Opening Night | Critical Role | Campaign 4, Episode 29 Part 1

Summary

Critical Role: Campaign 4, Episode 29 Part 1 – “Opening Night”

Date: June 18, 2026
Dungeon Master: Brennan Lee Mulligan

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Episode Overview

This episode marks the tense, magic-drenched lead-in to Hal’s long-awaited play, “Cothe Therae”, as the band of heroes navigates the political, magical, and emotional minefields of Dolmakyard. The narrative splits between a high-stakes infiltration of House Taconis's haunted manor and the fervor and folklore swirling around the hallowed theatre—a night that threatens to change Dolmakyard and its afterlife forever.

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Key Discussion Points & Adventure Highlights

1. Cadigan’s Haunted Memories and Call to Action

• Tension & Backstory:
  The episode opens with an atmospheric solo scene for Cadigan by Lake Nahami, unraveling his grief, sobriety, and trauma over his lost wife and daughter ([03:24–15:31]).

  • Quote (Cadigan, 03:24):
    “When you’re strong, you can only bear so much weight for so long. …After a long enough time, it doesn’t matter what’s getting piled on top—a feather adds up.”

• Vision & Motivation:
  He relives the loss—his wife and child vanished, a blood-spattered sorcerer’s cruel laughter, a fruitless six-year hunt, and a solitary, battered dog his only companion.

• Urgency:
  Cadigan is abruptly pulled from reflection—his friends rush in, calling him to action: “Teor is in trouble!” The party gathers and jumps into a waiting carriage ([17:28–18:52]).

2. Infiltration of Obramis Manor: Magic, Necromancy, and Stealth

• Approach & Planning:
  The party surveils the formidable, gothic seat of House Taconis, discussing points of entry, magical wards, and likely prisoner locations ([25:29–35:43]).

  • Quote (Cid, 26:13):
    “I just want to manage expectations. I didn’t live here a lot…if things go bad, I need you to go, okay? I can’t have you dying in there.”

• Inside the Walls:

  • Use of disguise; stealth checks to avoid detection.
  • Magical wards repel fey—Thimble is magically rebuffed from the walls.
  • Deft manipulation and distraction allow entrance via the servant’s quarter, with a bloody, quiet elimination of a guard ([42:30–44:44]).
  • MVP Moment:
    Thimble’s stealthy success (Nat 20) and subsequent injury navigating magic wards is a crowd-pleaser.

• Navigating the Estate:

  • The group consults Cid's childhood memories to deduce the best route to the undercroft, where prisoners and relics are likely held ([55:59–57:16]).
  • Use of the lesser-guarded vassal crypt to seek access ([59:36–61:45]).

• Unveiling the Depths:

  • Discovery of a secret door within the crypt: accessing it pulls the group into a magical darkness "between realms"—requiring corpse fat candles for navigation and revealing the party’s vulnerability to necrotic damage ([65:40–71:09]).

  • Risk/Reward Dilemma:
    Cid seizes necromantic protection for Thimble, announcing their presence to the house—trading stealth for survival ([71:10–73:16]).

    • Quote (Cid, 71:09):
      “Secret door over there…Once we go through there, we will be between places that will be beyond the veil. Kind of, sort of. It will be very dark. Magical darkness. Those candles theoretically light our way through.”

  • Cliffhanger:
    As the magical exchange occurs, every corpse in the crypt awakens—a battle begins ([74:10–74:51]).

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3. The Via Aurora: The Mask and House Intrigue

• Wick’s Family & The Mask:
  Wick is summoned to participate in a major family political gathering, temporarily distracted by efforts to experiment with the magic mask (Bolaire) on a junior servant, Adora ([75:27–88:12]).

  • Comic/Unsettling Moment:
    Through miscommunication and awkward subterfuge, Adora is charmed and then “masked”—possessed by Bolaire, setting up political and magical opportunities for future leverage.

• Family Dynamics:
  Wick’s reunion with sister Zabani simmers with past resentments and veiled threats ([97:48–99:00]), while their mother and brother offer an emotional homecoming ([100:06–102:09]).

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4. The Hallowed Round: Setting for Revolution

• Theatre Atmosphere:

  • The city’s amphitheater is alive with anticipation: 10,000 seats, magpies in attendance (figurative and literal), and all eyes on Hal and his revolutionary play ([104:41–113:13]).
  • Quote (Dungeon Master, 113:14):
    “There is joy here. It’s hard not to feel ebullient and elevated.”

• Heartfelt Moments:

  • Shadia, Hal’s daughter, steels herself backstage, supported by friends and family ([109:18–109:49]).
  • Azune and Baylis, both performing security, observe the swelling tide of excitement and potential.

• The Play Begins:
  Hal’s meticulously crafted performance unfolds—arcane effects, illusionary giants, symphonic chorus ([122:15–123:36]).

  • A pariah blade draws gasps from the crowd; the play blurs lines between magic, ritual, and art.
    • Quote (DM, 125:33):
      “As the blade goes on high and shines, Tysha…arcane light shines out and it rings, drawing from the scabbard…And the entire crowd, all of the Romiani in this space, gasp.”

• Magical Unfolding:

  • Tysha and Murray intervene as Candescent Creed operatives attempt to disrupt the ritual, enlisting the help of mischievous invisible fairies to chase them away ([128:05–131:05]).

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5. A Miracle on Stage: Afterlife Reforged

• Moment of Power:
  As Hal pours his energy into the play, a ghostly figure—Voceon Murzat, folk hero—materializes, visible only to those with special sight ([141:00+]).

  • Quote (Voceon, 141:52):
    “Where am I?”

  • Hal explains:
    “You found our courage and pointed the way to freedom.” (144:13–144:21)

  • The ghost is transfigured from undead to celestial, merging with the living performance.

• Cataclysmic Ritual:

  • The pariah blade, the mural, and the play’s magic bridge realms. The afterlife—lost for decades—is reconnected to the world; souls of the revolution pour forth, transformed, freed ([147:14–149:45]).
  • Quote (DM, 147:14):
    “As the fabric of reality is transmuted and an afterlife that was lost for 70 years is brought to bear…and those members of Vulcan’s revolution surge forward.”

• Consequences and Sanctuary:

  • Vaelys (Baylis) senses the Stone of Nightsong awakened, connecting Faerie, Ahriman, and the afterlife—a trinity of bridges is created as the theatre becomes a holy site ([150:10–152:13]).
  • Hanon, Vaelys’s companion, carries the stone into the woods, rejuvenating the land as the narrative arcs to intermission.

• Emotional Resonance:

  • The episode closes amidst catharsis and transformation, “wonder in this moment, of the people in this city watching this plan fold…” ([131:05–132:16])

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “When you’re strong, you can only bear so much weight for so long…” – Cadigan, reflecting on grief ([03:24])
• “It just happened.” – Dungeon Master, on Cadigan losing hope ([13:55])
• “We’re here for Mara…and also to see if we can find the relic for your sister.” – Cid, clarifying mission ([30:22])
• “Secret door over there…Once we go through there, we will be between places that will be beyond the veil…Magical darkness. Those candles theoretically light our way through.” – Cid ([71:09])
• “Are you free? Are all these people free?” – Voceon Murzat, ghost, mid-performance ([144:21])
• “You found our courage and pointed the way to freedom.” – Hal, to Voceon ([144:13])
• “As the fabric of reality is transmuted and an afterlife that was lost for 70 years is brought to bear…” – Dungeon Master ([147:14])
• “This is a space in which we are guests. Let’s not ruin a good show.” – Hanon, to Vaelys ([152:13])

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Cadigan’s Prologue/Flashback: [03:24–15:31]
• Team Gathers/Race to Teor: [16:30–18:52]
• Obramis Manor Infiltration: [24:03–74:51]
• Wick’s Mask Plot (Via Aurora): [75:27–103:26]
• The Hallowed Round – Opening Night Begins: [104:41–113:13]
• The Play, Ritual, and Afterlife Reconciliation: [122:15–152:13]
• Cliffhanger/Intermission: [152:13–end]

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Episode Tone & Style

• Lush, evocative imagery from the DM and players: sorrow, hope, magic, and humor blend in classic Critical Role style.
• Balance of high emotion and sharp wit. Serious trauma and world-shaking magic are punctuated by comic moments and affectionate banter.
• Collaborative storytelling: the DM and players craft atmosphere and stakes together, with dramatic character choices and immersive roleplay.

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Summary Takeaway

Opening Night delivers a dazzling, haunting tapestry—melding personal loss with revolutionary change. As Cadigan’s old wounds resurface, the party braves necromantic horrors below while, above, Hal’s play becomes a ritual that literally transforms the unquiet dead. All avenues—politics, family, magic, love—intersect on a night that feels like the hinge of an age for Dolmakyard.

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Next:
Part 2 airs this Tuesday—expect fallout from the crypt battle, house intrigue, and the second act of Hal’s historic play.

Transcript

[Matt Mercer]

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[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

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[Cid]

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[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

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[Nevada]

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[Tysha]

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[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

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, Gazing out the waters of Lake Nahami, the hour growing later in the day. It's perhaps now only an hour before Hal's big play is set to begin. The elven warrior who you followed out here to the lake made a pointed statement about family. Cadian looking out at the water. Where are you in this moment?

[Cadigan]

Dangerously close to the Water's edge. I think, thinking those thoughts that come to you when you're alone, and they're not always the brightest. I think Cadogan is a strong man. But I think when you're strong, you can only bear so much weight for so long. And after a long enough time, it doesn't matter what's getting piled on top, if it's stones or pebbles or a feather, it all starts to add up. And I think when that last jibe came in. Over the past few weeks, Cadogan's been around more people than he's been around in almost a decade, seven years. And those have added weight to his burden. And I think this last one, even though it was maybe said in jest or attempting to sort of pry in a. In an easy way, that was that last feather that sort of broke down his resolve. And he can't lie or avoid his feelings anymore. And that solitude starts to press at him. And as Wulfric sort of nuzzles at his neck, as dogs tend to do when they know something's wrong with their master, Yaddle falls away. And he just lets himself feel without alcohol or without jokes or playing the fool. And that's where he is in his mind.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The water laughs up onto the shore. Wulfric by your side. The clarity of sobriety. The thundering silence of solitude. Alcohol makes noise in the mind. A buzz, a blur, a haze. Action. Feet falling forward gives a rhythm to beat out thoughts that are not welcome. And in the still and silence, the noises that you have been attempting to cover begin to come back to you. Wind in the branches. The babbling of a brook much smaller than the river. Frosh woods around your home. The feeling of sunset. Air temperature dropping rapidly. Strange wind. Storm clouds that had been set to pass north. The starlings gone deathly quiet. What was the first noise? The first thing that took that pool of dread in your stomach and moved into something sharp and horrifying.

[Cadigan]

When the stag turned away. An old bull ready to be taken. Why did he pause? Or did he hear that I couldn't whisper on the wind? I turn and run toward home.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Your feet fall as fast as they can, thundering through the wood.

[Cadigan]

Not fast enough.

[Wick]

Faster.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Pushing forward. You see it. The sun has set all the way beyond the edge of the mountains. Everything about the landscape of Emery soft, beautiful. The forest's old and kind. And yet suddenly every voice of kindness has gone dark. You see the cottage? Is there a light inside.

[Cadigan]

The hearth? Should be late.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Mariana,

[Tysha]

ask me

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

a light. Kindles. Not warm red, but Something pale and venomous. Shadows cast up from the ground like specters. Yawning light in a single flash, scream. What a horror that a voice that meant every soft and beautiful thing in its final gift to you could only chill your blood and turn your stomach. First one and then the other. The clattering noise of those beautiful, wonderful your life, your light, everything. Your heart. Your heart falls to the ground in two thuds, one smaller and softer than the other.

[Cadigan]

Is he there? Do you want to see him?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Your feet, as fast as they are, arrive to see the figure in the doorway. And now the hearth is lit. As the flames begin to creep up from the fireplace.

[Cadigan]

Wulfric bursts from my side. Just a pup on the hunt with me. I knock a bolt and throw.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

With every.

[Cadigan]

Every fiber of muscle in my body, every strength I have, I throw at this shadow.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The bolt, luminous with your own magic in this moment, flashes forward and you see the face, blood spattered across, vacant eyes and a wide smile. Older man, dark cloak and robes,

[Tysha]

smiling

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

so wide as the bolt is cast aside. A shield of magic so effortless. No hope of your mortal frame causing any damage. This world knows sorcery. Some are born with the gift of magic.

[Cadigan]

I sprint toward him.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Shadow, light, yawning faces, cackling shadow. And all of a sudden, he is gone, his laughter ringing and peeling off the mountainsides.

[Cadigan]

I run toward a home, frantic, searching for my wife and daughter. And. I heard the sounds of her body. All I see are their footprints from the day. There is nothing. No blood, no trail, nowhere to hunt, nothing to find. I feel. I feel the deepest loss and the deepest love. But I realize that love stands no chance against power in nature. And there is nothing I can do as a man.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The laughs of townsfolk. Different taverns on different roadsides. How many years do you search for the sorcerer?

[Cadigan]

I didn't mean to give up.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

It just happened.

[Cadigan]

Six years. Six years at every abbey, every college, every school of magic, everyone I talked to. And no one knew the man.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I'm so sorry.

[Cid]

I gave up

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

the laugh. The trail ran cold. Of course it went cold. Cadigan, a sorcerer of Ahriman, murdering some drunken crofter's wife and daughter. And of course, there were no bodies and there was no blood. And perhaps she. Perhaps she just thought better of her lot in life than to spend it with you.

[Cid]

No.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

She was happy.

[Cadigan]

Fuck you, we were happy.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Maybe. Maybe it was all just a dream after all. Tracker like you should have been able to pick up some kind of trail.

[Cadigan]

I snapped back to myself at the Lake.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Wulfric by your side.

[Cadigan]

It's all right. I look at. I look at him, my only companion, And I look at the scars on his face and the missing limb. And I think of our years together on the roads and in the wild, and. And I feel lost and angry and happy to have him. But he is my family. But not as I remember a family to be.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

He gazes up at you in that sorrowful canine way. And as he looks at you, you hear movement nearby. I'm going to need Liam and Bria to come out and join us, please. Catigan being pulled from your reverie. In a moment, you hear a sort of clumsy crashing through the brush. Or I should say, well, clumsy crashing from at least some. But the speed is picking up and Tysha and Hal rush into the lakeside, getting to you as fast as possible.

[Tysha]

Oh, fuck. Cadigan.

[Cadigan]

Hi.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Oh, Cranigan.

[Nevada]

Yes.

[Murray]

Yes.

[Thimble]

Help.

[Cadigan]

Teor.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Teor is in trouble.

[Nevada]

Come, Come.

[Wick]

Boom.

[Cadigan]

I'm off.

[Julian]

You're off?

[Cadigan]

I'm off.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Wulfric by your side. Wulfric. You guys rush away from Lake Nahami, not towards the hallowed round, but actually towards the road. The Victor's highway that goes up through the center of the city. Pulling up into view, you see there is an enormous strong carriage with a driver at the front with four horses going, Mr. Fang, this is highly irregular.

[Matt Mercer]

Ready to go?

[Cadigan]

Get in.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

We'll tell you on the way.

[Murray]

All right.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Leaping into the carriage, you see Wulfric leaps in after you. You jump into the carriage. The driver gets down and slams the door and bars it lock iron bars on the windows. Cat again.

[Cadigan]

What's happening? What's going on?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You see that? The driver looks over at you and goes, that was easy. As cruelty appears and says, we are good at our job. And we'll pick up with Katigan on tonight's episode of Critical Role.

[Matt Mercer]

Hey everybody. Welcome back to the Critical Role Announcement Playhouse. Before we jump into our game tonight, let's go. Go ahead and get through some quick announcements. Hey, Travis, you got announcements?

[Tysha]

We sure do, Matt.

[Julian]

Episodes one through six of the Legend of Vox Machina season four are available

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

to watch right now.

[Julian]

And as a friendly reminder, the mid season episode of our talkback show Inside the Legend of Vox Machina releases this Friday, June 12th at 3pm Pacific. Pacific. Join some of our cast and crew

[Wick]

as we discuss some making of the first half of season four.

[Julian]

There will be spoilers, however, so watch episodes one through six first.

[Tysha]

You look like a serial killer thinking about it.

[Thimble]

I love this. Fit you kind of look like Chris Browski. Yeah, totally.

[Tysha]

What's the legend of that show?

[Bolaire]

Don't sound like him.

[Cid]

Is this okay?

[Matt Mercer]

I think that concludes our announcements.

[Cid]

Oh.

[Matt Mercer]

So let's get all the rest of these pencils in this pencil holder.

[Nevada]

I like pencils.

[Cadigan]

And let's jump back into tonight's adventure in Army.

[Murray]

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[Shadia]

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[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

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[Shadia]

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[Shadia]

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[Tyranny]

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[Shadia]

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[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Welcome once again to the city of Dolmakyard. Having arrived back from various adventures across the face of Ahriman, our soldiers returning Tal Sidmir Pridesire, now reconstituted in his own body and here to help our seekers bringing news of far off Tanasar and the workings of House Taconis and our schemers who have been hard at work setting up for a great meeting of the Sundred Houses, the opening night of Hal's play Cothe Therae and indeed making alliance with King Augustus Valian of Timony, we find ourselves returned to the Tanners, the self same neighborhood with one of Thiazi Fang's hideouts where Teor first found Thimble on the night of Thiazi's funeral. And up on the hill overlooking the Tanners and the darkest, dimmest, most shadowy and gloomy place of Dolmarchiar is Obramis Manor. You approach the Gothic estate, high stone walls topped with wrought iron spikes, agrounds built into the mountainside, massive keep and adjoining gatehouses, spires and smaller towers.

[Thimble]

Don't you ever feel like it was just a little too on the nose?

[Cid]

I get from outside perspectives that it looks a bit much.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Gazing out you see that the central massive door of the manor stands in a huge stone arch. The door is painted a lightless, the opposite of glossy. It is a deep matte black such that it looks like it fades into shadow itself. And above it two tall arching windows that give the manor and its central keep the appearance of a yawning skull overlooking Dolnakyar.

[Cid]

I just want to manage expectations. I didn't live here a lot. I know my way around to a degree, but it's like I spent time some summers here, you know?

[Matt Mercer]

Yeah, it's enough everyone decorated like a summer home.

[Cid]

Yeah. By comparison.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

So you had you grew up. Congratulations.

[Cid]

I didn't really benefit. Well, I guess I did Kind of.

[Julian]

Did you have servants?

[Nevada]

Yes.

[Julian]

And in the very.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The very end, for sure.

[Julian]

You rubbed finger for servants.

[Matt Mercer]

Yeah.

[Cid]

Yeah, I guess. Yeah. There were other problems, but money wasn't one of them.

[Cadigan]

Well,

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

here we are.

[Wick]

Yeah.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Okay.

[Thimble]

What time of day is it?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The sun has set, you guys. I think probably waited to approach until fully the sun was out of the sky. Because this house is filled with some of the most deadly sorcerers on your world. Except for right now.

[Wick]

Yes.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Unclear to you? I mean, if you guys want to have cased and seen. If you could see who, I think

[Thimble]

that would have been wise. We would have watched who left the key.

[Cid]

I got someone to come and case the place during the day, didn't I? I think CID said.

[Thimble]

CID said he was going to case it?

[Cid]

Yeah, I'm going to case it.

[Julian]

You said cid?

[Thimble]

He offered.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Sid looks around. I just rolled a four. Sid goes. So I'll tell you what. This place, I've been casing it. The strengths and weaknesses. Main strength so far is huge wall. Can't see. Can't see shit really.

[Shadia]

Right.

[Cid]

Yeah.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Weakness. They can't see me through the wall, can they?

[Cid]

Not that I know of.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Okay, carriage left. Big, big procession. Procession? Yes.

[Thimble]

People want it.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Nat 20.

[Thimble]

Hey.

[Tysha]

Exact head count.

[Julian]

Two dogs.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

He actually, you see, he was a soldier. So he goes and he says, and listen, I drive carriage for a living. So based on the rear axle, go full Marisa Tomei for my cousin,

[Tysha]

the suspension means.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The suspension made those tire marks. That's what she sounds like. The.

[Cadigan]

You.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

He says in the carriage. I'm around the corner at this point to see the Lord. The main guy, Primus, he was back.

[Thimble]

He's back already. You saw him on the carriage?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yeah, he head across the river.

[Cid]

Okay, well then his return isn't part of what's happening. In the sense that's information.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Primus to Konis is in carriage. Your twin sisters.

[Thimble]

Okay.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

And young fellow with sort of. It looked like the most normal out of all of them. Younger, black hair is back sort of. He had vast bare arms, but he had the cloak. You've seen Etherind wear that before.

[Julian]

Who's that?

[Cid]

It's Etherynd. That's who killed me.

[Julian]

Oh, sorry. Sticky subject.

[Cid]

It's okay. It's just a little traumatic. Good job.

[Thimble]

I wish he was here tonight, though.

[Tysha]

Stab.

[Thimble]

Stab. Hi, Nick. Take him out.

[Matt Mercer]

If we find what we need, maybe some of us can stay behind.

[Cid]

I mean. Okay. I just want to be clear. We're all on the same page. Stealth is our friend in this yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Bolaire]

Off.

[Matt Mercer]

Yeah, of course.

[Cadigan]

We're here for Mara.

[Cid]

Great. We're here for Mara. And also to see if we can find the relic for your sister. Yes, yes. Just so we're all clear and on the same page, if we can avoid tripping any of the alarms or anything that may be set up. Shouldn't be that much resistance with them all gone.

[Thimble]

Do you know where the alarms are?

[Cid]

I mean. I mean they're not physical.

[Shadia]

Okay.

[Cid]

But I can look for them.

[Tysha]

Sorry.

[Cid]

This is.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I'll also say at this moment as well, looking out Teor, you being here on our birdwatching mission. We should probably also establish earlier today

[Shadia]

you.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Because last night you had made the determination that you would go to the theater. But that you and Tycha ended up

[Julian]

couldn't be apart from my brother.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

See, Sid, when you give Sid that news, he says that make me really happy. Because you for a second I think like, oh, he's mad that I got turned to stone. You don't want to.

[Julian]

I mean, I was, but I go to theater. I am terrible in the audience. I have a huge man. No one sits behind me. It's terrible. I'm just trying to be considerate of others.

[Thimble]

He'd be really noticeable.

[Matt Mercer]

I don't know why.

[Thimble]

I just started.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Are you doing our accent?

[Thimble]

I'm doing your accent as well.

[Murray]

Rude.

[Thimble]

It's very catchy.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You see, he looks and says he's pretty catchy. He looks and says, you know, I don't know. You hear this? Do you hear him? You hear him say his huge mane?

[Thimble]

I did. I heard it.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

It's fine.

[Thimble]

And it's bigger than yours.

[Julian]

It's pretty boss though.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I want listen, not by volume. Mine goes down my back like halfway.

[Julian]

Not always a positive thing. I'm just saying.

[Thimble]

Maybe it's also possible.

[Julian]

It's good.

[Thimble]

He's got a really thick skull. It might be bumping it up.

[Cid]

We are standing out in the street yelling about mains in front of my family's houses. Probably not the best idea.

[Matt Mercer]

Sorry.

[Cid]

Okay.

[Julian]

Dangerous necromantic witchcraft. We are ready saying.

[Matt Mercer]

Could you do a little more conditioning

[Julian]

for both of you.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Conditioner. You mean like my town?

[Julian]

Like detangle, you fucking tangled up bitch.

[Tysha]

Anyway, I'm sorry.

[Cid]

It's fine.

[Thimble]

You're good.

[Cid]

Okay. Okay. I'm gonna try and go. Darvi's going in.

[Julian]

Who?

[Thimble]

Can I just say that even though you're dead, you can still get flustered. And I find that really comforting. Thanks.

[Cid]

Can you see in the dark?

[Julian]

Yes.

[Cid]

Can you See in the dark?

[Thimble]

No.

[Cid]

Can you see in the dark? No. Of course. Why would you?

[Thimble]

But I can light up.

[Tysha]

Okay.

[Cid]

I can. Depending on the situation, I can either make some of us see in the dark or make light. Depending.

[Julian]

Two cats, two dark visions.

[Cid]

Yes.

[Shadia]

Great.

[Cid]

I don't know what. Again, I don't know what they've set up. Sorry, I'm a little flustered. Let's least get first step inside the gate. Is there besides the main entrance, is there any sort of side entrance or side into the walls?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yes, there is a large coach entrance for carriages and things like that. A smaller servants entrance, and there may be other points of ingress as well that you wouldn't know. The only place you would know from the time you spent here is the main gate and a smaller servant's gate.

[Cid]

All right, let's go by the servant's entrance, get in that way, not walk through the main doors. Okay, well, I start leading them that way. And I'm going to walk up next to Thimble and be like, hey, look, this is probably going to be bad. I don't know what's in there. I don't know. I haven't been back in five years. I don't know what's changed.

[Tyranny]

Five years?

[Cid]

I mean, more than that. It's been a long time. But if things go bad, I need you to go, okay? I can't have you dying in there.

[Thimble]

Well, you can just bring me back. I mean, that's like what you do now, right?

[Cid]

So far, only with animals.

[Thimble]

I'm.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You're not an animal?

[Thimble]

No, I'm not obviously, but I mean, I don't know what happens to my soul. I feel like it could be special.

[Cid]

I mean, it is, but I just don't know what.

[Thimble]

I'll leave. Okay. I'll leave.

[Matt Mercer]

Noctis.

[Tysha]

Yeah?

[Matt Mercer]

Where are we going? Within, beyond the entryway. You see, you spent a few summers here. What is the layout of rooms?

[Cid]

If they're keeping Mara, it's probably in the sub part of the manor, the basement. Ish. There's a lot of rooms down there. But they're probably keeping her down there because anywhere that they keep her upstairs, she's a bird.

[Thimble]

Where do they keep their treasures?

[Cid]

Treasures?

[Thimble]

Like where would they keep the thing for Julia?

[Cid]

Possibly downstairs. But there's also there is a small vault. Most of our family wealth is back at the main house, but I'm sure they keep some stuff here.

[Julian]

Okay, and just to say it, because you're talking about going into the basement of this place, you don't know of any sewer grates or manhole covers or

[Cid]

anything to my knowledge.

[Julian]

Okay.

[Cid]

I mean, not to say they don't exist. I just don't know where they are.

[Matt Mercer]

Perhaps the cellar entrance.

[Cid]

It could be. Give it out, keep it out. Getting to the front or to the servants entrance. Make sure. Is there anyone still at the gates, any guards or anything like that?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Having sort of been watching from a corner? Yes. You believe that there are guards at the gate. You see that there's a. That main gate is a giant shuttered portcullis that the characters would move through that's been closed and can only be opened from the inside. So you know there are guards in the courtyard probably over to the side. The servants entrance actually has a normal sized door that has a small sort of almost like a kiosk.

[Cid]

It's a little

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

octagonal in wall area that has diamond iron lattice windows. So in other words, there's. It's not big sheets of window. Instead it is cross iron with these small diamonds of glass in it and there's some small sputtering candlelight in there as a Taconus servant is just seated there at a desk looking over reports from people coming in and going and looking. It looks like that servant's entrance is actually. Even though it would make sense for things to come in through the coach gate, this is actually where deliveries happen. So food and things like that come through the small servant's entrance and that person is managing a guest book.

[Thimble]

Look, I can fly up and over and see if there's anybody walking around.

[Shadia]

Yeah, great.

[Cid]

I'm going to say also you two, you as well probably have way more experience infiltrating a place than I do. So if you have any suggestions, I'm listening.

[Thimble]

Walk quietly. Don't fall down.

[Cid]

Great. Two things. Got it.

[Matt Mercer]

If anybody sees any of us and looks like they're acting suspiciously, kill.

[Thimble]

Don't be.

[Cadigan]

Yeah.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Quietly, quickly.

[Thimble]

Can I. What color is your cloak?

[Matt Mercer]

Well, my normal fighter's cloak on the side is a dark green. But what I have right now is probably a dark gray weathered heavy cloak for travel with the hood up.

[Thimble]

I'm gonna go up and take my sword and cut a rectangle out of it and cut it up and put it over so that I'm not a bright neon green thing, just little wings and then.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Hell yeah. Go ahead and give me whatever roll you're going to make. I'm also going to. At this point above the table, I'm gonna let you guys. Oh no, I have a watch running on this scene. And when I cut over to however long the meeting at the sundered houses takes, these numbers will match up. Meaning when that meeting ends, you've run out of time.

[Cid]

Okay, let's go.

[Matt Mercer]

So waste as much time as possible.

[Thimble]

Okay.

[Murray]

All right.

[Thimble]

Can I fly up stealthily and try to case the joint up over the wall, see if there's guards walking around?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Thimble, you fly up and look into the courtyard. Do you fly over the courtyard or are you trying to look from an angle?

[Thimble]

I want to fly up and on the wall and peer up and over.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You fly up and cannot land on the wall. A cool.

[Thimble]

Okay.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Appears. Give me Arcana.

[Cid]

Great, great, great, great. That is going to be 25

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

on a 25. There is some intense magical stuff going on. The thing you just saw, probably some kind of magic circle against good or other kind of thing. You think? In other words, you don't think that would stop necessarily Teor or Julian. You think it stops Fimble.

[Tyranny]

Right.

[Julian]

Fucking mosquito scream.

[Matt Mercer]

So you said the servants entrance is where a lot of deliveries are made. And with the family here in the city, good chance deliveries have been made. Younger Catboy, when you were watching the place, did you see any deliveries being made? And what did they look like if they were?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

There was some food to be delivered here. I think they prepare for meal or feast tonight.

[Matt Mercer]

Maybe the person who was delivering them,

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

what was there normal, in fact, looked like Dolmakyard. Did not look like Tarkonis. Looked like a grocer from the city.

[Matt Mercer]

You can change how you look?

[Cid]

Yes.

[Matt Mercer]

What if we bring what we think or anticipate to be a delayed delivery. Get that person to step from the doorway, you grab them, shank them, step inside.

[Thimble]

Love it.

[Cadigan]

Got it.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Also octis on that 25. The magic has gotten much deeper here since you were last here as a kid. But without using some form of divination or magic on it. I don't know that you'd be able to ascertain more.

[Cid]

Okay, yeah, I'm going to wave my hand in front of my face and you see as it crosses my features changed into sort of a. Just a courier. Just a random man you'd see on the street carrying goods. And I walk up to the gate,

[Matt Mercer]

they are the other sides of the door. Try and get.

[Cid]

I kind of like I'm gonna land on Julian's head.

[Cadigan]

Excuse me.

[Thimble]

Shut up.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You see that? The clerk looks up and says. Hello sir.

[Cid]

Yeah, sorry, late delivery. We got held up. Traffic, you know.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Oh, that's all right. What's what's your name?

[Cid]

My name is Pierre.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Pierre from which grocer?

[Cid]

We're from Phillips, down the street.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Phillips. I don't have you on here.

[Wick]

Really?

[Cid]

There should be no.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Well, here I have some paperwork.

[Cid]

You can take a look at what we got out here.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You see, he shoves a little sort of. And one of those under the window trays is there that you can slide something under. And he says, here you are.

[Cid]

All right.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

No, it's bigger than that.

[Cid]

It's not going to fit in there.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Thimble, as you look at that tray, I'll tell you what could fit in there.

[Thimble]

I know. I instantly was like, can I. Is he looking down or is he looking up? Can I time it when he's looking up and.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Sure. You want to give me a stealth check here? You can give me a deception check.

[Tysha]

Okay, great.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Or persuasion actually is more honest.

[Cid]

15.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

15.

[Thimble]

Natural 20.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Natural 20. Thimble. You get down into the tray totally unseen, and you see that he goes to slide the tray back into his side. I am going to need you to make a strength saving throw for me.

[Thimble]

Okay?

[Julian]

You got this. You got this.

[Thimble]

Super. Gonna be good.

[Tyranny]

Four.

[Cid]

Four.

[Julian]

What's your modifier?

[Thimble]

Minus four.

[Bolaire]

Yep.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Thimble, you take three points of. Of damage as you land in there totally unseen. He goes to close it, and that exact same boom of magic slams you into the back of the drawer. As he moves it. You're being crushed in between the spell protection of Obra Ms. Manor and the back of the drawer. As he goes, he goes, stupid fucking thing's broken. And three,

[Tysha]

We have to.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

However, due to that Nat20. Stealth check. Seeing that his drawer is broken and can't slide all the way out because it's crushing you, he goes, fine. And opens the door to the little kiosk and opens the servant's entrance door.

[Matt Mercer]

As soon as that happens, I look

[Julian]

over to the count. Yep. I take out Ingrid's great axe. And I'm gonna go for a swing. And I'll swing it just right across. I'm gonna try and aim, like, straight for clavicle.

[Tysha]

I'm going to go low from underneath

[Matt Mercer]

the arc and see if I can go for the abdomen.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Go for it. And if you guys want to do this quietly without rolling. Stealth roll the attack with disadvantage. Fuck. That was a natural 20.

[Julian]

Natural 20 and a 14. That's great.

[Tysha]

We both got natural 20s on disadvantage.

[Julian]

22 to hit.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

22 to hit.

[Matt Mercer]

That's still a 20. 17. So that's going to be a 23 to hit.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

No damage, roll necessary. This is a total just servant you. Axe, throat, sword, blood. Down to the ground. Blam. Gone. Help me.

[Julian]

Oh, he ruined his clothes.

[Cid]

Pull open the door again.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

That sucked.

[Cid]

You okay?

[Thimble]

Yeah. Okay.

[Julian]

Instantly roll inside the door and just do clean sweep like anybody else looking at the doorway or are we free of eyes?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You guys get into this little coach kiosk. Go ahead and give me perception or investigation.

[Cid]

All of us.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yes.

[Julian]

That would be 21.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

21. Great.

[Wick]

7.

[Matt Mercer]

I'm spitting on the corpse.

[Thimble]

You're good at that.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

15 teor. You scan inside this area here. And as you do so. Duh duh duh. Let's go here. Looking around at the gatehouse before you, you don't see anything in the kiosk. The door goes down a short hallway. You see that there is another small chamber off to the side, which basically looks like a coat room for people working in this gatehouse.

[Julian]

So the door is already to the interior of the. There's not the wall. And then open ground to the house.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The kiosk basically has. If you think about it this way, it's like little sort of almost like ticket kiosk at a theater next to this door. He just opened the door and you got him. And for the first time, see in and see very short hallway that goes to the back of this little gatehouse tower house.

[Cid]

Gotcha.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

That hallway has one little tiny door to the right that literally goes into this little cockpit kiosk with a sputtering candle and paperwork in it. You scan that down this hallway. There is the big strong iron barred door that you can tell goes to the courtyard. You can see the ghastly Obramas Manor light seeping through the door of the main white courtyard. To the left, there's a small courtroom and there's a small spiral staircase going up to the upper level of this little gatehouse here.

[Julian]

The little gate guard, did he have any keys on him? Anything that would help him us get through doors?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Any sort of pendants on a 21? He's got a ring of keys on his belt.

[Julian]

I'll snag that.

[Thimble]

We should hide him, right? Hide the button.

[Cid]

Can she get in through the door?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You look and see.

[Thimble]

Just hold onto me and pull me through. Is that gonna squish me again?

[Cid]

Put her in my hands and pull my hands through.

[Julian]

3.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

What is going on in your mind as you pull Thimble through? What do you concentrate concentrating on?

[Cid]

Concentrating on parting the magic, making a space for Thimble to pass through.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

So you want Thimble to come inside?

[Thimble]

Yes.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Invited by a member of House Takannis, Thimble enters the estate.

[Julian]

Thought it was good or evil. It would be like, think about kicking puppies.

[Cid]

I also, at that point, begins like, great. And I snap my fingers and the floating disk that I have off to the side carries the body across the street and through into the door. And Pin is sitting on the thing and I just go, jesus, Pin. And I'm just get over. And I snap and Pin disappears.

[Thimble]

Fox.

[Cid]

That's my familiar.

[Cadigan]

It's a horrific.

[Cid]

Brings it into the gatehouse with Saramai's

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

corpse on it following in behind you. You look around, and as you enter this place, you feel yourself prickling with magic again, that very high roll. There are a couple arcane effects permeating the grounds of this manor. Without magic, you won't be able to tell exactly what they do. But you look around, Julian, you feel a similar feeling to what you felt that night at the Palazzo Diminos here. A closeness or permeability to the realms of the tenebral reaches.

[Julian]

Teor, I'm gonna put my hand actually on Cid and be like, I think now is the time. If we are here more than 10 minutes, we are fucked anyway. And I'll use a divine sense to be able to put out like a. Yeah.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

He goes, okay, you go first, I follow after. If we here for longer than that, we don't want to overlap, so you go first, I'll go after you. And Ter's got his divine sense up. You look around, Teor. Oh, man, it is just. It's radiating undeath here. But right now, if there's gators in this pond, they're not near the surface.

[Julian]

Okay?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

And in this moment, you're looking out and around. Thimble. Being in this place is bad. All of your fears about what the energy of a place like this wants to do to the energy of life and wonder and nature and the green places of the world, it all smells something close by. And I think that you can feel a power here in this place. Octis, you enter in. Do you guys close the door behind you.

[Cid]

Close the door behind.

[Cadigan]

Okay.

[Cid]

The veil is going to be very thin here. You might hear things, you might see things. Try and ignore it unless it actively

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

fucks with you.

[Cid]

The less we alert any spirits or anything here, the better. We should probably maybe throw some of those coats on over us just to disguise our shapes.

[Julian]

Great thing.

[Cid]

Make us look inappropriate. Whatever. Fuck it. Okay, I'm going to go over to the door, the locked door at the end of the hallway and come look at it and see if I can just will it to open. As a member of the house, find a way to open the door.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You cannot will it to open the member.

[Cid]

I use the keys. Got it.

[Wick]

All right.

[Thimble]

Is this the big one?

[Tysha]

Yeah.

[Cid]

Okay, start looking. Which key fits?

[Thimble]

Is there open open space between here and there? Could there be any guards walking around? Should we keep that?

[Mathnasium Announcer]

Yes.

[Cid]

It opens to the courtyard, right?

[Thimble]

Okay, Got it.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Open to the courtyard. You find the right key in not too long.

[Thimble]

Okay.

[Cid]

Found it.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Do you open the door?

[Thimble]

Are there any windows leading to the courtyard or is just. That's it.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You don't see any windows facing into the courtyard from here, which means that there's no way of telling how.

[Thimble]

How big is the gap. Is there any gap under the door or anything?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I'd say that gap is about. Call it 2 inches off the ground.

[Thimble]

I can wiggle.

[Cid]

Just take a look.

[Thimble]

I'm just shimmy under it.

[Julian]

And just like any kind of traps on this door, I mean, I'll take a look.

[Cid]

I'm going to look for any sort of. Any enchantments or anything that have been placed on this door.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Give me arcana.

[Julian]

I would booby trap a door if I could.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

1919. Not here.

[Cid]

Okay.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You don't put it past your family to have traps in this place. But this is a high traffic area. People need to come in here and drop things off.

[Tysha]

Let's drop.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Stupid cat. You see it fimble? Go ahead and give me stealth. And you can do so with a plus four. Because you have mostly covered from the door. You're peeking out from underneath.

[Cadigan]

Shut up.

[Thimble]

16.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

16. You peer out and give me perception.

[Thimble]

Shut up.

[Julian]

No, I understand. Okay.

[Tyranny]

That's way better.

[Thimble]

23.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

23. Okay. As you look out, look out over the courtyard. White stones, pathways of cracked black volcanic rock that move through a whitestone garden. This enormous courtyard is completely unadorned. There's no statues, there's no banners. Just black pathways through white stone so

[Thimble]

broad the family needs a new decorator.

[Cid]

You. Do you see anybody?

[Tyranny]

Maybe.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

How long do you wait to see anybody?

[Thimble]

Not a long time. Because we're in kind of a rush. I glance around. If I see people coming or hear people, we're moving. I don't see anybody.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Great. I want you to give me a luck check.

[Thimble]

Luck check.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

How do I do that? You roll a D20 and you tell me if you get a 1, 2, 3 or 4.

[Thimble]

And that's a bad That's a low luck.

[Julian]

You don't know shit.

[Thimble]

That shit.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

1818. You look out and see that the courtyard is empty.

[Murray]

Open.

[Cid]

Push. Open the door.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Push.

[Cid]

Don't step out, just open the door.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You open the door. Looking out from here on that high perception, you're at the small servant's entrance. To the left of you you see the big carriage gate. And therefore to your left and more straightforward, that carriage gate goes right up to this big circle of white stone and the big skull mouth door at the front of the manor. However, the manor house, you see has two or three different smaller doors around, sort of abuts the back of the mountainside. Here it's built into the mountainside and you see that there are two halls, but they're two story almost keeps or wings I guess is the more accurate term. Two wings come off of the manor into two taller towers on either side that spire up. Those towers each look like they have about five floors to them. And the keep looks like it has about three stories to it above ground.

[Julian]

And you're sure they wouldn't keep it up in a tower they're building?

[Cid]

I'm just thinking the idea of keeping a bird up high with places where there are windows.

[Julian]

That's very true.

[Cid]

Unless they like torture as a child. They didn't bring me down.

[Thimble]

So we look for low doors to keep you prisoners.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You also see towards the back, past the wing there is some. The wing goes off and there's a tower. There is an area at that one wing wall that actually where the natural mountain, rather than being demolished to build the castle into it, a sort of arm of the old mountain like boulder comes out of the wall almost through it, almost like a ghost putting a hand through a wall. And you see comes out and that one has a white marble crypt entrance built to it. And you see that another one in the far corner of that edge of the estate also has another crypt, a smaller gray marble one, which is for vassal houses. You also look and see on the far other side, past where the carriage entrance is, there is a large garden. And I think on that high perception, you sense there's someone in the garden. The garden has these tall lattices, vines of black roses growing out from it. And you can't see anyone visibly there, but there is a sputtering candle light off in the garden.

[Julian]

And how many yards would you put how many football fields to the other side would you where the garden is?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I would put it at probably 70 yards.

[Cid]

Can I make a history check to sort of try and remember the layout of this place as best as possible and get any hint as to where might be the best place for us to go.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yeah, go for it. Oh, come on.

[Cid]

17.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

17. On a 17, you. I think on a 17. History check. You know that the upper house has servants, guests of the family, the big manor house, all that stuff that's like ballroom and kitchen, stuff like that. Now, those places will have undead servants if guests from outside the family are not present. But those undead servants, you never saw anything truly vile. Honestly. The skeletal servants of House Taconis often are wearing fresh tunics, and they're snappy dressers, and they're carrying things around. You never went down there as a kid, but, you know, there's a place called the undercroft, which is the dungeons of the fancy house.

[Cid]

All right, this way. Going to try and get to the undercroft as fast as possible.

[Matt Mercer]

Let's go.

[Wick]

Yeah.

[Cid]

Charge off.

[Julian]

Divine sense.

[Wick]

Boom.

[Thimble]

Nar.

[Julian]

Yep.

[Cid]

Narrow across the field. Yeah.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Connor's cannot stop us all. Hell, yes. Are you planning to head down towards the. So the two ways to get to the undercroft that you would know of is maybe something somewhere in the house. Like, for example, the one place you went that you got probably horrendously in trouble for frighteningly in trouble would have been the kitchens deep in the main manor house have a wine cellar and a root cellar. However, there's also these crypt areas over here.

[Julian]

Okay.

[Thimble]

Fuck.

[Matt Mercer]

At the time we have do we divide and conquer, or do we stay focused?

[Cid]

I think we stay focused. Let's go through the crypt. There's probably a pathway to the undergrowth through there.

[Thimble]

A lot of undead here.

[Cid]

It's going to be everywhere. So going through the crypt to try and get to the undercroft, assuming there

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

will be a passageway through there, you go to the crypt to the undercroft. And as you head there, you arrive. I'm going to need a group stealth check. Crossing the courtyard.

[Thimble]

28.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

28.

[Tyranny]

Yeah.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

28.

[Thimble]

18.

[Shadia]

18.

[Cid]

18, 18.

[Matt Mercer]

Burn the second wind to use tactical mind.

[Tysha]

That's better.

[Matt Mercer]

That brings it to 17.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

17. You guys hug the wall. That's an 18 on the. Die for Sid. Brothers, brothers, you guys.

[Matt Mercer]

19.

[Tysha]

Sorry.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

19. You guys watch through. Are you headed to the main Taconis crypt here? The Taconis crypt that you see here. I think off the top of your head, the Taconis crypt. You see arcane right on the outside of it, the vassal crypt, the crypt for servants and things like that. That is made of green marble. It's farther away. It's in the very corner of the estate and looks like it is not enchanted.

[Tysha]

Fuck.

[Cid]

The vassal house one.

[Tysha]

Okay.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Rushing to the gray mausoleum door, you guys arrive and see an enormous stone slab covering the entrance to this crypto. Upon it, you see a symbol of a scorpion, a serpent, a spider. Various symbols of the vassal houses of Taconis. As you approach, you look down and see that there is no keyhole here. This is not a place that is going to have this ring of keys is not going to go to. I will need someone to give me an athletics check to attempt to open this.

[Cid]

I do walk up into realizing what I did to get thimble through the barrier. He does walk up before someone does the athletic check and just says, open.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Go ahead and give me arcana19tehra. You're flexing and octys walks up and says, open.

[Julian]

And what, this? Yeah, I mean, I didn't know that

[Cid]

was going to work.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

It slides to the side.

[Cid]

I never lived here when I had magic, so I.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

It slides to the side and you venture down. This is a large crypt. You see that there are some vassals interred here. Some of the wood walls have multiple. Basically slide into the wall resting places for people. There are a ton of armored, ancient, cobweb covered corpses of those that served the Taconis family a long time ago here. Most of these are decades old at this point. Right. Looking throughout, the crypt is occupied in terms of the amount of bodies that are in here. You see that there is a central altar area where people can. Funereal rites can be conducted in here.

[Julian]

60ft. Are any of those bodies pinging?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Give me a perception check.

[Julian]

9.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Your divine sense radiates out. Yes, the bodies are pinging, but they're not present. In other words, it's like you could trigger them There feels like a card face down. It feels like there's something waiting on the other side of the veil.

[Cid]

Okay, are there any. As we walk down, are there any sort of altars or anything? Anything there that are empty, as though a body is waiting to be placed?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

There are many empty areas.

[Cid]

I'm going to find one and I'm going to lift Saramai up and place them on that and just fold their arms, put their weapon with them and leave them placed.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You put them there, leave them placed as you do so.

[Matt Mercer]

So.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

And the Saramai blade at her side. For everyone else, as oxys is doing that, you look around this crypt. There is no obvious exit from here.

[Thimble]

Yeah. Is there any? I'm imagining it's pretty still down here. Is there any. If I fly around, can I feel a breeze or a whiff of anything?

[Tysha]

Great.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I am going to ask and everyone who wants to can roll. I'm going to ask for a perception or investigation for searching for an exit out of here, but without any magic that specifically like finds that kind of thing. It's going to be a 10 minute search looking throughout this space.

[Tyranny]

10 minutes.

[Shadia]

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[Murray]

you in the US there's a break in every 26 seconds.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

But when intruders step near Simplisafe, home security steps up.

[Tysha]

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

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

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[Tysha]

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[Julian]

Visit simplisafe.com licenses for alarm license information.

[Tysha]

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[Shadia]

Feel the sense of calm that comes

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

from having up to $300 in overdraft

[Shadia]

protection with Goto bank now.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Did you say $300?

[Cadigan]

Yes.

[Shadia]

Now back to our breathing. So if I overspend my balance, Goto bank has my back up to $300.

[Cadigan]

Yes.

[Shadia]

Can we breathe out now? Less worries, more zen with over $300 in overdraft protection tap to open an account today. Eligible direct deposits and opt in required for overdraft protection fees.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Terms and conditions apply.

[Cid]

Um Okay, I can. I'm gonna cast detect magic.

[Cadigan]

Great.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You cast detect magic, right? So you do that right away. Give me arcana with advantage. As detect magic comes up

[Cid]

natural 20.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You cast detect magic. In this moment, did anyone else roll investigation?

[Thimble]

I did. I rolled a 15th.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I did.

[Wick]

Perception.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Perception 19. 19. So in this case, your divine sense is still up. We haven't used our 10 minutes yet. You cast detect magic and get a nat 20 arcana. You look around here, Octys on that nat 20 arcana, I'm going to tell you several things. There is a secret door hidden in the wall. You can command it to open by virtue of your house, and it will open. Past that, the veil between realms is not permeable. It is destroyed. As you walk in there, you will be in both realms at the same time. There will be a tenebral gloom in that place. There is magical darkness on the other side of that wall. And what you see, the thing that connotes that door to you is there is a small chamber that has a number of what you recognize these squat,

[Cadigan]

fat,

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

viscerally unpleasant yellow candles. You look at them and recognize these as corpse fat candles. These are a thing that will potentially light your way through the tenebral gloom. Looking out in this place, right? You also see that there is A on that NAT20, you also see here in this moment, that the altar you have placed here is not merely for rituals of honoring the dead. This is the vassal crypt. The Taconis means something specific when they talk about honoring those beneath them. This is a powerful magical item, this altar, this. And it's. It is a table. It's a viewing table. It is not a sarcophagus, but essentially a stone platform where a corpse is laid in repose before it is finally shattered.

[Thimble]

Slab.

[Cadigan]

Slab.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

As you are going to place Saramai up onto a final resting place, you look down and see here in this moment. This slab before you that you recognize has the ability not only to empower necromantic spellcasting, but potentially could be augmented if proper sacrifices were made. And those sacrifices don't need to be people or blood. It can even be sacrificing objects of great magical significance or importance. All of that comes to you on a Nat20. Seeing that in that moment, now that's behind you, Sarah, Dame Saramai is up on the shelf in front of you. You see that slab in the middle of the room. The other part of this that you see unfolding is on that NAT 20, there is the possibility of reaching out and you could claim something from this place. It would be announcing your presence here magically. As you look at detect magic. Basically, you could steal something from your family here, and it would announce that you are here. However, why would you risk that? You believe that the greater effect on the grounds, the thing that repelled Thimble until she was invited in, also is creating a vulnerability. And you become aware that all creatures on this property who do not have resistance or immunity to necrotic damage, while on these grounds have vulnerability to necrotic damage, it will be twice as effective.

[Cadigan]

Cool.

[Cid]

And if I take this, I could change that.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You could change that for one person. If you seize that, you will be protecting someone from an incredibly dangerous area. And not only that, but to be extra generous to your NAT20, the risk is interacting with the magic of this place at all. The benefit is you could extend the protection you enjoy to somebody else. And potentially also, by touching the magic of this house, gain an awareness as to what magic is occurring elsewhere in the house, which may speed your search.

[Thimble]

Okay. But they'll know we're here.

[Tysha]

What do you see, strange boy on the other side?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You don't know that magic is.

[Julian]

Is.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

That's not necessarily you interacting with the other members of House Taconis. That's just you interacting with the veil. Yeah, it's neural region. Sorry, sorry.

[Cid]

A lot of information. I just figured some things out.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

So.

[Cid]

Secret door over there. Don't go through it yet. Candles off to the side. Once we go through there, we will be between places that will be beyond the veil. Kind of, sort of. It will be very dark. Magical darkness. Those candles theoretically light our way through. So everybody take it down.

[Thimble]

How far does it go?

[Cid]

I don't know. Okay, second thing.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Group vote.

[Cid]

Either we go as we are, or I could theoretically claim some of this power that is existing right here.

[Thimble]

Do that.

[Cid]

Shield one of you from things that will happen in the future. But someone will hear me.

[Julian]

Yeah, do that.

[Cid]

Octos reaches out and just grabs and just lets that power fill in.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You guys watch as all of the shadows of this space ripple out. You guys are in total darkness.

[Julian]

Oh, we grab the candles first before he fucks with the tar.

[Tyranny]

Shit.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Okay, you grab the candles.

[Matt Mercer]

As soon as the shadows start moving,

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

you guys grab candles. You pull that power into yourself. As you do so, your awareness begins to spread through the tenebral gloom of this place. You feel yourself brimming with power. It is not something you can consider in the moment of this power, who do you extend your protection to?

[Cid]

Thimble

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

the power. The power extends to Thimble. Thimble. You gain resistance to necrotic damage. As that happens, you pull the power to yourself. Feel magic all throughout Obramis Manor. Feel yourself swelling up on that. Nat20. Octis, you are fifth level.

[Cid]

Sorry. Go for it.

[Bolaire]

No, no, no.

[Cid]

So everything is still dark, right?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

It is all becoming dark as you become fifth level.

[Cid]

Okay. Octys breathes in.

[Julian]

You see the.

[Cid]

Sort of. All the mist and everything from the room go into his mouth, and he opens his eyes. His eyes flash green, sort of just trail up in the air and goes. Oh. Now I understand. You're protected. The two of you don't get hit.

[Julian]

Okay.

[Matt Mercer]

Up at this end of Dice Sea,

[Cid]

we're going through that door. And I take Dame Saramah's body, and I lay her on the place of honor in there. Lay her there. Put the weapons there. Place her there. Thank you for everything you did

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

at this moment. Also, as you summon that power into yourself in this place, ought to see you gain darkvision.

[Thimble]

Sweet.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

And I need all of you to roll Initiative as everything in this room wakes up. To celebrate.

[Thimble]

Oh, fuck.

[Julian]

To celebrate with us.

[Tysha]

It's a terrific party.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You guys roll Initiative.

[Tysha]

All right, It's a dead man's party,

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

and we will pick up with this. You guys come back to the table.

[Thimble]

Should we say what we rolled so we don't.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yeah. Say what you rolled.

[Wick]

Yeah.

[Julian]

12.

[Thimble]

25.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

12 and 25. Okay, hold on one second.

[Julian]

I got it.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Okay, Thimble got 12.

[Thimble]

No, I got 25.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Oh, Thimble got 25. Fuck, yeah. 25. Taylor, you got 12?

[Julian]

Yep.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

What'd you get? 48, 56.

[Cid]

17.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

17. What do we got here?

[Matt Mercer]

23.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Julian got a 23. Hell, yeah.

[Thimble]

What did Cid get?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Sid got a 19.

[Julian]

19. Oh, so he's just above Julian.

[Thimble]

He's above. No, he's above octis. Julian got 20. Something.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yes, Julian got 23. You guys hear the crypt shudder? The dead return. And we will return to you asap. Hell, yeah. Hell, yeah. I won't repeat what Sam said.

[Bolaire]

I was wondering.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

We return to the Via Aurora. Oh, this beautiful place of light. Wick. After your meeting with your grandmother Yanessa. She exits the room and says, lovey, I'll go let the rest of the family know you're back. I am so grateful and glad to know that our wonderful family is together again. There is much for us to do. I don't know if you know this, sweetheart. I came back from the dead.

[Wick]

I had heard it's being Broadcast all over the city. That's incredible. And surprising. First, surprising that anyone could. How were you killed in the first place?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Crossbow bolt. Assassins.

[Murray]

Who.

[Tysha]

Who would dare?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Well, I needn't, you know, get into it. I don't want to upset you. You've had such a long journey, my little sweet pea. So let's get you washed up. Let's get you fed. Would you like some fingers?

[Tysha]

I would love.

[Tyranny]

I would love some fingers. And I would also. Also, if it's not too much trouble, Fotarch, I would love to see my sisters. Or one.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Your sisters are out on an errand right now, but they will be back presently.

[Wick]

Not a problem. Perhaps I'll call for some folks to bring up some food for us.

[Cid]

And

[Wick]

maybe some new clothes for me.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yes, well, would you like some privacy? Or do you want to come. Come downstairs and see everyone?

[Wick]

No, no, I think we need a moment to rest.

[Cadigan]

Yes.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Wash up. Do what you need to do. Sweet pea. My little sunbeam.

[Cadigan]

All right.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I'll leave you to it. Much to prepare for.

[Cadigan]

Oh,

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Your timing is an interesting one, Wickender. There is to be a meeting tonight with us and the other sundered houses. It is the sort of thing that I would normally have done with your sister, Zabani, but.

[Wick]

Is she not available?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

No.

[Wick]

Was she injured by this crossbow?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

No, no, no, no. She was not present. But given what we discussed before you had your time in the wilderness, there's something poetic about it, isn't it? Yes, you walked through the shadow. But it was a trial. And you. This is all we can work with. This. The important thing is this, Wick. You know now what our family's true calling is the real work. It is the lucky ones who get to believe the story. And it is an honor and a burden to be the ones who tell it. And so, if it's all right with you, I think you might come to this. You might hear some upsetting things, but I think it's a good continuation of this removing of the veil of secrecy and of. Well, of these beliefs.

[Wick]

The truth shines brightest. And I would like to be there. Yes.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Splendid. All right, lovey, get ready. She closed the door.

[Tyranny]

I feel like I'm gonna puke.

[Wick]

Yes. Yes.

[Tyranny]

Oh, we did it. We did it.

[Shadia]

We did it.

[Tysha]

You were so good.

[Tyranny]

You were so good.

[Tysha]

I was sweating so much.

[Thimble]

Are you. Hey.

[Shadia]

Are you for real?

[Wick]

Yes.

[Tysha]

What?

[Tyranny]

Are you for real?

[Wick]

What does that mean?

[Tyranny]

Like, okay. Okay, Are we on the level?

[Murray]

Are we.

[Tyranny]

Are you going to go back?

[Thimble]

Are we?

[Tyranny]

I don't want to say too much. Is our plan the same as it was? Of course.

[Wick]

Of course. We wouldn't sell out our friends that easily. It would take just a little bit more to get me to sell.

[Tyranny]

They're very mean to you. Like, hey, you need to understand that I am the only one who gets you. Okay?

[Thimble]

Yes.

[Wick]

Also. Oh, we have the mask man, Right?

[Nevada]

Yeah.

[Wick]

Can he hear us?

[Murray]

Hello?

[Wick]

Bo there.

[Tyranny]

Take it out of my apron.

[Wick]

Are you there? Can you hear us?

[Mathnasium Announcer]

Hello?

[Wick]

Hello?

[Thimble]

Hello?

[Wick]

Maybe tap.

[Tyranny]

He told me to put it on. I'm gonna put it on. I'm gonna put it on really quick.

[Tysha]

I don't.

[Wick]

What does it do to you?

[Tysha]

We have this book that you gave us.

[Tyranny]

We can read it and find out. He said it wouldn't bind to my face, and so. So I can take it off and just understand maybe what it does for a minute.

[Wick]

We have a minute.

[Tyranny]

Okay, I'll put it on.

[Wick]

If you freak out, I'll pull it off you tal.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Do you think this mask works on demons?

[Bolaire]

I think it's an intelligent humanoid creature of the correct size who's not so many levels above me that I'm gonna get terrified.

[Cadigan]

Yeah.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Great.

[Bolaire]

So I peek my head out of my weird little void.

[Tyranny]

Hello?

[Cadigan]

You see?

[Wick]

Does he talk for her now?

[Bolaire]

No, you don't hear me yet. Okay, the mask has just started moving on your face when you said. Hello.

[Thimble]

Hello.

[Tyranny]

Hello. This is so weird.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You look crazy.

[Tyranny]

I look the same. Do I look crazy, or.

[Bolaire]

You look like me.

[Tyranny]

Oh, I don't look like me.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Okay, I'm gonna try to.

[Bolaire]

And then you're gonna hear in.

[Cadigan]

Yeah, go ahead.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

It's just the face, the horns and the drafts and everything is all.

[Tyranny]

I'm gonna attempt to just get a download of what it is that Bowler

[Bolaire]

can do, just to understand much like

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

as it would be.

[Bolaire]

Like, normally, this would be the attuning of a magical object, except the magical object is down right now and in the mood to be like, yes, I like you. I don't need. There's no courting, period. We're straight to dating.

[Tysha]

Oh, good tyranny.

[Nevada]

It's you.

[Bolaire]

You are the only one who hears my voice at the moment.

[Thimble]

I can hear you.

[Tyranny]

Is this still belair?

[Tysha]

Oh, yes. Hello, darling.

[Thimble]

Hello.

[Tyranny]

Hi.

[Bolaire]

You kind of get an image almost like a waking dream.

[Tysha]

You can kind of see me sitting

[Bolaire]

in a chair just in the back of your mind, like you're just an idle thought talking to you. Excellent. And we're in.

[Thimble]

Oh.

[Bolaire]

And then I say through your mouth, hello, Wick.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You did very well.

[Wick]

Thank you. How do we use your mask on other people?

[Bolaire]

I'm just giving you the download. Much like you learn when you get a piece of paper with all the spells. You now have a list of what I can do.

[Cid]

Okay.

[Bolaire]

And we can guide you through it. But one of the things is you now know how to putting it on somebody who doesn't want to wear it is a little tricky.

[Thimble]

Okay.

[Bolaire]

But if you can either trick someone or put them and if they're not too powerful to try and fight me on it, I can.

[Tyranny]

What I'm hearing from Bolaire is that we can pick anybody and have Bolaire with us.

[Wick]

We should get a servant or something.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Let me help.

[Bolaire]

And I turn myself to your face so now it just looks like you again. I'm hiding my face on you.

[Tyranny]

Here I am.

[Tysha]

Wow.

[Mathnasium Announcer]

Okay.

[Wick]

You got a little bit of a glow up alicotta.

[Mathnasium Announcer]

A little bit.

[Tysha]

I'll put a bit in gleam.

[Tyranny]

Oh, thank you. I didn't think I needed anything, but. Yeah. Some highlighters.

[Mathnasium Announcer]

Nice.

[Tyranny]

Okay. Bowl air. I'm gonna take you off and I'm keep you in my apron until we find exactly the right opportunity to put you on somewhere.

[Wick]

Is that right?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Just remember willing.

[Bolaire]

Hopefully willing. Unconscious and not too strong.

[Tysha]

Cause I do have to sort of

[Bolaire]

wrestle them down before I can take over someone's body.

[Thimble]

All right. Good to know.

[Wick]

Good to know.

[Tysha]

Right, Here we go.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Back in the.

[Tyranny]

Okay.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Whoa.

[Thimble]

That's crazy.

[Tysha]

Did it feel.

[Tyranny]

It felt like my face was getting like suckled on a little bit.

[Murray]

Like.

[Thimble]

Like a.

[Tyranny]

Almost like a. Like a squid or like an octopus.

[Thimble]

Like. Like little kisses.

[Tyranny]

It wasn't unpleasant.

[Bolaire]

Appealing. Mask sauce is really good for the pores.

[Thimble]

Yeah.

[Tyranny]

The glow stage.

[Tysha]

Yeah. All right. All right.

[Wick]

We need to get someone up here to. To. To subdue.

[Thimble]

Yeah.

[Tyranny]

I was thinking maybe one of my sisters. But maybe I can find you a Lux or something.

[Wick]

Yes. Yes. Maybe let's just go find a young. A priest or something that.

[Tyranny]

You stay here.

[Wick]

I will.

[Tyranny]

I'm gonna go get a Lux.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Great.

[Wick]

I'm gonna also roll for my hit points. Just so I know.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yes, go ahead. Do you have to level up. Roll for your hit points. What'd you get?

[Wick]

Five. Five in addition to.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yes, yes. Lovely. Rolled a five.

[Wick]

Amazing

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

tyranny. Go ahead and give me investigation.

[Tyranny]

Okay. 14.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

14. You run around and.

[Thimble]

Yeah.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

There are some Luxes downstairs. You see some people going to and fro. There are a lot of servants. Would you want to go for a junior acolyte Lux? Like one of the people that's just changing out the candles and doing the. Would you want to go for a servant? Would you want to go for a. You see that there's a. You also, by the way, do have your knife in terms of if you wanted to scan for people. But on a 14.

[Cid]

Yeah.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

There's lots of people running to and fro. You don't have a great bead on any one particular kind of person.

[Tyranny]

I'd like to find someone who won't be missed.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Okay.

[Tyranny]

I'd like to find the hottest Lux in the room. But not prettier than me.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Okay.

[Tysha]

Impossible.

[Cid]

Okay.

[Tyranny]

And I approach her.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You approach.

[Thimble]

Hello.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I trust you heard, husband.

[Tyranny]

Yes. I trust that you hear that the Master Wickhander is back.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I have heard the news that our Lord Wickhander is returned.

[Tyranny]

What is your name?

[Cadigan]

Adora.

[Tyranny]

Adora. Hey, Adoria. I have a question for you. Adora.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

By all means. Does the Lord require me?

[Tyranny]

He does. For a very important job. He needs the companionship.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Oh Jesus.

[Tyranny]

Of a beautiful young Lux. We have been out on the road for a very long time. He requires a friend. That's not a. You know. Will you come with me and be his friend for a while?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Give me a persuasion check. Wow.

[Cadigan]

Gross.

[Julian]

Wow.

[Bolaire]

Wow. We're going full cull.

[Tyranny]

I'm going to spend a luck point

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

to roll with advantage. Great,

[Tyranny]

great.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Persuasion. Yeah.

[Tyranny]

Oh, 16.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

16. She looks at you and says, is this a test? I am pure Aspirant.

[Tyranny]

I understand. No weird stuff. We're just. He's sick of being around a demon. He needs someone to stand by his side. You see, his job is about to become very stressful.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Give me an insight check.

[Thimble]

Okay.

[Tyranny]

It's like 15.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You see her eyes furrow.

[Tyranny]

If you don't want to, I can fix your Lux.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

No, no, that's all right. I'm just trying to get on the level with what you are doing.

[Tyranny]

I'm getting a Lux for Master Wickhander. It was requested of me.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Leave me to him. I would love to speak with him about what I've just observed.

[Tyranny]

Okay. I bring in Adora. Are we excited to have you met him before?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

By the way, I have not been fortunate enough to. He's been missing for about 10 days.

[Cid]

Right.

[Tyranny]

Are you excited?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

It's a big deal. Yes.

[Tyranny]

Okay, well, come on in.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

She enters into the room, looking around and says, my Lord Hailifar.

[Tysha]

Oh, hello.

[Tyranny]

Hello

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

dear Aspirant. Might I have the room with Lord Hailuvar?

[Wick]

Yes, that's fine. Yes, go Run off and do whatever you lowly demons do.

[Tyranny]

I'll stand at the ready.

[Tysha]

Just ask how come I'm going to

[Tyranny]

stand right outside the door.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The door closes and she says, my Lord Hanovar, I am Adora Lux of the Candescent Creed. I am, as ever, your faithful servant. Do you know what your aspirant has just done?

[Wick]

I assume she called you in because I needed help writing some correspondence.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

She mentioned to me that you need companionship and mentioned some physical qualities of. Did I mention physical qualities? I could be wrong. Lore can correct me there, but I think you did right said. Beautiful. I think beautiful got said at some point.

[Shadia]

Right?

[Bolaire]

Yeah.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Above table.

[Tyranny]

I said I want to find the piece.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Oh, gotcha. I could be wrong here. Maybe Laura can correct me here, but I think I'm just always looking for hot people.

[Cid]

It's all good.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Gotcha.

[Wick]

If she said companionship, I am so sorry. This was a misunderstanding. I said penmanship. Penmanship. I have poor writing and I need to write a few letters telling some very important people that I've returned and about my journeys.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Oh, penmanship. Well, I'd be more than happy to.

[Tysha]

Thank you. Yes.

[Wick]

So sorry. Oh dear. Where is the paper? The stationery? Aspirin. Tyranny. Can you come back in here? I'm so sorry.

[Tyranny]

Yes. Everything okay?

[Wick]

Yes. I'm so sorry.

[Tysha]

You.

[Wick]

You need to speak clearly when you speak to the other luxes.

[Tyranny]

Did I do it again? I am so sorry.

[Wick]

Sometimes her fangs and stuff.

[Tyranny]

I really apologize if I have offended. It sounds like you guys have. You've worked it out.

[Wick]

Yes, yes, yes. And the stationary? You have that stationary with you, right?

[Tyranny]

Yes, I have.

[Wick]

That charmed person.

[Cadigan]

Great.

[Julian]

Let's see if.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

If it works.

[Wick]

Wisdom 16.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

She looks at you seemingly.

[Wick]

Hu d'.

[Thimble]

Ah.

[Tyranny]

Hu d'.

[Nevada]

Ha.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Hudaha.

[Shadia]

Indeed.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

My Lord. Your radiance is exceptional.

[Wick]

Oh. Oh no. You flatter me.

[Tyranny]

So I have the penmanship and also the special writing.

[Wick]

Go ahead and stick it on.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You see? She says. I'll take that. Thank you. Aspirant. Tyranny. That will be all. She takes it and says thank you. Goodbye.

[Tyranny]

I have to stay at his side. I'm sorry. You don't have the authority to dismiss me.

[Tysha]

My Lord.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I wish to speak with you in private, if it's all right.

[Wick]

Again.

[Bolaire]

Yes.

[Wick]

Oh, but I. Hula hod.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Give me a persuasion to get her to accept. To get her to accept. Charm is advantage. But she's not going to automatically do what you say.

[Wick]

What am I unrolling?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Persuasion.

[Nevada]

Okay.

[Wick]

That's a natural one.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You do roll with advantage. Because she's charmed.

[Wick]

Okay.

[Bolaire]

Yep.

[Wick]

That's a four. Okay, but wait. Persuasion.

[Tysha]

Oh, 11.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

11. She looks and says, my lord, this aspirant is. With all due respect, I think it would be better just for those of us ordained to speak of matters clerical in nature.

[Wick]

Yes, yes, that would be. That would be wise.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Tyranny. As you step out at the door and she closes it, you see, the Lux turns to you and says, my Lord Aelovar, you are beautiful indeed. That aspirant, I think, speaks and bandies your name about in her tongue. She is, of course, redeemed and saved in the light, but a demon nonetheless. I know that you have been missing for some time, and now that I behold you, your radiance abounds. Oh, I wish only to say this a moment. I am but a junior Lux and one of the custodians of the space downstairs. But having a moment to speak to you heart to heart, I am as faithful and devout a member of the creed as you will ever find.

[Tysha]

Oh.

[Wick]

Oh, dear.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I wish to tell you this now that I have a moment to speak with you. Penmanship or companionship, whichever you wish, can be yours. I have been working on a secret text, A new series of epistles. 2. I think that this city is on a knife's edge and that we could work together to fully destroy the fair folk here once and for all.

[Tysha]

Oh, yes.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

They are a blight, my lord.

[Wick]

They certainly.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

A terrible blight.

[Wick]

Yes. Especially the little ones. Yes. I would like to see your theories,

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

but you have been missing for some time. I believe in my heart that you went astray. Or I've heard a rumor that you went astray and you need to be redeemed. What if there was one who could redeem you herself?

[Wick]

And how would that work exactly?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

One who could bring you back into the fold and show you the light. The other luxes, the other junior luxes here, they are fools. They do not see the true light as I have. They are strivers. Everyone here at the Viaurora are strivers. They wish for power in the organization. I don't wish for power. I wish to help you.

[Wick]

Please, calm yourself. I must pray on this. Will you pray with me?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yes, in whatever way you like.

[Wick]

Let us get both on our knees.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

She gets on her knees. It's not about power for me, but I think for other people it might be.

[Wick]

Let's close our eyes. In prayer.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

In prayer.

[Wick]

I'm going to whisper some words of prayer. And cast message.

[Tysha]

Tierney, get in here and slap that thing on her face.

[Thimble]

I gave it to you.

[Tysha]

You gave.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Oh, you gave it to me. No, she's put it down to the side. Yeah, she's put it down to the side along with the paper.

[Tyranny]

I'm twirling my hair outside and I'm. I was so mad that I picked this. Fucking Lux.

[Wick]

She's a nightmare.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

She looks and says, that demon, I think, whispers evils in your ears. My Lord, I know this is maybe fast to see this, but I feel like I might be the only person who really understands you.

[Wick]

I think you're right. I think you're right. In fact, you know, what number am I thinking of right now?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

B. No, 12.

[Wick]

You knew it. There is some sort of connection. There's a light that binds us. In fact, Keep your eyes closed. I'm just going to move the hair away from your face a little bit so I can see what you truly look like under that hood. Keep your eyes closed. Just keep them close. I'm going to stick the mask on.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The mask goes on her face.

[Tyranny]

Is she happy?

[Wick]

I don't know.

[Tysha]

I'm smothering her away.

[Bolaire]

The question is, are you going to?

[Cid]

Are we?

[Cadigan]

Yeah.

[Bolaire]

Let me know if this is going to be contested or not. Contested.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I'm rolling for her right now.

[Bolaire]

Okay.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

And, Bolair, you wake up with a screaming wakander touching your face.

[Wick]

Is this you? Who are you? Say something.

[Bolaire]

I don't suppose this is going to

[Tysha]

work, but do you have good tidings?

[Wick]

Oh, yes.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Okay, that's enough.

[Tysha]

Fine.

[Wick]

The fact that it's always for a friend. Always for a friend.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Good, good, good.

[Cid]

Why am I here?

[Tyranny]

Can I come in?

[Wick]

Yes, come in. For the love of the light, come in.

[Tyranny]

Bitch really gave me such a hard time. I thought she was just. The last thing that we learned about your family was that they get down and they do drugs and they fuck and it was all. I really thought we were just gonna get mad about myself.

[Tysha]

We did.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Your grandma said so. Who is this and why are they heaving?

[Wick]

Am I hearing her voice or his voice?

[Bolaire]

Mine at the moment.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You're hearing Bellair's at the moment. Okay, so there is a beautiful young Lux in clerical garments, but with Bolaire's face. Who is speaking in Bolaire's voice?

[Thimble]

What did you. Ooh.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

What were you doing?

[Wick]

We were improvising. Badly. So sorry.

[Thimble]

We got you.

[Tysha]

She was very turned on. Oh. Oh, God.

[Thimble]

Great.

[Bolaire]

Give me a moment.

[Wick]

This whole thing feels icky to me.

[Tysha]

Imagine how it feels to me. I'm sure.

[Cid]

Hold on.

[Tyranny]

Feels great to me.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I'm working overtime over here.

[Bolaire]

I hide my face. Yeah, and it's back to her face. And using that, I'm also going to start using. Shit. She's freaking out inside me, isn't she? At the moment.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

What did you tell her?

[Wick]

What did I tell her? I told her nothing. That I needed help with some correspondence. That's it. Oh, boy. Yes, Come in.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The door flies open. Bolaire, you have a moment to act before the door flies open. Are you in your mask?

[Bolaire]

Oh, I already flipped to her face.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Flipped to her face. So Zabani walks in.

[Wick]

Sister. Hello. All is with the light. It's so good to see you.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

She slams the door behind her and gets right in your face. Is it really you? See, she cast detect magic on you.

[Wick]

Of course it's me. Yes, it's. I know I've been injured on my face. But it is still your loving.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Oh, she grabs your shirt. Tell a soul when they'll be back in the pit. You listen to me. Whatever fucking magic you worked on Grandmother, I won't forget that you abandoned this family. You are weak.

[Tysha]

Weak.

[Cadigan]

Weakness.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

And if you ever disappoint grandmother again, I'll make sure that the light glows oh so brilliantly from the hole I put in little Armis chest. Oh, that's right. We don't know where she is. And she shoves you away. You can lose a lot, Wick. You should have stayed gone. You should have stayed gone. And she turns. Walks out the door and closes it.

[Bolaire]

Charming.

[Tyranny]

Well, we know who's not grandma's favorite.

[Wick]

Did she say

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Armis?

[Tyranny]

Yeah.

[Wick]

Did I? Can I. Did I sense that she was just saying that to make me mad, or was she being honest?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Insight check.

[Bolaire]

I'll take that inside check too.

[Tysha]

Go for it.

[Bolaire]

I love figuring out if people are lying.

[Wick]

Girl 13.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

13.

[Wick]

I don't know.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You don't know? You don't know?

[Tyranny]

I bet she's bluffing. She's just so mad that.

[Wick]

No, she's.

[Tysha]

She's cruel.

[Wick]

She's always been cruel.

[Tysha]

How does she know?

[Tyranny]

You have a picture. You have a framed picture of her. And you do talk about her a lot.

[Wick]

What now?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The door does not fly open, but a small.

[Wick]

Can you take her?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The door opens. And holding hands, a weeping lady, Iris, your mother. And a young boy we have not met yet. But your little brother Lioren, who just looks like a little sort of. He's got a little bit of a. Looks like A carbon copy of you, basically. A little smaller, cute little, she's teal hair. He's not old enough yet to have his filament tattoos, I don't think, but they look up and he goes, wick,

[Wick]

yes.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

And wraps his arms around your legs. And your mother, weeping, goes, blessed is the light. Blessed is the light.

[Wick]

Yes, yes, yes. Oh, my goodness, it's so good to see you.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Ever bright, ever light. And she looks at you and she says, and you. And she kisses your cheeks and grabs her head. She says, you brought him home. You brought him home. Oh, no.

[Wick]

It's okay. You. It's all fine. I'm fine. It was scary, but I'm fine. I'm okay now. It's all. It's okay.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I knew the light would not. I knew that the light would not take you away from us. I'm so happy you're home.

[Wick]

I really missed you.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

What did that lion man do to you?

[Wick]

I don't. Not in front of Lee.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

It's Njorn says, I'll get him if he's bad, if he's against the light, if he's a dimmed soul. I'm working on my sorcery real hard.

[Wick]

No, no, there'll be time for that much, much later in life. For now, just pray and be a child. Don't think about that sort of grown up stuff. All right?

[Tysha]

I'm home.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I'm getting older. I'll be there soon.

[Wick]

I know you will.

[Tysha]

I know you will.

[Wick]

And there's so much of the world out there that was scary, but so much. That was fascinating too. And I'd like to show you some of it.

[Nevada]

Yeah.

[Murray]

Oh, wow.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Would you go and spread the word of the light, the luminous text? Did you go and share the words of the creed?

[Wick]

In a way, yes.

[Tysha]

Yes, Asaron.

[Wick]

Yes. Yes. We had an adventure, both of us.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

And your mom says, and enough adventure it was for a lifetime. And she touches your cheek and says, so glad you're home. She turns over and says, luxadora, what brings you to my son's quarters?

[Wick]

Sorry, go on.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I've been told to keep an eye on. On our young lord. Oh, good. Don't want the Dantonios to find out you have, you know, maybe not in our private chambers. Wakander Propriety etiquette. You put the young Lux here in terrible position.

[Wick]

Oh, I would never.

[Tyranny]

We can wait outside, of course.

[Shadia]

No, no, no.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Oh, you must be famished.

[Tysha]

You must be starving.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Come, come, come. Come with me.

[Tysha]

Oh, now?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yes, yes, right now, right now.

[Wick]

All Right, Yes. Would you join us as well? In case there were some letters I wanted her to write down for me. Can Adora join us as well?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Oh, yes. Adora, come right with us. You're home, you're home, you're home.

[Cadigan]

Let's go.

[Cid]

Yes.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

And she whisks you away.

[Wick]

Hold Lyaren's hand as we walk down the hall.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

He holds your hand and as you touch his hand, though he doesn't notice it, you see a little, just a trace, almost like someone writing in a little couple motes of light, of translucent wings spread behind his back as you touch him. And he skips down the hallway with you. We are going to move from here to the hallowed round.

[Wick]

Oh boy, oh boy.

[Tyranny]

Really getting the mask on the lady way less annoying.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Behold, behind you, the hallowed round. For indeed a new projection. The people of Dolmachyar stream into the seats of the hallowed round. Jugglers, musicians, the place has come to life. Way up at the first concession stand. You can see it is so slammed that old goods on the griddle in the back just. All right, guy, hold on. The oil's hot, hot, hot, hot. And you look out and around, you see backstage.

[Cid]

Hal.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Sorry, where do we find Hal? Here it is. Ten minutes to curtains, I think.

[Nevada]

Hal is just at the edge of the play space, down near the edge, the corner of the building where extra wisdom had been stored in the past. And he is keeping a low profile and looking out at the hill filled with people and is awash with conflicting feelings, apprehension, nervousness for what's happening, pride of his family here in the theater, concern for everyone who's scattered throughout the city. He is trying to keep his breathing calm and just be ready.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Looking around, you see Nevada stuffing stuff from the fake religious run through earlier today, heaves it out the back and says, I don't want it in the property at all, and shoves it. You look over and see Nevada says, All right, everyone, 10 minutes to curtains. You hear a round of Rongyani.

[Thimble]

Go.

[Tysha]

Thank you.

[Cadigan]

10.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

As they rush, you see Drengur, your dance instructor, Inez, your fight choreographer, rushing through a couple last things. You see that you're looking all around. Nevada is going and speaking with Kurth and Manda, who have your musicians ready to play the live music for this. Who would be backstage with how. Where are people in the theater?

[Murray]

I had talked to Olgun earlier, I think yesterday about half and like a balcony reserve.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yeah, there's a skybox we can just

[Nevada]

see in the box all the way on One side.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

It was not good.

[Nevada]

You're gonna get the back of half the cast's head the entire show.

[Murray]

But that's okay. I think I will be there. I think I will be there. And just kind of scanning the crowd.

[Shadia]

I think I am backstage kind of doing the sinking back. And I've got eyes on Hal and Shadia. And I'm just beaming and still and just thrilled. Don't ask me for anything. I'm the wall.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You see, Shadia goes and inspects the fairy doors up at the front. These small. They're like wicker made of wrapped vines that have their living leaves still on them and circled around. And you see that as people, as these Rignani from dollar machiar walk through, knowing that this is all this news of the creed. They walk through and you see Tysha looking up. Give me insight. No, 10. 10. You see a lot of older Rungyani noticing these fairy doors there being like. And you see that some of them go and reach and take out a copper piece and leave it. And I think on a 10, you see a lot of the younger ones looking out, going and questioning their grandfathers and grandmothers about what they're doing. What is that?

[Tyranny]

It's a vcr.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

It's a vcr.

[Shadia]

Why does it always say rewind, Rewind, rewind.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You look out, you see Nevada. Nevada comes to you and says, how are you feeling? Are you nervous? I'm confident.

[Nevada]

It's time to let it all go. Okay, You've worked your ass off, Nevada. Not just drink in the moment.

[Tysha]

Be ready for anything.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I will. I think that I've yelled at him so much that it probably shouldn't be me. You want to speak to Lash? I think he's losing it. I'll remember what I have to do. You see, she goes over and she hits a crate and opens it up. And you see that there's a crate marked costumes with lice. And she opens it, and Misha Undragor pulls his head out and goes, it's a crime for me to be here. And you see, she says, the crime would be for an artist of your caliber not to see his work.

[Nevada]

Now he's gonna be riddled with lice.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You see, Shadia cartwheels down and around. She's been doing. They're doing what's called, like, an opening lassi, which is like, there's small performed pieces of theater happening at the archways as people come in.

[Nevada]

Gotta warm up the crowd.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Gotta warm up the crowd. So she comes down from doing that. In her harlequin pants. And you see that she has the. She's one of. Her role in the chorus is as a revolutionary cause. She is nervous about, like, doing acting.

[Cid]

Acting.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

But she's incredibly athletic and acrobatic. And so she does a lot of the big fight scenes and stuff. She comes in with the last pariah blade, Shay's blade, on her belt. She comes and says, all right, Dad. I think the sheepskins are Mom. And she gives a huge hug, and she says, you made it. Of course.

[Shadia]

You are magnificent.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Oh, my God. She's just bawling.

[Shadia]

Oh, okay.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I'm sorry. I just. I just like going to be here. Sorry. I know that you have a lot of important stuff to do.

[Thimble]

Shh, shh, shh.

[Shadia]

There's nowhere I would rather be than here. I'm so proud of you. And I want to cast aid on both of you.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Both of you have aid cast on you. Azune and Velis.

[Nevada]

Me.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Azunae and Velis. I actually am going to need both of you guys to roll your new hit points. Yeah, that's absolutely. So give me a D. I think it's D6 for another source.

[Cid]

D6 for source.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

And then we're doing D10 for another Paladin.

[Wick]

D10.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Paladin.

[Thimble]

Okay. Okay.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I want to do it at the

[Tysha]

same time as you.

[Thimble]

All right, ready?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Rerolling ones. One, two, three, ten.

[Cid]

Four.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Four.

[Julian]

Four.

[Tyranny]

Hell, yeah.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Great. A four and a four. Where do we see Azune and Vaylis in this moment?

[Nevada]

Well, I'll go.

[Tysha]

I'm on the outside. I'm in security mode.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I've brought people

[Tysha]

to kind of to security. I mean, we know what we might be in store for. So I have.

[Nevada]

My.

[Tysha]

My guys are out moving around. We have. Well, we have 350.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Do we have all 350 here? I think we do.

[Tysha]

I mean, might as well.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You have 346. Cause four of them went north with Demetus.

[Nevada]

Four went north.

[Tysha]

Okay, great. That's right. We got 346. So I'm sort of in two places. I'm walking around, and I'm stuck back at that meeting that I had with the Einfassens. Yeah. And replaying it a little bit. And I'm unsettled. And as the people are starting to gather, I let myself get pulled to one of the things in this city that gives me the most joy.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Being able to be a fly on

[Tysha]

the wall on my patrols and watching the people live and how they are with each other. The Smiles that get exchanged and the excitement that's starting to build as they flood the entrances to this theater.

[Tyranny]

And

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

that's the kind of magic that moves me the most.

[Murray]

Am I able to see Azune on his patrol? Do I catch glimpses of him as he was walking?

[Tysha]

I would make a point to be

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

checking back, Knowing where Murray is and your official capacity. It might be a problem if you're not visible here. You are tasked by the revolutionary guard to. This is your purview.

[Murray]

I want to always be in message range of you, just in case.

[Tysha]

Absolutely. Just like regular rotations where I come back and make eye contact with Murray. I also have arcane marshals that have been placed and they're scanning. What is the weapons policy in your theater? Are we allowing people what?

[Nevada]

I think people just have weapons.

[Bolaire]

Okay.

[Nevada]

In this world day and age.

[Tysha]

Right.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Very few people are armed because most people here are commoners. Right. Most people here are just, you know, people aren't walking. A sword costs 15 gold pieces. That's like, you know, that's lot reason, lot reasonable. Yeah.

[Tysha]

Cool. Yeah. That's what I'm doing. Rotation arcane marshals in position and checking

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

in with Murray and taking drinking in

[Tysha]

the excitement and joy of the.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The people that are coming. There is joy here. It's hard not to feel ebullient and elevated. Bayless.

[Thimble]

All right, so you both are in the box up top. Are you committing to being up there? No.

[Shadia]

So right now I'm backstage. I will say that Hala, dear form Hala is in the box with you.

[Tyranny]

Oh, right.

[Shadia]

In a chair.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Just in case you just kind of

[Shadia]

looking at the deer, like, every time just turns I. Popcorn head in.

[Mathnasium Announcer]

Okay.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Obliterates it.

[Thimble]

That's fine.

[Wick]

All right.

[Murray]

I can get more.

[Thimble]

I would like to. So if Bayless is very excited to see the show.

[Tyranny]

Okay.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yeah.

[Thimble]

So I would like. If there is a seat for me in the audience.

[Cadigan]

Yeah.

[Thimble]

I would like to be all the way on the opposite end so I have eyes on the box, and I'm close to the stage.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Great.

[Thimble]

Like a front row, but all the way at an end so I can quickly exit.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yes. You and Hanan are posted up right over there in one of those seats that even though it's front row, it's a cheap seat because it's got such

[Thimble]

a weird angle, and I'm just sort of pulling my hood forward and tucking into myself.

[Shadia]

No one's going to see her play.

[Matt Mercer]

Good.

[Nevada]

I think when Shadia came over and was hugging you and you were talking to her, Locked eyes with you over her shoulder and just wish that my daughter could be growing up in a world that wasn't as tumultuous as this one is. But looking at you, I'm grateful that I have such a friend to guide her through it. After Shadia dances off into the crowd, I just link pinkies with you again. And I'm looking out at the crowd and I'm looking for all of us, and I see any of our 350 people in the crowd.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

There's probably. There are. I think this amphitheater holds like 10,000. I mean, it's huge, right? It's like 10,000 people can sit in this amphitheater. And there are 100 magpies in the crowd right now. And up all around, you see real magpies, lots of them that have landed to watch the show.

[Shadia]

Cool.

[Murray]

Brennan. Mage armor.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Mage armor. Boom.

[Cid]

There we go.

[Nevada]

I scan the crowd, though, a little bit longer until I finally find Velis sitting in the audience. Till I see Murray with the deer in the box. I see Azune patrolling through there, smiling at people as he passes them. I'm looking for Cadigan. Can't find him. But he's probably just at the back of the crowd somewhere.

[Murray]

Yeah. Did we have some sort of. Like, were we gonna check in? Were we gonna walk over together? And Cadigan.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

I'm not gonna lie. I think wrangling Cadigan is so difficult that his absence in this moment is not a fight foregone conclusion of nerves. He's a ranger. He was out checking out the woods. He may well be here. He had Wulfric with him.

[Nevada]

Could be patrolling the woods right now.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Could be patrolling the woods right now. I think it is. In other words, I think that you are absolutely within your rights to have your hair raised that he's not here. But in terms of likely explanations for why the guy who was putting his ankles behind his head during the winter world save conspiracy meeting, like, that guy's not on the ball, you know? Like, that guy's like, you know, it's a. Sorry to say. It's just the reality that you. You're like, what happened to Kadigan, that guy who's barely checked in at all?

[Thimble]

Is he?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Is he? And you're like. You're like, no, he's. He's a man of action, and he may be off doing action somehow and

[Shadia]

put a little bowl of yar graz out.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

He'll come back to you.

[Bolaire]

Not everyone has.

[Nevada]

Not everyone has the constitution for a life on the stage.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

And also, I Think you see Inez. Inez goes. You know, Inez is like, we've been working on fight choreography for the show. The show for months. I wasn't going to be able to plug him in, you know, today. But he was really useful in the. In the fake one for sure. Looking around, I would love. As you guys begin to prepare for the show, the lights begin to dim, and we move fully into night and darkness. As the show can begin, you

[Cadigan]

how

[Nevada]

I spot Lash looking nervous to the side.

[Tysha]

I walk over to him.

[Nevada]

Hey, right here. Point my fingers into his sternum. If not now, when?

[Tysha]

If not, you who

[Nevada]

cherish this. You have Dolmakjar's heart in your hands. Remind them what courage is.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Tears form in his eyes, and he goes,

[Cadigan]

thanks.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You gave us all home, and we're not going to let you down.

[Tysha]

Have fun with it, kid.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

The dragon will come when it hears the. He steps out and the red leather, yellow leather. And I think our play begins. And, Liam, I'm going to turn it over to you. And we have some rolls to make.

[Nevada]

All right, I'll say this, too.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Any rerolls that you. If you like the roll you get and don't want to use one of your rerolls, I will allow you to convert those rerolls into a D12 of inspiration. Okay,

[Nevada]

so if I have rerolls left, I can convert them to yes.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

If you're like, I like what I've got on the die, but I have extra rerolls that I haven't used. You can convert those into a deck D12s if you so choose.

[Nevada]

And this is a producer role.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

This is a producer role.

[Nevada]

So what we have accrued.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

We could make more money with a flop than with a hit.

[Nevada]

Let's do the two D4s first.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Two D4s first.

[Matt Mercer]

Here we go.

[Nevada]

What? The grace is on top.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Highest DC that the game lists is a 30. Reminding people that.

[Nevada]

Okay, so that nets us. That nets us four.

[Tysha]

Okay.

[Nevada]

Okay. Now we start rolling 20s. That is. That one's a 19. I'm gonna reroll it.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Okay.

[Nevada]

Cause I have two rerolls, right?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

And you also, by the way, I believe you. Do you roll Persuasion?

[Cadigan]

No.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You don't roll Persuasion with advantage? No, no, no. Okay, that's a 19. You can re roll that. You have two.

[Nevada]

Anything lower than a 10, though, is a 10.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Gotcha.

[Nevada]

That's the first roll. That one is even worse. So it's where it was last. Reroll.

[Thimble]

19.

[Tyranny]

19,

[Nevada]

that is. They were all the same.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Oh, everyone's the Same.

[Nevada]

So the total on that is. Don't say the wrong thing. It is 23.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

23.

[Shadia]

That's great.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

What? Okay, great.

[Shadia]

Good job.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

As the show begins, in this moment, looking out and about, you see Kothairai, the heretics. The play begins. It's gorgeous. Lash is acting in this moment. You see that the opening of the play starts. The lights dim, and as it begins, you hear. Ruin. The face of Osgro appears. Puppeteers. Puppeteers staves. The play starts and it unfolds as Lash takes the stage. In this moment, play begins about the revolution of Vulkjan Murzot.

[Shadia]

I'm going to take out my compact.

[Murray]

Mm, see invisibility.

[Shadia]

Mm.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

See invisibility On Hal, you watch the play unfolding. The crowd is wrapped. They are feeling joyful. There is a tension and vibrancy here. And you see that the crowd is the beginning of the play. Vocean speaking. What do people see in this, like, first act of the play?

[Nevada]

Well, first of all, you said that Osgra appears at the top. The theater in this world is augmented by illusion and arcane abilities. So it's not merely a puppet. There are several arcane wielders in the wings who are straining and training on that massive puppet and actually adding areas of illusion to it. So he feels like a living, breathing giant towering over the. The chorus is split into two groups on both sides of the stage. And they are like a musical symphony with their voices and highlight the moment, bringing in tension, darkness, hope at opportune moments. And no one really has to shout in this amphitheater because a the acoustics are perfect and all of our performers are able to send the barest whisper to the last person in the last row at the absolute rear and zenith of this hill

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

echoing throughout this play commences. Lash takes the stage. They say we were created.

[Thimble]

Nay.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

For indeed, what of Ahriman's is not hers and hers alone. A tyrant creates nothing. But in their ruin, may they shape the fate of us all. In the back, Hal, you see some light around one of the concession stands as some junior representatives of the Candest Creed cast some cantrips. You see they're looking at a play that is not the play that was put up today. And you can see they're talking. And I think on the 23 check, you see that some of your actors are beholding this presence of the Creed. Up above, on the back of the theater, there's a flag waving. Some of the symbols of the sundered houses who are patrons of this theater. And I think your actors are looking up and they're doing something really fucking brave right now. But they know that this is huge fucking trouble. And that 23. I think it's a hell of a performance. It's an incredible role. But you can sense that there's just a little bit of trepidation somewhere here as you look out. I have to turn for a moment and. Murray, you're watching it. Hell. Best show you've ever fucking seen, Azune. Best show you've ever fucking seen, Velis. You see, in the first act, Shadia leaps to the stage as one of Vulcan's warriors in the first climactic battle of this rebellion and draws the pariah blade. And as the blade goes on high and shines, Tysha, you see that arcane light shines out and it rings, drawing from the scabbard. And the entire crowd, all of the Romiani in this space, gasp. They don't know why there's one little woo.

[Shadia]

But that's just because I'm a mom

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

proud of my daughter. Looking out, you see that shining and you are in the middle of a massive ritual. You came here to the hallowed Wren scene for the first time with Shadia, and you felt your trepidation about what this place used to mean, how fucking wicked it was, and Hal's potentially harebrained scheme to turn it into something better, something new. And you realize in this moment, Hal and you have the exact same calling in life. What have you spent the last 15 years doing other than going to the most toxic, ruined, magically corrupted places of the world and attempting to heal them?

[Shadia]

I'm going to protect his ritual. I find a way to pull my eyes from Shadia and the blade I'm going to cast pass without trace on myself.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Mm.

[Shadia]

And I just think back to that blessing at the end of Oscra. Those that seek to destroy us are our greatest teachers. And I spot the candescent creed in the back. And I'm gonna go find out what lessons I can learn from them and protect what's happening here.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Tycha, you head out to the back of that crowd. Oh, I see her moving. Oh, you do?

[Shadia]

Okay, you see the deer kind of does the little shoulder nod and is eye tracking me and the deer.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Murray and Tysha, you guys converge. You guys converge and you see no uniform, no sun. Just a guy who's got a sword hidden under a big cloak. You see, Varen is in the shadows 10ft behind this creed. And you, I think Tycha, have seen soldiers looking as these Creed are talking. Varen has an extremely disruptive way to solve this problem and is waiting for maybe that to happen, which, you know, would disrupt this ritual. You see, members of the Creed, someone is speaking to Olgood at the concession stand and saying, the sentiment, the light, the presence of light that we were told to expect is absolutely absent from this production. And Allgood say, well, you know, you saw it during the day, but at night you can't do. He's talking about his ass. Tysha and Murray, what do you guys do? There's about four representatives of the Candescent Creed here.

[Murray]

I mean, I think they've got it. I'm going to stay true to my post. I've got sea invisibility up. I'm going to continue to scan the crowd.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Oh, you have sea invisibility up.

[Murray]

I have sea invisibility up.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

This area near the concession stand is filled with invisible creatures, okay? Flooding through the fairy door. Sprites and pixies, Mixies, will o wisps. And you see all the roumiani. All these orcish people in Dalmachia are weeping, looking out at the play. They don't know or see that sprites and fairies are landing on their shoulders. Tysha, give me insight with advantage. Jesus, Murray. There are little invisible creatures. There's one fluttering in front of your face, looking at you invisibly and just looking at you. There's also a bunch that are stealing some sort of popcorn out of the back and stuff like that, but just looking at you invisibly. Evening. Can you see me?

[Thimble]

I can. This show is so good.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

So good, right? What's going on? And you see, he looks over at the Creed representative Pu.

[Thimble]

Correct?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Pu, indeed.

[Thimble]

I'm glad y' all are here.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Are they allowed to talk during the show like that?

[Murray]

No.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

It's so rude, right? Yeah, it is really rude. Can you do anything about it? Teach him a little lesson. Give me a persuasion check. It's not gonna be a high DC mischief.

[Shadia]

I cast guidelines through the deer,

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

guys. Okay, okay, okay. Dirty 20. You see, it says, should we wear you magic? Maybe a little sort of flutters invisibly and kisses you on the cheek. And you see, it goes, yeah, you shouldn't talk during the play except for us. We can talk during the plague. And you see that goes over. And you see that the Creed, looking at Olgood, turns over and goes, you must understand. We will go to the Revolutionary Guardsmen. We will tell Captain Nyah what has happened here. And I'm sorry, Mom. I'll go clean up my room right now. And you see Putsie dust. As the fairies go to work on the. Fucking good looking out thimble. Go to work back up. And you see that it's sort of your carrot and your stick are working in tandem. The stick of these magpie soldiers everywhere, ready to cut people in half. Do not have to happen as they stand watch as these fairies move into position and just ensorcel these candescent Creed out of the theater.

[Tyranny]

Yes.

[Nevada]

So they just pied pipered away.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

There were only four members of the Creed here watching. Cause everything. Your ruse was so phenomenal that they just, you know, they didn't send anyone other than to just say, see how it probably. You think they might have been here to manage the religious fervor of the people converted to the Creed. After the show, they. That morning, as they leave Phaelus pamphlets. Yeah, you see, you see there's a tiny little invisible. There's an invisible satyr just eating pamphlets. Bayless, you feel the weight of pride and hope and worship. Wonder in this moment. You feel the feeling of pride, of hope, of wonder in this moment, of the people in this city watching this plan fold when that blade gets drawn. What does Phaelus feel?

[Thimble]

I think at first this is. I mean, this is the first time she's seen them.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yeah.

[Thimble]

And I think. I think at first there is anger and fear, but as the show goes on, I think it's amazement.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Hell yeah.

[Thimble]

Guess this feels like the first time I'm hearing a true story of it.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Hal's play was intended for the people of this city. But as often happens when a story is told truthfully enough, even if it is for one's closest heart speaking here, truth will grow like the green things of the earth. And even though this story is not of Phelis, even though this story was not made for or Bayless, how can the truth do anything but free your heart? Watching it unfold, you see Hanon weeps next to you looking at it.

[Thimble]

I just take his hand.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

He takes yours. I love being in this city. I hate cities and I love being in this city.

[Thimble]

I don't mind this one very much either.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Thank you. He says, looking out at the crowd, the theater, the city and everything it represents. Looking out in this place, you see that the end of this act is coming up, this first act of the play. And this is, you know, Vokjan is opposing and gathering together his forces to make the march that they're going to oppose the wicked priests of Osgrad attack the chosen ones of his Order. And Lash is delivering this incredible, incredible soliloquies, going back and forth with his second in command. And how you're feeling those nerves from the cast still. And I think in this moment,

[Wick]

the

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

musicians have their instruments, the cast, the fighters, the acrobats, but this whole cast was your instrument in this moment that Hal is looking out. I think you feel like there's gotta be some way you can. I mean, you told Nevada to let everything go, but in this moment, is there anything Hal does as he watches the performance, wanting it to achieve that, to aid that moment?

[Nevada]

I think he.

[Tysha]

He joins.

[Nevada]

There's a handful of arcane practitioners in the back whose job is just to accent what's happening. And I bring my decades of work and life. And every time Lash takes a step, the heavens thunder. His eyes burn with the needed courage to change our people's plight. His entire body trails with gossamer threads of subtle radiance. I don't want to overpower what he's doing. I just want to. To give it the wings it needs to fly.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You know that if he feels it, he'll lock in, putting that energy into him. You stand, and as you stand, you are moving through the osgra machination wheels around them. And you take a moment and feel yourself step into something behind you. And you feel a sort of sticky feeling come up from your feet behind you, but your eyes are focused. Do you turn to look behind you, or do you keep focused on what's

[Nevada]

happening in the play, in the encounter, the battle that's happening? There is a brief moment. I can see Lash rushing. He's pushed back by the priests and their forces. And he's offstage, I know, for eight seconds. And he stumbles into my hands. I don't. I don't know what that is. I don't have time to think about it now. The time is now.

[Bolaire]

Sing.

[Nevada]

And as he goes out on stage, I cast enhanceability on him for charisma.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Hell, yes. He goes out to make a charisma check as you cast enhanceability. I want to ask you one final thing here as you cast that. This is the greatest theater. The Dolmachyard Kahad, perhaps Ahriman has ever known. Places of this were not theaters. They were places of worship before. And it has only been 70 years since the Age of the Gods ended. Looking out from this place, reaching for that magic to enhance his ability. Do you reach to the deepest pit of power you can do you go as deep as you can into your bardic magic to aid this Performance.

[Nevada]

I'll give this young man everything I have so that he can carry our heart out of danger.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You reach forward. Roll a D12 for me.

[Nevada]

That is a two.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Two.

[Julian]

You

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

moving forward. Lash takes the stage, moves out. You cast enhanceability on him.

[Nevada]

Advantage on anything charisma related.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

As he steps out, he begins to sing. Everything goes quiet. The. The crowd looks up.

[Cadigan]

Hal,

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

you are gazing at him from the wings. You take a look behind you. One of the amphora has cracked and paint is seeping out over the stage. You gaze out. Lash begins to sing the most perfect song you have ever heard. Better than any time in rehearsal that has ever happened. The crowd is fully within his grasp. This is it. The perfect version of this play. As you look out, you have reached into something deep in your own magic. And your hands are trembling. Something in your stomach is shaking. You feel light, like you're being lifted up, like you're losing gravity. As you look out, you're. You're confused because you weren't supposed to have groundlings here. The front row is boxes, but there is someone seated on the ground. That first box, right in the front row, is the box for Murzot Bokion. Murzog. And you see a figure sitting in front of it, looking up at the stage, white, translucent. There is an Orcish man, broad shouldered, strong. The mural behind him is beautiful and handsome. But you see he's got a big scar over one of his cheeks, a pug nose. He looks like a worker. He looks like someone who built castle walls. And he sits there on the ground, looking up. The only people, I think, that can see this. Murray, you went up to the back where the creed was, right? Or did you stay?

[Cadigan]

No.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You stayed.

[Tyranny]

No, I stayed.

[Shadia]

And I stick to the fence.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Murray, you have sea invisibility, Murray. And Velis. And maybe Azune Velis. You see this as well. A ghostly figure seated on the ground, looking up, weeping, looking at the play. Looks through his own translucent hands. What do you do in this moment, Hal?

[Nevada]

I am enraptured. And after a few moments, as he's taking in the entire stage and looks my way, I catch his eye. And wordlessly,

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

He looks at you in your mind. You hear, where am I? And he stands invisibly. Only you can see him. Velas. In this moment. You see what you believe to be a specter, but you can't be sure because there's a so much illusion happening. But you have your divine sense available to you if you wish to use it.

[Thimble]

Yes, I absolutely love it.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You see that he turns and looks and he goes, what is this place? I was in the fields, the dying fields. There was fire. Oscar, did Oscra die? What has happened? Turning around, you put on your divine sense and see that this is an undead creature. Looking around, you see, he goes where this is. He looks around and you see, he looks over at Lash and goes, as Lash says, I volk yarn murzot. And you see, he goes, no, I am fucking

[Cadigan]

Hal.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

In this moment, I will ask what you do, Velis.

[Tysha]

What you do?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

What would Hal do in this moment?

[Nevada]

I barely at a whisper, talk to him.

[Tysha]

This is the later age you gave

[Cadigan]

for

[Tysha]

and achieved for all Rongyani.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

He looks forward and looks at you and goes. As the play continues, as Lash is getting to the final verse of his speech, Tycha, you begin to feel the ground rumbling. And he looks and says, all these people, these Rangani, their clothes are so nice. There are all these bouquets of flowers. What has happened here?

[Nevada]

You found our courage and pointed the way to freedom.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Freedom, yes. Are you free? Are all these people free?

[Tysha]

It is never a given,

[Nevada]

but now we always have a chance.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You watch as his type changes from undead into celestial, and he flies forward in a flash that is obscured by the illusion on stage and flies into Lash's chest. Lash looks out, reaches out, takes the pariah blade from a dead Shadia, who has red handkerchiefs all over her, raises the sword aloft. What would you give then to be free? Hal, you level up to level five.

[Nevada]

What do I do? What do I do?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You go ahead. You level up. Ray, you will level up. We'll roll hit points in a little bit. But for right now, all I want you to do do is in this moment, we are going to make your producer's roll.

[Thimble]

Okay?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

So please go ahead.

[Nevada]

So proficiency's up by one.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Proficiency's up, yes. Level five. So you'll be adding a plus. What's your character sheet? Plus 11 to this roll.

[Nevada]

Jesus.

[Tysha]

Is that right?

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

That's right. You have two D4. You have two rerolls. Those rerolls also, if you would prefer, or if you like what you roll on the first roll, you can also transmute those rerolls into a D12 if you prefer to do that.

[Nevada]

Okay. Okay, let's. Okay. First we'll see what the 2D 4 Zhuzh is. That is an additional 3 and 1 for 4. So 4 on top of whatever we get. Okay.

[Julian]

Okay.

[Shadia]

That was so good.

[Nevada]

Okay. Plus 11. Okay, so that gets me to 21. Right? There is that right? That's right. Mm. I'm gonna convert both of them. Cause I think the odds will be ever in my favor. Here we go. So I'm at 21. And now we're at. Oh, that's a 12.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Yes. Yeah.

[Nevada]

21. 21 plus a 5 is 26. 36.

[Bolaire]

38.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

38.

[Julian]

That's a faded role.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

In the back of the theater, Olgood looks out and sees the performance, says,

[Tysha]

we're going to make a fortune.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

As the fabric of reality is transmuted and an afterlife that was lost for 70 years is brought to bear. And those of Murzat's revolution pour forth across the celestial proscenium of your theater. And Tycha, you watch as a thread of magic connects to the stage, to the mural of Voceon Mur' za that none of the audience can see because it's right in front. As it gleams red, you see the souls of Vocion's revolution connect across space and time. A bridge is built to the dying fields. For the first time since the end of the Shapers war. The lost afterlives. At least one of those is found. And a bridge is made. And those members of Vulcan's revolution surge forward. Looking around, you can see them in the woods, not knowing where to go.

[Shadia]

What do you do when that happens? I want to stay and stare. The ability that you have made for me is calling the corners. I'm going to start doing a lap outside of this place and consecrating it. And I think you hear Hala beside you begins to whisper in Juridic as we we start the rites. We are going to begin as we always have. But not Hala's speaking in Druidic. I am speaking in high Orcish. When you look out, you will see woods around you. And at your feet begins a path. And it's time, my friends, my family, to walk it as bravely as you walked through. Through life and death begin. And know that we all walk with you. And I'm going to start calling the corners. For the next hour.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Just circumnavigating this place, you see images. Someone moves forward. A specter massive wound in the stomach crosses the threshold of Hal's stage and turns celestial. Looks around. This Orcish soldier going runa. Runa. Another shape arrow through her throat, shows up healed whole, grasps him. And they laugh and sprint through the dark woods towards a new life and a new story.

[Nevada]

I think Hal. It notes Tysha moving out through the crowd. And I am looking through a gossamer field of souls. And through them, seeing thousands of people in the audience, eyes locked on lash and know, know that nothing is decided. That this city still belongs to free people.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You look abridged from the sword to the mural. And veil it. Both of those. You suddenly feel in your heart as the stone of Nightsong glows for this moment. A connection.

[Thimble]

I just. I notice that and I instantly knowing Hanon doesn't want to be around it. I'm just trying to keep it covered.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You try to keep it covered and suddenly you look around your divine sense. This place is filled with fairies. The elves were never supposed to die. Their afterlife was always something that was anathema to them. They were to live forever in Ahriman. So they didn't make their own afterlife. They got to live in Faerie. And those doors closed. And you look and see all of the fairies invisibly in this place look and begin to fly as the stone gleams and glows brightly. This is about to do something. You see. You don't know what it's about to do. But Vaelys in this moment, holding onto the stone here, what do you do? Do you hide it? Do you run with it? It's calling out to you for some kind of intention or purpose.

[Thimble]

Oh my goodness.

[Murray]

I feel like so many things.

[Thimble]

I just try to hold onto it. I'm still trying to. To protect it because it's. It's. It's the only thing I know how to do.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

Hanan looks to see you gripping something. You all right?

[Thimble]

Yes.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

You're holding very tightly.

[Thimble]

It's the stone. I show him that it's glowing.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

He takes it from you.

[Thimble]

I let him.

[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

He looks out as this thing begins to glow. Creates a trinity of bridges between Faerie, Ahriman and an afterlife. And you see that? He says, This is a space in which we are guests. Let's not ruin a good show. And he takes your hand and begins to walk into Tintasi Woods. Okay, I follow, you walk. He takes the stone. And as the stone gets farther away, Tintasi woods that have felt dead for so long begin to come back to life as flowers bloom. And he moves the stone further out into the dark forest. Intermission begins. And that's where we'll take our break. 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. Traditional home security only alerts you after a break in, and that's too late. Simplisafe is changing that.

[Tysha]

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[Wick]

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[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

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[Murray]

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[Dungeon Master (Brennan Lee Mulligan)]

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[Tysha]

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[Julian]

Tennessee 2012.

[Tysha]

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