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Runtime Break start
3h 43m 2h 2m

Episode 22: The Point of No Return

We return to the Schemers Table here in Dol-Makjar, deep in the sewers under Caravan Hill where our brave adventurers have gone underground. One adventurer sort of becoming an adventurer fully this night.
Indeed, Halandil Fang, waiting at the gate, looking down and realizing that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and the road goes ever on. This road led down into some nasty sewers (because you’ve been hot on the trail of Demodus Blix, the illusionist grad student of the Penteveral, who went missing after he discovered he helped the House of Tachonis, perhaps unbeknownst to him, cover up the massacre at the Palazzo Davinos).
Having sprung Misha Undragor from prison, you guys had an eventful night at the Seven Stars tavern. Hal connecting with Romina Rountree with all of the intel she had from working at the Stahlkeep (the manse here in Dol-Makjar of House Einfasen).
Bolaire played a hand of cards with a horrifying merchant named Druspin Fortunada, a traveling wizard named Arnesha Vane (having taken the seat of gnomish smuggler, Pimley Morn), and played a hand of cards with King Augustus Valian, who has come and absconded from the Seven Stars as Hound of the King, Sir Marten, came and found his liege and got him the hell out of this bar to get back to the business at hand, staying with Mr. Bowsprit, a merchant that you have some familiarity with.
Murray pinned down Pimley and found out that he had indeed been part (at first) of trying to get Demodus Blix out of town after whatever task he accomplished for the Tachonis (it seemed that he must have gotten the hell out of dodge from seeing the writing on the wall). And Pimley realized that this was a little too hot for him and dumped the desperate Demodus (who was depending on him for help) into the clutches of the Crow Keepers to whom Demodus owed some money.
Following the Crow Keepers after Murray made contact with an ally in Caravan Hill (the soothsayer Temelow, who gave you a reading of your cards speaking surreptitiously of the eye she had been keeping on the Guard Tower (the old tavern frequented by the leadership of the Crow Keepers)).
The Crowkeepers, you were told, were in disarray. Their Guildmaster Solomon, having been killed several days ago by the elven warrior Vaelus, who then left town after the world’s first known revenant was created. They seemed to be in disarray and took Demodus into their own custody after paying Pimley Morn handsomely for doing so.
You went deep underground (where you discovered this hiding place of the Crow Keepers and them speaking to something inhuman in the chamber beyond.
A careful illusion was cast and created for you to look out and essentially draw some of the Crow Keepers away. This city thief is affected by a Phantasmal Force and heard an illusion from Hal and a rock hurled into the muck water beyond, and many of them are about to peel out.
However we must resolve at the top of initiative, one of them who spotted a strange sight of a mask peering around the corner here.

  • thisisdee@lemmy.worldMEnglish
    2·
    1 month ago

    Fight in the sewers was amazing. Azune with 25 AC taking on 4 rogues who have advantage/sneak attacks, Hal just jumping in to save the kid, Murray with the 25 Arcana check and finding the loot, then Bolaire with the body transfer while roping in Hal. Part of me think it was kinda mean of Bolaire, cos Hal was just saying it was the first time he killed anyone in decades, then Bolaire just nonchalantly asked Hal to kill his body. And without warning too like a simple “don’t get the mask too close to your own face” or anything. But man was that so interesting to watch! What would have happened if Hal had failed the Wisdom check? Would Tal/Bolaire then take over Hal’s body and Liam plays a new character?

    Genuinely so excited for the next episode, with the most intense cliffhanger of “did Murray manage to get her list of interns through to the Dean by the end of the day?” and “Will Hal get to bury his brother?”

    • Ultragramps@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPMEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago

      Bolaire on Hal is certainly interesting. Liam really was walking the edge there.
      My knowledge of how the mask works is also changing. I thought he would be able to remove himself from a body and that they were going to interrogate Aubrus Drime for trying to kill him in the Overture.
      I’m still not certain that Bolaire’s host body has to be killed in order to disengage the mask. I wonder if Bolaire didn’t want Aubrus to reveal anything about their underground activities.
      If Bolaire knows that he is draining the host body to death, he would make some sort of effort to get removed from Hal before serious harm was done.

      • thisisdee@lemmy.worldMEnglish
        2·
        1 month ago

        Oh, interesting thought. I didn’t even consider that Bolaire could release themself (itself?) without killing the host. But I think that’s true based on the Bolaire flashback? Might need to rewatch that. But yeah, not wanting to leave a witness is highly possible!

        • Ultragramps@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPMEnglish
          1·
          1 month ago

          I think that is the excuse Bolaire gave to Hal. Blaming a dead man for other deaths is plausible but his body would’ve been alone in the small exit chamber rather than the piles of bones and bodies in the larger lower room.
          There was a scene of Bolaire eating and talking to his host body about how much longer he would last as Bolaire “wears him out”, so to speak.

        • thisisdee@lemmy.worldMEnglish
          1·
          1 month ago

          I thought that was just a convenient excuse because Bolaire wanted the other body and it just so happens that it was a good place to dump a body.

  • Ultragramps@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPMEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    ♪Episode Song References♪

    ᕕ( ᐛ)ᕗ

    Highlights

    • 00:00:18 Fan Art/Lore Drop Golden Orchard setting
    • 00:01:35 Thjazi Fang is being transported in an all-black Tachonis carriage that stands in stark contrast from the bright golden and green surroundings. The year 59 at the end of the Falconer’s Rebellion.,
    • 00:02:19 Where is the 8-yr-old Occtis hiding?
    • 00:05:00 Sentient trees at the entrance to the castle
    • 00:08:07 Thimble’s brother Twig
    • 00:10:26 Thimble the hardened warrior.
    • 00:11:48 Just don’t act like a Tachonis, Occtis.
    • 00:13:51 The dark side of the Faerie realm.
    • 00:14:24 Thimble makes Occtis feel seen
    • 00:16:47 Thjazi being a mercenary may absolve him of some consequences
    • 00:17:45 Thjazi, slick as ever, appears behind Thimble in the crowd for a quick chat. Thimble’s attempt to hype Thjazi’s legend could be improved.
    • 00:19:30 Thimble:“Longingly.”
    • 00:20:33 The Misadventures of Thimble and Occtis begin
    • 00:22:48 Liam:“I went to NYU.” Reference to Alan Tudyk’s “I went to Juliard.”
    • 00:23:50 Sam oppresses production crew for minute errors.
    • 00:25:05 Wayne Brady voicing Taryon Darrington!
    • 00:28:54 Brennan:“Liam said ‘Always be masturbating’!”
    • 00:29:30 “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Laozi
      “The road goes ever on.” J.R.R. Tolkien
    • 00:31:18 …dumped the desperate Demodus, (alliteration is awesome)
    • 00:33:08 Schemers miniatures reveal!
    • 00:39:25 Low initiative rolls complicate things
    • 00:40:55 Bolaire opens with Command:Silence
    • 00:42:34 Liam:“Always be masturbating.” (reference to Glengarry Glen Ross line “always be closing”)
    • 00:46:00 Azune’s crit eliminates a guard
    • 00:52:22 Hal reeling from watching his allies “Seal Team Six” the guard
    • 00:52:52 Ass watching
    • 00:55:55 The entity, Laumy (a mold spirit?), seeks to trade a mysterious item of value, rather than simply offer it to the Tachonis.
    • 00:58:36 Zaghi seems to be the name of the new leader of the Crow Keepers
    • 01:05:37 2024 (rules), who dis?
    • 01:07:37 Dagger practice with Azune pays off.
    • 01:08:15 Appalachia wizard shit
    • 01:09:42 Murray’s Tremorsense has relayed what we see on the map
    • 01:11:23 Azune’s cantrip gives cover of darkness
    • 01:14:13 The fight is going well. Luis contemplates getting some popcorn to watch.
    • 01:14:57 Fan Art Moment The d6 that Brennan rolls is for an ability of Laumy’s. The “tendrils of Bacterial Putrescence” kill one of the Crow Keepers.
    • 01:16:16 PSA about black mold.
    • 01:18:32 Hal stealths to Demodus to find him unconscious and stabilized at zero health.
    • 01:19:12 Reference to Tolkien’s Hobbit with Bilbo and Smaug.
    • 01:21:24 Submissive Liam says “Yes, wizard, yes.” (not unlike the “yes chef” theme in cooking shows)
    • 01:21:51 The return of Liam’s Bane impression,
    • 01:22:11 ♪I Love terrains and minis and combat.♪
    • 01:26:35 Laumi is now bloodied, but it should be noted that it took a tremendous amount of damage from the Crow Keepers to get there.
    • 01:28:12 Sludge from the Filth Bomb wipes out most of the Crow Keepers and initiative comes to Hal, who everyone has held an action to start a coordinated attack.
    • 01:29:15 Hal:“Time to go, kid.” Healing Word brings Demodus to consciousness.
    • 01:30:22 A chest binder is gender-affirming clothing for Demodus. Representation for the win!
    • 01:31:27 The dice tell a story. Demodus specializes in flashy light and illusion. As Brennan puts it, People pay a lot for Mage Armor that looks this good.
    • 01:34:34 Murray is literally laddering the little lad, Demodus
    • 01:36:00 One more use of Command on Zaghi.
    • 01:37:00 The dice tell a story. The guards are returning from the distraction.
      “Damn, we’re in a tight spot.” (O Brother! Where art Thou? reference)
      On a nat one, I have to fuck you guys.
    • 01:40:17 Azune taps into his source of rage
    • 01:42:06 Playwright?
    • 01:44:12 Azune becomes a beautiful nightmare.
    • 01:44:58 Laumy is a Raugrannath
    • 01:46:18 Zaghi is killed by Laumy
    • 01:47:19 Temporary misnomer from Liam calling Laumy, Raumy
    • 01:49:20 A dangerous spell to cast in a honeycomb of interconnected waterways.
    • 01:51:00 Demodus identifying the party at the wrong time
    • 01:51:45 A 12-foot tall knight made of light appears
    • 01:52:11 Liam:“Acting is about doing less.”
    • 01:52:37 The “Vaudeville Hook” last popularized by Sandman Sims at the Apollo Theater.
    • 01:56:18 Murray’s clutch Color Spray applies the Blind condition and damage
    • 01:56:56 Murray uses Demodus like a Laser Cat (Saturday Night Live skit)
    • 01:58:21 Bolaire:“I just want to have a bit of fun…Creature of refuse and filth, how else would you find your face, than to be buried in the sewers forever where you belong?” Dissonant Whispers crowns Bolaire as the scariest thing in the sewers.

      (art by TriaElf9)

    Intermission

    Folks, we are back. Here in the sewers underneath Caravan Hill in the city of Dol-Makjar. What an eventful combat it has been. Crow Keepers were sent off on a wild goose chase and chased that goose right back to our heroes. Azuna Nayar just tanked a surround sound rogue quad strike only to be joined by the rescued Demodus Blix. Halandil Fang dropped into the darkness, Healing Word-ed the young grad student illusionist, and with an upside-down bat swing, Murray Mag’Nesson got her wayward pupil back up on his feet and out the door.
    We just ended on Bolaire’s turn as he dropped down post-     Shatter spell to find Laumy who had dissolved the body of the Crow Keeper Captain Zaghi and delivered a Dissonant Whispers, banishing this entity down deeper into the darkness. On a nat 20 Intimidation and a failed WIS save against, Laumy has exited combat leaving all of you with a room with four Crow Keepers. Azune that is going to be your turn. Murray and Demodus have entered the room, and there is an illusory knight made of light that is helping you in combat. Murray’s Color Spray has Blind ed two of the Crow Keepers beside you. They will only last for a turn, but you do have advantage against those Crow Keepers.

    • 02:13:00 “Liam said ‘Whacking it’.”
    • 02:15:54 We’ve had “Pop Pop” and now Azune’s double Booming Blade strikes could give him the “Boom Boom” catch phrase.
    • 02:17:46 Fan Art Moment Hal:“A long way from salon nights.” (Hal & Bolaire having their version of a ‘spa day’)
    • 02:19:05 HDYWTDT Hal’s first slain enemy.
      “This life, it has found you.”
    • 02:20:55 Woohoo! Thieves’ Cant earns Demodus 2 college credits at the Penteveral.
    • 02:21:50 Bolaire would love to keep one…for questioning
    • 02:23:10 2024 update to Truestrike is approved.
    • 02:25:29 Demodus likes to “stay in character”
    • 02:29:39 Azune’s Booming Blade end’s combat. Demodus’ massive knight illusion gives a loud public service announcement.
    • 02:32:35 Murray empathizes with the difficulties with asking for help
    • 02:34:30 Additional understanding for Demodus’ actions taking a job posted through the Penteveral
    • 02:35:17 Giant Illusory Hype Knight
    • 02:36:20 Demodus hasn’t figured out Pimley’s betrayal
    • 02:39:05 Out of the Crow frying pan and into the Tachonis fire. We also learn of Trimus.
    • 02:40:55 “Emeri music and Sylvan writing” were the description for the ‘entertainment’ position at Palazzo Davinos.
    • 02:41:05 Ophelia Seremai was the on-site contact working with a soldier named Lieutenant Junaeus.
    • 02:46:03 “The Falcon has been delivered to Obrimis Manor.”
    • 02:47:03 Lieutenant Junaeus accepts his role as a sacrifice for the knockoff celestial program. “They’re going to give you ‘The Scar’ for this.”
    • 02:49:03 Valuable empathy from Azune acknowledging trauma
    • 02:50:38 Bolaire offers a hiding spot for Demodus at his apartment while Azune suggests placing him under the protection of King Gus.
    • 02:52:15 Demodus:“You’re like the richest guy I know.”
    • 02:54:00 Demodus decides to lodge a complaint with the Arcane Marshals through Azune. The Loremaster is loving this.
    • 02:58:30 Hal busts out a ritual for Comprehend Languages
    • 02:59:55 The dice tell a story. Azune’s “daddy issues” prove too distracting for investigation.
    • 03:03:03 Student loan forgiveness for the win
    • 03:05:40 Laumy is of the Dark Fae realm of Harrow (a Raugrannath). Hallow and Hearth being the other two fae realms.
    • 03:09:11 “To love the world is to weep.”
    • 03:10:55 Marisha’s guess opens a secret panel with (3) bottles, a charm necklace, (7) velvet dice bags, and (40) blank spell glyphs.

    (continued)

    • Ultragramps@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPMEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago
      • 03:12:25 Padmund Pondhop was Brennan’s frog wizard in the Summer Camp One-shot.
      • 03:13:09 Safe to assume 5’11". The golden ratio.
      • 03:13:54 Bolaire:“…It hasn’t felt like war in many years. Just survival. This is war. It is exhausting. We saved the boy. And in a moment I’m going to have to do something uncomfortable. I’m going to need a bit of help.”
      • 03:15:25 Murray volunteers as the party’s pack mule and gathers her spoils. “More excited than a blink dog at a barbecue.” is a reference to Nugget, a pet of Jester’s and Beau’s.
      • 03:17:35 Blix’s Bungling Blitz
      • 03:19:39 How involved is Dean Kora?
      • 03:22:43 Did Thjazi know these threads would be followed?
      • 03:27:27 Rather than dwell on potential punishments, Murray and Azune remember their friendship
      • 03:30:27 Bolaire is no longer interested in interrogating his current host body.
      • 03:31:35 By making the request not to be left for someone to find, Bolaire is saying he’d rather be destroyed than sit in limbo.
      • 03:32:30 Bolaire dies
      • 03:34:13 Lore Drop The inside of Bolaire’s Mask
      • 03:36:00 Azune recognizes the body of Aubrus Drime on a nat 20 Investigation
      • 03:40:40 Bolaire:“Of course you will, but we’ll get to you…My hair!”
      • 03:43:06 Marisha:“My kingdom for a long rest!” (reference to Richard III line “my kingdom for a horse!”)