Part 4: The Kindness of Strangers | Starter Kit - Numenera

Summary

Critical Role & Sagas of Sundry: "Part 4: The Kindness of Strangers" | Starter Kit – Numenera

Podcast: Geek & Sundry
Episode: Part 4: The Kindness of Strangers | Starter Kit - Numenera
Date: January 5, 2026
Game Master: Monte Cook
Players: Party Leader (Fighter), Tech/Research Specialist, Empath/Telepath, Silent Communicator (Sign Language), Ghost-like Character
Setting: Numenera, Ninth World

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Episode Overview

In this episode, the party emerges battered and exhausted from a cavern collapse and seeks shelter in a remote mountain village. They deal with recovery, encounter wary villagers, and form a tentative alliance with the local leader and an Aeon Priest. The narrative explores themes of trust, survival, and the hope of kindness from strangers in a harsh world. Rich character backstories and Numenera’s unique mechanics are highlighted, culminating in negotiations and trades for essential resources before the party presses forward on their urgent quest.

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Key Discussion Points & Episode Flow

1. Recovery After Collapse

Timestamps: 01:43 – 05:00

• Monte Cook explains Numenera’s resting system: four rests per day, each requiring increasing time and restoring random ‘pool’ points (might, speed, intellect).
• The party rolls for recovery and strategizes point allocation based on their injuries.
• Immediate sense of camaraderie as they share small moments of humor amid adversity.

“Resting and recovery in the ninth world works a lot like it does in the real world. You can rest a little while and get a quick second wind or for a long time in hopes of recovering fully.” – Monte Cook (01:43)

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2. Discovery of Rusk Village and First Contact

Timestamps: 05:00 – 08:31

• The party discovers a small, well-defended village, Rusk, nestled in the mountains.
• Tension and humor as the party debates who should interact with the locals.
• Davis, a herder, approaches the group with suspicion:
  • Resistance is lowered as the party points out they’re traveling with a child and a teen.
  • A social roll with some teamwork convinces Davis to be hospitable.

“We made it to Rusk at dusk.” – Tech/Research Specialist (08:45, lightening the mood after a tense introduction)

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3. Refuge and Investigation of Maro’s Illness

Timestamps: 08:31 – 13:58

• The villagers offer the party food, warmth, and a chance to recover.
• Maro, the party’s teenage companion and quest-giver, is visibly ill. The Empath/Telepath senses urgency in his condition.
• Candid conversation prompted by a little whiskey loosens Maro’s guard (great roleplaying of empathic intuition and emotional openness).

“I have what our people sometimes call the wasting. And I don’t know how much longer I have… I know it’s my destiny to go to where these coordinates are, go to where the Sing song was leading me.” – Maro (13:22, paraphrased by GM)

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4. Meeting Shay, the Aeon Priest

Timestamps: 20:06 – 27:32

• Shay, the village’s Aeon Priest, arrives, displaying both authority and curiosity about the party:
  • Sharp initiatory questions about their motives and Maro’s condition.
  • The Tech/Research Specialist uses intellect and a perception roll to sense Shay’s motives, discovering she is protective but not hostile.

“Your take on her is that she is… very protective of this place…you don’t sense any malevolent emotion in her.” – Monte Cook (24:56)

• The party opens up, shows the map, and explains Maro’s quest. Shay warns them about the "Whispering Peak," noting it’s filled with “ghosts and dangers.”

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5. Sharing Stories and Abilities

Timestamps: 27:32 – 32:56

• Party members share personal histories and unique abilities with Shay, creating trust and depth:
  • The Fighter details being part-cyborg due to a traumatic event.
  • The Ghost-like Character recounts being born semi-incorporeal and family rumors of interdimensional ancestry.

“Just because something awful happened to me in my past doesn’t mean I’m gonna let it destroy me as a being. I’m gonna fight. I’m a fighter.” – Party Leader (28:14)

“Yeah, it’s been rough. Lots of people think I’m a ghost, so I often have to yell I’m not a ghost when I meet people. But I think it’s an awesome part of you. You saved my life.” – Ghost-like Character & Party Leader (29:05)

• The village child befriends Byx (the Silent Communicator), highlighting gentle moments of connection.

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6. Negotiation, Trade, and Preparation

Timestamps: 32:58 – 42:47

• The party explores Shay’s offers: Numenera gadgets, intellect-boosting capsules, a force field generator, a truth-glove, and more.
• In lively bartering, players offer ciphers and unique items in trade for critical devices.
  • Notable negotiation for a heat-blade, anti-gravity glove, and advice on facing “metal ghosts” at Whispering Peak.
  • Emphasis on the scarcity and barter-driven economy of Numenera.

“Should you consider that trade?” – Monte Cook (on the anti-gravity glove, 40:37)

“She seems satisfied and happy with those trades. … If you’re ready to go, then. She wishes you well.” – Monte Cook (42:38/42:47)

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7. Departure and Final Moments

Timestamps: 42:47 – 43:44

• Maro, revived by rest and hope, readies to continue the quest.
• Party expresses intent to return and share knowledge, hinting at future alliances.
• Teasing, playful banter closes the group’s interaction with Shay.
• The party arms up and heads back into the wilderness, determined to reach Whispering Peak despite warnings.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The least charismatic party in history.” – Tech/Research Specialist (08:06, after a comedic attempt at social interaction)
• “I’m not a ghost!” – Ghost-like Character (repeated throughout, blending humor with worldbuilding)
• “There is a rumor, though, about one of my ancestors coming across a creature from a different dimension… And he literally disappeared after a while. And I wonder if it had something to do with this.” – Ghost-like Character (29:34)
• “Just because something awful happened… doesn’t mean I’m gonna let it destroy me as a being.” – Party Leader (28:14)
• “Is this a device that you have?” / “I was born this way.” – Monte Cook & Ghost-like Character (28:49–28:54)
• “Children can be a handful. But also insightful.” – Shay (33:51)

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Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------|------------| | Recovery System Explained | 01:43 | | Arrival at Village Rusk | 05:10 | | Party Earns Davis’s Trust | 07:36 | | Shelter and Maro’s Condition | 09:50 – 13:58 | | Meeting Shay, the Aeon Priest | 20:06 | | Motive Assessment & Sharing the Map | 24:39 | | Ghost-like Character Reveals Backstory | 28:46 | | Byx’s playful moment with the village child | 30:43 | | Trade Negotiations and Barter | 34:53 – 42:47| | Party departs Rusk | 42:47 | | Teaser for Next Episode | 43:26–43:44|

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Episode Tone & Style

• Collaborative and Playful: The cast blends in-character banter with meta-jokes, grounding the high stakes in warmth and humor.
• Reflective and Empathetic: Focus on character motivations, vulnerability, and trust-building sets a poignant tone, balanced by the game’s whimsy and oddities.
• Worldbuilding-Rich: The episode spotlights Numenera’s unique setting, both in terms of mechanics (recovery, barter, ciphers) and lore (Aeon priests, mutations, relics).

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Summary

This episode exemplifies Numenera’s tragic beauty and human connection: battered strangers finding shelter, forming alliances, and risking everything to help a doomed companion. Party members share vulnerabilities and unique histories, foster trust with wary villagers, and barter for survival tools. Despite warnings of danger and the unknown, their hope and solidarity light the way as they return to the wild—undaunted, united, and ready for whatever the Ninth World holds next.

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End of summary.

Transcript

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[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Last time on starter Kit. I'm not messing around with these bird dogs.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Can I punch wildly at the air in front of me?

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Come on you little bastards.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

Is there anything el spend? Because I'll spend it.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

I just wanted to fight a thing.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

We can see if you survive.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Okay.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Welcome back to your starter kit. I'm Monte Cook, creator of Numenera. Resting and recovery in the ninth world works a lot like it does in the real world. You can rest a little while and get a quick second wind or for a long time in hopes of recovering fully. We'll see how that works in this episode. So guys, got a little roughed up as the cavern collapsed. So what you can do now many of your down points in your pools and what you can do is instantly recover some of those. And this is the way recovery works. Basically every character gets four rests every day and the first one is just a one action, right? You just take a minute, breathe and you get a rest. And every time you get a rest you get to roll a six sided die and you add one to that and that's how many points you can restore back to your pool.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

You can choose them in any category.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Any category? Yeah, absolutely. Now the second time in a day you want to take a rest that takes 10 minutes, right? You've gotta really kind of take a long breather, collect yourself and then you get back the D6 +1 points. The third time is an hour it takes to do that. And the fourth time is actually sleeping overnight. Right. So that's how that works. So you might be Even as you stumble out of the cavern with billowing dust clouds coming behind you as everything has collapsed, you might want to take your first one now and recover some points just so you've got them. And so that's pretty much instantaneous for everyone. And that's a D6 plus one.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Okay.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

All right.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Eterun, you got that whiskey?

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

I do.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Here you go.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Great.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

You know, I was holding it safe.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

I rolled a five, so.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay, great. So you can have six points to restore back to your pools up to their normal maximum.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Excellent.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

4. So that would be 5, and that.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Goes anywhere you want in any of your three pools. And you can split it up.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

I rolled a two.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay, so that's three points.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

So I'm probably gonna put it back in my mite so that I'm safe if I.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

That makes a lot of sense.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

I rolled a three, so I need four points. So I put three back in the might. Okay, so I'm back up to 10, and then one back in my speed to be at 12.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

I'm back at 9 in might, 10 in speed.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Back at 21 in might, and 14 in speed.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay, some of you are still down a few points. Maybe it's time to find a good place to rest. You're in the wilderness, but there are villages scattered here and there, Isolated places that you could find. And in fact, your skill in geography lets you know that you think like on some old map that you saw once, there was a village. I don't even remember its name, but it's up ahead, somewhere along here, I think, pretty close.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

There may be a village. I don't know if people even live there anymore. It could be abandoned. But I saw on an old map that there was some sort of hamlet or something close by. I think we should make for it and try to find a place to rest.

[Sponsor Voice / Narrator]

Yeah, I could use it.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Let's do it.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

Fix nods.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Okay.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Fortunately, it's not too long of a trip, and you can see up ahead, you're still making your way through mountainous terrain, but nestled in between two enormous boulders that stretch up into the sky, there is a tiny little gathering of very simple little homes of stone and wood. You see lights inside coming from windows and smoke coming out of chimneys.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

How many homes does it look like?

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

You see maybe 20 buildings altogether.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Okay.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

Do any of them look like an inn.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Or from outside, it just sort of looks like a bunch of buildings. There might be one that's larger than the others, kind of deeper in. And the whole place is very well protected by this, like I said, sort of nestled in between these two big stones.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Let's go knock on a door.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

All right.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Yeah. In the middle of the night.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

What could go wrong?

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

Someone else go in front.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

You see even as you approach that, a door opens up and someone comes walking out. It's a man. He's wearing. Looks like farmer or herder, herdsman clothing. In fact, he's got a big, long staff, the kind of staff that a herder wears, not a Gandalf staff. And he looks at you warily. He says, who are you?

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Just some travelers just, you know, making our way across town. I don't know if I should be talking.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

I have an inability at interaction.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

So do I. I just yell, I'm not a ghost.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Okay, so maybe I should be talking.

[Sponsor Voice / Narrator]

I'm the only one that can.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

We're just some travelers getting through. We've got our own little personal quest going on. We're looking for a place to kind of crash for the night.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

We don't want any trouble.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

We don't get many visitors here. We're well off the beaten path. How do I know you're trustworthy?

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

We are.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

We have a child with us.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Yeah, we do have a child.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

And a teenager.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

And a teenager. That's very childlike, too.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Yeah.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

So at this point, what we're going to do is we're going to have you make an interaction roll. Your friends are chiming in, and so they're helping, they're assisting you. But it's going to come down to you, since you kind of decided to take the lead and become the party voice.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Great.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Or you could just punch this guy.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

I could, if he comes right down to it.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Totally could.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

And I'm thinking about it.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

But in our house now, the difficulty to get this guy to trust you is gonna be three. And your friends are helping, so it's only two.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Okay.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

And if you want to use effort, it's intellect.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Okay, well, I only have seven. Intellect. I spent it elsewhere, so I'll just stick with the two.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay, so you need a six or higher.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Six or higher. Eight.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

All right. The least charismatic party in history.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

He strokes his chin. He says, well, I don't want to be inhospitable. You clearly have seen some rough times in the recent past. Why don't you come in? We'll get you Cleaned up and get a meal and at least somewhere to sleep for tonight. It's cold.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Great.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Thank you.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Thank you. So he guides you into the village. He guides you to his home, and he tells you. We call our village Rusk. And my name is Davis.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Davis. Mm.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I'm a herder.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

We made it to Rusk at dusk.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Did he say that joke out loud? And did Davis laugh?

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

So Davis has probably heard that joke before.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

He rolled his eyes.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

So he does not laugh, but he'll smile because it's good natured and warm to bring in some levity. So he gives you a smile and he says, well, so I'm gonna make you some stew here. We have y' all here. Do you have y'? All? Okay. All right. Okay, y'.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

All.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Great. And there's probably someone here in town that you should meet. But, you know, enjoy your meal, rest, and maybe we can deal with that tomorrow.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Sounds great.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Thank you for everything.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I'm sure you'd do the same for me.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Sure.

[Podcast Host (Vulgar History Ad)]

Yeah.

[Sponsor Voice / Narrator]

Yeah.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

And so he asked, where are you? Where are you from?

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

We're from Aldervale.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

That's a name I've heard maybe once before, down out of the mountains.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Yeah, he's a little tough to get to from here.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

What brings you here? You're just traveling, you said?

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Yeah, we're kind of like on a road trip.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

Exploring.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Exploring. Exploring.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Just.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Yeah. Oh, and I guess Marrow has a quest that he's trying to do, but the rest of us are kind of along for the ride.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Marrow is sitting by the fire, and he's actually kind of leaning up against the hearth, and he's not looking great, so.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Worse than when we started.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Mm.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Can we make him a y' all meat sandwich?

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

Can I go find, like, plants that might make him feel better?

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

You might be able to, yeah. It's dark now, but maybe tomorrow would be a lot easier to do that.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Can I just straight up ask Maro? Maro, why? Are you okay?

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I'm fine. I'm just tired. It's been a long day.

[Podcast Host (Progressive Insurance Ad)]

Okay.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I mean, you seem more than just tired.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

You look more than just tired, though.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

He says I'll be fine if I could just get maybe some sleep. I'll be just fine tomorrow.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Okay. Fine.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Now, Ajnia, there's something about. You know, you've got this telepathic ability, right? Which I think comes with it is a certain amount of intuition.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Yes.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Right. You can't read people's minds, per se, but there's some empathy there, right?

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

I feel things.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Yeah. Yeah. You think that Marrow is probably on a timeline. If he's gonna finish this quest, he probably needs to do it sooner rather than later.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

I'd really like to try to get a little bit more out of him if I can.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Okay.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

So what would you like to say to Maro?

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Let me. Let me just break a little bread with you for a minute. Please pour a couple shots.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

He's 16.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

It's all right. There's no drinking age in Aldervale. Take a little sip of this. It always makes me feel a little bit better. It's been a long day.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay. He takes about half of what you've given him and kind of shakes. Yeah, buddy.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

I put a little hair on your chest, buddy. You like that?

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Yeah. He says, putting that half full glass down.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

So let me ask you. Something's going on. You know, I trust you. I think you're a great kid. I want to help you. And we're all here helping you.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

You are helping me. I'm so appreciative.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

But I feel like you're not being very forthcoming about a couple things. Have another.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

You're trying to get Maro to talk about something that he clearly doesn't really.

[Sponsor Voice / Narrator]

Want to talk about.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Yeah.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

So this is going to be an interaction. Now, normally you are. You have an inability in that because you've got this mysterious, mystic aura about you. I'm gonna say that that doesn't apply here because you've already sort of won Maro over. He's not uneasy around you. And in fact, you know, you've just gotten him a little tipsy.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Right. The truth theorem.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Right there.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

But I'm still. I still am gonna have you make an interaction action. So you've reduced the difficulty down to two at this point.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

And this would be intellect.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

It would.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Which I have a 16 in.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

You have an edge in intellect, right?

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Yes.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

So it only cost you 2 points to lower it even one more if you wanted to. You don't have to.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

And then if I made a roll, it'd be over six.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

You're looking for six now. And if you reduced it, it would be a 3 or higher.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

I think this is pretty important.

[Sponsor Voice / Narrator]

Okay.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

So I'm gonna use a couple of points off that.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

And you know, already a smart dude.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay. Good thing you put the effort in there. Exactly. He says, just talk to me, buddy. I don't really like to talk about this. It's hard for me, but I have what our people sometimes call the wasting. And I don't know how much longer I have I just. I know it's my destiny to go to where these coordinates are, go to where the Sing song was leading me. I feel like it was leading me specifically to go there. I won't lie to you. This is really hard, but I feel like I've got to do it. I don't know how much time I have.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Let me ask you something about this wasting. Do you feel as though maybe where we're going might help you cure whatever problem is happening, whatever this wasting is?

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

You know, this maybe seems strange to you, but it doesn't even really matter to me as long as I can get there and see what's there there and see what I feel like I'm being led to. If that helps me with this, great. If it doesn't, at least I'll have accomplished it.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

What do you feel?

[Sponsor Voice / Narrator]

Greetings, adventurers. Now riddle me this. This thing all things devour birds, beasts, trees, flowers, gnaws iron, bites steel, grinds hard stones to meal, slays king, ruins town, and beats high mountain battle. Do you know the answer? You probably do if you're listening to this podcast. The answer is time from the Hobbit. You know this. But time is so important. It's something you don't really think about until it's too late half the time. It's one of the most important resources we have, more important than hp, mp, exp, anything on your life's character sheet. And I didn't realize how much time I was spending trying to manage my finances each month until I started using Rocket Money. And my goodness, it has saved me oodles of time scores, even, which both legitimate measures. Rocket Money is a personal finance app that helps find and cancel your unwanted subscriptions, monitors your spending, and helps lower your bills so you can grow your savings. Rocket Money is very useful for me because I have a lot of subscriptions, perhaps too many to count. It's helped me track these subscriptions and I can even cancel them within the app with a few taps, saving time and avoiding charges because I didn't realize I was spending $9.99 per month on whatever this thing was that I signed up for in a fugue state back in like 2023. Well, no more. See you later Fugue State subscription service. And also what I like about it is it lets me plan ahead. I feel like I live my life sometimes surrounded by a series of Tasmanian devils all vying for my attention, and they are all very compelling and distracting. But that's no way to live. Rocket Money lets me set budgets and goals and gives me personalized insights and regular reports. So when we're planning for a big vacation we want to take next year, I can better visualize at a glance what I need to do, what we need to put aside, and the best path forward so we can just kick back, relax and enjoy the Scottish Highlands or wherever we go. I'll never tell. So let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. [e-mail] Sundry that's right, RocketMoney.com Sundry RocketMoney.com Sundry and now onto the show. You know that feeling when you realize you've been paying for something that absolutely should be free? Well, that's how I felt before I found Chime. And it's completely changing how I think about banking because it's changing the way that people bank. Chime is fee free and smarter banking built for you. It's not like old school banks that charge overdraft fees and monthly fees and punish you for the simple act of existing. No, what really sold me is how Chime actually works around real life. With features like MyPay, you can get access to up to $500 of your paycheck anytime. And if you use direct deposit, you can even get paid up to two days early, which is pretty cool. Now, mentioning fees before, let's talk about them because Chime just straight up says no thank you. No overdraft fees, no minimum balance fees, no monthly fees. Period. Instead, Chime turns everyday spending into real rewards and real financial progress. You get things like fee free banking with overdraft coverage, you can build your credit history stress free and you get savings that earn up to 3.5% APY, which is a whopping eight times higher than a traditional bank. And they're even rated five stars by USA Today for customer service service with real humans available 247 now. Speaking of credit, Chime just launched something interesting. It's called the Chime Card. It's a new way to build credit history using your own money and get rewarded for it every single day without annual fees, interest or strings attached. When you have qualifying direct deposits, you can earn 1.5% cash back on eligible Chime card purchases, which is pretty cool to see them together. Now if I were a younger person trying to build my credit credit from the ground up, this would have been the perfect solution. So I'm really glad it exists now because it feels like a perfect solution for you out there as well. Chime is not just smarter banking, it's the most rewarding Way to bank Join the millions who are already banking fee free today. It just takes a few minutes to sign up. Head to chime.com criticalrole that's chime.com criticalrole Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services A secured Chime Visa credit card and MyPay line of credit provided by the Bancor Bank NA or Stride Bank NA. MyPay eligibility requirements apply and credit limit ranges $20 to $500. Optional services and products may have fees or charges. See chime.com feesinfo advertised annual percentage yield with Chime+status only. Otherwise 1.00% APY applies. No min balance required. Chime card on time Payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Results may vary. See chime.com for details and applicable terms.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

So we need to do to get there and to make it there in one piece and get you to what you need.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Well, you're all very capable. I mean we've already survived some pretty serious dangers and you handled it. So I think if we can just keep pressing on and you can handle it. I'm gonna do my best.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Have another shot. It's good for me.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

And he's passed out.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Get good rest at least.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

All right, well, if there isn't anything else that you guys want to do before probably just crashing after the day you had, we, we can just jump ahead to the next day.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

I have a question. Is the night's rest the same system to get points back?

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Yes. And in fact we can actually say that you also while you're resting, having dinner or whatever, you can use your 10 minute and your hour as well. So I'm guessing that all of you by tomorrow morning will probably be at back in business.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

So do we not need to roll? We can just push it back.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I can't imagine that you are yay with this rest. This is something that in Numenera normally we would do like at the end of every game session, but we're doing things a little differently here. So everyone also is going to get an experience point. And so I'm going to give you guys these cards. What this is is for accomplishing what you've done so far, right? You've gotten marrow this far, you've survived some dangers, you've made it to a brand new village that you've never been to before. And experience in Numenera is often for discovering things, right? And some of you already had experience points from the GM intrusion last time. So some of you have got a couple in the course of a Numenera game, you can save up experience points and advance your character, or you can also spend them right in the middle of a session anytime you want. And what you get to do then is reroll a die. And the thing is that you can reroll any die at the table. So even if you see someone else roll badly in a clutch, very nice. You can spend your XP and reroll the die. So now all of you have the capability of doing that once. A couple of you have the capability to do that a couple of times if you want to. And so that comes from having a good night's rest. You probably sleep pretty hard that night. But it is probably not even a chance to have a bite of breakfast before someone new comes into the herder's hut. She looks like this. She stands up very straight, almost sort of a regal demeanor. And she has a symbol that a couple of you recognize. It's known as the symbol of truth. But it's also a symbol of the Aeon priesthood. And Aeon priests are people who have dedicated their lives to studying the past, studying the Numenera. They're the ones who, you know. When adventurers like you find something weird out in the wilderness, you often bring it back to the Aeon priests to have them figure out what it is. If your village had an Aeon priest, it would probably have been Maro, assuming he would actually last that long. But she comes in and she says, you are outsiders here. We have not had an outsider in Rusk in a year and a half. I am Shay, elder of the village and Aeon priest. And you are?

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Hi, I am Daviloo. This is Shanza, Etteron, Byx and Ajnia. Ajnia and Maro, who's asleep right now.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

She nods. And in fact, she will immediately look over at Maro and see he appears unwell.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Yeah, he's really tired all the time. He won't tell me why.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

So why are you here?

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

We're just, you know, traveling. Just trying to get to this one place that Marlo really wants to go to.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

Bix points to Marle.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

What one place?

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

It's just this place on a map that he really, really wants to go to. And we're all just accompanying him.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

So it occurs to you that perhaps since you're much farther into the wilderness now, you're talking to someone who lives much closer to where you're going. She might know information.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Is there a way that I can, or some of us can try to detect her motive? Does she seem Is There something I.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Can do to sort of. That would be. You know, there are skills for that. I don't think that Eron has them, but you can always try this. And it would be modified by your intellect because it's sort of a perception kind of thing, and that governs perception. So if you want to use effort in that, it would cost you points out of intellect.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

I want to try it.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Yeah.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

So with your edge, that could cost you two. I'm gonna tell you that she is a little hard to read. That doesn't necessarily mean she's lying. She's a person of some stature. She's level five. So even with a level of effort, you're only lowering it to 4. So that's still gonna be a 12.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Will my edge help?

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Your edge reduced the cost.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Oh, okay. Right.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

So you're gonna need a 12 or higher to kind of see if you can get anything from her.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Let's try it.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

12 or higher.

[Sponsor Voice / Narrator]

14.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Your take on her is that she is the head of a very small village out in the middle of the wilderness. And she's probably very protective of this place. She's probably, you know, understandably, a little leery of newcomers, but you don't sense any malevolent emotion in her. You don't sense that she's trying to get one over on you. You get the sense that she's worried that you're trying to do that to her.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Okay. So I whisper to Ajana. I go, I think we can trust her. I think she's just trying to protect her village.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

I'm getting a good vibe.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Let's show her the. Let's show her the map.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

So I go over to Maro's map or notebook there. I'm like, maro, let me just get this.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

All right.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

This is where we're headed. You know, I'm not exactly sure what's there. None of us really are. But we know that we trust Morrow. We really want to help him. To be honest, you know, I had a conversation with him last night. He says he's suffering from this thing called the Wasting. I personally have a feeling that he will be this. Wherever we go is going to help him. We really like to help him. Because, to be honest, I think, you know, he can help us in our village and, you know, really, really educate us on where we are and where we come from.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

She asks to hold the notebook. She takes a look at it. The area that you're heading to is a place that we call the Whispering Peak. It is filled with Ghosts and dangers. And she kind of closes the notebook up, she hands it back to you, and she says, I recommend you do not go.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

I think we're gonna go.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Yeah, he insisted on going. He's gonna go no matter what.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

And why? Where did he get this location from?

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

There's a relic in our town that emits a. Beeping chiming chiming.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Yeah.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

And he figured out the coordinates. He thought it was a code, so.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

He'S quite smart, this one.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Very.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Yep. Interesting. Well, you, of course, are free to do whatever you wish. We do not go there. And we've known for a long time that it is a place of great danger. So I hope that you are ready. I hope that you have some capabilities among you to withstand some probably very strange experiences. But, you know, as I look at each one of you, I can see that you all have some qualities among you that are not what I see. Among the villagers of Rusk, you are part machine.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Yep, that happened. It's a long story, but I would.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Be very interested to hear this long story.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Well, when I was younger, maybe I got in a fight with some outsiders that were trying to do harm to my village. And maybe they beat me up real bad. Maybe they kidnapped me and forced me to go under some operation to become part cyborg. And maybe that's why I am the.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

Way that I am.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

But you seem to have adjusted to it quite well.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

This is part of me. I'm not gonna hide from it. Just because something awful happened to me in my past doesn't mean I'm gonna let it destroy me as a being. I'm gonna fight. I'm gonna use it to fight. And that's what I'm doing. I'm a fighter.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I can see that. And I can see that that is a valuable survival trait here in the ninth world.

[Sponsor Voice / Narrator]

Thank you.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

I like her.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I also can't help but notice that I can see through you.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

Yeah.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Like literally.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

Literally.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Is this a device that you have?

[Podcast Host (Vulgar History Ad)]

No.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

I was born this way.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

You were?

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

Yeah, it's been. It's been rough. Lots of people think I'm a ghost, so I often have to yell. I'm not a ghost when I first.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Meet people, but I think it's an awesome part of you. You saved my life.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

I did.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

I saved her life. Cause I can.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Yeah.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

So I can do this and, like, push something. Whatever's in front of me. I don't know what's in front of me, like a chair, table, or I can do this. And then I'm gonna stick My hand through the table.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Very cool. She says, that is also very impressive. And this is just something that happened to you from birth? This is natural.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

Yes. I'm not exactly sure where it came from. There is a rumor though, about one of my ancestors coming across a creature from a different dimension, different plane, different really. World.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Yeah, I have heard of such things.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

And he literally disappeared after a while. And I wonder if it had something to do with this.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

How do you know that you won't one day just mysterious disappear?

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

I haven't really thought about it. I guess I don't. I guess I don't know.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Well, I wish you the best.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

Thank you.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

You don't like her as much as I do.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I'm a little uncomfortable while they're having all this conversation. Shay has left. When she came in, she left the door open. And Bix, you notice outside there is a little girl and she's just kind of looking in curiosity, looking at everyone, but particularly looking at you.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

So Byx notices this little girl and by first tries closing Byx's eyes and then opening the eyes again. And then seeing what the little girl.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Does, she kind of hides behind the door and then she peeks out again.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Okay.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

And so Vix turns around and then turns back around.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

She does exactly the same thing and then laughs.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

Okay, so Vix runs to the door, but stays on the inside of the door.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

Gives Vix head around.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Then she moves to mimic you and does the same thing. But then she laughs.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

Okay, so Byx finally does that again and then makes a big smile. Sign for a big smile.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay, she says. You talk with your hands.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

Bix nods and does a little sign for a gesture for no. And then talking.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Why not? Is your voice broken?

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

Byx shakes their head.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

She says, well, do you want to play?

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

Bix nods.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay, so she leads you out of the house and she has a ball and stick game that she plays around.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

With you delightedly dives in.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay. Meanwhile, back inside with the adults. So then she turns to you and she says, you're clearly filled with electrical power. Is that also something you were born with?

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

It's more something I was interested in and discovered and cultivated and discovered I could do. Draw electricity right from the air.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Is this a device or are you doing something else?

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

It's. Yes, a little bit of both.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

You must know quite a bit about the Numenera to have put together something like this.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

I've kind of spent my life researching it. Yeah.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Yes.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I wish that you weren't on your way out of the Village. We could talk.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

I've gotta go do this mission with Morrow. But wouldn't mind coming back.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Yeah. Please do. Please come back.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Share knowledge.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I would appreciate that.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Great.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

You might actually consider a position in the Aeon priesthood at some point.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Maybe. I don't know if I'd want to join any organization that would have me.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

She laughs for the first time she laughs. You I can't quite put my finger on. There is just something about you. Is this a secret that you want kept?

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Well, yes.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Then I will ask no more. I also won't ask why you've brought a small child with you into the wilderness.

[Sponsor Voice / Narrator]

Wait.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Where is our small child?

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Yeah, Bix is not around. But then you can see. You can hear a little girl's laughter. And you can look out into the space between the houses and they're playing.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

None of us have any kids. We don't know how to babysit.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

She nods and she says children can be a handful. But also insightful. I understand that you're in. It is clear to me that I can't dissuade you from your path. Is there anything else that I can do for you?

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Do you have any tips on how to deal with these ghost monster thingies that you were talking about?

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Or perhaps some things in your village that might help us? If you wouldn't mind lending him and Etteron can bring him back when he comes to join the priesthood?

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

She says well, we are not wealthy in that way. But we have some things I could offer you. Potentially a trade. If you have something to exchange.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

That's okay. If there's anything you see that we have.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Well I'll tell you some of the things that I have. And if there's something that you would like to offer me. If any of these things sound interesting to you.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

Sure.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

We can work out a trade. So I have a glove here that I fashioned. And if you touch someone with will force them to tell the truth. I have a capsule that you can take and it will improve your intellect. Game wise. Basically what it does is that it gives you an intellect edge. For an hour.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

For an hour. Okay.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

And it would add one. So if you've already got one, you would make it two.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Okay, great.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Right. She tells you that I have this rather large device. But once you have it up and assembled it will create a big wall of pure energy of force that will be very difficult for anyone to break through.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

I like that.

[Sponsor Voice / Narrator]

Yeah.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

What do you want to trade it for? For.

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[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

I don't know.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

I've got a mask that will help make you change your appearance.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Well, that's interesting. I would consider that in the place.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

That we're heading, do you think there's any metal there? That would be a problem where you're headed.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I believe that the greatest dangers will be metal.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Okay.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Keeping my thing, we refer to them as the metal ghosts.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

That doesn't make sense. Ghosts are see through and just energy. This place doesn't make sense.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Do you know if there's any water there?

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Yes.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

That could get in the way of.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I don't think that you'll run into any water barriers that aren't as easily forded as what you've already encountered.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Okay. In that case, I would love to trade you this desiccating detonation. What it does is it drains moisture from everything within.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Okay.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Is that something you might be interested in?

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

It is. She tells you about one thing that she hasn't yet told you about. She just calls it the heat weapon. In fact, she'll bring it out and it looks like this big large curved knife. And she says there's a device here that when you activate it, this whole blade will glow with heat and become a very deadly weapon.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

Ooh.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

It could probably cut through metal. So I'm scared of it.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Should you consider that trade?

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Let's make a deal.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

And you wanted the force screen projector instead of the image changer. Okay, great.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Like, last line of defense kind of thing there.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I have one other thing that you might be interested in. I would have to go back to my home to fetch it, but it's something that I've cobbled together. It's a glove, but when you wear it and activate it, it will allow you to ignore the effects of gravity.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

Bix runs back in. Because Bix can hear what's going on.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Sure, of course.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

And Bix grabs the two items that Bix has, which is the friction reducing gel.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

And Bix also has the visual displacement device that replicates what you look like.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Right.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

And Bix holds both out to everyone offering it up. If there's a one of the two that you think would be better for the team to keep versus getting that.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

I think the slippery one might be useful.

[Player 4 (Silent Communicator, Sign Language)]

I think you want to keep the slippery one and you want to give up the replica.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Yeah, I mean, yours are good.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

Really good.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

What you got, Chanda?

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

I have a device that creates a wall of super cooled air up to 30 by 30ft. And it inflicts damage equal to the Cipher's level.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Mmm, that's kind of good too.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

Would that work on. Would that work on, like, metal ghosts?

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

What?

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

I know if it works on metal ghost things.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

You don't know what a metal ghost is. It would certainly work on any sort of normal natural creature, including humans.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

Oh, actually, yeah. This one is poison. For the next hour, the victim flees in terror. For one minute.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

When threatened she would make that trade.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

I would go with that.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

Yeah, make a trade for the anti gravity. Does that mean I can fly and go through things unstoppable?

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

That's what I'm saying.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

She seems satisfied and happy with those trades.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

We're satisfied as well, thank you.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Okay, so if you're ready to go, then. She wishes you well.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Cool.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Thank you for everything.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Maro. Get up.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

He struggles to his feet.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Sorry for yelling at you.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

He says, I'm ready to go.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Feeling better, buddy?

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

I'm feeling just fine. Great.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Let's get out of here.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

I'll be back. We'll talk more.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Excellent. I look forward to it.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

Shay says, I'm picking up kind of a weird vibe between the two of you.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

Yeah, there's like, something going on.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

So you get all your gear back, maybe get even some more supplies and head off back into the wilderness and we'll find out what you find. Next time on Starter Kit.

[Player 1 (Tech/Research Specialist)]

Next time on Starter Kit, you catch.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

Just the smallest hint of something moving.

[Player 5 (Ghost-like Character)]

This is fine.

[Player 3 (Empath/Telepath)]

I want to shoot it.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

It leaps toward you. Get out of there.

[Player 2 (Party Leader, Fighter)]

No way anyone else can help me at this point.

[Monte Cook (Game Master)]

What do you do.

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