Part 5: Dread in the Deep | Starter Kit: Phoenix Dawn Command

Summary

Podcast Summary – Critical Role & Sagas of Sundry - "Part 5: Dread in the Deep | Starter Kit: Phoenix Dawn Command"

Episode Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Keith Baker (Game Master), Geek & Sundry Cast
Current Season: Ten Candles: Eclipse

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Overview

This episode continues the high-tension, horror-infused narrative of the "Phoenix Dawn Command" Starter Kit, as the Phoenixes journey deeper into a collapsing, ice-bound tunnel in search of answers—and a way to stop the apocalyptic event rapidly brewing underground. The party navigates physical and magical obstacles, shares emotional insights about their raison d’être, and discover a mysterious mask tied to ancient spirits. The adventure climaxes upon confronting a powerful Phoenix destabilizing the heart of the spire, leaving listeners on a dramatic cliffhanger.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Tunnel Collapse and Heroic Rescue

• The party is immediately thrust into peril as the ceiling collapses. Players collaborate, using traits, cards, and bonds to shield their group, distributing wounds and sparks among themselves while showcasing teamwork and sacrifice.
  • Notable Strategy: Player 3 coordinates with Adria to bolster defense, and Player 1’s “Too Big to Fail” trait directly contributes to surviving the cave-in.
  • “You do manage to catch this enormous slab of stone and earth that should have just crushed both you and Adria flat.” (Keith Baker, 04:19)

2. Arcane Diagnosis and Magical Catastrophe

• Investigating the quake’s true nature, the group learns it’s not a mere earthquake but a mystical bridge to the dusk, the dangerous otherworld traversed by Phoenixes.
  • GM Insight: "It's not just a matter of, again, physical earthquakes. It is going to potentially just drop this whole thing out of this world in a violent and unpleasant way. You would guess that's a matter of hours at most."
  • [06:54]

3. Plummeting Temperature and Group Survival

• The environment turns lethally cold, forcing one Phoenix to burn sparks to radiate heat, while others cling close to avoid freezing. The chill is supernatural, created by a being with powers akin to their own.
  • “It only extends about 15ft from her. So you have to stay close as you move forward.” (Keith Baker, 10:01)

4. The Mask and Lore of the Fallen Folk

• Player 2 discovers a mask belonging to the Fallen, ancient spirits once opposed by local people. Through lore checks and psychometry, its deep connection to the spire and the supernatural disturbance is revealed.

  • Quote: "You recognize this. One thing that really does define all the Fallen is they have masks. And this is definitely a mask that belonged to a fallen spirit."
  • [13:37]

• The mask is ultimately essential for traversing a supercharged, magical barrier. Multiple characters use it in relay fashion to pass safely, sustaining wounds in the process.

5. Heroic Feats and Sacrifice

• When the “mask trick” cannot benefit mortals in the party, Player 3 uses superhuman strength to collapse part of the ceiling and create a passable route, again at personal risk.
  • Memorable Moment: “This is a feat of amazing phoenix ness that a normal person could not pull off.” (Keith Baker, 27:44)

6. The Phoenixes’ Motives: Why We Fight

• Emotional depth surfaces as Adria and Tibin question why the Phoenixes endure such dangers. Player 3 delivers a heartfelt explanation:
  • Quote: “All of us are here because we died. And we faced things no one should have to face. And we went through trials no one should have to endure. And we did it because the rest of the world needs us. That's why all of us are here. You guys might think we're crazy, but we're here to make every place on this map a better. A better place.” (Player 3, 29:27)
  • The moment softens Adria, who promises to spread word of their deeds.

7. Phoenix Lore: On Masks and Spirits

• The group ponders whether the mask contains a soul, with warlock expertise suggesting it holds an imprinted spirit—not human, but vital to the spire’s function and the local supernatural order.
  • Quote: "What you feel now that you're really looking at this... is that the mask is in some way like the basic nature of the spirit is somehow imprinted on the mask."
  • [32:53]

8. Final Chamber: Showdown Preparations

• The party at last reaches the spire’s heart—a vast, ice-choked chamber housing a woman surrounded by purple energy, destabilizing the place. Through magical insight and “killer instinct,” they confirm she’s an elemental Phoenix—and the cause of the crisis.
  • Quote: "She is basically... this is a center of powerful enchantment and she's trying to unravel it... You feel a connection to her... she is an elemental Phoenix. I knew it. And you realize at that moment that she is aware of you."
  • [42:10]

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “You do manage to catch this enormous slab…you don’t just catch it…you shove it aside.” (Keith Baker, 04:19)
• “It's not just a matter of, again, physical earthquakes. It is going to potentially just drop this whole thing out of this world in a violent and unpleasant way." (Keith Baker, 06:54)
• “If something has a home, it should get to stay there.” (Player 3, 34:02)
• “All of us are here because we died…and we did it because the rest of the world needs us.” (Player 3, 29:27)
• “You feel a connection to her…she is an elemental Phoenix. I knew it. And you realize at that moment that she is aware of you.” (Keith Baker, 42:10)

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Important Timestamps

• Tunnel Collapse & Rescue: 03:28–05:48
• Arcane Revelation: 06:54
• Mask Discovery & Lore: 13:37–14:48
• Traversing the Barrier with the Mask: 25:09–28:09
• Player 3’s Explains the Phoenixes’ Purpose: 29:27
• Final Chamber & Confrontation Buildup: 35:02–43:13

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Closing Thoughts

The episode masterfully blends high-stakes action, creative problem-solving, and poignant character moments, culminating in a revelation that the party’s true adversary is a Phoenix like themselves. The closing confrontation teases moral complexity and emotional conflict, with the fate of mortals and spirits alike hanging in the balance.

Cliffhanger: The elemental Phoenix turns to face the party, aura blazing—a tantalizing setup for the next episode's showdown.
Memorable Sign-off:
"Also, even alien demon masks need a home. That should actually be on the outside of the box." (Player 1 & Keith Baker, 34:35–34:40)

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For fans of narrative tabletop RPGs, this episode is a showcase of collaborative storytelling, quick-thinking heroics, and thematic depth.

Transcript

[Narrator/Advertiser]

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[Player 1]

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[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

We have to get down there now.

[Player 1]

They're gonna go down there. We better go with them.

[Player 2]

Let's keep hitting magic orbs with axes and see what happens.

[Player 3]

I knew I liked you.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Chapter Suddenly, the ground shakes even harder and a huge chunk of the ceiling starts falling down towards the three. Welcome back to your starter kit. I'm Keith Baker, the creator of Phoenix Dawn Command. In war, our Phoenixes must not only battle the dread, they must protect the lives of those the dread seeks to destroy. Sometimes the second job significantly complicates the first. The tunnel is coming down on top of you. When we left off, you were down the tunnel away. You're safe. But the rest of you, the tunnel is collapsing on top of you. There's an enormous piece of roof coming down. One of you, someone with enormous strength is going to have to try and catch this and shield the people who are there. I'm just saying, one of you might be all about defending people. I'll do it. All right. For the wing as it comes crashing down to you. Ice smashing against the floor. Adria cringing next to you since she

[Player 3]

helps me with defense. Can I call out to her to brace my back or something?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

I'll give you a two for that. Cause she is actually, since you inspire her. Get in there. She'll give you two. You are athletic. That's five base. You have a seven base. And again, because this is a specialty, you can play any three cards plus any traits.

[Player 3]

And what do I need to get

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

to succeed really high? If you manage to completely hold this thing off, it's gonna be very impressive. The you do, the less it's gonna hurt people.

[Player 4]

I believe in you, Cronus.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Okay, you can do that.

[Player 1]

Could I use my strength to help as well?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Certainly. If you have a trait that applies to this, you could spend that.

[Player 1]

I don't know if I do.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

I see too big to fail down there. That certainly seems like an applicable trait. Since you're assisting, I'm gonna give you three points, because again, as you're trying to catch it, he leaps in to help. So you're up to a base of 10 without having played any cards.

[Player 3]

Okay, so I've got 10. And this would be based on grace, since it's athletics, or it would be based on strength.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Okay, but you can play grace because it's a specialty of yours. You can use either suit. Okay, so any three cards.

[Player 4]

Oh, I got ya.

[Player 3]

Okay, so we're gonna go four, and then I've got a four strength, then four grace. I'm gonna save this Grace three. So I'm gonna do a Grace two to make it an even taunt.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

All right, discard those and draw back up. The ceiling is collapsing. Little chunks are falling all around. You can't possibly catch them all. You do manage to catch this enormous slab of stone and earth that should have just crushed both you and Adria flat. And you don't just catch it. If you had some superhuman strength or something.

[Player 3]

Listen, man. Somewhere.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

But just the fact that that you caught this and shoved it aside was very impressive. However, between all the lesser pieces, and even the strain of catching it yourself, you take one wound from just the force of it. Now, do you want to take the wound or do you want to burn two sparks to not take the wound?

[Player 3]

I'm okay. Well, actually, yeah. Okay, wait. Yeah, I'm going to spin.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Don't forget. You could just use this instead. This gives you two sparks. If you want to, just use this from the devoted bond, draw strength from pipe. It actually helps pyre. It gives him his bark.

[Player 4]

Oh, yeah.

[Player 3]

Okay.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

All right, you just keep what you've got. We burned this to give you two, and you spent those two immediately. And you get it back.

[Player 1]

And I can use My bitter bond to draw two more cards, right?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Yes, you can, because you have to. Because when other people are hurt, you feel their pain, and it makes you mad. All right, draw some cards.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Draw some cards.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Between the three of you, you have to share out two more wounds. Now, I'm just saying, one of these wounds could go to one of your buddies. If you were a horrible person. I hope you're not that horrible.

[Player 4]

Or, like, I mean, you could just take him.

[Player 3]

I mean, is he gonna buy you dinner?

[Player 4]

I hope so.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

She promised two wounds.

[Player 1]

I'll take one for sure.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Okay.

[Player 1]

Yeah.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So each of you takes a wound. Adria is shaken up, but she's like, but this isn't just a tremor. At this point, we come back with you and Tiffin. Tiffin says, I think I know what's going on, but I'm not entirely sure. And I would like you to give me a arcane spread with you and him. You know, it's like you think putting your heads together, you might be able to figure this out. You get a plus three from Tibin, so that's eight as your base.

[Player 4]

Okay.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

And you can play up to three cards. Any three cards.

[Player 4]

Okay.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You'd like to hit 20 if you could. 15 would be.

[Player 4]

Okay, let's do four, intellect, four, grace. And what am I at now? 16.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

And again, you can burn a spark to, you know, to boost things. So if you got to 19, you could burn a spark to make it 20.

[Player 4]

Okay, so if I add another card and then burn a spark, I should be at 20? Yeah, that's right. Okay.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

All right.

[Player 4]

Wait.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So you realize a few things here. It isn't so much an earthquake. As Tibin had said before. This is some sort of bridge to the dusk. The same world you go to with the Crucible, it's sort of turning in on itself. It's like they've sort of turned on, if you will, sort of really powerful gravity that's trying to pull it between worlds. That's some sort of system that has essentially an enchantment that has been activated in a way it's not supposed to function. As a person who's dabbled with warlocks and such, you would guess that there is a spirit that should be governing or controlling these things that, for some reason, isn't. So it is definitely gonna get worse. It is. But it's not just a matter of, again, physical earthquakes. It is going to potentially just drop this whole thing out of this world in a violent and unpleasant way. You would guess that's a matter of hours at most. So being fast is a good idea. So discard the cards that you used. Draw three new cards to replace them. And if anyone else. Everyone else is back to what they were at. Now, here's the other problem. The tunnel behind you has now collapsed.

[Player 4]

Okay.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So you could probably shift it, maybe. You are incredibly strong, both of you. That itself would probably take a couple of hours. I think.

[Player 1]

You gotta keep moving.

[Player 3]

If there's a way in, there's a way out.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

It was that way behind you.

[Player 3]

I was like, okay, where there's an in, there's an out. There's an in and out.

[Player 2]

Yes.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

All right. Trademark. Do you venture forward then?

[Player 1]

Yeah.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Because you very quickly come to chapter. You have definitely been able to ascertain. As you move forward, it becomes sharply colder.

[Player 2]

I'm just going to hold and wait for my friends as they approach. I'm going to try to be as quiet still as possible.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Do you reveal yourself or are you just stay hidden?

[Player 2]

I'm going to stay hidden.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You don't even notice her. It's dark, there's falling stuff. But what you notice is again, temperature sharply dropping. It immediately chills even you. And both Adria and Tibin just start shaking.

[Player 1]

I think we might need your fire again.

[Player 2]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

I was thinking.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So this is certainly maybe something where fire would help. Do you want to extend your heat because you can just warm it up around you. It means people are going to have to stick quite close to you. Right.

[Player 4]

Yeah. I was thinking of being able to kind of. I guess steam doesn't work, but. Yeah, being able to maybe make my body on fire, but very low.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You can just radiate heat out. Certainly.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Perfect.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

That's going to cost for now, two sparks. Oh, remember that you can burn one of your health levels to get three more sparks.

[Player 4]

That's right.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You can also get two from over here. So you can get more sparks if you're about to run out.

[Player 4]

Yeah. Because I only have one left.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Oh, you only have one left.

[Player 4]

Oh, I have five.

[Player 2]

Sorry, I forgot about six left. Sorry, I get one plate.

[Player 4]

Yeah, I forgot about this.

[Player 1]

Can she just take those now?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Sure.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

She wants.

[Player 2]

Yeah.

[Player 4]

And then trade this one.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Okay. So there's two and it gives me one back anyway. It doesn't go very far. It only extends about 15ft from her. So you have to stay close as you move forward. This is where you sort of have that sense of. It's really the same thing that you're doing in reverse of what's going on here. It is definitely a Concentrated. Someone with very similar magic to your own is making it cold here. All right, you venture forward. If you have to venture more than 15ft away from her, it's going to hurt.

[Player 2]

Okay?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So continuing on, you've gone very deep below. You continue another 200ft, sort of curving around. The ice is getting deeper, but you can still see now a few people scattered, trapped within it, but definitely fewer than you were finding before. The voice is getting louder, and you do feel that it is saying, escape, get away. Time is limited. Or restore. There is now that sort of an element that you sort of pick up that it is saying, restore things or flee.

[Player 4]

Okay,

[Player 2]

I telecommunicate. Restore things or flee.

[Advertiser]

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow.

[Player 1]

But we needed it.

[Player 2]

And then hearing that, could I. I'm gonna take the damage and I'm gonna pull ahead, okay. And try to figure out where the sound's coming from.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You take one wound and you gain a card.

[Player 1]

That's right.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

And you feel that pain. I mean, that's what happens, is that you suddenly sense, you know, sort of the chill overtaking her. I will say that Tibbon, with you as well, even though he's shivering, he's afraid. What you came up with before when you looked at it, he's definitely. But that's the thing, is if this somehow draws forces from the dusk, if we could harness that, if we could use it, who knows what we could create? So he's excited about this even though he is freezing and worried about dying.

[Player 3]

Right.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You venture forward, and one thing that happens is you stub your foot and you find a mask embedded in the ground made out of some sort of a new enamel or metal, just a relatively smooth mask to holes for eyes.

[Player 2]

Okay. I want to quickly try to do one of my skill sets on this. I'm assuming, would it be observation or lore? Maybe lore.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Lore is what's relevant here. Observation. You can find it. You can pick it up. It is a mask. This is actually relevant. So go ahead and give me three cards. It can be any three cards plus five.

[Player 2]

So five on that.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You want to hit 15?

[Player 2]

Okay, I can use this. And then I can flip around and use this one, which puts me at 12. 12, and then I could use. So I have to hit 15.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

But you can use any of your cards for this because it's your specialty.

[Player 2]

Okay. I'm going to use intellect, and then I'm going to try. I think I should try to use my grace and then burn one spark and add four. So I'm gonna try to get 20

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

all right, go ahead and do that.

[Player 2]

Okay.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So this is. What are you mask burning?

[Player 3]

I think they were right. I think she is crazy.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So here's the thing, is that what you've seen is the bodies of people fighting, but nothing that they were fighting. You don't know what happened here. The people of the north used to deal with spirits called the fallen folk. People aren't really sure what they are. They aren't sure if they're sort of remnants of a previous age, if they're essentially demons. But you recognize this. One thing that really does define all the Fallen is they have masks. And this is definitely a mask that belonged to a fallen spirit. That might be what people were fighting. That would go along with the idea that this is a spike into the dusk, that it may have been populated by spirits, and that the humans who were in here were fighting the spirits which dissolved when they were defeated.

[Player 2]

Okay.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You're not sure exactly if this is connected to things, but it seems like it's good to keep around. Like if you were to try and do some sort of ritual, it might connect you to the systems of the tower. I said before the purple energy didn't feel like it belonged here. This does. This does feel like it's tied to the voices. The voice that is speaking is some sort of spirit similar to this.

[Player 2]

Okay, I tucked that away.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Meanwhile, are you going to venture further down?

[Player 2]

Yes. Yes, I am. And I get to pull because that

[Advertiser]

was a check, right?

[Player 4]

Yes.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Pull back up to six now. Something bad is about to happen. Do you have any traits? Supernatural senses? That is exactly what I'm looking for. I just told it. That is good timing. Something bad is about to happen. As you creep forward.

[Player 3]

I'm a creep?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Suddenly, you realize again, you're just very attuned to magic. And it's even the voices, your old voices, that, you know, just something just tingles and warns you. Discard supernatural senses and draw a new card to replace it. And you realize that it's actually the ice ahead of you, and it's the whole surface surrounding the thing is just charged with powerful energy. If you had taken a step further, it would have flowed through you and caused you a lot of damage.

[Advertiser]

Okay.

[Player 2]

I delicately step back, and I quickly tiptoe and rush back to them as quickly as possible. Do I take any more damage from

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

the ice if you stay down any longer? You would. If you go right back to them right now, you'll be all right. And in fact, you don't have to go back to them because you're hidden. And your shrouded bond lets you just return to them instantly if you want.

[Player 2]

Oh, but I would have to burn a spark.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Right.

[Player 2]

To use that. You may burn one spark and you shouldn't appear next to them. So I'm going to save my spark.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You can make it back. They're not that far back.

[Player 2]

Exactly. And run back. And then I just appear before you guys. Startling a little bit.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

I punch her. Oh, you can't just jump out of nowhere. You can't just do that.

[Player 2]

Listen, I found this. And then also up ahead of us is supercharged ice. Be ready. This is a very dangerous place.

[Player 1]

You think that mask is some sort of.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Greetings adventurers. Let me ask you a question. Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever walked out of your house in the same old clothes you've worn, but you didn't invest in them? You know, you kind of cheaped out on your clothing. You really just didn't care about the quality. And as soon as you step out the door, a strong gust of wind comes along, all your clothes disintegrate and or fly off just as a bus full of everyone you went to middle school with and bullied you in high school drives past and they all point and laugh. Has that ever happened to you?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

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[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

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[Player 1]

Weapon or something?

[Player 2]

I don't know if it's a weapon, but I do feel that if we hold onto it, it can only do good things right now, considering the fact that we're fighting against something that I think it wants to get rid of.

[Player 4]

Let's worry about the mask later.

[Player 3]

Well, what if it's a tool? Does one of us need to put it on?

[Player 2]

Yeah, I don't think that's a good idea. Not yet.

[Player 1]

Okay.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Tremor shakes the building again. More ice falls around. You, narrowly misses crushing Adria. Oh, I thought you said it crushes her.

[Player 4]

Oh, God.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You just squashed her when you weren't looking.

[Player 4]

Good job, Kratos.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

On the other hand, again, you do feel the way this is going. You stay much longer, you get another major fall like that last one, and it could be even worse. What are you doing?

[Player 3]

We gotta keep moving.

[Player 2]

So I am no longer hidden as well?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You are no longer hidden.

[Player 4]

Okay.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

All right. She knows you can remember the exact spot that she can point to. And you can definitely feel that energy as well now that she's called it out. It is something that has just imbued this with raw, aggressive power. You're not 100% sure what would happen if you touched it or if you interacted with it in a magical way.

[Player 2]

Wait, before you do that. Put the mask on before you do that. Can I use psychometry on the mask?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Yes, you absolutely can.

[Player 2]

Before this happens once again.

[Player 1]

Okay. Okay.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

That's two sparks, though, you were thinking about.

[Player 1]

We've got some here, remember?

[Player 2]

I'll use. I just want to save it for battle, just in case. So I'm going to use my own.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Because you can also burn these to draw two cards.

[Player 2]

I'm going to use that for now. And just try to understand, as I'm touching this mask, the history and purpose of it.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

I've got way too many cards.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Just before we have some.

[Player 3]

Kill this thing, I have some strength cards over here.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

What you realize is that this mask is. Is tied to the builders of this place. That it was bound to a spirit that did fall defending the base from invaders, but that it is tied. It is connected to the entire spire itself in, again, a vague, mystical way. It's not like you can just put it on and automatically control everything, but you definitely feel like it is tied to the core system.

[Player 2]

Okay. There's some purpose behind it.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

There is some purpose. Well, it basically was tied to a lesser system spirit, but it is nonetheless connected to the broader spirit of the place.

[Player 2]

Okay.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Now, meanwhile, again, the tunnel is sort of collapsing behind you, and in fact, somebody has to take a wound. A big chunk of stone comes rolling down, and it's Pele.

[Player 4]

If I have the untouchable trait for that, would I be able to use that?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

I'd let you use that again. It's the same way that she used her supernatural senses. So, yes, it rolls down and it should have crushed you, but again, you dodge perfectly out of the way. And so, well done.

[Player 4]

Yeah.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Thank you.

[Player 3]

You shove Tib in on the ground, it crushes Tibin.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

He's like, pacing. He's not untouchable. So when it does roll past you, it rolls down into the stretch above you, and the whole thing lights up, flares purple, and vaporizes the boulder. It just turns into powder and dust. But, hey, that's nothing to worry about.

[Player 3]

Wait, what is the object emanating this power?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

It's just imbued into. You're not sure if it's the walls or the ice around the walls, but it's just a stretch of tunnel in front of you. What the hell? Let us all write your book while wearing the mask.

[Player 2]

Hold on. And I hand the mask over to you, okay?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

And I'm going to say you have two minutes to come up with a plan before there's another tremor.

[Player 2]

I hand the mask over to you and I say, listen, I think they were going out fighting. You put that on and go fight whatever is down here and let us know.

[Player 1]

All right. I full heartedly just slap the mask on and I start walking towards the aura weapon drawn.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

And immediately it lights up and crackles around you. Tendrils of energy are sparking into you. The mask does seem to be sort of resisting this. You can see it's not quite hitting him as hard as it should. You still do take a wound.

[Player 3]

Okay, he can't make a defense for that.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Worse than that, there is no defense. I mean, he is walking Through a field of fire. But also, it is trying to dig its way into you. So add that to your discord pile.

[Player 4]

You were doing so well.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You realize it's about 15ft. You get to the other side. Oh, you cold? That is an issue. You are, in fact, cold. If you want to burn a spark, you could extend it another 10ft.

[Player 4]

Okay, I will totally do that.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Burn that spark. So you're on the other side of it. What are you doing?

[Player 1]

Is it still active?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So, as I said, it sort of flared up. You crossed it. It was extremely painful, and now it's flared down again. But there's still sort of tingles of it flowing through your system.

[Player 1]

Could I throw the mask back to them? And then they each come through?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Mm.

[Player 3]

I'm a klutz.

[Player 2]

You look a little sick on the other side there.

[Player 1]

Yeah, I don't feel great, but I

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

made it through better than nothing. Can I try?

[Player 3]

I'll have to go last. How low is the ceiling?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

The ceiling is actually about 15ft.

[Player 3]

How tall am I?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

10. How 5 foot?

[Player 3]

Arm span.

[Player 2]

I'm gonna put on the mask. I'm gonna make a run. And it's 15ft, right? Yeah. I'm running. Arms outstretched towards you to grab my hand and pull me through as quickly as possible.

[Player 3]

Gave him a warning.

[Player 2]

I know, I know.

[Player 3]

No time.

[Player 2]

It's no time.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So you're gonna take one wound. There's no way to get across without that. But because you're going so fast, I'm giving you a chance to avoid that affliction.

[Player 1]

Okay?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

And that is? Take a hand. If you get the one. The empty hand. If you get the empty hand.

[Player 4]

No Emmys. No Emmys. No Emmys.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You're right there. All right, so you don't pick up the affliction. Okay.

[Player 3]

I misinterpreted again.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So I'm fast enough.

[Player 2]

He kind of catches me.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Yep.

[Player 2]

Thank you.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Two across. Okay. All right.

[Player 2]

Take that mask. I throw it through again.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

I'm sad you didn't snowboard on your book.

[Player 2]

But those are for special occasions.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Yes, that's true. You don't want to overuse your book.

[Player 2]

Yes.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

There's still two on the other side.

[Player 4]

Could I.

[Player 3]

If there's a large rock, could I try to use my superhuman strength to throw it into the ceiling to bring down some rubble that we could walk across?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

That sounds like an excellent idea. Now, this is a good example of something that normally I would probably say, eh, probably not. But you have superhuman strength. This is a feat of amazing phoenix ness that a normal person could not pull off. And in fact, because you have superhuman strength, go ahead and discard it and draw a new card to replace it. I am going to just go ahead and say, yes, that works.

[Player 4]

Sweet.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

But it does cause more of the ceiling to collapse. You can't entirely avoid that. And so, again, between the two of you or your buddies, one of you is going to have to take a wound.

[Player 3]

I can take it.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

I can take a hit. And it's up to you. You could burn two sparks and not take a hit.

[Player 3]

Um, yeah, I'll do that.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Okay. So the good thing about that is very well done. Because the thing is, you could have all done the mask trick, but that was not gonna work for your buddies. No. So they certainly would have died along the way. So congratulations. Well done. So you've made your way across, but you did just perform this amazing feat of strength. You know, basically collapsing part of the ceiling. How old are you again? You look like you're.

[Player 3]

I'm 18. 18.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So this was a pretty amazing thing to happen. And as soon as you get across, you're wanting to press forward, but Adria just stops and just. How did you do that? What? What was that?

[Player 3]

We're all Phoenixes. All of us can do crazy shit like that.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

But. But how? I mean, why you?

[Player 3]

Well, I went through the Crucible and I came out the other side.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Why are you here? Why are you doing this?

[Player 3]

All of us are here because we died. And we faced things no one should have to face. And we went through trials no one should have to endure. And we did it because the rest of the world needs us. That's why all of us are here. You guys might think we're crazy, but we're here to make every place on this map a better. A better place.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

She seems moved by that. Does anyone else have anything they want to add to that? You know, that is the kind of thing where normally I'd say make a grace spread to impress someone, but that was just good. That was it. You did.

[Player 2]

I kind of look to her in a tibbin, right?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Yeah.

[Player 2]

And I say, hey, if you believe us, at least with the way that you brought us down here, maybe even you guys, if your intent is clear, would also one day become Phoenixes.

[Player 3]

So we're not threatening you, to be clear, right?

[Player 2]

I'm not saying about that.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You might become a Phoenix sooner than you think. Frankly, that is a good point. You have to say, these are people who are willing to risk death to try and help people. That's the kind of thing that could make a Phoenix. You might not be wrong on that. Which means now I need to kill them.

[Player 3]

Dang it.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

But she, as I said, seems truly moved and says I've heard the stories. I didn't really believe them. If we get out of this, I will make sure everyone at the Imperial Library knows that this is real.

[Player 2]

Wait, you work at the Imperial Library?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

In Farmance? That's why we're here.

[Player 2]

You didn't say you worked at a library.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

What?

[Player 2]

I'm a huge fan. Which. What's he.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Library and finance, which you know, fourmance is the grand library.

[Player 2]

You work at the grand library?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

I have to say, you probably. You worked in a small library. Farmance was the dream.

[Player 2]

Oh my gosh. I am just enamored right now.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

We probably lose a few minutes here to some just absolute library nerdy.

[Player 1]

I like pull out the math.

[Player 2]

So you work on the numerically based system as well?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Exactly.

[Player 2]

Zero.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Well, you know, I mean the numerical system. Actually that was about a hundred years ago where we replaced it.

[Player 2]

Oh, wow.

[Player 3]

I am so at any moment.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

I am sorry.

[Player 2]

I'm cold right now, but I'm just

[Player 4]

gonna take my flames back in.

[Player 1]

I died yesterday. Did you know that? Anybody see that? Died and came back to life.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

That actually is a point that Tibben said. But wait a second. Weren't you on fire?

[Player 1]

Yeah, well, I'm not on fire anymore. Things happen when you go through the Crucible again.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Tibin does try and pull everyone together. This is fascinating. I myself love a decimal system as much as the next person. But I just have to say we are looking. This entire thing could collapse into the dusk at any moment.

[Player 3]

What do you know about this mask, Tibbens? I mean, obviously, I mean, you were able to pass over that path, right? Were you hurt?

[Player 1]

A little bit.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

This is fascinating actually. And this is a thing that actually as he's talking about it, it makes sense to you too, because you are a warlock. The warlock tradition is dealing with the Fallen. And it's one of these things where you know, the fallen have masks, but you've never really. No one knows why. It's just what they do. They wear masks.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

It's just a garb.

[Player 4]

I have no idea what it does.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

What you feel now that you're really looking at this, taking the information she's given you, is that the mask is in some way like the basic nature of the spirit is somehow imprinted on the mask. Like it is the mask and it's just that it's pulled into it. Somehow and been sort of not stored there. You don't know if you could pull it out, but it's fundamentally connected to it.

[Player 4]

And if you guys can figure that

[Player 3]

out, go for it.

[Player 4]

Yeah, I was like, I'm relaying all the information, but if you guys want to tinker with it, you can. But that's all I know.

[Player 3]

Wait, so there's a human soul trapped in that mask?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You don't think it's human?

[Player 4]

I don't think it's human. I think it's just something. Oh, great.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Now I didn't bring it up. This could be any creature soul. This is a point, though. I mean, these are all just things you're sort of thinking of right now. But if you could get this back to Don Command, it is something that could actually be. Again, we're all just looking for any information we can or any ideas on the.

[Player 2]

I don't think that's a good idea. I heard it's calling out to me to be restored. So I think that's true. As much of a lure as it might be as an artifact to bring back to Elders, I just don't. I think this. The natural landscape of this land needs this back.

[Player 3]

If something has a home, it should get to stay there.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

And as you come to that touching conclusion that even alien demon masks need a home, once again, there is a massive tremor, worse than before. You hear more of the tunnel starting to collapse. You feel more waves of little rubble coming towards you. And it might be a good idea if you start moving down that tunnel pretty quickly.

[Player 1]

Let's do it.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

All right.

[Player 1]

Also, even alien demon masks need a home. That should actually be on the outside of the box.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Yeah, it's gonna be my T shirt next metal band. Alright, trouble ahead. Ready to move?

[Player 2]

Let's do it.

[Player 1]

Let's keep pressing down.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

We're pressing down. It gets even colder now. I'm gonna say one more spark to maintain the field.

[Player 2]

Okay.

[Player 4]

Yeah, I was gonna grab from that.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So in that case, you get one back. Yay.

[Player 1]

Cool.

[Player 3]

Do I draw another card? Did that count?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

As I can, actually, as I say, anytime you are down, unless you're in combat, you always draw right back up. You press forward as quickly as you can. You can hear behind you again, more rubble falling from the sky. Stones are tumbling down, falling beyond you. But you finally enter a vast chamber. It's leveled out. This must be the base of the cloud spire. Looking forward, where the cloud spire was descending, you see that it's now focused inward, and there's actually a Core of brilliant red energy surrounded by floating sigils carved in the air. Ahead of you. There's altars arranged in a circle around the edges of the room. There's smaller spires just sort of coming out of the ground, some that seem like they might have objects placed on top of them, but you can't make them out as they're covered in ice. There's a few basins that might be filled with liquid if they weren't frozen. The cold is absolutely chilling. If it were not for the energy that you are pouring out to the people around you, it would freeze. Certainly the mortals would freeze solid instantly. But there is a figure floating in the air by the heart of this. She's got her back to you. She's tracing symbols around the core of the cloud spire. It is a woman wearing unfamiliar clothing. She is completely surrounded by a nimbus of purple energy.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

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[Player 1]

give me the mask. I don't put it on yet.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

All right, you've got the mask.

[Player 1]

I got it at the ready.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

What are you doing? And as she does this trace again, the tremors shake the building. And I would like you to go ahead and give me a arcane spread.

[Player 4]

Okay.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Do you have Warlock by any chance? No, I also think you only have four cards, so I'll call it.

[Player 4]

Ooh, Killer instincts is what I got.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

All right, so go ahead and give me an arcane spread. Tibin is shivering and shaking next to you, but he's like, what is she doing? So he's trying to help you. So you have a base of eight and you can use three cards.

[Player 4]

Definitely want to use Killer instinct for sure. What's the number?

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

I'm trying to get to higher than 15, preferably 20.

[Player 4]

So what was that? Three grace one in.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Killer instincts. Now, killer instincts. Is there a thing that makes it relevant here or are you just throwing it in as a warm.

[Player 4]

I wanted to use it because I was going to use my killer instincts to keep TIBMA alive. But also see if there is a

[Player 1]

way

[Player 4]

for me to throw my naginata at her.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Okay.

[Player 4]

And see if it will either kill her or if at least try to get her attention so she can see. Stop doing this.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So you're evaluating her with an eye to. How could I neutralize this threat? I'll give you three points for that. And that is a bonus card. So you can still play another card on top of that. So you're currently sitting at. Yeah, that will help her too.

[Player 1]

Yes, please help you with this.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Three more.

[Player 4]

So, Commander.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Okay, you hold onto it. So keep him. But it's a pretty good hand. And are you just. How are you. How are you conveying. You're just like. You can do this.

[Player 1]

Yeah, exactly. I'm like. I'm giving.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Okay.

[Player 4]

Thank you for your support.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So again, we're at 2, 5, 8, 11 plus 8 from Tibin. And your own score. 19. And you can play one more.

[Player 4]

Yeah.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

So there you go.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

21.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

All right, here's what you realize. You realize that what she is doing is destabilizing this, that her actions. She is basically. This is a center of powerful enchantment and she's trying to unravel it. But there's a couple other things. You realize. You could throw the naginata at her, but you're quite sure that that aura around her would act as a defense. That's not to say it couldn't be done, but you are again certain that it's not as simple as that. There's something else. You feel a connection to her that you can't quite explain. And you realize that she is an elemental Phoenix. I knew it. And you realize at that moment that she is aware of you. And she turns to look at you. And that's where we're gonna stop. We'll find out how you deal with all of this in the next episode of Starter Kids.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

I need to know.

[Player 1]

Next time on Starter Kit. I want to hit her with everything I got.

[Player 3]

You're coming with me.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

You're bursting with power.

[Player 2]

You are scary all over.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Don't die.

[Player 4]

Yeah, I'm going to try.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

It seems like everything is good. And then. Close your eyes. Exhale. Feel your body relax and let go of whatever you're carrying today. Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contact in time for this class. I got them delivered free from 1-800-contacts. Oh my gosh, they're so fast. And breathe. Oh sorry. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste. Visit 1-800-contacts.com today to save on your first order. 1-800-contacts new year, new me.

[Advertiser]

Cute. But how about new year new money? With Experian, you can actually take control of your finances. Check your FICO score, find ways to save and get matched with credit card offers giving you time to power through those New Year's goals. You know you're gonna crush start the year off right. Download the Experian app based on FICO scoring model offers an approval not guaranteed. Eligibility requirements and terms apply subject to credit check which may impact your credit scores. Offers not available in all states. See experian.com for details.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Experian

[Narrator]

the world of Sonic the Hedgehog has been thrust into a not so dark, not so stormy, hard boiled detective story that probably nobody saw coming. Follow Sonic and the intrepid Chaotix Detective Agency as they take on their biggest case yet. This high flying, action packed adventure will take them across the world, fighting for every clue they can find. It's one heck of a tale. Which is good because because this story might be the only thing that can save their lives.

[Player 1]

Well, if that's all, I can just dispose of you.

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

Wait, what?

[Narrator]

All will be revealed in Sonic the Hedgehog Presents the Chaotix Case Files. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts

[Game Master (Keith Baker)]

when the Chaotix are on the case.