World of Ae'oene Ep. 24: The Morning After

Transcript

Speaker: Destabilizing Foundations, Episode 24.

Speaker: The World of Eon contains stories with mature themes. Content warnings are in the episode description.

Speaker: Stories of Legend, Episode 24. I've got the whole cast with me here today. Guys, are you excited? I don't know if excited is the right word. no Maybe nervous. Yay! Terrified?

Speaker: Bewilded? little nervous. Yeah, I'm excited. Full of energy. What kind of energy, though? I'm so excited, I can't even speak. I haven't said a word all day. We all call bullshit on that, but you know. Yeah.

Speaker: Yeah, there's no way. It's true. It's true. It's okay. I have not scared any of the players previous to this recording whatsoever. It's not something I would do at all.

Speaker: None. None. No taunting. No purposely making us nervous. No, act finales. Nope. Yeah, no, they're not full of, like, big, climactic events or anything like that. No.

Speaker: Definitely not scaring the shit out of Jack. No. This is just going to be chill as fuck. Definitely not intentionally taunting Jack for the last, like, month about what's going to happen today. no, like Safira said, just been chill. Oh my god. Just been super chill. Yeah, just chill.

Speaker: The hostile environment. Right. Yeah, hostily exciting. Is that like squirrels? Well, before the episode begins, y'all, if you are on a podcast platform that has comments, do me a favor.

Speaker: Put a comment on what your what your prediction for something that may happen during today's episode is. And then come back afterwards and reply to your own comment and let us know, were you right? Were you wrong? not going to do that, Woos. That's asking them to stop listening to us. We don't want that. Keep listening to us and tell us what your favorite part was.

Speaker: Well, if it's on like YouTube, they can still be listening and leave comment. See, y'all, this is why I've got them here to correct me whenever I just say things that just are not when I don't think about it. You know, this is why we have a team and they're amazing. It's like what I said earlier, Woos. You're wrong most of the time.

Speaker: Ridiculous. That's not our fault. It's always when Jack's the witness. That's that's just it's what we've come to the consensus of. Either way, y'all I hope you guys are excited for the act one finale. This is going part one and we cannot wait for you guys to see what happens because things are only going to get more exciting and go up from here.

Speaker: Let's get into it.

Speaker: Last we left off our party, they had a bit of time spent recovering. Now, what kind of recovering? Well, the kind that the soul really needs every now and then.

Speaker: I'm sure if you guys remember, it was

Speaker: a good time. As they ended up finding their way to the Sleeping Dragon Inn after also taking some time at the apartment to maybe cry a little bit, maybe eat a little bit. Maybe cinnamon buns were involved. But regardless, they made their way to the Sleeping Dragon Inn where they ran into Kiro. I haven't said his name in forever. I can't believe I'm forgetting the pronunciation. MJ, help.

Speaker: Kiro. Kiro, thank you. Ran into Kiro and chaos ensumed and it was a great time. We learned some things about the party and they learned some things about each other, but how much they'll remember may be questionable.

Speaker: Maybe Calden made a decision that he doesn't remember that he's possibly going to regret in the future. They took the time and made their way back to the apartment. And that is where we will rejoin our party as everyone has just made it into the rooms and freshly fallen asleep.

Speaker: With the exception of one of our party members. Yeah, so Calden's still awake. And still pretty drunk. And i think... It's really boring to just stay in your room.

Speaker: So he's going to go have some fun. And I recall that Calden has a disguise kit in his pack. So what he's going to DM allowing...

Speaker: Is go paint everyone's faces. I will absolutely allow that. Now, considering that everyone was not is not only asleep, but also recovering from some some amount of alcohol consumption, we're going to be dealing with passive skills here. Because no, everyone's asleep. They're not going to be able to roll to try to perceive you.

Speaker: Is anyone's passive perception high enough to even have a chance of being higher than Kaladin's minimal stealth role? And that would be a stealth role at disadvantage, obviously.

Speaker: I mean, my minimum for both stealth and sleight of hand is 23. I don't, however, would a battle axe of warning wake me up to this. Are you in danger? it's it's your good buddy Calvin. was going to say, I believe the but the description on that specifically includes the word danger, if I remember correctly, or is it just from being surprised? It includes, like, I cannot be surprised with this. That's not being surprised, though. It wakes you up for danger.

Speaker: Ooh, we gotta do a little rules lawyering here. Well, that's fine, because he was gonna do Talira last anyway, so... In addition, you and your companions within 30 feet of you can't be surprised except when incapacitated by something other than non-magical sleep. The weapon magically awakens you and your companions within range if any of you are sleeping naturally when combat begins. Aha.

Speaker: But cannot be surprised. But it will only wake you when combat In regards to combat... Fair. Look, Maeve's going to be hiding under the bed, so good luck, I guess.

Speaker: That's going to be even more fun. He's, like, on his stomach under the bed. Scooting in like a little worm. He just gets stuck under the bed. And just can't leave.

Speaker: Maeve just wakes up and Count is, like, his face. And Maeve sleeps. She, for some reason, feels like she can hear Count going... Maeve wakes up to Calvin sleeping under the bed are halfway under the bed next door.

Speaker: Just gonna be Calvin. Oh my gosh. That's so funny. Just giggling to himself the whole time. Well, considering that no passives would get in the way of you doing this, I will give you the floor ready.

Speaker: What are you drawing on everyone's faces and how do you go about it? Amazing. Okay. So I'm going to do these not in the order he did them. Lou, simplest one.

Speaker: He just drew like a twirly mustache and glasses. Eyebrows. Yes. i love it. And some very festive eyebrows. I think on Yellen, he did, you know, like 80s rocker? Are you talking about like like kiss?

Speaker: On one eye, he did a giant star. Yes. And then the other eye just has like smoky makeup and then some bold lipstick. This is how he was born to look.

Speaker: I think Talira, okay. So there's basically just a whole bar of like eye shadow across her face, like just a full rectangle of color from temple to temple, but it alternates through like very bright colors.

Speaker: I like it, I like it. And then for Maeve, she gets this really cool, bold pink and blue eyeshadow that is also kind of boxy, but does, you know how if you were gonna draw like an eagle wing, you kind of do that like very soft slope?

Speaker: So it does a big old soft slope from her nose all the way up her forehead. Just all these really bold looks that maybe don't look great because he doesn't do makeup.

Speaker: I love it. See, look, I would have just drawn penises on everyone. No, he wants to make it fun. Penis faces. he drew a He drew a penis on the back of Maeve's neck.

Speaker: How did he get to the back of Maeve's neck? She's under a bed. That is the mystery. He's very dexterous. And it's the mystery that never resolved. Oh my gosh, I love it. Thank you so much for the description, Reddy.

Speaker: Well, as that happens early in the night, and then of course, Calden himself also falls asleep, the next morning comes around, and I'm gonna assume that everyone has a pretty, pretty good night. Nobody's waking up in the middle of the night, just considering the actions that had happened earlier.

Speaker: Oh, everyone woke up several times to pee. But yeah, that's fair, but all individually. Yeah.

Speaker: Regardless, the morning comes. And I would like to know who is watching, who's watching Maid's door? Talira would probably be outside at the door. i think Calden passed out on the floor after doing Talira's makeup.

Speaker: On the floor next to her or on the floor of your own apartment? By Talira. That's even better. Disguise kit and a hand and everything. Oh my god, amazing.

Speaker: Well, both of you get woken up as Lionel finally comes back, being allowed to by Sally, comes back to take his post outside of Maeve's door as he stands above both of you and just kind of... um um Good morning. away.

Speaker: Hi, Lionel. Calden, why are you here? Looks like you guys had a wild night. I don't remember, but I feel gross.

Speaker: I'm going to my room. I didn't, but I... What is that, Calvin? Why... i will worry about that later. Thanks for the relief, Lionel.

Speaker: I will head back to my room, too. Yep, no problem. If y'all need anything, just let me know. This one will probably need a big breakfast. ah Really, most of them will.

Speaker: Should they call down to Sally for, like, all of the hangover foods? Yeah, that might be a good idea. Cool. And he just kind of looks at you and kind of points and right next to like on his face next to his eye.

Speaker: what Is this waterproof? Does it smudge? No, he didn't get the high quality version. So it smudges? Yeah. What is the fuck?

Speaker: Hey, Calden, what's in your hand? and he's He's gone. Oh, shit. He trudged up to bed. Thank you. I will go wash this off before stumbling downstairs then. Yep, no problem. No problem at all.

Speaker: Talira, as soon as you're around the corner, going back to your own room, Maeve, you get woken up by a light knock on your door, and Lionel's voice. Maeve, I've taken my post back.

Speaker: Am I okay to come in? Maeve doesn't say anything yet and she just kind of like rolls out from under the bed just like a little burrito and she just like unpurs herself and gets up and she propers herself, makes sure she doesn't look doesn't look in the mirror at all, but she goes, yeah, come come in.

Speaker: He opens the door and steps in. He looks you up and down. You can see on his face the the disappointment, and not in you, but in himself. A lot of times when people say sorry, you can tell they don't mean it because it's not in their body language. You can't see it on their face. He doesn't even have to say it.

Speaker: You just know. i I should have been at my post that night. Are you okay? I'd be better if you wiped that really, really terrible look off your face. I'm sorry. This isn't a pity party now.

Speaker: He kind of steps forward and looks behind him, makes the door is shut, kind of looks around the room a little bit for a second, and takes another step to you, and he starts to reach for your hand and stops.

Speaker: I was just so worried about you. Sally did a great job while you were gone, and Fenlin was just distraught, and hell, your father took off so quick I couldn't even figure out what was going on until after he left. I, uh, I failed you.

Speaker: Yes, that is true, but it happened and I'm back and I have all my limbs, so i we've got things to do. I don't deserve to be at your post. I know you're going to try to say no.

Speaker: I'm going to relieve myself of my position until I can earn that spot back. Look, what you choose to do is 100% up to you, but I feel like just do what you feel is right.

Speaker: I have no say in this. Probably be off soon anyway. Yeah, well, I wanted to have my word with you Fentland will be here soon. Sally's been keeping him just an arm's length away and, well, she can only do it for so long.

Speaker: And Sally still has all her limbs? Yes, for now. I will say, before he comes, you may want to look in a mirror. Uh, rude? I'm sorry. I'm not going to explain, just because it'll self-explain itself.

Speaker: That was an awkward sentence. He stiffens up. I'll be leaving with the rest of the Roe family today. understand if you don't, but I hope to see you on the ship.

Speaker: Well, regardless, we'll definitely meet again sometime back in row. And thank you for coming and seeing me. think I'm going to have to go ah look in a mirror now, and I'm quite scared about what I'll find. Yes, ma'am.

Speaker: If you need me, I'll be outside your door until until the end of the day. Okay, thank you. Maeve Grace looks into the mirror. Yeah, you definitely see... And she looks gorgeous! yeah Absolutely. You see the previously described...

Speaker: I think I've got a murder someone. I think someone's going to die. Before Fenlin begins to arrive, ah would like to ask the rest of you, considering that Talera and Kaladin, you have both been awake, I don't know if you're falling back asleep for a moment and yelling, I don't know when you're awaking. So I want to give you the opportunity to let me know what exactly what you're doing in this time.

Speaker: Yeah, so Talera would be heading back to her room to get a couple more hours of sleep. since she was basically sitting on the floor outside of Maeve's door, napping with her head against it. Not exactly the most comfortable position, but she at least trusted herself that she wouldn't, as long as she were there, things wouldn't happen without her knowing.

Speaker: Except Calvin sneaking into Maeve's bedroom, putting makeup on her face and drawing a dick on her neck and then coming back out. Yeah, yeah, exactly Nothing but that. was getting past her right absolutely nothing and she goes back into the room washes her face off and then goes to the bed i assume lou is clambered up onto it and sees lou's lovely makeup and just starts cracking up i love it Lou starts to, at at the sound of your laughter, Lou begins to wake up and she rolls over and squinting as one does when they just wake up and especially so suddenly. It's just giving you a sort of annoyed but also sort of quizzical look.

Speaker: ah What are you laughing at Which I'm sure is even funnier with the eyebrows drawn on her. Oh my gosh. They are like concerned eyebrows. a hundred percent. Yeah.

Speaker: And Talira just starts laughing even Yeah.

Speaker: oh Oh, God. um I think Calden might have snuck in because he's the only one i have seen who does not have any makeup on. But I've never seen a bear with eyebrows before.

Speaker: Lou looks at sees your face and obviously is is also that's one of the other reasons she was definitely questioning what was going on. And their her eyebrows raise, which is even funnier with the makeup. In realization like, oh, you said I have eyebrows. And she hops off the bed to try to. yeah And does the the cool a trick that you said she learned to be able to open the doors without opposable thumbs and props herself up in the bathroom trying to get a look in the mirror.

Speaker: And you just hear you hear the ah what would have equivalent of a bear like gasp sound like. But that's what you hear. And Talira is just like doubled over laughing. Oh my God. She comes back.

Speaker: yeah She comes back out, walks right over to you and like punches you with her paw on the leg while also laughing hysterically. All right. ah Let's wash this off. I'm going to get a couple more hours of shut eye and then I'm going to find Sally and get us the biggest fucking breakfast in the world.

Speaker: She gives a a sound of approval as she she, while she can open a door, she can't operate a water pump or anything like that very very sophisticatedly. So she just walks into the bathroom and sits down and awaits your help.

Speaker: All right, let's get you cleaned up. What about the other two of you? Yellen wakes up on the floor and he kind of, oh oh my God.

Speaker: What happened? And he stands up and he walks over to the mirror. Oh, whatever it did, it's working.

Speaker: yeah Where did Maeve punch him? Where would the bruise be? Did the makeup cover it? Oh my God. Maybe, because it would have been, she hit him in the face. ah Full on slack.

Speaker: he may Does he have a black eye and the makeup is covering it? It's not just anyone hitting you in the face. It's Maeve who has trained her whole life. Yeah, he he probably sees the bruising. He's like, wait, what did happen last night?

Speaker: Did Kaladin's head come off? Hang on. is it how I need a moment. And he walks out into the hallway. He looks around to see if he sees anyone. And if he doesn't, he's just going to go back into his room for a second and just put all his gear on.

Speaker: yeah I would say you probably don't see anyone unless the time's out perfect that Kalden's getting back to his room at the same time, but I would say probably not. And what does Kalden do? Does he go back to his room to get a few more hours of shut-eye, or...?

Speaker: i mean, technically he doesn't sleep anyway. that's true. So he's already got his, like... What it, five hours? Yeah. Five hours of meditation. So he's on his back, arm draped over his eyes to block out the light, and says

Speaker: he's just... basking in a just baskking in his own hangover. Just does not feel good. oh i love it. Well, during this time that has passed, you do get another knock on the door, Maeve.

Speaker: Maeve, are you awake? She just, like, opens the door, but she opens it so she's behind the door, so it looks like it's just opening itself. Um... Hello?

Speaker: Lionel, you said that she was in here, right? He goes to push it open just a little more and takes it goes to take a step in. she She waits for him to get in before she can slam the door behind him to scare him.

Speaker: As the door slams in, oh! Oh! Oh! Good lord! who Oh, you scared the hell out of me. That was a good one. That was a good one. um I tried. Thank you.

Speaker: Well, I guess you're doing good. If you're joking like this, I was... Maeve, was so worried about you. Are you okay? Yeah, nothing to worry about here. you know me. He's going to incite that, for sure.

Speaker: Go for it. He... Wow, I rolled really bad. It's a 13. I rolled worse. It's an 8. Can he tell if Maeve is like masking any emotions or trauma or Oh yeah, i think I think probably he'd know regardless that she's just trying to... She doesn't really want the whole pity fanfare. She just kind of wants to get rolling with everything and start actually getting back on track. So i can tell that she's definitely gone through the ringer, but she's just trying to get back to where she was.

Speaker: He gives you a weak smile and gnaws his head and then he just comes in for a hug. I'm glad you're back. She gives him a hug back and she like scruffs his hair a little bit, like a... Yeah, that's about what I would expect. I'm just glad you're back safe. Sally's been keeping me busy because she knows that I've been wanting to come see you.

Speaker: And I swear to God, that woman knows how to keep me distracted. ah I will say. i did train her, so. Yes. Well, I will say everything is set up for the meeting that junior and your friends need to have with Kiara and her advisor. So whenever you're ready, they have been on the edge of their toes waiting.

Speaker: But I've gotten everything handled. I've gotten some of the paperwork managed. The Adventurers Guild, the house leader for Glory, will be attending that meeting as well. Mm-hmm. That sounds just so exciting. Yeah. Yeah.

Speaker: I... He goes to start to reach his hand into a back pocket. Everything just happened so quick the other night. And now, today, we're leaving to go home, and I just... and he takes his hand back out, and there's nothing in it.

Speaker: And you can see he's his eyebrows are furrowed, and he's kind of questioning things, and he he looks up at you, and I get the feeling you're not going to be on it, that you're not coming home with us. Well, it is my duty to protect Roe, and...

Speaker: With everything going on, we have an opportunity to find out what's actually happening and get to the bottom of it. And I would like to be a part of that. i know you would. I feel like you've been almost like a caged animal these past couple of years. I mean, you've been busy, and you've been doing great work, and I've loved having that time with you. But I could just tell, like, you didn't belong in the offices talking with these people.

Speaker: You're good at it, but... I'm not. I really am not good at it. I'm definitely more good at just being silently by your side with a sword, but... I can tell the time you've spent adventuring, you know, trying to go a similar path from your father.

Speaker: It's changed you. not Not for the worse, by any means. i It worries me that it seems like the adventuring path, like your father, fits you. Just because I know how dangerous it can be.

Speaker: Fenlyn, I'm only doing this so I can become stronger to make sure I'm able to protect you and Ro. I can't get better and stronger or prove myself if I'm stuck.

Speaker: You ever see that look on your dad's face? It's the same look you've had these past couple of years when I mentioned a caged animal. Your dad has unwavering loyalty to my family, and of course we can be nothing but grateful to that.

Speaker: But we all know, we can all tell, he misses it. I love you, Maeve. Well, I heard that he got into a fight. I also heard several of our men didn't come back with him.

Speaker: Do you know who he was fighting? I don't know the details, to be honest. Listen, Maeve, I just, I say all this. I love you. My whole family does. And if you, at the end of all this adventuring, if you still feel like your place is back home with with me and with the family, I'll be there.

Speaker: I'll accept you back in in a heartbeat. But if you question that after all the adventuring, if you feel like the only reason you're going to come back, if you feel like the only reason you're going to come back is due to a sense of loyalty, I don't want you to make that decision.

Speaker: I you to be happy. Hey, and Maeve puts her hand on his shoulder just to like settle him. And ah she goes, I'll be 100% honest where my head's at, okay?

Speaker: And I just, as long as you have someone to look after you and, you know, someone's going to look after your snot head.

Speaker: Just remember what I said, okay? I just want the best for you. You too. and Probably not Lionel. um Yeah.

Speaker: Speaking of guards, um listen Maeve, if I'm going to be honest, if you're going to leave and go adventure again, i fully support you. i I know it's what you probably want.

Speaker: But if you're gonna go, think this time you need to take a ah guard or or someone to help protect you. I know my parents, and I'm be honest, me too. I just feel a lot more comfortable if you had someone out there to just- Fenlin, I'm not made of glass.

Speaker: I'm going to be your guard one day. I'm doing this to prove that I'm not just Eric Strongheart's daughter. That I can actually fight and I can actually do something and be worthy of being your guard.

Speaker: can't really prove myself if I have someone next to me at all times. Yeah, I understand. I know. i understand. and just worry about you, you know?

Speaker: And my parents obviously do. You know they're going throw a fit. Are you sure you can't even consider it? No. I'm 100% sure that I don't need a guard.

Speaker: Plus, I have a team. You've seen Talira, you've seen everyone. There's not getting any better than that. You make a good point.

Speaker: Okay. I'll be okay, Finland. I know you will. I know you will. Either way, know you still gotta to get ready.

Speaker: There's a lot that needs to be done today. And I know that with everything that just happened, I'm sure you you and your friends would like even more time to rest and recover, but I don't think you're gonna be awarded that.

Speaker: So, I'm gonna go and do some more of the preparations for us to leave, but... Just know Sally's probably going to be coming soon. That meeting. Good lord, that woman, Piara.

Speaker: She's going to make sure that that meeting happens real soon. Yeah, I think I should go apologize to a a teammate before the meeting. Well, you do what you got to do. He goes in for a hug again.

Speaker: And while he's hugging you, going to miss you. I hope so. I'll miss you too. Now you stay safe, okay? I'll do my best. I don't want to have to go scorched earth on anyone. Yeah, yeah, definitely. And this time when you come back, make sure that you, you know, can walk.

Speaker: That'd be appreciated. That way I don't got to carry your ass everywhere. That would be. Yeah, walking is quite essential in and being a really, really good guard. So I'm going to try my best to to be able to do that.

Speaker: All right. He goes to walk out the door and he pauses and looks back at you for a moment before finally walking out. Now my question to the rest of you, how long does it take for all of you or at least one of you to start gathering everyone together?

Speaker: Or would that happen at all or would it be something that Sally has to do? Maeve does want to quickly go apologize to Yellen and hand Caledon back his pants. I forgot about that!

Speaker: okay yeah go for yeah, go for it. Freshly laundered? Yeah, freshly laundered. Yeah, crisp, crisp pants with like a little note in them.

Speaker: And so she writes the note, she puts it in his pants. Love note? Maybe. Maybe i love note. Do you like me? Circle yes or no. know.

Speaker: Oh, my gosh. Y'all are ridiculous. And so she she gets ready for the day. um She does her like her little free workout workout, and she would go to probably Cowden first to drop the pants off. She has Yellen's shirt too that's also freshly laundered. No fun notes in it, though.

Speaker: He doesn't have pockets in his shirt. Ha! And so she hands the she knocks on Cowden's door first to give him his crisper pants. what i have your pants okay you can just i feel like that sentence without context is quite awkward to say out loud she just like leaves the pants there and walks away does it does it she was told and then she goes and knocks on yellens Yellen's only like a like a couple doors down. so

Speaker: um From within Yellen's door, you hear a few like loud thuds sound getting closer to the door. And he he opens the door and you see he's like struggling to put his boot on and he's got his gear on kind of hastily like put on. So it looks a little disheveled.

Speaker: Maid, what happened last night? Oh, you don't remember. Oh God, it's bad, isn't it?

Speaker: Should we have a chat inside? oh no. No, no. oh She like steps in. I have your shirt. We have to find his body.

Speaker: Whose body? the Kalden, what do you mean? I just spoke with Kalden. How? Because he's hung over in his room? What are you talking about?

Speaker: thank but oh but Let's pull this back. Yeah. Calden is not dead. No. His head was not removed from his body. Definitely not.

Speaker: Why did you that? Excuse me for a moment. And he he he goes, you hear him like a he throws up in the bathroom. Oh my God. oh He walks back out. That's a relief. That's really good.

Speaker: Thank you for telling me that. I can see you youve feel a lot more relieved. I can smell it too. Yeah, I'm sorry. um I'm going to close the door.

Speaker: Let's not be in here. He walks out into the hallway. Okay, so we'll go back to the hallway. Yeah, I just wanted to... Apologize for slapping you in the face last night.

Speaker: Probably not the best thing to do for a teammate. I just very upset. My emotions got the better of me and I formally apologize and she just fully does like a full paladin formal bow as like an apology for slapping him in the face. Maeve, you don't have to apologize. i'm If you slapped me, I'm sure I deserved it. I don't think you'd go around attacking us without reason. So I i accept your apology.

Speaker: And I'm sorry for whatever I did. i I apologize. I don't remember what it was at the moment. You jokingly banished yourself for like... Oh, then I am sorry.

Speaker: That is not... I don't... I'm sorry, Maeve. And I am also sorry. ah We are sorry together. So we are. And everyone's alive. and houses that that All heads are still attached. don't know where you got that from.

Speaker: i don't i have this vivid image of Calden. Something about Calden's head or neck or something. Oh, yeah. Yep, yep, yep, yep, yep.

Speaker: That's a Calden discussion, so... But it's not like a rush to action currently? No, it it it's a he is fine now. Cool.

Speaker: All right. Yeah, cool. Physically speaking. And if not, we know how to decapitate other people. Yes, yes, we do. I feel like we we do know that.

Speaker: so i I feel like we do. i feel I know. Yeah, this is a great conversation to be having in a hallway. It's bit awkward. um Hopefully no one can hear.

Speaker: I mean, it's just us, right? I think we'll probably get arrested if they could. No. Nah. No, this is just a book we're writing. We're just writing this very detailed book about decapitation. Put that thing back where it came from. So help me.

Speaker: I, it's a big day for you, isn't it? Yeah. With the meeting. Are you nervous? I am never not nervous. Well, I'd love to offer my aid if there's anything I can do to help.

Speaker: I appreciate that. Of course. Of course. Yeah, definitely. um ah Again, I'm really sorry. I don't know what came over me. I think it was the vodka.

Speaker: May have been. May have been. Mm. Mm. Mm-hmm. Yep. Can I offer you breakfast as in I'm sorry? Technically, I came here to apologize, so I think I should be offering you breakfast, which would kind of cancel that out.

Speaker: Well, in fact, I counter-apologised your apology, so we both apologised. Exactly. So you counted my apologies so you don't owe me breakfast.

Speaker: But we could probably go down and eat together. Might wrangle everyone else up, see how they're feeling. All right. Sounds like a plan. You might want to wash your face first. I kind of like it, actually. do you think it works?

Speaker: Yeah. it It screams, damn, damn. Oh.

Speaker: Perhaps I will, Washington. Give me a moment. Walks back into the bathroom that smells like vomit.

Speaker: Just waits. She walks in and leaves his shirt. As you finish washing up and walk back out, you see from just down the hall Talira's door open slowly and you see Lou's head pop out.

Speaker: and she very quietly closes the door and walks up to both of you fairly quickly. And just weirdly gives you both a hug. Hello, bear. She stomps whenever you just say hello, bear, and looks at you.

Speaker: And she just gives her, like, a pat. Like, a really, really, like, not just, like, a little awkward pat, but, like, really around the ears, like... Really good. She kind of leans into it and is like, scratch oh, that feels good. But you can also tell at the same time she's frustrated that you're doing this.

Speaker: Like, God, it feels really good, but i nodded I'm not a pet. I hate that I like this. Yeah, definitely one of those. after the After this little encounter, though, she looks to both of you and she just kind of pats her stomach.

Speaker: Maeve just looks to Yellen. You doing all right? i've I've never had a bear hug before. This? She nods, but takes her paw and tries her best like, point to her mouth.

Speaker: You're hungry? She nods. We're about to get breakfast. we are. Do you know if Talirine is awake? She shakes her head now that she's still sleeping.

Speaker: Should we wake her for breakfast, or should we bring some up after we're done? She shakes her head no, wanting to let Lyra get a little more rest because she knows who she's been taking watch a lot.

Speaker: Well, we'll have to go and we'll bring her up a feast then. She'll have breakfast in bed after. As you guys begin walking down the hall, Sally comes in. Oh, fantastic. You're already awake.

Speaker: So is Yellen, how are the other two looking after last night? Alive. Yes. Glad to hear. alive glad to hear Obviously, you guys are going need breakfast. um I will go and get you what you need again. Just let me know what you want. I'm taking orders. But I got to be choppy. and We got people waiting on you guys today. so Cool. Okay. um Can you get ah the big breakfast with ah all the meats for Talira's room? Yellen, do you know what Calden would like?

Speaker: I'm assuming mushrooms and meat. I don't. just Just another big breakfast for Calden. I believe Calden likes blued meat, ah if I remember correctly, from his last order.

Speaker: Oh yeah, he's iron deficient. I keep forgetting. Just whatever you think Calden would like for breakfast. And ah we're just going to head to the downstairs and eat.

Speaker: Yes, fantastic. There is a common area on the first floor. She's looking to Yellen and Lou mainly. If you can go ahead and gather everybody and go down there, i will go get the food for you and try to get everybody ready and going. i have been holding off everybody as long as I can.

Speaker: I'm pretty much at my wit's end. I don't think I can hold them off anymore. The Roe family is leaving today. Decisions need to be made. There's a meeting that has to happen. People are still angry. There's a contract written up.

Speaker: There's a lot going on and we've got to get started. but I've put it off as far as I can. So if you can wake everybody up, I'll meet you all the common area with your food. That would be fantastic. Okay. I'll wake up Talira then. Yellen? Are you right with Calden?

Speaker: Make sure his head's still attached. Yes. Definitely. And Sally has already turned on her heels and is out the door to go get you guys' food. I go and knock on Talira's door and

Speaker: Talira?

Speaker: Talira?

Speaker: What? I'm so sorry to wake you, but we have to go. ah Food's getting ready downstairs in the common area. I ordered you a big breakfast.

Speaker: oh Thank you. I'll be right there. Just give me a few minutes. Armor or no? Um, probably armor.

Speaker: All right, it might take more like ten minutes, but I'll be down. Perfect. I'll see you down there. Sounds good. Thank you. and Talira crawls out of bed again, puts on her armor, all of the rest of her stuff, and plods down the hallway and downstairs to the common area.

Speaker: All right, and Yellen, I assume you go and get Kelvin? Yeah, I go and I knock on Kalden's door. What? Good morning, Starshine. Aeon says hello.

Speaker: Why can't everyone leave me alone? Because it's breakfast time. Can I come in? My head sucks. Do what you want. It's not locked.

Speaker: I walk in. Do you trip on his pants? He's still just arm draped over his eyes to block out light. He has not moved. Roll to see if you trip on the pants.

Speaker: I certainly trip on the pants.

Speaker: I love that.

Speaker: Put those there. Why would you put your pants folded in front of the door? ah It was Maeve. Maeve left them there. They're the pants I gave her in Undor. Unless you stole leather pants, but I doubt it.

Speaker: Oh, I see. Um, well, could I use cure wounds to help with a hangover? No, I don't believe so. What about spare the Wouldn't it need to be like, poison something? Yeah, there's, like, a cured disease and poison. That would be the one.

Speaker: Dang it. Well, they're making breakfast downstairs, and I think they all want us down there. Ugh. Okay. Fine. But I'm not gonna be happy about it.

Speaker: I wouldn't expect you to. Need some help up?

Speaker: Sure. Reaches out his arm. He picks you up. Okay, let's go. You like some water? No, not really. Alright then.

Speaker: I hate how thirsty I am. i I'm sure there'll be other drinks than water downstairs then. I'm sure, yeah, yeah, no, yeah.

Speaker: Ugh.

Speaker: Why is everything so bright? It is morning and you had a lot to drink. Did i I? can't even remember. And you had already had so much to drink by the time i can't remember.

Speaker: Oh, that was too loud. Oh, I can't talk that loud. Oh, fuck. Um, I'm doing surprisingly well. Um, I...

Speaker: Calden, did you eat anything yesterday? I don't remember. i honestly don't think I remember anything about last night. Neither do I. you're in the same boat here.

Speaker: Okay, let's go. Yep, let's.

Speaker: As the five of you make your way to the first floor into the- are you going to put pants on? Are going to find the note?

Speaker: I don't need two pairs of pants on. I own another pair of pants. I haven't been walking around pants just this whole time while you had my single pair of pants. Calden just Donald ducking it around underwear.

Speaker: Everyone knows that Calden has an above average penis now. Oh my gosh. Let me just use my third leg here. Won't be a second, guys.

Speaker: Good lord. Good lord. Well, as you all venture out of the room, Yana gets up and clucks as she follows behind, and the six of you make your way down to the common area at the first floor.

Speaker: And sure enough, about 20 to 30 minutes later, Sally comes walking in with a cart full of food on it for all of you as she begins sitting all the meals down in front of you. This looks phenomenal.

Speaker: Thank you, Sally. Holy shit. Yeah, I figured after a night last last night, I needed to make sure i got extras, so I did. It's really good. You've really outdone yourself. Yes, well, I also included a couple of cinnamon buns, because I smelled some in Maeve's room the other day, and and I don't know just sounded like a good idea. Thank you. There's a couple of those in there as well.

Speaker: I need you all to eat up, and I need you all to wake up, because as soon as you're done, we need to head over to the council room. I'm so sorry that it's so early, and listen, i've it's been days. They've... They don't know everything that happened. They don't know that you all went wherever you went and that Maeve was kidnapped. I've kept that as hush-hush as I can from anyone outside of the Roe family in the circle.

Speaker: So to their knowledge, Maeve's just been feeling under the way of weather. I can't hold this back anymore. So eat up, feel better. We've got important stuff to take care of. I am so sorry that I have to rush you, but... No, I understand.

Speaker: Thank you. Maeve, I guess, now's the time you get to decide how much we tell them. Mavis like has half a cinnamon roll stuffed in her face.

Speaker: I guess I should start off with what happened while I was there. Because I had to somehow try to buy time and i did not buy enough.

Speaker: But the contract that Sally and um Lionel were talking about, it is Piara and Zorilgog are not happy about that.

Speaker: everything going on with it being attached to their name. So they wanted us to try to clear it. And i told them under no circumstances would I act to clear a name that I have direct ties to this shit happening like we had proof there i didn't tell them that but i said i would be willing to search for the truth and if zoril gog is the ones who are at fault they said okay bring it back to the world union so yes

Speaker: There is also the problem of the box that is missing and they want us to find and retrieve that. That is going to be a big challenge.

Speaker: Does that, okay. to Does it, hmm. Does it like ring any bells for me Or is that completely gone from my mind? The box? The note I got.

Speaker: I know about the box, but like... The message that I got last night, just hearing and or talk about the box again. I whenever we had rolled for it, you don't remember it at all.

Speaker: Oh, no. Yep. I have to check. I think I might still have that pendant thing that Verruta had for the Zorogog.

Speaker: I'll have to check my bag. I don't remember. No. I doubt I would have thrown it out. Calden, I think you are going to need more than meat. You are going to need some potatoes to suck up all that you are drinking.

Speaker: How much did I have? I feel like a mountain fell on me. I did not know that you could not handle your liquor this badly. was considerable.

Speaker: Oh, okay. I believe you because I don't remember. I mean, to be fair, there were drinks going around everywhere. i wasn't keeping as much track of you as the whole of everything.

Speaker: Here, have one of these. And she passes along a blood sausage. Like, this this good for bones. Can I roll a medicine check? Because when Maeve was kidnapped, they did mention that they, um,

Speaker: Well, they alluded that they might have poisoned Sally ah to get her super drunk so she wouldn't wake up. So I just want to like maybe medicine check to see if what Kalden is feeling is more just 100% just a hangover or something more sinister. Yeah, sure.

Speaker: Roll me a medicine check. She's just going to awkwardly stare at him, by the way, in like an intense like analytical stare. She leans forward and is just locked in. Yeah.

Speaker: Well, the ginger in these are really good. It'll help your stomach. 14. Thank you. 14. With 14, I'd say you can tell there's nothing more than alcohol here. It's just uncharacteristically bad of a hangover for how much he drank.

Speaker: Maybe you're allergic. Maybe. i don't. I've only had it like a couple times before. You need your tolerance up or to stop drinking?

Speaker: Either one? I'm fine with the latter. Yeah, I'm going to say, Calden, if this is a light night, it's probably a good idea if you are our designated lookout.

Speaker: That's fine with me. I agree with you, Talira, when it comes to not 100% accepting Piara's bullshit, full stop sentence. so i do agree we should counter argument, as you did before, with the, we will independently find out what's actually happening, do report. If she has nothing to hide, if she 100% believes that they are innocent, then they have nothing to hide and nothing to fear if we do this investigation.

Speaker: Exactly. And that that was one of the big things that I stood behind when I said I would take this contract. You don't also don't have to sign if you don't want.

Speaker: They were initially going to bring it up to you. I was representing you. i made the call I thought you might have made. no you did well. Okay. ah The box, though. I would just like to bring a couple things up before we go...

Speaker: in front of all these people or whatever we're doing. I did. i did steal a considerable amount from Piara recently. And she did want to kill Yellen.

Speaker: Yeah, that's, that will be sorted. I just don't know if we're the best people to go there. Yes, perhaps Kalden and I should hang back. I'm going to need Kalden there.

Speaker: Sally speaks up. I do believe they are expecting all four of you. Well, five, including Lou. Okay. You'll be fine. You'll be fine. Question. Does Maeve? Did Maeve see when Maeve was kidnapped? Did she see any box or anything?

Speaker: They took it and her. If I remember correctly from my descriptions, I believe by the time you woke up, you would not have seen the box because you were in a bag for quite a bit of time.

Speaker: So no, I don't think so. I really like bags, so that's great. Okay, cool. Also, when we enter, we'll probably we have, I'm assuming, Fenlen there too.

Speaker: I do believe Fenlon will be finishing preparations for the Roe family to leave. His time dealing with Piara on behalf of the Foundation has all been taken care of. This is going to be more strictly regarding the contract they are interested for you. Ah, so he's bitching out. I get it.

Speaker: I'll make sure to let him know you said that. Perfect. Word for word. Okay, cool. Kalden, your head space, would you be able to analyze people's reaction? I know you've got good eyeball senses. Yeah, my eyeballs are so good.

Speaker: He certainly does. He absolutely has a great sense for eyes, considering lou had eyeglasses and eyebrows when I saw her this morning.

Speaker: What? Really? Yeah, Calden. I had some makeup on me What are you talking about? Is that where it came from? Calden was the only one of us who did not when I saw him this morning passed out outside of the door holding something in his hand.

Speaker: halden We should talk about it. It looked nice. Maybe we do it again. I have no idea what she's talking about. I've never seen a bear with eyebrows before. It was the funniest shit I've ever seen.

Speaker: Why did you wipe it off? I wanted to see that. ah Well, if it's okay with you, Lou, we can always do a ah little comedy ofy show. Lou just shakes her head and puts it down in the paw laughing.

Speaker: Calden just takes a sip of the drink that Talira gave him. The Bloody Mary. More alcohol. It would not be a Bloody Mary. If you're drunk, then you won't feel the hangover. No hangover if you're still drunk, guys. It was probably a ginger tea. Aw.

Speaker: Okay. Would you be able to analyze people's reactions to entering and to if we go far enough to say what actually happened to see if they seemed shocked or not shocked?

Speaker: I'm also fairly good at the reading people. I'm not the best at talking to them, but I can read them pretty well. Yeah, i I tend to be good with talking with my fist, apparently.

Speaker: Sorry yelling again. He absolutely deserved that. You have nothing to apologise for. Yes, like I said, I'm i'm sure you were right. I mean, I know, I know. So you're good. All as well.

Speaker: Did you guys get in a brawl last night? Not exactly. no All of you were fucked up. Like, I have never seen anyone as pissed drunk as you, Calden. Shortly followed by Yellen and then Maeve.

Speaker: And Yellen did some dumb shit. Maeve slapped him. It was completely deserved. but But we're fine. um Wait, um is your bruise still there, Yellen?

Speaker: Yes, it's probably more visible now that the makeup is not there. i was wondering where that came from. i figured you fell or something. I fell into Maeve's fist when he was thrown at me, I suppose.

Speaker: I've always thought that you were clumsy. Yes, indeed. Gotta of stop falling into them. I'm so sorry again. Sally, after having left for just a moment, comes back in.

Speaker: So how are we feeling? I think it's as ready as we're going to be. Yeah, well enough, I suppose. Okay. Well, follow me. We're going to the same place we went last, Talia.

Speaker: As Sally leads you all out of the apartment and back into the World Union District, into the tall building as well, and following the same description I gave, i want to say... was it three or four episodes ago where you guys go through the admin area? What's ah a reception area? That's the word.

Speaker: You go through reception area, go up a set of stairs around a couple corners. You end up going into an elevator, except it's not a classic elevator. Like you're thinking it's magical. In fact, it's just two platforms. And as Sally steps onto the left one, it immediately begins to rise. And she turns around. Hurry up. Come on, come on before gets too high.

Speaker: Talira takes the step. she's She knows what to do now. Yellen kind of dances ah onto it like, o okay. Maeve just casually steps onto it. Yeah, Keldon's walking kind of zombie-esque.

Speaker: He trudges onto it. Barely gets on in time. As the elevator just breaks into the next floor, she immediately steps off. Again, hurry, step off quick.

Speaker: As long as you stay on, it's going keep going. Alright, off! Yeah, she saps off casually. I know, they take a little bit of getting used to. She leads you down the hallway and opens a door, and Talira, this room looks familiar, and for the rest of you, it's just a pretty standard kind of board meeting-esque sort of room.

Speaker: But sitting on the other side, there are a lot of people lacking from the time that Talira was in here. Sitting on the other side of the table, there is simply Piara, and who Talira had previously met, a fire ganasi with a mohawk stripe of blue flame for hair sitting next to her. known as Galette, at the head of the table is a man that I believe only Calden and Talira have met, and Lou, and that would be Coy Duggan. He is the house leader of the guild house here in Glory, and you guys would have met when you first came with Glory.

Speaker: And the rest of the seats are for you guys. And you can see in front of in front of Mr. Coy Duggan, there is a scroll that is rolled up. Ah, Maeve, I hope you're feeling better.

Speaker: So glad you could finally join us. Thank you. Apologies for my absence. It was a rough journey. I'm so glad we can make this meeting today. Oh, we have made it a couple times now.

Speaker: But regardless, glad the rest of you could come as well. I'm charmed. Thank you. I appreciate your patience. Maeve sits down at the table.

Speaker: Yes, please take a seat. All the, and for Maeve, just so you're aware, since you have been absent, all of the mess that occurred with the city ball, well, Fenlyn has kindly taken care of that, as well as our conversations that we had with the city officials, so you don't need to worry about that since you wanted to skip out and all.

Speaker: This meeting is simply going to be just for the contract that we had previously talked with Talira, where we are interested in hiring your party. And we say your party, seeing as you all previously had adventured together, per the records from the Adventurers Guild. And we are interested in hiring your services.

Speaker: Amazing. Talyra has updated me on everything that has occurred during your last meeting. I do agree with her stance of not, of doing an overwhelm overall investigation. As you can tell, if we go in with a biased mindset, it can disrupt any information we do gather.

Speaker: You would understand, right? Gau'let speaks up at this point. Yes, we do understand that. In fact, we are glad that you brought that up because we specifically want to hire you because you are the ones initially making this foundation and the... What would you say?

Speaker: Ah, yes. Allegations against our group, the Zolgog. And while they are unfounded and full of lies, we understand that maybe the experiences you have had had led you to believe certain things.

Speaker: So, while being able to hire you specifically to clear our name, although I understand that would be your primary purpose, it will, however, bear fruit in our favor. Would you not be worried about us going in with a bias against you then?

Speaker: Since we've already uncovered information that led us to the conclusion that the Zorogog was behind the murder um of all those children? Well, yes, that is, some of our other members are worried about that, yes. But I think that in fact works in our favor, because you'll be looking harder for things to go against us.

Speaker: And when you find it nothing, it will mean more. What about what we already found that points to you? Calden, we will investigate and then we will come back with everything we find, but it will be public record. Well, of course.

Speaker: Now, if you do not mind, Maeve, we will be addressing Talira specifically as she previously represented you and now will be deemed the leader of the party for all the Inventors Guild's bureaucracy and rulings.

Speaker: Speaking of which, You are the one who made the decisions you did, and we respected them. Your gusto was surprising, and given your long history with the adventurers' guilt, in fact, being the most experienced of the adventurers here at your table, I do believe that it is the right seat for you.

Speaker: Speaking of which, we do have Mr. Koi Duggan here to help facilitate. You see a half-orc man with simple hair shaved on the sides, pulled back into a tight ponytail. Stand up again. Calden and Talira, you've met this man, but for Yellen and Maeve, this is your first time.

Speaker: He stands up and grabs the scroll that was on the table in front of him. Well, Talira, Calden, it is nice to meet you again. Calden, before I begin, I did want to ask, have you changed your mind on officially signing up with the guild?

Speaker: Oh, I appreciate the office so much. It's just not the right time for me. Next time. Well, keep that in mind as I go over this scrawled contract here with the Adventurers Guild, because for your name to be included, you would have to i would have to officially file paperwork for you. Now, and He he can travel as my guest again, I guess.

Speaker: That's what I would assume. As Mr. Coyduggan begins to unravel the scroll, there's a knock on the door. Ah, I do believe our guest has arrived.

Speaker: um One moment, one moment. as he, as Galette begins to stand up. You can see Piara is a little confused. While we had the few days of being ran around and having to be forced to wait, I did a little digging on all of you. You see, there's quite a bit of paperwork trail for most of you. Well, except for the pale one.

Speaker: I believe Calden was your name, is what Koi just said. You are a mystery, but for the the rest of you, There was a lot of information we could gather. Specifically, Mr. Yellen Yikhal, I believe is your last name.

Speaker: do Um, I, yes, I, paperwork, whatever could you mean? Well, we had dug up that you had traveled from the primordial plane, you know, our home, to the material plane just not very long ago, and as we dug up the paperwork, we were able to see your last name, and while it wasn't the purpose for exactly what I was doing, I couldn't tell But notice your last name.

Speaker: Yacol. Yacol. It sounded so familiar to me. That's me. And then I just realized that my own, you could almost say apprentice, happens to have the same last name.

Speaker: You see, I and managed to save this family as they were being sold into slavery within one of our kingdoms. And while they've been working for me, they've just been so busy that their little son just needed someone to look after them. family. And I just couldn't help it.

Speaker: be that man My family died a long time ago, I'm sure. You must be mistaken, although I will say they look very different from you, but they swear that they had a Kyanite tiefling as a son at one point. In fact, they say that they were once Kyanite tieflings as well, but some sort of magical event and some miracle happened, and well, lo and behold, they are no longer Kyanite.

Speaker: And he opens the door, and you see a ganasi holding the hand of a little seven-year-old boy. He is a spinel crystal tiefling. He has more reddish skin.

Speaker: His horns, different shades, different kind of gloss and sheen to them. But the horns are in the same shape as yours, and the facial shape is unmistakable. You can see the eyes.

Speaker: He has the same eyes as your mother. Let me introduce you the Velak Yir'Khal. I... Yellen?

Speaker: Hi, Gala. you You said I was meeting my brother today? Yes, yes, absolutely. He's right here. You remember how your parents say that he would look a little... Well, he's of the Kayanite variety.

Speaker: He's a little blue. But I figured a little family reunion would be a prime opportunity. So you picked our meeting for this? Well, it was the only time I could guarantee I would have his attention.

Speaker: You could do it after the meeting. We still have paperwork. I'm not quite sure what you're... Is there anything I can insight on potential- Counted. Yeah, I was about- Potential motivations for this?

Speaker: What is she trying to accomplish here? that Galette is male, right? He is, yes. Oh, Galette, sorry. Yeah, you can see Piarra for the record right now is extremely confused and you see see she is seeing this and has almost kind of a look of disgust as well as just complete surprise.

Speaker: This is the only time Maeve's going to agree with Piara and also look really surprised and like, what the hell is happening? No disgust, though. Just what the fuck. That's a 24 insight.

Speaker: Mine's 19. You can insight as you are trying to watch Galette with all of this. You get a sense there's a play here. he's this is This is very much for a reason.

Speaker: And the one thing, as obviously there's a lot going on here in the fact that there's a little boy, he's supposedly Yellen's brother, he mentioned Yellen's parents and that they work for him.

Speaker: And you know with everything you just discussed, there is very much a bias with you all towards the Zorogog. I think that's all I'll give you. Talira looks over to Kalden like... He's just nodding his head no.

Speaker: Or shaking his head no. And Talira puts her hand over her head, like, trying to play like, what the fuck is going on, but hoping Kalden gets the idea of head, head.

Speaker: Yeah, I think he would. He's gonna, think he's gonna mind league with everyone, to be honest, all of us. They are playing at something here. If it's really his family, it's very convenient to have something to hold over us like that.

Speaker: don't had a brother. i eat this can't be possible. Talira speaks this out loud. What are you playing four three years ago how long ago have you since you've seen em i was six years old this can't be possible then was he seven when you were six s i never had a brother talira speaks us out loud what are you playing at

Speaker: Galette addresses the Genasi that's been guiding little Zvelek. You may go now. I will take care of the child. I am not playing at anything. I saw the opportunity to give my young apprentice here what he's been asking for for a long time. His parents have told him of his brother that is out there somewhere. and He's always wondered. Zvelek, this is your brother.

Speaker: Can I insight that? Yeah, you can roll. While you do that, Maeve just goes, since you're not playing at anything, you wouldn't mind us doing a quick zone of truth? 25. I would not mind that at all.

Speaker: 25 insight. His words, obviously he has to be, he has to say the right thing, but he's not really trying to hide necessarily the fact that obviously the timing is very useful for him.

Speaker: But he's also, you kind of get the tell by when you're looking at him, you also look at the boy and you can see this little boy is ecstatic and very all also very nervous to meet his brother.

Speaker: Like this isn't, there there is an air of truth to what he said. Absolutely. He at least is telling the truth about your brother, Yellen. She says in her head, he's happy to see you.

Speaker: It feels that way. I'm just going to cast Zone of Truth quickly. As Maeve casts the Zone of Truth, that sort of aura fills the room. Yellen, are you not going to introduce yourself to your brother?

Speaker: Yellen does it like a very slow walk up to him and he gets down on one knee. I'm so sorry. What did you say your name was? My name is Zvilek.

Speaker: Zvilek. I'm Yellen. You have mom's eyes like I do. I can see. what's What's your mother's name? You can see the little boy's kind of shaking a little bit and won't really fully like look at you a lot. Keeps Han kind of like looking away, just in nervousness.

Speaker: Mom's name is Zofie. I just usually call her mom, though. That's what I call too. why why are you Why are you blue? Mom and Dad never told me.

Speaker: It's just the way I am. Why are you red? I'm I'm red like mommy and dad. Hmm. Well, mom used to be blue.

Speaker: She did? She did. Dad, I don't quite remember. Are they happy? i mean, yeah. i I spent a lot of time with Galette, though. i they They work a lot.

Speaker: But when I see them, though, we have we have a lot of fun. And they're... Never mind. I, um... I'm... that's... that's great. What do you do for Galette?

Speaker: I run errands and deliver messages and... And Galette speaks up. He's learning the ways of the Zorgog and our traditional ways of the elemental planes.

Speaker: The traditional ways? Well, yes. You know, before I was here, I was momentarily in the Primordial Plane, and I learned some of the traditional ways.

Speaker: You did? And he kind of, like, eyeballs Galette out of the Zorogog. Interesting. There is not much paperwork on you while in the Primordial Plane.

Speaker: No. A lot of Krivelings don't end up having a lot of paperwork. That is true, that is true. Such a shame, too. We all share as such rich, rich by most your blood.

Speaker: But I'm sure working for you they do. I assure you they are free. They chose to work for me, and I paid them well. I gave them the freedom to research everything they would want.

Speaker: In fact, and he stands up as he was kind of kneeling down a little bit with the kid, he turns to Maeve and addresses Maeve. In fact, they are helping to lead our research area of the Zorogog, researching the same thing that your foundation is.

Speaker: I hope that in the event that you all come back from this contract, having found us to be in a better light, that maybe we can share our research to find a better future for all. Unlikely. Sad to hear you say that. We all just want what's best for our peoples.

Speaker: See, if you did have that intention, you wouldn't have brought this young boy with you. You would have had a proper conversation and no tricks. But alas, here we are. Well, Zvilek, it does seem like a few people are a little upset that we interrupted our meeting for your little family reunion.

Speaker: So unfortunately, i do believe it is time to go. I am happy that you got to meet your brother, though. I... but it was so short. He kind of looks at Gaulet and Gaulet just kind of gives him a nod.

Speaker: Okay, I understand. Yellid, will I see you again? oh Yes, of course. Of course you will. I, here, one moment. And Yellen kind of fishes through his bag, and he pulls out like just a little pendant of probably one of his old holy symbols, and he hands it to him.

Speaker: Take this, and while you have it, just know I'll be back to get it one day. I'll keep it safe. And maybe when you come get it, we can you can see Mom and Dad too. I know they miss you.

Speaker: Yeah, maybe we can. He smiles a big smile. Maeve stands up and walks towards the boy as well. And she kneels down to him and she pulls out the sending stone that goes directly to Sally, because it's the only one that she would have on her at the moment. And she'll give that to him with no words. what's What's this? It's a magic stone that lets you communicate to people.

Speaker: And I thought, if you ever need someone, you can use it to talk to your brother. Thank you. That was very nice. Yeah. He goes over and just knocks on the door twice. And it opens and that same Ganassi stands there waiting.

Speaker: It was nice to meet you, Yellen. Indeed. I'm happy you were able to stop by. And he walks out, and Galat slowly closes the door. I'm so glad we were able to take that opportunity.

Speaker: I wanted to make sure that... So what? You're threatening my family? No, I am not threatening. I simply want to give you motivation. I would like to have added to our contract that no harm will come to Yellen's family.

Speaker: Happily. Whether or not we succeed. We can absolutely add that. Or what should we find? Duggan, if you don't mind. And Duggan unrolls the scroll like he was going to do and starts adding additions.

Speaker: I promise you I would never hurt them. They have become, if anything, friends. As much as I'd like to believe you, I thought they were dead till moments ago. And this is awfully convenient timing for them to come up.

Speaker: It honestly is very convenient, I will admit. And while I can't deny... you do realize that this bullshit that you just tried to pull does not help you in making us think that you are actually innocent here? I'm well aware.

Speaker: You are nothing but an opportunist. I will absolutely admit that it was a good opportunity for me, but I will also admit that I do care for that boy and his family. And quite truly, this was going to be my only opportunity to have Yellen's attention, so I must take advantage of it.

Speaker: the fountain The circle of truth tells no lies. As Duggan finishes adding to the scroll, he rolls it out. Now, we can get back to business, I do present here the Adventurer's Guild contract. He rolls it out and slides it over to you, Talira.

Speaker: If you could please look over this this contract, let me know if there are any changes to be made. I did just add in the section regarding Yellen Yucol's family. Thank you.

Speaker: I will note that there are a few blanks on here regarding payment, as that is something to be discussed here in person. Talira will first read through it.

Speaker: Is there anything that jumps out at her as being unfair or un different than any other contract she's taken with the Adventurers Guild? is exactly as you had requested.

Speaker: as far as the work to be completed. Nothing, no biases, no specifically need to find their innocence. It was added very quickly, so it's not quite as neat, but Yellen's family section is in there.

Speaker: You note that for payment, it says, Upon completion of this contract, House Leader Duggan will provide official confirmation and will hold payment until time of confirmation. Confirmed death of contracted guild members, failure of job requirements, or three years have passed.

Speaker: And you know from previous dealings with the Adventurer's Guild that the amount of years passed is negotiable. And no loop? No loopholes. It is a straight... You can you you can see this contract was written by Duggan.

Speaker: Okay. So the contract says it if we don't do it within three years, it is null and void. Essentially. Basically, upon completion or any other sort of stipulations that can come to pass, payment will be held with Duggan at the Guildhouse.

Speaker: Considering there are two different things we are trying to accomplish with this contract, I would like payment for both separate things. If we complete both, awesome! The whole fee. If not, we get 50%. I will agree to those terms. That is fine with me.

Speaker: Duggan takes it back and starts making edits to the contract. They are providing each of you with a bag with basic adventuring supplies, and a revivify scroll, a Zorogog amulet for identification, should you need it.

Speaker: in cold weather clothing. Okay, what do we think we should ask for this? Talira says that in her head. I think they want us to do some kind of bullshit. I'm inclined to say 10,000 gold per person.

Speaker: I mean, part of haggling is is you suggest hi and then go down to what you're actually willing to accept. ah The problem is I'm not the best at the bargaining. I know at how it works. I'm just bad at doing it.

Speaker: So we say 10,000 each? I would like to add one more thing to the contract. Go ahead. I would like to add that the three-year time limit would be a time of re-evaluation to see if the contract continues or not, not a deadline.

Speaker: That's a good idea. I'll bring it up. Talira looks as if she's like pouring over the contract as she's speaking all of this in her head. For one last thing i would like to add.

Speaker: Instead of the contract being null and void after three years, can we make it a re-evaluation thing?

Speaker: I am open to this. If we are going to do that, I would like to move the amount of years down to two years. ah We don't want to be in this contract for a long time either. The goal is to finish it up in three years. If three years comes up and we haven't completed, we will give you all the information we have received so far, make it public.

Speaker: And at that time, if we feel that this needs to continue on longer, we have re-evaluate and do a new contract. I mean, re-evaluation, you could just as easily say no, you don't want to continue it as yes, it's worthwhile, we're close.

Speaker: It hurts you not at all for us to say we're going to re-evaluate when the time comes. Supposing it even takes us that long. but I hope it won't take us that long. it's While you make a good point, I do expect this to cost quite a bit of money, and the point of the time span is to not keep potential funds that we could hire another group with held up in an undisclosed location of the guild.

Speaker: The other purpose of the time span is if you all die and there is no way to confirm it, it times out. And so if it if we are stuck in a re-evaluation process waiting for you to show up, there will be and there will't need to be a section added for how long we will wait at that point.

Speaker: It would be at three years. I will agree to three years for a re-evaluation process, but if no contact is made within half a year from the three-year mark, then the contract will be null and void.

Speaker: At the three-year mark. ah Well, three years and then the half a year. That makes sense. I will agree to that. Then lastly, the fee. Ten thousand each.

Speaker: Ten thousand? That seems fair. Yes, I'll agree to that. Well, I must say, the negotiations went better than i thought they would. I expected more of pushback from you.

Speaker: Duggan makes the adjustments and slides it over to you. He hands and an inkwell and a pen to each of you to sign. Yellen kind of like taps the quill in the inkwell for a minute.

Speaker: What if I say no? A lot has been brought to my attention. And, um, well, if you expect us to do an evaluation of your group, but to find nothing, you're expecting us to fail.

Speaker: You're expecting not to pay us. You're expecting not to have to uphold your end of the contract? If you find nothing that puts us in a negative light, then I will consider that a job well done. As well as also if you find actual meaningful evidence that can be proven, then I have no choice but to pay you then as well. But that won't happen.

Speaker: or is to stop you from taking all meaningful evidence and having all of your crew shape up for three years. It's not hard to hide things.

Speaker: Those are the accusations that you have for us, and that's why we are hiring you. To prove them wrong. I kind of look over to Piara.

Speaker: What's wrong, little Crifling? You know, for a personality hire, I'm really glad they chose someone so nice. You can see her tongue kind of like rim right inside of her bottom lip.

Speaker: And what's what's to stop me from just doing this on my own? What's to stop me from striking out, finding the evidence, bringing it back, and turning this whole place over on my own, on my own terms?

Speaker: From what we understand, you were already in the primordial plane. And you didn't do it then. Yes, I was. I was preoccupied. I'm sure you were. I'm sure you were.

Speaker: What does that mean? 20 each. Or we figure something else out. Little Criveling, that is vastly too much to ask. and People making decisions are talking. Okay, you can hold the names now. His name is Yellen. feel like that is suddenly...

Speaker: A lot of frustration in the room. You ask for twenty. What if we keep it at our original price here that we just discussed, but we give an additional ten to your brother?

Speaker: I... that... that will... I look to the rest of the party. Work? Yellen. If you want to go solo, I am not going to be mad about it.

Speaker: But that is your call to make. I will be mad. This is just, uh, it's strange. This is all strange. I agree. I hate that we're signing a contract with them. They are awful.

Speaker: And they've been nothing but awful to you. I don't trust them. I don't either. Of course we don't trust them. We would be searching for this information regardless of whether they thought they were going to pay us for it or not. That's how I think about it. We might as well get some money and use it to help the Foundation.

Speaker: This can make it easier for us to access places that we will need. true, but it... On top of that, we can figure out what's actually happening and who is actually to blame and stop them so doesn't affect others.

Speaker: True as well. All right. And out of my head, I was like, all right, you've got my signature then. Duggan begins writing it in. And as he's writing this in, he also addresses you to Lyra.

Speaker: I noticed when going through your paperwork, one of your old party members, Daniel? Yes? He might be a good contact for you in the primordial plane. Actually, part of the agreement with having PR here take a seat at the World Council is that we got the first ever interplanar guildhouses.

Speaker: And the Adventurers Guild are the ones to take those, seeing as the need over there. There is one guildhouse in Lushlux, one in Romacqua, and one in Hesignis. And Daniel happens to be heading the one up in Romacqua? Romacqua, yeah, that's the one.

Speaker: Could be a good resource for you while you're over there. Good to know, thank you. He finishes the addendum and hands it over for signatures. Maeve signs. Talira initials. Yellen signs. Calden doesn't. He never does.

Speaker: Well, I can say that I am happy that this is over with. Also, in each of the continents of Aeone, there is generally one portal. It is costly, and we did not agree to provide the cost for that for you. Now, you can still choose to take them, and it will take you time to get there, obviously, to be able to pass through. But we figured we would let you know. A convenient opportunity has arisen.

Speaker: As of earlier this morning, a rift has opened up just a couple hour of wagon ride in a small town outside Glory. So if you wanted a quicker and cheaper way to pass into the primordial plane, you could take advantage of that before the rift gets closed.

Speaker: And where in the primordial plane does that the rift lead to? That's a great question. I do not know the answer to that, as it is very new information. Regardless, I recommend a covered wagon. They're saying it's going to storm.

Speaker: Either way, good luck on your journey, I guess. And PR stands up, as Gaulet followers are as well. All right, what are we all thinking? Do we have any reason to delay?

Speaker: I'll just have to sort out some paperwork and sending stones. How long would that take? I don't know, as long as fast as I can. All I have to do is gather a couple bags. i I'm quick. I'll let Kiril know he should probably head back to the clan. Oh shit, Yellen!

Speaker: Would I be able to ask you to send for my mom? What? We need to let mom know that Kiro is probably going home without me and that he had made a kind of trade bargain and to expect merchants.

Speaker: Oh, um, ah yeah, yeah, I can do that. Thank you. Are you okay? What? Yellen. Sorry, what what did you say?

Speaker: Are you okay? Uh, I'm alright. I think I just need some time to process this. Uh, but I will send them right now. I will send sending right now.

Speaker: Thank you. Um, and yeah, whatever you need to do, Yelen, to process or whatever, let us know. This is kind of bullshit what just happened. so I agree.

Speaker: Kind of. And a statement of the year. And then I'll i'll start the sending. Kira made a deal with merchants, so be expecting them.

Speaker: And that he'll be coming home without me. And he'll be coming home without Talira. Tell mom I love her. And she love you. Was that too many words? Were you counting? I don't know. I lost cat i've stopped counting after that. Kira made a deal with merchants.

Speaker: Be expecting them. that's Eight, nine. I think we're good. I think that was less than- Seeing Jack trying to do the mental math is just hilarious.

Speaker: Counting is hard, okay? Look. Look, you got the the points. You got the points across. It took up more than his 10 fingers. Come on. Yeah, I only got a 10.

Speaker: Oh my gosh.

Speaker: You hear back from the sending. Okay. Good to know. Tell Talira I love her and be safe. She says be safe and she loves you. i Good to know.

Speaker: Okay. I feel better about that. ah Sally, who had been sitting in the back of the room for this, stands up. Well, my need to rush you is over, but I do need to go back to the Roe family as they are getting ready to leave.

Speaker: Maeve, I... Can I have your sending stone? Yeah, I figured you'd ask and she hands it to you. Thank you. I've still got the one from Lionel. Maybe pick that one up and I'll contact you if I need you. Sounds good.

Speaker: I appreciate it. And maybe it'd be good if before you take off that your dad sees you or at least the Roe family, the Lord and Lady. Yes, I will say my goodbyes.

Speaker: Well, you all have some decisions to make. Sounds like you need to make them quick. So, and she stops at the door and turns around and she puts a hand out to each of you for a handshake. If I don't see you again, it has been a pleasure to know you and know Maeve's friends that she made.

Speaker: Thank you for taking care of her. The pleasure has been all ours, Sally. Calden, two finger salutes. Best of luck on your journey, guys. Truly. Now I'm off to go get seasick.

Speaker: Woo, good luck. Rest up. Thank you. And she heads out the door. Oh, Sally? but Yes, Maeve? I won't be taking all of my belongings with me on the journey. I will pack them all up. Would you be able to take them back with you?

Speaker: Oh, absolutely. Yes. No, i I had already had that in my head. ill Whatever you don't need, you just let me know. Will do. Thank you. Appreciate And she heads out.

Speaker: Duggan is still in the room. He did not walk out with Garlette Piara. He also stands up and gathers his inkwell and his pen. Obviously, you guys have a big journey ahead of you. If you need that wagon that he had mentioned, just let me know.

Speaker: I'll put it on the dime of the guildhouse. That's no problem. But they are not lying. As is in glory, the storms come on quick, and indeed one is coming in. Thank you. Good to know. um If you're going to take to the sea, then I recommend waiting till tomorrow. But if you do want to get there quicker, the rift will be the way to go. And I've heard that rift is a doozy, so I'm sure they're going to want to close it sooner rather than later.

Speaker: Okay. Good to know. If you think time is of the essence, then we will make the risk, I guess. Is that okay with you all? Yes. yeah Yes. In that case, I'll make arrangements for the wagon.

Speaker: Thank you. He just nods and walks out. Just gotta to go back to my apartment quickly. Grab some stuff. I was just about to ask, what is everybody's next steps? Do you need anyone to go with you, Maeve?

Speaker: Uh, if unless anyone else wants to go to their apartments to grab their belongings. I mean, that is a quick trip for me. I should probably say goodbye to Kiro, though. I'll be talking to Fenlan and the Roe family prior and saying goodbye to my father.

Speaker: I'll try and make it quick. How would we address, you said it was Craig Duncan? Oh, um the guildhouse leader? Yeah.

Speaker: That would be Coy Duggan. Coy Duggan. Yeah, not at all what I just said. So how would we address Coy Duggan? Would we call him Coy? Would we use a title?

Speaker: It really depends on how comfortable you are with him. The Adventurers Guild is ah very relaxed guild. that there's because the It's just a bunch of adventurers. They have ranking systems, don't get me wrong, but it's not like you know you're a bunch of mercenaries and have you reporting to people. i mean It's adventurers. It's also ran similarly where it's pretty laid back.

Speaker: Gotcha. Koi, is there perhaps a teleportation circle or some way we could quickly get to the Moonpeak Mountains?

Speaker: Or get somebody to the Moonpeak Mountains? As he's walking out the door, he he turns around. Any sort of teleportation that far, there's no circle that I know of.

Speaker: I do believe there is one here to Creole, which is not too far, but to get use of that would be a tall order, as I do believe that is diplomats only.

Speaker: Other than that, it would be a costly it would just it would be costly to hire a wizard or someone to teleport somebody. My diplomat would probable heir to the clan, the Stone Speaker clan count?

Speaker: You can certainly try. i honestly don't know where diplomat starts and begins. I am not one who gets too big into the dealings of the World Council. Okay, I will let Kirill know. sin might be a thing he could do if not, hopefully he's not too much of a dipshit.

Speaker: Okay. As Maeve takes off to go gather her things and say her goodbyes, the rest of you head to the apartment as well to quickly grab your things, although there is not a lot to grab.

Speaker: We're going to go to Maeve doing her goodbyes, but so I know who to go to next, do the three of you have anything else to do besides Talira talking with Kiro?

Speaker: Not I, sir. No, Katyn would just gather a stuff. Sounds good. Do we need to procure any other kinds of equipment, potions, so on so forth?

Speaker: I can see about picking up some potions. That's a good idea. And that can happen off screen. Maeve, after you gather a couple of your things real quick, mark what you don't need for Sally. You head out towards the docks, towards the ship that you know that your family, or rather the Roe family,

Speaker: and your father will be boarding somewhat soon. Who do you go to talk to first? She'd probably go to Fenland first. You find him helping getting the ship ready to leave, and you make a quick round of second goodbyes, seeing as you have already had those kind of moments, and soon after, you see your father walking up. Maeve, I heard through the grapevine that you took up another contract for similar reasons as your last one.

Speaker: Well, there's still more to be done. You're not wrong. Job's never over, it seems. Talira told me that you were in a battle recently.

Speaker: He looks down a little bit. Yeah, yeah, I was. Saw someone from the past when I was trying to find you. May I inquire who? He's best left in the past.

Speaker: We'll talk about him another time, if that's all right. As you wish. i' I'm sorry to be so closed off. He, uh, it, really.

Speaker: just I just get emotional in a real real bad way when I'm talking about him. Just anything about him. So i don't want to I don't want to leave seeing you off like this and not seeing you for so long. i I don't want to spoil it, you know?

Speaker: You have your reasons? Yeah. It's funny. I know I don't talk about your mother much. Um... There was this song that she liked a lot.

Speaker: She said she heard it from some water genasi when she was visiting Creole for some performance she was doing. But she said the song was also like a myth or something like that from some local area.

Speaker: Either way, i don't I don't exactly know where. But the name of the song, I can never get it out of my head. I wish I could sing it for you, obviously, but that's that's not my thing. But she played it for you when you were when you' were real little.

Speaker: So maybe when you hear it at some point, maybe you'll recognize it. It's called the Rondra Spring. The what of spring? Erundra's... It's really hard to pronounce, I'm sorry. Erundra's Stream.

Speaker: Spring. Erundra's Spring. That's it, yeah. She said it's a local myth, too. It's about some magical place. She said that she always wanted to visit it.

Speaker: and just, I bring it up, just because if you're on the primordial planet, I think your mother would... I think if she was around, it would make her smile if you were to go... see whatever that place is.

Speaker: If she would like it, I bet you would. um I'll keep it in mind if we are in the area. I'll have a look. I'm sure will. Well, I've got my party waiting for me. say Yeah, yeah. a bit of I'm sure you've got to go.

Speaker: yeah Sally's getting the ascending stone off Lionel, so if you or anyone needs to contact me or if I needed it back at Rowe, please. Will do. No, you got business to take care of.

Speaker: Before you go, I know with your your new armor and everything, it's it's real nice, but would you like a new headpiece? What? What do you mean?

Speaker: ah just I've been doing a lot of thinking on everything that you've done so far in your life, everything you've achieved. And it just it makes me real proud. And I realized that after you came back from your last adventure, I was so caught up in, I mean, how proud I was that you survived, but also in the in the state you came back, I didn't One of the things I had always told myself is whenever you were to take your first big contract, if you were to go down the same sort of, you know, route that I do, I wanted to give you something.

Speaker: Maybe symbolic, I guess you could say, but the headpiece that he wears for his armor that he has in his arm, he puts it in front of him. I think it'll still fit you, but you can attune to it and um it'll change shape if it doesn't fit perfect right away. But i want you to have this.

Speaker: Thank you. And she she takes it. I'll make sure i polish it every day. That's a little beat up, but that just means it did its job. So if it doesn't come back with a few more bumps and bruises, then I'll take it. The job was too easy for you.

Speaker: Yeah, so I'm keeping you from your business. I know your friends are waiting on you. Got whatever it is that this contract is. So Lady Rose waiting on me. I love you, Maeve. You stay safe, OK?

Speaker: I love you too, Father. I won't let you down, OK? I never worried about that. Stay safe. You too. And he about faces and goes back to getting everything done.

Speaker: And Maeve leaves with her shiny new helmet. Talira, as you go to find Kiro, you find that he's not in his room. Well, fuck.

Speaker: Ugh. God damn it. Lou, I hate to ask if you would be willing to sniff him out again. She kind of sighs and rolls her eyes, but not at you. It's more at Kiro.

Speaker: You can tell. yeah And she starts sniffing him out. and And as she leads you out of the apartment, you look up and the sky is graying and you start to feel a few sprinkles.

Speaker: You hear thunder in the distance. She puts her nose to the ground and leads you across the street and into a little bakery. Okay. And sure enough, standing standing at the front of the line ordering a thing of cinnamon buns is Kiro.

Speaker: Good choice. They're really good here. Yes, could I get two of the cinnamon- Oh, Talira, are you doing here? I've got to get going. You know what? Get your cinnamon buns. I'll tell you back at the apartment.

Speaker: Okay, yeah, no, can I make it four? Can I get four cinnamon buns, please? ah Yes, thank you so much. Absolutely. He pays and gets four cinnamon buns. He's like, I smelled them down in the common area this morning, and I just, I got a hankering for him right away.

Speaker: Hankering. You ever heard that word, Lyra? I learned it from some dude the bar last night. Yeah, yeah, I've used that one a few times. Not much, but that's a good, it's a good word.

Speaker: I like it. I like it. I think I'm going to use it more. Anyway, here, I got you and Lou a cinnamon, too. Oh, thank you. Let's walk and talk. We've got to go on another contract, and this is a big one.

Speaker: It's a very dangerous one, and I don't think it's a good idea if you come on this. Okay, yeah, that's that's cool. so And we have to leave today.

Speaker: Oh, that's like a now thing. Yeah, yeah, we're packing up and getting ready to go. It's... I'm going to be on the primordial plane. That's, um... Elements, right?

Speaker: Yeah, but that also... It means you might be able to send if you have somebody who can, but that's not a guarantee that I'll be reachable.

Speaker: Gotcha. Okay. I guess I'll settle some things here and start heading home. Yeah, I found there is a teleportation circle to Creole that diplomats can use. I don't know how much you can pull off the diplomat thing, since you're probably going to be taking over as chieftain.

Speaker: Might be worth looking into... I can try to work my way in Otherwise I could probably draw you a map. You know what? I think I could find the way back or I could buy a map, but you guys did a good job showing me on the way here.

Speaker: But the trade deal I made, I know we drank a lot last night, but it's with the Merchants Guild in Creole. Oh, that's fucking perfect. I'll see if I can work my way into traveling with them because they're supposed to leave, I think. Yeah, I i today or tomorrow also had Yellen, by the way.

Speaker: i had him send to mom so she knows to expect them and she knows that you're coming back without me. Great. I'm sure she'll have more words for me than she would in Ascendic.

Speaker: Probably. Thanks for taking me along, Talira. Yeah. this This was good. I learned a lot. Like, I know I play around a lot and everything, but this was good. this is I had a ton of fun, but, like, the world's so big.

Speaker: Right? And everywhere is a little bit different. There's always so much to see and so much to do, and now you know I get the restless back on the mountain.

Speaker: I can understand why. i gotta say, though, I think I miss home. Good. As much as and cool as all this is, lots to learn. I guess I never appreciated, you know, our way of life.

Speaker: It's so much easier, that's for damn sure. You're not kidding. Oh, fucking who cares about ogres? We can deal with that. I do miss the simplicity sometimes.

Speaker: The predictability. But I know I'm better out here than I am there. You're damn good at what you do. Thanks. They fucking had me be the leader of this new party. What the fuck?

Speaker: That makes sense to me. I'm not a leader. i am the brawn. I go in as backup. No. You... You are a leader, Talira.

Speaker: You choose not to be. I call bullshit on that one. I guess we'll see who's right.

Speaker: Fine, I'll hold you to it. um I'll, uh, he holds up a cinnamon bun that he hasn't eaten yet. I'll bet you two cinnamon buns. Deal. Hell yeah. That's an easy two cinnamon buns.

Speaker: I mean, I'm probably getting the cinnamon buns out of this, but okay. Guess we will see. You said you got to leave today? Yeah, we have to catch a rift. Oh, I thought I heard somebody on the street, I think, talking about that.

Speaker: I guess it's not too far away. Apparently it's a bad one. Yeah, that's what I've heard. I'm so excited. Can you tell? oh if you get to knock some heads, you'll have a great time. Don't lie to me.

Speaker: Ah, that's fair. But yeah, take care of yourself, okay? And, um... No more ripping tents, because, um... Mom gave me a lot of shit over that one.

Speaker: I will make no promises, but I will try. Fine. fine Well... ah ah That was a good one. ah

Speaker: Okay. I'll see you. I'll see you, Talira. Stay safe, okay? You too. She gives him a huge fucking hug and tells him she loves him before heading off.

Speaker: Love you too. And he bends down and pats Lou's head like he knows that she hates. All right, Lou, keep her safe, okay? Keep her in line. hope you find the cure the curse you're looking for. It'd be cool to see you in person, XMSU.

Speaker: We're going to work on that one, too. I'm sure of it, as he looks up at you. She gives him a little bear hug, and and he stands up. And he goes to leave and walk out with you, as he goes one way, and you go the other. You ready, Lou?

Speaker: She gives you the nod, absolutely. Let's get our shit and go find the others. Where do all of you meet backup at? Probably the common area, I'm assuming. Yeah, that'll work.

Speaker: We all are still mind-linked, so we can communicate where we are. No, you guys walked way outside of my zone. Oh, damn. I thought it was a mile. Were we more than a mile? Yeah, one mile.

Speaker: I wouldn't consider it more than a mile. We were, like, within a block. market... The market's the the district on the other side of the World Union from the apartment area. So it's it's within a mile. Yeah.

Speaker: So they probably stayed within it, i would say. You'd probably have to go to, like, the industrial districts and more to the outer outer area of the new city, of what's considered a new city, because of all the new construction. And that that'd probably be outside of the mile range.

Speaker: Okay. Never mind, then. Don't listen to me. Cool. As you all meet up in the common area of the apartments, one of the things that would have been communicated another way, the wagon that the guildhouse is procuring for you would be arriving at the apartments for you at some point. so ah Yellen, she passes the ah sending stone to him.

Speaker: Thank you. appreciate that. It's very kind of you, what you did. I try. I'm not as good as you as the whole emotional side of things, but I'm here if you need me, or need to knock some heads.

Speaker: Thank you. Thank you. Always. And she puts on her helmet and it's too big and she looks like a child. Sorry.

Speaker: I love it. She's super excited. She's trying not to show it though. Once we get to the primordial plane, I know someone who could probably give us some information on where to start, depending on where we end up, of course.

Speaker: Are they the ones who helped you get back? He didn't so much help me get back as confuse me, but he knows a lot. Okay, and let's just hope we don't go somewhere cold.

Speaker: I also have a contact who is heading up the Adventurers Guild in, um, is it Romaqua? I believe is what he said.

Speaker: Yellen, for your information. I mean, you obviously know where Romacqua is and everything, having spent time there. But the Adventurer's Guild being built there is news to you.

Speaker: It's fairly new news. Now, the Adventurer's Guild being a part of the deal to be built in Looslux, you do know about that one, as that was the first one to start being built as part of this deal of including the Aether and the World Council.

Speaker: Mm-hmm. Interesting. I haven't heard of the Ramakwa chapter of the guild. It was very new with the ah representation with the Aether in here with Glory. Now it is allowing new Adventurers Guild to be brought to the Primordial Plane. And somebody I used to travel with is now the head. So at least of that branch.

Speaker: Interesting. Yeah. Well, it's probably worth a visit then. It'll be good to see him. You did say him, right, Woos? Yes. Yeah, it was the the Daniel.

Speaker: Daniel? Daniel. Donwell, yeah. Donwell, that's what it is. Thank you. I was literally just about to say, and you guys hear a honk outside as the wagons arrived, and then I caught myself thinking, well, ah horns don't exist, so... It's a goose honk. Goose drone wagons.

Speaker: Yeah, you just get... Somebody squeezes a goose. Yes! Oh! Oh my gosh. Aggressive goof. As you guys hear a loud crack of thunder, the door to the commonplace opens.

Speaker: Is a Talira Grimstone here? I have your wagon. Yes, I'm here. Thank you. We'll be right out. Sounds good. Put your hood up. It's coming down.

Speaker: That's what I've heard. He goes back out and awaits you guys to come get in the wagon. Mae grabs her belongings and her swords and puts her, makes sure her, helmet like, corrects her helmet because it's too big for her.

Speaker: This won't be a problem. Oh, nice hat. Thank you. My father gave it to me. It looks good. She just, like, shakes her hair bit and it jingles. sure you'll grow into it.

Speaker: Apparently it'll attune at some point. But for now, jingle, jingle, jingle.

Speaker: That's fantastic. I love that. Allons-y. And she says it in Elvish, meaning let's go. French is now Elvish, by the way. Okay, to know. I didn't know you spoke Elvish.

Speaker: I should actually check my character sheet. I'm pretty sure I speak Elvish. You know, like, one word of Elvish? I do not speak Elvin. Calden taught you a couple phrases. It's fine. Okay.

Speaker: That's fair. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. yeah that' That'll work. That'll work. As you all go out the door and into the pouring rain as lightning cracks overhead, make your way across the street to the wagon.

Speaker: As you do, this is a fairly somewhat busy street. As you do, there's bunch people rushing because it started pouring rain and everything, and everybody seems to be hooded and have hoods up. And in the process of this, someone bumps into you, Calvin.

Speaker: And they keep going as if nothing's happened, as as everyone else says, they're just trying to get out of the rain and make it to their destination. But you, you know you know these tactics, and you feel something in your pocket right after the bump.

Speaker: Ugh. Okay. put my hand in my pocket to feel what it it is, at least. It's just a folded piece of paper. Kind of crumpled, though. Well, it's raining. I'm not going to take it out here. Yeah. It's a little crumpled, so that's why you're able to feel it, just because haphazardly, you know, trying to shove in your pocket and whatnot real quick. but Not the most subtle of pickpocketing if you have to bump into me to do it.

Speaker: You mean me?

Speaker: As you all make it to the wagon, the wagon driver, who I previously described, is waiting in the back, and he helps you guys up into the covered back of the wagon as the the flaps in the back close, although the wind roaring now from the storm, allowing not perfect privacy, but it's better than being rained on.

Speaker: Once we're in the covered wagon, i want to pull the note out. Okay. And you read it? Mm-hmm. It simply says actions have consequences.

Speaker: And that's where we'll end today's episode. man. I hope you guys enjoyed. I mean, i hope you enjoyed the twist that, uh, that we brought. I was really excited for it. Obviously the cast seemed to have been as well, but regardless, I know next episode, if you can't tell is going to be a wild one. So I hope you guys are excited. We're going to die. Yay. TPK, TPK. Hope you guys had fun today. We're about to record the next one. So woo let's go.

Speaker: Let's go. TPK. And for the rest of you guys, make sure to check out all of our socials. If you haven't already, we want to hear from you there, as well as any of the comments of the podcast platform you're listening on. Let us know what you like best and maybe where we can improve. We always like good feedback we're regardless.

Speaker: And yeah. Oh, and I made the mistake last episode. I'm not going to do it this time. We have a coffee. You can find that in any of our link trees as well as on our socials. If you guys do feel like donating to our show in any way, we don't make any money on this right now by any means. And we're not expecting anything, but we will accept all the support we can get in all forms. So whether it's just listening or its or if it's monetary. Is there anything else i'm missing, guys?

Speaker: I think that's it. Like, comment, subscribe, that whole, you know, social thing that we're supposed to say. Please tell us that we're awesome. We'll see you guys next time. And you go, Rennie. I'm going to go pee. Peace, guys. you in the next one. Bye, Rennie. Later.

Speaker: Okay, bye.

Speaker: We would like to thank our cast, myself, Curtis Woosley, as the GM, MJ Gunther as Talira Grimstone-Ekhalanathi, Saphira as Maeve Strongheart, Renny Armas as Kalden, and Jack Baldwin as Yalin Yakal.

Speaker: Additional thanks to Scentic GFX for our graphics, to MJ and Renny here for our show editing, and our intro and outro music composed by Ryan Moons, owner operator of Eyes on the Moon Studios.

Speaker: Next time, on the World of Aeon. I think we are all going to have to be honest with each other. If there is anything else that we need to be on the lookout for.

Speaker: With a crack of thunder right after Talira says this, Lu begins to freak out. She backs to a corner and puts her paws on her head and her eyes go wide and she begins yelping and and whining and crying.

Speaker: And when her eyes go wide, she looks at Talira and then she looks at you, Calvin. Lou? yeah He's here. I'm so scared, y'all. You should be. Damn it!

Speaker: Calvin! Calvin!