Complicated Questions | Critical Role | Campaign 4, Episode 27 Part 2

Summary

Critical Role Campaign 4, Episode 27 Part 2: “Complicated Questions” (June 9, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode continues the tumultuous events surrounding the party’s attempts to survive and maneuver through the political, religious, and magical threats dominating Dolmarchyar. Tensions are high as multiple factions—rebels, revolutionaries, zealots, and fiends—vie for power ahead of an impending disaster. The heroes must forge alliances, uncover secrets, and make heart-wrenching decisions, all while grappling with personal guilt, trauma, and the burdens of leadership. Episodes centers around key meetings: with the enigmatic Via Aurora, the demon paintmaster Sul Rekshi, and King Gus of Timony.

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Key Discussions & Story Beats

1. Precarious Departures and Emotional Bonds (01:22–11:00)

• The episode drops back in with Azune, Hal, Thimble, and companions as they prepare to split up for sensitive, highly dangerous missions.
• Azune warns about meeting his grandmother, the Fotarch: "If you see this [filament] or anything like it glowing, that means that magic is being cast on you." (03:01)
• Azune, hurting, prepares Hal, Tysha, and others for the political minefield ahead, urging them to use the traditional religious greeting “May the beam reach you” (04:25).
• Emotional exchanges reveal the cost of constant deception:
  • Thimble promises support: "I'll do anything you need me to do" (11:51)
  • Azune confides: "I don't know how many more lies I have in me. So I need help." (11:44)
  • Thimble tries to pep talk Azune through guilt and anxiety, using humor (“You're gonna have to clench your butt cheeks. Suck in your balls.”) as a way to push him to endure (15:12–15:20).
• A memorable, heart-wrenching exchange about identity, innocence, and being remembered:
  • Azune: "I want to be remembered as who I was before I killed anybody." (17:17)
• Thimble promises lightness at the end of the darkness: "If we get through this, I will take you out for pizza and an ice cream party just like the Boy Scout that you are." (20:08)
• Murray (Thimble) senses Azune’s intense feelings of guilt and isolation—he is carrying his burdens alone (23:57-25:31).

2. Tactical Group Division & Plans for Via Aurora (35:00–39:45)

• The “cleanest” crew (Hal, Tysha, Cadigan) heads to Via Aurora for negotiations/audience with the Fotarch while Wick, Julian, and others gather on clandestine business.
• The group carefully strategizes their cover stories and magical preparations, aware of the countless dangers and magical scrutiny in the Fotarch’s domain.
• Thimble sends her snake familiar as a covert comms tool.
• Before entering, Azune requests confidence: “Tell me you love me and everything will be fine.” (39:06)
  • Thimble: “I love you. Everything’s gonna be more than fine.” (39:08)

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3. The Audience with the Fotarch, Yanessa Haylivar (43:00–74:30)

The Setting:

• Via Aurora, a “cathedral” of faith and power—opulent, intimidating, and swarming with priests, guards, aspirants, and celestial hounds.
• The group weaves through magical security, clever social navigation, and quick improvisation.

Notable Quotes & Exchanges:

• Yanessa delivers a chilling blend of hospitality and veiled threat:
  • “There is no path to which the light does not reach. And we honor you.” (48:53)
  • “To walk perfectly in the light... the purpose of the light is not to cast judgment upon those who stray or err.” (51:53)

Key Plot & Politics:

• Yanessa privately reveals to Hal she knows her grandson Wicander is missing—likely captured by Teor Pridesire, whom she characterizes as dangerously unhinged and blames for sedition.
  • "We believe Wakanda Haylevar has been captured by a rebel traitor known as Teor Pridesire.” (55:36)
• Yanessa gently pressures Hal for information; Tysha and Cadigan maintain their covers.
• The Fotarch demands changes to the play that is about to open, insisting its ending reflect redemption and light, not tragedy and defeat—a naked attempt to control public narrative.
  • “Let’s make it explicit.” (64:44)
• She’s heavy-handed and transparent: “If you have creative issue with anything, your lease is very clear... I want you to know that we are absolutely happy, as part of the body that granted that lease, to delay opening night until we can arrive at a middle ground.” (68:47)
• Cadigan feels predatory attention from Yanessa, feeling powerfully “marked”: “On a NAT20 Insight... most powerful woman in the world wants you in her jaws right now.” (75:00–75:38).

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4. The Demon Painter: Sul Rekshi and the Game of Three (78:26–142:53)

• Another group—Wick, Tysha, Tyranny, Julian, Bolaire, and others—venture into the heart of the criminal/artisan underworld to meet Sul Rekshi, a demon artist/alchemist.
• The industrial, fiendish paintworks is revealed: “You guys move into a sweltering hot workshop... Shapes are flitting around that look like bats but constituted of smoke.” (89:28)
• Sul Rekshi, revealed as a powerful celestial/fiendish hybrid, proposes an “old laws” question-for-question exchange: “Question for question, answer for answer.” (110:30)
• Azune (Wicander) reveals the source of the Candescent Creed’s power to be angelic, not divine, via tattooed “filament”—and more shockingly, that he himself is an Aasimar, a half-angel.
  • "Our faith is not the source of our magic. It is instead inherited, or rather injected from the blood of a celestial being..." (112:52)
• The secret of the mysterious paint: It is made using the blood of the river Gavzedra, mingled with shaper (divine) blood—created to break a curse and liberate bound souls, with the help of Mara and Thiazi, monitored by a shadowy group called The Cloak (125:22-131:50).
• Tyranny, in a pivotal character interaction, learns her knife is an ancient artifact made to punish those who have hurt those they love and is attuned/leveled-up (“That knife you wield is an artifact... to punish those who have harmed those who love them.” 139:06).
• The game of three ends with mutual respect, magical tokens exchanged, and a warning: “The light is about to shine very bright—a light that will burn...” (141:43)

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5. Alliance with King Gus of Timony (144:13–179:26)

• The party meets with King Augustus "Gus" of Timony, a beloved revolutionary turned embattled monarch.
• Candid, warm, and gruff, Gus immediately bonds with Thimble and recognizes their commitment, referencing their efforts in saving his life during the assassination attempt.
• The players lay bare the scope of the conspiracy:
  • Poisonings, assassination attempts, and manipulation by the sundered houses
  • Evidence (notes, letters) presented regarding House Haylovar and Taconis’s machinations and the fate of House Royce (163:01–166:26).
• Gus offers his kingdom’s aid to the party and their cause: “If you have traveled the miller’s road, it is yours to plant... fair folk can [travel]... Plant that and it is my understanding the miller’s road will run to she who is true of heart...” (168:15)
• Thimble and Gus debate destiny and hope, culminating in a moment of mystical resonance—a glimpse into Gus’s past love, grief, and idealism:
  • “What is destiny but hope realized?” (177:33)
  • Gus: “You can count on Timony. And if you tell a song, I’ll kill you.” (178:12)
• The session ends on a note of determined camaraderie, with Gus’s support secured for the coming crisis.

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Notable Quotes

“I want to be remembered as who I was before I killed anybody.”
— Azune, (17:17)

“If we get through this, I will take you out for pizza and an ice cream party just like the Boy Scout you are.”
— Thimble, (20:08)

“Our faith is not the source of our magic. It is instead inherited, or rather injected from the blood of a celestial being...”
— Azune, (112:52)

“What is destiny but hope realized?”
— Thimble, (177:33)

“You can count on Timony. And if you tell a song, I’ll kill you.”
— King Gus, (178:12)

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Important Timestamps

• Azune’s Emotional Breakdown & Support: 03:30–21:00
• Preparing for the Via Aurora: 35:00–39:45
• Audience with Fotarch Yanessa: 43:00–74:30
• Sul Rekshi’s Game of Three & Paint Revelations: 78:26–142:53
  • The question duel and discussion of celestial blood/power: 110:00–120:30
  • Paint's origin and intent: 120:00–131:50
  • Revelation of Azune’s Aasimar nature: 118:01–119:08
• King Gus & Timony Alliance: 144:13–179:26
  • Discussing conspiracy and fate of House Royce: 163:01–166:26
  • Destiny & hope: 177:33
  • Timony’s commitment: 178:12

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Themes & Tone

• Deep moral complexity, trauma, and the price of deception.
• Interpersonal loyalty and the desperate search for hope amid mounting darkness.
• The political and metaphysical machinery driving the impending conflict—magic as both oppression and salvation.
• Power struggles, revolutionary alliances, and the shadowy interplay of ancient and modern evils.

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For the Listener

This episode is an emotional, high-stakes turning point for Campaign 4, filled with revelations about the true source of the Candescent Creed’s power, daring plays for alliances, and hard-earned moments of trust and vulnerability. Every negotiation and confession ratchets up tension for the coming showdown, leaving the fate of Dolmarchyar and its revolutions in the balance.

If you tune in next week: expect consequences, betrayal, and the collision of faith, magic, and revolution.

Transcript

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

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[Thimble]

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[Azune]

Avoiding your unfinished home project because you're not sure where to start. Thumbtack knows homes, so you don't have to don't know the difference between matte paint, finish and satin or what that clunking sound from your dryer is. With thumbtack, you don't have to be a home pro, you just have to hire one. You can hire top rated pros, see price estimates and read reviews all on the app download today.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Hello again, it's Brennan Lee Mulligan, and you're listening to part two of this episode of Critical Role. If you haven't checked out part one yet, pause this now and head over there for what are you doing? Otherwise, let's jump right back into this adventure and the world of Ahriman. When there's enough of them. I can't hear what they're saying. We return to the home of Howland Heelfang here in the rookery as a group of magically significant, heroically minded folk prepare to part ways. One such group, hallendilfang Tysha Loy and an old companion of Thiazzis, who I don't think is particularly close to either Taisha or Hal, prepares to head out with them to the Via Aurora, partially because you're one of the only people in this group who's got a clean name and a face that no one's gonna pin on anything. Yeah, yeah.

[Azune]

I just directly needed space away from the candorhaler box before hi. Oh, hi. You're still here. Yes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

How are you?

[Azune]

I wanted to catch you all before you left. Hal, you're going to take these folks to see my grandmother? Yes, she requested a one on one. She's been hounding me for days since you left. I just wanted to prepare you all. I don't know if you had heard that she had faked her death or something and been fake resurrected or. It's something that you might have heard so you may mention it upon meeting her. It's obviously not true. But just so you know, just be wary. These tattoos that I have, this is filament. And if you see this or anything like it glowing, that means that magic is being cast on you in the room. So just be mindful of that. I just want to say a quick prayer for you. And may the light protect you and surround you and I will cast aid on all three of you. And I give you an extra five hit points just in case anything happens. She's not to be trusted.

[Thimble]

Thank you. I have only heard, as we've all gathered back here, what you must have gone through in the last week or so.

[Azune]

I think we've all gone through a lot, but I probably went through the most. Yes, he's painfully annoying, but I do think at his core he's.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

He's fucking all right.

[Azune]

I've heard versions of that statement, like 20 times in the last couple of days. I think it's not a compliment.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

No, it is. Just because I'm not good at it doesn't mean it's not true.

[Azune]

You're a good guy. Your heart's in the right place. You're kind. You're sweet. You're soft.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I don't know how. What I'm doing here anyway? Just keep being you.

[Azune]

You're fine. What we're meant to do with your grandmother. You want us to kill her? I think that's a bad idea for many reasons. But mostly because I think she'll kill you so. So quickly and badly that you won't even know what happened. That doesn't sound like a compliment either. The monster angel is in the basement. Yes, but don't maybe don't mention that. I think that's pretty much a secret. Also know that if there's a big guy near her, it's felonious. He's the head of security. He's got big dogs. Dogs. I'm trying to think. Anything else I can. When you greet her, say, may the beam reach you. That carries a lot of weight.

[Thimble]

Okay. Do you need us? Do you need anything from your house?

[Azune]

Oh, I left in quite a hurry. If you. If you pass my bedroom. If you could get me some extra clothing and some socks. I don't have not a fucking. Didn't you ask? I didn't pack enough socks.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay.

[Azune]

You need to keep your head down because she has been after me to get to you, and now I have to lie about having not seen you. So don't leave us out to dry. Go fucking put your head in a hole.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I will.

[Azune]

I will. Good luck to you.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

And you.

[Thimble]

And I'm going to pat you on the shoulder and cast guidance.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh, lovely. As you depart too. Similarly, outside Teor getting ready to head out with Wick, Tyranny, Bolaire and Julian headed to Knife and Pallet, I think. As you're out by the wagon getting ready to head out, an apparition appears. Alex.

[Azune]

You feel a weight on one of your shoulders.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

A small.

[Azune]

And you.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see turtles open. A little undead fox standing on your shoulder and has something in his mouth.

[Azune]

And I say.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Teor, was it?

[Azune]

Yes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Before you go, I just wanted to. Very sorry about your brother. And I know that it is my family that did that to them, so I want you to have this. And in Pin's mouth is a vial of liquid that is a. If you drink it, if you encounter the basilisks again, and you drink that, if you are hit with the petrification, that will stop it in its early stages.

[Azune]

That is incredibly generous. I think that will come in handy, by the way, this family of yours, I believe. And I'll reach under my cloak, behind my back, and pull out the blade of Saramai. Sorry, my blade. I believe this belongs to your house. I don't know if you are handy

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

with the blade, but not specifically, but thank you. It's blade of my vassal house.

[Azune]

I assume you had trouble with them while you were on your journey. Yes. That blade is a bitch. Thank you. Um, I'll see.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It won't be used against any of us, but I am sorry again.

[Azune]

And I want you to have that

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

in case they come looking for another lion.

[Azune]

Thank you. It is an interesting meeting. Someone like you.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I can agree with you. And I don't know how to meet myself at this point, but be safe

[Azune]

and thank you for everything you're doing.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You exchange these items. You, Teo, are getting two baskets with antivenom. And you taking this ancestral blade of house Saramai. And. And I am going to say that our fo tart crew departs along with Teor as Octis heads back inside. So we'll swap out the five of you Octys remains. And let's get Azune, Thimble Murray back at the table.

[Azune]

That's a dope.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Here we go. We're rerolling ones. We're rolling new hit points for level five.

[Thimble]

Two. That's okay.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What is your new hit points?

[Thimble]

That's gonna be. Let me see. So that's plus my constitution. So it's gonna be. Is a lot.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You have a high con.

[Thimble]

I do have a high con. Dwarf baby. So that is going to be three. Unless I am missing something. I was at 29.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Mm.

[Thimble]

Plus two. Or, sorry, 39. 40. 41 plus three. So I should be at 44.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Your old was 39 and you just rolled a two.

[Thimble]

Two plus three for my con.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Plus three for your con is five. So plus five would be 44.

[Thimble]

44. It's apparently 44.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Unless you have some other thing that gives you hit points.

[Thimble]

I don't think so. But D and D Beyond is weird and I don't understand it, but it's 44, so we're gonna go with 44.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Beautiful.

[Azune]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It's probably set to a different Octis. Walking back inside Azune as you see a group head out with Wick and other very recognizable people hugging the shadows headed south for the Tanners and Hal, Tysha and Katigan. So basically your three cleanest faces head to the Via Aurora. Right? Tysha, Hal, Cadigan, and then Wick, who cannot be spotted, and Julian, who's supposed to be dead and all this whole other. And Teor, who has the Creed looking for him. All hug the shadows and head south to the recruit. You are all left here. No.

[Thimble]

I get an extra hit point per round for Dwarven toughness. Is that correct?

[Azune]

I think so.

[Thimble]

So I am at 45. I am at 45.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Hell yeah.

[Thimble]

Did I. Have I been doing that right?

[Azune]

It doesn't matter.

[Thimble]

I'm at 45.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Great. Azuneh. Yes? You wished to speak to a smaller group?

[Azune]

I did. Mary Thimble, there's another item on my list that I didn't know how to get to in front of everybody else. But Einfassen is demanding that I present my case against Daconis to him tonight. And he's made it very clear that the physical evidence that I've given him, plus the testimony of Grotto, is not going to be enough. And Murray, I. I don't know how to do this anymore. I feel like I've been lying so much and it's starting to really weigh on me.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

So I don't know how many More

[Azune]

lies I have in me. So I need help.

[Thimble]

All right? I, I mean, I'll, I'll do anything that you need me to do.

[Azune]

I, I need Demetus to come with me.

[Thimble]

I said I would do anything you need me to do.

[Azune]

I know.

[Thimble]

I don't really feel super great about volunteering the child. Is his written statement not enough?

[Azune]

I don't think it will be.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

But

[Azune]

I, I, I'm in a bind. I have to go. And going with Grotto alone is as if I was going by myself. And I don't. I don't want to go by myself. Mary, please don't make me go by myself.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay.

[Thimble]

Okay. You understand the implications of what you're asking for? This could ruin this kid's life. If he still has a life by the end of this.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Right?

[Azune]

I know.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I know.

[Thimble]

Could they kill him?

[Azune]

Yeah, they could kill us all. But I have been very careful and very meticulous in communicating to Einfassen a curated case that helps him see Taconis as a not fully collaborative participant amongst them. And he's been taking it very personally. I think it's working.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Why now?

[Azune]

Why is he knows that they're up to something tomorrow? Because the theories that we have are right. The sundered houses were supposed to be collaborating, working together to do something tomorrow, but Taconis has deviated from that. And the more we set Taconus up to believe that he might be going after them, at the very least, it's going to buy us some time if we can make enemies out of them. I don't know if we can, but if we make them suspicious of each other.

[Thimble]

But, I mean, aren't they enemies at this point? If Taconis is going off on his own, he's going against their plan, right?

[Azune]

Right. But I. I have been painting the picture that Taconis went after Royce because it was the Priestly Houses that are now coming after the rebel houses. At the very least, it's Taconis that's been using them, tricking them, because they're not. The score isn't settled to their liking. And I've been planting some things. I want Eyphaeson to think that maybe he's next.

[Thimble]

I'd be willing to wager that Einfossen is playing a game of 4D chess here, and that this could be a ploy. Oh, man, a trap. It could be a ploy from Eimfossen to try and wipe Daconis off the map, to make it easier for whatever machinations that they're trying to pursue.

[Azune]

I don't know if that's bad. Let them fight each other. Let them reduce each other's numbers. We did this already, Murray. We did this in the sewers.

[Thimble]

I know. You're talking about a kid. And you have to keep lying. You can't undo these lies right now. Izune, you have to. You're gonna have to clench your butt cheeks. Suck in your balls. All right? And you're gonna have to, like.

[Azune]

I don't know how to do that.

[Thimble]

You can suck in your balls through your butt cheek.

[Azune]

I don't think you. I can try.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Do I hear any of that? You've walked in for this conversation? Yeah.

[Thimble]

What does that have to do with telling the truth? Why do people not understand, like, metaphors here? I'm just saying you're gonna have to, like. You have to keep up with this. Izune. You cannot break now. Okay?

[Azune]

Okay.

[Thimble]

You are so good at this. You were so good at this.

[Azune]

I'm not.

[Thimble]

Izuni. Just think of it like a battlefield, right?

[Azune]

It's not the same thing, Thimble. You know, you talk about that. We were talking about these components, you know, spell components that you use up to make something incredible happen. And we're thinking about the paints and the stone of Nightsong. And these are components for something. And I think I've learned something else. There's a. Sometimes you make some really hard choices and it uses up your innocence. And I don't know how much of

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

that I have left.

[Thimble]

Breathe. Breathe. You're having a panic attack. Just breathe.

[Azune]

I don't wanna do this anymore.

[Thimble]

Hey. Hey.

[Azune]

I don't wanna be this anymore.

[Thimble]

Hey, Azune. I reach up and I just, like, rub your earlobe. Breathe.

[Azune]

Take a breath.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay.

[Azune]

Thimble. Do you remember when we first met?

[Thimble]

Yeah.

[Azune]

I don't remember everything about the people where I come from, but I do remember some stuff. And I know that. I know that we believe that people die multiple times. And that the final death is when you're forgotten. And I want you to remember me like the boy you first met. I want to be remembered as who I was before I killed anybody.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Before I became a liar.

[Azune]

I can't do this alone.

[Thimble]

Do you want me to come with you?

[Azune]

I don't want to take you down with me, but Octus can come with me.

[Thimble]

Wait, what? You said that very quickly. Why are you putting him on the Zune?

[Azune]

He could prove everything.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

If I come with you, I expose

[Azune]

a lot of things, including everything we're doing.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

If I If they realize that I am still around,

[Azune]

that's a lot of problems for us with the Taconis.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Listen, I don't know you. Well, just met you a little while ago then.

[Azune]

Stop. Stop. The answer's already no. You don't have to. No, I don't want to hear it. I don't. I don't want to hear it. I don't want to hear it. The answer is no, and that's enough for me.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I'm not asking.

[Azune]

I'm just going to say

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

that in my position, as I currently am, I will not die of old age. I will continue living, and I will not forget the good person that you are, as you currently are. And I will always remember you,

[Thimble]

Azune.

[Azune]

Why does that hurt?

[Thimble]

You've always been a boy Scout. That's why you're so good at what you do here. You have a trustworthy face. You do still have that innocence. You have the literal sunset in your eyes. That light isn't fading. It's just right on the horizon. And it hovers there. All right.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

All right. As Marie mentions your sunset eyes, you think about the fact that a mere 12 hours ago, you saw those eyes looking up at you from the ground as your sister bled onto the floor. You saw how withered she looked. What has she led a life doing? What have you led a life doing? She looked consumed, like a bag of components used up for the casting of great spells. Do not help it. Once again, we are recording this.

[Thimble]

Look, we're gonna get through this. You have an incredible support structure around you. We are all implicated in this scheme together. You do not have to shoulder any of this alone. And I promise you, I promise you, if we get through this, I will take you out for pizza and an ice cream party just like the Boy Scout that you are. You understand?

[Azune]

Huh? I promise. What kind of ice cream?

[Thimble]

What kind of ice cream? What's your favorite?

[Azune]

All of them.

[Thimble]

I will buy you an ice cream cone stacked up.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Freak out if you say that.

[Thimble]

I will buy you every carton of ice cream that is in this godforsaken city right now. You understand?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Establishing so many things. Thimble. I actually want everyone other than Azune and Murray to give me an insight check. Vals as well, I assume, is hearing this conversation distantly?

[Thimble]

Yeah. Wow.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

And I'll say that. I'll say that, Thimble, you can roll here with advantage because of your history with Azune.

[Thimble]

Why, that is terrible.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

But this is okay.

[Thimble]

18 15.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

15, 18, 18. Velis. I think on an 18 or actually, azune, go ahead and roll a persuasion or a deception with disadvantage. Cause you're just in a heightened emotional state. Two 19s? Two 19s? Hell yeah.

[Azune]

Oh, persuasion. Persuasion. So that's a 25? 25?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Hell yeah. I want Murray to give me a persuasion. Persuasion as well, if you'd be so kind.

[Thimble]

18.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

18. Azune soldiers up as Murray gives the command. Suck it up. You know, Zune joined the Torn Banner when he was 12 years old. He was starving on a street corner when Thaz found him. And I think on that 18, it's not high enough to get past a Zune's Guard. He is. The moment of vulnerability you've seen is quickly brushed away by a lot of competence in a man that needs a mask to survive. But I think on an 18, which meets Murray's Vaelis, you are able to perceive in what Murray is saying some degree of insight into her. What is Murray feeling that Vaelys can hear in her voice right now?

[Thimble]

Guilt.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Guilt.

[Azune]

Horrible.

[Thimble]

She hears what he has to say. But it doesn't matter right now. And I think it doesn't matter what Murray says. She knows Izune is right.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I think Phelis, you hear that loud and clear. And I think thimble on the 18, you hear that and the word that rings in your ear is alone. You and Thaz had each other. You lived in the city. You've worked with Azune countless times before. Long years of living in Dolmak Yara. And Azune was your man on the inside. He was the person that Piazzi relied on to keep him apprised of what was going on with the Revolutionary Guard. And I think when Murray says you're not alone, you realize you have no idea where Azune lives in the city. You don't know who he sees at night. You don't know who he has dinner with. You don't know what he goes home to at all.

[Thimble]

I would like to walk up and. Sit directly in front of Azune. I don't believe we've properly met.

[Azune]

I know we haven't.

[Thimble]

We have something in common. And I can smell it all over you.

[Azune]

What could it be?

[Thimble]

Mourning, loss. And the remembering part, that's the hardest sometimes.

[Azune]

How do you do it?

[Thimble]

There's not really a choice. And sometimes to protect the ones that are left behind, you have to do things that don't feel very good.

[Azune]

Yeah, I wanted to do that.

[Thimble]

I reach into my pocket and I pull out the handkerchief. Wipe your face. I'll talk to Dimitus. Let me talk to him first. I have the best relationship with him. I fought for him to even have a place at the Pentavrel. Kid doesn't have a cent to his name. I'll talk to him. But under one condition. I will be in that room with you. I can be invisible. I can be nearby. I can listen in. I can plant a bug. I can do whatever. I don't even have to be physically seen or present. But I cannot let that kid that we rescued, cold and dying out of the sewers from the croak keeper's grasp and walk him right back in to a worse lion's den. Then he's already in. You understand?

[Azune]

I do. But you gotta go there with me. With no trickery, they're gonna see right through it. It doesn't work for them. And you have a right to be there.

[Thimble]

Deal.

[Azune]

When you talk to Demidus, he should still make a written statement. He should make copies of it. I don't.

[Thimble]

Belair already has him on that desk, so I'll make sure of it.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

If there's a way I can help without putting me in front of people that.

[Azune]

Can you give me back that letter that you snatched out of my hands?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes, you hand back the letter. Murray. It's probably 1:30 in the afternoon and this is your last day. You have King Gust to go speak to. And now you've added Demidus and potentially the Einfassen to that list. You're on hour three of a lunch break from the Arcanade. If Dean Cora comes by and asks where you are, time is of the essence. What happens?

[Thimble]

Well, you were meeting with him tomorrow morning, right? Didn't you?

[Azune]

I'm supposed to meet with him tonight, but I can. I'll just send word to do it.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

All right. We're just going to need time.

[Azune]

I'm going to need a glyph, and I'm going to need a couple of those crystals.

[Thimble]

Which glyph?

[Azune]

Just a blank one. I got to write a spell on it.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It'll help me

[Thimble]

take whatever you need from our group stash.

[Azune]

Okay.

[Thimble]

I toss him the bag of our

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

belongings so he can take it.

[Azune]

And I will take what I'm looking for.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Great. You grab some of the metamagic gems and you grab one of the blank spell glyphs. They got so much shit. Hm?

[Thimble]

They got so much shit.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

They got so much shit.

[Thimble]

I gotta go talk to Gus. All right, everyone, we need to move, okay? I'm losing daylight. Okay. Azune. The day we met. We realize we both left things behind, right? Brand new world.

[Azune]

Yeah.

[Thimble]

It's a brand new world for both of us again, right?

[Azune]

Adventure.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Adventure. Yeah.

[Thimble]

All right, everyone, get the molasses out your ass.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We gotta move if the Einfausen meeting is happening tomorrow. And Murray's gonna talk to Demetus first. Azune, you see that? They're about to head to speak with Gus.

[Azune]

I walk away for a second and

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I take a breath, wipe my face.

[Thimble]

Hey, I love you.

[Azune]

I just stopped crying.

[Thimble]

Get the fuck out of here.

[Azune]

That's better.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Varen looks at you about to head out to go run down what he's running down and looks at you and says, you see? He basically says, should I come with you? Are you going to go speak with his Majesty the King? He looks and says, I think it might be the King owes Murray his life, but he owes it to you and the others that were there that ran into the room. He just doesn't know it.

[Azune]

He doesn't.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What I would say is, depending on what the professor is going to speak to him about, in a worst case scenario, you're all in a lot of trouble. But in a best case, he is a military man, and knowing if he has someone who knows what the city's resources are, it's a helpful thing.

[Azune]

Okay, you're right. I don't know how to stand up for myself against this guy. He's scary.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see? He looks at you and goes, well, for a lot of us, it's easier to take an arrow than a harsh word, but body's made of stern stuff. And he slaps your shoulder. Just spirit needs to follow. Best of luck, Lieutenant.

[Thimble]

Is he convincing Izune to roll with us now?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah. Yeah, if you'll have me.

[Thimble]

Let's go, baby. Besides, he's hot for teachers, so I think he'll be all right.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Great. And I'll excuse you guys from the table. Let's go ahead and get. Let's go ahead and get Liam, Aabria, and Robbie in here.

[Thimble]

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[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

at DSW

[Thimble]

we ask the important questions like what shoes are you going to wear? Whether you're prepping for wedding season, festival season or just planning the ultimate vacay, the right shoes can make or break an rsvp.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

So own the moment.

[Thimble]

You've got big plans and we've got just the shoes at the perfect price of course. Get ready to get ready with Designer Shoe Warehouse.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Head to your DSW store or dsw.com today and let us surprise you my friends. You approach the Via Aurora. This magnificent estate erected very quickly to the might, splendor and majesty of the candescent creed. Tycha. You were probably a 4 year old girl when they broke ground on this cathedral and it has this whole. You look around, you haven't been in this neighborhood in a minute or I should say you have been in this neighborhood recently. But it's on the opposite side of Mirror's Ash which is the neighborhood you grew up in.

[Thimble]

This all used to be orange groves.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

There's a 10 block radius that is Crete Cathedral, the Viaurora. There are holdings of house Haylvar here privately. You see that there are rows of houses that have the lintel piece in marble with the candescent creed carved into it like on private housing. It has just spread like a campus here in this place. There are street preachers out here that you can see people calling out and as you arrive white gravel courtyard doors

[Azune]

open

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

and looking out in this place as you arrive you see this. There are some soldiers approaching and you see Sir Fallonius Haylevar look out and

[Thimble]

goes sorry really quick before we would have gotten within visual range of anyone important. Are we all walking in? What's the plan?

[Azune]

I don't they have a Monster in the basement. I don't really like the idea of going inside the Vatican on my own. But that means we need to explain our trio.

[Thimble]

Well, I'm kind of asking if you want person friend. Or I can be a second dog.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Double dog. Double dog. Double dog.

[Thimble]

Your call.

[Azune]

Dog.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Man.

[Azune]

Man.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Dog.

[Azune]

Maybe dog.

[Thimble]

Variable.

[Azune]

Oh, well, I actually think you're easier to explain than.

[Thimble]

Yeah, I just wasn't sure if you were expected to be alone.

[Azune]

I probably was, but we're civilized people, more or less. Some of us. I'm just gawking at everything. I've never been in a place like this before. Right, right, right. I think the angle is that you and I are family.

[Thimble]

Fair.

[Azune]

We're no secret in this city. And this is an old friend of my brother's. Who I am trying to learn things about my brother's past. Well, it's not even a lie, it's just truth.

[Thimble]

Yeah, it's easier to.

[Azune]

You're my guest. You're my country mouse guest.

[Thimble]

Okay. In the event we get separated and I think I just flick my wrist and slithering down my loy staff is just a jet black snake that looks like it's got oil slick on the scales. And I'll send my familiar with you. You can wear it as a belt. I don't know, just if we need to get in contact.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh, yeah, sure. I'll hike my pants up.

[Azune]

And also Brendan, before we would have gotten that close. Almost there, but I think I turn put my back to the via aurora and look at you. This is gonna be fine.

[Thimble]

Yeah.

[Azune]

Tell me you love me and everything will be fine.

[Thimble]

I love you. Everything's gonna be more than fine.

[Azune]

And so it will be. And that word vibrates through my skull. And I cast enhance ability on myself. Charisma. So I am always at advantage with deception, thanks to the liar's play. But now I'm also at advantage with persuasion.

[Thimble]

Oh, let's go.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Incredible. Aabria, can you roll a luck check for me?

[Thimble]

Why me, Brennan?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Because it concerns you. You don't want a 1 through 10.

[Thimble]

Okay, it's a 14.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Great.

[Thimble]

Thank you for being in Marisha's seat. She rolls good. And I'm using that.

[Azune]

Level five?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah. Help.

[Thimble]

I'm only level three. Oh, sorry. By the way, I'm a liability.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You walk past here and as you turn a corner and begin to walk approaching Ser Hailuvar, you see a figure that you've seen before walk past and you see that a beautiful antlered demon turns around and goes, welcome, travelers. To the Via Aurora. Where do I know you from?

[Thimble]

Oh, gosh, who could say? Around the city. Hi. Blessings of the light be upon you. What do you say? Is this enmity?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

No, this is cruelty.

[Thimble]

Cruelty?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah.

[Thimble]

Nice spellwork.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see, she goes. Oh, my God. What are you doing here? We already said we're sorry.

[Thimble]

I live here.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What? Yeah. Oh, okay. We. Hold on.

[Azune]

Are you.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Are you trying to get revenge? We didn't even kill you.

[Thimble]

You tried.

[Azune]

Sorry, is there a problem here? We're guests of the photo.

[Thimble]

Well, we're old friends.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Why else would you come back? You were in a different whole city. We're already in trouble. Why are you in trouble? Oh, you in trouble. That's what you sound like

[Thimble]

again. That's the most effective thing you did while trying to kill me was not hurt my feelings.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I'm gonna put those antlers on my wall throw you in trouble. I'll find a way to hurt your feelings.

[Thimble]

No, you won't.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Give me a wisdom saving throw. Oh, oh, okay, hold on, hold on, hold on.

[Thimble]

This is great. Nope.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I need saves.

[Thimble]

I'm brand new at this22.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What is on your surface thoughts?

[Thimble]

Surface thoughts are just laughing, remembering all the times I dunked on her.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes. You see, she goes. There's something in there that'll hurt you. And I. Don't make fun of me. And you see, she just rolls off into the gravel and rolls under a cave. Was that a spell?

[Azune]

It rolls away like a poltergeist.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It rolls away like a little exorcist girl and just rolls under a carriage. And you see that? Sir Felonious from the steps says all aspirants are required at afternoon prayer.

[Thimble]

Oh, that's the word I was saying.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Astringent.

[Azune]

We're gonna use the carrot and not the rod when we go inside, so.

[Thimble]

I like her a lot.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

That's the Felonius says, welcome to the Via Aurora. My apologies for our aspirants. Their piety and fervor in worship often makes them speak in tongues that sound like full sentences.

[Azune]

It's all good. I'm fairly decent friends with Wicander from the family. I've spent a bit of time with his aspirants.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Ah. We were anticipating you, Mr. Fang. I am, of course. I wish you a blessed and luminous day. For I believe it was your gala last night that received the miracle of Resendency.

[Azune]

I know I arrived a little too late to witness the miracle for myself, but the entire museum, you know it is true. I have learned a lot from Wicander. And I know there's more to learn.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes, well, the Lord Wicander is indeed very important in the comings and goings of the light. And he has still not sent word from us on his missive. If you hear of anything from him, please let us know. Hello.

[Azune]

Hello.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Well, you can. I can say, you see, he opens the door and goes, is the wolf also coming?

[Azune]

It's a pet friendly church.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

This is the Villa Roy. This is my family's home. Right, right. But we did make it look like a church. Are there dogs allowed? You tell me. And you see that Wrath and judgment, these two sort of celestial hounds are the size of fucking horses. Just look out and cones of light come off their eyes and detect magic. Are there any active spells? Do they see enhanced ability, charisma?

[Azune]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see holy. Good boy. And you see that Filonius says, do you have any magic active on you right now, sir?

[Azune]

Well, I've just come from my theater and we are, in fact, practitioners there on a, you know, friendly level. Helps with performance anxiety.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

He nods. He's going to make a little arcana check. Give me a deception roll. Let's go. Rolls a billion things.

[Azune]

It's a 1919.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see that? He goes, oh, I see this. There is sort of theater magic on you. Yeah. Some of us go to the people with fictions and fabrications, and others bring the truth.

[Thimble]

I was beginning to cast speak with animals and then stopped just mid. Are we not allowed to.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I just want to say hi. Oh, would you wish to speak to my hounds?

[Thimble]

Sorry, they're just so cute.

[Azune]

I spin my hand and a little bone floats over my hand.

[Thimble]

Here, boy.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Grabs the bone and sort of slaps. Snaps the.

[Azune]

He grabs air.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah, he's a good boy. You can cast me, panelist.

[Thimble]

Yeah, I'm gonna.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You do so. And you see that? Flunis says, are you a wielder of arcane magic?

[Thimble]

I am a druid of the circle of Ancients and I will speak to all docs.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Give me a persuasion check. Uh.

[Thimble]

Oh, it's a three on the dice.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I don't think it's gonna matter. Six heos. Ah. A druid of the circle of Ancients, we welcome you to our home. Huh? You are welcome here.

[Thimble]

I. Okay, That's a fun look. I come bearing a belated candle feast. Blessing.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Happy candle feast. Please do not cast any magic on premises. Wrath. Judgment, continue your patrol. No. And you see, they go and run off into the courtyard.

[Azune]

I have a snake in my pants.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I do as well. What's that. Is it magic? No, I'm sorry, I take it back.

[Azune]

I don't. It's not a magic snake.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I mean, kind of. No, no. Don't be down on yourself. I'm sure it's a magic. Come with me. In another life, Bolonius and Kadigan are best friends. Yes. You guys are brought. It's a little magical, but. Shh. Oh, sorry.

[Azune]

I thought we were being honest.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

No. All right.

[Azune]

Two truths and a lie.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You guys are brought into the Via Aurora and find that there is a smaller chamber that nevertheless is built like a throne room. There is a hushed chapel. Stained glass of gold and cream and teal and translucent diamond white transmutes the gray overcast light of Dolmachyar into a panoply of color on the ground. As you look out and see raised only three or four steps up, but on a magnet magnificent white throne that gleams with light. You see Yanessa Haylivar, who looks out. This room is filled with about a dozen or so attendants. There's a small desk off to one side. People are bringing her paper to review. You see that an attendant is speaking with her. She also has her son, Goddard, who you see is enormous, broad shoulders. He has sort of a hunched back blindfold on is here behind him. Enmity is on the other side of him. And you see that Yanessa looks up and says, I am so glad to receive you. Welcome, honored guests to the Via aurora. I understand, Mr. Fane, that you have brought a woman that I know to be actually your of your love.

[Azune]

Yes, she's family.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes, family. I see. She says, welcome, Ms. Loy. The name of your family rings with honor and pride here in the city of Dolmarkia. And we honor you and the path that you walk as well. Though we are sisters of different faiths, there is no path to which the light does not reach. And we honor you. And of course, for your family's sake as well, Dolmarchyar. She says there were none that blasphemed against the light so greatly as the shapers.

[Thimble]

On this we absolutely agree. Belated happy candle feast.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You are aware of our holy days. A belated happy candlefist to you. Would you like some of our luminous cookies?

[Azune]

That sounds delightful.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

They make ever so many.

[Azune]

May I say, may the beam reach you. And what a pleasure it is to see you so healthy and hale after last night's excitement.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see, she smiles as you say, may the beam reach you. Go ahead and give me. Give me a persuasion check. You want A cookie. I'm gonna get a cookie. I don't eat wheat.

[Azune]

Smart. It's 26.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

26. She says, May the beam reach you. Some attendants bring out these little white sugar cookies with some. They're sort of that creamy. They've caught a little bit of the Maillard reaction in the oven, but they had this pure white confectioner's sugar on them that are brought over to you. And you see that? She says, may the beam reach you, Mr. Fang. And your companion. This is a member of your troop?

[Azune]

This is an old friend of the family. My brother's to be specific. I'm showing him around the city and he's helping me get to know the man my brother was. Awkward bow.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What is your name, traveler? Gadigan Vale. Catagan Vale. Yes. Well, welcome to the Via Aurora, Mr. Vale. I'm honored to be here. It's quite an astonishing place. May I say, Mr. Vale, You bear a weight to your spirit. And I want you to know that nothing is truly lost. Everything that is promised to us waits for us in the light. Well, promises are meant to be broken. Or at least that's what my dad always said.

[Azune]

I'm a sinner, though, so maybe I

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

am in the right spot.

[Thimble]

God, that's so sad.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We all are, Mistra. Even you, of course. To walk perfectly in the light, you see? She gestures to enmity and says, the purpose of the light is not to cast judgment upon those who stray or err. The miracle of our aspirants is proof that even those who are born from the pit itself know the touch of the light. Whatever mistakes you have made in your life, Mr. Vale, they do not define you. I wish for your spirit to know lightness and freedom. It's nice to hear. She says, if you have wished to speak to someone, know that the creed is here for you. If you ever feel lost or alone, know that we are here for you. Thank you.

[Azune]

And then give a courtesy nod and I'll just sort of turn my back away.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see that? She says. Mr. Feng, we need speak of your theater. I. May I invite you into a circle of trust?

[Azune]

I mean, I think with the patronage you've shown the arts. Based off my excellence relationship with your grandson, I welcome it.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

My grandson is the matter of trust that I now bring to you. I believe that my grandson has been captured against his will. Oh, it. Speaking of those who sin, I and my family have engaged in a lie, pointed untruth. We have been sharing publicly that we believe Wikander to have Been on a mission and to have simply slipped in, remaining in touch with us. This is a lie to which I will have to beg the Light for forgiveness, as we all can. And we told it because we did not wish for the people to panic. Wakander has become a symbol. A symbol for a bright morning at the end of so much darkness. The shapers were thrown down and all were promised freedom. And we have endured nearly a century of war. Wakanda was to be a symbol for an escape from that. The true delivery of the promise of freedom. And yet he has vanished and gone missing. We believe that he has been captured by a seditious agitator, a former rebel of the Falconer's Rebellion, with a pointed agenda to punish those sundered houses that merely wished to restore order and law to these lands. We believe this individual may have even been present at your brother's funeral. We believe that Wakanda Haylevar has been captured by a rebel traitor known as Teor Pridesire.

[Azune]

Oh, your perturbation must know no bounds. What is at the heart of it?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

There was rumor of his mercenary company working in the Far east, past the old fallen empire of Obra Demia. We believe he may have been present in the city because of your brother's passing. And it may have driven him over an edge, into grief and madness and lashing out at those that he perceives as being responsible. Of course, if I had my way, Mr. Fang, there would be no punishment in death. There would be only reverence and. And acceptance in the Light. But we believe that this Pridesire is dangerous. And he may mean harm not only to us, but to you as well. Anyone that he perceives as being against him.

[Azune]

Well, it is no secret that my brother had a very checkered and turbulent life. And it grieves me to think that any harm would come to Wakander's head. I said goodbye to him at my door. I bid him farewell from my brother's funeral. He did stop to pay his respects.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

And

[Azune]

I would worry about him out in the world.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

He.

[Azune]

Your grandson, means well, but he is as. I don't mean to insult him, but as innocent as they come.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You are not wrong. This wicked world has a way of sullying pure things.

[Azune]

And if he were returned to you, you would show mercy on him?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Wakander?

[Azune]

Yes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

If he were returned to me, I would weep for joy. Wakander has done nothing wrong that I know of. Have you heard differently? You spoke up, Mr. Vale. Have you heard differently? No. Go ahead and Give me a second.

[Thimble]

While he's doing this. Is enmity in the room?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah.

[Thimble]

Can I try to give the help action by drawing? Enmity's like I'm trying to take attention off of Cadigan.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah, yeah. What's that? What's that? Could you read it for me? Oh, buddy, thanks so much. Oh, yeah.

[Thimble]

Oh, that's a natural one.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Thank you is the thing.

[Thimble]

I wanted to thank you, actually. No.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Maybe don't have it.

[Thimble]

Maybe don't have it.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Mr. Vale, have you come into contact with my grandson? No.

[Thimble]

If I kill him, he can't.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

All these motherfuckers talked for, like, two hours. You talked for five minutes. I thought I was helping. I believe you. No, no, no.

[Azune]

Well, I just thought if family. And you thought he was taken, you would be mad at him for allowing himself to be taken. And a family as prestigious as yours would certainly want a more capable young man. And perhaps you would be mad at him. If I were to allow myself as a young child to fall into such perilous circumstance, I certainly would expect my family to be upset with me. And I would expect that they would show mercy on me. You know, I will say this about Wicander. Against his own better judgment, he was attracted to danger. He was beyond fascinated with the men of arms at our house that night. He seemed infatuated with anyone who wore a blade at their side. And I think as long as I've known him, he has longed for adventure, which I know is an odd person, for one, in his role in this city, within this hallowed place.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Go ahead and give me persuasion. Or deception.

[Azune]

They're the same.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Baby. Let's go.

[Azune]

That is. That is 21. 21?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Hell, yeah.

[Azune]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see, she says you may well be right.

[Thimble]

And enmity. We met in reason Girdle.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes. I had not intended to bring it up here.

[Thimble]

Well, when we spoke, you said you were.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

The Fotard says. I'm so sorry. You have met one of our Aspirant.

[Thimble]

I didn't want to interrupt your conversation, but, yes, I was in Reason Girdle recently, and I came across Aspirant Enmity shortly after stopping in and paying my respects to the Einfassen, who I believe were hosting some of the heirs of House Taconis for Candle Feast.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

They were hosting some of the House? So the Einfast and Tychonis were celebrating candle feasts?

[Thimble]

I believe so. It was around the time and. Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

How unusual. I did not know them to be of the faith.

[Azune]

Well, your reach is far and wide.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Well, you see, Enmity you hear a voice in your mind from Enmity saying, the less said of our failure, the better. We'll make it worth your while not to share what could on the Haqwalin. Booker,

[Thimble]

you're really gonna want to make

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

it worth my while. Just please be cool.

[Thimble]

Make a persuasion check.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I'm following Whitney's lead about what demons are like. You. You see? You see that, as she says. Well, Enmity, you must tell me all about your meeting with our friend Ms. Loy as soon as you can. And you see, Enmity says, of course, your radiance. You see the photograph says. But we have not come here to speak of Wakanda. We are here to speak of your play. Your play. Your play.

[Azune]

I am running in a thousand different directions. This week especially. We are on the verge of it, less than 24 hours away.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Well, I have some changes, which we were able to get a script from Wakanda's belongings and things. Yes. And there are several things that we would like to alter if we can. There is an element of.

[Azune]

I love creative collaboration.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We feel that when the play ends and Oscra is still dominant, Oscra wins, the revolution fails, the rebellion fails. And it feels like it's going to be an extremely tragic or somber or unfortunate ending. We would love if, at the end, yes, Pokeon dies. But if he were to die and merge with a universal force, something that would show that his life, his rebellion, was not spent in vain, but rather that in struggling and failing, his soul was actually redeemed and rewarded.

[Azune]

I am with you. I'm with you. I think I would like to suggest that that is implied.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Let's make it explicit. And further, I think there are some moments of comedy that just don't hit in the first act. I think there's an element that we would like to bring as well, of Vocion communicates a lot towards his people. He keeps bringing it back to the Runyani, but of course, there will be many in your audience that are not themselves Runyani. Perhaps if there was something that he referred to that he felt that there was a spirit moving upon him, something that he almost didn't understand why he was doing what he was doing, but there was something communicating to him. The yearning for freedom, yearning for redemption, yearning for salvation.

[Thimble]

Redemption against what? Redemption from what?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We are all sinners.

[Thimble]

Sure. But is that the focus? Mm. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. This is. This is your play and my people's history. So you guys can keep. That's fine.

[Azune]

Hi.

[Thimble]

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[Azune]

Stop. This is Simplisafe. Police are on the way.

[Thimble]

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[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Simplisafe Active Guard Outdoor Protection plan starting at $49.99 a month.

[Thimble]

Visit simplisafe.com licenses for alarm license information. Tennessee 2012 and now the next chapter of the Serta counting sheep. Hey uncle number one, why aren't we counting anymore?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Let me tell you a story. SERTA invented the perfect sleeper mattress.

[Thimble]

Oh no.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh yes. It says the all new Serta Perfect sleeper with a Q4 support system has 4 in 1 perfectly interlinked coils that help relieve aches and back pain for perfect sleep. Night out, dark night.

[Thimble]

We'll never get counted again.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Uh, nope.

[Azune]

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[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Breathe in. Feel the sense of calm that comes from having up to $300 in overdraft protection with Goto Bank.

[Azune]

Now.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Did you say $300? Yes. Now back to our breathing. So if I overspend my balance, Goto bank has my back up to $300. Yes. Can we breathe out now? Less worries, more zen. With over $300 in overdraft protection tap to open an account today. Eligible direct deposits and opt in required for overdraft protection fees. Terms and conditions apply. I understand that these are some quite large changes and I know that you are going up tonight. So she's going up tomorrow night. You see, she says I understand you are going up tonight, so I would be more than happy to. You know there's big changes very quickly. Do you feel confident that you can make those changes in time?

[Azune]

Yeah, I think I can. Do you have any edits you'd like to suggest? Specifically anything on.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She snaps her fingers and you see that There is an enormous pile of pages that are moved towards you with tabs sticking out at little angles with Candescent creed stationary on it, with long cards filled with notes.

[Azune]

I think I can take these under consideration.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Wonderful. If you have creative issue with anything, your lease is very clear. You are a free man in the free city of Dolmarkyar, and your business is your own. If there are things here that you feel warrant further consideration or that you don't feel positive about, I want you to know that we are absolutely happy as part of the body that granted that lease, to delay opening night until we can arrive at a middle ground.

[Azune]

No, no, I think that we can make this work. I'll take those suggestions and you come tomorrow night and you will be pleased.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I want to be very clear, Mr. Fang. I have no issue with opening night being a week from now, a month from now, a year from now. It's important, Mr. Fang, given how excited and abuzz the city seems to be, that we get this right.

[Azune]

We do have momentum on our side, and I would hate to ruin collaboration between Haylovar and Fang.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She smiles and says, very well. I also understand that your dramatis arcane is under house arrest.

[Azune]

Yes, yes. And fortunately we were able to work out an arrangement with his age and his. He's a gentle old soul.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I'm very glad to hear that. And let me just say, I understand he's put a tremendous amount of work into this play. I would be so happy to make an advisement to house Einfassen on his potential release. Based on all this business with Obramus Manor and everything else. Or if you prefer, we have our own skilled luxes that could help with any lighting effects you might need. Which I understand is much of what he did.

[Azune]

Well, it's part of it. There's also a good bit of illusion and shadow.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What is illusion but a sullying of the light?

[Azune]

I would prefer if you permit me me to earn your good grace. I think I know precisely what you want to see.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You do?

[Azune]

I've spent a lot of time with your grandson. He talks a lot.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Well, then. When may I come see it?

[Azune]

I'll save a seat for you.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Tomorrow you're having the dress rehearsal. Oh, I thought you. You were going up tonight. You're going up tomorrow.

[Azune]

Ah, yes, tonight we are. Just. I don't know that I can.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

The first rehearsal was probably tonight. Yes, for sure.

[Azune]

But we only have a handful of hours and I don't know that I can have the troupe be off book in time.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh, with the new changes, yes, yes. Well, then let's delay opening.

[Azune]

So much time and effort has gone into this moment. Tomorrow night. Is there anything I can offer that would satisfy your need?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I've taken great pains to write them all down. And she points at the script.

[Thimble]

Can I make an insight check on her? She's so weirdly insistent on delaying the opening.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Go for it. Give me insight. I'll give you the number you're trying to beat. You are trying to beat a 20. I don't

[Thimble]

shit.

[Azune]

Well, is it that you need to see a run through first?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes, that would be delightful.

[Azune]

All right, well, maybe we can meet in the middle. Why don't you come? And people will be book in hand and we can give you an idea of how things. Then give my folk a good chunk of time to digest and then we'll be ready to go.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She looks at you and says, I'm so sorry. You can imagine that there is a great deal of tumult given the recent miracle I will not be coming myself to. With tremendous respect, I do not think it appropriate for someone of my calling to be in the theater or the marketplace or these areas. But the Lady Iris will be by to see this run through and make sure that the changes have been adopted.

[Azune]

Understood? I am nothing if not pliable.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Pliability in the hands of the faithful is simply surrender to a higher order. You are a man of good heart and conscience. Pliability in the face of the light is simply acknowledgment of a greater truth. Thank you, Mr. Fang.

[Azune]

I take heart from your illumination.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

May the beam reach you. And I think she looks out. And anyone who wants to give me an insight as you leave the room, please.

[Thimble]

Nice.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Here we go.

[Azune]

Garbage for me.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

23. 23. Insight. A natural.22 modes. Cadigan,

[Azune]

it feels right.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You look up as you are leaving this chamber. You look up and see the foetarch smiling right at you. And she doesn't look at Hal, doesn't look at Tysha. She looks right at you, smiling. And in your mind you hear, I am here if you ever need to talk. Mr. Vale, does Cadigan turn to accompany Hal and Tysha out of the room?

[Azune]

Say that again. Ask the question.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I assume you follow Tycha and Hal out of the room, right?

[Azune]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

As you turn around on a NAT20 Insight, you feel the foetarch's eyes remain on you. Kadigan, you spent a whole life in the wilderness. Your body has an instinctive reaction when a predator has started hunting you. Yeah. You are Marked and on a Nat20, the most powerful woman in the world wants you in her jaws right now.

[Azune]

In this voice in my head. In this voice in my head, is there the sense that she can read my thoughts or only send it one

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

only sending it right now. Okay. All right. On an Act 20 insight, you don't feel that you're having a conversation or that she can probe deeper into your mind.

[Azune]

Okay.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You exit out of the Via Aurora

[Thimble]

the moment we hit anything. I assume this place is full of light. It's very cathedral like. The moment we hit anything close enough to a dark corner, I'm going to have my familiar slip off of you. And he's going to get as far as he can get. I want him searching for that angel basement.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I wasn't here for weird conversation. I thought you were here for weird conversation. Unbelievable. I love after every one of these scenes that I have a little section for what the fuck happened? And this one just says, cadigan fucked snake.

[Thimble]

That's how I take notes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Incredible.

[Azune]

Out on the street once we're a few blocks away, Hal's quiet as they walk away from this place. And eventually he just stops, puts his hand on a building and just sort of bends over laughing silently.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Mm.

[Azune]

I have so much work to do.

[Thimble]

Are you gonna do it?

[Azune]

That old dried out husk can choke on filament. I gotta go to the theater, we gotta prepare some bullshit and then they can fucking choke tomorrow night.

[Thimble]

I've never loved you more,

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Hal. You rushed to the theater. It's time for dress rehearsal. You're producing a play.

[Azune]

I gotta pass out pages. We gotta put on a sham tonight and tomorrow we go forward as planned. Script untouched.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Fuck yes. All right, you guys are good to go. You guys can swap out. Let's go ahead and get the group headed for a knife and pallet. Incredible.

[Thimble]

Zip, zap, zap, zip.

[Azune]

Crazy eights.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Crazy eights. All right, Final boss is Siskoni Bolair. Heading out from Hal's home, you wend your way back down to the Tanners, a neighborhood that wick even living for most of your life in Dolmakjar you have. I mean, traveling around and everything like that, but you never. Certainly never been here, Teyar. The last time you were here was the. This is the same neighborhood that Thyazzi's hideout where you rescued and saved Thimble's life. That's where this happened.

[Azune]

Awesome.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Arriving at this place, it is an industrial neighborhood. It's called the Tanner's because there's a lot of leather Tanneries here. So there's industrial sewage flowing out over the cliffs down into Lake Nahami. And you arrive at a little cobblestone road. Big squat buildings. See, there's one that has a door that's been bricked up. You see, sort of covered. And across from that small little window and a small door that has. You recognize a sort of braided rope tool on it, which is for halflings and gnomes to easily open doorways that are built for larger folk. Bolaire. You approach the apartment across from Knife and Pigment.

[Azune]

And she specifically asked to meet me?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes.

[Azune]

Unless there's another person with your name. No. But did she give any indication of why? Well, I got the sense that perhaps

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

she was very attracted to you.

[Azune]

I don't believe you. Yes. I didn't get that sense because she wasn't there. I was just going for a shot. I got the sense that it could be anything.

[Thimble]

Well, is there anything we need to know about Hollis Kennywater before we walk in? Is there any information that we need to know?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Is that she? Is that a he?

[Azune]

Just anything at all?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah.

[Azune]

What I will say going in here, they are very criminal. Not to be trusted. What little I do know of them is because we have seen each other in the same deeply unscrupulous circles. And there's every chance that one could think of that when they see you, Teor, they might shit themselves. Why wouldn't they see me? Well, it's just you have quite a reputation apparently. And.

[Thimble]

Well, what's the over under on them selling us out? Because this guy's kind of a hot commodity right now.

[Azune]

8 out of 10.

[Thimble]

Okay, so should we keep disguise on?

[Azune]

I think he's fucking with us. I'm really not. Actually at this point I think it's more than likely that this is going to go completely tits up if they. Well, then maybe I'll keep my disguise on.

[Thimble]

Disguise on. I will also disguise myself.

[Azune]

Julian. Yes. Anything around us that feels off. What? In these circumstances, probably not. I'm going to go ahead and search the perimeter to see if we're being followed or if there's anybody lurking in nearby shadows that might be of an issue.

[Thimble]

Do I know that guy?

[Azune]

I'm not sure. What are you getting off of him?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Give me that one more time, Matt.

[Azune]

Keeping an eye out to see if we're being followed or anybody is.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Give me perception.

[Azune]

That's going to perception be 17

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

on a 17. You do not clock yourself as being followed.

[Azune]

Does he look familiar?

[Thimble]

His hair does. I feel like maybe at one of your parties. I feel like I've seen him cry.

[Azune]

That is entirely possible. You were at a party together at one point. I think so far you have a little snap to the bra on your back. And then I knock this clear for now. Thank you. Although I. I would. Teor, did you see anything? What do you mean? Are we being followed? I don't. I didn't look. Okay. I think Tayor is here in case everything goes tits up. It's more. Apparently I'm very intimidating. You are. But I can search for, you know, like fiends and celestial.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Any of the.

[Azune]

I'm dead. Can I do a little.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Do you want to put your divine sense on?

[Azune]

Yeah, sure. How long does it last?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

This place is pulsing. Fiendish.

[Azune]

We are fucked.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Pulsing.

[Azune]

It is radiating bitches in here. Just all sorts of.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You sense across the street coming off of the door in front of you. There's fiendish energy across from you. Through that brick doorway, the one that has no door in it. You sense multiple sources of fiendish energy. And one that is pulsing with a power that is provocative in a way that is hard to describe.

[Azune]

Listen, I know I said I would Tagalog on this one, but I am assuming you have some idea of what you're walking into. Because there are fiends. Literal, strong reading fiends here. How. How bad is it? Like there are fiends are like, eh, there's too many of them.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We'll never make it.

[Azune]

And then there's like, oh, this one's boss. We should be careful. And then there's this thing that I'm. Okay. It's a bit more than I was expecting, but I was expecting that somewhere. Somewhere around here. So we're still going? Yes. I suppose. You have a better idea? I just want to know what kind of part.

[Thimble]

Why are we handing Wick to this person you've never even met? What information could they possibly have that could benefit us?

[Azune]

Why in darkness are we here? Because this is the sort of information that's going to tell us whether or not we are going to put the play on. And honestly, I have faith in you, Wick. That's enough. That's all I needed to hear. Let's go.

[Thimble]

Very manipulative.

[Azune]

Your life is safe. Let me put this very clearly. I underestimated you. And being underestimated is an extremely powerful weapon if you're willing to wield it. And I think you are willing to be better than people think you are.

[Thimble]

Before we go in, you gotta think of a different Name?

[Azune]

Nick Falcon.

[Thimble]

Okay.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

The door opens. The door opens and a ghostly paper white little halfling looks out, who's got a glove with different metal fingertips that he's tapping. And he goes.

[Azune]

Hello. I've alerted my mistress that you are all here. Are you Hollis?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I am Hollis. May we come in to my apartment,

[Azune]

if that's all right?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

No, no, it's all right. You all had a conversation outside my

[Azune]

door,

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

and I've established that I am specifically a watchman. I kick it in front of that window all day, waiting to see if people come up. And you guys walked up here and then started to talk about how, I'm assuming you are Wakander Halobar in Australia. I thought you. I thought you looked around the perimeter. Yeah, the perimeter is fine. I live here. You came to me. You came to where I live.

[Azune]

I knew where that he was here.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I was just worried about other people.

[Azune]

It's the wrong group to go with you. Have you passed the test? It's going to be absolutely fine. Almost everyone who's done one of these, please show us. Show us to the mistress. Yes. You passed the test. Excellent.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Splendid. Can you pick me up? Oh, pick me up. I want to caress your face as I say this.

[Azune]

All right, go ahead. Halfling.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You need not fear. You need not fear. All will be explained in time. Put me down.

[Azune]

He said that in half. Is this a he, a she, a they?

[Thimble]

It's a he.

[Azune]

Okay.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

A ghostly little sort of halfling that you can see has pulsing, fiendish energy, but not as a fiend. You believe him to be a warlock of some kind?

[Azune]

He said that in halfling?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

No, no, he is a halfling. He said that in Runyani.

[Azune]

Oh, okay. All good. Was there any odd hand movements or anything going on there?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Not that you could see. Okay, he's tapping. He's tapping. He's still doing his tap. He's still doing his tapping. He says, right this way. And you see, he looks and he says, are we accompanied by an aspirant of the Candescent Creed?

[Thimble]

At your service. I'd like to do a quick little check to see if I know who his patron is.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Give me a. This is very high DC just to look at him and know who his patron is. But go ahead and see if there's anything kindred. Give me arcana about. Give me an arcana check about him. Or you can do insight if you'd like. Okay.

[Thimble]

Well talked. 16.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

16 is not high enough for you to tell just by looking at him. But you know that he is a fiendish warlock, you see. He looks at you and says, I don't know if you can tell by this rotting bag outside, but I sell a candle feasts not too many days ago. I am a proud member of the Creed.

[Azune]

Wonderful to meet a fellow believer.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I can confirm. And I'll sprint. Baulaire, You've done exceptionally well.

[Azune]

I love bringing people together.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We were lucky enough just to get Wakanda, but the mistress would be absolutely ebullient at an aspirant.

[Azune]

I'm very excited that she's in fact home. I thought I was going to have to be all subtle about it and go, hmm, perhaps she is in fact actually in town. This is so much better.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I want to be clear. Your whole operation should absolutely be tightened up, but in this instance, your blatant lack of subtlety is going to yield absolutely enormous dividends. I will worry for you in the future, but for now, smooth sailing. And you see, he walks across the street to the brick doorway and says, welcome to Knife and Pigment. We produce the finest paints in Dhulmarchia Ka Sa. And the door bursts into flame and he walks through the fire this way.

[Azune]

Hut, hut, hut, hut, hut, hut, hut, hut, hut. You travel with these two demons and fools. First. I have. Is it always like this? Mostly.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Fuck it. I think also there's a moment too of Julian and Teor. You guys, I think, fought against each other like on the same battlefield in the Falconer's Rebellion.

[Azune]

Yeah, I don't think I recognize that. No. I think I saw you fight the Aussie, right?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I was there for that. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Azune]

It's going to be fine, boys.

[Thimble]

Security detail, tighten up, man.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You guys move into a. You guys move into a sweltering hot workshop. Bubbling vats of enormous pigments, boiling. You see that there are fires lit. Shapes are flitting around that look like bats but constituted of smoke. So they're partially ethereal or not. Here. Carrying small things of powders to drop into these boiling, bubbling cauldrons. The pots themselves, some of them are like a hundred gallon pots of. Of paint bubbling and boiling. You look around, you see there are a number of figures walking. Some of them have burn marks on them from having been burned in here. Probably about a dozen or so workers. As you walk in, no one seems perturbed that you have entered. It's not like everything suddenly work stops. But you see a couple of people look over and some see you tyranny and react. Absolutely shocked. Everyone that you see here, by the way, does look like a humanoid for the most part. It looks like some humans, some orcs, some halflings, some gnomes moving through the space. You look out and see that there is a young woman. She has a covered in her arms are caped with vibrant different rainbow colors. You see that she's testing things out on the. This huge thing of butcher's paper. You look out and I think you ping her immediately with your divine sense up as a fiend. She is in disguise as a humanoid. She looks up, you see that her teeth have all been filed into pointed. All of her teeth are pointed. And she looks up as you approach going. And then looks up and goes. And begins to weep and rushes out of the room.

[Thimble]

She's on her period.

[Azune]

Is that the normal response for you?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I've never.

[Thimble]

People are really looking at me specifically. You guys have noticed that?

[Azune]

Yes. What?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Thank you.

[Azune]

Part of a striking image in most places.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Fascinating. Mistress. Mistress. You guys see an enormous pair of. In the way that workshops will have barn doors, the sliding doors that come across on a rail. One of those opens revealing this all looks like a wild. This is one massive ember red OSHA violation out here. And then through the. The barn doors. What is in there? Looks like something out of a necromancer or infernalistry. There's a seven pointed pentagram on the ground. A staircase ascending with different cubbies that have snarling fiend gargoyles, gleaming weird arcane light and a massive desk. It looks like some sort of study or arcane sanctum. And you see an old woman hungry over wearing the most fetid hanging rags, steps out holding this enormous cane that you realize is a warp at the top of it has bleeding sopping wet hairs and is an enormous paintbrush. She steps forward and goes Teor. That is the signature. She's stepping out of there. Why are you reacting that way?

[Azune]

Fiend. Fiend. Fiend.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What do you call me? A fiend. Is that right?

[Thimble]

I love the vibe in here. Can I just say, the pentagram, the lighting, all the bubbling stuff. It's so cool. And I love your paintbrush.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Am I to understand that I speak with the aspirant in this moment? One of how many?

[Thimble]

Three.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Three? Oh, there's four actually. There's four. I'm there on this, you see? She goes. You see? She looks out and says. And you refer to me as a fiend?

[Azune]

You have to forgive our compatriots.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

No, no, no, no, no. You misunderstand. Oh, you're the one that Hollis has dealt with. Down at Pottersfield. Yes, yes, of course. Welcome. I've been wondering if I could ever expect you in my humble hall.

[Thimble]

Who?

[Azune]

I'm so sorry, it's so rude. Who are we? Are we so delighted to meet.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh, you see, she goes. Well, given that the jig is up. I find these disguises rather genius. A 12 foot tall figure appears before you. She is still hunched, spines coming from the middle of her back along her vertebrae. Her enormous head is a tiger's jaw and snout with a wasp's compound eyes. And antenna with rams horns curling off the side. You see upper body, these huge blood soaked tiger's claws that go down. You see enormous cloven hooves that are hoofed in iron. And you see that coming off. She has an enormous prehensile tail that has that tiger striping to it. And then a pair of bat wings extends off her back. She is a mess.

[Thimble]

I want that tattooed on my body.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Issues. I am sorexy. Do you want me to spell it out for you?

[Azune]

Yes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Maybe.

[Azune]

Yes, actually, yes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Solrexy, T, S, U L Apostrophe. You see, your thing of paint shoots out. R E, K, S H I. Ah.

[Azune]

A fellow Welshman. Arthur. That's my joke.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see, she looks and goes. Rest in the family.

[Azune]

I'm so glad that my name can be whispered in these delightful halls. You are responsible for so much beauty in the world.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I cannot thank you enough for the compliment. My good friend. Your reputation is as prodigious as it is mysterious. Time after time I've asked Hollis to track you down and find out who you're getting your spells from. And I keep drawing blank things. Thank you.

[Azune]

I try very hard to maintain a bit of mystery. And again, having a lock on something in this town is difficult to have. And I have needs.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I would have approached you, but my understanding is the museum you work in is all about our storied past. And you're not looking for new works.

[Azune]

Well, times being what they are. Things have been shifting in the city, as I'm well aware that you know. And my museum seems to be undergoing a few changes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

So that may be.

[Azune]

I'm thinking about diversifying into more modern theater.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Fan of the theater, are you?

[Azune]

That is my true love.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Well, friendliness goes a long way in this town. She produces an enormous coin, a coin that is about the size of a hubcap and goes and spits a rainbow of phlegm and blood on it and hands it to you. Cool. A token of my favor for the promptness and kindness that you have. Shown to me by bringing young Wakanda here.

[Azune]

Anything I should know about

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

represents a debt owed. I am in favor of Master Lothalia.

[Azune]

Absolutely. Don't know what to say. That I. You honor me.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You have produced a prodigious young noble for me. In time, I hope I can produce something for you.

[Azune]

I've produced a conversation, at the very least. I sadly can't necessarily say I have to. I am capable of leaving him here. But if you decide you need a bit more, I'm sure it can be arranged.

[Thimble]

While this. I'd like to just take my knife out, yeah? And give it a little looky loo. Just like a check of the phone.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Hell, yeah.

[Thimble]

Just see if there's anything that pings.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It gleams as you take it out. You see that Sul Rekshi whips over to you and goes. Fascinating. What is that thing?

[Thimble]

Oh, I was just checking my lipstick. There's a mirror.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

My girl, your lipstick is flawless.

[Thimble]

Are we having a moment?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We can. What is your name, little aspirant?

[Thimble]

I am Tyranny.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Tyranny, yeah. Pleasure. Interesting. Not a true name of the pit. Not a name of n', Havre, but a name in the common tongue.

[Thimble]

It was given to me.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

By whom?

[Thimble]

By my father. You should know who that is.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Would I know your father?

[Thimble]

Do you know Ksharivi?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah, I know Sharavi.

[Thimble]

Yeah, that's my dad.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Did you get to know him well?

[Thimble]

Uh. You know, I'm waiting for my time. I'm waiting to really spend some quality time at some point.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Give me an Insight check.

[Thimble]

Okay.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Insight

[Thimble]

17. Insight is minus one, though.

[Azune]

I think it's plus one.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh.

[Thimble]

Oh, no. Minus one.

[Azune]

Poo.

[Thimble]

16. 16.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

16. She looks at you and goes, I'll roll for her. She looks at you. You just look at this. She's these big wasp compound eyes in this slavering tiger's jaw. She just looks at it and goes, Sharavi, he. Sharavi, crafted you. Mm.

[Thimble]

And he did a great job.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Did he do it with help?

[Thimble]

What do you mean?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I'm asking if he did it with help.

[Thimble]

I don't know.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

How old.

[Thimble]

Do you know how old am I?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah.

[Thimble]

Here on the plains, I am, like, six months old. But I'm also 400 years old. Depending on who you ask. I've been around.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Prior to your journey here into Ahriman, were you conscious in the pit, or were you insubstantial, waiting to be formed?

[Thimble]

That's a really personal question, but because I feel like we are having a moment, I would say that I Was in sort of an observant stasis. I didn't have a body. I didn't have this rockin bod that you see before you.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh yes, we all have bods that rock differently.

[Thimble]

So true. So true. Queen.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Where are we gonna read with all those eyes?

[Thimble]

Did I see anything in my knife?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Are you attempting to use one of your knife's abilities because you haven't identified.

[Thimble]

I haven't identified it, but I just wanted to see if it picks. I know that it is wife knife is rife with magic and I wanted to.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You look at your wife knife and you are as you look at it, you, I think, peer and see that someone in it is. Someone is gazing at you longingly. And you realize that your knife is not showing you a vision hidden in the shadows. That weeping worker who went away is hiding and spying on you from the shadows.

[Thimble]

Well, that's weird.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see that Solarekshi goes, Sorry, Arakshasa. And you see that she goes, arak, come. And you see that the glamour fades. And you see this withered skeletal hunch demon covered in probably over 1,000 indigo spines that come into a darker like shade and then into a lighter purple or violet around her face. So she's like a weird violet into indigo comes over. She has a sort of simian form and you see, has nine tails stretching out behind her that end in these barbed spiny lashes.

[Thimble]

Damn, I could have looked like that.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see that? For what it's worth. Her face is very. Her humanoid face is very beautiful. Mouth filled with fanged teeth, multiple rows of them. But she looks out and you can see that in her eyes are swimming pupils differently in these indigo eyes. And her cheeks blush terribly red, almost luminous, glowing. She goes. She goes. I'm sorry. Just there.

[Thimble]

Does it hurt? Do I know you?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I know you.

[Thimble]

Okay. I don't like that. Does what hurt?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Not. May the beam reach you. And you see Sulrek. She goes enough of that shit. And swats her away and says it's not real Arak. And you see that she whimpers. And you see looks at you. Give me another insight check. And Wick, you can give me one with advantage.

[Thimble]

God, do you know everyone hears people?

[Azune]

Taylor, Keep your senses open.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

If they start to congeal.

[Thimble]

I got a seven.

[Azune]

I got an 18. Wick.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You'd recognize a true believer anywhere. Oh sure. You look at Arak, you believe that Arak fully believes that I've been saved. That you've been saved. And she is weeping and looking with a yearning and a devil so not

[Azune]

a friend of yours, but someone who.

[Thimble]

A fan.

[Azune]

A fan this is. Is that your first fan?

[Thimble]

Not my first.

[Azune]

Not your only fan.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see, Sol Rakshi goes. It's a fascinating little blade you carry.

[Thimble]

Thank you. That's a fascinating big paintbrush you carry.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Well, we do paint here.

[Azune]

So

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

you two are awful quiet while

[Azune]

these two are here. It's a sense of just.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Do you serve the light? Oh, no.

[Azune]

In a way.

[Thimble]

In a way, he serves those who serve the light.

[Azune]

In a way. The light takes many different forms. Fills all sorts of spaces.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What a worthless pile of gibberish. Running your mouth said absolutely nothing describing what light does to me. That pisses me off. Fine, you don't want to be pals. You can just stand by the sidelights. You see that her head turns owl like and fully rotates. And you don't hear any bones breaking at all. Just a free floating head. You see that? She turns out and goes. What about you, pretty boy?

[Azune]

May the beam guide us all.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I don't like that shit. I don't like that shit at all. Auroch does. Because something's wrong with her.

[Azune]

To be honest, I'm kind of over it myself. So it is nice to speak freely in a comfortable space.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes. Well, turn over to Belair and be like.

[Azune]

What the fuck kind of friends do you keep? Friends is a very complicated word. Just be nice. It gets you very far. Catch more people with blood and sinew than with honey, apparently.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

So, Rexhi.

[Thimble]

Yes? If we're correctly on the level, you are not a believer of the light. I'm not gonna go into my personal beliefs as it's not relevant. But what would you like with the radiance, Lord Wicander? As someone who is not a believer,

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

let's get down to Brasstex. Lord Wicander. I never thought I'd get you.

[Thimble]

Well, you're not getting him.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

No, I just mean I never thought you'd stop by. Didn't see how I was going to make it happen. I have to keep, as you can imagine, tyranny a low profile.

[Thimble]

I get it.

[Azune]

I love that you asked something from me. Being asked for something is always just such a delight. Because then you can give someone a gift.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It's true.

[Azune]

Like the company of fellow just delightful people.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We're demons here, but we play it on the level. We're a legitimate business.

[Thimble]

She gets it.

[Azune]

Anyone who says we are a legitimate business is definitely.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Lord Gander, you are such a special, special young man. And I'm so interested in you. Do you know that you are currently a missing person?

[Azune]

Ah, I do know that I'm estranged from my family at the moment, yes. What have you heard? Did they say anything?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Have they put out ears everywhere? And 20 of those smoke bats fly out from under her rags.

[Azune]

Oh, I was really expecting ears. That's nice too, though.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see that she. She looks and says, but I'm just so interested because I've been in Dawnmark here for some time and I pay attention when the composition of a portrait changes. And I notice that we're getting a lot more gestalt. The white, that space is expanding. Things that used to be rather vibrant and multicolored are condensing prismatically into call it just a shade of white, like fresh canvas. The light is coming. And when I heard that you went missing, I thought, now there is a crack in a perfect prism. And I became so interested. And I was wondering if I couldn't impose on you to have a polite contrast. And I promise I'll make it worth your while.

[Azune]

There are some stipulations that we have before there is a yes, we all agree. We're walking out of here unharmed.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh, we, Master Lothalia, are a workshop of artists.

[Azune]

I only say this because I know that my compatriots are. And I want to give them as much of a sense of safety as is inhumanly possible. And we also did agree that we get a bit of information about our current troubles, which, honestly, I think are your current troubles as well.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

How familiar you are you with old laws, Lazalia.

[Azune]

How old?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Older than the world.

[Azune]

I strive to know much, but there is an infinite amount of ignorance in the world. And please illuminate me.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I vow this in my domain, these walls, with those to whom I have exchanged the power of the pit. No harm will come to you or your companions, lest harm you visit on our heads first. No captivity shall be visited upon you at any cost. I loathe captivity.

[Azune]

As do I, with all of my heart.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

O laws. Question for question, answer for answer.

[Azune]

These laws I did know, and I am so excited to see they stand.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Do you wish to exchange one for another, or shall I go first and you keep the tally of what is owed after?

[Azune]

I think that is up to you. Other than the origins of certain paints, I don't know what else we would need to ask this priority. That is very, very astute of you, actually. So at that point we will go back and forth, because often answers lead to more questions.

[Thimble]

You don't need to qualify it with an actually he's an educated man.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Thank you.

[Azune]

We'll go one for one until we run out of questions.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Splendid, young lord. Weekend. Hey. Lavar Priestly House of Tanul, Shaper of the sun. In the absence of a shaper. What you call me?

[Azune]

Nothing. Just hot in here.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

In the absence of a shaper,

[Azune]

how

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

did your family retain their sorceress abilities?

[Azune]

Am I to be honest with this person? I think I would recommend as much honesty as you can

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

produce. Also,

[Thimble]

they're from the pit. They know Charvi. I'm sure that they know pretty much exactly what has happened. Been going on with your family? Yeah. You can be honest, I think.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Listen to tyranny Wakanda.

[Azune]

I know much honesty makes friends.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You might give me an answer. I already have. And if you lie, I'll know you're lying.

[Azune]

Well, it seems everyone here knows a lot about my family. But I didn't until recently. However, I found out recently that the source of our power is not divinity.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It isn't?

[Azune]

Well, not in the way that I thought it was. Our faith is not the source of our magic. It is instead inherited, or rather injected from the blood of a celestial being of some sort of. Who has been tortured and drained of his life force. And that fluid has been converted into filament. And filament has been tattooed on my face. You're going a bit off track now. Let's try and keep it simple and basic. Sorry. Sorry. Practically no works.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

He looks at you and goes, angel stuff.

[Azune]

Angel stuff.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Is that you're lying. Is that for real?

[Azune]

Wait, you said that you would be able to. You said you would be able to see if I'm lying.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Give me insight check. You see, she goes. Give me insight check.

[Azune]

Yeah, that's 20.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She goes, that's fucking crazy. I thought you said I know a lot. I don't know everything. Why would I? I could haul you here to ask questions if I knew everything. Use your head. But you said, use your head. I called you here. Cause you said I didn't know. That's crazy. You said you could hear if I was lying or not. I don't know, man. You see, she goes, okay. Angel blood. Wow. Wow. Okay.

[Azune]

So you see the sort of honesty on your end that we are hoping to ascertain?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah.

[Thimble]

Now it's our turn. What's up with the paint?

[Azune]

Can we.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

That's your question. We make all sorts of paintings. That's not our question.

[Thimble]

That's not the question specifically.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

All right, all right. I'll let you do a take back. See But I'll let you do. You knew how. You know how I have to do ya. I know.

[Thimble]

I know. Demon stuff.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Now listen. Listen. Here. Here's what I want from you. I'll let you do a take back. See. But can I have a drop of your blood for a test? I'm not gonna own your soul or anything.

[Azune]

100%. No. No.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

All right then. That's your question. The paint's here.

[Thimble]

There was a point. There was a point B to the paint.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

There's a specific paint you said. What's with the paint? Dot? Dah dah.

[Thimble]

What's with the paint that is being used to paint the hallowed round back paint? What's the deal,

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Master Lothalia? Are we allowed to use ellipses in the question asking?

[Azune]

Just a draw. May I be so as considering the company that I have brought. And I'm aware that the lengths of which I had to go to make my other compatriots comfortable with dragging this young man into the depths of. What is this delightful place?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I'll answer.

[Azune]

May I be the teacher. And then everyone can filter their questions through me.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

No dice. I want them to fuck up again. Listen. Listen to me.

[Azune]

Listen.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Fuck you. How about this drop of blood? Give me the tapexi and I'll tell you what I discover.

[Azune]

You did this to yourself. I reckon I can't help. We're a democracy. How am I doing this?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We're not a democracy.

[Thimble]

It's your blood.

[Azune]

One drop.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

No.

[Azune]

Do we have.

[Thimble]

I mean that's just one for one question. She can give her bullshit answer about what the paint is and then we can get into specifics. If you have any more.

[Azune]

Well, it's going to be the difference between a drop of blood or another question that's going to fulfill everything they need. So they will.

[Thimble]

I thought we were in cahoots with these guys. She seems totally cool.

[Azune]

She is. But there is the game and the game is played. There's no sense of. This is not about a friendship right now. They are delightful. But the game is the game. And you have to abide by the rules. Cut me Teo. They have to try and be tricky. And so do we. Press it right into his paw.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see that? She takes out a thin sheet of almost translucent parchment.

[Azune]

Too much.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

And puts it there. And a pentagram turns into a beautiful tree of interconnected runes. Feathered wings spreading from it. Oh, zig vanishes.

[Azune]

Were you well? My word. Don't ask a question that'll count. I'm well aware.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

See? She looks at you and says, I promised I would tell you. You don't get your power from filament. The filament is that treated substance in your tattoos. See it on the faces of luxes all throughout the realm.

[Azune]

Yes,

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

your power does come from the blood of angels. But that blood is your blood. True. There is a word for what you are. Azin.

[Azune]

Do I know that word?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes.

[Azune]

Do I know that word?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Have only heard of them in legend.

[Azune]

I was wondering.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She looks and says,

[Azune]

does Wick know that word?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I don't think Wick's heard that word before. You see, she goes, oh, my. She says, you are only partially mortal. I don't know if it was your father or your mother or your grandmother or your grandfather or what it could have been, but somewhere in the past, someone used one of the soldiers of the Shapers for something they were not intended for. Not supposed to do hanky panky with the constructions of the gods, and yet

[Azune]

they gave them the parts. It's really, honestly, correctly asking for it.

[Thimble]

Okay, sidebar. I'm not gonna say. I'm not gonna say a question.

[Azune]

No. Just as long as it's to make.

[Thimble]

But we should. Why does she want. Why does she want.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Wait, what does she want to know already?

[Azune]

We've started.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You did say that out loud. And I'm going with it. We still had the dot, dot, dot prior.

[Thimble]

I call sidebar.

[Azune]

The dot, dot to me, not to you.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

So we're allowed to call sidebar. That's the new rule.

[Azune]

She did not call sidebar. She was.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I'll call sidebar.

[Azune]

We still have.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I'm looking for a level plane.

[Azune]

We are still owed. We are still owed.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Owed.

[Azune]

A question from before.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah.

[Thimble]

Cause of the blood.

[Azune]

We are still owed that.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah. Fuck, yes. Fuck you've got my boy. Fuck. You are the blood of angels.

[Azune]

Sweet fuck.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

All right.

[Azune]

The paint that currently coats the theater, the one that was given to me in. In theory and brought there. What is its intended purpose and what is its composure?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What is. What is it?

[Azune]

What is it and what is it made manifest for? We know there's blood in it.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

A client delivered an artifact of the Shapers to me. A profane artifact. One you see. She turns to Hollis, who's been standing by silently. One that deserved to be. You see. Hollis goes. Ruined. You see, she says. One that deserved to be unraveled and that which it captured to be liberated. The paint is derived from the blood of the river Gavzedra. Gavzedra. The river of blood first flowed upon the Face of Ahriman. When Azra the Conqueror was first wounded by his siblings, as he sought to bring strife, conquest and war to the Face of Ahriman, his dream did not exist in harmony with theirs. And therefore back did they drive him to the lands of Kahad where he bled. And from his blood did clouds of ash and lands of choking soot flow forth. And his people did he gather to him. Gavzedra is the river through the underworld that passed through the tenebral reaches to the dying fields of Skrataluk. It was the means by which the souls of the fallen Rungiani were brought to their afterlife.

[Azune]

Blood of the blood of the gods at war.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Now it is said that Osgra, in his greed, condemned the blood of his people to flow through the river Gavzedra. That his first injury would be their injury eternal. The paint was rendered. And the question asked was, what is the deal with the paint? I cannot say to what purpose my client intended the final product. That is a separate question that you will have to ask if you wish. But what I will say is my intention. My deal with the paint. The souls of the Romiani deserve freedom. I am a demon of destruction, as all demons are. I was forged at the dawn of time to destroy one thing and one thing alone. I seek always to bring low the tallest tower of any age in which I am fortunate enough to draw breath.

[Azune]

It delights me that we have so much in common.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She smiles at you. I am glad as well. And I do want to find out your secret. Maybe I should use one of my questions on that.

[Azune]

I would be curious to see if you would be willing to waste it on that.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see, she says open book. I am. Maybe we have a long friendship ahead of us.

[Azune]

I would really hope so.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She.

[Azune]

Although if you are successful, I imagine not quite as long as it could.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see that? She smiles and says, I do not know what came after, but I can say that my efforts were successful. I took that thing Oscra. That fool, that ruiner, that debasement. My client brought in a chalice. The ever flowing fount of Gavzitra. And in this place did I unmake it and provide it new form. But something endless cannot simply be unmade. Energy cannot ever be destroyed. And so new form need be given to it to unmake the evil that was. That destruction does not exist. Something new must be wrought in order for that thing to cease

[Azune]

transmutation of. Transmutation of celestial powers. You here.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes.

[Azune]

You are very powerful man.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Thank you. All right, my next question. You see, she looks over and goes, careful.

[Thimble]

Wait. You already asked me about my dad. And if I know my dad.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

So are we allowed to do retroactive questions?

[Thimble]

I mean, you did that right

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

from where? If you are indeed Aznar and the blood of angels flows in your veins, then yes, your sorceress appears ability is obvious. There are some many thousands upon thousands of luxes of the Candescent Creed. I've seen them cast spells. Even an angel doesn't have that much blood. Where are they getting their power from?

[Azune]

What do you mean?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Where do the luxes of the Candescent Creed draw their strength from? How are they gifted? You're not going to ever convince me that the Creed is fucking real. You see in the corner? Arak goes. She says, arak, I've made my feelings clear on this.

[Azune]

I told you what I knew. They get their power from the filament.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Do you believe that to be true?

[Azune]

I do.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh, well, I think you're wrong. But it's an honest answer. You see that? She sort of huddles up and says, oh, I remember what I wanted to ask you. All right, next question. Who's got it?

[Azune]

Before we ask, yes, of course, we could ask about the client, who this client was.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We could.

[Azune]

We could ask what this artifact was. Or we could ask more about me. I think we're going to get to you eventually. I think.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Artifact dlc.

[Azune]

Well, I believe that. I'm pretty sure it was this.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

The client.

[Azune]

Yes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

The fact that they're not saying it,

[Azune]

though, indicates that maybe it was more complicated. Or it might just be a ruse to get us to waste another question. I appreciate that you've told us so much about this artifact.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

How would Thiazi, who had gotten this artifact?

[Azune]

I think, think the client was someone else.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

He would have gotten it through me.

[Azune]

Well, this one he didn't get through me, to be honest. If only we could ask someone a question. Might get an answer. Have to be very careful when asking these questions. How was your client so capable in obtaining an artifact such as this? And us to know that you had the ability to rend it as you did? Tricky one.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

My client in this case were representatives of an organization.

[Azune]

Oh, boy.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Which had made contact with me many years ago. I first came into contact with the Cloak, a group interested in matters arcane as a demon of anarchy. They thought fit speak to me about the Pit. They were interested in realms beyond. They were interested in matters concerning, I believe, the burgeoning underworld and the problems that it poses to Mortal kind. The cloak seemed to me to be, despite all their shadowy ways, rather naive or optimistic. Regardless, I was put in touch with two members of their organization. One Thiazi Fang and one Mara, the wing who wrested their chalice from. In terms of your question as to how they were able to rest it, my understanding is that the cloak monitors the activity of house Taconis very closely. Fascinating. And that they are something of. You know, the birds that hide their eggs in other birds nests.

[Azune]

Cuckoo.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

So I'm on this bird thing recently. The cuckoo, a cuckoo. They're sort of like a reverse cuckoo. The cloak is very strapped for resources, so they wait to see what these large houses with all of their vast sorceress might they wait for to see what they are chasing. Believed the Taconis had been digging up a holy site in the endless night for some years. And the moment they excavated it, my understanding is that Thyazzi and Mara swooped in to see what was in there and were able to find a font of the river Gavzedra that they'd been searching for for some time. Those fonts are few and far between. Post shapers war. They are, as you can understand, horribly profane and blasphemous. They are anathema to the old path. And so therefore they went in, found the working font and performed some magic. Mara is a proficient druid and was able to hallow that unhallowed place long enough for Mr. Fang to get the chalice and bring the headwaters of the river Garb Zidra headbloods.

[Azune]

Well, that is an awful lot. And my just steering it back to me for a second. What was my. What did you detect in my blood? What sort of ancestor? What sort of type of blood?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Aasimar, was my answer, but we can

[Azune]

get into that later.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I have.

[Azune]

She ozone us a question.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

No, no, I just answered a question. No, no, no.

[Azune]

She asked us what is the bird called that lays eggs in another person's nest.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You brilliant boy, you are Son of angels. You're so fun. I'm going to put you. No, no, no, no. I don't believe in captivity. I'm not going to do that.

[Thimble]

Old abbots.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Listen, you do. So your question was about is there a type of.

[Azune]

A type of be this Aasimar blood. Celestial, demonic, fiendish.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

The registry of your blood was not only celestial, but specifically acelestial Demons of Tansor. Tansor 1. The Registry of seemed to be an angel. What is it? What's the one that looked after the house of Flame? Itheon

[Azune]

I've heard that name.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes, that's what Yanessa said. Your grandmother said that?

[Azune]

Yeah. Ethion, that's my guy. We have reading that we can do at the museum.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

All right, back to me. Where is this angel? You are bleeding dry.

[Azune]

I can't be certain he's still there. But he was last seen in the sort of the basement of the Alamo.

[Thimble]

Peely.

[Azune]

Of the. The. The basement of the Villa of.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes. Wait, what? For real? He's here in Dacia?

[Azune]

Yes. Wait, what?

[Thimble]

Do you think we should stop answering questions?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh, so bad against Julian.

[Azune]

So you. You can ask one.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

No, no, no. That's the rule. He established it. You caught me. So it has to be your question.

[Azune]

The pool of sweat that's been slowly

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

creeping down Julian's armor.

[Azune]

It'll be fine. Just don't fuck this up. What would occur should the river of Gavzidra come in contact with the fabric of the Old Path?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I can tell you what did happen. Mara the wing, along with the AZI were able to perform magic together. It is the blood of Thyazi's people that flows captive in the river Govsidra. And with a druid of the Old Path, were they able to liberate that river? They brought it in the chalice here. The chalice was filled with the first blood, Osgra's blood. That blood of a shaper that kept captive the blood of the Royani. Demons are not anathema to the Old Path. Where demonkind and fairy kind and primordial Titan touch. Therein is born a world like a beautiful flower that blooms. To know life and creation is to know destruction and chaos. And as one who walks the world of Ahriman under the shadow of the sundered houses, I think you'd be well aware, Sir Divinos, that some things are worth destroying. And she looks down at the rapier at your side. So, seeking a demon, they asked me to destroy an order that should not exist. The order of Azkra. A lingering curse on the river Gavzidra. Now, for their purposes, I know not what. It does not dwell on me to worry about the safety of the souls or what comes after they are liberated. That seems to be the cloak's objective. I saw a jailer's cell and I broke it. And I was proud to do it. I rendered it into some extremely beautiful paints.

[Azune]

What delightful talent.

[Thimble]

I have a question.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Right, because that was the one that. Because I fucked up. Yep, yep, go for it.

[Thimble]

I'm gonna ask in demonic.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah, As well Put. Great. You guys go for it.

[Thimble]

Thank you.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What do you ask?

[Thimble]

Oh, I should say, is it just

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

gibberish or what did Tyranny say?

[Thimble]

I said, sister of the pit. My lot is to protect the angel that is next to me. Do you have anything for me? As I walk a very dangerous road that is going to be caught between my nature and my lot in life,

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

In demonic beautiful destruction abounds. And she reaches out a hand and casts identify on your nose knife. Oo. You are here to hurt people. You know it. No, no Tyranny. There are people worth hurting. And if you don't believe that, you're a bigger fool than the angel you're here to protect.

[Thimble]

This isn't.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Did you just tell him before she goes. That knife you wield is an artifact. One I do not recognize. It is new and yet very old. I do not even fully know what it means, but I know this. Spells that you have to cast what you choose to wield. It will give you insight into people's hearts. I believe that that knife was created to punish those who have harmed those who love them.

[Thimble]

Indiemonic. Thank you. You're a real one. Love her.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I am a real one. And so are you, Sister.

[Azune]

I think that was three if I counted official questions that weren't part of a tit for tat, which I think is the classic number. Unless anyone else. Should we wrap it up? How do you feel about the game of Three?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

As I call for the end, she says, Game of three is fine. Master Lethalia, you have my token. And you your knife. Tyranny. You attune to your knife in this moment. And as you do so, you level up to level five. Fuck off.

[Azune]

Her head spins around.

[Thimble]

Oh, it's a spray.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

It's a spray.

[Thimble]

Sorry.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She says, have you seen that?

[Azune]

Do you need a lozenge?

[Thimble]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Thank you. She turns around and says, and if you see your dad, tell him I said I will.

[Thimble]

He know you?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh, he'll know me.

[Thimble]

Are you my mom?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Do I have a mom? What?

[Thimble]

I don't know. Sorry. Forget sorry.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We're not doing questions. Sister, if you don't know, I don't know how I'm supposed to know if you have a mom. He says, no, your father is. Your father is one of those who remained is all I'll say.

[Azune]

My dear, while I will not offer such a zaboon, you have my friendship. And I will always help in a time of need. A word of advice, though.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

By all means.

[Azune]

The light is about to shine very bright. A light that will burn. If you have a way of any help that you can be in what is to come would be good for everyone involved. I don't believe any of us are going to be satisfied with the outcome if the Church does what it hopes to do.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She looks to you. I've been hiding in this city since before the shapers fell. I'm very excited for a show. I hate when things are boring. You come back anytime. Love you love your ancestor dad. Who knows Ethion's boy. And he's here in the city.

[Thimble]

Ooh.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Cobalt blue. Cadmium red. Let's get to work. That's. And you see that? She says. Toodaloo. Game of three. Keep a hold on that knife, Sister.

[Thimble]

Yes, ma'.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Am. Do you.

[Azune]

Did you want to ask anything before we leave? No. We should leave. No, we're going right now.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Do you want me to dye your mane?

[Azune]

I kind of do, but. What color would you choose? Gray.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay. You guys head out and you see Arok, that spined demon just whimpering in the corner, looking at you.

[Thimble]

May the beam reach you, sister.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She grabs your hand.

[Thimble]

Oh my God. Okay. Jeez.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Please, please, please. What? Let it reach me. I don't know how to be worthy.

[Azune]

I'm. You go ahead now. I'll give it a second.

[Thimble]

Sistrum. The beam comes within. Remember that.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Where's that written. You guys from? Did I say it to me from within? Is it from or come? Am I from ing or coming?

[Thimble]

Help me.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We're already out the door. Yeah, you're out the door. Great. It's mysterious. It's mysterious. And we are going to. We are going to switch out. I know that we're running long, but we're going to do. We're going to get. I want to get three for three. So let's please get those. Headed to the Bowsprit. Banner to King Gus.

[Azune]

That went rather well.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Great fucking job. Job, guys. Holy shit. Gang. You guys head out together. It is mid afternoon. This is the same time period that they're going to the Via Aurora and our other friends are going to Sulrekshi's. You guys head towards Bowsprit Manor. This is a beautiful merchant's manor in Shafira, which is the neighborhood we haven't been to so far. But Shafira has a lot of people from Ezri or. Sorry, from Eziri and from Baladri and from several other places that you walk through. The houses here are beautifully appointed.

[Azune]

Almost.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

They're smaller, but they're from townhouses. But Gilding up on the walls and there's some small marketplaces. And you see the. There's a small little coffee shop and there's a guy walking with a samovar getting fresh squeezed juice from the Caladriel orchards around the way. You see that there's some musicians and buskers. It's a thriving neighborhood up above the rookery. And you walk to Bowsprit Manor, which you can see has two large hound statues outside of it. You see actually that this has a small. You'd recognize a wanderer shrine, a hound's shrine. So it has the little place. And you see that there are some sleeping dogs there. Walking up to the door, the door opens and you see there's a sort of walrus mustache, older Timmish merchant who looks up and says, professor Magnussen. Yes.

[Thimble]

Oh yes. You knew I was coming.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see that inside there are two hounds of the kings, large bruiser looking hounds. He says his Majesty awaits inside. Walking through the door, you see there's another driver's gate and a coach house. And you enter this courtyard area where carriages. And there's multiple carriages here. So this small townhouse actually opens up, you realize, and this guy has the whole block, but just doesn't look like it. So it's this thing where it's like this guy's got way more money than he's presenting at this little narrow townhouse outside. You walk inside and out under a garden. You see bandaged up with his druid beside him that you recognize from the assassination attempt. Martin, you see seated there at a small table having their tea outside there is a beautiful older human woman, 50s, and she appears to. You see a. A family resemblance to Gus. 50s is probably wrong. Maybe like 40s is more accurate. There's a young boy with her there who's dressed like a Timonish noble. And you see King Gus, who stands up. Martin, the hound says, presenting Professor Magnessen of the Pentevral. And you don't have to do all that. Well, I do. I don't work for you. As well as Lieutenant Azune Nayar of the Revolutionary Guard and others. Hello, others. You see, King Gus says, it's all right, mate. Welcome to Bowsprit Manor, Professor Macnessen. Who are your friends?

[Thimble]

I hope you don't mind that I brought some compatriots. I think they'll aid us in our dark discussion that we're going to have. This is Veilis. Hello, sir. Last name Voc Vano.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I don't believe in her time it Was common to wear one's family name.

[Thimble]

Oh. So, Veilis. And then you also have Thimble over here. I met some of your hounds. They were super cool.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

They are, aren't they? It's very nice to meet you, Thimble. It is an honor, as always, to treat with the fair folk.

[Thimble]

I fucking love this guy. They said you were cool. I knew you were gonna be.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Who said? Well, everyone put my name in there.

[Thimble]

Mane, Hawkins.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

They both like Morgane.

[Thimble]

Lots of respect.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You saw Morgan? She's all right?

[Thimble]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, she was fine.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

She is wise, so helpful and stout of heart. And you saw Hawkins as well? Yeah, she is. Did he try to show?

[Thimble]

Yeah, well, he killed a guy in front of me. Drowned him.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

How the fuck. Yeah, he stood on top of him. Good grief. It's gruesome. All right, well, they're good.

[Thimble]

I mean, he was a bad guy.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

They are honorable knights. Yeah.

[Thimble]

Sorry. There's a kid here who's this.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oxus is disguised as a member of your guards.

[Thimble]

Okay. And this is a young protege of Azunes. This is an arcane marshal in training. This is Sebastian Novel.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see that cavalier, the greyhound that you saw in that combat that was by the door, says, sebastian. Is that your name? Yeah. Sebastian, why are you dead? And you see, Martin tenses up and the Druid puts a hand on his staff and a bunch of knights. There's probably about a good 10 knights in here. Hands go to, sir.

[Azune]

I let the disguise drop.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see, Gus looks and says, who are you?

[Thimble]

Okay, okay, okay, okay. I'm sorry. I swear to God, that'll be the last little disguise. But we knew that this was going to happen.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Martin goes, we are a little on edge, as you might imagine, given the assassination attempt of the previous evening. I apologize it was necessary for me to walk through town. My name is. I am so sorry. I apologize. I have to retcon that you're wearing a walker's ward. I am wearing a walker's ward. I fucked up. I totally forgot that you're wearing a walker's ward. None of that happened. Sebastian, take it away. My apologies.

[Azune]

Oh, shit.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Sebastian, take it away. In my head, I was doing Divine Sense, but you have the shit that you need. You're. Yes, Sebastian. You see, Gus just looks out and goes and says, sebastian, welcome. Thank you. That was about to get really bad, huh? Oh, fuck.

[Thimble]

He just, like, blinks as a divination

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

wizard sees all the time. You see it all in a timeline. And come back. I cannot piss this guy off.

[Azune]

This all happened in your head.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

He looks out at you and says, welcome. Then, Professor Magnussen, we are to depart this evening. We don't wish to stay one more night until Machiari. We can't help you.

[Thimble]

Honestly, I do not blame you. But I do hope that we can leave this building and Elise, you can leave Dull Machiar knowing that you do still have allies within the city walls.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I know I do. What you did was reckless, wild and heroic. You saved my life.

[Thimble]

Thank you. I'm sure you might know more than we do, to be quite honest. But me and a lot of my compatriots, as well as 350 hired swords. Honestly hired is a pretty liberal turn.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Passionate swords, you see. He says you command 350 soldiers of the Revolutionary Guard. Lieutenant.

[Azune]

I would say we collaborate with 350 EX Revolutionary Guard. Interested individuals in the right people of the city thriving.

[Thimble]

And they are interested in perhaps a new revolution. This is why we are all banded together and hope that maybe we can leave with a handshake with Timony as well.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I've helped rebellions in the past.

[Thimble]

I know you probably do not want to get your hands dirty. Especially when it comes to meddling with the sundered houses. Unfortunately, I don't think you have a choice in the matter. And I think you know that too.

[Azune]

I think it's already reached you.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

News of this miracle. The people are going to be even more amazed. They need answers. The dead walk openly. People don't know whether to mourn their family members or if they've passed through the old past. Even in Timony, we've done everything we can to encourage people to wish their loved ones farewell. But that dream of an afterlife still holds. And that's what the Creed's offering.

[Thimble]

Do you believe in the miracle that you witnessed that day?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I believe in the power of old. Dobridemia. Perhaps she. Perhaps she had a healing spell or something that you know. I don't know. Maybe she has the power to bring herself back.

[Thimble]

If I told you that she's a big fat liar, would you believe me? And I have.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What kind of proof do you have?

[Thimble]

I don't have proof. I don't have proof. I just know. I just know. And you have to trust me.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Give me a persuasion check.

[Thimble]

It's still a long day. It's still a long day. Guidance.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay. And remember, 4:10 is after the roll.

[Thimble]

It is after the roll. I keep forgetting that that's a four. I like that. Eighteen.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Eighteen. Persuasion.

[Thimble]

Eighteen total. I'll take it. Especially cause you Went no.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You believe in destiny, Professor?

[Thimble]

I believe. I believe it's healthy for people to believe in destiny. I don't think destiny is rooted in any type of notable or actionable reality, but I think it's. I think it's a great sentiment.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I've thought about it a lot. Ahriman is a big world with a lot of history. Very few boys that grew up with fleas in their hair sleep sleeping on the floor with dogs grow up to become kings. And very few professors wade into the thick of combat, undo enchantments that have been placed on druids of High Circle, find a way to dispel and unmake. If you tell me that you can't prove it, but that your gut is telling you that the faux Tahk is a fraud. My gut told me to raise the banner of independence. Guts go a long way as far as I'm concerned. So, yeah, if that old huckster is a fraud, I'll buy what you're selling.

[Thimble]

Do you believe in destiny? Or do you believe that you worked your fucking ass off to be where you are today? Nothing was given to you, was it? Nothing was granted.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I was the bastard son of a noble. My. The man whose seed created me, not my father.

[Thimble]

Father?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Was that you laughing at seed?

[Azune]

Yeah.

[Thimble]

I'm sorry.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You're my type. You see, he looks at you and smiles and says, the man who sired me believed that he had visions of the shapers after they had died. He was a cruel, egotistical tyrant. A monster. And so the midwife got me out of the room and I was raised by the Lord's kennel master. I thought. I thought my surname was Kennel for the first 18 years of my life.

[Thimble]

That's a cute last name, Gus.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Kennel. Not a bad name. When my father, Holloway, and my uncles Charlie and Casper were hanged, when my true nature was discovered, I took my father's life and I inherited his throne. Did I work to inherit noble title? No, I did not. The work comes and goes, but fortune or destiny plays its part. And you see that? He taps his shield with three red hounds on it for his father and two uncles. You see? He goes. But I take your point. Perhaps the greatest destiny is wanting to work to see a better world. And I want that.

[Thimble]

He's so hot. He's so hot. Oh, my God.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I haven't introduced him, by the way. This is my sister. I thought it might be his wife, you see.

[Azune]

He goes.

[Thimble]

Could you imagine?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Does Thimble say that out loud? Yeah, she Goes I, this is my sister and her son. My nephew is my heir. I'm not the wife taking type.

[Thimble]

It's even more odd.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

He looks at it and says, another source of contention in the ancient age of Timony, long before it was actually more common for kings nephews to be their heirs. Oh yeah, yeah. Who knows who a man's heir is? It's much safer to say, we know who my sister's eldest son is. That should be the king. It makes more sense to do it that way, I think. But I'm trying to reinvigorate that same tradition along with druidicism and our independence and the hounds and the shrine we're trying to do. I understand that we have made the people swallow a lot of change. I do understand that we have asked for a lot of change in a short amount of time. And when you do that, some people embrace a wonderful, brave new world. And other people flock to the Candescent Creed and call you a tyrant. And your lords conspire openly against you.

[Azune]

And. And is that why you came here? To confront the Candescent Creed?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I came here to ask the Revolutionary Council. Who the fuck is that? The wheel. They're not.

[Azune]

We know.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

They are asleep. And I mean my knight. You see that there is a knight beside him who you see, has this gleaming armor, locks tied back around him, deep dark skin. And you see a beard that comes down with. With a little bit of gray in the bottom. He says, I am Servizi Hune. I was Carr Brady's partner in all things.

[Azune]

We fought near each other.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We're side by side. And you recognize him as the knight that you were fighting with in the battle? You see, he looks and says, you did well. Not well enough,

[Azune]

as is often the case.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

We've all lost friends. I did my best to explain to his Majesty. And you see that? The King says I was too terse with you the night before as a representative of the guard. My man Ser Hughne told me how you charged the gate. And it was your skill at arms and sorcery that pulled those other assassins off of the main detail.

[Azune]

I don't deserve all the credit. We've been collaborating quite well as best as we could. I was getting ready to come here and stand up for myself. But now I don't have to. And that's quite a relief.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You gotta be quick to say when you're wrong. I say it all the time. I've gotten a lot wrong in my time as King. I never. I never wanted to be a King. You know, they make you a king if you win a revolution. It's the worst part of the revolution. I said, down with them. Down with Argosia. Down with the king. We won our independence. And they said, you're in charge now. And I said, ah.

[Azune]

Is it really all that bad? Because you strike me as a man that has a dream, a vision for a future for your people.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I thought dreams would be a lot more popular. But people kind of try to kill you for them. I found.

[Azune]

Speaking of, would you like some information on those people that tried to kill you? Or do you already know who they are?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I don't know shit. I mean, I have my suspicions. Was it. I mean, was it Gormalet or. Who was it? I don't know who it was.

[Azune]

I pull out my notebook.

[Thimble]

Oh my God.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You got a list.

[Thimble]

Azumay loves lists. We tell them everything.

[Azune]

Yes. I basically already came prepared with a

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

copy of this information.

[Azune]

And I just hand them that handwritten copy of what is already in my notes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Heliot. Does that include the letter? No. Does that. No.

[Azune]

This is all the information about the poisons and the assassin's guild from Argosia.

[Thimble]

And it appears to be obviously some sort of master plan with House Haylovar obviously making some sort of elaborate ruse. And also probably cannot confirm nor deny some sort of involvement from House.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

How do you know?

[Thimble]

I saw them working together.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I mean, I know they work together, but I mean, with this one. The only thing we know is what Lanastrosa who would go work for anybody that had money. If I'm going to run this down, I'm going to need.

[Azune]

Here is what we understand.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

These sundered houses are moving, are making power plays.

[Azune]

But they also have this.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

They're a dream of their own, which

[Azune]

is more like a nightmare.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Part of that was to

[Azune]

manipulate. An easy way to take over. Take complete control over the revolutionary council. You were not meant to survive because your land has an important landmark for what they're planning.

[Thimble]

The Sea of Land is.

[Azune]

I think I do. Hand him this letter.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I can't stop you in this moment doing that without.

[Azune]

If we want to make an ally, then we need to show our cards. Seems like. Read this.

[Thimble]

I reach out. Octus. Shut up. That. I don't say that. Sorry, sorry, sorry. I don't say that. I don't say that. I don't say that.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Rewind. We're going to let him. No, no, no.

[Thimble]

That's not what I want.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

This is not Sul Rekshi scene. Don't worry about It. Yeah.

[Thimble]

That's not what I want to say. Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Sebastian.

[Thimble]

I look at Octus. Yes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Okay. And the second you do that, I don't force it. I knew that.

[Thimble]

I knew that. I knew that. I knew that I wasn't gonna say it.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You got it. You got it.

[Azune]

You're good.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You got it. He reads it and says, a great deal of this is gibberish to me, but I do recognize the words Timmish King. Only been one of those so far. Taconis legible. If someone were to cast a divination on this, they would be able to verify that this is their writing.

[Azune]

It is their writing.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Right?

[Azune]

We understand that, yes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

May I have this? I need it. All right. Will you consider, after it has served whatever use you have, to bring it to Timmins Rock. Wait.

[Azune]

Do you just need enough of it to be able to cast divination on it as proof? Because I don't need the entire thing.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I just need the part that says, that has a Tacoma's handwriting, that they were coming for me. The rest of it does make my balls shoot up into my stomach and feel like I'm about to vomit. What? Target path. The orchard is House Royce. All right? I don't know.

[Thimble]

House Royce has fallen.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

That can't be true.

[Thimble]

It's true. And we have confirmation that there was an attack on the Golden Orchard. And the Golden Orchard is to over

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

what's happened to the Fair Folk there.

[Thimble]

Most of them made it out.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

He looks over at Cyrus and says, do we have the. We have a seed. Yeah. And you see that? The Druid says, eliej, precious few are left. The seed. A seed. You see? He says, produce it. And you see that? He hands it over and says, I'll make a trade for you. Give me the pot that references me, and I'll give you this.

[Azune]

It's okay.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I'm going to tear this in half. Yeah. Rip it in half. I don't want to rip this actual thing.

[Thimble]

Do it.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You rip it.

[Thimble]

Do it.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Don't. Yeah, do it. Go for it. It's fun. It's physical proph. There you go. You take that part from him. He looks at it. Yeah. My paper.

[Thimble]

Pat, you said out loud.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

He says, they're coming to take over control of the bererguard. Remove the chain of command. Fucking tyrants.

[Thimble]

And I'm afraid that this is just the start of their master plan. In fact, it seems like something big's gonna go down tomorrow night.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

You see? He looks at you and goes, understood. He looks to you. Thimble and says, when you were with Morgaine, did you travel with her?

[Thimble]

For a bit, yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Anywhere special? Anywhere interesting?

[Thimble]

We went, yeah. We took the back road that wasn't seen very often. We passed by a big water wheel.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Ah, you've been on the Miller's Road.

[Thimble]

Yeah.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

This is the seed of a cherry tree that grows beside the old mill. The old mill's not in. In this world. Plant this wheresoever you wish. Yeah. He goes. If you have traveled the miller's road, it is yours to plant. And you, being of the Fair Folk, doubly appropriate as far as I'm concerned. Plant that. And it is my understanding that the miller's road will run to she who is true of heart in this instance. Wow. Now, not all can travel that road. My hounds can. Fair folk can. It will be a safe way to travel and place it where you will. But who can't go? What's that?

[Thimble]

Who can't go?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Those. Who? The hounds. Fair folk, I'm afraid normal folk will not be able to see it or find it without being guided on it.

[Thimble]

All right.

[Azune]

It's for fey eyes.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Fae eyes, yes. He says the fae can travel it and the hounds can travel it. Some Druids, yes. Some who walk the old path can as well. You see, he looks out and says, but I have this. The rest I would not wish to keep, because that, again, is the stuff of nightmares. If your people need homes, we will find places in Timothy for them if we can. That I promise you.

[Thimble]

If Royce has fallen, does that extend to potential refugees of Dalmach Yar?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Refugees of Dalmarch Yar.

[Azune]

We don't know what the next few

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

days will bring, but I don't think

[Thimble]

it's gonna be good. There is a non zero chance that come tomorrow night, this city is gonna be swarming with undead and demons and the like. If we fail.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I've already told my lords that I'd like to establish a parliament of all calls and that I want to admit more to the. Well, yeah, sure. We'll open our doors. Thank you. Of course. I mean, they're already trying to kill me. What can they do, kill me twice? All right.

[Azune]

You feel Octis next to you?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Like, tense for a second.

[Thimble]

As he, like, looks at you, as

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

you're like the one person who could be killed twice, he looks and says to you, Days cannot remain this dark forever. I won't let them. By the look of that sword on your back, you won't either. You have 350. They're not. They're of the God, but not still.

[Azune]

Oh, that's a long story of how that all went down.

[Thimble]

But Einfossen has been cleaning house.

[Azune]

They have all been cleaning house. And we've been trying to I guess staunch the wound is what I keep saying.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Desperate times.

[Thimble]

Another man's treasure.

[Azune]

Well, we try to make sure that they don't become so desperate that they forget themselves. Because I think that's what they're.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

That's what the powers that be are

[Azune]

trying to make us do. Trying to create us. Make us so desperate that we become easier to control.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

And we forget what we're really here

[Azune]

to do with each other and for each other. And we gave them hope.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What's made them desperate?

[Azune]

They were dismissed and threatened. And these sundered houses are flexing their power in a way where they're trying to make us believe that we are nothing compared to them.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Cockroaches.

[Azune]

They're starting to stomp on us.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yeah. Break your ribs while you're on the floor. I know that.

[Azune]

150 men is not an army.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

An anomie marches on its stomach. I'd like you guys to make a persuasion check for me.

[Azune]

I intentionally was about to make a bid. Do you mind if I guidance?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Yes.

[Azune]

As I was anticipating.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Guide yourself.

[Thimble]

What is this persuasion check for exactly?

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

I think Azune who was just speaking. But I'll let so like I'll have you roll asune. You guidance yourself. Let me know what you get. And Murray, you're watching this I think as well. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

[Azune]

I'm gonna spend a luck point. Let's go and roll this at advantage.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh my gosh.

[Thimble]

My God.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

What's that?

[Thimble]

Well, I hate that.

[Azune]

A three and a two.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Three and a two. So the total is.

[Azune]

No,

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

you can't use portent here.

[Thimble]

I don't think so. I thought it was like for me or an enemy when they are die test made by a creature that you can with one of these. Oh, he is a creature, I guess. He is a creature, yeah.

[Azune]

Ha ha ha ha. What do you want me to do for you for this,

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Murray? I think you look at Azune in this moment and can see him bringing up these soldiers. And you look at Augustus. Augustus has attempted to create a parliament where peasants could elect all cults to come and speak to each other in Timmins Rock resolving peasant business together. He's tried to get his lords to agree to that. So rather than going through the lords, they would be able to come and speak to him directly. And you See him, he's like, they just tried to kill me. I gave swords and stuff. I think I helped the Falconers rebellion and the falconers fucking lost. And I lost a lot of standing. I've constantly tried to be idealistic and do the right thing. And I was poisoned on the ground, crawling on my stomach, getting stabbed with swords. Like, you see a guy running through that as Azune rolls that, you see the strands of fate, of Gus being like, how much more can I fucking risk? The idealist is still in there somewhere. There's an idealist still.

[Thimble]

Fucking speaking exactly. To Murray's beliefs and bullshit and what she tries to do.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Fuck.

[Thimble]

Fucking good people bullshit. Fine. You rolled a 19.

[Azune]

That is a 27.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

A 27. Murray, you reach out and see, oh,

[Thimble]

he had to go off and talk about poor people. Does he just do the reverse of what he rolled? What is it?

[Azune]

How does it work for your all to die?

[Thimble]

It just is.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh, you alter fate. You alter fate. So, Murray, you use one of your portents on a very significant day.

[Thimble]

On a very significant day. It's a very portentous day.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Very portentous day. You come in, you roll that roll, and you see Gus. As Gus is sitting there looking at his sister, his family, his knights. He's just lost one of his knights. He's thinking of every reason. It's the pragmatic, frozen calculus and logic of politics. He has a fire in his heart, just like you. He saw you on that battlefield. He saw you in that banquet hall, and you were kindred spirit to him. Exactly. But he has the voice in his head telling him, don't you owe it to people to be ruthless? Don't you owe it to people to be pragmatic? Don't you owe it to people to be reasonable? Are these ideals worth it? Can you truly protect your people if you're standing up for this? Is it true? And you can see that 2 and 3 hanging in air, headed for him, about to make a different call.

[Thimble]

I think I just see him. And I see him wavering. And as Murray taps into the split timelines, she's fully observing. Nothing is realized unless it's observed. She is fully seeing this. And she's. She's. It's like the. This split problem. And she sees him going back and forth. Gus, what is destiny but hope realized.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

As you say that to him. You look back and see through time as your gem teeth vibrate. You see a broad, brawny, powerful young man as those exact words echo through time as you see him young in a moonlit grove, another man embracing him and holding him as, as they kiss and look at each other up at the moonlight as this knight looks at him, a knight that he lost in his war for independence, who looks at him and says to realize this hope is your destiny. And the words echo through time as tears as his eyes well up, wondering how you could possibly say that if you didn't know. But of course, Murray feels and experiences time throughout hope. That's right, An army marches on its stomach. You need food, you need money, you need some swords and armor and weapons, and we need a road to carry them on. Lt. And you see, he smiles a sort of devilish grin at you and looks at your eyes and says, you can count on Timony. And if you tell a song, I'll kill you. And that's all for this episode of Critical Role. A pair of glasses appeared in my lap. Let's get everybody feel the cool down.

[Thimble]

Wait, say the thing you gotta say.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Oh, is it Thursday yet? It's Thursday next week.

[Thimble]

We'll get it eventually.

[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Thanks for listening to this episode of Critical Role. If you're enjoying this story, consider leaving a review on your podcast platform of choice. We're always looking for new critters to share our adventures with, and your review may help a new batch of wayward souls find their way to Ahriman, Exandria and beyond. Or if you want to hear what the cast discussed after the episode, head to Beacon TV and check out our exclusive show Critical Role Cooldown. You'll be right there at the table immediately after we say, is it Thursday yet? And experience our cast's post show reaction. We'll see you next time.

[Thimble]

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[Azune]

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[Thimble]

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[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

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[Thimble]

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[Brennan Lee Mulligan]

Tennessee 2012.

[Azune]

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