Beneath Dark Wings | Ep. 32 | Paradise Lost: Part 2
02:56:28 Share

Welcome to Legends of Avantris. I'm Felix Ackerman and you're listening to Beneath Dark Wings. Here's what happened last time. And you see Akula, she's collapsing on the ground. Your vision stares and almost feels like the flame engulfs everything else. Once driven mad by evil prime, now twelve remain and bide their time to stop his assured entropy.

Unite Seven. A time of three. It's good to know you're alive. I'm in Grond, following the Legion. By my accounts, they've already destroyed four. Shit. Al'Kira the Thunderfury, we call you back to life! We call you to the war against Chaos! For someone to be resurrected, they must be dead. And suddenly, in a massive burst of light, the large form of Al'Kira

The thunder fury. But on either of her shoulder blades are two massive glowing wings. Holy shit. And she is wreathed in barley and grape vines. The brilliant blue light fades.

And you are now joined by seven angels once more. But the seventh being Alkyra. Lufty, your mother, beats her wings. You see there's actually still a bit of whipping wind around her legs as she floats up to you.

And she places a large hand on your small shoulder. And she looks down and says, Do you think I would really only give you a handful of days together? Well, I don't know, because I didn't know you before that. So maybe, yeah. But I'm so glad you didn't.

And I love the wings. I'm glad too. I have you to thank. Are you back for good now? Well, Till, Lapois takes me when he wants. And it was you who allowed me to

be reborn in the astral sea. That is... That is how I changed. I became this. I'm so glad that you're back. And I'm so sorry that I had to send you away. No. Do not be sorry. I told you to make the choice. I told you to wish. And I was happy to give my entire being to that.

And she pulls you forward into a hug as she leans down and her wings wrap around you. And all of the... You look around and you see that all of the other angels have floated away. And Alraza is the final remaining one. And she looks and says, we will give you a moment. And she flies... Can I have my ring back, please?

Of course. Thank you. It's my mother's. And she floats away. It is just the seven of you now. At the top of this great silver spire. And she embraces you and she steps back. So how do I look? You look wonderful. So did you not really die? Honestly, I am not sure. I...

For a genie to wish and not be of noble blood is unheard of. I gave myself, my essence, my everything to that rain, to fulfill that wish. And I lost myself. I do know that. But when I awoke...

I was myself but not. I was different. And I was in a great sea. A great sea of stars and magic. And I felt the embrace of the divine. The touch of the divine. I became this. And I knew I...

There's one place I had to go and I knew where to find my daughter Lufthansa. And you were here. I felt your call. I feel right. I feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be. We heard that you knew, perhaps maybe you knew, about the location of the pieces of the Rod of Law. Yeah, something terrible has happened here.

And we need to make it right, and I think that's the only place we think that you can help us. Her eyes widen as almost if there's a bit of recollection. The Rod of Law! Yes! I do have purpose, yes. In this world and in this war. I remember. It has been so fuzzy for so long, and my memory was not reliable, but...

I do remember when I was no more than a pet of Commodus. I was his bodyguard. I was his muscle. I was his blade. But I remember the meat he had with his massive whispers. An old owl. I forget his name.

But he had mentioned that he had been... been spying on all of the other nations of this land. But there was something, there was someone who had been seeking the location of something called the Rod of Law. He also called it the Rod of Seven Parts. And I...

know now very clearly the name of this man. Virgil Zurn. If there is someone who knows where it is, it must be him. Hmm. Wait, you're saying Virgil Zurn was the master of whispers for... No, that was the man, right? It's Spiderman. The master of whispers reported...

That Virgil Zurn was looking for something called the Rod of Law. Why would he be looking for that? I do not know. Commodus didn't know what it was. But he just was...

mad with power. He wanted to learn every good about his enemies. This actually makes me feel just a little bit better. I mean, I know that we don't entirely trust this entity because we're pretty sure we know where this entity is coming from that Xerne is working with. But again, I can't stress enough that I do believe that Xerne is a good person. And if he truly wants to set things right, then a man like Xerne would be looking for this thing.

And if he knows about it, then we can continue to, like you said, work in his employ, whether we want to or not. And we don't have to pretend like we don't know about it. Because of course he does. We don't have to do this sneaking around stuff. But at least maybe he can help us achieve our goal, even if we don't want to work with him. You're wrong.

We're not very good about deception. I'm done with that. I've already... If they want to put me in front of the firing line, then so be it. But I think that we've all earned some sort of respect and trust from the man's regardless of what's pulling his strings from behind. And I do trust him as much as we can trust him. And I just think that if we need information, then if he's the one to go to...

It's better than somebody else. We're having to go back to deal with people that we don't trust. And at least we know to keep them at arm's length. And do what we can to just further our own goals. And learn a bit more. Yeah. Perhaps he'll reward us for completing our mission in the Arians. Maybe. And he might trust us enough to speak of it. I'm sure he would. He knows that we're...

I don't have anything else to go off of but a gut feeling, and I know that you might be hesitant to trust him, and again, I wouldn't trust that bird for the life of him, but I just think that he does mean well, even if he's wrapped up in something beyond anything that we can imagine. Can you give us the... I think I can.

I think now with my new power I can send you to where you want to go, where you need to go. But this is something where you must do this on your own. I feel like I must be here. I was called here for a reason the first time.

And I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to thank the Vaati and the Wind Dukes for giving me a home and reuniting me with my little girl. There's much to do to prepare for the world war ahead, and it will turn into that, I fear.

I felt something in the back of my mind when I was reborn in the Astral Sea. That entropy is inevitable, but we all must fight against it, rage against it for as long as we can, that there is hope. Why did you choose that work?

That is what the voice said. Enter me. Well, should we go now, then? I... I am ready whenever you want. Do you wish to speak with...

The Wind Dukes, I can inform them that you know where it is, but they all seem to know that you are up for this mission. If there's no recovering their memory and there's nothing else that we can do, then we don't have a choice but to speak with Zurn. I'm happy to talk to them again, but I just don't know how much it'll help.

I'm worried about the one who might be sick. I don't want it to spread to the others. I don't even know if there's anything we can do about it, but... I think if we can stop all this, then that might stop it. But I know that there's a time limit. It's just a matter of if we can do it quick enough. There has to be something. I don't know. You hear a voice from behind you.

You will turn and you see Moduna. That is what needs to be done. Sorry. That's what needs to be done. The Rod of Law.

That's the one thing that can save Elkira. I mean, not Elkira, fuck. That's the one thing that can save... What the fucker? A cooler. Too many A's. Just think a cooler of beer. A cooler. There are too many goddamn characters. I prefer water cooler. And you think that you can stop this or delay it long enough for us to collect...

Seven whole things and get this done? Who knows how long it's going to take us? How far we have to go? Maybe they'll all be in one place. You think that's going to be the case? No. But maybe it'll be like really close together. I'm just trying to think positive. I mean, do we have any idea of how long we might have? Obviously, we're going to work as quickly as we can, but there's no way to know about these things. Well, with Raza and

24 hour watch and the rest of us we will all devote as much of our enema as we have and I think

I think that... Did you say enema? I don't believe that we're on the same page. No, I think he said enema. Aye, I did. I did. An enema. Why do you think they call it the rod of seven parts? Oh, no. An enema. It's gut. Oh, no, the rod of seven parts. Gut, you, the enema. Oh, no. Yikes. Do you have any way to contact us once we return back to the material plane?

Yeah, can you let us know how she's doing? If things start to go south, I mean, we should know. If anything is wrong, it looks like we're going to lose her. We'll all let you know. But here, this was pulled from a cool. Lest this be the last blue feather she has, you'll be able to get back here, but you can only use it once.

Give it to Lufty. She used it the first time. She can do it again. Okay. I'll tuck this one in. It's more safer than I did the last time. If we get the Rod of Law, I'm certain we'll be able to purge the chaos that's creeping into Akula. And I'm certain that we'll be able to reforge it.

But we need the seven parts together. And we'll be here making sure that everything is ready. But it will take time. You do have time. Not all the time in the world. But we will buy as much as you need. Then we should go right away.

Please let them know that we've lived. Aye, I will. You see his large form drift off and fly off away. And...

Alkyra steps forward, and she hesitates. She looks down at Yulifan. We may not be seeing each other for a long time.

And I know that I just got back, but I want you to know that when this is all over we will have as much time as you need. As much time as you want. I believe you. And we'll be back soon. These guys are pretty powerful. And I believe in them. We're gonna get things done.

I have all the faith in the world. All the faith now in the god that I didn't even know was looking after me. He's a good one. Yes. And she reaches out her hands. And once again, one more. And she hugs you. And then she looks at all of you. Bring it, dear. Thank you all. She hugs all of you.

and suddenly she begins to glow, and a bright blue light engulfs you. You will feel the weight leave your feet as you suddenly stand

on firm ground. Teleports us to where, Mike? You suddenly... Just about a mile up over the middle of the ocean. The... You feel solid ground beneath you. As you regain your vision, the blinding blue light is gone, and you hear the croaking of ravens.

As you stare up at the massive citadel, the rising city of Zentra before you, you look all around

and you turn to see, get your bearings, and where the massive, sprawling forest of the clockwood was, or at least you thought it should be, is nothing more than charred stumps. As you see bits of the villages and smaller towns out in different directions seem to be no more than just

Black patches on the earth. I guess home sweet home or something like that. God, I hate this place. Wait, the entire Clockwood is burned? It's basically as far as you can see close to the city. You see that maybe there's strips out around, but yeah, it is. Does it look like controlled burning or like it went down in a fire? Seems controlled. Did Zurn do this? Ah.

My guess is that if the beastmen are overacting and whatnot, they're trying to push the vegetation back to make it more visible for oncoming attacks. That would be my guess. That makes sense. It's not pretty, but I guess they're worried about the slaughtering of everyone. Well, to be fair, that in hundreds of years, this land will be lush. Like

Just renewal and regrowth? Of course. Anytime a tree is burned, the ground is far more fertile. It makes growth. It's rampant. It would be lovely here. I hope you're right. Because the things that I've seen from here are just nothing but...

Curses death. Ugh. Yeah, it's a city. Let's go and see if we can have an audience from Zurn. Should we go straight there? Is there anyone else we should see? They probably won't stop us, and Revali's nowhere to be found, at least for now. Do we

Do we know how far? Have we heard of where Grand is and do we know how far it is? It is far to the north. It's not anywhere close. Right, right, right. I mean, you know, Revali is the only one that I'd want to speak to and he's hundreds of miles away, so I don't see the point in delay. I agree. No one's going to stop us with our sigils and our ranks and whatnot, so we might as well just go see them. Okay.

Can we have these? And also, I'll get my emblem out to let all the guards know as we approach. We'll do the same. That we are the... Looking for school children. You... I'm at four, so...

You make your way to the gates, and you are approached by soldiers before you even make it several hundred feet away. As soon as you flash your badge, they immediately let you through. You say badge?

Yes, your badges, your emblems, your sigils. You... You continue to make your way

through the city and you you look around and you remember the the populace of of Zantra and you it seems to be even there seems to be an even stronger sense of tenseness of fear

People look hungry. Their faces are sunken in. They're tired. As you are escorted through the massive gates, all the way through the huge district, you see the city sprawling around, and it seems as if there's the damage that had initially been to the walls from those great Hellfire engines.

in that massive battle with the Horned Legion. Remember what I was saying. Regardless of what we have to do or what we want to do, we do not want... We can tell Zer everything else, but we don't want him to think that we're suspicious of that bird. Agreed? Yeah, but if we ask him about Zerat...

What if he gets suspicious based on that? He knows about it already. He knows about it. And if he's looking for the pieces, whether he's being puppeted or not, and he knows where they are, we'll find them for him. We'll find them for him. Yeah, but if he's...

He does not know that we know that he knows about the rod. So we instill good faith by letting him know, Zurn, we have found out an important part to this puzzle. There is a rod and we tell it to him as if he knows nothing about it. We allow him to tell us that he knows or he doesn't. Then we know whether he is trustworthy or not. And if these...

this thing, this creature, or whatever it might be, this force, wants these pieces, we go retrieve them for him and we don't turn them over. That's the best way that we ensure that the pieces of this rod remain in the right hands. Our hands. You guys are right. The man isn't leaving Xantra. I have paws. You do have paws. You have thumbs, right? They're kind of like hands. Opposite thumbs. They're sort of like paw-y hands. Let me see your paws.

You have... Yeah, look, they're right there. Ah! I take one point of piercing damage. Man, it's a good thing our escorts are completely dead. Damn it! Ah! You got me! They're giving you enough leeway to talk amongst yourselves. Oh, I'm sorry. If you put pressure on the middle of my palm, they automatically come out. I will never do that again, I promise. It would be for... I just kind of, like, wipe it. Me too. But if he knows that we know... Your tail feeds out. Then...

Not that one. All we're going to do is offer up that we have some information about how to fix all of this. And we'll see what he says. That's it. Yes. Well, I'll just let you do the talking and I'll just stand in the back and smile. Exactly. We're going to let Iris do all of the talking. Well, Felix, this is your home town. Zan is your something. What? He freed you. Oh, God.

Isn't your high general's... I mean, in the strictest technical sense, I suppose... So we can trust you to handle the matter? Sorry. Yeah, I guess so. I'm not going to let Caprice do it. We'll all end up in jail. No, you won't say a word.

I'll just inspire you, all right? I'll play a little... Yeah, take a little inspiration. Oh, sing that song about Herrscher. Oh, yeah, do that one. That one's good. Let's play the song about Herrscher. It's pretty catchy. Everybody, Herrscher.

Sometimes. It was good. You have a lovely voice. I'll let Caprice do the singing. I'll just play a bit longer. You sure you don't want to multiclass into Bard? I'm not that charismatic. I don't think I can physically do it. Mechanically. From a mechanical perspective. Oh.

So you do the talking. Yeah, I guess. I feel like I've been voluntold to do so. You have. But you know, flip that.

Turn the front upside down. Say, you put yourself in charge. He's a big man. Well, we'll never be big men standing next to each other. Just move over like a foot. Get on your knees, Tyler. I squat. Stand up, damn it. I try to push him up. You're very strong, Felix. Why are you pushing me up? I don't need you to play kick me. Oh.

It's like when a little kid goes to lift you up and you stand on your tippy-toe. I cast Archehan, I throw him out the window. Ah!

Are we all ready to proceed? We're ready to go talk to Zurn. Harja, you do not say a fucking word. I assume we're outside his chambers at this point. I'm pleased for the life of us. We've been standing in front of him for five minutes. You are brought to this point, the massive center gate to the Citadel of the Queen's Conclave is open, and you're all

ushered through and you see that you had been here previously and seen the massive flock of ravens. What was the flock of ravens? The murder. The murder of ravens. The murder of crows. Fuck. You're right. I don't know what a flock of ravens is. Chat. Google it. A swarm of ravens. What is a flock of ravens?

Well, they're still a flock. Yeah, they're still a flock. Do they have a special name? They're Flocking Ravens. Can we move on now? Another Flocking Ravens. As it seems as if that the... An unkindness. No way! That kind of fits. I like that. Coralocky is kind of unkind. For Wildebeest. Because I remember it being amazing. Wildebeest. Wildebeest, Wildebeest. I'm on it. Hold on. An unkindness of ravens. I like that. It's kind of melancholy. Pretty good.

Very zentra-esque. Wildebeest. No, it's like a confusion of wildebeest or something. A confusion. Also known as a gnu. A gnu. No, that's its own animal. Oh, I'm sorry, that's the singular animal. It's a confusion of wildebeest. So it's a confusion of wildebeest. A confusion of gnu. That's why I like that gnu is a grumble of pugs.

A grumble. A grumble. Yeah. It's a couple of pugs. We need to figure out what it is for bulldogs. Yeah, what are bulldogs? Wait, a pug is a newt. A grumble. A grumble of pugs. More than one pug is a grumble. How many? Yeah. Sorry, Mikey, but this is important. This is very important.

This podcast is brought to you by our Patreon. Become a patron today at patreon.com slash legends of Avantris and gain access to tons of exclusive perks including a monthly movie night and a weekly Patreon exclusive campaign set on the high seas.

Shroud over Saltmarsh. You can also go to thecrookedmoon.com to pick up your own copy of our first published supplement, The Crooked Moon, a folk horror tome for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. And don't forget to snag all the extra goodies like dice, miniatures, plushies, a tarot deck, and more. Thank you!

We've learned a lot about animals today. Yeah. But Mr. Zurn, are you in there? You are ushered into the, once again, the large doors to the Citadel. That familiar, oh, I was actually making a comment. Sorry. Where you have been familiar with this conspiracy of ravens above you, but the swarm now, the conspiracy, is far more intense, chaotic. They're moving around, they're flying off in every single direction. Yeah.

as you enter. And the large hallways and winding narrow staircases that make their way up to the numerous levels of this massive citadel that you're in are alive with the quick marching, the shouting of a plan. This is far more active than you've ever experienced it before. Hmm.

Probably not at least as much as when war was at the city's walls. You are...

You are eventually ushered up to the very top of the Citadel, the familiar hallway where you first had your encounter with Diamante Cujaba. That felt like months ago, because it was. And you are eventually brought to the massive doors in front of Xerne's chambers.

You're told to wait. They're in the middle of a meeting of the eyes. And what are we? We're the wings? Okay. Wings of the raven. Can I hear anything that's being said? You don't hear any voices outside. There are a number of guards. And they're standing with us? Yeah, the guards are flanking all sides. Yes, sir. It reminds me that we

That we're the six wings of the raven. We are. And the big owl tempest thing had six wings. Yes. So, don't we think that's a bit of a coincidence? Just keep that to yourself for now. Or was that ironic? It's not a coincidence. Most likely. What's the difference between a coincidence and irony?

I really is when you were to say something. No, I really, I really, I see. I hear I and I immediately. I really is the exact opposite of something that you thought it was going to be. Whereas the coincidence is just two things that happened to be the same. I don't understand. But anyway, I think it's might be important.

As you wait... Uh... The wait gets a little bit longer. You all sit there, twiddly your thumbs, and finally, what felt like an eternity, the doors open. And you hear the footsteps of the General's duels. I immediately, like, snap to. You, uh, snap to as six individuals walk out. Wordlessly.

They seem to all have very blank expressions, as if attempting to mask whatever emotions they may be feeling. But it is not a single shred of a smile on any of their faces. Do I recognize one of them? You recognize... I know I do.

I know I do. You... Furman. We've met a few of them. You see the eyepatch. Bradley Furman. Of Bradley Furman. As... Shocked he has been fired. He steps forward as all of them are making their way. Furman stops and looks at all of you and says, I'm surprised you survived.

Well done. And he walks past. You also recognize Portia Paradiso. That's right. And says, she stops. Is Chumlee still there?

I'm getting a little... Oh, my bad. Sorry. I'm very excited. The Raven Queen guides you past. And she just gives you a slight hint of a smirk as she continues past. Yikes! You see a number of figures, but you do not see Grumly. And

What's his name? Grumly? No, Chumly. Chumly. Annie said Grumly. Did I? No, I wrote Chumly right here. If I said Grumly, I apologize. Chumly and Pugs. It is the Chumly of Pugs. That was my first. Can't believe Kelsey read it.

You see a younger man. Considerably younger than... Old diabetes Chomley? Old diabetes Chomley. Considerably younger. With short brown hair.

You see an older woman with a very, almost like razor-like bowl cut of black hair as she walks past you. You see a middle-aged man with glasses or spectacles with shoulder-length glasses

blonde hair as he is holding a number of books as he makes his way out. And you see finally another woman who has deep, deep red hair that is tied back. You can tell that if into a large series of loops around the back of her head, you can tell that if she let

down to be very long as she stops and lingers her eyes cast over you with these bright green eyes I've never seen this person before she continues to leave

And the doors remain open and the guards spread and they beckon you in. I'll proceed first. You proceed. I'm like, come on. I'll follow behind Felix. You all enter the chambers. The doors close behind you.

You see the massive table, the war table that had been previously destroyed by Kujata, rebuilt with an even more detailed and larger map of Striga. A large number of wooden and metal tokens all over. And you see...

that... as you approach, the large... the largest of all in the center is... a wooden figure carved into a huge head of a bull. And it is placed firmly in the north on the map of Gron. Oh, shit. And you... as you approach, you see, looking over the map, the chairs all pushed in neatly, three on either side.

You see the long hair of the widow's coming down, a strong nose, the heavy coat, and that familiar broadsword on his back. High General Zurn looks down the table and says,

Looks at all of you. Sir. My General Zurn, sir. Felix Ackerman reporting with information from the operation with the rest of the Wings of the Raven. We have much to discuss. Hi, General Zurn. Hi, General Zurn. Hi, General Zurn. Attention. I just kind of like put my head in my hand. It is a pleasure to see you. Hello. You look well.

At ease. I have been. My wings still beat. Yeah, we see that. We're all alive and healthy. And we have succeeded. We have a lot to tell you. I have noticed that my ravens have actually been able to make their way into Eerios as of late.

As you can see, and he points to the large section of Eerios that spreads out, and where had previously been a large number of tokens shaped in the form of an owl have been completely decimated. They are no longer there, there's only a tiny handful, and the one at the center of where K'lyri was is tipped on its side. As he walks forward and...

uh, pulls back the large chair with the head, and he sits down, and he extends his one arm that he has. "Sit. We do have much to discuss. I am very eager to hear about your entire mission." "Yes, sir!"

Is the chair too tall that I wouldn't be able to turn it and then like do the hop over? Yeah. It's like this one. Is there like a chase lounge where I can Cleopatra style just lay alongside one of them? Caprice is doing the splits on the back. My tail kind of going back and forth. You

You can kind of like, you know, do that and you swivel it around and you kind of like, you're able to peek over it. Yeah, sure, why not? I'm doing this as much as I can. Um, well, it sounds like you're at least aware of some of the outcome of what happened. I know that there was a change in leadership. The young man that we left in charge seems very capable and eager with meeting with you. Is that so?

At least that's what we got the impression of as we were leaving. I mean, the impression that was the Caxian Accord is no more. They've seemed to change their style of government. So we're back together now. It'll be peaceful. We have ambassadors from the forest floor working together with this young man that we've left in charge. Isn't that wonderful?

Unfortunately, we didn't tell them about... Well, they're doing first-past-the-post voting, which means that inevitably things are going to run into basically a two-party system. We implemented single-transfer voter style. It's great. It's fantastic. Nothing can go wrong. And they expressed, I do know that...

Commodus is no more. And I do know that this young man. He is young. Minerva. Do you trust him? No. I mean, as much as we can trust somebody that we just met, but he seems to have a good heart. We trust his intentions. He wants a change of things. He didn't like the way things were going. The way that he saw his family fall into the same vicious cycle that was always in place. So yes, I'm with Iris. We can't trust him.

I mean, only as much as we can to someone we just met. He set him up with the structures that he would need to be successful. With backups. Yes, of course. With someone we do very much trust. And again, ambassadors from the forest floor with people we do trust. And you all were instrumental in...

in this change of power? Yeah. I suppose so, yeah. Well done. You did exactly what I sent you to do there. You disrupted their form of government, and you have installed a power that is friendly to Korovakia.

You truly are loyal, Felix Ackerman, and the rest of you. I mean, it was for the good of the people there, too. I mean, it wasn't just... There are added benefits, of course. And he was very friendly. Well, I... There can be an alliance between Corvacchia and Ereus...

I will visit Kaliri myself. I would be so happy to help you, sir. Great. I suppose, amongst other things that we discussed, we've come across some information where we heard that there might be some tools or information that might help us in the fight

Against the horrible things that we witnessed outside of Zentrum. And we don't know too much about what we're looking for, but we've heard whispers and tales of something powerful that might aid us in the fight. He leans back a bit and he tilts his head towards you. But the Wind Dukes, is that what you're referring to? Did you find them? No.

Well, you see, I have the ability to speak with my god. Yes. And we know the name, the Chained God. I used the most powerful magic I have to gain more insight. You were told of a relic. Yes.

Relic? That is what we refer to. Exactly. What is this relic? We don't know. We just know that there's something. A tool. Pieces of a tool. Something that might benefit us in the fight against these eagles. We do have a name. A rod of some kind. Does that ring any kind of a bell? Anything? Did you find the Windukes or not? No.

It was also...

There was also a giant attack, an explosion on the tree. A lot of things happened. It goes beyond just the... Skittish lizard folk attempted to burn the entire forest to the ground. We're happy to go in more detail, but really, we're here about this relic. It seems to be our greatest information read. In my communion with Anubis, it is what his focus was mainly on. Yeah. And as soon as we heard, we came straight here to talk to you. Oh.

I believe the only way to stop whatever it is the bull men are doing is to find the Srelinka. Perhaps there's information in the library. But we thought we would want to know. He leans back a bit. He rubs his chin very slightly. ...

Yes, I suppose I can trust him. Sir, I want to keep being a faithful tool of Korovakia. If I can, I want to help Zentra. I want to be a faithful soldier. We want to help the millions of people in this city and this country. This will be useless if the Wind Dukes have not reunited. They've reunited! We've reunited them all! This isn't useless. Please do tell us. You see a tiny crack

of a smile come to his lips. Well, I'm glad that you did both the things I asked of you. You've done a great deal of good, not just for Korovakia, but also the entire world of Avantris. That is the first step

The Wind Dukes are the only ones that can stop the Chained God. And Iris, your god speaks truth. Of course. He's a god of justice and law. I'm so confused. There is indeed a rod.

I did not mention it previously because, while I did trust you, I believe that information is best shared on a need-to-know basis. If you had all failed to reunite the Wind Dukes and dark forces got a hand on your minds to manipulate you,

Maybe that much closer to stopping what we are trying to do. In all of my research, as I felt the darkness enclosing around this continent, more so than it already has, the chaos around it,

I began to do research. I sent my ravens to every corner of the earth, sometimes even beyond, when I could. And I discovered an ancient relic, an ancient artifact, lost to time and history, except for those very select few sources.

The rod of seven parts. When united, perhaps may be able to be used against the chain guard. Banish him back to his terrible domain. I have searched many years.

Too many years. For a glimmer of hope. But in the ancient texts where I read about this, I learned it was spread across not just Avantris, but the plains themselves. But... Recently, I replaced Diamante Cugiatta

with a far more effective eye of secrets. General Milena Lumos. I should introduce you all at some point. But she has been incredibly helpful in purging the traitors of Kujata's reign, installing good, qualified spies

and my ravens have been far more effective with her assistance. I am not sure if this lead is what we are looking for.

But we questioned every single soldier, guard on the orders. And we found, we heard a story of a pair of guards who had stopped

An individual heading north. Someone who said they wanted to leave Kurovakiya and explore the wilderness of Grond. They searched his cart, found nothing but blacksmithing supplies, weapons and the like. They found a strange piece. Heard it not now.

A strange piece of a metal staff, they said. And as soon as they found it, he lunged for it. It was overly protective. The guard... What's his name? Golem and the one. They did not get his name. What happened to him? They just let him go?

Yes, they did let him go. They blamed the booze and sent him on his way to perish in Grand. This was months ago. Did we get a description? Do we know anything about him? He was a dwarf. He was old. He claimed to be a holy man.

Something about weird. Herja, nothing to say? Speak up or forever hold your peace, Herja. I think... Would she be reacting to this? Byron. 100%. I mean, I imagine so. I mean...

You know, I can't make any decisions for her. I'm saying, I'm saying like, if we were, is the description that he's giving us a very detailed description or it was just a dwarf old man? Oh, gee, dearie. No, that's my fault. An old drunken dwarf blacksmith. Yes. Who is a holy man. Yeah. Yeah. But nothing beyond actual physical features like hair color. You know what I'm saying? Like it's, it's just those generic things. It would be enough for someone to. It would be enough to deduce. That there at least is a lead there. Yeah. Right.

That's been months! I mean, the whole Legion marched through there! There are terrible orcs! And how long have you known about this for months? No, this happened, it was not reported to anyone of high ranking. Until when? Until I was able to get...

General Lumos in her position, and she did her questioning. So Kujata just swept it under the rug? Kujata was a traitor. Of course. And he... Feeding you lies the whole time. The death that you all gave him was far too good than what he deserved.

Sir, please, I apologize if I'm stepping out of line, but after all the things that I told you about the corruption here within the military, I was surprised to still see Bradley Furman in place, sir. I trust Bradley Furman with my life. He's a piece of shit. What did he have to say about all the things that I told you? What were things? The stuff about the... It wasn't real. None of it was real. That...

was the primary responsibility of Kujata and Chamle. So he's just claiming to have been blinded by both of them? So he's blaming Chamle and you've killed him? Chamle has received punishment that he deserved.

Not dessert. He was useless. What did you do to him? He's not useless. I mean, his name was already Chumlee, so... Very little. Where do you go from that? He was just about the most worthless person we met in this whole campaign. Fuck!

Do you really want to know? Yes, absolutely I do. Yes. He was executed. Being ineffective... Nobody else. I'm quite surprised. I heard you did it too. Being ineffective as one of my eyes is treason. You're not the ruler. I thought you were.

What kind of ruler did you think I was? The good kind. If it had not been for you all... Do not try to put his death on our hands. I am not. I am saying that you all made up for the grave mistakes that he made. Being ineffective...

Did not cause the death. We had reason to believe that he knew more than he let on. Oh, I'm sure, and I guarantee it was your friend there, Mr. What's-his-butt. Vermin. What a whore of a man. Duked once. Doesn't surprise me that you will allow yourself to be duped twice. Shows that you might not be as strong as I thought you were.

Well, I will say that we became far more effective at seeking out and purging all threats to Coravathia. If it weren't for General Fuhrman, we would not have delayed the whole Legion as long as we did.

Thousands of lives were lost. Oh, and to think, a city as large as this in a dungeon I'm sure is vast. You could have kept him alive. It's the weak that kills when they escape. I did what I deemed the right thing to do. Are you questioning my authority to do so in Corvacchia? Don't play stupid. You know I am.

No. We'll not stand here and let this man pretend that he is good or that he is doing what is right. If any of you think that killing that rabid, worthless man was just... Well, it's done. It's done. There's nothing we can do now. No, it is. It is done. And I will continue doing what my God tells me to. But you will continue knowing that I think less of you for it.

Now, we're done here. You may think whatever you think. I'm going to turn and walk out of the room. Okay, you do that. She's very passionate. Anyway. Do you happen to have heard of any reports? Do you have any other leads? All I know... Is that...

That dwarf made it to Grom. I have been sending my ravens north, but the... They have been not coming back. The orcs of the Dancing Blade clan are fond of falconry and their hawks have been increasingly training

to take care of my ravens. So what you're saying is that we have to go to Grom. What are the chances that some drunken dwarf just happened to find a piece of the rock?

I don't chalk up much to chance. Because you think he can find the others? I do not know where he was going. I have sent multiple agents. Furman has sent some of his best men and women, but they have not returned. It does seem to be a bit...

Too coincidental that this rod of seven parts that forged the rod of law popped up when it has, where it has. Phillips, you are familiar with the Orcs of Grond, yes? Yeah, of course, yes. It was in Grond where I had my...

most dire moment. When I was a young man and Furman and I were fighting and killing orcs. Savage. Savage and chaotic. They were always... They were always barbaric and they were always a threat.

But that's because they were chaotic and because they were unable to get their natures in check. They were always manageable. That is when I fell and when the Raven Queen saved me. But... In the decades...

A new leader came almost out of nowhere. A new warlord who rose to power, conquered all the other clans and somehow got their savagery, their chaotic nature in check. And the war between us got far more difficult. They were far more regimented.

far more suppressive of their brutal savage bloodlust. And now that the, a piece potentially of the rod of law

showing up, heading towards Grond. I can't help but think that it's connected. We'll go check it out. Of course we will. We want to be able to recover these pieces and act on your behalf and make sure that they're safe. But you have to promise me one thing. I know that I'm speaking out of line, but please, hear me out. Yes. Just, I believe...

that you're trying to do the right thing. Please keep an eye on General Furman. Please. It never hurts to be cautious. After everything that I told you, and I'm happy to reiterate if I need to, just keep an eye on him. Make a persuasion check. What's your inspiration? The good one. Well, it only lasts, like, what, ten minutes? Yeah. Good one.

I would not call him good. Oh, yeah, huge. Oh, wow. You said persuasion? I'm going to get plus two. Oh, that was a six. Plus seven is 25. 25 to persuasion. Yeah. He listens, and he sits back. Felix, all of you, I appreciate your dedication to Korovakea, and I know that...

Your heart is in the right place. I know that Iris' heart is in the right place. They do not fault her at all for questioning my methods. It is hard fought and hard learned, and I do not sleep easily at night doing the things that I must. But I will be cautious of all of my generals.

After trusting and being fooled by Kujata, I no longer trust anyone but myself and my bird. And the Raven Queen. Is the Raven there?

You look around, and it does not seem to be there. Fuck. Has there been any other word about this? This is out of character. We've already talked about the 13 seals that exist, and the rod, and all that. Has there been any word about the seals? That was going to be my next topic of conversation. Things are not good here in Cordovaquia.

Tough choices must be made. I will keep an eye on Furman, and because of your lack of... Because of your passion, I will make sure that I am keeping him on watch. I'll keep at least five ravens on him at all times, but I have no reason to not trust him at this point. Understood. Things are not all and well here in Zentra and Korvahir. There are

We tried to stall the whole Legion, but they have a demon of unimaginable power. Hundreds, thousands of soldiers have died, and we've been able to delay them, but four seals have already been lost in Korovakia.

Do we know that they were lost recently, or they've just been confirmed lost at some point in time? I know that this is far beyond anything that we would have... Bathamet himself shattered them. Okay. And I just received word that a fifth in Ereos has fallen. By who? I do not know. From whom did you hear word? Was it one of your ravens? My ravens. The Guardian's...

of that seal had all disappeared.

Where was it? Or died. Since they are dead, it was in a garden. And they just fucked off. They just disappeared and they abandoned their duties. But they were... Son of a bitch.

They had other motives, other goals and desires. Do you know who could have done that? It couldn't have just been collateral damage from what Commodus did, correct? It had to have been a deliberate and targeted attack. Perhaps the agents of Baphomet. We just learned this no more than 12 hours ago. At least five seals.

have been broken. I do not know how many in Grond have been broken. It may get to the point that we have no choice but to retreat back to Zentra and protect the 13th seal. Do you have any way to contact us at a moment's notice? I do.

We can always come back and help. I will. I know you are still all of my wings.

And your work has been critical. And I thank all of you for your dedication. I wish you to pass that on to Iris. You will all be rewarded. I have prepared chambers for you, now permanent in this citadel. You each have a room, and your payment...

For disrupting the government. Oh, Eerios, disrupting the Okaxian court is there waiting. In our chambers? Yes. Well, we will prepare to leave for Grondon in the morning. It will take several days if you need. You all look like you've been through the nine hells and back. Just another day. Yeah.

The good news is that all of the devils that had been with the Horned Legions defected after our battle with Moloch. And most of the beast men were decimated in the battle. But here is the final bit of bad news I have.

Beastleg is cropping up more than we can burn it back down. Villages are disappearing overnight, and they are rushing and sprinting toward the horned legion as if they know where they are once they turn.

You're trying to purge the ones I ordered much of the clockwood to be culled so they could not hide. There's only so much that we've been able to do. There's still no cure. No. That's it.

We have our top alchemists, our top healers, our top clerics. The only cure is death. So the Talon guard is out and about? He looks at you. I'm afraid so. I'm afraid so.

Well, have you gotten any word from Kirstein? Kirstein, as far as I am aware, is doing well. Stoutmane Highlands have been fortunate in being relatively undisturbed. We've heard that the seal that's located there is safe as well. It is. Once again, thanks to you all.

Is there a reason we should stay a few days? I just feel this pit of a disgusting feeling in my stomach. The fact that things are happening and there's nothing we can do to stop it besides run towards it.

Is it difficult to navigate?

I would not wish that we were to make it this far to all of you get picked off by a roving band of Minotaurs. Well, I don't know how you all feel, but I think we should go. Spend the night and rest and then leave in the morning. We can talk about it with the group, but unless there's anything else we need to... You all need some rest.

That sounds pretty good. I could do that.

You wanna go? Yeah. Are we still with him? Yeah. Either way, let's go to our quarters and we can discuss this. Thank you for being forthcoming with information, our general. If we need, can we request audience with you in the morning? Yes, I will clear my schedule. I have a meeting, I'll cancel it. I'll keep my morning open for you if you do wish to leave, but if you wish to spend more time to recover...

Next day will not be the death of us all, I pray. Regardless of when we head out for sure, I'm sure we might have questions before we make our way. I probably won't wake up till like 10, 30, 11, so take your meeting.

Fine, so be it. We won't wake you up. Very well. I will clear my afternoon. Why are we not waking him up? That's ridiculous. Let the man sleep. You all deserve rest. He tosses and turns and whines all night. Do you not hear it? Because he doesn't go to bed. You are loyal operatives all of Korovakia. Take the time that you need.

You are dismissed. Thank you, sir. While that was happening, Iris...

I was... I have bags of sand. I'm literally going everywhere I can find that I think that Zurn would be, and I'm placing sand there, hopefully that it winds up in his crack. And he has that sand irritation you get when you go to the beach. But I'm trying to make it as discreet as possible. He won't realize that I've planted it. I'm going to be honest. I thought you were casting a spell. I didn't realize you were just using spite. I cast spite. I cast spite.

Is there a spell called Spite? Okay. I'd be shocked if there wasn't. Mind Spite. Make a general sleight of hand check. And not a vacuum to be seen. You're going to salt and bathe some sand all over the place. God, that's the worst. You'd never be able to get it out from everything. 16. 16. You are actually given a shocking amount of access.

because you just flash your badge everywhere. And so you're just kind of like, you're saltbaying sand. You're like, just kind of Goldilocksing it. Like, I make my way to, like, wherever the laundry area is where they're washing all of his bed sheets and stuff, and I sprinkle sand in, like, the area where...

the sheets that they've just finished folding so when they go into his bed there'll be sand all over the place and I essentially do that and someone I would assume tells me that I have a room and I have them escort me there occasionally sprinkling sand in places someone in the laundry's like hey what are you doing oh no it's anti-evil powder doctor I'm a cleric of a new business oh thank god you're here look at the badge don't question anything aye aye aye

Okay. Yeah, so you do that and you eventually make it back and there's actually a... Your quarters are all connected to this small... It's very quaint. It's not like a luxurious hotel suite, but there is a sitting room in the center of all of your rooms. And you're escorted there and you all find...

Each, 3,000 gold pieces. Holy fuck, I hate money and I have so much of it. You find three greater healing potions. A piece. Sorry, say that one more time. Three greater healing potions. Got it. You are... And you all get a potion of heroism. Oh, I love potion of heroism.

Be careful, you can get addicted to heroism really quickly. I want to, after we've found these things, basically find Hela.

Whether it's knock on his door or find him in the common room. I'll say the doors could be open and there's a common room. However you guys want to do it. If someone wants to be private time, they can enjoy that. It's like a dorm suite. Yeah, exactly. Toa, are you there? I'm in the living room. Come in. Oh, good. I just didn't want to intrude. I know sometimes you're praying and things. No, no. Please join me. Take a seat. I...

Come into my chambers, Felix. I wonder if you're wearing one of those robes, like a Hugh Hefner, like... Yeah, red velvet, the pipe. I shouldn't have lied to the High General. I'm sure he could see right through it.

all that bullshit about me wanting to be a good soldier. I'm done with it. I just thought we needed to lie to make sure that we knew that we were trying to be reasonable, faithful servants or whatever. I'm angry and I don't want to do it anymore.

I understand, Felix. I agree, and I'm sorry. That's why I blurted out. Oh, I'll puff on the pipe that I found in my room in bubbles. Oh, my God. We should have just told him the truth from the beginning. I do think that he means good. I just don't understand why he wouldn't have gotten rid of Furman.

Well, I mean, do we know that Furman has done bad intentionally? No, no, no. Perhaps you're being presumptuous, Felix. Yeah, fine. And I get that he said that he may have been blinded by whatever Kujata and Chumlee were doing, but it doesn't seem right to me. Do you honestly think that if they're rounding up women and children and...

Shipping them off to God knows where to be sacrifices or worse? That the general of the military wouldn't know?

As far as I know, they're all good soldiers. And what does a soldier act on but information? And if the information was illegitimate, he might have had every intention to do the right thing. I take the sigil that we have and say, if those assholes at the academy could see me now, I didn't even have to do anything to get this.

And I'm higher than they'll ever be. Jackasses. Well, it all worked out. And we're doing least saving the world, Felix. We're least saving Striga and Coravacchia. Now, I gotta ask Zurn if he knows what happened to my brother. I have to. I mean, he has to have some idea. Furman has to answer for some of this bullshit. Furman has to know something. Maybe we can speak with him. And you know what? I've been thinking about it. Maybe we should take a few days.

We've been going non-stop for weeks. I can't stop. I can't wait. If there's any chance that my brother's still alive, I have to find him. Maybe not like wait, wait, and do nothing, but just take some more time in Zentra. Just a few days. Every day that I don't follow up some lead, he's going to get tossed in some horrible furnace. You saw that. You saw what they did with those horrible infernal machines. He might already be dead, but...

I think you have to hold out hope that he's not dead and if he is in danger... What? It's been... How long has it been, Felix? How long? Years? It's been a long time. In the grand scheme of things, as they say on the McCarney Islands, never anyone is acting crazy or out of their minds.

I saw it in a dream.

My poor brother was chained to some stone tablet and he was crying for my help. He was hollering my name and then he blamed me. And they took him off to God knows where to chop him up or burn him alive. It was a trick. Felix, we should take time for you to figure out and learn what you can about what happened to your brother.

There must be records somewhere, huh? I spent a week in the damn library, and I read everything that I could about demons and devils and everything about Moloch, and I didn't get much. Would that be the library, though? Wouldn't it be like a public, not public, but official records? I figured if anybody was going to have it, it was going to be the Korovakian secret stuff that they keep under lock and key forever. Nobody gets access to that.

But us now, we do! I can go back again, but I don't know what good it's gonna do. This is stuff that the entirety of life on this planet has never dealt with before, possibly. Well, I think you should ask the questions. And you shouldn't regret not doing something while we're here. This is your chance. And perhaps we can learn more. The Legion is in Grann, where we're going. If he's with them...

Maybe we can do something. Fine. Fine. But now's the time to ask Fuhrman. To ask if there are records. Okay. Just... Let me think. For a little bit. Is there any tea or anything? I need something to...

I gotta relax. Oh yes, let me go to my pantry and there's a nice big vacator. I'd say you hear a knock at the door. We're just in the common room. Oh yeah. Me, Herja, Lufty, and maybe Ira show up. Get in losers, we're going tavern hopping! Ha ha!

We have beverages here, Caprice. What? You guys are just going to go out into D'zentra? Yeah, we're going to find up a tavern. I'm going to play some music. We're going to have some drinks. We're going to have a good time. You can have beverages here, but you can't have a good time unless you're in a tavern. Do you really think that this is the time for that? Now's the only time for this. Yeah, they're leaving tomorrow. I'm pouring glasses of this nice kind of dark orange liquid looking thing and I pass it out.

And cheese. Cheers, I guess. I'm sure. I would like to see fan art of Toa making a martini. With a smoking jacket and his bubble pipe. And it's apple juice. And it's apple juice. Oh, God. What the hell? Oh.

Oh, it's a good year. Oh. Is it this year? Yeah, right now. Isn't that what they say when you drink like a nice thing out of a fancy glass? Only if it's been fermented for years and it's like decades old. Honey, I think that's like pretty fresh. I don't know how this works. This is

I thought you were just talking about how nice the current year is. I don't taste any alcohol in this. You're blowing tobacco. Whose pipe is that? I found it in my room. Did you guys not get pipes? No, someone probably just left it and they forgot to clean it up. You've just been smoking someone else's pipe. Just bubbles. I mean, I guess... What?

One night of... Maybe not studying and working for a change might be okay. Yeah, but just one. Just one? Just one. I have to talk to Zurn in the morning. Well, you better do it quick. You have until whenever... He said he would clear his schedule and we could meet with him before we leave. That's... That's fine. And Finn... I don't know if I can face Finn. Why don't we...

If you think I need to, then fine. You need to. If you don't, you'll be wondering, you'll be thinking, what if, what if, oh, I should have talked to him. He might have had the incense. If the High General Zurn will bring Firm into his chambers, then so be it. Fine. Fine. You should come out tonight. It'll be fun.

You really need to relax. Make a wisdom saving throw. You son of a bitch. I am going to choose not to cast Counterspell.

I can't smell your counter smell. We can do this all night long. That's it? Reactions are done. You know what? I choose to fail. What do you guess? A suggestion. Except for now we go out and get just a checkup. What are you suggesting? You need to relax. Oh. You know what? I...

I think you're right. Where are we going? I'm not sure. We're going to go. We're going to find a place where we can get drinks. First round's on me. Herja won't shut up about it. Let's go. I guess I'm going to follow Caprice. And I just follow Caprice wherever he goes for the rest of the night. I guess we'll actually... Do I know that I've been charmed after an hour or whatever? No, no. It's just a shot of charm. It's just like... It's the only one where you'd never know. You don't find out when it wears off. Yeah.

Okay, so be it. I follow you forever. So for up to eight hours, it's like four in the morning when you're finally like, why am I doing this? I'm so drunk. I follow Caprice unwittingly until, I don't know, he told me to go to bed. Yeah, we pass out in our rooms early in the morning at some point, I'm sure. So who's going out? Me. Me.

You were definitely invited. I wasn't in the room. I've been in my room. I would have invited you before grabbing her genlipid. Do you want to come with us? No, I don't. Why not? Is everything okay? Yes, of course everything is okay, but I'm not in the mood to party tonight. Well, neither am I, but I'm going anyway.

Yeah, well, I'm not partying, I pray. Oh, yes, of course you are. Toa, if you're doing something against your will, that requires some self-reflection. No, I'm not doing something against my will. I want to go. We've been through a lot.

And I think we all need to relax. And I will. But I have some things I need to handle. And I'm going to spend the evening going through town and picking up components for spells and stuff. And then I'm going to... If you change your minds, there's some apple juice in the foyer. I'm not a fan of apples, actually. Fair enough. She doesn't really like citrus. No. I'm in this.

Please don't question it, but check your sheets before you go to bed tonight. Just shake them out quickly. Why? I said not to question it, Lufty. Oh. Thank me in the morning. Okay. I probably won't remember, so I guess I'll find out one way or the other. I drunkenly try to cast detect magic and a demon appears. Oh, jeez.

So as you all leave to a tavern, Iris, you go out and you collect some components. I'm basically just trying to get two diamonds worth 500 gold pieces. Because I already have three worth 300. Oh, laws. Okay. You do that. Iris thinks we're going to die. When you get back, there is a sentry outside of the door.

And as you approach, the sentry salutes you. A young man says, Miss of the Sands, High General Zurn is requesting your audience in his private chambers. Yes.

You can tell High General Zurn that he can kiss my ass. Now please move out of my doorway. I have to go to bed. That is exactly why you're being asked to do this. He said you might say that and he said it regards your father.

Yes, I... Oh, so he's going to try to use my funding. Yes, fine. Take me there. Let's go. You can see that he was young and probably not the best person to send to you, but he was very... Like, literally a relief washes over his face. I will reach down and I'll grab his hand, like, really hard. You did a fine job. I'm a difficult one. For your first task, probably, you handled it well. Thank you.

I will, I will take you. And he's like sweating bullets. Please be harder because I have sand in my butt. Where is the sand coming from? What was your name? Uh, uh, my name is Hans. Hans, please don't sweat in my vicinity. Oh, of course. Thank you. Uh,

Yes, and I'll be right outside to escort you back to your room. You are done talking. And he makes his way... I'm kidding with you. God, lighten up. And you find you're at the top of...

And I'll make small talk with him and try and... You actually kind of loosen him up a little bit. You get the sense that Zurn very much prepared him. How do you like working here so far? Do you enjoy it? I like it very much. I've been in a choreovakia my whole life. You're proud of what you do, aren't you? Yes, I am. It suits you. To be on the... To be up here at my age is very unheard of. I'm...

Pardon my nerves. I just started two weeks ago. Well, you will be in the presence of people who are like me often. I'm learning that. Not all of them will understand you like I do. So don't let this interaction happen with others. But know from me as one of...

Your first tasks. Doing well. Hold your head high and don't let anyone tell you you can't do this. Thank you. You're welcome.

And I will tell Zurn that I was very, very right with you. Horrible. Horrible. I made you cry. I tried to. But you didn't. You did not wilt in my presence. And when you see him, you tell him I was awful. Do you understand me? Yes. Yes.

When I was briefed on this task, I am certain he will believe you from what I was told. Okay. And it's at this point you are actually making, you find a small door that you almost didn't really notice in all your time in this level. And he opens it and guides you up to the highest level to a point that you hadn't been.

to a very small, simple door. It's not at all like the very gaudy, engraved, heavy door of the main chamber. And as you hear, he raps on the door and you hear a voice. You may bring her in. And you see him

Let's put on the show, shall we? Yes, I'll be right outside. He opens the door, and then you see a very small, uh...

a very small room and just very faint candlelight from within. I'll walk in and be like, you could at least show a little bit of emotion. Why do your guards have to be so hardened? I tried to get out of whatever this is Zurn was busy this evening. At least send me one of your newer boys next time. Allow me something to play with. Make a performance check advantage. That's a d12.

Fifteen. Fifteen? Okay. You do that, and the door, you hear, oh, yes, I am sorry, forgive me, ma'am. And he closes the door quickly. And you see ahead of you a very small room. This is a bedroom that's smaller than what you all have. You see a simple dresser, a

a simple chest, a bed that's about just big enough to fit the size of a man of certain size. And you see a small two chairs.

kind of catty-cornered from each other, and in one of these chairs, in the same full armor and clothing, High General Zurn, sitting down, his legs crossed, small table in between the two chairs, and he looks at you and extends his one arm. Thank you for accepting my request. I know it is late. I did not do so willingly. I...

Had a feeling you might not. Is that why you sent me that particular one? You see a very tiny crack of a smile on the corner of his lips, and he says, You are a ruler to be. You do understand the tactics that must be done. Have a seat, if you would like. Of course. You sit down and... You have news of my father? Yes.

He nods and says, "Yes, would you care for a drink? I do not-" "No, thank you." "Good. I prefer not to drink as well. I do have news of your father. I have sent word to him Portia Paradiso had put me in touch with your priest there who put me in touch with your father. I gave him a status report on you.

And he pledged a portion of his army to assist us if and when the time came. I wanted to make sure that you were aware and that I was not seeming to do things behind your back, especially given how today's conversation went. The city of Zentra does not choose new rules for them.

My feelings towards you do not change my feelings towards them. I will fight to protect those that cannot protect themselves. Every single one of them in the city. I appreciate that. And I appreciate... I would never ask you to. As I said when we first entered into our arrangement, that you are all here of your free will.

That you had... You have the right to leave whenever you wish. You are not prisoners of Korovahia. You are not political captives. No. You may leave. And should Anubis win it, there is none that could stop me. And I know that is the case. I have seen your power. I am a godly man myself. I know the power of the divine. There is nothing stronger on this planet or all the other realms.

But I want you to know that I am doing what must be done for not just Korovarkia, but the fate of all. Do your people in Zekhet, do they choose your father? No. And because of that, every move he makes, he does it to honor them. They have no choice, but he does. As do I.

Which is why, Chumley, had it not been for you all, my wings, I have run it over my thoughts, my mind, my dreams even. That one day when we were assaulted, no matter how strong our force, no matter how well we did in the battle against Moloch,

hordes of beast men would have erupted out of their labyrinths, slaughtered man, woman and child. The one thing that I swore to do was the responsibility of one man. On that day, that was the gravest threat and it took outsiders

motivated by the desire to help people, not through rank, not through title, not through pay, in order to save those individuals, to find those labyrinths. I think about what if you had strangers from strange lands,

and not united what would have happened it would have been lost on that day and we would not be sitting here talking so then i ask do you blame chamley that he did not see what we saw yes who put him in that room

It is not his ignominy. It is those that put him in a job he was unfit for. The moment we spoke to him, we knew he did not have what it took to be in the role he was in. You punished someone for something they were not prepared for. You need to look at who put them in that place and fix that, for that is the break in the wheel. Trust me, Iris, as someone who...

is destined to rule, I'm sure you understand as well. Oh, I am not destined to rule. My brother will rule. I am destined to serve. A noble path as well. But those of us in power, those responsible for the lives of all of these people, we are our own harshest critics. And I have tremendous regrets. Not just Chumley, but far more for Kujata. But I was a blind man. I grew complacent in my power.

I was too successful. I had not failed enough. But I failed more in the past several months than I had in my entire life before. And I am grateful for it. Good. For I have learned. Well, if you have called me here to make sure I am aware of my father's help, then you have done just that. I hope that you will think on what I have said to you. I will.

And, in exchange for the help, I have offered some of my assistance in the form of ravens when this is all said and done to help him keep an eye over the kingdom. Good. Very well. I... I hope you have a lovely night, though. You too. Miss Alice, have a wonderful evening.

And I will walk from the room and go back to my room and I will put on... I would also like to spend the money to buy super lavish, naughty lingerie. And since for the first time having my own room, I'm going to put those on and crawl into bed and write in my diary. Okay. You do that. Just as you were leaving, as the door closed, you could hear Zurn be like...

What is this pocket sand? You... While this is all happening, you all... What district are you guys going to?

It's up to Caprice. At some point, he played his violin and inspired me to take off my clothes and streak through the quad. Yeah, I've been killing it in a tavern doing stand-up using Alter Self as Zern. Oh, that'll get you killed. That'll get you thrown into a political prison.

Yikes. It's five. What's the real... If we want to get really dirty... Just your average game. Caprice would want to go to the Seven Heavens. I agree. Those are like the slums, though. That's where the best parties are going to be. He would like it dirty and harsh. Was it the Honey Bee? Honey Pot. What was the name of the Queen Bee? You want to go to Skyreach where it's 13 gold pieces for every fucking beer.

Yeah, there's like a 20 gold cover. Get the fuck out of here. I would like to. As their night's ending, not like while it's big, but like as it's ending, I would like to send a sending to Toa. Okay, I'll let you know about that time and then it'll trigger. We can go to the Seven Heavens.

Yeah, I would go south. I would go to Seven Heavens. I mean, I haven't spent a lot of time in Zentra, but from what I understand, whenever the military units got some time off, we would often sneak down to Seven Heavens because that's where all of the prostitutes are.

Felix. No, I mean, I didn't do it. I was too focused on my... Listen, I understood what Mr. Mendel did for me and everything that everybody put into my learning, so I never left the Black Rose District. Can I tell Nike a thing real quick? Yeah, please. If Victoria survives in Curse of Strahd, can she start a lingerie shop called Victoria's Secret, please? Absolutely. And can that be a Vantress account? Absolutely. I love that. Wow.

I don't know who said that. Thank you, Nose. I never left the Black Rose District, but a lot of the soldiers would and sneak down to the Seven Heavens because that's where all the women are.

I'm only speaking from what I know. Look, Caprice is just something about what he said. It just inspired me to want to go party. And we should do it. Well, just remember we should keep our wits about us. What is that? Well, obviously. I mean, we're always paying attention to things that are happening around us. You just mean, you know, you get in one happy mood and...

Remember what we've heard from soldiers in taverns in our journeys before we met the group? They have one drunken night and then they have an itch for life.

You want to deal with a lifelong niche, Felix? I don't think that's going to happen to me. Look, I'm going to keep the dagger and you've got the book. No one's going to know that I'm Talengard or any kind of actual. It'll be fine, Toa. I don't know what you're getting at. Caprice, lead the way, brother. Come on, everybody. It's exactly what I'm saying. Nobody's going to see the Talengard dagger. It's not a big deal. Just lead the way.

Caprice, lead the way. Come on, Toad. Maybe we'll find a Goliath for you. I don't understand why I'm magically compelled to do this. You make your way into the seven heavens and you eventually find yourself at a bar called the Delfina. And you make your way in and there is a... There is a...

A single performer on a very small stage is probably... It couldn't even fit a full band on it. But it's kind of just this low accordion that's playing. And you walk in, and there's a number of people at the bar, and there's some people in some of the chairs. It's very quaint. There's a long bar along the back, and it's a relatively narrow space, but it's basically taking the entire back of this place, and there's some stairs going up into a second floor.

to the right, and you see a bartender, a woman behind the bar. She gives you a wink. She's very pretty, long brown hair, very curvy, and she shoots you a wink and says, you guys came to the right place. Apparently so, yeah, absolutely. Can anyone play on stage or is he up there for life? I just want a drink. I use a delphina.

How did you know? Oh my gosh, I'm so good at this. My name's Tesk Delfina. Oh, well, this is our group, and I think a round for everybody. Yeah, on me. The first round on me. In relation to where we currently are and what I know of the time that we spent in the Seven Heavens, how far away are we from the honeybee? Thanks, babe. You're probably about like a 15, 20 minute walk. Okay. And she gets you a full round. 30 minute stumble.

She gets you a full round, and she answers, she leans forward, and she says, Well, I mean, he's all I could afford for tonight. I hope someone's true as Mikey tonight. No, no, he's the best. We've been traveling with him for forever. He plays one instrument, but he plays it really, really well. Yeah. I can play other instruments. I can play a... He plays the mouth. No, no, no. Shum.

No, we just want you to play... What the hell is a shum? Just play that one and do it well. Do what you do. No, Caprice, I'm asking you, what is a shum? I think it's like a flute, but it's sort of sneaky. You know, like a kazoo. Could I play that? I don't know. Why don't you just play a ukulele? You're pretty good at that. Oh, well, I've never played a shum before. Can you play the lute?

Technically. Now I can work on my phone. What is the woman's name? Tess Delphine.

Were we in here before? No. That's like a horn. Where was the place that we were interviewing or going undercover? I thought it was Delfina. That's why I wasn't sure. I don't want to cross your advantageous lore streams. That's fine. Delfina. We're in Delfina. It's fine. It's fine. Well, are you going to play? Absolutely. That's part of the reason why I'm here. I love the stage. You've got to support him. You can't find stages in the woods. Can I get one more while my friends go on stage? Yeah.

If you can get this place spending money and partying, this is fucking pathetic. If you can get them spending money, drinks are on me for the rest of the night. You can do it. I believe in you. Oh, wow. Me? Toa, come on. Come on, Toa. I believe in you. Please. Cliff, take five. And you see like this old guy who's like playing an accordion. Of course it's Cliff. Of course it's Cliff. An accordion. Yeah.

And he stumbles on back and she pours him a free shot and hands it to him and he slumps up in the corner. And you have the stage and there's a number of patrons that kind of turn their head as you do this. I'll sing. I'll sing.

Used to live in a big city, but no not anymore. Cause now we're underneath those dark wings that Striga's famous for. But if you're looking for some action, oh it's out there somewhere. You can feel the magical energy all in the urban air. No two nights are ever the same. Sometimes you never end up where you first aim. You'll just have to wait and see. If you end up in an adventure or game.

Galtica, Galtica, Galtica, Galtica, Galtica. Bright lights in Big Goodberry. How I wish I was there tonight. Definitely don't stop. Keep going. Tonight.

I'd say it was... And Toad's rocking. I'm doing my best to understand the whole progression. No, I was way off. That was terrible. You can make your opponent check an advantage because Toad's assisting me. Oh, thanks. I needed it. Uh...

Yeah, okay. That's great. Yeah, that's going to be a performance, you say? 29. Oh, only a 29. As soon as you finish your song, there's pause, and you hear one drunken person. Yeah!

And suddenly everyone starts cheering. And they're excited. And you are, and immediately people, they are so jazzed. They start buying drinks. And Tess gives you like a two big thumbs up. That's the first of many pieces that I play for my set. And as long as Toad joins me, I'll continue to rock. Everybody who.

No, stop, stop. Uppy, uppy. I forget the words. And you enjoy free drinks for the rest of the night. Cliff passes out in his corner and lets you take the stage.

And you are able to stay or go and find prostitutes or whatever else you would do. If that's it, you can return. I would just want to play and drink all night. Would you be bar hopping or playing in the same place all night? I said tavern hopping, but if we're getting free drinks from the first place where I was, then we're just going to send it. Send it and set dress is what I would say. I shall be dancing.

So yeah, you're dancing and then the music is actually bringing people in from the street and they're all coming in. There's a lively party. A bunch of, uh, women of the evening are, are now trying to find Johns in this place because it's so hopping. And I would have gone to Delphine, Delfina, the woman who was at the bar and Tess and explained to her six months ago, uh,

We were frequenting the seven heavens and I had paid some woman for her time. No, no, it was just to ask her questions. But do you have any idea where I might be able to find her? She was really pretty and I don't know where she was. Close to the honeybee. Have you heard of it? It might be down the road a bit. I'll take another drink. That might be great. She's wheat.

Oh, did you, did you fall in love with the prostitute? No, I was doing, we were asking questions. I gave her some money and she answered my questions for me. It was fine. It was fine. We were doing, we were an important Kouravakian business. I have my medal somewhere. It's here. I swear. I,

I'm sent from the high general Zurn. You know Zurn. We all know Zurn. We're all from Korovakia. We're all here in Sentra. I'm one of his people. I have the thing. I know it's just right here. I swear. She was really nice, and I would just really like to find her again.

Can you make a persuasion check at advantage? We're playing Felix's Bowl of Fire. It was always burning, but it burned. You said persuasion? I think it's only a plus two, unfortunately, which would be a 19. Okay. Yes, 19. A 19. She, as that happened, she puts a hand on yours, and it feels like shockingly soft. And she says, are you kidding? Yeah. Yeah.

She leans in and says, save your money. I close up at three. That wasn't helpful. I mean, I'll still take another drink, but that wasn't what I asked. I don't understand these people. I'm just trying to do what I got. Jesus.

Fireball Magic Mist. And I'm just enjoying... I'm still enjoying the performance of my friends while I was playing. And I'm just boiling drinks. I have half of those.

And probably at about like two in the morning, if you want to stay up that late, Iris, you can cast sending to Toa. You're taking five. You're in between your sets and you're relaxing. I get up and I put on my, I'm wearing my sexy lingerie and thinking to myself, we finished writing in my journal and light a couple of candles and I put my big plush robe on to cover up myself. And then I lay back down in the bed and I cast sending and I say, Toa,

Before you make your way to bed tonight, if you could please see me in my room, I have something I would like to talk to you about. Oh, yeah. Let's go. Yeah, get something. My dishwasher is broken. And I don't know how I'm going to pay you. I don't have enough money to pay you. I don't have a dishwasher. Meow, meow.

You may respond to this message. Ma'am, this is a sink and it seems to be fine. Um...

Okay, all right. That sounds fine. Hopefully everything's okay, and hopefully you're relaxing back in our chambers. And, you know, things are pretty cool here. I've been playing on the stage with Caprice, and I've been puffing on my pipe. And then when I played this one... LAUGHTER

I'm sorry! I knocked him! I just, like, punched you in the head! Oh my god, I'm the worst! I'm gonna refill my wallet and take a piss. I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! He just, like, kills me, man! Oh, god! Toa is literally the best!

From the whole time, I would basically be waving you guys from the bar while I'm ordering drinks. Thank you for friendly. While he's sending? Like she can see you do the sending. No, I would just be waving at them. Because they're playing and I'm having a good time. I think how, basically how we do sending, I think it's not exactly 25. No. Let's be brief. But once it's beyond brief, it's going to never,

adhered to a strict... It's too much work. No, fuck that. Well, but we still adhere to being brief. They always write brief messages. It's not exactly 25 words. The idea is to be curt and get your meeting in and, but there's... We used to again. 25, but we tried, but it was still like... It's more than that. It's more than that. The 25 words is so...

It's too much. It's too much. IMO. I'm gonna make myself a cup of coffee. I, uh, grizzle. How do you do Zurn? You toss this. Is it sort of down? Zurn is very... I think that sounds good. It is his dental software. Now I'm going to stand up and say, Necromancer, I hardly know her.

A little more English. I thought it was good. I think it was good, though. I mean, it's tough to, you know, mimic someone else's speech patterns. A skeleton walks into a bar and orders a beer and a mop.

Who's that? That's Zerk. That's a terrible Zerk. No, I thought it was good. I thought it was good. I'm just going through jokes on Reddit, let's be honest. Thanks, Reddit. Thanks, Reddit, for being content when I don't want to improvise. You are all hammered. And the free drinks. I've got an arm around Caprice. Him carrying me. You see a little bit of his appointment from Tess, Delfina, as you leave. Uh...

And you all make your way. Make your way to the...

the Citadel, you go back home, and you eventually arrive at your chambers. I will go to Iris' door and I will knock. I'm going to sleep. I'm ready for the sex scene. I'm listening through the door. It's not locked to come in. Oh. I'll shut the door behind me. You wish to see me. Please sit down. I'll sit down.

I'm concerned with something, and I didn't know who else to turn to. But you... I've seen the passion you have for the Makani Islands, for your home. I had a conversation with Zurn tonight, and he said something that makes me feel sick to my very core. What did he say? I do not trust him, and I know that Felix seems to, but I don't. There is something that... I can't put words on it, but I do not trust him.

My father will be sending troops to assist Miss Entra, and I'm fine with that. But he said to me that he would be sending ravens to watch over Sekhet. And I don't trust it. I don't think they're to watch over Sekhet. I think they're to spy. And I... I know that Anubis has sent me on this path. Just as you were called on your mission by your wind spirits.

But I can't shake this feeling that I might have brought doom to my family. Well, is he sending them now?

The problem with politics, Toa, is that I couldn't ask. I had to pretend like I was unbothered. I couldn't let him know he got to me. Well, maybe the arid climate of your homeland might be too dry for the ravens to survive and they might all die. I need you for a moment to be serious. Oh, well, yes, of course.

What can I do to help? What do you do when you knew that your wind spirits could cause... When Makutu was flaunting the destruction of everything you loved in your face, how did you go on? How did you continue to follow the wind spirits blindly knowing that they were leading you in the right direction? How did you not run home and try to protect everyone you loved?

I did what the great hero Maka did when he founded the Makani Islands. I just never gave up. He's the greatest hero to ever live. I want to be a hero. I believe that's my calling in life. When he faced Rocky the Great Red Boar, he never gave up. When he was almost killed by Komohana the Great Black Shark, he still survived. He never gave up.

And when he was alone on the Makani Islands, after they were made, he didn't give up on that either. He brought his family and friends to him. It is hard to watch those you care about suffer. Watching what Luffy went through has taken a toll on me. And I will never tell her that I see the pain in Hersha's eyes when she thinks about her father. I don't know what darkness lurks beneath the surface of Caprice, but there is something stirring there and I wish I could help him.

And Felix, he's smart, very smart, but he does not have the strength to carry the burden alone. And that's... And you... I helped you in your fight with Makutu. You did. You were very supportive. All of you. Yes, but I helped you in your fight with Makutu. I know, Iris. My friends, the help of my friends, I could never have gotten by. You're...

Yes. I grabbed his hand and just... I couldn't have done it without all of you. Yes. Of course. I just... I could feel your eyes upon me. Yes. I felt like it gave me strength, like I somehow took less damage. Although that wasn't really the case. It was my own strength. Yes. And you could see that my... The love of a friendship, it pained me on the inside.

Almost as if it hurt physically. Oh, and I know what you mean. When Felix is hurting about Marlow, it pains me on the inside as well. Physically, you might say. Yes, almost as if when you're coughing up blood afterwards. Well, oh, a metaphor, yes. Yes, or physically, when I was. Oh, that's... Oh, maybe that's a cat thing. Toa, you're strong. And what I'm saying is I need help.

I don't know if I can... if I want to... I'm afraid to tell the rest about my fears of Siket. I feel that I have to be as strong as possible for everyone. Perhaps you let your father know. You have the means to contact him right now. I do. But you never know who's watching. And the less he knows, the safer he is. Well, here's what I would say. We've done a lot of good.

Since we've come together. There was a legion of beast men in ogres and... Speaking of which, I... You may tell Felix this if you choose to. Do you not find it strange that Zurn mentioned that he's been looking for the rod? Why would that be strange? Why would he be looking for the rod if he did not know about the beast plague? Why would he have been looking for the rod if he was unaware of what was happening with the Chained God? Why?

Well... He was shielded from that information by the traitor. Well, he knew about it. He just thought it was scattered across the winds, all over the world. He didn't realise it was attainable. But he was looking for it. Well, he had information of it. I suppose he may have been looking for it. Either way, even if he is... I'm paranoid. I understand, and I'm scared. And I think what I would say is...

The best we can do, we know what we have to do. For those angels, those Windukes that we met, we need to find the pieces of the rot. And with that, we cannot dally here. Xurne wants us to take time and I'm afraid to. We know that every moment that passes, another feather darkens. I believe that Xurne is a strong leader. I believe that Xurne is a leader. I believe he has good intentions.

despite what he's doing, despite if he's being tricked or not. I believe his intentions are good and just. I come from a place that is where the law and honor and family and ancestry, it's the most important thing in the world. And I respect him. I respect his commitment to all of those things. And until I learn otherwise, I'm going to trust him. Perhaps I'll trust too easily. I know I do. Yes, I might have picked the wrong person to talk to if you trust so easily.

But I think until we learn more, the most we can do... I don't think Zune requested that we bring the pieces to him. If he really wanted them, wouldn't he be like, oh, you must go out and find all the pieces and bring them back to me. And I must collect them. Not necessarily, you sweet summer child. Well... But I require sleep. I am tired. Did that help? Do you want me to be honest with you, Toa? Yes. No, it did not. What can I do to help? Well...

Get some sleep. All right, I'll get up and I'll pat you on the head. Vivi, Vivi, it's going to be okay. Vivi, is this helping? No. Oh, I'm sorry. And now... That was the worst sex scene ever. Seriously. The worst sex scene ever.

I was so ready. Matt, you kill me, man. What a rock to use. All right. Who doesn't even know where his penis is? Let's be real. That's not true.

Does anyone else still in the common room until it comes out? Or is there anyone else in bed? Oh, I would be face first in the dirt in the gutter somewhere. I might be awake. I'm sure we would have drafts. For the sake of brevity, let's say I'm awake.

I need a nightcap and I'll pour myself some apple juice Rebecca says he just thinks it's another leg yikes I can do this it's slightly smaller than my other legs you are drunkenly sitting in the common room as Toa comes out of the room and comes out and he pours himself a glass of apple juice

Hey, what were you doing in there, champ? It was, it's private. God bless Noah. God bless Noah. It's private. Uh, great. Great gentleman. Are you going to be up for a while? Sure. What do you got? I don't know. I'm just, I'm not that tired. You want to play a game?

I was thinking we could maybe practice a little more. I feel like I fucked up a few of the chord progressions tonight. That's very true. LAUGHTER

So maybe we just take a couple from the top and you just lean. I'll just work that one chorus has like the chords right away. They change. Yeah, no, let's slow it down. And I'll spend the next hour, like very like sleepily going very slowly through chord progressions with you. So you, so I feel like I've done a good job teaching, but I probably have an hour of them doing this. I'm going to walk in looking very, very tired. Um,

Can the both of you shut the hell up? You sound like a room full of dying cats. Oh. I guess you would know. Good night, Caprice. I'm gonna go to bed. Yikes! I'll put my ukulele away and I'll go to bed. I eventually make my way to bed. Beatrice would wake me up.

first thing in the morning, she would know mentally that I have like a meeting to get to. Okay. But regardless of what happens between, I wouldn't sleep through it because bitch just would wake me up. Okay. Sounds good. You are, you all enjoy a long rest. Oh, thank God. With no interruptions.

Felix, your head is pounding you. Your mouth is dry. Your tongue feels like a piece of sandpaper. Oh, God. Oh, fuck. There's also a little bit of sand in there. I was going to say, David remembered to shake his linens out. There's sand all in your ass. What the fuck is this? I'm a bit of sand, huh?

And you feel like a sharp pain in your head. The sharp pain in your head is made worse by the tiny little bluebird beak that keeps tapping on your head. Yeah, it's just, uh, fuck, did I wear my boots to bed? Fuck! Yeah, you're fully dressed in your outfit. Oh, shit. Oh, fuck. Oh, the sun's out. Oh, it's fucking discern. Sir, we have to get discern. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, no, no, no. You found this ending, like...

It's fine. It's fine. Oh, fuck. And I'm like, I'm like shoveling my things into my bag and I fucking take off to the Citadel. Oh my God. You're in the Citadel. Oh, oh, I take off to where I have to go. If there's like a trash can on the way, I might vomit on the way and like, and head to every morning of college, head to, uh, head to Zern's chambers. Okay.

And you eventually make your way to the large meeting chamber. The guards seem to be awaiting you, and they open the door, and they welcome you in. You see High General Zurn sitting behind the table, and you notice something that you hadn't seen yet since returning to the city.

You see perched on his shoulder the large black raven with six eyes as it turns its head and keeps an eye on you as you enter. Sir, sir, hi, General Zurn, sir. Felix Ackerman. Are you well, boy? Yeah, never, never, never better. I'm good, I'm good. Are we all there?

Just Felix. And if you wanted to be included... Oh, I thought Felix wanted to go out privately. He said that he would clear his schedule. Oh, I thought we were having a group party. And anybody who wanted to talk to him could come. You're certainly welcome to. At any point. I was presuming Felix wanted to have a one-on-one... It's nothing that the group doesn't know about already. So they would not be permitted to not come if you would not want to. Well, I would have been up early because I didn't go out and party. And so I won't go with you. But when I see you in the room...

Do you want me to do something about this? I just kind of give you a hand and run out. Goodbye, then. Sir, I'm sorry, sir. I apologize for my presence. It was a mess. I don't know what came over me. It was all of a sudden I was there, and then I was talking to Caprice, and then...

Son of a bitch. Never mind, never mind. It's fine. I know that I was out of line yesterday with talking about General Furman, but I have to ask. I need to know. Did you find anything about what happened to the children that were taken? My brother was one of them, and he's gone, and I need to find him. That's all that I care about at this point. He leans back.

in his chair, "Please, have a seat, ma'am." "Do you have any water?" "I have coffee." "Well, no coffee." "There's a pitcher of water there and..." "Thank you." "Have some food." "Fine, maybe just some bread." "I suppose I did tell you to enjoy yourselves." "I don't know what came over me. No, I take that back. I know exactly what came over me and I'll be dealing with it and I apologize, sir."

I, like, sip on the water and I eat some bread. I have no information on your brother. However, in our questioning, I do not want to alarm you and distract you, but because you have come here in this state, it is important to you. In our questioning, one of the guards...

on the north-eastern front had seemed to have had suspicions of the trafficking of children to Sceathran and for what purpose I have no idea. This is a place that I would have heard of before. Yes, it is the kingdom of the Shadarchai. It is... It is...

Probably the most mysterious of all of the lands that you have been to. There's a lot of mists and valleys and mountains and crags. Can you spell it? S-K-E-T-H. S-K-E-T-H-R-A-N-I-L? Yes. S-K-E-T-H-R-A-N-I-L? Got it. Okay.

I was under the impression that a lot of them were sacrificed to Moloch, perhaps. But I was holding out hope that maybe not all of them were. Many of them were sacrificed. We did find many furnaces. Many, many furnaces. However, if there is hope, all you can hope for is that you're

brother was trafficked and not sacrificed. Do we know what happens to the souls of these people who are sacrificed? I feel like we might be able to do something about it. They can't be gone forever. They couldn't have gone where they meant to be or that wouldn't be... My knowledge of religion isn't that extent. I'm trying.

I do not have all of the answers for you, Felix, but I do not have good news for my presumptions. If they were indeed sacrificed in those furnaces, then they would have been within Moloch. The cold comfort is that perhaps when we destroyed his form on the material plane, they returned to where they were meant to be and did not return to the Nine Hells. But they might have.

We don't know. I do not know. Fine. I'm sorry. I wish I could. Don't apologize. It's fine.

This is fine. And if I spoke out of turn about General Ferdinand yesterday, then I apologize. And if he was really, truly duped by Kujata and Chumlee, then so be it. And I don't mean to cast suspicion where it isn't meant to be, but I stand by what I said. And all I ask of you is to be the good person that I know that you're trying to be and do the right thing and just keep an eye on everyone.

All right. I will. And I appreciate the candor and the fact that you are all looking out for my own best interests. I have made my judgment. You all did speak out of turn, but you are indeed the wings of the raven.

I would not be alive if it were not for you all. I don't think that I'm anybody. I'm just a guy. I'm nobody. It's fine. It's fine. I'm sorry. And I just wanted to be heard, is all. In all of the investigation that I did personally, on all of my eyes, the only two with any connection to the Gaelstrom newspaper company...

were the two that are no longer living. Just do what you can to find the missing kids. Please. Any information is better than nothing. I admit our resources have been stretched thin. Do not think me cruel or crass to say that we have more pressing matters. Ahem.

Of course. Sir. Hi, General. Yeah, I have to go. Please dismiss me, sir. You are dismissed. Thank you. And I run out.

You do that and you hear Felix stumble back in and puke into a trash can or... No, I could have prevented that. I kind of like off-hear it, but I don't respond. I'm not gonna react until I hear Caprice's voice. I'd probably be asleep at the room still. Oh, yes, no, I figured. Don't worry, take your time. I'm gonna just, you know, do my thing until I hear Caprice.

You hear tiny, tiny little sighs on your shoulder as Beatrice is just looking at you very judgmentally. The entire time she taps her little bird foot. Understandable. In a very scolding manner. And eventually you all awake and join in the common room to do whatever you'd like to do.

Hey everybody, how's it going? Good morning, Caprice. Morning! How was your evening? Well, it was lovely up until the moment that you and Toa decided to practice your instruments. Well, I am sorry if practicing our instruments kept you up at night.

Yes, it did. I am very sorry about that. Great. Okay. Great. We'll make it up to you. Great. So the question is, do we leave today? Yes. Well, all right then. That's the question answered.

Do we have... You did your shopping already? Yes, I did it last week. I don't think I have any more business in the city. And there might just be a good... Oh, dearie. I bought a saucy negligee. I don't know what that means. The feeders. You would love it. What did you buy it for? For myself, darling. Well, you should. It has sauce on it?

I have completely lost the plot. Regardless, I think we should head quickly to... One of these days I'll teach you all about the saucy nutrition. All right, it sounds very delicious. Whatever it is, saucy... We should go.

Hey, Felix, are you feeling all right? Perhaps you should let Iris do her thing. I honestly could have made him feel a little bit better, but he refused. He kept retching and saying, Caprice. Welcome back, Felix. I hear this, and the door slams open. Hey, buddy. You! Yeah, what's up?

Three of me appear alongside the same of me and I charge you. Hey, feline! And I throw myself at you as there are four of me and I'm shifting and shimmering and moving as I am throwing myself at you and attempting to tackle you and put you at headlock. Right before you tackle me, I use Alter Self to turn into Felix. Okay.

Make it a Titan of us. I'll make a grappling check so it's tight. As we come into connection. As we come into connection. Wow, that's a good fucking roll. And I can use dex, right? Acrobatics? Wait, wait, you said acro or strength? For you, it's athletics. Fuck! You son of a gun. So for me,

Yeah, so you beat me then. If it was acrobatics, it would have been a lot. We would have tied. But because of strength, I got a 16. A 16. There are five Felix's tumbling. You were not able to get him. You do not caprice...

but you're not able to get him into a headlock and you all stumble to the ground as there are five Felix's on the ground of your common room. You did this in unison before Felix was standing up. You did this! I can't believe

Felix!

What's wrong? Which one are you talking to, Taylor? I don't know which one is feelings. All the other three of my shimmering illusions vanish as I... He tricked me. He tricked me. He made me go out last night against my own free will. It wasn't a trick. I cast magic on you. Stop talking! I swear to the gods! You're like arguing with yourself.

Wait, you seem very willing and happy to go out. Yeah, because he did whatever he trickery devil bullshit he did. Yeah, I have an influencey magical manner, and I used it because he really needed to relax. I'm not relaxed now. I'm vomiting, and it's horrible. No, I promise that your relaxed bed is slightly lower this morning. I could have fixed that for you this morning. Probably. I believe that you can do anything at this point, and I don't know what you want from me.

Well, I would like for you to stop vomiting all over the room. I would like for that... Please, Sue. Please, please fix him. Say please, Felix. Please. I'm going to cast Lesser Ration on him to cure him of his... Oh, God, this is a Cadillac of hangover cures. Uh, scrubs? Yes, thank you. Fuck yeah, wow. Woo!

Gotta keep up with him for everything, yo. My man. As soon as you are cured of your hangover, you hear a knock at the door. And you see, Mr. DeSesto!

The High General seeks your audience in his personal chamber. Mr. DeSesto is my dad. You can call me Capri. Mr. DeSesto, you hear Hans' voice. He recognizes as Hans. You should not argue with this one. He is the strongest of all the girls. The most tenuous. Still looking like Felix. Well, let's go! No, it's Mr. DeSesto. I need Mr. DeSesto.

Not Mr. Ackerman. I do you a favor. I'll do you a favor, and I grab his hand and I press it to your chest. I actually think that alter self is not illusionary. No bullshit. It physically changes your form. It's not one of those you look closely and the illusion dissolves. It actually alters you. It's not the hat of disguise. Then I say nothing. I sit on the couch next to Iris and I say nothing. Oh, is Mr. DeSesto here? Hans, trust me. Please.

Wait, is that Caprice? Before I incinerate all of what he is, just take him. Just take him, please. Yes, of course. I will undo all this, Alfin. Go on, ask Caprice. I am Caprice. It's a pleasure to meet you. What's your name? Hans. You can call me Caprice. The High General is waiting, sir. Then if he wants to execute him, just let him do it. Let's go. Yes, of course.

And he guides you to the same chamber that Felix had just been in. The door opens, and you are ushered in. You see High General Zurn sitting in the same chair as you see the large six-eyed raven sitting on his shoulder, and it was a croak at you as you walk in. The doors close. Yeah, that's better. Hey! Hey!

How can I help you? You can help me by having a seat. He leans forward a little bit and walks at you. I know that we had previously discussed this, but after everything that has happened, I need to be entirely certain

that you do not serve any other master besides yourself. I don't. I'm glad we could take care of that. Is there anything else I can help you with? Do you... Tell me the nature of what darkness is on you. In your own words. Is there darkness on me? No.

Make a deception check. No fucking way. This guy can see everything. 23. I roll a natural 20. Oh, fuck. It depends on what your mod is. This next side is quite high. He... He simply looks. If there is, I wasn't aware of any dark. Certainly. Please. There...

We'd slayed a former archdevil together. The wrath of the nine hells almost destroyed this city. I do trust you, but even if I trust you, that doesn't mean I can't be certain that you are trustworthy. Do you understand what I mean? Yeah, absolutely. I understand. 100%. I...

I don't know what's bothering you. What do you mean when you say there's darkness on me? Honestly, I have no idea. He looks at you for a moment. Then he looks up to his bird. He leans in as the beak does a little bit of business. It is here. It is dead. Well, you can't get what you want. Yes.

You must understand that I spent much of my life researching the threats of fiends. She has you. You can deceive your friends, but you cannot deceive me. You cannot deceive my...

eyes. Sir, I'm in trouble. Yes, you are, Caprice. I don't know what we're...

What I'm in. I don't know. I was born like this and I, the whole, my whole situation is totally fucked. I'm totally fucked. I can't, I can't do anything. I'm worried. I'm scared. I'm going to do something horrible. Zern pauses and listens. Have you thought about doing something horrible, Caprice? Not a specific thing.

No, absolutely not. Never. Not in a million years. But you don't... If you say she has you, you know what we're both talking about here. I do. I want to help you, Caprice. I want to make sure your mind is your own. I know what it's like. Trust me, I do.

I just need to be sure you have the upper hand. How can you be sure? How can I prove that? I don't know if I have the upper hand. How can I trust myself? It's eternity of hell and damnation. I don't know if I'm going to...

Betray my friends? Do something terrible? For all we know, she could be watching this right now! She is. But... She knows the game. You are doing what she wishes, yes?

So far the planets have aligned. She wanted Moloch dead. She didn't approach me. I was truthful when we spoke the first time, I swear to the gods. You would not be sitting here if I did not already know that. What am I supposed to do? I have no fucking... Out. There's no... It's... I just have to sacrifice myself. You should just fucking kill me right now. There's no way out of this. No. No.

There's no use in that. You have a larger role to play. If the opportunity arose, would you cast her aside for something else? To not be owned at all or to be owned by something else? To escape the nine hells.

I'm not sure what could be worse. What do you... Your fate is worse. There are not many fates worse than yours. That's why I'm here. I came to Striga to see if I could find a solution to all of this. So what is your answer? Help. Help. Help. Help. Help.

I intend to. You will be saved, Caprice. I would consider telling your friends. The more you tell them, the less suspicious you will seem. That's probably good advice. The best way to go about things is to tell enough truth.

And then you have power. You have freedom. What, uh... What happens next? You think about what we discussed. You think. You're dismissed. I am sorry for my behavior last night. If you hear any rumors of...

stand-up routine that involved one of those wacky single arms inflatable flailing arm men. That is not... I'm sorry. I was very intoxicated. You know, it's neither here nor there. That's great. I wouldn't have gotten to this position if I had thin skin. Won't happen again.

If we do not meet again, safe travels. You will be saved. I believe that. I hope so, yeah. Thank you. Safe not travels to you. I will be traveling soon to Eerios myself, so I will take your well wishes. Fair winds.

Long days and pleasant nights. I'll turn and I'll make my way out. We eventually rise back to the room. How did that go?

You seem weird, Toa. Oh, really? It's Toa that seems weird? It's not you? Well, I mean, I'm always weird, but that was a very forward question. I swear to all of the gods that have ever existed, if you try that on me again... Mm-hmm.

I hadn't really gotten this far, but the bottom line is that I'm not going to just take it sitting down. You understand? That's fine. You can take it. Don't touch me. Don't touch me. Don't get close to me. All right. All right. But you can get me back anytime. I promise. Just think about it.

Eh? Eh? I've already thought about it. Male bonding? You've been gone a long time. What did you do?

Have a good day, Caprice. I will. I love this. It's like the slow burn and he doesn't know when it'll hit. It's called delayed fireball. It's a real thing. Look it up. Yeah, that's what I said. The slow burn. Are there other delayed burns? She did actually say slow burn. Slow burn.

What? No, it's not important. It went well. He's going to go to Ereos. Of course he is. He's traveling there. We talked about how important the safety of the world is. And all those important things. That's it? He just wanted to

Talk to you about the safety of the world. We talked about some other stuff. Like what? Well, I told him about my stand-up routine. He was very supportive. And... A man has thick skin. It's understandable. That's exactly right.

That's it. You expect us to believe. You expect us to believe that's all he brought you up to talk about your standards. There's other stuff, but I don't have to tell you all the stuff. To be fair, we weren't invited to be privy to the conversation. No, of course not. Of course we're not forcing you to say anything. Thank you. I'm going to make my way to the privy. But I will say it furthers my concern that Caprice is keeping secrets. Oh.

It's not new though, is it? Not sure.

As I told you last night, I fear for whatever darkness is deepening. We're not all without secrets, and as much as I don't like this son of a gun, it doesn't mean that I don't trust him on an everyday basis. Even though he did that to me last night, it doesn't matter. I understand what you're saying, but without any kind of basis or information, I'm certainly not accusing him of everything. He's just acting weird.

No, he's being deceitful. I would put it to you this way. If I had never told you what I knew about that symbol on Nora's back, how long would it have been before we had more answers? He's hiding something from us.

and I'm not saying he's doing it from a negative place. He might be trying to protect us from something. But we're at a point now, as a group, and he's not here for me to say this to.

Which I hope that none of you are harboring any secrets. If you think that the secrets that he's holding are relevant to what we're dealing with in Soapy, I agree with you. I don't think that we all... I don't think we all came to that crossroad at the same time by mere chance.

It is not mere coincidence that the path that led to Lutti's mother also led to Toa's spirits. That Anubis sent me visions of the chained god which is tied in to your beast plague and the hunt for your brother. Or that the rod that we're now searching for ties in to presumably Hersha. Please, I'm trying to talk to Hersha's father.

The only person we don't know who ties into this whole thing is Caprice. But if he's dealing with something personal, we can't force him to tell us. And I have not, and I will not. That's all I'm saying. But the longer he takes to trust us, the more quickly my trust slips from him. I don't think that's unfair. I don't think that's unfair at all. Especially with what you... And my fear is that he knows something...

that could make all of this so much easier for us. And that he will not choose the right time to tell us, and one of us will pay the price for his arrogance. And as you finish, without hearing any of that, I walk into the room. Well, Caprice, did you have a lovely poop? It was privy-licious.

So, are we ready to make haste for the day? I dislike all of the things that you choose to be. Thank you. I see you, buddy. Palms...

Oh, yes, I'm here. Sure, why not? He wasn't all of that in complete silence. Well, he's outside the door. Incinerate! Yes. I believe we're ready to depart for Grom.

How do you spell that? G-R-O-N-D. N-N-D. G-R-O-N-N-D. Let's get that map. There's also a silent F right in the middle. Grunt. Yikes. Grunt. Grunt. Those silent F's really get ya. A few Q's in there maybe. A Z. Z's are never silent.

And that's just it. We're just ready to head out then. What do you think? I mean... Well, no, I think we need to go. I think we need to go like six hours ago, but it wasn't up to me. I don't have Makutu to look for. I don't... I have everything I need on me. I mean, perhaps we can buy some potions on our way to town. In fact, I would like to...

To look. Well, don't you think that it would have been a good idea to not waste our time and do that last night instead of dilly-dallying at a... Yathoa! Pick me up a cup of... Dallying some dillies every once in a while is never a waste of time. It's an important part of resting and feeling recuperated, recharging one's batteries if those were a thing. So, if we have to head north through Skaris, there's probably some kind of apothecary on the way. Yathoa?

I would like to stop somewhere and perhaps pick up some potions, is all I'm saying. Are you mocking me, Caprice? What is this face he's making? Caprice, are you saying that Iris doesn't dilly the dally enough? I don't do it in public with the rest of you. You don't know. What is that supposed to mean? What would I know? I wish Joe would know.

Well, I was in the common room when you guys finished what you were doing last night. So? That's all. So, what did you do? Yeah, Iris, what did you do? I didn't do anything. What do you mean you didn't? Tell me more, tell me more. Does he have a first name? Tell us, tell us. Oh yeah, tell me more. What did you do with Iris? It was private. I cast invisibility and walked out the room. LAUGHTER

What are you doing? We came over to the bar last time. We had a good time. And yeah, I may have fallen face first in the dirt, but what did you do after that? I have to admit, I was very unhelpful. We were supposed to be bad. I was trying to help Iris and I wasn't a good use. Everybody does a bad job the first time. It was fine. I've never asked you to do that for me before. And I couldn't begin. I should have known you wouldn't be able to. First time, Laurie. You told me the

you've done it many times what I mean never in this kind of circumstance before Felix I don't understand where you're coming from what do you mean in this kind of what is that supposed to mean it's different when it's like a friend yeah when someone's very experienced with this kind of thing and when you try to help sometimes it's just not you told me you were experienced not at all

Oh my gosh. No, Felix, it's fine. He gave it the hardest try he possibly could. What? I don't think he could have tried any harder than he did. Then why are you disparaging him? I'm not. He just asked me for the honest truth, and

And I told him it wasn't great. Yeah, feedback is how you grow. Listen, buddy, this isn't the first time that I've heard this. You'll bounce back. It's okay. Well, I know. It's a learning experience. Exactly what I say. Loses improve. I always say that. There will be many more times that I will call on your assistance. You'll get better every time. Hey! Are you just going to let her... I'll make myself available every time. Are you going to let her just say that to you? No.

No, you have to just walk away and be like, no, I'm done with this. No, I tried to be helpful and I wasn't. It's my fault. I wasn't doing the right thing to get it done, clearly. How are you going to let her speak to him like this? How are you not going to listen to him? He's very smart. Unbelievable! And accommodating. I wouldn't have asked toa.

Out of all of the rest of you, if I didn't believe that eventually you would get it right. Wait, you mean you hit up Caprice and he said no? No. Or you didn't? I didn't hit any of you. It's just not like Caprice to say no. No, of course. Toa was my first choice. What do you mean Toa was your first choice? Is it because he's so tall? Well, his height helps, I'm sure.

Does it? What do you have against short ones? Well, nothing, but I needed assistance. It was all building up inside of me, and he was the only one that I thought could help me release some of it. A floating mug of coffee comes back in. I think she might be lying. I think you might have done a good job, and I try to, like, stealthily give him, like, a little dab. Oh, God. It seems like you might have done something. What? What?

I guess so. She's a little cold. She's not always forthcoming with the truth. Oh, maybe I did do a good job, but she just doesn't want to tell me. She doesn't want you to have an inflated ego. We've all been there. Yeah, ego. What the fuck was that? Oh, sorry, I didn't do anything. I always forget. Well, if we're done talking about all that, can we get one away? Apologies, Hans.

Yeah, I think that we should please her. Just stop interrupting me. We get it. You're dead. Whatever. It's not important to the poor at all. Man, man, it's gonna be so bad if you're dead.

Shut up, old man. Get in the fucking boat.

Shall we pack for our journey up there? Oh. Yes, please, let's do. Okay, I'll go get my things. Oh, man. On the way out of town, could you take us to some kind of place we could buy potions? Yes, of course. You'll probably resolve it next session. Minor illusion. Yikes.

Hans leads you out of the city. Or he leads you to the... You're able to find a magic item shop. I think it was the Afridi's Bottle. That was what I said it was. And you're able to shop there and spend however much gold you have. And you're able to collect magical items, potions, a variety of different things. We'll email you later. Yeah, we'll discuss all of that later. And...

You are able to, eventually you make your way out. Oh, here we go. Yeah. I want to buy every mirror that I can find in Zenfone. Yikes. Wow. Good throwback. That's a deep, really good classic. Even someone who has no idea what you're talking about knows exactly what the fuck you're talking about. Yikes. That's going to be a yikes for me, dog. This is going to be a shopping up.

Can we spend the next five hours talking about that? Nope. And you eventually... He says, nope. You see all the people of Zentra looking at you, and they all... You actually see that there's some bit of recognition. They wave at you. They're saying, please save us. Please...

And they all know that you were the heroes that helped High General Zurn kill Moloch. Are we the heroes of Zentral? No. No, we are not. And they are very appreciative of you, but they still look tired, worn down. And eventually the huge gates of Zentral rise up. And you are guided through. And you hear the loud slamming down as Hans bids you farewell. Adieu.

And you leave Zetra behind. And you take the road north. You begin to... You travel for two weeks. Holy fuck!

From travel. You travel for two weeks, and eventually you arrive... Stop it. You eventually arrive at a... At the front. And as you've been traveling north...

the front. You eventually... It gets colder and colder the further north that you travel. As it begins to get a little bit chillier. And as you make your way north through Corovacchia, you get closer and closer to Gron. You see the massive mountains before you.

you know that there's a large ridge of mountains that separate, where there has been basically constant, decades-long bloodshed and war between Grond and Corvaccia over the precious ghost iron ore that is very common, relatively common in Grond, which makes it for very light, effective weapons. And...

You eventually see them ahead, and you know that beyond, towards the north side of Grom, the very north of the continent of Stryga, is an even larger mountain range. And you begin to make your way through as you approach. And eventually there is a pass in the mountain range.

As you get closer and closer, you see a fort. Large, dark stone, heavy metal fortifications. And you are able to spend one final night in Corvacchia as...

You get one final hot meal as you are preparing to venture into Grom. You notice that there are a number of spots along where the snow has fallen, and there's streaks of red.

where battles had been, bits and pieces of metal in the snow. And similar to when you had ventured into Erios, that the military on this front would cover you. And you, after spending the night, unless there was anything else you would like to resolve...

You begin, and you very deliberately took this path, which is a little more towards the center of Korvacchia. As you know, that the swath of destruction of the Horn Legion was to the west. Before we head off, I would want to find whoever's in charge and ask them about...

This dwarf that passed through. If they saw him, how long ago it was, you can kind of get more information from anyone in that camp. You learn that everyone had been made aware of this interview.

that the new Eye of Secrets had done. And the individuals that had let him pass had been reprimanded, stripped of their rank and title. And everyone was on very high alert for any dwarves. They are very suspicious of Herja. Once they see that she has the badge, they let her through. At some point, I would have...

probably tried to maybe in Zentra or on the two week road or even just at this last checkpoint because I think it's like the last second before I have complete cut off of communication I would have written my dad and soon if I could have paid someone to get a letter into the news like mail room and sent to

all the way across the sea to Galtica. I know it's a big stretch, so it might cost me, but I'd be willing to send no luck, still alive, no news. Obviously, probably for a stretch, you give him ten silver pieces. Just for that, you tip him a little bit. And you...

On your way up, you would also notice that there were a great number of refugees from towns that had been destroyed, survivors of attacks. Some people that were afraid that the guards might be suspicious that they had contracted Beast Plague and they were laying low. And the morale in the entire country is very low. As the...

fortifications that are at this mountain pass finally open. You make your way into Grond for the very first time. And I will walk

Activate. So we're basically just like crossing the border, leaving Korovakia. You're leaving Korovakia. You see that there are bits of battlements of what seem to be definitely not the Korovakian structures, but still respectable fortresses. Are these very defined borders, like where there is like Korovakian military spanning the border, or is it kind of just like it becomes forest and snow and that's it?

It seems to be very clearly, like there are lines, there are troops, battlements, fortifications, Okay. along throughout. Bits of battle scenes where there are definitely mining operations that you're gonna see in these mountains. Some have been completely, you know, destroyed and likewise. So this is like a war front. Yes. This is not outposts and like having a war. No. They're like World War I, all quiet on the western side. Yes. They're holding ground. Yes.

And you eventually make your way under the cover of night into Grond. And eventually, you... It gets... It's cold in this mountain pass. You eventually make your way down, and you see...

as steps, as far as you can see. Just this... these lowlands that stretch out a... a yellowed grass and light vegetation, but no forest as far as you can see. It's flat and low, ridges, and very sparse. You see up ahead

It's winged shapes flying around occasionally. You see large structures that have various tiers with shingled roofs that are going to be fortresses as you... What feels almost like a desolate. It's relatively desolate compared to what you're used to in Korovakia.

And as you turn, you travel for another day or so. And then the next morning, you see smoke on the horizon. As massive plumes of billowing black smoke rise up. And you follow them.

And you continue on your way, and... As you turn around one pass, one ridge, you see ahead of you a massive swath of destruction heading further into... this nation. You see the results of battle. Destroyed buildings.

burning embers and slain bodies. You recognize what seemed to be orcs from the distance

large, large lower jaws, almost these large teeth jutting up, and facial hair that is into curls with rings in their noses, and they also have banners cast aside, but you also see beasts.

You see the small horned goat creatures. You see slain centaurs, minotaurs. And as you arrive up to this swath that seems to stretch deep into the heart of this nation, you all feel something in your pecs. You feel a twinge of

a cry, almost of that of an eagle, as you reach into your pack. My man! And you pull out the wings of freedom, and they are flashing and glowing. And that is where we'll end the session. Oh my god! Yay! A boy Revali coming through, baby! Let's go! Let's fucking go! Thank you so much for listening to the Legends of Avengers podcast. We hope you enjoyed the session. If you want even more campaigns to listen to, become a member of our Patreon at the

Pearl Dolphin tier higher to unlock Shroud Over Saltmarsh, a patron exclusive campaign set on the high seas. You can find that at patreon.com slash legendsofavantress. If you want to chat about the episode with the Adventress community, join us on Discord at legendsofavantress.com slash discord.

We also post content nearly every day on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, so make sure you follow our socials at legendsofadventures.com slash social. And make sure you check out The Crooked Moon so you can terrify your friends with a folk horror 5e supplement published by us. Get your own copy at thecrookedmoon.com. Thanks again, and we'll see you next time.