Legends of Avantris - Curse of Strahdanya | Ep. 22 | Prayer for the Dying: Part 1

Episode Date: September 4, 2025

Having suffered their worst defeat yet in the Amber Temple, the Azran Expedition seeks a single light in the darkness for a glimmer of hope.    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/JYbaMPYvvGs?si=WhDkqdslAoZ6QkUJ

back at the Amber Temple and listening to Curse Srdradania, a Legends of Aventrys podcast. Last time, the expedition delved into the depths of the Amber Temple, meeting the vestiges of dark power trapped within and accepting their dark gifts. As was to be completely expected, this was a very bad idea, and three of them lost their minds to evil, with the other two certainly not far behind. Now, I have arrived to finish this once and for all and claim my victory over all those who depose my reign. You weren't expecting a happy ending, were you? This episode is brought to you by our generous supporters on Patreon.

You can become a patron yourself by following the link in the show notes. We are eternally grateful for your support. With that out of the way, let us proceed with Chapter 10, Prayer for the Dying. Your fear of fire causing you to throw your lantern to the ground. As Stradanya von Zarvich materialized around you, she stepped forward and called to you. She beckoned for her darklings to join her at her side. And as she turned to you, Sarnax, your lantern discarded on the ground,

the fear of flame consuming you. She raised her hand. and snuff the flame from within the lantern. Though it is not darkness that surrounds you, the light that was ever present in burning from the lantern, dead. Coldness, chill almost to your very bones and fuses you sargness. Though you're terribly afraid of the flame,

looking at it now, lonely, empty, cold on the floor, is almost more horrified. No. Oh, the little lizard is so afraid. Look at him. What are you going to do now without the fire at your side? No. Dark bling, join me.

Come to me. Yes. I knew. Go. Of course. She reaches out her hand and she pulls you toward her. Victoria! She pulls Clayton towards her.

And she has one arm around both of you. Sonics, join us, please. Your lantern What madness has come over? All of you. A commoner is clear. Shepherd, they have been corrupted. We must stop them.

I'm still by these sarcophagus. Lanker. Yes, Sirnax. You will stop them, please. I think we have to press on Sarnax. There's more to be uncovered in the Apertam. Get away from you. Wicked woman.

Women minds, I told you. Oh, Victoria. My lantern. Isn't this adorable? Look at the way he plays with his toy. I'm going to walk over to Sarnax. Afraid. Sarnax.

Buddy. Shut. Get up. Give me your hand. I'm going to pull him up to his feet. Tradanya looks between you, but she, one arm around the shoulders of plate and the other, holding Victoria around her waist tightly to her. She watches.

She does not move forward. Give me the lantern. It's all right. Why do you want the lantern? Sheppard. Well, she has snuffed it now. If you're scared of it, I don't want it to be a burden on you. I'm afraid. Just let me hold it for it, just for a little while.

It wasn't even the countess that did this. It was me. Shepherd, stop them there with the countess. Just let me see the light. Keep it safe. Strange. It's almost as if Garrick doesn't care about you at all. how the times have turned.

Sheppery, about your own as well. I'm thinking pretty clear, Sarnax. Garex cares about me that he cares about you. I'm not sure Garex is even real in the first place. Yes, that's true, Mr. Sondon. Sheppery, you have seen his power. You've all seen his power. You've seen quite a bit of power.

Are you? Have you turned to wickedness? Sheppery, all I'm really good. concerned about is getting the fuck out of this hellscape. And so far, not a single goddamn thing any of us has done has made that possible. I'm going to step up. I get the sense that it's no longer a focus. It's no longer a magical focus.

Or is it? I would say it still works as a focus. There's just no light in it. I placed it down. I'm not keeping it from you. It's now just sitting on the ground. Let's say you're not prevented from casting any of your spells. I'm going to reach down and scoop it up and grab it and step away slowly.

All of you, just like the abbot to come into the darkness. You were the chosen of Garex. You were the chosen of Horgonost. There is no Garex in this land, little exorc. She's right, Sonax. Embrace your dark Gerex. gift. Do you feel its power coursing through you? And I want to flat my skeleton bone wings.

I feel a sickness, a taint, a mistake. Feel no. Power worth having. Power ill got, ill sought. Doom, you have drawn all of us, professor. There's no Dune Starnex. You just got to come along with it. That was a beautiful speech.

A round of applause, yes? He's got away with words. She doesn't hear you. I have led you here to wickedness. Yes. I have not lit the way through the forest of darkness. I'm going to take my lantern. No, you have snuffed out all hope.

Gerex, I know. I am afraid. I'm afraid of the power within me. The power within you. But I know that it is the right thing to do. Your fire is good. I still want to be good. My hour of darkness, help me.

I'm going to pray. Does he do this a lot? Yes, God, yes. Yes. But it was interesting at first, and now it's pathetic. Come on, Sarnax, give it up. Look, it's over. We can get out of here.

Just come with us. We're done here. Come on. I'm going to walk over to him and put a hand on. Away from me. Startax. You know this to be true. But when life changes to be harder,

you must change yourself to be stronger. As the professor suggested, embrace your gift in your moment of weakness and persevere. we must for sure against them getting quite bored so... I'm going to shake off Kana's hand and step away again, deeper

into the hallway. Your words are poison, corrupted and polluted, like the waters you worship. Garex, please, I have failed you. I have led the shepherd to witness. You can scream. Please.

So a God that does not exist in this land and you will get no answer. Your friends have a friend have offered you. It's spot by my side. I have not yet, and I don't think you are worthy. Accept the dark gift. Accept it into you, and you could have perfect here. For now, you're nothing but a loss soul in a land of darkness with no light to lead your path. This is unlike you to show weakness, sarnets. I'm going to drop the lantern. I'm better to fall. floor and kick it aside.

Okay, now we're getting somewhere. I'm going to step forward, past calm, and look at Shepherd. Shepherd, look at me and tell me you do not feel of Gerex's this one, that you have fallen to darkness, that I am truly alone.

Well, I certainly don't feel Garrick's warm. I don't know about falling to darkness. I'm just trying to get out of here. I'm going to drop down to my knees. Shepard, are we friends? Sarnax. Of course we're friends. May I ask one favor of you?

Sure. Kill me. What? What? Shepard, it must be you. Please, I have failed. I have nothing. I am not worthy.

Please let it be you. Great. Victoria, you both feel a shudder run through Stradonia's body. You can see the look of pure joy on her face so she hears Sarnak say this to Clayton. I'm going to kneel down next to him and take my hat off. Buddy, I don't want to kill you. I just want you to come with me.

I'm afraid you and I both know I cannot. I do not have the luxury of the weakness of mind to be so easily turned, Shepherd. And I have brought this upon you and myself and on Garrette. Use your instruments, please. Now, that's just hurtful. Come up, buddy, get up. Come with us, and this can all be over. I think he just called you stupid.

There. Quiet. Come on now. Just come to me. Excuse me. Did you try to tell me to silence myself? Did I stutter? She walks forward and slides her blade into Sarnix's chest. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, whoa!

I need you to roll a D20. Would you like to tell me to silence myself again? I haven't changed our feel about you just for the record. She takes the hilt, plunges it deeper into your body. That's not necessary. And you feel the life leave you, Sarnax. All of you look around. As Tridanya stands behind Sarnax, the hilt of her blade, so quick,

none of you even had a moment to react, and she dug it into his back. Sarnax. He's just dead. He's dead. You watch as the life leaves his eyes. Why? Why did you? He's still a member of my expedition. We were going to bring him with us. It's unnecessary. You begin to yell out, and you feel almost as if time has stopped around you.

Shredonia isn't moving at all. It's shadowy, strange, smoky, sarnat. You feel the blade, but you don't feel the pain. As looking around, you see the... the look on Shepherd's face. He, the glint of evil behind his eyes, something

you know to be unnatural to him. And you feel death. You haven't experienced it, but you feel it. And as you look around, you watch, as the floor of the Amber Temple fades from view and instead, rocks,

as if they're lava, rocks, magma. They're is a hint of glowing orange undulating beneath them. As you look around, you see nothing but smoke and darkness. A bright orange light undulating in the sky above you. You look down, and though you can see the hole where the sword had pierced through your chest,

there is no sword there, and you are naked. Look around. Your lanterns lined discarded on the front. floor in front of you. And it seems as if a rain of ash is raining down inside of swirling and undulating.

And as you write it, you hear. You stand naked before a garden. Just as you were born, just as you will decay. Bade in the flames and be reborn anew.

Firehood! Sarnax. You have planted. planted the seeds of destructive renewal in the soil of a dead land. You have ignited new souls to the truth of the ever-burning flame. I try. My eyes upon you and upon this land. You have met destruction.

Now tell me, what would you do with renewal? Flames shoot up all around you and in front of you, curled on the top of a fiery rock, you see Garrick's fire. Oh, my God. Am I afraid of the fire that's around me? You are not. I immediately fall to my niece, naked, as I fucking...

I'm don't have a lizard skin, I apologize. As I am naked, I fall. I fall to my knees and I put my hands on the volcanic rock, and I bow, and I just half glance up. Fire Lord, through renewal, I wish to save not my life, but the lives of my friends, the lives of the innocence in this dark land, to purge the wickedness and send the darkness from whence it came and to use your great inferno

to purge all the wicked in the tyranny of wicked souls you watch as your lantern begins to shake as it gets larger and larger and larger

the latch door on the front swings open as you see an ember small flame begin to ignite in the middle it grows and grows and grows you look forward and you see that this is not just your lantern but a doorway

Garrick slithers around on the stone outcrombes he looks down at you and profile shot you see the one blinking on half red half gold walk forward and let the flames consume what is rightfully there as you see as he steps around and slowly turns his back to you and climbs down off of the rocky outcropping looming over the lantern the doorway open in front of you a rain of ash falling down around you and the flames a gateway

as he does this I realize that I'm no longer afraid as this is really happening or If it's a fever dream after death, I don't frankly care. I believe it. I'm going to get off my knees standing before him, and I'll step several paces forward. Fire Lord, I am no longer afraid, and I'll step a few more paces. Garrick's grant me the power to destroy. And then I'm going to step through.

You step through. The lantern. You feel heat overtake you, a burning, searing heat. The pain is almost intolerable as you scream and you feel your flesh burning around you. And for a moment you feel that you have made the wrong choice. And then a warmth in your very soul as your flesh begins to reshape. And though you're the same yellow color that you'd been before, as you move your scales, from side to side, and the light you see a faint hint of gold and red

as it moves along your body. And as you step forward out of the flames, you step back into the amber temple looking at your friends, a burst of sunlight, radiates out from you. Stradonia reels backwards. You can see the flesh on her face, singed. Oh, fuck. And she screams and runs into the darkness.

All of you. Now find yourselves in a dark, shadowy room alone. Victoria. What happened? Friend of the devoted woman. Tell me. What would you do

with renewal? You see nothing but one open eye in the darkness. What is this? Greathed in flame. What is this? And so.

My question. Are you many things that I've done, I suppose? I don't know. I would get out of here, out of this land. Bring as much joy as I can on my way out, never look back. You see, as the eye slowly blinks before you. Walk forward and let the flames consume what is rightfully theirs. And you see as a circle of pure blackness open.

up. Do you walk forward? What else do I see? Is that all? Is that all? Is that all the lackness all around in this one slowly blinking eye, reads and flame? Look around. I just kind of can't look everywhere around me and see if I can see anything else.

The show one? Yes. Okay. I must move forward. I'll walk towards it. You step forward and immediately you hear a sharp intake of breath. Is dragon's breath consumed you? consumed you. You feel

the pain as your body is being burned alive, your skin rendered, you can smell your hair turning to ash around you. And you're horrified, you're afraid until you feel it. The warmth in your very soul. You spill out under the floor of the amberton.

You look around. Sarnax is standing in the middle, flames undulating from him. His eyes, pure gold, as he is channeling the power of Garrick's. You are no longer evil. It's happened. Kana, you find yourself in darkness.

A lone blinking eye breathed in flame. Friend of the devoted woman, of the flames of renewal. What would you do with it? I'd repent for all the wrong I've done, for all the dishonor I've brought on my family. In all the regrets, I would wash away, cleansed by my own waters. and regain the faith and trust of my friends

and those that have cast me out water will not wash away the evil in your soul that the fires will incinerate it walk forward and let the flames consume what is right from there I remember the

conversation I had with Sarnax in the field and I walk forward You hear the sharp intake of breath as you're consumed by dragging fire. The pain, the anguish as you're spiraling through agony. As you spill out onto the floor, the warmth in your soul, you look to your side in Victoria's staring in wonder at sarnax as these undulating flame, his scales shifting from yellow to gold to red.

Clayton, you find yourself in this dark room. One blinking eye. Friend of the devoted woman, what would you do with renewal? Am I still evil? That was my question. You were not. Are you, are you garris? You stand naked before a god, and as you look down, you see that you are naked,

just as you are born, just as you will decay, bathe in the flames and be reborn anew. chance to be renewed. I would you do. I would renew. I need to to fix this. I've brought great doom to the expedition. I don't care anymore.

Damn the expedition to hell. I need to save these people that are brought into this land. I need to remove this curse that now lies within my blood. I need to save my family. I need to save my family. I need to save my daughter, please, I will do anything.

Walk forward, let the flames consume what is rightfully theirs. And I just, I can go for it. You walk into the dragon's breath. And as you tumble through agony and pain, the flames of renewal, singeing away the evil that it infiltrated your soul, you spill out onto the floor of the Amber Temple. Kana, the heat around you is so strong now. You're sweating profusely to both stare up at sardis and awe. Shepherd seems to be frozen in a moment in time.

Shepherd, you find yourself walking through a strange place. The stone beneath your feet is singed. As you look up, you see one blanket eye wreathed in flame. You stand a naked before a god, just as you were born, just as you will die. Bays in the flames and be reborn anew. Shepard, friend of Sarnax. You are devoted to me. What would you do with renewal?

Am I evil? You went out? You said Sarnax. He is here. What would you do with Greenville? I have to save Sarnex. I have to save them. I don't know what I did.

I don't know what happened. I had a choice, and I made the wrong one. Are you Garris? You hear slithering all around you, you feel a shadow over your back. Do you turn around? It's hard not to. I start to probably take a peek.

Turn around and you see an open mall, sharp teeth. Smoke slowly starting to billow out in an undulating ember deep within. Feel the hot breath of the dragon god against your face. Walk forward and let the flames consume what is rightfully theirs. I'll do anything. If this is my punishment, I deserve it. I'll do it. I'm sorry.

Just think about sarnax and save him. And I go the direction that I'm being able to. You step forward and immediately blasted by dragon's breath. You tumble through agony and pain, feeling your skin singed away. You tumble out onto the ground. That pit of warmth in your stomachs. You look up as Sarnax embodying the avatar of Garrick's undulates with magic around him. All of you no longer evil.

Stradanya against the wall, cowering in the shadows and fear. We're all level ten. So I look around as I'm doing this. Do I see her cowering? You do see her cowering. However, you feel sarnax, the magic within you. As you look around at your friends, these bursts of energy, you realize coming from you, pulling them in, pulling them in to the light of Gareks, washing away the evil that had tainted their souls. As you begin to feel your chest rise and fall slowly, the magic around you fading, though your scales still seem to glint from red to gold.

to yellow. You no longer have the golden eyes and bursts of light. Tradanya begins to move a little bit as she sees the magic fade from you. You feel your lantern shake and jolt in your hand. And it's almost uncontrollable as you grab it and you look in

as out of the ashes unfurls a red and gold dragon wormling. You might want to read your best. So we're going to take a take. some time to level up really quickly. Can I do it be able to sit still now? I've upgraded vestiges

so they've got to see what those do. And then they're going to, they get to deal with what's happening with Stradanya. Do you about doing my hands? I'm officially disciple Garex forever. Forever. Garex owns my soul.

You also do not succumb. You have died, but you do not succumb to the death rules per what we had decided. Yes. Benevolency. Not this time. Not this time. We are temporarily saved.

Are we clothed again? You are, and we're only naked in the realm of Garrett. Can we take our clothes off? Can I roll a take clothes off? Are you playing Peggy in this campaign? Why are you always naked? I want to manage on persuasion rolls against Trinania because she's naked. I want to be on my hands and knees having fallen out of whatever hell, no, heavenly awesome portal.

I fell out of. Yeah. I think we're all just like face down on the ground except for Mr. Garrick Sarnax over here. Are we all like normal and okay? You now look up, Shepherd.

I think just come out of this realm of Garrick's. As you stare up at Sarnax as the flames slowly start to to undulate inward, into him. This is lantern ignites,

illuminating you all in the warmth of the glow of Garrids. Shredonia brights herself as she stands against the wall. Flames no longer pushing her back. She doesn't say anything. She looks at all of you, and then it's Sarna Hooks. Begone, creature of the night. You have no true power in true daylight. You will be purged by fire.

but it is not on this day. Destruction and renewal will come for you. You're so boring. You're right. I don't really want to get a ten today. It is not for lack of power. It is for lack of desire. I have other business to attend to. And you hear she listens. I'll be around if you meet me. And she starts to walk along the edge of the room.

As you see, she begins to shift and change, her limbs stretching out fur appearing where her porcelain skin had previously been, she shifts into a bat larger than you'd expected, grotesque almost, as she begins to fly up and around, skirting along the light into the shadows. But she doesn't seem to fly towards the action. She flies up and out through a small hole you hadn't seen before. Sorenx, you're alive. Oh my God, Sornex! I'm so sorry! Is this real? I don't know.

Yes, this is the power of flame. The power of dragons fire. I'm so sorry. I'll let you down. How can I repent for any of it? any of us. How can any of us? I led you all into damnation. Do I still have horrible skeleton dragoners? Yeah.

Oh, I type... Yeah, no, you still don't have your eyes. Am I so free of iron? You are not. Yeah. I'm sorry, next. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Shepard, as I said before,

it was my duty to light your path. and I lit it towards the darkness who have nothing to apologize for my friend. I stumbled. I couldn't stay true. But I saw Garrett. I saw him. I know.

It was glorious, was it not? I don't have words. He hears us. He sees us. And we walk beneath his great dragon shadow. The visions I have seen in the flames will come to pass. Castle Ravenloff will burn. We will not die here.

We will not turn to darkness here. It will get far worse before it gets any better. But Shredania is scared. I can sense it. Well, yes, we, my resolve is renewed. Thanks to the power of the fire lord. this who is this

and I gesture to the it's like a fire element is it like a fiery it's made of fire right inside of your lantern you see a small red and gold dragon worm

will live there always but you can release it from the lantern once a day for an hour or once every short rest for an hour but it's always in there curling inside of the little skull

and moving around breathing flame because I'm so I'm picturing it whatever you want And I was like a question. Yes. Those of us who went through Garrix's renewal first, when we were out, what did we see from the others? They were just frozen.

They were, anyone who hadn't been in it yet was frozen in place. And Stradonia seemed to be frozen as well. And we did not hear them talking or doing anything. Okay, got it. And all that you saw around you were ashes falling from the sky. How do we fix you? How do we fix you, guys? No.

I said I'd protect everyone, and I couldn't do it. Well, we won't go anywhere near those sarcophagi. Yes, we know now a day old. We have a sense of back. We've got to fix Kana. Can you still see? I can see fine. I just look like...

We will make all of this right. I promise each and every one of you. We will make this right. We will burn this temple to the ground. Is at this moment that you hear a loud clattering noise coming from, from the hallway to the side. We actually should get the map. Oh, yeah.

Oh, prickles. So let's inconvenience everyone can be a really large map up. The map that is larger than our six by four table. Yeah. Large map dropping time. I will turn to everyone. And I will say, you hear a loud commotion coming from the stairwell off to the side.

Oh. Who goes there? Yeah, I draw both my weapons. Get out of P.S. Trinaga. Is it her again? You continue to hear it sounds like running tons and tons of feet.

Hundreds of feet. Echoing down the stairwell. Like coming down to us? Yes. Let's get a next room. Everyone be ready. We need to hide. In the room.

Yeah, so we'll dive into the one where the flying furniture was and try to bar ourselves in. You didn't, you guys didn't kill the poltergeist, did you? Oh, yeah. I remember I just... Oh, yeah. Oh, right.

I got lucky. He got like three shots on it. It's insane. We blew it apart. And you just shut the door behind you? Yeah, we're going to shut it and bar the door. A moment passes to a minute. You hear footsteps,

running down the hallway and then a loud, crap. It's two loud cracking. Cracking like bone or cracking like metal or... Amber? Amber. That shooting a lot. You don't want to get found in here. What?

What is there? What if it's Von Grypton and Esmeralga? What, a hundred of them? What if there are creatures facing them? I had to consider that. I don't necessarily want to get overrun at this moment. But if we got to go out there and take a look, we could... Professor, can you see beyond this door?

Yes, yes, please. Let me find that from. It sounds like it's echoing throughout the entire chamber. Okay, it's not like on the door. Sorry, hold on. It's not like someone's like trying to crack the door open. Okay. You heard running past you and then loud cracking.

Here we'll open up. I'll see a little bit of bat fur and I'll say, Ocunus and I will, a arcane eye will appear. And... Where? In the room. probably right here right outside the door or no, we're going to send it through.

And I am going to, I only go through doors. No, we can crack the door. But please crack the door. All right, ready to go? And it is invisible. I don't know if it matters. I will send the eye out. Not for things.

It's your sight. I will send the eye out and I will take it over the door behind the door. Show me where the eyes gone. I'm guessing straight out here. Yeah, so it's going to go out there. And hearing cracking, I'm going to send it. was for what we're going to do. I'm going to send it straight down the hallway to the room, the open room with these sarcophagus.

You channel your magical abilities. All of you watch, as you see, Clinton's eyes roll back as he begins to look through the arcane eye that he's formed. He sends it down the hall. You see things from this vantage point, and it's strange. Everything feels so much larger from this. one eyeball as you send it down the hallway, stairs into the room and you see nothing. Slowly move it in. You see two figures.

I don't know where they went. You're supposed to know the other one who's traveling with them all the time. Yes, well, you know, when you're as good as I am and everything, I knew they would be there. Well, obviously, you didn't know they were going to be there. And you see two people, Esmeralda and Von Richter. arguing over two ruined amber sarcophagy. My pupil and I always will come back. It's them, let's go.

And I open the door. Oh, actually, that's Marauda. And we'll run up to... You hear the noises. It sounds like hundreds of footsteps. As Von Richton moves into the doorway, and you see what looks like hundreds of von Rectons, undulating and moving.

Oh, just you. And he shakes his jacket and you see as they all form into one. Wow. Where have you been? Why have you been? Who was stuck in the sarcophagus? We broke two of them. Which ones have we released?

You're welcome. Tell me your thanks. Wait. So, how are they feeling? Powerwise. You no longer have the dark gift. Oh, Barretted. Oh, my God.

I feel a little bit of chilliness in my hands. I'm like, it's so good to see you. We, uh, as you can probably tell, we've, uh, made some mistakes. Yes. Why, why did you, why did you summon us? Is there, is there, how, how did you find each other?

I was flying on telling you about this place. And then I got my invitation to dinner and I was interested. Then I found out that someone was here and he turns and he turns and he, looks into the room and you see as Marelda leaning up against the wall she's standing on top of the ruins of the amber from one of the sarcophagi as she's

cleaning out her nails. She pretends like she doesn't even hear what he's saying and she looks around. How did you destroy them? Well, with quick shatter spell, it's not so hard. We can do it. The amber, you see. We can fix you guys, we can do it.

To destroy all of them. How did you know to do that? Have you... Well, you know, sometimes before you go into places of immense power you do your research I would think someone has learned as Professor Azran here would have done the same We thought you were already here we were trying to get ahead of you and catch up No you see um Esmeralda here got herself caught in a bind So I quickly made my way out to free the scamp Then I heard your message could not respond

the time given the situation. You see as he looks back and once again he gives her a glare but she just cleaned her nails. Did you release the evil creatures that were being binded to these sarcophagi? Well, I sure hope not. We don't know for sure. No, we don't.

I'm so sorry, everyone. I accepted the first stark gift in my mind. It was overcome. But my guess, I encourage you. We should go destroy the others. Yes, please. You should. Professor, do not beat yourself up so much.

The cold and the darkness here can affect all of our minds to lead us to foolishness and even to wickedness. It can corrupt a being of light and good, such as the abbot, What folk do we mere mortals have? And he makes a mean breakfast by you save so. I want to go up to the ruins of the one that was already destroyed. I'm assuming that that's what this is in the third room.

So you destroyed these two, and I'll point at the ones that were there. One and two, yes. This one was already destroyed. I want to kind of dig through to see if I can investigate how it was destroyed. No investigation. Hmm. Um. Should be big.

looking through it it's hard to really the shards of it are so broken it's it's hard to tell if it was hit with something or if it was a magical ability it looks the shards of it looked nearly identical to those

that Van Richten and Esmeralda had destroyed must have been destroyed by magic or can we destroy it with our brain strong enough I don't see why not but I don't think this lad over here is going to have the chance

to take one down with his mere muscles. I should tell the rest of you that you probably know more about this place than the rest of us, but in that room what I learned, the answer that I gave was not truthful. In my madness, I was driven to be deceitful to trick you both. We all work. We all work. This sock. Each one of these sarcophagi contains an elder.

rich evil being a dark spot of existence and they were being trapped in each one would be placed in a sarcophagus and eternally bound and kept here protected

and all of everything that we've encountered so far it's all been at least perhaps the flame skulls maybe those were just old security systems to be safe oh no they're the schools of the wizards that died here. Yes.

It's horrible fate. So these wizards, it was they charged to keep these evil beings trapped and tombed. Oh yes, but as you know, even those with powerful magic can succumb to darkness. How did they talk?

Some killed each other. Some killed themselves. Really just depended on the man. Yes. Do I still see walking in this room. Do I still see the

bones ever on the ground when we came in from the top four, that they're still moving together? That was a different room. That was the first room were my name. Oh, that's all over there. My bad. I'm getting my rooms mixed up. Never mind. I felt the darkness,

the hatred and the evil within me the moment I accepted the foul creature's gift. But I am not even certain of the nature of such evil. Beyond Finnishness, are we not, it is a great joy to be released from that evil gift. But are we unleashing these entities onto the world?

Well, we need to destroy all of the ones that we accepted gifts from either way. Should we search the whole place and destroy all of them? for anyone else that comes in here and is subjected to the same fate. I feel like... Do I get any sense that there's evil beings around the... No. But can you sense anything? Now that these two have been destroyed, can you sense all their monsters amongst us?

Yeah, let me take a minute here. So what I'm going to do is basically take my hat off and concentrate. And I'll use fine evil awareness. I'm going to expend one ranger's spell slot to sense whether there are any aboricians, Celestrials, Dragons, Elementals, fete fiends are undead present within one mile

of me. Okay. For a minute. Yeah, yeah, you sense that. Yeah, I kind of figured. I do it the professor. But you don't get anything more. No, that's it. You don't know anything.

Lots. Well, professor, as is always, we are still in Borovia. So within a mile, there's a whole lot of evil shit. he knows which is which correct he knows like it's not the type right so does he

not have variations I don't want to be meta gamey sure I'm very curious um fiend okay I'm dead aberration yeah oh my gosh

there's so many pages yeah that's what you find without being meta you hear that and I tell you there's a whole lot of evil shit around us that is was my primary concern, however, Shepard. Their beings beyond the upper and lower plains, beyond good and evil that are dark, and I worry that these aberrational, this other darkness you have sensed,

perhaps that is the nature of what is entombed in these sarcophagi. Well, the bare minimum, we got to save the other three here. We got to fix them. I agree. Outside of that, I don't really care. All this talk is boring, so, perhaps, friends, I'm just going to go handle it then.

You can destroy them all. Shatter's spell. Simple. Can I come with you and assist? No, thank you. You do not have eyes under there, and I can tell. I can still see fine. Let them go, things.

Horrifying. Where should we investigate while you free us? Oh, you want to investigate more of this place? Of course you do. It wasn't enough to almost lose your souls to what was in this ambus sarcophagi. And then to lose your friends, Sister Donya, and then have to have myself and perhaps show up and save your lives. There is nothing I want more than to leave this place, but we came here.

Speaking of which, what was the Countess doing here? I think she was watching us, waiting for us to all succumb to this. She knew you were coming. She did. She's been waiting for days. Strange. Why would she wait?

Either way, I think we need to learn what we can. These would, from a meta perspective, did we hear the term like dark gift? Yes. And we have heard the term the term dark gift in relation to Shadanya as well? She received the dark gift.

We accepted these dogs. Yes, well, tell Paps. I'm going to go deal with this situation. She's Paps. You see Van Recton's face fall and she looks over at him and she nudges him with her elbow. Oh, you know. Daddy. He crumbles under his breath.

but you can tell he doesn't like it but he can see the fondness that he has for her. She begins to move past him. He grabs her arm. You will not be stupid. I never am. You always are.

Don't be today. And he looks, they look back and forth between each other. Let me know if you need anything at all. Of course, of course I will. But protect us. They can't protect themselves, yes? He nods at her, and she

slowly saunteres away. You see, she's walking as if there is nothing to fear in this place at all. Occasionally, she taps her feet on the ground and makes a small sound, and hears she hums, and her voice slowly fades into the distance as she walks away. Where does she have?

No, just sign. Wasn't expecting to find her in Rovia. Just to be clear, we're only in here to find Van Richt in the first place, and now that we found him, we get the information. Wasn't here. but we found you now that's the important thing

and we can get the fuck out of you no that no we cannot get the fuck out of here there's information here to learn to gain are you sure yes the knowledge that is contained within these halls we were offered a dark gift

we've heard that Shredania became what she is via a dark gift there must be records or information about these beings and perhaps there could be some clue, some information that we could use against them. And I want to kill everything that still lives here. And I believe shattering all these things as Amaranda plans to do is a good idea because they're

not, they're clearly still doing evil in these sarcophagia. I agree with you, Professor. If we can shatter, perhaps she's taken power from some of them, we can reduce her. If this was a temple at one point, maybe Sarnax can be. cleanse these grounds with the power of Garris. Perhaps. And if I cannot,

the fire burns away all malady. Ferret. Shepard. What did you have to tell us? Well, because that is... It feels like a week ago at this point. Are you sure you want to know?

It seemed pretty important based on the message you left us. Yeah, I'll send it to you in a message. Shepard, I've heard a word of the Amber Temple, a place where I believe Srejadja von Zorovic gained her power.

It's a dark thing. You can reply to this message. So did he just say that out loud at me? Yeah. That was it. Well, I felt like it was important. Yeah, it would have been, yeah. I do believe that there may be something

here to weaken her. My research shows that simply killing her, not completely rid this land of her. There is something about that gift, that entity that gave it to her. Something about

it. The tethers her to this plain. And didn't we get something from the Abbott that was sort of along those lines? Yes. Yeah. So even if we kill her, she's not gone. really just comes back and continues to rule.

All right, well, we should continue onward. And I apologize for my dreadful appearance. And I try to, like, tuck my denting skeletal wings, like, behind me if I can. You can unbowl them. Yeah, I'll just sort of, like, wrap them up and, like, tie them in a bow behind my bag. Did she, had, did we hear her, like, blowing up these sarcophagi? Yeah, occasionally you hear a crash. the fiends that almost incinerated me

are attempting to guard something within the hood of the statue in the other room. They do not want anyone going up there. Perhaps that... So that wasn't just magic. You saw like a being. There was a jackal-headed fiend and I believe that there were

and an additional five more. Do you know what it was? I do not. It seemed fiendish, but not any devil or demon that I know of. All I need is one look. Allow me to take a look. My eyes will go white,

and I'm going to send my eye out into this room. And I want to go up here and see if I can see anything in the hood. And then I want to look around and see where the fireballs came from and see if it was like a trap or I'm going to try to learn about where the fuck those fireballs came from. Which one are you doing first? The hook, the statue. So tell me exactly what you're doing with your eye.

So my eyeball will, okay, so my eyeball will begin to float down this hallway. It's going to enter this room. Yes. And then it is going to appear in front of the statue and is going to fly up into the hood, the dark hood of the statue. does your eye have true seeing? That's a good point. I highly doubt it.

It only has dark vision. That doesn't work against magical darkness. You've seen nothing but pure blackness. However, you can hear with your eye, right? Or can you just see? I think I actually, you know what? I should know more about my spell. That's okay.

I do this too. Highball grotesque or something. slide of only visual information. Yeah. You see nothing but pure magical blackness. Are you pushing it like through? Yeah, so I'm just going to push it through and just, it's going to like flail around. I can't really see where it's going, but I'm just going to fly around.

You feel as it's hitting, are you, you see as it's hitting and bouncing off of walls. And eventually hits and lowers itself into a trap door, really a trap door, a stairwell that's going down. down, down, and it travels along it until the magical blackness, the magical darkness, the magical darkness is down over there. It's a stone stairwell that winds itself in a circle down the inside. And you're facing the very base a door.

You can set it back up and back out through the base. Yeah, I'll do that. I'll do that. But outside of that, that's all you see. And I'll say, there's a door on the base of the statue. I just watch the fiend was guarding. And I will send the eyeball up to where, You said like there were slits or something that the fireballs came from?

They were like arrows. I'm going to try to like squeeze it through if I can to see. How big? Is this eyeball? I think it's still like one by one. Like it's small. It probably will fit.

It's just an invisible magical eye. I imagine like an eye of kill log. Right. So probably like a solid barrier blocks the eyes movement. Oh. As long as there's an opening of one end. diogenes. Oh, yeah. So it squeezes its way through on one side and you see, you see a stone walkway behind each slit, one green glowing flame skull. Oh, shit. And there were flame skulls that launched their fireballs. But she didn't see what was in the hood.

No, it's still dark and I can't see through that. Damn. What she proposed to do? All right. I'll just have to have. fly back down unless. Maybe there's a door at the bottom of the statue that you did see. There is a door. Oh, so I'm going to actually send the eyeball around. He said that because he's in the room with you. Oh, no, I meant, I was saying, like, I thought the door was inside the statue. I wasn't sure if it was disguised on the outside, like, where it doesn't look like a door so much from the outside of the statue, but there's one inside of the statue.

It's just a door on the back side. On the backside. I will send the eyeball around and check to see if I can confirm that that same door is A door on the back side of the statue. Oh, there's a door on the statue, yes. But no sign of this creature. I can't see through the magical darkness. The creature's probably still there, but I propose that we go through that door, see where it leads, and kill anything on our way.

There's a real good chance we touch that door, and all those things come pouring out. Von Ritton, what do you propose we do? Well, I propose. This is tough knowledge. I want to kill that bitch. So do we. But I also don't want to die. I'm torn, Sarnax.

I'm not afraid to admit it. I'm told. Do we stay or do we go? The way I feel about it is I was ready to get out of Dodge, as I say. But if you and the professor and kind of... kind of think that there's something here that we can learn that will ultimately defeat her, then we got to do it. We don't have a choice. Because we've made our choice. And that's killing Tridonio, no matter what it takes. Well, I truly want to end to rid the world of her.

We need to know what ties her to Barovia. Exactly right. And I think this place has the answers. Have you been here long and seen any... This is my first time here? simply read a book. We should stay together. We move around. Oh, yes.

We should be sure if we plan on traversing the rest of this hallway, we run as quickly as we can to where we can engage this fiend one on six. All right. So we let us know. We propose, we, I propose, we, we, we, we, we, we, we, we, we, we, we, we propose, we, we, we, we, we, we, we we, we, we, we, we, we, we, we propose, we, we, we, we, we, we, we, we, to the back of the stature by the doors, I would like to go first in case there's dangerous. If for any reason you get to that door and come under fire, I don't propose the rest of us

wait. That's fine, yes. And I'm going to sprint, or I'm going to fly 120 feet in six seconds. I think it's actually not, it's 50 feet. You're not going anywhere near the face? No. You're going directly towards the middle. I'm going right to the back where I saw the door.

Okay. And we'll feel when as Marilda has destroyed our second. cough a guy like I will feel my eye. You will feel your eyeballs come back in your face. If they come back. If they come back, okay. You might be eyeballless for the rest of your life. That makes me for some great things. Can you like detail how the eyes come back into her face if and when that happens? We'll see. I hope it's extreme like a

dietary break. I hope it's like a raisin becoming a grape again. Me too. I wanted to start as a very tiny eyeball as well grow into the socket. Yeah. Oh, cool. Um, so I'm going to sprint across. and get to the door. You easily make your way to the door. And then I will look and I'll say, I'll motion for everyone to do that. I'll run across to

you. We are all back here. Keeping an eye out for any more fireballs or any sounds of high-pitch noises coming from the... I'm going to give it a quick trappy check. Looking up, you're staring at the back side of a 40-foot-tall statue carved out of granite.

It seems to depict a faceless god. There's a flack along the bottom that reads, the god of secrets. You rolled to see if you could find, you rolled on the door, trapped. Yeah, 20. Yes, you're easily able to discern the outside of the door, and it does not appear to be trapped. God of secrets, you said? Yep.

So we get the impression that this plaque is referencing that the statue is a representation of the god of secrets, potentially? Yeah, that's what you would think. I do think that. I will open the door and I will say Shepard

I know I've put you through a lot but I propose that you lead and if we get to darkness without encountering you anything you unload those weapons into the darkness I will dispel the darkness as soon as we approach it you will have the fire and the light of Gerex on your side

And Sonax you follow. I will be in the middle. And Connor, if you can bring up the rear, please. Keep an eye up behind us. I will not leave you astray again. You have my promise. And I'm not going to let any of you down anymore. All right?

All right. And I'll reach for if there's a handle or some sort of mechanism on the door to open it. You lift the latch. You slowly move it open as you spill in to the small opening at the base of the statue. with stone spiral staircase winding up. Only up. Only up. I'm just going to look back over my shoulder at Sarnax and the professor and given up.

And then I'll start to slowly, as stealthily as possible, creep up the stairs. You slowly begin to creep up the stairs. Are all of you following? Yes. What is your marching order? Me, Sarnax, Professor Victoria, Kana. And I'm preparing. And Monrick.

Yeah, if you're following us. Oh, yeah. Of course he is. I'm preparing... Yeah, Honorekt Kinnana. I'm preparing daylight. The second, I hear anything dangerous, hear anything out of sorts in the magical darkness. Okay.

Can you read daylight to me? Daylight. Ba-ba-ba. Daylight. 60-foot radius. Daylight. Speared of daylight. It spends bright light for 60 feet and the additional dim light.

Pointer object. Dada. It light shines. I'm just going to do it in whatever area I see. If this spell area, overlapped with an area of darkness created by a spell third level or lower, the spell created that darkness is dispelled. So it originally

dispelled the hood and the the darkness in the hood when I walked by and that's how I saw the gentleman. That is the spell. Third level. You begin to ascend the stairs. You make your way up. Darkness begins to encourage you you.

You can see it to begin to step through it and into it. you are now completely shrouded in darkness. So you can use it when and if you want to. I was listening to what it did. I completely missed what you said you were planning to do. So I just,

when I hear anything amiss, like if I hear anything that's like, roll a perception check. That's a problem, then I'm going to do it. And I don't want to just book it and then we just look around. Oh, it's an empty room. They were all inside this fucking statue,

and we're going to have eight fucking fireballs blow up the statute. That's how old TPK. Uh, prescription, you say. Mm-hmm. Uh, that is. going to be a hot 18. Oh, which I'll take it.

Good call. We roll for the first time tonight. You hear nothing but silence. You slowly step your way and you're feeling along the walls, making sure that you don't miss a step. You each have a hand on the other's backs, making sure you're all accounted for. If you make your way up the final bit of these stairs

and spill out into, a room. You can feel the cold air of the temple, blowing in through the open face of this statue, but you are consumed by darkness. As soon as I feel that, I'm saying everyone get back down,

we need to back up and get where the fireballs cannot hit us. Everyone back up? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Cover your eyes. And then I cast a daylight in the middle of this. You cast daylight, and you

brace yourself, you do not feel or hear fireballs coming your way. As you look about the small stone room that you found yourself in, at the very front of it, the opening, looking out over the entire front area, the entire opening room of the Amber Temple. In this room is littered with random things, bed rolls, candles, scrolls, parchments, incense. And in the corner, almost miss it at first. It appears to be a bundle of rags, but as you look closer, you see the wizened, wrinkly old face of a man as he's shielding himself from you and from the light squinting at the brightness. Gold spectacles adorn his face and robes of a deep blue, but faded and tattered and sewn up in a few places. A long white beard.

hangs down to nearly his belly button as he moves around. What are you doing? Chop on! I am. Yeah, well, that's my only old man voice. I have my guns drawn. I point them at the old man, and I immediately huntersets him. Have you come to help me?

Huntercepts. I choose one creature that I can see within 60 feet, which is this old man, and I immediately learn whether that creature has any damage immunities, resistance, his vulnerabilities, and what they are if they're not hidden by divination magic. Okay. You see as this old man coweres before you, you come to help me. And as you look down at him, you begin

to see almost a shift of magic as the jackal head is firmly visible behind the old man's face. And our canaloth rests on the floor in front of you. A fiend, a yugalas. Resistant to cold, fire, lightning, bludgeting, piercing, and slashing from

non-magical weapons, and immune to acid poison. as well as charmed and foison. Everyone on guard, that's no man. What are you talking about? I'm a wizened old man. That horrible thing was in here trying to harm me. Professor, if he makes a single furtive movement, I'll kill him.

Kill it. I immediately, I unload. I shoot him. I do this. Roll for initiative. You will get a, you will get a surprise room. Roll for initiative. Am I down the stairs?

Like, I'm really. last. You're last, but you're still in the room. It was probably all able to like, nothing makes me happy than the professor would be like, go for it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Nothing makes me happier. Kill him. Kill him.

Do it. Do it. So, eucalof is a fiend. It is a jackal fiend. It is a jackal-headed. So a eucalph is a fiend, and arcana lot is a type of eucalph. This is an arachalph. You see as this old man is cowering in the corner.

And Clayton, you tell Sarnat, or you tell Shepard to let loose judgment and redemption. And you do just that into the face of this wizened the old man. Yes. I mean, oh. You get two rounds of attacks, so just do it all at once. Okay. Well, then if I know that's the case, I'm going to use my bonus action to Slayers pray him and then make two attacks.

The first one is, oh, not good, not good. Did you ever ride a plus one? 14, the first one's probably. You let loose one of the blasts, but it seems to shift in shape as its face goes from being this wizened old man to this jackal-headed entity. Attack number two is a 22.

That hits. That will be 12 points of damage. You added six, right? Yes. Okay, perfect. Yes, six plus six plus 12. Twelve points of damage. You blast, you shoot this shot nearly point blank into this creature's face.

All of you watch in horror as you see the side of this old man's mouth rip apart. His teeth spill out on the floor. He reaches his hand up, Oh, my face! I used my phone. I should cast a punch on his mark on him. Then I make two more attacks. That's what person.

Ah, damn it, a 15. 15 necesses Okay And then a 19 That was I'm wrong like garbage That's going to be a 13 7 plus 6 is 13 13

To hit Or not 13 to hit But 13 total damage That was unimpressive for Shepard You let loose Two more shots into the face Of this wizened old man As you see bits of his cheek

explode away His nose is now missing Victoria He looks up at you with twinkling blue eyes. You see tears rolling down his cheeks and holds his face in fame. As you start

to see him change and shift and the old man that was staring at you with a look of warmth his face elongates into a jackal's mouth as his jaw opens up and you see these decaying yellow teeth. He looks all

around you with black and green eyes. He is going to look forward at you Shepherd and he is going to reach out his hand and he

is going to cast lightning starting with you I need you to make a dexterity saving throw whenever the target of your slayerspright forces you to make a saving throw I can add 1d6 for the roll to do

supernatural defenses we're using lightning so we all need to we all need to Up to three, so I'm going to decide... Boom, that's pretty good. With a D-10, who else it's going to? Oh, for the special. I hold the 27.

Three bolts leap from the target to as many as three other targets. Oh, so... 27. Goals. Can I do... Oh, yeah, sorry, chain lighting, not lighting. That's all good. Chain lighting.

I succeed the dodge roll, 27. Cool. Decksy-me-through? Yes. Kana, Victoria. in Bonnercton. Oh, shit. I already used an dominole for this, I believe. Yep, I already used it.

You just shush over there, Miss V.M. Natural one. Got to get it. Roll Maddie's flat. I got a three. I got a four total. Sorry, what am I? You're rolling a deck saving through.

21. You pass. What did you get? 27. Yeah, you pass. So the two of us are going to take all of this damage. You are going to take half of the damage. Yes.

What kind of damage is it? A lightning. That's my favorite. I'm a lightning deep. I'm a lightning deep. My eyes, our two different going. One horn is. 42 points of damage to those that failed.

Holy shit. And half to those that succeeded. 21 is nothing. And that's it. is his turn. Cool. Sorry. I am going to say,

back to the darkness with you, and then he needs to make a deck saving throw. As I don't roll very well. Oh, I don't roll. You don't roll. Make a saving throw. Make a saving throw. DC-17.

He fails. He's going to take... Ooh, I get plus five now. Give him the biz. Eleven points of radion damage. Nice. And that is going to be my turn. You let loose a blast of radiance.

energy and he seems to be unable to shroud himself from it as he takes the full amount of the radiant damage. Clayton. Are you all right? Technotus! And I will firebolt his ass at a 19

19 hits. 12 fire damage. Nice. That's not bad. But is he resistant? He is resistant. So you let loose the fire damage and it singes the fur on his body but he's smiles broadly as the flame sink into his flesh as he takes a bit of it.

I'm going to move up. I'm going to make my first attack with my Aguena and see what happens. I'll use a bonus action to give myself advantage on this role. Use my last fighting spirit. It'll be a 21. Misses. I'm kidding. Yes, it is.

Woo! Ooh! Ooh! Plus five. Ten points of silvered slashing. I just want to see what that effect. So you feel like it only does have.

So silvered only works against things that like werewolves that have a silver component. Yeah. I just have never seen a eugel off before. I don't imagine. But I see that it's taken, it seems resistant to it. Yeah, so you see as you slash into it, it seems like it doesn't.

I do. My armor is a vestige. Not my nagina is not. I will drop my Naginata as a free object interaction. I'll pick up my blood sphere and I'll make an attack. That'll hit with a 20 lots, 20 less. That does hit. So you're using the sphere of Kavana.

Yeah, spear of Kavanaugh. Since I dropped it, this can't be versatile so that I can use it with two-handed. with a Nats of the D8. I don't think I did that last time. Nice. So this is plus five. So this is 12 points of magical piercing. Okay.

As you sink the blade, the spear of Kavan, into the stomach, into the abdomen of this creature, and you pierced through to it. You can see the look of pain and its eyes, and you know that this has hit true. This is the stomach full. Boom. Wow.

And then that'll be, that'll be by sure. Perfect. Victoria. Okay. I am going... I'm sorry, you had a question about your vestige. I think.

I was busy doing math. No, I think your question was, should I use it? So it is a reaction, which means that it works like counterspell, which means that you use it in reaction to seeing or something happening.

We were discussing whether I could like... We were meta of like what I decided to use after damage. I don't want to play it that way. I would want to do. I would say,

Not after damage, but once you know it's happening, or it hit you can get out. So if here comes a chain lightning, oh, I'd like to use it before you get it. Yes, it would work on. It would work on. Okay. Cool. Um, too. Okay, so I am going to raise my hands up in a dark swirling ball of energy will form and I'll cast it out towards him.

And it's chaosful. Let's hear. Oh no. Motherfucker. 16 to hit? That misses. Oh. You watch as Van Ripkin moves to the south.

looking at this entity and he is going to look around at all of you and he's going to look at Shepard well takes one to no one right from fiend to a fiend he's going to give you a bardic inspiration wait he's actually a bard yeah I thought you were kidding when you said that how much is the inspiration die 10 and you are you are then going to watch as he turns and he looks towards as he looks towards this creature and he says, you know,

I may not be incredibly funny, but I am devilishly charming. And it is going to make a save. Holy shit, I love Enricton. And it is going to pass, so nothing is going to get. And that is his turn. I tactic times.

Yeah, no, you do. The first one is going to be a 21. The second one is going to be a natural fucking 20. Yes! Yes! It's hot. It's time to fucking go, baby. So the Slayerspray damage goes here, and then the third one,

I'll just remember, the middle one's the next to 20. I'm going to use my inspiration dial now. I can, right? Yeah, very sexy. That'll be a total of a 20. That's the last one. So the first roll is just 3D6 plus 6, which is going to be 10, 4 is 14 plus 6,

is 20 points of damage on the first attack. Okay. The second one is going to just be this because the Slayer's pre-damage hit first. Is it your crit? This is the crit. Oh, it's MacDamage on the crit. So, well, I almost already rolled max damage.

So it'll be six, test four is 24 plus six is 30 on the second hit. On the third hit. 30? 30 on the crit. Yeah. The last one will be 11, so 61 points of total damage and three attacks. You watch as Shepard moves forward in both. by Van Richten

as he lets loose three blasts into this entity. You see as bits of fur and dark icker spills out from this creature as it takes every single one of the hits. And with

the second one, you see as its eyes roll back and it begins to start looking horrified. It takes the third hit and its eyes focused directly on you. Well, I didn't want to have to Yes, now. Oh, no.

It's going to look at you and it's going to point one finger directly at you. I need you to make a saving throw. Okay, I get a plus six for the D6 because the Slayer's phrase national natural defense. I need you to make, I believe it's a saving throw. Actually, my, yeah, it's a con saving throw. Yeah, I think I know of those. It is a 16. Tc's 17.

Hold on, hold on, eight plus three is 12 plus five is 17. I have plus three con You can verify me 8 plus 3 that's 12 plus 5 is 17 Holy shit I met it You did I missed I did miss in math because I'm nervous

I'm bad at math sorry You will take half the amount of damage If that was your disintegrator Or a way of death I was just dead If this kills you I'm really sorry That's why I was it Well it's fine That might be very confusing

He's pointing my finger at you And she just did that but I was like Two things. Take a thing. The Syngrate would have been really fucked out. All of my death. He's six points of damage. Half of that.

You take half of that. Oh, do we know what it was? No. Finger of death. Oh! I don't even know what that does. They set up that it's just... I don't know how the finger works.

I got it. I have to see the finger of death does. I am just going to once again, he'd make a deck saving throw. Like, sacred flame his ass. Ooh, not terrible. Dex's D. 17. Dix you say?

Decks may be 15. It was just like a deck to me. Okay, thank you. You're saying like 17 and 15. I rolled a 3, so no. A 3. He takes 15 points of radiant damage. As I'm just like, as I see like, wait, so how much of the scale is my biz?

Like, I know what I can do. What? Like, don't my scale. Your scales are still, you're yellow, right? Like a greenish. Like a yellowy greenish. Yeah. Yeah.

going to yellowish green, but it's almost like there's an iridescence over you now. And so on occasion, when you look down and your skin is illuminated by the rays of fire, you can see as your scale shift from red to gold. And so I'm just going to just because alongside

Shepherd, it's basically Pulp Fiction. And I would just want to be fucking Vincent and just like, um, yeah, Dimes. You do that. And he's blasted with a radiant

energy. He's looking nervous now. He doesn't look like he's on deck's door yet, but he is definitely looking like he underestimated you. Clayton. I'm not sure much how much more I can do, but I just let me shake glacial. And I will

cast a frost bolt, or not frost bolt. Ray of Frost. Uh, not Ray of Frost. It's the can't. Cross bite. Frost bite, thank you. Ah, that was pretty good. It's a con-saving through DC, uh, 7. I rolled at two. So he fails. taking

how about that? Seven points of frost damage. You mean cold damage? Cold damage. And it is disadvantage on the next weapon attack or makes before the end of its next turn. Weapon?

Yes, specifically weapon. And now you know I think it's resistant to cold. Connell. Same thing, although I think I gained something at level 10 that means. Oh, Oh, Marvel 10.

Oh, what do you fight a jade? 10? I don't know. No, it's a samurai. Oh, you're just right. It's a samurai. Tireless spil. Oh, when you roll initiative

have no use as a fighting spirit means you gain one use. Oh, that's right now. But I will next time you roll initiative because I just used all my fighting spirit. Anyway, that's fine. And I'm... Yeah, I might as well do that.

I will just go ahead and make an attack. First attack with my blood spear. that should hit. Yep, 21. 28. 1 to an 8. Holy shit. Huge.

Maya's pure child like joy is just something else. I love that. 13 points with magical piercing. There you go. How's he looking? He's looking similar to how he had just been looking. He's nervous, but he's not. He doesn't look like he's on Gets door just yet.

Okay. I will talk again. Oh, plus nine. Maybe 16. 16. Misses. Okay. And then I will just use my bonus action for second wind to regain some HP, and that'll be my turn.

Okay. You do that. Victoria. I will again, raise my hands up and get my balls swirling again. R. That's a really good R. Gels. Sorry, but I am.

Good job. That's why I do that, because I don't want to do something really all. awesome and then roll a natural fucking one. Did you roll one? Oh, yes, I did. You are repeating that of the dice. You're really convincing when you put your balls up. Yeah, I just do a thing and I do my thing with a thing.

I pull my balls out. It's horrible. And then you miss. And I miss. Woof. I'll just sit in my corner. My balls miss. Van Richten is once again going to look around.

It's because of fucking about it. You don't really need me then, do you? All right. Well, I'm kidding. Everybody needs me. And he's going to give you inspiration. Yay. Some T-10.

D-10. And then he's going to look at the Archana lov, and he is going to say, well, looks like you've got something there on your notes. Oh, no, that's just your notes. Got him. He's going to fail. So it's fine. Nothing happens.

Oh. Still a sick for him, though. Yeah. The Archamelov passed? The Arcanolov passed. The Arcanolov failed. I'm an attack. Wait, no, actually, that's not.

No. He got a six, which means he would have failed. Which is no, Panelov failed, so. I hope him found Rickton kills him with vicious mockering. It's not vicious mockery. Oh, it is. Yes, but I have to see. Yeah, you see is this creature looks down.

It's a long. gated jackal snout. And he falls over prone in a fit of laughter. Shit. From a meta sense, I'm not going to use this. If I attack him, does it break the laughter?

If you attack him, I mean, I get to roll him at an advantage. Yeah. Okay. And he's prone because he's prone, but all of my attack to this advantage. So. Because you have crossed him. Master, if you get close to him, you won't have this advantage.

All right, I'm going to go point out of his eyes. Yeah, hit his laughter. You're just going to coup de grace. Yeah, I'm just going to, like, basically run up to him and, like, right in the space. Uh, 25. Right, that, yeah, that hits. Uh, 21. Yeah, that hits.

Uh, that's a 16. That misses. That's pretty good. Oh, damn. Busted. 23 plus 12 is 35. So the first. So how much damage?

35. In total? Yes. Why did I let you clean this camera? How are you fucking wheezy laugh? I don't think he's still broke. Okay, um... You let loose your blasts. This is the first one hits. You see his eyes roll back in his head.

Again, and he looks at you, and there's sadness to him almost, as his innards are spilling out. And it is his turn Really dark And he rolls at advantage Oh he's not dead yet He rolls at advantage Yeah

For all the damage Oh so then Oh So then he still failed Because I didn't roll higher than 11 Wow And so this will be on his turn Yeah

I think he's just on his turn He's gonna he takes it every time he takes Damage Oh really? Okay got it rolls. But on his turn, he only rolls normally, and I got a 12, which still isn't enough. So,

he's laughing and does nothing else with his turn. Thanks, Van Rick, Dim. Thanks, you, Hoska. I'm just going to... He's got seven hit points left, Mike. Fuck! I missed my last attack!

Can this be purged by Dragon Fire? And I just, Vincent. His advantage? No, he's not his advantage. Because just he's prone doesn't mean he's his band. It's a saving throw. It's a deck saving throw. Come on. I need a roll of two.

He's probably disadvantaged on the deck saving throw with hot and laughter, right? I got a nine. 11 points of radiant damage. He's gone. You see his Sarnax kindles a flame in his hands and blows forward on it as if dragon fire billows out from Sarnax. He incinerates this creature as the fire catches on its fur. And then he dies. Truly a wicked creature.

That's great. That's really good. Tell us how you're really cute. I think I killed Andy. This smoldering body of the archela on the floor of this hemphole. On the floor of this statue. One fewer fiend to walk this place. It was terrible.

You don't think that maybe he had some sort of, troll over those other skull creatures saw earlier. He must have. Unlikely. Maybe he be allied. I'm worried if we had out there now, if we're still going to get fire rain on us, or if maybe they're gone too.

It's not worth the risk. We should rest. If we can. Let's us investigate, Professor, before we rest on our laurels. Yes. We will investigate the room. Roll a group investigation track for. Oh. I haven't done one.

It smells so delightful. Now I get a natty. Dang. It's autuminal fire that's burning behind two of our friends. 23. 7. 13. You die.

I got a 21. Is that tiny here, y'all? Damn it. Well, that was fun. You know, fun time. I got a nine. You also die. Nine.

What did you get my? I got a seven. You also died. What did you get? 21. You survive? 23. You die.

You don't too high. There's a threat to be up to hit it. You have to get a 21 exactly or you die. It's the coldly box. You look around the room and you rifle through the things that were here, as well as through the remains of this entity. And you are able to find. the small gold spectacles with pink crystal lenses.

They look to be worth about 250 gold pieces. And though everything else around him was singed, there are two things that seem to not catch fire, a spellbook and a robe of useful items. I throw the robe with my shoulder. I don't give a shit about this and I think up this spellbook. Who's going to grab the road? I don't know.

give a shit about leading. It's not my style. I'm just watching the professor go ham. I'll pick it up and kind of dust it off. Looking at it, you find there are a few patches on this rope. A bag of a hundred gold pieces. An iron door. Strange wooden ladder. A riding horse. An actual horse.

Birovia. In the road. A pit. A small rowboat. Two mastiffs. and a spell scroll of the movie. Wait, wait, like, just like, in the pocket? Yes. Like, she, like, looks in the pockets of the whole horse.

They're patches. There's patches on the roof. Oh. I was very confused. Like a fucking horse in the pocket. Yeah, no, I thought you meant like they were, like, they were, like, there was, like, a wide horse just, like, tiny little horse in the pocket. I thought it was. Yeah, there is. Tiny little horse right there on the pocket.

I mean, you're laughing, but it's true. A robe of useful items. Well, no, so now I'm confused. You can pull the patches off and throw them down. then they become the thing. Right, but they are not... Well, the horse is moving. So they're like animated patch, yeah.

Interesting. Oh, my goodness. Okay. I will start to look through the spellbook and see if I can learn anything about... There are multiple spells that are written here. Counter spell.

Fear, fireball at third level. Fourth level, banishment, and dimension door. Damn. Hold on, hold on. Fire fear. And fireball. A counter spell. Fourth level is banishment and a mention door.

Fifth level is contact other plane and hold monster. Sixth level is chain lightning. Hold on, sorry. Contact other plane. Hold monster. Old monster. Sixth level is chain lightning. Seventh level is finger of death.

And eighth level is mind blank. Wow. Wow. Joking Jack. Jumped. Did he doof it? Okay, I got them all. I got them all.

Could you read me one more time what's in the robe? A bag of a hundred gold pieces. An iron door. A wooden ladder. A riding horse. A pit. A rowboat. A spell scroll of moonbeam and two mastiffs.

Cool. And that should be an item. Yes. So in an hour you can easily add robe of useful items to your inventory. It's a magical. item and got it, you know, you can add those things on. No information, but quite a few powerful spells. I can move a lot from this.

Does the investigation role also include us rifling through the Eagle Lof itself? Yeah. Okay. Yeah, the investigation rolls literally anything in this room that you can possibly find. Is there anything, any information about the deity, the statue? No, no, just that this is a god of secrets. likely many seats in this place

we should continue yes it is at this time that you begin to hear noise coming from the room below you are at the back of the room so you can't see out

of the face of this statue you can hear noise footsteps talking it's hushed to read forward as quiet as I can and just try to like see

if I can peek my head out face of the statue and see if I can see what it is. Roll a stealth check for me. Is daylight still going? I think as soon as I would have banished the darkness, I would have just to spell. It's only a minute, too. 25.

You crawl along the bottom to look up and over the rim of this hollowed out head of the statue. And you're looking down into the center of the room where you see three figures. Stradanya von Zarvich. A man that looks very familiar. And it takes you a moment. I want you to roll an intelligence check.

Yes, it's just straight in. Ten or higher. That's what I'm looking for. You know, you know that there is a familiarity to this face. But it's hard to really pin. pointed. His skin is a pale blue ears pointed. You watch as he see hands back to Stradanya. They're communicating and talking. He looks afraid as he looks this way and that. And one other figure. On the ground, on her knees,

with Stradanya's blade pointed directly at her throat. Asmeralda. I'm going to immediately turn around and say, oh, we got company. It's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, we got to go. We should go now. We can't let anything happen to her.

We got to go. Let's go. How far is the drop from, you think, 40 feet? 40 feet. We can all fuck though. Uh, does Von Rack, how does Von Rack from react to this? Oh, yeah, you said this. You look as Von Richton, you see his face go completely pale.

And without a word, he turns and begins to send stairs. Yeah, and we will take after. Yeah. It takes. You follow your lead, Von Richter. It takes a moment. He doesn't seem to be running, but there's an urgency to him. You see as he stumbles a few times and writes himself on the walls as he continues,

and he's muttering to himself under his breath. And it's hard to hear. So you spill out. You hear his voice echo. Stradanya von Zarovich, what is it that you want? What do you need? Let her go. Don't allow this to come to blows.

You can hear a frailty and nervousness in his voice as he runs around the side of this pillar. I'm sorry, the statue is looking directly at her. You see as Stradonia moves to the side, her blade never leaving, never leaving, never leaving, Esmeralda's face. Her face looks almost loopy. She's got to smile to it. She's staring up in Stradania's eyes. She just seems to be bothered by the blade

at her neck. Victoria, I want you to roll an intelligence general. Actually, no. You don't even need to roll this. You... Great. It works for the story. It works for the story. Your eyes dart between Stradania, Esmeralda,

and the man standing to the side of her. Those eyes. Those are your eyes. My nose is your nose. You've seen your father every day until you left Brieg. He wasn't your father. This man is.

He looks at you and you can see the recognition on his face. He composes himself. He turns from you. Looks just for Donnie. Are we done? She turns. and you see as she clutches on to the bag at her side.

One side, she has the blade and the other, Tesmeralda. She clutches it. Yes, I think we are. You can have your sister back. Meet me for dinner. In two nights. She does not make eye contact with him. He looks to you.

He looks to all of you, and there's a sense of sadness on his face, a sense of sorrow, guilt. as he quickly turns and runs up the stairs, almost melding into the shadows around him. You see just as the moment where his body begins to disappear and turn to shadow. You see him look at you, and you mouth the words as he disappears. Shadanya looks between all of you. You are so stupid, all of you.

Just let me fly away. The sunlight is scared her. She is going to run and hide. I do not run. I do not hide. I know how to play games better than any of all of you. So, you have a choice to make door one or door two. And she slowly moves her fingers and lets the bag begin to fall.

You see his wriggles. And as it falls, she grabs it, and she's holding onto the neck of Arabel. One, the baby girl, and you see as she's pressing deep into her throat. Or the daughter of your friend, you can't have both and just know, I move in the shadows. One wrong move, and you lose them both. You shouldn't play in games you're not prepared to play. Bringing gods into my world, gods that do not belong.

Now choose. He left themselves, Ian. I said to choose. There's nothing else we can offer you. Oh, there were so many things, and you doddled, you took your time. You played in games you were not ready to play, and now you have a choice. Which fun do I take for my own? be sweet Esmeralda.

She knocks at her chin with the blade. You see that she looks up with her loving eyes. She is so infatuated already. She would make a beautiful bride to replace the one you took from me. Well, now, we could have a deal there, don't you think? You tell me where Tatiana is. What Irene is. They'll let you have them both.

Can I insight check? Yeah. I'm just looking towards the professor. You watch as Van Richten is standing there. He's shaking. You can see his eyes darting between the little girl and Esmeralda. He doesn't know what to do. It's a choice he's not ready to make.

and he can't say anything. Shaking. I rolled a 13 for insight. I'm trying to discern if she would actually hand over both of them if she told her. She seems to be honest as far as you can tell. No, my patience is running thin. You can make the choice now or lose them both. You should have left.

What will you do with her if we tell you where she is? No, you will bring her to me. You will not tell me where she is. You will bring her to me. Where, I like in your castle? We're going to walk right up to the front door? Yes, make sure you don't knock too loudly. I might be sleeping.

You'll do it. Let them go. Oh, no, we don't play that game. I will take them both with me. No, you will not. I will not harm. And when you bring me, Irene, I will free them both. Or you choose.

And you get one now. This podcast is brought to you by our Patreon. Become a patron today at patreon.com slash legends of Aventress 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 salt marsh. You can also go to the crooked moon.com

to pick up your own copy of our first published supplement, The Crooked Moon, a folk horror tome for Dungeons and Dragons, edition. And don't forget to snag all the extra goodies like dice, miniatures, plushies, a tarot deck, and more. Thank you. You can see that Arabelle is struggling. The outfit she's wearing is warm. She's got a woolen coat. It's a pale, pale shade of pink, a few dangles hanging from it. Her dress is thicker, her boots, a heavier material than they were. And she's looking at you with pleading eyes as you can see the color slowly begin to drain from her face.

Under my breath, like just loud enough for the group and the professor to hear, I just say, uh, we got to save them. We can't, can't make a choice. We'll bring her arena. Just, we can't let her kill them. If they cease seeing him in the castle, it'll be all right. We have time. Tick talk. Tick talk. So I feel she's being honest that she'll actually keep them safe in the castle until we bring her right now? It's hard to tell. I would say knowing Shredania, it would be hard for you to trust anything she says, but you don't know. When? She could be honest. When do you want her by? As soon as you can bring her, you tried to shield her from me. You tried to walk into my land and take that which was

not yours. And I was kind, so kind to you for too long. But now, you will know me, you will fear me. Rudolph, what say you? I've been looking for you. You see that the look on his face is pure volition. Oh, don't I know it? I will give you myself to release the booth. No, that is not an option.

Oh, it is. And I would do it if need be. I wrote to think about this. I don't want you now. As long as I have her, I already have you. And she smears at him, and you see as she bites into her lip and a small trickle of blood begins to make its way down her porcelain fate. So, choices.

We must take the child. What? We cannot risk a child of this power going into her hands right at this moment. We got to make it. I'm not going to make this choice, darn ass. Von Richton, you make the choice. It is your burden to bear. You will not like the choice I make.

What is your choice, Von Richton? I'll save my torture. This choice is mine. I have to save as my daughter. Professor, you know what must be done. So bad this whole time. TikTok, I will. Not wait much longer.

What will you do to the other one if we choose one now? What will become of them? That all depends on which one you choose. Isn't that have the fun of this dangerous game? Suspense? The unknown. Leave us one now. You will bring you, Irene.

He will free the other one at that point. Hmm, a scene I had not so tell. No. Victoria, how does it know, how does it feel to know that this sweet little child was delivered to my hands by your very own father? That he hid amongst the Vistani only to betray them. Just like you hide amongst your friend destined to betray them. This is not true. I will not betray them.

Do you believe her? I don't. make your choice, or I will make it for you. Professor. Let's not choose today. Tick, talk. Tick.

Talk. Tick, talk. My head is so weak. It's at your side, yes. Fuck. Do I feel like I could cast a spell without her expected.

She's fucking quick, man. Careful. It depends on what it is, and the dice will decide. She's fucking good. We're playing Dungeons and Dragons. Welcome to the game. She's quick.

Ah, dude. Shushy little devil. He was made to play Teetling. I love it. I would make a choice. I would like to be trying to like... Roll sliding. You got your points, right?

Have you used it to do it? I don't think you did. It's good. So, 22. Stressing me. We were make, and I'm just going to stow something in my coat, in my coat pocket, in my hood.

Let me just read this phone real quick. I hate that I have no magic, and I feel like I fucking have a son up my ass being like, uh, da-da. Sapping. Let's fucking go, professor. Pastor.

Okay. Okay. Say the word. Say the word. I'm going to look over to, as the professor is like reaching down, his pocketing, he's distracting Shredaania, maybe if he is. I'm going to look over to Shepard, and I'm going to say, whisper, the savior of doomed to children.

I want you to roll sleight of hand to see if you can. I cover that up. Okay. Slated hand. It's going to be a nine. I will say, if I make a decision, will you release them right now? The one you have chosen to save, yes.

I choose the girl. Which one? The young girl. The child. I choose the child. She drops. Arabel from her full, from the full length of her.

her arm you hear as she slams against the ground you hear a sickening crack beneath her she lets out a yell and begins to whiff her and cry she looks up for a moment confused she's trying to claw her someone collector please i immediately run forward to go grab her it will be all right child and i'm going to use healing word on her as as mara and then i'm so i took her behind do i feel like Trudanian might be somewhat distracted. No. No. You have made your choice,

and you heard the sound of crunching bone when Arabelle fell. But as you look over her body, you see no broken bones. It says you look to the sign and you see Von Richton weeping into his hands, crumpled to his knees.

It was the sound of his knees smacking against the stone as he fell with full force. He's staring at Esmeralda, this pure look of complete horror and terror. But it's almost as if he is overcome with an inability to move forward or do anything. So I will, in my pocket, I will reach in what I will say is, I also choose you, Esmeralda, and I will pull out a bowl. The top half is a semi-spherical red piece of gum Arabic.

Bottom piece is a piece of white. glass creating a ball with a button on the front. That's literally how it's described. And I will throw it at Esmeralda, casting resilient sphere on her. What is, so there's a range on it? You're throwing it from you to her. I want you to roll a, I want you to roll a dexterity.

See who's quicker. Twisted. Or he's a little bit more. It is a, you have twists. We have two. I'm gonna twist there. I'm gonna use a lucky die. Do you important too?

I do important for her. The old Wamba. Whatever she rolled is a three. And I got a a I got a 15. Can you legendary resistance important? No.

It's not a saving trail. I mean, ultimately it's Nikki's choice. It's a guy. But you can do it. But you can do it. just straight checks. It's not just saving throws and ability checks.

I guess this would be a ability check. Oh, wait. This came up. This is a contest. So I would say probably Raw would say you couldn't, but you are also gone. Yes, I am. It's literally whatever you want to do. Right. But in this moment, I am trying to trap her into D&D's version of a

football. I'll allow you to trap her. So you, sorry. You pull from your pocket and you talk. forward. This ball, and you see as the reflection of it ignates in Trudania's eyes, she sees it coming, and she is quick, far quicker than all of you. She swings her blade around and slices the head

from Esmeralda's body. And as her body falls forward, the sphere overtakes her, and she's held inside of it. I told you not to do anything stupid. that I was quick. Damn. Far quicker than you. You hear the burst of pain from Von Richton as he slumps forward and wails in agony,

reaching out his cries echoing throughout this entire place as you see the bottom portion of the sphere begin to pull with blood. You have made your choice. I'll dispel it. You watch as her body crumbles and falls to the ground.

Well, that wasn't supposed to be her fit, but it seems like a fitting end to someone who's unwilling to listen. And you see as she moves forward slowly, as her arm shoots out in a long case, the other shoots out in a long case. Her form begins to get larger and larger and larger until she forms into a vampire bat of preposterous size. filling up almost the entirety of this room. You look at her and you see blood dripping from the fangs in her mouth. She walks over slowly, one step, two step, toward the stairwell. Beneath her feet, the body of Esmeralda, she kicks it back towards you. Sails, a streak of blood smearing across the stone that sails directly towards you.

And in all of your minds, you hear. She did not have to die today. That blood is on your hands. The cursed Azraam. She begins to flap and fly from the Amber Temple. When she is gone out of the temple, do I ever feel like my gift was removed? Did she make it over there?

You do not feel like your gift is removed. I'm going to look at Van Richten and then turn back to her body. and I'll kneel down beside her and just place my hands on her. Don't, don't touch her. Don't deal. I would clean her. Don't touch her. All of you.

Get away from her and get away from me. How could you? How could you choose one life over another? Victoria, please. How could you make that choice? Who are you to choose someone's fate? And you see as he stands up, his body. is shaking. He looks at you and he spits at your feet.

This, who the hell do you think you are? This to choose someone's fate, you coward. And he pushes at you as he stumbles towards the body of Esmeralda. He falls down onto the ground over her. And in his horror, he reaches out and he looks like he's about to wretch as he grabs the head lying to the side of the floor. And he pulls it into his hands and he brings it to the body almost as if to join them, but it's still slightly

cocked to the side, not fully adhered. He leans down and he brushes the hair from her face. Please, please step away from her. You do not tell me what to do. He can't grab his hands and bring them into mine. He tries to move you away.

all of you. I know that this is dark time. You're so quick to make a choice. You're so quick to take others fate into your hands. Van Richter. She tried to save you.

She tried to help you. I can fix this. She went to destroy those things to release you from your curse. And you so quickly gave her life. Her fate would have been far worse had she left with her. Either way.

You. do not know this. And that, Clayton Azran, is your folly. You believe you know the outcomes of things. You traips your way to this temple, believing you know what will happen here. You know nothing. You ignorant, fool, you know nothing. I'm going to, as he's letting it go, I'm just going to hold his hands tightly and just begin to chant.

He starts to cry, cry, cry, cry. Pray, chant, chant, chant. And so this, it takes an hour. What is the spell? Raised dead. Does it, does it need, so how does decapitation affect? automatically fail. The spell closes all mortal wounds, but it does not rest the remorse.

So, yeah, if it was, if it's not a normal, if it's not an eldred, it's not true resurrection, right? It's not, it's not regenerative, grab-vangerous hand shit, right? That's what I was afraid of. Now, yeah. Sorry, Berks your bubble. Sorry, Versher bubble. Yeah. Well, I'm right.

I just feel like a dick. Because he just begins to cry over her. You're holding on to his hands. You're trying to give him what comfort there is. And occasionally he looks up at you and you see that spark of warmth. Is he just cries over the body of Esmeralda. So did it feel like my portent did anything? Yeah.

Okay. Then I will, I will turn to him and I'll say. It was a choice that had to be made. And we could not leave that child in Fla Danya's hands, even alive and unharmed. It was not a risk that any of us... Stop yelling at each other. It's horrible what happened. Why are you yelling?

All of you. And you see as she gets up and she begins to dust herself off. My life was not worth hers. It's my fault. I'm here. Yes, it is my. fault because and you see as she rifles around in her

pack and she pulls out the journal of Stratt and she walks over her hands shaking my uncle took this from you when you were with us he was going to give it back to her and I saw it in my mind and so I wanted to be an adventurer so

I put on my I put on all of my nice clothes and I packed a bag that had all of the clothes that I could wear everything got cold because I didn't know where you were going and I followed you. And then that man, the dusk-elf man, the one who leads the duskelf camp, he found me and he said that he followed me to make sure I was okay. And that he knew where you had gone. And he started to leave me here. And then when I fought back, he put me in the bag.

And he brought me to her. But I would not have been here if I hadn't left. If I hadn't tried to leave again, he told me not to, and I went that it is my fault. And it is my hope that she died, then you should have let her take me. Child, it is not your fault. I was stupid and hard-headed, just like my daddy says.

Well, he doesn't go me stupid, but he says I'm heart-headed. And it's my fault that you have to make it right. It's a good thing you've got a hearthead. You fell all that way. At least everything's all right. Arbao, we were trying to save both of you. I couldn't, I couldn't speak because she had her finger on my throat, but she wasn't going to kill her. I saw it in her.

She wasn't going to kill her. She was going to use her as bait to get you to the castle. She wasn't going to kill her, but I couldn't say it because she, she, she had her finger on my throat. Damn it! I'm going to bring her in and hold her and give her a tight tug. They just let her cry. But she loves it, Clayton. You, you shouldn't have done it.

But what I saw in her, which she would have done if you hadn't used that ball, was far worse. She was going to rip her soul from her very body. At least she got a clean death. That was my thought precise. It's terrible, but... Although I'm so sorry you had it with us. It was a risk. It was a calculated risk. I knew that if she killed her in...

the other way, Victoria could pay her back. It's as if she knew. She knows everything. I could see into her body, into her mind. She knows you are collecting the items. She's preparing for it. Why doesn't she just kill us now? She enjoys it.

Every moment that you look scared, every moment that you look sad when you... And she looks. to Von Rectin. When he crumbled in pain, the joy she felt was so immense. Sonics, is there anything you can do for? I'll step forward. I've got to cast my light over everything.

And I'll look up at At Armitoria and say, I, there's much the power of Garrick's can do, but not, not this I cannot bring her back but you can do that because you are powerful we could take her to the winery I am going to try I am a weak

cleric a weak acolyte a cultist who asks much of his god and I already died today and he brought me back but perhaps there is one last chance, perhaps his lingering presence, still with us, for one final act, and I will, I swear it, Fire Lord, I will not be so cavalier with my requests. I'm going to place my lantern down

besides them. I'm going to sit, I'm going to kneel down before the lantern, and it's an action. fire lord forgive me for my insolence for asking again but this is the last time i will call on your aid for some time a comrade has fallen in battle in a way that i as a mere mortal of your light can return her she will be a great ally in bringing destruction and renewal to this place i ask for your intervention and i'm going to use divine intervention What does divine intervention do? I need a roll percentile, though. Yes, you do. Oh, shit. Wait, wait, wait, wait, what does it do?

Oh, no. We'll see if Garex intervenes. Like, literally, the thing just says, like, the God may. It's literal divine intervention. And what I got to roll? Then or lower. Then or lower. So you're going down.

I will say, twist the fate can be used in divine intervention, just like I do it in Faywild, but... Oh. How many? You can blow all your twists, but it might not get you. 10 or lower. Yeah. So we'll look. 86.

Twist it. Twist it? Yeah, twist it. What's the goal below 50? You're 10. 10 or lower. It's his level. Oh, I'm doing my star next next.

I'm doing my star next. That's pretty interesting. Doing star next guys. Thank you, chat. 15. One more time. So, do you want to use one more twist? Yes.

We're going with my roll of an eight. No way. What? We said two more twists. Mike only did one because an answer just gave us a thousand. I was like, all right, I'm going to roll, and I'll let them use the last one, my role. And I got a fucking eight. So I'll let you use it.

All right. Let's see what happens. We'll see what happens as I sit before my lantern. And I pray. But only if you want to use it. Yes. Yes. Fuck yes.

So it's up to you. I got to get a yes from after. Everybody. Yeah. That's not my choice. I'm up for whatever the group decides. 100%. I was trying to help him with it.

To me, it's Mikey's choice. I'm with whatever Mikey decides. I will say whatever the DM decides to do. I think that is very generous if you would like to do that. But if not, you know, I will see what was going to happen. I'm happy. I am happy to take whatever the DM decrees. It will be different than what you were expecting because we're using my dice.

You move forward. You begin to do you. You begin to do you. to call on Garrix the firelight. Your lantern begins to shake this way and that. As you see, the avatar of Garrick's within begin to stir.

The light begins to ignite and undulate within the lantern. The avatar swirls around within. And where you stand, a beam of radiant firelight extends from the heavens of floor, consuming you and everyone

in this room. You feel the warmth on your skin. You feel the power of Garrick's in you, around you, through you. Begin to move forward. You can hear the breathing of a dragon just over your shoulder, but not there at all, almost as if Garrix is watching you, waiting for you to do whatever it is that you're going to do with the magic that he has given you. And as you walk closer to the body of Esmeralda,

you see as Van Riptin is holding her head, caressing her cheek with his shaking hands. There's a smile on her face, peace. She was happy before the final blow. He's trying as hard as he can to right the head, to keep it where it should be. You see, as he's taken one of her shawls that she used to wear on her hair

with the bright, vibrant purple. He's draped it over her neck to shield the wound. you see where the blood is beginning to soak along the edges, saturating it, but it doesn't seem to be bothered. As you move forward, you hear the creaking sound of your lantern opening as the avatar unfurls his wings and flies out and begins to circle around as myelda. You see as he lands gracefully on the floor, small,

maybe only a foot high, small red and gold dragon wormling. As it crawls its way towards her body, you see as it takes one of its talented hands, it rips the shawl from around her neck and flings it behind it. As it walks up to her, you see as its head turns from side to side as it blinks and looks, this tongue darting out of its mouth slowly begins to lick at the wound. You watch, you see embers, smoke, unfurling every time its tongue lapsed at the same, skin. And where once had been, the severed head is now no sign at all that it had ever been removed. The skin renewed, reinvigorated. Though Ezralda does not stir, her chest does not rise.

She looks to still be without life. The avatar of Garrick's climbs on her chest, makes a small circle, frees the flames out over her and flies up and nestles into your lantern. I think you fly out over time. That was... Actually that. Garex be praised.

Damn right. We owe you more than just one of our lives. You look down at Van Richten's he runs his fingers along a place where there should be a deep scar.

And you can see the large tears spilling from his eyes, but he's so choked up. He can almost, it's as if he can't make words. You're standing nearly immediately behind him. He reaches back and he grabs your arm and he squeezes it. I don't know what is that magical, but at least he's not in that state. And he looks up and you can see the painting of space. I think he'll.

I did what I could as a mere vessel. Well, we need to get her out of her. No. What do you mean, no? You're making more choices for people's lives. Not going to leave her on the floor of this horrific place. We don't intend to. I'm still kneeling.

I will continue to pray. To begin to channel the magic of the dark gift that still resides inside of you. You know nothing about this type of spell, but you can feel the shadows undulating around you, and occasionally the whispers. Use it. Use the power. Oh, God. Let us help you. You know we can do it. She's all the precipice, but we'll beckon her back for you.

And you'll shake your head to the noises and the whispers. No one else can hear this, but you begin to see his shadows swirl around Victoria. In the shadows themselves, faces ghostly, undead faces, lunging forward in mere screams but making no sound as they swirl around. Magic getting darker and darker. An array of pure white light shoots up out of the body of Esmeralda. I need all of you to roll a D20 car. So Sarnax would basically notice,

as spooky things would be happening, that he would want to stop it. But if it takes an hour to be, that wouldn't be a normal thing of part of raised dead. So part of her raised dead is it does not take an hour. Oh, interesting. I only rolled a six. I don't know what we're rolling for, but I don't roll well.

I didn't either. Yeah, I did. I don't know. I either rolled really well or really bad. So here's so we understand. There's no role associated with raised dead. This is something actual. No, but it's very similar to, what you had to do when you raised other people because you're technically not going within the rules of how these things were.

She had a severed head. We used divine intervention. So this is, I just want you to roll for it. Yeah, I don't roll for shit. I didn't either. I got it too. Who rolled the lowest? Can I use a port on this?

Yes. Probably Kama. Kama is now a 14. Thank you. Yeah, let's twist three. So maybe we got, we got a few? So I got on how many you were testing? I'm going to twist mine.

Well, what did you roll start next? I rolled on 11. That's above a 10. I would say at least below the 10. I'll take one. Yeah, let's do it. Yeah, we'll take a 12. So just two.

Thank you, Chad. Thank you, Chad. You're the best. We're going to go this far. We might as well see it through. I got 17. That's much better. Yeah.

Okay. What did you get? So 17, 14, 14. 11. 17. 15. Okay. Were you doing something?

So I'm unable, if it's an action, then I'm unable to do it. It is an action. Yeah, so I'm unable to do anything. So I do not trust this. Victoria. You hear just a faint voice of Sarnax behind you, but the swirling shadows around you are overcoming your senses as you hear the voice of Sakein, the soul hunger.

Yes. Give in to the shadow. you begin to channel the energy of the dark gift into this body. You now feel something come over you. Your personality isn't quite the same. You now have a following. You now have this flaw as part of your personality. If you help someone, you always expect payment and return.

But you begin to channel into this and thinking about all the horrible things that Esmerald has done to you. and how much you dislike her, but as you look over and you see the sadness on Bon Rickton's face, you know you cannot leave him with a life like this to channel the energy in. He sees what you're doing, he grabs your hand, and he begins to channel whatever magic, whatever power he has in his own body to assist you. The shadows swirl and undulate faster and faster and faster. your hair is blowing from side to side. It's almost as if you're in the midst of a tornado.

Her body begins to rise up in the swirling tendrils of shadow and airs, spins faster and faster and faster. You're all watching as you see her body, her limbs flailing this way in that blood, the blood that was on the ground, almost like a horrific Blinsky kaleidoscope. The wind is whipping it along the amber floors, creating these horrific. images of her, the blood that had been spilling forth through the wound around her neck. And as she makes the final turn, you see as her body rises up and she lets out

a scream as her eyes open up, it's almost as if she's in the most intense pain she's ever been in in her entire life and she screams out her eyes look wild, a pure, dark, shadowy black. And as she blinks, you begin to see the color of her eyes change. Her body slumps forward, and shadows lower her

to the ground. She stumbles forward and she rests her hands on Van Richton. But why are you looking, why are you looking so horrified, Pop? There's nothing to see here. I'm fine. You see as he looks up at her, he reaches up to touch her face. If you ever pull that shit again, I'll kill you myself. But he smiles, he wraps his arms around and he gives her the biggest hug. I couldn't believe that it worked.

Well, I do not mean to be overly cautious, but would you allow me? I know you just return from death. I guess I can say I know how that feels. Allow me to inspect you? I'm not sure if I'm willing to do that. I am a ghost. I'm perfectly fine, so it's fine. Do it have me ought.

Oh, that used more energy than expected. I suppose we should take it easy. Yes, I just wanted to freak him out a little bit. being paranoid. Why would you say you're a ghost when you're clearly not any kind of specter or apparition? I should have known that was going to happen. That makes you know. And I'm going to try.

Rudolph, when he's done looking over my body and making sure I'm not some horrific abomination, do you want to leave her? And he looks up and he looks around at all of you. Yes, no, I think I do. Would that be amenable to you? There's a teleportation circle at the gates over at Zolanka Pass that get us straight back to the Abbey of St. Markovia, and I think that... I think that Esmeral can use a date with the Abbot.

Wait, you can teleport. Well, yes, how do you think we got here so quickly? There's a circle. Yes. The other end is in the abbey. Dear Abbot, let us know that you believe that you're on your way here. And so when Esmeralda awoke, the two of us decided to head this way. He allowed us the use of his teleportation, but...

Do we have a scroll for that? Do I? Yes. No. I personally would like to go with the two of them, but if you think that there's still stuff we need to figure out here, then maybe Van Ricton could tell us what to look for. We need you here.

Well, I wasn't intended on leaving everybody behind, and then all of us go. There is actually something. and you see as he grabs Esmeralda around the waist and he pulls her to him you are not walking away don't even try it but tell them what you want to old man

and she looks around at all of you and she smiles at each one of you she looks to Clayton really quickly I don't blame you I would just say it's the little girl too you know I'm sorry the choice had to be made in the first place Well, you piss off someone like that

You can expect more choices I should have not gone off on my own Connor offered to come with me And I would not allow it out of pride I won't make that mistake again It's good Well, old man, let the note you want And then, you can carry me to the gate

I'm feeling weak And she looks at him and does a fake fainting motion He just chuckles and looks at all of you I believe that one of these amber sarcophagi is the one that Trudonio used to gain her power. If you could find it, whichever one it is, it might answer questions. Now, I've heard tales of a very powerful wizard that lives in this place. Do you not know a name? But he's hidden away somewhere in here.

He does not get involved in Stradonio. or the goings of the rest of the of the umbatim. But he is the guardian of the most extensive library I've ever had tale of the knowledge that could be in that place. I, you see as he kind of moves his feet back and forth,

would give the looks to, he looks to as rather almost anything to see it. A library? Yes. Is it here? I said, those words exactly. Well, he said he was a guardian

and that the wizard was here, but no, I didn't want to presume. And the tale goes to suggest he still lives. In some form. But as we all know, what is life in a place like this? Before you go, we should rest.

I believe we all need to rest. Yes. Well, Esmeralda and I will rest when we get to the abbey. wouldn't send word. You won't say the night. In this place, not a chant. Well, no, not quite in this place.

I'm not sure I am understanding. What if I said that I could make us all very comfortable for the night? You just killed my daughter. I'm not playing word games with you. I could provide us a home for the night. Safe home, comfortable home. You've just been through a lot. We all have. out of character.

We've been up for like a while, right? Yeah, you've been up all day. I mean, it's not like, I mean, I guess it's kind of crazy. I would say you probably wouldn't normally be sleeping for another like five to six hours. Okay. So it would be unreasonable to like go to sleep now based on what we've been through? Yeah.

Okay. I can provide us a home, but if you need to go, I won't stop you. Well, I'll leave that up to Esmeral, did she decide? Oh, I did like the idea of the abbot's breakfast. You know, it's great. Hmm. She did raise me. She has a nice ass, so.

We'll say, if you want us to, I want to massage you. From you, and not from him age hand. You know all my friends. I can't say it'll be the best massage, but you've been through it off. Yes. Well, join me.

And I would like to lead everybody into the let's say into one of these rooms back here. With all the shit in it. You can leave in the back here? Yeah, back there. Okay. The flying furniture rooms. The flying furniture rooms. There's a bunch of stuff.

And I want to close the, door and I'll say, uh, if you would like to stay here, I would be too comfortable and the rest of us will move on. Is that all right? You do not make any sense. I understand I just died, but I'm not stupid. Allow me to show you. And I will put my case down on the ground and I will say, Magnifico, and I'll pop open and staring down into it, you can see a little stairwell, very narrow staircase going down.

how did you do that? Is this a trick? I'm like completely dead. To be fair, we've never seen this either. No, I've just unlocked this ability. Are you going to touch me and do that weird thing? Sonax? I would just like to make sure you are well.

I'm going to like look at her neck wounds. And then I'm going to like try to get the sense of her like not being like a horrible shambling. You place your hand on her chin. And you move to turn her head. look at her neck and you feel her neck go limp. I'm just kidding. I just released all the muscles to freak you out. It's fine.

And you look. She's got a lot worse. It's the best. You look at her at the wound and there is no wound there. All but a very, very faint line. Or you know at one point it had been severed, but the avatar of Garrick's has done its work, the blessing of your God.

And she seems to be, as much, rather. Is your will is your own then, girl? Is my will ever my own? Yes,

it is. Well, tell that to my emotions. How may I speak with them? Oh, you are something else, aren't you? It was a joke.

Oh, I see. She is well. Oh, you would not survive on your own. Are we going down to that case? Yes. We will join

you later. Yes. Lucas will show you to your rooms. What are Lucas? He's my assistant, End Butler. Let's show you as guide you. Oh, right. You know, I've had enough today,

so whatever you say, Professor Asran. Come on, pop. Perhaps we can all go downstairs. Maybe we can have no more to rest. Just for the hour, though. Yes, for a minute. Or for a minute, yes. Even better.

All right, I'll show you around. A minute can turn. Could you some time to say. Tell me what happens. DM this moment, Rich. So I will lead the way, and I'll take my top hat off to get through, and then I'll put it back on. So we walk down a very narrow stairway, and then at the bottom is a door. and when you open the door, you see a grand foyer, foyer.

And I will leave everyone welcome to my home away from home. I immediately start taking off my shoes and neatly putting it into the corner. And so it will open up into a Victorian town home, a very large kind of, of round, or not round, but kind of a rectangular, very tall townhome. And yes, here's the dining room and the study in the sitting room, and you'll see kind of... Oh, Lucas. Thank you. This is a stone.

I'll hand in my hat, and you will see a servant that, a kind of a spectral servant, and he will take my hat and put it on... Lucas, yeah, actually for him. And there are a bunch of other, there are a bunch of other servants... Yeah, you come spectral here, not in a little. Please, um, take these two to guest rooms and please make them comfortable. Well, this would have been nifty a few weeks ago. Yes. Yes.

Really magnificent. Or last night or yesterday, it would have been useful. Or, you know, any of the last six months we've been together. Yes, well, I just gained the ability to, I've just unlocked the secret. I've been working quite hard. Through Gerex's power, I sold that. Magic is just great, isn't it? It's the best.

we're gonna go find a room then yes you want to me to follow as a weird invisible man yes Lucas please then I'm a visible man show them to their rooms are they all named Lucas no Mucas and Pugus

No that's Philip and there's Charlie there's Amanda and there's Charles and I just go off of the name all the different servants you get 100 yeah I think it's like 100 servants awesome

I'll have a whole list a hundred I'll have a whole list Charlie, please. Pukas. Lidway. All right, well, I suppose we can join me in the study, and I'll go, and I'll sit down and went in a big, comfy chair, and there'll be plenty of seating around,

there's a fireplace going. You see Van Richten looking as, as Meryl is being led towards the room. He's looking between her and you. Do I allow her to go on her own? Do I go with her? Do you need me? No, no, you'll be fine. please just rest.

You've both been through a lot. Good. I didn't want to leave his side. Yes. Not you. You can share a room. And he, for the first time, looks directly towards you. He runs over.

He embraces you. And you feel the hot air from his mouth as his lips start suckling your... No, I'm just kidding. I just want to see that face. I just want to see that face. I was like, like... It's a horrible nightmare. Day, no!

You feel the hot air. His lips are right next to your ear, as he says, I will never be able to repay for what you've done. It's wise. It's silly. We'll talk about payment later. He'll be back. He seems caught off guard for a moment,

but he takes his hand and he squeezes the upper portion of your arm. I'm Yes Thank you Rest now Yes That was good So well played

And he makes his way Down the hallway Following along Behind Desmeralda Pukas Charles Called him Pukas

And so We can rest for An hour And then we can continue Yeah I mean you're in charge I could use a minute or two, I guess.

It's like, take a minute to do it. What's their floor like in here? The floor is, there's like a nice, you know, oriental rug. Oh, I love oriental. And there, you know, it's lots of dark woods and kind of rich mahogany. And lots of kind of reds and purple fabrics. Channel 4 News is on the Kelly and the room.

Yeah. Yeah. The weather's on. Fireplaces are. It's raining. Well, I would hate to ruin your rug. Do you have a broom or a mock? You have the brings in a mop. Even?

I can't eat it. So I'm in my very sweaty socks and my room in my hand and I'll lay my naginata down. And as everyone is sitting down on all the plush couches, I will take a moment to channel my blossoms of the spring breeze as I'm humming gently to myself and kind of walking backwards and ruminically gesturing onto the floor with the soft bristles on the Oriental floor so it doesn't scratch it up. I will go around in a circle and create a ring of peace for one minute and every everyone benefits from a short rest.

So I can you use a hit dice? You use your hit dice and you sense the soothing, soothing of your souls and calming of your minds. So right as the breaking of your bones, right as she finishes, she's like about to finish. Oh, he comes Baxter now and you see one come in with a tray and it has a bunch of tea in like biscuits and it has like sandwiches. Oh, oh, no, sorry, Baxter.

I guess we're ready to go. Apologies. Back to what kind of looks at Jackson, he'll turn around and he'll leave with the tray. And that'll be, and I guess we'll short rest in that minute. I hold the broom out for Edith to collect it. Hell yeah. Edith will take the room. Excuse me, I only have like two, two, three.

I don't have three thing, but juggis. Yeah, I'm like, I'm about to be out here. I'm going to cast some major I'm trying to think of when I get that. Has it been, say, eight hours since we entered the temple? No.

Okay, maybe I'll not do that. Okay. We just have been through a point. No, it has not been eight hours. Because most of the day was traveling to the temple. Yeah, we both cast when we went in. The second, like, we looked at it. We look at it.

Oh, fuck. Thurkin's pooping. I'm saying you're probably sitting around five, maybe six hours. Okay. We're getting close. All right, I suppose, as comfortable as this is.

I hope you're all feeling better. So what are we going to be doing? And you look over, having forgotten completely about Arbel. She's sitting in a plush chair, her legs kicking back and forth. You can't have that, and I'll rip the bottle of randy out of her head. What did you have been?

You're tired. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, you said that they would get us anything, so I asked Carlisle if he would get me back. Carlisle, you, how could you call on you, maybe? I'll have to take this out of your pay. She is a peppy little fire. I'll shove the bottle of Brandy back in Carlisle's hands,

and he'll, uh, are you feeling all right? Yes, one second. Hyacinth, will you get me a cup of sherry, please? No, alcohol. Anything else she would let? Well, within reason, anything that makes sense, you bring a child. sugar of things

I'll bring this with toffee, please I don't want coffee They're quite sweet in here Tuffy makes your head go crazy I bring her an apple An apple No, why? You don't eat apples What do you eat? What do you want?

What are you forci? Do you have any vodka? No, no You will not have any alcohol at all That's what you think How about we compromise? She can have some chocolate quarters. I don't want any candy.

Candy makes you an inside. Could I have just what some mean side? No. Well, then what's the point of eating the whole thing then? No. Candy has your head go. You've been through a lot. I'm not going to be responsible for any more harm to any children

for the rest of the day, please. But tomorrow. Clarence, make sure that she's very comfortable, but no alcohol. Do you have a swimming pool? Yes. Do you have a swimming pool? Well, now I do, yes. What do you mean now you don't?

What's that? What do you mean now you do? Well, I didn't, but then I just went... If I made one. If I did that with my face, I may be able to make a swimming pool? I don't think it works that way You could try

Yes, I would spend quite a deal Of time to try It was pretty good I don't have a swimming pool You look like the professor for a minute Yeah, but just cuter She smiles at you I'm gonna walk over her and Neil

So that I'm like shorter than her While she's sitting on the plush On the couch I know everything is so fresh Still in your mind But you mentioned that your uncle stole the journal Stradania

was hoping to give it to him. He was, but I took it back. And then I got captured, then I watched that lady's head fall off, and now her blood's all over my dress. And now she's sleeping. The man that took you,

have you seen him before? Is he lives at the place where we live? Do you know why Arabel he was trying to give the book to Stradarna? Is you trying to get her on his side? I don't know what you mean. Why uncle likes Stradania?

Why does he like her? I don't know. Probably because they're both mean, but I didn't say that. Don't tell him, I said that. He would love me anyway. Would your father be upset? He doesn't. He's upset all the time, and he would not like it.

But I think he kind of knows and just. It's like it's not happening. You know. Because it just makes it easier for him, I think. And I was missing and stuff. Oh, no. He's probably really sad that I'm gone again. I, um, that the, the Descalve man said that he told my dad that we were together, but I think he probably didn't.

I think you're right. So he probably doesn't know that I'm with you. So he probably thinks I'm dead again. Oh, poor dead. Fargo, can you promise me something? Probably not. If I even gave you something, would you be willing to stay here?

Maybe. That doesn't sound like a good thing to make wine from. Do you, would you be willing to stay here until we can come get you? And then we can take you home. Well, it's not. It is really nice here, but... I want to go on an adventure. I got completely dressed up and ready to go,

and I even started on my journey before I was captured, and then used as a pawn to try to convince you to go to Castle break. Arabelle, you almost died. Why are you yelling at me? You don't yell. I am talking loudly. It's not... That's yelling, Professor.

No, it is not. There's a difference between this is a yelling. Please don't yell at me. Shh, it's okay. I don't want to yell at you. I'm going to go walk towards Shepherd and just kind of sit down and put my lantern on. I am sitting in a nice comfy chair.

I'm like to get up and I'm sipping on like the most delicious bourbon I ever had in my entire life. I'm just going to sit. If I let you have some brandy, will you please agree to be quiet and stay here for the rest of the night? You don't have to be quiet. You can't stay. You promise me. You yell at me and I told you not to

do it. I'm not yelling. I should apologize. He's just so now. If it appeared that way, it was not my intention. Don't make me angry again, or you will regret it. If I give you a small glass, would you have a nice sleep? You would... No, I don't want to go to sleep.

You're not to sleep, you... You said that there's a pool here. I can tell all of them. I can tell Delilah to go do something fun. Professor, you ever hear the story about the mouse and the cookie? Yes, I have heard that one. What story is that? You will not be a mouse, and I'm not giving you a cookie.

Did you just threaten to turn me into a mouse? No, I won't turn you. Well, I could. Wait, do you want to give me cookies? I could, but I won't. Wait, I told you that already. What would I need to give you for you to just have a nice, pleasant, relaxing evening in this wonderful home that I've brought you to?

Anything, just let me know. Fasa, this is ridiculous. Just give the child liquor and let's go. This is ridiculous. Give them. Let's go. I concur with Miss Isis. Northrop, one blast, please.

We defeated a fiend quicker than we've gotten this child to bed. Mirrors is a big bad. Norfolk will walk in with the brandy and for a very, one of those really tiny glasses. Like a tiny little mat. And he will hand it to her. Thank you, North. I will accept this gift as a lady.

And she like is still. sitting there kicking her feet, but she like fake curtsies. She takes it. So, what are we doing after tonight? And she begins to drink it. Bring us some milk, please. You all right? No, that was so poison. What do you mean? You won what you didn't even know you didn't have before? I've never had alcohol before. My dad is never giving it to me. This one's killing me. I'm going to step up. Why would you ever give it? to a kid. I'm going to lean down and say...

What is wrong with you? She's got you there, Professor. We've taught her a valuable lesson. Be careful what you wish for. Oh my God, my tongue is on fire. A good girl. Child, by definition, it is literally poison. Okay, that's what I said.

Enjoy tea instead. And your mind will be sharper. Did you know that when you talk to me, you sound like you're threatening me? Do I sound threatening to you? Yeah, I'm. literally just said that. I can understand why. Okay.

I have one request, however. Okay. May we hold hands briefly? Do we have to? She's gone through a lot tonight, so perhaps perhaps later. I would like to see. But if I see horrible things, that would be terrible for someone who's had to see bad things tonight.

I got a deal for it. What? If you do what's our next ass and you're feeling up to it, you're feeling all right. You can help us on our adventure by guarding the young woman and the old man. They need your help. We're strong. We shouldn't put us through that tonight. You can stay here and guard them and you're a part of our adventure.

Because keeping them alive is very important. So I would be the person in charge of the home while you're away? No, I can't speak to that. The professor lives here and owns this home. But Lucas is in charge. You can guard them. But Lucas isn't even real. I'm looking at him right now.

Lucas isn't real. He's not here right now. That's Temperance. I'm so sorry, Temperance. I thought you are Cuckus. But it is a very important role. Do we have a deal? Well, not when the professor puts it that way.

Well, puts it what way? He's saying that I'm not as important as an invisible thing that's not real. That's not. I'm a real person. you are, and you're very strong. You're going to guard Miss Esmeralda and Mr. Van Riptin. Deal? Only if the professor says that I'm in charge of the house.

I just kind of like shoot him a lot. You are in charge of the house as long as you keep an eye on. And don't consume any alcohol. And do not leave the home. Okay, I will do it. Thank you. We are forever in your death. Arabele, do you promise?

Yes, but only if you do one more thing for me, because you can make things happy. Some things. Can you make anything happen? No. Some things. I thought that you were, like, super powerful. I have some power, yes. We can't tell you all of their secrets.

I just can't do literally everything. I mean that. What do you wishful? Arabele, don't press your love. Perhaps I may be able to do what he cannot. What do you want to have? Can you make me my own bedroom? And in it, can there be a treehouse?

And can I sleep in a bed that has curtains on it, that are pink and purple, and have butterflies on them? And also, can there be a doll that's the same size as me, and her name is Daisy? Because I like daisies, and can she have daisies in her hair, and a dress that's really, really pretty? And can she also have a closet of dresses that I could also. put on myself too because we're the same size and then we can have a tea party and then can we also have tea in there too and like a little castle

hold that once let me check as I can solve Is that okay? Yes Do you mean that? Of course I, it's done. Yeah, let's go check.

Will you take me there? Let's take the there. Let's make sure she'll sit. Oh, is there a little tower with stairs that they can climb up into and feel like a princess in the tower? Yes.

Let's go to look here. Yes. What are you taking me there? Come on. Let's go. Grab the professor's hand as you go on your way. Let's go.

She reaches out and she grabs your hand. Sarnax and I'll hold the fort. I will lead her. And I'm going to watch as she grabs as she grabs Professor Clayton's hand. And I will lead her to I'll take her up the

top four. Stop. And there will be a beautiful bay window looking out into what appears to be the city of Brie. You begin to make your way through

the house. You look out the windows and it's at this moment that you feel her hand go rigid as her eyes roll back in her head. And she squirms and rise in front of you. She begins to start to moan and groan and her eyes

pop open. She grabs your other hand. I am so sorry. I am so, so sorry. It's not right. Don't think of such things. I don't want my room anymore. You said, oh, no, please take your room.

Look at how wonderful it is. It's just your specifications. Your daughter is really pretty. She has your eyes. I don't have a daughter. Yes, you do. Professor. Professor, you told me you had no children.

I don't. Can I stand? Yes, let's go to my room now. Let's go. And she looks up at you, and she takes her hand, she squeezes yours tightly, and she wraps both her arms around your leg, and she holds it. It's going to be okay. Thank you, dear. I'll run my hand through here.

You don't feel like she's telling you the truth. So there will be a little kind of The castle will be kind of like built into the room There'll be a little turret that kind of goes up You can see a really nice view of this illusory city As I view it And you can see the river and kind of the foggy city It's so beautiful

Is that my tower? I can go in there? Yes, this is all in. Can you come in with me just you? Not right now. How about Léva? Professor, perhaps you should. All right. All right. Please leave the way.

Okay, I'll walk first, but that's only because I have to make sure that all of the stairs are safe. And that my dragon, my pet dragon, that's here that barns my castle, is not going to hurt you. She begins to walk up and head towards the room. I'm going to send my avatar in there with them. You have to activate it. Oh, she didn't know it explodes. Never mind. I don't.

You would kill her. You destroy your bedroom, Andrew. I was trying to have a little cute pet. I realize he's an elemental being, anyway. But he is cute. I will follow her in the tower. She looks around, and it's exactly as she'd expected. In the corner, there's a tree house built into the side.

It looks Elvin and Fay in nature. There's a large four-poster bed with beautiful, iridescent gossamer bed. coverings and a small doll is sitting on it. Beautiful, not Blinsky make, but Azran make. And it's gorgeous and wearing beautiful princess dress, a small wardrobe

filled with dresses. And in the very middle, amongst stuffed animals and other playthings, there is a small table and chairs. One large enough for A. Clayton, Ashram. The other is small enough for a child with tea that's already been set out. And you

notice that a few of the spectral servant here are actually child size. They seem to have trunk down to accumulate the new lady of the house. Sit down and have tea. All right. I'll sit down. Is she like miming drinking tea?

Yes. Of course. It tastes just like cinnamon. Oh, cinnamon tea. Oh, that's one of my favorites. So you can't do anything to get rid of your curse. you know. Oh, does he still have to be with yourself?

Yeah. Oh, God. I had thought that might be the case. Yeah, and, you know, the thing is, I didn't see it the last time I saw you because it wasn't going to happen the last time I saw you. I understand that things were going. But I knew something was coming because you make poor choices.

Shit. Yeah. I'm silent, and I just continue to pretend drink tea. Did you know that your daughter? daughter is going to be amazing? I know she's wonderful. Why do you lie about her? It is a policy.

What's a policy? I do not speak of family on expeditions. So I did the bad thing by mentioning her name. I didn't say her name, but I did the bad thing? I don't know, but when you are in a position such as mine, you tend to make enemies. Stradania knows. Hopefully they're safe at home.

They are for now. You need to be careful. You see, I know something I should not know. You don't have all the pieces that you need. Madame Eva is strong, but she's not as strong as I am. What are we missing? You will find it with the other mother. You need to support.

do her some way. Stradania, you need to subdue her somehow. Seducededania or the other mother? There is only one thing. And you know this because you have a daughter. So you know there is only one way, one way to get to a child, a mother's love, a lullaby

that the mother wants saying to Stradania. The other mother has it. You need to get it. So we shouldn't kill her. right off. If you don't kill her right, the way she will kill you. I've watched it play out in my head at least 100 times. So we do kill her and then get the lullaby.

Sometimes. Sometimes you fail. But in all the times you failed, you didn't know that you needed to find the lullaby. It's foggy, you see, but it's in parts. You will find part of it here. I can feel it. Well, not here, because this is your home. but in the place where the lady died

you will find part of it but it is not all of it all right we'll find part of the lullaby here the witch has the rest she has the last bit you have to find a way to get to it to tell you you have to finish it we will we will find this yes we will and when you think that all is dark and all is dreary

sing it to Stradania she will not expect it you have to do this or he will all die. Thank you. Now, do we have any crumpets for this teeth? Yes, here are some crumpets and I pass her an empty place. And you should also tell your friends about your daughter

because it really makes you seem like a shady man. All of a sudden they hear from a strange girl that you have a kid and they didn't know. And also you killed someone today too, and you have really creepy wings. So, like, all of those things together, and I've watched the way that you look at bones. So, like, all of those things together are really uncomfortable for people who don't know what's going on. You need to promise to not tell anyone else about my family, to understand.

Okay. I won't tell anybody. You never know the aims of others on an expedition, ever. You might not. Their friends mean you no more. I've held all of their hands. Even the dark one, the one with the, like, really gross perverted soul, even her, she's still really nice and she likes you.

Well, that is nice. I'm glad that you could confirm that. Yep. And it's not that I believe that they would bring me harm, but you just never know. It's been a policy of mine since as long as I can remember. Okay. Terrible people will do terrible things. And corner people will do terrible things too.

That's right. Good life lessons all around. Yes. Well, why don't you continue to enjoy? We should really go so we can find part of this lullaby. Yes, and if you find the big dark powers, don't accept its gift, okay? No. I won't make that mistake twice

I've watched you accept it don't believe what it says no matter how it makes you feel okay if you feel pulled to it just think to yourself that little girl who now owns my house would be very mad

no too okay yes all right well have fun swimming pools on the bottom floor okay anything else you'd like to enjoy while I'm gone? No, I think it's okay.

All right. Well, I'll see you soon. You better be in bed, though. So I'll see you in the morning. You didn't say anything to me about having a bedtime. Well, just don't stay up too late, please. I don't know. Because my doll might want to tell stories, so.

Stay up as late as you want, and I'll get up. Thank you. Goodbye. turn. Goodbye. This was not supposed to happen. I had already won. First, they bring back the light of mourning to the Abbey of St. Markovia. And now the fire lord himself appears in my domain to challenge me and provide salvation

for the heroes who certainly do not deserve it. Where was my salvation when I needed it? Never mind. Even with Esmeralda re-headed and Van Richten actually happy for once. These all change is nothing. I shall not relent. The Amber Temple has mysteries and dangers yet. What could they be?

Find out in the conclusion of Chapter 11 of Curse of Stradania, Prayer for the Dying. In the meantime, if you wish to watch Legends of Adventress tell similar stories of Dungeons and Dragons every week, you can follow us on Twitch. You can also enjoy our many campaigns on YouTube, support us on Patreon, and join our community on Discord. All links are initial notes. We welcome you to our Ventru's family.