High Rollers DnD - Grave Concerns (Part 1) | Altheya: The Dragon Empire #92

Episode Date: February 17, 2026

The turncoat tailor suffers an interrogation from the Heroes while they transport the tainted cargo back to Ashen Rest! Altheya: The Dragon Empire Kickstarter is NOW LIVE! Support the project and get tons of amazing extras here: https://www.rollandplaypress.com/highrollers 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

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dip your toes into one of our many series or one-shots or jump right into our ongoing second campaign, released every other Wednesday at noQuestcast.com or your favorite podcatcher by searching NoQuest for The Wicked. Making my own adventures and worlds has always been one of my favorite parts of TTRPs. I love the process of coming up with unique locations, designing NPCs, and asking all those what-if questions about the world and its culture.

When we started Hirolylers 10 years ago, one of the best parts for me was getting to share the worlds and adventures I made, not just with my best friends at the table, but with a whole community who could theorize about the law and envision their own stories in that universe. With Althea, I wanted to share a world that encapsulates the things about fantasy that I first fell in love with 25 years ago,

something that evoked those teenage years staying up late to play World of Warcraft, reading Dragon Lance, and watching Record of Lodos War. A world of high fantasy that is full of hope and glory, somewhere bright and bold but still full of danger and intrigue, not too grim dark, not too cozy, not overly serious or too whimsical, something that felt quintessentially fantasy, but with its own unique twists and mysteries,

along with plenty of opportunities for over-the-top action and exciting adventures. This is a time of stories. This is Althea. But what sort of specific things can you expect from the campaign guide itself? In Althea, the Dragon Empire, you can learn all about the history of the Dragon Empire of Ilmera, as well as each of its provinces. Caldra, Gildai, Mistwald, Urdis Kyr, Iceheart, the Azar Step, and the Suncrest Isles. Each one ruled over by a different dragon host and a powerful arch dragon,

which has influenced not only the culture and lifestyle of the people, but the very land itself. Dragons in Althea are a little different to the core D&D worlds, All seven dragon types are capable of being good or evil, have powerful innate magic and the ability to adopt a humanoid form. Some dragons have different kinds of energy and magic to what you may know too, such as the green dragons focus on life and healing, or the silver dragon's powers of divination and foresight. But the Dragon Empire isn't all about dragons.

You'll also learn about the various ancestries of Althea, as well as the towns, villages and cities found throughout each province, and the important NPCs living in them. You'll learn about organizations such as the ruthless criminal guild, the Diadem, or the secretive former espionage agency Watchtower, and get lots of suggestions and hooks for your own campaigns. And there are plenty of opportunities for adventure in the empire, from dealing with Plainar cults and political intrigue

to exploring ancient proto-magi vaults, demi-plinar dungeons that can appear anywhere in a myriad of forms and functions, full of unique magic items and spells, as well as dangerous and terrifying monsters called Valt Sporn. Alongside all the lore, maps, locations and adventure ideas, there's also a ton of five-y compatible game content too. Brand new subclasses like the Order of the Green Shield Druid and Path of the Blood Fury Barbarian.

New monster stat blocks like the horrific bellomorphs and cultists of the Awoken. Optional variant rules like the Crucible of Fate and tons of new magic items. including rules for the rare and corrupting metal called Crown Steel. This really is a dream come true for me, and I can't wait to share the world of Althea and the Dragon Empire with all of you. The campaign is live now.

Help us make Althea the Dragon Empire the best campaign ever and unlock more rewards with stretch goals. Check the link below to Back it now. Welcome back to Althea the Dragon Empire. The emissary of Sovereign, Yanaria, a twisted, tormented creature of celestial and fiendish magic, was defeated. During the battle, Xanthias nearly succumbed to his hunger for crownsteal, but quick-thinking Daisy teleported him away before rushing back to the fight.

Xanthius attempted to open communication with sovereign once again and defied the divine power, mocking and taunting them, which carried a grave consequence. her sovereign channeled power through their connection and killed Xanthius in retribution. Back in the fight, Daisy contested Yanaria in a battle of wills, and whilst initially she was devastated by the emissary's hate and negative energy, she overcame it and instead flooded the being with positive energy and happy memories which dealt a devastating blow to the powerful planar creature.

Combined attacks from Ophelia, Rowan, the holy knights and warriors, brought Yanaria low, but before Daisy could deliver the finishing blow, Xanthius' haste bell ended, leaving her stunned. So Gruff instead stepped forth, and leaping powerful in the air, delivered the final blow with a roaring cry. Racing back to Xanthius,

the party discovered his body, as Zanthius' spirit was visited by Saint Dithere and asked if he wished to remain tethered to the world or to embrace his draconic heritage and journey into the draconic afterlife. Gruff, singing a beautiful Ice Heartlander song, called on his drid magic and cast Revivify, giving Xanthius a way to return.

After an emotional reunion, the party and the remaining holy nights set off Ashen Rest, only to be ambushed in the woods by a sorely, overconfident pack of cutthroats. Led by Nixom missed, a humble tailor who had been keeping tabs on the party and Zanthius for some time, as an agent of the criminal organization, the diadem. The criminals were quickly overpowered,

and Nixir captured alive. And that, my friends, is where we return to the game. It is late. The sun has long set, the silvery moon of Malia, the few glimmed stars peeking out behind clouds, as well, of course, as the ever-present glowing form of the crown, looms overhead. You have mounted your drakes

and are beginning to make your way out of this woodland copse where you were ambushed. Nixir is bound, tied and bound on the back of Sir Morning's Drake as you begin to make your way back. But is there anything you would like to do before you get back onto the journey?

We leveled up as well. You did level up as well, yes. We level up. You level up. Level 11. Roll fate. Travel via plants. Fate roll would probably be wine. Malt and loaded.

I think I would like to have a conversation with Xanthius. Okay, great. Oh, a five. A five, well that's a dice for you. I got a two. That's a dice for me. Cinco. Oh, a dice for you.

Three. A dice for me. A five. Oh, a dice for you. It's even Stevens. Fucking Stevens back out of it. God damn it. Stephen.

A four, that's it in your face. Not today, Stephen. Not today. Not today. Uneven Stephen, as I suspected. The Stevens are uneven. So, Rowan, do you want to try, is this like a quiet conversation?

It's not quite, quiet. It's just not in front of Nixir, I think. Okay, yeah. Well, I think, like, so morning is basically, like, you can see that Nixir has been gagged and has been, you know, dumped on. Nixir is still conscious because he was tied up when he was paralyzed, so he's not been knocked out.

But he's been bound, he's been gagged, and he's now sort of, like, laid red dead style over the back of, um, of Sir Morning's Drake. And you can see the Holy Knights, the ones who had their drakes were killed. They kind of partnered up with some of their other warriors, and they're all sort of getting themselves ready to make their way.

You do remember that at least one of these cutthroats did manage to escape into the woods. But yeah, you could easily grab Xantheus, like away from Nixir for a moment, Rowan, if you wanted to. Zanny. Right. No, that's not a thing. Vito.

Yeah. I have an idea about this situation that we found ourselves in with Nixir and the diadem that situation, yes, okay, I'd love to hear it. It's kind of naughty. How nought are we talking?

Because I've seen you do some things, Rowan has, you know that dog where he sees like Vietnam and the cupcake? Rowan has flashbacks to the garrossing. The wire. Are we talking, Rowan, Norton?

No, okay. Not that bad. All right, okay. Your papa. Papa's Annie. Right, yes, I did want to try to figure out exactly what Nixen might know. I don't think it's much. Why not go a step further?

And... Your father doesn't know that Nixar failed. But we'll know that they don't have a package. We could... fake the packages. We could make a package. We could make packages. And send that back.

We have the boxes. Wait, which of this is hypothetical? I don't know what this means. Oh, okay. We have the boxes. Yes. We secure the crown steel back in Ash and Rest. Yes.

We keep the boxes. We go with Nixir as his crew disguised, gain access to the diadem. Into... The wolf's den. The dragon's layer. And if they were heading back to Gil died, we go... They're just a suggestion.

Okay. Okay, I... We're good at... Disguising. I've been a rock. No one saw me. That's right. Remember the Faye World?

That went off like a dream. Rond does the dog thing again? The trees on fire. Ophelia exploding a river. Maybe we should ask the rest of the crew. We should, okay. But just an idea. Do you know how to slow this thing down?

No. Okay, good, because I've just been kind of winging it this entire time, and I think it's just fine. Anyway, I've got to go. The drakes is just... We're out of sink now. Yeah, we can catch up with the rest of the crew. What are you guys?

I'm also assuming, like, this could be before you sort of start on the way. This could be before you guys head out of the woods, right? Like if you wanted to have that conversation, it doesn't have to be on the road. It's up to you guys, really. So if you want to have like a little group powwow while the whole United States. Maybe a brief aside then with Xanthias before... Everything kind of gets... Bringing it to the rest of the group.

So what do you think, everybody? You want us to go and defeat an entire criminal organization? Well, it gives us an inn. It does give us an in. Why do we need it in there right now? feeling a bit fragile at the moment. Is Rowan aware of, we're aware of the letter? Yes. And that people are being sent, like, maybe.

There is a sibling on the way, yeah. We know very much that there is a sibling on the way. So this is more a case of Rowan trying to get ahead of that. Because, you know, there's like a hit out on you for finding the power. In terms of the Nixer problem, we'd then be nix it. That's so good. Rowan, I've said this before. Rowan's loud laugh for a couple of the lines

sort of the code there. I don't understand. I just, what does, what does he know? I don't think, from memory. And I'm, I have a very good memory. Podcast listeners, Tom is pulling a face. He asked me in the car today.

No, I was confirming with you that which I didn't say anything. I'm like 99% sure that all I said to Nixir was my last name. I'm pretty sure that was enough for him to know your father. Yes. And to me that I feel like he knows too much already. And now, well, Nixir just outwardly just said loud and clear that we've collected a package for my father. very much implicating the Oregon name.

Although you do remember that you, Sir Morning asked you about that, and you were just like, no, I don't think he said anything like that. And he believed you, yeah. And seemed genuinely to be like, oh, I must have misheard him. Yeah, I did drop her, no, weird, and then walked away and passed the skill check with it. I mean? Annoyingly, he did. What, basically, your father could have told him anything, though.

Is your father just requesting that he bring crown steel to him? Or he could have told him things that you don't want him to know. Just openly recruiting anyone. It's strange. I mean, Nixon must be a mercenary at best, right? You saw that crew. Maybe it was a test for you. Maybe he was trying to see if he could tempt you to take the...

parcel to him instead, maybe that he sent him after you specifically because he knew you would be involved. Is Nixir your brother? Is Nixir related to me? I... I don't know. Because if that was the test,

I feel like whoever's on their way is the test. He might have set up two different tests. Nixir is a black dragonborn. Just as a reminder. A very draconic dragonborn as well. Oh, yeah. But we could, it's not a bad idea, Rowan. People in Guildye won't know that that operation has failed,

so could potentially use that. There was that one person that ran away, screaming. One did get away, yes. It sounds like he, your father... I'm pretty sure they wet themselves. Yeah, he definitely, kind of left a bit of a smile behind. But I think your father might have been, they're sending your sibling here,

but then they had this plan on the go too. He's trying two different ways to get his hands on Crownsteel right now. Yes. That's bold. That's... So I'm out of... Do we do anything about this? Are we reactive to this?

It's your family's name. If they... Well, it's... His family's name. It's my father's family name. It's very much not mine. You can have mine. What is you?

Which we all know. We don't know what your family means. Everyone say it on three. I don't actually have one. Oh, okay, okay, good. But you can call yourself Xanthius Rowan. I, maybe. Maybe.

Just putting it out there. Do half-trients not have last names? We do. Oh, some do. Rowan doesn't. You are still connected. So anything that is evidence that your father is doing,

There will be questions thrown your way just because you are associated. Daisy, you would hear in your head you hear NIM. We should learn what this Nixir knows. We don't know all of the details. If this were me and I had captured an enemy scout, we would want to learn what they know, what their positions are, what their orders are. You think we should interrogate him now or when we get that?

It will be difficult with these. How do these processes really work? I, this is the difficult thing. With these holy knights present, I'm not sure. But if it were me, I would want to try and speak with this Nixir alone to learn what information I can. The better forewarned, the better forearmed. We should interrogate to find out what he knows about your father,

what specifically he was asked to do. I don't know if we do that. here or but I also don't know if we go to Ash and Rest I don't know if it would be suspicious for us to go looking for a prisoner to speak to individually I don't know if we go to Ash and Rest they have a place there they probably have a network of people that could help them so maybe we should do it while they're isolated and away from people that could get him out of a situation I don't think we necessarily need to be stealthy with this we can simply entreat the Holy

warriors and say under not orders for the Duke, but on behalf of the Duke, we, the heroes of Ashman's arrest, would like to interrogate the person who just attacked us. Easy, right? I mean, yeah, but you did just do a really good little bluff to make them look the other way. So if you then, it's up to you. How oldenat 20, I believe it. I didn't lie. You didn't say anything. I don't know. I'm saying. I convinced myself. What's Ophelia and Gruff doing in this moment?

There's a lot of conversation, but it feels like the two of you are sort of listening in and observing, but I want to kind of know what we see when we look at these two. Yeah, Ophelia's just kind of looking at Nixir, just... In her mind, Nixir knows too much already, and he's compromised. He's a liability. This were Ossius. Were this Ossius in the House of Blood,

you know that the Countess would be, like, eliminate him. Like immediately. Exactly. No, it's far too much, it's too much of a risk. Eliminate him. And also, I imagine in Osius, you would also be very much aware that the dead can still answer questions. So it's not just a case of eliminating Nixir,

it's getting rid of Nixir entirely. Oh, how... Composting him. Obliterate. He has too many loose ends, too many variables. If we keep him alive, I can just see it getting messy. In Osseus, you either clamp off a vein at the end, Or you completely get rid of the source.

Gross, sir. I think we clamp this off now. How, okay. I just don't know how we're gonna do it with people watching. I think we'd get in a lot of trouble with the Duke if we actually... Right, I'm not good with metaphor. Are we talking about killing him when you say camping? Yes, yes.

Yes, right, okay. I think we're gonna get in a lot of trouble with a lot of people who are a lot more powerful than us and have a lot more authority in these areas than us if we kill someone who's actually an excellent source of information for them. Especially if they're part of the diet. We did murder a whole bunch of his crew. They deserved it.

Ron has another distant. Question mark. Just hide to do a job. Ambush some holy warriors, nick their shit. He did say, kill Daisy very loud, and it was very offensive. He did. I think at this point, while you've been having this conversation,

you can see that the Holy Knights have finished getting all of their stuff sorted, and so Monning is like, we are ready to depart here, Rose, when you are. DM. Yes? Wonderful DM. I also have a DM question. I have a question. Okay, well, two Kims, and then I'll do Tom's. Mechanical air, in nature.

Mechanical. So we level up, which means that I now have a sixth level spell slot. Yeah. How does that work in terms of can I spend it now? I am going to say you can't. spend it now, but you don't get things like hit points in that back. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, okay.

Yeah. And can I spend a sixth level to cost a fifth level? Yeah. Yeah. You can always upcast a spell, but it might not have any additional effects, is the only thing. My Thomas.

DM question was, I mean, this plays my hand a little bit, but the Dominate person spell. What's he gonna do? Maybe mine should go first, because mine might help that. Okay. But you can still ask the question. So, it didn't work. It has a lot of suggestions of things

like attack that creature move over there. Can I literally dominate person and then just say, tell us what you know about Blair? Yeah. Yep. Cool. It's a full domination.

You have to succeed twice, I think. No. So I believe it's basically, you control the target. Like you inflict your will and you can make them do whatever you want, basically. But if you get them, if you ask them to do something

that would lead to their harm, I think they get to like make it the same. So they have advantage if we are attacking. them, yes. What if the harm is like the... So let me read it. So the target has advantage of you and your allies are fighting it.

Whenever the target takes damage, it repeats the saving throw. You have a telepathic link with the charmed target while the two of you are on the same plane of existence. On your turn, you can use this link to issue commands to the target, such as attack that creature

move over their fetch, that object. The target does its best to obey on its turn. If it completes an order and doesn't receive further directions from you, axi moves as it likes focusing on protection itself. So I would say that like a mental command of tell us everything you know about Blair is a very absolutely fine command and it will do its best to obey that command. What I would say is you have to be specific with the command.

Sure. If you say tell us everything you know about Blair, they might, they could in theory filibuster you and be like, well, I know that Duke Ignarius is a Duke of this kingdom and has fought in this and could do that right. Yeah. If you are like, tell us everything about the crown still passing. that you know I'm involved with or something like that, then the more specific you can be,

the more specific your answers will be, basically. Sure. The way I will it is that the... You also last a minute as well, which is important. The target will have some sort of degree of... They can sort of manipulate it to their own ends. I mean, a zone of truth. Yeah, sort of...

Well, it's almost better than zone of truth because you are... You force them, as long as they fail the same threat, you force them to tell, you know, speak about what you want. Zone of truth, you can just be like, I'm not going to talk. That's true. Therefore, can't make me tell them.

the truth. Yeah. What were you thinking? Were you, oh, let me see the spell here. I would like to know what the spell is. But the DM would like to know. Oh, I see. Oh, okay. The DM would like to know. We can go... Gaius. Oh, Gaius, yes. Code Gaius. Great anime. What? Remind me. You give a verbal command to a creature that you can see within range. And you have to do stuff, basically. And it lasts for 30 days. It does, but I want to check. It has... So it has a minute casting time.

No components. No components, no, no. Oh, that's verbal. It is a minute casting time, so you would need to have them alone for a minute. Is it like a single word? No. You give a verbal command to a creature that you can see,

so it has to be a single command. It's not a word, but it could be like... Tell no lies. We're talking like a sentence. Answer our questions, honestly. Yes. Ordering it to carry out some service or refrain from an action or course of activity

as you decide. How long can the phrase be? I would say it's not necessarily a phrase. Hell everyone else alive. It is a set command. So. Be only truthful to us. Yeah, that would be a command, right?

Cool. But it does get a wisdom saving throw. Yeah, mine does as well. Likewise, if a creature is immune to being charmed, these effects don't. It's every six seconds, right, that they get to do it. Nope. Not this one.

Not that one. The check. Not for Gaea Stone. But for Dominating. I believe that it's only if the creature takes down. Oh my God. I don't know if I never succeeded. No, I never do it.

Well, I'm changing a lot of those rules anyway because again we talked about it. My final quiz quiz is Dominate person, I have a telepathic link with them. If we were to mind break them, and by that I mean Daisy sets up a WhatsApp group, if I wasn't included in that WhatsApp group but I was telepathically linked with them, I would see both ends of it, right?

No. So this telepathic link for Dominate person is only to issue the commands. It is not you can have telepathic communication with them. It's a telepathic link with the child target one, two of you wanted to do it. You can use this link to issue commands to the target. But not hear them. I don't. That's how I interpret that stuff. Yeah, no, that makes sense. But if Daisy set up a telepathic call with you and Nix are in it,

you could issue those commands telepathically and also be like, and tell us, use the telepathic link to answer our questions, right, right, right. So we could. I can do that. Yeah? I have Jordan. Want a mind freak him? My freak.

Yeah, who wants in the court? Because we'll have to, if Nick's in, someone will have to drop out. And Daisy has to be in. And I have to be in it. I'm not really an interrogator, so Rowan will step out. Okay.

Everyone else can be in. I'm ready for Rowan in the mind to be brutal. The wires. The wires. As a reminder, Dominic person does have verbal and somatic components normally, so it is very obvious that you're casting a spell on them. Dominators.

Same gay as well. It has verbal components, so it is again. That's okay. Audibly noticeable that you are casting. I wouldn't have done it slightly. No, I don't imagine. I can do it. Should we inform the Holy Order what we're doing?

Hmm? The Holy. Well, I was thinking we could, we could just do this suddenly with Daisy's little mind thing. Oh, I see you. And I can... They're so naughty. I know, I know.

And we could just carry on and they would have no idea that we've interrogated this person. Why are not, why are we not just asking them? They're honourable nights. Yeah, but Ophelia's talking about, you know. And if they've given us all the information that we require of them, they're done with, surely. They're an empty vessel. As human is spent. We're rid of it. I still think, says for Ophelia, that if we turn up in front of Duke of Cusidius with a dead spy,

Ignarius. Ignarius. So many of them. Um... I think that's treason. might be. Then it's going to cause us a lot more problems. Surely we'd be doing the empire of favour by dispatching of this treacherous... I just imagine that they would want to be doing questioning of their own. We should probably just know what they know

so that when they get questioned by other people, we know what they know about us. I'm also worried about what they know about Xanthius. Well, that's what we need to know. Yes, but if they tell the other interrogators about Xanthius and the Crowns, that they'll come back to us. We don't know if they know that yet,

so that's what we're gonna find out with the, bobo, bo, bo, bo, bo. I mean, the most disappointing thing is they know my size. Like, this shirt, it fits so well. They were so good, so talented. We have to find a new person. I don't want to find a new person. Osias is full of tailors.

This is your issue. It's one of the main. Nixir is a very good tailor. It's a very good tailor. They had so much. It's just a shame. This man died several hours. Yeah, I was about to say.

He's more emotional about the tailor. So, what's the plan? So Morning and Sir Gloria are like looking over like, we're kind of ready to go. Like, what's the hold up? What's the plan? You know. I think we should just say that we're going to have a

quick conversation. We could just take them over to the site over there and just have a chat. And we can just mind, do it quite. so if they did happen to overhear anything, they won't overhear anything and it'll be fine. But then they know that we have... We wish on behalf of Duke Ignarius

to interrogate the prisoner. There is a sort of look of confusion amongst everyone. Sir Morning and Sir Gloria. Sir Gloria will say, what? Why? On what grounds? You're not authoritative, you're not investigators. To what end? We believe they have a connection to something

we were investigating on behalf of the... Duke. Now is that deception? I don't think, no Gruff is not lying. Like, we have been investigating Crown Steel. Not on behalf of Duke Ignorius. Yeah, but as you can see, Gruff keeps confusing the Duke and the Duke's

son. I believe you that I don't think Gruff would intentionally lie, but I think that you might would that, would you say for Lord of Sinians? We did tell the Duke about the Crown Steel and I gave him the book and all that. You did. I would say with Gruff, this is, give me a so hard.

It's more obfuscation, right? I would say from Gruff, it's not even obfuscation. Gruff thinks that you are doing this on the right terms. Gruff believes on the best of people and doesn't think that they're going to fucking murder a defense man. I'm going to fate this. We've done it before. Have I? We probably have.

I haven't. You might have. I haven't. We'll check the board. I can't have. 13 plus five plus one. One. 16.

I think given... No, no. 13 plus 5. 19. Plus 1. Yeah, 19. 19. 13 plus 19.

I think given your recent experiences, despite what, you know, the little conflict between Glory and Ophelia and Zantheist kind of having a little bit at some morning and things like that, these people do respect you. And I think that they especially respect, especially respect Gruff. And Sir Glory sort of, very well, I suppose if it's investigating something, and again, Sir Glory was with you

when you fought off the lamplighters, like, well, all right, Graffeth, I think. If you wish to speak with them very well, I think that we can allow that if it concerns a matter for the Duke, but we would like to know what you discuss so that we can include it in our reports and things like that.

I am assuming that you wish to have this conversation privately without us present. Aye, not be so. They sort of exchange a look. And you can see Sir Morning, he leans over and whispers something to Sir Glory. You can make a perception check if you want to overhear it. No, it's not good.

Four plus eight. He whispers something. He whispers something to Sir Glory, and you see Sir Glory, he's just like, like rolls her eyes at him. And then he nods his head. He's like, very well. Whatever matters you have,

the Lady of Secrets understands that some things need to be kept to those it matters to. We only, I will ask that you share what you learn with us, and in return, I will be open with you and that we will inform our superiors that you have spoken with the prisoner in case that becomes relevant for whatever means. I should also warn you, forewarn you,

that as soon as the crownfall was spotted, a message was sent to the ecliptic order, and they will likely, arrive very soon, perhaps the next day or so, there will be a senior member of the order who will come to collect this crown steel and that will be taken to a secure location to be destroyed. Makes sense. But it is likely that that superior, I imagine a high inquisitor, will wish to speak with you all as well. The first time, eh?

The first time. As I understand it, you had already, you've spoken to members of the Ecliptic Order with Sister Malady and Sister Benedicta. We are familiar. Yes, and they are familiar with, and you see some morning looks at Daisy and looks at sort of Ophelia, and sort of maybe looks a little bit

at like Rowan and Xandvius as well because he knows there's something fucking wrong with one of you. And I know, it's just gruff in the middle. But there is definitely a look of like, and then he says, Sister Melody and Sister Benedicta are aware that you have connections

to non-church-sanctioned magics. They are well acquainted with us, yes. So I believe that they will inform any superiors of that matter as well. So you need not fear that anything like that will become troublesome. And as I understand it, Sister Ophir, you have been granted permission by the Duke to preach within Ashon's arrest. Yes, I have. So if you wish to speak with this... Yes, we will report...

Any and all that is of interest to you. And I must make it clear, we will not condone violence against the prisoner. They are to be treated with respect, and not that I would... imagine you would indulge in such things, Gruffeth. I will ensure their safety. They are still, even though they are criminal, they are protected by law, and so we must ensure that they receive fair just justice.

Pity. There is, like, everybody's like, so morning is like, calm, calm, glory is just like, I hate this woman. Even Gruff at that point will just slowly swivel a paw onto your foot, like, just ever so lightly. It's been a long day.

I've had to resurrect a child. Like, come on now. So they part and they sort of, like, very well. You see, Sir Morning takes Nixomist off of the back of the Drake, pops them up maybe against like a tree stump or a log, and then they will kind of separate and give you a bit of space to let you speak with them. Nixir who is like their arms are bound, they're gagged, they're like,

hmm, ha, ha, ha, ha. Can I first put to gold site I cast Detect Magic? You can. What are you? So are you looking over their body? I mean, I'm looking, yeah, for scrys, for just any kind of trace magic that might... So around?

Indicate. Well, I'll investigate them because... Give me an investigation role. Okay. So, but I also have, yeah, so detect magic, yeah. I would give you advantage on the... investigate role. Oh, I have advantage anyway.

Yeah, from the gold sign. 12, I only have plus zero, unfortunately. 12. You probably would find Nixir has a standard potion of vitality that he never got a chance to drink. You know, because they haven't, they've taken away weapons, they haven't, like, searched through, like, his pockets, and it's, like, a tiny,

thin vial on the inside of his jacket. There is another vial in that same jacket of some non-magical substance that you don't recognize. Just in case. Just in case. Yeah, yeah, you don't know what they're going to do with them.

You... Look for me, a little from B. You want to drink away? No, I don't do. Oh, okay. You would also... I don't think there is anything else in your investigation on Nixar that you find

with the domestic, or like going through their pockets or things like that. Okay, okay. There'd be things like there is, like, the key to their shop they probably have on them. He's like, I'll be taking all of those clothes. Anything could be a weapon.

Gruff, to your point, you can't imagine the knights will be, you know, if Xanthius steals the house key, it's probably not going to go down very well. I think, yeah, as Zanthias, he doesn't bat an eye at taking their potions. Yeah. But when Zanthias takes the keys and has that momentary board. It's almost taking off anything. How are they bound? So they've got their hands just tied by rope behind their back.

You can cut a rope with a key. You can, oh. Well, they're down in front of them. So I will say on your 12, one thing you notice is that Nixir, the rope has been frayed by one of his talents. Like, he's been slowly trying to like cut the rope with his talent. And he sort of is like, when you notice, he's like, Can I retie it?

You know, Sailor's knots, retire it. Yeah, and it's like, ah, and you kind of tie his hand so he can't reach down to it with his talent and stuff. On each finger. Yeah. Yeah, you absolutely can. And splay them. So when you get your nails done?

I've put like a pretty high D.C on escaping the ropes because you're such a seasoned sailor. But Nixir also seems to know what he's doing and was, yeah, I had completed two of three attempts to bring three. So he'd be like soaring through that road. Because we were talking so long. Yeah, basically, yeah.

And also, like, whilst, you know, he was going to wait until you were on the horses and then wait and then literally roll off and try and get into the underbrush and run away. Hell yeah. And I guess passively I can't see just, You do not see any invisible sensors. I mean, don't forget, Detect Magic doesn't see invisibility.

That's true. So you wouldn't pick up on like any scrying senses or clairvoyance or anything like that. Okay, still, that's enough for me. Sure. Hmm. Mm-hmm. Okay. Uh.

Daisy. Who are you including? So Nixir, yourself, Xanthias. Gruff and Ophelia. Gruff and Ophelia. Do you want to roll your dice to see how long it lasts so so we know. Ron's going to go over to... Two hours.

order and just do really inane conversation with them. Weather's been, now. You're a bard, you could play a song for it. You could do whatever you, you could do whatever you want. You're an entertainer. Like, you could just be like, I was like, how burned out, weather? Do you find the grass is like a slightly different shade of yellow

over these parts? The two holy nights are probably just like, oh. But Karnar is just like, yeah, I do know this. You do, don't you? Yeah. Oh, Fergal used to love that out of grass. Fuck! There's a moment where they solemnly remember Fergal joints.

You start telling stories about Fergal, and they start telling you all about Fergal. I think I can put a song together for Fergal. That'd be lovely. He loves songs, are Fergul? I think you're going to go over to, like, make some noise and stuff, and then you did immediately, like, a two-minute silence. Could you guys keep it down? Trying to remember phone.

You're blinking too loudly. But yeah, so Rowan goes over. He's very much keeping them distracted, right? Like, you know, they... No, he literally is just... I was just bored. And he wants to make conversation. Okay, nice.

He's like, I don't really... I don't really get to know you guys. You can spend some lovely time. Yeah. Yep. Okay. Hello? Hello?

Next, it goes about saying we are talking in our minds here. There's no point wasting your time trying to escape. We've identified that you're trying to escape. that you're trying to scratch you. Well, I nearly escaped. Nearly, but didn't. No, listen.

You're very much bound. This is excellent, and this is very, very wise of you doing this without the knights present, because they are not going to believe me, but we do not have much time. As soon as the diadem knows that I've been caught, they will kill me. So if you want information, you need to help me as quickly as possible. Well, how is it that they are going to discover that you've been caught until you get back to... Well, one of my people got away. They will send word to our contact immediately.

and then there is, you did not find it, but there is a mark, there is a magical mark, a tattoo. They can kill me through it. And where is this mark? It's the small of my back. You'll have to lift up my shirt and check it. You need to be more thorough. Just fully out my butt.

Okay, can I, I mean, can I try to see the mark, see if there's any way of maybe dispelling it? I mean, you pull up this shirt and there is a glowing, you know, normally it would just look like a normal tattoo. And it is, it looks like an ornate, you know, on dragon scale as well, this is like dragon-borne scale. It's almost been done to look like this great, like, a hoard of treasure on Nixus Beck.

It's almost like a bit of a yakuza star, like really colorful, bold. There are like dragons mixed into it and everything else. But amongst that horde, there is a singular circlet with a single gemstone in the middle. That glows. And you, Zanthias, know that is the symbol of the diadem. It is their signia. And that part of the tattoo glows with quite powerful magic, transmutation and necromancy magic.

Okay. It does not, like, dispelling it, this is not, this would require, like, it would take effort to dispel, as in it's not a third-level spell or not, but this is a more powerful object. Would greater restoration dispel it? No, greater restoration would remove, like, a curse. This has been willingly put there.

This is not, like, a thing that has been placed upon him. It's not a cursed object. or anything like that. So it can't be like physically removed either. I mean you'd have to carve out a huge chunk of his back to potentially do that and whether that ends the effect. I don't think of Delia has a problem with that. But he doesn't like.

Basically this is like you know how you can't dispel a magic item? This is kind of a similar thing. Yeah, I mean I'll look to the others and say, I am so close to tapped out from the previous fights that I can't dispel this. So looks like we have a time limit. No, no, no, there's no time limit.

of it. They will kill me. The only other way that they won't kill me is if you let me go, I can return to them and then they won't kill me and I can continue living and I won't trouble you anymore. And what was your intention with the ambush? It was nothing, it was really nothing to do with you. We were, but we are here to get the crown steel, the diner didn't want the crown steel. We thought initially, we didn't realize that you'd been sent on this mission until it was far too late. We thought it was just the Holy Knights. We thought we could handle a few of them. And then obviously I learned that you're there fighting. So what happened when the Crownfall came?

Were you in Ashen's rest? Yes, of course I was. I was in my shop. What do the DiDive want with Crenstiel? To sell it, my dear, to sell it, it's worth fortunes. It's worth fortunes. I mean, especially if it's of high purity. I don't know what kind it was that you found out there,

but the high purity stuff is worth an absolute fortune. Who are you selling to? I don't know. Listen, I am but a small conk in the Diadem's plans. I don't know much more. I get messages from my contact. I'm asked to look into things, asked to keep an eye out for certain things,

and we all have generic missions. If you see Crownfall, if you learn of Crown Steel, acquire it at all costs. You will be rewarded handsomely. We get huge shares of whatever we bring in and find. And let's talk about the bigger cogs in the machine, then. You spoke so brazenly about my father. Why, I was hoping that that might get you to back off

and let us finish off these stupid terms. And that was a bluff. No, of course it wasn't. Why do you think... You are incredibly unsubtle, Xanthius Orygon. You come to Ashen's rest, you make a big... You blast very clearly altered magic in the tournament. You swan around using your name Oregon. You were one of the very few people I told.

You mentioned it in the fashion parade. That... It was published in the paper. Yes, I... Well... You're not the most subtle. No, I know. He's got a point, yeah.

But more than that, I knew of you even before you did all of that. Amissive, emissive was sent. A day, perhaps not even that before you arrived in town. A description of your description. If you see this gold dragonborn, they are likely traveling through Caldra or near Kelskaris. Watch them, learn of them, confirm their identity. We are looking for one Xanthius Oregon, son of Lord Oregonus. he is carrying an important package.

Learn if he has this package on him. Why do you think I offered you that such a great deal on your tailoring? I thought you were being really nice. I thought I was being very paranoid. Paranoid? My dear boy, you've got a lot to learn if you think that was paranoid.

Oh, blessed ferval. No, that's not good. I'm not good. Duh, do, do, da, da. Ah. I'm instantly in my head. He closed his eyes. He closed his eyes.

Oh, that we were caught. Ah, ah. He fought that angel. Ah. And then he died. The other night is joining you. I think Kanaar and Harry absolutely do. Nobody else is.

Nell is tapping her foot, but he's not in joy. He's not like going along with him. It's definitely a tapping up. What about that poor other one that died as well? And Agnes to Agna. Everyone only cares about Foggling. The volume is getting to the point where it's starting to intrude on this conversation. Can I roll an insight to see...

You can. I'm going to say it's a disadvantage because this is telepathic, so it's very hard to like... Hard to see you're sweating. Yeah. And also he is just very cool customer. Chris Trott, please read out my results. Oh, that's a one and that's a two.

Well, one then. You can't really pick up a read on him. It's telepathic communication. He is bound and gagged. He's very expressionless when he's speaking. This is somebody who's kind of mastered, you know, not speaking. But here's the thing. And this is going to sound like blackmail,

but it's not really. It's me just being realistic. They're going to take me back. They're going to interrogate me. I'm, of course, going to have to mention that we were, I was keeping an eye on you. because you're carrying crown steel. What?

What? Now, you won't... Idiot? Now, there's no way to prove the link between that crown steel and your father. Your father's not stupid. There is no trail. There is no evidence of that.

But I can... You would certainly be in a lot of trouble. You've been carrying it for some time, as I understand it. I don't know the exact... I don't know what happened in Kelskaris, but I know that one of our lower members was involved somehow, somebody that you went with that brought you into the meeting,

that there was some sort of explosion. The Dydan was very upset with you and your father, but as I understand it, compensation has been applied, and now we're keeping an eye on you. We have been keeping your father informed, of what you've been doing and where you are, and the diadem has also been keeping a close eye on matters. Who else in Ashenrest is looking in on me?

It was just me. I hire beggars and things like that, but I'm the only agent in the... You are the head of this organisation in Ashen Rest. Yes, Ashen's Rest is really not that big of a town, you know. I mean, can I incite that one? Yeah, I mean, anybody can make an insight check. I guess it's still with this part, right?

I've nominated him yet. I haven't know, but that's coming. He's giving information very freely. Whether or not it's truthful. Yeah, but if he's gonna die anyway then. A six with disadvantage. Same thing, telepathic and hard to read. Okay, Gruff, I think we need to go deeper

into that mind. If there was a way for the person. Are you saying that in the telepropos? No, no. I mean, it's. I'm hosting this. Oh, that's true, you can choose who hears what, can you really?

Well, I'm hosting this telepathic call, but if there was a way to host a call, whilst also being like, la la la la la la la, I'm not listening. That's what Daisy's doing right now. Okay, sure. Okay, yeah, absolutely. You've established the link,

but you don't have to, like, be really registering it. I think she probably is, but she doesn't want to add to it. And it will be open to everybody to be able to hear anything in the call. It's just that Daisy's like, I'm uncomfortable. Xanthias, we could make, We can make this worth your while as well as mine.

I can feedback false information. I could help you whatever problem is going on with your father. I could assist you, but I can't do that if I'm dead. The other problem is if I die, these priests can simply call my spirit back and make me answer their questions. It is in your interest for me to live and to get away. That's a really good point. Griff, what do you think? If you don't have a way of removing this mark,

which in itself would be a great problem because they would know that the mark has been dispelled and likely send an assassin after me. But I can deal with an assassin. I can run, I can flee, change my name, change my identity. Can I mute people in a call? I'm interested. I don't think so.

No. Rowan's hugging Harry and they're both just crying. Burgl. Groff would have given nods as Anthias. You are free to interpret to that, as you will. Fireball. It ruins just crying and then it just sees, ah! The forest is on fire now, great.

I do not trust you, Nixar. Understandable and probably the wisest thing you've thought of so far. You shouldn't trust me, you shouldn't trust anyone. Great, and it's wise for you not to resist. I will cast a dominate person. He is going to try and resist, though. It's a shadow of war, you are mine. What is the DC-M.

I'm looking for here. DC, it's a wisdom say... And are you doing this subtly? Oh, yes. Yeah, my hand is to their head. I'm shouting, you are mine, but it's very subtle. Well, I'm asking subtle spell. Yeah, I'm casting a sorcery point to subtle spell.

Well, then we'll say that you're whispering that, and the others do not notice. And the DC is? 16. 16. I'm afraid that this spy's will is stronger than that. No, no, no, no. Can I use fate to like...

No, I can't use fate on that. Like, there rolls to reduce. No. This is just a pure, like, luck of the dice on my part. Yeah. I only did just beat it. Oh, does it matter if I cast it at a higher level?

It won't increase the DC. Oh, it makes it last longer. That's cool. But failed anyway. Damn it. Damn it, damn it. Drap down. I'm afraid I have to resist.

I don't particularly like the idea of being under control. I don't trust you, does it? Um... Okay. Would you let me dominate? you if our positions were reversed. No, well.

Oh dear. It's no good crap. I can't get into their mind. I need your help. I'll pay you back. What are we... With what? No, don't know. Dominic.

What are we trying to stop here? Are we trying to get him to answer our questions truthfully or not speak about you? I mean, answer, us truthfully, ideally lie to everyone else. Like that. Well, how much of a command can I give? How much of a, yeah.

A single command. I'll let you interpret it. If you think of a cool way to phrase it, like, you might be able to do both things, but it's up to you. I'll just take the letter of your command. I see you're looking at his neck, Ophelia. Stop it.

I'm also thinking about this tattoo, Two, three, three, four. Wait, how so, can you get rid of it? I don't know. I can, I can remove it, well, I can try to remove it. Magically. Right, magically. No. Oh.

It's like the Star Wars thing. You can remove it magically, right? Right. Ugh. I was saying he can have a quick death with this tattoo or... Not. Choice is his. as a way of getting them to tell the truth.

Old-fashioned way. Okay. We'll put a pin in it. You know, on the other side of the thing, it's probably like Harry and Canara with like, you know, with Rowan, they've got their arms around you, probably another rousing rendition of Fergal the song.

Can you change? You change, yep, yep. Daisy's going to walk back to Rowan. I'm just going to be. Yeah, you don't have to be nearby. We're all sobbing. I'm not very threatening. So I'm just going to go through it's okay.

It's fine, it's fine. But Fergal, I barely got to know him. He was such a good warrior. He hit at least once. Every six seconds. Oh, it was like four or five times. Four or five times he hit. You're right, Erie.

He hit more than me. Was that Kana? I couldn't do anything. It was useless. You were not useless. I was useless. No, you're the best! You will answer the four of us truthfully

and you will not speak of Xanthius' crown steel to anyone. We'll not speak of Xanthius' crown steel. To anyone. Can I adapt it slightly? No. I'm gonna... I'm gonna say that, I'm gonna go with that. It is a wisdom saving throw though? Same, 16. I roll this publicly.

That's a natural job. Oh, fuck, okay, Ophelia. I would imagine that there's almost... Because you have the detect magic up Xantheist. There is maybe even just a sign that that tattoo is almost reinforcing the will to resist this stuff. You know, just to kind of give the flavor of why it's so powerful and why he's able to resist

so easily these magical spells. But yeah, just... I really, really don't want to be bound by these kind of strains. I'd much rather we make some sort of deal. Look, these warriors, they're going to start getting suspicious. What you have to do?

I won't even imply you. I can just escape on my own. All you have to do is perhaps undo those new bindings and put the old ones back on. I'll just vanish. Nixar, I don't think you seem to understand. You seem to think that you have the up-r-r-hand on us right now. But the fact is, the minute you say something about Santhius and Crownsteer,

well, let me direct your attention towards the sister Ophelia on my left here. Ophelia draws out. or veracity, just points it at the small of Nix's back. My dears, do you think being threatened by you and whatever harm you think you can cause me is any sort of danger compared to what the diadem will do to me? Compared to what the inquisitors will do to me? No, no, no, no.

I'm not afraid of you, Gruffeth, Knight-errant, or you, Sister Ophelia, or you Xanthias. I'm not afraid of any of you. You're afraid. I'm not there. Yeah. I am willing to keep Xanthias out of trouble in exchange for my life. And at the same time, as I said, my offer,

perhaps feed your father some false information, is still on the cards. I'll sweeten the pot. You will never see me again. I'll likely get repositioned. The diadem will send me off to somewhere else anyway. They will not be happy that I've failed to acquire the crowns. but they'll keep me alive. I'm too useful to them.

But I'm not afraid of you or sister Ophelia. You should be frightened of me. You threatened my life, and yet here I stand. Before you take another breath, I was fine with everything until you threatened Xanthius. Mm, yes. That was your mistake. Do you know yours, Grufford?

You're just too damn honorable. You're a nice. You're not going to do anything to me. As you like pointing out, I'm not a knight yet. No, but you want to be. You don't have it in you. I've met killers and cutthroats. I've met torturers. And sister of Philly, yes, she would kill me quite gladly.

I see it in her eyes. That's a woman who's killed for other people before. Silence, loose ends. But you? No, no, no. Not you. Besides, Death is literally not the thing that scares me.

Nor is pain, nor is violence. There are far worse things the diadem can do to me. Then I leave you to them. Zanthius. Can we walk away just a little bit enough to have a whispered conversation? I guess not in the mind. Sure, yeah, yeah, yeah. You can have a physical whispered conversation.

Yeah, yeah. As they said, they are far too small a cog in a... in whatever these diademes machinations are. And also, they are going back to a city with obsidious in. He has quietened bigger things with much less in places that he does not even control. He has the ability to stop this, even if he does speak, I believe,

it's more a question of, if we can't get rid of this tattoo, this person will die. Are you okay with that gruff? That's his consequence for joining such a dubious organisation. That is not on my conscience. In that case, I don't see... It's risky, obviously, but we can't let them free.

I don't intend to. But we also can't kill them. They failed to both the diadem's eyes end and ashen arrests, as far as I'm concerned. So I think we might just have to see how this plays out. It's a bold strategy con. But yeah. He's already said we can't threaten him beyond his own organization.

So I say let him face the consequences of everything he's worked for. In that case, all we need to do is just inform obsidious at the very, very least, uh, and and let him go back to Ashen rest and say their peace, right? Right? And perhaps we suggest that we leave Ashen's rest at the earliest opportunity. Yes, yes. I'm more worried about these inquisitors coming.

Daisy, I know you're listening in. Any... Huh? Any thoughts on... Well, this was a... physical whisper conversation before. Oh, yes. Remember. Yeah.

Because you didn't want an exeter. Ophelia? They're already dead to me. Okay. Good. Frettened us, they threatened everything we've worked for. They threatened you, they threatened gruff. As far as I'm concerned,

they're spent. He did. He threatened me in the last episode. Oh, in the fight, yeah. That's in the fight. I'll take that very serious thing. I take that very serious. What happens in the fight?

What happens in the fight? Staying the fight. This is a whole different scenario. He lost the fight and he's now bargaining for his life. Completely different. Whereas I've written that in my diary and I'm very upset about it. That's fine.

I've written in my diary. Yeah. In all caps, in a red pen, underlined. In that case, the information they've given us is not even worth sharing with the... So Gloria and so morning. They weren't forthcoming with the information.

We weren't able to get anything out of them. I don't think you really asked him much. Well, no. I will deal with him. Okay. Good. So does the pine just to basically go back and be like, we're done with him and see what happens?

Throw him to the wolves. Okay. Except the wolves is a big tattoo on his back. So Graf, you go back and someone who's like, well, did he tell you anything? Were you able to get any information out? Very little beyond what I think we all have figured out. He is a member of the diadem.

They saw the crownfall. They sent him and his crew to retrieve crown steel to sell. an awful lot of bargaining, I'm afraid, and begging. Well, that won't help him much when the Inquisitor has arrived to speak with him. I'm sure we'll get whatever information we can out of them. But I don't know much about this diadem. I've only heard a little.

They're secretive. They keep a lot of information hidden from their own members. It's likely he only has code names and things like that of superiors. But whatever we can learn, we'll get out of him. I'm sorry that you weren't able to learn more. But if we learn anything, I'll be sure that we share anything that we learn if it pertains to matters of the Duke. Thank you.

All right. And then they go over and put it back up on the Drake. Everybody mounts up and you ride out. All part of the plan. All part of the plan. All good. You travel back through the woods and across countryside. As you begin to close in on Ash and Rest,

you do see that out on the Great World, wide fields, you know, still several miles out of the town, but you can see pires burning. And you can see the Duke's second company, the second company of the army is basically not retreating, marching their way back to town as well. You're traveling, you know, some of them are cavalry, some they're on foot, so you're kind of traveling a bit faster than they are. The morale seems mixed. Definitely looks like from the opinion that they probably did lose quite a few soldiers,

but ultimately it was a victory. And the pires that you can see burning are likely the piles of these crownfallen beasts that you fought that they've burnt to ensure that they don't come back to life or some other foul magic spreads. But it looks like it was a pretty nasty battle, a lot of injuries, a lot of wounds, soldiers kind of making the way back. But ultimately, a victorious one, just a little bit.

Taking a few more casualties than they were expecting. Okay. But when you return, as you arrive to the gates and the walls of Ashen Rest, you return to the sounds of cheers, of clapping of celebration, fanfares on horns and trumpets are played as you and the army return triumphant. Those who have been watching from the fields know that the battle was won, and as you ride back in, the Holy Knights, you know, are holding up the reliquaries as proof that they are successful.

Hey, everyone, I've got Crown Steel. Kind of. There. Kind of. Kind of. As you arrive back, very quickly, a cordon of guards is put in place. Civilians are still secured in the barracks and in their homes and things like that. So the streets are bizarrely empty, even though it's not super duper late.

It is still odd to see Ash and Rest. Evacuate. Evacuate. Or desolate, you know, desolate. So morning will turn to you all, well, I believe that this is where we part ways. We will return to the Bright Shadow Cathedral, where we will secure the Crown Steel and await the Inquisitors from the Ecliptic Order to come and retrieve it.

I wish to once again extend my thanks. It is no secret that without you, I think, how we would have all perished. That emissary was stronger than any of the stories we had been told. we were not expecting a difficult fight of that nature. And that may be the strongest emissary that has been recorded. Without you, perhaps we would not even be able to destroy the portal. This could have been a desperate, desperate matter.

But thanks to all of you. And regardless of our religious differences and our fears and our concerns, we thank you and we do respect you and we do honor you for what you have done here today. And I'm sure that the Ecliptic order will feel the same way as well. We may disagree on faith, we may disagree on souls and the protection of such, but we cannot deny your heroism and your honour this day. Farewell. With that, they salute and ride off towards Bright Shadow Cathedral.

What's the time of day, is it? It is late. It's like 9.10 p.m. Good, sir, evening, so morning. Alas, my name is One causes too many problems But thank you You thought you were far enough to not here I was kind of for these guys

Sorry Right off But yeah, leaving you guys Sort of now Alone or to return to the inn Or whatever you wish to do So I'm guessing it went super well With the mix of situation

Well done Quite well, what really able to get anything out of them at all. They were trying to ask us to set them free. But I think we need to finalize our report on this entire thing where we can with Obsidious or with someone else and hopefully make plans for the future, right? By the way, Obsidious is a bit upset with you.

Why is he not? I caught him after your last conversation. He seemed a bit flustered. Wait, what did I say? You just might want to make it up to him. Oh, okay. Um, oh. I kind of, I kind of, I kind of shouted at him a little bit and told him to go away.

And... Why do you do this thing? Yeah. See, I was in the, it was, I'm like, look, there's no one around, right? We can say that you've, like, moved, you're making your way back to the inn, sort of like you're on deserted streets,

the guards are all returning to their duties, and, you know, congratulating their friends coming home. It was, for their own good. My energy had dissipated somewhat, and I was concerned about a dragon coming close to that kind of lure as such. was trying to push them away. I said it in anger, but it was more...

It worked, it worked, at least. And that was the idea. And they know what you were trying to achieve. I can tell them. I can tell them. So they don't know. They just got you shouting, go away at them. Yeah, and then I left, and then we went to go investigate the crime for it. So I need to go...

The son of the duke. After everything he's helped us with. I just don't... Santhius, one day I would like to be as brave as you because shouting straight in a dragon's face multiple different times. Hold on. For their protection, this time.

For their protection. Did they know that? Not my protection, their protection. It's so honourable what I did. And telling a god that he embarrassed you. I didn't tell you that. It's a vibe I got. The only reason that's insidious was vulnerable

because you decided to make that vulnerability, right? I didn't tell you that either. Rowan says above table. Maybe you want to, maybe, be nice to him. I will be nice to him. Like I said, it was, for their good. I didn't mean what I said, it was just, it was, for, I, it was. Okay, you're telling the wrong people.

I'll tell them. I'll tell them. Yes, please. Now, because we need them with this Nixir shenan shenan, as well, We need to mix this. In the bud. I still have a whole of a date.

I don't understand this next thing. I heard it myself. I don't. I feel like he's probably in a pretty bad mood. And maybe, but more so than usual, if you shouted in his face and maybe if he is still in a terrible mood, maybe you could say, hey, I had a horrible day too.

I kind of died and maybe he'll feel sad for you and then you'll make up and be friends and it'll be okay. He was very upset when I last saw him. I didn't intend to upset this time. This time. That's understandable, but we need to fix these things. Wait, did you intend every other time to be... This is Antheis, we're talking about.

There's some kind of thoughts going in my head when I say things to people. I don't want to be in your head, Santhias. It's a scary place it sounds like. Yeah. My eyes widened like the dog. I was going to say, it was probably about two hours. before the journey back, so the mine link is got. I would have cancelled it after we had the conversation anyway.

I would have kept it. Just as an FYI, yeah. Even if you had some dependent. Block, report for spam, get Nixir out. So what do you guys want to do? It's about 10pm. To the tavern. Have a drink.

As some rest. Tarria's rest? Yes. What do we have to? Oh, Mateo. Rest is a good way. Mateo will serve us, right? We can serve ourselves.

It's our tavern. Wait, would you say drink? Do you mean? The red stuff or the red stuff? Yeah. Any color, as long as it's red. That's one color. That's one color.

Any color. As long as it's red. Any shade of red, you can imagine. Ribina. Oh, I love ribbonsia. Raspberry tea. Hibiscus tea. Although I do remember when you drank some green blood

and that really messed you up. Not going to rip. Although Lady Verithera's blood was excellent. Can I just say, this out loud. Sure, you could say it quietly. Did it feel weird not having Mateo there with us this whole time? I felt a void in my life. I'm pretty sure there's six of us. There should be six of us.

There should be six of us. Seven, sorry, Perthal. That's just quite alright. If Mateo was there, he might have, you know, Fergo. I don't think he would have survived. Good point. We need to update him on everything that happened so he can sing songs.

Yes. Should we divide obsidious to the inn tonight? Will he fit? I guess I fit. Yes. Did you hit your head really hard in that fight? I think he is. I mean, in dragon form, he's very big. He's big, but...

Which form of him? Humanoid. Right. Yeah, he'll fit. I've not tried big me in the intention. I know the definition of humanoid is very in flux in this universe. You don't know if he will want to come and see us, though.

From now on, humanoid is a descriptive term only. From now on. There's none of the... this fucking charm person, charm monster monster bullshit. Ever since that comet came over and changed all our magics, it's just, the word feels like it means nothing. In fact, another comic goes over and changes another thing. Goblins are humanoid.

It's so stupid. Just boomers shaking his little fists. So are you going to try and invite Obsidious to come to Tyria's rest this evening? I feel like you should probably just go to him. We also, this was a mission for the Duke, right? Yeah, well, he asked you to go, yes. So is there, I don't really know,

is there like a summons to, to finish the mission? Well, he will probably have to, because remember he flew off to half to defend that. He's probably going to fly back. He's, you know, it's late, his soldiers are tired. Yeah. That is probably a tomorrow thing. You will probably be summoned, you know,

you will probably be summoned to the Dominus Signorum for a kind of like, this is what happened, how did it go? We, I've heard this, blah, blah, blah. Like, a kind of, you know. So that's of a rush for a debris fright. they probably still have things to do. Yeah. But we stopped the problem.

Whereas Obsidius was defending the city. Yes. He was told the defense city. Yeah. Godduring about. They are not allowed by law to go near him. He's probably had his feet up. He's probably angry as hell.

Probably inspecting his nails. After what his dad did to him and you? Yeah, that was a bit of a wombo combo. He's going to be pissed as fuck. I just don't think, I don't want to face the wrath of, of, of an angry dragon. I might just, do you know what means to send a message or?

No. This might have be a mundane way, which means that we're sending someone else to go see them first. Maybe you should just go. And see if that person gets incinerated. Send this. Yeah?

I think he's just you that needs to go. I don't like doing things on my own. Yeah, I think it needs to be though. Because you want to say them all on your own. I like it when scenes have more players in. I can come with you if you want. Okay. Also, the DM can do scenes with other people at the boundary.

I know. I know. There's an entire possibility. I just... We can if you want, but... I'll accompany you, but I'm not... I'm not being involved in the conversation. Emotional support, Percy?

He's very good at emotional support. Percy? If Mother thinks that I am good at it, I am good at it. You are excellent at it. Thank you, Mother. Pretend I am a very, very angry... dragon. Yes?

Why did you, that didn't take a lot for you to do that? What? No, no, you're, okay. Someone just insulted you. Someone you've been protecting has just insulted you, and also your father is very, very mean to you. What would you say to them? I do not know what it is like to have a father.

I know, I know. Mother said something very unkindly. I would be deeply hurt. Right. And were I able to feel emotions, I expect I would be, deeply unsettled and angry. Wait, I think I got the perspective wrong.

Pretend I'm that person, and I've been, and you're trying to apologize. You know what, Percival, come along, you're great. Is that what you wish of me, mother? To go with Xanthus? You have three to go as you wish. Get a company Xanthius if you wish. But I wish to be with you.

You can be with me if you want. That is what I would want, but what do you want? What do you want? To be with you. Oh my God. Maybe. Maybe first of all just is here tonight. Okay, you stay with me, Percy.

Stay with me? Yes, excellent. If I make you happy, you stay with me. It does make me happy. Then I am happy you are happy. I am happy that you are happy. I am happy, you are happy, Percy. He's good at emotional support.

He's so good. I'm so happy that he's happy. It works. It's just like big, huge, bulky sea-crusted skeleton is just... If only there was some way to... Some combination of words that get Percy to follow me instead of you. Just for like an hour. But Ophelia cannot find it.

I mean, I only know, Percy, Persew me. Percy and me. They're the only combinations I can think of. That is very assuredly. One is Percy, one is me, we must coexist. All right. And it's Dominus Ignarum and see if he's willing to each other. So Zan and Gras are going to go up to Dominus Ignorum.

And anyone else who will just have come along? Anybody else going? Or are you going back to the year? I kind of want to witness the drama. You can't see the drama. You can't see the drama? No. No, you don't want to see the drama days.

It's been a busy day. It has been a busy day. It's been a lot. I'm gonna go see Mateo. Mateo would be good actually. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm gonna go see Mateo.

Okay. Okay. Graffin, Zanthius. You're gonna go straight to Dominus. You're not gonna stop at the inn. Okay. All right. You got this, Zantheus.

How hard can it be? I strum. You've got 10 minutes. It will take more than 10 minutes to get to the Domino's ignorant. Those of you who return to Tyree's rest, you enter, all the shutters have been shut and bar and things like that. You can see that the basement, you probably would actually hear, because I think there would have been a cry throughout the city

to let people know that the dangerous pass. So actually Mateo is up behind the counter. You can see that there is a crossbow sort of laid there just if it's needed. But he is currently, he's got Springheart sat on the counter, and he is teaching her how to juggle. And he's got like three little, kind of like little soft juggling balls. And she can get like two, but only for like a second and then she like fumbles it. And she says, I can't do it.

He's like, well, it takes practice, my dear. You're only a little tree. It's going to take you a bit of time. Oh, hello, everyone, welcome back. We heard the news. There's all this safe and well. There was a cry I came around and said that the army had defeated the wicked force. And I'm glad to see that...

What about Gruffin Zathias? Are they all right? Bad news, Mateo. I'm just kidding. They're fine. He's like holding... Springheart doesn't have ears, but he's put his hands over, like, her head. And she's like, Matteo, what are you doing?

He's like, shh. Oh, no. It would scare me like that sister of you. It was pretty funny. Was it a good joke? If it was like for a child, it would have been awful. Oh.

I know you two of you don't get on, but please. I didn't mean that. I didn't mean. Groff and Van Theis have gone to see Lord of Sidius. Groff's not coming back. He'll be back soon. Okay. Important mission.

Important business. You see Springhawk gets a bit sad. He'll be back very soon. Okay, all right. I feel like it's an Aussian culture thing to just joke about it. Yeah, absolutely. It absolutely makes sense. He's just like, no, they're not late, they're dead.

Deadly. You see, he starts pouring himself out. Someone did die. Now, do you want drinks? Let's get that. Yes, yes, please. Do you want a drink, or do you want a Ossian drink? Wait, I suggest you have some?

You've got, you, you've left a bottle. You've left your bottle here. I love my bottles here. Yes. Oh. You, they're in the wine cell. What am I thinking? It's been quite the day.

It's been a long there. You've only got, I think it's only about two of them left, but you've got two red wines. You mean the blood, right? Well, I know where I'm going. Yes, I meant the bloods spring. I'll see you later. I'll see you later.

I'm just gonna go down to the cell and just, okay, I have good night. Somebody calculate how many bottles she has, because I feel like she has several on her person. I am ruling at this point because Riannan doesn't track it herself. I have two on me. You have two on you. Yes. She acts like she does.

More than that. So I'm saying that you have two in the cellar and two on you. Right. That's it. You tried to pawn everything we had for it. Right. If we ever have to move tavern, we're going to open up cupboards and it's just going to be full. No.

No, there is the two in the cellar. There is two in the cellar and the two that you have. Mateo. Yes. I'm going to need something strong tonight. What are we talking? Shandy. Wow.

I don't know if lemonade is a thing that it like spark. but we can make do. Robin, is this because of the wire? No. This because of the wire? I don't know what the wire is, but let's get to a drink. Let's get you a drink. Thank you so much.

Springy, do you want to help Uncle Mateo get the drinks? And she's like, yes. And she goes over and she like starts like trying to pull like the beer down and stuff. And he's kind of teaching it how to do the tap and stuff. But yeah, he pulls out a couple of drinks. I'm assuming Daisy, do it. Does Daisy want to drink or?

Sure. I'll have the same as Rowan. So it kind of pours out like, basically like two half ales topped up with like water, basically. It's like water down. Whoa, whoa, slow down. Serves those up, pours himself a pretty strong drink. And yeah, the three of the three of you kind of sit down and sort of catch up about the events that have taken place. I think that before we cut away to Xanthius and Gruff, Daisy, as you're drinking and sort of Rowan and Matteo are chatting, you would hear her voices.

in your head. A little one, I, if we get a moment, I think you and I should speak. I am worried. Okay. And yeah, you get this impression for that Nim wants to just have a quick chat, a quiet chat, just the two of you, when you can.

But we then cut away as Graf and Xanthius make their way up the- I've got 10 minutes. He said 10 minutes to me. You are out of bread. But you are right. but you arrive, you consider it all grim, very sleepy, probably has one of those kind of like

Benisa Scrooge hats on and a big dressing gown, and it's like, apologies for the lateness of our visit this time round. We just returned from... So I understand it, the Duke would have wished to speak with you in the morning, is it urgent? Yes, in Charles. Somewhat, yes. We were hoping to speak with Obsidious.

Is there all right? Fine, fine, fine. I got a vibe from him earlier that he wasn't in a very good mood. How have you seen like a... He is not in a good mood. I wonder what... If you wish to speak with him, be it on your head. Is that a literal terminology there? Yes.

Okay. Okay. Derek, and he calls over in a little Cobold, appears he's just like, and please inform Lord Obsidius that he has guests. I'm sending them up to his chambers. Good luck, Derek. Very well, consider it. The little Cobbold, scatters off, and the two of you are. and the two of you are led up to go wait.

Derek's not going to be an L player too. Damn, he'll be an L-Paird, too. Pushed out of a building. Do we have like a moment before? You do, because you're basically, you go and sit in the waiter room outside of Sidious's chambers, right? Normally, you just go up and go in. Those doors are closed and sealed, magically locked.

Derek, like, knocks and is allowed in, and then immediately the door magically shuts on its own behind him. you hear a discussion, but not like... But you do have this moment in the sort of waiting room outside. Zanthias, I must apologise to you. What for? It comes in retrospect that when you were... You know, I had an opportunity there

where I could have attempted to remove the crown seal. Well, I was... How? Wait, when, how? Why? Well, from everything we've learned, It seems that perhaps When there is no

Life Force, there is no you Then perhaps I could have used that opportunity To take the crown seal out of your chest I'd never considered it But there was so much going on We were Under attack obviously And

I imagine you were Panicked, right? I was incredibly panicked When I saw you lying on the ground. I didn't, I didn't really know what to do. I defaulted to what I, what I knew. I'm sorry. And what you know is obviously protecting this, right? And that's what you did. I never heard you sing that song before. Oh, it's common in Ice Art, especially in our village. I could still see and hear some of what was going on down there.

when I was speaking to Saint Defeer, and I was this close to taking their offer, to crown steel or no, to taking some peace, you know? I'm not saying that you've dragged me back into the chaos, that you've made me suffer for a little bit longer. That is not the case. Your song still reached me there. and your words and everything.

I am genuinely glad that you found me. And I'm glad you decided to come back because you see, Xanthius, this world is richer for having you in it. You asked me why I keep putting up with you. And I didn't know what to say at the time. It was too overwhelming, I'd... You know, too much going.

and I'm not good with my words, but I've had a think and it's clumsy, but the thing is, I live in hopes that one day you will see, you will understand why. Because this world just, it needs you. You are so much more than how you see yourself at the moment. And maybe one day you will see that. you will see that. And you will see yourself as we see you. And to me, that is worth persevering for.

Okay, let's make a deal then. That you see yourself as the night that you are. Ah, Xanthias now, you see, I keep saying to you all, you don't know the whole truth about me. There's another side. To what I get out of this relationship with you. You see, you, traveling with you, has taught me the consequences of having an absent father.

I see that wound in you. We have that moment, I think, that there is this, you hear the doors open, and it's interrupting this, this tender moment. A very shaken little cobald, here it comes out. Lord Obsidious will see you now. Okay. Sort of bows and gestures for you to. We'll talk more about this. Do you have more diamond dust?

I do, but not quite enough. I can do a limb. A limb's good. You enter the wizard sanctum, the mage sanctum that is Lord Obsidian's chamber. You see him staring out one of these tall, arched windows in the direction of where you've just come from, the direction of the impact site, the direction of the battle. battle. A spellbook is hovering just to the side of him. Almost looks like it's been hovering there for a while, absently forgotten. The golden draconic eyes just staring out, not even glancing in your direction as you went to the room. There is a twitch to the draconic tail that just lightly coils out the robes, just flick, flick, flick. There is a

sort of tapping of claws against fingers. What do you want? Lord Obsidious, I owe you an apology. I made a mistake in the way I spoke to you. You deserve so much better than that. You deserve so much better than my attitude and my opinions. Your actions speak volumes. and I should listen to that more often.

The way I spoke to you was not right. And I don't wish to justify the way I spoke to you, but I was doing it for your protection. The ruins around my look around, door closed, the crown steel, was weakened, and I was concerned about the way it would affect you. There are so many ways I could have approached the situation, and I did it incorrectly.

If I've angered you, and I'm sure I have, then I am deeply sorry. The eyes look back. There's genuine surprise. Not expecting this humility. Narrows his eyes for a moment. Clines his head. My anger is not entirely with you, Zanthias.

What do you mean the ruins were weakened? How? Uh, in, um... When the crownfall occurred, I attempted something in order to get a better gauge of the situation to understand the threat that was coming towards us. I attempted to, with my magical ability and the control of the runes, to, um, connect with Thoran.

I was trying to find a nicer way of saying it. Doesn't sound great out loud, does it? No. You willfully lowered your defences, but I thought that you can control them. I can. Well, I thought I had more control than I did. I thought that the powers that they wield were less than they had via this crowd.

I tried something in my panic, in my fear of the situation, to benefit everyone around me. Empress, woe, sorcerers and your reckless nature. This is how so many magical calamities have happened. Because people who don't think meddle in matters that they don't understand. But you were successful in some way. Yes, I, I, a...

You say you tried to connect with sovereign. Under my control, in an arena that I had full control over, that failed. Lie to yourself all you want, Santhias, but I see through it. What control did you think you would have had? It was a desperate bargain. It was, I know it was, but that is why,

I said the things I said. To protect you from that. You see he sort of almost looks away. It matters little what you said to me. It is not the first time I have been shunned. It will not be the last. What matters is, were you successful? With the emissary with the crown steel.

Yes, yes. Yeah, what? Sovereign kind of didn't. take kindly to the connection I was attempting to make. And gruff, is there a better phrase for this? Oh, you'd like me too. I will, you know. Sovereign killed him. How?

You should not have been able to affect you. It was only when the barrier is. Did you attempt to remove the barrier again? No, well. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. See, there's a lot of moving pieces here, Obsidious, and I hope you understand that it was a... And it killed you.

Yes. But... But... It's a... I have a deeper understanding of the runes. I have a deeper understanding of the magics which are containing this now, hopefully, possibly. I don't know.

I leveled up. That's what I'm saying. Wait, you were dead? Yes. What happened? Gruff, you saw this. You were there? Well, I was busy in combat with the emissary at the time, but Daisy reported that she couldn't fill a connection with Antheist anymore,

and when I turned, there he was on the floor. His runes, the protective ruins around the Crownstill, they were gone. Would Gruff... Gruff would have seen that, like, it's normally like when his chest is open, you can see it's almost like a shield of runes over the Groundstill piece. they were all disabled. I saw none on his chest.

What an opportunity would have been to remove it, but... And that is something that I have been turning over and in my mind since... No, gruff, no. I do not think, even if you had been there, forgive me, but I don't think you would have been strong enough. It would have required you. Once the crown seal is removed from when I have examined it, the damage to Xanthius's chest, it is only...

The crown steel is in high. enhancing Xanthius' magic, his internal, innate magic, that is also keeping him alive. Unless your spell to return him to life had the ability to regenerate that which has been destroyed, I don't think you would have been able to bring him back. Oh, he killed him again. He would have just simply remained dead.

The spell would not have functioned. It requires, if the crown still is to be removed from Zanthias, we need a way to regenerate the damaged under his body, it will simply kill him internally. But this is good that you have this control, that you have able to control this, but foolish. That's what I was... Well, yes.

Fulish of you to attempt this. Don't worry, I've lectured to him of that. I've heard... People have... Yes. See, he's learned now. He's learned, see? But you must be careful if the barrier is lowered and you are, you spend too much time around Xantheus.

The corruption will affect you as well. It would take some time for you to do that. You're not being a magical creature of your own nature, but if the barrier is down for long, if you are present, it would be as if a crown still peace were carried around with you. Still, this is intriguing. Thank you, Xanthius. Your apology.

I mean it. I do mean it. He really does. Don't believe me. If I did not trust that you meant it, you would not still be standing here. I just don't take my dismissive words as dismissal. Does that make sense? And I don't intend to shun you either.

I'm saying this a lot. I really value all the work that you do and everything you do to protect me and us and the entire city, everything. Speaking about... I'm glad that someone does. On that note, we may need. a little bit of health in that respect.

Why? We, on the way back from the battlefield, we were attacked by Nixir, I believe they're at Taylor at one of the shops here. They were representing the diadem, and they were trying to take the crown steal from us. His individual is still alive? For now.

They claim they have a tattoo on their back by the diadem. That will kill them once they realize. Who has this? Taylor. Sir morning. Hell, that the cathedral, that is. It would have been easier if they were at the forge. The thing is, Nixar seems to know something of Zanthius

and his connection with his father. Yes, they were only seeking me out because they say they are the only member of the diadem in Ashenrest. I don't necessarily believe that. No, I don't believe the word coming out of his mouth, but he has identified himself as a threat to Xanthias. I'm not doing this to protect Xanthias, but this is a problem and one that must be resolved.

You have had an issue with my methods of this nature before. Will you entrust me to deal with this matter in a manner that I see fit? You weren't entirely forthcoming with your methods last time. I just assumed it was... Yes, yeah, yes. then I will ensure that this Nixir is not a problem. And what are the methods? Don't tell me. It is better, you do.

But for this, we are aligned in all of this. My father will congratulate you on your successes. Enjoy it, enjoy the praise. Things are moving steadily. Now that you have this ability to control this connection, this is something I must tell Scaritalos. It may influence what we can do with the essences. if sovereign was able to establish a connection to you

when the ruins were disabled, is able to channel a spell to you, possibilities could this mean. Still, thank you for your apology. It is rare. I hear such well-intended words. Thank you. Thank you for your understanding.

rest, it will be a busy time for you in these coming days. Do not forget that that sibling of yours is still on their way here. Whatever your father is up to, the ecliptic order, the diadem, all of this is connected and all of it will be, will soon begin to build. If you, I don't need to tell you, if you do find out anything from Nixir, then please let us know. We weren't able to quite break through into their mind. Leave that with me. I will find out what needs to be learned.

I really want to know the matter. Don't tell me. I will need to make it, I will need to convince the Holy Order that this Nixir is, well, no longer of interest to them. But I have an idea on how I may do that. Okay, great. Okay. Rest. Yes.

Rest. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Graff. Thank you. You see he turns and begins to stare out of that window. Not this time in brooding, but in deep thought,

contemplation as you make your way back out. And with that, we desperately need to take a break. Oh, yeah. To wrap up the scene there. We're going to take our first five minute break here. We'll be back very, very shortly. We'll see you in five, everybody. See you next time.

See you next time. Bye. We did it.