A Bridge Too Far | Critical Role | Campaign 4, Episode 14 Part 1

Summary

Critical Role: "A Bridge Too Far" | Campaign 4, Episode 14 Part 1

Date: February 12, 2026
Podcast: Critical Role
GM/DM: Matthew Mercer
Main Cast: Marisha Ray, Liam O'Brien, Ashley Johnson, Taliesin Jaffe, Sam Riegel, Travis Willingham

Overview

This episode of Critical Role continues the saga of the party in Campaign 4, "Ahriman," as the group navigates political, personal, and supernatural turmoil. The episode runs a split narrative: first, Teor and Thimble’s anxious journey to restore Teor’s brother, Cid, to life; second, the rest of the party’s tense infiltration of the druidic Shongarten in Rhiesengirdel, seeking sanctuary and answers after a close brush with hostile forces. Heavy with themes of trust, redemption, trauma, and found family, the episode is filled with character-defining moments and intricate plot developments.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Teor and Thimble: Transporting a Petrified Brother

[00:55–13:59]

• Setting: The party is traveling on the King’s Highway, hoping to un-petrify Cid by reaching Bolaire, who may have a cure.
• Concerns: Returning to Dolmakyar is fraught with personal risk, as old enemies now have greater reason to target them.
  • Ashley Johnson (Teor): “They don’t want to kill me. They want to strip my shadow from my being. It’s very different.” [04:37]
• Logistical Problems: How to smuggle a stone lion (Cid) into the city unnoticed? Smuggler routes are remembered, but past clashes (e.g., with Crow Keepers) make re-entry dangerous.
  • Liam O’Brien (Thimble): “We attack the Crow Keepers, so… but maybe I can scout ahead as we get closer.” [05:38]
• Bracers Subplot: The bracers of oak and bur are introduced as a possible aid in moving Cid; attempts to attune fail, emphasizing the need for magical or creative solutions.
  • Ashley Johnson (Teor): “If these will be enough to move Sid, then great. But we will have to find somewhere to put him. A storage place.” [08:59]
• Personal Stakes: Thimble is haunted by the possible death of Octis and regrets past decisions, vowing to help but feeling torn between current and old obligations.
  • Liam O’Brien (Thimble): “What if we have to go to the orchard?” [11:15]

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2. Shongarten Sanctuary: The Tribunal of Druids

[24:47–45:55]

• Arrival & Tension: The party, split from Thimble/Teor, seeks rest and counsel in the sacred druidic sanctuary. Tysha (Taliesin Jaffe) is defensive but honest about Octys (“Young Octus Deconisc was slain by his family… But… I call him my friend.” [27:36])
• The Tribunal: Elders Amedda (Bearfolk), Mozor (Dwarven), and Hanon (Elven) probe the metaphysics, morality, and consequences of Octys’ resurrection by necromantic means.
  • Taliesin Jaffe (Tysha): “He is something different, very much himself. But. Something new is walking on the face of Ahriman. And I call him my friend.” [28:45]
  • Matthew Mercer (as Hanon): “When these companions' hands came to the door of this place, four living footfalls fell upon the stone, not five.” [32:02]
• Blessing & Restoration: Tysha receives a magical blessing clearing any lingering magical domination or doubt—a moving scene beautifully emblematic of druidic trust.
  • Amedda’s Blessing (Matthew Mercer): “To walk always free amongst the family of living things. To know no confusion, charm or sinister words.” [29:54]
• Moral and Existential Debate: The druids agonize over the breaking of the natural cycle—should Octys, an undead being, be considered friend or monstrous aberration? Octys’ own testimony is honest: “I have no heart. But while I was on the path it is fuzzy… Something went wrong.” [75:19]
• Key Insight & Acceptance: On multiple natural 20s, the party’s candor sways the elders. Amedda professes hope, and Hanon reluctantly pulls back from open hostility, acknowledging unprecedented miraculous hope.

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3. The Ritual, the Stone, and the Stakes

[71:27–88:10+]

• Revelation: The party discusses the petrification ritual, the mysterious relic at its center, and the tangled histories of their houses.
  • Liam O’Brien (Vaelys): “It was stolen from the temple by a man that we know. Thiazi Fang.” [79:25]
  • Mozor (Matthew Mercer): “Does this have a name?... It is the Stone of Nightsong…carved from the bones of Alnumari.” [82:53]
• Ritual's Incompletion: Octys is not sure if the Taconis’ dark ritual is truly foiled, deepening the stakes. “I think they will attempt to regain control of whatever they were trying to do. And I think that myself and that artifact are important, and we are linked. I think.” [81:09]
• Druidic Verdict: The druids, wary but moved, grant the party sanctuary and aid, planning to spirit them away via giant eagles.

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4. Climax: Betrayal & Cliffhanger

[103:13–104:42]

• Impostor Revealed: As the party crosses a scenic bridge to escape, Vaelys notices a duplication—Mozor appears both ahead and behind them, hinting at treachery.
  • Taliesin Jaffe (Tysha): “Stop. Did you forget something?” [103:13]
• Ambush: The gate ahead opens, revealing a contingent of Taconis guards. “You hear, you see Mozor right in front of you goes in a completely different voice. Oh, fuck. And I'm going to need everybody here to roll initiative.” [104:13]
• Episode Ends: The party stands on the brink of combat and further disaster.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Character Dynamics & Humor

• Cosmic Sarcasm:
  • Ashley Johnson (Teor): "They don't want to kill me. They want to strip my shadow from my being. It's very different." [04:37]
• On Defensive Camaraderie:
  • Taliesin Jaffe (Tysha): “He is my friend and my judgement is sound… Everything's fine. You don't have to start at a 10.” [26:35]
• Impromptu Tension Diffuser:
  • Sam Riegel (Octys): “The tone at which you use that leads me to believe you're being unkind. And I believe this meeting is about me, not about her. And I would hope that you would get to know someone before being aggressive.” [65:14]

Emotional Highs

• On Magical Blessing & Trust:
  • Taliesin Jaffe (Tysha): “There is always that little fear. I think there's something in a world where magic does exist, trust, perfect trust, is really hard to come by.” [30:46]
• Druidic Wisdom:
  • Hanon (Matthew Mercer): “Of the many circles of this world, there is one truth that unites all members of the Old Path, which is that life springs eternal from death ever the great cycle moves and we return.” [43:33]
• On Personal Responsibility:
  • Sam Riegel (Octys): “I catch that word and hearing the tonality… This meeting is about me.” [65:14]
• Ultimate Show of Power:
  • A natural 20 intimidation check causes Octys’ shadow to grow and nearby water to freeze: “All of you feel a tremendous cold fall upon this place… the veil between life is… extremely fragile here.” [66:07]

Dramatic Upheaval

• Episode’s Tense Close:
  • Matthew Mercer: “You hear, you see Mozor right in front of you goes in a completely different voice. Oh, fuck. And I'm going to need everybody here to roll initiative.” [104:13]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Teor & Thimble’s Road: Concealing Cid – [00:55–13:59]
• Shongarten Druidic Tribunal – [24:47–45:55]
• Magic, Motives, The Ritual Uncovered – [71:27–88:10]
• Ambush on the Bridge/Cliffhanger – [103:13–104:42]

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Flow, Tone, and Final Thoughts

The episode moves organically from fear and distrust to urgency, introspection, and the possibility of hope. The players’ deep roleplay—layered with dark humor, genuine sorrow, and flashes of warmth—matches Brennan Lee Mulligan’s evocative DMing and Matthew Mercer’s thoughtful narration. The stakes escalate from personal quests to existential and political dilemmas, culminating in a heart-pounding setup for part two.

For those who haven't listened:
This episode perfectly combines Critical Role’s signature blend of immersive roleplay, high-stakes worldbuilding, and memorable character moments. It lays bare the complexities of trauma, heroism, and family—found and blood—while ushering in a new confrontation that promises even greater challenges.

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End of Summary

Transcript

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[Matthew Mercer]

Nine years of bring back the snack wrap and you've won. But maybe you should have asked for more. Say hello to the Hot Honey snack. Now you've really won. Go to McDonald's and get it while you can. Why hello there. I'm Brennan Lee Mulligan and welcome to Campaign 4 of Critical Role. Thank you for joining us on this journey as we explore Ahriman, a world of fractured kingdoms, tumultuous rebellion and sorcery that rises from the grave. Graveyard of the Gods. You're listening to Part one of this adventure, with Part two arriving this upcoming Tuesday. Our episodes typically arrive on the Critical Role Podcast network a week after our initial Thursday night streams on Beacon, YouTube and Twitch. But if you'd rather listen to a full podcast episode of Campaign 4 Right When it airs without any ads, consider becoming a Beacon member. You'll receive access to exclusive content discounts at all our online Critical Role shops, pre sales for live events, and so much more. Start your seven day free trial today at Beacon tv. Now, without further ado, let's begin this episode of Critical Role. We return to Timini Kingdom to the north of Dolmakyar and Kahad, where on the King's highway headed southeast towards Ardoran. Our friends retrace their steps, though not so faithfully, for you came to Tyreis Leaf from the Miller's Road, the magical path that the Hounds of the King had led you on. And now we find Thimble and Teor hidden in a wagon, venturing back south under open daylight, trying to keep hidden your secret cargo, the stolen stone statue that in truth is the body, neither living nor dead, of your brother Talsidimir Pridesire Wagon Trundles along outside, you hear the voices of Cadogan, tyranny and Wick nearby. We come to this moment as you make your way southeast back to the road that will lead you to Dolmakyar and to Bolaire, who you know to have at least some means by which to counteract petrification. In this moment, you both gaze on the face of Cid Pridesire, frozen in statuesque rictus stone face. The face that looks quite similar to Teor. You have this long, trundling road ahead of you as you reenter danger once again. But with at least a day's travel of respite in the beautiful countryside of Timony.

[Ashley Johnson]

You know, the little machiar is foreign to me. I feel like we should feel good about going back to friends and some sort of resolution, but I. I am full of anxiety.

[Liam O'Brien]

Well, yeah, they want to kill you there, so.

[Ashley Johnson]

They don't want to kill me. They want to strip my shadow from my being. It's very different.

[Liam O'Brien]

Well, if the Taconuses didn't have reason to hurt us before, they do now. So now we'll have a few families after us.

[Ashley Johnson]

How are we going to get my brother through the city, even if we get to Boler? A giant lion is one thing, made of stone, entirely other. How do you. You've lived here. Are you able to. I was going to ask if you hide, but. Not the same.

[Liam O'Brien]

Not quite, but let me think. You know, I mean, Thaz and I got a lot of stuff into the city. There's gotta be one of those routes are open, right?

[Ashley Johnson]

A smuggler's route.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah. My only concern is that we. We attack the Crow Keepers, so. But, you know, maybe I can scout ahead as we get closer and see if any of them are open and we can come in a different way. I can't imagine. We can go through the gates.

[Ashley Johnson]

No, I don't imagine so.

[Liam O'Brien]

Are you gonna be able to carry him if we have to ditch the wagon?

[Marisha Ray]

No.

[Ashley Johnson]

I mean, he is rock. He is stone.

[Liam O'Brien]

You're stone too, Teor.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, thank you. Yeah, he's very kind. I tend to agree, but no. The cart is going to be the only way. Unless you have some sort of alternative magical means.

[Matthew Mercer]

Fimble. You can give me a perception check. And I'd also like an insight check from you.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay, this is the insight.

[Ashley Johnson]

Spit on him and make him a picture.

[Liam O'Brien]

My insight is 16. My perception is 9.

[Matthew Mercer]

Gotcha. Hey, You remember seeing the Knight of Saramai who you faced in the cellars of Castle Dhelani? Heave the Stone statue with those bracers.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hmm?

[Liam O'Brien]

The bracers. That guy wasn't strong. He used bracers.

[Matthew Mercer]

He was huge.

[Liam O'Brien]

Did you put them on? Who put them on? Did anybody put them on?

[Ashley Johnson]

They look best.

[Matthew Mercer]

Get them on.

[Liam O'Brien]

Put them on.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'm wearing them.

[Liam O'Brien]

Make them yours.

[Matthew Mercer]

Work. Make me strong. You see? Go ahead and give me an Arcana check with disadvantage. Disadvantage? I'm not going to roll much lower than that.

[Ashley Johnson]

Nope, it's going to be.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's a four. It's a four on a four. You fail to attune to the bracers, you hold them. Thimble. You remember seeing Callowen Royce wear these? These are the bracers of oak and bur.

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

They not only allowed Kelloan to have enormous strength like that of mighty trees of the deep woods of Faerie, but also precluded him from the need to wear armor. His skin was as dense and resilient as a living tree. You once saw him take a sword to the arm at full swing that only got about a quarter of an inch in before it stopped and hardened around it. It sort of bled green SAP for a while afterwards.

[Liam O'Brien]

No, wait. Those bracers are. Those are the shit. You've really got to learn to make them work for you.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay. I will sleep. I will.

[Liam O'Brien]

I mean, I know your fur helps a lot, but you don't have a lot of armor on.

[Ashley Johnson]

No, it is an encumbrance.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

So you. But if this is. If these will be enough to move Sid, then great. But we will have to find somewhere to put him. A storage place. We can't take him straight to Bholair. If we're seen, then we would be bringing heat.

[Matthew Mercer]

I'll go in.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'll talk to Bolaire. I know he has ways to get things to him without people seeing it. Maybe through the sewers.

[Ashley Johnson]

All right, sewers. We could even put him in some sort of a storage space. And bring Bolair to us.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

What about you? I mean, you were attacked before all this. You are not as free as you might think.

[Liam O'Brien]

Well, no, but I'm small, you know, I've hidden a lot.

[Ashley Johnson]

And if we get Sid unpetrified, then what?

[Liam O'Brien]

And then I gotta. I gotta find Octis and Lady Erinessa. They made it seem like Octis is dead.

[Ashley Johnson]

That's what it sounded like.

[Liam O'Brien]

I don't know. Like I sent him off, you know, I sent him to go with Sir Julian. What if Sir Julian helped take care of him?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

What if.

[Liam O'Brien]

What if, you know, I let him go and I didn't have his back. And I could have had his back. And I did it again.

[Matthew Mercer]

No.

[Ashley Johnson]

No, Dimble, that is not fair.

[Liam O'Brien]

But then the orchard's gone too. I have to find out what's happening. Obviously. Sid is massively important. We have to find that buddy.

[Ashley Johnson]

You don't have to explain. This is your home.

[Liam O'Brien]

I will find Bolaire. I'll make sure that this happens. But I have to find him.

[Ashley Johnson]

I know. And if you help me with Cid, I will be eternally grateful. But you also don't have to stay. I feel like I owe you in turn.

[Liam O'Brien]

You already owe your life to Wick and Tammy.

[Ashley Johnson]

It's a list. It's a list.

[Liam O'Brien]

What if after everything happens with Sidi, you can help me find. You can help me find Octus. You can help me find. What if we have to go to the orchard?

[Ashley Johnson]

Do they allow my kind in the orchard?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Why not?

[Ashley Johnson]

I don't know. One of them tried to put his hat in me.

[Liam O'Brien]

That guy's not at the orchard?

[Ashley Johnson]

He's not.

[Matthew Mercer]

You don't know where his cousins are? My own.

[Ashley Johnson]

They could put shoes.

[Liam O'Brien]

My family won't attack you. They won't try to put a hat in you. I promise.

[Ashley Johnson]

If it will help you, then I will be there. And hopefully with my brother there to help. And if not? I am here for you. I wish I could have been here for the Aussie. And I will not make that mistake again.

[Matthew Mercer]

Teor, give me an insight check. And on that 16. Insight check from Thimble. I think you're exactly on the money. You know that a lot of things that you and Thiazi had coming into the city. The reason that Bolair was the reluctant and unwilling fence for a lot of what Thiazi needed to move through the city was because the Archonaut had such an enormous infrastructure of getting important magical things secretly into and out of the city. You know that if you can fly into the city, that there will be a way to get even a full carriage in surreptitiously somewhere safe. Awesome.

[Marisha Ray]

22 on my dope ass.

[Ashley Johnson]

Inside check.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Oh, finally.

[Liam O'Brien]

Hey, congratulations.

[Ashley Johnson]

Do you see?

[Matthew Mercer]

That was brutal. It's not just in front of the cameras, Brendan. It's not just in front of the cameras. That was truly brutal on a 22 insight. I have to ask a question actually, of what Teor sees looking at Thimble. Because you, I think Teor see Thimble in this moment of victory. Casimir lies dead. Cid has been recovered. And there seems to be a straightforward path to unpetrifying him. And I think you see the flittering of pixie wings moving swiftly to the next quest, almost urgently, almost desperately. On a 22 insight, what does Teor see in Thimble's eyes?

[Liam O'Brien]

An unsettled, almost manic need.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

To find the next distraction.

[Matthew Mercer]

A light glowing motes of gold like those that fall from the ever shining light of the orchard in which you were born, cascade from your wings. But that light, almost imperceptibly diminishes as some light in this land continues to wane. Teor, that golden light in dancing motes of fairy magic glimmers with a similar radiance that on a 22 only you perceive coming from the eyes of that lion headed emblem that you carry. And we will continue this story on another episode of Critical Role. Oh shit. Oh shit.

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[Matthew Mercer]

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[Ashley Johnson]

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[Matthew Mercer]

Welcome to another episode of Critical Role. We return to Riesenger, the seat of House Einfaazen, rulers of the country of Helvar.

[Sam Riegel]

There's so many Rs in this sentence.

[Matthew Mercer]

It is fun to say the R in this sort of voice. Listen, girl, we can never leave the city. We can never leave the glad seekers. Having journeyed east through the Dvalmar Pass, our companions and adventurers found themselves here in Riesengirdel A, the massive belt of a city, the Giant's Belt, stretching across the cliffs overlooking the far western edge of the old and fallen Obra Demian empire. Having arrived in time for some chicken and apple cobbler and staying in a very vertical hostel. And discovering Julian with some quick surprise, seeing that some of the candescent creed here in the city preparing for candle feast were none other than demon aspirants, the sisters of one tyranny, currently elsewhere in the region of Timony. Looking for a chance to get through the city. The decision was made actually to approach House Einfausen with Octus Taconus, disguised as Erlik Kersingblad, a knight who, it turns out, enjoys a rather sterling reputation. And in tow, Ser Julian Davinos, who happened to connect on potentially even a chivalrous and romantic level with the young lady, Ingrid Einfassen. Delightful, a beautiful young woman, tall and fair, a little self conscious about her shoulders. We're not gonna hold that against her. Everyone's got their thing. Yeah, everyone's got their thing. I went home that night.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

It was like.

[Matthew Mercer]

Shoulders. I feel so bad at making that choice for the character of anyone at home. Being like shoulders are.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

You just instilled a new fear in a million critters.

[Matthew Mercer]

Your shoulders are beautiful and you're beautiful. Okay? Don't worry. Ingrid is not yes, exactly.

[Sam Riegel]

I have the shiny shoulders.

[Matthew Mercer]

No, they're beautiful.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Beautiful shoulders.

[Matthew Mercer]

Perfect.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I need a ghoster.

[Matthew Mercer]

Thank you. A few members of our party got to enjoy a lovely hot bath. Not so Julian Davinos, who had to climb to the tall tower, taking quite some pains to get a letter sent back to the Golden Orchard to inform his family of what might have transpired. House Einfausen proved themselves maybe not party to the treachery of House Taconis, but perhaps their embrace of their ally, House Royce, was not as warm or forthcoming as it might have been. Some conversation with the Lady Erinessa alone from the brutal and violent, although seemingly, at least not in this moment, actively moving against you, Lord Otto Einfausen, who was the height of propriety when it came to honoring your call for aid in his castle, but certainly dashed a young spy woman's skull across the floor the moment he discovered her treachery. As we've said of House Einfasn, it is a house that goes from green to red with no orange in between. We after sort of coming together. Julian with his bottles of wine, Octys having sent Pin out with some companions. Tycha seeing a carriage of the Taconis immediately after Octys summoned undead vulture who should not have returned quickly did, leaving some indication that perhaps the pigeon that had been sent was not flying as far as Dolmakyar, but instead somewhere much, much closer. Some featherfall out the window, some horses liberated from a held stable hand. Poor guy. He's fine. It's fine. Racing through the streets of Reasongridle, having basically ascertained that you could not be certain of your safety, you didn't feel like, I guess, gambling on how the conversation between octys eldest sisters Petra and Raya, two tall, gaunt sorceresses of the House of Taconis, naturally gifted of the magic that Octys has spent many years laboring over in the Pentevral. You. You raced through the streets and the decision was made to not gamble on the pulley gate, not being there at the edge of the city, and instead went to Shongarten, the Druidic holy site here within Riesengurtel. Entering through the sanctuary gate, your horses stabled, you found the long hall fragrant with wood smoke and other sleeping pilgrims and traveling druids, those whose business has taken them through the Dvalmar Pass or here to the Cavorossi Mountains and found a place of rest, though not as luxurious as the Schnefen keep of Castle Klippenblick.

[Ashley Johnson]

You.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

All the words are so good.

[Matthew Mercer]

You. How scary can he be?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Is everything so whimsical?

[Matthew Mercer]

Everything's so whimsical. Don't worry, it will be extremely delightful up until the moment you have crossed me. Summoned up to the central glacial boulder, this massive lichen covered circular stone. This boulder is so enormous that it almost stands as wide as the floor of a cathedral. Enormous dolmens topped with sideways plinths, covered in ancient Druidic, a language that combines some of the core phonemes and script of both giant and sylvan, and some of the earliest and most primordial languages of Ahriman. You stand under the moonlight with three elders of different circles of the Old Path. There is Amedda, the Bearfolk druidess, who sits on her haunches still about a foot taller than you sitting. You see that there is Mozor, who is the caretaker of this holy place. Shongarten, who is a Dwarven druid of the Circle of Stone and an as yet unintroduced Elven Druid of the Hunt, who beholds you now in this place. Tycha. What is going through your mind as the words of Hanon echo in your ears? You have brought something dead to this place.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

It's that mingled. The first instinct is of course, defensiveness. Octys is my friend, so it's defensiveness on his behalf and then defensiveness on my behalf. He is my friend and my judgment is sound. Who are these people to ask nothing but assume immediately? And all of that is just being slowly walked back to have a normal conversation? Everything's fine. You don't have to start at a 10. You were around the Einfassens for like 20 minutes. Calm down. You have an orange. Use your orange. Use your orange.

[Matthew Mercer]

Amada looks at you and says, If it is all right, can you help us to understand?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Gladly. Yes. And in that little moment where I have to decide how much truth to offer. Because we've only been in treason girl for a little bit and I've already been rightfully called out for giving a bit too much away immediately. But I wouldn't have come here if I didn't implicitly trust in the strength and wisdom of of my people. Truth. Young Octus Deconisc was slain by his family and at some point in his death. Was able to be turned from the path. He's returned. But I've spent time in Fanatus and I have walked this world for decades. I know well the undead that we seek to remove as a threat from the world. And he is not that. He is something different, very much himself. But. Something new is walking on the face of of Ahriman. And I call him my friend.

[Matthew Mercer]

The Elven Druid turns to regard the other two. Mozor, you see, is gripping his fingers in his other fist, looking into the Middle east distance, considering your words. Hamida looks to you and says, can I offer you a blessing? If that is all right, my cousin?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

That is incredibly gracious. I gratefully accept.

[Matthew Mercer]

She places a massive paw on your back, lowers her head to be forehead to forehead with you, her long bear like snout pressing up against the your face and chin. And she says to walk always free amongst the family of living things. To know no confusion, charm or sinister words. To be free of body, mind and soul. She snorts and the smell of jasmine and honeysuckle comes out of her nose and she casts a spell of restoration on you that would destroy any charm condition or dominating effect or anything like that.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I think when Tysha pulls back, there is a single little tear going down her eye because there is always that little fear. I think there's something in a world where magic does exist, trust, perfect trust, is really hard to come by. And there is something very nice about knowing that there are people looking out for you. So that was treated truly as a blessing and not as a sign of doubt or disbelief.

[Marisha Ray]

Your.

[Matthew Mercer]

Friend. Have you come to know him as your friend? After the events of his rising.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

We traveled together for six months before his death. He was my friend then.

[Matthew Mercer]

I. The Elven Druid looks at you and says, you knew him in life?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yes. Whatever he is now, I still consider more adjacent to life than Undeath. For what it's worth.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see that? The elf looks over at Mozor, who looks at him and says, When these companions hands came to the door of this place, four living footfalls fell upon the stone, not five. He looks up at the elf, Amater looks and says, hanan, would you. Would you allow a conversation? How you see? Hanon crosses his arms and says, I see no need for urgency in this regard. We are in a holy place and I am not so detached from the earth. But I cannot smell and sense the one of which we speak. And I can sense that he is not running. You see that? Hanan looks up to you and says, Were you present for the magic responsible for the raising of this undead?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I was.

[Matthew Mercer]

What made you of it?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

A relic old, connected to the Shaper of Life. I do not know it well, but it was leveraged by his family. His father Told me that his goal via this, via other plans that I still don't understand, was to scrub the old path from this world. And whatever happened to Octys, the corruption of that ritual that allows him to. To stand here, whatever he is, is a flaw in their plan. Whatever he is is something that House Taconis has never accounted for and doesn't understand. And we don't understand it either. If I thought he needed to be hidden, I would have hidden him from you and everyone else that was would seek to do him harm without understanding.

[Matthew Mercer]

First, give me an insight check.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Alex, I swear to God, if it's a natural one, I'm gonna fight you. It's a four.

[Sam Riegel]

I'm not fighting nine.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hanan shifts to look at you and says, a relic of the Shaper of Life came. You buy this, or the Taconis first?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

House Taconis had it in their possession when they attacked the Palazzo Divinos.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hanon looks over. Mozar looks up and says, Shrugs. Amada says, your companions are very tied up in this. Is that fair to say?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

It is.

[Matthew Mercer]

Perhaps we should speak with all involved. Hanon goes, you don't think it wise to settle this matter between us first? Hameda shrugs herself and goes. The conviction of our cousin, of the circle of Ancients is sincere. We're all wrong from time to time, of course. But you believe it?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yes, I do.

[Matthew Mercer]

She looks and says, the Taconis had a relic of the Shaper of Life, and they wished to destroy the old path. Mozor looks at you and says, do you mean us or no? You mean the path itself.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

The path they have made of themselves in the time since the fall of the shapers into new middlemen in the cycle of life and death. And I think they seek to be the only game in town.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hanon looks and says, The Taconis of old were middlemen, as you say, but they knew their place. Guardians of the spirits of man, shepherding the souls of mortal humans to that endless golden paradise beneath the rays of the sun. I suppose they don't fashion themselves as taking a demotion.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

What I've noticed from even my brief stays in Dolmak Yar as of late is the sundered houses don't quite know what to do with themselves without shapers to follow. And I think they are all trying to find new shapes for themselves, closer and closer to their lost deity.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see? Hanan looks up at you and says, The raising of this friend disrupted the ritual.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yes.

[Matthew Mercer]

Is your friend necessary for the completion of the ritual?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

The thing you ask, I will answer honestly. But in that honesty I will tell you that I am concerned that that might move us both closer to action. That I would not consider very familial. I don't know.

[Matthew Mercer]

He nods. Amedda looks soft. Sorrowful. Cousin, Were you present for the magic that did this thing to your friend?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

For some amount of it, yes, he was. When I reached him in the middle of a pitched fight, I was knocked unconscious. And in the place between places. Spoke with him briefly as he was wandered before setting a foot on the path. I don't know what effect the words of a grief stricken and panicked friend may have had on this. And whatever brought him back, I was there. I held his body. But I don't know what that magic was. I don't know if I had any effect.

[Matthew Mercer]

I'm gonna roll an insight check in front of the board.

[Sam Riegel]

This goes so well for us.

[Matthew Mercer]

What's your passive deception? What? Or passive persuasion. Whichever's high.

[Sam Riegel]

10 plus.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 13. It's a natural one. The faces assembled before you. You realize Amida is regarded very highly by Mozar here in this moment, turns to him and you see for reasons you don't know, she regards your story as fully told. I'd like you to roll persuasion. You may do so with advantage. Because you have told the truth and in your station of the circle of Ancients, the difficulty of this check will be lowered. I'll say that you get. I'll give you the DC's editing so you'll be able to tell right away. A DC10 gets you the person the most sort of affable and DC20 gets you every.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Okay, okay.

[Matthew Mercer]

Go ahead and give me a persuasion roll with advantage.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

All right, all right, all right, all right. Alex, don't fuck me.

[Matthew Mercer]

Cocked.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

It is Paul 12.

[Matthew Mercer]

Amida. Amida turns. Mozor looks at her and says, I can of course provide sanctuary here, but I cannot provide sanctuary of the heart to those Druids who have lost and bid the souls of those they lost to walk the path. Nor to prevent. You see, Hanon comes in and speaks and says, of the many circles of this world, there is one truth that unites all members of the Old Path, which is that life springs eternal from death ever the great cycle moves and we return. Even for those of us given the gift of never aging. One day when deaths come, I will go sprinting down that path.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Do you believe that.

[Matthew Mercer]

Everything that mattered to me is gone? I do not wish for a thousand years to miss it. I take the danger upon myself to hunt in the darkest places of this world to make sure the dead remain beyond. I put myself in those places so that new mortals might not know the danger that the dead pose. And if I am being honest, cousin, as you have been, I do it to hasten an end to something that has gone on far longer than it should.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I cannot imagine the burden of a life so long lived. But I think something that we all know is in the end, we guide them down the old path because every soul shakes in the face of the unknown. We are no different in that regard, despite our calling.

[Matthew Mercer]

Ameda leans in and says, I will vouch for you, turns to Mozar and Hanon. You wish to speak to the companions? Hanon nods and you see that Mozor just looks and says, Attend to the stones of this place and listen to the deep roots of the earth. I do not wish for hardship for you and your companions, but the coming of this great unknown here does give me fear. If you would gather your companions, we would wish to speak with them.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I'll do so. Turn immediately.

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[Matthew Mercer]

In the longhouse. As you guys walk in, you look over and see that there is an enormous maned wolf, this long legged red fox wolf thing that looks over as you walk in and you see in a sort of friendly way, nudges a napkin off of a little basket of fresh baked bread. You see there's a little stew pot. You welcomed into this place. You can hear some light conversation in the corner. It's very dim and red and smoky in here. There are some curtains drawn. You see that people are speaking very quietly because they're being respectful of people that are already sleeping in here as the four of you. So this is Octys Vaelys and Julian walk in with Erinessa. She just looks and says, I think they are talking about you, Octis.

[Sam Riegel]

Yes, they are. I gathered that much. We'll see how it turns out. But I think there's a lot stacked against me.

[Travis Willingham]

I'll get used to gambling.

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah.

[Travis Willingham]

Hungry? Those of us that eat?

[Matthew Mercer]

Sure.

[Sam Riegel]

If necessary. I can always hide in doubt until the night's over. If they really don't want me here.

[Liam O'Brien]

Well, I would come with you.

[Travis Willingham]

As would I.

[Matthew Mercer]

Can you? That little feather trick you pulled, can you do that again?

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[Matthew Mercer]

I say this as the lady of house Royce ascended to the seat of my house, in some ways, I think too early. My parents passed and taking the reins of the house has been challenging. I pronounce it as the position of House Roy to the honorable lord of House Taconis that if things go squirrely, we jump out the back and jump off the cliff.

[Sam Riegel]

All right, I can take that deal. How high is the cliff? No, I don't think it. How long does this last?

[Matthew Mercer]

She says if you need to crack the books, go for it.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

She's doing math.

[Sam Riegel]

Unholsters the book at his side that has been holster there for a while and it opened up and you see on the COVID is this sort of design. It is a human anatomy textbook that he has pulled from the holster. And as he starts flipping through pages, he goes, I think we can make it down. It'll be fine.

[Travis Willingham]

How far is Gerwyn in relation to Golden Orchard from where we currently are?

[Matthew Mercer]

Gerwin is much closer than the Golden. So that would be. It's a great question where you are. In Helvar, you are probably only when you get to the base of the cliff, you're only about 30 miles from Gawain.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Oh, okay.

[Matthew Mercer]

But the Golden Orchard is probably maybe 100 miles to the north.

[Travis Willingham]

All right, I guess. As we begin to gather bits of food and anxiously await the return of Tysha, glance over towards Velis and Octys, acknowledging Erinassa. All right. Either way, we're not too far from Girouan and Castle Torch. You follow whatever this vision was that you for the importance of which might have some bearing on what we're doing. And then we move on to the Golden Orchard to ensure that our people are safe.

[Sam Riegel]

Right.

[Travis Willingham]

And you're coming with us. You're welcome to come if you wish.

[Sam Riegel]

I don't really have much. Joyce can't go home.

[Matthew Mercer]

You guys take a moment to eat. You see, Erinessa takes a little bite. Looking around and you see that she eats rather quickly. And then as you're sitting there, Octus, you see she takes out her little thumb piano, plays it again and a plane.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

The.

[Liam O'Brien]

Got him.

[Matthew Mercer]

Got him. After a few minutes of eating Tycha, I think you walk in and see your companions here.

[Sam Riegel]

Question.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Does Erinnessa speak Druidic?

[Matthew Mercer]

She speaks Sylvan, but that is. I'm gonna rule that sylvan. Actually. It's a little bit like. There's like a Spanish and Italian kind of thing.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yeah.

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[Matthew Mercer]

There's a little bit of a root there.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Perfect. Then I think Antyxia turning away. Cause she had brought out Hala. Hala would have gone forward with the aim of having Hala actually intercept Erinessa first before Tycha walks normally not panicked even a little bit. And we'll say in Druidic, hoping to do the Spanish to Italian romance language to warn you to hide the stone.

[Matthew Mercer]

Erinessa looks over and goes, Oh, Vayelys. Hi. We have to hide the stone.

[Liam O'Brien]

Can you see it? I think it's pretty hidden.

[Matthew Mercer]

Great.

[Travis Willingham]

I'm not going to ask.

[Matthew Mercer]

Wait, is.

[Liam O'Brien]

You want to try to find it?

[Matthew Mercer]

No.

[Sam Riegel]

Maybe, uh, no, we.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I will have walked in like a minute after that.

[Ashley Johnson]

Right.

[Travis Willingham]

So are we. Are we in a place with friends or do we have to run again?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Okay. Big energy. We'll talk to someone with a cooler temperament. And I think you See, like, Tysha's, like, kind of doing that weird, like, messing with your hair when it's, like, on the back of your neck. And she's got a series of metal plates that go down where her vertebrae is and they are all red hot. And she's trying to get them to cool off so she's not in the mood for whatever the fuck this is. And we'll turn and address the rest of the group. We need to go have a conversation with my cousins.

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah, I thought that might happen.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

Do they know he's here?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

They know he's here. They know what he is and they know some manner of how his current status came to be.

[Travis Willingham]

They're not going to let him stay.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

If we have to leave, then we leave. The entire intention here was just to make a safe exit from the city.

[Ashley Johnson]

Anyone?

[Sam Riegel]

Okay, I may go talk to some druids who hate me.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

They don't hate you. I'm not lying to you.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

They're worried about you. They don't know what you are.

[Sam Riegel]

Mm.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay.

[Sam Riegel]

Sheathes his book. Okay, then I'll come. Coming here. Are they. Do we have to go to them?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

No, we'll go to them. Okay.

[Matthew Mercer]

You guys step out and return to the small summit of this holy grotto, this beautiful little alpine garden. As you approach. Everyone here, give. Give me an insight to check. I gotta beat my dice.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

What if you had gotten away with it the whole time?

[Travis Willingham]

What is this? Amber? Oh, that's an S. We're winning.

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[Travis Willingham]

18, 19 minus 1.

[Matthew Mercer]

Such a good roll.

[Liam O'Brien]

Did you say insight?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Insight, yeah.

[Sam Riegel]

16, 16.

[Liam O'Brien]

22.

[Matthew Mercer]

22 on a NAT 20. What is Tysha looking for most of all as she approaches this tribunal?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Is Octis in danger?

[Matthew Mercer]

On a Nat 20, Octys existence is not particularly in danger. His freedom very much might be. Okay, Julian, what did you roll here? 18. 18. What is Julian most concerned about as he approaches the tribunal?

[Travis Willingham]

I think. I think Julian's beginning to lose any hope or patience of finding allies at the moment. So he's more looking for places to exit.

[Matthew Mercer]

Cool.

[Travis Willingham]

And staying as close to Erinessa between him and Erinessa and octys as possible to grab them both to run if they need to.

[Matthew Mercer]

I'll say on an 18. Insight. We'll just translate that to a good perception check. If you're like insight. I'm looking for the fucking door. There's a large. What you would recognize from your time in recent girdle. There's a large staircase at the back of the grotto. That doesn't go into the main city and goes up to the Hochvalenblke, which is a large memorial bridge over some cascading waterfalls that come off the cliffs.

[Travis Willingham]

Okay.

[Matthew Mercer]

And you would just recognize that because that goes to a more scenic natural place. Part of the cliffs. It has ways to get to the actual cliffside if you wanted to try something fucking risky.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Featherfall, take us away.

[Matthew Mercer]

Level 3.

[Sam Riegel]

I have two spell slots left, so I got. Got to save one of those for Featherfall.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hell yeah. That is good. Going to be. And then. Ashley, you got a 22. Sorry, Alex, what did Octus get?

[Sam Riegel]

16.

[Matthew Mercer]

16. What are you looking for in particular?

[Sam Riegel]

I'm trying to just keep an eye on the people I'm talking to and try to gauge how they're feeling about me as we speak and find a way to be the least offensive as possible in this situation.

[Matthew Mercer]

On your approach. Nobody here seems to recoil at your approach. Vaelys on a 22, what are you looking for as you approach?

[Liam O'Brien]

I mean, I think firstly, I'm looking for a safe exit.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

A place where if we need to run immediately, we can take that path.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

But also. I'm just watching the three of the three of them, just seeing what they. I want to know what they think of him. I want to know. I want to. If I feel like there's any type of danger.

[Sam Riegel]

Towards octaves.

[Liam O'Brien]

Also with that, before we walk in, is there a way. I don't want them to know, but I would like to. To just cast shield of faith on Octys.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay. Beautiful.

[Liam O'Brien]

But would he feel it?

[Travis Willingham]

How long does that last?

[Liam O'Brien]

That's ten minutes.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

It's a good chit chat.

[Matthew Mercer]

You cast a little shield of faith in every 10 minutes as you approach. On that 22, you see Tycha. Also on that nat 20, as you guys approach, something shifts. Very much so in this moment. Walking up that final step, Hanon looks to you. His eyes trained on this undead and then dart to Velis. And his lip curls and he goes into a crouch.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I want to interject in Druidic. Do not make me regret that I told my friends this was a place that they did not need to run from. Cousin.

[Matthew Mercer]

He looks at you and says, cousin, the one who walks beside you does not recognize the sanctuary of this place. You cannot understand the language that is being spoken right now. They're speaking in Druidic. He says, the one who walks beside you is nothing more than a cruel and careless follower of the dead tyrants.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I know.

[Matthew Mercer]

And you walk Knowingly in her side. Do you know what she would have seen become of us? Do you know what rightful place she sees you holding in this world? She is nothing more than a mindless follower of those who sought to plunge us into ruin and terror forever. What?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

What would you have me do, cousin?

[Matthew Mercer]

Slit her throat on the stone? Let the earth be watered by her blood.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm going to crouch.

[Matthew Mercer]

He looks at you and he spits a word out. Who here speaks? Elven. You have to. Checking is crazy.

[Sam Riegel]

You just have to.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's always crazy.

[Liam O'Brien]

But it's not written in my languages.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah, let's assume.

[Sam Riegel]

Let's assume you speak that, because that's wild.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

That would be so funny if you're.

[Liam O'Brien]

Like simply, that would be crazy. I'd be like, I really don't understand.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

It's common sign language, though.

[Matthew Mercer]

So, you know, you see that feathers are growing off of Hanon's back in this moment as he is crouched down, and you see he spits a word out at you. He goes, menelas, which is Elven for flower doll. And it is a word that anyone here can give me a history check to know.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

It feels bad. It's so nice, you know, it's the worst thing.

[Matthew Mercer]

What was it?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Insight?

[Matthew Mercer]

History.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Oh, history.

[Sam Riegel]

22.

[Matthew Mercer]

22. All of you know, 15. So Julian and Tysha, you know the word means flower doll octus in this context. The term. So Elven druids were some of the of the most persecuted, tortured and killed druids of the world. The Goddess of Life was a goddess of forest. She married the King of Faerie. What possible insights into the living world could a druid hope to offer? And for Hanon, this elf that you can see is partially living wood and is turning into a beast sort of partially in front of you. The term flower doll or Menelas was a term of joy and love because they had religious significance in the petitioning of Salandri by her Elven faithful when the Shapers War started, and for the first time in thousands of years, Elven druids actually were welcomed as some elves started to rebel and had answers about how they had been foiling the magic of Elven clerics of the Goddess of Life for thousands of years to stay hidden and safe. In one of the early sort of speeches that was given to convince a family group of elves to come into the rebellion, into the beginning of the Shapers War, the term Menelaus was used to describe the highest ambitions of the. The faithful elves, that what they wanted to be was the Flower dolls of the goddess of life forever. And it basically became a you don't want to be free. You don't want to find truth. You don't want to live as a being of the world of Ahriman. You have your mother, and you wish to be her flower doll forever.

[Sam Riegel]

I catch that word and hearing the tonality with it as well. I speak back in Elvish, and I say the tone at which you use that leads me to believe you're being unkind. And I believe this meeting is about me, not about her. And I would hope that you would get to know someone before being aggressive.

[Matthew Mercer]

I'm gonna need an intimidation check. And for your sake, Alex, I hope you roll high.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, ho ho.

[Travis Willingham]

This seems to be going well.

[Sam Riegel]

Golly, where's my intimidation? There it is.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay, I'm gonna. You want me to set it for you? Yeah, it'd be a surprise.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Let's see.

[Matthew Mercer]

Let's call it a DC20.

[Sam Riegel]

Natural 20.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, my God. What the. Let's go.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes, brah.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Well, damn.

[Sam Riegel]

Letting my eyes has had my eyes that have been subtly glowing green since he came back flare a little bit. This meeting is about me.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see him crouched, staring at you, unsure. In this moment, I also think, on a nat 20, intimidation pins, buttons go venom green. And all of you watch that octys shadow from the small lit sconces of this holy grove stretch behind him. And Tycha, all of you feel a tremendous cold fall upon this place and see that a small rivulet of the stream running by the holy brook here freezes solid in this moment. The veil between life is. Is extremely fragile here.

[Sam Riegel]

She has been very kind to me, and I will not allow you to be unkind to her for no reason.

[Matthew Mercer]

Amida speaks and says, cousins, cooler heads, let us all speak in kahadi so that all can understand. And all the words that we use in this holy place. You see? She turns to Hanon and says, cousin, our task here is to keep this grove and garden safe. You see? He turns and says, that's what I'm trying to do. She turns and says, traveler, have you come here to despoil or befoul this holy place?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

No.

[Matthew Mercer]

Have you come here? You see? Hanon turns to Amida and says, ask her if she accepts the sanctuary offered by this holy place. Amida looks at you and says, do you see? Seek and accept the sanctuary offered by this holy place.

[Liam O'Brien]

Is it being offered?

[Matthew Mercer]

It is being offered to those by you, Phaelys.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Kindness. For kindness.

[Matthew Mercer]

Kindness.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes. I accept this most generous of sanctuaries.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see, Hanon does not take his eyes off of you.

[Liam O'Brien]

Same.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

The.

[Matthew Mercer]

I think in this moment too Tycha looking at Hanon, you just see Elven immortality is so strange and so unlike anything that any of the peoples of Ahriman deal with. And I think in this moment you just see you're in your early 40s. The Shapers War is still happening. It's happening right here in this moment. It's out of living memory for you. Even this immortal undead creature, he's the farthest away from the Shapers War of any of you. I think you just see in this moment that each of the people in this circle having this interaction obviously had people that died and it's the other person's fault and it's extremely it's happening right now. Ameda looks and says immediately.

[Sam Riegel]

Octos smiles and lets everything go.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hi my lord. To Khonis.

[Sam Riegel]

Bows very deeply.

[Matthew Mercer]

My cousin Mozor has some questions for you. He was happy to invite you into.

[Sam Riegel]

This grotto and I appreciate it so much and I will happily answer any questions to the best of my ability.

[Matthew Mercer]

Mozoa trends and says the the path you tread. What are your aims here in this place? And moreover. Your time as a living thing in this world has passed and you did not walk to find new life. Instead you have sought to hold fast to your name and body. I say this without anger or bitterness.

[Sam Riegel]

It is a little, I think more complicated than an decision that I made. It wasn't.

[Matthew Mercer]

In your mind. Do you have some inkling as to what this ritual was for? And by the way Tycha to recall did you say that the relic was with you?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I know I did not speak to that no.

[Matthew Mercer]

He says and the relic of the shape of do you know what became of it?

[Sam Riegel]

I'll try and lay this out as well as I can. Being that I don't fully understand what happened.

[Matthew Mercer]

I need a deception check from Vaedas. In this moment.

[Sam Riegel]

I'm assuming you know who my family is. I am the eighth child of my house and I was born without its sorceress abilities.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, that was like so close to being a natural 21.

[Sam Riegel]

I. Through a series of events found my way when I was well only about six months ago now a little over began adventuring with Ms. Loy and we became friends while I was very much alive. Through another series of events we ended up in Domachia together where my family killed me and much of House Royce and Davinos. Octys will open his shirt and show the mended piece of metal that is holding him shut. You can see where they opened me up. They took my heart and placed a stone inside of me, which I believe is the relic you're referring to.

[Matthew Mercer]

What did we get on that deception check? Ashley12.

[Liam O'Brien]

Which I think is pretty good.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yeah, it's so good.

[Travis Willingham]

Pretty solid.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's like just like a big lump in your shirt. Amada looks to you. You see here Erinessa actually puts a hand on your back. Right before that you get a message cantrip in your mind, Julian, that just says sort of fun to not be the center of attention. Do you have a way for us to get out of here?

[Travis Willingham]

I quickly whisper. I think I have a possible exit. Yes.

[Matthew Mercer]

Great. If we need to pick up whichever one of us you feel is slowest. And I will ask spirits of the Golden Orchard to hasten our exit. You see? And she says, and if no one takes you up on it, I'll do it. You see that? She puts a hand on your shoulder and says, we stand in a grove of the Circle of Stones whose sacred charge in the tending of these mountains is appreciated and endeavors to leave a sense of gratitude throughout all members of House Royce. My Lord Takonis is a born ally of House Royce and stands as the last faithful member of his house. To my knowledge, to the compact sworn in the age of my father.

[Sam Riegel]

Now to the part that I'm sure actually you're concerned about. Through a series of things that I was not awake for the stone was removed from my body and life returned to me. Well, consciousness. Right returned to me. As you are very much aware, I am not alive. I have no heart. But while I was on the path it is fuzzy. I can't remember everything. But something was put inside me and in between worlds. I took it out of me and in doing so disrupted I think the plans that my family had, although those plans are unknown to me. But something went wrong. I think I am in a unique position to stand against my family with whatever these plans.

[Matthew Mercer]

Ah.

[Sam Riegel]

But I am.

[Matthew Mercer]

Go ahead and give me a persuasion check, if you'd be so kind.

[Sam Riegel]

Natural 20.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh my God. Are you kidding me? Absolutely right there.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Let's go.

[Matthew Mercer]

Amida looks at you and turns to look at Mozor. Mozor looks up at this moment and you see that she looks away. Mozor just looks and says it would be clear to even a fool that you have suffered greatly and that you believe what you are saying. Almeda looks and starts weeping. He's right. Our cousin of the Circle of ancients, I think you have done something ill advised. But for decades, those who walk the old path have been trying to do only very reasonable things. And we have been failing.

[Sam Riegel]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

We are trying to put together what we are, how we are meant to move and operate through this world. 70 years. We're trying to rebuild ourselves after thousands of years of dominion under the shapers. There is so much we don't know.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see that? Amada turns to Mozar and says, cousin, we have been trying to scramble up the sheer wall of a cliff. And because we know how important it is to summit that cliff, we have believed that it is our responsibility to keep bashing our heads into the side of a sheer wall as hard as we can. And I think our cousin Tysha maybe took a few steps back to see the mountain range. And that is not heresy, young man. Thank you for. Hanon speaks and says, she has it. You see that? Amadis says, Hanan. What? He says, she has it. The relic. Perhaps she gave it to them. How did the Taconis come by a relic in the shape of the.

[Liam O'Brien]

It was stolen.

[Matthew Mercer]

Stolen?

[Liam O'Brien]

It was stolen from the temple by a man that we know. Thiazi Fang.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see that? Hanon says, did Thiazi come there? Did Mara?

[Liam O'Brien]

I don't know who Mara is.

[Matthew Mercer]

He turns over to Amada and Amada sort of shrugs and says, mara, the wing. Know you this name?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

No.

[Sam Riegel]

And I'm sorry if I'm the one to tell you this name. The Aussie is dead.

[Matthew Mercer]

She looks over. These druids don't appear to have a close relationship with the Aussie, but the name is familiar to them. You see, Hanon looks to you and goes, You carry this thing, this shaper's relic of life and death?

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes.

[Matthew Mercer]

Produce it.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Why?

[Matthew Mercer]

That we may see the truth of this young man's words. Amada turns to him and says, we know the truth of his words. Hanan. She regards you and says, your business. Will you answer me in honesty, my lord, To Kunst?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yes.

[Matthew Mercer]

Do you believe the ritual that your family endeavored to commit in their betrayal of your sadly lost life, do you believe that the ritual is permanently foiled?

[Ashley Johnson]

No.

[Sam Riegel]

My family, I'm sure you know their reputation. Their magic comes from death. It is what makes them powerful. And they no longer seem to care how it grows. So I think they will attempt to regain control of whatever they were trying to do. And I think that myself and that artifact are important, and we are linked. I think.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm going to reach into my jacket and if there is a table, I will sit it in front of Amida.

[Matthew Mercer]

Amedda looks. Thank you.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm not giving it to you.

[Matthew Mercer]

Even to show it is a kindness for which I thank you.

[Liam O'Brien]

You're welcome. I don't let go of it.

[Matthew Mercer]

They are on the table, you see? They look at it. You see Mozor. His palms go hot as embers as he. And a bit of fire comes between his hands, lights his eyes, and you see ancient runes of giants stretching across his eyes, over and over again as he looks and beholds the stone. Does this have a name?

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes. It is the Stone of Nightsong.

[Matthew Mercer]

Powerful. Very powerful. And not a true stone. This was carved. From the bones of Alnumari. This stone, dense and heavy, is made of a rib. You see here. He looks at Hanon. Of a warrior of autumn leaves, broad wings, a celestial, a servant of Silandri, who died of grief in the moment of the first Elf's passing. He looks at Hanon here before even you or my cousin. Hanon here were born thousands of years ago when El Namri died. Tezumriel, another angel of Cilantri, an angel of deep forest and of birdsong Nightingale, carved this into the stone you see before you. Here in this place. Elnomri would not permit the soul of the young elf who died to walk into the shadow alone. And El Nomri became the first angel of Death of the Elven people, biding their passing, a job that will be well known to a Taconis who stands in our midst. It is powerful. What I can tell you is this. This stone is of great sacredness to one of your faith, a faith which bore in ages past no kindness to those who walk the old path. It would know more respect in this glade for a thousand years than for a second in the hands of your family. And what they were attempting to do with it.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I'm sure.

[Matthew Mercer]

This Thyassifang, he was working with the Taconis to steal it. No. You see that? Amada says. Do you feel some connection to the stone? Is there?

[Sam Riegel]

I have. We've been a little busy. I haven't really had a chance to sit with it and figure out how we react to each other. I just know that I can feel that there will be something, but I haven't had the chance to sit and figure it out yet. I'm not really interested in trying to touch it.

[Matthew Mercer]

She holds her paws aloft. Then I would not ask you to.

[Sam Riegel]

I Just don't know what'll happen. This is all still very much a mystery to me.

[Matthew Mercer]

The fact is this, Hanon. And you see here. Hanon looks up and says. And gets out of his crouch and stands up again. You see that? Amida turns and says, The three. The threat you pose to this world by walking animated seems very negligible. It is a sorrow and a sadness in that it is very clear that something altogether miraculous has happened with you. We are given to comfort those who have lost their loved ones, and we ask them to accept that death is a part of life. There are many undead things in this world that seek to cling to life for reasons of slaughter. Selfishness. I know that. I tell you nothing new. We have made it our life's work to make sure that this world is a world filled with life. To consider you a threat in this moment would be the height of foolishness. One day, perhaps. Perhaps I will ask you to consider if your time on this earth has concluded. But for right now, you represent the first thing that has felt like hope to me in quite some time. Cousin. Thank you for engaging in something this reckless.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Thank you for trusting that a conversation could be had.

[Matthew Mercer]

Always we do not move hastily. We speak, we consider, we listen to the earth. But who knows? Maybe we should have been a little more hasty. Seems to have worked for you, my cousin. I am sorry to have visited this tension upon you.

[Sam Riegel]

No, I fully understand why you would be uncertain and worried. You should know that two of my sisters are in. Rhys and Girtle. And they are. I don't know what they're doing, but we saw them before we left and. And just keep an eye out. I don't have much I can do at this current moment with them. They're far more powerful than I am. But I'm hoping I'll be able to figure something out in the future.

[Matthew Mercer]

Where to from here?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

What was the name?

[Travis Willingham]

East to Gawen. It's our immediate destination.

[Matthew Mercer]

She looks up and says, There are eagles across the Hochfallen Prince. Is your urgency so great that you would wish to travel at once, or would you? Welcome rest.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I leave that to you.

[Travis Willingham]

The longer we stay, the better chance we have of being surrounded or taken.

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah.

[Travis Willingham]

If your sisters are indeed here, then my voters should make haste.

[Sam Riegel]

The description I was given was accurate to them. So if that's not them, then that's a different problem. But I will go if you want. I have no. I appreciate very much your hospitality that we have been shown so far.

[Matthew Mercer]

But.

[Sam Riegel]

Maybe it would Be better if we just left.

[Matthew Mercer]

Mozor looks at you and says, thank you. You have important work. Your presence brings danger because of it. And Amada says, that is not good enough for me. There must be a way to give you more aid than that. I will meet you at the Eagles, Erie, and prepare for you safe passage there if you are. I do not know if they can carry your horses, but they could perhaps carry you as far as Gawain.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Thank you.

[Sam Riegel]

I'm sure we could get new horses.

[Matthew Mercer]

She nods and says, I think moving swiftly. Direct flight will put you far away from those that seek you here in recent Bairdel. And I'll see if I can rummage up some help. Cousin. Cousin. My circle should know, but once word spreads, it will spread.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I am not afraid of the truth. In fact, I would ask one more favor. Will you write to my grandmother and Dolrunia, Let them know we will get there as soon as we can.

[Matthew Mercer]

Your circle does not know this happened five days ago. I was going to talk to you. She looks at you and changes into Druidic and says, cousin, you have done great work. I am sensing that you are in need of. You are?

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yeah. If I stop to think about everything that's happened and maybe my part in it, I'll die.

[Matthew Mercer]

You are a beautiful gemstone tumbling at top speed down the mountainside. Gorgeous and off balance.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

And if she kills me, I look forward to you talking me down the old path. Thank you so much.

[Matthew Mercer]

She says, I will inform the circle of ancients of what they are doing. Great. And she turns and says. She turns and then one last thing goes. You have put me in some trouble here, you know. Yes. All right.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

You're so strong and so brave.

[Matthew Mercer]

And she goes, all right. And says, get what food you need. Gather your belongings. And do you know if it will be rough travel past Castle Gerl?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I have to assume so.

[Matthew Mercer]

You do not know the way past there. Let us then. She looks at the clothes you are in and says, true travel clothes, fine rations, the best things that we can provide you. They will be waiting for you at the Eyrie.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Thank you.

[Liam O'Brien]

Thank you.

[Matthew Mercer]

She turns and says, as you put the stone back away in your pocket, you see, Hanon looks and says he speaks to Ahmed and Druidic and says, I'll leave myself. And you see, Amedda says to follow. Hanan says, I will leave so that you will discuss further business with these travelers. So that I may not hear it. I don't wish for the temptation of following the sister you see that? She looks and says this hatred. Hannah. He snaps his face over to her. She says, your circle's ways are your own. I recognize that. I walk beside you on a different path. My cousin. And he. Please, before you leave. Mm.

[Sam Riegel]

I meant no disrespect earlier, and I'm sorry. I just was scared for someone who's been kind to me. But I appreciate and notice the restraint and the kindness you are doing. So thank you.

[Matthew Mercer]

I see even in all of my readiness for battle, that your heart is yours. I am a grim foe, and I seek no mercy nor quarter. But I can see that your heart is yours. My readiness for blood will never render me a fool. I grieve for you, traveler. What they have done to you has visited something upon you that no one should have. Not me or you.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

As he leaves, I want Hala wasn't standing with us. I'll have Hala intercept him out of visual range and in Druid. It just says to him, I am walking with her, but I am watching her.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hanon looks at Hala and you can see through her eyes in this moment. And you see that he puts a hand on the back of Hala's neck and puts his head on her head, Speaking through her ears. You can smell blood and hackle raising pheromones. And he just says, Open heart. Great promise. Miracles abound. Stay ever ready. I am here if you need me. I hope that your great heart is not broken.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Thank you, cousin.

[Matthew Mercer]

And the connection breaks. Is there anything you do in preparing? Okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm not gonna say what I was gonna say after you said that.

[Matthew Mercer]

Is there anything that you guys do to prepare here in this moment as.

[Sam Riegel]

Walking away just cause. Oh, my God, that was so scary.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I think this is the first time any instinct Tysha has to go and comfort you. She is standing off and away because this is the first time she's seen you operate in a way that here in such a Druidic spot, your eyes flashing and freezing the water over. It's not fear. But she is wary of you in the same way that she is wary of Aaylis.

[Sam Riegel]

Sorry. That was risky. I didn't mean. I just. He was gonna. I thought he was gonna do something, and I didn't. That was probably dumb.

[Liam O'Brien]

No, it was very nice. I don't think anybody's ever called me kind in my life.

[Sam Riegel]

Hell, you've been kind to me. But I don't think they're gonna kill us.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Who?

[Sam Riegel]

All of them.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

The Druids?

[Sam Riegel]

I don't know. Or at least kill me.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

You would know our intentions.

[Sam Riegel]

Look, I know I would know your intentions. I've never met anybody else.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Uh, you're safe.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay. Traveling rations assembled, things brought to bear. You see that there is a moment after the rations are being brought in where Mozor ducks his head in, looking at and says, the time has come. Are you ready?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yes, thank you.

[Matthew Mercer]

Good. All right, let's come this way. You guys head out and you see that Mozor gets some gear together. You see there's two other young Druids that accompany him. And you guys start heading towards the Hochwaldenbucha. As you begin to move across it. Everybody here, give me a perception check. Okay?

[Travis Willingham]

I can say as we're moving this quiet space here, here, we'll do this first since we're mid 5 5.

[Matthew Mercer]

Helio. As you're moving away, though, what does Julian do?

[Travis Willingham]

Figure as we're quietly moving alongside, I saunter up beside Tysha, not making eye contact, just as we're walking with intent.

[Matthew Mercer]

And say.

[Travis Willingham]

I acknowledge that you have done well to keep us safe for the time being and have brought the first semblance of actual alliance since these days have come upon us. And. And I just want to say I apologize for being driven by emotion and distrust.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

There's that little moment where she was going to say something a little shitty and swallows it. Thank you for your rigorous diligence for our safety. Julia.

[Ashley Johnson]

Come.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

I follow immediately.

[Matthew Mercer]

Walking across the bridge, approaching a gatehouse. What do we get on these perception checks? 12, 16, 16, 9, 21, 21. Vaelys. As you're walking across the bridge, Mozor, the two other Druids leading you, carrying some gear. You see Mozor turns behind you and says, amada should be waiting when we get there on a 21. You look back the direction you came at the grotto, kind of wondering if Hanon is still around, and see up on the steps towards the sanctuary gate that Mozor is sweeping. And you turn and Mozor is leading you across the bridge.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Stop. Did you forget something?

[Matthew Mercer]

Is everything all right?

[Liam O'Brien]

Taisha, what's wrong?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Who's that?

[Liam O'Brien]

And I point back to Molar.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Who's sleeping.

[Matthew Mercer]

You. You hear from the gate in front of you a creaking.

[Liam O'Brien]

I stand in front of Optus.

[Matthew Mercer]

You hear a shout and you sort out. And you see Mozor beside you. Looks and says, everything's all right. As the gate opens, you suddenly hear stand down and see a great group of Tokonis guards moving from this place. And you hear, you see Mozor right in front of you goes in a completely different voice. Oh, fuck. And I'm going to need everybody here to roll initiative.

[Travis Willingham]

Okay.

[Matthew Mercer]

You guys will tell me during our break. We'll go to break when we come back maybe. And that's where we'll leave our story for now. Part two of this episode of Campaign 4 drops this Tuesday. Thanks for listening and we'll see you soon for more critical role.

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