Legends of Avantris - Edge of Midnight | Ep. 27 | Senseless and Insensible

Episode Date: December 17, 2024

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Welcome to Legends of Aventress. I'm Samarius Renathir, and you're listening to Edge of Midnight. Here's what happened last time. The milk light of the moon that shines into this room is not milk white at all, but blood red. Damn, the gods, why is this? I don't know how much long that I can resist. So you're free from Virgil and your dreams? I don't know. Is that a key doories?

This is a dream. Briggs he is right. None of this is real. Oh, God. No. Where are we? No. You should have died then. You shouldn't die. How are you saying?

Oh, you're finally awake. You've been asleep for 24 whole hours. What is your name? Oh, Marie. It's spelled like Henry, but you don't pronounce the H? Oh. We are here to get outfits for the mask. But you're already wearing a mask.

How am I feeling, though? Yes. Well, it was scary, of course, and it took, you know, a full night for me to recover, but Philip was by my side. I wish I could be a bit perkier as I normally am, but last night I was just dealing with tons and tons of nightmares. Nightmares are never pleasant, although they are often memorable. And the worst kind of nightmares when you know you're dreaming but just can't seem to wake up.

It's that feeling of powerlessness where you just know something awful is going to happen, but you can do nothing to stop it. So what does it mean when you have that terror in someone else's dream, I wonder? is a dream I wonder, are standing in the garden room in Chateau Claire DeLoon. The dreams from the night prior still linger at the edges of your mind, but they're not at the forefront of your thoughts, or they hadn't been, until Adela and her bouncy state mentioned that she too had nightmares last night. As she leans forward and takes a couple of tea cakes off of the tray and refills her tea as she begins to fill up your cups, there are

There are tufted seats all around this small tea table that she's sitting at as she bubbling and bountily jumps onto the chair, crosses one leg over the other, and begins to tap her foot along to the sounds of a Votrola playing on the other side of the room. Oh gosh, I'm just so glad to see that you're all doing all right. Sleeping for 24 hours really isn't good for you, even in a land of,

of pure night, you know. I was, I was quite worried. Hey, you may have needed the rest. You had quite an experience. Oh, I'm talking about you. You slept for 25, 24 whole hours. A whole, a whole day went by. But you were not to sleep during this time?

Oh, no, I was awake in and out. I was, I have recurring nightmares. And I was dealing with them quite a lot last night. So, it's nothing I'm not familiar with. Plus, you know, I got really hurt in that house. So my whole body was trying to heal and stuff, so it makes sense that my mind would be a little bit damaged, too. Are you, like, okay?

Because I mean last time we saw you, you know, leg was like at the right angle. What I don't look all right? Like the middle of your leg, not your knee. Look at me, Bricksey. I'm all patched up. That's pretty cool. Magic, you know. If you don't mind's my asking, who healed you?

Is there someone who practices healing here in the chateau? or is there. Oh, yeah, of course. Sheila, perhaps. Well, Philip heals me in his own way, you know. He stayed next to me the same all night long,

and he brushed my hair for me. He made sure that I had warm food to eat and that I had drinks, and I was always refreshed. He's just the best. But no, if it comes to the actual magic you're talking about, of course we've got physicians on staff.

And because we've got the masquerade coming up, some of the best physicians in Edwardia. Oh, but... Gosh, you got someone who cares about you so much that whilst your convalescent, they cater to every need, never leave your bedside. He has to, sometimes he's very busy.

That sounds mighty, mighty nice. If you don't mind me asking, Miss Adela, may we sit down and join you? Oh yeah, of course, I poured you all tea. Thank you. We've got about an hour. Phillips out doing, you know, businessy things. He's a businessman, he's gotta do what he's gotta do, you know.

And so he's out doing that, and we're gonna have tea. And then when he comes back, we're gonna spend some time together, just him and I. It's a birthday tradition. Oh. But in the meantime, ask me anything you want, drink your tea, have some tea cakes. Happy birthday. There's some finger sandwiches.

Oh, yeah, happy birthday. Thank you. Oh, you spilled your tea, Briggs. Be careful. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, you guys. I think we got you set up for Catillion later today, so we'll get all that eye and down. I look forward to it. Thank you for the gesture. You're welcome. To make sure that we are as prepared for the evening as possible. Of course, and the masquerade. We've got some big players showing up for that, and they're going to want to meet you.

About that. Can you tell us who's on this guest list that we are so looking forward to meet it? Oh, too many people to name, but there's going to be at least all of the heads of the provinces are going to be here. And that include your friends, Maggie McDuff and little Colette. I'm sorry, Bricksey, would your mind slurping a little bit quiet? Oh, is that rude? I know you got the long snout and everything, but we're trying to have a civilized conversation, darling. I don't really have much. What lip I had is a bit rotten away, so I'm sorry.

I can see that. If you need, I can get you a ladle or something. No, no, listen. Gosh. Briggsie, you used to have lips? I mean, at one point, I didn't always look like this. This is the whole fucking point of my character development. It's really hard.

It's really hard to sip on tea. It's easier to just go down the hatch. Anyways, I'm very mighty, mighty, mighty looking forward to meeting all the fine lords and ladies. We're awful sorry about what happened to Lord Renault on account of us killing him. and account of him being a terrible traitor. Well, serving, serving mother me and that right under the news of Lord Philip and yourself, notwithstanding.

And Jericho, I mean, it's great that you're saying that and you feel in that way and everything, but maybe we don't talk about that at the masquerade. Because it could kind of damper the mood if everyone was like, oh wow, here are these friends of Adela and Philip and guess what, they killed one of us, ha ha, that would be really awful. We don't.

Were they, were they all friends of Lord Oh, no, but I'm sure that it wouldn't make them feel very comfortable, thinking that you just, you waltzed into one of the provinces here and just killed one of the leaders. Oh. And to be honest, I'm going to tell you, Philip's really busy today. Because the Iron Maidens here from Edwardia,

and she's apparently, things are going really, really poorly in Edwardia right now. And, of course, we all know. it's on accounts of Mother Midnight in a coven. But that's not common knowledge throughout all of Druskinval. And we don't want to, we don't want to spook everyone, you know. We don't want to make them scared. That was going to be my question. Do not fear we will not mention it to anyone,

especially during such a wonderful occasion. But I was curious how the other leaders of this area feel about what's going on. But it sounds as if they don't know. Well, it's not that they don't know. They obviously know that there's been a leadership change. We had to warn him that, you know, a little girl was going to be taking up residence as the leader of all the Fulcans. And then obviously Maggie McDuff was going to be there to help him. So there was, there's a lot to be told.

It's just what we tell him is, I tell politics. You don't need to worry about it. I'm sure Phil will, you know, catch up to date at dinner. So, um, do they know that, you know, we should have. Working for old Philly? Well, they know your friends of the Druskinvolds. So is it possible that, you know, they find out that we're the ones that kill all Renault, that, you know, they think maybe it was like a political assassination,

hired by the Lord of the Land, and, you know, maybe that'll cause some sort of unrest to strife? I mean, I don't know. I mean, probably not. I'm sure. It's definitely important. He feels got everything under control. He always does. And if that happens, Briggsie,

We can just say, oh, it's all a big misunderstanding. He was actually a traitor who turned into a giant gargoyle flying to the moon to hatch it like a fucking egg. Oh, pardon me, to hatch it like an egg. And on account of six giant demons, I suppose there were seven giant demons underneath the cathedral. And he was actually serving Mother Midnight the whole time. I'm sure they'll believe that. This is such a bummer of a birthday tea. Why are we talking about all this sad stuff right now?

You're right. Happy birthday! Good tea, Tis. Is this that dark, that, uh, Dajeling shit? I mean stuff. Oh, I can't even taste it, so I'm just guessing. It's what? It's all great? Yeah, it's made with the Berger Mots.

Oh, is this still some of that Lockwood tea reserve? Oh, no, of course not. Okay. We're not going to travel all the way out there for their burgomat plants, and we've got a roan in the back yard. Oh, gosh, okay. We have an orchard of all kinds of things. It's amazing. Are you looking forward to having these guests?

Oh, yeah, party's going to be wonderful. We even had a party in a long while. It's nothing better than it, you know? And especially this time of year. I get a little sad around my birthday because, well, I don't know if you can tell this, but I'm a daddy's girl, and I'm not talking about, Philip. But my daddy's not with us any longer.

And so it's kind of sad when I celebrate my birthday, and he's not here to share it with. I understand. I'm sorry for your loss, but what a wonderful way to celebrate his memory, I'm sure. Oh, yeah. I always think about him a lot on a day like this. I don't actually know the day of my birthday, but I can just feel when it's happening, and that's today.

Why? Why did you say you don't mean Philip? I thought it was very clear what you meant. When you said you're a daddy's girl and you don't mean Philip, why did you feel they need to clarify? Oh, because I wanted to clarify for you that I'm talking about my other daddy. I don't think I... I don't know how I could be confused on that. It seemed pretty clear.

I don't think it's a scarecrow thing. It seems pretty clear to me who he meant the first time. I'm just... I'm sorry, I don't know how rich folk do things. That's all right. I'm not going to try and explain it to you. I don't think it's a scarecrow thing. Oh, gosh.

Probably not. Question. Yeah. Right now, while we're sitting here with Adela, do I, does Marius get the sense? Can I feel that Adela has blood pumping through her? And did I get that sense when we were near Philip as well? Like, would I have noticed?

Yeah. Because like, again, this whole time I'm only sensing Lethika and I can only hear her heartbeat and it's gnawing at me. No, I mean, you can, it's- And I'm curious if there's- With Lethika, it's a pretty normal heartbeat. With Adela, her energy and her exuberance is almost like her heart is beating the Charleston.

Yeah, she's like a hummingbird. Yeah, she's almost like a hummingbird. Would I have noticed it having been around Philip or would I just not have, not too much going over? You definitely would have. You would have been able to hear the way that his heart beat so much faster anytime Adela was around.

Okay. Adela, may I ask you a question? Yeah, of course. Your hospitality has been fantastic, and we are deeply appreciative of all of this. I'm curious, how were all of your help created or made? I noticed that they don't seem to be living. Oh, yeah.

So, as you know, Philip has a way with the undead and stuff. So the animated skeletons are all his idea. They're his creations, and he makes them as he sees fit, and all the other ones are mine. And I have, there's a toy maker in Pico, actually. that makes everything that I could possibly want and I just send in an order and they get it for me

basically right away. Wow, that is amazing. Thank you for sharing. Yeah, if there were any repairs, we just have them sent out to Pico where they get repaired. So they are made? Oh, yeah.

Interesting. Are they people? Of course they are. Gosh, that's great to hear. So kind of like old Jerry here. He's made, but like still a person sort of. Oh, yeah, just like you. You know, you're not made of flesh or anything, but you're still, you're still a people, right, Jericho?

Well, I would hope so. You still have hopes and dreams, a want for love? Yes. And, you know, Virgil used to say that I was, you know, I wasn't people, that he was the only people that I'd ever, I'd ever be able to connect to. I don't know, well, it's good to know that if there is this fella who's making all these people, that if I get banged up, then maybe this fella can patch me up. You connect to a lot of people, Jericho. Both Phil and I love you to bits.

Well, Garish, that really means the whole wide world to me, Miss Adela. I'll, uh, I'll, uh, thank the date for the tea. Oh, you're very welcome, sweetheart. So, uh, get any nice gifts on your birthday? I don't believe we would do something, but like I said, we've got so many of the leaders of the provinces coming into the moors. They're all getting set up in their own houses, because the masquerade's just right around the corner,

and Phil's been going out all day, talking to them and making sure they understand what's going on, and then there's the problem with the Iron Maiden, which I haven't seen him long enough to figure out. Plus, he deals with the business side of things anyway. It's all way over my head. But I can't help but be a little bit concerned because he normally spends more time with me on my birthday,

because, you know, It's Adela's a big day and everything, and I'm everything to him, but he's just so busy with what's going on there. I hope we find out about it later. Is he meeting with other guests? They're the ones who he is doing business with? Yeah. Oh.

So, this iron maiden. Are they sort of like Jerry and, you know, the help? They sort of like meat of iron and the maiden. Oh, yeah, it's in the name. Oh. Oh, that's cool. Yeah, really? What does she look like?

Oh, well, she's beautiful. Beautiful, but you should hear her sing. Oh, I love, I love to sing. I don't know if you knew that about me. He's very talented. Yeah, she performs at the opera and Edwardia all the time. A little bit of rock, a little bit of opera. Boy, does she blend it together so well.

I don't know if we're hard clash enough to go see her. She's so multifaceted. We'll have to pay very close attention and that's Cotilla. Oh, you know! But she, of course, doesn't have time for that lately with whatever's going on in Edwardia. Oh, yeah, Lord Philip had said that

Mother Midnight's daughters were kind of given trouble with all the lords and ladies of the court. Yeah, and I think it's gotten much worse there, and I know that you just finished all the things you're doing, but I don't know if I had to guess, I think we might have some tasks for you

when the masquerades are all said and done. Of course, once you get done, the items you came for since you can't leave anyway, right? That's what Phil said, you're gonna help us out. Well, we still have the deal. We're fulfilling. We kill some witches, and we haven't killed any. So I guess we should try to at least kill one.

We will be even more equipped to do our tasks with the objects that you have promised. I've got so much faith in you guys. And all of you? There's plenty of work left to do one. You're so strong, you're so smart, you got so much heart. And you're loyal, too. But I'm sorry you don't have your dad on your birthday. Gosh, you're just the berries. That'll me too.

I'm, uh, I didn't have my dad even. She reaches out and she squeezes your hand. He was usually at the pub. All the horse races. All the pit fights. All the cock fights. Or the horse fights. Dear gods.

It's false fights. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You've never seen a horse fly? I'm sorry, Breezy. It gets really brutal, Marius, the hooves and everything. And you're sure they were fighting. Well, that's what he said.

I've never seen horses fine. Gosh, I'm sorry, Breezy. I didn't know that about you. I never knew my paw. Well, I never had a paw on account of being constructed by three haggs. I never had a paw. The closest thing I ever had was old Virgil. I cannot say that I'm...

No, my parents. No, it's okay. He's probably betting on horsefights right now as we speak. Oh, wait, your father's still, oh. Yeah, no, I mean, it's not like he's dead enough. I just, he was never around for me birthdays or when I got a good report card in school or, you know, science fair. I'm proud of you for your good report cards and how well you did at the science fair. It led you to be the brigs that you are today.

You're welcome. Yeah, well, and we'll gladly, we'll toast to your, to your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, not Lord Philip. I'm sure your dad is very proud of what you've accomplished with this magical house. If he were here to see it, I think he really would be. Well, uh, a toast to, uh, to your fallen father, to our fallen friends and to all those fallen and everyone, everyone that, that died terribly and, and, in Fulcens and Cyril and all of them children especially, that got burned up in the orphanage. Oh yes, speaking of,

I'm so sorry for what happened with Feren and Jorghum. That's so awful. Philip told me all about it, and my condolences to all of you. I know that must be hard, but he did promise that we're going to do some kind of meaningful farewell for him at the masquerade. So there'll be that at least. We only knew each other for a very short time,

but it was a lasting friendship. I will be glad to be able to share in this memory. Fighting alongside one another can forge bonds quickly. I agree. Yeah. We were mates. Gosh. I guess we should raise a glass then,

not just to my daddy, but to your. And Orgrim and Farron and all those that were lost in Folson's. Into my best gals, the Oakham sisters, who got Ed up by Virgil. Yeah, of course to them too. I never met them, but if you vouch for them, Jericho, I bet they were just classy broads. They were something else, that's for sure. So we should raise a glass to him. And then when we finish our tea, oh my gosh, we can read the tea leaves, my favorite part.

Oh, that sounds mighty fine. Oh, and all those poor livestock that got the curse of the vermental government. Yeah, we can talk about that later. Let's go ahead and do a cheers for all the happy things, though, all right? Cheers for the happy things. Cheers for the happy things. Here, here. All them poor miners.

And you all begin to drink the tea. It is delicious. It is lovely. Adela places her cup down. and you see as she clas her hands and is giddy to read her tea leaves. Well, right, just one final sip. And she sips the last of it and then looks into the cup

and you immediately see as her face falls and her skin goes sallow and pale as she stares into the tea leaves. She begins to shake and you can hear the clattering of the glass as she lets out a gasp. And then the cup falls to the ground and clatters. Immediately you see a cup of these skeletal servants immediately rushed

to her side and begin to pat the cold sweat that's beginning to drip down her brow. As she begins to say this, you see that the lipstick that was on her lips, that pale red, is not just lipstick, but it's turned to blood. As they begin to wipe it off of her face, she reaches up and touches her lips and, They begin to grab her and they begin to help raise her to her feet.

And you hear one of them say, that will be all for tea today. We will have you wait here. Someone will be here to escort you to Catillion. Lady Adela is feeling unwell. I may be able to help with her on wellness. I can check her out if you would just let me through. We have physicians on staff who are solely provided for Adela,

private physicians. We appreciate your offer, but we will get Adela to her quarters, and we will see you at dinner. What is your name? That is unimportant. Miss Adela, let us go. And she begins to, at this point,

begin to mumble and ramble, and the words that she's saying are almost unintelligible as they nearly carry her from the room. You hear the sound of her heels clacking on the stone, but not from her own footfall. but the way that her feet are dragging against the stone floor.

And with a soft thud, the door is shut behind her. Feel better. I'm gonna look. Try to look, is the teacup still there? The teacup is still on the, it's in pieces. I wanna look to see what was in the tea leaves if I can see anything. You pick up the cup and there it's pieces.

Roll a perception check. Are we poisoned? I don't have a pulse. Marius, I don't have a pulse. You never have a pulse, and neither do I. Oh, you're right. Oh, yeah, that's right, that's right, that's right. I think I got a...

You think you got? Or you know you got. I need to pull up my thing. While he's looking, is there any blood left on the cup? Oh. Because you're you, and a vampire, you can see that the bits of tea at the very bottom are, it's very clearly tea, but there are droplets of blood that are starting to diffuse it and turn it from the soft

brown than it had been, the soft tea color that it had been to almost a dark mauvee brown. And then you can see a bit of blood around the limb or the rim where her lips had been. I think it was 14, but if you see that, up. But you, however, looking down, can see that very clearly the leaves had been in some sort of shape, but the dropping of the cup has scattered the leaves about, so it's hard to see what they were, but there was, there were some multiple shapes that you could see

that were made with the tea leaves. You don't know how to read tea leaves though, so it's. Says doo, noo. Gorge. I think of those are Cheerios. This, Gars, I hope Miss Adela is feeling, feeling all right. Seeing all this blood reminds me of Skinny Dudley. And it's heading up these tragic people.

I think he's floating in a whole flock of videos. We're not going to bring that kind of thing up during the masquerade, are we? No, absolutely not. Oh, no, no, no. I know. I know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, gosh, I ruined Ms. Adela's birthday. She probably had all that stuff because I was thinking all them dark thoughts. That is not the case.

Do I see that there's blood? And do I see Mary's reacting to the blood? You would see me straining, but like we're in a position where the muscles in my neck and my jaw would be very tight, where like I'm not going to allow myself to stoop this low in a scenario that's... Right, and it's not a ton of blood. It's enough to definitely, like, you can see that I'm resisting,

but I'm not like, I don't look like I'm going to lose my mind. I just sort of realize and notice the blood. Oh, Jerry, we put that, oh, in blood? Oh, that's disgusting. Oh, it's so gross. Oh, romayries. Oh, that's just, oh, you should throw it away. Oh, okay.

Throw it away in the trash. Garsohn. Ew. Garso. You had been told that someone would come to back to you. Well, I'll leave it here on the tablecloth. pristine wine. Oh, Garas's blood all over the tablecloth. Jericho's...

Oh! Virgil's riot! You can't do anything right. That's disgusting. You can't do anything right. Blak, gross. Okay, well, I'll just hold it until somebody comes, till the Garzaon comes. Lethika's correct, though.

We need to be extra careful about what we say at this body. All right. People already look at us like we're monsters. We're doing the best that we can to fix the problem here. But to them, what happened in Folson's will only prove. that we are monsters. They won't care what we're doing. This is a rare opportunity for us to not just establish relationships with the Druskanbalt's, but also to grow new relationships with the

head of all of these different provinces here in this land, this realm. This is chance to make a good first impression. Do we think she's okay? I mean terrible night and then did she cut a mouth on a cup, or did she just start bleeding from her mouth, or I don't know? Well, I mean, she did get awful roughed up in that tree. Lethika is trying to decide if she was lying about how well she felt, and that this blood was a sign of something that was being covered up,

or if it was something that emerged in that moment. Good question. Roll a medicine, and you're trying to do this after the fact. after the fact. Yeah, I'm thinking back and trying to. Roll a medicine check at disadvantage, no twists. Yeah. 15.

Not bad. Okay. Looking at her, you think back to how bouncy she'd been and animated. She wasn't as animated as she normally is. You were able to get a lot more conversation out of her that was to the point, whereas she's usually from topic to topic a lot more quickly. So she definitely seemed tired.

Illness-wise, she physically looked just fine. And you saw no reason to believe that she was still suffering from physical illnesses, anything more than just exhaustion. Jericho, can you please just put that down somewhere else on the other side of the room, please? Oh, that's right. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. That's rude to me. Hold on. Virgil, can you pass with that plate? Thanks Virgil. I don't know what you mean that you used to have daddy energy.

I didn't know you were a father. Gosh, you're really saying a lot of weird stuff lately, Virgil. I don't know what's gotten in you. I'll walk back over. Thank you. I think you're right. I think that we need to let them know that we're not a threat to them and we're just trying to help. And the only reason why we completely destabilized the government of a full sense

was because they was in league with Mother Midnight, and so we're just trying to help them. If they got problems with her daughters, and we're going to say, hey, we're against Mother Midnight and her daughters that probably aren't very attractive. Only say that if it comes up. Don't start with that. They don't know, they only think that we are friends

of the Druskan games. They don't know our purpose here or that we were involved in anything that happened in full sense in the first place. To bring up threats or Mother Midnight or Endux. any of these things, they will see that as strange. Leficus Roy, gosson does mean boy.

What concerns me deeply as the Druskinvolds are trying to sweep this under the rug. It's strange to me that they would keep the secret. They are playing politics, and I do not know if it is wise of them to be hiding this from other leaders or if it is important that they do. As we learned, some of these lords may not be as trustworthy as they are.

Oh, gosh, this is a lot from my head. Oh, gosh. I just don't know how to deal with politics and subterfuge and manipulation. That's all Virgil's. That's his bag. If you find yourself in a position where you are unsure what to say, ask them questions about themselves. Let them talk about what you. is it, whatever interests them.

That way you can avoid questions about you and you can dodge the questions that you might not know how to navigate. That's not a bad idea. People of a certain standing love to hear themselves talk. I'm sure you would love to ask this iron maiden some questions about her singing.

Oh gosh. Find shared interests. I ain't never talked to a lord besides Lord Philip and Lady Adela. No, no, Bill. and they just are so nice. I can't imagine. Well, I guess we also talk to the Lord of Nolm.

We ended up killing him. That's what I'm worried about, is that if they start to realize, wait, hold on a second, a lord of an entire fucking province was killed. He might get spooked. I think that they're next. And to tell Mary's his point,

all these monsters show up. Ah, we killed one of the lords of the provinces. We don't know how often power changes hands in these lands. Huh, those ranks. Our new couple of mates who were hired to do a political assassination.

And they were all hanging by the neck and till dead. So I don't want to end up that way. Lovely. Well, I think that it's good faith. And we're just trying to help. That's why we were brought here. That's why we came on

the Ghostlight Express. And Fulcens was just Might have messed up on account of Mother Midnight herself being there and them hags. Maybe the other places ain't so bad. If their daughters are Mother Midnight, maybe they aren't close to as powerful. Let us hope that that is the case. There is still much trouble here, and we must remember to always be on our guard. That's a lot of...

That's really a lot of daughters, though. That's impressive. Twelve of them? I am not sure if they are by blood, or if... if it is a symbolic daughter. Oh, gosh. I can't remember what Lord Philip said. Maybe he didn't say that part.

Feels like it was years ago that we had that conversation. We should also discuss the very likely possibility that when we were asleep for so long, we were somehow having a shared experience within, not within Adela's mind, but perhaps somehow shaped by her thoughts, by her, her magic, by her sight. Something is very important there. I don't want to bring it up while she was here, but I mean, you know, she has recurring

nightmares. And that's basically what we fucking witnessed for 24 hours straight. I mean, maybe next time we see her, if it's not going to kill her mood, we can be like, oh, you have recurring nightmares, what are your nightmares about? You ever been to a, uh, cool jazz club with, you know, everybody that doesn't have a face? You ever been to old dinosaur town? What are the chances that the blood coming from her lip to that cup has anything to do with the first vision we saw? You're right.

She seemed awfully terrified of whatever she saw on the bottom of that cup with those leaves before she started bleeding. everything we saw and that very first vision was incredibly unsettling. It was the blood moon. The hag moon

was the blood moon. And it was bleeding out all over all of us. And it destroyed the Chateau Claredeleon. Yes. Are those like malign portents? I hope not. I mean, I don't read too much into mod dreams. I never did either.

I never had to. Until we ended up here and we started having shared visions together. I don't know much about divination or foresight or fortune-telling or any of those things, but it is still deeply concerning. Garsh, I feel like sometimes I should just let Virgil take over like you wants. Why would you do that?

Because he's got the brains of the operation. I'm too stupid for all this. I don't got no wits. I'm fresh out of wits. I ain't even a hat. I'm lucky if you could call me a quarter whid. I don't think that's true, Jericho. You must just learn to listen and trust yourselves.

Do you find yourself looking forward to him taking over? No, I mean, whatever, whatever happened lately, kind of the crazy, the jabber and he's in an awful good mood lately, and the constant cacophony of noise. of noise and nasty things is dissipated. It's gotten less at least. Ever since, you know, Virgil been eaten up. A lot of them hag stuff and the gargoyle stuffs, and especially after the heart of that, uh, oh Billy. Certainly sounds like he's getting what he wants,

which is concerning. If you don't like when he takes over, then we don't want to lose you. Understood? I mean, but it's kind of a good point. I mean, if, you know, if this guy knows politics, this guy knows how to wheel a deal, you know, during a masquerade, we let him out. It's a terrible idea.

Well, I mean, he was very prim and proper last time he came out. All he did was he did a disgusting, beating bloody heart, but... Knowledge and skills be damned. I don't want to lose, my friend. Well, we haven't lost this far. What happened? You're still in there, I'm like, in a, you know, cage. Yeah, like, yeah, cage.

That's metaphorical speaking. I'm in my little place. I'm humming a tune. It's dark, and it's a little bit lonely. But it's not as... It used to be where I was... It was the shrieking and the voices were constant. And the past couple times, it's been mighty...

relatively peaceful, I suppose. Please don't tell me you've already forgotten. about the time that he changed. I mean, I remember a few times. But I guess the last two times were relatively peaceful, right? I mean, you were sort of out of it. You were just kind of, you know,

did the old shuck and shucking, you know what I mean? And so you were sort of doing your thing. Lefika was half dead. And so I'm just sort of, you know, obviously Yorghum had him on the... control if we tried anything but I'm recalling a time against a particular hack no I know look I remember that time I'm not discounting that time all right I mean but to be fair it's not like he ate any of us up he just ate some nasty

familiars and a hack and and then passed down what if something like that were to happen at a masquerade with potentially hundreds of people. Oh, that's a good point. And are you not concerned that that is some sort of glimpse into the true form of this other man that inhabits his body? No, yeah, that's also a good point.

It is not an option. Oh, I'm just trying to figure it out. That's all right. I know, I know, I'm just saying anything. It is at this time that the door opens and you hear the pattering of feet. You expect to see another puppet creature, but you don't.

You see a skeleton. completely dressed and beautiful robin's egg blue dress all detailed with a buttercup yellow bows and frills and flounces a wig on top of his skull

that is similar to all the others a powdered wig that somehow suits him you see blush has been applied to his cheekbones his literal cheekbones as he makes his way in the wig falls to the same

a little bit and he writes it. You see some of the powder fall off and dust his shoulders as he dusts it off and he turns around towards all of you. You see spectacles on his face that he adjusts. Oh, well, look at the four of you. Are you ready for Cadillian? Oh, I am always ready.

I was not prepared and it was supposed to come in 30 more minutes, but apparently there was a problem with the teeth. Yes, unfortunately Yes, and so I'm going to take you now Take us to Catillion Yes, now It's over there, Garsohn

Oh no, my name is Louis Louis. Louis? Like Henri? This is going to be tough I'm going to mispronounciated, I'm sorry Louis lead the way, thank you Yes, please follow up And he turns around and you hear the You can see his tiny little skeletal feet

These shoes are just slightly too big, but not big enough that they fall off. But you can see his little skeletal feet move within his shoes as they clack on the stone. Two dainty yellow bows affixed to the very front of them as he motions for you to follow him. He leads you through the twisting and turning rooms of this place. This chateau is grand. just as soon as you think you've seen every floor and every wing of this place, you find another. And he eventually leads you down a hallway, which he explains to you, is known as the studium wing. And it is where learning is to be had.

If Fidela and Phil decide to have children someday, it's where the nurseries are and where they will take their classes. and he leads you into a room that is almost theater-like as it leads down to a podium at the front. And written on a slate board in a chalky dust is the word elocution lessons. And he motions for you to take a seat. Well, if we're going to learn how to be civil and talk politics, then you're going to need to learn how to speak

elegantly. So elocution lessons is what we're here for today. Oh, thank God, I can't wait. So if you could all take a seat, please. Elocution? What does that mean? It just means the delivery of speech. We're going to learn how to talk about, Jericho. Gosh. Isn't it great? Fantastic. I just don't want to get elocuted.

It's not electrocution lessons. I thought it was related to thunder, and I thought it was related to thunder, and I I have a focus on that. No, no, no. I have one of the small cakes from the tea that we were sharing with Adela that I took and brought with me as we were walking through. And I'll notice that there's like a spot of blood on it, just like on one side of splash. I'll sort of tear that up and pop it underneath my mask as I get ready myself for articulating

and enunciating. You all find your seats in this auditorium-like room with your quote unquote, professor in front of you as this gentleman has brought you here to learn the art of eloquence, to learn the art of elocution. You watch as he raises his hand and you see as he begins to scribble with his fingers in the air, you notice a piece of chalk, a piece of chalk, a piece of. here on the slate board and using mage hand or something similar, he begins to write out sentences and words. A lot of these words are words that you've never seen.

They look to be in languages that you don't understand. As he looks around the room, he sees the look of utter confusion on all of your faces and realizes that maybe this is not the right place to start, as he quickly wipes the slate clean, as it were. and no, no, no, we will have to start a different way. You all were all children at some point, yes? No.

Well, most of you were all children at some point, yes? Yes. Presumably, I can't recall. You've played the game. Sending stone. Sending stone. I am familiar with the mechanics, yes. That sounds familiar.

Is it like Red Rover? No. Well. We don't have to send anyone over? No. No. This is going to be hilarious. First, what we're going to do is I'm going to decide which one of you are going to start with.

I think all of you speak a sentence for me. We'll start with you, young lady. I am speaking a sentence for you. For me. Right. You, sir. There's this time where we knew this young skinny feller who used to come houses. All right.

Yes, and you, sir. The rein in spine falls mindly on the plane. It's a pleasure to. to meet you, my name is Marius Renathir. Perfect, we're going to start with you, sir. I'm going to hand you a slate with a sentence written on it. Okay. I would then like you to relay this sentence to the old chap on your left.

Certainly. Right, on your right? My right, yes. Who will then relay the same sentence to the feller in front of him. Of course. Who will then relay the sentence to this, yes, that was the word you used. I'm trying to be one with the king. as they say.

That's the word. And then I would like you to relay that same sentence as you heard it to this young lady here, who will then recite the words to me, the sentence to me, and we will see how well you've done. This will be a test of how clearly you enunciate and pronounce the words that you hear from one person to the next.

Are you ready to begin? Fair enough, I'm ready. I can only play this game in counterclockwise direction. You see, May's. The mask covers this. And so, while this is happening, we will go ahead and attempt to, I would like you to say,

good evening, my lord or my lady. You first. Good evening, my lord or my lady. My lord or my lady. My lord or my lady. Hmm, close. You, sir, good evening, my lord or my lady. Even Lord or my lady.

Even Lord or my lady. We have a long way to go. You can just go ahead and... Good evening, me lord, or me delight. No, no, no, you just read it to him and pass the card down. Oh, but, okay, all right. Evening.

I would like to have you practice that over and over and over again. One thing to know, we're also going to learn some social etiquette while we're here, is that you should never refer to anyone as anything but my lord or my lady. Not my lord, but my lady. my lord, my lady. Do you understand?

Pass honest information. You can just say it out loud if you want, as you heard it. Because you guys are going to fuck it up anyway. And it's too eager. The mouse ran across the kitchen floor because I forgot the rest. Oh. That was what's with that, the jerk goes in.

That's an interesting... I think that was close enough. Miss Lethaca. Yes. This cute little lonesome mouse one time was running across the floor and he saw a big old piece of cheese and he decided to eat that there a piece of cheese and when he did a snap. His spine was broken by a mouse trap. And then his family found him, including his children. And everyone died of sadness.

Isn't that great? Are you ready? My lady. Louis, I am afraid that we have failed. No, no, no, there is no failing here. Please, recite the sentence to me and make sure you enunciate every single word. There was a little mouse that ran across the floor

and he was looking for some cheese, I believe, and then, unfortunately, he ran into a mouse trap and he was killed. and his family saw everything. They saw it all. They saw everything happen. It was very, very sad. That is incorrect.

They died of sadness. They also died. This is, that is not even close to the way that it was written on the paper. I am sure that that is true, but this is also... Maris, can you please recite the sentence that you provided to, my lord? I look back to the tablet.

I look at Lentica. I look back at the tablet. I, how did... The mouse was so hungry. Oh, I forgot it. He ran across the kitchen floor without even looking for humans. That was so beautifully spoken, my Lord Marius. Thank you.

That was a long since! I'm going to give you a checkmark for perfect delacution. I appreciate it. Burgard! Where did the cheese come from with a trap or the part about his family becoming depressed? That is a very good question. Who would like to go next? Oh, me!

I'd like to go next. Please pass this. I hope you have one of those pointy hats. Well, in the meantime, when you're introducing yourselves to someone of high social standing, you will always introduce yourself with your full name.

It will never be, Good Day, I am Louis. It will be your entire name. Good evening. Sir Louis Cotour. Wow, that is a lovely name. Good evening. My name is Marius Renethea. Good evening, my lord. Very well done. Another checkmark on your slate, good sir.

Hey, Mary, are we going? Clockwise or Carol? I believe we're going in the same direction. You probably start with Jericho. Oh, gosh. But I don't want you should check with Louis. Is that clockwise or can of clockwise? It's counterclockwise. It's also known as Wittishins.

Is it Wittishins or Shito Wins? We do not use. foul language in this court. That's one X for you, sir. Hey Jerry. Yes, Breezy. The door slammed down or my hand and I screamed like a little baby. Got it. Is this?

I love this. I love this. The baby was crawling along the floor. Yes. And tried to get in the cupboard to eat a cookie, you see? and unfortunately it tripped and crushed its hand terribly and the baby survived but its hand was

brutally mangled. Is that really what? And then it got infected and died. Isn't that me? It's been a while since you had some isn't that great, so now you have two of them are here we all. Oh, myriad. As you, as you leave,

in to whisper to me, I don't get that close to you. Oh. There was a little baby that was crawling along the floor, you see. Easy. And it was looking for a cookie, and it reached its hand in a cupboard, but the cupboard closed and mangled this poor child's hand. Unfortunately, it got an infection and passed away into the night. Isn't that that's great?

I take a moment. I understand this isn't your fault. I'm just doing my best. There's a breakdown that's occurring. Louis, there was a small child, allegedly. This child went to find... You immediately see a look of confusion on his face? Yes, I know. I understand.

Allegedly, this small child went to fetch a cookie, and there was a mishap, and the poor child's hand was crushed. He wasn't properly treated and quickly he succumbed to infection. Isn't that great? I for one don't believe that's great. I am simply repeating what I was told. That is nothing at all like what I passed to our fair gentleman now on the slate. It's completely wrong, dearie.

He started to freestyle over there. There is a double meaning to us engaging in learning in this way. when you are dealing with the rich and the powerful, you will have to be able to listen to what they say and be able to repeat it to others for political means. And if you cannot learn and listen and understand what people are saying, you'll never be able to prosper at the masquerade. This is quite concerning.

Briggs, can you please repeat for me what is on your slate? Well, like I said, Cherry, the door slammed down or my hand and I screamed like a little baby oh give me that see now I what I thought I heard you know right or you know you know what I thought taking the piss the door slammed down on my hand and I screamed like a little baby what that's not what it says this was very good letter. Oh, you read it.

Give me the slate. I would give you a check mark on a slate. Thank you, my lord. No, see, when you said the door slammed... Another checkmark for you. Down on the... My hand and I screamed like a little baby. I thought you said that you whispered in my ear

that there was a little baby crawling along the floor and slammed his head in the cupboard and died of infection. No, look, Mary. Look, I read it correctly. First, I would correct this awe to look more like an end. And I think the way you read it, you would need a comma right here.

We've got the grammar, Brigty, over here. Are we timed on this? Or are we stuck here until we get it correct? Here, give us another one. Give us another one. We can do it. And who would like to start? You're here until you get it correct.

Good thing we have several days. Passes down to Jericho. But this is not the only challenge I have for your allocution lessons. Understood. Jerry's turn. I know this one. Don't fuck it up, Jerry. I know this one.

Once after a nice April shower, there was a cute little chick who saw the plumpest, juiciest worm in the morning and thought it was fixing to make it a snack. And it pecked up that worm and slurped it down, but unfortunately went down the wrong tube.

It choked and choked and joked and joked and died. And then it never grew up to be a great rooster, and the folks who were relying on it, crowing, up in the morning, never woke up again. They slept until they died. Isn't that great? Jericho, I'm not mad. What? Marius. Just do your best, please. There was a bird that choked on a worm and died. And Because the family that owned this bird did not wake from its crows the next morning,

they slept also until they died. Isn't that great? There isn't a chance on any of the nine hills that all of that fit on the tablet. I also, it was abridged. I cut out some stuff. I'm sorry. Briggsikinzik. There once was a young chick began to feast upon a worm, but the worm was far too large for the chick. There's a lesson here. Make sure that your eyes are not bigger than your stomach. Please, and make sure that you accurately assess the situation before you go,

and the chicken ultimately perished and passed away. Unfortunately, for the owners of this chicken, the family was never awoken because the chicken did not become a rooster, did not grow up. This also speaks to one of Lathanda's tenants about getting up early in the morning to perfect yourself. Remember this, Britsy, remember all of the things I tried to teach you. Also something about isn't that great? Is that it?

I believe that's all. All right. Now we're down to the last one. Briggseneck, please. Tell me exactly what you've heard, verbatim, from, my lord, Sir Marius Rennel.

Well, you see, there was a chicken, sort of hanging out where whatever chickens hang out. And then there was a worm. Okay, okay, yeah. The chicken tried to eat the worm. The worms like I don't want to be eaten so they're not skin shit away like you know, so you run it.

But worms you see, they aren't fast. So the chicken catches up. And he's like, no, don't eat me please. And the chicken's like, but I'm hungry. Anything and give you anything. You need money. I have money. Get the ATL. I'll give you whatever you want. I'll get this food. Could I buy you with seven? I'm seven and eleven.

It's true you don't need some speed. Now I want you. Then die, I must curse you. Curse you, chicken! For with my last preps! Chicken, Ace the worm up. But the worm,

he had been going to the local worm gym lately. He was quite a bit swole compared to his normal state. The chicken didn't expect this. So it choked on a worm. And with the worm's final breath, he said, Just a prank, bro.

They both died. Isn't that great? An entertaining of a story as that is, that is not at all that was written on the slate. You left out of all the parts about Lathander. Well, I figured that was you freestyle. It was like Jerry was fucking freestyle. And the family they all die.

They slept until they die. Please, pass. He didn't say anything about that. Jericho, please, please pass the slates to- It's just what I said. Look, can you confirm, Miss Lethika? It's exactly what I said to you. The chickens were running around

and pecking the worms out of the ground. Well, that wasn't even close. That sounded lovely, my lady, so I will give you a checkmark for beautiful elocution. Listen. I don't believe. One more, one more, one more.

Lethica's got it. Lethika told me that she cut thumb, some of the, stuff out because Jericho would not stop rambling on, so I filled in the parts that left the fine, fine, I'll go better when I'm last. Where did the, where did the family come from? You invented the whole family. And then you killed them. I don't know. That's what I read. That's what I read from it. Stop freestalling. Stop inventing stuff. It's not making stuff up, Jerry. Gosh, it's just kind of what a tune smith does, worries spins a yard.

Arguing is not what we do in polite society. I'm sorry. We apologize. You're right, here. Now, I don't believe that this form of lesson is effective with this specific group. So we're going to try something else. Specifically, I think where the issue arises is your pronunciation is faulty, especially towards that end of the room. So if we can focus on something...

If we can focus on something that will make your elocution more... clear, your pronunciation more clear, then maybe we will be able to execute the task at hand. All right. You've... I'm sorry, are you ill? What? Are you trying to say water? Elocution in it. Why do they do this to me?

It's going to be okay. I don't deserve this. No one does. I just understand that this isn't happening because of malice. We promise. Oh, I have a question. Yes. When is the lion coming out?

I'm sorry, what? When is there gonna be a lion? A lion? Yeah, coat a lion. The cotillion. The cotillion, the cotillion, the cotillion, the cotillion. A lion? When is a lion coming?

A coat? When is the lion coming out with his fine coat? There's no lion. Well, to be fair, this is Chateau Claire Lund. So there very well could be a lion here. That's what I'm saying. It seems like there could very well be aligned in a nice fancy wets coat.

Well. A waistcoat, if you ask me. That actually leads me. We'll take a quick detour before we do the final test. And one of the things that you must learn, since we are currently in the cotillion for elocution lessons,

one of the things you must know is always be polite and engage in conversation. Laugh at any joke, but not too hardly. So, I'm going to tell you a joke. You're all going to laugh appropriately for the joke. Are you ready? Are you ready? Yes, of course.

Engage in the conversation. Lovely. Yes, we are. Well, my dear friend, did you hear about the circus fire? It was intense. That's a good joke, sir. Lovely, the three of you have accomplished the task. Swimmingly.

Whoa, are you saying that I failed? You did not laugh, sir. You said laugh appropriately for the joke. No, I said, do not laugh so heartily. No, you said laugh appropriately, funny, joke. I said I laughed appropriately. It wasn't funny at all. One does not argue in polite society.

My exact words were, always be polite, engage in conversation. Laugh at any joke. Well, I wouldn't really call it a joke if you're asking me. I mean, that's what I'm gonna say. I'm going to give you another failure. Another demerit. All right, we'll try one more. One more.

Let me see here. Nope, that one's not any good. I can do it, I can do it. No, no, no, no. I'm judging your laughter, not mine. Oh, oh. Mm-hmm, no, no. Does anyone know a good joke?

Oh, oh, I got one. No, no, no, no, no, I got one. I got one. I have one. I have one. I have one. I have one. And the bar...

I was going to do a walk into a bar joke. Oh, speaking of roosters, what's the difference between free cocks and a joke? That isn't inappropriate. I'm going to give you another failure. Absolutely inappropriate. In-world, Marius cracks a smile, like, very unparaparisticly

and is, like, trying to, like, trying to make the funny side of his mouth, like, away from Louie. Like, for the first time you see Marius on. You get a snort out of Lettica. Well, Jericho, that laugh was... It is the difference. Bricksey, we're going to fail.

Jericho, that laugh was far too exuberant. I'm going to give you a failure. Oh, gosh. All right, one more joke, and then we'll move on to the next. Keep it together, Bricksey. I don't know. No, you're right. I'm sorry, man.

Two sheep walk into a bar. Oh, lovely. How clever. Good shock. Well, I did not believe that laugh, Jericho, so you will get failure. Everyone else. A success. Briggs.

Congratulations for your first success. All best, everyone. Oh, no. It's cut out, everyone could tell you. It isn't over yet. We still still. All right. All right.

Now that we've learned how to laugh and engage in polite conversations, it is time to enunciate. So, we'll start with you, my lady. I would like you to take the giant sack in the middle of the table, stick your hand firmly into the sack, and pull forth parchment.

Oh, I have to pull back a whole yard. You may, before you read it, I would like you to roll a D20, please. Oh, before I see... A straight intelligent roll, and tell me what number you get. It is that little... It's not a dodecahedron. No? No, it's not.

What is it? Something else. I believe so I'm posting it. Oh, that's cocked. I received the 18 value on the face of the... Oh, that's lovely. Now, what you can do is you can read that. and you'll be able to keep that open with you

while you recite the tongue twister on the other side. Oh, there is the tongue twister on the other side. Yes. So something like rubber baby buggy bumpers or aluminum nanolium. You would be judged based on your ability to recite it as well as your memory. I have to remember what I read.

You get to keep it open because of your roll. So if you roll like crap, if you roll like crap, you have to look at it and then close and put it away. A second to look at it. That's very funny. Great. Brisk brave brigadiers brandished broad bright blades.

It was very, very good. Wow. I'm incredibly impressed. You didn't, you took no time at all to memorize that. Beautiful. I think, I think, and the room would agree that that was a great success. That was great, Mr. Thank you, my lord.

You're welcome, my lady. Who would like to go next? I love tonguewester. Actually, I will do it this way. way. My lady, would you like to choose the fellow who shall know next? You can't twist a tongue when you ain't got a tongue. Let us find out if that is true, Jericho. Well, how about it? This is where I have an alibi,

a loophole, so to me. That was great. I always struggled with toy boat. Okay, I think I found the right one for me. Oh, Jericho is... Now, please roll a deed one of the dice there on the table. I got a nine. Lovely, you may look at it one. once read it and put it away. Oh, you've got it. You've got it, hold on, I'm just, I'm stealing myself.

I think I know 20 comments. Seven, Mississippi, Mississippi, Mississippi, 10, there it is. I wish to wish the wishy wish, wish, wish, wish, the wish, wish, wish, wish, wish, wish, wish, excuse me. What was that?

What was that? I mean, I mean, what I meant to say is, I wish to wish that wishes was the wish that I'm wished upon. Wishes the wish, the wish, the wish, wish, wish, the wish, the wish, wish, was a fish. Oh, my. That is absolutely incorrect, and you will get a failing mark for that. Oh, no.

What you should have said was, I wish to wish the wish the wish you wish to wish. But if you wish the wish the wish, the wish wishes, I won't wish the wish to wish. No, Jericho, you had no chance. It's not your fault. That was a difficult one. The wish is. It's quite sad. Oh, I guess I...

It's watching you deflate me. Well, I guess my filthy sack can get twisted up. What I can say is, though that was a monstrous failure, you can choose who goes next. Oh, gosh, I want to see Sir Marius crush it. I'll do the best that I can. I can't promise that this is my strong suit. You got this, Mary's!

The only good news is hopefully I have enough marks where if I fail this one, it'll be all right. I got a 15. Don't forget about all that stupid stuff the Fander said once. Hey, watch yourself. You can keep it open in front of you. Yes.

Incredibly apropos. We surely shall south shout. Fuck. Oh, God! Oh, no. Oh, Lord. We surely shall see the sun shine soon. Oh.

That's tough to say. Unless I told you, this wasn't my strong suit. For as eloquent as I may sound, this is difficult. Good luck. You have a beautiful voice, but unfortunately, Did that miss the mark, Samaria's. Ah, you know, can't win them all. He never made the best.

He patted my score in the first place. I'm a little nervous. Am I next? You're the only one next. And you said this was the final? Yes. Good luck. Briggsie, focus.

Make sure you roll your dice. Do I look at it first or roll the dice? Roll the die first. Oh my God. You can hold yours open. I cannot believe. Those bouncy dye are crazy. They are.

That's fucking awesome. Oh boy. That's tough to. I have to read this. I didn't want to have to pull this out so soon, but. I'm not waiting for it. The ghoul in school sat foolish pond the stool. That's not the best.

what's written on there. I didn't read this. That's not what that says. What? Pretty common. How are you trying to read it? It's hard to say. I can try. You know I'm not very good at this.

Lesser, leather, never weathered, wetter, weather better. Oh no. That what I said was way better. That was spectacular. That'll bring, we don't get a failing mark for his inaccurate attempt. Your voice was very good though. Oh, that was so proper.

That was right, is all right? That was quite beautiful, Marius. And I will give you, I will give you a, I will, I will That's the passing mock. There once was a cute baby cow who was lesser than all of his cousins, so he was killed and skim for his leather, and then turned into a coat,

and then when the tanner, the weathered him, the weather came in, and he was struck by lightning, and fry live. Isn't that great? Jericho, I am severely concerned about your reading comprehension.

I'm just taking in. I don't really have eyeballs. Well, at this point, we've been here for quite a long time. I feel that none of you have improved, quite frankly. Marius and Lethaca, you were fantastic from the start. So, good job all around. And Lady Adela and Lord Philip know exactly what you sound like. So we should move on. Hey, Bigsy, what's wrong, Bigsy? What's wrong, Bigsy? Just like me dead said. Oh no. Notes that are mine's gonna pass, Cartilian.

Your father said that to you. He did every day. What is the contest? His boss grew up bedroom door, bilaterally drunk home from the pub. He always told me I could never make it through Cotillian, and he was right. We're not done.

We're on the halfway group. I already failed one subject. You can redeem yourself. Why did Cotillion come up every day in your household? He was really stuck on Cotillian. I don't know. I mean, maybe when he was a kid, he tried to go to Catillion and he didn't pass, and he probably has low self-esteem and was threatened by his young son

and, you know, wanted to make sure that his son didn't surpass him in any way. There's a lot to unpack there. Yeah, that sounds, I mean, I feel like you've hit the nail right on the head, so to speak. You're doing the work. It's okay, Bruce. We'll pass the next one. We'll pass the next one. This isn't over yet.

You're right. No, you still have two more subjects. to get through, so I will take you to the small dining room where you are going to learn a dinner etiquette. What would have happened if we rolled at one? Well, you're lucky you'll never have to find that. Oh, boy. Yep. No, you just...

And he will quickly take all of the slates from you and put them back towards the front of the room as he lines you up in single file, and like schoolchildren, he leads you through the hallways of this area and back towards the main portion of the chateau proper until you eventually find yourself in the wing that you know to be the dining wing where the kitchens are, there are multiple dining rooms.

Yeah? Oh. Oh. And you make your way into a dining room that's significantly smaller than the one that you had dinner recently with Adela and Philip, your first night here. And this room has already been fully set up. You see that plates have been or seating has been arranged for you in this space. And there are guests standing all around, but they're not alive guests.

These are actual puppets on strings. They are not the sentient caretakers of this place, but puppets that are being managed from somewhere else in this house, as you see that they move jerkily about. As you walk into the room, Louie looks towards all of you. Do any of you know how dinner is started? What is the first thing you do upon coming into a dining room

for a fancy supper? Wait to be seated. And how do you know when it's time to be seated? When you are gestured to, uh... Oh, no, no, no, I know this. I do this. When the lady of the farmhouse rings the bell and says, Sue-W-E!

Soup song! No, actually. Quite frankly not. Leithica, yes. My lady, you were on the right track. Yes, sometimes the host or hostess of the gathering. will motion for everyone to be seated.

But the thing you want to wait to look for is when the host and all hostess seats themselves. Oh, God. At which point you are free to seat yourselves. So, for the purpose of this exercise, I will be portraying Philip Druskinvold and he takes a fake top hat and puts it on his head as he moves over to the head of the table.

I will be seated at the head of the table. you'll see as one of the servants moves the chair out, thank you very much. He will sit down and be pushed into his seat. And now, I have been seated. I'm the host. I've been seated. I have no arrangements or names been placed on the table.

We can seat where we like. Yes, for the purpose of this, you could sit where you like. I will sit and I take a seat adjacent to Phil. But yes, you are correct. And I will make a note that we have failed here, by not putting name plates at your seat. What you will do at the formal dinner is you will look for your placate.

You do not move your placate. You do not swap it with anyone else's placate. Regardless of who you're sitting next to, that is where you will sit. I do a soft bow, just a slight bow as I sit down and take my seat. And as you all begin to sit, you watch as these puppets are manipulated

by the strings that are in tracks running along the ceiling of this room and they all find additional seats. and begin to sit. Quickly. I wrote, wait to be seated. No, no, no. We went until the host of the evening has sat.

Oh, and they have, so please. Oh, for host. We will wait for the host or hostess to sit. To sit. During the actual meal. Sit, sit, sit, sit. Are you sure that your palm skin is going to stay attached to your hand?

What? Nothing. This is me left hand. I don't have any skin on it. Very good. Now, you will be served fake wax food. This is not edible food, but you can use it to approximate how you would dine at a meal. We don't want to stuff you full before your dinner this evening.

So, you will, the servants will come in, they will provide you with food. Fake food, mind you. And I will watch and document how successful you are at, enjoying your meal. Now, this is a play-acting meal, so you pretend to eat and have the conversations amongst yourselves that you would have. The Marianettes beside you will interact with you, though they cannot speak. They will still engage with you should you choose to have conversation with them, and they will engage with you appropriately. All of this will be judged. Gosh, all of it? Yes.

Oh, gosh. All right. Let the dining begin. And as he says this, you watch as some of these skeletal servants come in and begin to serve you this fake food. You do notice that on the table next to you, you have a small piece of parchment that has a diagram of the placement of everything and exactly where things are supposed to be. With a couple little notes, you eat from the out, you use the utensils from the outside in. This is how you place your utensils if you're ready for the next course. This is how you place your utensils. If you're finished with your meal, everything is laid out for you so that you can look at it

and execute what you need to as you begin to have your fake meal. No, converse and eat, but don't eat, but converse. Isn't this meal lovely? We must give compliments to the chef and our host and hostess. What a lovely. Beautiful conversation. matters is bad. The knife will remain in your right hand. Your dominant hand. That's why it's on this side. Which fork do I pick up? Start from the outside and work your way in. And remember, I got that.

When you're in doubt, just do what you see other people doing. That's right. You can always look to Lethika and I to guide you. Our heart breaks. You got this. I'm... Pretend to eat. I'm going to cross my hands, which would probably look like a rude gesture, but I am picking up the knife with my dominant hand and taking the fork and one side switch, I am extremely consistent in the way that I'm eating, but the cutler would have been placed in reverse for someone who is left-handed like Lethika.

Is Louis watching us? Yes. You see he mutters under his breath, and he occasionally make notes of the things that you were doing. He seems to be keeping scorch. Don't panic. Don't panic.

I say, Marius. Yes, yes, Bracey. Please pass the fake mashed potatoes. Of course. Would I know etiquette surrounding, putting my utensils back down, helping pass something to a... Yes, you would know that at a meal like this,

or actually, I'm gonna have you roll an intelligence charge. It's been like 80 years. I feel like I would have learned something. It's been so... I would have never officially done this regularly, and it's been so long. that like, I don't know. And just straight up in?

Yep. So. It's been a long, long time for you. You have had varying levels of fancy dining. And you know that at some, there is communal food in the middle of the table that you pass around. You don't see any of that here. You know that at some dinners, you would never pass food.

You would always wait for the next course. to be brought out to you and that there would be different things that you would do with your silverware, with your cutlery, to indicate to those that are serving when you're ready for additional things. And you think you have an idea what it is.

So with that information, that's all you have to go on. I look around and I say, oh, well, Briecky, I don't believe that this is a meal where we be passing food to each other and wait for the next course. Oh, dread, I say. Bricksey, if you need something, then you can also do this and a gesture that you might want more of something. Oh, Belethica's making a gesture, how rude.

I will... Let's make a mark there else. In proper etiquette, of course. Allow me to spear the rose beef, and now I will... Jericho's absolutely destroying that wax. To my human-like mouth. Oh! To get like a little...

Like a glens. Did Jericho just... You just support it? He says, pretending, pretending. My fork is now, and the wax is in my chest. Oh, excuse me. Where is your napkin? My napkin is definitely,

I've turned it into like a little handkerchief around my neck. Yeah. Okay, okay. Yeah. Oh, well, I guess that's why they have a spake. they have a spare and find out in case you drops them into your terrible, horrible soul

soul cage. Jericho, we can recover this. Okay. Ask Briggsie how his meal is. It's polite. Oh, Briggsie. Yeah, that's like me. A different style of fork. How are you even finding the food this fine evening?

It is divine and lovely. It's a... Helicutious actually significantly better than them in class. I must adjust the score. No, I'm fine, Virgil. I have it. I have it. I need you in the electrocution. I don't need you here either.

Garson, may I please order the... Oh, is she cooling out? Battered and fried... Absolutely. ...auchess had a crisp potatoes. Absolutely. ...almershing the vinegar and sea salt. Stop.

Yes, stop. Help me to understand. Are we not to ask for service if we need more to drink or to... Oh, no, of course. If you need a... a refill on your drink or you need additional food. You simply look towards those along the edges of the room. You make eye contact.

They will recognize this and come to you and assist you. I see. Thank you. Your welcome is written there on your sheet. Am I not allowed to order food? No, did you not just hear what he said? No, I was trying to talk in a fancy voice. You have to pay attention to when Louis is teaching us. Oh.

You're supposed to make eye contact with one of the people along the wall. Oh. You will see, and they will come ask you and get you what you need. Now, this is very important, Briggs. Listen carefully. Do not make eye contact unless you need something, or they will come to you.

You don't look at them until you're ready for more food or wine, or if you need to use the restroom or whatever. I'm ready, I'm ready. You make eye contact. I'm making eye contact. And one of them, you've been coming. This is my moment, Mary's.

I've got this. All right, all right. And one of the servants come. comes over to you and stands at your side. Leans down so that you can silently or quietly tell how do you do, good chap. I have the battered and fried paddock with a side of crisp potatoes with lashings of sea salt and vinegar.

Please. He looks down towards the plate where you're currently eating and you can see that there's some trepidation as he's unsure. He reaches down to take your plate, but seeing that you're still eating from it, he nods. I'm like, it's nowhere to do the food.

I'm just very, trying to pretend to eat. But he nods to you and it takes maybe three or four minutes before another plate of this fake food comes out to you. However, when he gets to you, you are still trying to eat from the plate? Fake eat? Pretend to eat.

Yeah, 100%. I'm still pretending to eat my plate until he brings a new plate. He stands there next to you and just continues to hold it. Oh, I say. Who ordered the fish and chips? Well, I do. You take it out of his hand. Well, he's just taking food with...

He's not even letting him clear his plate. That's going to be a failure there. I'm trying so hard. What am I doing wrong? No outbursts, please. I'm not sure. No, I mean, screening at the table. That's going to be a failure, aren't they?

This is a nightmare. I read in the newspaper today that the Prime Minister made quite the blunder in front of parliament. Well, that's a perfect topic of Congress. No, it's not its politics. We don't talk politics. That's a failure. Language, brigsie language. I'm sorry, man.

I don't. I'm just saying I don't know how to eat like a rich folk. I ain't cut out for this. I ain't cut out for it. I tells you. And this continues for about an hour. I need you each. I need you each to roll a performance check.

Oh, God. Yeah, this should be okay. It should be all right, unless I roll abysmally low. Is mine straight? Yes, yours is straight. Oh, remember I said as I don't know ball abysmal. You and Lathica are at advantage.

Thanks. Fucking good. I could disadvantage the other two, but it just feels bad. It wouldn't matter, I roll the natural one. I got a 13 at my high roll. That's awful. Awful. I got a six. Performance ain't my special.

I got a 14. Let's say Jericho might be of salad. What did you get? A 19. Perfect. Six. I rolled a natural one. And Brickie, what do you do to recreate?

Oh, I say. What? To recreate. Oh, my goodness. My ground stuff. I miss that. I. Holy shit, that's funny.

It's a climb that everyone missed that. I miss the joke. It's for the best, Prince. You just. A very fair time, Mayor. He does seem to be getting increasingly pleased with your elocution, but not quite as pleased

with your ability to have a polite meal. And as time passes, he eventually, they come and clean all the plates away. Dinner itself is finished, and you all rise from the table. You see that. You have all been graded on two of the three chaps so far. And what I can say is, which is not going well, chaps, it's not going well.

It is not going well. No, quite frankly, it's not. Now, two of you have potential, and two of you are here. Yes. Which two are which? I think you knew, my good man. We do. We know.

But that could all turn the tide. For at the end of the night, drinks have been had, people are feeling loose and excited. Yes. And though you may not be the best at speech, you may not be the greatest at conversation around the dinner table, you may be light on your feet, and on the dance floors where it really matters.

So we are going to go to the ball, or to the ballroom, Well, you're going to meet up with Madame de Bijou, who's going to assist you in your dancing lessons. Now, I'm not one for dancing. Two left feet, they call me, two left feet Louis. So I will not be the one to teach you. But she, though stern, will be a fantastic teacher.

Madame de Bijou. De Beju. De Beju. De Beju. De Beju. De Beju. De Biju. De Bijou

De Beju De Beju De Beju Beijou B-I-J-O-U De-D-V-E-V-U Well let me

escort you to the boardroom Thank you for all of your help and I personally apologize on behalf of the group for our less than stellar performance.

Well, as terrible as it was to watch and as as horrified as I by your progress. I can say the only slightly truthfully that you are better off now than you were

when I first met you. There has been a slight improvement slightly improvement. That's foreign. Well, Gadsuke say that is the best news I heard all the day. Well, I think you should take the positivity and run with it. Thank you, Louis. I think I shall. Or should I say Mr. Cotwa?

Thank you. It was lovely to me. to the four of you. We will choose not to speak to each other as we walk through the halls. As your voices echo throughout the hallways. And I... As you behind me. I'm quite ashamed that I wasn't able to whip you into shape. It's not your fault. It's not your fault, Garthorne. I'm not a Gartham.

Garthorne means bold. Monsieur. Oh, it does? Yes. Well, yeah, I never did Catillion grown up. I never done nothing, rich or fancy. You have made an admirable start. Oh gosh, thank you, Miss Lepithe.

Well, with that, let's just go ahead and leave. And he ushers you, once again, puts you into single file line and ushers you out of the room and down the hallway and through this wing of Chateau-Claire-de-Loon until you eventually find yourselves in what is very clearly the music room. You realize that you are here much more quickly than any of the other rooms is the music spills out of the hallway. The doors to the ballroom are, have been swung open,

and you can see that similar to the dining room, that there are these marionettes being puppeted around all dancing with each other. Inside of the room, you see a tall, thin woman. Looks to be an actual woman at first glance. Not like the rest of the people that you've seen working here. But she is, her outfit is very stern. She has what at first looks like lace that the collar climbs all the way up her neck, but you quickly realize that it is spider silk.

Her dress is this beautiful brown, but shifts in the candlelight, and you realize that it seems to be made from moth wings. And as you get closer and closer to her, you realize that her features are almost insect-like. Though she's very humanoid, you do see two antennae coming out of her hair, which is not powdered like the rest that you have seen here.

but this beautiful dark chestnut brown that's piled atop her hair, a ringlets falling down around her temples, spider silk lace gloves that go all the way up to her elbows, and she is clapping in tune with the dancing, and as you make your way to the doorway, you hear her say, oh, Louis, thank you so much to bring them here.

I just could not be bothered to make my way to fetch them, but darling, I appreciate you. And he, um, he bows to her and she curtsies. Now in, gentlemen and lady. Yes, to the room, please. Yes, yep, yeah, yep, you're right. Yes, of course. First, I would like to introduce myself to you as Madame de Bijou.

You may call me exactly that, Madame de Bejou. I am Lethika Nightborn, my lady. Lovely to meet you, my lady. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Marius Renathia. A pleasure to meet you, my lord, and she curtsies. My name is old Jericho Sticks. A pleasure to meet you, my lord, and she curtsies to you as well.

Madame, my name is Briggs Ptolemy. Cratch. Lovely to meet you, Briggs-Thoreg. solemn, you crunch. She's like, Welcome to the ballroom, my lord, my lords and my lady.

And she, she curtsies before you. Well, first of all of what we're going to have to do is split you up into pairs. Now, let me look at you. I request Jericho as my dance partner. I call her, but no requiem. Please keep your voice down.

I'm the teacher and I will decide for you. who you dance with. With all due respect, please. The outburst is not without prudence. I beg of you. Put it down, boy. My lord, at a ball, you will not always be able to decide

who you dance with. It would be rude for you to neglect a wallflower or a lady. I understand that. No, arguments. Paradise for his adolescent outburst. Look at each of you individually and I will pair you up as I see fit. Lovely, just absolutely lovely.

Your posture is quite beautiful. Chin up, young man. All right. Don't slouch. Take your hands off your hips. Do not cross them in front of your body in such a man. manner. Why are there in front of your genitalia? Move them to the sides and stand like a man. Well, look at you, Regal. You've obviously had trained. Take that scowl off of your face. You're

to dance. This is a joyous type. Scowling, that's just my face. Don't argue with me. Yeah, idiot. I'm a little... I'm a little... Brice, knock it off. Would you two stop? You know what if you're going to argue, then you will dance. Maybe the two of you can settle this petty squabble in the thrill of The two of you, partner up. Fine by me, Briggsie, come here, and I'm very forced to.

I'm like, very forced on you. I didn't ask you to embrace just yet. Just partner up. Now, the two of you, the two of you will pair up nicely. Yes. Hmm. Yes, yes. Thank you.

Thank you. I. Lovely. I approach. And I'll say, I'm sorry, Ms. Lepika. It's bad because Virgil said he can't help me with with this, with dancing, so I don't, I'm doomed. May I have a dance, Miss Lethneka?

That is simply not how it's done. Oh. What you'll do is, for the sake of this, we will have you, Sir Cratch, representing the lady of the pairing, and you- What? Thank the guts. My lady, we'll represent the lady of the pairing.

You will have affixed to your wrist a card, dance card where any anyone can come up and write their name with your permission and secure a dance with you for this evening so I would like the gentleman to approach the ladies request a dance and if given confirmation place your name upon the dance card

chop top let's go alright all right Briggs you trust me on this all right trust me on this one all right good evening my fair ma'amie Good evening, my friend. Spotted you from across the hall, and I would love to request a dance from me. Oh.

Oh. You're a handsome young... Very kind of you to say, miss. But I'm sorry to say I was betrothed upon the last fortnight. What? I mean... Do not yell at a lady in a ball. But I insist, my fair maiden, that I offer you to dance with me.

Please. Well, you'll... see my hand belongs to another. I swear it's all that is good. I insist, my fair maiden, is fake in this scenario that we're role playing? I'm sort of a homely young... No, no, there's no time for discussion.

Well, I suppose this hand is this hand, and I take my left hand off and I leave it. That is great, yes. I grab this. Put your hand back on foul. The moment it looks like he's accepting, I snatch the card from wherever it is... No, no, gently, gently! Oh!

Fine, and I write my name on it? I was trying to get a new character. Thank you for accepting fair maiden. Oh, sir Marius. Just Marius. Does it just Marius? Yes, it's just Marius. There's no, sir.

There's no, sir. My lady, I spied you from across yonder dance hall, and I thought your dress was mighty pretty, and may I request a dance? Pretty pleased with sugar lumps on top. And who is doing the requesting, may I ask? My name is Old Jericho Sticks. Thank you. I accept your author, please. Well, thank you very kindly for this card. Let me find my writing implement. and attached to your wrist on a string, you see a small pencil.

Oh gosh. Autrophy Jericho. To my lady of the ball. Been significantly worse, but it was a success. Now, we must prepare each other, take your dance partner, hands around the waist, you, there we go.

My face. I mean, Lord, I'll put my right hand on Jericho's shoulder and wait for him to take my left hand. Just wait for instruction. Put your hand here on my hip. Oh, I don't, is that, is that right? Yes, but you grab my left hand. Okay.

And you see that there are puppets that she's using to show you exactly the proper posture. Right here on my waist, yes. No, no, no, this hand here and then your other, yes. Hold my hand like this and then put your hand here. Okay. Okay. And then you take, you take like this, and then I will put my head here. Okay.

This is awfully close. Yes, that's where your hand goes. Right, it's right. Yeah, yeah, yeah. When you are doing it for real, it will get much closer. Okay, I'll hover hand. I hover hand.

Listen to me, I am going to use my hand on your and go back to guide you around the room and your fingers sink into a hole in his flesh. Old Jericho's sticks ain't getting canceled. We assume the position and we wait for the next. She very quickly begins to clap. in time. And then you begin to see

these marionettes begin to dance, showing you the steps as she counts out loud and waits for you to dance. I need you all to roll performance checks. They are group checks. So Marius and Briggs,

your score as well. Natural fucking 20. That's a 24. 20. Oh, we kill it. Oh, my. Just music beginning to play? Yes.

Music begins to play. When I mean that music begins to play, I lean in towards Briggs-D and I say, I cannot believe. You tried to tell me no. Do you understand what you almost did? I was trying to role play! Stop it! We're not role-playing, we're trying to get through this.

I have to dance for either you or Jericho. Look, I mean, I'm trying to call Leproko, right? I was going to give you Jerry. I mean, I'm not sure. My left! I'm sorry about the smell. Oh, God. Stop it, not worry about that.

All right. Oh, what? I imagine this is my inner monologue. Oh, what would Nigel think of this? But pure happenstance, leading a dashing vampire man. Right, back to the right. Follow him.

Oh, it's as if he sparkles in the candlelight. I'm trying to lead. I mean, I'm not lead. I'm following you lead. It's more joke, no. Leave it, leave it, we'll come back. We have to loop around. Oh, we're dashing.

And what are the two of you get? 26. 19. Absolutely spectacular. I cannot believe how well you're doing. Very good, Jericho. Oh, gosh. Well, I feel like this is the first thing that feels a little bit all natural for me, a little bit... But something doesn't look quite right. Let's try switching partners. The two of you at the back and then the two of you at the front.

Are you sure? I really prefer that with Jericho. Well, it's not about your preference now, is it? It's about learning. We were just getting acquainted. You know, Nigel is a way on getting there some of the city. Briggsie, knock him off. Yes, please do be quiet. Please, I would like to have a switch partner.

We're going to start over from the beginning. I would... I will have you, Jericho. You will be the gentleman. Briggsie. You will be Briggsolomew. You will be the lady again. Fulfilling your...

Quite a good job there. And... My lady, you will continue to play your role and Sir Marius. Yes. Ask for the dance and then we'll begin. This time, we will not be doing a waltz. Hmm, what should we do next? A quadrille?

No, too fast. A bret. No, a minuet. We'll do a minuet next next, yes. Get down, bitch. Get you off the floor. Throw it back. That's fair enough.

That doesn't happen. Let me take off my bra off. My God! Jesus! Can we take a break? Holy shit. Oh, my Lord. Rob holding

1,000% That's a nightmare 1,000% Someone make that immediately Holy shit Oh my god You know this is fucking fun This is really fun

This is I'm having the best time right now What a disaster I honestly I would do an entire campaign With you doing like etiquette and shit I would do an entire campaign with like this It's so fucking fun. Oh, my side's hurt.

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

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 Dragon 5th edition. And don't forget to snag all the extra goodies like dice, miniatures, plushies, a tarot deck, and more. Thank you. You begin to move towards each other as the matron here asks you to swap partners. You know that the intention now is to once again ask for someone's

hand on the dance floor and to write your name upon their dance card. Good evening, Miss Ethica. May I request a dance from you. Marius Renethear, is that not right? That is correct. It would be my pleasure. Let me just grab from you, my lady. She's staring the two of you down towards the back as she's waiting for you to do the same.

How do you do? Oh, hello, Miss Cratch. I couldn't help but notice you from across the dance hall, and I would humbly request your dance. You did not ask for my name, young man. Oh. My name is Old Jericho Sticks. May I ask your name, my good lady? My name is Briggs Tholomina, cratch.

Well, gosh, if there ain't ever been a pretty girl. your name whispered on all of Mount Celestia. May I have the honor of dancing with you on this fine Eiff? He's so cute. I look over at Marius. Well, my inner monologue might say, I will have the dashing vampire man. Perhaps he will be jealous. There is a confine most like on Marius's face. Yes, you said your name was, Gerecho? Oh, Jericho sticks. I'll like pull up the, I'll do a little bit of a twirl with the pencil. Jericho.

Oh, the H is silent, I've seen. That's just my name. May I have your hat. You may. And as I put my right hand on your lower back, you'll notice that I'm like, I'm much more stilted and stiff than I was dancing with Briggs. There's a fluidity. That is not there.

That was there as I was dancing with the giant rotting crocodile. Hey! And I don't bring you as close as I did. Briggsie. Are you all right, Marius? I'm fine. I'm fine. Thank you. Do you seem a bit stiff? I understand.

Are you ready to do that? Can we get this over with, please? Would you like me to help you relax? No, not even a little bit. Please. Just focus on the task it has. and we have to pass through this, all right? You know the steps, I think. Yes. Lead the way.

I'm waiting for the music to begin. It's just continued. It did never stop. She's waiting for both couples to come together. Let us go, my lady. We shall dance the Minuet steps. Actually, you can help me out of here, but you did it so well last time.

Minuet, okay? That doesn't let the steps? Okay, got it. So Jericho, have you done business with Nigel? Nigel? Well, yeah, in fact, he's my employer. I'm just a humble salesman of his employer. You must not tell him of this he, you understand.

Well, that's just fine. All I do is sell his ties that he makes in his great textile operation. I don't got any reason to cause trouble in paradise at home. He did always talk down on you over the supper table. But did you see how the rather dashing vampire man asked me for the first dance? Well, I did. He does see me rather dashing. Yes, and he chose me who is rather homely.

Well, I suppose even the rather homely leader, such as you, would choose a lowly tight salesman like all Jericho sticks. Certainly not. I would, well, Brits thought of me, I would enjoy this dance all the same. Thank you for participating in my ploy to hopefully seduce a vampire gentleman. That's old Jericho sticks, always willing to lend a hand and sell a tie. of time.

This is a nightmare. Madel said your numbers were down this quarter. Between me and you, layoffs might be coming. Gosh. That would mean I'd have to put them all in a home. Well, uh, Nigel will take great joy in that. What's happening?

The entire time, Madame de Bijou is walking around you, circling around you, her antennae are honing in on each of you, moving this way and that, still in time with the music. As the two of you dance stiffly, she eventually, she eventually claps really, no, this will not do. The two of you, I can't see it. No, no, the two of you, you just don't work. You, him, you, her. The moment that I, I, I, you. The moment that I, I, You will have seen me, I'm missing steps. I'm clearly not in true form. And the moment that she collapsed, I step away

and create distance. And then as soon as she reassigns me, I, excuse me, and I'll just walk away. Yes, yes, no, I would like to have you play the madame, yes? I can do that. And in this case, you know, let's throw a challenge away. I'll have you play the gentleman.

Uh, oh, oh. Give me your, give me your best lord. Oh, excuse me, I, uh, saw you from. Other failure. I'm going to have you play the lord, and I'm going to have you play the lady. Oh, all right, I need a new character. Oh, how do you do? I've just returned from the city.

This is the greatest story and the story that I haven't ever. You're a witness in my life. You see my name is Nigel Covington, and I am seeking my patrol. Have you seen her at this ball? What does she look like? Very rubinest. I saw a very Rubinesque and homely lady,

just that way. Nigel Covington? Yes, Nigel Covington. You have not seen her. Oh, you saw her go the other way? He's just there across the ballroom. I turned my love. You can't.

Don't stop me. I like put my arms up. I like, look quizzingly. Quizzingly to Madame Dejaboop. No, no, you're right. You will play the lady, and I will have play the Lord. No, no. It's not, it's not working.

I'm just getting into character. I'll give you one more chance. But flub this, you're done. I thought she's run off to the bathroom. May I please write my name on your card? Yes, my lord. Nigel. Covington. My lady.

Yes. May I have this very brief dance. You may, Lord Covington. The full mit them. Now this is a couple I could see. I can see. I'm so glad that I'm wearing this mask right now. I immediately walk over to Jericho and I say, excuse me, Mr. Stix.

My name is Marius Renethea. I would love to have this dance this evening, please. How do you do? My name is Annabel Sue Marie. No, no, no, Jericho, we are not doing this. No, I just dealt with this with Briggs for the last 30 minutes. We are not doing this again. Sticks, but you can call me Annabelle Louise.

All right, Adabel, please, may I have this dance? Let me please write my name on your card. Well, gosh, down in the country, we don't got fancy balls like this. I'm just slowly milked. But a fine, dashing vampire who got to dance with the bell and the ball breaks on me. There's, like, there's a vein in my forehead, like, and a twitch. Lord Covington, I think that Jericho just said fancy balls. Guard.

Thank you. Oh, a noble knife. I was trying to feel you. Here. Oh, thank you. Just like Paul said before he washed away in the flood. Oh, now, I ought to decade ago now. Annabelle, please give me your hand.

Oh, thank you. And then I will scoop Jericho up and bring him in close as we begin to dance. I'll, you know. She, um, Madame de Bejou looks so overjoyed with the new pairings. She, she claps. She seems incredibly pleased with the work that you've done here.

Out of all of your cotillion that you have done this day, this is the first time that you feel like you're doing well. She walks you through the waltz and the minuet. She walks you through dance after dance after dance. You go through 20 different dances, learning all of them. and the separate steps and how to excuse yourself from a dance, how to decline a dance, how to react when you're declined a dance. And all of these things, you end up executing fairly well. She does not seem bothered by the strange role-playing extravaganza that's going on with

two of your party, but she actually seems to enjoy the drama of it. And where at first she was very stern and cold with you, she, as the hour progresses, she warm, up and she, by the end of it, seems very pleased with all of you as she claps her hands. Well, that was spectacular. Oh, I am just so pleased. I had been warned that you were absolute hopeless case. But that has not been the reality of the situation at all. Absolutely lovely.

All of you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I would be so. so happy to see the way that my work is painted across the dance floor by you during the masquerade. You are, I just feel honored that you've taken what I've taught you, and you've ingested it in this way to create true art.

And I know that my lady, the Iron Maiden, would be so happy to see what had warden. has brought to the masquerade. Madame, it has been an honour to be your student. Darling, Lethika, you're so sweet. Well, now that's all for us today. I will have one of the servants' statue take you back to rooms where, I believe, oh my gosh, look at the time.

You don't have much time at all at dinner. So, you must get ready. I've kept you far too long. Do we pass Catillian? It's been a pleasure. As. It's been such fun. I almost hate to go back to the farm

in the cold embrace of Abraham Jeremiahson. I'm not sure what that means, but you know, I'm, I can't say whether you've passed all of Catillian. But Brick Solomonew, he is a gold star. She takes a gold star and she puts it on your right side. Smashy. You have passed dance.

Take that, Dan. Well done. Very well done. Yes. Yes, I know I could do. Well, thank you. Now leave. Oh, Tom, you see, sir.

And she motions for you, the doors open wide, and she begins to clap her hands. As you see, other people begin to come in from other parts of the room where there are clearly other people that are learning dances for the masquerade. They take note of you and nod, but you don't have much time to really get a good look at them, to really size them up before you're quickly ushered out into the hallway.

One of the skeletal servants silently leads you through the hallway and eventually you make your way back towards the room that you had been staying in. You see that a tea tray has been set up with no food, but some fresh tea, some fresh coffee, some ice-cold lemonade. And you see that each of you has a report card for Cotillian. They're all sealed and stamped. Well, we got through that it's all that matters. Well, I don't think I was the bell of the ball.

You did fine. The important thing is that we all passed and that we don't make fools of ourselves when it comes time for the masquerade. I hate report card day. I'll have immediately reached down and found my letter and look at my card. And you see, this is clearly written by Louis.

Well, Lady Lethaca did a spectacular job in it. elocution. She had fine table manners, and the report that I've received from Madame de Beau Zhu states that she is an elegant dancer as well. So it is with my ruling that Lethika has passed with flying colors. And then his signature. How do you do, Miss Lepika? I passed. Well, congratulations. That's mighty fine. It feels good. I guess I'll see. He's better to feel the sting sooner rather than later if all this is going to be his pain.

I may as well get on with it. I'm sure that you did just fine. Lord Jericho Sticks, though not doing so well in elocution, put in quite the effort. And he does have his issues that need to be addressed. However, he is quite the gentleman and in all things

was as kind as possible, though he may have two left feet and legs that are a little too thin for his body. I'm going to give him a passing mark. Barely so, but a passing mark all the same. The old hoverhand comes in clutch. You shouldn't do that

when we actually get to the dance. What if... I never mind. I passed Well done Well done, Jericho I passed Well done

I will grab the envelope And tear it open Lord Marius Renathir Of House Renathir Has near perfect Erecution His dinner manners

Are divine And his dancing Though a little stiff Is superb There is one area of note He seems a bit withdrawn And on the dance floor could use a little

Lusening up Aside from all of these things Marius has received passing marks At a nearly flawless score How did you do? Good, not great I thought you both did very mighty fine I mean not as good as Briggs-Star-a-Mina

But still quite fine indeed I'm not gonna pass. I don't even think I should read this. Why now? Throw it in the fire! If even I pass, Breezy, then you certainly pass. You can do it. I believe in your passing grade.

It's like my dad said. No son of his is gonna pass Cartillion. Fathers say that you would be a renowned cutthroat pirate and criminal known across the... the... the 12 seas? No. And who are we standing with? Briggsie Captain of the damn ship

Whatever the name of your ship was And Captain of Eddie and probably other guys I don't know Yeah but are cheated Briggs'i Oh that's true We are at the Top of the Mountain

It was a very challenging Cotillion Even if you did not pass You have to understand that This was the hardest challenge That could possibly have been confronted you could have possibly confronted. Passing,

barely passing here, or barely failing, would be a pass anywhere else. There's nothing great about me. You know, the big hat, and the big feather, and the big fucking cutlass

and the title to cut list. It's all fake. Would you like me to read your card? Yes. I pull the card in, I... Yes. You read silently all the way through. Well, Briggs-e.

And this is written in, um, it seems like. Alpid fruits. The choir, the spirit scopes. As a siren. These mispers begin to fill. What the fuck? It's written in the language of Daygon. Uh-huh.

Um, no, you, um, well, Briggsie was probably the worst in elocution. Not probably he was the worst in elucution. It was abominable, and he's had the worst score of anyone I've taught in my long, longed life. When it comes to dinner, he was rude to the staff, could not pay attention to simply, direction and floundered through the entire thing. For dance, it seems that he created false characters and made it difficult on everyone he was dancing with to learn as quickly as possible. That being said, by the second trial, his elocution had improved greatly. Throughout dinner, he never gave up. No matter how difficult things were or how much he believed he was going to fail, he never stopped.

And even though it may have been difficult in the end, he put his allies to a challenge that made them rise above it and they were all better for it in the end. And this, in this alone, Briggsie, the Cutler's Scratch, has passed Cotillian. I passed! Well done. I passed! You see? I knew.

Oh my God! I knew it. You passed! You passed! You passed! Three! Hey! Uh, take that.

Dad. You did it. I did it. Congratulations. I did it. It's right. I mean, it's right. You don't have a half of your dad.

Oh, you're right. Hooray! That'll show your dad? I'm gonna pull the service rope. What are we calling it? The just, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. I'll alert folks that we are looking for something.

I'm gonna, as soon as someone shows up, basically be like some champagne, a quick drink before dinner. Of course, you may have champagne. Bring eight fucking bottles! Please not curse at me a cell. Remember your training, you really just passed. Be a little bit more pleasant. I'll be back short with a champagne.

Thank you. You're tall enough. And he leaves and he comes back. Here are your bottles champagne. Thank you. What a thing? Yeah! Gosh! Yes!

Yes! Yes! And then the dialogue track fades out as sweet victory plays. Yeah. In a celebration montage. Incredible. Well, thanks a lot for those sweet dance moves, Virgil.

I appreciate it. I'm sorry you got about two left feet. Oh. Oh, you only got one. Okay, that's fine. Anyways, cheers to good Catillion and Passing. Well done. We're ready for the Grand Masquerade Bowl.

Cheers. And congratulations. And for Mrs. She's birthday. Good work, everyone. Had her special medicine. It was feeling better. Let us hope that she is.

I know that tonight is a special night and that she misses her husband very much. You enjoy the champagne. You enjoy the tea that was set before you. And you all get dressed for dinner. About 45 minutes or so passes before there's a soft knock on the door. Do we dress in? There were clothes laid out for you.

And not Henri outfits, but the evening outfits before the masquerade. You know that Ulri was making you your masquerade ball outfits. So these are the outfits that you would wear once you were headed to the ball, ready to dance for the party afterwards. So this is like when your birthday parties, a party's on a Saturday, but your actual birthday lies on like a Thursday or Friday. So you're having dinner on the night of birthday. That's right.

You party that weekend. Exactly like that. Okay. Got it. That's very real. And so you all have outfits laid out for you. They look like they were perfectly tailored to your bodies. And you're able to put them on.

And it is, you all look quite dashing as you once again collect yourselves in the communal space. And you hear the soft wrap on the door. Shall we? I'm ready to cut a rug. We shall. I open the door. You open the door and you see yet again another one of these

a marionette doll people. Whereas most of them are wearing pastels. This one is not. She's wearing a lot of purples and darker colors, dark blues. Her long black hair cascades down her back as she looks towards all of you. I can't even remember how to do this voice. Holy shit. I just forgot how to do this at home.

I have to think of my... What's your skeleton? Yeah, what my skeleton key is for this character. Is it, what's her name? No. Little Lottie? No. Little Lottie's in all in pinks. She's like a little shepherd ass.

Got, oh right. Like Po Pete from Toy Story, one and four. Oh my gosh, I can't remember how to- Hello. Hello, Governor. That's not her, that's not her voice. You rip among yourselves for a minute while I try and figure out what my skeleton is for this.

Good thoughts on ordering the champagne. That was lovely and very kind of you. I felt it would help loosen us up before Or we have to meet so many powerful figures. Okay, I have it. We are going before dinner time. We are going to escort you. I am going to escort you.

Thank you. It is a pleasure to meet you. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Lethika Nightsborn, and these are my companions. What is your name? No, no, not tonight. I am simply your guide, only because our dear Philip and Lady Adela cannot make their way to you immediately.

Adela is still feeling ill, but she does not want to miss the dinner. Well, be sure to pass along our religious. And Philip is quite concerned, and he's currently outside of the house. No worries. Again, let them know that you are concerned. I am Adela's physician,

and I would not normally be here to help you. You are the one who has helped to heal her. Yes. Oh, I would love to learn more about your medicinal powers. Well, we won't tell her that it was Phyllis. Philip, who's healing her? No, Philip stays by her side.

She said in a certain sort of way. I think she was speaking metaphorically. Is he like a bard? What? I mean, her bones are broken, and she said that he healed her. You know that's all song, skeletal healing?

You know what I mean? Oh, yeah, no, I know he's all right? So I figured he healed a skeleton. Well, I don't think so. Okay. We're very sorry and sad to hear about Ms. Adela, still feeling quite poorly after her late dusk tea. We're happy to go wherever they want us to.

We're just enjoying your hospitality. She is taking her rest, and she's going to have a nice nap before dinner. That is totally- Philip is running late, so dinner will be with Edella only to start. I'm sure he will arrive, as he should, towards the middle of dinner, if I am to guess.

I have been tasked with taking you somewhere very special. Where is that? There is something you are meant to see. Some artifacts that you are meant to be given. Right now. They planned that you would see them after the dinner. but with Adela's delicate condition and feel of being so busy with the Iron Maiden,

it seemed important to show them to you now, and then dinner will be served. All right, we're ready then, I suppose. Leave the way. We will be going to a special part of the castle that... Chateau. See, this is the problem we're trying to do this voice, is that I say weird things. This is the problem with the Shetown.

It does not my haunted house. This is the dungeon of my hands. She's not for Ghani! This is not for Dutanya's voice. It's just the only voice that I have for this character, okay? You're doing great. I was gonna have Lethika say something, because I'm trying to pull from you, but it just, I can't, I couldn't hear Lethaca's voice.

Lethica, lettica. I am then, because of the type of medicinal machines. Sure, sure. Manahatta. We're going to a special place in the chateau. This is a place that Adela does not bring people very often. It is a place that reminds her of home. I would ask that you respect this part of the chateau.

Understood. And do not touch anything that is not yours to be touching. No, no, no, wait, no, why would I, why would I... Why are you looking at me? What did you say? Lefander says never to steal and don't take Lefander's name in vain and don't fuck as well

or don't fuck someone else's all What? Wasn't that tenet not nine? Oh, by the God. He passed Cotillian, don't worry, he's good. He's good, he's very good. I was informed that you had all passed, which is probably the only reason I was given permission to take you to this.

this place. In this wing, you will find Philip in the Della's bedchamber, but we will not be going there. As I said, the Della is resting. So as we walk the holes, I need you to be quiet. All right. Understood. Very quiet. Now, let us proceed. And she begins to move forward. She glides across the stone, making barely any sound, as she eventually, she leads you through wing after wing after wing up higher into the chateau until you finally find yourself in a wing of the

chateau that is so significantly different from the rest of the house. This part of the house looks almost Victorian in nature with the wainscotting and the dark wooden walls where the frescoes had been painting on the ceiling. Those are all gone, but these beautiful painted portraits now line the walls, these large mahogany doorway. arched doorways that lead to untold places in this, our untold rooms in this place. And she takes you about halfway down the hall before turning and opening a door

and leading you into what is very clearly a study. A huge mahogany desk sits on one end. A decanter of liquor is off to the side. This place looks pristine and like it has almost never been touched. It doesn't, it looks. homely but almost unused, though there's no, there's no dust anywhere. It's very clearly well-catched. It is not here that you stop, though. She makes her way towards a bookshelf at the very back of the room, and she moves her fingers along the different books. You see that she pulls a

notebook out of her, out of her satchel. You can hear Lethika very clearly, the clink. of syringes and vials and other medicinal things. It's clearly her medicinal bag that she has attached at her hip. As she opens up this notebook and begins to look and then double checks until she finds a book and she pulls it. And the bookshelf spins in

and you see a large spiral staircase begin to wind down. Oh. This is where we will be going. Down here, please. Do I trust this person? I don't know. No, do you? Why wouldn't you?

Outside of the fact that she didn't want to give you a name. Yeah. I've had champagne. I'll follow. And you begin to make your way with her down stairway, or down the spiral staircases. It feels like you're going down floor after floor after floor. It starts to get colder as the stone almost surrounds you

in a way that is uncomfortable, almost claustrable, almost claustrophobic, you eventually get to a long hallway that leads straightforward, deeper into what feels like the underground portions of the chateau, and you watch as she lights wall sconce after wall sconce as you make your way down this hallway. Walking through it, it feels like this goes on for far too long before eventually you spill out into what is a gigantic room. This is almost far bigger than the ballroom that you saw upstairs.

You are on a balcony that protrudes out from it, almost like a viewing ledge, and you look out and you see hundreds upon hundreds of artifacts, all on different pillars or in behind glass cases or in special boxes, all of them with little plaques explaining exactly what they are and where they're from. You see that this is late. out almost like a museum. Clearly Phillips' private collection, two stairwells wind down from the

side as she ushers you into the room. I'm picturing the camera pullback from National Treasure when they reveal the Knights Temple Arm treasure in that. Oh, yeah. Yeah, probably something like that. And you see that this room is all aglow with flickering candles. The chandelier overhead is magnificent in gold as it illuminates this. this space and you wind your way through artifacts from chalk and from neckbet, artifacts from Yulong, from Striga, from Dracar. The rest, and the rest. But it doesn't stop there.

You see artifacts from Astrozoa. You see artifacts from the Faywild. You see artifacts from all over the material plane and outside. of and they're all marked with what they are and a lot of them even have names of who it was gifted by in it it becomes very clear that Philip is very well connected you things gifted to Philip Druskan Vall on his birthday the year of Ventrasier appears in front of you the equivalent of Wednesday yeah the equivalent of Wednesday you see gifted to Philip and Adela Druscomvold as a

in honor of their marriage or to celebrate their anniversary, to Adela for the hospitality she showed in this year of such and such. All manner of things. Some, Briggs, you recognize many of these items as being legends of lore, things you've heard of, but you didn't even know existed or were real. Oh, there. I write a book about that. As you wind your way through all of this stuff,

you eventually come to an alcove. And here you find that it is, there is this shimmering magical field around it, that she puts up her hand, she looks back into her book, she utters a word under her breath, and you see the shimmering, you see the shimmering magic fade away.

And she allows you to walk into this alcove, and you see that there are six little niches. And in each one of them, also in their own magical bubble, you see six items. Jericho. You walk up to the first one. You recognize this almost immediately.

The amber key. A simple key, but rather than being forged from metal, it seems to be crafted by a semi-translucent material in the color between yellow and orange. You look at the plaque here. It's real. And you see that it describes it. This is exactly what you were looking for.

It doesn't say how Philip acquired it. It just says, gifted to Philip Druscombehold. Lethaca. You walk up next to the alcove that Briggsie is looking into, and you see the shadow knell, a cracked bell of jet black metal adorned with skulls and raven feathers. Also, just notated, gifted to Philip Druskenbolt. Many sharon theft.

prayed. Riggsie, you walk up to what is clearly the idol of Croxigore, a stone statue of some seated crocodileian creature with bright gems encrusted all over it. This one, you see, gifted to Philip Druskenwald for his service. Marius, you walk up next, but you don't see what you're looking for. You see the wicker dream catcher, an intricate bit of wicker, string, feathers, and beads carved from ancient stone, all woven together in a web-like pattern.

You remember Farron talking about this. This was clearly the artifact that Farron had been looking for. And sitting next to it, the nightshade amulet, a pendant in the form of a belladonna plant with three ripe berries with a long chain attached, and shimmering in silver as it rotates within the ball. Both of these also, notating their name and gifted to Philip Druskenbald, You glance at them quickly. You feel the remembrance of your friends, but you can't get that gold, that rose gold glint out of your eye. As you look to the final alcove, the grail of dawn,

the gilded chalice made from rose gold, shimmering in pinkish light with similar rosy water within the goblin. It cannot be possible. It's all real. It's all right here. You weren't feminine. I had faith. I had a feeling Philly was a man of his word.

You know, he's a man who knows how to make a proper deal. We will learn the tale. We must. But before us, the artifacts we were promised, they are right here. And look around us. We are surrounded by more riches than even if spoken of the gods. Yeah, what do you mean how? I mean, how? I mean, it's just a fucking cup.

Look at all this shit. And this is just a cracked bell, but they, uh, there are many priestesses, like myself, who have died in search of this object. And that might be able to give me a little bit of peace and quiet. You can feel the magic from all of these thrumming through this hallway. They are magically sealed from you. You cannot take them now. But they will be yours at the masquerade.

Philip believes that if you are going to continue here, especially considering what happened in Fulcens, that there needs to be something that is done to make the leaders of the provinces know that for one, you are the right hand of Philip Druskenwald, but also a reason to trust you, a reason to value you. And he thinks providing you

with these items in a grand ceremony at the masquerade will prove to all of them who will be in attendance that you are special, that you are untouchable. We are to be gifted this in front of a crowd. That is the plan, yes? So close after nearly a century. Just a few more days. Your quits is almost at a end, Marius. Your grail quits! I do not know what this means for me. Whatever it is, it will probably be the right thing. That's what Mr. Lathander would want. Are there any other expectations when we receive the artifacts,

just to be gifted them and then... I do not know much, but I do know that the plan is for you to be gifted these items as a thank you for all you have done. I do not wish to speak. for Adela. She has, as you know, a voice all her own. But having mended her many times through the years, what I can say is she speaks very fondly of you and what you have done for the Drusken vaults is not gone unnoticed. You're happy to do it. We wish

them happiness and health and this reward goes beyond any I could. Absolutely. They are happy to bestow these gifts to you for what you have done and for the promise of your continued support and your continued assistance in the problems that plague all of Droskenwald. We will be there. My mighty momentous occasion, that's for sure. I'm gonna be normal. We will feast. I'm gonna not have Virgil around no more.

That'll be not nice, I guess. We will embrace that change. You have us, Sherry. You don't need him around. That's right. It is awful, terrible hearing the constant.

Mutterings and jabberings and horrible incantations and screeching and cawing and flapping and the shrieks of the abyss, even if it has gotten a bit quieter lately. That may be very scary. I imagine that even if it's

feels like the right thing for you, Jericho, that it is still filled with doubt. We will be your friends through this process. I will. Thanks, Marthaica. I also feel like Virgil's ready too. I don't know why. You know, he's probably ready to move on. Be trapped in something else for a change. Are you feeling better reassured at the very very much? list. Oh, no, old Philly Haddish cover. I don't doubt for a second. Told you. There is one thing to feel, to have faith, quite another to see it. I feel blessed, knowing that tonight, that bell will be in my hands.

A few days, a few days. Please, not tonight, but that they masquerade, yes. Apologies. No, it's like, I said we'd birthday. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, I'm back. I'm back. I'm back. She reaches up.

She reaches up. Only a few nights. And she reaches up and you see that she has a pearl earring that she holds on too tightly. It seems that our lady of the evening has arisen and is feeling piquish. So I will allow you a few more moments here with these artifacts. And we'll wait. and we'll wait to the side,

and then they will escort you to dinner. Thank you, my lady. I feel like I've had enough time. I'll wait outside and look at the nice terescue skeleton or whatever's out there. And there is. There's a huge terescue skeleton. I just wanted to say terescue.

You go out there and there's a pedestal with a small, it looks like a small wooden rhino token. You just start staring at it. That's interesting. There's this really interesting wooden board game called Jumanji. Oh, damn. I'll wait outside. I follow quickly after her and I'll watch her leave.

And I'll just kind of, what do we do about the artifacts to yogi and Ferry? Would they be given the way? She has stepped out of the room. She's given you time to. Do you think that we will be given them? I mean, it's not for ours to take. I hate to say. It's remarkable for you to say, but I agree.

I mean, you're part of our crew. They were sacred to our two friends. And they should be here. They should be protected in this amazing vault. You're right. I agree. Even if he does try to give them to us, I think we ask him to keep him here. You did Pascotillion. I did Pascatillion.

I did. I can't believe that I am looking at it now. More than a century? Longer, perhaps. I have thought the thing that I stand now only feet from. It fills me with energy, with purpose. How are you feeling? You have faith?

What? I mean, it's right there. You and I, we're not going to be cursed anymore. Just a couple more days. Yes, yes, Briggsie. I fear the cop is not for me. The cup is for my kingdom. Even though I worry that King Victor's gone,

the kingdom still stands and the kingdom needs the cup. If I am lucky, perhaps I'll be able to use it. When all is said and done, and I may finally have peace. You're not going to drink from it, like, immediately? I worry what would happen if I do. Oh, like...

I think you've mentioned this before, like you'll just age all of a sudden, like 100 fucking years and die? What are the chances that I would retain this... Youthful form? Maybe the curse like hit Pulse. Like, oh, he's a young lad, Paz. Young vampire, young, young, young vampire, young vampire, for like...

I don't know, however long you've been around and a vampire. And then the second you drink from the cup, you just hit unpause. And you still got, you know, seven to ten decades left. If that were the case, so be it. Unfortunately, there's much work to be done. And if I were to return back to being a simple human, not only would I not be much use to all of you I might even get in your way. I

have heard of the stories you were quite a skilled swordsman even before the curse you were a dashing knight were you not something like that do you think that

lethander would not guide you not make the right choice if you were suddenly robbed of your life and your youth

and your power because you drank from his grail, would that not be what is intended? I think the gods are not here, Lethaca. Well, I don't say that, I mean, we know they are. You know, we know there are gods around. I know that they are. I mean, we got Shaw, we got Mofander, we got Fultus,

we got Mother Knight, I mean, that's at least what, four, one, two, three, four, that's at least four of them. Her voice has been muted for me, but I do not believe that we are totally, alone. I don't hear Lethander at all. And I happen for quite some

time. I fear that I've lost him. Or, he's lost me. No. Look, don't say that. Mary, come on. You know, what do they say? They're God's working mysterious ways. You know, they give the greatest

challenges to the strongest champions and all that. I mean, this is probably what this is. He's just testing you. Same with the all non-atly virtues and all that, you know, you're winning on a quest for. This is just another one. The point remains. I will retrieve the chalice.

Just a lot of these filthy witches. I will go home to whatever's left of my kingdom. Fix. That's right. You and I, fully uncursed, we're going to share a drink. It's going to feel fucking good. Maybe we'll all see Galtica yet. That's right.

And we can put on suits and talk like lobster monsters. Oh, I can't wait. Okay, okay. I'm ready to eat. Let's go. And I'll run off to Jericho. Jericho, roll a perception check for me, please. Maybe they got a plaque on Tia Matthew. I've never seen all five Matthew heads all in one place. Perception is it?

18. You all meet up in the main portion of what is clearly Phillips Prize collection. And the woman leading you here, the marionette woman leading you here, motions for you to exit and to make haste. And you all do as you're making your way once again down the long corridor. You notice that the lantern, that the sconces are snuffing out. behind you as you move. Darkness is now encasing this room that you had been in as you make your way down the hall and up the spiral staircase in through the study and making your way towards the dining

hall. You're all brilliantly dressed looking perfect for dinner. And you think back Jericho to everything that you had seen. All of the amazing art. artifacts, the sculpture of Tia Matthew, the skeleton of the terrace you, the six artifacts that belonged to you. Something isn't quite able to leave your brain. And it was how extravagant everything was, except for one lone showcase that was against the wall that contained what seemed to you just normal, everyday. things. And it drew your attention because of the weathered cowboy hat that was affixed in the

very center, two strange-looking pistols mounted beneath it, a varying array of other things around it. But all of them together and used, worn, none of them beautiful and golden, spectacular the way everything else was. But clearly on display in some way. And it reminds, reminded you a lot of where you came from. You'd seen many people wearing hats like that, and you knew they weren't all that special or all that valuable. And you think about that a lot

as you make your way through this place, and it makes you feel that, you know, you felt that way sometimes, like you're a little worn and a little used, and maybe not just a regular old Jericho, but that there can be value found in pretty much anything. And it leaves you with a warm feeling in your heart as you are led towards the dining room

and the doors open up for you as you spill in. And you find that it is not just Adela who's here in the dining room with you. It is, there are tons of people here, all sitting and chatting, not at all like Catillion had shown you. They're all being loud and you see a gentleman at one end of the table who's got his feet kicked up on the table. Nowhere do you see Philip, but Adela is at the very head of it,

dressed to the nines, glittering in the candlelight and in the light of the chandelier as she holds as she holds her deck of Turoka cards out, finishing up a reading. She looks up as she sees you and she squeals as she bounces down the table. Homing in, and that's where we'll end the session. Holy hell!

Bum, bum. Something doesn't add up here. Hold on. I'm just, just carried a wine. Wait a minute. Ava from Wally is here. I can't believe it.

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