Heralds E5

RUSSELL: Here we are again, Heralds of Wayinar, Spawn of Chaos's campaign. Uh, a quick note, our sponsor Questline, it's the pretty maps you'll see in the episode. Aside from that all…all business taken care of, let's just dive right into the chaos, where we left our heroes off before, which is in a very awkward situation. So, let's check them out.

[intro music] {title card}

[leaves rustling]

So, here we all are. Rosara has stumbled back, Obi has dropped his bow and just exclaimed, all three of you now are in full view of…of the Prime. You can see him, standing there, taking up…filling the doorway, and then some, hunched over inside of the building, because he is entirely too tall. Pale, strange eyes, staring at you, unblinking.

JOSHUA: Vano hears Obi's whisper of Prime to himself. And begins rushing forward to push Rosara out of the way, and attack.

RUSSELL: You're gonna attack?

JOSHUA: Nobody's…if nobody stops me.

ARIEL: I mean…

JOSHUA: I'm swinging.

ARIEL: It's a threat!

JOSHUA: Halberd was already out, and it swings. A 16 to hit.

RUSSELL: Alright, uh, roll initiative.

[exciting, intense music]

NICK: Initiative for Cendrillion is 8.

RUSSELL: 8.

JOSHUA: 10.

RUSSELL: Vano, you rush forward towards the Prime, swing your axe, you made your attack roll?

JOSHUA: Yes, it was a 16 to hit.

NICK: A 16 does not hit. Vano essentially, as he runs and swings through Cendrillion, sees right through his barrage, sidesteps, uh, retreating just a little ways into the house, and his axe buries into the doorway.

[swinging, wooden thunk]

JOSHUA: Vano just screams and swings a second time, going into a rage.

ARIEL (British, IC, panicked): Vano, wait!

JOSHUA: Too late, but luckily I swung…I rolled really shit. (laughs) It's a nat 1! (laughs)

RUSSELL: Alright, on a nat 1, as you try to pull forward, as you try…wrench your axe, raging, you wrench it too hard from the one side of the doorframe, it yanks loose and buries into the other side of the doorframe.

[wooden crunching]

JOSHUA (Scottish accent, IC, angrily): (grunts) No! Not the Prime! I won't suffer any of you!

NICK (soft, even, IC): I am warning you, kinfolk. You're making a mistake.

(OOC) With that, I'm going to, um, use my…a bonus action, my Spiritual Weapon is going to conjure up, uh, directly behind Vano, [magical tinkling] a very thin, narrow, and light-looking blade that glimmers silver and bejeweled in bright, uh, white and blue sapphires across the hilt and pommel of the blade. And it will swing at him for a 19 to hit.

JOSHUA: 19 will hit Vano.

NICK: Uh, and that deals 10 points of radiant damage. Force damage, sorry. [sword slicing] And then I will use my action action, uh, to Sacred Flame him as well. Um, and that will be a Dexterity 14 saving throw as a small blue tinge of light shoots out and extends from my fingers, [magical ringing] aimed directly to center mass.

JOSHUA: I rolled a 19.

NICK: That is, uh, successful, so it just [whoosh] whizzes over and past you and explodes, [burst] uh, into a tree in the clearing beyond, uh, and you hear the wood kind of splinter and crack as it sort of starts to ignite.

RUSSELL: As the wood splinters and cracks, Obi, Rosara, from this flash of light you, uh…that, uh, darted and buried into this tree, you see, on the edge of the flames flickering, a…a group of huddled faces, hoods pulled down, crouched in the forest in a semicircle. You are not alone.

BRAD: Obi kind of like…Snaps out of it a little bit, uh…And just,

(light rasp, IC, concerned) We're not alone.

ARIEL: Can I roll initiative to try to cast a Channel Divinity?

RUSSELL: Absolutely. Obi, do you also wanna roll initiative?

BRAD: I might as well.

ARIEL: I rolled an 8, so that's…that matches Cendrillion.

BRAD: I rolled a natural 1, but I will re-roll it. 9.

JOSHUA: I love how high my…my initiative mod is. I rolled a nat 1 and I'm going ahead of all of you!

(Joshua and Brad laugh)

BRAD: I rolled a nat 1, rerolled it, and I'm still not going anywhere!

JOSHUA: I know!

(Brad and Joshua laugh)

RUSSELL: Alright. Obi, uh, Brad.

BRAD (IC): (pants) What happened? Uh, yeah, we're not alone! (pants)

(OOC) pick up my crossbow, and I'm gonna use all my movement to get behind the corner of the house, um…And as I'm running, I'm just gonna fire, [crossbow twang] you know, kind of over my shoulder at the closest one to me. Has the…the whatever it is that's attacking us from the outside, has it taken a turn in combat yet?

RUSSELL: You see…you…There's just a bunch of figures outside in the woods, you…

BRAD: Yeah, I'm gonna fire at the closest one to me, and should it hit, it is an automatic critical.

RUSSELL: Alright, well roll for an attack.

BRAD: That is a 21 to hit.

JOSHUA (impressed): Whoo.

RUSSELL: That will fucking hit, for sure.

BRAD: Okay, so this will be an automatic critical. 12 points of piercing damage.

RUSSELL: Your crossbow bolt slams this figure in the chest, who…it lurches to one side, and then slams onto their shoulder onto the ground.

[arrow whizzing]

[grunt, thump]

BRAD (IC): Guys. About face! In the tree line!

RUSSELL: Rosara, you're up.

ARIEL: Um, I whip around when I hear Obi say that there's people behind us, and I shout to Vano,

(IC) There's more behind us, Vano!

(OOC) And, uh…Yeah, turn to charge the one that is right behind me two squares, cultist with bow three.

RUSSELL: Alright.

ARIEL: And, uh, just take a running start to slash at him…them.

RUSSELL: Alright, roll…roll an attack.

ARIEL: 11.

RUSSELL: Uh, that's gonna miss.

[blade swinging]

ARIEL: But yeah, uh, stay in…stay in combat with that one.

RUSSELL: Alright, it's now their turn. Two of them are going to fire bows. [bows creaking] [arrows whooshing] That is a 16 and an 18 to hit. Well, one's firing at Obi, and one's firing at Rosara.

ARIEL: 18 hits me.

BRAD: Would you consider me partial cover behind the house?

RUSSELL: The edge of the house? You did specify that, so sure.

BRAD: Doesn't hit, then.

RUSSELL: Alright.

BRAD: I have a plus 3 to my, uh, AC, so I have an AC of 19 behind the house.

RUSSELL: Nice.

BRAD (dramatically): House! Shield!

(Joshua laughs)

RUSSELL: Rosara, you're gonna take 5 piercing damage.

ARIEL: Sure.

RUSSELL: Vano, it's your turn. Out of the corner of your eye, you see the two archers, uh, you see, uh, two archers on the edge of the woods, one right in front of Rosara, and then, you can't tell how many, but a few other figures flanking on either side of the house.

JOSHUA: Vano will briefly turn to Cendrillion.

(IC, angrily) You brought some friends with you, eh, you coward?

(OOC) And then turn and run to attack the person, uh, next to Rosara.

RUSSELL: Roll an attack.

JOSHUA: 7 to hit.

RUSSELL: That's gonna miss. Are you…you're still raging, though, right?

JOSHUA: Yes. Yes, I am.

RUSSELL: Alright.

JOSHUA: I'm swinging one more time. 19 to hit.

RUSSELL: That'll hit. Roll damage.

JOSHUA: And that is a 7 damage.

RUSSELL: Your axe buries [heavy swinging, impact] into the figure, who gives a yell, and then, uh, staggers to the side, and falls to one knee, bleeding profusely.

NICK: For my turn, uh, my Spiritual Weapon…I mean, at this point, I don't know who I'm fighting and who I'm not. Uh, so I think Cendrillion at this point is going to make the logical choice and fight everyone. Uh, so my Spiritual Weapon is going to move to attack Vano. A 15 to hit, uh, with the Spiritual Weapon.

[slicing]

JOSHUA: Misses.

NICK: As Cendrillion kind of makes his way, just slightly out of the doorway of the house, he looks around.

(IC) Oh, this is not good.

(OOC) Uh, and he goes ahead and uses his action to Sacred Flame, uh, cultist number four? I'm assuming. Yep. That's a Dexterity 14 save.

RUSSELL: Alright. That is a fail.

NICK: Alright, uh, that is going to be 5 points of, uh, radiant damage. [magical burst] I look to Vano who I just took a swing at with my Spiritual Weapon, and I say,

(IC) Well, after assessing our situation, I think it may be in our best interest if we were to work together, don't you?

JOSHUA (IC, angrily): Work with a Prime? I don't think so!

RUSSELL: As you say "I don't think so," an arrow whiff, uh, whips it right in front of your nose.

[whizzing]

ARIEL (IC, panicked): Vano, pay attention!

RUSSELL: Obi, thank you for holding your action, it's now your turn.

BRAD: Do I see more shadowy figures emerging from literally right on top of me?

RUSSELL: Yes.

BRAD: Is there anything in my immediate vicinity? Uh, boxes, crates, that I could potentially get on the roof?

RUSSELL: Nothing that…there are some broken down barrels that are rotted and cracked, but nothing that could get you on the roof.

BRAD: You said the windows were barred, right?

RUSSELL: Uh, yes.

BRAD: Obi's gonna grappling hook his way onto the roof if he can. Uh, if I have to fire it out my crossbow, I will, if not, I'll throw it. Obi turns and sees more, like, shadowy figures coming out from like the nearby brush.

(IC, frustrated) I don't like my odds. Everyone's fighting out the front like imbeciles with each other, uh…

(OOC) Throw my grappling hook to the roof. [line whizzing] I'll, uh, use my movement to get to the top, it'll be half speed, 'cause I'm climbing up, um, and my action to throw the grappling hook up there, but I'm on the roof, I'm presuming, um…

RUSSELL: Yes.

BRAD: Let me have a quick look…Bonus action, I'll use a Cunning Action to attempt to hide.

RUSSELL: Uh, okay roll for that.

BRAD: Um, 14.

RUSSELL: Okay. As far as you can tell, they don't know where you're at right now.

ARIEL: As a bonus action, uh, Rosara whips her head towards the cultist on her right, and grips her sword, and her sword, uh, becomes covered in thorns, and she casts Ensnaring Strike on it, [rumbling] and rushes towards cultist number three. I'm gonna move over here, in between the two. Um, if the cultist with the bow wants to take an opportunity attack, they can.

RUSSELL: The cultist with the bow? Okay, I'm gonna roll for their opportunity attack. It's a miss.

ARIEL: Alright, yeah. So, Rosara is going to attack cultist number three. Uh, 14 to hit!

RUSSELL: Okay. what'd you roll?

ARIEL: I rolled, and I hit, so they take 7 damage [swinging, impact] and Ensnaring Strike, [stretching, crackling] so vines and thorns, uh, come out of the sword, and they have to make a Strength saving throw, DC 13.

RUSSELL: You swing at them, and your, uh, sword buries into his shoulder, and blood just spews out from it. He vomits (choking) blood, and then just crumples down to his knees, collapses. In front of him, you see, he has bare shoulders, and all up his arm are tattooed rings, which you cannot make out any further in the darkness.

ARIEL: Uh, that's the end of my turn.

RUSSELL: Top of the order is going to be the cultists. Two cultists are attacking Rosara, uh, two cultists are attacking Vano, one is attacking, uh, Cendrillion, and two is…two are attacking Cendrillion, actually, and then the other two are searching for Obi. [tense battle music] So, on the side of the house, uh, two of, uh, the cultists who pop out of the wood begin, uh, glancing back and forth and like, uh, looking…trying to like look for a way up onto the roof, uh, one of them throws a rock up there to see it bounce off, the third rushes towards Cendrillion. Uh, two of them point their bows at Vano and fire, a third one points his bow at Cendrillion and fires, and the two that remain crowd around Rosara and swing their, uh, cutlasses. That is a…a 15 and an 11 to attack you, Rosara.

ARIEL: Both of them miss.

[swinging]

RUSSELL: Both of them miss. Alright, Cendrillion, the first one swinging at you is a 15. I presume that also misses.

NICK: Miss.

RUSSELL: Alright, the second one who's firing…17.

NICK: 17 will meet my armor class, so, yes, that should hit.

RUSSELL: That's 5 piercing damage.

NICK: Fair enough.

RUSSELL: So, uh, the first one runs up to you, uh, swinging, uh, he, misses. An arrow, uh, as you're able to just, uh, shift out of the way of the swinging sword, an arrow comes and, (squelch) uh, buries itself [arrow hitting] in the, uh, edge your armor, where it meets your shoulder. 5 piercing damage.

[arrow whizzing, hitting]

NICK (IC): (grunts)

RUSSELL: Vano, that's a 7 and a 17.

JOSHUA: The 17 will hit.

RUSSELL: 17'll hit? 4 slashing damage. They both swing at you, uh, you're able to parry one [swinging, impact] the other, uh, gains a little bit of purchase in your side, and twists the blade, but they're only able to get the tip in. One of them appears quite lost, but, uh, the other turns around the corner of the house and, uh, points up with a shout,

(cultist) There! He's hiding there!

JOSHUA: Vano has three guys in front of him, and just swings the first guy out of the gate.

RUSSELL: Alright, roll an attack.

JOSHUA: That is a 19 to hit.

RUSSELL: That's gonna hit.

JOSHUA: And the damage is a 9 damage.

RUSSELL: 9 damage. Uh, describe how you kill him.

JOSHUA: Swinging into him first, I take him in the chest, [angry yell, slash] slashing him across, and then follow through for a second swing at number two on my left. Only a 7 to hit.

[swinging]

RUSSELL: It's gonna miss.

JOSHUA: I'm not moving my position though, because my halberd has a 10-foot reach.

RUSSELL: Yep.

JOSHUA: So, I remain the distance.

BRAD: I will say, on my previous turn, when I was hiding, I kind of like hit the deck, like, I…just jumped to hit the deck, and if the DM will allow me, I will start my turn prone.

RUSSELL: Okay.

[intense, ominous music]

BRAD: So, I have half movement speed, because I'm prone, so I'm going to move 15 feet to the center of the house, and from where I am, quite high up, I'm presuming I can see Rosara surrounded by two of these things?

RUSSELL: You have line of sight on the two on…on Rosara, and also, from your vantage point, you now see throughout the woods, uh, scattered around the house on all sides, a dozen of them.

BRAD: Okay, fine, so from where I am, I'll use my free action to just shout,

(IC, grimly) There's more coming! Either we get inside, and fight them off, or we run.

(OOC) Uh, and while I'm doing this, um, because I am prone, I get advantage on ranged attacks, and I'm going to fire at, um, cultist 4 next to Rosara, and if it hits, I will get Sneak Attack, because she is in melee range.

RUSSELL: Alright, what's your attack?

BRAD: Oof, that's 12.

RUSSELL: That's gonna hit.

JOSHUA: Nice! (laughs)

BRAD: 4, so a total of 9. Not great, I rolled really bad. Sorry, Rosara.

RUSSELL: Total of 9? Alright, uh, your arrow buries…your…the shaft [bolt impacting] of the crossbow bolt buries into his neck, his head snaps to one side, and he collapses.

BRAD: And I just nod if Rosara's looking.

RUSSELL: Rosara, as you nod back at Obi, the other cultist, uh, next to the to him, whose companion was just felled, uh, takes a step back, hesitantly.

NICK: I am going to reach into my satchel, I will pull out a, um, a silver bracelet, and I will…I will call out to Rosara.

(IC) Nov Romarian! Take this and stay close to me.

(OOC) And I will throw it over…over to her, and I will cast Warding Bond. [magical zapping] So, uh, Rosara, you have a +1 bonus to your AC and your saving throws, and you have resistance to all damage for the next hour.

ARIEL (disbelief): All damage?

NICK: All damage. It ends if I drop to 0 hit points or if her and I become separated by more than 60 feet. So, that's the trick to it, is that we have to pretty much fight back-to-back. Um, and with that being said, I'm going to use my bonus action to cast a Shield of Faith on myself. [magical whooshing, ringing] That's my turn. I'm just gonna stay where I'm at.

ARIEL: She has the bracelet on and just feels this rush of power, and is so confused, but this monster is helping us, so she'll take it! And, um, look at the cultists that just backed away from her. Rosara is going to look at the cultists who just backed away from her and say,

(IC, calmly) You and your friends have made the wrong choice here.

(OOC) And slash at them with her sword. That's a hit, that's a 19.

RUSSELL: That'll hit.

ARIEL: They take 8 damage. [slashing, impact] I'll yell to Obi and Vano, if they're listening.

(IC, hesitantly) I think that we can take them!

(OOC) And I'm going to move over here to cultist number six.

RUSSELL: How do you wanna describe how you kill him?

ARIEL: Rosara says her line towards that cultist and slashes her sword, uh, and just takes off their hand, uh, and stares at him dead in the eyes, while he probably stares at his stump. And once he goes down, she's going to take off towards that other cultist, uh, cultist six?

RUSSELL: The rest of the figures lock eyes with the people in front of them, they glance back and forth hesitantly between each other. You see a few more of them start to emerge out of the trees, but they, uh, glance down at the bodies littered all around of their companions, and then turn on their heels and break into a run. Anyone want to take opportunity attacks?

JOSHUA: Wait…

ARIEL: Yeah, I take an opportunity attack!

BRAD: If I…I'm going to shoot at them as they run if I…if I can.

RUSSELL: Alright, Vano.

JOSHUA: Vano swings. With a 16 to hit.

RUSSELL: That'll hit.

JOSHUA: Doing 9 damage.

[impact]

RUSSELL: Uh, describe how you kill him.

JOSHUA: I'll just chop his head off as he tries to turn and run away. Just in a giant, arcing swing, lop his head off.

RUSSELL: The head thumps to the ground. (plop)

NICK: I am not going to make an unarmed…an unarmed strike. I'm just going to leave it. I'm going to let him disengage. It's fine.

BRAD: I want…the one that's running away from Cendrillion, um…Uh, yeah, Obi doesn't like being jumped on. Uh, I want to aim specifically for his Achilles heel.

RUSSELL: Alright.

[crossbow loading]

BRAD: See if I can incapacitate him as he's running away. And I get advantage on the hit because I'm still prone.

RUSSELL: Alright, roll.

BRAD: 18.

RUSSELL: 18. You're going to hit him, and you're also going to strike him in the heel.

BRAD: I'm not trying to kill him. I'm specifically trying to take out his ankle, so that he falls on the floor, and maybe gets left behind.

RUSSELL: Roll damage.

BRAD: Okay! Uh, well, I will elect to roll normal damage, then. 6, yeah. But I don't want to kill him.

RUSSELL: Your arrow strikes him in the heel, and he's stuck, [crossbow twang] and he immediately trips and falls on his face. [arrow whistling, thump] I think we have one more opportunity attack from Rosara?

ARIEL: Yeah. Um, as this guy turns to run away from Rosara, she's going to grab him by the shoulder, and pull him back onto her sword.

BRAD: Ooh… (laughs morbidly)

JOSHUA (excited): Yes! Yes!

BRAD (morbidly): Nice.

NICK: Nice. Lovely.

ARIEL: So, that is a 12?

RUSSELL: 12's gonna hit. Roll damage.

ARIEL: Alright. 7 damage.

RUSSELL: 7 damage? Alright, let me roll on the crit table here. Uh, 40. So, just a flesh wound.

ARIEL: So, I cut of his foot.

RUSSELL: Uh, so you grab his shoulder [slicing] and ram him through, pulling him back on your sword, and it bursts out the front.

(cultist) (gags and chokes)

(OOC) And he slumps backward towards you, passed out.

BRAD (IC): Vano! Grab that one!

JOSHUA: Vano has run over and just pile drived onto the guy's back. The guy who was prone. I've jumped on him, and I'm…I'm using the arrow as a handle to keep him in place.

BRAD: Obi slides down off the roof, and, like, lands, and like slowly walks over to him.

[footsteps crunching]

(IC, restrained anger) It's not very nice to jump out on people. I'm the only person that's allowed to do that.

(OOC) And I put my foot on him, and I pull out the arrow, uh, the wrong way,

RUSSELL (cultist): (groans in pain)

BRAD: To make it hurt, slowly.

RUSSELL (cultist): (groans painfully) (pants with pain)

BRAD: And then I put the bloody arrow back into my quiver, while licking the shaft, and put it back.

NICK: Cendrillion will…will walk over.

(IC) (sighs) Well. This is unfortunate.

(OOC) And he will, uh, kneel down to address the…the guy we're about to torture for information, I'm sure.

(IC, calmly) Now listen. I usually am not one for these kinds of things. But seeing the road that we're about to go down, you have two options. Your life is already over. I will ensure that, as you've disrupted the balance. So, you can either answer our questions, and I will make this very swift and painless for you. [soft, somber music] Or, I will allow this small one to take the lead.

BRAD (IC, smiling): I like him already.

RUSSELL: As you stare down into his face, you see beneath the hood, a shaved head. The…the sleeves are cut off of one side of his cloak, and running all up and down his arm are these band tattoos that you see, uh, come together, uh, on the front, and you see one end is an arrowhead, and the other is the fletching at the end. It's like, uh, rings of arrows tattooed on his arm. He stares up at you defiantly. Roll to Intimidate.

NICK: Rolling Intimidation, not my strongest suit, uh, an 11.

RUSSELL: 11?

BRAD: I'm sure…I'm sure he gets advantage with Vano right there! Helping! I'm sure Vano's gonna help.

RUSSELL: An assist action? Of…I'll give you an assist action, and advantage, just because, uh, Obi just wrenched a fucking arrow out of his ankle and licked it.

NICK: Well, it's not much better. It's a 12.

ARIEL: (laughs)

RUSSELL: Okay.

(Joshua and Ariel laugh)

RUSSELL (cultist): (spits)

(OOC) He spits at you.

JOSHUA: From on his back, I will grab…grab him by the hood, wrench him up as far as I can, so he can see my face out of the corner of his eyes. {mimes holding someone by the hood} I'm just gonna smile and growl at him.

(IC, angrily) For once, I'd listen to this thing! Maybe a monstrosity, but he's not wrong about me!

(OOC) Smash his head [crunching] into the ground real quick, raise it up again.

RUSSELL: Roll to Intimidate.

BRAD: (laughing) Roll an Intimidation check! (laughs)

JOSHUA: This is one of my stronger attributes.

BRAD: Intimidate his face with the ground.

ARIEL: (laughs)

JOSHUA: Ooh!

NICK: That's a dirty 20.

RUSSELL: Dirty 20. You slam his face into the ground, and as you pull him back up.

(cultist) (pants, afraid) (stammering) What was the question?

NICK (IC): That's more like it. Who are you? Who do you work for? Why are you here?

RUSSELL (cultist): (pants, stammers) We…we are the Gatherers. (laughs) (unhinged) We are here to gather souls to serve the great gods. The ancients call for us! The war, the war in the stars, in the heavens has come! They need more souls to battle. (laughs) We have come to harvest them!

NICK (IC): And you have come here to the outskirts of this desolate city, specifically.

RUSSELL (cultist, unhinged): Yes! How the fuck else do you think I ended up here?

BRAD (IC): They're taking easy pickings from the townsfolk. It's obvious. They just made a…

RUSSELL (cultist): Well, we didn't expect your kind!

NICK (IC): (chuckles) Seldom anyone ever does.

RUSSELL (cultist, nervously): (pants) What…what are you?

NICK (IC): I am Edwed, just like everyone.

RUSSELL (cultist, nervously): (pants, stammers) Not like any I've seen!

JOSHUA: That's when Vano leans up behind him. He whispers in his ear.

(IC, intensely) That's a fucking Prime. You know, the ones who brought the Breaking?

(OOC) He's staring, glaring at Cendrillion…Cendrillion as he says it.

(IC, intensely) You know, the ones who brought the Breaking the last time?

RUSSELL (cultist): And you're bashing my head into the…into the ground? (stammers) We should be fighting him!

JOSHUA (IC, intensely): And perhaps I may. But for right now, he's got a point. Answer!

RUSSELL (cultist): (stammers) He didn't ask me a question!

ARIEL (IC): Okay! I can ask you a question, then.

(OOC) And Rosara is going to take off the bracelet and hand it over to Cendrillion.

(IC) Where is your hideout? Where is your boss? Where is the rest of you?

RUSSELL (cultist, proudly): (stammers) Hideout? (chuckles) We have a city!

ARIEL (IC, patronizingly): Oh, how ergonomic and, uh, forward thinking of all of you! (seriously) Where is the city?

RUSSELL (cultist): We didn't build it. We took it.

ARIEL (IC, intensely): Where is the city?

RUSSELL (cultist): Like I'd tell you that!

ARIEL (IC, seriously): You can't tell me that?

(OOC) Look over at Vano.

RUSSELL (cultist, confused): (stammers) I mean, I…I could tell you that. I don't want to.

JOSHUA: Another head smash.

RUSSELL (cultist): (grunts in pain)

[crunch]

BRAD: Obi's just observing and enjoying it.

RUSSELL (cultist, nervous): Fine! Okay, okay, it's… (exhales) It's inland from here. Okay. It's…it's inland. It's the only city nearby, inland.

NICK (IC, calmly): What direction and how far?

RUSSELL (cultist, nervous): (hesitates, stammers) Over there? I'm not very good with directions. Maybe four…four days? Three?

ARIEL: I clock where he's…where he's pointing?

[eerie, suspenseful music]

RUSSELL: He appears…he's, uh, pointing, uh, vaguely northwest.

NICK (IC): Wonderful.

(OOC) And Cendrillion makes a beckoning motion, and his Spiritual Weapon [whooshing, clang] flies in and through the guy's skull from behind, stopping about an inch away from Cendrillion's face and then it just rotates and [slice] slices his…half of his face clean off.

RUSSELL: Obi, Rosara, and Vano. The three of you are standing here and, due to Cendrillion's new, very fancy antics, all of you have just had black blood sprayed on your face.

ARIEL (IC): (disgusted noise)

BRAD: I just…

(IC) (grunts in disgust)

JOSHUA: Vano literally doesn't react.

RUSSELL: The body crumples to the ground.

[thump]

BRAD: I wipe it, but I don't care.

NICK: Cendrillion stretches.

(IC) (groans)

(OOC) And stands to his full height again.

(IC, calmly) (sighs) Are we ready for round two?

ARIEL (IC, hesitantly): We haven't discussed as a group, uh, that you would be helping us, though we are very grateful.

(OOC) And I look at Vano because I know he's probably not so grateful.

(IC) For the help you've had so far. But I think, uh, we may need a…a moment. Between the three of us.

BRAD (IC, wary): And, uh, our tall friend here. We haven't been, uh, properly introduced.

RUSSELL: It is at this moment that you hear, uh, now that the din of battle and the, um, pounding of your pulse has begun to subside, and your adrenaline has begun to subside after battle, you realize that nearby, inside the cottage, [baby crying] you hear the soft, feeble cry of a baby.

ARIEL (IC): A ba- Do you have a baby, uh, sir? A small you?

BRAD (IC): Don't look at me, I'm not making any noises.

NICK (IC): No, I don't. But that child is the reason why I am here, for the time being.

ARIEL: Um, Rosara will actually go over to the…the entranceway to go check on the crying.

RUSSELL: As you stand in the entranceway, you see inside the hut, an Edwane stooped over a baby that he is rocking in his arms. Looks up at you with wide, gray eyes.

(shakily) Why are there more of you? What do you people want?

ARIEL (IC, calmly): I…I don't…We're not here to hurt you.

(OOC) And Rosara will kind of approach slowly.

RUSSELL (father, scared): But you bring this blood and death to my door! (sobs)

ARIEL (IC): We haven't brought anything.

RUSSELL (father, scared and angry): You have brought your squabbles to my house, here in…out in the middle of nowhere for no reason! And you have endangered the life of my daughter.

ARIEL (IC): Please…please calm down. Please.

(OOC) And Rosara will like kind of, just, kneel down, to like…

RUSSELL (father): (sharp inhale)

(OOC) He steps back.

ARIEL (IC): The tall one out there…Is it true that they're protecting you and the child?

RUSSELL (father, nervous): (stammers) [soft, somber music] I mean, he swore to do what he can, but…I…I don't know what you can do, I… (breathes shakily) I…we don't have the resources, the medicine here.

ARIEL (IC): Okay.

RUSSELL (father, nervous): Ever since those bandits in the woods have blockaded the mountain pass, like…No supplies have been able to come through! Her medicine, I…

ARIEL (IC): Those people that attacked us, were they not the bandits?

RUSSELL (father, nervous): I…I don't know, they…

(OOC) He glances out the door.

(father, nervous) (stammers) Yes, maybe? I suppose they look like them.

NICK: Cendrillion comes up behind and steps through the doorway.

RUSSELL: He glances at Rosara and Cendrillion as you're both inside the doorway, has a moment of hesitation, and then sidles closer to Cendrillion. Though he still keeps, uh, out of arm's reach.

NICK (IC): This land is cursed. Ships come into the harbor, they never leave. The trade is cut off, undead haunt the woods and ancient ruins as well as cursed, departed souls. You should all leave while you can.

BRAD (IC, flippant): Undead in the woods? Uh…Oh, we've had plenty of experience with that, uh, I would probably go as far as to say we're professionals in it. So, uh, if anything, you should probably be asking us for advice.

JOSHUA: Vano's still outside, just stewing over the fact that there is actually a Prime there, and he hasn't been able to kill him.

ARIEL (IC): Are you going to leave? Are you going to leave with this…with this man, with the baby?

NICK (IC): No. I must find a way to cure the child. That is my path.

ARIEL (IC): Well, what's wrong with the child?

RUSSELL (father): The child, my daughter Ielsa, needs her medicine! It comes from the city, but I… (pants) (nervously) I…I tried…I tried to go up the mountain road, but…It's…it's too dangerous to go alone, I…I don't…I don't know what to do. (hopeless) They've…they've blocked the main pass…The only way is up through the mountains. It's a hard road. I don't know if she'll make it.

ARIEL: Rosara will ask,

(IC) Well, if the city you're talking about is northwest…

(OOC) I look over at Obi.

(IC) We may be heading over there.

BRAD (IC): I'm confused. Uh, is this the person we were looking for? The big guy or the…the baby? I'm confused.

ARIEL (IC): I think the big guy, which…Um, I'm sorry, your name?

NICK (IC): Cendrillion.

ARIEL (IC): The big guy, Cendrillion, is the monster that all the villagers are aghast at, and I think we just ran into the brigands that they're also being bothered by.

BRAD (IC, confused): Okay. Spell it out for me. I'm a little bit slow.

[soft, folksy music]

ARIEL (IC): (scoffs) I don't think that the brigand problem will be solved unless we go to the northwestern city, and while we're there, perhaps we can help them.

(OOC) And I look over at the baby.

BRAD (IC, mildly disgusted): (sighs) I don't do children.

ARIEL (IC): I don't do dying children, Obi!

BRAD (IC, annoyed): Eh. Um…

JOSHUA: Vano was making his way towards the group in the doorway, just hears dying children, and kind of hurries up with a very concerned look on his face, just…

(IC) Who's dying?

ARIEL (IC): Vano, we're heading to the northwestern city to deal with the brigands, right?

(OOC) As, uh, he enters the cottage.

JOSHUA (IC): I don't know that they're my problem!

ARIEL (IC, indignant): You signed us up as sellswords in the first place!

JOSHUA (IC): I signed nothing! All I said was, 'we'd look into it if we got a good night's sleep,' which we haven't! And some ale.

ARIEL (IC): Well, we've gotten ale, and…This man needs our help! The baby, it's sick.

JOSHUA: Vano turns and notices the baby for the first time.

(IC, wryly) Ah. Well, that changes a little bit, doesn't it?

RUSSELL (father, disbelief): (confused noises) I…I don't know what you're going to do to help. (stammers) Unless you're going to escort me there! If you were to go and get the medicine and come back it would be too late, but I…I can't pay you!

ARIEL (IC): You don't need to pay us.

RUSSELL (father): I…I can help you. I…the…the main road out of this valley is…is blocked by them, but, uh, I…I'm the surveyor for…for, um, the mining in this area. I…I know the mountains better than anyone! I…I know a path through. I…I can get you to the city in two days.

JOSHUA (IC): Well, we definitely can't stay around here. This little village is not the goal. If he knows a faster way to get out of here, that's a good enough reason for me.

BRAD: Obi is kind of like behind the door frame and, like, kind of like leaning on it, um, semi-calm demeanor, but listening to everything that's happening on…on the inside,

(IC, weary) Rosara, Vano, step outside. Let's talk.

ARIEL (IC): Alright.

(OOC) Rosara will go ahead and step outside.

JOSHUA: Vano does the same.

BRAD: I'm going to pull them away from Cendrillion and the…the babe, so I can have a private conversation, if I can, um,

(IC) I'm…I'm sorry about earlier. I…I froze up, um…

ARIEL (IC): I think we were all taken aback, Obi.

BRAD (IC, hesitantly): But… (sighs) I…I think I…I think I've met Primes before. A lot of them.

JOSHUA (IC, baffled): What?

ARIEL (IC): Like, you think as in you don't really remember?

BRAD (IC, hesitantly): Yeah, I…As soon as I saw his silhouette. Flashes of trees. Mountains, faces disjointed, hundreds of them. And when I came to, we were under attack, and…it was instinct at that point. (slowly) Look. I overheard what that guy was saying on the floor. The tattoos, the way he was dressed…He spoke about the Breaking. That has something to do with the Heralds, right? The stories? [folksy, subdued music] We're supposed to be, well, I'm still a little bit dubious, but, descended from them? Our blood is special, Gritzern said. Maybe it's connected. Maybe if we follow this lead, if we help with the child, we can figure out what our place is in all this. What do you think?

ARIEL (IC): I…I think that all makes sense! And I don't want to… It feels wrong that we can do something about this, and we turn away. I think we're meant to help, and I think we're meant to find out more.

BRAD (IC): Don't get me wrong, the sob story with the kid is sad, but…I've witnessed far worse horrors than a child being ill and dying. I…Call me selfish, but I want to find out what's happening with us! And if we can help at the same time, fine. But it's not my goal. But you've got my crossbow if you need me.

ARIEL (IC): Vano?

JOSHUA (IC, somberly): I don't like letting any little ones die. I can never do that again.

BRAD (IC): Vano.

JOSHUA (IC): If there is a way to help on our goal, on our mission…Aye. I think we should.

BRAD (IC, seriously): Vano, I saw how you reacted to seeing him. Anything you want to share with us? Any issues you need to get off your chest? Or are you going to be able to put those behind you and work together?

ARIEL (IC): He's too much of an asset for us not to let him help us.

BRAD (IC, seriously): No I…I saw the way Vano looked at him.

JOSHUA (IC): You know the stories, do you? About what they did? About what the Primes did?

[slow, folksy music]

ARIEL (IC): The version that I have probably heard may be different than what you have heard. I…I've never seen a Prime before, and I don't know what they're capable of, but…You acted as though there's personal history.

JOSHUA (IC, delicately): I don't like to talk about everything that happened, back in Oaknesh, but there's one thing they always stuck to. The one goal they always had. Was to prevent the Breaking. And they always said, without fail, that it was because of the Primes. Now, they're a bunch of lying murderers. But…I believe that. That's the one bit I do believe.

ARIEL (IC): But what did you tell me about keeping the broach of Ravenhook and selling it? We need any advantage we have out there! If this Prime is somehow dangerous, it seems like he has a common goal in at least with this baby! So, if he does betray us, and he is a liar, it won't be right away.

[hopeful, folksy music]

BRAD (IC, delicately): You guys don't have to say it, but since I seem to be the…the mean one, I'll use the baby as leverage to keep him in line? No skin off my back. I've done worse things.

JOSHUA (IC): I won't let you harm the kid.

BRAD (IC, wryly): Oh, I have no intention to, but he doesn't know that.

JOSHUA (IC): Ah.

BRAD (IC): I'm happy to play the bad guy, as long as it gets me what I want.

JOSHUA (IC): You've got a point, Rosara. If he makes one move against us, I will not hesitate.

ARIEL (IC): And that's a loyalty I appreciate from you, Vano.

BRAD (IC): Until he earns our trust, agreed.

ARIEL (IC): Agreed.

JOSHUA (IC): Aye.

BRAD (IC): Then I'll be your shadow.

ARIEL (IC): Let's head back in there.

BRAD: We head back in, united.

RUSSELL: The three of you are standing once again in the cottage. Prime looming up against the ceiling, head and shoulders hunched over against its boards, and retreated into the far corner, you see the Edwane still cradling the child.

ARIEL (IC): Cendrillion. And, um, I heard your name,

(OOC) And I look at the Edwane.

(IC) It was Dolben, correct?

RUSSELL (Dolben, nervously): (stammers) Yes? Who told you that?

ARIEL (IC): Uh, Gob…Gob…Gobin…Gobin? Gorbin! That's what his name was. All of the names around here kind of sound the same.

RUSSELL (Dolben, confused): (stammers) Yes? It happens. And, um, okay, yes. This is…that's me. This my cottage.

ARIEL (IC): The three of us have agreed that we will head to the northwestern city through the mountains with the two of you. Make sure Dolben and the babe get safely past with, of course, the help of you, Cendrillion.

NICK (IC): And why is it that you assume that I need your help?

ARIEL (IC): If you didn't, you'd be on your way already, wouldn't you?

NICK (IC): There are other dangers here. The way must be clear first. That is why I've yet to leave. It was a very long journey to get here. I've simply been resting my eyes. I do not need you or your kind. I never have. And I never will. If you wish to accompany me, that is your prerogative, and your choice. I will not stop you, but I will not ask you for your aid, nor will I thank you for it.

JOSHUA (IC, seriously): To be clear, we're not following you. We're following the wee one! We want to make sure that they get through safe, and I don't think you can do it.

NICK (IC, intensely): Strong words. But weak steel.

ARIEL (IC, slightly angry): You helped me, Cendrillion. The bracelet. You gave me that bracelet to help me fight. If you didn't care for us, you wouldn't have done that.

NICK (IC): (chuckles)

ARIEL (IC, commanding): We are asking to help you. We are asking to help Dolben, we are asking to help the baby. Do not turn us away.

NICK: Cendrillion goes and sits on the bed of straw where he had spent the previous night.

(IC, fondly) (sighs) You…have such narrow and small views of the world, it…has always fascinated me. (calmly) As I said. I will not stop you from accompanying me. But do not assume that I care for you just because I helped to keep you alive. That is not what it is.

BRAD (IC, smiling): If you could, uh, you know, if we come across anything scary? {waves fingers to show sparkles} You do your little sparkly stuff, yeah? I'm happy.

[mysterious, folksy music]

NICK (IC): This one is simple. I think he and I will get along.

BRAD (IC, hesitantly): Cendrillion, forgive me for, uh, asking something a little, uh, weird, but, uh, we've had our fair share of weird over the past, you know, hour. Indulge me. You understand magic. Right?

NICK (IC, warily): Better than most, yes.

BRAD (IC, hesitantly): I think…there is a…a memory. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind. Do you know of any way to, I don't know, improve it? Access it through magic?

NICK (IC): Not through…normal magic. I can try, although…I'm not certain it would be a good idea.

BRAD (IC, flippantly): Eh, it was a dumb idea. Forget it, forget I asked. (sighs) Let's just do what's right for the kid.

NICK (IC): I'm not saying it's not doable, I'm saying it's dangerous.

BRAD (IC): Forget it! Forget I asked, that's a stupid, stupid question.

(OOC) And I'm gonna leave the house.

[hopeful, folksy music]

NICK (IC): Well, what is the decision? The Nov Romaran wants to come, you don't…

JOSHUA (IC): You've misunderstood! We're going, for the sake of the kid. It's got nothing to do with you.

NICK (IC): Right then. Well, in that case. This…house…cannot accompany all of us. But, it is late. At the very least the three of you look weary. Some rest might do us some good.

ARIEL (IC): We can come back here, first thing tomorrow, when the sun rises.

RUSSELL (Dolben): It…if…if you go into the village, I…I mean I can't accommodate you all here, but if…if you really do plan to come back and help me save my daughter, then, uh, go to the village and ask for, uh, Kilta Bortool. She…she's a good friend. Um, her grandmother owns the inn in town, um, tell her you're helping me, and she'll negotiate stay on my behalf.

ARIEL (IC): Kilta. Got it.

JOSHUA (IC): We have already talked to Kilta. Aye, she's the one that sent us out here.

RUSSELL (Dolben, relieved): Oh? That's good to know. Is she well?

JOSHUA (IC): I mean, she was. But they were barricading the doors, and then we left. So.

RUSSELL (Dolben): Oh, well, that was probably because him.

(OOC) And he bobs his head towards Cendrillion.

(IC) Uh, had a brush with one of the guards outside of the town. I heard the shouting before he came this way.

BRAD: Um, if the party is gonna do a long rest of any kind, um, Obi, uh, will not partake, and will go back onto the roof, to try and be by himself, if that leads to an opportunity for anything.

JOSHUA: Vano is absolutely going to pass out.

ARIEL: Uh, Rosara would also go to sleep, but probably in her armor.

RUSSELL: So, you're all just going to sleep here, in his house?

JOSHUA: Vano literally crouches in the corner of his house, and just, like, on the floor, crosses his arms, the kind of like the…the soldier on a train thing, where he kind of passes out like that.

RUSSELL: Dolben retreats to a room in the back of the house and closes a wooden door softly.

ARIEL: Alright, yeah. We'll have a very not fitful sleep on the ground here.

JOSHUA: Vano is already asleep. (laughs)

[soft, mellow music]

RUSSELL: As the others drift off to sleep, and Obi sits on the roof, gazing up at the night sky, he sees, hovering on the horizon, a small cluster of stars he recognizes well.

BRAD: Obi is, hands around his knees, on the roof. Slowly rocking into the wind. He reaches into…his cloak and pulls out a bright, green liquid. Shaking.

(IC, sadly) Can't even find him. Darn it. (voice breaking) I don't even know who I am! I've partnered with strangers, and…I just don't…"Obi, climb up there, shoot that!" [sweet, sad music] And now I don't even trust my own mind.

(OOC) He uncorks the lid [cork pop] and goes to drink the liquid.

NICK: Cendrillion, uh, exits the cottage and just breathes in the night air as everyone has bed down, and he catches the sound of Obi kind of mumbling to himself, and he looks back at the rooftop.

RUSSELL: Drawn up to your full height, Cendrillion, stretching in the night air, you hear Obi next to you, and as you turn and face the roof of the cottage, you see him, hands around his knees, a vial in his hands, at a height that is almost parallel to your head.

NICK (IC): Don't sleep?

BRAD (IC, surprised): Hm? (gasps)

(OOC) I put the cork back on.

(IC, wryly) Not when you lose yourself the way I do. Time after time. (somberly) But I recognize your face. Or, at least, parts of it. Mountains, trees…Hundreds of faces. Where do you come from? Where…do I come from? Why do I recognize you?

[slow, folksy music]

NICK (IC): You know…Dreams and memories are not so different. Especially… memories that are recessed. Things of the deep mind flow in ways that do not conform to reality. In essence…this means that… [soft, inspirational music] we are all the same. We share one conscious state of reality, and an unconscious one. The things you see, the things you dream. The things you remember, and the things that you don't. All of it has happened, and none of it has. You are everyone, and you are no one. But if you truly wish to reach into the deep mind, I can help you. But I cannot guarantee your safety.

BRAD (IC, wryly): So can this.

(OOC) I hold up the vial of green, luminescent liquid.

(IC) Helps me escape. Forget.

NICK (IC): Funny. An Edwane trying to forget but longing so deeply to remember. An interesting contradiction. So, which is it? You must choose. You cannot continue to live both. Or else you will be divided forever.

BRAD (IC): Well. It would appear my path has been set before me. And you are a part of that path. You brought something out in me today. [sweet, sad music] (sadly) Something I've not felt. In a long time. And now I just want to forget it. And that's why I'm here. Clutching my poison. Now, if you'll excuse me. I've got no sleep to do.

(OOC) And I pull the cork out, and I drink it.

NICK: Cendrillion will turn his back.

BRAD: Obi collapses on the roof.

NICK: Cendrillion looks up into the stars.

[soft, folksy music]

(IC) There are so few in this world able to count these. And so many in this world that, not knowing their number, rely on them to show their path. [folksy music] You poor fool. If only you knew. Your destiny is not written in the stars. It is written in the ground that you walk.

{fade to black}

RUSSELL: Boom! And in that episode, you got a better look at the acting chops of our great performers and got to see that you are in for the real deal. What a hell of a ride. And it only gets better from here. And by better, I mean worse for them. Way fucking worse. (giggles evilly) But anyway! Come back next week to see how I torment them. And thank you so much for tuning in, this has been Spawn of Chaos' first campaign, the Heralds of Wayinar. I am your DM, Russell Eugene Welch III, take care of yourself, and don't forget, yes I'm gonna say the thing: Chaos awaits you, in the dark.