High Rollers DnD - High Rollers: Aerois Christmas Special w/ Matt Mercer (Part 1)

Episode Date: December 3, 2018

Ho ho ho! Welcome to the first Aerois Christmas Special with special guest: Matt Mercer! The team make a new friend and get their invitations to a festive St Mira's Day party! This episode was filmed live as part of the Yogscast Jingle Jam 2018, a month long event of streams and fund raising for hundreds of charities! Head to https://bit.ly/2AHOj9I to get over $750 worth of games for just $35 and raise some money for charity! A massive thank you to Matt Mercer for joining us on this special episode! Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pickaxe. Summer's here, and you can now get almost anything you need delivered with Uber Eats. What do we mean by almost? You can't get a well-groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parmesan delivered. Sunshine? No. Some wine? Yes. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. See app for details. Ho, ho, ho! Welcome to High Rollers, the Arois Christmas special.

This episode was filmed as part of the Jingle Jam, a month-long event on twitch.tv forward slash yogscast with just one focus, raising a whole lot of money for charity. Please tune in throughout the month of December or head to Humble Bundle

to get $750 worth of games for just $35. All proceeds are going to charity. Last year, we raised over $5 million and this year we hope to beat it. For new listeners, High Rollers is a Dungeons & Dragons podcast set in the world of Erois, recorded live every Sunday at 5pm GMT on twitch.tv forward slash highrollersdmd. Today's episode is non-canon,

so if you want to share this with your friends they won't be spoiled by the usual campaign. We are joined today by the legendary Dungeon Master of Critical Role, Matt Mercer. Playing a joyless dwarf bard, he will join the regular party of me, Tom, playing Quill, the Arakokra bard slash cleric, Katie, who plays Aayla, a wild elf barbarian, Rhiannon, who plays Sentry, a robotic guardian paladin, and Chris Trott playing Lucius Virion Eluin Elenasto, the high elf sorcerer, as we all receive an invitation to a party celebrating the Aroas equivalent of Christmas, St Mirrors Day. So, let's jump into the episode. Let's play the Aroas Christmas Special. to give you a vague overview of eros um sort of imagine star wars sci-fi meets fantasy it's a world of sentient constructs flying magical cities evil space empires starships powered by magical

sentient weapons all sorts of crazy stuff gods once walked the earth now they're gone now there's monsters and all kind of stuff crazy stuff happening the party um were a band of strangers who were flying aboard a skyship bound for the sky city of gust haven after their ship was attacked by the mysterious and dangerous dangerous remnant uh their ship crashed in the dangerous lowlands and the party had been forced to work together. The party have become embroiled in various plots along their way to the city of Goldthrone after surviving their crashed ship

and they have arrived several days before St. Mirrors or a day before St. Mirrors Day Festival which is a celebration of giving across Eros The main thing is they are accompanied by a dwarven merchant called Arval Dagus who they saved from the airship crash. And he has basically offered to put them up for the night and to see that they are well looked after in the city of Goldthrone as a reward for looking after him.

They are also accompanied by a human girl called Valor, who is joining it. Tech people, please come and help. We've lost Matt again. Well, Matt's not in it just yet. We'll introduce his character in some time Giving the team a chance to come in And sort out the TV Chris Trott, if you start fiddling and breaking it worse

I'm gonna I won't break it worse Matt are you there? Are you with us Matthew? I'm still here Just a disembodied voice at the moment Well today's adventure Begins in a large well furnished Suite at the moment. Okay. Well, today's adventure begins in a large, well-furnished suite in the House of the Golden Goose, one of the finer taverns in the merchant city of Goldthrone.

It is in a district called the Gilded Garden. The smell of roasting meat and spiced soup drifts through the distinguished room and mixes with the smell of fine cigars and apricot brandy. Oh, dear. Chairs are set disarrayed and a few scraps of clothing and adventuring gear is piled against a worn-looking bookcase somewhere near the heavy tone of a bell

indicates it is midday. Last night you enjoyed a celebration of finally arriving in the safety of Goldthrone and enjoying the luxurious services of the House of the Golden Goose thanks to your friend Arval Dagus. So what I'd like is for each of the current players, Matt, I'll introduce you in a bit once we get you back on screen.

But for the current players, what are you doing in the suite? You have the suite yourselves, you each have rooms. We'll start with Tom Hazel. Oh, wow. We're just throwing, wow. How close to St. Mira's Day are we? It's tomorrow. St. Mira's Day Eve we? It's tomorrow. St. Mira's Day Eve.

Quill is giddy. He is excited. So Quill is an Arakokra. What's that? It's a birdman. He's got a red cloak wrapped around him, covering where an arm used to be, because in this universe the arms are connected to the wing

so he is one wing down. Burr down with a missing wing. And you are a bard cleric. I'm a bard cleric. And you are a worshipper of Hesper who is one of the gods

of Eros. Yes. And I think Quill at the moment would be excited knowing St. Mira's Day is so close. Okay, excellent.

So what are you up to in the suite? Just looking out the windows and onto the streets of Goldthrone? Are you thinking about what gifts to one of your companions? Gifts? I haven't even thought about that yet. Tom hasn't thought about that yet. Quill's way ahead.

Get thinking. Okay, so that's what Quill. Katie, tell us about who you're playing and what they're up to. I'm playing Ayla. She is a wild elf storm herald barbarian. And she is probably a bit indifferent. She's probably just cleaning her warhammer and making sure that's all in good order. In the main lounge area of the suite?

Probably, yeah. She's pretty relaxed. And she's very tall, very muscular, red hair. Yeah, kind of long, fiery red hair. It's got a lot of braids through it. She's got like dark kind of makeup smudged across her eyes. Pretty messy. Yeah.

And a giant warhammer. Very Celtic and Viking influence for the Wilderness. And she has a small bit of tartan tied onto her belt. There you go. Rhiannon. Hello. Who are you playing? Tell us about them.

Cool. I'm playing Sentry. I am a paladin playing over the ancients. I'm like this seven foot tall metal robot woman, essentially. And I imagine she would be sort of feverishly looking around, like trying to get ideas. Like maybe she's like sitting like in the dining area, like plotting, trying to come up with ideas of what to get people.

Plotting? Not plotting as such. She's like, she has a plan. No, plotting sounds nefarious. I like it. What do I do? What do I get? She's all about St. Myra's Day.

She's like the mother of the group, so she'd want to be like, oh, my children need something else. For the sake of this episode, by the way, Rhiannon, we will say that Echo is functioning again. Yay! So Echo is a small... Spoilers.

Almost like a tumbleweed, like a tumbleweed of metal shards with a glowing central purple iris that kind of acts like a familiar. It kind of follows you around and is your companion.'s an echo yeah Chris Trott who are you playing what are they up to I am playing as Lucius Virion Elowen Elanastor the best party member of this entire group I'm a high elf sorcerer an arc arcane chromat, which is a very custom subclass of the sorcerer made by Mark Humes himself. An arcane chromat means that I can pull upon color itself to cast spells.

You may notice in my eyes that one is entirely blue and one is entirely orange. And I am decked out in beautiful garb, jewels everywhere, so I can pull upon all the different colors of my gems and I am fabulous. What are you doing that's so fabulous this morning? I am probably making beautiful colorful decorations to adorn on Sentry. Okay, so like little strings of lights or decorations? Lots of lights, fairy lights with little tiny spells of, what's the spell? Dancing lights.

Dancing lights. Just casting that around her as like a little halo above your head, spinning. It's like, oh yes, like a Christmas tree. Lovely. Whatever that means. I don't know what that means. It's like a star.

I had a dream of something. Trees, bizarre trees. Large man in red. Well, your other companion, the Air Ganassi Nova, is very unwell. She's throwing up poorly from food poisoning and alcohol poisoning from the night before. Won't be joining you today. So Kim, our other player, is not here. She's having a lovely holiday.

But as you are all sat around around this kind of lovely smell of cooking breakfast coming from below in the the tavern the house of the golden goose below mingling with this um heavy scent of cigar smoke that still lingers in the air and uncorked apricot brandy that has uh probably fills many of your heads as well as your tongues um from the night before uh there comes a very sturdy knock at the door, a kind of heavy sort of... At the time, I was trying to paint Sentry's face gold.

So it's now just smudged up your face. A line of gold across the face. It kind of works, honestly. You hear a groan. You hear a groan come from one of the nearby doors where Arval Dagus, this dwarven merchant who's put you up Is very hungover and probably still half asleep

And you just hear Can somebody get that door? I can't do it right now I'll go, it might be gifts It's Mirror's Day Okay, so you hop over to the door I'm so excited And when you open it

Matt, would you like to describe your character for us, please? I am playing the partially well-known but largely avoided dwarf bard who goes by the name Dunel Hanisang Magrasif. Hanisang is a title he does not give himself, but a title he very

happily accepts from those around. He has made his way through the various ins and outs of the city, trying to make friends and make grifts, and it's a bit of a reputation. But more than likely he's around in the area drinking heavily, singing heavily, and

trying to become closer friends with anyone who looks like they could possibly have work or something that is easy to take on them. So, I don't know. You see him with a somewhat pointy, dark beard, crazy wild curly hair that goes past his shoulders.

He has a knitted cap that holds him back. And he looks a bit like a cross between a wandering bum and a well-put-together musician. There you go. So you see this dwarven figure before you quill

as you open the door. Dunl, you see this birdman, you know, decked out in this kind of bright red, one wing kind of tucked behind him so far as you can see. And you know, you've come to this room because you've tracked down Arval Dagus that your employers have asked you to find

and invite to this event this evening. And you have an invitation for Arval for him, like a written invitation. But yeah, as far as you know, this birdman is not him. I am terribly sorry to have bothered you at this point in the day's festivities, my fine federal compatriot, but is there an Arvold, Degas, within this small chamber? Arvold? Yes, yes, Arvold, Ar Arvel, you've got a friend on Samira's day. Oh, he is so hungover. He is never going to make it to that door.

Yeah, you kind of, he kind of, you see this dwarven figure, kind of like thick body, very similar in kind of build to this dwarf you see before you, like Donald. But he has, rather than long hair, you can see it's quite short, tucked in. And he wears a very large Stetson hat,

like a big cowboy hat, a shirt that's half on. He's got like one leg in his trousers, one boot on, and he just kind of rubs his face. He's like, Bring him in, Quill. I just need a minute. Speak to our

fine friend here. Good day, sir. Give me one minute. And then he kind of lumbers back into the room. As you can see, Arvel's a little bit... He's still drunk. There's honestly a 50-50 chance that he's vomiting at this moment.

Let's be entirely fair. It is within our lineage, so to speak, to be well to rise in the morning, as you see. I myself have not slept them in drinking since uh seven or eight o'clock in the afternoon so i'm at the very least disappointed by performance um and uh if you're if quill invites you in you see the rest of this kind of motley band you see

this guardian this construct uh currently sat at the table a big gold smear over part of their face um you see a very fabulously wealthy-dressed high elf who is currently trying to decorate her in some way, and then a very rough-looking wild elven woman, huge hammer by her feet, long pointed ears, long

red hair, just kind of glaring at everything that's going on. So this is Aayla. This is Sentry, and this is Ayla. This is Sentry. And this is Lucius. Where's Nova? I think Nova's not very well. She was drinking very heavily.

Yeah. She is good at that. She was like somewhere going her She kept stumbling over to the bar and was yelling shots shots shots shots shots shots. And I assumed she meant your thunder whatever that was and I was like no not a

gun. Not a gun. That would be terrible. So we were thrown out after I fired into the air. Anyway it's a pleasure to meet you. What brings you to our fine abode? Well you see I have someone of which I've been under the employer for quite some time. A glorious individualist, Galinda Evangelia Cherison. That's what it is. Cherison Guild, are you familiar?

I have no idea what you're talking about. Yeah, the four of you doesn't ring a bell. Not heard that one. No, you're at the wrong place I'm sorry you're going to have to leave well you're all welcome to stay

by all means you can sit around and wear fancy dresses and funny colours that's what they're so hard to do but it's your relatively over

over hung or I should say hung over very different meaning I've proven on the opposite end of that chamber I just need

him to talk with my aforementioned master, if you don't mind. You see Arval kind of pull himself free, and he's kind of holding his head, fully dressed now, although still looking very disheveled. He just kind of... Arval! Come on, man! If you need some help to wake up,

let me give you some inspiration, then. I pull out my lute with a grin and a very sly, toothy smile and start strumming rapidly. It's very loud. That's a wake-up. That's a wake-up. I mean, we're all a bit hungover here. That's an interesting song.

Are you aiming to actively inspire or just play a little tune? Oh, no, this is not inspiration. This is me trying to cause him a headache and get him to leave the room sooner. Why don't you make a performance check for me just to see, A, how well you perform for the stranger's initial impression of it, but also see if it manages to shake Arvel out of his kind of grumpy demeanor. With my natural three and plus five, it's an eight. Okay.

So it's not the greatest tune you've all heard I mean there's definitely a tune there And there is definitely some skill But it's quite loud and quite abrasive But it does the job of kind of Arvo's like dude that's fine Thank you so much that's very kind Did you say you had some sort of Message for me rather than you

Playing that thing right now? Yeah, all I talked to get your attention was a little bit of fine musical taste. And I hear, yes, I have a missive for you, my friend, and I pass over the letter. And he receives this letter, which he opens up, pulls out. Can anybody else not hear right now? That was so loud.

Oh. It was an unusual tune. Did anyone else recognise it? No. Not the toe-tapper that I'm used to in Gusthaven. It's more of a unk steel to it, to be honest.

I'm not used to this lowland stuff. Solvin is more classical, I think, in nature. Right. You see Arvel, as he finishes reading he kind of goes quite quiet and he's like ah, see well, and he hands

the letters like, you should read it for everyone else. Mr. Dunnell, was it? Dunnell, but Dunnell is Spanish. Dunnell, you're welcome to stay here with my companions. I'm not sure if your employer has requested you stick around us until we attend, but you're welcome to spend the day.

I'll need to prepare a few things. Lucius will tell you what it's about, but I just need a few minutes to myself. You going to throw up? Yeah, that's what I'm gonna do. It says you'll prove a hum. What does that mean? Quill, you can cover that. Excuse me, Mr. Dunell, make yourself at home.

Oh, I very much appreciate that. I am, at the very least, paid by the hour, so I will take all the time you require. Really? Well, in that case, you are welcome to waste any time with us as you see fit. If that's coming out of the cherry song coffers, then well, that'll be mighty amusing.

So how much money do you need? I've got a few platitudes. No, Lucius, no. Let me just get you a couple of platitudes. Stop spending money. I thought he was being paid by someone else. Your name is Lucius, you said, correct? Lucius, yes.

Lucius Fioran Ellenasto. Oh, I can already say that we are going to be fine, fine friends. Thank you. I hope so. But don't play that music ever again. It's dreadful. That was not intended for you. That was intended for your heavy drinking friend.

There are many songs, many tunes, many riffs, many words. What's the last thing? What's so important? To Mr. Arval Dagos and companions. That's us. That's us. We are pleased to hear of your safe return to Goldthrone

and wish you well this season. That's very nice. How lovely. You and any hear of your safe return to Goldthrone and wish you well this season. That's very nice. How lovely. You and any companions of your choice are invited to the Cherry Song Trading Company's yearly St Mirrors Day Party. Oh, how delightful. Which is to be held in our newly refurbished Goldthrone headquarters in the Stone Garden District. Where's that? That sounds amazing. That sounds very fanciful. Yep. I fit right in anyway this year. We are pleased to have

catering provided by Susecki family of the Venner that sounds very very luxurious Most of you. Yeah, yeah drinks from the Cloudglass Brewery in Horizon. I'm interested. And musical performances from famed bards, including touring superstar Adalia Little Song. I've never heard of this person. Who is?

If you don't make it in Gustave, you don't make it anywhere. So, are they okay? Not as good as you. Well, of course not I mean to be a Bloody racket Anyway Please dress appropriately

Look like me And note that you will be asked To leave weapons at the security desk Arrivals expected from Eight bells onward Siaska's blessing this season Very nice A follower

Good The Cherry Song Trading Company. Okay. We're going to a party. Good. Now you had me at free drinks and food, and you lost me at no weapons and dress like you, so. Well, I'll find you again, dress like me.

Dress as good as me and you'll fit right in, right? Do you know? Of course, I mean, as nice as him, as nice as me As nice as Julia Whatever you wish the various people of this establishment To not talk to you for as much and leave you to drink and eat I see That's fair Fancy

I'm looking forward to this formal function I can't wait A formal function A formal function It looks like you have war paint, some weird gold war paint right now. Oh, does that mean I'm going to have to wash this off? No. Don't you dare. It's kind of got like a nice asymmetrical line, like a Ziggy Stardust style.

It's very Bowie. Yeah, it's very Bowie. You look very good. Wow, I can't wait! It's very in right now. Yes! Well, as a group, just to give you some information about the city. So it mentions something called the Stone Garden District. So Goldthrone is a city that is partially built into the Auric Mountains. So half the city is actually built into a large cavernous space, a huge cavernous space in the mountains themselves.

And then half of it is outside behind city walls. You are currently in the outside section called the gilded garden and stone garden is the name for the large cabinet space inside. Makes a lot of sense. I can show you a quick... So this is just a very hastily drawn one well not hastily but it's a very kind of childly drawn one so this section here is the inside cavern stone garden and then this is the gilded garden. So it's quite substantial outside. Have we got an overhead camera?

I don't know if it will be able to zoom in as well. You need to switch on. Maybe. But yeah, so you know that stone garden is generally a very high, kind of not like a financial district. Well, like a financial district, right? It's not necessarily shops or taverns. It's more like guild headquarters, temples, administration buildings,

government buildings, that sort of thing. And then the gilded garden is more of a trade area. It's kind of Times Square in New York kind of thing. But you know that Stone Garden is enormous. Many of the buildings there are actually built into these huge stone columns that support the ceiling of the cavern itself. So there are buildings that rise like 300, 400 feet tall, and they're built into these huge stone towers. And then there are other smaller buildings kind of

dotted around them, effectively. And it sounds like from the invitation that the Cherry Song Trading Company, which sounds like one of the guild groups. Can I do a check to see if I recognise this from Daddy's business? Absolutely. I would say in fact, I won't make you make a check for this, because I think

this is something that Lucius would know about. Yeah, the Cherry Song Trading Company, it's a very big trade conglomerate, like a guild. They hire artisans, they hire merchant traders, they sail or travel all across Eros trading various goods. They've made a lot of money. They're very, very wealthy.

Almost to the point of rivaling Sky City noble families. They are very, very affluent. And you would probably have heard that they recently had some changes in leadership. They had one of the family members has taken over and is running things and is doing very well, very, very profitably. She came in charge maybe about 10 or 15 years ago and has been running things ever since. They also have likely hired a lot of magicians

to make a lot of security for their new headquarters, this new tower. So they have a very magical headquarters. Magician. Yes. Okay. So, yeah, I'd say you guys know that. And you also know that Goldthrone itself is a very large, it is known as the trader's city, is known for its merchants. If you guys wanted to buy anything, if you want to go and buy outfits for the party, if you want to buy gifts, there are dozens of incredible shops and stores all throughout the city, and you can pretty much find anything you require. I need a hat.

Oh. I need to buy a hat. Why? If we're going to some sort of function like this, it's absolutely essential that you turn up in a hat, and then you take it off before you go in. What? Does anyone need to get a hat? Yes, absolutely, of course.

You're not going to go in bald-headed, are you? There's lots of feathers. Terribly disrespectful. Well, what about the rest of my outfit? Yes, change the whole thing, yes. Really? Yes. What about everyone else?

Duned is okay. He obviously has been here for quite a while. He knows what he's doing. But, I mean, I'm not against the idea of having a new hat if you were to pick one and pay for it for me. Of course, yes, yes. We can't have you going like that, of course. Understood. So everybody's getting hats, that's the first priority, and then from there we've got to practice some dancing,

obviously. So two pairs, and then we'll do some dancing. Because they're going to do some ball-type things, I imagine, with the superstar. That was just nodding and pointing i assume you're down there right so yes um so yeah i mean you can see that so uh a small probably about 14 year old girl with dark hair kind of pokes her head out of the bathrooms

where just behind her you can see this blue air ganassi just throwing up constantly. And you see Vala, who you recognize as a girl that you rescued along with Arvel. She's just like, um, I kind of overheard some of that. I don't think Nova can go anywhere. Should I just stay here and look after her while you guys go? She's going to miss out terribly. I know, but she's really not well. To be honest, she'd make us look bad, so yes, she should stay.

I'll stay here and look after her then, but you should take Arvel. He's paid for everything. Make sure he has a good time. Okay. Yeah, he's also very overrun, so... I don't know what that means. I'm 14. He closes the door. Good. I'm so glad. Anyway.

Is everybody ready to- should we just get going now? Eight bells onwards, right? Yeah, so you have plenty of eight hours or so. It's about midday. Eight hours. That's not enough time! What, eight hours? To do what? Of course, to do my makeup! Makeup? No, I'm not going! I'm not going! I'm not going.

Can I? You're invited. No, I can't do it. Ayla's going to pick up whatever you were putting on Sentry's face and just put all of her fingers through it and just run it right down the middle of your face. Done. He does look very good.

Ta-da! Perfect. Danelle's saying this, reaches out and grabs the lapel of Lucius and goes, she's going to attempt to inspire him. Yeah. Oh, luscious locked lad, as you stand before me, I cannot help but see the colors amongst thee. Your gracious, your bright, your visage is quite beautiful.

May this party bring all of us something that rhymes with beautiful. I mean, that was amazing. I will go to the ball. I will. Is that a bardic inspiration just to check? Yes. No, I'm actually going to use a bardic inspiration. So you get a d6

to a check within the next like 10 minutes or something. 10 minutes. The next 8 hours. You can save that one. That is the kind of music you should be playing all the time. something. Ten minutes for the next eight hours. There you go, next eight hours. You can save that one. Okay, I'll save it. That is the kind of music you should be playing all the time. Well, it's really

the only first time you've seen me perform outside of bothering your friend. There was more to come. I hope so. I'm all flustered. So now that Lucius has decided to go with his new makeup by Ayla, the first question is, do you guys want to get hats and outfits, you said? Yes.

There are three standout places that I think Donnell would know about and he would tell you about. Three places that you've heard of in your kind of, your investigations into the city. There is a place called Stout Stars, which is run by a very kind of very dramatic

and a little bit eccentric halfling, who is the kind of tip of fashion, but is very out there, very outrageous. There is a legendary tailor called the Dusk Needle, who is an ember elf, who is very well known for creating beautiful, very elegant looking clothing, the stuff that the richest of the rich wear. And then finally, there is a place called Two Sisters Tailoring. It's not actually run by Two Sisters anymore, but it's got the name still.

And they specialize in reinforced art-like clothing, so clothing that will also count somewhat as armor. And they kind of build this for nobles and people, merchants who want to look good, but also are worried about being stabbed in the back or killed by some bandit on the road. So those are the three kind of the best tailors

in town that you can think of. I don't want to take the lead but I'm taking lead on this because it's very important to me to look the best and I want to be on the peak of fashion. I want to be stand out. The rest of you can be drab. It doesn't matter. But I feel like You've got like 20,000 gems on you already.

Surely that's like sufficient gems to go. Absolutely sufficient. This is kind of this is trail making wear. You know, climbing mountains, going through, doing chores, that kind of thing. It doesn't really work when you're going to a fancy function such as St. Mirrors Day in the middle of Sterngarden. Okay, so you're going to get rid of

that for something else? Yes. This will be backup. Wait, that's your practical way? This is my practical way, yes. Okay. Are you surprised? Because I'm really not. I am. I'm surprised that's what he thought was practical. It's a very practical look! And I draw upon one of the gems to make a dancing light.

Okay, no, fair enough for your spells. But, I mean, people... How much more practical does it need to be? A lot of people have looked at you and thought that you were, you know, someone to steal from. This is why we've had so much trouble. I think the outfit's the problem. Yep. That's not practical.

Let's get him a new outfit. Less gems. Honestly, that kind of works. You know, something that causes a conversation. I want people to be speaking like, yes, I could steal from him, but he looks good, doesn't he? You know? Okay. The place that does something that looks like

kind of could be armor, that would be useful. For you, perhaps, yes. Well, at this point, Lucius has made up his mind where he would like to go. Would you guys like to go somewhere else? Dunnell, would you like to go somewhere? Do you fancy getting something bought or bought for you, it sounds like, more in line?

I walk where Lucius walks, because after all, he is offered so graciously to pay for everything I require. Okay, so it sounds like... I think I did. So did you guys want to go to... Lucius, did you intend to go to Stout Stars Which is the more kind of extravagant out there Yes Or the Dusk Needle

Which is the finest of the fine That's tough Can I roll for it? Absolutely I just so understand One to three, Stout Stars Four to six, Dusk Needle Eight

Well that's a d20 I thought you were going to roll a d6 Five Five, so that would be the Dusk Needle. That's the expensive one. That's the expensive one. I have to. Friendly choice.

Yeah, excellent choice. So, Dunnell and Lucius are going to head there. Sentry, what about you? Have you got any ideas? I feel like with this interesting paint that is on my face, I feel like I could go for something a bit unusual, a bit... Okay, stand out. A bit stand out. Okay, so you want to go to Stout Stars. Stout Stars, please. I feel like I could go for something a bit unusual, a bit... Stand out.

A bit stand out. Okay, so you want to go to Stout Stars. Stout Stars, please. Okay. Quill and Ayla. Is there anyone that makes suits for birds? Yes. Yeah, you'll find somebody.

Any of these three tailors will be able to accommodate you. They make outfits for all races. I mean, I've never seen an Aarakocra in a suit before. That would be hilarious. Can we please get you one? That might be the first one ever. Do you want a suit? I kind of want a tuxedo.

That would be the dust needle. I'll go to the dust needle. Hela? I want to see that. Okay, so you're going to go, but probably not get anything for yourself. No, yeah, probably not. Okay. Probably not.

All right, well, we'll quickly cover Sentry first. So, Sentry, you make your way. Arvor will probably travel with you just for keeping company, if nothing else. And he seems a little quiet and a little nervous about something. But he travels with you to show you the way. Stout Stars is a tiny squat building out in the Gilded Garden. And you can see that the window, this large kind of bay window, is full of mannequins in these very colourful,

very avant-garde-looking outfits, lots of geometrical shapes and things like that. Like a maze, like... And as you kind of step inside, instead of a bell, there is the sound of birdsong that erupts as you kind of enter in, this kind of... As you kind of look around, and you can see rows and rows of these kind of enter in this kind of... As you kind of look around and you can see rows and rows of these kind of beautiful outfits. There are chairs of all different shapes and sizes.

One is like a small hand. One is like a tiny stool. One like a big plush armchair. There is no desk. Instead, just in the middle of the shop with working on a mannequin is this very flamboyantly dressed, big round sort of spectacles,

big fluffy pink boa, tight leather trousers and a little vest is a halfling man. And he's just like, no, no, no, this will not do. Turns around like,

my by Siaska, I am stunned. Is this one farewell? Construct. He is very Mugato from Zoolander. Very much like that with the same kind of

like quiffed hair. A guardian in my store. Please tell me you've come to buy something my dear. I have. Everything in here

is incredible. Oh, I'm so glad that you like my designs. So many people do not appreciate good art. Oh, it's beautiful, I can't wait. Do you have something in mind? Oh, something other than this. I'm getting inspirations, inspirations.

And he kind of moves around and he's just like, yes, hmm. Elegant frame, feminine, but protective and strong. That's what I'm reading, that's what I'm reading, that's what I'm reading. Now you'll have to remove the armor. We can't have the armor. Need to work it on your basic frame. I kind of want to keep my armor.

Can I keep my head armor? Of course, yes. Keep your head armor. Okay. But the body, no, we need to extenuate this natural form these stone and metal and wooden shapes yes i'm thinking i'm thinking i'm thinking sounds good i have something and then he moves over and he pulls out this um it seems to be kind of like a black kind of shaped dress but with large kind of metallic plates uh in like design not quite like armor but

almost like dragon scale uh that kind of rises up like one half of it and then the other half is down the arm is laced like crisscrossed lace with bows

very feminine it is a contrast the masculine armour with the feminine bows this would look incredible I've never worn anything like this before oh

it's so and he offers a little tiny hand up to you because you're huge and he's tiny I take his little hand and he leads you little tiny hand up to you because you're huge and he's tiny and he leads you over to like a curtained area and he begins helping you uh it's so fascinating um uh and yeah you he basically runs you through how to buy it it will cost you 25 gold

for this outfit fantastic and he will dress you up and get you ready to go for this evening sounds perfect done so you have that so you you have fine clothing from Stout Stars. Amazing. Joseph Stout Star. Who's paying for all this? I'm sure she's paying for it. I've got it. I've just got mine.

Thank you so much, Joseph. This is incredible. Oh, century, my darling. You will stand out. Just remember to tell everybody you're wearing Stout Star. I will tell everyone. Don't worry. Very good.

I'll keep my word. I know. I know you will. And he strokes your face as well. He tries to, but then he's hanging. I like crouch down. Don't worry. Very good. I'll keep my word. I know. I know you will. And he strokes your face as well. He tries to, but then he's hanging. I like crouch down, haven't I? He's like, mm. So we jump across into Stone Garden itself,

where tucked along a back wall, there is just what at first appears to be a cave entrance with a very delicate, made from black metal sign and in silver writing beautiful cursive script the Dusk Needle. You descend down

deep into the actual mountain itself. The light completely goes out. Anybody who doesn't have darkvision is temporarily blinded until very faint... I know, look, Donald's light can see it perfectly.

Your darkvision switches into the black and white hues of darkvision. Quill, as you get closer, there are faint little twinkling lights which just give you barely enough to see. And you see this beautiful, elegant, made from black velvet kind of store with like

these long sheds long couches draped kind of curtained fitting rooms but there are no clothes on display um you just see almost like a waiting room and sat there drinking a very delicate cup of tea from a tiny ceramic see-through glass um is ember elf. It's the first time some of you have seen these. They are completely black-skinned, but like onyx, almost like a marble-textured skin, completely hairless. Their eyebrows are

studs of diamonds instead of actual hair. They have, like, studs of diamonds instead of eyebrows, with very bright blue eyes. A headscarf is kind of partially wrapped around their head, and they're wearing these very long, elegant robes of purple and silver. And as he kind of gets in, you just get this, he puts the glass down.

Welcome, customers. I am Dusk. Can I help you? And he gestures to all of you. There is a curious glance in Aayla's direction, and probably Quill's, but he smiles very politely. But it's more of an eyebrow raise than anything dismissive. Okay, how can I help you? I'm afraid you've got your work cut out for you with these two, but we'd all like some garb, if possible.

Of course, most certainly. I must be upfront with you, and please understand that this is in no means a judgment on yourselves. I merely wish to be upfront with my prices. Many people are not aware of what I charge. My outfits are 50 gold for my pre-made, 150 for something custom. 150? Sorry, let's go elsewhere. I thought this was a premium place okay

we'll see you later thank you well this is not there is a the slightest the slightest hint of offence

I'm sorry I must apologise if you are used to a higher end establishment I wish you good luck and he he very politely is just like

I hope that you find something oh I'm so sorry i totally forgot where i was i'm just so used to sky city no please i didn't mean to take he holds up a hand he's like no please it is my duty to serve to provide custom for all of you my work is valued here in gold throne but i understand that perhaps in the Sky Cities, where other places you may be from, that may change. But I can assure you my work is of the highest standard.

Then by all means, we'll start with the base template, okay? Of course. I'm going to throw some adjectives at you, which I assume is how you work. And he flashes up a small kind of leather-bound notebook, and he takes a pencil from a belt, and he's like, please begin, sir. Now, Dunel, I assume

you wish for a hat, yes? We can certainly begin with a hat, however, I'm already seeing the fabrics around here, and they already look quite comfortable against my door-wisky. Yes, yes, comfort's one thing, but fashion. Fashion. Even if we're just squeezing you into something, you've got to look

beautiful. Okay. Right. I'll start thinking about adjectives. You go first. I need to follow your lead. Yes. Draw upon your bard inspiration. Some songs. Yes. What do you mean adjectives? What are you doing? Okay. I'm thinking sun. I'm thinking moon. I'm thinking bright but dark, I'm thinking contrast. Because we're doing pairs we have to have polar opposites but then join together to create an ultimate beauty.

We're doing pairs? Yes, for the dance. Did the notes say there was a dance? No, but there's always a dance, you know? Oh. He writes things down as you're speaking. So in pairs, I assume me and Junel would be pairing because we're probably

the most sophisticated dancers here and therefore well I would say so yes maybe I don't want to be stepping on your birdie toes

or your elf toes or your wild elf toes but you two together would probably do something good well I don't dance and he's got one arm so

I mean Arakokra normally dance in the sky and I can't really get up there. It's okay. We'll just stay at the bar and have some drinks. It's fine. That sounds good. You can watch us. It's fine. You don't have to take part. But I'm thinking... You notice as you're speaking, like,

whilst Lucius is supposedly the one giving these adjectives, he's actually watching the conversation between you and is making notes as you converse. What are you doing? What are you doing? I'm coming up with ideas. For me? Of course. I don't really need anything.

Oh, you're not- I apologize, I thought you were a customer. I think this is fine, right? I can just wear this. What are you- what are you writing? What are you gonna write about me? Don't make that face at me. I have written that obviously your injury must need to be taken into context, but you still have an affinity for the sky and ways that I can bring that into it. You seem to be quite an intelligent

individual, so something that is fitting of that nature. Obviously your feet no boots, so trousers must be accommodated into that. You are a little shy perhaps, a little nervous in your manner of speaking so something that will help draw away from that. I wonder when you call myself

shy? Nervous. Obviously your friend here is extremely confident, understands, very flamboyant, stands out in a crowd. He doesn't seem to quite know what he wants, but he has an idea of something along those lines. The young master dwarf here, obviously his build needs to be factored in,

but the hair and the beard, very well kept, very well groomed. Complementary. They're dark in colour, so we want to avoid too many dark colours in his outfit. Make his... Perhaps a series of tunics that will give off an image of a very fantastic, bespectacled face, smiling outwardly.

He nods. I like that. That can be accomplished. That's good. So wait, are you saying you're going to have someone else's face on your body? On the front of a shirt, yes, exactly. To wear proudly. It will be an excellent challenge.

We are on the bleeding edge of fashion here, Quill. Do not stunt any ideas. Is this what you've been talking about this whole time? Is this what fashion is? Because I'm really intrigued. It's just changed. Fashion just changed. You have to be on the bleeding edge. If we don't get this made very soon, it's going to be out of date.

I mean, I have some ideas. You do? Can you make anything that I can keep my own kind of... I want to still have armor, please. I'm afraid that that is not really my speciality. There are a couple who specialize more in that. Yeah, I might have to go there. The two sisters tailoring is something more along your lines.

Yeah, I'm going to go there. Although, can you put him in a little birdie tuxedo? I've rarely worked, but yes, that can be accomplished. Is tuxedo what you're thinking? I can make it what I'm thinking. Okay. Okay. Do you have a preference for color? Would you like to keep the red? I mean, you what I'm thinking. Okay. Okay. Do you have a preference for color?

Would you like to keep the red? I mean, you're the fashion guy. Very well. Man. Yes. Person. All right. Well, I have some things in stock that I can use,

or I can have something custom made. For your face design, sir, Master Dwarf, that would need to be quite customized. For your leading edge, that would need to be quite customised for your leading edge. That would also be quite customised. I have a tuxedo that I could adjust for you, sir. So all told, it would be about

350 gold pieces. Could I get a backup one? Of course, if you require it, sir. Yes. I assume I'd get quite sweaty. I do perspire apologies um so maybe just something for the dance and then i can whip that off very well sir yes yes of course perfect excellent now if you excuse me i will take some measurements and then i will leave you to your

business 300 350 uh with the additional with the backup I will say I shall do your discount, sir. This is quite excellent business. 450 gold with the backup. Quill, I need a moment. Okay. Quill, can we have a conversation? Yeah. What is it, Lucius? This has never happened to me before.

What? I feel dreadful. I've run out of money. You've run out of money? I've got 300, but not... Well, I mean, what do you want me to do about it? I don't know know I'm so embarrassed It's finally happened

It's finally happened You've given away too much But I need both What do you mean? What do I do? Do you need the backup? Do I need the backup? Do you need the backup?

Yes I need the backup Really? I can't say no now You should get the pre-made Lucius Word is going to spread About Lucius, V going to spread About what Lucius Varian

Eluin Elemastor Running out of money Yes And that would look bad For my daddy's business Daddy would be really disappointed He would be so disappointed

So disappointed Terribly disappointed Can anyone just spot me Right now I promise I will pay it back In kind Spot you

Can I overhear This conversation Yes Lucius is not Being particularly quiet I'm going to go ahead And yes Lucius is not being particularly quiet I'm going to go ahead and pat Lucius' shoulder and be like let me see what I can do for you

and I turn around to try and find Dusk Dusk, my friend, my fantastic weaver of ridiculous fabrics may I have your attention? of course Master Dwarf, how may I help you? sorry, maybe there was an assumption upon arrival, but Lucius here may I help you? Sorry, maybe there was an assumption upon arrival, but Fenlucius here, I thought you recognized him upon coming,

but he is one of the chosen of the Star Mother. He is a very, very important figure amongst the various Sky Cities. I mean, we were going to pay, but your fine establishment here is very, how do you say, easy to forget, not known abroad. Maybe more people should know about it. Maybe there should be some sort of a franchise possibility. After all, many eyes will be on my friend Lucius

here wearing your fine fabrics. Maybe we can work out some sort of a trade. I think make a persuasion check with advantage because you dropped a couple of things in there which are particularly important to not only Ember Elves, but this character in particular. The mention of expanding his trade, but also the Siaska stuff was pretty big for this guy.

Nice. That's going to be 18 plus 7, so 25. 25! He leans in and is like, I can see that you are very talented at what you do, Master Dwarf. I would be willing to make the outfits for Master Elinasto for 300

on the promise that perhaps a communication can be sent to his family in Gusthaven, inquiring about future orders. They are quite well known in the city, and if his family were to wear my wares, that would be very beneficial to me. Okay, I accept this proposition. I think you are a very smart and intelligent businessman, and I see that you can see

skill and talent wherein your eye falls upon it. What do you say, Bushis? Well, it's a discount, isn't it? I hate the D word. I hate the D word. It's not a discount, isn't it? I hate the D word. I hate the D word. It's a discount.

It is trade. It's a trade, yes. I'm reaching out. I'm reaching out for new business. Yes. Yes, that works. Lucius, Lucius, you're just like a lowlander now. Perfect!

Yes, I'll take it. I've always wanted to fit in. 300 gold then, sir, and I have your word that you will speak with your family about inquiring for future orders. Absolutely. Thank you very much, sir. That is very kind of you. I keep my word. Thank you very much. He takes the gold, and he spends...

I've got two gold left. It's so minuscule. Look at this. Two gold. I can hold it for you. I can't believe it. I've never seen currency so small before. Look at this. Two gold. I can hold it for you. I can't believe it. I've never seen currency so small before. He hands you the two gold. I actually have more money than Lucius now. You now have no gold.

I didn't think he would actually do it. You spend maybe like another couple of hours just with Dusk in measurements, going over designs. He comes up with a black and gold ensemble for Dunel that incorporates a very familiar elven face. It looks a little bit like Lucius on the front but it's kind of built into ruffles so it's only when you look at it

dead on that you see the full face and then sideways it's kind of an illusion. It feels so incredible, it's so powerful an illusion it feels so incredible it's so powerful it's also built so that if you open up your shirt and show chest hair it's like his hair

oh amazing it just looks like he has this very fine dwarven mullet kind of thing going on. Lucius you have a design which incorporates the sun and moon, and it's split kind of halfways, two-faced style. One designed very silver and dark colours, the other one kind of white and gold. It kind of blends the two together in a kind of swirling pattern.

But it is affixed with blue and orange gemstones from your other outfit, kind of used to keep some of that synergy. Ah, yes. I didn't even think about function. Quill, you have an adorable tuxedo with tailcoat. The trousers are cropped short but then tucked in to fit for your legs. The wing is kind of kept loose and free with a long kind of tailcoat and a big cravat kind

of coming out the front. So in the space where the wing is missing, what's there? So it kind of folds around like you currently have, but it has like a half shoulder cape to kind of keep it in. Oh, very nice. Very nice. Oh, I love it. Wow.

So that will be approximately an hour and 10 minutes spent on designing outfits. Okay. Classic Dungeons and Dragons. And yeah, and so with those outfits, we're going to jump ahead a little bit to you guys making your way to the party. classic Dungeons and Dragons. And yeah, and so with those outfits, we're going to jump ahead a little bit to you guys making your way to the party. You pick up Arvel and Century,

who are both dressed out. Arvel wearing kind of a suit, but it's nothing, you know, standout. He's got his hat. He's wearing nice boots and things like that. And you are led from, so Dunel guides you to the Stone Garden garden district where you see rising up he leads you to one of these huge towered columns that supports the ceiling of the cavern itself

the cherry song trading company is one of the oldest in gold throne and you can see that the headquarters take up this entire stone column itself. It reaches up about 300 feet or so. The stone pillar itself is sculpted and engraved with an ornate tree-like pattern. You can see that there are large glass windows on each floor that look down onto the district below, out into this large cavernous space where you can see magical lights have been placed around on the buildings to kind of provide illumination. As you reach the front, there are a pair of thick doors, stone doors, that lead into the tower at its base, where they're flanked by a pair of dwarven guards in heavy steel armor.

Upon providing the invitation and speaking with Arvel, who they seem to recognize, you are invited inside into a large polished stone lobby. There is a sign which says, Event Guests This Way, Valena Suite. And it leads you to the back of the building itself, where there are kind of these long chutes

with magical platforms on them with a kind of crystalline, sort of not panel, but kind of like a crystalline pedestal with various buttons, all with Dwarvish script. So Dunel obviously can speak Dwarvish, but anybody else who speaks Dwarvish, it has the names of the

floors and their specific purposes. And the Valena Suite I believe is on the do-do-do check my notes the Valena Suite is on the 23rd floor. So it's up quite near the top of this huge tower.

You are led in sight. As you go in, you first have to stop off at a security checkpoint before you switch to the other magical platform that rises up. There you can see kind of a long room with a security checkpoint, like a desk. There are a bunch of armoured dwarven guards.

They will try and take your they will take your weapons um so you will not be allowed weapons inside but they store them in a secured armory on this floor and that security checkpoint is on the i think it's on the 20th floor 21st floor i believe can i 21st floor I believe. Can I... 21st floor. Try and persuade them that my fabula is part of the costume. Yeah, they wouldn't even regard that. Any spell focuses you can keep. They're looking for things like crossbows, warhammers, swords,

axes, anything like that. So, do either any of you want to try and sneak weapons in or do anything to let the guards just take you take them in? Anything like that. I'm my only weapon. So I've got my staff.

Does that count as a weapon? They would want to take that because it doesn't look like you need it to walk. Fair enough. In that case, they can just take everything. Take it all. So they take all the cool stuff. Lucius, yeah, the Ophabriel, you can keep that, but everything else I'll take.

I'm fine, yeah. Dunel? No, they can take my weapons. As long as I get to keep my wonderful instruments, i'm okay yeah they they actually kind of they they recognize you you've seen these security guards before this is very standard procedure um the whole company's going to be at the party and they're just like uh of course do you know you just keep what you need we'll just uh keep your weapons here in the armory madam i'm afraid we're going to need to take your weapons that's fair can i try and'm afraid we're going to need to take your weapons

That's fair, can I try and disguise my shield as part of my outfit because it's so out there So what do you want to try and put it on the back or something like that Okay, you can give me a deception check Okie dokie It's a big shield

It's part of the design Yeah, we'll make this That was a natural 20 That was a natural 20 So before you kind of reach it You slide the shield onto your back And maybe kind of hide the straps in And yeah like you just say like

What do you say to them? Um I love it when Rhianna laughs preemptively I don't think I get this far. You're just like, and you just wave yourself through. And they kind of just take the axe and then are like, okay,

and then they just put the axe away. Because they focus primarily probably on Aayla, who has this huge war hammer, and you see that these two kind of dwarven guards are like, man. Okay, but you have to keep it safe, like really safe. Can I get it back

immediately as soon as I come back as soon as you come down to the security checkpoint we'll return it to you he hands you a token

he hands you a token and says we'll only return the Warhammer to whoever has that token obviously we've

seen you we recognize your face and he shows you the armory it's a locked room a locked loom

a locked room to the side and you can. Rocked loom. Markism. Markism. A locked room to the side, and you can see that there are rows and rows of weapons inside. You can see that they have their own weapons stacked there. They have these Thunderstone rifles, these kind of firearms that use, like, magical thunder to kind of eject bullets. But they also have what appear to be a selection of rapiers and, you know, things like that. Kind of nobles' weapons.

And, like, one of them is like, takes the hammer, kind of moves in, puts it on a table or desktop and puts it there safely. Unfortunately I don't have anything that's small enough to conceal. Okay, you've got fists. Yeah. That'll do. And some lightning. Not that anything's going to happen, it's a party

so it's fine. It's just dungeons and dragons yeah absolutely so after having your weapons taken in at this checkpoint uh you uh continue going up on these magical platforms um there's a couple of things you should know that do now all these guards would probably tell you about the tower so there are magical wards uh they kind of brag a little bit about their security kind of pointing out that they have magical sensors to monitor the outside of the building. The rooftop is protected against flying creatures. It has magical wards which will hit them with lightning energy if any creature tries to fly up onto the roof.

There won't be a problem. The roof does have a teleportation circle in the instance of an emergency. The Trade Mistress can activate the teleportation circle to get you to safety if need be um there is also um a wall of force which can be projected around the front door to prevent anybody from getting inside and they kind of say this you know well these are all security systems put in place they're brand new designed to keep everybody safe here in the cherry song company uh it's very it's gone under gone a lot of work and they kind of talk a lot about this.

It's very sophisticated. I'm so impressed. Well, it's all thanks to folk like yourself at High Elves from the Scat City, sir. It's thanks to your folks that have made all this possible.

So, well, ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoy the party. Thank you very much. Thank you. Appreciate it. Are there any more guests around? Not in the security checkpoint,

but as you kind of, the magical platform reaches the Valena suite. Yeah. And as the doors open um you begin to hear the chattering of voices you can hear pleasant music you can see dozens of humans dwarves other races they're mingling talking dancing you can see serving staff in smart uniforms with drinks trays and canapes um all kind of working around um one man a human with a kind of scruffy beard and, all kind of working around. One man, a human with a kind of scruffy beard and blonde hair, kind of walks up.

He sees, he's like, ah, Dunal, it's Elias. Great to see you again. You know, Glenda was wondering when you were going to bring her guests along. Good to see you. I'm sure that she'll have fun. Good to see you as well, my friend. Yes, excellent. And you all must be Arvel. Arvel!

He reaches down and shakes his hand. It's so great to see you. You must be Arvel's traveling companions. It's great. Well, have a lovely time here at the party. I'm Elias, if you need anything. Have a great time. We got the best food.

We got the best drink. If any of you are interested in something a little extra fun, come and find me. When is the dancing? Anytime you want. That's what you you want that's talking about right no but it can be you know what I mean and he gives you a wink and a gun and then he scoots off into the party itself what does he mean extra fun no no my horse apart so as a begins asking that there is no there is a bar where they are serving drinks. You can see there are three drinks on offer that range from dark purple to blue to almost like a cyan aqua colour.

And there is a sign in Dwarvish. Do you speak Dwarvish? No idea what these drinks are. Arval? Arval? Yeah. What's up, Ayla? What's this? He points. He's like, roughly trans... I'll tell you what you need to know The light colored one is the most alcoholic

Thank you I figured I like you But where's just like, where's just ale? And, you know, normal things? Yes, and this is their fancy drinks Okay That one's alcoholic

Okay, that one Okay Oh, well, do you come to these things a lot? I used to. I mean, I've got my business here in the city, but there was a time I used to mingle with the right folks. I'm sure you'll meet some of them here

tonight. In fact, the hostess is somebody I used to know. Okay. Why weren't we invited? Yeah, what's this whole thing about? I'm guessing that Glinda's probably heard that I'm back in town She's probably heard that y'all saved me from the crash You're very important No, I'm just a business, I'm not

You're putting yourself down, Arnold Lucius Tell me You'll understand later Anyway, I'm going to go get a drink with Ayla Enjoy the party for a bit and then let's go see our hostess Maybe in a few minutes okay

well in that case sentry Lucius oh Dunno as well I keep forgetting the TV's right there he is there it's alright thank you Stuart

it's okay shall we just mingle I suppose it's a good idea to spread the word of our party before you do and I'm going to go

behind Quill you've got to you've got to you've got to stand more correctly Oh okay Yes Is this good? And then the wing by his side

Okay And then big up Big up And then looking forward Look how are we Look forward but big up But if my beak's up I can't look forward

No you can find a way Like this? Yes but don't look too pumped Down Down Perfect Perfect? Stunning

Okay And then keep it like that Then introduce yourself Only show a wing when they show their hand We're down. Perfect. Perfect? Stunning. Okay. And then keep it like that. Then introduce yourself. Only show a wing when they show their hand. Okay. I can't see their hands. I can't look down.

Then just assume that you're not shaking hands. Okay. All right, let's go get some nibbles. All right. Okay. Sounds amazing. To speed things up a little bit, you guys do a bit of mingling. You get on very, like, I'm not gonna make you make checks or things like that.

You just mingle. Ayla and Arvel drink. The drink is very sweet, almost has like a cinnamony kind of aftertaste, but it's very alcoholic. Eventually, you're kind of called by this Elias fellow to come and meet with the trade mistress, the kind of

the hostess of the evening, who invites you into a meeting room to kind of like meet with her and for her to say thank you. And you see middle kind of like in her 40s dwarven woman kind of dark curly hair um braided with kind of like gold looking jewelry rings on her fingers but not on her wedding finger um very smartly dressed kind of power suit almost like tight kind of fitting leggings blouse decent looking shoulders kind of shoulder pads kind of thing. You know, it looks, you know, very businesslike. And she's like, well, welcome everybody.

Dunel, thank you so much for bringing Arvel and his friends here. We'll make sure that you're paid and obviously we'll have your music later, I'm sure. No, but thanks. My name is Glenda. I opened the front of the shirt to show off the fantastic outfit that she has not seen me wear anything quite as fancy before. And just so you know,

I am no longer a part of the riffraff you're used to seeing wandering the streets. She looks at you and is just like, an eyebrow raises. Well, that is a modified looking outfit you're wearing there, Dunel.

Very interesting. And she kind of gives you a half-coy smile. But yeah, do you want to give an insight check? Oh, yes. Sure. Oh, that's actually not bad. That would be 17. 17.

As you kind of like do this, you know, as you flirt with her a little bit, and she looks at you, she kind of casts, and you see her eyes flick to Arvel for a second and as you see Arvel kind of grow a little uncomfortable he kind of folds his arms a little bit she kind of is like that is a very sweet

offer maybe you and I should talk a little later when this business is done and she kind of regards you with a kind of wolf-like look like an older woman who's like, hmm, interesting. And she looks down at you. All right.

You thought you were going to troll me, Matthew Massa. No, I'm going to cougar you today. Oh, sometimes my powers are stronger than they remember. She gestures and says, well, I just wanted to thank y'all. Arvel is somebody I've known for some time, and as I've come to believe, you saved him from the airship crash.

Oh, yeah. So I wanted to invite you all to celebrate St. Mira's Day with us. I've actually prepared a number of gifts for you. They're just in a side room down on the side. That is so cute. Please. It's the least I can do for saving Arvel and making sure he got back to Goldthrone. Please enjoy

the party. Drink, eat, have a good time, whatever you need. Just let my people know. They will make sure you're well. If you go down and take your gifts now, I'd like to have just a private conversation with Arvel if I may. It's been some time. I'd like to catch up with him. And you see Arvel

just like, yep, it's good to see you, Glinda. See you're doing well. She's like, I am. Anyway, your gifts are just down in the room on the side. It's near the stairwell. I mean, are you sure you want us to open our gifts? Oh, please, please. The day before St. Mary's Day? Yes, yes, yes. These are thank you gifts. I want you to have them now. We didn't get you a gift for St. Mary's Day. It's fine. It's fine. Please. I want you to have them now. We didn't get we didn't get you a gift for Samira's day. It's fine It's fine, please. I am wealthy enough that I don't require Anyway

I'm gonna go ahead and use my minor illusion cantrip to create a debonair hat that matches the style of the outfit customized by the half moon half moon half sun hat. Like big spiky areas. Oh, it's beautiful. Wasn't the plan that you come in with a hat and then just take it off, though? Yeah.

Oh, yes, this is very disrespectful, but yes, it looks great. Thank you. Thank you. Do not worry, it only lasts for a minute anyway. Like, go ahead, usher it off. Well. Well, in that case. Enjoy your gifts, do not worry it only lasts for a minute anyway like go ahead usher it off well yeah well

in that case enjoy your gifts and I'll see you around the party this evening oh it was kind of you thank you more profit if I may madam

of course it's very prying of me but what relation do you have with Arvo she grins and Arvo is like Lucius

I swear to CS and she's like well I'm surprised Arvo has not told you. No, he did not. We were engaged for a time, betrothed. But Arvo, don't tell me you rejected this fine woman. Arvo just kind of, she's like, no, it's a complicated story. Perhaps one I'll tell later.

But Arvo and I have had our differences But I hope that that's behind us And that's why I'd like to catch up And he's like I'm sure you would Alright Let's get this over with The rollercoaster of love

And how many How many bells from now is the dance? Lucius Get your gifts Yes alright My gifts Gifties Get going

Let's go. Okay. And you can see that there is a moment where, yeah, you kind of look behind you as like Arvel shuts the door and then an argument immediately breaks out. It's like door closes. What the fuck? What the fuck?

Kind of like, what the fuck? From behind the scenes. Oh. You head down to the room gestured. And just before, we're going to have to take a little bit of a break soon, but on the table, labelled so you don't need to identify them, are a selection

of gifts. So, there is a scroll of sending, boots of striding and springing, two potions of healing, and an interesting item that you've never seen before it is a wooden card like a long thin playing card which depicts a spyglass known as a

conjurer's card um and this can be used to once a day conjure a magical effect so whoever and but it requires the person to be proficient in the in the perception skill oh that's me so whoever takes that can add that is on dnd beyond um and then the rest of the items you can add as necessary um as you gather up the items um you begin looking over them kind of discussing amongst yourselves and that is when you begin to hear the commotion uh because as you are getting your gifts, you hear a sudden kind of sound. You hear a man scream, and then you hear...

as Thunderstone weaponry begins erupting. Okay. And you hear the last thing. Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, silence. Oh, it's the dance. If you cooperate, you will not be harmed. What was it? And then you hear... Oh, it's the dance. If you cooperate, you will not be harmed. Well, that's a good one. And then you hear...

And screaming as you begin to see, from the corner of this little meeting room by the stairs, you begin to see armed men with dark purple skin, with breastplate, carrying weapons, beginning to shove and grab partygoers and throwing them into the main dance floor area. Is that dancing? No! Is that music?

I hope not. And I will give you your first token of the night. Token? You have earned one McLean. Oh my god. What? What? What do you mean? What is that? You have earned to McClane

as the terrorists take over Cherry Song Trading Tower. Oh, for God's sake. As soon as I heard the German, as soon as I heard the German,

I was like, oh, here we go. What was that, Matt? As soon as I heard the German, I was like, oh, here we go. We're doing Die Hard.

So we're going to take a short break right now and we'll be back with Dice Hard. Amazing. Hey, thanks for listening to take a short break right now and we'll be back with Dice Hard. Amazing! Hey, thanks for listening to this episode. Remember to check out the Jingle Jam throughout the month of December, all in the interest of

raising as much money for charity as we can. Also, huge thanks to Matt Mercer for joining us on this adventure. We'll be back on Thursday for part two of the Arois Christmas special. We'll see you then.