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C3 Episode 41 Little Boxes on the Hillside Chapter Three
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Butterfly in the Sky, I Can Go Twice as High
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Transcript
Introduction to 'Eberron Renewed'
00:00:02
Speaker
um correctly with the coach
00:00:09
Speaker
twenty radio your gamers role
00:00:21
Speaker
Hello, welcome to Eberron Renewed, an actual play podcast set in the Eberron campaign setting. um' your Game Master, Eric. I'm Mia. I'm Phillip.
00:00:31
Speaker
I'm Madison. I'm Jeff. Welcome to another
Arrival at Pella's Watch
00:00:35
Speaker
episode. Folks, what happened last time? Welcome to Pella's Watch. It's so pleasant here.
00:00:43
Speaker
There is no war in Pella's Watch. Because everyone is too busy following their 15-minute interval schedules for the entire day. And they don't like think about the We arrived just time for lunch.
00:00:57
Speaker
Where they serve lunch. You had options. ah There were. It's just, we we the the town's creepy, but not maliciously so. Maybe. It's honestly not even, it's off-putting.
00:01:09
Speaker
Is it creepy? It's weird. Yes, it's creepy. yeah Some
Mystery of Barnaby's Memory Gap
00:01:13
Speaker
of us are glass half-full kind of people. Not Jeff, but Cass. Entirely apart from Nick's. I hate this. Like, this is awful.
00:01:23
Speaker
Like the whole cult vibe is really... yeah This is a bad time to mention that the orderliness is actually pretty nice for Val. Yeah, I can see that. like Yeah, it just makes it... Okay. Nyx likes the order.
00:01:39
Speaker
The order is not the problem that with itt for Nyx.
00:01:43
Speaker
It's the bright colors and the softness and the saccharine sweetness. Understood. Oh, good. Because we're still at the table. I think something that was a bit weird to me.
Meeting Barnaby's Family
00:02:00
Speaker
And this is Valk and Mia at the same time.
00:02:03
Speaker
I don't know. Pick your poison. Whenever I was asking Barnaby if he remembers anything before, he didn't notice anyone new show up.
00:02:15
Speaker
So how did Jim get elected? Assuming there was elections, but how did he get instilled if Barnaby does not remember him showing up? Did Barnaby mention Jim at all?
00:02:29
Speaker
i don't think so. I learned about Jim from the day at the Calhzar Cry. No, but But that's still weird because why would he have lost three months? He would have noticed someone showing up into town and then right blackout.
00:02:44
Speaker
Assuming he's a reliable narrator. i I'm going to trust that he is in the sense. I assume it could or I suppose it could be possible that Jim Johnson, if it is not just a creature doing what it does, laid some groundwork and did the initial whatever before he made himself known. know And so it's inside of the time that Barnaby is missing.
00:03:14
Speaker
Is that? That's true. I'm trying to talk. I don't know if it came out like words. No, that makes sense. Okay.
00:03:20
Speaker
Those were definitely words. Yes. Sensical ones with a through line of thought, I guess is really where I'm at. That's a high bar though. For me. I don't, I don't know.
00:03:32
Speaker
I have been wondering, yeah, I don't know, how would he have snapped out of it if he was ever under the spell? If he wasn't ever under the spell, why was he unconscious for three months?
00:03:46
Speaker
Everyone here seems vaguely conscious of their past. I wonder if we could try to get, yeah, I don't know. I am going to have to rely on you all. my My gut instinct here is to go to the city hall and kill whatever Jim Johnson is and see if that fixes it.
00:04:01
Speaker
That's a good backup plan. As I said. yeah i wrote I don't want you to completely rule that option out, but let's, yeah. i I assure you, there's no one we've met that I have ruled out the option. What do you mean no one?
00:04:16
Speaker
Like, I get it. Just stares at Kaz.
00:04:20
Speaker
Is it my whole thing? Is that why? I get I'm done eating. Assuming that this conversation has been
Exploring the Education Center
00:04:25
Speaker
happening. Oh, I assume that you all were walking to the Finch's house as you were having this conversation. Finch. That's his last name.
00:04:31
Speaker
Yes. I could remember Finch and you could remember Barnaby. So that worked out great. You see a modest two-story dwelling that displays a fresh paint. There's a certain visual harmony with the neighboring homes as the colors kind of flow in and out of each other.
00:04:46
Speaker
There's a garden that displays flowers arranged in a beautiful pattern that once again draws the your eye. Um... um There's a picket fence surrounding the front lawn, each slack cut to identical height and spaced with mathematical precision.
00:05:03
Speaker
um The front path to the door consists of stones that are arranged in a spiral pattern that your eye just kind of naturally gets drawn up to the front door painted in a welcoming blue.
00:05:16
Speaker
You can see through the windows, there's no curtains or coverings of any kind. And you glimpse an interior where every object seems to have found its place. But it's not like sterile perfection of like a catalog home. It looks lived in, but a family that has achieved domestic harmony.
00:05:38
Speaker
Everything labeled.
00:05:40
Speaker
White ceramic stuff with just what what's in it's on it. There's oink in here. i don't get it. Is the bird's name bold? Someone loves this lady and we are. This is why we go viral. because Because we took on the target decor section. I'm going to knock on the door.
00:05:56
Speaker
Okay. Right. You'll approach and knock on the door after a beat. The woman who answers the door embodies every positive quality of domestic partnership. Her brown hair is arranged in a neat style that suggests careful attention without vanity.
00:06:12
Speaker
Her clothing is clean and well-maintained without appearing formal. She carries herself with grace. Um... And it's ah it's a halfling woman that you see open the door.
00:06:24
Speaker
Most striking is there is a genuine... I completely forgot that Barney was a halfling. When you punched him? I had also forgotten it by that point, yes. ah oh visitors.
00:06:36
Speaker
How lovely to meet you. ah What can I do for you? Hi, we're... My name is Saval. We're friends of Barnaby. and Barnaby?
00:06:50
Speaker
He sent, he wanted us to check in and and talk with you while he's away with his cousin. He's always working so hard to take care of us. I appreciate the fact that he sent you to check in. I can't imagine ah what important business called him away so suddenly, but I'm sure it's important work. But yes, please come in.
00:07:10
Speaker
and He's always been like that, I'm sure. Working very hard to see that you all are happy and healthy and...
00:07:21
Speaker
tranquil He's so thoughtful about the family's needs and so devoted to making sure we have everything we're required to be happy and secure, of course. ah Please take a seat. And she gestures at a small dining table.
00:07:34
Speaker
and that she realized Are we able to sit at this dining table? Force of habit. yeah Are we ducking through this door? No, the the home is made to accommodate the taller folk, but the furniture is not.
00:07:46
Speaker
There's a door in the door. for me Hey, that just means your square footage goes a lot farther. You know, okay, Nick's found out that the majority of commerce in Pella's Watch is from smuggling and crime.
00:08:02
Speaker
It seems like they don't even export like smuggle stuff. They export criminals. Like Pellas Watch is where you go to hire people to do illicit things. Am I remembering that right, Eric?
00:08:13
Speaker
Yes. Okay. So that's not it's not even a good. It's like this is an emporium of... Service. Criminals. i Skilled laborers. I want to ask Melinda would when he she says he works so hard to provide for us and stuff.
00:08:28
Speaker
You know, it never really came up when we talked to him. What does Barnaby do? Yeah. co and See if there's a like haze over the crimes. ah Apologies for my misunderstanding, but then how do you all know Barnaby? I assume that you all were conducting business together. Through his cousin.
00:08:45
Speaker
we We know his cousin. Apologies then for the confusion. No, i I honestly, Barnaby... He said he had business to attend to out of town, and so he had to go.
00:08:58
Speaker
But he helps out the education center and the orphanage when he has time. and
00:09:09
Speaker
But he just helps the town. Was that pause in character? What you mean? Well, you said he helps out at the orphanage in this and the education center. and then And he, well...
00:09:22
Speaker
And there was a really long pause. And it helps the town. That was Eric collecting his Oh, okay. That was Eric collecting his thoughts. was yeah Checking that she didn't like turn off for a minute. Yeah. She spent two minutes tapping two fingers against her upper lip trying to think of how to answer this question.
00:09:37
Speaker
and Okay, interesting. do you Do you work a trade or? or Oh, no. I just, I tend to the home and the children, of of course.
00:09:48
Speaker
Of course. And, uh... speak of the devil, a teenage boy, halfling. I'm not a devil. I'm a tiefling. It's different. Walks into the room. He's tall for his age.
00:10:01
Speaker
Once again, for a halfling with sandy hair, combed neatly and wearing clean coat clothes, um, that suggests a certain level of personal pride in his appearance. And he sees you all. It's Oh,
00:10:14
Speaker
Welcome to our home. I hope mom is taking good care of you. Mother, I was hoping to go to the education center for afternoon lessons. She says, of course, Emmy.
00:10:26
Speaker
ah Question, Eric. Is an education center a normal thing in Eberron? Does Eberron have public education? That would be a like, there's obviously trades and apprenticeships. Sure. Also like schools for learning, but a Sammy Nix would clock at about 16 for half, like as a halfling.
00:10:48
Speaker
So he's a bit old to be going to like general education. He should be going into like a trade of some kind or off to university if academics was his career path. So, right. Yeah.
00:10:59
Speaker
It would clock you as weird
Kaz's Investigation of Youth Behavior
00:11:00
Speaker
if he was going to attend classes.
00:11:03
Speaker
And she says, of course, Sammy. Oh, I'm so sorry. This is Sammy, our son. Sammy, these are, I'm so sorry. I did not catch your names. Nyx. I'm Kaz.
00:11:14
Speaker
Selena. She has my name. I introduced myself. It's true. ah At the door. he does Yeah. So she introduces the four of you to Sammy and says, very nice to meet you. What are you studying, Sammy?
00:11:28
Speaker
Oh, I'm helping with the literacy classes at the education center. I took to it pretty well. And now I help some of the people that are struggling with the subject. What are literacy rates like in Eberron, Eric? Literacy rates are... Do most people read?
00:11:44
Speaker
I mean, really small provincial towns, probably the literacy rate is much lower, like the size of Pella's Watch. It wouldn't be striking to you for it to have a fairly low literacy rate, whereas a place like Rowat is going to have a much higher... i'm Sure.
00:11:56
Speaker
So, yeah. Okay. Lower than our world, but not so low as medieval Europe. it's not It's not wild that Sammy would have learned in the last year to read. Yeah.
00:12:06
Speaker
Okay. Forgive me Mrs. Finch, if this seems an odd question.
00:12:15
Speaker
A town this size with a... with a purpose-built school of this nature is striking.
00:12:27
Speaker
Most towns this size that I visited would not be able to afford to establish such an institution. Oh, yes. Well, Sammy, go on ahead, unless you all need to speak to Sammy.
00:12:39
Speaker
Have a good time. good And Sammy leaves as she says, enjoy reading, I guess, it says Kaz. um Hello, fellow teenager, says Kaz. Once we started up the orphanage and started taking care of the...
00:12:55
Speaker
poor children that lost their families in the war. We had other communities and dispensations from ROAC that were helping to assist in the work that we were doing here. And ah Mayor Johnson, i believe, asked for additional funds to help set up an education center as a, what was the word that used?
00:13:14
Speaker
A... oh ah a proof of concept for an idea of a place that people could go to learn things like literacy or arithmetic and things like that, just to help elevate their standard of living. In a lot of ways, this is going to be really uncool, but I think it's going to work.
00:13:35
Speaker
Nick says, I, that's really fascinating to me. I, I would have benefited from such a thing when I was young, I'm sure. Do you think my ward, Kaz, here, could... Would he be able to sit in on a class? I would love to to know what it looks like from the inside.
00:14:01
Speaker
um You'll get reeducated just for like a news for like an hour. he' is doing that apprenticeship. So she she says, oh, of course, the education center is open to anyone. So if you want to go sit in on a class or get personal tutoring, perhaps Kaz could go with Sammy and sit in on a class.
00:14:20
Speaker
Oh, sure. I'm sure Mrs. Brightwater will be able to accommodate young Kaz here. And Mrs. Bright Potter? Water. Brightwater. Brightwater. OK.
00:14:31
Speaker
um And she calls at the door, Sammy. And Sammy walks back. He's like, yes, ah take young Kaz here with you. You all boys of the same age. I'm sure you'll have plenty to chat about.
00:14:43
Speaker
He wants to go take a look at the education center. And Sammy goes, oh, absolutely. um Kaz, it'd be my pleasure to escort you to the education center. Yes, I am excited to pause my gainful employment with my coworkers to attend to school with you.
00:15:00
Speaker
Sammy, let's go read. No, legit, I was going to ask the assembled group if we thought Cash should go to school. So this worked out great. It's just more fun for Nix to kind come up with it.
00:15:11
Speaker
All right, we're going to school. I guess let me know what you find out. And he goes and he walks with Sammy to the education. Have fun reading. guess.
00:15:25
Speaker
A thing I know how to do. So I would like Nyx, Nyx sort of walks them a little bit out the door and then she looks over, looks up onto the eaves where Acheron is.
00:15:42
Speaker
And all All fiendish familiars have the talkative traits so Acheron can understand me and speak with me. And Nyx is gonna look over at Acheron and say, get in his backpack, have a look around while they're in school, and tell me whether these things are from another world.
00:15:59
Speaker
Okay. Kaz is a lot cooler with going to school when Nyx says you can take my dragon. Yeah. Best show and tell ever. This is Acheron. He's my friend's sassy dragon.
00:16:11
Speaker
Yeah. Sorry, we'll stick with the Finch home for now, and then we'll to... Yeah, that's fine. Next, go back inside.
00:16:21
Speaker
Melinda,
Melinda Explains Town Transformation
00:16:22
Speaker
but when we were speaking with Barnaby, he seemed really upset. He kept talking about ah fight that was happening.
00:16:35
Speaker
It sounded like a regular occurrence. You got in a fight with him. You hit him with a pan. oh his son told him to shove off.
00:16:46
Speaker
Marnie bit someone. do you do you do you recall that it would have been a few months ago? do you... He seemed very fixated on this.
00:16:58
Speaker
Are you... Barnaby and I... have such a loving partnership. He's incredibly patient and kind and helping with the household. We don't argue what would be the point. sweet We both want the same thing.
00:17:14
Speaker
happy family where our children can thrive. i barna b Barnaby does like to play tricks. This might have been one of his tricks that he was playing. You don't remember? Well, I... No, I don't remember something that didn't happen, dear.
00:17:32
Speaker
Do... if And I apologize, this might be a little upsetting. The the reputation of Pellas Watch is being still being reformed. do you remember the crime that was happening?
00:17:51
Speaker
Yes, I remember that. it It used to be, unfortunately, not a very safe place to to raise children. And we were very concerned about Sammy and Melinda's Marnie's, I'm Melinda.
00:18:01
Speaker
That was Eric, not her. um mean She begins flagellating, I'm Melinda, I'm Melinda. Sammy and Marnie growing up in such an environment, but thankfully Mayor Johnson has really given us a new lease on on life and opportunity here.
00:18:19
Speaker
Do you remember when he showed up? Oh, it's it's a few months back. It's quite remarkable everything he's accomplished. Who was the former mayor? ah The former mayor, Barnaby Finn. Sorry, have this one moment.
00:18:34
Speaker
It was Matilda Greenway. She was the former mayor, but now she runs the community center. and I'm sorry. When you spoke of Jim, you didn't actually say when or how he showed up.
00:18:56
Speaker
Was he voted in as mayor? He arrived from Rowat, I believe it is, and began speaking about some changes that could be done in the town. And we listened to his thoughts and we decided that it sounded like a fine direction to go in.
00:19:11
Speaker
How often do you have elections? Mayor Johnson just happened to show up in time for an election. Is it normal? can just Could i run for mayor if I just showed up in town?
00:19:22
Speaker
If I remember correctly, i Matilda had been mayor. Mayor is kind of a formalized title that Mayor Johnson introduced us to, being such a small town. We just called Matilda Elder, and she was just kind of the the town leader for a time, and we kind of realized that we didn't have much say in whether or not Matilda was the leader of the town, and so we decided to pick, and most people picked Mayor Johnson.
00:19:51
Speaker
And Matilda was... fine with this. I mean, she seems to have thrown her efforts into the community center and being the coordinator for the community and organizing social events.
00:20:04
Speaker
so During the social hour, I assume. Well, no, the social hours are for the ordered hearth, but the community center is open much more throughout the day. There are classes, though, according to a schedule.
00:20:17
Speaker
Interesting. Melinda, I have another odd question. I hope you don't mind. if This is just so I can send word back to Barnaby. he He's been very worried and anxious being separated from you and his family.
00:20:38
Speaker
Are you aware of your behavior change? And that I would also like to check her response at this time. Love it.
00:20:50
Speaker
She says the section on Matilda is much lower in the notes the section on Melinda. So I'm going to scroll up and down.
00:21:00
Speaker
gotta alphabetize your NPCs. Right. Are Matilda and Melinda related like Yosef and Jakob aren't or Yonas? Yonas. And no, they're not related. Sorry, I should have at school.
00:21:12
Speaker
Change in behavior. I think you must have us confused with some other family based on what you're saying. This this doesn't make any sense to me. You can give me a wisdom check and you can use your investigator background.
00:21:27
Speaker
Okay. 24. twenty four
00:21:32
Speaker
You can tell that Melinda is offended by your question, but would never let that show like the level of like offense she has taken to being accused of having a ah stark behavior change.
00:21:46
Speaker
You don't detect any kind of like puppeting or glitch in the matrix or anything like that though. Just the overwhelming politeness of a woman who's offended, but you are guests in her home. I'm sorry. That was a strange request from Barnaby. Probably one of his his pranks setting me up.
00:22:07
Speaker
Yes, yes. As as you are talking, a young girl walks into the room. Bites you. Marnie, no. A very small halfling girl with blonde hair, neatly braided with ribbons that match her clean, well-fitted clothes.
00:22:23
Speaker
um She skips into the room and she says, hello, I'm Marnie.
00:22:30
Speaker
Hi. a bit This is my youngest, Marnie. She says, would you like to see my room? I keep it very neat and organized, just like mommy taught me. oh I don't think you should invite strangers there, but I trust that it's very clean and your dress is very pretty.
00:22:48
Speaker
Thank you. Did Melinda respond to the offer it to show strangers? She just chuckled at Marnie being a kid. like Okay.
00:23:00
Speaker
We have a raccoon.
00:23:03
Speaker
Nix know to the children. Grub heases. Grub pops his head out. Hi, I'm Marnie.
00:23:13
Speaker
What's his name? His name is Grub. Hi, Grub.
00:23:19
Speaker
He likes treats. Do you want to give him one? Yes, I would. And she holds her hand give her a treat. I'll give her a treat to give to Grub. And then she extends the treat out to Grub. And Grub mauls her hand.
00:23:31
Speaker
No. He's like, bite her. Good. Grub is also uncomfortable. The shadows creep up her arm. Grub says, for Barnaby, and then bites her back. She says, thank you for letting me give Grub a treat.
00:23:44
Speaker
He's very cute. Thank you. Mom, I was going to go help at the orphanage with some of the kids, if I may be excused. Of course, dear.
00:23:53
Speaker
Nice to meet all of you. It's nice to meet you. Goodbye, Grub. And she waves at Grub. Grub waves back. And she walks out the door. How old is she?
00:24:05
Speaker
Eight. Okay. don't know kids that well. I may rap may have role played her way younger. I don't know, man. but Well, I was thinking eight's a little young to be going off on her own to help at the orphanage, but also at the tower with zero crime, so cares? Back in the day. Yeah.
00:24:23
Speaker
I walked home from school when I was in kindergarten. Anything else that I can do for you? i I hope that
Further Probing at the Education Center
00:24:29
Speaker
you can attest to Barnaby that everything is going well and the children are doing well. It sure does seem that way.
00:24:36
Speaker
Well, it was lovely to meet you. was lovely to meet all of you as well. You have a very lovely home. and so
00:24:44
Speaker
Cut to. So, we're all around the corner. Sammy looks at you, Kaz, says, so, where are you and your friends from?
00:24:54
Speaker
We are all in Kire now, but we, you know, came from all over. there I actually grew up in Roat for a while. like realize now I'm saying grew up and I'm 16. I'm from Roat, but I'm in Kire now.
00:25:09
Speaker
Oh, wow. What did your family do that you moved during the war? That must have been stressful. I actually went on my own.
00:25:20
Speaker
Oh. I mean, I guess i I was sent to this apprenticeship. I guess went on my own is kind of a weird way to say it. Okay. I've said it. What's the apprenticeship?
00:25:32
Speaker
Working with these guys.
00:25:35
Speaker
What do you all do? Oh, all kinds of stuff, really. Now, just I want to make sure I'm clear. The cousin thing was factual because Nyx was put off by the fact that one was a halfling and one wasn't, right?
00:25:50
Speaker
Yeah. I was confused. Yeah, fair enough. Didn't bother her. just That is fair. Sorry. Confounds her.
00:26:00
Speaker
I think I say, yeah, we did some work for your dad's cousin. That's how we we found out about this place, actually. Okay. Okay. And that is all Kaz offers about the work that they do. Acheron like slithers around and in Kaz's ear, he says, tell me about the dismembered corpses at the other job. See what happens.
00:26:19
Speaker
snow No, no. What? Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. can Is Acheron selectively visible? I don't know how these fiends. No, Acheron's visible.
00:26:31
Speaker
Okay. Okay. Oh, you have a dragon on your shoulder. Yeah. Yes. Dragon. Let's stick with that. What's what's their name? Oh, this... Kaz wonders if he's allowed to speak the name. And he goes, this is... Acheron.
00:26:49
Speaker
Acheron transforms into some... You've summoned Acheron's true form. Thank you. Oh, no! It's just a new hat. I assume I know its name is Acheron, it's because Nyx has said it before. so I think it's safe.
00:27:09
Speaker
Am I incorrect? I thought Acheron was dragon-like. Acheron does look like a dragon. Okay, yes, that's what I thought. okay yes great Dragon is the... Definitely the more socially acceptable way to describe Acheron.
00:27:21
Speaker
Got it. So yeah, you all are walking to the education center. And... Yeah, go ahead. I think I'm going to ask him. So... How long have you been coming to this education center?
00:27:37
Speaker
Oh, i I've been coming for a couple of months now. Yeah, once Mayor Johnson like suggested starting starting up such a place, I... didn't know my letters are or how to read at that point. So I was excited for the opportunity to be able to to learn a skill like that. It seems like something that, you know, people that live in places like Rowat and the bigger bigger cities know how to do. And so seems like something worth learning.
00:28:07
Speaker
You went from zero to teaching reading in a couple of months? I took to it really well. Yeah, I mean that's really impressive. I was younger, but it took me a long time to learn how to read. That's really impressive.
00:28:23
Speaker
Thank you. So what else? I'm also impressive that you can read, too. Well, like you said, I yeah i grew up in Rowat, so bigger city, more...
00:28:34
Speaker
opportunities to learn so I got an opportunity to when I was younger what else do they teach at the education center this Johnson is wasting his and is wasting his potential these people could be set to slaughtering his enemies I think Kaz starts to like push Acheron's head back in the backpack and then realize he does not know what Acheron can do and does not do that after all you've got to stop saying things like that please please be cool at the education center today Acheron
00:29:05
Speaker
do I need the kids to like me on my first day. First day is the most important day at a new school, Acheron. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm shooting for prom king, Acheron. need you to just cheese it.
00:29:17
Speaker
No, and... Yeah, okay, but I do ask, what else do they teach at the education center? All right. Since I already know how to read, and I guess I'm going to be spending some time there, I was wondering if there's something else.
00:29:28
Speaker
I guess I'd be happy to help you teach, but maybe if there's something I could learn, that would be... Are most of the teachers kids like us?
00:29:41
Speaker
No, I, I help some of the younger kids with like the basics of reading and things like that. but But you know, all people are welcome at the the education center. There's grownups there that are learning and there's a lot of subjects, literacy, but then also like civil service, community building, education.
00:30:03
Speaker
um Things like that just to help the town. i haven't taken any of those classes yet though. but It was community building. What was the other one? Civil service class? Civil service, yeah. I might check out the civil service. Awesome.
00:30:17
Speaker
So yeah, you all see you you see the two of you approaching what from the outside looks like a grain mill. Okay. Are there other people around it in it going in and out of it? Is this there's not like a steady stream of people coming in and out. but But yeah, you you do see a couple of people walking in ahead of you.
00:30:39
Speaker
Is there a sign and does it indicate the mascot? The Jim Johnson's. no um And if not, might I suggest? Yeah, there there is no mascot, unfortunately. It just says the the education center on it.
00:30:51
Speaker
The students. What's your mascot? The learners. You do see that the the water wheel for the mill is turning on the outside. And as you walk in... um Does the mill look new? like like it's sort No, it it actually looks old. It's the old grain mill.
00:31:08
Speaker
The inside looks well restored and You see that there are multiple rooms shooting off of the main area, and but inside you see the preserved grinding stones kind of serve as a centerpiece around which different flexible learning spaces have been arranged.
00:31:25
Speaker
And the conversion appears to be very like well done. Lots of natural light that have been imp implemented into the walls, which you wouldn't see normally in a grain mill. And Sammy says, I'm going to go. I'll introduce you to Mrs. Brightwater.
00:31:40
Speaker
And then I'm going to go meet up with Timmy. He's the person that I teach with. But yeah, if that's okay with you, Kaz. Yeah, sure. Does every kid in this town's name end in the E sound?
00:31:52
Speaker
Can I call you Kazzy? Absolutely not. You can call me Kaz. That's when his eyes go black. You are Kazzy. Yeah, you see...
00:32:04
Speaker
You see an older woman that Sammy is walking you towards and she stands rather tall, upright. She's a human woman.
00:32:15
Speaker
She does appear to be probably in her late sixties, early seventies. And she, Sammy walks and was like, Mrs. Brightwater, this is Kaz. He is visiting from out of town and wanted to come see what we're doing here at the education center.
00:32:31
Speaker
And the woman turns and regards you, Kaz, and says, well, isn't that wonderful? Hi, Kaz, I am Margaret Brightwater, and I run this education center. It's wonderful to have you here.
00:32:46
Speaker
What would you like to see? Ms. Brightwater, I am visiting with some friends. I would just kind of love to get an idea of what happens here and who you serve.
00:32:58
Speaker
How long have you been here? Oh, i i've I've been in Pella's watch all my life, dear. i my My late husband owned and operated the mill, and tragically he passed away some time ago, and I found myself unsure of what to do in the wake of his passing, and eventually discovered my love of teaching, and I've been doing it ever since.
00:33:21
Speaker
So... ah so I think he's just, everyone's just answering questions, so I guess I'm just going These are these are forthcoming people. Does your education center predate all of the other changes Mr. Johnson brought about?
00:33:38
Speaker
Oh, no, the education center was Mr. Johnson's idea, Mayor Johnson's idea, yes. Okay, I can't help. You could say was the first student, in fact. I love that. That's delightful.
00:33:50
Speaker
I do wonder, with the mill no longer functioning, how do you eat here? Well, when we... we and but and That's Eric.
00:34:01
Speaker
I feel like I have to clarify every strip of my tongue being me. You're absolutely right. We're in the cagiest town in the world. We are very fortunate in that Mayor Johnson has...
00:34:14
Speaker
connected us with other communities and the hard work that we're doing both in the orphanage and now in education. Other communities are helping to support the town. And so we import a lot of our food and grain and whatnot.
00:34:28
Speaker
Honestly, when my husband died, the mill was less than useless. I didn't know what I was doing running a mill and the grain that I produced here. I would not wish on my worst enemies to eat.
00:34:39
Speaker
And she kind of laughs to herself. So we we rely a lot on the kindness of others, but that kindness has been forthcoming so far. And returned with the way that you take care of the orphaned children.
00:34:54
Speaker
Can I, you know that actually, yeah, sure. um
00:35:02
Speaker
Can I ask what's your what's your little friend's name here? Oh, this is, oh my. Boy, I tempted to say Ackie. This is Acheron. Acheroni. That's the password to unlock his overlord nature. Right. Ackie Ackie, any.
00:35:21
Speaker
Just unhinges as John eats Kaz's head. Well, hello, Acheron. He's shy. He's choosing not to talk. like You know, that brings another question. So do all of the...
00:35:34
Speaker
orphaned children come to the education center once they reach the orphanage? Is this a part of their daily routine? So this is part of their routine, yes. We are very fortunate in that Sister Constance Weatherby, she is the caretaker for the orphanage. And she's a sister of what order? I'm not sure, dear.
00:35:54
Speaker
I assume the Sovereign Hope, but I've never asked. Weatherby.
00:36:00
Speaker
The only other Weatherby I know is the principal from the Archie comics.
00:36:05
Speaker
These are like names out of a Christopher Guest film. Where do And the orphanage is actually the old gambling hall that was converted. In Kaz's ear, why do these orphans not take up blades and avenge their parents?
00:36:20
Speaker
Well, that's what I was going to ask next. And then he turns and he says, so where do the orphans come from? Are they just, and i forgive me, for I don't know if, are they just Brelish citizens that are orphaned? Do you, you're very close to the border with Kair.
00:36:36
Speaker
Did they, take anyone? It is my understanding that it it is just Brelish orphans for now, unfortunately. I don't know if, the nation of Kyrie would entrust an orphanage in Breland to not propagandize. Do sensible thing and kill the young before they can rise against you.
00:36:59
Speaker
Akron, you're being so uncool right now. i'm assuming Akron is whispering all this into him. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. while Kaz is trying to listen to Ms. Brightwater.
00:37:14
Speaker
Knock it off with
Kaz's Observations and Decision
00:37:15
Speaker
the creepy stuff. Are you... Okay. Are you why Nyx is like she is, or is Nyx why you're like you are? Or did you guys just find each other in some terrible pairing? Oh, I found um
00:37:31
Speaker
Well, I don't think I'll be here long enough... to really get the full benefit of any of your classes, Ms. Brightwater. But I, huh, how do I make this scene consequential? Well, she gestures like, well, you can feel free to take a look around where I have some of the learning materials here that you can review if you like, dear.
00:37:54
Speaker
I would love to review some of your learning materials. Absolutely. If you have any take-home sheets that I could. She grabs a ah binder. and flips through it and like takes a few pages out and hands them to you and says, here, this should be enough to whet your appetite. And perhaps if you all are here for a couple of days, you can come back and ah attend some classes.
00:38:16
Speaker
Is the document, is the curriculum written by Jim Johnson? No, there's no byline for the textbook. I was actually going to ask just, this is a civic building more so than the ordered hearth.
00:38:29
Speaker
Is there like, a picture of Jim Johnson here. Like, like one might find a president in a courthouse. No. and Okay. How many teens are here?
00:38:43
Speaker
Like besides Timmy and Sammy, Timmy, right? Yep. Yep. You see a ah couple, but the overrolling majority are either more Marnie's age or you see quite a few of the older residents of Pella's Watch sitting around making their way through instructional material and looking. Well, that's a furrowed browse.
00:39:05
Speaker
i think I think as he kind of just wanders a bit and like introduces himself to anybody who asks or whatever... I want to see if it is even possible to get any of these teens to entertain the idea of mischief or discord.
00:39:24
Speaker
Ooh, good one. Be like, like go up to Sammy and Timmy and be like, Hey, this is kind of fun, but do you guys want to like blow off and go to the river or whatever? there's something dead, we could poke with a stick.
00:39:39
Speaker
Timmy, well, Sammy and Timmy both look up at you and Sammy goes, oh, Kaz, this is Timmy. Timmy, this is Kaz. Hey, Timmy, let's get out of here. And you can tell that Timmy, Timmy is a, sorry.
00:39:52
Speaker
it's ah It's a, it is a, it is a familiar, but not recently worked muscle that Kaz has to arouse up teenagers. And Timmy says, oh, no, I'm i' sorry. we're We're actually working with the education center right now. we We can't go off to the river. Maybe later on tonight, though, we might be able to to go down there, but ah we can't right now.
00:40:16
Speaker
Okay. No, I totally get it. Have you guys ever heard of a fish cloud? Okay, so fish cloud. I'm going to tell you. but Fish cloud is where. Okay, so we're going to go to the river tonight, right? and Actually, it'd be better to do it at night.
00:40:29
Speaker
Catch a couple fish. strategically place them in the home of someone that you want to kind of mess with. And you have what, it's called a fish cloud because it's something of a miasma of synths that they can't quite place. But you got to be good about hiding the fish.
00:40:46
Speaker
It's harmless. It's hilarious. I think it sounds like something that would really fun to do around here. I think we could work with this, but there are things that would smell much worse. Acheron also has ideas. Have you met Acheron, Timmy?
00:41:01
Speaker
So the person, how do you get into the person's house? I have a feeling you can just walk quiet right in around here. Without being invited, that seems wrong. Well, but if you're invited, then they'll know you did it. The point is to surprise them with the fish smell.
00:41:19
Speaker
I suppose we could also wait until we're invited somewhere, have the fish on us, and then secret them into certain spots. I'm just asking if you're down for a fish cloud evening. I'm not.
00:41:33
Speaker
And Timmy looks at Sammy and Sammy's like, I probably should help with the chores at my house instead of making a fish cloud.
00:41:46
Speaker
Sorry. It's great that you find it fun, but please have fish cloud my house. Oh, I can't. okay See, now that you that's the beauty of of being of knowing about the fish cloud is I can't do it to you because you know it was me because I brought it up to you.
00:42:00
Speaker
You guys are clear. Honestly, i would need you to pull it off. So if you're not in, no one's getting fish clouded. And Timmy says, good. Yeah. Kaz can't think of a better prank than messing with the way someone's house smells. So he really thought this would be a selling point.
00:42:19
Speaker
In my home, it's called a blood mist. Acheron said, you know what? Never mind. Okay. I understand. Second thought. What? Hmm. give me a Give me a wisdom check, Kaz, related to like noticing someone's behaviors. So, yeah I mean, your mischief one would be applicable here.
00:42:42
Speaker
Okay.
00:42:44
Speaker
Natural 20, so 26. Oh,
00:42:48
Speaker
Finally, learn much in the way that Kaz is having to kind of hello fellow kids his way through this interaction. um Like Kaz is a kid, but also Kaz is not a kid.
00:43:02
Speaker
You're kind of picking up the same vibes off of Timmy that like there is a performed youthfulness. Weird. Yeah. I think, what do I, I don't know anything about Timmy. haven't asked a question or anything. So yeah I know. So, okay. You know what?
00:43:19
Speaker
Let's put all this silliness behind us. ah No one's getting fish clouded. You're right. It's a bad idea. i don't know what I was thinking. Hey, Timmy. And also I have to reiterate. During this interaction, there is a group of five-year-olds just staring at Kaz because he walked up while they were in the middle of a tutoring session. Oh yeah, big time. Kaz looks at the children and goes, they're right.
00:43:38
Speaker
This is a bad idea. Huge wink. and I could teach them a song.
00:43:45
Speaker
I'm tempted. No, I think, ke umm you know what, Timmy, I'm sorry. And I know you're in the middle of your lesson. I say, hey, Sammy, why don't I, I've gotten to know you and it was great. I'd love to get to know Timmy for just a minute. Do you think you could carry on the lesson? And I could, I just want to, I don't want the kids to not get a chance to learn.
00:44:04
Speaker
you know We only have so much time in our 15 minutes intervals. Sure. And Sammy looks at Timmy and Timmy's like, yeah, that's that's fine. And Timmy... Yes, good. Separate him. and See, now for campaign four, I just want Philip to play a symbiote to Jeff's character. It's a constant back and forth of the two of them trying to control a singular character.
00:44:27
Speaker
Honestly, that might be a ton of fun. Yeah. ah think I think Philip and I could do it without getting upset with each other, which would be nice.
00:44:37
Speaker
um Yeah. what ah What's up, Cass? Oh, I mean, genuinely, I just, you know, i this place seems great. Yeah. and we're doing a lot of good work here.
00:44:48
Speaker
Yeah. um You know, I grew up in Roat. where there's just a lot of bad stuff. And now I live in Kire. It's quieter for sure, but this place is great. Like what was it like growing up here?
00:45:01
Speaker
um Well, before the education center, honestly, I didn't have a whole lot going on. i was pretty listless and i i appreciate the opportunity that Mrs. Brightwater has given me to kind of put all my energy to To good use. um But yeah, I would just kind of go around town and honestly do stuff like go down by the river and just explore and walk around. And my my parents aren't around anymore. And so I've just kind of been taking care of myself for a while.
00:45:35
Speaker
So God, how do I ask this? Were you ever... I've heard about what this place was like before Mr. Johnson got here.
00:45:47
Speaker
Were you ever scared being a kid by yourself in this kind of this town? No, I think growing up in environments like that, you you figure out how to take care of yourself. And I like to think that I figured out how to take care of myself. And now, thankfully, I don't have to worry about that anymore.
00:46:09
Speaker
It's a much safer place. So I can put a lot of the... learned experiences that I have to good use of making sure other kids don't have to be in that situation.
00:46:20
Speaker
ah Do you live by yourself now? Uh, so I have a small room in the mill downstairs, but here you live yeah in the education center. Does Ms. Yeah.
00:46:31
Speaker
Brightwater live here too, or does anybody, or is it just, a she has a house? Yeah. Are there any other kids that live here? No, no, I'm just, I'm, I'm the youth activity organizer. and so And I have a job here and I just, I didn't want, I like living here.
00:46:50
Speaker
I like the space that was set up for me. So. Okay. I think he might just say, he might just, just to get a, just to get an idea of how the reaction is like, look, I can't get a read on everybody here. I'm guessing Sammy's about my age. You're about my age. I'm 16. How old are you?
00:47:07
Speaker
um I mean, insofar as I know, 18, I think. Are you missing time somewhere? No, I just, I don't, like, I was like, I think, seven or eight when my parents, like, were gone, and I don't sure i not have a record when I was born, so.
00:47:31
Speaker
And not even formal schooling in town. Sure, I get it. It feels like I'm a bit older than Sammy, but. I also think you're probably a bit older than Sammy. You got some more maturity to you, I think.
00:47:43
Speaker
Just in the little time I've known both of you. You're welcome. Lies.
00:47:50
Speaker
But so weak-willed, i could have him in my thrall in an hour.
00:47:56
Speaker
An hour? that's Jeff, what did you get on your wisdom check before? and natural 20. Natural 20. Natural 20. Okay. Okay. All of this still feels very performative to Kaz.
00:48:08
Speaker
Interesting. Kaz does not want to say cut the crap when there's no one there to be helpful to him when the crap gets cut. When he doesn't have backup? Yes, absolutely.
00:48:21
Speaker
What I going to do Take off your five-year-olds? Yeah, you have Acheron. Can the presence of Acheron help him tell what's happening? Like, is he enchanted? he... That was the purpose of Acheron. Is he disguise? Like, is he shapeshifted? Like, is this actually a boy from the town?
00:48:38
Speaker
i have no stats. Okay. Acheron presumably has seen lots of enthralled people over its existence and probably shapeshifted things, but...
00:48:53
Speaker
Enthralled is like, there's no actual youthful energy to this person. Like how he's kind of talking with that, ah, shucks. And like, I grew up on the streets and learned how to figure it out. It's all performative.
00:49:09
Speaker
Like it it doesn't feel like he's enthralled. Like you could break his, his logic or whatever. It's just bad improv. It's just good. Sorry. Yeah, no, it's, it's a, it's, it's not even like terrible. Cause you rolled a natural 20 on your insight check. It's actually very good. It's just Kaz is also a literal child.
00:49:28
Speaker
it can kind of pick up on somebody trying to act like a teenager. Yeah. I don't think, like i said, i I don't think Kaz is going to call it out right now. It feels, ah it feels dangerous. Yeah.
00:49:46
Speaker
but he's definitely going to remember it to tell everyone later. We'll remember this. Yeah. Well, he's going to try to. He's still controlled
Conclusion and Social Media Engagement
00:49:53
Speaker
Jeff. There's one sure way to make it revert back to its true form. Kaz whispers, one else can.
00:49:59
Speaker
It's kill it, isn't it, Akron? Yes. I can't. I can't. I can't. Because if you're wrong, I killed him. And i don't I don't want that.
00:50:10
Speaker
And also, even if he is a normal kid that's enthralled and I kill him, I just kill the kid. But he's no longer enthralled. Alive and enthralled, hopefully temporarily, is better than dead in all situations. At least he when you're the body.
00:50:26
Speaker
He's not even getting any power from this. He learned how to read, Acheron. I at least exchange power. ah Knowledge is power. Yeah, bud. He lives at school.
00:50:38
Speaker
have such knowledge. That terrifies me. i just yeah but think I think Kaz is starting to think, Acheron and I could just take off. there a fun We could.
00:50:50
Speaker
oh wait I was thinking that. um
00:51:00
Speaker
If it seems like nothing is... how do I say this? Is there a copy of the of a schedule on the wall at this place? Yeah, there is. Okay.
00:51:11
Speaker
Just for this, like it's not a town schedule. It is a, this is what happens at the education center. Are we pretty close to like a class switch over or a thing ending? I know Sammy and Timmy just got here. So probably not. So no, the classes are about an hour long. So, well, I'm certainly not staying here for an hour.
00:51:27
Speaker
So in game or real time, I think I will. I want to wander into the wrong door. okay Is there a place? and um I'll roll an intelligence check and then that may determine if there is a place. Okay, bye Kaz.
00:51:42
Speaker
Timmy says. This Kaz wanders off. I i give an appropriate goodbye. I say you know goodbye. If
00:51:51
Speaker
ever you want power, Timmy. I want to use my precocious mischief or privileged mischief um abilities to see if there is a door that looks like it's the one I'm not supposed to go in for some reason.
00:52:04
Speaker
the administrative door. We'll never know. i oh that's 14. You find a hatch in the door and you step through and a fall into the river.
00:52:16
Speaker
With a, yeah, like yeah, no, no. In that case, I'm just going to walk through a door. see what how many doors are in this bottom floor of the grain mill that don't lead out there are just like four doors that offshoot the main room you walk into one and find mrs brightwater standing in front of a ah small-ish ritual circle of finally get a racker on Sorry, I find out what her doing. What?
00:52:43
Speaker
She is teaching a course to some adults in the community or sitting there. And on the board, you see community building. And there's like a list of different activities and the importance of like strong community ties for mutual benefit.
00:53:00
Speaker
And she stops is like, oh, Kaz, did you want to join us for class? I am so sorry. I am looking for the restroom. Oh. And then, yeah.
00:53:12
Speaker
one dear of her One door over deer. Sorry. I close the door and I go two doors over. One deer over door. i But I have so many ideas on how to build communities. Yeah, so I just shut that door and...
00:53:27
Speaker
probably leave. I don't know. Awkwardly make your way out. we Back at the Finch residence, Nick goes, we didn't decide where to meet up. I'd probably just walk back to the Finch residence. I walk her around and go, guys!
00:53:39
Speaker
Guys! god
00:53:44
Speaker
Akron, do a circle and find them, please. No, I head back to the Finches' house, hoping cross the mall. You all are able to run into each other on the street because you all were also leaving the Finches, and we will call it an episode there. Okay.
00:53:56
Speaker
Thank you all so much for listening. If you want to be part of the conversation surrounding this episode, you can head over to our Discord. The link to which is in the description of this podcast or in every single description of every single YouTube video on the Geek Pantheon's YouTube channel, youtube.com slash the Geek Pantheon.
00:54:10
Speaker
Philip, your turn. On YouTube and Spotify, can find tales from the Laughing Tree where we have another actual play called Blades and Banners. It's Pirates in Eberron.
00:54:22
Speaker
That's true. We also have a Patreon, patreon.com slash thegibiantheon. If you want to financially support the show, you can do so over there. Thank you all so much for listening. i have been your Game Master, Eric. I'm Philip. Nope, I'm Philip. There it is. I'm Madison. I'm Philip.
00:54:37
Speaker
I've been deleted. We'll see you next time. we'll see you