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C3 Episode 37 Eight Bells and All is Well Chapter Seven
348 Plays20 days ago
A new person from Kaz's past enters the story
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Transcript
Introduction and Game Setup
00:00:00
Speaker
D20 Radio, at your
00:00:14
Speaker
radio
00:00:22
Speaker
Hello and welcome to Eberron Renewed, an actual play podcast set the Eberron campaign setting. I am your Game Master, Eric. I'm Mia. I'm Phillip. I'm Madison. Jeff. Welcome to another episode. Folks, what happened last time?
00:00:33
Speaker
Same thing that happens every time, Pinky. ah Try to get off this stupid train. Whose idea was it to ride this train? learned much more about the time loop. um Anything actionable, we're not sure.
00:00:48
Speaker
We need to be in the back. It's a caboose loop. It's a caboose-centric loop. Ayo. Yeah, you all encountered the Baron for the first time.
00:01:00
Speaker
He talked with Kaz a bit. And you all got your hands on the lockbox, but unfortunately the Baron died and fell off the train. So, we were back in the car. Valk has just
Planning the Ambush
00:01:10
Speaker
woken up.
00:01:13
Speaker
i'm I'm transforming back. oh yeah. We're in just a regular passenger car. There's like a table. What is it? Yeah, like a booth. Yeah, there's there's no table in front of me. You're just in the passenger car. Yeah.
00:01:27
Speaker
The seats face each other, though. next Do we run to the back? Yeah. Okay. I've been doing. Okay. What's I thought, wouldn't just be better to go up? Oh, we did talk about that.
00:01:40
Speaker
Well, now I'm initiating it but in the game. I'd forgotten that we should. Would it not be smarter to just go up? Will it be just him coming through that hole or will all of his minions pour out with him?
00:01:55
Speaker
Are we going to have to have that entire fight again but on the roof as we're walking towards the back? Right, yes. But I feel like it might be easier to shove them off the train than to fight them in a boxcar.
00:02:06
Speaker
Now that is an interesting point. Yeah. Let's go. Let's do it. can we Can we ready actions once we're up there so that we can get a round in when the they appear?
00:02:16
Speaker
There's no... okay Yeah, there's no actions outside of combat kind of thing. I'm interested to see where they come from. if you just Anyone good with animals? Huh? Anyone good with animals? Grub pops his head out. if we Could we
Confrontation with the Baron
00:02:30
Speaker
kidnap his hippogriff and trade it for the box?
00:02:32
Speaker
fine interesting plot i like that so i have no ability to action to make that happen so you all said you were walking towards the back so were you like walking towards the back of just your car yeah okay just i just wanted us to be making progress yeah So you all reach the back of your car. You hear a doof on top of the train.
00:02:56
Speaker
Footsteps going. Ladder, ladder, ladder. Okay. Yeah. time Was it the the lower dining cart, right? Was two behind us? Yeah. Yes. Yeah. but We get to that one and then climb up?
00:03:08
Speaker
ah Sure. Yeah. So you all see the hippogriff flying overhead as you all climb to the top. There's no one else on top of the train, though. um And yeah, you all... Make prep, make whatever preparations you can.
00:03:21
Speaker
And then after ah couple of minutes, can I identify that spot?
00:03:27
Speaker
like do we Can we be, wait, i want I want this hole to open and we are in a ring around it. Okay, so you i want to grab this guy by the hair as he appears through the roof. His same point of egress. Yeah, but it was right by the crate where he took the box. Right, so right. Yeah.
00:03:42
Speaker
And so it was such practiced elan. It certainly seemed like he'd done it before. So yeah, you all continue to make your way all the way to the back of the train. Nix asks the magic people, can any of you close that hole behind him?
00:03:56
Speaker
I can try. i i mean he appears and then his minions presumably will come pouring out after he makes his grand exit. So if someone can just close the port behind him.
00:04:09
Speaker
I can try. i tend to do better in reaction magic, but I can't say that it's a guarantee. It's just a song. Yep. I certainly can't say I can't, but I certainly have never done anything that makes it seem like I can. I don't i don't think you should try. yeah if anything, you're going to summon portals to other places.
Exploring the Train and Time Loop Discussions
00:04:30
Speaker
Boy, i didn't think of that. Yes.
00:04:35
Speaker
I have a... mending cantrip uh someone's a variety of tiny magical sprites who swarm over a chosen broken object detecting to mend you have magical nanobots yeah so surprise don't really know if that would apply here but You could certainly try. I'm going to try. Okay.
00:04:59
Speaker
So you all are standing near the spot that you two recognizes where you like came up through. um After a handful of minutes, you hear over the sound of rushing wind, a faint scream up near the front of the train. It's a loud scream. so so She's got some lungs on her.
00:05:17
Speaker
It was a really scary, guys. I also screamed. It wasn't that. Then all of a sudden you see the tip of a rapier come up through the roof, circle around, and then a magical window opens up and ah the Baron hops up through hair.
00:05:34
Speaker
Okay, give me a strength check. And I want to try the mending thing. i just want to straight slap him in the ear. And I do have the cantrip mastery talent if that helps. Okay, what does that do for you?
00:05:45
Speaker
I don't know. It says more elaborate repairs to, for this, more elaborate repairs to complicated objects might require an intelligence check or at the GM's discretion could only be possible if the wizard has taken the Kindred mastery talent. Okay.
00:06:00
Speaker
Awesome. A 21. 21. Yes. You grab him by the hair and go ahead and make an intelligence based check get to cast mending. Please be good.
Arrival at Star Lasker and Tavern Encounter
00:06:12
Speaker
Double digits. Yeah. 20. i twenty 20 this you do this for a 20 well forgot my intelligence is so high there are so many more numbers that get added to a die roll in this game than in dnd and so like i see a roll it's like oh that's kind of a middling roll then i add like 16 to it oh well okay what do your sprites look like like i mean this is presumably my bar in magic since that's like your deal like so like shadowy yeah tiny chibi skeletons just weird little voids i'm Honestly, yes.
00:06:47
Speaker
Yeah, just tiny little shadowy creatures. Okay. So yeah, you see a couple other like fey bandits like approaching the hole and then all of a sudden like it closes up and... Like there's things at the end of Ghost. my My objective is to catch him while his momentum is still going and just slam him on his back on the... Okay.
00:07:07
Speaker
Give me a ah basic attack check to slap him in the ear. There's so much happening at once. It's so petty. It is. And they go, what lady? What?
Kaz and Marina's Conversation
00:07:20
Speaker
that's so low. That's like a dude plus strength for a melee. That's a seven. Just have them in the ears.
00:07:30
Speaker
you So, so now? Wait. Go to like, are you doing it? Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let me try again. I don't think, i don't think you get to try again, but I will carry on your legacy if, if I can. Um,
00:07:47
Speaker
ah the silliest The silliest timeline yet. Oh, I don't think that's any better. Listen, there were several awesome timelines and you decided to make us start over. i think Your actions dictated that we start over.
00:08:04
Speaker
twelve Against mental defense. Mental defense? Yeah. No. We both just whiffed them. So you you actually slap Nix's forearm, Kaz, because she goes to like slam him back down. So you miss time. And Nix just looks at you like, way to go, bud.
00:08:22
Speaker
And then I put my foot on the on the hair that I grabbed, stand up, and put a sword against his chest.
00:08:30
Speaker
Can I get the box? Box. it's in In his hand. Yeah. I'm going to yeah i going reach out and I'm going to take it.
00:08:40
Speaker
I'm going to say, what? Lady? Your lady? What are you talking about? Lady of the Eternal Tales. Thank you! That's got to be at least something I can look into. That's a proper noun.
00:08:59
Speaker
Your boot is on my hat. Yes, I know. I put it there on purpose. You You git. language. don't think that's... I don't think that one's all good.
00:09:18
Speaker
So, any regards to what threats? How delightfully dramatic.
00:09:26
Speaker
I haven't made any threats. i The sword to my chest is an implied threat. That was just me considering. you Well, what now, Herald?
00:09:40
Speaker
Can you finish the story or are we destined to do this again? We have to let him go, right? To be honest, we've got this down now. So I feel like we could do this a few times and just take it out on him. Let's put him on his horse horse, but get him on fly away.
00:09:56
Speaker
Right? Like that's what's fine. Yes. Fine. If I have to do this again, I will be slapping you next time. but Nyx reaches down and takes his ah takes his weapon.
00:10:07
Speaker
Okay. His cane? Yeah. ah I don't want him to have options once we let him up. Should we maybe see if he... Valk is saying this knowing very well, he's he's right there, that he probably should call off everybody else as the conductor is going to get stabbed.
00:10:23
Speaker
Oh, by this point, he's well already. Oh, yeah. well can Can you do something to stop the train? Oh, the train will stop. Not anymore.
00:10:36
Speaker
We don't have the same ideals. Never mind. There's not an ideal way.
Pella's Watch and Investment Opportunities
00:10:42
Speaker
I wonder how the... Are we letting him go? Does think he knows how the second car is? Like, what happens when we're not there? The killer didn't kill everybody in the... it didn't I don't know that it went in the second car. It's job was... right we so We inadvertently caused it to go into this into the other car. Right. but We have to let him go. i mean That's the operation we're under. right Summon your hippogriff.
00:11:06
Speaker
But, here, summon your hippogriff. I have to wave it down. you I saw you summon it by whistling. I know absolutely that you do not have to wave. I heard the whistle, too. Can I try to emulate it?
00:11:19
Speaker
You could try, Yeah, I'm going to give it a shot. Give me a charisma check. Yeah, that's okay. Double check. And the mischief one would be applicable, I feel like, trying to... Okay. i was going to that or Fae touched, but all right.
00:11:41
Speaker
well. doesn't quite do it. Yeah, you let out a whistle and you see the hippogriff begin to turn and start coming back it's like, oh, it's trying to pay attention, are we? I go, I got your bird down.
00:11:53
Speaker
You get out of here. Boot. Hair. Does he have to take his hair with him? I think so. Yeah.
Kaz's Dilemma and Mission Focus
00:12:01
Speaker
Potomai looks his part of the story. there was There was no hair under your boot in the vision that we saw.
00:12:07
Speaker
Nyx reaches down, grabs the hair close to the scalp, lifts him back up, and and will frog march him over to the hippogriff. I would say it's nothing personal, but she very much takes personal extremely personal.
00:12:19
Speaker
Nyx, you notice that he is limping on the same leg that Valk cut and like the weird like magic stuff that Valk did. Oh, so it lingers for you. That one is a blight on stories, like a stain on a page.
00:12:33
Speaker
I punch him in the kidney. You asked! ah And then once he is on the... of language Once he is on the... Nix will assume the that the there are universal truths of animals this shaped and slap it on the rump to and hurry it along.
00:12:50
Speaker
Okay. So the hippogriff takes off and the Baron looks back towards Kaz they fly off and says, be seeing you soon, Harold.
00:13:03
Speaker
me What could we have done wrong?
00:13:08
Speaker
Wait, do you think that's what he meant? I don't know. Every other time someone said something like that, the thing is reset. He clearly knows stuff about me. I don't... That's also true. He flies off. He also doesn't answer in any sort of way that I would actually glean any knowledge from it him.
00:13:23
Speaker
Much like when you all watch the hippogriff depart, it flies towards the tree line. entire conversation is taking place at a scream level. Oh, yeah. On of a lightning rail. ah The hippogriff breaks the tree line.
00:13:35
Speaker
You all brace for a moment. And the tree line continues on. The train. Oh, yeah. Oh, right. The conductor. Yeah, we have. Oh, shoot. Yeah, you all have a bunch of bandits and a killer in and like all the people that normally leave with him.
00:13:51
Speaker
you all ensure that I assume they're now eager to leave.
00:13:57
Speaker
yeah Okay. We gotta go clean house. Go take care of this. What are we, conductor? what do it i mean i think, can we run along the top of the train? do feel like doesn't we could Are we sure-footed enough on it to do that? That we might be able to avoid the mess? Sure. and yeah I gradually became Kaz during that. and then And go check on the conductor and then work our way backwards? He already said the conductor is dead by now.
00:14:20
Speaker
I guess check on the situation in the in the engine room? Yes, I don't know what the ah good plan is for that, but we can try. i know I can unlock the door.
00:14:31
Speaker
That will be and probably necessary. It's probably open. That also may be the case. Let's go see. but Let's go find out. and Okay. You're going to stop the train. you all head up to the very front of the train.
00:14:43
Speaker
You're able to hop down. If you remember, the little storage locked area is directly connected to the the engine. So you'll have to drop in between the first class seating and the storage area. ah Kaz, you find that the door is locked.
00:14:59
Speaker
Okay. So you can go ahead to unlock it if you want. I'm going to... Say turn around. And if they do, I'm going to try one time just to wave my hand. Like I thought going to, I understand it's not going to work, but he's going to try it.
00:15:13
Speaker
So give me that either intelligence, wisdom, or charisma. Give me a check and use Fae touched with it. Okay. I have seen so many single digits that it seven, 12, 16, 16.
00:15:28
Speaker
sixteen Yeah. Um, yeah. I mean, it's like that, yeah you know, you wouldn't understand this. The first time you see star Wars and you try to like use a Jedi mind thing. was like, I can understand. It's much like if you, Jeff tried to open a door by waving your hand at it.
00:15:43
Speaker
Okay. Now I'll try to pick it. Every time I walk into the grocery store, works. okay It's exact same role. But this time with tools and the ability to do it. Yes. Yes. Importantly.
00:15:56
Speaker
You. sixty Yeah. I mean, it's cinematically with this moment of like Kaz brings his hand up and the music kind of swells and you just like wave it. And then music drops out and it's like you grab the tools and you very easily unlock it.
00:16:08
Speaker
You know, we can see you in this window's reflection. I didn't even turn around. i didn't assume. Selena did. She's just facing the other way.
00:16:19
Speaker
Well, it didn't work anyway. Okay, I'll turn back around. Falco's watching, so it didn't work. I don't think you can blame me. Exactly. Okay. So you enter the storage area and everything seems to be in its place.
00:16:36
Speaker
And trying to remember, was there another door? I don't think so. theres park that we So yeah. So yeah, as you enter, ah you hear a voice yell at you like, what are you doing?
00:16:47
Speaker
And you see a conductor like turn around at the, no guests up here. Get back to your seats. Very well. Is that really the conductor? Yeah, is that the same guy that died in my arms? It is a different person. Sounds different, different voice.
00:17:01
Speaker
Looks different.
00:17:04
Speaker
He's not debating my ticket, please, over and over again. i Are you deaf? yo Get it! Can any of you read whether that's really the conductor? Why are you whispering to each other when I'm telling you to get back to your seats?
00:17:16
Speaker
Since i've I've seen the last conductor, can I check? I don't really know what I'm checking Does he have his rag and mark? Oh yeah, you you see like a fake glow underneath his clothing. Like his dragon mark isn't like... Oh, okay.
00:17:30
Speaker
Then I'll need it. Did we hear the scream this time? We did, right? Yeah. yeah
00:17:39
Speaker
Why are you still standing there? Go back to your seat. I want to go back and see what's going on in that first passenger car. If that's where your seat is, great.
00:17:50
Speaker
As someone who can shape change, can I check to see if that is yeah actually the... Give me a wisdom check. Yeah, Velvet's definitely... I'm not... i'm not v oh no but she Velvet is also... thought she would still be back there.
00:18:06
Speaker
Probably. let's yeah let's just Let's just see. um That's a natural 20. You are very confident that this is not a shank changer. This seems to be a very solid, grounded version of a person.
00:18:21
Speaker
Okay. Just a real conductor time. What was the other thing? What happened the other time? i think... ah We gotta work way back.
00:18:31
Speaker
right Back to your seat. Yes, that's what I said. Okay, let's go. Kids today, don't listen. Look, if you don't want to be yelling under the microphone, don't give me second to yell.
00:18:44
Speaker
you
00:18:46
Speaker
We turn around. we Yeah, we turn as we go to that first passenger car that we still heard the scream. Was once a slaughter. Exactly. ah Yeah, you enter the first passenger car and you see ah some people chatting and they look up and like, with are you still all demoned out?
00:19:03
Speaker
I think I would be. Like, they they look at you all with a fair amount of like disgust and confusion. And you see a person like hurriedly walk down the aisle and like, I'm so sorry, where is your seat?
00:19:15
Speaker
Move. ah That is very rude. i yes We're trying to get back to our seat. Nix moves him. can i Can I order a drink? and In your dining car, yes.
00:19:28
Speaker
What if I sludgy some extra gold? I mean, normally people don't say it, they just do it. Oh, well then never mind, you lost our opportunity. good Please go back to your seat.
00:19:42
Speaker
I'd be their guest. As we're walking...
00:19:48
Speaker
We can move past this. When we get to an unoccupied car, as we're walking as walking back, yeah seeing what's going on, think that's when Kaz starts processing out loud. and He's like, what if the whole loop...
00:20:02
Speaker
was outside of time. What if that conductor was who we started the trip with and now that we've we're out of the loop, it's back to the way... like The whole thing was outside of time. Does that make sense?
00:20:14
Speaker
Well, okay. ah Curiosity then. yeah Is Nick still wounded? Yes. okay and Do I still have a lockbox? Yes.
00:20:27
Speaker
Hey guys, should i try to open this? think you should put it under your... Jacket or something. Done. Yeah. that Yeah. Done. Yeah. I was going to say yes, but maybe not on the train. Grub nodded with. sleep Wait till we get off the train. We can investigate that.
00:20:43
Speaker
Oh, it's music. We don't going to open. I don't know who it belongs to. So but it might be mine. and That just occurred to me. This might be mine.
00:20:57
Speaker
yeah I don't know what that means. would that be the case? Well, we won by me getting it. Right, but... Why? Sister, if I had any idea how to answer that question.
00:21:09
Speaker
And I'm very sorry i spoke familiarly with you. Because all of this happened so quickly back to back to back, although in our timeline there was like a month in between us recording. Valk, when you had the vision of older Kaz.
00:21:22
Speaker
That's what I was looking for. He was wearing like heraldry on his chest. ah The same markings are on the top of the lockbox that matt matched his heraldry. Yeah, that's exactly what I was looking for, actually.
00:21:34
Speaker
So Valk is going to I'm assuming at some point has taken a peek at the lockbox. And as we're walking back, it's just going to say this.
00:21:45
Speaker
ah I didn't mention this before because I'm quite used to things happening out of space and time. This is not the first time I have seen you as an adult of some kind, even within this recent month.
00:22:05
Speaker
I was going to tell you. Eventually. um But I can tell you that box is yours. You you were wearing the same emblem on that.
00:22:20
Speaker
The crest on the box on your clothing. But it was earlier. It was like a split. There was glitching and there split frames. And I saw you there.
00:22:36
Speaker
But that is definitely yours. Also, you really like shooting pine needles, but I felt like that was just kind of you being a little troublemaker in in the moment.
00:22:49
Speaker
Yeah, don't what that means. Yeah, just I guess you really like pine needles. Guys, don't worry. That's why I wasn't going to mention it yet. The rest of it makes some sense. doesn that Something that you would put together, though, about eight know it may not be that the lockbox is his, but it's like knights would wear heraldry of their lord or lady. yeah So, like, it's at least something associated with Kaz. Yeah.
00:23:15
Speaker
You can claim it's yours. Legally. Vox said I could claim it's mine, so But don't open it yet. As you all continuing to walk, you reach your... we pass a washroom? Sure, yeah.
00:23:27
Speaker
Nyx is gonna go in there. Okay. and the I'm just gonna shake off. Like a dog. and As y'all are waiting for Nyx in the washroom, Grubb looks at Kaz and points to the lockbox and like...
00:23:43
Speaker
You have to say out loud what you're doing. um He grub gestures of himself and then like holds his hands out for the lock box and like. Closes his fingers like wait, like that, come on, give me like I can do it.
00:23:56
Speaker
I have a feeling I would never see it again. i I can do it. but I don't think I'm quite ready to give Grub the lockbox. Grub rolls his eyes and then goes back into his papoose.
00:24:08
Speaker
Zelena gives Grub a little treat to make him feel better. and reach up I mean, I'm right. Zelena, I'm right on this one. I didn't say you were wrong. I just didn't want him to be sad. Whatever means they're available, Nyx washes the blood off of herself. There's a precedent. Prestidigitation stone. Yeah. And waits for the adrenaline to leave her system so that she looks more... What she hopes is more herself. Yeah. She worries that it's working the other way.
00:24:37
Speaker
But... And then comes back out. Okay. As y'all reach your car that your tickets are for... You wounded him permanently. Did you know that?
00:24:49
Speaker
We all have been wounded permanently. No, you wounded him in a way that stuck. Your wound stuck. The Baron.
00:25:01
Speaker
Yes. His wounds remained with him. Just as your wounds were. But everyone else who was a part of the story, everyone else who was a part of the story regenerated at every reset.
00:25:15
Speaker
I guess, but as someone who was aware of a time loop that's not really any different than us. I suppose. Did any any of the rest of us injure him?
00:25:26
Speaker
Did we damage to him? I mean, did those wounds stay yeah between loops? Okay, that's what I thought. there's That would have been good to know before. Only your wound.
00:25:39
Speaker
I don't particularly fit in time and space correctly, so... Yes, he was very rude about that. Most people are. That's why I don't mention it.
00:25:52
Speaker
Thank you. Thank you.
00:25:56
Speaker
The minister.
00:25:59
Speaker
Um, so as you all reach the car that you all have the tickets for, you see all the familiar faces from the robbery, but they're sitting there very passively. They kind of look up and like, see you all entering and look, look confused as to where you all are coming from. Like why you were up near the front of the train. Yeah. Did they all see us get up and panic run to the back?
00:26:18
Speaker
um I mean, nobody's out to do any questions or anything. Notably, the one guy does not have a broken nose um or a bitten-in-two shoulder. So, yeah, you all are able to return to your seats.
00:26:28
Speaker
I guess there's no good reason to go to the cargo area, right? No. Uh-uh. Am I supposed to put this back? No. six Hold on to it. Okay. As far as I know, it wasn't there when we started the journey.
00:26:41
Speaker
Oh, that was my thing. Yeah. It all changed. Right.
00:26:47
Speaker
Okay.
00:26:51
Speaker
We need to have a real talk about whether or not I open this box because I want to so bad. When we're not on the train. When we're off the train. Okay. Okay. We can find somewhere where there are not a lot of people because we don't know what's in it.
00:27:05
Speaker
And we don't know how you're going to react to it. I don't know. or Or how it's going to react to being open. If this is out of the Feywild, it may have a mind of its own. You've all made some very good points.
00:27:19
Speaker
Would you like me to hold it? I would like to counterpoint that with I really, really want to open this box. Would you like me to hold it? Okay, but don't open it. I will not. look Nick puts it in the satchel next to the compass.
00:27:29
Speaker
Okay.
00:27:33
Speaker
I think i i i mean that was a ah decision I made for myself, but I think that Gaz is drawn to opening this box. Yeah. Not magically. He's just ah dumb kid who has a new box. With unknown things inside of it.
00:27:47
Speaker
Can I roll get my spell back? yeah yeah Yeah, you all can do the post-combat quick rest, spend any recoveries you want, roll recharge.
00:27:58
Speaker
Yeah, got down to four hit points at one point. know That is what I'm talking about.
00:28:09
Speaker
um When do we regain recoveries?
00:28:14
Speaker
Um, at long rest. arc and what arc Okay. So we're just constantly counting. Right. Well, i'm down to five but when you get a full rest, that also counts. Yeah. Yeah. So that is what one, the once per arc stuff is per full rest. It's like every three to four combat encounters, that thing is generally speaking.
00:28:33
Speaker
Um, do we have any idea how much longer this is now? yeah did Did it restart us? i I don't know. At this point, I have... we You all are in the countryside of Breland.
00:28:49
Speaker
You are not near Vataron. It seems like you hit a certain point in your journey and then you would just clip back to the same spot and this time you just like kept on... I mean, you all... Whoever wants to can give me an intelligence check to try to figure out what the heck just happened.
00:29:07
Speaker
I will try. I'll try. and and i yeah I really want to know. 21. 21.
00:29:15
Speaker
twenty one twenty one So, Selina, as you're looking out the window and thinking about it, you get a sense of deja vu as, no. Don't you dare. Fillable leave. Fillable drive next to Texas right now.
00:29:33
Speaker
You're pretty confident that probably what happened is that there is, to some level, ah manifest zone to Thelanus. Mm-hmm. along this train track and perhaps just this time of year or the presence of somebody with a strong tie to Thelanus caused the Manifest Zone to be more prominent and you all got caught in a story loop which is something that can happen when the plane of Thelanus is too influential with the material plane.
00:30:06
Speaker
So you think that's probably what happened. And the story that occurred was strongly influenced due to probably Kaz, given how everyone was pointing to him as being participant in the story.
00:30:19
Speaker
So if you all weren't here, Something like this might have happened, but it may have been a completely different story related to someone else that may have had some kind of connection to Thelanus or just a random story.
00:30:31
Speaker
And it it would be entirely possible that if you all weren't here, this train would be caught in an endless loop. Like something like that could potentially happen as you're thinking about it. And that fills you with a little bit of dread.
00:30:42
Speaker
So... Great. I'm going to share that information with the group so everybody knows. So everyone else can be burdened. Exactly. If we weren't here to stop it, it could have been an endless loop. Thank goodness we were here.
00:30:53
Speaker
and so That's what we're feeling about this, right? Sure. Yep. Okay. Well, also because it seems like you were the only ones aware that you were in a loop. So these people might have just been caught a loop and not aware for 30,000 years.
00:31:06
Speaker
I mean, someone would have noticed that the train didn't. Yeah, eventually. yeah sure Or another train would ah arrive on the same track. Yeah. yeah Yeah.
00:31:18
Speaker
love how Vout can take an unsettling situation and make it worse. The next train is barreling towards them and all of a sudden in front of them. fifty You get real lucky with the loot.
00:31:29
Speaker
Yeah. It could happen.
00:31:34
Speaker
Okay, so we're on the train now, and still and but the train's farther than we've ever gone before. Heading to Star Lasker. yeah Anything else that you all would like to do? um No.
00:31:49
Speaker
Sleep. Discuss. Share. There's not it internet in Eberron that I can start Googling things about the Lonets, right? so Yeah, unfortunately. have to wait until get around my books that I love so much.
00:32:00
Speaker
um Okay, so...
00:32:05
Speaker
um As you all are making your journey to Star Lasker. And we... I'm not necessarily going to implement it right here and now, but something that we did campaign one that Philip brought my attention to that would be useful for situations like this was the concept... And Jeff, you probably remember this too.
00:32:22
Speaker
concept of the hot seat, where basically there would be like some kind of question related to your backstory or something that but one person gets put in the hot seat and like answers it. And it's just supposed to like... convey when you all are sitting on a 12 hour train, not right. Obviously you would not sit there in silence. Like you would have conversations, talk about who you are, your past, things like that. Things would come up.
00:32:43
Speaker
And so just to kind of like reflect that trickle of information, both for the audience and for you all as players, learning about each other's characters is kind of be, yeah, it was, we put one of us in the hot seat and each other character got to ask them a question. That's what it is. Yes, right. So Valk, absolutely. What's in silence for 12 hours. is this So we're doing that or sure. Let's do it.
00:33:07
Speaker
Valk, you understand amazing. We were sitting in silence for 12 hours. Play the game, Mia.
00:33:17
Speaker
So, who would like to ask Mia a question about Valk?
00:33:24
Speaker
I told you. I told you. Huh. don't even know what we know about Valk.
00:33:33
Speaker
Valk has frequently mentioned someone she worked for or with right before it's seemingly her previous employment.
00:33:44
Speaker
Yeah. um Technically. At some point along the way, nix would have asked, who is this person you worked for before? um
00:33:57
Speaker
She's a very strong sorceress.
00:34:03
Speaker
I'm afraid if I say her name, she will... Appear. Appear. I'm almost confident she constantly knows where I am. I don't think I'm even technically out of employment. It's more of...
00:34:21
Speaker
Her toy ran away.
00:34:25
Speaker
Nix does not press that. nix Yeah, for some reasons, Nix does not press that.
00:34:35
Speaker
Who would like to go next?
00:34:39
Speaker
I mean, Kaz has one. It is as blood as you would expect from it. Where'd you learn to do this stuff? I've never seen anything like this before. It's wild. and then Who taught you how to do this?
00:34:53
Speaker
I was not taught. What does that mean? I wasn't i wasn't taught. Are you like me? You just woke up and could do it one day, but you seem to have a lot more control over it No.
00:35:07
Speaker
Um...
00:35:12
Speaker
I was tasked to enter a place, and I do not like to recall what happened there. But I came back changed and aware. I was always able to do magic, but...
00:35:31
Speaker
It's unpleasant.
00:35:36
Speaker
And then he just stops and just stares off. We can come back to it. I get it He's not responding. Yeah, don't forget. I think I broke about what you got to ask your question. That's okay.
00:35:50
Speaker
You can still ask. This might take him second. yeah Maybe I think the last turn.
00:36:00
Speaker
Yeah, the question part can be harder. That's for sure. Vox like jostle back. It's going to have to be deep. I don't like where I went. just
00:36:20
Speaker
What's your favorite color? I'm just kidding.
00:36:27
Speaker
I am draped in purple. Wonderful.
00:36:33
Speaker
I do not like blue. Oh, interesting. Is there a reason?
00:36:40
Speaker
Yes.
00:36:45
Speaker
Hey, Val, why don't you like blue? yeah
00:36:50
Speaker
She likes that color. Ah, understood.
00:36:56
Speaker
That is her color. We all have colors. That's her color.
00:37:03
Speaker
With that answer, just...
00:37:09
Speaker
We all... Okay.
00:37:12
Speaker
Cool. We as in, not you. We as my past associates have colors.
00:37:23
Speaker
What?
00:37:30
Speaker
That's enough of that, because I'm pretty sure she's going to... She's probably like sneezing or something. Okay, so you all arrive at Star Lasker.
00:37:42
Speaker
You all depart from the train. Everything seems perfectly normal. A lot less security at this train station, because obviously they a border check at Vatheron. And you all are preparing to hit the road to Are you all going to try to buy passage to Pella's Watch? Are you going to walk? Walking is going to take fair amount of time. What does buying passage look like? What does that?
00:38:07
Speaker
A hippogriff. Hello. You all... Well, success. I have to... You know what... So there are, you know, taking a lightning rail is not the cheapest means of transport. So there are like wagons and stuff like that, that make the trip between Stars Lasker and Bathuron that can drop you off at least on the road that goes into Pella's watch, make it little bit quicker.
00:38:33
Speaker
That would cost you a couple of silver each just to get passage onto. stagecoach basically. Yeah. And I'm supposed to meet someone somewhere. So that would be the stagecoach ride would be a good.
00:38:44
Speaker
I think that's here in Star Lasker. Yes.
00:38:48
Speaker
that That is coming. I just want to know what your your plan is. I want to make sure that plan jives with that. yeah stage Stagecoach sounds reasonable. Yeah, sounds good to me. Can I sit up with the driver for a little while? Are you all immediately hopping in the stagecoach? Isn't it like night?
00:39:04
Speaker
So, yeah, it is... I think we were in touch to arrive at Star Lasker at night night. It feels like it's been several days for us. I think we need to sleep. true I don't want to sleep anymore.
00:39:19
Speaker
Like ever? but Well, sleeping is is fun, but I've been in a loop of reawakening. Yeah.
00:39:29
Speaker
I'll do your thing where I sit on the floor in front of a door. All right. have a sword. I'll sleep.
00:39:38
Speaker
said Well, let's find it let's find an inn. So you're going to find a place to go. I think so. Yeah. Okay. So you all spot
00:39:48
Speaker
You all spot a tavern called the Gilded Griffin that you all can head to. like something was gilded before. I mean, there are only so many words in the English language. and And those guys loved gilding things. So you all see, it's a sturdy three-story building, yellowstone, dark timber.
00:40:05
Speaker
As you all enter, you see a large common room with a large hearth, bunch of comfortable seating areas. um And you see a large, like...
00:40:17
Speaker
it's it's mechanical without being automata it's like the visage of a griffin made out of like various scrap metal and stuff like that that has obviously been gilded you see a human tending the bar as you all walk in kind of gives you a nod and just kind of shouts over the general din of conversation like find a seat where have
00:40:43
Speaker
And yeah, you all able to find a seat easily enough. The bartender walks over. This isn't a super large tavern. Doesn't seem to be any wait staff. The bartender just walks out from behind the bar and walks up and is like, how are you all doing today?
00:40:58
Speaker
ah Please let that be Nix's laugh. It's not that jovial, but I think probably there probably is beat in Nix.
00:41:12
Speaker
We've had a very long day. Fair enough. Well, hopefully can make it a little bit easier. What can I get for you? Do you have any specials? I do, Lill.
00:41:26
Speaker
I am almost as glad as Eric is glad that you are here to ask that question. um We have a winter salad right now that is quite good, a harvest moon soup, a sausage platter, and an apple cider mule that is quite tasty.
00:41:44
Speaker
Those our specials though. We have the standard fare though of stew, border pie, herb crusted chicken. if That sounds good. I like our dinner plan. I'll take the chicken. Likewise.
00:42:00
Speaker
And the apple cider mule. All right. And we also have just standard ales as well. If you like, we have a golden griffin ale, ah stout, a brown,
00:42:15
Speaker
I'll take the sausage platter. All right. What's a drink? Young man? Yeah. Give me IPAs.
00:42:24
Speaker
There's no there's no nature. is a
00:42:30
Speaker
ZPA. It's is a Largo Paleo. Yeah. ah i I can get you something. that Something hoppy.
00:42:40
Speaker
Yeah. You went from first drink to to beer bro. Awaken to something latent within him from his days in the face. You want to find one from a silly from a like like a local craft brewery? now Yeah.
00:42:54
Speaker
Water. Water? Alright. For you?
00:43:00
Speaker
I'll just do the chicken and water. chicken and water all righty i'll be right back and nix you can tell as he walks away just your general lens of the world he has a ah limp that he obviously has grown acclimated to but you you can tell it like in his attire and his posture he's probably a soldier that is no longer out in the field um who runs this tavern so yeah You all, nothing eventful happens in the tavern.
00:43:35
Speaker
ah You all are able to rent a room from the proprietor. The last thing we want is something eventful, Eric. And as you all are eating, you, everyone give me a wisdom check to notice something. Sorry, I was promised no events.
00:43:53
Speaker
don't That's not. 14. 24. 24. fourteen twenty four 16, eight, eight. Valk, you see a older looking half elf woman sitting at a table kind of across the way who has a drink in her hand and she is staring at Kaz with kind of a furrowed brow, like,
00:44:19
Speaker
and she'll like take a sip and like look away, like thoughtfully, and then like look back up at Kaz. Like, almost like she's trying to place him somewhere. Like, she recognizes him.
00:44:31
Speaker
We may have another situation with Kaz. Someone is... There's a woman, half-elf. Very, very obviously staring him down.
00:44:44
Speaker
Confused. Some sort of fey sorceress. Man, is it the lady hag of some kind? There's a part of that's Kaz, and I go, what? What? ah But I don't think he's going to.
00:44:59
Speaker
Kaz, do you look like try to like look over at her? Or or do you just unabashedly turn and stare? I am not cool. What? Where? I think before he... Yes, I think so. I think he just turns her around to to look at what Val is talking about.
00:45:13
Speaker
Okay. As you whip around, the woman obviously sees Kaz begin to like turn and look at her. So you see her kind of glance away. You recognize this woman immediately. You recognize her as Marina Veldorin, who was a
00:45:30
Speaker
a fairly wealthy merchant and investor that would come around your dad's shop a lot. Um,
00:45:42
Speaker
So yeah, you see she's a very elegant looking half-elf woman with silver streaked auburn hair, um styled very well, wearing like, obviously like superior quality clothing, not flashy, but unmistakably expensive.
00:45:58
Speaker
And you see that she has a golden chain around her neck and a variety of rings on her fingers. Um, and,
00:46:10
Speaker
Yeah, that's like you you, but you immediately recognize her, although she looks a couple decades older than the last time you saw her. I think I am able to control myself from immediately whipping around away from her, but I kind of slowly turn back to the table like, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.
00:46:28
Speaker
She knows me. I know her. I don't know what, she's not seen me since I came back. Is that your girlfriend? She's like a thousand years old. Oh. I don't know.
00:46:38
Speaker
You were also looking like a thousand year old in the you yeah she makes a give time stuff. i don't really know. Oh, she used to work with my dad. She might still work with my dad. I don't know, but like her name's Marina Van Velderen.
00:46:52
Speaker
And when did she work with your dad? The last time I saw my dad. So like 20 of your earth years ago. Ever out of years. But... so 20 years ago.
00:47:04
Speaker
We have session. I know how long I was gone, right? We were able to do some math. to do like I didn't know we knew that. I knew that. I figured I'd... I thought I had shared it with you guys at some point. I didn't think our characters knew that. Okay.
00:47:15
Speaker
Because you you have always talked about it exclusively with Javier. I guess that's true. guess that's true. Okay. Crash, real quick. Okay.
00:47:27
Speaker
I, you been um you know how like i was really interested in this because that I've lost his name now. Who are we working for right now? Who knows? Barnaby. oh barn Barnaby. Barnaby Finch. Like is missing some time.
00:47:39
Speaker
I'm also missing some time. I fell asleep about 20 years ago and then I woke up right before we all met. And I ah didn't age any. That's why I look like this.
00:47:50
Speaker
I have to have said something about this to one of you people at some point. Maybe Selena? Maybe? i I don't know. i I guess I haven't done it on mic. You definitely haven't done it on mic. I don't think so. That's so funny.
00:48:04
Speaker
It's always been with Javier. You always like linger around and and have quiet conversations with Javier. You do mumble into books. Well, I can't. I knew you were really interested in like recent current events, but we just thought you were kind of nerd. I don't know what happened to me. I just know that I don't know what has happened for the last 20 years because I've been gone for 20 years, but I was 16 when I left and I'm 16 now.
00:48:32
Speaker
I can't believe I haven't had a conversation about this with any of you. They're still fighting. That's what's been going on. Yeah. they they They weren't fighting. or They had just started fighting, right? but i just i thought this The nine eighty s they started fighting 80 years ago. yeah okay i was under the impression that I had missed you miss like the Warforge and stuff. The later aspects of the war. okay but I picked up on that they're still fighting.
00:48:57
Speaker
um That woman used Warburg with my dad. you Did you just skip or did you go somewhere?
00:49:07
Speaker
I don't know. Right. Well, that person seems to have known you. who That would seem to shed some light on that situation. No?
00:49:19
Speaker
yeah and I can't go over there. she can't know. No, no. The Baron. Oh, him. Yeah. He knows a lot, apparently. He keeps calling me Harold. And I don't. see Both Kaz and Jeff know.
00:49:31
Speaker
What's that? Suggesting that... That you went somewhere. You went somewhere. Again, we're somewhat successful. Did you have these powers before this? Or is this new since you woke up?
00:49:45
Speaker
I feel like that one I have said, that this is the powers are all very good. I think that's what Nix was weird about me. No, woke up one day. Would Val the not be able to just confirm that?
00:49:58
Speaker
That he went somewhere else? How? Because any time, like with the magic in the forest, I'm seeing glimpses, and that's from time and space. Well, I did. So...
00:50:10
Speaker
to so I would, it would be fair to assume that you have existed in a different time space. Wait, I went somewhere and I got old and I came back?
00:50:21
Speaker
Was he old or just old? He was old. He was kind of a wrinkly guy. man, I don't think you're wrinkly. just I think most humans get wrinkly.
00:50:32
Speaker
You've seen him in two different age ranges also. Yeah. Yeah. Huh. First time with the pine trees, you were super wrinkly. but were having fun with it.
00:50:45
Speaker
Not that bonus. Kicky kind of fun, kind of wrinkly. So do you feel 16?
00:50:53
Speaker
Internally, like you you i feel you don't feel like you missed any time. No, I feel the same way I did the last time brian but when everything was normal. Except for, haven't really talked. ah The magic doesn't hurt me, right? Like when the tentacle shoots out of me, it just happens and I'm fine, right? Yeah.
00:51:12
Speaker
Yeah, no, I feel I just can do this now and I don't really know the strength or scope of what this is. The tentacle thing happens a lot, and every once a while, one of us grows a new part. step Yes.
00:51:23
Speaker
Oh, and the flying. oh God, the flying. Do we need a rope? If could do that on purpose, it would be really excellent. If I could do any of it on purpose, it'd be pretty great, Nix. I don't...
00:51:38
Speaker
As much as I would love to sit these here, he says, if you please yeah i spear I spear a sausage on my fork. We ordered multiple whole chickens.
00:51:51
Speaker
i It didn't seem like it was, ah it doesn't say whole chicken. Yeah, how many sausages do I have on this platter? Was this a platter for many? I knew that platter was going to die.
00:52:03
Speaker
I mean, it it is a... Is it party platter? It is three varieties of smoked sausages with sauerkraut, mustard, and dark bread. Well, we didn't mention eating on the train, so we may be just really hungry. Yeah. Ravenous. Yeah.
00:52:16
Speaker
Well, I guess, I mean, you guys are welcome to some sausage. if Also, the herb crust and chicken isn't a whole chicken. It's like chicken breast. Okay. god to We're still welcome to a sausage, I suppose. I think he... What are we talking about? Your backstory. Right.
00:52:30
Speaker
I would love to talk more about this with all of you, but right now I need to know what I'm supposed to do when this lady comes over here and says, Hey, Kat! Is she going to say, Hey, Kat? Well, okay, fair enough. Is she going to come over?
00:52:42
Speaker
She's only been staring at you. She's been clocking me... I'm not going to go over there, so if she wants to have the conversation, it's going to be. Are you ready for your family to hear that you're back? I think is the question. I know what the i you i don't i have to figure out what's going on first. i Do you have any cousins?
00:53:00
Speaker
So many cousins. Pick one of their names. um Do I know anything? you have a younger cousin? A cousin who would... do you have Did you have a younger cousin? I know some of their names.
00:53:11
Speaker
Old of these. No, just kidding. Fantasy name you have a younger cousin? Yes. Who would now be in this reasonable... It would be reasonable, would be in his late teens? Well, he would have been born yet.
00:53:24
Speaker
I don't remember having a pregnant cousin who told me the name of the kid they were about to have. That's for sure. But I think I'm big enough I could make one up. Fair enough. So.
00:53:35
Speaker
Yeah, I'm just going to say one of Orin's kids. You see the woman stand up and begin walking over to your table. Yeah. My dad had a brother who was younger than him named Orin. Got it. I'm one of Orin's kids and my name is.
00:53:46
Speaker
What was your dad's name? Did we ever let anyone down? I think so. What was it? It wasn't my backstory. Yeah. But I need her dad.
00:54:02
Speaker
right i swear because you had to look you had to tell javier to be able to see that's right i did make up a name to did you give a name or did you say like might have just said the job mean it's panarius like i know his last name i ever just said panarius in right um lazlo i think it's works with That's a pretty good name. Yeah, Lazlo is good.
00:54:26
Speaker
Lazlo and Casimir. Yeah, this feels like... Very eccentric family. No linguistic line here.
00:54:35
Speaker
We'll get corrected in Discord. It's true. Wait, wait, wait. Yeah, I just have Kaz's mom and dad. Okay, let's say I'm through the grab with Lazlo, Penarius. He's my dad. um All right, the woman... and My mom's name's Clementine.
00:54:47
Speaker
Walks over, says Pardon me. May I borrow you for a moment? Where do you want to take me? Just over to my table. You understand?
00:55:00
Speaker
No. Nope. We don't let teenagers roam with random adults.
00:55:09
Speaker
You're free to join us. like I think I got... You guys just hang here. It's okay. And I'm going to go over to her table. So he smiles as Cass stands up, aroused suspicion. Send the raccoon. I was about to check on if I can send him. She gestures to a chair at the table and sits down and she looks at you for a moment.
00:55:34
Speaker
Are you related to Laszlo Panarius by any chance? I'm definitely, yeah, I'm related to some Panarius. I, yeah, I think so. i think that's like my dad's uncle or something.
00:55:47
Speaker
Charisma check. Okay. To lie. Yeah, I need to be a big old liar. Grubb can only go once a day to scout. Did that reset in the time loop? Did that really count as a day though? Can I just bring Grubb with me? Yeah, he doesn't have to scout. He's just there to listen.
00:56:05
Speaker
What do Charisma check? Yeah. Privilege Mischief? Sure.
00:56:11
Speaker
only we forget and Okay, that's 19 on the die, so like 26. 26. Okay. You have striking resemblance for someone of such distant relation.
00:56:27
Speaker
Well, genetics, what do you know? Yeah, you know, you you hear that story all the time. Cousins, distant cousins, identical cousins. They walk alike, they talk alike. Identical cousins, interesting. Tell me more about that.
00:56:39
Speaker
It happens. That's all I know. and That's more, yeah. It happens. I haven't really done research on it. I just, I don't, I mean, are you saying I look like this Lysol guy?
00:56:52
Speaker
Uh, yes, remarkably so. You actually look like his son that I knew quite some time ago. Let's see. My dad's uncle's son would be, is that second cousin? Third cousin? I don't remember how it's one over and two down or one down and two over. You talk as much as he did too.
00:57:09
Speaker
I talk when I'm nervous and I don't know you, ma'am. Interesting. And I think at that point I look at the rings on her hands. So maybe that might give her some idea of why I might be nervous to talk to her. Like, ah Tenarius knows about the Aurum.
00:57:26
Speaker
Yeah. And she kind of smiles and says, oh, don't, don't be worried about that, dear. So when's the last time that you were in Roat to see Fadney?
00:57:38
Speaker
Oh, I haven't been to Roat. We went when I was a kid, some, but we live out in, boy, I'm, I mean, I'm from there. i missed Marsh.
00:57:49
Speaker
Sure. But we live out Miss Marsh. So I don't get there very often. i mean, I've been how provincial. like to Yes, i and I often think there must be more.
00:58:04
Speaker
As my neighbor scarves his eggs every morning. Well, that's too bad. I was hoping to get in contact with somebody closer to Laszlo, but if that's not to you, then that's fine.
00:58:17
Speaker
Here's the deal, Jeff. This is your contact that you manifested to. I know, I know, I know. about pells watch so I know, I know. I'm trying to figure out how to... I don't want to tell her that I'm him, but I got to get around to...
00:58:27
Speaker
Awfully long way from mismatch. Thank you. Yeah, we, I'm working with this crew here, there. Well, I'm, I'm kind of an apprentice, but we're on our way to a place called Peller's watch.
00:58:40
Speaker
Pellers watch. Is that what it is? Yes. Okay. Yeah. Barnaby's accent makes it Peller. I know. Pellers watch. wow
00:58:51
Speaker
To what's in? Um,
00:58:55
Speaker
I'm just there to, I kind of go for and get things for everybody. So I don't know all the ins and outs, but I guess we're just there to kind of go and visit, figure what's going on there. I don't really know. I, we've been told that people are acting different than they used to.
00:59:11
Speaker
And the guy that we work for is interested in, how can I say this? Phenomena. Yeah. Phenomenon anomalies. Is that, did I say that right?
00:59:22
Speaker
Phenomenon anomalies. Phenomenon anomalies. Anomalies of phenomena. Dude. He's twisting in the wind. And so. Grub's not scouting. Grub is watching and just going. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. um And so we're going to kind of just talk to people and see what's going on there. I i guess.
00:59:46
Speaker
Just talk to people and see what's going on there. That's all I'm supposed to do. Interested. Why? and so's a flip but
00:59:58
Speaker
So are you close enough with the rest of your family to share in, don't know, the bigger goings on with things that would have happened with Laszlo and his wife Clementine Littol?
01:00:14
Speaker
And I'm not sure how close you are in terms of communication. No, I haven't heard anything about my... No? What's going on? Oh, just... I mentioned that you reminded me of Laszlo's son, and he tragically went missing some odd 20 years ago.
01:00:29
Speaker
yeah I mean, that's... I've heard about my like second cousin or whatever that's been gone. ah That's, you know, before I was born, but... but That was their son. Okay, okay.
01:00:40
Speaker
Maybe that's why that name seems so familiar. Yes. The tragedy of Laszlo. That's what we call it. Down the dinner table. We talk. When we sing the song. When the songs were written.
01:00:55
Speaker
You seem awfully nervous. i I'm sorry. I just...
01:01:03
Speaker
I'm new to this outfit and you wear well. Thanks. Thanks. thanks yeah No, no, it's him. And I went to the other table and ah they i don't, I'm not, I don't have the skills. I seem very reticent to have you come talk to me.
01:01:19
Speaker
So they, I'm just the gopher and they're the ones with the skills and they kind of, they protect me and they help take care of me. And so I'm sometimes like, do you need protection? Sometimes we end up in places that are scarier than I'd like them to be.
01:01:33
Speaker
It doesn't sound like you enjoy this job. um'm look I'm getting into it.
01:01:39
Speaker
so yeah yes ah If you all, and she kind of looks around you to the table. Are you all watching this interaction? i'm Absolutely.
01:01:50
Speaker
am I doing? She kind of leans around Kaz and like looks at you all and sees Selina staring and then... Because i was going to go back and get a sausage and try to fill you guys in and then come back to the table. If you want to buy some chicken.
01:02:06
Speaker
We're just eating the chicken. ah The two that said no to you coming over here do not seem that concerned with the fact that you want to hear it with me. I think they've let me make my choice. Well, I had quite a few dealings with your family in the past, and i consider myself a family friend, especially to those that reside in Roat. I don't have much need to go to Miss March ever.
01:02:30
Speaker
I get it. like awful. I'm never going to get a lightning round soon. so So, um, ruin all the local business. Worst cops. Next thing you know, the golden dragon will be there. Little restaurants will be gone.
01:02:45
Speaker
I'm, I'm always interested in as you say it, gophers, apprentices, interns to help me with my dealings and negotiations. And while she would have some work to do in terms of being president of negotiation table, I'm always looking to bring people an employ and relations of the Penarius family are always, ah I'm always open to helping.
01:03:10
Speaker
Susanna.
01:03:14
Speaker
i just want to hear What does that mean? I'm so confused today. think you're being offered a job. I am being offered a job. This is where you get put on the board of some business because you have a last name that's useful. is A real Nepo baby. We're
01:03:31
Speaker
being invited to stop being an adventurer and become a Nepo baby. I know. And we never see Kaz again. i was going to say something like this is there's a really comfortable life. This job's part of my training I need to complete for my education. i can't really leave it in the middle of this to go work for somebody else. I hope you understand. What's education?
01:03:50
Speaker
You know, school. say High school. I'm 16. Like the local school. this Missed March. Go. Go out there. It's the exchange program.
01:04:01
Speaker
I cannot say. Say it's Forest High School, resoundingly That is not a thing. I know. I know. I know. I mean, there'd be some sort of
01:04:13
Speaker
of... Old Nan's finishing school for for youngsters in Misfar. I forgot about her. ah
01:04:25
Speaker
I offer you a different education. I am a former lucrative.
01:04:30
Speaker
And safer. And she like leans over again and looks at Vapsalena and Nyx. Oh, they're great. What's Acheron doing? They're safe. Oh, yeah. got We got a dragon and this weird rat.
01:04:44
Speaker
What? Oh, what is it? What's grub? Raccoon. Kaz has never seen a raccoon before. and This huge rat. I don't know. Groves hears and just gives him a thumbs down. With thumbs. Importantly.
01:05:00
Speaker
Nyx is is not is very very clearly not watching the conversation, but is definitely paying attention to everything that's happening over there while she eats. What's Acheron doing?
01:05:12
Speaker
Oh, probably watching really aggressively. Akron's probably like up in the rafters at this point, ah staring down with just little beady glowing eyes. What did she say? I'm going to try to steer the conversation back to Pella's watch. What did she say when I said that we were going there? She kind of gave me a little.
01:05:33
Speaker
She made mention of how it's a little seedy, right? Yeah, I mean, she... i mean, yeah. how How do you divert it back to Pillow's Watch? I'm going to say, well, you know, I'm kind of in the middle of this internship. I'm, you know kind of thinking about an adventurer's path. But what what was it you said? I said we were going to Pillow's Watch, and you said something... Oh, I mean, a little off-putting.
01:05:53
Speaker
Well, it's a terrible place, at least was a terrible place. I've heard that it's kind of turned turn itself around. Yes, that's where we're going. Yes, that... Yes, it was... Wait, what? it It became less terrible, and that's why we need to go there? Yeah.
01:06:05
Speaker
Back up. Why would you need to go there if it was a less terrible? Adventurers were seeking out trouble. I'm with you. I think. Nice. I am also with them, importantly, with them.
01:06:17
Speaker
um I think that's the thing is the recent change in the temperament of the people is why we're going there.
01:06:27
Speaker
And yeah, i I had heard that it went from bad to better, but it's the fact that there was the change that concerns us. What have you heard about it? I mean, i had heard that it was place not really worth much other than some ne'er-do-wells and smugglers and things of that nature. Nothing really worth strong appraisal in terms of Townsgo near a military base.
01:06:51
Speaker
So once again, not too many things worth much there. but um Am I gathering that that the great wealth of the individuals is not common knowledge?
01:07:03
Speaker
Um, it's, it's more like whether not it's a good place to do business. Sure. Sure. Okay. So I heard recently that they have started cleaning up the crime problem in the town, being far more philanthropic, helping less fortunate, which, you know, is a wonderful way to make your money work for you.
01:07:25
Speaker
Um,
01:07:28
Speaker
This new mayor, Jim Johnson, apparently is a squeaky clean, and suspiciously so, individual. um Those are things I primarily heard. Now, there are some associates of mine that have taken the change in stride and are considering investing there and trying to set up some businesses or other ventures in a town that is much more acclimated to behaving.
01:07:57
Speaker
Really? Did she tell me her name? Because I definitely don't want to do a say it without her having told me. and She has not told you her name. Okay. Miss... I'm sorry, what's your name? um My name is Miss Veldren.
01:08:10
Speaker
Right. Miss Veldren. And i i have a I had a picture of the new mayor, right? Yes, from the newspaper. I'm just going Are you... Are are you British?
01:08:22
Speaker
Yes, I am. Is it just me or is this guy like really off-putting? And I show the picture of this like, brellish, brellish. Yeah. The platonic form of a brellish man. Yeah. And that's got to be weird. So I was like, does this guy seem weird to you?
01:08:38
Speaker
don't know. I mean, he seems like the most boring individual imaginable. Just nothing. Yes, it seems to be somebody completely devoid of character.
01:08:49
Speaker
Not moral character, but like anything that makes someone person. Something defining about this. Yeah, that's, it's just very weird. Someone you might forget the second you stop. I'm picturing like Argyle sweater vest. I don't know why, because that is actually an affectation. So there needs to be something more bland than that.
01:09:06
Speaker
I think I kind of gesture to my group behind me. I'm like, well, I'm not much for bland, you can see. um Indeed. Ms. Veldren, I appreciate that you were willing to take a chance on me based on my family.
01:09:17
Speaker
That makes me happy to know that my family has good standing still. I mean, that makes me happy know that my family has good standing everywhere. And if it's okay with you, i think I'd like to go back to my... I didn't learn a thing. I don't know what else to ask, man.
01:09:32
Speaker
Ask me something. like This is your um' just trying connection. Okay. And at this point I'm going to drop, I'm not dropping pretense, but like you clearly know.
01:09:47
Speaker
How can I turn this into learning something about Bella's watch at this point? Cause it doesn't seem like, I mean,
01:09:57
Speaker
Does it seem like she's telling me everything she knows? Do need to do an insight check to see if there's more to the... mean, you know this person. So, like you write like, you know that Marina, like, is a consummate negotiator.
01:10:09
Speaker
Like, she is always somebody looking for the angle, looking for, like, what she can get out of something, what she can offer someone in exchange for more that she can have for herself. Right. Um, and so essentially like, you know, kind of like where Kaz would understand where he's tripped up in this conversation thus far is like, he has brought nothing of value to the table. Right. So she's not willing to like offer anything back.
01:10:38
Speaker
And she tried to put out feelers of like, here are some things I can do for you. What are you willing? But Cass completely shut those down. I'm not good. I'm so so time loop poisoned right now. I can't even wrap my head around other things.
01:10:52
Speaker
And also I'm a dumb guy and having our time navigating the conversation. You're a smart guy. Okay. Um,
01:11:03
Speaker
I think maybe I say what would be some, okay. So if we're going, Hey, Did she do, can i ask her what business she's in? What does she trade in?
01:11:14
Speaker
Yeah, you can ask her. I think, know what I'm going to say? I I'm going to you know, Ms. Veldren, there's a chance that if we can get to the bottom of what's going on in Pella's watch, we can maybe point it in a direction to change or rebuild.
01:11:29
Speaker
Um,
01:11:34
Speaker
it's a strategic location.
01:11:42
Speaker
trying to picture a 16 year old saying this stuff to an adult and making any waves. It's a strategic location. Is there something perhaps that. No.
01:11:55
Speaker
Do I just cut the breakdown to me? Like, I feel like, you know, more than you're saying about this place and we're about to walk into it. What can I, so I would love to learn more about colors watch. Maybe how we can help it with your endeavors in the future.
01:12:11
Speaker
I don't,
01:12:14
Speaker
yeah
01:12:24
Speaker
What do you guys think?
01:12:27
Speaker
come or Or alternatively, what am I missing that's glaring me? Does this need to be about Pella's watch? It's why she was summoned. Yeah, he invoked his icon connection to learn more about Pella's watch through this person.
01:12:42
Speaker
I think I would probably continue down the route of what you were talking about, what her investments are, yeah if they were going to invest in that town. and But she also said that the guy is really weird, so why would you continue to invest?
01:12:56
Speaker
But she was saying that there were some people trying to start negotiations there now, right? What was the last part that she said? She said that some of her associates are considering doing some investments and setting up shop there.
01:13:08
Speaker
um I think I'll say what...
01:13:12
Speaker
Interesting.
01:13:17
Speaker
comfortable making an investment in the town perhaps i could find some information for you and get it to you through my family interesting Well, for one is the stability of the town. When you see whether it's a community, ah group, or an individual go through such a radical change, there's always the thought that, is it going to stick this time?
01:13:37
Speaker
So knowing that this is actually a stable shift in the culture of the town would be something that would long way. There's also
Historical Curiosity in Pella's Watch
01:13:46
Speaker
something that lingering concerns.
01:13:52
Speaker
There was a time when Pella's Watch was known for a cache of
01:14:01
Speaker
unusual items that were found beneath the town that implied a longer history than what the average traveler guide would indicate. So if you were to find yourself poking around pelts... she say when that was? Like on an archaeological scale, longer time?
01:14:19
Speaker
Yeah. Okay. does Just to say when it was that these things were discovered? Like when Pell's Watch was first like getting going. So like probably a couple hundred years. So not not recently as in the the arrival of Jim Johnson. No, no, no.
01:14:32
Speaker
But the other thing Johnson. implying that Jim Johnson would have something weird going on? but I'm not implying that. um You don't realize you've been implying that? You have been implying that. I'm inferring it.
01:14:42
Speaker
ah So if you found yourself in Pillars Watch and could, i don't know, find your way into
01:14:52
Speaker
the hidden corners of the town to see if there's any other lingering notable items or if they've all been Scooped up. That would be something I would also be very interested in knowing.
01:15:02
Speaker
Sure. I do need to ask, because you said this time earlier, are you speaking in the grand scheme of things changing suddenly, or has Pella's watch gone through this before? No, I'm speaking about grandly. Okay.
01:15:14
Speaker
Just making sure, you know. Yes. Yes. Okay. Many friends that have sworn this time it was going to be different. and It was not different. Oh, oh i yeah. I've been burned like this before. I understood.
01:15:25
Speaker
So and there's a there was at one time an archaeological cache of items. Yes. And you would like to know if there are more?
01:15:36
Speaker
Yes.
01:15:41
Speaker
Do you know... of anyone there we could talk to about that or someplace I might. Have you been to pillows watch yourself? Um, give me a charisma check. Sure.
01:15:56
Speaker
Adding any background? Um, anything that would be to like, like persuasion. He liked to commit someone to share information. And there's just a mischief thing. Don't you have like something related to your family though?
01:16:09
Speaker
No, I, I, for a while I had a thing like son of a, Taylor's a print or like son of a Taylor, but I got rid of that for the, yeah. So what are you, what's your, you have two backgrounds of three. They touched privilege mischief. And then that kind of like precocious wisdom for when it has to do with my missing time. Right.
01:16:28
Speaker
Okay. So, all right. So it's a what? It's charisma. Yep.
01:16:36
Speaker
She just kind of smiles at the cat and says, so I have contacts that have been through there. Understood. I just didn't know if you might know a name of somebody that I might be able to talk to once I'm there.
01:16:47
Speaker
My understanding is they're all very amenable right now. So this might be the right time to find stuff out. Um... My understanding is that these things were found underground. So anybody that has access to cellars or potentially mausoleums, things like that would be type of people I would talk to.
01:17:10
Speaker
Kaz does not explain his hesitance to go into another mausoleum right now. But a cellar? Sure. Okay.
01:17:21
Speaker
Okay.
01:17:30
Speaker
and's Trying to think.
01:17:41
Speaker
I don't know where my brain is at, but it's not in the game right now. I'm sorry. don't know what's going on. That time loop. is I'm so focused on Faye Kaz and missing time that I've completely forgotten what we were supposed to be doing on this mission.
01:17:57
Speaker
Figuring something out for Barnaby Filch. Sure. Finch. um
01:18:11
Speaker
We found some things out. Take care of the time. I'm wondering if... Oh, I'm going to chase that. Too much of a while there.
01:18:24
Speaker
How can i make sure that we get some information back to you after I find things out? I mean, i can reach out to my I can reach out to my dad who can reach out to his uncle, hopefully.
01:18:37
Speaker
But is there maybe a surer way? i have i mean i have access to the post once I get back to home base. um She says, I'm based out of Rowat, but if you were to tell me when Miss March, I could always reach out and follow up with you.
01:18:53
Speaker
Or if you're adventuring, Quartiens. I'm not really in Mistmarsh anymore, yeah. Well, where are you all based out of? I'm more than happy to follow up and reach out to you. Save you the trouble.
01:19:06
Speaker
yeah
Adventure Group Dynamics
01:19:08
Speaker
We're in rural Kair. It's a long trip. We've been... it felt like it took days and days for us to get here. Closest to Vatheron. That's the big... That's the town here. Or, no, we're not.
01:19:19
Speaker
Kalazar. Kalazar, yeah, yeah. We're close to Kalazar, if you wanted to put in a word for for us there. ah provincial mismatch child living in Kaia. How interesting.
01:19:32
Speaker
Takes all kinds.
01:19:39
Speaker
It felt so genuine. Just trying to lean on and to phrases he's heard grown-ups say. Living a tiefling, a changeling, and a rainy elf who has not stopped staring at us since you come over here. 601, half a dozen or the other, you know?
01:19:55
Speaker
Just kidding. It doesn't actually do that. Yeah, it's, you know, we just kind of all found each other. Fascinating. Well, if you are, it's all interested.
01:20:10
Speaker
I know adventuring parties oftentimes jump at these kinds of opportunities. When you're done with Pella's Watch, I am in need of services of some adventurers.
01:20:21
Speaker
I mean, yeah, let's, i I think at that point I've got to give her Javier's name, right? Depends. We specialize. i don't know what Javier's job, I don't know what Javier thinks of jobs that are just for cash.
01:20:35
Speaker
Yeah, let me... What... What would Kaz do? If Kaz would give her Javier's name, then give her Javier's name. Mm-hmm. Good.
01:20:48
Speaker
I think Kaz might say, like, we have a pretty particular...
01:20:55
Speaker
I'd just say boss. We have a pretty particular boss about the stuff that he sends us on I've mentioned earlier phenomena and anomalies. We're not really for hire to do jobs, if that makes sense. We are for hire to...
01:21:17
Speaker
suss out problems,
Humor and Personal Anecdotes
01:21:18
Speaker
figure out what why things are being weird. It's difficult for me. I've not sat down and actually thought about what my job entails, so it's hard for me to describe to somebody else right now, if that makes sense.
01:21:30
Speaker
If it doesn't make sense, I can't make it make more sense. Well... This sounds like a very niche operation that you are trying to undertake. And if I know one thing, I know it's that niche operations typically produce little profit. So if you are in need of a influx of operating budget, yeah then I am willing to get some horses.
01:21:58
Speaker
she pay more than Barnaby? She just called broke. She's not wrong. We're cash poor. Okay. We have a house. Y'all are adventurers taking public transit to your job. So, I mean, yeah, we could. Ghostbusters didn't hop on a bus. I think I do. I think I give her Javier's name. Cause I mean, it's not like we're a secret society. Javier.
01:22:20
Speaker
but
01:22:24
Speaker
And she like looks at the name for a second. Like, sounds vaguely familiar. Yeah. Anyway. You know, near the river piddle. You did that. um i you You can't blame me. and just He did.
01:22:40
Speaker
All right. well I'm sorry. What was your name?
01:22:47
Speaker
Take cover. At this point, I've got to. Oh, you're not going to believe this. but And this is a true thing that happened to a friend of mine. In order to gain favor with the family, after my second cousin Casimir disappeared, a lot of people named their kids Casimir as a way to kind of both honor him and gain some favor with Laszlo.
01:23:13
Speaker
So my name is also Casimir Panarius.
01:23:22
Speaker
And she like looks at you for a long second and goes back to writing. There is no way this woman's mind goes to, you here's that Casimir Paneras. He just hasn't aged a day in 20 years. There's no way she's doing that.
01:23:34
Speaker
And my story, that story may seem insane, but I have a friend who has nine cousins with his name because of that exact scenario. That's wild. all right well I want to keep you from your...
01:23:45
Speaker
And she leans and like looks at Selena staring at me and friends any longer. But it was nice talking with you, Kazimierz. Mind if I call you Kaz? I like that.
01:23:57
Speaker
Habit. Zemir? yeah You may go. Call me Zimbo. key
01:24:05
Speaker
I may go. Okay, thank you. And I go to their guest. She called us friends. but She said we're friends and you can't take him back. Acheron scuttles back into the rafters with one of your sausages.
01:24:18
Speaker
Man! That's what friends do. Oh, he's not your friend. And we will call it an episode.
Episode Conclusion and Community Engagement
01:24:27
Speaker
Thank you all so much for listening. you want to part of the conversation surrounding this episode, you can head over to our Discord. The link to it is i in the description of this podcast episode. Sorry, Jeff is now on the floor.
01:24:36
Speaker
have a YouTube channel, youtube.com, Slice the Geek Pantheon, where I do TTRPG-related videos. Phillip, go. On Spotify and YouTube, Tales from the Laughing Tree, where you will find another actual play called Blades and Banners. Set in Lazar Principalities, it's Pirates and Eberron.
01:24:49
Speaker
I have good news, everyone. Jeff is now off the floor. If you want to financially support the show, you can do so over at patreon.com slash the Geek Pantheon. I've been your Game Master, Eric. I'm Mia. I'm Phillip. I'm Madison. I'm sorry.
01:25:01
Speaker
See you next time.