Episode 25: Thistleberry Hollow

**Episode 25:Thistleberry Hollow** (1x25) - Valeriana has survived a trip through the inner world of The Great She wolf, liberating herself by axe into a blood rebirth in a moonlit field through the wolf’s side… however the danger was not over and the Nearlies, who quickly rushed to her side, have stirred the attention and hunger of a pack of night-kin. Pursued by “Kindly Voices” they make it to the relative safety of the town of Thistleberry Hollow, also called Mudrack Hollow depending on which distant liege lord’s claims and maps you follow. The boogey-men, however, do not respect the boundaries of ANY map and set upon the village… will the Nearlies, with help from a very unlikely “night kin hunter” named Nozie Bindleweather, and her unorthodox feline based hunting methods, be able to protect the village from the things that go bump in the night?

Also features a check in with Martin’s Sacred Curse, the dangerous and unstable Sirque.

## Cast

### Nearlies

Josh | Xenator Brisbane
Kathy | Lavaleen Crest
Andy | Martin Sirque
Amanda | Gwendylyn Cloot
 Robbie | The Speaker
 Aaron |  Production & Sound

### NPCs

APPEARING
 Nozie Bindleweather
 Von Dark
 Dodderfell
 Grandma Ninn
 Nighgod

## Summary

The group have made it to the relative safety of Mudrack Hollow, and reunite with Grandma Ninn and the other villagers. Xenator goes to help with the village's defenses, Valeriana heads to the doctor, and the rest, after reassuring Grandma Ninn that they're friends, they head to the Sad Swan Inn. Before the group can get settled, the alarm bell rings, announcing that some of the Kindly Voices have made it into the town.

As they head out to fight, they run into Nozie Bindleweather and her attack cats. With their help, the group works to defeat the Kindly Voices.

## Synopsis

### Prologue

The episode opens on Sirque, expressing his frustration at his failure to control Martin, and the ridiculousness of it all.  He’s  copied over a being a million times, and doesn’t understand what when wrong.  He was such a simple folk, it should have been easy.  There was something else in there, something that was in there before Sirque, and when he tried to be it, it was like a poison.  He was surprised as Martin to end up in the tree, or have ended up on Sarah’s list.  Rather than steal his body and have him forced to watch, Sirque is the one stuck watching as Martin now has his powers, which he doesn’t know how to use.

### Episode

“Come, come back and get in my mouth”.  The Nearlies have encountered the Kindly Voices, and they immediately run to the relative safety of Mudrack Hollow.  The village comes into view, the Chemerites having arrived just ahead of them.  They get to the guarded gate.  The guards greet them and call over Mr. Travels, the cat gatekeeper of this village that will determine if they’re allowed inside.  Most of the Nearlies pass without a problem, but Xenator and Valeriana have some trouble.  Mr. Travels doesn’t like Xenator’s undead status, and he is initially denied entry.  Xenator acknowledges their concern, but offers to remain escorted and to spend the night to clean out the abandoned and bespelled Wizard’s Tower.  Valeriana’s scent is also problematic, due to her scent of the She Wolf that had eaten her earlier.  They try to convince the gatekeeper to let her in, and finally mention that they are Heroes.  The guard seems grateful that someone had answered their weeks old call for heroes, and ushers the group inside.  Once inside the guard gives some information on the town, and that they are a satellite colony that is split between two rulers, the Dancing King and Queen Bevel.

They are then reunited with the Chemerites and have time to chat with Grandma Ninn.  They tell her that Gwen has been recruited to be a hero.  She says that it’s a dangerous to be hero because they are all missing and she thinks someone has been hunting them down.  They then send Valeriana to get medical attention, Xenator goes to help with the defenses, and the others head to the Sad Swan Inn.   They are greeted by the innkeeper, Nighgod.  He has a stronger reaction to Lavaleen then the rest of the Nearlies, though he suppresses it quickly.  He offers them drinks and gets them settled in their rooms.

Val goes to the local doctor.  As he is working, Val dozes off.  He is startled as soon as Val falls asleep the damage starts to heal herself.  As a precaution he gives Val silver laced water, which would kill her if he was a werewolf.  He feels badly for trying to kill her when it doesn’t work and gifts her the rest of the water, as it is a powerful weapon against werewolves.

Xenator, having finished with the defenses, goes to the Inn, and Valeriana returns shortly after.  Gwen and Lavaleen have been drinking up in their room and tease Xenator when he comes up.  Before they could settle down, the town bell tolls, and calls to arms comes from outside. There is fighting with the some of the Kindly Voices that have made it inside the town.  Heading outside to help they run into Nozie Bindleweather and her cats. The Nearlies  follow her to where a Kindly Voice has been spotted. Gwen casts ghostly mist, mimicking wolves, revealing a couple of Kindly Voices that have been startled out of their hiding spots.  This allows the others to start attacking.  Lavaleen uses the Wings of Heaven to reveal other Kindly Voices. Combat continues, and even the cats are able to help against the weakened ones.

### Epilogue

Sirque continues to express his frustrations at his inability to control Martin’s body, explaining how much he has tried.  He thought he had it at one point.  As he was trying, Martin stood and walked over to sleeping Dodderfell.  He could kill him so easily, and make Martin so sad. And instead of killing Dodderfell, Martin just continued his journey to use the bathroom.

Sirque then decided, if he couldn’t change what was happening on the outside, maybe he could control what was inside. He shaped the inky blackness within Martin’s body, shaped it into a nightmare carnival. And then things would arrive, just show up, and then perform in this new circus.  It will be open soon, so step up.

## Notables

Episode 25

 Objects Acquired

 Spells Used

 Metamorph Attempts

## External Links

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