Session 05 - Transcript

00:02 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, and now we are live. Let's see, let me start the events. Alright, so welcome to Phantom Chain session 5.
00:02 [DM (Aarya)] Would anyone like to recap what happened in the last session? Nobody?
00:28 [Sildir (Tris)] I can do it.
00:29 [DM (Aarya)] Nobody remembers. Okay, Justin.
00:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright, so I think we started off where we were heading towards some screams in the town. And there's a raven that tries to lead us, so we follow it. And we depart from Johan and Elmo.
00:33 [Sildir (Tris)] And we find Ismark in some sort of crazy last man standing scenario. He looks pretty rough, and we help him out with a zombie that looked pretty nasty, but we handled nicely. It's like a plague zombie or something like that.
00:33 [Sildir (Tris)] And Mercurio in particular... Sorry, I skipped a little bit. So after that, we find that...
00:33 [Sildir (Tris)] After we handle that, and we check on Ismark, we find that someone is approaching. And we hear a lot of commotion. Many creatures following this guy.
00:33 [Sildir (Tris)] And he approaches our group to speak to Ismark. And Mercurio in particular hears a dull roar as the man approaches. And including an audio illusion of sorts.
00:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Kind of like what I imagine hell to sound like. So lots of screams and suffering noises. And he kind of flexes on Ismark that his dad is dead.
00:33 [Sildir (Tris)] And demands for their compliance. Meaning the city's compliance to Strahd's demands. Ismark kind of runs off, and we go and follow him home.
00:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Where we find in fact that his father is dead. Irdel takes time in particular to help out the townspeople. After we kind of consult Ismark and talk about what we're going to do.
00:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Which is we end up deciding that we're going to bury the body. The next day, right? The other thing is that we're supposed to...
00:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Ismark kind of pulls us aside and asks us... Please can you bring my sister to St. Andral's Church in Vallaki? Right?
00:33 [Sildir (Tris)] It's in Vallaki? Yeah, so we're supposed to take her there. And we kind of agree to it.
00:33 [Sildir (Tris)] And Irina I think kind of just accepts that... Unfortunately the decision kind of has been made for her.
03:13 [DM (Aarya)] I don't think that Ismark mentioned the church specifically. But he did request that you take her to Vallaki. And Irdel and I think Syllalus overheard their argument that night at their house.
03:13 [DM (Aarya)] And basically Irina reluctantly agreed to go to Vallaki. But she is adamant on going not for her safety necessarily. But to help the refugees that fled from Barovia Village to Vallaki.
03:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Is that why she's going to the church?
03:48 [DM (Aarya)] That was what Irdel overheard. She's not really interested in the church or fleeing from her home.
04:00 [Sildir (Tris)] I got St. Andral's from somewhere though, I will tell you. Because I didn't remember that.
04:04 [DM (Aarya)] I think that was from Fr. Donovich.
04:10 [Sildir (Tris)] Ah, that's very possible. Well thank you for jumping in and giving some clarity. There's also someone...
04:10 [Sildir (Tris)] Can you mute? Sorry. That's why I'm on my yacht sesh.
04:10 [Sildir (Tris)] Thank you. Yeah, it's okay. And then there's the...
04:10 [Sildir (Tris)] I don't know why I wrote this. I said there's someone in Vallaki named Escher. We must have heard that somewhere.
04:41 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, so you heard from Irina that one of Doru's friends joined him on his crusade against Rod. That's right. And that was Escher, a bard from Vallaki who was also friends with Doru.
04:57 [Sildir (Tris)] That's right.
04:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] On the crusade. Rod here, only cutting in and out.
05:03 [Sildir (Tris)] I could hear Arya.
05:07 [DM (Aarya)] Wait, I was cutting out or somebody else?
05:09 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, Rod's cutting in and out with the guitar. Is that what you're saying? Yeah.
05:09 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, yeah, it's true. It was thematic enough, but yeah, it is happening. Anyway.
05:09 [Sildir (Tris)] Also, I think we learned that Doru and Gertruda were kind of an item at one point, but that comes later. Anyway. We pull up to the church where we're going to bury the former Burgomeister.
05:09 [Sildir (Tris)] It's kind of a wreck. We walk in, we talk to Father Donovich there, who, upon explaining the situation, allows us in semi-reluctantly. He seems very distraught and depressed, and he confides in us that his son, who is a vampire, he's basically worried for his soul and thinks that his son who is now in his basement is not really his son.
05:09 [Sildir (Tris)] And he shows us some scars to kind of verify that he was attacked by his former child. But when we go down into the basement, we're able to actually negotiate Father Donovich's medallion away from Doru, which we needed to give back to Donovich so he could maybe channel some spiritual power. And we find also that Doru is more human than maybe his father is giving him credit for.
05:09 [Sildir (Tris)] So his fangs even retracted after he was done talking with us. And we find out as well from Doru that, again, Gertruda, they were betrothed, and he is assuming that Gertruda is on the way to Strahd's castle. So I think we have heard in town already that Gertruda's missing, so this is kind of a lead on a separate quest.
05:09 [Sildir (Tris)] What else, what else, what else? Yeah, we learn through Doru that, I mean, we all could have guessed it probably, but vampires are super, super strong. He punches through a stone pillar like it's nothing.
05:09 [Sildir (Tris)] And what else? We offer Doru a snack. We tell Father Donovich about his son, he's very happy, and he's going to get the snack actually.
05:09 [Sildir (Tris)] We bury the Burgomeister, and then there's this mysterious figure that appears in the mist and lays flowers at his grave. He calls himself Abraham, and I guess notably, because this is in my notes, he is a twink. I don't know how that got in there.
05:09 [Sildir (Tris)] Anyway, we go, I think we ended on... Don't tell Stephanie.
07:56 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, don't tell Stephanie.
07:59 [Saturno (Steph)] Don't tell me what.
08:02 [Sildir (Tris)] Nothing. We end up finding, we go to find Irina after this. I think we're going to kind of scoop her and leave, and that's where we left off.
08:11 [DM (Aarya)] That's correct. Yeah, Ismar told you all that Irina is likely at her favorite spot, like just outside of the borders. The grassy knoll.
08:11 [DM (Aarya)] Where she likes to go to collect her thoughts. You were on your way over there to find her, and presumably collect her, and then be on your way. I don't recall if you mentioned this already in your recap, but you got a lead from Ismar suggesting that if you're looking to fight against Strahd, or just seek a way to defeat him or something like that, then your best bet is to go to Mad Amoeba and have your fortune read.
09:08 [Sildir (Tris)] Would it be helpful to recap what I think the quests are currently?
09:12 [DM (Aarya)] Sure, I think that's a good way to summarize your objectives.
09:20 [Sildir (Tris)] Quests that we semi-completed in some way last time was burying the father, and killing Doru, and getting the holy symbol back. We obviously didn't kill Doru. We need to go to Mad Amoeba at Serra Falls.
09:20 [Sildir (Tris)] We need to bring Irina to Vallaki, and we need to search for Gertruda. That's what I have, totally. So I don't know if that's comprehensive or not.
09:41 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, that's pretty good. Okay. Pretty succinct objectives.
09:41 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. Yeah, so thank you for the recap, Triss. I think, is everyone loaded into Foundry at this point?
09:41 [DM (Aarya)] I believe yes. Okay, cool.
09:59 [Saturno (Steph)] I'm almost home. Yeah, no worries. So I'll be there, like, yeah.
10:03 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, sounds good. In that case, we'll go ahead and begin. So at this point, I assume you guys are all heading towards the grassy knoll that Eastmark told you all about to find Irina?
10:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Fair enough to say, I think.
10:24 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. So you make your way to the northern part of town where Eastmark has directed you. It's just outside the barricades that are still set up around town.
10:24 [DM (Aarya)] It's still early-ish in the morning, maybe like 11 or so. So the meager sunlight that you get in Barovia is shining at nearly its peak. Not that it's particularly bright or anything.
10:24 [DM (Aarya)] The sunlight in Barovia is pretty muted still. And as you pass through the tall grasses in the northern part of the village, you come to a gentle knoll rising before you. It's near the edge of the woods surrounding the village.
10:24 [DM (Aarya)] You see plants with light, feathery flowers. You catch the smell of the sweet, earthy scents of the grass and the flowers on the breeze. And you see a lonely tree standing atop the hill.
10:24 [DM (Aarya)] And beneath this tree, you see a figure kneeling. You assume that it is Irina.
11:45 [Sildir (Tris)] How far away are we?
11:47 [DM (Aarya)] Not far, probably like 10 yards or so.
11:50 [Ember (Spurthi)] You're at the base of the hill, basically.
11:54 [DM (Aarya)] I can hear Aria. You can hear me?
11:57 [Ember (Spurthi)] You're breaking there for a second. But you're good now.
12:03 [Sildir (Tris)] Wait, how far did you say we were? Like 10 yards or so.
12:07 [DM (Aarya)] Is it in Javelin Range? 10 yards. In Javelin Range, I guess.
12:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] To Javelin Range.
12:14 [Sildir (Tris)] It's like, I'm going to take care of this quest right now. Does the party want to continue approaching? I feel like that might be the move.
12:14 [Sildir (Tris)] Or call out. I'll let someone else decide. Or a secret third option.
12:32 [Mercurio (Gui)] I think we should head into a random direction away from Irina.
12:38 [Sildir (Tris)] Mercurio, you've been drinking again. You're such a silly guy.
12:43 [Saturno (Steph)] I grabbed Mercurio by the cape and I pulled him back.
12:49 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm actually going mad from not having had a drink in so long. Let's go get Irina so we can get headed to Vallaki soon.
12:57 [Sildir (Tris)] Withdrawals are a terrible thing. You know, if we get some fruit, maybe we can brew our own wine.
13:05 [Mercurio (Gui)] I don't have time for like that.
13:09 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes, and this wonderful sunshine we have here is going to be so helpful towards producing an orchard.
13:15 [Sildir (Tris)] We could always use the heat given off by Seal over there when he gets all, you know, in one of his moods.
13:27 [DM (Aarya)] What was that?
13:31 [Mercurio (Gui)] So let's go approach Irina then. All right. Let's go for it.
13:38 [Irredel (Sav)] After you.
13:40 [Sildir (Tris)] I think we all start walking towards Irina.
13:42 [DM (Aarya)] So as you approach Irina, as you get closer, you can see that she seems to be... You see that she has a trowel in hand and she's digging a hole in a space between the roots of the tree. She's pretty focused on her work and doesn't seem to notice your approach.
14:06 [Sildir (Tris)] Maybe like 10 feet away I call out to try to not scare the shit out of her. Give her some time to like...
14:16 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
14:17 [Ember (Spurthi)] What does she have? You said a word and I don't think I understood it.
14:21 [DM (Aarya)] A trowel? Like a small shovel? Like a hand shovel?
14:25 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh. Damn.
14:29 [DM (Aarya)] It's a gardening tool. What did you say?
14:33 [Ember (Spurthi)] I said damn, that's what that's called.
14:40 [Sildir (Tris)] Irina, what are you doing there?
14:43 [DM (Aarya)] You see that she like startles just a little bit and then she turns to see you. And upon seeing you and the rest of the party, you see a small smile spread across her face. And she says, oh, I'm sorry if I worried you.
14:43 [DM (Aarya)] I just like to come here to collect my thoughts. My mother and I kept a small chest here with a keepsake of hers. I was hoping to retrieve it before leaving town.
15:21 [Saturno (Steph)] That's cool, don't let us, uh...
15:26 [DM (Aarya)] I hope I haven't worried you all. Did for you, you were, I take it you were looking for me.
15:33 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, so we can go, but don't let us be a reason to rush you. Take whatever time you need. You know, the zombies have withdrawn, so we don't need to worry about running into them at dark.
15:33 [Irredel (Sav)] Probably best to be prudent and get there quickly, but eh, once a few minutes.
15:51 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, I imagine you are looking to be moving along sooner than later.
15:59 [Sylalys (Cat)] Yes, yes. Do you need any help?
16:02 [DM (Aarya)] It's not terribly deeply buried or anything. I appreciate your offer, but I'll be only just a moment. And you see her like spend a few minutes digging between the roots of the tree.
16:02 [DM (Aarya)] And she produces a small wooden chest. And as you open it, those of you who are close enough, like closer to her, are able to peek inside the box a little bit. You see that there is a small flower that's been pressed.
16:02 [DM (Aarya)] A tiny like wooden carved charm. You see an embroidered handkerchief. And a small silver bracelet that seems to be pretty well worn and tarnished.
16:02 [DM (Aarya)] But clearly has some sort of sentimental value on it. You see that Irina tucks most of the trinkets away in her various pockets and then wears the bracelet on her wrist. And then you see her rise to her feet and she looks to you all and says, I appreciate you being patient for me.
16:02 [DM (Aarya)] I'm ready to depart whenever you all are.
17:30 [Sildir (Tris)] Of course. Do we need to go back to your place to pick anything up? Or do you have what you need?
17:38 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, I believe Ismark said that he was preparing some supplies for us, so we can stop by there before we head out. Did somebody start an activity just now?
17:51 [Sildir (Tris)] I did hear that.
17:52 [Ember (Spurthi)] I think it was me by accident.
17:54 [DM (Aarya)] No, it's okay.
17:56 [Ember (Spurthi)] I just got home. I'm going to hop on my computer.
17:59 [Sildir (Tris)] We're going to do a little watch together while we're playing. Don't mind us.
18:03 [DM (Aarya)] As you're on your way back to the manor, you can see that Irina is currently wearing a red scarf wrapped pretty closely around her neck. You didn't notice that she was wearing a scarf earlier. And as you step inside the manor, she quickly assembles some supplies that Ismark has prepared for you all.
18:03 [DM (Aarya)] He brings out for you all a few days worth of rations, enough for the whole party. And some water skins. And he says to you all, the journey to Vallaki is a few days' trek.
18:03 [DM (Aarya)] It will likely take you two or three days. I packed enough supplies to last you the trip, but I do suggest that you all rest at the Vistani camp at the Seraph Falls if you can.
19:10 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I mean, I don't have anything against it. Does that add anything to our trip? Is it on the way?
19:20 [DM (Aarya)] It is not far from the path. Were you to go directly to Vallaki, you could likely make it a little bit faster, but I expect that you are looking to see Madam Eva on your journey.
19:37 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, of course. Tell me a bit about these Vistani people. They're very festive people, I think, right?
19:45 [DM (Aarya)] Festive is certainly a word for it. I think you'll find them to be a rather colorful bunch. You all did meet Elmo earlier, didn't you not?
19:57 [Mercurio (Gui)] Ah, yes, yes.
19:59 [DM (Aarya)] They are much like him, though in my years I have met a number of Vistani who have been not so, let's say, likeable. So what do you mean by that? Well, they're like any group of people, I imagine.
19:59 [DM (Aarya)] There are those among them who are friendly and those among them who aren't. But on the whole, I found a Vistani to be hospitable and easy enough to get along with. I trust that you will be in good hands in Madam Eva's camp.
20:36 [Irredel (Sav)] Should we know anything about customs, rules, when we get to camp? Seems like they're a self-governing crowd, so I definitely want to respect their customs and how they run things there.
20:52 [DM (Aarya)] Well, they are largely a wandering group of people. They're travelers, merchants, they collect stories. However, there are two main settlements within Barovia where they gather.
20:52 [DM (Aarya)] One in Madam Eva's camp at the Sare Falls, and one just outside the town of Vallaki itself. I do hear that, more recently, the Vallaki encampment has become, let's say, not particularly hospitable to outsiders. The Vallaki camp, you said?
20:52 [DM (Aarya)] The Vallaki camp, yes. Unfortunately, the current Burgomaster of Vallaki does not particularly care for the Vistani, it seems.
21:42 [Ember (Spurthi)] Do you know why?
21:43 [DM (Aarya)] I could not say.
21:45 [Ember (Spurthi)] Nothing happened, maybe? Or something happened?
21:49 [DM (Aarya)] In truth, it's been many, many years since I visited Vallaki myself, but I hear the current Burgomaster, Baron Vargas, is not a particularly well-liked man.
22:06 [Ember (Spurthi)] Hmm, I see. I know a few of those.
22:10 [DM (Aarya)] As do I. In any case, I don't expect that you will run into any trouble at Madam Eva's camp, though I will warn you that the roads in Barovia can be dangerous, particularly at night. So I advise you to avoid traveling, except during the day, if you can avoid it.
22:38 [Sildir (Tris)] What happens at night? Just kind of the zombies like we saw?
22:43 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, zombies and potentially other creatures. Worse creatures, maybe.
22:52 [Ember (Spurthi)] Like men? I'm just kidding.
22:57 [DM (Aarya)] Indeed, sometimes the worst of the monsters we face are walking among us.
23:05 [Sildir (Tris)] Kind of like that Baron Vargas guy from the sounds of it.
23:10 [DM (Aarya)] I don't mean to belie any negative opinion of him, but I've never heard any good word about him thus far.
23:24 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, you're my favorite Burgomaster so far.
23:28 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, well, I'm sure you will meet him in your own time and perhaps you can form your own judgment. I should also warn you that there are rumors that the devil has his spies everywhere, in every nook and cranny. It is said that the very creatures and critters of the lands report to him.
23:28 [DM (Aarya)] So I would urge that you exercise caution, particularly when you're traveling on the open roads.
24:06 [Irredel (Sav)] What would exercising caution look like in this case? I don't know if you picked up on this, I'm a big rule follower, definitely like to be careful. What do we do?
24:18 [DM (Aarya)] Keep careful watch, stay vigilant, watch your tracks. There is a good chance that you may be followed or trailed at some point by someone or thing.
24:34 [Irredel (Sav)] So how would you know if you're being followed or watched by one of the devil's agents? Is it the same thing as a usual following and watching? Or is it more spooky and misty?
24:34 [Irredel (Sav)] What are we looking for here? We're new to this place.
24:53 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, well, the woods themselves are filled with all manners of creatures. Wolves, bats, rats, all sorts of predatorial creatures. And the undead as well, as you've recently encountered.
24:53 [DM (Aarya)] It is said that the devil also has giant wolves at his disposal. Not that I've ever encountered such a beast myself, but I hear they're fearsome creatures.
25:32 [Irredel (Sav)] Okay, regular wolves are already large enough. What do you mean by giant?
25:38 [DM (Aarya)] They say they can grow to be as tall and strong as a horse.
25:47 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, that's something.
25:49 [DM (Aarya)] Indeed. I pray that you don't have to encounter something so terrible. However, considering the accomplishments that you've all achieved in your short time here, I am admittedly optimistic that should you encounter any sort of trouble, you would be able to protect yourselves and my dear sister as well.
26:19 [Sildir (Tris)] Absolutely. We'll tell Mercurio that there's a drink inside the beast and he'll mock them to death. Simple.
26:27 [DM (Aarya)] Ah, I see. You know, that reminds me. Give me just a moment.
26:27 [DM (Aarya)] And you see Eastmark disappears into the kitchen of the manor. And he comes back just a moment later carrying a bottle of wine. And he presents this to Mercurio and he says, My father kept a stash of wine for his own personal use.
26:27 [DM (Aarya)] Since he won't be needing it any longer, I thought that you might appreciate this.
27:10 [Mercurio (Gui)] Why, oh my. Yes, thank you. I just popped the cork off and I started drinking some off the top.
27:10 [Mercurio (Gui)] You just slammed it. Sorry, it's just been too long. I'm forever in your debt.
27:10 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'll remember this, Eastmark, okay? Next time you need another favor, I won't point out how many favors you're asking for anymore.
27:38 [DM (Aarya)] I do appreciate your help, Master Mercurio. And you also notice that the bottle itself, it is a pretty old bottle. But judging from the label, you can tell that it is a pretty fancy looking vintage.
27:38 [DM (Aarya)] You see the label on it reads Champagne de la Stampe. And it is from the Wizards of the Wines winery. Wizard of the Vines, yes.
28:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] Wizard of the Vines.
28:10 [DM (Aarya)] No, no, no. Sorry, let me double check my notes. Wizard of the Wines.
28:10 [DM (Aarya)] Wizard of the Wines winery. That's a tongue twister.
28:18 [Irredel (Sav)] Wow.
28:21 [Mercurio (Gui)] I've never had one of theirs, but this is quite good.
28:25 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, well, it is the only winery in Barovia, so all of our wine comes from there.
28:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] That part is a little bit sad.
28:39 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, well, you may be, I don't know if you'll be pleased or saddened to hear this, but the wines that come from the winery are some of the few pleasures that we have here in Barovia.
28:56 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, maybe once we fix up this town, you can open a new winery.
29:01 [DM (Aarya)] Well, it may be difficult to grow grapes in our farmlands, but perhaps.
29:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] Do the Vistani ever... I think we heard a rumor that they can leave the lands.
29:17 [DM (Aarya)] It is true. We do not know why, but they are not bound by whatever dark power or curse it is that traps the rest of us Barovians in this valley.
29:32 [Mercurio (Gui)] So they might have some wine from the outside.
29:35 [DM (Aarya)] I suppose they might.
29:43 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, thank you for this kind gift anyways. I will try to savor it along the trip.
29:52 [DM (Aarya)] He takes a peek at the bottle and he comments, it seems that you've savored quite a bit of it already.
30:04 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, I put the cork back on and I put it in my bag, maybe. Well, how many days did you say it was?
30:16 [DM (Aarya)] Two days if you travel quickly, but hopefully not longer than three days.
30:23 [Sildir (Tris)] How much is actually left? Like half. Half?!
30:29 [Saturno (Steph)] Holy shit!
30:38 [DM (Aarya)] So Irina stands up. You see that she's now dressed in a pretty simple looking breastplate. She has a rapier strapped to her side.
30:38 [DM (Aarya)] And you see that she's still wearing her red scarf fastened pretty tightly around her neck. You see that she's nervously adjusting her scarf and she turns to you all. And she says, well, if we're all ready, I'm ready to be off.
31:15 [Irredel (Sav)] Let's get moving. No time like the present, huh?
31:19 [DM (Aarya)] I suppose so.
31:22 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, let's go. I'm quite excited to get my fortune read at this camp.
31:29 [DM (Aarya)] What time is it? By now it's like getting close to noon, I'd say.
31:39 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, we've already wasted half the day away. As I say, back home, and we gotta get to work early. So let's get a move on, everybody.
31:49 [DM (Aarya)] If we are quick, we can make it to the camp by nightfall.
31:55 [Mercurio (Gui)] Let's be quick then.
31:57 [DM (Aarya)] Alright.
31:58 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, I'm especially not keen on running into those giant wolves. That sounds terrible. I can't believe they exist.
32:09 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, let me pull up a scene here for y'all. Activate. I'm scared.
32:09 [DM (Aarya)] Why are you scared?
32:20 [Sildir (Tris)] You said you were going to wipe us.
32:22 [DM (Aarya)] Did I say that? I don't remember saying that. That doesn't sound like something I do.
32:26 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, I was going to say you always say that.
32:39 [DM (Aarya)] Alright.
32:40 [Mercurio (Gui)] Akira's probably a little bit drunk now, so he's going to be very happy with everybody. All my best pals. It's going to be a great road trip.
32:53 [DM (Aarya)] Give me a con save.
32:55 [Mercurio (Gui)] A con save? I think because of my background, I should have advantage.
33:02 [Sildir (Tris)] Honestly, he should be con saving when he hasn't had a drink for a day, I think. He should be getting the shakes right now. If anything, he should be on top of the world at this moment.
33:10 [DM (Aarya)] Oh my goodness. Alright. You're able to hold your liquor.
33:10 [DM (Aarya)] You got a little buzz going, but you're not incapacitated or anything.
33:22 [Mercurio (Gui)] Let's go.
33:24 [DM (Aarya)] Alright.
33:25 [Sildir (Tris)] Are we tracking rations and water in this one?
33:29 [DM (Aarya)] I'm glad you brought that up. I'm not going to have you strictly track them or anything. I will encourage you all to engage in some level of RP when you rest in terms of consuming rations and whatnot, but I'm not going to have you track it.
33:29 [DM (Aarya)] Don't stress it too much. I don't expect that it will be a major mechanic or anything.
33:50 [Sildir (Tris)] I think you should make it a major mechanic for Mercurio and alcohol in particular. Okay.
33:56 [DM (Aarya)] I will take that into consideration.
33:59 [Sildir (Tris)] Mostly a joke, by the way.
34:03 [DM (Aarya)] Next time Mercurio is in combat, I'm going to have him roll for shakes. We'll see how good he does.
34:11 [Sildir (Tris)] That's why he's a bard. He can always yell at people.
34:14 [DM (Aarya)] True. In fact, when he's under the influence, he's actually better at insulting people.
34:21 [Irredel (Sav)] Just lets them rip, yeah.
34:24 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. With Arena in tow, the seven of you set off from the silent village of Barovia. The fog creeping around your feet as you pass onto the old Svalik road.
34:24 [DM (Aarya)] A sea of tall, pale green grasses stretches out before you on either side of the road, all the way up to the edge of the Iblis River. The sky above is a dull gray, the clouds heavy with the promise of rain. It's not long before you can see the old arched stone bridge in the distance that spans the clear blue river ahead.
34:24 [DM (Aarya)] Crossing it, you find yourselves on a muddy road that winds its way through the trees. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, and the trees press in close, casting deep shadows that carve gouges along the road.
35:15 [Sildir (Tris)] How long have we been walking at this point?
35:18 [DM (Aarya)] At this point, I'll say it's been a couple hours of traveling along the road. So we're not that far from the village yet.
35:30 [Sildir (Tris)] Any conversationalists? Did anyone ask anyone anything as we were walking? If that's okay with you, Dion.
35:37 [DM (Aarya)] No, by all means, go ahead.
35:43 [Sildir (Tris)] You're all silently chugging along.
35:46 [Ember (Spurthi)] I wonder how our vampire friend is doing.
35:48 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, poor Daru.
35:51 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, I hope he's been fed.
35:54 [Sildir (Tris)] I hope he got that snack, yeah. Yeah. Maybe some lamb.
35:54 [Sildir (Tris)] A leg of lamb.
35:58 [DM (Aarya)] A leg of goat, perhaps.
36:01 [Irredel (Sav)] All right, though, I mean, if you're going to be drinking blood, though, why would you go for the leg? Like, I feel like there's more accessible places to find veins and arteries, no? Just purely practically speaking.
36:18 [Sildir (Tris)] Maybe it's less personal than the neck. I don't know.
36:22 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm not saying necessarily the neck, just, I mean, I guess maybe it would be the neck.
36:28 [Sylalys (Cat)] The leg actually has the femoral artery. It is one of the largest ones in the body.
36:37 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, okay. Color me wrong.
36:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] But just picture in your head the thought of, you know, going down there, you know, think about what that looks like.
36:50 [Sildir (Tris)] Which leg?
36:53 [DM (Aarya)] So upon hearing you say that, you see Irina, she pipes up and she says, if you all wouldn't mind, we don't need to talk about the ins and outs of how vampires may feed. And you see her, like, rubbing her neck as she says that.
37:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] We have to babysit.
37:15 [Sylalys (Cat)] We not only have to take this luggage, we have to babysit as well.
37:22 [DM (Aarya)] Well, I'm sorry to be a bother. I'm sorry, I don't recall your name.
37:30 [Sylalys (Cat)] If you survive longer than a week, then I will teach you my name. His name is Steel. His name is Steel.
37:30 [Sylalys (Cat)] You don't have to be like that.
37:40 [Irredel (Sav)] So listen, have you been drinking too?
37:43 [Sylalys (Cat)] Yeah, I may have snitched a few sips while I was looking.
37:49 [Irredel (Sav)] You know, on average, most people are supposed to get nicer and friendlier after a few drinks.
37:55 [Sylalys (Cat)] Oh, but you get more honest.
38:00 [Ember (Spurthi)] Steel is just one of a kind.
38:02 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, my mom says that's how my dad was.
38:05 [Mercurio (Gui)] Steel, I'm cutting you off. No more for you.
38:09 [DM (Aarya)] I suppose that raises the question, then. How exactly did you all form as a party? It seems that you're all familiar with each other.
38:24 [Mercurio (Gui)] We just make friends quick. We kind of got reined in together, I guess.
38:32 [Sildir (Tris)] I loosely know a lot of these people.
38:34 [Sylalys (Cat)] They crashed into my barn. And then they took me to this mansion. And we were transported here.
38:34 [Sylalys (Cat)] And now I'm stuck here with these fools.
38:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I think Steel is the odd person out. He's an oddball. But Iridell is my partner here.
38:47 [Sildir (Tris)] She works for me. And all of these other people I have put in bad situations on accident. She's your partner?
38:47 [Sildir (Tris)] No, not like that.
39:07 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, business partner. Ah, I see. Forgive me.
39:11 [Sildir (Tris)] I don't think Iridell would be interested in me in that way.
39:14 [DM (Aarya)] Correct.
39:18 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, that was a little bit too forward there. I think you should put a question mark on the back of that.
39:29 [DM (Aarya)] Well, it seems that Iridell is very particular in what she wants and who she spends her time with. I can respect that.
39:39 [Sildir (Tris)] I appreciate it. I mean, I have a lot of ladies throwing themselves at me just for the money. And Iridell over here, she's never once done so.
39:39 [Sildir (Tris)] He cares more about my books than my money. She wants to count my money.
39:53 [DM (Aarya)] So, are you a nobleman of some kind?
39:56 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm a businessman. Notably not a nobleman. Sildir Goldenfield.
40:01 [DM (Aarya)] Sildir Goldenfield. I'm not familiar with the name Goldenfield, but I don't suppose that I would be if you were from outside of Erovia. How did you make your fortune?
40:15 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, it started with my Goldenfields, of course. Nice arm, and then I invested in all sorts of things. Very, very foolish investments.
40:15 [Sildir (Tris)] Sorry to everyone that I've hurt here. And I'm learning that now, and Iridell has been helping me uncover that. However, I'm currently putting that on hold as I'm in a strange land with no access to my previous fortune or proximity to my sins, which is kind of a nice break.
40:43 [Irredel (Sav)] And on the plus side, we did ask for an extension for all taxes and paperwork, so we do have six months to get back to the real world before the governments of our country start looking for both of us. We didn't make the extension knowing we would be here, of course. There was no way for us to know we were going to be spirited away to this bizarro place.
41:09 [Sildir (Tris)] Iridell, Iridell, please. His finances are very complicated. We have bigger problems than this.
41:13 [Irredel (Sav)] But it's true, they're very complicated.
41:15 [Sildir (Tris)] You cannot be airing my dirty laundry like this.
41:17 [Mercurio (Gui)] Is there no transported to another world exemption status?
41:24 [Ember (Spurthi)] Iridell?
41:26 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, the issue is the paperwork and documentation that you need in order to prove that you've actually been spirited away to the other world is really substantial, which actually that does remind me. Irina, would you be willing to sign an affidavit saying that we have been here and attesting to the fact that this is a strange plane called Barovia? That would actually be really helpful for us before we get back.
41:54 [DM (Aarya)] I would be happy to assist you in any way that I can, but I'm not sure I understand that I understood half the words you just said.
42:05 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, no worries at all. It's just going to be a document summarizing essentially an interview where we ask you about this strange land and our presence here in it. And what will happen is you'll sign it.
42:05 [Irredel (Sav)] We'll have two witnesses stamp it. And when we get back to our home dimension or whatever magical thing that has transpired to get us here, we can bring that to the court so none of us get in trouble for not filing our taxes timely. Do you all have taxes here?
42:05 [Irredel (Sav)] Do you pay to the devil or the burgomaster or some ruling entity?
42:43 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, well, the burgomaster of each settlement in Barovia collects taxes for all the citizens and pays a lump sum to the devil on our behalf.
42:54 [Irredel (Sav)] Exactly. Can you imagine what a headache it would be if you didn't contribute to that settlement? Very bad.
42:54 [Irredel (Sav)] Bad things happen in our world when you don't do that. So we just need proof that we were unable to comply with the requirements for reasons outside of our control, including but not limited to being transported to another magical plane of existence.
43:17 [DM (Aarya)] So you're saying that all I would need to do is just sign a sheet of paper and then that solves all your problems?
43:23 [Irredel (Sav)] It solves a fair amount of them, but you're going to need two witnesses to attest as well. So you'll draft up this interview document, you'll sign your name, and there will be two witnesses who are none of us. They have to be third-party neutral witnesses.
43:35 [Sildir (Tris)] Hold on, hold on.
43:36 [Irredel (Sav)] They have to sign it.
43:38 [Sildir (Tris)] Irina, just sign the paper that she gives you.
43:43 [DM (Aarya)] That I can do. I don't know who this David fellow is, but he seems like, pardon my language, an asshole.
43:50 [Sildir (Tris)] Just don't read it. Sign it. We'll be a world away by the time we actually need to use it.
43:50 [Sildir (Tris)] We won't come for you, of course. This is why Iridell's the back office of the business and I'm the front office. I'm the flashy sales guy making the deals.
43:50 [Sildir (Tris)] Iridell, she keeps them up. She does good. I agree, David's an asshole, and that's why she works with him.
44:12 [DM (Aarya)] So you two run this business together, then?
44:16 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes. Well, I joined in after he asked for some assistance. Again, I'm not going to air out anyone's dirty laundry here, but yeah, his business was investing in some pretty unethical things.
44:16 [Irredel (Sav)] I was brought on board to bring everything about board.
44:35 [Sildir (Tris)] All of these fine individuals you see here, notably excluding Seal, who is not a fine individual, they were actually slaves in part of a business that I invested in that I didn't know was a slave trade.
44:51 [DM (Aarya)] That sounds horrible.
44:54 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, and I stopped the boats that these guys were on, but of course, it doesn't make up for all the sins, which is what I was working on. Yeah, they were slave boats.
45:05 [DM (Aarya)] What boats?
45:07 [Sildir (Tris)] You don't know what a boat is?
45:08 [DM (Aarya)] Like small rowboats that you have to go out onto a lake?
45:11 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh no, this was industrial equipment.
45:14 [Mercurio (Gui)] Like rowboats, but bigger.
45:16 [Sildir (Tris)] Like gigantic.
45:18 [DM (Aarya)] With sails. Oh my, I don't believe we have any such thing here in Barovia.
45:23 [Sildir (Tris)] If yours can come out, we need like 16 people to man them. Yeah, they were big ships.
45:27 [Irredel (Sav)] Do you not have oceans here?
45:29 [DM (Aarya)] Oceans?
45:32 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, oceans, like they're huge swaths of water, bigger than you can possibly imagine. And at least ours are made of salt water, and there's lovely little beaches that are by the oceans, and you can sail on them, and people use them for transport and shipping. They're quite evocative.
45:32 [Irredel (Sav)] People often write poetry or songs. A day at the beach is often a very fun activity.
45:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] My god, this girl's never had a pina colada on the beach. This is terrible. I see.
46:05 [DM (Aarya)] These words I'm not familiar with, but we do have Lake Zarović not far from, just outside of Wallachia. I'm told it is a quite large and impressive lake.
46:17 [Sildir (Tris)] Yes, but lakes are always smellier than the ocean. It's a simple fact of life.
46:22 [Mercurio (Gui)] I see. The salt water of the ocean, that's what makes it special.
46:28 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright guys, we have a new side quest unlocked, which is to get a beach episode with Irina.
46:35 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm glad you picked up where I was going.
46:38 [DM (Aarya)] A beach. This beach you speak of, it does sound appealing. I don't think we have anything of the sort in Barovia.
46:47 [Irredel (Sav)] It's like, oftentimes it's sunny and really warm, and the sand is really soft. It's like powder. Yes, the sun is very, very bright.
46:47 [Irredel (Sav)] I mean, it'll actually turn your skin red if you're in it for too long. And the water just laps gently against the sand, and sometimes there are fish and other animals. Like dolphins.
47:08 [DM (Aarya)] Do you have dolphins here? Dolphins?
47:11 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes, dolphins.
47:13 [DM (Aarya)] What are dolphins?
47:16 [Irredel (Sav)] But they aren't fish. They breathe air.
47:20 [DM (Aarya)] Why would a fish breathe air? That doesn't make any sense.
47:24 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, what Mercurio said, they're puppies. They're because they're actually. Is Irina like breathing heavily right now?
47:33 [Saturno (Steph)] How do you curse?
47:38 [Sildir (Tris)] Syl, explain dolphins. Please. With all your refined knowledge of arteries and whatnot.
47:47 [Ember (Spurthi)] Arteries?
47:50 [Sildir (Tris)] I still seem to know a lot about animal anatomy. I figured maybe they would know what a dolphin is.
47:54 [DM (Aarya)] Well, I can't imagine that Syl's explanation would be particularly helpful anyhow. Erdal, I think you were onto something. They're blowholes.
47:54 [DM (Aarya)] Blowholes? I'm sorry, that sounds quite rude. What is a blowhole?
48:11 [Irredel (Sav)] It's a creature. It's how they breathe. It's on top of their head, and they're large, they're grey, very smooth looking.
48:11 [Irredel (Sav)] And again, it's similar shape to a fish, but they jump around, like they jump out of the water and make cute little noises. They often run in families, little packs.
48:37 [DM (Aarya)] They do sound like fun little creatures.
48:38 [Irredel (Sav)] They're very charismatic creatures. Yes, they're very charismatic. And again, they're mammals, they breathe air.
48:38 [Irredel (Sav)] So they always are jumping up, coming to the surface.
48:46 [DM (Aarya)] That sounds rather tedious.
48:49 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes, yes, it must be an exhausting life. But we get to enjoy it because they're constantly jumping around. What were you saying, Ember?
48:59 [Sildir (Tris)] Ember?
49:02 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, I was just saying it's the equivalent of human noise.
49:05 [Sylalys (Cat)] Yeah.
49:06 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, exactly.
49:09 [Sylalys (Cat)] I'm still stuck on what a piña colada is.
49:13 [DM (Aarya)] It sounds delicious. I'm curious. I don't know those words.
49:13 [DM (Aarya)] Is this a dessert of some kind?
49:21 [Irredel (Sav)] Unlike dolphins, I think the others are better suited to explain a piña colada. I don't think I could do it justice in the way Mercurio can.
49:31 [DM (Aarya)] If you're deferring to Mercurio on this, it must be an alcoholic beverage of some sort.
49:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] Why would you assume that that's the only thing that I know about? I also happen to know about insulting people, and I'm going to write down blowhard in my notes here. Blowhole, that's a really good one.
49:50 [Ember (Spurthi)] Blowfart? Did you say blowfart?
49:52 [Mercurio (Gui)] Blowhard. Blowhard. Blowhole, Mercurio, blowhole.
49:52 [Mercurio (Gui)] Ah, yes, that's a good one, too. So many good ones today.
50:05 [Sildir (Tris)] But do tell us, what is a piña colada? Tell us the beauties of it. And explain that it can be a virgin, too.
50:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] Words I have to explain. So, okay, do you know what pineapples are? That sounds dangerous.
50:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] Kind of, yes. It's like a very spiky fruit.
50:25 [DM (Aarya)] Why on earth would you consume a spiky fruit?
50:28 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, you just eat the inside. The inside is juicy, not spiky. I see.
50:28 [Mercurio (Gui)] Although it's quite acidic. Yeah, and then you combine that, do you know what a coconut is? Well, you don't have beaches, so you wouldn't know what a coconut is.
50:28 [Mercurio (Gui)] Okay, so a coconut is like a different fruit. It's like a hairy fruit. A hairy fruit?
50:28 [Mercurio (Gui)] So it's a spiky fruit and a hairy fruit. Just on the outside. On the inside, it's nice and creamy.
50:53 [DM (Aarya)] What strange lands you guys must come from to have these strange fruits?
50:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] What fruits do you have in your land?
51:00 [DM (Aarya)] We have apples and oranges and grapes, primarily.
51:03 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, I mean, it's oranges, exactly. Oranges, that's acidic. It's similar to pineapple, but different.
51:10 [DM (Aarya)] Similar but different doesn't really tell me much, Mercurio. I do apologize.
51:14 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, it's just more like an orange than it is an apple, I'll say.
51:17 [DM (Aarya)] I see. That's something. But it is called a pine apple, not a pine orange.
51:25 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, they just call it that for no reason.
51:28 [DM (Aarya)] That seems rather poorly named.
51:31 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, well, and the coconut is also not a nut, so keep that in mind as well.
51:34 [DM (Aarya)] I'm sorry. Is it actually called pineapple or is that just what Mercurio calls it?
51:43 [Irredel (Sav)] No, yes, that is actually what it's called, yeah.
51:45 [DM (Aarya)] I see. Well, good to know that he isn't making it up.
51:49 [Sildir (Tris)] I would like to add that coconuts also don't have anything to do with chocolate or cocoa. Sorry, go ahead, Mercurio.
51:54 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, that's another good point, actually. But then there's a liquor called rum. You combine that with the essence of these two fruits, the insides.
51:54 [Mercurio (Gui)] You grind them up, you turn it into juice or cream and you mix all that together and then that's the drink. And usually you add shaved ice because it's very hot at the beach. So then when you have a nice cold icy drink, it's marvelous.
51:54 [Mercurio (Gui)] I see.
52:25 [DM (Aarya)] Well, I can't say that having a cold drink sounds particularly appealing. Perhaps.
52:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, you need to go outside on a hot day, I guess.
52:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] On a beach trip.
52:41 [DM (Aarya)] It doesn't ever really get hot in Barovia. Though I imagine if it were to, then perhaps a chilled drink would be appealing.
52:55 [Sildir (Tris)] So I'd just like to recap real quick. We've explained to Irina the following. Pineapples, pina coladas, dolphins, taxes, affidavits, having a sunny day, oceans, beaches, coconuts, rum.
53:11 [Saturno (Steph)] And pineapple.
53:13 [Sildir (Tris)] I said pineapple at the top of the list. And what?
53:16 [Sylalys (Cat)] And arteries.
53:17 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I'll say arteries as well. Throw that up in there.
53:22 [DM (Aarya)] He is a rather difficult one to understand, isn't he?
53:28 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, we basically just keep him around because he's pretty and then we just nod when he talks.
53:35 [Sildir (Tris)] He speaks bourgeoisie. Even though I'm not rich enough for him.
53:42 [DM (Aarya)] Well, he does seem to be one of a kind, if nothing else. Well, on that note, let's see. And now a comment.
53:42 [DM (Aarya)] As the group of you are walking along the trail, you hear a rustling noise and see a silhouette crouching in the misty underbrush.
54:12 [Saturno (Steph)] Alert everyone!
54:13 [Ember (Spurthi)] Hello! Can I do an investigation or an undercontact or something?
54:22 [DM (Aarya)] Perception. Yeah, if anyone wants to roll some kind of check to...
54:28 [Sylalys (Cat)] Perception.
54:32 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm not perceiving.
54:34 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, and I will say that Irodeli did say the, whoa, whoa, whoa, what is that? And kind of jumped back a little bit.
54:39 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. So, Sylilis and Mercurio. Wow, 19.
54:39 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, Sylilis, Mercurio, and Saturno, you can spot a pair of figures creeping out from the underbrush ahead of you. They appear to be human, or humanoid, rather. Hey, who goes there?
55:14 [Ember (Spurthi)] I take out my sword, and I say, state your business.
55:18 [DM (Aarya)] Oh? Somebody's here, and you see a couple of people step out from the mists.
55:31 [Ember (Spurthi)] Are any of them femboys?
55:35 [DM (Aarya)] Easy now, don't attack them on sight.
55:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, I'll hold there. I can tell these are baddies because they're the same token and they're red.
55:44 [Ember (Spurthi)] I could tell they're baddies.
55:50 [Sildir (Tris)] That's ultimate metagaming though.
55:52 [DM (Aarya)] So, yeah, you see a pair of figures step out from the mists. They appear to be, like, ordinary Barovian villagers, though they are equipped with light crossbows and some bolts. They turn to you, have their crossbows aimed at you, and they say, halt, state your business.
56:15 [Sylalys (Cat)] Can I sneak away?
56:18 [DM (Aarya)] We are scouts from the village of Barovia.
56:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, okay.
56:24 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, okay.
56:26 [Sylalys (Cat)] I don't know if I... Can I sneak away?
56:30 [Irredel (Sav)] We're here on business of the Burgermeister.
56:34 [DM (Aarya)] So, sorry, what is Sylilis trying to do?
56:37 [Sylalys (Cat)] I want to sneak into the brush.
56:39 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, I'll have them roll perception checks to see if you're able to sneak past them. So, you rolled a 13 stealth and they got a holy. Hey, you've no sudden movements.
56:39 [DM (Aarya)] That was a nat 20, by the way, I guess you can't do that.
56:55 [Sylalys (Cat)] I was not doing anything.
56:58 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm going to ask Irina if she recognizes them.
57:03 [DM (Aarya)] Irina pushes herself to the front of your party, and she says, easy now, these folks are with me. We are safe. We mean you no harm.
57:03 [DM (Aarya)] And you see the two scouts spot Irina, and immediately their demeanors relax. And they say, oh, you're with Lady Irina. Very well.
57:03 [DM (Aarya)] What are you doing out on the Svalik road? It's not safe out here.
57:32 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, you see, that's part of the reason we are on our way away from the village. We have been instructed by the Burgermeister to escort Irina to the town of Vlachy. Where she will go help the refugees who are residing there.
57:52 [DM (Aarya)] I see. Well, if that is your purpose, then I suppose we won't stand in your way. We will warn you, we are out currently searching for a missing family.
57:52 [DM (Aarya)] The Landsten family has gone missing. A family of five. A mother, a father, and their three children.
58:18 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, my.
58:19 [DM (Aarya)] If you find any sign or trail of them on your trip, please do try to let us know.
58:30 [Irredel (Sav)] Of course, we will send a message back as soon as we can if we hear of anything or see anything. Can you tell us anything about the family? What they look like?
58:30 [Irredel (Sav)] Ages? Were they last seen?
58:44 [DM (Aarya)] Well, Mr. and Mrs. Landsten are very typical Barovian villagers. They're a man and woman in their thirties. And their three children, two boys and a girl, are all quite young.
58:59 [Ember (Spurthi)] In their thirties? Goddamn.
59:05 [Irredel (Sav)] Do they have dark hair, light hair? What's their skin color?
59:12 [DM (Aarya)] Well, I suppose they look much like the rest of us Barovians do. Dark hair, fair skins.
59:23 [Irredel (Sav)] And what was the name again? Sorry, I just want to make sure we get it right.
59:26 [DM (Aarya)] The Landstens.
59:28 [Ember (Spurthi)] The Landstens. And the children, around what ages do you think they would range from?
59:33 [DM (Aarya)] They're all between ages four and eight. Wow, quite young.
59:40 [Irredel (Sav)] Three kids within four years. Scandalous.
59:45 [Mercurio (Gui)] They were busy.
59:47 [DM (Aarya)] Too busy it seems. They went missing in the commotion of last night's attack.
59:58 [Sylalys (Cat)] Can these villagers not do anything by themselves? I feel we are doing every errand in this land.
01:00:06 [Irredel (Sav)] We're not doing errands, we're just doing simple kind tasks. A family went missing, we may as well keep an eye out for them on our way.
01:00:14 [Sylalys (Cat)] Yes, you think this family has any money to their name?
01:00:17 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, it's not about the money.
01:00:20 [Ember (Spurthi)] Well, what else are we going to do here?
01:00:23 [Sylalys (Cat)] Go kill the monsters, horrible creatures of the night.
01:00:29 [DM (Aarya)] If you're looking to slay monsters, I'm afraid you'll find no shortage of them on these roads.
01:00:38 [Sylalys (Cat)] Parfait. Allons-y.
01:00:42 [Sildir (Tris)] You cut out radio.
01:00:44 [Sylalys (Cat)] Yes, this push to talk is funky. Parfait, then let us get a move on.
01:00:53 [DM (Aarya)] Very well.
01:00:55 [Mercurio (Gui)] We'll keep our eyes out for these kids.
01:00:58 [DM (Aarya)] We won't impede your path, but do take care and keep an eye on Lady Arena for us.
01:01:07 [Sildir (Tris)] If you want, you can come with us.
01:01:10 [DM (Aarya)] Well, we're going to continue searching this area before moving on to the next. We suspect that they couldn't have gone too far from the village.
01:01:22 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, I wish you luck. Should we help?
01:01:27 [Ember (Spurthi)] I would. I vote so.
01:01:32 [Sildir (Tris)] Arena, do you think we can help here and still make it to Seraphal's in time?
01:01:38 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, do you think maybe it's also just as helpful to keep an eye out on the road? Maybe they fled on the path instead of ending up in the woods. I know I would like to stick to this path.
01:01:38 [Irredel (Sav)] That's true.
01:01:54 [Ember (Spurthi)] Why flee into the woods and into the unknown where God knows what awaits you.
01:02:00 [DM (Aarya)] If you are planning to continue further along this road, then perhaps it would be helpful to keep an eye out. We'll search this section, you search the section ahead. We can cover more ground that way.
01:02:11 [Irredel (Sav)] And we can take out any monsters we see on the way so you all can continue the search from behind us.
01:02:17 [DM (Aarya)] Much appreciated.
01:02:21 [Irredel (Sav)] Sounds like a plan. Shall we? Everyone happy with it?
01:02:26 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, absolutely.
01:02:28 [Irredel (Sav)] Alright.
01:02:30 [Mercurio (Gui)] Off along the road. We can still make it to the camp by night.
01:02:35 [Irredel (Sav)] Exactly. Everyone wins. It's an everyone wins situation.
01:02:35 [Irredel (Sav)] Isn't that marvelous?
01:02:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] I guess that means I don't have to hold on to this and I uncork the wine bottle. Is Mercurio doubting the rest of the wine right now? Sipping, sipping.
01:02:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] I have to make it last the rest of the day.
01:03:00 [Sildir (Tris)] Stay hydrated, Mercurio. I see.
01:03:04 [DM (Aarya)] Mercurio, perhaps you should have something a bit more quenching and Ireena passes you her water skin.
01:03:15 [Mercurio (Gui)] I don't know. I've had too much water the last couple days and not enough liquor.
01:03:20 [DM (Aarya)] I don't know that I've seen you drink any water the last couple of days.
01:03:26 [Mercurio (Gui)] Okay, fine. I'll drink some of her water.
01:03:31 [DM (Aarya)] I can hold on to that bottle for you, if that's alright.
01:03:35 [Mercurio (Gui)] No, you're too young. How young do you think I am? How young are you?
01:03:43 [DM (Aarya)] Well, you tell me first.
01:03:45 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, great. Now I'm guessing a woman's age. How did I get into this position?
01:03:51 [Sildir (Tris)] Wait, the only way to win is not to play, Mercurio.
01:03:55 [Irredel (Sav)] I would say 25.
01:03:57 [Mercurio (Gui)] 25! Oh my.
01:04:01 [Irredel (Sav)] 25 is a great age.
01:04:02 [Mercurio (Gui)] That's too old to say that she can't drink. 19!
01:04:09 [DM (Aarya)] I am 22, thank you.
01:04:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] I hit it right in the middle, right? Yes, what's the difference?
01:04:17 [Sildir (Tris)] What is the drinking age here in Barovia? Is there a drinking age?
01:04:21 [DM (Aarya)] Do they even care? What do you mean by drinking age?
01:04:24 [Sildir (Tris)] You see, where we come from, we prevent our children from drinking too much alcohol or else they'll end up like Mercurio over there.
01:04:29 [Mercurio (Gui)] At least until they turn 12 or so.
01:04:35 [Sildir (Tris)] As you can see, 12. A little too early.
01:04:38 [DM (Aarya)] Well, we don't have any such strict rule or anything of the sort, but generally children don't drink wine.
01:04:48 [Mercurio (Gui)] Exactly.
01:04:52 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, where we're from has lots of laws. That's why people like me exist. Someone's gotta figure out taxes, trust, estates.
01:04:59 [DM (Aarya)] Well, if it puts your mind at ease, Mercurio, I'm not really much of a drinker. I was mainly offering to hold your bottle for you as to take a load off of your person, but...
01:05:11 [Sildir (Tris)] He knows why you want to hold it.
01:05:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm sorry. I popped the cork gun and I handed it to her and I'm like, it's just sorry. These last few days have been stressful.
01:05:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm not in my right mind.
01:05:22 [DM (Aarya)] She takes the bottle and she promptly hands it to Iridel and she whispers to her, maybe don't let him have the rest of this today.
01:05:31 [Saturno (Steph)] Sounds like a plan.
01:05:32 [Sylalys (Cat)] Can I try to swipe it?
01:05:35 [DM (Aarya)] Are you gonna try to swipe it directly from her hands as she's holding it?
01:05:40 [Sylalys (Cat)] No, like when she's putting it in her bag or whatever.
01:05:42 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, well, she's giving it to Iridel, so you'd have to do it against Iridel. Okay. I guess, yeah, give me sight of hands.
01:05:42 [DM (Aarya)] Actually, before that, I guess Iridel, describe how you're putting it away, I guess. Are you just holding it in your hands or putting it in your bag or something?
01:06:03 [Irredel (Sav)] So, if you all remember, Iridel has very voluminous gray wool cloak and robes. So I imagine Irina has kind of just walked up to the side of Iridel and maybe tried to slip the bottle of wine into the bag that's tucked to her side. Maybe Iridel pretends to stretch her arm a little bit to open up the cloak so that Irina can slide it in.
01:06:34 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, so I'll say in that case, an 11 sight of hands check won't be enough to successfully sneak it away. So Iridel definitely spots what you're trying to do.
01:06:55 [Sylalys (Cat)] Does she stop me?
01:06:57 [Irredel (Sav)] That's true. So I kind of swat Syl's hand away, and I say something. I was one of 12 children.
01:06:57 [Irredel (Sav)] You really think my pockets are that unguarded? Shoot.
01:07:13 [Sylalys (Cat)] And I just whistle and stroll away casually.
01:07:17 [Sildir (Tris)] Pretend like nothing happened. Amazing. Iridel is the ultimate pocket guard, I must say.
01:07:17 [Sildir (Tris)] She has saved me a ton of money.
01:07:28 [Irredel (Sav)] In my job description, we pay exactly what is owed. Not a cent more, not a cent less.
01:07:38 [Sildir (Tris)] A cent less? Come on, I told you to do that.
01:07:41 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, yeah, I mean, it's exactly what is owed. It is fully within all rules and regulations.
01:07:46 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright, but I asked you specifically to add in some expenses for me.
01:07:54 [Irredel (Sav)] Like to pay more?
01:07:56 [Sildir (Tris)] No, no. Deduct.
01:07:58 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, yeah, we are deducting the absolute maximum allowed by law. 100%. Maybe we get a little creative, but it is in full upright standing.
01:07:58 [Irredel (Sav)] Tears strike me down.
01:08:11 [Sildir (Tris)] This whole vengeance thing gets pretty expensive, so we're going to have to talk about that.
01:08:16 [Irredel (Sav)] I thought your whole goal was to stop committing crimes.
01:08:20 [Sildir (Tris)] Not against the government.
01:08:26 [Mercurio (Gui)] Just stop, you know, committing atrocities.
01:08:31 [Sildir (Tris)] Thanks, Neutrio. Eloquently put, you know, I'm not trying to live it down. It's fair enough.
01:08:39 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm not saying we aren't outsmarting them.
01:08:42 [Sildir (Tris)] Perfect, that's all I want to know. That's all I need to know. I like my plausible deniability.
01:08:48 [Irredel (Sav)] We are completely outsmarting them in a way that will never result in you going to jail.
01:08:53 [Sildir (Tris)] Sometimes I feel like you're just outsmarting me, but sounds good.
01:08:57 [Irredel (Sav)] I mean, do you really want an accountant who's stupider than you?
01:09:00 [Sildir (Tris)] No, I don't.
01:09:02 [Irredel (Sav)] Exactly.
01:09:04 [Mercurio (Gui)] You just propped up the slave labor that supported the tyrant that killed my family, but you did free me from them, so... He did what, though? Even Stevens.
01:09:16 [DM (Aarya)] There seems to be some drama here that I was not aware of.
01:09:21 [Irredel (Sav)] It was one of the bad investments he was talking about.
01:09:24 [Sildir (Tris)] I can't ask for forgiveness. You invested in a tyrant? Unknowingly, yes.
01:09:31 [DM (Aarya)] Carelessly, yes.
01:09:32 [Sildir (Tris)] I will also say.
01:09:33 [DM (Aarya)] How does one stay ignorant of such a thing?
01:09:37 [Sildir (Tris)] People tell me it's a good investment. I'm, you know... Hey, plenty of people have invested in this and not shown a grain of remorse.
01:09:37 [Sildir (Tris)] I learned of it, and I'm trying to correct it. And that's all I can say for myself. Everything else they say is true.
01:09:37 [Sildir (Tris)] I won't hide from it.
01:09:57 [DM (Aarya)] Well, if nothing else, you do seem to be a better man than you once were. Perhaps that is the most I can ask of someone.
01:10:07 [Sildir (Tris)] As long as... I don't know, I'm just trying to look myself in the eyes and see what I'm up to. And hopefully see a better person, like you said.
01:10:25 [DM (Aarya)] Perhaps you are an honest man, Sildur.
01:10:31 [Mercurio (Gui)] Is it better to be born good or to overcome your evil nature through great struggle?
01:10:39 [DM (Aarya)] An interesting question, Mercurio. That doesn't really sound like something you came up with on your own, though. Where did you hear that?
01:10:47 [Mercurio (Gui)] There was a great philosopher back in my kingdom who said that long ago. I see.
01:10:53 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, did you read about it in Bard College?
01:10:58 [Mercurio (Gui)] College, yeah.
01:11:00 [Irredel (Sav)] Don't bards go to college? There's a bard college, right? I mean, not all of you, but a fair amount?
01:11:07 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, I was homeschooled.
01:11:10 [DM (Aarya)] What sort of lessons must you have had, I wonder?
01:11:16 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, my teacher was quite good. My older brother, Julian, he did go to bard college, so there's that.
01:11:27 [Irredel (Sav)] Is that what inspired you to follow in his footsteps? I was the oldest out of all of my siblings, so I only could look up to myself.
01:11:35 [DM (Aarya)] The oldest of twelve?
01:11:36 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes, the oldest of twelve.
01:11:39 [DM (Aarya)] That sounds like quite the responsibility, Iridel.
01:11:43 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes, it was absolute chaos growing up.
01:11:47 [DM (Aarya)] It does explain a lot.
01:11:53 [Mercurio (Gui)] You could say I look up to him, but big shoes to fill.
01:12:03 [DM (Aarya)] Big shoes to fill? Did he give you his shoes?
01:12:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] It's a saying.
01:12:11 [DM (Aarya)] I see. What does it mean?
01:12:17 [Mercurio (Gui)] Basically, it means that when someone does something really well, and then they don't do it anymore, it's difficult to replace them. Mercurio looks down, and his eyes swell up a little bit.
01:12:39 [DM (Aarya)] No, Mercurio, no. And Irina looks down, and she says, not unlike my brother filling in for our father now.
01:12:50 [Saturno (Steph)] Yep, big shoes to fill.
01:12:55 [DM (Aarya)] Well, for what it's worth, Mercurio, I'm sure your brother is honored to have you following in his footsteps. Yeah, I don't know.
01:13:14 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm sorry, I'm bringing down the mood. Not at all, not at all. So yeah, these Vistani, they throw great parties, right?
01:13:23 [Sildir (Tris)] For what it's worth, it would be pretty hard to bring down the mood in this dump.
01:13:34 [DM (Aarya)] I can't say that I've had a particularly happy childhood myself, and I fear that my addition to your party might further complicate things. It is true what the villagers said. There are rumors that women with red hair are a bad omen in Barovia.
01:13:55 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, I mean, do you feel that you are?
01:13:58 [DM (Aarya)] I don't think you are. Well, my father is dead because of me.
01:14:07 [Sildir (Tris)] What do you mean because of you? You didn't bring these monsters to this land.
01:14:14 [Irredel (Sav)] And wasn't it in response to the rebellion?
01:14:18 [DM (Aarya)] Yes.
01:14:19 [Irredel (Sav)] The devil exacted his revenge?
01:14:21 [DM (Aarya)] Well, that...
01:14:29 [Mercurio (Gui)] I don't know if you cut out. Yeah, you cut out.
01:14:35 [DM (Aarya)] Hello? Can you guys hear me? Yeah, my headset died for a second.
01:14:35 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, which part did I cut out at?
01:14:43 [Ember (Spurthi)] You said that.
01:14:45 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Alright, so Irina turns to you and she says, yes, well, that much is true. However, there is a specific reason that the devil came to our home last night.
01:14:45 [DM (Aarya)] It wasn't for my father. It was for me. And she pulls off her scarf and reveals that she has a bite mark in her neck that is freshly scabbed over.
01:15:19 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, yeah, yeah. Oh, great.
01:15:21 [Ember (Spurthi)] That does like the Wojak point.
01:15:27 [Sildir (Tris)] My God, that's terrible.
01:15:29 [Ember (Spurthi)] Are you okay? Are you feeling fine?
01:15:32 [DM (Aarya)] I am still alive. So I guess that's something.
01:15:38 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yes, that must have been terrifying. I'm so sorry.
01:15:44 [Irredel (Sav)] No, darling, you cannot blame yourself. You were a victim as well. You're just experiencing survivor's guilt.
01:15:44 [Irredel (Sav)] You had no control over what that monster was doing.
01:15:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, like, why was he even there? Like, it's not because you called him over, right? And even if you had, that doesn't mean anything.
01:15:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yep. Absolutely means nothing.
01:16:10 [DM (Aarya)] My father died defending me.
01:16:15 [Irredel (Sav)] That was a choice he made, and I'm sure he was proud to have made it. But remember, you didn't cause the attack.
01:16:25 [Ember (Spurthi)] He could have died defending anyone else. The attack was a choice of a monster.
01:16:31 [DM (Aarya)] Perhaps you're right.
01:16:35 [Sildir (Tris)] Irina, I want to echo the sentiment of everyone here, but I do want clarification here. Are you saying that Strahd himself visited your home that night?
01:16:43 [DM (Aarya)] That's correct. Last night. He claimed that he was there to take me with him.
01:16:56 [Sildir (Tris)] So your father successfully stopped him?
01:17:00 [DM (Aarya)] He did try to, and I'm not sure why, but once the devil did this, and she dressed herself to her neck, he left as quickly as he came.
01:17:22 [Ember (Spurthi)] Did he show any expression? Was he surprised, shocked, or anything? Or did he just...
01:17:22 [Ember (Spurthi)] Sorry, I'm poking and asking questions. You don't have to answer. It's fine.
01:17:36 [DM (Aarya)] I'm sorry. It's difficult to remember. It was all...
01:17:36 [DM (Aarya)] It's okay.
01:17:40 [Ember (Spurthi)] It makes sense. Yeah, I don't blame you. I could only imagine something so awful.
01:17:40 [Ember (Spurthi)] Dramatic. Why would you even want to remember?
01:17:56 [Mercurio (Gui)] To me, it seems like this Strahd, he just has this twisted thing where he likes to punish the children of the people he doesn't like.
01:18:09 [DM (Aarya)] I can't imagine why he'd be so upset with my father.
01:18:15 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, I mean, he was the burgo master of the town where the whole revolution sprung out of.
01:18:24 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, but to go this far, to kill him, to bite me? I don't know.
01:18:31 [Saturno (Steph)] I mean, you all do call him the devil.
01:18:35 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, that is true. Though he's... The whole time that I've grown up in this village, he's never been active.
01:18:35 [DM (Aarya)] He had been slumbering for many years, and only recently did he wake.
01:18:52 [Ember (Spurthi)] Did anything specifically cause it, or was there an event that occurred that, you know, might have some kind of correlation, even the slightest?
01:19:00 [DM (Aarya)] It was Dorv's Rebellion. I see.
01:19:06 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, if you were an evil demon who had been slumbering for quite some time, presumably everyone is at peace when they sleep, even demons and devils and vampires. You'd probably be pretty mad at whoever woke you up.
01:19:21 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah.
01:19:23 [DM (Aarya)] Perhaps, but I'd hardly say that justifies the atrocities he committed.
01:19:28 [Saturno (Steph)] Oh, no, I'm not saying it justifies... No, nothing.
01:19:32 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, where does this strod live? I feel like we could take him, guys. I mean, Doru looks strong, but not that strong.
01:19:32 [Sildir (Tris)] Like, you know, all of us together, we could have taken Doru, I think. What do you guys think?
01:19:43 [Irredel (Sav)] No, we couldn't have.
01:19:46 [Sildir (Tris)] Doru, you...
01:19:47 [Irredel (Sav)] He punched through a stone wall.
01:19:50 [Sildir (Tris)] Have you seen my armor?
01:19:51 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes, I've seen your armor many times.
01:19:55 [Sildir (Tris)] I, like, angle it in what little sunlight there is to make it shine.
01:19:59 [DM (Aarya)] It barely catches the sunlight, and it doesn't look particularly impressive in the dull light.
01:20:04 [Sildir (Tris)] Maybe no one notices, then. I still tried.
01:20:07 [DM (Aarya)] And you see Irina, like, hastily wrap her scarf back up to cover her neck.
01:20:19 [Ember (Spurthi)] We might not know why, but I'm sure we'll figure something out as to what his intentions were, but the bottom of the line is that they're a monster, so...
01:20:28 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, hopefully.
01:20:30 [Ember (Spurthi)] I doubt, you know... I doubt there's any good reason behind it.
01:20:36 [Irredel (Sav)] Shroud's a monster, you had no culpability in this or your father's death. And we will do everything in our power, which admittedly is limited in my estimation. More expansive in Sildur's estimation.
01:20:36 [Irredel (Sav)] Similar to our ideas about property value. Anyways, we will do everything in our power to help you out.
01:21:02 [DM (Aarya)] Thank you, Iridel. Truly.
01:21:07 [Ember (Spurthi)] Does anyone have, like, bandages? Oh, sorry.
01:21:10 [Saturno (Steph)] Go ahead.
01:21:11 [Ember (Spurthi)] I was just gonna say... You have the six of us to protect you.
01:21:18 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, and you are... you have proven yourselves to be quite formidable. And if...
01:21:18 [DM (Aarya)] Elmo... if what Elmo says is true, then perhaps Madam Eva can provide us with some... some clues, some guidance that might help us?
01:21:45 [Ember (Spurthi)] That'd be nice.
01:21:46 [Sildir (Tris)] I hope so.
01:21:48 [Ember (Spurthi)] But don't know what's asking about our bandage. If anyone has, like, a bandaging kit or anything, we could get that properly wrapped up. We're clean.
01:22:01 [Sildir (Tris)] Maybe I can just, like, heal it. It's a simple enough wound.
01:22:08 [Ember (Spurthi)] DM, is that possible? Yeah, you can try that.
01:22:11 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright, I'll just do, like, a little... like a... like, kind of a 1HP lay on hands right on the neck, be like...
01:22:11 [Sildir (Tris)] Irina, um... You know, if you're comfortable with it, I think I could... at least patch that up for you.
01:22:28 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, um... sure. I...
01:22:28 [DM (Aarya)] I would appreciate it. And she pulls her scarf down to give you access to the wound.
01:22:38 [Sildir (Tris)] And I, um... just reach my hand up slowly, and maybe you see, like, a little glow of light or something, and I just go for, like, you know, try to target that spot. And, you know, lay my hand on the neck, and then hopefully...
01:22:38 [Sildir (Tris)] DM, what does it do?
01:22:59 [DM (Aarya)] Right, so as you cast lay on hands to heal Irina's wound, you see her wince slightly as the wound knits itself back together. However, you notice that the wound doesn't heal completely. It does certainly speed along the healing process.
01:22:59 [DM (Aarya)] However, there is still... you see a faint scar left in place of the wound. Two pale white points where, presumably, Strahd's fangs sank into her neck.
01:23:42 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, it looks like the wound's closed, Irina. I have to tell you, there are... I couldn't do anything about the markings.
01:23:42 [Sildir (Tris)] They're still there.
01:23:53 [DM (Aarya)] It is still a help, Sildir. Thank you.
01:23:59 [Sildir (Tris)] Of course.
01:24:03 [DM (Aarya)] And you see her pull her scarf back up again. Let's see. So, the group of you continue following the roads further along, deeper into the woods.
01:24:03 [DM (Aarya)] You're winding through the old forest for a while longer, and eventually you come to a fork in the road. Let's call up the next scene. Is that Carlos?
01:24:03 [DM (Aarya)] What? Is that Carlos in the background?
01:24:47 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, he's in the background. Sorry.
01:24:49 [DM (Aarya)] Nah, it's good.
01:24:51 [Ember (Spurthi)] If he gets loud, let me know.
01:24:53 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I think it's fine. But yeah, it is funny. The usual backdrop.
01:25:01 [Ember (Spurthi)] It happened during one of my work calls once. It was so bad. Oh my gosh.
01:25:01 [Ember (Spurthi)] Jessica was like, we literally don't hear you. We just hear Carlos. And I was like, kill myself.
01:25:14 [DM (Aarya)] Oh my gosh. All right. So, you come to a fork in the road.
01:25:14 [DM (Aarya)] You see a sign at the crossroads here. You see one arrow on the sign pointing further north. That sign says the stair falls.
01:25:14 [DM (Aarya)] It points in that direction. And the other direction on the other path in the fork leads to Vallaki. Let's see.
01:25:54 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm taking a look in between. I see some platform there. Is that actually representative of the world?
01:26:00 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, you see there's what looks to be a small, pretty worn down, abandoned looking cemetery of sorts. There is the remains of what probably looks like it was a gallows of some sort. Let me see.
01:26:26 [Irredel (Sav)] Thank goodness I'm not the superstitious type. I feel like gallows at a crossroads is like a combination of some of the most unlucky omens. Yeah, actually.
01:26:43 [Ember (Spurthi)] Not a comfortable sight.
01:26:45 [Irredel (Sav)] Is anyone here superstitious?
01:26:50 [Ember (Spurthi)] I whisper, I think Mercurio is afraid of ghosts.
01:26:55 [DM (Aarya)] Is that true, Mercurio?
01:27:00 [Mercurio (Gui)] Huh? What? Afraid of...
01:27:00 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm afraid of what?
01:27:09 [Saturno (Steph)] What is going on?
01:27:13 [DM (Aarya)] Mercurio, were you...
01:27:14 [Sildir (Tris)] I think Mercurio's a little scared.
01:27:17 [DM (Aarya)] Did you nod off for a second there? I'm sorry.
01:27:20 [Ember (Spurthi)] Is someone just afraid of ghosts? I'm just kidding.
01:27:30 [Mercurio (Gui)] Mercurio's just looking around. He's like, I don't know what Saturno said, but whatever she said, could she repeat it?
01:27:42 [Ember (Spurthi)] I said, I think he used to be afraid of ghosts.
01:27:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] Me? Afraid of ghosts? No.
01:27:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm not afraid of ghosts. Okay, okay.
01:27:52 [Sildir (Tris)] Ever since we came here, you've been all jumpy and looking around, staring at the gallows. If that's okay with you, I just made that shit up.
01:28:01 [Ember (Spurthi)] If you're not afraid, I dare you to jump off the gallows. Do like a kickflip.
01:28:10 [DM (Aarya)] That seems dangerous, Saturno. I don't think you should do that.
01:28:17 [Ember (Spurthi)] Sorry, we grew up together, so... I'm inclined to agree.
01:28:19 [Mercurio (Gui)] That I should do it or shouldn't do it?
01:28:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] That you should not.
01:28:24 [Sildir (Tris)] Perhaps we should take a vote. A census.
01:28:27 [Ember (Spurthi)] Guys, we're losing daylight. There's no daylight!
01:28:31 [Irredel (Sav)] Ever! And now you've piped up, Ember. Are you superstitious?
01:28:31 [Irredel (Sav)] Do you believe in ghosts?
01:28:40 [Ember (Spurthi)] Well, now I'm starting to, given what we've been through. But before, no.
01:28:46 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, I mean, I guess, yeah, Rose and Thorn were ghosts of a kind, but it doesn't feel the same as the childhood tales.
01:28:56 [DM (Aarya)] What sort of tales have you heard?
01:29:01 [Ember (Spurthi)] Back where we're from, we've heard the tale of el coco. Not to be confused with the coconut, though.
01:29:08 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm sorry?
01:29:08 [Ember (Spurthi)] Ooh, I haven't heard that one. What is it?
01:29:10 [Irredel (Sav)] Maybe you can tell us that scary story while we walk. Alright. Well, actually, we need to pick a direction first, but then I really want to hear that story.
01:29:17 [Sildir (Tris)] We're going to the Sir Falls, so let's go north.
01:29:20 [Ember (Spurthi)] Let's go play Lavender Town. Oh my gosh.
01:29:24 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, so as you step along the northern path, you hear the sound of a horse-drawn carriage approaching you. And you see emerging from the mists ahead of you is a large, black, rather fancy-looking horse-drawn carriage pulled along by two black horses. And sitting at the driver's seat is the same mysterious figure that you saw at the burial of the Burgomaster.
01:29:24 [DM (Aarya)] Abraham! Hold on. So you see him driving the stagecoach.
01:29:24 [DM (Aarya)] It comes to a halt in front of you. You see him step down from his seat. He comes over to the door of the carriage, and he opens it.
01:29:24 [DM (Aarya)] And you see the driver releases the reins, steps down from the coach box, and moves to open the side door of the carriage, bowing deeply. A moment passes, and then a man steps out from the carriage. He is tall, gaunt, and dressed in finery befitting a man of aristocratic, even royal, stature.
01:29:24 [DM (Aarya)] A black cloak is pulled neatly around his shoulders, tied at the neck by a blood-red brooch. A long sword rests unsheathed at his hip, its polished hilt gleaming beneath the dim light, and his scarlet tunic is worked with intricate designs. His hair is pulled back into a sharp and immaculate widow's peak.
01:29:24 [DM (Aarya)] His eyes are dark, and as he moves to adjust the ruby at his neck, you see that his fingernails form long, elegant claws. It's only then that you realize that his skin is pale, unnaturally so, and that his eyes glint with a deep, intelligent hunger. Upon seeing this, you see Irina takes a sudden step backwards, as if slapped.
01:29:24 [DM (Aarya)] She averts her eyes from the man's gaze, and she chokes out, Don't look into his eyes. He turns to you all, and he says, Good day. I'm Count Strahd von Zarovich, and it is a pleasure to finally meet the newcomers to my domain.
01:29:24 [DM (Aarya)] My friends have told me so much about you. And you see his eyes linger over each one of you in turn, regarding you like a cut of meat weighed at the market, with an intriguing but inanimate twinkling look in his eye. He looks at you all as if you're prey animals, spotted by a predator in the bush.
01:32:43 [Sildir (Tris)] You're Strahd?
01:32:46 [DM (Aarya)] Don't sound so surprised.
01:32:49 [Sildir (Tris)] He looks weak. He looks like worse than Buri.
01:32:52 [Irredel (Sav)] Pleasure to meet you.
01:32:54 [Mercurio (Gui)] Pleasure to meet you.
01:32:55 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm surprised to meet you on this path, in truth. This is a remote part of your lands, no doubt. We thank you for your hospitality so far.
01:33:07 [DM (Aarya)] Ah, yes, but the pleasure is all mine. Might I ask, for what reason are you traveling along this road? Strahd.
01:33:19 [Irredel (Sav)] We're on our way to go help refugees.
01:33:23 [DM (Aarya)] Ah, yes, and I see that you have Lady Koliana in tow.
01:33:29 [Sildir (Tris)] That's not any of your business.
01:33:31 [DM (Aarya)] And you've made these refugees.
01:33:35 [Sildir (Tris)] You've committed great crimes in these lands, Strahd. You seem like a horrible person. I don't like you.
01:33:43 [DM (Aarya)] A bold claim. Is this a challenge, then?
01:33:48 [Ember (Spurthi)] I don't think it's a challenge.
01:33:49 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, it's a challenge. Strahd, get over here. I've drank nothing, and quite frankly, I don't stand for people like you.
01:33:57 [Irredel (Sav)] And I'm gonna go ahead and cast... Can I cast Command on Sildir? Because one of the effects on Command is Grovel, and I think we might need to force Sildir to do that.
01:34:17 [DM (Aarya)] So you're gonna try to cast Command against Sildir? Yeah. Alright, go ahead and do that.
01:34:17 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
01:34:25 [Sildir (Tris)] That's crazy.
01:34:30 [Ember (Spurthi)] So what brings you to these parts, y'all? Just out here taking a stroll?
01:34:35 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay.
01:34:36 [DM (Aarya)] So Sildir fails to waste some save. So what happens now, Iridel?
01:34:42 [Irredel (Sav)] So I guess this is a bit more of a flavor thing, but Command is a first-level spell. You speak a one-word command to a creature you see within range, and one of the options is Grovel, which includes the target has the prone condition and then ends its turn. It's more combat-specific, but I assume in this case we can flavor it as Sildir has to apologize profusely.
01:35:11 [DM (Aarya)] So what, Sildir falls to the ground? Is he laying prostrate before him, or what's going on? I guess I'll let Sildir decide.
01:35:22 [Irredel (Sav)] Are you okay with this? By the way, I don't know if I'm memeing too close to the sun here.
01:35:28 [Sildir (Tris)] It's fine, if that's what you would do.
01:35:32 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm presuming there have been scenarios where I've needed you to shut up in front of a governmental authority before?
01:35:42 [Ember (Spurthi)] Wait, can I even cast Command on Strahd?
01:35:48 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm not doing that, nope. Oh, okay. Okay.
01:35:55 [Sildir (Tris)] I kneel and I say, I'm sorry, you're such a terrible person, I feel weak.
01:36:06 [DM (Aarya)] Ah, yes, of course.
01:36:07 [Sildir (Tris)] I have to take a knee.
01:36:10 [DM (Aarya)] I do appreciate you showing your respect like this. Perhaps the rest of you should follow suit? They could learn from your example.
01:36:20 [Sildir (Tris)] It's more of a sickness, not respect, but take it as you will.
01:36:25 [DM (Aarya)] He looks to you all expectantly, and he says, I am waiting.
01:36:31 [Sylalys (Cat)] Alright.
01:36:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Why don't you kneel too?
01:36:35 [Irredel (Sav)] Sure thing.
01:36:37 [DM (Aarya)] Does anyone else kneel?
01:36:39 [Irredel (Sav)] For safe passage? Anything.
01:36:43 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, not anything.
01:36:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Strahd, you seem strong. Break this spell.
01:36:52 [DM (Aarya)] What spell? Let's fight. You're issuing a challenge to me.
01:36:57 [Ember (Spurthi)] I kind of like do a really deep squat.
01:37:04 [DM (Aarya)] Well, I've never been one to decline a challenge, and he waves his hand and dispels Iridell's Command on you. Really? Okay.
01:37:04 [DM (Aarya)] Well, if you are so bold and willing to prove yourself, I invite you to defeat me right here, right now. If you can, of course. In fact, I'll make you a deal.
01:37:04 [DM (Aarya)] 30 seconds. You may have that much time to hit me with your best. I promise I will make no move against you for that long.
01:37:48 [Sildir (Tris)] Maybe this isn't a good idea, guys.
01:37:51 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, don't tell me you've lost your nerve.
01:37:55 [Sildir (Tris)] No, but I am, you know, I know a losing hand when I see one. And the way you're talking, I don't think those 30 seconds are going to be too valuable.
01:38:12 [Saturno (Steph)] Very well.
01:38:13 [Sildir (Tris)] I have a lot of things I have unresolved that, you know, you'll be added to the list, unfortunately. So don't you worry.
01:38:20 [DM (Aarya)] Disappointing, but not unexpected. He raises...
01:38:25 [Sildir (Tris)] How old are you, buddy? You bid your time, I'm going to bide mine.
01:38:29 [DM (Aarya)] He raises one finger on his hand and he says, consider that to be one point against you. Now then... A point?
01:38:29 [DM (Aarya)] Where was I before I was so rudely interrupted by this beast? What brings you...
01:38:47 [Sildir (Tris)] I thought you and Teal would be great friends.
01:38:50 [DM (Aarya)] What brings you on the High Road?
01:38:53 [Ember (Spurthi)] We told you, did you forget?
01:38:55 [Mercurio (Gui)] We're traveling to the Falls. We hear it's a lovely place and the Vistani throw wonderful parties, so we're just trying to do the tours of your lands to see everything that they have to offer as well as enjoying some festivities and learn about the local cultures, you know?
01:39:17 [DM (Aarya)] Ah, yes, of course. I must say I find it difficult to believe that you are mere sightseers, particularly if you have Lady Irina in tow with you.
01:39:29 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, well, I mean, it's not like we're vacationing here, but we're making the best of a sticky situation, of course.
01:39:37 [DM (Aarya)] Well, in any case, I expect that she would have informed you of this, but I have claimed Irina Kolyana and marked her as my own. Why should I not take her with me now to Castle Ravenloft? Certainly she would be much better off with me than this lot.
01:39:57 [Mercurio (Gui)] Ah, but this poor girl, she's never even been to the beach, you know? So she's far too inexperienced to start settling down.
01:40:08 [Irredel (Sav)] She's kind of like super young for you.
01:40:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] She's never had a piña colada either. Can you believe that?
01:40:13 [Ember (Spurthi)] Not one piña colada. No dolphins, no sunny beaches.
01:40:18 [DM (Aarya)] If that is your concern, then rest assured I will take very good care of her.
01:40:24 [Sildir (Tris)] But do you know what an affidavit is?
01:40:27 [Ember (Spurthi)] Or a coconut? Or a pineapple?
01:40:32 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, but of course, like, you know, if you're going to take her on in that way, I mean, you can't just lock her up like that before she's experienced a bit more of the world, you know? That would make her quite dull for conversation, I can vouch for that much. You don't want her around your castle asking what a dolphin is all the time.
01:40:57 [DM (Aarya)] You see him smile ever so slightly at you as if he's amused by a joke that you've told. And he says, perhaps it would leave her in better spirits to allow her to wander with this band of jesters. Very well, I will allow you to take her for now.
01:40:57 [DM (Aarya)] I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job of entertaining her. Thanks.
01:41:29 [Sildir (Tris)] Who's your friend?
01:41:31 [DM (Aarya)] Ah, yes. Allow me to introduce you to my stagecoach driver and my cupbearer. This is Escher Belasco.
01:41:42 [Sildir (Tris)] I whisper like I knew his name wasn't Abraham.
01:41:46 [DM (Aarya)] You see him, like, stepping up and he bows before you. Now then, I understand that you've come from far off lands. Is that right?
01:42:00 [Irredel (Sav)] That is true.
01:42:02 [Sildir (Tris)] You wouldn't happen to have anything to do with that, would you?
01:42:05 [DM (Aarya)] No, but dolphins and piña coladas. I'm afraid this was not my doing. However, the fact still remains.
01:42:05 [DM (Aarya)] You are trespassers in my lands. And the last outsider that entered Barovia fostered sedition and treachery. Why should I not dispatch you now to prevent you from doing the same?
01:42:25 [Sildir (Tris)] Who was the last outsider?
01:42:31 [DM (Aarya)] A famous vampire hunter, it seems. Someone who was part of a rebellion against me. Oh, please.
01:42:40 [Irredel (Sav)] Do you think any of us could... This one's a drunk. This one was an insane businessman who invested in, believe it or not, slavery of all things before turning his life around in some maudlin novel style.
01:42:40 [Irredel (Sav)] We have this one, who you can't even understand because his accent is so thick and he just mutters cruel, mean things under his breath. And then we have, um...
01:43:06 [Sildir (Tris)] Peridot, you're being so mean.
01:43:07 [Irredel (Sav)] You are quite nice. Well, I'm just saying... Do we look like we're going to put together a rebellion?
01:43:14 [Sildir (Tris)] I made something from nothing. I was completely broke and now I'm a gajillionaire. Of course I could stage a rebellion if I wanted to.
01:43:14 [Sildir (Tris)] Even if I had to start from zero.
01:43:23 [Mercurio (Gui)] As you said. And as my friend, you are working to stage a rebellion.
01:43:27 [Sildir (Tris)] No! I'm sorry. Don't take that the wrong way.
01:43:27 [Sildir (Tris)] I just am sensitive.
01:43:32 [Mercurio (Gui)] He's a jester, just as you said. All of us are.
01:43:37 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm a business man out of a maudlin novel.
01:43:40 [Mercurio (Gui)] We make these lands so much more amusing while we're here.
01:43:42 [Irredel (Sav)] If you let him keep talking, he's going to tell you all about his original investments and how he started with just a horse. And then he got a barn. And then from the barn he got an entire farm.
01:43:54 [Sildir (Tris)] Peridot, I'm docking your pay.
01:43:56 [Irredel (Sav)] Then slavery, that's fine. You can do that. I don't think our bank accounts work here anyways.
01:44:02 [Ember (Spurthi)] We're not trespassers. If you really care about Irina's safety and good spirits, you should let us pass.
01:44:11 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, well, we'll see about that. In any case, Sildir, is it?
01:44:19 [Sildir (Tris)] That's me, if that's who you're referring to.
01:44:22 [DM (Aarya)] I can't say that I care for your familiar tone. Disrespect is unbecoming, especially in the face of the lord of the land you are but a guest in. But you are foreign and untaught and confused.
01:44:22 [DM (Aarya)] I'll give you a warning, this time. But I fear my mercy will not last forever. From here on, if you are to address me, you will address me as my lord or your grace.
01:44:22 [DM (Aarya)] Don't presume that you are so familiar to use my first name. And he raises a second finger. And he says, consider that to be two points against you.
01:45:04 [Sildir (Tris)] Look. I can adopt the- I slap my hand on the front of your mouth and- Shut up.
01:45:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] Hold on. Shut up. You've done enough talking, Sildir.
01:45:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] Give some stage to the rest of the jesters.
01:45:20 [Sildir (Tris)] Can you just explain yourself?
01:45:23 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm gonna cast silence. Oh my god. Specifically over Sildir.
01:45:23 [Irredel (Sav)] Alright. And Sildir only. Hang on.
01:45:23 [Irredel (Sav)] Let's see if I can get this thing down. Where are you? There we go.
01:45:23 [Irredel (Sav)] Just getting you. Just for you, baby girl.
01:45:44 [DM (Aarya)] I am pleased to see that the rest of you are not so brash as this one.
01:45:52 [Irredel (Sav)] Because we have common sense. And a respect for rules and laws. It's my divine ordain.
01:45:52 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm supposed to follow rules and laws and respect authority.
01:46:04 [DM (Aarya)] That is wise of you.
01:46:05 [Irredel (Sav)] In any case- And as you can see, I try to keep others under control to the best of my ability, but- I am but a meager, humble village girl.
01:46:15 [DM (Aarya)] There's only so much I can do. It is clear to me that you surely pose no threat at all to me. Very well.
01:46:15 [DM (Aarya)] I will allow you to pass. However, there is just one more matter to address. Immediately prior to your entry to my lands, you caused great damage to a group of my servants, the occupants of a particular house on the borders of my domain.
01:46:15 [DM (Aarya)] I had relied upon those servants to bring me specimens of interest, but your activities have left them indefinitely indisposed. Tell me, why should I not punish you for your crimes against them?
01:46:56 [Irredel (Sav)] All actions taken were in righteous self-defense.
01:47:01 [DM (Aarya)] Self-defense, you say?
01:47:02 [Ember (Spurthi)] We just showed up in the house and everything was trying to kill us, so we were trying to not die. What would you do if you were attacked, my grace?
01:47:11 [DM (Aarya)] Your grace?
01:47:15 [Ember (Spurthi)] Isn't that what you just asked us to call you?
01:47:19 [Sildir (Tris)] Blunt, blunt, blunt, blunt, blunt, blunt.
01:47:21 [DM (Aarya)] I'm afraid- I'm afraid that isn't what she said. Surely you must have misspoken?
01:47:33 [Ember (Spurthi)] I meant my grace. I misheard.
01:47:35 [DM (Aarya)] I think you mean to say your grace.
01:47:42 [Ember (Spurthi)] Whatever floats your boat. I'm still trying to show you respect.
01:47:49 [DM (Aarya)] Iridel, is it? Yes. Perhaps you could teach your friend here some manners.
01:47:56 [Irredel (Sav)] Certainly. And you said you were a Count, correct?
01:48:00 [DM (Aarya)] That is correct.
01:48:01 [Irredel (Sav)] Lord of this land?
01:48:01 [DM (Aarya)] Indeed.
01:48:03 [Irredel (Sav)] So if that's the case, I understand you said you prefer your grace. But there are different titles specifically for Counts, correct? Is that also preferable to you?
01:48:13 [DM (Aarya)] I suppose. I admit, I am surprised to see that one of you is educated in etiquette.
01:48:25 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes, indeed. So the group knows the title for Count under the peerage system is Your Excellency.
01:48:34 [DM (Aarya)] I will accept this.
01:48:39 [Irredel (Sav)] Thank you for understanding, Your Excellency.
01:48:43 [DM (Aarya)] You are most welcome. Now then, to the matter at hand. You claim that you're acting in self-defense, you say?
01:48:54 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yes, Your Excellency.
01:48:59 [DM (Aarya)] Well, I must admit, your performance against my servants was rather, how do I say, indelicate? Not particularly impressive, but you did manage to escape.
01:49:14 [Irredel (Sav)] We're in such fear for our life. We're in such fear of our life, we're not thinking reasonably. That's one of the core tenets of self-defense, that you're in extreme fear for your life and you're taking whatever actions you must.
01:49:26 [DM (Aarya)] Versatile in law, are you?
01:49:29 [Irredel (Sav)] By some means, yes.
01:49:32 [DM (Aarya)] I think you shall find very quickly that the law in these lands is, my word itself, second to none. However, I understand that I should not expect much from animals thrashing desperately for their lives once caught in a trap. So I will excuse this.
01:49:32 [DM (Aarya)] However, I do expect you all not to take any such drastic action against me or my servants. Is that understood?
01:50:08 [Irredel (Sav)] Understood. Is there any, obviously we're not violent people, we're not looking to harm anyone, but are there any identifying markers of your servants so we can show them extra respect? Like that one there?
01:50:23 [DM (Aarya)] I'm sure it will be obvious to you when you encounter them.
01:50:27 [Irredel (Sav)] Have you seen how intelligent we are?
01:50:31 [DM (Aarya)] You will have to be fast learners, I'm afraid.
01:50:37 [Ember (Spurthi)] So what happens if we do attack your servants?
01:50:41 [DM (Aarya)] Then I suppose you'll have to prove yourselves once more.
01:50:52 [Ember (Spurthi)] Can you elaborate?
01:50:54 [DM (Aarya)] I don't think I will. In fact, I am curious to see how you'll fare against my many servants and friends. I suspect this won't be the last time we see each other.
01:50:54 [DM (Aarya)] I do hope we'll meet again very soon.
01:51:14 [Irredel (Sav)] Of course, your excellency.
01:51:18 [DM (Aarya)] Hmm.
01:51:19 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah.
01:51:20 [DM (Aarya)] So, and with that, you see Strahd turn to face away from you and steps back into his carriage. You see Esther once again mount on the driver's seat and drives away.
01:51:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] We flip the cart off?
01:51:42 [DM (Aarya)] Do you really?
01:51:45 [Ember (Spurthi)] Do they see me?
01:51:47 [Mercurio (Gui)] I like, I yoink her arm down. Okay. Alright.
01:51:56 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm like still talking, like I was talking the whole time. It's like, wow, that Strahd guy is a good listener. I guess, he finally fucked off, I told him off hard enough, this is excellent.
01:52:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, that's not what happened.
01:52:15 [Irredel (Sav)] What? Oh, if you mean by protecting me, making me...
01:52:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, your excellency, your grace, that guy's a fucking idiot.
01:52:41 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay, hang on.
01:52:43 [Irredel (Sav)] You know what, I give him no title.
01:53:04 [Sildir (Tris)] The duke is gonna be the dukey I take on his fucking doorstep when I beat his ass later.
01:53:11 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah. I know he can't wait to chop his head off.
01:53:14 [Sildir (Tris)] At least someone's on my team here, thank you.
01:53:18 [Mercurio (Gui)] Mercurio, we're not... I need a drink. God damn it.
01:53:24 [Irredel (Sav)] Actually, can you open up that bottle of wine? I too would like a drink.
01:53:27 [Mercurio (Gui)] I think you have it, Irina.
01:53:29 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, yes, here. I just pull it out of the pocket, pull out the cork with my teeth and take like two big sips.
01:53:35 [Sildir (Tris)] Irina, did he say that was Escher?
01:53:38 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes.
01:53:40 [Sildir (Tris)] Irina, what... Was that really him?
01:53:44 [DM (Aarya)] It was.
01:53:45 [Ember (Spurthi)] What a dumb fucking name. I...
01:53:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Escher was supposed to be the hero in the story, like him and Doru.
01:53:52 [DM (Aarya)] I thought he was dead. I'm not sure...
01:53:55 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes! Strahd the Devil turned the former leader of the rebellion into his cup bearer.
01:54:06 [Sildir (Tris)] For what it's worth, he didn't look that strong, so it probably wouldn't happen to me.
01:54:10 [Ember (Spurthi)] It sounds like something people would do. As a joke. Or irony.
01:54:16 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'll tell you all something, alright? And I shouldn't have to tell you, Satoru no, but... If you're planning to overthrow somebody, well, the best thing you can do is have them not catch wind of your plans, okay?
01:54:16 [Mercurio (Gui)] Satoru no, you should know this already, when that fucking rat Pluto draw caught wind of our plans. That's all it took. It just took one person.
01:54:16 [Mercurio (Gui)] One person opening their mouth and talking smack. And our plans were spoiled.
01:54:45 [Irredel (Sav)] The art of subversion. Your excellency versus your grace. Rebel in innocuous ways until you're ready.
01:54:57 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm just gonna have to not talk around that guy anymore, but you guys were right. I think we have to... take him out.
01:54:57 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm glad we're on the same page there at least.
01:55:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] In the smart way, not in the stupidest way possible.
01:55:14 [DM (Aarya)] Let's maybe not discuss his demise immediately after he just left. I hope he does not have his spies lingering around listening to us.
01:55:27 [Irredel (Sav)] I feel like I'm being followed. Oh, well that's great.
01:55:32 [Sildir (Tris)] Absolutely, Irina. His grace has departed and we should be respectful of such. Let's continue on.
01:55:39 [DM (Aarya)] Why are you talking like that, Sildur?
01:55:43 [Sildir (Tris)] That's just how all the fancy people sound. Or maybe it needs to be more baguette-y. Sildur, why don't you say some stuff?
01:55:43 [Sildir (Tris)] It'll work out.
01:55:56 [Sylalys (Cat)] Is that what your family's like? I've just been in silence this whole time in a stoop. And I sort of look down at my hands and I'm like...
01:55:56 [Sylalys (Cat)] He's supposed to be monstrous. That was not a monster. I do not understand.
01:56:18 [DM (Aarya)] What do you mean?
01:56:22 [Ember (Spurthi)] Do you think he's cute?
01:56:25 [Sylalys (Cat)] This Strahd, he is refined. He is noble, even.
01:56:32 [DM (Aarya)] He's a count. He's nothing of the sort. Look what he did to me.
01:56:32 [DM (Aarya)] How could you say that? Irina reveals her scar again.
01:56:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Sildur's family is like that, I see.
01:56:46 [Sylalys (Cat)] It goes against everything I know.
01:56:53 [DM (Aarya)] I can't believe what I'm hearing.
01:56:57 [Ember (Spurthi)] Maybe it's...
01:56:57 [DM (Aarya)] Mercurio, surely this must be a joke. Sililus is not being serious, is he?
01:57:04 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm afraid he's terribly superficial.
01:57:09 [DM (Aarya)] I don't understand.
01:57:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] This is not a joke, I think.
01:57:13 [Ember (Spurthi)] Do you think psychopaths are attractive? He's a psychopath, what are you talking about?
01:57:22 [Sylalys (Cat)] He embodies everything I aspire to be. He is graceful. He is merciful.
01:57:35 [Mercurio (Gui)] Merciful? He killed my father!
01:57:39 [Irredel (Sav)] And he's lord of this land. And he has cars everywhere. And he's big.
01:57:46 [Sylalys (Cat)] Sildur, if I was in his shoes, I would have decapitated you. In your first sentence.
01:57:51 [Sildir (Tris)] Provided that he could.
01:57:54 [Sylalys (Cat)] Man, why don't you just go over there and...
01:58:00 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, exactly. That's what I was going to say you should do. Go back to his carriage and get on your knees.
01:58:00 [Sildir (Tris)] Really glazing this guy up.
01:58:08 [Irredel (Sav)] And Iridel's looking around, trying to see if she can spot any spies. Really hoping that they're picking up this performance from Sililus. I don't even care if it's real or not, this is great for our case.
01:58:08 [Irredel (Sav)] I want an affidavit of this, actually.
01:58:21 [DM (Aarya)] Iridel, surely he's not serious, right?
01:58:24 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, I have to say, I... I have to agree that if I was strong, I would have decapitated Sil as well.
01:58:32 [Sildir (Tris)] You... You're saying that differently. Like, if you were Strahd, of course...
01:58:32 [Sildir (Tris)] Wait, that's not what Strahd would do. My goodness. You're not Strahd.
01:58:32 [Sildir (Tris)] That's the end of the story.
01:58:45 [Irredel (Sav)] None of us are, and we're going to keep moving along this road.
01:58:50 [DM (Aarya)] Or should I say His Excellency. Alright. So...
01:58:50 [DM (Aarya)] As you all continue... Walking further along past the crossroads... You wander along for a couple more hours, and eventually...
01:58:50 [DM (Aarya)] You hear the distressed sound of a bird cawing from above. Just a moment later, you then see a raven with blue-tipped wings... Crashes into the road at your feet.
01:58:50 [DM (Aarya)] It appears to be visibly wounded. The wings and torso have been penetrated by several dozen silver barbs, and the bird is unable to fly, it seems.
01:59:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] What kind of bird?
01:59:43 [DM (Aarya)] A raven.
01:59:44 [Ember (Spurthi)] A raven.
01:59:45 [DM (Aarya)] It looks like the same raven that was following you in town earlier. Hm.
01:59:53 [Mercurio (Gui)] Can I, uh...
01:59:55 [Ember (Spurthi)] Can we help it, yeah?
01:59:57 [Mercurio (Gui)] Help it? Um, yeah, what are you trying to do? Um...
01:59:57 [Mercurio (Gui)] I think I'm going to... Use my healing hands on it.
02:00:08 [DM (Aarya)] Um, you can tell that you can heal the bird. However, you do see that it still has, like, barbs, like... Like, implanted in its wings and stuff.
02:00:22 [Mercurio (Gui)] So we just need to, like, treat it and put those out first?
02:00:26 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah. I mean, you could heal it, and it would probably, like, regain some health, but... Yeah, those...
02:00:26 [DM (Aarya)] The barbs would still be, like, hurting it. You know?
02:00:36 [Irredel (Sav)] Okay. So we have to pull out the barb?
02:00:38 [DM (Aarya)] Pretty much, yeah.
02:00:40 [Irredel (Sav)] Bard pulling out barbs.
02:00:42 [Sildir (Tris)] It was the one who led us to Ismark?
02:00:45 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, it looks to be the same bird. Like, it's a raven with blue-tipped wings.
02:00:49 [Ember (Spurthi)] Does anyone else speak with... Animale?
02:00:54 [Saturno (Steph)] Eh.
02:00:55 [Mercurio (Gui)] Is that a cleric's move? It's a rule of medicine check, I guess.
02:00:58 [DM (Aarya)] Um... As you move to do that, you hear... A grating shriek coming from the woods behind you.
02:00:58 [DM (Aarya)] And bursting from the woods, you see... Two figures. They look to be some kind of...
02:00:58 [DM (Aarya)] Animated scarecrow-type creatures. Vaguely in the shape of, like, wooden vultures? Like, imagine, like, a cross between a scarecrow and a vulture.
02:00:58 [DM (Aarya)] Let me bring out these creatures... That's not it. What?
02:00:58 [DM (Aarya)] What the?
02:01:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh my gosh. And I just quickly... Is that Strahd?
02:01:45 [DM (Aarya)] Um, that's actually... So this is the token, but I don't know why the image is that... It's not supposed to be that.
02:01:45 [DM (Aarya)] Let me see if I can fix that. Actually, you know, we'll roll with it. I'm gonna give you a picture of what the creature's supposed to look like.
02:02:00 [Sylalys (Cat)] You see Strahd on that token? I see, like, a fucking lion creature.
02:02:04 [DM (Aarya)] No, it's not Strahd.
02:02:06 [Sylalys (Cat)] I was just kidding around. Oh, okay. Yeah.
02:02:06 [Sylalys (Cat)] When I said, is that Strahd?
02:02:10 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah. I'm putting the picture in Discord, like, what it actually looks like. I don't know why the token is, like, showing something else.
02:02:19 [Ember (Spurthi)] Can I quickly pick up the crow?
02:02:22 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, you can do that.
02:02:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. I'll quickly pick up the crow, and I'm just gonna place it... Like, here.
02:02:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] Here. For now.
02:02:34 [Sildir (Tris)] The safest looking place.
02:02:36 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, like, under this tree type of thing. Just for now.
02:02:40 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah.
02:02:42 [Ember (Spurthi)] And if I have to use my turn to run back, I'll do that. Just, you tell me.
02:02:48 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. One sec. Let me see if I can redo this really quick.
02:02:48 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I think it's cause Plutonium got messed up. Um, token name, appearance. Let me browse.
02:02:48 [DM (Aarya)] Select. Okay. I think that should work.
02:02:48 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. How about... No, still the same.
02:02:48 [DM (Aarya)] That's so weird. Whatever, we'll run with it. It's fine.
02:02:48 [DM (Aarya)] Um, alright, yeah. I'm gonna start a combat encounter. And...
02:02:48 [DM (Aarya)] Everyone give me initiatives.
02:03:55 [Saturno (Steph)] Inish. Is it straight? Yeah.
02:04:27 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. Let's, uh, begin combat. Okay.
02:04:27 [DM (Aarya)] So, yeah. Ember is first. Hey, which one are you attacking?
02:04:47 [Ember (Spurthi)] Which one?
02:04:48 [DM (Aarya)] Are you hitting the one right in front of you?
02:04:51 [Ember (Spurthi)] The one to the left of me?
02:04:52 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah.
02:04:54 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, that one.
02:04:55 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Um, a nine attack roll does not hit.
02:05:02 [Ember (Spurthi)] What'd you say?
02:05:03 [DM (Aarya)] The nine does not hit.
02:05:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. Yikes. Um...
02:05:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'll do my short bow instead.
02:05:15 [DM (Aarya)] Um, you can only use one attack per turn because you only have one action.
02:05:19 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
02:05:20 [DM (Aarya)] Um... Okay.
02:05:22 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
02:05:23 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, whoops. Sorry. Alright, Irina's turn.
02:05:23 [DM (Aarya)] Um... Irina is gonna... She's still pretty shaken from the encounter that just happened.
02:05:23 [DM (Aarya)] Um, so she's gonna move over, um, kind of cowering behind Sildir and next to Saturno. Uh, and she's gonna take the dodge action. So any attack made against her will be done with disadvantage.
02:05:23 [DM (Aarya)] Um... Saturno.
02:05:56 [Ember (Spurthi)] You try it. It's good. Alright.
02:05:59 [Sildir (Tris)] She ran to the safest spot in the party.
02:06:04 [Ember (Spurthi)] How far is this area? I'm going up. Yeah.
02:06:04 [Ember (Spurthi)] I guess here's good. This is...
02:06:13 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah.
02:06:14 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. And then I'm gonna cast Booming Blade. Oh wait, wrong one.
02:06:14 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, hold on. Yeah, I'm gonna do Booming Blade. And then I'm going to attack with my greatsword.
02:06:48 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Go ahead and roll the attack. Ugh.
02:06:48 [DM (Aarya)] Uh, 12 does not hit, but since you have greys on the greatsword you can still do some damage. Okay. Um, that's equal to your strength score.
02:06:48 [DM (Aarya)] So, what's your strength?
02:07:06 [Ember (Spurthi)] 18.
02:07:08 [DM (Aarya)] Uh, what's the modifier?
02:07:10 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, plus 4.
02:07:11 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so you deal 4 damage.
02:07:14 [Ember (Spurthi)] Um, and I have a question. To summon my, like... To summon Memphis, is that an action?
02:07:21 [DM (Aarya)] I think it's a bonus action.
02:07:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. Can I do that right now?
02:07:26 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, you can do it.
02:07:28 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, I'm gonna summon Memphis as well. Um, there's a way to do it and I totally forgot.
02:07:36 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, on your character sheet you should see, like, companions at the top.
02:07:41 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, I see it. And I'm gonna place... Memphis...
02:07:41 [Ember (Spurthi)] Can I... How far can it be that I can place them for me?
02:07:54 [DM (Aarya)] You can summon them within 15 feet of you. And if they ever end their turn more than 30 feet away from you, then they disappear.
02:08:04 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, I'm gonna put Memphis here. To protect, uh... Her friend.
02:08:04 [Ember (Spurthi)] Alright. And that'll be my turn. I'm trying to end my turn.
02:08:04 [Ember (Spurthi)] I think like that, yeah. Okay, cool.
02:08:25 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, Syllabus.
02:08:31 [Sylalys (Cat)] I'm gonna shoot my short bow, but my heart really isn't in it.
02:08:39 [Sildir (Tris)] Was it a low roll?
02:08:43 [Sylalys (Cat)] Uh, can I give myself disadvantage, Dean?
02:08:46 [DM (Aarya)] Sure, you can do that. 13 doesn't hit anyway.
02:08:53 [Sylalys (Cat)] Okay.
02:08:54 [DM (Aarya)] 14. Uh, 14 would have hit, but since you're shooting...
02:08:57 [Sylalys (Cat)] I disadvantage.
02:08:58 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah. Yeah, you miss, unfortunately.
02:09:04 [Sylalys (Cat)] I don't even say anything.
02:09:06 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. So, this Strix is gonna come over to... Uh, Ember.
02:09:06 [DM (Aarya)] And... Holy moly, maybe I... Okay, no, we're good.
02:09:06 [DM (Aarya)] Hmph. Uh, it's gonna go for a couple of attacks. Why is the thing so weird?
02:09:06 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Against Ember. So, 13...
02:09:06 [DM (Aarya)] That does not hit. It's gonna attack again. That also does not hit, and it's gonna attack a third time.
02:09:06 [DM (Aarya)] And that also does not hit. So that is that Strix's turn. Mercurio.
02:10:00 [Ember (Spurthi)] Roast his ass, he just missed three times! I point and laugh. I love it now.
02:10:13 [Mercurio (Gui)] Um... Yeah, I'm gonna... Uh...
02:10:13 [Mercurio (Gui)] I, like, see these giant behemoth creatures coming up on us, and I take a few steps back, and also try to kind of get away from Irena a bit, now that I'm holding the bottle of wine. And I'm gonna kind of, like, throw it back and do a little hair flip, and, uh, cast Bane on these two creatures. Alright.
02:10:13 [Mercurio (Gui)] Bunch of disgusting blowholes. Pow! Holy shit, that's one.
02:10:48 [Saturno (Steph)] Ew!
02:10:49 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, so, that is Charisma save, right? Okay. Yeah.
02:10:49 [DM (Aarya)] Normal... What does that get? Okay, 15.
02:10:49 [DM (Aarya)] That one saves. And the other one... Excuse me.
02:10:49 [DM (Aarya)] 17. Okay, behemoth save, unfortunately. Unlucky.
02:11:10 [Mercurio (Gui)] Crazy rolls. Um... Okay, but they seem spooky, right?
02:11:20 [Saturno (Steph)] Mm-hmm.
02:11:27 [Mercurio (Gui)] Uh, new feature. I forget how things work. Okay, yeah.
02:11:27 [Mercurio (Gui)] I will use... Mantle of Inspiration. Does it not go to the chat?
02:11:27 [Mercurio (Gui)] Because I have no uses now. Why not? Uh, I don't know, because I just clicked it.
02:11:27 [Mercurio (Gui)] But it didn't go to the chat, or here.
02:12:11 [DM (Aarya)] Ah, there it is.
02:12:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] Okay, there we go. Um... So...
02:12:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] I will expend... Bardic Inspiration. Uh, and give everybody...
02:12:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] This effect. Um... It searches a number of creatures up to...
02:12:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] Or equal to your Charisma modifier. Okay, so I can pick three people. Um, so I'll pick the three people that are closest...
02:12:39 [Saturno (Steph)] Mm-hmm.
02:12:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] ...to the baddies. Um, so Seal, Ember, and Saturno. And...
02:12:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] Each of those creatures gain... Some temporary hit points. Equal to...
02:12:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] This. So, six.
02:12:56 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, six temporary hit points.
02:12:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] Um... And you can all use, um... Your reactions if you would like to move.
02:13:08 [Ember (Spurthi)] Nice.
02:13:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] A full... You can move up to your full movement.
02:13:14 [DM (Aarya)] Without provoking Opportunity?
02:13:16 [Mercurio (Gui)] Without... Yeah, without provoking Opportunity.
02:13:19 [Ember (Spurthi)] Like on effort, or right now?
02:13:20 [DM (Aarya)] Right now.
02:13:21 [Mercurio (Gui)] Right now.
02:13:22 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay.
02:13:23 [DM (Aarya)] I'll just stay here. The three of you can move if you want to, like reposition up to y'all.
02:13:31 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'm good here. Okay.
02:13:34 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm...
02:13:34 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay. Seal? Um...
02:13:34 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, I don't think it passed to me, but it doesn't really matter. I can still take my turn. Um...
02:13:34 [Sildir (Tris)] No, like, Seal, I meant. Like, not Seal. Oh, sorry.
02:13:34 [Sildir (Tris)] Sorry.
02:13:52 [Sylalys (Cat)] Hello? Hi.
02:13:53 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah?
02:13:54 [Sylalys (Cat)] Wait, what the... What happened? I'm confused.
02:13:58 [Mercurio (Gui)] Um...
02:13:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] We got Mantle of Inspiration. So, if you want to reposition and move... Like, you can do it without provoking Opportunity.
02:13:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] And we also get plus six health.
02:14:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] Plus six, um... Like, uh... Temp...
02:14:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] Temp health.
02:14:12 [Ember (Spurthi)] It's a temp. Yeah. Uh...
02:14:12 [Ember (Spurthi)] But you don't have to move. It's just if you want to.
02:14:19 [Sylalys (Cat)] Nah, I won't move.
02:14:20 [Ember (Spurthi)] Alright. Alright. Cool.
02:14:24 [DM (Aarya)] Still there.
02:14:26 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright. Um... So, I'm gonna run up to this one.
02:14:26 [Sildir (Tris)] And... I'm going to... Attack it.
02:14:26 [Sildir (Tris)] As I do so, I'm gonna use my Valve enmity on it.
02:14:44 [DM (Aarya)] Alright.
02:14:44 [Sildir (Tris)] Um... I don't know why it says I have zero uses available. I think it's maybe part of the bugs we're facing.
02:14:44 [Sildir (Tris)] Um... But it's just tied to my channel divinity, which I have two of at the moment. So, I'll just drop that down to one.
02:14:44 [Sildir (Tris)] And Valve enmity... Uh... Basically, uh...
02:14:44 [Sildir (Tris)] It gives me advantage on attack rolls against a creature. Um... And then if that creature dies, it can transfer to a different creature.
02:14:44 [Sildir (Tris)] If it happens within the minute that it lasts.
02:15:18 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, cool.
02:15:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Um... So, I'm gonna roll an attack with advantage then. Uh...
02:15:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Da-da-da-da-da-da... Where... Should...
02:15:22 [Sildir (Tris)] There we go. Attack, advantage... I'm assuming that will hit.
02:15:22 [Sildir (Tris)] That hits, yeah. Damage...
02:15:44 [Ember (Spurthi)] Normal... Yeah. Hey, mommy.
02:15:44 [Ember (Spurthi)] Hi!
02:15:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Dang, I freaking hit a one. That's crazy. Um...
02:15:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay. And then... When, um...
02:15:47 [Sildir (Tris)] I feel like I have seen... Setsuna use her... Boomer Blade before.
02:15:47 [Sildir (Tris)] So, I kind of know how it works. So, like... I'm gonna try to help her out here with it.
02:15:47 [Sildir (Tris)] And get it to trigger. And I'm gonna use, uh... Compelled Duel to attempt to get that other guy to move.
02:16:22 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
02:16:22 [Saturno (Steph)] Ooh!
02:16:24 [Sildir (Tris)] Um...
02:16:25 [Saturno (Steph)] Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba...
02:16:26 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, let's do it like that. Boom.
02:16:30 [DM (Aarya)] So, you're...
02:16:30 [Sildir (Tris)] So, I'm casting on, uh... This other one that I'm not nearby.
02:16:34 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Yeah, it fails to save, so... Hey!
02:16:42 [Sildir (Tris)] It's basically compelled to move towards me. And it has disadvantage on things other than me.
02:16:48 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
02:16:50 [Ember (Spurthi)] And with my Boomy... Boomer Blade... It takes damage.
02:16:50 [Ember (Spurthi)] Should I...
02:16:57 [Sildir (Tris)] Actually...
02:16:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, go ahead, sorry.
02:17:00 [Sildir (Tris)] Or, um... No, what were you saying, Steph? I'm sorry.
02:17:03 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh. No, if it moves, just let me know. So I can press the damage button.
02:17:03 [Ember (Spurthi)] That's it.
02:17:08 [Sildir (Tris)] We love that damage button. I love that button. Okay, I guess...
02:17:08 [Sildir (Tris)] It's not actually... Compelled to move towards me. I just can't willingly move to a space that is more than 30 feet away from me.
02:17:21 [DM (Aarya)] And it has disadvantage on attacking anything that isn't, yeah.
02:17:25 [Sildir (Tris)] Exactly. So... Control with disadvantage or come fight me, I guess.
02:17:30 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah.
02:17:31 [Sildir (Tris)] Is the dilemma I'm putting it in.
02:17:33 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Bullshit.
02:17:36 [Sildir (Tris)] That is my turn, and I am lost on... Okay, I found it. Great.
02:17:45 [DM (Aarya)] Here we go.
02:17:48 [Irredel (Sav)] It was muted. It was muted, okay. So, I...
02:17:48 [Irredel (Sav)] Won. I'm tired, man. I've already had to cast two spells to keep my business partner and client under control and alive.
02:17:48 [Irredel (Sav)] Like, this is a more exhausting day than usual.
02:18:03 [Sildir (Tris)] Thank you, Iridel.
02:18:05 [Irredel (Sav)] But nonetheless... Everyone says it like that. Thank you, Iridel.
02:18:10 [Sildir (Tris)] I won't actually dock your pay, I'm sorry. You're getting a raise.
02:18:15 [Irredel (Sav)] The other fucking staying alive bonus. So, I'm gonna go ahead and cast Bless. And I'm going to bless...
02:18:15 [Irredel (Sav)] Okay. Oh yeah, I have to end Concentration on... Silence.
02:18:15 [Irredel (Sav)] That was... Or no, that's over in the corner. And I'm going to bless...
02:18:15 [Irredel (Sav)] Let's see, I think, yeah. Sildir, Saturno, and... Sililis just doesn't really seem to be...
02:18:15 [Irredel (Sav)] To be himself today, so I'm gonna also have the third one be Ember. And... In addition to casting Bless, I'm gonna use my Voice of Authority class feature.
02:18:15 [Irredel (Sav)] I feel like I haven't been heard enough today. And I will invoke the power of the law to drive an ally to attack. In this case, I will give Saturno...
02:18:15 [Irredel (Sav)] Saturno can use your reaction now to make one weapon attack against a creature of your choice.
02:19:18 [Ember (Spurthi)] Cool.
02:19:19 [Irredel (Sav)] So, presumably the thing that's right in front of you.
02:19:21 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah. Let's do it. So, I'm in a roll.
02:19:26 [Irredel (Sav)] And remember, you're blessed, so you get... Add a 1d4 on your attack roll or saving roll.
02:19:34 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, let's do that. And then I'll do...
02:19:37 [Sildir (Tris)] What if it's two? Oh shit.
02:19:40 [Ember (Spurthi)] So it's a what? It's 1 plus 1d4. Yeah.
02:19:40 [Ember (Spurthi)] 1d4, I think this might work. And it's for a weapon attack.
02:19:50 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah.
02:19:51 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh wait, does that go to my weapon attack or my attack roll? It's the same thing. Does that go to attack or damage?
02:19:51 [Ember (Spurthi)] It goes to the attack roll. Oh, okay, okay.
02:20:00 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, it goes to the attack roll, but you have to make a weapon attack. If that makes sense.
02:20:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, yeah. So, I hope that hits.
02:20:07 [DM (Aarya)] That hits, yeah.
02:20:09 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, let's do damage.
02:20:16 [DM (Aarya)] That's pretty good. That's good damage, yeah. 14 damage on this one.
02:20:16 [DM (Aarya)] Nice.
02:20:22 [Irredel (Sav)] And yeah, again, Saturno, Ember, and Sildir have... Are blessed for the next minute. Cool.
02:20:22 [Irredel (Sav)] So, 1d4 time. Yeah.
02:20:38 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
02:20:38 [Irredel (Sav)] I've blessed you enough today, but this is a little extra bonus.
02:20:44 [Sildir (Tris)] And you'll get a bonus at the end of the year.
02:20:47 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, how are you passing 10?
02:20:49 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, you gotta click your character at the top.
02:20:52 [Irredel (Sav)] I forget to do that. That's new to me.
02:20:54 [Sildir (Tris)] No, no, at the top.
02:20:55 [Ember (Spurthi)] You know, when I was trying to end my turn, I was looking for the end turn in Tabletop.
02:21:00 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, that's what I was looking for.
02:21:03 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, I was looking for that one, or the one that we keep seeing in Tabletop Simulator.
02:21:08 [Mercurio (Gui)] You can click the top, I didn't even know that. I was clicking it the old school way.
02:21:13 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, so for this Strixx's turn, it's going to move over towards...
02:21:21 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, it moved! It moved!
02:21:23 [DM (Aarya)] It did.
02:21:23 [Sildir (Tris)] Boomer Blade.
02:21:25 [Ember (Spurthi)] Boomer Blade. Alright, roll the damage for that.
02:21:28 [Sildir (Tris)] Pull yourself up by the bootstraps.
02:21:30 [Ember (Spurthi)] I will do that right now.
02:21:36 [Irredel (Sav)] When I was growing up, milk was a nickel. I rolled it, but it didn't come out. They actually used to deliver it in glass bottles, and they'd refill them every week.
02:21:36 [Irredel (Sav)] And if you wanted to let them know that you wanted a different delivery, you would have to go to the post office and mail a letter. Do you even know how to put stamps on a letter? No.
02:21:36 [Irredel (Sav)] Six damage.
02:22:06 [DM (Aarya)] Sorry. Zero. Alright.
02:22:06 [DM (Aarya)] So this one is going to come over to Sildir, and it's going to roll attack against Sildir. It doesn't have disadvantage on this, does it?
02:22:19 [Sildir (Tris)] It only has normal rolls on me. Everyone else has disadvantage.
02:22:24 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, it's going to attack you.
02:22:26 [Ember (Spurthi)] Did it take minus six? It did. Okay.
02:22:30 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, so what is this?
02:22:33 [DM (Aarya)] This is...
02:22:35 [Sildir (Tris)] Like, it just does damage?
02:22:36 [DM (Aarya)] No, that's not... There's no... Okay, that was supposed to be an attack roll.
02:22:36 [DM (Aarya)] My bad.
02:22:40 [Sildir (Tris)] No, it's okay. I was just... I mean...
02:22:42 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, yeah, yeah.
02:22:42 [Sildir (Tris)] I was going to drink the Kool-Aid and be like, okay, I guess so.
02:22:46 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, that does hit, though. 19 hits? Okay.
02:22:46 [DM (Aarya)] So that's going to... I'm going to roll the rest of its attacks. It's got two more.
02:22:54 [Sildir (Tris)] Where was this energy for Ember? I want that same treatment, please. Yeah, these are rolls.
02:22:54 [Sildir (Tris)] That one doesn't hit, I think. The last one? Okay.
02:22:54 [Sildir (Tris)] I don't think so, but what is the bonus on it? I can't see your rolls.
02:23:10 [DM (Aarya)] The last one was an 18.
02:23:13 [Sildir (Tris)] The last one was an 18?
02:23:14 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah.
02:23:15 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh my god, that hits, too.
02:23:17 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so all three hit?
02:23:19 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah.
02:23:19 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so this is going to be... Seven damage, I'll apply it. Um...
02:23:19 [DM (Aarya)] hold on.
02:23:29 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, I need to do concentration saving.
02:23:32 [DM (Aarya)] Let me just roll the other two together, so that's going to be 2d8 plus... God, it probably sucks, man. 2d8 plus 6.
02:23:32 [DM (Aarya)] No, that's not how you do it, silly me.
02:23:48 [Sildir (Tris)] Slash R, I think.
02:23:49 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, it is Slash R. I bet. 19.
02:23:49 [DM (Aarya)] So, another 19 damage on top of that. I think that downs you. Yeah.
02:23:49 [DM (Aarya)] Yikes. That's awkward.
02:24:03 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
02:24:07 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. Um... yeah.
02:24:07 [DM (Aarya)] So, Sylver went down. And that's this Strix's turn. Ember, it's back to you.
02:24:31 [Ember (Spurthi)] I have a Silver short sword. Mhm. Um...
02:24:31 [Ember (Spurthi)] can I roll damage?
02:24:38 [DM (Aarya)] You have to attack first.
02:24:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, attack.
02:24:42 [DM (Aarya)] Which one are you attacking?
02:24:45 [Ember (Spurthi)] Uh, the one here.
02:24:47 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, 26. That hits. Roll damage.
02:24:51 [Irredel (Sav)] Nat 20!
02:24:52 [DM (Aarya)] That's a crit. Oh, that's a crit! Oh, you get a crit!
02:24:52 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, nice.
02:24:55 [Saturno (Steph)] Crit!
02:24:56 [DM (Aarya)] You can roll critical damage. And... Critical sneak attack.
02:24:56 [DM (Aarya)] And you get to do sneak attack, yeah. So, go ahead and roll your sneak attack dice twice.
02:25:06 [Saturno (Steph)] How do I do that? Woo-hoo!
02:25:09 [DM (Aarya)] Um... I think you rolled... Was that critical damage that you rolled?
02:25:09 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, that is critical damage. Yeah, so under features, you should see, like, sneak attack somewhere.
02:25:18 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, got it.
02:25:18 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, just do that twice.
02:25:22 [Ember (Spurthi)] Normal or critical?
02:25:23 [DM (Aarya)] Critical, yeah. If it's critical, you can just do it once. Oh my god.
02:25:23 [DM (Aarya)] 46, 13. Okay. Um, that was 21 damage.
02:25:23 [DM (Aarya)] Cool.
02:25:34 [Saturno (Steph)] Wow! Cool.
02:25:37 [Mercurio (Gui)] Also, I just want to point out to everyone, because I've noticed not a lot of people know this, but, like, in your, like, inventory, spellbook, features, all that stuff, you can actually drag the items into the bar in the bottom left, and it's like a hotbar, and then you can activate those with, like, the number keys or by, like, just pressing those buttons without opening your sheet.
02:26:01 [Ember (Spurthi)] Let's go.
02:26:04 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah. Um... Yeah, Ember, you have...
02:26:04 [DM (Aarya)] You can use your bonus action to do something, or you can move. Do you want to do anything else, or do you want to leave it at that?
02:26:16 [Ember (Spurthi)] Bonus action, can I use another weapon?
02:26:19 [DM (Aarya)] Um, actually, since you attack with a short sword, you can. You can do, like, two-weapon fighting and attack with another... a different short sword or a dagger if you have one.
02:26:28 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, I'll use my dagger. Okay. Okay, attack.
02:26:35 [DM (Aarya)] Uh, is that another... No, that's another crit. Oh, my God.
02:26:35 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, yeah, roll critical damage. What the fuck? Damn!
02:26:35 [DM (Aarya)] You must fucking go.
02:26:47 [Mercurio (Gui)] 1 in 400.
02:26:49 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, roll another critical.
02:26:52 [Ember (Spurthi)] Destroy them.
02:26:53 [DM (Aarya)] Holy shit. Okay, 10. Damn.
02:26:53 [DM (Aarya)] Nice. All right, that one is bloodied. Holy moly.
02:27:02 [Ember (Spurthi)] Let's say I chop off its wings. Or something.
02:27:06 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I'll say its wings are pretty torn up now.
02:27:10 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, yeah.
02:27:11 [DM (Aarya)] All right. Slay! Now it is Irina's turn.
02:27:11 [DM (Aarya)] Upon seeing... Oh, my bad. What?
02:27:11 [DM (Aarya)] Nothing. Upon seeing Ember absolutely destroy this creature, you see Irina is emboldened by her ally's fighting spirit, and she runs up right next to Ember, and she is going to go for a rapier attack.
02:27:45 [Ember (Spurthi)] Let's go.
02:27:46 [DM (Aarya)] Whoops. And she hits. Let's roll some damage.
02:27:46 [DM (Aarya)] Nice. And... 8 damage.
02:27:46 [DM (Aarya)] Nice. And she's going to turn to Ember, and she says, It's you and me, Ember. And that's going to be Saturno's turn.
02:28:15 [Ember (Spurthi)] What's happening? I'm going to run over here. La la la la la.
02:28:15 [Ember (Spurthi)] You're skipping to the strips. Yeah, and I'm making... I'm literally Irina.
02:28:15 [Ember (Spurthi)] So I have a question. With Memphis, can I... Is it just me or Memphis for a turn?
02:28:15 [Ember (Spurthi)] Or can we both do stuff?
02:28:40 [DM (Aarya)] You can attack... Yeah, so you can use your full action to attack with either of you. Memphis can attack with a bonus action a certain number of times.
02:28:40 [DM (Aarya)] I think it's equal to your constitution score. Memphis's bonus action attack is on a resource, basically.
02:29:01 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. And how can I check how many of those I have?
02:29:05 [DM (Aarya)] It should be somewhere in your features, I should say.
02:29:10 [Ember (Spurthi)] In my features... Echo Fighter... It says here...
02:29:25 [DM (Aarya)] Oh yeah, Unleash Incarnation is the feature.
02:29:27 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, I see. Okay, so what I'm going to do is... Can I use my healing hands on Triss?
02:29:35 [DM (Aarya)] You have healing hands? Oh yeah, they're an ASMR thing. That's right, you can do that.
02:29:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, I will do that. Let's see what that brings up. I've never done this one before.
02:29:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. Normal... Is that a bonus action that it does?
02:29:52 [DM (Aarya)] Why are the cards so weird? Why does it have all the brackets, like the formula stuff?
02:29:57 [Ember (Spurthi)] I don't think it did anything. It says, okay, so...
02:30:01 [DM (Aarya)] As an action...
02:30:04 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, an action.
02:30:04 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so roll a number of d4s equal to your proficiency bonus.
02:30:09 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, so my proficiency bonus...
02:30:13 [DM (Aarya)] Is two.
02:30:15 [Ember (Spurthi)] Is two... So then... It's...
02:30:15 [Ember (Spurthi)] Two.
02:30:26 [DM (Aarya)] Baby. Alright, so Scyther comes up with three HP. And then...
02:30:26 [DM (Aarya)] Thank you.
02:30:36 [Ember (Spurthi)] No problem. And then I will do... Then can I use my Unleash Incarnation?
02:30:43 [DM (Aarya)] So it says you can only do that when you take the attack action, so...
02:30:47 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, then that's my turn then. Okay.
02:30:49 [DM (Aarya)] You can move Memphis. I think it has its own movements.
02:30:54 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, okay. Then I'm going to move Memphis... Okay, so this would be 20 feet, and it would still be within my range.
02:30:54 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. So then Memphis will go... Here, I'm just trying to...
02:30:54 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, cool. You know. Okay, and that's my turn.
02:31:14 [DM (Aarya)] Cool.
02:31:19 [Sylalys (Cat)] I'm going to move up in style.
02:31:21 [DM (Aarya)] So 18, that hits. 14 damage. Pretty good.
02:31:21 [DM (Aarya)] Nice.
02:31:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, yeah.
02:31:39 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so this one is very close to death. That Strix on the bottom there. Okay, and it is also that Strix's turn.
02:31:39 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, this Strix is going to look to Sililus. And it's going to make three attacks.
02:31:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh my goodness. Even though you're still... Holy shit!
02:32:05 [Saturno (Steph)] I'm fucking dead. Ow.
02:32:08 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Critical hit damage.
02:32:13 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'm too far to intercept that, right?
02:32:17 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, unfortunately.
02:32:17 [Ember (Spurthi)] Because Memphis...
02:32:19 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I don't think you're close enough. And it's going to go for another...
02:32:24 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well... So you just need to be next to the creature attacking? Is that how that works?
02:32:31 [DM (Aarya)] What does the feature say?
02:32:32 [Ember (Spurthi)] Let me go attack. Hold on.
02:32:35 [Mercurio (Gui)] I don't know if you can intercept with Memphis. I'm not sure how that works.
02:32:40 [Ember (Spurthi)] That's the thing. I'm not sure if I can. But I do have...
02:32:46 [Sildir (Tris)] You know, actually though... I think I hit that one, didn't I?
02:32:53 [DM (Aarya)] Which one?
02:32:55 [Sildir (Tris)] The one that's attacking Rod.
02:32:57 [DM (Aarya)] I thought you hit the other one.
02:32:59 [Sildir (Tris)] No, that one came over. You did hit. Yeah, you're right.
02:32:59 [Sildir (Tris)] And that one is actually funny enough. Should have disadvantage. Sap.
02:32:59 [Sildir (Tris)] So it needs to roll one more time. On its first attack.
02:33:12 [DM (Aarya)] So it has disadvantage?
02:33:13 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah.
02:33:14 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, let me give you your health back, Silo. You lucked out.
02:33:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Should have just let Sil die, to be honest, but... It's fine.
02:33:26 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, so presumably the 11 doesn't hit. Right? Right.
02:33:26 [DM (Aarya)] Sil.
02:33:35 [Sildir (Tris)] Rod, we're not hearing you. Do you repeat?
02:33:39 [DM (Aarya)] Does an 11 hit you?
02:33:42 [Sylalys (Cat)] No.
02:33:43 [DM (Aarya)] You cut out?
02:33:45 [Sylalys (Cat)] No.
02:33:46 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Two more attacks. Does a 20 hit?
02:33:54 [Saturno (Steph)] Yes.
02:33:55 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, let's do another one. Does a... 18 hit?
02:34:01 [Sylalys (Cat)] Yes.
02:34:02 [Ember (Spurthi)] Don't forget you have a temporary plus 6 to your health.
02:34:08 [DM (Aarya)] So... Slash R. Because...
02:34:08 [DM (Aarya)] I've let go of you. Cut your bones.
02:34:12 [Ember (Spurthi)] My bones.
02:34:14 [DM (Aarya)] What? Dude, this is... This is so...
02:34:18 [Ember (Spurthi)] I think it's Slash R, not Slash R.
02:34:21 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I messed it up. My bad.
02:34:23 [Sylalys (Cat)] You used me to roll.
02:34:26 [DM (Aarya)] That's so funny. 20 damage. Have fun with that.
02:34:26 [DM (Aarya)] So that's gonna be... Minus 6. So 14 damage.
02:34:26 [DM (Aarya)] I'll do it on you. There you go. Let's behave, children.
02:34:26 [DM (Aarya)] No.
02:34:50 [Mercurio (Gui)] Which one is the one that is weaker? The bottom one, right? Yes.
02:34:50 [Mercurio (Gui)] That's the one that got crit stabbed a bunch? Yep. Okay.
02:35:00 [Ember (Spurthi)] Insane no style, by the way.
02:35:04 [Mercurio (Gui)] And then... I'm going to... Cast Vicious Mockery.
02:35:04 [Mercurio (Gui)] So it makes a wisdom save.
02:35:18 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
02:35:24 [DM (Aarya)] Wow, not one.
02:35:26 [Mercurio (Gui)] You're worse than a blowhole. You're a blowhard.
02:35:31 [DM (Aarya)] Go ahead, roll that damage. Was that a one? Yeah.
02:35:31 [DM (Aarya)] I hope that's unfortunate.
02:35:41 [Irredel (Sav)] One time in college, I was in an emergency room and there was a woman there with her brother. From what I gathered, it was very sad. She was having a miscarriage, but she was just yelling at her brother the entire time.
02:35:41 [Irredel (Sav)] She's like, I see the way you're looking at those girls over there. And I can't even say that you're a trash bag because at least some trash bags are glad you're just a dirt bag. Holy shit.
02:35:41 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, I just wanted to let you know about it. Because that stuck with me forever.
02:36:13 [DM (Aarya)] Thanks, that's crazy. She really cooked with that, that's pretty good.
02:36:19 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'm writing this down.
02:36:23 [Irredel (Sav)] I'd been in the Shan's ER for like 8 hours at that point because I got bit by a spider, so I really needed to see a doctor, but I wasn't dying of the spider bite just yet. That woman inspired me.
02:36:37 [DM (Aarya)] Did you survive the spider bite?
02:36:39 [Irredel (Sav)] Apparently.
02:36:40 [DM (Aarya)] I see, that's good.
02:36:42 [Irredel (Sav)] What kind of spiders? I don't know, but it caused my leg to bruise up immediately and swell up and get infected right away.
02:36:52 [DM (Aarya)] That's pretty concerning.
02:36:53 [Irredel (Sav)] But they were like, well, it's not venomous. You would be dead already if it were venomous. Holy shit, that's concerning.
02:36:59 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'll stop talking right now, but my car was infected by a bunch of brown widows. Not that long ago. No.
02:36:59 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, it was really bad.
02:37:10 [Sildir (Tris)] Brown what?
02:37:10 [Ember (Spurthi)] Guy and Maria found it. They were everywhere, everywhere.
02:37:15 [Sildir (Tris)] How bad are they?
02:37:17 [Ember (Spurthi)] I don't think... They're technically poisonous, but I don't think they could cause harm to us. Just the fact that they're a widow family freaks me out.
02:37:27 [Sildir (Tris)] A bunch of spiders in your car sucks.
02:37:29 [Ember (Spurthi)] And there were a lot of them. I'm talking like 15 on the sides of my car, just hanging out between where the doors close. Okay, that's it.
02:37:29 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'm sorry. I just had to add that.
02:37:41 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, sorry for derailing. I just added the blowhole, blowhard thing.
02:37:45 [Ember (Spurthi)] I thought it was asking what kind of spider, because I was like, holy shit. What if it was a brown widow or something?
02:37:51 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, I have no idea to this day. I literally just noticed a gigantic fist-sized bruise appear on my leg after I had been running in the woods.
02:38:02 [Ember (Spurthi)] That's insane.
02:38:03 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah. And it was red and stuff too. It was really bad.
02:38:03 [Irredel (Sav)] Anyways, sorry folks. I know this is on recording. To those listening to Posterity, spider bites suck.
02:38:03 [Irredel (Sav)] They get infected. Go get antibiotics. Thank you for that.
02:38:17 [DM (Aarya)] P.S.A. Yeah, that was at minute marker 238 for those listening in. Anyway, Mercurio, do you have anything else on your turn?
02:38:32 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, and I'll give Vardic Inspiration to Ember.
02:38:36 [DM (Aarya)] Nice.
02:38:38 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'll just be like, damn, good shit.
02:38:40 [Ember (Spurthi)] Much appreciated.
02:38:43 [DM (Aarya)] Vardic Inspiration is like anything except attack rolls, right?
02:38:47 [Mercurio (Gui)] No, or wait. I mean damage rolls, sorry. Yeah, anything but damage.
02:38:52 [DM (Aarya)] It could be an attack roll. Okay, so you have Vardic Inspire. Alright, cool.
02:38:52 [DM (Aarya)] Sildir, what you got?
02:39:13 [Ember (Spurthi)] Not even one of them is dead yet?
02:39:15 [Sildir (Tris)] One of them is very close. I'll just do an attack.
02:39:27 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. With your long type sword.
02:39:34 [Sildir (Tris)] Yep, with advantage.
02:39:37 [DM (Aarya)] It's a 20. Oh, you crit? Nice.
02:39:37 [DM (Aarya)] Yay! Alright, which one are you hitting?
02:39:42 [Sildir (Tris)] The one on the left, my Vaal of Enmity.
02:39:45 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, cool. Yeah, go ahead and roll that crit damage. A lot of crits this fight.
02:39:45 [DM (Aarya)] Pretty cool.
02:39:51 [Sildir (Tris)] Wow, crazy crits.
02:39:53 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. Eight whole damage. Eight damage, and the Strix is still just barely standing.
02:39:53 [DM (Aarya)] Bruh.
02:40:03 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright, that's my turn.
02:40:04 [DM (Aarya)] Cool.
02:40:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] Just kick it in the face.
02:40:06 [DM (Aarya)] Hey Riddell, what you got?
02:40:09 [Ember (Spurthi)] Alrighty.
02:40:25 [Irredel (Sav)] Alright. I'm going to try and cause some damage. And I'm going to go ahead and cast Guiding Bolt at the first level against whichever one has more life.
02:40:37 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. It's going to be the one up top.
02:40:40 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, alright, let's do that. And I don't think I have any advantages or anything like that. Other people have been blessed, respectively.
02:40:40 [Irredel (Sav)] So I think it's just normal.
02:40:54 [DM (Aarya)] Eighteen hits.
02:40:55 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes! Okay, so the normal damage.
02:41:03 [DM (Aarya)] Twelve damage, nice. Alright, respectable. The next attack roll against it has advantage, and it is also now bloodied.
02:41:03 [DM (Aarya)] So it's below half health.
02:41:17 [Irredel (Sav)] Go get him, team! It's looking real bad for it.
02:41:21 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, now this Strix, upon being just now bloodied, is not looking too pleased. It's going to look to Sylveer. It's going to do an attack.
02:41:21 [DM (Aarya)] That is...
02:41:37 [Irredel (Sav)] How long does the disadvantage thing last, Triss?
02:41:42 [Sildir (Tris)] Until my next turn. Twelve.
02:41:46 [Ember (Spurthi)] That doesn't hit, right? I don't think that hits, right?
02:41:47 [Sildir (Tris)] It doesn't hit, nope. If it's a twelve, it doesn't hit. I don't know.
02:41:51 [DM (Aarya)] Another one.
02:41:55 [Sildir (Tris)] No.
02:41:56 [DM (Aarya)] That also doesn't hit. Yeah, that ten does not hit. And last one.
02:41:56 [DM (Aarya)] Twenty. Okay, that one hits. Damage, normal damage.
02:41:56 [DM (Aarya)] We got a...
02:42:08 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh my fucking god. Six.
02:42:10 [Sildir (Tris)] Just enough. Or, okay, never mind.
02:42:12 [DM (Aarya)] Well, actually... You are right next to Saturno.
02:42:21 [Ember (Spurthi)] Can I block? Can I help cut that in half?
02:42:24 [DM (Aarya)] You can do protection, yeah.
02:42:26 [Sildir (Tris)] I still go down, I think. If it's just cut in half, I go down.
02:42:30 [DM (Aarya)] I think it's a roll, actually.
02:42:34 [Ember (Spurthi)] Where can I find it? Because I was looking for it.
02:42:41 [DM (Aarya)] You roll a d10 and add your proficiency. That's actually pretty good. So you could potentially negate it entirely.
02:42:47 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, so... Hold on. Roll the d10.
02:42:51 [Irredel (Sav)] Does this count for... Is it like a saving throw?
02:42:55 [DM (Aarya)] No, it's just a raw roll that she does.
02:42:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] Plus what? Plus my proficiency? Yes.
02:42:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] Which is two. Please.
02:43:05 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, shit. Okay. Yeah, so you completely blocked, like, fully blocked this attack.
02:43:05 [DM (Aarya)] Go ahead, describe how you do that.
02:43:12 [Ember (Spurthi)] I hold my sword out like a bat and I just push back.
02:43:17 [DM (Aarya)] Let's go. Nice! Thank you.
02:43:17 [DM (Aarya)] You got Sildur's back. Very, very cool.
02:43:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] I give you an 07 in real life.
02:43:25 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. Ember. It's your turn.
02:43:31 [Ember (Spurthi)] I will use my silver short sword again.
02:43:37 [DM (Aarya)] I think the short sword has vex, so you can attack with advantage.
02:43:41 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
02:43:49 [DM (Aarya)] 12, that's unfortunate. That's really... Damn.
02:43:49 [DM (Aarya)] That does not hit, unfortunately.
02:43:54 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, you have Bardic Inspiration.
02:43:56 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, yeah, you can add Bardic Inspiration. So is that a d6? It's a d4.
02:43:56 [DM (Aarya)] d6. Yeah, so roll an extra d6. Oh, and you have Bless, too.
02:43:56 [DM (Aarya)] So you get to roll a d6 and a d4 and add them.
02:44:09 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay.
02:44:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] And actually, even if... Roll a d4 first, because then maybe you don't need the...
02:44:14 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, so you didn't actually need to use Bardic Inspiration. So I'll say you still have that.
02:44:14 [DM (Aarya)] So with the 4 on the d4 from Bless, that turns into a 16, which does hit. So go ahead and roll your damage and sneak attack. Do at least 2 damage, which I think with the minimum rolls of your dice, it does that anyway.
02:44:14 [DM (Aarya)] Actually, you can roll it if you want to, but you'll kill no matter what right now.
02:44:45 [Ember (Spurthi)] I roll a damage?
02:44:47 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah.
02:44:48 [Ember (Spurthi)] On the short sword?
02:44:50 [DM (Aarya)] Yes. Let's see what it is. Yeah, 7 damage.
02:44:50 [DM (Aarya)] More than enough. Yeah, so describe how you kill this Strix.
02:45:04 [Ember (Spurthi)] I just throw my sword into its eye.
02:45:07 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Stab its eye out? Cool.
02:45:10 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, stab its eye out.
02:45:11 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, and it completely falls apart into a jumble of wood and stuff. Um, yeah.
02:45:21 [Ember (Spurthi)] This thing refused to die.
02:45:23 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah. Do you have anything else you want to do?
02:45:29 [Ember (Spurthi)] Um, I'll use my short sword again. I mean my short bow again.
02:45:34 [DM (Aarya)] Um, I don't think you can. You would have to use a light weapon if you want to make a second attack. So not a bow, either a dagger or a different short sword.
02:45:44 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. Um, I'll do a short sword. And attack.
02:45:44 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. Advantage or normal?
02:45:51 [DM (Aarya)] Uh, you have advantage.
02:45:52 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay.
02:45:56 [DM (Aarya)] Um, yeah, you also have to move up a space, I think, to be in range for that one. So I'll go ahead and move you. 17?
02:45:56 [DM (Aarya)] That hits. Yeah, go ahead and roll the damage.
02:46:04 [Ember (Spurthi)] Fucking go.
02:46:11 [DM (Aarya)] 10. And let me double check how sneak attack works. I think it's you choose which attack.
02:46:11 [DM (Aarya)] It doesn't have to be the first one. Yeah, since you didn't need sneak attack for the other attack, you can use sneak attack on this attack. Okay.
02:46:11 [DM (Aarya)] Um, so go ahead and roll the sneak attack dice as well. Okay, 11. Cool.
02:46:11 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, that Strix is looking very low now. Um, cool. And now it is Irina's turn.
02:46:11 [DM (Aarya)] Uh, she's gonna step up to bat, go for a rapier attack against the Strix. Just barely hits. And it's gonna go for damage.
02:46:11 [DM (Aarya)] 3 damage. All right. It's her turn now.
02:46:11 [DM (Aarya)] It's your turn.
02:47:15 [Ember (Spurthi)] Nice. Great. So I add a d4 to this?
02:47:24 [DM (Aarya)] Mm-hmm. You're blessed, right?
02:47:27 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yes. Yeah.
02:47:33 [DM (Aarya)] 19 hits.
02:47:35 [Ember (Spurthi)] Nice. And damage is...
02:47:43 [DM (Aarya)] come on. 14. 14 damage.
02:47:43 [DM (Aarya)] All right. Describe how you kill this thing.
02:47:49 [Ember (Spurthi)] I grip my sword like a bat once again. Like a bat. And I take one foot forward and I, with my body weight, I swing full force and I decapitate it.
02:48:02 [DM (Aarya)] Nice. All right. Cool.
02:48:02 [DM (Aarya)] And with that, you've completed this combat encounter. Nice job, everyone.
02:48:11 [Sylalys (Cat)] Oh, good.
02:48:16 [Ember (Spurthi)] All those crit hits, man.
02:48:19 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah. Yeah, and that was crazy. That was a crazy number of crit hits.
02:48:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] Gotta go fix a crow.
02:48:27 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, yeah. You're carrying the crow still, right?
02:48:30 [Ember (Spurthi)] I put it here and I'm coming back to it. I mean, we gotta pull these things out.
02:48:35 [DM (Aarya)] Are you, like, eating something right now?
02:48:38 [Ember (Spurthi)] I am. Okay.
02:48:39 [DM (Aarya)] Just wondering.
02:48:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] I've eaten, like, a pint of ice cream and my mouth is so cold it feels numb.
02:48:46 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, that explains a lot. Okay.
02:48:48 [Ember (Spurthi)] It feels so, like, cold. I have a sweater on and a blanket. But yeah.
02:48:48 [Ember (Spurthi)] What can we do?
02:49:04 [DM (Aarya)] If you're trying to heal it, you'll have to pull the barbs out of its wings first. In order to do that, you can just try to do that. But if you want to, like, try to do it carefully and not hurt it, you'll roll me, like, I guess, medicine, probably.
02:49:04 [DM (Aarya)] It can be you or it can be somebody else. Anyone who wants to try.
02:49:27 [Ember (Spurthi)] Anyone's good at medicine, which is wisdom?
02:49:29 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah.
02:49:31 [Ember (Spurthi)] Me, I think.
02:49:35 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah. Help! Here, let me help out.
02:49:35 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, I don't know if I told you, but my parents actually owned a tavern and had some animals out back. And so, sometimes I would help catch them up.
02:50:01 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, so I'll say a 14 medicine check is enough. So you are able to carefully pull out its barbs without injuring it further.
02:50:11 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, excellent. Yay. Here, sister.
02:50:11 [Irredel (Sav)] Do you want to try healing? Now that we've got the barbs out? Yes, let's try it.
02:50:22 [DM (Aarya)] Do you have another healing spell? I think the healing cancels. Is that, like, once per long rest or can you do it more?
02:50:26 [Ember (Spurthi)] I think it's twice. Oh, it's once.
02:50:31 [Irredel (Sav)] I can do, oh yeah, I also have healing word, but that's also a spell slot. So, whoever.
02:50:39 [Sildir (Tris)] I could just lay on hands it if you don't want to use the spell slot, but otherwise, let it rip.
02:50:45 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, I think Mercurio's got it.
02:50:48 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, Mercurio's got it. Cool. Healing hands.
02:50:48 [Sildir (Tris)] Not rolling it. Like an RP thing, anything?
02:51:03 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, Iridell is maybe pausing for a little bit before handing the raven over. How much of that wine have you drank? Like, you're clear-headed enough to handle this?
02:51:03 [Irredel (Sav)] It's a delicate operation.
02:51:15 [DM (Aarya)] Isn't that 2d4, since that's your proficiency?
02:51:18 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, it's 2d4?
02:51:19 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, it's the number of d4s equal to your proficiency.
02:51:23 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, if it matters.
02:51:26 [DM (Aarya)] So yeah, the raven gains 7 health back. It gets back up, and it kind of bows to you, Mercurio. And it'll fly up and land on your shoulder.
02:51:42 [Ember (Spurthi)] Tatuno frantically goes to her bag and pulls out rations of bread and tries to give it bread.
02:51:52 [DM (Aarya)] It kind of tilts its head at you and looks at you curiously, but it'll timidly nibble a little bit of the bread.
02:52:02 [Ember (Spurthi)] Let's fucking go. I love peeing birds.
02:52:08 [Mercurio (Gui)] I had just the right amount to drink, alright? Well, clearly.
02:52:14 [Irredel (Sav)] Clearly.
02:52:17 [Mercurio (Gui)] I do my best spellcasting after a few drinks.
02:52:21 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, perfect. So yeah, next time if you have to patch me up, we'll make sure to give you some wine first.
02:52:28 [Ember (Spurthi)] It looks good on you, Mercurio.
02:52:32 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah, great contrast with the hair.
02:52:35 [DM (Aarya)] The raven?
02:52:43 [Irredel (Sav)] You know, it's like you're blonde and the raven has the real dark feathers, but you have blue eyes and that thing's got blue-tipped wings. It's like something out of a picture book.
02:52:53 [Mercurio (Gui)] I guess you're right. I guess we'll keep him around, then.
02:52:58 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, this one was, I'm told, this one was a bit of help to you all earlier.
02:53:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] Led us to the right place.
02:53:07 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, I think this bird is the one that led us to you.
02:53:10 [DM (Aarya)] I see. A most useful bird it is, then. I'm glad that this one will be joining our company for the moment, it seems.
02:53:21 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, hopefully he can lead us away from Stride in the future.
02:53:25 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, I would appreciate that myself. Stride is a jerk?
02:53:42 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, that's what I was saying. Stride is a big jerk. I don't know, Silas seems like a fan.
02:53:42 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm gonna beat Silas' ass.
02:53:51 [Mercurio (Gui)] Stride is a jerk, and so is Sil. True, true, true.
02:53:57 [DM (Aarya)] So he makes sense, attracts. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Alright.
02:54:01 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright, cool. Are we stopping there?
02:54:06 [DM (Aarya)] Do you all want to stop here, or do you want to, how is everyone feeling?
02:54:13 [Mercurio (Gui)] I think we stopped.
02:54:14 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
02:54:17 [Mercurio (Gui)] Or wait, did Sil say stop, or?
02:54:20 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah.
02:54:22 [Ember (Spurthi)] Eh, it's fine.
02:54:24 [DM (Aarya)] Pretty good session.
02:54:26 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah.
02:54:29 [Sildir (Tris)] And then we get to go to Sir Falls, probably, next session. Unless I talk us into our deaths or something.
02:54:37 [Mercurio (Gui)] Hang on, hang on, y'all. I think Stride comes back and finishes us off and campaigns over Sil. Yeah.
02:54:45 [Irredel (Sav)] But I have an idea.
02:54:48 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm on board with you guys, though. Like, for the record, my character's like, alright, I get it now. I'm just like, I'm trying to be like, do any of us really know how strong Stride is?
02:54:48 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm just like, my guy would be like, totally, I can take this from you. This guy's a fucking dork.
02:55:03 [DM (Aarya)] Such fun RP. That was so fun. Good session, everyone.
02:55:03 [DM (Aarya)] I'm gonna stop the recording here.
02:55:12 [Sildir (Tris)] But I didn't want my guy to die, so I didn't find a way to be like, I'm gonna pussy out of this one, I'm good.
02:55:19 [Irredel (Sav)] It ended up being, like, perfect. Yeah. You know?
02:55:19 [Irredel (Sav)] Like, it was like, I see the psychology of this character so perfectly.
02:55:28 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, it was pretty well, like, RP'd by everyone. I had a good time.