, I've come to realize I don't understand your faith. I don't understand your rituals. I don't understand your devotion to him. And I've gotten a wrong on several occasions.

If you want me to fight for you, Sister Felia, if you want me to help you, regain your heart, I will. But I cannot do this until you tell me and you are sure. Because I don't understand if this is part of your faith and your devotion. If there is one thing to pass on the wisdom. them. Try to figure out what you want. Not the grave father, not your children, not your wife. What do you want to do? I will always be here for you. And if that involves being here for you to pick you back up, I will.

But understand, you are a beautiful, vibrant woman. I have me. I have I meant everything I've ever said about you. You have always had passion and conviction. I don't see that same conviction in you now. I don't want to push you away. I will stand beside you, but not in front of you. I will help you find your son. I'll do what I can.

Thank you, Sister Ophelia. Family is important, found or otherwise. I miss mine. On this we can agree. We see that scene play out? And with that, we are going to take our break. Yeah, that is the point where we're going to take our break. We'll be back in five minutes, everyone.

So good. Very good, super good. See you in a bit.