The Last Story - Episode 14 - Kingdom of the Undying

The Summoned Heroes, at last, make it to Dirge - the fabled Kingdom of the Undying - on a mission to save Jodie's father from a seemingly impossible fate.

While there, they find out a little more about Gordon Bank's past on Phaedos.

Also, we get the return of a certain quintet of zombie squirrels. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_14 1:23

Within each of us is a storyteller and a story waiting to be told. Universes of our own making. That we breathe into life with our very being.

SPEAKER_12 1:41

We tell these stories to live, to relate, to entertain, to understand, and to connect. But we are the stories that help others to understand.

SPEAKER_08 1:58

We tell stories that are funny and fantastic. We are all the things.

SPEAKER_18 2:17

We create something special. We create multiverse.

SPEAKER_02 2:31

Here, at the center of the multiverse, we welcome you to sit, get cozy, and listen as we traverse the storied path.

SPEAKER_04 2:48

Here, we welcome you to the Everbright Archive.

SPEAKER_02 3:04

And hello, welcome back, Wayfarers, to yet another amazing, exciting, and awesome episode of our community acclaimed uh podcast, The Everbright Archive. I am, as always, your uh host, uh, your current storyteller, uh Singh Sakasha, your current champion of bards, uh, and I am honored to be joined by my wonderful cast of friends who will in turn each tell stories of their own, uh, as they vie, of course, for my title of champion of bards. Uh, we're today going to start with the smooth, the debonair, the aesthetically eloquent and affluently afroed, the devastatingly handsome Bardic Sweetie.

SPEAKER_18 3:54

What thank you, good sir. Indeed, indeed. Hello everybody, uh, I'm Sweetie. I can be found on all the socials at Bardic Sweet T. Um, today I'll be playing uh Malachi Davis. The uh ever always exciting and interesting and weird person he is, you know, totally not boring or normal in any way.

SPEAKER_21 4:23

Just ask about his lemon wedge. I mean well. Hmm.

SPEAKER_02 4:37

Well, well, we'll we'll we'll we'll maybe we'll talk about that lemon wedge, but uh that's a point. Um well next I will present to you the ever-sparkling, the always effervescent, the eternally iconic, the all caps, T H E Briniersa.

SPEAKER_10 4:58

I want a sheet pan, everyone. I'm happy to be here, but I want a sheet pan, a large rimmed baking sheet. And that's what you need to know. I am the Breniersa. I bask in all the obscurity, and I am so happy to be here and soak up the presence of all these fabulous people. And today I will be playing Jody Bank.

SPEAKER_02 5:33

Amazing, amazing. Uh, and listen, if there's anybody out there that wants to get Beniarsa that sheet pen, I mean, holla at us on Discord and we'll we'll figure it out.

SPEAKER_09 5:45

I'll take it.

SPEAKER_02 5:49

And lastly, but certainly not leastly, I I give you the lovely, the fantastic, the amazing, the gorgeous, my diamond, your diamond, Madness Diamond.

SPEAKER_07 6:06

Hi, uh, I'm Madness Diamond, but since we're friends now, you can call me Diamond. Um, I will be uh playing Lysandra Agni, who is Miss Fortune's Flame and the matchmaker supreme, who has made many a match and will continue to, and no one will break my streak.

SPEAKER_08 6:25

Right, sweetie.

SPEAKER_18 6:29

The future isn't written in stone, and so I'm right, sweetie?

SPEAKER_17 6:36

I mean, yeah, of course, yeah, who would break your streak?

SPEAKER_08 6:42

Who would be so foolish? Thank you. I appreciate you so much. Thank you, thank you. Uh oh yeah, hi. So I'll be your uh chaotic, totally not an arsonist um character today. Lysandra is very interested in meeting these vampires and seeing where we left off from last time. Uh and getting a puppy or playing with more with Hugo. So you know, to keep him busy, keep him entertained.

SPEAKER_02 7:17

Amazing. And also, I feel slightly in danger. Uh sweet tea, I think you should feel more in danger than I do. Um that was very much like if you break my streak, I will break your legs energy. And I believe them.

SPEAKER_10 7:34

Very deserved.

SPEAKER_17 7:35

Very deserved. Deserved? Deserved.

SPEAKER_15 7:40

I love the fluff, sweetie, and you're endangering the fluff. You know I love the fluff.

SPEAKER_18 7:46

Listen, listen.

SPEAKER_08 7:48

Sweetie, do you want this?

SPEAKER_18 7:49

Do you I uh uh I I listened.

SPEAKER_08 8:04

Sweetie. My darling, I am trying to make sure that the AO3 tags for this season specifically have some romance going on. Where it's it's a slow burn at first, but then it's a forest fire of love to keep you warm at night. And to make sure that everyone knows that romance in TTRPGs is acceptable and is a storytelling mechanic that everyone can have fun with. And so if you ruin the happy ending tag that I want to put on this AO3 like fanfic for this season, I will find you.

SPEAKER_07 8:40

And we will have a conversation about it. And you will change your opinion on that.

SPEAKER_08 8:47

But I will respect whatever choices you make because you're a player at this table too. But please know that whenever it becomes my turn to become the storyteller, I will remember this.

SPEAKER_17 8:56

Okay, yeah, no, it's all good. Everything's fine.

unknown 9:01

Okay.

SPEAKER_18 9:03

I also love how. I just have to point out, of course, you would describe romance as a burning forest fire. I'm just I'm just pointing that out. It's not lost on the shots fire.

SPEAKER_08 9:23

Hey, it the what better connection to have than to find love and warmth and comfort in front of a fire with the ones that you hold dear. Platonically, romantically, or otherwise. And sometimes even your mortal enemies.

SPEAKER_15 9:38

Whenever I type Sphinx last name, it makes a squiggly line. And then would I press the spell check just because I'm curious? It tells me that it wants to interpret the language. I don't know. Fun fact for y'all today.

SPEAKER_02 9:54

Well, it's Sanskrit for anyone who's wondering. Oh. And now we know. Akasha is Sanskrit. Uh I believe it means I believe it translates into soul.

SPEAKER_14 10:06

Oh, something soul.

SPEAKER_02 10:10

Uh yeah, that the the original version of Akasha is actually spelled with one A at the end and not two, but I added the other end for flavor.

SPEAKER_15 10:20

But yes, circling back, do not ruin the AO3 tag.

SPEAKER_18 10:24

Flavor like a lemon winch.

SPEAKER_15 10:26

I will I I will endorse everything that happens after. With my stamp of approval, with my reinforcements. All at your command, Diamond.

SPEAKER_18 10:44

Listen, I am not going to try to sabotage this relationship that Lysandra has set up. If something happens, though, it's about my I can't I mean you never know what happens in the future.

SPEAKER_02 11:00

As the storyteller, I'm I'm I'm I'm not going to um I am a neutral party in this matter. Um and uh I I I know where bread gets buttered. I'm not gonna try and ruin that. I'm not gonna No, no, no. I have I have I have goals, I have dreams and ambitions, and I have a life I want to live.

SPEAKER_15 11:39

Not only beautiful, hilarious, handsome, debonair, stunning, clever, creative, talented.

SPEAKER_08 11:52

Did you know that Sphinx actually does all of the audio editing and the sound effects for us? So all the stuff you hear throughout the episodes, like Sphinx does all of that by himself.

SPEAKER_18 12:01

That's amazing. I mean, you would think, you know, win an award for that.

SPEAKER_23 12:09

I didn't, but you know.

SPEAKER_18 12:11

I'll make you an award. Yeah, we will give you an award.

SPEAKER_09 12:14

I've given you an award. It's gonna be purple.

SPEAKER_02 12:23

That's lovely, and I appreciate all of the beautiful, beautiful praise. Thank you so much. Um oh man. Uh but we're we're back uh once again for episode 14 uh of our very first mini campaign, The Last Story. Uh, but before we get into that, uh I want to go ahead and give a quick shout out to our friends, our sponsors, and our affiliates over at Friday Afternoon Tea. Friday Afternoon Tea is a small, family-owned, queer-owned, Latina-owned, geeky-themed local tea company where you can find some beautiful loose sleeve teas, some custom tea blends, uh tea wares and accessories, and educational tastings. They also have some really cool like sip and paints uh and game nights if you're local to the Seattle area, which is where their shop is located. Uh, and they also have a bunch of tea blends based on some of your favorite fandoms, like Battlestar Galactica, Avatar the Last Airbender, Our Flag Means Death, and many, many, many more. Uh, and you know, if you happen to go to their website, which is FridayT.com, uh, and make a purchase at checkout, you should input the code Multiverse. That's M-U-L-T-E-A-V-E-R-S-E, and get yourself 10% off of your total purchase. Uh, it's a good time. You'll be supporting uh a local uh femme-owned uh Latino-owned uh queer-owned business. And you know, we love that here. Uh so check out Friday afternoon tea and come and be a thirsty nerd with us. So the recap. When we last left our heroes, uh you had ventured into the dead forest back on the fourth floor, uh, with the hopes of uh meeting with Alessandra Amelium, uh a necromancer who could give you uh some uh some much needed knowledge uh and and and and magical locationing uh on uh what happened to our dear little friend Carrera's body. Upon reaching uh her cabin in the woods, you also encounter a face you don't expect. Particularly Joni encounters a face that they don't expect uh in Gordon Bank, her long-lost father, reveals that he had been tricked uh into leaving her behind on uh your earth to venture into Phaedos by the guided dreamer's hand to help try and help stop people from being stop stop children from being taken uh against their will. Uh and in that Gordon succeeded. However, he could not stop the guided dreamer from taking people against their will from other worlds, from other realities. And so escaped uh and wound up uh kind of running into lots of folk throughout the uh throughout the Fados as he escaped. Uh and wound up uh living with Alessandra. And while living with Alessandra, he created a device that allowed him to see through the uh the the the rules and magic that the guided dreamer put into place to keep people on Phaedos, he was able to see back to his homeworld, to his version of Earth, where Jody was living and could s watch her grow up uh and and and and do these awesome things, but that came at a cost, and that cost was his body. Uh as when they find uh Gordon, one of his arms has been replaced with a bark-made prosthesis, uh, and he is also uh kind of dying uh of a magical malady that is a direct result of this device that he's created. Uh having this tearful reunion, uh, Alessandra points out that uh there might be hope uh on the seventh floor, uh the corona uh in the kingdom of Dirge, which is the kingdom of the undead and undying. Uh a Durac named Gorfum, uh who has also been helping Alessandra take care of Gordon, confirms this, uh, that they should be able to go to Durge and uh beseech the undying council, uh, and also perhaps the queen of the uh of Durge, uh Queen uh Elswith, uh, to perhaps see uh if they can make Gordon one of the undying and make it so that he'll be able to go back to uh to Anwanyu back to the Dead Force to live with Alexandra, who happened to share uh uh a bit of a romance. And it's great. Uh thanks to Alessandra, uh thanks to Lysandra and her fantastic uh fiery dance of romance. Uh yes, that is the new thing. A fiery dance of romance uh was able to uh make the other two make the two of them confess their feelings for each other. It was lovely, it was great. We love the romance. Uh Alessandra agrees to help them all uh by uh A revealing that she is one of the uh first heroes uh that got summoned to Phaedos, and also revealing that on her earth, which is the earth that you all are from, she was Baba Yaga, and that her house is the house that got summoned with her and the other three. Uh so you all get into the house, and the house leaps up to the ceiling of the corona. Not the corona, uh, to the ceiling of Anwanyu, rips through it, and ventures into the first dungeon that you all uh encounter. Uh the the fifth floor, the caves, where you encounter another face you don't expect. One of the guided dreamer's four lieutenants, the I, who reveals himself to be Aaron Strom, one of the members of Glitter Force 5, who had uh faced the guided dreamer with his team in combat, lost, and then went off to try and figure out a way around either a way around the guided dreamer's rules or a way to defeat him. But Aaron encounters the original version of the eye, and then and the eye basically tells him, Hey, I've been looking for you. Um I don't want to do this anymore. I've been trying all this time to kind of undermine the guided dreamer, uh, uh, and I'm tired. I want to go, I wanna go sit on the beach somewhere and and and drink until, you know, until I'm blind. So um, here's a mask. Uh here's here's the mask. Uh you get to be the eye now, and you get to control all of this uh and and and and and and try and stop the guided dreamer yourself. And so Aaron has been the eye for who knows how long, which really didn't get into that. But Aaron was able to create, because his abilities as the eye give him control and dominion over all of the dungeon levels of Thaedos. And he was able to create a staircase leading straight from floor five through floor six and all the way to floor seven, the corona, right into the heart of Dirge. You also encounter on the stairs a rather interesting uh creature character person, uh one of the Musa, uh one of the mouse folk, uh, named Mimzi. Uh or Mama Mimzi, uh, to to to to many. Uh a adorable little rat woman, uh, who is a bit of a spitfire, uh, who decides who you take with you uh as you venture up into uh dirge through the sixth floor, which is the crypts, the places where the dirge keep their dead, uh both the sleeping dead uh and the truly dead, also guarded by other undead. Uh it is a weird, uh, beautiful necropolis. But when you emerge from this ladder, you emerge into a swamp. Uh and as you emerge from the swamp itself, you are greeted by yet another face. A beautiful pale woman in a three-piece suit, uh, long black hair, glittering red eyes, and fanged teeth. As you meet Julia S. Francisco. Uh who introduces herself as the vampire queen of Dutch. I think that uh is where we're going to pick up. Uh as you all uh exit the house along with uh walking behind Julia. Uh how are you all feeling in this moment? You are now on dirge. Uh I should I guess I should kind of uh further uh illustrate what you see as you are walking across this uh this kind of wooden bridge. Durge is a land. Covered in tones of deep greens. It's as if there's this haze or aura that permeates just about everything. And it is this almost eerie, like from like jade greens to gray greens to it varies depending on what you're looking at. There is this nimbus or aurora uh constantly over the sky that uh Jody. I'm not even gonna make you roll for this. Uh you know based on your readings that this aurora exists only over dirge. And you know that it allows for many of the undead and undying here who might be sunlight averse to walk freely without pain or without fear of the sun. And as you venture forward on this bridge, you venture forward and just over the tree line, you can see the buildings of the city, the skyline itself of the capital city in Tumb. And it is called and you understand why it is called that. Because the buildings are in fact shaped like tombstones. Or or uh or massive uh massive above ground tombs. Or mausole and mausoleums. Like this place is your goth students would lose their minds. Uh it is everything they've ever dre would have ever dreamed of. And standing on a hill is a massive mausoleum building. With spires and obelisks that reach towards the Nimbus. And Julia kinda notices you notice that building. Ah I see you notice the castle. That's where we'll be heading. Uh you'll get to meet the Undion there, as well as uh Her Majesty, Queen Elswith, the Wraith Queen. And so I ask, how are you all feeling? How are you all taking this in?

SPEAKER_18 26:21

Uh I would say Malachi is kind of overcome with this amazing feeling of like awe as he looks at everything and he's like, This looks beautiful.

SPEAKER_02 26:41

And Julia looked well, well, thank you kindly. We'd like to think so.

SPEAKER_03 26:46

Uh it's very nice here.

SPEAKER_08 26:55

Lysandra's gossiping with Hugo. Uh, I'd like to use children of the grave. Uh you can always communicate verbally with undead creatures. Once per scene you may ask in undead a single question they are compelled to answer truthfully. I'm going to ask Hugo, uh, what are your favorite smells here? What are your what do you smell anything interesting? Is there anything that is your favorite? Are you Are there good things? Bad things? What do you think?

SPEAKER_02 27:22

Hugo kind of like leans into you uh and in that voice that sounds like it's coming from very, very, very far away, uh you hear him say, The bones are wet and juicy.

SPEAKER_04 27:39

I like the wet and juicy bones. They are great for teeth.

SPEAKER_08 27:47

Oh, you're such a good boy. And Lysandra's just gonna play with the hellfire coming off the puppy.

SPEAKER_02 27:54

The the the mandible kind of drops open, flaming tongue lols out in his version of a puppy drain.

SPEAKER_08 28:06

Lysandra is enraptured by all of this because I'm I feel like now that they've taken so many so much interest in necromancy, but mechanically so many levels now in Necromancer that this place would feels different now to them than it would have whenever like beforehand. To where it's like it just there's probably something palpable about it. Yeah, you know, in like a magical sense that it's like almost great that you can touch.

SPEAKER_02 28:37

Yeah, you feel this magical pull from everything. There does not seem to be anything here that you can sense that does not have the touch of necromancy to it. Like, if the this is a mecha for you and anyone else who studies that craft. And there is a in a sense of fulfillment that you are getting here.

SPEAKER_08 29:18

And then telling uh the queen of the vampires because wild concept to Lysandra, but they're so down for this.

SPEAKER_06 29:28

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_08 29:29

Uh just telling Julia, it's like this is a very interesting place. I can just I feel like there is a spring in my step, but it's as like a a nice spring and not a bad spring in a bad bed frame or a bad mattress. It is But it's kind of carefully comfortable in no way. It is not restful, but this is it is lively in a very undeath way. I didn't know I I did not know that uh death could be so lively.

SPEAKER_02 30:02

And Julia gives you like a wide grin, and like you see like the fangs kind of glint off of the light. Uh and she goes, Well yes, of course. It's it's it's only natural. Uh and she like goes up to you, and like she's she's she's like not like in your space, uh, but she's like maybe like a foot away, and she just kind of takes a long deep inhale. Uh get a practitioner, fairly new, but still a practitioner.

SPEAKER_08 30:39

Oh, that's when his teaching makes pointing to Alessandra. It's like, I think I am going to become her uh student, acolytes, maybe something around those lines. I need something to do while I'm here. Well, I'm not trying to be hid the guided dreamer. Love that.

SPEAKER_02 30:56

Alessandra just kind of like smiles and see if I can find the voice. Uh yes, you're gonna go to make a final apprentice. He's going to be lovely and wonderful. And Julia, it's like Julia notices her there for the first time. And Julia, the vampire, the queen of the vampires, goes down on one knee and bows her head.

SPEAKER_03 31:27

Then I realize you were coming. It's uh I'm honored.

SPEAKER_02 31:32

And Alessandro. No no no no no no no get up, get up, get up, get up. I don't, I don't, no, we don't need any of that. We don't need any of that. It's like, but you are one of the first. You are you you revolutionized the art of necromancy. Like you are you are modern, you are a hero here. And also But I don't I don't listen here. I don't track the hero nonsense. I I used to be a hero, I'm not anymore. It is it is fine, it is fine. I am former hero, my mark has disappeared, and she was like, It's not what I mean, but I will respect your wishes, and she she gets up, but you are Her Majesty will be happy to see you and El and uh Alessandro, well, I figured as much. That's that's fair. And Gordon kind of looks over at Alessandra, it's like, Well, it looks like you are more famous than uh I took you for before. I knew you were a hero back in the day, but uh looks like uh it's like my fit Sweetie's got a got a bit of a fan club. And Alessandro, for the first time uh since the the dance, like blushes red.

SPEAKER_23 33:10

Well don't think I'll ever get used to the fact that you call me sweetie, but uh I better not dislike it. Do it more.

SPEAKER_08 33:23

You better not dislike it. I worked very hard to make that happen.

SPEAKER_23 33:29

Yes, you did, yes you did.

SPEAKER_02 33:33

And Mimzi, who is sitting on Gordon's lap, uh as uh their chair is like walking. Uh yes, this this is very, very nice, this both thing. This this listen. We we we uh you're going to save this one's life.

SPEAKER_19 33:53

That is why we are here.

SPEAKER_02 33:55

Yes, uh we've got this one, we've got undead dog, uh, we've got new hero friends, uh, and and and and and now uh you and uh Julius like well hello there Mimsey. You sound like it aren't don't you? Mimzi just kind of like puts hands on hips uh and just kind of like puffs out her chest a bit. It's like yes, yes, I am as they say, big deal. And Julia kind of chuckles Yes you are, yes. Um then looks at Jody, looks at Gordon, looks at Jody again, looks at Gordon again. The two of you you share some um and like gestures to their face, uh some similarities. Are you are you related by any chance? And Gordon goes, uh well, uh Lady Julia, allow me to introduce to you uh my my sweet baby girl, my daughter. Uh, this here's Jody.

SPEAKER_15 35:31

And Jody has been taking in the city the whole time. As we've been walking, looking at the ceiling. Yeah. And looking at this place where the dead walk not as corpses, but as citizens. Where their hearts aren't beating, but they're so full of life. And time it doesn't seem to have any weight because it's already claimed its toll. She's always thought that death was an ending. A final silence, a closing door. But here, right in front of her, this vampires, everything's this building that they're going in to see the queen. It civilized, it's regulated. And for the first time, she's known that this is her one chance to make sure her father stays. She got him back just as sickness was taking him. He's waiting. They're waiting. Yeah, I'm his daughter. Dragging him out. I decide I'm not letting death have the final word, not yet.

SPEAKER_02 37:04

And Julia kind of gives you this like lovely lopsided grin. And it's like, no matter what kind of face she makes, she is stunning. Like this woman could probably give you the a glare that would wither any life form. But she'd look fantastic, do it. But she gives you this lovely lopsided grin. And she goes, Well, if there's any one certainty here than death. It's never an ending. It's merely a stop post.

SPEAKER_15 37:46

I can't wait to find out more.

SPEAKER_02 37:50

Well, follow me and you will. And she takes you to the gate center. It takes you about five minutes walk uh along this bridge, at which point the swamp begins to dissipate more and more, less swamp, more forest, more greener. And just as you saw in the dead forest, these will-of-the-wisps begin to like peek out from the trees, kind of floating. A couple of them wander out and are getting close but not like touching you, and you feel this almost like wintergreen coolness emanating from them. It's not chilling, it's refreshing. It is almost a testament to the endlessness of this place. They hover around you, uh, a couple of them uh begin hovering around uh Hugo and Alessandra, and then they each of them kind of like moves in line with you all for a bit kind of following you, walked up, floating alongside you for a few steps before eventually dissipating and moving out back into the trees, but never staying out of sight, they are kind of floating pa floating by along with you. And nearby, there are a number of creatures that all kind of like peek out from uh the forests, uh a group of uh skeletal badgers just kind of look out and cock their head, their teeth chatter a bit, and then they run up the tree. That same group of zombie squirrels you saw earlier uh start walking by La the Model Madonna And they kind of go off into the forest, kind of continuing their chanting. And the Julia just kind of like watches them pass. You know, I've seen that particular group on and off again trying to uh w and I know the local government's been trying their damnedest uh to get them together to to provide entertainment because I mean you saw it, it it was just I mean she's like gestures, like with this like absolutely like amused look on her face.

SPEAKER_15 41:08

Malaka, aren't you a show person? Malaka! Maloka.

SPEAKER_18 41:13

Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay. Um, so the problem is you would do the theater and I I do love the theater. Um the problem with hiring you've always been told never to work with children or animals. Um secondly think about the the y how would we union like like dead animals exactly? Actually how intelligent are they?

SPEAKER_15 41:43

Why don't you talk to them? I can don't did you not learn from your weapon, Malika?

SPEAKER_18 41:50

That's fair.

SPEAKER_08 41:51

I can just talk to them for you. I can just ask them if they would like to perform.

SPEAKER_18 41:56

Well, I think they can talk.

SPEAKER_15 41:58

Well, we just heard them sing in modern Major General, so go talk to them, man.

SPEAKER_18 42:03

But I wonder like how sense you are Hugo has opinions too.

SPEAKER_15 42:11

You know, Hugo definitely listen to Hugo, listen to me, listen to the woman Julia Julia.

SPEAKER_14 42:27

I'm sorry everyone, my brain just reset.

SPEAKER_15 42:32

Listen to Julia, listen to less Andrew. Be the showman you're meant to be.

SPEAKER_08 42:39

Be weird. Be weird. Right.

SPEAKER_18 42:47

I will.

SPEAKER_16 42:48

Hugo's very insistent.

SPEAKER_18 42:49

Yeah, Hugo has many opinions. I can hear that. Hugo really wants me to talk to you squirrel.

SPEAKER_02 42:54

Hugo's tail is writing hard right now.

SPEAKER_13 42:58

Hugo's been waiting for this.

SPEAKER_18 43:01

Uh okay. I mean, sure, the worst thing that could happen is they just keep marching and singing, so. Well, no, the worst thing that could happen is they all turn on me and attack. That won't happen.

SPEAKER_08 43:14

Oh, it is fine. I shall come with you and I will protect you. It is fine.

SPEAKER_18 43:22

I will go off to approach these squirrels. Okay. Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_02 43:29

Lysandra, are you going with with him?

SPEAKER_18 43:34

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 43:35

Okay. Hugo is also going to accompany you uh as you all begin to split off. Um, don't take you long to catch up with them. They're they're relatively slow. Um they're just kind of uh shuffling, but all of them like within step with each other, and all of them uh in rhythm.

SPEAKER_20 43:56

Uh as you catch up to them, they're pardon me.

SPEAKER_02 44:18

And they all come to a stop. And they very slowly turn first their heads all the way around, and then their bodies follow afterwards. And each one of them, like almost like uh a line of dominoes, cock their head to the side.

SPEAKER_18 44:40

Oh yes. Okay, they can understand. They said hello. Thank you, Lysandra.

SPEAKER_08 45:05

I thought that with translates.

SPEAKER_18 45:07

But they were speaking common.

SPEAKER_06 45:12

Yes, I am.

SPEAKER_02 45:13

The the the leader of them turns to Lysandra, waves very slowly.

SPEAKER_08 45:23

Lysandra's gonna mimic it and just do the same thing and completely like open with a big smile and say, Ha! And you see like the

SPEAKER_02 45:31

glint of the fangs from like this new like valpertinger form that they've adapted and the fangs look a little bit sharper uh but they but it's no longer the there's no longer any like ha learning process of having to like talk around them because it's just become natural and it's just this big toothy smile saying hi as well um do you like would you like to perform and have people as an audience for your songs and they all there are five of them might by the way they all like blink and the leader like slowly turns to the rest of them and they suddenly like all huddle together performed gonna huddle with Malachi and Hugo and then you see that they all like have their arms around each other like in that like classic huddle one of them looks up and kind of like looks at you and kind of goes back to the huddle don't focus on huddles that bunny one giant dog uh and as the the the the two of you huddle like uh uh Hugo kind of like noses in and is like is up on hind legs and has paws like they're trying to like get in and on it uh and Malachi you don't feel any heat from his fire in fact you feel this like very very refreshing coolness kind of the same coolness that you felt from the Will-O-The Wisps and as you uh as he he you does that he turns to you Malachi gives you a sniff and then licks the side of your face oh oh oh god oh my goodness oh thank thank you thank you for that oh and then very quietly very softly yes I I agree with Hugo Jody is cackling in the distance and then what kind of song do you think would do well for these squirrels um goodness I'm not sure if I could I mean I could probably write something but I guess right off the top of my head I would like to hear uh hear them do uh hear the people sing from Le Miz Okay You will have to explain what that is to them but the leader kind of turns his head around then turns themselves around then walks over to you Malachi or to the boat to all three of you I guess represent us see that's exactly one of the things I was concerned with I don't know you lot seem fairly intelligent so I would so I would assume that an organization like where I come from we have something called map because it's short for movie animals protected it's kind they kind of monitor the safe and humane treatment of animals in film and television.

SPEAKER_18 49:16

Um I'm gonna assume because you guys are fairly intelligent you probably wouldn't need an organization like that. You'd probably need something more close to SAGAFTR. You have anything like that here?

SPEAKER_20 49:30

Saghtra Uh yeah it's a it's it's kind of a a labor union for uh for like screen actors and television radio artists like guild yes yes yes a guild there is bad guild co co acted with the Bardic Guild of Anthem work together representation from the guild you do not have your own guild in that regard anthem and dog together have done so for generations do you stand so this is not the new concept to you all no do you do you think we need a specific actor's guild for like what undead animals or no no no it is more of a uh they said bird guild I did not know if birds and squirrels get along here uh but if you have a guild Bard Bard guild yes yes yes um so if you would like to we can see about reaching out to the Bard Guild and seeing about the Malekai what is it called the little things you put on the performances the big ones players the other ones where it's like a whole big thing.

SPEAKER_08 51:32

No it's got multiple like events and performances in it like a festival but not a festival like a festival but not a festival you're going to have to help me actually but it is like a um I uh when when I was doing the fire dancing and whatnot back home we would just call them festivals. But I know that there's like a fancy word for it where it's like a um um it's a um oh you could have oh you could probably see about having a like a whole performance troupe and then that performance troupe like has a time spot that they go in and just do it that way.

SPEAKER_22 52:16

You could just make a festival I think it is just called the festival and then you would have different people from the guilt come and perform festivals lots of food at festivals yes Katering I think that's his goal Catering yes and then the the lead squirrel nods are you not in the Malachi is the best person looking at Malachi uh no no I I I don't believe I am in the actors guild the Bardic guild yeah yeah sorry the Bardic guild my apologies I'm not in the Bard's guild you join guild maybe you represent us I would love to join the guild I well I mean I don't know about me personally representing you I think it'd be kind of like in you no one else like the sons of you have decided you are worth not eating just kidding zombie joke and the other the other squirrels begin like shaking and shudder really really funny guy f uh for the record I did I know I don't really have to worry about you guys but just for the record you the other actors you'd be working with wouldn't I don't know how to phrase this be in danger of being eaten would they no one in dog eats anyone else without consent consent is king we like consent is queen according to our queen consent is queen let's go I I I'm I'm here for it and they see you snapping and they all like lift wait raise both their forearms and start snapping too um well then I suppose I would be pleased to represent you all to the best of my abilities Rufus Rufus I'm gonna like um put my hand down like put that like a finger for him to shake like Malachi pleasure he takes your finger and shakes it uh you you can see he's got quite a grip uh but it's not like he's not trying to hurt you but he's just being thorough it's like Malachi Gordon Thank you Rufus is a lovely name as well like it our band called the five lack of heartbeats the five lack of heartbeats that someone on an anthem did once called it the five heartbeats but we are dead and so our hearts do not beat you know I like the name very clever it does sound a little close to the five heartbeats we should probably be a little careful about them coming after you guys about that but if they haven't so far then that's fine.

SPEAKER_20 56:05

It's not actual group it's just part of that we saw there they are not real characters.

SPEAKER_02 56:14

Well fantastic now we are five on lack of heartbeats and the other was five lack of heartbeats is a pleasure pleasure to make your acquaintance and they all uh at the same time give you this flourishing bowl it is ours to read one who shall represent us Sir Malachi Oh no need for this and he's a hero too and they all perk up at that like ears like straight up Malachi is a hero well yes yes have you not heard the story of Malachi and then like they're just gonna push Malachi to the front and then like make just make this little sparkles of flames barring flames from Hugo and just make this little like light show around Malachi have you not heard the the dazzling tale of Malachi one of the chosen heroes to face off against the guy the dreamer he who wields starlight and healing and to impue Sing Song into the masses with every movement he makes Malachi put on the show come on do your thing do your talky thing and then just gonna basically set the backdrop for Malachi to just talk about how cool he is um Jodi would like to assist at this point Jody is being very curious she's seeing what's happening not only that also the master of zestin up drinks your drink does that goes into indeed he is a great fan of and she pulls out three lemons from her bag and tosses them at him to juggle great juggler oh god immediately fumble the lemons go ahead and make me a dexterity plus dexterity roll to see if you catch another one of these things okay um dexterity so D8 plus d8 What have you done I believe in you I believe in you I'm so excited this is great uh okay I have no idea how to do the roll on Mole can't believe you made a squirrel but I think I see it undead squirrel band as you should first the bougie boys now this I wasn't gonna do the chipmunks a five with a five uh uh one of them strikes you along the side of the head uh and then that just kind of discombobulates you and you fumble all three of the lemons can can I use my verdant sway to control these lemons to juggle remind me what verdant sway does not potential yes I will I'm coming with the assist you may use um ritualism to create anime andor control vegetation pollen spores and toxins okay control these lemons okay you as they as the lemons begin to fall describe how you utilize your Verdun Sway what does it look like as she sees them begin to tumble and fumble and she sees Lysandra's already flaming background and thinking back could use just a little bit of sparks in this mix.

SPEAKER_15 1:00:39

So they begin to shake as though it were the plan to fumble and then Malachi you hear that familiar whistle that she tends that Jody tends to do. To being like hey pay attention and if you look over there's a wink and suddenly these lemons have just a bit it's almost like they're sparkling to complement the flames already going on. Oh my and you see them coming back to your hands. But as they come closer you realize that it's just it's kind of like blowing a dandelion.

SPEAKER_18 1:01:35

They just look sparkly but it's just like constant bright seedish things flowing off and floating away I will move my hand in a way that makes it seem like I'm actually juggling these lemons even though I'm very much not and the whole time I'm just going You're supposed to be saying how cool you are you want me to brag about myself while I'm juggling lemons and you see the squirrels going I You have made them sparkly to I well with the help of my amazing crew yes your band yes yes mm-hmm does your band have name about to get a name that's a good question. Oh we uh I we we we do have a name and it it's a very good name too um um huddle up grab Jody and Lysandra and Hugo Lysandra pulls in Hugo Hugo gets pulled in guys we gotta come with the name real fast what are you thinking?

SPEAKER_02 1:03:19

I'm not good at naming things we don't need we do not need to tell them the name right now we can tell them the name whenever they get booked well no the our our group name um we could call ourselves the books the books I said I wasn't good at names even if Hugo kind of cocked his head at you and has this expression like even although it's like a skull of like what a trad a forever a forever a forever a for effort this is fine we will come back to the name thing it is not importance right now we can just tell them we are still workshopping it okay the workshop we are not calling ourselves the workshop the workshop books I mean um how about something how about how about how about uh uh I had something uh fire fire on fire that's stupid never mind I think ain't that a song yes that's where it came from oh maybe you're the one who is actually the arsonist of after all thinking about fire like that I figured it'd be very representative of our group I think I think I think Les Angels right we might have to workshop this and come back later fair enough we're trying to save a man's life after all yeah oh that's very that's very true that's very true uh um um we we are uh currently workshopping our group name but we are a group and uh we would be nothing without all of us together okay workshop and let us know uh we would love to perform side by side with heroes and then Rufus reaches into uh his body into his rib cage and pulls out a business card and hands it to Malachi oh oh it just reaches down just grabs oh thank thank you and as the moment you touch it it grows to like a person size business card uh and like what like viscera or whatever is on it uh gets shaken off by the sudden growth oh and like in in boss letters uh it it will just say uh the five uh lack of heartbeats uh rufus lead vocalist and songwriter uh and then uh we'll have a glyph uh at the bottom of the card that you are definitely getting like these arcane vibes from uh then the glyph looks like it's a weird like stylized like acorn with some extra steps uh oh and Rufus will point uh at the card can contact us now anywhere that's very handy for emergencies and shores emergencies you never know and you need a band of undead squirrels you know what you are absolutely right you never know and they all nod in like agreement with Rufus never know never know

SPEAKER_15 1:07:32

Generous of y'all.

SPEAKER_02 1:07:33

And they bow to you.

SPEAKER_20 1:07:35

Of course, it represents us now. We are part of Guild. But then you of will join also Guild. So you must join Guild, and then we'll be officially part of Guild. But we are now unofficially part of Guild together.

SPEAKER_18 1:07:56

Indeed. Well, I look forward to working with you and the five lack of heartbeats.

SPEAKER_02 1:08:09

And they all like stand up straight, and then they all go into like a fantastic pose like each one of them in a different pose. It looks very like very like anime, like very very boy bandish actually. And uh Hugo just kind of like tilts his head to the side and barks.

SPEAKER_22 1:08:35

And Rufus looks over at Hugo and goes, plus, it's just very cool.

SPEAKER_18 1:08:43

Very, very cool. I iconic, you might even say.

SPEAKER_15 1:08:49

Strack a pose, Hugo. Come on. And Hugo Hugo and Lysandra strike a pose together.

SPEAKER_02 1:08:56

Hugo strikes a pose where he's just like, it looks like he's like getting ready to play. His mouth is open.

SPEAKER_10 1:09:05

Jody claps.

SPEAKER_08 1:09:07

Uh to add to Hugo's effect, Lysandra's just going to play with the flames around Hugo and just make them a little bit bigger. Bigger. To make kind of like a shadow cast in the flames.

SPEAKER_02 1:09:18

I like that. They not only get bigger, but they become brighter on top of that. So there's now this bright blue, like almost um uh I'm liking on the color of blue. It's a bright blue. Like cobalt. It's lovely.

SPEAKER_08 1:09:42

Hmm?

SPEAKER_22 1:09:44

Say again?

SPEAKER_08 1:09:46

Yeah. Yes. Like a cobalt blue that goes into like a like a bright red.

SPEAKER_02 1:09:51

Yeah. Yeah. And the uh the uh Rufus and the the other four that very cool idea.

SPEAKER_08 1:10:03

Uh and then the others kind of we need to go see if we can make somebody immortal.

SPEAKER_20 1:10:10

Sounds fun. We too have things we must do. Rehearsal never ends uh when you are small and must uh be always ready uh to be uh called for showers. And now uh likelihood is even better. Uh so we shall let we shall leave you to your immortal nature, and we shall leave.

SPEAKER_02 1:10:34

And he turns to the others five black of her boots all out and they all turn together and they start walking. The ghost of bunker wreck us try patch all broths the same, and they just it fades off as they march away. Icons all of them. And Alessandra goes, I did not know that they're a band. I have seen them many times in the Dead Forest, but I've never I never thought to actually talk to them. Maybe I should do that from now on. Might learn something.

SPEAKER_15 1:11:17

Do you enjoy the show too, Daddy?

SPEAKER_02 1:11:19

And Gordon's like that was that was not what I expected. Yes, I did in fact enjoy the show.

SPEAKER_08 1:11:33

Okay.

SPEAKER_18 1:11:40

I can I can do that. I can absolutely do that.

SPEAKER_02 1:11:46

And you see Julia is like is is standing, uh, is waiting. She's kind of leaned up against the gate. And you notice that this gate all all around the city looks like this it's a black, uh thick, wrought iron gate. The kind of gates that they have around cemeteries. Very gothic in nature, and there are uh at the door, uh on either side of the door of these gates are two very large metal crows posted there. Julia, as you approach, oh that looked like an interesting time.

SPEAKER_18 1:12:28

It it was indeed. I I never thought I'd be potentially representing a group of undead squirrels, but you know, here we are.

SPEAKER_02 1:12:38

Oh. You also never thought that you'd be summoned from your home to uh a basically a dungeon planet. But you know, life is what life is.

SPEAKER_18 1:12:48

Indeed, indeed. How exactly would I go about getting them into the Bards Guild?

SPEAKER_02 1:12:56

Well, you'd have to join the guild yourself. Uh but we can see about that. Um then looks at Gordon. I think uh time may be of the essence. We might not want to uh focus on that a way bit later. Uh and and get your friend there uh in front of uh Queen and Council.

SPEAKER_18 1:13:18

Absolutely understandable, yes.

SPEAKER_15 1:13:21

Let's get your show on the road, Daddy.

SPEAKER_02 1:13:29

Uh and Julia knocks on the gate, and the two crows' uh eyes suddenly glow with this like bright like yellow light, and with a creak, they look down at Julia.

SPEAKER_19 1:13:53

Uh and the one on the left uh says Ah your Majesty You return from your errand with company in tow Will they be staying here long?

SPEAKER_02 1:14:13

And Julie goes, Yes, they are uh they are my guests uh and they will stay for as long as they need to. Uh please uh get word to Queen Ellsworth that we require an audience uh as soon as possible. Uh and the the crow on the left nods their head and then turns to uh the crow on the right. You heard the lady and the the the crow on the right kind of very quickly looks up close ahead I'm getting at it, I'm getting at it and very creakily, very loudly flaps off and flies towards uh the building uh very quickly, actually, for a solid metal crow. And the crow on the left, uh the the the crow that's that is left, uh turns back. Your message is being relayed. Welcome to the entombment city, and the doors swing open very slowly, very loudly, and as you enter, there are many, many species of both the living and the dead or undead and undying here. Uh there are dwarves, there are elves, there are like the population is as diverse as it is in on Solon. Uh, and it is but here it is easy to tell what is undead, uh uh and what is vampi- well no actually it's less easy to tell the vampires apart from the living. Uh but the undead, the the the semi-zombified uh and the skeletal are very, very easy to make out. Um as they are in fact skeletal, or some of them have uh most of their flesh still, uh others uh they're they still have they may have all of their flesh, but their skin looks rock hard. Uh as if they were embalmed first before they were uh made uh undying uh or became undead. And they all uh several of them look at you all as you enter the city. And one of them, a one of the Lupin, one of the Laupen, uh walks towards you all and takes note of Lysandra first and kind of raises eyebrows and he's like bright with a white uh white fur, bright red eyes.

SPEAKER_05 1:17:44

Well happy didn't expect to see someone like you here. They don't get many vulgar figures.

SPEAKER_08 1:17:59

Hello? I guess I'm hi. I mean to be honest, I I've been the only one I have seen. There are so interesting looking. Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_02 1:18:13

Thank you. And he smiles, and he also has vampire teeth.

SPEAKER_08 1:18:24

Are you uh Are you a vampire?

SPEAKER_02 1:18:28

I am and he gives a flourish and a bow. And this this Lopin is wearing uh is dressed up in like his very like Victorian-esque uh kind of suit, uh, with a cravat uh and a waistcoat underneath. Uh he is holding a top hat in his hand. Uh uh that he does not seem to like he just seems to be carrying it as an affectation because his ears are stuck like solid straight up. Uh and on the other hand, he's carrying like a walking stick uh that has uh the head is a brass rabbit's head uh with ears also poking straight up. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Marcus and Julia Ah Marcus, it's good to see ya. Uh I thought you'd be uh home with the missus and the little ones. And Marcus kind of chuckles. Ha ha ha ha! Well, I heard that the heroes uh were approaching, and I figured I would meet them and give them a proper dirty and hello. Uh and you throw some piles, of course, if that is alright with you, my queen. And uh Julia goes, Oh, stop it, stop it. We've been friends forever. You don't have to call me that. It's like you are the queen of vampires, my friend. I must show my respect. Uh and then like stands up and like shoulder checks her. That doesn't mean I won't give you shit. And Julia kind of laughs. Well, I wouldn't expect anything less. Uh, but yes, these are heroes, uh Lysandra, uh Jody, and of course, uh uh Mr. Malachi. Uh and also, and before she can even uh introduce Alessandra, uh uh Marcus is already kneeling before her, uh his hands have grasped one of hers and she is kissing, vehemently kissing her f her fingers. Oh, Miss Alessandra, it has been forever since we were blessed with your presence. Ah, it is so good for you to return to Dirge. You wonderful, wonderful and Al Alessandra, please, please, th you you you you And uh Gordon's just like again you have quite uh a fan club uh and uh Alessandra turns to Gordon and Gordon says And Alessandra goes and it's at that point that Marcus takes a look at Gordon and goes Ah You must be Gordon Bank.

SPEAKER_04 1:21:49

I have heard many tales of your exploits. You were the hero of the seven farms, you helped free my people from the clutches of the wasp.

SPEAKER_02 1:22:28

And Gordon's well well we won't have we don't really have to get into any of that. That that's not important. You are a champion. You may not be one of the summoned heroes, good sir, but you are indeed a champion to those of us here on In Durge, and he gives probably the most respectful bow he's given thus far at Gordon. We give you our most reverent thanks, and Gordon blushes face and cheeks turning a bright pink. Uh well uh it it really does I was just doing what I couldn't abide uh kidnapping with uh small ones.

SPEAKER_04 1:23:33

It's not uh it's not my nature to allow for such a thing, so uh no need to thank.

SPEAKER_02 1:23:41

But I appreciate it nonetheless and Marcus r raises uh and arises rather I have words, uh Allow me to escort you all.

SPEAKER_08 1:24:02

I assume that you are heading to meet uh Majesty You would assume you are uh would would you possibly say that Gordon is kind of a big deal in the urge?

SPEAKER_02 1:24:23

And he leans close to you, but he is more than a big deal. Had he not uh had he stayed for any period of time after his rescue, uh the queen surely would have knighted him.

SPEAKER_08 1:24:44

You and I should walk and talk together on the way there. If you would be so inclined, and Lysandra's gonna bow and offer a hand.

SPEAKER_02 1:24:54

Well, I would love to be in company of someone as lovely as you, and he extend he takes uh your hand and then wraps your arm uh in his uh and you will walk together.

SPEAKER_08 1:25:10

Uh Lysandra is going to spend the rest of this walk conspiring with him to try to gain like some kind of audience uh outside of wherever we are meeting with the queen to show the citizen support of Gordon gaining like actual like status as one of the undying. Legit and just legit Lysander wants to conspire to start a rumor of like the heralded hero of Durge has returned and is seeking the like seeking the honor of being knighted as an undying, like by the queen. And it's just this back and forth of like I will say if you want to ensure that I will happily allow that. I will spend a fabulous point.

SPEAKER_02 1:25:58

Or a fabula point.

SPEAKER_08 1:26:01

I will spend a fabula point to make this rumor just like everyone we pass, it just turns into like one of the the heroes going to be had the guys with rumor for all of the good of us. Did you know that Gordon Bank is with us? Uh I love that every one we pass.

SPEAKER_02 1:26:25

And as you promenade uh uh towards the palace, a crowd begins to form behind you because of this rumor that you're spreading, this whispers, uh, and you hear more and more, oh my god, it is him. Oh my oh, all my stars, oh, by the undying. That that is Gordon Bay. Oh came back, came back, and Gordon is looking more and more uncomfortable.

SPEAKER_15 1:27:02

Oh, but you see, it can't stop there. Once more, would like to use verdant sway since their chair is plant.

SPEAKER_03 1:27:14

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_15 1:27:16

Um would like to put would like to focus and grow gladioluses that start to bloom. Hell yeah. Just just picking up what Lysandra's putting down.

SPEAKER_02 1:27:34

Yeah, as more and more people arrive, more and more gladiolis begin to to blossom across like the back and sides of the chair. Uh and Alessandra kind of picks up what's happening, and she like turns to you, gives you a smile and a wink uh as you begin to walk in, and Malachi. Julia is walking next to you, uh, and uh this kind of well, but it know that you are in the presence of a champion, of a one who is so readily championed by by our people here.

SPEAKER_18 1:28:13

Oh, absolutely, yes. Uh, he's worth every last bit of fanfare he's receiving right now. And Malachi is going to try to subtly cast aura around him just to give him like a nice shimmering light blue glow.

SPEAKER_02 1:28:32

Oh, I love this so much! Uh go ahead. Uh let's see. That is a Oh, that's just a that's just something you can do. Uh so you spend your mind points. Uh, and you will that get uh make me dexterity plus inspiration or uh uh not inspiration, dexterity plus insight rule, uh, to see how well you can kind of make how subtle you can make this.

SPEAKER_18 1:29:07

Yeah, I'm liking the fives today, man.

SPEAKER_02 1:29:11

Uh so it's moderately, but also kind of like uh Alessandra notices uh as well as um uh as well as Julia. Let me roll and see if Gordon himself notices. That'd be hilarious.

SPEAKER_15 1:29:34

This poor man.

SPEAKER_02 1:29:38

He does not notice. He is so busy just like kind of like trying his best to shrink, but because the gladioluses and stuff are growing all around him, he doesn't want to crush them. He's like, oh no, I have to have to sit up straight. This is ha uh. So no, he's he's he does not notice at all and by the time you reach the doors of the palace half of the city has gathered behind you and standing there at the gate is this seven foot tall skeleton wearing a full suit of like platinum armor and carrying a uh carrying a pike. It's got a sword at his hip, and he is kind of staring out, but the other thing the thing that you notice more than the fact that it's a skeleton uh in a a suit of armor is that the skeleton's skull is ablaze. There is this bright green flame, uh very ghost rider-ish, uh emanating from his head. These bright, bright green lights in the eye sockets. And he looks down at all of you. Well, hello there. You must be the heroes of the entire town, has been whispering about it.

SPEAKER_19 1:31:23

That would be Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mikael, grand knight and steward of the gates, head of the Skeleton Council.

SPEAKER_02 1:31:38

It is my pleasure to welcome you here today. And he bows, taking extra care not to bow too low so as the green flames don't hit you.

SPEAKER_15 1:31:49

Jody curtsies back. It's a pleasure to meet you. Hugo's all man.

SPEAKER_02 1:31:55

Hugo kind of whines a moment and then barks. And Mikhail kind of looks down at Hugo. Ah it is good to see you again, Sir Hugo. And leans forward and gives the dog scritches along its ears. Have you been a good boy?

SPEAKER_19 1:32:21

And Hugo barks Ah the best boy, I see. And you have made the new friend.

SPEAKER_02 1:32:30

Excellent. So Julia approaches Mikhail. Well, I suppose you know why we're here. And Mikhail, Ah Mr. Julia, it is good to see you again.

SPEAKER_19 1:32:46

Yes, your audience with Royal Majesty.

SPEAKER_02 1:32:53

I shall accompany you as I too will be sitting in on this account. And she looks out at that moment at the crowd. There is a crowd here.

SPEAKER_19 1:33:09

Why is Hef sitting here alone with you? I know you are heroes and everything.

SPEAKER_02 1:33:18

But and then sees Gordon. And like the mandible drops, like almost like just lols open. And he walks over. Kind of walks like past everyone. And then kneels at Gordon's feet, and Gordon's like, oh my dear lord.

SPEAKER_05 1:33:48

Mr. Bang! It is my deepest pleasure to see you return.

SPEAKER_02 1:33:56

I was not aware that you are the one with whom we are having this audience for. If I had known there would have been much bigger fan affair. There would be music, there would be flower petals in the street for you. And Gort is visibly just like, if he can roll his eyes any further back, he's it's it's it's not it's not it's not necessary. It really isn't necessary. Do you know how many people you have saved? Hidden dirt alone. Not even to speak of the many folks in the obsidian and anyone else where you may have your feet may have touched. You have affected so much change. This is the least we can do. I will accompany you as well. Uh and swings the door open and yells, MEC WE! Gordon Bank approaches and there is a loud commotion on the other side of the doors. That suddenly goes silent, and as the doors open further, there are a line of skeletal and other undead knights forming a line. And Gordon's eyes just widen well of all the things I could have or should have or could never have expected. This is nowhere near on that list. And you all begin to walk through these lines of soldiers as you approach each room each pair in turn on either side, lift their spears to create a tunnel of honor for him. And Hugo is walking just out, just very fancy foot pads head up in front of Gordon, and Marcus is next to you. You see, he saved many, many lives.

SPEAKER_23 1:36:34

He is he is for dirge. What we hope you all will be for all of us.

SPEAKER_08 1:36:49

I thank you greatly for your help in all of this.

SPEAKER_03 1:36:54

Oh it was my absolute pleasure.

SPEAKER_02 1:36:57

And he takes the hand that he has uh wrapped around his arm and he kisses your knuckles. My absolute pleasure.

SPEAKER_08 1:37:07

I heard that you had the uh you have a lady love?

SPEAKER_03 1:37:11

I do.

SPEAKER_02 1:37:13

Yes, yes, my wife who joins me in immortality. Uh but we raise our two mortal children.

SPEAKER_08 1:37:26

Well, if you ever feel the uh the spark of romance maybe coming to a little bit of uh a slower burn, just reach out to me. I'd be happy to make sure to keep that ablaze with a little bit of a dance, which is I am known for. Uh just to keep everything a little bit more uh burning with passion, if you will.

SPEAKER_03 1:37:51

Oh, you fan the flames of passion, do you?

SPEAKER_08 1:37:56

I do, I do, I do. I I have a good record and I plan on keeping it. But I I'm always happy to offer.

SPEAKER_03 1:38:07

Oh, I while there is plenty of fire for the both of us, I would not ever say no to perhaps an inferno.

SPEAKER_02 1:38:21

And you're very much getting like Gomez Adams vibes off this man.

SPEAKER_08 1:38:28

Yes, good.

SPEAKER_02 1:38:29

Like this here is a man.

SPEAKER_08 1:38:31

All you need to do.

SPEAKER_02 1:38:33

And he yearns well.

SPEAKER_08 1:38:34

All you need to do for a special occasion is just reach out to me and I will make my way back to Dirch. This is a lovely city. Something inside is just pulling me towards like something in the way that the calmness of all of this and the peacefulness and like I told uh your queen, it's like I did not know undeath could be so lively. So I am happy to know now. And so I would like to see the romance of the city still pursue as well. Um so if for a special occasion, maybe consider reaching out. Give Mishfortune's flame a call, and I shall appear to help you stoke the fires of that inferno.

SPEAKER_02 1:39:17

Oh, I think I definitely shall. Uh I think that uh you will be more welcome here than you know.

SPEAKER_08 1:39:28

And I am going to kiss his knuckles, uh, put his hand, like basically uh, like put my forehead to his hand as just a like a thank you uh for the help that he's given with Gordon. And uh I'm going to just grab Jody and be like, Jodi, you're now a Nepal baby.

unknown 1:39:53

Oh.

SPEAKER_15 1:39:55

The woman that has lived in the same trailer for her entire life, not getting new things, does not know how to feel about this.

SPEAKER_16 1:40:06

Your father is famous, my friend. What's that gonna do with me? Because you will uh you are also famous. No, I'm not. Yes, you are. You you take that back. Alright, remember your words.

SPEAKER_18 1:40:24

There's nothing wrong with being famous, you know.

SPEAKER_15 1:40:26

What does that mean? There's nothing wrong with it if you want it. Daddy, stand up straighter- I mean, sit up straighter or something.

SPEAKER_02 1:40:34

I'm sitting up as straight as I can.

SPEAKER_10 1:40:39

She is now kind of slightly behind the chair.

SPEAKER_02 1:40:44

All these flowers that just suddenly appeared for no reason. I don't I don't I don't know if I can sit up any straight. I'm trying to not rush them because they're so pretty.

SPEAKER_15 1:40:53

Yeah, I wonder where those came from.

SPEAKER_11 1:40:56

Show de it's a gift for my little brother. It was Gorfam wants you to feel comfortable here.

SPEAKER_02 1:41:08

Alright, well.

SPEAKER_11 1:41:09

Yep.

SPEAKER_02 1:41:10

I have words with Gorfam as well. And he just kind of smiles and shakes his head, like still like visibly uncomfortable with all of this. Uh, but also like now just kind of resigned to the fact that this is happening. It's like, well. Suppose we should just trudge on then. And Julia just kind of laughs and well, uh yes, uh Mikhail, if you would. And Mikhail is kind of Yes, of course. Uh, and leads the way uh through the contingent of soldiers. And as you enter the next room, it is this grand hall. Uh and it is every bit the inside of a mausoleum. Looks like there are uh tombs and drawers where bodies are kept all along the walls. Uh and several ghosts and spectres have begun to appear when you walk in, all shapes and sizes, all of them looking at you very curiously. Many of them whispering, oh my gosh.

unknown 1:42:44

Garden bag, garden bag, gordin bag.

SPEAKER_05 1:42:50

Garden bag Queen wishes to see him, Gordon Bag.

SPEAKER_02 1:42:58

Gordon's like well this is the dead ghosts and things. I don't I'm not I don't have uh goosebumps at all. This is fair, this is very normal. It's all very very normal. Uh suffice it to say, I have never been in this queen's uh court before. Uh this is this is this is weird. Like turn like he leans over to Jody. This is weird, right? This is I'm not I'm not alone in this. This is this is this is kind of odd, right?

SPEAKER_15 1:43:37

You've been here longer than I have. Yes. I think that this is Ain't this normal for dead things? I mean Gorfum was full of like lots of vivacious energy.

SPEAKER_02 1:43:51

Yes, but Golfham is Golfum. I mean the forest of the dead. The dead forest is well not this kind of gestures to everything with the bark arm. And Mikhail uh lingers and like puts a hand on Gordon's shoulder. Would not worry. You were in good hands here. And uh Mimsi still like standing on Gorfram's uh leg. Of course! No harm will come to him.

SPEAKER_19 1:44:30

He's with me and Mikael looks down Ah Mimsi What a pleasure it is to see you again. You are not still shooting at the moon, are you?

SPEAKER_02 1:44:49

And Mimzi's kind of deflates a little bit. No not ever since that con in the red person shot a piece of it off.

SPEAKER_19 1:45:00

Ugh I'm very glad that someone finally had the guts to take him out.

SPEAKER_02 1:45:07

McGails kind of nods.

SPEAKER_04 1:45:09

Yes, that was what happened to the moon most unfortunate. What happened to Conan Red? Much deserved What you someone blew up your moon?

SPEAKER_02 1:46:11

Conan Red attempted to take pieces of the moon to create a super weapon. But a group of young adventurers managed to to stop him and blew up his uh fortress on the obsidian. And you've heard this story before from uh or at least about the uh the blowing up of the the the fortress uh from Richard.

SPEAKER_08 1:46:42

Yes.

SPEAKER_18 1:46:45

I apologize, this you just see my curiosity. How would taking parts of the moon have created a weapon?

SPEAKER_19 1:46:53

Ah, that is a good question. You see, we learned that the pieces of the moon still followed the laws of physics, or actually did not follow the laws of physics, and each beast had its own version of gravity still, and Conan Red was going to make a gravity bomb, uh, with which he was going to hold all of the obsidian and several other uh levels hostage uh to try to draw the guided dreamer out and attempt to kill him. Uh which of course impossible for someone like Conin Red. But he was quickly dispatched before he could finish weapon.

SPEAKER_18 1:47:47

Well good job on dispatching him before he could devastate your moon. Wouldn't that have affected you know the land?

SPEAKER_19 1:47:59

Yes It did. The uh the area not far uh in the the direct east of uh our nation, across the undying depths, uh a lovely continent known as the Meridian was directly affected as pieces of the moon fell directly on it uh and it caused the tides to rise and Meridian began to flood.

SPEAKER_02 1:48:28

But the same group of adventurers that managed to stop going in the red were able to uh to stop any more uh flooding. Uh the the child of the chieftain was amongst them and uh Mimzi Yes the dog the big blue dog person uh Malvolio is uh chieftain's kid. I'm gonna punch him in the face, not very nice to that Richard, that Richard, very good boy, very good, very nice kid. But Malvolio.

SPEAKER_08 1:49:06

Oh, at this time, Richard has found an affinity for bombs. Richard is always oh you met Richard! Yes, Richard has an affinity for blowing things off now and has very nice little uh devices, and I think he is going to give Malvolio a taste of his own medicine. And I am very proud of him. He has found his own humanity.

SPEAKER_19 1:49:29

That is lovely! One can only hope for such things.

SPEAKER_02 1:49:33

Ah, I am so proud of that boy. We'll pinch cheeks next time I see him. He loves it when I pinch his cheeks. When Mikhail snars.

SPEAKER_04 1:49:43

Yes. He is quite amenable to the cheek pinching. Last time I laid eyes upon him, he asked me to pinch cheeks.

SPEAKER_19 1:49:56

I did, and it was most enjoyable. Yes, yes, I know, I know.

SPEAKER_02 1:50:05

Uh and as you walk through the uh kind of this throne room is what it is, uh you see this large stone throne at the end of the the the far end of the room. Sitting next to it, or on either side of it, are two smaller stone chairs on either side. Actually, no, that's wrong. Uh there is another throne sitting next to the larger throne. It is slightly smaller in size, but uh matching kind of in style. Uh it looks like a uh one of those old uh tombs uh in New Orleans, one of the St. Louis cemeteries. Uh uh bits of moss and uh things hanging off of it, uh magical script written across them. And Julia looks at you. Oh, this is what I take my leave of you. Uh and she will go and occupy a seat directly to the right hand of uh or the left hand, I guess, of uh the largest uh throne. Mikhail uh will nod also and will go and sit on the other side of Julia. Uh and one of the ghosts, uh, a very tall uh very well dressed in his spectralness uh in what looks like uh wizard robes uh floats over to one of the chairs uh and sits. And a moderately sized humanoid human looking woman walks forward, kind of stepping through the crowd of specters. Her eyes are glowing this bright green. She is it looks like she is made of painted. Porcelain almost. But you can tell that like her skin, if you touched it, would be soft and supple but still hard somehow. She walks forward and walks to the other uh the last empty of the four seats and sits. And from the wall behind the thrones, there is a creaking and a scratching of stone against stone as a door opens behind the throne. Slowly. And through the door walks a very tall elven figure. A man. His hair is silver in color, very youthful features, a very angular face, but with a warm expression on his face. He wears the greens and silvers and beautiful white fighter. That is a cross between this like cloth robe, leather armor, at the arms and chest, like upper chest, flowing white robes, carrying what looks like a cane that is obsidian with a silver skull topper. And one of the ghosts cries out from the crowd. All hail, King Ethan, King and Consort to our Royal Majesty. And the crowd all hail. And it is almost this like harmonious, there's almost almost musical. Those of you with any kind of bardic inclinations can hear these harmonies ringing out in the way they s they they yell all hail. It's almost like it's sung. And then Ethan calls out, I present to you the maiden, her royal beatification. She who forged and formed this nation, this great land, to what it is. At the cost of her own life, it found great meaning in undeath. Her royal radiance, my love Elswith the Undying, and from the ceiling, these white robes, a white cloth begins to seep through the ceiling, swaying back and forth as a figure follows them, clad in a beautiful white wedding gown. That looks both dry and soaking wet, depending on the angle at which you look at her. She is to look at her and call her pale would be a missight. She actually looks more albino than she does pale. As her hair tight curls, that halo across her head, or around her head. And then if you look at it from another angle, it looks drenched as if uh she had been submerged in water for a very long time. And it falls across her shoulders in those same tight curls, but soaked through. That while it no longer bleeds, the stain of blood on the dress itself is fresh or seems fresh. As she alights next to her husband and takes his hand, her eyes open, and they are silver pools of light. And the crowd kneels at all chance. All hail our Queen of the Dead. All hail Queen Ellswith, the resurrected. And Ellsworth bows.

SPEAKER_03 1:58:25

My beloved people of Dirge, how happy I am to see all of you.

SPEAKER_02 1:58:34

How happy it makes me to welcome our brave and fortuitous guests, heroes of Phaedos, hopefuls to be the ones who shall defeat the guided dreamer. Even more glad I find myself in the return of the champion of the people of the dark.

SPEAKER_05 1:59:10

Gordon Bag.

SPEAKER_03 1:59:15

I hear that this audience is on your behalf, kind sir.

SPEAKER_02 1:59:24

We welcome you. We welcome all of you to our nation. And she sees Alessandra.

SPEAKER_03 1:59:38

My Lady Alessandra.

SPEAKER_02 1:59:43

Long has it been since you have graced these halls. And Alessandra bows low. Long has it been since I have had cause to bathe myself in your presence. And she gestures to a space next to her that is empty. And she gives uh Alessandra gives Gordon's hand a squeeze before she lets go. She passes you, Lysandra, goes, watch over, Hugo. And walks over and stands beside Her Majesty as this chair materializes behind her. Out of the same stone that makes up Ellsworth's and Ethan's chair. And Alessandra nods at Ellsworth. And Ellsworth looks over, reaches a spectral hand to Alessandra's face and cradles it like a lover. The honor is my And Alessandra blushes a second time today. Step forward. I and this council would hear your petition.

SPEAKER_08 2:01:46

Lysandra will push Jody forward.

SPEAKER_15 2:01:50

Oh. Sorry, above table. Did we still want Malachi to do this though? I'm also pushing Malachi forward.

SPEAKER_18 2:01:58

Okay, how just What?

unknown 2:02:01

Okay, sorry.

SPEAKER_08 2:02:02

It's your dad and he's the bard.

SPEAKER_15 2:02:06

No idea. Okay, all right. Jody comes forward. This Gordon Bank. Last time I saw him was when I had to say goodbye. He didn't get to say a thing. But he left to make my world safer. And then he came to this one to try to do the best he could. He gave everything. And then he gave some more. And just to save save me, he gave a little too much. Fool man that he is. And now he's literally torn himself apart. Right as I found him again. And right as he found love again. My lady, I come to you to see if you could give this man a life where he is not having to fight every moment. I want his life to begin just for him.

SPEAKER_02 2:03:58

An Ellsworth who has been listening with rapt attention, looking back and forth between you and Gordon.

SPEAKER_03 2:04:09

I cannot help but notice similarities between the two of you. Young lady, if you could tell me, who are you to our champion?

SPEAKER_15 2:04:32

I'm Jody Bank. His lost daughter.

SPEAKER_02 2:04:36

There is a gasp and a murmur from the crowd. Spectral and flesh alike. Daughter of Gordon. The hero? One of the heroes is Gordon's daughter. Of course, that makes sense. Of course she'd be a hero. How'd you get here? Of course the guided dreamer. Curse the guided dreamer. But his daughter, his daughter speaks of him. An elsewhere nods.

SPEAKER_05 2:05:14

I too see that he has much changed since last he walked the streets of Durge.

SPEAKER_02 2:05:23

Though I gazed upon him from afar.

SPEAKER_05 2:05:30

He seems diminished. What ail he gave a bag.

SPEAKER_15 2:05:49

He's literally torn himself apart. He's used his body to fuel magic. And like I said, he's tried to save everyone except himself. He's put himself at the bottom. Well, that's what he's supposed to do. And I think he's done it long enough.

SPEAKER_03 2:06:33

What exactly is it that you ah this is gonna this is gone?

SPEAKER_15 2:06:48

With everything in me. And Jody goes down to one knee. That you take Gordon. Hero of the Seventh Arms. Who freed the people from the wasps, a champion to those in dirge. A champion to all those that would have been taken against their will. And please transform him into one of you.

SPEAKER_02 2:07:26

Can you see her kind of if she could breathe, it would be a gasp, but it's more it's more out of like habit than it is of like needing to do so. Almost as if she has forgotten in this moment that she is no longer alive. Her eyes are wide.

SPEAKER_03 2:07:48

You request the right of Amorab for your father.

SPEAKER_05 2:07:56

The making of him into an undying.

SPEAKER_15 2:08:13

That has been given to him that he has sacrificed again and again. I do ask for this ride so that he may be able to find the beauty. The new way. As those that have done the same ride have before him.

SPEAKER_02 2:08:49

She turns to her husband. Then she turns to the rest of the deathless council. And what say all of you?

SPEAKER_03 2:09:03

Mikael, Lord of the Bone.

SPEAKER_05 2:09:08

What are your words of counsel in this matter?

SPEAKER_02 2:09:14

Mikhail stands tall and proud.

SPEAKER_04 2:09:18

It is of my opinion that Gordon Bank is a hero and a champion.

SPEAKER_05 2:09:31

He has risked much for the people of Durj. And it would seem for the people of his own world.

SPEAKER_04 2:09:47

And also for his daughter.

SPEAKER_05 2:09:52

I vote to grant him the right of Amaram.

SPEAKER_02 2:10:01

And Elsworth nods in acknowledgement.

SPEAKER_05 2:10:08

Julia, Queen of the Vampires. What say you?

SPEAKER_03 2:10:23

Julia stands. I've only known Gordon a short time.

SPEAKER_02 2:10:31

Then talking to him, walking with him. He seems to me to be a man of undeniable character and strength.

SPEAKER_03 2:10:44

I too vote to grant him the right of Amara.

SPEAKER_02 2:10:54

She turns. Or rather, Ellsworth turns and walks toward the not so much walks so much as glides.

SPEAKER_04 2:11:07

She hovers towards the porcelain or the porcelain skin.

SPEAKER_05 2:11:20

And you Gawinness of the Undying. You yourself are Amara. What say you to this?

SPEAKER_02 2:11:37

She looks out over Elwith's shoulder, Gweneth, looks over at Gordon, looks at Jodi, then looks at the rest of the heroes.

SPEAKER_05 2:11:54

It would seem that a great many people have come on his behalf.

SPEAKER_02 2:12:07

And she lifts a hand, and the doors sway open, and the sea of people who have been following you begin to step in.

SPEAKER_03 2:12:23

All of these people that have been saved or have been affected in some way by God and bank. They rally behind him.

SPEAKER_04 2:12:41

Who are we to deny him the help that he has so granted us in our time of need?

SPEAKER_02 2:12:53

I vote to grant him the right of Amala nods and turns to the ghost, the sorcerer. And you Tamar.

SPEAKER_03 2:13:40

While he has been a rather reckless and troublesome mortal, he brings about good trouble, and we can always use more good trouble in this world.

SPEAKER_05 2:14:03

To let someone like him pass and become one with the weaving would be a waste of his considerable talents and passion. The council votes to grant Gordon Bank the right of Amaral.

SPEAKER_02 2:14:34

And else with numbers says, but is yet the one more on the council with that spell and turns to Alessandra Dear Alessandra I trusted with say you and Alessandra kind of like scratches behind her head nervously. Well everything I say to you right now is going to be out of complete and pure utter selfishness.

SPEAKER_23 2:15:18

When Miss Jody Banks spoke of the fact that he found love, I will admit I am the one with whom he has found love.

SPEAKER_03 2:15:34

I do not want to face another three ages of this world without him. I think it is a good idea. More for me than anyone else. To uh plant him the battle of Malam.

SPEAKER_02 2:15:54

Because as fond a specimen as he is now, I think he will be an even hotter piece of ass. And Elsworth raises a hand that will do. Yes. Ellsworth turns to face all of you. And do all of you vouch for this man? And Nimzi is the first to speak up. Of course I do. This man is good man.

SPEAKER_19 2:16:40

How can you not see this good man? Look at all these people behind you. Are you fool? Are you idiot? You you this these people he saved their lives. He's he's he's like his daughter is here. She wants to save her daddy. Do the thing.

SPEAKER_02 2:16:59

And Elsworth looks down at Mimsy and cracks the biggest grin ever out of spoken. Mimsy and nods her head. And then looks at both Alice Lysandra and Malachi.

SPEAKER_03 2:17:27

Jody Bank, daughter of Gordon Bank, has already spoken on her on his behalf.

SPEAKER_04 2:17:37

Do you vouch for him as well?

SPEAKER_18 2:17:42

Without a doubt in my mind.

SPEAKER_05 2:17:48

You are Malachi Dems.

SPEAKER_18 2:17:53

At your service. But she nods.

SPEAKER_03 2:17:59

Why do you vouch for a man with whom you've only just met hero?

SPEAKER_18 2:18:08

You bring up a good point. I did only just recently meet him, but a man who's willing to sacrifice what he did in order to make sure that his daughter is safe. And as a man I will always back with all of my heart.

SPEAKER_05 2:18:30

You speak truly.

SPEAKER_02 2:18:33

This is God. And then turns to my Sandra. And you fire you.

SPEAKER_08 2:18:45

Yep. This is me. I like fire. It's very nice. Um Malachi Shush! We're in the presence of greatness. Leave your accusations for later. Um yes, I am Lysandra Agni. Uh Miss Fortune's Flame. I am the matchmaker, the fire starter of love. Um and my work proceeds itself with Gordon Bank and his one true love in life and hopefully on death. Uh, and then motions to and my new teacher slash mentor, uh, Alessandra. Um Did you know she was the Baba Yaga? As you learned that. This is very fun. Uh myself and Hugo.

SPEAKER_02 2:19:37

And she looks down and sees Hugo standing there. Hugo! And throws her arms, her spectral arms, around Hugo's neck, and Hugo just licks her face. You are the best boy. Yes. You vouch for him. And there's lots of there. Okay. No need. You are absolutely right, Hugo. And gives him a kiss where his nose should be. And stands.

SPEAKER_08 2:20:17

We vouch for him.

SPEAKER_02 2:20:20

Hugo vouches for him. And you vouch for him.

SPEAKER_08 2:20:26

And then turns to Gordon and says to see their love supersede.

SPEAKER_02 2:20:33

And I am really apprised of this relationship. I think I would like to as well. Turns to Gordon.

SPEAKER_03 2:20:50

You are long foretold.

SPEAKER_05 2:20:57

I have heard stories of you these long years. You are lauded. You are spoken highly. You are risen above many of our great heroes. You would do this. You would become one of us.

SPEAKER_02 2:21:36

Gordon, still looking fairly uncomfortable, uh, kind of sh shifts a bit and sits up a little bit straighter as he's being addressed. Uh well yes, miss. Uh most I mean, y your your grace, your your worship, your your your your your your liege. Um I'm not sure what the formalities are here. Um but yes.

SPEAKER_04 2:22:02

I was very content to have lived what life I had and then died knowing that I did what I could for my baby girl and for as many people as I could have.

SPEAKER_02 2:22:19

But then she kind of waltzed back into my life.

SPEAKER_04 2:22:24

I find myself having a bit more to live for than I did before.

SPEAKER_03 2:22:30

Not just with for her, but for my lady Alexandra. Alessandra over there.

SPEAKER_02 2:22:41

I want to see this new world she creates when she saves this one. It's every father's dream to see his child do something great. I would very much like to Ellsworth nods, turns to her counsel, to her husband, who just smiles at her and nods his own approval. Ellsworth floats back to her throne, turns around slowly, and raises both hands to the air.

SPEAKER_05 2:23:39

Let it be noted on this night.

SPEAKER_02 2:24:04

To serve out his duties as a member of the Deathless Council, and in becoming a member of the Deathless Council, to undergo the rite of honor, effective, immediate.

SPEAKER_04 2:24:32

And the council all rise.

SPEAKER_02 2:24:37

And Mikhail says, It is noted. Thus shall it be done. And Gordon just kind of oh well that that that's nice. And a crow a quartet of spectres move from out of the crowd. And they meet up in front of Queen Elsworth, and they all bow.

SPEAKER_05 2:25:17

And then they turn and they approach Gordon.

SPEAKER_02 2:25:27

The one in the middle says, We shall begin immediately, if you please.

SPEAKER_05 2:25:41

Gordon gulps audibly.

SPEAKER_02 2:25:57

Well, what we all did.

SPEAKER_14 2:26:04

I'm sorry, Sphinx, what did you say?

SPEAKER_02 2:26:07

Well, look what y'all did. And he squeezes your hand.

SPEAKER_15 2:26:31

And her hit grip changes to a very tight one.

SPEAKER_01 2:26:40

You better be.

SPEAKER_02 2:26:44

And one of the spectres turned to you.

SPEAKER_05 2:26:48

We are the priesthood of undeath. We will bring him back to you as intended.

SPEAKER_04 2:27:00

That is our solemn vow, respect. They all bow to you.

SPEAKER_15 2:27:15

And Jody looks at the council, the spectres, her dad, and to Queen Ellswith.

SPEAKER_16 2:27:32

Thank Thank you.

SPEAKER_04 2:27:38

And you blink, and Ellsworth is beside you, her arms around you. My dear John, it is the least we owe. You will do right by him and by you.

SPEAKER_02 2:28:05

As they carry Gordon off. We hear that you are preparing for a journey of your own.

SPEAKER_05 2:28:27

We also have heard upon the winds and upon the souls that grace this world and the next that the demon approaches.

SPEAKER_04 2:28:44

We will help you prepare. We will grant you knowledge as much of it as we can spare. I give you all access to the royal libraries and to our great archive.

SPEAKER_15 2:29:15

Thank you so much, Your Majesty.

SPEAKER_03 2:29:21

You, Jody Bang, daughter of Gordon.

SPEAKER_04 2:29:30

I can see the same fire and passion in your eyes that still yet lies within him. You will do your father very proud of this. I have no doubt.

SPEAKER_15 2:29:54

And Jody just gives a lopsided smile. Like we're all. And she looks to Malachi and Lysandra. We're all gonna do our best and make all y'all proud.

SPEAKER_02 2:30:17

And Elswith turns to Malachi and Lysandra and gives a very warm and genuine smile. And as she does, her visage changes.

SPEAKER_04 2:30:33

And for a few brief seconds, you see what she was like when she was alive.

SPEAKER_05 2:30:42

Radiant, beautiful, breathing, gentle.

SPEAKER_04 2:30:51

Gorgeous.

SPEAKER_02 2:30:54

Not that she's not gorgeous now, but the circumstances of her death, it would seem, has well not much, has diminished the radiance in her. And she and she nods, and the visions goes back to her wraith form.

SPEAKER_04 2:31:25

I have no doubt of that. I think you may be at long last the heroes who will succeed. And when you eventually assault the floor of the guided dreamer, as you must, you will have the might of dirt behind you. I grant you my arms. Use them well.

SPEAKER_02 2:32:07

And she hands you this green pearl.

SPEAKER_04 2:32:18

When you are on the twelfth floor, you may use this to summon our armies.

SPEAKER_05 2:32:31

All you need to do is hold the pearl and fake it.

SPEAKER_04 2:32:36

And they will appear in all of their splendor. And who knows? I may yet don that spectral armor I've been eyeing for several years and join me on the battlefield.

SPEAKER_15 2:33:02

How can we say no to fighting sad on side with such a fabulously dressed coin?

SPEAKER_04 2:33:11

Flattery, dear child, will get you everywhere.

SPEAKER_02 2:33:15

But do mark that I am married. And she gives you kind of a wicked grin and a smile and a and a and a wink. And Ethan behind her just kind of laughs and rolls his eyes. You are ever the flirt. She turns her head, hush, you and as you avail yourselves to the library, Alessandra will lead you there. She seems to very clearly know the way, knock her way around. Gonna skip a bit forward in time. Jody, you are awakened, your head in a book on the desk you're sitting at. I will say Lysandra and uh Malachi, you two are already have already been jostled out of this nap. It's been about twelve hours. And it is one of the spectres. One of the the priestly spectres, I should say.

SPEAKER_05 2:34:43

It is Yes it is done.

SPEAKER_02 2:34:50

Your father awaits Can you walk and she's immediately up The priest and Alessandra, who also was taking a nap but was woken up, all lead you down the stairs. And this time, rather than stay at Lysandra's side, Hugo is walking with you and is walking close and nestled tightly against your leg as a show of comfort and support. But it is unnecessary. As the doors open to the throne room, you see your father standing on his own two feet, adorned in beautiful black and green and white robes. The arm that was once bark is now an arm made entirely of crackling glowing green light. And in his eyes burn the same light as he looks over at you.

SPEAKER_04 2:36:24

He looks useful again.

SPEAKER_02 2:36:28

He looks full again with the Exception of the hair which is still bone white. He looks as you remember him when he left.

SPEAKER_04 2:36:46

And he smiles at that big bright smile.

SPEAKER_05 2:36:53

Hello, big girl.

SPEAKER_15 2:36:59

And she just runs straight into his arms.

SPEAKER_02 2:37:04

And he wraps them around you.

SPEAKER_04 2:37:08

He kisses you hard on your cheek and murmurs into your face. Thank you. I don't deserve. A daughter has amazing as you Well You're not so bad yourself.

SPEAKER_05 2:37:35

Well, you're stuck with me now. Aren't you?

SPEAKER_15 2:37:43

Oh no. I have a father that loves me, whatever will I do? Biggled sniff.

SPEAKER_02 2:37:51

And you hold each other as he uh sobs into your hair happily, and Alessandra goes, Oh yes. I'm going to pair that ass up later.

unknown 2:38:07

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 2:38:07

Yep, that's what that no moment needed. Yeah. Thanks for keeping us humble. Oh of course.

SPEAKER_02 2:38:13

Yes. And Gordon kind of like laughs. And like it feels like he's about to like to start choking on the laughter, but he's like, oh I guess I don't have to do that anymore, do I? This is that's weird. This is gonna get take some getting used to. And before you can say anything else, you hear the doors open. And you hear a voice that says, Well, folks have gotten used to weird things around here, so you know, whatever. And as you all turn around, standing in these beautiful crimson and peach and purple robes with a pack slung over a shoulder. As a goblin about three and a half feet tall. With a green mohawk and a green beard that reaches down to the bottom of his pectorals. The beard is braided. Many, many gemstones branded the beard. With a set of spectacles along his nose. And a wild tipty grin. And Magnus True Gear. Consort to the Queen of Anthem or Consort to the King of Anthem stands before you and says, So I hear some heroes need a ride. That's where we're gonna end our session.

SPEAKER_21 2:40:19

Yeah.

unknown 2:40:22

Woo!

SPEAKER_02 2:40:25

That was lovely! Magnus! Yes! Let's go. I was gonna have you guys go uh to Anthem first. I'm like, it's getting late. Let's let's just introduce Magnus now.

SPEAKER_18 2:40:43

Fair enough.

SPEAKER_10 2:40:46

I was prepared.

SPEAKER_13 2:40:47

I was like, if he if if that demon is coming here, like that's why I put my fists up.

SPEAKER_15 2:40:52

Not that you could at the audience could see. I was like, the door suddenly opens. How dare you interrupt this moment, demon. No, it was Magnus.

SPEAKER_02 2:41:01

No, it was it was our boy Magnus. So some really cool things happened. One, um, you you you you you you got to talk to the the the undead squirrels, which is one of my favorite things to happen this session. Holy shit. Yes. And you will now be representing them. Uh we will RP the uh the conversation with the guild next session. Uh, because you know, Magnus only just got here. There's time. Um and uh yeah, you also managed to talk to the Wraith Queen of Dirge. Uh her Her Majesty uh Elswith. Uh yet another creation of my daughters, uh, who I'm sure will be king thrilled uh to know that she was introduced. And Gordon Bank has been restored. Oh, not all of him, although he does now have a really nifty magical arm. Uh so you know, that might come in handy later. And you learn that Gordon was not just your hero, but a hero to many. Holy shit! First off, and we'll talk more about this in the tea at the table that will correspond with this episode, uh, but I I gotta give uh I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm giving uh fabula points to everyone for this episode, but an extra fabula point to Lysandra for the expert use of the information I just happened to throw out there to rally the people in Gordon's favor. That was brilliant. So good. Brilliant. So I gotta reward you for that. Thank you. Gotta reward you for that. Oh my gosh, that was great. Uh yeah, uh, Magnus has showed up. Uh you met you met the undy, the the deathless council, uh, which was cool. Um you got some cool information about uh well not information. Well we'll get we'll get into the information you learned at the library next session as well. But you also got this uh boon. This is one of the boons, it's not the final boon, not the one I talked about uh a second a bit ago, but you got one of the boons that I owed you, which was access to the army of the undead. Which holy hand baskets it's insane, right? So, you know, that's a thing. Uh and Lysandra, I'm just gonna put this hint out there. You might find that handy too.

SPEAKER_08 2:44:04

I can wield the army of the dead!

SPEAKER_02 2:44:07

Yes, eventually. There's a skill for that though, and that's that's a thing that we'll have to you'll have you you have to get you have to work up to that, and that's fine. That's fine, but uh and Jody, Bryn, Bryn, Bryn. The ways in which I'm going to campaign so fucking hard for you for as best player in an indie game for the next year's crit awards for your performance as Jody Bank with her with relation to our relationship to her father. How dare you make me feel things?

SPEAKER_09 2:44:54

How dare you! I'm campaigning you!

SPEAKER_02 2:44:58

It's it's it's it's it's it's it's my prerogative as a storyteller. I get to do that to you because this is what just you know what you signed up for. I'm I'm here to make you laugh and to maybe make you cry. Um maybe not intentionally make you cry, but to make you feel things at the very least.

SPEAKER_15 2:45:18

Right back at you. Back at you. Oh, we saved him.

SPEAKER_02 2:45:26

You do sweet teen daddy bank gonna leave. Oh, he's the well, he's he's he's he's gonna not die. Well, not gonna die.

SPEAKER_08 2:45:39

Not gonna die.

SPEAKER_18 2:45:40

Yeah, yeah, yeah. He technically gonna live, but like Yeah.

SPEAKER_15 2:45:46

He's living with his extended warranty. His extended warranty has been much extended. It's ridiculous.

SPEAKER_02 2:45:55

Yeah, that that extended warranty has been like that the the you read the fine print, the extension is infinity. Uh, unless something destroys his body. Like what?

SPEAKER_18 2:46:06

Yeah, that's that's the only way you get out of being deathless, is if you're but but that would that would never happen though, right?

SPEAKER_02 2:46:13

No, the the why would that happen? Why would that happen? Why would I do that?

SPEAKER_08 2:46:19

His girlfriend is literally the Baba Yaga.

SPEAKER_02 2:46:22

Yeah. Like, I think he's good. He's good. He's good. No one has to worry about Gordon is going to be fine. I will put that spoiler out there now. Gordon will be fine. Gordon's an immortal now.

SPEAKER_15 2:46:38

I was like, don't put that on me.

SPEAKER_02 2:46:42

I will amend my own statement. Gordon is one of the truest forms of immortal of immortal now. Because of the right of Amaran. So, nothing to worry about there. He's a positive energy leader.

SPEAKER_18 2:46:57

That's great. You got me a little worried when you're like, oh, his if his body was destroyed, like, why are you doing that? Yeah, why give me a few more? I don't know why I said that.

SPEAKER_02 2:47:06

I don't know why I said that. That was silly of me. He's he's fat. He's fat. But yeah, you also got to to well, you didn't get to witness the rite of Amaram. Uh you got to find out a bit about it. Uh and it's uh yeah. I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm excited at at some point uh I'll I'll come up with more lore around that and what that means and how that happens and uh get into like a bit of a more like descriptive something uh about it. Maybe I'll have that ready in time for tea at the table. Who knows? Um but yeah. Uh and uh sweet tea, I also have to applaud you for your talking to your willingness and like you're going with the flow and talking to the five uh lack of heartbeats.

SPEAKER_18 2:48:07

Honestly, I was not expecting that, and I'm like, okay, this is happening now.

SPEAKER_02 2:48:13

I wasn't expecting it either. Uh but but but folks were like, hey, go talk to the undead squirrel, singing undead squirrels. And I was like, Well, I guess we're doing this. Okay. Yeah, why not?

SPEAKER_18 2:48:27

You know what? This this is the amazing things that happen when you have such like gremlins at the table, like grinning diamonds. And I love every single one.

SPEAKER_08 2:48:38

I'm not a gremlin? What are you talking about?

SPEAKER_18 2:48:41

You're not a gremlin.

SPEAKER_09 2:48:43

You think we're gremlins? Yes.

SPEAKER_18 2:48:47

You have you have said that with as much love as I can possibly muster.

SPEAKER_02 2:48:51

You have summoned the chronometic. Oh no.

SPEAKER_15 2:48:54

You summoned the chromo.

SPEAKER_13 2:48:57

How dare you! How dare you! I invite you to my eminence, and this is how you repay me. You call me a gremlin. You know what? Dishonor.

SPEAKER_18 2:49:09

Oh no. If it if it makes you feel any better. I don't think I'm better than you, if that helps.

SPEAKER_13 2:49:20

It doesn't. I need another cannoli.

SPEAKER_02 2:49:23

No, it's I think I think she needs a cannoli and a visit to the apple orchard.

SPEAKER_14 2:49:29

The apple orchard.

SPEAKER_18 2:49:32

Yes, we're gonna do the both of those things. Good.

SPEAKER_15 2:49:37

Alright. I'll leave. For now.

SPEAKER_05 2:49:41

I love it here.

SPEAKER_15 2:49:41

Well, correction. I'll leave the conversation. I still got some things to do in this ever bright. See, that bookshelf looks like it could use a little ja jazz and up a little bit.

SPEAKER_06 2:49:52

Okay. Okay. That's fine, I guess.

SPEAKER_02 2:50:03

We also got to meet finally a multi another uh universe's version of Magnus, uh, which I've been excited about. Uh because Magnus, uh if we talked about this a little bit uh uh earlier, Magnus might be my favorite MPC that I've created, because he shows up in everything I'm in. Uh so as he should. As he should. Uh I'm I I'm excited for this version of Magnus, because he he he got the girl. He got the girl. He he he he got to be with Osma. Uh for those of you who who don't know uh anything about Magnus and Osma, check out uh my other podcast, Aegnis of the Circle. Uh all 100 episodes uh uh are are there to its completion. Uh and Magnus uh plays a role in that show quite a bit. Uh or or a version of Magnus, I should say, uh is in that show. But uh this is this is this is this is awesome. I'm so happy for how this all went down. Uh and if you want more of this show, uh then stay tuned. Follow us, uh come and hang out with us in our Discord channel, uh, and and uh uh come hang out and talk to us, ask us questions, uh tell us things, uh uh make art uh or or just like be nerdy with us. Uh it's a fun time. You'll find the link in the show description uh to be able to interact with us there and with all of our various uh things that we do across the internet. Uh again, huge, huge thanks and applause to all of my players who I am so absolutely uh radiantly fortunate uh to have at my table uh uh for this first cycle uh of the show. Uh I am I am so happy and I am so excited as always uh to to be a part of the stories that you all are going to tell. And I might be a little bit scared, uh, but you know, that's fine. Um I can handle it. It'll it'll be cool. Um huge thank you again, as always, to Friday afternoon tea. Uh please check out their website uh at FridayT.com uh to uh to check out all of their really, really cool uh blends of teas that are based on uh all of the fandoms you know and love. I believe they also have a critical role uh set of teas if you're into the critical role at all, which you know, they're great. So why wouldn't you be? Um I don't know if she's come out with the Dimension 20 set. I hope she does, because they're also great. We love them. Uh but yeah, like check them out. It's a good time. Uh and if you buy things from our the website, from her site, from a shop, uh, and and you get yourself to check out, maybe you should enter our code Multiverse, M-U-L-T-E-A-V-E-R-S-E, and get yourself an extra 10% off of your purchase. Uh so yeah. Thank you all again. Uh I am I am I'm just uh a buzz with how happy the session has made me. Uh so as always, thank you so much, each and every one of you. Uh listeners, players, everyone for walking the storied path with us. Uh and as always, may the dice roll ever in your favor. We'll see you next time. You have been listening to the Everbright Archive, a T T RPG actual play anthology series. This episode is from the campaign The Last Story.

SPEAKER_03 2:54:17

Your cast has been the last Madness Diamond as Lysandra Selky Code as Glynn.

SPEAKER_02 2:54:28

Spartic Sweet Tea as Malachi Davies Rinier said as Jody Badge and Sneak Sakasha as a storyteller. For more information about our wonderful cast, access to the show's Discord server. Or if you'd like to support our show via coach, please follow the beach description. We hope you continue to follow us as we can continue to watch the story. The dice roll ever in your favorite.