Confrontation

*Check Please!*

"**Confrontation**" is the 17th episode of the first season of *Check Please!* Campaign One. It first aired on YouTube on December 28th, 2019, and was released in podcast format on December 25th, 2020. It premiered on the show's new YouTube channel on May 9th, 2021.

*"Last time, our Heroes saved the Fey of the mountains, and returned the iron trade to normal in the town of Wittengen. They then returned to Hartenshen to get the reward from Siva."*

## Summary

After finishing their shopping, the Party members meet with Siva, who tasks them with investigating reports of an orc army marching on Vil. Sol grows closer to Siva, and confronts Gro'h. Vera seeks new followers for Melifera.

## Synopsis

### Shops and Libraries

At various shops in Hartenshen, the Party members stock up on healing potions and other items. En route to the city's library, Sol gets the sense that they're once again being followed. Shortly after, they're able to find a book that contains dated information on the Emerald Forest, but little about their hometown. Sol departs the library, and no longer senses anyone following them. As the sun begins to set, they return to the Heartstring Taproom and reunite with the other Party members.

### The Next Contract

Siva greets the Party members and takes them into her office. She again congratulates the Party for their success, having verified via various venues that the iron is now once again flowing. Unfortunately, there is a new problem: word has reached her of a military force advancing on Vil from the west, across the Red Plains from Parthenay. Despite the unlikelihood of them operating so far from their own regions, rumor holds that is an army of orcs. Siva, wishing to keep the city and nation's status quo intact, tasks the Party with journeying west to the Vistgaart Citadel to further investigate the claims, and potentially render assistance to the Vilish military stationed there. Lovette checks her compass for a bearing on her parents, and finds that it too is directing her west.

Siva instructs the Party to make contact with General Ernst Barvold, the commander of the Citadel, and suggests that by the time the Party arrives, they may be hiring mercenaries to supplement their forces – a second potential source of income for the Party, since she will already be paying them simply for reconnaissance. Lovette objects to the idea of mercenary work, while Sol is hesitant about being considered an assassin. Sol mentions being followed; Siva denies having put anyone on their tail, and offers additional protection, which Sol awkwardly declines. Siva promises the sum of 4000 gold pieces to each Party member if they accomplish this new quest. Lovette attempts to enter into a business deal with Siva to cement their friendship, but Siva politely declines, citing that she already considers the Party members to be friends. The Party members consent to undertake the mission. Siva, with an eye on Sol, suggests the Party leave in the morning, and Sol appears ready to spend the night; Lovette pushes the Party to leave at once. Sol grumpily steps outside for some fresh air. Siva again invites the Party to stay in the city for the evening, explaining that has has rooms on permanent reservation at a nearby high-class inn. Lovette backtracks, accepting Siva's hospitality.

Vera goes to explain the situation to Sol, and opens up about her disappointing attempt to attract newcomers to Melifera's faith. Sol offers to help Vera in her proselytizing. They agree to rest for the night before trying again in the morning. Siva directs the Party towards three rooms held under her name at The Elegant Olive. Lovette questions the number of rooms, but Siva reveals she'd like a private conversation with Sol. Lovette tries and fails to talk Sol out of it; getting no backup from Vera, she leaves the Taproom. Agreeing to meet back there the next morning for breakfast, Vera also departs.

### Elegant and Enlightening Evenings

Lovette and Vera eventually make their way to the nearby inn. Dropping Siva's name results in the highest level of attentive (albeit scared) service. Meanwhile, Sol joins Siva in the latter's private office, where they share a meal and drinks whilst Siva "tries her damn damndest to charm the shit out of" Sol, telling the bard stories of her background and life story. Sol inquires about the nature of Siva's vengeful anger towards Gilbert; Siva shares the details, and is moved to tears. Sol commiserates and offers comfort. Siva explains that her experiences with Gilbert have left her distrustful of and uninterested in men. The two kiss. Siva offers to move things to the bedroom; Sol demurs, explaining that they have some personal matters to take care of first, lest they inadvertently dishonor Siva. Siva, understanding, offers Sol the guest bed (rather than her own) for the night. Sol accepts. Meanwhile, at the Olive, a miserable Lovette drowns her sorrows in ale.

### Gro'h

Sol, contemplating their choices and their encounter with Siva, uses a magical scroll to send a simple message to Gro'h:

> Can we speak in the library like we used to?
>
>

Moments later, Sol receives three words in response: "I'll be waiting." Wasting no time, Sol sneaks out of the tavern and returns to the city's library. Finding the library closed, Sol begins to wander, and soon encounters Gro'h. Sol apologizes for Lovette's "warning shot" gone astray. Gro'h is shocked by Sol's decision to go against their sworn betrothal oaths and the established traditions of their society; Sol insists that "things need to change". Gro'h suggests that the pair of them attempt to change those ways together, and Sol parries by inviting Gro'h to join the Party. He dismisses the suggestion of teaming up with their "merry band" (as he puts it), and labels the non-elves as lesser beings. Sol rejects his opinion, explaining that travel has expanded their perspective beyond the attitudes of supremacy found in their people's books. Gro'h doubles and triples down on his biases until Sol, disavowing the idea of social hierarchy, humbles him by "asking" him to go to his knees. Bitterly regretting that Gro'h won the competition that led to their betrothal, Sol nonetheless retains their engagement ring. As Sol leaves for the Taproom, Gro'h promises that he'll never be far behind.

### Dreams and Breakfast

While Sol returns to the Taproom and quietly dies inside, back at the Olive, a dejected Lovette snuggles with Archie, while Vera sobbingly apologizes to Melifera for failing her. It is, as Keni puts it, "fucking depressing". Eventually, the Party members all drift off to sleep (or into meditation), and everyone but Markus has a dream. Vera dreams of being a bee in an enormous humming Hive, and of feeling filled with a sense of peace and belonging she has only ever felt at the Temple of Melifera and when communing closely with Melifera. The deity implores Vera to bring more followers to the Hive, stating that it must grow. Lovette dreams of once again being a young child, being rocked in the arms of her mother as she sings in her native tongue. Sol, meditating, experiences a dream of sitting and talking with Siva and Gro'h, all three together; they wake horrified at the thought of the two ever meeting, and grumpily begins to make breakfast – which turns out edible at best. Eventually, Vera and Lovette make their way back to the Taproom and partake of Sol's... worthy efforts.

Sol, thoroughly overwhelmed by the night's events, breaks down in tears; Vera attempts to comfort them, but the appearance of Siva sends the bard running from the tavern. Vera pursues them, while Sol drops a tab of muse, instantly (somewhat) perking up. Sol, trying to get a grip, suggests that they and Vera try once again to find new followers for Melifera.

### Good News, Everyone!

While Lovette and Markus have a heart-to-heart about Lovette's difficulties relating to others in the group, Vera and Sol head to the slums of Hartenshen, as Vera shares details of the central tenets of her faith. Sol assures the druid that they can definitely help spread the good news about Melifera.

Sol strikes up a tune on their lyre, which fascinates and gathers in a fairly large crowd of downtrodden citizens. They begin their sales pitch for Melifera, talking about community and family and the importance of interdependence, which attracts the attention of three individuals: Rupert Hattenberger, Stefanie Krause, and Erik Windzer. The three express their desire to become formal members (or siblings) of the Hive. Vera and Sol direct them to the recently-uncovered Temple, giving them gold to ensure their safe arrival and survival at the site while they begin restoring it to its former glory (or, as Beardy puts it, grabbing "three randos off the street and hand[ing] them more money than they'll see in a lifetime"). Sol gently but firmly reminds them to stay true to their word. Elated with their success, Sol and Vera return to the tavern...

### Go West, Life Is Warful There

... and, after reuniting with the other Party members (and in Sol's case, bidding an absent Siva a fond farewell), trudge west out of the city towards a new frontier.

## Key Points

### Plot & Lore

* It's established to be vastly cheaper to raise a deceased comrade as a skeleton, rather than using most expensive resurrection magic.
* Several characters purchase Heal Light Wounds potions. These will become very important.
* The war between the Protean Empire and the Kin-Tau Empire some eight hundred years prior is mentioned in the context of the Elves' resistance to the Proteans' advance into the Emerald Forest, which after massive losses on both sides eventually resulted in a treaty between the two civilizations. Under the terms of the treaty, the Forest became sovereign Elvish territory, with no other military forces permitted inside and no Elvish military forces permitted to leave. However, diplomats and ambassadors were permitted to travel freely. Both sides had minorities that believed the truce was a bad idea, particularly on the elvish side, who saw themselves as being put at a disadvantage.
* Parthenay, the nearest human kingdom to Vil, is introduced into Lore, as are the Red Plains.
* Orcs are also introduced, and it is noted that their lands are a great distance from Vil.
* Siva reveals the nature of the anger towards Gilbert that led her to kill him in "The Adventure Begins?" (C1 S1 E1-3).
* The Elegant Olive will make additional appearances throughout the rest of the season.
* It is established that Groh's betrothal to Sol came about because of a competition, which Gro'h entered at Sol's request after their father enthused about his abilities.
* Archie's speech at this point is still essentially binary.
* More details of the Meliferan faith are explained – specifically, the core ideas of community and equality, and standing against "parasites" who prey on the weak and take more than they deserve.
* Details of the faith in Melifera – specifically, the communal, egalitarian aspects – are explained.
* The Holy City's engineering and fabrication amenities are not equipped for highly-precise detail or lathing work.

### Character

#### Sol

* Sol's parents are estimated by Beardy and Keni to be around 400 years old; contextual clues in later episodes bring their final canonical ages closer to 200 years. Sol's own age is given as around 84 – in other words, in the midst of their teenage rebellious phase.
* Sol off-handedly mentions Lovette having rescued them from being tied up on a bed.
* Sol still doesn't care amount money.
* Sol blushes at Siva's attention, who in turn singles the elf out specifically when mentioning her gratitude towards the Party members. The two later share an intimate dinner together, finally kissing. Extensively.
* Sol knows Vera well enough to detect when she is more quiet than her usual self, and now openly cares enough to check in with the druid. They also call out Gro'h for daring to refer to Vera as a "half-breed".
* Sol once again implies familiarity with being waited on hand and foot, again referencing their privileged early life.
* Sol is drawn to the purple bed in Siva's guest room, since it's a close shade to their family's colors.
* Sol reverts to their high-class accent when speaking with Gro'h.
* Sol remains highly distrustful of Gro'h's motives (to the tune of multiple Sense Motive rolls).
* Sol rejects the idea of being better than anyone else, or even wanting to be; they also reject the deeply toxic idea that Gro'h knows Sol better than Sol knows themself.
* Despite their anger towards Gro'h, Sol remains grateful for his protection, and does not return their engagement ring.
* Sol once again resorts to muse to deal with their feelings.
* Sol notes that family is usually a good thing in people's lives, while implying that this is not necessarily the case in their own life.
* Sol not only assists Vera in gaining new followers for the Hive, but shows concern over ensuring that the three new followers do not betray their new deity and benefactor by simply taking off with the money.
* Sol and Vera hug, for possibly the first time.

#### Vera

* Vera is devastated by her failed attempt to attract new followers for Melifera. She later movingly explains the roots of her frustration to Sol – a mark of how close the two have grown in just a short time. Indeed, Xeno notes that Vera no longer considers Sol a "parasite" (someone who goes against the best interests of the Hive), and Vera comforts Sol the morning after their unpleasant encounter with Gro'h.
* Vera's outfit remains sleeveless after she ripped off the arms in an earlier episode.
* Vera considers The Elegant Olive "flashy", and is uncomfortable with the level of fawning (and terrified) service from the staff.
* Vera still has reservations about Siva – she is willing to support the crime boss if Siva's victims are nobles, but not if they are amongst the lower classes.
* Vera bookends the episode by weeping with happiness over having new members join the Hive.
* Vera accepts Sol's hug – for a few moments, anyway, until they realize what's happening.

#### Markus

* It is established that for as long as Markus can remember, he has never had a single dream – at least, not until he came to this world (as best he can tell).
* Markus's initial best advice to Lovette is to keep her mouth shut; he's not one for heart-to-hearts. He does try again, noting that Lovette is so focused on her own goals that it can alienate the other members of the Party.
* Markus notes that people "complicate things", but does express a willingness to accept those complications.

#### Lovette

* Lovette purchase a maintenance kit to clean and service Archie.
* Lovette enjoys twirling in her new dress, though only in private. Dress go spinny.
* Lovette is concerned about being attacked by Gro'h, although she notes that she probably deserves it.
* Lovette shows considerable jealousy and anger over Siva's flirtatious advances towards Sol.
* Lovette claims to have "been in nicer" accommodation than The Elegant Olive, despite its opulence.
* Lovette finally breaks open the cask of ale purchased back in Wittengen.
* Lovette expresses concern over upsetting people, and states that the closer they get to people, the more people get hurt. They do note that they are closer to the Party than anyone else they've ever met, and that despite keeping their personal agenda close to the vest, they have no ill will towards any members.

#### Gro'h

* It is revealed that Gro'h was able to detect when Sol's engagement ring was removed, and he feared that they had been struck down in combat. He considers the idea that Sol deliberately removed it to be even worse.
* Gro'h is by turns imploring, condescending, and paternalist in his attempts to get Sol to return with him.
* Gro'h looks down on halflings and other non-elves as "lesser beings", and slurs Vera for her mixed-race heritage; he attributes the superiority of elves to their longer lives.
* Gro'h does agree that the elves would do better by leaving the forest and seeing more of the world – and also by demonstrating elvish supremacy in the process.

## Running Gags & Callbacks

* Keni pronounces D&D as "Dad", much to the initial confusion of the other players.
* Beardy reminds Xeno of the latter's special license to make bee puns.
* Keni takes pun damage for a "Grown" / "Gro'h" line.
* Sol's attempts to cook breakfast continue to be rather hit-or-miss.
* Pun damage for a "well, you did warn her, brother" / "warner bros" reference.
* The Party members continue to insist that NPCs – even unplanned ones – receive names. Beardy's vengeance will soon be at hand.
* Weavers are neither insects NOR bugs.
* Player audio issues are played off as the sound of bees. Squealing bees.

## Memorable Quotes

* "There's nothing wrong with necromancy." "Yeah, isn't necromancy just really late surgery?" "It's really late healing. It's often misunderstood." – Beardy and Grem, opening the episode strong.
* "I wanna play Dad!" – Keni, starting a running joke.
* "Nobody's died yet." "Vera's gonna fix that." – Beardy and Xeno, prophetically.
* "It's good to know the maturity level of the players I'm dealing with." – Beardy, after a shitty pun.
* "Come on! We get to meet centaurs! I've never met horse people before!" – Sol, choosing to ignore the complications of an invading orc army.
* "Just... don't worry about it!" "Sol, we have not know each other very long, but that is not a thing I'm very good at." "I've noticed." – Sol and Lovette.
* "Are you okay? You're making a sadder face than you normally do." – Sol, to Vera, after the latter's less-than-effective missionary work.
* "It's fine." "Well, yeah, but when I say I'm fine, I usually mean 'Fuck, my life is burning down.'" – Vera and Sol, bonding.
* "I heard 'Protein Empire'." – Screwy, having audio issues.
* "A bunch of girly-boys and dude-bros had a big army fight [...] and they're like, 'Hmm, this doesn't look a good fight, let's come to a truce' and the elves are like 'Fine, we don't care about the rest of the world anyway, fuck you guys, stay out of our woods', and everybody else is like 'Good, you can stay in your fucking woods' – and that's how treaties are made." – Beardy, giving a somewhat condensed version of Obeddorian history.
* "The people here live under the shoes of a hierarchy that would boot them aside in an instant. All I want them to know is that there's a place that's better for them. A place that will actually care about them. But they won't listen. They never listen." – Vera, explaining her disappointment and frustration to Sol.
* "It's never for me to say what Sol can and cannot do." – Vera, taking the high ground.
* "Sol really, really likes the comment about not telling them what they can and cannot do." – Keni, appreciating the support.
* "In a way, everyone in the group is temporarily like part of the Hive to them." – Xeno, explaining Vera's view of her comrades.
* "Do people normally bring stuff in for you like this?" "Whenever I ask for it, yes." "That sounds familiar." – Sol, trying to navigate an unfamiliar encounter with Siva.
* "I'm not going to attempt to roleplay this, because I'm *not* a charming, charismatic person..." – Beardy, being unkind to himself; to their credit, the Players immediately push back against this claim.
* Beardy: "These are things that my characters would do, that I would not do, so I'm not good at them..."
Xeno: "But it's adorable."
Beardy: "... but the characters are."
Keni: "This is so cute."
Beardy: "Oh, fuck off."
Xeno: "Love you, Beardy."
Keni: "Best DM ever."
* "So, she's crying now. I hope you feel good!" – Beardy, after Siva spills backstory details.
* "How do you scream in British?!" – Keni, contemplating Sol's inner monologue. Foaly can give you lessons, if you still need them.
* "I just don't want to endanger her. Just in case." "She's a Crime Lord!" "I don't care, he's scary! He knows how to teleport!" – Keni and Beardy, on Siva and Gro'h.
* "Sol's gonna take the purple bed. For no reason." – Keni, moments before giving a good reason.
* "'Sorry my midget shot you.'" – Grem, offering suggestions for Sol's message to Gro'h.
* "Oh, would you look at that? A lost little flower." – Gro'h (or words thereabouts), seemingly confirming Hildie's opinion of him.
* "I'm sorry about Lovette. She's a bit defensive." – Sol, trying to excuse the half-gnome shooting their fiance.
* "I can't go back with you. But I will hear you out." – Sol, setting boundaries with Gro'h in their first private conversation.
* "One of them shot me." – Gro'h, making a fair point about why he'd be reluctant to join the Party.
* "Lovette takes a point of damage." – Grem, responding to a less-than-complimentary description of Lovette given by Sol to Gro'h.
* "I don't think of them as lesser! They're trying to do good, mostly. (beat) I don't know about Markus." – Sol, defending at least some of their companions to Gro'h.
* "You're starting to scare me." – Sol, in response to Gro'h's stated desire to educate the rest of the world on elvish superiority.
* "We should be ruling these people. You know this." – Gro'h, not mincing words.
* "The only reason you have great opportunities is because of that tail between your legs! I ask that you kneel." – Sol, tired of Gro'h's shit.
* "If you betray me, I will never come back to you." "I could never betray you. To betray you would be to betray myself." – Sol and Gro'h, verbally sparring.
* "Yep. I go to the room, and put the covers over my head, and then I just die on the inside." – Keni, returning Sol dejectedly to the Taproom.
* "He enjoys your purposeless garment." – Beardy, on Archie's response to Lovette's new dress.
* "Archie? Could you hold me for a bit?" – Lovette, starved for physical affection.
* "You remember having dreams at some point, but–" "Then I got married?" – Beardy and Screwy.
* "Never want them to meet. Ever." – Keni, on Gro'h and Siva, and the awkwardness that ~~could~~ will ensue for Sol.
* "(grumbling) [He] fuckin' bent the knee, but it didn't feel good like I thought it would, he takes everything away from me, every time I want something to be my victory it's his victory, and he's the greatest, everyone [thinks he's] so special, Daddy loves him so much..." - Sol, having a great morning.
* "I like how 'morning Sol' sounds like a drunk person." – Xeno, on the grumbling.
* "It's not... completely terrible." – Beardy, barely softening the blow of Sol's unfortunate attempt at cooking breakfast.
* "Who needs people to do things for you? It's gross!" – Sol, their attitudes on service changing.
* "I just imagine Siva standing there, seeing the people she just hired to take on a dangerous mission are just completely devastated the next morning after just a night's sleep. 'Oh, fuck, I've made a mistaaaaake.'" – Beardy, on the awkward breakfast breakdown.
* "You want to get what you want done at any cost, even if it means at the expense of others – and unfortunately, that rubs people the wrong way." – Markus, giving Lovette the insight she requested.
* "Unfortunately, as I've found, people complicate things, in general. But it's those complications that make life worthwhile." – Markus, beginning to reveal greater depths.
* "These NPCs you just randomly created... you want to know what their names are?" – Beardy, rather tiredly.
* "W-I-N-Z-E-R, or *zed*-E-R for the British audience members." "For which there are none." "(agreeing) For which there are none." – Au contraire, Beardy and Xeno. So sayeth Foaly.
* "I'm gonna nicely intimidate them with my Percussion." – Keni/Sol, having Xeno/Vera's back.
* "I really like roleplay." – Keni. Oh, we know. We know.
* "And Beardy got cold feet when trying to roleplay a girl!" "Well, it's not even... yeah, I mean... I, I can rolepla–" "You couldn't even seduce me!" – Keni and Beardy, perhaps already sowing the seeds of *Yes Please!*?
* "I'm roleplaying an NPC." "That's more accurate than you know, buddy." – Screwy, owning himself, and Beardy, throwing some salt on the wound.

## The Dice

This episode did not include any combat, and no Nat 20s or 1s were rolled for skill checks.

## References

* In one of the episode's few references, Xeno puns on Warner Bros., a film studio and mass media conglomerate.
* Screwy drops "Would you like to know more?", a reference to the 1997 Paul Verhoeven film *Starship Troopers*.

## Trivia & Notes

* The title of this episode took inspiration from a song title from a musical titled *Jekyll & Hyde*, which is a 1990 musical loosely based on the 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. – Keni
* Beardy teases the introduction of a necromancer character, the first indirect mention of Karis.
* Despite expressing a dislike for Lovette's headband top hat, Keni confesses to owning one.
	+ "In truth I just didn't like the idea of drawing it. I personally hate drawing hats so having people chose hats and hoods is the bane of my existence" - Keni
* Screwy does not talk until roughly the 29 minute mark.
* Beardy mentions a scenario of Markus slapping Archie's sphere from Lovette's hand – possibly an instance of Lost Lore due to the re-recording of episodes 1-7.
* Beardy generates the NPC names using fantasynamegenerators.com.