Legends of Avantris - Beneath Dark Wings | Ep. 32 | Paradise Lost: Part 2

Episode Date: January 29, 2025

The party return to Zentra, meet with High General Zurn, and have a night on the town...   Gain access to an exclusive campaign, Shroud Over Saltmarsh, over on Patreon: https://legendsofavantris.com/patreon The Crooked Moon, a folk horror supplement for 5e, is available for preorder! Get the Crooked Moon at: https://thecrookedmoon.com/ Watch more D&D adventures in the world of Avantris live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/legendsofavantris Check out our merch store: https://shop.legendsofavantris.com  Join our community on Discord: https://legendsofavantris.com/discord Watch our many campaigns on YouTube: https://legendsofavantris.com/youtube  All other links: https://linktr.ee/legendsofavantris   Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/hUMy7P7g-DA?si=ty8dDhjm5Rco2-RS

Welcome to Legends of Aventress. I'm Felix Ackerman and you're listening to Beneath Dark Wings. Here's what happened last time. And you see Akula. She's collapsing on the ground. Your vision stares and almost feels that the flame engulfs. Everything else. Once driven mad by evil prime, now 12 remain and bide their time.

To stop his assured entropy. Unite seven, a time of three. It's good to know you're alive. I'm in Grand, following the Legion. By my accounts, they've already destroyed four. Shit. Alchira the Thunder Fury, we call you back to life. We call you back to the war against chaos.

For someone to be resurrected, they must be dead. And suddenly in a massive burst of light, the large form of Al-Qira the Thunder Fury but on either of her shoulder plates are two massive glowing wings and she is reaved

in barley she got wish of her baby great vines brilliant blue light fades and you are now joined by seven angels once more but the seventh

Al-Kira Look to your mother beats her wings. You see there's actually still a bit of whipping wind around her legs as she floats up to you. And she places large hand on your small shoulder. And she looks down and says, do you think I would really only give you a handful of days together? Well, I don't know because I didn't know you before that. So maybe, yeah, but I'm so glad you didn't. And I love the wings.

I'm glad too, and I have you to thank. Are you back for good now? Well, till La Pua takes me when he wants. And it was you who allowed me to be reborn in the astral sea. That is... That is how I... changed that became this. I'm so glad

that you're back, and I'm so sorry that I had to send you away. No, do not be sorry. I told you to make the choice. I told you to wish. And I was happy to give my entire being to that.

And she pulls you forward into a hug as she leans down and her wings wrap around you. And all of of the... You look around and you see that all of the other angels have floated away, and Al-Raza is the final remaining one, and she looks and says,

We will give you a moment. And she flies... Can I have my ring back, please? It's my mother's. And she floats away. It is just the seven of you now, at the top of this great silver spire. And she embraces you and she steps back.

So how do I look? You look wonderful. So did you not really die? Honestly, I am not sure. I... A genie to wish and not be of noble blood is unheard of. I gave myself, my essence, my... My everything.

To that rain. to fulfill that wish. And I lost myself. I do know that. But when I awoke, I was myself but not. I was different. And I was in a great sea.

Great sea of stars and magic. And I felt the embrace of the divine, the touch of the divine. I became this and I knew I... There's one place I had to go and I knew what to find my daughter Lufthi. And you were here. I felt your call. I feel right. I feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be.

We heard that you knew, perhaps maybe you knew, about the location of the pieces of the road of law. Yeah, something terrible has happened here. And we need to make it right, and I think that it's the only place. We think that you can help us. Her eyes widen, as almost if there's a bit of recollection. The Rada of Law. Yes, I do have purpose yet in this world and in this war.

I remember. It has been so fuzzy for so long, and my memory was not reliance. but I do remember. When I was no more than a pet of Camus, I was his bodyguard, I was his muscle, I was his blade. I remember the meeting with his massive whispers. An old owl, forget his name. He had mentioned that he had spying on all of the other nations of this land.

But there was something, there was someone who had been seeking the location. the location of something called the rod of law. He also called it the rod of seven parts. And I know now very clearly the name with this man. Virgil Zern. If there is someone who knows where it is, it must be him.

Hmm. Wait, you're saying Virgil Zern was the master of whispers for... No, that was the man, right? The massive whispers reported that Virgil Zern was looking for something called the Rod of Law. Why would he be looking for that? I do not know. Kamodis didn't know what it was.

But he just was mad with power. He wanted to learn with every good about his enemies. This actually makes me feel just a little bit better. I mean, I know that we don't entirely trust this entity because we're pretty sure we know where this entity is coming from that Zern is working with. But again, I can't stress enough that I don't. believe that Zern is a good person. And if he truly wants to set things right,

then a man like Zern would be looking for this thing. And if he knows about it, then we can continue to, like you said, work in his employee, whether we want to or not. And we don't have to pretend like we don't know about it. Because, of course, he does.

We don't have to do this sneaking around stuff. But at least maybe he can help us achieve our goal, even if we don't want to work with him. You're wrong. We're not very good about deception. No, I'm done with that. I'm looking for myself. I've already, you know, if they want to put me in front of the fire line, then so be it.

But I think that we've all earned some sort of respect and trust from the man's, regardless of what's pulling his strings from behind. And I do trust him as much as we can trust him. And I just think that if we need information, then if he's the one to go to, it's better than somebody else or having to go back to to deal with people that we don't trust. And at least we know to keep him in arm's length and do what we can to just just further our own goals. And learn a bit more. Yeah. Perhaps he'll reward us for completing our mission in the audience.

Maybe. And he might trust us enough to speak of it. I'm sure he would. He knows that we're... I don't have anything else to go off of but a gut feeling. And I know that you might be hesitant to trust him. And again, I wouldn't trust that bird for the life of him. But I just think that he does mean well.

Even if he's wrapped up in something beyond... Anything that we can imagine. Can you get us there? I think I can. I think now with my new power, but I can send you to where you want to go, where you need to go. But this is something where you must do this on your own. I feel like I must be here.

I was called here for a reason the first time and I want to make sure I am doing everything I can to thank the Vati and the Winddukes for giving me a home. I'm reuniting me with my little girl. There is much to do to prepare for the war ahead, and it will turn into that, I fear. It felt something in the back of my mind when I was reborn in the Astral Sea, that entropy is inevitable,

but we all must fight against it, rage against it for as long as we can, that there is hope. Why did you choose that work? That is what? The voice said, entropy. Should we go now, then... I am ready whenever you want.

Do you wish to speak with the Windducks? I can inform them that you know where it is. But they all seem to... know that you are up for this mission. If there's no recovering their memory, and there's nothing else that we can do, then we don't have a choice but to speak with Zerm. I'm happy to talk to them again, but I just don't know how much it'll help.

I'm worried about the one who might be sick. I don't want it to spread to the others. I don't even know if there's anything we can do about it, but... I think if we can stop all this, then that might stop it. But I know that there's a time limit. Just a matter if you can do it quick enough. There has to be something. You hear a voice from behind.

your turn and you see Moduna is what needs to be that's what needs to be done but out of law that's the one thing that can save Al-Qaeda. I mean not Al-Hirah fuck that's the one thing that can save what the fucker? A cooler. Too many Aes.

Just think a cooler of beer. A cooler. There are too many goddamn characters. I prefer water cooler. And you think that you can stop this or delay it long enough for us to collect seven whole things and get this done. Who knows how long it's going to take us?

How far we have to go? Maybe they'll all be in one place. You think that's going to be the case. No. But maybe it'll be like really close together. I'm just trying to think positive. I mean, do we have any idea of how long we might have? Obviously, we're going to work as quickly as we can,

but there's no way to know about these things. Well, with Razan, 24-hour watch, and the rest of us, we will all devote as much of our enema as we have. And I think that... Did you say enema? I didn't know. I didn't think he said enema. I did. I did. I did. Or anima.

Why do you think they called the rhyme? Oh, no. An anima. An anima. It's good. Oh, no. The wrong. of seven parts. Lute you, the anima. Oh, no. Lokes.

Do you have any way to contact us once we return back to the material plane? Yeah, can you let us know how she's doing? If things start to go south, I mean, we should, we should know. I, if anything is wrong, it looks like we're going to lose her. Well, we'll all let you know.

But here, this was pulled from a coup. lest this be the last blue feather she has, you'll be able to get back here, but you can only use it once. Give it to Lufty. She used it the first time. She can do it again. Okay.

Tough this one. Some more safer than I did the last time. If we get the rod of law, I'm certain we'll be able to purge the chaos as creeping into a cooler. And I'm certain that we'll be able to reforge it. that we need the seven parts together and we'll be here making sure that everything is ready but it will take time. You do have time.

Not all the time in the world, but we will buy as much as you need. Then we should go right away. Please let them know that we've lived. I, I will. You see his large form drift off and fly off away. And Al-Qaeda steps forward.

And he hesitates. She looks down to you. We may not be seeing each other for a long time. And I know that I just got back, but I want you to know that when this is all over, we will have as much time as you need. as much time as you want. I believe you. And we'll be back soon. This guy's are pretty powerful.

And I believe in someone. We're going to get some stuff down. I have all the faith in the world. All the faith now and God that I didn't even know is looking after me. He's a good one. Yes. And she reaches out her hands. And once again, one more.

And she hugs you. And then she looks at all of you. Bring it in. Thank you all. She hugs all of you. And suddenly she begins to glow. And a bright blue light engulfs you. You'll feel the weight leave your feet.

As you suddenly stand on firm ground. It teleports us to where, my... You suddenly... about a mile up over the middle of the ocean. The, you feel solid ground beneath you. As the, you regain your vision, the blinding blue light is gone. And you hear the croaking of ravens. As you stare up at the massive citadel, the rising city of Zentra before you,

You look all around and you turn to see, get your bearings, and where the massive sprawling forest of the clockwood was, or at least you thought it should be, is nothing more than charred stumps. As you see bits of the villages and smaller towns out in different directions seem to be no more than just black patches on the earth. I guess, home sweet home or something like that. God, I hate this place.

The entire clockwood is burned. It's basically as far as you can see close to the city. You see that maybe there's strips out around, but yeah, it is. Does it look like controlled burning or like it went down in the fire? Seems controlled. Did they do this? My guess is that if the Beast Men are, are overacting and whatnot.

They're trying to push the vegetation back to make it more visible for oncoming attacks. That would be my guess. That makes sense. It's not pretty, but when I guess they're worried about the slaughtering of everyone.

Well, to be fair, that in hundreds of years this land will be lush. Just renewal and regrowth? Of course. Anytime tree is burned, the ground is far more hotel. It makes growth. It's breadth.

It would be lovely. I hope you're right. Because the things that I've seen from here are just nothing but curses death. Yeah, it's a city. Let's go and see if we can have an audience from Zurich. Should we go straight there? Is there no one else we should see? They probably won't stop us.

And Rivali's nowhere to be found, for now. Do we know how far, have we heard of where Grand is and we know how far it is? It is far to them. Anywhere close. Yeah, right, correct. Right. I mean, you know, Rivali is the only one

that I'd want to speak to and he's hundreds of miles away. So I don't see the point in delay. Oh, great. No one's going to stop us with our sigils and our ranks and whatnot. We might as well just go see them.

Can we have these? And also I'll get my emblem out to let all the guards know as we walk up as we approach. Pretty the same. That we are the... Looking for school children. you

I'm at four so you make your way to the gates and you are approached by soldiers before you even make it several hundred feet away as soon as you flash your badge they immediately let you through

and they you're bad yes your badges your emblems or sigils you you you

continue to make your way through the city and you look around and you remember the the populace

of Zetra and you it seems to be even an even stronger sense of tenseness of fear people look hungry

their faces are sunken in they're tired as you are escorted through the massive gates all the way through the huge district you see the city sprawling around and it seems as if there's

the damage that had initially been to the walls from those great hellfire engines in that massive battle with the Horn Legion remember what I was saying regardless of what we have to do and what we want to do we do not want

we can tell Zah and everything else but we don't want him to think that we're suspicious of that bird agree yeah but if we ask him about Zarad what if he gets suspicious based on that? He knows about it already, he knows about it

and if he's looking for the pieces whether he's being puppeted or not and he knows where they are we'll find them for him what we need he should do yeah but if he's he does not know that we know that he knows about the rod.

So we instill good faith by letting him know, Zern, we have found out an important part of this puzzle. There is a rod, and we tell it to him as if he knows nothing about it. We allow him to tell us that he knows or he doesn't. Then we know whether he is trustworthy or not. And if these thing, this thing, this creature,

or whatever it might be, this force, is he wants these pieces we go retrieve them for him and we don't turn them over. That's the best way that we ensure that the pieces of this rod remain in the right hands. Our hands. You guys are right. The man isn't leaving Exentra.

I have paws. You do have fun. You have thumbs. It's kind of like hands. Opposal thumbs. These are like pari hands. Let me see your paws. You have... Yeah, look, they're right there. Ah! I take one point of piercing damage.

Man, it's a good thing our escorts are completely dead. Damn it! Ah! You got me! They're giving you enough leeway to talk monsters or something. Oh, I'm sorry. If you put pressure on the middle of my palm, they automatically take about it. I will never do that again, I promise. It would be a full. I just kind of like wipe it. Me too. But if he knows that we know...

Your tail sheets out. Then... Yikes. Not that one. All we're going to do is offer up that we have some information about how to fix all of this. And we'll see what he says. That's it. Yes.

Well, I'll just let you do the talking, and I'll just stand in the back and smile and... Exactly. We're going to let Iris do all of the talking. Well, Felix, this is your hometown. Zern is your something. What? He freed you. Isn't he your higher general, Zern? I mean, in the strictest technical sense, I suppose... So we can trust you to handle the matter.

Sorry. Yeah, I guess so. I... I'm not going to let the priest do it. We'll all end up in jail. No, you won't say a word. I'll just inspire you, all right? I'll play a little... Yeah, take a little inspiration.

Oh, sing that song about Hesja. Oh, yeah, do that one. That was good. That's a third song about my stuff. It's pretty catchy. Everybody, Hersha. Sometimes. Yeah, it was good.

You have that very nice. You have got a new voice. I'm not a little. I'll let Caprice do the singing. I'll just play. I'm sure you don't want a multi-class and DeVard? I'm not that charismatic.

I don't think I could physically do it. Mechanically, from a mechanical perspective. So you do the talking. Yeah, I guess. I feel like I've been voluptold to do so. You have. But, you know, flip that around. Turns out front upside down.

Say you put yourself in charge. Be's a big man. Well, we'll never be a big man standing next to show. Just move over like a foot. Get on your knees, Taylor. I squat. Don't stand up, damn it. And I like try to like push him up.

I'm like, ah. Oh, you're very strong feet. That's why you're pushing me up? I don't need you to play kick me. Oh. It's like I'm a little kid goes to lift you up and you stand on your tippy too. I cast Archiehan and I throw him up the window. Ah!

Are we all ready to proceed in this day? that strong man. We're ready to go talk to Zeran. Is there an urgent? You do not say a fucking word. I assume we're outside his chambers in this point. I'm pleased for the life of us. We've been standing in front of him for five minutes. You are

brought to at this point the massive center gate to the Citadel the Queen's conclate is open and you're all ushered through. And you see that you had been here previously and seen the massive flock

of raven. It was a flock of ravens. A murder. A murder. A crows. Oh, fuck. You're right. I don't know what a flock of ravens. Chat. Google it. A swarm of ravens. What is it? Flock of ravens. Well, they're still a flock. Yeah, they're so a flock. Do they have a special name?

They're flocking ravens. Can we move on now? No, the flocking ravens. As it seems as if that the... An unkindness. A unkindness. A kind of way. That's kind of fits. I like that.

Poor Locky is kind of unkind. For Wildebeest? Because I remember of being amazing. Wildebeest. Willdebeast? I'm on it. An unkindness of Ravens. I like that. It's kind of melancholy. Pretty good. Very centrist. Wildebeest. It was just a horde.

No, no. It's like a confusion of Wildebeest or something. It's fantastic. A confusion. A confusion. Also known as a Gnu. A Gnu. A Gnew. No, that's its own animal. Oh. A new is an animal. Sorry, that's the singular animal.

It's a confusion of Wilderbees. So it's a confusion of Wilderbees. A confusion of news. That's why I like that 10 news are a grumble of pugs. A grumble. Yeah. We need to figure out what it is for bulldogs.

Yeah, what are bulldogs? Wait, a pug is a new. A grumble. A grumble of bulldo of pugs. More than one pug is a grumble. How many? Yeah. Sorry, Mikey, but this is important.

This is very important. This podcast is brought to you by our Patreon. Become a patron today at patreon.com slash legends of avatress and gain access to tons of exclusive perks, including a monthly movie night, and a weekly Patreon exclusive campaign set on the high seas, shroud over saltmarsh.

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are ushered into the, once again, the large doors to the Citadel. That familiar, oh, I was actually making a comment. Sorry. Where you have been familiar with this conspiracy of ravens above you. But the swarm now, the conspiracy is far more intense, chaotic. They're moving around. They're flying off in every single direction as you enter. And the large, the large.

hallways and a winding narrow staircases that make their way up to the numerous levels of this massive citadel that you're in are alive with the quick marching, the shouting of a plan. This is far more active than you've ever experienced it before. Probably not at least as much as when war was at the city's walls. You are eventually ushered up to the very top of the citadel, the familiar hallway, where you at first had your encounter with Diamante Cujada that felt like months ago because it was. And you are eventually brought to the massive doors in front of Zern's... chambers.

You're told to wait that they're in the middle of a meeting of the eyes. And what are we? Were the wings? The wings of the raven? Can I hear anything that's being said? You don't hear any voices outside. There are the number of guards.

And they're standing with us? Yeah, the guys are on flanking all sides. Yes, so. It reminds me that we're the six wings of the raven. We are? And the big owl, Tempest thing. had six wings. Yes. So,

don't we think that's a bit of a coincidence? Just keep that to yourself for now. Oh, is that ironic? It's not a coincidence. Most likely. Is it odd?

What's the difference between a coincidence and iron? Is it sort of the same thing? Irony is when you were to say... Do you keep saying iris? No, irony. Oh, I'm sorry.

I see, I hear eye and I am uniquely. Irony is the exact opposite of something that you thought it was going to be, whereas the coincidence is just two things that happened to be the same. I don't understand But anyway

I think it's might be important As you wait The weight gets a little bit longer You all sit there, twiddly your thumbs And finally What it felt like an eternity The doors open And you hear the footsteps

Of the general of the duels I immediately like Snap 2 You Snap 2 as As six Individuals walk out wordlessly. They seem to all have very blank expressions

as if attempting to mass whatever emotions they may be feeling. But it is not a single shred of a smile on any of their faces. Do I recognize one of them? With you recognize... I know I do. I know I do. You... Furman. We've met a few of them. You see the eye patch. Bradley Furman. Bradley Furman as...

Shocked is fired! He steps forward as... And as all of them are making their way, Furman stops and looks at all of you and says, I'm surprised you survived. Well done.

And he walks past. You also recognize Portia Paradiso. That's right. And, uh, and says, she stops. Is Chumley still there? I'm getting more.

Oh, my bad, sorry. I'm very excited. The Raven Queen guides your pat. And she just gives you a slight hint of a smirk as she continues past. Yikes. You see a number of figures, but you do not see Grumly. What is his name? Grumley.

No, Trumley. Sorry. Chumly. Annie said gromily. Did I know I wrote chumley right here? If I said gromily, I apologize. Shumly of pugs. It is a chumly of pugs.

That was my friend. You see a younger man, considerably younger than old diabetes chummeling. All diabetus chumly, considerably younger. Oh, the hell of that head. With a, with short brown hair. You see an older woman.

with a very, almost like razor-like bullcut of black hair as she walks past you. You see a middle-aged man with glasses or spectacles with shoulder-length blonde hair as he is holding a number of books as he makes his way out. And you see finally another woman who has deep, deep red hair that is tied back. You can tell that if she went into a large series of loops around the back of her head. And you can tell that if she let it down

very long, as she stops and lingers, her eyes cast over in these bright green eyes. I've never seen this person before. I've never seen that before. She continues to leave. And the doors remain open. and the guards spread and they beckon you in.

I'll proceed first. You proceed. I'm like, come on. I'll follow behind Felix. You all enter the chamber as the door closed behind you. You see the massive

table, the war table that had been previously destroyed by Kujada. rebuilt with an even more details and a larger map of Strigger, a large number of wooden and metal tokens, all over. And you see that as you approach the largest of all in the center is, it wouldn't figure carved into a huge, head of a bull. And it is placed firmly in the north.

On the map of Gras. Oh, shit. And you, as you approach, you see looking over the map, the chair is all pushed in neatly. Three on either side. You see the long hair, the widows keep coming down,

a strong nose, the heavy coat in that familiar broadsword. on his back. High General Zern, looks down his, looks down the table and

looks at all of you. Sir, my General Zern, sir. Felix Ackerman, reporting with information from the operation with the rest of the wings of the raven. We have much to discuss. Hi, General Zern. High General Zinn. Attention.

I just kind of like from my head and my hand. It is a lot of, pleasure to see you. Hello. You look well. At ease. I have been. My wings still beat. Yeah, we see that.

We're all alive and healthy. And we have succeeded. We have a lot to tell you. I have noticed that my ravens have actually been able to make their way into Irios as of late. As you can see, and he points to the large section of Eurios that spreads out. And where had previously been a large number of tokens shaped in the form of an owl have been completely decimated. They are no longer there. There's only a tiny handful.

And the one at the center of, you see, where Kaliri was, is tipped on its side. As he walks forward and pulls back the large chair of the head, and he sits down and extends his one arm that he has. sit we do have much to discuss I am very eager to hear about your entire mission yes sir is the chair too tall that I wouldn't be able to turn it and then like do the hopover

like yeah it's like this one is there like a chase lounge where I can Cleopatra style just lay alongside one of them just doing the splits on the back my tail kind of going back and forth you can kind of like you do that and you swivel it around and you kind of like are able to peek over it. Yeah, sure, why not?

I'm doing this as much like that kid. Well, it sounds like you're at least aware of some of the outcome of what happened. I know that there was a change in leadership. The young man that we left in charge seems very capable and eager

with meeting with you. Is that so? At least that's what we got the impression of as we were leaving. I mean, the impression that was the Kaxi accord is no more. They've seemed to change their style of government.

They were together now. It'd be peaceful. We have ambassadors from the forest floor working together with this young man that we've left in charge. Isn't that wonderful? Unfortunately, we didn't tell them about, well, they're doing

first past the post voting, which means that inevitably things are going to run into like basically a two-party system. We implement a single transfer voter style. great, it's fantastic. Nothing could go wrong. And they expressed, I do know that

comedists is no more, and I do know that this young man he is young. Bonova. Do you trust him? No. I mean, as much as we can trust somebody that we just met, but he

seems to have a good heart. We trust his intentions. He wants a change of things. He didn't like the way things were going. the way that he saw his family fall into the same vicious cycle that was always in place. So, yes, I'm with Iris. We can't trust him. I mean, only as much as we can to someone we just met. He set him up with the structures that he would need to be successful, with backups. Yes, of course. With someone we do very much trust.

And again, ambassadors from the forest floor with people we do trust. And you all were instrumental in this change of power? Yeah. I suppose so, yeah. Well done. You did exactly what I sent you to do there. You disrupted their form of government, and you have installed a power that is friendly to Korovacia.

You truly are loyal, Felix Ackerman, and the rest of you. I mean, it was for the good of the people there, too. I mean, it wasn't just... There are added benefits, of course. And he was very friendly. Well, I, there can be an alliance between Corvacchio and Irios. I will visit Kaliri myself. So it would be so happy to have you, Zelle.

Great. I suppose, amongst other things that we discussed, we've come across some information where we were we heard that there might be some tools or information that might help us in the fight against the horrible things that we witnessed outside of Central and we don't know too much about what we're looking for but we've heard whispers and tales of something powerful that might aid us in the fight

he leans back a bit and he tilts his head towards you but the Windukes, is that what you're referring to? Did you find them? Well, you see, I have the ability to speak with my god. Yes. And we know the name, the chained god. I used the most powerful magic I have to gain more insight. You were told of a relic.

A relic. That is what we refer to. Exactly. What is this realm? We don't know. We just know that there's something, a tool, pieces of a tool, something that might benefit us in the fight against these evils. We do have a ring a rod of some bell. Does that ring any kind of a bell?

Anything. Did you find the wind dukes or not? Well, we were at least aware that they were involved with Comedist's transformation. Surely you heard about that. All of the things that happened with Comeducts. You were able to stop Comedus' transformation. Windduke's at that point were sheer transparent versions of themselves, where they've winded up. There was also a giant attack and explosion on the tree.

A lot of things happen. It goes beyond just a skittish lizard folk. It is to burn the entire forest to the ground. We're happy to go in more detail, but really we're here about this relic. It seems to be our greatest information. It's my community. It's what his focus was mainly on. Well, and as soon as we heard, we came straight here to talk to you.

I believe the only way to stop, which ever it is, the bullmen are doing, is to find this relic. Perhaps there's information in the library. But we thought we would want to know. he leans back of that he rubs his chin very slightly yes I suppose I can trust him

sir I want to keep being a faithful tool of Goravacia if I can I want to help Zentra I want to be a faithful soldier we want to help the millions of people in the city and this country this will be useless

if the windukes have not reunited but they've reunited We've reunited them all. This isn't useless. Please do tell us. You see a tiny crack of a smile. Come to his lips.

Well, I'm glad that you did both the things I asked of you. You've done a great deal of good, not just for Korovacia, but also the entire world of Avantress. That is the first step. The Winddukes are the only ones that can stop the chain god. And Iris, your god speaks truth. Of course.

He's a god of justice in law. I'm so confused. There is indeed a rod. I did not mention it previously because, while I did trust you, I believe that information is best shared on a need-to-know basis. If you had all failed to reunite the wind-dukes, and dark forces got a hand on your minds to manipulate you, maybe that much closer to stopping what we are trying to do here. In all of my research, as I felt the darkness enclosing around this continent, more so than it already has, the chaos around it, I began to do research. I sent my ravens to every corner of the earth, sometimes even beyond, when I could. And I discovered an ancient relic, an ancient artifact.

lost to time and history, except for those very select few sources. The rod of seven parts, when united, may be able to be used against the chain god, banish him back to his terrible domain. I have searched many years, too many years, for a glimmer of hope. But in the ancient text where I'd read about this, I learned it was spread across not just avatrous, but the planes themselves. But recently I replaced Diamante Cujata with a far more effective eye of secrets. General Melena Loomos, I should introduce you all at some point, but she has been incredibly helpful in purging the traitors of Kujata's reign, installing good qualified spies, and my ravens have been far more effective with her assistance.

I am not sure if this lead is what we are looking for, but we questioned every single soldier, guard, on the orders. And we found we heard a story of a pair of guards who has stopped an individual heading north. Someone who said they wanted to leave Kurovarkia and explore the wilderness of ground. They searched his cart, found nothing but blacksmithing supplies, weapons and alike. They found a strange piece. Her- you're not now. A strange piece of a

metal staff, they said. And as soon as they found it, he lunged for it, was overly protective. It's his name. Gullum, and the name. They did not get his name. What happened to him? They just let him go? Yes, they did let him go. They blamed

the booze. and sent him on his way to perish in Grande. This was months ago. Did we get a description? Do we know anything about it? He was a dwarf.

He was old. He claimed to be a holy man. Hershey? Nothing to say? Speak up or forever holds your peace, Herzia. I think... Would she be reacting to this? Byron.

100%. I mean, I imagine so. I mean, you know, I can't make any decisions for her. I'm saying, I'm saying, like, if we were, is the description that he's giving us a very detailed description or it was just a dwarf old man? Oh, gee, dearie. No, that's my fault. An old drunken dwarf blacksmith. Yes.

Who is a holy man. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But nothing beyond actual physical features like hair color. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's just those generic things. It would be enough for someone.

It would be enough to deduce. But there at least is a lead there. Yeah. That's been months. I mean, the whole Legion marched through there. There are ten more or eggs. And how long have you known about this for months? No, this happened.

It was not reported to anyone of high-ranking. Until when? Until I was able to get General Lumos in her position, and she did her questioning. So Cujada just swept it under the rug. Cujata was a traitor course. And he... Feeding you lives.

Death that you all gave him was far too good than what he deserved. Sir, please, I apologize from stepping out of line. But after all the things that I told you about the corruption here within the military, I was surprised to still see Bradley Furman in place, sir. I trust Bradley Furman with my life. Why do you not? He's a piece of shit. What did he have to say about all the things that I told you?

What were things? The stuff about the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, it wasn't real. None of it was real. That was the primary responsibility of Kujata and Chumley. So he's just claiming you've been blinded by both of them. So he's blaming Chumley and you've killed him. Chumley has received punishment that he deserved. Not a deserved.

He was useless. What did you do to him? It's not useless. his name was already chumly, so very little. Where do you go from that? He was just about the most worthless person we met, his whole campaign.

Fuck. Do you really want to know? Yes, absolutely I do. Yes. He was executed. Being ineffective. None of the else. I'm quite surprised. Being ineffective As one of my eyes is treason

You are not the ruler I thought you were What kind of ruler did you think I was? The good kind If it had not been for you all Do not try to put his death on our hands I am not, I am saying that you all made up For the grave mistakes that he made

Being ineffective Is not cause the death We had reason to believe that he knew more than he Oh, I'm sure, and I guarantee it was your friend there, Mr. Watts's butt. Vermin. Duped once. Doesn't surprise me, but that you will allow yourself to be duped twice. It shows that you might not be as strong as I thought you were.

Well, I will say that we became far more effective at seeking out and purging all threats to Koravakia. that weren't the general Furman. We would not have delayed the whole region as long as we did. Thousands of lives were lost. Oh, and to think, the city as large as this in a dungeon, I'm sure, is vast. It could have kept him alive. It's the weak that kills when escaped. I did what I deemed the right thing to do.

Are you questioning my authority to do so in Corvacia? Don't play stupid. You know I am. No, we'll not stand here, let this man pretend that he is good or that he is doing what is right. If any of you think that killing that, zabid, worthless man was just. Well, Stun is done, there's nothing we can do now. No, it is. It is done. And I will continue doing what my God tells me to, but you will continue knowing that I think less of you for it.

Now, we're done here. You may think, whatever. I'm going to turn and walk out of the room. Okay, you do that. She's very passionate. Anyway. Do you happen to have you heard of any reports? Do you have any other leads?

All I know is that that dwarf made it wrong. I have been sending my ravens north. But they have been not. coming back. That's not weird. The orcs of the dancing blade clan are fond of falconry

and their hawks have been increasingly training to take care of my ravens. So what you're saying is that we have to go to Crohn? What are the chances that some drunken dwarf just happened to find a piece of the ride? I don't chalk up much

to chance. Because you think he can find me others. I do not know where he was going. I have sent multiple agents. Furman has sent some of his best men, women, but they have not returned. It does seem to be a bit too coincidental that this rod of seven parts that forged the rod of law popped up when it has, where it has. Phillips, you are familiar with the Orcs of Grande, yes? Yeah, of course, yes.

It was in Grand where I had my most dire moment. When I was a young man and Furman and I were fighting and killing orcs, savage and chaotic. They were always barbaric and they were always a threat, but that's because they were chaotic, and because they were unable to get their natures in check, they were always manageable. That is when I fell and when the raiden queen saved me. But in the decades since, a new leader came almost out of nowhere, new warlord.

Rosed to power, conquered all the other clans, and somehow got their savagery, the chaotic nature in check, and the war between us got far more difficult. They were far more regimented, far more suppressive of their brutal savage blood. bloodlust. And now that the piece, potentially, of the rod of law, showing up heading towards ground, I can't help but think that it's connected. We'll go check it out. Of course, we want to be able to recover these pieces and act on your behalf and make sure that they're safe, but you have to promise me one thing. I know that I'm speaking out of line, but please, hear me out. Yes.

Just, I believe... that you're trying to do the right thing. Please keep an eye on General Furman. Please. It never hurts to be cautious. After everything that I told you, and I'm happy to reiterate if I need to. Just keep an eye on.

Make a prescription. What's your inspiration? What's your name of the name? The name is it. The good one. Well, it only lasts, like, what, ten minutes? Yeah. Good one.

I would not call him good. Oh, yeah, huge. Oh, wow. You said persuasion? I only get plus two. Oh, that was a six. Yeah. Plus seven is 25.

25 to persuasion. Yeah. He listens, and he sits back. Felix, all of you. I appreciate your dedication to Koravakia. And I know that your heart is in the right place. I know that Iris's heart is in the right place. They do not fault her at all for questioning my methods.

It is hard, fought and hard learned. And I do not sleep easily at night doing the things that I must. But I will be cautious all of my generals. After trusting and being fooled by Kujata, I no longer trust anyone but myself and my bird. and the raven queen is the is the raven there uh you look around and it does not seem

there fuck has there been any other word about this this out of character we've already talked about the 13 seals that exist and there's a lot and all that has there been any word about the seals that was going to be my next topic of conversation

things are not good here in Korovacia. Tough choices must be made. I will keep an eye on Furman. And because of your lack of... Because of your passion, I will make sure that I am keeping him on watch. I'll keep at least five ravens on him at all times.

But I have no reason to not trust him at this point. Understood. Things are not all and well here. in Zentra and Korovakia. There are... We tried to stall the whole region. But they have a demon of unimaginable power. Hundreds, thousands of soldiers have died.

And we've been able to delay them, but four seals have already been lost in Korovakia. Do we know that they were lost recently, or they've just been confirmed lost at some point in time? I know that this is far beyond anything that we would have... Batha met himself shattered them. And I just receive word that a fifth in Ereos has fallen. By who? I do not know.

The guardian... From whom did he hear word? Is one of your ravens? My ravens. The guardians of that seal had all disappeared, vanished. Where was the seal? since they are dead, it was in a garden.

They've just disappeared and... They abandoned their duties. But they were... They had other motives, other goals and desires. Do you know who could have done that? It couldn't have just been collateral damage from what comedists did. Correct? It had to have been a deliberate...

No, which was deliberate. Perhaps the agents of Baphimates. We just learned this. No more than 12 hours ago, at least five seals have been broken. I do not know how many in Grand have been broken. It may get to the point that we have no choice but to retreat back to Zentra and protect the 13th seal. Do you have any way to contact us at a moment's notice? I do.

We can always come back and help. I know you are still all of my wings, and your work has been critical. And I thank all of you for your dedication. I wish you to pass that on to Iris. You will all be rewarded. I have prepared chambers for you, now permanent in this citadel. You each have a room, and your payment for disrupting the government of eros, the disrupting the Ocaxian court, is there waiting.

In our air chambers? Yes. Well, we were prepared to lay for ground in the morning. We take several days if you need. You all look like you spin through the nine hells and back. There's another day. Yeah. The good news is that all of the devils

that had been with the Horn Legion's defective, after our battle with Molok. And most of the beast men were decimated in the battle. But here is the final bit of bad news I have. Beastleg is cropping up more than we can burn it back down. Villages are disappearing overnight, and they are rushing and sprinting toward the Horned Legion as if they know where they are once they turn.

You're trying to purge the ones, I ordered much of the clockwood to be cold so they could not hide. There's only so much that we've been able to do. There's still no cure. Yeah. That's it. We have our top alchemists, our top healers, our top clerics.

The only cure is, death. So the Talongard is out and about. He looks at you. I'm afraid so. Have you gotten any word from Keirstein? Keirstein, as far as I am aware, is doing well. Stout Maine Highlands have been fortunate

in being relatively undisturbed. We've heard that the seal that's located there is safe as well. It is. Once again, thanks to you all. Is there a reason we should stay a few days? I just feel this pit of a disgusting feeling in my stomach. We all do. The fact that things are happening in...

There's nothing we can do to stop it besides run towards it. I don't think I'll get much rest just sitting in the city, but if there's a reason for us to stay... Take the time that you need to prepare. You have my full support. I can send you all with an escort to... The border and sent you to Bronb. That is where you are headed. But...

Is it difficult to navigate you? I would not wish that you want us to make it this far to... All of you get picked off by a roving band of Minotos. I don't know how you all feel, but I think we should go. Spends the night and rest and then leave in the morning. We can talk about it with the group, but unless there's anything else, we need to... You all need some rest. Recover, collect your payments.

And when the time comes for you to leave, you will have my full support. I thank you for what you've done for Corvacia and Adventures. I was so hoping to spend some time in the city, but there are bigger pressing matters. We can go in the morning. I might hit up the tavern. can plant farther too, but That sounds pretty good. I could do that.

You want to go? Yeah. Are we still with him? Yeah. Okay. Either way, let's go to our quarters and we can discuss this. Thank you for being

forthcoming with information, how general? If we need, can we request audience with you in the morning? Yes. Before we head up. I will clear my schedule. I have a meeting.

I'll cancel it. I'll keep my morning open for you if you do wish to leave, but if you wish, like you, if you wish to spend more time to recover, next day will not be the death of us all, I pray. Regardless of when we head out for sure, I'm sure we might have questions before we make our way. I probably won't wake up until like 10.30, 11, so take your meeting.

Fine, so be it. We won't wake you up. Very well. I will clear my action. Why are we not waking him up? That's ridiculous. Let the man sleep. You all deserve rest. He tosses and turns and winds all night. Do you not hear it? Because he doesn't go to bed.

You are loyal operatives all of Korovacia. Take the time that you need. You are dismissed. Thank you, sir. While that was happening, Iris. I have bags of sand. I'm literally going everywhere. I can find that I think that Zern would be,

and I'm placing sand there, hopefully that it winds up in his crack. And he has that sand irritation. you get when you go to the beach. But I'm trying to make it as discreet as possible. He won't realize that I've planned it. I'm going to be honest. I thought you were casting a spell. I didn't realize you were just using spite.

I cast spite. Is there a spell called spite? Okay. I'd be shocked if there wasn't. Mine spite. Make a general slight of hand check. And not a vacuum. If you'd seen her. You're going to salt and base some sand all over the place. God, that's the worst. You'd never be able to get it out from everything.

16. Oh, correct. 16. Right into the little. You are actually given shocking amount of access because you just flash your badge everywhere. And so you're just kind of like,

you're salt-banging sand. You're like just kind of Goldilocks in. Like I make my way, but wherever the laundry area is where they're washing all of his bed sheets and stuff, and I sprinkle sand in like the area where the sheets that they've just finished folding. So when they go into his bed,

there will be sand all over the place. And I essentially do that. And someone I would assume tells me that I have a room and I have them escort me there occasionally sprinkling sand in places. Yeah. Someone is a laundry flag, hey, what are you doing? Oh, no, it's anti-evil powder, doctor. I'm a clear.

I could have been new this. Oh, thank you. Yeah, you're here. I'm trying to be checked. Look the badge. Don't question anything. Okay. I do. Uh, yeah, so you do that and you eventually make it back.

And there's actually a, your quarters are all connected to. It's a small, it's a very quaint. It's not like a luxurious hotel suite, but there is a sitting room in the center of all of your rooms. And you're escorted there and you all find each 3,000 gold pieces. Holy!

Oh, baby! I hate money and I have so much of it. You find three greater healing potions. I bet double my goals. A piece. Sorry, say that one more time. Three greater healing potions. Got it. You are

and you all get a potion of heroism. Oh, I love potion of heroism. And that... Be careful, you can get addicted to heroin really quick. I want to, after we found these things, basically find

Pella. Whether it's not on his door or... I'll say the doors could be open and there's a common room. However you guys want to do it, if someone wants to be private time, they can enjoy that. It's like a dorm suite. Yeah, exactly right. Toa, are you there?

I'm in the living room. Come in. Oh, good. I just didn't... want to intrude. I know sometimes you're praying in things. No, no, I'm, I'm, please join me. Take a seat. I, I, I, come into my chambers, feel, I wanted to be wearing one of those robes like you have ner, like yeah, red velvet, the pipe. I shouldn't, I shouldn't have lied to, to, to the high general. I'm sure he could see right through it. All that bullshit about about me wanting to be a good soldier. I'm done with it. I, I just thought we needed to lie

to make sure that we knew that we were trying to be reasonable, faithful servants or whatever. I'm angry, and I don't want to do it anymore. I understand Felix. I agree, and I'm sorry, that's why I blurted out. No, I'll puff on the pipe that I found in my room in bubbles. Oh, my God.

We should have just told him the truth from the beginning, and I do think that he means good. I just don't understand why he wouldn't have gotten rid of Furman. Well, I mean, do we know that Furman has done bad... No, I... No, no, I... Perhaps you're being presumptuous, Felix. Yeah, fine.

And I get that he said that he may have been blinded by whatever Cujada and Chumley were doing, but it's... It doesn't seem right to me. Do you honestly think that if they're rounding up women and children and shipping them off to God knows where to be sacrifices or worse, that the general of the military wouldn't know? As far as I know, they're all good soldiers. And what does a soldier act on but information? And if the information was illegitimate,

he might have had every intention to do the right thing. I take the sigil that we have and say, if those assholes of the Academy can see me now, I ain't even have to do anything to get this. And I'm higher than they'll ever be. Jackasses. Well, it all worked out. And we're doing you saving the world, Felix.

We're at least saving Striga and Corvalkia. No, I gotta ask Zern if he knows what happened to my brother. I have to. I mean, he has to have some idea. Furman has to answer for some of this bullshit. Furman has to know something. Maybe we can speak with him. And you know what?

I've been thinking about it. Maybe we should take a few days. We've been going non-stop for weeks. I can't stop. I can't wait. If there's any chance of my brother still alive, I have to find her. Well, maybe not like wait, wait and do nothing,

but just take some more time in Zentra. It's a few days. Every day that I don't follow up some lead, he's going to get tossed in some horrible furnace. You saw that. You saw what they did with those horrible infernal machines. He might already be dead, but... I think you have to hold out hope that he's not dead.

And if he is in danger... What, it's been, how long has it been, Felix? How long? Years? It's been a long time. In the grand scheme of things, as they say on the McCona Islands, never anyone is acting crazier out of their minds. The response is just slow down.

I know that things have been crazy for me too. Everything with the wind spirits, I've been a little out of my mind. I think we all need to slow down for a little bit. I saw it in a dream. My poor brother was chained to some stone tablet, and he was crying for my help. He was hollering my name, and then he blamed me. And they took him off to God knows where to chop them up

or burn him alive. It was a trick. Felix, we should take time for you to figure out and learn what you can about what happened to you, brother. There must be records somewhere, huh? I spent a week in the damn library, and I read everything that I could about demons and devils and everything about Molok and I didn't get much.

Would that be the library, though? I'd be like of public, like, oh, not public, but official records? I figured if anybody was going to have it, it was going to be the Korovacian secret stuff that they keep under lock and key forever. Nobody gets access to that. But us now, we do. I can go back again, but I don't know what good is going to do.

This is stuff that the entirety of life on this planet has never dealt with before, possibly. Well, I think you should ask the questions. And you shouldn't regret not doing something while we'll hear. This is your chance. And perhaps we can learn more. The Legion is in Grand where we're going. If he's with them, maybe we can do something. Fine.

But now's the time to ask Fuhrman, to ask if there are records. Okay. Just let me think for a little bit. There's there any tea or anything you're... I need something to...

I gotta relax. Oh, yes, let me go to my pantry and the nice big vacant here. I'd say you hear a knock at the door. We're just in the common room. You can just... Oh, yeah. Yeah. That's lovely. Me, Herja, Luffy, and maybe Irish show up.

Get in, losers. We're going, tavern hopping. We head. beverages here, Caprice. What? You guys are just going to go out in DeSentra? Yeah, we're going to find up a tavern. I'm going to play some music. We're going to have some drinks. We're going to have a good time. You can't have beverages here, but you can't have

a good time unless you're in a tavern. Do you really think that this is the time for that? Now's the only time for this. Yeah, they're leaving tomorrow. I'm pouring, like, glasses of this nice kind of dark orange liquid-looking bang, and I pass it out. And

cheese. Cheers, I guess. I'm sure. I would like to see fan art of Toa making a martini with a smoking jacket and his bubble pipe. And it's apple juice.

And it's apple juice. Oh, God, what the hell? Oh, it's a fruit of juice. This is a good year. Oh, oh. Is it this year? Yeah, right now? Is it fresh?

Isn't that what they say when you drink like a nice thing out of a fancy? Only if it's been fermented for years and it's like decades old. I think that's like pretty fresh. I don't know how this works. This is a good year, though. I thought you just talk about how nice the curingiery.

I blow your bubbles, Smith. I don't taste any alcohol in this. You're blowing tobacco. Whose pipe is that? I've found it on my room. Did you guys not get pipes? No, someone probably just left it and they forgot to clean it up. You've just been smoking someone else's pipe.

Just bubbles. I'll just put it on it. Um, um, I, I, I mean, I guess, what? One night of maybe not studying and working for change might be okay. Yeah, but just one.

Just one. Just one. I have to talk to Zern in the morning. Well, you better do it quick. You happen to whenever... He said he would clear his schedule and we could meet with him before we leave. That's fine.

And Finn. I don't know if I can face him. What are you? I need to. You need to. Then fine. You need to. If you don't, you'll be wondering, you'll be thinking, what if?

What if? Oh, I should have talked to him. He might have had the instance. If the high general's urn will bring firm into his chambers, then so be it. Fine. Fine. You should come out tonight. It'll be fun.

You really need to relax. Make a listen to saving for a... You son of a bitch. I am going to choose not to cast counterspell. I can't spell You can't spell We can do this In all the fucking dead

It's it It goes It's reactions You know what I choose to fail What do you guess A suggestion Except for an hour

We go out To get just What do you're suggesting You can be You need to relax You need to relax Oh Oh

Um You know what I I think you're right What are we going? I'm not sure. We're going to go. We're going to find a place where we can get drinks.

First round's on me. Herge won't shut up about it. Let's go. I guess I'm going to follow Caprice. And I just follow Caprice where every goes to the rest of the night. I guess we'll actually, do I know that I've been like charmed after an hour or not?

No, no. It's just a chance. It's just like, it's just like, well, it's the only one where you'd never never never have. You don't find out when it wears off. Yeah. Okay. So be it.

I follow you forever. Eight hours. It's like four in the morning when you're finding like, Why am I doing this? I'm so drunk. I followed Caprice unwittingly until, I don't know, he told me to go to bed. Yeah, we pass out in our rooms early in the morning at some point, I'm sure. So who's going out?

Me. You were definitely invited. I wasn't in the room. I've been in my room. I would have invited you before grabbing her genlubed. And I said no. Knock, knock, knock. Do you want to come with us?

No, I don't Why not? Is everything okay? Yes, of course, everything is okay, but I'm not in the mood to party tonight. Well, neither am I, but I'm going anyway. Yeah, I'm not partying, I pray. Oh, yes, of course you are. Toa, is you're doing something against your will?

That requires some self-reflection. No, I'm not doing something against my will. I want to go. We've been through a lot. And I think we all need to relax. And I will. I have some things I need to handle on night.

And I'm going to spend the evening going through town and picking up components for spells and stuff. And then I'm going to... If you change your minds as some apple juice in the foyer. I'm not a fan of apples, actually. Fair enough. She doesn't really like citrus. No.

And if... Catch a... And just... Apple's not... Please don't question it, but check your sheets before you go to bed tonight. Just shake them out quickly. Why? I said not to question it, Luffy.

Oh. Thank me in the morning. Okay. I probably won't remember, so I guess I'll find out one way as the other. I drunkly try to cast a text magic and a demon appears. So as you all leave to a tavern, Iris, you go out and you collect some components. and basically just trying to get to diamonds worth 500 gold pieces

because I already have three worth 300 Oh laws Okay You do that When you get back There is a century Outside of the door And as you approach

The century salutes you A young man says Miss of the Sands High General Zern is requesting your audience at his private chambers. You can tell her General Zern that he can kiss my ass. Now please move out to my doorway. I have to go to bed.

That is exactly why you're being asked for him. He said you might say that and he said it regards your father. Yes, oh, so he's going to try to use my family again. Yes, fine. Take me there. Let's go. Hop to. You can see that he was young and probably not the best person to send to you,

but he was very, like literally a relief washes over his face. I will reach down and I'll grab his hand, like really hard. You did find job. I'm a difficult walk. For your first task, probably. You handled it well. Thank you.

I will take you. And he's like sweating bullets. Please be harder because I have sand in my body. What was your name? What was your name? My name is Hans. Hans, please don't sweat in my vicinity. Oh, of course.

Thank you. Yes, and I'll be right outside to escort you back to your room. You are done talking. And he makes his wet. And you're at you, God, light enough. And you find is European top of this. And I'll make like small talk with him and try and. You actually kind of ease, loosen them up a little bit.

You get the sense that Zern very much prepared him. How do you like working here so far? Do you enjoy it? I like it very much. I've been in choreavacia my whole life. You're proud of what you do, aren't you? Yes. I am... It suits you. To be on the... To be up here at my age is very unheard of.

I'm... Pardon my nerves. I just started two weeks ago. Well, you will be in the presence of people who are like me often, right? I'm learning that. Not all of them will understand you, like I do. So don't let this interaction happen with others. But know, from me, as one of your first tasks, but doing well, hold your head up,

and don't let anyone tell you you can't do this. Thank you. I will tell Zern that I was very, very right with you. horridless. I need you cry or tried to, but you didn't. You did not wilt in my presence. And when you see him, you'll tell him I was awful. Do you understand me? Yes. When I was briefed on this task, I am certain he will believe you from what I was told. And at this point, you are actually making, you find a small door that you almost didn't really notice in all your time in this level. level and he opens it and guides you up to the highest level to a point that you hadn't been

to a very small simple door it's not at all like the very gaudy uh engraved heavy door of the main chamber and uh as uh he you hear oh he uh wraps on the door and you hear uh a voice uh you may bring her in and you see him let's put on the show, shall we? Yes, I'll be right outside. He opens the door and then you see a very small room and just very faint candlelight from within.

I'll walk in and be like, you could at least show a little bit of emotion. Why do your guards have to be so hardened? I tried to get out of whatever this is, Zern. It was busy this evening. At least send me one of your newer boys next time. Allow me something to play with. Make your performance check of advantage. That's a D-12.

15. 15? Okay. You do that, and the door, you hear, oh, yes, I am sorry, forgive me, man. And he closes the door quickly. And you see ahead of you, a very small room. This is a bedroom that's smaller than what you all have.

You see a simple dresser, a simple chest, a bed that's about just big enough to fit the size of a man of Zern size. And you see a small two chairs, kind of catty corner from each other. and in one of these chairs, in the same full armor and clothing, High General Zern, sitting down, his legs crossed, small table in between the two chairs. And he looks at you and extends his one arm. Thank you for accepting my requests. I know it is late.

I did not do so willingly. I had a feeling you might not. Is that why you sent me? me that particular one. You see a very tiny crack of smile on the corner of his lips and he says, you are a ruler to be. You do understand the tactics that must be done.

Have a seat. If you would like. Of course. You sit down and... You have news of my father? He nods and says, yes, would you care for a drink? No, thank you. Good. I prefer not to drink as well.

I do have news of your father. I have sent word to him. Portia Paradiso had put me in touch with your priest there who put me in touch with your father. I gave him a status report on you. and he pledged a portion of his army to assist us if and when the time came I wanted to make sure that you were aware and that I was not seeming to do things behind your back

especially given how today's conversation went The city of Zentra does not choose the rules for them my feelings toward you do not change my feelings towards them I will fight to protect those that cannot protect themselves every single one of them in the city I appreciate that

and I appreciate it for you I would never ask you to as I said when we first entered into our arrangement that you are all here of your free will that you have the right to leave whenever you wish you are not prisoners of Korovachia. You are not political captives. No.

You may leave. And should Anubis win it, there is none that could stop me. And I know that is the case. I have seen your power. I am a godly man myself. I know the power of the divine. There is nothing stronger on this planet or all the other realms. but I want you to know that I am doing

what must be done for not just Kurovakia but the fate of all do your people in Siket do they choose your father? No and because of that every move he makes he does it to honour them

they had no choice but he does as do I which is why Chumley had it not been for you all my wings

I have run it over my thoughts my mind my dreams even that one day when we were assaulted no matter how strong our force

no matter how well we did in the battle against Moloch hordes of beastmen would have erupted out of their labyrinth slaughtered man, woman, child. Yes.

The one thing that I swore to do was the responsibility of one man. On that day, that was the gravest threat. And it took outsiders, motivated by the desire to help people, not through rank, not through title, not through pay, in order to save those individuals, to find those labyrinths.

I think about what if you had strangers from strange lands and not united, it would have been lost on that day and we would not be sitting here talking. So then I ask, do you blame Chumley that he did not see what we saw? Yes. Who put him in that war? It is not his igniting

It is those that put him in a job he was unfitful The moment we spoke to him, we knew He did not have what it took to be in the role he was in You punished someone For something they were not prepared for You need to look at who put them in that place And fix that, for that is the break in the wheel trust me iris as someone who is destined to rule i'm sure you understand as well i am not destined to rule my brother will rule i am destined to serve a noble path as well but those of us in power those responsible for the lives of all of these people we are our own harshest critics and i have tremendous regrets not just chumly but far more for kujata

but I was a blind man I grew complacent in my power I was too successful I had not failed enough but I failed more in the past several months than I had in my entire life before and I am grateful for it good

for I've learned well if you've called me here to make sure I am aware of my father's help and you have done just that. I hope that you will sink on top of sedie. I will.

And, in exchange for the help, I have offered some of my assistance in the form of ravens when this is all said and done to help him keep an eye over the kingdom. Very well.

I... I hope you have a love. lovely note. Let's see. Have a wonderful league. And I will walk from the room and go back to my room. And I will put on, I would also like to spend the money to buy like super lavish, naughty lingerie. And since for the first time having my own room, I'm going to put those on and crawl into bed and write in my diary.

Okay. You do that. Just as you were leaving, as the door closed, you could hear her and be like, What is this pocket sand? You, while this is all happening, you all, what district are you guys going to?

It's up to Greece. At some point, he played his violin and inspired me to take off my closing street through the quad. Yeah, I've been killing it in a tavern doing stand-up using alter-self as Zern.

Oh, that'll get you killed. She'll get to thrown in a political prison. Yikes. Yeah. It's fine. What's the real, uh, oh yeah? If we want to get really dirty.

Just your average game. I would assume maybe I would, Caprice would want to go to the seven heavens. I agree. There's like the slums, though. Yeah. That's where the best parties are going to be. Are you kidding?

He would like it dirty and harsh. That's for the honey. What? It was the honeybee or was it the... Honeypot. The honey pot? What was the name of the Queen Bee? The Queen Bee.

You want to go to Skyreach, where it's third? gold pieces for every fucking beer. Yeah, there's like a 20 gold cover. Get the fuck out of here. I would like to do it. As their night's ending, not like while it's big, but like as it's ending, I would like to send a sending

to Toa. Okay. I'll let you know about that time and then it'll trigger. We can go to the Seven Heavons. Yeah, I would go to Seven Heavons. I mean, I haven't spent a lot of time in Zentra, but from what I understand, whenever the military units got some time off, we would often sneak down to Seven Heavens because that's

or all of the prostitutes are. Felix. No, I mean, I didn't do it. I was too focused on my, listen, I understood what Mr. Mendel did for me, and everything that everybody put into my learning, so I never left the Black Rose District? Can I tell Nike thing real quick? Yeah, please.

If Victoria survives in Curse of Straud, can she start a lingerie shop called Victoria's Secret, please? Absolutely. And can that be a ventricer's call? Absolutely. I love that. I know who said that. No.

you know. I never left the back Black Rose District, but a lot of the soldiers would, and sneak down to the Seven Heavens because that's where all the women are. I'm only speaking from what I know. Look, Caprice is just something about what he said. It just inspired me to want to go party, and we should do it. Well, just remember we should keep our wits about us. What is that? Well, obviously. I mean, we're always paying attention to things are happening around us. Just mean, you know, you're getting one,

happy mood and remember what we've heard from soldiers and taverns in our journeys before we met the group? They have one drunken night and then they have an itch for life. Do you want to deal with a lifelong itch, Felix?

I don't think that's going to happen to me. Look, I'm going to keep the dagger and you've got the book. No one's going to know that I'm Talengarde or any kind of nationality. It'll be fine, Tola. I don't know what you're getting at. Please lead the way, brother.

Come on, everybody. Your dagger, she's done no problem. It's exactly what I'm saying. Nobody's going to see the Talangar dagger. It's not a big deal. Just leave the way. Caprice, lead the way. Come on, though. Maybe we'll find a Goliath for you.

I don't understand why I'm actually compelled to do this. You make your way into the seven heavens, and you eventually find yourself at a bar called the Delphino. Oh. And you make your way in, and there is a... there is a single performer on a very small stage. It couldn't even fit like a full band on it, but it's kind of just like this low, like accordion that's playing.

And you walk in, and there's a number of people at the bar, and there's some people in some of the chairs. It's very quaint. There's a long bar along the back, and it's a relatively narrow space, but it's basically taking the entire back of this place, and there's some stairs going up into a, a second floor to the right.

And you see a bartender, a woman behind the bar. She gives you a wink. She's a very pretty, long brown hair, very curvy. And she shoots you a wink and says, you guys came to the right place. Apparently so, yeah, absolutely. Can anyone play on stage or is he up there for life? I just want to drink.

I use a delphina. How did you know? Oh my gosh, and so good at this. My name's Tess Delphina. Oh, well, this is our group, and I think a round for everybody. Yeah, on me. The first round on me. In relation to where we currently are and what I know of the time that we spent in the seven heavens, how far away are we from the honeybee?

Thanks, babe. You're probably about like a 15, 20 minute. Okay. And she gets you a full round. She gets you a full round, and she answers to a full round, and she leaves you a full round, and she answers. She leans forward, and she says, well, I mean, he's all I could afford

for tonight. I mean... I hope someone's different. He's the best. We've been traveling with him for forever. He plays one instrument, but he plays it really, really well. Yeah. I can play other instruments. I can play... He plays the mouth with us.

Sharm? No, we just want you... What the hell is a sham? Just play that one and do it well. Do what you do. No, can please some instruments. What is a sham? I think it's like a flute, but it's sort of sneaky. You know, like a kazoo. Could I play that?

I don't know. Why don't you just play a ukulee? Yeah. Pretty good at that. Oh, well, I've never played a sham before. Can you play the lute? Technically. Now I can work the phone.

It's a very technical thing. What is the woman's name? Tess Delphine. Were we in here before? No. That's like a horn. Where was the place that we were interviewing or, like going under cover and

I thought it was Delphina that's why I wasn't sure I don't want to cross your advantageous just lower streams that's fine Delphina we're in Delphina it's fine it's fine well are you going to play? I mean absolutely that's why part of the reason why I'm here I love the stage and you got to support

him you can't find stages in the wood can I get one more while my friends go on stage if you can get this place spending money and party this is fucking pathetic if you can get them spending money, drinks are on me for the rest of the night. You can do. I believe in you. Oh, wow. Me.

Toa, come on. Come on, Toa. I believe in you. Please. Cliff, take five. And you see, like, this old guy who's, like, playing an accordion. Of course, it's a... A accordion. An accordion. He's...

And he stumbles on back, and she pours him a free shot and hands a tim, and he slumps up in the corner. And you have the stage, and there's a number of patrons that kind of turn their head as you do this. I'll sing. I'll sing. Used to live in a big city,

but no, not anymore, because now we're underneath those dark wings that Striga's famous for. But if you're looking for some action, oh, it's out there somewhere. You can feel the magical energy all in the urban air. No two nights are ever the same.

Sometimes you never end up where you first aim. You'll just have to wait and see. if you end up in an adventure or gambling on fleen. Galctica, Galctica, Galctica, Galctica, Galtaica, Galtaica, bright lights in Big Goodberry How I wish I was there tonight. Definitely don't stop.

Keep going, tonight. I say it was. And Toe is rocking. I'm, you my best to understand. People. No, I was way off. That was terrible. You'll agree to everybody

Advantage because Toad's a system Oh, thanks, so I needed it. Yeah, okay. No, that's great. Yeah, that's going to be a performance, you say? 29. Oh, only a 29. As soon as you finish your song, there's pause,

and you hear one drunken person. Yeah! And suddenly everyone starts cheering and they're excited. And you are an immediately people, they are so jazz they start buying drinks and Tess gives you like a two big thumbs up.

That's the first of many pieces that's like for my set and as long as Toa joins me, I'll continue to rock. No, stop, stop. Upby, upy, upy. Dun, do that who'ssha. I forget the words.

Do you do. And you are, you enjoy free drinks for the rest of the night. Cliff passes. out in his corner and lets you take the stage and you are able to stay or go and find

prostitutes or whatever else you would do but if that said you can return I would just want to play and drink all night would you be bar hopping or playing in the same place all night? I said tavern hopping but if we're getting free drinks from the first place where I would do. Oh then we're just going to send it.

Yeah. Send it and centred is what I always say. I shall be dance and So yeah, you're dancing. And then the music is actually bringing people in from the street and they're all coming in. There's a lively party, a bunch of women of the evening are now trying to find Johns in this place because it's so hopping. I would have gone to Delphina, the woman who was at the bar and Tess and explained to her six months ago, we were we were frequenting the Seven Heavens and I had paid some woman for her time. No, no, it was just to ask her questions.

But do you have any idea where I might be able to find her? She was really pretty, and I don't know where she was close to the honeybee. Have you heard of it? It might be down the road a bit. I'll take another drink. That might be great. She's sweet. Aw, did you fall in love with the prostitute?

No, I was doing, we were asking questions. I gave her some money and she answered my questions for me. It was fine. We were doing, we were an important Korovaki and. business. I have my medal somewhere. It's here, I swear. I'm from the High General Zern. You know Zern. We all know Zern. We're all from Kora Hockey.

We're all here in Zentra. I'm one of his people. I have the thing. I know it's just right here. I swear. She was really nice, and I would just really like to find her again. Can you make a persuasion check advantage? We're playing Felix's ball of fire.

It was always burning. You said persuasion? I think only a plus two, unfortunately. which would be a 19. Okay. Yes, 19. A 19. She, as that happened, she puts a hand on yours, and it feels like shockingly soft.

And she says, do you know, kidding. Yeah. She leans in and says, save your money. I close up at three. Oh. That wasn't, no. I mean, I'll still take another drink, but that wasn't, that was not what I asked. I don't understand these people.

I'm just trying to do what I got. Jesus. Firebomagic music. And I'm just enjoying... I'm still enjoying the performance of my friends while this place. And I just keep wearing drinks. Blind case, knock, gait, sleep slow, clone, maze. I have half of those.

And probably at about, like, two in the morning, if you want to stay up that late iris, you can cast that into Toa. You're taking five. You're in between your sets, and you're relaxing. I get up and I put on the... I'm wearing my sexy lingerie and thinking to myself, we finish writing in my journal and light a couple of candles, and I put my big plush robe on cover up myself.

And then I lay back down in the bed, and I cast sending, and I say, Toa, before you make your way to bed tonight, if you could please see me in my room, I have something I would like to talk to you. Oh, yeah, let's go. Yeah, get something. My dishwasher is broken.

I don't know how I'm going to pay you. I don't have a dishwasher. You may there's pond to this message. Man, this is a sink and it seems to be fine. Okay, all right. That sounds fun. Hopefully everything's okay, and hopefully you're relaxing back in our chambers.

And, you know, things are pretty cool here. I've been played on the stage with Caprice and I've been puffing on my pipe. And then when I played this one... I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Man. Oh, God. Tau is literally the best.

From the whole time, I would basically be waving you guys from the bar while I'm ordering your drinks. Thank you for friendly. While he's sending. Like, she can see you can send him. No, I would just be waving at them. Because they're playing and I'm having a good time. I think how basically how we do sending, I think, is it's not exactly 25. No.

That's being brief. But once it's beyond brief, it's never adhered to a strict. It's too much work. No, fuck that. Well, but we still adhere to being brief. They always brief messages. It's not exactly 25 words. The idea is to be curt.

And get your meeting in. And but there's... We used to again. 25, but we tried, but it was still like... It's more limiting. It's more limiting. The 25 words is so... It's too much.

It's too much. I AMO. I'm gonna make myself a cup of coffee. I, uh, grizzling. How do you do Zern? You toss this? Is it sort of down... That's close.

It's very... I think that sounds good. His dental... I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. And I stand up and say, Necromanza, I hardly know her.

A little more English. I thought it was good. I think it was good, though. I mean, it's tough to, you know, mimic someone else's speech pad. A skeleton walks into a bar and orders a beer and a mop. Who's that?

That's dessert. That's a zerk. That's a zirk. No, I thought it was good. I thought it was good. I was just going through jokes on Reddit, let's be honest. Thanks, Reddit.

Thanks, Reddit. For being content when I don't want to improvise. You are all hammered. And the free drinks. I've got an arm around to freeze. Hey, and him like carrying me. You see a little bit as a point in from Tess, Delphina, as you leave.

And you all, make your way make your way to the citadel, you go back home and you are eventually arrive at your chambers.

I will go to Iris's door and I will not. I'm going to sleep. I'm ready for the sex scene. I'm listening to the door. It's not locked to her coming. Oh. I'll put the door behind me. You wish to see me.

Let's please sit down. I'll sit down. I'm concerned with something, and I didn't know who else to turn to. But you... I've seen the passion you have from the Mccani Islands for your home. I had a conversation with Zern tonight. He said something that makes me feel sick to my very... To my very core.

What does he say? I do not trust him, and I know that Felix seems to, but I don't. There is something... I can't put words on it, but I do not trust him. My father will be sending troops to assist. Miss Entra, and I'm fine with that. But he said to me that he would be sending ravens to watch over Sacket. And I don't trust it.

I don't think they're to watch over Siket. I think they're to spy. And I know that a nubis are sent me on this path. Just as you were called on your mission by your wind spirits. But I can't shake this feeling that I might have brought doom to my family. Well, is he sending them now? The problem with politics, Toa, is that I couldn't ask. I had to pretend like I was unbothered.

I couldn't let him know he got to me. Well, maybe the arid climate of your homeland might be too dry for the ravenous to survive and they might all die. I need you for a moment to be serious. Oh, well, yes, of course. What can I do to help? What do you do when you knew that your wind spirits could cause when Mukutu was flaunting the destruction of everything you loved in your face? How did you go on?

How did you continue to follow the wind spirits blindly, knowing that they were leading you in the right direction? How did you not run home and try to protect everyone you loved? I did what the great hero, Marka did, when he founded the McCona Islands. I just never gave up. He's the greatest hero to ever live. I want to be a hero. I believe that's my calling in life.

When he faced Rocky the Great Red Boar, he never gave up. When he was almost killed by Komohana, the great black shark, he still survived. He never gave up. And when he was alone on the Makani Islands, after they were made, he didn't give up on that either. He brought his family and friends to him. It is hard to watch those you care about suffer, watching what Luffy went through. has taken a toll on me and I will never tell her

that I see the pain in Hershey's eyes when she thinks about her father I don't know what darkness lurks beneath the surface of Caprice but there is something stirring there and I wish I could help him in Felix he's smart

very smart but he does not have the strength to carry the burden alone and that's... And you... I helped you in your fight with Mukutu. You did.

You were very supportive. All of you. Yes, but I helped you in your fight with Mukut. I know, Iris. My friends, the help of my friends, I could never have gotten by. Your... Yes, and grab his hand and just... I couldn't have done it without all of you, yes.

Of course, of course. I could feel your eyes upon me. Yes. I felt like it gave me strength, like I somehow took less damage. Although there wasn't really the case, it was my own strength. And you could see that my... The love of a friendship, it pained me on the inside, almost as if it hurt physically.

Oh, and I know what you mean. When Felix is hurting about Marlow, it pains me on the inside as well. Physically, you might say. Yes, almost as if when you're coughing up blood afterwards. Well, I... Oh, a metaphor, yes. Yes, or physically when I was. Oh, maybe that's a cat thing.

Toa, you're strong. And what I'm saying is I need help. I don't know if I can, if I want to... I'm afraid to tell the rest about my fears of Siket. I feel that I have to be as strong as possible for everyone. Perhaps you let you follow now. You have the means to contact him right now. I do.

But you never know. know he's watching. In the less he knows, the safer he is. Well, here's what I would say. We've done a lot of good since we've come together. There was a legion of beastmen in ogres and... Speaking of which, I... You may tell Felix, if you choose to, do you not find it strange that Zern mentioned that he's been looking for the rod? Why would that be strange? Why would he be looking for the rod if he did not know about the beast's plague? Why would he have been looking for the rod if he was unaware of what was happening with the chain god? Well, he was shielded from that information by the traitor.

Well, he knew about it. He just thought it was scattered across the winds all over the world. He didn't realize it was attainable. But he was looking for it. Well, he had information of it. I suppose he may... have been looking for it. Either way, even if he is. I'm paranoid. I understand it.

I'm scared. And I think what I would say is, the best we can do, we know what we have to do. For those angels, those wind dukes that we met, we need to find the pieces of the rot. And with that, we cannot dally here. Zahn wants us to take time and am afraid to.

We know that every moment that passes, another feather darkens. I believe that Zern is a strong leader. I believe that Zern is a leader. I believe he has good intentions. Despite what he's doing, despite if he's being tricked or not, I believe his intentions are good and just.

I come from a place that is where the law and honour and family and ancestry is the most important thing in the world. And I respect him. I respect his commitment to all of the things and until I learn otherwise I'm going to trust him perhaps I'll trust too easily I know I do might have picked the wrong person to talk to if you trust so easily but I think until we learn more the most we can do I don't

think Zoom requested that we bring the pieces to him if he really wanted them wouldn't he be like oh you must go out and find all the pieces and bring them back to me and I must collect them. Not necessarily, you sweet summer child. Well. But I require sleep. I am tired. Did that help?

Do you want me to be honest with you, Toa? Yes. No, it did not. What can I do to help? Get some sleep. All right, I'll get up and I'll pat you on the head. There there. There, there.

There, there. It's going to be okay. There, there. Is this helping? No. Oh, I'm sorry. Mad Forbius is the worst sex scene ever. The worst sex scene ever.

Yikes. I was so ready. I was so ready. Matt, you kill me, man. What a rock tease. All right. He doesn't even know where his penis is. Let's be real.

That's not true. have a venous. Does anyone else still in the common room until it comes out? Or is there an awesome bed? Oh, I would be face first in the dirt in the gutter somewhere. I might be away. I'm sure I really wouldn't draft. For the fake impravity and let me have a flame.

I need a knock cap. And I'll pour my little apple juice. Rebecca says he just thinks it's another leg. Yikes. Yikes. You know, do I do this? I can do this? Yeah.

It's slightly. Somebody had to go there. You are drunkly sitting in the common room as Toa comes out of the room and comes out and he boards all a glass of apple juice. Hey, what were you doing there, champ? It was, it's probably. God bless you. Great. Great, man.

Are you going to be up for a while? Sure. What do you got? I don't know I'm not that tired you want to play a game I was thinking we could maybe practice a little more I feel like I fucked up a few of the

chord the chord progression that's very true so maybe we just take a couple from the top and you just lean I'll just work that one chorus has like the chords right away they change the action yeah no let's slow it down and I'll spend the next hour like very like sleepily

going very slowly through chord progressions with you so you so I feel like I've done a good job teaching, but I probably have. After about an hour of them doing this, I'm going to walk in looking very, very tired. Can the both of you shut the hell up? You sound like a room full of dying cats. Oh, I guess you would know. Good night, Caprice.

I'm going to go to bed. Yonts. I'll put my ukulele away, and I'll go to bed. I eventually make my way to that. Beatrice would wake me up first thing in the morning, because she would know mentally that I have, like, a meeting to get to. Okay. But regardless of what happens between, I wouldn't sleep through it because Beatrice would wake me up.

Okay. Sounds good. You are, you all enjoy a long rest. Oh, thank God. Woo. And with no interruptions. Felix, your head is pounding you. Your mouth is dry.

tongue feels like a piece of sand paper. Oh, God, oh, fuck. There's also a little bit of sand in that. I was like, they didn't remember to shake his bed, his linens out or no. There's sand all in your ass. What the fuck is this? Some of a bit of sand.

And you feel like a sharp pain in your head. The sharp pain in your head is made worse by the tiny little bluebird beak that keeps tapping on your head. Yeah, no. Bish your sock, fuck, did I wear my boots to bed? What I'm going to fuck? Yeah, you're, full dress in your outfit.

No shit. Oh, fuck. The sun's out. It's fucking. Dern. Sorry, we have to get to Zern. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, no, that's going to look. I was ending.

Like, it's fine. It's fine. Oh, fuck. And I'm like, I'm like shoveling my things into my bag and I fucking take off to the Citadel. Oh, my God. You're in the Citadel. Oh, oh, I take off to where I have to go.

If there's like a trash kind of way, I might vomit on the way and like, and head to. Every morning of college. Head to. Head to. Zern's chambers. Okay. And you, eventually,

you make your way to the large medium chamber, the guards, seem to be awaiting you, and they open the door, and they welcome you out.

You see a high general, Zern, sitting behind the table, and you notice something that you haven't, hadn't seen yet since returning to the city.

You see perched on his shoulder, the large, black, Raven with six eyes as it turns head and keeps an eye on you. No. As you might turn. Sir, sir, hi, General Zerns, Sir, Felix Ackerman.

Are you well, boy? Yeah, I'm, yeah, never, never, never better. I'm good. Are we all there? Just Felix. And if you wanted to be, you put. Oh, I thought Felix wanted to go out of private. He said that he would clear his schedule.

Oh, I thought we were having a group. And anybody who wanted to talk to him could come. You're certainly wrong point to. At any point. So I was presuming Felix wanted to have a one-on-one. It's nothing that the group doesn't know about already. So they would not be permitted to not come if you would not. I would have been up early because I didn't go out and party.

And so I won't go with you. But when I see you in the room, do you want me to do something about me? And I just kind of like give you a hand and like run out. Goodbye then. Sir, I'm sorry, sir, I apologize for my presence. It was a mess. I don't know what came over me. It was all of a sudden I was there, and then I was talking to Caprice, and then...

Son of a bitch. Never mind. Never mind. It's fine. I know that I was out of line yesterday with talking about General Furman, but I have to ask. I need to know. Did you find anything about what happened to the children that were taken? My brother was one of them, and he's gone, and I need to find him. That's all that I care about at this point.

He leans back in his chair to... Please have a seat, Matt. Do you have any water? I'm coffee. My little... No, car. There's a pitcher of water there, and... Thank you.

Have some food. Fine, maybe just some bread. I suppose I did tell you to enjoy yourself. I don't know what came over. No, I take that back. I know exactly what came over me, and I'll be dealing with it, and I apologize, sir. I, like, sip on the water and I eat some bread. I have no information on your brother.

In our questioning, I do not want to alarm you and distract you, but because you have come here and this state, it is important to you. In our questioning, one of the guards on the north-eastern front had seemed to have

had suspicions of the trafficking of children to Skethernail. For what purpose, I have no idea. This is a place that I would have heard of before. Yes, it is the kingdom of the Shadarkai. it is probably the most mysterious

of all of the lands that you have been to there's a lot of mists and valleys and mountains and crags Can you spell it? S-K-E-T-H Here we've pulled up here

Skeff? S-K-E-T-H-R-A-N-I-L Yes. Skeff, Ron Mill. Got it. I was under the impression that a lot of them were sacrificed

to Moloch perhaps, but I was holding out hope that maybe not all of them were. Many of them were sacrificed. We did find many furnaces. Many, many furnaces. If there is hope, all you can hope for is that your brother was trafficked and not sacrificed. Do we know what happens to the souls of these people who are sacrificed?

I feel like we might be able to... to do something about it, they can't be gone forever. They couldn't have gone where they meant to be, or that wouldn't be. My knowledge of religion isn't that extent. I'm trying. I do not have all of the answers for you, Felix, but I do not have good news from my presumptions. If they were indeed sacrificed in those furnaces,

then they would have been within Moloch. cold comfort is that perhaps when we destroyed his form on the material plane they returned to where they were meant to be and did not return to the nine hells. But they might have. We don't know.

I do not know. Fine. I'm sorry. No, I wish I could. Don't apologize. It's fine. This is fine. And if I spoke out of turn about General Furman yesterday, then I apologize.

And if he was really truly duped by Kujada and Chumley, then so be it. And I don't mean to cast suspicion where it isn't meant to be. But I stand by what I said. And all I ask of you is to be the good person that I know that you're trying to be and do the right thing. And just keep an eye on everyone. All right? I will. And I,

I appreciate the candor and the fact that you are all looking out for my own best interests. I have made my judgment. You all did speak out of turn, but you are indeed the wings of the raven. I would not be alive if it were not for you all. I don't think that I'm anybody. I'm just a guy.

I'm nobody. It's fine. It's fine. I'm sorry. And I just wanted to be heard is all. In all of the investigation that I did personally on all of my eyes, the only two with any connection to the Gailstrom newspaper company were the two that are no longer living.

Just do what you can to find the missing kits. Please, any information is better than nothing. I admit, our resources has been stretched thin. do not think me cruel or crass to say that we have more pressing matters Of course Sir Hi General Sir

Yeah I have to go Please dismiss me Sir You are dismissed Thank you And I run out You do that

You'd find you hear Felix stumble back in And puke into a trash can No I could have prevented them I kind of like off hear it but I don't respond I'm not going to react until I hear Caprice's voice probably be asleep at the room still yes no I figured don't worry take your time I'm gonna just you know do my thing until I hear Caprice

you hear like tiny tiny little sighs on your shoulder as like Beatrice is just looking at you just very judgmentally yeah that's right time she taps her little bird foot understandable and in her never scolding manner. And eventually you all awake and join in the common room to do whatever you'd like to do. Hey everybody, how's

going? Good morning, Caprice. Morning. How was your evening? Well, it was lovely up until the moment that you and Toa decided to practice your instruments. Well, I am sorry if practicing our instruments kept you up at night. Yes, it did.

I am very sorry about that. Great. Okay. Great. We'll make it up. you. Great. So the question is do we leave today? Yes.

Well, all right, then. That's question answered. Do we have... You did your shopping already? Yes, I just did just like sleeping. I don't think I have any more business in the city. And there might just be a good idea. I bought a saucy negligent. I don't know what that means.

Lufidus. You would love it. Did you buy it for myself, darling? Yes, you should. It has sauce on it? I have completely lost the plot. Regardless, I think we should get quickly to... One of these days I'll teach you all about a saucy nourishment. All right, it sounds very delicious.

Whatever it is, sauces. We should go. Hey, Felix, are you feeling all right? Perhaps you should let Arras do her thing. I honestly could have made him feel a little bit better, but he refused. He kept ratching and saying caprice. Welcome back, Felix. I hear this, and the door slams open.

Hey, buddy. You! Yeah, what's up? Three of me appear alongside the same of me, and I charge you. Hey, Phili. And I throw myself at you as there are four of me, and I'm shifting and shimmering and moving as I am throwing myself at you and attempting to tackle you and put you at headlock.

Right before you tackle me, I use alter self to turn into feelings. So then they're... Make it a type of us. I'll make a grappling check so it's... As we come into connection... As we come into connection... Wow, that's a good fucking role. And I can use decks, right? Acrobatics.

Wait, wait, you said acro or strength? For you, it's athletics. Fuck, you son of a gun. Funny half. So for me... Yeah, so you beat me then. If it was acrobatics, it would have been a lot, it would have been a lot. It would have been, but because it's strength, I got a 16.

A 16. There are five Felix's tumbling. You were not able to get him, you do not, uh, Caprice, uh, prone, but you were not able to get him into a, uh, a headlock. And you all stumble to the ground. As there are five felixes on the ground of your common room. You did in, in unison before Felix is stand up. You did this. They're like, slently off.

I can't believe. You would cast a bullshit magic on me. You can't put on me. You don't know. God, if I got a chance to do it, I'm gonna, huh, hur. And all four Felixses are like screaming and yelling. Yeah, we're just all pointing at it.

It's like that Spider-Man meat where they're pointing at it again. What's wrong? Which one are you talking to, Taylor? I didn't know which one is feelings. All the other three of my shimmering illusions vanish as I, he he tricked me he tricked me he made me go out last night against my own free will

it wasn't a trick i guess magic on you stop talking i swear to the gods you're like arguing with yourself wait you seem very willing and happy to go yeah because he did whatever he trickery devil bullshit he did yeah i have an influence the magical manner and i used it because you really needed to I'm not relaxed now. I'm vomiting. It's horrible. No, I promise that you're relaxed dead. I could have fixed that to be this morning. Probably. I believe that you can do anything at this point, and I don't know what you want from me. Well, I would like for you to stop vomiting all over the room.

I would like for that. Please. Please. Please. Please fix him. Say please, Felix. Please. I'm going to cast a lesser restoration on him to cure him of his... Oh, God. It's a Cadillac of hangover, Cures. Uh, grubs?

Yes, thank you. Fuck yeah. Wow. Woo. Got to keep up with that reference with you. Mum me. As soon as you are cured of your hangover, you hear a knock in a door. And you see, Mr. DeSesto, the high general seeks your audience. Mr. DeCesto is my dad.

You can call me Capri. Mr. DeCesto and you hear Hans' voice, he recognizes as Hans. You should not argue with this one. He is the strongest of all the girl. The most tenured. Still looking like Felix.

Well, let's go. No, it's Mr. DeCesto. Not Mr. Ackermann. I do you a favor. I'll do you a favor, and I grab his hand and I press it to your chest. I actually think that alter self is not hallucin.

No, bullshit. It fits. It's not one of those you look closely and the illusion dissolves. It actually alters you. It's not the hat of disguise. Yeah. Then I say nothing. I sit on the couch next to Iris and I say nothing.

Oh, is Mr. DeSesto here? Holtz, trust me. Please. But is that a crease? Before I incinerate all of what he is, just take him. Just take him, please. Yes, of course. Of course.

I will undo all of himself and ask Caprice. I am. Caprice. It's the pleasure to meet you. What's your name? Hans. You can call me Caprice. The High General's Waiting, sir. And if he wants to execute him, just want him do it. Let's go. Yes, of course.

And he guides you to the same chamber that Felix had just been in. The door opens and you were ushered in. You see High General Zern sitting in the same chair as you see the large six-side raven sitting on his shoulder and it was on a croak at you as you walk in the doors close yeah that's better hey how can I help you you can help me by having a seat he leans forward a little bit walks at you I know that we had previously discussed this, but after everything that has happened, I need to be entirely certain that you do not serve any other master besides yourself.

I don't. I'm glad we could take care of that. Is there anything else I can help you with? Do you... Tell me the nature of what darkness is. is on you. In your own words. Is there darkness

on me? Make a deception check. No fucking wet. I can see everything. 23. I roll the natural. Depends on what your mod is. This net side is quite high.

He simply looks. If there is, I wasn't aware of any darkness, certainly. Please. there slayed a former archdevil together. The wrath of the nine hells almost destroyed this city. I do trust you.

But even if I trust you, that doesn't mean I can't be certain that you are trustworthy. Do you understand what I mean? Yeah, absolutely. I understand. 100%. I don't know what's bothering. you. What do you mean when you say there's dark monotonin? Honestly, I have no idea. He

looks at you for a moment, then he looks up to his murder. And he leans in as the beak does a little bit of business in his ear. And he's dead. Well, you can't get what you're off. You must understand

that I spent much of my life researching the threats of fiends. She has you. You can deceive your friends, but you cannot deceive me. You can do not deceive my eyes. Yes, you are, Caprice. When I'm in, I don't know, I was born like this and I,

the whole, my whole situation is totally fucked. I'm totally fucked. I can't, I can't do anything. I'm worried. I'm scared. I'm going to do something horrible. Zern pauses and listens. Have you thought about doing something horrible, Caprice?

It's not a specific thing. No, absolutely not. Never. Not in a million years, but you don't... If you say she has you, you know what we're both talking about here. I do. I want to help you, Caprice. I want to make sure your mind is your own.

I know what is like. Trust me. I do. I just need to be sure you have the upper hand. How can you be sure? How can I prove that? I don't know if I have the upper hand. How can I trust myself? It's it's it's eternity of of hell and damnation. I don't know if I'm going to betray my friends. to do something terrible for all we know she could be watching this right now she is

she knows the game you aren't doing what she wishes yes so far the planet's aligned she wanted Mollah dead she didn't approach me I was truthful with him we spoke the first time I swear to the gods

you would not be sitting here if I did not already know that what am I supposed to do I have no fucking out. There's no it's I just have to sacrifice myself. You should just fucking kill me right now.

There's no way out of this. No, there's no use in that. You have a larger role to play. The opportunity arose. Would you cast her aside for something else? To not be owned

at all or to be owned by something else? To escape the nine hells. I'm not sure what could be worse. What do you... Your fate is worse. There are not many fates worse than yours. It's why I'm here. I came to Strigger to see if I could find a solution to all of this.

So what is your answer? Help, help. help. I intend to. You will be saved, Caprice. I would consider telling your friends. The more you tell them, the less suspicious you will seem. That's probably good advice.

The best way to go about things is to tell enough truth. And then you have power. You have freedom. What happens next? You think about what we discussed. You think you're dismissed. I am sorry for my behavior last night. If you hear any rumors of a stand-up routine that involves one of those wacky,

a single-arm, inflatable, flailing arm man. That is not, I'm sorry. I was just... I was very intoxical. You know, it's neither here, though, there. That's great. I wouldn't have gotten to this position if I had thin skin. Won't happen again.

If we do not meet again, safe travels. You will be saved. I believe that. I hope so, yeah. Thank you. Safe not travels to you. I will be traveling soon to I, Rios, myself. so I will take

your well-licious. Fair wins. One days and pleasant nights. I'll turn and I'll make my way out. We eventually rise back to the realm. How did that go? You seem weird, Toa. Oh, really? It's a Toa that seems weird? It's not you? Well, I mean, I'm always weird, but that was a very forward question.

I swear to all of the gods that have ever existed. If you try that on me again, I hadn't really gotten this far, but the bottom line is that I'm not going to just take it sitting down. You understand? That's fine. You can take it in any... Don't touch me. Don't touch me. Don't get close to me.

Aw. All right, all right. But you can get me back any time, I promise. Just think about it. Yeah? Yeah? I've already... Playful camaraderie?

I've already thought about it. Male bonding? You've been gone a long time. What did you do? Have a good day, Caprice. I will. I love this. It's like the slow burn, and he doesn't know when it'll hit.

It's called Delayed Fireball. It's a real thing. Look it up. Yeah, so what I said, the slow burn. Are there other delays, though? She did actually say slow burn. No, it's not important. It went well.

We had, he's going to go to Eerieus, and he's... Of course here. He's traveling there, and we talked about how important the safety of the world is, and all those important things. That's it. He just wanted to talk to you about the safety of the world. We talked about some other stuff. Like what? I told him about my stand-up routine.

He was very supportive. And... Well, it has thick skin. It's understandable. That's exactly right. That's it. You expect us to believe. You expect...

I'm not just to believe that's all you brought you up. There's other stuff, but I don't have to tell you all the stuff. To be fair, we weren't invited to be privy to the conversation. No, of course not. Of course, we're not forcing you to say anything. Thank you. I'm going to make my way to the privy. But I will say it furthers my concern that Caprice is keeping secrets.

That's not new, though, is it? Not sure. As I told you last night, I fear for whatever darkness, he's steeping. We're not all without secrets, and as much as I don't like the son of a gun, it doesn't mean that I don't trust him on an everyday basis, even though he did that to me last night.

It doesn't matter. I understand what you're saying, but without any kind of basis or information, I'm certainly not accusing him and everything. He's just acting weird. No, he's being deceitful. I would put it to you this way. If I had never told you,

what I knew about that symbol on Nora's back how long would it have been before we had more answers? He's hiding something from us. And I'm not saying he's doing it, from a negative place. He might be trying to protect us

from something. But we're at a point now, as a group. And he's not here, me to say this too. But I hope that none of you are harboring any secrets. If you think that the secrets that he's holding her are relevant to what we're dealing with this,

I agree with you. I don't think that we all... I don't think we all came to that crossroad at the same time by mere chance. It is not mere coincidence that the path that led to Lutti's mother also led to Toa's spirits, that Inubis sent me visions of the chained god

which is tied in to your beast plague and the hunt for your brother, or that the rod that we're now searching for ties in to presumably, Hersha, please, I'm trying to talk. To Hersha's father. The only person we don't know who ties into this whole thing is Caprice.

But if he's dealing with something personal, we can't force him to tell us. And I have not, and I will not. That's all I'm saying. But the longer he takes to trust us, the more quickly my trust slips from him. I don't think that's unfair. I don't think that's unfair at all,

especially with what he... And my fear. is that he knows something that could make all of this so much easier than us, and that he will not choose the right time to tell us, and one of us will pay the price for his arrogance. And as you finish, without hearing any of that, I walk into the moment.

Well, Chris, did you have a lovely poop? It was privilege. So are we ready to make haste for the day? I dislike all of the things that you choose to be. Thank you. I seem to you, buddy. Um, palms. Oh, yes, I'm here. Sure, why not? You wasn't all of that in complete silence?

Well, he's outside the door. Yeah. You pulled to our head and incinerate. Yes. I believe we're ready to depart for Grom. How do you spell that? G-R-O-N-D. N-M-D, too-hands.

Oh. G-R-O-N-N. And D. Glong. Let's get that map. There's also a silent F right in the middle. Gruffles. Yikes.

Like, Come from. Gras. Those silent Fs really get you. A frog. A few Q's in there, maybe. Yeah. A Z?

Well, Zs are never silent. And that's just it. We're just ready to head out then. What do you think? I mean, I think we need to go. I think we need to go like. six hours ago, but it wasn't up to me. I don't have Mukutu to look for.

I don't... I have everything I need on me. I mean, perhaps we can buy some potions on our way to town. In fact, I would like to look. Well, don't you think that it would have been a good idea to not waste our time to do that last night? It'll take me two seconds. Dili dallying, hetta... Yat-hoa.

Delying some dillies every once in a while is never a waste of time. It's an important. part of resting and feeling recuperated, recharging one's batteries if those were things? So if we had to head north of Skyrish, there's probably some kind of apothecary on the way. Yeah, stands to reason. I would like to stop somewhere

and perhaps pick up some potions. Is all I'd say. Are you mocking me, Caprice? What is this face he's making? Caprice, are you saying that Irish doesn't dilly her dally enough? I don't do it in public with the rest of you. You don't know.

What is that supposed to mean? What would I know? Why would I know? Well, I was in the Tommy room when you guys finished what you were doing last night. So? That's all. So what did you do? Yeah, I was, what did you do?

I didn't do anything. What do you mean? You were having a friend. Tell me more. Tell me more. Does he have a first name? It's a to- Teller.

We didn't have a first name. Oh, yeah. Forever. What did you do with Iris? It was private. I cast invisibility in Washington. We were doing. We came over in the bar last time.

We had a good time. And yeah, I may have fallen face first in the dirt. But what did you do after that? I have to admit, I was very unhelpful. We were so. What is that? We were supposed to be. I was trying to help Iris and I wasn't have any years.

Everybody does a bad job the first time. It was fine. I've never asked you to do that for me before. and I couldn't begin I should have known you wouldn't be able to I'm sorry you told me that you'd done it many times What? I'm never in this kind of circumstance before Felix

I don't understand where you're coming from What do you mean in this kind of What is that supposed to me It's different when it's like a friend When someone's very experienced with this kind of thing And when you try to help You told me you were experienced Not at all

Oh my This kind of do you have done No, Felix, it's fine. He gave it the hardest try he possibly could. What? I don't think he could have tried any harder than he did. Why are you disparaging him? I'm not.

He just asked me for the honest truth, and I told him it wasn't great. Yeah, feedback is how you grow. Listen, buddy, this isn't the first time that I've heard this. You'll bounce back. It's okay. Well, I know. So everyone charms is fun. Exactly what I say.

Loses improve. I always say that. There will be many more times that I'll call on your assistance. You'll get better every time. Hey! Are you just going to let her... I'll make herself available every time? Are you going to let her just say that to you?

No, you have to just walk away and be like, no, I'm done with this. No, I tried to be helpful and I wasn't. It's my fault. I wasn't doing the right thing to get it done clearly. How are you going to let her speak to him like this? How are you not going to listen to him? He's very smart. Unbelievable!

And accommodating. I wouldn't have asked Tullard. Out of all of the rest of you, if I didn't believe that eventually you would get it right. Wait, you mean you, you were hit up Caprize and he said no? No. Or you didn't, is it unlike Capri's to say no? No, of course. Toa was my first choice.

What do you mean to her was your first choice? Is it because he's so tall? Well, his height helps, I'm sure. Does it? What do you have against short ones? Well, nothing, but I needed assistance. It was all building up inside of me, and he was the only one. that I thought could help me release some of it.

A floating mug of coffee comes back in. I think she might be lying. I think you might have got a good job. And I try to like stealthily give him like a little dab. Oh, yeah. It seems like you might have done something. Well, I guess so. She's a little cold.

She's not always forthcoming with the truth. Maybe I did do a good job, but she just doesn't want to tell me. She hasn't watched you have an inflated ego. We've all been there. Yeah, ego. That's probably... What the? What fuck was that?

Oh, sorry, I didn't do anything. I always forget. If we're done talking about all that, can we get one away? Apology, honies. Yeah, I think that we should please her just stop interrupting me. We get it, your dad, whatever. It's not important to the plot at all.

Man, way, it's what we're about your dad. We're so sorry. You're bad. Sell up old back. Shall we pack for our journey? Oh. Oh, let's do. Okay, I'll go get my things.

Oh, man. On the way out of town, could you take us to some kind of place we could buy potions? Yes, of course. He'll probably resolve it next session. Yikes. Yikes. Oratch. Hans leads you out of the city.

Or he leads you to a, uh, or he leads you to, uh, You're able to find a magic item shop. I think it was the Afridi's bottle. It was what I said it was. And you were able to shop there and spend however much gold you have, and you were able to collect magical items, potions, a variety of different things.

We'll email you later. Yeah, and we'll discuss all of that later. And you are able to eventually you make your way out. Oh, here we go. Yeah. I want to buy every mirror that I can find in Zentrum. Yeah, you're going to. Wow. Good

throwback. That's a deep reality that even someone who has no idea we're talking about knows exactly what the fuck you're talking about. Yikes. That's going to be a yikes for me, Don. It's going to be a shopping episode. Can you see the next five hours talking about that?

Nope. And you eventually... He says, nope. You see all the people of Zentra looking at you and they all... You actually see that there's some bit of recognition. They wave at you.

they're saying, please save us. And they all know that you were the heroes that helped High General Zern kill Molyck. Are we the heroes in Central? No, no, we are not.

And they are very appreciative of you, but they still, they look tired, worn down, and eventually the huge gates of Zentra rise up. And you are guided through, and you hear the loud slamming down. As Hans bids you,

farewell. And do you leave Zetra behind. I don't need to say. And you take the road north. You begin to, you travel you travel for

two weeks. Holy fuck. And... From travel. You travel for two weeks. And eventually you arrive... Stop it. You eventually arrive at the front.

And as you've been traveling north, the front, yeah, the front, you eventually... It gets colder and colder the further north that you travel. Ooh, chilly. As it begins to get a little bit chillier. And as you make your way north through Koravakia, you get closer and closer to Grom,

you see the massive mountains. before you. You know that there's a large ridge of mountains that separate where there has been basically constant decades-long bloodshed and war between Gron and

Corvacia over the precious ghost iron war that is very common, relatively common in Gron, which makes it for very light, effective weapons. And you eventually see them ahead and there's even, you know that beyond

towards the north side of Gras, the very north of the continent of Striga, is an even larger mountain range. And you begin to make your way through as you approach. And eventually there is a pass in the mountain range. As you can closer and closer, you see a fort. Large, dark stone. heavy metal fortifications, and you are able to spend one final night in Corvacia as you get one final hot meal, as you are preparing to venture into Grom.

You notice that there are a number of spots along where the snow has fallen. And there's streaks of red where battles had been, bits and pieces of metal in the snow. And similar to when you had ventured into Erios, that the military on this front would cover you. And you, after spending the night unless there was anything else who would like to resolve, you begin, and you very deliberately took. this path, which is a little more towards the center of Corvaccia. As you know, that the swath of destruction of the Horn Legion was to the west. Before we head off, I would want to find whoever is in charge and ask them about this dwarf that passed through. If they saw him, how long ago it was, you can kind of get more information from anyone in that camp.

you learn that all everyone had been made aware of this everyone had been made aware of this uh of this interview that the new eye of secrets had done and the individuals that had let him pass had been reprimanded stripped of their rank and title and everyone was on very high alert for any dwarves They are very suspicious of Herja. Once they see that she has the badge, they let her through. At some point, I would have probably tried to it. Maybe in Zentra or on the two-week road or even just at this last checkpoint, because I think it's like the last second before I have complete cut off of communication,

I would have written my dad. And if I could have paid someone to get a letter into the newsletter, like, mail room and sent all the way across the sea to Galtica. I know it's a big stretch, so it might cost me, but I'd be willing to send no luck. Still alive. No news. Obviously, probably for a stretch,

you'd give them ten silver pieces, just for that, you tip them a little bit. And you... On your way up, you would also notice that there were a great number of refugees from town that had been destroyed, survivors of attacks. Some people that were afraid that the guards might be suspicious that they had contracted beast plague and they were keeping laying low.

And the morale in the entire country is very low. As the fortifications that are at this mountain pass finally open, you make your way into Grom for the very first time. and I will activate. So we're basically just like crossing the border, leaving Korovacia. You're leading Korovacia.

You see that there are bits of battlements of what seem to be definitely not the Korovacian structures, but still respectable fortresses. Are these very defined borders, like where there is like Korovacian military spanning the border? Or is it kind of just like

It becomes forest and snow, and that's it. It seems to be very clearly, like, there are lines, there are troops, battlements, fortifications along throughout. Bits of battle seems where there are definitely mining operations that you're seeing in these mountains. Some have been completely, you know, destroyed and likewise. So this is like a war front? Yes. This is not outposts and they're like having a war. They're like World War I all quiet on the Western style.

They're holding ground. Yes. and you eventually make your way under the cover of night into Grand. And eventually, you, the, it gets, it's cold in this mountain pass. You eventually make your way down. And you see as steps, as far as you can see, just this, these lowlands that stretch out a yellowed grass and light vegetation, but no forest as far as you can see. It's flat and low, ridges, and very sparse. You see up ahead, its winged shapes flying around occasionally. You see large structures that

have various tiers with shingled roofs, that is going to be fortresses, as you, what feels almost like a desolate, it's relatively desolate compared to what you're used to in Korovacia. And as you turn, you travel for another day or so, and then the next morning, you see smoke on the horizon as massive plumes of billowing black smoke, rise up, and you follow them, and you continue on your way. And as you turn around one pass, one ridge, you see ahead of you a massive swath of destruction, heading further into this nation. You see the results of battle, destroyed buildings.

burning embers and slain bodies. You recognize what seemed to be oaks from the distance, large lower jaws, almost these large tooth jutting up, and facial hair that is into coals with rings in their noses. And it also would have banners cast aside, But you also see beasts. You see the small-horned goat creatures. You see slain centaurs, minotors.

And as you arrive up to this swath that seems to stretch deep into the heart of this nation, you all feel something in your pets. feel a twinge, a cry almost of that of an eagle as you reach into your pack and you pull out the wings of freedom and they are flashing and glowing. And that is where we'll end the session.

Oh my God. A boy Rivali coming through, baby. Let's go. Man. Let's fucking go. Thank you so much for listening to the Legends of Avengers podcast. We hope you enjoyed the session.

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