C03 - Ep. 44 - Under Oondar Fire - Croak and Dagger Boxing

Summary

Tales from the Stinky Dragon – Episode Summary

Podcast: Tales from the Stinky Dragon

Episode: C03 – Ep. 44 – Under Oondar Fire – Croak and Dagger Boxing

Date: May 27, 2026

Main Theme:
This chaotic and character-driven episode centers on the party’s journey through icy wastes toward the fabled Escarpment of Exiles. Along the way, the crew faces surreal visions, navigates existential questions, and, most memorably, Gunther enters an outlandish boxing match against the "Throng Tong." The session blends signature Stinky Dragon comedic banter, improv character exploration, and meaningful lore progression.

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1. Key Discussion Points & Insights

A. Warmup Shenanigans and Table Talk

• The team opens with playful banter about dice promo and personal life mishaps, quickly segueing into random philosophical musings.
• Weekly intro question: "What is your favorite word, and why?" leads to a round of witty, meaningful responses, revealing character quirks and real-life reflections.
  • Quote (Blaine, 05:44): "I have to say submechanophobia... it’s fun, it’s cool... people would point and go, 'Oh no, my submechanophobia. Oh, it’s acting up.'"

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B. Character Backstories and Vignettes (16:30–26:00)

• The “Veiled Eye” prompts each character to reveal a significant life vignette—past, future, or imagined.
• Gunther: A solemn tale about carrying a friend "Larry" from prison to a frozen lake as part of a non-traditional funeral, reflecting on honor and regret.
  • Quote (Gunther, 17:14): "I had a friend... taken by a sickness, and I had to take them, and it was... a very sad and not particularly pleasant way to... honor someone."
• Tolv (Blaine): Envisions a future when his people are out, proud, and part of society, honoring peace and his mentor.
• Natty: Recounts her departure from her village as a “Chosen One” figure, tying themes of family and destiny.
• Doug: Describes dreams of inventing a machine that would save his village but wakes to the present, still aspiring for validation.

C. The Veiled Eye’s Guidance (25:53)

• The Veiled Eye tasks the party to seek the “Escarpment of Exiles,” hinting at a shifting destiny.
• Doug receives the “Guiding Providence Sensor”, a mystical GPS-like device, with explicit instructions:
  • Quote (Veiled Eye, 25:53): “For reasons that remain a mystery, the thresholder remains tangled up in your stars… prevail over yourself, then the triumph is truly yours.”
• Emphasis on self-forgiveness and destiny, particularly for Doug, reflecting his remorse about his brother Phil.

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D. Into the Tundra and Boxing Ring (29:23–41:08)

• The landscape turns harsh and surreal as the party encounters an outlandish boxing ring, mid-tundra, bustling with “small folk” in sequined shorts—the “Throng Tong” boxing crew.
• Gunther, unexpectedly named as the challenger, is goaded into competing.
  • Memorable Moment (Gustavo, 38:40): “Let’s hear it for the contender, Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker!”

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E. The Croak & Dagger Boxing Match (41:08–66:03)

Timestamps for the Fight Start: [41:08]

• Gunther faces the Throng Tong (seven spangled fighters) in a feverishly silly, D&D-combat-meets-improv-boxing match.
  • Comedic play-by-plays, motivational (and demotivational) pep talks from the party—Tolv’s pep talk backfires, causing Gunther to attack with disadvantage.
• The fight strikes a balance between slapstick and tension: Gunther takes heavy damage but launches a decisive counteroffensive with “Actions Surge,” rallying to victory when all appears lost.
  • Quote (Gustavo, 59:54): “You lash out with your rapier... they begin teetering on their feet, leaning, weaving to and fro before eventually falling back, landing on the ground in the boxing ring.”
• Gunther receives the “CCCCC Championship Belt” and a new ability: “Rallying Surge” (allows allies action when he action surges).
  • Quote (Gustavo, 65:41): “When you action surge, it allows your allies to act... either attack or move as well.”

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F. Aftermath, Humiliation, and Divine Rejection (66:45–77:38)

• The Throng Tong reveals they were sent by Gunther’s aunt, Shannon, to provide a lesson (and tough love).
• The group’s attempts at camaraderie spark comedic and cringe-worthy moments.
• Gunther’s night is haunted by a vision of the “Wilder Flower” (his deity), who further rejects him and dismisses his aid in the quest for the “Wilder Shield.”
  • Quote (Wilder Flower, 76:12): “I think you've proven that your assistance is not necessary. Bunlap is already on the case and will absolutely take care of this for me.”
• On waking, Gunther finds his AC (armor class) halved, reflecting spiritual and emotional defeat.
  • Quote (Gustavo, 77:32): “Metagame Wise, your AC is diminished—it’s cut in half.”

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G. Team Bonding and Next Steps (77:48–84:15)

• Tolv gives Gunther the “Bronze Blood Shield” to compensate for his lost AC, in a heartwarming if awkward display of party friendship.
  • Quote (Tolv, 81:32): “I think you deserve more than you think... here you go.”
• The party resolves to head north toward Chimera Keep, which conveniently lies on their route to the Escarpment.

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H. Arrival at Chimera Keep and Sudden Danger (84:15–end)

• The group arrives at the ruins of Chimera Keep, described as iron, ice-covered arches and deserted ramparts—“occupied and picked over by generations of thieves, soldiers and monsters.” ([84:38])
• As they explore, a sudden cave-in plunges the party into an underground gold mine with scorch-marked walls.
• The final moments escalate as heavy footsteps approach in the darkness, setting up the next episode.
  • Quote (Gustavo, 89:06): “Heavy footsteps thump in the darkness, heading straight toward you. Find out what happens next...”

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2. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Submechanophobia... It's fun, it's cool..." (Blaine Gibson, 05:44)
• "Everyone becomes obsessed and scared of the other version, which is post-mundane…but I love this idea of… the infinity in another direction… it's beautiful." (John Risinger, 07:22)
• "Fudgel means to pretend to work or look busy while actually doing nothing." (Doug Boone, 10:59)
• "It is a very pretty belt... all these people fighting of different races, running a race across the country—and at the center is a big smiley face." (Gunther Bootkiss, 64:03)
• "I've told you what I want already. Leave this task to Bunlap. You are not needed, Gunther." (Wilder Flower/Barbara, 76:32)
• "Metagame Wise, your AC is diminished—it’s cut in half." (Gustavo, 77:32)
• "I think you deserve more than you think... here you go." (Tolv/Blaine, 81:32)

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3. Important Segment Timestamps

• Character Favorite Words Roundtable: 04:21–14:59
• Cloud Visions / Character Vignettes: 16:30–26:00
• Veiled Eye's Guidance and Mythic Setup: 25:53–29:21
• First Glimpse of Boxing Ring: 36:48–38:58
• Gunther vs. Throng Tong Boxing Match: 41:08–66:03
• Aftermath, Divine Rejection Sequence: 75:09–77:38
• Chimera Keep Arrival & Sinkhole Incident: 84:15–88:07

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4. Episode Flow & Utility for New Listeners

• Tone: The episode expertly blends irreverent humor, meta-references, deeply personal character moments, and inventive encounters—including a full-on D&D-meets-looney-tunes boxing match.
• Standouts: The favorite word discussion reveals player and character layers; Gunther’s struggle for approval, both mortal and divine, anchors the episode’s heart.
• Story Progression: Significant forward movement, both in party destination (towards Escarpment/Chimera Keep) and in character development, especially Gunther, now burdened with both a championship title and existential shame.
• For New Listeners: This episode encapsulates the show’s style—a mix of genuine storytelling, jokes, improv, and accessible D&D mechanics. Even without prior episodes, newcomers will enjoy the ensemble’s chemistry and the depth of lore revealed.

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5. Conclusion

Episode Highlights:

• The "favorite word" round and banter reinforce character identity and group dynamic.
• Surreal boxing match is both a major comedic setpiece and a mechanism for character growth.
• The campaign’s central mysteries (Pathfinder, Wilder Shield, Escarpment) are deepened, with Gunther’s arc moving into tragicomic territory.
• Ending on a literal cliffhanger—plummeting into a haunted gold mine—leaves stakes high for the next episode.

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6. Recap Table (Quick Reference)

| Time | Segment | Notable Event/Quote | |-----------|------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:21 | Favorite Words | "Submechanophobia... it's fun, it's cool..." – Blaine | | 16:30 | Visions from the Veiled Eye | Gunther’s prison funeral vignette | | 25:53 | Veiled Eye’s Guidance | “Prevail over yourself, then the triumph is truly yours…” | | 36:48 | Find Boxing Ring | “Boxing ring in tundra” – Arrival at the CCCC Championship | | 41:08 | Gunther's Fight vs. Throng Tong | “Let’s hear it for the contender, Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker!” | | 59:54 | Final Blow in Boxing Match | “You lash out with your rapier... landing on the ground…” | | 64:03 | Gunther’s Belt Description | “Very pretty belt... and in the center is a big smiley face.” | | 75:41 | Gunther’s Dream with Wilder Flower | “I think you’ve proven your assistance is not necessary.” | | 77:32 | Wakes to Find AC Halved | “Your AC is diminished—it’s cut in half.” | | 84:38 | Arrival at Chimera Keep | “Castle ruins... occupied and picked over by generations…” | | 88:07 | Sinkhole Drop to Gold Mine | “Heavy footsteps thump in the darkness, heading straight to you.” |

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End of Summary
(Next Episode: Will the team survive what lurks beneath Chimera Keep?)

Transcript

[Gustavo Sorola]

We released a Diagem dice [e-mail] Tis right. Thy prayers hath been answered. All ye faithful followers of Dia. The sacred diagems have been unearthed and can now be yours in the form of dice. Unlock the celestial and magical mysteries of Dia with all six colorful gemstone Diagem dice and the pearlescent white diadem of diagems. D20. Fair warning to all followers of Dia. These premium glass and stone dice have been known to make you roll like gods.

[Blaine Gibson]

I sold my car in Carvana last night.

[John Risinger]

Well, that's cool. No, you don't understand. It went perfectly. Real offer down to the penny.

[Gustavo Sorola]

They're picking it up tomorrow.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Nothing went wrong.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

So what's the problem?

[John Risinger]

That is the problem. Nothing in my life goes as smoothly. I'm waiting for the catch.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Maybe there's no catch.

[Blaine Gibson]

That's exactly what a catch would want me to think.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Wow. You need to relax.

[Gustavo Sorola]

I need to knock on wood.

[Blaine Gibson]

Do we have. What is this table wood?

[Doug Boone]

I think it's laminate.

[John Risinger]

Okay. Yeah, that's good.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

That's close enough.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Car selling without a catch Sell your car today on Carvana. Pick up fees may apply.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Summer starts now with Memorial Day deals at the Home Depot. It's time to fire up summer cookouts with the next grill 4 burner gas grill on special. Buy for only $199 and entertain all season with the Hampton bay West Grove seven piece outdoor dining set for only $499 this Memorial Day. Get low prices guaranteed at the Home Depot while supplies last. Pricing valid May 14th through May 27th. US only exclusion supplies. See homedepot.com pricematch for details.

[Blaine Gibson]

Jubilations. All you jammer leeches glue yourselves to the stinky dragon and lap up our latest libation. Let's larva at first sight. It's a mixture of combustible kombucha tea, passion fruit, spore pulp, organic sugar spikes and a hole of hot water. One drop of this discharged drink is a reminder that life changes when you leech expect it. Previous Lair adventurers were mauled by a monstrous machine of materialism and muck making known as improv. But the brains B Team Best of the battle with boundless big ideas and bizarre buffoonery. Once the bells and whistles had been beaten, the victors were visited by the veiled eye in a vexing verse. After an aha moment, they answered acceptably and acquired an array of advantageous items. Bring over a brew and let's buckle up for this bedtime tape.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Hello, everyone. Welcome to Tales from the Stinky Dragon. I'm your dungeon master, Gustavo Sorola, and I'm. Hit our four players with an arrow.

[John Risinger]

Whee.

[Gustavo Sorola]

I feel like this is going to be a chaotic one. I feel like we got the chaotic energy today. It's in my bones.

[Doug Boone]

Coffee.

[John Risinger]

Question before the question.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, yeah.

[John Risinger]

Okay. Peek behind the curtain. Micah said before you read that I didn't practice this one. Does that insinuate that you practice these things before we record Micah? Because if so, I need recordings of those.

[Blaine Gibson]

Sometimes I do.

[John Risinger]

I need recordings of those practices.

[Gustavo Sorola]

I can't speak to Micah specifically, but I know when I did the intros in the first two campaigns, I made sure to read them at least twice to be ready.

[John Risinger]

Really?

[Gustavo Sorola]

And I still mess. I would still mess them up. When it came time to record, you didn't show.

[Blaine Gibson]

It's one thing to read it in your mind, another thing to say it out loud.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yep, yep, that's exactly it.

[Blaine Gibson]

That's.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

You guys should be like us. People who never fumble over their words.

[Doug Boone]

Not once.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Right, Blaine?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Huh?

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Gustavo Sorola]

And yes, Barbara. Coffee. Coffee, for sure.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Gustavo Sorola]

All right. What are those roles?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh.

[Blaine Gibson]

Oh, probably roll that.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Huh?

[John Risinger]

10.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, my God.

[Doug Boone]

What?

[Blaine Gibson]

12.

[John Risinger]

This is.

[Blaine Gibson]

What's.

[John Risinger]

This is. What's so handy about doing a real roll is that I just had to grab and roll and I could do it faster than everybody else. 2.

[Gustavo Sorola]

And you can lie about it.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Click of a button.

[John Risinger]

I can lie about it, sure.

[Blaine Gibson]

Two of you guys took a number.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Two. All right, so it's 12. Then Natty and Doug and Gunther need to roll off because you both had two.

[Blaine Gibson]

Because you guys took a number.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Not 22.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Get out of here.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

All right, 12. So Doug wins 12.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Natty Doug Gunther. This week's question, submitted by mini hammy. 11, is what is your favorite word and why? What is your favorite word and why? We're gonna lead it off.

[Blaine Gibson]

Mini Hammy. Tov.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Mini Hammy. I'm a little peckish. I go for a mini Hammy.

[Blaine Gibson]

A little mini Hammy. Not a full hammy. Mini Hammy. Explain.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Gibson, is that a new version of an uncrustable?

[Doug Boone]

That's a mini hammy.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, yeah. Instead of a sweet one, a savory one.

[Blaine Gibson]

Do they make savory uncrustables?

[Gustavo Sorola]

I don't think so. I don't think I've seen that. Guys. Groundbreaking. We're gonna pivot the company. No more D and D podcast.

[John Risinger]

Cut the recording. Cut the recording.

[Blaine Gibson]

I think they did grilled cheese at one point. But anyways. Hello, I'm Blaine Gibson, and I play to you who. I'm a male thaumatech barbarian from the hood. Oh, what's up? The hood of my mom's car. That's how thaumatechs are born. And my. Ooh, this is a tough one, because normally I love pneumatic. It's a great word. And I also have a ptnematic system going through my body. But I have to say submerkanaphobia because, you know, it's like, it's fun, it's cool. It also is relevant to me because I was walking on the ocean floor for so long and people would point and go, oh, no, my submechanophobia. Oh, it's acting up.

[Doug Boone]

Is that like a fear of things like machinery underwater and stuff like that?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah.

[Blaine Gibson]

So I like the word, and I love it so much that I spread some mechanophobia throughout the lands by jump scaring boaters and sailors.

[Gustavo Sorola]

This. Isn't this the second time you've used that word as the answer for an arrow? Tolf.

[Blaine Gibson]

Submechanophobia.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

I have heard this before. Yes.

[Blaine Gibson]

Oh, wait, you guys did ask, what is our favorite fear?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Or what's your biggest fear? So it's weird that you didn't realize. Realize it. That you're reusing it. I thought it was a joke on your part. It's just unintentional.

[Blaine Gibson]

It was.

[John Risinger]

It substantiates how much Blaine likes this word.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah, it was all a clever joke. Got you. Please move on to the next person.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

It's a fun word to say.

[Gustavo Sorola]

It is. It is fun. That's. That's a big one. That's a. That. That's a word. That'll get you a lot of points. It's gravel.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah, very true.

[Gustavo Sorola]

You can show off your. Your. The. The breadth of your vocabulary by. By. By throwing out that word at parties and when you're with friends. But anyway, we're moving on. Up next, I believe we have Natty.

[John Risinger]

Hello, everybody. I'm John Risinger, who plays everyone's favorite drag queen, mother of the bringer of the apocalypse, and drow icon, Natty Wonder.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Agreed. Icon indeed.

[John Risinger]

If I had to pick my favorite word. And we're gonna just play a game here and say I gotta pick something other than Gigi because that's my favorite thing in the world.

[Gustavo Sorola]

It's a proper noun.

[John Risinger]

Yeah, it is.

[Blaine Gibson]

It's a word.

[John Risinger]

Names are words.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, it's true. True.

[John Risinger]

I would say I Might be teaching y' all a new word here. Okay.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Ooh.

[John Risinger]

The word is pre mundane.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

It's like prima donna.

[John Risinger]

Well, you're just adding layers as to why I like this word. Any reference to any sort of diva or queen I'm happy with. Pre. Mundane is a word we use to describe the time before creation or before we were alive and that kind of thing. And I love that because I feel like everyone becomes obsessed and scared of the other version, which is, you know, post mundane. Post mundane. Who's a great rapper, I have to say. But I love this idea of, like, there was all this time before creation, because if time's infinite, there has to be a time before, you know, everything we knew existed. And I love. I love that infinity in another direction that we kind of. We don't. We don't pay mind to because it's in the past, because it's something of a dream that we didn't experience and could not experience. So I love that. I love that. I think it's beautiful.

[Blaine Gibson]

I want to submit that as. Narrow question. What do you think that time was, like? Probably gassy, because in my mind, it's like. It's like an empty Nintendo lobby where it's playing some, like, elevator music, like,

[Barbara Dunkelman]

White Void.

[John Risinger]

I like it. I like it. Yeah. So that's my favorite word. I love to think about that, and I love. There's a beautiful word to describe it.

[Gustavo Sorola]

So just to be clear, just because I feel like there's an interpretation here.

[John Risinger]

Okay.

[Gustavo Sorola]

You're talking about a time before all existence, not a time before your existence.

[John Risinger]

I believe it specifically describes the time before all existence, but I like to also apply it to this. This kind of mentality of thinking about the time before I existed, because I perceive the world through my own perspective as that being what is reality. But reality existed before me, and. And there was a world before. It was a. It was a drabber world before Natty. It was a worser world before Natty. And so, yeah, so that.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

That's.

[John Risinger]

That's what I like to think about.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Okay.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, it's. Yeah. That is an interesting concept of the nothingness before instead of the nothingness after. I like that.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah.

[John Risinger]

Whoa.

[Doug Boone]

That's, like, so deep.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

All right, all right, all right.

[Gustavo Sorola]

I got some real existential dread. Someone turned a fan on. It's got a little smoky here in the. In the booth. Next up, I believe was Doug.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

It is. Hello, everyone.

[Doug Boone]

It's Barbara Dunkelman playing Doug Boone, the artificer Bugbear, currently level eight And Gustavo, to no surprise, Doug knows a lot of words. No, he's studied a lot of them. He's read a lot of them.

[Gustavo Sorola]

He has all the best words.

[Doug Boone]

Knowledge of words.

[John Risinger]

Prove it.

[Doug Boone]

Well, you know, he's heard of pre montaigne and subnauticophobia and anything else you guys have that you want to throw at him.

[John Risinger]

But I like the idea that you say a word to Doug and he just goes, yep, I heard of it. And that's just the end of it.

[Doug Boone]

We should have a little spelling bee in here, see how it goes.

[John Risinger]

I did a spelling bee once.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Did you really?

[John Risinger]

I did.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Oh, gosh, that's impressive. I feel like I'd be wrong.

[John Risinger]

I didn't win.

[Blaine Gibson]

You didn't say you won.

[John Risinger]

To be very clear, I didn't win at all. I won my class. And then I went to the school spelling bee and I lost.

[Gustavo Sorola]

That spell.

[Doug Boone]

Purple P, E, O. Yeah, but Doug's favorite word is fudgel.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Fudgel.

[Doug Boone]

Fudgel. Yes. Have you heard of this word, Gustavo?

[Gustavo Sorola]

No.

[Doug Boone]

Listen, not only is it a fun word to say, I mean, say it again. Fudgel.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Fudgel.

[Doug Boone]

What a hoot. But fudgel means to pretend to work or look busy while actually doing nothing.

[Gustavo Sorola]

You just described my entire career. Doug.

[Blaine Gibson]

John's an expert at being a fudgel.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Got him.

[Gustavo Sorola]

No, I didn't know there was a word for that.

[Doug Boone]

Well, guess what, Doug just blew your mind. And none of us, I would say none of us in this room have ever been guilty of fudgling. Being a fudgel. I don't actually know how you use it in a sentence.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Doug just knows the words. Not necessarily the intricacies, the ins and outs. I'm gonna say it's.

[John Risinger]

It sounds a verb.

[Blaine Gibson]

Fudgel.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, it sounds like verbish. I'm gonna say fudgeling.

[Doug Boone]

Yeah, like you spent the afternoon fudgeling

[Gustavo Sorola]

at your had a. I forget the exact scenario, but there was someone in our patreon over at sneakydragonpod.com, someone in our discord, I should say, who was talking about a new job they had started and they didn't have anything to do and they couldn't leave. And I sent this person a link to like a four hour YouTube video of Windows Update. And I was like, just put this on your computer, full screen. It walk away. You're done for the day. Wow, that is peak fudgeling.

[John Risinger]

Did you ever. You guys probably didn't do this, but I had a special access to people's computers at my first job as being an IT worker. And there were some people that I worked with that were my friends. And so when I would go to their computers, I would hide their start menu at the bottom, take a screenshot of their desktop, change their background to be that screenshot, and hide all their icons so they couldn't click on anything. Ah, the good old days of Windows 98. A classic prank.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Amazing.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

That's so good.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Sometimes. I'm gonna make a confession here. If you're in a little circle of trust, it's just us. Don't tell anyone. Don't tell anybody else. Sometimes in the earlier rooster teeth days, if Gus needed a moment, if Gus needed a minute, I would offline one of our web servers and reinstall it and recompile it, because it's like, I'd be like, I'm just gonna reinstall this web server because it's like I gotta stare at a screen of just, like, moving text recompiling for like, an hour. Be like, all right. Nope, can't do anything. Sorry. The web server fixing it right now.

[John Risinger]

That's so genius.

[Gustavo Sorola]

It's like. It's something that probably needed to be done eventually. It's like, I'm going to take a moment. I'm going to sit here. I'm going to watch this. This is a task. You can't bother me because I'm doing this thing.

[John Risinger]

Oh, sorry. I got to defrag my computer, as that takes a while. Sorry.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Or you could just be honest and tell people that you're about to. You're going to go fudgel at your desk. They won't know what it means.

[Gustavo Sorola]

They're going to call HR I think. Doug, that's a. That's a great word. Thank you for expending vocabulary slack afterwards.

[John Risinger]

If we can leave that joke in.

[Gustavo Sorola]

It's one of those things that goes right over your head. Gunther, you're up next.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes, I'm. I'm Christmas Gunther, the male crook folk fighter. And I'm glad that we said that proper nouns were okay, because I would like to say that my favorite word is my waipunya. I see that sometimes.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Can you say it again? Okay. That's right. Okay, gotcha.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I'd say,

[Doug Boone]

is it bunya or punya?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

P with the P. Ponyo.

[John Risinger]

B with a p. He's married to a magic fish.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Nice.

[Blaine Gibson]

Spell it Gay. Spell it for us.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

P, U, N, Y, P. Uh, punya.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Got him.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Punya got him.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

If not that, then I would say slippery.

[Gustavo Sorola]

That's A good one too.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Very same thing I was gonna say.

[Blaine Gibson]

When she makes puns, do you call her Punya?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes.

[John Risinger]

Great.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay.

[John Risinger]

Yes.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

That's my nickname in high school.

[John Risinger]

Hey Blaine, was that the response you wanted? Was that you know, it was that adequate.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Slippery is another one of your favorites. Gunther.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

That's an my favorite non pro now or not.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yes. Well, I mean I feel like if. If it's. If it's a word you like enough, you could adapt it if you ever. Maybe for one of your children. You can name them Slippy. They could become a great explorer helping other. Other animal friends. Yeah. Maybe they could learn to fly.

[John Risinger]

Maybe go to school. Very good, Bar.

[Gustavo Sorola]

That was really good. That was really good. Natty, as you're changing Diggy's diaper, one of the shooting stars lands in your hand.

[John Risinger]

Oh, but it misses Natty's hand and lands in the diaper.

[Gustavo Sorola]

No, now you gotta retrieve it.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

It's a black dark star. A black star.

[Gustavo Sorola]

It's a coiled relic known as the chain reigns of rustling.

[Blaine Gibson]

And you have to stick it in the mouth.

[Gustavo Sorola]

It's horse reins made of black chains. And it feels like sand to the touch. The chains don't make much noise and you can. It allows you to summon those who seek runaways of death.

[John Risinger]

Oh, I like that.

[Doug Boone]

You rustling.

[John Risinger]

Yeehaw.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Cool.

[John Risinger]

Natty. I guess, I don't know, puts it around her neck as like a necklace. I don't know how to carry this, but I'm going to put it that way.

[Gustavo Sorola]

You'll figure it out. Yeah. And you know, as you all look over these shooting stars and these items that have landed in your hand, you look down and you realize you can see. See the veiled eye as well. And the veiled eye is looking up at the four of you.

[Veiled Eye]

I remember. It's about time you met the pathfinder.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Clouds float around all of you, each depicting a scene playing out a moment in time in which each of you is the main character. Why don't you all tell me what these scenes are? Why don't you all roll a D20 and we'll go in that order.

[John Risinger]

Nine.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Three.

[Blaine Gibson]

Also nine.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Eighteen.

[Blaine Gibson]

Roll off. John.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Eleven.

[Blaine Gibson]

Two.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Chris Blaine. John Bark. So Gunther, you see clouds floating around you depicting scenes playing out a moment in time with you as the main character. So get just like a. Like a little micro vignette, something like a little snapshot into what you think you might see. And then meta wise, if you want some inspiration, we can provide you some inspiration.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Okay.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Well I'm now Curious what the inspiration is.

[Gustavo Sorola]

So we have. I love it. Michael makes tables for lots of things, so you can roll 3D6 if you want. And I can give you, like, kind of like improv, right? Like a little setting, a little. Some adjectives to help you set the scene.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay, let's do that. I had something in mind, but that sounds fun.

[Gustavo Sorola]

So the table has things like activity, trait, and place. So, Chris, you rolled a three, a five, and a six. So you could say. In this case, it would be escorting frozen tomb.

[Doug Boone]

Whoa.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

All right. You're the main character.

[Doug Boone]

Hit it.

[Blaine Gibson]

And action.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Well, I like it. Again, it's kind of like an improv theater, right? Where you're like, all right, give me this, give me that. Give me an activity. Give me a trait. Give me a place. And. And then you just kind of build something with it. And you don't have to use them if you don't want to.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

When I was in the prison, there was a friend of mine who. They passed away, and they do not do with traditional funerals. They assign us to carry them up and then dump them into the lake. It is a very sad and not particularly pleasant way to. Honors are someone that you have grown to know. So I had a friend of mine who I knew from the prison. We would sometimes work together when we had to do work detail. Their name was Larry, and they were taken by a sickness, and I had to take them, and it was. So I carried them up, and I had words to myself because I wanted to send them off with honor. And so I said I carried them, and then I had to throw them into the lake. And I hope that I can someday tell Larry's family that he died with honor, even though that'd be nice. I don't know if he did.

[Blaine Gibson]

You bought me a red X.

[Gustavo Sorola]

You can't help it, Blaine. So it's like, if that sense makes meme of the guy sweating, like, holding it in at the desk.

[John Risinger]

It was also like a Doppler effect, like he was running by Chris as he was saying it.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

It's just the first name that came into my mind.

[John Risinger]

Yeah, get her done. That's right.

[Gustavo Sorola]

So, Chris, I. I do want.

[John Risinger]

By the way, that's not Larry the cable guy's joke, by the way. It's not what?

[Gustavo Sorola]

That's Jeff Foxworthy.

[John Risinger]

You might be a reg neck. That's Jeff Foxworthy.

[Blaine Gibson]

Oh, they all did it. They're all in the same.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Chris.

[Blaine Gibson]

I.

[Gustavo Sorola]

You know, obviously, we rolled on the inspiration table and came up with these. I. I gotta Commend you for making the callback to the prison and the frozen location. So I want you to take an inspiration die on that. I thought that was really good. That was some good storytelling, some good vignetting.

[Blaine Gibson]

There you go, Chris.

[John Risinger]

I think Gus should have little jars for each of us. Instead of inspiration dying, he fills them

[Blaine Gibson]

up with marbles when we do.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Good.

[John Risinger]

And when you get the jar filled up all the way, you get a pizza party.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

You get that Tomic, boss.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Could things also be removed from the jar? Question for not.

[Gustavo Sorola]

That'd be good. Blaine's would be. Blaine would owe me marbles, a cobweb and spider.

[John Risinger]

It's just Gus smashing his jar on the ground.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Who's up next? Was it Tol?

[Blaine Gibson]

I believe so. Okay, so can you give me the prompt one more time? I'm making a scene in.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yes. Clouds are floating all around you, depicting a scene playing out in a moment in time in which you are the main character. So we seem like a little micro vignette, little story.

[Blaine Gibson]

And this is in the past. This isn't in the future. Could it be in the future?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, sure.

[John Risinger]

Okay. So the confidence of a DM asked a question they weren't expecting.

[Gustavo Sorola]

I expected everyone to be in the past. But if you want to see the future or whatever. Yeah, I mean, go for it.

[Blaine Gibson]

Let's just put it this way. In Tol's mind, this is the ideal outcome to his mission. This is what he's been fighting for. So Tol imagines he's surrounded by all of his thaumatech brethren. None of them are wearing disguises. They're all out and proud. They are wearing different, you know, robes and things of, like, regalia that are, like, you know, befitting of a person of high status, meaning that they've climbed the societal ladder and are no longer needing to be hidden. And they are brokering, like, peace negotiations with other races. There are no war. There are no weapons. And then the setting is also like a government type building that was, like, newly commissioned, built by all of the different species from, you know, across the world. And there's a statue of Bjorn to honor something that he started that ended with his son Tolv.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, that's nice.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

You have your redneck.

[Blaine Gibson]

Sorry.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh, God.

[Blaine Gibson]

It's on me.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Another marble.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

If it's a statue of Bjorn.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Isn't that also technically a statue of you?

[Blaine Gibson]

Yes, but by this point, and I see where you're going, and no, I am not that vain. Slash. What do they call that when you have blemish.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, yeah.

[Blaine Gibson]

I mean, I am, but I'm not.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I didn't say main character.

[John Risinger]

All right.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah. No, but, like, with this vision, Tolv is also out not wearing his Bjorn disguise because it is a disguise.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Right.

[Blaine Gibson]

So he's just in his normal thaumatech body, and it's just honoring Bjorn because Bjorn opens Tol's eyes to the possibility of peace and love and stuff like that between differing species.

[Gustavo Sorola]

So it's at a point where Bjorn and Tov are at 100%, like, distinct. Like, right now, it might be a little muddy because you're wearing the disguise and everything, but this is a future where you don't have to wear that anymore. And it's recognized that Bjorn was this person and Tov is this thaumatech.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah, yeah. He's like a mentor that, you know, kind of paved the way to that, you know, success story.

[John Risinger]

Great.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Beautiful.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Natty, I believe you're up next.

[John Risinger]

Yeah. Natty, what I see is I see a picture of the day I left my village. It was a big celebration. Everybody came and sent me off. My mamas were there, and it was all because of. I had had my dream in which I was married to the silent steed. And that was a big deal in my village. And so kind of. It's kind of like I'm failing to figure out a better, less, like, boasty way of being. Like, it was, like, a chosen one moment, but it was like, oh, you got bigger things to do that are outside this village. And so we're gonna send you off like we would, like a family. It was a big party, and they sent me off, and that's when I went off to join the military and be a part of that organization and see where that took me. And look where it's brought me. It's brought me to all kinds of things beyond just being a grunt. So it's all been according to plan so far.

[Doug Boone]

It's brought you to us.

[John Risinger]

Yeah.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Nice. I like that. It's like a celebration, and you're leaving your old family and finding your new family.

[John Risinger]

Yeah. Gigi and Captain.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah.

[Doug Boone]

Wait a minute.

[Blaine Gibson]

Cut to what really happened. And they're, like, chasing out Natty with pitchforks and torches.

[Gustavo Sorola]

That's. Yeah. That's sad. All right. And then last and definitely not least, we've got Doug Boone.

[Doug Boone]

So my vision is, you know, back in my hometown, my home village, back when, you know, things were still hustling and bustling, and my parents were there and my brother and everyone the whole village was having trouble, you know, really keeping up with trying to farm and to gather resources. And you know, I had this idea for an invention that would automatically like cut down trees and harvest all the fruits and all the vegetables and the crops and everything like that. And everyone, you know, recognized Doug for that. And they said, here, here, here, Doug Boone, you are the hero of this village. You have saved us from our struggles and our famine. But then I woke up and that actually didn't happen.

[John Risinger]

There it is.

[Doug Boone]

And I was here in my bed with these guys. So maybe someday the glory of my work will be celebrated.

[Gustavo Sorola]

But yeah, so it could be, you know, like we said, it could be past, it could be future, could be alternate futures. So yeah, hopefully you can manifest this and bring it to fruit.

[Veiled Eye]

If the world of Midras is a map, the Pathfinder would be just off the edge, in uncharted territory. You must travel to escarpment of exiles. There you will find what we'll call the doorway to the Pathfinder. But I can see the way to that doorway is not fixed for you. The future is always changing. The path often winds. That's why I've provided Doug with the Guiding Providence sensor. It's a device the Pathfinder and I had been working on before they left into hiding. To be honest, I don't quite understand the inner workings on this invention. But I know it can provide guidance to you during your travels. The first step is to tell it your desired destination.

[Gustavo Sorola]

And he nods to you, Doug, inviting you to try it out.

[Doug Boone]

Okay.

[Gustavo Sorola]

And to use it, you just need to call out the name of your desired location. And the device gives you a direction.

[John Risinger]

Natty yells OUT Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, that's a good one. That's a good one.

[Doug Boone]

I prefer the Taco Bell over the Pizza Hut. So I don't know if I want to muddle those two in there. Accidentally show up at a Pizza Hut instead of a Taco Bell, you know. Well, does it have to be a place that I've seen or been to before?

[Gustavo Sorola]

No, it does not have to be a place you've been to before. The Veiled Eye did tell you to travel to the escarpment of exiles.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Escarpment of exiles. So I imagine that's where we should go. I know we've been on our journey to like four different places, always at the same time. It's seems like so.

[Doug Boone]

But you know, what if the Veiled Eye wants us to go there? And I know how important it is to find the Pathfinder Escarpment of Exiles Hip hip hooray.

[John Risinger]

Cowabunga.

[Gustavo Sorola]

The device chirps to life like a birdsong in spring. Then you hear a voice utter instructions to you, Doug.

[Veiled Eye]

I hope it helps guide you on the path to destiny. Time is of the essence. But before you go, Doug, may I offer a piece of wisdom to you? It's in regards to that invention from which you feel shame.

[Doug Boone]

Yes, of course.

[Veiled Eye]

As I understand it, you feel remorse for the hand you had in what befell you, Brother Phil.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

That's.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

That's.

[Doug Boone]

Yeah, that's correct.

[Veiled Eye]

Even so, for reasons that remain a mystery, the thresholder remains tangled up in your stars. I've seen the signs and the constellations myself. My wisdom to you. It is better to prevail over yourself than to find victory over countless battles. Then the triumph is truly yours. It cannot be plundered from you. Not by demigods or demons. Not even by Hira or Umdar. Good luck, dear friends of fate.

[Gustavo Sorola]

He looks at Doug with a kind eye.

[Veiled Eye]

I look forward to discovering how you figure it all out. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a temple to cleanse now.

[Gustavo Sorola]

With a clapping of his hands together in a prayerful posture, the surrounding clouds, glossy floor and a sky full of stars collapse in on the veiled eye like a rushing singularity that surprisingly ends with silence. You all find yourselves outside the threshold of the labyrinth. Except wait. The labyrinth has vanished. Nearby, the once icy keep is practically slush, with no sign of the fire eater. But mixed with the mush are several burned Undarian corpses, a few still flinching with life.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Gross.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. What do I want to do?

[Doug Boone]

We gotta head north.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Alright.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Could we sort out by where the sun is and everything like that, which way north is?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, I think you all have a pretty good handle on the direction. So you know which way north is. So you all begin to travel north, and after an hour you feel the temperature plummet even further into colder conditions. It doesn't seem possible, but now that the sun isn't visible on the horizon, the warmth of its embrace are now but a memory. Another hour passes and the land is barren, save for ice and snow. It's difficult to know how much progress you've actually made on your journey without physical landmarks along the way. But then you hear something. It sounds like a crowd over the next hill. Are they shouting? Are they cheering? Rioting? It's tough to say from this distance. What do you guys want to do?

[Blaine Gibson]

Perhaps we should approach carefully and not like, you know, announce our presence. Just to get a feel for things.

[John Risinger]

Yeah, we just, we just walk towards the noise. I feel like that's just a good thing to do at this point.

[Doug Boone]

Yeah, I mean we're just, we're just passerbyers.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Winther, you need to put on your dug suit. Oh, yes.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Excellent. Tidy.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Doug grabs Gunther and like, shoves him into like where his vest is.

[Blaine Gibson]

And I thought they smelt bad on the outside.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, there it is.

[Blaine Gibson]

Also guiding Providence sensor gps. That's pretty good.

[Gustavo Sorola]

I know what you're talking about.

[H]

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[Blaine Gibson]

And if you're anything like me, you like efficiency.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

All right.

[Blaine Gibson]

I don't want to hunt down my wallet. Whenever I'm making an online purchase, I want to press like three buttons max before I second guess my spinning habits.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Okay?

[Blaine Gibson]

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[Barbara Dunkelman]

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[Gustavo Sorola]

All right, so what was the consensus here? Walk by because you're passerbys? Is that what I'm taking?

[Barbara Dunkelman]

I think we're gonna walk towards them, but maybe, like, try to be more sneaky about it just so we could see who they are or what's going on without necessarily, like, having them see us.

[Blaine Gibson]

Like, casual.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. Yeah, that's exactly what I was going to say. So are you talking, like, when you say that, Barbara, do you mean, like, make stealth rolls and try to hide or just kind of like casually walk by, like, not trying to draw attention? Like, what level of stealthiness are you envisioning here?

[Doug Boone]

To the point where we're not necessarily

[Barbara Dunkelman]

trying to hide, but, like, if there's a group of people all the way over there, I want to get close enough to where, like, they don't notice me, but I could see. See them and hear them. Potentially.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Sure.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

So maybe a stealth check would probably make sense, though.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. Why doesn't everyone make a stealth check? We'll call it a group stealth check. And just for my clarification, are you talking like, cresting the hill and looking over or like, kind of taking the long way and walking around it and like, trying to peek around it?

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Cresting the hill, I would say.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay,

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I rolled a one.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Yeah, I rolled an 18.

[John Risinger]

I rolled a nat 2010.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

It's cause I. I took cold.

[Blaine Gibson]

His teeth are chattering, so they just telegraph.

[Gustavo Sorola]

So that's an 18 for Doug, a 10 for Tolve, a 9 for Gunther. And was that a 20 for Natty?

[John Risinger]

Yeah, Nat 20.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay.

[John Risinger]

So 23.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Technically, yeah, it's a group stealth check. So even with that less than ideal roll from Gunther, you still managed to successfully do it.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. So, you know, you crest the hill, trying to keep low to it, looking for, you know, it's a pretty barren landscape, but trying to look for any rocks or natural occurrences that you can kind of duck behind and. And peak. And when you crest the hill and look over on the other side of the hill, you see a boxing ring in the middle of the tundra. They're scaffolding with lighting and grandstands, crowded with all kinds of people. Wow.

[John Risinger]

It's like one of them, like those, like, off the grid, like, entertainment areas.

[Blaine Gibson]

Oh, no. Natty's addicted to gambling.

[Gustavo Sorola]

We need to watch her carefully.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

I was gonna ask if you could see who's fighting?

[Gustavo Sorola]

That's an excellent question. Give yourself an esprit.

[Doug Boone]

Wow.

[Gustavo Sorola]

I like when you prompt me. It's like it's the next thing I'm trying to get to. And you set it up just right for me. In one corner of the ring, you see several small folk with matching hoods on. They can best be described as spangled. And the small folk look to be huddled together, some shuffling with fancy footwork, some shadow boxing. And the opposite corner remains empty.

[John Risinger]

You're going to have to have to help me with what's spangled means.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

I keep thinking star spangled. And I was like that.

[John Risinger]

Yeah, it's that word.

[Gustavo Sorola]

But is it just adorned something decorated with small shining objects like sequins, beads or glittering spots?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay, what kind of people were prepping for fighting?

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Small folk.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Small folk, yeah.

[Blaine Gibson]

And are they operating like a unit? Because you said that there was no one else in the other corner.

[Gustavo Sorola]

It seems like it. And as you're examining them, you hear a disembodied voice reverberating loudly for all of you to hear. In this corner, the returning seven time champions of the cross country clash of competitive combatants Championship all the way from Swang Sands. Give it up for the Throng Tong. The crowd goes wild, chanting, throng Tong. Throng Tong. Throng Tong.

[John Risinger]

Natty starts joining in. Throng Tong. Throng.

[Gustavo Sorola]

To this corner, the silver medalist in the best burrow blowout bout all the way from Fly Fats. Let's hear it for the contender, Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker.

[John Risinger]

Gunther. Gunther. Gunther.

[Blaine Gibson]

Gunther.

[Doug Boone]

Why didn't you tell us you were competing? This is so exciting.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I didn't.

[Gustavo Sorola]

What a surprise.

[Blaine Gibson]

I'm so excited for you.

[John Risinger]

You don't tell us nothing ever.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I did not know.

[John Risinger]

Typical Gunther.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

This is a news to me.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

I'm surprised none of you kept going. Throng tongue.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Let's hear it for the contender, Gunther Bootkiss. Windbreaker Gunther.

[Doug Boone]

They call. They're calling for you.

[John Risinger]

You're a fighter. This is what you're meant for.

[Doug Boone]

I think you gotta go in there, dog.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Throw me. Throw me.

[Blaine Gibson]

What's your entrance song? You need to have a cool walkout song. Like walkout music.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I don't know. You beatbox and throw me,

[Gustavo Sorola]

dog. Throw me.

[Doug Boone]

All right, here we go.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Should I do a strength roll?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. Make a strength check.

[John Risinger]

How pathetic is this gonna be?

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Well, my strength is not good.

[John Risinger]

Yeah.

[Blaine Gibson]

Seven.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. You try to throw Gunther, but he doesn't make it very far. Gunther, make a dex check.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

18.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. You almost trip. Doug tosses you and you kind of like stumble over a rock, but you. You make it just a couple of feet in front of him.

[Doug Boone]

I was just meant to give you a head start. That's all.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

It is more than a head. Thank you. And I guess I'll go up. Is there like a referee? Who's the announcer person? We don't see them.

[Gustavo Sorola]

No, you don't. It's a disembodied voice that's coming out over the speakers that are in the. In the scaffolding.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I guess I'll walk up. I was.

[John Risinger]

Who.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

What are the rules?

[Gustavo Sorola]

All right, we're gonna have a 12.3minute rounds, no punching below the belt. Let's keep it a clean fight.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Goodness me.

[Gustavo Sorola]

I'll tell you what, why don't you Roll me a D10, Gunther.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Five.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay. You should. Or you need to contribute five gold pieces to the winner's pot. Okay. So hopefully you can win. All right, Go ahead and roll me. Initiative.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Just Gunther. Right?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah.

[Blaine Gibson]

Okay, so it's one human sized frog against seven frog Siiz. Humans.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yes. Or we potentially. They're still wearing their. Their covers.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

It's an 11. Are we.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Are we boxing?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

So like, no weapons, like unarmed, like. What's that?

[Gustavo Sorola]

It's up to you. Well, I rolled a 13. I'll get to it here in. In just a second. Luckily, they go first, so you'll get to see how they. How they approach it.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah, luckily, Chris.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Lucky for you, Strong tong tong you,

[Gustavo Sorola]

you know, you enter the ring and contribute to the winner's pot. Get ready, you know, to. To engage your opponent. And the opponent in the other side of the ring in the other corner addresses you. Guess what, Gunther, it's time for your next lesson. And the second. Small folk throw off their hoods, revealing 7th tongue boxers. Their hands and tongues are wearing boxing gloves. And they're each wearing matching bubblegum colored spangled shorts and high tops.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Do I recognize. These are different though. They're the same ones that I fought previously. That like.

[Gustavo Sorola]

These are different ones. Yeah, these are different ones. Different.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay.

[Blaine Gibson]

Well, if you remember, because we encountered your aunt and then we encountered those like that duo.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah.

[Blaine Gibson]

I feel like didn't we get warned that you were just gonna have these random encounters with.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah, cool. I did not know they were so small.

[Gustavo Sorola]

To. Why don't you give a pep talk to Gunther? Okay.

[Blaine Gibson]

All right, Rock Gunty, you're gonna go out there, you're gonna give him a left and a right.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay.

[Blaine Gibson]

You can give him a jab and an uppercut.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Jab and uppercut. Yes.

[Blaine Gibson]

Let me see your war face.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I think he just goes cross eyed.

[Blaine Gibson]

Give me, give me a war cry. Okay, now give me your best punch. Give me, give me a couple of hits to raises his hands.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Gunther's not particularly strong, so she's gonna

[Blaine Gibson]

be like just little wet slaps. That's great. That's great. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Is that good? Yeah.

[Gustavo Sorola]

All right, why don't you roll me a charisma check with advantage to see if you're to able to pep Gunther up there.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay.

[Blaine Gibson]

Six and a three.

[John Risinger]

Sorry.

[Blaine Gibson]

Gunther,

[Gustavo Sorola]

you're going to do great.

[Blaine Gibson]

Just remember, you, you, you. I love you so much and you're

[Gustavo Sorola]

going to do great.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Because of to's ineffective pep talk, you're going to get minus one on your next attack roll.

[John Risinger]

Gunther, wait. Before the boxing match starts, Cap' n Grumbles walks by the ring with a number over their head.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

He would be a ring girl.

[Gustavo Sorola]

The throng tong jumps to action. And all of them come out in front of you, waving their hands around. Waving their hands and their tongues around, being ready to engage in fisticuffs. And they hit AC25, which I assume

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

is a hit that would hit. Yes.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. They lash out with a flurry of quick jabs, doing 16 points of bludgeoning damage.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Eek.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

And I'm already injured too.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, yeah, look at that.

[John Risinger]

We took a lot of damage.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. They engage in a little bit of fancy footwork and one of them's tongues lashes out to faint a punch right at your face. Why don't you make me a wisdom saving throw?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

That was a seven, but I guess minus one, so six.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, no, no. The minus one's on your next attack roll.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh.

[Gustavo Sorola]

So yeah, the tongue comes out and you go to block yourself. When you move your hands up to block the tongue, a jab comes in and hits you in the ribs. Doing 12 points of bludgeoning damage. And you have disadvantage on your next attack.

[Blaine Gibson]

Jeez, that's just child's play, Gunther.

[Gustavo Sorola]

You can do it. Chin up, pal.

[Blaine Gibson]

Gunther. Gunther.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Gunther.

[John Risinger]

Move your feet. Move your feet.

[Gustavo Sorola]

All right, it's your turn, Gunther.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

My turn?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay. Yeah. And meta wise, you could do whatever you want, whatever kind of attack you want to do.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay, so they're all little guys. They're all like stacked up.

[John Risinger]

Is that a gun?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I have a gun.

[Gustavo Sorola]

They're, they're, they're toads. They're probably roughly the same size as you.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

They're thoads.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Do any of them look like bun lap.

[Gustavo Sorola]

You can make me an investigation check if you want, Doug.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

I'll do that. I'm looking under those hoods. Sixteen.

[Gustavo Sorola]

No. None of them look like Bunlap. You have not seen these thoads before.

[Doug Boone]

I should have known. None of them are hot.

[Gustavo Sorola]

I haven't obsessed over any of these NPCs yet, so, you know, it's not one lap. That's funny.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay, so I can just attack with my sword as normal?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah. Okay.

[Gustavo Sorola]

But you do because of their. What they did in. Because of to's pep talk. You have disadvantage and minus one on this next attack.

[John Risinger]

My bad.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

All right, that's SC Here. Wait, so minus one to both of them?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. Well, whatever. You roll with disadvantage and then whatever's the better one do minus one on that.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay. And we'll go an attack. Oh, that's. So there's a 27 and 11.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. So then disadvantage. You take the 11, but then minus one 10.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

10.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, it's. That's a miss. Yeah. You're so befuddled by this attacks and the strong tong in front of you. You're just not able to focus on which one to attack. And your rapier misses. All of them.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

They're so slippery.

[Gustavo Sorola]

That is a good word. You get inspiration die.

[Blaine Gibson]

That was funny.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Dang it.

[Gustavo Sorola]

I already have it.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I should have used it on my attack.

[Doug Boone]

This fight is anything but pretty mundane.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Second attack, which was a nat 20.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay, so you. You go. You. You kind of shake it off. Go to attack again. And you rolled a nat 20 for a 28. However, they begin bobbing and weaving, seemingly like they're expecting your attack. So you need to re roll that.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh, once more. Another nat 20. No. Inspiration die. I shall use insp of my three.

[Gustavo Sorola]

So get the inspiration die. Oh.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

17.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, that connects.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes. I shall hit you.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yes. Go ahead and roll your damage. You know what they say. Float like a butterfly, sting like a. Like a throng tong.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

That's 10.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Ooh. 10 points of piercing damage.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Despite their best efforts bobbing and weaving, you're able to connect and hit them. Pierce one of them with your race beer. Doing 10 points of damage.

[Blaine Gibson]

Great hit, Koen Thug. Keep it up. You can do it.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I want to do menacing attack.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Ooh, what does that do? That sounds scary.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

When you hit with the weapon attack, you can spend one superiority die. To add to total to the damage roll and target must make a wisdom saving throw of DC16 on a failure. They're frightened of me. Until the end of my next Turn.

[Gustavo Sorola]

So that adds on to the attack you already made.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Mm.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay. And you said and you make a wisdom saving throw.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah, yeah.

[Gustavo Sorola]

What's the DC on that?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Sixteen.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Sixteen. All right, I've got plus one, so I need a 15 or better nine. So that's a 10. So that's a failure.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes, they are afraid of me. I say you back down, toads.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Ooh, they're afraid. And you did additional damage.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

An extra 5 damage.

[Doug Boone]

I could tell from over here he's being really menacing.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

And I go to my. I take a moment and go to my corner and to splashes water on me. I'm like, oh, that's so cold. But then it also gives me a second wind.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh. Available exclusively for for Patreon members@stinky dragonpod.com at. Gunther, I didn't know you were on a Patreon.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Let me see what the second Windows 1D 10 +8.

[Gustavo Sorola]

And that's HP.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah, that's only 10 total, but I'll take it.

[Gustavo Sorola]

It's better than nothing. All right, so that's it for your turn, Gunther.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

And I do that my fighting face that I practice with Toll and go cross eyed.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah, that'll show him.

[Gustavo Sorola]

All right, so we're back at the top of the initiative order. So who wants to give Gunther a pep talk this time?

[Doug Boone]

I'll do it.

[Gustavo Sorola]

All right. All right, Doug, what do you say?

[Barbara Dunkelman]

I think Doug would pick Gunther up by the armpits so that he's like face to face with him.

[Blaine Gibson]

So emasculating.

[Doug Boone]

All right, listen here, Gunther. You are a fighter. You're strong, you're smart, you're brave.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

That's right.

[Doug Boone]

Okay. Don't go in that ring and just fudgel about. Okay? We gotta actually put some real work in here. Okay?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes.

[Doug Boone]

All right. Go team. Team on three. Ready? One, two, three.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Go team.

[Blaine Gibson]

Go team.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

And then he'll just let him go.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay, why don't you have me roll a charisma check with advantage? Because I like your. Your reincorporation of fudgel there.

[Doug Boone]

Eight.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yes. A three and an eight. So we'll take the eight. So Gunther, because of those encouraging words, you once again have a negative one modifier to your next attack.

[Doug Boone]

Cuz I dropped him.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

No, it's like no, I'm not that smart and no, I'm not that brave.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, the throngtong come back out and they once again enter a fighting stance. And it seems like they almost like enter a pre practice routine where they hit you with a one, two Three punch.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

But can they? Because they're afraid of me.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay, what is that status effect again?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

They're frightened, so I don't think they can move towards me.

[Gustavo Sorola]

They have to move closer toward the target and disadvantage on attack rolls.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay, okay, so I. And I moved back to the corner to get my. Well, I guess I would have provoked opportunity attack, so I guess I'm still close.

[Gustavo Sorola]

It was the end of the round. Like, I. I should have said it better. I figured I was gonna get it in a pickup. But every round of combat is like a different round in the boxing match. Okay, so, yeah, now we're in round two, which is why Doug had time to talk to you and give you the pep talk.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Gotcha.

[John Risinger]

Only 11 more rounds

[Gustavo Sorola]

or a KO could be. Either way, it seems like the throng tong, you know, they're a little unsure of what to do. And in the middle of combat, they very quickly huddle up and they begin chanting.

[John Risinger]

You hear a little voice next to us.

[Gustavo Sorola]

It's almost like they're psyching themselves up and hyping themselves up. And then they pick up one of the members of the throng tong and they throw him at you. And while flying through the air, he lets out a flurry of blows. Fly. They are not very good. One of them hits as it flies by in your direction. One errant blow lands on you in your stomach. Gunther. Doing eight points of bludgeoning damage.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

So did two of them miss?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay, I want to use my reaction. I'll take the. I take the damage. Oh, and then I riposte. Is that how you say that?

[Gustavo Sorola]

It's riposte?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I think riposte.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I think when a creature misses you with a melee attack, you can use your action and extend spend one superiority die to make a melee weapon against it. Wait, actually, can I only use one superiority die per turn or per, like, action?

[Gustavo Sorola]

So, yeah, since this is a reaction, you can go ahead and use one here. But on your turn, you should use just one superiority die. But again, this is not your turn. So you're. You're good.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay, so I use my bonus reaction. I rip post.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Nice. You said that word good, Gunther.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay, and. And then if this hits, I add that superiority die to this.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Thirteen.

[Blaine Gibson]

Ooh.

[Gustavo Sorola]

That does not hit.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Dang it. Hope is correct. That's what just came out of me when I got punched in the stomach.

[Blaine Gibson]

You're lighter on your feet.

[John Risinger]

Yeah, we gotta work on here, like, pelvic floor or something.

[Doug Boone]

Yeah, I mean, if you're not Expecting it. I can't. I could see why that could happen.

[John Risinger]

I feel like there's some muscles we can work out that can automatically kick in.

[Gustavo Sorola]

They fly by, miss, and you try to riposte. But also, unfortunately, you miss as well.

[John Risinger]

It's like they're dancing without touching each other.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah.

[Doug Boone]

Beautiful.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay, so that. That thoad lands and looks at you, Gunther, after you miss your riposte and says, so weak. There's no way you can attack the throng tong like that. Why don't you make me a charisma saving throw?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

No, Gus, no. It was a one for a two.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yes.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

He gave me the one two punch.

[Gustavo Sorola]

I played my trap card, and you've played right into it. There's something about the insult that just really hits at your core.

[John Risinger]

His very weak core that poops if he's hit.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yes, that one.

[Gustavo Sorola]

There's something about that insult that just hits you to the core. And you take. Take 24 points of psychic damage.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh, Jesus.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Are you down? How you doing?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I'm not great. I say that, and it compels you

[Gustavo Sorola]

to move as close as possible to the throng. So you get up right up close to the mass of fighters.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I know. We do that thing where the boxers, they are hugging. They're like, why are they looking at each other?

[Blaine Gibson]

They're just jabbing the hell out of the them.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

They're, like, hugging. You're like, what are they doing?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah.

[John Risinger]

Taking a break.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay, that's it for them. It's your turn, Gunther.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I must get stronger.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

I must stop Christmas from coming. The way he said that reminded me,

[John Risinger]

we just hit one of Barb's dims.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

All right, I want to cast hunter's mark.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay, what does that do?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

On the thong? Is it. Well, I guess on the thong.

[Gustavo Sorola]

On the thong. Thong, thong.

[John Risinger]

Thong tongs.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I choose a creature you can see within range and mystically mark it as my quarry until the spell ends. Deal an extra. You have questions for them.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, you said query, which is like a question. You're quarry.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

You're fighting them until the spell asks

[John Risinger]

this thong a question.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay, so the spell ends.

[Gustavo Sorola]

You.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

You deal an extra 1d6 damage to the target whenever you hit it with a melee with a weapon, attack. And you have advantage on any wisdom or any perception or survival check you make to find it. The target drops to zero points. I can. I can reassign it.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay, great. That's. That's handy.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

That's a bonus action.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay, here we go now. And I attack. Aha. 14.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. That is a miss.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh, man. Man, this is so slippery.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, actually, that's a 13 anyway, because

[Blaine Gibson]

of Doug's pep talk.

[Doug Boone]

Oh, God, I'm so sorry.

[John Risinger]

Can't miss an opportunity to make Doug feel bad.

[Gustavo Sorola]

That's my stim.

[Doug Boone]

I'm already kicking myself.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I'm gonna use my superiority die to make a precision attack. I can spend one superiority die to add it to the roll before or after the roll, but before any effects are applied.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, okay. So you can add it to this roll that you just did. So you're adding it to the 13? Yeah.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

An extra eight.

[Blaine Gibson]

Nice.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Believe it or not, that's a hit.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes. Yes. Haha. And then I. I can't wait for

[John Risinger]

us to fight a big boss after this. This is all just Micah weakening.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Gunther.

[Blaine Gibson]

Gunther's eyes are swollen shut. Slammed in the face.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

That's 15 damage plus the hunter's mark, which it's a 1D6 additional. I believe so. Plus four. So 20.

[Gustavo Sorola]

20. Great. Okay. Yeah, that's a. That's a lot of damage. You strike at them, it seems like you're gonna miss. But the last second, you redirect your rapier and connect with the throng Tong doing 20 points of damage.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Ouch.

[Blaine Gibson]

Way to go, Gunther. You got him on the ropes.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh, can see him. I saw.

[Gustavo Sorola]

They're looking pretty rough too. Maybe not quite as rough as you are, Gunther, but they're looking pretty beat up with these healthy attacks. Is there anything else you can do?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes, I'm gonna make another attack.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay. And just quick meta break. I'd already told you it missed. If you're going to use that superiority die, you got to call it out before. It's kind of like using the inspiration.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh, but it says you can do it before or after the roll.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, it does say before or after the. Before. After you told the result.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh, let me.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Because, like, you could do it after the roll.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh, I see what you're saying. I see what you're saying. Like, I can do it before or after the roll.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay. Right. But before I tell you it's a hitch. Just. It's fine for this time, but.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah, just move forward but before any effects are applied.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Right? Yeah.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay. I rolled and that was a 13.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Thirteen. That is a miss.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay, then I will. Action turret.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, okay. I thought your pelvic floor was getting out. Once again.

[Blaine Gibson]

Car goes wild. Woo. Action surge.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

So then I attack again. Oh, yes. That's a 19.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, that hits.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

And I attack there. That's a 10 damage plus. That's a plus 5. So that's a 15.

[Blaine Gibson]

Go for the Ko Gunther.

[John Risinger]

Oh, yeah.

[Gustavo Sorola]

The throngtongue is teetering, but they're still standing. Black eyes and bloodied, but they're still waving their hands around in a menacing manner. And their tongues around in a menacing manner.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Another attack. That's a 27.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, that's a hit for two. Okay, so 13 points of damage.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes.

[John Risinger]

Yeah.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay, and then another question on the superiority dice. Is it if I use second win or action search. Is that a second? Does that count as a. Do I get a chance? Can I use a second superior to die on my turn? If I use second wind because it's a separate. It's a separate action or is it still.

[Gustavo Sorola]

That's a good question. I think the spirit is you wouldn't. But the rule of cool is you would.

[John Risinger]

So.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yes.

[Blaine Gibson]

And we are in like an icy tundra, so.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, very cool. Yes. And plus Action Surge is already limited anyway. It's not something you can do repeatedly, so it's not like you'd be able to do it every round or every encounter. So yeah, I'd say it's fine.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah. Imagine spamming Action Surge. How annoying that would be.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Add additional D8 to make this precision

[Blaine Gibson]

attack he's holding in the. It's that, that floor that John's been talking about.

[John Risinger]

They say when you're doing like, like really hard physical activity, don't breathe.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

That's an extra two damage.

[Gustavo Sorola]

So that's 11 plus 2 plus 2, which is 15 points.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. You lash out with your rapier at the strong Kong in front of you. Hit them once again, and they begin teetering on their feet, leaning, weaving to and fro before eventually falling back, landing on the ground in the boxing ring.

[Doug Boone]

Woo.

[John Risinger]

Yay.

[Blaine Gibson]

Gutter raises his hands, Tolls start doing the count. The one, two. Wait, I guess it's boxing. Or that's this wrestling.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

He's holding his hands and then just kind of falls back.

[Gustavo Sorola]

The winner, the challenger from Making Fly Flats proud, Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker

[Barbara Dunkelman]

is catching Grumbles in the ring with like holding his hand up too.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Flowers in a belt. He's got flowers.

[Gustavo Sorola]

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[Barbara Dunkelman]

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[John Risinger]

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[Barbara Dunkelman]

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[Gustavo Sorola]

How much gold did you contribute? Was it 5 gold?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes. You set to do.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay, so you to the pool win. Yeah, you win the. You win the pool. The prize pool.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh, pool. I love swimming.

[Gustavo Sorola]

So you win 37 gold pieces.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Wow.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Plus also up from the floor rises, the CCCC belt.

[Doug Boone]

What does it stand for? Gunther.

[John Risinger]

They said it at the top of this.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

The CCC Cross country.

[John Risinger]

They said a bunch of C words that were like the name of this whole thing and I don't remember them all.

[Blaine Gibson]

Cross Country Clash of Competitive Championships.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Take an inspiration dive. It's close. It's the Cross Country Clash of Competitive Combatants. Championship. Championship.

[John Risinger]

Wow.

[Doug Boone]

Wow.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Gunther, what does it look like? Tell us. Describe that CCCCCCC belt for us.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

It is a very pretty belt. It is like a. It is shiny and it's got all these people fighting of different races. And they're also running a race across the country. So it's like they're running and fighting like that. And then it has them running all the way around the belt and then they loop back around again and they're still fighting. And then. And then in the center is a big smiley face.

[Doug Boone]

I mean, that's what you want to see when you win a competition, right? Like happy.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes.

[Blaine Gibson]

Would you scream for Punya?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Like.

[Blaine Gibson]

Like Adria.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Punya.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Punya. The throngtong prop themselves up on their feet and walk up to you, Gunther. And one at a time they all go and put their hands on your shoulders. You have warned your weapons well, Gunther.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Thank you.

[Gustavo Sorola]

It's a rallying sarge. You can use your allies to help you when you need assistance in a fight. Oh,

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I like that.

[John Risinger]

So I'm laughing at how much his allies helped him in this fight.

[Doug Boone]

Let's not talk about that in the past.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Now I know how to do it better. Yeah.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Yeah.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

The.

[John Risinger]

The way to learning how to do something is failing until you. You succeed.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Figured out that's it. So if. If you refresh your D and D beyond page, you should have a new ability on there called Rallying Surge. And metagame wise, when you use your action Surge, you can choose allies who can hear or see you up to a number of allies equal to your charisma modifier. And each of those allies can immediately take a reaction to either attack or move. Cool.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Wow.

[Blaine Gibson]

That's useful.

[Gustavo Sorola]

So when you action surge, it allows your allies to act to also do a reaction to either attack or move as well.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh, that's cool.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Everyone rallies together and gets an additional action.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

That's really cool. I like that.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. The crowd seems to be dispersing now that the. That the fight is over and the throng tong returns to their corner, kind of nursing their wounds and taking care of each other.

[John Risinger]

Can Natty walk up to him?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Is that also the name of their, like, species?

[Gustavo Sorola]

No, they're. They're toads. Just this. This specific group is the throng tongue.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Gotcha.

[Blaine Gibson]

Did they do the good game, good game, good game, good game thing to Gunther?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, they did, dude.

[John Risinger]

As a parent who sometimes has to sit out in the sun for lengthy softball games, Once they start lining up like that, I get so happy it's over. I know, because my kids don't have, like, they're. They're my. My daughter who does it. Like, there's not, like, a set amount of. It's like, more like time and. And fairness as far as, like, everybody. And so I'm always like. When it gets to a point, I'm like, please line up. Ah, another ending. That's just because of the heat. I love my daughter.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. Yeah.

[John Risinger]

Natty walks up to him and goes, salutations. My name is Natty Wonder. I was wondering.

[Doug Boone]

Natty wondering.

[John Risinger]

Thank you, Doug. I was wondering, like, what is all this? This feels like just like a. A random place to have a boxing match and a boxing ring. Like, is this your guys's organization or what's going on?

[Blaine Gibson]

Are you guys gonna just keep flash

[John Risinger]

mobbing Gunther with random attacks, like, emphasis on the mobbing.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Any place is a random place for competitive combat. Wouldn't you agree? Why do we have specific places for that?

[John Risinger]

But we do. We do have specific places for combat,

[Gustavo Sorola]

and that's just one of them.

[John Risinger]

Okay. I guess, then. Yes. You're actually. You're nailing it on the head of, like, this seems to me, out in this, like, frozen tundra. Are we near, like, a city or an organization or something? Or is this, like, a secret? Is this a fight club? Did we find a fight club?

[Gustavo Sorola]

One of the throngtong just kind of puts their finger on their nose, taps it.

[Doug Boone]

To which question? Yes, Natty asked a few questions that just being a city or a fight club. So which one are you again?

[Gustavo Sorola]

They touched their nose.

[John Risinger]

Natty goes over to Dun goes. I know the rules of this. We're not supposed to talk anymore, okay?

[Doug Boone]

Oh, okay. Okay. So how did you guys, by the way, know Gunther's name?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah, how did you know we were coming?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, we were sent by Shannon to teach you a lesson.

[Doug Boone]

Uh, isn't that your aunt?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes. She was a good lesson because my head hurts and I. I pooped.

[Blaine Gibson]

We saw. Everyone saw.

[John Risinger]

Did. Did Shannon put, like, a low jack on you or something? How is Shannon finding you?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I don't know. Maybe she. Maybe she casted hunter's mark on me.

[Doug Boone]

That would be pretty impressive.

[Gustavo Sorola]

She told us we could find you here.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

That is smart of her. I don't know understand it.

[Doug Boone]

But how would she know that you're here?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I mean, you tell me, Doug. I'm trying to understand it.

[Doug Boone]

Has she hacked my. My GPS or something?

[John Risinger]

We all turn and find out that Gigi's been tweeting his entire life. Tweeting our entire adventure so that everybody can just track us all the time.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, he's posting photos with, like, geolocation

[Barbara Dunkelman]

data tagged on it, dropping pins on Google Maps.

[John Risinger]

What's that called when you. When you tell on yourself, your location, you get. He's like, swatted.

[Blaine Gibson]

Doxxed.

[John Risinger]

Doxed.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Doxxed.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I feel more like I got swatted by all these punches.

[Doug Boone]

Is that a joke about flies? Because you're a frog guy.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. While you all are standing there, it seems like they're already starting to train again. A few of them are shadow boxing, a couple of them are using the jump rope, and one of them's massaging another one's back.

[Doug Boone]

I was gonna say, you said that Shannon sent you guys here to teach Gunther a lesson, but what lesson? Did she just think he wasn't a good enough fighter and he needed some more training or something?

[John Risinger]

She knew he wasn't a good fighter because, remember, he fought her and lost. Austin said you needed more training, so that's why he keeps. Now he can do that rally thing to help us out. Because he's a better fighter now.

[Doug Boone]

Well, I guess it's a favor then. Very nice.

[John Risinger]

Yeah, she beats the dickens out of him every single time. But then he gets, like, a little gift to make it all better. It's a weird relationship.

[Doug Boone]

It's.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

What's it called? Tough love.

[Gustavo Sorola]

I will say, metagame wise. They almost had you, Gunther. You legitimately won that. I mean, if you had not had that action surgeon, that last minute thing, they would have. They would have probably finished you next round.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah, I was one hit away.

[Blaine Gibson]

My God. Can I ask the Throng Tong something?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. And we can talk about that in a second with just a quick plug for that. We maybe talk a little more about the mechanics of the Throng Tong and how close it was from behind the scenes perspective.

[John Risinger]

But yeah, you need to spend some more time talking also about the refreshments that were offered there. We didn't spend enough time on that topic.

[Blaine Gibson]

So. Throng Tong Wutiorg. Thoughts on the Wilderflower?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Mmm, the Wilderflower?

[Blaine Gibson]

Yes, that's the one.

[Gustavo Sorola]

She is very knowledgeable.

[Blaine Gibson]

Oh, okay. So we do we like the Wilderflower? Like, are they.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, yes, absolutely.

[John Risinger]

Cool.

[Blaine Gibson]

Good deity. We like them.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yes.

[Blaine Gibson]

You would never entertain the idea of, say, leaving them if she turned her back on you or anything like that.

[Gustavo Sorola]

All seven of them spit at the same time.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay.

[Blaine Gibson]

He did have to go for my face.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Gunther does it too.

[Gustavo Sorola]

That's not nice either.

[John Risinger]

I think it makes canonical sense for the robot of our team to have the gall to go up to people of a religious nature and be like you, thinking about leaving your religion. Like, his robot brain can't understand that.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, yeah.

[Blaine Gibson]

I mean, but I have a good relationship with the sea drinker, though. It's just, we saw. We saw the relationship with Wilderflower. So I'm just trying to find any thing that's gonna help guide Gunther away from it, but this is a dead end, so I won't.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Every religion's different. Every. Every group of people worship their deity in a different manner and accept different things, so you never know.

[Doug Boone]

Do you guys happen to know where the Wilder Shield is? I mean, we're not supposed to know

[Gustavo Sorola]

about that, but they all, like, put their. Their boxing gloves up in front of their mouths and they giggle.

[Doug Boone]

Giggling.

[Blaine Gibson]

That's horrifying.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Just to recap my brain correctly, Bunlap went to it. To the Chimera. I can't say that word. Chimera keep.

[Blaine Gibson]

Chimera keep.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Chimera keep.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Chimera keep. To the Chimera keep.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yes. Bunlap left you a note saying that the Wilderflower had appeared to him and entrusted him with finding the Wilder Shield and gone to Chimera Keep.

[John Risinger]

Why'd y' all giggle at that?

[Doug Boone]

It was so funny.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, we heard about that.

[John Risinger]

Is it a joke or is Gunther a joke?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I'm the joke.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Gunther is no longer trusted to find a shield. They all giggle again.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

It's okay. It's funny. I'm shameful.

[John Risinger]

All right, I'm with Tove now. Your people are mean. Your God is mean. I don't know if I like this folk. Hey, Ace. Smart, Alex. Do you guys know where the escarpment of exiles is or are you gonna giggle again?

[Gustavo Sorola]

That place doesn't exist. It's just a legend.

[John Risinger]

Maybe you guys can actually be helpful and tell us where we can go for a rest, because some of us are not doing so well under the

[Gustavo Sorola]

grandstands out in the tundra. I don't know.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Good luck under the grandstands. That's a good idea.

[Doug Boone]

Very smart. Yeah. We could stay in the place that Gunther got his butt kicked.

[John Risinger]

That's just the seats. We're just going to sleep under the seats.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

It's better some protection from wind.

[Blaine Gibson]

It's true.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

The fighting ring is there like a. Could we go underneath it? Like, is it like a. A curtain?

[H]

Yeah, I guess.

[Gustavo Sorola]

It's probably skirted around the side. You could probably go under there. Honestly, I don't know what's actually in real life. I don't know what's under a boxing ring. I don't know if you could. Or if there's supports under there or how that actually works.

[Blaine Gibson]

Folding chairs for the wrestling, let's say.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yes, you. You could go under there if you want to.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Under here is a good place to nap.

[John Risinger]

Yeah. Commander Doug, could we take some nonnies?

[Doug Boone]

Let me scout the area first to make sure it's secure and safe for everybody. Now, we could do a little. Little kip in here.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Doug will do like a perimeter check.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, okay. Yeah. Make the investigation check.

[John Risinger]

Oh, come on.

[Doug Boone]

Eight.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Totally clear. Nothing at all. Cool.

[Doug Boone]

You know what? How about I had a flash of genius just now, so I'm adding plus

[Barbara Dunkelman]

four to that, making it a 12.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Still totally clear. Nothing out of the ordinary. It seems like all the crowds are dispersing. There's not nearly as many people as there were before, and no natural enemies or predators that you can discern.

[Doug Boone]

Okay.

[Gustavo Sorola]

It is, however, very cold.

[Doug Boone]

Okay, well, let's all kind of bundle in together and maybe make a little fire in here.

[John Risinger]

Okay.

[Doug Boone]

Since we're kind of covered, so I don't think I'm too concerned about it alerting anybody to our location or anything or anything like that.

[John Risinger]

Okay.

[Blaine Gibson]

You have to, like, poke a hole into the canvas to let the smoke out. Yeah.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay. So are you all taking a long rest, spending the night? What's the. What's the plan here?

[Doug Boone]

Long rest, I think.

[John Risinger]

Yeah, I think we need long, long.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay.

[Gustavo Sorola]

And I assume it's like how you all regularly do it tolve. You'll kind of Maintain like sentinel. Everyone else will go to sleep.

[Blaine Gibson]

That's the one.

[John Risinger]

Yes.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Everyone, I guess. Go ahead. You can go ahead and mark a long rest.

[John Risinger]

Thank you.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh, thank goodness.

[Blaine Gibson]

I wouldn't mind asking Gunther some questions though, once he wakes up and he's like, recovered from his fight.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, well, let's see. Yeah. Some time passes. Gunther, you have fitful dreams. You're unable to really get a good night's rest despite winning the belt and winning the championship away from the throng. Tong. You have a vision. You see a flower sprouting before you, growing bigger and bigger till it. It's your size. And then the petals open up into a blossom. And they catch fire. And out from inside the flower steps. A familiar sight to you. It's the Wilder flower.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Not her again.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Oh, here we go.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

What are you still doing here?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I'm here to say hello. And that I am here always to. To. To do as you wish. And bows.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Well, I wish you would stop looking for the wielder shield. I've already entrusted that to someone else that's more capable and trustworthy.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I wish to prove myself again. I can help them. And I do not have to be the one looking for it. I can just assist them.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

I think you've proven that your assistance is not necessary. Bunlap is already on the case and he will absolutely take care of this for me.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I know he will. I just wish to help. Please.

[Gustavo Sorola]

She turns her back on you and like, stomps afoot.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

What do you. What do you want from me that I can do to regain your trust?

[Barbara Dunkelman]

I've told you what I want already. Leave this task to Bunlap. You are not needed, Gunther.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Uh, okay. But I've brought you a gift.

[Gustavo Sorola]

She spins around.

[Doug Boone]

A gift?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes.

[Doug Boone]

What is it?

[John Risinger]

Me.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

More of me? Aw, the same thing where he cuts himself on his hand.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Your face did perk up when you mentioned a gift. And when you told her what it was, it visibly sours again. Then you said you cut yourself on the hand, right?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Uh huh.

[Gustavo Sorola]

She goes up and inspects the cut and puts her hand over it and

[Barbara Dunkelman]

says, yeah, that's the spirit. We'll keep it like that, won't we, Gunther?

[Gustavo Sorola]

And with that, she disappears in a pipe of smoke.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Okay, talk to you later.

[Blaine Gibson]

It's a toot.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. You wake up with a start from this unsettling dream, metagame wise. You see that you're. Oh, I guess you see that that cut that you put on your. On your hand still exists when you wake up and metagame Wise. Your AC is diminished. It's cut in half.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh, my God.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Wow.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

For a fighter, too.

[Doug Boone]

That's no good.

[Blaine Gibson]

Rest in peace.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

All right. That sucks.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. It's the next morning. Now, Tolv, if you had questions or there's anything you want to talk to Gunther about, he's awake. He looks very unhappy, but he is awake now. Okay.

[Blaine Gibson]

Tolv would have set up camp and made coffee. He doesn't drink it, but he would want to provide it for his organics, his friends, organics. And he sees that Gunther is clearly still pretty sleep deprived, so he'd be like, gunther, good fight yesterday. Did such a good job. How are you feeling today?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

I do not feel good. I've. I've ashamed everyone.

[Blaine Gibson]

I. I don't think you have. You've made us proud. Right, gang? Natty Doug.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah.

[Doug Boone]

Yeah, I. I've been working on my. My speech of motivation, if you want another one.

[Blaine Gibson]

Oh, I'd love to hear that.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah.

[Doug Boone]

Okay.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

You motivate someone who needs. Who deserves it.

[Doug Boone]

You are beautiful in every single way. You're beautiful no matter what they say. Words can't bring you down. Whoa. I came up with that myself. Definitely not a Christina Aguilera song from the late 90s, early 2000s.

[Blaine Gibson]

That's really good. I don't know who Christina Aguilera is, but, wow.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

She's a poet for sure.

[Blaine Gibson]

Gunther, I'm just out of curiosity, you know, you've been attacked by your Aunt Shannon or Shanna and the Throng Tong and. And all these guys.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Those guys are nice.

[Blaine Gibson]

Very nice. Yes. And I've kind of heard tale of how you and your deity operate. Like, what. What's your reputation like around. Like, tell me. Like. Like, typical day back at your home?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Like, what.

[Blaine Gibson]

What's that? Like, do people, like, look up to you and respect you?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

They did somewhat. Not like, the most respected, but, yes, I would respect. But then I left, so not so much anymore because I'm not there.

[Blaine Gibson]

I see.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

No, I just. I need to find out. I can't go back.

[John Risinger]

Okay.

[Blaine Gibson]

Well, sounds tough. But I want you to know that we're here for you, Gunther.

[John Risinger]

And Nettie, like, moves up towards Tolva and goes, is this going how you

[Blaine Gibson]

expected it to go?

[John Risinger]

I mean, honestly, obviously, kind of.

[Blaine Gibson]

Because I can put up with a

[John Risinger]

lot of awkwardness, and even I'm having a tough time watching this.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah, no, my cringe sensors are going off the charts.

[H]

I just.

[Blaine Gibson]

Gunther, I just want you to know that, you know, you deserve to be treated with more respect and I. I want you to know I. I consider you a close friend and ally. And because you did such a good job in your fight yesterday, I wanted to give you this. Bronze Blood Shield. Do you want that? Does that sound cool to you?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Bronze Blood Shield?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah.

[Blaine Gibson]

We acquired it back at the.

[John Risinger]

What was it?

[Blaine Gibson]

The Temple of the Blood Bather?

[Gustavo Sorola]

The Basilica? The Blood Bay. That was.

[John Risinger]

Tolf remembered he had it because we just listened to the episode where he got it.

[Blaine Gibson]

The second wind might have also revealed that this would be in better hands of Gunther. Would that be something that you want? It would help you out with your ac. You wouldn't need help with your AC ac, would you?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

My AC is so. It is. Yeah. It's hot here.

[John Risinger]

Y' all don't know this, but while we sleep, Tolve does that thing that, like, what's his name, like David did in, like, Prometheus, where he just watches our dreams as we're sleeping.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Creepy.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I could maybe use a little help with that. I'm feeling a little vulnerable.

[Gustavo Sorola]

If you're unable to acquire the Wilder Shield, I mean, I guess this will work, right?

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yes.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yo, why don't you hold on to this until we find the Wilder Shield? I know that you're going after that, but how? I think the Toll Shield will do, you know, in the meantime.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

That is very kind of you, Tov. Very kind. More kind than I deserve.

[Blaine Gibson]

Okay, well, I think you deserve more than you think you do, but here you go. I don't know, you all unequip it

[Gustavo Sorola]

for mine, and it's only been a couple episodes, but just as a reminder, if I recall properly, you can injure yourself, take some damage, spread blood on the shield, and it gives you the benefits of the shield spell, which, plus five to AC and you block. Magic missiles, if I remember correctly.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Yeah, it's a shield spell. Yeah. And it's just, I think, a stronger shield than the one I had. Great.

[John Risinger]

There you go.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Imagine when you get your full AC back. Yeah, that'd be powerful.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay. Yeah. So you all are awake. It's the new day. Still bitterly cold, but because this is like a tundra type environment. But what's the plan? What do y' all want to do?

[John Risinger]

Yeah, Doug. Doug.

[Doug Boone]

Well, we head north.

[John Risinger]

He's so decisive. He's so good. It's like he's horned for this job.

[Blaine Gibson]

Incredible.

[Doug Boone]

I've made my choice. But, you know, those guys did say that, you know, just a legend, just a myth, this place. But I don't think I trust him. I Think it's real? I want to believe.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. It's also like, from Doug's perspective, it's like some randos that he just met telling him that versus his deity that he talked to who told him this. Yeah. So it's like there's different levels of trust in this information that you're gathering.

[Blaine Gibson]

So to recap, we're going after the Escarpment of Exiles by following the Guiding Providence censor, right?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah.

[John Risinger]

Okay.

[Blaine Gibson]

And then this is also where we think the Pathfinder is.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Okay? Correct.

[Blaine Gibson]

Off the map, on the border.

[John Risinger]

Got it.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Yes.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Contextually. Where we were, where was the Chimera?

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Chimera Keep.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Chimera Keep relative to where we are.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Chimera Keep is on the way. You will pass by Chimera Keep, heading to the Escarpment of Exile.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Interesting.

[Doug Boone]

All right, well, if I don't say so myself, that's quite the convenience.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

That is great.

[John Risinger]

Let's go north.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Or not? Depends.

[Gustavo Sorola]

All right, you all continue your trek north Again. It's a barren land. There's not many natural features, not many landmarks. But you continue trudging, you don't encounter anyone else or any other creatures on your way north?

[John Risinger]

I spy with my little eye something white.

[Doug Boone]

That's me.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

That's Barbara.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Natty sees Barbara. The fourth wall's broken again. Put it back up.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

I'm like Mufasa in the sky. Okay, sorry.

[John Risinger]

Proceed.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Yeah, just keep walking.

[Gustavo Sorola]

After a couple hours traveling to the north through freezing temperatures and a dry, barren, treeless landscape covered by a thick layer of permafrost, you come across some massive iced over arches and what appear to be tiered castle ruins. Ooh.

[John Risinger]

Let it go. Let it go.

[Gustavo Sorola]

What do you all want to do?

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Is this like a place that Doug might recognize from like any sort of story or history book?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Make a wisdom check for me, Doug.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Wisdom 2020.

[Gustavo Sorola]

You recognize this from stories as being Chimera Keep.

[John Risinger]

Hey.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Oh, my goodness.

[Doug Boone]

Can't believe we've made it.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Do I remember from any stories what the. The people who inhabit this area, or what kind of weapons they might use.

[Blaine Gibson]

Is it inhabited?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Only because you rolled so well. I'll tell you a little more just because we're such good friends. Legend says that there used to be a gold mine in these parts. And the castle ruins have been occupied and picked over by generations of thieves, soldiers and monsters.

[John Risinger]

Well, shall we approach the Cape?

[Doug Boone]

Guess so. Hopefully what we're looking for is actually here, not stolen like everything else around here.

[John Risinger]

Well, only one way to find out.

[Doug Boone]

Okay, let's Go. Looks pretty deserted, so I think we could just walk right in.

[John Risinger]

Let's do it.

[Gustavo Sorola]

All right. As you approach, those arches get larger and larger, and you see that they're iced over. Iron arches that protrude from the frozen ground. And they're triangular in shape.

[John Risinger]

Like they're just arches that go to a peak.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, pretty much.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

But they're iced, you said?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yes, they are iced over. And they appear to be made out of iron. And they are peaked. Like John said, they're triangular in shape.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Gotcha.

[John Risinger]

Did Natty walk up to one?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah.

[John Risinger]

Is it iced over enough that you couldn't go through them?

[Gustavo Sorola]

You'd be able to make it through. The arches themselves are iced over, but there's enough space for a passageway through the middle of them.

[Blaine Gibson]

Is this a harbor of any sort? No, Nothing than water related.

[Gustavo Sorola]

No.

[John Risinger]

Yeah, Nettie walked through them and kind of look around at the arch as she walks through to see if there's, like, anything interesting, like a note or a bell that goes off when she goes through.

[Blaine Gibson]

I don't know, maybe instead of the iron arches, maybe. Are there any golden arches, perhaps, you know,

[Gustavo Sorola]

not.

[Blaine Gibson]

Sponsored.

[Gustavo Sorola]

There's a guy taking a bite out of a hamburger, and he looks like he hates his life.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

You mean product?

[Blaine Gibson]

His product. Yeah, his product.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Look at this product.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Now you're able to walk through, no problem at all.

[John Risinger]

Okay. Yeah. Natty just starts kind of doing the thing. Like when you walk into, like, something like a garden or museum and just kind of strolling through and looking around and just kind of seeing what she sees.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

I think Doug would follow Natty, and for some reason, he's compelled to say, it's alive.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah. You're able to walk through through as well, mumbling it's alive under your breath to yourself.

[John Risinger]

Oh, I remember that now. Now I get the reference.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

It's from a grotesque episode. For those who are still confused, here's

[John Risinger]

how far my brain went. There was actually a Halloween promotion thing for McDonald's, whereas. Da, da, da, da, da. It's alive. Like that was the thing. And I thought that's what you were referencing, but nope.

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah.

[John Risinger]

Could Natty just call out and just be like, hello,

[Gustavo Sorola]

wonder, wonder. Here, here, here.

[John Risinger]

Thank you.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Everyone makes the same joke. The ground rumbles a little bit.

[John Risinger]

Oh, and Natty puts her ears to the ground. Well, one ear. You can't put both ears to the ground.

[Gustavo Sorola]

That would be gross. Make a perception check.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Also, while this is happening, I think Doug would grab Gunther and shove him back into his vest to keep him Warm.

[Blaine Gibson]

He's little papoose.

[Veiled Eye]

Yeah.

[Doug Boone]

Don't want your freezing little guy.

[John Risinger]

What's my perception? 3:15.

[Gustavo Sorola]

You put your ear to the ground and hear a muffled wailing deep beneath the ground. However, the sound is quickly overtaken by thunderous rumbling. The icy ground cracks and gives way. You all collapse suddenly into a sinkhole. Oh. Everyone roll a dexterity saving throw

[John Risinger]

15 or 18.

[Blaine Gibson]

Rolled a 15 and then a nat 20 because I've got advantage. So, nat 20.

[Gustavo Sorola]

You all plummet 30ft down into a cavern below. But most of you keep your footing, managing to tuck and roll into the fall. Except for Doug, who takes 12 bludgeoning damage from smashing into the rocky floor. A dilapidated sign clatters with the ground next to you. It reads open weave gold mine. Once the cavern settles from the cave in, you make out the shadows of an underground mine with walls marred by caustic burn marks. Something suddenly breaks the silence. Heavy footsteps thump in the darkness, heading straight toward you. Find out what happens next in the next episode of Tales from the Stinky Dragon.

[Doug Boone]

Bun Lap, is it you?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, he just walked back and forth a bunch of times. All right, thanks for listening, everybody. We'll see you all next time. Find out what's gonna happen. Will our hero survive? I don't know. Maybe everyone except Gunther.

[Blaine Gibson]

The next episode will be titled Dig Dug. Thank you, Chris.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Listen, I'll play so much Pocopia before next episode. I'll be ready to go with all my mining and Nice.

[John Risinger]

There's a digging Pokemon called what?

[Doug Boone]

Diglett.

[John Risinger]

Yeah.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

There's also Dilber Null.

[John Risinger]

Yeah. Drilber. Yeah, Drilbur.

[Gustavo Sorola]

All right, we gotta let Barbara go so she can go play Pocopa. We've released a Diagem die [e-mail] Tis right. Thine prayers hath been answered. All ye faithful followers of Dia. The sacred diagems have been unearthed and can now be yours in the form of dice. Unlock the celestial and magical mysteries of Dai with all six colorful gemstone diagem dice and the pearlescent white Diadem of Diagems D20. Fair warning to all followers of DIA. These premium glass and stone dice have been known to make you roll like gods. In honor of our five years of magic, get your Diagem dice set at store.stinkydragonpod.com New episodes of Tales from the Stinky Dragon premiere every other Wednesday, wherever your streams of podcasts flow and on The Stinky Dragon YouTube channel. Tired of waiting for the next adventure and looking for a quest. Join the ranks of the Stinky Dragon [e-mail] to get early access to episodes and unlock a hoard of exclusive treasures and powerful artifacts. For example, every one of our patrons gets access to Second Wind, a bonus show wherein we delve deep into the heart of each Stinky Dragon episode, pulling back the veil to reveal the secrets of its making who answer the burning questions that plague your minds. You can also receive a coveted shout out on the show. Just like Seuli Tala. Hopefully that's right. Mr. Doom, Swee Samich 6390, mmm Sammich, and finally, Emily Nolan. These future patrons directly support the show and get access to all of these perks and more on our Patreon. Stop missing out on the adventure. Become a patron [e-mail] Some of our friends provided voices for NPCs in this tale, including the Veiled Eye, voiced by Andre Ouelette, Ndre Krat, Throng Tong, voiced by Ben Singer Enbsinger. Check out their animation channel, Death Battle, or their board game channel, Nightly Brew. The Wilder Flower, voiced by Bkrystal. This week's iroquestion was submitted by Minniehammy11. This episode of Tales from the Stinky Dragon was produced by Ben Ernst and Michael Reisinger, written and composed by Michael Reising Singer and edited by Elena Licorchic. Join us in the tavern next time for another aromatic adventure of Tales from the Stinky Dragon. She very, very knowledgeable. Very knowledgeable. I have to talk like they have something in their mouth. Sorry. So I have to just put something in your mouth?

[Blaine Gibson]

Yeah, put something in your mouth.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Gus, surely you have an uncrustable very close to you.

[Blaine Gibson]

Very knowledgeable. Okay, less things in your mouth. Gus.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

Is that.

[John Risinger]

Is that a sock?

[Gustavo Sorola]

Very knowledgeable.

[Blaine Gibson]

That's.

[Gustavo Sorola]

I've got a bunch of eyeglass cleaned like cleaning cloths I just stuck in my mouth.

[John Risinger]

I was gonna say you're not gonna be able to use those to clean your eyeglasses anymore.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Very knowledgeable.

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go

[Gustavo Sorola]

to help someone customize and save on

[Gunther Bootkiss Windbreaker]

car insurance with Liberty Mutual.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Barbara Dunkelman]

Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird.

[Gustavo Sorola]

What is this, your first date?

[Blaine Gibson]

Oh, no.

[Gustavo Sorola]

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married.

[John Risinger]

Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Gustavo Sorola]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league. Anyways, get a'[e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Blaine Gibson]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.