Season 4 | Ep. 11 | Silver Shores

Summary

Dark Dice – Season 4, Episode 11: "Silver Shores" (June 9, 2026)

Podcast: Dark Dice
Producers: Fool & Scholar Productions
Episode Length: ~40 min (excluding ads and promos)

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Episode Overview

This episode, "Silver Shores," immerses listeners in the immediate aftermath of the shipwreck of the Willow’s Wake. The key characters—Yuehai (a halfling with a monstrous blessing), Viviana (a tiefling), Ajay (a half orc shaman), and Vind—find themselves washed up, battered and scattered on a bleak, silvery-black beach. The narrative explores survival, transformation, revealed secrets, tensions among survivors, and the grim cost of their journey through dark fantasy D&D storytelling.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

1. Yuehai's Origin Story and Transformation

[00:02–07:16]

• The episode opens with a haunting, mythic retelling of Yuehai's childhood:
  • Parents name her for the "sound of ocean music," hoping for protection at sea.
  • During a pirate attack, her parents perish, praying to Al Nell Leech—the Sunken One—for her salvation.
  • Yuehai is transformed mid-drowning into a monstrous, crocodilian creature, marking her with scales and other dark features.
  • She is henceforth set apart—a survivor, but irrevocably changed and shunned.
• Quote:

  "She knew she was not the same. And she understood that she had lived and in her survival had become something else, something monstrous." (Narrator, 05:36)

• Years later, after failed attempts to find acceptance and love, Yuehai seeks to have her "blessing" revoked at the temple of the Sunken One—but her prayers go unanswered.
• Eventually, she ends up as a traveling musician, taking to ships and inns, until the Willow’s Wake disaster.

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2. Shipwreck Survival and First Reunion

[07:45–09:16]

• Yuehai and Viviana wash ashore, exhausted and freezing. Yuehai transforms back to her halfling self as Viviana regains consciousness.
• The two share a moment of relief, humor and gratitude.
• Quote:

  "Where the fuck are we? Also, that was awesome. Thank you for taking—I mean, for saving me." (Viviana, 09:16)

• They survey the desolate, silver-flecked black beach, feeling both shattering cold and the strange conviction that they’ve narrowly escaped death.

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3. Yuehai’s True Nature Revealed

[10:42–18:06]

• Viviana, ever curious, probes Yuehai about her shapeshifting abilities, crocodilian form, and the physics of transformation.
• Yuehai, after comedic banter, recounts her tragic backstory, the nature of her transformation, and how it is as much a curse as a blessing.
• The exchange is open, vulnerable, and laced with dark humor:
  • Quote:

    "You're so tiny. Look, you can't be more than like three or four feet and you turn into a crocodile and you save both of us." (Viviana, 15:08)

  • Quote:

    "The blessing keeps me alive, but it also keeps me alone." (Yuehai, 15:39)

• Viviana promises to keep Yuehai's secret, providing comfort over lost loves and friendships soured by the monstrous transformation.

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4. Searching for Survivors & Casual Banter

[18:21–21:25]

• The cold and hardship remain ever-present. Viviana's head injury becomes noticeable.
• They chat about practicalities: what Yuehai eats as a crocodile, her past acquaintances, and whether they trust other survivors (notably Vind and Ajay).
• Comic relief runs through these segments:
  • Quote:

    "Count yourself lucky that I don't like you that way, because it seems like anyone that I sort of have affection for just goes down the wrong hole." (Yuehai, 18:50)

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5. Ajay and Magic-Assisted Recovery

[22:03–24:44]

• Ajay, the half-orc shaman, regains consciousness and uses magic (prestidigitation) to warm survivors’ clothes.
• Banter between Ajay, Viviana, and Yuehai lightens the mood but underscores their mutual exhaustion and relief.
• Quote:

  "I can warm up to three objects at a time... Let’s just say a patch of each of your clothes to keep you warm." (Ajay, 24:33)

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6. Gathering of Survivors & Mourning the Dead

[25:46–32:30]

• The group explores the debris-filled beach for more survivors.
• Viviana and Yuehai discover the bodies of Lahn (their former companion, now dead) and have a moment of remembrance; Viviana performs a makeshift funeral ritual.
  • Quote:

    "I just want you to know that I really did consider you a friend... I stacked some rocks like beach stones near her head, like a little grave marker." (Viviana, 29:08)

• Vind, previously thought dead, is revived—hot-tempered as always. Comic tension, insults and bickering ensue.
• Survivors reel at their situation but are glad to not be stranded alone.

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7. Tension and Comic Relief Among the Living

[32:34–34:49]

• Vind is revived and proceeds to argue, snap, and joke with Ajay, Viviana, and Yuehai.
• The humor is biting and real, highlighting both the stress and camaraderie.
• Quote:

  "How about this? I will give you the space of this whole damn beach island continent. I will give you all of this space." (Ajay, 33:23)

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8. Hints of Further Survival, Ominous Sounds, & More Loss

[34:30–39:26]

• An owl’s screech signals the possible survival of Yara and his owl companion Seelie.
• The party finds more corpses—including their ship’s second mate and Yara himself. The group attempts to revive Yara but fails; Seelie the owl fiercely guards the body.
• Quote:

  "Yara wasn't breathing. His skin was cold, and when Viviana lifted his eyelids, there was no reaction... But Seelie chirped and scratched her talons gripping into the sea soaked cloth of his shirt..." (Narrator, 38:44)

• Reflection on mortality and the arbitrary whims of the sea.

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Notable Quotes & Character Moments

• "The blessing keeps me alive, but it also keeps me alone." (Yuehai, 15:39)
• "I just want you to know that I really did consider you a friend... This is for you, Lon. Wherever you are, I hope you're drinking yourself away on the afterlife's best stuff." (Viviana, 29:08)
• "How about this? I will give you the space of this whole damn beach island continent." (Ajay, 33:23)
• "Count yourself lucky that I don’t like you that way because it seems like anyone that I sort of have affection for seems to just go down the wrong hole." (Yuehai, 18:50, comic tone)
• "You're so tiny. ... and you turn into a crocodile and you save both of us." (Viviana, 15:08, with awe and humor)

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Key Timestamps

• 00:02–07:16 – Yuehai’s transformation & tragic backstory
• 09:16 – Viviana and Yuehai on the beach, humorous gratitude
• 12:47–15:39 – Yuehai reveals her past and curse to Viviana
• 21:02–22:03 – Viviana discovers her own injury; they spot another survivor
• 22:03–24:44 – Ajay is found alive, uses magic to warm survivors
• 25:46–27:56 – Group searches for more survivors along the beach
• 29:08–30:07 – Viviana’s farewell to Lahn, creates grave marker
• 31:02–33:23 – Vind is revived, tense and comic survivor banter
• 34:30–39:26 – The group finds more bodies; fail to revive Yara

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Episode Tone & Atmosphere

The episode masterfully balances haunting loss, raw humor, camaraderie under duress, and the stark horror of survival. Characters are brought to the edge, their wounds both physical and emotional, yet their quips and attempts at connection shine. The dark, cold fantasy setting is ever-present—a relentless, moody backdrop underscored by rich sound design.

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Summary Takeaway

"Silver Shores" is a poignant, atmospheric episode centering on loss, transformation, and tenuous hope after disaster. The party is battered but alive, their number thinned, their future uncertain as they push down the mysterious, moonlit beach—still clutching at life, humor, and the possibility of redemption from the darkness that has claimed so much already.

Transcript

[Narrator]

In a language not familiar to some, hai translates to ocean, and yue means music or song. Combined, these words were a fitting name for the daughter of an avid sailor and a coastal trader from the Northern Realms. They gave her this name to bring her comfort in the sounds of the waves as they worked at the docks and aboard creaking ships during a trading voyage. Their boat was raided by pirates, and the fearful parents, angry and heart wrenched, beseeched the power of Al Nell Leech, the sunken one, to protect their young daughter. The fires of pillage raged on. The ship was destroyed and sunk, its loot lost, its hopes dashed. The family floated on charred debris in the icy waters, gripping fingers slowly turning to ice. First the mother fell and then the father, swallowed up by the sea to which they once begged. And as their daughter felt she too would drift down into the cold dark, Al Neldeech glanced her way. The sunken one had been called upon and now burdened the young Ocean Song with an irreversible blessing. Blessed in dark ways, but uninformed of her touch with the all deep, the little daughter exhaled a cold breath as her hands gave out. She sunk into the dark, and her mind drifted. The summer sun on deck, fresh fruits from the newly arrived ships, her parents laughing in the candlelight. Then it changed. She thought of dark nights under moonless, starless skies, and the meat that hung from the butcher's window, and her body morphed. Halfling's skin grew rough and darkened to lifeless gray. Her teeth pushed out in bubbling screams as pearly spikes grew in their place. And she swam. A great, mighty power pushed her forward, downward, into the dark. A tail as thick as a tree swung with force, sending her away from her lost, sunken family. She found herself among the crashing waves, within a maze of stony coastal spires. She had her feet, her teeth, her sea skin. But she knew she was not the same. And she understood that she had lived and in her survival had become something else, something monstrous. Her mind held the mark of those terrible thoughts, and her arm kept tallying. With each transformation, a new dark scale remained. Ocean Song traveled, survived, and grew. She knew the tricks of her parents trade and held onto those memories like a lifeline. She tried to go back to towns and ports she had visited before, seeking help and refuge. But the times were dark. The sea was wild, and care was scant. No one was looking for another mouth to feed. Worse yet, while her seafaring form was slick and strong, terrible and fierce, it made her an outcast. When she revealed her dark blessing, she was branded an Other a frightening monstrosity. After a few failed attempts at the truth, she learned to keep her other shape a secret. Years passed, and her heart hardened, and the scales on her arms grew in number. In the late summer, on the rocky shores of a windswept coastal town, she met a gnome named Endless. He was a clockmaker with an attention to detail and a flair for the dramatic that she adored. And she had a hearty laugh and stoic strength he instantly admired. Their time together warmed the heart and soul. Summer felt endless, even as the waves turned gray and the skies dropped snow. After much deliberation, she chose to reveal her past and her dark blessing, hoping for light in the dark and endless flood. And terror, lost again, hardened further. Yuhai wandered. She took her talents for music cultivated during her long life alone, drifting through cities and towns and scraped a living. She sought out places where she could disappear into the crowd, where no one would ask where she'd gone or seek her out. Once her song was done, the cycle repeated from dank seaside pub to rotting city inn until the day she learned of the sunken Bulwark, the temple to all Neldeech, where the unfeeling goddess may bestow one's deepest wishes. All Yuhai wanted was for the sunken One to take back the gift she had so generously given all those years ago. And so she had a goal. She sang songs and told grand tales, filling her pockets with coin until she could afford the fair. Travel was booked, and within the stone halls of the sunken Bulwark's grand temple, Yuehai spent days in earnest appeal to the one who had spared her on that dark, terrible night. Unfortunately, her pleas fell on deaf ears or an uncaring God. And so, after weeks among the sunken faithful and their gray rocks, she arranged passage on the next Farhaller ship set to arrive on the Bulwark. She waited, singing to pass the time and paying for drinks, picking up new stories from assorted travelers who visited the creaking walls of sorrow's edge. A week of waiting in the willow's wake finally arrived. She met the crew and fellow travelers and even made a friend. One who was all too quickly taken from this world. And on a tumultuous night, during a terrible tempest, when it seemed like the ship was destined to sink, yhai revealed her true self to her roommate. And for the first time, perhaps out of necessity, she was not shunned. And so Yu Ahai and Lady Viviana Bloodchamber fled the collapsing willow. There was no more safety. There was only sea and storm. Those still alive, fell beneath the waves or grasped for dear life to anything that still floated, hoping they would remain above the liquid cold. But as time passed within the raging freezing storm, they could endure no more. And all sounds and feelings were replaced by a singular constant hum, a static rolling over them. They were part of an endless tiny roar. The lightning strikes that had burned into their eyes were gone. There was only darkness. This might have been death coming for each of them individually. After all of this, every fight they'd had, every goal, every hardship, every missed opportunity, these things all fell further away under the raging ocean that had swallowed them whole.

[Announcer]

Dark dice shores of the silver thrum chapter 11 silver shores.

[Narrator]

Yuhai's wide taloned claws finally landed on solid ground, though in the deep cold she couldn't feel the pebbles and sand now less than a meter under the water. Exhausted as she was from her considerable swim in the freezing waters, waters cold enough to steal breath and numb senses, Yulhai's weary body began to transform back into her halfling self. Viviana, who had all but lost consciousness, snapped back to reality as her living life raft shrunk unexpectedly, too small to grip and her legs reached solid, chilled ground. She almost thought the sensation a dream, a trick by the sunken one, or whatever gods wished to see her adventures end in the deep of that sea. But she continued on by instinct, skin shivering, armor soaked through with one hand, one foot in front of the other, until she reached the water's edge, crawling on the black pebbles of a strange beach, dragging the exhausted and small form of Yhai with her. In the light of the low full moon, casting long shadows across the unfamiliar land, Viviana could spot debris, snow and humanoid forms scattered among the rocks and a tall, steep cliff opposite the icy ocean. After a minute of stunned silence, broken by the retching of water from their lungs, the lingering days of the cold released its grip enough for the two women to speak.

[Viviana]

Where the fuck are we? Also, that was awesome. Thank you for taking. I mean, for saving me.

[Yuehai]

We're. We're on some kind of. We're on some kind of beach. Okay. We're okay. We made it. You. Are you okay?

[Viviana]

Okay. I'm good. Good.

[Yuehai]

Good.

[Narrator]

As they coughed cold water, sand and hope spewed forth. The black sands covered their hands as they pushed themselves up, glimmering flecks of silver shimmering in the black under their fingers and glittering on the beach cliff in the distance. Their muscles burned while their skin felt like ice. Their lips cracked, tasting of salt and blood. Their legs shook, but their lives remained Viviana and Yuehai stood bent and shivering in the dark of a moonlit night. Soon the moon would be gone. The wet rolling pebbles beneath their feet further weakened their already exhausted legs. Their memory was hazy, but their bodies fought back. It was simple to mistake this for death when they could feel nothing. In that moment, they felt perhaps too much.

[Yuehai]

I didn't think there was land all the way out here. We're lucky, really.

[Viviana]

Okay, so. So, like, now that we're not drowning or on a flaming ship, how does the physics of. Of your ability work? Like, do you stretch into a black crocodile? Or is it more like.

[Yuehai]

Oh, my God. Just. Just give me a second.

[Viviana]

Cause, like, you're like, tiny and a croc. That thing was huge. Like, how does that work?

[Narrator]

Yuehai examined her arms, discovering she had a new scale near her elbow that hadn't receded when her halfling skin had returned. She quickly rewrapped the bandages over the scars and scales of her arm as the uncomfortable thoughts that followed were interrupted.

[Yuehai]

I really don't think that's what we should be worried about right now.

[Viviana]

So what kind of crocodile are you? What do you get to choose? What kind of crocodile?

[Yuehai]

I have so many questions. Okay, okay. Slow. Slow down, slow down. Do you see my hair? It's dark. It's. It's the spine of my crocodilian form, so.

[Viviana]

Sorry, I must have swallowed a lot of seawater because I thought I heard you say your hair was your spine.

[Yuehai]

Yes, it's. When I shape shift it. It half sinks into my back and along with the rest of my body, it elongates and stretches out to my crocodilian body and tail. You know, I'm usually not this tired. I think it's. It's because of you. I mean. I mean, I'm fine with it. It's just I'm usually not this tired after I swim. It's just I had to keep going to the surface for you to breathe. Are you okay? Do you feel okay?

[Viviana]

Well, yeah. Thank you for that. I. I appreciate you going up to the surface for. For me to breathe. That was. That was good. Good. Good job there. I'm sorry.

[Yuehai]

So. Yes.

[Viviana]

How are you? How. How.

[Yuehai]

Okay, if la. If I just tell you a bit more about myself, can you just maybe just keep it between us for now, at least?

[Viviana]

I promise. On my dead grandmom's grave.

[Yuehai]

Okay, cool. I mean, she's dead, so. Usually people promise on something that's alive for them to be dead anyway. We just survived the shipwreck, so. Let's get this out of the way. But after this, we need to find out where we are. We can't stay here now. When I was younger, I was with my parents. We were on a journey and unfortunately pirates found us. They planned to loot the ship, but it got much worse. I don't really remember the details, but our ship was sinking and we all just started sinking. And then it was just us, me and my parents. Maybe it was out of hope or desperation, but they prayed to Neldig, the sunken one, and she responded. I didn't know that until after. So I watched my mother and father sink into darkness. And when I was about to sink below, my body transformed. Blessed by their wishes, by neldigation. And I was turned into this ominously dark crocodile. And just so you know, that was the whole reason I was at the sunken bulwark. While I can transform into a crocodile, I just don't think that it's a gift, a blessing anymore. Maybe it was at the start and it helped me to survive, but it's not anymore. And I just want to give this gift back to Neldeech. But I guess it's fortunate that I did not get my wish because it saved both of us from drowning with the rest of the Willows wake. I hope others made it.

[Viviana]

Well, first of all, sorry about your parents. Second of all, that is such a cool backstory. Wow. I wish my parents did, but.

[Yuehai]

Viviana. Viviana.

[Viviana]

I mean, that's sick. He turned into a crocodile. That's awesome.

[Yuehai]

I mean, look at you.

[Viviana]

You're so tiny. Look, you can't be more than like three or four feet and you turn into a crocodile and you save both of us.

[Yuehai]

I'm not gonna lie. When I'm in the crocodile form, I feel so powerful, so strong that I can do anything. I can see into the night, so see underwater. But it's brought so much sadness to my life. The power comes with a curse. You know, whenever I meet some. Somebody.

[Viviana]

Well. Oh, sorry, go on.

[Yuehai]

Whenever I meet somebody, I mean, I'm. I'm happy you find this amusing and interesting, but trust me, everyone else I've met thus far, especially when ones that I tend to have feelings for, they run away. They leave when they see me transform. The blessing keeps me alive, but it also keeps me alone. And it remains with me, the feelings, the cravings, even in my normal form. More with every time.

[Viviana]

Yeah, your eyes do have a bit of a cool, creepy glow at night.

[Yuehai]

And my hair, it's. I.

[Viviana]

It's.

[Yuehai]

I can't cut it off, you know? I've tried so many times but I, I can't. It's a constant reminder of who I am, of this monstrous part of me and the hunger.

[Viviana]

Fuck you. Okay, you're a nice, you're a nice girl and all, but I don't if you have feelings for me, like I don't really reciprocate at the moment, but like, it's not like I don't like you or anything. I think we could be really good friends, you know?

[Yuehai]

I like your confidence, but don't worry.

[Viviana]

Okay, good, because I don't want to like lead you on or anything. Okay, okay, Just making sure. Well, I don't know, I. I guess I understand kind of. I still think it's really cool and you saved my life so automatically that makes it even cooler because you know what if one day I turn out to be like ruler of the world and then you had saved my life and then I remember you.

[Yuehai]

That is so great and so noble of you Lady Viviana. Thank you.

[Viviana]

No problem.

[Yuehai]

Thank you for remembering me when, if and when you ever become a ruler of the world. And when or if we ever get out of here.

[Viviana]

Where are we?

[Yuehai]

The winds of the storm pushed up in that direction. I'm not familiar with this place.

[Viviana]

Well, either way, your secret is safe with me. I would never tell that you turn into a gigantic crocodile. That is so. Sorry, sorry, sorry. That is so freaking cool.

[Yuehai]

Ifiana. Oh my God.

[Viviana]

God. I just said.

[Yuehai]

Are you okay? Really?

[Narrator]

Looks like your head is bleeding now. No longer submerged in seawater, a trail of blood wound its way down Viviana's head, dripping into the sand. Yuhai ushered the injured teeth fling forward and they sat together on the black rock.

[Viviana]

So when you were a crocodile, do you eat the same thing you do as a halfling form? Or like how does that work?

[Yuehai]

About the caloric drive, I actually eat fishes. I did try to gulp down some like on the way here, but there was just this tiefling on my back that made it hard for me to, you know, dive down and catch some fish.

[Viviana]

Oh, I'm so sorry that you had to save my life.

[Yuehai]

I know. You better remember me then when you're a ruler.

[Viviana]

Oh I will, don't worry.

[Yuehai]

But you know what? Count yourself lucky that I don't like you that way because it seems like anyone that I sort of have affection for seems to just go down the wrong hole like then I will.

[Viviana]

Good friends is enough for me. Hey, do you see that shiny stuff in the rocks? Too. My good friend looks silvery.

[Yuehai]

Yeah, I see it. But you know, my legs are tired. Let's sit. Sit down for a bit.

[Narrator]

Upon closer examination, Yuhai noticed the blood on Viviana's head did not flow quickly, but that the wound looked swollen. Worried, Yuhai kept her friend talking.

[Yuehai]

You know, Nimble. Like I have only met him for a couple of hours, but I feel like maybe we were good friends in another life or something. And. And then to hear him.

[Viviana]

You like Nimble.

[Yuehai]

Not to say like he just.

[Viviana]

He.

[Yuehai]

There's a feeling of familiarity there. Like I've met him before. Like I've spoken to him before. I don't know. And this whole Vind and RJ thing just smells so fishy. I don't trust either of them.

[Narrator]

Yu Ahai's thoughts flickered to Ajay, the half orc shaman of the Sangoma, and then to Vind, the leader of the Shade Steel Elves. They had been former friends and fellow travelers aboard the Willow's Wake before it was sundered by that terrible tempest. And they did not have her ability. They could not swim so far in the salty waters, nor hold their breath as long as she friends or enemies, Yuhai had already seen too many sink beneath. Beneath the dark depths of the ocean.

[Viviana]

Like literally, they smell like fish? Or are you talking like figuratively?

[Yuehai]

I'm. I'm sure they're gonna smell like fish if they survive this whole shipwreck thing. Both figuratively and literally. I guess. I mean, we do too, you know. It looks like you took quite the hit to the head. Did you get hit during our escape?

[Viviana]

I don't. I don't remember.

[Yuehai]

Do you feel dizzy? Can you see how many fingers I'm holding up?

[Viviana]

Oh, yeah.

[Yuehai]

Ow.

[Viviana]

That's a bump. Do you think it'll leave a mark?

[Yuehai]

It should go away after a nice long rest. Oh, is that. Is that. There's someone else over there. Quickly.

[Viviana]

Okay, Crocodile Lady.

[Yuehai]

Viviana.

[Narrator]

And then there was pain. A tingle in the fingertips. A sharp stab up a leg. Sitting to rest had given their bodies a break. They could not stand. Viviana and Yuhai were cold. Worse, they were wet, hungry and freezing. The endless tiny roar around them was the ice cold rushing of salty waves over the rocky beach. Debris and bodies nearby had caught their attention, but the rush to reach them was a struggle.

[Yuehai]

Just over there.

[Viviana]

It's someone. Large.

[Narrator]

Partially covered by the creeping, consuming black sands, Ajay began to breathe. His head was pushed against a large stone. Propping his antlers up into the air like wild driftwood. His cloak was submerged in the rolling waves and his eyes cracked open.

[Ajay]

What? I cannot believe I am still alive.

[Finn]

You.

[Narrator/Stage Direction]

Ajay will kind of pull his shoulders back and then pull himself up to a sitting position. And just for the briefest of moments, Viviana and Yuhai. You can see the faint shimmering outline of two orcs behind a that helped him get up and they're dusting the sand off of his back before one of them leans down and starts to hug Ajay. And by this of course I mean casting the spell prestigitation. It cleans up my cloak a little bit and also makes it warm for the next hour which I will wrap around my body and shoulders to stop myself from shivering too much. It also smells faintly like home, which comforts Ajay.

[Ajay]

I don't really remember what happened after the ship went down. Did you by any chance see which way we were headed?

[Viviana]

Me.

[Yuehai]

You're alive.

[Viviana]

Oh hey rj.

[Yuehai]

Out of everyone, do not make me laugh.

[Ajay]

I would agree that my survival was.

[Yuehai]

No, I. I don't know what happened. Just everything just, just happened really quick and we just got out of there.

[Ajay]

Well, perhaps Neldig has smiled on us today. Especially so many of us are still here.

[Narrator/Stage Direction]

I thought once we hit the water

[Ajay]

that was going to be the end.

[Narrator/Stage Direction]

Ajay's face drops for a second having a slight memory of seeing a certain someone spring back into life as the ship got split in twain and icy Fox vein starts bulging in his head as he looks around hesitantly for a moment and a cursory glance down the beach for danger or other survivors. But he's too weak to actually care at that moment and he just opening and closing his hands trying to warm them up and just happy to be alive and not alone.

[Viviana]

So I'm freezing, it's really cold and your cloak is getting living off a lot of steam.

[Yuehai]

Was that magic?

[Viviana]

Can you heat things up with magic?

[Ajay]

Oh, now that you mention it, I can warm up to three objects at a time. It is only a cubic foot, so let's just say a patch of each

[Narrator/Stage Direction]

of your clothes to keep you warm. A little warmer.

[Ajay]

There you go.

[Viviana]

That's actually super cool.

[Yuehai]

Thanks. Yeah, and I'll also secretly try to steal some warmth from his coat.

[Narrator]

As the trio warmed themselves with magics, the wind continued to blow clouds across the sky and the moon was lost behind a haze. Viviana and Ajay, both possessing keen dark vision, were able to roll perception checks to examine their surroundings.

[Viviana]

7. I see nothing. I'm cold. It's dark.

[Ajay]

5.

[Narrator]

Their vision was blurred by Salt and wooziness. And they couldn't seem to see very far down the beach.

[Announcer]

Exhaustion had gotten to them, but they could still make out the black beach beneath them. As clouds moved across the moon, they could see glints of silver among the rolling black. And across from the ocean rose a steep blackstone cliff, which also seemed to shine. Where they had washed up appeared to be a narrow strand of beach between the rolling water and the cliff face.

[Yuehai]

So, rj, did you see anyone else who came out of the whole shipwreck thing alive? Did anyone else get out?

[Ajay]

At this point, I have no idea, to be quite honest with you. A few people went overboard and I thought that they were lost, but then the whole ship went down, so I. I guess I know as much as you do. I pretty much blacked out as soon as I hit the water. It stole my breath and my senses. Then. Then I woke up here. Kind of surprised, to be honest. To be here. I thought I was dead for sure.

[Yuehai]

Okay, maybe. Maybe we should walk along this little beach. I mean, a little walk might help us warm up a bit and we can see if we can find anyone else who washed the shore.

[Ajay]

Yes, and perhaps walking along the base of the cliff over there rather than standing out in the open beach might make it a little less freezing.

[Yuehai]

Yeah. Okay. Shall we then, Viviana?

[Viviana]

Yeah, right. Right behind you.

[Ajay]

Wait, did you hear that? It sounded like some sort of weird jellyfish.

[Yuehai]

No, that's.

[Viviana]

That's, that's. That's just me. Grab my teeth. I'm freezing.

[Ajay]

Oh, okay. Sorry.

[Yuehai]

She has jellyfish teeth.

[Ajay]

Okay.

[Yuehai]

And a head injury.

[Ajay]

I'll discuss that later. I'm far too cold to get into it now.

[Narrator]

Limping along the black strand, it had become clear they were not the only new arrivals from the Willows Wake. Debris had rolled in with the survivors and was buried in the sands or strewn across the rocks here, there, and further up the coast through the dark night and inky sands. It was difficult to make out details, though it was clear that charred wood, snapped rope and frayed scraps of sail had arrived with them. As their bodies warmed, their senses grew sharper and they spotted one body, then another, then another, rolling in lifelessly upon the beach further down the way.

[Viviana]

Yeah, I was wondering when we'd find someone.

[Narrator/Stage Direction]

I'll make my way over to investigate

[Vind]

the bodies, summoning my staff as a walking stick. As a. Is so hurt right now.

[Ajay]

Oh, please, please just let his body wash up on a different beach so I don't have to deal with this shit right now. It's lan. I forgot that she was still on the willow when it went down.

[Narrator]

The lifeless corpse of Lahn, their former traveling companion, lay on her back in the sands, her once immaculate coat torn, soaked and covered in seaweed. Her black hair was a long tangle in the gently lapping waves. None of them had seen the full extent of her hair when it wasn't wrapped or under a cap. And seeing it in this way felt somehow wrong.

[Yuehai]

Oh, I didn't know her well. I just knew her from sorrow's edge. Really sucks to be her, I guess.

[Viviana]

Well, you. You maybe didn't know her, but I did. And she was maybe a little weird, like the cult weird. But I think she knew how to have a good time. So I walk over and pull her out of the ocean and go, yep, it's Lon. That's. That's Lon. Sorry, we don't really have time to bury you right now, so I just want you to know that I really did consider you a friend. And I stand there for a few moments of silence and I put a little bit of pressure on the wrist where she told me to do it and go. This is for you, Lon. Wherever you are. I hope you're drinking yourself away on the afterlife's best stuff. And I stacked some rocks like beach stones near her head, like a little grave marker.

[Vind]

Ajay is exhausted, but he'll help collect a few rocks.

[Viviana]

Yeah. Good. Ceylon. We hope you find your way to whatever God your cult followed. Something about the dark. And after that, maybe a moment of silence.

[Yuehai]

I know. I mean, I hate her in the moment, but. I found Vind. His eyes are glassy, but I'm gonna kick him for good measure, to be sure.

[Narrator]

Pushed sideways along a ridge of black rocks, sinking partially into the cold water and lapped by waves, the corpse of Vind Greyview moved back and forth in the push and pull of the water. His golden hair rushed straight as the waters pulled away and covered his face as they swept around him, the black rocks glistened with flickers of silver.

[Ajay]

Oh, thank thee, God.

[Yuehai]

I mean, he doesn't look.

[Announcer]

The body of Vind Greyview began to spasm and cough up water, perhaps sparked to life by Yuhai's well placed kick. His free arm swung up, smashing into a rock before pulling the tangle of hair from his face with a struggled push. He righted himself, still seated in a pool of salt water.

[Finn]

Water. Wow.

[Ajay]

And spoke too soon. They have forsaken me.

[Finn]

Wow.

[Yuehai]

You made it.

[Viviana]

Oh yay. You're alive.

[Yuehai]

Great. Let Go.

[Viviana]

I can't see the color of your eyes in this darkness, but I'm sure they're just as magnificent.

[Ajay]

Whoa.

[Yuehai]

Viviana And I call out to Ajay. Ay, come.

[Vind]

Ajay is currently staring at the ocean, just hard contemplating walking back out there and letting the wave finally finish him off.

[Yuehai]

Rj, come. Your favorite person is here. He made it.

[Finn]

Viviana. You somehow still look just as beautiful.

[Viviana]

Oh stop. Oh wow. I, I really.

[Vind]

That is what you have the first thing that comes out of your mouth.

[Viviana]

Like hey, if a man sees, what do you legs like? Let him. Let him compliment me.

[Yuehai]

Perhaps you both have taken blows to the hip.

[Vind]

I do not want to be rude

[Ajay]

Viviana, but we all look like right

[Vind]

now we just washed up on a beach for yourself.

[Viviana]

My skin feels great. Some kind of thing in the seawater. Very moisturizing.

[Ajay]

Your high cold salt, I guess. I don't know a we're both here.

[Vind]

Do not touch me. I swear to God, if you touch me I, I will. I will kill you.

[Announcer]

Vend had stood, his clothes crusted in the black sand and quickly drying white ocean salt. His spear tied to his belt had lodged itself between the rocks behind him and he found it useful as a crutch for his tired shaking legs. He shivered, skin and leather cracking in the cold. As his legs shook, exhaustion and tension ran high shipwreck or comfortable inn, the past was ineffective.

[Viviana]

Guys, guys, guys.

[Ajay]

You don't you need.

[Vind]

You're raising your hand like you're going to like. It's like you're going to touch me.

[Finn]

Don't you take up so much space. It's gonna be hard not to. You're so close.

[Vind]

That's a you problem, not a me.

[Finn]

Can you just give me a little space? I'm, I'm still trying to make sure all my limbs are intact.

[Ajay]

How about this? I will give you the space of this whole damn beach island continent. I will give you all of this space.

[Yuehai]

Oh my God. Children, children, children.

[Finn]

Yulhai, calm down.

[Yuehai]

Just get up and if you're good enough to move, let's start walking. We can't stay here. And I. I think there are more corpses further on.

[Announcer]

Finn's glare moved from Ajay to Yuehai as his mind raced. But his expression quickly shifted to a friendly smile.

[Finn]

Weather, I'm not sure where your mind is right now. All right, all of you. But it is, it is great to see you. All three of you. And I'm. I'm so happy.

[Yuehai]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Yeah, let's go.

[Vind]

Ajay's already Gone.

[Ajay]

Okay, Viviana, let's go.

[Yuehai]

That was not Viviana. That was Yuehai. Me, Yuehai.

[Finn]

Yuehai?

[Yuehai]

Yeah, they both took a hit to the head, but okay. Seems like the waves have knocked your

[Viviana]

memory a bit at least. I mean, we're alive, right? That's good.

[Finn]

Yes, yes.

[Narrator]

An owl's screech rolled over the beach, echoing off the stone cliff face. Higher and shriller than any rolling wave or crushing rocks. It stood out as familiar but ominous. The owl was not seen, but it was clear where the call ushered from. Further down the black beach.

[Yuehai]

Viviana. Could that be Fluffy?

[Viviana]

No, Fluffy. Oh, Fluffy, rest in peace.

[Ajay]

I think that might be Yara.

[Viviana]

That has to be.

[Vind]

Or at least you know, what is left of him.

[Viviana]

What?

[Yuehai]

He. And he screeches like an owl.

[Viviana]

He has an owl named. Yeah, Sealy.

[Yuehai]

Oh, I thought it was his vocals. I mean, what range? Okay, let's head towards that direction then.

[Viviana]

I hope he's alive. He had a bit of like a mystery to him, you know what I mean? Like that, like that whole tattered clothing, owl on his shoulder sort of thing.

[Vind]

Can I just make a very quick note? I will not let Vin anywhere behind me. Just to cla. I just want to clarify. There is no universe in which I let Vin walk behind me.

[Announcer]

Tensions and pains remained high. With a fair distance and Vivian and Yuhai between them, Vin struggled to get his legs under him, but began a labored walk down the beach as Ajay followed behind the team. Further along the black strand, behind a stone covered by torn canvas sails, two corpses rested face down in the sand. A human man and halfling woman. One was quickly recognized to be A.V. mitov, the halfling second mate, now captain technically of the sunken ship. The other was Yara, the shipwright, upon whose back stood the small midnight colored owl, Seelie, hopping, cawing and clawing. But both bodies remained unmoving.

[Ajay]

Was the second rate on the ship a fighter really? We'd spoken on more than a few occasions to have it all taken away by the sea. She's not moving, not breathing. And there are splinters, shards of wood in her back that could have killed a grown orc.

[Yuehai]

I'm sorry, I didn't know her. Not well. There was not, not enough time. Tensions were quite high after we left the bulwark and the willow went down so fast.

[Finn]

But what about Yara?

[Viviana]

He was crew, right?

[Ajay]

Like a boat smith or repairman. He was pretty good at it too.

[Yuehai]

I lean down and try to get the bird, the owl, off of Yare.

[Viviana]

I lean in too. And I try to see if he's breathing or moving at all.

[Finn]

I. I don't feel a pulse, but maybe we can bring him back. Near the forest where I'm from, the people of the Shade Hill river are sometimes able to bring dead back to life if they've recently drowned. Ajay, give me a hand here.

[Announcer]

Let's.

[Finn]

Let's flip him over, please. We can help him.

[Vind]

Why don't you ask you a. She's standing right there.

[Yuehai]

Do you see how small I am?

[Ajay]

That is not big. It's fine. Just flip him over. I don't.

[Finn]

I don't think she could flip his shoelace at the moment. Could you give me a hand, please, Ajay? I know.

[Viviana]

I'll help you.

[Yuehai]

Both of you be careful. I think you both have concussions or something.

[Finn]

Viviana, if you wouldn't mind just placing your hands under mine and helping me heave from this side.

[Viviana]

Oh, of course.

[Finn]

Okay. Okay, let's try.

[Viviana]

One, two, three.

[Narrator]

As Yara's body was rolled over, his head hit the ground with a thump. His eyes were closed and black sands covered his face in a natural death mask decorated with flecks of shining silver. Vind and Viviana both required roles for medicine as they attempted to examine his corpse.

[Finn]

Six minus five. I have a one.

[Viviana]

I got an eleven.

[Finn]

I unfortunately can't seem to remember just how they did it.

[Announcer]

It seems.

[Finn]

I'm sorry, Yara.

[Narrator]

Yara wasn't breathing. His skin was cold, and when Viviana lifted his eyelids, there was no reaction. Seelie now hopped and cawed from atop Yara's chest. She snapped at his nose and tried to bite any hand that came near the dead shipwright. No crustaceans came to pull at his skin. No Sandomites jumped atop the unmoving arms. But Seelie chirped and scratched her talons gripping into the sea soaked cloth of his shirt with each defensive step. Yara had spent his life near the sea, watching for lights over rushing waves and through misty nights. But here, there was no light left in him.

[Announcer]

Dark Dice Shores of the Silver Throne Chapter 11 Silver Shores created by Travis Fengroff and Ka Statz starring Sam Yao, Jasper William Cartwright, Eric Nelson, Lily Pichu and Travis Vengrof and KA Statz as co Dungeon Masters this episode was co Edited with co sound Design by Travis Vengrof and Finner Nielsen Mixed and mastered by Finner Nielsen Transcriptions by KA Stats and Travis Fengroff and executive producers Dennis Greenhill, AJ Pumpkin, Michael Villegas and Carol Van Groff this episode features music by David Wise, Stephen Malin, Austin Wintry and Alice Crane. Episodes will be releasing every two weeks, so stick around, stay subscribed and consider joining the Patreon to get episodes ad free and early. This is a Foolen Scholar production. Thank you for listening.

[Glass Cannon Podcast Promo]

The war is over and both sides lost. Kingdoms were reduced to cinders and armies scattered like bones in the dust. Now the survivors claw to what's left of a broken world, praying the Darkness chooses someone else tonight. But in the shadowdark, the Darkness always wins. This is old school adventuring at its most cruel. Your torch ticks down in real time, and when that flame dies, something else rises to finish the job. This is a brutal rules light nightmare with a story that emerges organically based on the decisions that the characters make. This is what it felt like to play RPGs in the 80s and man, it is so good to be back. Join the Glass Cannon Podcast as we plunge into the Shadowdark every Thursday night at 8pm Eastern on YouTube.com theglasscannon with the podcast version dropping the next day. See what everybody's talking about and join us in the dark.

[Woodbine Podcast Promo]

There are vampires out there. They walk among you, shoulder to shoulder in the dark. Heading to work, heading home, going to the bar. It's a life just like anyone else's, and I have grown used to it. To the darkness, to the moon, to the taste of blood on my tongue. But vampires are dying out. We are a fading kind, and I am the first one created in so long. And that is a dangerous thing to be. Those who came before me, elders of all stripes, they do not want to see our kind gone, and they will do anything to keep their power. And for myself and for Grace, who created me. That is a sword that hangs above our heads. And the worst person of all carries our secret, and he will use it however he sees fit. Who do you look to when things are at their darkest? From the creators of Park d' Il Haunt comes Woodbine, a podcast about monsters, dreams and changes those you want and those you never saw. Coming Season 2 arrives September 24th. Distributed by Realm.