[00:00:05] Speaker A: You are listening to an atomic broadcasting production. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the feature presentation. And remember, do your part, such as, like, comment rate. And don't forget to tell a friend to tune in for an atomic time.
[00:00:31] Speaker B: Now, where did we leave off?
Ah, yes.
The hag in the kindly old couple's basement fought fiercely, but the party managed to wear her down.
Uwe obliterated her form with a powerful torrent from the plain of water, leaving a single, solitary potato spinning in the draining deluge.
[00:01:07] Speaker C: Resident evil.
[00:01:39] Speaker D: The amount of dopamine that's sent to my brain, I can't.
[00:01:46] Speaker A: That wasn't even jazz. It wasn't, but it was good.
I'm not good with jazz.
[00:01:56] Speaker C: He's jazz funk junk.
[00:02:01] Speaker D: Why not Faz?
[00:02:03] Speaker C: A reference to robots with.
[00:02:07] Speaker B: I love that movie.
[00:02:08] Speaker D: That's a good movie.
[00:02:09] Speaker E: Two upgrades, people.
[00:02:10] Speaker C: What's his name?
[00:02:12] Speaker E: Ewan McGregor.
[00:02:13] Speaker C: Ewan McGregor. And Robbie Williams.
[00:02:18] Speaker E: The great Robbie Williams.
[00:02:20] Speaker B: Taking the stick back, Elmo.
[00:02:22] Speaker C: Oh, and Amanda Bynes.
[00:02:23] Speaker D: Amanda Bynes was in that?
[00:02:25] Speaker E: Oh, right.
[00:02:25] Speaker D: She was the yellow robot.
[00:02:26] Speaker F: Yeah, yeah.
[00:02:28] Speaker C: Speaking of movies, I got this.
[00:02:33] Speaker E: I weep for. I have done something.
I have gone to the movies.
I have two words, Madam Webb.
You may carry on.
[00:02:52] Speaker D: If you want more context. Check out his threads.
[00:02:56] Speaker F: All right, everyone, start crying.
[00:02:58] Speaker A: I told you, I can't cry and laugh at the same time.
[00:03:02] Speaker D: And I told you, make it both.
[00:03:05] Speaker C: It's called hysterics.
[00:03:09] Speaker F: Haven't you ever laughed so hard that you cry?
[00:03:12] Speaker A: Yes, but usually I stop making sound.
[00:03:15] Speaker E: I know a few things about hysterics.
[00:03:18] Speaker D: Two words.
[00:03:19] Speaker C: Well, what do you know about helmets?
[00:03:20] Speaker B: Jeff, you look like a broken man.
[00:03:24] Speaker E: Is not the same.
[00:03:26] Speaker A: Sam was broken in a movie.
Sam, stop crying.
[00:03:36] Speaker F: It's gonna be okay, buddy.
[00:03:38] Speaker A: It's gonna be okay, man.
[00:03:39] Speaker D: We'll move on.
[00:03:40] Speaker A: You'll move on.
[00:03:42] Speaker D: Will he forever change, Sven? Forever.
[00:03:46] Speaker B: Forever.
[00:03:47] Speaker D: This is him now.
[00:03:52] Speaker E: I just don't know what to do.
[00:03:56] Speaker F: It's affected him to his very core.
[00:03:58] Speaker E: I'm just gonna be Mothman today.
[00:04:04] Speaker F: It's not gonna make any sense. Val's new voice.
[00:04:08] Speaker B: Speaking of Val's new voice, we last left off watching a single, solitary potato swirl in the water left behind of the remnants of Uwehr's final dive in breach that finished off this hag. You are still in the cellar, but you have just finished disposing of this horrific creature that was mistreating the old man and woman who lived here.
[00:04:38] Speaker D: Do you think they'll let us stay the night now?
[00:04:43] Speaker E: At this point, when you ask, everyone's very quiet. Val's just gonna run over and start healing neros.
[00:04:52] Speaker A: That's fine. Just ignore Uvar, who is also in the line of. Oh, wait, no. She was almost dead.
[00:04:57] Speaker F: Yeah.
[00:05:00] Speaker C: I believe it would be good of us to stay here for the night, regardless of. If they protest.
[00:05:09] Speaker D: You can't. You can't just.
[00:05:12] Speaker B: It's.
[00:05:13] Speaker A: It's Uza. Uwehr. Just kind of wrings out his clothes of water.
[00:05:19] Speaker G: It would be rather rude if we try to stay when somebody doesn't wish. We wouldn't be no better than the tag.
[00:05:27] Speaker C: But we did just save their lives. I mean, as long as we don't put their lives in danger.
[00:05:32] Speaker D: I'm gonna press the digitation. You're close trying.
[00:05:36] Speaker G: Thank you, my friend.
Either way, we should at least inform them that the danger is over.
I will go do this if you.
[00:05:47] Speaker A: Wish, as Uva just starts going up and up the stairs.
[00:05:52] Speaker E: Are you all right?
[00:05:55] Speaker F: I'm a little better. No.
[00:05:58] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:05:58] Speaker F: Thank you.
[00:05:59] Speaker E: She heals you. 36 hit points.
[00:06:00] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:06:01] Speaker D: Thank you.
[00:06:02] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:06:03] Speaker F: I was almost dead.
[00:06:05] Speaker E: Sorry I ran ahead. I wasn't thinking. I could have. If I stayed back a little further, I could have helped you guys.
[00:06:10] Speaker F: Yeah, that's okay. No one could have seen that coming.
[00:06:12] Speaker E: I suppose you're right. I just don't.
[00:06:15] Speaker F: Don't beat yourself up, Val. That's fine.
Thank you for the healing boost.
[00:06:21] Speaker E: Yes, of course. Anytime.
[00:06:22] Speaker F: I can feel my bones sticking back together.
[00:06:26] Speaker E: That's good. Were they falling apart?
[00:06:29] Speaker F: I got hit by lightning. Everything was coming apart.
[00:06:32] Speaker E: That's fair.
[00:06:34] Speaker F: My hair's. My hair is unsinging as we speak.
[00:06:37] Speaker E: All word. Are you alrighty? How are you?
[00:06:41] Speaker D: I don't remember.
Oh, no.
[00:06:47] Speaker F: Are you almost dead, too?
[00:06:49] Speaker E: Here's 18 hit points for you.
[00:06:51] Speaker D: Oh, thanks.
[00:06:54] Speaker E: That's all I got till I pray.
[00:06:56] Speaker D: I wonder what's in this pot.
[00:06:59] Speaker E: I think we best just be rid of whatever's in there and not examine it too much. If it's a hag's pot cauldron there stewing, it's probably all bad nays for us.
[00:07:10] Speaker C: You said there was a potato in the pot.
[00:07:13] Speaker B: No, there was a potato on the floor that was swept out of, like, the crates and sacks of storage here in the basement.
[00:07:21] Speaker C: I felt like picking up the potato, but I don't want to anymore since it's not in a pot of water.
[00:07:25] Speaker B: Okay, so the camera looks at the potato, and we cross fade to the table and the dining room with another potato. With the potato sitting on the center of the table and u ver, like in a very artsy shot. U ver comes up the stairs in the background.
[00:07:42] Speaker A: Artsy shot notwithstanding, he's half singed, too.
[00:07:46] Speaker F: Everyone was very hurt in that fight.
[00:07:49] Speaker E: I'm just fine.
[00:07:50] Speaker F: Well, speak for yourself, Val.
[00:07:52] Speaker C: Half wet, half stinging.
[00:07:54] Speaker B: So, uwehr, as you come up from the stairs, you see the older couple. They're sitting at the table across from each other, and they both just kind of look at you just with looks of concern, like they clearly don't know how it went down in the basement.
[00:08:11] Speaker A: In common, uwe is going to say.
[00:08:14] Speaker G: It is all right. The danger has passed.
She will not be hurting you or causing you any problems anymore.
[00:08:25] Speaker B: And there's just a visible wave of relief that washes over both of them. The older man is just like, oh, thanks, Aaron. Right? And the woman just like, is like, crying, but you can tell it's happy tears. Just the overwhelm of emotion is just catching up to her.
[00:08:42] Speaker G: There is a little bit of damage to some of your stores.
We are sorry about that.
[00:08:49] Speaker B: The man just, like, jumps up and takes your hands, is like, no, no, thank you. It's fine. We have plenty enough. It's almost spring anyway, and we'll be fine. Thank you. We can't.
I can't thank you enough.
[00:09:04] Speaker G: You don't have to. We are happy to help.
If you would mind us staying the night while the storm passes.
[00:09:14] Speaker B: Of course. Of course. It's already letting up with that creature's death. But, yes, of course, you're welcome to spend the night, and I'm sure we can scrape together a little something as a thank you.
[00:09:26] Speaker G: I appreciate the thought behind it.
And it would. I would be lying to say it wouldn't be appreciated for a little bit of warm food. But don't think that you have to make a grand feast or anything.
We are happy that we could do this little thing for you and that you are safe now.
[00:09:48] Speaker B: Oh, and the old man just kind of, like, starts, like, vigorously shaking his ear, hand, and he's just like, we'll have more than just a little warm dinner for you. No worries about that.
[00:10:01] Speaker G: No. If you don't mind, I think I need to sit down.
[00:10:07] Speaker A: And he's just gonna sit down at the table.
Just over half Hp left.
[00:10:15] Speaker D: So after Val heals Alord and after Uver has talked to them, he's going to walk upstairs and are we able to stay here, Uvair?
[00:10:26] Speaker A: He just gestures to the host.
[00:10:29] Speaker B: Yes, of course. Please make yourselves at home.
[00:10:32] Speaker D: Perfect. I'll get started on dinner, and he's gonna go to the kitchen.
[00:10:37] Speaker B: And as you're saying that the old, older woman just kind of like, sits up and like, straightens up her clothes. Like, I will help. I'll help.
[00:10:46] Speaker D: No, no, that's fine. I'll handle it. It's okay. Can you show me where your stuff is?
[00:10:51] Speaker A: You just hear an ancient thessalonian.
[00:10:54] Speaker G: Let's the lady cook in her own kitchen. Albert.
[00:10:57] Speaker D: No, no, I just respond and comment. No, it's fine. I'll handle it.
[00:11:01] Speaker G: Albert, sit down.
[00:11:07] Speaker B: So the evening passes agreeably as Alward and the older woman together prepare dinner. They have very different techniques and skills, but it works out to something quite nice in the end, as you are all, you know, enjoying the evening, settling down for the night. The older man comes back up from the basement with, like, a basketball covered in a cloth and just sets it down on the table in front of you all as you're gathered around eating.
And he's like, our village has been hit by some hard times recently, and, well, there's not a lot left here for us, so my wife and I will be moving to Joel. But there are.
There are some things that our village had gathered that might be helpful to folks such as yourselves.
[00:11:57] Speaker E: And we don't need anything from you. It's fine.
[00:12:03] Speaker D: When do you plan on moving to Joel?
[00:12:05] Speaker B: Oh, it'll take us some time to gather our belongings and prepare, but sometime in the next couple weeks. Here.
[00:12:14] Speaker D: I was just looking around his party, like, I don't know how to approach this topic.
[00:12:19] Speaker B: Um, so is there something the matter with Joel?
[00:12:25] Speaker G: It's. Yes.
[00:12:28] Speaker E: Well, you see, we are actually currently working on making sure Joel is not overrun by a group of evil people. It's actually in danger as you speak, so it might not be the best place for you all to move.
[00:12:48] Speaker G: If you are going to move, I would suggest moving to, um. What was the village that we just left?
[00:12:54] Speaker B: Soulskin.
[00:12:55] Speaker G: Soul skin. I would suggest, in the meantime, maybe moving to soulskin.
[00:12:59] Speaker B: Oh, they've got a shadow problem, though.
[00:13:02] Speaker G: It seems that they.
[00:13:04] Speaker D: That's been taken care of. Right?
[00:13:06] Speaker G: Yes.
[00:13:06] Speaker B: Well, bless your hearts.
[00:13:08] Speaker D: Oh, no, no, no.
[00:13:10] Speaker G: It was another group of adventurers, I think.
[00:13:14] Speaker E: Um, there's a very small place, um, southwest of Copperberg, close to the. Close to the forest, actually, just kind of around that way. It's called Otherton. It's a small little place where I was raised. Well, it's not a bad place to go to.
[00:13:33] Speaker B: We could definitely, I suppose, spend some time there.
[00:13:36] Speaker E: But I was on the northeast side of.
[00:13:40] Speaker B: Yeah, I think it was on the other side of the forest.
[00:13:42] Speaker E: Yeah, you're right.
[00:13:42] Speaker B: We would have to cut through.
[00:13:43] Speaker E: Sorry. Yeah, the northeast side of the forest.
Um, you go around, I guess, and.
[00:13:49] Speaker B: The woman, the older woman cuts in at this point, and she's just like, darling, what about Aurora's place over in Brush Hollow? She could put us up for a few weeks.
[00:13:58] Speaker E: That's even better. Someone you know?
[00:14:00] Speaker B: Yes, it's actually, brush Hollow's not far from here. It's. It's just a few miles north on the edge of the forest.
[00:14:08] Speaker E: Is that where we're going?
[00:14:09] Speaker D: I don't. Is that where we're going?
[00:14:12] Speaker B: This is the first you've heard of it?
[00:14:13] Speaker E: Are we going north of where we're at?
[00:14:15] Speaker B: Uwehr. Go ahead and make a society check. As Sven is making questioning glances in my direction, I shall cause for whatever reason.
[00:14:24] Speaker A: That sounds familiar.
27.
[00:14:29] Speaker B: Yeah. So, uwe, you actually are familiar with brush Hollow. You recall having been there before, and you had asked the locals some questions about, you know, life near the grungeir forest and collected a few of their tall tales previously, when I was talking about, you know, you've heard of the grungear forest, and you know that a lot of the stories they tell are more likely to be true than false. A lot of those stories you'd collected in Brush Hollow.
[00:14:56] Speaker A: Any good memories of brush hollow? Like it's a quaint little place or something like that.
[00:14:59] Speaker B: It's a really eccentric place, shall we say? It's mostly populated by gnomes.
And aside from the gnomes, you've got about an equal share of normal races and fae that live in the city, or the village, rather. There's only a couple hundred inhabitants.
[00:15:20] Speaker G: I remember Brush hollow. I've.
I have been there before.
I remember collecting some of the local stories and talking to the inhabitants. The gnomes and the fae?
[00:15:34] Speaker B: Yes, yes, yes. We used to do some trade with brush Hollow back when our little hamlet here was a little more occupied than it is these days.
[00:15:47] Speaker G: And sister Aurora is your daughter.
[00:15:51] Speaker B: Family member or just a friend? She's an elf who runs an apothecary in the town.
[00:15:57] Speaker G: Of course.
[00:15:58] Speaker A: Do I actually recognize Aurora's name?
[00:16:00] Speaker B: No, I don't believe you've met her.
[00:16:02] Speaker G: Okay, I don't think I've ever met her. But I am glad you have friends. And that place.
If you've already done business and you know the locals, I think that would be a good place to go.
The stories about the Grundia forest fascinate me and perhaps can be a protection somewhat for you in these times.
[00:16:35] Speaker B: It might be. If Joel's not safe, maybe the forest would be safer.
[00:16:40] Speaker G: Either way. We're actually heading to the grungear forest, yes?
[00:16:45] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:16:45] Speaker F: Yeah.
[00:16:46] Speaker G: Would we be passing by Brshollo?
[00:16:47] Speaker B: Actually, yeah. I mean, at this point, you're. As far as I understand, you're just heading to the forest and hoping you pick up tracks or word of your quarry. So, brush Hollow might actually be a better place to redirect and hone in and see if anybody there has heard of Yilda.
[00:17:05] Speaker G: If you wish, perhaps we can help you move, if you don't mind.
[00:17:10] Speaker B: Oh, that would be so good of you. Yes. And you don't mind the delay? It'll take us some time to get our things together.
[00:17:17] Speaker E: That's fine. I still need to clean up downstairs.
[00:17:20] Speaker G: And we can help. And make the time shorter.
[00:17:23] Speaker D: I have a servant that can help.
I conjure my unseen servant, and he just starts moving stuff around.
[00:17:31] Speaker B: Well, that is an impressive trick.
[00:17:33] Speaker D: Thank you.
[00:17:36] Speaker B: We don't see a lot of magic here in our small hamlet.
[00:17:39] Speaker D: Oh, that makes sense, I suppose.
[00:17:43] Speaker G: I am sorry that you have to leave your home, too.
[00:17:47] Speaker B: It's been good for us. But, you know, once. Once y'all have secured Joel, it'll be good to be a little bit closer to our children, too.
[00:17:58] Speaker G: I can tell that this place has been a home.
There are good memories here and much to love.
[00:18:09] Speaker E: We spent a lot of time in Joel recently. Maybe we met your children. What are their names?
[00:18:15] Speaker B: Well, we do have a tall, tall son with blonde hair named Rain.
And we have. We have a beautiful daughter named Ursa.
[00:18:27] Speaker C: Remind me what your names are again.
[00:18:30] Speaker B: Oh. We never did introduce ourselves, did we? My name is Thorold, and this is my wife, Rainfeek.
[00:18:38] Speaker E: Oh. Did you name your son after her?
[00:18:41] Speaker B: Kind of. It's. It's a family name, right? Yes. It's like if you have a father named Stephen and his daughter named Stephanie.
[00:18:49] Speaker E: Oh, yeah, I get that. That's pretty great. My name is Val. I don't know if we introduced ourselves to you, either.
[00:18:57] Speaker B: It's all gone by so fast. We were just so focused on making.
[00:19:00] Speaker E: Dinner and, you know, saving. Making sure we got rid of the monster.
It's wonderful to meet you and get to spend time with you.
[00:19:11] Speaker G: I am Uwe.
[00:19:14] Speaker D: The way you said that made it sound like there was gonna be more. Like, I'm Uwe, caller of the storms, master of the ice age, guard of the runes.
[00:19:26] Speaker B: It's good to meet you. It's good to meet all of you.
[00:19:28] Speaker A: Everybody say your name, but I will.
[00:19:32] Speaker B: Say I've been dramatically standing next to this basket full of stuff I was going to present to you.
[00:19:37] Speaker C: You've already said we don't want it.
[00:19:39] Speaker B: Oh, well, okay.
[00:19:40] Speaker A: Except U of er puts his hand up.
[00:19:43] Speaker D: Out of curiosity, what is what?
[00:19:45] Speaker B: Well, it's mostly gold. And he takes the cloth off the basket.
[00:19:49] Speaker E: Well, aren't you gonna need that gold for the booth? Aren't you?
[00:19:52] Speaker B: Oh, this is the stuff we couldn't move.
[00:19:58] Speaker A: Take the dagger money, Sam.
[00:20:01] Speaker C: You gotta rent a U Haul.
[00:20:02] Speaker E: Right.
[00:20:03] Speaker F: That was really aggressive.
[00:20:05] Speaker B: I'll put it this way. The hag came, and she killed everyone else in the hamlet.
[00:20:10] Speaker E: Oh, I got you. Yes. Yeah, I understand what you're saying.
[00:20:14] Speaker G: You don't want blood money.
[00:20:17] Speaker E: I'm very honored. Thank you.
[00:20:19] Speaker C: Why'd she keep you alive, if you don't mind me asking?
[00:20:23] Speaker B: I mean, she was using us as bait, so anytime someone would come by, well, she'd try to use us to lure them in.
[00:20:35] Speaker C: I see. And it did work.
[00:20:39] Speaker B: And you weren't the first. You've just been the first to succeed against her.
[00:20:45] Speaker C: We have a history of succeeding.
[00:20:48] Speaker D: No, we really don't.
[00:20:50] Speaker E: What are you talking about? We've. We stopped that sight of a fellow.
[00:20:54] Speaker D: Just not long ago alwards having flashbacks too, to the ball. Just all of the failures.
[00:21:02] Speaker B: In any event, there are a couple interesting things in this basket. There. There's 180 gold pieces, so that'd be 36 for each of you if you split it evenly.
[00:21:13] Speaker C: Well, who's somebody doing party inventory?
[00:21:16] Speaker D: I was never able to get a concurrent list of everything, but I will start keeping track.
[00:21:23] Speaker E: How much was it? 36?
[00:21:24] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:21:24] Speaker C: Or 180 total.
[00:21:27] Speaker B: There's also a couple items that might be of use to more adventuring types such as yourselves.
We do have this. And he pulls out a small runestone, which, you know, is used to transfer enchanting runes from items to items.
This is a rune that I took off one of our dear friends after the haggard got to him. I saved it for later in case we might be able to use it against her. But I want you all to have it. It's. It's a flaming rune.
[00:21:59] Speaker E: Oh, make some alien do extra fire damage.
[00:22:03] Speaker B: That's right. It's a very astute way of describing the effects of this thing.
[00:22:11] Speaker E: So that would go between either me and petite.
[00:22:13] Speaker D: Mm hmm.
[00:22:14] Speaker C: I don't really need it since I have the.
[00:22:17] Speaker D: Put it on your bow. And whenever you do the magic strikes, it also adds the fire damage.
[00:22:23] Speaker A: Or it just generally adds fire damage.
[00:22:24] Speaker E: Or I can put it on my.
[00:22:25] Speaker C: Glaive it's up to you. I don't really need it.
[00:22:29] Speaker E: I'll take it then.
[00:22:30] Speaker F: The only weapon I have is a dagger. I mean, or if you want to count my tentacle arms, they're technically a weapon.
[00:22:37] Speaker A: Firearms, fire, tentacle arms.
[00:22:38] Speaker D: If we get her. The fists of fisting. I don't know.
[00:22:42] Speaker B: The what?
[00:22:43] Speaker D: I don't remember.
[00:22:45] Speaker E: Handwraps a mighty blow.
[00:22:47] Speaker D: Thank you. If we get her, the hand wraps a mighty blow.
[00:22:50] Speaker E: She could have put on the tent.
[00:22:51] Speaker D: And put on the fire rune. Does it count for her tentacles?
[00:22:55] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:22:56] Speaker D: So we could give it to her.
[00:22:57] Speaker E: I can't put it on my. I don't think I can put it on my glaive. Because it's only a plus one weapon, and I have that special rune.
[00:23:04] Speaker D: Yeah, so give it to petite.
[00:23:06] Speaker E: I mean, we can just hold on to it now.
[00:23:08] Speaker C: Take it. I'll take it.
[00:23:10] Speaker E: Okay.
[00:23:10] Speaker B: It's not a very difficult crafting. Check to move it later if you want to.
[00:23:15] Speaker C: Yeah, I have it now.
[00:23:16] Speaker D: Oh, my goodness.
[00:23:17] Speaker C: It's attached to my rapier.
[00:23:19] Speaker F: Oh, my gosh.
[00:23:20] Speaker C: Wow.
[00:23:21] Speaker B: That was very quick and effective.
[00:23:23] Speaker A: Put it on your boat.
[00:23:24] Speaker D: Put it on whatever you want, petite.
[00:23:26] Speaker B: But that's, uh. That's. That's what I had in the basket for you.
[00:23:31] Speaker D: That's very kind of you.
[00:23:34] Speaker B: And as you're all, you know, getting ready for bedding down and everything, the older man kind of takes uwe aside. Uh, yes, I. I remember your name.
I I'd been speaking with Aurora, and she. She spoke highly of you from your time comin through town.
This.
This belonged to my friend who was a wizard of sorts here in town, and, well, I'd like for you to have it. And he hands uweir a long staff with an obsidian orb at the end.
[00:24:15] Speaker G: Thank you.
[00:24:18] Speaker A: Do I recognize what it is?
[00:24:20] Speaker B: I make an arcana check.
[00:24:21] Speaker A: Okay, that will be a 31.
[00:24:29] Speaker B: Yes, you do recognize it. You know that this is an atmospheric staff. So, like most staffs, you know that this has some spells that it's imbued with, and every morning, it gains a certain number of charges, and you will be able to use the power in the staff to cast additional spells aside from your regular spell list.
[00:24:49] Speaker A: I take the staff out of his hand, and.
[00:24:55] Speaker G: Thank you. I I will try to use it in a way that honors his memory.
[00:25:04] Speaker B: I thought you would rather. I knew you would, otherwise I wouldn't have given it to you.
[00:25:11] Speaker A: And u ver takes it and sets it on the ground, and just this metal, and it just. You can tell he just. He loves the feel of it. It just feels natural in his hand.
[00:25:27] Speaker G: Yes. I think that this will help our cause, and I hope to help many people with it.
[00:25:35] Speaker E: Thank you.
[00:25:37] Speaker B: With five able bodied young folks and an unseen server. Four able bodied young folks and two.
[00:25:43] Speaker E: Messed up old men.
Cornelius is here, too.
[00:25:50] Speaker D: I always forget about him.
[00:25:52] Speaker F: He's quiet.
[00:25:53] Speaker B: You should be able to get it packed.
Should be about a day for you to get everything in order and packed and ready.
[00:26:00] Speaker D: All right.
[00:26:01] Speaker C: So as everybody's getting ready to bed and sleep, you just see a tent start to arise from the corner of the room.
[00:26:10] Speaker D: Oh, gosh.
[00:26:11] Speaker C: And Zafir slowly just creeps into it and just goes, good night.
[00:26:22] Speaker D: It just rises from the concrete.
[00:26:25] Speaker F: Good night, Zafir.
[00:26:27] Speaker C: You build it like a 3d printer.
[00:26:34] Speaker F: It's been printing this entire time. It just got finished.
[00:26:38] Speaker D: So how. We always set up tents with that.
[00:26:41] Speaker B: We'll go ahead and do a transition, and we will find our group now arriving as they crest over the hill. And they see not far away from them now is brush hollow, which is a small village that's built into the very edges of the grungear forest.
You all have taken a day to help the older folks pack up and get ready to leave, and then a second day to journey from their hamlet to Brush Hollow. And you're now approaching that village. You can see there's a good degree of activity in life there. They don't seem hectic, but, you know, it's also not a ghost town. There's gnomes milling about from building to building. The most interesting thing is it seems like the buildings have been built around and with deference to the trees, rather than where you'd find a normal settlement, they would say, all this trees in the way. I want a house here. They cut it down, put the tree, the house there. With the grungyear forest and brush hollow, they seem to have acknowledged that the trees hold a greater claim to the land than they do.
[00:27:46] Speaker D: Very pretty.
[00:27:48] Speaker C: So you're saying that they built a town where the brush was hollow?
[00:27:53] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:27:54] Speaker E: It's such a beautiful place, like craftsmanship there, weaving it into the forest instead of breaking it apart. I'm just in awe right now. The beauty of it.
Are all the cities around here, all the towns like this?
[00:28:09] Speaker B: Well, most of them. The further you get into the forest, the more they are like this, in harmony with nature.
[00:28:18] Speaker E: That's very wonderful.
[00:28:20] Speaker G: It is both beautiful as it is necessary. The forest would not have it any other way.
[00:28:26] Speaker E: See, it's ominous.
[00:28:30] Speaker B: He's accurate.
[00:28:33] Speaker E: I'll take your word for it. I'll try not to let my guard down too much here.
[00:28:38] Speaker G: Just treat the forest as you would treat an old friend.
If you do not harm it, it will not go out of its way to harm you.
[00:28:48] Speaker E: Noted.
[00:28:50] Speaker B: You need better friends.
[00:28:59] Speaker D: Um, am I needed? Guys, I have. I want.
There are a lot of gnomes, and it's been a minute since I've got to practice my gnomesh.
[00:29:07] Speaker E: We could probably get unloaded.
[00:29:10] Speaker D: All right. Thank you. I would like to gather information with the gnomes.
[00:29:15] Speaker B: All right. And that is diplomacy.
[00:29:19] Speaker D: I don't. I just looked it up and I fully forgot.
[00:29:22] Speaker F: Oh, my gosh. Jenkins, get it together.
[00:29:24] Speaker G: I'm sorry.
[00:29:24] Speaker C: We just asked two of our workers to help unpack.
[00:29:28] Speaker D: That is true.
[00:29:29] Speaker E: Two.
[00:29:30] Speaker F: I'm still here.
[00:29:31] Speaker C: Him and his unseen servant.
[00:29:33] Speaker F: While he's looking that up, can I get a reminder why we're in the forest in the first place?
[00:29:39] Speaker B: Yes. So you're going to the forest looking for Yilva, the green speaker. She was supposed to be raising some troops in the army for their army, and she'd mentioned that she wasn't having a lot of success, but she felt she was close to a breakthrough.
[00:29:55] Speaker D: Okay, I do not have streetwise. So unless you want to be kind to me or give me some bonus, since I'm speaking gnomish to these gnomes.
[00:30:03] Speaker B: I'll give you a plus two circumstance bonus for using their language.
[00:30:07] Speaker D: That would be an eleven for my diplomacy.
[00:30:09] Speaker B: All right. And what are you wanting to find out?
[00:30:12] Speaker D: Uh, what we're here for.
The whole reason why we're here.
[00:30:17] Speaker B: Gotcha. So you're specifically trying to gather information about Yilva?
[00:30:20] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:30:21] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:30:22] Speaker C: Without hopefully raising suspicions.
[00:30:25] Speaker B: Are you avoiding raising suspicion?
[00:30:27] Speaker D: I don't think I have the feat that allows me to avoid raising suspicions, because that would be secret inquiry or something like that.
[00:30:33] Speaker F: It's called discreet inquiry. And I have it that.
[00:30:38] Speaker B: So as you are talking to the gnomes, not guarding your topic of conversation, because you don't have that feat you do actually hear about. They've been talking about? Yeah, there's this woman from Joel who. She actually passed through the forest a few months ago. Er, not the forest that she passed through town a few months ago, and then has been making periodic trips back to brush Hollow to resupply.
[00:31:05] Speaker D: Okay, do I learn when their last time their resupply was and how often she last resupplied?
[00:31:12] Speaker B: Two days ago. Generally she does a weekly trip, but up until, you know, leading up to that trip where she came through two days ago, there was actually a while in between. It was about three weeks. Some people were starting to wonder if the forest had finally gotten her.
[00:31:30] Speaker D: Okay. It. That is around a two hour activity. So I will wait and then tell everyone when I get back.
[00:31:39] Speaker B: I feel like unpacking is longer than 2 hours, probably.
They're really fast. Just go, go, go.
[00:31:49] Speaker C: Assembly line.
[00:31:51] Speaker E: Well, we're unpacking and I assume just right into the house. Um, Val is gonna help Neros carry some stuff.
Neros. I just wanted to say, um. I know things have been. There's been a lot of tension lately, but, um. It's really good to have a.
Have a friend, but I haven't really had a lot of people. I've been very close to you in my life, so it's been very nice. I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate you.
[00:32:33] Speaker F: My brain's not working.
I'm like, I should have a response to this. And my brain is just like radio silence.
[00:32:45] Speaker D: Neros could just be radio silence.
[00:32:48] Speaker F: That would be rude.
[00:32:49] Speaker B: Nero's just stares at Val and then walks away, unblinking.
[00:32:57] Speaker F: I mean, I haven't really. Haven't had that many people. I'm close to you either. I'm still getting used to it. I mean, all these weirdos.
Well, yeah, I mean, I guess you. You're not a weirdo. That's what I'm saying. The other ones are. Yeah.
[00:33:10] Speaker E: It's okay. I know I'm not. Not necessarily normal like other people, but it's alright.
[00:33:17] Speaker F: Yeah.
Anyway.
[00:33:22] Speaker B: So before too long, you successfully unpack all of the boxes and everything from the wagon that they used to get here and got the essentials and necessities set up so they're able to spend the night in this new cottage they've found.
The five of you quickly recognize that whether they're willing or not, there's not really enough room for them to put you up in their cottage that night.
[00:33:46] Speaker D: We're a large group.
[00:33:48] Speaker C: I've got a tent. I am good.
[00:33:50] Speaker D: I've got a tent.
[00:33:52] Speaker F: Technically, all of us should still have tents.
[00:33:54] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:33:55] Speaker D: It was the first thing we were given in this campaign. It was.
[00:34:00] Speaker B: The first of many benevolent gifts.
[00:34:03] Speaker F: A tent.
[00:34:05] Speaker B: So you do of course have the option to set up a camp outside of town.
[00:34:09] Speaker C: Why not inside of town?
[00:34:12] Speaker B: You could try that.
[00:34:13] Speaker D: We're gonna be homeless in the street.
[00:34:14] Speaker E: Is there perhaps an inn?
[00:34:17] Speaker B: There is.
In fact, Albert is aware of this inn as one of the places he was gathering information was the dancing ferry.
[00:34:29] Speaker D: Oh, I love that.
[00:34:30] Speaker B: Alward, since you were at the dancing ferry. You know that it is named after its proprietors.
[00:34:37] Speaker D: The proprietess is a little tiny dancing fairy.
[00:34:40] Speaker B: Yes. I love this. Her name is Arya thistledown.
[00:34:44] Speaker D: I love this.
Oh, I speak Fae.
So while I'm there, I'm just gonna go ahead and purchase rooms for all of us. I'm just speaking to her and Faye, getting information.
[00:35:00] Speaker F: Oh, you said rooms. I heard runes.
[00:35:03] Speaker D: I'm gonna get runes for everyone. Hmm.
[00:35:06] Speaker C: Where'd you get the money for that?
[00:35:07] Speaker D: We just got paid. Also, I had 36 gold beforehand, so.
[00:35:11] Speaker B: Each room is 30 gold. No.
[00:35:14] Speaker C: Do you still owe me money?
[00:35:15] Speaker D: I do, remember? I do. I owe you one. I owe you five silver. Less, I believe. So are you 39 gold and five silver?
[00:35:25] Speaker C: Write that down.
[00:35:29] Speaker E: Jeez.
[00:35:30] Speaker B: So, the inside of the dancing ferry, which I presume that all five of you are heading to here at the end of the day, the inside is very unusual for taverns in the area. You're all quite used to more olfan sized taverns, you know, made for folks who are, you know, short people are five foot tall. Average is six foot tall in this area.
Val, going into the dancing fairy, you have to duck to get in through the door.
The tavern is roomy for gnomes.
They don't have a human sized section, but they do have a gnome sized area and a pixie sized area in the common room.
[00:36:10] Speaker D: So this is the only tavern here, so the rooms aren't going to be very big, so we're gonna have to squish. But I did get us all our own room.
[00:36:17] Speaker G: Oh, I am aware it. I have frequented this place before.
[00:36:22] Speaker D: Zafir, I got you a gnome sized room. Room.
[00:36:26] Speaker C: As long as my tent can fit.
I'm good with that.
[00:36:31] Speaker E: It should be fine. Howard, why do you have a tent?
[00:36:35] Speaker A: I go up to the bar keep and order a bowl of mushroom soup. And Fae.
[00:36:41] Speaker D: I didn't know you speak fae.
[00:36:43] Speaker C: Oh, I thought you were both getting a bowl of mushroom and fey soup.
[00:36:48] Speaker B: That is what I heard that.
[00:36:50] Speaker D: It crossed my mind for a second. I realized I order in Fae a.
[00:36:56] Speaker A: Bowl of mushroom soup.
[00:36:59] Speaker B: The gnome who's working behind the counter seems impressed with your grasp of the fey tongue, and he provides you with your bowl of mushroom soup.
[00:37:08] Speaker A: Do I recognize the gnome?
[00:37:10] Speaker B: Uh, no. He seems to be a new hire because you've been in this tavern before, but you don't recognize him.
[00:37:15] Speaker A: Do I know the old tavern keep?
[00:37:18] Speaker B: The proprietors? Yes, you have met her before.
So, Alward, you bought rooms. Arya thistledown seemed to be a respectable businessperson. When you were buying rooms. Uwe, you are aware that that is a charade.
She takes every opportunity to haze travelers through town, as it were.
[00:37:43] Speaker A: I just ask the gnome.
[00:37:45] Speaker G: How is Arya? Is she here?
[00:37:48] Speaker B: No, she's her usual self. I. She was here earlier today, and some stranger, that guy over there, actually, he came and ordered some rooms, and then she said she had something she needed to go do.
[00:38:02] Speaker G: I was afraid of that. Would you be so kind as to contact her and let her know that I am in town with France, more.
[00:38:10] Speaker A: Specifically, and I gesture over to the new. What new guy over there.
[00:38:15] Speaker G: And two, if possible.
Well, you know.
[00:38:23] Speaker B: Right. He taps the side of his nose. We'll make sure your rooms are ready for you.
[00:38:29] Speaker D: I don't like that.
[00:38:33] Speaker C: Did Howard get scammed?
[00:38:35] Speaker A: And I just. And I just add a silver.
[00:38:39] Speaker G: Not too much.
[00:38:41] Speaker B: He takes the silver and then turns and he's like, hey, George, watch the counter for me.
[00:38:47] Speaker A: Runs off.
[00:38:48] Speaker B: This halfling is like, what? Wait, wait, wait, wait. As he runs off.
[00:38:52] Speaker E: Albert, do you have the key to the room? Thank you. I'm gonna go get out of this armor so I can move around a little better.
So she's gonna hunch down and kind of half walk her away, hitting her head on the occasional thing.
[00:39:09] Speaker B: Oh, yeah.
[00:39:10] Speaker F: You're really tall, aren't you?
[00:39:13] Speaker B: So, Val, as you are gandalfing your way to your room, you come around the corner and you see a gnome closing one of the doors. And he, like, snickers and then looks down the hall and sees you and goes, oh, hello.
[00:39:29] Speaker E: Hello.
[00:39:30] Speaker B: Can I help you?
[00:39:31] Speaker E: I'm just on the way. I'm speaking in Fae as well.
[00:39:34] Speaker D: Do we all know Faye?
[00:39:36] Speaker B: No, you bunch of nerds.
[00:39:40] Speaker E: I'm just heading to my room. Are you?
[00:39:44] Speaker B: What's your room number?
[00:39:46] Speaker E: Pie.
[00:39:50] Speaker B: Oh, I'll fancy that. That's this room here. And he opens the door. He was just closing.
[00:39:59] Speaker E: Can I roll like a perception check on this guy?
[00:40:02] Speaker B: I don't think you need a perception check to know he's acting weird.
[00:40:08] Speaker E: Um, right. What are you just doing in my room?
[00:40:11] Speaker B: Nothing. I was just making sure it was ready.
You know, just the old open the door, give it the once over with the eyeballs, and close the door.
[00:40:24] Speaker E: Well, all right.
I I just gonna go into the room then.
[00:40:30] Speaker B: All right. I was going to go that way, but I'll just, I'll back up and let you go in. And once you're in, then I'll go that way.
[00:40:37] Speaker E: Well, no, I could back up if you need me to. I can let you go through first.
[00:40:40] Speaker B: That's a pretty narrow hallway. We're kind of cramped in here. I'll just back up and let you.
[00:40:45] Speaker E: Well, I can.
[00:40:45] Speaker B: No, no, I insist. After you.
[00:40:51] Speaker E: All right then. Let's go. I really need to get changed. It's been a long day.
[00:40:56] Speaker B: So you go in the room.
[00:40:57] Speaker E: Yeah. Awkward to try and slip past this gnome.
[00:41:02] Speaker B: So as you enter the room, you notice that it's a similar decor to the entry area of like sort of lodge style. It's a very comfortable looking place. There's a nice teal woven rug in the center of the room. The bed is gonna be small, but if you were careful, you could probably push it out of the way and pitch a tent in the middle of the room. To have somewhere more comfortable to sleep.
[00:41:27] Speaker E: I just use my bedroll. It's okay.
[00:41:30] Speaker B: The gnome is just standing out in the hallway and just like comfortable, isn't it?
[00:41:36] Speaker E: It's a tad small, but it's all right. I'm kind of tall.
[00:41:39] Speaker B: Yeah, you're pretty big.
[00:41:45] Speaker E: You're just awkwardly looking at.
[00:41:48] Speaker B: Well, I need to go make sure the other rooms are ready. And he starts down the hall.
[00:41:54] Speaker E: She's gonna start looking around to see if he did anything.
[00:41:58] Speaker B: What's your perception bonus nine.
It looks cozy. Nothing seems amiss at all.
[00:42:06] Speaker E: Alright then. I'm gonna take off my armor. So I'm just in my ashen gown and then head back out with my instruments.
[00:42:14] Speaker B: You do that.
[00:42:15] Speaker E: All right.
Okay. I don't.
I don't know what you're doing.
[00:42:22] Speaker F: That's suspicious, dude.
[00:42:25] Speaker D: Howard is very untrustworthy of faith. It is canon.
[00:42:30] Speaker B: Okay, I know this.
[00:42:33] Speaker C: So I have my key now.
[00:42:34] Speaker B: Yes, you do.
[00:42:35] Speaker C: Zafir is ready to go to his room.
Does he know which one is his?
[00:42:40] Speaker B: The number is written on the key.
[00:42:42] Speaker C: What's the number?
[00:42:44] Speaker E: Danish.
[00:42:46] Speaker D: The number is danish.
[00:42:47] Speaker E: Mine was PI. This is a Danish.
[00:42:51] Speaker C: Okay, I see what the trick is.
[00:42:53] Speaker F: Instead of 3.14, it's 4.25.
[00:42:59] Speaker C: I go to the door that's in the middle of two doors, slightly to the left.
[00:43:06] Speaker B: And there it is.
[00:43:10] Speaker C: It's slightly to the right of door three.
[00:43:14] Speaker A: That hurts my brain.
[00:43:18] Speaker B: I'm amazed at how comfortable zafir already is at navigating this tavern.
[00:43:24] Speaker D: He's very small.
[00:43:25] Speaker C: I assume there's only one hallway.
[00:43:27] Speaker B: Yeah, you went exactly to the right door. The door that's between the two doors and is smaller.
It's danish.
[00:43:34] Speaker C: Oh, right.
[00:43:38] Speaker F: Sven is very unhappy right now.
[00:43:41] Speaker C: I open the door and irrational. I begin to put my tent up is there enough room since it is a dwarf room? No. Gnome room.
[00:43:52] Speaker B: Gnome room.
[00:43:53] Speaker C: Gnome room. Is that the bigger or the smaller rooms? I forgot how big a ferry. Fate. Faye.
[00:43:58] Speaker B: Faye. In the common area. So you know how irl we've got smoking area and non smoking area in the common area of the tavern, they just have an ome area and a pixie area. They did have a handful of quote unquote human sized rooms which allward rented out, but there were only four of them. And that's why you've got a gnome room. So it's similarly cramped for you, but not quite as bad as it is for the others, because when they're building this building, they actually know how big gnomes are, so they know how much room you need.
[00:44:29] Speaker C: How much smaller am I than a gnome or bigger?
[00:44:33] Speaker B: You are tall for a gnome, but you'll be in the same size category.
[00:44:39] Speaker C: I guess my point was, can I fit my dent in here?
[00:44:43] Speaker B: It'll be a tight squeeze, but yes.
[00:44:45] Speaker C: Okay. Is there anything amiss with the room? Just anything out of place, anything that I wouldn't notice.
[00:44:52] Speaker B: What's your perception?
[00:44:53] Speaker C: Bonus plus nine, I believe.
[00:44:57] Speaker B: Everything seems fine.
[00:45:01] Speaker C: Can I look again?
[00:45:04] Speaker F: Not for another ten minutes.
[00:45:06] Speaker B: You have to go stand in the.
[00:45:08] Speaker C: Corner after the tent is set up and everything.
Are there indoor restrooms in this place? Is it like a. Okay, so it's. Dang.
[00:45:21] Speaker B: There's an outhouse.
[00:45:24] Speaker C: Do I have a window?
[00:45:26] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:45:27] Speaker C: Is it openable?
[00:45:28] Speaker B: It is not closable.
Well, I mean, it is not closable and see through a bull. You can. You can use the shutters to shut the window.
[00:45:38] Speaker C: Can I go in it?
[00:45:39] Speaker B: Shutters?
[00:45:39] Speaker C: Can I. Can I access? Can I leave the window?
I'm gonna step out the window.
[00:45:46] Speaker B: Okay.
Outside, there's some nice springy early season grass, some flowers.
[00:45:54] Speaker C: I'm gonna see if I can close the window behind me so that it's not like, open.
[00:45:58] Speaker B: Yeah. Easily done.
[00:46:00] Speaker C: And then I'm going to circle around back to the front door.
Is there anybody out there?
[00:46:06] Speaker B: I mean, there are some. A couple people passing by, but it is getting later in the day, so there's not a whole lot of people outside.
[00:46:14] Speaker C: Now I'm just going to sit out there until the sun goes down.
[00:46:18] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:46:19] Speaker C: I'm just going to sit and enjoy.
[00:46:22] Speaker A: Uwe is going to finish his bowl of mushroom soup, have a house special drink, talk with some of the people.
[00:46:31] Speaker G: That he recognizes and switch into his accent, apparently.
And he's going to go to his room. He's going to give it a once over.
[00:46:43] Speaker E: Which is?
Tart.
A tart.
[00:46:47] Speaker A: A tartar.
[00:46:48] Speaker G: He's going to go start room.
[00:46:50] Speaker A: He's going to give it a once.
[00:46:52] Speaker G: Over, just to be sure.
[00:46:53] Speaker B: So describe giving it a once over.
[00:46:55] Speaker A: I assume he's already been through a hazing.
[00:46:57] Speaker B: Oh, yes.
[00:46:58] Speaker A: So he's gonna look.
[00:47:01] Speaker B: So the last time, well, rather the first time you were here, you were actually pranked. Before you'd made it into your room even you'd asked for your customary ale. And when it was served to you, the more you drank of it, the more you found yourself irrepressibly laughing, almost as if someone had cast hideous laughter on you.
It didn't go over very well, and they promised never to prank you again.
So you're feeling pretty good. You made it to your room and nothing's happened.
[00:47:35] Speaker A: True.
My perception is eleven.
[00:47:41] Speaker E: You think he trust this man?
[00:47:44] Speaker B: Uwe? As you begin to open the door to your room, very carefully, very cautiously, you hear a scrape of wood against wood. And you look up and there's a bucket perched on the top of your door.
[00:47:58] Speaker E: Hey, you can actually reach.
[00:48:01] Speaker A: Is there a gnome nearby?
[00:48:04] Speaker B: When I rolled a secret perception check for you and you don't see a gnome.
[00:48:09] Speaker A: Okay.
U ver. U ver. Just looks up and sees that and just sighs.
[00:48:16] Speaker G: Ah.
And this is why you don't trust the fae, even when they make a promise. Am I right?
[00:48:27] Speaker A: And you just hear this boom. As he just. He just smacks his staff on the floor.
[00:48:34] Speaker B: We cut downstairs to all of the other gnomes who just like, what was that?
[00:48:40] Speaker A: As he reaches up and grabs the.
[00:48:43] Speaker B: Bucket, which is well within reach of a tall dwarf.
[00:48:47] Speaker A: Like, what's in just water or something?
[00:48:50] Speaker B: It looks to be glitter.
[00:48:52] Speaker A: Glitter?
[00:48:52] Speaker F: Oh, no.
[00:48:56] Speaker B: But you are able to remove it from the door without spilling much of it. So you now have a bucket of glitter.
[00:49:02] Speaker A: I have a bucket of glitter. And Uwe's out for blood.
[00:49:07] Speaker D: The title of Uva's new mixtape.
[00:49:12] Speaker F: But he'll go into his room if you want help.
You know, someone who pranks people.
[00:49:20] Speaker D: That's true.
[00:49:20] Speaker A: Uvair might remember this.
[00:49:24] Speaker B: And we'll close this episode then with a dramatic shot of Uwe in the background, out of focus, staring at this close up shot of a bucket of glitter.
And that's where we'll end the episode.
[00:49:38] Speaker E: Woo.
I would have loved to glitter. You were.
[00:49:42] Speaker B: And the hero point for this episode is going to Jenkins for his a very effective taking leadership once we get into town and just moving the story along and getting the info we need to keep pushing and also the cool automatically just speaking all the languages everybody in this town speaks.
[00:50:02] Speaker D: It's because of the book.
[00:50:03] Speaker B: The book.
[00:50:04] Speaker D: It's actually not the book. Thank you guys. Oh, my goodness.
Thank you guys so much for this hero point. I'm so excited to have another one since I had none previously.
You know, I'm gonna do nothing. I'm gonna go and do nothing.
[00:50:21] Speaker A: That's nice.
[00:50:21] Speaker D: Yeah. I'll be in the void for a bit. Bye.
[00:50:24] Speaker B: And we'll see you all in the next episode.
This has been an atomic broadcasting production. Pathfinder, Galarian and the lost omens world setting are copyright of Paizo more
[email protected] music in the show is from monument studios collection as well as assorted artists with some original tracks composed by Jordi Hake. More details in the the description if you enjoyed the show, please remember to share with a friend and we'll look forward to seeing you again next time.
[00:50:54] Speaker F: Here comes the void.
[00:50:57] Speaker D: Here comes the void.
[00:51:02] Speaker E: Just so static. Yeah.
