Freedom

*Snake Eyes*

"**Freedom**" is the 5th episode of *Snake Eyes* Campaign One. It premiered on July 10th, 2021 on the Check Republic's Twitch channel and on YouTube on July 12th, and features the characters Mu and Jaculus.

## Summary

Mu continues to explore the realm of the surface world, and finds it's not what they might have expected. Elsewhere in Aedron, Jaculus and Pidge refresh themselves in a tavern, where Jaculus makes a new friend.

## Synopsis

### Part I: Mu

#### Upstairs

Mu, along with the mercenaries Zai'Dah and Sil'vek, have arrived "Upstairs", emerging from the Underworld in the Vatra region of Obeddore. Following their human guide (known only as Slave), they follow the trail left by the book thieves, heading east towards a forest separating them from the city of Roscani.

Mu is fascinated by the vegetation of the surface world, and stops to collect many samples, reasoning that they might be of assistance to their potion-making in the future. They also strip bark and twigs from the trees, having never seen such massive plants before. Mu falls behind, angering Zai'dah, who warns them about the dangers of being "Upstairs" – essentially, that due to their dark elf race, everyone they meet will try to kill them. Mu is more confused than worried.

The trail leads to a clearing in the forest, in which a dim campfire is still flickering in the center of a cluster of deserted tents that have been stripped of supplies. In the distance, Mu hears a howl, and spots three fast-moving wolves running towards the camp and flanking the group.

#### When the Wolves Were Running

The wolves burst into the clearing. Sil'vek, entering a barbarian rage, quickly obliterates one. Zai'dah downs the second with a flame spell. Mu launches a bomb at the remaining wolf; their attack misses, causing only minimal damage. The wolf lunges at Mu, severely wounding the dark elf. Mu (empowered by the mystery of the dice) inadvertently snaps the creature's neck as they pull their arm back, killing it. Mu heals themself, and attempts to butcher the wolf for samples. They are able to recover a few bloody scraps for use in future experiments.

The mercenaries tear about the camp, trying to discover a clue that will help them rediscover the trail. They are unsuccessful. Mu sensibly reasons that, if no trail leads away from the camp, the book thieves may have doubled back and taken an alternate route to throw off any pursuers. The group begins to backtrack.

#### The Caravan

As the sun begins to rise, the group comes to a stream, which Slave identifies as the most likely point of divergence. They all move downstream, eventually coming to a busy road along which a caravan of human travelers is passing. Zai'dah and Sil'vek appear increasingly unnerved by both the daylight and the people. Sil'vek begins having a panic attack.

Mu carefully examines Slave's appearance and then, taking an oral swab from him and mixing it with a potion, is able to magically disguise themself as a human. Taking Slave, they approach the caravan, causing Sil'vek's panic to intensify. Slave wastes no time in pointing out the dark elves to the caravan's armed guards, who pull their weapons and engage them in battle. Sil'vek attempts another barbarian rage, but is quickly felled by a fusillade of crossbow bolts and arrows. Zai'dah attempts to flee, but is shot in the back and likewise quickly killed.

#### Explanations

Mu worriedly explains to Slave that their disguise potion only lasts ten minutes. Slave promises to vouch for them, but Mu begins panicking. Slave spins a story to the caravan members that he and Mu escaped from the Underworld, and that the two dark elves were hunting them, but Mu begins to sob, convinced they're going to be killed. Slave changes tactics, and true to his word, explains Mu's true nature while insisting that Mu is fleeing their people and is not a threat. This is accepted by the caravan members, who act kindly towards Mu despite Mu's fears.

An older human woman approaches Mu and Slave, stating that she wishes to learn more about Mu. She introduces herself as Cidali, a traveling wizard hired to defend the caravan. Cidali proposes a trade: in exchange for information about Mythelion and the Underworld, Cidali will help Mu survive "Upstairs". They discuss Mu's homeland and childhood, as Cidali seeks information on dark elf society and architecture.

As they talk, the caravan continues moving, and time passes. Eventually, Cidali, very pleased with all they've learned, gives Mu a ring. Mu puts it on their right index finger as Cidali explains its function. Mu concentrates and chooses the command word "chartreuse", activating the ring's magical trait – charged with an illusion spell, it once again makes Mu's features appear human.

#### A New Direction

Cidali asks what Mu intends to do with their new freedom; Mu recommits to finding the stolen books. Slave is finally free to reveal his true name: Burnie. He posits that the books were most likely taken to the city of Florica in the north. He offers to continue aiding Mu in recovering the books, and the two begin their journey together.

### Part II: Jaculus

#### Food and Shelter

In the city of Xerith (revealed as such in player conversation, but a fact still unknown to the characters), Jaculus is tired, hungry, and a little annoyed, but also curious about his surroundings. Having escaped their captivity, he and Pidge are getting their bearings, and searching for a tavern at which they can rest and regroup. Jaculus continues to attract the attention and adoration of bystanders, who are stunned by his appearance.

Jaculus and Pidge enter a raucous-looking tavern, The Bitter Drink, which (like the city itself) is filled with beings belonging to a number of different races. Jaculus slithers to the bar, ordering something sweet for Pidge and himself; the bartender provides them with a bottle of red liquor and, at Jaculus's request, directs them to a table where they can order and receive food. Jaculus gives the bartender The Eye™, which the bartender reciprocates, and he and Pidge take their seats.

#### Sweet and Bitter

Pidge samples the liquor – a kind of cherry cordial – and finds it very much to her taste. Jaculus is impressed by the bartender's skill at assessing and formulating the perfect drink for the two of them. The food arrives, and Jaculus and Pidge begin to sate their appetites. Meanwhile, the bartender continues to steal glances at Jaculus, hinting at appetites of a different variety. Jaculus exchanges further flirty gestures from a distance, while simultaneously trying to moderate Pidge's escalating overindulgence. They finish their main course and proceed to dessert.

Jaculus, aiming to curtail Pidge's excesses, requests that she demonstrate her motor skills; Pidge, still able to walk without too much wobbling, is permitted yet another drink. The bartender finally makes his move, coming up behind Jaculus (though not yet in the way either of them would like). The two exchange pleasantries, and the bartender fetches the table another round, on him. Pidge, now thoroughly plastered, begins to get emotional, pouring out her misery and low self-esteem issues, which stem from her unfavorable status amongst her fellow harpies. She notes that her sister receives a great deal of positive attention due to her own rare breed, but blames herself for Lavi never making progress in her relationships. As Pidge attempts to down a final drink, Jaculus heads to the bar to arrange for a room for her.

#### Bedroom Antics

The barkeep is eager to provide a room for Pidge (also on the house), thrilled at the knowledge that he's likely to spend at least part of the night with Jaculus. After the sound of a glass smashing, Jaculus compensates the barkeep for the damage accidentally wrought by Pidge, and escorts the inebriated harpy to her room before she can do further damage or imperil his impending fun. As Jaculus puts her to bed, Pidge lays another egg. Jaculus pours her a glass of water, tucks the unhappy harpy into bed, and steps outside, disposing of the egg as he returns to find the barkeep on the ground floor.

In lieu of a specific drink order, Jaculus requests that the bartender whip up something suitable based on the bartender's own judgement of him; the bartender responds with a tall, layered, red-blue-gold cocktail garnished with golden glitter. Having smoothly learned Jaculus's name in the process, the bartender dubs the strong concoction of blueberry, raspberry, and cherry liqueurs a "Jackie". The drink goes straight to Jaculus's head – although not, it should be noted, enough (yet) to make him "party girl drunk". The bartender finally introduces himself as Lorenz, and the two make small talk. Eventually, Lorenz invites Jaculus to take the party to a more private space. The two head to Lorenz's simple quarters in The Bitter Drink's staff area and share a whiskey before exchanging... other fluids. Or so it is implied.

#### The Next Morning

Jaculus wakes the following morning to find Lorenz already up and preparing for the day. Lorenz invites Jaculus to return if he ever finds himself back in Xerith, and the two lovers part company on good (and mutually satisfied) terms. Jaculus takes time to make himself look pretty, then heads upstairs to check on Pidge, who (in an act of cuteness that scales heights previously attained only by Pae'dor) has made herself a nest out of the bed covers. Pidge wakes, wobbly but in a decent enough condition after her first night of boozing. She and Jaculus venture out into the city, aiming to get a better sense of their current location.

Jaculus and Pidge begin their hunt for a city library, first passing the caravans and tents of a traveling circus that has set up in town. Understandably wary at the sight of more cages, both the snake and the bird keep their distance. Jaculus attempts to get directions to a library from the townsfolk, but they again respond to him with religious reverence and awe. Pidge is more successful, learning that the city doesn't value libraries, but that it does have several bookstores. They make their way to one.

#### The Tomes of Eckhart

Entering Eckhart's Secondhand Tomes with Pidge, Jaculus passes the distracted eponymous shopkeeper and selects a map of Obeddore. Studying it, he asks Eckhart for their current location in Vil. Eckhart, confused by the question, belatedly notices that his latest customer is an incredibly rare creature, and can hardly believe his eyes. Eckhart happily gifts Jaculus the map, and points out their current location on it: Xerith, capital city of the Free States. The delighted shopkeeper generously provides Jaculus with additional maps to help guide him and Pidge to her home in the Saerrican Mountains. In gratitude, Jaculus removes one of his own tail scales and hands it to the ecstatic Eckhart, who takes it as a treasure and blessing. Taking the maps, Jaculus and Pidge depart, heading north, as Jaculus again promises to get Pidge back home soon.

## Key Points

### Plot & Lore

* The demographic makeup of Obeddore has undergone some shifts since the Rending, with goblinoids apparently more widely accepted (at least in Xerith) and an apparently decreased number of dwarves.
* The term "goblinoids" covers two related but distinct races: goblins, who are green-skinned and relatively small, and hobgoblins, who are medium-sized and orange-skinned.
* Maps of the Kin-Tau Empire are unavailable in Xerith, indicating that the nation remains as strongly isolationist in the era of Snake Eyes as it was during the years covered in the Check Please! podcast.

### Character

#### Mu

* Despite their professed awkwardness around people, Mu is able to form a growing bond with Burnie.

#### Burnie

* Burnie begins to develop a romantic interest in Mu (at least in their human form). This is most likely doomed to fail for any number of reasons.

#### Jaculus

* Jaculus begins to master dialect of Vilish spoken in this part of the Free States (see *Notes*).
* Jaculus, described by Keni as a diva, relishes the attention given him by the residents of Xerith and the patrons of The Bitter Drink.
* Jaculus is forced to balance his libidinous and libertine nature with his newfound responsibilities to Pidge.
* Jaculus's blood color is established to be a shade of purple, as revealed when he blushes.
* Jaculus is unclear on the distinction between a harpy and a "pigeon", and on why being the latter is judged harshly.

#### Pidge

* Pidge drinks alcohol for the first time, and under its influence once again expresses her insecurities and inferiority complex about being a "pigeon".
* Pidge, despite her relatively petite size, is revealed to be a ravenous eater.
* Pidge reveals that although she's expected to engage in sexual activity (given the unique nature of harpy breeding), she lacks experience due to her breed.
* Pidge's reproductive system continues to be affected by the dosed food she was exposed to during her captivity.

## Running Gags & Callbacks

* "Yes, please!" "Different show."
* Jaculus is assumed to be female.

## Memorable Quotes

### Part I: Mu

* "Pae'dor's a murder machine. Everyone else is just trying to keep up." - Beardy
* "I killed it. Yay, me." – Mu, distinctly unenthused about fighting wolves.
* "I'm gonna come up with so many potions when we get back. It's gonna be great. Anyone wanna be the first tester?" – Mu, not quite managing to read the room.
* "It's not going to hurt. Probably. Well, maybe. It depends." – Mu, not quite managing to reassure Burnie about their experiments.
* "Yay! I don't know why, I get so excited about Perception checks. I don't know if that's, like, the Bard in me, that knows that everything's kind of okay when you make a Perception check." – Keni, drawing lessons from their time as Sol.
* "What are you doing?" "I'm saving my life, and yours, I think." - Mu and Burnie, making their escape.
* "It's all right. I know you're different than them, and I'll vouch for you." - Burnie, repaying Mu's kindness.
* "You're going to have me killed, and I haven't even found my books yet, and I want to read them before I die, at least!" - Mu, their life's priorities firmly established.
* "Please be merciful!" - Mu, adorably pleading for their life despite there being no need.
* "I'm sorry for existing and stuff." - Mu, encapsulating their character's personality in a line.
* "There are things growing there? I'm going to pick all of them!" - Mu, ready for their journey to Florica.

### Part II: Jaculus

* "I am her Auntie YaYa. Why wouldn't I carry her? She's like an adorable little accessory." – Keni/Jaculus, on Pidge.
* "So, as you walk in–" "I do not walk in. I slither in." – Beardy, quickly corrected by Keni/Jaculus.
* "What kind of flavors do you like? Do you like sweet, or bitter, or... wanna get fucked up?" – Jaculus, excelling in his new role as Pidge's guardian.
* "I know a lot about lots of things. Remember, I'm a goddess." "I'm so lucky to have met you." "I know, sweetness." – Jaculus, modest as always, and Pidge.
* "So it's kind of like jungle juice?" "Imagine a thick jungle juice." – Keni, learning about cordials from Beardy.
* "I've got four fuckin' arms, can I try again?!" – Keni, politely requesting a second reflex save roll.
* "Make a Perception check, please." "Okay. This only makes me nervous every time now." "As well it should." – Beardy and Keni.
* "I'll help you beat their faces in as much as I can." – Pidge, offering to assist Jaculus in enacting wrath upon his kidnappers.
* "YaYa, what does that mean?" "Hmm? What does what mean?" "What you were just saying to that barkeep." "Oh. I said I might have sex with him later." – Pidge and Jaculus, with the latter not sugarcoating their intentions.
* "Hester. There is nothing wrong with you. Not from my point of view." – Jaculus, actually doing pretty well in their newfound guardian role.
* "Jaculus will probably be a little more damsel-y at first, and then he'll get a little more... aggressive." "Do go on." "I can't! Look, let's just say they have a good romp, there was a lot of passion... they did the sex!" – Keni and Beardy, keeping things family-friendly as always.
* "Aww. Little Pidge. I love her so much, even if she is a fucking disaster waiting to happen." – Keni.
* "All bookstore names gotta be puns. That's the rule." – Beardy, moments before breaking that rule.

## The Dice

 1
 Mu
* Reflex Save

* Mu didn't make any rolls with scores or outcomes that would be recorded here.
* There is a lag between the audio description of several rolls and their appearance on the accompanying video, which initially led to confusion about canonicity of two rolls; that has now been resolved.

## Trivia & References

* Keni describes Mu's study of Slave's features as "holding the sides of his face like an idiot sandwich", referencing a popular meme of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
* Beardy describes the ring as featuring a symbol of two faces, referencing by name the Roman god Janus.
* Jaculus is shown to speak Elven, Infernal, Sejunese, Serpentes, Sylvan, and Vilean (sic).
* Food of the Day: mutton, fowl stew, dried meats, catch-of-the-day on a bed of rice.
* Despite disliking cherry pie themself, Keni commits to roleplaying Jaculus enjoying the dessert.
* Pidge stays in room #3.
* Keni mentions several real-world bookstore chains while (ostensibly) trying to help Beardy come up with a good, punny, original shop name.
* The final bookshop name is announced as "Eckhart's Secondhand Tomes", although on-screen text renders it as "Eckhart's Used Tomes".

## Notes

* Jaculus leveled up between his prior episode and this one, with Keni adding a rank to Linguistics to allow him to speak Vilish.