Finagle Our Way to Victory

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## *Check Please!* Episode(s)

### Released

25 Jan 2020 (YouTube)
01 Jan 2021 (Podcast)
11 May 2021 (YouTube)

## Players

### Cast

Keni as Sol
Xeno as Vera
Screwy as Markus
Grem as Lovette

## Links

### Podcast

Apple Podcasts
 Amazon Music
 Spotify

*Check Please!*

"**Finagle Our Way to Victory**" is the 19th episode of the first season of *Check Please!* Campaign One. It was first released on January 25th, 2020.

*"Last time, our Heroes ventured into the vast and dangerous Red Plains to scout out an invading force. There, they met with a local Centaur tribe and observed the invading Orc army. The Party now heads back towards the border of Vil to warn of the impending invasion..."*

## Synopsis

### The Warning

Having rushed through the night to return to Vistgaart Citadel, the Party members relay the intelligence they've gathered to a representative of the assembled Vilish forces, who leads them into the fortress's keep to speak with General Ernst Barvold. Lovette once again describes the composition of the orc forces as she observed it. They also explain the complicating factor of the Vilish attack on the centaurs limiting the movement of Vilish forces through the region. Barvold is disheartened by the size of the approaching force, and desperate for more information about the orcs – crucially, on whether they intend to bypass the citadel entirely, which would be devastating for Vil.

The Party members contemplate how best to proceed, with Lovette suggesting that they simply flee rather than attempting to scout for more information. Sol grows increasingly despondent, and Lovette's attempts to console them backfire spectacularly. An enraged Sol gathers Markus onto their horse and prepares to depart the citadel, now intent on continuing to assist the Vilish forces by further scouting out the orcs. Given their state of fatigue, they are convinced to get some rest before heading out again, and the Party members settle in for the night.

### To the West Once More

Sol rises early the following morning to prepare the horses, then approaches the front gates, where they discover none other than Makes-A-Lot-Of-Noise, who has followed the Party and is attempting to convince the citadel guards that she can help.

(16m30s)

## Key Points

### Character

#### Sol

* Sol repeatedly expresses a desire to go home – which, given their complicated feelings towards Prae'si'dium, is a strong indicator of how deeply upset they are by the current situation – and regret about ever having left.
* Despite the level of privilege they'd enjoyed, Sol resents Lovette's implication that their home life, with its myriad pressures and anxieties, was "easy".
* Sol notes that their priority in life up to this point has been pleasing other people, which has left them uncertain of their own needs and desires, and lacking confidence in pursuing them.
* Sol is increasingly impatient and curt with Lovette.
* Sol once again demonstrates their (and Keni's) love of horses.

#### Vera

* Vera, though genuinely concerned about Sol's unhappiness (a sign of how far they've come in their relationship), doesn't yet have the interpersonal skills to know how to comfort them.
* Vera states that she needs Sol, and that without their presence, "Melifera would have no one" (referencing Sol's success in recruiting new hivekin in "Confrontation" (C1 S1 E17)).

#### Markus

* Markus expresses a genuine desire to assist the Vilish forces, earning praise from Sol.

#### Lovette

* Lovette expresses gratitude at having had the opportunity to meet all the rest of the Party members.
* A rift continues to form between Lovette and Sol.
* Lovette, feeling isolated and alone, confers with Archie; Archie, unsurprisingly, views Lovette's actions as justified and sensible compared to those of the rest of the Party members.

## Memorable Quotes

* "Sol pushes Lovette over. 'Shut up!'" – Keni/Sol, a tad cranky and more than a tad tired of Lovette's griping.
* "Is it okay if I sleep here?" "No!" – Lovette and one of the citadel officers.
* "This is a lot harder than I thought any of this would be! Things were so much easier before. I've made a terrible decision." – Sol, with the hardships of their adventuring life finally taking their toll.
* "So maybe you should go." – Lovette, managing to say the exact wrong thing to Sol.
* "I never wish to be spoken to as such *ever* again. Do you understand me?!" – Sol, tired and angry with Lovette.
* "I wasn't sure if I would find you, but I figured I would follow the road because that leads into two-leg territory, and I stopped at the first place that I found, and it was this place, and I asked if you were here, and they didn't know who you were, and I said I could help, and then... you're here!" – Makes-A-Lot-Of-Noise, succinctly bringing Sol up to speed.

## Trivia & Notes

* The Vilish military captain who serves as the main point of contact for the Party remains unnamed in this episode.