On the Scent | Critical Role | Campaign 4, Episode 7 Part 1

Summary

Critical Role Campaign 4, Episode 7 Part 1: "On the Scent"

Date: November 27, 2025
Summary by Critical Role Podcast Summarizer

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Episode Overview

This episode continues the journey of the party as they pursue the traitorous Casimir Gavandale and attempt to locate Cid Tal Sid—a potential victim. Deep within the wilds of Ahriman, the group confronts the aftermath of their battle at the Wraith Tree, uncovers tragic fae bargains, navigates the unique landscape and communities of Timony, and debates the moral cost of vengeance and justice. The party’s bond is tested as they struggle through the haunted woods, interact with wary villagers, and race to intercept a dire prisoner transport.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Moments

1. Setting the Scene in Aramahn

Notable Characters & Locations Introduced:

• Dean Cora Kaplan Weisreich (Pentervral): New Dean speaks on legacy and change.
• Bolaire Lothalia & Lady Amaria (Arkanade): Discuss the legendary pariah blades and mysterious weapons used to slay gods.

“Old ways are dying. We represent nothing if not the triumph of the new.” — Dean Cora, [11:00]

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2. Recap & Transition to Active Pursuit

[19:24]

• Campaign Recap: After a traumatic loss, the group pursues Casimir Gavandale northward, hoping to rescue Cid, Teor’s younger brother.
• They track through haunted forests toward Timony, where Cid is rumored to be transported as a prisoner.

“That son of a bitch. You killed our friend. And he was your friend. That’s the worst kind of killing, my friend.” — Sam Riegel, [21:44]

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3. Aftermath at the Wraith Tree — A Moral Reckoning

[25:40 → 33:32]

• Loot and Reflection: As the cursed Wraith Tree burns, the party loots the fallen, uncovering the grim reality of Hawthorne’s fae bargains—feeding poachers and trespassers to undead to protect the glade.
• Key Loot:
  • Gold, silver, copper from the slain ([27:43])
  • Satyr horns (trophies from murdered fae), mystery potions (likely faerie fluids), with a party debate over their use ([30:22])
  • Wraith's corroded holy symbol—identified as the symbol of Tansul, shaper of the sun ([35:57])

“She sent a lot of people here to die... But maybe in some way, some blame should be reserved for men like this that make those choices necessary.” — Matthew Mercer, [33:38]

Memorable Moment:
Liam O’Brien’s character casually eats a finger from one of the corpses, sparking comic disbelief among the group.
"I mean I don’t do it when we’re back at your family’s house, but it is something I can and will do from time to time." — Liam O'Brien, [36:59]

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4. Trying to Find Cid's Trail: Lost in the Woods

[39:23 → 44:44]

• Failed Survival Checks: The group blunders deeper into the forest at night, losing any hope of tracking Cid and forced to seek refuge.
• Camp in the Trees: The party makes a dangerous, short rest up in the canopy to avoid undead, with a poignant bonding moment shared by Fimble and another party member snuggling under a "soft ear" ([46:21]).

“Did we just become best friends?” — Laura Bailey, [47:25]

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5. Leaving the Forest — The People and Customs of Timony

[50:59 → 63:09]

• Perception & Insight Checks: The group emerges into the rugged countryside of Timony, noting its poverty, reliance on sheep, and distinctive traditions—such as "fairy marriage charms" tied to trees and cowbell-based undead warning systems ([57:10]).

• Interaction with Locals: The party visits a humble chapel. Wakander poses as a herald of the Candescent Creed, interrogates an acolyte about recent events, and requests resources. There’s friction regarding Creed beliefs and fae prejudice ([66:28], [70:03]).

“All we need is the light.” — Acolyte, [65:43]

• Debate and Subversion: Fimble (Liam O'Brien) needles the acolyte about anti-fae sentiment; Cadogan urges respect for the locals’ pure beliefs, warning against undue harassment ([71:21]).

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6. Gathering Intelligence — Shepherds Know All

[75:51 → 85:44]

• Key Lead: Speaking with Tasker, a kindly shepherd, the team learns Cid was taken in chains by an Earl’s Knight, destined for Sloke—a remote, destitute barony whose new Baron is none other than Gavandale, their quarry ([85:44]).

“Well, one who walks in the company of wolves and fairies is fair enough on his own.” — Tasker, [81:33]

• Local Color: Fimble absconds with Tasker and Wendy’s “blessed marriage charm,” only realizing its significance after the visit ([88:10]).

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7. Strategy Session: Which Route to Take?

[94:41 → 101:59]

• Options:
  • The direct yet dangerous King's Road (heavily policed, full of Creed activity)
  • Slower but safer cross-country over grazing lands
• Decision: The group opts for speed on the King's Road, reasoning Cid's survival is at stake.
• Side Note: Several magical “chanter’s eggs”—mysterious items for stealth, sickness, or creating distractions—are distributed for potential use ([101:36]).

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8. Culture of Timony — Dogs, Druids, and Shrines

[105:05 → 111:19]

• Remarkable Lore Drop:
  • Statues and shrines to hounds are everywhere, reflecting Timony’s druidic roots and central role of dogs in their society ([109:09]).
  • Dogs act as message carriers, linking the country through secret “dog hostels.”

“Timony was founded in that war… so Timony's always… a region, became its own kingdom after King Gus won a war against Argosia… His banner, three red hounds on a white field.” — Matthew Mercer, [107:44]

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9. Fast Travel Drama — Horses, Carts, and Spit

[113:01 → 132:26]

• A failed social encounter with a surly cart driver (who spits in Wick’s face) is followed by a successful, gold-greased negotiation with a practical older woman.

“You don’t have to be mean. Just, yeah, be yourself… You can be kind and still be a leader. In fact, that’s what you’re supposed to—supposed to be.” — Liam O'Brien to Sam Riegel, [130:26]

• The group is allowed to rest and catch up overnight in her cart.

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10. Clues and Mysteries on the Road to Sloke

[135:46 → 139:12]

• Night Watch: During the night, Thimble spots a rare, giant Timmins Rock mastiff guarding a nearby tavern/shrine, possibly an omen or threat as the group advances.
• Cliffhanger: The dog disappears when alerted, implying a close and possibly supernatural surveillance as the party approaches their goal.

“You better keep Wulfric away from that thing. They are usually guarding important people though… Rare to see one out in a far off boonie of the kingdom like this.” — Matthew Mercer, [138:47]

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Notable Quotes

• "She sent a lot of people here to die. But maybe in some way, some blame should be reserved for men like this that make those choices necessary."
  — Matthew Mercer, [33:38]

• “Did we just become best friends?”
  — Laura Bailey, [47:25]

• “…You can be kind and still be a leader. In fact, that’s what you’re supposed to—supposed to be.”
  — Liam O'Brien (to Sam Riegel), [130:32]

• “Only Teor is Teor.”
  — Laura Bailey et al, [131:01]

• "That's great, cause we're looking for both of them. Right? So two birds, one stone."
  — Liam O'Brien, re: Sloke & Cid ([95:47])

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Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|---------------| | Legacy and numerology in Pentervral | 11:00 | | Recap & party’s mission restated | 19:24 | | Moral reckoning at the Wraith Tree | 25:40-33:32 | | Party gets lost in the woods | 39:23-44:44 | | Bonding in the canopy | 46:21 | | Emerging into Timony, social customs | 50:59-63:09 | | Chapel encounter, fae/Creed tensions | 63:09-71:38 | | Shepherd interaction, learning Cid’s fate| 75:51-85:44 | | Discussion on route, strategy | 94:41-101:59 | | Lore drop: Hounds & Druidic customs | 105:05-111:19 | | Cart drama and leadership advice | 113:01-132:26 | | Night watch—Timmins Rock mastiff | 135:46-139:12 |

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Tone and Atmosphere

The episode is rich with the unique blend of emotional tension, worldbuilding detail, humor, and dark whimsy characteristic of Critical Role. The party navigates heavy personal stakes, complex moral choices, and comic relief amidst classic “bunch of nerdy-ass voice actors” banter.

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Conclusion

The party, exhausted but united, presses northward toward Sloke, riding a cart through the night. They have lost Cid’s trail but gained vital intelligence: their enemy Gavandale now rules the very destination. The looming presence of supernatural guardians hints at even greater perils to come.

End of Part 1. Part 2 drops Tuesday.

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“What's a dog doing? Trouble. Danger. Danger.” — Liam O'Brien & Matthew Mercer, [139:14-139:17]

Transcript

[Matthew Mercer]

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[Sam Riegel]

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[Matthew Mercer]

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[Laura Bailey]

Oh hey.

[Matthew Mercer]

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[Sam Riegel]

Whoa.

[Liam O'Brien]

So we Saldana hey, can you wrap these please?

[Sam Riegel]

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[Matthew Mercer]

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[Liam O'Brien]

You splurged at T Mobile. You can get four iPhone 17s on them. The new center stage front camera is amazing for group selfies. It's the perfect gift for everyone.

[Matthew Mercer]

I'm the worst. I only got my mom a robe.

[Liam O'Brien]

Well, it's better than socks.

[Matthew Mercer]

So I have to trade in my old phone, right?

[Liam O'Brien]

No AT T Mobile, there's no trade ins needed when you switch. Keep your old phone or give it as a gift.

[Matthew Mercer]

Incredible.

[Liam O'Brien]

In fact, wrap up my old phone too for my Aunt Rosa.

[Matthew Mercer]

Forget that.

[Liam O'Brien]

Aunt Liz will be jealous.

[Matthew Mercer]

Sounds like my family drama.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, I got it. I'll give it to my abuela. I'll take reindeer paper with hey, where are you going?

[Matthew Mercer]

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[Liam O'Brien]

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[Matthew Mercer]

Why hello there. I'm Brennan Lee Mulligan and welcome to Campaign 4 of Critical Role. Thank you for joining us on this journey as we explore Ahriman, a world of fractured kingdoms, tumultuous rebellion and sorcery that rises from the graveyard of the gods. You're listening to part one of this adventure, with Part two arriving this upcoming Tuesday. Our episodes typically arrive on the Critical Role podcast network a week after our initial Thursday night streams on Beacon, YouTube and Twitch. But if you'd rather listen to a full podcast episode of Campaign 4 Right When it airs without any ads, consider becoming a Beacon member. You'll receive access to exclusive content discounts at all our online Critical Role shops, pre sales for live events and so much more. Start your seven day free trial today at Beacon tv. Now, without further ado, let's begin this episode of Critical Role. In the Great hall of the Penteveral. Fanning out through many seats are assembled students, researchers, faculty, staff, hushed noises, paper fluttering, familiars getting into their places in the rafters. A dwarven woman ascends a small series of steps to a lectern looking out over the Great hall here, where some of the greatest lessons in the benevolent history have been given. Dean Cora Kaplan Weisreich. Her platinum blond hair sculpted as stonework around her head and rolls and beautiful array, red lipstick, well done face gown ruff like a governess looks out. Today at my inauguration as Dean of the Pentevral, it occurs to me to speak words of acknowledgment, kindness and admiration for Dean Alipides. Tall barrel applause goes up. His term as the fourth Dean of the Pentevral will always be remembered as when the beginning of a truly great era fell found its nascency. And as the fifth Dean of the Penteveral, I'd like to talk about the number five. We move in the back. Where do we see Murray? Up to here at the Great Hall.

[Liam O'Brien]

Murray's like, I can't hear. I want to be able to use.

[Marisha Ray]

This against her later. Sorry, Excuse me.

[Matthew Mercer]

Sorry.

[Liam O'Brien]

Sorry.

[Sam Riegel]

Excuse me.

[Matthew Mercer]

Highly irregular.

[Marisha Ray]

That's my seat.

[Liam O'Brien]

Sorry.

[Matthew Mercer]

Move. There's open seats in the back.

[Laura Bailey]

Shut up.

[Matthew Mercer]

Across town at the Arkanade, walking through beautiful marble halls, a Bowlaire Lothalia walks as the Lord Temadae Wernst speaks to the Lady Amaria Dacen Cormoray, saying, it's absolutely stunning. Of course. I mean, the building itself is exemplary. She keeps her eyes ever trained on you, Bolare, marveling at Shae's blade, the last of the pariah blades hanging in its place of honor here in the heart of the Loy Wing. The sword that killed the first God to die in Ahriman.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Stunning, isn't it?

[Matthew Mercer]

Remarkably mundane. Well, I suppose that was the whole.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Point of it, really. Bringing something mundane to something celestial, something beyond. One was inevitably going to triumph over the other.

[Matthew Mercer]

This is fake, of course. What?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Oh, yes. We wouldn't leave anything that that expensive and that rare. Anybody could touch it, break it.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, well, it's just this beautiful exhibit. All around it. It just seemed so real.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Well, it's very close to real. But there's only one way to know if you could actually tell the difference. And for someone of your standing.

[Matthew Mercer]

How interesting.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Would you like to see the real one?

[Matthew Mercer]

I very much would, Master Lothalia.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

It's the least I can do after making you come back after everything ridiculous that went on last night.

[Matthew Mercer]

As she walks away, she smiles, nodding to you. Go ahead and give me a persuasion check if you'd be so. Really9 walking beside you, she says, you, kindness in this regard is deeply appreciated. The Pariah blades, you said Celestial. Were they capable of harming Celestials? Or only the gods themselves?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

No one really knows. I have my own theories and I.

[Matthew Mercer]

Do put them forward. By all means, Master Lothalia. Put them forward.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

There's so much we don't know about. Despite it only being 80, 90 years, not that long ago there were battles that were barely seen. Few survivors. And we have so little information about what actually happened. There's so much we don't know.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's a marvel you've recovered all of the blades.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Well, it helps that we are funded by the family. That made them.

[Matthew Mercer]

Delightful. But yes.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

There's something about the weight of reality. I believe the weight of reality can crush most things.

[Matthew Mercer]

Well, it seems that much of the real has been gathered here in this place.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Thank you.

[Matthew Mercer]

I would love to see some of this. And you have some of the other divine, or I should say undivine weaponry here, yes?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Oh, they vary quite a bit in make and form. Each God and goddess had their own weakness, as it were. The thing that undid them.

[Matthew Mercer]

Mysteries abound.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Always.

[Matthew Mercer]

And we've still no understanding of how the trickster died.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

That's the trouble with that one.

[Matthew Mercer]

It was a very, very large piece of destruction.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

We know where it happened. It was one of the Sacred Theaters. And there were no survivors. It took everything is just a crater where that theater used to be. No record. No survivors. And the few people that made whatever weapon that was died very early in the war.

[Matthew Mercer]

Sacred Theaters. Have you ever met Hallendil Fang?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yes, a few times.

[Laura Bailey]

Why?

[Matthew Mercer]

We move from the Archenaud back to the Pentevral. In the wizardly practice of numerology, the number five constitutes a very powerful number prime. And as fifth Dean of the Pentevral, I would like to thank our noble representatives of the five sundered Houses. Today we are announcing the Koa Marais Scholarship for arcane service that will enable us to teach even more more eager pupils than we ever have in the history of the Penteveral. Shut up. Shut up. Don't tell me to shut up. You see that? She says, five deans, five architects of the Penteveral. Like fingers on a hand. Oh, gods. You see her eyes dart to you and you get a message cantrip in your head that says, keep it to yourself. Murray, I want to see you in my office after all this is done.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm sure you do.

[Matthew Mercer]

Old ways are dying. We represent nothing if not the triumph of the new. She leaves the lectern. My office.

[Liam O'Brien]

Five. Five fingers.

[Matthew Mercer]

And we will return elsewhere in Ahriman on tonight's episode of Critical Role.

[Travis Willingham]

Hey, friends. Welcome to the Critical Role Announcement Playhouse. Ashley, you're up.

[Liam O'Brien]

Hello, it's me.

[Sam Riegel]

I'm Rob Berg.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hello.

[Liam O'Brien]

I know. All right, you guys. Our last charity auction went through the roof. The TGIT 90s one shot raised over $80,000 for NCWIT, all thanks to you. And it actually went so well. All right, we're gonna have another auction.

[Matthew Mercer]

Ooh, ooh, ooh.

[Liam O'Brien]

So mark your calendars for December 10th because critical role, with help from our friends at ebay, will be hosting the 10 year anniversary charity auction. This time, proceeds will benefit all of our partner charities and you can learn more about each of them at critrole.com/foundation. And there will be more surprises and details coming up. But in the meantime, expect auction items like limited run and discontinued items, signed merch, and one of a kind items like. All right, I'm gonna be honest with you because I'm having a hard time with this and I've really been contemplating if I want to do this or not. You're gonna do it.

[Marisha Ray]

You're gonna do it.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it. So items like my dice tray from Campaign 3. Okay, I know. I still don't know if I want.

[Matthew Mercer]

To give this away.

[Sam Riegel]

It's for charity.

[Liam O'Brien]

I know. That's what I keep saying, but you're better than I. I know. So I think this'll probably be on the list. So it's gonna be a lot of fun and you're not gonna wanna miss this.

[Travis Willingham]

And folks, the first three episodes of the Mighty Nein are out right now on Prime Video. So if you missed our live launch party, you can now find the VOD on Beacon, like right now or Prime Video next week. But for those interested in more behind the scenes content, we are super excited to announce mid season and finale talkback shows titled Inside the Mighty nein. These are 60 minute episodes that will be available on Prime Video starting December 3rd, along with an extended 90 minute version that'll be exclusive to Beacon. These videos will explore the creative process behind adapting Campaign 2 to animation. And it's truly been a labor of love from all of us and we're so excited for you all to finally see this series. Cannot wait. Laura, you're up.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, no.

[Liam O'Brien]

And I have the hiccups. You got the hiccups.

[Matthew Mercer]

Perfect.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

This will help.

[Liam O'Brien]

In case you missed it, our fourth annual Christmas sale is running strong and Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend is around the corner. So guess what? There might be some additional savings on already marked down items. Black Friday through Cyber Monday. But stock is limited. So if you have your eye on something, don't take too long because you know they could sell out. And that's it. You go through it.

[Ashley Johnson]

I did it.

[Liam O'Brien]

I did it. I didn't have to hold up anything. I think that's crazy.

[Marisha Ray]

I had to counter with the hiccups.

[Laura Bailey]

That's true.

[Sam Riegel]

You did good.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, right. I also got rid of my hiccups.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hey, look at that. I was trying to be nice.

[Ashley Johnson]

Thank you.

[Matthew Mercer]

Black Friday.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, no. The magic of Black Friday.

[Travis Willingham]

The Annie Award winning campaign setting Dungeons of Drakkenheim is coming to Dagger Hearts. Created by the wonderful Dungeon Dudes and Ghostfire gaming, Dungeons and Drakkenheim is a dark fantasy cosmic horror sandbox campaign where adventurers explore a city devastated by a.

[Ashley Johnson]

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[Travis Willingham]

It's really cool.

[Laura Bailey]

I've read it.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's great, guys.

[Travis Willingham]

The Daggerheart ruleset is a perfect fit for Drakkenheim's core themes of hope and fear, offering a fresh way to explore the cursed city. So learn more and back it on [e-mail] Drakenheart seriously, check it out.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's awesome.

[Travis Willingham]

I think that concludes our announcements, so let's go ahead and jump back into Aramon.

[Ashley Johnson]

Back to you.

[Marisha Ray]

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[Liam O'Brien]

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[Matthew Mercer]

Hello and welcome to tonight's episode of Critical Role. I don't know why anyone's laughing, because I'll tell you what's deadly serious. The combat we just had at the Wraith Tree. Folks, our soldiers table is on a mission for vengeance, searching for a man named Casimir Gavandale, once a brother of the Torn Banner, fighting on the rebel's side of the Falconer's Rebellion. Now seemingly having turned over the beloved Thiazi Fang Boon companion of One Thimble, over to the sundered houses to meet his death at the end of the Hangman's rope. We have traveled north in pursuit of the treacherous Kasmir of Gavandel, but also Perhaps more closely in need of rescuing one of his potential victims. That being Cid Tal Sid, Amir Pridesire, Teor's younger brother. Pursuing his tracks out from Dolmachiar after the events of Thiazi Fang's funeral, and having put together the pieces of what went wrong in the attempt to save Thiazi's life, which was proven impossible to do, we instead see here in these moments, where your footsteps have led you. Following Cid out of Dolmakyar, he and Kasmir splitting up, finding the gnomish arcanist, Ulbid Morn, a father of some long lost heroes of the Falconer's Rebellion, who parted with a very capable enchanted toy sword. And against his knowledge also parted with a knife, a beloved handle of lapis lazuli and ivory. The handle returned, but the blade itself unknowingly kept in the possession of one Cadogan Veil. Your footsteps led you down from the fireworks and goat protected walls of Albin's observatory, where he keeps an eye on the magical happenings of the stormwreck. But also on travelings of the road. The banner of the king headed south. Just as Casimir Gavandale, that worm, heads north.

[Sam Riegel]

That son of a bitch.

[Matthew Mercer]

That son of a bitch. You killed our friend. And he was your friend. That's the worst kind of killing, my friend. Traveling north, Cid made his way through the forest, but on foot versus Kasimir's carriages. And through the dense forest against Kasmir. Traveling on the King's road. You have to wonder if Cid, even if he makes it out of the Dioption, he would won't have a trap waiting for him on the other end of the forest. And indeed it was that premonition within a crystal. That Thimble saw you. Or it was either the Hag's lake. No, that was when you give your memory away. More sad stuff. A lot happened last episode. You made your way to Hawthorne's glade. Found at the edge by Hawthorne herself and some of her glade's finest warriors. Notification. No. No.

[Laura Bailey]

That was just a sprite.

[Matthew Mercer]

That was a sprite. That was a little fairy. You were saved in the nick of time by none other than Wicander Halovars. Unlikely. Unlikely. Summoning of the light. Wings of light. Surrounding.

[Laura Bailey]

We both have wings.

[Liam O'Brien]

We both have wings. Basically the same.

[Matthew Mercer]

And you made an impression on Hawthorne. You made more than an impression on Shuffa. A shambling mound who appears to with no central nervous system, still be possessed of a religious conviction.

[Laura Bailey]

Yes.

[Matthew Mercer]

In your sacredness, you saw the Glade. Of fairies that have fled danger and in some cases it seems, persecution. Perhaps even at the hands of the Candescent Creed. If that grasshopper fae can be believed. You also met Sallow, a hag who betrayed the secrecy of the glade to tell you that yes, Cid not only was here, but had been sent to his death at the Wraith's tree. A terrible plan, but one that the fae had made to keep their glade safe by feeding those mortals that had found their glade to the Wraith, such that more undead would patrol the woods at night and keep people far from this place. You made quick work of the Wraith animated within this tree and even sending it back to the underworld with a divine smite. The tree began to summon it back before Thimble could douse it in Cadogan's oil and set it to light. As the zombies disanimate all around you. It is to this moment we return as fire fills the forest around you. Flickering fire as the tree goes up. It is bright as day here in the dark forest. This tree sputters. And though you do not actually believe it to be fundamentally supernatural, the oil of the dead tree pops and screams as the wood splits in the face. The steam escapes and hisses with these loud shrill cries. As you are surrounded by, in Tyria's case, a kind of comforting hellfire. Looking around, seeing the most freshly dead are indeed closest to the tree. You can breathe a sigh of relief that Cid's body is nowhere to be found.

[Liam O'Brien]

So he made it.

[Laura Bailey]

As far as we can tell. I think so.

[Liam O'Brien]

I run up to Wick.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh my.

[Liam O'Brien]

You're so cool. You're so cool.

[Matthew Mercer]

What?

[Liam O'Brien]

Did you know you could do that?

[Sam Riegel]

I did not. No, I did not. And. But I don't even know what that was. It could be. It could be that monster blood or whatever in me. I don't even know if that's good or whatever.

[Liam O'Brien]

Sounds really good to me. I don't know.

[Laura Bailey]

Would you say monster blood?

[Liam O'Brien]

The angel.

[Sam Riegel]

Yes, the angel thing, yes. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. It remains to be seen. But if your brother isn't here.

[Laura Bailey]

Have we.

[Liam O'Brien]

Are any of the zombies fresh enough to be looted?

[Laura Bailey]

Fucking listen. Old tricks.

[Liam O'Brien]

Listen, listen.

[Laura Bailey]

Never die.

[Matthew Mercer]

What a absolutely marvelous question. Go ahead and give me an investigation. Chip.

[Liam O'Brien]

You're so polite too.

[Laura Bailey]

With it there is no doubt.

[Liam O'Brien]

That's a 22.

[Matthew Mercer]

22? Hell yes. I would like you to go ahead and please. On a 22, we'll call it. For every 5 starting at 10. And for every 5 above, we'll go 2d10. So give me 6d10.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh my gosh.

[Matthew Mercer]

Roll 6d10 for me. What?

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm so happy. I don't even know what this is doing, but it feels really good.

[Matthew Mercer]

Go ahead.

[Laura Bailey]

You're rolling your demise.

[Sam Riegel]

That's what she said.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay, wait.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

6D10.

[Sam Riegel]

That's good.

[Liam O'Brien]

2, 3, 4, 5.

[Laura Bailey]

Don't know what you're doing.

[Liam O'Brien]

One more.

[Laura Bailey]

That's really good.

[Liam O'Brien]

Six. I mean. Okay, okay, okay. And what am I trying to do?

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay, go ahead. Can I get high or low? Go ahead. Go ahead. Oh, you're trying to get high.

[Liam O'Brien]

38.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah, bro, that's what he said.

[Matthew Mercer]

You find 38 gold pieces in several different denominations scattered throughout those people here.

[Liam O'Brien]

Somebody needs to.

[Matthew Mercer]

I'll even go ahead and say it's probably like. We'll call it 31 gold pieces. That's seven. And then call it like, you know, 56 silver pieces. And then call it, call it 104 copper pieces. Okay, so you know, over. But this is, by the way, Thimble, this is going to be 20 minutes because each of these poachers. These are poachers and smugglers. As you look at those assembled and gathering out here, the terrible calculation of the fae who are themselves, some of them are good, but not all of them. And even some of them that are not good didn't approve of this plan. But Hawthorne is a spirit of wild nature. Maybe neither good nor evil. She sent a lot of people here to die. But you do look out here and see there is no neighborhood school children. There's a lot of people that for one reason or another wanted to take deep into the dhoptiony, knowing how dangerous it was. You see a lot of people trying to find new smuggling tracks to get into and out of Dolmakyar. But again, that describes a lot of people you're friends with. There's a lot of poachers, people that are coming here knowing it's a magical forest. You see that there's some people here also. You had a 22. Go ahead and roll a D100 for me.

[Laura Bailey]

What the. Yeah. Is anybody carrying some sawed off satyr horns from our homie back in the glade that we can return. Punk ass.

[Liam O'Brien]

90 90.

[Matthew Mercer]

One second.

[Laura Bailey]

You're dead.

[Matthew Mercer]

Zombie fairy. Hell yes. On a particularly large fearsome looking hunter. First you see this hunter looks sort of like Wilder's man. He's got a couple of what looks like pelts around his shoulder from small Animals from the sort of oil saying that pelts. He thinks it's probably either otter or beaver or maybe some kind of water rat kind of pelts. You see he's got. And then you see the tools that he carries on them are pretty ferocious looking. And you smell a stench of cold iron. You grew up close enough to humans that you don't have a particular vulnerability to cold iron. But the fairies that grew up way far away in Faerie are harmed by cold iron.

[Liam O'Brien]

He was hunting them.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see a pair of horns on his belt. You also see the horns don't seem to have any magical property other than that they are a horrifying visage of this man's evil work. You do, however, see that there are two small vials on his belt, each of which appears to be some kind of potion. As you open the kind of. He has a sort of thick leather harness that, as you open it up the belt, almost like a bandolier. Many of them are empty, but two are actually buttoned. And undoing the clasps on them, light spreads out. You see two thick glass vials with a slightly luminous. It almost looks like it's one color. Then you realize it's two. It's a helixing or lava lamp, even though that's not a verb. Gold and pearlescent. Silvery white. Give me a nature check, if you'd be so kind.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yes.

[Sam Riegel]

You're good at that, right?

[Matthew Mercer]

Yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay, you make that.

[Liam O'Brien]

Not right now. I'm not good at it. But 9.

[Matthew Mercer]

Anyone else that wants to take a crack at it can. Especially if you have proficiency in nature.

[Laura Bailey]

Let's go Catty.

[Matthew Mercer]

Come on.

[Liam O'Brien]

Come on, let's go. Strangely.

[Ashley Johnson]

Strangely enough, it's pretty, pretty poor.

[Matthew Mercer]

Here we go.

[Liam O'Brien]

Why is your nature so. Shit.

[Matthew Mercer]

I rolled.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, what's that?

[Matthew Mercer]

A 13?

[Liam O'Brien]

Did you roll the one that's a 13?

[Matthew Mercer]

I did not.

[Ashley Johnson]

That's all for a 14.

[Liam O'Brien]

That was the one that you rolled?

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah, this was a 1:14. I think on scent alone, as Wulfric is kind of here with you. You don't have a deeper insight. But. But you know that whatever that is, it is probably a potion made on the fly, which makes you think it's pretty close to being some kind of biological fluid of a magical creature. Blood, tears, something like that. Drink it.

[Laura Bailey]

This asshole.

[Liam O'Brien]

Gives my gold to Teor.

[Matthew Mercer]

You can see that. Oh, you give the gold to tear under the armpits in the purse.

[Laura Bailey]

Where does he go?

[Sam Riegel]

Half marsupial pouches.

[Matthew Mercer]

So you mark down these two mystery potions. You don't know exactly what they do. But I will say that for whatever it's worth, this guy had them on his belt. So in terms of if they do something, he clearly wanted quick access, quick draw, right? And I think that you see this horrifying man who, you see, he sort of has a lumpen angry looking face even in death, partially rotted through the. He's probably been a zombie for at least a year at this point. With the rot that's, you know, even animated through undeath, these guys still slowly decompose. But you don't sense this guy was pleasant to be around, even when fully alive and unrotting.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm just going to take my pin sword and stab it in his eye.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see a little bit of putrescent filth oozes down his face. It is for this man that this policy was adopted by Hawthorne's Glade. Perhaps some of the dead here would blame the fairies. But maybe in some way, some blame should be reserved for men like this that make those choices necessary.

[Laura Bailey]

Is he dead?

[Liam O'Brien]

He's dead.

[Sam Riegel]

Does he look like this?

[Matthew Mercer]

What are the odds? What are the odds? How did you know? How could you have known? Wow. It is dead of night. And as the tree. The tree will be burning for some time. And you also can't guarantee, thankfully this is a rainforest, so the death of these trees means that they are largely waterlogged. Still, you don't think there's a real chance of a fire spreading out through here, but I think that you can feel thimble reaching out through the forest here. Something really horrifying and dangerous has died in this forest. You guys have, insofar as chasing Cid, have rid the world of a deep and profound evil, but also made this forest more accessible for whoever wants to access it. And the last piece of your looting is the two corroded bronze halves of that holy symbol that the wraith held, which you can see are withered, desiccated. It looks like that bronze symbol must have aged some centuries or whatever in the time that it fell to the ground. But you have that as well if you wish to carry it. Though none would blame you if you did not.

[Liam O'Brien]

Do you want to take it?

[Laura Bailey]

I wouldn't mind. Just because it's a relic of an old time.

[Liam O'Brien]

Pick up the two apps and fly it over to him.

[Laura Bailey]

Thank you.

[Liam O'Brien]

Do you recognize it?

[Laura Bailey]

Do I recognize it?

[Matthew Mercer]

Give me a religion check. And we established it before last time. It's a symbol of. You know it simply as a symbol. Symbol of Tansul, who was the shaper of the sun. Yeah, I'll hold onto it.

[Laura Bailey]

Just because my child.

[Liam O'Brien]

When I'm trying to spell names, it's just like going here.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hold on to what did you land on?

[Guest/Advertiser]

I'm not telling.

[Laura Bailey]

And even though it's not seen in my character design, there are nifty ass pouches under the underarms of my. Oh, definitely, definitely planned in advance and just blocked by the arm.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's very anti theft.

[Laura Bailey]

There's all sorts of shit under that cape, y'.

[Matthew Mercer]

All.

[Laura Bailey]

Character design 101 hide shit with capes.

[Liam O'Brien]

There are any freshies around? I'd like to just pop off a finger. I'm kind of hungry.

[Laura Bailey]

Wow.

[Liam O'Brien]

What you eat people.

[Matthew Mercer]

She wants to pop off a freshie.

[Liam O'Brien]

He's dead.

[Laura Bailey]

Get a little Nathan hot dog out there. Let's go.

[Sam Riegel]

I did not know that you.

[Matthew Mercer]

I don't do it.

[Liam O'Brien]

I mean I don't do it when we're back at your family's house, but it is something that I can and.

[Laura Bailey]

Will do from time to time.

[Liam O'Brien]

Am I a little hungy?

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

We've been fighting. So I'd like to find one of.

[Sam Riegel]

The things that's desecrating a dead body.

[Matthew Mercer]

The last thing I'll say in terms as you swallow this finger. There's obviously tons of other stuff here loot wise. None of which is as good as your current. You can basically cycling through a bunch of mundane weapons that none of which are worth equipping. If there is a random dagger, I'll.

[Laura Bailey]

Take one just to have an extra dagger.

[Matthew Mercer]

By all means you can grab. There's hunting knives, there's a lot of daggers out here, but nothing you find is really of worthy make that would be worth. Unless you don't have one.

[Laura Bailey]

What kind of finger do you take?

[Liam O'Brien]

Middle finger? Yeah.

[Laura Bailey]

You get the most meat off of the bone.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah. I just think it's funny.

[Laura Bailey]

Can I also ask, while we're doing that sort of searching of the bodies I would be trying to canvas in this battlefield and with the fire and all those things, any sort of signs of Cid, flecks of fur or any kind of equipment that he might have dropped in order to flee quickly under.

[Matthew Mercer]

The sputtering of this massive bonfire in this wraith tree, which is sort of a funny thing to watch because it is a sacrilege of a sacrilege. So it fills you. It's not like you're watching something that's pleasant or good, but there is a weird feeling of I think tyranny. Watching this tree burn you feel a sort of demonic pleasure. This is sort of sacred to demons, the destruction of something worthy of destruction.

[Liam O'Brien]

Well, I feel like it's sort of like when just a regular person looks at a campfire and you think, oh, I am connected to every person who has ever watched a fire and been sort of mesmerized it. And even the smells of rotting flesh and moss and seeing this horrifying thing get taken down, I don't know. I'm feeling oddly tender. I'm feeling kind of sweet, and I've moved on to viscera.

[Matthew Mercer]

I love it. As you're fucking. I love it. You are not surrounded by aesthetics. This pleasant. Back in Dolmak yarn, you could absolutely make an attempt right now in the dark of night under the light of the Wraith tree. It will be made with disadvantage, but I don't know if you guys want to camp out at the burning Wraith Tree. So, I mean, it's.

[Sam Riegel]

This house is clear.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah. I mean, it's nighttime, though. Like, how deep into the night is it? Is it time?

[Sam Riegel]

Is it clean to sleep?

[Matthew Mercer]

You guys got here a little bit after sunset. Okay, so it's early night. You guys could try to put push through. You're not too far, but, like, there.

[Laura Bailey]

Are more undead than just around the Wraith tree. It's not like this was the.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah, there's a. You sense that this was a very. Like a center of activity, but none of you have like, an inventory of every undead or even just monster.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, I think Katogan would warn them that that's a possibility, that it might be more sporadic, but. Yeah, for sure.

[Liam O'Brien]

So we keep going.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

All right, Go ahead. Give me a survival check. We'll call it a DC10. Just to keep navigating through the night to get out of here. But if you can hit a DC15 or higher and you'll be rolling with disadvantage because you are doing it at night. But Wulfric can cancel that out. So you can roll straight. Okay.

[Laura Bailey]

And I have Darkvision, so maybe I can help.

[Liam O'Brien]

Well, awesome.

[Matthew Mercer]

Even with light added, it's still just the added of moving through the woods with a flashlight versus being able to get an actual lay of the land.

[Liam O'Brien]

And we both get to roll and shadows are moving.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah, you have Darkvision too. You said.

[Ashley Johnson]

Ah, dookie, bro.

[Liam O'Brien]

Super dookie.

[Ashley Johnson]

Miserable failure.

[Liam O'Brien]

Well, I don't know if yours is as miserable as mine is.

[Ashley Johnson]

Mine is.

[Matthew Mercer]

Was a one.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, yeah. Yours is almost as miserable as mine. No, just kidding. Mine's almost as miserable. Seven.

[Matthew Mercer]

Seven. Okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

I rolled A two.

[Matthew Mercer]

I'm sorry.

[Ashley Johnson]

I rolled a one. So I have a four.

[Laura Bailey]

It's not a competition kids.

[Matthew Mercer]

It was a critical failure.

[Ashley Johnson]

Either way, we both suck.

[Matthew Mercer]

On a seven. We fall short of that. DC10 moving through the woods. I think you guys get. You should guide us next time. I think you guys get well and truly lost. Feels bad moving through the woods away from the Wraith tree. It's also just like you get further out. That's a crackling. The red light stays behind you forever. It messes with your own light. The fire sputtering makes the shadows move. No sign of Cid anywhere. So the Sids trail has gone totally, totally cold. How long into the night do you travel before you collapse and just try to sleep somewhere?

[Laura Bailey]

I think once we go beyond the immediate light of the burning tree, I would also try and kick on my divine sense just to sweep for any new undead Fae celestial kind.

[Matthew Mercer]

You continue to move forward. You're sweeping for undead and fae. How long do you travel before you either collapse? Just can't get fear.

[Liam O'Brien]

I can always go up into the trees and see if we can maybe camp out high to stay away from the shamblers.

[Ashley Johnson]

When we're talking about being lost in the woods, are we talking about having lost all sense of direction?

[Matthew Mercer]

We wouldn't even know without the sky. Who knows what way is Norse.

[Liam O'Brien]

I could go up above the trees and look for the moon. Doesn't that help at all?

[Laura Bailey]

There's no moon in the stars.

[Matthew Mercer]

We got three moons. Take that.

[Ashley Johnson]

And they're all haunted.

[Matthew Mercer]

They're all haunted. No, there is but a single moon in this world. But the. You could fly up if you would like. If you want to head up. Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

I mean I already rolled like shit.

[Laura Bailey]

Though so hopefully there's nothing.

[Matthew Mercer]

I think flying up you just see that it's overcast which is often is in this part of the world rainforest. As you guys are moving along, I think that your choice is either just park it in the dark exact thing. Or if you want to not sleep, you guys can just try to push through till morning. Or there's at least going to be some light. But I'll probably be a constitution save associated with that.

[Liam O'Brien]

We also might get more lost.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

Can it be possible to get more lost? I told you guys it was kind of nice at the Wraith Tree. It was kind of vibey. I don't know. There was food there.

[Laura Bailey]

I think in this case you are correct.

[Liam O'Brien]

Thank you God. It's so nice to be acknowledged. Should we pitch camp here?

[Sam Riegel]

You've got a little fingernail on your chin.

[Laura Bailey]

We could. What do you. What do you think?

[Ashley Johnson]

I don't know. I want to keep moving. But moving where? We should make camp.

[Laura Bailey]

Yes.

[Liam O'Brien]

Up high.

[Laura Bailey]

How high up is the canopy?

[Matthew Mercer]

Can we tell in this part of the forest canopy, actually, because there's so many conifer trees around here. Branches start maybe sometimes as low as 3 or 4ft off the ground and then shoot up for another 80 or 90. Some of these trees are truly giants. Right. But if you're looking for a deciduous tree that actually is going to give you somewhere to build a hammock or something easier, there are some where the canopy would be 40 or 50ft up, but you'd have to scale up a massive tree to go do that.

[Laura Bailey]

I am generally adverse to being up in trees.

[Liam O'Brien]

You have fair heights.

[Laura Bailey]

Well, getting stuck in a tree. But.

[Sam Riegel]

Has that happened to you?

[Laura Bailey]

When I was a weak.

[Sam Riegel]

Did they have small child send for the fire brigade.

[Laura Bailey]

We did. It was very embarrassing. I. I'm not opposed to going up.

[Liam O'Brien]

Let's go up.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hell, yeah.

[Sam Riegel]

Up in the tree.

[Laura Bailey]

Just flap your wings.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah. You want to stay on the ground where the zombies can eat you?

[Sam Riegel]

No. But won't we fall?

[Laura Bailey]

We'll tie you to a branch.

[Liam O'Brien]

We'll tie you in.

[Sam Riegel]

All right.

[Liam O'Brien]

I said we trust him. I mean, I got these hooves, so I'm pretty good at climbing. Although not as good as that one.

[Laura Bailey]

Surely you've climbed a great number of trees in the city. Yes. As a boy.

[Liam O'Brien]

Have you seen how soft his hands are?

[Matthew Mercer]

I have.

[Laura Bailey]

They're like mush.

[Sam Riegel]

I was not allowed to climb trees. Ah, first time for everything.

[Matthew Mercer]

You all get up into the tree. It's like scaling the tree and building something, like putting a plank out that you can lie down. You can feel the wind moving the tree under you. You're tying ropes around yourself so you don't fall out and crash to your death. You are able to rest far from the ground. You only get the benefit of a short rest. Oh, God. This GM sucked. Yes.

[Laura Bailey]

I'm gonna roll my last hit. Die.

[Liam O'Brien]

Can I. While we're. Are we taking a snooze? We're taking a short snooze. I just clock Fimble and her wings are sort of shivering in the wind. And I go, hey, come here. Come here. I've been told that my ears are really soft. If you want to just snuggle under it. You're about that size. You don't have to. But they're really. Do you eat me while I'm sleeping. No, of course not. I eat dead bodies. Oh, okay. And, like, you know, his food and stuff. But anyways, you snuggle on in. It's warm. I can land on her shoulder and kind of feel her ear. Oh, hey, I grab ahold of your ear bar. Oh, my earring. I have one, too. Oh, my gosh. It's just like mine.

[Matthew Mercer]

What? What?

[Liam O'Brien]

You have the same earring. That's so cool. Well, I mean, I guess you could hold onto it. It's like a. It'd be like a roller coaster. I'm gonna climb up and, like, wiggle in like a cozy girl. I see you in the. At the end of our snooze. All right.

[Laura Bailey]

Did we just become best friends? Yes.

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[Matthew Mercer]

Did my card go through?

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, no.

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[Liam O'Brien]

There we go.

[Matthew Mercer]

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[Laura Bailey]

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[Matthew Mercer]

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[Laura Bailey]

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[Matthew Mercer]

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[Laura Bailey]

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[Matthew Mercer]

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[Laura Bailey]

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[Liam O'Brien]

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[Matthew Mercer]

With a sort of safety bar so that you don't fall out of the tree as well. Even though you can fly. You wake up the following morning and cad again. I think you're first up and you can actually hear for the first time the distant noise of a finch or some kind of maybe like a robin coming back into a part of the forest that you realized when you were coming here from hot had had no insect life, no bird song. Just here. A brave little songbird has come back to explore this part of the forest and feel that you have made the right call in terms of getting off the forest floor. Now that the sun comes in, you actually see joining the cloud line because you can peer through the canopy this high up. A little bit of smoke from the smoldering Wraith tree now joining the dull gray morning light and your journey can continue traveling north again. CID's you guys have gotten well and truly lost. Go ahead and give me another survival check to try to at least CID's trail has gone cold, cold, cold. That would be a very. We would need a DC20 survival check to encounter his tracks again. But DC10 will get you headed back in the right direction and you are no longer rolling with disadvantage.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Since we're taking front on this, I will guide you.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

Doink sure.

[Liam O'Brien]

Whoa. Oh no.

[Matthew Mercer]

Here you go. You go. Why?

[Ashley Johnson]

Well guys, we're getting cooked here.

[Matthew Mercer]

Rolling advantage with Wulfric. Oh, with Wulfric.

[Laura Bailey]

That's right.

[Liam O'Brien]

Can I.

[Matthew Mercer]

That's better.

[Ashley Johnson]

On the advantage from Wulfric.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's a 1818.

[Liam O'Brien]

That's way better than my 11Amazon. I was this one.

[Matthew Mercer]

But proficient. You head north as you guys are traveling at a pretty fast. There's no need to be stealthy. You burned a tree down last night. Anyone within miles would have been like something going on over there. You guys head out and while the sun still hangs low in the sky, the cloud cover changes overhead. For from the deep stormy dark gray of the mountains to something much lighter. The clouds here are still gray but much closer to white. A light light gray as a sort of misting drizzle starts to come down over you that doesn't even really soak your clothing. Your own body heat evaporates the mist as it clings to you. And you guys look down, cresting over a ridge. There's still some trees around. There's some forest moving down. But you get your first sight of the end of the forest and rolling pastures. Low stone farmer's walls. And off in the distance, from high up, as the mountains begin to slope down, you see the Kingdom of Timoni peeling out before you. And this is probably like early afternoon by the time you arrive here. So you have some ability to travel even further in. Go ahead and give me a group perception check if you'd be so kind.

[Laura Bailey]

God.

[Sam Riegel]

17, 13, 16.

[Matthew Mercer]

4. Great. 13 is the median roll there.

[Laura Bailey]

Can we start over?

[Matthew Mercer]

These darts are not good. You look down and see Timony. The landscape that you move to now in this place is a land of gray stone and drifting mist. The trees are lush and full of life, but you see that the ground is rocky and hard in all directions. As you look out, you see that there are little white dots of sheep moving over pastures everywhere. Even over the distance, you see a small dot, a small herding dog moving sheep over a pasture. Timony is a land with a lot of woods for hunting and pastures for grazing and cattle and sheep. And it is a country that has a lot of poor areas because you can't grow shit here. There's a lot of. Even looking out, you're like, are there any orchards? Is there anything that would spell abundance or plenty big things of wheat? No, Some small gardens, maybe a shelf of someone growing a hardy underground vegetable, turnips or something like that. But for the most part, it is a gray landscape. And you look out and see some tattered pennants on a 13. You can't see anyone traveling on it, but you see far distant on the horizon that King's highway once again, that you come out just south of off Tior.

[Liam O'Brien]

When I was talking to Sudri.

[Matthew Mercer]

Subri.

[Liam O'Brien]

Subri, she mentioned. She mentioned seeing Sid in. In chained behind carriages.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, shit.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

That's right.

[Liam O'Brien]

We might have lost some time getting.

[Laura Bailey]

Lost, but did she happen to say anything about the carriage itself?

[Liam O'Brien]

She said she saw feathers. Crow feathers.

[Matthew Mercer]

Fuck.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's gotta be them.

[Ashley Johnson]

The people here, they're skittish, but kind for the most part. I spent some time here recently.

[Liam O'Brien]

Gotta get down to the King's Road.

[Ashley Johnson]

Could be worth speaking to some of the crafters, see if they've seen anything.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, people close to the road at least. Is there anyone that you know here.

[Ashley Johnson]

Knows a broad word?

[Laura Bailey]

If he was in fact chained behind the carriage, it might not be safe to assume they did him the courtesy of letting him walk. So we may have to double our speed and try and catch up with them at least. She's not good.

[Matthew Mercer]

No.

[Liam O'Brien]

We should go.

[Matthew Mercer]

How?

[Ashley Johnson]

In the recent contract that I Fulfilled, Maybe in the weeks before. How close are these communities to where I was working? I assume it was close because we had some undead problems.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yes. Give me two skill checks here. I'll ask for. Give me any two skill checks that you feel you would be applying to. See what you learned in your work in this region.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, I mean, I think recognizing communities via the type of work that they do with. So I think that would require perception. If I'm unfamiliar with this specific space.

[Matthew Mercer]

Give me perception as one of them.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay.

[Ashley Johnson]

Pretty good. 16 plus 4 is 20.

[Matthew Mercer]

30. 20? Hell yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

For perception. And then I would say it just has to feel right. So I would say, even though it's not my best, maybe like insight.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yes, go ahead and give me an insight. Okay. And 14.

[Sam Riegel]

One plus two.

[Ashley Johnson]

16.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah, not bad. Dirty 20 perception. You look down trying to figure out where you move from here. You're out of the woods and into the place that you have come for. On Dirty 20 Perception, you know that you are in. The thief you are in here is Vallow. Vallow is the first. It's the farthest southeast in Timony, and it is the thief that is just south of Vallall of Gormaley, which is where you're headed. So this is the place you have to go through. I think on a 20 perception, you look around and you see a couple markers as you guys head down through the trees. You see a couple things on a 20 that you would expect to see here. There are a couple very old trees that have rope tied around them. The rope has moss growing on it. It's thick cable tied around trees many, many, many, many, many times. And you can see that there are a number of little red threads, some of which have dropped, some of which have grown into the moss on the rope that have small little pewter or tin charms on them. The charms always have two letters. For a lot of the crofters in Timmini that get married, they would come up and leave these tied to these fairy trees at the edge of the woods to basically ask for luck in their marriage. You see that a little bit further away from those trees that you can tell have been abandoned, you see their own are some fence posts. The fence posts appear to have these long threads on them that have cowbells tied to either end of them. It's not a perfect solution by any means, but you see that a lot of the rope, these thinner cords, will have fences with natural geography that slope down towards a fixed point. And the thread will go across that because they don't expect the things coming out of the woods to be worried about traps. Basically. Where is natural gravity going to make a shambling thing come and hit a thing to make a cowbell go off on the hillside. For us to hear that, we all need to run or get out of here. That's what you see on that perception check, on the insight check. Looking down, you see this is so deep into these little crofter villages up here. There's hardly even roads like little footpaths essentially for where people would go. Down at the base you see there is a small. Looks like a freshly constructed chapel down at the base of the hill. And you can see at some of these cowbells there are also hanging scrolls that are capped in these scroll cases that have a symbol of the candescent creed on them.

[Ashley Johnson]

Hey, that's your people, isn't it?

[Sam Riegel]

Yes, yes. Maybe they'll have food for us.

[Ashley Johnson]

And also I think we might have inadvertently helped them. These people have been besieged. I've done some work here, but nothing to the extent of what we did last night.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah, besieged by the undead.

[Ashley Johnson]

Absolutely.

[Liam O'Brien]

I fly away while they're talking and go over to the tree with the charms.

[Matthew Mercer]

I didn't want to interrupt you. Take a look at all the little charms. You see, each one of these little charms is just a tiny, small impression. Many of them are in the shape either of a paw or a hound's head that have just small little etched or poked letters in them.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm looking for a little one with.

[Matthew Mercer]

T. A little one with a T. I think you find one.

[Liam O'Brien]

Just saw it off. This is a gift for me. This is a gift for us. Your marriage is now blessed.

[Laura Bailey]

Don't you feel like you should conduct some sort of ritual as you take it and give them your luck?

[Liam O'Brien]

Shimmy and give a little fairy dust and spit on it. There you go. And I hook the tea onto my belt.

[Laura Bailey]

The old shake and spit. I've seen it many times.

[Liam O'Brien]

I bet you have.

[Matthew Mercer]

On that 16. On that 16 insight. I think you just look down and see, see getting down farther away. You, I think, get a feeling of. You just see a tree further down that looks like a much older tree that has a weird shape to its trunk. And you realize that one of those ropes was cut off and all those charms removed from this tree that's a little bit closer to the village that's behind the fences. Essentially on that insight, you maybe think.

[Liam O'Brien]

Disturbing.

[Sam Riegel]

How to do it.

[Ashley Johnson]

Let's make it quick, but go have a talk.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

See what they've seen. We could use some eyes.

[Matthew Mercer]

You head down into this tiny little. It's smaller than a hamlet. It's a thorp. It's like three little structures close together. And that's downtown, baby. You know this is hopping.

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

And you see that there is a small chapel. It looks like it's been built here. It is a wood frame that appears to have cob, clay and mud packed with straw as the bricks in it. And those have been given like a sort of whitewash with some kind of folksy thick, clumpy, chalky white paint. So it's like a little white building. One room. See, there are some benches in it. They don't even have backs to them. And there in a humble brown cassock, you see there is an older rotund man who's sweeping the floor with a little broom. Looks up. A little bulbous red nosed human man looks up and says, oh, hello, welcome.

[Laura Bailey]

Hello.

[Sam Riegel]

The light is all. Oh, no, no, no need to be nervous. It is I, Wakander Haylovar. I'm here to check in on one of our outposts.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's all right. He collapses. He collapses. Grabs your hands. Ha ha.

[Sam Riegel]

Yes, yes, yes. It's all right.

[Laura Bailey]

Please, no.

[Sam Riegel]

It's all right.

[Matthew Mercer]

That's not wet. Hey, I. I am dry.

[Sam Riegel]

Me.

[Matthew Mercer]

Thank you. She says. I am. I am your acolyte, your humble servant. What are you doing here? We are so God.

[Sam Riegel]

Please, please, please be at rest. Be at ease. My friends and I are on a journey to check on the goings on of the Candess and Creed and all of our operations in this area of the world. We just wanted to make sure that you have everything that you need, all the resources you need. It is all right. It's okay. Here, have a sip. Have a sip all. I'll take out my little chalice and get some water from a water skin. No, it doesn't.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's just. He takes a sip of the water and is just staggered and blown away. He takes a sip of the water. I have everything I need for the light is all. And all we need is the light.

[Sam Riegel]

And all in the light.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yes.

[Sam Riegel]

Can you tell me good silver, is this a test? No.

[Matthew Mercer]

No.

[Sam Riegel]

There's a test.

[Laura Bailey]

Yes, it is a test. And I'll hit like a nearby pew. Oh, sure. Really shaking, still leaving it right.

[Sam Riegel]

This is a test. We want to make sure that all. Everything is on the up and up here. What's your name?

[Matthew Mercer]

I demand what follows.

[Sam Riegel]

That's a really cool name.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, yes.

[Matthew Mercer]

I am. I am not The Lux of this chapel. This area has several chapels that the Lux travels between. I am merely an acolyte. I am studying. I know I am old. And that.

[Sam Riegel]

I know that radiance will find you. Old timer. It's all right. It's. It's all right. Please. I know what our operations are out here. But just so I know that you know, what are we doing out here?

[Matthew Mercer]

The Creed.

[Sam Riegel]

Yes, yes, yes. All these new chapels that have popped up. And the Lux. What is he off to do right now?

[Matthew Mercer]

Well, I believe that the Lux has headed over to Ardoran to meet with. There was a call for all of the luxes in Vallow to move to Ardoran because there's something there. Are we expecting you?

[Sam Riegel]

I would keep that on the down low, if you could. That could be why they're moving there.

[Matthew Mercer]

But every secret is a shadow that the light can.

[Sam Riegel]

You're right. That test passed. Yes, yes.

[Laura Bailey]

Good job.

[Sam Riegel]

Yes.

[Matthew Mercer]

But wait.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Also.

[Matthew Mercer]

The knowledge of the light cannot be shared with those who are not ready for it.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, you.

[Matthew Mercer]

Does your.

[Ashley Johnson]

Does your community have a shepherd?

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, yes. Our lucks has journeyed to Ardrun quickly. Yesterday they departed quite quickly. A messenger.

[Sam Riegel]

With anyone else? Or just alone by themselves?

[Matthew Mercer]

We are a two person operation.

[Sam Riegel]

Right. They were called there suddenly. Yes, yes. By a missive. By a letter. Do you have any sort of record of that?

[Matthew Mercer]

A courier. One of the Knights of the Earl. The Earl of Vallow.

[Sam Riegel]

Earl of Vallow. That's where we are. That's where we are.

[Matthew Mercer]

Where?

[Sam Riegel]

The Earl of Al.

[Matthew Mercer]

Sure, sure. But we are busy here tending to the people of this place. We are tending to their wounds, providing them guidance and counsel. We are keeping an eye. Watchful eye on the terrible cursed forest with its. The spirits of death and madness in the wild.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'll fly closer to him. You know why they were attacking? Because you cut down all the fairy charms.

[Matthew Mercer]

Wait. You. You are a.

[Liam O'Brien]

You are a sad, but.

[Sam Riegel]

But yes, yes. It's all right. We are. We are.

[Liam O'Brien]

What's in your stupid creed anyway?

[Sam Riegel]

All sorts of things. What are you specifically asking?

[Liam O'Brien]

Do you not like fairies? Do you not like pixies?

[Sam Riegel]

I don't have anything wrong with fairies. But there are some texts that mention those of being worthy of being anointed. And. And I don't believe that fairies are among those.

[Laura Bailey]

But what I think Sister Thimble means to say is that our readings and teachings have not covered that part of the creed.

[Matthew Mercer]

I want this temple.

[Liam O'Brien]

And I'll fly out.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see?

[Marisha Ray]

You see?

[Matthew Mercer]

He Goes her is part of the test to destroy that fairy.

[Sam Riegel]

No, no, no. Let her go. She's.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm a pixie.

[Matthew Mercer]

What foul word.

[Sam Riegel]

She's not right in the head. Obviously, we are here to cure. Even those who are cast in shadow can be shown the light.

[Liam O'Brien]

So many of us are on our way, but we're not just quite there yet. And I just use a little thaumaturgy to just rumble.

[Matthew Mercer]

He goes. This creature, are you a fairy as well?

[Liam O'Brien]

No, I'm a demon baby.

[Matthew Mercer]

He's going to throw a punch.

[Laura Bailey]

We gotta screen these people better. What's happening?

[Matthew Mercer]

I thought with a natural 3. He falls down hard in a way that as an older person, you do not think is good.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay. I would like to help him up.

[Matthew Mercer]

He goes.

[Liam O'Brien]

Ah, it's okay. I'm part of the light. Ever bright, ever right. You're okay. We're all learning.

[Matthew Mercer]

This is. My lord. Wait. This you truck with demons and fairies. This is a trick. I abjure you. I abjure you.

[Ashley Johnson]

While she's helping him up and Thimble leaves as I'm going to follow her out. But as I do, as I'm walking by to Wick, I'm going to say, these people are simple and their beliefs are pure. Don't mess with this man any longer. And I'm going to leave.

[Sam Riegel]

All right?

[Matthew Mercer]

He looks at you. I'm going to need a persistent persuasion check from you. Which you have advantage with because of who you are, but you have disadvantage with because of everything that's been happening.

[Sam Riegel]

Just a straight roll.

[Matthew Mercer]

Straight roll.

[Laura Bailey]

Okay.

[Sam Riegel]

I will. I will cast friends, okay. Which I can do at will. I will cast friends and say to this man, please, please, please, be at ease. We are all in this together, and we must all raise our friends and our foes to the light. We mean you no harm and we will not overstay our welcome. All we need is some food and possibly a horse, if you have one. And we'll be getting on a couple horses and we'll be on our way.

[Matthew Mercer]

I have a roll for this. Yes. Go ahead, Kimmy.

[Sam Riegel]

Persuasion with advantage, with friends.

[Matthew Mercer]

Unfortunately, advantage is always canceled out by disadvantage, no matter what.

[Sam Riegel]

Well, that's fine. I still got a dirty 20.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see, he looks and says, if I had a horse, my lord, it would be yours. But the chapel has none. We tend to the people on foot. Food I have and. And would be glad to share with.

[Ashley Johnson]

You.

[Matthew Mercer]

Led me to the rectory and you see. He gestures to just another area of this one room.

[Sam Riegel]

As long as it's just renovated.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's really nice.

[Sam Riegel]

Anything but porridge, please.

[Matthew Mercer]

Bread. And you see, he walks off. He comes back with a loaf of bread and that's it.

[Sam Riegel]

Not even some butter or jelly.

[Liam O'Brien]

We love charity, don't we?

[Sam Riegel]

We do.

[Liam O'Brien]

Your radiance. Thank you so much.

[Sam Riegel]

Thank you. Bless you. Thank you.

[Matthew Mercer]

You speak with the warmth of the light.

[Liam O'Brien]

The beam has reached me and I'm on fire, baby.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, my.

[Matthew Mercer]

He just smiles and says, so good. He goes. So the light has guided even a demon. Yes. You see, he just starts weeping looking at you. All is possible.

[Liam O'Brien]

All is possible.

[Sam Riegel]

Maybe you should give him a hug. A nice hug.

[Liam O'Brien]

Would you like a hug?

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay.

[Guest/Advertiser]

Bring it.

[Matthew Mercer]

Gives you a hug.

[Liam O'Brien]

Squeeze it.

[Matthew Mercer]

He gives you a hug, you see? Feel him weeping into your shoulder. And you see, he goes. I know that I am almost. I know that I do not have a long career of service ahead of me, but if you would consider allowing me to take my test, to keep my vigil, to join the creed as a bringer of light, I would be so honored.

[Sam Riegel]

I will send word of your request and perhaps you can join the Luminous. But you've done a great thing today. Thank you for telling us what you have and providing us with this bread.

[Matthew Mercer]

And is there anything else we need from this guy? I'm out.

[Ashley Johnson]

I followed Pimble out.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hold on.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, you do.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

The deep curtsy.

[Sam Riegel]

Yes. May the beam reach you. Yes.

[Matthew Mercer]

Thank you. May the beam reach you. You see that he goes. And immediately goes. In devout prayer, Kadigan. You step outside with thimble. Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Do you just take.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm flying and I'm gathering up little rocks as you come out. Just flying down to the ground and gathering as many rocks.

[Matthew Mercer]

What you doing?

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm gonna pelt that motherfucker when he comes outside.

[Ashley Johnson]

Wait, what motherfucker?

[Liam O'Brien]

Wick.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, I thought you meant the old man.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's not his fault.

[Matthew Mercer]

Sounds good to me.

[Ashley Johnson]

You know, when I asked him if they had a shepherd in town, I was being literal. And I'm scanning up in the. Scanning up in the hills for a literal shepherd. If this is a farming community, someone who would be outside.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hell, yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

And be seeing the goings on.

[Matthew Mercer]

No role necessary. You absolutely see, there are so many sheep around here grazing. You see that there are two of these big, bounding sheepdogs that are running. Shaggy black fur with a warm caramel brown chest to them. Running after these sheep go running off. And you see, not too far away, there is a. Yeah, the shepherd's crook. It's got a little woolen wool lined hat on his head. Walking along pretty much right outside of the town. You see, he whistles off to his dogs that move the sheep back away from a dangerous ridge edge, back towards where the grass is. He looks up at you.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'll jog over. And Wulfric was by my side and he was just salivating to go play with the other dogs. I'm like, in a minute. Hello, friend.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see, he looks up at you and you see his eyes dart over to the wolf with you. The fact that Wulfric's wearing armor certainly cools his thing for a second.

[Laura Bailey]

Do you know you're working with the great White shark?

[Matthew Mercer]

He goes, oh, traveler, welcome. How may I serve you and your companion?

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, put your mind at ease. He's well trained. Your flock is safe.

[Matthew Mercer]

Well, if you've managed to train a wolf, then you are a remarkable man indeed.

[Ashley Johnson]

How are your people safe?

[Matthew Mercer]

Well, they are safe for the most part. Many of us have moved off the southern slope across the creek. But are you traveling here under the Earl's call? I know that there are rangers that have been been helping us patrol for the edge of the forest.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'm part of no trooper guild. Simple man though. I am traveling with some friends, so to speak.

[Liam O'Brien]

Thanks.

[Sam Riegel]

You have tap shoes?

[Ashley Johnson]

They're a motley crew, but so far good hearted. I've only known them for a few days. I'll make this brief. I. I know there's work to be done. Any strange goings on.

[Matthew Mercer]

He sort of shrugs. You see that? He sort of shrugs to you and just goes, strange. Yes. Forest more dangerous than it's ever been. We. I don't know if you've met with the acolyte in the chapel, but they've.

[Liam O'Brien]

Just spit over my shoulder.

[Matthew Mercer]

Give me a persuasion check as you spit over your shoulder. Oh gosh.

[Liam O'Brien]

Come on. Okay, okay. Okay, okay, okay.

[Matthew Mercer]

Are you visible in this moment? 18.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, I'm kind of flying a little bit behind as you go.

[Matthew Mercer]

18. You see, he goes pixie. He takes his hat off, puts it over his chest.

[Liam O'Brien]

I fly forward.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see that? He smiles and says, oh, well, I. I'm very. You see, he just gets a little misty eyed and says, it's an honor. Ever since. Ever since they started walking out of the forest, it felt like nothing good would ever come out of there again. But I remember. I remember the Fair folk. I remember going up there when I was a youth after the Midsummer's fair and leaving bottles up at the forest edge and waking up in the morning to find acorns and herbs and the bottles all empty.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's nice to see a man of culture.

[Matthew Mercer]

He goes, pleasure, my friend.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'd shake your hand, but it's full of rocks.

[Matthew Mercer]

I'd shake your hand, but mine's full of hat. I'm Tasker. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'm not Tasker. This is Thimble.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hello, Thimble.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'm Cadigan.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see. He says, well, if any help I can be to you, I'd be happy to.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

The.

[Matthew Mercer]

The creed placed those scrolls up. They did help us put up the fences, which have been very useful.

[Liam O'Brien]

Hopefully there'll be less undead bothering you in the future.

[Ashley Johnson]

She's right.

[Matthew Mercer]

Have the fair Folk, this Fair Folk.

[Liam O'Brien]

Well and that scruffy looking, you see.

[Matthew Mercer]

He says, well, one who walks in the corporation company of wolves and fairies is fair enough on his own. He gets down on one knee and bows to you. He goes, I appreciate it very much. Is it safe to go into the woods again?

[Liam O'Brien]

I would be on edge still.

[Ashley Johnson]

Keep your defenses up. But if in the next few nights you don't hear the sounds in the dark, it could be worth venturing out into during the day. But be cautious. But we may have. We may have helped you have a few brighter nights.

[Matthew Mercer]

We heard birds, you see. He smiles and says, that's incredible. Well, I'll need to get back there into the woods as soon as I can. So I appreciate you. I've been. There are plants that. That only grow up in the woods that I need to get. So how can I be of service to you?

[Ashley Johnson]

We'll get right to the point.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'll be of service to you. I have rocks to throw and I'm going to go camp out over the chapel.

[Ashley Johnson]

Have you noticed any on the roads from a vantage? Any sort of caravan? Any one?

[Matthew Mercer]

Perhaps one of the Earl's knights came through, riding through the villages along the forest, calling the luxes back to Ardoran. But you see, he looks and says there's been some activity. I believe the King has left. We have word that the King has headed south for meeting with the Orcs of Kahad, the Revolutionary Council and beyond. I hear only what passes through on the road. But what news are you looking for in particular?

[Ashley Johnson]

Any word of lion folk?

[Liam O'Brien]

The Tacones traveling with the crows?

[Ashley Johnson]

What she said.

[Matthew Mercer]

From he goes, he goes. Lionfolk. Yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

Please, please tell me more.

[Matthew Mercer]

One, a village or two down the road towards Ardoran. I've heard a rumor that. Just heard it Last night a lionfold had come out of the woods. Miraculously survived. And we don't have too many of the Nama that come through here.

[Ashley Johnson]

When was this?

[Matthew Mercer]

Yesterday. He appealed to the sanctuary of a chapel built in that town to sleep. He was exhausted. Been traveling on foot for days. And in the depth of his slumber awoke to find that the Lux of that chapel had informed the earth. And he was arrested.

[Ashley Johnson]

Arrested? Where would they have taken him?

[Matthew Mercer]

I. I would. He says the carriage. He was being sh. What did that. What? What did old Robert say? He said something about the.

[Ashley Johnson]

I know this is a lot. I'm sorry, but a direction.

[Matthew Mercer]

Any sort of. In a small town like this, this is the most exciting thing that's going to happen all year. So we've all been talking about it. You see. He says there was an argument between the Lux and the earl's knight. I believe that the knight was. Was to take him to Ardoran and was shown something by the Lux to send the carriage straight to the Baron of Sloke, Which Sloke is up in Gormaley. I just got a new baron.

[Ashley Johnson]

Sloke and Cormley Tasker. You are a good man.

[Laura Bailey]

Thank you.

[Matthew Mercer]

He smiles. He says, were you traveling through the forest on your way here? We were. Fools or heroes. Maybe both. You see? He says, did you see any rubyfold on your way through the woods? Rubyfold is. You would know. It's a medicinal plant.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, I think that I would know that. Or do I need to roll for it?

[Matthew Mercer]

Or.

[Ashley Johnson]

If I drop it. Yeah, I might as well.

[Matthew Mercer]

I can't read it. It's bad.

[Ashley Johnson]

Only an eight. I guess.

[Sam Riegel]

It was dark.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, you didn't see hardly any up there. You saw almost none.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay, but enough.

[Matthew Mercer]

No, not. Yeah, none almost died in the forest. I don't. I don't know.

[Ashley Johnson]

But if you do venture back in, stay close to the edge of the meadow for the time being. But you might be all right.

[Matthew Mercer]

I'm sorry.

[Ashley Johnson]

I wish I could give you.

[Matthew Mercer]

No, no, no. It's good to know. If you didn't see any, then I'll know how to search best. My wife, Wendy. She's. She's taken with a cough that is lingering. Might be something worse. We'll see.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Then.

[Ashley Johnson]

I would say any venture into the forest would be worth it. I hate to thank your kindness with curtness, but.

[Matthew Mercer]

No, on your. I don't know your business, but you travel in the wake of a fairy. And he looks up at this gray mist. I don't know who in Timony feels Like the light has ever looked out for us. But sun doesn't shine here that much. You see that? He nods to you and walks off.

[Liam O'Brien]

From the top of the chapel.

[Matthew Mercer]

You threw him on top of the chapel? Give me. Give me a perception check with advantage. Come on, Laura.

[Sam Riegel]

Come on.

[Liam O'Brien]

19.

[Matthew Mercer]

Nice. As he goes off, you see, he walks off towards his dogs and his sheep. That little charm you cut off has a T and a W on it. Oh, Tasker and Wendy. You stole the wedding gift.

[Laura Bailey]

Now she's coughing to death.

[Liam O'Brien]

Thank you.

[Ashley Johnson]

Is that just information for Laura? All that?

[Matthew Mercer]

You know, you can give me a perception check as well, if you'd like. I would see if you notice it, too.

[Ashley Johnson]

No bueno.

[Matthew Mercer]

You guys head off. For those of you still in the chapel.

[Sam Riegel]

Yes. I'll take my bread. Share it.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, I'm full. Thank you, though. You have it.

[Sam Riegel]

I'll thank our host for his time, and then I'll make my own.

[Laura Bailey]

I'll exit first.

[Sam Riegel]

Thank you.

[Liam O'Brien]

As Wick exits, he's bombarded with a bunch of rocks thrown on his head.

[Laura Bailey]

Don't.

[Matthew Mercer]

Symbol.

[Liam O'Brien]

I've seen this before.

[Sam Riegel]

Ow. Ow.

[Laura Bailey]

What?

[Sam Riegel]

Why?

[Matthew Mercer]

I.

[Sam Riegel]

No, I. I found. Ow. It's not me.

[Matthew Mercer]

I didn't write the thing.

[Laura Bailey]

Also, aren't we supposed to be, like, mean and condescending? I thought we were putting on a whole show.

[Matthew Mercer]

Stop it. Ow.

[Laura Bailey]

We were supposed to be making you sound like you were some force to be reckoned with on the road, it seems.

[Sam Riegel]

Yes. I guess so. Yes, you're right.

[Matthew Mercer]

Stop being so kind.

[Sam Riegel]

It's my nature. I'm sorry. I can try to bush it up a bit. Oh, I think we got really good information, though.

[Liam O'Brien]

You don't need to butch it up. Let me just say. Can you just keep throwing those rocks? It's so funny.

[Laura Bailey]

Hey.

[Liam O'Brien]

Dipping down your shoes.

[Sam Riegel]

Shield.

[Liam O'Brien]

We're trying to find Theor's brother. We can't be undoing every single thing that his family has been doing. Does he hate. Do you hate fairies?

[Sam Riegel]

Not inherently, no. It is. No, of course not. It's just. It is one of the.

[Liam O'Brien]

I believe that we are not worthy of yourself.

[Sam Riegel]

One of the seven Shining Tenants. One of the seven shining Tenants is seek out the dim soul, the shadow, the demon, and snuff it out like a dying ember.

[Liam O'Brien]

However you want to snuff out demons.

[Sam Riegel]

I'm just saying that's what was written. It's maybe not literal. Right?

[Matthew Mercer]

It's.

[Liam O'Brien]

You seem to take it as literal well.

[Sam Riegel]

Right. So he. That's. I was trying. I was Trying to put your family down? I was trying.

[Liam O'Brien]

From the inside. That's the only way I'll ever forgive you.

[Sam Riegel]

Well, that seems like a tall order.

[Liam O'Brien]

Take him out. Why don't we focus on finding Sid first? And then we can take down the candescent greed in a way that is smart for us to do so. Nobody gets snuffed out. And I don't think that you need to. I don't think you need to butch it up. I think that you just need to make sure people are talking about you in a way that you are. Be as nice as you want to be. How long does SHIELD Stay up?

[Sam Riegel]

Not very long.

[Ashley Johnson]

With that, I will run down from my convo with the shepherd and relay all of the information I got from him to Teo and the squad.

[Liam O'Brien]

We gotta go.

[Sam Riegel]

Wait. Are you saying that the locks of this place was somehow in league with.

[Ashley Johnson]

Not this village. Another one down the way, Perhaps. We don't know for certain.

[Liam O'Brien]

So he was taken to Gormalet?

[Ashley Johnson]

I believe so.

[Laura Bailey]

We gotta go fast.

[Sam Riegel]

How? How fast? I mean, we can. Well, I can't fly.

[Matthew Mercer]

Should we. We're all sprinting. Should we buy some horses?

[Laura Bailey]

I don't think there are any.

[Ashley Johnson]

There are no horses. I think maybe a bomble.

[Laura Bailey]

Besides livestock. Sheep.

[Matthew Mercer]

I'm getting blistered. You could walk for a bit. You could walk for a bit and find some horses. But like, let's actually, if you guys want to keep an eye peeled for horses, we can let the dice decide.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah, I think we would abandon.

[Liam O'Brien]

How big of a trick is it to Gormalai from here?

[Laura Bailey]

I mean, we are behind.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, we are like a whole day behind you.

[Laura Bailey]

So I think we'd throw caution to the wind a little bit. Spend some coins.

[Ashley Johnson]

We have gained a day because he had a two day lead on us. And if he was just snatched up yesterday for such a long time, we are gaining on that.

[Matthew Mercer]

That's true. Yeah. You realize for sure Cid did not have your speed getting through the forest, but did push through to a level of exhaustion. Sleeping by himself in the woods with monsters, he just wasn't going to risk it. So he just let himself get dehydrated and delirious just getting out of there as fast as he could. And then conked out and slept long enough for the fuzz to find him. Yeah. You looking out at this? We'll go ahead and roll as you guys are heading in the right direction. First of all, let's see if you guys know offhand where Sloke is. You know where Gormalet is. Go ahead and give me. We'll call it a DC15 history Cadigan. You can roll with advantage because you've spent time intimidated. Yeah, okay. We're all rolling. All rolling. Just a DC15 history check.

[Sam Riegel]

That's good.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, man, I've never been equal. Can I roll with advantage because I am proficient?

[Matthew Mercer]

No, the proficiency is already a mechanical bonus. I love it. What do we get here?

[Ashley Johnson]

19 for a dirty 20.

[Matthew Mercer]

19 for a dirty 20.

[Ashley Johnson]

Only with the advantage.

[Matthew Mercer]

For dirty 20. Cadogan Sloke. Sloke is way towards the southern border of Gormaley, which means it's quite a bit closer. And Sloc is a barony within Gormalet. That is. I mean, talk about destitute. It's like clinging to the side of the Covarosi Mountains. Like, as bad as this place is, at least it adjoins a forest with a lot of water. So it's a good grazing here. Sloke is one of the saddest places you've traveled through in Timony. It is a fucking narrow spit of land. You knew the Lady Sloke was like, stop it. She was the widow of the old Baron Sloke. So the Baroness Sloke. But you had just heard a rumor about her getting so 15. You know exactly where Sloke is on a 20. You realize something in your head.

[Guest/Advertiser]

She.

[Matthew Mercer]

A few years ago, when you were traveling through here, what was it? The Baroness Sloke had just gotten remarried in her old age. And you remember hearing. I mean, it was in a tavern, like, you wrote it off as just being fucking. But someone asked who she'd gotten married to, and someone said, a member of one of the sundered houses. And suddenly you go on a dirty 20. New Baron of Sloke. Is there anyone you know that's just recently come into Tidal?

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, as I'm hoofing it, I tell them all this. I'm not one much on politics, but.

[Liam O'Brien]

Who do we know anybody that would have just come into town?

[Matthew Mercer]

You know, someone that just inherited a castle?

[Sam Riegel]

This Casimir Feno.

[Liam O'Brien]

Well, yeah, right. Kazimir. He had the title. So he's the baron. That's who CID is being delivered to.

[Sam Riegel]

Oh, so this is a tangled web.

[Liam O'Brien]

That's great. Cause we're looking for both of them. Right? So two birds, one stone. Yeah, yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

But you just made the world's biggest asshole in charge of one of the shittiest places I know.

[Liam O'Brien]

Well, at least he has a shit stain himself.

[Laura Bailey]

Best logline ever.

[Matthew Mercer]

You've just been the world's biggest asshole.

[Laura Bailey]

The world's biggest asshole just became in charge of one of the shittiest places on now coming summer 2027.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hell yeah. So Cadigan, you know exactly how to get to where you're going. Okay. I think on that dirty 20 history there's a couple ways you can get there fastest, most reliable you will get horses is the Kingsway. Kingsway is exactly as dangerous as it was when you were just coming out of Dolmakjar. It's got the king's forces on it. It's got all of these regional earls and barons and lords and shit like. Like that. And you heard this thing from Thalamoine about something about the luxes and keeping an eye out for someone coming. The creed is active in these parts and they'll be the most active on the King's Way because that's going to be traveling from large city to large city. Also there are a lot as you get deeper into Timony away from like the woods and shit like that, there will be more actual roads, like not paved roads, but there'll be dirt roads connecting communities and, and there'll be ferries going up rivers and there'll be other things like that. So there'll be other way if you want to try to by way it. You can definitely do that. It'll slow you down, but it'll maybe keep eyes off of you. And the last thing I'll say On that Dirty 20 history check is that, you know, Vallow is one of the sort of areas within Timothy that has the grant of passage, which means typically you are okay as a traveler to cut through people's pastures and grazing lands. So it's way safer than wilderness. And if you want to just hoof it through these like long tracts of sheep and cattle land, you can do that and it's legal. No one's going to give you a hard time. They're going to say these are wanderers, these are travelers. They're allowed to pass through here.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'll give them the rundown and then I'll just go to Teor. Your brother.

[Matthew Mercer]

Your call.

[Laura Bailey]

So it's grazing land, which means it's fairly clear. Right. So long line of sight.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yes, but slower.

[Laura Bailey]

Slower than the slightest off the road.

[Sam Riegel]

Or faster and more dangerous.

[Ashley Johnson]

This feels like the by road peaks and valleys, like rolling hills, kind of semi mountainous terrain. So it'd be like backpacking through like northern Europe, sort of.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Okay.

[Laura Bailey]

Do we have an idea of how far ahead of us he is now?

[Matthew Mercer]

If he got nabbed yesterday morning, but he's in a carriage, is It a carriage.

[Sam Riegel]

We're on fucking foot.

[Laura Bailey]

He was walking behind it. So, I mean, again, unless they're dragging his ass.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, we can always hoof it. We can always hoof it off the road until we find horses and. And then we'll make faster time. It's just a matter of if we want to take the ferry upstream or if we want to.

[Laura Bailey]

I would hoof it on the road till we find horses. And then maybe we could either go by the by road or through the pastures.

[Matthew Mercer]

You guys are about 50 miles from Sloke right now in a straight line. If you get lucky, like crossing rivers and creeks and stuff, you could make it there by end of day tomorrow on foot. If you push hard. But you think in a carriage. You think in a carriage. Yeah. This would be like collapsing at the end of the day, marching right in a carriage. 50 miles, horse drawn. He'll probably get there much sooner than that. But not much sooner if they're not pushing their animals.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah, yeah. We have to try and find a horse or something to speed us up and slow them down, because once they get there, we're fucked.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah. There's not a lot of entertainment in Sloke, if you know what I mean.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah. And just numbers. Can we push it hard on the King's Road until we try and find some horse?

[Liam O'Brien]

It's just a matter of if we get stopped because of him.

[Laura Bailey]

We do have this Chanter's Egg.

[Liam O'Brien]

This is a place where the creed is active. And so if we can get our stories straight, then I see no reason why we shouldn't have an easier time because of your radiance.

[Matthew Mercer]

Sure.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes, we should have clear passage.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

If.

[Liam O'Brien]

You can exercise some of that authority. Butch it up like you said.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay. This is my time to shine.

[Guest/Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Liam O'Brien]

I have a question for. Once we get get to Sloke, what would you be doing if we weren't here? Would you be confronting Kasimir directly? What is your plan? Because we can assist in that. But here's what I don't want. I don't want to leave it up to this guy not knowing what he's going to do, because he's kind of unpredictable. And that's coming from a demon.

[Laura Bailey]

I say this with full knowledge of how much Thyazzi meant to Thimble. I believe Kasimir would be the priority. My brother knew what he got into. But if we were to tell him that we focused our efforts on him instead of bringing Kasimir to some form of justice, I think he might kill all of us. So I think we would try and locate Kasimir first. Unless freeing my brother and adding someone to our ranks would be advantageous to us.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay. Are we going to sneak into his?

[Laura Bailey]

I don't think we can know that until we are there. But to your point about on the King's Road, we also have these chanter's eggs. The blue, the yellow, the rainbow, the mystery, the sick egg, and the unseen. I don't know what the blue unseen means, but if I need to disseminate, disappear. Or if you need to disappear, you can do it by yourself.

[Sam Riegel]

I have the stealth one, the blue one. That's what I. That's what I wrote down. Yeah. The blue one.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Laura Bailey]

And I'm. I'm. I have both the yellow and the rainbow inserted.

[Sam Riegel]

So I have them inserted in your.

[Matthew Mercer]

In your internal purse. We don't know what those. If you sit down hard, you can act.

[Liam O'Brien]

The yellow one causes sickness. The rainbow is. But it. Whatever it is, it's something that'll cause a big enough distraction that we can do what we need to do.

[Sam Riegel]

All right.

[Liam O'Brien]

Okay.

[Sam Riegel]

To the King's road.

[Liam O'Brien]

You ready to be a big boss man? So you're keeping inventory tabs? I don't need to have an inventory.

[Laura Bailey]

I think it never hurts.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay, great.

[Liam O'Brien]

No, you're doing great.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hell yeah. You guys head off to the Kingsroad, traveling along these pathways. It is fast, man. All roads lead to you can. You're like. Very quickly.

[Ashley Johnson]

We're just communicating telepathically.

[Matthew Mercer]

I'm sorry.

[Laura Bailey]

I'm listening. I'm listening.

[Matthew Mercer]

No, you're looking at it.

[Laura Bailey]

You're like old Comrade communicator. There may have been some disagreement with that. I'm thinking. But we'll get there.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's your choice. On the paths you guys are getting. It's just a few. You're a few miles away from ardoran. Maybe like 15 or 20 miles away from Ardoran. This is the capital of this thief. But even within that it's compared to Dolmak Yar, it's like there's a castle and there's some buildings, but there's maybe a few thousand people who live here. And that's it. Right Approaching it on the road. You see that as the farmers roads get into an actual dirt track that has two sets of wagon wheels for wagons to be able to pass each other in both directions. Which is sort of the upgrade from these little crofters villages you've been in. You begin to see these small little shrines that you're passing by. That are neither these fairy shrines or the Candescent creed. But you see that there is some Druidic writing on which I don't think anyone here can speak. But what you see is they are small little stone shrines that have a statue of a dog at the front of it, statue of a hound that has reached down. And there is a stone granite trough, like a birdbath set low, that has fresh water in it. And as you pass some of them, you see there's usually about two or three dogs just sleeping in them. Some of the dogs have a small collar that will have a chest or something, almost like those Saint Bernards that have a barrel. They have a small chest around them. So the dogs will either be snoozing. And you can see that it looks like there are some plates or bowls in a. That are left that appear to have food that has been actually set out for these dogs. Appears to have some. Either some slop or other things like that that have been set out for them to eat. And you just pass by some of the.

[Liam O'Brien]

There are dog symbols on the tree.

[Laura Bailey]

Too, or dog heads or hounds heads.

[Liam O'Brien]

Do we know what that's about? Do they.

[Matthew Mercer]

Give me a skill check if you'd like.

[Liam O'Brien]

Like a history or a. Yeah, give.

[Matthew Mercer]

Me a history check. Call it a DC15 history check. Try it again.

[Sam Riegel]

What does your dog like to eat?

[Liam O'Brien]

Ooh, a natural 20.

[Matthew Mercer]

Natural 20. Oh, shit.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'll answer your question after that.

[Matthew Mercer]

Natural 20. So on a natural 20 history check. Fiazi loved traveling through Timoni. You guys traveled through here on your last trip up to the Mourn Vale to get that Stone of Night song. And like a lot of places after the Shapers War, Argosia was this larger country that fought in the Shapers War. It had pro God forces and anti God forces. When the gods fell, a lot of places embraced Druidicism as a way to, like, find answers and find meaning. And a lot of the Druids of Timony, in their earliest ability to, like, commune with animals, this place has always been a shepherd's place and has always worked with dogs. And a lot of how they got people to embrace Druidicism here as another way to practice medicine, as another way to tend to communities and heal people, as a way to reconnect with fairies, which Druids have a lot of connection with the fair folk as well, was the ability that people could speak with dogs and do medicine on people's dogs. Like literally ask dogs what is wrong. And so Timony didn't exist as A country after the Shapers war. It was part of argosia. On that. NAT20, I think on a NAT20 history check, you know that the War of Axe and vine, which happened like during people's lives, right? Like, not that like about, you know. Well, let's answer it. Let's give an actual answer. The war of Axe and Vine ended in the year 45. It's currently the year 71. So this is only 26 years ago. Right. That war was War of Axe and vine. Happened in many places, all over. It was actually many sort of aggregate term for a lot of wars and conflicts that were happening. Timony was founded in that war by King. Hold on one second.

[Liam O'Brien]

I know everything about Timothy Timony.

[Matthew Mercer]

How do you. King.

[Liam O'Brien]

We talked a lot, me and Thiazio.

[Matthew Mercer]

King Augustus Valian, who's called by many of the people that like him, King Gus created, is the current king of Timony and the first king of Timony, which fought against Argosia and became its own country. So Timony's always kind of been a region, but it became its own kingdom after King Gus won a war against Argosia. Wow. Nat20 history check. What you would know about him is his banner, three red hounds on a white field. And he sort of established, invited a Druidic circle deep into his court to help advise him. And a lot of these shrines were built like 20 or more years ago because there were so many, many Druids and like folk healers and sages and witches and things like that around that could speak to dogs, that they made these shrines as part of the grant of passage. So communities keep these as waypoints for dogs that are traveling on business. All of these dogs with, like, carrying messages, they're basically like little dog hostels where they are honored as part of the. Of the Druidic faith of this land.

[Liam O'Brien]

That's so cute.

[Laura Bailey]

Amplification of the dog bowl outside a restaurant.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

It's like. So a lot of these dogs you see are just sleeping here because they've got a long way to travel with these messages that they're carrying out.

[Liam O'Brien]

Look at all these good boys.

[Laura Bailey]

Good thing we've got some Druids in this group. Right?

[Matthew Mercer]

So.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, sorry, I interrupted. You guys were talking.

[Sam Riegel]

What does your dog eat? Would he want to sample some of this stuff or meat.

[Ashley Johnson]

My dog eats meat.

[Sam Riegel]

All right. Is he hungry?

[Ashley Johnson]

Is there meat in the bowls?

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

How nice of you.

[Matthew Mercer]

Give me a persuasion check. You're welcome. Give me a persuasion check for. From.

[Ashley Johnson]

From Wolf oh, from Wolfric for persuasion Cox.

[Laura Bailey]

But it was good.

[Ashley Johnson]

Wait, what is his persuasion?

[Matthew Mercer]

How would I. Whatever his charisma is. Whatever Wolf.

[Liam O'Brien]

Wolfric has charisma. Yeah, yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

Wolfrey's got charisma.

[Ashley Johnson]

I don't, I, I, I don't even.

[Sam Riegel]

Know how to check.

[Ashley Johnson]

This is all new for me.

[Liam O'Brien]

Wulfric's got charisma, uniqueness, nerve.

[Matthew Mercer]

Boy, where could I. We'll probably just call that a minus one to whatever.

[Ashley Johnson]

I rolled a 14.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay. Wulfric steps up. The dogs all wake up as a wolf approaches.

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah, yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

Massive and sort of snarl at Wulfric's approach.

[Ashley Johnson]

Uh, no. No response. This is like, like the alpha energy doesn't feel the need to snarl back.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah. As Wulfric approaches and just starts eating the food, the dogs snarl a little bit more and then just hunker down. Glaring at Wulfric as he eats but.

[Ashley Johnson]

Doesn'T eats his full but doesn't eat at all.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

He'S a gentleman. He's wearing a nice suit.

[Matthew Mercer]

You guys depart. You guys depart and continue to see these signs. And yeah, there's a lot you can just see. It's almost like, you know, if you like, if you travel in a country, you begin to see certain like architectural or design things come up. It's like seeing the Saltier in Scotland or seeing other things around where it just, it's a recurring. Or the Triscoll in Ireland. Little shapes that come over again and again. You just see there are a lot of dog statues everywhere. It's just part of this country's especially like a newer country. It was a thing that's like. Even though it's always been really important to the region, when they became their own kingdom, it became a thing that everyone could rally around as being a central part of their culture or their heritage. We are gonna roll a really important role.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, God.

[Sam Riegel]

Oh, no. Whoa.

[Liam O'Brien]

What?

[Matthew Mercer]

You guys are going to the Kings way? I told you that was the riskiest run I did. Are we all rolling scissors? No, no, no. Actually. Who's feeling lucky?

[Laura Bailey]

I am.

[Matthew Mercer]

Travis feeling lucky. Great.

[Liam O'Brien]

Travis would have made the choice.

[Matthew Mercer]

Travis, you said you're looking for horses. I think horses feels like 16 or higher to me. And I also said there was danger on this road. I think danger. Let's make danger a little bit more than the range for horses. I think danger feels like one through seven, but I think you really don't want to get a three or lower.

[Laura Bailey]

Come on, one through seven.

[Matthew Mercer]

What are you rolling?

[Sam Riegel]

What is this skill D20 straight line.

[Matthew Mercer]

I just. I want. I want to keep it honest. I didn't want to punish you guys. I said there was risk, and risk means variability. So here we go.

[Laura Bailey]

It's a 10.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay.

[Sam Riegel]

That's in the middle. That's no horses and no danger. We just stand here idling.

[Matthew Mercer]

You guys get your way out of the village, all the way to Ardoran. Are you traveling openly with your garbage?

[Laura Bailey]

Yes.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay.

[Laura Bailey]

You are. Okay.

[Sam Riegel]

I was told to butch it up.

[Laura Bailey]

That was what you were told. But throw an egg. The mystery.

[Matthew Mercer]

Tyranny and thimble and Teor. Hoods up or hoods down?

[Liam O'Brien]

Hoods down. I'm CC Baby. I'm walking right alongside.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah. Actually a little behind. I don't know if it makes much of a difference for me, but sure, I'll take my hood on my little. Yeah. Tank top and pull it up.

[Matthew Mercer]

Or it's like, are you travel or, like, are you traveling? Are you traveling, like, on someone's person in someone else's hood?

[Laura Bailey]

I was gonna go hoods up.

[Liam O'Brien]

Oh, okay.

[Laura Bailey]

And I think it's just our natural disposition. Tell me if you feel differently, to, like, give you space. So it's either on the other side of the road or distance in front, in front of or behind.

[Matthew Mercer]

Without. You know, you guys see horses. You never see four, and all of them are someone's plow horse, someone's working animal. You don't see any stable. Even as you get to Ardoran, this place is, you know, it's the throne of some regional earl. But fundamentally, it's, you know, you don't see a place that's doing business selling horses. You see a place where people keep their horses.

[Liam O'Brien]

Does Wulfric travel next to you the whole time, or is he.

[Ashley Johnson]

He can go wherever he'd please. He can just do whatever he wants. But he does obey commands.

[Liam O'Brien]

So he can be put wherever he's traveling near you.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, I mean, I think he's in the group currently.

[Liam O'Brien]

Then I'm gonna just ride down on Wulfric like he's a giant steed.

[Matthew Mercer]

Incredible. Yeah. Love the S jump. So funny. Gorgeous.

[Sam Riegel]

Should we try to commandeer a horse of some sort?

[Liam O'Brien]

Do you mean steal one?

[Sam Riegel]

I don't like being steal, but you told me to be assertive, and we could.

[Liam O'Brien]

I think that you can use your authority to maybe not demand because be true to yourself, but I think that people would be happy to give you a horse because you are in charge. Right.

[Laura Bailey]

I think.

[Sam Riegel]

I think so. Do you guys think so?

[Ashley Johnson]

Are you Saying these are mostly like working horses, like not riding horses. I think was the point is that there's not a rideable horse on the way.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah, again, you're seeing lots of horses, but you're seeing a horse with a knight on top of it riding some. You know what I mean? Like, you're not seeing spares.

[Liam O'Brien]

Are we just moseying down the highway or are we going at a nice pace jog?

[Matthew Mercer]

I think we are approaching Ardoran as you do. I think it is getting a little bit later in the day as you get to Ardoran. This is a. We'd call this. I think for those of you who have spent time in Dolmakyar, we'd call this a large town. Maybe they call it a city in Timidy. This is a large town. It's got a castle moat around it. The castle has a stone component, and then sort of. It's almost like a mountain bailey. There's like a wood part that comes out that has a palisade. Plenty of knights around here. A lot of other shepherds and peasants. The city, as you get to it. Right. Ardoran has big byways, wide thoroughfares. There's not a street in here that is not 50% sheep or cattle as you're moving through it. That's what's moving through here. You see quite a large. Like up on a hill, there's an abattoir. There's a place where they're processing these cattle that are coming in, shearing wool. You smell it is a big center. There's a lot of people here. There are definitely taverns. The smell, that sort of woollen lanolin smell with a lot of meat and a lot of that very grassy manure smell is everywhere throughout this place. As you're moving through. Through it, you are not seeing any horse that is not dear to someone's profession. Whether that is some knights with shields on their back and weapons stowed, riding up towards the castle to report something, or whether it is a horse that is drawing a cart. Nobody's got like a horse for sale. Horse for sale. Ding, ding, ding. So the question is, are you. As the sun's getting a little bit lower, time is still of the essence. You want to keep traveling on the road as it gets into evening time. But if you do, you'll be leaving this. You're getting to the city at an interesting time. You still have some hours of travel possible to you.

[Ashley Johnson]

Would another night's worth of travel get us there? Or how far do we have to go.

[Liam O'Brien]

We only got a short rest last night, too, so we're going on not even a long rest right now.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah, because you didn't go straight. You went off to get to the road. You'll travel faster, but it's still about. Yeah, it's about 50 miles to the road.

[Sam Riegel]

So two days money. We could buy something.

[Liam O'Brien]

We could go to a tavern and see if. I mean, how do you feel? Do you need to have a full night's sleep? Do you want to keep going? Because we could rent a carriage or something to take everyone. You got money.

[Sam Riegel]

Could try these carts don't look very comfortable. Well, if I'm being honest. But I could probably sleep in the back while you guys drive through the night.

[Liam O'Brien]

Why don't you buy a driver and then everybody can sleep. That's a very Money bags.

[Sam Riegel]

Sure.

[Ashley Johnson]

Sure.

[Laura Bailey]

I could try.

[Matthew Mercer]

Hell, yeah. Sun is setting in Ardoran. There's wagons going in all directions. There's some definitely. There's wagons headed. That's the capital. Timny, of course, have to send tribute to the king. So what I would ask is this the first thing we're gonna do is we're gonna make a group stealth check. And because you guys are hoofing it, you're trying to move fast. This will be made with disadvantage. We're gonna be fine. Yeah, we're fine.

[Sam Riegel]

Is this a vital roll?

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, I don't know.

[Laura Bailey]

I'm pawing, actually. I take offense at hoofing.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay, we're pawing.

[Liam O'Brien]

I don't.

[Matthew Mercer]

Loping forward.

[Liam O'Brien]

That's for me.

[Sam Riegel]

For one of us, I think. I think for one of us, I can undo this disadvantage.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

I rolled real low on my disadvantage.

[Sam Riegel]

When a creature you can see within 60ft of you is about to roll a D21 with advantage or disadvantage, you can take a reaction. So I only get one reaction. So somebody I can undo their disadvantage on, I'll just mutter a little prayer, and I'll grant you just a straight roll. A straight roll.

[Liam O'Brien]

A straight roll. All right. Does that mean I get to take my higher one? Because I rolled an 18.

[Matthew Mercer]

You will not. You'll not be able to take your higher one. You will instead have a fresh roll. You'll roll straight.

[Sam Riegel]

Or I could use the egg.

[Liam O'Brien]

13. 15.

[Matthew Mercer]

15. Okay, we get a 15 here. What do we get for our stealth here?

[Sam Riegel]

I rolled two natural twenties.

[Matthew Mercer]

Are you serious? A one in 400 chance.

[Laura Bailey]

Wow, you are.

[Matthew Mercer]

That's awesome.

[Laura Bailey]

Or bright light.

[Matthew Mercer]

Okay, we don't know how. A natural 20. We got a what 15. 15, 14. 14. What did we get? Thimble?

[Liam O'Brien]

12.

[Matthew Mercer]

12, 16. So wait, with disadvantage 16, what do we got over here again?

[Ashley Johnson]

14. I've got a plus six.

[Matthew Mercer]

So these are our two lowest. 16 of the top three is the lowest. And with a natural 20, you guys are not doing anything to disguise yourselves. And yet I think wick on that. Nat20, as you move through this place, there is nothing as there is nothing as, for lack of a better word, diffusive of attention and. And scrutiny as walking with purpose like you belong. There is no skulking. We're just moving through here. And what you see ending on that NAT20 is Ardorin is crawling with the candescent creed.

[Sam Riegel]

That's good and bad.

[Matthew Mercer]

Such that. And I think as you're traveling, because you have been going through the woods, you look little bit dirtier. You've been sleeping, slept in a tree last night. You're not walking with a fucking radiance of whatever. You're just walking. And as you look out, you look more like someone traveling. You see there's plenty of white robes walking around, plenty of people with tattoos of filament. You see there is one person. As you walk towards the north of the city, you're not looking to stay here long. You just see one person standing up going, brothers, sisters, listen to me. The light reaches all of us. Those that put the light before themselves, walk in the light. Those that put themselves above the light cast a shadow on us all. Those that would put themselves above the light, we name them, don't we? Don't we? And you see that there are people who are looking up. A small crowd has gathered and are smiling and cheering, don't we? We name them tyrant. We name them tyrant. Anyone who would put themselves above the light puts themselves above us all. For we are all children and servants of the light. We know their names. Those who put themselves above, they're brothers and sisters. We know that they do not mean us. Well, would you serve each other or serve darkness? And people go, ha. And start to cheer. And you hear someone say, tyrant. Tyrant. Tyrant. King.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, Got a little uprising going on here.

[Matthew Mercer]

That's all you did. And you see a small.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, just likes dogs.

[Matthew Mercer]

This sort of gathering. There is a gathering here. Looking out through this, you begin to. As you move forward, I'll also ask. Now with that nat 20, I'll allow this next roll with advantage. Gotta honor two nat 20s. This is gonna be a group investigation.

[Sam Riegel]

With advantage, you said, ooh, that's pretty bad.

[Matthew Mercer]

If someone hits a nat 20 on disadvantage. You kinda gotta get.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yeah, that's true.

[Matthew Mercer]

Dirty 20, 30, 20, 11, 11, 16, 16, 23, 23, 12, 12. Getting north of the city, you pass by this sort of crowds of the candescent creed. You see that there are, I think on that high group investigation, you guys see a number of wagons and you see that actually here there are many hay carts and broader wagons heading north. Hay is a commodity in a place that doesn't get to grow a lot of long grass. So you see a lot of this hay is not either from the few regions in Timony that can grow it, or it's from further south and it's moving up the road. You see that there are plenty of drivers that appear to be just headed north. On that high investigation, there are lots of wagons that are headed out. You see a couple of them have a good sign for you, which is lanterns on the front, lanterns on the oxen or the horses that are drawing them.

[Laura Bailey]

Good night, baby.

[Sam Riegel]

Is this me? I do. I do this.

[Laura Bailey]

All right.

[Sam Riegel]

Hello.

[Laura Bailey]

Hi.

[Sam Riegel]

Hi there you.

[Taliesin Jaffe]

Hi.

[Sam Riegel]

Hey, ho.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, hello there, sir. Oh, a brother of the creed.

[Sam Riegel]

Yes, of course, big brother. Yes, super important brother.

[Laura Bailey]

I.

[Sam Riegel]

In fact, one who needs, needs, nay, demands something of you. I want you to give us a ride.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yes, all right, go ahead and give me intimidates.

[Laura Bailey]

Take off your clothes.

[Sam Riegel]

That's a one.

[Matthew Mercer]

That's a nat one.

[Sam Riegel]

Yeah.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see that? He goes, uh huh, and spits in your face. He looks at you and says, I'm Gus's man through and through. Fuck you and fuck your creed. And he.

[Liam O'Brien]

Let'S try a different one, maybe different strategy also.

[Sam Riegel]

Maybe you should try.

[Liam O'Brien]

You don't have to be sure. Really a demon. Maybe teor should talk to somebody intimidating.

[Matthew Mercer]

We can say this cart's burned, that cart's gone. You do see this guy say, I'm Gus's man through and through and head off on the road.

[Laura Bailey]

Perhaps we'll have a little better gusting. Yeah, which would you what? I'll handle it.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see, you have not lost a picture. After a few minutes, another cart pulls along, another cart pulls along, heading north. This one actually is much more covered and you see has what looks like some hardscrabble barrels of apples and other food in it and things like that that you can see is mostly empty. Maybe someone actually returning from market here in the big town. You see, there's an older woman, she's got a wide thatched hat on to keep the drizzle off her face. Looks up as you're approaching.

[Laura Bailey]

Any lanterns on this one?

[Matthew Mercer]

Yes.

[Laura Bailey]

May I trouble you for just a moment?

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, easy, easy.

[Laura Bailey]

I'm sorry. Some of my traveling companions and I have. We are in need of an express journey northward. We can, of course, pay you for your troubles, and I will shake the bag of money.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh, travel. Well, I have no seats in the back to speak of, and there's no. I'd be poor accommodation for you and your friends. It's not a carriage by any means.

[Laura Bailey]

It's just a cart we don't mind riding atop and perhaps providing some extra security and some peace of mind for your travels.

[Matthew Mercer]

You see, she looks out and says, go ahead and give me Persuasion.

[Laura Bailey]

Yeah, and I'll also put four gold in her hand.

[Matthew Mercer]

She sees four gold. Go ahead and roll. With advice.

[Laura Bailey]

Manage Persuasion.

[Liam O'Brien]

What if. What if we pay her even more? Can we pay you more to ride?

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, Catan, thank you for that guidance. That's.

[Ashley Johnson]

I regret taking that initiate.

[Laura Bailey]

It's just a flat 10. Flat 10?

[Matthew Mercer]

Flat. Flat 10. With a. With a D4 or. No.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, I didn't roll a D4 for the guidance, but I bits guidance.

[Matthew Mercer]

Call.

[Laura Bailey]

It DC 12 plus 3, so 13.

[Ashley Johnson]

Such a great play from me.

[Matthew Mercer]

Such a great play from Kadigan Cadigan. What do you say in this moment? Cause you can see that an armor. It's just all a little too strange for this woman. She's about to get sort of scared off and try to beg off because shining armor, lion, man, fairy, demon. It's all like you're saying. You keep telling these guys. It's simple folk here. So that little guidance. What does Caden say?

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, money talks. Don't overcomplicate it.

[Laura Bailey]

Yes, of course.

[Matthew Mercer]

She looks and says, oh, four gold is far too much, sir. It's not. I can't.

[Laura Bailey]

You can't put the price on your troubles. It is. Please, the least we can do.

[Liam O'Brien]

It's also so you can ride faster than you normally would.

[Matthew Mercer]

And you see, as you give that little bit of. Oh, that's why they're paying me extra, you see. She goes, oh, all right. Well, they've had their water and an apple each. Soap. Hop in.

[Liam O'Brien]

Before we climb in, I'd like to take just the corner of my apron and I wipe the mucus trail from the spit off of just the side of Wick's caller. And I say, hey, you don't have to be mean. Just, yeah, be yourself.

[Sam Riegel]

I thought that was the. That was the. Was to be. Was to be butchered up. Was to be.

[Liam O'Brien]

Right I see. I see. Don't ever try to be like Teor. Only Tear can be like Teor. You can be kind and still be a leader. In fact, that's what you're supposed to supposed to be. That's your job.

[Matthew Mercer]

All right.

[Sam Riegel]

Okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

While also knowing that your family is putting the hammer down in many different ways. So I think the COVID is that you agree, but you don't have to be that. Please don't get spit on anymore.

[Sam Riegel]

I'll try not to.

[Laura Bailey]

Only theor is the. This you will hear every morning and night. Of course.

[Matthew Mercer]

Only Teor is Deor.

[Liam O'Brien]

Every morning when we were traveling.

[Matthew Mercer]

Oh my God. Get in the fucking car. Only day you see that the older woman turns around and says, feel free to lie down. We sold most of the apples off, but full gold. You couldn't possibly eat enough apples to make up for the. So feel free to lie down, have as many apples as you'd like. Is there a place where I'll have gone too far?

[Liam O'Brien]

Should I. Oh yeah, we're going to Sloke.

[Matthew Mercer]

Sloke. Oh, well, then I'll stop at my home. I live in Gormley. So I'll stop at. Before we. And you'll continue the rest of the way on foot. Then you see, she says, sleep well and keep moving through the night. And you see that she gets the horses moving again and you trundle off.

[Sam Riegel]

Great.

[Matthew Mercer]

Everybody here can take a long rest.

[Liam O'Brien]

Ooh, can I do the great weapon mastery then? Or the weapon mastery? Switch it over to.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yes, you can switch your weapon mastery. One of your weapon masteries over to Link.

[Liam O'Brien]

Yes.

[Matthew Mercer]

Yes.

[Laura Bailey]

Amazing.

[Sam Riegel]

I don't know what that is.

[Liam O'Brien]

I was chilling. That's not it. That's a character shape change.

[Matthew Mercer]

I'm gonna change the horses, head off, trundling through the night. Oh, let you sleep in the back of this carriage.

[Laura Bailey]

Is it a two horse carriage?

[Matthew Mercer]

Four horse. Four horse carriage.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, got some serious horsepower.

[Ashley Johnson]

At least four.

[Matthew Mercer]

You journey through the night, trundling along pretty quickly. After about going into the night, it is still early hours of darkness. She's traveling around eight or nine miles an hour, something like that. So it's a few hours into the night and you get off the King's highway and start traveling along through villages going into Gormaley, heading further and further up in altitude. You pass a little area that seems to actually have some rows of these black barked apple trees. So it's like these black trees, dark green leaves, red apples all throughout. And you get higher than that still and those trees start to thin out. But the wagon stops and she pokes her head in the back and says, all of you can rest and then continue your way. Are you headed to. Are you servants of the new baron?

[Liam O'Brien]

What have you heard about him?

[Matthew Mercer]

Not much. We thought that, you know, we. Well, it's not. It's the barony just north of here. But we had thought that there would be a young Baron Taconis. But it seems not. It seems that it will be the Baron Gavandale. So we wonder if he is a decent man or a good man.

[Liam O'Brien]

He's a real shit dang.

[Matthew Mercer]

Well, thank you in that case, for letting us know. So I'll let my sister hear that. Maybe time to pull her head inside. The old lady Sloke was temperamental. But fair, more or less. I'll let her know. Thank you. I have nowhere inside. I have no room for you to stay. But you may stay in the wagon for as long as you like.

[Laura Bailey]

That's very kind of you.

[Sam Riegel]

Thank you.

[Laura Bailey]

Thank you.

[Matthew Mercer]

You guys finish your rest in there. As you do, I would like a perception check for anyone else that night.

[Sam Riegel]

Perception check?

[Matthew Mercer]

Yeah. Difficulty of 20. Oh, yeah.

[Laura Bailey]

Guidance to me or to you?

[Sam Riegel]

To you.

[Laura Bailey]

Okay.

[Liam O'Brien]

Does DarkVision help? 23.

[Matthew Mercer]

23. That helps thimble. Everyone else, deep asleep slumber.

[Laura Bailey]

21.

[Matthew Mercer]

Thimble. You look out, cross a little stream. You see a shrine. On the other side of the stream, you see there's a shape sleeping, canine shape, sleeping in the shrine. It's night. You look out, There's a hound that for a second you think is a statue. Until you realize it is a fully awake and alert dog looking across the dark stream. It must be a few hundred feet away. There's no way that even with DarkVision they would be able to see you guys here. But you just see a shape gazing out across the stream towards you. I think on that, 23, you even feel like you make eye contact for a moment.

[Liam O'Brien]

I'm gonna fly down and kick Kat again in the nose.

[Ashley Johnson]

Good morning, Thimble.

[Liam O'Brien]

In all your travels through this area. And I'm gonna ask myself the same question. In my travels with Diazi, as we were coming through, do I know anything about that kind of a large dog or anything that. And I'm gonna tell you about it too.

[Matthew Mercer]

23.

[Laura Bailey]

They can't all be good boys.

[Liam O'Brien]

Even he seemed menacing. And he saw us keeping watch on him.

[Matthew Mercer]

You would recognize that as a. On 23 perception. You just saw in the dim light of the shrine's near a little tavern over there. There's some sputtering embers or candlelight. Even this little late hour. It's like wee hours of the morning. Looked huge. You remember they have a lot of different hounds and herders and things like that. You recognize that as a rocks mastiff named the Timmins Rock. They're enormous guard dogs. They're kept specifically. Specifically for that purpose. You've even heard that some people keep them. They're a rare breed. Some people keep them to kill wolves.

[Laura Bailey]

Sure do.

[Liam O'Brien]

You better keep Wulfric away from that thing. They are usually guarding important people though.

[Matthew Mercer]

Rare to see one out in a far off boonie of the kingdom like this.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, it's quite a creature.

[Liam O'Brien]

But they're guarding a tavern after you.

[Matthew Mercer]

Kick Cadogan in the nose to point out, you look back. Not there. No. Don't you say it. Don't you say it. And that's where we're gonna go ahead and take our break.

[Liam O'Brien]

What's a dog doing?

[Matthew Mercer]

What's a dog? Trouble. Danger. Danger.

[Liam O'Brien]

He saw as he saw us.

[Matthew Mercer]

And we'll pick up with the mysterious events in the night after we conclude this break.

[Laura Bailey]

Oh, man.

[Matthew Mercer]

And that's where we'll leave our story for now. Part two of this episode of Campaign 4 drops this Tuesday. Thanks for listening and we'll see you soon for more critical role foreign.

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[Liam O'Brien]

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