Vigilance | Ep. 12 | Treachery and Lies

Summary

Dark Dice Episode Summary: Vigilance | Ep. 12 | Treachery and Lies Release Date: March 17, 2025 Host/Author: Fool and Scholar Productions

THE horror actual play podcast. Each season, travelers embark on a journey into the dark corners of a fantasy world filled with dragons and monsters. They will never be the same again.

---

1. Episode Overview

In Episode 12, titled "Treachery and Lies," of the Liberty Vigilance series, the adventuring party known as the Blood Skulls delves deeper into the enigmatic and sinister Atrian Resource Manufacturing Facility (RMF). Tasked by the elusive Dr. Basuto, the team must navigate through treacherous environments, confront hostile forces, and unravel the dark secrets hidden within the facility. This episode is pivotal as it showcases the group's strategic planning, internal dynamics, and the escalating dangers they face in their quest for truth and survival.

---

2. Setting the Scene

The episode opens with a brief announcement about the host's relocation from Sarasota, Florida to Portland, Oregon. This meta-commentary sets a tone of transition and uncertainty, paralleling the party's journey into the unknown.

At [01:01], Peter Lewis announces:

"Welcome citizens to the 12th episode of Liberty Vigilance."

The setting shifts to the 30th floor of the Atrian RMF, where the Blood Skulls encounter Dr. Basuto, an Atrian scientist, and his entourage.

---

3. The Meeting with Dr. Basuto

Upon entering the room, the team meets Dr. Basuto, who assigns them a critical mission.

At [04:30], Dr. Basuto states:

"We need these valuable resources in the coming days. And I'll need you to go in and discern which resources are present."

He emphasizes the importance of obtaining specific chemicals, particularly meal canisters, medicines, drugs, and mysterious liquids.

At [05:48], Dr. Basuto clarifies:

"Excellent. I'm looking for things that look like meal canisters... large quantities of specific chemicals..."

The tension rises as Dr. Basuto outlines the dire consequences of failure, hinting at the larger implications for the children of Melakor.

---

4. Planning the Infiltration

Backstage, the Blood Skulls strategize their approach. Claire suggests a covert plan involving a truth serum drug to incapacitate Dr. Basuto.

At [06:33], Claire advises:

"All right, so should we stop by this task giver on the way down?"

The team debates the feasibility of Dr. Basuto’s discourse, balancing the need for intelligence with the risk of confrontation.

At [07:20], Jeff Clement comments:

"Jacam, dwee, stop playing around."

This exchange highlights the group's underlying tension and differing viewpoints on handling the mission.

---

5. Acquiring the Welding Torch

Determined to equip themselves, the Blood Skulls head to the market on the second floor to obtain a welding torch, essential for sealing the facility's tunnels.

At [17:18], Ashley Burch asks:

"Do you have any breathing equipment back there?"

The interaction with the market's Fringer-operated stalls showcases the oppressive atmosphere of the facility.

At [17:56], the vendor responds:

"Here's a welding torch. Ah. Here."

Through negotiation and a touch of humor, the team acquires the necessary tools for their mission.

---

6. Interacting with the Children

Enhancing the narrative depth, Ashley attempts to engage with the children in the marketplace, uncovering more about the facility's dynamics.

At [20:03], Ashley engages a child:

"Hey, what you got there?"

The dialogue reveals the children’s restricted access to the lower levels due to poison gas leaks, adding layers to the facility's dangers.

At [21:07], Daniel prompts:

"Yeah, this will definitely require a successful persuasion check."

This segment underscores the pervasive control and fear within the Atrian RMF.

---

7. Descent into the Basement

Equipped with welding tools and gas masks, the Blood Skulls prepare to infiltrate the basement levels, where the true heart of the facility lies.

At [26:00], Shawn Francis declares:

"If you make it back soon, toss..."

The team's coordination and readiness are evident as they split their roles to maximize efficiency and cover each other's actions.

---

8. Confrontation with Engineers

Navigating the second basement level, the team encounters two Gobtam engineers. A tense standoff ensues as they attempt to deceive and neutralize their adversaries.

At [33:10], Shawn Francis confronts an engineer:

"What are you doing in here?"

The ensuing combat highlights the group's lethal capabilities and the perils lurking within the facility.

At [36:00], Kaitlin Kais asserts:

"I think I'm gonna pass."

This exchange emphasizes the brutal and unforgiving nature of their mission.

---

9. Sabotaging the Fuel Cells

With the engineers subdued, the Blood Skulls focus on sealing the tunnel to prevent further threats from infiltrating the facility.

At [37:05], Daniel Thoresen narrates:

"The Goptum room consists of a series of controls, tubes, and machinery vital to the survival of the tower."

Claire takes charge, outlining a multifaceted plan to inundate the area with controlled oxygen levels and timed explosives.

At [37:34], Claire instructs:

"All right, so I'm gonna turn to them and I'm like, there's a lot of things I could possibly do, but what do you guys want to do before I start working on this?"

The meticulous planning showcases the team's strategic thinking and desperation to avert disaster.

---

10. Conclusion and Next Steps

As the team prepares to implement their plan, they receive a critical transmission from Investigator Tertullius Quinn, urging immediate action to retrieve vital information and destroy another tower.

At [28:27], Shawn Francis receives the message:

"Retrieve the second docket, destroy the tower, and meet with Director West."

Faced with mounting pressure, the Blood Skulls commit to their mission, fully aware of the high stakes involved.

At [29:08], Claire reflects:

"How is it that these people consistently think... these people are the saviors."

The episode concludes with the team bracing themselves for the impending chaos as they split to execute their plan, setting the stage for future confrontations and revelations.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dr. Basuto at [04:30]:

  "We need these valuable resources in the coming days..."

• Claire Hout at [05:34]:

  "No. I am perfectly capable of administering them though."

• Shawn Francis at [07:28]:

  "Well, first we're gonna have to take care of those random guys over there."

• Ashley Burch at [19:22]:

  "I'll take a bit of that."

• Shawn Francis at [36:46]:

  "You know, I don't think I ever want to do this again."

• Claire Hout at [37:34]:

  "All right, so I'm gonna turn to them and I'm like..."

---

Insights and Themes

Power and Corruption: The episode delves into the misuse of scientific resources for nefarious purposes, highlighting the moral decay within institutions like the Atrian RMF.

Trust and Betrayal: As the Blood Skulls navigate alliances and confrontations, themes of trust and potential betrayal emerge, especially with the high-stakes mission assigned by Dr. Basuto.

Survival and Sacrifice: The group's relentless pursuit to secure vital chemicals underscores the lengths they'll go to ensure survival, even at the cost of their humanity.

Strategy and Team Dynamics: The Blood Skulls' strategic planning and division of roles emphasize the importance of teamwork and adaptability in overcoming formidable challenges.

---

Conclusion

Episode 12 of Dark Dice successfully intertwines intense narrative elements with strategic gameplay, offering listeners a gripping tale of treachery, lies, and the relentless pursuit of truth. The Blood Skulls' journey through the Atrian RMF serves as a testament to their resilience and the dark forces they must confront. As the season progresses, listeners can anticipate even deeper explorations into the shadows of this fantasy world, rife with dragons, monsters, and the enduring quest for redemption.

---

Note: For additional content, including bloopers and behind-the-scenes footage, listeners can visit the show's Patreon page.

Transcript

[Claire Hout]

The search for truth never ends. Introducing June's Journey, a hidden object mobile game with a captivating story. Connect with friends, explore the Roaring twenties and enjoy thrilling activities and challenges while supporting environmental causes. After seven years, the adventure continues with our Immersive Travels feature. Explore distant cultures and engage in exciting experiences. There's always something new to discover. Are you ready? Download June's Journey now on Android or iOS.

[Travis Bengroff]

This episode is brought to you by Lifelock. It's tax season and we're all a bit tired of numbers, but here's one you need to $16.5 billion. That's how much the IRS flagged for possible identity fraud last year. Now here's a good number. 100 million. That's how many data points LifeLock monitors every second. If your identity is stolen, they'll fix it. Guaranteed. Save up to 40% your first [e-mail] podcast terms apply.

[Peter Lewis]

Welcome citizens to the 12th episode of Liberty Vigilance. We're excited to announce that on the day this episode releases, we at Fool & Scholar Productions have sold our home and are officially moving from Sarasota, Florida to our new base of operations in Portland, Oregon. We are excited to become citizens of the Pacific Northwest. And as we start our 3,000 mile drive across the country, we'll be listening to the no Sleep podcast every step of the way. Wow. Hey everyone. Welcome. It is a few years must have passed between recording that and recording this. We live in the future now and we have left the Pacific Northwest and now live in Germany. But nonetheless, this was recorded a very long time ago. Ezo is still around. He's still very healthy. You can hear so many bloopers of him from when we recorded this when he was still a puppy on our Patreon. If you so desire to support, support us in making more shows. And we're going to be back with more dark dice very soon. We're recording the last bits of some really, really fun stuff very, very shortly. Let's. I shouldn't have interrupted the episode because the flow's so weird. Take it away. Pass. Travis. Well, it's time for us to get started, so thank you again for listening. And remember Atreus.

[Daniel Thoresen]

Liberty Vigilance, episode 12, Treachery and Lies.

[Claire Hout]

Can you remind me what Basuto is?

[Ashley Burch]

Just the person we were told to talk to to get our assignments, I believe.

[Claire Hout]

Okay. You know, if we do that, we might actually be able to get assignments that send us to the basement. We just have to pretend to be intelligent enough to like, not just be guards of the Front door.

[Shawn Francis]

But at the same time, we can't just go in there and say, hey, you guys got any basement assignments? I don't think that would work. That would not be appropriate. I don't know, some type of atrium way of saying that in this I think we shall not succeed. I've been reading. I've been reading like biographies of American revolutionary figures. So I'm sorry, if I start talking like a minute. I apologize.

[Claire Hout]

All right. So should we stop by this task giver on the way down? Because I've already forgotten his name.

[Shawn Francis]

Well, I guess there's no harm in it. If Dr. Basuto gives us an assignment we don't want, we can just ignore it and blow up the building.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yeah, that's a Good point.

[Ashley Burch]

Floor 30 also isn't too far down, so it'll give us a little break from the friction burning as we slide down the banisters.

[Shawn Francis]

That is an awesome idea. I can't believe I didn't think of that first.

[Daniel Thoresen]

The team reaches the 30th floor, met by a door which is sealed shut. Beside the door clings an entry panel. A few buttons illuminated.

[Claire Hout]

This is the one marked hanger with a non digital lock. I'm not gonna press the buttons.

[Ashley Burch]

I'm just gonna start pushing buttons.

[Daniel Thoresen]

Pressure changes and ears pop as the team enters the room. Inside the room rise scrap homes and row storage. In the distance, three individuals are speaking with a man dressed similarly to an Atrian scientist. The team approaches the scientist.

[Ashley Burch]

Hello?

[Daniel Thoresen]

Dr. Basuto snaps harshly at the three men as they stumble to move boxes nearby.

[Jeff Clement]

Yes, Hello. You are?

[Ashley Burch]

We're new initiates. We were sent here to get our assignments. Are you Dr. Basuto?

[Jeff Clement]

That would be me, yes. You're interesting. What would you say your strong suits are in the scientific fields? Okay, well, I will need help in the coming days. There's an Atrion rmf. All right. Fringes Resource Manufacturing Facility. RMF is the. Nevermind. We need these valuable resources in the coming days. And I'll need you to go in and discern which resources are present. Which one of you is the most intelligent or scientifically minded?

[Claire Hout]

Never mind medicines and drugs and things.

[Jeff Clement]

Okay. You're not a user, are you? That's the term, right? Is she one of them?

[Claire Hout]

No. I am perfectly capable of administering them though.

[Jeff Clement]

Excellent. I'm looking for things that look like meal canisters. Medicines, drugs or mysterious liquids that smell peculiar called chemicals. I'm specifically hoping to find large quantities of specific chemicals that I'll need in the coming days. It's very important that you find these chemicals, which you will return to me. So you will take your goons with you to do the fighting, and you survive. And then you put together the list of resources they have and bring that list to me. Once you take the facility, send a messenger, and a subsequent team will handle the heavy lifting to bring the resources back here, assuming such resources are present.

[Claire Hout]

All right, pause. Let me explain this to my goons really quickly before you continue talking.

[Jeff Clement]

Sure.

[Claire Hout]

All right, so can we have, like. Like a football huddle? So, guys, I don't know if, like, she's whispering, so, yeah, guys is appropriate term. If we can find a place around here that's, like, a little bit hidden, because there's a bunch of shambly homes here, and we could restrain him if we want answers to what's in here. I have that truth serum drug, and we could just pump him full of it as long as we can get him to a place where no one can find him. And then she. She gets up out of the huddle for a second. She's like, give me a second. It takes me a while to explain things. And then she goes back into the huddle.

[Jeff Clement]

Jacam, dwee, stop playing around.

[Shawn Francis]

Well, first we're gonna have to take care of those random guys over there. That's something we want to do.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yeah. They may or may not be guards.

[Shawn Francis]

Yeah, I don't know. It looks like they're armed now that I'm closer.

[Claire Hout]

I said if we wanted to and if we could get him to a secure location without anybody noticing. There was a lot of ifs.

[Shawn Francis]

We probably can't get him to a secure location without anyone noticing because this place is swarming with insane cultists, and I feel like somebody would see us. Unless we had a plan for disguising him. Maybe we could put him in a wheelchair or something so that he's. He's just got so rapturous at the thought of slaying the archon that he went catatonic, and we had to escort him immediately to the basement.

[Jeff Clement]

Are you done? It wasn't that complicated a plan.

[Shawn Francis]

I like to smash.

[Jeff Clement]

Excellent.

[Daniel Thoresen]

Dr. Vasuto hands McBride a cloth map he's clearly just drawn.

[Jeff Clement]

It's two blocks west of here.

[Daniel Thoresen]

Dr. Vasudo points at the map in an exaggerated motion again.

[Jeff Clement]

It's an Atrian resource manufacturing facility. Be careful, though. We're reasonably sure it contains one of those tunnels that lead into Atreus, so you'll need to seal that immediately once you take the facility. Or else more of Them could arrive and attack you.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Oh, thanks.

[Claire Hout]

All right. So we're just supposed to go in, get information, possibly seal up the tunnel, and then return with information regarding what is in the facility? Facility for you guys.

[Jeff Clement]

And of course you'll kill everyone in the facility in the process.

[Claire Hout]

Oh yeah. Murder, mayhem, the whole shipping.

[Shawn Francis]

That's the part I'm good at.

[Jeff Clement]

Anything you find on the bodies you may keep. The only important part that we care about are the chemicals. We want those to benefit the children of Melakor.

[Claire Hout]

Yes, all right. Does not seem that difficult. She turns to the people around her.

[Shawn Francis]

The way that you put that just made me think of like an Aladdin.

[Jeff Clement]

The rest of the treasure is yours, but the lamp is mine.

[Shawn Francis]

Just bring me the lamp.

[Jeff Clement]

Is that an attainable task for you and your gang?

[Claire Hout]

Certainly. So.

[Shawn Francis]

Yep, we totally got it.

[Claire Hout]

Especially if it comes with the need for some smashing of heads.

[Shawn Francis]

That's what we do.

[Jeff Clement]

What is your little group called, by the way? I want to make sure to remember to check in with you.

[Claire Hout]

She gestures over to the figurehead of their gang.

[Shawn Francis]

We're called the Blood Skulls. Cause we take skulls and we make them bloody. And then she does sciencey shit. I don't know, whatever.

[Jeff Clement]

I like you already. Blood Skulls. You're already a great deal better than the Bloody Skull Chewers in my eyes.

[Shawn Francis]

Yeah, fuck those guys.

[Jeff Clement]

Yes indeed.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Those guys are amateurs.

[Jeff Clement]

You would produce such strong children.

[Ashley Burch]

So you said there's a tunnel back to Atreus. If we find it, how do you propose we seal it off? Do you have any explosives we could take?

[Jeff Clement]

Ah, which one of you is the most aptitude fit? Right. Which one of you is the most fit to carry explosives?

[Ashley Burch]

I haven't sat down in a long time. No, nevermind.

[Jeff Clement]

I don't see the relevance.

[Shawn Francis]

Probably pretty fit. Got muscles. What am I lifting? Carrying explosives? Yep, I can do that.

[Jeff Clement]

Why don't I give it to her?

[Shawn Francis]

If you say so. She's kind of scrawny.

[Jeff Clement]

What about the other her?

[Claire Hout]

I've worked with a variety of explosives before.

[Jeff Clement]

Ah yes. Here's a small explosives ticket. You'll need to go to the distribution center on the second floor, the market. And they will give you an explosion in exchange for this ticket.

[Claire Hout]

They'll give us an explosion?

[Jeff Clement]

A bomb.

[Claire Hout]

Okay. An explosive.

[Jeff Clement]

Yes. I didn't know that Fringes knew that word, but never mind.

[Shawn Francis]

They're in the computer.

[Jeff Clement]

Yes. So go to floor two to pick up your explosive and they'll figure out if you're competent enough, worthy enough to carry it.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Small explosive, ain't this? This a big tunnel.

[Jeff Clement]

You know, actually, here Dr. Busudo takes.

[Daniel Thoresen]

The ticket back from Wyatt.

[Jeff Clement]

Here is a different ticket. It's for a welding torch. Just weld the door to the tunnel shut if there is one.

[Kaitlin Staats]

I want the explosive.

[Claire Hout]

I believe that I could properly make a timed computerized data pad that could cause the explosive to go off after we've left the facility. Therefore ensuring that we can gather the information needed and get rid of the threat in time to return to you with all the prominent information.

[Jeff Clement]

You know, I really think this welding plan is much more suited for extending your natural lives. Now that I've spoken to you, I like you all. But you really don't need access to an explosive device. It just seems like an accident in the making.

[Claire Hout]

Darn you, Flick.

[Shawn Francis]

She just says stuff like that. Man. I don't know. We can weld. Welding's fine.

[Jeff Clement]

Well, I'll talk to you later. I really must return to my work. May I'll be purged in the Great Awakening.

[Ashley Burch]

Thanks. We'll teach you some of that fun Fringer language when we get back.

[Jeff Clement]

Cool tweed shocks, Em. Get back to work.

[Daniel Thoresen]

Dr. Vasuto returns to his one sided conversation with the laborers as the team returns to the stairs.

[Claire Hout]

All right, I can't ask this. Is anybody good at sleight of hand? I guess I wouldn't really know that. Maybe Flick is. I guess because I think all. It's kind of racist, but I think all Fringers are thieves.

[Kaitlin Staats]

That's speciesist.

[Claire Hout]

He's like. Is there any way we can get that off of him?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Um, his clothes?

[Claire Hout]

No, the.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Oh, the ticket.

[Claire Hout]

The ticket for the explosives.

[Ashley Burch]

Oh, I was thinking about something else.

[Claire Hout]

Um, don't you already have some explosives?

[Kaitlin Staats]

My.

[Ashley Burch]

Yeah, I think we'll be okay without blowing anything else up.

[Claire Hout]

Okay. The explosives that we do currently have on us is just like a few grenades that are of the. I'm assuming, just like the frack variety. And then we have the one that you said, like eliminates people and turns them into clouds of dust.

[Ashley Burch]

I wonder what it smells like after you use one of those.

[Claire Hout]

So I really don't think that's enough to blow up this entire building.

[Ashley Burch]

Yeah, we only need a little bit to set off all those fuel cells.

[Claire Hout]

Unless someone wants to go in there and try and slide a hand that thing off of them. Or charm him into giving us explosives. Or we could just go down to the shop and see if we can purchase some guys, like, we have a ton of meal.

[Shawn Francis]

We really don't even need meal, though. I think I remember them mentioning that the shop would just give you what you needed.

[Claire Hout]

But they're gonna say that we don't really need the explosives.

[Shawn Francis]

We can't buy them either. I think that one of the most important things we learned in our meeting with Dr. Whatever is that there we have a guaranteed escape route there. That location that he wanted us to go to has a secret tunnel back to Atreus. Yeah, once we blow this place sky high, we can just leave.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yeah, that's. I was thinking along those lines.

[Claire Hout]

Yeah, but now we're trying to think about how to blow this place sky high, right?

[Shawn Francis]

That's the hard part. What I was going to say is, do you think that there's any chance of us hacking into a mainframe or something, overloading these fuel cells when we're a decent distance away? Maybe some kind of timed thing?

[Claire Hout]

If we can get down there close enough to the fuel cells.

[Shawn Francis]

Well, can we?

[Ashley Burch]

Let's check it out.

[Shawn Francis]

Okay, sounds good to me.

[Ashley Burch]

Yes, and let's stop at the market to get that torch, just in case.

[Claire Hout]

Alright, who here is good at talking with the Fringers?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Do you?

[Shawn Francis]

Oh, that would probably be. Not me.

[Claire Hout]

Not me.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Do you mean talking the Fringes talking to these weird doctor folk? Cause I can help you out on maybe one of those two.

[Claire Hout]

Well, let's establish this. You can talk to the Fringer peoples, which of us can most likely stop screwing up, having conversations with the Doctor peoples.

[Ashley Burch]

I can try.

[Claire Hout]

Okay, so we just. We need to gather some info before we just try to head down there, because they're not gonna want us down there. But if we can get some sort of information out of these people, maybe someone who works down there as a janitor at some point. I don't care. But we can't just assume that we can walk down there. Or hell, maybe we can. I mean, there is no hell. What did I say before? Smithereens.

[Ashley Burch]

Let's get the smithereens out of here.

[Daniel Thoresen]

The team walks down the long and winding staircase towards the market on the second floor. Entering the market, the smells of burnt flesh and cleaning chemicals waft and permeate the air. A number of Fringers appear to be operating the market, distributing goods to adult Fringes, former citizens, and a few quiet children.

[Claire Hout]

Can I just do a perception check to see what is, like, what's actually available? Because there's, I'm assuming, like a ton of stuff just like out on stalls and people walking around. Because it's like a marketplace that would.

[Daniel Thoresen]

Require a successful perception check.

[Claire Hout]

Yes, sure. 17.

[Shawn Francis]

Oh, nice.

[Claire Hout]

Not blind.

[Daniel Thoresen]

A God is able to see. Welding equipment, various types of armor, clothing, meal, weapons, bullets, barrels, buckets, various receptacles, a variety of objects capable of producing light and random scrap bits. Though explosives don't seem to be visible. There are also a number of denoted locked areas that appear off limits behind the counters.

[Claire Hout]

So we're here guys.

[Shawn Francis]

Yep, here we are. So you want to tell them what we're looking for?

[Claire Hout]

Me?

[Shawn Francis]

Well, I don't know anybody really.

[Claire Hout]

Well, there's the welding equipment. And she points up on a shelf where she assumes she stole the welding equipment.

[Ashley Burch]

Thracias, you still got that ticket?

[Daniel Thoresen]

Wyatt hands the ticket to Claire Hout.

[Claire Hout]

Here it is.

[Ashley Burch]

Thanks so much.

[Claire Hout]

Isn't flick supposed to do the talking at this point?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Well, this is what's happening now, I guess.

[Claire Hout]

Go for it.

[Ashley Burch]

Hey, anybody got a welding torch I can take?

[Daniel Thoresen]

A heavyset woman covered behind the counter lazily looks up at Clairhout. Her plump face is inked over in tattoos which almost mask her abundance of freckles.

[Ashley Burch]

Hold up the ticket.

[Daniel Thoresen]

She takes the ticket from Clairhout, looking it over.

[I]

Yeah, we got one.

[Daniel Thoresen]

After a few moments of silence, she nods, pockets the ticket and grabs a handheld welding tool about the size of a data pad from a lower shelf.

[I]

Let's see, a welding torch. Ah. Here.

[Daniel Thoresen]

Giving it to Claire Hat. She also hands over two small 8 ounce gas canisters.

[I]

That'd be it.

[Ashley Burch]

Do you have anything back there that could satisfy a sweet tooth?

[I]

Ah, now, are you liking feet meat?

[Ashley Burch]

Not quite that sweet. Maybe a little less sweet than feed meat.

[I]

What about sweetie spot?

[Daniel Thoresen]

The woman motions to the flesh under her arm, which is considerable indeed.

[Ashley Burch]

I try not to do that out loud. Oh that. That does look quite sweet. No, I was thinking more like edible.

[I]

He got a bit of jerky in the back.

[Ashley Burch]

I'll take a bit of that.

[I]

Okay. Okay sweetie. I'll be right back. Oh, I should have said I'll be back. What a missed opportunity.

[Daniel Thoresen]

She returns a few moments later, waving a handful of jerky. Clarehout is not familiar with this smell.

[I]

Here's a tour.

[Ashley Burch]

Thank you.

[Daniel Thoresen]

You. She hands it to him and smiles an otherwise toothy grin lacking many teeth.

[Ashley Burch]

I sort of hold it a little bit daintily and step away. Give her a wink, make her day.

[Daniel Thoresen]

She blows a kiss at Clarhout and apparently he makes a motion as if to catch it.

[Ashley Burch]

Put it in my pocket.

[I]

Ah. Oh, you're a cute all right.

[Ashley Burch]

You said there were youngsters milling about. Can I go non creepily closer to them.

[Daniel Thoresen]

Blairhard approaches one of the children sitting on the ground playing with a deck of cards.

[Ashley Burch]

Hey, what you got there?

[J]

Hey, these are. These are some cool cards. I'm looking at them. I'm learning some games. You play games?

[Ashley Burch]

I love games, man. What you playing?

[J]

I don't know. Trying to learn how to play. That's why I was thinking about getting more cards. Some of the kids on floor five are thinking about it too.

[Ashley Burch]

Floor five? What's. What's up there?

[J]

Floor five is where we live.

[Travis Bengroff]

Ah.

[Ashley Burch]

Do you ever explore the tower at all?

[J]

Yeah.

[Ashley Burch]

Ever play like, hide and seek?

[J]

You bet.

[Ashley Burch]

Where do you usually hide? Any good spots?

[J]

There are some great spots. There's like really small spaces, kind of like right between the houses. You can hide in them. People used to put stuff in there to hide, but you can put yourself in too, and it's even better.

[Ashley Burch]

That would be great, man. I'm thinking of playing hide and seek with my friends here. I'm looking for the best spot.

[Shawn Francis]

I'm not sure that you can non creepily approach the youngsters. Actually, I don't think they can.

[Daniel Thoresen]

Yeah, this will definitely require. Require a successful persuasion check.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Persuade the small child and slowly rub.

[Ashley Burch]

Your greasy mustache as you leer.

[Claire Hout]

Oh my God.

[Daniel Thoresen]

He looks at the team.

[J]

Your friends, they look a little big. I don't know, they could fit in.

[Kaitlin Staats]

They. They don't teach stranger danger in the Fringer school.

[Ashley Burch]

Hey, you ever hide down in the lower levels, down in the basement?

[J]

Nah, we're not allowed down there. It's kind of dangerous.

[Ashley Burch]

Dangerous? Why is that?

[J]

Well, just today. There's a leak. There's like gas. Like poison gas. And we're not allowed down there. No one is right now.

[Ashley Burch]

Well, I guess I'll have to keep looking.

[J]

Yeah.

[Ashley Burch]

Thank you. Slowly back away from the child. My hands in a very visible.

[J]

Later. Scarface.

[Ashley Burch]

Let me go back up to the desk real quick. Sorry, I'm just capitalizing all this. I can't think of a good name to call her. I don't know. Hey, you got any breathing equipment back there? Anything to.

[I]

Did I take your breath away? Yeah, I got some. Cutie. How much you needing and what type? Breather. Breather. Or a gas mask.

[Daniel Thoresen]

If you check your inventory, some of you already own breathing equipment. I already checked your character sheets and most of you do.

[Claire Hout]

Ooh, nice.

[Shawn Francis]

Do I?

[Daniel Thoresen]

I believe one of you took a gas mask off a dead soldier as well earlier.

[Claire Hout]

I have a breather mask.

[Shawn Francis]

Oh, I actually do have a gas Mask. Sorry. Didn't know. Forgot about that.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yeah, I. I don't though. I don't.

[Ashley Burch]

Hey, two gas masks, if you have them.

[I]

Yeah, I can get you two. What you needing them for?

[Ashley Burch]

Going out on an assignment. Expecting there might be some resistance. Atrium weapons. Maybe some gas grenades. I don't know.

[I]

Okay. Oh, with the worldy. Don't look at the light, else you won't be able to see. See me when you come back.

[Ashley Burch]

Oh, I wouldn't want that.

[Shawn Francis]

That was slick.

[Daniel Thoresen]

She smiles again. Wider this time. There's a particularly foul odor emanating from her mouth.

[I]

Just remember, Onada sent you with these masks. Kick their asses, brother.

[Ashley Burch]

Will do. Not a thank you. I'll see you in a bit.

[Daniel Thoresen]

She winks the cloud.

[I]

Maybe a great awakening's happening tonight after all. If you make it back soon, toss.

[Ashley Burch]

A mask to flick.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Much appreciated. Like you atriums like to say.

[Ashley Burch]

All right. Anyone else want to buy something or find a girlfriend?

[Shawn Francis]

Boy, you know, as tempting as you made that look, I think I'm gonna pass.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yeah. She's all yours, killer.

[Ashley Burch]

More for me.

[Claire Hout]

So much more. So much.

[Shawn Francis]

Ah.

[Kaitlin Staats]

So we got that welding torch, huh?

[Ashley Burch]

Yeah, I got it.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Okay. Is poison gas flammable?

[Claire Hout]

That depends on the gas.

[Daniel Thoresen]

The team approaches one of the tables to sit. Zod begins to eat a meal.

[Claire Hout]

Pressure levels in the fuel cells doesn't mean it would be releasing any type of flammable gas there. That would be too much of a leap. In reality, it would just mean that there would be some type of explosion or meltdown or.

[Ashley Burch]

Let's talk this through a bit. If there's a leak down there and if it's dangerous. Just wondering if there wouldn't be as many people down there to see us if there's a leak going on.

[Jeff Clement]

Oh.

[Claire Hout]

Can I continue to look at the blueprints to see how the B2 floor buffer is drawing its power?

[Shawn Francis]

Horatius usual drive to purchase things is tempered in this instance by the fact that they don't cost money. The thrill just isn't there.

[Claire Hout]

Yeah, so I really only need to get to the second basement level, not the fuel cell level. By the second basement level, I should be able to actually cause the fuel cells to melt down by turning off the way that they're letting out their exhaust. Possibly. Okay, we know the fuel cells are active because we heard her talk about them on floor 40 or floor 39 or whatever.

[Shawn Francis]

So wait, did we decide that we're gonna head to the fuel cells? Is that one of the things we're.

[Claire Hout]

Considering I was consulting the blueprints. You were supposed to be talking amongst yourselves.

[Shawn Francis]

Well, so what do you think we want to do now? We've got some extra tools. We could. Well, I don't know. What do you guys think?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Kind of sounds like we're ready to head down, but.

[Shawn Francis]

Well, if you're ready, I'm ready.

[Ashley Burch]

I wonder if anyone would be able to recognize me if I put this gas mask on. It covers up most of my face. I could probably impersonate someone.

[Shawn Francis]

Yeah, only your eyes will be visible that way.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Nice.

[Ashley Burch]

I've got the welding torch to gouge those right out. I have a crazy plan. You guys can tell me how little you want to be a part of it. If we're all wearing gas masks and concealed, we could try to just slip into the basement levels. If we do meet anyone down there, I have Morales's id which could give us some leverage.

[Shawn Francis]

Now the only problem I have with that is that I'm a horrible liar under pressure, so I wouldn't really be able to talk. Maybe at all.

[Ashley Burch]

The leader of the Blood Skulls. Man, I'm taking you down there. You're my bodyguard.

[Shawn Francis]

Sure, okay.

[Claire Hout]

If they actually need us to talk like a doctor. Though. As long as I'm not lying and I'm just saying facts in a very scientific way, it doesn't count as lying. It's just me blathering. Sounds like a nice plan. What plan? So far, there's really no plan yet. We go down there with gas masks and investigate the floors below. Also, there's that mysterious room on the map that we found the entrance to, which I'm pinging repeatedly on our shared map.

[Shawn Francis]

Mysterious room on a what the what?

[Claire Hout]

Oh, next to the fuel cells there was that room that we didn't know about here.

[Shawn Francis]

Oh, that's right. Okay, well, I'm all for gas mask save Atreus disguise plan. Yep, I like that plan.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yeah, let's take a peek.

[Claire Hout]

If we can get to the second level and I can control the oxygen levels and we can set off a grenade. So if I can. Once we're out, like, I can set it to continuously increase oxygen levels over time, and then we'll have to set one of the grenades to blow up after we're out of the building. Additionally, we could affect the gravity in several sections of the building. But that would be. I know I have to get to the consoles before I know what the hell I can do and what the smithereens I can do.

[Ashley Burch]

Let's go see if anyone's standing near the stairs.

[Claire Hout]

Okay, here we go.

[Daniel Thoresen]

On the walk to the first floor, the team all receive a simultaneous ping. It's a message from Investigator Tertullius Quinn.

[Shawn Francis]

I've located a portion of the docket.

[Ashley Burch]

Known as the Calling, and I'm transmitting.

[Daniel Thoresen]

It to you now.

[Shawn Francis]

However, I've discovered that the full list.

[Ashley Burch]

Is apparently split up between this location.

[Shawn Francis]

And a second inside of a different tower.

[Ashley Burch]

I was able to discover the location.

[Shawn Francis]

Of Citizen Thompson, and I have him with me. However, despite these successes, we've been cornered, and I don't suspect I'll have time to send a second message. Retrieve the second docket, destroy the tower, and meet with Director West. I will assist if.

[Daniel Thoresen]

Argh.

[Claire Hout]

Hold this.

[I]

Is that a grenade?

[Jeff Clement]

Hold it.

[Claire Hout]

It's.

[Shawn Francis]

It's active. We won't live through this. Seek Director West. Well, I guess we're definitely destroying the tower. Guess that's definitely. Yep. We're all in on that plan.

[Claire Hout]

Yep. How is it that these people consistently think, you know what these random miners and a Fringer and whatever it is that you do for a living? She says, looking at the others, like, why did they say, oh, yeah, these people. These people are the saviors. That seem like a good idea?

[Shawn Francis]

You remembered what I do. That means you like me.

[Claire Hout]

You're the only one that's mentioned what you do. Well, I'm Special Defense Force. This is sort of a normal day for me. Well, then good. You can blow up the freaking building.

[Kaitlin Staats]

We'll.

[Jeff Clement]

We'll watch.

[Daniel Thoresen]

They reach the ground level and proceed to the next descending staircase. However, as they approach, three Fringers in gas masks and one soldier in a breather stand near the entrance. The soldier speaks as the team approaches.

[Shawn Francis]

Are you the cleaning crew?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Uh, yeah, that's us.

[Ashley Burch]

That's us.

[Claire Hout]

All right, she's gonna put on her breather mask. That's her reaction.

[Shawn Francis]

Horatius already has his on. Stay safe. And don't take off your gas mask. It's pretty toxic. I don't know. Do what you do.

[Ashley Burch]

Has it gotten any worse in the last little bit?

[Shawn Francis]

I don't know. We're trying to fume it out now. We've opened some vents. Some of the chemicals are in the process of going through one of those scrubbers. I'm told we're trying the best we can, but in honesty, I don't see much of what's happening. And you probably have a better idea than I do.

[Ashley Burch]

Gotcha.

[Shawn Francis]

I don't know. I'm wearing a mask. Can't be that much better.

[Kaitlin Staats]

I can See that?

[Ashley Burch]

Well, we're gonna head on down there and we'll tell you where I was. Over there.

[Claire Hout]

Don't die. All right?

[Shawn Francis]

Yep.

[Daniel Thoresen]

The team walks by the heavily armed guards down into the basement. The first basement level is a maze of old, dark hallways, and even through the breathers, a strong chemical odor is present.

[Claire Hout]

Can I do, like, a. There's no, like, science skill, so it's not like I can sniff the air and be like, oh, yeah, this is an ammonia smell. Or oh, yeah, this is a like.

[Daniel Thoresen]

That would require a successful perception check.

[Jeff Clement]

Right.

[Daniel Thoresen]

21. The scent reminds us odd of certain highly combustible fuel. She's faintly familiar with combustible.

[Claire Hout]

Hey, guys, don't do anything that causes a smell spark.

[Kaitlin Staats]

So you mean don't bring that sales clerk down here to talk to Savannahs again.

[Ashley Burch]

We have such a spark.

[Daniel Thoresen]

The hallways and dorm rooms are sparsely populated with a few individuals preoccupied with removing personal effects from the evacuated rooms. No one takes notice of the group. According to the blueprints, this is the elite residential floor. Thanks to Assad's previous actions, the team has a map that will lead them to the next stairwell, located on the opposite end of this level.

[Claire Hout]

All right, so when we start heading towards the staircase, can we tell guards, like, we're here to clean up? I'm relaying this to whoever it is that is our Fringer talker. So I think. Flik.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yeah, that would be Flick.

[Claire Hout]

If someone says, hey, you guys need to leave, say we're the cleaners, and say that they should probably step away a little bit farther because it's only going to get worse.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yeah, I think. I think I can do that.

[Claire Hout]

Also, don't cause any fires, because it might actually get worse.

[Daniel Thoresen]

As the team walks further into the maze, they pass various machines and air scrubbers working at full power to pump the chemical in the air out of the building. The team reaches the stairs for the second basement level. As the team descends the second staircase, they can see two techs, both dressed in Atrian science garb, working at the bottom. As they get closer, one of them looks up.

[Claire Hout]

Hey.

[Shawn Francis]

You're not supposed to be here.

[Ashley Burch]

What are you doing in here?

[Shawn Francis]

This is Gobten. This is what we do.

[Ashley Burch]

You gotta get out of here. This is getting worse.

[Jeff Clement]

That's why we're here.

[Shawn Francis]

The problem's one level up. You're supposed to be one level up. Clearing the fuel out of those levels first.

[Ashley Burch]

That's what you think, but it's getting worse down here.

[Shawn Francis]

On whose authority?

[Daniel Thoresen]

Claire Haught must Now roll a deception check.

[Shawn Francis]

Oh, this is gonna go well. On whose authority are you here?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Buzhudo?

[Claire Hout]

Ugh.

[Shawn Francis]

Okay, so what are you doing down here? What's your plan? We're in the process of venting everything out. We got the scrubbers taking care of the more toxic stuff, and we got.

[Ashley Burch]

The vent systems pushing everything we can.

[Shawn Francis]

Out in the fringe.

[Jeff Clement]

So why are you here?

[Shawn Francis]

What did we miss?

[Claire Hout]

Currently, what you're doing is actually causing the people up on the higher floors to be affected by the toxins, so we actually need to close everything up long enough to find a way to reroute it all to the outside, because currently some of it's going into the tower, which is causing everybody inside of the tower to become ill. Oh, shit.

[Daniel Thoresen]

The Gobtam engineers begin frantically adjusting the holographic controls for the tower.

[Claire Hout]

Somebody knock them out.

[Shawn Francis]

How many are there? Is it just two of them?

[Daniel Thoresen]

The team scans the room and notes that it's only occupied by the two GopTom engineers.

[Claire Hout]

And he said they were scientists, so I'm assuming they're not very big guys.

[Daniel Thoresen]

Neither engineer could be described as athletic, and both are currently engrossed in the controls with their backs to the entering team.

[Claire Hout]

Want me to take them?

[Shawn Francis]

I got this. Just keep a lookout.

[Claire Hout]

Confirmed.

[Ashley Burch]

I'm going to draw them on our map while they're facing away from us. I get the feeling I'll want to remember every moment of this, but get.

[Claire Hout]

Them away from the thing so they can't hit any kind of button to call anybody's help. Okay, Go do the thing.

[Shawn Francis]

Horatius walks up behind one of them, brandishes his beat stick, and beats the guy on the head with his stick.

[Daniel Thoresen]

That will require a successful attack roll.

[Claire Hout]

Can I try to inject the other one with some of the medications that I got at the other place or.

[Ashley Burch]

Just grab his mask?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Would that have an immediate effect, though? Or would that have a second? Would that take a second to kick in?

[Claire Hout]

It would take a second, but hopefully he'll be a little bit shocked. And he'll be like, what's that? And I'll be like, okay, yeah. Well, now you're gonna be unconscious as I'm talking to you. Goodbye. Nope.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yeah, yeah. As she stumbles, do you know how.

[Claire Hout]

Hard it is to put that stuff inside the freaking needle and then try to stab it?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Flick comes up, and he tries to slit him across the throat with his pistol knife.

[Claire Hout]

Well, if any of us get hurt, I miss, so I still have morphine.

[Daniel Thoresen]

Well, despite missing, Flick still has Advantage and can attempt a reroll.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Oh, okay, Cool.

[Daniel Thoresen]

The following happens in rapid succession. McBride glances at Azad as she prepares the injection. With a few steps, McBride clubs the first engineer's head with a sickening crack. The engineer crumbles under the blow, and his signs of life disappear. Azad, distracted by the revolting sound, misses the injection. But Flick, moving slyly, positions himself quickly and slits the throat of the second engineer, knocking his victim's mask off in the process. Combat concluded.

[Ashley Burch]

The.

[Daniel Thoresen]

The team scans the room.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Oh, you know, it's the throat. Blood poison.

[Shawn Francis]

You know, I don't think I ever want to do this again. But I never get to hit this many people when I'm mining, and it's kind of great. I'm just really enjoying myself in this moment. All right, let's go blow up this building.

[Claire Hout]

I'm just. I'm very, very happy that even though I got a natural one, Daniel comes in and gets a natural three. Just like, nope, I'm fixing this problem.

[Kaitlin Staats]

The scales have been rebalanced.

[Daniel Thoresen]

The Goptum room consists of a series of controls, tubes and machinery vital to the survival of the tower. The panels control various elements of the building. Each of the vital functions operates independently, but they can all be controlled from a single source. Granted, the source is in proximity to the Internet hotspot. Now that the vents have been closed, the air thickens with each passing minute, gradually reducing visibility in a strange stagnant haze.

[Claire Hout]

All right, so I'm gonna turn to them and I'm like, there's a lot of things I could possibly do, but what do you guys want to do before I start working on this? And say it quickly, because. Gas, why don't we go to the basement while you do this?

[Shawn Francis]

Good idea. Should one of us stick around?

[Claire Hout]

Somebody stay here.

[Shawn Francis]

I'll stick around. You guys go to the basement. I'll club anybody else who comes in while. While she's setting all this stuff up.

[Claire Hout]

Why don't we switch? You go to the basement while I protect our most important asset. Aw, that's sweet.

[Shawn Francis]

Well, does anybody have any objections to that?

[Claire Hout]

Okay, then. Move quickly. Okay, yeah, Hurry back before everything blows up.

[Shawn Francis]

Out of character. I'm concerned that this is going to be a betrayal, but in character, he just isn't thinking about that. So here we go.

[Daniel Thoresen]

And with that, the team splits. While half remain at the Gotham controls, the others descend a security ladder into the basement.

[Peter Lewis]

Liberty Vigilance Created and produced by Travis Bengroff with editing and writing assistance from KA Stats starring Peter Lewis Shawn Francis, Kaitlin Staats, Daniel Thoresen and Ashley Burch with narration by Wayne June. Guest voices include Jason Malin, Kessie Rolinicki, Andrew Spittle, Daniel Demeron, Joseph Teagle, Jeff Clement and Russell Moore. The music was created by Ryan McQuinn and Stephen Malin. Vigilance was mixed and mastered by Brandon Strader with COVID art by Dan Stanek. The original game master was Travis Van Grof with assistance by KA Stats. This episode is brought to you by our Patreon team. If you have enjoyed listening to this episode, please consider supporting us on Patreon or by liking and reviewing our show on itunes. We'd especially like to thank citizens Zach Israel, Fallon Gannon, Adam Farber, Scott Morrison Sariuko, Christian Treat, Maria Berglund, Matthew Shaluga and Jonathan Wade. This broadcast is a creation of Woolen Scholar Productions. Thank you for listening and may the Archon watch over you.

[Travis Bengroff]

Nothing is as it seems in liminal London. Hidden amongst everyday people are werewolves.

[Shawn Francis]

You'll be the werewolf then.

[I]

Yeah.

[Travis Bengroff]

And Mags Wizards.

[Claire Hout]

Montgomery Archibald Barker at your bloody service.

[Travis Bengroff]

And those cursed by the fey monarchs of the city.

[Shawn Francis]

Declan Buchanan, PI he has quite a large pair of antlers growing out of his forehead.

[Travis Bengroff]

Join the unlikely misfits of liminal London as they work to take down the powers that claim to rule the city.

[Jeff Clement]

I. I think the queen doesn't like you very much.

[Travis Bengroff]

With incredible guest players like Johnny Chiadini. You say there's sludge?

[Shawn Francis]

Yeah.

[Ashley Burch]

Sludge.

[Shawn Francis]

Yeah.

[Claire Hout]

I'm the sludge boy. F ing love. Sludge boy. No, again, I'm not that sludge boy.

[Travis Bengroff]

Grant Howard.

[Claire Hout]

Isaac Newton didn't study in f ing Putney, did he? Who's Isaac?

[Ashley Burch]

Oh, my God.

[Travis Bengroff]

And Sharmony Bundel.

[Claire Hout]

There's a magic community.

[Shawn Francis]

There is.

[Ashley Burch]

Yay.

[Claire Hout]

I'm in a magic community.

[Travis Bengroff]

Go to realmspod.com or search realms of Peril and Glory wherever you listen to podcasts to find this mysteriously magical actual play series. Legendary stories, awe inspiring sound and endless adventure. Welcome to the Realms of Peril and Glory. Explore the mechanically magical vistas of Vale, the paranormal mysteries of liminal London and the cyberpunk chaos of Cyborg. With breathtaking sound design design and enchanting original music, you'll be immersed into unforgettable campaigns and heart pounding one shots ignite your imagination and discover the realms of Peril and Glory today. Go to realmspod.com or search realms of Peril and Glory. Wherever you listen to podcasts.