It's Electric

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## "It's Electric"

The churlish Kurla bonds with precious Archie.

## *Check Please!* Episode(s)

### Released

22 May 2021 (Twitch)
24 May 2021 (YouTube)
04 Sep 2021 (Podcast)

## Key Details

### Date(s)

763-768 3E (Prologue)
25-26 Mar 768 3E

## Players

### Cast

Keni as R'issen
Xeno as Vera
Grem as Lovette
Screwy as Petravian
Foaly as Kurla

## Links

### Podcast

Apple Podcasts
 Amazon Music
 Spotify

### *Check Point!*

YouTube

*Check Please!*

"**It's Electric**" is the 1st episode of the second season of *Check Please!* Campaign One. It premiered on May 22nd, 2021 in a livestream event on the show's Twitch channel, and on YouTube on May 24th.

## Summary

Tasked with recovering three magical artifacts to return the deity Melifera to full power, Speaker of the Hive Vera Vespid reunites with Gnome inventor Lovette Ziniris McKinney-Bodwin and Paladin of Eden Petravian Calenius. Making their way across Aedron, the Party reconnects with old friends and allies, and eventually enlists the services of two untrusting adventurers, R'issen and Kurla, to aid in their new quest. Together they travel to a cursed island off the coast of Celawaie, where they make a shocking discovery.

## Synopsis

### Prologue: Five Years

At an unspecified time between 763 3E and 768 3E, Vera receives a vision from the Elder Being Melifera, in which she is given a sacred quest: retrieving three magical items that possess some of the deity's lost power. If these objects are reunited, they can be used to revive Melifera, allowing her to usher the Hive and the world into a new age. Vera already possesses the first item, a necklace; Melifera sends her in search of the second, a ring still on the hand of a previous High Priest. Vera, accompanied by her old comrade Petravian, travels to a long-abandoned Meliferan temple in the Jagged Torrents. After discovering the remains of the former congregation, who all died under sudden and unclear circumstances, Vera is able to recover the ring. Vera and Petravian are attacked by Weavers, but escape with only minor injuries, and return to the Hive.

### The Final Piece

Melifera reveals the final required item: a magical circlet created by her at the height of her power. She explains that it can be found in a valley on a frozen island located far to the south of Obeddore, and advises Vera to gather additional support for her mission, since many other members of the Hive have fallen in their attempts to recover the circlet over the centuries.

### Old Friends

After brainstorming candidates, Vera and Petravian decide to seek out Lovette, reasoning that she will be motivated by the potential profits to be gained from the proposed adventure. They travel down to Wittengen, knowing that Lovette had set up a workshop in that area. It is clear that Lovette's business is struggling, owing to rising taxes and unreliable clients. Vera explains about the situation with Melifera's circlet, and pitches the idea of Lovette joining them for the quest. Lovette refuses, and fearing for their safety, attempts to prevent Vera and Petravian from going as well. She summons Archie, who observes the argument.

Vera convinces Lovette that going in person is necessary, and that returning Melifera to full strength will benefit the Hive and ultimately Lovette's business. Lovette relents and, leaving the business in the hands of Rella, joins Vera and Petravian's mission, with Archie loyally accompanying her. Before departing on their quest, Lovette visits the cottage of Lady Hildegarde to pay her respects at the grave of Markus Cupshigh. The Party then teleports to Prae'si'dium to seek the assistance of Karis, where they also reunite briefly with Mar'ku'lus and Sol'una, the young children of Sol and Gro'h.

Karis, who has been raising the twins, explains that her adventuring days are over, and also firmly vetoes the suggestion by the children that they join the adventure. She's unable to suggest any other possible candidates to accompany the rest of the Party. Teleporting back to the Hive, they set out along the road, traveling in the same cart (now battered and dilapidated) once beloved by Sol.

### On the Road Again

Time passes as the Party makes the long journey south, pausing only briefly to check in on Lovette's mother at Fuchdorf Castle. Along the way, Lovette also sends a message to Sol, updating them on the status of their children and on this new adventure; she receives no response. Weeks pass as they wind their way towards Celawaie, following a familiar path through the Merry Valley. Entering Celawaie, they pass through the town of Warm Roots en route to Bitter Landing. On the snowy road between the two settlements, they come across an odd scene...

### An Unclear Path

Two unknown figures sit in the front of a vardo, their journey obstructed by downed trees. They move to blast the impediment, but suddenly notice the approach of six ice trolls, who presumably set the trap in order to obtain fresh lunch. The two travelers sustain minor injuries from the sudden attack. One of the two travelers (whom we'll call Traveler K) attempts to vault one of the felled trees, but cannot get purchase. Traveler K moves out of the other traveler's way and summons an awesome-looking trident made of pure electricity, with which they proceed to do... absolutely nothing.

The other figure (Traveler R, for now), showing vastly more expertise in combat and electricity magic, obliterates four of the trolls with a single cast and heavily injuring a fifth, which flees. The sixth follows suit. R and K allow them to escape. As K dismisses their trident, R, effortlessly blasts the logs into sawdust, clearing their path. Despite the nudity of the trolls, R checks them for money. Behind the Vardo, another cart pulls up...

### Odd Appearances

... bearing Vera, Lovette, and Petravian, alongside Archie and Chisel, all of whom heard the explosive pyrotechnics. As K hides in their hood and hangs back, the newcomers survey R, each seeing something different:

* Lovette sees a dark-haired human woman in their early 30s, wearing simple but exotic-looking clothing;
* Petravian sees a hunch-backed older person with an ancient, cragged face and almost skeletal hands adorned with loose rings;
* Vera sees an elf with darkly-tanned skin covered with mystical-looking tattoos, with a dark shade of makeup and lipstick.

Petravian approaches the vardo, concerned about the horrible noise and potential danger to the old woman he perceives R to be. As R takes in the religious symbols adorning Petravian's attire, Vera and Petravian in turn notice the divine symbols ornately painted and etched on the vardo. R and K prepare to leave, and Vera is impatient to get moving, but Petravian, impressed by their handling of the ice trolls, delays them, suggesting that the Party might "have use for them". This remark is not received well.

As R and K prepare for potential combat, Archie and Lovette approach, with the former startling K (though R is confident they can handle him). Vera casually observes the mounting tension from the cart. Archie introduces himself to R, innocently stating that he perceives them as appearing "like Lovette's mother". This causes confusion amongst the Party members, but the potential for imminent violence is reduced. Meanwhile, K observes that these individuals clearly appear dangerous.

Recognizing R's interest in money, Lovette suggests that the Party might have paid work for the two travelers. K and R both name exorbitant fees, at which Lovette balks. The two prepare to leave when R is suddenly overcome with an unexpected and unsettling vision, indicating that their only path forward to avoid utter doom lies with the Party. R cannot put a name to the familiar presence from their past who they feel certain sent the vision, but is convinced.

### For Hire

Abruptly announcing their change of heart, R offers their services for 1gp a day. K is shocked by the decision, objecting that they don't know the Party or their potential attitudes towards certain races. Lovette takes confused offense, but Vera, seeing all the dead trolls, accepts the terms, even as R states that K's services cost an additional 2gp a day. Lovette attempts to have R and K sign a contract; both refuse. R eagerly accepts both their wage and the wage that K refuses. Petravian insists that their mission is a straightforward item retrieval, but K is dubious of their need for additional security for so simple a task, and demands to know the real potential dangers of the quest.

Understanding that R is set on joining with the Party, K throws back their hood, revealing their half-orc race and fully expecting a negative reaction. The Party members have no reaction at all, which surprises K. R wordlessly conveys that their prowess in combat is the skill they would bring to the Party; K tersely explains that they are a healer. R introduces themself as R'issen, a traveling fortune-teller; Lovette gives her name in turn. K refuses to give their name until Vera and Petravian do the same, which they do. K reluctantly gives their name as Kurla. Eventually, the two wagons continue their journey south.

### Bitter Landing

En route to the port city, Vera and Lovette discuss their differing impressions of Ris's race; Vera posits that Lovette's eyes are faulty. Meanwhile, Kurla checks in with Ris about their vision of a different sort.

(incomplete; 1h48m)

## Key Points

### Plot & Lore

* The Hive has expanded considerably under Vera's leadership over the last five years. It is also now running a meadery to help generate funds.
* House Massel[*validation needed*] is mentioned as a client of Lovette's business that reneged on their contract for two clockwork soldiers. It is as yet unclear whether this will prove to be consequential in the larger arc of season two.

### Character

#### Petravian

* Though still technically sworn to Eden, Petravian has spent five years assisting Vera and the Hive, training members in combat.
* It is revealed that Petravian has a fear of water – not an unreasonable one given the combined weight of his literally rock-hard body and full plate armor.
* Petravian states that he is "fairly certain" he knows where all his blood relations are. This assertion goes unchallenged.
* Petravian's offhand comment about the possibility of a job costing someone's soul shocks Ris, who takes it as bizarre coming from an apparent follower of Eden.

#### Lovette

* It is established that Lovette has assisted the Hive in setting up the brewing equipment and processes for their fledgling meadery.
* Lovette has begun taking on certain physical characteristics of her mother's dark elf appearance, and also walks with a cane and slight limp after the events of the Rending.
* Lovette has been visiting Hildegarde's garden and the site of Markus's grave on a bimonthly basis to pay her respects and attend to simple gardening, though Archie notes that Hildie rarely speaks with her.

#### Vera

* Vera has seemingly grown more patient in the intervening years. She also now only wears her hood in large cities and crowds.

#### Archie

* Archie struggles to understand why Lovette blames herself for Markus's death when Markus knowingly chose to sacrifice himself.

#### Mar'ku'lus & Sol'una

* The two children have the general appearance and nature of human ten-year-olds, even though they've only been alive for half that time. It is not clear whether this unusual aging is normal amongst elves, or if it is owed to the unusual circumstances of their conception.
* The twins are now approximately 4' tall.

#### Ris

* Ris has an odd relationship with their horse, expecting it to respond to complex commands. They note that their previous horse was a more able creature.
* In contrast to Kurla's relative ineptitude in combat, Ris is shown to be able to handle themself extremely well.
* Judging by the tree symbol magically created in the air, Ris's Chain Lightning appears to draw on the power of Eden.
* Ris's obsession with money is shown multiple times.
* Ris's rejection of Lovette's contract can perhaps be attributed to their knowledge of Mephistopheles and of the inherent dangers of such binding instruments.

#### Kurla

* Kurla is not exactly adept at martial, or even magical, combat – though this was by their own admission the first time they'd ever attempted to use Divine Trident, suggesting they're not used to such violent encounters.
* Despite now appearing relatively at ease with Ris after journeying together since the events of "Sand and the Charlatan" (C1 S2 E0), Kurla is immediately distrustful and antagonistic towards the Check Please! Party.
* Kurla is particularly appalled by Petravian's poorly-worded suggestion that the Party might "have use for them".
* Kurla is concerned about the potential prejudices of the Party, obliquely reminding Ris of their half-orc heritage. They are later shocked by the Party members showing no reaction when they do reveal their race.
* Kurla shows no interest in taking the Party's money.

## Running Gags & Callbacks

* Ris and Kurla, with varying degrees of impoliteness, both decline to sign Lovette's contract, mirroring Vera's similar refusal at the start of season one.
* Screwy takes pun damage, given in the form of a swift shin kick from Vera that costs Petravian 42 hit points.
* Petravian is, as always, broke.

## Memorable Quotes

* "Well, I like... not dying. That's always fun." "It's your favorite thing." "Yeah." – Petravian and Vera, on reasons to call in some backup.
* "What was that guy's name who ran that shop?" "Detlev?" – Petravian and Vera, discussing possible companions. How desperate are they, that they call on such lost creatures to assist them?
* "I definitely want to see Archie again." – Petravian, eager to be reunited with Lovette.
* "'International House Of Robots'?" – Beardy, suggesting a catchy name for Lovette's business.
* "Why should we be the ones apologizing? They're the ones breaking the End-User License Agreements!" – Rella, to Lovette.
* "You were the first person we thought of!" – Petravian, lying through his teeth, to Lovette.
* "Thank you, Petra." – Archie, adorably assuming that Petravian was a) referring to him and b) not lying through his teeth.
* "I know some of our previous adventures weren't so great, but this seems like a relatively simple fetch quest." – Petravian, tempting fate.
* "I want them to come! I'm bored! And I think they could use the excitement!" – Petravian/Screwy, nearly killing Keni with the double entendre.
* "I'm trying to be so good, guys!" – Keni, making a valiant effort to keep their mind out of the gutter (where the rest of us live).
* "Good on you for the smiling!" "Don't patronize me, Petra." – Petra, to Vera, followed by a long beat in which Screwy tries to resist his deepest urges, followed by "Yes, I'm going to say it!", followed by, in character: "You mean don't... Petra-nize you?" – Screwy/Petravian
* "You guys are acting like I'm dead or some shit." – Sol, in a brief non-canonical cameo.
* "Just go. Please. I need you to go backwards. You get carrot if you go backwards, yes?" – Ris, to their horse. Their first words in a full-length episode.
* "I'm telling you, Ris: you do not have a natural, healthy relationship with that horse of yours." – Kurla. Their first words in a full-length episode, and perhaps foreshadowing more than they could have realized at the time.
* "(to Kurla) Do not worry, I've got this. (to ice trolls) Come at me, bitch!" – R'issen.
* "Yeah, that's right! Tell your friends not to mess with us... or, Ris!" – Kurla, accurately identifying the stronger of the pair.
* "You notice another cart is coming up behind you on the road. It appears to be somewhat disheveled... it's got patchy magenta paint on it... it looks like it might have been a nice carriage at one time but no one's really taken care of it." – Beardy, twisting the knife.
* "Ignore whatever this one [Petravian] says... he has a sort of disorder where he says things that don't make sense. It's tragic, really. He's threatened almost all of his friends at some point." – Lovette, working to defuse a tense situation.
* "You... worship Eden, yes?" – Ris, not the first person to be confused by comments that are morally at odds with the seemingly-devout nature of Screwy's characters.

## The Dice

* Screwy's Nat 20 Bluff check is the first roll of the full-length episodes of season two.

## Trivia

* Keni and Foaly do not make their appearances as new characters Ris and Kurla until the second hour of the episode, having been introduced in the previous short installment "Sand and the Charlatan" (C1 S2 E0). By the events of this episode, the two have been traveling together for several weeks.
* In-game time is not adjusted to account for the long road journey south. This may create continuity issues.[*validation needed*]
* Foaly had not read the description properly for Divine Trident. Oops. In their defense, this was only their second time in TTRPG combat.
* Kurla and Ris are addressed as such by the other characters prior to them formally introducing themselves.

## Notes

1. ↑ This introductory section is narrated by Beardy, rather than played through. In the associated installment of Check Point! discussing this episode, Beardy expressed that he'd had some reservations about compressing time and exerting narrative control in this manner, but the players were supportive of his decision.
2. ↑ Including a David Bowie reference in this section header was a moral imperative, but none fit particularly well, so it has been relegated to these footnotes instead. My brain hurts a lot. – Foaly

## Source Citations

1. ↑ *Check Please!* S1 – "The Last Goodbye (Finale, Part 2)" (C1 S1 E65)
2. ↑ *Check Please!* S1 – "The Deadlands" (C1 S1 E4-7)