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The Snipping of Shears | Critical Role | Campaign 4, Episode 3 | Part 2
02:54:21
Part 2 With the true source of the Candescent Creed's magic revealed and the search for Occtis pressing in from all sides, lines of trust must quickly be drawn amongst the allies... Use Code OVERTURE for one month free on Beacon! https://beacon.tv/join New Episodes Release Weekly on Thursdays. Learn more about Campaign 4 at https://critrole.com/campaign4/ GET MORE CAMPAIGN 4 WITH BEACON We're excited to bring you even MORE Campaign 4 with a Beacon membership! Get access to exclusive shows like our behind-the-scenes Critical Role Cooldown and ask the Campaign 4 cast your burning questions directly through our LIVE monthly Fireside Chats. You'll also receive NEW Beacon exclusive series, instant ad-free access to VODs & podcasts, live event pre-sales, merch discounts, & a private Discord. Start your 7-day free trial today at https://beacon.tv/join and get unparalleled access to everything Critical Role! OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN 4 CAST GAME MASTER Brennan Lee Mulligan Laura Bailey as ...
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Let us surprise you so you can surprise them. Find shoes that get you and everyone on your list at prices that get your budget at dsw stores or dsw.com hello again, it's Brennan Lee Mulligan, and you're listening to part two of this episode of Critical Role. If you haven't checked out part one yet, pause this now and head over there first. What are you doing? Otherwise, let's jump right back into this adventure and the world of Ahriman. Everyone says stuff right before we come back and they're all in trouble. And I'm keeping a tally and the tally's running. TikTok all you motherfuckers. And everyone's awful. No one is. He's a snitch. At the very bottom of the Cascading Falls of Dolmachyar, where. Where the river Vrosh lets out into Lake Ndami as the city and its tall spiring towers begins to fade into the nearby woods and the highway taking off to neighboring towns deeper into the land of Kahad. We see here at the base the tall spires of Dolmakyar, this city that was the shield of Kahad during long centuries that stood as the shield to the Orcish homeland against the mountain dwarves to their east, the humans to their north. At a time ruled by the shapers. Now it beholds a metropolis, a place where all peoples united in revolution and rebellion against the gods can sing and trade, dance and perform magic. When we speak of Perform. Place of performance. At the very base of that city, surrounded by the woods at the very edge, we see an ancient place with a brand new wooden sign leaning against a massive stone entranceway. And we see some boots approaching. That sign, Liam, what does it say on that sign that now waits with so much potential there by the wall, with lumber still off to the side in a pile? The sign reads the hallowed round apartment. Before you you see an ancient dithyram, an amphitheater. This place can fit thousands. It is truly enormous. At its center there is a stage and that stage, ancient stone. You see there's some ruins and collapse. And around you see various members of your theater troupe that as you approach with Tycha and Shadia, call out hey, how hammer. Ding ding ding, ding ding. Wood. Putting stuff up. You see some tarps covering some things outside. And I'd like you to describe, if you can, any of the environs and also the stage in particular for us it's going along isn't is a massive place. And in Tyche in my youth it was much wilder. Here. The place has been in disuse for decades. For centuries before the fall of the shapers, this was a place where our God, our shaper, would sometimes appear in the heavens above the city to witness his people exalting in ecstatic fervent ritual unto unto our keeper. From the vantage point that we're at, you can actually see for miles. The city is surrounded by evergreen forest. And from this vantage point we're at the top looking down to the bottom of this amphitheater. And at the center of the amphitheater is a massive, gnarled, twisted cedar tree that is extreme looking, but beautiful. In this rugged landscape, it's hard not to come here and not imagine this massive being lording over our city, which was the purpose of this place. But again, long out of use, forbidden for decades, and only now in the last handful of years has the that begun to change. Although you have heard me talking about this for many, many years. And there it is, still more work to do. We're getting close. I know what we're going to start with. We just have to get all our magpies in a row and it's almost time. This is incredible. And Tycha is wrestling. We've talked about it and went back and forth in letters and correspondence. It's such a fraught place that your desire to reclaim it, well intended though it is. I think there's just that little bit of her that can't quite get comfortable standing here. You see that standing here, she had no struggles walking up, but she is going to reach towards what looks like a little dagger in her belt. It's all metal, a little horse head at the top. And she'll wrap her hands around it and cast her Druid craft into it and turn it into a horse headed cane to walk down to view more of this with. There is something about this place that makes her want to sit in her power as a Druid. As we move through a space that was so compelled and held by the God we destroyed, Hal is just admiring his best friend in the world striding down this hill into the center of this ancient place. I think by the time they get to the bottom and they're on the edge of the performance area and you can see low wooden buildings that you've never seen before off to the side, and you can see performers and construction workers moving in and out. You can tell that they're going to be used as backstage and storage. And the tree is now high above us down at this vantage point. And as we turn to look back up from where we came, I say, once we came here to celebrate a God. Now we come to celebrate each other. Hallendil I should never have doubted. This is amazing. Well, don't be too hasty. Because the government is falling apart. I can't nail down what we're allowed to do. Got centuries of tradition and smoke and mirrors to do it. Everything we do. And one day we're allowed to do one thing, and then three days later, it sounds like it is off the table again. And I'm not really sure whether to shit or go blind. Dan, I know it doesn't always go well when I offer this, but, you know, my family has resources that you can lean into whenever you want. If you need things to go a little more smoothly, I've gone over with Olga. I think we're in the black. Okay. Okay. All right. Thank you for showing me this. And I'm gonna lean over to Shadia and be like, okay, what are those buildings you see? She looks over and says, so these are gonna be. You know, this place was a place where we had to propitiate the God of war that kept us captive. And, you know, but that's gonna be a concession stand. And we're gonna have. We're gonna have fruit leather, and we're gonna have. We're gonna. Oh, there's. Oh. And we're gonna have the sweet. That gourd, you know, that sort of squash bread. We're gonna have that also if you look at this and you see she starts to show you these hooks that what was a broad amphitheater is being kind of separated into boxes. They're just putting up. So like there's cool woodwork going on where the benches are still stone, but you're looking at why they're being sort of partitioned off. And you see there's partitions because there are. You see, Shadi starts to explain because it's outdoors, but it's raining a lot in Dolmakyar and people used to just get wet, but you get sick. So you can pull the covers up. And you see she does this big fabric and you see there's a waxed beautiful and they're all multicolored. And you see that some of them are harlequin pattern, some of them are tasseled that sort of come up and make this little rain roof. And she says, and you see that she takes out, she sort of throws open a crate and you just see 30 little silvery filigreed. They're made of tin or something kind of cheap, but they look beautiful. There's a lot of showmanship, kind of troubadour stuff where it's like, it's beautiful, it's very cheap, it's beautiful. As she's giving that explanation, Hal wanders away from the both of you, 50ft away, and he's standing even further at the base of the tree. Now, he doesn't shout, but using thaumaturgy, he just speaks calmly and his voice carries all the way to you and beyond and says, it's everything we've been talking about for years. You see, the work all stops and everyone turns around and you see nearby there is an ancient Orcish man. He's got one of the ugliest crocheted hats you've ever seen. He's like got patch. He looks like. He just looks like an old quilt monster that rolled out of a bed. And he's got this ancient little Orcish drum that has like a triple headed wand to play it with. And you see, he goes like, what's everything? What have we been talking about? Stop the work. How are your knees today? Oh, bad as can be. It's gonna rain bad, bad, bad. You see, he says, is that Tycha? Oh, you haven't aged a day. Thank you for noticing. You see, he turns. You look as youthful and vital as ever. You see, he smiles. So Uli, you know, is 85, five years old, which means that Uli remembers before the war, he's one of the few orcs who's here who remembers before the war, you see, Sort of hits the drum. I want to slide over to him. So, what do you think about all of this? Sorry? What do you. How do I whisper to you? Message. Message. What do you think of all of this? The round. We outgrew the rookery for a while. That stage is best used for students anyhow. They need it to practice and grow and train. And then Bolaire has been kind enough to let us play at the Lyceum at the Arkonade for quite some time. But. I don't know. Folks from Caravan Hill and Fray deserve a show, too, I'd say. But you mean, what do I think about all this? Yeah. You remember before, when I was a young boy, my older brother went off to join revolution? I whisper to Tycha, settle in. He went off to join Uldren. You know, he was always a whippersnapper. And he had a fire in him. I mean, that's the thing, you know. You lord over a people, tell them that we are meant to cover all of Ahriman and conquest and victory. And he tells us to be brave. Fear nothing. March forward, though the blood rings in your ears. How old, Dead. Oscar thought he was doing anything other than training us to do what we did, I'll never know. My brother, he came home one day and he told our mother, there's some wise old smiths up at the top of the city. They said they found a secret buried deep in the earth. We don't have to be afraid anymore. We don't have to cower. We don't have to feel the heat of the fire behind us and the sharpness of the. Of dwarven steel in front of us. We could be free. And my mother said, who you've met are lunatics, and you must ignore what they've said. And he said, I think they're right. They're gonna make a sword that can kill the tyrant that dwells at the center of our land. And those were called the Loys. I don't know if you've heard. The city does a good job of reminding me, but it's nice to hear it. But taking this place, the bad places are on the other side of those mountains. The top of the peaks, the blood running down into the valleys below. Here in this place. I remember when I was a boy, propitiated the shaper of all the shapers and all the peoples of Ahriman. He told us to serve him, which all the shapers did. We were the only people that knew we were doing it without a reward. The land that was promised to us after death was the same as life, just more suffering. Endless wasteland choked by ash and fire. But what he didn't know is that there's no way to look up from this stage at the sky and not see something more beautiful. And that's our city. And you look up and see all of Dolmak Yar spreading up. I know now that those who sang songs in this place, even if the words were meant to soothe his wrath and keep our lives in propitiating his fury. The melody, the dance, the fury and the passion that was always for us. I step up next to him, put a hand on his shoulder and look to Shadia and say, but in the past they used this place, we know this place was to grapple with who we were. And today we'll use it to figure out who we are and who we will be. The bins are for umbrellas. That's right, the bins are for umbrellas. And there's something, and there's something in listening to that story and listening to, especially listening to Shadia that she feels that itch under her feet and she kind of shifts and where she's standing and just a little pulse outward under her. The grass is a little greener and the soil is a little darker where she stands. The earth is improved as it remembers itself. But our home is beautiful and this gift isn't for here. So it's with a little wistful sigh that she goes back and nods about the umbrellas and asks a thousand more follow up questions. Shadia takes your hand and says, I want to show you, I think a part you'll like the most takes you up to the stage, past this sacred cypress tree and looks out and you see right behind the back wall and you see they're building a backstage area and it's built into the old stone and then expanding with wood and new construction. You see the Tintasi wood and there's just this beautiful Kahadi forest, this small little wild place on the shores of this massive lake that the waterfall of the city goes out into. And she just looks out and goes, I just think it's so special that through, I mean like I don't, you know, I've only had stories about the. To me, you know, I was a kid when the Falconers rebellion ended, let alone the Shapers war. And I know they, I know that the ancients, they had to rebuild the city after the Shapers War. But this forest has survived everything. It just makes me think about. I hug her. I really miss you. I miss you so much. And I love you so much. And it's so lovely to see the person you're becoming. I'm sorry. I hope I'm becoming someone that you see. She struggles in this moment to say what's on her heart. I don't press. I don't think I deserve to press. So I just kind of rub her back and look at the trees. Hal's allowing himself to block out the last few weeks of uncertainty and anxiety and fear just to enjoy seeing mother and daughter together with the expanse beyond them. Give me, if you'd be so kind, an insight or a persuasion? I'll actually say, because you don't step forward. I'd ask for insight instead of persuasion as you rub her back. Cool. Thank you. 22. Bless you. Bless you. She breathes. Energy reaches into her and she calms down. She looks up, tears streaming down her face. I know how special you are. And you can see the person I'm becoming. I feel like I can't see her at all. And I sometimes get mad at myself because I feel like I don't want you to see the person. I want you to see the becoming. I just. Uncle Thiazi's death. And every time you go. I know that I'm really scared about Alagar. I am, too. But we were shaped by a God that told us not to fear and keep moving forward. And it's not fair to carry that forward. But there is subtle wisdom in it. You can't live your life afraid. And Alagar is his mother's son and made a choice to protect this world with his blade. Just as you and your father are protecting this world by protecting and creating the stories and songs of it, you make the joy that all of the wandering and all of the fighting and fear are worth. And I know that's not. I know that's not a comfort. Not really. But it's what I tell myself at night when I miss you most. She leans her head against your shoulder and goes. You make joy. You're my mom. I love you so much. I love you, too. I'll keep dancing and keep juggling and it'll all be here when the world is healed. Until then, I want to look out at the trees. And in Druidic, just ask this wood to watch out for my family. And I mean those that I'm connected to to by blood, but also all of the people connected to them. And all the people that come and watch them and all the people that they go home to. As I try to remind myself and remind these woods that we are all connected. And if there is magic in the asking, I ask that the trees offer shade and protection and oxygen and life so that this world is good too. The wind ripples. God damn it. The wind ripples as it does. So give me a nature check. You can do so with advantage. Thank you. Hey. Oh no. Yeah, I know. Sixteen. Sixteen. You look out. You hear the wind rustling flight of some nearby magpies. This forest is telling you something. Something soft. And that would bring you joy on a 16. You can't hear it because you hear the song of a nightingale calling you from the city, trundling up to the hallowed round howl. You look and see a gray carriage arriving with the symbol of the Archenaud on it. Taliesin, I believe we see Bolaire arriving here at the hallowed round with a quite large carriage. The very large carriage with. Actually, I want to check how big is the crate that I have brought. The crate that you've brought, you've brought. The shipment all fits within a single carriage, quite packed and heavy on its wheels. There's about six crates in total. That's a lot. Okay. I hop out of the carriage clear eyed and bushy tailed. If I had eyes or a tail. My word, it is looking lovely. And everybody is working and it is just delightful. Why are not more people working right now? That's. Are they turning that into a concession stand? I see you way up at the height of the amphitheater and using thaumaturgy. Again, I don't shout, I just say, oh, you saved me a trip. And it comes out clear as a bell to your ear in the last row. I'm on my way and I'm hopping up there at full speed as you are hopping up there. Bolera, you descend and I actually think that you have with you. I think you have Spiro and Rosadella here, who are two of your archivists, to help unload the crates. We're finding some help from the museum, looking out and saying, master Balare, happy to help. As they start unloading it. Is there anything you would like to do, skill wise that Balare would have wanted to know before for arriving here at the. Oh, I would have tested a sample of this stuff to make sure that it is not harmless in any way. And I know what I said. Yes, go ahead and give me an arcana check. All right. Did we get a liquor License acting on it. That's okay for me. 21 on a 21. You know, thinking about, like, your work today before arriving here with the sort of delivery for Hal, you have a, you know, at your table with all of your fine tools and instruments, the magnifying glass, everything like that. All of this is. You would swear it all looks like Penteverel work. The actual substance of the materials inside it is. It has faint residue of. It's thick with illusion, which makes sense. It's paint. But there's a little bit of a hint of conjuration under it. The paint itself is a. You look confused deeply. It all looks like looking at it, but you're like, is this a. What is this? What is the spell on this? And on a 21, you double, triple check. There is no spell effect. There is no magical aura. So you're like, where am I getting this residue from? Did a lot of magic happen around this? Did it? And I think on that 21, you're looking at it and being like, was this like. The answers run all the way to the very Grimm, which are like, this is. It's either magic you've never seen before or this was sitting at the back of a workshop at the Pentaveral for too long and got weird. He wouldn't have given it to me to give to him if it were dangerous. I assume it's just safe and. Sorry it doesn't strike you as dangerous. You can tell that everything about. There's nothing like coiled within this necessarily. I trust nothing right now. And you will say you do. Examining the amphoras, which are completely mundane, that actually is an easy one where you do get a potter's mark, like an artisan's mark on the bottom of the amphora from a potter's gallery in the fray, which is not too far from here. Well, that's nice. Okay, so worst case scenario, there is someone to interrogate if we have to. But yeah. Howling. You see these big amphoras of paint coming down into. So they're barren for us all to see on the back of the crates are coming down. And if you choose to open them, you would see them. Okay. And I'm just giving some slight instruction before I go. Well, I was going to say to put them in the back of what is now the concession stand, but clearly that is a terrible idea. Let's just put. Put them here for now, and we will figure out where they're going to go. Olgood, who you've worked a lot with, when you Were in at the Lyceum says. What do you have against fruit leather? We gotta. We gotta keep the. We have to run this place. I mean, you know, we're running a business. Hey, look at here. There's two places to get money. Aristocrats and selling fruit leather. What do you want us to do? I will not put anything that has the word leather in my mouth and swallow it. That's disgusting. Well, you don't know how to have a good time. We're planning on plenty of people in this bloody city who would disagree with that. We were planning on swinging by later to find you. You've saved us the trip. What is all this? Well. And why are you in this mood? Ah, it's so good to see you. Hi. That sounded insincere. No, it. I always sound insincere. But no, it's. It is lovely to see. And this place just brings out the best in me. It's beautiful. I will at this point lift one of the lids off the crate and see it's clearly paint when I see it. Yeah, there's a little bit of staining from the paint and it's many different colors. And the amphora are huge. These big double handed ceramic jugs that you can see have essentially within them a probably like multiple gal. Like each amphora has multiple, you know, how would we say, 30 gallons of paint within it. Yeah. Well, as soon as I see paint. I've been thinking of Thiazzi's words since he said them to me. And I am seeing his words come to life in front of me. So he freezes and then puts on a smile. You know what? This would be better in the back. Could we wheel it around past the concession stand? Less take it off, boys. Put it back on the cart. You see, Olga looks and says, paint. I hadn't put the order in yet. Cause we're not there yet. But we're getting close. I was gonna probably order it the day after. Yeah, I meant to tell you about it. Just let me. We'll discuss. Yazzie got this. It's special paint. It's leather. You can eat it. What? Doesn't that sound delightful? Oh, amazing. Why don't we. I don't know how hard you think a museum goes, but I'll tell you what, buddy. I'm from Caravan Hill and I've seen a thing that was supposed to be a gift shop, not a concession stand. Gift shop, museum ass. Shadia, we're moving. Come on. Don't eat the paint and I'll walk And for many, the idea of starting a business comes with a mix of excitement and hesitation. You keep asking yourself, what if it doesn't work out? Or what if someone else beats me to it? It's time to stop thinking about what if and start doing and One of the easiest ways to create and develop your dream company is by using Shopify. Shopify's point of Sale system is a unified command center for your retail business. It brings together in store and online operations across up to 1,000 locations. Imagine being able to guarantee that shopping is always convenient. Endless aisles shipped to customer buy online, pick up in store. All made simpler so your customers can shop how they want and your staff has the tools they need to close every sale. 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So unwrap something good like booth that inspire your next big adventure. Or cozy slippers that give you an excuse to stay in or sneakers that feel like pure joy. Because shoes aren't just shoes, they're exactly what you wanted. Let us surprise you so you can surprise them. Find shoes that get you and everyone on your list at prices that get your budget. At DSW stores or dsw.com you head down with Blair to like a backstage area where you see looking around Hal, there is a lot of honestly decorative work that has to happen primarily because for better or for worse, and probably honestly for better in a lot of ways. There was a lot of stuff here that during the shapers war had to be defaced. There were holy symbols to Osgra that were easy for him to cast spells through. There were, like, a lot of things that had to happen to come in and shatter a, like, version of his holy symbol. That was like casting Bane on everybody within 100 yards, you know, like, but within that. So in other words, there's a lot of work that you have to do to kind of, like, make this place inviting and showing. Right? Cause it was vandalized to shit in the decade or two after the gods fell. While we're walking. Before you say that, I hip bump your hip and just smile. Do you want any help with Bolair's paint? With just enough emphasis that you mentioned that very quickly when talking about all the things that the Azzy said to you in those last moments. And she remembers. Yes, I do. Okay. She's by your side. Okay. Absolutely. Like, you're taking point. And your baby mama just back up right now. All right. So I'll kill him for you. I'm making sure that we've moved this cart. And I gather Baler's assistants are along for the ride. But we are moving away from the company, off beyond the concession stand and several barrels of fruit leather, so we can talk in private. Yeah. My two archivists who work for me. So where to start? First, thank you for coming yesterday. It was good to have a friendly face at my side. It felt like half the people in that room wanted to put a knife in my brother's back. And it was just good to have friends. It was somehow even more insane than I thought it would be. That said, in his final moments, my brother very feverishly told me that you had pain for me. You have pain for me. Was waiting for me when I got to the museum, waiting for you. I am as shocked as anyone. I'm usually aware of everything that comes in or out of your wing. This has just appeared. Is the lid of one of these things easy enough to pop off? I've checked it. It's safe. Why? What is it? I don't. Anything that comes to the museum should be checked to make sure it's safe. It wouldn't be there if it wasn't unusual. And it is unusual. There is a letter, if I recall from. Oh, there is a note from how they said, with love. And you've given it a once and a twice and a thrice over five times at this point. And I hand the note. This is highly unusual. Give me Tal. I'll ask for persuasion or deception. And give me an Insight, Hal and Tycha. I'll give guidance for you. What question in particular? Absolute dog shit. That's not gonna help. The earlier statement as well. Just a sort of general vibe from Bolaire talking about how unusual all this is. The circumstances by which it showed up are definitely unusual. Sure. That's what I will say. And I get to. So Guidance. Okay. I bet you do better than I. We're gonna have to stage this now. I feel it. It's all the same. So I'll say 19. 19. I rolled a two. So with the modifier and the bump from Guidance, it's a nine. Agreed. Your lovely friend Balare seems as perplexed. And I think there's a question hanging in the air about Thiazi telling you in his last moments that Baler had something for you. It's unusual. You didn't. I don't know. Does Hal know that Baleare and Thiazi. As far as he knows, we've met once at your house. So I think that on a nine, you don't see anything. Belair's not acting strange at all. But there's just a question hanging in the air of like, why did Thiazi. Yeah, it doesn't make any sense. I'm just kind of nonplussed and just staring at the paint, not sure what to make of it. Because it is clear that you didn't expect it. Not even a little. So what was my brother doing? What do I get for my natural one? I think you look wonderful, by the way you're looking. Bolair. I will ask you at this moment too, as you open the paint, looking at Hal, who's looking a little bit perplexed, I'd like you to give me a perception check. Oh, boy. And I'd also like you to give me a constitution saving throw. Yay. Perception check. Start there. Did you taste the paint? Is there lead in that? I have absolutely tasted the paint. Perception check is 14. Constitution saving throw is 13. Looking around under 14, I think you are looking out at this place where a God would demand tribute. And on that perception check, I think you just feel the nascent magic in this place of something bubbling, something boiling. There's something under this city that's running hot. And on a 13 constitution save, the feeling of that magical energy, I think you feel something turn and slither in a way that makes you feel ill at ease. Have I noticed this since specifically in this place, do I feel that it is connected to this place? I think that you don't feel that the discomfort is due to this place. Actually, maybe the awareness of the discomfort is being caused by this place. In other words, some clarity has been added in this moment. Excuse me. Are you okay? Just a bit unsettled. Do you want some fruit leather? It will soothe your stomach. No wine. But it's morning. It's morning somewhere here. Now, using the theater cantrip. Using the thumbnail cantrip, you see that? Someone from the stage calls. You see, Oldgood gets someone to do it for him, and he says, we have wine. We sell it by the box. It's for parties. You like boxed wine? Yeah, I think you very well know the answer to that. With that, we move from this scene to. To Caravan Hill, where a dwarven woman is marching down the street and turns a corner to see a group of arcane marshals walking down the road. Azune, as you've been marching, go ahead and give me a perception with advantage. Okay? Set the tone. Make it better. Make it good. Okay, well, make it good. It's not great. Make it good. That's the name of this episode is that's not great. 13. 13. 13 on a 13. You have been patrolling the neighborhood. Nothing untoward. No one sent up a big arcane flare. Nothing wild has happened that you've been. You're aware of the priority perimeter you're keeping. And I think because you're actually successful in keeping a wider perimeter, you don't even hear glass shattering as an elven paladin leaps through a window. Okay. However, looking around, you do see a dwarven wizard turn the corner and, Murray, you look up and see Azaneh in front of you. What are you doing here? Where have you been? Wait. I've been working. I didn't see you last night. Why didn't I see you at the funeral? I was there. Where were you? I got there late. Well, I got there on time. Well. Well, I'm sorry. Look, we need to talk. There were so many damn carriages from so many damn nobles crowding the streets. Yes, there was a lot of people there, but, look, we. It's. It's. It's wild running into you like this, and my attention. It's not that wild. I work here. Why are you offended? Because I need you. Okay, give me a second. We need to find someone to talk to. Okay, give me a second here. And my focus right now is so split because I'm running in my mind. I do still have pieces of Thiazi, just like flashes of the last look on his face and his body. But I Also have now this Lord knight that came to speak to me at the Brethren Hall. And the look behind his eyes, and that intent in his voice, and that hunger. And also glad to hear that I'm not picking up on any sort of arcane signatures leaving this place as a part of my patrol, knowing that at least those of the caravan hill are covered. If there's any magic happening there, then there's no one that's going to report it. But I find that as I'm getting caught up in this, I need something else that's also part of my routine. When I patrol the city. One of the things that I'm also looking for is I'm looking for moments between the people that live here in this city that's become my home. Yeah. The first home I've ever had. Those moments that are hiding in plain sight, that pass between people. A moment of kindness. A whisper, a laugh, A joke shared. A software touch. Because that is one thing embedded in my routine and my patrol. The very thing that I'm looking for that matters to me more than any arcane signature that pops up. And whether I saw it or not, or whether I was blind to it, I find that I'm now in the presence of one of the few people in this place that I call my friend. And I reach out for your hand and I grab it. Just come with me. All right. All right. Where can we go? And I just pull you. You, like, pull Murray into an alley. You see the Inquirer. Horace goes. Got a bus and just stays on the corner. Is like, I'm gonna move along. And there's one guy like, 80ft away who's like me, then keeps walking sort of quiet. I think you're about to get lucky. Is that what that was? Yes, that's exactly it. Now you're flustered. Why? Okay. Let's hope we are lucky, actually. Well, why are you looking for me? Why are you flustered? What news do you have? This whole goddamn town has gone like cat lady crazy ever since everything. What happened to the ex girl? I thought you said you were gonna try and do something. I was, but wait, look, I'll catch you up on that when we. And then I just start to. I'll move further away from the Arcane marshals. I feel so out of the loop. And a portion of this conversation is actually the rest of this conversation. Nobody tells me anything in Mexican Trip. Yes. Yes. We had a plan. It went south. We found out. Yeah, no shit. Yes. Yes. And there are people that are on it. That are searching for the people that may have caused it to fall apart. But that's something. Look, that's not as important right now. Really? Because there's nothing you and I can do about that right now. He's dead. Yes, he is. You notice that? Look. Ow. You. The noble houses are closing in on us. And I know that they're closing on the Pentebrel as well. They're going to be closing down. Well, I just had a meeting with a Lord Knight Einfassen. He's one of the houses here, and they're going to be choking us. And the pentevorum, I'm assuming, is under fire as well. Yeah. Guess who just walked into my office. Actually, it technically was in my office. It was Dean Tall Barrels. But he walked in. It was Primus. Lord Primus Taconis. Okay. He's overthrowing. He's overthrowing Tall Barrel. I think he wants to overthrow me as well, I think. And I don't know who to trust anymore. I think Tollberrel is in his pocket. Yeah. They're trying to find the people that they can control that are in the positions that they want to have the most influence in. For now, the arcane marshals appear to be safe. We do things that they haven't quite figured out how to do themselves. The next thing is that they're going to install people that are going to be their puppets so that they can be in complete control, which I'm sure is what doing they're doing at the Pentiverel. You have to find that deeply disconcerting, right? Of course I do. Of course I do. I mean, the moment that any of us are no longer useful, we will see the bottom of their boot just like everybody else. I will never not be useful. Never. You say that now. Don't you understand? Izune? This is all connected. They are trying to get more people into my school to train your replacements. You get that, right? Of course I get that. So what do you mean you think you won't one day be useful? Because I will find a way to always be useful. But then you are falling into their scheme. You know the antidote, right? About the frogs in the pot in boiling water. Do I have to explain this? I think you do. All right. You know, if you have a pot of boiling water, throw a frog in, frog's gonna jump out, right? Cause the frog's like, oh, it's hot. It's boiling water. It doesn't die right away. Well, don't get focused on details here. But if you put. It's a story. If you put a frog in a cold pot of water and you turn the heat on and it slowly heats up over time, frog won't jump out, right. Because like frogs, their physiology, they're like, they're cold blooded, right. So they're going to heat up over time. Now I'm getting caught in the details. Look, the point is the frog. We are those frogs in that pot right now, right. They're turning that heat up, it's slowly going to get hot and the next thing you know, we're going to die. Cuz we're going to be boiled to death. Yeah. Do you get it? I do, I get it. You. I don't think you're looking at me like you don't get it. I just was wondering if the story was done your host. Yeah, it's what I'm trying to say. You know what we need to do is we need to find frogs. Shit, no, now you're confusing me. What do we need find? Well, I was on my way to go to. Well, I was gonna end up at Bolaire's. Yeah, I was with him all night. I haven't slept. You need to do something about that. Yeah, I think wine. Wine would be good. Good. It'll make you sleepier, wouldn't it? You need some confidence. You don't know me. Okay, Murray, I'm Octis. Yes. I'm in a new. I'm not directing. I'm not in this. Okay. I'm the. I'm a different guy. I'm on the other side of the fourth wall. Go ahead and give me a constitution saving throw difficulty 15. Why out of nowhere? Oh, I know. Why sleep? Because I'm tired. You're fine. Constitution. I got nervous for myself, but I slept. Now you're the frog. Nor. You're the frog. No, you take a level of exhaustion. Okay. Oh, wow. You have to go to sleep. But yeah, as you're saying, Octis, you just feel the acknowledgement of your tiredness wash over you. Octus, if I start to see you sway, I will go to kind of help stabilize you. Look. All right. There we go. Is singing it. Okay, it's clear. We're not really getting anywhere. Just the two of us. They're after Octis. Primus came in to the office looking for Octis. I know where Octis is. Do you? Do you want to find them with me? Yeah, we should find them before they do. Then let's go. And I will start to take Murray towards caravan. I mean we're already in Caravan Hill, but I'm going to take her towards the tavern that I'm assuming they're. Murray just loosens her course up a little bit. I need more oxygen in my bloodstream. Let's go. You guys get. As you. As you're adjusting yourself, you get to the front and you see that Horus says, time to roll out. You're in charge now, Horace. I'm going to begin the other part of my job. I've got a couple of maintenance issues that I need to take care of with the penteveral. As you can see, I'm working with someone from that. You look at this guy who's looking at you. You guys stormed off into an alley and then silently stared into each other's eyes for about five and a half minutes. And this guy's like, I don't know what freaky. This is her corset. Walk around. Yeah, Adjusting my corset. I just dab a little bit of sweat off my bosom. It's just there. Always though it's summer. Horace looks at you and goes, I also. It's interesting when you can't touch. Totally over my head. I don't pick up on any of this. Oh, boy. It's also my. You guys. You guys head off into Caravan Hill. We move from there to the Mercanad couturier. Oh, yes. Dior, baby, let's go. Teor. With a wonderful. With a wonderful sort of a bunch of coin at your side, you walk into the marketplace. You enter this beautiful couturier. Well appointed, delightful. You see an older man who's sort of similar to Baulaire's hair, but he has a beautiful platinum rolling curls of a wig ruff around the neck. Turns to you and says, sir, welcome to Mercknard Couturier. How may I be of service to you? It is my first time being here, but I've been sent to choir a bit more fashion from the candescent Creed. You've been sent by the Creed? Perhaps our most notable client will be delighted to be able to serve you. Wonderful. What time of day is it? It's like late afternoon. I think at this point. This is establishment above my means. Typically. I am quite parched from my journey. Do you have anything that I could have to drink before we begin? I can search for something, you see. He goes over, he says, I'm afraid we don't have anything by means of water, but we do have some sherry and brandy if you'd like. Lead the way. You Walk into the back sort of fitting. You walk into the back sort of fitting room and you see there's another. Walking into another area. You see that here he has what looks to be a twin brother. Who is wearing a sort of golden shimmering long wig. Ruff as well. You see he looks over and says. My brother, Calastro Mercknard. And you see that the brother says. Charmed. Some sherry for the guest. And you see he pours a beautiful gem cut glass and hands it over to you. That's amazing. Twins are rare walking in this place. Can I just do a perception check for anything else that might be standing out? And I would also like to use the thing that lets me detect fey fiend or undead in a 60 foot area. Incredible. Go ahead and give me a perception check. Divine Sense. Thank you. I was looking for it. Can you Divine Sense. This fucking non hollister music behind you right now. This is what they're playing at Abercrombie and Fish. Yeah. The nostrils are burned out already. 17. 17. Got it. 17. Perception. You look around this place is very visually confusing. There are many different clothing racks. There's lots of bolts of fabric. The rugs are very thick. There's incense hanging in the air. Your nostrils are filled with incense. But there's also brandy. The fruit is a little bit old. There's a rich fruit smell nearby. And there's also some chimes ringing in a corner. It's sort of a sensory overload being in this place as you go to Cast. Divine Sense. They don't register as anything. Like they're not celestials or fae or fiends. That incense. There's something about that incense that feels the smoke. You smelled that? When did you smell that? A nine pointed star burned onto a battlefield. Sherry? Yes. Anything for you? For me? No, of course. Not at all. This is for our guests and clientele. Such a signature aroma. What do you call this? The incense. Yes. Well, this is none other than Sapphire orchid. It's a beautiful scent. It is. I'll put the drink down. I have to admit that this is unusual for me. What could someone of my station expect to get from this establishment? The your station? I'm afraid I don't have as much information as you perhaps presume. Have you been sent here by the Creed? Am I feeling weird smelling this scent? Physically. Physically? Yeah. I'm gonna. Are there any windows in the room? There's some out in the. The other front room. Where is the money? On your person typically would tie it? Just a leather strap from the belt. Just Loop it around real quick so it's just on there. I'm going to say It's a difficulty 10 to observe that that satchel is on your belt. They're each going to add a plus six to their perception rolls to notice that satchel. So these need to each be a 3 or under 14. You see that the Calastro's brother, whose name you did not get, looks and says, ah, the Creed has sent you here to be outfitted. Gesturing to the satchel on your belt. Yes, by the Fotarch herself, with ser fallonious blessing. Well, for the Foetarch, only the finest work is reserved. Lovely to see. Every time we can find, white velvet drool begins to emerge from his mouth. I'm going to need you to make two wisdom saving throws. We have disadvantage. Let's go. Yeah. Like every time I caught me a fish. This is normal six. Yeah. Wait, it wasn't a disadvantage. It was just two separate rolls. Two separate rolls each with disadvantage. Oh, Jesus. Okay, a six. And that's two natural ones. Hey, what's up with this table? What's happening? It's bad here. I want to go home. There's not enough. I love it. A young DM and an old dm. A young DM and an old dm. Thank you. I got you. I got you, baby. You see in this moment that you are hit with two hold person spells at the same time. One of which you fail critically. As your body seizes and the divine sense still lingering, Powerful, fiendish magic surrounds you. You even hear one of them go, shut up. As it reaches out. And as you go paralyzed, you see that the older one of them with the white hair goes exemplary. My she is. Yes, brother. Oh, my God. And we're gonna leave this scene. Oh, no. About to get Silence of the Lamb just in. Thousands of winter arrivals at your Nordstrom rack store. Save up to 70% on coats, slippers and cashmere from Kate Spade, New York, Vince, Ugg, Levi's and more. Check out these boots. They've got the best gifts. My holiday shopping hack. Join the Nordic. Get an extra 5% off every rack purchase with your Nordstrom credit card. Plus buy it online and pick it up in store the same day for free. Big gifts, big perks. That's why you rack. Are you ready to get spicy? These Doritos Golden Sriracha aren't that spicy. Maybe it's time to turn up the heat. Or turn it down. It's time for something that's not too spicy. Try Doritos. Golden Sriracha. Spicy but not too spicy Holiday PSA from dsw. This is your reminder that shoes are a gift. Literally. So unwrap something good, like boots that inspire your next big adventure. Or cozy slippers that give you an excuse to stay in. Or sneakers that feel like pure joy. Because shoes aren't just shoes. They're exactly what you wanted. Let us surprise you so you can surprise them. Find shoes that get you and everyone on your lips at prices that get your budget at dsw stores or dsw.com we're going to do that. You're just gonna give me some. Some hours. Some hours later. Walking into the Mercknade Couturier. Walking into the Mercnaut Couturier is none other than Wicander Halovar and tyranny. You're the king. The carriage pulls up. It is night as you arrive. You walk up. The market is closed down. You waited. It was late at night that you got down there. The market is closed by now. But you see that there is a small candle lit within the shop of the Merckonade Couturier. Quick sidebar. Yes. Okay, so no violence, Right? This is going to be on you to talk your way through this. They have to listen to you. Violence is. I would never resort to such horrible. Absolutely agree. But in this. In this case, remember that everyone is connected to your family. They all know what's going on. But they still have to listen to you. Of course they have to listen to me. I'm the scion of House Hayluvon. I walk in there, demand to know what has befallen our friend Teor, and they'll tell me. And maybe you have explicit orders to deal with him yourself. Tyranny. I am very grateful for you looking out for me, but my name carries great weight in this town. I'll be fine. All right, angel boy. Let's go. I will simply ask them what they know. They'll tell me, and we'll be on our way. It's fine. Go in ahead of me and announce me, please. Oh, God. You guys are like Scrabble and we're playing D and D. I want you to know your character's fate is no longer in my hands. Right. Sam and Whitney, you walk up. There's no door. There's no door. It's all beaded curtains. Here at the Mockingard Couturier. Ahriman has no doors. Ahriman has no doors. You knock on the door. There's a long pause. And you see that walking forward is Someone I think you have maybe run into before doing errands in the city. This is Ruleus. Ruleus? Ruleous Mercknaud. One of the twins. You see, he walks up. As he opens the door, he looks at you. Go ahead and just give me even just being here. Persuasion with advantage. All right, let's fucking go. Okay. 6 and an 11 plus. So, 11 plus 7. 18. 18. He opens the door, you see, he goes. Aspirant tyranny. Ruleous. A pleasure to see you. You look, well. Radiant. Ever bright. Ever right. May the beam reach you. I have a bit of urgency for you, my dear. The house of Haylevar has sent Sion Wick, I believe you've guessed. Ah, yes. He won't be ready until tomorrow morning. No, no, no need. He's here imminently, in fact. I'm here to announce him. He requires counsel with Teor before he gets outfitted. Teor? The guest's name is Teor. The guest's name? His name is Teor. And. Ah, well. Fuck. You've come in the nick of time. Good, good. I will bound in after you walk in. Oh, you see, the light is all. Hello. Deep Bound. My lord Hillavar. Oh, please. Your radiance is fine. Your radiance. You honor us with your presence. We are absolutely delighted to have you. As am I. Wow. What a fine arrangement of fabrics. Delightful. Is that satin over there or silk? Iziri satin. The finest. I knew it. I knew it. Hi. How are you? Has business been good? Is everything all right? Business is booming. Busy, busy, busy. That's wonderful. I don't know if my aspirin told you, but we're looking for a friend of mine. A taller gentleman. Hairy, rugged, quite handsome. Handsome? I was told handsome. A friend of yours? Your uncle sent him our way. I'm sure he did. Yes. And we're here to retrieve him. Fetch him back. Has he arrived yet? Is he around? I'm gonna just do a quick scan, see if I can see anything. Give me a perception check. Oh, my God. Three, nine. This place is gorgeous. It is fucking beautiful in here. Is that a super long vest? Wow. The vestal gown. Would you like to see? I would. I think I would. You know what? We're here on business, but I would like to. Could you just sort of keep that aside? Oh. We shall put it in the back room with your name on it. Thank you. It will stay there until the end of time. Oh, wonderful. Thank you. You see that? He goes and takes it. Seems delightful. You see, he looks and says. And delighted we are to have you and the aspirant tyranny here as well. It is a marvel what the light can redeem. Yes, yes. So true. So you see, he closes the door behind you and ushers you through further in, you see, he says, I want to be as clear as I can. The guest will not be ready until tomorrow morning. We understand. I would like to suggest. I don't understand. Okay. I would like to suggest that you understand. We have orders from up top to fetch our guest and deal with him ourselves. What she said. Great. I'm going to need a deception check. And it's going to be opposed. Hold on. This is it. This is it. And I'm gonna roll. I'm roll it somewhere else. I'm gonna roll this. I'm gonna roll this in front of the board. And I'm going to add a plus four to it. That is a 14 plus four for an 18. 15 plus seven. Yes. Let's go. This is an extremely shrewd. I'm going to say. As you look into this man's eyes. You recognize when someone is breathing and talking without a soul. You look into his eyes and the emptiness you see there. You see that the light being reflected in the room from his eyes. Has to be recreated with illusory magic. Because under normal circumstances. His eyes would not reflect the light of this world. So looking into this soulless man's eyes. And you know where his soul is. You've seen it yourself. He looks and says, ah. It appears that there's been something of an error. Errors happen. They do. And it is only for us humble servants to address them immediately. I am very glad that this could be caught in time. Me as well. You see, he moves from here and says, do you wish for us to produce the guest or would you be able to give us a hand? It was quite a challenge seeing the guest to the fitting room. I understand. I believe the guest will come willingly. You'd like us to produce the guest such that he may arrive of his own volition? Yes. Oh my God. What are we talking about? You see? You see? You see? He says, calastro, brother, we have business. And you see that? You see that walking up the stairs, you see that there is a dull red glow. And this powdered white ruff wearing, silk shirt wearing guy walks up. And you see that there is a light casting a red light, fiery light casting behind him. That vanishes as he puts his wig on. As he walks into the room, he goes. You see that he's sweating. His silk shirt Is drenched. You see that he has a pair of shears in each hand. And he goes, brother, you see that? Ruleus goes, there's been an oopsie and we're done. We should go get our guest and make sure that he is returned. Because we're going to 86 the procedure. And you see that Calastro goes, really? We were so close to being ready. And you see that he says, yes, all's done. Let's go get our guest. You see that Clastrow goes back downstairs. Ruleus walks into a corner and you see, gets a sort of thick woolen, this red sound dampening fabric. Opens it to reveal a flail, a shield. He goes over to a small box in the corner, Undoes it with a key. And takes a little white pouch of coins, hands it to you. Tyranny. Thank you. Can I have that flail? Oh, it is the guest. You may do it as you win. Thank you. See, he goes. So these are his effects that were going to be discarded. And that was on its way back to Sir Fallonius. But of course, given that this is all or gone higgledy piggledy. You're doing amazing. Thank you for the compliment. I shall treasure it forever. You see that he walks out. And you see Teor, you see, coming downstairs and throwing the golden wig to the side. You see scratching a head that moves from skin into crystal. With a fire burning in the skull is this tailor who looks around and says, you're a very lucky man. And you are suspended with arms over your head in manacles. In the center of a massive nine pointed pentagram in the basement of the tailor's shop. And you see the shears were cutting your shadow into pieces. And you see that he whispers a word in fiendish. Your shadow reconstitutes. And he says, you would have had quite a ride come sunrise. You see, he scuffs the circle. Where do I. He scuffs the circle with his foot, Undoes the manacles and says, off you go. Did they take the ball gag out? It's a stone. You are fully, by the way, under the poisoned conditions. Disadvantage on everything. You're poisoned, but you can move. Okay. I drop to both hands at a knee and just try to thank you. And just start to crawl my way out of the room. If I can crawl in your way. Not now. Teor stumbles, Obviously altered by whatever this incense was. My word. Hi, big guy. Are you all right? Come here. What has happened to this, to this man? He had a glass of sherry. Oh. Oh. He's. Oh, he's had too much to drink, has he? Please come. Come here. Theo. Please. Please give me your hand. Get me out. Sure. Certainly. Certainly. May I say thank you so much for the hospitality. And we'll all just forget this happened. And we will make sure Teyor feels very welcome. I won't forget that this happens. Okay. What do you mean? No, no, no. Not without that vest. Oh, Yukon. And you see, he goes and tosses the best to you and says we have fun. We do have fun. Thank you so much. Come, Taylor, come. And as we walk out the door, I'm going to just say the light is all. And pump lesser restoration into him. My hands will glow. The tattoos on my face will glow. This should help with your drunken state. Does it help? You are no longer poisoned. Are we outside? Yes. You see that they walk to the back of the shop. Aurelius stays to see if you need anything. And looks to you. But you are welcome to. You have all of Terra's stuff. You can walk right out the door. Thank you so much. And may the beam reach you. And may it reach you as well. Okay. Slam the thaumaturgy eyes. Black ground crank. What the fuck are you thinking, dude? These are your enemies now. What are you doing? I told you we could just go in there and talk to them like nice people and they would give us tailors. Do you remember like three hours ago when you said that your mom was going to kill this guy? My mom was. My grandma was. But these are just friendly tails. They were cutting my shadow into pieces. Can I make a quick. Can I just make a quick. I know. I know that you're the big boss. Okay? I know you're the boss. Can I make a quick suggestion? Yes. You need to figure out really fucking fast who you can trust and who you can't. I'm gonna say now that you have directly gone against your family twice. You're not gonna be able to trust them very much. So that includes everyone who your family knows. Hi. Hello dear. In the. If I may make a suggestion. We should leave. No, certainly. May I make a suggestion? If we're all making suggestions, you shouldn't drink that much. Oh my God. Oh my God. Just. I eat wick. Yeah. Thank you. Incredible with that. Do you make that suggestion of Tayor? You get up on your feet after one of the most harrowing experiences of your life. We are going to move back from this table and we need everybody else. Full swap. Everybody out. Everybody in. Travis. That was like a scene from Mandy Hello. Hey. This is the. This is the joker. Harley Quinn I've always wanted. Yeah, Bruce Willis was about to wait out on a motorcycle. Hear about a leather suit with a zipper for a mouth? Oh, my God, I'm sweaty. Looks like he's made out of steel. A nap. Where are we going? Are we going three up or two up? Where are you going? Wherever. Smack dab in the N. I can also take an end. You want an end? Gosh, what happened to. Okay, so if we do this really quick, before Brandon gets back. It'll be fine. Table swap. We're back, baby. Hell, yes. What a hoot. What a hoot. What a hoot. Some abs. Sometimes you get to get real freaky. Arriving back from Caravan Hill, it is late afternoon. Julian waiting outside. Upon arriving at Hal's home, you find an older Orcish warrior, Inez Roundtree, who is essentially just keeping watch over the home while Thiazi is in sort of reverie or in memoriam, she informs you, saying, I'm sorry, my friend. Hal and Tysha are out on business, I think. I think they're either headed to the Argonaut or perhaps down to the Hallowed Round. But they should be back presently, I imagine. How presently is presently? I do think it was just for a short time to go find. Can I offer you some yardrats or. No, thank you. You said they were going to which places? It was the. The Hallowed Round the Arcanade. But I imagine wending your way over here from the Palazzo Divinos, your late start to the day, you see, walking up the road behind you. Does Octus still have his disguise on? If it's been less than an hour, yes. You see Thimble chiefly among them, but Thimble, Cadogan, Vaelys and Octys, all returning to the home, walking up the street. For those of you here, Thimble, you see Julian Divinas, who you have not seen in many years. This pretty boy. What are you doing here? I have business. What are you doing here? I guess I live here now. Do you know where Hal is? Or Taisha? No. You're of no use to me. Kind of acknowledges you as you approach. Um, Mistress Elf, I am sorry to hear that you've lost something important to you. Seems like it's been going around. Thank you. Hey. What? I come up close, he didn't deserve it, you know. You know all the shit you gave him. Just smiles and kind of waves you off and keeps walking. Yeah, keep running like you always do. You may have everybody else Fooled. Sir. Julian. He stops. I would ask you kindly to reconsider your tone in the face of your betters. I know you're not my better. I see you. The flutter of my wings is very loud against your ears as I fly away. You go to fly away. And the gauntlet in hand moves rapidly from underneath his cloak and goes to grab the back of your wings to hold you in place. Give me athletics versus acrobatics. If you damage my wings, you piece of 27. Hold on the confidence. Okay? Technically for me it's a 22, but I have my tactical mind fighter ability to burn a second wind to add a D10 to that roll, okay? Which I will do right now. So we're going to need a 6 or higher, so there's 50% chance that's a 10. No. The three of you watch as a gauntleted hand clasps Thimble's wings. Absolutely not. Let her go. I will in a moment. However, society works in certain ways and Riff Raff should learn to show some respect. You're a piece of shit. You always were. At least I'm in good company. He flicks you off. Give me perception with advantage. It's an 11. Great. On an 11. Perception, what do you look like right now? If it has been less than an hour since the bar fight. Yeah. Then I still look the way I did. Yeah. But the voice I used was Octus's, I think even on an 11, the voice doesn't match the body and I think that Octus was. You were not at the funeral at the same. No. Because you were. You were at the funeral at the same time, correct? I believe he saw me, yeah. Saw him, but we didn't have much of an interaction beyond that. You heard. Heard his voice in the corner, I think. All right. Give a keen glance off of this heated exchange. Varis, was it? Yes. Have you seen the Taconis boy from the event earlier? I can't say that I have. Well, if you do, it is of utmost importance that we speak. He, amongst many others, may be in immediate danger. I will make sure to send him your way immediately. Thank you. Julian. Where do you head off to? Julian's going to go ahead and turn and go. Heading towards the Argonaut as you go to head off towards the Arcanade. Walking down the street, Octis, Julian Divinas is somewhat that, you know, he's older than you. Considerably. Yeah. And I think, as he says, Octis is in grave danger. You see him walking off? The coldness and casual Cruelty in his demeanor makes what he's saying seem very true. These were not honeyed words, but long shot. Yeah. Did he say I'm in danger? That's what I heard. Okay, great. Good. Don't know what that's about. Other than the fact that my family did all of this and I've been actively working against them, but other than that, I can't imagine why they would be mad at me. Do they know? Did I tell you? I didn't think they did. But I'm going to take that as a guess that they do. I've rounded the corner and attempted to square around the other side unseen. Give me stealth. I mean, I kind of figured they might figure it out, which is why I've been kind of. You know. And then I used the wrong voice when you got grabbed and. Oh, I'm sorry about that. Look, he's nothing but a liar. He lies about everything. You don't have to believe him. Maybe. Maybe you're not in danger. I mean, why would he say it if. I don't know? Okay, well, we got it. We got it. We gotta find. We have a job to do. We gotta finish that first. We can deal with me later. Octus. Do you wanna talk to him? Who, him? Oh, God, no. Should I? I'll back you up. If you want to, I will, too. Yeah, go on. Do it. Everybody's in danger all the time. And I give him a slap on the ass, pushing him toward where took off to. Okay, weird. And I'll start heading down the street. You begin to head down the street Julian vanished prepares you. But Julian, you hear Octys heading off on his own. I begin to block back in the path where I took so I can head him off at the pass, hopefully unseen by the rest of the street. You head off as you do Cadigan. You look and see Thimble here outside the home where Thiazi still lies. You have no idea, Thimble. And neither do you, Catagan, where Teor is and Vaylis. You, as you have for long centuries, putting one foot in front of the other, now know that the Stone of Nightsong has passed beyond the reach of the thief who took it from you. I don't know what to do. You watch Octys walking away and you see that little dead fox with its button eyes walking behind him. Now that I'm getting a better look at this creature, can I sort of walk up to it and get a closer look? Yeah. Give me investigation. Investigation or religion. Okay. Okay, great. 21. That was so definite 21 on religion or investigation. Religion. That little thing with button eyes is unnatural. It's a spirit of undeath. You are one who, but for injury or catastrophe, will never die. You see that fox? Turns around, looks at you, cocks its head. I cock my head. It smiles, little twitches its whiskers and heads off. The young Taconis boy who walks away from you is of a family that for generations, even when the God of the sun still lived, they were a family of shadow. The Haylovars were the priestly family of flame, The Taconis, the priestly family of shadow, of the journey through night to the next day. They were gifted with the rites of funeral cremation of moving from one realm to the other. Though that young man is not a sorcerer, he has wielded a strange gift to make a little dead creature that regarded you with kindness. Is it possible that dead things can still love us? Octus? Yeah. Did you make this creature? And he looks down, he goes, pin. I told you, you're supposed to stay. Yes, I made him. And he has a hard time staying in the dimensional pocket that I put him in. It's something to do with the fact that he's made out of different pieces. It doesn't really work. It's coated to one part of him, but the other part. Can I get his hand out? I'm sorry. Yes, I did make him. How did you do such a thing? I got a. There was most of a fox, and then I got. I talked to some people and I got some pieces of other fa. And I just put them back together and brought it back to life. Yeah, that was the part with the magic that brought him back to life. Yes, I did do that. And then it was a thing where I was supposed to be making a fearsome thing that would fight. And then he did. Have you done it before? Sense. Yeah, all the time. Insight check. Insight versus deception. I think at this point. Oh, natural one as you get. Hey, Velis, this kid does this all the time. And I think at this point, you're just. In terms of how long it takes to get from Caravan Hill, I think. Your disguised self fades, and Julian, you emerge, intersecting with octys. Vaylis, you've moved a little bit away from Thimble and Cadigan. Wait, Octis. I'll flay up Vaylis. Are you going with him? I will go with you. Okay, yeah, sure. I mean, I just. I guess I'm talking to the guy. She's a total badass. She'll keep you Safe. Yeah, I saw earlier. He destroyed that man. No. Hey, I gotta go find Teor. Okay. Yeah, that makes sense. It's good to see you. It's good to see you. I'll talk to you again. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I will protect him. Okay. I'll see you soon. Yeah. Don't take any shit from Julian. I'm not gonna. I mean, I'm absolutely going to. He's scary. I'll fly up. I pat your cheek. Okay. All right. I'll see you later. You gotta be super excited. It's just you and me now. Come on, Cadigan. As Thimble and Cadogan walk into Hal and Tysha's home, you see Inez herself. Inez herself, a veteran of the Falcon's Rebellion, looks up to you, Cat. It's good to see you again. You want to sit in a room with a dead friend? I've been doing it all morning. She passes out some yargrass and Thimble and Cadigan walk inside. Octys. You walk side by side with Veelys. Looking at this little undead creature you've made. And you are talking to someone who, again, every step is so purposeful. Everything's so graceful. Why are you asking about him? And I just put him back in the pocket. You're supposed to stay other. I. I just think it's beautiful and fascinating that you were able to build such a thing. I can honestly tell you that is not the response I thought you were going to give. A lot of people don't like him. They get weird about it. And I just thought, can you bring him back out? Just arm the shoulder. Yeah. He was supposed to be, like, you know, scary. And then I made him and he absolutely was terrible at it. And so I just bent some things and, you know, you know, we have familiars and, you know, spellcasters and whatnot. And I was like, hey, I can do that. And so I did that and made him. That he had so many bits and pieces to him. Yeah. I had to work with what I had. It's easier when you have like a whole thing. Apparently. Like a whole body. Yeah. Could you do it with a whole body? Octis. Daconis. I'm here. From behind you. Hello. Hi. Yes, I unclick my sensor. You keep strange company these days. I mean, look at me. I guess it's in the family. I've been looking for you. And I do not believe I'm the only one. That sounds terrible. Why? It seems there are a number of roiling events as of late. And there Are quite a few interests beginning to crumble. Okay. You are a name that has come up as of late, possibly tied to a dangerous crux. Your family, you have not spoken with them recently, have you? I haven't seen my family in at least five years. I was at the Pentevral, and then the last six months, I've been traveling. So you got out? Yeah, I just didn't say anything. Just walked out a door and. Strange that you know what that's like. Perhaps we should speak some more private. I have some questions to ask. If you would be so kind as to do me the honor. Sure. You're being weirdly nice, but sure, I will come along as well. Certainly. I'm going to find the nearest side alley or shaded corner to have a very quick, close conversation. It has come to the attention of House Divinos and House Royce. Above it from Erinessa, Lady Erinessa herself, that a plot had been hatched to rescue the Arcene. Do you know anything of this? No. Do I believe him? Insight versus deception. Hell, yeah. Let's go. I'm bad at this. I'm not terrible. That's okay. I'm really bad at this. That would be 21. That's a three for the best. Because it seems many individuals are looking for those involved. Apparently. It did not work, of course. Yeah, he's dead. Indeed. But from people I trust implicitly, you seem to be tethered into this. I mean, my family did want him dead, and I guess that's what they got. But, I mean, I did know him, and he was nice to me when I was a kid. Your family is searching for you. Okay. Right. The worst of your family is what I can gather. Right. Okay. Is there any reason why they would be and why this has come to the attention of my lady? I honestly couldn't tell you. I don't know why they would want to see me. They sent me away. They didn't have any use for me. Then would you be so kind as to speak with Re Arnessa? We need to get you somewhere safe, but they can't find you. And we can figure out what your place is in this before it ends up costing you our other lives. Okay. Yeah, I can go talk to her. Good. Come with me. Oh, my God. Okay, Julian, you take off with Octys and Velis. Do you follow along? I follow along. And if Pin is still out, I'm sort of just. I've picked him up at this point, and I'm just petting it, and I think too Feeling pin in vaelys arms. You know that even if there's some distance created, you'll have that connection. Yeah. As you head to the Palazzo Divinos, I'm going to ask Matt, Alex and Ashley to step out. And I'm gonna ask Sam, Whitney and Travis to step in. Sorry about that, you master. You know, I'm supposed to be hard to catch because it's happened twice. Don't let this be a precedent. Actually, let me get Liam and Dabria here as well. Scooch him over. Thank you. Nice Jimmy for the beer. I think we're going foursies cuz Robbie's supposed to come. Four on that side, three on this side. Do you want to be on the other? Thank you. Hell yeah. God. Right in my ear too. Ysmr treat for me. Hell yeah. Hell yeah. Hal and Tysha, I think you arrive back. You arrive back from the hallowed round and a lovely day. There you depart from Bolaire and the paint is all set up and safe and the work continues. And there'll be people there all night watching. And you know, but you know, sunset comes and you arrive back at the house to find Cadogan and Thimble at the house waiting. And I think in the hours since then, having no idea where Teor could be, you've flown around, you've asked people, there's just no clue where. You know that he had a meeting at the Via Aurora, but after that he's in the wind. But I think by the time you guys have circled back to Hal and Tysha or to Hal's house as Hal and Tysha come back. Oh, are you taking up me up on my offer? Stay a while maybe. Probably not. Maybe. Have you seen Teo or anywhere? No. He's hard to miss. Have not. Are you? Good. Thanks for the steak. And Cadigan has pilfered a bone in rib eye from their cellar. He's got it over his shiner that he's nursing from the bar fight, but he's also eating it at a certain same time. Just raw. You're gross. I'm all right. I'm feeling good. Can I. Fresh and young. Yeah. Is he going to die of this? That's just a black eye. I think your sense for nature of him eating this raw steak is that the immune system is being so bolstered by the yargrass that the alcohol, it doesn't know to kill you for this. Got it. Arriving back, Hal, there's some people you can reach out to to see if anyone's got A bead on Teor. Hold on. You left with too? Yeah. Where's Octis? The piece of shit? Ser Julian came searching for him. He said that? And you let him go? No. Cause Valis went with him. She is. Why do you think that's better? No. Because she came and saved us. So listen, we went to the Crow Keepers. It went so bad. Look at his eye. Yeah. And Vaylis came in, cracked the brace. She fucking killed people. Pretty sweet. We just wanted to talk. There's so much happening. It looks. Political. Intriguing. Every piece of of metal on her is beginning to go red hot. I'm really sorry. Is he safe? Yeah. Yeah. Are you sure? Yeah, of course. Maybe. Totally. Sorta. Now. Leaves rustle, the trees, branches sway. Wait, There's a wolf in front of you now. Wait. Before you go crazy like you always do. Sir. Julian said he needed to talk to him. He said that? Well, this is kind of worse. He said that Octus wasn't. I'm jump up and snap at you, not trying to hit you. Oh my. Darna. I am so sick of people trying to grab me today. I mean, I might be able to Everyone else. Why do they want the boy? I don't know. They said he was in trouble. Julian said he wanted to talk to him. Julian never wants to talk to anybody. I figured it. And what's the taor of it all? We were betrayed, right? You know that, right? I've taken off. I'm gonna go find Octis's scent. So you take off. Give me survival. You could do so with advantage because you are in a form that has scent. And she wonders why I didn't want her to come with us. Not that it would have mattered. Actually, she probably would have helped. Gary. You think I'm a wolf. 1919. You pick up a scent and take off into the city as fast as you can. Incredible. As you take off, I think Aabria, thank you very much. We're going to clear. Bye. Wolves don't have metal fingers, my best friend. How working is best. There are people you can reach out to. I mean, I know a third of the people in this neighborhood. So I can send a runner. You send a runner. Just word for Teor. Has anyone seen anything? As night falls, a runner comes back saying, haven't heard much, but. But there are some people on their way here. And I would like Luis and Marisha to come in. Whoa, whoa, whoa. We're running it hot and cold getting out of here. Merryman. I'm unprepared. Unprepared I know. Hot swapping. Hot swapping. We get scooch. When are we ever. The writers are just going crazy. You got helicopters. Helicopters going crazy. Going crazy. Crazy. A moment later. Murray and Azun. Yes. Visiting the guard tower. You found the place deserted. But a quick survey of the neighborhood. Vaylis killed two people in there. She killed the Guildmaster. And she killed one of the journeyman thieves there. You know for a fact that the Thieves Guild's not gonna make a move on someone that had that much arcane potency. But they're just gonna go either they know how to use the systems of actual control and authority against people. So they're going to go to whatever remains of the Revolutionary Guard or the Council and let them know that there's a dangerous Elven murderer. All that it needs to be is that she's wearing garb of like. Or if she has any sign of being religiously affiliated with the Dead Shapers. That's all the Revolutionary Council is going to need to be. Like. There's a dangerous immortal walking our streets. Okay. You gathered that from. From canvassing. Got it. Like talking to people in the neighborhood that like this words. The Crow Keepers are in the neighborhood and they describe Vaelys to a T. Any sense of where they left headed to? If she's so obvious. Hal and Tysha's great. And I think you guys arrive 100%. He killed Salomon Saruman. Salomon. Salomon killed Salomon Saruman. Too much of that. The Hawkins Leap. Finally. I'm just saying. I'm just saying he was one of my guys. It makes you paranoid. Gandhi. Know who your guys are. And I don't know if I want to. So Azane and Murray arrive at the house. As you see this sort of. People from the neighborhood are coming. And Thimble Cadogan. Hal, you're corroborating stories. Someone says they saw him get to the Via Aurora. Someone else says that they saw him leave. He was headed maybe back for your house. But he was taking the bridge. He was taking the Mid City Bridge from the marketplace. That's the last place you've kind of gotten that. Maybe he was in the marketplace when Ahzane and Mari arrived. Wait. Sorry. That's the bead on Teor. Teor, not Octus. Teor. This is a lot to keep up with. I feel like my brother's death has set off a lot of dominoes falling. And I can't see the board. I mean, I come in and I. What's the atmosphere in the space. Who at the table is there? It's not us. Not the two men. Justice and Travis. Teora's not here. Literally. I think I'll go to Thimble and I'll say. Well, I saw the work that was done over there. It was Kasimir. It was. Yeah, it was Kasimir. And Cid walked in and Kasimir chased him. I don't know. Cid was an involved. That's a relief. Yeah. It seems like it's a very down atmosphere here. What have we missed? We're trying to find Teor. I want to get out of town. I want to chase. I want to chase him down. You have a lead on them? Yeah. They're going to some new stronghold in Gormalay. He used. He sold everything. All of the shit the Ozzy and I had. He sold it all. So you had a plan in place and one weak link sank the whole affair. Yeah. It was a small chain. You hear noise of footsteps approaching. It's gotten to later hours. It's been night for maybe a little more than two hours at this point. And you see Teor's frame stumble into the home along with the lord Wicander Haylevar and the aspirant tyranny. Do you have anything to drink? Maybe not. Sherry. There he is. Hey. Just looking around. Does anybody here like you? Yes. Hal does. Sure. Only ignoring Wick. Oh, look at that. I'll fly down. Is Teor walking? Is he stumbling? What's happening? He's sort of wobbling side to side though the poison's been removed. But getting your shadow cup will fuck you up. I'm going to fly and I'm going to grab his two braids in front of him and steer him as I'm flying backwards and try to get him to a chair and sit down. I take a knee by the chair. I'm sorry. We have either Yagraz or I have some wine. It was in a box. But don't you have water? I have water. I brought it in a flask. Hello. What are you doing here? You remember Roganda and Tyranny? I don't remember actually. Wait a minute. Hi. You're so little. Hi. I'm Tyranny. We just know. I don't know. I'm sorry. I've never seen. We just brought your friend back from imminent doom. So you didn't do this to him? No, it's not. No. I went to their house to try and follow up on how he was reacting last night. I was sent. Thank you. That's Very good water. I thought he'd lap it up. I kind of wanted him to lap it up. I was sent to go collect something for the Candescent Creed. I tried to learn any information I could. I was sent to go get vestments and clothes, and I was drugged and almost tortured within an inch of my life. And these two. These two came and saved me. You know he's with the Candescent Creed, right? Yes, I am horrifically aware of him. How many life debts you owe at this point? It's a long list. I'm afraid to ask, but do you know if you were followed? Oh, I didn't look. Did you look? I looked. Give me a perception. Give me a perception check. A what? A perception check. Yes, sir. Perception. God damn it. Roll high. Roll high. Seven. Hey. Tyranny. You were not following. This may be very well known, but the Candescent Creed is not what it appears. The people in that house, the people that work for them, are some of the darkest people I've ever met. Then what are they doing here? I have. He says, true. Hal, I'm so sorry about your brother. I'm so sorry I couldn't do more. And I've learned some things in the last few hours that I. He's right. I thought this was common knowledge, by the way. Are you guys all just getting up to speed on all this? My. Well, it wasn't common knowledge to me. I mean. What's your name? Wait. Oh, I remember him. Keep going. I'll put a pin in that. I have recently learned that my entire life's a lie. And everything I've been believed since childhood has been a string of delusions and manipulations to. I'm having a very bad day, okay? So, yeah, that's why we. Hey. I'm gonna ask for a little compassion here. This guy, this nobleman, just really risked his own hide to save you. I do not know why his family is trying to kill you, but that has put us on a list of Persona non grata to his very powerful and very scary family. And also my very scary demon family. So I would love to hear why you think they want to kill you. Well, I came looking for information for my brother, Cid. We have that. You do? Yeah. Kasimir betrayed everybody. He's the one that broke into the hideout. Kazimir? Yes. Sid chased him down. Sid wanted to know why he didn't show up. And he stole a deed. He stole a deed to a stronghold. And Casimir chased him out. I think Cid is on the run from him. My brother stole the deed and is being chased by Kasimir. Yeah, and all of his crew. I guess we have to chase him down. Yeah. Objectively. She's got a tiny brain, but she's super smart. It's really big for my size. Yeah. Yeah. It feels proportional. It cannot be overstated that these two risked their lives for me. So wherever we go next, they are not safe here in Dolmakiar any longer. I have been told several times in the last few hours that I'm in very, very bad danger. And I'm starting to believe that to be true. What has changed? Well, I guess if you anger my family, they try to kill you. And I think I'm probably angering them a bit. Hal spins around, goes up the stairs, leaves. I'm going to make my way up to the roof and look around the neighborhood. Yes, I've made my way. Do I see anybody that looks like a problem in the vicinity of the building? If I walk around the top of the roof, Give me a perception check. Guess it wasn't that interesting to him. How have you been, by the way? Awful. Yeah. That's fair. You look great. 13 13. You look shadows on the city downstairs. There's Cadogan Vale, who has an open shiner on his face from a bar fight where two people were murdered. There's Thimble, who is a wanted criminal accomplice who was left for dead in Thiazi's hideout. Teor, whose mentor just headed west this morning and who himself was marked for death by the Havar family, who are here in the city knowing that they did that. And then there's Wick, someone that you knew had a reputation for straight dealing in a family that had a reputation for love of power. Now you're hearing that there's a malevolent, magical dimension to the hail of AR's previously just corrupt, noble evil malevolence. And you also know that according to Tyranny, if they have already, it was already bad before he moved against his family and they just went and lied or did whatever they did to free Teor in contradiction to the family's wishes. And then there's Murray and Azune, who to everyone else's knowledge, have just yelled at a noble and put his subordinate officer in an awkward position vis a vis a patrol. So you got two friends downstairs that have day jobs and are okay, and everybody else stinks to high heaven. Uh huh. Okay. Shadia is. Is with her friends with the company. Hiro is with her mother in the best part of town. I'M going to go to my study and stare at my brother's sword on the desk while they all mulled us over. You look at that sword. It's a small symbol where the fuller of the blade ends right before the tang enters into the hilt of the sword. Where it goes from having the sort of indentation and there's a maker's mark there, but you see, it sort of looks like a half of a mask, but that half, the middle line where the other half is not there is broken by a smirking tongue that comes out of it. Mm. Mm. I'm looking at the deed for the land that my business venture and the hallowed round is on. And it's everything I've worked at for years. And it is not important right now. Everything is. It just feels like the world is tilting sideways and going down an incline. I haven't held a sword, a real sword, with purpose since. Since I was a young man. The only blades I've held in my hand have been stage props for several decades. I pick up the weapon and it is heavier than a stage prop and I heft it and hold it in my hand and take a couple of practice swings with it, which I can do believably. I don't know about effectively, but believing unbelievably. And I just think of my brother and I'm staring at that face on the sword. What the fuck have you gotten us all into? And I'll just stay there with it and do it. You focus on the sword. You begin to focus on the sword. And as you do, she never fucked a sword before, you see from another angle that sinister thing of a half mask with a tongue coming out the side of the mouth. Oh, no, no, no, that's a face and profile and it's someone smiling and sticking their tongue out a little bit playfully. It's not actually that bad when you look at it that way. And you begin to look at a sword forged for a long ago war by the Loy family. This is the liar's blade. Your brother wielded it once. Well, if you're lucky, maybe you can too. Downstairs, all of you begin to feel movement in this space. I think Cadigan, you know that this, if it had happened weeks ago, it would be a foregone conclusion. But it seems like this happened yesterday. If Kasimir headed north towards Timony, that's the direction you've just come from. Yeah. Those of you gathered here, I think look in this moment. Azahuneh, I think you also are looking at the events that you know, that word's gotten out from the Crow Keepers. No longer safe in the city. No longer safe in the city. No longer safe in the city. And for these two, though you don't know them well, what they're describing, it paints a very clear picture to you. This is a very interesting gathering of people that don't seem to belong here anymore. Did you have a lead on where Casimir was heading? Yeah, north. North. You know, I've got some contact still in the Thieves Guild, I know. Well, you killed some good ones, I'm not gonna lie. I didn't do it. I didn't do it. I was just gonna chop somebody's balls off. Okay, it doesn't matter. Matter? You're implicated in all this. Clearly. So you were there anyway. But I could still, like, chat around a little bit and see where the money maybe flowed. You know, you gotta follow the money. But honestly, I don't think it really matters at this point. I think you guys know where you gotta go. Dimble. Where else have we to go? I told Daz I would make him pay. Let's go make him pay. Damn. He was another good contact, too. He had the best skulls. Assholes. I'm starting to think that we might not be able to sleep in the villa tonight. We might have to find a hotel or some sort of. Oh, no. Fuck that. Cadogan has sort of been above table. This is not a good look. He's on the outskirts of the party, sort of wandering around the perimeter of the group meeting. Just kind of like dancing quietly to himself. Sort of like step touching around, but watching. And what you think you're seeing is a fool. And maybe a part of him is. But he's listening to them all and listening to where they have to go. That foolishness starts to fade away. And instead of being on the outside of the group, he slowly folds himself back into the circle. At the mention of sleeping in a hotel, he just says, you're going to go up north. You're gonna have to sleep outside. Oh, hey. You ever slept outside before? I'm sorry. What's up north? Camping. Camping. Hi, I'm Tyranny. All right, Tyranny. Lovely to meet you. Oh, everybody has really big and rough hands except for you. Touches. There's. There's. Let me touch it. Oh, my God. Salt is a lamb's ear. And I would. I feel it. I feel it. It's just a little chilly in here up north. I'm not. I'm not familiar with that area. We gotta Fuck off. Right. I'm sorry. You're gonna fuck off out of the city? Yeah, we're gonna fuck off. Fuck off with us. Oh, are you two, like, new friends or something? We are now. Oh, really? Of course. Wick. Yes. I think now would be a really good time to exhibit one of your teachings. Which is humility. I think it would be a really great time to extend a thanks for listening and a plea. Because now we are in trouble and we are going to have to keep this act up. Maybe we need to find a way to say that we killed this guy. I don't know. People are gonna be after us and we need help from friends. Right? So if you have anything going on in there. Right, yeah. Yes. Yes. If we need help, there are people in this room who could extend it. Yeah. Maybe you should ask. Yes. Well. In this wonderful house owned by a great man in the shadow of the death of another man, I humbly ask for protection. Shelter. Friendship. Loyalty. Love. And I don't know where to go or what to do. I don't have anyone. And I'm very scared and confident. Could someone take care of me for a while? Okay. You're so. You did great. That is a noble list. I can tell you that. My life will be in service of yours until my debt is paid. How's it the base of the stairs now? Really? Is that true? Is that true? But the love and the cuddling and all that. I care about that. But that's a huge thing. Thank you. That's a huge thing. Tayor. He saved my life. They were cutting my shadow into peace. What does that even mean? I don't know what they mean. Can I just. I'm trying to get your attention. You're flitting around so fast. Can I just say something? He's a full idiot, okay? He is the only one in his family who has actual ethics. He's the only one who gives a shit and does not want to be manipulating the masses. Okay? You can trust us. Hal's at the bottom of the stairs. There's a sword strapped to his back now. A scimitar. Are we even safe here? Here? Is my family safe here? Nothing I did. Everyone in the city knows that. That the Ay kept you safe, Al. What about now? You might make some good use out of that sword. You can't go, Hal. We got work to do. We gotta stay here. And here is becoming a lot more dangerous. And my young lord, if you are fleeing because your family now is what is putting you in danger. We must Know what that is? Because the Houses of the Lords, they're taking advantage of Thiazi's death, and they are taking action, and quickly. I feel like it might be more than taking advantage. Right. My family was directly responsible for this death and possibly responsible for this Kasimir person. Yeah. So, you know, it might just make me feel better. So if you want to just human, maybe humor her, maybe add an apology to that long list of yours that you just rattled off. Might make a lot of us feel better. Cause, look, I'm a little new here to all this information dump going on, so I'm not entirely sure why we're protecting this little one. But, you know what? Good luck on the road, baby boy. Thank you. I believe that there is good and there is evil in this world. And if my family has contributed to the darkness, take out that if right now, and then we'll be square. My family cast as much shadow as it has light. And I must. I must burn it away and rectify it. And I will not stop until I do. So I apologize to you for your brother, and all of you for the danger you've been placed in, and you for. Well, I don't know what. But you hate me, and that's not good. Yeah. So I'm sorry. But mostly, I'm sorry to you. Tyranny. To me. Why you've been stuck with me. Oh, boy. This is not your choice. And I'm sorry. Listen, I hate my family, too. All right, we'll get into it. On the. I think that we. So you guys are aware we're gonna keep this act up. Pious demon. Charming leader. That's not really an act. Give me a history check. With advantage. History. History. Not great. Eight. Eight. Do you. With advantage. Oh, with advantage. With advantage. Even worse. Even more scores. There was something that Thimble said before. Some word that she said about a place that just sounded familiar to you. You see place names all the time. Paperwork. The holdings of the Haylovar family. And there's just something she said that sounded familiar. Was it in the North? What did you say before? Stronghold in Gormaley. Gormaley. I think I actually did write that down. The Haylovars have temples all over the place, and we ship filament in our faith. We believe that the universe is a river of light, and we are all. I don't care. Okay. There is a treasured liquid that we ship around, and. What kind of liquid? You might not believe me if I told you, but it's very powerful, magical, and some of it has been shipped up there and we may have. So you have a place there. So you have a stronghold in Gormalet. I don't know if it's a stronghold, but we do have because Kasimir had a brand new deed for a stormhold in Gormalet. Did he sell all of our shit to your family? Oh, dear. I mean, we do buy things a lot and sell things. Father than mine. How can it be so evil? And you have no idea. Insight check. I don't believe him. Mm. Give me an insight. Hey, wait. Give me Laura, Give me up with advantage. 17. Give me persuasion. That's very good. 20, I think. Thimble. You look and see behind wicked. The person you loved is laid out on a table covered in treasure. The Azzy believed in two things. He believed above all that despite all of the darkness in the world, there was always hope. That people might turn and choose a better path, even if it was hard. And he also believed if you had a rich kid in your pocket to help pave the way, that is not a ticket you throw out. Tayor's one of the most honorable people I know. And if he says he's got your back, then I do too. What about you, big boy? You got my back? With that voice? Oh, jeez. Your back, your front, your side. Do you want to go take care of business before we head out of town? What's that then? Azune, if these guys need to get out of town tonight, you know where you can get them horses to get out of here. The question that's running in my mind right now is whether I choose to go with them. I'm watching the three people from the Falconers rebellion that I just reunited with. And now they're getting out of town. And I just started remembering all of this time that we spent together. And now they're leaving. And I haven't had much time with you, even though we were in the same city, working for the same person in a way, but I didn't. But if you need to leave tonight, then I can hope. Hasn't he? We're gonna make them all pay. Yeah. I wanna go. You have more pull in this city than any of us combined. Well, except for maybe that shit. Doesn't seem like he has much pull anymore. And as I look over, I see how. Who I realize maybe a part of me, subconsciously, in the last 24 hours I've been avoiding. And I see you with a scimitar, a visage of a warrior that was never meant to be. And I Turn back to you, Thimble. And I say make them pay for me too. You need to hunt down everybody in this city that had a hand in it. And you know who they are. Seek them out and take them down. Yeah. Yeah. Lucinda, that armor looks so big and sturdy. I bet your balls finally dropped. Haven't they, boy? Hey, puff up my chest a little bit at that. But I see the glint in your eyes and that smirk on your face. Just like I remember when I first met you. Some of you hasn't changed at all. I will do what I can here. And I will look after the rest of the people here that I care about. Cadigan settles in by the fire, knowing we're going and wanting to grab this last little moment of comfort. It's so rare in the wild. And he lights up a little hand rolled cigarette. And it's probably not anything that should be smoked. So are you gonna go up north? Yeah. All the mirth and good humor that's been in him in this evening fades away and it becomes deadly serious. City folk. All your drama, all your interpersonal workings. Any of you been in the wild lately? Cause let me tell you something. There's no more. You think I just came from Timony? Not for three nights ago. Then you had better prepare yourselves. I am so excited to find out what your deal is, man. Can I just say really quick how. I don't know if you remember me or not, but I'm such a big fan. You gave me some fruit leather one time when you were helping him with his diction and his public speaking. And it was so good. Do you have any more of that? And could you also say, why do people pretend to be other people? It's so crazy to me to find the truth. How? You have some costumes here, right? You have a couple cloaks at least. Poor Brennan two blocks away. Yeah, we should cover them up. Your robes are pretty noticeable. Oh, costume cloaks are easy enough to acquire here in the home of veteran actor and thespian. Your final moments are shared here in Hal's home. He wears the Ozzie sword on his back. Your final moments with the Azzy, who, if you ever return to Dolmakyar, will be in his final resting place. Are there any final words shared here before the knight welcomes you as they're about to leave? I catch Thimble by the door and lose with reverberation to his voice. He says, find him for our brother and take a bardic inspiration with you as you leave. I'm going to say With, I'm going to say, with Thiazi's sword on your back at the threshold of your house, the iron nail of the Loy family overhead. That bardic inspiration that you take in that moment will not diminish, no matter any amount of time, and will increase even if you hold onto it. As Hal works for the goals set before him here in this city, you bid farewell. Yeah. Parting is such we sorrow. Lukewarm, I think the silence says more than any words could. At the top of the city, bidding farewell to Thiazi Cadogan. The stables of the Grey Tower stand beside an open balcony high above the waterfall. And you look and see a falcon's nest nearby. You draw five horses out here at the Falcon's Rest. I don't need one. Is there a carriage of some sort? I'm afraid not. You can ride sidesaddle. I will. Yes. I. They don't know what the Falcon's Rest is. I take my Falconer's Rebellion folks and I point out Falcon's Rest, this monument to those fallen of Dol Machyar in the Falconer's Rebellion. Around the pillars, by the balustrade, no names written on where the hands rest. The names here in this monument seem almost hidden under shadow. As though in remembering them, Dolmakyar still had to hide some shame that they did not lend their full support when the Falcon's cry rang out across these lands. There's one thing I would like to do. As they start getting ready to leave, I will start to recite the names of those that fought alongside us in the Falconer's Rebellion that did not make it through. And I will keep that going as they right off. Five brought together head north. A brother in danger, a life turned into chaos, and maybe, if you're lucky, vengeance. We'll see you five at the soldier stable. Farewell. Farewell. And for the rest of you, I'll say farewell as well. Although we will be seeing you next week. I need Matt, Alex and Ashley back here. Bolgers, did you hear that? Yes, I am incredible. How did that. Yeah, you might. You choose. You probably have a better energy. Shoulder to shoulder, I'm all alone. The Palazzo Divinos gorgeous. Lit with fairy light. Dancing wisps of magic as Julian Phelis Noctis arrives. Vaylis, I believe you were trailing some distance behind with pin cushion in your arms. As you walk through the gardens here at the Palazzo Divinas, you hear the rushing of the river. The plazo abuts the River Vroche on the far side, gardens Here are beautiful. Some of these trees aren't from this world. Seeds from far Faerie Teal C' thu lands beyond grow in this place. Trailing vines. As you arrive, the doors open. Your father, General Raymond. Julian. Well done, my son. I am General Raymond Davinos. You are Octus Taconis. Yes. Pleasure to meet you. I believe we have some things to discuss. I've been told he enters in Vaelys. Do you approach with him to enter the manor, or do you remain in the garden? I lean over to Octus. Would you like me to come with you? I mean you. I have no objection. But also, we don't know each other, so that's up to you. You can come if you like. With all due respect, Vaylis, it is a bit disquieting to leave you to your own devices on our personal grounds. And we are not fully understood of how tethered you might be to this plot either. I would humbly request your presence in this conversation as well. Of course. So. Yeah. Come on. You enter. Cordias abound. They're getting ready for a big gala tomorrow night. So you see that there's some festivities around. People are decorating garlands of flowers on the gardens. You enter and see the Lady Erinessa Royce, who you saw yesterday at the funeral. She says. Julian. Thank you, Octys. Good evening. Good evening. Maybe there's a good quiet place for us to discuss. There's a room higher in the keep. Or if you prefer, a. An additional layer of privacy. We have a bedroom that you're welcome to stay in while we're figuring out Whatever you prefer. I'm here at your disposal. Up to you. There's a drawing room with a fire just up there on the upper balustrade. Or if you'd like a place. If you'd like us to show you to a room, because we think it might be good for you to sleep in a place that nobody knows you stay. I understand you're a student of the Penteverel. You should know that your father visited the Penteverel earlier today. Okay, then I accept your generous hospitality. I will stay here for the time being. What is going on? Well, I believe General Raymond wishes to speak with you. Julian. You see that Erinessa looks and says, my Lady. Hello. I am the Lady Erinessa Royce. Welcome to the Palazzo Divinos. This is the house of my vassal, Lord Raymond. I am Velis Vaylis. Cl. Apologies for how we met earlier. Of course. You see that she looks to you and says, I'll show you to your chambers and we can discuss. Thank you. She begins to walk upstairs with you and says, how have you found your studies at the Penteveral? Oh, um, fine. You're studying. I know that your family is gifted with sorceress ability as mine is, but yeah, you know, being the eighth kid and all, it didn't quite get to me, you know. She looks at pin in vaylis arms and says, or it did in its own way. I had to force it. She smiles and says, let's discuss. She walks with you, you see. Raymond looks at you, Julian, and says, we have some things to discuss, my son. And they walk up to the side. They get up. As they start heading up, Baelus, I think you. As you're walking up, Erinnessa takes Octis hand. I can stay. I don't need to. I don't need a room, you see. She smiles and says, and you remain down here in the hall, looking at courtiers gathering around. Go ahead and give me a perception check if you'd be so kind. Ooh. Okay. 21. 21. Looking out. This palazzo is beautifully appointed. You see, there's a lot of open bay doors to the gardens. You look out and see servants moving in from kitchens elsewhere. It's just beautiful and very open. Wind moves through the palace. You hear a noise on a 21. Distantly, you hear a wolf moving swiftly somewhere far away. Your ears are powerful enough to detect it. It's not even on the ground, but it is approaching distantly. Something wild and magical is moving on the face of the world. You almost hear the call of a nightingale. I look around and just anywhere to try to see if I am actually hearing this or if this is just in my head. None of the humans here in this room are reacting or can hear what you can hear, but you hear it coming from the gardens. I watch Octus as he goes up with Lady Erinessa. And I will. Am I still able to hold onto pincushion? Yeah. Okay. So I'm going to put pincushion on my shoulder and I'm going to walk out to the gardens. You walk out, you see a distant bridge, A wolf running across a bridge, crossing the river. You hear nightingale's song. As you walk through the gardens, you see jasmine growing. That wolf needs to get into this garden. The walls of the Palazzo are closed. You need to make sure that that wolf can get in. And when I see the wolf, do I sense. Aabria? You want to come out? No. No. Oh, shit. Shit. It's the wrong wolf. It's the wrong wolf. Down wolf. Wolf down. Ate my knee on the way in. We're doing great. All right. So coming over the bridge towards us. Yes. Okay. So I am going to. You look and I think. Tysha. Yeah. You hear the song. It's powerful. Beautiful. But it's a word of warning. Something magical is happening. And you look across the bridge. As you are crossing it. You can feel jasmine heralding your approach. You look across at what can only be described as one dedicated to the memory of a shaper that took the world of nature for her own own and bent it to her will. And you look across and in this moment know that doom will befall your world if you cannot find her spirit in your own. And she yours. There is a moment of eye contact. And just unbidden a howl rips from her. And it is long and mourning. And then she just returns her gaze to you. And she is stopped and gets low. It's something between a pounce. But it's not submission. It is what is about to happen next. And she just waits and watches you. I think hearing that Vaelys hasn't had this feeling in a long time. Almost as if her heart has. It's beating again for the first time. And hearing that morning howl. Something gets caught in her throat. An emotion. Something. I will start briskly walking towards the wolf. I approach at the same speed. The wolf vanishes. You are separated by so much distance. But in this starlight here it's an unusually clear night for Dolmakyar. Connecting over this vast distance. The wolf continues into the city. And you walk forward. Seeing multiple small gates in the walls of the Palazzo. Manned by guards at the divinos. By whatever measure necessary. You know that a door must be left open for that wolf. As certain as you have ever been about the magic workings of this world. I will cast command. You walk up and you see a guard looks over and says My lady, open the gate. Goes yes. And you see that opens it. As the other guard says Davin, do you? And he says yes my lady. And you just see is crying without knowing why. Just opens it. You open the gate and stand in the open doorway. I stand in the open doorway and I put a hand out to sniff. We move from there. You wait. You. You can hear the wolf approaching. It will take time for the wolf to go through the city. But this door will be open when that wolf arrives. Great. We move back into the Palazzo. Erinessa arrives up at your room. Beautiful little appointed. There's a table in the center of the room. Off to a doorway, there's a little bedchamber. She looks and says, octus, have you. Have you done anything that you should not have to? What are you referring. I'm sure I have. Your family believes that you were involved with an attempt to rescue my husband. My late husband. Oh. Why would they believe that? That. Can I insight check? Yeah. I know she was at the funeral and I know she knows people that I know. I'm terrible at this. Absolutely not. A2 our processional caravan behind us was stopped at the eastern edge of the Dvalmar Pass. Do you know why? Um. Look, I'm just. I've been out of town for the last six months. I only came back because we heard he was being executed. Arctis. The doors to Fairy closed because the realm of death is so choked with souls that cannot move to an afterlife. Because we killed the gods. That that energy burst into our world and almost struck the heart of Fairy, killing it forever. Your family and my family each have a castle. Not in this world. And I don't think many common folk know that. My family has a castle in the Golden Orchard, halfway between our world and Faerie. And it is dying. Your family has a castle in death that's doing both? Honestly, it's getting more powerful. And with every death. I know your family's looking for you. Yeah. Fiazzi was collecting things. Towards the end, I believe he was collecting. He asked Tysha, and by extension you, to collect something. Yes. What was it? A box. Did it have any connection to. I was not able to be granted audience, either by your family or the Halovar. Do you know anything about what his intentions were with the box? I do not. I only know that we were supposed to bring it back here to him. Obviously, that didn't happen. I believe, to the extent of my knowledge, Tycha still has the blood. Octys. Why is there an Elven warrior downstairs? That is so complicated. I don't know. Apparently your late husband stole something from her and she's here to find it. That is the literal reason why she. But the reason why she followed me here. I can't say she's very confusing, but she's here to protect me. What did he steal? A stone. Yes. You see that? She goes and says, your bed clothes and goes to move to the door. We move downstairs. General Raymond is down there. No word from the carriage. Is at the eastern edge of the pass. The Cicones are moving. Their forces in the city are maybe triple what we imagined they would be. Oh, so this is fairly grave then. What is going on, Valer? I don't know. I don't know why the Lady Aranesa was not met. I don't know. Do you know anything about a. A stone? A missing stone? Julian's head flicks over his left shoulder and left in the direction of the entryway to the plaza, looks at his father. No, I don't. I suppose I owe you some thanks. Thanks for retrieving Octis. At least you can follow that direction. Some of your courtiers, your consorts, I believe, are waiting upstairs if you wish to help yourself to some of the court Pomeray wine. He goes to speak up for a second, his body tensing before deflating a bit, gives his father one more look and leaves the chamber and heads out to where he last saw Vaelis. You head out. As you approach, you see Velas, or where she must have walked out to the gardens. You see some friends of yours back from the Golden Orchard. Jahar, a broad shouldered muscular man, goatee shaven head. Elandria, who looks as ravishing as ever, her hair tied up in a massive messy pile with golden chains and small glowing jewels. Mardonis, who is his impressive shoulders bare for all to see, wearing only a vest and breeches with seven league boots, look to you and say, you see, Jahar goes. Julian, I can't believe it. You had work today, Jahar? It does happen on occasion. We've cracked into some of the finer stuff. Not that Corn Marais garbage, but the real Davinos. Save some for me, if you don't mind. My work day is not yet complete, believe it not. Or. Or not. Elandria says, you break my heart. Oh, don't let me break it for too long. It won't be the entirety of the evening, my dear, but there are things afoot if you just give me a bit of patience, please. That's all I ask. You see that he, the three of them say, have it your way, Julian. You walk out and see Vaylis out in the garden, standing in the doorway, still standing there, and I just am waiting with a hand out. Valis, what are you doing? Waiting for. You'll see. His bravado crumbles a bit as he gets lost in thought and approaches and steps up beside you, just shoulder to shoulder. I don't like the feeling of being overwhelmed, but I feel like the tide is rising and I don't know why or how I have. I have a bad feeling about tonight. Do you get bad feelings often? Yes. But it's usually easy to drink them away, but no, this is. Something's happening and I haven't grown up under the golden flicker of the House of Fair magic to nothing recognize shifts these ethereal winds as omen. You've come here looking for something. This boy is being hunted. My lady is shaken, and from what I can tell, a bit in his eyes. I think my father is too. And I don't know why, but part of me feels like I can trust you. Hmm. I believe you can too. And even though you seem a little bit of an asshole, I feel I can trust you. What are you waiting for? A wolf? Bayless. You feel your divine sense pulsing within you in this moment. As Julian says, he has a terrible feeling. You have an ability based on your connection to something profound and magical to reach out a supernatural awareness in this moment. Your divine sense ability. You feel it pulsing within your chest as you await the wolf. Give me a perception check. Oh, that was almost so good. 1414 that without. Unless you use your divine sense on that perception, all you get is there's something deep about Julian's shadow, something a little bit thicker and more obscure about it. You have the ability to reach out to your divine sense if you so wish. I would love to. Julian. As you reach out, Julian's cursed. And as your divine sense reaches out. That curse is not the most troubling thing here. This garden beyond Julian is filled with hundreds, hundreds and hundreds of specters of the restless dead just on the other side of the veil from the living world. Walking out on the steps to the garden, you see General Raymond looks out at you. Julian. I wanted to say that. A hand from an invisible figure reaches forward as the invisibility is dropped and a black clad member of House Taconis reaches their hand up immaterially through the skin under his jaw, reaches inside his head and pulls his skull out of his head. Immaterially letting go, it becomes corporeal again. And suddenly the upper half of his spinal cord and skull is out in front of the flesh of his head and he dies instantly, collapsing to the ground. Upstairs with a knock on the door stone. Erinessa opens for the servant to bring the bedclothes. The door creaks and suddenly stops creaking as a silence spell fills the room. You see six black clad figures wearing Taconis symbols as their heads rise. You see the vacancy of six ghouls, full undead, gazing out at you in the midst. You see here your brother Etherynd, casting a silence spell, holding in his hand a perfectly spherical black stone wings surrounding it. He looks, speaking in silence. No sound travels, but his lips mouth the words, which is enough for the undead that he commands. Put him on the table, open him up, and we'll put the stone where it belongs. And that's all for this episode. No, actually, no, no, no. That's all. Don't turn the camera off. And that's all for this episode of Critical Role. We'll see you all next week. We'll see you all. No, like Tim, Brad's head is gone. What? What? What? And we'll see you all next week for another episode of Critical Role. No, no, stop. We don't say it. We have to keep playing. And I'm sorry for not saying it last week. Huge faux pas on my part. I won't forget this time because Matt's right here. Is it Thursday yet? Oh, Matt, thanks for listening to this episode of Critical Role. If you're enjoying this story, consider leaving a review on your podcast platform of choice. We're always looking for new critters to share our adventures with, and your review may help a new batch of wayward souls find their way to Ahriman, Exandria and beyond. Or if you want to hear what the cast discussed after the episode, head to Beacon TV and check out our exclusive show Critical Role Cooldown. You'll be right there at the table immediately after we say, is it Thursday yet? And expect our cast's post show reactions. We'll see you next time. New markdowns are on at your Nordstrom Rack store. Save even more. Up to 70% on dresses, tops, boots and handbags to give and get. Cause I always find something amazing. Just so many good brands. I get an extra 5% off with my Nordstrom credit card. Total queen treatment. 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