Altheya - Episode 8: The Toad and the Tower

Katie Morrison as Daisy Thistleheart

 Kim Richards as Gruffudd of Tremorrew

Mark Hulmes as Ophelia D'larosa

 Tom Hazell as Xantheus Auregan

**The Toad and the Tower** is the 8th episode of the Altheya: The Dragon Empire Campaign. It was broadcast live on both the highrollersdnd Twitch and YouTube channel on the 14th of January 2024 from 5PM to 8PM GMT.

*The party get very distracted by a prophetic Toad and an ancient Tower!*

## **Summary**

### **Announcements**

* Mark welcomes everyone and introduces the players. Rhiannon was away today because both the babber and mother needed sleep.
* Today is Tom’s birthday. He showed off his birthday cards, one with a Pikachu and the other, from Mark, that said on the front, “TO DO: Give Tom birthday card” and inside was a reminder that Dragons Dogma II is coming out. Mark also gave Tom a badge that says “IDIOT”.
* There is no fan art video this week but there should be one with all new art next week.

### Recap

*Our party have arrived in the prosperous town of Ashen Rest, home of the local Draconic noble, Duke Ignarious. Seeking to make themselves more presentable before visiting the Ducal Palace, Dominus Ignarum, the gang have headed to the local bath house, which also serves as a shrine to Saint Tyfeen, the Saint of Love. The Reverend Mother and Reverend Father of the shrine, Aurelle Everdew and Dandeli Everdew, informed our heroes of a problem with the baths and asked for their help in resolving it which resulted in a confrontation with some belligerent water spirits and a malignant aura of magic that was influencing the magical fountains of the bath house.*

*With the problem resolved, and our heroes continuing to explore the wonders of Ashen Rest, we begin to make preparations to meet with the Duke.*

### **Part One**

*Rowan and Xantheus report back about their tavern of choice but get very distracted by a Toad and a Tower!*

The party is considering where they might stay and set up their base of operations in the town. Rowan and Xantheus are considering staying in The Clever Toad which appears to be operated by a family of Kobolds, the Tarrik family. The Clever Toad is rowdy and full of drunken sailors, carpenters, and labourers – there have already been a couple of fights, including one where someone was thrown through the front window, despite it only being midday. The inn has snack food, such as toad sticks, rather than anything heartier, and at the end of the bar is a glass case on a wooden plinth containing a dead, taxidermized toad (with clear stitching) wearing a little wizard’s hat. It appears to open its mouth and speak once a bronze(see Trivia) coin is inserted, and a lever pulled.

Rowan is very keen to stay at this inn and wanders over, excitedly, to the clever toad machine. There are three Dwarven teenagers, two boys and a girl, who are playing with the machine. It is clear that they are teens since none of them have the Earthskin. He looms over the top of them, impatiently waiting for his turn at the machine – one of the boys inserts another bronze coin and pulls a lever. The machine whirs and “plinky plonky” music plays for a short time – it stops and the toad’s eyes open, glowing softly. The mouth opens and a voice speaks out from it saying, “Today… you will have… good luck!” The toad then closes its eyes and mouth and appears to go back to sleep. The children laugh, trying to determine how the machine works and whether there is any magic in it. The girl eventually notices Rowan and shoves the boys, pointing at the very large-framed Jotnir behind them – it is when Rowan says a deep-pitched but polite, “Hello”, that the children scurry off, frightened.

Rowan moves quickly up to the machine and bends down so that he can reach it before realising that he does not have any bronze coins, only gold. He moves over to the nearest table, at which is seated an old balding man with an eyepatch and an old grey-haired woman, both of whom have callused hands and appear to be labourers. The man offers Rowan one bronze coin in exchange for his gold coin – Rowan is taken aback but chooses to go to the bar instead and have the Kobolds change his money for him.

Xantheus goes to the machine and looks at it – it appears not to be very common, but as if someone has built it to be unique to the tavern. Rowan hands 1 gold to the Kobold behind the bar, asks for change for the machine, and is given 9 silver and 9 bronze back. When Xantheus asks Rowan if he believes in the sort of thing that the machine is doing, Rowan quickly answers, “I believe in happiness”, and runs off back to the machine.

The instructions to the machine read, “Whence thou hast placed within, a bronze coin, pullet thine lever to receive thine fortune”. Rowan inserts a coin and pulls the lever – he hears the clicking and whirring of a clockwork mechanism before the music starts up once more. The toad’s eyes and mouth open once more as it says, “Beware… the shadow… of noon… tomorrow” before it closes its eyes again and goes silent (its mouth opens and a voice projects from it, but the mouth does not move as the toad speaks). Rowan is concerned at what he has heard, although Xantheus tries to convince him that the “prophecy” is random gibberish. He attempts to prove it by getting a coin from Rowan and using the machine – Xantheus is not sure how the machine works, and he is impressed by it as it says to him, “When the moon is full… your destiny awaits… beneath… the stone… arch”. Xantheus is unable to convince Rowan that he must stay away from shadows at all timest tomorrow.

Xantheus wants to go and get the others, but Rowan insists on having another go at the machine before they leave. The Kobolds are delighted to see Rowan putting this much money in the machine, having thought that once he scared the children away, they would make no more profit on it that day. Rowan gets the following fortune: “When… the maiden… cries… the shadow… of the… spire… lingers”. The toad closes his eyes once more.

Across town, Ophelia has decided to nurse a bottle of wine under the watchful eye of Percival. Gruff and Daisy wait for some time for Rowan and Xantheus and Ophelia orders herself a very rare steak for lunch. Gruff wanders outside and stares at the expensive armour shop while Daisy follows – she grabs a snack, then finds a spot to sit in the centre of the plaza where she can people watch and doodle in her journal. She sits near the large fountain at the centre of the plaza, watching people throw coins into the fountain and looking at the statues around her. There are people from all over the Empire – Caldra, Iceheart, and the Azarr Steppe. There is a traveller with his wagon nearby that Daisy thinks must be from Azarr because it contains small cages full of tiny dinosaurs, and the wagon is being pulled by a smaller than normal triceratops. The wagon looks like it has parts that can be pulled down to create a tent or gazebo (somewhere to stay), and attracts lots of children who are very excited when he pulls out a bird-sized pterodactyl and sends it flying around before it returns to him.

Gruff looks longingly at the weaponsmith’s shop across the plaza, staring at the expensive armour and the red velvet backgrounds – the shop appears to be the pride of the plaza. When the door opens, he is able to see glass cabinets, dark wood flooring and red velvet curtains. In a beautiful gold script above the door, it says “Dante’s”, and there is a Human man on the inside who appears to be a shopkeep. Gruff is too nervous to go in – he is aware of how basic his gear is, given that his shield is made from an old fishing raft. Although the armour is mainly made from steel, there is an exceptional craft to them, and everything appears to be bespoke. One weapon that he can see is a spear, but it has a folding blade that can fold out to make the weapon into a halberd – it is a custom, masterwork piece, and seems to be the sort of weaponry and armour that this shop produces and sells. While very few people seem to enter and leave the shop, the people that Gruff does see there look extremely wealthy and seem to spend a very long time in the shop, although they usually leave empty-handed.

The name Dante is somewhat familiar to Gruff – he is sure that he has come across it when learning about knights or maybe overheard someone in Kelscariss, and the name is synonymous with masterwork arms and armour.

Xantheus leads Rowan out and away from the Clever Toad machine with the suggestion that they get back to the others to discuss where they are going to stay – there is a question in his mind as to whether The Clever Toad will live up to Ophelia’s expectations. In reality, he wants to have a look at Ravenstar Spire, which is on the way back to The Grumpy Hog. As they approach, he can see the Ravenstar Spire towers above the average building which is three storeys high – the tower, on the other hand, is approximately 90-feet-tall. As he draws closer, the dark stone tower appears to be both impressive and beautiful with bird-like gargoyles all over it. The dark stone is totally different to anything else in Ashen Rest, the rest of which has been built from ash stone, a light grey, rough-textured, and locally sourced stone. The tower, by contrast, is a glassy stone, lighter and glossier than obsidian, almost seeming to shift between black, silvery-blue, and dark blue as the light catches it – almost as if it is molten. The space around Ravenstar Spire is quite open and there is a small garden attached to it with a lawn and a tree… but there is no apparent door in the tower. 50 feet up the tower, there are beautiful opaque glass windows that have the same dark blue colour as the tower.

Towards the north, there is a set of stone stairs leading up to an elevated part of Ashen Rest with two large statues of knights framing the staircase. Beyond them they can see rich houses and a cathedral in the area known as Duskrise. Rowan is looking very carefully around the area and Xantheus asks him what he thinks of the tower – Rowan is looking for a maiden in case the fortune given by the Clever Toad is true (“the shadow of the spire will linger when the maiden cries”). As they walk past the tower, Rowan, now looking at it, thinks it is fascinating with beautiful stone – Xantheus tells him that there is apparently someone here who will help him learn some magic, but he has also been told that there is no entrance to the tower. Rowan, who is more attuned to stone and its melody, begins to hear the stone drown Xantheus out as he realises that this tower is unlike anything that he has ever heard and that it is nothing like any stone that he has ever come across in Ilmera. There is a sombre tone to it, a mourning, and a sense of loss, but there is also something mystical and ageless captured within it, as if the stone of the tower is older than Altheya itself. He is taken on an emotional journey with the stone, feeling its sorrow and age: he knows that although he cannot see it, there is a door that is concealed somewhere.

Xantheus is also examining the tower and when he glances up to the window, even though it is quite opaque and dark, for a brief moment, he sees the shadow of a figure there – his eyes penetrate the clouded glass for a moment, and he knows that the figure is looking directly at him. Xantheus stops talking as he realises that he is under observation - there is a sudden flicker as the textured stone of the tower ripples before Xantheus sees the outline of a door with no handle. The door has silvery blue runes along its outline. This is not seen by Rowan, even though it is pointed out by Xantheus. Rowan tells him about the age of the tower and neither of them can make sense of it.  Rowan firmly believes it to be linked to his prophesy and, looking for its shadow, he notices that of all the buildings around him, this is the only one *not* to cast a shadow at all. They are both astounded, now firmly believing in the power of the Toad to make prophesy. Excitedly, they run off towards The Grumpy Hog, and Xantheus turns briefly to check on the door as they get further from the tower – it eventually disappears as they get far enough away. He hopes that it will still be there when they return.

About an hour and a half after they last separated, Gruff and Daisy see Rowan and Xantheus approaching them giggling like small schoolboys. They begin to tell the two of them about everything that they have seen – Kobolds, toads, towers, and all - talking over each other in their excitement. Gruff stops them both and insists that they remain calm and speak one at a time. Eventually, the story comes out, including about the Clever Toad machine. Daisy is suitably excited and asks Gruff if she can go to see the toad. Rowan and Xantheus likewise ask Gruff if they can return to the Clever Toad. Gruff, perplexed, does not understand why three adults are asking his permission to do what they wish, but they still all seem to want his approval. Gruff is less than enthusiastic about the toad, believing it to be blasphemous. Rowan and Xantheus look for Ophelia, who waves at them through the window of The Grumpy Hog as she imbibes her wine and eats her steak.

For Xantheus, the price is the major factor when choosing a place to stay, but Gruff has decided that he wishes to stay at The Grumpy Hog. With 24 Kobolds, he says that The Clever Toad sounds way too loud, and while the magical toad holds no interest for him, he does very much want to see the tower. Nim suddenly speaks to Daisy, “*The large musician… when he says that this place is older than Altheya itself, there is only one thing that I can think of – it must be of the Planar realms*”. Nim does not know whether this is a good or a bad thing. “*Your world,*” she tells Daisy, “*was created long after the Planar realms. We have existed for an eternity, but if he believes it to be older than this world, that is the only thing I can think of that it could be. I will not know more until we see it, until I can sense it, but even then, you know that my senses are limited*”. Nim tells Daisy that if she touches the tower, that it will help and may give more information, but that her senses and abilities are not what they once were. When Daisy asks Nim what she knows about magic toads, Nim laughs – she has encountered nasty, toad-like creatures that needed to be destroyed, but is almost certain that that is not what the others are describing.

Before they return to the tower and the toad, Rowan runs in to let Ophelia know about all of the exciting things that they have found. Ophelia believes that the other tavern sounds horrible (with its vomit and loud Kobolds), but she plans to get a lovely room at The Grumpy Hog for her and Percival, and to do penance in the meantime for doing all that work earlier in the day. She tells Rowan that they can book an appointment to see the Duke but should not see him without her.

The four companions make their way back to The Clever Toad where they are welcomed by a Greek chorus of Kobolds from behind the bar. Rowan rushes over to the toad machine with Daisy following hot on his heels. Rowan starts handing Daisy bronze coins, giving her three so that she can also get three prophecies. Gruff follows them both quietly and observes. Xantheus goes to the bar to book a room – a room with four beds is 20 gold. There is one key to the room and each bed has a lockable storage chest at its foot (each with its own key). There is no meal added with their room fee. Xantheus pays for one night and asks the friendly Kobold about the toad machine and whether it really tells the future. The Kobold tells him, convincingly, that it does. Xantheus asks what food and drink is available at the tavern and it is mainly skewers and grilled vegetables, but they also have a BBQ. The Kobold, who is the matriarch, Tarrik Tarrik, shouts at one of her children out the back of the bar, Iscuit (brother to the girl, Biscuit) before answering Xantheus’ next query, which is about Ravenstar Spire.

The tower is a spooky mystery with no door, she says. Tarrik Tarrik looks a little different to the other Kobolds and wears peasant garb with large baggy bloomers, over which she wears a small dirty apron. She recalls a couple of years ago at one of the festivals where an Elf emerged from the tower (flying out and down) before doing tricks for all the children, giving out sweets and such things. She says that people see birds like crows and ravens fly in the windows all the time. When Xantheus declines Tarrik’s offer of a guide to their room, she warns him not to try to break into any of the other rooms or she will make Xantheus deal with her son – one that she cannot let out the front of the bar.

Daisy pulls the lever on the toad machine (Rowan sings along with the music this time) and she gets the following fortune: “You will find… luck… in… the dawn… of… the arch”. Rowan tries to make sense of this, given his previous prophecy. Daisy, meanwhile, puts another coin in. This time, it comes back with, “The night… shall… overcome… the maiden… in the forest… of dreams”. Both Daisy and Rowan are perplexed by this but both believe that it will become clearer in time.

Gruff is standing behind Daisy and Rowan, watching – he has his arms crossed, his tail is twitching, he’s sighing and tutting. He opens his mouth to say something, sees Rowan and Daisy delighted by what is going on, and shuts his mouth again, saying nothing. Rowan offers Gruff a coin and asks if he would like a turn, but Gruff does not want to waste money. Rowan tells him earnestly that it might save a life. Gruff suggests that Rowan save his money for food or drink, or even for a tithe to the church. Rowan considers the latter before suggesting that if he donates one bronze coin, they still have three that they can use on the machine and encourages Gruff to have a go. Gruff is still convinced that the machine is blasphemous but agrees to have one go if it will make Rowan happy – he reluctantly inserts the coin and pulls the lever and receives the following fortune: “The spire… and… you… shall find… luck… in… the morning… of shadows”. Rowan considers what this new fortune might mean while Gruff is more sceptical – he has heard a lot of the same words presented randomly in other fortunes.

Daisy realises that there is some clever machinery and magic at work with the toad box but is not sure exactly how it works other than that there is some sort of enchantment on the toad. Gruff realises that the spell *Magic Mouth* has been cast by a very bored or very well-paid wizard onto some sort of clockwork mechanism, creating a reel of magic mouths. The mechanism spins and randomly selects set phrases that each individual magic mouth will speak - they can be joined together to make a prophesy, much like a slot machine. Daisy is busy drawing a toad with a wizard hat in her journal.

Gruff realises that the box is a game or a toy. He looks at the box to see if there is any name on it and manages to find that around the base, carved into the bottom of the cabinet, very subtly done, there is “Z. Z. Z.”

When Xantheus rejoins the group, Rowan tells him that they have more prophecies to work with – one of the other patrons in the bar overhears him and she tells him that there is a real oracle in the town. The woman, a Halfling labourer, has been watching Rowan and his friends playing with the toad machine while eating some meat skewers with her friends. She tells him that the oracle speaks for the Dragon Empress and will give less vague and more personal prophecies than the toad machine that Rowan is so convinced is real. The woman directs Rowan to seek out the Imperial Flame at the Coil of the Empress, south of the plaza (#6 on the map) and tells him that the late Empress is not gone but is still with the people and looks after them. The woman introduces herself as Jenny and tells Rowan that she works nearby at the Carpenters’ Guild but that he can find her at the Coil of the Empress where she and others meet to discuss the Flame and the Empress.

Jenny tells Xantheus that the Imperial Flame has only been in town for a short time, but that everything she says comes true. She will not meet with everyone but waits for the right people before conveying blessing upon them. Jenny insists that she has divine power. Jenny tells them to go to the Coil of the Empress, and that if they would like to speak to the Flame, they should ask to speak to Keva, the Guide of the Citadel.

Gruff is concerned and asks Jenny if she believes that the Empress is still alive – she clarifies that she believes that the Empress is “still with them”. Gruff thinks that Jenny is misguided and not following what the Church of the Scions believes and teaches. Jenny tells Gruff that there are things that the Church does not understand and that there are people who hear the Empress and who speak to her. She reassures Gruff that the Empress is not gone and would not abandon them – she recommends speaking to Keva so that he understands more. Gruff is uncomfortable and suggests to the party that they go and check out the spire. When they are outside and out of earshot of Jenny, Gruff suggests that they are careful if they head to the Imperial Flame – the Church of the Scions believes that the Imperial Flame is deluded in thinking that the Dragon Empress is not dead. He is concerned that the Flame is gathering a cultish following and warns Rowan not to take everything at face value because people may try to take advantage of him.

When they get to the tower, Gruff and Daisy immediately see what Rowan and Xantheus were talking excitedly about. As he draws closer the door appears once more to Xantheus. He points it out to the rest of them who cannot see it, although Rowan can sense that there is one. As they walk towards the door, even though Rowan knows that there is a door, his mind tells him that there is not – Daisy and Gruff look where Xantheus points, but their eyes and mind are bouncing off it.

Rowan suggests that with all of the excitement over the toad, they may have been mistaken, thinking that there was something there when there was not. Xantheus asks Rowan to come closer, goes over to the door and touches it. Xantheus disappears.

### **Part Two**

*Xantheus is teleported into the Ravenstar Spire and reveals some secrets to an ancient being!*

For Xantheus, there is a flash of darkness – he finds himself in a simple but elegant sitting room. There are two wooden chairs with plush cushions in front of a table, both table and chairs are made from a strange, silvery wood (almost birch-like) unlike any wood that he has ever seen before. The room admits no outside light but is lit by motes of light that appear to be insectoid, possibly butterflies, and they flitter around the 15-foot-high ceilings. There is a spiral staircase that leads to an upper floor and there are sculptures and paintings around the room, none of which depict worlds or objects that Xantheus recognises. The paintings, to Xantheus, look like streaks of colour with vague impressionist shapes of humanoid-like figures. The sculptures are organic yet alien. The walls and the floor are of the same dark stone as the tower that he stood in front of outside. No door is visible behind him. A faint scratching sound gets his attention, and he sees that there is a silvery wooden perch tucked in the corner of the room, upon which sits a raven – it cocks its head as it watches him and makes quiet bird noises. The table has been set with a pitcher of water and two glasses.

Xantheus hears soft footfalls that are so soft, they sound like someone walking amongst Autumn leaves although there is no foliage around. A figure emerges from the staircase – pale-skinned, very slim, and they wear long, flowing robes of gossamer-like silk (almost see-through, but not quite). Around their shoulders and behind their head is a high collar that has black feathers in it. They wear jewellery made from the strange, silvery wood around their wrists, arms, and fingers. They have long, jet-black hair that is worn in a high ponytail with bangs and strands framing their face.

Xantheus expects an Elf to look tall and slender, beautiful and androgynous, with pointy ears and sharp facial features – this is exactly what he sees in the silk material with the collar and the long, dark hair. A quintessential Elven face that is calm and placid. As they walk down the stairs and approach Xantheus, he notices that their eyes glow with a soft, silvery blue light, and that there is a gentle smile on their face.

They address Xantheus as “tuvaren” and invite him to sit. Xantheus is cautious, trying not to touch things as the character watches him passively. Xantheus backs towards where he remembers the door being, not feeling entirely safe as he realises that there is no outline of a door behind him. He asks the figure if they were the figure that he saw in the window – they answer in the affirmative. Xantheus asks why he has been allowed to enter the tower – he is told that it is because there is something unusual about him, and because they were curious. They look at Xantheus in a way that no one has ever looked at him before – unblinking, almost drinking him in. They tell Xantheus not to worry because those outside will only experience mere moments while Xantheus is in the room.

When Xantheus mentions Rowan’s comment about the tower being older than Altheya, the figure agrees with the statement. Xantheus asks the figure’s identity, where they are, and whether they are still in Ashen Rest. When he asks the latter, Xantheus sees and hears a deep sadness come over the figure’s face – “Yes,” they reply, “we are still in Ashen Rest, in the world you call Altheya, and  upon the Material Plane. This is my home - the others in this place call it Ravenstar Spire, and some here call me ‘Blackwing’”. Xantheus asks for their true name – “It is difficult for tuvaren to say”, but they tell him that their name is Eervaenalaithas-ir'Naeuith – Xantheus decides to refer to them as Blackwing. Their concept of a name is different to what Xantheus understands of it – it is not just a moniker, but is the meaning of their soul – Blackwing will suffice.

Xantheus asks what Blackwing sensed from him – it was something unusual, and something that they have not sensed in many who have passed by their tower. They make their way to the table and pick up a cup. The water begins to drain out of the cup as they hold it out from them, almost as if it is being drunk as they simply touch the cup. Blackwing tells Xantheus that they see desire in his eyes and Xantheus tells them that he wishes to know more about magic and to understand the power that he now possesses. Blackwing tells him that learning magic and learning to use magic are not the same thing – they can tell that Xantheus has learned to use powerful magic that is within him and with which he was born – they see it in his skin and scales. Blackwing also recognises that there is something else, however, a source of magic that is not his own. They tell Xantheus that he desires and wishes to understand something.

Xantheus thinks for a moment before asking Blackwing what they know about the history of Altheya – they admit that they know very little, having spent their time trying to see beauty, art, and life as they once knew it in their home, a home that is long lost to them now. They know that what Xantheus carries is not truly Altheyan which is why they are curious. Blackwing asks for forgiveness, believing that Xantheus sees them as a threat, seeing as they have trapped him in the tower – Xantheus denies this, however, telling Blackwing that he is looking to find someone that he can trust. With people being having such short lives and being driven by ambition, power, and greed, however, they ask how one can trust any in Altheya.

Xantheus is deliberately obtuse when he tells Blackwing that what he carries would result in him receiving a death sentence if people in the world knew about it. Most of the lights in the chamber exude a typical torch light, but a couple of them give off another kind of light altogether, as if one of them gives off the light of the sun, and the other gives off that of the moon, creating another type of light where they meet and cross over – a golden or silvery, dusk or dawn light.  As the figure stands and begin to move gently towards him, they pass through a beam where the two lights converge and Xantheus sees their entire features change and flicker for a moment. Xantheus suddenly sees the Elf in a different way – raven feathers protrude from the side of their face and along their arms, their eyes become black, their mouth is too wide – it is as if the special light has broken a glamour. As soon as they step out of the half-light, their appearance changes back to what Xantheus expects to see.

Xantheus speaks to Blackwing of trust and points out that it must be mutual, yet Blackwing is hiding. Blackwing asks for forgiveness, telling Xantheus that it is not intentional, and explaining that the light of Altheya is very different to the light of their own world. Blackwing tells Xantheus that their home, the Feyweald, is a land of dusk and dawn with the light of forever twilight, and that in this light, the true forms of the Elves of the Feyweald are visible. When they are out in the light of Altheya, beneath the light of the Scions, there is an instinctual magic, a glamour, and people perceive them as they expect to see them. Blackwing asks for forgiveness and declares that they do not seek to hide because they have no fear of Xantheus.

Xantheus tries to recall what he saw of the real version of Blackwing, and tries to see that over the glamour – he sees faint remnants of it, but it is very hard to keep a hold of it in his vision. He knows, however, that Blackwing does not look the way that they present to him. Blackwing suggests that Xantheus does not trust his companions outside – Xantheus responds that he is learning to trust *some of them*, but he does not know how they would react if they were told the truth just yet. Blackwing asks if Xantheus would like them to look at the cause of his power – they know much of magic, and in their world, they were a Weaver – one who takes the threads of magic, of life, of the Fey, of light, and of the heart, and they weave, sew, and make it into something new. They are a mage of sorts, capable of creating blessings, spells, and enchantments.

Xantheus asks cryptically if, like a weaver, Blackwing could take the thing away from him but they cannot answer without examining it. Cocking their head and looking at Xantheus in an odd way, they tell him that he does not need to make the decision immediately but can return at any time since he is allowed to perceive the door. Blackwing is happy to allow the others to perceive it also, saying that they hide to protect themselves since there are many traitors to their kind who would seek to do them harm. Xantheus is confused, asking if they are Elves in Altheya – Blackwing confirms that there are Elves in Altheya who wish to return to the Feyweald, but that to do so, they must join those who cast the Elves out and slaughtered them: to do so, they must become Unseelie. Xantheus asks if there is an Altheyan counterpart to Unseelie but Blackwing does not know, suggesting that Xantheus does not know much about Elves, despite having Elven blood. Xantheus tells Blackwing that he has Elven blood from his mother but has not been very close to his family or his lineage (Blackwing recognises the blood of Dragons is also within him). Blackwing suggests that Xantheus’ mother was not a true Elvari, but had a grandparent or great grandparent who was – Xantheus does not know but believes so, saying that he is “quite distant from any party”.

Blackwing tells Xantheus the story of the Elves and how they came Altheya approximately three hundred years ago. Prior to this, they lived in the Planar world called the Feyweald, a place of beauty and life that is unimaginable to those who have not been there. It is a place, says Blackwing, that they can never return to - as Blackwing says this, Xantheus feels a deep mourning and remorse coming from them. When the Elves came to Altheya, they were pursued by wicked things, terrible creatures that sought to slaughter the Elves and many others for control of the Feyweald. Their only way to survive was to disconnect from the Planar worlds, sacrificing their immortality, to come to Altheya where they have sought refuge. There are many Elves who live in Altheya, in the Empire of Dragons, but Blackwing has chosen Ashen Rest, finding Caldra to be the most lively and full of passion – it is as close to home as they can get.

Xantheus, remembering what Rowan said about the tower, asks if the tower was built before Ashen Rest was created. Blackwing tells him that the tower’s stone is from the Feyweald and that the stone is older than anything on Altheya – they found it while they were still young, but that in the Feyweald, one does not track years or cycles – there is no sun or moon to follow. Blackwing’s best guess is that to Xantheus, they would be somewhere around 30-40,000 years old. “Time passes differently”, they tell Xantheus.

Xantheus asks if there is any way for Blackwing to return to the Feyweald but they tell him that it is too dangerous for them to return – they would be hunted by the Unseelie, and even in Altheya, their agents try to find them. Blackwing offers Xantheus a deal – they will offer help to Xantheus now, but may ask for assistance in return, now or later, most likely to deal with threats to their life or agents who wish to aid the Unseelie. Xantheus agrees to help Blackwing if Blackwing helps with his “problem”.

Blackwing also offers other assistance. Knowing that Xantheus and his companions are travellers, they offer blessings, boons, magic, and items of magical power, only requiring the ingredients and reagents required to create whatever is needed.

Xantheus asks whether Blackwing would allow his companions to enter the tower – they are prepared to do so, being curious to meet his companions since two of them carry unusual traits, just like Xantheus – Xantheus is somewhat surprised by this. He decides to let Blackwing take a look at his “problem” now and to invite the others into the tower afterwards.

Xantheus talks to Blackwing about the powers that his “problem” has given him – it allows him to cast runic magic – runes come from his hands and protect him, and also allow him to cast spells. Sometimes these spells are empowered – fire spells are stronger than they ever have been (or would be). There is something that Xantheus believes would cause terror in the people of Altheya if they knew about it. Blackwing asks to see this thing, so Xantheus slowly removes his cloak, and his shirt, getting down to just the bandages covering his chest. Blackwing begins moving his hands around each other in a mesmerising way – threads from their fingertips begin to form as if air is coalescing into silvery, glowing strings strings. They begin to take shapes, almost like a cat’s cradle, until a masquerade-like mask appears over their face, shimmering as they cast some sort of spell. Blackwing stares at a spot under the bandages but does not yet know what is there. There is a momentary pause before Blackwing seems to grow to almost 9-feet-tall, their hands become like talons, and armour seems to shimmer across their body. They hold out a hand and cast *Hold Person* on Xantheus, causing him to freeze in place. Xantheus suddenly hears Blackwing’s voice in his head – it is resounding and terrible. *“**What is this? What terror have you brought?***” The shadows seem to expand suddenly behind them, and the room is quickly engulfed in night. Dozens of re-eyed birds begin to appear in the darkness.

“***What is this, tuvaren? Do you know what you carry?***”

Xantheus, not able to move or speak, thinks back to the angry and frightened Elf, “*I don’t wish to carry this thing any more! I know exactly what it is, and I am just as terrified of it as you are!”*

***“Within this – within you – is chaos, and the fires of the Hellion, and the light of the Lucent Peaks, merged together into one hideous form. It is like poison in your veins”.***

*“And can it be removed? Can you take this away from me? Can I be cured?”* Xantheus asks him, desperately.

The shadows begin to retreat, allowing Xantheus to see that the room is now filled with multiple crows, ravens, and corvid birds. Blackwing shrinks back down to their former size and, rather than the anger and fear that Xantheus had just seen, now he sees only pity in Blackwing’s face. “*This is beyond my power to remove. It may be possible, but not with my power”.* Blackwing looks up as if looking at the sky before looking back at Xantheus. “*There were once those who stood against it – they may be able to help you, but it will take time to research”.* Xantheus is almost certain that Blackwing is speaking of the Proto Magi. Blackwing is not sure how much time it will take but appears certain that Xantheus has experienced a transformation once already. Xantheus removes his glove and shows Blackwing his hand with blackened fingers and lines of molten fire.(see Trivia) Blackwing tells him that each time will take longer for the mutations to occur and believes that Xantheus may have 10-12 days before the next one, although if he is strong in mind, soul, and body, he may be able to resist it. Blackwing believes that they may be able to slow the process, but this will also take time to learn.

Xantheus is suddenly in charge of his body once more as the *Hold Person* spell that has been affecting him is dismissed. Xantheus reassures Blackwing that he does not wish to harm anyone but Blackwing warns him that while he may mean what he says now, as the ‘poison’ burns through him, his mind and body will change – the need and the hunger will grow. Blackwing wants Xantheus to be of sound mind when he comes back to the tower, warning him that if he comes back and has lost control, Blackwing will ensure that he will not threaten anyone again because he will have become an anathema of light, freedom, and life. Xantheus agrees and appears somewhat relieved to hear this.

Blackwing tells Xantheus that their offer to assist him still stands. He will also open the door to his companions if they wish to enter. They offer again to assist with boons, blessings, enchantments, and items if only Xantheus will provide them with items and reagents. Blackwing tells Xantheus that they will be watching, and so saying, raises a hand and causes the outline of the door behind Xantheus to become visible.

As he moves towards the door, Xantheus tells Blackwing that he is sorry for all that they have experienced, including for what he has brought to them today. Blackwing laughs at him in a somewhat patronizing way – the Elves have enough sadness themselves without him attempting to share in it. Blackwing is also not darkened by what has been brought to their tower, but they are afraid for Xantheus and they do not want to see more death and destruction – for that is what Xantheus carries. In bidding farewell, Blackwing asks Xantheus his name, explaining that “tuvaren” is what they call all of his kind. Once Xantheus is properly introduced, Blackwing tells him once more that they will be watching, then stares impassively at Xantheus until he touches the door and is teleported outside once more.

Gruff, Daisy and Rowan have just seen Xantheus walk up, touch the tower and vanish. Daisy walks up and examines the blank wall in front of her – there is no door, there is no seam, there is nothing. Rowan begins to panic, looking for footsteps or tacks on the ground, in case Xantheus has gone invisible and run away – he sees nothing. Gruff has had no thought, but immediately puts his claws out and attempts to climb the tower – it is perfectly smooth stone with no footholds or handholds. The stone is so hard that Gruff’s claws cannot get purchase: he jumps up, trying to grab something, but there is nothing that he can use to get off the ground. Rowan calls out in desperation, “TOWER, return Xantheus to us at once!” Nothing happens. Daisy asks about what the prophecy said in case there is some help from those, but no one can make sense of them. They are panicking, shouting, and attempting to scrabble their way up the tower unsuccessfully when a woman calls at them to be quiet so that she can sleep (even though it is very early in the afternoon). Daisy decides to circle the tower to see what she can find.

About a minute after they see him disappear, Xantheus suddenly reappears to find Rowan on his knees, imploring the tower to return him, Daisy sobbing openly, and Gruff sliding down the side of the wall. They are surprised but very pleased to see him returned to them and ask him where he has been. Xantheus tells them that he went through the door into the tower – they dispute that there is a door until they look again… and see the outline of the door. He tells them about his meeting and discussion with a powerful mage who is happy to help them with their adventures.

Gruff notices a raven fly out of one of the tower’s windows – it lands on one of the unlit streetlights and begins to watch the four of them. Gruff is concerned upon hearing that Xantheus met with a powerful mage that he may have been possessed – he puts Xantheus to the test with questions about how they met but Xantheus passes, proving that he is himself. Rowan suggests that they go in to meet the powerful mage if they have now been given access to the tower and Gruff wonders if they have anything to do with the bird that now appears to be watching them, pointing at the raven.

Xantheus tells them that if they simply touch the door, they will be transported inside the tower – Gruff is not keen since transportation spells make him vomit. Rowan offers to stay outside with Gruff, but Gruff is determined to meet Xantheus’ new friend. They all touch the door and enter the tower, arriving in the same sitting room as Xantheus had before, only this time, there are five chairs set at the table with a cushion on each. There is a crow on the perch in the corner, and the Elf is admiring a painting. Each of them sees a different version of Blackwing – they each see exactly what they expect to see from a true Elf, which is a rarity on Altheya.

Daisy hears Nim in her mind saying, “*Little one, of all of my foes, the Elven kind… it is not so much I trust them – they are masters of trickery, deception, illusion, enchantment, but of all the Planar Realms, they were the closest things we could call allies”.* Daisy thinks that is good, but Nim follows with, *“Just be cautious – they are tricky and vague and strange. I know that they paid a great price to come to your world”*.  Daisy promises to be cautious but still thinks that it is a good thing. As they are having this non-verbal conversation, Blackwing turns around and stares directly at Daisy as if they can hear the conversation that the two are having. Daisy is shocked and asks Nim if the Elf can hear them – Nim is not certain but did not think that they would be able to. Blackwing continues to stare at her before addressing all of them. Blackwing welcomes them to their tower and introduces themselves while Rowan introduces himself, Gruff, and Daisy.

Blackwing drifts towards them and they notice that they are tall, about 6’ 2”, and they look down at Daisy asking if someone is there, because they think that there is. Blackwing stares into her eyes with their soft, glowing blue irises that have a pearlescent sheen: “I sense a familiar sensation”, they tell her, but Daisy tells Blackwing that it is just her. Blackwing addresses Daisy’s other presence aloud so that all can hear, “I’m sorry. You have given up much to be here, in a different way to me and my kind. That you must bond like this… I am sorry. I do not believe that we ever met on the battlefield but apologise if we have caused one another pain before”. Nim is silent.

Blackwing makes them welcome and offers food and drink – Rowan is peckish, so Blackwing waves their hand and makes things suddenly appear: small cakes and candied fruits are laid out on a platter, and glasses of fruit juice. They make themselves comfortable and Blackwing explains his abilities and what he is willing to provide to them. They explain to Rowan that this can be repaid in coin, a favour, or a promise. Rowan asks for information, and Blackwing is happy to share this freely. Rowan is interested to know why Blackwing is interested in Xantheus, and their answer is cryptic, “He carries a special magic which sparked my curiosity. It will lead me to ask questions that I have yet to ask myself”. This is too much for poor Rowan, who rubs his temples in confusion. When Blackwing says that Rowan also carries something unusual about him that is old magic. When Rowan brings out the lute, Sostenuto, Blackwing’s usual passive and emotionless visage changes – there are tears in their eyes that run slowly down their face, evaporating and twinkling away when they fall off their face. Blackwing asks to hold the lute and introduces themselves to it when it is handed to them. “You are a thing of exquisite beauty, crafted with such love and life”, they turn it over in their hands and begin to play. They are competent and play it with skill but do not play as well as Rowan. They get the sense that Blackwing is not just playing it because they want to play a lute – there is something else there and they play it very softly. The melody that Blackwing plays is a tragic and a lament – they are mouthing words silently in a language that Rowan does not speak, but he gets the feeling that there should be words to be sung to this song. They play a verse and a couple of chords, then the notes still and there is silence once more before they pass it back to Rowan once more. They thank Rowan, explaining that it is very rare to encounter such works in this world but that such an instrument would be at home in the Feyweald. Blackwing reaches out and touches Rowan’s arm – the golden light of dawn comes from Blackwing’s hand and magic begins to fill the air around Rowan. Blackwing grants him the *Blessing of Dawn* (+10 movement speed for 24 hours). This is their thanks for Rowan giving them such a gift as time with the lute. Rowan thanks them, telling them that “Sostenuto, although a small part, has taken a share of your sorrowful burden in its song”, and this seems to resonate deeply with Blackwing who nods their head.

When it comes to Gruffudd, Blackwing asks if there is anything that they can do for him. Gruff thinks briefly before asking if Blacking could enchant his staff – he currently has the illusion of one of his icediver birds, Seren, enchanted on his staff and would like to add his other bird, Eira, added to it. He misses his birds and dared not bring them with him for fear of putting them in danger, but could only afford to have an enchantment put on the staff that showed one of the birds – he does not want them to think that he has favourites, though, so would like the second one added. Gruff’s staff is engraved with pictures of birds, amateurish work that he has done himself. Blackwing is happy to provide this but would require the spirit of a bird-like figure that must be consumed in order to provide the magical power required. They suggest to Gruff that if he can provide the feather of a powerful magical beast, such as a living (or not long-dead) griffin, they might be able to do the magic requested. Blackwing goes over to the crow’s branch and snaps off a twig about 4 inches wide and holds it out – the wood begins to warp, grow, and twist, as it creates an ice diver-like shape from twigs and sticks that have formed as branches from the original twig. Blackwing gives it to Gruff and informs him that the totem will give him the power to converse with birds for an hour and will be consumed once it is used. Gruff is grateful and Blackwing tells him that, in the Feyweald, birds are seen as creatures of great wisdom and cunning. They hope that the birds will provide answers when humans, Tuvaren, cannot.

Blackwing turns to Xantheus who advises that they are hoping to meet with the Duke soon, whom Blackwing describes as ‘a character’. They tell Xantheus that they have dealt with the Duke a few times – the Duke gave them permission to build their tower in Ashen Rest, and provided them with the space to grow it. In return, Blackwing has given him magical assistance and advice from time to time. Blackwing finds many of the Red Dragons to be vain and arrogant, and while they say that the Duke also has these qualities, they can be endearing in him. Blackwing enjoys his company, especially since the Duke appreciates the wisdom of ages. Xantheus explains that they have the Duke’s Favour and asks for recommendations on how to use it. Blackwing suggests that, if they are not planning to travel the roads forever, that they ask for a place to call their own in the city – a spot of land to build on.

They turn next to Daisy, who does not know what to say, asking Nim in her head, “Do you need anything? Can we trust the person?” Nim is not sure that they really trust them, but because they have separated themselves from the other Elves and have given up on the Planar Realms, Nim has no quarrel with them, nor does she need anything from them – she tells Daisy that Daisy is everything that she needs. Daisy is not sure that she needs anything but asks Blackwing to provides something if they think that it might help. Blackwing asks Daisy if she has ever wished to fly like a bird – she has – Blackwing snaps off the other half of the branch that the crow is sitting on as it flies up and lands on their left shoulder. As with Gruff’s totem, this branch grows and splits and twists into the shape of a crow, becoming darker in colour to match the crow’s feathers. They hand it to Daisy, telling her that it will break when used, but will allow her to become a bird for one hour, retaining her mind, but being unable to speak. Daisy thanks them excitedly.

Blackwing tells them all that they give the gifts as a way of showing kindness and earning trust but will not always be able to assist them in future. They will have to do some research and thinking on some matters but tells them that they are always welcome as their guests and recognises that they may have sequestered themselves away for too long, being too caught up in the tragedy of the Elves. Blackwing enjoys the noise and laughter in the streets when the festivals are on – it reminds them a little of the festivals of home.

Now that Nim and Blackwing are not on bad terms, Daisy begins to eat some of the food provided by Blackwing – it is quite sweet but also flavoursome. Blackwing makes small talk, wanting to know more about their homes and customs – they do not provide a lot of information about them or the Elves, only generalities, telling them generalities about the Fall of the Elves (sometimes also called the Exodus of the Elves or the Exile of the Eles). The Unseelie Hags, the Formions, and the Dark Fey overthrew the Elves in a great coup in the Feyweald. The Elves who survived, along with several other Fey creatures (Centaurs, Satyrs, Gnomes, and a few others), had to sacrifice their Planar immortality to transport themselves to the material world. The Material Plane was protected and secluded from the other Planes but the Elves knew about it and knew that they could send themselves there – in doing so, they would have to become mortal. Planar creatures, when killed, reform on their home plane, which is why the fighting in the Planar War is eternal – the Elves are now mortal. Most true Elves in Ilmera live in Mistwold, the Green Dragon’s province because it is the most like the Feyweald in terms of terrain (being very forested) – Blackwing came to Caldra because it is lively and full of passion, and there is lots of colour and music. They get the impression that Blackwing lived in an Elven city rather than in the wilderness, which is why they are more comfortable in Ashen Rest.

Rowan speaks to Blackwing quietly while the rest are snacking on the food provided, telling them that he will come and ask Blackwing about a matter in future because Rowan is pursuing something. Blackwing is happy to assist if they can but tells Rowan that while their knowledge of magic is vast, their knowledge of Altheya is more limited – if they do not know the answers, they may be able to point him in the right direction.

Blackwing advises that they have made the door visible to all of them and can do so for any others of their friends if they also wish to visit. Rowan tells Blackwing about Ophelia and Percival, their best friends, and receives instructions to bring them to the tower if they also wish to have the doorway revealed to them. On wishing them farewell, Blackwing offers them the blessings of Vornair and  Lellwyn. Gruff offers the blessing of Silver Eye.

When they leave, it appears to be late afternoon (about 4pm) and the sun is getting low. It appears that time has flowed normally once they were all in the tower and that slowed time was done purely when Xantheus was taken into the tower alone.

(Mark realised that the group would have passed one of the marked shops on the map, #10, on the way to the spire and the Clever Toad, so describes it now).

A few minutes off the Central Plaza on the main street as they pass is a vibrant shop with a large front bay window and beautifully carved wooden beams. Various plants grow in window boxes and hang in baskets all around the building and inside it, and there are various shelves of strange jars and oddities. In the bay window, for all to see, is a clockwork display piece that resembles an alchemy lab with vials and flasks being moved around on little wires and poles as if they were dancing. The sign out the front says Aquilo’s Alchemical.

Gruff is keen to go to Brightshadow Cathedral to talk to the Holy Knights, and knows that since it is approaching dusk, there will likely be a holy service to Meylir, the Goddess of the Moon (there is usually a service to Pyris, the Goddess of the Sun, at dawn). The rest wish to go to the Dominus Ignarum to make an appointment to see the Duke, but Rowan wants to go to get a seer’s wisdom before they see the Duke.

## **YouTube Timestamps**

0:00:00 - Intro and announcements

0:03:13- Part 1

1:25:02 - Part 2

## **Characters**

#### **PCs**

* Daisy Thistleheart
* Gruffudd of Tremorrew
* Ophelia D'larosa
* Rowan
* Xantheus Auregan

#### **New NPCs**

* Tarrik Tarrik
* Jenny
* Eervaenalaithas-ir'Naeuith’s (AKA Blackwing)

#### **Mentioned NPCs**

* Iscuit Tarrik
* Biscuit Tarrik
* Z. Z. Z.
* Keva, Guardian of the Citadel

## **Featured Locations**

* Ashen Rest
	+ The Grumpy Hog
	+ The Clever Toad
	+ Ravenstar Spire

## **Trivia**

* Katie wore an awesome top this week:

* **Lore drop:** Kobolds normally serve as stewards and attendants to Dragon nobles (nannies, butlers, and the like). Sometimes Kobold families go off on their own and run small businesses. They are big family pack units – the matriarch or patriarch of the family will take the family name (e.g., in the case of the Tarrik family, the head of the family becomes Tarrik Tarrik), and then all of the siblings have another name. When a new matriarch or patriarch is announced, they take on the name of the head (e.g., Tarrik Tarrik).
* Crucible of Fate dice rolls this week: Kim (6), Trott (2), Katie (1), Tom (5), Mark (5). Rhi does not roll since she is not playing this week.
* **Inconsistency**: This week, Mark described the coins to go in the Clever Toad machine as bronze. Last week, he described them (incorrectly) as brass.
* **Lore drop**: The coins used in the Empire are bronze, silver, and gold, named after the three types of metallic dragons.
* **Lore drop**: Earthskin (metal protrusions) do not tend to come in for Dwarves until late puberty.
* Mark plans to be a stickler for coins, reagents, and everything in this campaign.
* The Crown is always visible somewhere in Altheya (although not always over Ilmera), whether it be day or night.
* **Lore drop**: The Church of the Scions believe in oracles, wizards who can divine the future, and people who read tea leaves. They would not necessarily believe those who are involved in prophesy are blasphemous. To the Church, heresy is more to do with planar magic and things like the Crown. The toad would appear more to be dubious (or flim flam) rather than heresy.
* Mark refers to the taxidermized toad as a frog multiple times during the episode. He corrects himself later – it is definitely a toad.
* Rhiannon left notes for Mark to tell him that Ophelia would be staying in The Grumpy Hog.
* Mark had it in his notes for the session that Z.Z.Z. had made the toad machine. Mark said that this may be his only appearance in this campaign, but Katie wants to make it Daisy’s new quest to find the person who made the magic toad.
* The enchantment on the door of Ravenspire Tower causes those who fail their wisdom saving throw to ignore the fact that there is a door present, almost as if their minds are being pushed away from it.
* After Mark announced Eervaenalaithas-ir'Naeuith’s name, there was immediately much sympathy for the wiki team (see below). Fortunately, Mark took pity and put the spelling in Discord for us.

* Tom describes Xantheus as being “of Elven inclination”.
* Blackwing’s Hold Person requires a Wis DC23 saving throw to beat.
* Blackwing’s transformation to a giant in a dark room is likened to that of Gandalf talking to Bilbo when he was worried that Gandalf would steal the ring.
* **Inconsistency**: Tom describes Xantheus taking off his glove to show Blackwing his transformed hand, but Xantheus was under the effect of Hold Person and would not have been able to move.
* **Lore** **drop**: True Elves are rare on Altheya. Half-Elves are more common. Most people know that Elves come from another plane, although they may not know the full story.
* When discussing the Planar War, Mark asks the players if anyone would ask Blackwing what happens to the Elves when they die – no one would, and Ophelia is not present, so Blackwing says nothing about it.
* Healing potions are very rare in this world and do not act as they do for 5e. They will give back a huge chunk of health and get someone back in the fight. They are very expensive. More common are vitality potions – these will give temporary hit points. There are also healing salves that can be used during short rests instead of using hit dice, but they take time to use – these may be better than hit dice.
* The alchemical shop will sell healing salves, vitality potions, and weapon oils – the latter are poured onto wepons, last about 10 minutes (or can be used on 10 pieces of ammunition such as arrows), and they give d4 fire, cold, or lightning damage (NON-magical). Bonus action for healing potions, vitality potions, weapon oils. Healing slaves are only for short rests. Vitaity potions come in the old-school D&D sets (standard, greater, masterwork, etc.).
* Mark says that the idea of Blackwing having a glamour was based on the campaign “Dusk” by Matt Colville and Dael Kingsmill where Elves looked different in the light of dawn and dusk. Rowan saw Blackwing’s true form as marbled rock texture (“trickles of marbled rock through their face”) according to Trott in the post-episode dono section. Gruff saw Blackwing as glowing according to Kim. Mark said that he has written that most Altheyans see Elves with a perpetual radiance like they do in Lord of the Rings. He clarified in Discord: "Gonna clarify a lore thing: the “glamour” of Blackwings appearance is broken when they are in twilight (dusk/dawn) which is the perpetual state of the feyweald. It is not specifically altheya’s sun/moon".
* A question was asked in the donations whether Tyflings appear randomly in families like regular D&D versions. Mark advised that if there is Tyfling lineage in the family (if a Tyfling has a child with any other race), the child will either be a Tyfling or the other race. The Tyfling blood is so strong that if a child is influenced by it, they are just a Tyfling. Mark does not think that Tyflings would spring up generations later as if they had an expressed recessive gene. Dragons have the same thing where in a lot of cases (especially with the reptilian Dragonborn), the magical blood of the Dragon overpowering the others – in Xantheus’ case the Dragon lineage is not *as strong* because he still has a lot of Humanoid traits. If it was a case of a Tyfling mating with a Dragon, Mark does not know which one would win out, and he will answer the question if someone creates a character with that origin. Mark’s disclaimer, “Keep in mind, I’m not a genetiecist, and this is magic and bullshit, and it doesn’t matter”.
* Saint Tyfeen was able to have as many children as she did because she was a Demon (Succubus). They get pregnant and give birth faster than Humans, and they don’t get diseases.

## **Quotes**

* Quote 1

* Quote 2

## **References**

1. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/190275359932022784/190694050326773761/1198241982372397148