Episode 12: There Are Always Twists

**Episode 12: There Are Always Twists** (1x12)- So the previous episode title was a lie. There are always twists to every quest even seeming classics like “deal with the rat problem in the basement.” Especially when said rats have been corrupted by cosmos corrupting horrors called The Glorious. The Gloryspawn rats have been twisted into everything people *fear* about rats. They are ravenous, they are swarming, they are diseased… and even bits and pieces of myths about rats are getting gobbled up into the rats “myth-bodies” spawning tangled together Rat Princes. It’s a flipping mess. So call Charlie Kelly, roll up your pants and get your rat sticks ready because this might take some serious bashing. But beware, these rats will bash back and even if our heroes make it through the Rat Carnage vs. Giant Fire Swan showdown… don’t you feel like something is watching? Something ancient and poisonous and with a name that strikes fear into commoner and king alike? Actually, it’s probably fine. I’m sure the Manticore won’t be an issue. The Speaker probably just put it down here for ambience.

## Cast

### Nearlies

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

### NPCs

APPEARING
 Sarah
Todd
 Jlor
 Manni

## Summary

After some difficulty, the group successfully lowers the portcullis against the rats. In a group effort, Xenitor casts a straw pig's wall, Gwendylyn sets in fire with Spirit Fire, and an Embiggened Lavaleen's wings acted as a bellows, killing the rats and completing the quest.

Jlor, after thanking the group, gives the Nearlies another quest, the Trouble with Turtles. While resting after the battle, Gwendylyn falls asleep and the Manticore intrudes on her dream, offering his help in exchange for his release.

## Synopsis

### Prologue

Captain Von Dark had considered himself to be fully and permanently retired and had become a star in the sky.  The next thing he knew, he had crashed back into the world. He is then reincorporated into his body by the Guild Master.  Having been pulled from retirement he was set in the Sacred Inn to watch the scenarios of wannabe heroes and hand out hero badges to those worthy.  He was told to have a liberal eye as to who was worthy, and lower his standards, which he found distasteful.  So he begins to hand out the badges en masse, but due to overwork he eventually dozes off when the Nearlies enter the Sacred Tavern, during which he had a bad dream about a previous incident.  The dream involved him saving a young child from the Night Things after the death of her entire family.

### Episode

The group is attempting to fix the portcullis mechanics to lower the gate while fighting off the mutated rats and rat prince.  Val succeeds in working loose the jammed mechanics and drops the gate.  Lavaleen, still a giant swan beats her wings to send the rats back, slamming against the stick Pig’s Wall.  Gwen casts spirit fire on the wooden Pig’s Wall, spreading invisible fire and burning the rats.  This effect is increased by the bellowing effect of Lavaleen’s beating wings.  The rats are successfully killed by the fire, completing the quest.

Jlor thanks the Nearlies for saving him, but manages to immediately give the Nearlies another quest, The Trouble With Turtles. There are evil turtles infesting the Grotto.  Before taking on the turtles, the group takes a long rest to recover, and to complete some downtime activities.

Gwen falls asleep and dreams, ‘awakening’ alone, and hearing the heartbeat of the Manticore.  Dream Gwen takes a step towards the sound and was rushed towards the sound.  She is standing in front of the Manticore cell, and Gwen has a key in hand.  The manticore wants her to open the door. She refuses and wakes up in a panic.

To make sure the Manticore is still imprisoned she sends Todd to check out the cage.  She loses contact with Todd, so the group follows him down the hall to check on him.  Todd is laying on the ground just looking down the tunnel.  He comes to, and is confused.  “Well, hello there.”  It is the Manticore.  The group leaves.  “Don’t you want my help?”  They still move, and the Manticore claims that Gwen and he are connected now.  Todd’s eyes are briefly the same shade as the Manticore, before reverting to normal.

### Epilogue

Von Dark, still in his dream, is hiding from the Night Things, trying to protect the small girl (who was Cossettea as a child).  The desperate fight is undertaken.  Von Dark gathers his strength for a final blow.  And then awakes, blade flashing.  Martin is standing there, arm severed.  Von Dark apologized, but he couldn’t help but wonder if it was truly an accident or if his instincts saw something evil in Martin.

## Notables

Episode 12

 Side Quest Acquired
 Objects Acquired

 Spells Used

 Metamorph Attempts

## Quotables

Gwen: “’Nothing’ what?! ‘Nothing’, what!?”

## External Links

Patreon
Instagram
Twitter
 Website - Episode 12