High Rollers DnD - The Ossean Ball | Altheya: The Dragon Empire #120 (Part 1)

Episode Date: September 29, 2026

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I saw my friend on the other side of the street. I was heading to school with the kids. I let go of mom's hand to wave. I had already forgotten their lunches. I ran over to hug her. She came out of nowhere. And then... It stopped.

Sometimes the moments that never happen matter most. Volvo's automatic emergency braking helps ensure a safe ending for everyone. Learn more at Volvo. cars.ca slash safety. Hello and welcome back to Althea the Dragon Empire. After settling the matter of Farrier's diadem tattoo, our heroes took a brief moment to discuss Gruff's theories

on what Oregonis may be up to and how all the various things they have been dealing with are connected. After a brief visit from Agent Darling to check in and give them some updates on the aftermath of the Opal Lounge, it was time for Gruff to face one of his greatest challenges yet, the first hatchball game for the Ascension Alleycats.

After a tense first half, the Alley Clats claimed a two-nill victory over the Frosthill Foxes and morale was high. With two more games to go and a few more of the youth to help, Gruff draws closer to completing his nightly trial. When the hatchball game completed, the party went to pick up their outfits for Varys Evernite's Ossian Gala, with the caldron seamstress Narcissa, having created a most extravagant and wondrous gown for Ophelia, who then decided to go and visit Sister Superior Benedicta at the Cathedral Basilica of the Scion Faith. During many eyes, the pair discussed Ophelia's recent offer to the Gravefather, as well as her visit from St. D'Ethia, and despite their initial dislike and mistrust,

Benedicta offered to help Ophelia however she can with her struggles. But now, the son has set over Kelsa. And regal and wealthy figures across the city head towards the night walk district to the estate of Lady Glomiris for an event to die for. Oh, nice. Why would you say that? Nice. Because it's really, you gotta go. As we see, and they're all undead and it's all spooky.

What? As we are making our way, following the party, having sort of gathered all together, you know, walking over together. One thing I would like to do is we see Xanthia's kind of falling, sorry, walking behind everybody. And I would like to jump back in time and have a little flashback. You gotta go back. As we, we... So much spit.

That's funny. Do your best reverse sound. God. That's pretty good. That's pretty good. It's pretty good. Good. No, you do it.

That's a transformer noise. Yeah. Like the biotic woman. Stop. You want to look at, how does that feel megatron? No. Rih-B-R-E-B-R-A-R-E.

Rihanna laughed very loudly in this cinema recently when she watched StarScream kick Megatron while we've done it. Oh, yes. I love Starscream so much. As we flashback several hours, to the, just before the Hatchball game, as you all gathered and Farrier walks over to Xanthius. I'm going to be Anos Farrier.

I don't have any faith in the Ascensionality Cats. I don't think they're going to win this at all. A lot of people are predicting 2-0. I'm telling you, no chance. I will, that is cool. Can I attract you from it? Oh, yeah, yeah. Can we talk?

Yeah, very briefly. Sure. As you say. Croft was scrying on you right at that moment and he's crying now. Well done. Little scrying. Yeah. Scriy.

Never scrying cry and cry. Alone. Farrier sort of leads you away from the group kind of maybe stepping out into another room a little kind of conservatory area that connects to the Ignarious Gardens and you can tell that there is sort of a bit of apprehension in the air

There's a little bit of tension. But he will turn to you and say, I, after the ritual, I saw how much it messed up your friend Gruff. And in the moment, I could see how exhausted he was and I was so relieved. And I thanked him. And I did mean that, but I know that I should also be thanking you. And I didn't say that at the time.

I could just see Gruff was exhausted, and he needed to know how much I appreciated it. But I need to thank you as well. Hey, look, we've grown up together, Farrier, and you know how bad I am at thanking people. So it's fine. I knew. Whether or not, regardless of that,

and perhaps maybe that's something we should grow up from, is that we should say things like thank you. and other stuff, when it matters, when we feel things. That was one of the problems. I didn't tell you how bad things were with the diadem, with the money that I owed them. I didn't tell you what was going on, and it led to worse and worse problems.

Yes, but how could I have helped, really? I don't know, but maybe things would have been different if I had just spoken to you. So thank you, Xentheus, for vouching for me, for fighting very hard to make sure that I got that tattoo removed and I got my freedom back. Thank you for... Give me something to fight for, Faria.

Are you going to be heading to the Azal step? To Miss Wald, with Lady Veri Veri Thera. Yes. No, I am. I want to get this... stuff out of me, and she said that she can help. And she said, I had a brief conversation with her, and she reckons maybe the month or so.

Apparently I'm not as bad as that Eldrack guy, but it will still be rough. But listen, the reason I wanted to talk to you alone, you told me that you hear that voice. Yes. And from the sounds of it, you've got some pretty big plans of what you want to do next. Mm-hmm.

I saw how powerful you were. And I don't know if that's the crown steel, or if it's you, or a bit of both. I know Veriathera wants to destroy the crown steel once it's out of me. But if you could use it, if you need it, I can get it to you. I see.

Ha, ha. Right. It sounds like you're going, against some pretty scary people. And I know that this stuff, well, I mean, it gave me power that I've never had, like never even been close to. And you've clearly got a lot of power untapped in you if what you've got's already given you, got you to this stage.

I know it's not much, but these pieces are from the same thing. Do I feel like that should Shard in Xanthias is incomplete. Like there is a pull to almost re-forge it or to complete that. Because... Can you just roll? D20 plus charisma.

Plus charisma. Do we fate first? No, I'm going to say this is an unfatable role. So we'll do fate after. Because this is a flashback technically as well. But I think that also the nature of this, this is like fate with. wouldn't touch this. This is like a set thing. It's not changeable in the same way.

Why should he strive? Oh, and that one? So five. Five. Oh, yes, absolutely. You need that metal to be, for it to be complete and you, well, you know that power would be incredible. You need power. You deserve power. And this is like your thoughts in your head are saying those things. Yeah. This is all... For the audience.

They're not your thoughts, but you don't know that. Zanthius sinks. Stanthius talkie. And Xanthius speak good. Wow. Where do you plan to go after you leave, Mr. Wald? If you If this metal will help you

I will find you and bring it to you And then I don't know back to Rust End Maybe somewhere nearby A place where I can Try and I don't know Work for a blacksmith guild Build up my money

Get enough to start my own forge somewhere That was always the plan It'll be awfully dangerous for you to travel around with those shards. Santhias, remember, I've worked for the diadem for the last, God knows how long.

I smuggled things for them all the time. It wouldn't be my first time transporting stuff like this. You know, I know you can't put it in bag of holding, you can't put it in extra planar places. I know that, but I also know that you can put it in certain containers.

You know, lead blocks it. Other places you... There's ways to hide. I just... And I can... I think I can dupe Lady Verithera. I just worry for your safety. It would be better in my hands.

Yeah. I think it would be. I think you're gonna need it if you're going up against what I think you are. I'm so glad we're on the same page, Farrier. Okay. I'll um... Once I'm recovered, I'll bring it to you. I'll find you.

Thank you. In one month's time. If I'm gonna bring it to you, right now it's all these shards. It's not much. But I think I can forge it into something if there's, if you've got a preference of what form you want it to be. Well. Well. Well.

Um, uh... Well. Hmm. I... I will try to contact you when I have an idea for that. Okay. Yeah, and I'll need to think about what that is. Sure.

Will you help me in Guildi? I'm not sure how much use I'll be. I'm not... I mean, you saw even in the Opel lounge. I'm not much of a fighter, and the magic... Even while I have this stuff, it's not very powerful. I'm not... Like, your friends are way more powerful than I am,

but I'm a good smith. And if I can help you in some way, I will. But my... My skills are better behind an anvil than on a front line. Got it. But if you need me, I'll be there. It's the least I can do for you and gruff. I look forward...

I look forward to your return, and I hope you have a... restful time in Mistwald. Well, as far as... Sounds like it's going to be rough, but, hey, I've never been to Miss Walt. Me neither. First time for... Tell me how it is. Yeah, we'll do.

I'll bring you back a souvenir. How about that? Beyond the... Yeah. Yeah, like an actual proper... An actual, good, yes. Fantastic. Thank you. And I think, like, he looks at you and isn't quite sure... Like, he kind of offers a hand, but he has these, like, thick leather gloves, you know, these lead-line gloves kind of things. but he's not sure if that's like what is wanted

or like if there's... We're way beyond that and I will yeah, pull him for a big hug having not seen him for so, so long. He is like you remember. His body is warm, being a red dragon born, there's like a natural heat to him and you being a gold dragon born.

Resisted baby. Yeah, well the heat kind of blends together well and there is this, you know, pleasant heat haze and sensation that spreads between you as he holds on. It's more than just that quick tap of a bro hug. Like, this is friendship that's been forged,

maybe broken a little and then re-forged again. And he just sort of puts a hand on your shoulder and just sort of nods. Just stay safe out there and don't... I think you're the one. Anymore cults. Listen, don't worry about that. I'm done with all of that.

Yeah. you need to take your own advice. I've got strong friends. You do. You do. I've died once. Don't plan on doing that again. Yeah, don't keep bringing that up.

No, I won't. Sorry. Okay. All right. Well, take care. Yeah. You too. You too.

And you just pat's on the back, and then you guys, you make your back out. Tap ass. Sure. You know. Can't leave it for a minute. Absolute.

Just a couple of really awkward Yeah. So, uh... Yeah. We'll go up in the same direction. I'm going, I'm going. Yeah, see you. Yeah.

I'll go find a little. Yeah, okay. Yeah. And then you guys head off, and the flashback cuts back to... Love you, bro. I mean, uh, see ya. There you go.

That's the last thing we hear in the flashback before we cut back to the nighttime streets of Kalscarus. I ate way too many dogs, dudes. I'm carrying exactly the size of my arm. All dressed in your fancy outfit. It's making a way. Why did I, while out of control of my character,

eat so many hot dogs? You wanted them? I did want them. You just didn't stop. You said you wanted to be, quote, a factory. I did. I guess I did. I don't recall.

It was just watching them go in. Dogs go in. Nothing comes out. Some came up. Yeah. Some came back. Listen, would you rather have been eating too many hot dogs or actually watching the hatch for the kids play hatchball?

I would have, I felt like, it was an exciting. It was. It was an exciting game. I was in there screaming, 2-0-2-0, throw up, 2-0-2-0. What are dogs? And they came out whole as well. With that lovely mental image,

with that lovely mental image, let's roll faith, as you guys make away to the Aussian embassy. It was a good episode without me. It was peaceful. There was a lot of good, sincere conversation, like lots of heartfelt, like, emotive. you know, play.

Very peaceful. Also slap ass, too. Yeah, great. What do we get on our fates? Two. Oh, that's one for me. I got a five. That's one for you.

That's one for you. I got a three. Oh, that's one for me. Can't be Stephen. Can't be. Can't be. Two. Oh, so it's three v two.

Three bad, too good. Well, it depends how you look at it. Three, juicy. Juicy. Two. Right. I don't know, I'm just trying to coin phrases now. So, sit down, bit boy.

I will. Sit down, bit boy. You guys just I'll pee for a bit and I'll jump in at some point. As you make your way, tricking for us to see. You enter a district that you've not visited thus far. The Night Walk District is the home of the citizens of Erdas Kier and the Black Dragon host.

Like the nation, like the province that it's people herald from, the Nightwalk District is extremely practical and very pragmatic. Everything is aligned into very neat rows, streets, very easy to navigate grid pattern. As you get into the more affluent parts of the city, you notice that the buildings become a little bit more traditional. They actually have, like, they're risen up on, like, stone corner blocks and platforms,

which would be how they would be built back in their city. province um uh everywhere there are lots and lots of like oil lanterns seem to be a common thing you see less magical lights like you might have seen like in the lamp light is go to the national rest of kelskaris these are all like much more traditional oil lanterns which give everything that very orangey flickering glow the shadows between the streets and the buildings are long and sometimes you can swear that there's a cold chill blowing through. The people that you see, the merchants, the citizens making their way homes for the evening, I would not call them dower, but they are certainly stoic, grim faces of hard-working,

determined people that don't brook no nonsense. But you make your way into the finer part of the district. You begin to see estates of draconic nobles, wealthy merchants. A few of them are empty or perhaps abandoned or waiting to be sold, perhaps changed owners recently or perhaps their owners died. But one that is very much full of activity is a grand estate with an immense iron gate that surrounds it with a short stone wall built into it as well. And you can see that dozens of flickering torches have been lit. There are banners of silken of purple and red sea.

and red silks hanging from, you know, the windows and the doors and things like that. It has been decorated. And also, you notice that it is full of rather different sort of guests. You notice that there are wealthy Kelskaris citizens making their way in, all dressed in sequined blacks and deep crimsons. Everybody has dressed up for the occasion. You can hear a sort of sorrowful, dirge playing music kind of echoing through the air as you approach, but you also begin to see skeletal warriors as bodyguards. You begin to see, you see at least one shambling, hunched,

quite noxious-smelling creature that's wearing sort of twin-tail coat, you know, jacket and trousers, but it's all ripped where bone protrusions erupt from its shoulders and forearms. and it looks at you with wild, stringy, glazed, one eye larger than the other. A good evening! And sort of lobs its way towards the entrance. I want to be friends with them.

As you all approach, this is Lady Glomiris, who is a Black Dragon. She is the host and a hosting the gala at her estate. I'm sorry? The host's name is Lady Glomiras. Glom iras. You're right? I love my iPad in my bag.

Okay. We're going to wait because I do need Rianan back for this one. But yes, this is the estate of Lady Glomera. She is a prominent Black Dragon noble. This is her house. And you can see that, yeah, this is definitely an occasion of the season. Many people are visiting.

All very well dressed. It is very clear even on this approach. Ophelia is currently the most, like, nobody comes even close to, like, the extravagance of what Ophelia is wearing. Please, sir. As you approach. Well, you all look fabulous.

And you as well, Ophelia. Thank you. I was going to be modest, but no, I look wonderful. You do, you look absolutely, actually, resplendent. You look resplendent, mother. As good, as good for example. Percy as well. Very good work with Percy. It is nice to not have to hide my vis- Miserge.

Yes, it is quite wonderful. See you in all your glory, Percy, as you should. Thank you, Mother. I'm going to get used to hearing, Matt, still. How is everybody feeling? Sister Raffir, you look absolutely stunning. Thank you, thank you, Gruff. So do you.

Crimson looks lovely on you. Oh, thank you. I hope this meets muster. This is beautiful. Yes, it's lovely. Yes, yes. Thank you for coming. I am breathing in, quite holding in my breath.

Don't have to. No, if I, it, it come. Oh, she made it quite tight. Oh, sorry. Did you do a proud pose when they were taking measurements? I think I did. Yeah. It's hard not to.

I wasn't wearing underwear when they took mine. I know, the screaming was quite loud. You are now, right, Rowan? She told you that you have to wear it. Yes. Oh, I don't know if he's lying or if it's just not sure. I can't tell. You're getting good at the lying thing.

He is getting good. I'm wearing them. We will leave it for the audience and the mystery. Is Rowan wearing underwear? Nobody will ever know. Behind the screen. Special Patreon edition. Yeah, you've got a bit of time.

You can see that there is, it's not necessarily a cue, but there is like, you know, you can see up ahead Varys is kind of greeting the guests. Seems to be maybe having a quick conversation with some of the guests before they go in. You can also see that many deliveries are arriving. You can see that sort of covered up VARge objects, maybe some paintings,

some statues are being sort of delivered to the temple, to the estate for the fundraiser. This is what this was. It was communicated in the letter that is a fundraiser. Did we bring anything? We should have sold the palladrass. I was going to bring the pallidrax.

We got the drawing of the pallidrack's. They were doing, were the cobbled doing something with it? Yeah, they said that they were going to search for buyers and stuff for it. Yeah, the cobbles were going to. going to search for buyers. Well. But that will take some time. You've only been in the sea a few days.

You go to this. Shrine. Yeah. Whatever it is. I have some nice fur boots. Fur boot. I don't believe that they are going to be that nice. Not anymore.

I don't know where you would have got them from. I think I stole them from that group of bandits in the forest with the dinosaurs. Oh. Although we are in. We are in the house. We are in. That is true. That is true.

I don't believe the fur boots are really going to be what they're They're not quite the vibe. As you are making your way, you do have some time if you guys want to have a quick chat before you go in, before I jump in. Okay. Anything you want to know? Who do we avoid?

Avoid. Yes, that's the main sort of, I don't want to be spat on, licked, vomited on, that sort of thing, you know? Well, if you don't want to be vomited on or spat on, then the house of rot, I'd suggest you stay away from. Stay away from the house of rot. Okay, great, okay, good.

You probably want to stay away from your sister. Oh, yes, obviously, yes, of course. that's a given, but just in terms of etiquette. Is there a good greeting that we have for people? Hmm. I'd just say, you know, hallowed greetings. Hello evening. Hallowed greetings.

Yes, yes. Can you say good evening? No, hallowed evening. Oh, halloed evening. I was going to say, good evening, we have that here. Good evening, we have that here. We say, hello. Yes.

Hi. Hallowed evening. Hello, good evening. Okay, fantastic. Do we have to praise Gravefather? Well, since you're not practicing currently, I would say that you're currently. I mean, you might change your mind.

You might be converted. Potentially, yeah. So we'll see how it goes. It's not expected of you as a participant to praise the Grave Father if that is not your current belief system. So won't we look down about it? That's the main thing if we don't say the phrase. No, I just wouldn't outwardly, you know, denounce them.

Oh, no, no, I'm not, no, no, no, no denouncing. No, but just like, you know, blessings of the great father, is there politeness more than anything, but, you know, that's, that's all I'm saying. It's like when you sneeze and you say, praise the silence and say, yes, yes, yes, bless the great father, you know. Okay, second question.

Yes. Who do we approach if we want to, if we want to hear stories about Ophelia, Varus is a good connection. I'm not really sure who else from the House of Blood I would recognize would be there. I mean, it's going to be busy. I mean, if Countess Irman Orsa is there,

maybe talk to her. Mm-hmm. She could be very busy, though. She's a very busy lady. I remember we are representing Sister Ophelia, so best behavior, sing her praises. Why do you look at me? Sing.

Okay, yep. Right, can do. Sing if you like. We like singing. Ron leans in. How osian is this going to be? Probably very osian. I look around.

There's skeletons everywhere. Or at the least, very odyskir-ish. If Ron leaned's in again. If one were to get snackies, do I have to be careful? Yes, is it all blood or... Just wine or... If you're unsure of anything, pass it to me.

I will give you a sniff test. Okay, right. Okay. Cherries and blood look very similar. You know, depending on the setting. They taste very different, I imagine. And that as well, but if you do not wish to taste, I will smell. Okay, okay, great.

Okay. Okay. As you are drawing, drawing closer, there is a cold blast of... freezing air and the sound of howling wind as a form kind of materializes a spectral blue form. A woman wearing almost like rangers garb, like leather armor, a cloak. You can see that beneath that cloak

are a pair of glamorous but glowing red eyes. There is like a hatchet at her belt, a long bow. sort of strapped across her back, and you recognize her, Sister Ophelia, because you have encountered it before. This is Shadow Walker Delilah Forrester. Oh, lovely. The representative of the House of Shadows. Sister Ophelia.

Oh, yes, Miss Forrester. I require a moment of your time before you enter the gala. Of course, of course. Right here now, or... I prefer it to be in private. Of course. Lead the way, lead the way. Follow me.

Thank you. I'll do that, I'll be back in a minute. No. Okay. Just the sister. Okay, yeah, absolutely. See you in a bit. See you in a bit.

And you see that she doesn't walk. She sort of floats slightly above the ground, but there is an agility, there is a grace to her movements. And she sort of pulls you far enough away that it would be very difficult for anybody to listen in. Now, obviously, people can try, but it is at quite a distance. There's quite a lot of murmuring going on around you.

There's a lot of noise and music. So if you'd like to, it would be a perception check to try and listen in if you are being nosy. Try to mingle with the skeletons. I'm going to be nosy. Fuck it. Okay.

I am not a perceptive boy. I am not being nosy. I think it's more that like the environment around you is just preventing gruff from here really. I rolled 2.9. So 11. I'm old. Gruff's old.

What did you say? Speak up! Gras old. As she pulls you aside, Sister Ophelia, she does sort of glance you up and down. Well, you are quite dressed for the occasion I see. Oh, yes, well, I had to. I couldn't resist myself.

Yes, the house of blood do enjoy their indulgences. I should not be surprised. Thank you for your warning earlier as well, by the way. We've managed to help my friend just in time. That is part of why I am speaking to you. Ah. I am to understand. And that last night, a group matching your friend's description,

were engaged in activities within a part of this city, with a certain group. You were not counted amongst the number, but it doesn't, I am no fool, and it does not take a genius to assume that you were there with them. No, I wouldn't, well, your perceptive nature, I would not lie to you about such things. That's very wise of you.

Yes. I must, as I understand it, you are now aware that there is a agreement between the organization called the Diadem and are the representatives of Osceas here in the city. Yes. You were not to know, and I did not know that those who pursued your friend were actually agents of the Diadem. the diadem. We did not get that in the prognostication. We were merely told that people were seeking your companion and we thought it'd be best in your interests to inform you of it. However, had I known, I perhaps might not have told you. Right. There is something I must stress to you.

Once again, I understand you did not know of this agreement and so both sides we are calling ignorance so that we can maintain this agreement but now I am going to be expressly clear sister Ophelia you are not to engage, attack or meddle in the Diadem's affairs again

if you do and for the greater benefit of Osias and our work here in Kelskares I will be forced to consider you a rogue instigator and hunt you dead down myself. Okay. Thank you for your, for your advice, for your fair warning. It's not advice. Okay, thank you. This is an instruction, an order. Order. Order, loud and clear, I have received your message. Uh, yes, I will not partake in such

things. Again, you have my word. Truly, that easily. I must, in case you are under misunderstanding, Sister Ophelia. Yes. If this diadem goes after your friends, you are to do nothing. As, okay, as instructed, I shall obey your order. If your friends wish to disrupt the actions of the diadem, you are to do nothing.

Yes. You are not to be involved. I will not be involved. So, but they're fine. It's just, it's just me. They can do what they wish. they are not osse it. Okay, I just wanted to clarify.

They can do whatever they wish. Right. I expected you to be more defensive of them. But this is excellent. I approve of this. I... I was just a bit taken aback, that's all. I just merely did not want to cause such a fuss.

No, well, in not engaging with the diadem further would be doing exactly that. May I ask a question? Yes. Now is the time to be candid. I am not keeping anything from you here. This deal? Yes.

Why? Why do you not meddle in each other's affairs? A fair question. And one that I would... And please understand that my nature, my past, I am very direct. Yes. And I do not speak politely, as the House of Blood often do.

So I do not mean this to disparage your house. No, I appreciate the honesty. The House of Blood does not understand things like this. The House of Shadow do. We are few here in Kelskare's. Powerful. Yes. The House of Shadows, we have agents here.

The diadem I realized when I was brought into this position, many decades ago now, that were the diadem to make a concentrated effort against us, we could, we would most likely win. But many shades, many servants, of Osseus would be lost in that process. We would make the diadem bleed heavily and suffer for it. But I see no reason. Their interests in ours rarely conflict.

We have very little interest in what they are doing. And on the mat is where we do intersect, normally a negotiation can be arrived. I see no reason to risk Ossean lives. an Austrian influence and power in some territorial spat with this organization. They are very well-funded

and very well-organized for a bunch of criminals. So that is my reasoning. And it was I that made this deal several decades ago now, right? So what would the diadem have to do to cross this deal? For example, meddling in our affairs, taking action against one of our citizens,

but as you were not aware of the deal with them, they can claim that they did not know that you were Ossian. It is completely untrue, but it is difficult for us to take a great stance without causing a major conflict. And frankly, Sister Ophelia, you are not quite worth it. They would need to take action against a more senior. member or perhaps a very valuable citizen. Right. Or interfere with our various dealings or affairs here in the city. I see.

Tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky. Can I give my friends a warning about this? What do you mean? Tell them what you've just told me. Of course. You can do what you wish. I'm not bound to secrecy or anything. No, as long as I would suggest were you to implicate that Osseus' work

with a criminal element, or perhaps working with is the wrong phrase. We do not work with the diadem. I should make that clear. We simply have a pact of neutrality with them. Yes. They don't mess with us. We don't mess with them. But if you were to imply or perhaps lead to the city authorities believing that we are working with a diadem, that would be damaging to Osceus. So, secret.

You can tell your friends, but make sure that they do not speak of it further. Right. And is this just limited to Kelskaris or is this a wider, is this... Fikes, the empire. The whole empire. We do not have much presence beyond the city. You are one of the few acolytes. We have several missionaries, ambassadors, acolytes and things like that, who do travel the empire, but they are very few in number. As such, it is empire-wide. But predominantly it operates here at Kelskaris.

I see. Well, I shall heed your instruction. Good, good. I'm glad to hear it. You seem a very talented and capable warrior. It would be a shame to have to hunt you down. And as I understand it, you have been doing good work here in the city. For Osceas. Thank you. I mean, I do not wish to be hunted down. I'm too busy. Hunted down. Oh, believe me, Sister Ophelia, it would be very quick and over very soon. I, yes, I imagine. I imagine it would be. I do not doubt your abilities. As you should not, the house of shadow can reach places many others cannot.

Yes, well, I myself have been touched by a shadow of some sort, so I know what that feels like. With this, with this unpleasantness now done, this gala, this evening that you enter, These Adasians, they are quite skilled with some necromatic magics, but they are also very skilled in warding against our kind. The entire estate, I and my spectres cannot enter. They seem to be particularly adept at warding against spirit forms. Physical undeads, such as yourself and your assistant, you will feel weakened, but you will be able to part.

through and you should not feel major disruption. But I will not be able to help you inside. We will patrol the perimeter. Help, why would I need help inside? Okay, this is a political event, is it not? Oh yes, but we're not in any danger, are we? I assume that everyone is always in danger, Sister Ophelia. It is one of the natures of being in the house of shadow.

We see threats everywhere. Hmm, I suppose. Gathering of this many Austians. any Osceans of draconic nobles and wealthy citizens. If I were going to kill someone, this is where I would do it. It would make quite a statement. That it would. I mean, it wouldn't be the first time the House of Osceus

has been attacked. No, the embassy was attacked not that long ago. Do you know anything about that, by the way? I know everything about that. I was there. You were there? Well, in a sort, in a means. It was a group of independence.

There was a faction, rogue agents of a former organization of the Dragon Empire. Driven mad, as I'm led to believe, and they wish to instigate war between Osseus and the Dragon Empire. They believe that the empire needed a purpose to be united again. And Osceus was for some reason... We are a convenient political... political enemy. But it was, as I said, it was not the diadem for we had the agreement, so I knew it was not them. This was a rogue, a rogue factor. But luckily a group of adventurers were on hand and had they not been, I would have stepped in to ensure that no Ossean lives were lost. Good. Well, it's a good thing, yes, good thing you were there. Yes. Okay, so keeping out for rogue agents, uh...

Well, that is what I would do. Were I able to do? to enter. You were of the house of blood. Perhaps you would prefer to drink wine and dance and sing. That seems to be more your house's specialty. Well, there is an element of that, but also we have had our backs against the wall for a little while now, so perhaps being a little vigilant, couldn't hurt right now. Certainly that is always my advice. I think I'll have to take it. Good. All right. Well... It also will give me some peace of mind to know that such a capable warrior is inside if I cannot be. Thank you.

I mean, knowing that you can't lie about these things, that means a lot. Oh, I am perfectly capable of lying and just respect you too much to do it. Oh, okay. In this moment. In this moment, okay. Yes, if I needed to lie to you

to gain some advantage, I would. Okay, good to know, but you're not lying now. I guess you would never know. I suppose not. You are good at this. I admire that. Enjoy your evening, sister Ophelia. You too.

Shall I come find you if I find out anything nefarious? No? You just enjoy yourself? I will know if you find it. You will know. Okay, good to know. Good to know. With that, she just vanishes ethereally. Hey! Oh, friends! Friends, friends, friends, friends. I'm just gonna come back. Oh, hey.

Hello. That was the head of the House of Shadow Heroes. Yes, it was. It was. Quite an honor. I certainly feel honored somewhat. Marvelous. Hmm. So do we go in?

Can I just have a really private word? Oh, okay. Really private? Like how private? Super private. Super private. Okay, so away from everyone here. Away from everybody. Okay, yeah, we can do that.

Just I need to do this now before I forget and before anything else happens. Okay, yes, absolutely. Right. So. Somewhere, something... Yeah, you can just pull them to the side, junk, duck into an alleyway, whatever.

So, because of what happened last night, The whole thing, and because Oseus and the diagram have a... The hatchball game. No, that was this morning. The... Oh, well, yeah, it was last night, wasn't it? Yeah. Yes.

Because of all of that... What you're looking for? Sorry, I'm just sure no one's around. Okay. Can you give me a perception check? I just be really careful. Won't help against an ethereal ghost, but... Just see the head poking up, clipping through the ground.

No clipping. Ten? Ah, yeah, you're pretty sure. You're pretty sure you're alone. Because of what happened in the whole... I pulled out, you think, last night. Yes, okay, yeah, right. Wait, am me and Graf going to be an issue here?

No, I'm the issue. Okay. So, if anything... You don't have to stage whispery. You guys are fine. Super paranoid. If anything happens with the diadem in future, I cannot be involved.

Oh, because if the diadem find out that I'm from... Osseus and I was involved and we do these things, they'll assume that they'll think I'm a rogue agent. Just to be clear, the Diadem now likely knows you are Osceus, and that will be like a known thing. So if you choose to actively meddle with them, you are breaking the pact, basically. Um, okay, but it's likely going to happen, Ophelia.

We're going to meddle the diadem again. I know. And I said I would. But in the... Let's... theorise a scenario here. Zanthus is being stabbed repeatedly by a diadem agent. What do you do?

Ow, ow, ow. Ow. No more. Oh, there's more. Sister Ophelia, you're my only hope. Yes. Don't do this to me. Oh, my brain!

I mean, saving you from dying isn't meddling with a diadem, right? No, that... That's saving you! Technically speaking, but I don't... So, you'd wait for him to be dying first. No. But are you allowed to be...

even be there in proximity? I can't be involved. I just can't be involved. You know how the diadem is? Yes. They would manipulate facts to make you, if they want to break this pact for whatever reason, you could be an instrumental part in that.

Yes. You don't even have to do anything. You could just be near. But then also if... If the House of Shadows find out that I was involved, they will come and help me down. Okay. But...

And I'm too busy to be hunted down! We hunt it down. Far too busy, but by extension, the diadem will not meddle with you. Fingers crossed. Well, it doesn't sound like a fingers crossed situation, it sounds like that's the pact that's been made between Osseus and the diadem.

You have a level of protection. Sister Affiliate does, yeah. So long as you don't help us, if diadem will come for us. And what constitutes as meddling? Now, obviously, the kind of meddling we tend to do is quite a loud, explosive source. Destructive, hateful dying,

and sending souls out to. Sending their blood, sending them to the Greylands and all of that sort of stuff. I don't remember doing any of that. No, I don't either. Blasting people to smithereens, leaving just dust and ass. You just chuck me, chock.

Reactivating diadem tattoos and leaving a husk of a person behind, that kind of thing. Yes. That's what we do, all of us collectively. As a team. But can you investigate them? Can you...

See, I feel like investigating his meddling. I would also agree that. Yeah. That's a good assumption. I was going to suggest learning how much this neutrality agreement benefits the diadem specifically, and that would give us an indication

as to how much you can bend the rules. Does that make sense? Yes. Because if they really want to keep this neutrality because the House of Shadows are very scary and you don't want, they don't want to break that agreement, then you could play with it to a degree. But then the House of Shadows. So don't forget that the House of Shadows can just be like, oh she's acting on our

own, like that's nothing to do with us, so we'll kill her and we can keep the pact. Like if it's trouble- I don't think there's much level of protection for you. What to- No, I mean it does mean that the Diadem can't like go on after Ophelia for like her involvement in the Opel lounge stuff. Like, you know, Ophelia's kind of got like a diplomatic immunity, right, to the Dytem. Diplomatic community! But that doesn't extend to the rest of you guys.

Dibem can definitely persuade House of Shadow that you're a rogue agent without you having to do much. The House of Shadow aren't stupid. Like they would do their own investigation. Neither is diadem. No. It would be a lot of hassle to do something like it. Are you worse it? That's the question.

What does Osseus get out of this? Like what's their end of the bargain? What do they, why, why, basically, why? It's more, it's more due to the House of Shadows and how they operate. Okay, what does the House of Shadows get out of this? Because they, as the name suggests, they operate within the shadows, right?

So they, it, I know. Are you allowed to tell us this? Yes, I asked, I asked if I could. And they said, but just don't tell anyone else because if they find out that the pact exists, Can we tell Fricks? No. No. Rick's cannot know. But he was in the diadem.

Chee-chee-chee. Apologies, yes. She's a big bird. Like, it's hard to tell. She's big, but they were there. Yes, but they cannot know. Does Malcolm Toombs already know? I don't know what Malcolm Toombs knows.

He must know. He must know. I'm pretty sure the watchtower already know. If we go over the assumption that people already know, then we're not telling them. Telling them. Reminder, Watchtower is not, no longer an official organization. They have no power. They have no authority.

Yeah, I'm just saying they know. Yeah? Like, Tumes probably absolutely knows. But it doesn't mean he can do fuck all about it, unless he wants to actively do something. So if we tell anyone about this, is that harmful for you? And you're... Yes.

Right. Okay. Don't tell anyone I'm great at keeping secrets. I just need to tell you in case anything. comes up and then I'm flustered for whatever reason. That'll be why. We can probably cross that bridge when it comes to it. Yeah.

Cicerephelia, you look stunning. Thank you. It's your night. Let's go into the ball. Okay, good plan. I doubt there's any diadem agents in there tonight. They shouldn't, who, I mean. They couldn't be.

They couldn't be. They're so crazy. That'd be crazy, dude. Why would they be crazy? All the House of Shadow can't get in there. Yeah. We've been waiting for this event for a long, long time, and I'm sure that wait will be just have no pay off.

No pay off. This could be our beach episode. I could feel it. Could be. Okay, what does it then get out of it, this agreement with Osseus? Well, they do get trouble from the House of Shadow. The House of Shadows are incredibly powerful.

I mean, to the set for you, Zentheus, I imagine that you could probably put this together. It's not necessarily that either side are getting anything out of it. They're just basically being like, look, if we fuck with each other, we're both going to lose. So how about we just don't fuck with each other? And that's kind of the agreement. No ulterior motive. I mean, there certainly is an ulterior motive.

It doesn't sound. But on the surface of it, it's a bit more like just like, look, you do your thing, we'll do our thing. Because if we fuck with each other, it's going to be a blood bath, basically. It's like having like two gangs, right? Like two powerful gangs who are like, look, you do all that, the racketeering and the drugs. We'll do all the like other crime. Yeah.

Yeah, and we'll do that, you do that. And as long as you don't step on our turf, we won't mess with you and vice versa. Because they know that it's mutually assured destruction. Right? But there probably is ulterior motives as well. Yeah, okay. But certainly, Delilah Forrester did not explain those things to Ophelia.

Okay, well, best behavior. Best behavior. If anything looks fishy, stick together. Yes, okay, yeah, can do. Easy. You'll be easy to spot you from... Be polite to the dragons. I mean, you know this anyway.

Why wouldn't I be? I'm always polite to dragons. Don't look at me like that. Yeah. As you... I'm dog drunk. As you... Rejoin and make you

and make your way to it. You see that at the sort of entrance to the estate, these giant iron fences, as you draw closer, you can see now that on the iron fences, sigils and ruins have been etched into the iron bars, and there are, like, little trinkets, like little wardstones and fetches

that have been hung from the gates themselves, and they look like the kind of traditional, audacian wards that are basically placed. There are also, like, in the grounds themselves, you see these kind of little tiny sort of natural stones that have been placed, and they've kind of got the ritual ropes, and they've got symbols carved on them and stuff like that, or seems to be part of their sort of provincial magic.

At the gate, you see that there is a two members of the Nightwalk Worm Guard, so wearing the traditional wormguards sort of armor, but then they have these black tabards. Next to them, sort of on the other side of the gate, you have like these two guards on one side, And on the other side of the gate, you see two terrifying looking like death night, motherfucker's like skeletons with like glowing blue eyes in black plate armor, just like emotionally, like, you know, no facial expression just staring out.

And the guards are just like, fucking weird. Just look at them. As you approach, they say the two guards, one of them will step forward and he will say like, welcome citizens Lady Glomiris offers you her hospitality we're just here to make sure that your weapons are properly any weapons that you're bringing in are properly secured and sheathed you're not wearing or concealing any sort of undue items

and just to make sure that everything is above board obviously we want to make sure that this is a fun evening and that there's no trouble not that we're expecting any but we just want to make sure that everything's above board you must be an Ossian lady of Ossians. Sister of Philea de la Rosa of the health of blood. Sister of Philea de la Rosa.

Is this skeleton in your retinue? Yes. We've been instructed to inform on behalf of Lady Glomeres, many of our Ossian guests, looks weirdly at the skeletons, who are undead or partial undead. You may find, upon entering the estate

that you feel a little bit lightheaded, you might feel a little weaker than usual. That is because of the ambient wards. Lady Glomeras has disabled some of the stronger ones, but there will still be a residual effect. It's not harmful. It'll just, you'll feel slightly, you know, a little bit weaker and fainter.

Thank you for the heads up. If your skeletal companion, they might be a little bit more affected, as they are, you know, a full... Poor Percy closer. You'll be okay. Will I be? Am I going to be destroyed?

No, you won't be destroyed. No, no, you won't be destroyed. Sir? Yes, sir. Right, sir. He's my son, he calls me mother. This is your son? Not by blood, not by blood.

Just by title. Okay. Ossian's a weird man. Anyway, so yeah, your son might feel the effects a bit more strongly. Yes. might find that they're a little distracted, they're not as aware as they normally are,

but they're fine, don't worry. Would it last long, or is it as long as we're inside? As long as you're inside, as long as you're within the wards, basically. So we can take breaks. If we come out, we can have a break. If you come out, you're more than welcome to come out. Absolutely, madam, yeah, absolutely. You're allowed to come out of the estate.

Thank you. Of course. Do you have your invitation? Yes, I do. Oh, perfect. Takes the invitation, checks it. Oh, yeah, okay. And these are your companions that you're bringing in? They are, yes.

Okay, perfect. They sort of like look you all over, and then we'll just conduct a brief search, if that's all right. And they just kind of give everybody a rough little sort of like pat-down checking. Your weapons, if you don't have a sheath for like your swords or your things like axes and stuff like that, they do what's called peace bonding. So they have like a cover that they then use like a sealed rope so that if you break it, if you draw it, you'll break the seal and they'll know basically that you drew your weapon.

So they basically piece bond your weapons. You are allowed to have them, especially like decorative items, like verasi, like, ceremonial kind of weapons and things like that. Yep, so like they just peace bond everything. Do they notice the bag of holding being a magical item? I don't think these guards would be... Because I think like a bag of holding is like a thing only really adventurous and stuff would have.

So I don't think they would be checking for that really. So they don't check the bag of holding. Likewise, they don't seem to be doing like detect magic or anything. that. They're doing like a very basic, like, pat-down. If you got any bags, what's in the bags, like, you know, kind of, you know, doing that. So the bag of holding just looks like an empty bag, and they're just like, oh, okay, yeah, no problem. Nothing, actually. No, perfect. They just go through everybody, yep, and I will assume that you guys are not going to try and sneak anything in.

If you are, now's the time to tell me. I feel I'm going to sneak in so many pastries. You should. They think the bag of holding's empty. It's not. Infinite pastries. I say this quite loudly. Yeah.

Did you actually? Did you say you have a bag of holding, sir? I'm holding this bag. No, you said you have a bag. We know what a bag of holding is, sir. Do you? Yes. Damn it.

We didn't expect people to bring them. Pastries. And it's pastries to start falling. It's pastries all the way, then. Okay, no, we're going to need to, we're going to need to, like, do a more thorough investigation on that, sir. How? Please, inform me how this works.

They'll look over to the two death guard skeletons. Can you fetch, what were they called, the House of Shrouds? You said that they can help with magical things like this, and one of the skeletons is just like, yes. And then just, you know, stalks off. You're going to need to hold their stuff. The rest of you are welcome to go in. We'll just take some extra time.

The house of rot for some of those as well. They've been in there a long time. But the rest of you are allowed to go inside as Rowan is being held at the bag check. Like, yep, you've got to wait here, sir. Okay. I'll be right there. I'm just, I'm going to get an inventory of what's in there.

I'm excited. You should know what's okay. I don't know fully what's in there. Daisy, could you stay with Rowan, please? Yeah, yeah. I say we're right. To be fair, my bag isn't a bag of holding and I don't know what's in it half the time.

I know. It's honestly amazing how much you can fit in there. It's so much goo. You, with that, you make your way inside. Inside the actual estate itself, you are, you know, there are servants, there are the cobalds of the house, all dressed in their little black and white little uniforms, carrying trays of drinks, of snacks.

There are also Ossian, some of the servants from the Osean embassy are here, carrying more, Osean-flavored delights, crafts of thick red liquid, disgusting, like, live larval bugs spread on, like, molded crackers. There are also just, there are just elixas of, like, what, is it like, life essence or something? Like, there's just elixes of something. And they're sort of being paraded around as you are led into basically a grand ballroom

that has been decorated, a small stage where there would normally be performers, is actually covered with all sorts of, like, covered items and objects that have, like, labels and things like that on it. There is a large number of chairs that have been arranged for the auction. But this is, like, the mingling section before the auction begins, where people are all standing around. So is this entering into that aura that we were told about? So as soon as you step past the gates, you feel it.

And, like, for you, Ophelia, it just feels like, oh, like, suddenly, like, you feel a bit drained, and you feel a bit, like, oh man like I need like four coffees you know it just feels like oh Percy is like he's like chatting and kind of like looking around and he just kind of starts like looking around he's very distracted like you have to constantly be like Percy like come on and like he's like oh very well mother and it's like kind of fun it's not quite drunk but definitely like just very off with you know off in his own world basically like you know he's not quite got the same intelligence

and cognizance that he normally has um I'll have he's having. I think it's the aura. Mm. You feel okay? A bit tired. I'm gonna get some of that blood in a second. Okay, well, take breaks if you need it.

I will, I will. You feel fine? I feel great. Good, good, good, good. All right, here we are. Yes, you step in. And when Sister Ophelia arrives, it is the whole crowd just immediately

kind of stops and turns as you sort of enter, you sort of enter into this grand ballroom. There are many, many people here, many of whom are probably just wealthy merchants or influential citizens, but there are definitely some that stand out above others. Varys Evernight is... and as soon as he sees you just raises his hands,

his hair has been perfectly straightened, these long white, like straight bangs. He's wearing a crimson, a vat and like dark long-tailed suit with sort of almost robe-like bottoms. It is black and red. You can see that it's been adorned in sequins and gemstones. It is fabulous, but it does pale in comparison, really, to Sister Ophelia. He probably is the best dressed of anyone else here.

And you can see that it's almost being done, not quite in mockery, but in the style of like a Sion priest. So it's kind of got like the high collar. He has the cravat instead of the white kind of like dog collar. It looks very priestly. And you can see that from his belt hangs a pommander, which is probably a representation of the house of rot. You can see that one of his hands has been like wrapped in runic bandages.

He has like a ghostly piece of fabric trailing off of his belt. So he's kind of wearing a kutremont of all the different houses of Osseus delay. But he just looks at you. By the Gravefather, Sister Ophelia, you look resplendent. Oh, my, by the Grapefather, and just comes up to you and he's just like kisses on the cheek and just, he is in awe of you. Aw. Ambassador Varus, you look resplendent also. Look at this with the trailing fabric.

I am pale in the crimson beauty that you have brought to my evening. I would, this is incredible. Oh, thank you. What a statement you have made. What an excellent example of the House of Blood you are representing tonight. Well, I owe it all to Carmilla of the... Narcissa. Narcissa. That's the one.

The Carmine House. Carmine House. Yes, Narcissa of the Carmine House. You're thinking of Carmilla from... Yes. I'm dressed like Carmilla from California. No. Cicissus. Well, we must simply...

There will be so many people here who wish to hear that name. but let me be the first. You are resplendent, and thank you so much for coming, and to your companions as well. Thank you for inviting me. This looks absolutely divine. Well, we are going to get the boring, we'll get the mingling and the auction out of the way first,

and then music and dancing and drinking and all of that good stuff, and it will be a wonderful evening. Wonderful. I've not had a good dance in a while, so... Well, please, would you allow me to be the first. Of course, the first of the evening. I would not wish to dance with anyone else first. I would be honoured.

Oh, of course. Wonderful. I must go and attend to my other guests. Of course. Please introduce yourself to our host of the evening, the Lady Glomiris. Yes. She's around. You'll see her. She's what, a nine foot tall dragon, human dragon. You will find her. Yes. But yes, and there are many other people here for you to meet. If you have any questions, come and find me. If you'd like introductions. The same goes for you, my friends, Mr. Xanthias, Mr. Graf. Are your other friends attending as well?

Yes, they are. They're just outside. Oh, very good. Oh, very good. Oh, yes, yes. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Excellent, and the wards aren't giving you too much trouble, are they? A little tiring, but I'll be fine. I'll help. I've been here for a while, and once you are climatized to it, it sort of gets a bit easier. Yes.

But, yes, it shouldn't be too much trouble. I think you and I being not quite full, we're dealing with it a lot better than some of our other. Oh, yes. If you've seen some of the ghouls, they're really struggling. Yes, that's the one day I'm glad I'm not a ghoul. Yes, yes. So I mean, I'm quite glad of that every day.

Google does not suit me. But, yes, well, enjoy. Please help yourself to whatever you like. And yes, go and mingle and meet with the people. We have so many wonderful people here. Wonderful, thank you. Yes, wonderful. And a good evening to you all. Yes, hallowed evening to you.

Oh, hallowed evening. Hallowed evening to you as well. You know, flesh for the mortal blood for the immortal. Flesh for the immortal blood for the eternal. And he makes his way off. giving you guys a bit of moment. I imagine sort of, for Rowan and Daisy,

there is a brief moment and you watch as a figure returned with the skeletal death guard. They appeared... I put Daisy in front of Rowan himself. I'm not going to do anything. You see this figure is... I think Rowan was passed out

when you met the Maharaji before. Someone's covering Daisy, who is this? You see a figure. They, like the ghost, they sort of float slightly. Their feet sort of very, their toes barely touching the ground. They are wrapped entirely in like runic bandages. They have, they do seem to be wearing some sort of like scarf or like, you know, neck stole.

They have like bangles and bracelets, but they're not wearing any clothes and their bandages don't fully cover where their body should be. But rather than flesh, there is just energy. energy. There is like almost just this pure shifting prismatic energy that exists beneath the bandages.

And, you know, where the eyes would be there is just a faint slip and it's just almost like a beam of light that shines out. Daisy, telephelia, really sorry, but this is... No, wait, we have to be there for our figure, it's fine. It's fine, it should be fine. The figure sort of approaches and inclines their head

as they sort of drift. Greetings. I am the Maharaji Sakhat, a run singer of Osias. A singer? A rune singer. A roon singer. Slightly different to the bards and musicians of your world.

Rona's searching for a mouth. There is no mouth. It is, this is like a magic mummy. Imagine a mummy but covered in like runic sigils and there is, they're like the ethereals from wow where there's like no body underneath, they just glow. And just there's no mouth, there's just this voice that's projecting towards you.

There is like where the eyes were, the bandages has shifted, and so you just see like a beam of light, basically. Rowan's eye contact is hitting that spot. I have been told by the guards that you carry an extra-dimensional container. I do, yes. It must be examined.

Please, yes, I'd love to know what's inside. You do not know? Not fully. sometimes I'd just put things in there. Ah, a failure of a fleshy mind. If you were like us... You do have a fleshy mind? If you were like us, you would not forget a single thing.

Really? Yes. You remember everything. Everything since my transformation. Transformation? You weren't always... No. Bandages. No.

And lights. I was transformed and blessed. But let us examine your actions. extra-dimensional container. Please. So sorry. Okay, just go. Go for it.

You watch as the Maharashi basically cast an advanced identify. And when she does this, she is able, she starts just naming things whatever is in your bag of holding. I've got four things here. Headlamp, obviously, is in there. So. Ornate painting, apparently.

Really? Really. I did it up and put it in. That's where it's been! Oh, we did! What? So, she names these things, like this voice, or they name these things, and they just gesture with their sort of bandaged mummy finger.

And the bag opens, and at her command, like, she begins pulling things out of the bag. And yeah, she basically pulls out whatever's in there. It's a lot of, like, snacks and seeds and garbage. It rocks. Rations and rock. A lot of frogs. It takes a long time, but eventually...

There's a lot of rocks. She will... Ooh, my favorite moss. This appears to be everything. I do not believe there is any contraband or anything to be concerned of here, guardsman. This one may enter. I assume you wish to package up your belongings. Yeah, if you don't...

All my rocks. Slam them back in. Very well. Keep the painting out, though, Daisy. What do you think? Oh, yeah, but you should give it to a female, so they're doing an auction. Yeah. She could, like, put it in the auction, right?

Absolutely. Let's go give it to her. All right. I put it in the bag. I forget it's in there. Farewell, Trubodor. Farewell, Rune Singer. She, they inclined their head.

House. The house of shrouds. May the blood bless you. We don't do much blood. And may the... You do not need to try more. Sing well. Thanks.

That is nice. I hope that you can overcome the weakness of your fleshy form. I struggle with that every day. Thank you. Just floats away. Basie? Yeah.

I've peed myself. Understandable. And we cut back too. Where did you get the bag of holding from? I'm trying to remember. I think you bought it. I think I bought it, yeah. Because, like, anything could have come out of there.

Like, whoever sold it could have just been like... Oh, that's true. Yeah, like it could have just been... It does look like it was cleared out before. Okay, good. Lucky. Very lucky. I like that hard drive.

There's seven guns in here. Wow. It's just a bomb. Anti-Ossian propaganda? There's a lot of contraband in here. We cut... We cut back to... Calvassar.

What is in that? See, F.O's remains! That would be. would be insane. Fuck. What's the new? Malcolm! It's not mine.

I was holding it for a friend. That would be like a real campaign turner if that was going to be. Fuck. Oh shit. I have no idea. We should tell Zor. All this time. Before we take a break, one thing I wanted to do is, obviously you, those of you who are in,

Brone and Desewood Jr., surely. You get kind of a look at the big crowd here. And like I said, there are many merchants, there are many citizens. But I'm going to kind of give you some figures and some names that might be people of interest. Okay. You obviously know Various Evernight is here. You've seen him. You see standing out in the crowd as she stands at least like a foot and a half taller than even the tallest person here.

Perhaps with one exception, you see an elegant... very, very pale, maleficent-looking woman. Like, she is wearing a headdress of, you know, black dragon horns. You think that they're just over her normal horns or the headdress has been built around them. But it's almost like a skull cap

that, like, frames her face, high cheekbones. She's got, like, painted scales, like, all over her, like, ridge-brow. The dress is this, like, Mortisha Adams, like, incredibly body con. you know, the carving hips and everything. Her hand is decorated with almost like a silvery, like, gaultlet with like long nail on the single finger.

And this is Lady Glomiris, one of the very powerful and prominent Black Dragon Noble. She is in conversation with another Black Dragon Noble. This one is a gentleman. He has slightly darker tan skin. You can see that he has this beautiful, almost like gray streaked, but it looks like intentional because he looks quite young, like gray streaked hair.

His horns are jagged and his black dragon tail that ends in like a scorpion stinger sticks out from like underneath a twins of long-coated top. Very, very well-dressed, strong drawer, very, very handsome, very, very appealing. Like, he's very, very well-dressed. You can see that a lot of Odassians don't seem to particularly care for looking very fancy and ostentatious,

but this guy has, like, really gone out, like, beautiful-looking outfit. He's clean-shaven. He is chatting away with the other dragon. Seems very, very charming. And this is Lord Umbraxian. Yeah. Okay.

It seems to be a very young, popular. And I think, like, you can gather from, like, the little gossips that you guys, here or about here. He's like quite a prominent figure to arrive. He's a young politician making waves in the city councils in Kalscarus. We've got goss.

You do. I think you've got a little bit of goss about this guy. About things in this ball in general. And so you kind of pick up that like, yeah, it's a big deal that he's here. You would also spy Varis's secretary in the messia gallows. She's wearing, like, it's quite, her dress is like, It looks very much like, it's the nicest dress she owns, but that's kind of like a telling thing, right?

Like she is nowhere near as fabulously dressed. When she sees her feel it, it is just glaring daggers. Like there is just an absolute look of hatred on this woman. And she sort of like sips a single like champagne glass and it's just like glaring and then scurries off somewhere. You would also notice that there is a black human man who is the Reeve of Nightwalk, kind of like the mayor of this district,

and this is Draxas Trey, very well dressed again, looks like a bit of a strapping warrior of his kind, a bit older, he's kind of in his 50s. You would also see at Gruff, somebody who bears a strange resemblance. You see somebody that looks like a much, much older grown-up,

Davian from the Ascensionally Cats, as you see Davian Golden Thread Senior, Yeah, Davian's father, basically. He's wearing... A little bit. Was that? I said Croft's heart skipped a bit. Yeah.

No. I was wondering where you're going. I was like, not now. Well, maybe. But what if, though? But no, you see Davian golden thread. He's wearing, like, elaborate golden red robes. Looks very fabulous.

He's sort of smoking a cigar and drinking a glass of brandy and seems to be holding court. With two other very wealthy-looking, merchant folk. They are, one is actually a dwarven woman, very well dressed in an Embrasian style,

with what appears to be her husband, who's a human, as the two of them are holding hands and kind of chatting away with Davian Golden Thread. You don't know their names. You also would recognize and hear gossip of a pair of councillors. These are like the representatives of their district

in government. Counselor Jalia Winsinger, who is a bronze Dragonborn from brass bellows, and Councillor Riotto Naja, who is a halfling from Volt Watch, and is the Gold District Councillor. They are also in attendance. You see a couple of people you recognize

from the embassy, from the Austrian embassy. Plague bearer Poximus, the rat wild heart is here. He is scurrying around, sniffing the buffet table with his little rat tail and the priorities. Sniffing away. You would also.

I also recognize you only saw him briefly, Abbott Lorkin Undercroft, who is the representative of the House of Bone. He is in conversation, sort of seems to be chatting away with some of the other guests. And a figure you didn't meet, but Aphelia would recognize, which is High Priest Zithos Mordecai. He is the Speaker of the Sepulchre and is the head of the Embassy. So he is here.

He's like the one in charge of the entire embassy. Okay. You other people, and I know this is a lot, but this is a big thing, You spot out of everybody, like there are, you know, mixer guests, two people also stand out because they look like kind of adventurers almost a little bit. Like they have this like vibe of adventurers. One appears to be a cat, like a kind of humanoid cat wild heart,

kind of a bit like Grahateria, he's like blue hair. He's wearing sort of like a very well-made outfit, but it has like touches. It's like almost like a leather jacket, like a leather tunic that's been fancied up. You can see that he's got a piece bonded like pair of swords at his side. He's a little bit older. And next to him is one of the most beautiful women you've ever seen.

And now Lunari, a dark elf. You know, she is dressed in the most, like, you know, sensual slinky, silvery dress. Her purple skin and white hair just kind of like captivating. She looks incredible. And they appear to be husband and wife. And you don't know who those guys are, but they seem to definitely be kind of strangers. And then, Ophelia.

So that everybody else, you see you think, Three academia students. Well dressed, not in their academia robes, but very well dressed. But they have the age and the look of young students, sort of nervously chatting amongst themselves. There is a pretty average, kind of very jocky-looking sort of guy, human male. You know, very Chad-esque. Next to him is a younger woman with glasses and, like, soft powdery blue hair,

long powdery blue hair and then between them is a young woman with beautiful golden hair what appeared to be gold dragon-born horns and a gold dragon-born tail dressed exceptionally well and Ophelia this is the person that you saw

at the Ossian embassy that was introduced to you as aura and you believe to be Xantheus's sibling and that's who you see in this gathered crowd. That's a lot of people. It is a lot of people because this is a big event. Outside of those notable people, how many, like, guests are actually here?

There's probably like a good hundred or so people here. Like, it's pretty, pretty popular. That's not including, like, the house servants and the house staff who are, like, you know, in the wait staff and things like that. There's a band playing. But in terms of actual, like, prominent, like, guests who are here, here for the auction to help the fundraiser. It's probably around 100-ish.

Some of them look like Ossian citizens. You probably live or work at the embassy. And the others are all basically wealthy merchants, influential politicians. You know, this is a kind of a pretty big deal. Can I roll a perception check to just, I want to look for anyone who is watching us. Like, given everything that's going on. right. Let's separate the gawkers from the...

From the... Yeah. I heard about them. Yeah. I will say this is going to be hard. I'm going to give a high D.C. Because everyone is looking at Ophelia. Like, Ophelia, I will...

With your beautiful outfit, you basically have advantage on any charisma sort of checks you make to interact with people like mingle and stuff like that. But also, sort of a part downside to that is, like, you cannot, like, be avoided. Like, you cannot hide. You know, you can't blend into the crowd, really,

because you just stand out and everybody is looking at you. But I kind of don't want to hide. No, yeah. This is, like, you know, DCs for you are going to be easier if it's for people you don't know, like, just to impress them. So, like, any attempt to, like, impress or influence people is going to be easier for you. It's also more from, like, if people, like, for some reason

would try to deny that I wasn't there, like, it's going to be people. That is impossible for anyone to do at this point. So yeah, what do we get on a perception? Can you can? So is it with disadvantage, sorry? No, no, it's just going to be a high pricey. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. Oh, shit.

There are definitely people looking in your direction. The most obvious, well, they're not trying to be obvious, they are trying to be subtle. Nemessia Gallows is watching you all very, very, very carefully. More than just a dislike of Sister Ophelia. She is watching all of you very cautiously. This is Varys's secretary. You would also see that the Dwarven Merchantwoman, who is talking with Davian Golden thread,

she glances your way and definitely takes note of your guy's arrival and sort of watches you for a little bit. Councillor Jahlia, the bronze dragon-born, looks in your direction and seems to kind of take you all in, making a mental note that you have arrived and who you are. I would say maybe Abbott Lorkin also looks in your direction. Again, he could easily just be looking at Ophelia. Any of these people could just be admiring beautiful people who have arrived.

Not able to discern if it's conspiratorial or anything like that? I would say with the 26th, like, I'm giving you these names out of everybody because there's a little bit more there than just looking at Ophelia. But it could be anything. And then finally, of course. Ora. Ory Thera.

She glances up. I think she sees you looking at her graph. And she sort of like looks at all of you. and she just sort of smiles and it's so sweet and innocent and it's just like, oh, look at these nice people that have arrived, but her eyes kind of drift and linger

and the smile grows a bit brighter when she looks at Xanthias and she goes back to chat with her friends. Can we have had Daisy bring up her... Yeah, of course, yeah, I'm assuming you guys are all in the Daisy chain. So I would share that these people in particular are looking at us

and Zanthias, your sister knows that you're here. Oh, great, fantastic. Well, luckily, there's an awful lot of people here, so I don't imagine any commotion's going to be kicking off anytime soon, right? She seems rather pleased that we're here. Oh, I don't like pleased. I don't like when people are pleased with me. We'll just keep an eye out to stay together.

Smile. Yes. Just add that everything is normal. Okay. She doesn't know that we know that she knows, that we know. But I know that you know that Aphelia has been told that we know.

Okay, so just act normal. Agnore. Like we would, when we're in a house of death. As far as they know, there's no reason for anything to happen. And with that, we're going to take our break.

And in this first part, ain't nothing going to happen. Ain't nothing going to happen. Ain't nothing going to happen. All the Ossians here are weirdly weakened. Ain't nothing going to happen here. Maybe it won't. Maybe it won't.

Then I. We'll find out in part two. See you there. Slowest part two you ever did see. What does a sunny getaway with Air Canada sound like? Sunny Jamaica moves to its own rhythm. Rio comes alive long after the sun goes down. Philippines slows everything down.

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