Heralds E4

RUSSELL: Greetings and salutations, one and all, Russell Eugene Welch III at your service, once again, here to bring you Spawn of Chaos' first campaign, the Heralds of Wayinar, but before we get back to our heroes, a little bit about our sponsor, Questline. If you see beautiful maps, lovely encounters, and exciting things happening in the episode, that's Questline. So, if you're a DM and you'd like to give your players an excellent VTT experience, go ahead and check them out below. Anyway, that's all from that, so without further ado, let's rejoin our Heralds and jump right back into the action. Here comes the chaos.

[*introduction music*] *{title card}*

[*ocean waves, wood creaking*]

Timbers groan and snap. The roar of the ocean washes over your ears. You're soaked. Vano, you have a vague sense of being dragged along a rocky beach. Rosara, coughing up water, your eyes swirl, and salt clogs the edge of them. Haggard and beaten down all around you, timbers lie in piles and heaps, and the mast cast upon the shore. Large chunks of the ship now drift in the shallows. Gritzern stands above you.

(*shaky, unsteady, Gritzern*) (sighs) All I wanted to do…All I wanted to do…is bake. [*soft, sad music*] I wanted to bake.  But here I am. Here you are. Here we are. Why are *we* here? (laughs darkly) You don't know that yet, do you? Let me tell you why we're here. (long sigh) Look. Look at him.

(*OOC*) Gritzern gestures with his single arm to the side. A pile of rumble and broken timbers, and on top of them, a body is draped. The limp form of Lord Amadeus, glassy eyes staring up at the gray sky.

(*Gritzern*) (shaky sigh)

(*sardonically*) Do you know why we're here? Let me guess. Some agent, the all-powerful observer, sprinkled in a few threats about doom and fed you a load of crap. What was it? What did they promise you? Fame? Glory? Wealth? Power? Safety, for the ones you love? Meaning, answers. So, you skipped off with stars in your eyes toward your grand destiny, but this is fucked. Look at him! Do you know what he is? He's a hustler, a swindler, and oh yes, a murderer, luring widows and naive heiresses, robbing their fortunes to feed him and his parasitic family's appetite for luxury. Some, he left penniless on the streets. Those were the lucky ones. He was a snake wrapped in fine linens, but he has a glimmer of blood in his veins, a drop of the lauded Heralds. (spits) (*seriously, intensely*) I've seen you all before. Gorrkarraus wasn't the first zealot to join this little charade. Vano, did you really think you were the first weary, tortured soul hounded by your sins? Obi, the youth projecting swagger in your cripplingly desperate search for answers. *He* wasn't the first con artist. Rosara, you're not even the first brainwashed prick from Nov Romara. You? You're not special. None of us are. We just happened to be related to someone who was. So, the observer chains us into these little bands. We're playtesting! (laughs sadly) Whatever they promised you was a lie. You are here to fulfill a faceless power-broker's twisted fantasy of recreating a dead myth. They'll never free us. There is no way out. (*unsteadily, angrily*) No escape, only the long and torturous road of despair. We dance on their strings until the day the noose jerks too tight. Why? Because we are candidates chosen by blood, and candidates must be tempered, vetted, forged into iron, beaten into the shape of saviors. So many come and go. They laugh. And dream. And hope. And fight. And die.

BRAD (*IC, lightly raspy, worriedly*): Rosara, Vano…

RUSSELL (*Gritzern, intensely*): One by one. Until there's nothing left of us. Do you want to be a martyr? Live a long life full of horror until every last drop of your soul is sucked away, and the weight of the world crushes your empty shell. And in the end, all that remains is the memory in the minds of the sycophantic masses who chant your name. (laughs darkly) And that as is if we could succeed! As if it were possible for us to save the world. We cannot stop the Breaking. The earth will shatter again, and we will die, or worse, we will live the truth about what it means to take up the mantle of the Heralds of Wayinar! We are fools struggling in blind futility to measure up to the gods who already failed us. You will learn the true price of the broken road to power. What it costs you. (*voice cracking, softly sobbing*) What it costs me. You're lucky. You're lucky because you had your own lives! How long did you live in freedom before you were trapped into this hellish nightmare? This cycle of horror? I was a child. I was a boy! I had a baby sister, not younger than me, and an older brother, a mother, a family…I just… (sobs) I just wanted to be a baker. That's all I wanted. (*intensely*) But decades, decades, of watching people come and struggle and fight and die again and again? Do you see this?  Do you see this, my arm? Do you know why I cut it off? Do you know why I was willing to make that choice without hesitation? It's because of him. It's because he's always watching, judging us, and if we don't perform to his little game to his satisfaction… (laughs darkly) I met my sister and my brother again, my mother, my father. As the decades rolled by, and I made choices that he deemed unfit, he sent me *pieces* of them! Pieces of them in boxes. (*softly, unsteadily*) I had to watch them. This hellish nightmare does not end! Not until we do. That's why you're here. (*calmly*) But I'm done. I'm not going to play his game anymore. Fuck him. Fuck you.  Fuck the world, let it burn. I don't care what the consequences are. I just wanted to bake bread.

(*OOC*) And with that, Vano, you see in Gritzern's hand, pointing with it…

ARIEL (*British accent, concerned, IC*): Gritzern, wait!

RUSSELL: He raises it up to the side of his head. [*gun clicking*]

(*Gritzern*) (laughs unhingedly)

ARIEL (*IC*): That's…that's not…that's not the answer! That's not…

RUSSELL (*Gritzern, angrily*): You don't know the fuck what you're talking about! The answer?  There are no answers! There are no answers.

ARIEL (*IC, worried*): Gritzern, Gritzern, we just got out of a very bad wreck. I just…I think you're thinking irrationally!

RUSSELL (*Gritzern, sardonically, intensely*): A wreck? A wreck? (laughs) [*sad music*] Do you think this is an accident? Do you think this keeps happening again by coincidence? Do you think the horrors that hound us just are a coincidence? Did you think that for some inexplicable reason out of nowhere, you went from a life where things made sense to this never-ending cycle of death and blood where we are hounded at every turn? (*sadly, angrily*) We die one by one. It's because it's all a sick twisted fantasy to recreate and forge our ancestors. No. I just wanted to bake bread.

(*OOC*) Gritzern pulls the trigger. [*gunshot, echoing*]

BRAD: Okay…

RUSSELL: The blood splays out of the side of his head.

BRAD: (*surprised*) Okay!

JOSHUA: Vano reaches over…

ARIEL (*IC*): That's not…

JOSHUA: Vano reaches over and puts his hand on Rosara's shoulder to hold her back.

ARIEL (*IC, horrified and shaken*): My god. Oh my god! My gods!

(*OOC*) And, uh, Rosara's gonna fall to her knees, staring between Gritzern and Lord Amadeus.

(*IC*) (takes deep, quick breaths)

JOSHUA (*softly, Scottish accent, IC*): There's nothing we could have done. I've seen the look in a man, and he's had too much. He's reached his end. Nothing we could have done would have stopped that.

BRAD: Obi is silent. All of his gear, on the floor, if he can find it. [*music fades*] He's gonna do two things. He walks to the corpse, lifeless on the wreckage, of Amadeus. And out of the corner of your eye, Vano and everyone else, you see him kneel down and takes the gold brooch from Amadeus' overcoat of House Ravenhook. Pockets it. Obi stands up and looks at Vano and Rosara, shaking his head, and makes his way over to Gritzern's now…gruesome body, and wishes to take something from the body, uh, without the party knowing, if he can.

RUSSELL: Alright, make me a Sleight of Hand check.

BRAD: Ooh, that's pretty good. 22?

RUSSELL: 22. Alright, I presume you are going for the…

BRAD: Yeah, I would only like to take one, if I can. I want to be as subtle as possible.

RUSSELL: One is all you find.

BRAD: Okay. Uh, he turns up, just quickly checking that nobody, you know, caught him.

(*IC*) (sighs) You guys. You're more in the loop about this than I am. These are all fairy tales to me! Tell me what you know.

ARIEL (*IC, shakily*): What are you talking about, Obi?

JOSHUA (*IC*): No, I understand. I thought so…I thought so too, for the longest time. Until I met with the observer. And then he told me. I've…I've got the blood of the Heralds.

BRAD (*IC, sarcastically*): Well, it's nice that you got a choice!

JOSHUA (*IC*): I didn't…I didn't have a choice. I was told, yeah. I was never given a choice.

ARIEL (*IC*): I've known since birth that I've had the blood of a Herald. It's…It's obvious, in Nov Romara.

BRAD (*IC, annoyed*): You're not special! None of us are.

JOSHUA (*IC*): Least of all a Nov Romaran.

BRAD (*IC*): We're just lucky to be alive!

ARIEL (*IC*): Obi, I don't understand why you're so upset about learning that you're descended from greatness!

BRAD (*IC, sarcastically*): Because they're not real?

ARIEL (*IC*): Yes, they are!

JOSHUA (*IC*): As much as I don't like this one, and her pompous nonsense…the Heralds, they are no joke. They're not a lie.

ARIEL (*IC*): But does that mean Amadeus?

JOSHUA (*IC, softly*): Aye. He's gone now. I suspected all of you!

BRAD (*IC*): I mean…He was intelligent. He knew what he was doing, but he was old. Maybe, it was too late for him? His body, you know…

ARIEL (*desperately, IC*): But his…his little book! Why wouldn't his little book have protected him? He seemed to have such a bond with it, where…where is it?

(*OOC*) Rosara is going to just, like, quickly kind of just shove aside some…some ship wreckage, uh, Perception or Investigation?

RUSSELL: Investigation, because you're looking for a specific object.

ARIEL: Don't see anything, I rolled a 4 for my Investigation.

RUSSELL: A 4. It's nowhere to be found.

ARIEL (*IC*): (frustrated sigh)

JOSHUA: As they're looking around, Vano walks up to Gritzern's body, retrieves his pistol, [*shuffling*] and then lays Gritzern's hands on top of his body, closes the eyes, Gritzern's eyes, and walks away.

BRAD: Obi, uh, sees Rosara looking for something near Amadeus, and says,

(*IC*) What are you doing? I took the only thing of value from the guy.

(*OOC*) And I spin around the brooch, put it back in my cloak.

ARIEL (*IC*): To return to his family, right Obi?

BRAD (*IC*): Well.

ARIEL (*shocked, IC*): Obi!

BRAD (*IC*): You’d be surprised how much value a little piece of gold can have. Not only on the open market…

ARIEL (*offended, IC*): We're not selling that!

JOSHUA (*IC*): Rosara, don't be so naive! We need that!

ARIEL (*angrily, IC*): I'm getting very sick of everyone telling me that I'm naïve! It's common basic decency! This man died in a shipwreck, and he's of Herald's blood? That doesn't make sense!

JOSHUA (*calmly, IC*): And so are we. And we need every advantage we can get.

BRAD (*IC*): Rosara, you may not think much of me, but I know you…at least care about me! You protected me in the fight. I'm using it as a key. It could get us in, if we ever need to head in that way. He had connections. We show people the brooch, we're friendly to anyone he was friendly to, right? Think! I'm street smart. That's how I've survived this long. Look outside the box, he doesn't need it anymore. I'm not gonna sell it.

JOSHUA (*IC*): In the field of battle, you take what advantage you can get. And don't mistake it! That's exactly where we are.

ARIEL (*sadly, IC*): Can…can we put them aside? Can we bury them, at least?

BRAD (*IC*): Vano. You and I know what we do when people die at sea. It's the very least we can do, right?

(*OOC*) I, um, notion that for the next five minutes Vano and I can probably start making a raft, and I will point to my crossbow, and we can give him a…a seaward burial. Obi's now looking for pieces of driftwood that can make some kind of a raft.

RUSSELL: Yes. Uh, you find it very easy to build a raft.

BRAD (*IC*): Vano, give us a hand with his body, will you?

JOSHUA: (*IC*) Of course.

(*OOC*) Vano helps move the bodies. [*shuffling*] Vano straight up picks Gritzern up over his shoulder. Just walks him over to the raft, dumps him onto it.

ARIEL (*IC*): Rosara will take Lord Amadeus' body, like bridal style, uh, place him next to Gritzern.

BRAD (*IC*): I'll pick my crossbow up, and I will tear a piece of cloth from my legging pieces, [*tearing*] and I will tie it round one of the arrows, and I will,

(*IC*) Can anyone light this?

JOSHUA: Vano still has his flintlock. He walks over, cocks the flintlock, [*gun clicking*] puts it next to the cloth.

BRAD (*IC*): I'm out of gunpowder.

JOSHUA (*IC*): It's alright. I've got a little bit left. Not enough for the shot, but it'll take care of this.

(*OOC*) Put the gunpowder into the front, put it right up next to the cloth, just fire out into the air so it lights the cloth.

[*gunshot*]

[*fizzing*]

BRAD: I'll light it. I'll use bonus action Steady Aim to give me advantage in case this is a skill check, um. [*crossbow loading*] And right before I fire, I'll say,

(*wryly, IC*) Well, since we're descended, may Kyboor keep you.

(*OOC*) And I'll fire my arrow.

[*crossbow twang*]

RUSSELL: Flaming arrow arcs through the air, [*arrow whooshing, impact*] embeds into the floating wooden platform, [*sad music*] and flames spread and rise as it drifts out to sea. [*fire crackling*]

JOSHUA (*IC*): Hey, those who fight and die on the field live forever in another life.

ARIEL (*shakily, IC*): I'm sorry!

JOSHUA: I touch my halberd to my right.

ARIEL: And Rosara does the same with her halberd beside Vano.

BRAD: I turn and walk away.

ARIEL: I guess we hoof it, in moderate silence, towards the nearest village.

RUSSELL: In the distance, as you scan, uh, you do not see any signs of civilization, except in the forest that runs along the bank, you do see a path. It does not look well-tread or well-traveled; it is simply a dirt…it's almost like forester's trail. But there is a path. And it looks to be maintained not by animals, but by Edwed of some kind.

JOSHUA (*IC*): I went north from Jvar-VunGal. I assume we're closer to the Bor Bor region of my home.

BRAD (*IC*): I mean, we're still on the coastline, so...there's got to be a fishing town, or somewhere we can at least get basic supplies, right? We are…we're running on empty, guys. Let's follow the trail. I don't care how long it takes, there's got to be something nearby.

(*OOC*) And I'm presuming we walk and talk.

[*slow, serene music*]

RUSSELL: As you make your way down the trail for some hours, you begin to see small signs of civilization. Some trees that have been logged, you see a wagon with a broken wheel that is abandoned, and some broken tools. You see other signs of workmanship and civilization, and then as the sun is beginning to sink towards the edge of the horizon, where it begins to dip below the mountains, in the distance, you see a parting in the jungle in front of you. A small village, a large wooden fence running alongside of it, and behind it, you see mud brick homes and then a few slightly larger, but still very small, wooden houses. [*wheels creaking, general village noises*] Two prominent ones, standing up above the rest, up on hills, and within it, you see, moving about, a dozen figures at most. A small huddle of mud houses.

BRAD (*IC*): Well, it ain't much, but…What do you think, guys?

ARIEL (*IC*): At the very least, we can get food and water. And figure out where we go from here.

JOSHUA (*IC*): Looks like more shelter than we've had in a long time.

BRAD (*IC*): What are you thinking? Split up? Stick together?

JOSHUA (*IC*): Considering what we've just been through, I don't think leaving each other's side is a great idea.

ARIEL (*IC*): Let's try to find some form, together, of a general store, perhaps?

BRAD (*IC*): I need a drink.

JOSHUA (*chuckling, IC*): Aye. I could use one as well.

RUSSELL: As you begin to approach the makeshift wooden gates, a figure pokes its head above the top of the hall skinny-faced youth Edwed, uh, face that is streaked with green and a slight pinkish tone.

(*excited, confused, youth*) Ay! Pa! We got some strangers! (stammers) Sirs and ma'ams and things, um…We…we, um, sorry, we don't get a lot of visitors, uh… (stammers) Hang on a second, uh, let me…let me get the…the sheriff, don't go anywhere, don't…Uh…

ARIEL (*confused, IC*): Wait! I…

JOSHUA (*sweetly, IC*): Young Edwed.

RUSSELL (*youth*): What?

JOSHUA (*IC*): The least you could do is open the gates in the meantime.

RUSSELL (*youth*): No, no, no, I'm not…

JOSHUA (*IC*): We've been through hell just to get here.

RUSSELL (*youth*): I'm not supposed to open…I'm not supposed to open the gates, okay? I'm just…

BRAD (*IC*): We've had a hell of a day.

RUSSELL (*youth*): I…I…

BRAD (*IC*): Look at us.

RUSSELL (*youth*): Okay.

ARIEL (*impatient, IC*): We crashed a boat!

RUSSELL (*youth*): Okay, I understand, uh, you…you have a lot going on, but, um, I'm supposed to get the sheriff, so just stay right there, and don't move, and, uh, probably put away the scary-looking weapons, please.

ARIEL: Is there a…It's a door? It's a door, right?

RUSSELL: It's…it's like…

ARIEL: To the village, right?

RUSSELL: It's a…it's like a swinging gate. It looks like it has a bar the other side.

ARIEL: Oh, yeah, like, Rosara's gonna keep walking.

(*dismissively, IC*) Come on, let's go.

JOSHUA (*IC*): I don't mean any offense, young sir, but, you've got five minutes to get your sheriff before we make our way in just to get out of the night.

RUSSELL (*youth*): Five minutes? I mean, that's…that's like…Thanks, I appreciate it, that's very generous. That's plenty of time.

(*OOC*) He scampers down from the wall and vanishes.

ARIEL (*annoyed, IC*): Five minutes seems very generous, Vano, we could just walk in, it's a door!

BRAD (*amused, IC*): And it's not like he's watching now, right? (laughs) I'm with you, Rosara, for once. Let's go.

ARIEL (*IC*): Alright, let's go.

(*OOC, laughing*) Um, the three of us walk through the door!

RUSSELL: So, there's the door…it's just two, uh, small wooden doors. As you walk up through them, you can see there's a noticeable gap in between, and it looks like they're barred on the other side with a large metal bar.

JOSHUA: Vano knows how to solve that! Sticks the…the haft of his halberd in between, and just lifts up,

BRAD: (laughs)

JOSHUA: Until it clears the door.

BRAD: I will assist.

[*music fades*]

RUSSELL: As the bar clatters off of the door, and then they just start to [*door creaking*] lazily, one swings outward and one swings inward, you see a short…a rotund, uh, fellow with a nicely manicured, uh, beard, and a bowl cut. He has a green and brown blotchy face with a pattern almost like that on a cow, uh, stare at you with wide eyes. He's wearing a vest, an open vest with no shirt beneath it, and on his hip, there is a bronze cudgel, and he looks like he was walking, uh, parallel, and then he turns.

(*deep, blustering*) (stammers in surprise) Excuse you! I'm…I was about to go up on the wall and let you in!

ARIEL (*dismissively, IC*): Well, we saved you a minute.

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): (grumbles) I mean…(stammers) Sure. (stammers) How can we accommodate you?

ARIEL (*IC*): We're looking for supplies. We just got out of a bad wreck.

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): Um, we're a little short on supplies due to some, uh, events that have taken place, but, um, we can accommodate you in…to some degree, for, you know, a reasonable price.

JOSHUA: Vano just takes a step up, puts his hand on their shoulder, just goes,

(*IC*) We appreciate anything. Ale, a soft bed for the night, just something to get us away from the forest.

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): Oh, well, I mean, sure! If you're looking for a place to stay the night, on the…the hill over there, on…on the left, the house on it, that's…that's our inn, uh, you…you can find, uh, a very, uh, pleasant and delightful lady there who will accommodate all of your needs, although I'm…I am obligated to say, you should probably check with the the mayor first, he'll…he'll want to meet you.

ARIEL (*suspiciously, IC*): Why? Is it customary for your mayor to meet with everyone who passes through your village?

JOSHUA: Vano glares at Rosara. Turns and glares at her. And then just looks back at him and goes,

(*deliberately, IC*) I'm sure he can find us over at the tavern.

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): He's not fond of going over there.

BRAD (*suspiciously, IC*): Why? Does he not like food and good company?

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): (stammers) I'm not really the fellow to talk about the…the politics of this town.

JOSHUA (*restrained impatience, IC*): Well, neither are we! So how about you tell him where we are?

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): (exhales) I mean, sure, I'll tell him where you are!

BRAD (*IC*): Before we go any further, can I ask a strange question?

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): I mean, I…I suppose, if you must.

BRAD (*IC*): Where are we?

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): Uh, here…You're in Hemplethorn.

BRAD (*IC*): Okay.

ARIEL (*IC*): Hemplethorn?

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): Hemplethorn.

BRAD (*IC*): And is this, uh…We've had a bit of a…an odd day. I'm presuming this is to the east of the, uh, the continent, right?

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): Uh, we're on the continent.

JOSHUA (*IC*): Let me rephrase my…my wee friend's question. What nation are we in?

RUSSELL (*proudly, sheriff*): Well…Obviously, we're in Jvar-VunGal, the greatest nation on earth.

(*OOC*) And then he pauses to glance Rosara up and down.

ARIEL (*amused*): Yeah, then Rosara's just gonna, like, meet his gaze.

JOSHUA: Vano pats him on the shoulder, maybe a little touch too hard, just, "pff," {*mimes placing hand on a shoulder*} with his big hand, and goes,

(*IC*) Thank you, sir. I appreciate your assistance, and your hospitality.

(*OOC*) Squeezes his shoulder just a little bit, and then starts to walk towards the hill.

BRAD: Yeah, Obi picks up on something, and just…As, well, I'm presuming, turning and going to the tavern, he'll side talk to the gentleman.

(*IC*) Look, don't be offended by, uh…Bala over there.

(*OOC*) And he points to Rosara.

(*proudly, IC*) She eats Nov Romarans for breakfast. That's some of their armor. She hates them as much as you do.

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): I mean, I…I couldn't say I particularly hate Nov Romarians, I mean…As much as one, like, hates rats that eat your flour, it's more if you just chase the pests off. (*proudly*) I mean, we've had some of them here before in my youth when we had some of the skirmishes near the border. I dealt with some of them very…

(*OOC*) And he pats his cudgel on his hand.

BRAD (*IC*): Yeah, but dealing with them is one thing, and…look at the prize of the armor she's wearing, man! She knows how to deal with them. Anyway, Bala! We need to, uh, keep moving, yeah?

ARIEL (*impatiently, IC*): Can we go?

JOSHUA: Vano turns around having heard you say that.

(*IC*) We're not moving already! Let's go!

RUSSELL: As the three of you are striding up the hill towards the inn, you hear a huffing and puffing, and the sheriff pops up right next to you.

(*sheriff*) (stammers) I'm…I am obligated, um, simply because it is in my best interest to be helpful, um, to say, uh, that, uh, you…you should be careful, that we've had some very…uh, curious visitors. I wouldn't want to assume too much about them, but, um, I…I would watch yourself out there.

ARIEL (*dismissively, IC*): Oh, have they been tipping cows and such?

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): (stammers) We don't have too many cattle around here, we're a mining town. We're a bunch of miners. (*quickly*) Not Minors like, um, no offense, uh, little, uh, fellow. We're not Edwed Minors, nothing against that sort, uh, but we're a town of miners who mine in the ground. Not…aren't so close to it.

ARIEL (*IC*): And your visitors? Uh, what is it that you're trying to warn us of? What do they do?

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): Uh, well, mostly just lurk around the outside of our town, though we have had a lot of strange reports. Um…I'm not sure what I would put stock in and not, but we have been seeing, like, strange monsters and, uh, creatures, and…and I've had some very reliable, uh, reports from some of the villagers that I trust that they have been seeing things that are (*secretively*) quite unnatural.

BRAD (*sarcastically, IC*): Oh, did you hear that, guys? More monsters! Fantastic! I can hardly wait!

ARIEL (*sarcastically, IC*): Yes, very spooky. I'm sure that…I'm sure that they'll be beyond our ken.

JOSHUA (*IC*): I tell you what. Have any of them made it into the walls of the…of the village?

RUSSELL (*mildly offended, sheriff*): Uh…No! I'd…I would not allow that!

(*OOC*) He says, placing his hand on his cudgel.

(*sheriff*) I keep very tight security around here! But last, um, but, uh, we have had some incidents, lately, of creatures lurking around outside the wall, which is quite peculiar.

JOSHUA (*IC*): I'll tell you what, sheriff. Let us get a good night's sleep and a meal, perhaps a couple of rounds of ale…We'll see what we can do to help you out.

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): Uh…we very much appreciate that. Uh, you should, uh, speak to the mayor, um, he…he'll definitely want to talk to you.

BRAD (*wryly, IC*): Rosara, you're gonna let Vano speak for you? Looks like he's, uh, selling your sword.

ARIEL (*IC*): I will do what I think is necessary at the time. If some large, spooky bat is attacking this village, I'm sure that what we have been through, uh…I'm sure we'll be able to handle it.

RUSSELL: Out of the side…From the side of the building, you see, uh, a young boy poke his head out around the edge of the building, and pops back.

ARIEL (*IC*): If you want to take a poke around, uh, tonight after we take a look at what's inside this house…

(*OOC*) And Rosara's gonna, like, kind of poke around and try to see that boy that just poked his head around.

RUSSELL: His head pokes out around, uh, his little orange face pokes out around the edge of the building and then pops behind it again.

ARIEL: Rosara's gonna stare at where his head is popping in and out.

(*distractedly, IC*) Uh, once we take a look at what is in this house, perhaps tonight we can take a look at the perimeter of the…

RUSSELL: Little hand goes around the edge of the building, and then another one, and then the head just peeks back out again. And this time, it stays.

ARIEL (*annoyed, IC*): Hello?

BRAD (*amused, IC*): Yeah. We can see you!

RUSSELL (*amused, childish lisp, as child*): No you can't! Hm!

ARIEL (*seriously, IC*): We very much can!

RUSSELL (*child*): No, I'm…I'm training to be a ranger! You can't see me.

ARIEL (*confused, IC*): I…Keep at it!

RUSSELL (*child*): Thank you! Also, you're kind of scary!

ARIEL (*offended, IC*): Excuse me?

RUSSELL (*child*): Aah!

ARIEL (*offended, IC*): Let's go inside.

RUSSELL (*child*): If you're indignant at being called, uh, scary, uh, yelling doesn't make it better!

ARIEL (*laughing*): Rosara's gonna, like, open up the doors, like, very forcefully.

RUSSELL: The doors swing open, [*bang*] you find yourself in a squat-ceilinged room, uh, wooden paneled floors. [*soft chatter, silverware clinking, tavern music*] There are a few tables and chairs, but not very many, and a low bar on the other side of the room.

JOSHUA: How squat?

RUSSELL: You see, in a corner, uh…You'll have to hunch just a little tiny bit.

BRAD (*amused, IC*): Ah, look at all this headroom! Fantastic.

JOSHUA (*jokingly annoyed, IC*): You can shut your mouth, Obi.

BRAD (*IC*): (laughs)

RUSSELL: There are a couple of Edwed here in the room with you. In the corner, you see three older fellows with wrinkled face, bending over what looks to be a game…some sort of game of bone dice, presumably gambling, and then, in the center of the room, rocking back and forth, in a chair, as it creaks, sits a stately-looking older woman who holds her head up high with poise. She's wearing a simple, cut, dyed robe, and her features are clearer and finer than what you would expect from around here, and a simple silver broach is perched up in her hair, which is curled and fastened onto the top of her head. She peers at you with soft, gray eyes with just a tint of purple.

ARIEL (*IC*): Excuse me, ma'am, uh, are you the owner of this establishment?

RUSSELL (*cracked, old woman*): I am indeed. Welcome to the Bortool, young one! How may we serve you?

BRAD (*IC*): Obi is just not even…like, he's not even concerned with social interaction, he's just found a table. Uh, one near the people playing, because he thinks he knows what they're playing.

ARIEL (*IC*): Perhaps we'll start with, uh, three…three mugs of ale, perhaps?

RUSSELL (*old woman*): Oh, certainly. Dear! Dear!

(*OOC*) A similar, uh…face pops around from behind a wall in the back. Gray eyes peer at you curiously. A simple, uh, pink and green pattern on her face, uh, yet much younger, she peers at you, dressed more plainly, an apron.

(*weary, young woman*) Yes, Grandmother?

(*old woman*) Fetch them a few…What was it you wanted? Ale?

ARIEL (*IC*): Just ale? If, uh, if that's alright.

RUSSELL (*old woman*): Uh, we do have spiced cider, and here…I…I must say, we are proud. It has a hell of a kick to it, if that's what you look for.

ARIEL (*IC*): Sure, I'll, uh, I'll take a spiced cider.

RUSSELL (*old woman*): Spiced cider it is.

JOSHUA: Vano's head pops over Rosara's shoulder, just from below.

(*IC*) We'll take two for me, and one for the wee one as well.

RUSSELL (*awkwardly, old woman*): Oh, um, we don't serve alcohol to children.

ARIEL & JOSHUA: (laugh)

JOSHUA (*amused, IC*): I'll make sure to tell him that.

ARIEL: (laughs)

(*amused, IC*) Apologies, apologies, one…one mug of milk, then, and two spiced ciders.

RUSSELL (*young woman*): Viata? I've got that. Oh yes, and I'll warm the milk for the little fellow, please.

ARIEL (*IC*): Yes, yes, he loves it warm, isn't that right?

JOSHUA (*IC*): Absolutely.

RUSSELL (*Viata*) Alright. And what brings you so far?

ARIEL (*IC*): Happenstance and bad luck.

RUSSELL (*Viata*): (*kindly*) Oh, how unfortunate. What manner of bad luck has befallen you?

ARIEL (*awkwardly, IC*): Uh…Just, um… (*quickly*) Vano, I…I believe you…you have a better handle on what's happened.

JOSHUA: As you turn to say that Vano has moved over to grab the spiced ales and is already walking to the table where Obi is.

ARIEL (*IC*): Well, uh, things that we're still grappling with, I think.

RUSSELL (*curiously, Viata*): Hm? Well…

ARIEL (*IC*): How much for the, um, ales and the milk?

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Well, we'll get to that, but, uh, first, I would like to know a little bit of news of the outside world. It's been so terribly long since anything exciting that is not also tragic has transpired here.

ARIEL (*IC*): You make it sound as though a lot of tragedies befall this…this very humble town of Hemplethorn!

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Tragedy befalls us all in time.

JOSHUA: As you say that, I sit down and hand the milk over to Obi.

BRAD (*confused, IC*): What's that?

JOSHUA (*IC*): That's what they said they offer the kids.

BRAD: I pick up the milk. And I tip it on Vano's head.

ARIEL (*surprised, IC*): (stammers) Obi!

JOSHUA: Vano's tattoo just goes slightly redder than it was.

RUSSELL (*Viata*): I see your child is a little undisciplined.

ARIEL (*pointedly, IC*): Yes, he likes to throw temper tantrums!

BRAD (*angrily, IC*): I wanted an ale!

ARIEL (*frustrated, IC*): Alright, alright, apology…I apologize, Obi. Okay, he's not actually a child, he's a Minor…Uh, well, he's an Edwed Minor, not a minor as in a child…God, I can't believe this. Anyways, yes, uh, he is of age.

RUSSELL (*amused, Viata*): I am aware, thank you.

(*OOC*) And she winks at you.

ARIEL (*annoyed, IC*): He is of age, can we please have also another spiced ale, and I will be sure to pay also for the milk.

RUSSELL (*amused, Viata*): Of course. Coming right up. Dear! Thank you.

(*OOC*) And the back her granddaughter, uh, sullenly stomps and, uh…to fill that ale.

ARIEL (*IC*): Um, as far as the outside world goes, uh…Very dangerous, very unexpected.

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Oh, did you encounter the brigands who have been lurking about?

ARIEL (*IC*): Is that the odd company that, uh, the, uh, the bowl-cutted man was talking about? Warning us about when we walked in?

RUSSELL (*Viata*): By odd company, you mean fellows lurking in the woods at all hours of the day and night, stalking around and leaving strange markings branded on trees? Then, sure. Strange fellows is one way to put it. *I* would say disturbers of the peace. Suspicious chaps, for sure.

ARIEL (*dismissively, IC*): Huh. They…they sound, uh, they sound very annoying, more so than violent.

RUSSELL (*Viata*): (sighs) I mean, they did seem to be well-armed, but who am I to say what they're going to do?

ARIEL (*IC*): Well, you know,

(*OOC*) And I look over at Vano, who is covered in milk, um…

(*IC*) My companions and I have been known to deal with trouble. Um, perhaps for a stay in the night, uh, we can investigate these brigands?

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Oh, thank you, I mean, uh, I will put it on a tab, and if you can provide reasonable results, then I will certainly be willing to wave that.

ARIEL (*pleasantly surprised, IC*): Oh, thank you! Um, also, could we get, uh, two or three rooms?

RUSSELL (*surprised, Viata*): Two…two or three? Oh, of course, certainly! You can have all our…I mean, two or three rooms?

ARIEL (*IC*): Uh, yes! Yes. Uh, two or three rooms for the night, uh, we'll be back once it's…Well, I guess it is evening now.

RUSSELL (*Viata*): It…is quite late, I don't know how far you're going to get. By the time you finish that ale, the sun will be well and set.

ARIEL (*IC*): Well, I'll speak with my companions, and if we want to go and investigate tonight, we will, if not, we'll stay the night. Thank you very much, ma'am.

JOSHUA: Vano has finished the first cider and is going up to the counter for a second.

ARIEL (*IC*): Um, Vano. Well…Do you and Obi want to go investigate the strange company this village seems to be having tonight?

JOSHUA (*IC*): Tonight? Are you kidding me? The wee one hasn't even had an ale yet.

ARIEL (*amused, IC*): Right.

RUSSELL (*young woman*): Here's your ale,

(*OOC*) Says the granddaughter, plopping it on the table in front of you.

JOSHUA (*IC*): Thank you.

ARIEL (*exasperated, IC*): I'll take it to him.

(*OOC*) I'll, uh, I'll go ahead and take Obi's ale and head over to Obi and place it in front of him and be like,

(*patronizing, IC*) There you go you, big baby.

BRAD (*annoyed, IC*): Hmph! Thank you, Rosara.

ARIEL (*amused, IC*): Hm!

RUSSELL (*gravely, patron*): Aye!

(*OOC*) Says one of the old fellows, uh, raising a beaker towards Obi at his table.

(*patron*) Starting you young?

BRAD (*unamused, IC*): Hey, quiet, you. You don't think I haven't seen what you guys have been doing in the corner? The one to your right, he's two moves ahead of you, and he's been cheating for the past ten minutes.

RUSSELL (*amused, patron*): Pfft, pfft. Old Gob's always cheating! The thing is with him is that you always know he's cheating because he's so bad at it! And then, if you win, you know you beat a cheat, and you keep your money, but at the end, if you caught…if you're owing money, you'd just be like, "Oh, well, you was cheating!" And then you never owe him any money.

(*OOC*) And then, presumably Old Gob on the other side of the table sits up.

(*Cockney, Old Gob*) Oi! That's what's been happening? You've all been swindling me these years?

BRAD (*wryly, IC*): Guys, listen. I'm from Cor'Vitaar. You guys are amateurs.

RUSSELL (*patron*): You're from Covi…Cove of Tar?

BRAD (*disbelief, IC*): Goodness me.

RUSSELL (*patron*): I…I didn't know that. I know the world's full of strange places, but I didn't know there was a cove made all of tar! That must be worth a lot of money.

ARIEL (*IC*): My gods.

RUSSELL (*Old Gob*): Are you like a Mr. Banker Man?

BRAD (*IC*): Sure. Well, I'm financially inclined to know that you're probably gonna be cleaned out in the next, mm, four moves.

RUSSELL (*patron*): Um…

(*Old Gob*) Somebody's gonna clean me suit!

BRAD (*confused, IC*): Help. Please? Anybody?

JOSHUA: Vano's over at the bar, trying to drink an ale sideways because he's standing up.

BRAD (*IC*): Have a good evening, gentlemen.

(*OOC*) And I turn.

ARIEL (*amused, IC*): Oh wait, you don't want to get…play a game with them, Obi?

BRAD (*IC*): I don't like, you know…

RUSSELL (*Old Gob*): Yeah, Mr., um, Mr. Tar Man, salesman, um, if you want to play with us, it does sound like you're from a place that has…I mean, it does sound like you might have some a free coin.

BRAD (*IC*): I'm from a place where if you cheat as badly as you do, you don't make it off the table.

RUSSELL (*Old Gob*): Pshhh. You're from a place where they are… (laughs) They…they make it off the table? You don't gamble to win money!  What is a few coppers? You gamble to drink, and you should be under the table by the time you're done!

BRAD: I slide my spice cider over and lean in.

(*IC*) Rosara. What do you say, uh, you sponsor me, eh?

ARIEL (*disbelief, IC*): Sponsor you?

BRAD (*IC*): You front the coin, I'll clean them out, and we'll split it 60-40. How's that?

ARIEL (*offended, IC*): 60-40?

BRAD (*IC*): Well, I'm doing all the work!

ARIEL (*IC*): It's my money!

BRAD (*IC*): And I'm doing all the work!

ARIEL (*exasperated, IC*): (sighs) You better double it.

BRAD (*IC*): Oh, I have, uh, much bigger aspirations than that with these people.

ARIEL: Rosara will roll her eyes and, um, kind of just, like, pat her, uh, pockets, and, like, dig through, try to…find the suitable coin, (*laughing*) and she ends up pulling out a gold, and giving it to…to Obi.

BRAD (*amused, IC*): Heh. I don't think they're gonna be able to match this, but…This could be interesting.

ARIEL (*IC*): (scoffs) I'll supervise, I suppose.

(*OOC*) And I'll kind of just, like, stand and look over at the table.

BRAD: I'll make my way over and find a free seat.

RUSSELL: They scoot over and make room for both of you.

BRAD: I throw the gold into the pot. [*clink*]

RUSSELL: You throw the gold into the pot, and then you realize that the only other thing in the pot is about seven copper pieces. The two of them stare at the gold the piece that…as it clinks on the table and comes to rest, unblinking, and the third one falls out of his chair.

ARIEL (*IC*): Uh, what, no, you're supposed to match it, right? That…that's how this works, you're supposed to match that.

RUSSELL (*baffled, Old Gob*): (stammers) She want me to, like, put my house as a bet?

ARIEL (*IC*): Uh. Excuse…I'm…I'm…I feel like I'm misunderstanding something here.

RUSSELL (*baffled, Old Gob*): But…you want…you want me to match it? I…I ain't got shit.

BRAD (*IC*): I have a better idea.

RUSSELL (*Old Gob*): I…I ain't wagering my tools!

BRAD (*IC*): Listen, gentlemen. No one's asking you to cover the, uh, you know, the gold. You guys are local, right?

RUSSELL (*patron*): Uh, yeah? You think we live somewhere else? Up in a tree?

BRAD (*IC*): How about we play for information? Since that's what,

(*OOC*) And I turn, and say loudly,

(*deliberately, IC*) That's what the patron of this establishment has been trying to do to Rosara this whole time. Big mouth.

ARIEL (*IC*): What? She…What do you mean, she's a very nice lady?

BRAD (*IC*): (sighs)

ARIEL (*IC*): Also, can I take my gold back if you got…if you are gonna be playing for information?

(*OOC*) Rosara's gonna reach in and just take her gold back.

BRAD (*IC*): Fine!

(*OOC*) I'll throw in a silver, so that they don't feel swindled.

RUSSELL: Uh, when you mention playing for information, they're going to glance sidelong over to the old lady who's rocking in her chair. Then just, like, look at each other.

BRAD: Obi picked up on it the moment she was a little too friendly to Rosara, and this is the type of people that Obi lives and breathes. So, he wants to play a game back!

(*IC*) So, am I presuming the old lady wants to play? Instead of you guys?

RUSSELL (*Old Gob*): (stammers) Bone dice? No, no, she…that's…that's…No, uh, miss, ma'am would never play.

BRAD (*IC*): Oh, come on! It'll be fun.

ARIEL: Rosara will take a look over at the ma'am.

RUSSELL (*Old Gob*): I don't think she's…Hey, you can ask…you can ask her, but I don't…She's not gonna play.

ARIEL (*exasperated, IC*): I'll go ask her, Obi.

(*OOC*) And, uh, Rosara will go ahead and walk up over to her and Vano, 'cause Vano's still sitting up there.

JOSHUA: Vano's sitting at the bar, uh, ordering ale, uh, cider number three.

ARIEL (*IC*): Uh, Vano?

JOSHUA (*IC*): They've not asked for…for any money yet!

ARIEL (*annoyed, IC*): It's because they're putting it on a tab! You dunder head!

JOSHUA (*IC*): Well, you could have told me that before I ordered the third one.

ARIEL (*frustrated, IC*): It's fine. It's fine! We'll…I've talked to her about perhaps looking into the brigands, so, as long as we look into them, we should be fine. (*quickly*) Excuse me, ma'am?

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Yes?

ARIEL (*IC*): The, uh, my friend over there, the…the small one, uh, is asking if you would like to join the game we are having over here? This…this parlor game of bone dice?

RUSSELL (*Viata*): I have heard, you’re all in a moderate-sized room, and you're not being particularly quiet.

ARIEL (*IC*): Well, they asked if we can personally ask you, and I also find that to be much more polite.

RUSSELL (*Viata*): I do appreciate that you are the one amongst your companions who knows a little bit about how to not faff about in decent company. It has been a long time since I've met someone who knows what it means to have manners, so thank you, dear!

ARIEL (*confused, IC*): I…you're…you're welcome!

RUSSELL (*Viata*): As for your proposal, I…would not wish to get dirt under my fingernails casting those things about in the dust. Thank you.

ARIEL (*IC*): Huh, yes.

(*OOC*) And I turn to Obi, and just make a…make a gesture. {*shrugs*}

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Now, little one, since you seem so invested in information, perhaps you and I could play a game of a different color?

BRAD: I cock my head.

(*IC*) I'm all ears!

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Well, grab a stool!

BRAD: Plop down. I leave the silver on the table, because I want to see how they fight over it. Because it will be funny. And I go and join her.

RUSSELL: It…As you leave the table, it looks like they just go to their next round of casting dice and continue to treat it like it's just part of the regular jackpot of the game.

BRAD: Interesting.

RUSSELL: You've placed a bet and left the table, but, you know, your gold's still there…or silver's still there.

BRAD: It's fine! They can have it.

RUSSELL: That's the rules of the game, you can't just pay to place a bet and walk away. Your money…you fronted your money, it's…it's part of the game now.

BRAD: Yes, it is! But Obi's more interested in, uh, the patron of this business.

RUSSELL (*Viata*): So, you seem to have come from very far.

BRAD (*pointedly, IC*): And you seem to like asking a little, you know, too many questions.

RUSELL (*amused, Viata*): Would you prefer someone who asked too few?

BRAD (*IC*): Well, as my, uh, loud friend over there,

(*OOC*) Looking at Rosara,

(*IC*) Has a so eloquently, uh, informed you, we've had a bit of a rough day. And, uh, we get here, and you're having a rough week by the sounds of it. Everyone's just having a rough time.

RUSSELL (*Viata*): I've been having a rough life these past decades. But enough about me. What is troubling you, little one?

BRAD (*amused, IC*): Well, I've just been told that, uh, I'm not who I thought I was! That's fun!

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Has the barmaid crept into the master's bed?

JOSHUA: At that, Vano chokes a little bit on the cider he was drinking.

(*IC*) (snorts)

ARIEL: And like Rosara just, like, puts a…puts a hand on her…on her mouth. (laughs)

BRAD (*IC*): I…No comment.

(*OOC*) With eyes.

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Ah. It can be hard to come to grips with the reality that we have fallen far from what we thought we were. But if we are resilient, then we find a way to overcome…our place in the world. Or rise to new places, as we can.

BRAD (*IC*): You said something about a game. Well?

RUSSELL (*disappointed, Viata*): Oh.

BRAD (*IC*): What do you propose?

RUSSELL (*Viata*): I overestimated you. How disappointing.

BRAD (*IC*): (chuckles)

(*OOC*) I will sigh, and I will just keep dead-eyeing her, trying to read her. I'm gonna make an Insight check on her, please.

RUSSELL: Roll.

BRAD: Uh…Ooh, 14.

RUSSELL: 14. She is also gaging you up and down. She seems a little smug about something, and you can tell she's holding a lot back.

BRAD (*IC*): So. You give me something I want. I'll give something you want. We'll start there, shall we?

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Alright. What is it you desire?

BRAD (*IC*): What exactly is plaguing this town? *Exactly*?

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Hm. There are, due to my understanding, from what I've heard from my people, is that there are actually, it seems, two different, distinct groups that have been plaguing this town. One is very recent, and that is the brigands who have been snooping about, but the other is some sort of form of monster. I haven't quite fully understood exactly what it is, but it seems to be lurking about in the woods. Though, I would be…I would take with a grain of salt some of the more colorful things you may have heard from the other villagers? I can assure you that there is a presence of some kind. But it is not perhaps what you think. Is that enough to begin?

BRAD (*IC*): Okay.

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Now it's your turn.

BRAD (*IC*): I'm an open book.

RUSSELL (*amused, Viata*): Are you now?

JOSHUA: Vano does another spit take.

ARIEL: I whisper over to Vano, like,

(*amused, IC*) I'm the one who is giving away information?

JOSHUA (*IC*): I don't know what this one's on about. Open book, my arse.

ARIEL (*IC*): I…I feel like we need to put him in timeout.

JOSHUA: But Vano leans in to listen more intently.

BRAD: I'm waiting for her to ask what she wants to ask! I'm hoping the other two will trust me, but evidently, they haven't got a clue what I'm doing, so it's fine.

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Tell me where are you from, and where are you going, and why?

BRAD (*IC*): I…am looking for a grasshopper. Seen any lately?

RUSSELL (*Viata*): Uh, we don't really have the infrastructure in this town for such things.

ARIEL (*IC*): I suppose.

BRAD (*IC*): Okay. Thank you!

(*OOC*) I'll hop off the stool. And, uh, pat Vano and, uh, Rosara on the back, and just lean against the…the bar, and start drinking.

RUSSELL: As you sit…as you, uh, pick up a pint at the bar…or the granddaughter, uh, reaches for it, almost snatches it out of your hands, Obi, and then fills it, uh, then fills it up, and then walks behind the wall, is gone for a moment, and then walks back and sets it in front of you.

BRAD: I have a quick look at it.

RUSSELL: Obi, there is a small, folded note at the bottom of your pint.

BRAD: I'm gonna turn to both of them.

(*IC*) This one's empty. Uh, I won't be having another. Uh, can't find me in five…

(*OOC*) I'm gonna go and sit on a corner table.

ARIEL (*skeptical, IC*): Alright.

BRAD (*IC*): I don't like it. It's too sweet for me.

JOSHUA (*IC*): He normally loves to drink!

ARIEL (*IC*): Here, you can finish his.

JOSHUA: I look and there's, like, nothing in there. Disappointedly back down on the counter.

BRAD: Okay, well, during the time that I…they are not immediately over my shoulder, I will read the note.

[*paper rustling*]

RUSSELL: Alright, you fold it open, and it says…Sunset, outside.

BRAD: (laughs) I don't know how this is gonna go. Uh…This is a Constitution saving throw coming up right now.  I'm gonna try and eat the note.

RUSSELL: You just drank, so, eat this note, uh, and then roll to see if you can not vomit.

BRAD (*amused*): Uh, yeah, I knew this was fucking coming. (laughs) Natural 20!

ARIEL: Are you fucking kidding me?

BRAD: (laughs)

JOSHUA (*amused*): Well, at the one time he gets a nat 20, he's eating a note!

ARIEL: Goddamn it, alright. (laughs)

RUSSELL: Just inhales that fucking thing.

BRAD: (inhales)

(laughter)

RUSSELL: And it's gone.

ARIEL: Yeah, me and Vano head over to Obi's table after an allotted time limit.

RUSSELL: Alright, the three of you are now seated at this table.

JOSHUA (*IC*): What was that about?

BRAD (*IC*): What was what about?

JOSHUA (*IC*): You got up, walked away from…from a drink, and…and then just said, "Give me a minute," and came and sat down. A little odd.

BRAD (*IC*): Firstly, I wanted to play that, you know, fast game with them guys. Turns out they ain't got any coin for it, so, you know, I thought I'd have a game with the old misses, and, uh, well, I didn't get what I wanted, so, yeah. I say I call it a night, yeah?

ARIEL (*IC*): Yeah, well, my thought is we go to sleep for the night here, and then first thing in the morning, we take a look, uh, at whatever brigands or monsters that they were mentioning? Were, you know, stalking this town?

BRAD (*IC*): I reckon, uh, you know, early start for us, yeah? Sunrise outside the tavern?

ARIEL (*IC*): I'm sure that we'll, uh, we'll get a nice night's sleep once we're in a bed?

BRAD (*IC*): We've got to find that mayor, right?

ARIEL (*IC*): We don't need to find that mayor, that mayor can find us!

JOSHUA (*IC*): For once, I agree with this one.

ARIEL (*IC*): Why should we need to meet with the mayor?

BRAD (*IC*): Sure, he's the one that's gonna give us the old compensation for dealing with whatever these guys are dealing with, right? We ain't doing this for a night's stay, surely.

ARIEL (*IC*): I…I suppose. Okay, so we wake up at sunrise, go to find this mayor, which, by the way, we don't know what he looks like.

BRAD (*wryly, IC*): Just find the fanciest house in the town and go there!

ARIEL (*IC*): Alright. And, uh, then we'll hopefully go take care of whatever…issues this…this little village is having.

BRAD (*IC*): Let's do it.

JOSHUA: Vano gets up, heads to a room.

BRAD: I follow.

JOSHUA: He said three hard ciders? He's ready to pass out.

RUSSELL: It grows dark. The rooms have very small windows that overlook the jungle. The sun, which is sinking behind the horizon, it is full nightfall, and all seems to be quiet in the village. [*tavern noises fade, crickets begin*] Uh, Obi, out of your window, you can see that there is a single guard with a torch, pacing along the wall of the outside of the village.

BRAD: I will take a night's rest, and I'll make sure that I and get them up ahead of time for the sunrise.

RUSSELL: Some hours into the night, after you've all been sleeping, Vano, you are the first. You hear a commotion outside. It grows louder. [*angry mob yelling*] All three of you wake up. You hear shouts, yelling, feet running about, and outside of your windows, you see many torches, flitting here and there, throughout the town.

JOSHUA: Vano grabs his halberd off the wall, [*metal scraping*] slams open the door, [*bang*] and just goes right up to Rosara and Obi's doors. [*knocking*] Just bangs on it.

BRAD (*annoyed, IC*): Ah. What?

JOSHUA (*intensely, IC*): Get out here! Something's happening.

ARIEL: Rosara will grab her halberd, but I don't think she has time to put on her armor, so no armor. Well, she'll grab her sword and shield, Actually, um, but yeah. Come out in her, like, her nightgown or whatever. Yeah, Rosara will grab those and, like, come out into the hallway, and she says,

(*concerned, IC*) Outside, there's…there's townspeople with torches? What's going on? A mob?

JOSHUA (*IC*): I don't know, but they're screaming. Feels like we should get involved.

BRAD (*wryly, IC*): Rosara, you want to get dressed, first? Jesus.

ARIEL (*IC*): Fine! You two go ahead and head out there. I'm gonna put on my armor, and we'll see what's going on.

BRAD: Is there a window that is in each of our rooms?

RUSSELL: Yes.

BRAD: I'm gonna open mine, [*thump*] crossbow out, [*crossbow loading*] and have a look at what I see.

RUSSELL: You see a dozen townspeople running about with torches, some of them have pitchforks, uh, cudgels, you see a single makeshift spear, some pickaxes, other various tools, even an elder lady running through the town, uh, brandishing a garden hoe. [*soft, nervous piano music*] None of them seem to go…be going in the same direction, or have any cohesive organization to them, they're all just skittering about here and there, shouting and yelling and pointing. It looks as if there's multiple individuals who are trying to direct everyone. You see the stout, uh, sheriff waving his, uh, bronze stick here and there, uh, bellowing for people to go up to the walls. You see, uh, a thinner chap with spectacles on his nose shouting for people to surround the…pointing up to the large house on the hill and telling people to surround it and protect the house, and, uh, then you see the elder lady simply standing, uh, right outside the inn surveying the scene, silently.

BRAD: I'll turn to Vano and say,

(*IC*) The townsfolk are making a militia to, I think, defend from whatever is bugging them, but they're probably gonna get themselves killed.

JOSHUA (*IC*): That sounds rather foolhardy. I think they could use some help.

BRAD: Is this window considered a good vantage point, or are we too far away from where, like, the front line would be?

RUSSELL: Uh… (exhales) You could throw a rock over the town wall, uh, you could throw a rock and hit anything in town.

BRAD: Well if…if Obi considers this a good vantage point, like an old sniper's nest, he's gonna stay up out this window.

JOSHUA (*urgently IC*): Rosara! Move it!

ARIEL (*IC*): I'm trying!

(*OOC*) (laughs) Just, like, one…one foot in her boots.

JOSHUA: Vano runs out the front door.

ARIEL: She comes out, like, still pulling on the other boot, and, like, trying to run and follow after Vano. {*mimes hopping*}

JOSHUA: As we leave the door, I look up at the window.

(*IC*) Obi! That's a good spot for you! You can use your…your range from there!

ARIEL: Do I see the old lady out in the front of the inn?

RUSSELL: Yes. She's just, uh, standing there very stately, leaning on the gate.

ARIEL (*concerned, IC*): Ma'am, ma'am! Is everything alright?

RUSSELL (*bored, Viata*): (sighs) In a manner. They'll get over it. It happens, now and again, though not quite so bad as tonight. I do worry that it is growing worse.

ARIEL (*IC*): The brigands? Uh...

RUSSELL (*Viata*): No, the monsters, actually.

ARIEL: I turn to Vano.

(*nervously, IC*) Let's go get a closer look.

JOSHUA (*muttering, IC*): Shite, not more monsters. Right.

ARIEL: So, the two of us run towards the…the doors?

JOSHUA: Getting up to the…to the gate so I can try to see what's going on.

RUSSELL: As you approach the gate, you see it is now barricaded, and there are…there's a bunch of rubble, or broken, uh, panels, building materials, uh, bags of bricks and wagons of them, like, shoved up against it.

JOSHUA: Is there a pathway up on top of the wall?

RUSSELL: Yeah, there's…there's a pathway up there, which isn't very high.

JOSHUA: That's where I go.

ARIEL: Yeah, we…I look at Vano as he heads over, like,

(*surprised, IC*) Are we vaulting over it?

JOSHUA (*IC*): I think I'd rather stay on this side of the wall. I just want to see what's going on.

ARIEL: I'll wait for Vano to tell me what's there, what he can see.

RUSSELL: The wall is barely taller than you, Vano.

JOSHUA: Cool. I take a few steps up the path to the top of the wall. Just enough so I can get a view over the wall to see what's going on.

RUSSELL: Yeah, so the path, the…the little, uh, railing that runs along the edge of the wall, the…the walkway, is two feet off the ground. So, once you step up on it, then your head and shoulders are above the edge of the wall.

JOSHUA: Take a step up and look over the wall to see what's going on.

RUSSELL: You see a dark jungle surrounding the town.

JOSHUA: Can I roll Perception to see if I can spot anything moving around in the jungle?

RUSSELL: Absolutely. Roll away.

JOSHUA: That would be a 13.

RUSSELL: A 13. As you peer into the night, the shadows of the many torches behind you intensify the darkness of the jungle, and you can make nothing out. Seems as if, perhaps, something is moving, but it may simply be the dancing lights of the torches flitting to and fro.

JOSHUA: Take a step back off the path, look over to Rosara.

(*IC*) Not sure what's going on out there. But I feel like there's something out in the jungle.

RUSSELL (*high, cackly, old lady*): Aye, there is!

(*OOC*) Says a little old lady, waddling up to you, a garden hoe over her shoulder. She hefts it off of her shoulder and points it at you, waving it.

(*old lady*) I was telling the mayor that we shouldn't have let strangers in town.

(*OOC*) And she pokes you in the belly.

(*old lady*) Get out!

ARIEL (*offended, IC*) Excuse me? Stop…stop that!

(*OOC*) And I, like, kind of redirect her…her garden hoe up and above, so it's not poking Vano.

RUSSELL (*old lady*): Ya! {*jabs*}

(*OOC*) She, like, raps the other shoulder plate on your armor with it.

(*old lady*) Ya! Get back!

ARIEL (*IC*): I'm sorry. Has anyone been hurt by anything that's out…in the perimeter of the town, out of the wall?

RUSSELL (*old lady*): There are monsters out there, and you led them to us! Get! Go! Be gone!

JOSHUA (*IC*): Who the devil are you?

RUSSELL (*indignant, old lady*): Who the devil am I? I live here! Who are you? You're the one trespassing!

JOSHUA (*confused, IC*): Trespassing? We were let in! You old coot.

ARIEL (*annoyed, IC*): We're visitors, and you need to learn something about hospitality, ma'am.

RUSSELL (*old lady*): Unfortunate visitors who should start unvisiting!

(*OOC*) And she gives a particularly hard thrust of her hoe against your breastplate.

ARIEL (*dismissively, IC*): (sighs) Okay. Vano, let's go see if there's anyone else who can guide us to the danger here.

JOSHUA: I look over the old lady, just totally ignoring her at this point.

(*IC*) Who should we speak to to get a better idea what's going on? Besides you, you crazy old bag of cats.

RUSSELL (*old lady*): Nyeh!

(*OOC*) She says and kicks in your shins.

ARIEL: I'll look around try to find someone else who's running by, with…with, like, a torch and ask them,

(*IC*) Excuse me! Excuse me! Is the monster there?

RUSSELL (*panicked, slurring*): I don't know where it is!

(*OOC*) And he runs off.

ARIEL (*IC*): Wait! How…how are we supposed to help these people if they're so scattered?

RUSSELL (*old lady*): You're supposed to help us by leaving!

(*OOC*) Poke poke. {*jabs*}

ARIEL (*IC*): We could go, just try to find it ourselves, Vano.

(*OOC*) Look up at where Obi is, like, perched.

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): Heyo! {*waves*}

(*OOC*) You see the sheriff wave at you from across town, which is only a hundred feet away.

JOSHUA: Is the old lady between me and the sheriff?

RUSSELL: Uh, no, she's next to the wall.

JOSHUA: Damn. Alright. Uh, I'll just turn my back to her and walk towards the sheriff.

ARIEL: Follow Vano.

RUSSELL (*old lady*): I seen him before! He's the monster, they ate my cat!

ARIEL (*pointedly, IC*): A lot of cat-eating monsters around in these parts, uh, isn't there, sheriff?

RUSSELL (*nervously, sheriff*): Uh, um, well, I'm only aware of…of, uh, one family's cat being eaten, I mean… (stammers) It was a nice cat, except for the fact that it kept all shitting all over, it…Well, never mind that, I mean, it's gone now, so, uh, no sense disrespecting its name.

JOSHUA (*intensely, IC*): What is going on?

ARIEL (*impatiently, IC*): Alright, alright, listen. We're here to help!

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): Oh, um, well, uh, thank you? Um, well, perhaps you should speak to the mayor about that, but, um, he'll have to answer your question of what's going on. A whole lot of things, all at once, I should think.

ARIEL (*exasperated, IC*): Okay, monsters?

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): (stammers) Uh, yes! Um, uh, terrible monster we saw, um, forty feet tall beyond the wall, um, tentacles coming out of every pore, it was shouting and yelling and threatened, and almost ate four of us before, um, brave old Gorban over there, he battled it off with his, uh, with his torch.

ARIEL: Look over at Gorban. What does Gorban look like?

JOSHUA: Yeah, Vano's also looking at Gorban.

RUSSELL: Uh, Gorban is, uh, a young, spindly fellow with a large gap teeth. He looks at you, and waves.

(*scratchy*) Ay!

ARIEL: Okay, so Gorban battled the monster away? So now there's…

RUSSELL (*excitedly, Gorban*): Ay, you bet I did! I saw him come out there, he was coming to attack old Gob, and, uh, I was down there, and I started shouting and running at him, and I raised the alarm, he was…he was a hundred feet tall, he had tentacles coming out of all of him, and…and he had large teeth and evil eyes, and he spoke in the tongues of demons!

ARIEL (*amused, IC*): Alright, thank you, thank you…Gorban, Gorban. Um, sheriff, we'll, uh, we'll just head over to the mayor's house.

RUSSELL (*Gorban*): Twelve eyes, he…he had.

(*OOC*) Said Gorban, shoving his face in between you and, uh, the sheriff.

(*dramatically, Gorban*) Twelve eyes, all pointed every which way, and when he spoke, I felt the ground shudder. Evil words he was saying, in a tongue that should not be heard by Edwed. Some sort of monster, I tell you. Some sort of monster indeed.

ARIEL (*frustrated, IC*): Where is the monster now?

RUSSELL (*Gorban*): I heard he ran off to, uh, Dolben's house.

ARIEL (*IC*): Dolben's house?

RUSSELL (*Gorban*): (stammers) Dolben. He lives outside the village.

ARIEL (*baffled, IC*): Oh. Okay! Understood.

RUSSELL (*Gorban*): You see, he's unlike the most of us town people who are very personable and charismatic and all get along, he sort of has people problems. You know, not like you and I, you know, have proper social interactions.

(*OOC*) He says, shoving his face right up next to yours.

RUSSELL (*Gorban*): Heh.

ARIEL (*uncomfortable, IC*): Oh my god. {*pushes away*}

JOSHUA (*IC*): How many mushrooms did you eat out there?

RUSSELL (*Gorban*): Eh? You have mushrooms? I'll give you a half a copper. I'll bite in half myself!

ARIEL: I will shout over, uh, to towards Obi, because I'm assuming he's still looking at us, and I say,

(*IC*) There's a house on the outskirts! We may be heading over there.

BRAD (*bored, IC*): Fine! There's nothing to shoot up here anyway, I'm bored.

(*OOC*) And I will leap out of the window.

RUSSELL: As you're about to leap on out the window, uh, a delicate hand is placed upon your shoulder.

BRAD (*IC*): It's not often someone sneaks up on me. Well done. Who are you?

RUSSELL: You turn around, and you see the granddaughter of the older woman standing there.

BRAD (*skeptically*): Uh, it seems friendly enough! Crossbow gets put away.

(*skeptically, IC*) What do you want?

RUSSELL (*woman*): You ate…you ate my note.

BRAD: (*laughing*) I wasn't expecting that. (laughs) I, like, I've got kind of like my hands up in, like, uh, not like a surrendery way, just more like, I'm not a threat way, and I…As I'm doing this, I… (*laughing*) find a piece still in my teeth, show it to her.

RUSSELL (*disgusted, woman*): I don't want it back! That's nasty! Get that away from me.

BRAD (*IC*): Look, listen.

RUSSELL (*baffled, woman*): Look, I…I wanted…I just wanted your help, okay? You seemed like the most approachable one in the group, like…I just…I'm worried about someone who's important to me, and I wanted you to go check on them for me.

BRAD (*amused, IC*): You have terrible judgment, just so you know.

RUSSELL (*woman*): Says the person who ate a letter!

BRAD (*IC*): Yeah! Uh…

RUSSELL (*sassily, woman*): Then you would know!

(*OOC*) She says, placing her hands on her hips.

(*woman*) Being the king of all bad judgment.

BRAD (*nervously, IC*): Normally, when people slip me notes (laughs) you dispose of them, because, uh, unsightly people have ulterior motives, but, uh…Clearly I misjudged the entire situation.

RUSSELL (*haughtily, woman*): Then let me tell you something about paper around here. It's made with brackweed, and it's really tough. So is the ink. When you shit that out, someone's still gonna find it. So, you might find a…want to find a better way of disposing of notes in the future, if you're trying to be discreet. Which, eating it in open, in public, in front of twelve people, or seven, or…I don't know how many is not very discreet.

BRAD (*IC*): And uh…Who are you, exactly?

RUSSELL (*Kilta*): I'm Kilta Bortool.

BRAD (*IC*): Pleasure.

RUSSELL (*offended, Kilta*): It would have been a pleasure, if you had answered my note. I said for you to meet me outside after sunset! I stood there for an hour, looking like a fool!

ARIEL: (laughs)

BRAD (*awkwardly, IC*): I may have eaten it too fast, because, uh, I thought it said sunrise, so that's on me, sorry.

RUSSELL (*sassily, Kilta*): Well, maybe you should finish reading before you eat your letters!

ARIEL: (laughs)

RUSSELL (*sassily, Kilta*): Or are you illiterate, and just pretending like you knew what it said? Maybe that's why you eat letters! So that no one knows you…you didn't read them! And then you can just make up the contents!

BRAD (*embarrassed, IC*): I'm gonna be completely candid with you. It's most likely a, you know, a perfect combination of the two. But, since we got off onto a rocky, you know, foot, then how about we…I…I'll help you, if the rest of my parties are so inclined, yeah?

RUSSELL (*sadly, Kilta*): (sighs) I'll take it.

BRAD (*IC*): Yeah. So, uh, I was gonna jump out the window. Do you mind?

RUSSELL (*baffled, Kilta*): I mean, I don't care if you jump out the window.

BRAD (*IC*): Well, there's a bit of a commotion happening outside, and I think they need me. So, how about, I'll jump out the window, you meet us down there.

RUSSELL (*baffled, Kilta*): Okay, but there's…there's stairs right over there!

BRAD (*IC*): Not my thing.

(*OOC*) And I jump out the window. (laughs)

RUSSELL: She yells after you,

(*Kilta*) His name's Dolben, he's outside of town!

BRAD (*IC*): Got it!

RUSSELL (*Kilta*): Check on him!

(*OOC*) And then she throws something. You can't tell what it is, but you hear it plop against the ground some paces away. It's a wadded-up piece of paper.

BRAD (*IC*): I won't eat this one! I promise!

RUSSELL (*sassily, Kilta*): Read it, if you can!

BRAD (*IC*): Nice to meet you! Bye!

(*OOC*) And I'll run after Rosara and Vano.

RUSSELL: You're not gonna read the…

ARIEL (*mildly annoyed, IC*): Took an awful long time to jump out the window.

BRAD (*IC*): Okay, um, I'm not gonna go into the specifics, but, uh, I may have a lead on what's happening here.

ARIEL (*IC*): Right.

BRAD: And I,

(*IC*) Here, I ate the last one.

(*OOC*) I'll hand the note…I give it to Rosara, I'll give it to Rosara.

ARIEL: Um, I, like, uh, open it with Vano beside me.

RUSSELL: It says, "Shit this, fuckface."

ARIEL (*deadpan, IC*): It says, "Shit this, fuckface."

BRAD (*IC*): I like her. I really like her.

ARIEL: I crumple up the note again, [*paper crinkling*] and, like, throw it onto the ground.

(*IC*) Okay, we're heading to some bloke named Dobbins over out…outside the outskirts of town. Apparently, the monster went to his house.

JOSHUA (*IC*): Aye, that's what we heard from the sheriff.

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): (stammers) Yes.

(*OOC*) Said the sheriff.

ARIEL (*surprised, IC*): My god, you're still here.

RUSSELL (*proudly, sheriff*): I mean, yes, it is my job to take care of this town, and in times of crisis like this, it is my responsibility to rise to the occasion.

(*OOC*) He says, puffing out his gut.

ARIEL (*sarcastically, IC*): Alright, you're doing an excellent job.

(*OOC*) And, uh, Rosara motions towards, like, the chaos around.

RUSSELL (*proudly, sheriff*): Why, thank you, I…I do think we're starting to get a semblance of organization to our defenses here. Uh, men and, uh, Edwed, uh, Edwin and Edwone manning the ramparts, and, uh, are preparing our defenses. If you're going out to face that monster, you should know, um, I heard from some very reliable sources that it spews a fire, and…and, uh, farts lightning.

ARIEL (*deadpan, IC*): Yes, yes, and it's 140 feet tall, correct?

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): Oh, uh, no, um, our last report, I hear…I heard it was only eleven feet tall, but it had sixteen legs and beady little eyes on stalks that follow you wherever you go.

ARIEL (*IC*): Mm-hm, mm-hm, got it.

JOSHUA (*IC*): This is the part about small villages that I never did like.

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): (offended noises) Suit yourself, city…city person.

JOSHUA (*IC*): Now, is there another way out of this village?

RUSSELL (*sheriff*): (sputters) Um, no! There's only a single gate. We have ironclad defenses, only one way in, only one way out, only one place to defend.

ARIEL (*deadpan, IC*): Very…very astute, very military.

RUSSELL (*proudly, sheriff*): I'll have you know, in my youth, I served adjacent to the military for some time!

ARIEL (*aside, IC*): I can see that.

JOSHUA: Vano just vaults the wall.

RUSSELL: He vaults the wall. It's low enough you don't even need a check for that.

JOSHUA: (chuckles)

ARIEL: Um, yeah, Rosara follows after him.

BRAD: Obi, being shorter, will attempt the same thing.

RUSSELL: Obi, you do have to make a check.

ARIEL (*laughing*): He has to climb up.

BRAD: Okay, uh, can I choose Acrobatics? Or are you gonna make me do Athletics.

RUSSELL: You can choose Acrobatics.

BRAD: Alrighty then, we're good. Um, 17.

RUSSELL: 17? Obi vaults effortlessly over the wall. As you are…as you are dropping on the other side of the wall, you hear a familiar voice drift on the wind behind you.

(*shouting, Kilta*) Fuck you!

(*OOC*) Coming from a window, somewhere high. But not that high.

BRAD: I'll just turn, and I'll just salute in a cheeky way.

JOSHUA (*IC*): I don't even want to know what that was. We'd better find this Dorwin, or whatever.

BRAD (*IC*): Yeah. Lead the way, but, uh, Vano. Can I be honest with you? (*amused*) Stay downwind of anything, you smell of spoiled milk.

JOSHUA (*IC*): Aye, well, whose fault would that be?

BRAD (*amused, IC*): Yours.

[*mob fades*]

[*crickets*]

RUSSELL: As the three of you scan the woods in front of you, you see, a ways away from the village, but not so far that you can…can't make it out, somewhere in the jungle, you see a faint, flickering light.

ARIEL (*IC*): That way, I suppose.

JOSHUA (*IC*): It's the only sign of civilization out there.

BRAD (*IC*): Didn't they said it was a monster or something? Are we gonna be, you know, on guard? Or are we just, you know, ignoring the crazies back there.

ARIEL (*IC*): We're looking for something that's either eleven feet tall or a hundred feet tall. I…I think we'll be able to use our judgment when we see a monster.

JOSHUA (*IC*): I think they may have lost their little minds.

ARIEL (*sarcastically, IC*): Look out for tentacles, or eyes, or too many legs.

BRAD (*IC*): I can see, uh, neither of you are taking this seriously.

JOSHUA (*IC*): I don't know what it is. I have a feeling someone got drunk, and just started screaming.

ARIEL (*IC*): I just know that if I had to describe the monster that we had to deal with back on…the other place, in the fog, I wouldn't be quite as wishy-washy about details. I'm not sure if they're seeing what they think they're seeing.

BRAD (*IC*): Well, let's progress, shall we?

JOSHUA: Halberd comes out, [*sharp metal scraping*] just in case.

RUSSELL: As you wind your way through the jungle, you hear some strange sounds. [*soft, mysterious music*] Nothing too unearthly, but a few strange, odd rustlings, and then, as the light grows, um, brighter and brighter, you see, peeking between the trees, a small hovel. Nestled, into the jungle. As you catch sight of it, the light from its window is cast onto a small, strange, writhing shape…perched right outside its door, that appears to be scratching at the frame. As you round the corner, and it comes into view, the light in the cabin winks out.

ARIEL (*IC*): That must be our monster.

JOSHUA: Vano's guard goes up.

ARIEL: Rosara has shield up, her…her sword at the ready.

BRAD: I'm gonna hide behind Rosara.

JOSHUA (*softly, IC*): Clearly, there's something.

ARIEL: Um, and I kind of wait for Vano to take point and get us closer.

JOSHUA: Vano moves forward, at the lead.

RUSSELL: As you approach, you hear a scuttling, low to the ground, right outside the door, and, [*knocking*] (animalistic noises) And then something slams into a bucket that is perched outside. Uh, it looks almost as if something darted into the bucket. The bucket spins, and then falls on its side. [*metal clanging*]

BRAD (*baffled, IC*): What the hell was that?

JOSHUA (*IC*): I'm not sure what it is, but it fit in that bucket.

ARIEL (*confused, IC*): A bucket?

BRAD (*IC*): Oh yeah, I forgot, yeah. Rosara can't see too well. Uh, here.

(*OOC*) And I'll pass our torch. [*flames whooshing*] Light and give it to her.

ARIEL: Uh, is, like, the bucket vibrating in some strange way? Or…

RUSSELL: No, it's just sitting on its side, rocking back and forth, and slowing in motion, coming to rest.

ARIEL: Staring at the bucket, Rosara will say,

(*IC*) If it can fit into a bucket, perhaps we can just carry it back to the mayor, and…So they can stop scrambling about over there.

JOSHUA (*IC*): I'm not the only one who saw a light in the house, am I?

BRAD (*deliberately, IC*): Nah. And it got snuffed out as soon as we got into range. They know we're here.

ARIEL (*IC*): We're strangers approaching their home. I don't think that's that odd.

JOSHUA (*IC*): There *was* that wee thing scratching at the door though.

ARIEL (*IC*): Do you think the person in there owns whatever's terrorizing the town?

JOSHUA (*IC*): I don't know. It's a good thought. You want to just go knock on the door?

BRAD (*snarkily, IC*): Sure. Let's all die.

ARIEL (*IC*): You two can stay behind, um, I'll just ask him, as a show of good will.

BRAD: I'm gonna find a back entrance. I'm going to flank the house.

RUSSELL: As you flank the house, you see that there are some windows on the side. It's a decent house, it's nicer than any of the ones in the village, other than the inn and the other house on the hill, the one you presume…presumed to be the mayor's. It has a few windows, but it has no other doors. It is dark inside, and the windows are barred.

BRAD: I'll try and look in with my Darkvision through the windows.

RUSSELL: Uh, you see, uh, through the first window, you see…a mostly empty, scantily furnished room, just a table and some chairs around it. There's a lot of tools, though, lining the walls, different, interesting pieces of equipment. Easels and stands which have objects and contraptions on top of them, and then there is a large desk on a slant that has papers drawn out on it that are tacked down.

BRAD: Uh, I'll scurry back round the front and tell them both what I see.

ARIEL (*IC*): Okay, so it's a regular home. Um, you two can stay back.

(*OOC*) And, watching the bucket, Rosara's gonna, like, walk up to the door, and basically like knock on it like a cop [*authoritative knocking*] and just like, closed fists, like,

(*IC*) Excuse me!

RUSSELL: There is a moment of silence, and then you hear shuffling inside. [*shuffling*] You hear a "wishh!" of the curtains [*curtains scraping*] being drawn.

ARIEL: Seeing that, she just, like, knocks harder, [*faster knocking*] like,

(*IC*): Excuse me, is there a Dolben that lives here?

RUSSELL: The door swings open, [*door creaking*] and floods light onto your face. You find yourself staring directly into the body of a figure. [*suspenseful music*] As your eyes follow up, you see, looming, hunched down, too tall even for the inside of this, the tallest person you've ever seen, over seven feet tall. Strange, alien, uh, features, a thinner face, hooked, pointed features, and a luminescent skin that is split down the center of the face in two different patterns.

ARIEL: Yeah, Rosara immediately jumps back and, um, points her sword at the creature, and holds up her…her shield.

NICK (*soft, even, IC*): I'm sorry, are you having a momentary lapse in judgment, or are you pointing your weapon at me with intention of deadly force?

ARIEL (*panicked, IC*): I…I don't…I…

(*OOC*) I look over at, uh, Vano and Obi!

JOSHUA: From Vano's angle, can he see some…can he see this figure?

RUSSELL: He cannot, but he can hear it.

ARIEL: Rosara looks like she's trying to catch up with what she's, like, actually looking at.

JOSHUA: Vano takes a couple steps forward, just to try to get a better look at what this figure is, because he can hear, but wasn't able to identify what's going on.

ARIEL (*panicked, IC*): Stay back! I'm armed, and I have people behind me who are armed!

BRAD: All I can hear is Rosara saying stay back, um, it sounds like she's on the defense, so I'll draw my crossbow, [*crossbow loading*] and aim at the doorway, even though I probably don't have a good angle at this point.

RUSSELL: Alright, as you are raising your crossbow and stepping around the side, [*rustling*] you glance at this, uh, creature framed in the doorway, much larger even than it is, filling it completely, and then looming inside the house, and something tugs at the back of your mind. You feel a swirling of your senses and pulled away, and somewhere in the faint distance, [*ocean waves*] you hear the roar of the sea crashing on a beach, seagulls chattering, and you get a flash of an image in your mind of green, lush, full, bush-like trees, clustered together, of a variety that you've never seen before, and then a flash of different strange faces. Faces that you don't remember ever having seen before. Strange, angular faces, aliens, strange in colors and patterns and voices that you do not recognize, and then you find yourself standing back again where you were, shaking. The last vestiges of the memory, uh, pulse in your mind, and a single word comes rising to the surface. You know what this is. You've seen one before, you don't know where or how. This is a Prime.

BRAD: I kind of like go somewhat catatonic and drop all my stuff to the floor, and the party will hear the crossbow hit the floor, and I'll kind of like say in a half whisper,

(*shock, IC*) Prime.

{*fade to black*}

{*fade in to Russell*}

RUSSELL: Well, as always, what an episode. Our cast made it very spicy for you, hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. If you didn't, then you probably just have bad taste. (laughs) In all seriousness, though, thank you very much for sticking through till the end. This has been a blast, and I will see you next week, and if you love our content, of course, like, share, subscribe, blah blah, hit the bell, uh, follow whatever platform you're on, you know the drill, you've lived on the internet, you're savvy enough. I don't have to tell you. Thank you very much, take care of yourself, and don't forget: Chaos awaits you, in the dark. {*blows kiss*}