The Glass Cannon Podcast - Giantslayer Episode 250 Part 1 - Trunau As It Ever Was

Episode Date: March 10, 2020

The heroes return to Trunau to warn them of the coming threat as the #MarchtotheEnd begins! For more podcasts and livestreams, visit glasscannonnetwork.com. To become an official member of the Naish, subscribe today at http://www.jointhenaish.com. Want to be a part of Glass Cannon Nation? Follow us at twitter.com/glasscannonpod instagram.com/theglasscannon facebook.com/glasscannonnetwork tiktok.com/@glasscannonnetwork Get the best apparel and gaming accessories in the biz at https://glasscannonnetwork.com/store If you enjoyed this, we have several other series featuring Call of Cthulhu - Time For Chaos Delta Green - Get in the Trunk Pathfinder 2E - Glass Cannon Live! Strange Aeons Pathfinder 1E - Legacy of the Ancients Traveller - Voyagers of the Jump and so much more! Join us every Thursday night for Campaign Two of The Glass Cannon Podcast – a playthrough of the Pathfinder 2E Gatewalkers Adventure Path! Videos premiere on YouTube Thursday nights at 8PM ET with a companion podcast available at midnight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Baron Ashpeak, Dalgrith Deathbringer, Metronarn, and Nestor Coins. Appear in True Now. Oh my god! Right in the inner quarter! With an urgent message. I will be direct with you now, for it is not the time for half measures. The Storm Tyrant is the greatest threat to ever face the free people of Galarian. But their warning may be

too late. The world belongs to giants now. In the Storm Tyrant's name, the future ruler of our world, you shall perish. The march to the end begins

now. What is going on, everybody? It's your old buddy, Troy LaVallee here. It's Monday morning as I'm recording this, and I'm still coming down from the live airing of this episode you're about to listen to, and the insane week and a half we just finished from Glass Cannon Live Boston to Androids and Aliens 100 Live to obviously what you're about to listen to where, for the first time ever, we went live with the Glass Cannon podcast to celebrate our milestone 250th episode. I can honestly say it might have been the proudest I've ever been of anything we've made. I really think what you're about to listen to is a true testament to how far we've come as a network and also just as a gaming group, because that's how this started. Before we knew anyone would listen to our show, it was just an opportunity for us to game more. And our gaming

group has really grown and flourished over the years. And you know, as much work as I put into crafting the story for this episode in particular, just watching everyone sit back and effortlessly drop into some of the best role-playing I've ever heard any of them do. You know, it's not like I need reassurance that we're onto something, but man, episodes like this really do remind me just how special this thing is, how special the niche is. We didn't start this podcast with all of us already being minor celebrities or having come from other hit podcasts. We started with five unknown nerds in an apartment. And over the past five years, what we've built together, and by together, I mean you too, Lanesh, it's astounding. And we still have so far to go. I mean, I was psyched that we had 1300 people watching for the

entire four hours the other night when we went live with this, but I'm also not unaware that there are other shows that get 70,000 viewers a stream. I will not stop until we have 70,001. And then, well, stop isn't the right word because then we really get to work. So please keep spreading the word about what we do. It's only a matter of time before we really catch fire. And the more people we reach,

the more content we can produce, the more content we can produce, the more personalities we can bring onto the network, and just the more joy we can bring people on a weekly basis, people that desperately need a trip in our imagination copter a few times a week. You already do so much. Keep spreading the good word. We love you, Nish. I hope we can see you at what will undoubtedly be an incredibly special Glass Cannon Live New York show in just a couple weeks. Flights and hotels are super cheap right now because of the worldwide pandemic, but that shit will boil over before March 28th. If they shut down the city of New York, I will do this show in the streets. We'll pass around a hat at the end. So please, just come be a part of what will be a really special homecoming show at the Gramercy fucking Theater.

In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy a very special episode 250 of the Glass Cannon podcast. True now, as it ever was. true now as it ever was. June 16th, 2015. Maybe the 15th. You give me a weird look like it was the 15th. Pretty sure it was the 15th. Well, you know what? It was, they're all different time zones.

That's when we released episode one. It's different time zones, not date lines. Don't worry about it. It was the 16th. We released episodes one, two, and 3 of the Glass Cannon Podcast That's right That's what, five years ago? What year is it now?

Who's the president? Almost five The way you were saying it, I was thinking it was June 16th And it was the five year anniversary or something That would have been cool, but it didn't work out like that We should have done a live one on the 16th I would have loved to have more time to prepare We we should do another one on the 16th no shut up no no we're never doing this again i think we should commit to it right now uh no that's not true this

is going to be uh this is gonna be a wild night but can you imagine can you think like how this started in your apartment we did it we had uh you know how many how many uh equipment upgrades have we had since that first episode huh well. Well, I guess only really three. We've had four in the past week. That's not true. I was going to say. That's true. Every time I pull up the books, I see a new equipment upgrade.

Well, by equipment upgrade, I, of course, mean like across the board, a lot of different things. Right. You know, we've updated the mixing board, but we've bought the same brand and the same model, but just the one that wasn't broken. You know what I mean? That's not an upgrade. A non-broken one is always a good way to go.

I guess in a way it's an upgrade from a broken one. Tips for all you podcasters out there. Go with the mixing board that's not broken. That's a tip we really don't throw out there enough. You want a non-broken mixing board. Right. A mixing board that has all its channels working. A lot of people write in asking for that kind of advice, and I always neglect to mention it.

We need to put that on the to-do list of things we send out. But, I mean, this is pretty crazy to think how far we've come. It is. And now we're doing this show live. Grant, how do you feel about that? I feel like this is one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made in my life. Yeah, no, it feels like a mistake. It feels awful.

is one of the biggest mistakes i've ever made yeah no it feels like it feels awful i hope everyone out there is enjoying it because inside my belly i feel nervous and sad mostly sad right mostly mostly sad yeah it's a lot more uh not fun but it's just different to uh to not have the cameras on but we do this all the time now especially with androids and aliens being live like this is just a part of what we do but there's something about this show it's just it's different yeah to me it's not about the lights and the cameras and all that kind of stuff it's about the this story and the characters having no like working without a net now you know what i mean and and granted like it's not like we've cut out a bunch of characters dying in the past or anything like that but like it is only that one one time. Only that one time, which we won't mention. But no, it is very nerve-wracking, too.

When we first went out for the live tour with Strange Aeons, it was like, yeah, there would be stakes, but it was all new characters, and we always knew they were on the line. And tonight, it's just different. I mean, everything is very raw. We've never gone this raw with our flagship show. No, especially with our milestone eps.

This is something we build this as. 100, 200, 250. It's going to have a different feel from our normal episodes. And so that's added pressure. And I don't know. At least for me, I just feel very precious about this show. We put a lot of work into all of our shows, but this is something we've been working on for five years. We've never missed a week of this show. And none of us have ever missed an episode never missed an episode on any of our shows for that matter um except the shows that are designed for characters to switch in and out um you know i don't know we're also late in the game it's not like a level one combat you know i

mean there's a lot of uh crazy stuff that could happen and I plan on it happening. Oh dear. But you know, I'm excited to see what happens. This is obviously a big move forward for us and if it goes well, we can all retire young. That would be great. Tonight will be the launchpad

to retiring young. Everyone but me. You'd just be retired. You'd just be retiring. You'd just be retired You'd just be retiring I'd just be retired The rare self-zing On the Glassman Podcast It's good to start with self-zing Normally there's no room for the self-zing

I know Because Troy just zings you all day long Sorry, I'm a little like I don't get nervous or anything like that But I feel Not performance nervous But I feel like fucking jazzed up and amped there's just so much information here and we've had a crazy couple weeks with glass cannon live boston

last week androids and aliens 100 this past monday and now it just never stops but this has been the craziest stretch we've had since we started the network yeah and so you know there's really there's really no time like the present to just fucking close our eyes and jump in. Yeah. Let's do it. This is the end of our, like, Hell Week. This is it. Yeah.

Until the next Hell Week. Well, there will be more Hell Weeks, but this is the end, and I'm excited for tonight. I'm so excited to play tonight. I'm excited because I think this is the kind of episode, and this is just a show that I you know, I've been trying to build with this that rewards people that really listen, you know? Oh yeah. I want someone to be able to have never listened to this and enjoy it because we're having a good time,

but I want the people that have listened and re-listened or just analyze everything to, to have payoff with episodes like this. Yeah. So you don't want to reward anyone sitting at this table currently. Correct. No one has closely listened. Right, right.

No. Okay. Only Joe and I have listened to every other four episodes. I listen back. Well, not regularly, but like when it comes to story moments that I want to see come to fruition and stuff, I'll listen back. It's shocking how different the audio is in the pre 100 episodes. Right.

Yeah. Not bad. Just different. Especially Troy sounds far away. And you know, I had the body mic cause we're using the map and shit you couldn't be inhibited you didn't want your emotion to be inhibited i know i wanted to explore the space right from time to time and explore you did i used to be able to see yeah and now i that's how long we wait so you used to be able to see and then you lost the ability to see and now you've regained the ability now i've

regained i'm like a super i've leveled up i've leveled up it took me five years you got some negative levels right i got some negative levels from the age the age effects right and then you've leveled up i found the magic goggles of seeing you're right though it is getting kind of out of control how much story there is now at 250 episodes like as i think back uh the amount of characters and the amount of storylines that are going every which way and plot arcs and everything it's unlike any campaign i've ever played before by a long shot right and we've had some great campaigns before we started this show like stories that you know were our favorite campaigns in the time but i don't know this it just feels special also feels special for

us because everything that this company is built on started with this one show and so uh you know my goal is to make you and the audience cry at some point tonight but i think i'm gonna catch myself if i don't uh start this up pretty soon because if you really think about it this is fucking crazy that we're here and that we get to do this now uh for a living um it's uh it's wild and so thank you uh the people who watch us. And thank you, the people who listen. I hope that we continue to provide exciting entertainment and good stories for many years to come. Until Matthew's inevitable early death at the tender age of 38.

Don't joke. I think about that constantly. He does. He's always thinking about that. You shouldn't say that. Tender this week? I just want to get you on edge before we start. Well, speaking of that, I have a bone to pick with you.

Ooh, I love picking bones. Are you aware of the opportunity we missed by doing 250 live? I know it's going to be something shitty. Do you understand how cool a number 251 is? Not as cool as 250. No, it's much cooler. Here we go. Here we go.

I'll tell you. I would cut this out. Is it prime? It is prime. Yeah! It's also a Sophie Germain prime. What does that mean? It's a Chen prime, an Eisenstein prime, a DePoligac number.

I don't want to know all of those. It is a sum of three consecutive primes and the sum of seven consecutive primes. Can you just explain to me what one of those weird primes is? I don't want to hear every single one of them. What's a Sophie Jermaine prime? Matthew doesn't even know what they are. He just wanted to bring up a list. I'm not a mathematician.

He wants a prime of Sophie Jermaine. He wants to give her a shout out. Cheap shout out. Cheap plugs. A prime number P is a Sophie Jermaine prime if 2P plus 1 is also prime. I'm sorry I asked. That was terrible. So 501 is also prime.

Who cares? Maybe we'll do 501 live instead of 500. Man, I know I'm not a mathematician, but who cares if 2 times X plus 1 is also prime? I haven't done high-level math in so long, and I was like, there aren't letters in math. 2P? Get out of here with that. Next you're going to tell me there's an X and a Y. I bet you there's a bunch of math nerds listening like, yeah, yeah, tell me about the suffrage of

May and Pride. I've been waiting for this for 250 episodes. I'm going to pause the video. I can't believe he said the suffrage of May and Pride. Oh, man. Well, that would have been nice if you had been able to think about, you know, beyond even numbers. Nope. Nope, not going to do it.

I'm going to shit on anything you come up with. You'd at least been able to think of poor, poor Sophie Germaine. Poor Sophie Germaine, who died at the tender age of 38. Not unlike Matthew. Jeez. Let's jump in. Sophie Germaine. Oh, she died at the tender age of 38 not like matthew let's jump in sophie germaine oh she died at the age of 55 oh my favorite number that's right because it's when she died stop stalling we're doing this we're gonna go in i i'd love to just talk about numbers but there's a lot of story to tell and i'd like to get home before the sun comes up.

Here we go. We're going to start with darkness. You want me to turn the lights off or something? No, I just wanted to make sure you checked your email. He's literally checking his email my watch post to be fair i was checking it when he did the the uh extremely dramatic sound i sent you something before we went live darkness and in that darkness a voice rises out of the colorless void. It says, what do you see today, my daughter? Oh, yeah. We back away from the void to reveal an adolescent Feyraza Alced staring into a mirror.

Farazah Al-Said staring into a mirror. Behind her, her father and namesake, Farzadir Al-Said stands watching, training her in the art of walking through time. I see

a castle in the clouds. It's beautiful. All I hear is voices Crying out in pain There is a battle They're killing each other It's

It's horrible She pulls away from the mirror Overwhelmed by the sight of so much death I do not know what it means Her father nods Simple Scrying is something Anyone can do not know what it means. Her father nods. Simple scrying is something anyone can do with

time and study. It allows you to primarily observe the present, the now. To learn superficial facts, what we do, my daughter,

is different. The power that I was given when I was brought into this circle is the power that has been passed on to you. And if you have children one day, it will be passed on to them as well. children one day, it will be passed on to them as well. We see all of time. We feel its pain, its joy, its loss, and its triumph. We watch, we learn, and we prepare. How can I see more clearly?

For so long I have taught you to only watch. But someday I will no longer be here. And while others of our order will attempt to finish what I have begun, only I can pass on the rest of this power to you. Long ago, my child, I was the answer to a prophecy. If the rest of the prophecies are to come true, then you must learn this gift

before I soar upon the wind. There was a look at her father with a deep intense sadness in her eyes. Look into the glass. Look, but close your eyes and listen to my voice. See what comes to your scene with not only your eyes, but with your mind's eye. See it so deeply that you are there.

And his voice just trails off and Feyraz's pupils disappear and then reopen again. But now she's no longer staring into a mirror. She's standing in a desert. And it's a desert you recognize. But all of the buildings that are normally there, the buildings that you grew up with,

they're all in ruins around you. With the exception of one giant pyramid that has always towered over your circle. And in the shadow of the pyramid is a small tent. There's a fire pit outside that is still smoking like someone put it out recently. Slowly you walk towards the tent when suddenly the sand around you begins to stir. We go from that scene to now seeing a modest manor house. There is a garden to the left.

The smell of peonies wafts through the air as a handful of townspeople walk by, pulling beasts of burden along. Into this serene scene. Walk. Adriel Ashpeak. And Sir Willem McKeswick. You can see from Sir Will's eyes that he either recognizes the place or at least knows the place from stories.

We see the word Bronstone etched over the entryway into the manor house. Sir Will takes a deep breath and knocks. After a moment, a man answers. I is you, Sir Will,

sees the Keswick crest emblazoned on your shield. It doesn't say a word. I've come armed for combat. Roll for initiative. Sir Will is just like, Um, Sir Willis is like, Good day, sir. I am sorry to disturb you. I do not wish to appear without first announcing myself, but I'm afraid it was a bit of a rush.

Um, I am Sir Willamette Keswick of Highbury. I seek Sophia Keswick. I know this was her home, and I don't know if you've heard word of her whereabouts. The mention of your name is, I start welling up with tears, and when you finish he just, like, falls into an embrace with you. And

looks over your shoulder and sees Adriel. Is he a friend to us? Yes, I'm so sorry. Forgive my manners. This is my traveling companion and friend, Adriel Ashpeak.

He looks like, to the left and the right, make sure you weren't followed or if there's anyone else around. He's like, come, Will, and come, Adriel. She has been waiting for you. She... she is here! Come, quickly. He looks at Adriel like, eyes wide, for a a second and then turns and then runs into the place. So he escorts the both of you into the house, down a hallway and upstairs to a single door. And he just looks at the door, still tears in his eyes and nods at you.

Your name, sir. What is it? Ben. Ben. Ben. Ben Sievert. Sievert! Yes.

We were singing the Growing Pains theme earlier. So it was on my mind. He's telling the truth. I have seen it in the play. I have seen it in the play. Show me that smile. But I spell it differently. It's S followed by 17 Es.

A V and just an R. Oddly, there is no 18th E between the V and the R. Ran out of E's. But I must go. That would be ridiculous. It would be absurd. It would be absurd in this fantasy world. Mr. Siva, I thank you for your hospitality.

Your pronunciation is impeccable. Sometimes people really overdo it with those 17-year-olds. But no, you... They don't know that the 10th through 12th are silent. They're mostly silent. You truly are, Keswick. So many silenties. You truly are, Keswick.

I'll see you later. Bye, Ben. He just leaves you later. Bye, Ben. Then he just leaves you in front of this door. So Will's going to reach down, grab the doorknob, open the door. I'm not going to check for traps. He's good on that. Flamestrike trap. You open the door.

I mean, you can picture this scene. You open the door, and there is a figure standing at the window with her back to you, looking out. And she's backlit. But you know this is your mother as the door opens. And she's like slow motion, turns and sees you and just rushes at you. Embraces tears. Mother! Gwilymeth, you're alive!

She drops the shield. You're alive! Pick the shield You're alive Pick up your shield Like your father always said Yeah She's just weeping Embracing Are you weeping?

Oh yeah Yeah He's overcome with emotion He had so much doubt I would even say certainty That she couldn't have made it And Adriel insisted that she could. And she had. And he just

didn't believe it. So yeah, he's just like overcome with emotion. In my heart, I knew you lived, but to see you here in the flesh, how did you know to find me here? How did you? How?

He composes himself, stands back, stands straight. How did you... How... He composes himself, stands back, stands straight. How did you escape? How? She looks at Adriel. And who is this? I'm sorry, I've forgotten again. This is my traveling companion and friend, Adriel Ashpeak.

Well met. Well met, my lady. I'm an analyst of sorts. I specialize in long-term forecasting. He... He was convinced, Mother, that you had survived, that you had escaped the attack on Highbury. I was there, Mother. It was horrible.

It was horrible. It is... I don't know if you've heard, but there's nothing left. Has anyone contacted you? Has anyone else survived? No, Will. No. There's... there's no one left. Please, come in and sit. Oh, there's so much to tell you, Will. I do not know even where to begin.

But you asked on how I escaped. I don't know if you would remember this. You were gone with the Knights of Ozem and then with your other charges. But oftentimes when your father was at war in the world room, I would walk the courtyard at night, worrying of his return. It became a meditation for me

when I felt that all was lost. One night I was taking one of those such walks. The moon was out, but it was still dark, and I stopped to admire the ivy growing up the tower walls when a figure appeared as if out of thin air in my periphery. I tried to scream for the guards, a natural reaction, but no words came out. The man, as I could tell from his voice,

assured me that I was in no danger, no danger from him at least. Then he spoke some more. First thing I remember is that his voice sounded so familiar to me. Even now I can't quite place it, and I could not see his face. But he began to speak of your brother, Bartholomew, and told me that he was planning on murdering every man, woman, and child in Highbury and raising them as his own undead army. If I wasn't so fearful of this stranger and what he said, I would have laughed.

This was my son, I said. He had problems like any young boy, but we sent him off to school, to study, to be cured, and he returned a pious man. So I thought, I would not believe this shrouded stranger. Why, I asked him, why would you tell me such falsehood, such untruth? I demanded, who was he? I asked him, why would you tell me such, such falsehood, such untruth?

I demanded, who, who was he? I asked. All he said is that he was a friend. A friend of yours, Willamette. Then he showed me things, my son. Showed me visions of your brother, Bartholomew, copulating with an undead abomination. He showed me my husband, your father, dying in the world wound. And he told me that soon Bartholomew would have me killed as well and raised for some nefarious purpose. I demanded proof. Proof that this wasn't all some lie or sorcerer's trick.

So he brought me into the castle. To a room. Where your brother Benric was. And he showed me. What Bartholomew did. To my son. And she just starts crying. You saw him then?

I did. I had feared you had left before he... Before he was killed. I know it sounds awful, Mother, but I... It comforts me to know... That you left... after he had died. That you didn't leave him behind. I had thought the worst.

I had thought he had been left alone, and you know he could not fend for himself. He tried so hard for so long. The fact that he was alive at all was a testament to his strength. But in the end, he could not stand up to that kind of evil. How many doctors, how many wizards did we bring over the years to try and cure him? To no avail. And to see what Bartholomew could do to his own flesh and blood

to his brother I knew he would do the same to me that this stranger was telling the truth when most of Highbury fell in line with Bartholomew there were some

who stayed loyal to me, quietly, wary of the sudden changes Bartholomew was making, unaware of what he was really doing. One such person was a Highbury guard, a paladin of Iomedae, who I knew I could trust. She gave me her uniform uniform and along with another guard I was ferreted away here to Bronze Stone.

That woman surely perished. But she saved me. Will starts to get tears in his eyes. Such incredible bravery. The Knights of Iomide. They tried so valiantly, Mother, the Knights of Ozen. They fought so hard against the

tumbling wave of undead, but there was nothing they could do. I was lucky to have found such powerful companions in Metra and Silvermane. Adriel was there as well. He saw it himself. They ferreted me away. And now we are both alive to tell the tale, which gives me hope.

I don't know, I feel that I've been lacking faith for so long, Mother, but seeing you changes things. I too have struggled with faith as of late. This man who came to me Everything in my heart told me He was evil He told me that in order to save myself and you I should flee and that you would find me here eventually Everything that this man has said

Would happen Has happened Will's eyes widen that this man has said would happen has happened. Will's eyes widen. He said I would meet you here. Yes. But I... I beg you to remember many, many years ago

you say the voice is familiar. Yes. Think back. Think back to Dr. Forsythe. Forsythe. The principal, he said, who had come to

take me to a school for gifted halflings or some such. Yes, yes, he ended up not taking you. What does he have to do with this? Was that the voice? It was so long ago, but perhaps it was. Mother, he leans forward, grabs her hands.

Mother, I have found that Dr. Forsythe is an imposter of the most horrible kind. He has infiltrated our family. He has orchestrated the lives of many of my friends and allies towards some hideous end. What that end is, I know not, though I do know what his mission is. It is eternal life, no matter what form it takes.

He was among us, a devil in disguise, a demon hidden among us. I did not know until I reached the Cathedral of Mindahar. Took me a second. The Cathedral of Mindahar. He spoke to me and I recognized him. It was chilling, Mother. My blood ran cold. You must...

No, you must... I'm sorry. If this was the voice, it is very important that we know. We all could be in a great deal of danger. Perhaps it was. He knew of Bartholomew's plan, Mother He orchestrated the fall of Highbury This man who saved me But why?

Why would he do this? He came to me in a dream Not long after I left At the time I thought it was a dream, but yet it felt so real. It felt as if he was there with me. When I woke up, it was as if things had changed. He told me how special you are, Will.

And how he had been watching over you his whole life. He had been watching over you his whole life. Grooming you from afar to help you unlock your true potential. Perhaps this was the Doctor's plan all along. I don't know, but he said that you and your friends, the friends you speak of, this Adriel and Metra... And Silvermane. And Silvermane are the only hope for saving the world. What am I to believe? He saved my life, perhaps.

He somehow saved yours, but every time I look to Shailen for answers, she tells me this man is pure evil. He did, Mother. He saved my life. He had the chance to kill me, and he chose not to. He has some grand plan, some web he is weaving. I don't know what it is, but I do know that he is evil. He serves only his own ends. And if it is I that am to become a savior of the world,

and that is what is to become of my friends, then I assure you he only wills it because it serves his ends. I can't see it either. I've prayed for guidance, but I've gotten nowhere. Adriel has been of some help in guiding me, thinking about things in a different way.

Thank you for counseling my son. It is my pleasure, my lady. It pleases me to see. So we'll finally hear what he needed to hear from you. it pleases me to see Sir Will finally hear what he needed to hear from you every night I pray to Shailen for answers

to know what the truth is and every night I see the same thing Willamette and Adriel perhaps you can shed light on this as well I see the swaying walls And Adriel, perhaps you can shed light on this as well. I see the swaying walls of a hanging monastery. Seknavali, a Thassilonian relic constructed by the runelord of Sloth,

as my wet nurse would tell us when I was a child. What goes on there to this day, no one knows. It was a story he would tell to frighten children, but it exists, this monastery. But the monastery itself is not important. It is but a waymarker, I believe, that Shailen has shown me Because just east of there In this dream Lies an abandoned temple My visions Tell me

That you ought to head there Deep within the foothills of the Mindspins But my child, I do not know If salvation lies there or this devil in disguise. I put my faith in the eternal rose.

But this is your quest now. Mother, I thank you for your guidance. It seems that your dreams could light our path. Adriel has been kind enough for quite so many days now to travel here with me and protect me through the banded, strewn roads from here between here and Trunau. You spoke often of a road ahead, Adriel, that we must seek.

I thought that perhaps you already know it, but maybe this is it. Perhaps. Perhaps you need to meditate on it. All I know of this moment is that the old evils have awoken again and they cast a long shadow upon this earth. But the light that emanates from the last night of Highbury should be the key to break the darkness. I have longed to see you again, my son. The thought of you leaving me at this moment,

knowing that, knowing the unknown, if we shall see each other again, pains me. May the rose and the light be with you always, my son. You are the last knight of Highbury. You are the last Keswick

for Highbury. For Highbury. Benzie for Popsin. For Highbury. For Highbury For Highbury Ben Siever pops in For Highbury For Highbury Mother I Ben Siever Sorry

I missed it Show me that smile again Mother I It pains me as well to leave you You know that If I could stay, I would. It gives me great, great joy to see you here alive. However, I have sworn an oath,

not only to Highbury, but to the Knights of Ozem, and by extension, to those they send me to protect, to now and... and I am under the charge of Sheriff Ashpeak, who sent me to protect. True now, and... And I am under the charge of Sheriff Ashpeak, who sent me to see you. It has been a long road, but

I must find my way back. This... This at least gives me a direction to begin. I... I don't know. I feel quite invigorated. There is so much evil and hatred in the world We stand now at the precipice of two horrible evils

Two armies, an army of giants, an army of undead Thank the goddess they have not joined forces yet But I don't know how to fight them myself. We must gather people. We must find a way to fight back. But I've never felt more faithful that it could happen than I do now. There is, of course, Branda. This expression darkens looking at Adriel.

Of course, Branda. This expression darkens looking at Adriel. We shall have to try to understand. But in the meantime, you've never led me astray, Mother. And I feel that I must do my part, such as it is. And I... I know now. I know now that this chapel is something I must seek. And that Iomedae leads my way along with Adriel and his dragon kin. Which is like painful for Will to say.

It's like coming around on this. Well, doesn't she also remember like scooping you out of the ashes as well that's not a hundred percent but yeah okay she knows that his family was killed by dragon okay yeah so like even that to her is like yeah it would be weird so like he was hesitant for a second but he's like you know everything you've said so far has come true and this is you know you were his you were his rock the whole way here that his mother was still alive so he has to give you a little faith now and it's just that general like his faith is so shaken and to have anything start to like

of course it really could have just gotten lucky but i choose not to believe that I choose to believe there is something greater going on here. There is one more thing. You will need some help on the way. An old friend of yours

came here as if he knew that you would one day return. She calls to Ben Seaver. Byron? Those are the only words he speaks now. That's how he answers summons bye Bray

tea yes I'll be right back she uh she nods to him he goes back moments later you hear padding on the floor as Lexington oh no way dude jumps on your face and licks i thought you're gonna say he jumps in your face and tears you tears you limb for limb he's gone feral unfortunately

he's undead and then ben puts him down he's a worshiper of ergothoa what a real turn there. Oh. Jumps on you, licks your face, and from there we fade out. Don't let anybody tell you you're an asshole, Troy. That was very nice. Thank you. Lexington is back. Lexington! Wow.

Zap. Baron Ashpeak. Dalgrith Deathbringer. Metronarn and Nestor Coins appear in True Now. Oh my god! Right in the inner quarter! Ah, so crazy. You did the old zaparoo there very recently.

I did. Yeah. Sometimes less than on purpose. Yeah. It was a total accident. Yeah. But you're back. And not unlike your arrival here, you come into the inner quarter and there are people just like, oh, I'm late for work.

What the fuck? People just teleported into our tiny little town. And it's not long before you're just immediately surrounded and people, you hear, it's the sheriff. It's Baron. It's that woman that appeared. You start hearing the rumbles and whatnot. How far we've come from the tug of war that started in this town. Just incredible.

But the one constant, Baron Ashby. So true. Red Heart. Red Heart at the time. Back in the day. Nay.by. Oh, so true. Red Heart. Red Heart at the time. Back in the day. Nay. Nay. Nay, Red Heart.

Nay, N-A-Y. Nay. Nay. Red Heart. I love that. I like that it works both ways. When I was preparing for this today, I went back to try and find an early, early email chain. We had going in like pre-production

and I think the day we recorded episode one was like the second time you and I ever were in a room together. Is that correct? I think so. You sat in one of my Jade sessions and that was the second time. It was the third or fourth. I honestly don't. Well, you were there was one time you broke a chair at Skid's

house. I think that happened after we started the podcast. This was the second time I ever met you. It was also I think the second chair at Skid's house I think that happened after we started the podcast This was the second time I ever met you It was also I think the second chair you broke No I think that was the first chair you broke How much furniture of Skid's have you broken? More than I can count Who's counting really?

We're not keeping score here When I pitched Grant to you For the pod You had never met him And I had played some well no he guessed it in jade regent that one time and i was like what about that grant guy he seemed cool oh yeah yeah this i'm telling you episode one was the second time i ever met him and so i went back and i found there was a lot of email going back and forth and i found the email chain where this

all began uh you were originally thinking of doing a john wayne type ranger as the way you wrote to me really yeah that was the original thing and then i screenshotted this email you were i uh i wrote to you i was like hey grant we're getting close to uh need i need to start doing some prep here what are you thinking and you were like not decided yet dot dot dot dot dot dot dot troy are gunslingers allowed and i wrote actually this was to reply all i was like hmm 17 m's let me see i've always loved the idea what a dummy you were so young and stupid back then uh i just need to see how they'd function since they seem so modern in comparison i'll let you know but my initial feeling

is fuck yeah. I remembered this. I remember that email. I remember this email, too. And then I said, let me read a little more and see if it would work. I didn't read anymore. And here we are. And here we are.

It's amazing. It's crazy. It's amazing. It's five episode 50s now. Yeah, five 50s. And there's always something crazy that happens in each one so and we're back in true now we are back in true now oh my god it all comes rushing back but in i know you stopped keeping a calendar but is this we always talk about this and i always forget is it weeks months since we've started this? It's been months. Months. It's been months. I had a calendar for a while, but like every GM, I gave it up.

Yep. I would say it is probably in the November, December range. I think you started in August. Wow. I'm kind of spitballing and bebopping and scatting here. But thinking of where I was with the calendar, I think the only thing that would screw me up is like when you did crafting that lasted. But you've pretty much been like The threat is we gotta move on

I'm gonna guess we started in September That's my guess But I moved it a little bit because I wanted an IOMA Day holiday To land for Sir Will So I started late August Because I remember when Sir Will got there When we left True Now together for the first time That was like deep into fall

Because I remember moving through the mountains And the leaves were falling I can still see it Heading to Nargum Steelhands Tomb was like deep into fall. Yeah. Because I remember moving through the mountains and the leaves were falling. It was such an image. I can still see it. Heading to Nargum Steelhands Tomb. Well, just again, coming back and probably seeing more and more of the town

being rebuilt and people living their lives has got to make Baron feel very happy. Yeah. There has to have been a lot of work done while we've been gone.

Oh, yeah. The walls are all completely built back up. You know, there's like, it's different kinds of wood so you can can see, like, where it was destroyed. Looks like the ramparts are up. The towers are being rebuilt, and they've made it better than what it was before.

So it's good that the city got sieged and everybody got killed. Every once in a while, you've got to hit the restart button. You've got to hit the restart button. So you guys arrive there, and the crowd is starting to gather and Nestor, roll a perception check. I'm going to be honest. I forgot Nestor was here. I'm here. For a second

I was like, oh man, this really is a throwback episode. I thought you were going to say, I'm going to be honest. I forgot we rolled dice. It's the sheriff and that weird lady who fell into the town and oh yeah, that guy who murdered that person. Hello. Remember me? The murderer.

The nerd criminal. Multiple murderer. That was a 33 for old Neistat. 33. While there's a lot happening here, you see that Metra is kind of giving an odd look to Baron and Dalgrith is doing the same and they're all kind of looking they have like a shared thing happening

that you're not a part of and then you hear a click I've been waiting a long time for this partner you stole a man's life away from him before he was supposed to die. And you took a friend away from me. So tell me something.

Are you ready to repent before you meet judgment? No, wait, wait one moment. Wait a moment. Can we discuss this? Like, civilized people are going to have this gun to my head the entire time. Oh, there'll be discussion. Don't worry about it, but I'm keeping this gun right where it is. But I'm a lawman, not a judge.

I already showed you how biased I was. I think you should be executed for what you did. And he grips the pistol as it's shaking by his head. But that ain't justice if it comes from my hand. If I killed you, I'd be no different than you. You killed a man out of spite and hate, and I can't do that. All right, all right, calm down. Let's everybody be, let's everybody be cool.

Right? I just want to say that Dogwraith isn't doing this. That's his job. Yeah, I'm utterly shocked. Listen, listen, listen, mate. If you want to have a trial, if you want to have this out, look, I'm game. Guards start coming in. Sheriff, is everything all right?

Hold one moment. I thought I could compromise my code and use you like a weapon. Use your killer's edge to slash through the giants. You can't squirm your way out of this one, Nestor. I thought one evil could end another, but I learned something else. You know what that is? What? Don't leave me suspense.

I learned you can use a man up to a point. You can even use the talents of a man you don't see eye to eye with. Work together. But you can't use a wild animal. A rabid dog can't guard your home. A rabid dog has to be put down because a rabid dog ain't no goddamn sense or got no morals. A dog like you can't be healed. A dog like you deserves to be healed. A dog like you

deserves to meet justice. Guard, seize this man. Take him to the Council of the Defenders. What? Shit. You get a bottle cap. Yay, dude! What was it? A rabid dog can't guard your home? That's a great

line. I looked over to it and I was like, dude! It's a good point. So yeah, the guards come in and just put you in fetters and manacles and they haul you off to jail! Where it all began.

And we fade out of that scene. Holy crap! Come on, man. And we fade back up on the ivory hall. Oh. Back in the room with the council of defenders. At the head of the table is Chief Defender Halgra of the Blackened Blades I always forget her The extra part of her moniker

So badass One side of the table sits Counselor Agrit Stagenstar The dwarf Married to Sarah Morninghawk Next to her is counselor and banker Lessie Crumpkin And then High Priestess Tayari Varvedos

Both of course played by Catherine Zeta-Jones. So stupid. Still. Never not funny. I love it. Every time. I love it every time. It was High Fidelity Zeta and...

Entrapment. Sean Connery, Entrapment. Never not funny. That's why I sat them next to each other. I didn't even put them on opposite sides. Well, and we have the third one now, too. the third one agrid snaggin star she's the oh she's she's cgi katherine zeta jones do you think the older katherine zeta jones likes it when the younger one is asked if their sisters

by someone in public oh how nice of you to say. On the other side of the table is Counselor Sarah Morninghawk from Clamor. Wasn't that the name of her? Yeah. But Clamor had to be rebuilt, right? It burned to the ground. All of it had to be rebuilt.

I remember Lork was like... Gorm's almost died in that episode. That's true. That was almost our first death. And I think that was... It was only like... 14? I want to say 14 is my guess.

I was only saved by the 20% miss chance. Oh. That's right. And I rolled. It was like very close. I feel like it was like 23 or something ridiculous. Anyways, you survived. Next to her is patrol leader Jogren Graf and the new counselor, Brynja Kelver.

Remember, she was brought on to not replace Kesson Plum as the master of stores or whatever he was, but just to take his seat on the opposite end of the table. To add a more diverse panel. Right.

They're trying to be more progressive, so they're putting some hat on. And it was, whatchamacallit, on the council. Jonski. It was Silvermane's suggestion. Right, Silvermane said, you should put her on.

They needed some youth. Some youth. And also, there had never been a half-orc on the council before. And you know that the enmity between humans and even dwarves and half-orcs has been going on in Trinow and all the holds of Belkson for a long time.

I always forget this. So, Halgra is human. She just has no problem having half-orc lovers. She has tons of half-orc children. And they're running around the Ivory Hall as far as the eye can see. Got it.

At the opposite end of the table is, of course, the master of maps and used cars, Tom Exposition. Oh, God. Oh, God. I show up

in every milestone app. And then, noticeably absent, is Silvermane. Normally, he would be standing next to Halgra of the Blackened Blades, but he's not there. So long ago, he appeared and gave you a,

what was it? A lantern. A lantern. To go through the marsh? Yes. Can I just tell you, it was a very exciting moment. At home. Gwen has

gotten super into Disney's Brave. I don't know who has seen Brave because it's not super popular. But Will-O-Wisps are a big thing in that because it's a very Celtic sort of story. And Gwen, I'm just getting chills thinking about it because she says, Daddy, you gotta come see the wisps.

See the wisps. She follows the wisps to the witch's cave. And you're like, I know wisps. She's running, Daddy, you gotta come see the wisps. See the wisps. She follows the wisps to the witch's cave. And you're like, I know a wisp, man. She's running. Yeah, she's like running through the wisps. And I was like, Daddy once got a lantern and had to find a wisp to put in it to find the standing stones. And by the way, there's totally standing stones in this movie because it's a total Scotland Celtish like story. And it was just awesome.

I was like, this is why. Spot or will-o-wisp. Exactly. His name was Mossmoon. His name was Mossmoon. This is why this game

is the greatest game on earth. It truly is and now that we, when we started the show you didn't even have a kid. Because I didn't say, now you can share that story.

Lork got a lantern. I said, I got a lantern. This is a memory of mine, you know. She's got meork got a lantern. I said I got a lantern. This is a memory of mine, you know? She's going to be so confused. Yeah, but Silvermane isn't there. Everybody else is.

There's a lot of people in here. Cursed isn't even in here. Jagren is on the council, not Cursed. Haugra speaks. Are we here? Baron, Metra, and Dalgrith are here. Nestor is probably in the jail where he was first met by Baron and Lork so long ago.

Haugra says, played by Melissa McCarthy, right? Sheriff Redheart, I wish we were seeing each other again under better circumstances. We will discuss the prisoner momentarily, but my men tell me you have dire tidings from the mind spins. And Baron reaches to take off his hat that's not there, because he remembers taking it off the last time he was at a council of the defenders and he says chief defender halgra esteemed council members tom yes hey i'm here too i contribute nothing uh and baron of course introduces dalgrith his esteemed strike team delta companion as well as Metra. At the mention of Dalgrith's name, you see people being like, is that the Dalgrith Deathbringer?

You know what's funny? He's looking around, he's saying, I've been here before! Oh, it was ages ago, but I recognize the town. I didn't know this was true now. This Ivory Hall is

quite an interesting place. I've been to places like this. This has to be the town years ago I passed through with my mentor at the time. It's a long story. It's irrelevant now, but it's nice to meet y'all. I might have met some of you before. There was an older

druid fellow, white hair I remember. He's not here anymore, white hair, I remember. He's not here anymore, I guess, but he was there at the time. Who was your mentor, Dalgrief? He was my mentor, Yorick. Yorick? Yorick. Blackbow. Yorick Blackbow.

You know, the famous Yorick Blackbow. I knew him. Horatio,ick Blackbow. I knew him. Horatio, I knew him. I knew him well. I knew him, yes. I knew him well. At that time, you know, of course, I was... Mr. Deathbringer, please, I appreciate your enthusiasm.

I'm just happy to be back. Good to see the town's still standing here on the edge of the holds of Bilkson. Yes, yes. Welcome back. Tom, please. Now it is time for me to share my report. Yes, please. Chief Defender Haldreth.

I will be direct with you now for it is not the time for half measures. Half measures will mean the end of the world as we know it. The Storm Tyrant is the greatest threat to ever face the free people of Galarian. He is a massive giant and he is assembling giants

from every corner of charted territory. We believe him to be behind the attack on True Now some months ago, of which we are all survivors. Forever may the dead rest. His followers were amassed at the ruins of... Not you guys. Not these two.

Get him! I'm having a moment with the Trunauians. His followers were amassed at the ruins of Red Lake Fort. Multitudes more trained giant warriors lay in Minderhall's Valley and a brigade in Skirgard. and Minderhall's Valley and a brigade in Skirgard. Now, we routed them all, but today the Storm Tyrant has an entire army camped outside of Ash Peak Volcano. And if that weren't a grim enough reality for you, he somehow assembled dragons to his ranks.

We've killed many there, but there are more where that came from. One whom took mercy upon me for some reason, but regardless, the Storm Tyrant rides the largest red dragon I've ever seen in my life. I watch with my own eyes. At the mention of dragon, you see them all sort of look at each other, Halgrim included, but they don't interrupt you. I watch with my own eyes as the combined might of the dwarves of Kragadan fell to the fire and fury of his stead. Steed, his power is unprecedented and terrifying, but it is not absolute.

He can be stopped, but it will take the cooperation of all small folk. A unified response from every nation that can be rallied. Together we will win, but we cannot tarry a moment. Chief Defender Halgra, esteemed council members, I humbly ask you to spare every man you can and send them out on a horse this very moment to a neighboring city to begin our defense in the war to end all wars. She solemnly thinks on what you said. And then she really,

like, she's addressing everyone, but you can tell she's just addressing you, and she's like, When True Now was ransacked, I warned the neighboring strongholds that this wasn't an isolated attack.

When you returned from Red Lake Fork... Fork. Fuck, I can't believe it. Did you really do that? That's amazing. You saw me do it. If you really did that... Fort, fort, fort.

Or if you didn't, that was really well done. Okay, Red Lake Fort. Fort. Fort. Fort. When you returned from Red Lake Fort, again I sent ravens to cities and villages shut up nearby. I still, I mean, obviously now at 250 episodes,

we've had so many great memes made and artwork from the nation, everything. It's just great stuff. One of the first ones I ever remember getting is just the mask. The sea of red and a fork just Photoshop sticking out of it. It's just the mask, the sea of red, and a fork just photoshopped sticking out of it. It was so simple and so funny. Somebody gave us a giant fork. Somebody gave us a giant fork. We still have in our silverware drawer red lake forks.

Oh, that's right. It's carved into the fork. I have one at home, and every once in a while when I'm doing the washing up, I'm like, what is this rough spatch on this fork? And it's just a normal fork, but someone hammered in. I forgot who. I'm sorry right now if you're watching. Yeah, I'm sorry.

It has Red Lake Fork on it, and I just cut my thumb on it once. It was great. And it was a red fork at that point. I'm sorry. I was drinking. When you returned from Red Lake Fort, again I sent ravens to cities and villages nearby that a great storm was approaching.

No one has fully prepared, Sheriff. I do not know what it will take, but I will do my best to let the Halls of Belkson know that a war is coming to their doorstep, and they better be prepared. I'm so fucking fired up. It's just a burst. They are stubborn and they are set in their ways. They think we were the only ones to suffer, that they'll be fine,

that they're stronger than us, that they could not fall. We will do everything we can to warn them. Tom, gather up our best diplomats to head throughout the holds of Belkson. Just legions of diplomats living in Trinal. We have people with very high charisma. Please send them throughout the holds of Belkson

to relay this information. Should I go too? No, Tom, that would be terrible. It's too valuable here. Yes, you're farting about... Your services are needed here. Here, yes. We also have documents outlining their battle plans.

Yes. And their organizational strategies. If I could make photocopies of this, they would be very helpful for our... Might as well just scan them. It would be easier. Let's paper. Scan them in email. Scan them in email.

Tom, this is where Tom will come in handy. Tom, make copies of all of these documents, and we will give them to our many, many diplomats as we send them throughout the holds of Belkson to warn people of the coming storm. Halgrim, before they leave, you must send them with these. And Baron reaches into his bag of holding and pulls out...

Hands with three guns. Pulls out... Leave the gun, take the cannoli. Or is it the other way around? He pulls out dragon scales for each of the riders. He's been keeping like one dragon scale from each of the dragons he's killed. And he's hoping that'll be a rare enough artifact

to wake their asses up. She takes the dragon scales and she holds them and she stares at them. These tidings of dragons are... And she can't even find the words. And she can't even find the words There have been reports of dragons flying Through the night sky Even here in the holds of Berthsen Whoa

There have been no recorded attacks As far as we know And in fact no one has even seen them But even our night guards have heard them fly Have felt their breeze go by as they fly over at night. And we've heard the same rumors from neighboring towns. Scout, Dogreth says, kind of loud. Sorry, Chief Defender, but probably scouts.

Storm Tyrant's using them to scout the lands, and he intends to take over, make his plan of attack. Yes, this is what we deduced as well. They are watching, biding their time, preparing. With this talk of dragons and these dragon scales, something must be done. True now is ready, but the rest, they are not. Is there a Belkson area, Last Wall, is it Last Wall version of like a Helm's Deep? Is there like a place?

Like a fort hole. Yeah, where shit goes down. Well, there's like a Sky Citadel, but I don't a place? Like a ford hole. Yeah, if this shit goes down. Well, there's like a sky citadel, but I don't think it's in the holds of Balxen. And Urgir. Yeah, I'm just curious if like the border settlements of humans have like a plan.

You know, even if it was orcs getting out of control. You know, Yanderhoff is probably the closest. Oh, but you gotta trek over the mountains. You gotta trek over the mountains and get killed by giants on the way. But Yanderhoff's all underground. I mean, Helm's Deep is a trek too. Totally through the mountains and get killed by giants on the way. But Yenoroth's all underground. I mean, Helm's Deep is a trek, too.

Totally through the mountains. And it's the same. And Dunharrow, too. Like, same thing. Do you suggest we leave our home? Leave for now to fall? Homes can be rebuilt. Craps re-sown.

You have to save your lives. As you can see, even this attack, you rebuilt the walls in a matter of months from what Baron tells me. But if this is a coordinated effort across the entire continent, where will they hide? We must take our stand. I understand what you're saying, Mithra. I just look at these walls and... Well, never mind. Perhaps we should bring the fight to them.

Aye. That sounds good to me. Your fortresses, your classic means of defense are not going to be much against these giants. We have to find another way to fight them. I think Mithra's right. We go on the offensive. Is there a means

you have devised yet among any of you to bring these dragon scouts down? Perhaps a single large crossbow that could just shoot a dragon out of the sky with no fucking effort whatsoever. No, no, that would be ridiculous. That would be fucking absurd. I agree.

I'll withdraw. Yes, no. It would only be ridiculous if you mounted them on ships that you could hide in the middle of the ocean. Stupid. It's an idea of a child. A child who does not understand. War. We kid.

War. An enormous story cheat, if nothing else. We don't kid. We don't kid. It's dumb., if nothing else. We don't kid. We don't kid. It's dumb. It ruined everything. It didn't ruin everything. It was already ruined before the riot.

Ruined everything. Just that story. Yes. Didn't ruin. Like, I can still watch Charlie Brown Christmas. It didn't ruin everything, Matthew. Just that story. Just that show.

Arbor Day is still Arbor Day. Oh, that's so funny. The things that weren't ruined. Denmark. Denmark, Andorra, Arbor Day, all fine. And Charlie Brown Christmas. Charlie Brown Christmas. As for your prisoner,

I have been brought up to speed. But would you explain to the council why he is in chains? We are the council of defenders, you know this. We are tasked with protecting True now from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Baron nods knowingly and respectfully at Chief Defender Halgra and says, kind of accusingly at the rest of them with his finger out. You should know this man. I drug him out of your own jail. He killed a town guard, a colleague of the grass.

He killed him because of a minor disagreement over a dice game. Is he jagering just hanging his head? That alone is proof that he's a killer and he deserves punishment. But he's deviously recalcitrant, unrepentant. He killed again not just the giants and other

monsters we found on the way to Minderhall's Valley. He killed a good, innocent man in cold blood. A man who suffered on behalf of us in a fighting pit, mauled by bears, a descendant of a great hero, a man who sacrificed his own arm to inherit a steel hand with which to smite the giant's advance so you wouldn't have to. His name was Umlo Nargrimkin. Umlo was sleeping peacefully when he was slain. You see, Nestor's not just a murderer, he's a low-down dirty coward. And he's twisted.

I know he took pleasure from it. He corrupted Metra's daughter, Della, my deputy, and I let him out of captivity and into this world, and I'm partly responsible for his misdeeds, and I need your help setting the record straight before he kills again. One day he may kill one of you or some other poor soul that didn't deserve it, but he must stand trial for his crimes crimes and I'm a sheriff, not a judge. That's why I humbly beg your counsel to place this man on trial

for murder. There is much the people of True Now must know. Tomorrow we will tell them. And we will hold this trial for Mr. Coyne in public. In front of the eyes of men, women, and the gods.

There is evil in this world and people must know what will be done about it there his fate shall be decided and we fade out of that scene I can't handle it. And we come up on Adriel and Sir Willigan.

Oh, Sir Willigan. Who's that? Sir Willigan, yes. Sir Willigan. Sir Willigan. Here are Willigan's eyes. Here are Willigan's eyes. Sir Willigan.

There was a no man named Sir Willigan. You've been traveling for days now. Oh. Maybe over a week at this point. You know, time is relative in these sort of things. This isn't all chronological. Your meeting with Sophia could be, you know, weeks ago. Is it daytime?

Yes, it is daytime and you think maybe you're within a day of this sec navale that your mother spoke of well what are you guys talking about what is your conversation sort of revolved around uh what are your fears your hopes your dreams uh i think will is like he's turned a corner i think that he's probably pretty uh morose and melancholic like the whole way up there and now i mean the return of lexington is ridiculous i'm still trying to like process that as a player i'm like that is insane that that happened so between that adriel's like saying that his mother was alive finding his mother finding out that like it's probably brander's been messing with his mom too it's

like he's just getting them all fired up and re recalibrated toward you know uh his faith and this desire to strike out at this enemy so i think that he's i don't know he feels really happy and really excited and almost chipper in a way that you know he used to be that he's, I don't know, he feels really happy and really excited and almost chipper in a way that, you know, he used to be, that he hasn't been in a really long time.

And so I think he's just like, you know, ha, it's a beautiful, I'm doing a dog-race voice, it's a beautiful day. He's not there. I know. It's a beautiful day.

Sooth, say-a. You. Soothie McGillicuddy. Soothie, oh, So Soothy McGillicuddy Soothy, oh, Soothy McGillicuddy Tell me one of your tales No, he's, you know, very, uh He's very chipper and More like his old self

Exactly, exactly Ah, the beauty of Shailen's world, isn't it? Wonderful to behold The singing of the birds, it's like a It's like music flowing through the air. Isn't that right, Lexington? He's just, you know, patting him on the side, and then every once in a while turning to Adriel and just like,

You were right. I shouldn't have doubted you. Well done. Well done. Well, I hope that now you see the howling of the wolves in the Shutterwood was foreshadowing of what was to come. Yes. At the time, I didn't see it, you're right. But now, things look so much brighter. Yes. Well, I'm actually a bit worried lately, Sir Will. Why is that?

As we've camped along this journey, you've slept. It's very cute watching you and Lexington sleep together, actually. You cuddle very adorably. I haven't slept this well in a very long time. I know. He seems to be both your companion and your pillow. It's a nice combination. I've been looking into the flames, Sir Will, and I've been troubled by what I've seen lately. Behind Great Emberflame, I see an enormous castle in the clouds. It is an ill omen, and terribly foreboding. It is a kingdom built upon bones, and its sewers run crimson with blood. What is showing you this vision? Is it your... What do you call...

Sorry, your patron? Is that what you call it? Kilpath. Kilpath, yes. Is it... Kilpath, is your connection resuming in some way? Oh, I am still cut off from Kilpath's might and wisdom.

But I am still connected to the oracular network and I feel a great deal of activity. I feel others reaching out and seeing the same thing. A city in the clouds or a castle? What did you say? A castle. A castle in the clouds. Monstrous castles, built not to show order and love and progress, but tyranny and hatred. Surely it must be the giants.

Is it not a giant castle? It is difficult to tell. It's difficult to tell. I can only see mitigated visions being cut off from Kilpass, but... A kingdom that would build such a castle must be built upon the engine and the gears of war. I fear a great war to come. And when I think about it, I think it's the war to end all wars. And that war somehow involves this castle.

Yes, I agree. You haven't mentioned the castle before now, but you have been alluding to such a war. You say we will have a part in it, right? Correct. And we could not do it alone. It must be with the aid of Iomedae, of Shalen, of Kilpath. This war, I think, will need all of them behind us. Consider it an early warning at this point, but I feel as if our path right now is exactly where we're intended to be. Yes, you're one step ahead of me. That was my next question.

Is this monastery, this mysterious vision my mother speaks of, does it align with these visions? Are we on the right path. All roads may lead to the visions I see, but whether they are straight and well paved or meandering and underfoot is yet to be seen. Well, you've done a wonderful job so far of leading us

on the right path. Now I believe Iomide could take over. He looks up at the sky, looks back down. She will show us the way. You must have faith. I do. Remember, sir, Will, before you learn the teachings of Iomedae or Shailen,

you first experience the power of the gods and the love Sophia gave to you. And remember that hate does not conquer love. You first experience the power of the gods and the love Sophia gave to you. And remember that hate does not conquer love. It is love that defeats hate. Never forget that. He's sort of like... His expression falls for a minute. Wise words, Soothsayer. I feel I have fallen into that very trap before.

But one can learn from one's mistakes, right? This is what they are for. Well, I suppose now I shall have to learn a lesson from you and learn to smile on the rest of our journey until we see what this place is your mother pointed out to us. Yes, of course. If we are to meet our end in the last great war, as this giant of the sky citadel comes to subjugate all of us and kill everyone we know, wouldn't it be better to meet it with a smile? It'd be better to enjoy

the singing of the birds one last time before it happens. I think so. Let's have a listen. So I imagine as this conversation is going, at a certain point, because I always think in terms of film, in terms of you guys are walking along and having this conversation, and then at a certain point, we just hear you, but we no longer see you walking. We see you later on approaching Sekhnavali, later on, approaching Secnavale, this vast stone temple complex built

upon a thick metal platform suspended over a mile-deep chasm by three immense chains. And it looks like there used to be a fourth chain that either eroded over time or was broken. And so because of that, the wind just makes this monastery

sway. So freaking cool. But that is not your focus. And so, again that, the wind just makes this monastery sway. So freaking cool. But that is not your focus. And so, again, you're just having this conversation as we're seeing you go east from there, as your mother said. And eventually you come to a stone building. Looks like it may have once been a temple. I'm going to be honest. I thought this was an F300 thing Like actually getting to the temple

Oh man Oh shit Just you wait Maybe it was a temple Can't quite tell now It looks like a place for runaways or bandits Or a horrible nest of CR22 creatures You have no idea of no.

You have no idea. As you approach, do you continue to approach? Yes, but we will do so cautiously, I think. Will is, he's happy, he's invigorated, but he's not too over, under cautious. I don't know what the word is, he stops and adriel reach out with your mind with your mind do you sense anything and adriel just hits two pieces of flint on the side of his hands the whole forest catches fire smoke in a flame suit um yeah i mean uh tech magic will do all all types of uh of uh different uh ways of looking out that he has at his uh his uh disposal sure uh you reach out um you know 60 feet all around

you feeling for magic and there is magic emanating from this temple or former temple. Hmm. Sir Will will trot up on Lexington to within 60 feet. Okay. Get within 60 feet and it just, it's so strange, this building, because it feels like it might have been a place that worshippers would have lined up and come from all the neighboring towns and all the neighboring towns are gone.

And yet this temple still stands. Is it in ruins? Parts of it are. It's actually withstood the test of time better than you would have thought, as most churches do. But as you get close, something seems off with Lexington. He starts sniffing. Lexington, you all right, boy?

Starts sniffing in the air, and he growls, and when he growls, you hear a growl in response from somewhere in the brush, and it's this, like, moment where you're all looking around, trying to figure out where that other sound is coming from, and just then, the ruined door of the temple opens and out steps a young woman.

Her skin has a greenish hue to it, but it's not dark green like an orc or even the two-tone hue of a half-orc. It's even lighter. She steps out and looks at you, hands up, like as a show of non-aggression. And then behind her steps a young man with what looks like a brand or a burned-in image on his chest of a butterfly. Oh, yeah, dude!

What? Come on with this! It's Galabras, motherfucker. Oh, baby! What? Oh, baby! I've heard of him. I've heard of him.

Galabras Finn walks out next to, you don't know, but Shia. And just stands there looking at you. Going back through the campaign. Sir Will's never seen Galabras, right? No. Sir Will's never seen Calabras, right? No. When you finally came to True Now after you were rescued by the B-Team, he was already taken.

Right, but when I was first in True Now, he was there, but he was a vegetable. And I was down at the bar. I didn't know him. I saw him while he was still comatose. That's right. You forgot that you had the means of saving him until later yeah and the part of the reason why is because i thought it was plot based so i never tried it but yeah well either way i see him now and he is no longer feeble-minded in fact there is a very different aura about him galabras do you remember me? You know this man?

I've seen him before in True Now. And the boy steps up and he has he looks like the Galabras that you would have known, but there's something about his eyes that look

there's a serenity about him, but there's also some kind of great pain even a deeper pain than you would have had when you did know him if you had and he says a halfling and a wolf

a dwarf with the aura of dragons about him. No doubt there is a tale worth hearing behind it all, for such things are not often seen here. And under his breath, Adriel whispers. So, Will, this place, these two people, they've been hidden from my vision. There's something strange and special about this place and these people I do not know good or ill. Forgive me, good sirs, I ask only for our own protection as travelers on the road.

May I detect evil? How do you say that? May I detect evil? Detect evil. It's kind of like how now with the coronavirus going around, if someone sneezes, you have the right to just book it. So you should just be like, punch him in the face and then run. The coronavirus people or these people? No, the coronavirus.

Why would you touch their face? That's what the CDC recommends. Oh boy. How dare you if it's anything? And then run. I don't think that's it. Are you reading the crappy disease centers website? Google it.

There is no ill will or distrust here, I assure you. We just, you know, it is a dark time forgive me there is there is no spell you may cast that would hurt me oh nice crazy so we'll we'll cast detect evil detects obviously the shale is evil glabrous is not and uh charges at shale now Shael. So once he detects they're not evil, he's like, We were sent here by a vision, and it seems we are greeted by friends.

That is heartening indeed. Shall we speak inside, perhaps? And Galabras looks to Shael. We have been traveling together for some time. He and I, and our other companion, and

Cat Benatar walks out of the woods. It is a long story, one which I could tell you when we are finished here, but It is a long story One which I could tell you When we are finished here But we do not have time Right now to Catch you up on everything

There is a spirit Within me That led me to Galabras Because this spirit Bel believes him to be the Chosen One. The Chosen One? Yes. The one meant to save the world, as it were. This spirit both plagues and blesses me But she, along with Galabras, have informed me that my work

Our work, and she looks at all of you, is not yet done Adriel, are you familiar with the concept of calling forth a planar ally? Yes, I have seen this ability within the flames, but I have yet to exercise it myself. Why do you ask? it myself. Why do you ask? Calabras here has access to this magic that we seek. But we need you

to help concentrate this powerful energy so that the ally is not some random denizen of the outer planes, but one specific person that can help us turn the tides in the great war that is to come. Yes, I can gaze into the planes and ensure that this ally comes forward rather than a foe.

It's strange, as I look at you now, I feel as if I'm looking at the friend of a friend. Yes, as I said, we have much to discuss. But now we must prepare to call this ally. And Calabrus breaks the silence. He says, be merry, my friends. A great storm is coming, but the tide has turned. We go in search of our dear companion.

We called her Gormley. And we'll see you in part two. I just realized I had no audio reaction. I should have screamed. Holy shit! Galabras! Galabras! Galabras!

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