Vigilance | Ep. 9 | Old Friends

Summary

Episode Summary: Dark Dice - "Vigilance | Ep. 9 | Old Friends"

Release Date: January 27, 2025
Host/Author: Fool and Scholar Productions

---

Introduction

In the ninth episode of Dark Dice, titled "Vigilance | Ep. 9 | Old Friends", the tension reaches new heights as the team faces unexpected betrayals and formidable adversaries within a shadowy facility. This episode delves deep into themes of trust, loyalty, and survival, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats.

Setting the Scene

The episode kicks off with the team exploring an eerie, abandoned building, hinting at previous disturbances. Travis Bengroff introduces the episode with a brief mention of their Patreon support before delving into the main narrative.

Notable Quote:

Travis Bengroff [00:02]: "Welcome, citizens, to the ninth episode of Liberty Vigilance."

The Betrayal and Ambush

As the team investigates, they discover signs of tampering—peeled wallpaper, spray-painted messages, and hidden dangers like rotting floorboards. Their exploration is abruptly interrupted when betrayal strikes, leading to a fierce ambush by traitorous guards and unexpected allies.

Notable Quote:

Travis Bengroff [01:03]: "But be careful. Julia says no one should go in the little tower rooms on the east side of the building."

Intense Combat Sequences

The bulk of the episode centers around intense combat scenarios. The team engages in strategic battles, utilizing their unique skills to fend off attackers. Key moments include:

• Agent Quinn's First Strike: Quinn delivers a devastating shotgun blast to Dr. Morales, creating a crucial window for the team to act.

  Agent Quinn [03:48]: "Ah, Bates. I knew I shouldn't have trusted these fucking innies."
  Kaitlin Staats [03:59]: "With a sharp motion, Agent Sogut's pistol ejects into her hand and she shoots one of the lab techs in the shoulder, injuring him."

• Clairhaut McBride's Rampage: McBride unleashes his fury, taking down multiple foes with raw power and tactical prowess.

  Peter Lewis [06:19]: "I'm gonna get revenge. Cover me."
  Kaitlin Staats [06:37]: "McBride charges headlong through the gunfire toward the closest guard."

• Critical Failures and Successes: The episode highlights the unpredictability of combat with dice rolls determining the success of various actions, adding a layer of suspense.

  Peter Lewis [14:14]: "We're just sinking everything we have into killing this random ass soldier."
  Kaitlin Staats [14:50]: "With the natural 20. That's pretty incredible."

Character Interactions and Developments

Throughout the episode, character dynamics are explored, revealing deeper motivations and alliances:

• Emotional Turmoil: The death of Cassius Tsogut deeply affects the team, showcasing their vulnerabilities and the strain of their mission.

  Kaitlin Buckley [09:32]: "Cassius just fucking died."
  Shawn Francis [09:34]: "Some of us do understand. Cass was practically family for me."

• Introducing Ashley Burch: A new character joins the fray, bringing additional skills and a complex background that intertwines with the team's objectives.

  Ashley Burch [31:26]: "Come here. I'll break your fucking knuckles again."

Major Revelations

As the team secures the facility, they uncover significant information about a looming threat—the Children of Malachor, a cult bent on the destruction of Atreus through a cataclysmic event known as the Awakening. Daniel Thoreson reveals critical intel, urging the team to infiltrate the cult to thwart their plans.

Notable Quote:

Daniel Thoreson [36:12]: "Albin Morales and the others are part of a cult known as the Children of Malachor. This cult is extremely anomalous, with both fringers and citizens alike composing its membership."

Strategic Alliances and Future Missions

The episode concludes with the formation of new alliances and the setting up of future missions. The team agrees to infiltrate the cult under Daniel's guidance, preparing for the challenges that lie ahead.

Notable Quote:

Daniel Thoreson [40:30]: "Do you have any additional questions?"
Peter Lewis [40:35]: "Well, whatever you say. Sure can play pretend. Great. Let's do it."

Conclusion

"Vigilance | Ep. 9 | Old Friends" masterfully blends intense action with deep character development, setting the stage for an epic confrontation against the Children of Malachor. The episode leaves listeners eagerly anticipating the team's next moves in their quest to save Atreus from impending doom.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Travis Bengroff [00:02]: "Welcome, citizens, to the ninth episode of Liberty Vigilance."
• Travis Bengroff [01:03]: "But be careful. Julia says no one should go in the little tower rooms on the east side of the building."
• Agent Quinn [03:48]: "Ah, Bates. I knew I shouldn't have trusted these fucking innies."
• Peter Lewis [06:19]: "I'm gonna get revenge. Cover me."
• Kaitlin Buckley [09:32]: "Cassius just fucking died."
• Ashley Burch [31:26]: "Come here. I'll break your fucking knuckles again."
• Daniel Thoreson [36:12]: "Albin Morales and the others are part of a cult known as the Children of Malachor."
• Peter Lewis [40:35]: "Well, whatever you say. Sure can play pretend. Great. Let's do it."

---

Final Thoughts

This episode of Dark Dice delivers a gripping narrative filled with suspense, strategic combat, and intricate character interactions. As the team navigates betrayal and uncovers dark secrets, listeners are treated to a richly woven story that promises even greater adventures in the episodes to come.

Transcript

[Travis Bengroff]

Welcome, citizens, to the ninth episode of Liberty Vigilance. We left you on a cliffhanger last week, but we will get back to the action after a few very important messages. We create a lot of free content, and in an effort to make podcasting a more sustainable part of our lives, we have a Patreon from entire volumes of Liberty Comics, including Bridget Goes on a Date, to our first mini series, which helps make creating these podcasts possible. So if this trailer interests you, we hope that you'll consider joining our Patreon. And if you're not able to join our Patreon, we have multiple seasons of other stories in the works that will be available to the public for free.

[Peter Lewis]

It's so pretty. It's so creepy. It looks European.

[Travis Bengroff]

Looks like a lot of work.

[Peter Lewis]

Oh, my God, Mal. Look at this place.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Look at the glass.

[Peter Lewis]

We can explore later, right?

[Travis Bengroff]

But be careful. Julia says no one should go in the little tower rooms on the east side of the building. The floorboards are rotting out and it's dangerous. The basement too.

[Daniel Thoreson]

I think someone came in and messed up the place.

[Kaitlin Staats]

There are big sections where the beautiful wallpaper's been peeled off.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Someone took a knife or something, cut some of it away.

[Ashley Burch]

A lot of spray paint.

[Peter Lewis]

Like it's just words.

[Kaitlin Staats]

What's it say in the silver sleeves?

[Daniel Thoreson]

Can't we just call someone in?

[Travis Bengroff]

We'll take care of it. Odds are high someone who comes in.

[Shawn Francis]

May figure out what we're doing and they might figure out what's here.

[Daniel Thoreson]

I don't even know how you're thinking about that when there's fucking silver sitting under your feet.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Hush it.

[Travis Bengroff]

Oh, my God.

[Ashley Burch]

Maxine, get ready.

[Daniel Thoreson]

We need to leave now.

[Wayne June]

Return to the mysteries in Don't Mind sealskin rock. Releasing March 2025 subscribe now to catch the premiere and we'll see you on the roc.

[Travis Bengroff]

Will the team survive this betrayal? Will Atreus endure? Will there be a Red Wedding style total party kill where we suddenly shift perspectives or prematurely hit you with an epilogue? Will Cassius Tsogut ever find her family? Will someone finally get left handed by Horatius McBride? Only the dice know for sure.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Liberty Vigilance Episode 9 Old friends around the Room to the dismay of Clairhaut McBride, Azad, Sogot Flick and Hawk, the guards and doctors raise guns and take aim at them. However, before their shots are fired, Officer Quinn looses a massive shotgun blast into Dr. Morales at Point blank range. Metal ripping through the traitorous doctor's torso. The bloodied doctor slumps against the wall. In a heap, snapping. Sliding down the red sprayed wall to rest upon the floor. This act, a surprise to the other guards, gives the team a brief moment to spring to action.

[Shawn Francis]

Ah, Bates. I knew I shouldn't have trusted these fucking innies.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Flik pulls out his pistol. Ziggs primed to fire, but pulls the trigger too early for the officers.

[Peter Lewis]

I'd like to take a shot at the lab tech.

[Kaitlin Staats]

With a sharp motion, Agent Sogut's pistol ejects into her hand and she shoots one of the lab techs in the shoulder, injuring him.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I don't think there's anything on you keeping me from sticking my utility knife inside of you somewhere. I do love that armpit area.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Investigator Claire Hatt pulls out his utility knife, taking charge at one of the officers. But the angered slash fails to hit the mark, bouncing off body armor beneath the guard's armpit. Should anyone see fit, they could use their inspiration points to reroll a single dice roll.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I am sorely tempted to do so.

[Kaitlin Staats]

You can take the higher of the two rolls if you'd like. Also, you rolled a six sided dice.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Both times I did, is that not correct?

[Kaitlin Staats]

You should be using the 20 sided die. Which would explain why the guard was so difficult to hit.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Okay, let me try this again. I was wondering where my luck went all of a sudden.

[Kaitlin Staats]

And now you get to use your reroll.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Aha.

[Kaitlin Staats]

That's significantly better.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Give me that armor.

[Shawn Francis]

Just a smidge.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Inspired to keep those around him safe from. From harm, Investigator Clairhout stabs again, this time catching the soft flesh of the guard's armpit.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Wasn't one of those fatal pit strikes.

[Kaitlin Staats]

The foe winces in pain, but remains standing.

[Wayne June]

I'm gonna finish him off.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Azad quickly draws her pistol, injuring the previously wounded guard in the upper thigh with a wild shot. He passes out from the pain and with his injuries, will bleed out within minutes. Officer Quinn shoots a single blast at the remaining scientist, taking out his legs. The tech lands on the ground, face down as Hawk jumps over the table, tackling him further before stabbing him repeatedly in the back. The remaining soldier fires at Agent Sogut. Unfortunately, the solid shotgun blast makes fierce contact with Saugat's chest. Stumbling racked with numbing pain, she's barely able to remain standing. And in a bewildered haze of battle, the giant mirror shatters, revealing a new room occupied by two additional soldiers. The new combatants take aim at their closest target, Agent Sogut.

[Wayne June]

Oh, fuck.

[Kaitlin Staats]

With unhindered line of sight, their bullets meet the shoulder, gut and skull of Agent Sogut. Whose eyes drain lifeless before her body impacts the floor head first.

[Peter Lewis]

I'm gonna get revenge. Cover me.

[Kaitlin Staats]

In a swift, trained motion, McBride flips the table for cover, raises his shotgun and shoots the closest officer in the stomach. As the officer falls forward to his knees, McBride kicks him across the cheek and pulls the trigger again.

[Peter Lewis]

Let's go. Oh, wait. I don't have to do that anymore.

[Shawn Francis]

I gotta. I gotta reload.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Positioning the table between himself and the hail of bullets raging from the other room, Flik hastily reloads.

[Shawn Francis]

I'm gonna give that soldier the stink eye.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I'm going to shoot at the soldiers as well, while standing straight up to line up the shot, because I'm well beyond caring.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Investigator Clairhout, standing straight up in an act of daring and lunacy, slowly moves forward while returning fire through the window, causing the soldiers to retreat behind cover. Behind the glass, a combatant rises, taking aim at Clairhout.

[Wayne June]

Clearhout. Watch out.

[Kaitlin Staats]

In that moment, Hazard shoots him, bullet tearing through the foe's neck and prompting Hawk to leap through the window. On top of him, Quinn steps over the body of Dr. Morales, firing another shot into his skull, ensuring he doesn't survive a moment longer than necessary. The remaining officer takes aim at Hawk, but the shot fails to connect as McBride swings the pick ended club into her arm.

[Peter Lewis]

Why do you gotta be so strong short?

[Shawn Francis]

Don't move, McBride. I'm gonna shoot over your shoulder.

[Kaitlin Staats]

As the officer turns her sights at McBride, Flick shoots her in the side of her head, ending the immediate threat.

[Peter Lewis]

I'm gonna go check on Cassius.

[Wayne June]

I'm going to the holographic table.

[Peter Lewis]

Cassius. Cassius, wake up. Cassius. Oh.

[Kaitlin Staats]

As McBride leans over the body of the fallen agent, Sagat, Azad climbs through the broken glass, searching for the holographic table.

[Wayne June]

Well, I want to. I want to utilize the table to see if who I'm going to call the Betrayer is still in the facility.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Azad determines that the traitorous Tongs is no longer in the facility.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Quickly. We need to catch Tongs before he escapes.

[Wayne June]

The holodesk says that he's not here. He's already gone.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Then we need to focus on clearing the rest of the facility. We must ensure that we're not surprised before we can take a moment to breathe.

[Shawn Francis]

I could be a lot starving. Better right now.

[Peter Lewis]

She's dead.

[Wayne June]

Why did they do that?

[Daniel Thoreson]

We can discuss this later. At the moment, we have the advantage of surprise. There are more soldiers. Are you in charge?

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Not really, but I'll do my best. What's left for us to clear.

[Daniel Thoreson]

There are four more rooms in the facility. We need to clear them as quickly as possible.

[Peter Lewis]

Cassius is dead.

[Shawn Francis]

What?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Out of the way.

[Wayne June]

Let me see.

[Shawn Francis]

Oh, scrap.

[Wayne June]

Yep.

[Peter Lewis]

She.

[Wayne June]

He is dead. There's nothing more we can do.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

No, no, no. Not now. Don't do this to me.

[Peter Lewis]

You.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

You can't be dead. Cassian, wake up, please.

[Wayne June]

She's gone.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Sylvanas, can't you do something? Don't you have a drug that can bring her back something?

[Peter Lewis]

She's dead.

[Wayne June]

I can't fix that.

[Peter Lewis]

We're still getting paid, right?

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Yes. Damn it. Just give us a moment. Cassius just fucking died.

[Wayne June]

She's a Fringer. She doesn't understand.

[Shawn Francis]

Some of us do understand. Cass was practically family for me, and I don't use that word lightly.

[Daniel Thoreson]

We don't have time for this right now. We need to move or they'll kill us.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

We have to trust you. So lead on.

[Peter Lewis]

Horatius reloads in the midst of all.

[Wayne June]

This, as does Diana. Oh, she also grabs, like, a tactical vest off of somebody and puts it over everything else she's already wearing.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Ozan discovers that the vests have blood on them.

[Wayne June]

Oh, right. Well, if it's super. She wouldn't even touch it if it was covered in, like, bloody blood. Blood.

[Shawn Francis]

Bloody blood.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Blood.

[Wayne June]

So she bends down to take it off the other people, and then she, like, looks at her hands and they're covered in blood. She's just like, never mind. She puts it back down. I was like, that was not.

[Shawn Francis]

That was not good. Don't look at me like that, Ziggs. I'll feed you a shiny new bullet. This one's got a reverse load.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Are you all in position?

[Wayne June]

What?

[Daniel Thoreson]

I need to open the door.

[Wayne June]

You need to stop talking like we're soldiers. Where should we be?

[Daniel Thoreson]

Step to the sides of the door so you're not visible to incoming fire.

[Wayne June]

I'm at the side of the door. We're good. It's all good.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Clairhaut pushes a nearby corpse out of the way as everyone moves into position, flanking the door.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Get out of my way.

[Peter Lewis]

Ready?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Quinn pulls open the door to the larger room and gunfire erupts inward. Quinn is hit, cracking his armor as he brings the barrels of his gun around the door to provide covering fire.

[Shawn Francis]

To pop one of the soldiers in the jugular. Yeah, he's not feeling that charitable right now.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Flick peels up from behind cover and shoots one of the guards in the throat.

[Shawn Francis]

The cast stay here.

[Peter Lewis]

I'm gonna club him.

[Kaitlin Staats]

McBride overcome with a torrent of emotions, charges headlong through the gunfire toward the closest guard. He swings his pick ended club above his head in an arc and sinks the pick into the side of the officer's head. An instant death. McBride, howling in rage, steps on her shoulder to rip free the gored club and continue his tournament.

[Peter Lewis]

Who's next?

[Kaitlin Staats]

However, after a brief sweep of the room, it's found to be empty.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I'll scan the room real quick.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Clarhoud scans the room and notes that its scattered cover was designed to face the elevator, which worked in the team's favor.

[Wayne June]

I'm going to check them for medical supplies. Anything that's useful or needed.

[Kaitlin Staats]

At this point, that would require a perception check.

[Wayne June]

14.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Azad and Hawk immediately search the bodies.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I. I'm going to check to see if Cassius has anything on her. Maybe there's something she wanted us to have. Or something for her family.

[Kaitlin Staats]

As Clarhoud searches the body of Cassius, he salvages a shock baton, an older GNK pistol with four rounds. A utility riot control tool known as a silenced taser flash utility or an STFU for short.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Could come in handy, especially if Horatius rages too hard.

[Kaitlin Staats]

31 meal and 4 tin for future use.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

My apologies, Cassius.

[Kaitlin Staats]

I'm.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I'm so, so sorry. We'll get you a proper service.

[Peter Lewis]

Well, I'd want you to do the same thing to me if it been me.

[Shawn Francis]

I'm gonna check this guy.

[Kaitlin Staats]

That would also require a perception check. Azad finds 6th meal. Some bandages and a tube of medical grade field blood coagulant. Flick finds one meal on the officer. He searches.

[Shawn Francis]

Okay, one meal.

[Peter Lewis]

Horatius is kind of wandering around making sure the area is secure and listening to see if he can hear anyone else who's about to show up. I'm gonna say that first he goes west, as that's the area he is closest to. He is in fact, in the west area.

[Kaitlin Staats]

As Junior Engineer McBride approaches the Western door, it immediately slides open, revealing a small security room and a terrified rad officer wielding a rifle.

[Peter Lewis]

Oh boy.

[Kaitlin Staats]

The officer shoots a burst into McBride's left arm.

[Peter Lewis]

And so ends Horatius. McBride shot to death by 20 soldiers that came in. And it is now my chance to club or shotgun them as I see fit. Don't it up Horatius.

[Kaitlin Staats]

And McBride swings instinctively in response. Misses.

[Peter Lewis]

He's. He's using an inspiration to reroll. I can do that, right?

[Kaitlin Staats]

McBride can use an inspiration point to roll a second dice and pick the higher of the two roles much better.

[Peter Lewis]

So, yeah, that's the hit he's going to go for.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Even while inspired, McBride's swing fails to connect.

[Peter Lewis]

We've got company.

[Shawn Francis]

Ah. I can see the soldier from where I'm standing. Give me some luck, Ziggs.

[Kaitlin Staats]

That's a. That's a D0. Rolling a zero on a D0. Yeah, and that was a critical failure on a D20.

[Shawn Francis]

Can I just. Can I just take the zero?

[Kaitlin Staats]

This would be a great opportunity to use inspiration. Oh, the weapon.

[Shawn Francis]

Might I.

[Peter Lewis]

We're just sinking everything we have into killing this random ass soldier.

[Shawn Francis]

Well, glad I did that.

[Kaitlin Staats]

With the natural 20. That's pretty incredible. Flick holds his gun steadily, closing one eye while squinting with the other. He shoots a single bullet through the narrow space between McBride's neck and the door into the open mouth of the officer before him. The soldier falls and begins to softly twitch.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Nice flicking shot.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Flick reloads as Clairhaud enters the room.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

What did I miss?

[Peter Lewis]

Anybody have a bandage? He got me in the shoulder.

[Wayne June]

Can I apply the bandages? Not fun bandages.

[Peter Lewis]

So can I apply the bandages?

[Wayne June]

It was loud. It was very loud. And I think I'm talking really quietly. Medicines and drug use. That was yelling again, wasn't it?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Abzad takes a few minutes to patch up McBride while Quinn guards the eastern door.

[Peter Lewis]

Hey, thanks, Doug. I feel like I didn't just get shot in the shoulder. Looting.

[Shawn Francis]

What else is there to loot? I guess I'll walk past Horatius and loot this guy.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Flick and Hawk, loot the new body.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Thanks, Quinn. Was it? How many more?

[Daniel Thoreson]

That should be all of the soldiers.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Any lab techs we need to worry about? There's one to the east, I assume.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Yes.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Quinn moves to face the elevator.

[Daniel Thoreson]

I'll stay here and make sure we're not attacked. From the elevator, you can clear the east side. It should just be the one tech.

[Wayne June]

Wait. Can't I just go into the room that we just, like, killed the guy in and use the security cameras to find out? If there's only one?

[Daniel Thoreson]

Yes.

[Wayne June]

Then I'm going to do that before they just walk into another firefight.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I will look listfully back towards the security room, hoping for more information.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Azad moves to the security room. It's a small room encased in smart glass with bulky terminals, a chair, and a variety of device interfaces, most of which are likely for scientific equipment.

[Wayne June]

Okay, so computer use is.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Azad successfully hacks into the system and finds the security footage from the interrogation room. She can adjust the footage, control the doors and Elevators access a map of the building and look through the various audio visual feeds inside of as well as around the exterior of the facility.

[Wayne June]

All right, first show me the feet of the building.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Azad searches through the various feeds.

[Wayne June]

Is the lab tech the only person remaining in the building who isn't us? Okay, so there is one remaining armed lab tech in the room that the lab tech is in, but you'll have to go through the barracks section first. And then there seems to be somebody in one of the, I'm going to assume, either testing or interrogation rooms. And I'm pretty much just pointing to each of the feeds and saying, just be careful because there's armed people or armed persons. Sure, now you said that. Sorry, I'm yelling again because I can't tell how loud I am. We can either keep or destroy the feed, but I think that we should keep it because they say that we betrayed. They said that they literally betrayed the Archon. So why should we destroy it? We're on the good side. She says to the others.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

What was that?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Investigator Claire House slowly enters the room.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Oh, thank goodness.

[Wayne June]

So we have the ability to either keep or destroy the video feed of us in that room during the interrogation before they open fire on us and they reveal themselves as being betrayers to the Archons. So I think we should keep the feed and maybe send it to somebody in the inner city that we trust.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Is that the only footage or is.

[Wayne June]

There any earlier I can check?

[Peter Lewis]

Horatius, who is clearly paying little attention to what Diana is saying, kind of peers at the feet over her shoulder and says, oh boy, somebody's a little too interested in keeping the showers secure if you get what I. Well, anyway, what are we talking about? Got a security feed? Do we gotta delete the footage?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Azad is able to recover archive footage from the day to day operations of the village facility that took place within the interrogation room. None of the individuals who are seen regularly eating and working in the room prior to the footage from this month are currently present in the facility. With the exception of Dr. Morales, all other footage from the other room is not archived.

[Wayne June]

What does it say about when the people that I've seen before leave? Was there just a shift change or was there? What happened to the ones that were here previously?

[Kaitlin Staats]

All other footage from the other room is not archived.

[Wayne June]

Oh, so they already deleted the evidence. Let me see if I can find a way to incapacitate the remaining personnel on this floor.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Azad discovers the controls to the atmosphere, but determines that the door to the laboratory isn't airtight, so she'd need to affect the entire floor.

[Wayne June]

Someone want to go and like, glue up that door real quick?

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Did anyone search Morales?

[Wayne June]

No.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Oh, I might take a little jaunt.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Clare out discovers an identification badge and five blood covered meal canisters on Dr. Morales. Yeah, the remaining items on his person were destroyed by the shotgun blasts.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I wonder if there's anything weird about his id. Let's take a closer look, eh?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Clarhot examines the badge, which looks authentic, and pockets it. After a few moments, I will come.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Back out so I don't miss any more fun. And while I'm here, can I just ask, so I don't see you in any of this footage, Anything you want to tell us?

[Daniel Thoreson]

It's a long story. Once we secure our location, we can discuss it in greater detail. I have no qualms about explaining myself in entirety.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Just tell me once and I'll trust you. Can I trust you?

[Daniel Thoreson]

Certainly. I fight to protect the Archon.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Okay, Horatius, you want to go take care of this lab tech with me?

[Peter Lewis]

Sounds like a party. Now that I'm all patched up, shouldn't be too bad.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Just watch your shoulders, man.

[Peter Lewis]

Yeah, yeah.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yep.

[Shawn Francis]

Uh, Flik actually asks Diana, are you sure there's anyone in this city you can actually trust right now after this mess?

[Wayne June]

What do I know about Director Yale?

[Kaitlin Staats]

That would require a Knowledge Atreus check.

[Wayne June]

I know everything.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Dr. Yale has a long and prestigious career working for the Department of Research and Development, Spearheading advancements in branches of technology, science and medicine that had never been delved by predecessors. Even the historic Doctor. Director Eichor's legendary accomplishments are beginning to pale in comparison to what Yale has achieved. Yale has been productive and extremely successful across all divisions and subdivisions. And he is said to be personally favored by the Archon over many other directors.

[Wayne June]

So what actions has he taken to show dedication? Has he. Was he. Did he have any military service at some point in time?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yale has been with the DRD his entire life.

[Wayne June]

Career highlights thesis he began in advanced.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Computer technologies, working alongside Tillian Zhao on an earlier incarnation of the privacy hood. From there, he moved on to other smart technologies, advancing the fail safe encryption utilized in Atrian firearms, implementing a new security protocol on credit databases, etc. It would seem peculiar to call Yale's loyalty into question given this background. Additionally, Azad is personally aware that Yale had some mysterious paramilitary division that defends the resources of the drd. Known as the Vigilant, its members are armed with highly advanced and sometimes experimental technologies. Rumors of self correcting firearms and bullet retardant energy shields, for example. The only oddity about Yale is that he had the opportunity to correct a substantial interdivisional issue and chose to do nothing. Unknown to many, the Department of Research and Development is at war with itself. Its current allocation system set in place by a previous doctor director. A corps encourages small teams within the scientific community to compete with one another to hoard information and on occasion steal from or sabotage other teams. Resources are allocated based on a team's success or the potential importance of a project. And Azad has never been fully comfortable with the idea of the brightest and best minds at war with one another for funding.

[Shawn Francis]

Ah. You look like you've been thinking about my question for a while. You got an answer for me yet?

[Wayne June]

I don't know.

[Shawn Francis]

Any I trust is dead.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I'm hurt.

[Wayne June]

I might. I might end up sending it over to Director Yale just because it shouldn't be unknown what's going on here. Do I know of any other people, especially from my department, that I should send it to?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Azad thinks for a moment and considers if she could trust her immediate superior. She concludes that under circumstances such as these, it would be most appropriate to report directly to Yale.

[Wayne June]

All right. So while they go off to deal with the lab tech. Yeah, I'm gonna send it off to Director Yale because in my atrion mind that is so entirely brainwashed. She believes that to be the best idea. She doesn't actually tell Flick. She just turns back to the computer and starts doing things.

[Shawn Francis]

I'm gonna join up with Horatius. Whatever Horatius is doing.

[Peter Lewis]

I'll wait here and guard with Quinn.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

How about you come with us? We could use the help.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Clairhout, McBride, Hawk and Flick move to the east door and stop.

[Peter Lewis]

I'll go through the door first.

[Kaitlin Staats]

The air hangs stale and smells strongly of body odor. The room before them is empty except for seven sets of bunk beds with matching lockers, two doors and cameras which are built into the walls.

[Peter Lewis]

Oh yeah, you can probably see me on the. Yeah. Horatius waves at one of the cameras and then gives a thumbs up and then heads for the next.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Hold up a moment. I'm going to search the barracks for useful items.

[Kaitlin Staats]

The lockers at the foot of each bed all appear to be locked.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Don't have time for that.

[Peter Lewis]

Stand back. I'm going to kick in the door.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Kicks in the door and surprises a DRD scientist armed with a data pad, chemical spray and a small Defender model pistol on his hip. The lab Also houses a dozen floor length glass containers filled with dark fluid. And to the right stands a well polished door. Upon seeing McBride, the scientist drops his datapad in terror and reaches clumsily for his pistol.

[Peter Lewis]

Drop the gun or I'll shoot.

[Kaitlin Staats]

That would require a successful intimidation check.

[Peter Lewis]

Sweet. I love intimidation because I can do it sometimes.

[Kaitlin Staats]

As the scientist pulls the trigger, he fumbles, dropping the gun and sending the bullet into the floor. Shaking and distraught, he reaches for the chemical spray.

[Peter Lewis]

Okay, can I go for kind of a non lethal type of shot? Can I shoot him in the legs or something?

[Kaitlin Staats]

In the heat of the moment, McBride reasons that he might be able to take out the scientist's legs without killing him.

[Travis Bengroff]

Cool.

[Peter Lewis]

I'm going to try to shoot him in the legs. Unfortunately, I am a horrible shot. Hopefully you guys can pick up the slack if I suck. Okay, Therehere we go.

[Kaitlin Staats]

McBride shoots the scientist in the legs with his. Wait, what type of gun is he using?

[Peter Lewis]

This is a. This is a shotgun. This is a. What? What is it? It's a scrap shotgun.

[Kaitlin Staats]

He's trying to knock out a scientist by shooting his legs out with a shotgun. Oh, wow. Okay, McBride. Non lethally. I'm sorry, I can't justify that. McBride takes out the scientist's legs with the shotgun, completely severing one of them. The maimed man hits the floor face first, dropping the chemical spray. The spray activates, not hitting anything, just ejecting a chemical dust into the room that dissipates into a light mist. The scientist bleeds out in a matter of seconds.

[Peter Lewis]

Oh, come on buddy. I told you. Whatever.

[Kaitlin Staats]

The traitor utters one last phrase before losing consciousness.

[Peter Lewis]

Yeah, okay.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

May you get your legs back in the awakening.

[Peter Lewis]

Somebody want. I thought maybe we could talk to him. You know, I'm just gonna does a little mercy killing. Hits him with the. Hits him with his club and then reloads. That was the stupidest thing I've ever done in my life.

[Wayne June]

Diana can audibly face palm while watching this on the video.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Well, he shouldn't have.

[Peter Lewis]

He shouldn't have tried. He like looks up at the camera. He should have tried to shoot me. Okay, you did warn him it was an accident. I thought maybe I could like get him in the foot and I just archon. This gun is ridiculous.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Apparently most things in here don't react too well to bullets.

[Peter Lewis]

I guess we should probably investigate the area. Sorry about that, my friend. You sure are dead.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Now I'm going to take a closer look at these jars.

[Kaitlin Staats]

That would require a successful perception check.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Uh oh. I Mean it's blood? Yes.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Within the dark liquid float dead bodies. Most are dead due to unknown means, but two clearly died from gun related wounds. Most of the bodies appear to be Atrian citizens, though Clairhaud cannot confirm their identities due to decomposition.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Can I start counting them in comparison to the bunk beds?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Clairhaud counts six bodies compared to the seven beds in the previous room.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Oh, good.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Presumably. Morales.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Hmm.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Looks like they were about to have quite the chili cook off in here. Well, I guess we're not going to learn anything from the legs.

[Peter Lewis]

Yeah, well, we might have about 20 seconds ago, but I don't think that the prognosis there is too good.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Hey, man, it happens.

[Peter Lewis]

Well, you know, we probably had to check out this room over here. Wasn't there? When there's some unhappy looking person inside this area.

[Wayne June]

Is there an intercom system?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Azad discovers the intercom system.

[Wayne June]

All right.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Be prepared to be scolded.

[Wayne June]

Can you hear me? What's in the tubes?

[Peter Lewis]

I just blew this guy's legs off. And your question is? What's in the tubes? I don't know. Brown stuff.

[Wayne June]

I saw that happen. What's in the tube?

[Peter Lewis]

Some brown stuff. We probably don't want to eat it or shoot it. Horatius peers at the brown stuff.

[Kaitlin Staats]

McBride discovered bodies inside of the glass containers in various stages of decomposition.

[Peter Lewis]

There's some bodies in the brown stuff.

[Wayne June]

Oh, wonderful.

[Peter Lewis]

I can't really see anything else, even though I'm looking right at it. I don't know. I got some pepper spray in my face. Not a good time.

[Wayne June]

All right. In the next room there are restraining beds. Somebody is in one of them. The other one is covered in blood. Doesn't look like anybody in there can hurt you. But just in case, please don't do anything stupid this time. Incapacitate. Incapacitate.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Thank you.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yeah, we really should be moving on.

[Peter Lewis]

Before we breathe in too much of this stuff.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Can I open the door?

[Peter Lewis]

You can.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I will.

[Kaitlin Staats]

McBride, Hawk and Flick follow through. The door is a bare and poorly lit room with two restraining beds. These devices are generally reserved for prisoners. And one of the beds is covered in dark stains Investigator Clairhout can safely assume to be blood based on the lingering smell. The other bed is currently occupied by a woman covered in bruises and small cuts. She immediately turns to look at the team as they enter, shaking hair out of her eyes.

[Ashley Burch]

Come here. I'll break your fucking knuckles again.

[Peter Lewis]

Hey, look, we're not here to hurt you. Sorry.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Clairhaut notes that she appears to be in her mid-30s. With tan skin, intense eyes, and short black hair adorned with a vertical green streak. She's wearing a sports bra and combat pants and her mark denotes third tier lethality and a master's degree. She appears to have recently been undergoing some form of torture.

[Ashley Burch]

Who are you then?

[Peter Lewis]

Hey, Sylvanas. Who should we say? What should we tell her about?

[Kaitlin Staats]

A sudden spark of recognition crosses Claire Haught's mind.

[Peter Lewis]

I tell you what, lady, hang on for a second. I gotta confer with my colleague here and I will get back to you and let you know who we are. Right now. I don't know.

[Ashley Burch]

Are you damned cultists or not?

[Peter Lewis]

Uh, no, we are not the cultists. They're pretty weird and I killed a bunch of them.

[Ashley Burch]

Um, then get me out of here before they come back, okay? I want them to suffer.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Shut the fuck up, Thracius.

[Peter Lewis]

Oh, yep, sure. Yep, yep. You talk.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Not. Horatius. Thracius. Pardon me. What are you doing here? How did you get here?

[Ashley Burch]

It's classified.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I don't give a fuck if it's classified. You're restrained to that bed and I'm perfectly happy to leave you there. So why don't you tell us?

[Ashley Burch]

My team and I were investigating a distress signal from this facility. Seems that it was taken over by a rogue scientist. Dr. Morales. He killed the original science team. He's using their lab for an unknown purpose. He appears to be aided by elements of the rad, the drd, and even the Vigilant.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

What do you know about the children of Malachor?

[Ashley Burch]

Very little. I know that they must be destroyed, and that they're a serious threat to the Archon.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I need a moment to think. A lot's just happened in the last 20 minutes.

[Peter Lewis]

Horatius is just kind of watching Sylvanas, Kind of waiting for what he decides to do.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Sylvanas Clairhout's flaw is that he will do anything to catch her. But it doesn't say anything about killing her. But I do have this lovely. Shut the fuck up. Which I'm just dying to use.

[Peter Lewis]

Sylvanas, you're looking a little intense there. You got some type of something you're. You're plotting?

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Oh, I just had a bad experience once.

[Peter Lewis]

Ah.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Why don't you go ahead and get her out, but keep a close eye on her.

[Ashley Burch]

Regardless of the past, Sylvanas and I share significantly more grave consequences await us if we don't work together. My record is otherwise spotless. And though the situations surrounding my promotions are suspect, from the perspective of one individual in particular, I'VE undergone numerous life threatening missions and proved my loyalty to Atreus many times over.

[Peter Lewis]

Okay, well, listen, don't worry about that right now. I'm just gonna get you out of here. I think the. You're.

[Shawn Francis]

You're.

[Peter Lewis]

You're. You're. You're agitating my buddy. So let's just. Let's work together.

[Ashley Burch]

Thanks. Senior officer Thracious Wyatt of the Special Defense Force. And you are?

[Peter Lewis]

I'm Horatius McBride. And you know, I've been so many different things over the past little while that I really don't know who I. I am. Let's just get out of here. We can sort it out later.

[Ashley Burch]

Excellent. Give me a gun and let me fight.

[Peter Lewis]

Okay.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Don't give her a gun.

[Peter Lewis]

Okay, I'm going to defer to my friend here and not give you a gun. However, I also won't shoot you. I'd say it's a pretty fair trade. Now let's head back to the main common area so that we can figure out what we're going to do next.

[Ashley Burch]

This sounds agreeable. Move.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Oh my. On the plus side, I get to add someone new to our map. What color should I make you? Wyatt? D H, R, A C, I, U, S. How about bright yellow? The color of bees?

[Shawn Francis]

I knew we couldn't trust her.

[Kaitlin Staats]

The team reconvenes in the main room.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Quinn, do you have any restraints?

[Daniel Thoreson]

Not on me, no.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Are there any in here?

[Daniel Thoreson]

We could theoretically rig something up from the room in the back, but it would take time to do so.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Yeah, I'll just keep an eye on her.

[Wayne June]

Can't it?

[Daniel Thoreson]

So it's clear the building is secure.

[Wayne June]

The cameras don't reveal anybody left in the building.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Excellent work. My name is Senior Investigator Tertullius Quinn and I'm an agent of the Atreus Bureau of Investigations. And before you ask, it's not a made up division, just a very secretive one. And due to its secretive nature, I'm unable to provide concrete proof of this claim. However, the individual you know as Tongs is also an agent of my division.

[Wayne June]

Did your name just change?

[Daniel Thoreson]

Hmm?

[Wayne June]

Did your name just change, Quinton?

[Daniel Thoreson]

It was a fake identity I crafted. A detailed explanation will be required to give you a complete understanding of what's going on. I had personally been investigating a corruptions case involving a missing agent within my organization known as Alban Lapram. I believe you know him as Tongs. In short, my discoveries led me here where I found Albin, Dr. Morales and a team of occupants that had clearly killed the facility's previous inhabitants. I was able to convince this new team that I was here to assist in their treachery. And I have been working with them undercover for little over a day now. I've learned much. What I'm about to say is obviously classified and shall never be repeated to those beyond this room, or perhaps Director west himself. Albin Morales and the others are part of a cult known as the Children of Melachor. This cult is extremely anomalous, with both fringers and citizens alike composing its membership. Among other things, they desire the destruction of Atreus through a process called the Awakening. Through unknown means, they've brainwashed decent citizens into joining this cult. And as evidenced by the grand scale of this corruption, which I've confirmed to include elements of all government divisions, they are the single greatest threat Atreus has seen in over a century.

[Peter Lewis]

Oh, shit.

[Daniel Thoreson]

As a senior investigator of the Bureau, I ask for your assistance existence in the greatest possible purpose we could ever be called to. While I've gained a vast quantity of information regarding the radical nature of this cult and some understanding of its expansive reach, I have no confirmation as to how deep their corruption goes. However, through guile, I was able to discover that there is a docket containing the names of most of the Atrian defectors. The majority, in fact. The reason for this list is apparently to allow the instant communication of orders to all members simultaneously in final preparations for the Awakening. At least the important ones, assumedly, so they can avoid whatever attack they're planning. Or perhaps they can help assist in it. The docket is in a digital file called the Calling. It is in the hands of one of their key leaders. My plan is to retrieve this docket and personally deliver it to Director West. The west family have been the protectors of Atreus since its founding and are close friends of the Archon. Director west is a just man worthy of the name. While I retrieve the docket, I'd like you to infiltrate the cult and learn what you can about the Awakening and their plans. Do you have any questions?

[Wayne June]

Why us? Why does this keep happening?

[Daniel Thoreson]

Because I know I can trust you. You were obviously set up to die. And you were resilient enough to survive. Those who knew of you are dead, with the exception of Lapram himself. That makes you ideal allies.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

The way I see it, we'd all have a lot more bullets in us if it wasn't for you. So I guess we do owe you.

[Daniel Thoreson]

This is for Atreus, not me. Please remember that.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I'm assuming we're headed to the Tower?

[Daniel Thoreson]

Yes, I'D like you to enter the large tower nearby. While in the guise of cultists, you must be prepared to avoid their mind controlling abilities, their lies, and to learn what you can. Should the opportunity somehow present itself, I would ask that you destroy the cult and whatever plans they have. After I acquire the docket, I cannot express how futile stopping their first attack will be if the secret enemies of the Archon remain securely ingrained in all areas of Atrian life.

[Shawn Francis]

So you're asking this group to play pretend again?

[Daniel Thoreson]

You were nice at it before. You can do it again.

[Shawn Francis]

Well, I think the word nice is a bit of a stretch.

[Peter Lewis]

Yeah, well. Well, whatever you say. Sure can play pretend. Great. Let's do it.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Icon. I chipped a nail. I mean, yeah, yeah, that.

[Peter Lewis]

All right, let's, you know, let's. Let's crack some. Lets infiltrate some cultist heads in the name of the Blood Skulls and then turn in the name of the. Oh, man. Sure. Let's do it. Let's go.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

What do we do with her?

[Daniel Thoreson]

That's your decision.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Okay, Thracious, what do we do with you?

[Ashley Burch]

I can join either of you. I'm a valuable asset. An experienced soldier with years of military training allow me to be used to the best of my abilities. I want to hurt them.

[Peter Lewis]

That's a little intense. Okay.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

What is it they used to say about keeping your friends close?

[Kaitlin Staats]

Clair Hout reluctantly hands Senior officer Wyatt a rifle from one of the dead soldiers.

[Ashley Burch]

Thanks.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I'd like the other side of my head to stay intact this time. If it's not too much trouble.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Wyatt smiles.

[Ashley Burch]

Just keep the distance required by the restraining order. And remember who the real enemy is here.

[Daniel Thoreson]

To gain entry to the tower, you'll need to speak with a recruiter for the Children of Melor. He's known as Gree the True. Tell him that Dr. Morales sent you and he'll likely have some sort of test for you.

[Peter Lewis]

What type of test should we be anticipating?

[Daniel Thoreson]

I am unsure. Something to prove your faith?

[Peter Lewis]

Well, as long as I'm not slicing off any limbs, I guess that's fine. Not slicing off any limbs. Right. Because that, you know, I. I work with my hands. Okay, Good.

[Daniel Thoreson]

I don't think they'd want to cripple their future members.

[Peter Lewis]

Good. Yeah, that's what we want.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Do you have any additional questions?

[Peter Lewis]

Not that I can think of offhand. How about you guys?

[Wayne June]

I'm going to check their lab. I will be right back.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Don't you have enough meal? Come on.

[Peter Lewis]

Not for that.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Then I must leave for my mission.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Do you know of any prominent leaders that are involved in the cult?

[Daniel Thoreson]

Prominent names I've heard spoken include Baker, Yale, Creed, Gulion, Gree, and Lapram.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Azad returns, having stepped away momentarily to craft a sort of truth serum.

[Shawn Francis]

Ooh.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Let's test it. On Hawk. I mean, no, that wouldn't. That's probably not the best use of our resources.

[Wayne June]

What about the woman that we just met? That we just. Armed?

[Peter Lewis]

Yeah, she was strapped to a table and being tortured by cultists.

[Wayne June]

Well, then she wouldn't mind one more needle.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Anything else?

[Peter Lewis]

Ready to get in on this thing? If you are.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Excellent. While you do this, I will be seeking the docket elsewhere. The tower might be their largest holding, but it is not their most valued. And I work better alone.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I'm assuming you'll signal us when you have it.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Yes. And I remind you again, only send your data to Director West. Do not send this information to anyone else except myself and the Director. And if you do not see me again, Director west will be expecting you to deliver your findings in person. I'm going to send him a message mentioning you on the way to my objective. Do not fail. Reeve endures.

[Wayne June]

Reeve endures.

[Peter Lewis]

Reeve endures.

[Shawn Francis]

Whatever.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Quinn salutes the team and departs for the elevator. But the team joins him, sharing the awkward moment after goodbyes when they're yet to part ways. Quinn looks over at the team, nodding quietly to himself.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

This is gonna be fun.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Yeah. Best of luck.

[Peter Lewis]

Thanks.

[Daniel Thoreson]

We'll certainly need it. I didn't see any of you taking notes, so if you need any of the names while one last time, just ask. It's your last opportunity to hear them.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I have Baker, Yale, Creed, and Gree. Did I miss one?

[Daniel Thoreson]

Laprum. I believe that's the one you know of as Tongs. Tongs. Yeah. Well, I'm off.

[Ashley Burch]

So, Sylvanas, how have you been?

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Let's just keep the small talk to a minimum. Ah. Shall we?

[Peter Lewis]

Mm.

[Ashley Burch]

Sister doing okay?

[Kaitlin Buckley]

As far as I know.

[Ashley Burch]

That's nice.

[Peter Lewis]

Well, I guess we should start heading toward that creepy tower and get ready to do a test that will not involve a permanent limb chopping.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I suppose we should see if Hawk and Flick are even with us at this point. Are you guys still going to work with us?

[Peter Lewis]

Hmm. This sounds pretty crazy.

[Wayne June]

Unless you're paying me a lot more.

[Peter Lewis]

I'm not gonna be nice.

[Wayne June]

We are infant trading a cult.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Understood. Do you find anything good in there?

[Shawn Francis]

Yep.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yep.

[Peter Lewis]

I'm paid.

[Ashley Burch]

Nice.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

And I am assuming you're not gonna talk about us. Too many people. That Would be unpleasant for everyone.

[Peter Lewis]

Mm. Words of honor. I'm nice. Can you make your way back home from here?

[Wayne June]

Yep.

[Peter Lewis]

I got some stuff to trade first, but, yeah, after that. I'm nice.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Well, thank you for your help.

[Peter Lewis]

You guys have been really great to fight with. You know, I'm gonna miss your blood skulls. I'm gonna speak tales of how awesome you guys were. Thanks. The Blood skulls. Thank you. Thanks.

[Wayne June]

The talesmen will speak your names.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Hawk departs quickly.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Let's go.

[Peter Lewis]

Well, you know, I could get used to this blood skulls stuff. I mean, not forever because it's pretty weird out here, but generally, hey, if.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

We make it back to the city alive, I say we keep it up, bust some heads.

[Ashley Burch]

Is that some sort of sports team or codename the Blood Skulls?

[Peter Lewis]

Uh, sure. It's a. It's a sport. It's a sports team. For a bloodsport blood skull. Sorry.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Flick. You'll be very well compensated for staying with us. And we'll honor our obligation to pay off your debts.

[Shawn Francis]

Hmm. Well, I mean, the gal that hired me is rotting in that facility right now. But I guess if the pay is there, someone's gotta make sure you two don't open your mouths too much.

[Peter Lewis]

If the pay's there, you stays there. That's what I'm talking about.

[Shawn Francis]

Yeah, I guess I'm on board. For now.

[Wayne June]

So what's the plan from here?

[Kaitlin Buckley]

I'm assuming the recruiter we're looking for is outside the tower.

[Wayne June]

We didn't ask.

[Shawn Francis]

Ha.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

No, I don't know anything.

[Wayne June]

Now I think he might have mentioned that he would be near the tower.

[Peter Lewis]

Hey, you know, before we really get into anything else, it might be a good idea for us to actually get some sleep. You know, reach charger batteries, that type of thing. So that I can rage.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Well, then, let's take the elevator back down.

[Kaitlin Staats]

The team takes the elevator back down with the intent of getting a full night of rest.

[Peter Lewis]

Ah. Oh, I forgot about the whole shower part. It's like the whole poke, only with no chains. Oh, wait, no. Sorry. Sylvanas. Forget I mentioned it.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Yeah, I think some time to rest and reflect will be nice for all of us.

[Wayne June]

So, Wyatt, how did you come to be here?

[Ashley Burch]

My team and I initially detected a distress signal at the outpost. And seems we were never meant to. We couldn't have suspected such a treason, so we were easily captured.

[Wayne June]

What happened to the rest of your team?

[Ashley Burch]

My team was murdered. Those bastards took great pleasure in saving me for last, letting me watch as those under my command were slowly tortured to Death. One at a time.

[Wayne June]

We'll stop them.

[Ashley Burch]

They'll pay.

[Peter Lewis]

Clarhot. I'll take care of the funeral arrangements. You should rest.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Thanks.

[Shawn Francis]

Okay, who's gonna take first watch?

[Ashley Burch]

I'll take first watch.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Oh, yeah. That'll be real safe for all of us.

[Ashley Burch]

It will be. I happen to be great at what I do.

[Shawn Francis]

How about I join you on first watch?

[Ashley Burch]

That sounds agreeable. What's our plan once we get some rest?

[Peter Lewis]

Well, I guess we head to that tower and we figure how we're gonna, you know, infiltrate this whole cult situation.

[Ashley Burch]

Do we want to try sneaking in, or do we want to try and meet with this tester fellow?

[Peter Lewis]

I could try. Really? Anything you want, but sneaking isn't my strong point.

[Ashley Burch]

What is your strong point?

[Peter Lewis]

Really? Beating on people. That's what I've been best at so far. Pretty good at that. Pretty good at just wading right into combat, heedless of any of the obstacles that may be heading my way, and just, you know, really just beating people to death. I guess I didn't really do a lot of that prior to today, but I sure have been successful. Successful?

[Ashley Burch]

What's your career?

[Peter Lewis]

Back home, I work in a mine, and before that, I was in the military.

[Ashley Burch]

That adds to eight.

[Peter Lewis]

Well, you know, skulls are like rocks, and this thing is kind of like a drill. But I'm still, you know, pretty good at using it to get into heads. Anyway, let's go. Let's sleep. As you can see, I'm tired. Good night, everyone.

[Shawn Francis]

Night, guys. Wyatt and I got watch.

[Peter Lewis]

Wow. Well, it's been fun being part of the show.

[Wayne June]

I hope the people who hear this.

[Peter Lewis]

Enjoy my character and the crazy adventure.

[Wayne June]

That made up her life.

[Peter Lewis]

Avenge me, guys.

[Travis Bengroff]

Liberty Vigilance Created and produced by Travis Bengroff with editing and writing assistance from KA Stats executive producer Dan Gill. Starring Peter Lewis, Shawn Francis, Kaitlin Buckley, Kaitlin Staats, Daniel Thoreson. And now joining us, Ashley Burch, with narration by Wayne June. Guest voices include Heather McLellan and Russ Moore. The music was created by Ryan McQuinn, Stephen Malin, and Brandon Strater. Vigilance was mixed and mastered by Brandon Strater with COVID art by Dan Stanek. The original game master was Travis Vengraf, 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 also like to thank citizens Dan Gill, Zach Israel, Fallon Gannon. Adan Farber, Scott Morrison, Tsar Yuko, Austin Barth and Jonathan Wade. This broadcast is a creation of Foolin Scholar Productions. Thank you for listening, and may the Archon watch over you. Nothing is as it seems in liminal London. Hidden amongst everyday people are werewolves.

[Shawn Francis]

You'll be the werewolf then.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yeah. Megs.

[Wayne June]

Wizards Montgomery Archibald Barker at your bloody service.

[Travis Bengroff]

And those cursed by the fey monarchs of the city.

[Ashley Burch]

Declan Buchanan, PI he has quite a.

[Shawn Francis]

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.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

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

[Travis Bengroff]

With incredible guest players like Johnny Chiadini.

[Daniel Thoreson]

Say, there's sludge.

[Peter Lewis]

Yeah.

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Sludge.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yeah.

[Peter Lewis]

I'm the sludge boy.

[Wayne June]

F ing love. Sludge boy.

[Peter Lewis]

No, again, I'm not that sludge boy.

[Travis Bengroff]

Grant Howitt.

[Peter Lewis]

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

[Kaitlin Buckley]

Oh, my God.

[Travis Bengroff]

And Sharmini Bundell.

[Peter Lewis]

There's a magic community. There is.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Yay.

[Wayne June]

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. Welcome to the ultimate social deduction game, Blood on the Clock Tower.

[Wayne June]

The evil team must stalk the streets.

[Kaitlin Staats]

At night, hunting down members of the good team one by one. Meanwhile, the good team must outmaneuver the evil team using their unique abilities.

[Peter Lewis]

I'd like to kick things off by.

[Travis Bengroff]

Telling you all that I'm possibly the demon.

[Kaitlin Staats]

Our players can mislead and manipulate others with absolute freedom.

[Travis Bengroff]

I didn't like hearing my name in the same sentence as demon.

[Daniel Thoreson]

That was very upsetting for me.

[Travis Bengroff]

Emily and I will be your storytellers, guiding you through every labyrinthian twist and turn.

[Wayne June]

How are there so many evil players in this game?

[Travis Bengroff]

What's happening with guests from no Rolls Bard, the Pandemonium Institute, and Oxventure? You won't be able to stop listening. Go to realmspod.com clocktower to find out more.