Season 4 | Ep. 15 | The Switchbacks

Summary

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Dark Dice – Season 4, Episode 15: "The Switchbacks"

Release Date: August 4, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode follows the continuing harrowing journey of five marooned survivors on the haunted Isle of Silver Shores. After departing a ghost-riddled village, the party navigates a cliffside switchback path, encountering grave markers, eldritch threats, and inner turmoil. The tone is dark, laced with gallows humor, existential dread, and moments of warmth between fractured companions.

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1. The Main Theme and Episode Purpose

• The group ventures further into the unknown, grappling with environmental dangers, mental strain, and their own survival instincts.
• Haunting reminders of death and loss permeate their environment, underscored by an encounter with a grotesque, mutated bird-creature.
• Themes: mortality, fear of the unknown, precarious trust, and darkly comic camaraderie.

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2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

a. The Burial Ground Encounter (04:06 – 13:45)

• The party stumbles upon an ancient, neglected burial ground with uniquely-decorated stone markers.
• They note a particularly odd grave with a boulder and old rope, which triggers a haunting, poetic message — a possible remnant of a tragic halfling father and son.
  • Yara: "I believe this grave belongs to Oro and... Or jumped down to be with his son in the afterlife and pulled the boulder over himself. Is that what it sounded like to you guys?" (08:20)
• Discussion arises around the meaning of the grave, cultural customs, and the group’s discomfort with desecration.
• A brief excavation yields only colored clay dirt; nothing material is found. Jahre quietly leaves an offering as a sign of respect.
• The party is forced to make constitution saves against the cold; Viviana suffers mild hypothermia and covertly uses a drug to stave off pain and hunger.

b. Ascending the Switchbacks: Survival and Strain (13:56 – 20:44)

• The trek up the frozen, moonlit switchback path is marked by exhaustion, gallows humor, and moments of unfiltered vulnerability.
  • Viviana: "Then guys, if I die... You can eat my body, okay?" (15:31)
• Viviana’s mental state deteriorates, manifesting as erratic humor, morbid jokes about cannibalism, and even overt declarations of affection while high.
  • Viviana (to Vind): "I mean, I've looked at you in the eyes many times. Oftentimes when you were sleeping too. I know how your eyes look like, Vin." (18:17)
  • Vind (reassuring): "I will keep you safe. We are all sticking together to keep ourselves safe, even Ajay... sticking positive is the best way to be." (18:44–19:13)
• Group tensions emerge over decision-making as they approach a split in the path, with some advocating caution and others curiosity towards mysterious bird-like sounds.

c. The Vote & the Rushed Choice (20:44 – 25:01)

• The party debates whether to investigate the creature noises down a side path or continue their ascent. Voting reveals a lack of consensus and disregard for process.
  • Ajay, impatient, sprints ahead: "I do not like inaction. Thank you all for coming to my aid." (36:10)
• Viviana laments the absence of structure: "Guys, I never like democracy. I'm from a noble house. We don't really do that stuff." (24:53)

d. The Eldritch Bird Creature Battle (25:01 – 35:42)

• Ajay's solo advance triggers a direct confrontation with a horrifying, mutated gull-like creature.
  • Description: "Shaped almost like a gull... covered in a shiny, sickly white skin. Fleshy chitin wrapped its wings... wriggling tendrils resembling maxillipeds..." (25:25)
• The party rushes to battle amid chaotic exchanges. Viviana, high and fearless, performs an acrobatic assault.
  • Viviana: "I leapt 30ft into the air in a quadruple flip of shining daggers, landing blade first atop the creature, releasing a burst of energy..." (28:14)
  • On her attack: "And I looked super cool in the moonlight. Make sure you put that in the narration." (31:44)
• The fight includes powerful spells, brutal wounds, and mental fortitude challenges; some suffer sanity loss.
• Yuhai's attempt to use animal friendship spells backfires, revealing the creature's broken nature: it "didn’t know how to be a bird anymore" and is instead a vessel for an incomprehensible, soul-rattling hum. (29:33–30:15)
• Party teamwork and quick thinking barely secure their victory, culminating in Yara ensuring the creature’s death with a slicing coup de grâce. (35:30)

e. Aftermath: Recovery, Reflection, and Bonding (35:42 – 41:34)

• The party recovers. Yuhai heals Ajay’s wounds, and he sheepishly apologizes for his recklessness. (36:10–36:30)
  • Ajay: "Thank you, Yuhai. I apologize for running off, but I do not like inaction. Thank you all for coming to my aid." (36:10)
• Examining the corpse, Yuhai deduces it was once a bird, now grotesquely fused with crab-like parts—possibly by magic or the island’s corrupt influence.
  • Yuhai: "I think it was supposed to be a bird at some point... but some of its other parts are like a crab. Maybe they got fused by magic when they tried to eat one another." (38:33)
  • Jahre: "Still wouldn't eat it though." (39:01)
• Viviana is tempted by hunger but ultimately refrains from eating the monstrous remains. (38:04)
• The group regroups closer, sharing warmth, camaraderie, and renewed resolve. Yara offers Ajay his poncho for warmth—a subtle gesture of friendship. (41:19)

f. Final Tone and Progress (41:19 – 41:34)

• The party resumes their climb, battered but closer knit, pressing onward into deeper darkness, the threat of the unknown ever-present.

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3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Yara's Burial Insight (08:20):
  “I believe this grave belongs to Oro and... Or jumped down to be with his son in the afterlife and pulled the boulder over himself. Is that what it sounded like to you guys?”

• Viviana on Survival (15:31):
  "Then guys, if I die, you... You can eat my body, okay?... I've come to peace with that."

• Vind Comforts Viviana (18:44):
  "I will keep you safe... Let's just give it our all. And please, let's try to be positive for the rest of the group."

• Viviana’s Acrobatic Assault (28:14):
  "With a speed no one in the party had ever witnessed before, Viviana leapt 30ft into the air in a quadruple flip of shining daggers..."

• Yuhai on Eldritch Anatomy (38:33):
  "I think it was supposed to be a bird at some point, like a gull. But some of its other parts are like a crab. Maybe they got fused by magic when they tried to eat one another."

• Ajay's Apology and Reflection (36:10–36:30):
  "Thank you, Yuhai. I apologize for running off... It will not happen again, okay?"

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4. Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:06] – Burial ground and ghostly message
• [06:55] – The haunting poem recited at the grave
• [13:46] – Viviana uses drugs to fight hypothermia
• [14:26–15:55] – Morbid humor and existential fear during the ascent
• [20:02–22:32] – Debate/vote on whether to investigate the bird-like sounds
• [25:01] – Ajay’s confrontation with the monstrous bird
• [28:14] – Viviana’s dramatic assault
• [32:53–33:40] – Magical and physical assaults climax; the creature’s defeat
• [36:10] – Healing and apologies; Ajay’s growth
• [38:33] – Examination of the monster’s body
• [41:19] – Sharing warmth; renewed group solidarity

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5. Language and Tone

• Dark, atmospheric narration with moments of biting humor, existential dread, and sarcastic banter.
• Character voices provide levity even in the bleakest moments, with particular emphasis on Viviana's irreverent, drug-influenced quips and Vind's earnest attempts to hold the party together.

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6. Takeaways

• The party has grown more vulnerable—both physically and emotionally—after each loss and bizarre encounter on the island.
• Survival is as much about trust and emotional resilience as combat prowess.
• The "switchbacks" are as much a metaphor for the party's journey—full of setbacks, uncertainty, and unexpected turns—as they are a literal path up the cliff.

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For Listeners New to the Episode

This installment offers a deepening of group dynamics through shared trauma, questions the meaning of bravery, and delivers both horror and unexpected warmth. The party climbs closer to the truth—and deeper into darkness—with every step.

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Noteworthy:

• This episode contains heavy horror elements, including body horror, existential threats, and psychological stress.
• For full content warnings, check the episode show notes.

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Transcript

[A]

Greetings adventurers. We hope that you're enjoying the horror so far and have mentally prepared yourself for the terrors we have in store

[B]

for you this week.

[A]

Just a quick reminder, a full list of content warnings is available at the bottom of every episode in the Show Notes, which is especially relevant as we have a history of touching on themes like suicide and body horror and sometimes even eating noises.

[B]

Just sayin'.

[A]

Anyway, are you aware that we're on YouTube? That's right. You can also enjoy Dark Dice with little extra video elements over on the Foolen Scholar Productions YouTube page. And even if you don't use YouTube to listen to podcasts, if you could please subscribe to our channel fool and Scholar Productions over there and click that little reminder bell, it would go a long way toward helping our visibility across

[B]

all platforms, not just YouTube.

[A]

We're at just over 55,000 subscribers at time of recording, so please take a

[B]

moment to subscribe right now and help us reach 100,000. We'll wait.

[A]

Just kidding about the waiting, but very serious about the please subscribe thing. It's free and actually hugely impactful for what we do. A link is in the show notes to our YouTube page just in case you need it.

[B]

And with all of that out of

[A]

the way, let's get back to the

[B]

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[C]

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[A]

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[B]

Do you seek him?

[D]

Do you seek Him?

[B]

Do you seek Him? Do you seek Him?

[A]

Do da seek Him?

[E]

Do you seek the nameless God?

[B]

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 shipwrecked and marooned, five survivors from an ill fated ship awoke on a strange island of ghosts. After finding echoes of their long deceased hosts, they depart into the unknown dark

[A]

dice shores of the silver thrum. Chapter 15 the Switchbacks.

[B]

Viviana and Vind led the way, the young Tiefling leading with an enthusiasm in her step that Aja could not understand. Yohai, Yara and Seelie followed, sticking close in that murky night. Aje took up the rearguard, peering into the night as they walked down the dirt path toward the imposing cliff. But well before they reached the base of the mountainside, they crossed a short section of flat land.

[D]

They stepped over a collapsed rock arch which had once separated the path from a field of stone markers. Each stone, or collection of rocks was was unique in size, color, and design. Some large had been painted in gleaming silver that had long since worn down. Others were towers of carefully selected rocks, now toppled. Even from a distance, it was clear some had words carved into them. This place felt empty and mournful, a burial ground. It was clear that no one had cared for these graves in many decades, so the team did not linger to search the grounds. All the same, they noticed that one of the boulders, larger and misshapen, did not fit the flowing grid that the other stone markers were originally designed around. This large, dark boulder had the tattered remains of a rope tied around it, and that rope was stuck beneath the rock's significant weight.

[E]

What is going on up there? Like, move out of the way. I cannot see.

[F]

It's a.

[G]

It's a rock with a rope tied around it.

[E]

Should I be scared? I don't. I do not know. Is that bad?

[H]

They were Halflings, but I was not one of their clan. I don't know if it's significant.

[G]

Well, it may not be a cultural thing per se, at least not one that I'm aware of, but we've had some experience with ropes in the past.

[E]

Yes, we have.

[G]

I don't exactly know what you might be referring to. I was thinking about something else entirely. But would you care to talk about your rope experience? No.

[E]

No, I would not.

[G]

Okay. Jaare not necessarily having forgotten about the other rope thing, but just because ropes are his thing as well. He's going to walk up to it and carefully checking the surroundings first. He'll check the rope and tug at

[B]

it slightly before reaching the large rock. Yara noted that the dirt on one side of the boulder was higher than the other. The large stone had been, at least at some point, placed on a very uneven surface. Yara pondered this as he tugged at the rope. But all at once sprung forth a voice cloud clearly audible to all.

[I]

To great strands whose waters ebb free to rolled fields whose grasses flow free to tall halls whose fires warm free. And all I'd pass up for you. All grand feasts set down for me. All sweet wines poured out for me all fresh hearths burning for me and all I'd pass up for you. Far hearts smile as we meet. Far mouths laugh as we meet Far souls glow as we meet and all I pass down to you roar. Dear son, I'll see you soon enough. Wait for me at the bank. I'll meet you there. We can roll across together.

[G]

That was the voice of one of the halflings. The father. A. Huh?

[E]

What did I just hear?

[H]

Okay, I. I believe.

[D]

Sorry.

[H]

I. I think this grave belongs to Oro and. Or jumped down to be with his son in the afterlife and pulled the boulder over himself. Is that what it sounded like to you guys?

[J]

So they're dead?

[H]

Well, you don't need a perception throw for that.

[F]

Perhaps you should stand back a bit more, Ajay. It makes me uncomfortable being around whatever this place is.

[E]

We should be extremely careful. It seems to have a habit of claiming the lives of its inhabitants. This place feels insidious to me.

[J]

Bro, what is going on?

[G]

We should really stay away from ropes as best as we can. As well.

[F]

Yes.

[E]

Yes, we should.

[G]

So, looking at the pile of dirt, I would say that it looks like the grave of the sun. I believe, having heard what we heard, this was intended to be a grave for the both of them.

[J]

They're dead.

[E]

Yes.

[H]

I'm going to just Gently shift around the dirt to see if I can see anything or find anything.

[D]

Respectfully, of course.

[J]

That's a great idea. We should grave Rob.

[H]

It's not graverob Viviana Cadai.

[E]

Excuse. Sorry, I don't. I'm going to turn around because I do not. I cannot see this. Carry on.

[J]

You're still on the presence? Okay.

[H]

Being the most sane one in the group right now, I'll just do it gently.

[F]

And death still might feel a little fresh to Ajay and. And personally I am feeling a little uncomfortable being around this in front of him. So can we at least keep our space? Ajay, would you politely back off?

[E]

That is what a little bit. I was stood here the whole time you came closer to me.

[J]

God, I roll my eyes and I go help Yuhai Grave Rob. I mean, sorry, dig up.

[G]

Respectfully, whatever is do Yuhai. Do they have archaeology where you're from as well? Well, that's interesting.

[H]

Let's just go see if there's anything in the dirt. Respectfully.

[J]

I'm digging.

[F]

I'm helping you.

[B]

Those who dug or assisted required investigation

[H]

rolls, it would be 11 for me.

[G]

That's an 18.

[D]

Working together to avoid touching the rope on the rock. Another time, so they wouldn't have to endure hearing Aurir's face. Final moments yet again, Yare, Viviana and Yhwai dug their way through the stones, rock and strange black dirt beneath the boulder. The silver flecks were everywhere as they worked, glinting warmth from Yuhai's magical flame. The deeper they dug, the more they noticed that some of the dirt, the hardest and most dense was a peculiar red color, almost like clay. Though they found nothing else of interest.

[J]

Hmm, I see nothing important.

[G]

Beautiful colors here, but that's it.

[H]

Okay, so nothing much here. I guess we should move on.

[G]

Yeah. As the two others are taking a step towards the group, Jahre is very gently just placing that ruby in there again, making that thankful offering under the boulder to the resting place of Aurir and saying a silent thank you. Aurir then goes back to the group.

[J]

He's putting things in the grave that people would want to grave Rob.

[B]

With his kind gesture and a quiet moment, Yar recovered three stress. However, taking the time to dig in the cold cost the team valuable time. The flame in Yuehai's hand and Ajay's use of prestidigitation had delayed this somewhat. But the team now required constitution saving throws to avoid hypothermia. As the cold set in, only Viviana, who technically came from the furthest south head of any of the team, though not by much, failed, the roll gaining a level of hypothermia as the hunger from earlier intensified. The cold agitated her, and her exhausted mind reeled to comprehend these sensations. She thought back. She was used to physical training. The pains of a pulled muscle, the sting of a fresh cut. But hunger was something else entirely. Without thinking, she searched her satchel and produced a small square piece of leather. It contained a powder, a powerful drug she'd purchased from the pirates at the sunken bulwark. She'd been taught that such substances could make enemies, endure the worst kinds of pain, make them unsusceptible to torture. And she thought in that moment that perhaps this might make the pain in her stomach lessen and the numbing cold fade away, at least for a little while. After all, she'd seen her family's librarian sniff something similar before, and he never seemed too much worse for wear. Viviana was not one to complain when it really mattered. And so, after a sniff. Sniff. And quickly concealing her contraband, she simply

[A]

tapped Ajay on the shoulder to get

[B]

him to turn around as a choke before leading the team onward toward the cliff and the winding path above.

[J]

Come on. Onward.

[D]

The switchback path up the cliff was a long, cold and boring hike. There was little to see in the frozen chill and enduring dark that sat cast over the island, and even less to spy out past the breaking waves as the sea reached to the black horizon or faded beyond view. In the brief moments the moon appeared from beyond the clouds, a could see that above them. Every once in a while, the sky flashed a little bit lighter before returning to darkness.

[E]

Okay, very interesting.

[D]

This phenomenon repeated rhythmically, and aje thought that whatever its cause may be, would likely not be revealed until they reached the top of the cliff. He paused briefly to make his observation before Viviana doubled back toward him.

[J]

Lame. Stop stopping, Ajay, and get moving. We march onward.

[E]

Yes, yes, Viviana, let's go to the cliff.

[D]

As the glyph wound upward before them the narrow path switching between small stone steps and long, steep stretches of gravel, the team continued in relative silence.

[J]

My chief. March, march.

[D]

Relative silence up the switchbacks.

[J]

March, march, march.

[D]

Never mind.

[E]

We don't have to say. Keep singing vivid songs.

[J]

March, march, march, march.

[E]

No, we can do this bit. And quiet.

[J]

Don't worry, guys. Stay close to me. I'll protect you.

[F]

A nice, nice song. Sounds pretty nice, you know, Keeps us positive.

[G]

Well, I. I don't think we're going to be keeping a low profile.

[J]

Then guys, if I die, you. You can eat my body, okay? I. I thought about it all night and I. I think I'm okay with that. I come to peace with that.

[F]

Viviana, I don't like to hear you talk that way.

[J]

You have pretty eyes.

[F]

So do you.

[H]

I thought she was less concussiony Now.

[J]

Are we going to die?

[F]

No, we're not. And I'll make sure of it.

[E]

It's very possible.

[F]

Our.

[E]

Our chances are very small.

[F]

Yes.

[D]

Viviana could hear a hum in her ears, almost feel it pushing her veins. And she started to hear music alongside it, singing and almost dancing. With each step. She tried to match the sounds she heard and keep herself warm in the process. Viviana caught the attention of Seelie, who swooped down as if to land on her shoulder, but decided against it at the last moment as the Tiefling woman's erratic move movements scared her off.

[J]

Oh, Celie. Celie, you can eat my body if I die, okay? Or. Or I can eat your feathery, luscious, supple body if you die. Which? Whichever one of us goes first.

[D]

That's fair, Viviana. I would do the same thing in your shoes.

[J]

You're hilarious, Celie. I think I'm starting to like you more than Yarna.

[H]

Okay, it sounds like you're going crazy a bit, Viviana. So Vin, can you just.

[J]

Who me?

[H]

Vin, just comfort her please. What are you doing? Vin Rushes, escort her.

[F]

Yes, yes, yes, yes. Vin Rushes.

[J]

Luckily I have dark visions, so I'm the one doing the helpful leadering. How are halflings so short?

[F]

Viviana? Viviana.

[J]

Are you guys born this short?

[F]

Viviana? Vint wraps his arms around Viviana to try to comfort her in a warming way and pulls her aside slightly to have semi private conversation. Viviana, are you okay?

[D]

The party stopped their ascent as their lead pair moved over near the cliff face for a private conversation. Sealey landed on Yara's shoulder and a glint of light flashed for a moment over her large dark eyes. Viviana, now facing Vind instead of Yuhai or the steep road ahead, could see the dark vast sky behind him.

[J]

Yeah, I'm fine. I just think, you know, we should be prepared. You know what? If you could. I could. I could die, right? You could die. Any one of us could die. I mean, I've killed people. Yeah, sure, but like I could be on the other end too, right? The dying end.

[A]

Yeah, but I need you.

[F]

Wait, what? How many people have you killed?

[J]

Not the point, Vin. We just went through a village that existed and didn't exist. Anymore. Is anyone else for freaking out? Shh.

[F]

Vivian, look at me. Look me in the eyes.

[J]

I mean, I've looked at you in the eyes many times. Often times when you were sleeping too. I know how your eyes look like. Vin.

[B]

Vind was wholly unable to formulate his response as his mouth opened and closed repeatedly for 10 seconds. Viviana stared at him, watching his mouth move, and thought for a moment she might have gone deaf. But now she could still hear that tone, that note, that thrum.

[J]

Sorry, what?

[F]

You make me blush. And that's never happened to me before. So I'm trying to figure out how to deal with those emotions. But for right now, I need you to know I will keep you safe. We are all sticking together to keep ourselves safe, even Ajay. So let's just give it our all. And please, let's try to be positive for the rest of the group. Because I've learned by guiding many and many of elves that sticking positive is the best way to be.

[J]

Oh, I am positive. Positive we're all gonna die.

[F]

Okay, just take my hand and follow me. Okay?

[J]

Okay. Okay.

[G]

Okay.

[F]

She's okay, guys. She's okay. Let's continue onwards.

[D]

They began again, leading the group up the rocky switchbacks. After several turns, Viviana noticed a small path diverting to the left. Though the primary path up the cliff continued to the right, the faintest shuffling of rocks could be heard. But as the team approached the fort, the clatter grew louder. It was soon joined by an organic sound like a bird called between the intermittent clicks of claws on these stones.

[J]

H, I think I hear a bird. Guys, there's a split in the path. And I hear a bird. Wait, where's Cel? Oh, okay, so not silly. And now that I said that out loud, I realize how dumb that sounds. Of course there's birds.

[G]

I'm not so sure it's a bird.

[F]

Is that.

[G]

Is that sound coming from. From the left or from the right, do you think?

[J]

From the left, but I think that's a side path. Maybe it goes to like, a nice view or something, or a secret game with pirate treasure. I feel like I can taste a piano.

[E]

Personally, I agree that the sound is coming from the left, but we would do better to find higher ground. So maybe we just leave the sound of the creepy bird to its own devices and.

[J]

No, no, wait.

[H]

Think about it. I don't think we've actually seen a living thing on this island up until now.

[E]

But do we want to? Given the things we know about this island, do we want to see a Living thing.

[J]

You could catch it and eat it. God.

[H]

It's Viviana. It's a sign of life though, right?

[G]

But didn't those other halflings talk about having had harpies around here as well?

[E]

Yep. Thank you.

[G]

Well, remember, I don't feel comfortable around other birds than this one.

[H]

Is it possible that Silly could just fly in and check it out?

[F]

That was what I was thinking as well.

[H]

Good thought, Vin.

[E]

For once I high five you.

[F]

High.

[J]

Oh yeah. Yeah, you could do that.

[G]

Being very protective about Celie Yao is giving both of you a very stern look.

[E]

Perhaps if there is someone among us who is particularly sneaky, then maybe they could go and have a look. You know, you could hide and just look without alerting them to your presence. If anyone here is skilled at sneaking, I don't. You know, I don't want to presume that anyone.

[H]

Okay, how about we take a vote? How many of us would like to check out this living thing? And how many of. How many of us would just rather continue our path? I vote to check out this living thing.

[E]

I vote to continue up the path.

[J]

Voting. Votes. Yeah. Owl guy, what are you gonna vote for?

[G]

Well, at this point I am with Ajay. We should. We should just continue up the top.

[E]

But if.

[G]

If it makes you feel any better about it, I'll just here. He having called back Celie at this point, he's going to whisper to her very quietly and basically giving her the equivalent as not a step further than you need, not a wing span further than you need and just go check it out. But.

[F]

But.

[G]

Be right back. Don't. Don't get yourself into any trouble out there.

[J]

What about you, Vint? What do you want to do? Cause I'll just do whatever you do, I guess.

[F]

Well, I mean, it sounds like the sound came from a type of bird up from that direction and we have a bird with us. It seems as though the most logical thing to do here would be to send the bird to go.

[E]

I don't think that was the question, Erwin. This. We were merely trying to assess whether we want to look at this bird or we want to carry on, please.

[F]

I think we should send our bird to go look at it.

[E]

I swear I cannot. I'm just gonna start walking up the path.

[J]

You guys have major communication issues. Don't worry. I can be a mediator if you want me to. I've had plenty of training on this, on how to. How to handle people, but usually they work for me and they do whatever I say anyways.

[F]

We have no idea what's in front of us, right? There is no telling what is ahead of us. We know for certain there is something over there that we might be able to find out with our bird.

[G]

Ajay.

[F]

What? Slow down. Ajay, stop.

[A]

Your group is here.

[B]

Ajay increased his pace to a full sprint up the main path.

[F]

Okay, so Ajay is clearly is clearly running from the group. He is no leader.

[G]

I think he's just scouting ahead. Let's maybe give him the benefit of the doubt.

[F]

I don't know. I don't know.

[J]

Vin, you should go after him. I think he likes you

[G]

at this point. We should all go after him.

[J]

Okay, so we're not gonna go chase the weird bird thing?

[F]

I guess voting means nothing in this group.

[J]

Great.

[A]

Let's go make sure Ajay does not

[F]

get too far ahead of us.

[J]

Great. Guys, I never like democracy. I'm from a noble house. We don't really do that stuff.

[A]

You did not vote.

[D]

A screech shook through the dark. Spurred by Ajay's frustrated bellow, a white mass flapped around the cliff path's rocky edge, and a decrepit thing came into view in the murky dark. Shaped almost like a gull, the winged creature lacked any feathers and was instead covered in a shiny, sickly white skin. A fleshy chitin wrapped its wings, and as it dove toward Ajay, two wriggling tendrils resembling maxillipeds flanking its broken beak writhed in the air as it called out.

[A]

It landed in front of of Ajay, claws sticking into rock. It cawed and shuddered, screeched and writhed, vomiting forth a hissing white ooze that shot past Ajay and collided with the wall, sizzling.

[E]

It is okay, everyone. I thought we should be scared, but actually, this is okay, I think.

[A]

The creature hopped closer. It was only then that its full size became apparent. The obscene bird was the size of

[B]

a goat and sickly as a plague

[A]

as it sprung upon Aja with its claws. Yes, claws. The shaman recoiled back and ducked, placing his staff between himself and the creat as the weapon began to bend and reshape into a large, shadowy blade.

[E]

19 thank gods, because I burned a second level spell slot for that 14 damage.

[A]

Ajay plunged the blade into the creature's side as he backed away, the point of contact cracking and squelching beneath impact.

[B]

A plume of smoke and bile hissed

[A]

forth from the creature, but as the wound opened, the serrated ribs of the creature began to heave, whining and extend to bite Ajay, whose adrenaline kicking in now Required a constitution saving throw.

[F]

Take it back.

[E]

It's not okay. 18 minus 3 for the combat.

[D]

Meanwhile, Vind motioned for the others to follow, cautiously sprinting toward Ajay and those terrible sounds. The others kept Vind's pace, except for Viviana, who, with darkvision and the speed of a trained assassin, bolted past the team and threw a blade toward the creature attacking Ajay. Surprised by the creature's grotesque convulsions and under the influence of certain substances, Viviana's shot went wide.

[A]

The gnawing ribs reached out and bitten Ajay's blade arm for 13 damage. As the ribs receded to the abdomen, its maxilliped jaw swung and snapped closer to the orc's face. Vind pushed past the smiling Viviana and grew close enough in the darkness to witness the terrible, silhouetted creature they now faced. Its very existence tested his grip on reality. Surely nothing moved like this, its body and its component parts free to act as undefined and disgusting, interchangeable parts. But he pushed past the initial shock, kept his distance, and thrust his spear at the ugly thing.

[F]

16.

[B]

14 damage.

[A]

Vind skewered the face of the creature just before it reached aje spear, entering one eye socket only to exit through the other. Though some of the creature's eyes were not placed within the designated sockets, Ajay, who was just as surprised to see Vind on the other end of the spear, watched as the rest of the party caught up to them and first laid eyes on the monster. But in that moment, the truth had not escaped Ajay's understanding.

[B]

Vind had chosen to save his life.

[A]

But the stock quickly vanished as the flat side of a blade thrown by Yara struck the creature, not damaging it, but certainly agitating it. As the numerous black eyes along its crested head and neck darted to identify its newest attacker, Yara, struck cold by the creature's gaze and form, froze.

[J]

No one escapes me a second time.

[A]

With a speed no one in the party had ever witnessed before, Viviana leapt 30ft into the air in a quadruple flip of shining daggers, landing blade first atop the creature, releasing a burst of energy that sent shockwaves of color across the island, across time itself and what colors they were. She had become a master. Master assassin? No, a demigod of violence.

[D]

In actuality, Viviana had in fact jumped over Vind by running up several raised rocks along the cliff face and succeeded in stabbing the creature with one of her attacks for 14 damage, adding a new hold to its pockmarked back. As she vocalized stabbing sounds, it was clear that in her eyes she foresaw a victory at the hand of her unrivaled skill.

[A]

The skin of the creature shuddered unnaturally with each stab from Viviana as Yuhai passed the shaken form of Yara, and not fully accepting, not fully comprehending what

[B]

she saw, failed her own sanity saving throw.

[A]

Her mind tried to justify it, to

[B]

normalize it, but the strain remained even as she moved to act.

[H]

This is what you get for running up the hill alone like a little boy. And then I look to the bird and I cast animal friendship.

[J]

So you.

[H]

I want to charm it. I want to calm it down. Because it might think that we're dangerous. That's why it's attacking us, right? We're probably walking into its territory.

[D]

Yuehai successfully cast a spell of friendship, a spell that had calmed many a creature she had encountered. But this bird, this thing, didn't fully register that she was trying to communicate with it. It was almost as though it didn't know how to be a bird anymore. Yuehai pushed harder, trying to block out whatever prevented their connection, and all at once connected with the humming tone. It assaulted her mind like a flood of sound and emotion. It was loud, deafening. It was inside her teeth shaking her blood. It overtook her thoughts, shifted the rhythm of her heartbeat just for a moment before she severed the connection.

[B]

All of the creatures, some three dozen

[A]

eyes, now turned upon Yuhai. Ajay pressed this brief advantage, placing his blade within the shadow created by the magical light behind him while he swung upward, hoping to end this precariously perched and viscerally upsetting encounter quickly. But he hadn't counted on a glistening tentacle erupting from the beakless face before him. The appendage whipping from the side of the gull's impaled face, shot into Ajay's shoulder for nine damage, sending his attack wide. A second tentacle began to writhe free of its mouth as the gull jumped into flight, pulling itself free of the spear through its skull, if there was

[B]

any bone there at all.

[A]

But as it attempted to flap its sinewy wings and leaped from the cliff, it was still attached to Ajay and thusly pulled back down toward a surprised Yhai. Disgusting. Bloody talons, resembling a mixture of chicken feet and taloned monkey paws rose to slash at her face. Instinctively, Yuehai raised her left arm and was slashed for seven damage. But the orc and the halfling now required constitution, saving throws 20 minus 3, 18 on the safe vind weapon returned, but flustered by the amorphous and aberrant creature transforming before them in the dark, missed with his spear as he struck out for its torso. Behind him, still standing shocked among the stone, Yara's limbs shook so hard he was unable to grasp a weapon. Viviana, high on life and substances, stabbed again at the chittering gall fiend.

[J]

I got a normal 20 to hit. 14 damage, apparently.

[D]

Only attacking in increments of 14 damage, yes.

[A]

Viviana sped past the cloud creature, uplining speeds, slashing and severing its ever increasing number of tentacles as it screeched and cawed.

[J]

And I looked super cool in the moonlight. Make sure you put that in the narration.

[A]

Viviana raised her daggers, a set of masterwork blades etched with her family sigil, and turned upon the thing. Set against black steel with gold and silver inlay down the grip. Their blades appeared like vorpal weapons of moonlight as they severed and sliced. Splatters of flowing blood colors that only she could see painted the cliffside. And even grumpy old age had to

[B]

admit that she looked super cool in the moonlight.

[E]

Super cool in the moonlight.

[J]

And add a sound effect for the moonlight somehow. I don't know. You'll find a way.

[D]

Her mind was a wonderful palace of color and deftly applied savagery. Viviana did in fact sever two of the creature's tentacles in her moonlight inspired assault, though the moon itself was still hazy behind the clouds, and Aje was far too engrossed in his bleeding wounds in fervent defense to pay her much attention. The pastels that had splattered onto the black cliff face beside her were merely a pallid white. Regardless of the reality. Viviana's attack had bought time for Yuehai to prepare her offensive spell, accumulating a numbing frost to engulf the gull.

[H]

I look at the bird and say, well fuck you then. I wanted to be your friend. Bing feng xue gai han fen cuko.

[D]

Its skin hardened and crossed, cracked as it took five damage and briefly began to slow. Aje used this moment to regain his senses and utilize an adrenaline rush. With a battle cry, he leapt forward, stabbing the bird through the chest for 11 damage, the shadow bird sinking deeper

[B]

and deeper and perhaps too deep.

[A]

The bird's dozens of eyes turned toward Ajay and the maxillipeds around its mouth slashed at his chest with a vice like grip for 7 damage, reducing him to 0 hit points, knocking HP.

[E]

My temp hit points from the adrenaline

[A]

rush saved me, nearly knocking Ajay unconscious, whose head swam with humming pain as he succeeded yet another constitution saving throw.

[E]

I'm sorry I know you want to hurt me, Travis. I know, I know. But I'm doing my best here.

[D]

It's not just him.

[E]

Wait. Actually, hold up, hold up a second. I'm gonna man, this feels dumb, but I'm gonna do it anyway. There's I this thing's gonna kill me if I let it live, and I don't trust my friends to get the job done. No offense. I'm gonna need it to make a dexterity saving throw after it attacked me. Because I'm gonna use my reaction 17 I hate you.

[D]

The world and its distant deities care not for your pain or pursuits.

[B]

Half damage it is.

[A]

Aje's very ancestors unleashed a spectral fire as purple flames engulfed the winged monster. Surprised, pained, it shrieked and clicked, the last of his strength fading, Ajay's blade evaporated and mutated. Gull jerked and lunged toward Yuhai. She initially worried it might pull her into the sky, given their relative size to one another, but the winged tormentor was disoriented and Yuehai was faster. The gullish thing's skin tore and it still reacted slowly as the last of the magical ice melted, turning what would have been a critical hit into a mere scratch. For one damage, Yuihai required a constitution saving throw. It's a zero with such a poor roll. Already suffering from a returning hunger, a deep exhaustion in the biting cold, the mere graze to her arm felt like burning fire, and Yuhai pushed herself aside to recoup against the stones. The creature, returning to its full sense, stumbled past her for another vind. Surprised as it moved beyond. Yuehai was too slow to raise his spear, but Yara had regained his composure and grabbed the three blades he'd found in the halfling longhouse, throwing each in quick succession. He caught the gull's head, tearing through the wing and connecting to something squishy within its chest for three damage. Toppling over itself, the gull ran into the wall next to Yara and collapsed, its appendages still twitching, it pulled in gurgling air and began to screech, but its call was cut short by a

[B]

quick slice to its mouth lumped throat by Yara, who wanted to ensure it was truly dead.

[A]

And as it shuddered and writhed and

[B]

clicked, it vomited a festering putrescence before finally lying still.

[J]

Damn it. You kill someone sealed?

[G]

More like saved lives.

[D]

Rocks shuffled in the dark as Ajay dropped to one knee, bleeding from his wounds.

[H]

I run to RJ and cast heal wounds on him.

[D]

Yuehai's spell pulled newly formed flesh over AJ's wounds, which wove closed as muscle fibers wound through each other, healing him for 12 hit points.

[E]

I thank you, Yuhai. I. I apologize for running off, but I do not like inaction. Thank you all for coming to my aid. Just appreciate it.

[H]

Next time, just be a bit more patient, okay? We need to get through this together as a team.

[E]

I understand. I am sorry. I truly am. I let you down as a group and I let my emotions get the better of me. It will not happen again, okay?

[D]

I trust you.

[G]

As this is happening, Jarre is walking towards the corpse of the thing, carefully seeing if he can get at least these three daggers back without some of these creepy things coming out of that bird.

[A]

Yuhai renewed her small magical fire as

[B]

Yara cautiously approached the corpse of the thing. He retrieved his lost blades and did his best to clean them using scraps of torn seal skin he'd acquired from the longhouse. The white ooze reeked of sweet putrefaction and musty dirt. Attempting to block out the smell, Yara didn't even notice the still form of Viviana standing behind him, staring at the disgusting creature.

[J]

That's not really blood. Not really, Right? I like it better when it's a blood.

[B]

Whatever was coming out of it was something she didn't recognize from any creature she'd slain or any book she'd been forced to read through. It was more gelatinous oozing. Its viscosity reminded her of coagulated blood, but everything else was foreign.

[D]

Though at that moment, Viviana also thought about how its many black eyes reminded her of the expensive fish that swam in the pond of her family's summer chateau. But as she turned her attention again to the ooze that had spilled from the gull's wounds, she saw it ripple and swirl as if dancing to the heartbeat of an invisible God damn.

[J]

I don't think this is edible. No matter how much my stomach says I'm hungry, my brain keeps saying that it's not a good idea. Dang it. And I kind of start humming with the sound a bit.

[F]

It's probably for the best, Viviana.

[D]

The whole team had now gathered before the strange corpse, but only Yuehai seemed comfortable enough to examine it, using long, thin shards of stone to prod the corpse, rolling a 19 on her knowledge of nature.

[H]

Okay, as Yuehai moved some of the bits of flesh around so that she can see both sides of it. I think it was supposed to be a bird at some point, like a gull. But some of its other Parts are like a crab. Maybe they got fused by magic when they tried to eat one another.

[D]

What's left inside looks the closest to

[H]

crab meat, I guess.

[D]

Still wouldn't eat it though.

[J]

It's not edible. I'm sad.

[H]

Yeah, don't eat it, Viviana.

[E]

Well, I would still vote the Duicario on our way up this path. Getting high at least would give us a vantage point where we can see the rest of the island. And potentially where. Sorry, I think one of my ribs is broken. Where we might go, you know, from here.

[H]

Well, rj, if you're feeling okay, if you want to rest for maybe a few minutes or anything, if you're feeling okay, we can just go up. We can just continue our journey.

[E]

I would rather rest up there.

[H]

Okay.

[G]

Before he says what he's going to say. Jahre. Having seen Yuhai investigate that corpse, that thing you see in samurai movies, he's very much going to do that to his daggers. He's going to give it a disgusted flick before he puts them back where they go. And then he says okay, but as we continue onward, Ui that. That flame of yours, could you please.

[E]

I feel particularly cold.

[H]

Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to dim it there. And Yuehai brings the flame back up to full brightness and heat.

[D]

They moved in a closer unit now the small underlying hope of a mundane path dashed upon the rocks like white entrails on black slate. They stepped on each other's feet, pulled in toward Yuhai's small fire. Viviana still walked ahead in awe of the dark sky and listening to the singing inside her head, while Vind stayed close, Spear held tight, working his way through the dimly lit night. Yuehai ached. Her wounds itched and her eyes felt heavy, yet she held her small flame steady and warm, a beacon of light among the hard stones of the the smell of ocean salt. Behind her, though not by far. Yara aided aje as the orc crumpled over in pain and aches, shuffled slowly Yara in a gesture of friendship and camaraderie. He thought the island needed more of extended the tied up end of his poncho outward like a cloak, attempting to cover as much of aje as he could and help keep in the warmth of the tiny fire ahead of them.

[G]

Nice thing that I'm wearing this today.

[D]

The seal skins were rotten and hole ridden. But the meaning behind the small words of encouragement were not lost on aje or the weary halfling who attempted a small smile that no one else need see.

[B]

Together they marched dark dice shores of the Silver Thrum Chapter 15 the switchbacks created by Travis Fingroff and Ka Stats

[A]

starring Sam Yao, Jasper William Cartwright, Erik

[B]

Nelson, Florian Zeitler, Lily Pichu and Travis Vengroff and KA Statz as co Dungeon Masters.

[A]

Also featuring the voices of Dane Russell

[B]

Leonardson and Hem Brewster.

[A]

This episode was co edited with co sound design by Travis Fengroff and Finner

[B]

Nielsen, mixed and mastered by Finner Nielsen, transcriptions by KA Stats and Travis Fengroff

[A]

and executive producers Dennis Greenhill, AJ Punkin,

[B]

Michael Villegas and Carol Van Groff. This episode features music by David Wise, Stephen Malin and Random Encounter.

[A]

Please remember to check out the fool and Scholar Productions YouTube page and like and subscribe.

[B]

Thank you so much. It means the world to us. This is a Fool and Scholar production. Thank you for listening.

[K]

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 Shadow Dark, 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 Shadow Dark 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.