Season 2 | Ep. 33 | The Charred Inn

Summary

Dark Dice – Season 2, Episode 33: "The Charred Inn"

Release Date: March 3, 2026
Podcast: Dark Dice by Fool and Scholar Productions

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Episode Overview

In “The Charred Inn,” the adventuring party returns to the infamous, ruined inn at the heart of the dead pines, aiming to find missing children and progress toward a pivotal portal in the basement. What begins as a tense march through fog and foulness unravels into a surreal, horrifying battle against undead and worse, culminating in a magical ritual with a twist of betrayal and reality manipulation. This episode is filled with gallows humor, party banter, and chilling descriptions of the supernatural, maintaining Dark Dice's signature blend of dread and camaraderie.

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Key Discussion Points & Narrative Highlights

1. Returning to the Charred Inn

[03:19]–[05:29]

• The party, led by Devor, approaches the burned, ruined inn through increasingly sparse, fog-shrouded woods.
• The group's tension is palpable: the inn is haunted, surrounded by death, with Devor reminding everyone, “Fair warning, there may be ghosts. Just ignore them and follow me, okay?”
• The sensory detail is memorable: “A potent aroma of burned meat and festering mold lingered like a physical wall of heat…” – Lewis, [05:56]

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2. Ghostly Soirée and Navigating Danger

[10:59]–[14:07]

• As the group traverses the inn, ghostly figures materialize—well-dressed elves and humans in disturbing animal masks, enjoying a spectral party.
• The party debates ghost etiquette, with comedic arguments about bridging logistics in the corridors.
• Sorin, ever curious, tempts fate:

  "I want to know what their eyes look like. Do they have. Don't have them?" – Sorin Arkwright, [12:32]

• Sorin’s perception check reveals:

  "They're all... they're all armed. They've got little knives and whips, and they're wearing very elaborate masks. I kind of want to get a closer look at one of the masks." – Sorin Arkwright, [13:57]

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3. Into the Depths: The Hallway of Rot

[14:41]–[16:41]

• Progressing deeper, Glowy leads, armed with shield and hand harp, as unsettling noises emanate from a decrepit bedroom at the corridor’s end.
• The description hits home:

  "Beyond the edge of a rotten bed, a pale, hunched figure rocked back and forth...the skin above the teeth puffed, inflating and deflating. It could smell her, even if its form lacked eyes and glowy smelled too fresh." – Lewis, [16:20]

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4. Combat: Corpsegorger and the Walking Dead

[16:41]–[24:03]

• The team is ambushed by a monstrous, eyeless Corpsegorger and several undead. Initiatives are rolled.
• Ildrix fails his insanity save and becomes frightened, but lands a critical dart attack:

  "He pats him on the back...Oh, you've been doing a great job." – Ildrix to Devor, [09:01]

• Sindri calls down radiant power:

  "The holy name of my Lord shall banish you godless creatures from this place. Hear his name and know fear. Celadgon His Radiance. Dawn of the East Dream Lane..." – Sindri Westpike, [20:39]

• Sindri’s turn undead instantly incinerates three lesser undead:

  "All three of them were immediately destroyed." – Travis Vengroff, [21:47]

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5. Aftermath and Healing

[24:37]–[34:00]

• Sindri is badly wounded by the Corpsegorger’s exploding gland but insists on self-healing for maximized party efficiency:

  "Don't you dare unoptimize this party. We need every advantage we can." – Sindri Westpike, [25:36]

• Sorin undergoes a grisly but effective medical patch-up from Devor, who displays fascination more anatomical than caring:

  "Devore's eyes and fingers lingered over certain body parts...understanding what made a human human." – Lewis, [32:44]

• Glowy offers heartfelt bardic inspiration to rally Ildrix:

  "It's easy to believe in the light when people like you shine so bright." – Glowy Westpike, [18:56]

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6. The Secret Basement & Ritual Preparations

[27:20]–[38:23]

• The team enters a hidden cellar marked by ritual runes and used previously as a torture chamber.
• Discussion shifts to the nature of the Corpsegorger:

  "It's a kind of carrion, a scavenger that most refer to as a Corpsegorger...They relish deliciously fetid corpses..." – Sorin Arkwright, [36:21]

• Devor prepares the portal ritual, revealing this is their only shot due to lack of components.

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7. Final Twist: The Betrayal

[39:40]–[40:42]

• As the ritual is underway, Ildrix subtly sabotages it:

  "I, Ildryx, moves to step out of the circle. He moves over to one of the runes...scuffs it and erases it. Thinks to himself, 'This should change where the party winds up.'" – Narrator, [39:40]

• Ildrix’s face is revealed as a shifting, mask-like mosaic of the party’s own faces—an epic betrayal and uncanny magical moment.
• The session closes on the party being shifted “somewhere far beyond and far more terrible” than the charred inn.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On ghost protocol:

  "Do you have any experience with ghosts?... Will we see them? Do we run or..."
  "Generally with the undead, one should...do you have experience with the Undead, Lord? Am I allowed to ask?"
  – Sorin & Devor, [08:04]–[08:27]

• Humor in horror:

  "It's only a bridge if there's a basement." – Glowy Westpike, [10:38]

• Sindri’s faith pays off unexpectedly:

  "I've literally never seen it affect anything." – Sindri Westpike, [21:56]
  (when Turn Undead instant-wipes the lesser threats)

• Afterglow of combat:

  "Your icy fingertips work with expert precision. I feel so much better." – Sorin Arkwright, [33:16]
  "I am glad to shove this in the face of the DMs on 3D8. I healed myself. 31 due to all my stupid bonuses." – Sindri Westpike, [31:10]

• Glowy’s bonus action encouragement:

  "Hey, you decided to come on this... You're a hero. Don't let this stand." – Glowy Westpike, [23:02]

• Twist ending:

  "As Ildrix's hand reached under his jaw, he tore the scales upward like a mask, reshaping the face of their friend to a ripple of familiar faces and voices..." – Narrator, [40:15]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:19] – The team enters the clearing and beholds the inn
• [10:59] – Ghost party & stealthy passage
• [14:41] – Approach to the haunted room and first encounter signs
• [16:41] – The Corpsegorger revealed, combat begins
• [20:39] – Sindri turns undead, massive effect
• [24:37] – Combat concludes, the party recovers
• [27:20] – Entrance to basement, discovery of the torture chamber
• [32:01] – Devor's medical intervention on Sorin
• [36:21] – Corpsegorger lore exposition
• [39:40] – Ritual begins, Ildrix’s betrayal
• [40:15] – Ildrix transforms, party's reality is shifted

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Final Thoughts

This episode stands out for its blend of atmospheric horror, dark humor, and a devastating party betrayal. The group’s chemistry—especially between Sindri, Glowy, and Sorin—underscores moments of levity amid mounting dread. The haunted inn setting, riotous fights, and the shocking manipulation of the ritual by Ildrix deliver major plot developments and set up high stakes for the next episode.

A must-listen for fans who love their actual play D&D with a side of existential terror and clever, bantering heroics.

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Notable Cast This Episode:

• Travis Vengroff (GM / Narrator)
• Lewis (Sorin Arkwright)
• Russ D. Moore (Ildrix)
• H.E.M. Brewster (Glowy Westpike)
• Ithorvietharsson (Sindri Westpike)
• Melchior Remons (Devor)

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Transcript

[Travis Vengroff]

Greetings adventurers. This week we finished the last episode

[Lewis]

of the White Vault, the podcast that's entirely responsible for the existence of Dark Dice. It's been an emotional one.

[Travis Vengroff]

Sort of strange to see the conclusion

[Lewis]

of eight years of work go out to the world. And strange to be only creating one podcast per week now instead of 1.5.

[Travis Vengroff]

If you've not had the chance to

[Lewis]

listen to the White Vault yet, now is the perfect time to start. Well, after you finish this episode of Dark Dice, and we hope you enjoy it.

[Travis Vengroff]

Also, we've added a new PDF to

[Lewis]

our Patreon Wick Whitaker's Wares make shopping fun with the dubious merchant Wick Whitaker this PDF includes seven useful but possibly cursed magic items, discount potions for the

[Travis Vengroff]

adventurer on a limited budget, professional services like dentistry, haircuts, healing and surgeries example

[Lewis]

sales pitches that make shopping fun, and backgrounds in combat statistics for the lady proprietor Wick Witaker herself.

[Glowy Westpike]

Wick Whitaker's Wares will wake your will wane your weight and whet your whistle. Guaranteed stop on by folks.

[Travis Vengroff]

All sales final.

[Lewis]

See Fine Print for full details. And on that note, let's jump to a certain cursed inn.

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[Sorin Arkwright]

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[Travis Vengroff]

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[Sorin Arkwright]

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[Travis Vengroff]

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[Sorin Arkwright]

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[Lewis]

Do you seek Him? Do you seek Him?

[Sindri Westpike]

Do you seek the nameless God?

[Lewis]

You have found yourself among those who roll the dark dice. What you are about to hear happened long ago, a story brought back from the edge of oblivion, dutifully transcribed and enhanced orally to better captivate your attention. Previously, four adventurers journeyed through the dead pines toward a particular ill stricken inn, hoping to catch up with the missing children. Dark Dice the Long Road Chapter 33 the charred inn. Sorin Arkwright Ildrik's Miston father Sindri Westpike and his daughter Glowy Westpyke were led by Devor deeper and deeper into the ill stricken dead pines.

[Travis Vengroff]

The team continued in silence for the

[Lewis]

next few hours, seemingly free of dangers, until the trees became more sparse as they found themselves at the start of a clearing, though just how large a space was uncertain because of the thick fog and unhallowed ground.

[Narrator]

Devore led the team until they stood before a familiar sight. A collapsed roof sagged like an ill fitting wig on an old inn, and where windows once permitted light, only cracked glass with a dark stained cloth pressed behind it could be seen. One corner of the structure and the section where the door once stood lie in ruin. The contents of the building were laid bare to those who but dare venture closer yet. Beyond the structure, the silhouettes of more buildings lurked within the distant fog. The ruins of a large single story building on the left and to the right a small crumbling hovel sat just before the ruins of the house. Around the team, gnats and bloated flies fluttered a dark haze of insects drawn to the rotten

[Sorin Arkwright]

so we've made it back to the inn?

[Glowy Westpike]

Well, we never technically went in the inn.

[Devor]

Yeah, the portal's in the basement. Fair warning, there may be ghosts. Just ignore them and follow me, okay? I don't we shouldn't make eye contact or communicate with them.

[Ildrix]

You can just ignore the ghosts?

[Devor]

Yes, yes. Ignore the ghosts, please.

[Ildrix]

Oh.

[Lewis]

Tavor trembled visibly as he glared at Ildryx. This place, or perhaps its undead residents, clearly unsettled him. A potent aroma of burned meat and festering mold lingered like a physical wall of heat that stood before the team. Death had visited this place. What it had left behind was yet to be seen. Um, you.

[Devor]

Do you do want to go to the basement, right, my lord?

[Sorin Arkwright]

Yes.

[Devor]

Okay, then we're gonna go straight through. All right.

[Sindri Westpike]

Straight through. Ignore the ghosts. Yes.

[Ildrix]

Yes.

[Sorin Arkwright]

I'm so excited. I've been curious about these eight pages for the last eight years.

[Glowy Westpike]

I was desperately hoping to find a way that we could not be in there to once again thwart eight more pages.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Comedically, it would be for the best if we avoided this entirely. Again, but for the sake of, you know, for the sake of the mission, let's take a peek, shall we?

[Lewis]

T' vor entered. The others followed. What remained of the main hall was badly charred and exposed to the dripping sky above. The smells of urine, vomit and overcooked meat mingled in this house of death. Piles of ash and rubble littered the floor. The tatter of books and objects from ages past, blackened beyond recognition, hid among rotted beams and broken roof tiles. Fragments of bones, some animal, some other, could be seen among the dull thrumming of flies. The only thing still intact were a few grimy tables and rickety chairs.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Oh, I love what I did with the place.

[Ildrix]

It's got good bones. Bones.

[Glowy Westpike]

Use some redecorating.

[Sindri Westpike]

Was this place like this before? Or is this part of the Magic Circle? What has happened here?

[Devor]

The Dreamcarver may know, but I do not. I just know where to go and how to get there safely.

[Travis Vengroff]

Fair?

[Glowy Westpike]

Gross.

[Sorin Arkwright]

It's always been like this.

[Devor]

Like I said, we should keep moving, so if you wouldn't mind, just follow me to the back.

[Glowy Westpike]

Oh, great.

[Sorin Arkwright]

So, Devor, do you have any experience with ghosts? You know, what do we. What do we do if we see them? Will we see them? Do we run or.

[Lewis]

D' Vor was visibly upset at Soren's questions as the Tiefling's tail unconsciously rose to scratch at the stump of his missing horn.

[Devor]

Um, yeah, yeah. My experience with. Generally with the undead, one should. Do you have experience with the Undead Lord? Am I allowed to ask?

[Sorin Arkwright]

Yes.

[Devor]

Such a full answer. Well, yeah. To answer your question, then, I think running is the best course of action. Hey, you Skillskin, whose name I didn't get.

[Ildrix]

Ildryx. Yeah, sorry. I mumble sometimes.

[Devor]

Oh, no, you were the one who let me ask the most questions or our walker earlier. So that's.

[Ildrix]

Oh, you've been doing a great job. He pats him on the back

[Lewis]

well.

[Devor]

Well, thank. Thank you. I appreciate that. Well, yeah, as I was saying, do you. Do you have experience with the undead also? You seem like you might. You seem kind of at ease despite our morbid surroundings, which struck me as strange. As though there might be more of a reason behind that.

[Ildrix]

Well, I'm not scared in many situations. But yes, I've dabbled in the undead persuasion. I think. I think we'll be okay here. Just don't make eye contact with them. Right. That's. That's the key.

[Devor]

Ah. No eye contact. Got it. Well then that's not that one.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Do they have eyes? What about the ghosts that don't have eyes?

[Ildrix]

Yes.

[Sorin Arkwright]

What do we. What do we avoid?

[Ildrix]

What about. If they are blocking the pathway? Can we walk through them? Or should we ask them politely to move?

[Devor]

I. I thought you were the expert.

[Glowy Westpike]

If.

[Devor]

If it were me, I just walk around them. Maybe. So can we.

[Ildrix]

Okay, we'll. We'll cross that bridge when we get there. I don't want to take up too much time with the logistics of hallways instead of.

[Devor]

Instead of bridges and hypotheticals. Let's just cross the room. Okay? That's all. Only as far as we have to go.

[Ildrix]

Also, no bridges in the room. Positive.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Oh, it's good to have that confirmed.

[Ildrix]

Good.

[Devor]

Of course, my lord.

[Glowy Westpike]

I mean, technically, if there's a basement and there's a floor above it, the floor is a bridge as it's over.

[Ildrix]

A gap is a house, not just a bridge.

[Glowy Westpike]

It's only a bridge if there's a basement.

[Devor]

Always just up ahead.

[Sindri Westpike]

Okay.

[Devor]

Literally right there. We just need to turn to the right of the hallway and leave the other rooms. Fuck em on. We just need to get into the corner room. Get into the basement. No need to overthink this. You're on a sensitive schedule after all. So let's just put one foot in front of the other and avoid lingering here.

[Glowy Westpike]

Sounds great.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Lead on.

[Narrator]

Stepping into the room, Gloe and Syndre's hair stood on end and their hands unconsciously trembled as the gentle serenade of strings faded in middle way. Through a slow waltz, a soft sapphire glow caught the party's gaze as the room glittered to life. Dozens of figures appeared from thin air. Well dressed elves and humans wearing assorted disturbing masks, each drinking, chatting and partaking in a ghostly soiree. Devor's eyes remained on the Floor as he shuffled around the specters.

[Sindri Westpike]

Hmm.

[Glowy Westpike]

I don't know this tune. I'm gonna try and memorize this music.

[Ildrix]

Ah.

[Sindri Westpike]

By Sullivan's Wings. I'm imagining I'm behind Chloe and just mumble like. Do not get yourself into any shenanigans this time, please. I've seen you jump into graves to pick up cursed swords, so.

[Glowy Westpike]

Actually, yeah, I think that was just outside.

[Sindri Westpike]

Yeah. Yeah, it's vividly in my memory for some reason Right now. Just do what the cultist said. Eyes down, ignore the ghosts.

[Ildrix]

Aye. Ildryx is paying particular attention to Devor and perhaps sensing his unease being that he said it out loud. But I'm gonna put a hand on his shoulder just as a little bit of positive reinforcement.

[Lewis]

This seemed to put D' Vore somehow more at ease.

[Sorin Arkwright]

So Soran is just trying not to make, you know, immediate eye contact with one of the ghosts. Like, he's. He's so close to just immediate ghost eye contact.

[Ildrix]

Eldritch is just whispering under his breath. Soren, don't do it.

[Sorin Arkwright]

I want to know. I want to know what their eyes look like. Do they have. Don't have them.

[Ildrix]

Don't look in his eyes.

[Sorin Arkwright]

What if there's nothing? What if there's nothing there?

[Ildrix]

No.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Well, yet. Maybe.

[Ildrix]

What if. What if there's nothing? What are you going to do about it?

[Sorin Arkwright]

Then I'll know. I'll have the information about their eyes.

[Ildrix]

Okay. You can look for your periphery, but do not look directly.

[Glowy Westpike]

Okay.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Okay. So I'm gonna, like, try to cross my eyes so that it's all periphery, and I'm gonna take a sneaky peek.

[Narrator]

If you're doing it with your peripheral vision only, give me a perception check at disadvantage.

[Sindri Westpike]

Fuck me. Oh, my gosh.

[Sorin Arkwright]

So it looks like an 18 if we're using the lower of the two.

[Narrator]

Sorin had been on edge since they re entered the dead pines, so his senses were open to every hazard around him. He realized these ghosts, none of them, were smiling. He also couldn't help but gaze further at the unsettling, upsetting, but remarkably well crafted masks they wore. Some had bug or animal like qualities. One resembled the form of a large beetle. But each of the figures, ghastly as they were, were armed with hidden blades or dastardly implements.

[Ildrix]

Soren, did you at least learn something cool?

[Sorin Arkwright]

Yeah, they're all. They're all armed. They've got little knives and whips, and they're wearing very elaborate masks. I kind of want to get a closer look at one of the masks.

[Ildrix]

I've heard of these parties, I swear to Circle.

[Glowy Westpike]

What's happening back there?

[Ildrix]

Nothing. All's fine.

[Devor]

Is it?

[Sindri Westpike]

My holy symbol is my hammer. And I definitely have my hammer out. I am ready to cast turn undead if, like, situation goes south.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Okay, for the good of the party, I better hurry on my way not antagonize the ghosts. Sorry, sorry, Devor. We're just taking in the sights. Yeah, we're right behind you, buddy, staring

[Ildrix]

into the depths of hell.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Svoddle. Don't stop on my account.

[Lewis]

Devor pushed Glowy and Father Westpike ahead of himself as he reached the edge of the hallway, directing them toward the heavier air, rank and lingering with charred decay, unique from the festering rot that had followed them since their return to the dead pines some days ago. Clearly afraid of ghosts but also wanting to be a proper guide, Devora motioned the team further into the hallway, closer toward a crunching sound that echoed from further ahead down the corridor. The team paused briefly here to regain their constitution, and only Soren, who glanced back into the main room, could see that the ghosts had vanished as suddenly as they'd appeared. The cramped hallway was littered with ash and refuse. A small honeymoon suite on the left lay in disrepair beyond a half cracked door, while the hallway continued right. Seven doorways, only visible to the keen vision of the dwarves because of the faint glimmer of light emanating from the shield on Chloe's back. The sound, reminiscent of snapping kindling and stirring stew, echoed from the furthest door, though its source was not yet clear.

[Glowy Westpike]

Fine. I'll go first.

[Narrator]

Gloa passed Lyru's shield to Sindri as she raised her hand harp like a crossbow, before cautiously stepping down the hall, followed by Sindri and the others. Every rotten door she passed revealed to the smaller bedroom, dark as pitch and still as graves, and after the second she narrowed her focus on the source of the sound, the room at the end of the hall. Peering through the cracked door into the room's dark, she could now discern the sound for what it truly the smacking of lips, the gnashing of teeth, and the squelching of moist meat.

[Lewis]

Beyond the edge of a rotten bed, a pale, hunched figure rocked back and forth, the rocking back jerked upward, and a fence of spiked yellow teeth turned to face her. The skin above the teeth puffed, inflating and deflating. It could smell her, even if its form lacked eyes and glowy smelled too fresh.

[Travis Vengroff]

Where the sickening squish it stood, a tower of muscle, teeth, and rot in full view of the party, one clawed hand, talons longer than arms, tossed a rotted leg down its wide, unhinged gullet as it gurgled, pleased before it howled and won. But his initiative, insanity saving throws, remained. Only Ildrix failed, gaining 11 stress and becoming frightened of the creature, unable to physically approach it.

[Sindri Westpike]

My lord, please send a weapon of light to vanquish the enemies of good.

[Travis Vengroff]

Sindri rushed past glowy, raising his glowing warhammer like a torch to drive back the darkness, striking the creature in the leg with a sickening crunch as a second hammer of light, a spiritual weapon of sorts, materialized behind the monster, swinging, but not quite fast enough to connect as it moved with a speed unnatural for its ogre like size. Ildrix, unable to move closer, but hoping to help his friends, threw a dart at the monster's air sack, roughly where its eyes would be if it had a face, critically hitting it for 10 piercing damage and with a 27 on the critical hit chart, recovering 8 stress as he felt particularly good about the attack. Devore pushed his way to the back and cowered as Soren, outraged, was next to attack.

[Sorin Arkwright]

How fucking dare you threaten my friends?

[Sindri Westpike]

Sorry.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Just to be sure, there are no other perceivable threats. Just the one monster.

[Narrator]

Taking advantage of Sindri's radiant warhammer, Sorin took a quick glance into the nearby rooms. He watched as their combat stirred. Three strange forms awoken from their fetid slumber. He could not be sure what they were in the quick flash of light, but he knew they were moving ever closer.

[Sorin Arkwright]

I think, sensing a sinister presence in the dark to the fucking south. I will lunge with both daggers in that direction.

[Travis Vengroff]

Sorin rushed the form to his right, the closest form, and stabbed indiscriminately, catching something solid with his initial lunge for six damage, but missing his second. As another brief spark of light came from down the hallway, Sorin could make out his opponent, a putrefied corpse face far beyond recognition now, with a fresh scar under which dripped a loosely attached eyeball. From down the hall, Gloe unleashed a vicious mockery at the creature, unsure if it could even understand her words, but sure that her intent would be made clear enough.

[Glowy Westpike]

You're covered in rot and I can see bits of your bone. Everybody hates you and that's why you're giant and alone.

[Travis Vengroff]

Though it only took four damage from the attack, her attempt at a distraction seemed to have worked, perhaps as she put a hand on Sindri's shoulder, inspiring him with reassurances.

[Glowy Westpike]

It's easy to believe in the light when people like you shine so bright. And I will give him a bar

[Sindri Westpike]

of inspiration nothing can stand in our way.

[Narrator]

The putrid corpse rolled towards Soren after taking the stab to the face with little more than a gurgling rasp, it crashed into him, tackling Soren through the door, splinting, pressing him into the far wall of the corridor, piercing the ranger's arm with its own exposed bones for 17 damage.

[Travis Vengroff]

The large eyeless monstrosity choked briefly on the arm it had just gorged itself upon before lashing out at Father Westpike, unfortunately with disadvantage. Its open maw, a moist darkness of rot, was larger than Sindri and moved to engulf him, snapping shut just before the old dwarf, who stepped back just in time, traumatized but unscathed.

[Narrator]

My Lord, Two additional figures simultaneously emerge from the darkness of neighboring rooms. The first, the corpse of a sallow eyed man, barreled through a tattered tarp into the hallway and sprung upon Gloa's back, pressing her to the ground and slamming his own head into her back again and again for 10 damage, his broken nose dripping crusted black powder between strikes. As the light of magics flashed again, the exceedingly rotted remains of a long haired elven woman suddenly loomed over Soren, her face frozen in a broken grin. She wretched in front of him, buckled over and her arms popped back around before swinging forward out of sight, slashing him just over the eye for 13 damage.

[Travis Vengroff]

She and the other walking corpse had pinned Soren, who was rapidly losing his battle in the dark as the elf woman raised her arms to attack again and the future man rolled his head back to extend his jaw wider and wider before a terrible bite. Syndra raised his hammer above his head and channeled the divine to turn the undead in his presence.

[Sindri Westpike]

The holy name of my Lord shall banish you godless creatures from this place. Hear his name and no fear. Celadgon His Radiance. Dawn of the East Dream Lane all undead within 30 foot radius that I can see. DC16 wisdom saving throws or be frightened for an entire minute and it does not break from being attacked. They are frightened permanently for a minute.

[Travis Vengroff]

The smaller creatures turned in fear from Sindri's light, but the largest was unaffected.

[Sindri Westpike]

Alright with my bonus action. Since channeling divinity is not a spell, I am going to cast a shield of faith on none other than myself as I feel like I have actually cornered this creature and it will not be striking anybody else with that. That is the end of my Go. The spirit's weapon hovers menacingly behind it. Ready?

[Travis Vengroff]

Ink. Question, real quick question for Sindri. Is this fifth level destroy undead, or is this.

[Sindri Westpike]

Oh, turn undead. So this is turn undead. But if they are challenge rating half or lower, they are instantly destroyed, which is the most pathetic power I have ever heard of. I don't know if there's a single undead creature of challenge rating health.

[Travis Vengroff]

All three of them were immediately destroyed.

[Lewis]

What?

[Travis Vengroff]

Engulfed in the radiant light emanating from

[Glowy Westpike]

Sindril, the most pathetic.

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Oh.

[Sindri Westpike]

Oh, I'm so sorry. I did not even bring it up because I've literally never seen it affect anything.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Wow, that was remarkably efficient.

[Glowy Westpike]

Holy shit.

[Lewis]

I was not prepared.

[Travis Vengroff]

Sindri straightened up a little taller and recovered five stress as his faith, while not restored in full, felt like it

[Lewis]

was on the verge of mending.

[Sindri Westpike]

I believe in God, but I also believe God doesn't kill my enemies like this. This is crazy.

[Travis Vengroff]

As the light faded, the living corpses had been reduced to a sort of sand or dust before Glowy and Soren, who were no longer pinned, though Ildrix's fear of the monsters seemed to have worsened. The Scaleskin threw daggers at the hulking creature of large gnashing teeth and claws for 9 and 7 damage respectively, as Sorin raised his bow, silently marking the the monster before firing twice, hitting both times for 11 damage. The arrows striking where its eyes would have been if the creature had a face resembling a human's. Glowy raised her own hand crossbow and fired a shot between Sorens, which enraged the creature as she stood up and placed a hand on Ildryx's shoulder, yelling words of encouragement to him.

[Glowy Westpike]

Hey, you decided to come on this.

[Sindri Westpike]

You're a hero.

[Glowy Westpike]

Don't let this straight. Stand and I will throw a D8 at him.

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Inspiration.

[Narrator]

You have an inspiration.

[Glowy Westpike]

D8.

[Narrator]

Somehow these words shook the fear from Ildrix, helping him overcome his cowardly affliction as the monstrosity slashed with its claws the size of a dwarf and again reached its maw towards Sindri.

[Sindri Westpike]

My AC is up to 20 because my shield of faith.

[Travis Vengroff]

Hatefully reaching and chomping, but unable to make headway as it was repelled by shields and warhammers, both magical and spiritual, bashing and pulling the creature in every direction, confusing it little by little, with each swing, each bash, each failed bite, its fury shrank to worry as it lost ground to the ever encroaching light coming from Sindri. Sindri swung and swung, inspired by Glowy's presence and bravery. And perhaps also invigorated by the power of his God, bashing the monster for a total of 26 damage with his hammer as a spectral weapon of glowing light struck the monster from the other side, confusing and scaring it.

[Narrator]

Ildrix, seeing his nightmare cower in fear, ran forward, leapt off the wall over Gloe and Sorin and struck the creature with a flurry of blows from above, knocking it prone as two arrows from Sorin struck its head, puncturing and popping the large breathing sack, which burst in a putrid cloud of gas and bone as it gurgled and twitched its death spasms. Combat had concluded, though Sindri realized only after the adrenaline left his body that. That he'd somehow taken 33 damage during the fight, perhaps as the sack exploded.

[Sindri Westpike]

Ah, Mother. My Celagon. Something hurt me. Though thankfully, the creature appears to be dead.

[Glowy Westpike]

What?

[Sorin Arkwright]

Holy shit. You do look a little worse for wear there, Sindri. Oh, I almost forgot. Devor. Devor, where are you?

[Travis Vengroff]

Devor, lying on the floor near the

[Lewis]

hallway's entrance, looked up, terrified and shaking as he slowly wobbled closer.

[Travis Vengroff]

Are they dead?

[Sorin Arkwright]

I mean. Yeah, they always were.

[Sindri Westpike]

No, that one was alive. Well, was.

[Devor]

The dead should just stay dead.

[Glowy Westpike]

I try not to take offense at that comment.

[Sorin Arkwright]

What just hit you, Sindri?

[Sindri Westpike]

I think it was a piece of its head.

[Glowy Westpike]

I'm gonna reach out and I'm gonna cast cure wounds on you, bro.

[Sindri Westpike]

No, you're not.

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Get back.

[Sindri Westpike]

I will do this.

[Glowy Westpike]

What do you mean? I'm not you Heal yourself or I will heal ye.

[Sindri Westpike]

I am going to. Give me a second. I'm slightly dazed.

[Glowy Westpike]

I cast Kieran's Level 1 on him.

[Sindri Westpike]

No, you don't. I have so many bonuses to healing. Don't you dare unoptimize this party. We need every advantage we can.

[Glowy Westpike]

That's true.

[Narrator]

That's true.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Sorry, I'm here.

[Devor]

Then you can focus on resting and healing once we're safe below. Dangerous is the corner over there.

[Lewis]

Devora pushed forward, walking to step around

[Travis Vengroff]

the creature while keeping as much distance

[Lewis]

as he could within the cramped hallway.

[Glowy Westpike]

You didn't warn us about this.

[Devor]

It wasn't here last time.

[Narrator]

D' Vor looked from the felled monstrosity to the half eaten corpse strewn across the ground next to it and seemed to at once recognize what had been a man.

[Devor]

Oh, shit.

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That.

[Devor]

That. That was. That was Gentis. He was gonna. He was important.

[Ildrix]

Not anymore.

[Devor]

Well, yes.

[Glowy Westpike]

Sorry for your loss.

[Devor]

Okay, okay, let's. Let's continue past what's left of him. Gentus is gone now. We. We still need to complete the mission.

[Sorin Arkwright]

It's gonna be okay, Devora. We'll make it through this. I'd offer to give a proper send off, but we are terribly short on time. I fear that any delays might cause us to bump into. Well, things best left alone. Do you have any medical supplies in that bag of yours? For once we get down to the basement? I mean, I've been hurt a fair bit.

[Devor]

Yeah, yeah, that's why I was recruited after all.

[Lewis]

Let's.

[Devor]

Goodbye, Gentas.

[Lewis]

Devor's gaze left the half eaten corpse as he approached the corner of the room, prying free one of the large stones that comprised the floor. As rain dripped down through the hole in the hallway and Ildrix and Sorin cautiously listened for dangers behind them. Glowy and Sindri were surprised to see the stone's removal was part of a well hidden passage marked by a ladder which descended into darkness that even their keen eyes could not pierce. Devor produced a torch and through considerable effort, as it had gotten wet during their journey from the dead pines, sparked a flame to life, much to the relief of all present who could now see much clearer. Devor led them down the ladder and Ildryx lasted a second and replaced the stone covering their tracks and any evidence that they had passed in such a manner.

[Narrator]

At the bottom of the wooden ladder was a cramped cellar, and though the team speculated it had once stored spirits, the 15 foot square room was presently devoid of libations. The torchlight illuminated curiosities as the bare floor and the walls were covered in curious shadows, both of magic runes and the silhouettes of humanoid figures seemingly burned into the surfaces after a powerful ritual. These observations were quickly overshadowed as the team gleaned that the cellar had also seen recent use as a torture chamber, with bloody scraps of flesh and cloth scattered and discarded near the base of a bloody torturer's chair, implements of pain hanging on the wall in clear view of its missing occupants. Crumbs of bread and jerky were also strewn around the room, though mixed with the shadows and blood, they would not be considered edible. To those with a shred of sanity.

[Sorin Arkwright]

This place could use a few more libations.

[Devor]

Well, I have alcohol, but not the drinking kind.

[Sorin Arkwright]

I mean, it's all the drinking kind if you're desperate enough.

[Devor]

You mentioned that you had wounds, my lord.

[Lewis]

Sorin removed his cloak and armor to expose his wound, gently placing them on the torturer's chair.

[Ildrix]

I'll pass my water skin to Soren.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Ah, thank you thank you. I'm gonna try to drink and reveal my wounds to D' Vore at the same time in what is going to be a comical ballet.

[Ildrix]

Wow.

[Devor]

Okay, that's. All right. Well, just give me a couple minutes here. I guess you guys can talk amongst yourself while I patch up Soren. The good news is that he. The circle is still intact, so that's. That's. I can probably set things up so you can go through. I think most of the rooms are still intact, and I was given some instructions on how to work the portal.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Ah, shit.

[Devor]

Like I said, I'll stop patch and Sorin up, then go work on the runes. It'll take a while, but we should be safe down here, so feel free to talk amongst yourself or administer any magical healing.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Oh, thank you.

[Ildrix]

It's a real roller coaster we've got going on here.

[Glowy Westpike]

I'm perfectly fine, and I'd much rather that Sindri heal us then.

[Sindri Westpike]

Yeah, yeah, I'll let the. I'll let him heal Sorin, but I'm healing myself. Not gonna alert Kotis.

[Narrator]

Cold.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Your fingers are ice cold. Tuvur. Nearly spilled my drink.

[Devor]

Sorry, my lord. I'll try to warm that first, but please try to stay still. Maybe put the bottle down.

[Sindri Westpike]

So I'm casting a level three cure wounds on myself and. Oh, nice. Oh, yes. Oh, God. Do not take that out of context.

[Narrator]

It's too late.

[Ildrix]

Just healing himself in the corner over there.

[Devor]

That's what they call it these days.

[Sindri Westpike]

I am glad to shove this in the face of the DMs on 3D8. I healed myself. 31 due to all my stupid bonuses.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Nice.

[Sindri Westpike]

And two eights and a five. That was the. The suspicious noises coming from the. The healing are insane, Roy.

[Narrator]

As Sorin took another drink from Ildrix's water skin, Devor produced a stitching kit from his medical bag. It was quickly apparent to all that Devore's tools were meticulously cleaned and polished in the same way that a hero might care for a beloved weapon. Devor handled each instrument with precise and delicate care, silently thanked each as he prepared them, and quickly bowed to Lord Sorin before gesturing to the tools that would stitch the Ranger's flesh together.

[Devor]

I'm ready to begin if you are. Just a heads up. This will. This will sting a bit.

[Sorin Arkwright]

One second. Okay, let's do it.

[Glowy Westpike]

Do you want me to hold your hand?

[Sorin Arkwright]

That would be nice. Thank you.

[Lewis]

Over the next half hour, Devore removed pieces of wood and necrotic bone from Soren's wounds. Before applying a specialized worm, which ate at the damaged flesh.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Aw, that's a cute little Hogart. It's eating me.

[Lewis]

Before sewing the wounds shut with a needle and thread, I've come back around on it.

[Sorin Arkwright]

That's my little buddy.

[Travis Vengroff]

Because of Caitlyn's particularly amazing rolls, Sorin recovered 14 health.

[Lewis]

As Devor expended the better elements of

[Travis Vengroff]

his medical kit, working in a peculiar

[Lewis]

manner different from the healers the team had observed during their travels, Devore's eyes and fingers lingered over certain body parts, tracing veins and muscle groups not with sexual interest, but with a fascination almost like Devore was mentally undressing and then dissecting his patient. Perhaps not dissecting, but more so, understanding what made a human human. Yet despite the poor bedside manner, the stitches were clean, and the damage that Sorin had sustained from his recent encounter with the undead was largely patched.

[Sorin Arkwright]

D', vor, your icy fingertips work with expert precision. I feel so much better.

[Lewis]

Thank you.

[Devor]

Thank you, my lord. Yes, I believe that I can get to work setting up the ritual circle for the portal.

[Sorin Arkwright]

If that's your will, by all means. Please. And thank you again for leading us here. I know it wasn't easy.

[Devor]

My privilege.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Before you go, tell me, would a couple of gold coins help replace the medical supplies you've expended saving my ass here?

[Devor]

I would decline the generous offer, my lord, but thank you.

[Sorin Arkwright]

That's very kind of you, Devore. Thank you again for your service.

[Narrator]

Devore bowed and turned on point, producing the ritual implements that would be used in recreating the runes required for the portal. Most of which were, thankfully, burned into the floor, and thus easily traceable to those who knew their nature. The others had time to converse while this strange work was undertaken.

[Sindri Westpike]

We are, unfortunately, in a situation where there's a. There's a cultist right there. So we can't plan too much or else he might go. I'm not doing the spell anymore, so we're kinda caught. I'm sorry. I know exactly what you're going for. But unfortunately, Cid is just standing there giving him the evil eye, thinking, can I kill him after he casts the spell? Those were expertly thrown punches, Ildryx. I've fought alongside people trained in similar ways to you.

[Ildrix]

Well, thank you. I appreciated you.

[Glowy Westpike]

You.

[Ildrix]

You too, handle your affinity to your God with expert precision. That was incredible. The way you cleared that room.

[Glowy Westpike]

I can't believe you went in there. Bare knuckles against that ginormous thing. That's incredible.

[Ildrix]

Well, thank you. Yes.

[Glowy Westpike]

No, you have Balls of steel. It's amazing.

[Ildrix]

You gotta get up close. You like to see anything in their eyes. But of course, this creature was different, in that they did not have ocular persuasion. But I appreciate it. I appreciate it. I look forward to fighting with you. More so in the future. I'm sure it will be called upon.

[Glowy Westpike]

We definitely work better together than against each other, so.

[Lewis]

Ildrick smiled knowingly before walking closer to Devor to see if he could offer his assistance with the creation of the magic circle.

[Sindri Westpike]

I don't doubt we'll find more trouble where we're going, so fights will be inevitable. That creature. It was not. I think what the. The cultist said earlier is true. I don't think this creature belongs in this house. I think it's from outside. It's not an undead ghost or whatever? Some kind of a. Yeah, I've never seen anything like it before.

[Sorin Arkwright]

I hope.

[Sindri Westpike]

I hope it was one of a kind. And we've ended it.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Unfortunately. It's a kind of carrion, a scavenger that most refer to as a Corpsegorger. Similar to undead, but decidedly not. They were long thought to be a rare type of ogre, but I forget why this is no longer thought to be true. They lurk near abandoned battlefields, or greedily excavate graveyards in search of the long rotting dead. You see, they relish deliciously fetid corpses. They will sometimes attack living creatures if one gets hungry enough. May even take a few bites. But they prefer to hide the bodies of their kills until they can fester to putrid perfection. I'm told that necromancers have been known to employ a Corpsegorger from time to time. But you know, having just seen one so close, I would question how deluded such a necromancer would have to be.

[Lewis]

Devor and Ildryx returned to address the party.

[Devor]

Excuse me, my lord, but if you're ready, please step in the middle of the circle and I will begin the ritual for you.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Well, alright.

[Narrator]

The air of the cellar, reeking of wood rot and fresh flesh, began to prickle the skin of each individual present. As Devor placed his fingers in a furrow of blood running between the floor's stones and traced the final preparatory symbols into the ground of the chamber. His work, comprised of arcane runes in powder, chalk and blood, formed a circle only 10ft or 3 meters in diameter. D' Vor took care not to upset the delicate and fine magics at work within. The bloodied inscription

[Devor]

might be cramped, but you must all stand within the circle. I know the ritual, but I'm not a spellcaster, and recreating the runes used up the last of the my components, so we'll only get one attempt.

[Glowy Westpike]

Do you need help?

[Devor]

No, I can do it. It makes no sense to keep you on this side of things. You've shown yourself to be incredibly valuable, and I know our Lord will want you by his side.

[Sindri Westpike]

Just do your best. I know that I have not been kind to you, but I appreciate your efforts.

[Lewis]

Thank you.

[Devor]

I shall. It's been an honor. I'm sure we will meet again.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Fare thee well, Devor. Take care of yourself.

[Narrator]

Tavor bowed low and waited for others to enter the circle.

[Sindri Westpike]

We do.

[Glowy Westpike]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Travis Vengroff]

Blue light cast through blood and colored powders filled the small chamber with bubbling violet as the ritual circle glitter. Symbols and Archaean scribblings of all shapes and across multiple languages writhed with power, and the taste of something stringent was palpable in the dense, moist air. Sindri glowy and Soren began to feel its hug, like something had many tiny strings tied around their spines and was pulling them upward, outward, even as their body remained unmoving.

[Ildrix]

I Ildryx, moves to step out of the circle. He moves over to one of the rooms that looks like a tree, and he scuffs it and erases it. Thinks to himself, this should change where the party winds up as I look at them with a smile and say,

[Sorin Arkwright]

time travel? Really, Soran? You really think that's gonna change anything?

[Ildrix]

You're just making this harder for your future self.

[Travis Vengroff]

Or is that your past self?

[Narrator]

And as Ildrix's hand reached under his jaw, he tore the scales upward like a mask, reshaping the face of their friend to a ripple of familiar faces and voices which coalesced over one another like men melting wax. The faces changed from Elias to Glowy, to Bomber and finally to Sindri. And soon the team was no longer in that small torture chamber beneath the rotting corpses and waltzing specters, but instead

[Lewis]

somewhere far beyond and far more terrible.

[Narrator]

Do you seek him? Do you seek Him?

[Sorin Arkwright]

Do you seek him? Do you seek him? Do you seek him? Do you seek Him?

[Sindri Westpike]

Nor do you seek the nameless God.

[Lewis]

Dark Dice Chapter 33 the Charred Inn

[Travis Vengroff]

Featuring Jeff Goldblum as Balmer Peter Joseph

[Lewis]

Lewis as Soren Arkwright Russ D. Moore as Ildrix H.E.M.

[Travis Vengroff]

brewster as Glowy West Pike Ithorvietharsson as Father Sindri Westpike Melchior Remons as Tavor and Ka Statzen T.R.

[Lewis]

travis Vengraff as co game masters.

[Travis Vengroff]

This episode was produced and edited with sound design by Travis Vengroff, mixing and mastering by Fenner Nielsen, and features executive producers Dennis Greenhill, Michael Villegas, AJ Punkin and Carol Vengrof.

[Lewis]

This episode featured music by Andrej Vidornograv, Travis Vengrof, Enzo Pazovio, Ryan McQuinn and Stephen Malin.

[Travis Vengroff]

To help support the show, please check out darkdice.com.

[Lewis]

yes, we have merch. Yes, we have digital books.

[Travis Vengroff]

Also check out the early edition of

[Lewis]

Shadow Shores of the Silver Thrum, now available on Patreon. Dark Dice is a fool in Scholar production. Thank you for listening. Do you seek him?

[Travis Vengroff]

I'm sorry. It's been a pleasure.

[Sindri Westpike]

I'm going to kick your ass. I'm going to kick your ass.

[Glowy Westpike]

You're lucky I didn't stab you with a dagger the moment I saw you so hard.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Vouched for you so hard.

[Sindri Westpike]

Oh, my God.

[Glowy Westpike]

Should have the buddy system. Will just be myself from now on.

[Lewis]

All of you.

[Glowy Westpike]

Rush, you're amazing.

[Sorin Arkwright]

S had the right ide.

[Sindri Westpike]

Thank you so much.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Body system of W. Yeah. Still love you, Russ.

[Travis Vengroff]

Love you all.

[Sindri Westpike]

Thank you.

[Devor]

Good luck.

[Sindri Westpike]

Cheers, man.

[Travis Vengroff]

Bye.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Oh, man, you got us again.

[Travis Vengroff]

Aw, drat. I figured if I played a new

[Lewis]

player in the group, you guys would

[Travis Vengroff]

be wise to him. But those of you who heard the latest episode know that his character fought the Neverborn. So.

[Sindri Westpike]

So this is very unfair because I thought Tanya couldn't show up, so you had to shove somebody in here. I was mad at giving you the benefit of the doubt, you motherfucker. This is very unfair. Like, oh, sure, I'll let Ildrix run with us. Different scenarios, man.

[Lewis]

There's a meme.

[Travis Vengroff]

There's a meme in our discord where it says, ah, it is he. That motherfucker.

[Sorin Arkwright]

Do you see him

[Travis Vengroff]

every time I see him? Like, yes, it is him, motherfucker.

[Sindri Westpike]

All right.

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