By Heart Alone | Exandria Unlimited: Divergence Episode 4

Summary

Critical Role Podcast Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Critical Role
• Host/Author: Critical Role
• Episode: By Heart Alone | Exandria Unlimited: Divergence Episode 4
• Release Date: March 13, 2025
• Description: By Heart Alone is the fourth episode of the Exandria Unlimited: Divergence series, an audio adventure set in the rich world of Exandria. This episode delves into the intricate struggles and heroic efforts of Nia, Garan, Crocus, and Phaedra as they navigate the challenges posed by the malevolent Lord Kallister and his demonic forces.

---

1. Introduction and Community Announcements

The episode opens with a promotional segment by Matthew Mercer, highlighting upcoming animated adventures and membership benefits on Beacon TV. Critical Role celebrates its vibrant community with offerings like early access to episodes, exclusive merchandise, and special content for Beacon members.

Notable Quote:

Matthew Mercer [00:00]: “Thank you so much for your support for being a podcast listener and for being a part of our community.”

2. Celebrating Critical Role’s 10th Anniversary

Travis Willingham and Ashley Johnson lead a heartfelt celebration of Critical Role’s milestone, reflecting on a decade of storytelling, collaboration, and community building. The cast expresses deep gratitude towards long-time fans and announces plans for merchandise, live events, and new content to commemorate the anniversary.

Notable Quote:

Sam Riegel [04:04]: “We are only here because of you. And we have been hard at work queuing up merch, live events, conventions, games, content, and really just a whole bucket of so much more to celebrate this amazing milestone with you.”

3. Introducing the New Podcast: Weird Kids

Liam O’Brien excitedly unveils a new podcast titled Weird Kids, featuring Ashley Johnson and Taliesin Jaffe. The show promises engaging conversations about growing up as "weird kids," navigating childhood as child actors, and maintaining eccentricities into adulthood. The podcast includes fun segments like "Touching Grass," where hosts explore peculiar aspects beyond the studio.

Notable Quote:

Liam O’Brien [05:00]: “This is a place of worship. It is reverent. There are certainly no open wizards walking around in this place.”

4. Main Story: Exandria Unlimited: Divergence Episode 4 – By Heart Alone

Setting the Scene: Vasselheim, the Dawn City

The narrative transports listeners to Vasselheim, a city steeped in history and resilience, facing a new era post-Calamity. The city, illuminated by dawn’s first rays, stands as a testament to survival against divine and demonic forces.

Notable Quote:

Laura Bailey [11:58]: “Rising up its eastern side, illuminated by the faintest early rays of dawn light. Its western edge still lavender and indigo. The snow and stone facing the receding night.”

Character Introductions and Motivations

• Nia: A newly formed cleric of the Moonweaver, grappling with diminished divine magic and striving to inspire hope amidst uncertainty.
• Garan: A stalwart warrior burdened by past actions, seeking redemption and protection for his loved ones.
• Crocus: A venerable monk with a deep sense of duty, striving to safeguard his companions against impending threats.
• Phaedra: A complex individual dealing with internal conflicts and the recent emotional toll of reunions and losses.

Key Plot Developments

1. Alliance with Morgana and Eldanwyn:

   • Morgana Thundershield, a priestess of the Moonweaver, reveals the dire state of divine magic. She introduces Rhaenyia, Nia’s sister, who holds a fragment of the Moonweaver’s power.
   • Notable Quote:

     Ashley Johnson [34:35]: “Morgana looks at you, smiles, gives a knowing nod. As a member of the same faith.”

2. Introduction of Rox Tallheart:

   • Rox Tallheart, a paladin of the Platinum Dragon, arrives to aid in the battle against the undead forces. His unwavering faith and combat prowess bolster the party’s defenses.
   • Notable Quote:

     Travis Willingham [75:28]: “With a plus eight to attack. Yeah, yeah.”

3. Confrontation with Lord Kallister:

   • The group faces Lord Kallister, a servant of the Lord of the Hells, who wields a magical key capable of opening demonic gateways.
   • Intense combat ensues, showcasing strategic teamwork and the characters’ growth. Despite adverse odds, Crocus and Garan effectively neutralize Kallister and his demonic cohorts.
   • Notable Quotes:

     Liam O’Brien [1818]: “He must be near one, right?” Marisha Ray [189:25]: “That is going to hit."

4. Resolution and Aftermath:

   • With Kallister defeated, divine protection falls upon Exandria as fireworks symbolize a new dawn. The characters reflect on their journeys, losses, and the evolving nature of faith and magic in their world.
   • Notable Quote:

     Laura Bailey [212:07]: “You feel the mirror stays in that awakened but not exalted state.”

Character Arcs and Resolutions

• Nia: Embraces her role as a beacon of hope, teaching a new way of wielding magic grounded in belief and inner strength. She dedicates herself to guiding others, ensuring that faith remains a personal and empowering journey.
• Crocus: Finds solace and purpose in establishing Crocus Monastery, a sanctuary dedicated to preserving ancient wisdom and defending against lingering threats.
• Garan: Returns to Kraghammer, channeling his strength into building and protecting his community. His journey is one of redemption, moving from a tool of oppression to a pillar of support.
• Phaedra: Reconnects with her parents and fellow clerics, balancing her personal grief with her commitment to fostering hope and resilience in others.

Notable Conclusion Quote:

Laura Bailey [291:09]: “And so you stand in that same spot of work, and Arrow now looks exactly the way he did the moment you met him in a prison all those years ago. Filthy and bedraggled and covered in dust. Your friend and brother and kin.”

---

5. Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

The episode concludes with reflections on the characters' growth and the enduring spirit of Exandria’s inhabitants. The cast invites listeners to continue supporting the series through merchandise and community engagement, teasing future adventures and expansions of the Exandria narrative.

Notable Quote:

Matthew Mercer [306:49]: “I think here in the platinum sanctuary. You depart looking at the beautiful symbol here. The closest temple to that peak of the heaven stair.”

---

Summary: By Heart Alone weaves a complex tale of redemption, faith, and resilience. As Nia and her companions confront ancient evils and navigate the shifting landscapes of divine power, each character undergoes significant personal growth. The defeat of Lord Kallister marks a pivotal moment, symbolizing the triumph of hope and collaborative strength over darkness. The episode beautifully balances intense action with deep emotional arcs, setting the stage for future narratives in the Exandria Unlimited series.

Listeners are left with a profound appreciation for the intricate storytelling and rich character development that Critical Role continues to deliver, promising even greater adventures in the days to come.

Transcript

[Matthew Mercer]

Journey back to Middle Earth with the Lord of the the War of The Rohirrim set 183 years before the Lord of the Rings trilogy, this animated adventure focuses on the untold story of Hera, the rebellious daughter of Helm Hammerhand, as she summons the courage to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on her people's destruction. Stream the Lord of the the War of the Rohirrim Exclusively on Max hey there Critter Podcast listeners. We have a special new membership service at Beacon TV where you can get early access to all new podcast episodes including Critical Role. For the first time ever. Beacon members also get things like live event pre sales, merch discounts, access to a private community discord, and new exclusive series like Critical Role Cooldown. Think of it as our digital Critical Role land. Head on over to Beacon TV to check it out for yourself and start a seven day free trial. Thank you so much for your support for being a podcast listener and for being a part of our community.

[Travis Willingham]

Hey there critters. We are so excited to share with you our brand new podcast from the world of Exandria. The Reslayer's Take in this audio adventure, you'll be guided through the wild continent of Issylra, home to some of the most dangerous creatures here. The Slayer's take is the most notorious monster hunting group in the realm, but when previously slain creatures start returning from the grave, it's up to six misfit mercenaries to band together and reslay these supernatural threats as the Reslayers take. So come follow along these audio escapades as the second coolest monster hunters this side of Exandria battle a growing undead army of dangerous creatures. The party is led by a duo of game masters, George Primavera and Nick Williams, with the main cast including Jasmine Bular, Caroline Lux and Jasmine Shion. Listen to new episodes every Monday anywhere you stream podcasts or become a Beacon member and listen to the podcast two weeks early and uninterrupted by ads.

[Laura Bailey]

Foreign.

[Travis Willingham]

Hey there friends, It's Matthew Mercer and it's my pleasure to introduce you to Exandria Unlimited Divergence, a brand new journey on the Critical Role podcast network. Divergence follows everyday folks picking up the pieces of their world in the wake of a cataclysmic war between the gods. As the dust settles, the mortals of Exandria discover how their world has been changed forever. New episodes drop on Thursdays at 7pm Pacific on Beacon, Twitch and YouTube, with the VOD uploaded to YouTube on Mondays at noon. Prefer your adventures in audio form. The podcast version arrives here on the Critical Role Podcast network one week after the original broadcast. Or if you want instant access to podcast content, become a beacon subscriber and get access to the audio version right when it airs at 7pm Pacific on Thursdays. The collection Calamity has ended, but Exandria's story is far from over. Enjoy.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hello, and welcome to the final episode.

[Laura Bailey]

Of Exandria Unlimited Divergence, a tale that ends tonight.

[Ashley Johnson]

A time of passing from calamity to.

[Laura Bailey]

Strange and new hope for the world that might be.

[Ashley Johnson]

Before we jump in, we have a few announcements. Matt, you want to come over here and take us away with some announcements?

[Liam O'Brien]

Let's do it.

[Travis Willingham]

Travis.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes.

[Travis Willingham]

I think you're up next on the announcements.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, yes, you guys, while we are.

[Sam Riegel]

Recognizing our 10th anniversary throughout the year next week.

[Matthew Mercer]

Next week actually officially marks 10 years of critical Role.

[Travis Willingham]

Oh, my gosh.

[Sam Riegel]

We're doing it now.

[Ashley Johnson]

Whether you've been here since the very.

[Sam Riegel]

First stream in 2015 or just now.

[Matthew Mercer]

Joining us for the very first time, we honestly couldn't be more grateful to.

[Sam Riegel]

Have you along for this unbelievable adventure. And we are only here because of you. And we have been hard at work queuing up merch, live events, conventions, games, content, and really just a whole bucket of so much more to celebrate this amazing milestone with you. So thank you, thank you, thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts.

[Laura Bailey]

Yay.

[Travis Willingham]

We did it.

[Liam O'Brien]

Speaking of content.

[Ashley Johnson]

What?

[Liam O'Brien]

We're very excited to announce a brand new podcast. You guys coming exclusively to begin.

[Ashley Johnson]

This is the announcement.

[Marisha Ray]

This is the announcement.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, my God, it is time. It is. I'm so excited to announce Weird Kids.

[Marisha Ray]

Weird Kids. I'm gonna sing the jingle.

[Travis Willingham]

I shouldn't do that.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's so good. The jingle's about. But we'll get there.

[Ashley Johnson]

We'll get there.

[Liam O'Brien]

There's a story behind it, but you can join Ashley Johnson and Taliesin Jaffe.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'll be a little one.

[Liam O'Brien]

As they sit down in a weekly podcast where they'll chat about being weird kids. Yeah, like growing up being weird kids. Growing up being child actors.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes, yes.

[Liam O'Brien]

And honestly, still being weird kids. It was on there. Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

You saw the flow. I did.

[Marisha Ray]

I saw the flow and I took it very fair.

[Liam O'Brien]

They have lots of fun little segments. They'll even take field trips called Touching Grass to explore weird things beyond the confines of our set. And it's so good, you guys. I actually can't wait for you to see the set. It's super cute. So, yeah, go check it out.

[Laura Bailey]

It's Fun.

[Ashley Johnson]

Congrats, guys.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's fun.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yay.

[Travis Willingham]

Thank you.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's real fun.

[Laura Bailey]

It's so fun.

[Liam O'Brien]

We have a good time. Friendly reminder, this is the final episode of Divergence. You can join us next Thursday, March 13, for one big Exandria wrap up. We'll be covering questions from, I mean, topics really, from all three of our main campaigns, largely Bells, Hells, of course, but as well as all of our installments of Exandria Unlimited and really any other type of like, lore building, world building, all of that jazz that's helped us explore and fall in love with Exandria over the past 10 years.

[Ashley Johnson]

10 years.

[Matthew Mercer]

I think I'll come in for that.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, hey.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

600 more everyone's calendars. 10 years. Yes, Laura, I have special 10 year anniversary merchandise which I don't even think I've shown you yet.

[Travis Willingham]

No, I've not seen it.

[Liam O'Brien]

This is our enamel pin artist, Sarah.

[Marisha Ray]

G. And it's you, Matt.

[Laura Bailey]

Aw.

[Marisha Ray]

It's you in front of the world.

[Ashley Johnson]

What we were talking about.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, dear.

[Liam O'Brien]

Isn't it so great? So there's that.

[Matthew Mercer]

We must destroy him.

[Marisha Ray]

And then we also have. I'm so excited.

[Laura Bailey]

We have.

[Marisha Ray]

This is our critical role Memories pullover.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hoodie art by our own Jordan Torrance. That's really cool.

[Marisha Ray]

It's our tie dye hoodies, which I.

[Liam O'Brien]

Love, so we had to make another one.

[Marisha Ray]

And the.

[Ashley Johnson]

The back.

[Laura Bailey]

What?

[Ashley Johnson]

All of this text, which you can't.

[Marisha Ray]

See from this, it's all quotes from.

[Liam O'Brien]

Like 10 years worth of calls. Whoa.

[Ashley Johnson]

Are there dirty words on it? I don't know.

[Matthew Mercer]

It just says all work and no play makes Marisha adult girl over and.

[Laura Bailey]

Over and over again.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's available right now in all our critical role shops.

[Marisha Ray]

Check it out.

[Liam O'Brien]

It looks great and I'm so excited. We're just kidding, sir.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, I got one. Another way you can celebrate 10 years of critical role is with Stories Untold.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, it's so good.

[Matthew Mercer]

And it really is. It's an anthology featuring the perspectives of 10 characters who fought alongside and against Vox Machina. I'm so proud of this book. It's a special collection. It features a foreword written by me with stories by ten contributors including Aabria Iyengar, Sam Maggs, and Martin Cahill, plus a cover by Adrian Ibarologo. Stories Untold is now available wherever books are sold in hardcover, ebooks, or audiobook formats. Additionally, our friends at Penguin Random House are running a sweepstakes where one lucky winner will receive a copy signed by all 10 contributors and the critical role cast.

[Travis Willingham]

Oh, wow.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

That's cool.

[Liam O'Brien]

I did not agree to this.

[Matthew Mercer]

For more information on how to enter the sweepstakes and buy your very own copy of Stories untold, head to criticalrolebooks.com fantastic.

[Travis Willingham]

Thank you so much, Liam.

[Matthew Mercer]

I didn't. There it is.

[Travis Willingham]

That's what it looks like.

[Matthew Mercer]

And it looks like this. And there's words in it.

[Marisha Ray]

There's definitely words in this.

[Travis Willingham]

Awesome.

[Ashley Johnson]

Wait, now I think that there isn't.

[Matthew Mercer]

You shut your mouth.

[Liam O'Brien]

Are there bad words?

[Marisha Ray]

Words?

[Ashley Johnson]

There are bad words.

[Travis Willingham]

It's nothing but bad words.

[Ashley Johnson]

I love it.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, we're such.

[Travis Willingham]

I think that concludes our announcement. So, Brennan, get back in the seat.

[Ashley Johnson]

There he is.

[Matthew Mercer]

A lot of dice in there.

[Marisha Ray]

That's a lot of dice.

[Ashley Johnson]

What's the line from Saving Samurai when he says. He says he has a lot of swords, like eight swords in the ground. And then the guy goes, that's a lot of swords.

[Laura Bailey]

And he goes, I need to do a lot of killing.

[Ashley Johnson]

So good. Hell yes. Great. With that, my wallet.

[Laura Bailey]

Let's go.

[Sam Riegel]

Now I can continue.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yep.

[Laura Bailey]

With that, let's go ahead and jump.

[Ashley Johnson]

Into tonight's episode of Exandria. Unlimited Divergence.

[Liam O'Brien]

Creating really great retail experiences is tough, especially with multiple stores, teams of staff, fulfillment centers. It's a lot. But with Shopify point of sale, you can do it all without complexity. Shopify's point of sale system is a command center for your retail business that can unify in store and online operations across 1000 locations. Their features like endless aisle, ship to customer and buy online, pickup in store all help guarantee a convenient shopping experience experience for your customers. And when your customers can shop how they want and your staff has the tools they need to close every sale, it means more success for your business. You can even keep customers coming back with seamless purchasing experience, personalized recommendations and first party data that gives marketing teams a competitive edge. Want more? Check out at shopify.com critical all lowercase and learn how to create the best, best retail experiences without complexity. Shopify.com critical.

[Laura Bailey]

Rising up its eastern side, illuminated by the faintest early rays of dawn light. Its western edge still lavender and indigo. The snow and stone facing the receding night. In the west, the mountain known as Heaven's stair. Here in the lands of Isylra, the city of Vasselheim. This city awakens in a new day, having seen the dawning of yet another age. Walls, the outer edge shattered and lay low. Some by the blows of gods themselves scatter here. And yet the city stands Vasselheim the Dawn City. It had seen the founding, the clashes of the Schism, the heights of the age of Arcanum. In these streets, at one point fell the footsteps of Vespin Chloris, who would call the calamity upon the world. And those long centuries of ruin would the Dawn City weather and survive. And now, yet again, another age comes to this eternal place where mortals walk hand in hand, arm in arm, knowing that a new day has come to Exandria. Carts move hither and to you see the muddy, unpaved streets. In some ways, the city hearkens back to all of the earlier ages of its long, long life, its massive masonry blocks of stone.

[Ashley Johnson]

The buildings of this place, even the.

[Laura Bailey]

Ones that aren't temples, have a feeling of reverence, adoration. Everything here is built to last. Even the rubble has some solemnity and gravity to it. Here in this place. As you approach, having traveled for days across stormy seas all the way to the city of Sea Gate, and then some 30 miles inland to the city of Vasselheim, what are you feeling as you approach this place?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Arrow knows that he was brought here as a very, very small child before memory could hold. But seeing the outline of the city against the landscape is sending echoes to the back of a is mine whisper of memory.

[Liam O'Brien]

Phaedra's looking out at the city, and it's. Some part of it feels familiar. Being back in the city again, I think.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

Feels a little bit like home, but just so much bigger, so much older. And kind of for the first time, she's starting to think about what it means to have a place, to have people that endure, who have existed for years before and who will continue to exist. And that she just occupies a very tiny sliver of that moment in time that exists now.

[Laura Bailey]

It's overwhelming.

[Travis Willingham]

Garan's imagination had never really taken too much time to visualize what the city.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Could have even looked like.

[Travis Willingham]

It was just a distant myth that would never cross its path. And beholding its scale and scope, especially given the context of its survival over the past centuries, you can't help but be struck with awe.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Quiet awe. Big.

[Liam O'Brien]

You're smart. Now, you can say more than that.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What else am I supposed to say about that?

[Liam O'Brien]

No, you're right. That's fair.

[Ashley Johnson]

It is big.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You finally have enough room to stretch. Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Nia is looking at this city, realizing or continuing to sort of process the mission ahead of her. She has a really grand task. To let the people of the city know that change is here and isn't like what we could have possibly imagined. And there's incredible hardship ahead of us, but we have what we need. And Nia's just sort of working around her speech in her head while looking at this great city. Nia is a wanderer. She's been a lot of places, but she's never been to a place quite like this.

[Laura Bailey]

Taking in the thousands of upon thousands of people that call this place home. Seeing a city, seeing for the first.

[Ashley Johnson]

Time a structure that dwarfs Rybad Cole.

[Laura Bailey]

Many times over the vast neighborhoods and temples towering. A place that has been protected for so long by the prime deities. And you see a people, humans, elves, dwarves, vast and sundry peoples of Exandria. And a feeling here of panic, but the kind of panic that precedes both hope and despair. Something is changing as you walk in.

[Ashley Johnson]

I want everyone here to go ahead and give me a perception or an.

[Laura Bailey]

Insight check to, depending on what you're looking for in this moment.

[Marisha Ray]

Good.

[Sam Riegel]

Starting off already.

[Ashley Johnson]

What do we get over here?

[Sam Riegel]

15.

[Laura Bailey]

15.

[Sam Riegel]

Natural 20. 26.

[Ashley Johnson]

What do we get over here?

[Liam O'Brien]

16.

[Laura Bailey]

16.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

A measly 18.

[Ashley Johnson]

A measly 18. Unbelievable. Nia, you are lost in thought. You are very much just dwelling on the task before you. As you walk in, Grinolin, the warrior that was a family friend of Arrow's turns to you and says, if need.

[Laura Bailey]

Be, I can take you directly to Shadowbrook. That is where the high priestess of the Moonweaver will be if you wish to speak with her.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

That would be great. Thank you.

[Laura Bailey]

I hear move and move swiftly on that 16.

[Ashley Johnson]

Was that perception or insight?

[Laura Bailey]

Perception. What is Garan on the lookout for as you enter this new place?

[Travis Willingham]

I think he's, for one. I think he's gauging the general. And actually, you know what? It would be same with perception or insight. It would be more of an insight, now that I think about it. They're both the same school. He'd be more interested in gauging the vibe of the populace, Getting a feel for how much panic, tension, or comfort there exists amongst the people here in these tail moments of the calamity.

[Laura Bailey]

Trying to look at the level of panic that are on the people here. What you see is a city that has for the past several centuries seen first and foremost to the defense of its relics, its people, its knowledge.

[Ashley Johnson]

Those things gathered here in some way. I think on that perception, Garan, you.

[Laura Bailey]

Think of Lyanna's cache, the mortal avatar of the Moon Weaver, who lived side by side with Nia for a mortal lifetime here in Exandria. The cache of things she hid the bottom of the Stormpoint Mountains. This is that times the effort of many of the prime deities in full force. And the vast cultures and learnings of.

[Ashley Johnson]

Exandria, knowing that if they could get here to the frozen north of Isilra.

[Laura Bailey]

They'Re there'd be one place that they could be sure to hold onto that and hold onto it. They have dearly through many assaults from the forces of the Betrayers. That being said, I think what you watch is a painful and panicked gear.

[Ashley Johnson]

Shift where the highest priority has been.

[Laura Bailey]

The defense of self and the grooves of habit worn in by that. Now look at a city which may see advantage in turning its attention outward for the first time. And there is fear in that and a sense of if in combat you.

[Ashley Johnson]

Are on the ground holding your organs to not be kicked while you are down, and suddenly there is a pause and you realize after centuries you need.

[Laura Bailey]

To put a palm on the ground and stand up. There is a moment of fear, knowing that to press advantage and find true victory, you will have to make yourself vulnerable.

[Ashley Johnson]

On a 26 on a NAT20 insight that is so smart, Cross Crocus, what.

[Laura Bailey]

Are you looking for in this place?

[Sam Riegel]

I think Crocus is scanning the crowds as we walk through and trying to judge the general emotional sense of the crowd around him. Be that are they. What is it like to walk down a street in this city? Is it dangerous? Is it scary? How is the vibe of this city? Is it a safe city? Is it a dangerous city?

[Ashley Johnson]

You believe that this is a safe.

[Laura Bailey]

City for a certain type of person.

[Ashley Johnson]

But that this city has seen its.

[Laura Bailey]

Darkest chapters unfold in this moment.

[Ashley Johnson]

You look around and do not see, for lack of a better word, word. There is not a lot of playfulness here.

[Laura Bailey]

This is a place of worship. It is reverent. There are certainly no open wizards walking around in this place.

[Ashley Johnson]

And I think that you can feel.

[Laura Bailey]

That there is the sense of purpose that comes with this much faith collected in a place.

[Ashley Johnson]

That for the purpose.

[Laura Bailey]

It serves, there is no safer place in Exandria.

[Ashley Johnson]

And for those outside that purpose, you.

[Laura Bailey]

Walk in the shadow of great and mighty things. And that gives some sense of unease perhaps.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay, whoa.

[Laura Bailey]

And on that 26th inch as well. I think on a NAT20, you also look at Phaedra in this moment and I think the orb hanging around that symbol of the knowing mistress see Phaedra.

[Ashley Johnson]

On that 20 Insight. What does crocus see on Phaedra's face?

[Liam O'Brien]

I think you see. I think normally Phaedra even When it's not true, she gives off the feeling of being completely on top of any situation that she walks into. She instantly gets a read for stuff. And I think for the first time, you see Phaedra is looking around at this, just trying to put together the puzzle pieces of who are we here? What are we doing as part of this? And she is just lost and overwhelmed and trying not to show it. But, yeah.

[Laura Bailey]

Feature on the 16. What are you looking for?

[Liam O'Brien]

I think I'm just going to do a little insight into how the rest of the people in the city are regarding us specifically because we presumably look, pretty obviously we're a bunch of travelers. We came in from out of town.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

If there's any sort of reaction to.

[Ashley Johnson]

Us as we pass through, you see that you're not getting a big reaction.

[Laura Bailey]

As travelers because travelers are pouring into.

[Ashley Johnson]

The city and you can see they're pouring. Pouring in in a way that is actually blocking an almost equal force of people trying to pour out. I think you see some people. Crocus, you're nearby. You see some people that appear to have hand wrappings and sort of under some hand wrappings, some bloody knuckles, sort of like unarmed combatants speaking to each other, waiting for the tide of people flooding in to make their way out because they're about to head out. They look packed for a long, long journey somewhere. And in the travelers that are rushing in, you see that the bigger emotion is felt by people flooding in who are similarly gawking. The ship that came from the sort of southwest of Gwessar joined a lot of other ships. So your ship with Grynahan, there were many that were out looking for survivors. And you see wagons from those ships coming in and recognize other people that have escaped the strife. Emperor, which appears to be a flood of people that headed for a coast anywhere, got picked up by ships. And on that 16, you see a group of stragglers.

[Laura Bailey]

Many of them look like maybe they haven't washed in weeks because they've just.

[Ashley Johnson]

Been fleeing as fast as they can.

[Laura Bailey]

In the back of that wagon is.

[Ashley Johnson]

A figure that you look at for.

[Laura Bailey]

A second and narrow your eyes. The figure is almost monochromatic because he is so covered in dust and rubble. But underneath the dust and debris is a. A fine black velvet coat. And there is a little boy with a bandaged hand in the back of a wagon staring blankly ahead as a wagon moves into the city. Fuck.

[Liam O'Brien]

Crocus. See those? The guy with that nice shirt and the cape, kid with the hand. We need to fucking deal with them. He's the one who put that wound in his own child's hand. Okay, nothing yet, but we keep an eye on him, right.

[Laura Bailey]

On an 18. What is arrow looking for?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Well, Arrow. So I don't know necessarily that Arrow has a mission in this place. He's largely here to serve as almost like a valet to Nia and to this group. But he hopes he's certainly not any great orator or leader, but he hopes that depending on the circles Neo pulls us into, that all of us serve as an example for the thaw he's beginning to perceive across this world. I remember as a child the numbers that would come into Seagate from Kwisaaran elsewhere was anemic. Not many would make it to us. Some would choose to finish their journey and stay in the town where I was raised, and some would continue on here to this city. But the sheer scale of travelers is just further proof that this world is not the one I have known for my entire life. And if I can impart that to any of the decision makers of this place, that's enough. They have looked inward for centuries.

[Marisha Ray]

But.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

If there's going to be new growth, we'll have to get out of their walled garden.

[Matthew Mercer]

Remember those colorful sugary cereals from childhood? They were delicious, but that sugar rush and crash just doesn't work for adult life.

[Ashley Johnson]

So Magic Spoon came up with a.

[Matthew Mercer]

Solution and created cereal and treats that have the great taste we all love with more protein and less sugar. Their cereal packs 13 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar, and only 4 grams of net carbs per serving. And it comes in all sorts of.

[Ashley Johnson]

Nostalgic flavors you love, like fruity cocoa and frosted.

[Matthew Mercer]

Their treats are perfect on the go.

[Ashley Johnson]

Too, and are packed with 12 grams of protein.

[Matthew Mercer]

I keep some in my bag for.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hectic days when my schedule gets crazy.

[Matthew Mercer]

And they're not only tasty, but they actually keep me going throughout the day. Whether it's for a pre workout boost or just starting your day, Magic Spoon delivers that familiar taste and keeps you fueled. Get $5 off your next order at magicspoon.com cr or look for Magic Spoon on Amazon or in your nearest grocery store. That's magicspoon.comcr for $5 off.

[Laura Bailey]

Moving through the streets of Vasselheim, you head towards the neighborhood of Shadowbrook. Nearer to the base of the Heaven Stair massive staircase going up the mountains, you see a babbling series of brooks. This ice cold, crystal clear water collecting in these mirrored pools around a very small neighborhood of these stone buildings. You See, many of the buildings have these massive dolmen stones set over their doorways with writings in sylvan and celestial on them. You see that there are small little.

[Ashley Johnson]

Public bird baths that are left with.

[Laura Bailey]

Small offerings for the fae in this place, those friends of the Moonweaver.

[Ashley Johnson]

As Grinolan moves you through this place.

[Laura Bailey]

You see a truly panicked mob gathered around a massive stone temple that holds that crescent moon of the Moonweaver over it.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see people are holding each other. Some people are weeping. And you see that many of the people that are weeping as you approach.

[Laura Bailey]

Appear to be clerics of the Moonweaver.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Wow.

[Marisha Ray]

Can you take a little bottle or vial of that crystal clear water?

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes. Cool.

[Marisha Ray]

Thank you. And then can I look for seeing all these panicked people? I don't know if I necessarily want to disturb them yet. I would love to talk to a leader or a high priestess, if possible.

[Laura Bailey]

Yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

You move forward into the temple and you see Grinolan comes up and speaks.

[Laura Bailey]

With one of the guards there. Turning around, it is rare to see a elven woman that shows any sign of aging.

[Ashley Johnson]

And perhaps it isn't aging. Perhaps she just hasn't slept in a century, but with sort of bags under her eyes and this beautiful wavy hair that flows out that is nonetheless kind.

[Laura Bailey]

Of not perfectly kempt in these silvery.

[Ashley Johnson]

Plum and silver wrappings of her hair, steps out and comes forward tending to various people. She goes to one of the nearby warriors that holds a moon shaped silver sickle as their sole weapon and just.

[Laura Bailey]

Goes, we must.

[Ashley Johnson]

Tend to all that are here. An explanation is, I have reached out to the Farseer Volsting. And you see, someone comes up who.

[Laura Bailey]

Has a symbol of the knowing mentor around them and says, my lady, Eldanwyn Volsting has fallen.

[Ashley Johnson]

He is terribly ill and requires some healing of some kind.

[Laura Bailey]

And you see, she says, aye, aye.

[Ashley Johnson]

And looks to her hands and holds them in prayer, speaking a prayer that she has spoken many times before.

[Laura Bailey]

And nothing comes. And you can see her shaking with a sense of panic.

[Marisha Ray]

As good as time has ever to introduce myself. Hi.

[Ashley Johnson]

Thank you, Carl.

[Marisha Ray]

Lady, Hi. My name is Rhaenyia. I believe I have information you seek about our Moonweaver.

[Ashley Johnson]

She looks at you and says, I.

[Marisha Ray]

I understand you have a large gathering of people you need to tend to. Is there a place we can speak privately, briefly? She tries to very quickly flash the thing that Luz had to be like. I'm valid, I swear.

[Ashley Johnson]

She looks to you and says, you.

[Laura Bailey]

Are a member of our brethren, our sisterhood. What abbey or temple what glade do you hail from?

[Marisha Ray]

None. I am someone who's been given a gift and just now learning how to use it. Self taught, More or less.

[Ashley Johnson]

Go ahead and give me Persuasion with disadvantage.

[Marisha Ray]

She didn't like my Moon Weaver symbols. She liked my book.

[Ashley Johnson]

This place is crawling with Moonweaver symbols. They got moon Weaver symbols all over the place.

[Travis Willingham]

Novelty shops on the way in.

[Ashley Johnson]

There's a little rotating kiosk that has. It's just fucking full.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah. You get one with your name on it.

[Ashley Johnson]

Bunch of moons. Right.

[Matthew Mercer]

That's what it's going.

[Travis Willingham]

Sean.

[Ashley Johnson]

Steve. Oh, you were homeschooled. My son is named Bort.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, My son is also bort.

[Marisha Ray]

Only a 14.

[Ashley Johnson]

Only a 14.

[Marisha Ray]

Can I. I can't do anything. It's okay for a little one.

[Ashley Johnson]

She looks to you and says, congratulations on finding the path of the Moonweaver.

[Laura Bailey]

I am very busy.

[Marisha Ray]

Can I. Oh, God, this is so much. I have that letter opener, right?

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Can I slice my hand?

[Ashley Johnson]

You see her go, hello, Wait, wait, wait.

[Marisha Ray]

And I'm going to close it and then try and cast cure wounds on myself. And open my palm up and see that it is no longer cut. And be like, I understand you are overwhelmed. I'm here to help relieve some of that.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I think you should listen. We've all witnessed miracles at the behest of this one.

[Ashley Johnson]

Please come with me at once. And you see, she turns. She moves out into the street. And you see a group of Moonweaver faithful gather around her. Walking Vasselheim is a bizarre mixture of highest reverence and deep humility. The streets are not paved here. They are muddy and filled with stones. And you see her walk. The hem of her beautiful deep plum.

[Laura Bailey]

Purple with sparkles of gemstones or small.

[Ashley Johnson]

Flecks of iridescent things within. It trails in the mud behind her. And she walks, her boots muddy and dirty. Those gathered around her hold tattered pennants and banners of the Moonweaver. Almost like she would be traveling in a carriage or a palanquin in some greater imperial city. But here, just four of the faithful with penance gather around her as she walks herself to this next place. She turns to you, going.

[Laura Bailey]

Your name again, child? I'm sorry.

[Marisha Ray]

Nia. You can call me Nia.

[Laura Bailey]

Nia. I am Eldanwan. You wield a miracle.

[Ashley Johnson]

Give me an inside insight check.

[Liam O'Brien]

Please.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, not too bad. You said insight. Oh, goodness. Great 21.

[Laura Bailey]

The relationship between faith and doubt is a complicated one. This is a woman who has wielded not just the magic of the Moonweaver. But. But some of the greatest magics of the Moonweaver. Who now looks at her frail and faltering hands and cannot understand why the magic is not coming to her.

[Ashley Johnson]

And given the silence ringing behind her.

[Laura Bailey]

Eyes, this is a woman who feels a relationship to her goddess faltering and.

[Ashley Johnson]

Given the choice to blame the goddess.

[Laura Bailey]

Or herself, you can see is blaming herself in this moment and does not know what to make of that.

[Marisha Ray]

Been there.

[Laura Bailey]

You.

[Marisha Ray]

I will try not to take up too much of your time. The Moonweaver. And you see Nia trying to explain how her sister is the Moonweaver. But also. And she takes the book that she'd been writing her story in and puts it in her hands and says, when I am gone, you can read this and know this. The Moonweaver is not gone. Our gods are not gone. They are behind a gate to protect us from their siblings and the betrayers. It is. I understand that there has been a lessening of magic. It is not because you have failed in any way. It is because we now have to find new ways to rebuild. My sister, you say your sister?

[Ashley Johnson]

Why?

[Laura Bailey]

As dear a relationship as that is, I just have never heard.

[Marisha Ray]

My sister's technically the Moonweaver.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hmm.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She means it quite literally.

[Marisha Ray]

Yes. Oh.

[Liam O'Brien]

Show her the orb.

[Ashley Johnson]

You are a.

[Sam Riegel]

Oh. I placed the orb in her hands while it's still around my neck so that she can see what we saw.

[Laura Bailey]

Huh?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Quite literally.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

She turns to one of her attendants.

[Laura Bailey]

And says, find Morgana and rocks.

[Ashley Johnson]

Right away. We should all meet. We need to see to Volsink. We need to see to the Farseer. And you see that? She says, would you come with me.

[Laura Bailey]

To the rune keep?

[Marisha Ray]

Yes. Can my friends come?

[Laura Bailey]

Come? Yes, yes, by all means.

[Ashley Johnson]

We all walk in the light of the. We all walk in the light.

[Travis Willingham]

Devout Tolliver. Fuck it. Whatever.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see. You see this? All that. This woman's whole vibe is, is that she should be sitting on a throne backlit by mystical light, coming from another dimension and giving cryptic answers to the pointed questions of adventurers. And instead she woke up a days ago and couldn't cast magic. And it has been flopping like a fish on a dock kind of since then. And her whole vibe is ruined. A woman with a ruined vibe just walking, being like, okay, this, I guess what like 19 year old is telling me what time it is or whatever. Or I guess half elf. So much older than that. But still young. Young. A young woman is telling this ancient.

[Marisha Ray]

Elven woman, also very like, still, she doesn't have a nia, doesn't have an incredible grasp truly on what has happened, what is happening, what is going to happen, what she should do. She is still, I think, feeling the effects of that. Nat1 of Like, I have the tools of a leader and the dreams of a survivor. She is feeling quite. She's of that similar vibe of I have much more power than I thought I would ever need and is just trying to give all the helpful information to the people who she believes would utilize it better than herself.

[Ashley Johnson]

Walking with her, you approach an area within Vasselheim.

[Laura Bailey]

This tall blocky structure. And you can see that around it there are panels of stone turning on massive stone wheels and plinth. Every square inch of this massive blocky keep is covered head to toe in runes, vast and many, written large and then small.

[Ashley Johnson]

The lintels of the doors have runes some 4 inches tall, but then some molding. And that molding will have the sort of little half inch runes written along that. But then on the ridges of that even smaller are written others in language.

[Laura Bailey]

Upon language upon language. And you see within this holy site of the Knowing Mentor.

[Ashley Johnson]

As you walk.

[Laura Bailey]

Within, the smell of incense is so strong and powerful.

[Ashley Johnson]

Here you see, wearing heavy cloaked robes.

[Laura Bailey]

The faithful of the Knowing Mentor walk inside this place.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see the runes alight. And I think actually you can all.

[Laura Bailey]

Look and see that as Crocus walks, his clawed footprints leave a little bit of glowing magic behind as they step on the rune covered.

[Ashley Johnson]

Even the floors here are covered in runes.

[Laura Bailey]

Moving forward, you enter a holy chamber, moving up a short staircase to rows of dormitories.

[Ashley Johnson]

And you see, in keeping with sort.

[Laura Bailey]

Of a cloister order, that the bedroom of what they call the Farseer is as humble as any of the cloistered order gathered here. It is no grand or palatial bedroom, but you walk inside and see two figures side by side. There is a half orc old old.

[Ashley Johnson]

Half orc man, big cow catcher chin, two tusks coming up.

[Laura Bailey]

But he looks frail. He looks sort of like he's wasting away.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see that he has a kind of multiple stick and poke tattoos over him. And one of the tattoos written in runes. But the writing creates a hieroglyphic shape.

[Laura Bailey]

Of an eye in the center of his forehead.

[Ashley Johnson]

And you see that he shakes blankets piled on top of him, but is.

[Laura Bailey]

Shaking under a disease. Next to him you see a dwarven matriarch, priestess, warrior smith, a cube of a woman.

[Ashley Johnson]

Who she stands, she has this massive bearskin mantle over thick Leather and scale. Armor. She is sitting on a small stool. The stool strains under the armor. Giant stool, stone hammer on an amulet around her neck. She has scars and injuries on her that are far from cosmetic. There is an injury. She's missing about three or four teeth from the top and a little bit of the bone of her upper jaw. You can see the lip hangs down.

[Laura Bailey]

From an old injury here. She has seen battle.

[Ashley Johnson]

You look at some of the rubble out on the wall and you wonder if she was not in the direct.

[Laura Bailey]

Line of some of those blasts from earlier.

[Ashley Johnson]

And you see that there is an.

[Laura Bailey]

Enormous round steel shield next to her.

[Ashley Johnson]

That you see has a symbol on.

[Laura Bailey]

It of a cracked anvil.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see that she holds this old orc, has these. She's very tall and gangly, has these.

[Laura Bailey]

This long, frail hand. And she's got these squat, strong, blocky.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hands that are grasping this old orc.

[Laura Bailey]

And you can see that she's pouring divine magic out of herself into the hand of the Farseer.

[Ashley Johnson]

As you enter with Eldanwyn, you see.

[Laura Bailey]

Her speaking in who you're can speak Dwarven.

[Travis Willingham]

Strangely, strangely.

[Ashley Johnson]

What she says over and over again.

[Laura Bailey]

Is just going, I know I cannot hear you, but please hear me. I know I cannot hear you, but please hear me. I know I cannot hear you, but please hear me.

[Ashley Johnson]

As this healing magic pours out, Nia.

[Laura Bailey]

Sort of effortlessly, you. You can feel or tell that the healing magic is entering over and over again. And it is not finding purchase. It is not finding what it needs to find in here.

[Marisha Ray]

Okay. I look to Aldanwin to see if she's giving me leave to enter the space.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes. You see, she enters and gives introduction.

[Laura Bailey]

She says, morgana, I am. I'm sorry to disturb you. This is Rhaenia. And you see, Morgana turns and goes, rhaenia, I don't know you, my child.

[Marisha Ray]

No. And I. I don't know you. But I have information about the availability, or lack thereof, of our gods.

[Laura Bailey]

She looks to you and says, so it is true. And you see, Eldahanwan says, my mistress's magic has left me. And you see that Morgana turns to you and says, strange are the tidings here. You see, she steps up, placing the hand of the Farseer gently on his chest, and goes. She turns to you and goes, I am Morgana Thundershield. I am Forge, keeper of the Allfather here in Vasselheim.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see that she looks to you.

[Laura Bailey]

And says, you bring tidings of what has befallen the moonweaver.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see, Eldanwan turns to you and.

[Laura Bailey]

Says, our connection to the gods is the most precious thing that we have, and we have long sent our hearts out to our sisters and siblings, siblings in the followers of the Allhammer.

[Ashley Johnson]

And you see that?

[Laura Bailey]

Morgana looks down and says, though our magic is availed to us, none of our order have heard. None in living memory have heard the Allhammer's voice. We feared him dead, captured or worse when the gods war. Certainly there are mortal prices to pay.

[Ashley Johnson]

Of course, you see.

[Laura Bailey]

She looks to Eldhammer and says, but strange it is.

[Marisha Ray]

For.

[Laura Bailey]

Many years the followers of the Moonweaver have joined us as well in being unable to hear the words or reassurance of their goddess. And we fear the worst now that their magic has left them.

[Marisha Ray]

It may have left some, but not all.

[Laura Bailey]

Eldamon speaks and says, rhaenyra is a cleric, newly formed of the Moonweaver, who has her miracles at hand. And you see that? Morgana squints.

[Marisha Ray]

I and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I am the mortal sister of the Moonweaver herself. Or a. A piece of her lived. She sort of hits that. Lived hard, lived within my sister. And before she left, she shared with me that I will have her magic as long as I continue to hold faith. And I'm continuing to hold faith, so it is all very confusing. Ania still is like she worked on the speech on the ship and none of it is coming to her in this moment. But she just does what she always does and offers how she can be helpful. She has miracles on hand. I travel with my companions and we all have different gifts. But I think I need to share Liana the Moonweaver's message with the people. Or at least the people of this order.

[Matthew Mercer]

Arrow has been hanging back for quite.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

A while and speaks up from the rear. This young woman has crossed the Ozmut Sea to carry the words of the Moonweaver from her very lips to you. Freed from the clutches, the Strafe Emperor himself reclined out of the ash of Southern Gwessar so that she might come and bring hope. Everyone must bear witness.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes, And I'm no woman of faith. Never have. But I cannot deny what I've seen and heard from this woman. Her power, her faith is undeniable.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Hey.

[Laura Bailey]

Long walk, El Danwyn looks to you along with Morgana.

[Travis Willingham]

Actually, as. As we perfunctly make these phrases, I gently tap the hearth's hammer at my side while looking towards Morgana.

[Ashley Johnson]

You tap the hammer at your side looking at Morgana you see?

[Laura Bailey]

She looks at you, smiles, gives a.

[Ashley Johnson]

Sort of knowing nod. As a member of the same faith. You see that?

[Laura Bailey]

El'Danwyn says, I do not know.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

If.

[Laura Bailey]

The Moonweaver has spoken to you. She told you that she need leave this place.

[Marisha Ray]

Yes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

They all are.

[Laura Bailey]

That cannot be.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see?

[Laura Bailey]

Morgana looks up at you and goes, the Allhammer would not abandon this world.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

They are not the same thing.

[Marisha Ray]

It is a mercy, I swear, from what was shared with me. It is their influence. Their presence on this world has allowed for great evil. Despite the intentions of the gods. They are taking leave to protect us from them. It sounds ridiculous, I know, but there are pockets of power available. I have one. I cannot imagine. I'm the only person, maybe of the Moonweaver, I'm the only. But there is work to be done.

[Laura Bailey]

Eldanwyn. In this moment, I think you see Eldanwyn struggling mightily.

[Marisha Ray]

Am I close enough to Al Denwyn to take her hand? Yeah, I take her hand and I put my other hand over it. You are no longer meant to fare alone. There is power that I have that I am readily available to share with you. If you remind yourself to keep faith in a God far away.

[Laura Bailey]

As the words keep faith in a God far away resound, you see her heart break and she collapses into you, all pride gone. These clerics are servants, and they strive for humility. But in striving, there is that desire in the back of every cleric's mind to be the greatest servant. And the desire for that greatness is itself sometimes an obstacle to the humility that is required to serve you. See here, as you hold her, that hubris collapses and gives way to true humility. She wipes a tear from her eyes. It has been my greatest honor to serve her and my life's greatest joy to learn to share her miracles. During the darkest hours of the Calamity, I always felt her at my side. To wield her magic was effortless. Perhaps it will be an even greater joy to learn to build it up again anew.

[Marisha Ray]

And I would guess the faith, the devotion to rebuilding, you will see something strong within yourself that you may have never known. This is an opportunity, Dare I say a boon?

[Laura Bailey]

She smiles, and you hear a sudden from the bed as the Farseer awakens.

[Marisha Ray]

Kania, go to him. Yeah, she goes to him. She tries to sort of copy Morgana's. Just takes his hand and tries to cure or heal or help or just keep him holding.

[Ashley Johnson]

Go ahead.

[Laura Bailey]

You can pour the energy in there, but I'd also Ask for a medicine.

[Ashley Johnson]

Check and you can do so with advantage.

[Laura Bailey]

As you pour actual healing magic into crocus.

[Sam Riegel]

Goes over to the Moonweaver priestess and just picks her up under her feet and goes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Strength starts now.

[Sam Riegel]

And picks her up and makes her stand.

[Ashley Johnson]

She's standing again and you see her looking and you see her immediately for whatever disaster has befallen her station. And it's mostly a disaster of people like to have a role. And she's been the one with all the answers. And instead she looks at this young cleric in a true sense a prophet, a messenger of a divine truth.

[Laura Bailey]

And studies your hands to see how you are doing what you're doing.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Learn to learn again.

[Sam Riegel]

And walks away from her and goes to her arrows.

[Travis Willingham]

What's a crocus? Who are you?

[Marisha Ray]

You said medicine.

[Laura Bailey]

Medicine.

[Ashley Johnson]

Roll with advantage.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, I will.

[Sam Riegel]

Fairly unreadable dice.

[Marisha Ray]

I know. Just math. 23.

[Laura Bailey]

23.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

There you go.

[Marisha Ray]

16.

[Sam Riegel]

No, I'm just about to die.

[Marisha Ray]

It's pretty.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Laura Bailey]

Nia never knew the world that El'danwyn knew. Eldanwyn knew the height of calamity and how to call. She was a young elf at the outset of calamity and has lived an entire long life in Vasselheim wielding the.

[Ashley Johnson]

Magic of the Moonweaver, which those circumstances were, were at their worst.

[Laura Bailey]

She saw her God's physical face and felt the hand on her back every time. Every time she cast a guidance cantrip. The presence of the divine was a known fact. What does she see in this new world when a cleric has to call on the aid of the divine? Not as just seeking intercession from a God.

[Ashley Johnson]

In other words, in all of the past centuries of exandria, every divine spell was a direct intercession from a deity.

[Laura Bailey]

Now it's not. It's you. So what does she see in this moment as you go to heal the Farseer?

[Marisha Ray]

She. The Farseer hasn't spoken at all.

[Ashley Johnson]

Or hasn't spoken?

[Laura Bailey]

No, he's sort of rasping back.

[Marisha Ray]

I think Nia just speaks to him of her dreams, of the deals that her sister and herself made to find each other on the moon again one day. And she just talks of her dreams, talks of her hopes. She very bedside manner. Everything's going to be fine one day. My sister and I, we joked and laughed and shared and loved. And even in those dark, scary times, our love carried us through. And she's just pouring as much love and feelings of safety and of just that hope that comes with knowing that there is joy in the Future.

[Laura Bailey]

That hope pours out of you. Anyone who wants to can make a religion check if you would like to. That feels appropriate now, I think.

[Marisha Ray]

Sorry. Yeah, I think. Is the Farseer. Is that another Nazarene? No. It's so bad. Is the Farseer's eyes open or are his eyes closed?

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, his eyes are open.

[Marisha Ray]

She takes out the mirror, and I'm assuming he's lying on his back. She takes out the mirror and tries to reflect. Reflect? Her hand holding his so that he may see in this moon mirror that help is here, help is available, and joy is in the future.

[Laura Bailey]

The Farseer looks into the mirror.

[Ashley Johnson]

What did we get for these religion checks?

[Travis Willingham]

Oh, I'm pulling a nettle for my fingernail. I rolled a six.

[Ashley Johnson]

Great.

[Sam Riegel]

Three.

[Laura Bailey]

Three.

[Ashley Johnson]

We rolled it off an 18.

[Matthew Mercer]

18.

[Laura Bailey]

11.

[Ashley Johnson]

Phaedra, I think you're looking. As you've said, you're not a person of faith. And there's always been something about the.

[Laura Bailey]

Direct intercession of the gods, like you.

[Ashley Johnson]

Lived under the direct intercession of the.

[Laura Bailey]

Strife Emperor for a long fucking time. I don't know how chuffed you are.

[Ashley Johnson]

At the idea of the gods running around. And in fact, probably some part of you if the. If the goal is for the gods to all leave.

[Laura Bailey]

Hey, shit.

[Ashley Johnson]

It makes an interesting world. You know, mom and dad are going away for the weekend. Easy, Marla. But what you see here is that.

[Laura Bailey]

In the center of Vasselheim, Nia works a miracle. And the miracle is that these spells of healing and of communion with the forces of nature and divinity in all the preceding ages of exandria were heartfelt requests from the followers of these divinities for their direct intercession. Nia, through and mediated by her her love of her sister. The Moonweaver shows that that divine source lives in a mortal heart as well, and is her belief that intercedes on her own behalf. That belief that there is a reunion coming on the moon, far away in its shining, shining silver light, that her and her sister will be reunited, and that, for the first time, does not need to be literal, does not need to feel the hand of the divine come crashing down. There is divinity in that belief itself. And that heals. The Farseer looks into the mirror, his eyes focusing. Hi.

[Marisha Ray]

There you are. Hi. I'm Rhaenia. Welcome back.

[Laura Bailey]

A miracle made by hand.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Thank you.

[Marisha Ray]

Careful, careful. Now she just rests the mirror on. He's on a bed of some kind, I'm assuming. Yeah, yeah, she just rests it on that. And immediately Puts her focus to him.

[Laura Bailey]

The easy days are. Bind us. Yes. Oh, no.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah. But we can create easy days.

[Laura Bailey]

This will be a long time in the doing.

[Marisha Ray]

Yes.

[Laura Bailey]

But I have nothing better to do with my time than to make a better world.

[Marisha Ray]

I'd like to show you something, Crocus. You know how you put your.

[Sam Riegel]

He walks over to the bed. Kind of ducks underneath the canopy, like.

[Laura Bailey]

All right.

[Sam Riegel]

And puts the orb in the hand of the man.

[Laura Bailey]

He holds it in these frail old hands. So that's how it all happened. I have just awoken from a deep and painful slumber. You should keep this.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I was planning on it. It's not a gift.

[Ashley Johnson]

He looks and says and says.

[Laura Bailey]

Knowledge is a heady brew best consumed and shared in equal parts by all and not hoarded by the very few. At the expense of those with little.

[Ashley Johnson]

He looks.

[Laura Bailey]

And as the Farseer, as this head of those devotees of the Knowing Mistress. He looks at El Danwyn and looks at Morgana.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see that? You hear a sort of clopping of hooves outside.

[Laura Bailey]

And you see that there's. Out the window.

[Ashley Johnson]

A kobold armored in platinum armor riding a bighorn ram. Disembarks a symbol of the platinum dragon. Over the sort of symbol you see. He has what to most people would be a spear. But to him is clearly a knight's lance that he places on the side of the bighorn ram. And you see that as the Farseer begins speaking and goes.

[Laura Bailey]

Nothing. It seems my mistress has joined your sister. Those of my order, those closest to her all felt it. She had suffered. Suffered an eternal injury. Paid a great price in battle. I felt the wound and nearly died. And would have followed but for your intercession and the power of your faith. A word let now holds even greater weight as the new age dawns. Faith has flowed effortlessly as the gods have walked the world. To wield their magic now will require actually some believing in things unseen and far removed. There is great work to be done. We will study with you if we can, Rhaenyra, to see how your magic is wielded. For the gods wish to give their gifts still. But their gifts cannot be handed freely. They must be sought by the pure of heart and those of strong conviction also. Their plan, their great plan is in jeopardy. The last and great battles are soon to be fought far, far away. The final conflicts will unfold underneath the long and terrible shadow of Ghor Dranas. That is where the final clashes will occur. But a great and hideous evil has been sealed at great cost. To my mistress. Now there is some chance, however, in her parting, she relayed to me a truth that the Moon Weaver has relayed to you. He turns to Morgana and and Eldanwyn and says, the truth is as she says, the gods are leaving.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see? Eldanwyn weeps, and you see that Morgana.

[Laura Bailey]

Just spits on the ground and crosses.

[Ashley Johnson]

Her arms, looking grumpy.

[Travis Willingham]

Y'all process differently.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see, walking in, this armored kobold walks in and says, yeah. You look over, he looks up at you and you see, he looks up and says, brother, you see, he speaks out and says, I am Rox Tallheart.

[Laura Bailey]

Paladin of the Platinum Dragon.

[Marisha Ray]

Rox, you said?

[Ashley Johnson]

Rux R U X.

[Laura Bailey]

Thank you.

[Ashley Johnson]

As he looks around and you see that Morgana turns and says, like ourselves.

[Laura Bailey]

Those followers of the Platinum Dragon have not heard from their God in many long years.

[Ashley Johnson]

And you see that Rax speaks and says, it troubles me not that I.

[Laura Bailey]

Do not hear from him.

[Ashley Johnson]

If our hearts are true, we follow in song or in silence.

[Laura Bailey]

To defend the walls of Vasselheim has been an honor.

[Ashley Johnson]

And you see that the Farseer speaks.

[Laura Bailey]

And goes, and now the battle moves to Wildemount.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see that looking out from this.

[Laura Bailey]

Place, you see that the Farseer in the bed says, the battles that unfold in Wildemount will be great and terrible. Beings of raw, divine energy will seek to make the last push against the Scaled Tyrant, the Lord of the Hills. However, there is a problem much thornier and more complex than simple clashing of army on army. All of the gods must be found and leave this world in order for this gate to be sealed. Several of the prime deities are captured or missing, even with the Lord of the Hills and the Scaled Tyrant defeated, if they are simply sealed away, then.

[Ashley Johnson]

He gestures to the orb.

[Laura Bailey]

One enterprising Archmage need only snap his fingers and the calamity is reborn anew. We must find these captured or banished deity somewhere. They are within exandria. You see he looking out at you. He speaks and says, in your journeys, you do not come by any travelers or possibilities.

[Ashley Johnson]

Strangely, you see, Morgana sort of arches an eyebrow and says, did you pass any massive sealed gateways between crystal obelisks.

[Laura Bailey]

That seem to have some God captured behind them, like half dozen, you see? She laughs, says, some pragmatism I think is in order. Certainly.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We did cross paths with a few other deities, if you can believe it, but not the ones you are seeking.

[Laura Bailey]

She sort of wipes her brows and says, Eldamen looks and says, it has Been a long, long day. Nia, would you stay here in Vasselheim for a time to help teach what we may learn. Your connection to your divinity may be a for us to take, to attempt to wield the magic of our own gods.

[Marisha Ray]

Nia sort of looks at Arrow and is trying to gauge. Nia would love to stay. Nia would love to help, but she is not alone, and she does not want to put her needs over the needs of the group and of the team. She says, I will stay for as long as I can, but I move with my party. I will stay for as long as I can.

[Laura Bailey]

She nods.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see that?

[Laura Bailey]

Rox turns to you and says, well.

[Ashley Johnson]

Long days of travel bellies need filling. We will be happy to give you.

[Laura Bailey]

Accommodations here in Vasselheim.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Thank you.

[Laura Bailey]

But the wealth be shared and food and drink libations given.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Libations. Oh, I know what that word means now.

[Ashley Johnson]

The Farseer looks and says, there will.

[Laura Bailey]

Be more to speak of. Thank you for saving my life. The knowledge you have gleaned and the path you have taken here provides some strand of hope. For the battle is yet to come in Exandria.

[Marisha Ray]

It is unending.

[Laura Bailey]

You see that?

[Ashley Johnson]

Rux takes you guys out from the Farseer's chamber and brings you over to a sort of frigid outdoor hall. You see people dressed in furs, and he comes over and says, cloaks and furs. It's chilly here in Vasselheim, especially for us scaled types. Important to stay warm.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Fine.

[Liam O'Brien]

He'll be fine.

[Laura Bailey]

Ah, yes, you will, brother. You are a mighty, mighty combatant. I can see. Tall and broad of shoulder.

[Liam O'Brien]

Best in the business.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You cut an imposing figure yourself.

[Laura Bailey]

Small, I am, in stature, but it bothers me not. The smaller the man, the greater his share of bravery on the battlefield.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

The things I've seen my friend here do, I do believe it.

[Ashley Johnson]

And to what God are you devoted?

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, you know, as such, changing times. I'm sort of between deities at snowman. But I have faith in my companions. I have faith in Nia. I have seen all of the gods bestow wonderful gifts. Both real, tangible gifts, but gifts in many other ways in my companions. And my faith lies with them.

[Laura Bailey]

Exceptional.

[Ashley Johnson]

When you said change, is that the Changebringer, or was it just. Yes, A cagey answer for a follower of the Changebringer.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, you got me. I'll hail the Changebringer, all right.

[Sam Riegel]

There's snorts and big puffs of kind of like hot air come out of his nose.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see, he says very well, some stew for my friends. And you see that he walks off to go get some food.

[Travis Willingham]

Garan's going to lean in and elbow knee in the side of it and be like.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

So, not too bad for your first time in Vasselheim, eh?

[Liam O'Brien]

Not bad at all. I.

[Marisha Ray]

Nia, sort of confides in this moment of like, I have no idea what I'm doing.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Here's the secret. Nobody ever does.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, that's good.

[Marisha Ray]

That feels good.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What, are you gonna put on a habit now?

[Liam O'Brien]

I mean, I'm guessing I have to. What's the. I don't even know anything about the change.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I guess you gotta figure it out.

[Ashley Johnson]

I do.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It'll be a bad habit.

[Ashley Johnson]

Ha. I tell Jones.

[Liam O'Brien]

Welcome to the new world. Pharaohs telling jokes. Arrow's doing bits now.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Maybe this wasn't the change we thought was coming then.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yet it's here.

[Sam Riegel]

Everyone's gonna tell more jokes. Doesn't fix anything, but yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

We laugh. Doctor's good.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Call it Arrow's humor. I'll be here all night. Kill him.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'm sorry?

[Liam O'Brien]

Kill him.

[Ashley Johnson]

Kill him now. As your laughter rings out. Hearing the sound of your laughter, you hear behind you.

[Marisha Ray]

Nia Rhaenia Whitpan. Turn.

[Ashley Johnson]

How does this possibly keep happening?

[Marisha Ray]

I know a lot of painful.

[Ashley Johnson]

Well, you were told that two people.

[Laura Bailey]

Did come to Vasselheim. And your mother and father rush through the crowd towards you.

[Marisha Ray]

Push past as many bodies are in between me and my parents. And I just like. Just like leaps into her father's arms, scoops her mother up as well. Just holds them and is laughing, not weeping. She just laughs and laughs and laughs. Probably cry. Laughs a little bit, but not like. There's no sadness here. There is only that weird. That feeling of when confirmation bias turns into confirmation. She knew that this was going to happen. And so she just feels a sense of pride within herself. Of like. This is what happens when you never give up and just is held by her parents.

[Ashley Johnson]

Your parents, weeping. Your mother, an elven woman. You see that she has band after band around her silvery white locks that go down to the middle of her back. Your father, a human man, grasps you and holds you both tight. Lifts you up into his arms and twirls you both around. He's just weeping, weeping.

[Laura Bailey]

He says. I can't believe it.

[Liam O'Brien]

Just wait until I tell you what's happened.

[Ashley Johnson]

Lyanna found us and said that she was going to meet you at Torm's Hill.

[Marisha Ray]

We have to talk about Lyanna. These are my friends.

[Laura Bailey]

Is she all Right?

[Marisha Ray]

Yes. She's. She's okay. She is not. And she can't get the words out.

[Laura Bailey]

Your mother holds her.

[Marisha Ray]

I was there when it happened. She is the Moonweaver.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Give me both your hands.

[Ashley Johnson]

I love this routine.

[Travis Willingham]

I think while this is happening, too, the reunion here, looking at the hammer, looking at all this chaos, Garan looks over to a completely unrelated raven that's on the ground eating a piece of trash and just goes, you did this, didn't you?

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Crocus delivers that message. And I think Nia is just like, she's okay. She's. Well, she's fine. She's not here, but she's watching. And she. She got me here. She told me that you guys would be here. And I have power unlike I've ever seen. And I. I'm.

[Ashley Johnson]

Your dad.

[Laura Bailey]

Goes, maya, God, no, thank you.

[Matthew Mercer]

That is a fuck ton of a download for a mom and dad.

[Ashley Johnson]

And you see your mom's like, I'm so sad that I've lost my daughter. But my daughter's alive. But my other daughter, but she's still. She kind of can't die. Wow. One of my daughters can't die. Can you die? Yes. Oh, no.

[Marisha Ray]

But I won't.

[Ashley Johnson]

Good.

[Marisha Ray]

For a time, I hope for a.

[Ashley Johnson]

Time, you see that your dad, he's like, not for a time. Your dad goes, well, that's the deal. Okay. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.

[Marisha Ray]

And Nia just sort of info dumps. I found Arrow. Arrow found me. And I think right now she introduces Arrow to her parents of like, this is the man who kept me alive.

[Matthew Mercer]

He feels very awash in a feeling of satisfaction, but also awkwardness and not sure what his place even is at this moment where he has been trying to act like, protect her. But now we're in the strongest city in the world. She's with her mother and father, and he just tries to set aside that wash of feelings.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It's a pleasure to meet you both.

[Ashley Johnson]

They both hug you deeply. Just immediately you are embraced, this very warm family. You see that Father Casimir is just weeping openly. Martha, your mother just goes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Raised two good daughters.

[Laura Bailey]

She weeps and goes, I cannot thank you enough. There is a gratitude greater than any other that a parent holds for. For one that has seen their child through fire and torment to safety once again. We owe you everything.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She's enriched. My life gift is mine.

[Laura Bailey]

Well, our home is your home forevermore. And should you ever need a bed or a full belly, she says, please.

[Ashley Johnson]

Come to our home.

[Marisha Ray]

Come to our home. You have to see Our home.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I have to see your home. Are we still getting stew?

[Ashley Johnson]

Stew aplenty. And I think that in this moment, having arrived safely in Vasselheim, I will.

[Laura Bailey]

Ask if there's anything you all do that night.

[Ashley Johnson]

You have been asked to stay here, to show this manner of faith and prayer to the clerics of Vasselheim in this way. But you journey with a group of people and I think that as that night wears on, you guys are eating and getting stew. That group of bloody hand wrapping people, they head out that night headed for Wildemount. And I think you see Crocus, some of them look at you with a nod of just sort of familiarity as they see a fearsome unarmed combatant much like them as they prepare to head to Wildemount for the final. It seems like the Dawn City has gotten the memo and it is the great final clashes are going to happen.

[Laura Bailey]

And we need to head to Wildemount.

[Ashley Johnson]

For the rest of you, let me ask what you do either that very night, or indeed if you wish to stay for some time. You certainly have earned some rest.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, but before I rest, I think I am going to try and find a certain velvet suit wearing Lord.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes.

[Liam O'Brien]

See what. See if I can find him. Just watch him for a little bit.

[Sam Riegel]

Oh, I was like, who? Yes, I switch places with Crocus. That's fine.

[Travis Willingham]

She goes and watches Elton John perform, you see.

[Ashley Johnson]

So you go ahead and start to look for this Lord.

[Laura Bailey]

Go ahead and give me an investigation check.

[Sam Riegel]

Phaedra, did you bring me with you?

[Liam O'Brien]

Not great. I'll say. Unless otherwise noted. It's not great. It's 12.

[Laura Bailey]

12, I think you search through.

[Sam Riegel]

I'm helping. Can I get. Give it advantage?

[Laura Bailey]

Yes, you can give it advantage.

[Ashley Johnson]

Go for it.

[Laura Bailey]

Do it with advantage.

[Liam O'Brien]

That was worse still.

[Travis Willingham]

12.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'll say this on a 12. I think that it takes you a while.

[Laura Bailey]

Vasselheim's a big city.

[Ashley Johnson]

And I think.

[Laura Bailey]

For the most part, I think. I think time unfolds here. We're going to move through time a little bit. Nia. There's busy work for you here.

[Ashley Johnson]

Working with the other clerics also. As time goes on, the followers of.

[Laura Bailey]

The Moonweaver have joined the Knowing Mistress.

[Ashley Johnson]

The Farseer communicates to you that the.

[Laura Bailey]

Knowing Mistress suffered a great and terrible injury somewhere in the world.

[Ashley Johnson]

Those followers now also need to learn.

[Laura Bailey]

This new way of not just asking.

[Ashley Johnson]

For the direct intercession, but really it's.

[Laura Bailey]

The power of their belief that is making that magic happen.

[Ashley Johnson]

It is a harder way of doing it.

[Laura Bailey]

It's A harder way of wielding the magic. It is something that changes forever the nature of exandria. And as time goes on, the other high priests of the prime deities here begin to understand that this is going to be the new way it works. And that their gods are also going to go behind this gate.

[Sam Riegel]

While we're out looking for this person.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I'm walking with you. Can I talk to you about something?

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes. You've never asked me that before. How can I say no?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I'd argue I wasn't capable.

[Marisha Ray]

That's fair.

[Laura Bailey]

Woman.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Why do I call you boss?

[Liam O'Brien]

Cause you're my bodyguard. I am your boss. Same with, you know, Otto, Tavine, all the boys.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

That's not what I mean. You, for lack of a better term, hatched me.

[Liam O'Brien]

I did. I was just a kid who won a dragon egg in a card game one day. And you know, life is funny in that way. You're the best. Best victory prize I ever got.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I think you need to examine those words a little bit. And how that might make me feel that you don't refer to me as your child, but as your bodyguard. I. I don't have a moment. All right, Dad. I have you. That's it. And I'm working for you. You call the rest of the group your boys, but I'm your bodyguard. That's fucked up.

[Liam O'Brien]

You know, Phaedra, for maybe the first time, Phaedra, that you've seen her, she's just completely speechless. I put. I come down to my. I reach your face. I am so sorry, Crocus. You know I love you. And you are. You are my world. You are everything to me. It's. Everything that I do is so that maybe one day you can have a better life. An easier one, A happier one.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I don't know if that ever translated. You may feel that way, but I, until now, didn't know anything. I didn't know how to articulate any of this. But you didn't teach me either. There.

[Liam O'Brien]

You know, I think maybe it's cuz I didn't.

[Marisha Ray]

I didn't know.

[Liam O'Brien]

I think I'm not as smart as you think I am. Or as I pretend to be.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

But you're the smartest person I know.

[Liam O'Brien]

So you need smarter friends.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I needed a mom not to fight for a boss.

[Sam Riegel]

And he's gonna start walking away.

[Laura Bailey]

As Crocus departs, Phaedra, you are left in a muddy crossroad in a city of solemn, grave and faithful people. Your heroic journey to get here has left you alone at this crossroads, searching for A lord in a velvet suit. You have a tattoo of a roach on your body. You're deep down a criminal. You had a whole life of double crossing, being ruthless, blackmailing people, slitting throats that needed to be slit. Do you think any of these pious people in these city streets actually have a place for you when the new day comes? Even Crocus is walking away from you right now. What are you feeling in this moment?

[Liam O'Brien]

Phaedra stands still because it truly feels like the rest of the world is just going on and. And moving and changing in all these incredible ways. And Phaedra just stands there because it feels like her clock. The one that's been ticking inside her heart, the one that's been keeping her going this whole time. For the first time, she feels like it's stopped. It's just stuck. There's no ticking. It's just silence. And standing there watching everyone else pass her by on the streets, she feels just invisible.

[Marisha Ray]

Almost.

[Laura Bailey]

As you feel invisible, you kind of do fade into the shadows for a second.

[Ashley Johnson]

Give me perception check.

[Liam O'Brien]

Nat. One.

[Laura Bailey]

You're half length.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, you're half length.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Good looking out. Good looking out.

[Liam O'Brien]

Thank you. Perception.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

14.

[Laura Bailey]

14.

[Liam O'Brien]

Better than one.

[Ashley Johnson]

You heard. You hear a little muffled from one of your pockets.

[Liam O'Brien]

Key, is that you?

[Ashley Johnson]

It's me.

[Liam O'Brien]

Pull out the key.

[Ashley Johnson]

What? You've been walking around.

[Laura Bailey]

Are you looking for somebody right now?

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

No.

[Liam O'Brien]

There's this guy, this real bad guy. I met him, I served him when I was back in Ryebad.

[Ashley Johnson]

Cole.

[Liam O'Brien]

I mean, I think he's a he, at least was back when I knew him. Devotee of the betrayer gods. Also, he stabbed his own son.

[Ashley Johnson]

Ew.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah. Ooh, crazy man.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see, it says.

[Laura Bailey]

Okay, do you wanna.

[Ashley Johnson]

If he's near a door, yes.

[Laura Bailey]

I can help you find him if you want.

[Ashley Johnson]

If he's not near a door, then.

[Laura Bailey]

This just won't work. And I am sorry in advance.

[Liam O'Brien]

No, no, no.

[Marisha Ray]

You. I love him.

[Liam O'Brien]

Keith, listen. World's full of doors. There's gotta be. He's gotta be near one, right? Let's do this.

[Ashley Johnson]

Unless he's way outside, but people that dress in velvet don't like to sleep in fields.

[Liam O'Brien]

That's true.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay, don't. This is a trickier one than just opening a door.

[Laura Bailey]

Look into the gem and give me.

[Ashley Johnson]

A formal do the thing.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay. Dear Key, it's Phaedra. I am formally requesting you to find this motherfucker that I know who stabbed his son. Please.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay, give me a little bit more. Give me A little more description about the guy, because motherfucker's not super technical, okay? And if we can get. If we can get a. If we can do wish instead of.

[Laura Bailey]

Request just for the whole pomp and circumstance, okay?

[Liam O'Brien]

I. Hello again, Key. Hi, Phaedra. I wish that I could find this Elven. Right.

[Ashley Johnson]

Or.

[Laura Bailey]

He was human.

[Liam O'Brien]

He was human. This. Oh, right, right. This human wearing a. He was covered in rubble, but he was wearing this black velvet suit. To find that specific motherfucker that I just described who stabbed his own son.

[Laura Bailey]

Please, Ruby Light. You're looking through a keyhole. You see that? This key can look out of any keyhole in the city. As you look through it, you see sleeping in a bed somewhere near the city's entrance. This human lord is slumbering. It looks like his lady wife has not made the journey to Vasselheim with them. But sleeping, uncovered by any blanket or.

[Ashley Johnson]

Sheet, curled up in a fetal position.

[Laura Bailey]

On the floor at the foot of the bed is the boy. So the father and the boy are both here in Vasselheim. And you look out the window and.

[Ashley Johnson]

Think, you know the building. There is an open window to the.

[Laura Bailey]

Icy air that is coming in. As the Lord sleeps under many blankets. And the boy shivers at the ground at the foot of the bed.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm gonna go over there.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell, yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

I say. Thank you so much, Key. You know, it's just you and me now.

[Laura Bailey]

What?

[Liam O'Brien]

It's just you and me, my boy.

[Ashley Johnson]

I've abandoned my son.

[Marisha Ray]

Damn.

[Liam O'Brien]

And I put the key.

[Marisha Ray]

Jesus back in my bag.

[Liam O'Brien]

Jesus Christ. Oh, Phaedra's a fucked up person.

[Ashley Johnson]

Great.

[Marisha Ray]

Honesty's important.

[Laura Bailey]

You slink over and see this stone building. Easy handholds in the blocks. The open window up above near the entrance to the city. You find it pretty easily.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay. And I think that I can triangulate which specific room that he's in.

[Ashley Johnson]

Well, you see a couple of windows, and only one of them is open.

[Liam O'Brien]

I try to climb up to there and stealthily peek in.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell yeah. Go ahead and give me acrobatics. Difficulty tens.

[Liam O'Brien]

What do I add? Is it dex or a scroll?

[Ashley Johnson]

Dex plus proficiency.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh.

[Liam O'Brien]

Then in that case, 12.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell, yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah.

[Laura Bailey]

You skirt up, crouch in the windowsill. You look and see the. The rubble covered boy at the foot of the bed, shivering, and the Lord sleeping in his bed. Go ahead and give me a stealth check.

[Liam O'Brien]

Wait. I believe I got advantage on this because of ki. Right, Key?

[Ashley Johnson]

Absolutely. And I'll say, too, that the key in this moment is actually going to go to Its awakened state.

[Laura Bailey]

Whoa.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, shit. Okay. Okay. Oh, the boy. Oh, that's. That's fun. Okay, sorry. So stealth is what it is, right? I think that I got. That is a 90. No, no, no, no. That's a 23.

[Ashley Johnson]

23. Hell, yeah. On a 23, you are in the room like a ghost. There's two sleeping people in here. You're silent as a whisper.

[Liam O'Brien]

I just get up real close to that lord who's sleeping, and I am going to use the bonus action in the awakened state that the key is now in to transform it into a dagger.

[Ashley Johnson]

Mm.

[Liam O'Brien]

And it has teeth. I'm gonna hold it sort of like, right against his throat. And I'm say, hey, wake up.

[Ashley Johnson]

Roll Initiative.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, shit.

[Travis Willingham]

I mean, yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Wouldn't it be nice to have to spend a time like this?

[Liam O'Brien]

Jasmine is regretting this. Phaedra is not. Initiative. That's a 17.

[Ashley Johnson]

17. You're going to act first. He is awake, and at the center.

[Laura Bailey]

Of his pupils, a burning ember appears as an unholy light begins to gleam in his eyes. Crocus.

[Sam Riegel]

Crocus walked away.

[Ashley Johnson]

Walked away.

[Sam Riegel]

And is sitting there the whole time going, I. And just arguing with himself as he wanders the streets. And I think eventually goes, I gotta go fight her. Turns around and starts to try and look for where they went.

[Ashley Johnson]

Give me perception or investigation to be there within the first round. You gotta give me a DC20.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

You can do that.

[Sam Riegel]

No, but that is a 11.

[Ashley Johnson]

11. Okay, cool.

[Laura Bailey]

You'll not be there.

[Sam Riegel]

I won't be there.

[Ashley Johnson]

Phaedra.

[Liam O'Brien]

I say with my dagger just aimed at us. Right at us. Throw. I say, no, no, no, no. I'm just here to talk. I'm a devotee of the Strife Emperor. I know you. I've seen you before.

[Laura Bailey]

You're going to have to give me deception.

[Ashley Johnson]

And I'll. You know what?

[Matthew Mercer]

For you, Damien, to keep.

[Ashley Johnson]

To keep this fair. He gets a plus six to his insight. I'm gonna roll in front of the.

[Liam O'Brien]

Board just to prove I don't get any kind of. I don't have any.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Ooh.

[Ashley Johnson]

That was almost all he said. It's a 14. You need to beat a 14 on the deception.

[Matthew Mercer]

You can do this.

[Liam O'Brien]

13.

[Marisha Ray]

Granny.

[Ashley Johnson]

You tell him to. Oh, Mrs. F. So you tell him that you are a servant of the.

[Laura Bailey]

Strife Emperor and you get a 13 on your deception.

[Ashley Johnson]

He looks at you and goes.

[Laura Bailey]

Servant of the Strife Emperor. A And is going to hold his hand.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'm going to need you to make a wisdom save throne.

[Laura Bailey]

It's fine.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's great.

[Travis Willingham]

It's not great.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's gonna be fine. Not 27.

[Laura Bailey]

Seven.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

The Lord begins to arise from his.

[Laura Bailey]

Bed, looking to you and saying, and you feel suddenly charmed by this man.

[Ashley Johnson]

You don't know why you were so creased at him. What's so bad about stabbing your child in the hand? He, after all, is such a lordly.

[Laura Bailey]

And regal man, deserving of respect, contrition, servitude.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see, he arises and says.

[Laura Bailey]

I find the cold air benefits my constitution. And yet perhaps I shall have to keep the windows shut, for this city is rife with fleas and cockroaches. May I have that key.

[Liam O'Brien]

My lord? What for?

[Laura Bailey]

Because I'm going to slit you your throat with it.

[Ashley Johnson]

If you can beat a 15, maybe round two is better for you.

[Travis Willingham]

Absolutely not.

[Sam Riegel]

It's an eight.

[Laura Bailey]

Eight.

[Ashley Johnson]

At the end of your turn, give me another wisdom saving throw. The difficulty is 15.

[Liam O'Brien]

Nope.

[Marisha Ray]

5.

[Ashley Johnson]

5. He is going to reach out.

[Laura Bailey]

He takes the key from your hand, and he is going to make an attack roll.

[Ashley Johnson]

In making an attack roll, he breaks the charmed condition. But he is going to make an attack here. Your armor class is what, 13?

[Laura Bailey]

He hits. How many hit points do you have?

[Marisha Ray]

Seven.

[Laura Bailey]

Okay, he's going to roll damage with this. If he rolls a four, you're out on a one, two, three. You have hit points remaining.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, God.

[Ashley Johnson]

He deals six points of damage.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay, okay, okay.

[Ashley Johnson]

As he slashes at you with the key that is going to be. You see that? The boy wakes up looking up horrified. It is your turn.

[Liam O'Brien]

Can I. So it says that I can. On a bonus action, I can transform it back into a key instead of a dagger.

[Ashley Johnson]

It is no longer in your possession.

[Liam O'Brien]

But it's not in my possession, so I can't do that. That. Okay, okay, cool. In that case.

[Marisha Ray]

She'S got one. Can't kill Phaedra in the last episode.

[Liam O'Brien]

All right.

[Sam Riegel]

What do you mean since the last episode? Her episode.

[Liam O'Brien]

All right. This cannot be Smasselheim. I very quickly try to roll under the bed.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

And take out my crossbow and just wait there. Ready for a.

[Ashley Johnson]

Give me a DC15 acrobatics.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay.

[Ashley Johnson]

Or he's gonna get an attack of opportunity.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, shit. All right. Oh, my God. What is it?

[Ashley Johnson]

15.

[Liam O'Brien]

15 acrobatics?

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

Which is Dex 11.

[Matthew Mercer]

You cheated this stat block.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm using it well. Cause the stats.

[Matthew Mercer]

What about your level one with your skillzies?

[Liam O'Brien]

My stats are not.

[Matthew Mercer]

Use the one that's higher. Maybe it's higher.

[Liam O'Brien]

You have to hope.

[Sam Riegel]

I believe in fairies.

[Matthew Mercer]

No, it's being b. Poopy.

[Ashley Johnson]

It's being poopy. I'm looking at it right now. You add a plus three to acrobatics.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, that's what I thought.

[Ashley Johnson]

So an 11 crushing your armor class is a 13. Yes. He is attacking right now with a plus four. On a nine or higher. He's going to hit you and drop you. And I'll be clear. We are very much. I want to set expectations for the table. This may be the end of feeder's story in this room and a hard lesson about choosing a diplomatic and virtuous.

[Laura Bailey]

Path rather than embracing slitting this man's throat in the dark. On a nine or higher, he hits. That's a nat 20.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, my God. All right.

[Laura Bailey]

Wow.

[Ashley Johnson]

But he does not deal your hit point total in damage. He rolled a one and a two on the dice.

[Liam O'Brien]

So I'm unconscious.

[Ashley Johnson]

So you're unconscious but not dead.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'd say wow. Okay.

[Laura Bailey]

DC 10 perception.

[Sam Riegel]

No, no, I rolled a three.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, my God.

[Sam Riegel]

It looks very much like an eight for a second. It wasn't. It was a three.

[Laura Bailey]

All right.

[Ashley Johnson]

Vadra, you drop to the ground.

[Laura Bailey]

Go ahead and give me your first death saving throw.

[Liam O'Brien]

What about the boy?

[Marisha Ray]

The boy can't intervene.

[Liam O'Brien]

That's just a normal D20, right?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes.

[Matthew Mercer]

Nothing added.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

I am going to roll a different die.

[Matthew Mercer]

You want a 10 or higher?

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

Seven.

[Liam O'Brien]

Seven.

[Laura Bailey]

That is a failure.

[Ashley Johnson]

The D.C. is not going to lower to five, so stay at 10. No. That makes sense. Yeah. Succeed.

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah.

[Laura Bailey]

Okay. Standing over Phaedra's unconscious body, having failed her first death saving throw. Crocus, you've searched for her and arrived at a window. And up above, you smell blood. Give me a DC10 and athletics check. Okay.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Athletics. I'm good at.

[Sam Riegel]

That was a 15 plus 9.

[Ashley Johnson]

24. Yes. Before Phaedra's second death saving throw, which on a nat one will end her life and her story. Crocus, you roar up the wall into.

[Laura Bailey]

The room to see this lord standing over her with a dagger.

[Sam Riegel]

And just boom, right into the wall.

[Ashley Johnson]

Go ahead and give me your attacks.

[Sam Riegel]

That is a natural one.

[Ashley Johnson]

Natural one. That is a mission.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay.

[Sam Riegel]

Second attack. Natural 20.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, my God. Okay.

[Sam Riegel]

Just sees red. Absolutely. Just charges. The guy slips, takes up the rug in his feet and misses the first swat and then is just going to head down, bulldoze straight into the wall to slam him into the wall.

[Ashley Johnson]

Go ahead and roll. Damage.

[Sam Riegel]

That is.

[Ashley Johnson]

It's a crit roll. Double damage.

[Sam Riegel]

Oh, right. That's three, five. 10 points of damage.

[Ashley Johnson]

10 points of damage. Badly injured. As you slam into the wall with him, he's going to immediately take an attack against you.

[Laura Bailey]

Actually, no.

[Ashley Johnson]

He's going to try to hit you with a spell. Go ahead and give me a wisdom saving throw.

[Sam Riegel]

Oh, yeah. Well, I'm not bad actually anymore.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah, right. Oh, thank God.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yours is probably higher than mine.

[Sam Riegel]

Natural one.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oops. He looks at you.

[Sam Riegel]

I can only roll two numbers.

[Ashley Johnson]

He says. He says, easy, easy.

[Laura Bailey]

Look in my eyes. Look in my eyes. Let's discuss. I'm going to need another death saving throw from feature on NAT1. This is the end.

[Liam O'Brien]

1818.

[Ashley Johnson]

That's a success. Yes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay.

[Laura Bailey]

Hope alive.

[Marisha Ray]

Keep hope alive.

[Laura Bailey]

Listen to me. You know her on the ground. I will take my boy and leave you tend to her. That's it.

[Ashley Johnson]

He goes, scoops up the child, takes.

[Laura Bailey]

The key, says, I'll be gone. That's it.

[Ashley Johnson]

He takes the child. You can also see the light fading out of his eyes as though you suspect he does not have any spell energy left. Shout out to two spell slots. And you see, he grabs the child.

[Laura Bailey]

And slips at the the door.

[Ashley Johnson]

You got an 18, crocus, it is your turn.

[Sam Riegel]

All right. Crocus is going to. Does the charm end now that he's gone?

[Ashley Johnson]

The charm ends, yes.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay. He looks and sees Phaedra on the ground, pulls her out from under the bed and is going to attempt to stabilize her with a medicine check.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay. DC10.

[Sam Riegel]

That is. Where are they?

[Ashley Johnson]

1818.

[Laura Bailey]

You wrap the wound. Careful, careful. As careful as you can. Phaedra. You swim in unconsciousness. You hear sounds, the Lord's voice in the stairs below, holding a child. My lord. My lord. I found it. I found the key. At last.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Very good.

[Laura Bailey]

Find them. Find them as only a mortal can. The gate is almost finished, my humble servant.

[Ashley Johnson]

And that's where we're gonna go to our break.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, no.

[Marisha Ray]

It's so bad.

[Ashley Johnson]

It's so bad.

[Liam O'Brien]

Once again, Deidre, you motherfucker.

[Marisha Ray]

You just had to call him son.

[Ashley Johnson]

One time. One time. Save my boy. Love conquers all. And by definition, the absence of love dooms us all.

[Matthew Mercer]

Greetings, adventurer. This is Liam O'Brien. If you'd like to support the show, consider checking out our sweet, sweet Exandria Unlimited merch in the critical role shops. Links to all of our regional online stores can be [e-mail].

[Laura Bailey]

We return now to Vasselheim.

[Ashley Johnson]

Things are looking pretty bad for old Phaedra Marrow.

[Matthew Mercer]

You dirty birdie.

[Ashley Johnson]

Crocus, you stabilize your friend.

[Laura Bailey]

She is unconscious.

[Ashley Johnson]

Where do you go? Do you carry her with you or do you stay here?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Are you okay?

[Ashley Johnson]

She is unconscious. She's out for an hour.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay. Crocus thought is that this person's going to go and they're going to leave this building. We're on the second floor, correct?

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Sam Riegel]

I pick up Phaedra in one arm.

[Laura Bailey]

Cool.

[Sam Riegel]

I go to the balcony and I look down towards the front door to see if they've exited the building.

[Ashley Johnson]

You do not see anyone on the street.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay.

[Sam Riegel]

So then I jump from the balcony, land on the ground.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Sam Riegel]

And I look for the person.

[Ashley Johnson]

Give me an investigation check.

[Sam Riegel]

Natural 19 with a plus one.

[Laura Bailey]

Dirty 20.

[Ashley Johnson]

On a dirty 20, you are investigating for this person. You are looking far and wide for.

[Laura Bailey]

What you can see.

[Ashley Johnson]

Their belongings are all left here. You follow a trail of blood from the injury you gave that lord. That blood moves up into a center square where there's now foot traffic. It looks like he sprinted out as fast as he could. You are looking around and as you realize how fresh these tracks are.

[Laura Bailey]

This man has some method of becoming invisible.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay, okay.

[Sam Riegel]

But the child, or the child.

[Ashley Johnson]

He carried the child with him.

[Sam Riegel]

So it would be invisible as well.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay. So then I'm following the footprints, but have I hit a point where the footprints are not there or they are slowly kind of extending.

[Ashley Johnson]

They go into a cross crowd of people.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay.

[Laura Bailey]

Do I have.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I need to get. I need to get higher and go up.

[Sam Riegel]

And Crocus has. Has a desire. He needs to move faster. He needs to get higher. He needs to go. So he activates the girdle.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell yeah.

[Sam Riegel]

In an attempt to. Not really still understanding how it works. In an attempt to maybe give himself some speed in this form that he takes when it is activated. And he's going to try and get up to a higher vantage point to find this person, knowing that letting them go is a terrible idea.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

You activate the girdle. Leaping to the top of one of.

[Laura Bailey]

Vasselheim's buildings, searching around. You are formidable indeed. It is going to be a difficulty twice. 25. Perception check.

[Ashley Johnson]

You're trying to spot an invisible warlock shuffling through the streets of Aslam. I believe you can do that on.

[Laura Bailey]

A 19 or 20. Correct.

[Sam Riegel]

For 25.

[Ashley Johnson]

For 25 it would be.

[Sam Riegel]

For a perception check. I would have to. I mean, I have to get a natural 20.

[Laura Bailey]

Natural 20.

[Matthew Mercer]

Just do it.

[Laura Bailey]

Make it happen.

[Sam Riegel]

16.

[Ashley Johnson]

16.

[Laura Bailey]

Searching with your eyes as fast as you can. You know that this villain is hiding somewhere in Vasselheim. The cold wind is tearing across you and Phaedra in your arms wrestles in unconsciousness.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Shit.

[Sam Riegel]

And he's gonna run and find his friends.

[Ashley Johnson]

We return to our friend lightning form.

[Sam Riegel]

Just as fast as he can travel.

[Ashley Johnson]

We return to our lightning form heading as fast as you can in the home of Casamir and Marza. I think we have Arrow here as well. And Garan. Are you out drinking somewhere or are you.

[Travis Willingham]

Garan's not drinking. I think Garan went out to honestly look for any information about if Uthtor still stands since he was he hasn't have any information about it in a hundred years since he was plucked from it.

[Laura Bailey]

Give me a perception or insight.

[Liam O'Brien]

Meanwhile, Iroh is just playing Monopoly with Neo's parents.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I am the Scotty dog.

[Ashley Johnson]

Near to the Silver Talon's reach, but with big There are these big gates that as.

[Laura Bailey]

A native New Yorker would almost look.

[Ashley Johnson]

Like subway entrances, but are much larger and more civic leading down to the neighborhood of Brightforge. You can see that there are many.

[Laura Bailey]

Of the subterranean devout entering in and out of this neighborhood.

[Ashley Johnson]

As you go in search of those.

[Laura Bailey]

You see some large wagons pulled by these sturdy looking dungeons. Donkeys that are being loaded up with.

[Ashley Johnson]

Tools and supplies and traveling. You see some dwarves that have big.

[Laura Bailey]

Wide brimmed hats on them. As you walk up you see one.

[Ashley Johnson]

Of them being like all right, that one's loaded up. Move that out to the front and step off to the side. And you see that he has a little symbol of a shepherd's crowd and.

[Laura Bailey]

A hammer crossed on his clothing.

[Ashley Johnson]

As you walk up and see him getting ready for this train that's packing out.

[Travis Willingham]

Excuse me.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Sorry to bother you in the midst of your organization. What about Steelhale? If you don't mind me asking, where.

[Laura Bailey]

Do I hail from? Well, friend, as a child from far distant Gwessar, but perhaps more accurate now.

[Ashley Johnson]

To say that I hail from Vasselheim, right?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Where on Ghessar, if you don't mind me asking.

[Laura Bailey]

Far off, I know it's been.

[Travis Willingham]

Roughly how young does this dwarf seem to look?

[Laura Bailey]

To me he might be about 80 or 90 years old.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Changed in recent times. If you are from Usar, I'm curious.

[Travis Willingham]

Have you been to or have you.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Passed through the stronghold city of Uthtor?

[Laura Bailey]

Uthor. I remember it from young days left as swiftly as we could. It's to there we return. Or I should say I'm here to shepherd my brethren and their families. Spark to the Cliffkeep Mountains. To Uth Tor world has come to us that it has been freed, or rather rediscovered, long absent of the touch of the crawling king. But now we return to relight the fires, light the halls. Or rather they are. I my journey will take me there.

[Ashley Johnson]

For a spell to pay my regards.

[Laura Bailey]

And then elsewhere out throughout Guisar.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Right Reid? That's good to know.

[Travis Willingham]

I'm glad that a semblance of at.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Least its people still stand. How soon do you plan to head out?

[Laura Bailey]

Well, this wagon train is headed out on the morrow. I'll stay behind until the rest are done. It probably will be another two or three weeks before the main caravan heads out.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Should there be. You fancy there might be Spey for an old stone carver in one of these wagons?

[Laura Bailey]

Brother, we have a space with your name on it.

[Ashley Johnson]

You just tell me what your name is.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Garan.

[Travis Willingham]

He squints his eyes like he's prying some long dust covered memory from a history he hasn't reached for in a long time.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Garan Herthart.

[Laura Bailey]

Well, Master Hearthart, we'll be saving your room. You'll be coming with the main caravan.

[Ashley Johnson]

Sit by my side if you like.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Thank you, young stranger. What might I call you?

[Laura Bailey]

Desmond.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Desmond. To the mementory and rebirth of Uthtor.

[Ashley Johnson]

The caravan prepares at.

[Laura Bailey]

And I think.

[Ashley Johnson]

Down here in Brightforge too.

[Laura Bailey]

You see that there is bright shining torches in front of a temple of the Allhammer. Just a beautiful temple underground lit by braziers of bright burning fire.

[Ashley Johnson]

And you can see people walking.

[Laura Bailey]

There's a.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hall of writings of the.

[Laura Bailey]

Early mothers and fathers of the Allhammers faith here in this place. And you see people going and touching various poems and bits of poetry throughout the temple here.

[Travis Willingham]

I think he approaches more interested in.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

The.

[Travis Willingham]

Initially the architecture and taking in the fine dwarven craftsmanship. Old dwarven craftsmanship. Older than than where he's from likely. And then looks to the people making their stops, having their quiet communion in whatever ways they can in these strange times. And then Garan looks at the hammer at his side and looks up to the iconography, the many symbols he's carved for generations of his old days that even he didn't pay too much mind to. And there's an urge, there's a pull to step into the temple proper. But he stops himself.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Whether it's.

[Travis Willingham]

Exhaustion or something else, something keeps him from taking that journey to Faith. And he dusts himself off and nods and goes to return to me as Aaron's abode.

[Laura Bailey]

You walk away from the temple and its congregants its devotees.

[Ashley Johnson]

And as you walk you see that the well loved and adorned texts of ancient dwarven prayers inside are replicated on the outside in tablets much less loved and dustier and muddier. And you see that there's one on a base that has sort of like.

[Laura Bailey]

Rubble and rock and dust on it.

[Ashley Johnson]

And you sort of have this moment of looking at these ones that are much less well cared for and less well loved than the ones inside but these ancient sort of stone tablets. And you see that there is one.

[Laura Bailey]

In particular that is written in this old high dwarven script that is ancient mountain dwarven that you're looking at. And you look at it and realize that on your stone cunning. This slab of stone is from Uthtor. It's been taken all the way from from Uthtor across the sea and laid here at the base of the temple in Vasselheim.

[Travis Willingham]

Stops and inspects it, looks over the runes that are pressed into it.

[Laura Bailey]

Sees.

[Travis Willingham]

That it's through age travel weathered or damaged, the rougher facets of its message were worn. And he takes out his simple tool that he has on him and stops a moment to go ahead and rechisel and leave crisp what its intended message was without a word, nods, carries on.

[Laura Bailey]

As you leave having chiseled away here at this place, you just focusing on the lettering.

[Ashley Johnson]

Give me your perception.

[Laura Bailey]

Check with disadvantage. Disadvantage 13 as you step away you see others who would have passed this stone a hundred hundred times.

[Ashley Johnson]

See it.

[Laura Bailey]

Now cared for, tended to. You see that one? There's a dwarven mother walking with a sort of gaggle of young dwarven children that she's teaching as a small class, reading to those that cannot read themselves. She stopped and says marvelously tinted to touching it there, can any of you read this? And you see that one of the little children raises a hand and she says Doric by all means. The gate is built by heart alone. Though hearts be held by flesh and bone and flesh and bone by earth and stone. The door we make when lock we break will bridge the water's roads to take the stones that stand to staunch the flood. Freedom found by toil and blood by stone betrayed. The seal is made. The hand that holds the heart that prayed the stairs it shaped, the debts it paid. The gate is shaped the keystone laid. And on a 13 you don't see much like a note left in a tall cave. The hallow spell ringing out throughout the temple.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

He kneels down to the door before.

[Travis Willingham]

He takes his leave.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

A trick with Even the strongest stone is in time. Even the rain brings it low. So it's our responsibility.

[Ashley Johnson]

To give it.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

A bit more clarity with each passing year. When my strength lays low like the rock, it's you.

[Travis Willingham]

And he touches his chest with the.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Hammer to pick back up where we left off and make sure others can read as you can.

[Laura Bailey]

A sparkle in the eyes of this young dwarven child who feels a sense of pride at carrying something from a long distant past brightly and restored into a new future.

[Travis Willingham]

Locks his hammer on the side, tosses the boy's hair. Gives a quiet nod to the mother and the other child. And nods.

[Laura Bailey]

He makes sense.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see.

[Laura Bailey]

As you move from this place, we go to Casimir and Mars home. Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

If I may.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I think on the way. Arrow asks if you'd mind making a.

[Matthew Mercer]

Slight detour as we pass the temple of the Platinum Dragon.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hell.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Could we step in here?

[Ashley Johnson]

Of course.

[Laura Bailey]

Just a moment.

[Marisha Ray]

Do you want us to come? Actually, I think she'll tell her parents to wait out and she'll go in with you. If you'll have her, please. Nia tries to lock an arm and walk in with you very quickly.

[Matthew Mercer]

As we walk in, the. The vaulting arch of this place is.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Like meeting your parents has me thinking of my own again.

[Matthew Mercer]

And when our ship landed and we landed at sea, Gate Arrow didn't recognize.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Much because much of Seagate went up in flames and was destroyed in his as the ship and his mother and.

[Matthew Mercer]

Other survivors fled the day his father fell. So there wasn't much he could point at there.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

But here.

[Matthew Mercer]

As you guys, as the two of us stride up the center.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Aisle of this massive place, it's vaulting dream dragon motifs towering over us. I've only been here once, in the city. And here I sat there. Right on.

[Marisha Ray]

Let's go sit again. Check. Pull. Trying to get him back in that seat.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

They sit down together. My mother, Khor, was as fearsome a warrior as you've ever seen. With scales a goal I can hardly begin to describe. They served the dragon. My father was a priest, like the priests here. My youth was filled with language lessons and helping people dispossessed of homes and newly arrived from Ghessar. They tried to keep me raised right in the middle of this chaos that we've all been born into.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

And the life I led seems so antithetical to the one. Well, to the example they set for me.

[Marisha Ray]

You think? So.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What will you do now? Now that we've found your parents and you have a calling. What will you do.

[Marisha Ray]

I'll answer that calling until we decide where we go next. What will you do?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Well, that's just it. I'm not sure. If you thought I was an edge in Torm's Hill, I can't be to tell you how out of place I feel in this city.

[Marisha Ray]

You have had or I've witnessed from you an incredible talent of crafting a place for yourself from the earth. You've built shelters, built bonfires. You've always made a place for yourself if one isn't handed to you. I think she looks around. This place is waiting for you.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

This place. I'm not sure. Part of me feels like I should just leave with Garan. I swore I would get him to his place in this world, and I'm still looking for my own. I don't know. I would very much like to see you well and on your feet. You're well on your way. But I just want to introduce the idea that I may need to move on.

[Marisha Ray]

Okay. We'll move on. I can't. Won't see myself without you. If you leave for a time, that is fine. But you don't have to be alone. If you choose to be, I'll respect it. But you do me no kindness by leaving. You're family to me, Arrow.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I will never be alone. Because you have touched me here. And whether I am with you or no, I carry that change inside.

[Marisha Ray]

I feel like weeks ago somebody said something about change is coming. I guess that person was right.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Interesting.

[Marisha Ray]

Well, whoever it was, it doesn't matter. But I. I will allow this ass.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It's fine.

[Marisha Ray]

She laughs and laughs. And she just puts her head on Arrow's shoulder. Just takes a deep, long breath. Sitting in this seat that he sat in years and years and years ago. Change is beautiful. Growth is beautiful. But stillness, permanence. There's value in that, too.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What a funny little life we mortals lead.

[Laura Bailey]

I think here in the platinum sanctuary. You depart looking at the beautiful symbol here. The closest temple to that peak of the heaven stair. Leaving Silver Talon's reach together. You arrive walking back towards your dwelling place. Garan on the way back from Brightforge. And suddenly discover your path intercepted by crocus now holds.

[Marisha Ray]

Whoa, whoa.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She's hurt.

[Marisha Ray]

To my house. It's near. Quickly. We're near.

[Ashley Johnson]

Rushing into Casimir and Mars house. They. They help you prepare. Quickly moving to act. And Phaedra, you are blanketed. Medicine given. Go ahead and give me a medicine check.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah, I cast.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, you can cast a spell too.

[Marisha Ray]

Cha cha, cha, cha. Cha, cha, cha, cha. I'll give you a healing word.

[Ashley Johnson]

Go ahead and roll D4 and add.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Your wisdom modifier Chamber bear some sort of.

[Travis Willingham]

What's going on?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She's hurt. She was stabbed. By who?

[Marisha Ray]

One of the men that's cocked. Three plus three. You said six. Six. It's one. Oh, it's one D. Sorry, yeah, it's one D. Four plus three.

[Liam O'Brien]

Six.

[Ashley Johnson]

Six. Phetri. You get six points of health back.

[Laura Bailey]

And you awaken from Ryback.

[Liam O'Brien]

Where is he? Where'd he go?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

He got away. Who?

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

One of the nobles at Rybat.

[Ashley Johnson]

Cole, who was visiting, was here.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes.

[Liam O'Brien]

He took my key. He has?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Why were you there?

[Liam O'Brien]

He was. He was a cruel man. I saw him. He hurt his own child with no remorse. And I just. I thought there was something I needed to do to change him, to try and make things right for that little boy.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Your heart was in the right place. I wasn't going to kill his father.

[Liam O'Brien]

I wasn't going to kill him. I was trying.

[Marisha Ray]

What?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Seems like he thought you were.

[Marisha Ray]

I know.

[Liam O'Brien]

Focus.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Where is this man now? I don't know. He. I think he turned invisible and left.

[Sam Riegel]

He's somewhere in the city.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I couldn't find him afterwards. Is that the end of it? I don't. It has a key.

[Marisha Ray]

Can Nia. Is Nia aware of the power that lives within that mirror? Or has she just only seen it at its dormant state?

[Laura Bailey]

Do you grab it?

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah. Yeah. Nia goes to grab it and she. I was gonna say she taps on it. She uses it. Just sort of clears. Wipes it. Wipes it. Wipes it. Takes her the satchel, looses satchel and just rubs over it so she can get a better view. And then holds it up, trying to.

[Laura Bailey]

The mirror goes to an awakened state. Perfect.

[Ashley Johnson]

It glows. You now have access to the Greater.

[Laura Bailey]

Invisibility and the commune spell.

[Marisha Ray]

So I'm going to take that vial of water from the pools earlier, because I need that in order to cast this spell. Going to set the mirror down, pour some of the water on the mirror, and attempt to cast Commune.

[Laura Bailey]

All of you see Catha, silvery white moon of Exandria. And you see that Exandria is not the only world that Katha shines on. Fairy light, dancing gardens. And there, suspended over a pool of water, like liquid glass, your sister, your goddess, turns to you.

[Marisha Ray]

Hey. I have just. I know I can only ask you three questions. My friend was hurt today by a man that we met, that she met at Rival Cole. I want to know, is he Still? Is he still in this city? Is he still in Vasselheim?

[Laura Bailey]

The man, Lord Kallister, is a servant of the Lord of the Hells, and he yet dwells within Vasselheim and will not leave.

[Marisha Ray]

Has he used the key for anything? Has he used the key recently for anything?

[Laura Bailey]

Yes. And he will use it again. She holds up a finger to you. You are my sister. I would answer any question given to me. But the power you wield to reach across realms is vast and great. You may ask me any question you wish, and I will tell you as much as I can. Let your question. She looks to the left, looks to the right. Be as broad as possible. These rules are brand new.

[Marisha Ray]

Receives that. And then I think she looks to Phaedra for a question of, I would assume how we can get him easiest, or how do we stop? How do we stop? But these aren't questions I'm asking just yet. Because I'm assuming it's not just Lyanna that can see this conversation happening between the two of them. Or is it private?

[Ashley Johnson]

It's perfectly private.

[Marisha Ray]

Okay.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I don't know. Maybe. Where is he?

[Marisha Ray]

He's here. He's in the.

[Sam Riegel]

Exactly.

[Marisha Ray]

Where exactly is Lord Kallister? Kallister.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see that?

[Laura Bailey]

She looks sort of digging down. A question that cannot be answered will not count against you. Hidden as he is by one of the only gods whose sway over deception is as mighty as mine.

[Marisha Ray]

Nia takes the mirror. It's night right now.

[Laura Bailey]

Yes.

[Marisha Ray]

I think Nii is trying to press this. She's trying to oppress her mirror even farther out of the Awakened Stake and into the Exalted. And so she attempts to catch the moon in this. What's happening? I guarantee you there is a reason why. But she's trying to get. Because he's invisible. She's trying to get that true sight you see.

[Ashley Johnson]

She looks and says.

[Laura Bailey]

You have done much, sister, already.

[Marisha Ray]

I would like to do more.

[Laura Bailey]

I know you would. It's not as simple as wanting it. She kneels down and looks at you and says, there are gifts that the mirror can give. And they are gifts that you must make from your own belief and inner strength. May I answer a question unasked?

[Marisha Ray]

Yes.

[Laura Bailey]

You see, she says, I've got an answer in mind.

[Marisha Ray]

I would love it if you don't mind.

[Laura Bailey]

She looks at you and says, you must find Kallister within the city. I know not what plans he executes here in the Dawn City for his master, but ever was the Lord of the Hells a capable infiltrator and manipulator of those of true faith. His words always have been like honey. Clerics, now reach across the veil. Already my sister, the Knowing Mistress, has heard from her Farseer. Keeping in mind the lessons you have brought of this new way, many other of my siblings will depart after these final battles are won. There are some few weeks before you where you may search and attempt to to find Lord Kallister. But a time of ultimate clash and conflict is coming, and a time then of fierce decision. We cannot seal the gate until we are all accounted for. I give you this deep and potent secret to share only with those you trust most of all of how it came to be that the gods went missing. More than a century ago, did the gods first wield the secret to make themselves manifest in mortal form? It was for a terrible task. A flying city at the height of mortal might to bring low over the frozen islands of the north. That city was brought low and the gods departed. But not all of the gods who had entered mortal form departed then. In fact, some that had gone to exact this mission never arrived. It was there, in Exandria, during that height of the calamity, that some had already begun the foundations of this Divine Gate. Its argument made most forcefully by the Lawbearer and by the Platinum Dragon. The Lawbearer abstained until the very final moment. And when going, she did not even send herself, but rather an emissary of her coming, made of stone and ice, to bear her will to that malevolent city. The Platinum Dragon stayed aloft in the sky. A third God there was that had begun work on the Divine Gate. The Allhammer had made himself in mortal form to lay the foundations of what would be the Divine Gate, claiming simply that the Gate would. What is made by the gods can be unmade by the gods, is what he said. And that something in mortal hands would serve as foundation to separate the worlds of Divine and Exandria safely and for all good. I laid a concealing on the globe that the gods would never find a God in mortal form. To buy my brother time to do his work, I hid them all. I hid them from myself.

[Ashley Johnson]

I hid them so well that none.

[Laura Bailey]

Could find them in their divine essence. And it was at that exact moment that the Lord of the Hells worked a magic that interlaced with mine. The Lord of the Hells made it so, if you remember, in my childhood, in mortal form, that I did not any holiday turn to you and say, by the way, I'm the Moonweaver yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Which would have been an insane thing to do.

[Laura Bailey]

That was the curse of the Lord of the Hells. The curse that we should forget ourselves if we ever took that form. And when that curse was discovered, the Platinum Dragon charged into the mortal world. Knowing that my magic would prevent him from finding his brother as a God and even at the risk of completely forgetting himself, he charged forward. And those gathered there attempted to stop him and said, you'll lose your mind. You'll lose your knowledge of your divine self. And his response to them was, if we ask faith of them, let us ask it of ourselves. And charged into the mortal world to save his brother. We cannot seal the gate without our lost siblings. And the betrayers search for them terribly with all their might.

[Marisha Ray]

Okay. We have to find gods who do not know themselves to be gods. Thank you. I. Nia rushes back into her house or enter into the home of her parents.

[Ashley Johnson]

You feel the mirror stays in that.

[Laura Bailey]

Awakened but not exalted state.

[Marisha Ray]

Fair. Thank you. I appreciate that. Puts the mirror back in her back. Kisses it.

[Ashley Johnson]

Love you.

[Marisha Ray]

And puts it back in her back. And shares this information with everyone she trusts. Everyone in this room. So shares everything that she has just been told from her sister.

[Ashley Johnson]

Is it your intention to share it just with your companions here or any.

[Marisha Ray]

Of the high clerics in this moment? It is with my companions here. And she could not tell me where exactly this lord is. But he is looking for the same folks we're looking for. He's looking for people who do not know themselves. I don't. We have to find. Essentially we have to find them before the betrayer gods find themselves.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

That doesn't help my immediate problem.

[Marisha Ray]

I. I. You know me. I am the last person to lose hope. He's invisible. I cannot find him. He has something that we need. He will not leave. That is what Lyanna said. So he will be in this city. I can't imagine he will stay invisible forever. But he will not leave. He has the key. I do not know exactly where he is, but he is here.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Crocus. If indeed some of these machinations are at the hand of this Lord of the Hills and is tied to this individual that nearly stole our very friend this night, then there's a good chance that both of these will dovetail anyway. So we need you to focus with us. We have no other path other than this right now. But we'll keep our eyes peeled. Fine. Trust me. We all want to smash this man's head Head in as much as you do.

[Laura Bailey]

Okay.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

All right, don't clench too much.

[Travis Willingham]

It'll start bundling up.

[Laura Bailey]

You all need to search for a servant of the Lord of the Hells who skulks invisibly in the shadows of the City of the Gods. Thousands dwell within this place. Many thousands.

[Marisha Ray]

So if I hit a not 20 on this perception, will you tell me where he is?

[Laura Bailey]

Let's make this wager interesting.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'm going to give you guys one.

[Laura Bailey]

Chance to find this guy before it's too late.

[Travis Willingham]

Lord Bailey, be so proud of you.

[Liam O'Brien]

By the way.

[Laura Bailey]

I'm going to give.

[Ashley Johnson]

You one chance to find this guy.

[Laura Bailey]

Before it's too late.

[Ashley Johnson]

And what I will say is, if.

[Laura Bailey]

You do it carefully, thoroughly, secretly.

[Ashley Johnson]

Taking.

[Laura Bailey]

The time to not tip your hand or let anybody know what you know. For I'll also say that you do not share with the clerics.

[Ashley Johnson]

And as you tell just your friends.

[Laura Bailey]

Alone, you suddenly remember that the Lord of the Hells is a God of deception and not knowing who exactly can be trusted.

[Ashley Johnson]

In a time when clerics have lost access to divine magic, it's possible that.

[Laura Bailey]

Someone could claim to be very faithful and not be.

[Marisha Ray]

That's why I've only told these people.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell, yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Not told any of the clerics. I'll tell them after we find him.

[Sam Riegel]

And your parents?

[Marisha Ray]

Well, my parents. I love my parents. I trust my parents. If my parents fuck me over, then my parents fuck me over.

[Travis Willingham]

Roll initiative.

[Ashley Johnson]

I will allow you all to make either investigation or perception checks. And if you do it thoroughly, taking.

[Laura Bailey]

Your time, I will let you roll with advantage. This will be your one chance.

[Marisha Ray]

I take my time. I light my incense. I drink some of that water. I get real calm and still. I honestly have my parents watch over me because that gives me an extra feeling of protection.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Do we sit and watch the building where you originally encountered them to see if they return? He has a child with him, so.

[Sam Riegel]

Giving a distraction of the child.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

He may be invisible, but the child might not always be.

[Travis Willingham]

Hey, I'll probably go back to Brightforge, a place where I have it's being subterranean. It's an easy place for some folks to think, maybe to hide if they're on their own. I'm just going to gently ask around about another old friend who also was displaced.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

A human and his son that I've come here to hope to reunite with if they have an eye out for him.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

If you want to do a different check than perception, or if you want, I'll let you do perception or insight. If you're talking to people. Let's go through one by one. So arrows posted up outside the building.

[Matthew Mercer]

Watch people enter and exit.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

And if I see anything that feels off, I will follow.

[Ashley Johnson]

Phaedra, what are you up to?

[Liam O'Brien]

Well, before all of this happens, I think as we're all coming out of Nia's family's house, I say. Crocus, wait.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What?

[Liam O'Brien]

I. I have no words to express how sorry I am to you. And I know you don't. There's nothing I can say to make this right. But you are my son. You have always been my son and you always will be. And you're. I'm so sorry that I have been. You're. I've been too much of a fool to say it or to show it or to even know it in my own heart. But if you can find it in you to forgive your mother. And you don't even have to forgive. But I do not want you to suffer because of your mother's foolishness. I don't want you to. I want you to know that you are brilliant and talented and you have such a big heart. And you are everything I could have ever dreamed of in a son and even more. And there's nothing I can do to make up for all the years that I have refused to see that. But I. I love you. And I. And I'm sorry. And Phaedra just wraps her arms around and just starts sobbing in a way that you have never seen her just fully lose control. And I just keep saying. I'm so sorry. I'm so, so, so sorry.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It's okay, boss. Let's find your key. All right.

[Liam O'Brien]

Anyways, I'd like to roll my insight check.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes, Phaedra. So you're talking to people in the town.

[Liam O'Brien]

I think what I am. I would like to think. I would say. I sort of like a you can't bullshit a bullshitter kind of logic. I am thinking, if I were trying to do something fucking shady to stay out of sight, to be able to kind of do bad things with impunity, where would I be going in this town? Where would I be sticking to? I think that is what I'm gonna do.

[Ashley Johnson]

You get into the mindset.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hell, yeah. Crocus.

[Sam Riegel]

I think Crocus has taken to batmaning around Vasselheim.

[Travis Willingham]

You were gonna say it where he's.

[Sam Riegel]

Just on roofs watching and trying to be as. Because he's so big.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I am the knight.

[Sam Riegel]

And he's so visible.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Sam Riegel]

So I think the best way to take his time and to not let on is to not be seen.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

And then what do you do? How are you searching?

[Marisha Ray]

Ooh, fantastic question. I think I am using my newfound station or title or her presence in this town to just be in spaces that normal, truly. Knocking on doors, getting in, looking at the back rooms of taverns and kitchens. She's just going to everywhere that she believes would be a good place to hide. She's had to hide before. She is trying to find hidden places where one would be again.

[Laura Bailey]

Amazing. You guys conduct your search. Go ahead and roll with advantage, all of you. Arrow. What did we get?

[Ashley Johnson]

This is perception or investigation.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, no. That's a 16 total for me.

[Laura Bailey]

1621. 21 from Petra.

[Ashley Johnson]

1919.

[Marisha Ray]

Not great.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Not great.

[Marisha Ray]

I can't even. You said perception or insight.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Insight'S better. It's only a 15.

[Ashley Johnson]

15.

[Travis Willingham]

12.

[Laura Bailey]

12. Phaedra. On a 21, you do not find them right away. Weeks pass knowing that something terrible is afoot. It comes ever closer to the time when that Dwarven caravan will make its way for Uthtor. And I think Karn, even yourself. After all this time of searching and.

[Ashley Johnson]

Asking questions, you wonder if the Moonweaver's words could have been true. Would he really not leave if there's.

[Laura Bailey]

A war happening in Gordranus? Why? Why?

[Ashley Johnson]

Your days are busy, filled with the need of clerics who need to be able to speak to you.

[Laura Bailey]

Over time, others come to you. Suddenly the followers of the Changebringer can't.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hear and the followers of the Dawnfather can't hear. And there's such a great a pull in that direction. Crocus.

[Laura Bailey]

Night by night you go and wonder if this skulking figure can be found.

[Ashley Johnson]

On streets or highways. In Arrow, though you are like stone.

[Laura Bailey]

Ever vigilant and watchful. That door is left cold and abandoned. There's one knight you overhear in a tavern. Someone talking about beautiful ruby right in the center.

[Liam O'Brien]

Definitely get a little bit closer and try and listen.

[Ashley Johnson]

Well, it seemed I was most interested in talking about.

[Laura Bailey]

I said something rather funny about.

[Ashley Johnson]

Looking for near Shadowbrook. Looking for any Chapels of the Moonweaver there.

[Laura Bailey]

And I asked him why he was.

[Ashley Johnson]

Looking for a door.

[Laura Bailey]

And he sort of smiled and took this key with a ruby in the center and said, well, when you have a key, end up looking for doors. Beats me as to why.

[Marisha Ray]

All right.

[Liam O'Brien]

Then. I'm going to quietly leave. And I am going to. Presumably I can find everyone.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes.

[Liam O'Brien]

All right. I think we got him. I heard two people in a Tavern. Talking about this guy, trying to. He had my key. And he is at the Moonweaver Temple by Shadowbrook. Shadowbrook. By Shadowbrook. He's looking for a door specifically.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Question.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Travis Willingham]

In the time that we've been here, in the weeks that we've spent, would we have had the capability of outfitting ourselves with just any sort of basic equipment?

[Ashley Johnson]

Basic equipment across the board?

[Travis Willingham]

I think Garn, in this time has, now that he's amongst others of his kin, has removed that terrible breastplate which still carries the stick of its former owners. Instead outfits himself with a proper suit of Dwarven armor and gets a shield leather straps and straps it to his other arm where it's just a solid fucking armored Dwarven shield on this end that flexes.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I don't buy anything.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Nia, I think she is decked out in the sickest Moonweaver gear she can get her hands on. I think I would love. Cause she has a cute little fit and I don't think she wants to fuck with that. But she has a. Don't laugh at me, Alex. A breastplate of some kind. A gleaming breastplate of the Moonweaver. She has this belt that she's had. I would love if she could have a. She still has her hand crossbow and her two daggers. I would love if she had some sort of sword of the Moonweaver. Breastplate. Sword. Yeah, breastplate sword. I think the crystal that she has.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'll say too. I think that during these weeks, Garan, your hearth's hammer moves to the awakened state. So I think. I think Garan could probably give you.

[Laura Bailey]

A plus one sword of the Moonweaver.

[Marisha Ray]

I would love a plus one sword of the Moonweaver.

[Travis Willingham]

All right, let me go ahead and.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Look at some of these designs here.

[Laura Bailey]

I've got an idea.

[Travis Willingham]

Sketches it up for you. Yeah, sure. You can go ahead and spend a week to enchant you. Us. Did you want a sword?

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah, a sword.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

How's this work for you?

[Ashley Johnson]

Nice and balanced.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Beautiful. Comes to a fine wide point with some tip there.

[Marisha Ray]

Gorgeous.

[Ashley Johnson]

Should be perfectly.

[Marisha Ray]

She's very carefully just feeling it, feeling the weight. Figuring out exactly where she can place her shoulder in her back so that she can move with confidence. And her mirror, I think she has put the. Lucy's symbol of the Moonweaver. She's left it in her parents home. But she has that mirror. She has a sort of. On her belt she has a little holster for. For it. So that the glass can either face inward or outward, depending on how she decides to situate it.

[Laura Bailey]

Gorgeous. Awesome. I have added a weapon and armor to your inventory.

[Marisha Ray]

Thanks, bestie.

[Ashley Johnson]

I love it.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell, yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

Any of you can take any other.

[Laura Bailey]

Basic equipment you would like and. And simple other armor.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes. Simple leather armor. Great.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Nope.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell, yeah.

[Sam Riegel]

It would bring my AC down if I did.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh.

[Marisha Ray]

Okay. Crocus.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes.

[Travis Willingham]

Monks.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Can't put these pythons in a cage. Yeah.

[Sam Riegel]

I think I'm doing pretty good with an AC of 15. I'm fine.

[Laura Bailey]

Okay.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, fierce.

[Laura Bailey]

Okay. Oh.

[Ashley Johnson]

Gotcha.

[Marisha Ray]

Okay.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Gotcha, gotcha, gotcha.

[Liam O'Brien]

You have to know what the leather armor adds to your ac.

[Sam Riegel]

It's.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'll add it to yours right now.

[Liam O'Brien]

Cool.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Just hit equip and it'll do it.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay. But also, my thing is unreliable, so we'll see if I can actually access that.

[Laura Bailey]

Great.

[Marisha Ray]

Does anyone steal those healing nuts from forever ago?

[Sam Riegel]

You still got, like.

[Marisha Ray]

I have two left.

[Sam Riegel]

I haven't used Dedicated. I could have used that. I gave one to someone saving her life.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, my gosh. Yes.

[Travis Willingham]

We had the nuts.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes.

[Sam Riegel]

I'm not carrying any of the nuts. Are you kidding me?

[Marisha Ray]

I'll take it.

[Sam Riegel]

It's okay.

[Ashley Johnson]

As you gather, as Phisher gives you the news that someone has gone towards, specifically what sounded like an empty chapel.

[Laura Bailey]

In Shadowbrook, all of you begin to.

[Ashley Johnson]

Look at each other.

[Laura Bailey]

You become equipped. You've been looking for Kalister for weeks.

[Ashley Johnson]

Now, unable to share the information because you don't know who can be trusted.

[Laura Bailey]

And you don't want anyone to know what you know. Outside of Marsa and Casimir's home. You hear light in the sky. Fireworks.

[Marisha Ray]

Wow. Wow. Wow.

[Liam O'Brien]

The fireworks.

[Ashley Johnson]

You hear a horn flying out of the sky. A copper dragon buzzes Vasselheim and calls out. I bring news from across the sea. Gauntrannus is fallen, flies overhead. And all of you in the depth of skulduggery and chaos, knowing something evil is afoot. Watch as your job becomes that much.

[Laura Bailey]

Harder, as Vasselheim bursts into celebration.

[Marisha Ray]

Do we trust this? I'm asking the table here, do we trust that? Or should we?

[Liam O'Brien]

Is.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I don't know.

[Marisha Ray]

Can I roll to see?

[Matthew Mercer]

There's a dragon flying through the air.

[Marisha Ray]

I don't know if I can even do a perception check on something like that, but can I see if he's being.

[Ashley Johnson]

Insight check.

[Marisha Ray]

Insight check. No insight check.

[Ashley Johnson]

Go. No insight check.

[Marisha Ray]

No, no, no.

[Sam Riegel]

About you, big flying guy.

[Marisha Ray]

I don't know about you, big flying boy.

[Ashley Johnson]

Nothing hard to get a beat on. He's going pretty fast.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah, that's Very fast.

[Ashley Johnson]

Where's the tractor going?

[Liam O'Brien]

Can I do an insight check on the fighter jets that, like, fly things away?

[Sam Riegel]

I don't think that pilot's telling the truth.

[Matthew Mercer]

Rattling as that is very suspect. Arrow will focus on the chapel and the surrounding streets around it.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes.

[Matthew Mercer]

Is anybody. Do I see anybody posted up watching?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Hidden?

[Matthew Mercer]

Anything like that? Or on our approach as we walk up?

[Laura Bailey]

I'll say. Hold on one second.

[Ashley Johnson]

Sorry. Give me that one more time.

[Laura Bailey]

Liam.

[Matthew Mercer]

Is anybody spying around this place that will watch us slink up?

[Ashley Johnson]

You think? You have excellent cover getting out of here. The streets are filling with people as word begins to spread. It looks like this dragon looks exhausted. Landing on the base of the Heaven Stair. The Mountain of the Heaven Stair. Going to the Platinum Sanctuary. You see, the dragon is partially injured. Looks like he flew here straight from Wildemount. People are beginning to celebrate because Gordranis was the stronghold of the Betrayers. And if this is true. If this is true, then the Betrayers.

[Laura Bailey]

Are fallen and Exandria is free. But of course, they don't know what you know, which is that Exandria can't really be safe. Not yet. Because you and someone else in this city are both searching for the way to stop it.

[Ashley Johnson]

I would love you guys. So, you guys, what do you do in this moment, knowing what you know about Shadowbrook?

[Matthew Mercer]

Aren't we rolling up on that chapel at this point? I thought this is kind of where we were.

[Ashley Johnson]

You guys head out and begin to roll. How do you approach?

[Liam O'Brien]

Stealthily.

[Marisha Ray]

Presumably very stealthy.

[Travis Willingham]

How many entrances are there on the outside of it?

[Ashley Johnson]

Shadowbrook as the neighborhood.

[Laura Bailey]

I think you look and see that there are a number of fallen chapels.

[Ashley Johnson]

Go ahead and give me a perception or investigation as you approach here.

[Matthew Mercer]

I can't roll over.

[Travis Willingham]

She is same.

[Liam O'Brien]

Nat 20.

[Ashley Johnson]

Nat 20. Phaedra.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah?

[Laura Bailey]

Some part of you hears a voice down one of the passageways. No, I. I don't want. Don't make me grant that wish. Guys. Guys.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's Mr. Key. I can hear him. He's down that way.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

When we find him, I will make myself noticeable. You all try and sneak up on him.

[Marisha Ray]

Okay?

[Travis Willingham]

Look at my armored dwarven self. I'll do my best.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

He's got a big old sword now. I don't know how.

[Ashley Johnson]

Go ahead and give me a group stealth check.

[Matthew Mercer]

Can I nod to Crocus and part and go up a separate street concurrent?

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes.

[Matthew Mercer]

On my own. To try to converge, but from a different angle.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes, you can.

[Liam O'Brien]

To try to get like Some, like, vantage point.

[Sam Riegel]

Natural 20.

[Ashley Johnson]

Somewhere up high.

[Marisha Ray]

There we go.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hell, yes.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes. There are the rolls, bro.

[Marisha Ray]

Different two natural twos.

[Travis Willingham]

Oh, that's a 22, right? Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Well, that's my lucky number. Shit.

[Ashley Johnson]

20, 19. 19, 22, 22. So that's 19 is median.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, hey.

[Travis Willingham]

Natural nine. Which leads it to a six.

[Ashley Johnson]

I love it. Gulking, skulking through shadows. You hear the voice of Lord Kalister speaking out. As he does so, you hear him.

[Laura Bailey]

Saying, my Lord, celebration has broken out. You hear a voice distantly rumbling. You know what to do. Karlister Nia. You feel yourself sway. There is something foul that some divine sense within you.

[Ashley Johnson]

You feel that suddenly everything is hot.

[Laura Bailey]

Except for the mirror at your side, which is cool like ice and reassuring to the touch. All of you sneaking forward. Phaedra, you're back. You're back in the kitchens. The coals are burning. It's ryebad coal all over again. Exactly where you started. Dark stone. Hot fire. Something nearby is foul and wicked. Crocus on that NAT20 Stealth. You are a shadow moving forward. Do you feel like a monster? Or do you feel like something else?

[Sam Riegel]

I think he's starting to understand that there is a part of that will always be that. And there is a place for that to be used to help people. And he's accepting that that is part of him. And now is an appropriate time to use that.

[Laura Bailey]

You approach the door. I need everybody here to roll Initiative.

[Marisha Ray]

Yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

Tonight is.

[Laura Bailey]

I am focused.

[Ashley Johnson]

I am focus.

[Marisha Ray]

Initially, was add decks, right?

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

Gorgeous.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, cool. Hell, hold on one second. Let me grab some minis off of this little pizza box. Hold on one second.

[Marisha Ray]

Nobody look.

[Ashley Johnson]

Nobody look.

[Matthew Mercer]

Mushroom.

[Ashley Johnson]

Mushroom. Pepperoni.

[Liam O'Brien]

Peppers. Mushroom. Olives.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell, yes. Okay, here we go.

[Marisha Ray]

Little cilantro, little red onion.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

Careful.

[Sam Riegel]

We landed the plane.

[Travis Willingham]

We're fine.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see peeking through this doorway right here, statue of the Moonweaver.

[Liam O'Brien]

Hey, sis.

[Marisha Ray]

Hey, sis.

[Liam O'Brien]

Hey.

[Ashley Johnson]

And within.

[Laura Bailey]

Da, da, da.

[Ashley Johnson]

No longer invisible. Kalister.

[Laura Bailey]

His son.

[Travis Willingham]

The boy. The little boy.

[Liam O'Brien]

Watch out.

[Marisha Ray]

Alone.

[Ashley Johnson]

The key in his hand. And I will need. What I will need now is.

[Laura Bailey]

All of you to tell me what you rolled for your initiative.

[Ashley Johnson]

What do we get here?

[Matthew Mercer]

Nine for me.

[Laura Bailey]

Nine for Arrow.

[Ashley Johnson]

What do we get here?

[Liam O'Brien]

Eight.

[Ashley Johnson]

Eight for Phaedra. What did we get here?

[Sam Riegel]

Eighteen.

[Laura Bailey]

Eighteen for Crocus.

[Ashley Johnson]

What did we get? What do we got right here?

[Marisha Ray]

11.

[Ashley Johnson]

11. What do we got here?

[Travis Willingham]

Negative one.

[Ashley Johnson]

Let's go.

[Sam Riegel]

I start.

[Ashley Johnson]

We have a plan. What happened?

[Liam O'Brien]

The plan.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, damn, damn, damn. Hell, I didn't even know that's possible.

[Travis Willingham]

With a negative 3 dex it is.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, well, that'll do it, won't it? That'll do it, won't it?

[Ashley Johnson]

Hell yes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It used to be.

[Ashley Johnson]

You all arrive with a median stealth of 19. So all of you are clustered and unseen right around the doorway here.

[Laura Bailey]

Where are your minis right now? Ooh, they would be.

[Marisha Ray]

I ate mine.

[Matthew Mercer]

Thank you.

[Marisha Ray]

Ate mine. I went om nom, nom, nom, nom.

[Ashley Johnson]

Clustered at the doorway, by the way. I should say darkness everywhere except for right around the base here.

[Marisha Ray]

Question about invisibility.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes.

[Sam Riegel]

Can you see it?

[Marisha Ray]

No, you can't?

[Laura Bailey]

Is it real?

[Marisha Ray]

I can only like if I. Cause old boy went invisible and his son was invisible as well. I can't imagine. His son also has invisibility. If I cast it and I'm touching someone, do they also get invisibility or. Or is it just me?

[Ashley Johnson]

Until I let them go, his son was basically being treated as. Was unconscious and being treated as an object.

[Marisha Ray]

Got it.

[Ashley Johnson]

So you cannot pass it off to someone else.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay, everybody hold hands while we're invisible.

[Travis Willingham]

If only.

[Marisha Ray]

They just knock each other out.

[Ashley Johnson]

So we are going to move through. You guys technically have a surprise round. Having beat the sort of initiative here. So Crocus, you are going to be.

[Laura Bailey]

First to act.

[Sam Riegel]

Before I do anything. Are we just going or do we want to talk? I'm just asking the group. I know what I have the instinct.

[Marisha Ray]

To do, but I think we should just go.

[Matthew Mercer]

We would have talked us out on the way.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, I heard the Lord of Hells. I mean, yeah, we know time is running out. We know that there's a ticking clock. I don't think there's. I tried. Listen, I tried having a conversation with this guy and it didn't go well. So I think we just got. I think we gotta kill him.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Do. Are we leaving him alive?

[Matthew Mercer]

The father or the son?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I mean, I know the father, the son. I assumed we weren't killing.

[Marisha Ray]

I can't imagine there is. We saw what happened when we tried to leave him alive the first time. I think.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, the timing for that has passed.

[Marisha Ray]

I think we should knock him out before he opens a gate of some kind. And then it becomes. It's us versus him and all his little friends.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay.

[Sam Riegel]

Crocus steps in the door, uses his action to activate the belt.

[Laura Bailey]

Yes.

[Sam Riegel]

Just all this lightning electricity starts wreathing the door frame as. As he's going through.

[Laura Bailey]

Yes.

[Sam Riegel]

Gets in the room and says.

[Laura Bailey]

I.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Couldn'T get the taste of your Blood out of my mouth. I needed to find you again.

[Sam Riegel]

And runs across the room and does the same thing. Spins him around and just bonus action. Lightning bolt.

[Ashley Johnson]

Incredible. Your storm girdle immediately moves to the exalted state.

[Sam Riegel]

In doing that, he doesn't run. He flies straight at him. Because now I have a fly speed of 30.

[Ashley Johnson]

Incredible.

[Liam O'Brien]

And goes.

[Sam Riegel]

Shoots across the room and slams into the guy like a lightning bolt.

[Ashley Johnson]

He, without needing to even see your attack roll casts shield. I don't like this.

[Sam Riegel]

So that is. He has to make a dex save of 15.

[Ashley Johnson]

He succeeds on the dex hit. Okay.

[Sam Riegel]

But then still take half damage from that is half of 18.

[Ashley Johnson]

He takes nine points of damage as lightning strikes him, slamming him against the altar.

[Sam Riegel]

Right up against him.

[Ashley Johnson]

And you see he is holding the key in his hand.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

That belongs to us.

[Ashley Johnson]

Incredible. Any bonus actions from you?

[Sam Riegel]

That was a bonus action because I have to activate the belt as an action.

[Ashley Johnson]

Gotcha. Cool, cool, cool. Boom. Bonus action. You fly into the room. Crocus, that is your turn. Nia, that's you.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, snap. Okay, Nia is going to. I guess she's going to.

[Liam O'Brien]

Cause she has.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, gosh. So many things that Nia can do. She's gonna get up in. Get up in the. Get in there. She's gonna try and hide behind here. I got it. Hide behind this pillar here. And try and position her crossbow. Her hand crossbow. To shoot. To shoot the hand that has the key in it. Cool. So that he doesn't do anything next.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hell yeah. I'll say go ahead and give me the attack with. You can give me the attack straight if it won't do any damage and just knocks the key out of his hand. Or you can roll with disadvantage and do damage and knock the key out.

[Marisha Ray]

That's to tell an interesting story. I'll try and do damage.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay, Here we go.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah, why not? Ha. Natural one. Gorgeous. Stunning.

[Ashley Johnson]

Gorgeous.

[Marisha Ray]

That's what happens when you do that. Interesting story. That's an interesting story.

[Ashley Johnson]

Bolt goes out. You fire the bolt.

[Marisha Ray]

There's a 1 and a 17. I should have just selected. Roll straight.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yep.

[Marisha Ray]

We're trying to be straight.

[Ashley Johnson]

Ah, brutal. That is going to be arrow. Your turn.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh, jeez.

[Matthew Mercer]

We're there already. So I'll charge in because it's going down.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

I'm gonna do a pivot around, like, spin as I walk to see if there's anyone in the corners that I don't see coming in.

[Ashley Johnson]

How far is your darkvision?

[Matthew Mercer]

That's a great question. I think it's.

[Liam O'Brien]

I Don't like that. You asked that.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, don't like that.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's 60ft.

[Ashley Johnson]

Well, then you see the devil right behind the devil.

[Marisha Ray]

Sharp turn from Brennan here.

[Ashley Johnson]

You've already published the works. We can't change the.

[Marisha Ray]

Published the works.

[Ashley Johnson]

No works. Goodbye. You see that? You see perch on this boulder in darkness and imp I also have defeated. And you see a horned cloaked figure in the darkness over here. All within sight of your darkvision. You are surrounded.

[Matthew Mercer]

Right. Okay. So I was heading to back up crocus, but spinning and seeing an enemy just past Nya. I course correct immediately and move on an angle this way past Hell yeah. To gain focus from that opponent there.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

And I will scimitar flashes out right from my belt and will attempt to jam into his ribs.

[Ashley Johnson]

Charging forward.

[Travis Willingham]

I did spend an entire week making.

[Ashley Johnson]

Charging forward in darkness can be decorative. The shield in your hand, your mother's shield moves into an exalted state.

[Laura Bailey]

Where am I then?

[Matthew Mercer]

So the shield is shining. The dragon emblazoned on the front of it glows with a light of its own. And I will use a bonus action as I lash out with the scimitar. The shield goes up in front of Nia. And as a bonus action, I will Grant her A3 to her AC until the start of my next turn. Or until you leave my side.

[Marisha Ray]

Thanks, Diva.

[Matthew Mercer]

And that is a 17 to hit.

[Ashley Johnson]

17 hits.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay.

[Sam Riegel]

Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.

[Marisha Ray]

What? What's happening?

[Liam O'Brien]

What?

[Marisha Ray]

What? What'd I miss? Hold on. Oh, don't do that.

[Matthew Mercer]

Not a strong hit. That is just a three total.

[Ashley Johnson]

Three damage. Bam. Scimitar slashes out. You deal three points of damage.

[Matthew Mercer]

And hold my ground.

[Ashley Johnson]

You hold your ground standing there. That is Arrow's turn. Phaedra, that's you.

[Liam O'Brien]

All right. Is Lord Kalister currently, like, grappling?

[Sam Riegel]

We're within five.

[Liam O'Brien]

Not grabbing.

[Ashley Johnson]

We're within five feet up against each other.

[Sam Riegel]

Like we're fighting.

[Ashley Johnson]

But you see, he's holding the key in his hand.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm gonna just stay at the doorway. Using the doorway half as cover. And I'm busting out the condemner, baby. And I fire it at him.

[Ashley Johnson]

As you pull this crossbow out, what.

[Laura Bailey]

Are you feeling in this moment?

[Liam O'Brien]

I am feeling that I am not going to let this fucker touch my son.

[Ashley Johnson]

You hold it aloft.

[Laura Bailey]

That's your son. The condemner moves into an exalted state.

[Ashley Johnson]

Go ahead and take your attack.

[Liam O'Brien]

Exalted. Well then. Well then.

[Ashley Johnson]

A bunch of first level characters with exalted vestiges is sort of What I'm interested in.

[Liam O'Brien]

Wow. I rolled it really bad.

[Ashley Johnson]

Like Bilbo with the one ring, you know? That's what I want to see. Oh. Remember, you're attacking from darkness, though.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

So you have advantage.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

He's. He's wreathed in light. You are not.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay, wait. This is breaking my brain. So the increase to attack and damage rolls is plus three.

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

Instead of plus one, which means that I get a plus. Oh, my God. Five plus three, plus eight to attack.

[Ashley Johnson]

Plus eight to attack. Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

Then I got an eight to 18.

[Ashley Johnson]

18, exactly.

[Laura Bailey]

Hits. Yes.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay. Okay. So then I roll one D 10, right? That is a five, and then plus three and then plus. Oh, actually, no. Instead of doing that. Instead of doing that, I'm going to cast hold person.

[Ashley Johnson]

Going to cast hold person. Hell, yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay, which is a save DC15.

[Ashley Johnson]

Save DC15.

[Travis Willingham]

Wisdom, right?

[Liam O'Brien]

Is it?

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes, I believe so. Yes.

[Marisha Ray]

Choose my prepared spell.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay, I'm doing it right now.

[Laura Bailey]

Cool.

[Ashley Johnson]

Our dear Lord Kalister. What's the difficulty on that?

[Laura Bailey]

Does it say 15?

[Ashley Johnson]

15? Our jailer callister has to roll 15 or higher.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay. Okay.

[Marisha Ray]

Do it. You won't. You won't.

[Sam Riegel]

You remember when you were cocky, brutal.

[Marisha Ray]

I gotta shut up. I gotta shut the up.

[Ashley Johnson]

You cast all persons. Wait, wait, wait.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay. If I get too exalted, it's exalted, Right? So then it says the save DC for the weapon. Told person increases to 17.

[Ashley Johnson]

What are you doing?

[Marisha Ray]

I was looking at the other one.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's 15. It's 15 if it's awakened.

[Travis Willingham]

Yeah. 17. DC versus 17.

[Liam O'Brien]

Unbelievable.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

So, Phaedra, you hold him in sight of the condemner. You hold me. You hold him inside of the condemnor. He looking at Krokus, wheels around, sees.

[Liam O'Brien]

Your eyes, and I say, stop fidgeting.

[Ashley Johnson]

So good. He freezes as he says that. You see that? He screams from within a paralyzed throat, and you can tell is maddened, feeling illusory.

[Laura Bailey]

The feet of thousands of roaches traveling.

[Ashley Johnson]

Over his skin as he is frozen there. You have your movement left. He is frozen and cannot. The key is in a hand. You could absolutely snatch it out of his hand if you wanted to.

[Liam O'Brien]

I don't know if I could make it over there, because if I'm at the doorway, I have a movement of 35. Can I make it over there and grab the key?

[Ashley Johnson]

You're in the doorway. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 35, 35.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

Then I do that.

[Ashley Johnson]

You rush up, snatch the key out of his hand, and the key immediately back in your Possession goes. Oh, God.

[Liam O'Brien]

Mr. Key.

[Ashley Johnson]

Thank you so much. Thank you so much. He was bad. I know. I know. Da, da, da.

[Sam Riegel]

Better relationship with a key.

[Marisha Ray]

Damn.

[Ashley Johnson]

Damn. That is Phaedra's turn. The little, sad, little rust sort of boy looks up at you. The bandaged hand. He looks up at you in the soft light of the Moonweaver's glow and just goes.

[Laura Bailey]

Servant.

[Liam O'Brien]

Hi again.

[Laura Bailey]

Hi.

[Liam O'Brien]

Listen, I don't think I can make this right for you, but I'm gonna try my best. Okay?

[Laura Bailey]

Okay. I wouldn't help me if I was you.

[Liam O'Brien]

But I will.

[Ashley Johnson]

And that is going to be. You want to share with me? That's gonna be Garan's turn.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh. Okay.

[Travis Willingham]

I don't have a reason to yet.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay.

[Travis Willingham]

Matt's different from Gaaran.

[Ashley Johnson]

I said.

[Marisha Ray]

Something you wanna say?

[Sam Riegel]

Punctuation is important.

[Travis Willingham]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Garan, that is your turn. I get a turn.

[Laura Bailey]

Your turn.

[Travis Willingham]

I didn't know if I was too fond of initiative to ever go.

[Ashley Johnson]

Reminder, this is the surprise round. So you guys are. It's bad out here.

[Travis Willingham]

So Garan's gonna go ahead and enter the chamber. Oh, my God. About that far.

[Ashley Johnson]

And then follow him.

[Travis Willingham]

No, he's gonna fall in the room.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Travis Willingham]

You know, make a loud noise. He goes. He. Given the circumstances, as they are.

[Marisha Ray]

With.

[Travis Willingham]

His dark vision, I would ask, does he also see the worst around him, or is he.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah. Darkvision, you can immediately see that you're surrounded.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay.

[Travis Willingham]

Then you're focused on that guy, seeing the devil on that side. And he doesn't quite have the full power to get into the fray. He's going to go ahead and charge forward to this pillar.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Travis Willingham]

And be like, you know, I have a lot more practice breaking stone than people. And he's going to go ahead and, with the. With the hearth's hammer in his hand, try and strike the base of the pillar at the proper angle on the opposite side to see if I can cause it to fall onto the distant delta.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay. Your hammer moves into an exalted state. So the issue here is these pillars have a hardness of 10 and then also have. Let me just. I believe I have 25 hit points each. Okay. So if you can't do more than 10 damage, you do no damage at all.

[Travis Willingham]

Great. In the Awakened State, I ignore hardness with the hammer and then deal double damage against objects and structures, as well as an additional 2d4, 2d6 force damage when attacking objects or structures. So this is what I'm good at.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Breaking fucking stone.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay. Go ahead, make your attack. Roll its armor class is 8 natural.

[Travis Willingham]

20.

[Ashley Johnson]

Like I said. Yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

Tell the story.

[Ashley Johnson]

Unbelievable. So, Matt, on that 20, that's a critical hit. So that's gonna be the normal hammer damage. It's plus 3, plus your strength modifier. It is also double the normal one D8, and it's 3 D6 doubled. So that's 2 D8, plus 6 D6, plus 3, plus your strength modifier.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Correct.

[Marisha Ray]

Wait, don't you.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, well, you're.

[Marisha Ray]

You're not exalted. You're. Wait, you're not exalted.

[Ashley Johnson]

No, no, you're exalted. You're exalted. Oh, okay. Amazing.

[Matthew Mercer]

But not level one.

[Ashley Johnson]

Not level one in NPC stat block.

[Travis Willingham]

Still not a great roll in some cases, but Bohem. We'll get there. We'll get there. That's 8, 13, 23, 27, plus 7. That's going to be 34 points of damage. Doubled because it's a structure. Yeah, yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Quadruple. I don't know if this has ever been said before about a piece of terrain. Matt, how do you want to do this?

[Travis Willingham]

So I think he jumps in, sees it, eyes. It looks down at the base of the hammer and is like, you know.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

For being as old as the city is kind of surely craftsmanship is going.

[Travis Willingham]

To swing back and crack it at the base with all the might that he has in his arm. As it hits it, the. The symbol of the all hammer on the side of it emblazons. And it's almost like the hammer hits once and then some other force pushes it a second time from behind. And as it does, the force energy cracks out from that edge as it begins to fall and dislodges perfectly where it takes the entirety of the pillar down in the intended motion without taking.

[Ashley Johnson]

A section of the ceiling with its crack. All of you, witness a feat of strength that you've never seen before.

[Marisha Ray]

Witness old man. Old man.

[Ashley Johnson]

Strength. Bow this pillar. No roll necessary. Crushes and destroys this devil immediately. This hallowed stone, absolutely bypassing any protections it has against mundane stone crushed. I have protection from stone. And I'll say on a nat20, this dude also gets partially covered over here and is just boom. As the stone falls. Garan. Incredible turn. That's my turn.

[Travis Willingham]

It takes me a minute to get.

[Marisha Ray]

There, but you got there.

[Ashley Johnson]

Believable. You see, as you do that, you sunder that pillar.

[Laura Bailey]

Boom.

[Ashley Johnson]

Through gritted teeth, the paralyzed Lord Kalister's eyes dart to you and calls up and says, the dwarf. Kill the dwarf. And leaping from the top of this and Imp. It's going to fly across the room right to Garan, and he's going to attack you.

[Laura Bailey]

Here we go.

[Ashley Johnson]

What is your armor class?

[Travis Willingham]

14.

[Ashley Johnson]

He misses. Yes. The. You see this devil right right here? Barks out a command. Gleaming in red light. Another devil appears. Another devil appears. Oh, boy. Preparing to surge forward. They are going to take. They are going to take running starts. We'll go with this one first. This one is going to attack. Nia, what is your armor class currently?

[Marisha Ray]

19.

[Ashley Johnson]

19. That is a miss. 19, you said so. Normally it would be 16.

[Marisha Ray]

Normally it's 14, but I get plus.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, sorry. The mirror becomes exalted in this moment.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, then I get. Then actually my AC is 20.

[Ashley Johnson]

AC is 20.

[Marisha Ray]

Because I have 14. And then you got plus three for me right now.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Plus. Yeah, plus three.

[Sam Riegel]

Plus three.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah. Six. Yeah. So it's 20.

[Liam O'Brien]

20.

[Ashley Johnson]

So this one just rolled an 18. So you see, comes from you. And you see the mirror shines, winces back and is flopped out of the way from Arrow's shield Kang. And is ineffective. These ones are going to rush across as fast as possible, Both heeding Kallister's command and rushing for the dwarf armor class.

[Travis Willingham]

Oh, 14.

[Ashley Johnson]

That's a miss.

[Laura Bailey]

God, I'm rolling like trash.

[Ashley Johnson]

That's a hit.

[Travis Willingham]

I may have one out of the four. I was like, something in there has to hit me. Stop trying to hit me and hit me.

[Liam O'Brien]

I said, you know what?

[Marisha Ray]

Let the man roll.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'm need a constitution. Saving throw.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah.

[Travis Willingham]

Is it this for poison?

[Ashley Johnson]

No, this is a bleeding wound.

[Travis Willingham]

Oh, yeah. Okay, that's bad. That's going to be. Wait, no, I misheard that. Use the Dwarven dice. That's going to be a 21.

[Ashley Johnson]

Actually, you do not receive a bleeding wound, but you do take six points of damage charging forward. Hold person. Does that give him. That gives him another saving throw at the end of his next turn, Right?

[Liam O'Brien]

It does not save, but sure, I believe so. I believe so. To look up the hold person.

[Ashley Johnson]

End.

[Matthew Mercer]

Of each of its turns, the Tarkin can make another wisdom saving throw.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay.

[Laura Bailey]

Yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

So he misses his turn, he'll make another wisdom saving throw. He's got a roll 17 or higher on the die.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes.

[Laura Bailey]

Good grief.

[Ashley Johnson]

Do it in front of the board.

[Marisha Ray]

Keep me honest.

[Ashley Johnson]

That's a four. Kallister does not make it. Still frozen there. Clutch. Absolutely clutch. These vestiges coming in handy. Liana's long life of mortal work paying. Thanks, sis. After Kalister's turn, Crocus. That's going to be you.

[Sam Riegel]

Crocus right up against the Lord, seeing him tense and still able to give commands even though he's held, says, I.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Think you need to stop talking.

[Sam Riegel]

And is going to take one hand and grab the bottom jaw just like putting your fingers in his mouth as a strike. So making an attack roll to jam his hand in his mouth.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Sam Riegel]

That'S an 18 plus 8. So I think that hits. And then that's going to be 1D6. That's nine points of damage.

[Ashley Johnson]

Nine points of damage.

[Sam Riegel]

Lightning damage.

[Ashley Johnson]

Nine points of lightning.

[Sam Riegel]

Everything's read than lightning.

[Ashley Johnson]

Gotcha.

[Sam Riegel]

And then grabs and. And right into the mouth. Shoots a bolt of lightning into his mouth.

[Ashley Johnson]

That's a Dex save, right? DC15 and he's held. So disadvantage, he rolls a NAT one. Okay, so that's.

[Sam Riegel]

That's 10, 13, 10, 11, 12. 13 points of lightning damage.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hell yeah. Uh, Crocus, how do you want to do this?

[Sam Riegel]

So as he jams the fingers in his mouth and he pulls. He grabs the top and he pulls open his mouth, looks him in the.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Eye and goes, never touch my mother again.

[Sam Riegel]

And just splits him directly in half. Down with a lightning bolt and pulls both sides apart.

[Laura Bailey]

Then four got to him.

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah.

[Laura Bailey]

Lord Callister is no more.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

Problem solved, you guys.

[Travis Willingham]

Problem solved.

[Sam Riegel]

And then just like one lizard eye flicks at the kid and looks at him and just goes, don't move.

[Ashley Johnson]

As you say, don't move. Crocus, that is your turn.

[Laura Bailey]

Nia.

[Ashley Johnson]

That is you.

[Sam Riegel]

Oh, sorry. I do have movement still.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes, yes.

[Sam Riegel]

When you move, I fly straight up in the air and hover and look around, finding where I need to go. It says I can hover.

[Ashley Johnson]

It looks like Garan is beset on all sides by devils at the moment. But Nia also is being.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, thank you, Elia.

[Ashley Johnson]

But you see that Nia is also in the corner with Arrow, fighting this devil off there.

[Travis Willingham]

Garan, who's being attacked, just goes, what the fuck?

[Sam Riegel]

I'm just having a weird storm moment. Just lightning everywhere.

[Travis Willingham]

Do you know what happens to a devil in the rain?

[Sam Riegel]

Same thing that happens to every other devil.

[Laura Bailey]

Or writing.

[Marisha Ray]

There's a devil behind me.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes.

[Marisha Ray]

Actually, no. First things first. I am going to cast guidance on Arrow.

[Ashley Johnson]

Cool.

[Marisha Ray]

And that is one action. I think that's my. I don't.

[Ashley Johnson]

That's your action?

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

There's my bonus. Bonus actions.

[Ashley Johnson]

Bonus action. Healing word.

[Laura Bailey]

Bonus action.

[Ashley Johnson]

But I don't know. Who's injured?

[Marisha Ray]

No one.

[Ashley Johnson]

Garn's injured.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, then I'll cast healing word on My friend Garan.

[Travis Willingham]

I will take it.

[Ashley Johnson]

1D4 + your modifier and my modifier.

[Marisha Ray]

Where are you? Spell casting modifier. Oh, that's three.

[Ashley Johnson]

No.

[Sam Riegel]

Oh, modifier.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah. My attack is five. My modifier is three. I'm not gonna keep that.

[Liam O'Brien]

Six.

[Travis Willingham]

That's exactly what I was down.

[Marisha Ray]

Yay.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Ooh, Sweetney. Thank you.

[Liam O'Brien]

Of course.

[Marisha Ray]

And that's. I think I'll. Can I move at all? Or is that everything I can do? Because I still have movement.

[Ashley Johnson]

You have movement? Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Cool. I am going to get the. I don't want to leave. I'll keep within reaching distance of Arrow just in case things go south. But I want to get. Actually, would it be helpful to sort of flank him for any.

[Liam O'Brien]

Fighting?

[Ashley Johnson]

You could flank that devil.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah, I'm gonna flank him.

[Ashley Johnson]

And that way he won't get an attack opportunity on you.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah, I'll flank him.

[Ashley Johnson]

Great. So you have your sword mirror at your side. You're armored, you're ready. You get into position. Healing word, guidance on arrow. And that immediately moves into arrow's turn.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay. Yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

I feel a surge of the moonweaver through my friend touching my shoulder. And the scimitar spins once in my hand. And the devil looks over her shoulder at Nia. So I take that as a chance to. That is a 17 stuff. So it hits. 17 plus 3 is 20.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hell, yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, no. First, I've bonus action. His eyes glint gold.

[Laura Bailey]

Hunter's mark.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hunter's mark. Yes. So that is four plus one is five. And the hunter's mark total of 11 points of damage this time.

[Ashley Johnson]

Sword slashes across shield up with your Hunter's mark on this devil right there, who snarls out and looks at you as Kalister dies. You see his eyes dart over your shoulder to Garan.

[Laura Bailey]

And you see that something ripples in his eyes like a deep red light. We end it here forever.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We certainly do.

[Ashley Johnson]

He's got your Hunter's mark on him and. Da, da, da. And we're going to move from arrow. Phaedra, that is your turn.

[Liam O'Brien]

All right, I am going to pull out Mr. Qi, and I am going to say, Mr. Qi, this is Phaedra. I formally request invisibility, please. And I am using the Awakened so to turn invisible.

[Ashley Johnson]

Incredible. The Key goes to its exalted state and looks at you. And immediately, for free. So as an action, you make yourself invisible.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

We will go ahead and make you invisible here. But you also, I think, see that the key goes. Looks at you and goes, Please, please, please hide, Ms. Phaedra. And then looks and says, look, the bad man, he can't explain it. He just got ripped in half by your son. Is that your son? Yes. And he goes, the boy. The little boy. We gotta get him through the door, the main door.

[Liam O'Brien]

Why?

[Ashley Johnson]

That's the only thing that's gonna send these devils home.

[Liam O'Brien]

Can I insight check the key?

[Ashley Johnson]

Give me an insight check with advantage.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay.

[Matthew Mercer]

This key is fully anthropomorphic in my mind.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

Smile.

[Travis Willingham]

It's like Mr. DNA.

[Ashley Johnson]

Nat 20.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah. Advantage.

[Sam Riegel]

Right?

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Advantage.

[Liam O'Brien]

Not twice. Yeah.

[Laura Bailey]

Why don't you just do what you're fucking told?

[Ashley Johnson]

Key.

[Liam O'Brien]

I fucking trusted you.

[Laura Bailey]

Why don't you make your third wish? The door blasts open.

[Sam Riegel]

Oh, shit.

[Laura Bailey]

And standing behind it, you behold imprisoned in his room realm, the Lord of the Hells.

[Sam Riegel]

Oh, shit.

[Ashley Johnson]

Are you fucking kidding me? I would say that you're all first level, but actually one of you is still challenge rating one eight. Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

God.

[Matthew Mercer]

Are you fucking kidding me?

[Sam Riegel]

Crocus just spins around in the air and looks behind him.

[Ashley Johnson]

Just fuck. You see, he looks out the. All of you see that door? Boom. Behind this, however, Nia, you see the Moonweaver's statue seals this back area. This whole space becomes a liminal fire space. It's like a threshold between realms. Past the statue of the Moonweaver, that temple is within the boundaries of the nine Hells. But she, that statue alone in her temple with her cleric here is holding it at bay. And you sense that the Lord of the Hells can neither pass past it, nor send magic past it, nor do anything like that. But the Lord of the Hells witnesses you on a Nat20. Fucking insight. Unbelievable. Oh my God. You see, that key sucks, Mr. Ki so bad. Mr. Qi's bad.

[Matthew Mercer]

So we've got like dimensional bleed overlap.

[Ashley Johnson]

Dimensional bleed overlap happening in the back of the temple.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh my God.

[Ashley Johnson]

As it is happening, you see, by the way, the Lord of the Hells, a vision of horror, unending horror, pain, torment, but also bleeding from so many in the. The Lord of the Hells is freshly.

[Laura Bailey]

Banished to his realm.

[Ashley Johnson]

Though it may not be something that your characters would know, the wounds he bears marks that the final battle of.

[Laura Bailey]

The calamity has just been lost by this horned God.

[Ashley Johnson]

He reaches out to you, Fedra, going, come on, you little bug.

[Laura Bailey]

Don't you want to be somebody? Don't you want to make your third wish? I'll give you everything. You want your mommy and your daddy back? You want to be the big kitchen boss? A little throat slitting, murdering fuck like you? You're going to be by my side. Sooner or later this little sunlit world is going to spit you out. There's no home for you in a world that's not burning.

[Liam O'Brien]

I don't care. I have been abandoned. I have been treated with cruelty. I almost died. And I made it through. And we made it through. Cause we make our own change.

[Laura Bailey]

Then you'll die here with the rest boy to me.

[Ashley Johnson]

And puts up his hand. And as you will take your turn. But you can tell that he is going to legendary action at the end of your turn. And the little boy in front of you, the child of Lord Kallister looks to you and says.

[Laura Bailey]

They made me. I don't have a soul. I'm just supposed to be home for something greater. And he begins to lift off the.

[Ashley Johnson]

Ground as the Lord of the Hells is summoning tomb. Matt's no. Something a little eeshy about a boy that doesn't react when he gets stabbed in the hand.

[Marisha Ray]

I want what I need to know what I don't know right now.

[Ashley Johnson]

Thedra, it is your turn before that legendary action unfolds.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh my God. Oh my God is. Well, I already took my action though, because turning invisible was my action.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes, turning invisible is your action.

[Liam O'Brien]

So I think all I can.

[Ashley Johnson]

You have. You have movement and a bonus action.

[Liam O'Brien]

And a bonus action is he is the Lord of the Hells through the doorway to hell, or is he still. He's still on the hell side of.

[Laura Bailey]

The door, much less like when centuries ago, a door was opened for him by Vespin Chloras. You sense that he is merely at the threshold.

[Ashley Johnson]

Your NAT20 insight did not open the door.

[Laura Bailey]

What it did was undo the illusion.

[Ashley Johnson]

And in all the ages of Exandria, what few mortals can claim to have undone a lie of the Father of Lies, Phaedra Marrow is at the very.

[Laura Bailey]

Top of that list.

[Ashley Johnson]

So he is not through the door. Rather, the door, to put it bluntly.

[Laura Bailey]

Has been made clear and truthful by you.

[Ashley Johnson]

Your insight through the key. The ruby light comes out from the center of the key, this cursed artifact. And you are looking at the Lord of the Hells who needs either your permission as the holder of the key.

[Laura Bailey]

Or needs the boy to come through.

[Ashley Johnson]

You sense that he is trying to escape the fate that has just been.

[Laura Bailey]

Wrought by the prime deities in the continent of Wildemount.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay, I'm trying to figure this out because it says as a bonus action. Okay, so in the Exalted State, the key opens a magical doorway, right?

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

Am I Capable. Am I like, can I tell if that is how this current doorway that I'm looking at to hell was created? Was with the key.

[Ashley Johnson]

It looks like. It looks like this door was being created with the key.

[Liam O'Brien]

Which means that the opening lasts until the key is passed through to the other side of. At which point it disappears, Right?

[Laura Bailey]

Yes.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes.

[Sam Riegel]

Don't give him the key.

[Liam O'Brien]

I know, but I'm trying to. How else am I gonna fucking close the thing?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Getting the kid.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, getting the kid. Okay.

[Marisha Ray]

Or just keeping the kid from the door.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay.

[Marisha Ray]

Cause if he can't, he can't pass through unless he has a key. Either the Mr. Key or that baby boy key.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay. And in that case, I'm just gonna. Okay, forget all that. All of that. I just need to take my movement, I think, and I'm gonna just try and get cover.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hell, yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

Probably off to this side, like, underneath that, like, little thing. Fuck. That's kind of all I can do. You can grab the boy at this point. Should I grab the boy?

[Marisha Ray]

Cause he's right now. Maybe could make sure he doesn't float.

[Sam Riegel]

Over, grab his hand and, like, try and hold onto him.

[Liam O'Brien]

Can I try to do that? Is he. Because he's, like, floating in the air, right? Oh, I can reach him.

[Ashley Johnson]

You could jump.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'll try. I'll try.

[Ashley Johnson]

Give me a DC10. Acrobatics check.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, is that. Oh, acrobatics. Is that plus Dex?

[Ashley Johnson]

That's plus Dex, yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay. I feel a little bit better than that. 14.

[Ashley Johnson]

14. So you see, you use your turn. You have the key. You are invisible. You jump up. The boy becomes invisible as well. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. You grab the boy. I got no soul. I count as an object. So you grab him and he vanishes into invisibility with you as you hit the deck. And the legendary action coming at the end of your turn. Even the Lord of the Hells is bound by the rules of the game he exists in. And he cannot target what he cannot see. You see, he uses legendary action instead to his eyes glow red and he looks out.

[Laura Bailey]

Where are you, Phaedra?

[Ashley Johnson]

That is your turn. Keeping it fun.

[Marisha Ray]

Keeping it fun.

[Ashley Johnson]

Incredible. Oh, my God. You see, Timothy in invisibility, looks at you and goes.

[Marisha Ray]

The baby's name is Timothy.

[Laura Bailey]

Timothy. He goes. Why are you being so nice to me?

[Liam O'Brien]

I. Listen, this isn't about it kind of is not about you in this particular moment.

[Ashley Johnson]

Cain, take me, devil. No, you're seeing zero. It's not about you. Kids, you're a fucking MacGuffin. Garan, it is your turn.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, God.

[Travis Willingham]

All right. Of these devils that are converging, which one looks to be the most dangerous? The one with the big wings over there?

[Ashley Johnson]

Probably the one with the big wings over there. Yeah.

[Travis Willingham]

I gotta focus on keeping their attention. So I'm gonna. Is the one over there within melee with me or is you can move.

[Ashley Johnson]

Right now the only one you're in melee with? Actually the imp. Is the imp? Yeah. All right.

[Travis Willingham]

I'm going to shift around to almost get a little bit more or less facing back to back with Eros and see if I can get behind the winged one. Also possibly leaving you open if you wanted to come in and attack. If you're not distracted with trying to help out with this kid.

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah, I don't know where they went.

[Travis Willingham]

Nah, they just vanished. I'm going to go ahead and swing as I come around the backside of him. Shield up on this end. Try and guard from the imp and then just try and crack it. Hit the back of the shoulders.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Great.

[Ashley Johnson]

Imp's gonna get an attack of opportunity misses. Go ahead and take your attack.

[Travis Willingham]

That's gonna be a 24 to hit.

[Ashley Johnson]

24 hits. Go ahead and roll damage.

[Travis Willingham]

That's gonna be 18 points of damage.

[Laura Bailey]

Woo.

[Ashley Johnson]

Dr. Boom. Thwack with the hearth's hammer. Boom. Into the side of that devil, shrieking out in pain and misery. Garan, you move with your back to the pillar behind you. We go to the top of the order. The imp is going to fly.

[Laura Bailey]

Does the imp have any means of seeing invisibility?

[Ashley Johnson]

As the voice from beyond says, bring the boy to me. The impression cannot see invisibility, so it's going to stay on the previous command from the other devil and go for Garan. That is going to hit.

[Laura Bailey]

It's going to deal.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'm going to need a constitution saving throw from you and you're going to roll with advantage.

[Travis Willingham]

Advantage. That's going to be 17.

[Ashley Johnson]

17. You take no poison damage or. Sorry. You take five points of piercing damage and then you take half, which you'll half again. I think inside resistance. So that's seven halve to three. Halved to one poison damage.

[Laura Bailey]

All right, so level six.

[Travis Willingham]

Got it. Thank you.

[Ashley Johnson]

And now these other double are going to go. This one is going to wheel around on Nia.

[Marisha Ray]

Rude. Very rude.

[Laura Bailey]

How very rude.

[Ashley Johnson]

What's your armor class?

[Marisha Ray]

20.

[Ashley Johnson]

Ooh. Oh no. But minus. Because you're no longer side by side with arrow.

[Sam Riegel]

Minus 20.

[Marisha Ray]

17. 17.

[Ashley Johnson]

Give me a constitution saving Throw paper.

[Marisha Ray]

Constitution. Okay. All right. All right. Seven.

[Laura Bailey]

Seven.

[Marisha Ray]

Seven.

[Ashley Johnson]

So you take seven points of damage.

[Liam O'Brien]

Gorgeous.

[Ashley Johnson]

And you are poisoned for one minute. So you have disadvantage on attack rolls and ability check. While poisoned in this way, you cannot regain hit points.

[Marisha Ray]

Okay? Okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

Sure.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah. Can't regain hit points. All I need is three. So I can't even regain hit points magically.

[Laura Bailey]

Not magically.

[Marisha Ray]

Gorgeous.

[Laura Bailey]

Stolen.

[Marisha Ray]

I'm coming for you, Lyanna.

[Ashley Johnson]

This one's gonna turn on Garan.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

This one's gonna rush the fuck.

[Ashley Johnson]

None of them can see Veedra or the boy. So two attacks on Garan. Armor class is 14. Give me a constitution saving throw.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

God.

[Travis Willingham]

This is gonna be a 13.

[Ashley Johnson]

That saves. You take four points of damage.

[Travis Willingham]

Okay.

[Ashley Johnson]

What are you at?

[Travis Willingham]

I'm at three.

[Ashley Johnson]

And one of them's gonna take two attacks against Arrow. Krokus, we have guidance. I'm coming. That doesn't help for this constitution saving throw.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Ugh.

[Matthew Mercer]

20.

[Ashley Johnson]

20 saves. You take six points of damage.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Jeez.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see that looking around, Crocus. That is your turn.

[Sam Riegel]

So Crocus up in the air, sees all of the devils converge around his friends. He saw Phaedra go invisible.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Sam Riegel]

But does not know where they are. Assuming they went to get the kid.

[Laura Bailey]

Yes.

[Sam Riegel]

And says, boss, get the kid outside. And then rockets from where he is in the air straight at that winged devil's back.

[Ashley Johnson]

Cool.

[Sam Riegel]

On the ground there. And is going to slam him to the ground with a dropping attack.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hell yeah. You can roll with advantage.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Good.

[Sam Riegel]

Cause one of them was a one. That's a 19 to hit.

[Ashley Johnson]

19 hit.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay.

[Sam Riegel]

That is 10 points of lightning damage.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell yeah.

[Sam Riegel]

And then as a bonus, as he lands all four limbs, slamming the devil to the ground. He's going to bite the devil on the ground and shock him with a lightning bolt through.

[Ashley Johnson]

Go for it.

[Sam Riegel]

And so he has to make a dex 15 save.

[Ashley Johnson]

Fails the save.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay, okay.

[Laura Bailey]

9.

[Sam Riegel]

10. 11 points of lightning damage.

[Ashley Johnson]

Badly injured. This is the one that Garan had wheeled around and hit with the hammer. Now badly, badly injured here.

[Marisha Ray]

I forgot to add my plus three to my save. My constitution save.

[Ashley Johnson]

Do you remember what you rolled?

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah, it's still looking at me. It was eight. Now an 1111 doesn't do it.

[Liam O'Brien]

All right.

[Marisha Ray]

Worth a shot.

[Travis Willingham]

Yeah, it's worth a try now.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Get the boy out of here.

[Ashley Johnson]

Crocus. That's you.

[Laura Bailey]

Nia.

[Ashley Johnson]

It is your turn.

[Marisha Ray]

I am going to cast greater invisibility on myself. And yeah, I can. Because of my mirror. I can do it without expending. A spell slot. Hell yeah. Gonna cast greater invisibility on myself and then I can't really do. Yeah, I'm just gonna cast greater invisibility on myself and then take my sword and try and get at one of these devil guys.

[Matthew Mercer]

Does greater invisibility in action it is.

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh, greater invisibility is an action. Then bonus action. Can't cast healing word on myself, cuz that'll do nothing.

[Ashley Johnson]

Is anybody.

[Sam Riegel]

I mean Garen's?

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah, no. That's my last spell slot I have, so I will use it. Yeah, I'm gonna use to cast healing word on Garen.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hell yeah. Go for it. One D four plus your wisdom modifier.

[Marisha Ray]

My wisdom modifier. Plus three Again. It's plus three.

[Ashley Johnson]

Plus three.

[Liam O'Brien]

So it's.

[Marisha Ray]

Is it modifier and wisdom?

[Sam Riegel]

No, just your modifiers. Your wisdom.

[Marisha Ray]

Oh yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

That's how that works.

[Marisha Ray]

Huh?

[Ashley Johnson]

That's all good.

[Marisha Ray]

Seven. Ooh.

[Travis Willingham]

I'll take that. Thank you.

[Ashley Johnson]

What's Garnet?

[Travis Willingham]

He's at 10.

[Laura Bailey]

Now the end of your turn.

[Ashley Johnson]

The end of your turn.

[Laura Bailey]

Nia.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

You great invisibility.

[Laura Bailey]

Incredibly potent spell.

[Ashley Johnson]

The devil looking at you disappear, turns around as the figure in flame in.

[Laura Bailey]

Another world calls out. You can see your sister's face in the statue.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see that?

[Laura Bailey]

The Lord of the Hills says the boy fight. And the devil out here goes.

[Ashley Johnson]

Does anyone here speak infernal?

[Sam Riegel]

I barely speaking.

[Ashley Johnson]

The devil chatters in infernal, pointing to Garan and the shattered half of the temple. This dwarf just knocked a pillar down at the temple. And you see that the Lord of.

[Laura Bailey]

The Hells turns his gaze to Yugarin and goes.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hello.

[Ashley Johnson]

Throws out his hand. I'm going to need you to make a strength saving throw.

[Travis Willingham]

I think Garan at this moment too, who has seen the face of a God once, seen a distant walking God of another that brought terror, but has never really made eye contact with one, especially when filled with malice. And while as old man confident he's been at this point, that moment has dropped everything and sees if he can muster his strength. That's going to be a 19.

[Laura Bailey]

A 19.

[Ashley Johnson]

A 19 is incredible.

[Laura Bailey]

And it is not enough.

[Travis Willingham]

Not enough, I'm going to say, for the Lord of the Hells. No, no.

[Ashley Johnson]

You enter the restrained condition.

[Laura Bailey]

5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30.

[Ashley Johnson]

You're a sturdy fellow. It's not often you get picked up. You begin to move up into the air, much like Timothy, as the Lord.

[Laura Bailey]

Of the Hells speaks in infernal. And you see a hungry, ravenous smile.

[Travis Willingham]

Can I Retort.

[Laura Bailey]

Yes.

[Travis Willingham]

In Dwarven.

[Ashley Johnson]

The stones rumble.

[Travis Willingham]

It's Dwarven. Get fucked.

[Ashley Johnson]

Absolute, absolute disrespect. Almost sacred disrespect. Arrow, it is your turn.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh, jeez.

[Laura Bailey]

Man, oh, man.

[Matthew Mercer]

O man, oh man, oh man, oh.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Man, oh man, oh man, oh man.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, man, oh, man. I'm going to. I see Nia vanish completely, but I don't hear. Hear any footsteps. So I'm going to try to finish this thing off while it's still in front of me. Still flanking even though she's invisible.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes, still flanking. Yeah.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

Good. So that's a 17 to hit. 17 hits with the hex or not hex. Hunter's mark. So that's four plus 10 total.

[Ashley Johnson]

10 total. And this is one you've hit a couple times before. Hold on one second. Let me find this guy. How do you want to do this?

[Marisha Ray]

Thank God.

[Matthew Mercer]

The scimitar, it's turned towards Nia. And the scimitar, you see, just split through out of its chest, stopping four or five inches away from you. And then a lever, the sword, just smashes it into the wall on the side. And then you see him say, he yells, stay safe. And he's going to run around this column and try to get, I guess, in between where Phaedra and Crocus are. And he's yelling up to Garan. Just need to be close.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell, yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

You rush up towards Garan as you are running.

[Laura Bailey]

Give me a.

[Ashley Johnson]

Phaedra's turn is immediately after you've taken your action. We're going to come to the end of you running because you have movement left as you run. Phaedra, we're going to do your turn.

[Laura Bailey]

Here for a second.

[Ashley Johnson]

You're here with Timothy. What are you going to do, man?

[Liam O'Brien]

I don't have a clear line through this doorway. Through this doorway.

[Ashley Johnson]

Right.

[Liam O'Brien]

Because people are blocking me. I'm gonna.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's bad out here.

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah, it's so bad.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's. Who is that right next to me? Is that.

[Ashley Johnson]

That's Timothy.

[Laura Bailey]

Timothy. No, no, no.

[Liam O'Brien]

On the other side.

[Ashley Johnson]

That's Arrow.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, that's Arrow.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

Well, I just wanted to make sure.

[Laura Bailey]

That was another dragon.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'm a golden devil.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm gonna. I'm gonna grab Timothy and I'm gonna, like, run over for cover. Like down here, basically. Kind of where all this rubble is. Where. Where Agaran knocked everything over.

[Matthew Mercer]

You've got a star in doom.

[Ashley Johnson]

One day you rush over with the.

[Liam O'Brien]

Boy, and then once we're kind of there in Relative cover. Without letting go of him. I say. I say, listen, you don't have to do this. You don't have to. You don't have to live at the bidding of those who want to make you suffer.

[Laura Bailey]

As you look at him, you see in his eyes a familiarity. There's always been something wrong with me.

[Liam O'Brien]

I know exactly how you feel.

[Laura Bailey]

He looks at you, hearing those words that you suddenly see. For all of the hardship you have passed through and all of the struggles you have had, all of the things.

[Ashley Johnson]

You have done that you are aware.

[Laura Bailey]

Kind and compassionate people do not do in this moment, the weight of that life brings truth to your words, as this boy realizes you mean what you say. You look down that ruby light in that key. That key, Nia's sister took it and hid it away for a reason. You found it deep in those vaults, hidden away up in the mesh. You look down at that ruby and you see deep within it, something small, sleeping. Curled up like a ball, like Timothy was. This key, if you keep it.

[Ashley Johnson]

Will.

[Laura Bailey]

Serve you for the rest of your life. The richest woman in Exandria. You also feel in this moment, with the tip of one of condemners, barbed bolts, that you could break that ruby right now. In which case you will lead a life of poverty, ignominy and striving along with the rest of Exandria to scratch a life out from a rubble strewn and ash covered world.

[Liam O'Brien]

I look at this sleeping child inside the ruby and I say to Timothy, if I have a soul, then you must have one too. Is this yours? Is this you?

[Laura Bailey]

He looks in the key and his eyes start to water. What is that? The Lord of the Hell's eyes flash to you.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, Idra, what do you do?

[Marisha Ray]

I think she's doing this.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

That was probably true.

[Ashley Johnson]

Sighted at a certain point, he switched his legendary action to activate his.

[Liam O'Brien]

I think he could. Yeah, I was like.

[Ashley Johnson]

I think.

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah, I was like. There's no way he can't see invisibility.

[Marisha Ray]

Well, if he's bound by the rules of the game.

[Ashley Johnson]

That's true.

[Travis Willingham]

That's true.

[Liam O'Brien]

I say, Timothy, if I tell you that you have the power to be good, to change this world for the better, to rise above all of this darkness and all of this hate that made you, would you take that charge and would you do good? And I need you to answer me truthfully.

[Laura Bailey]

You see that, Timothy looks as Garan.

[Ashley Johnson]

Floating in the air. The Lord of the Hells prepares the very end of this. Having activated this, he's reaching out for you with Some fucking something. He looks and goes. Timothy looks at you in answer to your question.

[Laura Bailey]

And. And you can hear the stirring of that part of him within the ruby as he goes. I don't know if I know how, but I can promise I try.

[Liam O'Brien]

Did I take that key? Maybe this is a mistake, but I don't think it is. Now I'm just going to press it to his heart.

[Laura Bailey]

Mm.

[Liam O'Brien]

And then I'm gonna say, then that is a soul.

[Laura Bailey]

The ruby shatters. Timothy breathes in immediately.

[Ashley Johnson]

His face is flush with emotion. You see in the images of ruby light extending from the key, the Lord and Lady Kallister engaged in acts better left unto described.

[Sam Riegel]

Let's go in the amulet now.

[Laura Bailey]

Creating a child so that as the war of calamity unfolded and things looked more and more dire for the Lord of the Hells, that a mortal vessel, its soul suspended, would be prepared for him to walk the world behind the gate in mortal form until such time as his true power could be restored. But he wasn't counting on the fucking roach gang.

[Ashley Johnson]

Come on. Fire. Phaedra, you have restored the soul and condemned yourself to a hard fucking life.

[Liam O'Brien]

Nothing new.

[Travis Willingham]

Let's bend her down here.

[Ashley Johnson]

You can mark off the infiltrator's key and add Timothy to your inventory. Incredible.

[Travis Willingham]

Does he count as awakened state?

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes. Timothy has exalted state.

[Liam O'Brien]

I have an exalted Timothy.

[Ashley Johnson]

You're all fucked up. Incredible.

[Sam Riegel]

Just a being of pure childhood.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah. Unbelievable. Phaedra, that is your turn. Arrow your movement. Did you want to end up right down here?

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah, I mean, I don't have any more gas in the can to do anything. I just want to get as close to my friend as I can to try to save his ass.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, Satan. Hell yeah. At the end of your turn, as you're grabbing him, go ahead, give me either give me athletic, give me an attack roll, essentially, to try and grab Garan as he's moving through the air here.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay. An unarmed strike. Should we call it 22?

[Ashley Johnson]

22. You grab garan, you can tell that something is a legendary action is coming.

[Laura Bailey]

At the end of your turn.

[Ashley Johnson]

As this unfolds here in this moment, you can choose as you grab Garan where you want to be positioned as.

[Laura Bailey]

You bring him close to the ground.

[Matthew Mercer]

Well, I would say I don't know how the economy's going to work here. I still have my bonus action, sure, if that matters. But I will both yank. I've got him by the scruff of one leg, and I'll yank him down while Lifting my mother's shield up in front of his chest and face.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

You pull him. The Lord of the Hells with legendary action, lifting Garan up. Seeing this happen with Timothy changes course.

[Laura Bailey]

Summons a bolt of fire into his hand and prepares to obliterate Garan here in this space. You grab him, move in front of him. Shield up.

[Matthew Mercer]

Shield shoulder, back, torso.

[Ashley Johnson]

This is going to be a firebolt cantrip. Cast by a Lord of the Hells.

[Sam Riegel]

A cantrip?

[Marisha Ray]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

It's a legendary action.

[Matthew Mercer]

I have leather armor, though.

[Marisha Ray]

Take that.

[Laura Bailey]

That is a hit.

[Ashley Johnson]

How many hit points do you have?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Seven.

[Ashley Johnson]

Is that max for you or no?

[Matthew Mercer]

No.

[Laura Bailey]

Okay, 13.

[Ashley Johnson]

You are about to go down. We are going to determine. There is a possibility that you only go down if he rolls four ones.

[Laura Bailey]

You could stay up.

[Ashley Johnson]

But there is also a possibility, given.

[Laura Bailey]

The math of this moment, that this may be your last act in Exandria.

[Ashley Johnson]

Seven plus.

[Laura Bailey]

Seven plus 13 is 29. You're down. You have 11 more hit points before your hit point maximum is reached. Past zero hit points. 7. 10. Striding forward, you pull Goren down. What is Arrow feeling in this moment?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

After a lifetime of running, scraping, and frequent solitude. Push and pull between being on his own and returning to life and others, he's just grateful that he found his way again before it was too late. And as I guess the two of us sink down on the ground with my weight.

[Matthew Mercer]

Only Garan hears him say.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Thank you for getting me out of Ryebird. Thank you for setting me free.

[Laura Bailey]

A bolt of fire aimed for Garan streaks you. Hold your shield aloft. You got near to 20 Orim's Hill. You got the word of the Moonweaver to Vasselheim. You saw the Lord of the Hells want for something in this dwarf. And you will serve, guide and protect until your last fire strikes Ariel in the chest and he falls. Final moments, golden scales glittering as though they could never trust truly burn as arrow falls. Lord of the Hells Cackles, to see you all unmade. This is my great, greatest joy to watch you suffer. He arises. Garan, it's your turn.

[Travis Willingham]

Garan's seen a lot of death.

[Liam O'Brien]

And.

[Travis Willingham]

He'S very good at compartmentalization at this.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Point in his elder years.

[Travis Willingham]

So the pragmaticity is he takes this moment in this flash, this loss. Kicks the shield off of his one arm, slides it down into the now unused shield from Eros army. Brings that up and backs up shoulder to shoulder with Crocus.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It's time to go. Let's get out of here.

[Travis Willingham]

He's going to go ahead and backing up further, swing around and try and smash this devil that's blocking part of that path out of the way to continue to try and open the way for the rest of these folks.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

You step towards this devil here.

[Laura Bailey]

Back to back with Crocus arrow on the ground. Garan, go ahead and you can take flanking here and roll with advantage.

[Travis Willingham]

That's going to be a 19 bad hits.

[Laura Bailey]

Go ahead and roll. Damage.

[Travis Willingham]

Not great, but still an 11 points of damage.

[Laura Bailey]

This one had been hit many times before.

[Ashley Johnson]

Wheeling around, bringing the hammer down right between the wings, crushing the spine. This devil falls to the floor here.

[Laura Bailey]

Before the Lord of of the Hells.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see that this devil has fallen. There is one in the doorway here that continues.

[Laura Bailey]

But the rest all throughout.

[Ashley Johnson]

That one falls under your hammer.

[Travis Willingham]

He's not even looking at the devil at this point. He's still looking out, processing the memory of that last flash of Eros faith. And uses the rest of his movement to continue to move up to where the other devil is to draw its attention.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Great.

[Ashley Johnson]

Use the rest of your movement.

[Laura Bailey]

Surge forward to this place here.

[Ashley Johnson]

As you do, the imp is going to turn to attack. You have Honor's last stand. You have a vestige of the Platinum Dragon also in its exalted state. What's your current armor class?

[Travis Willingham]

Right now it would be 17.

[Laura Bailey]

17.

[Ashley Johnson]

That is a miss from the imp hit. I need a constitution saving throw.

[Travis Willingham]

That's going to be 19.

[Ashley Johnson]

You take no bleeding wound, but you do take six points of damage.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

All right.

[Laura Bailey]

Here we go.

[Ashley Johnson]

This one lashes out and attacks you as well.

[Laura Bailey]

That's actually.

[Ashley Johnson]

You've just killed the last one. This is the last one left. Crocus. That is going to be your turn.

[Sam Riegel]

Crocus. Seeing Garan start walking, he looks down at Eros, picks him up. Got 23 strength now. It shouldn't be a problem. Yeah, I picks him up and he looks at the Lord of the Hills. And in Draconic that Arrowhost taught him.

[Ashley Johnson]

Says.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Change is coming and you are not that change.

[Sam Riegel]

And Tan takes him out and takes use his fly speed to fly with arrows in his arms. Slamming down. Standing on top of the imp.

[Laura Bailey]

Hell yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Go ahead and make your attack roll.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay, that's a 17 hit.

[Laura Bailey]

That hits. Go ahead and roll. Damage.

[Sam Riegel]

That is 12 points of lightning.

[Laura Bailey]

Damage destroyed.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We leave now.

[Laura Bailey]

Crocus and Garan.

[Ashley Johnson]

One devil remains in your path, Nia.

[Laura Bailey]

That is your turn.

[Marisha Ray]

Nia's had a hard few days. She called Arrow family Today. And then he died. She called her sister family. She died. Ish. Called Lou's family. She died. Nia, still so greatly invisible, picks up her mirror, looks at it, puts it back. Decides to before she leaves and follows her friends to cast major image. To attempt to provide the illusion that this statue of the Moonweaver has come to life.

[Laura Bailey]

Mm.

[Marisha Ray]

She has it. Turn around and face the Lord of the Hells. I don't know if she can make it speak or talk. I don't know if that's within her ability. Yeah, I can move it. Yeah. It can make different sounds as if to carry on a conversation. She has her sister raise her hand and point to the Lord of the Hells and says, do not fall victim to your folly. You will not. You cannot, and you have not won. And she. I think she wants the statue to slap this Lord of the Hells. I think. I just want her to smack him. I don't know if he's gonna feel it. I don't really care. I think Nia just craves the satisfaction. In this moment. She reaches to a place of a revenge that she once denied herself capable of. And she wants her sister to smack this fucking lord. If that's allowed.

[Laura Bailey]

As you reach to the mirror and hold this aloft, it is capable of great illusion. The Moonweaver's domain is that of trick. A domain that she shares with the Lord of the Hells. You wish to hear those words spoken. Folly that this is not the change that is coming here. And you reach for this illusion. What cold comfort it can be. The illusion of the Lord of the Hells is that of deception and manipulation. An untruth spoken to achieve an end. Bedevil a mind, break a heart. The trickery of the Moonweaver is made clear to you in this moment. For as the statue turns in illusion, the illusion is a dream. There is an illusion that we all share, which is the dream we have of a world that does not exist, but might. That illusion is more precious than gold and as dear as kin and home. For as the illusion takes hold and Phaedra restores the soul of the boy here and the key shatters, Lord Kallister lies dead. The Lord of the Hells rearing up, the Moon Weaver turns. And the words you most wished to hear, that you dreamed into being with your mirror you hear truly spoken. This is no illusion. The fire vanishes, and wreathed in moonlight, the statue takes the form of your sister, the Lord of the Hells. Eyes wide. You. You had left. You had left this world, the gate. She raises an eyebrow, turns back to you and goes, I lied.

[Ashley Johnson]

And smacks into the bottom of the pit of hell. Turns to you.

[Laura Bailey]

You got to tell the truth about lying.

[Marisha Ray]

You got to tell the truth about lying. She comes out of invisibility, places a kiss on her hand, sets it to the ground, looking at her sister, and follows her friends up.

[Laura Bailey]

The chapel restored. Phaedra, you lead the boy. Crocus, you hold Arrow's body.

[Ashley Johnson]

This last devil vanishes with his master in flame. Check out of here and you all.

[Laura Bailey]

Depart from this place and return Arrow's body. Timothy, beside you, the rubble of the chapel, the fallen bodies, the flames of devils. This ritual, the final fail safe of the Lord of the Hells to skirt the destiny written for him according across 300 years of calamity. That failsafe is foiled, his doom sealed. As overhead dragon's wings the size of the sky open and a line of light breathed out across the stars begins to cover the world in divine protection. You look as you exit the chapel rubble and ruin behind you. It is yet just one more place that must be rebuilt, cleaned and cared for in the days to come. Around you there are celebrations, cheering that seem to occur as if slowed in time with what you have just witnessed below. We move into the final chapters of our story here, and I will ask what it is you do in Vasselheim. The night that the Lord of the Hells and the Betrayers last laid eyes on Exandria.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Where do you think you would want to be?

[Laura Bailey]

With his wife.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay.

[Marisha Ray]

I'll keep him until we can get back.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay.

[Laura Bailey]

Liam. In the months and years that follow, choose whichever time you wish for. Where is Arrow's final resting place?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I think that Nia had it exist exactly right. High in the mountains in a healing peak in Gwissar, near a loch hidden in the mountains. Blessed by the Moonweaver herself, Arrow returns to the soil alongside Dunea from a point in his life where he was eminently happy.

[Laura Bailey]

Snowgrave pass by those brave enough to tread it, for it is a far hike. At the base of the Stormpoint Mountains is known by all those rangers and wanderers who have ever found it to be one of the most beautiful sights in all Ghessar and Liam, I'll ask you to step away from the table if we can.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Thank you for playing.

[Laura Bailey]

And what of Phaedra's days after divergence in the new dawn of Exandria, the.

[Liam O'Brien]

New World Phaedra eventually returns back to Wasar, back to the countryside where all the other survivors from Torm's Hill have started to build their lives. She reunites with Otto and Toveen. Hopefully.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'm hoping they gleefully. The first day you see them back in Torm's Hill bringing word because word has to be spread. You see that? Taveen goes, boss. And runs over. Torm's Hill now has multiple structures and buildings. Otto goes, you made it.

[Liam O'Brien]

I did. I missed you guys. I really did.

[Laura Bailey]

Mushy.

[Liam O'Brien]

I know, I know. Stop it. Come here. Give him a big hug. Crocus, do you come with me? Do you return with me.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Before we leave?

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Vassilot. Hey, what are you gonna do with Timothy?

[Liam O'Brien]

That's a good question. I feel like we is Timothy. Move a little bit out of the shadow of journey.

[Ashley Johnson]

Timothy is in the celebration of Vasselheim, just seated, eating snacks and sweets and looking around. He's. He's full of life and energy, making up almost for lost time. And looks up sort of shell shocked and not sure how to make eye contact with other people, but seems like.

[Laura Bailey]

He knows that there are other people that have seen horrifying things and chosen kindness and stays close by to Phaedra.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What do you think? I think you have a second chance to be someone's mom. Don't fuck it up.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'll do my best.

[Sam Riegel]

He will travel back to at least Torm's Hill with you, and he's gonna.

[Liam O'Brien]

Have an amazing older brother. Maybe then, Yeah, I guess I adopted Timothy. I guess. Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, you adopt Timothy. Timothy grows up. He's like, you make him wait until he's at least 12 to get the roach tattoo.

[Liam O'Brien]

I do it myself. I don't trust anyone else. And I do it to make sure.

[Ashley Johnson]

The first time you see him intimidate someone that pushes around. They go like, hey, that's that little shrimp who's got a roach tattoo. And he turns around and goes, I.

[Laura Bailey]

Was born to be a home for the devil.

[Liam O'Brien]

And I'm like, that's my voice.

[Ashley Johnson]

You spend long days tending to. I think, if it makes sense. I think you end up somewhere far. Torham's Hill is a wonderful place, but there's lots of other places to travel to.

[Laura Bailey]

And you get word one day of.

[Ashley Johnson]

Some strange marauders up in the northeast of Gwessar. And one of them mentions that one of the leaders of them has a.

[Laura Bailey]

Roach tattoo on the back of his neck.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, yeah, okay.

[Ashley Johnson]

And I think you end up in some swampland up there where taking a helmet off.

[Laura Bailey]

Timothy's maybe 14 or 15 at this point. See, there's some place up there where.

[Ashley Johnson]

Suddenly one of these marauders, as people are trying to make civilization happen again, takes off a helmet.

[Laura Bailey]

Phaedra.

[Liam O'Brien]

Kef.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, my God.

[Laura Bailey]

So we're thinking about starting a horde and sort of laying waste to the countryside. What do you think about that?

[Liam O'Brien]

I. Kev.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

Come on.

[Laura Bailey]

Is that not what we're doing?

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm sick of all this. We're in a new world. Look around. You just feel the sunlight on your face. I know. I know. We've been through a lot. But the world's plenty shitty enough without us adding to it, I think.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, God, maybe you're right. It is nice and sunny out, isn't it?

[Ashley Johnson]

You see, next to Kefketriel and Marauder goes.

[Laura Bailey]

You speak insanity. Let us kill the halfling woman.

[Ashley Johnson]

And you see, Kevketrial just sort of.

[Laura Bailey]

Grabs that guy's head and slits his throat. I want to be different. That's a great point. You know, these. These swamps are not a bad place. Go swim in, hang out. Not a bad place to check out. Yeah. Yeah. Let's be nice.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah, son.

[Travis Willingham]

It's a good plan.

[Laura Bailey]

I just like how you think.

[Ashley Johnson]

Freaky guy.

[Liam O'Brien]

Freaky guy.

[Ashley Johnson]

And Phaedra, once again, finding those that.

[Laura Bailey]

Knew a crueler world and showing them that you don't have to throw all the lessons away, but you don't have to live in that world forever.

[Liam O'Brien]

I give him a hug.

[Laura Bailey]

Give him a hug. He goes, you're a freak.

[Ashley Johnson]

And returns. And returns the embrace.

[Laura Bailey]

Jasmine.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Thank you.

[Laura Bailey]

I'll ask you to step away from the table.

[Liam O'Brien]

All right. I love you all, my son. This way.

[Sam Riegel]

Jasmine, come back.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, Jasmine, come back. Wait.

[Sam Riegel]

Before you leave.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes.

[Sam Riegel]

When we do get back to Torms Hill.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

So I'm gonna go.

[Marisha Ray]

Mm.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I'm gonna go figure out who I am. Not with you. But I will send word and we'll see each other again.

[Liam O'Brien]

Of course I will. You will always have me to come back to. Whenever you're ready.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

Whatever you do out there, you're gonna do.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Don't let them do anything dumb.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'll see you.

[Sam Riegel]

And he gives her a hug.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, I give him a big old hug.

[Sam Riegel]

And so.

[Laura Bailey]

And then.

[Liam O'Brien]

And then.

[Ashley Johnson]

And now you can leave. By the hest.

[Sam Riegel]

You can leave. Thank you. He then travels for a while on his own. He's learned from Arrow how to travel in the wilderness and how to take care of himself. I think he eventually makes his way.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Up towards Wildemount.

[Sam Riegel]

And finds a monastery there. And starts training.

[Laura Bailey]

Crocus. One whom a crueler world had dubbed a monster who began this story. Muzzled like a beast in the back of a wagon to be sent to die on the front lines of a tyrant's war, finds peace and wisdom, the orb of an ancient world in his tender care. Years from then, when monks of the Cobalt Soul defend the wisdom and secrets of this place. Among the many whose devotion, wisdom and guidance shaped the early roots of that order is Crocus Monastery. Bear proud and noble beginning. Thanks, Alex.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Thank you.

[Marisha Ray]

Nia finds a moment to go and visit Arrow's resting place. She doesn't stay for very long. She has a job to do, after all. She picks up a stone and turns it over and over in her hand as she saw him do many times, and heads back to Vasselheim to go be a good cleric and teach people that no matter how lonely they feel, they're never alone. And yeah, she just does her cleric shit for as long as she can. She throws herself into her work, dedicating all of it to her lost friends and her family and her sister. She does great work, as she knew she was.

[Laura Bailey]

It takes you a long time getting lost in your work. You teach the clerics of the Dawnfather how to love a sunrise that is not guided by their God's hand. You teach the clerics of the Wildmother how to hear the Mother's voice, not as it once rang out, but in the birds and swaying trees of every forest. It takes more work this way, but that work makes love appear. Many years into that service as a cleric of the Moonweaver, a familiar voice rings out in the marketplace. Nia.

[Marisha Ray]

Nia turns. Her locks are a little longer. They finally touch her shoulders. Her cloak that was once in blues and browns and greens are now whites and silvers and navies. She looks older, wiser, has been through much, trying not to wear the grief as heavy as she does in the lonely hours of the night. She turns to whoever calls her.

[Laura Bailey]

Heading back to the home of your parents? Your father, human. Starting to get some salt and pepper in his beard. Mm. You see the face of a water Genasi that you saw many years ago in Torm's Hill. Nia. Undetra un detra. It's been a long time, right?

[Marisha Ray]

Crazy to see you here. Oh, my gosh. Hi.

[Ashley Johnson]

The Dawn City felt like the appropriate place to make pilgrimage to.

[Laura Bailey]

I. I can't believe you're here.

[Ashley Johnson]

I thought.

[Laura Bailey]

You saved my life. And then.

[Marisha Ray]

I mean, yeah, you were. She looks at herself. You were quite rude to my friend back there. Rude to me? I forgave you, but clearly I was on the right path.

[Laura Bailey]

She looks and goes, yeah, you've done, I'd say, extremely well for yourself as a person of faith.

[Ashley Johnson]

You see that? She, even hearing the venom in her.

[Laura Bailey]

Own words, puts her head down. I knew that I hurt you in that moment. I've seen so many strange things since then that it feels strange to have held onto that. But I feel like I want you to know I wish I could take it back. Not because it didn't come from a genuine place, but because I didn't want to hurt you or insult you or give you pause.

[Marisha Ray]

I appreciate you saying that. Thank you. If it makes you feel any better, it didn't change my path.

[Laura Bailey]

I'm glad. God, I've thought for years about what I would say to you if I saw you again.

[Marisha Ray]

You've thought about me for years?

[Ashley Johnson]

Hey.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay.

[Ashley Johnson]

She looks and says.

[Laura Bailey]

Were you ever curious about why I was such an asshole to you.

[Marisha Ray]

When I had the time? When I wasn't reconnecting with my sister, who's a God, and sort of teaching people how to be hopeful and full of love and really just changing sort of the course of faith and everything? When I had time, yeah. But I don't have a lot of time. I'm very, very busy. Yes, I wondered often.

[Laura Bailey]

My mother and father were disciples of the Moonweaver. They were discovered by servants of the Strife Emperor and they were killed. Not an uncommon story.

[Marisha Ray]

Painful one, nonetheless.

[Laura Bailey]

The sadness I felt was not only.

[Ashley Johnson]

That their faith.

[Laura Bailey]

Hurt them, but that for all of their devotion, they never heard her. Their prayers were never answered. And when they died, it felt like they died for nothing. And.

[Marisha Ray]

I know. And she thinks of her golden friend. Faith cannot protect us from fate. Faith is the fate Molder. I'm sorry for the loss of your parents. I'm sorry for the loss. She thinks of her sister of the gods from this place. But just as my fallen friends watch me, guide me, your parents do the same for you.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Well.

[Laura Bailey]

I appreciate your kindness.

[Marisha Ray]

It is unending.

[Laura Bailey]

Would you object to walking in the company of a faithless wanderer who's turned.

[Ashley Johnson]

Her back on the gods.

[Marisha Ray]

For a spell?

[Laura Bailey]

Spell's all we get.

[Marisha Ray]

I have plenty of spells.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Marisha Ray]

We walk arm in arm. And I'm going to introduce her to my parents. Not in that way of, like, this.

[Liam O'Brien]

Is the first time I'm seeing, but.

[Marisha Ray]

Just like my mother's priest of the Moon Weaver. I think I have some people who can help widen your scope of what you believe faith is capable of.

[Laura Bailey]

I'm game. It's a new world.

[Marisha Ray]

Magic. Magic. Magic.

[Ashley Johnson]

Magic.

[Laura Bailey]

You walk from this place. Sir. Thanks, Elliot. Hey, Matt.

[Marisha Ray]

What's up?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Brendan.

[Laura Bailey]

Where does Garan end up?

[Travis Willingham]

I think he doesn't rest that first night. I think once everyone else lets the exhaustion take them. He's a man who toils through emotion. He's toiled through the absence of it for a better part of a century. So he begins to look for a piece of stone. And I think he misses Desmond and the return troupe to Gwessar because he's working it. He wants to get it perfect. And it's been a long time since he's really done something artistically. He's built prisons. He's built and worked on repairing weapons. He has been a tool and a means of building other people's oppression for so long. He's only just begun to build things again for himself.

[Laura Bailey]

Mm.

[Travis Willingham]

And so he spends the coming weeks toiling over a memorial statue for Eero. And as they begin rebuilding this temple to the Moonweaver, I think they return to finish elements of construction to find a statue that they didn't place there. And the exhausted dwarf that sits at its base. Passed out. And probably utilizing the fabrication spell fabricate spell that he now has because of his hammer. The last little piece of it is holding aloft the honor's last stand shield and melding it into the statue so that it cannot be easily taken. But only given under the sight of whatever God the Moonweaver likely see whoever's fit to wield it again. Then he begins his trek back to Grisar on his own. Looking. Probably looking and asking around for Desmond doesn't even have a last name. The only survivor he's met a of Uthtor and its destruction.

[Laura Bailey]

Traveling through free lands. Your statue built the hearth's hammer at your side. Your age getting to you. God. How long have you been alive for?

[Ashley Johnson]

It's hard to remember.

[Laura Bailey]

Someone says Desmond.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Hey.

[Laura Bailey]

Hey. Any Desmond Dragon strike?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Sure.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah. Kragham. You look at. Yeah. You know.

[Laura Bailey]

Desmond.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Hey, hey.

[Ashley Johnson]

You meet Desmond, who is of the family Jagonstrike.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Hey.

[Laura Bailey]

Clan Dragonstrike. And you participate in the founding of Kraghammer. There is much work to do. And of those shepherds of the stone to which Desmond belongs. Celebrating Kraghammer just like your dream. Tankards of ale pushed into the chest. Dwarves clapping on the back. It seemed like it would never happen again. How could it? After all that darkness? How could Light. Find a way back to this world. The laughter of Dwarven children running. You see Desmond talking. As you have this moment of sitting, knowing a moment's rest.

[Ashley Johnson]

Finally back here in what once was Uth Tor. And this new community rising up.

[Laura Bailey]

As you feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, a hand CL claps on your back.

[Ashley Johnson]

And Desmond, one of the new lords of Kraghammer, says.

[Laura Bailey]

Garan. Garan.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Aye, Desmond, friend.

[Ashley Johnson]

You're one of the most gifted masons we know.

[Laura Bailey]

Listen.

[Ashley Johnson]

There's an area Dwarves have scattered across Gwessar. And we're looking for family records, stonework, runes around wherever we can find them. Are you familiar with Catal Bay?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I know of it have not been.

[Ashley Johnson]

There's rumors that merchants have brought of.

[Laura Bailey]

Some Dwarves that have made it all the way out there to some far off lands.

[Ashley Johnson]

There's a town with some dwarves in it. A family that fled as far as.

[Laura Bailey]

They could, ended up in some godforsaken.

[Ashley Johnson]

Swamp out there by the bay. But if you were to head out.

[Laura Bailey]

There and warn them or give them some guidance back.

[Ashley Johnson]

I think we're sending out some ships of the stone to help with rebuilding.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I am so tired.

[Laura Bailey]

Garan. As the Allhammer is my witness, this will be the last favor I ask of you. They're trying to build a town in the middle of the swamp. There's a little town out there called Bend. And they're just trying to make something happen there. And I know that you know enough about masonry to know how to build something. At least that will serve as some kind of foundation.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I guess I got one more journey in me.

[Travis Willingham]

And he claps his shoulder. Let me just let me finish my.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Current project before I go.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah, of course.

[Travis Willingham]

When I come back, I got some ideas. I think maybe more than one slab.

[Ashley Johnson]

Ooh, go deeper. A little deeper. Let me write that down. A little deeper.

[Travis Willingham]

He turns around and then exhales.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

The years have caught up with him.

[Travis Willingham]

And he grabs his supplies. He gets prepared for one last journey. And as he finishes off his last little project here at the beginnings of a Kraghammer, the sunlight behind him at the opening that exits the Cliff Keep. He finishes chiseling in the arch of stones that greet those that enter the city. Where it reads in Dwarvish.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

The gate.

[Travis Willingham]

Is built by heart alone. Though hearts be held by flesh and bone, and flesh and bone by earth and stone. The door we make whenlock we break. Who bridge the waters roads to take the stones that stand to staunch the flood. A freedom found by toil and blood by stone betrayed the seal is made. The hand that holds the heart that prayed.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

The stairs it shaped, the debts it paid. The gate is shaped the keystone laid.

[Laura Bailey]

In departing from this hallowed stone. A blessing left on Kraghammer forever. You arrive in some godforsaken corner of Gwissar, a bug filled swamp. You see Phaedra again.

[Ashley Johnson]

And nearby. There's some criminal element in this corner of the world that you feel like will be hard to expunge from this place. There's just rogues abound in this corner of Gwessar.

[Laura Bailey]

But you find your way there. And I think a day comes where you find dwarven families, inform them that Kraghammer, that the glory of old Uth Tor is found again.

[Ashley Johnson]

And crag they thank you. And the denizens here could use a hand. The community they have in the swamp trying to build some little farm walls to help sheep from wandering off into the swamp somewhere.

[Laura Bailey]

There's a day where a family has.

[Ashley Johnson]

Asked for your help.

[Laura Bailey]

There's an opening in the farm wall.

[Ashley Johnson]

Where there's asking for a gate to.

[Laura Bailey]

Be built so they can get their livestock in and out without having to take them the long way around. I think you're building a gate into.

[Ashley Johnson]

The side of the wall there. You hear over by the thing. There's someone else from Vasselheim nearby who appears to be some sort of expositor going like, what's the name of this town? Sorry, the maps are all higgledy piggledy.

[Travis Willingham]

It's still Ben.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It's always been Ben.

[Laura Bailey]

Still Ben.

[Ashley Johnson]

Thank you.

[Travis Willingham]

No, it's.

[Laura Bailey]

And you see a figure walking down the road. You know his face very well. You've carved it in the past.

[Ashley Johnson]

Liam, could you come on out?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Hold on. Hello, Gara.

[Ashley Johnson]

I don't.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I don't understand. It's good to see you in the flesh once again. He stands up. Oh.

[Travis Willingham]

Claps him on the side of the face and gets real close. Looking at his sunken, wrinkled eyes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I haven't the words. The arrow looks very similar to the last time you saw him. He is wearing simple robes and his scales are clean and shine. I searched for you for quite some time. It took my whole entire mortal life to remember who I was. And transparent golden wings flare out behind his back and vanish away. And now it's time for you to do the same, my brother.

[Laura Bailey]

Gotcha.

[Matthew Mercer]

You feel his clawed golden hand rest.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

On your cheek and turn you slowly back. I know it's a lot. Breathe it in. Oh, it's time, my friend. You're right. It is. Our wars and squabbling have hurt our children. It is not right. It is not just. It is time we entrust our children to be stewards of this world that you created. I look forward to seeing what they. They can make. Now that we've given him a nudge. You know, there's something I liked about this. Maybe one day we'll try it again. Let's not go just yet. Come with me. And your vision blurs. And you find yourself seated on top of a gargantuan massive golden dragon. Soaring through the skies of Exandria. Crashing through a cloud and breaking out over a massive valley nestled next to Torm's hill. Mountains and peaks ringing it in. The dragon banks to the side and dives into another cloud. And we shoot out over a volcano bubbling with lava. On an island in the middle of of a white capped ocean. Then over tundra and ice and fallen ruins. Over a city with a smoldering crater boiling at its center. Islands moving in the sea obscured by mists.

[Laura Bailey]

You ride on the platinum dragon's back, seeing a world shaped by your hand. How marvelous that those steps were laid in that snowy peak in Snowgrave Pass. How marvelous to remember where Torm. Torm, your child. Your great great, great great great great grandson. Where did he hide that ale and beef? Those voices as you drifted off to sleep. Telling you that they were grateful. Telling you that they were scared. Asking you to shape something for them so that they might have the tools to know that they were heroes. A valley for free folk. The mountains and peaks shaped by the loving hands of the Allhammer. What a world he made.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You lose track of time, sailing through all of your creations. And after a time, we pass through another bank of clouds. And your vision obscures and returns. And you stand in that same spot of work. And arrow now looks exactly the way he did the moment you met him in a prison all those years ago. Filthy and bedraggled and covered in dust. Your friend and brother and kin. All of your works and deeds have served as prologue to this moment. A humble life in service of the good shall serve as keystone to this gate. And I nod down at this gate that you've been building and I step through ahead of you five or six feet and turn around. There's only one thing left to do, my friend. He goes.

[Travis Willingham]

As old as his visage is.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

There.

[Travis Willingham]

Is a quiet, ageless stray strength.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

And.

[Travis Willingham]

Assurance to his movement as he carefully places the final keystone, locking in that solid, final piece of the communal design. A necessary gate to protect all that.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We'Ve witnessed, all that we've created.

[Travis Willingham]

And he drops that hammer which sinks with a heavy impact.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

As he steps.

[Travis Willingham]

Through to join you clasping her shoulder.

[Laura Bailey]

Two brothers from eternity until forever stride past the gate into the great beyond knowing that Exandria is in good hands, ever loved and cherished by all who will come from this day until the final days of creation. May they be far, far removed. Stories abound, adventures unfold, the watchful gaze of the gods giving light to those who use their stories to find the thanks for watching and Is it Thursday yet?

[Travis Willingham]

This is Matthew Mercer. Thank you for listening to Exandria Unlimited on the Critical Role Podcast Network. If you've enjoyed the show, please leave us a review on the podcast app of your choice. Your review might inspire someone to give this adventure a listen. There are unlimited stories to be be told and we can't wait to keep telling them. Is it Thursday yet?