High Rollers DnD - Coach Gruff and Father Varis | Altheya: The Dragon Empire #107 (Part 1)

Episode Date: June 23, 2026

Gruff faces their greatest challenge yet... 11 teenagers struggling to work as a team! Enjoy a Layout Map of the districts of Kelscariss here: https://www.patreon.com/HighRollers/posts/altheya-map-very-161846601?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link 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/1WX3ICiTmf4GpHwImnQMs6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠v Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pickax. actual play podcast with over 14 years of stories and our newest arc Frostborn was created with new listeners in mind. Check out dungeons and randomness wherever you get your podcasts and join our incredible community for the adventure of a lifetime. Welcome back to Althea the Dragon Empire. Our heroes finish their remaining business in Ashton's Rest before gathering their allies and using Gruffs transport via plant spell to reach the imperial city of Kelton. Scaris. The spell opened a doorway to the dreaming forest, a strange place with spiritual creatures and otherworldly terrain. They met an unusual guide called water rushes past stones

in the river, who helped them navigate this unusual realm, communicating in sign language and advising the group not to make any noise. With the guide's help and gruff spell to follow, they found another large tree within, and a glowing doorway appeared leading to the chilly district of Frosthill in Kalscarus. Here they were briefly stopped by a pair of the wormguard who wanted to get a record of the group entering the city before they immediately set out to find the Peach House and Sir Fording for the next part in Gruff's Knightly Quest. After stopping at a bakery, Gustavos, they found the knight's residence, a former workshop turned orphanage where an aged dwarven professor was

teaching a class of children. After introductions, Sir Fordering took Gruff to a small dirt field and introduced him to a youth team of hatchball players called the Ascension Alleycats and revealed his test was to coach them for their last three games of the season. And that my friends is where we left the last session. Yeah, it was. Now, I only have a very, very, very rough,

this is just a very rough outline, but I have given this players, Tom will probably put this on the Patreon, but this is the district of Kelskaris. Cool. So I'm gonna hand that over to you guys. You have a clear idea of where all the districts are. Yeah, we will describe it as we go,

but yeah, I will put a very, very basic, for free onto the Patreon so that you can view. And when you get your Althea the campaign guide, there will be a much nicer map of Kelskaris in there, I'm sure. Yeah. But with that, we are gonna roll up fate right away whilst I remember.

We're gonna need it. Put it in a Discord as well. Doss. I heard that here. What? Oh, DOS. DOS. Okay, so DOS is a DOS for me.

Another one from Kim. Uno! Oh, another one for me, thank you. I got a three. Oh, lovely. Oh, Chris Trott. I've got a five. Oh, there you go.

Chris Trots, result. And then... Let's run the panel is of Dad. A two. Another one for me. Lovely. How lovely. A lovely one to five.

Always a pleasure. Literally only the dad at the table rolled. Well, he's not listening. He's very busy. He's not listening. So with that, Gruff, you stand in this sort of tucked in between the houses of the coil. Perhaps it's sort of like an open air space for people to come and, you know, do whatever is needed in a large space. but there's this large field upon which very crudely painted lines

have been formed. There are these tall, thin, wooden posts at either end with a sort of hooped archway. And before you stand, these 11 teenagers, all between sort of 14, 16, of various different, you know, ancestries of different personalities. And your allies all stand with you as well. and Sir Fordring will say, well, I think I'd best be getting back to the class.

I leave you to make the introductions, and I wish you all the best, night errand. I'll be keeping a close eye on your progress. I look forward to the first game. It's in a few days. So you look forward to that. So as Sir Fordering walks away, you see Gruff kind of hold up his paw and I try, go... This is so exciting.

You have to be in charge of a team. Yay. You must be over the moon, grufford. Don't look so scared. Stop looking at you. Address them. I mean, these kids are all just staring at you, having this conversation. Hello.

Fellow children. They look at you with a mixture of, some of them have quite vacant expressions, like not really, they don't really care. You know, they're sort of bored and looking at you. A couple of little. of them are glaring quite, you know, aggressively sort of, you know, angry, furrowed eyebrows. The young halfling girl, Pippa, seems to be especially sort of giving you the stink high gruff. But one of them, the confident young cat, wildheart boy Hawkins, is just like, yo, hey,

hi. Hi. Hello. I'm like, I'm in gruff every now and then just, like, waiting for gruff to step in, but like. So, like, you're this old man's, our new coach. Who are the rest of you? Are you like his carers or something? No, no, no, quite the opposite, actually.

We are the heroes of Ash and Rest. Have you heard of Or been to Ash and Rest? No. South of here in Caldra. Big Town. Yeah, I know where Caldra is. Yeah, in there. Yeah.

Brush up. Okay, so we're the heroes. We've rescued that place. And Gruff, our fearless leader, and now your fearless leader, If crickets and tumbleweed could be present, they would be. Instead, you just have this din of the city around you. Young Guntham, Guntram just coughs quite loudly,

and it's very, very audible. It's like, it's just sling. Okay. Graff, maybe we should do something to start off the training? Right, um, hello, my name is Graff. Gruffered of Tremoro. Yes! Yeah!

That's our Gruff! Graff! No, Terrant! Coach Gras! You see Barnabas who is this full bear wild heart, like full, like chubby little brown bear boy. He like goes to clap with all of you and then realizes none of the other kids are clapping, so like stops and puts his hands.

and Shiley sort of stands back. Thank you, Barnabas. Well, I suppose I'm near to be your coach. Sure, you say, you call out Barnabas and say thank you. Uh-oh. Isolated. The shit kicked out. You immediately are like,

you hear little Pippa just be like, looks like Barnabas is the favorite now and like a couple of the kids start and you see Barnabas like shrinks a little bit more. I'm not gonna make this easy, I'm sorry. Right, um, hatchball is it then, eh? I'm gonna kick off the group, the daisy chain in everyone's head. Nice, yeah.

The daisy chain is active. Wait, who are you excluding? No, you can all be included. Oh, we can all be included, yeah. It's not a bitch. Oh yeah. Okay, Graf, you can't let them sense your fear. I'm terrified too, but we can do this.

We can do this. Single out the aggressive one. Do you think I show them your axe? Do you think I can... Whoa! In what capacity? That's really cool. Kids like cool things.

Use it to lean on. Use it to lean on. Right. I suppose I should tell you all a little bit about myself. I'm originally a fisherman and... Literally, the Hawkins, the young, like, cat, wild boy. He looks like grata. He is like red hair.

like red tail and he's just, he just yawns it very dramatically and loudly and all the other kids laugh and then we'll say, listen, old man, do you even know how to play hatchball? Probably. Probably. But first.

And Dave and this young man is just like, probably, probably doesn't sound like he knows what he's doing. Well, I thought, you know, I'd let you know a little bit about myself before we get to the train in. Perhaps you'd like to meet Serren, and then Seren will fly and, like, I don't know, do some minor magic, like a shower of kind of glittery sparks and magic.

Sure. Give me... Do I want to make this a roll? No, I won't make this a roll. You definitely see that a few of the kids are a little bit impressed by that. Like, you can see some of them, Barnabas, some of the quiet, shy ones are definitely, like, oh, like, kind of like watch that with a bit of wonder and awe.

But the aggressive ones definitely are not. Some of the ones who are definitely being a bit more antagonistic, just do not care. You would see that one of them, who's a young dragonborn boy, a brass dragon born boy, he's very sort of like, oh, like, takes great interest in it. And the others are just sort of like, ooh, pretty. But he seems to actually be like, oh, wow, that's kind of interesting. But, yeah, the others are all kind of not that fuss. And as Zanthias over here mentioned,

we are the heroes of Ashen's rest. We've fought quite a lot of monsters and bad guys. Well, I suppose, you know, for those of you who wonder if I have what it takes and then I will take out the axe and start, like, I don't know, he wouldn't really flourish it, I guess. I'm just like, am I straight up going to do the big old slam? Like, you know, it does the soft.

slam attack. On Hawkins. On Hawkins. Come forward, Hawkins. Put your hand out. No, no. You can't have what it takes. You just behead.

You want to speak back to me? Now we need another play. Now would be a very different tone or change. I'm bot! I'm pretty sure that's an auto fail and a crime. Oh my God, that's the real grub. I'm not going to do that. No.

Sorry, that was Kim's inner coach coming out. I feel very sorry for that team. Yes, sir, coach. And, yeah, I'll just start, like, I imagine there's a way to kind of, like, imbue the axe, just to kind of glow, like, you know, have it glow a little bit and stuff like that, and I'll just kind of...

What's your got, like, to be impressive? Be impressive, not intimidating. Okay, so that would be a persuasion role for me. Just be, like, Heroes of Ashen's rest. Yeah, that's what we're doing. Persuasion. Mm-hmm. Five.

You... I think that like you kind of spin the axe and you kind of like prop it down and there's just no reaction. Like these kids, this is not something. Like they've probably seen weapons. They've probably seen magical weapons before. Roman's like, whoa.

It's like you try and put it down and you're expecting a really loud thud but it just goes onto grass. So it's just... I imagine actually I fumble it a little bit. Like I kind of like, you know, spin it around. Yeah, so if you want to fumble it a bit, I'm never going to make you do that on a bad role,

but yeah, if you wanted to have Graff kind of fumble it a bit. I think Gun Trim, who's this young dwarf boy, that's very impressive, Mr. Graff, but how does that help with you coaching Hatchball? We've... Our last coach left, and we've only got three games, and we need to win at least one. I'm a bit worried that you don't know what you're doing.

Accurate. How is the team with Hatchball? What's your win-loss ratio? There's a sort of muttering amongst the group. They all kind of like, some of them shuffle their feet. Paulie, this young goblin, like Paul, E. Paulie, literally with like crazy wild hair and like wearing like a kind of very ragged sewn together jersey

and like scrubby little leather knee pads and stuff like that. It's so good. Win half, lose half. Okay. Okay, well, that's a good start. That's a good start. Lost most of recent game. Okay, how many...

What's the season history right now? How many losses are we on? Hawkins would be like, we lost the last four games. We only won a few games of the early season because people weren't very good then. Well, that's... I mean, there are some people who are good on the team, but some of them are real letdowns.

And he's definitely eyeing at like Barnabas. And you see that there's a tall Yotnir child who's a fire yacht there actually has like almost like flame flaming like locks that kind of like flickering and curling who is clearly the tallest but is like shrunken and like very much at the back and Hawkins is like kind of gestures then oh and sister Trissy over there and points to a young boy who's wearing like like almost like priestly robes who has actually sat on the fence who's been listening but is reading a prayer book and like Hawkins is like yeah and they all laugh when he when he called when he calls calls them Sister Trissy. Right, well I won't be having any of that. Any of what? Treating your fellow sports people as if they're lesser than. That's just a bit of fun.

It's just a bit of nicknames, isn't it? No, but I'm starting to see why you are losing, Hawkins. And that's because you're not bringing people up with you. Right. You're putting them down. Yeah, because in a game of scoring goals, that's actually what's going to change how we win. Well, yes, because you need to rely on your teammates.

And you can't rely on your teammates. if you're putting them down all the time. I can't rely on my teammates if they're really shit at the game. Well, have you considered helping them? It's sad, I'm not really sure how much I can help. I mean, there's a couple of good players. Pipp is really good. It's okay, Gruff.

This child here clearly knows what they're talking about. They won every single game they've been in. Not like us. You know, every single fight we've been in, every battle. We've won that as a team, as a group. But no, this guy, he knows what's happening. Maybe we should just let him play the game alone then. I mean honestly if I could I would

go ahead Oh you're not you can't You can't play any team I mean I was hoping that one of the other teams would pick me up But not yet Waiting for my big chance You can see that this kid is So arrogant

But nobody's denying his claims Like there's like all the kids like do look at him And you do get the impression that this kid Probably is the best player on the team But yeah He's an arrogant little shit But you can see as well that, like, he dominates that conversation, and he has a cluster of, like, other kids around him.

Like, the little halfling girl is, like, yeah, you tell him Hawkins, like, kind of, like, by his side. You can see that Guntram is actually kind of, like, nodding along, like, yeah, he's not wrong. Like, he's the one who, like, scores out. So he has, like, this little Davian, the very fabulous boy as well. It's, like, very much in their little clique. And definitely there is, like, yeah, there's obviously social elements at work.

Yeah. But he's like, look, look, I don't want to get off on the bad foot. It is a case like you've got a lot of work. Like, this is not a great team. Okay. Let's start again. Sure. You clearly seem to know what is working and what isn't working.

I want an objective rundown from you, from all of you, as to what needs improving on your game. How long are you? And I'm not talking about... specific individual I'm talking about is your defense need working. Does your attack need working? No. Attacking's fine.

Me and people are an actually, and he kind of points at the little goblin. This guy, I don't really know what Paul. We don't know what Pauly is. Paulie's Pauly. We're pretty good. Like, you give us the ball, we can score. The problem is we're not getting it half the time

because the opposition is just dominating our defense. Barnabas can't save a goal to save his life. Tristan barely moves doesn't do anything He'd rather be reading his holy books all the time Our defense is terrible And you can see that like there's a couple Like Barnumus very much gets shy and sort of like Very self-conscious

You can see that a couple of others want to speak Emile who's the young dragon born boy Kind of is like the only one who sort of steps up And it's like well Sort of but yeah Our defense does need a lot of work and some people aren't quite as good, but you also keep hogging the ball, like Hawkins.

Like, you keep hugging it. If you let people or poorly or somebody else score some goals, maybe we'd actually get higher in the... and you just see he's just like, wow! The little mage boy has found his voice, it seems. Did you have that voice in the academia, or is that why they kicked you out and, like, is very, very nasty to him?

I want to hear from all voices here. This is good for me to know, because if we are going to get anywhere, we need to work together. And that does mean we have to take an honest look. Everybody needs to take an honest look at what they can improve and what they're good at. You see sort of like people are like, you know,

some of the kids are like nodding and things like that. You know, like quite a few of them are very quiet. There's some of them who have just not spoken at all. This Tristan boy, the one who's wearing like the holy ropes, barely has said a word. It's like occasionally like rolls his eyes every time the Hawkins speaks, but it's just, like, goes back to his book.

He does not, clearly doesn't want to be there. The Yotnir, the Yotnir boy is, like, just very quiet, sort of stands back. You can see that he's actually more intrigued. He's, like, looking at, like, Daisy and Ophelia, and, like, he's, like, very, like, looking at, like, you know, what's going on. He's looking more at you guys.

You see that, like, the very quiet goth-elf girl is, just sort of stood very quietly to the side, but seems to be agreeing with Hawkins all the time. And eventually with that kind of, like, arguments do begin to break out and they start pointing fingers at each other. Like, this is clearly a team that, like, is not working together very well at the moment.

But yeah. They start, like, in... They start sort of arguing amongst themselves, giving you guys, like, a little brief moment. You're doing great, Griffith. Look at that. You've got them all talking to each other. I'm pretty sure that little one has a knife.

Which one? The half-ling people. She could do. Hey, Kroff, I really hate the talkative one. I wonder why Xanthius hates him. He reminds me as someone. I think if he's so good at... Hey, he's so familiar somehow.

If he's so good at working on his own, why not make him alone go up against three of the defenders? Yeah, because he'll lose. Exactly. If he's so good on his own. As in what, like in a test match or in an actual match? Like a testing, just like a skirmish, I suppose. Yeah, I mean, you could get him playing.

You can do, like, split the team in half and have them play each other. Like, prove to him that he's not so good without his teammates. And he needs them, and if he does it on his own, he can't win. Right, you think I should do that now? It's at risk, maybe he does win.

Maybe he's really good. What were you thinking of doing, Groom? I was just going to get them to show me the game so I know what the game is. That's a good start, probably. Level of playing good. Bring down the talkative one, bring up the quiet ones.

Right. Yeah, and maybe take away the knife from that one. What if she nice? She's pointing at the goblin like, fuck you, Polly. Give me the ball more. Okay, right, that's it. Come on now together.

We've had our little fun and games now. You give me, to get their attention, can you give me either a intimidate or persuasion? 12. 12. You'll be a persuasion. You get their attention, but it takes a little bit of time.

Like, you really have to be like, oh, come on. And like, eventually they say, sort of, and they all kind of get back into a line and sort of, you know, stop their bickering and arguing and sort of eventually come around, but it does take a bit of time to do. Right. I'd like to see you all play in the game of Ashball.

Okay. Okay. Yeah, they seem to be amenable to that. Like, they sort of like nod their heads. A couple of them are like, oh, you see Hawkins is like, finally. And sort of begin arranging themselves. You see the cliques immediately, like, partner up. So the defenders who are like Hawkins friends all go with Hawkins and all of the other kids

are basically on the other team basically. And you begin to watch them play. There is, I've got a little diagram again, it's very crappily handmade. So this is kind of what the pitch looks like. I don't know if the camera is actually picking that up because of the lighting. That's a pretty standard football pitch. It's pretty much a standard football pitch. But there's like a couple of like things.

So the key things that you very quickly pick up on, defenders can't pass it. the halfway line at all. And strikers can't go into their friendly, like, goal zone, basically. So they can't, like, bolster the defence. They have to stay on these outskirts. The arches are on either side. They're actually raised up, like, arches on poles. So you have to throw.

Like, this is not a kicked game. It's more like rugby or American football, where the ball is egg-shaped, and you're sort of passing it, throwing it back and forth with the team. And then, yeah, and then you kind of begin to watch. and I'm not going to make you roll, like between the five of you, you pick up on the rules of this game. Pretty simple.

Defenders in that, like I said, they can't move past a certain point. And basically, you know, you can be tackled. If you drop the ball, it becomes in play, and the other team can grab it and pick it up, or your team can try and pick it up and grab it. They pass the ball between each other, and then they try and throw it through the arch to try and score a goal, basically.

Tackling is very much like anything which is like too aggressive is probably not going to be allowed, but generally like grabbing them, shoulder barging them, most of those things are kind of allowed. And very quickly, Gruff, you would notice that, like, there are advantages and disadvantages to the different players. Like, Piper, the Halfling, she's very, very quick. But if she gets hit, she goes down because she's only little and she can't take a big hit, right?

The dwarves, very, very stocky players can take a hit, but they're slow and they're not as good as the others at, like, moving very quickly. so you kind of start picking up on these different elements. Annoyingly, as Tom pointed out, Hawkins is very good. And he takes, he regularly takes on two, three defenders. He's super agile, he's got that cat, wild heart agility. He like spins around, he jumps over them, like bypasses them, throws the ball, scores every single time. He did a jack shot.

He basically is tight as jacked shot. But he almost never passes. It's all about him. Even when others are open, he never passes to them. It's always his glory. And that means people know to gang up on him. And so, like, you know, sometimes when those three defenders all rush him at once, even he can't avoid it and he gets taken down.

But you do notice there are other players, right? Tristan, this, like, holy boy, barely moves, just does not seem to be particularly interested in the game. But give me an insight role. You do have one point of fate. I need to win. I need to win. I need a win.

I rolled a four, but I rolled a six on my fate. 10. That's your bonus. Insight 4, 14. 14. I would say, I'm not going to give you everything on a 14, but I'll tell you this. You get the impression, like, I think it's like you watch the way he moves, and you know a little something about the church.

They don't slack on physical education, right? If he's raised in the church, chances are that he's going to probably either become a priest or perhaps even a warrior because they do need protectors in the priest. And he definitely is more physical than he's letting on. Like he's more skilled than he's kind of giving away, but you're not sure in what way yet. Like you can't really tell what he would be good at. You just get the impression that he's like,

he just doesn't care so he's not putting any effort in. But if he did, he could potentially be a really good player. You notice that like, yeah, like there's a couple of players who definitely you notice have some talent. I'd also like you, as you are doing a training session, I have an events random tape. I would like you to roll a D8 for me, please. Oh, yeah.

To see if something happens. I'm like, eight. An eight. Oh, okay. I'm going to have you roll, can you roll that again for me? I'm going to save that one, actually. Six. Six, okay.

Okay, perfect. You see that, like, a couple of the players, Hawkins, like, bypass the thing. He throws a goal, and his friends, start celebrating. But the elven, like, goth girl, a thana, is like just not being part of it. And is just really, really being glum and moody. And one of them is like, Little Pipper is like, not the Piper actually, it would be, uh, Guntham is just like, oh, we did a great job. And he's like really happy and sort of like really celebrating it. And she's just like, shut up,

Guntham, you don't know what you're talking about. There's nothing to celebrate here. And it gets really snappy with anybody who's being really excited and happy. And everybody, it just shuts down the mood immediately. Like, the mood just goes really dark and down, and everyone's like, geez, I thought, I know, yeah, way to kill the vibe. And she's like, there's nothing killed. It's all just miserable anyway. Like, what are we been doing?

Like, what are we even doing? We're just going to lose. We're just going to lose all three games. This coach doesn't even know how to play. And she just, like, starts kicking dirt and, like, goes off and sits on the side. And it's like, you can, this is even beyond, like, just being a bit moody. Like, there's something, like, just upset her. It seemed to be, like, the guy's being really happy and excited has genuinely, like,

upset her in some way. And it just kills the mood and immediately they all start playing worse. Like, she is just harsh the vibe so much that everybody is now playing worse. But you do pick up the rules on the game and you do begin to kind of see some patterns

of behavior and stuff coming out. Is there anything you are looking for in particular during this session? I guess like, this is sports Kim. How much would Gruff think of this? seeing if there's anyone who would perhaps suit a different position

Oh, okay Like are they just being a defender because that was just the role that was left over? Sure, sure, sure, sure. Like, is there anyone who would actually be better as an attacker? Gotcha, yeah, yeah, yeah. Give me another insight role. 19.

19. I'm going to give you one. Guntram, who's the dwarven, kind of slightly Nordic boy. You actually get the sense from his dress. might be, he might live in the guildi district. There's a lot of gold. There's like little, little embellishments of like jewelry that indicate that maybe he's

actually got, he comes from a family of a good bit of money and stuff like that. And yeah, he's not suited to being a striker. Like, he's slow, he's not particularly good at passing. But what you would pick up on with a 19 is he's got a really strong understanding of the tactics and the strategy of the game. And when he kind of steps back, he spots openings, but he's just not quick enough to get there to do anything himself. So you kind of get the impression that maybe being a striker isn't good for him,

and he'd actually be a much stronger defender. And being a dwarf, he's also much more sturdy. But you're not sure who you could replace him with just yet. So you'll need to figure out somebody else who would be a good striker. But I'm going to say that this is all you can do in this training session. This takes a few hours, right? You watch them play. What are the rest of you, like while this is happening,

I want to know what everyone else is doing. Just sat on a nearby bench with the legs crossed, just, yeah. Throw the hatch. Down the hatch, more like, what? Zanthias is just not in drinking. I don't know. Just, uh... What I want to know, is this, like, Zanthius, like,

I don't care about this, like, or is it, like... I'm trying to pick up the game, but... Sportsball? Sports ball. throw it forwards or maybe backwards, if that's how it's meant to go. There is a lot of, like, you know, in football where it's just like passing, but it's sometimes a lot of that of just, oh, and he's passed it to Cernsey, and he's passed it to Cernsey, oh, and he's passed it back to Cernsey.

I do, like, there's like an element of that. I love watching football, you know, but sometimes the commentators, I do love it when they just, like, they've got nothing to say, so they just list the names. Yeah, and that's it, and they're just like, Obis Sanya. And I'm just like, say anything. Just say like.

Yeah. Why don't you give me an inside Rolex exemptions? All right. I'll like this for everyone. To what you pick up on. 14 plus. Minus. Is it mine?

It is okay. Minus. Oh no, plus two. Oh, you must have proficiency in it. Have I got the right character she up? I do. You must have proficiency. 16.

16. So one thing, I think this is like your pride and you're like living in Caldra for so long and everything else. They don't really have to be. have uniforms. They don't look like a team. They've kind of got like these grubby jerseys

with like a faded, you can't even really make it. I think it's meant to be a cat face, but it's really hard to see. And they just don't look like a good team. And they just look kind of grubby and like they don't look after their kit. Like all their shoulder pads and knee pads are all like dirty and worn. They look like that they've not really had like new kit for a while and stuff like that.

What's Daisy doing? Trying to work out how to make friends with everyone. So you're actively trying to figure out what they're like. Trying to be like, hmm, I think I, I think Barnabas would be my friend anyway. I think that's fine. But I think she's, moody girl, I don't know what could make, maybe Ophelia would make friends with her. Maybe she'd be good friends with Ophelia.

She's just trying to figure. Sure, give me an inside role as well for Densy. Natural 20. Natural win. Friendship wins. I know everything. I will, on a natural 20, I was going to let you pick,

if you got a success, I was going to say, pick one player, and I'll tell you a way that you think you can get through to them, or like at least get on friendly terms with them. But for a natural 20, I'll let you pick two players.

Goth girl. Okay, Athana. And shit-haired McGee tokey boy. Hawkins. That's the one. Okay. So you watch Athana, and you saw her, like,

have this, like, tantrum. Yeah. And you definitely, like, she got really upset the second everybody was having a good time. And I think that there's something, I think maybe even you get a little voice in your head from Nim, I have seen something like this before. Those who have been,

I feel that she has suffered a loss. She has dealt with something in her life that makes her now think happiness is something to reject. and you get the sense that yeah there is something about her and you notice that she's half elven and in Althea in the world of Althea remember that having an elven parent

means having a once immortal you know like plain art creature basically and that can be quite rough to have that navigate that world and I think that you think with Ahtana there's definitely whatever her problem is that would probably need to be addressed before she'll open up and like

be reachable Hawkins Um, he's arrogant, he's rude. You watch him, he is a bully in a sense. Like, he bullies quite a few of the others. He makes fun of them. But it's always the same things. Like, he makes fun.

He, like, calls that he says, like, they're a girl. Like, oh, stop playing like a girl. Or he'll say things like, stop being so, stop being such a pussy and stuff like that. Um, but also, you can see that he has a real problem with this, this Tristan, this boy who's, like, from the church. And it's almost like, he sees him. as a rival or something else is going on there, right? Like, because it's too intense. It's like too targeted.

And you get the sense that, like, yeah, he's very boisterous. And he is confident. Like, you can't deny that. He's very, very confident. He's very skilled at what he's doing. And to his friends, he's really nice. But there's something, something's made him a bully. Don't know what that is, yeah.

But cool. All right. Interesting. What's Ophelia doing? I think the feeling is going to be sick with Percy and she's going to watch them. You forgot Percy's with you. So they just saw this dark- hooded figure looming behind you. I love it.

I think she's going to be like commentating to Percy like she knows the game. No, it's okay. They're going to go that way and then I think that Tristan is going to pass the way. Does she know the game? No. No. So she's making up her own rules kind of thing. Oh no, they're paying it wrong. He didn't, no, he didn't do it that way.

He's supposed to do it that way. Offside. The kids know what they're doing. but she's acting like she knows everything. She knows everything. Okay, perfect. Is there anything you want to, like, learn from the game? Like, do you want to try and figure out the rules?

Yeah, I think she would, like, yeah, she's become quite invested. Become quite interested. Sure, sure. Give me an insight role. We'll see how much of the rules you can pick up, and then you might be able to, like, find, oh, actually, this is, like, maybe something to think about. 15.

15. You very quickly pick up the rules, and you begin to realize that, like, oh, if somebody does cross one of those lines, like the defenders move into the zone. They're not supposed to be, and the defenders pass the halfway point. Like, I think that there's, like,

one of the extra kids is, like, maybe playing ref or something like that, and it's, like, kind of calling shots. And basically, if that happens, the active team who have the ball have to immediately stop, drop the ball, and the other players get to kind of take over. They get, like, a turnover, basically.

And you begin kind of working out the rules of the game. And you very quickly realize that, like, yeah, defense is so important, because the defenders can't go beyond a certain point and the strikers can't come and help them. So the defenders really have to be on it with taking down anybody that comes in. So defense is a huge, huge part of this game.

And I think with the Alley Cats, you definitely get the sense that, like, their defense is their weak point. Almost all of the defensive players are quiet, they're shy, they don't want to be there, and they just don't... The strikers, a lot of them, are very aggressive, and it's just immediately bouncing off each other.

So you definitely think that that is probably the area to work on. What about Rowan? At some point, they're playing a game, right? Six versus five. Yeah, something like it would be, yeah, yeah. Well, they'd probably have, like, one player sit out and then have somebody step in as another goalie. At some point, I want the defenders that are playing on a team

to just realize Rowan's playing with them. Right? So you just sort of just step in. I just want to get in there and like, pass me the ball, please. I think you charge and just slam the ball whatever kid's hand. Well, I think like Gruff sees you go on to the pitch. Like, you see Rowan is about to go enjoy the game.

Gruff starts to be, put a pull up, but it kind of allows it. Okay, kind of just wants to see what happens. So I think like the others, like all of the kids like look at you, Gruff, like, are you going to allow this adult man to go? come and play with us, and you sort of allow it, and they shrug. So do you, you join, like, the more exiled quiet side, not Hawkins' team? Yes. Okay, cool.

So, yeah, you sort of join that side. Oh, this is so exciting. Do you go defense, or do you want to be a striker? I'll just fill in a role that isn't being fulfilled. All right. You pick for a role. Striker. Striker, okay.

So you join this game as an adult, half giant man. Yes. Can you roll an athletics roll for me? Absolutely. Stryker? I get blood lost. I get advantage on this, apparently. Only when you're big size.

17. 17, okay. I mean, you are a grown man. You get the, like, they manage to get the ball. I think that Vanora, who's this dwarven girl who wears, like, a mask, who has not said a single word. She throws you the ball, you catch it, and then you just run and put your hand out

and just steamroll. Like the other team just don't even try and stop you. They're like, what can we do against a giant nine-foot man? Yes! I mean, you barely need to like throw it. You just put it through. Can I look at the other Yotnir though? Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.

As Rowan does that and go, you see, see what you could do? You're so tall. You could be exactly like that. You see, they were introduced to you as Baron. Barron just is very awkward, like, hunched down and sort of looks at you and it's just like, I couldn't do anything like that. Oh, yeah, you could.

I'm sure you could. No, you should maybe speak to Rowan. He's really nice. Ron runs back to the rest of the team after scoring. He's like, that was amazing. Well done, everybody. For Nora, incredible pass. You just set me up so well.

Do a persuasion roll for me. Okay. 16. 16. There's definitely, like, it's not the biggest impact, but you see this one, because you can't really see her, like, mouth. She sort of, like, nods and sort of, like, gives you a thumbs up. And the others sort of are like, oh, yeah, well done,

but it's very subdued. Like, this is, like, the quiet, like, very introverted ones, and they're sort of, like, great, great job. And Barron is sort of, like, well done, Vanora, and sort of, but doesn't want to, like, is so, like, awkward about their body and just sort of like, Nope, don't want to do it. And you can see that they do not ever stand at their full height.

Like they're almost permanently shrimp and just trying to hide themselves away. Their hair is kind of long. It's kind of like brushed like half over their face. I would definitely say to you, Daisy, even without an inside role, again, there's something there. There's some sort of something going on that needs to be delved into. But yeah, Rowan, like you definitely come up. But you just see the other team are like, you're literally a grown man.

What's we gonna do? It's cool, right? Yeah, go play in an adult team, dude. They don't wanna play? We can make our own team. All of us versus all of them. Yeah, we'll steam roll. Woohoo!

Where are we playing now? Oh, so we just, we play adults now. Okay, cool. Good training coach. We'll definitely learn a lot. Well, you are telling me that that accent gone. Oh no, no.

Okay. Oh, my name is Grave. Well, yeah, I've been telling me, O'kins, you are better than literally everyone here. And, I mean, maybe you've outgrown playing your age group. Yeah, there's a big difference between being 16 and however old this guy is, but sure. Okay, sure.

I guess we'll just play out. I think I'm 17. They don't know how to play. Well, he clearly did. He went, I mean, it's not hard. He got the ball, ran up and put it through hoot. Yeah, I did. Hello, my name is good of.

But sure, we can play all of you, I guess. And I couldn't have done it without Vinaura in that pass. I would never have had the ball. That is a good point. I mean, yeah, Vinaura, it was a good pass actually. You know what, it was a good pass, yeah. Good. Doesn't that feel nice?

That's nice. And you definitely get the sense that like that is a genuine compliment and you see Vonora sort of like goes bright red in her cheeks and sort of like doesn't really know what to do. Right, but maybe not. It's probably getting to the end of the training session now. Like, this has been a good few hours. You get the sense that, like, these kids get tired, you know.

Maybe not today, but, you know, just a friendly kickabout at a later date. But for now, thank you, everyone. That was really instructive. That was really good. I got to see your strengths. I got to see your weaknesses. I got to see where we need to work. But I also got to see what you're really good at.

So I'll get together some thoughts. And next time we meet, let's try things. a little differently. For the first time, the Tristan, the young boy, is just like, Coach Gruff, when do you want us to meet again? The previous coach outlined a training schedule. When do you want us to meet again? The next game is in three days.

Our next proper match. Three days. It's a few years. Three days. But that would be in the evening. It would be a day. What a long day. Oh, right. Let's meet again tomorrow. Do you have lessons in the morning?

Well, we're all from different schools. Some of them are here at the Peach House. I am at the Cathedral and others are with their families or go to school in different districts. But generally we meet in the after we've had our lessons. Okay, let's see. Tomorrow afternoon then. All right, very well. But if everyone could, I'd really like it tonight. if you could go away and have a thing, I want you to come back and tell me one thing you're really good at and one thing you want to improve.

That seems reasonable. Well, I already know what I'm going to do. Really good at everything. Not good at not being good at everything. Same. I mean... Hey, um, I'm pointing at the... There was one kid that was like the fashionable...

Davian. Davian. You. Yes. How long have you been wearing these clothes? Oh, don't. Too long. Really?

It's one of the problems with playing one of the non-district teams. There's no budget. No budget. I've said that my father could absolutely get us some new uniforms, but the previous coach wasn't willing to spend any money. Yes. Really? You don't know my family.

You don't know the golden threads. Do I know the golden threads? Uh, give me a history role. History, history, history. 11. 11. No. Um, Golden thread.

It's probably a city family, like it's not like a wide name. City folk. Yeah. I don't know the name, but I can't. Oh, you are from some rural backwater, so it's not unexpected. Caldra. I'm from Osceas, actually. I'm from a land, not. water, so. I am from water, actually.

Oh yeah, so gathered. You look quite fashionable. Oh, yay! Remember all your nice clothes burned. No, I replaced them. You didn't replace them from mists, though. I had rip protection on them. What am I wearing right now? You just got normal basic-ass clothes. Yeah, the gruff shopping is interesting. Your nice clothes got ruined, dude. Don't look at me. Every time we eat. But yeah, it's my father. My father's, my father. and my family, we own several fashionable outlets

in the cauldron in the Burnbrite district and on the Ascension as well. And you just see all the other kids are like, oh God, you've started Davey and off. Well, Graf, maybe we should get some new team uniforms. Oh, I was more thinking for myself, but yes, team uniforms too. Team uniforms, maybe, possibly.

Oh. Would your family have time right now to... Well, only if you've got the coin, And as I said, you would have to fund them yourselves. There's no budget for the team. How much do you think it would cost? Well, you'd have to go and speak to Papa. Right, well, could you write down his details for me,

and I'll come and visit later today? Yeah, I think I've got run of his business cards. Pulls out like a little, like a very fancy little card stock golden threads. And is there, like, is there a logo on what they're, like, I know all their kit is faded, but is there? No, there is, but it's so faded, you can't see it. So it would be, you know, if you wanted to read it. design it, you absolutely could.

It looks like a very, like, very badly drawn, like, cat face. It's not very good. So, is there anyone on the team who's a bit of an artist? Anyone? Daisy Pachan down? Kind of team adjacent. I'm not affiliated.

I'm going to spend one of my points of fate. I'm going to take that business card. I'm actually going to add a D6 to the because... The X-L-white, the embossed lettering. You're doing a full Jason Vickman. Natural 20 and a six on the fate. So you see Vennora, the dwarf with the mask, a little bit emboldened by the compliment from Hawkins

and from Rowan, sort of very, and this seems way out of character, raises her hand. Oh, right, Vindora, wasn't it? Hello, pleasure to meet you. I was wondering, would you be up for designing, redesigning the logo. I can't really see much about it. I could try, but it's this very muffled from behind the mask.

I don't really know what to do though. Cool. But I could try, but it would, I wouldn't have a lot of time. Probably not for the next game, but maybe the game after. Okay, well, if you want to bounce some ideas or so on, this is Miss Daisy, your support coach. Maybe you... Support coach, yeah! Titles! Yeah! Maybe you two can work together.

Okay. I have some art supplies. Oh, you're an artist? I dabble for fun. Oh, me too. Yeah, I'm not like a proper artist. I don't go to art school or anything. I don't go to the academia.

That's not. I like to draw them the statue that you drew recently. Oh, I did draw this. This is a... And it was pretty good, right? It was a really good replication. Like, Vennoros, eyes go wide. It's like, oh, wow, like your pencil work is really good.

It looks really nice. You found a buyer? No. We just got here. I know. Maybe they have a lot of money, I don't know. Well, I have art supplies, and, yeah, if you have any ideas.

I'll try and think of something. But remember that it's just about the fun. Doesn't need to be perfect. Okay. And they sort of nod, and you sort of, like, and there's, like, I think, like, the idea of, like, a lot of people start talking to Vinora, like, you should do this,

and, like, Pip's like, it should be a lion with, like, blood on its teeth, and he should be roaring, or maybe like a jaguar. And, like, starts, like, getting, like, really aggressive. Like, and he should be ripping out, like, the throat of something else to show how strong we are. Yeah, right. Yeah, exactly.

And then some of the others are just, like, Davian's just like, no, what about my beautiful, I have a lovely, a very pretty cat at home. We should use her. She's got such a lovely face. And starts, like, kind of describing his kind of Persian, you know, big whiskered cat kind of thing. And yeah, they all start sort of coming on ideas. And it kind of has this like air of excitement about like,

oh, a new logo and like they start kind of getting excited. You do also notice that as this is wrapping up, other adults have started to appear. And it looks like it's like they're their parents who have come to like collect them. You see that one of them arrives with a bit of fanfare from amongst the kids as a big, very overweight now bearman. It looks like he looks like he would have once been in great shape.

and then he's absolutely let himself go in the last decade. And they all, the kids see him and they go start churning, Brach us, Bracus, Bracus, Bracus, as like he arrives. And you can see that, like, he's wearing, like, a hatchball jersey, but, like, of some other team. Sports staff. And he's, well, and he's like... One of the other, like, kids teams or, like...

No, no, no, no. Like, you get, like, an adult team. But he, like, starts flexing, and he's like... I can screw you kids. And there's, like, a little bit of... Other team. fan culture and like you kind of like he comes up and he's like hey kids blah blah blah blah blah blah how's practice today and then he goes up to barnum as like how many jolette in this week son

ha ha ha ha ha and like starts laughing and he's just like oh i tried he's like no i know you did son you're you're a you're a you're a bjorn bold you're a bjorn bold you're gonna do your best every week right and he's like yeah i try my best dad and he's like okay oh you must be the new coach we heard that there was going to be somebody new coming in oh hello my name is for Griffith of Trimor. Oh, Brackus Bjornbold, pleasure. And he's, yeah, well, you get the sense that, like, he was strong. I'm not sure if he's that strong now.

Like, he's definitely older. Like, there's graying around his muzzle, but he's still keeping up that, like, champion. And, yeah, you get the sense that, like, this guy is, like, a former, like, hatchball star kind of thing. Like, he was known in the city as, like, one of the premier kind of players. and yeah, he picks up Barnabas. Doesn't stay for too long,

definitely makes excuses to leave quite early. You see some of the other parents. Pippa's dad arrives with seven other half-ling children and is just like, right, an old pepper come on, and they'll gather up and go on their way. And you see different families. Some of them don't have parents. Some of them are orphans who live and stay at the Peach House,

like Pauli. But some of them arrive as well. Tristan is actually collected by a sister, a nun of the church, who comes along and sort of like about, how is it? Yeah, it's very good. And sort of leads him away. Very quiet, kind of keep themselves to themselves. But yeah, you kind of see their parents come and go.

Maybe a chance to get to know them in the future, but not this time. Does Damien's father appear? David's father doesn't appear. His big brother comes to collect him. But you notice that he calls him junior. He's like, oh, hey, junior, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, like, blah, blah. begins chatting.

He doesn't have the exaggerated accent. He's a lot more down to earth. And you hear probably, Davin, like, father didn't wish to come by then? He's like, no, he's really busy. Sorry, man, like, you know, come on. Let's get you home. Like, we'll get dinner and stuff like that.

You know, we'll grab something on the way. You know, dad's not going to be home again tonight. And he's just like, oh, yes, of course, yes. He's very busy. And, like, begins sort of making his way off. E, it's going to be busy soon as well. Find me some new clothes. And with that, you are left with an empty feel.

after day one of practice. Oh, well that was well coached, Gruff. I've seen a few coaches in my life, I haven't. But I think you really coached them some hatchball. That's really good, yes. Gruff's just, like, got a far thousand yards. He's just like, everybody's gone. All the children are gone.

Okay. And he just sits down in the middle of the pitch. It's just 10,000 yard stare. There must be so much going on in there, you know, strategizing, coming up with different dynamics. If I made the team or not, I don't know yet. I hope I impressed Griffith. Hey, what are the rules?

Oh, it's... I was watching. So you have... They start in the middle, and then the attack team runs forward, but they can't go into the box. The attack team can't go in the box. It's for the defense team. So they can

on the opposing team but they can't go into their own friendly ones so they can't like bolster the defence but the strikers are the only ones who are allowed to go into So the strikers go forward they go into their box on the opposite side then they try to score a goal yeah

so I've lost me already It's quite simple actually Yeah but What? Sports Well it's a bit like It's quite similar to being in a fight Oh okay I've done that

Yes we've done a lot of that right So we have, you know, we have the magic users. They tend to be, you know, towards her back and, you know, doing long range. And then we have myself and Gruff and Rowan. We go forwards, you know, and we intercept, you know, at the front of the team. Maybe we just show them a mock battle.

We just fight the children. Well, that's no, that's, we, one of them, maybe, but not all of them. Oh, we're not fighting the children? No. No, because we demolish them. But we work so well as a team in that scenario. So I thought, there's a one-to-one, sort of, you know, compilion.

Did I hear you talking about fighting children? I thought it would be good for teamwork, since we're such a good team. We don't need to work on our teamwork though, and we probably shouldn't do that to children. Unless. Think about, we'd get kicked out of the city. Oh, yeah.

They have things to do. Graf, they're talking about being up the kids. No, they aren't. Would that help? Maybe. One of them could do with the punch, probably. I'll do it. No, you'd knock him out.

Yeah. Daisy, I am so far out of my deaths. So are we all, but it's fine. It's okay. Why did it have to be children? I don't know anything about children. I don't know how to talk to children. All I do is drive children away.

It's worse than teenagers. Yeah, they are the worst kind. I'm working up to that. I was a really bad teenager. Mm-hmm. I wasn't. Well, I... I think there's, I did take some notes on what some,

some of the kids and how they behaved and maybe how we could try and win them over. How? Well, fight them. No, no, no punching, no punching. But just how they, Athana seemed like she, she's got some stuff going on.

I might try and give her a little talk tomorrow. And then Hawkins, I don't know. I think that he feels the need to be very, very masculine and powerful, and he seems to have a problem with Tristan because Tristan seems like he's the one that could actually do as well as him. So I don't know if there's something we can do there. Barnabas, I was just gonna try and bribe with pastries.

I'm gonna be so honest. That would work. That would work for me. It would work for me. They seem really excited about the new outfits as well, new costumes. You clothes. Yeah.

That was a very good idea. It seemed to get them bonding. I might go check out Damien's Papa's place. Alright, I'll come with you on that. I won't lie, there is an ulterior motive. I need to get out of these rags. I bought those for you. Gruff has got those for you.

Remember Gruff bought you those? Wait, I'm wearing those? What the fuck was I wearing before you bought those? Tatted burnt rags. Yeah, they all felt hard. Oh, this one said, I took your shop, and I took you sharp

and I bought you that? Yeah. It says cum meat. Just say what I mean. What? It says what? Because it's like it's cut off. It says,

well, good to wait me, but it's all fat that way is. It just says cum meat. Cumb meat. He's gone. We're all gone. That's like a real silent table. You know it.

Fan artists, get on now. When you met your brother, that's what you were wearing. It said cum me. No, no, you bought him the clothes before you went to fire. It said. What is it? Anyway, yeah, I'd want to close.

Also, just as a point, Davian's father obviously owns this fashion up. It's not the only place you can get nice close in the city. Like, this is a big city, there are other places you can go. If we go to that district, though, there's probably competition nearby. Do you see what I mean?

This is how you talk to me. And that's how the little boy talks to me. And I don't know how to deal with you. I don't know how to deal with him. I don't know how to deal with any of these kids. I would argue that you do it. I know what the hell did I do? I just say I want to go get some outfits.

You do. You do know how to deal with... I've seen you talk to Xanthius many times. No, I'm a renegade. Out of control this moment. Look, he's already slagging me off for this outfit I bought him, perfectly functional. Well...

Ophelia. That's good attitude, that is. He said I was very fashionable. It's not Xanthius. It's nice. It looks comfortable. And it's so breezy. Breezy.

So lightweight to breeze. It's nice. It's got a hole in it right there. It was odd or you met your brother in the come meet shirt. Exactly. We couldn't have you walking around in that. That wasn't exactly appropriate, was it?

No. No, and I didn't realize it was a thing. Hey, everyone that did fan art of that battle, I wish there was many, like... No, no. We've made it clear you had other clothes for that battle. It was before that battle. You need to update it.

Now, apparently, I was wearing nothing at all. No, I keep a track of when your clothes are destroyed and when you buy new ones. I thought I bought rip and tear-proof. No. They got ripped. There's no such thing. Did you not have mending?

I'm going to the wiki. But I need to get a dress anyway, so maybe it'd be a good, like, we do actually see the girls tonight. We'll head to that region, that district. They'll be closed there. Plus, we get to see some of the Kelskaris. I mean, well, soon we'll see some of the nightlife. Right. Yeah, I'd say it's like late afternoon, early evening at this point.

You also have not got a place to stay yet. Right, well, thank you everybody. I need to just scream internally. Do you want someone to cast silence near you? That would be really nice. I can't do that. But I've got to do this. We're going to do this. We've all got to do this.

This is the thing we've got to do. Why couldn't it be Fighter Griffin or something? That's too easy now. I can do that. This is because this is... I thought it would maybe be like, you know, protect the me, confirm of Van Bela and I could present the case of Xanthius and like, look at him now, he's great.

I think the thing is, is that you've already proven all of that stuff. And they had to really challenge you and they thought, hmm, kids and teenagers. Tenants of the circle of one of the pounds. Maybe you could just change order. I'm sweating. You were too good at all of the other stuff that they put in front of you,

so you had to get given the real poopy, crappy, This is my living nightmare. It's okay, we're all here though. Assistant coaches. Yeah, we're on your side, Griffith. It'll feel so good when you make it through. Mm-mm. We have to just get through it.

Whatever they just lose. Oh, that's like, not likely. That's not gonna happen. And then all the children will be sad, and I'll have made 11 children really sad. Well, we would have done our best. They were gonna lose without you, so if we can get them to win some matches,

then that would just be great. Let's focus on positive. they were going to lose, we can maybe help them win. Yeah. They're all just misplaced. I believe that we can win. Make them all. I believe that we will win.

I believe that we will win. Shittest football challenge. Sorry America, but it's Garbo. Wait, is that... That's the American football. Jesus Christ. Right, hello, Rowan. Rowan, that was really nice, by the way.

I've been really good... I destroyed the other team. I mean, you weren't playing against children. I was thinking about going large form. But I didn't do it. Anyway, I think there's loads of people there that have lots of potential. And they're just in the wrong place.

And some are louder than others. They just need to find themselves. And you helped Zanthias find himself. You got through to him. Did I? Daisy. Owen. Did you ever have a time

where you were really feeling self-conscious about your height and your size. Because I, right now. I'm not saying, I'm not saying, I'm not too tall. No, no, no, no, but there's another yacht in here and I think he's struggling and I think that, no, no, stop it, stop crunching, stand up no.

No, I'm saying because you're so nice and tall and great that maybe you'll make them feel better. Oh, well, I can understand it, like if you're born in the city versus me who was out in the trees, roofs weren't ever a problem for me, but having to conform and stoop down all the time, yes, and just be in the way. Maybe that's got them feeling a little bit insecure.

And I think you could help. I could definitely speak to them. I think we just need to find these, like Daisy's been analyzing these people. I must make friends. Have real heart to hearts with them. Get past the teenager veil that they all put on, the bravado.

And get through to them. Pastries will probably just solve the problem, yeah. Then they'll also have more energy temporarily to run about, so I think it's a win-win. Right, so Daisy, you're in charge of nutrition. Sugar. That's a great idea for Daisy in charge of nutrition. Sugar!

I don't work for like 20 minutes. Yeah, and then they'll die. How long's a match? Barnabas might just collapse. Yeah, okay. I should be very clear. Barnabas is very chubby. Like he is a ronde boy.

Full of chocolate. He's a little bit German chocolate boy from Simpsons. Don't make me rum. He's a little element of that. Okay, right. We've got this. Teamwork together. I take the lessons from what we've had.

Teamwork. Don't treat them like children. Don't punch the children. Okay. Treat them like people. Treat them like adults and don't hit them. I think those are the two main things

we should probably go for. We've got this. We'll be seeing them tomorrow. Last thing, can I try and shoot a hoop? Oh, you want to try and actually score? Yeah. So it would be an athletics check. Behind your shoulder.

Athletics. As he walks away from the pitch for the night, just over the shoulder. Are you doing it over the shoulder blind? Are you actually doing like a normal throw? I feel like this whole time we've had this conversation like nearish to one of the goals and I've had the ball in my hand

but I've just been nervously like throwing out So the ball, imagine like an American football but instead of the late it has like sort of like rounded spike They almost look like spikes but they're kind of rounded so they're not like impaling but they so it looks more like a dragon egg so it's kind of got like these nodules on it kind of thing

makes it easier to grip Yeah so just to yeah end of the conversation he's just gonna throw it Yeah I'm not gonna use fake because this is going to be raw talent. Raw talent, athletics. 18. 18.

No one to defend it. Sails straight through. Daisy drops up on. Dizzy! Well, so what you were watching, by the way, is Barnabas, he has like a long pole, like a stick, and that's what he actually uses because it's quite high up.

So it's, yeah, like when you're, it's not like a goalkeeper. It's like the archkeeper literally has, like, is the only one who's allowed, like, a thing. Yeah, it's like a lacrosse and he basically knocks the ball and has to try and knock the ball out of, yeah. Yeah, so Gros does that.

Oh. But he kind of looks at it like, I don't know. That's a good sign, Griffith. Maybe it's going to be okay. It's going to be okay. If you had rolled like really badly, I was going to have you throw it through a window of a nearby house. The orphanage.

Like somebody else's random house and then you would have got like an angry. Blank kids. Yes, the kids. would just run. So my question is it is approaching. It's that sort of like 6pm, but this is in like quite a late period, like the beginning of sort of like,

you know, middle autumn. So it is getting dark and the city is beginning to glow, like buildings are beginning to light up. The skyways, these kind of floating highways, all have like underhung lighting on them as well. And the whole place is beginning to illuminate and glow. But it is, you know, getting on with the time. You may have some shopping you want to do.

You may want to try and find somewhere to stay or go visit, you know, do whatever you want to do. But also for Ophelia, there is the Ossius Embassy here. And also, you know that Varus's invitation, it's the event is being held at somewhere else. It's not actually in the embassy. I think it refers to a Lady Glomiris estate. But the embassy, the Ossian embassy, is in the Central District. in the most sort of secure, prestigious part of the city. Cool, cool, cool, cool.

You're in the peach. Well, you are in the coil, close to the Bronze Bellow district. Where was the school? The Peach House, it's in the coil. So the coil isn't like a street. The coil is like densely packed with the same buildings. Yes, it does have like a road that goes all the way around it.

Imagine that there's buildings as well. But it's close to the Brass Bellows district. Yeah. So for podcast listeners, there's three circles, in the center of Kelskaris, the coil is the outer circle, and then all the other districts are surrounding that. It's like a target. Like a dartboard.

A dartboard mixed with a trivial pursuit piece. Yes. Is there an address on this business card? I don't think there is. I think it just says can be found in the Burnbite district or the Path of Ascension. It sounds like there are maybe multiple stores. Multiple stores.

Mm. Franchising. Also, I've forgotten the word for it. So I'm going to say, shut off time when people aren't allowed outside. Curfew. No, no. Like, there are definitely, most businesses will shut, but like restaurants, bars, taverns, they'll all stay open until quite late.

And there's no curfew in the city. Okay, cool. This is, like, a proper big, big metropolitan, like, city. Overnight guards. Yeah, it's maybe not like a 24-7 kind of town. Yeah. But, like, most, there will still be people out into the early hours. Okay, cool.

Okay, well, I, well, we could head to this place for some clothes now, or, I mean, we probably might need to look at somewhere to stay. So, any ideas on that? Where's Embarissa? Emberissa. Yes. In Kelskaris, somewhere. That would be probably in the Burnbright district, I imagine.

Burn bright, burn bright. It seemed to be the Red Dragons district. Red Dragon, yeah. So that's just about... It's about 30, 40 minutes away, maybe. We could take a Griffin. Yeah. That'd be quick.

How much are they? Did anyone catch the price of those? Is there a handy sign at a Griffin's something? It's not a handy sign, but you know, you could flag one down and then inquire to price. But also, you guys are pretty well funded, and like, don't forget, this is designed for people in the sea.

So you're probably looking at like, you know, tens of gold, not hundreds of gold. It's probably quite affordable for you guys. Yeah. Find my travel notes for Kalscarus. I might take a look at the Ossian embassy. Oh wait, whereabouts is that one? That is in the Central District,

so you would be able to easily access that from the coil. Let's do that then, maybe. That would be the closest location. Okay. Now, there may be some extra scrutiny you're heading into the central district. You may be like inquired at the gates, like who are you, what's your business by the wormguard.

You would also know that the central district, all of the outer districts have their own division of the worm guard that matches their color. It's normally made from citizens and soldiers and mercenaries of that district. The central district was sworn to the empress. Now obviously there is no empress, but they are basically the kind of neutral head guards of the city.

They're the more elite guards as well. the central district is where the greatest of the worm guard basically serve. Kind of think of like the King's Guard and Game of Thrones and stuff, versus your sort of average city guard kind of thing. But you have a letter. You also are an Ossian diplomat. Like, you're all heroes. You are, you know, you are favored by Duke Ignarius.

I'm sure that throwing that name around, you're not going to have any trouble getting in, but it's definitely you're under a bit more scrutiny inside the central district. Just a show face. Maybe I can see Varus and just let to know that we're here. Oh, let's do that. Could do? Could do. Yeah?

May you let us stay? I don't know. I don't know. I mean, it is the Austrian embassy, perhaps. Ophelia, you would definitely be allowed to stay. You don't think your friends would be allowed to. But I want to stay with all of you while we're here, so I don't want to risk us getting separated. Let's not ask Varis for a place to stay.

That's not the first impression we want to make here, right? No, no, no, no, no, no. We're just just chewing face to letting him know that we are present within the city and that are, you know, we'll be on time. Okay, what sort of an approach are we doing? Are we doing, like, what do you want us to, do you want us to be ourselves, or do you want us to be like... Be yourselves, be your wonderful, fabulous selves, of course. I wouldn't want you to be any other way. Am I pushing him down some stairs?

No, no, that would go down very badly. Right. As badly as probably fighting children. Okay. Okay. Which you've now learned is bad. If you've now learned is bad. Yes, it's bad. It is bad.

That's probably what I was going on. Well, in the Central District, we can probably find out exactly where Emberissa is as well. Yes. Certainly would be able to. If you go to the right place. Then maybe close shopping tomorrow morning. We could look for shops on the way as well. On the way as well, yes.

Yeah. Well, from where you are, you're basically going straight into the Central District. You're not really going to pass much shopping in that journey. But afterwards, if you're then heading to Burn Bright or somewhere like that, you definitely would have some chance to. And you get the impression that, again, this is kind of like a big city. Things like shops and retailers, they're going to be a... open until at least like eight sort of p.m.

You know, they're going to be open a good, good chunk into the evening. You make your way into the central district. As you pass through, each of these sort of sections of the coil that correspond to one of the districts that's opposite it, there is a grand archway gate with a heavy portcullis that is heavily guarded. As you approach, you are stopped by wormguard who are in sort of almost platinum armor etched with purple, which is the Empress's color, purple tabards etched with, like, platinum,

almost iridescent metal, and they stop you, what's your business? You don't need to make a role or roleplay here. You quickly give your names, mentioned you Kignarius, and you are sort of recorded. You know, they note you down and you'll let through. I never name drop our achievements. When you step in,

the city is impressive, but the central district is a mixture of both stepping through time, you can almost, you can feel how old the stones of this district are. The stones at your feet were laid here by the first dwarves to emerge and join the empire, to be taken under the wing of the Empress when she founded the empire. This was the first part of the city built. This was, for the longest time, the place where the empire was not just founded, but the mortal races, the Ilkir, were brought under the protection of the Dragon Empress

and her then at the time very young children. And yeah, this place, it's like going to those really old parts of London or Rome and just being awed by that sense of history. And the buildings themselves, there's no shops here. There's no coffee shops or anything like that. It's all estates of powerful merchants. It's all, you know, schools, you know, places of learning. You see it's hard not to miss the giant floating imperial palace, new imperial palace, sorry,

that rises above the now domed sort of landmark that marks where the Empress is old palace and where she was killed. But also you spot loads of other buildings. I mean, for Xanthias, you see this. this incredible campus, multiple buildings, gardens, great domed, almost crystalline domed towers, towers that spiral and have ossuaries and everything coming off of the academia, the greatest place of learning in the empire

where pretty much all of the most powerful majors, the most learned scholars, the children of rich families are sent to study. And also children of poorer families who earn their way, who prove themselves. It is this grand sprawling campus. Imagine sort of Harvard and Yale mixed with Cambridge and Oxford.

It has this sense of ancientness to it, but all of it is very beautifully rendered and architecturally designed. The students all wear these gorgeous robes of deep, deep purple, like velvety kind of silk robes. And they also all wear sort of similar scholarly hats kind of slightly pointed but not quite wizard hat style with long trailing sort of ribbons that go down the back of their head

and they all bustle about in the place you pass by a few other impressive looking buildings as well one of which is it's almost stark because amongst all these beautiful imagine like the most beautiful architecture like carved draconic statues and gargoyles you know ornate archways with crenellations And then you see that close to sort of the main road from the path of ascension, there is this enormous watchtower. It is stark, just the blockiest, sturdiest stone with arrowed, slicked walls.

And like, you know, this is a fortification. And you would learn that this place is called the Central Chambers. This is the home of the high authoritar, the authoriters, the Inquisition of the Ecliptic Order. It is also the barracks of the Worm Guard as well, the Central Worm Guard. This is the heart of law and order in the city. And you can see Griffin riding cavalry coming and going into the place. You see squadrons of Wormgaard in that resplendent platinum armour coming and going. But also you see black-clad authorities walking with citizens discussing cases, upcoming trials, like coming and going,

leading up into the grand stairs that lead into this dominating, you know, domineering, blocky watch tower. It's very unusual amongst all these other beautiful buildings. But you find some directions, and eventually you are led to, not quite tucked in the corner, but it's not in that central near the palace. You get the impression that this was once an old merchant's estate, a grand estate, with an iron fence and expansive gardens built around it. But it has been converted, and this is now the Ossian embassy. By its full name,

Embassy to the Mautarch Ecclesiarchy of Ossius, which is the actual name of the culture is the Mautarch Ecclesiarchy. Ossius is just the continent name, like Ilmira and things like that. You see that outside tilling, working the gardens, skeletal figures, not shrouded, not covered up in Rome. just skeletal figures tending to the gardens. You see zombified hands scuttling along, like churning up dirt, collecting root vegetables

from allotments and gardens that have been placed, ossean crops that have been grown here specifically for the embassy, and stood at the guard, at the gateway, two pallid white guards. So these are white powerful, sentient undead, who would technically serve, I think white technically belong to the house of... It wouldn't be bone, but it also probably wouldn't be raw.

I imagine it actually belonged to the house of shrouds because they're magically created. I might change that, but we'll see. But they're clad in black armour, the symbol of the grave father proudly emblazoned upon it. They snap to attention as you draw closer, both in a feat of impressive or inspiring, you know, might, but also as a warning, like, do not come closer unless you have business.

And you can see that people are bustling in the buildings but aren't beyond as well. What is your business with the embassy? I have an invitation for the event that's happening in a few days. I am from Osseus myself. I'm sister affiliate Delaros of the House of Blood. These are my companions. I was just looking to pop in and say hello. Honoured sister, you are of course welcome. This land is home. Your companions are permitted inside, but you are responsible for their actions.

Should they bring shame or harm to Osceus, you understand that there would be grave consequences. I understand. That's very funny. Of course. Well, welcome, Sister, Honoured Sister. Thank you. And the gates swing open magically. They do not move them themselves.

They just open at some mental command. And these two figures, their glowing, pale blue eyes, just continually staring out as you step your way inside. Percy, you may de-robe if you wish. Thank you, Mother. And takes off the robe,

revealing the skeletal arm. It's just naked under that. It's huge. Nice pelvis. He is technically, he doesn't have his armor armor because you haven't had new armor made for him yet, have you? Oh no, you requested it, but yes. Yes, so he has his chain mail and gambes it and things like that one.

But yeah, he now just resembles a skeletal warrior as you step inside. Do we need to act like certain greetings or just act like you? Especially the mortal blood for the eternal, it's the usual sort of beauty. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Just don't break anything, hit anyone, fight anything, you'll be fine.

Okay, great. Don't be polite. Don't throw chairs out of windows. Don't throw chairs out of windows. Go ahead. You begin making your way up. A short set of stairs lead to the grand, you know, once a grand merchant's estate, the doors,

it's all been completely redecorated. Everything has the symbols of the different houses of the Ecclesiarchy, the symbols of the Gravefather. You see that above the door there are five symbols, one for each of the houses. perhaps to your frustration, the house of bone is prominent and central, the house of blood next to it, along with the house of rot, and then the two other houses on either side. But you step through the threshold. You enter almost like, yeah, a grand nobles house. There is a huge sort of large

marble stone foyer with a curved, a grand staircase leading up to a second floor, long hallways leading into different wings. But everything is Oscean. There is dark red, blood-red drapes. It is very beautifully gilded, but there is also a chandelier made of bones. You know, the lights are spooky, glowing, slightly greenish things. Lanterns on the walls that have been made from some foul alchemical mixture. You are briefly shocked, as you notice, literally floating up through the floor, three ghosts in conversation, as they float and make their way up in a way up in.

into a different part of the embassy. As you begin making your way, as you sort of go in to sort of lead, there is a spectral apparition that appears a very pretty woman dressed in sort of like a maid sort of uniform, like, honored guests, welcome to the House of Osce, our embassy. Can I help you with anything? Hello, yes, I am Sister Ophelia Delaroosa of the House of Blood.

Honoured Six. Mr. Welcome home. Thank you for welcoming me. I was wondering if Brother Varus Evernight was in. I'm attending the event in a few days and would wish to just have a quick hello if possible. Most certainly I will see if I can fetch him. But I should inform you, good sister.

He is now father Valis Evernight. He has been promoted thanks to his work here. He's a dead. I would not wish you to be Father's Day. misrepresent yourself. Of course, yes. I've not heard from him in some time. So my apology...

Of course, you need not apologise to me. I merely wish to keep you informed and ensure that the House of Blood is on good terms. We've gone another. I will dispatch and attempt to find the good father and inform him that you have come to see him. Please enjoy the lobby. Would any of your living mortal companions

care for refreshment or nourishment? Would you yourself care for any? Oh, I would love some nourishment, please. Of course. Blood from home? Do you have a preference? Any particular species or age? Oh.

Hmm. Have you got any... Oh, yes. We have some century-old vintages. I'm afraid we don't carry anything older than that here. Obviously that stays at home. But I believe that there are some... We have some unopened century vintage.

It's been a while, yes. I would love some. Thank you. Yes, and what of you, mortal? I think just water. The liquid sustenance, yes. I'm okay, thank you, I'm fine. And of you? And this is like, see-through, it reminds you of Tyrea,

but less horrifying. I feel like Rowan needs to make a con save because he feels faint. Sure, make a con save for me. We'll say DC-15. 10. You faint. Oh, God.

Missoude, someone can catch you, or is gruff going to try and catch him? Yeah. I don't think, what would I roll? I don't think Daisy and Xanthia. I'm not getting under that. What would the roll be? I'd say you can just do it.

Okay, yeah, your gruff. I think it would be like, I see his eyes, he's been swaying, and then like, oh. Is your mortal companion well? I think he's just a bit overwhelmed by the generous hospitality on display. Is he common amongst the mortals here? Yes.

There are sofas and chaise longue, if he wishes to lie down. I will return with, I will send others to bring your nourishments. Thank you. And she just disappears into nothing. You're going to have to take me. You're going to have to help me get into the sofa. Okay, I'll try. Drag him to the fainting sofa.

I mean, they're literally like lined up against the water. There are like these long fainting couches. Fainting couches. That's one of Shezlongs is. Yeah. You all sort of, you know, you get, to the thing. It doesn't take long before a sort of hunched zombie creature in a sort of half butler's tailcoat, Narismund for the guests. On it is this most beautiful, elegant red crystal bottle

full of your blood with a lovely glass. There is also just a single, very pretty glass of water. Oh, lovely, thank you. Water for the mass. He stinks, by the way. House of Rot. Thank you so much. You are welcome. I'm gonna put that on the table. Oh, my sister. Thank you.

The house of blood, bless you. Just sort of hobbles along. There's no place like Tyria's Rest. There's no place like Tyree's Rest. And with that, I think that's where we're gonna take our five-baked break. It's five-me-a-break time. So we will see you guys back in five minutes. We'll see you for part two.

how I imagine it to go. See you in a bit. See you in a bit. Bye-bye, bye-bye. Bye-bye.