High Rollers DnD - High Rollers: Aerois | #38 - The Elenasto Enquiry (Part 2)

Episode Date: July 4, 2019

The team have the shopping list to return their fallen ally but Lucius has other plans! Support the High Rollers and get early access to podcast episodes (and more) on our Patreon: www.patreon.com/HighRollers Thanks to our sponsor D&D Beyond! D&D Beyond is the official digital toolset for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Create your FREE account now and start digitising your campaigns here: www.dndbeyond.com/ Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pickaxe. We're out for details. Bumble knows it's hard to start conversations. Hey. No, too basic. Hi there. Still no. What about hello, handsome? Who knew you could give yourself the ick? That's why Bumble is changing how you start conversations. You can now make the first move or not. With opening moves, you simply choose a question to be automatically sent to your matches,

then sit back and let your matches start the chat. Download Bumble and try it for yourself. Hello everyone, welcome back to High Rollers, a Dungeons & Dragons podcast in the world of Arois, run by Dungeon Master Mark Sherlock-Humes, with me, Tom, playing Piri Adara, the Fire Ganassi Monk. Hi, I'm Rhiannon, I'm playing Sentry, I am a Guardian Paladin. I am Chris Trott, I'm playing Lucius, Viren, Elowin, Elinastro, and I am a High Elf Sorcerer. Hi, I'm Katie, I'm playing Ayla, a Wild Elf Barbarian. And I'm Kim, I'm playing Nova, who is an Air Ganassi, and she is a Hexblade Warlock. Thanks to our regular sponsor, D&D Beyond, the official Dungeons & Dragons toolset. Check them out with the link in the episode description and start digitising your campaigns.

Anyway, on to the episode. The team have all the information to resurrect Quill, but Lucius has other plans. Right Lucius He's a girl Sad face Sad face Sad

You probably have a couple of hours Of you know Dealing with things Quiet contemplation But then you read the letter And inside is the certificate. It's like a mark of credit as well. Also,

it's some money. After all that. But what I'm saying is it's not just the letter. Inside is the mark of credit he mentioned as well. Okay. What would you like to do?

Would you just, do you want to do anything? Or not? I'm going to pocket that letter. I won't burn it. We love burning things in Gustaven. Birds. And I'm just going to be pacing the room a lot.

Probably to the annoyance of the guards. Like I'm thinking to myself. I'm not saying anything out loud. It's very cushioned. It's very carpeted. It's probably not making a lot of noise. Really go and... You could like smash stuff around but if

you're just piecing it probably won't make it. I'm trying to piece things together. Okay so you're just thinking. I'm doing CSI on my brain but it's Lucius

doing it so. Okay. It's like a big colourful children's painting. Yeah. He sees a car walking into the El Anasto

estate. Putting pieces of string across the board but then he just tangles himself up in it instead. Eventually I come to a conclusion where I'm saying, nanny out loud.

He's going, yes. I need to find out. Okay. Guards! You hear like a kind of shuffling, like a clanking of metal, the door opens. It is a young half-elf,

not half- elf, high elf Opens it up, kind of peers through Yes Lord Alasdair? Am I permitted to leave? Of course you are, you're here as a guest Thank you He kind of trots after you But I would like to ask where you're going sir

Just in case the prince asks To my friends Where are they? We believe that they were headed to the star sorrow Cathedral right thank you with your your the Arakoka that you that they brought in with them right yes yes thank you are you sure you're all right Lord yes I'm happy to thank you all right and he'll kind of stand back and watch as you leave and then he chops off to go find somebody to report to. I'll turn around right at the end.

I love the cushioning effect of the floor. You call down the corridor? It's so good to be home. And then walk away. Okay. Yeah, sure. And you make your way out. Are you going to try and find the rest of them?

Yes. Okay. Yeah. So as you guys begin leaving, because I think by the time you guys got there and had the conversation with the lights here, Lucius has had enough time to think and figure things out.

And yeah, you probably see in the distance emerging from the cathedral, no quill, but you see the rest of them emerging from the cathedral and you all see stood at the end of a plaza, kind of like staring up at the cathedral looking to your direction and you see the rest of them emerging from the cathedral and you all see, you know, stood at the end of a plaza kind of like staring up at the cathedral looking to your own direction.

You see Lucius. Uh, that was quick. I'm just going to run over. Lucius, are you okay? Are you okay? Do you need more hankies? No, but I could do with your help. I can do that.

What do you need? I think something's afoot. Something is amiss. Oh yeah, for sure. This place stinks right now. Something big's going down. Yeah, I don't really believe a lot of what we were told. I don't think any of them are dead.

Oh. Abba, abba, abba, abba, abba. Speak. Abba, abba, abba. Speak. It's impossible. I don't want to talk about this in public. Are you in danger?

Well, potentially. People don't know he's here yet, so we should probably get him inside. We think he might be in danger. It's supposed to be somewhere quiet, somewhere private. Ask about it. Well, the cathedral is protected, it's warded, and guarded at all times.

We could ask if we can go back in, I guess. I could always ask the prince, but I don't think there's quarters for all of you. Yeah, he pretty much told us to get out earlier. Yeah. I think we're going told us to get out earlier. Yeah. I think we're going to have to find somewhere to stay. Do you know of any good places that don't cost everything? Because it turns out we need that for Quill.

I only had to stay in one place. So I don't really know. Anytime someone visited, did they stay somewhere in particular? It was always handled. Okay. Could we not just go by the lake? I mean, there doesn't in particular. It was always handled. Okay. Could we not just go by the lake? I mean, there doesn't seem like there's many people there. Oh, the sky.

I should show you the sky lake at some point. It's beautiful. That'd be nice. Yes. Let's go there. Sure. Okay. Yeah.

You guys can just travel down there. It's open. As you begin making your way, the first thing you notice is you have to walk along this bridge that is a series of very delicate kind of metal chains and things connected to it. And it's anchored into one island and anchored into the other. And there is a kind of shifting motion to it. And you are just looking down thousands and thousands of feet as the world is moving below you and people just cross it without thinking. Fuck that

shit. We're going somewhere else. Well, this is, I'm in complete denial. And this is a total like 180 deal. So this is one of the most spectacular sights of Gustaven. You can't miss it. I can

see it from here. When Hesper razed all the sky cities, this little island came with Gusthaven. If I hold you, you hold me, and then we'll walk across carefully, okay? I'm sorry, but the last time that I was in the sky like this, we crashed

out of it. I know, but be careful. I want to see, but I'm scared. Please. There's not been a single fatality on this bridge. I'm just like a little bit away and I'm bouncing up and down. I go, guys, this is really safe. Look.

Like, yeah, it's kind of like a rope bridge, but it feels very secure. And there is like people kind of watching you strangely. And you do see a couple of the high elves that is, like, people kind of watching you strangely, and you do see a couple of the high elves that kind of like, they kind of like roll their eyes and shake their head a little bit, like, ugh, these idiots, like these idiot lowlanders, they kind of, ugh. But one of them kind of calls out and is just like,

just so you know, it is completely safe, there are enchantments in case you fall over. It slows your descent. Try it, it's quite fun. It slows your descent. Try it. It's quite fun. It slows your descent? I'll hold you. So you just land down there in like a day? It takes time, so normally if they

detect someone falling off, the guards will send a pegasus to come and catch them. We can do it! We can do it! Honestly, I just want to see that now. Can I throw someone up the edge? Please do not waste the guards' time. Good day, lowlanders. And he kind of nods more to Lucius in a kind of, we're citizens of this place.

These lowlanders. Come on, let's waste no time. We have to get to the bottom of this. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, sure. That's first priority, I guess. Just tunnel vision. Smeet, go. He like hops off your head,

looks down, pats it with his bear goblin feet. And he just starts running across it, like jumping up and down. He goes up to the chain bars, like peers over it. I bet he spits as well. No, he doesn't spit. No, he spits over the side. No, he doesn't spit.

No, he spits over the side. No, he doesn't spit over the side. I love his enthusiasm for everything. He's just like bouncing up and down. Licks, probably licks it at some point. He's like... Stop putting things in your mouth. Let's not go.

Yeah, and blinkers. Okay, you guys, you make it across. It's like walking across a long you know ever so slightly swaying bridge but you do so at one point this thick roll of clouds passes over the bridge and kind of covers your feet and there's this and then it passes it passes very quickly like can i just say this is cool it's cool like this is fun fancy level shit and i am here for it. When you reach the other side, you can see that the area of the Skylake is a large lake, and there are grassy patches and little hills around it as well.

There is another kind of stone wall that's been built around to stop people just walking off the side. But you can see it's clearly a touristy spot. There are little vendors, there are little refreshment stands, there are people actually out in the lake on little boats sailing around. There's trees and little gardens and little hedge mazes. It's like a very quaint little tourist spot. But the lake is also...

There are dozens of fishing spots. And you can see that there are a lot of fishermen. And they appear to be working. It's not like a recreational fishing. They are working fish the um it's the bottom of the lake like that's all encased as well yeah it's not like the bottom of it is like straight now straight down no it's it's encased okay um so it's encased you also those of you who are more perceptive so anybody who's kind of got like passive perception over 14 or so? Nope. No. I think it's just Aayla and I think Lucius, who Lucius would know this anyway.

You do spot that on the kind of patrolling, you don't see City Watch, but there are a number of dwarven druids and they are all clearly they have strange amulets and they're just walking around and they'll occasionally walk up to the lake, they kind of look down

at it, gesture with a spell, nod. One of them walks over to one of the fishermen as he's pulling up a fish, and he just pats him on the shoulder. They have some sort of exchange, and then the fisherman is like, and he packs up his stuff and leaves. And then the druid begins casting some sort of spell over the lake. Chlorine. Bleach.

Okay. But yeah, and it's very pleasant. It's very pleasantly warm, as it always is in Gusthaven. And you can see that people are just going about, enjoying a lovely day on the side of a lake. Can we find a quiet spot? Yeah, sure. I was going to say that.

So it's a, yes, I know, a perfect spot. Yeah, sure. Hallelujah. Lucius leads you to the lake. And I'm walking at pace with determination. Lucius, are you okay? You're more decisive than I've ever seen you. Well, considering the circumstances, I think I have to be.

Okay. I just want to check that you're okay. Yes, I'm okay. Yes. Okay. Anyway, I assume we reached... Yeah, yeah, yeah. Wait, what does it look like?

What is it, like little... I guess it's kind of near the manufactured rock wall. There's like an area that's kind of shadowed. Yeah, it's like a small copse of trees. Yeah. That kind of protects it. Blocking the view from the touristy area. It's like little picnic tables, but nobody's around.

So, my family aren't dead. Let's be honest. They're too clever for that. So there's got to be something else going on. It can't just be an accident. My father and my mother do not do that sort of thing. Okay, okay. What gives you that idea?

Do you know your parents? Yeah. Then you know what they're capable of and what could happen to them. You can assume things from that, right? Mm-hmm. That's what I'm doing. And you're assuming they...

Things don't add up, is what I'm saying. Well, we... Well, we know that. Yeah. We don't think it was an accident, but that... Good. Then you're right. That doesn't mean that they might not be dead, Lucius.

I just want to prepare you for that possibility that they are, but it wasn't an accident. This is what we're trying to find out. Yes, and we'll get to the bottom of that. However, I think the starting point is to go to my nanny, Northea. Right. And she wasn't in the house when it blew up? Again, like, with this sort of circumstance,

she wouldn't put herself in that sort of danger. If something was brewing, she'd know about it. Lucius, do you have any evidence? Like, do you... I mean, the prince mentioned there was a letter for you, a scroll for you or something? Yeah, that's no matter. But what I'm trying to get at is

Nanny Norfea is a survivor from the Lowlands, and she's told me of wondrous adventures of what she's been through, and she's a refugee in Tugusthaven, and she would know how to deal with this scenario and would know where my family is. Did she live outside of your family's estate? No, she lived in and helped raise me. How often was she ever not in the Elinesto estate?

Well, she was my main protector and guardian for when my family were busy with their business, which is often the case, and she taught me everything I know. What I mean is, is it irregular for her not to be there? Yes, but the circumstances of my entire estate blowing up is quite irregular, don't you think? Well, no, that's what I mean.

If it's irregular that she's not there, and she just happens to not be there when the place... What are you implying? I'm implying that you might actually be onto something. In regards to my nanny? Yeah, if she's not there, then maybe she was sent away, is what I'm saying. No, she would have known. She wouldn't be sent away. For her protection, I mean. She doesn't need it.

Right. I'm on your side, Lucius. Good. Where else would she be if she wasn't there? Where can we look for her? Well, she's very secretive and very cunning, so I assume if she kept something secret from me, would I know anywhere that she would... I don't think in your life she was always in the Alastor estate,

and as long as you needed her, she was there. I mean, I don't think you would know what she would have done with any of her free time. Yeah. I don't think she would have ever told you. I don't know, but maybe if she knows that I'm alive, she'd find me. Nobody currently knows that you're alive. So we need to get word out that... I don't think that's for the best yet.

I think we should find her. Through the right channels. Well, currently, exactly. I know who we could find. Oh, we met this guy. Belenor. Him. What's your impression of Belenor?

McGroners. Oh, I love them. They're fantastic. Why? You saw him? What did he say? Well, he said he was relieved. He was angry.

But relieved. Angry. He said relieved anyway. He was quite aggressive. He's confused. He said he was your friend and not your friend that you used to skydress together and you grew up together or something?

He said you grew up together, you used to play together, but you're not necessarily friends but you know each other. Play. He called it play, did he? He said he wasn't the nicest when you were younger. When I was younger? Hmm. How about ever since I've known him to this day?

Okay. How about ever since I've known him To this day He's never been nice And playful Exactly Like a bully is to their victim We got that impression I think His family are the ones that hired the scryer To scry on you And reported your death

I think he genuinely doesn't know what's going on Not to put the wrong ideas into your head Like don't just target this. No, no, no, no, no. Don't target one. It all makes sense. No, he doesn't know what's going on. Lucius.

They planned this. And then they scryed and assumed I was dead. Yes, you're right. You're right. The Magronas did this. And Belenor's at the top of it. No, I don't think he is. He's not.

He would be working for his mother. What do you know? What do you both know? We know as much, well, probably less than you do, but... Exactly. We also have to see reason a little bit, Lucius. We spoke to him. He genuinely didn't seem like he knew what his mother was doing.

But he didn't seem very nice, going to be honest, bit of a dick. But I don't think that he's involved. I think that his mother is definitely involved. Our assumptions have led us down the wrong path before. I think we shouldn't be so quick to judge someone from a minute or two. This is why we don't want you to announce that you're here yet because when people know that then you're in danger is there do you see what we mean i think that at the moment it's beneficial that people don't know that you are still alive i understand and i said that

we do it through the right channel did i not we don't know what those channels are yet. I do. Why don't you trust me? We do. I mean... I trust you. As Lord Elinasto, we will afford you. Can we not? Let's not use that. Thank you. But you can afford new access that you didn't have before. Maybe you can find your nanny... some other way.

If the Magronas know I'm here, I assume they're going to try and bury that. Well, Belenor does, at least. The whole family will know. Probably now. Can I make a suggestion, Lucius? Yes. I think you need more time.

Before we start making any rash decisions, before we start digging into things maybe we shouldn't be digging into right now. I'm sorry, Century, I very much value your opinion, but we don't have time, do we? Well, I understand that loss hurts and death hurts and... Well, we don't need to worry about those things. They're not dead. Well, we don't... But just... Even just the loss, just not knowing where they are. Like, I understand how it feels.

Just, I think we just need to take some time. We've just got here and this is all... And I've got here too late. That's what's wrong. No. I think we need to pursue something immediately. I... Before we do that, we...

What about Quill? Quill, yes. We just went to see the lights here, and she said she can... Smeek is, like, flapping his arms. Okay. Quill! Mark has been silent for a little while. Now he can jump in whenever he wants.

Smeek was doing his own thing. But he recognises when you say Quill, he's like... It's like he's trying to contribute to the conversation of like she said that we either need a pure diamond or a rod of ethereum and platinum to bring him back

but we could do it today you know ethereum right? do you know where we could get that? yes my family make ethereum rods could we get one yes we might need to speak to the prince about what's happened to those effects

yes the prince mentioned that your father's business had been sold on been sold it had been liquidated and sold to various noble families who had control of that? They believed that you were dead, Lucius.

Because there was no more Elanestos left. None? Not even my sister? He said that she was in a fire. How did she get away? How did she get away? The Sky Prince said that he will make attempts to try and return whatever he can to you for compensation.

She would take control of the business after... Maybe she's lying low as well, yes. Probably something like that. Probably not the right time to attack. She's very cunning as well. Yeah. How, slightly off topic,

but how dangerous is it making Ethereum rods and infusing it with platinum? Dangerous? I can't say I've ever been in the workshop. It's quite dirty. Right. So I don't really know.

I think Lucius would know that i mean your business was your family were always known as just they were kind of boring in the society right they they made this really functional part but it's not very exciting it was intrinsic it was very plain it was it was you know like manufacturing like you know carbon rods it's not like a fancy thing yeah um yeah uh you've never known your father to work on anything dangerous your sister definitely was a bit more i've never heard of any like workshop failures or like not whilst you were alive maybe like i mean even but then even when you were sent to find the prototype which you still have the prototype that your father sent

for that's the first time you've ever known him to branch out. You know that your sister had been encouraging him to try new avenues and things, but you'd never known of him to do anything dangerous. It's a very standard procedure, I assume, like forging any other weapon. Okay.

But it's Ethereum, which is quite special. Should we talk to the prince About I just wonder what we should do first I feel like maybe we should focus on quill first And then Yes quill is important Also quill might actually be able to help us

Yes he can help me So let's help quill first Okay So if we go to the prince and maybe ask for some I think that's the most logical step. To ask him what's happened with your assets. Right. Yes.

I guess I can hold on to them until we find my family. I can make use of them at least. And that way we can get Quill back because if they're lying low they're probably safe it's heartbreaking okay is the scroll that you had is that anywhere, this is Kim asking, is it visible I've typed it away in like a

satchel or something like that so your plan is to head back to the palace yeah you make your way back Travelling through the streets as normal Things are, you know, passing into the afternoon now You can see the, you know, various little coffee shops People out there drinking and things like that

Make your way through You pass up into the guards This time, however, the guards at the gate Just before the palace do kind of stop you And inquire to your business. Can we help you? Yeah, we're here to speak to someone about the El Anasto estate. The El Anasto estate.

We'll send a messenger just to confirm. Who shall we say is asking? Lucius. Lucius. El Anasto. Oh, El An confirm. Who shall we say is asking? Lucius. Lucius? Elinasto. Oh, Elinasto. Very well. You just get impressed these guards just aren't savvy on politics necessarily. They send

somebody up. A short time later, a runner comes back. Yes, His Majesty has said that you're to enter. He can't speak to you himself, but one of his staves will come and speak with you. Okay. Is that Eloise?

Yes, yes. He said that you would be familiar with Eloise. And so you're escorted up to the palace. You go through the main kind of forum chamber and out put some stairs of a spiral staircase into a large office. Very plush, large, thick carpets, bookshelves on a curved wall. There are various busts of High Elven princes and princesses

that have ruled Gusthaven, and you see that at the desk, kind of reading a spellbook and making notes in a spellbook, the same elderly robed elf that you spoke to before, Eloise. I'm glad to see that you are feeling better, Lord Elinesto. Yes. Thank you. I am determined to get to the bottom of this. Good. I have some information regarding that myself. But do the guards mention that you wish to speak about something?

Yes. To help us with our investigation, we brought a body here, I assume you saw, our dear friend. I need to access my family's business. Yes. His Majesty already spoke with your travelling companions, but I regret to inform you, Lord Lucius, that after, when we believed that the El Anasto line was no more the El Anasto trading company's assets and various facilities were sold off as is tradition in the custom. Various businesses purchased them from the city itself and they have now been absorbed into their own requirements. The Prince has basically told these businesses that due to the fact that you are now alive,

that compensation must be paid for those assets that have already been distributed and taken. I believe that it will be to the sum of 30,000 gold. Who bought the Ethereum rod manufacturing company? In the various facilities, the equipment was purchased by multiple businesses. The various stocks of Ethereum also spread around. Several of your warehouses were bought. The formal list of those who bought various assets includes Magrona Manufacturing, Moonbright Wayfarers Travel, Aetheron Refineries, and Cloud Garden

Cargo and Collection for various businesses from around the city purchased. It was all sold in different amounts to various different companies, hence the reason that unfortunately we are not simply able to return it to you. Many of it has now been sold on across the several weeks to different continents and cities and the like. The assets I'm owed? Yes. How do I obtain those? Once we have collected it from those four businesses, which will take a few days, we will deposit it into

your account here at the Gustaven Bank. It will be in the form of pressed gold, pressed platinum, that sort of thing. And you are free to do with it as you wish. Thank you. In regards to the investigations, I spoke with Anastasia Magrona briefly through a sending spell, so it was limited in communication, and speaking with her son Belenor they have claimed

they've given us the name of the stave who performed the scrying and we are currently trying to track the individual down it seems that they have gone missing from their residence Anastasia simply gave us individual down. It seems that they have gone missing from their residence. Anastasia simply gave us, she was very forthright, gave us the name of the stave, said that it was one

that she had commissioned several times before and had trusted implicitly. Convenient scapegoat. Can I ask why was the scrying process handed to McGrone in the first place? It was at the time the royal staves were busy engaging. You may have noticed the network

of spheres and rods above the city. It functions to help maintain the weather here in Gustaven. It also provides protection against storms and adverse weather. There are a number of malfunctions across the grid, and most of the royal staves were occupied with repairing it. It takes considerable magical skill. It was at this time that several of the families offered their own personal staves, and the Magrona manufacturing and Magrona family have always been loyal servants of the palace, and so we entrusted them to provide it.

Okay. But I do understand your suspicions. I am, I have been around a long time and whilst Gusthaven is free of much crime, I believe that there is a growing element. Not in the streets, the streets are very safe, but I have long advised Aradan that some of these businesses especially the ones from other sky cities, Horizon and Cloud Garden in particular they bring with them an element I think that they may be paying off

several of our other noble houses perhaps even some of the royal staves or the royal wands themselves I speak this to you in confidence because obviously this involves Lord Elinasto, but it lends itself to an investigation I have been investigating. Right. An investigation I have been investigating.

Oh, Mark. I don't think any of you have ever been to our formal meetings and gatherings, because you would have noticed that the Magronas and the Elinastos don't exactly get on very well. There are many rivalries amongst the noble families, Lord Elinasto. That is not uncommon. But it has always been kept, not civil as such, but within the confines of our society. I know that your father and Anastasia argued, but they also made many deals together.

They worked together on many projects. Many of your own Ethereum rods were used in Magrona manufacturing. There is a reason that your families have been so close for many years, even if that closeness has sparked confrontations. And sparked this. We do not yet have evidence as such, and I am loathe to make any judgments before I have clear evidence before me. We are trying to track down the stave in question now.

Once we have them in custody, we will make sure we get the truth from them. I think it's important that you bring Anastasia in as well. She has been summoned by the prince. She is returning to Gustaven on the next available airship. What's the stave's name? For now, he kind of looks over.

Forgive me, I understand that this is a very personal matter, but it is also a matter of an investigation, and I do not want personal ties to influence it too much. I am handling this investigation as are many royal ones and the prince is taking it extremely seriously. But this must be investigated by agents of law not by foreign mercenaries

if I'm to be uncouth. That is how you are seen. I'm a scholar, not a mercenary. Well, foreign scholars then perhaps. I'm to be uncouth. I'm not that. That is how you are seen. I'm a scholar, not a mercenary. Well, foreign scholars then, perhaps. I'm a foreigner. But you are a member of the house involved. We cannot, as you said, you have your grievances with several family members,

and so we have evidence to suggest they are guilty. We cannot lend itself to so. Do you have any witnesses of the event itself? The explosion? Yes. There were several, mainly the servants of the nearby other families' houses, but there was also one, one of your own household,

a no-fear. She was returning that night and saw the explosion from a distance. She saw it? She's alive? I believe so, yes. Do you know where she is now? I believe recuperating in her residency. She received compensation payment from the liquidated assets and has been living in the city for the last few weeks.

I told you she's a survivor. She knew. We investigated her. She had been meeting with a romantic friend at the evening. She has a romance? All right. Go, Danny. That is what she claimed. We confirmed it, that she had an evening meal with a citizen.

And then on her return, she saw it from a distance she sustained several small burns whilst trying to pull her pull through the wreckage to see who had survived and she's not said anything else she simply said that she saw the explosion that she did not witness anything out of the ordinary she was quite upset obviously at the at the time. What bodies found? Numerous, various bodies, all in states where we could not perform any magical rituals to identify them any further, but there were numerous. We believe that your father was found in his workshop. And he kind of, like, doesn't look at Lucius when he says this.

What remains could be found anyway. But it was noted by several pieces of jewellery that we know to be of his, as well as a particular marking upon his hand. Very cunning. Very cunning. This is probably, I probably already know the answer to this, but we sent a letter from Kali's Rest a couple of weeks ago. We wrote a letter on behalf of Lucius and sent it to the Alanasto estate.

How was it sent? Via the messenger guild, the Arakoka? Yeah. Peculiar. No letter ever received to mine or the prince's or any of the other nobles' is Well maybe it's worth tracking If somebody found it, got it, received it

Took it, destroyed it, I don't know He takes a separate notebook And begins making notes in that Callie's rest Do you remember how long ago Was this Well Callie's Rest. Do you remember how long ago was this? Well, it's just as we entered Callie's Rest.

It was about three weeks. Yeah. Three and a half weeks or so. It's been the worst month. It's been a bad month. It's been a real bad month for you guys. It feels like a year. It must have been after the scrying to confirm Lucius's death because we heard that there was a notice that was circulated asking for info about Lucius and the airship craft,

but it was rescinded after two weeks. It was rescinded because of the events with the family and it was put out by Varian. So we sent the letter after that. I will look into this. Whilst I cannot give you the name of a subject that I'm investigating, I cannot

prevent you from heading to the Messenger's Guild and asking questions there. I cannot give you any confidential information from my investigation, but you are willing, but you are free to speak to citizens as you wish. Thank you, Steve.

What if we need assets now for Quill? I've got assets. To resurrect him today? Yes. Really? Do you have an Ethereum Platinum Rod? A perfect prison? I've got the means to get one. At least. do you have an ethereum platinum rod

a perfect I've got the means to get one at least the monetary value this is a private conversation I'm sure we won't

distract you any longer if you do have word as you did with the guards simply send word that Lucius El Anasto wishes to speak with ideally myself

the prince is often very busy. Come and see me where you can. Of course. Thank you. Good luck. I guess we'll head out then. Good luck. I'm going to see Nanny immediately. If that's okay. I've got

credit from my father who gave me some... I assume this letter was given to me because everyone thinks that my father's dead obviously the this will was passed on and he gave me assets but I can use this to get Quill back okay so I assume I go to a local, to the bank, and withdraw the funds needed to buy an electric walk if I can't convince one of the businesses to loan me one, considering they bought my company. They owe you it.

Yeah, I think that the best course of action is going to one of them. Not the McGrowners. That's alright. Yeah, I would like to go to a different one. Etheron Refinery is probably the next manufacturing company. If you don't want to go to McGrowner, then they're the other manufacturing company that bought assets. We'll go to Etheron. They're always nice at these gatherings. Sure. Well, let's ask them if they can repay now with physical rod instead of gold.

What are you thinking? Let's go. Okay. So is that what you want to do now? You want to visit Aetheron Refinery? Yeah, I think so. Okay. Yeah's go. Okay. So is that what you want to do now? You want to visit Aetheron Refinery? Yeah, I think so. Okay. Yeah? Yeah. And then we can visit Nanny

when it's evening and she might be home. She might be resting. If she's injured, yes. We don't want to disturb her right now. I want her to see me at my best. Heading into the industrial district takes you into a very different area um lucius you would know that this is called glint steel the district has a name it's called

glint steel um and it's so named because kind of linking between all the buildings you see these heavy silvery chains and from them are these cages these shiny silvery metal cages with a single rod core held between them. Is it similar to what Nova has? No, it's different. Okay. I know you've got that theorem cage thing. Yeah, it's like an orb kind of thing. These are like cages, like bird cages,

but with a rod in the middle. And one of the other notable differences here, first of all, these are large buildings, and you can see that there are plumes of furnace smoke kind of erupting from these large kind of refinery factories. But also the population massively changes here, and you see dozens of halflings, like tons of halflings, and they're scrambling up the sides

of buildings on these tiny little ladders, they scramble across chains, you can see them kind of chipping away at some sort of dust or like, you know, material around these cores, you can see some of them are carrying goods to and fro, and they just litter everywhere, they're kind of, everywhere you look there are these packs of halflings doing various industrial tasks. The buildings here hum and create tons of noise. You can hear the pounding of blacksmith hammers. You can hear the hiss of steam and forges. The whole place is quite hot and sweltering.

But there is a stronger breeze here than anywhere else, which kind of helps alleviate some of the conditions. You can see why I never come to the workshop. Bang, bang, bang, bang! Like, walking through this heavy industrial area. But if you look at those cages, that's what my family makes. Inside those,

the rods. So we just need one of those. We just need one of those. But we're planting them. And then you kind of hear, like, Hey, what are you guys doing? We need to speak to the people in charge here This little halfling he takes off like a little flat cap And he's got a little vest on He's got his sleeves rolled up and his arms

Are almost like stained You can see that his arms are kind of stained Partially blue like this kind of deep Purpley blue and he kind of like Brushes his hair a little bit and flakes Of you know some sort of soot or grime Kind of fall out. And he's like, sorry, what?

We need to speak to someone in charge. What? Manager. Manage? Manager? Yes, the people in charge. Oh, right. Where, which, where are you, where are you going?

We need to just speak to them. Okay. He's like, all right. He's like, gestures. He's like, where are you guys? Where are you from? Here. Yeah, not from here.

Look at the Joker guy. Yeah, the Joker guy. How far are we? And then a couple of the other halflings are like, hey, let's go. How far are we from the manager? Why not? He's up in his office. Yeah.

You want Ethereum, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah his office. Yeah. You want Ethereum, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ethereum. A full rod. Yes. You want company? Yes. Ethereum? Yes. Right. Yeah. Where are you from? Far away from here.

Yeah, I can tell that about you. Hey, hey, look at them. Look at you, huh? And he's like looking at me like wimps at you. No, don't wink at me. Don't do that. Hey! And a couple of the other guys are like, hey. Could you just point the direction and we'll just go? No, no, no.

You'll get lost. Oh, right. Okay. Halflings, that's the very vocal. What? The very vocal. Yeah, okay. I can't hear you.

You can't hear a thing around here. It's so loud. It's so loud. Yeah. It's impossible. Neither can any podcast listener. Just shout it. Sit, okay. I can't hear you. You can't hear a thing around here. It's so loud. It's so loud. Yeah, it's impossible. Neither can any podcast listener. Just shout it. Synth on it. It's fine. And you basically, this little halfling just kind of weaves you through and he

leads you into one of these large factories and you can see there are these kind of like clockwork run conveyor belts where there's just like gatherings of metal plates and they're kind of being like smashed down into like thins and then another machine rolls them up and things like that. And it's basically like a big industry kind of like running through.

Most of the workers are half elves, humans or halflings, but you do see the occasional high elf who seems to be inspecting the work more than anything or they might be checking machine or they're like reviewing plans of something and like showing the others you know like indicating on something like a piece that they want them to focus on or something like that but he leads you up a set of kind of like uh stone stairs that lead up onto a second floor and then uh down that he takes you down past uh what seems to be some sort of like cafeteria or mess where a bunch of these

halflings are like eating food from like you know large tables like long diner tables takes you down past what seems to be some sort of like cafeteria or mess where a bunch of these halflings are like eating food from like, you know, large tables, like long diner tables. Takes you past that into another corridor, another set of staircases. And now finally the kind of banging becomes reduced and reduced and reduced. Almost as if kind of walking through layers of magical protection against the noise as it just kind of becomes duller and duller and duller. And the little halfling is like, Hey, yo! Sorry, I keep forgetting.

I forget about the sound barriers all the time. My hearing goes. Hey, so, here you go. Is this the right place? Well, I mean, I can't... This is just the manager of this warehouse. I guess I'll... I mean, I can't take you to go see the head of the family, you know?

Right. Why not? They're of the family, you know? Right. Why not? They're not here. Are you crazy? They're not here. They live up in the nobles and stuff. That is true, yes. We'll speak to your manager.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm guessing you buy in, right? You're here to buy, you know, rods or press the theory? A deal. Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah. You want to speak to this guy. It's like, okay. And then he kind of, like, gives you a little tip of the hat. Cool,atherian. A deal. Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah. You want to speak to this guy. It's like, okay. And then he kind of gives you a little tip of the hat.

Cool, thank you. Scurries down the stairs. I like that guy. And you see that there is a large kind of mahogany, kind of double doors, and there is an elven woman sat behind a desk, like a secretarian. She has various ledgers behind her in a large bookcase

and quills and inks. And she kind of looks over, kind of lowers her spectacles like, Yes, can I help you? Are you here on business? Yes, sorry to disturb you. I know you're very busy. She kind of looks semi-recognising you, Lucius. Yes, but it's fine. Do you have an appointment? No, but this is a matter of urgency. Yes, but it's fine. Do you have an appointment?

No, but this is a matter of urgency. You were recently sent a message, right? Or at least one of your superiors, perhaps. To whom was the message addressed? I assume the owner. Whether this was brought down... Lord Etherian? Yes. I'm afraid that...

Well, I wouldn't necessarily have those information. Is there something that was supposed to be passed down to the manufacturing? Potentially. If not, could you put us in touch with him? Lord Aetherian? Yes. I can certainly send a message on your behalf, and she kind of takes out a roll of parchment.

You don't wish to speak? You're not here to trade with the manager? We could, if you know what this message entails. Assume you've heard the news of the El Anasto estate. I mean, yes, that awful tragedy several weeks ago. I read about it in the papers. Well, a message has been sent out to him that some assets are to be paid. Right, okay.

She kind of makes a note. You've not heard of this then? I'm afraid not, no. In which case, we need to speak to him directly. And whom is calling? We are speaking on behalf of the El Naster estate. Okay. Can I make some notes?

On behalf of the El Naster estate, are you representing them legally? Yes. Alright. Deception check. Mm-hmm. We're all good at that. What's a plus five? Eight!

Oh, okay. It's like, all right, uh, okay. Uh, well, um... Oh, dear. Well, I can send this. He probably won't receive it until this evening, however. How can I speed these things up? I, well, I'm...

I'm, sir, I'm afraid that I'm just the secretary for this manufacturing. I don't really deal with the head of the noble house directly myself. You, I could, yeah, one moment. And she kind of gets up and she goes over to the door, a second door that leads into obviously some office beyond, opens it, steps in, and you hear whispered kind of hushed tones. Yes, on behalf of the Eleonestos.

Yes, I know. He really wants to speak tones. Yes, on behalf of the El Anestos. Yes, I know. He really wants to speak with the head of the house. I don't, he says it's urgent. It's about assets? All right, okay, all right, yes, okay. And he kind of steps out and she's like, well, actually the manager of the manufacturer says that he's more than happy to speak to you temporarily, briefly.

Perfect, thank you. All right. And she gestures inside and opens the door. And you see a kind of very plush-looking office, at the end of which kind of sat another kind of very regal-looking desk. There are various prototypes of these Ethereum cages kind of scattered all around. And the man's desk is almost like an architect's. It's kind of like levered up. You can see a large sheet of parchment and he's, you know, drawing or

sketching something there. And kind of peering from behind it with these thick kind of spectacles on that he raises initially is a middle-aged high-elf man. Dark hair but streaked with grey. And he's wearing a fine

vest kind of trimmed in a kind of floral pattern. And he kind of looks up and he looks over at Lucius. No, can't be. Can't be, or did. Lucius? Don't think I am, yes. Lucius Vivian Eleonora Snow. I haven't seen you.

He, like, peers over, and he gets up and stands up, and you can see he walks with a limp and he pulls out a cane and he kind of limps his way over. You would probably recognize this fellow. He is the younger brother of the Ethereum family. His name is Matthias Ethereum. And he looks over and he's kind of the black sheep of the family. Very, very intelligent.

Has created a lot of innovations in Ethereum design. But is known as being not very good socially. Is much better left into his study in his office than anywhere else. And was never very popular amongst the more high society. Matthias. Yes, yes. Matthias Aetherian. And he kind of shoves over and he offers out a hand like... Lucius.

I could have sworn that I rendered you a dead. Yes, that's what people are being led to believe. How curious. Now, it's important that you keep this to yourself. However, a message has been sent out to all the companies that have bought assets. Yes, yes, yes. The various families. We attended a thing at the palace.

I bought several of your father's designs. Some of your sister's work as well, I believe. I am so sorry. I'm so terribly sorry, yes. Of course, you must know about the news. I'm so sorry for your loss. That's okay. In terms of the payment, is that something you can deal with?

Well, I mean, I don't know about... You say there was a request for assets or something? That sounds more like... Compensation. I've not heard of it myself. That sounds more like my brother's work more than anything. I generally tend to deal with the day-to-day trade with, you know, shipments and travels, people that want to buy Ethereum, various, you know, their own Ethereum cages or components for manufacturing.

I was just admiring your designs. They are phenomenal. Oh, yes. Thank you. I'm trying to... well, it's actually based on some of your sister's work, I believe, on Adair's work. She had some very curious, very curious ideas about Ethereum capture. Very fascinating stuff. Very, very smart young woman she was. Yes, very good. But yes, I'm afraid that anything involving the prince, I'm afraid that I'm not...

Generally, I'm not very welcome amongst that sort of society. But if there's any general trade, I'm more than happy to help. Obviously, I... Well, maybe you can help me. Yes. I don't wish to take any more of your time or any of our time. No, no, no, it's really no pleasure. The workers do most of the work.

I'm mainly just left up here to work on designs, really. How about... Kind of kept away from everything. Yes, I know that feeling. Yes. So, in terms of this deal, could I pry you for... You're so close to the warehouse.

Could we borrow or take an election rod as part payment? Oh, well, um, Ethereum. Ah, platinum. I mean, we just have the Ethereum rods here. I mean, I could sell you one, but I mean, without conferring with my brother first, I'd be hastened to sign off anything that is

involving some sort of deal with the prince, but I mean, I can happily trade you one now if you have the coin. Well, I do have the coin not on me, but... A bank transfer can be arranged if you have the money in your account. Let's do that, and then obviously any compensation can be

owed back to me. Yes, I'm sure that will be dealt with as normal. Well, assets are to be repaid by Ethereum to the Alanasto estate anyway. And this rod that we need is quite urgent. We can't really... It's asking for an early withdrawal. I, I, I, first of all, hello. I say, if I can answer.

I'm assuming you're companions of Lord Elanesto's? I am. You are right, if that is the case. Obviously, I do only have yours and Lord Elanesto's word, not that I doubt it. But simply, I couldn't authorize that. I couldn't authorize that. I just handled regular trade, I'm afraid. I'm not really trusted with that sort of thing

Oh, but I trust you very much. Well, thank you. That's very kind of you But yes, I'm afraid that it still doesn't change the fact that I simply cannot Sign off on that sort of thing. Yeah now our families have always been good to each other. Have they not? Yes. Yes, they have. Yes. Yes. Yes. Your father was always very very kind to me I've always respected your work. Well, perhaps if... All right, perhaps we could draft up a brief agreement that if this compensation is owed,

then the price of the rod will be subtracted from anything that Ethereum owns you. But if this is... Perhaps if the compensation is not completed, then you would owe the company money as a poor normal trade. Absolutely. That seems... If that's agreeable, I could have

my secretary draft up a brief agreement. Let's do that immediately. Alright. Would you like a drink? I have some fine brandy. Well, one of us doesn't drink, but she likes to have a cup. The rest of you? Speak! Speak! Nothing for the goblin.

Is that a goblin? It might be. How fascinating! He kind of gets up and he completely forgets about anything else, and he looks over at the goblin like fantastic can we can I try something is it okay is he yours

no and he like comes over and like holds onto your leg while there's this big distraction I'm going to ask Nova to do as many sketches of these prototypes as possible okay that's just on his desk While there's this big distraction, I'm going to ask Nova to do as many sketches of these prototypes as possible. Okay. That's just on his desk?

All the ones that are around. All the ones that are around. Yeah. What's your intelligence? My intelligence? Yeah. Just straight up intelligence? Yeah.

15. 15. Maybe you can make like one, like a decent sketch. Like in the amount of time this is taking, you're not going to have a lot of time to like make it. What if I go invisible? Huh? What if I go invisible? Huh? What if I go invisible? It's the time. I know, but I just hang around a bit, innit? I mean, you could do that. If you want to do that,

if you cast invisibility, sure, go for it. How distracted is he look? He's looking like a goblin. He's looking like a goblin. What do you want me to say? He's looking like a goblin. Can you ask your secretary to start the agreement. I'll start sketching. Yes, yes.

And then you can have so much time. Yes. Smeek. Yes, absolutely. Smeek. Smeek, it has a name. Fascinating. Always heard stories about goblins.

Yes, very well. Hang on, give me a moment. Ambrosia! Ambrosia! Could you... And he kind of steps outside for a moment, and he's just completely left you guys in the room and you can hear him kind of I see an agreement I'm just with the terms of and he describes the same terms of basically as long as that you are genuinely owed

Compensation I'll be taken from that if not, then you'll owe a theory in the same amount of money But you to note this is only one part of what you need for quill This is the aetherium rod you would need platinum to kind of surround it, basically, which means going and buying some raw platinum and having it affixed to it. Carry on. Give me a second. Not this week, buddy. It depends on that if you fuck around.

We have a platinum such as... You could just go fuck around where it's this fucking goblin. Every scene just jumps up and then delays us by like 20 minutes. Then you need to get rid of the goblin. Throw him off the edge. Oh, he'll come back by Pegasus. We have a platinum statue. He literally can't get rid of it.

Yeah. Could that be melted down? How much is it worth? 1,000 gold. Sure. Bada bing. So the Ethereum rod's going to cost 7000 gold and then you can go and find a blacksmith to melt down the statue

to coat the rod this is a refinery they'd have furnaces and stuff from the night ice cube what's his name again Matthias he comes back and he's like if I could get you to sign here Lord I haven't done this in so long

he watches to make sure you sign I could get you to sign here, Lord. Oh, yes, yes. I haven't done this in so long. He watches to make sure you sign. Okay, fantastic. And he takes that. Nice. Well, I can send word to go and get the core. Is that all? Yeah. Oh, one more request.

Yes? I assume Nova tells me that you've got the platinum. Mm-hmm. Can we surround this rod with this platinum? Using your... I hold up the statue. Yes, yes, that should be doable. A strange reason to do so. I'm assuming that you don't need to call for

Ethereum refining. You need it for some other purpose? Yes, prototyping. Very well, yes, very well. Yes, I can have one of the engineers do that for you or you can go and do it yourselves if you feel confident. I promise you, if anything comes of this and we have a new revolution in Ethereum collecting, you'll be the first to know. Oh, thank you very much. Yes, of course. Yes, yes.

Continue to work together. I'm sure that my brother would wish to speak to you more about this. Like I said, I'm more just about the thing. May I speak to the goblin now? Sure. Smeek, be nice. Hang on, I need to try and remember the fragments. Gorak

the da. Smeek? Gorak. Smeek looks at him really confused and he's like, Oh, it's very fast. Um. Uh.

Vedan Matthias Alekukaren Deathka. Smeet, like. And he, like, pokes at his cane. It's like, Yes. He reaches out a hand and Smeeth, like, shakes his hand a little bit. It's like, fascinating. Fascinating.

What an unusual culture. Can you translate? What do you mean? I mean, I learned a little goblin from old texts, yes. And what were you saying to him? I simply introduced myself. I said, it is nice to meet you. He said, you speak goblin?

That's strange. I said, I'm Matthias. I've tried to learn. And then he asked if he could have my stick. And I said no. Unbelievable. Very, very charming. Yeah.

I don't think we've heard Smeek be called charming yet. I mean, he's monstrous, but also charming. Yeah, no, we haven't seen anyone, well, speak to him before. Well, it is a strange language. Obviously, they were forces of the Court of Shadows. But there were a few documentations found. Their engineers were quite brilliant. A lot of early Ethereum technology used some of the Court of Shadows' ideas for collecting energy.

Right. It's where Veldersperk, the gnome engineer who created the Aetherium refining process, took a lot of his learning from. So you learned Goblin, too? A little, a little bit, yes, just because I thought it was quite fascinating. Got any books on it? No, no, I'm afraid this was many, many, many years ago. Fascinating. Thank you, Matthias. We must go. Yes, yes, yes, please, yes, yes.

I'll come with you and have an engineer come over and assist you with the process. You've always been so kind. No, no, it's my pleasure. I mean, I remember that you had some trouble with some of the other boys and girls from the other families. Yes. The McGrowners in particular. I remember my younger sister also, she had some trouble with that family. Who doesn't, really?

Well, they've grown up a little now, but yes, yes. Still troublemakers. I've met one of them. I disagree. Well, what doesn't kill us, right? Indeed. He kind of trundles down the stairs. He calls over a little halfling engineer and has a brief conversation with him, like, in

the halfling light. So, hang on, you want to melt down this, and then you coat the rod in it, right? Is it loud now again? Yeah, it's kind of loud now, so he's kind of shouting again. Now, is it... Huh? Sometimes the rod is...

The metals are converted into an alloy. Are you sure it's the surrounding that you need? She just said a rod of Ethereum and platinum. So is it an alloy or is it a surrounding? Can I make a memory check or something? What do you think that book is? That's your

memory check right there. It says a rod of Ethereum or platinum worth 8,000 gold. Nova's just like, I mean, she said she needed it as a focus. It. So. You can make a Markana check if you ah, I can't remember. I mean, she said she needed it as a focus. It. So. You can make an Arcana check if you want, Lucius.

Yeah. Sure. Can I make one? Sure. Remembering boring meetings and stuff. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, no. I'd say have advantage on the roll for Lucius as well. A natural 20.

Oh! Do you want me to roll for another natural 20? Sure. You can still roll, Kim. You still might know. 13. You can still roll, Arcana. Please get a natural one. Sure. You can still roll, Kim. You still might know. 13. You can still roll, O'Connor.

Please get a natural one. It was an eight. Slightly cocked eight, but plus seven, so 15. 15? Yeah, okay. You think back.

So for Nova, you're kind of like racking your memory and it's not that you remember what she said, but you remember her talking about how it has to funnel the soul. Like it acts as a conductor to channel the soul back into the body. And yeah, like, you don't think that just Ethereum surrounded by platinum necessarily would do that.

You think it has to be, like, the two mixed together. Like, it has to create a unique rod of an alloy. Because otherwise, Ethereum on its own has an enhancing property and platinum just holds magic really well the two combined is what's needed and for you lucius it's not that you know about resurrection but the idea of like again you know that that ethereum rod on its own isn't going to do anything it would just amplify a spell and you don't think that that's not what's necessary you think that it needs to be an alloy necessarily a bonded together process okay uh yes we need this to be alloyed so you need it so you need to be alloyed you don't want it

surrounded you want to you want to yes all right okay that's cool yeah we can do that though yeah yeah we can make that i mean are you sure yeah, we can make that. I mean, are you sure? That's a lot of Ethereum. It's absolutely necessary. All right. I mean, I'm not going to question the elves. I'm not going to do it. I did it before. I'm not doing it again.

And he's like, all right. And he's like, well, and he heads off. And within an hour, he comes back. And it's in a sealed kind of container and he's like alright here you go now it's lucky I'll take it he's like let me hold my own life yeah I'll take the

rod lucky I remember this sort of thing because this was kind of being experimented on to make the ethereum collection more potent right but it will work, right? It should. Far better than... Why would Piri care?

It should be far better than it being surrounded by it, which would probably not do so much. Perfect. Well, should we go do it then? Absolutely. Yes, no time to waste. Tom's like... Okay.

We have 25 minutes to get this done but here you also yeah alright bring back the bird you make your way to Stas

Stas' beautiful beautiful crystalline roof it's blown up Starbench just sat there hey

yo bird bird make your way back and the place is quiet and

um yeah they look around Elris is it Elris I can't remember what I said eris eris

is surprised to see you and looks up and is like well you've returned far faster than I expected don't tell me that you've... I mean, are you coming to check on your friend?

I can assure you that they're perfectly fine. We have actually obtained the Platinum Aetherian Rod. I mean... And then she sees Lucius. Lucius Viru and Eluina? It's so good to hear other people say

my full title. You... We held a service for you. You're alive? Honoured, thank you. I'm so glad. And you can see she's genuinely relieved. She kind of comes up and kind of pats you on the arms like, I'm so glad to have one of our noble sons returned to us.

Yes, and hopefully more soon. Yes. one of our noble sons return to us. Yes, and hopefully more soon. Yes, um... Well, I'm assuming that Lord... Lord Elinasto had the funds for the the rod you said. It was complicated, but...

we got it. Well, then we should see your friend returned. If they have a purpose with Hesper, then it's one that they should attend to as quickly as they can. Can I just say that... Yes? We are indebted to you for this.

We've been through a lot this past month, and for us to have Quillback means everything. This is not... This is a ritual that takes considerable power. Many people believe that Siaska is gone from this world, that when Calus slayed her, that everything that was her has gone. But she isn't.

She points up. And you can see through the crystalline kind of thing, you can see the cradle. She's always there. Watching us. And this is difficult. And it is only through these components that I can channel her power. But

for those who have a greater purpose, it is really no trouble at all. Come. And then she leads you over and she calls over several attendants who go and fetch Quill's body and they lay it on the altar and she asks you to stand back.

Would you mind keeping hold of that one? Oh yeah, no problem. He ain't going anywhere He like looks up at you And he just sits on the floor and looks at the body Quill! Yes, Quill Just to double check

This is going to bring him back as an Arakokra, right? Yes That is why The rod is necessary To funnel the soul into his body I know that there are some druidic magics that can change their form and shape, but that's not my power.

Guys, speaking of debt and indebted and things like that, you guys, you saved me back in, you know, Voxar. And hopefully I've repaid it once I see Quill returned.

I'll have repaid that once I see Quill returned. I'll have repaid that debt, you saved my life. And I owe you that, you got me back to safety or safety of some sort in Gusthaven. Well, yeah, yes. And without you, we wouldn't have him here now. So thank you. And also, you know, thanks for repairing the watch. I can use that to get back in some capacity.

So, you know, once the bird is back, I think you should meet him. He's a very, very good man. Really? Yes! Really, Lucius. I mean, Sentry and Oriah... Quill!

Yeah. See, Smeak agrees. Sure. I mean, I met Sentry, and she turned out to be, well, a guardian. That's pretty cool. We probably have so much to teach each other. We'll have a long conversation. If I could ask for your moments, a moment of quiet.

This will take a little bit of time. She places Quill's body and then the rod is basically placed upon his chest. And she speaks a few words and lets go and it stands completely straight on his chest and the light from the cradle begins to coalesce to a single beam of light that touches the tip of the rod and for the rest of, you watch as she just prepares this ritual. But, Quill. All you have known is peace and warmth and safety. Oh dear. Your memories of, you know that you were once alive and there were things that you had to do and people that you travel with, but they're blurry now.

You still feel a connection to them, a happiness when you think of them, but it's all blended together in a soft kind of pleasant feeling of being at peace. And then you begin to feel a tug in your chest. and then you begin to feel a tug in your chest. And you don't have a form, so it's strange to feel something that you no longer have, but you feel this tug, and a voice in your head, a woman's voice, a matronly, motherly voice,

speaks. Do you want to go back? I do. You watch as what was before this kind of dull, soft glow, white light parts, and you're pulled through the opening, and your body,

this astral body, reforms. Quill. An Arakokra, the memories flood back. And although you still keep this lingering sense of peace, you've seen what's beyond. You knew that you were a noble soul and that if you were to die again, that's where you'll go, as long as your heart stays true.

But you've seen beyond that now. And you see Erois,is the planet with a cradle around it it's colored multi-colored light and you begin slowly drifting back towards it and a familiar figure a woman black karma a mantle of of black flowers around her neck carrying a lantern and a sword in one hand. And she looks down to you and says, So they have succeeded. I'm sorry, I have to make the journey again. It is my honour to take this journey again, Chosen of Hesper. Be prepared.

And your... Your god will see you before you arrive. Good luck. Will I have this chance again? What chance? If I was to come back here, will you be able to leave me back? Yes. But the next time, I'm afraid, there will be no returning to Eroes. Your friends have called you back once. It cannot be done again.

The journey is too much for a soul to make twice. Okay. Good luck, Quilek Adkalar. Thank you. And you begin drifting slowly, and now as you pass through the atmosphere, through the cradle and into the atmosphere of Erois, you do catch a glimpse of something.

A glowing light. And you know the stories of Palador, he who brings light and warmth to the world and it's always been envisioned as a flaming individual flying around the planet casting light but you see something different you see a grand ship and its sails are filled with a blazing golden light and upon its deck you can see automatons, metal machines like guardians, working the sails, pulling it free and you can see it's patrolling and at the helm you see a kind of gruff looking man, golden skin and his hair is aflame like a bright golden light

and he kind of nods at you as the ship sails past and then as you pass through the cradle and into the atmosphere another familiar figure waits a man, a winged human man with a staff and a tome stands before you second try

not many get one I'm glad that you do yeah Not many get one. I'm glad that you do. Yeah, um... They've gone to quite some lengths to bring you back. Where will I be returning to? Gusthaven. Quite a distance.

Quite a distance. And the valley still waits for you, Quillikad Kalar. As I said to you before, you must return. Only you can put it, can stop the storms. And there is a powerful relic there that you will need in the times to come. But before you return, there is one thing. He reaches up with a finger and doesn't touch it, but kind of gestures it and points to your eye, the missing eye. And you feel something like a warmth. Good luck.

Remember, ask the right questions. I will. And then you speed up and you suddenly feel a gasp of air and a rush of warmth. And you see dazzling lights in front of you and you can begin to hear the murmur of people. And chanting. Your eyes open. In fact, one eye opens and then there is darkness covering the other. You suddenly remember the eye patch.

You remember your injuries. Hello? Quill! And the rest of you, you see Quill's eyes open. You see him inhale. Hello, Lucius Nova. Well, who did you expect? I mean, hang on, hang on. So, and did you expect? I mean...

Hang on. Hang on. So, and as Quill starts reaching up, you can see that behind this eye patch, there's like a glow, like a light is coming from behind the eye patch. I guess I with one hand lift it up, take it off. There's a sudden

kind of blazing of light, like a kind of bright light is glowing from his eye and then it dims and recedes and where quill once had an eye that was ruined there is now an eye but it is of a shimmering swirling storm in the eye is it back and you can see perfectly out of it oh in fact you know that you can't just see through it you can you can see more than just what other people can see through this oh my god my perception is even higher not your perception in terms of the, there is an intrinsic understanding that now, once per day, and I'll write you a thing for this, you can ask a single question to see something that happened in the past of where you are,

something in the now where you are not, or something that has not yet come to pass. What? Dude. You can basically ask a specific question, like, what happened to this? And you will get up to a minute of a vision of something. So if, for example, you were about to go through a door, you could go, what's going to happen when we go through this door?

And then you will see a minute of the most likely thing to happen. Now to point out, you know that the threads of fate and fortune can change that significantly. But you would know the most likely thing. And you can also use it to basically there's a spell, I can't remember, it's called

Arcane Eye. You can cast that once a day which basically allows you to put a magical sensor somewhere and then you can see through that or you can ask the same question about something that happened in the past of an immediate area and see up to a minute of that so you're like that's a raven vision yeah like who done blew up lucius's daddy i don't know about that he doesn't know about that yet doesn't know about that yet. Doesn't know about that. Doesn't know about that. Also, like I said, you only get a minute. So it's, you know, you would have to say,

and it has to be a specific circumstance, like what, you know, what happened in the workshop of the Alan Astor estate? What happens when we walk through that door? What happens when this guy leaves the room? It has to be a very specific circumstance. That's crazy town. As long as I ask the right question.

Yeah. My lady. That's it, time, episode's over. Oh fuck. Don't do that. Don't do that. With that, we're gonna end today's episode with Quill coming back.

He's back. Yes, he's back. Oh, Quill. Oh, Quill. And I'll write you up a thing, so that's one today. We melted his mini no we chucked it in the bin

so I was burnt it and cast it to the wind so yeah I'll write that up for you so you've got a thing and we'll talk about it just so you have a clear understanding of like

how it works and stuff that's incredible I'm so happy he's back well look everybody you know when you come back from the dead you get a little upgrade hey everyone thanks for

listening to this episode remember to check out D&D Beyond with the link in the episode description and also consider supporting the podcast on our Patreon page patreon.com

slash high rollers giving you early access to podcast episodes and other little benefits we'll see you on Monday for the next episode with the return of Quill and the continued investigation

into the Anelasto estate we'll see you then.