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C3 Episode 40 Little Boxes on the Hillside Chapter Two
213 Plays6 hours ago
The party finds themselves experiencing the top-tier service in Pella's Watch
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Transcript
Introduction and Welcome Back
00:00:00
Speaker
D20 Radio, at your
00:00:14
Speaker
radio
00:00:23
Speaker
Hello and welcome to Everon Renewed, an actual play podcast set in the Everon campaign setting. I am your game master, Eric. I'm Mia. What?
00:00:34
Speaker
I'm not convinced that's Eric.
00:00:38
Speaker
What was that loud? Philip, turn my mic down a little bit. loud. Like a lot. I was just... Am I talking much louder than I was when you were chatting? Do you see your waveform? It sure sounded like you were screaming into your mic. Yeah, were yelling. Do see your waveform? That thing is massive. I'm so excited to welcome people to this podcast, which has not happened for about five years.
00:01:02
Speaker
You put your mic entirely in your mouth and shouted at us. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I think I turned my mic way too low now looking at my waveforms. We are excited to hear you. I think I'm back up a little bit.
00:01:15
Speaker
What happened it last time? What? This is the most sensitive game knob ever.
00:01:25
Speaker
So we can't scream when we're in first. roll
00:01:31
Speaker
Is that how bad it sounded? no I can't imagine it was. why that It was really unpleasant. I was really trying to spike it. but Should I redo the intro for the sake of... No. Honestly, leave it all in. I like this. Okay. Do it.
00:01:45
Speaker
These are the outtakes that people want for some reason. Right?
00:01:51
Speaker
See, like, okay. You can put a warning in the description. The heart problem is your mic's here, and so sometimes you're here, and then you go back over here, and you're like, it looks fine, guys. I'm going to put my microphone right here in front of my face, and then I'm going to turn it down little bit, and we're going to call it good. I take it back. Cut everything.
00:02:09
Speaker
No. Describe the episode. Not so far? A train wreck.
Escape from the Train and Confrontation
00:02:15
Speaker
a train rat but Beautiful. I mean, we almost. We escaped the train.
00:02:20
Speaker
We got to Starlusker. We got on a stagecoach. but Some cop, some some paladins tried to mug us, I guess. I was going to say they weren't exactly cops. They didn't ask you for money.
00:02:33
Speaker
say that's They were authorized to act as effectively cops. We were assaulted, no less.
00:02:45
Speaker
There was a lady that showed up in the tavern that intimidated Kaz. Oh, scared the crap out of Kaz. Because, yes, someone from Kaz's past recognized, didn't recognize him. He recognized her and they had a conversation and Kaz did what's known as poop the bed all over the place with this lady. It bears reiterating. It was a conversation that Jeff set up, initiated, and was in total control of.
00:03:12
Speaker
And whist. Yeah. Oh, no. yep Also, some portions of our adventuring party do not know how to subtly watch a conversation that's not the best part the restaurant. Oh, yeah, true. forgot about that.
00:03:32
Speaker
But, yeah, so we are just outside of Pella's watch now. ah i Freed from the paladins and, i guess, heading that way. Yeah.
00:03:46
Speaker
And don't forget the lockbox. Yes, and also I have a lockbox that I will be opening at some point. i assume. Or attempting to. Or deciding not
Manifest Zone Concerns
00:03:53
Speaker
to. Something's goingnna happen with the lockbox. And the other things that you talked about wanting to discuss before we hit record on the podcast. Right, yes, that's going to... In character.
00:04:03
Speaker
I, Philip, have what I think is a pretty strong theory as to what's going on. Don't want to meta that into Nix.
00:04:14
Speaker
Is it the same one I talked about? i don't Because Valk started talking about it at the end of the last episode. what did vo start So I could just do that. Yeah, let's just do that. Rewind a little bit. And so Valk kind of pulls himself, I think he's already off the ground, but we're going to pull ourselves off of the ground just in case.
00:04:33
Speaker
And dust himself off and he's going to say to the group, we should be a little more mindful of the people that we're interacting with as when I asked if they were
00:04:49
Speaker
of their own mind and aware of what they were doing. i didn't get a response, but with the potential radius of this Manifest Zone, they might not have been acting in the way that they should, especially with what's happening in Pella's Watch. It wouldn't surprise me if the radius is a lot larger and affecting in a nearby people.
00:05:17
Speaker
people Or people who were in there. I'm not sure. I wonder if it's infectious.
00:05:28
Speaker
Having wandered in, are we now going to be affected by it?
00:05:36
Speaker
That is a good question. I think we are fine because we were outside of the radius before it started.
00:05:53
Speaker
Also, do we think this is just a manifest zone, or is this something that's being created by this Jim Johnson?
Kaz's Memories of Wizardry
00:06:05
Speaker
I...
00:06:08
Speaker
I'm leaning toward Jim Johnson, but I don't, because, well, my one thought is wouldn't, I know he was potentially unconscious, but our belief is that Finch was in town during the change and he wasn't affected. He was ah unconscious or missing time or whatever. So right I understand that that could be.
00:06:31
Speaker
a mitigating factor. I assumed he was affected and that snapped out of it and That's why he's missing a period of time in his mind because he doesn't remember happened.
00:06:42
Speaker
That's a very interesting thought. That's really intriguing. That makes sense. I'm surprised that no else thought of that. No, well, well did not. That just made the most sense when he said it.
00:06:54
Speaker
I'm never going to think of anything. I want to be quick. Understood. I am putting that in my notebook. So Eric, what, how given our jobs, how, how much is it just common knowledge?
00:07:15
Speaker
What the key aspects are of the different planes?
00:07:23
Speaker
You would have a working understanding of the broad, i guess, domains of the plains and their reigns in Spain. bo yeah
00:07:38
Speaker
um Based on what they were doing and what they were... and... odd and it nonsensical, bureaucratic um jargon they were throwing out.
00:08:00
Speaker
I would say we are dealing with some sort of creature from Danvi, which is the plane of order, yeah. That was my thought, too.
00:08:13
Speaker
Yeah, no, I guess that makes you go into prove to me.
00:08:19
Speaker
Um, I think Kaz is a little like dejected cause he really thought he might get some Thelanus answers, but no, yeah, that makes sense. ony So I guess my question is, we already had a Thelanus side quest, Jeff. Look, man, we're yeah not talking to Jeff. Admittedly, we just got more questions, yeah but exactly. Oh, and how clear the things became.
00:08:46
Speaker
Um, i think well We know there's the lady now. it's So if we're... Okay, I don't know about you guys, but I felt affected by the rules that he shouted. So if we're...
00:09:04
Speaker
being a So that means that it's real. It's not just, I could say Valk has to give me eight gold coins, and Valk wouldn't have to. But when that guy said, you've got to say what you're attacking with, or it won't work.
00:09:19
Speaker
That was true, right? i'm I'm happy that you know that I won't give you eight gold Well, I think first we would need to get paid eight gold coins. to to With all due respect, valve we're all living in the same house.
00:09:36
Speaker
I still have money. I'm sure you do. Yeah, Cass does not. any I got another job. I just had a nap. So that speaks to concern for me.
00:09:50
Speaker
lyn can that speaks to concern for me if we're, we may not be affected by the knights, but we're still under the strictures of the order, is concerning.
00:10:04
Speaker
I would imagine, I noticed, ed admittedly, Bartleby hasn't been home for a little bit, but these knights were not acting the way he described everyone in his town acting. was ah Right, I mean, everybody took all of his antisocial behavior as ah funny jest.
00:10:29
Speaker
So I am wondering if that's because at that point the mandate in effect was everyone be nice.
00:10:42
Speaker
and And now we've reached the... well Or is it ah did we just find the enforcement arm of everyone be nice? And so they have a... Perhaps so. I'm concerned that we are not going to be at the place in the hierarchy of the town that if everybody who's above you gets the rules followed, we are in a lot of trouble.
00:11:00
Speaker
Yes, I think there's a very real potential that this goes very, very badly.
00:11:09
Speaker
Only one way to find her. how Nix, when you say,
Approaching Pella's Watch
00:11:12
Speaker
I feel this is definitely going to very badly, what is that on the guns blazing probability when we go into town? Guns, by the way, are this thing that I learned about in Flux. Are we going in swords flashing?
00:11:27
Speaker
Cannon, you guys heard it here. There's guns in the Sebron. I've been saying it for years. There's guns in the Sebron. Vetoed. Doran had a gun.
00:11:38
Speaker
How dare you stifle Jeff's creativity, Eric? That is not the function of the Game Master.
00:11:45
Speaker
yeah thought this was collaborative storytelling. Well, Jeff just got ice cream in his beard, so I don't want to hear anything from it. And but quickly got it out. Thank you. ah but um i think I thought it was mac and cheese.
00:11:58
Speaker
Why does anyone listen to us?
00:12:04
Speaker
All right. So, Kaz, Kaz, do you want me to ask that question? Swords blazing. Got it. Yeah, no, I got you. Sorry, time out. Just because I know the question we'll be asking the Discord. What flavor ice cream was it, Jeff? Just so people... It was Francis Concrema.
00:12:20
Speaker
Hey, I love that flavor. It's delicious. Continue with swords blazing. All right. Uh, well, I'm…
00:12:36
Speaker
I hope that that is not what will happen.
00:12:44
Speaker
I do. I don't want to harm a bunch of people who are not in their right minds. mc pay i've
00:12:53
Speaker
I don't really feel that we had much choice in this matter, but certainly there will be civilians and I don't want to see us put in a position where we have to harm good should we just bystanders.
00:13:11
Speaker
Should we have a check-in with each other if it's like, hey, do you know what you're doing right now? Like, Valk, you... I mean, they didn't seem to
00:13:25
Speaker
Valk, based on your observations when you asked, if we go to town and I start doing something out of character and you look at me and ask, hey, do you feel like you're being compelled to do this? I won't know anyway, right? so That would depend on your own mental fortitude. Well, let's consider how I've been acting for the entire time you've known me. No, you wouldn't know. Okay. You could... Maybe.
00:13:54
Speaker
Very, and I'm going to say this very, plot I'm going to say this and it might upset you. You won't. I am fairly confident any flash or connection I have with your older self will.
00:14:08
Speaker
Chaz just takes a deep, like, side. Older self, right. And I think at that point he goes, hey, should i Goes back to the stagecoach, opens the door, reaches in. What do you guys think?
00:14:20
Speaker
Where in the middle is... donwa feels like that might be the best place to do this. Might be the ideal place to open it.
00:14:31
Speaker
Okay. What does it look, i we have not examined the box. does is it true Is it visibly locked? Is it, I mean, I don't know what a lock box means in this setting.
00:14:42
Speaker
I have a fire safe, but I doubt it's that.
00:14:47
Speaker
Yeah, so it is a silver ah rectangular box with little legs. Like, it it could sit on a desk and look very, like, fancy and and decorative sitting there.
00:15:00
Speaker
On top of it is a ah crest sha and with a harp in the center of it. Background is kind of standard shield that you would expect, like, a heraldric symbol to look like with...
00:15:16
Speaker
plant vines kind of wrapping the shield. That's, but that's what the, the herald drew looks like. You can't see any color or anything because it's made of metal. Um, and this was Valk, the same herald and the rest of you that saw the vision of older Kaz, that was the same symbol that was on his chest.
00:15:34
Speaker
There is a small keyhole. Okay. That it would call the locket. Yeah. Yep. So could try to pick the lock if you want.
00:15:46
Speaker
I want to do two things. I want to roll, i don't know, intelligence or wisdom to see if this symbol unlocks anything in my brain, even just a recognition of anything.
00:15:58
Speaker
And then I would also like someone with more magical aptitude to check this thing for magical trapping. And it ain't me. So would you like intelligence or wisdom for that?
00:16:10
Speaker
Do I recognize this check? ah dear ben And can I add much to it? yes to the second question yeah wisdom all right 26 26 okay um
00:16:33
Speaker
all right tell me everything so So as you kind of stare at this symbol, Kaz, trying to think like, obviously based on everything you've heard from your companions, you have some connection to this.
00:16:50
Speaker
You have a brief moment of flat, like a memory invading your mind and you find yourself sitting in a very well appointed room.
00:17:05
Speaker
The walls around you ah seem to be naturally occurring as though you are living in a large, like holodot tree, almost.
00:17:18
Speaker
Um, there are windows, and there is a small fire in a hearth burning nearby. And you look down at your hands and you find yourself holding a blue tabard with this symbol on the front.
00:17:32
Speaker
And you find yourself remembering thoughts. If that makes sense. You, you weren't saying these things out loud, but you can feel these memories, uh, and these thoughts in your head as you're thinking, then this is everything you've been working towards all of the training, all the sacrifice coming here. This is it.
00:18:04
Speaker
So why am I not sure I want to do it? but
00:18:13
Speaker
Archmage for the lady of stories.
00:18:17
Speaker
Here we go. And then you snap back into it. Okay. but where Two things. One, you said this felt this felt to me like I was in my home.
00:18:29
Speaker
Yes. Okay. And then secondly, when I looked down at the tabard in my hand, could I see my hand? How aged did it look? You looked to be probably about 20 years older than Kaz currently is.
00:18:44
Speaker
Okay. Okay.
00:18:50
Speaker
Which who knows what that means in the fey wild, the lawn is whatever we're calling it these days here in Keith Baker's crazy world. if Okay. I think I snapped out of that.
00:19:01
Speaker
And if anything, that just emboldens me to want to know what's inside of this thing. I will ask someone in who has, what would be like checking for magical traps?
00:19:15
Speaker
Would that be wisdom as well? Probably. Um, Magical traps would be more intelligence. Okay. Since you're, yeah. I mean, I'm happy to check for it. Actually, I've got a decent intelligence.
00:19:28
Speaker
So I'll just, I'll just check that too. Okay.
00:19:33
Speaker
If I can add fey touched as well, that's a 20. If not, it's 16. Let's say 16. You are you are confident that there are no magical traps on this lock. right. Last rule. Sorry guys. I'm bogart in the time here. I will pick this lock.
00:19:49
Speaker
Okay. And that was the mischief can be applicable here. Okay, great. You're not going to try the weird hand thing? Are we just not bringing that up anymore? Are you guys looking?
00:20:02
Speaker
Yes. Then I'm not. You can tell us to look away again. yeah at least one person will. Okay. Yeah. It did not work.
00:20:13
Speaker
People did not look away. yeah No one looked away, and also I did not open the thing I tried to open, so I think I'm going to try to pick this lock.
00:20:23
Speaker
quin t 20 something 25 okay finally roll um it yeah you you hear the lock click and i'm assuming as soon as it's unlocked you go to open it i'm afraid i do okay then he says pulling up his notes again
00:20:48
Speaker
This is going much better than my conversation with that lady.
00:20:52
Speaker
We'll if it ends this strong.
00:20:58
Speaker
and yet The lock clock clicks open and a fragment of pure melody escapes.
00:21:13
Speaker
And you don't necessarily hear it, but you feel, and all of you feel this, like kind of erupt out of the lock box. And Kaz, for a moment, your eyes flash with recognition as a series of memories come flooding back into your mind in detail.
00:21:35
Speaker
Um, and You see yourself standing on a dais, looking out on a group of collected, ah various individuals, Eladrin, Elfs, gnomes, Satyrs, Fae creatures, Dryads, watching you hear a voice proclaiming your role.
00:22:01
Speaker
You can tell that you are much younger than you were in the memory you just had. your role as a graduate of learning of a graduate of distinction in the arcane arts in the court of stories. Okay.
00:22:18
Speaker
And everyone begins clapping very politely. And then it kind of jumps forward a little bit and you see yourself facing off with the Baron, you recognize the Eladrin, but he is much, much younger as well.
00:22:38
Speaker
And after a moment of looking around, you kind of realize you're in a a dueling circle, a training circle rather. And he is wearing similar garb that you are wearing and you recognize this as a friendly duel of testing your skills against each other in the court of stories.
00:23:03
Speaker
and And then
00:23:07
Speaker
is the last memory that you have is
00:23:14
Speaker
shortly before the memory with the heraldry that you were accepting your new role, you see the Baron standing next to you as you all stand on a balcony looking over a night sky.
Kaz's Identity Crisis
00:23:28
Speaker
And he's saying, i just, I want more.
00:23:35
Speaker
The fixed nature of it all. need to try to break out.
00:23:43
Speaker
And you you can tell that you're saying something, but you can't hear it. Okay. And he turns and looks at you and says, you wouldn't understand.
00:23:55
Speaker
Not have to put too fine of a point on it, but you're not one of us, Kazimir. You're not from here. You have more leeway.
00:24:08
Speaker
Perhaps that's why she favors you so much. But for the rest of us, any attempt to make our own story, it's more complicated.
00:24:24
Speaker
And then all of you kind of snap out of it.
00:24:31
Speaker
Sorry, I'm typing up the last bit of this and then I'll... Yeah, respond. and yeah
00:24:42
Speaker
We all saw that? Yeah. Everyone heard the melody. Okay.
00:24:49
Speaker
Um, and the, but there's nothing that, that was, that was the contents of the box. Like, yes. The contents of the box was the fragment of the song. Hearing the song unlocked something in Kaz, but because the resonance of the story could be heard by others, they also experienced the story that Kaz was experiencing. Sure. Of course. Okay.
00:25:11
Speaker
If you follow me. Into the darkness, my friend. ok
00:25:17
Speaker
I think Kaz might drop the box and just kind of stand there for a second. Um, did all of you hear that?
00:25:30
Speaker
Did all of you see that?
00:25:34
Speaker
Yes. Okay. That in this case is a bunch of things from an older memory from the future or something.
00:25:42
Speaker
Yes. moving
00:25:47
Speaker
I s think I know where I was during the time I can't remember.
00:25:55
Speaker
ah Yes. I think I might be an extremely powerful wizard somewhere else, but just kind of dangerous here.
00:26:07
Speaker
Yes. I feel like I told you that. Well, yeah, but like this like locks it down. You know, like people can say things. Yeah. I'm sorry, I just remembered in my notebook, Kaz will not think of anything. Yeah. So, yes. yes could could oh
00:26:34
Speaker
I think I need to think about this for a minute. I don't have a lot of first blush thoughts for all of you on what we've just seen.
00:26:44
Speaker
Would you like some paper and pen to write it out? while we finish our I think I might just curl into a ball and sink. I don't think that's quite healthy. I've been told journaling is a much healthier way than curling up a crow in a corner. think Sam's gonna cry. You were probably going to cry. Look, I'm not looking for healthy alternate options right now. but You want to hit something?
00:27:11
Speaker
i don't think I'm mad. Come on. That's all right. It works for other emotions. Okay.
00:27:19
Speaker
No, I think, okay. Just so, just so we're clear, like you, do you guys know what the, cause I guess in these memories, it wasn't said, it was just the one that I had to on my own. Have any of you heard of the lady of stories in Thelanus?
00:27:37
Speaker
Looks to the GM. No. I mean, i would i would take an an intelligence check related to Arcana. It's going to be a fairly high. ceiling but So if you have a background that would be applicable.
00:27:54
Speaker
Five.
00:27:56
Speaker
Nyx has insulted to you. 18. Sounds like someone fey. 15. 15? 15. it took fifteen fifteen
00:28:08
Speaker
um none of you have heard of the Lady of Stories. is israel fun And you hear a voice say, I heard of her. I knew it. Yeah. I've been worried about him. Yeah, but like, what are we going to do? it we We can't be the weirdest people he's ever transported.
00:28:28
Speaker
That's a great point. and yeah What a chill guy. All ready to go yet?
00:28:39
Speaker
I am. I am. I'm going to pick the box up off the floor. um
00:28:46
Speaker
Because it was dropped. It looks expensive. Yeah, I would have gathered it but i'm happy to let you know. Okay. Okay. Next points to the bundle. I'm taking this as a potential disguise in case we decide it will be useful.
00:29:02
Speaker
Does anyone else need a weapon or anything? ah I pull out my dagger. Looks like a dagger. does anyone else Does anyone else feel that they need a weapon or anything?
00:29:15
Speaker
Because in Nyx's mind, the correct answer to that question is, of course, yes, but isn't the not everyone sees the world that way. All right, then. Nyx carries the rest of it off and off into the brush and dumps it with the bodies.
00:29:28
Speaker
Nyx trying to gentle parent violence into her party members. so Correct.
00:29:36
Speaker
It's working so far. She's given Valk sword. She's got Kaz taking fighting lessons. i think I returned that sword.
00:29:47
Speaker
Did you? i think so. Okay. it
00:29:52
Speaker
um Okay, so you all head Nist. this Pellet's Watch. Yep. I just did something, though.
00:30:03
Speaker
There we go. Uh-oh. You're right. was there actually Instead of shift W, control W closes whatever tab you have open in a browser.
00:30:14
Speaker
um Nice.
00:30:18
Speaker
I guess the W stands for whoops.
Arrival at Pella's Watch
00:30:20
Speaker
ah
00:30:24
Speaker
So ah you all are heading Pell's Watch as you. Stagecoach is headed up a hill.
00:30:37
Speaker
For the final leg of your journey, you all in a stagecoach crest the hill on the road to Pella's watch.
00:30:46
Speaker
Pella's watch spreads before you almost like an illustration from a children's storybook. Neat houses with fresh paint like cobblestone streets that seem to gleam in the afternoon sun.
00:30:57
Speaker
Gardens burst with flowers arranged in patterns so pleasing to the eye that some of you perhaps find yourself looking a bit longer than you intended. You see the people of Pell's Watch moving through the streets with purposeful contentment.
00:31:13
Speaker
They don't seem to be in a rush. Their clothing is clean and well-maintained. And as you all are watching and getting closer, every person you observe wears an expression of satisfaction, not forced cheer of festival days, but the quiet happiness of people if you have found their place in the world.
00:31:34
Speaker
ah seat As you all approach, the town bell chimes the hour with perfect pitch, and you notice something remarkable. For just a moment, every person you can see walking the street pauses their activity and kind of looks up with a smile as if sharing a moment of communal appreciation ah before then resuming what they were doing.
00:32:00
Speaker
but Looks up to smile at us as we pass. once you all So the stagecoachman stops just in the outskirts of Pella's watch. Okay. Now say bonjour. There's one girl, though, that just seems to really hate it here.
00:32:13
Speaker
Let's talk to her. They've got those creepy smiles from the Black Hole Sun video, though. It's really awkward. No. Yeah, actually, Barnaby Finch is the belle of this story.
00:32:24
Speaker
Um... ah ah
00:32:30
Speaker
um Yeah, the stagecoach stops on the outskirts of town and and kind of says, this is as far as I'm going. Is there enough?
00:32:41
Speaker
Okay. Is there a reason? Oh, I understand.
00:32:48
Speaker
is that is there a reasonable reason? Last time I went to Pillow's Watch, I got roamed. Not going back in there. Oh, okay. yeah Understood. Shit. Alright.
00:32:59
Speaker
Lots of ways to get robbed. Nick climbs out of the stagecoach.
00:33:06
Speaker
ah and the stagecoach putters away. And yeah, you all, it it is a kind of, it not kind of, it is a dirt road that is leading you up to Pella's Watch where the wagons everything, but you you see the cobblestone start with the town proper.
00:33:20
Speaker
So it's like a grid? like No, so it's it's not like a perfect grid or anything, but the town, the homes are arranged in a very pleasing kind of like curved roads.
00:33:33
Speaker
Like it's just a very pleasing picture. able
00:33:39
Speaker
Nothing looks like this one accident.
00:33:44
Speaker
Oh, no absolutely. think they've moved the houses?
00:33:51
Speaker
They wouldn't be able to without intense magical ability. permits. Zoning permits. Or tearing them down and putting them back up in a more aesthetically pleasing location.
00:34:05
Speaker
I mean, if you've got the whole town working together, you could absolutely move, yeah raise, or refinish and fix... this stuff pretty quickly. You'd like to give me a check to see if Eric can notice any like recent renovations or constructions. think we're just going to stand here and be creeped out, Eric.
00:34:23
Speaker
yeah i mean you You do you, everyone. That's a free action. Hey, Eric, let us form our assumptions with no input, okay? I was going to go into City Hall and start digging through the archival. yeah See what the original layout was.
00:34:37
Speaker
I mean, the paperwork's got to be there based on based on that group we ran into. Yeah. I will do, was it what would that be intelligence? Yes.
00:34:49
Speaker
And you can use any relevant backgrounds. Paranormal investigator would be applicable here.
00:34:59
Speaker
ah got a nine. 16. 16? Yeah. Yeah, Valk, as as you kind of scan as you all approach the town, you see that, yeah, recent renovations show an impossible level of coordination here. Like,
00:35:16
Speaker
multiple buildings improved simultaneously the cobblestone seems freshly laid it seems like whatever state pillows watch was in three months ago they have done considerable work uh with identical materials and techniques in improving this town in a very rapid fashion would i know if that was if it was more manual or magical ah um in Eberron it's kind of hard to tell the difference between that because people use magic for manual labor yeah like yeah so so good but but everything seems real and tainted like regardless of how the cobblestones were laid these are actual cobblestones that were laid into the ground Eric I just remembered something I wanted to do before we got into town do it?
00:36:05
Speaker
yeah I took the the yeah I took the, the, i don't know, the license, the deputy the deputy form off of yeah the paladin.
00:36:18
Speaker
I want to know if I can use my smuggler skills to alter the form, like particularly the name on the form.
00:36:29
Speaker
Okay. Yeah. You can certainly track me. Yeah. This is my altered form. but What attribute?
00:36:40
Speaker
Um, yes.
00:36:51
Speaker
I feel like there are multiple... I mean, charisma is usually what we'd use to lie, but this isn't exactly like that. Yeah, I would say either dexterity or wisdom, like being able to like do it in a convincing fashion. yeah So that's reasonable. I will use dexterity.
00:37:14
Speaker
ah That is 18 with my level and my black market here.
00:37:24
Speaker
Nope. That's a 20 because I also add my dexterity. Yeah, Eric. you feel pretty confident in your forgery. Okay, so I have, uh, so before we get into town, Nyx has slung one of these guys' tabards or surcoats or whatever they had onto herself, pinned it with their badge.
00:37:46
Speaker
She rummages in a, in a pouch and hangs the silver flame amulet that she has around her neck ah visibly and tucks the folded up documentation into a pouch.
00:38:04
Speaker
Okay.
00:38:07
Speaker
Are there any plaques, signs, or dedications that look maybe new? Are they big like posters of rules? Five minutes hate, three minutes praise, anything like that?
00:38:22
Speaker
um Not anything that you can see out Outside, as as you kind of scan looking for anything like that, the only thing with like words that you see initially is a carved wooden sign that depicts a hearth with flames, but below it is a smaller brass plaque that reads operating hours 6 a.m. to 11 15 p.m. daily.
00:38:48
Speaker
This is just outside the town. No, it's one of the buildings. Oh, okay. The town has ours? No. know
00:39:00
Speaker
Okay, so no one's put up like a welcome to Pella's Watch, the happiest place on earth, sort of. No. We're not met with an animatronic chorus of puppets singing welcome to Pella's Watch. No.
00:39:11
Speaker
tragic Not yet. Anyway, we had to get the roads rebuilt. Priorities.
00:39:17
Speaker
Whose priority is ridiculous? But you do recognize the the wooden sign as being the same symbol as the ordered hearth coaster that you all found on one of the paladins. I'm going to try not to push this too much, but the given the behavior of the paladins that tried to arrest us, this, if everyone here is under the same enchantment,
00:39:43
Speaker
then it seems like if you have the right paperwork, they might be inclined to simply blindly obey or blindly accept that as a reality.
00:40:00
Speaker
Of course, if I'm wrong, it's really something we can exactly try exactly once and be wrong without consequences. week
00:40:10
Speaker
We could also just try to be nice. I'm going to do my best.
00:40:19
Speaker
If everyone is already nice, which is the last state that we know of Pella's Watch, then maybe being nice is the less risky option.
00:40:31
Speaker
I didn't say I was going to start with it. I'm going to try to be nice, so I'm not comfortable with it, but...
00:40:41
Speaker
So, the ordered hearth presents itself
00:40:47
Speaker
as a two-story building of warm yellow stone and dark timber. but What is it really? it Sorry. sorry My notes didn't make sense, so I skipped a sentence.
00:40:59
Speaker
That's right. um I'm not sorry. That was great. That was delightful. Two story building of warm yellowstone and dark timber.
00:41:10
Speaker
And it displays the kind of maintenance that suggests genuine care taken to upkeep the building rather than like obligation of maintenance. Every window frame sits perfectly aligned. Every stone gleams with cleanliness that speaks to daily attention rather than like obsessive scrubbing.
00:41:32
Speaker
tastefully carved wooden side hangs above the entrance, depending hearth with flames, the aforementioned signs of operating hours. Flower boxes flake the entrance, containing arrangements of flowers so symmetrical they either suggest remarkable skill or mathematical planning. Nix breathes deeply to center herself. How into Ray Dunn interior design is Kaz? Because if, like, you really like it, then you probably think all this looks rad.
00:41:58
Speaker
And that might be a reference that is too obscure for people to understand. How into what? Ray Dunn. ra It's like you have a cookie jar, a blank cookie porcelain cookie jar, and then on it, in the worst handwritten text, it's just cookie. I knew Mia would get my right.
00:42:18
Speaker
Yeah. It's the most basic. Yes. Yeah. Yes. It's like everything in your home is labeled with the thing that it is in a very like.
00:42:30
Speaker
attempt to be aesthetically pleasing. I'm so sorry any of our listeners love Ray Den stuff. I hate it so much. So, yeah. That's my deal. Your deal is cool and fine and valid.
00:42:43
Speaker
Let's all move on with our day. so Yeah, I mean, no, it's like wood. don't know where to start. If it's not eerie to outsiders, Kaz is not put off because his life has been in such turmoil and this seems so pleasant and calm and put together.
00:43:03
Speaker
And he's not losing sight of the fact that it's fake, but it's hard for him to be upset about it. Yeah. Yeah. And I think also there's part of Kaz that probably like due to is granted forgotten experience and Thelanus and the narratively satisfying structure that stories have.
00:43:23
Speaker
Kaz would probably find some comfort in like the orderliness of this idyllic village ah because the real world is chaos and nonsense. And that's not something that Kaz had experienced in quite some time.
00:43:34
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. And the real world tentacles fly out of your face for no reason sometimes. but but no reason there's always someone to fight with it yeah so that's what you all see on the exterior of the ordered hearts
00:43:54
Speaker
should we go in might as well gotta start somewhere guys Well, we can go in. There was also this Melinda that we can look for. I forgot. the were Right.
00:44:12
Speaker
Sorry. I can't talk like Nick. Cass, I had forgotten.
00:44:18
Speaker
du Yes, like it's probably safer to start. You also don't know where Barnaby's house is, so you would need to ask someone else, right? Feels like we'd be immediately told if we asked somebody anything.
00:44:30
Speaker
yeah Oh, yeah, sure. Leaves the key under the bat. Was not planning for this entire town to have Midwest accents, but guess what? We're all from the Northern Plains.
00:44:41
Speaker
Um, so yeah, the, so you enter, uh, the common rooms welcomes all of you with the warmth that feels pretty genuine. There is kind of that eerie calculated nature to it all though, as you look around the room.
00:44:57
Speaker
All right. I think this a mimic because it presented itself to us as a thing. And now the common room is welcoming us like the might too much personification. This end is a mimic. Lovely.
00:45:08
Speaker
A large stone hearth dominates one wall. It's flames burning with a very steady consistency. Um, the tables are arranged throughout the space.
00:45:19
Speaker
They create, intimate conversation areas while maintaining clear sight lines throughout the area and efficient service pads. but What strikes you most is not what you see, but what you don't.
00:45:30
Speaker
There's no sticky rings from ale mugs, no knife marks scored into wooden surfaces, no stains or scars that accumulate naturally in any establishment that serves travelers and locals.
00:45:43
Speaker
The cleanliness goes beyond mere tidiness. It either suggests recent renovation or standards of maintenance that border on impossible.
The Inn's Peculiarities
00:45:52
Speaker
ah Behind the bar, the bottles create a gradient of colors that pleases the eye while displaying the full range of available spirits.
00:46:00
Speaker
um you Maps of local trade routes hang on walls beside framed announcements of community events, all mounted with identical spacing that creates visual harmony.
00:46:12
Speaker
Maps of local trade routes? Yeah.
00:46:16
Speaker
That's weird, right? A large schedule board near the bar shows the day's meals and activities planned to 15 minute intervals. Oh.
00:46:28
Speaker
Are we at camp?
00:46:35
Speaker
Hey guys, is this camp? Would you like to stay for your internship? Oh, man.
00:46:49
Speaker
What is the current activity? We said you all are trying to get here around midday, right? Yep. Yeah. so lunch.
00:47:01
Speaker
you look at the board and and you 12 PM lunch service begins and the next to it ends precisely at 2 PM. And then at 1 30, it says midday social hour starts.
00:47:17
Speaker
So you all are currently in lunch service. The midday social hour has not yet begun. So they eat lunch for an hour and a half, and then they have a social hour. well There's a little overlap. There's 30-minute overlap between lunch service and the midday social hour, so you can transition. What's everyone in the inn doing right now?
00:47:35
Speaker
They're eating. like that It's not silent, but they are all sitting at their tables. That would be bomb. No, they're they're looking at each other. They're all like... There are a fair number of people in here eating their lunch.
00:47:48
Speaker
there There is a woman walking around tending to the tables. Sorry, go ahead, Philip. Allow me to fixate on a minor detail just for a moment. um You said the fire was burning with a really like consistent burn?
00:48:05
Speaker
Yeah. Is there a... I mean, are the flames moving? is Is it like one of those... Is it like a real version of one of those LED fireplaces where if you watch it long enough, you start to see the patterns of the movements of the flames?
00:48:23
Speaker
No. it like as as nick As you look at it, as Nick looks at it, it's just that the the wood is put in there in a very precise fashion, and it's like okay layered to where somebody could conceivably, as it burns down, come with like a row of logs and place it on top, and it will keep a consistent burn. Got it. Okay.
00:48:42
Speaker
Yeah. It's not a flashlight with a fan and some crepe paper. No heat radiates from the thing. So, as you all are... But we're in a bar in definitely nobody's drunk, right?
00:48:59
Speaker
um Yeah, no you don't see anybody drunk at all. A man approaches you. Uh, who seems to embody hospitality refined to its purest essence, his large frame, which might once have suggested intimidation. Now only can, uh, conveys the reassuring presence of someone dedicated to others. Comfort dark hair combed with precision frames, his face,
00:49:26
Speaker
and radiates genuine pleasure at the prospect of serving guests. His clothing, white shirt without a single wrinkle, black vest button with perfect symmetry, spotless apron despite active kitchen work suggests either supernatural cleanliness or recently donned fresh garments.
00:49:43
Speaker
um Most striking are his hands. Nick's you immediately clock that his hands in frame are powerful enough to break up any tavern brawl, but you don't see any cuts, bruises, calluses, nothing that suggests that this person has thrown a punch in let's say months.
00:50:04
Speaker
He, he speaks to you all. And when he speaks, his voice carries warmth, um, as if he's discovered the perfect tone for a social interaction.
00:50:15
Speaker
And he says, Welcome to the ordered hearse. My name is Yosef, and how may we serve you today?
00:50:26
Speaker
Stelanet, don't ask. The specials are going to take forever in this place. I was about to ask. Everything's special here. i yeah I bet there are none. i bet it's i bet it's a fixed menu. Go ahead.
00:50:42
Speaker
but Do you have any specials? Oh, I'm sorry, dear. No, we, our menu has been perfected to, uh, share with people's
00:50:56
Speaker
yeah Amazing. so Okay. Okay. Thank you. but are they open to Are they open to feedback on their perfection of hospitality? Because that was the snoppiest thing I've ever heard anyone say at a restaurant.
00:51:10
Speaker
But I assure you that all of our available options will satisfy any cravings you might have. Listen, dummy, you're gonna like the food, he said. the
00:51:25
Speaker
There's a menu board though, like with numbers or something. No, you don't see a menu board hosted anywhere. You just sit down and they bring you whatever they are bringing you today. ah If you all would like a table, I'm more than happy to see you and then serve you lunch. Or if you're looking for a room and accommodations, I recognize that you all are not from Pella's Watch. So we're more than happy to offer you rooms as well.
00:51:50
Speaker
I'm sorry. What was your name? Yosef. Yosef? We do need... Yosef is the one that would punch everyone. pun Yeah. Would not punch Barnaby.
00:52:06
Speaker
Yeah, should have written down more names. we do We don't have a place to stay, do we? No. No.
00:52:14
Speaker
We need to stay somewhere. Thanks. Yes. We might as well stay here. Can we please get accommodations and the menu? Yes. Thank you. We have a seat at the table. We're let do it. So thin woman, human woman with gray hair pulled back in a perfect bun approaches your, her servers uniform could pass military inspection, crisp white blouse, black skirt, sensible shoes, polished to mirror brightness.
00:52:40
Speaker
You see her moving through the common room with practiced efficiency. taking the most direct path to each table. um And she walks up to the table and says, oh my, you look like you could use a wonderful meal. That'd be bringing me something that would just be perfect for you. what do What are you all in the mood for?
00:53:01
Speaker
i believe the menu is fixed. We do have some options, yes, for our midday meals. We have beef stew ah with a bread roll. We have roasted chicken, root vegetables, cheese and bread platter served with a pickle, and our seasonal soup, which is carrot.
00:53:21
Speaker
Or we have our our workers' meal, which provides the complete ah nutritional needs for our more labor-intensive workers, will of meat, pie, vegetable medley, So any of those sound good to you?
00:53:34
Speaker
I was supposed be like a wafer, like a biscuit that's got all the nutrition. It's just a pill, dear. It's a nutrition paste. It says back to work, 64315. Like, oh, this place is a little different than we thought.
00:53:49
Speaker
I'll have the stew, thanks. Chicken. you Roast chicken. Excellent. I'll take the stew workers meal. too The workers meal. Excellent. All righty. And then for drinks, we have, of course, water.
00:54:03
Speaker
We have apple, pear, or grape juice. We have coffee, tea, or cider. but We have a nice glass of cold milk. Or if you prefer, although it is a bit early for it, if you ask me and she kind of titters to herself, we have a house ale, a ah red or a white wine, or a mulled wine.
00:54:20
Speaker
Was the implication that the cider listed with the apple with the with the coffee and tea is not alcoholic? Yes, it's just a hot apple cider. The cider. Excellent.
00:54:33
Speaker
I'll take the apple juice. Apple juice? I'll just take a water. A water? Yes, please. Have we established ice in Eberron?
00:54:46
Speaker
What do you mean, dear?
00:54:51
Speaker
Eric Strip. Yes, Jeff. Things freeze here, too. I'm very concerned if there is no ice. No, I understand things freeze here. is ice in your drink a thing that is... I would like tea and a glass of ice.
00:55:09
Speaker
i like I don't like hot tea. You want an iced tea? I don't know if that's a thing they have here in Ella's watch. They clearly are pretty stuck on their menu. Here's the thing.
00:55:20
Speaker
ah The water is served at room temperature, and I feel like that's the only one of the drinks that would be... I prefer room temperature water.
00:55:28
Speaker
That's wild. Disgusting. What is wrong with you? Nothing's wrong with me. Thank you. wouldn't go far as saying disgusting.
00:55:41
Speaker
Wow. Yes. You can have a glass of ice cubes.
Influence of the Town's Food
00:55:44
Speaker
Great. Wonderful. Please. Thank you. about All right. Well, I will put that order in with Ionis and we'll get that food out to you.
00:55:56
Speaker
Are Ionis and Yosef related? Do we think? a No, dear. ah
00:56:05
Speaker
Just trying to keep track of all the names. I know. Let's see what I knew next. I guess I could pronounce it with a hard J if I wanted to you and called him Jonas, but I was already vibing with Yosef, so.
00:56:17
Speaker
Hence my question. Yeah.
00:56:22
Speaker
All right. What's the possibility that by eating a meal here, we're going to fall into the spell?
00:56:31
Speaker
I thought that was a lot of stuff, and we're pretty sure this is... Who knows? Okay. Okay. I think we'll be fine. We have to eat at some point, so...
00:56:45
Speaker
Nix probably doesn't. something She's trained her body to starve and like it he so so
00:56:56
Speaker
it. Marcia still around? Or does she walk? Marcia went back to put your order in. But she'll come back and check in on you and bring your drinks here in a couple minutes. So...
00:57:09
Speaker
What's on the table? In front of you? Yeah, just what's on, like... but's a weird cat. Is it just like, is there like a weird vase with flowers centerpiece? Is it such just silverware? Do they have placemats? Like, what's the what's the... That says flower. Yeah.
00:57:30
Speaker
Amazing.
00:57:33
Speaker
You're looking... Okay. So you all have charger plates in front of you. I had to Google what's the plate that you put other plates on. Cause I couldn't remember the name of it. And you know what?
00:57:44
Speaker
Nailed it in one. Yeah. You have charger plates in front of you with silverware set. And there is a vase in the center of the table with a ah perfectly arranged set of flowers. And if you look, ah if you look around, all of the arrangements are identical.
00:57:58
Speaker
Do the tables, and maybe i'm maybe I'm chasing nothing here. Do the tables look repaired, new, or as though they'd never been damaged?
00:58:11
Speaker
Give me an investigation check. Okay. While he's doing that, Nyx reaches out and just slightly pushes one of the flowers out of its orderly arrangement.
00:58:23
Speaker
Okay. Okay. Alarms start now. I just want to see. want to see. Do something harmless and see what happens. That is a 17.
00:58:36
Speaker
yeah Okay. As you what look around, Kaz, you're like kind of running your hands over the the surface of the table trying to figure out the the construction.
00:58:48
Speaker
And you find a small, like... very small divot, like a little, little piece of imperfection, you know, it's, it's wood. So there are stray agents and stuff like that, but you feel something that doesn't match the pattern and you kind of look and you can tell that this table used to.
00:59:09
Speaker
Like it's like somebody had sanded the table down to get a lot of like the carvings and imperfections, everything out of it. And they just didn't quite go down far enough. So you see the faintest wisp of like where somebody would have like carved or stuck a blade or something into the table.
00:59:25
Speaker
Sure. Okay. So, so, so it is clear that these have these, we're not retroactively going back to before things got broken. That's what was yeah right. Right. now Okay. That's what you should.
00:59:39
Speaker
Marta returns but with your drinks and places them in front of you. She walks behind eve each of you and not creepily, not leaning over you like respectfully. Wrong. but Incorrect. she She steps to the right side of each of you and places the drink with her right hand in the same spot in front of each of you as she makes her way up. People's like, I go dears.
01:00:05
Speaker
Thanks. Excuse me. Phillip is left-handed. And so it's like, oh, really? Okay. I see how this is. Prejudice is real. la I did not say that.
01:00:22
Speaker
Get it here first, folks. Phillip doesn't think prejudice is real.
01:00:31
Speaker
Well played, Jeff.
01:00:37
Speaker
Martha looks at Valk and says, yes. would Would you ah help us? We are looking for Melinda. Would you know where she would be or where her home is?
01:00:50
Speaker
We have a message to on. Would home right now? Yes, absolutely. I could. So when you walk out of here, you're going to walk down to the end of this block. Walk down two streets. Turn right.
01:01:02
Speaker
And it's the second house on your left. Lovely garden up front. Thank you so much. I think I am going to just say, Marta, yes, forgive me for saying this.
01:01:16
Speaker
I don't mean to offend. Pella's Watch is not living up to the reputation that I've heard it has. You have a lovely town. Why does everyone talk about it like it's...
01:01:28
Speaker
Not that. Oh, well, the improvements to the town have been simply wonderful. You can feel the difference in the air. If you had been here before, you could certainly tell the difference.
01:01:39
Speaker
People working together and helping each other. It's what community was always meant to be, don't you think?
Impact of Mayor Johnson's Initiatives
01:01:44
Speaker
But Mayor Johnson has been such a blessing to all of us, the way he helped everyone. It's remarkable.
01:01:51
Speaker
that's So this all started when Mayor Johnson came to town? He certainly led many of the initiatives, but I like to think that all of us pitched in together to make it happen. That's not what I asked.
01:02:06
Speaker
Where was Mayor Johnson from before he came here? Seems so odd for someone to just arrive and decide to settle down and try and make a town better.
01:02:21
Speaker
I believe he worked in the capital in politics. He had a background in civil service. It's what we are led to believe. So, and we have no reason to like distrust him.
01:02:33
Speaker
Of course.
01:02:37
Speaker
But, you know, the past feels so unimportant. What's important is the road we take forward. Almost hard to remember.
01:02:49
Speaker
Well, sometimes I think back to the old days, but it feels feel like I was a different person back then. It would be so strange when you go and visit other places, the difference.
01:03:03
Speaker
Oh, i I've never visited another town since the changes. Well, why would you want to? Of course. That felt very capital T, capital C, the changes. Yeah.
01:03:22
Speaker
Oh, anyway, I'm going to go check in on your fewbe food with Jonas and I'll bring it back as soon as it's done.
01:03:29
Speaker
And Marta walks away.
01:03:35
Speaker
um yeah and Nix is not left handed, but Nix moves her cup to her left side just to see what happens.
01:03:43
Speaker
You restart the time loop. We're back on the train. say You have a feeling of deja vu. Killing everyone on the train this time. I'm just going to take it out on everybody on the train. It means everyone, every everyone.
01:03:58
Speaker
We're doomed. Yosef does approach the table and says, hi there. I just wanted to let you all know that I have made arrangements for your rooms. They will be upstairs and he hands keys to each of you.
01:04:11
Speaker
They're labeled with the number on the door, so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out. And Bella is cleaning them as we speak. So if you try to go into the room and you see her in there, don't mind her. She's more than happy to work around guests. But yeah, if you all need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
01:04:30
Speaker
Thank you. Of course, I'm happy to. Real quick. Do you remember Barnaby? oh Barnaby. Yeah, of course I remember Barnaby.
01:04:41
Speaker
but didnt Do you remember how he was acting before he left?
01:04:46
Speaker
Oh yeah, he came in here playing playing joke. Well, Barnaby always was a funny fella. Like, always loved to play pranks and jokes. So, came in here asking people to smack him around. But that's that's just classic Barnaby.
01:04:59
Speaker
have Before Barnaby started joking around. Which, in his defense, you cannot refuse. That accurate.
01:05:06
Speaker
That is accurate. ah Now, sorry da did Barnaby's behavior change suddenly?
01:05:17
Speaker
well Barnaby always was a bit of a jokester in the town. He was one of the more fun-loving folks. at Social hours, he was always life of the party, as it were.
01:05:28
Speaker
We're sad that he's away from business visiting his cousin, but when he gets back, we'll be happy to have him. Were there fixed social hours before Mayor Johnson?
01:05:39
Speaker
Uh, no, but honestly, things have been a lot better. I mean, I don't like to dwell on the past and the way things used to be, but it was a dark time for Pella's Watch and, it was a lot more disorderly and a lot more crime and trouble and violence. So having the more social hours contained, uh, to specific portions of the day makes it easier on everyone.
01:06:06
Speaker
I'm sure it does. oh One more quick question about Barnaby. but we We met him while he was visiting his cousin. Oh, interesting. One more quick question about Barnaby.
01:06:19
Speaker
Did he leave town before this last time he left town? Was he gone for a while? like don' this okay his time His time missing months.
01:06:32
Speaker
He was yeah apparently here and operational. Okay, so we'll knock that one down.
01:06:42
Speaker
Okay. all right this
01:06:45
Speaker
Thank you. Of course. Always happy to help.
01:06:50
Speaker
He just walks away. yeah Just as Martha returns with your plates of food. Once again, walks behind you to the right side, sets the plate on the charger or the bowl in the case of the beef stew folk.
01:07:06
Speaker
Sets the plate on the bowl? Sets the bowl on the charger plate.
01:07:13
Speaker
and All right. Seems that everything came out well. So feel free to give it a taste. And if you need anything, flag me down. But I am sure that Jonas's cooking will live up to expectations and hopes.
01:07:26
Speaker
So anything else I can get you all before I step away? that No, thank you. Wonderful. Enjoy. Can I check for magical influence in the food?
01:07:40
Speaker
Particularly, mine is the workers one, so. Yeah.
01:07:45
Speaker
and yeah Nyx takes her fork and scores a little notch on the edge of the table and watches to see whether it will heal.
01:07:58
Speaker
go ahead. Wisdom or intelligence? Intelligence. 24.
01:08:05
Speaker
twenty four 24? Okay. Nyx, the table does not self heal anything. You put a score in the table, the table is scored.
01:08:16
Speaker
um Valk, you kind of look at both the like utensils and the plateware and the food itself and you're you're very confident there's no kind of like enchantments or magical tampering with the food.
01:08:34
Speaker
The food is safe to eat.
01:08:37
Speaker
Okay, girl, I'm hungry.
01:08:41
Speaker
Slayna's already like three bites in when Bouts is like... yeah I've already given some to Grub, so... How is the food? Is it good or is it bland? No, it's... it is It is delicious, if not a little straightforward.
01:08:57
Speaker
Like, the flavor profiles are exactly what you would expect, but they are done well. Have there been any reactions to the raccoon? They came in with us. Okay. much
01:09:12
Speaker
A reminder, it is a nether raccoon. I'm aware. And wearing a cape. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
01:09:21
Speaker
Is it entertaining the locals with its shadow puppet skills? Honestly, he would love to. It's gorgeous. The story he's weaving.
01:09:34
Speaker
um
01:09:39
Speaker
Did we get Melinda's location? Yes. I remember we talked, I mean, I listened to us talk about it, don't remember that part. Okay, great. I was here for that. This...
Seeking Answers from Locals
01:09:56
Speaker
As much as I know that there's almost certainly something malicious going on behind all of this, I gotta tell you guys, I am really having a hard time having a problem with this town.
01:10:09
Speaker
I get it, Nyx, he says before she starts to... yeah it' Actually, I was going to say, there mightn't be something malicious behind it.
01:10:22
Speaker
If Jim Johnson is not from this plane, then it may just be doing what it does, like the bandits on the train. Okay.
01:10:44
Speaker
I would assume that there is something inherently malicious by taking over someone else's Yes, but but the creature may not see it as an action. It may just be what it does. Like, there's no malice if the bear is hungry.
01:11:01
Speaker
Like, that kind of thing. Like, it's just what it does. It kills the heat. The bandits on the train, not the Baron, but his the bandits, their only function was that story.
01:11:12
Speaker
Which is why they were not aware that it was happening over and over and over and over again. And only the Baron seemed to really grasp that.
01:11:22
Speaker
If this is a creature of Donvi or some like place like it, this may just be what it does. This may just be its function in its plane and it's just in the wrong place.
01:11:39
Speaker
Seems like we should swing by old Jim Johnson. Jim Johnson, yes. J-Y-M-J-A-H-S-U-N-N. course you I don't like that.
01:11:55
Speaker
know It's a construct of Philip. So, like yeah, I, in all of my notes, it's spelled exactly as you, you, you, you didn't spell it. And and you told me there were a bunch of apostrophes.
01:12:10
Speaker
G E H M N. Philip always comes up with ridiculous names for things. It's, it's a problem. Yeah.
01:12:24
Speaker
um
01:12:29
Speaker
If Jeff was naming this guy, it would have been Gutter Discount or something like that.
01:12:37
Speaker
Hey, I named my mom Clementine. I thought that was nice.
01:12:42
Speaker
Was it Laszlo? Let us not forget Arsul Datharn. Hey, listen.
01:12:50
Speaker
You don't hear it until you sit hear it out loud. When it's on paper, you don't realize our soul. yeah
01:12:59
Speaker
Oh, man.
01:13:04
Speaker
ah Yes, I think we should see Jim Johnson, whatever he is, at some point.
01:13:14
Speaker
I don't care what order we do these things in. You do see a young... No, just him saying whatever he is, all of a sudden now like, Jim Johnson's some terrifying brain in a vat.
01:13:27
Speaker
This is what we control. I know that's not what Nick's meant, but that's... i I assume that he currently looks human. Yeah. But I doubt very much that it is.
01:13:39
Speaker
Right. You all see young woman's auburn hair come downstairs from where the rooms are and begin cleaning up some of the tables. You see that she is wearing a gray dress with white trim and she carries a basket full of cleaning supplies and she begins cleaning some of the tables.
01:13:59
Speaker
I think Bella's done with our rooms.
01:14:06
Speaker
ah Do we want to talk to Jim before we talk to Melinda?
01:14:14
Speaker
i I'm not quite sure how much we'll be able to get out of Melinda other than trying to see if she is conscious. Sure.
01:14:30
Speaker
I'd like to know if she remembers a specific thing that changed Barnaby, if that makes sense. Okay. Yeah. How did he snap out of it?
01:14:44
Speaker
And maybe we can...
01:14:50
Speaker
yeah Maybe we can. She would be more behavioral investigation and Jim would be more direct. Right. Environmental. Getting to the bottom of it.
01:15:02
Speaker
So which one are we going to first, gang? you ah Melinda's far less perilous. That was my thought. Let's stop in and see Melinda first. All right. yeah Melinda's not going to have Suddenly eyes go dark. Probably.
01:15:19
Speaker
Well, we will see what Melinda's up to next time. End of episode. Thank you all so much
Conclusion and Farewell
01:15:25
Speaker
for listening. If you want to want to be part of the conversation surrounding this episode, you can head over to our discord, the link to which is in the description of this podcast.
01:15:31
Speaker
but You can also go to the YouTube channel, youtube.com slash the Pantheon. All the video descriptions have the discord link as well. And while you're there, watch the video that's above the description where I do TTRPG. Thanks, Philip.
01:15:43
Speaker
plug yes also on youtube and spotify tales from the laughing tree where you can find blades and banners it's pirates in eberron it's true if you want to financially support the show you can go over to patreon.com slash geek pantheon contribute over there we appreciate all of our wonderful patrons thank you all so much for listening i have been your game master eric i'm i'm philip i'm madison i've been jeff and we'll see you next time.