My name is Irene. I play I own a starling. And she has a riff of the Shadow Dragon from Dungeons and Dragons.
Snyder’s Return:What are you guys doing? Once we've had this downtime, where do you go next? What are you guys up to?
Iona Starling:Probably going to reconvene. Right Is that the plan?
Rafa:I guess we should meet up maybe again at Dr. Edwards house. All right.
Iona Starling:I kind of I kind of like this image of like Iona calling and calling him up. And just just without prompt being like, we're coming over and then hanging up again without giving him a chance to respond.
Snyder’s Return:So Dr. Robbins, are you expecting guests?
Dr. Henry Edwards:Dr. Edwards is not expecting guests but I suppose you will receive them anyways. Yep, you
Snyder’s Return:will often do you let them in? Or do you let the doctor let you in?
Rafa:I will be I will let the doctor do the honour.
Snyder’s Return:So I thought in your your front door is for the or, or the doorbell sounded. Maybe you have a chain. I'm not sure that that wouldn't show you might even have some fancy sort of camera setup. I don't know what what do you have? Do you have just a normal font over the doorbell? In keeping
Dr. Henry Edwards:essentially the property itself has cameras on the exterior but they don't really watch the front door generally because there are helix staff who keep an eye on the front door parked across the street since it is in fact a lab Dr. Edwards has a committed security team but it's basically three guys who sit in the van across the street they are his three least favourite security people which is how they got that job. So I mean ringing the doorbell would have Dr. Edwards up and coming towards the door. Answer eventually how about he takes his sweet time.
Snyder’s Return:Sweet sweet time alright. So the door opens. Dr. Edwards almost grudgingly let you in
Unknown:teamwork, yeah.
Snyder’s Return:We assembled the presence of the great doctors home slash lab slash many other things.
Iona Starling:Great, acceptable. Oprah manageable.
Snyder’s Return:So with your galette who wants to discuss what you have discovered so far.
Iona Starling:And I imagine Ayana was diligently avoiding talking about what happened. Turns turns to the doctor first and asks him so you find out anything.
Dr. Henry Edwards:I found out a great many things. I learned that. My I learned that we are not the only people who are aware of this situation. It seems my immediate subordinate was leaking information to a number of shall we say unreliable scientific publications in the hopes of pursuing talented scientific minds who were open to
Iona Starling:so he cheated you
Unknown:she
Dr. Henry Edwards:leaked confidential information from the company resulting in the potential exposure of the nature of the company's work and potentially exposing the public to exactly the sort of trouble they're in now. So I had to spend a significant portion of my day cleaning up her methods
Iona Starling:and how would you deal with her?
Dr. Henry Edwards:She won't be making any more messes. Good job.
Rafa:How do you how do you look when you say to
Dr. Henry Edwards:sort of a little smug, quietly pleased with himself?
Rafa:Well, if you look me in the eyes when you are when you Turkey after we if we cross eyes, looks, then you will see that Rafa isn't really approving of that statement, you know.
Dr. Henry Edwards:So, I hesitate to ask, mostly because I don't particularly care to be honest, but I feel like there's a point to be made and asking, Why did I need to call an ambulance?
Unknown:Because
Iona Starling:the way she she refuses to look at you.
Rafa:The, because the victim was mainly infected by the virus, kids. What happened? We had a very fun, eventful evening. We found out where they lived. We found out how many there are, or at least a little gang. From
Dr. Henry Edwards:Chris,
Unknown:what was the boy Oh, shit where my notes when I need it? I don't. For the tonight management. Oh. I'm so sorry. I had production management.
Dr. Henry Edwards:Victor? Yeah. So
Rafa:we found out how many kids there were an Victor's gang, we found out his house, we passed by didn't seem like a very healthy family environment. And those kids went with another girl that clearly wasn't involved
Dr. Henry Edwards:in all of their things
Rafa:yet. They went to the junkyard and started some how or some kind of ritual we tried, then to interfere before anything happened. But
Dr. Henry Edwards:then naturally, you saved the girl and captured the infected Yes.
Rafa:Now, I went a little bit too far and knocked over a couple of cars.
Iona Starling:He's lying. We did. He was trying to catch the guys. I threw a truck to try and stop the girl and the guy from getting away. I severely injured the girl in the process, and both got away.
Dr. Henry Edwards:I see. So leaping, unsupported headfirst into trouble is perhaps not the most effective way to resolve these sorts of things.
Iona Starling:Clearly.
Rafa:Ah, boy, it was an eventful night, like I said, and but the main main reason that I wanted maybe you to take a look because of the influence of the virus because they were having some kind of ritual, and we don't know how far they went. But we do know where they went after. And since they were quite a handful. I was thinking that we could use some back.
Dr. Henry Edwards:I should think so. So for future reference, when you receive this information, as you know, I have resources at my disposal resources I can provide to you, or at least send your way. If you let me know what's happening before you get into trouble. Mr. Hyde may not be thrilled with the results of your previous encounter, but he would much rather be of assistance in the eye act then in cleaning up afterwards.
Unknown:Did he find anything? If I may ask?
Dr. Henry Edwards:I have not heard from him yet. I expect he and his team are still hard at work trying to round up the troublemakers.
Iona Starling:There is one thing I found there was a a house I managed to follow them there at least desolate, crumbling, you know, not exactly a place people would like to walk into. And just as I flew away, I spotted a girl
Dr. Henry Edwards:in a hospital gown there. I couldn't get to her. But
Iona Starling:whatever that place is, it might have clues at the very least,
Rafa:do you know any? And I turned to Edwards and do you know any girl in a hospital gown that works
Dr. Henry Edwards:for your corporation? Helix off the top of my head? Not exactly. But then again, I suspect anyone matching that description would work in a different department if they were a part of helix. And I don't really deal with anything outside of my own department. Or if you went to Dr. Victor's lab, Dr. Drake, find anything. I found the information I have described, I found the information I had previously shared with young Rafa. Otherwise, there has been no further results on that front. It seems Dr. Drake took extensive measures to prevent the retrieval of any information on his personal drives. Right. Okay. Well,
Rafa:our only clues right now are then the people are Victor. And his little game, we have Alicia, the game, or Alyssa? The girl who we may take a look and see what she has to say why she is involved in all of this. We have the house. Well, that kind of coincides with Victor and his gang.
Iona Starling:Hmm, not too much to run with. Well,
Rafa:what are your next steps?
Dr. Henry Edwards:Doctor, kind of look at you pretty intensively. My next steps would be to hear back from Mr. Hyde on the work his team has been doing. And ideally, to set up a meeting between himself and the two of you to try and salvage whatever remains of his willingness to work with you. I understand that you have a great deal of distaste for my organization's methods. But perhaps a little trust goes a long way.
Rafa:Well, the I forgot to quote the methods explained the means now how is it ugly in English? Goddamnit
Iona Starling:Yeah, the ends justify
Dr. Henry Edwards:depending on who you are.
Rafa:Yeah, the the ends justifies the means. But yeah. I have nothing against trusting you, Doctor are a little bit of your corporation.
Iona Starling:For the record. I do. But I don't have anything else. Do what you have to
Unknown:Oh, well, for what
Dr. Henry Edwards:it's worth. I don't begrudge you what happened?
Iona Starling:And she raised her eyes. I was like, seriously, you don't?
Dr. Henry Edwards:Did you try to crush the girl? Was it your intention to injure her? Then your gravest sin in this instance is being foolish and unprepared, which, given your relative inexperience I believe is excusable considering your good intentions, especially if you are willing to change the accordingly. But collateral damage always happens and I do mean always we do not always realise it, we do not necessarily see the consequences of our choices, but it happens when you buy a coffee at the local shop. We just don't necessarily see the small children harvesting beans on the other end or making T shirts. There is nothing there's no action you can take that does not have gross and negative consequences for someone else.
Snyder’s Return:It's your MC Adam here just taking a break from the case momentarily to let you know about our great friends in the tabletop role playing game community and the TTRPG family. So the following us is short trailer for one of our many friends. Don't check them out. Follow the links in the description below to go and give the show and listen and engage with them and engage with us. We'd love to have you back as the cases continue to progress. Speaking of which, let's get back to the action.
Firebreathing Kittens:Are you itching for a good story? laughter among friends maybe even a mystery or two? Well, you're in luck. Five Raven kings is a standalone Dungeons and Dragons podcast. Each episode is a separate three hour long story like a movie for your ears. So you can listen to these adventures in any order you like. So join us on a real play d&d quest as we solve mysteries attempt comedic banter and enjoy friendship, fibre Ethan kittens podcast, fantasy action mystery friends
Rafa:you know, by while he was Doctor was talking, Rafa kind of stepped to his side more or less not like side to side, but kind of parallel positioning himself and yeah, like, I'm going to say something smart right after that. But then when he started to say about coffee and children harvesting, he was like,
Iona Starling:Well I kind of stares at him with a bit of a with a bit of a dumbfounded expression, like both like, is he genuinely trying to reassure me, but also like, he's terrible at
Dr. Henry Edwards:he's kind of a con. So
Iona Starling:yeah, he's going I truly don't know what to be surprised. More with, you know, the fact that you're trying to reassure me or how terrible you are at it. Like that was awful. Oh my God, have you ever spoken to another human being in your life?
Dr. Henry Edwards:Generally avoidance. Well,
Rafa:if you'll take the TLDR Shit happens. It's greater us. Property greater than missed itself.
Iona Starling:Right. Oh, thanks for the pep talk boys. I'll try not to crush someone with the car next time.
Snyder’s Return:As that moment hangs in the doctorate was your phone begins to ring.
Dr. Henry Edwards:Dr. Edwards answers.
Unknown:Hello, Dr. Mr. Hyde. We have a report for you.
Dr. Henry Edwards:Excellent if you could deliver it to my home. My agents are here. And with
Snyder’s Return:all due respect, Dr. I would rather keep eyes on the targets and have your agents come to us
Dr. Henry Edwards:are good you found them. And he puts his hand over the receiver for a moment says it seems you have an opportunity to amend the previous error. What do you mean Mr. Hyde has found at least some of the infected and he has cordially invited you to join him in retrieving them out of Lancelot
Iona Starling:Rafa will you be coming? Of course.
Rafa:It's our good friend hide.
Iona Starling:Yes, our good friend hide. Okay.
Dr. Henry Edwards:Eventually. Fine. We'll go. Excellent. Perhaps I'll come along as well. This should be an excellent team building exercise. Well
Rafa:I kind of a tap on Ionas shoulder again and see it's gonna be fun.
Iona Starling:She just keeps growing louder she screams louder and louder and louder and just just still kind of like muttering under her breath she she she she walks over to the exit mirrors I own a 12 Yeah, I don't like 20 ones you she's essentially a baby he's essentially a baby
Rafa:raft little girl kind of got my language is so difficult today. You will talk very not loudly will talk like a half whisper like like you will yeah I will whisper Yeah, that's so when so you're you're growling and I will kind of whisper remember.
Dr. Henry Edwards:Should happens
Iona Starling:that that actually gets a stork from her. She actually snorts for a moment and then quickly compose her face again. I was like Don't Don't make this better than it is. Let's go. Let's deal with this. Come on.
Snyder’s Return:Doctor do hear in your new from the phone. Hide gruffly say, Doctor. What's. What's the read to you? When should we be expecting your agents
Dr. Henry Edwards:expect us all imminently Excellent. Where are we heading?
Snyder’s Return:We have a setup. And parked up at the far end of the all this shithole. Warnock's Main Street. You know what our van looks like? And so do your agents. So before the top end of Walmart Main Street, you can't miss us.
Dr. Henry Edwards:Excellent. We're on our way. And with that he hangs up the phone set it down on the desk beside his reading chair removes his lab coat folded on the chair and heads outside with his inhaler in hand
Iona Starling:oh shit all right time for another white baby I can feel it well probably not actually I'm just thinking hopefully it won't be a fight
Rafa:or smash it happens remember the mindset talk again mindset
Snyder’s Return:Jesus all right so as you able down to your car doctor was your agents across the street give you a friendly is ways maintain a vigilant watch on on the property. Such cover
Dr. Henry Edwards:many Wow.
Unknown:Yeah, just thinking that oh, it's like subtle man.
Snyder’s Return:There's not like a big fool on way. But it's because they are your worst agents. You chose them to sit there. They just prove how bad they are. So as subtle as that was, who's driving?
Iona Starling:Who is driving?
Unknown:is driving
Dr. Henry Edwards:the darkness not taking the car?
Unknown:Oh, do we have a bet mobile.
Dr. Henry Edwards:The doctor lifts the inhaler to his lips takes a deep hit of the serum. And I think for the first time actually transforms in front of
Unknown:his allies.
Dr. Henry Edwards:All right, let's see it becomes grossly swollen in musculature and bone. His right arm is almost twice as long as the left one and he knuckle walks on it as he starts moving forward. His legs are muscular but not as heavy as his upper body. He has almost It's like a gorilla on Mega steroids. His legs seem too short for the proportions of his upper body. He daintily holds the inhaler between two fingers and puts it into the pocket of his stretched and swollen slacks which he now wears like a pair of shorts. And launches himself Hulk style through the air in the direction they're supposed to be heading.
Unknown:You're leaving us?
Iona Starling:Oh, no, no, he's leaving you as he as as he jumps away on our calls as you're him, you're really and proceeds to change herself. She glances down raft was like, in her dragon form, and she's like, you know, you're still not going on my back, but I can carry you
Unknown:he's he's a little bit perplexed. Like, game
Dr. Henry Edwards:scene from Neverending Story music. Oh, quick sidenote.
Rafa:The Neverending Story was filmed here in Germany here in Munich. And I have seen and wrote the doc
Unknown:Yes, quick facts.
Rafa:Quick fact today and I have also worked there for a while but well I'll look at you and I'll be like, damn, and fair enough. I mean, you're gonna leave me behind.
Iona Starling:I'm giving you an option. Yeah, yeah. Okay, just there's a car right there you have a licence don't you?
Rafa:I don't actually think that Rafa would have a car licence you would he has a motorcycle?
Iona Starling:Did he not give you keys? Do you have a motorcycle?
Dr. Henry Edwards:How'd you get here
Unknown:with public transport?
Dr. Henry Edwards:You know, as poor people do.
Rafa:I don't have a motorcycle yet. And I mean, like I said, I like to buy like vs belt. Well, just Yeah. Don't crush me with your cloth line. Yes.
Iona Starling:adelantado grunt, and I probably say one clause big enough to hold a guy securely. So very, very gently. She kind of she kind of scoops him up and then crashes and takes off. Pretty determined to beat the doctor. They're
Dr. Henry Edwards:just a claw on the back of his shirt carries him like a kitten
Snyder’s Return:like a patriot. Adoption leaping. Once you've taken this initial loop, are you going on to rooftops? Are you landing on street
Dr. Henry Edwards:level? Oh, he's not going street level. He's sticking to roof tops and the sides of buildings. So he's crunching is fingers on his oversized hand into the sides of buildings. Just flogging himself.
Unknown:Basically like to hold us. Yes.
Iona Starling:I know. Iona just killed a kid. But at least she's in committing property damage whenever she wants to get someplace
Dr. Henry Edwards:with Oh, no, she's just invading public airspace. What? In public
Iona Starling:airspace? She's like 200 feet above the city Max. Actually don't know how far that is.
Dr. Henry Edwards:You know, that isn't a Vertical Limit to airspace. Right?
Iona Starling:I know. There's how high is how far is that? I don't actually know
Snyder’s Return:why we got into the math of altitude and airspace regulations. The doctor, the doctor, you can see ahead in UI owner as well making a more direct because you don't have to stop every so often to relaunch and regain momentum. You can see Dr. Edwards is hawkish form and hawkish form sort of spring from various buildings. And as the two groups are moving across the tops of the city, you get to see the sort of the thriving sections of sort of
Unknown:historic places
Snyder’s Return:to try and describe it. Sort of Thailand, Thailand or Tokyo, for the nicer sections of Trinity Ark and then things just start to slowly become not dirtier but less well presented shall we say as you move into the blue collar district and sort of high rises and sort of apartment buildings and then as you move through into Pittsburgh and and then approaching Walmart what you can see is there is just it just gets a small sorry and sorry state as you move through the city towards the of your intended location, intended destination, I should say sort of rice asset development coming soon sponsored boards, sort of green new as you as you go over the top of Fitchburg and then moving into wild knock even on the extreme sort of boundaries moving into the the district itself as a strange sort of feeling that even as the two groups are moving through the air, the whole sort of area of you begin to feel you begin to feel hungry. Strange, a strange sort of emptiness inside an interview. I need to take the status hungry or one Oh shit,
Dr. Henry Edwards:okay. That time to face danger.
Snyder’s Return:So the books is because I'm referencing a book. When is MC first give each of you the PC A status ask the player what is your character most powerful, instinctive need? What are you hungry for? It's not necessarily a substance.
Iona Starling:Yeah. All right, then. What what is it that you hunger for most is that what we're supposed to write is
Snyder’s Return:not it's just a question to build out is that this sense of hunger sort of hangs in the air and sort of envelops you as you as a group enter while not this time, you haven't really sensitive before I've seen the rundown. But now there is this this weird sense of hunger that sort of enters your mind and potentially your body? The question is, what is that? What drives that hunger?
Iona Starling:Yeah, I know. I know that I know the hunger I got that hunger. Do you want me say it out loud? Or is it something from the workplace power? That is for most primal desire?
Unknown:So you're hungry for power? either refer or Dr. Edwards control
Rafa:I just found out that I have the infected one status
Unknown:never used the downtime to get rid of that. You're starting a collection.
Rafa:I and I that reminds me that why I wanted to pick explore your mythos and or downtime. And that I fucked that up but okay,
Dr. Henry Edwards:live with it. At least they don't stand
Rafa:okay, if I can if I can really stay in character. As soon as he has Rafa kind of feels the sensation of hunger base basic primal instinct would be crushed song like holy shit, I haven't read
Iona Starling:literally he took it literally. No, it just feels silly. I'm out here saying you know what is younger for most? That's hard. Oh power. And he's on I'm feeling like fucking
Dr. Henry Edwards:French cuisine
Rafa:Yeah, no, it's not like he has to some
Dr. Henry Edwards:he's pretty he's
Unknown:I don't know. He's kind of like that is he doesn't
Iona Starling:can he not hunger for a motorcycle
Unknown:licence or like
Dr. Henry Edwards:a Baconator?
Rafa:Maybe Maybe maybe when we quote unquote level up so that's something that I can get later.
Unknown:I mean, people not baguettes. Yeah. Yeah it's really naive. He's He's like very chill guy sometimes.
Iona Starling:I'm sorry, you just your character just desires nothing like that. There's nothing more he wants in life now this guy
Unknown:right now
Dr. Henry Edwards:it's just the most merciless bullying over the word
Rafa:let's Rafa think of the bakery that he goes every single morning and it has such a good time man and be like holy shit, that's the last day was so
Snyder’s Return:you can put your half of beans as this series of different feelings of hunger come over each of the independent and and have your own meetings you approach the extreme edges of the centre of wildness enough where the main street sort of looms large there are even from from this point you can see a number of buildings that are boarded up some sort of look burnt out or deteriorated there's some spray paint in places there's very few people moving around. It just looks like a sorry state of the art in a state of a district. Thanks for listening. You can find out more about the show, including our interview episodes via linktree or at our website at www dot Snyder’s return.squarespace.com please consider leaving us a review. City of mist is a TTRPG by Sun evoke. You can find out more about city Mist by going to www dot city of mist.ca Oh, music and sound effects for this episode from epidemic sounds.com. The intro and outro music were composed by Chloe Elliot. You can find her on Twitter at Khloe underscore with the flow. The logo was designed by Jessie Lowe, you can find her artwork on Twitter at Akon Nomi underscore art. We're going to use our help points and be ready to investigate next time on meddlers, monsters and madmen