Session 07 - Transcript

00:00 [DM (Aarya)] There you go.
00:02 [Saturno (Steph)] Yippee!
00:04 [DM (Aarya)] You made the cut, congratulations. We did it!
00:08 [Saturno (Steph)] Yippee!
00:10 [DM (Aarya)] It's a good thing I'm not like posting these publicly, because oh my goodness I do not edit these at all, so. By the way, has anyone like listened to the sessions that I post? I don't know, I've listened to a little bit myself, but I don't know.
00:23 [Sildir (Tris)] I've played them back in my brain.
00:24 [Ember (Spurthi)] I listened to a couple minutes of Gi's campaign.
00:27 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, what did you think of that?
00:30 [Ember (Spurthi)] I don't listen enough. It was just like the beginning.
00:34 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, yeah.
00:35 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, it was the bot recording?
00:37 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, the bot recording.
00:38 [Sildir (Tris)] Where does that get posted? Do you just like...
00:40 [DM (Aarya)] I post it on my YouTube, and I shared the link in our channel, so. We might, I guess we could pin those. That might be worthwhile.
00:50 [Sildir (Tris)] Maybe... just do like a running doc and pin that, and add links there.
00:56 [DM (Aarya)] That could work too. Yeah, that's not a bad idea. Or just like, even just like one message, and I just update the message each time.
00:56 [DM (Aarya)] True. Yeah, that's a good idea.
01:08 [Sildir (Tris)] Sorts of ideas.
01:11 [DM (Aarya)] Speaking of sources of ideas, would anyone like to... actually, before we do that, can everyone pick a number from 1 to 10? 5.
01:11 [DM (Aarya)] 8. Put it in chat, because I'm not going to remember everything that you say.
01:26 [Sildir (Tris)] 5. Do you remember now? 5?
01:28 [Ember (Spurthi)] Wait, in Foundry?
01:30 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah. Discord, preferably.
01:34 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, why?
01:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, one thing with the bot that I noticed, like since it's just recording Discord, it won't have the music.
01:43 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I'm not using the bot this time. That's because I was listening a little bit to one of our last sessions, and having the music in the background of the recording really adds to it. It'd be a shame to miss out on that.
01:43 [DM (Aarya)] So I'm going to keep the old recording technology. Alright, so everyone guessed a number. Good job, guys.
01:43 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, this definitely won't be relevant later. Oh yeah, so without further ado, welcome to Phantom Chains, session 7. Would anyone like to recap what happened last session?
02:21 [Sildir (Tris)] Sure. So, at the end of session 5, we were going to help the raven, right? And then at the beginning of section 6, which was last session, we actually did help the raven, and we named it Pepito.
02:21 [Sildir (Tris)] So we continued on to the Serf Falls encampment, where the Vistani are. On our way, we were thinking about our previous encounter with the Scarecrows, and we realized that it's possible Strahd was just at the Serf Falls, because that's kind of where he was coming from. We talk about Seel and his seemingly admirable inclination towards Strahd, and then we reach the encampment.
02:21 [Sildir (Tris)] It seems like it's kind of bustling, lots of wagons were going in and out of this place, and we start looking around for Madam Eva. We find Stanimir, who's pretty much the first person to really greet us in the town, and he takes us over to her tent. She notably says that ravens are a great fortune, and it's pretty cool that we have a pet raven.
02:21 [Sildir (Tris)] Which, that's just presuming that Pepito hasn't just flown off at this point.
03:50 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, he's still with you.
03:53 [Sildir (Tris)] Awesome. Let's see. She kind of clarifies some Vistani lore, where some of them are more into Strahd than others, but Serf Falls is pretty much a neutral ground that does not serve Strahd, but also doesn't go out of their way to piss him off.
03:53 [Sildir (Tris)] But she mentions this other encampment in Vallaki where there's probably some differences there, where maybe they are serving Strahd. Anyway, we go into her tent, we chat with her a little bit, and she tells us that we're going to meet her at midnight at the gallows, where we had just fought the Scarecrows. So to pass some time, we go to the campfire.
03:53 [Sildir (Tris)] But on our way out of the tent, there was a message that we kind of heard from Batamiva that was like, watch out for people watching. Strahd's everywhere kind of deal. And anyway, we go to the campfire and we meet Eliza, who totally does not line up with that warning at all.
03:53 [Sildir (Tris)] She has nothing to do with Strahd. And Sildur kind of gets rizzed up a little bit by Eliza. Talks a lot about his armor.
05:18 [DM (Aarya)] So there's a simple man.
05:21 [Sildir (Tris)] Yep. We are also talking with Arturi Radenevich. And Stanimir was around the fire too.
05:21 [Sildir (Tris)] We play a game. Oh, I guess also a fun thing to remind everyone of. Mercurio performed 99 bottles of wine on the wall.
05:21 [Sildir (Tris)] But yeah, we played a little game with some stories. I'm not going to fully recap the stories, but I think they're posted somewhere. I think everyone in our party except Ember told the story.
05:21 [Sildir (Tris)] Ember wanted to keep his secrets. Oh, that's right. Still wanted to keep his secrets too.
05:21 [Sildir (Tris)] Or he's just too cranky to share anything. Probably thinking about Strahd, basically. Too busy thinking about Strahd.
05:21 [Sildir (Tris)] Right after, we basically it counts as a short rest, and we go to make our way to the gallows.
06:23 [DM (Aarya)] Also really quick, before the story, you got to chatting with Arturi for a bit, and he asked you about some news from Barovia since he is recently conquering the lands himself for the moment. And he also asked you specifically for anything that you know about Van Richten.
06:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Right. And we did give him some info letting him know that we found notes of Van Richten that belonged to him within the Burgomaster's estate from Barovia, the village of Barovia I should say. And when we asked Arturi how we could possibly find Van Richten, he suggested we look for a dense congregation of monsters, and you'll probably find them there.
06:47 [Sildir (Tris)] We also get recommended the Bluewater Inn. When Mercurio asks Arturi if there's any good taverns around town or in the wider Barovia altogether. So that's definitely a place we should check out when we get to Vallaki.
07:37 [DM (Aarya)] I can pretty strongly recommend it, I believe.
07:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Yes. And speaking of Arturi, as we're leaving camp to go meet with Madame Eva, we kind of see him, and he says he's kind of peacing out. And of course we hope to see him again, but we don't really know where he's going, and he's relatively mysterious.
07:41 [Sildir (Tris)] So anywho, we get to the gallows just before midnight, and we see some rustling in the bushes. It's Eliza. I think we all kind of remember how this one goes.
07:41 [Sildir (Tris)] But Madame Eva appears there, and she's just kind of not having it with Eliza, and she's like, you should really make sure that she's not still here lurking around. We find her, and we learn that she's a servant of Strahd. And after some failed attempts to do kind of a more peaceful measure, Sildur consults with the gods he's been discussing with, Torm and Hore, and they are both just killer dude.
07:41 [Sildir (Tris)] So that's what happens. Sildur kills Eliza.
08:45 [DM (Aarya)] One of them is a little bit less direct about it.
08:48 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, okay, Torm says you need to preserve order, and sacrifices must be made. So it's a little more vague, and Hore is like, seriously, just, why are you even asking, bro? Just go kill.
09:04 [DM (Aarya)] Notably, he also urges you towards vengeance for her, like, betraying you. But yeah.
09:09 [Sildir (Tris)] Right. Yes, important as well. And afterwards, even, Hore says to remember the feeling and relish it, which is pretty dark.
09:09 [Sildir (Tris)] Anyway, we bury the body, we go get our fortunes from Madam Eva, and we also agree to bring it to her daughter Arabelle, kind of as like a thank you, or a barter for our fortunes.
09:40 [DM (Aarya)] Yep. It's a toy, right? Or, no, she gave you some money to buy a toy for her, right?
09:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Right, right. So we get money, and we need to go to Blinsky's toys in Vallaki. And, um, I'm not going to recap the fortunes either.
09:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Did you post those somewhere?
10:00 [DM (Aarya)] I believe I did. Yeah, a little bit earlier in the Phantom Chains chat in Discord. Actually, I think it would be good to just really briefly recap just so everyone is like, has that fresh on the mind.
10:00 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah. Find it, actually.
10:18 [Sildir (Tris)] Maybe you can do kind of a guided recap, so I'm not just...
10:23 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, yeah, I can do that.
10:25 [Sildir (Tris)] Should we pin it, too?
10:27 [DM (Aarya)] I'm surprised I haven't already, but yeah, I will pin this.
10:30 [Sildir (Tris)] I found it. I can pin it. Or wait, it's multiple messages, so...
10:35 [DM (Aarya)] So I did the reading in one message, and then the stories in separate messages.
10:40 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, okay.
10:41 [DM (Aarya)] So you had basically five cards you were given, each one pointing to a different part of your journey that you'll journey towards, I guess. You got three cards detailing of basically certain things that will help you on your journey. One card giving a little bit about an ally that you might encounter, and one card for where you will face the devil when you eventually have your final showdown with him.
10:41 [DM (Aarya)] The first card tells of history. It's something that will help you learn about your enemy, and you'll find it in a town where all is not well. The second card told you of a holy symbol of great hope, and it's found within a den of wolves in the hills overlooking a mountain lake.
10:41 [DM (Aarya)] The third card tells of a weapon of vengeance, a sword of sunlight, which lies in a pile of treasure beyond a set of amber doors. And the fourth card, the ally who will help you, you'll find them in a mountainside abbey where you'll find a woman who is more than the sum of her parts. And the final card, the location where you'll face off with the devil, is the tomb of the man he envied above all.
10:41 [DM (Aarya)] So yeah.
12:39 [Sildir (Tris)] Great. And then that basically gets us to the end of the session. So we, you know, when we were getting our fortunes told, it was almost like we were in this sphere of influence that Madame Eva had set up around us, and when it's over, it's like everything springs back to life.
12:39 [Sildir (Tris)] The world goes from standing still to going back into motion again once she's done. And we kind of check in on her, make sure she's okay, and she lets us know that it's extremely important that this remains a secret, that our fortune remains a secret, and our collaboration, I would say. That's the impression I was getting.
13:23 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, she was trying to press upon you that knowing if Strahd were to find out that you got this reading and were actively working against him in this way, that probably wouldn't go well.
13:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Not for nobody. Yeah. And then we also kind of get a glimpse of...
13:37 [Sildir (Tris)] I don't know if it was a vision, so it might be good for you to clarify, but we see a bunch of adventure parties, reanimated corpses going to march on the castle.
13:59 [DM (Aarya)] That did happen. That wasn't like a vision. You just saw the spirits of adventurers who were...
13:59 [DM (Aarya)] who had died in Barovia, presumably on the same path that you're on now.
14:12 [Sildir (Tris)] Gotcha. So, yeah, we see that. And I believe they were even rising from the gallows we were standing on.
14:20 [DM (Aarya)] Yep, because there was a cemetery right next to it.
14:23 [Sildir (Tris)] Right. And once we kind of guffaw at that and then get over it, we go back to the village for a long rest.
14:33 [DM (Aarya)] Yep, so we find ourselves at the crack of dawn the following morning. You are all rising from your bedrolls, which you've probably laid out around the campfire at the Vistani camp, and you're preparing to set off to get the rest of the way to Vallaki. Irina informs you that the remainder of the journey will likely take at least one full day and the better part of the next day, so you will have to, at some points along the way, make camp again and rest for the night.
14:33 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, so you guys can chatter amongst yourselves, maybe make some kind of remarks or comments, plans, or otherwise just immediately set off from the camp.
15:30 [Sildir (Tris)] Is it like the ass crack of dawn? Is there anyone around us aside from the party, or are we kind of isolated right now?
15:36 [DM (Aarya)] Looking around, you can see that pretty much all of the Vistani seem to be sleeping in. A lot of them that joined you, like I guess all of them who joined you for dinner the previous night, were drinking heavily, so yeah, you don't really see any of them stirring much. I guess maybe I'll switch the scene for y'all, just to give y'all some ambiance.
16:09 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, do any of you have any further business here? Oh my god, Eliza, it's you! Oh, is she still in the scene?
16:17 [DM (Aarya)] Oh my gosh, I forgot about that. Oopsie, she's dead.
16:21 [Sildir (Tris)] Tell me about your armor! No!
16:24 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, I guess my toy shouldn't be pistol either, I'll get rid of him as well. Is that Gil eating away at you, Sylvia?
16:31 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I'm seeing things. But what I was gonna say is, do any of you have any further business here, or should we just be on our way?
16:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, do we have the necessary supplies to make this journey? I eyeball, like, the crates with the wine bottles. I think we're gonna need a couple of these for the road.
16:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] Good idea! Some other things, like a tent?
17:06 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, we should check for supplies for the roads. How's everyone doing on Socks, by the way? I don't want anyone getting blisters here.
17:16 [Ember (Spurthi)] Snacks? I would like snacks.
17:20 [Mercurio (Gui)] Snacks. I would like Socks. Socks as well.
17:24 [Irredel (Sav)] Socks, snacks, alright, alright. Tent maybe, just, you know, usual adventure supplies.
17:31 [Sildir (Tris)] Let's mark this down as a business event, but yes, all of those things. Maybe we should check on Eva, too, and just make sure that she made it into town.
17:45 [Saturno (Steph)] Mhm.
17:48 [Sildir (Tris)] She seemed quite bold, uh, and unconcerned, but she's an older woman, too. She made it here safely.
17:57 [Mercurio (Gui)] Probably don't get to be that old, you know, without being capable around these parts.
18:04 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, we could.
18:10 [DM (Aarya)] Um, so are you gonna go over to Madam Eva's tent?
18:13 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, just a quick, like, check-in, I guess.
18:20 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. Uh, Madam Eva, you make your way over to her tent, um, and you stop, like, in front of the entrance to your tent, like, right in front of the entrance flaps, I guess. Um, you call out, and after a moment's pause, you hear from within, Come in!
18:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, great, you made it home.
18:44 [DM (Aarya)] Were you worried about me, dear?
18:46 [Sildir (Tris)] No problem. Well, of course. Um, quite an intense experience last night, and you seemed confident you'd make it home, but we just wanted to check in.
18:56 [DM (Aarya)] This is my home, after all. I know these lands well.
19:00 [Sildir (Tris)] Yes. I'm sure there's more power to you than meets the eye, but nonetheless, we appreciate you. We wanted to make sure you were safe.
19:09 [DM (Aarya)] You're a quick study, young man, but I appreciate your concern.
19:15 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, in any case, I think we're gonna be on our way to Vallaki.
19:19 [DM (Aarya)] Best of luck to you.
19:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Thank you, Madame Eva. And we'll make sure that Arabelle gets her toy from, was it Blinskis?
19:30 [DM (Aarya)] Blinskis, yes.
19:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, great. Thanks again.
19:36 [DM (Aarya)] I suspect this won't be the last that I hear of you. Most likely it won't be.
19:49 [Sildir (Tris)] I should hope not. We will be the ones to, well, let's not talk about that. I'll give a little wink.
19:57 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, at the very least, too, being told that we'll be heard of again by a fortune-teller is a pretty good sign that we're not going to die.
20:08 [DM (Aarya)] That is certainly one interpretation. I applaud your spirit.
20:16 [Irredel (Sav)] Unless, of course, the next time you hear of us is our obituaries. Do you go obituaries in this land?
20:23 [DM (Aarya)] She kind of just looks at you, and she goes back to just like, you see her going over making herself a pot of tea, and she just chuckles to herself.
20:36 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, if you don't, that's something to talk about with your people. They're really useful for estates. Gives everyone notice when someone has passed away.
20:36 [Irredel (Sav)] Allows court proceedings to proceed more freely. That's one thing to borrow from our land.
20:51 [DM (Aarya)] Obituaries. I'll keep that in mind. And I suggest you might find it more productive to focus on ways that your quest might succeed, rather than the ways they might fail.
21:07 [Ember (Spurthi)] You have a point there.
21:09 [Irredel (Sav)] Nonetheless, I'm going to be prepared for all outcomes. Thank you for your wisdom.
21:15 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, that's just Iridyll. She has people write their wills when they're like 15. Oh my.
21:15 [Sildir (Tris)] She loves her preparedness. That's a bummer. Big what-if-isms, you know.
21:15 [Sildir (Tris)] What if you die? Where will your you know, your favorite toy go? Anyways, Madam Eva, thanks again.
21:38 [DM (Aarya)] Of course, dear.
21:39 [Sildir (Tris)] We'll keep you posted on any major updates if we get to see you.
21:45 [Irredel (Sav)] And of course, we'll send word of dear Arabella.
21:51 [DM (Aarya)] Please do. And she smiles at you.
21:57 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, alright, gang. Are we all ready to go? Did we gather some supplies?
21:57 [Sildir (Tris)] I'll give a little wink over at Mercurio.
22:07 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, let's grab some supplies. It's a long journey. We need to be very prepared.
22:07 [Mercurio (Gui)] Don't forget the tent, Mercurio. The tent, right. The tent.
22:19 [Irredel (Sav)] That does remind me, before we go, we should check into camp to see if any of the Vistani are planning to travel to our lands. Maybe they can let our loved ones know that we are going to be difficult to contact.
22:41 [DM (Aarya)] That's a cool idea.
22:47 [Irredel (Sav)] Did any of you, in talking to the Vistani, hear of anyone that are planning to?
22:53 [DM (Aarya)] Who are you asking?
22:56 [Irredel (Sav)] Just the group. I know we all chatted up everyone last night.
22:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, well, you should have told Arturi, because he headed out last night, didn't he?
23:09 [DM (Aarya)] Or this morning? Last night, yeah.
23:15 [Irredel (Sav)] Surely there must be another one to travel. And if they're the only ones with freedom of travel, I think they'd be taking advantage of it.
23:27 [Mercurio (Gui)] Possibly. I don't have anyone on the outside I need to talk to.
23:33 [DM (Aarya)] I wonder who among you do.
23:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] Who are you so anxious to speak to?
23:44 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, I just want to send a note to my family.
23:49 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, are you close with your family?
23:50 [Irredel (Sav)] Mm-hmm. I think I've told you all, I'm one of 12 children. My family runs an inn.
23:50 [Irredel (Sav)] My parents are still in the business. God, my siblings are off doing all sorts of crazy things. My parents will be able to kind of spread the word amongst them about what's going on.
23:50 [Irredel (Sav)] And maybe I also want to get a document to the courts, letting them know that Sealed Deer and I's business will be acquiring an extension to pay our taxes because of the Trapped in a Magical Dimension exemption. But family first.
24:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] That's good.
24:44 [Irredel (Sav)] So yeah. DM, would there be anyone who's traveling?
24:49 [Sildir (Tris)] Maybe we could ask Stanimer.
24:51 [DM (Aarya)] You look around, you see a couple of us, Donnie, just beginning to stir. Try to ask them. You see Stanimer is pretty soundly asleep still.
25:05 [Irredel (Sav)] Alright, time to make a new friend then. So I'm going to walk to the person who looks the most awake right now. Is there any coffee or anything, like tea, that I could bring?
25:05 [Irredel (Sav)] A good morning offering?
25:18 [DM (Aarya)] Not any that you can see. You'd have to rummage through crates of supplies, which you're not really sure that you should be messing with considering that they aren't yours.
25:30 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah, I don't want to do that.
25:31 [DM (Aarya)] But yeah, you can say, I'll say you see just this gentleman over here.
25:38 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
25:41 [Irredel (Sav)] Hey, good morning, sir. Sorry to interrupt.
25:45 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, you're one of those travelers who came by last night.
25:50 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes, yes, we were just about to break camp, but I was wondering, do you know if you or any of the other members of the group are planning to travel to different lands? We were hoping to get two messages out to where we're from.
26:06 [DM (Aarya)] Not to my knowledge. Ever since the devil awoke three months ago, not many of us have been traveling too far. We've mostly been keeping to our camps.
26:20 [Irredel (Sav)] Hmm. Well, that's good to know, I guess, that you all are wise and safe about everything. I guess if you hear of anyone who is willing to travel, next time we cross paths, let us know.
26:20 [Irredel (Sav)] We really want to make sure we're letting some people back home know that we're okay. We'll be stuck here for a while.
26:46 [DM (Aarya)] Well, I'll keep that in mind. Is there anyone I should ask for? Anyone you want to contact?
26:57 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh! The people we're asking to send a message to?
27:03 [DM (Aarya)] Yes.
27:04 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes, yes. Here, I have a piece of parchment with their names on it.
27:09 [DM (Aarya)] And where might I find them?
27:16 [Sildir (Tris)] They're all beneficiaries under your policy in my company, right?
27:20 [Irredel (Sav)] I think so, yeah.
27:23 [Sildir (Tris)] Maybe you could just have them go to the old secretary over at Goldenfield Estates, and that'll be a more simple way to get to how many siblings do you have? It's close to ten, isn't it?
27:33 [Irredel (Sav)] A lot. It's a lot, yeah. That's a good idea, and that way the secretary can settle the courts for us.
27:39 [Sildir (Tris)] And we won't trouble the poor Vistani too terribly to get there to track down all your family members that the secretary can take care of.
27:46 [DM (Aarya)] Excellent. Ten siblings.
27:49 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm one of twelve, so there's eleven.
27:51 [DM (Aarya)] Ah, I see.
27:53 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes, I'm the oldest.
27:56 [DM (Aarya)] Such responsibility you must have.
27:59 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes, how else do you think someone ends up like me?
28:03 [DM (Aarya)] I see.
28:05 [Irredel (Sav)] Here's the address, here's the province, here's the name of the land, and you're going to ask for us at the front desk.
28:14 [DM (Aarya)] I see. Or I guess not you, but whoever. He takes the parchment from you and kind of just looks it over.
28:14 [DM (Aarya)] A bit of an amused expression on his face. And he tips his head in your direction and says, well, if anyone is heading in this direction I'll ask them to pass along the message.
28:32 [Irredel (Sav)] Thank you. We would be so grateful.
28:34 [DM (Aarya)] Of course. And you see him go back to like whatever he was working on, it looks like he was going to feed the horses. You'll see that Irina pipes up and she looks to you all and says, well, we have quite the journey ahead of us still.
28:34 [DM (Aarya)] Was there any other business you all wanted to take care of?
29:12 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm all good. How's everyone else doing? It sounds based off the quiet that you all drank.
29:12 [Irredel (Sav)] Anyone here noticing a hangover?
29:22 [DM (Aarya)] I would be surprised if Master Mercurio were sober at the moment considering.
29:29 [Mercurio (Gui)] I just need to have some breakfast and I pop open one of the bottles.
29:40 [DM (Aarya)] You pop open a what?
29:43 [Mercurio (Gui)] I pop open one of the other bottles and I say, I need to have a nice breakfast here.
29:52 [DM (Aarya)] Classic.
29:55 [Sildir (Tris)] I must admit I am a bit bogged down from the experience yesterday. But I'm not sure we had much of a choice.
30:05 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, you were put in quite a difficult position, Master Sildur. Are you alright?
30:14 [Sildir (Tris)] I think I am. There's a lot of strong powers at play here and I think everything we do has to be done with that in mind. And we have to know that each action we take could lead to something bigger.
30:14 [Sildir (Tris)] I think that was part of Madam Eva's message to us.
30:39 [DM (Aarya)] I won't beat myself up about it, but it still hurts a bit.
30:48 [Sildir (Tris)] Yes, and speaking of, we should be on our way to get you safely to Vallaki.
30:55 [DM (Aarya)] Right.
30:56 [Sildir (Tris)] How are you feeling? I mean, what do you think about all this? I feel that you've had some time to let it set in since your brother kind of sprang this on you.
30:56 [Sildir (Tris)] What do you think? How do you feel about going over to Vallaki?
31:09 [DM (Aarya)] I admit it is unsettling to think that all of this trouble came about because of me. But what I do know is that there are Barovian refugees in Vallaki and as my father's daughter, it's my responsibility to see to their safety and well-being. So I hope to accomplish that at least.
31:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, I hope in time you can learn not to blame yourself for the troubles the world has thrown your way. But I do admire your attitude to keep going and to find the places where you can make things better. So I think with that, you'll be just fine.
32:00 [DM (Aarya)] Thank you, Master Soldier. And she gets up from the log she was sitting on and you see a spark of determination on her face and looks to the rest of you all and she says, Well, I guess we best be off then.
32:24 [Irredel (Sav)] No time like the present.
32:26 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. So I'm going to switch the scene to the road. Let's see.
32:26 [DM (Aarya)] This one, I think. Alright, let's see. So you travel back down the road.
32:26 [DM (Aarya)] You go back towards the direction of the crossroads and this time you take the path heading towards Vallaki. And as you're meandering about the path for a while, sticking to the road itself, not venturing too far astray or anything. And let's see.
32:26 [DM (Aarya)] After a couple hours of walking through the woods, let's see. Where is it? You see a figure approaching from in front of you.
33:30 [Mercurio (Gui)] Uh oh. Who goes there?
33:35 [DM (Aarya)] You hear no answer and then bursting forth from the mists, you see a spectral figure of a man riding a horse and you see that he's missing a head.
33:52 [Ember (Spurthi)] I knew it.
33:58 [DM (Aarya)] He's riding straight towards you although... Judging by his path, he doesn't seem to... He's not slowing down or really seeming to pay any regard to the obstacle of you all in front of him.
34:15 [Irredel (Sav)] We're diving out of the way.
34:17 [Sildir (Tris)] Would any of us know like... You're describing it kind of like a Dullahan type of figure. Would any of us know what that is or not really?
34:29 [DM (Aarya)] I guess you could roll history.
34:31 [Sildir (Tris)] Stories maybe?
34:32 [DM (Aarya)] Let's see if you could roll history.
34:34 [Sildir (Tris)] Let's just see then. Why not? History is not my stat, but we'll roll it.
34:34 [Sildir (Tris)] I don't know which is mine. Hopefully the blue one.
34:45 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, so Iridel with a four. This is some scary spectral figure to you and you are not sure what to expect of it. And also, things like this that you know nothing about kind of terrify you.
35:00 [Irredel (Sav)] Absolutely. Hence my diving out of the way.
35:04 [DM (Aarya)] And Sildur with a 15. History. This particular ghost, creature, spirit or whatever is not familiar to you.
35:04 [DM (Aarya)] Though... You have heard some folk tales of spirits in like... I guess like decapitated people or people who fell in battle or with some kind of regret.
35:04 [DM (Aarya)] Often you've heard legends of their spirits lingering on after death. Perhaps seeking whatever it is they were trying to do in life. But yeah, otherwise you don't really know what exactly this is.
35:49 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay. I'm gonna kind of sidestep and... I mean, how much emphasis would you say is on the regrets with this type of creature?
36:01 [DM (Aarya)] Honestly, you aren't sure because you don't even know that this is what you're thinking of.
36:10 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay. So I'm gonna kind of sidestep and just call out to it. Who are you?
36:10 [Sildir (Tris)] A lost soul? Why are you here?
36:22 [DM (Aarya)] Can I check? Yes, let's see. So a 16.
36:22 [DM (Aarya)] Might help. So with that, I'll say a 16 history check. Saturno, you...
36:22 [DM (Aarya)] Given your past history of being a guard, you kind of recognize that the armor that they're wearing is like pretty simple looking leather armor, but they appear to be some kind of soldier or guard of some sort.
36:56 [Ember (Spurthi)] Can I do... What were you saying? No, I just wanted to do an investigation check to see how they were wounded or like what...
36:56 [Ember (Spurthi)] like what caused the decapitation or anything else you haven't mentioned.
37:12 [DM (Aarya)] Sure, you can do an investigation.
37:14 [Ember (Spurthi)] But you can continue what Saturno is... Saturno's role.
37:18 [DM (Aarya)] I'll say, I'm assuming that all of you are stepping aside to let the figure pass through. Yeah. So, you see that the rider is coming towards you and he makes no indication of stopping, nor does he even seem to acknowledge that you all are even there before him.
37:18 [DM (Aarya)] And as you part to let him through, he simply rides on continuing on the path. Seemingly just following the road, though you aren't really sure if he has any sort of goal or destination in mind. Ember, with the 20 investigation, you're able to get a bit of a glance at him as he's going by.
37:18 [DM (Aarya)] And you can tell that, yeah, he's missing a head and it looks like this person was just cleanly decapitated.
38:14 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay.
38:18 [Sildir (Tris)] It's kind of gone now, right?
38:21 [DM (Aarya)] He continues to ride on past you and disappears into the woods from the direction that you came from. Well, that was creepy. Yeah, Irina looks to you all and she says...
38:21 [DM (Aarya)] She looks kind of panicked, and she's clutching at the rapier by her side. And she says to you all, What was that?
38:43 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, if you don't know, we definitely don't know.
38:50 [Ember (Spurthi)] We're not sure either. But you're safe with us still.
38:56 [Sylalys (Cat)] This hangover is affecting my head in more ways than one.
39:02 [Sildir (Tris)] Still, we all saw that too.
39:04 [Ember (Spurthi)] I feel like we can't get a break of this decapitation stuff. I think I am.
39:10 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm not even feeling that hungover after last night's very sobering experience.
39:18 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, your hand stopped shaking.
39:22 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, I guess it'll do that when your friend murders his girlfriend in cold blood in front of you. It has that effect on people.
39:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Whoa, whoa, whoa. I don't think that was cold blood.
39:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, let's not say cold blood. It was more like with the... you know...
39:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] It was... what was it? Calculated?
39:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] Calculated... Premeditated? Premeditated...
39:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] I don't know. Was it more of like a hit? Because like little spirit guy on your shoulder, you just kind of do what he says, right?
40:07 [Sildir (Tris)] I consulted with my gods who have great wisdom beyond our comprehension, yes. Oh, yes. I think my decision would have been the same in either outcome.
40:20 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, okay.
40:23 [Sildir (Tris)] But, you know, I mean, I need to test my compatibility with these gods, right?
40:33 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, I thought you were gonna say with that girl.
40:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, no. I'm assuming that's out of character, but no.
40:42 [DM (Aarya)] I don't know, that seems like something Mercurio would say in character.
40:46 [Sildir (Tris)] No, not with the girl, Mercurio. Obviously. That ship had sailed when she announced that she was working for Strahd.
40:46 [Sildir (Tris)] And, I mean, Madam Eva seemed very convinced that we were... We kind of needed to deal with it, and the situation was slipping from our grasp. And if I'm gonna serve, if I'm gonna be some spiritual warrior for some gods, I need to make sure that I at least agree with them.
41:21 [Mercurio (Gui)] And which ones did you agree with?
41:26 [Sildir (Tris)] Uh, I mean, Torm, I'm not sure what context you have on the two gods that I've been speaking with, but Torm seems to be the nice one, at least. Oh, Torm, that's the name of your imaginary friend.
41:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, I don't know, you brought them up, like, one time before when we got out of the creepy house, I wasn't sure if it was just trauma, or...
41:49 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, go, uh, go hit another bottle of wine, Mercurio. We can talk about this some other time.
41:57 [Mercurio (Gui)] Okay.
42:00 [Sildir (Tris)] I'll help myself to that.
42:02 [DM (Aarya)] Let's go.
42:03 [Sildir (Tris)] Sure you will.
42:04 [DM (Aarya)] Crack open a cold one. Alright. Um...
42:04 [DM (Aarya)] So you continue to chatter amongst yourselves as you're continuing along the Svalik road. As you continue along the path, you see that the road is winding about. You're approaching a more, like, mountainous territory as you're getting closer to the Seraphalls themselves.
42:04 [DM (Aarya)] You're walking in that direction, just sticking to the path, and you find yourself winding along the switchback trails that lead up the craggy terrain. You see that the fog here is thick, and you're approaching a cliffside with the fog being particularly thicker at the top. The road itself grows narrow and treacherous, with loose stones and deep ruts that make it difficult to maintain your footing.
42:04 [DM (Aarya)] Soon enough, though, the road levels out, continuing past what appears to be a three-story watchtower perched atop the edge of the cliff. The tower's old stone walls are covered in moss and ivy, with its rotten wooden door hanging off its hinges. And nearby, you see what appear to be two freshly dug graves against the road, and an animal's corpse lying in the tall grass not too far away.
43:36 [Irredel (Sav)] What kind of animal?
43:39 [DM (Aarya)] Um, you can come a little bit closer, like, try to see through the grass and see what it is.
43:45 [Irredel (Sav)] No, I don't think I want to see that. Does anyone else want to figure out what's going on?
43:50 [Ember (Spurthi)] See if it's something to I did get a closer look, but can I do, like, a check before I do that? Like, an investigation, or, like, an arcana? I just don't want to make sure.
43:50 [Ember (Spurthi)] I just want to make sure it's not a trap.
44:02 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, like, what kind of check do you want to do specifically? I'll let you...
44:04 [Ember (Spurthi)] I guess, like, arcana.
44:05 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, yeah? You want to do arcana? Sure.
44:05 [DM (Aarya)] Um, go ahead and roll it. I'm assuming you're trying to, like, detect if there's any kind of, like, traces of magic or anything like that. Yeah.
44:05 [DM (Aarya)] Um, so with a 10, yeah, you don't really sense any... you don't see any signs of magic or anything like that happening here.
44:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, I will get closer to it and inspect it. Do I have to roll anything?
44:30 [DM (Aarya)] Are you going towards the animal's body?
44:33 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yes.
44:34 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Um, so as you get closer, you don't have to roll anything for this because you can just, like, see it pretty clearly. Um, you can see the corpse of a wolf.
44:34 [DM (Aarya)] Um, and it appears to have been killed by spear and crossbow. Um, you can still see some crossbow bolts sticking out of its, uh, rotting corpse. Um, the flesh on the corpse has mostly rotted away.
44:34 [DM (Aarya)] Um, and, yeah.
45:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] I turn to everyone and I'm like, it's dead. Oh. Okay, but what is it?
45:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, it's a wolf. Oh. It's a super dead wolf.
45:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] Seems like they killed it with a spear. And some... Can we dig out graves?
45:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] Um, we can.
45:29 [DM (Aarya)] You want to look at the graves?
45:32 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah.
45:33 [DM (Aarya)] So who's doing that?
45:35 [Ember (Spurthi)] Um, is that an investigation shed?
45:38 [DM (Aarya)] Um, it depends, like, what you want to do. If you want to just, like, go over and look at it or if you want to, like, inspect it more closely. Um, if you're looking for anything in particular, um, you can, yeah, just basically describe what you're trying to do as you, like, inspect the graves and I'll tell you if you need to roll anything for it.
45:38 [DM (Aarya)] If it's something simple enough just, like, looking at it, I'll just say, I'll just tell you what you see. You won't have to roll for that. But if there's anything in particular that you're trying to, like, deduce or spot or anything like that then that'll take a roll.
46:10 [Ember (Spurthi)] Um, I'll just look at it for now. Alright.
46:14 [DM (Aarya)] Um, let's see. You could, you just see, like, some pretty, like, crudely dug graves. Um, you get the impression that this was, this was, like, a very unceremonious process.
46:14 [DM (Aarya)] Um, presumably whoever was buried here died to the wolf that's, like, right next to it. Um, and you can see that some small pebbles have been arranged in the soil atop each grave to form the shape of a rising sunburst.
46:46 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, is that the morning lord symbol?
46:49 [DM (Aarya)] Um, yeah, so you, Iridel, recognize the morning lord's iconography from the church in Barovia Village. So, yes, this is the morning lord symbol. Um, as Irina, like, pushes past you all to approach the graves, um, she looks at it for a moment, notices the symbol, and she kind of tilts her head down and mutters what you assume to be a quick prayer under her breath.
46:49 [DM (Aarya)] And she says, These graves appear to be freshly dug. I fear that these poor folks were part of the the cohort of Barovians who fled towards Vallaki.
47:49 [Sildir (Tris)] She'd be careful praying around these parts. Mercurio might get you.
47:55 [DM (Aarya)] Mercurio? Master Mercurio, are you Do you have something against religion?
48:03 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, just when you use it to kill people.
48:08 [DM (Aarya)] I see.
48:09 [Sildir (Tris)] I didn't use it to kill anyone. I used my sword to do that. Oh, I just mean as an excuse.
48:09 [Sildir (Tris)] There was no excuse. Would you have not killed her?
48:18 [Mercurio (Gui)] Uh, well, I was actively trying not to kill her, but, you know.
48:24 [Sildir (Tris)] And you failed at doing that, and so did I once, and so did the rest of the people, and, uh, you know, it's that or stride, so I'll let you decide, I guess. You can let me know when you've thought it through. Well, I guess, I don't know.
48:24 [Sildir (Tris)] I guess I just don't like your reason.
48:44 [Mercurio (Gui)] It's okay to be uncomfortable with it.
48:45 [Sildir (Tris)] And it's quite disrespectful to call these gods imaginary friends, by the way.
48:49 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh. Well, let them smite me down, then. Hello there, imaginary friends.
48:56 [Sildir (Tris)] In a world with, um, vampires, uh, clear signs of spiritual intervention, fortune tellers, you just think there's no gods?
49:08 [Mercurio (Gui)] Uh, well, I haven't seen him. I just haven't seen him. Oh, I'm very scared of stride, and yet we still plan to kill him and talk shit about him all the time.
49:20 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, I didn't know you had a wine bottle stuck in your ass, but when you remove it, I'll be happy to continue my friendship with you. I hold nothing against you. Uh, and whenever you realize that that girl needed to die one way or the other, we can just go back to where we were.
49:37 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, well, it's quite wedged up there, so.
49:44 [Irredel (Sav)] I can tell. while you two have been fighting about that, I have been wondering. We have freshly dove graves, a holy symbol, and a dead wolf.
49:44 [Irredel (Sav)] A headless creature just ran by us down the road. What are the odds that this is some other magical horrific thing? Like a werewolf.
49:44 [Irredel (Sav)] Does anyone see any silver? With a silver crossbolt on that wolf's body? Maybe?
50:15 [Ember (Spurthi)] I did see crossbow arrows. Yeah, yeah, is there? We need to figure out if you'd like.
50:24 [Irredel (Sav)] Uh, yeah, just before you do, let me turn away. I just... Even though it could be a terrible werewolf monster, I still hate to see.
50:36 [Ember (Spurthi)] I like the plot. I can hold a wolf down while you pull it out. Okay.
50:44 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so the two of you are gonna, like, search the body for... What are you trying to do exactly? Are you just, like, pulling out the crossbow bolts?
50:44 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I see. Yeah, I guess roll investigation for one of you, or whoever is, like, inspecting the bolts.
50:59 [Ember (Spurthi)] Uh, I guess I'm pulling them out. So I'll roll investigation. Damn, okay.
51:09 [DM (Aarya)] Oh my, so that wasn't that one. Um... So you go to pull out the bolts, Satorno.
51:09 [DM (Aarya)] Your hand kind of slips, and you end up slicing open your hands on one of the bolts as you pull it out. You take a point of damage.
51:29 [Saturno (Steph)] Great.
51:31 [Ember (Spurthi)] This is how you get septus, everyone. Satorno can't catch a break, man. He cannot.
51:31 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, I... Oops, hold on.
51:44 [DM (Aarya)] Um, so Ember, with a 16 investigation check, um, you kind of, um, you allow Satorno to step back and treat her own wounds, um, and you move to pull out a couple of the other bolts in the wolf's body, and you inspect them. And you can tell that these are pretty ordinary, um, iron bolts. They aren't silver.
52:10 [Ember (Spurthi)] They are not silver?
52:12 [DM (Aarya)] They're not. Although I think one or two of you do have, like, silver weapons. Somebody has a silver short sword, I think.
52:24 [Ember (Spurthi)] I think it's me. I definitely have one. Well, this does not look like my weapons or anything similar.
52:35 [Irredel (Sav)] Alright, well that's a relief. That's a sign that this isn't a werewolf, right? Right, guys?
52:42 [Ember (Spurthi)] I wonder if a werewolf came and killed them. So it was kind of a self-defense you think? I think that's from what it looks like.
52:42 [Ember (Spurthi)] I just feel like how how did everyone I don't know, there must have been another person, another person that maybe finished it off, and then two people died, maybe.
53:12 [Sylalys (Cat)] Can we speak to the dead?
53:15 [Ember (Spurthi)] That'd be kind of cool.
53:17 [Sylalys (Cat)] Okay, sure.
53:26 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, yeah. I guess roll me if you're looking for tracks and stuff, that's probably survival. Okay, let's see.
53:26 [DM (Aarya)] 17 survival check. So you look around the immediate area looking for tracks or any sort of clue that you might find. You don't find any tracks necessarily, and you feel, given the state of the lack of tracks, and also just looking at the graves, you can tell and also I guess from the state of the body of the wolf, the state of the wolf's corpse, you can tell that whatever skirmish happened here, happened a while ago, probably at least a couple weeks.
53:26 [DM (Aarya)] You do notice some broken branches and such coming from the woods, which suggests that there was a larger pack of creatures here, not just this lone wolf. And going by the state of the wolf's wounds, seeing how there are multiple bolts and spear wounds, there probably was not just one person fighting this wolf.
54:37 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
54:43 [Sylalys (Cat)] I believe there was many wolves and whatever hunted it, there were many of them as well.
54:58 [DM (Aarya)] Well, how did you find that out, Master Syllabus?
55:02 [Sylalys (Cat)] Well, I am a hunter.
55:06 [DM (Aarya)] I see. So you're an expert in these sorts of matters?
55:14 [Sylalys (Cat)] Yeah. Well, sure, if you want to say that.
55:20 [DM (Aarya)] I see. It seems I may have underestimated you, Master Syllabus.
55:30 [Sylalys (Cat)] Yes.
55:35 [Irredel (Sav)] It's alright. Probably someone should underestimate him a little bit to balance out how he feels about himself. Two of you can meet in the middle.
55:51 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. So you guys want to do anything else here? There is also the tower still next to you.
55:59 [Sildir (Tris)] There was a tower?
56:01 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, there's the crumbling watchtower right next to where all of this is. The graves are right next to the tower.
56:10 [Sildir (Tris)] Sure. I take a look at the tower and I look for any imagery or symbolism that would help me determine what it was for originally.
56:18 [DM (Aarya)] So you can tell pretty easily that this appears to be the remains of a watchtower of sorts, maybe like a guard post or something like that. You can see that the walls, the stone walls of the tower are pretty covered in moss and stuff. So it's obviously been long since abandoned and the door on the front is like the wooden door is rotted away and coming off the hinges, basically.
56:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Anyone want to go check this out with me? There might be some weapons or something useful in there. Seems like it was just abandoned.
56:47 [Sildir (Tris)] I mean, maybe they left stuff.
57:00 [Mercurio (Gui)] Sure, I'll go with you.
57:01 [Saturno (Steph)] I think we should go.
57:02 [Mercurio (Gui)] Just to make sure that you don't kill anybody on the way there. Well, thanks, Mercurio.
57:08 [Sildir (Tris)] I do appreciate that. I don't think I really need help with that. You know, Mercurio, what would you have done there?
57:08 [Sildir (Tris)] Let me ask you. If you were me, what would you do?
57:19 [Mercurio (Gui)] I probably would have thought it over instead of just having a...
57:24 [Sildir (Tris)] But I think I kind of explained this to you already that it wasn't just... I mean, they don't just tell me what to do. These gods.
57:24 [Sildir (Tris)] I can reject them.
57:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] You just have a look on your face like you're...
57:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Who are you to... the boss of what people's face should look like? That's ridiculous.
57:41 [Sildir (Tris)] This is a very serious thing you're talking about.
57:51 [Mercurio (Gui)] Maybe you should listen. I'm just saying maybe you should consider these... How many are we?
57:51 [Mercurio (Gui)] Six voices? A little bit more than those two?
58:01 [Sildir (Tris)] Who are you to say that I haven't? Will someone speak up if they think that killing the girl was wrong? I mean, I don't know what to say.
58:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] It's fine. You can just misinterpret what I'm saying.
58:16 [Sildir (Tris)] Let me just ignore Iridel who said go for it, Madame Eva who said go for it, and two gods who said go for it.
58:22 [Mercurio (Gui)] That's who we should be considering. The old lady we just met.
58:26 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, if you think I shouldn't have killed her, maybe you should have said something.
58:29 [Mercurio (Gui)] These two imaginary friends you just met as well. You're very quick to serve people you just met. I think you're very quick to judge.
58:29 [Mercurio (Gui)] It's a straw that offered you some magical powers and you start listening to what he says?
58:49 [Sildir (Tris)] I would reject him just as I can reject these gods. I don't understand why you're assigning all of these pre-made conclusions to what I'm up to in my brain.
59:00 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm just basing it off what I've seen so far. So you can reject them then?
59:05 [Sildir (Tris)] I would have if I didn't agree with what they were doing. I mean, I was killing that girl either way. Just so you know.
59:05 [Sildir (Tris)] So if you have a problem, it's with me.
59:16 [Ember (Spurthi)] Mercurio, I don't think we wanted to kill that girl. I don't think anyone here wanted to kill that girl. But if there's anyone that knows what happened...
59:25 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, at least of all me. And maybe if you could have actually fucking done something about it, Mercurio, I wouldn't have had to do it. Well, you failed fucking epically.
59:33 [Mercurio (Gui)] It was not an easy decision to make.
59:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, dude. I mean, what, you're some sort of fucking magical bard, like singer to sleep or something, man. Not whatever the fuck you did.
59:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Fell on your face practically. She was right next to you.
59:48 [Mercurio (Gui)] Okay, great. That's a great interpretation of the events that happened.
59:52 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, well, I'm just being as generous as you are, Mr. Generous Interpreter over there. Oh, okay. Yeah.
59:52 [Sildir (Tris)] So to the tower then? You're coming with? Yes.
59:52 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, guardian of innocent girls who serve Strahd. Let's go.
01:00:10 [DM (Aarya)] So Sildur and Mercurio are heading inside the tower. What is everyone else doing?
01:00:16 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm gonna stand guard out front, keep an eye, and I'm massaging the temple right now.
01:00:21 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
01:00:22 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm like, oh my god, I can't. Stop.
01:00:27 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yelling at each other like that. Behind both Mercurio. I think we should worry about the present and move forward.
01:00:27 [Ember (Spurthi)] So... I'm going to the tower. I'm also going to the tower.
01:00:42 [Mercurio (Gui)] It's the present where Sildur keeps misrepresenting everything I say every time.
01:00:49 [Sildir (Tris)] Misrepresenting? I mean, you haven't...
01:00:50 [Mercurio (Gui)] You keep making it about the choice itself and not how you made it, which is what I keep pointing out.
01:00:57 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm trying to tell you that I made this choice, Mercurio. I don't know how much more clearly I could say that. I'll believe you then.
01:01:04 [DM (Aarya)] I guess we're done.
01:01:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] What do you think would have happened if we didn't kill the girl?
01:01:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, there's no way to know now.
01:01:16 [Sildir (Tris)] Sildur made sure of that. She said directly to us, hey, I'm serving strut. I mean, what more of a indicator of what she would do do you possibly need?
01:01:35 [Mercurio (Gui)] I guess that's all you need.
01:01:37 [Sildir (Tris)] I wonder what those scarecrows would have done to us if we just tried to make friends with them. I guess we'll never know now.
01:01:45 [Mercurio (Gui)] That girl is exactly like those scarecrows. Is that how you see it, Sildur? The truth comes out then.
01:01:52 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, so you would like to say that I misrepresent what you say and look at you. You're pathetic. Let's go to the stupid tower and get this over with.
01:02:01 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm the pathetic one.
01:02:03 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm the one comparing random girls to monsters. Yes, a fully battle-capable bard who failed to stop a small servant of Strahd.
01:02:15 [Mercurio (Gui)] She was such a threat to us.
01:02:17 [Sildir (Tris)] I mean, she's just like those scarecrows. You're right, Sildur. She is a threat to us if she escaped, which you made sure she would do.
01:02:26 [Mercurio (Gui)] She could kill us all. Oh, she was definitely... We had her surrounded by all six of us.
01:02:26 [Mercurio (Gui)] She was gonna get away.
01:02:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Look, I don't know what your problem is. I feel like I have the support of most people here in that we all agree that she kinda needed to go. I've tried to make it clear to you why I did that.
01:02:51 [Mercurio (Gui)] No, well, I know. Look, I'll just go out and say it then. Yeah, she had to go.
01:02:51 [Mercurio (Gui)] There you go. You can have that much. There you go.
01:02:59 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, so are you just talking the talk? I guess if that's how you see it, I'm just wasting my breath then. It's a question too.
01:02:59 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I mean, you haven't made any good points. I haven't? Okay.
01:02:59 [Sildir (Tris)] I mean, I'm trying to tell you that I... You seem to think I just will do anything these gods tell me. I'm trying to tell you that's not the case.
01:02:59 [Sildir (Tris)] But I can't force you to see that. Thank you for reassuring me.
01:03:29 [Sylalys (Cat)] Damn. Can you two just kiss and make up later? Let us investigate this tower already.
01:03:35 [Sildir (Tris)] I would like to. I agree.
01:03:37 [Ember (Spurthi)] If you're arguing, one of you guys should stay and one of you guys should come to the tower with us.
01:03:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I'm gonna go to the tower. And Mercurio, you can do whatever you do.
01:03:46 [Ember (Spurthi)] Because we're not being productive right now.
01:03:50 [Irredel (Sav)] I was gonna stay out front and guard behind those graves in the wolf corpse. Still not super trustful. To stay with me.
01:04:01 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, Mercurio, you should stay with Gerudo.
01:04:03 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. So, Ember, Sildir, Silalus, and what is Saturna doing? Saturna?
01:04:19 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, yes. I'm going to the tower. Okay, cool.
01:04:19 [Ember (Spurthi)] I don't know why I thought you said Mercurio. No, no, no.
01:04:24 [DM (Aarya)] Very good. Yeah, so the four of you step inside the tower. Irina will also stay outside with Iridel and Mercurio.
01:04:24 [DM (Aarya)] She does seem kind of concerned. You can tell that she looks a little worried having witnessed two of you argue so intensely like that. So yeah, she stays outside.
01:04:24 [DM (Aarya)] Four of you go inside. And as you cross the threshold of this tower, you notice the temperature drops notably by a few degrees. It is very noticeably colder inside.
01:04:24 [DM (Aarya)] The tower itself isn't particularly large or anything. It's maybe about 20 feet across and circular. On the far side, opposite from the door, you can see an empty, cold looking hearth.
01:04:24 [DM (Aarya)] And you can hear the wind whistling down the chimney. And you just hear the wailing of the wind, basically. Let's see.
01:04:24 [DM (Aarya)] I believe this is Silaris. You catch something gleaming out of the corner of your eye as you step across the threshold. On the ground on the right side of the door, you see what appears to be a very old looking tarnished silver pendant.
01:04:24 [DM (Aarya)] I will pick it up. Alright. So you pick it up.
01:04:24 [DM (Aarya)] You take a look at it. And you can tell that this is a very old looking pendant. And as you touch it, it feels unnaturally cold to the touch.
01:04:24 [DM (Aarya)] And you can see the pendant itself is carved to resemble a dragon.
01:06:13 [Sylalys (Cat)] A dragon, you said?
01:06:14 [DM (Aarya)] Yes.
01:06:26 [Ember (Spurthi)] Do you feel any different?
01:06:31 [Sylalys (Cat)] No. This is jewelry.
01:06:35 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. Well, I thought something would happen.
01:06:41 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I mean, nothing of note really happens. Let me check. Let's see.
01:06:41 [DM (Aarya)] You also see, like, stairs leading up to an upper floor, and presumably there are further stairs leading onto the roof of the tower.
01:07:03 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I'll start going up the stairs if there's, like, a void of anything else in this room.
01:07:09 [DM (Aarya)] Other than the pendant. So you make your way up the stairs to the upper level of the tower. And you can feel that the temperature up here is even colder, noticeably so.
01:07:09 [DM (Aarya)] It feels like an icebox in here. You see that there are windows set in almost every wall. And a rusted iron ladder bolted to the floor leads to a trapdoor in the ceiling.
01:07:09 [DM (Aarya)] Um... Yeah. It's...
01:07:41 [Sildir (Tris)] really freezing in here. It's not just me, is it?
01:07:45 [Ember (Spurthi)] No, it's...
01:07:48 [Sildir (Tris)] I guess it looks like we get access to the roof there. Do you wanna see if we get outside and maybe it's just really windy up here or something? Otherwise, maybe this place is haunted.
01:08:00 [Ember (Spurthi)] I think it's haunted. It's unnaturally cold in here, given...
01:08:08 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, I just feel like I've been a bit crazy-made lately, so I wanna rule out... not just jump to conclusions, I guess.
01:08:20 [Ember (Spurthi)] I think you have a point. I think it's unnaturally cold in here. Given...
01:08:20 [Ember (Spurthi)] the fact that we just saw a headless horseman. Yeah, well...
01:08:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Some people need cold hard proof. Just trying to be respectful of that. But anyway, do you guys wanna go to the roof?
01:08:42 [Ember (Spurthi)] Uh, yeah. Let's investigate. Yeah, let's do it.
01:08:46 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. So you climb up the ladder. You open the hatch of the trapdoor.
01:08:46 [DM (Aarya)] The four of you make your way onto the rooftop. Let's see... So, at the roof of this tower, you can see there are parapets all about.
01:08:46 [DM (Aarya)] On the perimeter. There's what all about? Parapets.
01:08:46 [DM (Aarya)] What is that? Let me just check that I'm not crazy here. Yeah, parapets.
01:08:46 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, exactly. You know the things on the top of castle walls? So there are gaps in between?
01:08:46 [DM (Aarya)] You know what I mean? Pillow pets. Oh.
01:08:46 [DM (Aarya)] It's a pet.
01:09:35 [Sildir (Tris)] It's a little bright for stride, but okay.
01:09:39 [DM (Aarya)] I'll choose the elephant. Yeah, they have skulls on them. So edgy.
01:09:39 [DM (Aarya)] Let's see. So, from atop the battlements of this watchtower, you can see to the northwest, the Sare Falls and the Sare Pool to the northeast. To the south, above and to the south, you see the rising slopes of a mountain far off in the distance.
01:09:39 [DM (Aarya)] Below you, below the cliff where the tower stands, you see an impenetrable wall of thick gray fog.
01:10:25 [Ember (Spurthi)] So it's cold and foggy.
01:10:27 [DM (Aarya)] Yep. You don't really see anything else of note in this area.
01:10:32 [Sildir (Tris)] We can't see Vallaki from here?
01:10:38 [DM (Aarya)] You can see in the direction of this northwest-ish, I would say, you just see some dense woods. And from the directions that you were given, let me double check the map. Yeah, Vallaki is nestled within those woods, basically.
01:10:38 [DM (Aarya)] There's like a clearing of sorts there.
01:11:04 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, I agree with Ember. I'm not seeing too much. But at least it looks like we're on the right track.
01:11:16 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah. If anything, right?
01:11:20 [Sildir (Tris)] I mean, we gotta take the... what good things we can get in Barovia. On the right track?
01:11:20 [Sildir (Tris)] I'll take it.
01:11:31 [DM (Aarya)] Let's go.
01:11:32 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, for once, we're on the right track.
01:11:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, I guess we should go back down.
01:11:41 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. So you make your way back down and out of the tower. Arena looks to you all and she asks, Did you find anything of interest, Ember?
01:11:54 [Ember (Spurthi)] No, Tristog. I mean, we did find a necklace.
01:12:00 [DM (Aarya)] A necklace. May I see it? Cool.
01:12:00 [DM (Aarya)] Hmm. Insight check. Insight check?
01:12:00 [DM (Aarya)] You wanna insight check that? I don't trust her. What are you trying to insight check?
01:12:00 [DM (Aarya)] You think she has some kind of motive here?
01:12:20 [Sylalys (Cat)] Yeah, I don't know. I'm just suspicious.
01:12:23 [DM (Aarya)] Roll the insight, I guess. With an 11 insight, you can tell that she just seems to be curious.
01:12:37 [Sylalys (Cat)] No, it is not safe for a princess such as yourself.
01:12:42 [DM (Aarya)] I'm sorry, I'm not really a princess.
01:12:46 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, whatever you are. It's not safe still? I thought you said it was just a pendant.
01:12:46 [Sildir (Tris)] What do you mean it's not safe?
01:12:57 [Sylalys (Cat)] I have a strange feeling. I do not know, but I think it is best that I hold this.
01:13:06 [Ember (Spurthi)] Just don't wear it.
01:13:08 [DM (Aarya)] Is there something wrong with it, Ember? Why should he not wear it?
01:13:13 [Ember (Spurthi)] It's weird. I mean, what if something happens if you wear it? What if Silica gets possessed?
01:13:18 [DM (Aarya)] What does it look like? Is it some kind of strange symbol or something?
01:13:24 [Ember (Spurthi)] Do we know?
01:13:27 [DM (Aarya)] I don't know if Sililus actually shared with y'all what the pendant looks like.
01:13:33 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'm just assuming.
01:13:38 [DM (Aarya)] Sililus was the one who noticed it before anyone else and he picked it up and kept it to himself. I'm not sure if he shared anything about it. The only thing that the rest of y'all would have noticed is that he picked up something shiny off the ground.
01:13:53 [Ember (Spurthi)] Sililus, can you see it?
01:13:58 [Saturno (Steph)] No.
01:13:59 [DM (Aarya)] I'm just going to put it in my little breast pocket. You're a very secretive one.
01:14:07 [Ember (Spurthi)] For no reason too.
01:14:12 [Sylalys (Cat)] Some would say secretive, some would say cautious.
01:14:19 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I guess. Sililus was the only one who didn't really notice going into this, at least in some capacity. You can't really blame him.
01:14:28 [DM (Aarya)] He's a stranger to you.
01:14:31 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, not anymore. We know and love his arrogant, annoying, cocky, rude self now. But yeah, I mean, when we met him it was just we were kind of all huddling for shelter of a storm.
01:14:31 [Sildir (Tris)] And we actually kind of crashed his room, unknowingly.
01:14:59 [DM (Aarya)] I see. I suppose that might explain why he's...
01:15:06 [Sildir (Tris)] It doesn't explain all of it, but it might explain some, Irina.
01:15:11 [DM (Aarya)] I see. Well, I suppose we should continue on our journey?
01:15:20 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, I think that would be best.
01:15:23 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. So the group of you reconvene and set off once more. You continue down the winding mountain road.
01:15:23 [DM (Aarya)] You see the jagged peaks looming ominously through the fog far above. The air grows colder as the road passes through a dark evergreen forest, the thick canopy once more blocking out much of the sky's dim light. Here the road grows narrow, its edges passing above steep, craggy slopes as it winds around a mountain spur.
01:15:23 [DM (Aarya)] The only sounds that follow you are the crunching of fallen leaves and an occasional rustling in the underbrush. I'm going to switch the scene here. Let's do...
01:15:23 [DM (Aarya)] Where is it? This one?
01:16:15 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah, this is it.
01:16:17 [DM (Aarya)] Bring y'all into the scene. It's a bright day here in Barovia. Yeah, the lighting here is rather bright, uncharacteristically so.
01:16:17 [DM (Aarya)] My retinas.
01:16:46 [Sildir (Tris)] It's funny because you said it specifically was blocking out the dim sunlight.
01:16:50 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, now I get you.
01:16:52 [Sildir (Tris)] It's fine though. That's a total nitpick.
01:16:56 [DM (Aarya)] You're good. Let's play some music. How are you?
01:16:56 [DM (Aarya)] Some ambiance. The brew.
01:17:06 [Sildir (Tris)] Ambiance. Got something to say.
01:17:10 [DM (Aarya)] So, let me check what y'all got here.
01:17:14 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh yeah, you should hear what he said about you earlier.
01:17:37 [Sildir (Tris)] You're muted.
01:17:42 [Irredel (Sav)] There's something. There's something in the woods, everyone. Be alert.
01:17:42 [Irredel (Sav)] Where is it? It ran by. Big white teeth, amber eyes.
01:17:42 [Irredel (Sav)] Grey fur, presumably a wolf. 100% sure. Eyes were reliable at the distance.
01:17:42 [Irredel (Sav)] It was here, and then it ran through the underbrush.
01:18:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] Do we want to follow it? Maybe we should just walk in a straight line. I could be at the end.
01:18:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] Sildir, maybe you could stand in the front. Just in case.
01:18:16 [DM (Aarya)] You want to single file it?
01:18:18 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, just to be ready to attack.
01:18:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Trust your battle instincts, Eterno. You can stay at the front, and I guess you'll stay at the back. You can lead if you'd like.
01:18:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Which direction are we heading?
01:18:33 [DM (Aarya)] You're heading north, so up this direction.
01:18:41 [Ember (Spurthi)] I have my sword out.
01:18:43 [DM (Aarya)] Just really quick, everyone's in the scene, right? Is somebody on top of somebody? I think we have everyone.
01:18:43 [DM (Aarya)] I would never do such a thing.
01:18:53 [Sylalys (Cat)] I think we're missing Ember. Where did Ember go?
01:18:57 [Ember (Spurthi)] I thought it was... Can we actually summon Memphis?
01:19:05 [DM (Aarya)] You can. Hold on, let me just... Eterno, Ember...
01:19:12 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh my god, I ate Ember.
01:19:13 [DM (Aarya)] Wait, Ember is... It says Ember is in the scene, but I don't see what happened to her token. How did that happen?
01:19:20 [Sildir (Tris)] Everyone moved one space just to see. Yeah, I don't know.
01:19:24 [DM (Aarya)] That's so weird.
01:19:26 [Ember (Spurthi)] Everyone's tokens is gone.
01:19:28 [DM (Aarya)] Do you just see a black screen?
01:19:31 [Ember (Spurthi)] No, it's just I see the background. I can see everyone moving their cursor around. Just not...
01:19:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Can you see our tokens?
01:19:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] No.
01:19:40 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, so she sees no tokens. Do you have her loaded into a different scene somehow? No, I don't.
01:19:46 [DM (Aarya)] Let me just pull you into the scene. That's so weird. I see, I see.
01:19:54 [Irredel (Sav)] Before we jump back in, when we slept overnight at the camp, we're supposed to have taken a long rest.
01:20:01 [DM (Aarya)] Also, I forgot... I'm not sure if you guys are keeping track of this, but if you're casters, make sure you're preparing your spells. Long-rested.
01:20:01 [DM (Aarya)] Just as a reminder. Don't prepare spells. That's right.
01:20:01 [DM (Aarya)] I think clerics...
01:20:23 [Irredel (Sav)] It's me. I also don't know how to do that. You don't know how to what?
01:20:23 [Irredel (Sav)] Do that in Foundry. I've just mentally been...
01:20:31 [DM (Aarya)] On your spellbook, you'll see on the right of each entry in the spell list, there's a book icon. That'll tell you if you're prepared or not prepared.
01:20:43 [Irredel (Sav)] Perfect.
01:20:50 [DM (Aarya)] So this is the line that you guys are forming, I'm assuming? Or do you guys want to move your tokens around however you please?
01:20:58 [Sildir (Tris)] I want everyone to stack on top of each other like chicken fight style. So everyone choose a buddy. Just kidding.
01:20:58 [Sildir (Tris)] I think this is fine.
01:21:12 [DM (Aarya)] Where did this come from? I didn't queue this. It was Strahd.
01:21:17 [Sildir (Tris)] This is Strahd's favorite.
01:21:21 [DM (Aarya)] Let me play this.
01:21:23 [Saturno (Steph)] That was cool.
01:21:24 [DM (Aarya)] That was cool. It's fine though. Um...
01:21:24 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, let me go back to this scene. So, as the road curves around the edge of the mountain, the right-hand cliff falls away, leaving a sheer drop to a wooded ravine below. The road, now barely ten feet wide, bends up ahead, doubling back around this ravine before plunging dramatically and winding around a smaller mountain peak.
01:21:24 [DM (Aarya)] Irdel and Syllabus, you see three gray-furred shadows dart through the underbrush ahead, and three more flicker at the edge of your vision just behind you.
01:22:12 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh my god, I've never heard you speak like that. Are you okay? You saw that too?
01:22:26 [Sylalys (Cat)] It seems we are being watched, not surrounded.
01:22:34 [Irredel (Sav)] You think it's wolves?
01:22:39 [Sylalys (Cat)] That would be a good outcome.
01:22:43 [Irredel (Sav)] So it's worse than wolves.
01:22:48 [Sylalys (Cat)] Considering the lands behind, I think it is likely.
01:22:56 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, so, as you continue carefully trudging along the path, you see six snarling shadows launch from the underbrush. Fangs bared and claws outstretched. So, we got ourselves some wolves.
01:22:56 [DM (Aarya)] Got three out front. Three in the back. Um, I'm gonna start noting how smart Saturno is.
01:23:28 [Ember (Spurthi)] I kind of, you know, cooked.
01:23:32 [DM (Aarya)] You did. Saturno, good call.
01:23:34 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, she's in the front.
01:23:37 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. Um, yeah. Everyone roll initiative.
01:23:37 [DM (Aarya)] 23.
01:23:55 [Sildir (Tris)] Not bad. Oh, who got a 20?
01:23:57 [Mercurio (Gui)] I did.
01:23:58 [Sildir (Tris)] Let's go. Dang, you got a 20 and you're still not going first. That's crazy.
01:24:13 [Ember (Spurthi)] I got a 23.
01:24:16 [Sildir (Tris)] Did you get... Yeah, so you got like a 19 plus a 4. Which is impressive.
01:24:16 [Sildir (Tris)] You got a good initiative bonus.
01:24:25 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, that's pretty good. Alright. So, everyone roll initiative.
01:24:25 [DM (Aarya)] I will begin the combat. Alright, so Ember. Um, so everyone is currently arranged in a single file line with Sildur and Saturno on the ends and in the front and behind you are two sets of three wolves.
01:24:25 [DM (Aarya)] So six wolves total. Alright, Ember, what do you got?
01:24:51 [Ember (Spurthi)] What's the distance between the two?
01:24:54 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, so each square that you see, like, on the grid is five feet.
01:24:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] So it's, okay, okay.
01:25:02 [Sildir (Tris)] And there's a little ruler tool, by the way, that might help you.
01:25:05 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
01:25:08 [Sildir (Tris)] It's in the, you can access it in the top left if you want to try to use it. Otherwise, you can always count the squares.
01:25:14 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah. Okay, um... Can I use my short sword?
01:25:24 [DM (Aarya)] Um, so the short sword is like a melee weapon, so you have to be next to your target. If you want to attack from range, you can use your bow. Or I think you have your...
01:25:24 [DM (Aarya)] You have your, um... What is it called? The psychic blades?
01:25:24 [DM (Aarya)] Your...
01:25:37 [Ember (Spurthi)] I was just looking at that, but it's a bonus action.
01:25:41 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I mean, you can do it, but you could also use your short bow if you prefer. I mean, I think they do the same damage anyway.
01:25:48 [Ember (Spurthi)] So can I just use my psychic blades, like, right now?
01:25:51 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, you can do that. If it takes your bonus action to summon it... Let me just double check what your class does, actually.
01:25:51 [DM (Aarya)] You're the soul knight, right? So, psychic blades... Oh, wait!
01:25:51 [DM (Aarya)] Huh. So you can actually do both because it's a bonus action. You can attack with the bow with your attack action, then you use your bonus action to use the psychic blade.
01:26:17 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, I'll do that.
01:26:33 [DM (Aarya)] So which wolf are you attacking?
01:26:37 [Ember (Spurthi)] The one that's nearest.
01:26:39 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, yeah. So this one in the... The head of the pack behind you, so...
01:26:39 [DM (Aarya)] That would be a... I don't see the roll.
01:26:49 [Ember (Spurthi)] It was a 12.
01:26:50 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so 12 on the die without your modifier?
01:26:54 [Ember (Spurthi)] It's just normal, I think.
01:26:57 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, wait, I see it now. That's this way that it came up like that. So the 12 hits.
01:26:57 [DM (Aarya)] Go ahead, roll damage.
01:27:03 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay.
01:27:11 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. 7 damage. I'll apply it to this wolf.
01:27:11 [DM (Aarya)] And then you can do the psychic blade attack as a bonus action.
01:27:37 [Ember (Spurthi)] There's no thing for the dice.
01:27:39 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, it's weird that it... It looks like it didn't populate correctly. That's weird.
01:27:39 [DM (Aarya)] Well, it's the same, like... It's not actually the same. Yeah, just roll a crossbow attack again.
01:27:39 [DM (Aarya)] It'll be the same damage and stuff.
01:27:58 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay. Okay. Okay.
01:27:58 [Saturno (Steph)] Come on.
01:28:09 [DM (Aarya)] 16, that hits. And the damage of that is gonna be a d6 plus your dexterity, so... Yeah.
01:28:09 [DM (Aarya)] I'll just go ahead and roll the d6 here. Plus... 4.
01:28:09 [DM (Aarya)] So 5 damage. So yeah, you did another 5 damage to this wolf. It is bloodied, meaning it's below half health.
01:28:35 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay.
01:28:36 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. What do you got? I am going to cast baning.
01:28:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] On who? On the bottom three wolves.
01:28:50 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. So that's gonna be a save for them, right?
01:28:55 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah.
01:28:58 [DM (Aarya)] Charisma save.
01:29:00 [Mercurio (Gui)] They gave me a crazy UI to select them and stuff.
01:29:04 [DM (Aarya)] That's kinda neat. So 5, a12, and an 18. So that's gonna be...
01:29:04 [DM (Aarya)] The front two they failed, and the last one succeeded. So with bane they subtract a d20. Or no, sorry, a d4, not a d20.
01:29:04 [DM (Aarya)] Holy shit. They subtracted a d4 from attack rolls and saving throws.
01:29:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yup. Cool. And...
01:29:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] I will give bardic inspiration to Satuna.
01:29:49 [DM (Aarya)] Cool. Let me see if I have battle music. I should have battle music.
01:29:49 [DM (Aarya)] Let's try this one. This isn't really battle music. We'll go with this, it's fine.
01:30:07 [Ember (Spurthi)] I have something called study can I use that my next turn?
01:30:13 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah. That's a bonus action, but yeah, you can do that.
01:30:16 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
01:30:25 [DM (Aarya)] Um, yeah. Alrighty.
01:30:32 [Irredel (Sav)] I knew there was something weird. Don't like this. I'm looking to protect my friend from, uh, these weird little wolves.
01:30:32 [Irredel (Sav)] So I'm going to go ahead and cast blast. And I'm going to target uh, zealous, zealdeer, saturn, oh.
01:30:55 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
01:30:56 [Irredel (Sav)] And then, I'm going to go ahead use my voice of authority. Is that what it's called? Yes, my voice of authority.
01:30:56 [Irredel (Sav)] And for closest. Yeah, uh, Satuna is now going to be able to make a weapon attack now.
01:31:19 [Ember (Spurthi)] Wait, can you say that again, please?
01:31:22 [Irredel (Sav)] Uh, Satuna, you can make a weapon attack.
01:31:24 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, like right now? Let's go, okay. Yeah, because I blessed you, and now you have the ability to make that attack.
01:31:30 [DM (Aarya)] You actually choose the target of her attack, too.
01:31:34 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, yeah, I guess the wolf that's closest? Yeah. Sounds good to me.
01:31:40 [Ember (Spurthi)] Uh, I can't move myself?
01:31:42 [DM (Aarya)] Uh-uh, it's not your turn, but I'll just move you. There you go.
01:31:45 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. So I'm going to roll attack. Get him!
01:31:45 [Ember (Spurthi)] I trust you!
01:31:54 [DM (Aarya)] No!
01:31:55 [Ember (Spurthi)] Wait, can I use my bardic installer?
01:31:58 [DM (Aarya)] Um, it was a now one, so unfortunately that's not going to help you.
01:32:04 [Ember (Spurthi)] You do have bless, though! I do have bless.
01:32:08 [DM (Aarya)] Um, how do I want to do this?
01:32:10 [Irredel (Sav)] You add one default attack round.
01:32:12 [DM (Aarya)] Now one is a critical failure, though. Um, so I'm going to say, with a now one on it, that's so unfortunate. Let me just look at your character sheet.
01:32:12 [DM (Aarya)] You have inspiration. You could burn that. Okay, I'll do it.
01:32:12 [DM (Aarya)] Fuck it.
01:32:26 [Irredel (Sav)] And make sure then to add your bless for your attack roll.
01:32:31 [Ember (Spurthi)] Plus four, right?
01:32:32 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yep. Or, plus a d4.
01:32:36 [Ember (Spurthi)] Plus a d4. Uh, let's do a d4. Can I just do it like that?
01:32:36 [Ember (Spurthi)] I think, yeah.
01:32:44 [DM (Aarya)] I think that should work.
01:32:46 [Ember (Spurthi)] I think like this. So, normal, and then a d4.
01:32:48 [DM (Aarya)] Why is it always looping?
01:32:50 [Ember (Spurthi)] Alright, come on. I gotta hit this, right?
01:32:55 [DM (Aarya)] Uh, 27? Um, yes, that hits.
01:33:01 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, good.
01:33:04 [DM (Aarya)] Could you imagine if I said no?
01:33:07 [Ember (Spurthi)] I would be mad.
01:33:09 [DM (Aarya)] Run!
01:33:10 [Saturno (Steph)] Run!
01:33:13 [Ember (Spurthi)] Alright.
01:33:14 [DM (Aarya)] Roll that damage. Ayy. 14 damage.
01:33:14 [DM (Aarya)] God damn. Saturna, how do you kill that wolf?
01:33:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] Um, um, so when you tell me to, like, go and attack, do I, like, does my body move on its own?
01:33:35 [DM (Aarya)] Like, I guess Iridell can describe that. Like, how does that affect? Like, how does this work?
01:33:41 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, I think the way it works is that I am just, like, yelling very powerfully, and that's very motivating to you. Like, it's like a moment of, like, yes, I'm gonna jump into action. I'm gonna do something good.
01:33:41 [Irredel (Sav)] So I've just, like, really hyped you up. So I'd like to say, Saturna, there's no one I trust more than you. You're gonna do the right thing.
01:33:41 [Irredel (Sav)] You're gonna get this thing.
01:34:06 [Saturno (Steph)] For good!
01:34:08 [Ember (Spurthi)] I leap forward, and I, like, hold my sword over my head, and I just, like, slam it to the ground. Alright. Cool.
01:34:08 [Ember (Spurthi)] Like a, yeah, like a hammer almost, and I guess that was enough.
01:34:20 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, cut down that wolf. Cool. It exploded, yeah.
01:34:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] Alright.
01:34:24 [DM (Aarya)] Um, Iridel, do you have anything else? Okay, Sililus, you are up.
01:34:31 [Irredel (Sav)] And remember, Sililus, you have been blessed, too.
01:34:34 [DM (Aarya)] Bless up, fam. Was that Sililus' catchphrase? He says that all the time.
01:34:42 [Sylalys (Cat)] Bless up, fam, in that exact voice.
01:34:45 [DM (Aarya)] Oh my goodness.
01:34:47 [Sylalys (Cat)] Alright. I will use a shortbow attack on this guy. Okay.
01:34:47 [Sylalys (Cat)] No way. Plus 1d4, plus 1d4.
01:35:03 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, go ahead and roll that. At 3.
01:35:06 [Sylalys (Cat)] Come on, a 12?
01:35:07 [DM (Aarya)] So, 12 hits, yeah. So you're doing, is it this one you said?
01:35:11 [Sylalys (Cat)] The middle one in that pack.
01:35:12 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, okay, the middle one in the front pack, okay.
01:35:15 [Sylalys (Cat)] Mhm. And then I hail of thorns.
01:35:18 [DM (Aarya)] Cool.
01:35:20 [Sylalys (Cat)] Fail to place the template. Okay. Within 5 feet, so that's all 3, right?
01:35:27 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I'll just drop a little thing here. There, that's hail of thorns. Cool.
01:35:27 [DM (Aarya)] So that is, what does that do?
01:35:47 [Sylalys (Cat)] You see 12 deck save.
01:35:49 [DM (Aarya)] You see 12 deck save for all of them, right? Mhm. 7, 12, and 16.
01:35:49 [DM (Aarya)] 16. So, which one is... The front one failed, and the other two saved.
01:35:49 [DM (Aarya)] So that's gonna be...
01:36:20 [Sylalys (Cat)] So 8 on the, wait, 4, and we have to save 8 on the one I shot.
01:36:32 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so 4 for you, 2 for you, 2 for you, and 8 on the one that you shot. Mhm. Cool.
01:36:32 [DM (Aarya)] Good damage. Um, yeah. Anything else?
01:36:32 [DM (Aarya)] Mhm. Alright. It's gonna be...
01:36:32 [DM (Aarya)] What is it? This wolf's turn, and the lower pack. This one is going to come up to Saturno.
01:36:32 [DM (Aarya)] And it's gonna attack you with its uh... Wolf attack. With its maw attack.
01:36:32 [DM (Aarya)] And because it is next to one of its allies, it has the pack tactics feature, meaning it has advantage on its attacks.
01:37:32 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, but that's negated because I totally just sliced his friend in half. Come on. They're like, holy shit.
01:37:32 [Ember (Spurthi)] Jose Eagle died.
01:37:41 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, and I think this one has bane, but... Yeah, regardless, it does not hit you.
01:37:49 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah. I flick it off.
01:37:53 [DM (Aarya)] It doesn't get it, but... Next wolf. So, Hail of Thorns...
01:37:53 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, I see. This one is gonna come up next to... It's gonna come over here, actually.
01:37:53 [DM (Aarya)] Next to Sildir. You know, it's gonna come over... Nah, it can't go there.
01:37:53 [DM (Aarya)] So, it is going to attack Sildir... With... It...
01:37:53 [DM (Aarya)] Uh... With its claws. And it has advantage because of pack tactics.
01:37:53 [DM (Aarya)] 13 probably doesn't hit, right? No. 13 does not hit.
01:37:53 [DM (Aarya)] Sildir, it's your turn.
01:38:43 [Ember (Spurthi)] I scream from the other side of the line. Flick it off.
01:38:51 [Sildir (Tris)] Um... Alrighty. Well, I will...
01:38:51 [Sildir (Tris)] Um... Sorry, my... I had to pop my character sheet back in.
01:38:51 [Sildir (Tris)] Just lovely. I'm gonna drag and drop this at least to the hotbar. Sorry, bear with me.
01:38:51 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm making future turns much faster. Alright. Let me see if this hotbar works.
01:38:51 [Sildir (Tris)] Great. Okay. Attack.
01:38:51 [Sildir (Tris)] Normal. Hello? Did it roll?
01:39:27 [DM (Aarya)] It did roll.
01:39:29 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay. I guess I didn't see it for whatever reason.
01:39:32 [DM (Aarya)] Does it hit? No, you do not hit, unfortunately.
01:39:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay. Whatever then. I guess I have my blessing, but I don't think that's gonna make a difference, is it?
01:39:43 [DM (Aarya)] You got a 3, plus your attack bonus is like 5, probably.
01:39:50 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm not seeing any of my rolls. This is weird.
01:39:53 [DM (Aarya)] That is strange.
01:39:54 [Ember (Spurthi)] I was a 3. That's happened to me before.
01:39:58 [DM (Aarya)] Your total was 11, which unfortunately does not hit. Okay. It's probably some weird stuff popping out your thing.
01:39:58 [DM (Aarya)] That's usually what breaks it, for some reason. Um...
01:40:11 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I think pop-out issues.
01:40:13 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so this wolf is gonna run up over here and attack Saturno with Kalaz with advantage because of pack tactics. 17 does not hit. 17 hits.
01:40:13 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, cool. So this is gonna be some damage. That one doesn't have Bane.
01:40:13 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, it probably does have Bane. Yeah, these two have Bane, the lower ones. Good call.
01:40:13 [DM (Aarya)] Let me roll that D1, see what we get. Two. So it does...
01:40:13 [DM (Aarya)] 15 doesn't hit, right? 15 does not hit. Okay, cool.
01:40:13 [DM (Aarya)] Nice. Hey, Saturno, it is your turn. I flicked it off.
01:40:13 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
01:41:03 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. Sorry, I was like chewing. I'm gonna cast Booming Blade.
01:41:03 [Ember (Spurthi)] Ew. I hate it when the little circle comes up. And then I'm gonna attack the one right in front of me with my Greatsword.
01:41:21 [DM (Aarya)] He has two in front of him.
01:41:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] The one to my left.
01:41:34 [DM (Aarya)] 25 hits. Go ahead and roll damage. 9 damage.
01:41:34 [DM (Aarya)] Nice.
01:41:46 [Ember (Spurthi)] Cool. Okay, that's it. I guess I have Bone...
01:41:46 [Ember (Spurthi)] No, that's it.
01:41:54 [DM (Aarya)] Panicked wolf. So this wolfie is gonna come over yonder. He's actually gonna swap places with this wolf, I'll say.
01:41:54 [DM (Aarya)] And it's gonna attack Sildur with claws, with advantage. No. 23 hits.
01:41:54 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah? Nope. Alright, so that's gonna be 5 damage to Sildur.
01:41:54 [DM (Aarya)] And also you are pushed back 5 feet. Wow, okay. Is that Irina's turn?
01:41:54 [DM (Aarya)] Irina is going to kind of crouch cautiously behind Sildur. And she's going to ready a strike against the next wolf that steps up. Um...
01:41:54 [DM (Aarya)] Now it's gonna be the deceitful wolf's turn. So this wolf is going to run up in front of Sildur once more and attack with claws, with advantage. Oh boy.
01:41:54 [DM (Aarya)] Let's see. 19, does that hit? Yep.
01:41:54 [DM (Aarya)] Great. Damage. Um, actually this space is open.
01:41:54 [DM (Aarya)] I'm gonna say I was here. Haha. I have a question.
01:43:41 [Ember (Spurthi)] Do we not have the end turn thing anymore?
01:43:44 [DM (Aarya)] It's gonna be at the top. You see the banner at the top? Yeah.
01:43:44 [DM (Aarya)] So if you hover over to the right side, you'll see arrows, I think. Or maybe it's on the left.
01:43:56 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, I see what you mean. Yeah.
01:43:59 [DM (Aarya)] So that's gonna be another 3 damage. And it will also push you 5 feet. And that, unfortunately, Sildur will send you tumbling over the edge here.
01:43:59 [DM (Aarya)] So...
01:44:15 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright.
01:44:16 [DM (Aarya)] You're going to fall all the way down here, which is... 50 feet. And you'll take 5d6 damage.
01:44:16 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. 3, 4, 5. Roll.
01:44:16 [DM (Aarya)] 21 damage. Alright, I'm down.
01:44:36 [Saturno (Steph)] No!
01:44:41 [DM (Aarya)] Sildur is downed. And now it goes back to Ember.
01:44:57 [Ember (Spurthi)] So you're trying to do psychic...
01:45:00 [DM (Aarya)] I thought you said steady aim. Which feature are you trying to do? Is it psychic blades or steady aim?
01:45:00 [DM (Aarya)] Psychic blades is like your subclass feature that lets you attack with your spectral blades. And then steady aim just lets you focus and get advantage on your attack roll.
01:45:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, I'll do psychic blades.
01:45:25 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. You can do that as a bonus action still. So you can attack normally with your shark bow and then do psychic blades as a bonus action.
01:45:34 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
01:45:37 [DM (Aarya)] What? Shark bow. Shark bow.
01:45:37 [DM (Aarya)] So that's going to be on... Is that going to be on this one here? Next to Saturna?
01:45:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] Which one is lowest in health?
01:46:01 [DM (Aarya)] This one. Go ahead and roll the damage. So that's going to be 5 damage.
01:46:01 [DM (Aarya)] It's now bloodied. And now you can do your psychic blades attack. And since you attacked with the shark bow right before this, you can roll that attack with it.
01:46:01 [DM (Aarya)] Actually, since you have Saturna, your ally, next to this target, you can do sneak attack damage on this.
01:46:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] How many bonus actions do I get?
01:46:42 [DM (Aarya)] You just get one. Oh.
01:46:44 [Ember (Spurthi)] Because I have an idea.
01:46:46 [DM (Aarya)] What are you trying to do?
01:46:48 [Ember (Spurthi)] So I have this thing called psychic whispers. And I was like, maybe I could convince the werewolves to not attack or kill themselves. Like each other.
01:47:01 [DM (Aarya)] Where is psychic whispers? Where do you see that? Oh, I see.
01:47:01 [DM (Aarya)] As a magic action, you can choose one or more creatures. You can see after a number of your... Oh.
01:47:01 [DM (Aarya)] So that takes your full action. That's not going to be a bonus action. And also, for that feature, I don't think it will work with the wolves because they aren't really intelligent creatures.
01:47:01 [DM (Aarya)] But you can do that with your allies, and it'll let you communicate with each other telepathically. If you choose to. But not...
01:47:01 [DM (Aarya)] What did you say?
01:47:40 [Ember (Spurthi)] Communicate what?
01:47:41 [DM (Aarya)] Telepathically, like you can hear each other in your heads.
01:47:46 [Ember (Spurthi)] You can tell me a joke right now. Okay. You don't want me to tell you what you want.
01:47:46 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. I'll just take a psychic blade.
01:47:55 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, but before that, you can do sneak attack damage since you... Yeah, you're hitting this person next to your ally.
01:48:02 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. Sneak attack damage.
01:48:10 [DM (Aarya)] So level 3? Yeah. 2d6.
01:48:10 [DM (Aarya)] Wow. That's actually a really low roll. 3 sneak attack damage, unfortunate.
01:48:10 [DM (Aarya)] But damage is damage, so we'll take it. Now you can do your psychic blade attack.
01:48:22 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
01:48:28 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, it's annoying that it doesn't... Yeah, it doesn't have the button on this one, unfortunately. It didn't import right, probably.
01:48:28 [DM (Aarya)] We can redo that later. Let me double check. I think psychic blade has the same stats as a short sword, I believe.
01:48:28 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Yeah, so I guess just roll a short sword attack and we'll say it's psychic blades. 19, that hits.
01:48:28 [DM (Aarya)] And roll the damage.
01:49:13 [Ember (Spurthi)] Some wolves better be killed in this turn.
01:49:17 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, how do you kill this wolf?
01:49:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] Can I just throw my sword?
01:49:26 [DM (Aarya)] The psychic blade, right? Yeah. Yeah, so you'll throw the blade and it hits the wolf directly.
01:49:26 [DM (Aarya)] Cool. Alright, Mercurio.
01:49:40 [Ember (Spurthi)] Is it killed?
01:49:41 [DM (Aarya)] It's dead, yeah.
01:49:43 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh yeah, he's killing the wolf.
01:49:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] So Sildir is down in this ditch? Yep. Alright, so I'm gonna peer over the ditch and see him down there and I'm gonna turn to Iridel and be like, maybe that tier guy is watching over us and enforcing fairness and justice.
01:49:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] And then I'm gonna say, but I think that's probably enough and I cast Healing Word on Sildir. Cool. How do I...
01:49:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] It's giving me the wolf as a target? Okay, wait, I figured it out. The UI is different now for selecting spell targets.
01:50:43 [DM (Aarya)] Dang, they really did double the healing on these spells, that's crazy.
01:50:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, nine! A fat niner.
01:50:50 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, so Sildir comes back That's how you know Mercurial meant it.
01:50:58 [Mercurio (Gui)] I think the Healing Word is sorry.
01:51:08 [Sildir (Tris)] I don't know if I hear any of it.
01:51:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] He wouldn't want you to.
01:51:16 [Sildir (Tris)] I mean, Sildir is cool with you. He's not... He just wants you to let it go.
01:51:16 [Sildir (Tris)] He doesn't really need a sorry.
01:51:27 [Mercurio (Gui)] That's okay. You got the sorry anyways, so take it. I'll do Vicious Mockery on the top wolf that's right here.
01:51:43 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, okay. So that's gonna be wisdom save. Okay.
01:51:43 [DM (Aarya)] Normal. 14 wisdom saves. Wow, crazy.
01:51:43 [DM (Aarya)] That is crazy. I assume that's your turn?
01:52:03 [Mercurio (Gui)] And that is my turn.
01:52:05 [DM (Aarya)] Here we go, you're up.
01:52:10 [Irredel (Sav)] Alright, so it looks like now that Sildir is up, everyone feeling alright? Kinda accurate?
01:52:18 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah.
01:52:19 [Irredel (Sav)] Okay, cool. If that's the case, I'm gonna take a moment to maybe do a little bit of damage, and I'm gonna cast sorry, what is Aha, there we go. I'm gonna cast Hold the Dead be the one for yeah, the save why did it show up twice?
01:52:19 [Irredel (Sav)] Anyways, I'm going to point nearest northern wolf that is wounded I think would be the one It's gonna be this one. Yeah, that one. And I'm gonna cast Hold the Dead.
01:53:13 [DM (Aarya)] Cool, so DC 14 wisdom and it fails the save. So you get some real versatile damage. So that's a pretty good spell.
01:53:13 [DM (Aarya)] Damn, you high rolled it too. It's not coming up in the thing but that was an 11.
01:53:34 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, it's going up for me. It says 11.
01:53:45 [DM (Aarya)] Um, yeah. 11 damage to this wolf, and it is now bloodied. Alright, Sylvanas.
01:53:45 [DM (Aarya)] So that's gonna be this near one, I guess. Damn. Well, 12 hits.
01:53:45 [DM (Aarya)] You are also blessed. But yeah. So 14, that hits.
01:53:45 [DM (Aarya)] 7 damage. This wolf is on death's door. Okay.
01:53:45 [DM (Aarya)] Anything else? So we're gonna go to these wolves now. So this wolf down below next to Saturno is now alone.
01:53:45 [DM (Aarya)] And it's going to attack with its maul, but without advantage because its friends are dead. That is a 9. That does not hit, right?
01:53:45 [DM (Aarya)] Nope. Cool.
01:55:25 [Sildir (Tris)] Doorcast.
01:55:27 [DM (Aarya)] I once again flick off.
01:55:29 [Sildir (Tris)] That wolf is surprised.
01:55:31 [DM (Aarya)] So this wolf is gonna run up along the edge over here and go for Iridel with claws and advantage because it's next to its friends. 16. Does that hit?
01:55:31 [DM (Aarya)] No, actually. Really?
01:55:49 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, I have an AC of 17. Damn, alright. I see you.
01:55:49 [Irredel (Sav)] Cool.
01:55:55 [DM (Aarya)] Still there.
01:55:55 [Irredel (Sav)] Tyr, protect me!
01:55:59 [Sildir (Tris)] So, I am like... I'm just fed up. Also, yeah, I mean...
01:55:59 [Sildir (Tris)] I gotta really hand this one to Yoria. Awesome. I mean...
01:55:59 [Sildir (Tris)] This is an interesting combat scenario. Anyway. I am going to take 1-2 steps forward here.
01:55:59 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm going to raise my sword. Point it upwards. I will point out...
01:56:42 [DM (Aarya)] I will point out that since you're below and that sheer face in front of you is like 50 feet high, you won't be able to see past the edge of the path. If someone were standing right at the edge, you can see Iridel and Mercurio, but you can't see everyone else.
01:57:00 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, so I'll take a few steps over here. What can I see now?
01:57:04 [DM (Aarya)] Umm... Good question. I don't think the angles quite work, but I'll give it to you.
01:57:11 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright, I'll take one more step.
01:57:14 [DM (Aarya)] You can see this over here.
01:57:17 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright, great. And I am going to say to it, approach.
01:57:21 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. You're just going to say that? Oh, command.
01:57:21 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
01:57:29 [Sildir (Tris)] Committing it to approach. And then, once I do that, let's go see what it does, I guess.
01:57:41 [DM (Aarya)] So, with a 6 wiz save, it fails its save.
01:57:45 [Sildir (Tris)] So that means... So then on its turn, it needs to approach me. I'm going to walk up right here and hold my sword skyward.
01:57:54 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, cool. I assume that's your turn.
01:57:58 [Sildir (Tris)] And I am going to just stew on all the vengeance I'm about to get.
01:58:03 [DM (Aarya)] It's your turn.
01:58:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, this turn, I'm... I want to use Memphis instead. And I want to attack the wolf right in front of Memphis.
01:58:13 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, go ahead and roll the attack.
01:58:21 [Mercurio (Gui)] I think you can also attack like, from your spot and Memphis.
01:58:26 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, um... You can attack from either, like, at will. And then you can also bonus action attack with Memphis, specifically.
01:58:26 [DM (Aarya)] But that has a limited number of times. I think it's like your constitution modifier number of times. Until long rest.
01:58:26 [DM (Aarya)] It should say somewhere on your character sheet.
01:58:45 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, yeah. My const is 2. Okay.
01:58:45 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'm going to attack Memphis first. Okay, that hits?
01:58:54 [DM (Aarya)] That hits, yeah.
01:58:56 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, let's do...
01:58:59 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. Holy, great sword. Alright, how does Memphis kill this wolf?
01:59:06 [Ember (Spurthi)] Memphis just kind of stabs it through the esophagus and just pulls out the sword quickly. And then, I will then attack. Septuna will attack.
01:59:06 [Ember (Spurthi)] Um, actually, is it possible for... Can I move Memphis?
01:59:24 [DM (Aarya)] I believe you can. I think... Let me double check.
01:59:24 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I'm pretty sure you can. Manifest echo. Let's look at this feature.
01:59:24 [DM (Aarya)] What does it say? You can use a bonus action. Oh yeah, it can move up to 30 feet away.
01:59:24 [DM (Aarya)] But if it ends its turn further than 30 feet away from you, it disappears.
01:59:57 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, I'm only going to move it, like, 5 feet.
02:00:00 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so that's still in range, so it'll be good. I'm just doing it here.
02:00:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, and then Septuna will then attack. And I will be doing the same attack.
02:00:16 [DM (Aarya)] So I'm assuming that Memphis' attack was one of your bonus action attacks, right?
02:00:20 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yes, it is.
02:00:22 [DM (Aarya)] So that was a 9, which doesn't hit, but you still have Bless, and you also still have Bardic Inspiration.
02:00:27 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, so I'm gonna... Can I add a...
02:00:30 [Saturno (Steph)] Add the Bless first.
02:00:36 [DM (Aarya)] So 11 is not enough. So you can burn your Bardic Inspiration if you want, or you can let it go.
02:00:42 [Ember (Spurthi)] Sure, yeah. And Bardic Inspiration is a... That's a cute question.
02:00:47 [DM (Aarya)] I think it's a D6.
02:00:49 [Ember (Spurthi)] D6?
02:00:53 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, that hits. Go ahead, roll damage. Oh my, holy high roll.
02:00:53 [DM (Aarya)] 15 damage to this wolf, and it is bloodied.
02:01:07 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, and then... Just for tracking purposes, I can do... That's my bonus action.
02:01:07 [Ember (Spurthi)] And I can do this twice because my cons modifier is 2 times?
02:01:18 [DM (Aarya)] That's correct.
02:01:20 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, cool, that's it. Ended my turn.
02:01:27 [DM (Aarya)] Now it's this wolf's turn. It's gonna run up over here.
02:01:34 [Sildir (Tris)] It walks off the cliff.
02:01:36 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, correct. Nice. So it's gonna come over to the edge.
02:01:36 [DM (Aarya)] It's gonna start to climb down this edge, but given that it's a sheer face, it's not really gonna be able to climb. And it's gonna tumble downwards. It'll fall 50 feet and take 5 D6 damage, which kills it.
02:01:36 [DM (Aarya)] Cool.
02:02:09 [Sildir (Tris)] Not so fun, is it?
02:02:11 [DM (Aarya)] XD Okay, so on Irina's turn, she is going to stab at this wolf right in front of her with her rapier. And unfortunately, she misses. And now it is this wolf's turn.
02:02:11 [DM (Aarya)] It's gonna come up over here and attack Iridel with its maul attack. Without advantage, because its friends are dead. And 23 hits, I assume.
02:02:11 [DM (Aarya)] I'll take that as a yes. And that's gonna be 7 damage. And...
02:02:11 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, you have to make a Concentration roll. Are you muted, by the way? Yes.
02:03:12 [Irredel (Sav)] Sorry.
02:03:13 [DM (Aarya)] So yeah, you succeed the concept. And you also will need to do either Acrobatics or Athletics to contest this grapple that the wolf is trying to do.
02:03:23 [Irredel (Sav)] Okay, so I'm getting tackled by a wolf.
02:03:25 [DM (Aarya)] Yes.
02:03:27 [Irredel (Sav)] Understood.
02:03:29 [Sildir (Tris)] These wolves are tryhards.
02:03:30 [Irredel (Sav)] Okay, you said Athletics or Acrobatics?
02:03:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Yes.
02:03:42 [DM (Aarya)] That, a 10 Acrobatics does not beat the check, so you are now grappled by that wolf. And it still has a bit of movement. So what will it do, actually?
02:03:42 [DM (Aarya)] I'll say it's gonna drag you over in this direction. And that's gonna be its turn. Ember, it's your turn.
02:04:10 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, so I'm gonna do this. Can I attack the wolf that's taking the right order?
02:04:17 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, you can.
02:04:18 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. So I'm gonna do my short sword with a steady aim.
02:04:24 [DM (Aarya)] Well, you can't use a short sword, because you're not next to it. But you can do a short bow.
02:04:28 [Saturno (Steph)] A short bow, but you need another one. Okay. Okay.
02:04:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] So damage first, and then sneak attack?
02:05:07 [Sildir (Tris)] Oops, easy to sneak up on it.
02:05:10 [DM (Aarya)] So, 7 damage. How do you kill this wolf? With the arrow?
02:05:10 [DM (Aarya)] So you hit it dead on, and the wolf collapses to the ground. Dead. Releasing Iridel.
02:05:27 [Saturno (Steph)] Cool.
02:05:29 [DM (Aarya)] Anything else you wanna do?
02:05:32 [Ember (Spurthi)] Can I attack another wolf with a short bow?
02:05:34 [DM (Aarya)] You can't use the short bow, but I think you can bonus action with the psychic blades.
02:05:40 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay. I'll do the one next to... Well, the only one next to the psychic blade.
02:05:46 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, go ahead and roll that. I'll start with advantage because of weapon mastery.
02:05:51 [Ember (Spurthi)] Sneak attack, right?
02:05:53 [DM (Aarya)] Well, you do the attack first, so do... I guess, yeah. I need to import the psychic blade still, but do short sword with advantage, since it's the same stats.
02:06:03 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay. Short bow.
02:06:16 [DM (Aarya)] Hey, it's fake ice. Alright, that hits. Go ahead and roll damage, and you can also sneak attack.
02:06:16 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. So that is 8. And that is enough to kill that wolf.
02:06:16 [DM (Aarya)] So how do you kill that wolf? Oh my gosh.
02:06:35 [Ember (Spurthi)] Can I... Can I shoot the arrow into its eye?
02:06:38 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah.
02:06:39 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah.
02:06:43 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'll do that. Give me one second.
02:06:49 [Sildir (Tris)] I love the Ember kill descriptions.
02:06:53 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'm just getting descriptions off my head. I'm not really...
02:06:59 [Sildir (Tris)] Hey, keep it consistent, you know? Ember's always doing some some flexing out here.
02:07:07 [Irredel (Sav)] Making the rest of us look like blubs.
02:07:10 [DM (Aarya)] Nothing fancy, but reliable, you know? Yeah. Fantastic.
02:07:10 [DM (Aarya)] I think Ember, by far, has the highest kill count on the party.
02:07:21 [Sildir (Tris)] It's crazy, I'm pretty sure.
02:07:23 [Saturno (Steph)] Let's go.
02:07:27 [Sildir (Tris)] Maybe Saturno comes close? Not sure.
02:07:35 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I think Saturno and Ember are the highest damaging so far. But Ember has just been finishing so many enemies. Alright, so what's on that?
02:07:35 [DM (Aarya)] That is the end of that combat encounter. Congratulations. You didn't die.
02:07:35 [DM (Aarya)] I'll switch the music back to this one. Yeah, so you find yourselves a little battered and bruised, some of you more than others, having just fought off this pack of wolves that suddenly fell upon you.
02:08:14 [Ember (Spurthi)] That was a close call.
02:08:15 [Sildir (Tris)] I guess I'm going to walk over here and then up. Assuming that works. Back to the people.
02:08:15 [Sildir (Tris)] Unless you wanted it to be a little minigame thing.
02:08:31 [DM (Aarya)] You can go up the switchback, yeah.
02:08:35 [Ember (Spurthi)] Can we tell if these wolves were sent by anyone, or was it just a winky dink?
02:08:43 [DM (Aarya)] I mean, you can try to search them or something and see if there's any identifying stuff or anything like that. Or if you have a different idea, you can try to describe that.
02:08:53 [Mercurio (Gui)] They were sent by Tyr, I'm sure of it.
02:09:01 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm just going to roll my eyes, that's it.
02:09:03 [Ember (Spurthi)] For the record, Tyr is my god. Investigate.
02:09:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, he's the fairness guy, right?
02:09:13 [Irredel (Sav)] I don't think we did anything to warrant a wolf attack. I also feel like I in particular didn't do anything to be dragged off into the woods by a wolf. They don't even have arms.
02:09:13 [Irredel (Sav)] How do they do that?
02:09:30 [Sildir (Tris)] I see, so Mercurio is happy I almost died falling off a cliff.
02:09:35 [Mercurio (Gui)] No, I'm not happy about any of that.
02:09:39 [Sildir (Tris)] What do you mean then? Why don't you explain yourself? I don't think I will.
02:09:48 [DM (Aarya)] Saturno, with your 19 investigation check, I'll say they'll try to search the wolves' bodies to see if there's anything of note that you can find. And you don't really notice anything. They seem to be just wolves.
02:09:48 [DM (Aarya)] There's not anything on them that would suggest that somebody necessarily sent them. Although that in itself wouldn't necessarily rule out that possibility. And then as you guys are chattering amongst yourselves after this encounter, Irina will come up to Sildur and she'll say, oh, Master Sildur you took quite the fall.
02:09:48 [DM (Aarya)] Are you hurt? Are you alright? You seem pretty banged up.
02:10:36 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, that did not feel good. But I can move around at least, so I guess that's enough for me. No one has to carry me around.
02:10:36 [Sildir (Tris)] We can keep moving at least.
02:10:52 [DM (Aarya)] It's good at least that we had Master Mercurio who was able to heal you.
02:10:59 [Sildir (Tris)] It was Mercurio, was it?
02:11:02 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, it was.
02:11:06 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm a little angel sent from here above to protect his dead soldier.
02:11:15 [Ember (Spurthi)] He also said sorry but you couldn't hear it.
02:11:20 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm sure he would never say it to my face, but here's what I will say. Thank you, Mercurio. All I ask is do that again if this happens again.
02:11:20 [Sildir (Tris)] That would be great. I appreciate it.
02:11:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] Do what again?
02:11:39 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, I heard from Arena that you healed me. That was very nice to wake back up. I would like to not die here if possible.
02:11:50 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, of course. I can only hope that Tyr won't smite me down though.
02:11:55 [Sildir (Tris)] No god is going to smite you down. I don't know what you think I am. Some religious or something.
02:12:01 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm just messing with you now. It's fine.
02:12:04 [Sildir (Tris)] Is it fine? Is it fine, Mercurio? Well, good.
02:12:04 [Sildir (Tris)] Then I'm fine.
02:12:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] Karmic Retribution has run its course. It's all good now. Everything is in balance.
02:12:15 [Sildir (Tris)] I don't think I deserve that. It's okay.
02:12:21 [Mercurio (Gui)] You still look like you're in rough shape. Let me help you out. I'll use my healing hand to try to top you off a little bit.
02:12:38 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, thank you.
02:12:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] Iridyll, how are you doing? You almost got dragged away.
02:12:44 [Irredel (Sav)] You know, it can always be worse. You can get dragged away and killed. In this case, I got dragged away and lived.
02:12:44 [Irredel (Sav)] That's true.
02:12:55 [Saturno (Steph)] Dragged away.
02:12:57 [Sildir (Tris)] Pushed off a cliff. The wolves here surely are built strong.
02:13:07 [Irredel (Sav)] I've never seen wolves like this before.
02:13:12 [DM (Aarya)] I've never seen wolves.
02:13:13 [Irredel (Sav)] Wolves were like this. Not that they're so vicious and coordinated. They were stalking us through the woods quite some time.
02:13:23 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, they gave me a little one-two shove off that coordinated attack to get me off the cliff. It was kind of human-like in levels of operation.
02:13:37 [Irredel (Sav)] At this point, the wolves are better organized than us. At least they weren't fighting amongst each other. We've been at our throats all month.
02:13:49 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, it must be the wolf god.
02:13:52 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh my god. I can't even speak. All I said was they were acting human like Mercurio.
02:13:52 [Sildir (Tris)] Give me a rest.
02:14:00 [Mercurio (Gui)] No, no, no. I don't think you're being conspiratorial at all, I think. Those wolves were acting strange.
02:14:08 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, goodness. I can't tell with you anymore.
02:14:16 [Ember (Spurthi)] All right. I think we should keep going. Single-filed line.
02:14:21 [DM (Aarya)] All right. So... As you continue along the switchback trail, making your way up towards the falls...
02:14:21 [DM (Aarya)] Let's see. What do we have here? Any other funny encounters?
02:14:21 [DM (Aarya)] Let me check.
02:14:37 [Mercurio (Gui)] Especially the wolf that walked off the cliff. That was an especially smart wolf.
02:14:42 [DM (Aarya)] All right. So, everyone except Saturno and Sildar, you notice as you're departing this area, you see off in the distance a bit from the underbrush, you see two more wolves slightly larger than the others watching you all depart from a top and eastern mountain crag that rises above the treeline.
02:15:17 [Ember (Spurthi)] Anyone say anything? Why don't I see it? What's wrong with me?
02:15:25 [Irredel (Sav)] And there are more of them! And they're bigger now!
02:15:29 [Ember (Spurthi)] I think we should kill them.
02:15:34 [Sildir (Tris)] What are you guys talking about? Is there something I'm not seeing?
02:15:38 [Ember (Spurthi)] Wolves!
02:15:39 [Irredel (Sav)] There's more wolves. They're, like, huge! Even bigger than the ones before!
02:15:39 [Irredel (Sav)] They're up on that cliff over there.
02:15:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Mercurio, I think you see them, by the way. It was me and Saturno. Yes, Mercurio does see them, yes.
02:15:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Rose Waston. I see. Well, yeah, I mean, as I was just saying, it seems like there's something about the wolves here.
02:15:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Maybe not everything is just pure conjecture, and I do have a couple of functioning brain cells in my head.
02:16:12 [Ember (Spurthi)] After that, Paul?
02:16:14 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I know. It doesn't take much, but Mercurio has less, trust me.
02:16:19 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, I believe that.
02:16:21 [Mercurio (Gui)] If you really think that, then it must have knocked the last two out.
02:16:27 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright, Mercurio. Look, there they are. The big, giant, crazy-looking wolves.
02:16:27 [Sildir (Tris)] Why don't you go say hi? They're just normal wolves, right? You'll be fine.
02:16:27 [Sildir (Tris)] You can sing them to sleep.
02:16:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] No, Tears sent them. For you.
02:16:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright, well I'm glad you're starting to buy into the idea that God's not real.
02:16:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] Not his. Yeah, I know. But you said he was the god of fairness.
02:16:55 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, and justice and mercy. I'm like a cleric. I'm literally one of his...
02:16:55 [Irredel (Sav)] I enact his will through the law.
02:17:04 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, that's the reason that I... Which is a different god than the one that Sildur is sworn to. Yeah.
02:17:14 [Irredel (Sav)] We had a whole conversation about this, actually. I actually...
02:17:19 [Sildir (Tris)] I think... Mercurio gets it. He's just saying that he thinks these wolves were sent here to kill me because I did something that everyone else in this party would have done anyway.
02:17:19 [Sildir (Tris)] Not to kill you. Okay, so you think I should suffer greatly because I did something that literally everyone here would have done.
02:17:35 [Mercurio (Gui)] Except for maybe you. You're on your high horse over there. What I said is that you suffered enough.
02:17:35 [Mercurio (Gui)] I mean...
02:17:43 [DM (Aarya)] Those wolves getting closer. I did deserve my suffering, right? Irina is going to pipe up and say it doesn't seem that the wolves are approaching us.
02:17:43 [DM (Aarya)] They seem content to just watch us, which is strange. Either way, I don't think we should stick around here.
02:18:01 [Ember (Spurthi)] I think there's... I don't know. I don't...
02:18:05 [Sildir (Tris)] Maybe whatever asshole god Mercurio talks to sent them.
02:18:09 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, well let's see on our best behavior. Saturno thinks that maybe these wolves were sent by someone and these are the overseers of those which just attacked us.
02:18:24 [Sildir (Tris)] Mercurio, thoughts? Do you want to roast your friend there?
02:18:29 [Ember (Spurthi)] I just think it's strange that they're just watching and didn't help. If they really were part of the pack, they would help. Packs stick together.
02:18:29 [Ember (Spurthi)] So... I think they were sent to us and these are overseers.
02:18:46 [DM (Aarya)] Saturno, roll me insight. 12 insight. Yeah, you definitely think it's strange that these wolves are just hanging back and just watching you.
02:18:46 [DM (Aarya)] Notably, they didn't join the fighting that just was brewing before. And presumably they were just still there or nearby while that was happening.
02:19:21 [Ember (Spurthi)] They could have pushed us off. They could have ambushed us.
02:19:25 [DM (Aarya)] You can't quite place what exactly is the deal here, but you do find it strange.
02:19:31 [Ember (Spurthi)] Do we just want to leave or do we want to confront these wolves?
02:19:37 [Sildir (Tris)] I... would not like to confront these wolves.
02:19:40 [Ember (Spurthi)] You would like to not confront them?
02:19:41 [Sylalys (Cat)] Is that what you said? A different level from the ones we have just killed.
02:19:50 [Sildir (Tris)] What did you say, Syl?
02:19:53 [Sylalys (Cat)] These are a different level we should avoid combat.
02:19:59 [Sildir (Tris)] I mean... That is our resident monster hunter speaking.
02:20:04 [Irredel (Sav)] Let's move.
02:20:05 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. So... You guys continue along this trail.
02:20:05 [DM (Aarya)] Um... Let's see, let's see, let's see. Eventually you find your way climbing to...
02:20:05 [DM (Aarya)] I guess close enough to the peak of the mountain where the Seraphalls are pouring out from. And you find yourself on one side of a bridge that crosses over the River Ivalice. Which flows from the Seraphalls.
02:20:05 [DM (Aarya)] I'm going to switch the scene. Where is it? Ooh.
02:20:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] I like this setting.
02:21:00 [DM (Aarya)] Thanks. There's supposed to be music for this scene, but I don't know what the deal with that is.
02:21:07 [Sildir (Tris)] I remember this bridge.
02:21:19 [DM (Aarya)] What's the name of the river? The River Ivalice. What?
02:21:25 [Sildir (Tris)] V-E-L-I-S?
02:21:27 [DM (Aarya)] I-V-L-I-S. Okay.
02:21:38 [Ember (Spurthi)] I have hiccups, I'm sorry.
02:21:42 [DM (Aarya)] That sucks. Maybe if you do jumping jacks, it will go away.
02:21:47 [Ember (Spurthi)] I called my dermatologist today. And the second that they picked up, I started having hiccups. I'm like, I'm so sorry.
02:21:47 [Ember (Spurthi)] I have hiccups, and I mean... My hiccups are pretty loud. And like, I was trying to talk to her, and she was just laughing.
02:21:47 [Ember (Spurthi)] Because I can't have hiccups.
02:22:05 [DM (Aarya)] That's so rude that she laughed at you.
02:22:07 [Ember (Spurthi)] No, it was fine.
02:22:09 [DM (Aarya)] I'd rather them laugh, honestly. So yeah, you find yourself on the southern end of this bridge. Let me see.
02:22:09 [DM (Aarya)] Actually, I don't know that I have a description for this, but let me double check. Alright. So you find yourself at the far end of a bridge by which a great waterfall spills into a pool, building forth clouds of cold mist.
02:22:09 [DM (Aarya)] The great stone bridge spans the canyon. Yeah. It's a few hundred feet across.
02:22:57 [Sildir (Tris)] Signs of civilization.
02:23:02 [Ember (Spurthi)] Is it cold, like it was in the tower?
02:23:05 [DM (Aarya)] It is chilly here, yeah. Especially with the mist coming up from the falls below, and the higher altitude in the area.
02:23:12 [Sildir (Tris)] Would we deduce it's a spooky cold, or just a normal cold?
02:23:16 [DM (Aarya)] I mean, it's just cold. You don't really... Yeah, but the tower was spooky cold.
02:23:16 [DM (Aarya)] It wasn't, no.
02:23:24 [Sildir (Tris)] So this is naturally cold, what we would expect?
02:23:26 [DM (Aarya)] It wasn't like a sudden change in temperature. It was a gradual shift. Basically what you'd expect, given the change in environment.
02:23:35 [Mercurio (Gui)] Okay. It was probably Sylvia's cold heart up there. In an enclosed space.
02:23:44 [Sildir (Tris)] Perhaps, perhaps. Maybe we could use all the hot air in your head to warm us up. What do you think, pal?
02:23:49 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, yes. I mean, that's why I'm venting it out towards you. Thank you, thank you.
02:23:49 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm masking it.
02:23:57 [Sildir (Tris)] You could use a mint, though.
02:24:02 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, would you happen to have one on you? Oh. What a shame.
02:24:02 [Mercurio (Gui)] I guess not.
02:24:07 [Saturno (Steph)] Alright. Well, moving on.
02:24:15 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, team, we ready to... Ready to cross? Might as well keep trudging.
02:24:15 [Irredel (Sav)] Ready? Let's go.
02:24:25 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm gonna, like, look with a... Aren't you the one who's supposed to keep this one in line? This is too much work for me.
02:24:31 [Sildir (Tris)] I thought we were having a good time now, Mercurio.
02:24:34 [Mercurio (Gui)] It was fun at first, but now you're getting on my nerves.
02:24:38 [Irredel (Sav)] Before we go, can I just, like, see? Does it look safe?
02:24:41 [DM (Aarya)] Do I see anyone ahead?
02:24:43 [Irredel (Sav)] Take a critical eye?
02:24:45 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, go ahead. Do a perception.
02:24:47 [Irredel (Sav)] Okay, let's proceed. Let's, you know... Confident, but cautious.
02:24:52 [DM (Aarya)] Oh! Nat 20! Wow.
02:24:52 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Um... So you see, like, peering through the fog and mist from the falls clouding the way in front of you.
02:24:52 [DM (Aarya)] You do spot the outline of a figure far ahead. You kind of get the sense that they're, like, pretty far along the bridge. Like, maybe near the center of the bridge.
02:24:52 [DM (Aarya)] But yeah, there is something or someone there.
02:25:24 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, looks like we are prepared and maybe a little more quiet. There's someone standing in the middle of the bridge.
02:25:36 [Saturno (Steph)] Look!
02:25:41 [Ember (Spurthi)] We should go towards that person.
02:25:43 [Mercurio (Gui)] Ominous. But it looks like we have no way to avoid this person, because we have to cross this bridge.
02:26:01 [Irredel (Sav)] You're right.
02:26:02 [Mercurio (Gui)] It's like we're... riding on a train. Oh my god!
02:26:18 [Sildir (Tris)] What were you saying, Erdo?
02:26:20 [Irredel (Sav)] I was gonna say, how's everyone's armor up? Does anyone need an extra boost?
02:26:26 [Sildir (Tris)] I don't think I ever got my healing from Mercurio. Oh, he rolled it.
02:26:31 [DM (Aarya)] It just didn't, like, apply the feature. Yeah, the thing was, like, broken.
02:26:35 [Mercurio (Gui)] But he rolled a 6.
02:26:37 [DM (Aarya)] So 6 more.
02:26:39 [Sildir (Tris)] So in that case, I am doing not that bad.
02:26:44 [Irredel (Sav)] But everyone's armor, I have a... Seer looks out for his clerics. I can add a little bit of a heal to anyone.
02:26:55 [Mercurio (Gui)] That would wrinkle my shirt.
02:26:59 [Sildir (Tris)] Seer modifies your armor?
02:27:02 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes. Like a magical shield. Will.
02:27:08 [Sildir (Tris)] I would love to try that out. Tell me more about this armor augmentation that Seer can provide.
02:27:15 [Irredel (Sav)] It's a shield, you know? It protects those of strong faith. And the wards of those.
02:27:15 [Irredel (Sav)] It's pretty brief.
02:27:25 [DM (Aarya)] It only lasts, like, about a minute.
02:27:27 [Irredel (Sav)] But if anyone needs a little boost to their armor, as we're approaching the figure in the middle of this bridge.
02:27:34 [DM (Aarya)] If it's going to last a minute, I will say, given the great length of this bridge, like a few hundred feet across, it'll probably take you longer than a minute to reach this person. If you're walking there.
02:27:44 [Irredel (Sav)] Alright, so I will go ahead and we'll walk slowly and I'll be prepared to cast it part of the way through. I just want to... I'd love it.
02:27:54 [DM (Aarya)] I just want to inspect this bridge to see if it's stable. Alright. Go to investigation.
02:27:54 [DM (Aarya)] Twelve investigation. You are no expert in architecture or anything of the sort, but this looks like a pretty sturdy bridge.
02:28:17 [Saturno (Steph)] Alright.
02:28:19 [Ember (Spurthi)] Alright. That's good enough for me.
02:28:23 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm gonna fully send it to the center of the bridge.
02:28:31 [Irredel (Sav)] And pretty much as soon as we get to the center, like within...
02:28:35 [DM (Aarya)] So, if I recall, the way this network works, it teleports you to the next scene, right?
02:28:46 [Ember (Spurthi)] Wow! Technology!
02:28:49 [Sildir (Tris)] There's a guy with a sword in the center of the bridge.
02:28:51 [Ember (Spurthi)] Can I investigate him?
02:28:55 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, so you see standing in the center of this bridge a grim-looking knight figure. I'm gonna post a picture of this person in the Phantom Chains chat. But yeah, it appears to be some kind of skeletal looking figure with sunken, gray, mottled skin and very, very old, worn, rusty armor.
02:28:55 [DM (Aarya)] And they're standing with sword in hand with the tip resting on the ground in front of them. Yeah.
02:29:40 [Sildir (Tris)] Who goes there?
02:29:43 [DM (Aarya)] Let me see, let me see. So... You call out to this figure, and you see them lift their head up and regard you in response.
02:29:43 [DM (Aarya)] He owns the valley. Tell me, do you serve him?
02:30:12 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, we kind of just got here, and our experiences with Strahd have not been great. No, we don't serve him.
02:30:20 [DM (Aarya)] Very well.
02:30:22 [Irredel (Sav)] We don't serve anyone!
02:30:24 [DM (Aarya)] Except our own god. That I might get a closer look.
02:30:30 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay. I'm gonna actually approach. I'm feeling very confident with the armor.
02:30:36 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh my god, no. It only adds a little bit.
02:30:40 [Sildir (Tris)] Take a look. Gaze upon my armor.
02:30:43 [DM (Aarya)] You're coming up at the kissing distance of this guy?
02:30:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah.
02:30:47 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, cool. He sees you approaching, and he does not budge. He stays in the exact position that he's standing, and he regards you.
02:30:58 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm also good at chatting back at him. Hey, how's it going? A fine knight you seem to be.
02:31:07 [DM (Aarya)] I am a member of the Order of the Silver Dragon. In life, I served my master. But in death, I have long forgotten my name.
02:31:07 [DM (Aarya)] He regards you all, and he says, Travelers armed as yourselves are clearly in opposition to the dread lord of these lands. What business have you here?
02:31:41 [Sildir (Tris)] We're inclined not to talk too much about our opinions on Strahd. What was the Order of the Silver Dragon interested in? Maybe we can talk more if I know more about you.
02:31:53 [DM (Aarya)] Let me see, let me see. I am sworn to protect my order's secrets. However, I can tell you, if you seek the destruction of the dread lord, I advise you to travel west to Argenvost Halt, the headquarters of the Order, and seek out Sir Godfrey Gwilym.
02:32:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Godfrey... Gwilym...
02:32:24 [Irredel (Sav)] Why didn't you tell us that you served your lord? Understood, um... We were on our way to, um...
02:32:24 [Irredel (Sav)] Vallaki. Currently, we are escorting a friend on behalf of her brother. All worry needs to do at this moment, right?
02:32:45 [DM (Aarya)] Who else asked a question just now?
02:32:48 [Ember (Spurthi)] I was like, why are you telling us this? I thought you served your lord. And you warned us of opposition.
02:32:56 [DM (Aarya)] My commander is Vladimir Hormgaard. And because I raised my voice against him to act against the dread lord of Barovia, I was banished. Now I stand like my brothers and sisters in arms, watching the dark places of this land and awaiting an order that will never come.
02:33:24 [Sildir (Tris)] What order are you awaiting?
02:33:28 [DM (Aarya)] One that my commander has forbade, and I am bound from disobeying his will. I cannot take arms against the dread lord.
02:33:40 [Ember (Spurthi)] Are you trying to avenge him through us?
02:33:46 [DM (Aarya)] I cannot speak further on this, for I am sworn to preserve the secrets of my order. However, if you seek the dread lord's destruction, seek Godfre Quillum at Argenvost Hold. And he's going to hold out a hand, as if expecting something.
02:34:35 [Sildir (Tris)] I reach out and take his hand, and I shake it, and I say, I still want to know how to spell it, but I am glad to have met you.
02:34:48 [DM (Aarya)] He kind of just like looks up at you as you're shaking his hand, and he seems like almost quizzical, and he turns to the rest of you, This one is slow on the uptake.
02:35:05 [Mercurio (Gui)] A piece of parchment with a pen.
02:35:11 [DM (Aarya)] So he takes the parchment, and he ignores the quill, and you see him kind of smear his finger on the parchment, and basically bits of black, ancient blood from this creature smearing the parchment. And you will see very softly spelled out on this parchment, Argenvost Hold. I'm putting it in chat.
02:35:38 [Ember (Spurthi)] Is he like icy?
02:35:41 [DM (Aarya)] Not icy, but yeah. Doesn't seem warm, I'll tell you that.
02:35:49 [Ember (Spurthi)] Gotcha.
02:35:50 [DM (Aarya)] So like silk?
02:35:52 [Ember (Spurthi)] So like, yeah. You know?
02:35:57 [Sildir (Tris)] Which one? I don't know what you're talking about.
02:36:00 [Ember (Spurthi)] I don't know, we found something that kind of fits this person's appearance. Maybe we should bring it up. I'm metagaming so hard.
02:36:11 [Sildir (Tris)] What do you mean? Actually, I don't know what you mean.
02:36:14 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, like I don't know, should I say it?
02:36:17 [DM (Aarya)] Should I say it? What are you trying to say? I'm lost.
02:36:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] I was just saying like we technically don't know what Sililus found.
02:36:31 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.
02:36:32 [Ember (Spurthi)] I mean, that would be up to Sil, I think. Exactly. I'm just like dropping the hint.
02:36:37 [Sildir (Tris)] I think I know what Sil's gonna do. I think Sil, I mean Rod, I don't know. You're aware of what's happening, right?
02:36:37 [Sildir (Tris)] You're making your choice. Yeah, yeah.
02:36:49 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay, that's great. That's fine.
02:36:50 [DM (Aarya)] Sorry, what is happening right now?
02:36:53 [Sildir (Tris)] Rod has like a silver dragon pendant that none of us technically know about, but we all actually know about. I mean, it's gotta be. I mean, come on, how many silver dragon things can there be in this world?
02:36:53 [Sildir (Tris)] But, you know, Sil's being Sil, I think, which makes sense.
02:37:11 [Ember (Spurthi)] Which is fine, yeah. Wait, can I ask about the watchtower?
02:37:18 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, what do you ask?
02:37:21 [Ember (Spurthi)] Like, do you know of the watchtower? Do you know of the lands that we've just crossed?
02:37:26 [DM (Aarya)] My order has many outposts spread throughout the lands that we might guard our posts. Though it has been many years since we've had our patrols, I do not know the state of them.
02:37:45 [Mercurio (Gui)] And so, is it always, like, frosty around you guys?
02:37:50 [DM (Aarya)] Frosty.
02:37:51 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, it's pretty chilly here.
02:37:56 [DM (Aarya)] The dead are not warm, my friend.
02:38:02 [Ember (Spurthi)] What about the wolves?
02:38:08 [DM (Aarya)] Wolves?
02:38:11 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, big creatures who tried to kill us earlier.
02:38:16 [DM (Aarya)] You encountered wolves?
02:38:22 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yes. Six of them, and in the distance two massive ones watching.
02:38:28 [DM (Aarya)] The dreadlord's servants take many forms and prowl these forests. I warn you, there are those who walk in the skin of wolves who haunt the forests to the west.
02:38:43 [Sildir (Tris)] I knew there was a Bloodborne. Would you say they're human-like?
02:38:49 [DM (Aarya)] They are. Once, they did not trouble those who traveled the roads. However, something has changed, and their hunger for human flesh cannot be sated.
02:38:49 [DM (Aarya)] Bloodborne!
02:39:06 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, thank you. I feel like some people would dismiss claims of human-like wolves in kind of an idiotic way, but I'm glad you're here to set the record straight for those people who might have done that.
02:39:23 [DM (Aarya)] I urge you to tread with caution on your travels.
02:39:30 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright, I actually had to dip out for like a few minutes to walk Otto. Because he's been having stomach issues, and he's telling me he wants to go outside. Outside now, please.
02:39:43 [DM (Aarya)] I'll be right back. Any other questions y'all have for this lovely gentleman?
02:39:59 [Ember (Spurthi)] We saw a soldier on a horse walk, cruise past us, and he was decapitated. Do you know anything about that?
02:40:12 [DM (Aarya)] The wandering one seeks a road to freedom through the mists. It will never succeed.
02:40:24 [Saturno (Steph)] Damn.
02:40:26 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, um, thank you for this information, your insights into this world. We will take it into consideration. Is there any way that we can confirm that you're trustworthy?
02:40:26 [Irredel (Sav)] Not to question your honor or valor, but you are a stranger in the middle of a bridge. You've had a hard travel time while here.
02:40:57 [DM (Aarya)] I am honor bound by the oaths I have sworn. I cannot lie. I cannot act of my own will.
02:40:57 [DM (Aarya)] I serve only by my commands. Believe it, or don't. It matters not to me.
02:40:57 [DM (Aarya)] I have long since lost the ability to enjoy human foods. That's sad.
02:42:04 [Ember (Spurthi)] How are you doing with his voice? I don't...
02:42:08 [Mercurio (Gui)] That's rough, buddy. And I, like, pat him on the back.
02:42:13 [Ember (Spurthi)] We lost the ability to enjoy hugs. Would you like a hug?
02:42:18 [DM (Aarya)] He just kind of, like, regards you and... I'm just asking.
02:42:29 [Mercurio (Gui)] I don't think he's into hugs. He's not a... He doesn't look like a touchy type.
02:42:33 [Ember (Spurthi)] That's okay. I know a lot of people that are not... They don't like hugs.
02:42:40 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, yeah. Anything else y'all got?
02:42:55 [Mercurio (Gui)] So it's the big wolves that are the people wolves, right? The other ones, I mean, wolves just attack people. No way you're saying all the wolves are people, right?
02:43:07 [DM (Aarya)] These shifters can change their form. They walk as wolf. They walk as man.
02:43:07 [DM (Aarya)] And they walk as something between. Neither fully one or the other.
02:43:24 [Mercurio (Gui)] It was more of a yes or no question.
02:43:30 [DM (Aarya)] He just kind of regards you with a blank expression.
02:43:35 [Ember (Spurthi)] Would you recommend in these cases, is there any tricks to knowing that these are indeed not the creatures that we think they are, and rather they are one disguise?
02:43:52 [DM (Aarya)] If they fall upon you, take arms to defend yourselves. And if their wounds do not stay permanent from your strikes, then flee.
02:44:08 [Ember (Spurthi)] Thank you.
02:44:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] So the shifters are similar to vampires. They can regenerate.
02:44:16 [Ember (Spurthi)] Also, why are you here on this bridge alone?
02:44:22 [DM (Aarya)] I was banished by my commander and now I stand watch awaiting the order that will never come. So you're cursed? Cursed.
02:44:22 [DM (Aarya)] Blessed. Bound. It makes no difference.
02:44:22 [DM (Aarya)] Shackles are shackles. Any other questions for this interview that you guys are conducting?
02:45:01 [Sylalys (Cat)] What a helpful chap disguise. This is like the friendliest NPC we've met.
02:45:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] Did we get your name? My name I have forgotten many years ago. Oh, that's right.
02:45:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] My bad. You brought that up. Insensitive.
02:45:26 [Ember (Spurthi)] Choose a name now. It could be any name.
02:45:30 [DM (Aarya)] Tommy.
02:45:33 [Mercurio (Gui)] He looks like a Tommy.
02:45:36 [DM (Aarya)] The dead have no use for names.
02:45:41 [Ember (Spurthi)] No, but for our use. We can talk about you.
02:45:46 [DM (Aarya)] Do as you wish. It makes no difference for me.
02:45:50 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, who was your friend over in... Arganava... Schultz or whatever.
02:45:50 [Mercurio (Gui)] Godfrey something? The one you should seek is Godfrey Gwilym. Godfrey Gwilym, of course.
02:45:50 [Mercurio (Gui)] And is he dead because he has a name?
02:46:14 [DM (Aarya)] Yes.
02:46:16 [Mercurio (Gui)] So he's dead and dead don't have a use for a name but he has a name. And that's why you're Tommy.
02:46:27 [Saturno (Steph)] Hmm...
02:46:30 [Sildir (Tris)] What did I miss?
02:46:32 [DM (Aarya)] Not much, honestly.
02:46:35 [Sildir (Tris)] How did we get to this guy being named Tommy?
02:46:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well... He said that the dead don't need a name, but apparently they do, so his new name is Tommy. Just have some self-importance, man.
02:46:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] I have no need. This is going to take years of therapy.
02:47:03 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, Mercurio, he's been roaming the world for who knows how long and he's forgotten his name. You forgot yours the other night when you had too much wine.
02:47:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] Has he been roaming, really? Like you said, he's just standing watch. So do you just live on this bridge, Tommy?
02:47:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] I do not live. I merely stand watch. Well, okay.
02:47:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, we know that you're undead so you don't technically live.
02:47:26 [Irredel (Sav)] Do you stand watch in any other locations or is just this one?
02:47:31 [DM (Aarya)] I do not remember.
02:47:35 [Sildir (Tris)] You know, Tommy, I see your zinger. That was good. Mercurio may try to downplay it, but the whole living and dead wordplay, that was...
02:47:35 [Sildir (Tris)] That's something Mercurio would be proud to have pulled off, actually.
02:47:49 [Mercurio (Gui)] Tommy loves to answer every question as indirectly as possible. It's wonderful.
02:47:54 [Irredel (Sav)] So wait, you have to stand watch. Can you leave with us if you wanted to?
02:48:00 [DM (Aarya)] I cannot.
02:48:01 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, you can't leave here?
02:48:04 [DM (Aarya)] I cannot join your quest. I am forbidden to take arms against the Dreadlord.
02:48:11 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, right now our quest is just to get to Vallaki and deliver Miss Serena over there safely. I cannot join you.
02:48:19 [DM (Aarya)] I cannot leave my post.
02:48:23 [Sildir (Tris)] Are you just waiting for people like us? I await an order that will never come. Oh, that's right.
02:48:23 [Sildir (Tris)] I remember you saying that.
02:48:33 [Saturno (Steph)] Right.
02:48:35 [Mercurio (Gui)] You can't tell us the order because...
02:48:39 [Sildir (Tris)] We are going to make that... We're going to make this all happen. I think we're kind of aligned here, though I'm not going to say much because, you know, people are listening.
02:48:39 [Sildir (Tris)] But... I look over at... What has our raven been up to this whole time?
02:49:04 [DM (Aarya)] They're kind of just cowering on Mercurio's shoulder. Not like... Yeah, they seem nervous, I'll say.
02:49:04 [DM (Aarya)] I mean, it's a raven so you can't tell super clearly, but yeah.
02:49:23 [Sildir (Tris)] Scaring the crows.
02:49:28 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'm not talking to you. I can't believe it.
02:49:32 [Sildir (Tris)] Sorry. That was good.
02:49:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] I gotta teach him some words.
02:49:45 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, um... If it's okay with you, Tommy, I think while we really appreciate you and the wisdom you provided us, we will keep on going. Tivilaki, prior to...
02:49:45 [Sildir (Tris)] We have several orders of business before we end up going to see Godfrey, but I think we will, for what that's worth.
02:50:07 [DM (Aarya)] Then be on your way, but keep a watchful eye for dangers lurking in these forests.
02:50:16 [Ember (Spurthi)] We will. Thank you, Tommy.
02:50:24 [DM (Aarya)] Am I free?
02:50:25 [Sildir (Tris)] Are you gonna leave me all alone? No, because I have to ask you a secret question. Tommy, wait.
02:50:25 [Sildir (Tris)] Spell Godfrey Quillum. Just kidding.
02:50:38 [Sylalys (Cat)] I'm gonna just take out the little pendant out of my breast pocket.
02:50:47 [DM (Aarya)] Are you doing this after everyone leaves?
02:50:50 [Sylalys (Cat)] Yeah, after they start walking away.
02:50:52 [DM (Aarya)] Does anyone do anything about that? I assume you notice Silas not joining your party.
02:50:58 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm just used to this shit at this point.
02:51:00 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah, you keep up.
02:51:02 [Sildir (Tris)] Personally, I'm like, he's gonna keep his secrets, guys. It is what it is. This guy is right up Sil's alley.
02:51:02 [Sildir (Tris)] He acts like he likes to hang out with high class people. This dead cretin of the night, that's Sil's crowd.
02:51:16 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, just power walking.
02:51:18 [Mercurio (Gui)] I don't know. I'm uneasy about this situation. Sil's like, I hate monsters.
02:51:18 [Mercurio (Gui)] And then every monster he sees, he's like, I wanna kiss him! Monsters. That's in character.
02:51:18 [Mercurio (Gui)] Mercurio actually says that.
02:51:35 [Sildir (Tris)] That's Bardic for sure.
02:51:37 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'll stay with Silas.
02:51:39 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. So Silas and Ember will stay behind with the night, and the rest of y'all continue onward.
02:51:49 [Ember (Spurthi)] What about Irena?
02:51:51 [DM (Aarya)] Irena will join the bulk of the party.
02:51:53 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay.
02:52:01 [DM (Aarya)] So yeah, the night will grimly regard both of you, but won't say anything.
02:52:10 [Sylalys (Cat)] Do you know where this is from? What this is?
02:52:15 [DM (Aarya)] I assume you showed him the pendant.
02:52:17 [Sylalys (Cat)] Yeah, I took it out. I'm dangling it.
02:52:19 [DM (Aarya)] So he sees it, and for the first time in this entire encounter, you see a glimmer of what might be seen as emotion flicker across his face. And he reaches out with a hand and takes the pendant. Where did you find this?
02:52:40 [Sylalys (Cat)] In your outpost over there.
02:52:45 [DM (Aarya)] Hmm. This pendant is a remnant of another one of my order. And he reaches into the folds of his cloak and pulls out a matching pendant.
02:52:45 [DM (Aarya)] It has been many years since I've seen sign of another of my kind. And he returns the pendant to you.
02:53:12 [Sylalys (Cat)] Many more of you. Adieu.
02:53:16 [DM (Aarya)] Many. In life, our numbers were strong. In death, we dwindle, but we still remain.
02:53:16 [DM (Aarya)] For we can never be truly vanquished. So long as the dreadlord remains.
02:53:43 [Sylalys (Cat)] I see. Thank you.
02:53:49 [DM (Aarya)] And he just, like, knocks at you.
02:53:55 [Sylalys (Cat)] That's all I gotta know. Now I got, like, the... I got the in with all these fuckin' guys.
02:53:55 [Sylalys (Cat)] Cool undead guys.
02:54:04 [Saturno (Steph)] For the rest of the campaign.
02:54:07 [Sildir (Tris)] Now my headcanon is that Syl doesn't actually have an accent. That's how Syl actually talks most of the time. All these fuckin' guys.
02:54:17 [Mercurio (Gui)] He just thought it would be high class if he talked like that.
02:54:20 [DM (Aarya)] Well, Ember also stayed back, so I assume she also heard the conversation. Yeah. So I guess the two of you will catch up with the rest of the party.
02:54:20 [DM (Aarya)] Crossing the rest of the bridge.
02:54:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Give a quick round of applause to Arya.
02:54:39 [DM (Aarya)] For the voice.
02:54:40 [Sildir (Tris)] That was amazing. It was a great voice, and you really held it.
02:54:47 [DM (Aarya)] Y'all really milked it too, like, oh my goodness.
02:54:55 [Sildir (Tris)] You're welcome, everybody. Amazing.
02:55:07 [Irredel (Sav)] You know, I'm glad that you talked to that figure. But it's still really hard for me to trust him. Just feels like some sort of rap or something.
02:55:07 [Irredel (Sav)] I mean, to speak so openly of rebellion. We know these lands are so controlled and underwatched. I just...
02:55:34 [Ember (Spurthi)] I don't believe it.
02:55:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I think Kami would've lied.
02:55:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] They're dead. What do they have to lose? To be freed, finally?
02:55:46 [Saturno (Steph)] You know?
02:55:47 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah.
02:55:49 [Sildir (Tris)] If we are to believe it, I mean, he did say he was associated, like, his own existence is tied to Shroud, so he could be secretly serving Shroud. You know? The walls have eyes around here.
02:55:49 [Sildir (Tris)] I think Iridel has a good point.
02:56:03 [Mercurio (Gui)] Nah, but Tommy's a good guy. I can just tell. You can just tell?
02:56:03 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, I can just tell. Yeah, pretty much.
02:56:19 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
02:56:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Was there, like, a insight roll or something?
02:56:24 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, this totally spooky-looking guy.
02:56:27 [Mercurio (Gui)] Undead Knight or whatever. He didn't actually. Do we want to do an insight check on Tommy real quick?
02:56:34 [Sylalys (Cat)] Nah, we don't gotta. I know that guy's trustworthy.
02:56:39 [DM (Aarya)] If you want to insight on your conversation you just had, you certainly can. I assume you're trying to guess if he's, like, trustworthy? Or, like, try to suss that out?
02:56:39 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah.
02:56:48 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah. He's trustworthy. I'll insight it.
02:56:55 [DM (Aarya)] Twelve, insight. Nineteen. Nineteen, insight.
02:57:01 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm telling you guys, like, Tommy...
02:57:05 [Ember (Spurthi)] Is Mercurial being serious or sarcastic?
02:57:08 [DM (Aarya)] I'm being dead serious.
02:57:10 [Sylalys (Cat)] You gotta insight check his insight check.
02:57:13 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, yeah, yeah, the insight check.
02:57:15 [DM (Aarya)] So, Mercurial with a nineteen, insight. You can tell that everything that this fellow told you was true. At least as far as he's aware.
02:57:32 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, Tommy wouldn't lie.
02:57:34 [Irredel (Sav)] But how many other undead creatures are there?
02:57:38 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, hold on. Do we say... Do we say a lot to him while I was gone?
02:57:38 [Sildir (Tris)] Because I thought we were trying to play it like we can't talk too much, wink wink. But that's it for him.
02:57:50 [DM (Aarya)] What do you mean?
02:57:52 [Sildir (Tris)] MetaGaming asking a question. While I was gone, did we say to him that we, like, oppose Strahd and want to kill him or something? Or no?
02:57:58 [DM (Aarya)] No, we didn't really talk much more than that. You kind of alluded to it a little bit at the beginning of your conversation, but you didn't, like, detail any of your plans or anything.
02:58:07 [Sildir (Tris)] We just said we had a bad experience with Strahd, and we don't serve him.
02:58:12 [DM (Aarya)] That's all we really said. Yeah, you basically established that you don't like Strahd. Yeah, what you said.
02:58:18 [Irredel (Sav)] Even with... Even that amount of information can be dangerous to share. And I just want all of us to be careful going forward.
02:58:18 [Irredel (Sav)] I mean, we don't need to hold ourselves out as something we're not.
02:58:29 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah. I think maybe don't use the confidence spell on Syl anymore because, yeah, he just starts blabbing when you do that. That's supposed to be a secret, Syl, okay?
02:58:43 [Sildir (Tris)] I thought I kept it pretty low-key. I think I said we just had a bad experience with Strahd, which Strahd knows that. I mean, I'll scream it to the world right now.
02:58:43 [Sildir (Tris)] He knows that I had a horrible experience with him. Maybe it'll get better. Who knows?
02:58:43 [Sildir (Tris)] Strahd, maybe we will be besties someday! I yell into the void.
02:59:05 [DM (Aarya)] You see Irina pipe up upon hearing you say that, and she says, I should certainly hope not.
02:59:13 [Sildir (Tris)] Yes, Irina, sarcasm. I apologize.
02:59:18 [Irredel (Sav)] I just think we all need to be very measured in our speech, what we say, and especially to random undead strangers lurking in the middle of the forest. Going forward.
02:59:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Tommy's chill.
02:59:35 [Irredel (Sav)] Protocol for everyone else.
02:59:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Sounds like a deal, Iridyll.
02:59:39 [Irredel (Sav)] Thank you.
02:59:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Absolutely.
02:59:44 [Irredel (Sav)] You see Iridyll's shoulders relax just a little bit.
02:59:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Just a little bit, yeah.
02:59:48 [Irredel (Sav)] Not all the way, but just a little.
02:59:51 [Sildir (Tris)] How about this? We're gonna run it by you. Can everyone agree that we'll run it by Iridyll before we share anything?
02:59:51 [Sildir (Tris)] Because there might be other Tommy type of guys out there.
03:00:02 [DM (Aarya)] Like how you're just fully head-candied this guy's name is Tommy.
03:00:08 [Sildir (Tris)] I mean, I just came back from walking auto, and his name is Tommy. So that's what it is.
03:00:13 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah, yeah.
03:00:14 [Irredel (Sav)] I think just as a group, we should all decide whether someone's trustworthy before we share any amount of information that would be dangerous to us. I mean, really, you know, we don't have to share stuff with anyone unless we know they're trustworthy. When Tommy asked us, what's your mission?
03:00:14 [Irredel (Sav)] We could have just said, we're going to Barovia.
03:00:36 [Sildir (Tris)] Reminds me of that one time at that one party.
03:00:42 [Mercurio (Gui)] What party? Oh yeah.
03:00:45 [Sildir (Tris)] You remember that time when we were at that one ball, and I was, I had a couple I pulled a little mercurio, if you will. And I was telling a story that I thought was very interesting. And you're the one who had to dig me out of this, Iridel, but I told you know, the son-in-law of a business owner that I was kind of pulling a fast one on in a deal and didn't really realize, and I was detailing all of this information to him with full names.
03:00:45 [Sildir (Tris)] And yeah, word got back to the business owner, and I lost the deal. Reminds me of that.
03:01:30 [DM (Aarya)] That's not a very smart move, Master Sildar.
03:01:35 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, it's like Iridel's saying, you don't know who you're talking to always. Could be the son-in-law of a business tycoon.
03:01:44 [Irredel (Sav)] And you wouldn't believe how difficult it was to fix that, move that over.
03:01:55 [DM (Aarya)] Took I think you're cutting out. Yeah, I think you're cutting it out a little bit.
03:02:02 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, whoops. No, I was just saying, it took months to move that over. Even then, we got only a portion of what we really should have gotten.
03:02:11 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, here's the good news. If we mess up here, you probably won't have to spend too much effort fixing it, because Strahd will just kill us.
03:02:18 [DM (Aarya)] True, that is a good bright side to think about. I don't know that I would consider that a bright side.
03:02:28 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, a quick death is better than much prolonged suffering. Imagine being turned into some horrible undead creature. Not saying that Tommy is horrible, but certainly his state of being is unpleasant.
03:02:28 [Irredel (Sav)] He's stuck to stand-by, can't leave, can only repeat the same couple of phrases.
03:02:49 [Mercurio (Gui)] Can't drink wine, doesn't like hugs.
03:02:52 [Ember (Spurthi)] Doesn't like hugs.
03:02:54 [Mercurio (Gui)] Doesn't like hugs? Yeah, it's very sad. That is sad.
03:02:58 [DM (Aarya)] I mean, he didn't really comment on the hug part, but yeah, that was the interpretation.
03:03:02 [Mercurio (Gui)] But the silence spoke volumes. Yeah, I don't know what you're saying. The silence was deafening.
03:03:09 [Sildir (Tris)] Speaking of us all cowering in fear of Strahd, perhaps we should get on the way to Vallaki, where it might be a little bit safer.
03:03:17 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, I thought we'd been walking this whole time.
03:03:19 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, you have been walking this whole time.
03:03:20 [Ember (Spurthi)] Wait, do we see anything right now?
03:03:22 [DM (Aarya)] Ah, my screen is black.
03:03:24 [Saturno (Steph)] Thank you.
03:03:25 [Sildir (Tris)] I was imagining us standing still, but that makes sense.
03:03:27 [DM (Aarya)] Let me move y'all to a scene, I'm glad you pointed that out.
03:03:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Map time, map time.
03:03:35 [DM (Aarya)] What funny scenes do I have?
03:03:41 [Sylalys (Cat)] We've went through like ten scenes this fucking since.
03:03:46 [DM (Aarya)] Speedrun. Let's see if I have anything funnier to share with y'all. There are a couple of maps that I wanted to include but I forgot to improve, but it's not a huge deal.
03:03:46 [DM (Aarya)] We're gonna use this one. I'm gonna pull y'all back in.
03:04:06 [Sildir (Tris)] This also is our normal whereabouts stop time, and we are at a good checkpoint I would say, just checking in.
03:04:14 [Sylalys (Cat)] I was gonna say, I wanna hit a shortcut.
03:04:17 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, we can, yeah. I think this is a good place to call it. We made pretty good progress.
03:04:23 [Sildir (Tris)] Great progress, I would say.
03:04:24 [DM (Aarya)] Everyone's alive!
03:04:25 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I mean, Aria really foreshadowed some death.
03:04:32 [DM (Aarya)] I mean, one of y'all went down, so, you know.
03:04:36 [Sildir (Tris)] You did that so Mercurial would make up with me.
03:04:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] And then put a battle on a cliff. What'd you say? I thought someone was for sure dying.
03:04:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] I said, Aria really asked us, are you okay with character death? And then said, okay, we're gonna fight on a cliff.
03:04:52 [DM (Aarya)] I mean, honestly, that encounter was pretty tame. Only a couple of y'all even took damage. I know, it's just funny.
03:04:52 [DM (Aarya)] You all did play it pretty smartly. Keeping your two stronger marshals on either end of the party. That was good.
03:04:52 [DM (Aarya)] Smart. Good tactics. Settorno is a tactical genius.
03:05:18 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, we've been doing really good in the combat. I think the party is pretty busted. Pretty well-rounded.
03:05:25 [DM (Aarya)] For this encounter, I actually doubled the health of the wolves.
03:05:31 [Mercurio (Gui)] We're way too min-maxed. Our party is just min-maxed as hell by accident.
03:05:36 [Irredel (Sav)] I think also we're really taking advantage of our characters and class features. I'm really counting down the days until I can get... It'll make sense for me to do Bless plus Voice of Authority on Ember.
03:05:54 [DM (Aarya)] Like, dude. You can already do that, technically.
03:05:58 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah, but I'll try and think of Action Economy if Bless is the next couple people, so it'll hit the most amount of people in the time it's effective.
03:06:08 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I get you.
03:06:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] Playing around the mechanics of the game, that's crazy. Crazy, I imagine. Strategy in my tabletop RPG?
03:06:21 [DM (Aarya)] That just means I can throw harder encounters at y'all and y'all will probably roll with the punches.
03:06:27 [Sildir (Tris)] At first, I hated the cliff, and then I liked the cliff.
03:06:31 [DM (Aarya)] How I learned to love the cliff in Barovia.
03:06:35 [Sildir (Tris)] Make Wolf commit Sudoku.
03:06:39 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, has the recording stopped, by the way?
03:06:43 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, it's still going. I'm glad you pointed that out, because it was still going. I'm going to end the recording here.
03:06:43 [DM (Aarya)] So that was Session 7 of Phantom Chains, folks. Thanks for listening. You can subscribe!
03:06:43 [DM (Aarya)] Like and subscribe, yes. Alright.