Timothy (DM)  

Welcome to Shadows of Prophecy, D&D real play podcast, where we will find out what it takes to become a hero, face our darkest fears, and pull ourselves out of a pit of despair. Shadows of Prophecy is a Dungeons and Dragons podcast with violent themes and adult language. listener discretion is advised. 


Timothy (DM)  

With us today to traverse through Adventures of loss and tragedy. We have myself, Timothy, as our ambivalent DM; Helen as "No, not that bush" druid, Panret; Russell as "I'll try anything" Wild Surge Berzerker, Uprielyn Upri; and Kendrick as our designated driver, Monk Yonce Bey. Join us as we enter the Shadows of Prophecy. Prologue: A World Unravels. Chapter Six - Sweet Meats. 


Timothy (DM)  

You notice that the Steward has been watching you for a while now as you dance around the maypole, and every time you glance over at her, you get this same image of her grabbing your wrist, and, like, that glare is just, like, burning into your mind. There's no real context in the vision, but it just... something feels wrong, and after a while watching you, she walks over, places her hand on your shoulder, very softly. You flinch?


Russell (Upri)  

Yeah, a little. 


Timothy (DM)  

She kind of pulls back a little bit, and then she takes a piece of charcoal and grabs your hand and marks the back of your hand.


Russell (Upri)  

What-what are you doing?


Timothy (DM)  

She smiles, and she nods and then signals back to the maypole and walks away.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

This is some D&D cruising that we're experiencing right now. [Tim laughs, Russell heaves] 


Russell (Upri)  

[scared] Uhhh, well, Upri is gonna keep hanging on to the ribbon, so she doesn't float away... Tim laughs] and-and dancin', and just be like, dancing while she looks at her hand now... [Helen laughs] She's like bugging out. "Wh-wh... Pan Pan, what is this?"


Helen (Panret)  

Panret leans in, and while dancing is,, like looking at the back of Upri's hand; does Panret recognize it? "I don't know. I don't think it's anything. I wouldn't worry about it."


Russell (Upri)  

[persuaded] Alright...alright. 


Helen (Panret)  

Don't touch your face 'cause then you'll get charcoal over your face.


Russell (Upri)  

Oh, like-like this? [wipes her face, Tim laughs] She wipes her face and just a big smudge across her mouth-- 


Helen (Panret)  

Like a cheek of, like, charcoal. 


Russell (Upri)  

Yeah. 


Helen (Panret)  

[noticing Upri's done exactly what they had warned about] Yeah, like that.


Russell (Upri)  

Oh, yeah. Well, I won't; thank you.


Timothy (Ritt)  

Oh, wow. That's a new look. [Helen laughs] I like it!


Russell (Upri)  

Wh-what is?


Helen (Panret)  

I love it. I mean...


Timothy (Ritt)  

Yeah, it's like a statement.


Russell (Upri)  

The yassification of Upri!  [Russell, Tim, and Kendrick laugh]


Timothy (Ritt)  

I have an idea...


Helen (Panret)  

I'm just feeling really "connected" right now. [Russell laughs]


Timothy (Ritt)  

[straight-faced] That's great; I'm glad.... That being said, I'm out. Do you want more? 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I'm all set. Thank you. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

All right. All right. You do you...


Helen (Panret)  

I better cool it.


Timothy (Ritt)  

Yeah, you're gonna cool it? [sadly] Okay. [hopefully] Upri?


Russell (Upri)  

I want to say yes... But... I think there's that voice in my head. I think people call out a conscience says, "Nooo"...


Timothy (Ritt)  

I mean, if there's a voice in your head, you should probably listen to it, but, like, sometimes that's just anxiety and, like, you gotta let that shit go. 


Russell (Upri)  

[reenergized] All right, I'm down! [Tim laughs]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Is Yonce worrying about Upri at this point? Because it feels as though, like, they're really taking it back in they're... it looks like they're tripping at this point.


Timothy (Ritt)  

Give me an Insight! [laughs]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

That's a 21.


Russell (Upri)  

[sad] Shit.


Timothy (Ritt)  

Okay. I mean, you can tell that Upri's, like, QUITE, like, blazed... [laughs]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I'm going to walk up to Upri and be like concerned] "Are you okay?"


Russell (Upri)  

[dazed] Whoa, your-your mouth moved, but then, like, I heard it later. 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

All right, we're gonna cut off the drinking for you.


Russell (Upri)  

I think it'll calm me down though... [stammers] R-right, Ritt?


Timothy (Ritt)  

I mean, like, usually... I just get, like, visions, like sleeping and, like, relaxing. You know, so much of your life is like--


Russell (Upri)  

People grabbin' you, like... bein' violent, right? 


Timothy (Ritt)  

--waiting and just, like, violent. Nooo... 


Helen (Panret)  

No, that's not--.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Wait, wait, what?!? 


Timothy (Ritt)  

--not usually. I mean, they're just, like, potential futures? But, like, life is so full of space and, like... [grasping]


Helen (Panret)  

Time. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

[agreeing] ...time, and like, you know, most of our lives we just sit and, like, don't do anything or, like, lay down and, like, don't do anything.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Yonce's  gonna pause you and be like, "Wait." I'm going to look at Upri "Someone grabbing your hand violently: is that what you're tripping about?"


Russell (Upri)  

I mean, it was 


Helen (Panret)  

This sounds like a bad trip.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[to Ritt] But you just said Ritt that that was a possible future so...


Timothy (Ritt)  

So, like, in the spring, we have this, like, little festival we do where we drink this wine and we, like, sit around and tell people our prophies, but, like, usually they're n-nothing really all that interesting. Sometimes the Steward has some interesting ones...


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I'm going to keep looking at Upri, like, "What other visions did you have?"


Russell (Upri)  

[laughs] I just remember the hand. And the mark. [Tim laughs]


Helen (Panret)  

[laughing] Can you just say I don't remember?


Timothy (Ritt)  

Do you not remember? Like, I mean--


Russell (Upri)  

 [exasperated] I just remember the Stew! 


Timothy (Ritt)  

--y-you had quite a few to drink-- 


Russell (Upri)  

[shaken] She was so angry at me. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

[thinking] Angry? That doesn't sound like her. 


Russell (Upri)  

She was staring daggers! 


Timothy (Ritt)  

I mean, she's only angry when like, people do something to piss off the Goddess, and then we all have to, like, *sigh* try to appease her again.


Russell (Upri)  

How does one appease the Goddess?


Timothy (Ritt)  

Oh, like, living in her image and, like, respecting nature, loving life, you know, those sorts of things? 


Russell (Upri)  

[a bit relieved] Alright, I think I'm in the clear. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Like, wemake offerings of, like, fruit and stuff, but, like, it's usually pretty easy.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I'm gonna hold back on the questioning because I'm somewhat a little trusting of Ritt at this point, since I don't really know them that well.. [cogs turning] wait.... that's not how that should go, but whatever, I'm gonna go with it. [Russell and Tim laugh] But, I'm gonna just keep a watchful eye over Upri just because that is my big sis, and I want to make sure that she's okay. Even though she's older, I feel like I take more than mature role at this point.


Russell (Upri)  

She's dumb as a sack of hammers.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

And I'm as smart as a bag of nails.


Russell (Upri)  

So... sharp?


Helen (Panret)  

[sagely] Part of being a good friend is watching out for your friends when they're tripping balls.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Yes.


Timothy (Ritt)  

All right. [pushy] Well, did you want to go get some more? I know where they keep it.


Helen (Panret)  

I think we better save that for the Spring Festival, Ritt.


Timothy (Ritt)  

[crestfallen] Alright, suit yourselves.


Helen (Panret)  

You know, I... you know, I love these little treats, but I don't want to be greedy.


Timothy (Ritt)  

[sad] All right, you're right. My dad is the brewer, but, like... fine. [to himself] I'll just have some more tomorrow.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

How about we just get some tea to kind of...


Timothy (Ritt)  

Oh, yeah, tea might make you feel better. Camomile's really calming. 


Russell (Upri)  

Alright. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Also, lemongrass! Lemongrass is a really lovely one. 


Russell (Upri)  

Let's do both? 


Timothy (DM)  

Alright, and you all go, you kind of shift off, and you have some tea.


Russell (Upri)  

Upri tries to walk away, and she's still attached to the ribbon. [Tim laughs] "Oh, shit. Yon, can you hold on to me so I don't float away?"


Kendrick (Yonce)  

"Sure." So, I hold on to Upri, very lackadaisically--


Russell (Upri)  

Pan Pan, can you get the other arm? Can you hold the other arm, Pan Pan? 


Helen (Panret)  

Panret grabs the other... the other arm and holds-holds Upri by the wrist. "Don't worry. We got... we gotcha." 


Russell (Upri)  

[fearfully] I don't want to fall into the sky and never be seen again.


Helen (Panret)  

[comfortingly] Oh, no. I know that can be scary. 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I'm barely holding Upri 'cause I underst-- I'm recognizing that she's tripping, so I'm just like... it's a pinky, so she seems calm.


Helen (Panret)  

Panret starts out holding Upri's wrist, but then they hold hands a little bit too.


Russell (Upri)  

Aww!


Timothy (DM)  

Aww! 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

That's actually kind of cute. That's actually really cute!


Timothy (DM)  

That's very cute. You take a little breather. You sit down. You have some tea--


Russell (Upri)  

[laughing] Can I finally start coming down?


Timothy (DM)  

--you get a little bit more food in your stomach and, like, this is a very casual lonnnng afternoon of just having fun and relaxing, so after like about an hour, you start to come back down. 


Helen (Panret)  

The sun is outtttt. 


Timothy (DM)  

Yeah, it's a lovely day.


Helen (Panret)  

Music is playing. There's crickets... in the biscuits. [all laugh, Kendrick cackles]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[laughing] Oh, gosh, um... Yonce is going to look at Upri and think "This is a lot better than just cleaning." 


Russell (Upri)  

Told ya! 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Maybe we SHOULD bring some of these cricket biscuits back for our other family members, uur brethren and sisteren... and them-ren.


Russell (Upri)  

Yeah, I think that's reasonable.


Timothy (Ritt)  

Oh, yeah, I'm sure if you asked Maude, she'd make some fresh ones for you when you're leaving.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Do you have any jam, like a honey jam too?


Timothy (Ritt)  

Oh, yeah! You haven't had the jam yet?!? *sigh* You really have to have the jam. [pointing] I think it's over there in that tent.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

All right. We'll make sure to grab some before we go.


Timothy (Ritt)  

All right.


Helen (Panret)  

I just feel really "connected" right now. [Russell agrees] Yeah, just really connected. 


Russell (Upri)  

Especially 'cause we're still holdin' hands, right?


Helen (Panret)  

Panret is still kind of zoned out, but, like, seems very happy, like...[laughs]


Timothy (Ritt)  

How are you feeling, Upri? I know you were having a bad time earlier, and that's just not okay. I mean, well, it's okay. It's okay to feel bad sometimes, but, like, are you feeling better now?


Russell (Upri)  

Yeah, I think the tea helped. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Oh, lovely, lovely. 


Russell (Upri)  

[punnily] I feel more "grounded".


Helen (Panret)  

[laughing, out of character] No one understands the joke. [all laugh]


Timothy (DM)  

You all just kind of vibe along and just nod. 


Helen (Panret)  

[hippily] That's great. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

It's great. Yeah. Well, I want some more. So, like, I may go get some more, like, are you sure you all don't want any, like...?


Russell (Upri)  

I mean, what are the chances of having a bad trip twice?


Timothy (Ritt)  

That's fair. And, you know, we're all here for you, like, you're in a safe space.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I think at this point, I'm going to continue being done with the-the special drink, but I will drink some more water if you bring some of that... with no alcohol. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Water? Yeah, absolutely. I'll get you some water... 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Ooh, and a couple of drops of, like, honey. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Okay. Honey is great. There's plenty here.


Helen (Panret)  

I might have like [whispering devilishly] one more little sip.


Timothy (Ritt)  

All right. Upri, are you in? 


Russell (Upri)  

[chilly] Yeah, let's do it.


Timothy (Ritt)  

All right. Yonce, you can sit this one out; that's fine.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Yonce is just going to keep a watchful eye out for Upri because I'm getting concerned at this point. I'm just like, [laughing] "The bitch is... the bitch is not here."


Russell (Upri)  

I mean, you know what they say? You got to try something, you know, at least three or four times before you give up on it.


Russell (Upri)  

Yeahhhh... do they say that?


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I don't think that's how that saying does. 


Russell (Upri)  

[somewhat confidently] Yeah, I'm pretty sure.


Timothy (Ritt)  

I really like your attitude; it's very positive.


Helen (Panret)  

So, Ritt's gonna go get more... more "libations".


Timothy (Ritt)  

Oh, don't you want to come with? I can show you where it is. 


Russell (Upri)  

I kind of do. 


Helen (Panret)  

[like a good concerned friend] I don't know if that's a good idea. 


Russell (Upri)  

You don't want to see how they make vision water?!?


Helen (Panret)  

It's not vision water. It's...


Timothy (Ritt)  

Yeah, it's like a mead of sorts... 


Helen (Panret)  

It's-it's me--, I mean, it's... not WATER. [softly] It's mead.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I'd be interested in seeing how it's made, but I want to make sure we come back because I still want to dance.


Timothy (Ritt)  

[wonderously] Oh, yeah, they'll be doing this for HOURS. 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[disgusted sound] ...sorry, that was funny...no [laughs] 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Yeah, y-you're allowed to just take a nap and just, like, enjoy this lovely weather.


Helen (Panret)  

The grass here is reallllly comfortable. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

[vibing] Yeah, it really isss. 


Helen (Panret)  

Yeah, if you need a nap. Just so you know.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I'll take note of that.


Helen (Panret)  

All right. Let's go take a look.


Russell (Upri)  

Yeah, let's take in the sights, Pan Pan. Stew didn't show us this. One more stop on the tour. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Lovely.


Helen (Panret)  

This is very much like a bunch of drunk girls believing in each other, like... [Tim laughs]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

And then the one designated driver. [Tim laughs]


Timothy (DM)  

Yeah! *long sigh* Oh my gosh. Love it!


Helen (Panret)  

There's gonna be a scene where we're in the bathroom like [in a betrayed voice] "I can't believe you said that." [all laugh]


Timothy (DM)  

[cyring] "I don't remember why I'm crying..." :( [Helen laughs]


Helen (Panret)  

"Oh my god, hold her hair! Hold her hair!" [Tim laughs]


Timothy (DM)  

Alright, so Ritt is going to guide you all back over the river,  back into the center of the village, and there is a small structure, I mean, it's-it's larger than the, like, homes, but not too large, and as they approach, you see the, like, large barrels outside that look like brewing apparatuses. 


Russell (Upri)  

Oh, okay. 


Timothy (DM)  

And there are windows around the building; you see more, like, barrels that are casked along the side of the building, and they kind of pull you off to the side near one of the trees. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Alright, so we're gonna sneak in, okay?


Helen (Panret)  

Do we need to sneak, I mean, you said that your dad was the brewer...?


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Yeah, I'm confused why we would need to sneak in... 


Helen (Panret)  

[whispering] Why are we sneaking?


Kendrick (Yonce)  

And, why are we whispering? 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Oh, um...


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[whispering] Because we're sneaking


Timothy (Ritt)  

[whispering] Because we're sneaking! Well, like... we do have to steal it...


Helen (Panret)  

Yonce is making a very indignant face right now [Tim laughs] 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[with a very indignant face] I'm like "What the fuck." [laughs]


Timothy (Ritt)  

[grasping for a good excuse] Like, *sighs* technically, like... it's only supposed to be drunk that one time a year, but like... this is all leftover, and it's just gonna be, like, thrown out.


Russell (Upri)  

Y'all said it yourselves: the Goddess doesn't want, like, things to go to waste.


Timothy (Ritt)  

Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Uh-huh. [nodding to Upri] You got it.


Russell (Upri)  

Yeah!


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[momly] You're definitely going to need to drink some water when we're done with this. [Tim laughs]


Russell (Upri)  

I mean, that's what the tea's for, innit?


Helen (Panret)  

[head tilted] Well, that's true... Alright, so if we're, like, sneakily and confusedly, like.... [all laugh]


Timothy (DM)  

You're very, just, like, stumbling around a little bit, swaying back and forth. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

All right, just-just go with the flow.... Just like, follow after meeee. Do what I do.


Helen (Panret)  

Is Ritt still dancing? [Russel and Tim laugh]


Timothy (DM)  

Yeah, Ritt's still dancing, Ritt is, like... does not stop dancing...


Helen (Panret)  

Ritt is still doing, like, the vibe dance with, like, arms out.


Timothy (DM)  

Yeah, the arms are swaying; they have, like, this wave motion. They keep, like, raising their arms in the air and doing body rolls.


Helen (Panret)  

[sassy] Yeah, this is very sneaky. 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[to Tim] I feel like this is how you dance in real life? Is this... is this art imitating life? [Russell and Helen laugh]


Timothy (DM)  

Whaaat? This is not based on me at ALL. Um.. [flips hair]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

As you flip your hair, "Wuttt..." [Tim laughs]


Timothy (DM)  

And they just, like, casually go around to the back of the building, and, like, you see that they're kind of, like, looking in all directions. Kind of vibing. Trying to, like, play it "kewl"...


Helen (Panret)  

[agreeing] Act natural!


Timothy (Ritt)  

Act natural, umm... [Kendrick laughs] And then they quickly just go over to one of the back windows, and they try to pull it open. "Aw, shoot, that one's closed. We'll have to check the next..." 


Russell (Upri)  

"Oh, here. Let me give it a tug..." [tugging sound] I put all of my-my strenght into it, to open it? 


Timothy (DM)  

Alright, give me a Strength or Athletics. 


Russell (Upri)  

It's only an 11.


Timothy (Ritt)  

An 11. You're able to, like, nudge it a little bit up, but it seems to be rather wedged. "Oh, I guess it's not locked; it's just kind of stuck. Well, there are more. We'll check the next one."


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Yonce's gonna... as we're sneaking, we, being sneaky, I'm going to ask "Why can't we go through the front door? You're Dad owns this; don't you have the keys? 


Timothy (Ritt)  

[whiny] I don't...


Helen (Panret)  

Well, Ritt used to have a key, but after the last summer festival...


Timothy (Ritt)  

[quickly] Yeah, we don't need to talk about that. [laughs]


Helen (Panret)  

Sorry, I just...


Timothy (Ritt)  

[defensively] I'm... a free spirit, just like... I don't know why they have to make all these "rules"...


Russell (Upri)  

[gives disapproving "mmm"] 


Timothy (DM)  

--and they are checking the next window. Can you all make Stealth checks? [Russell "Oh no"s]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[laughing] I still have my armor on, so I'm definitely not being sneaky. 


Helen (Panret)  

You're still wearing chainmail?


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Yeah, I am, so I have to roll with disadvantage. So, that's a 7.


Russell (Upri)  

12.


Helen (Panret)  

15.


Timothy (DM)  

So, Ritt is able to shift the window open, and you all hear behind you Yonce's, like, chain mill kind of clinking around [Russell laughs] as Ritt starts climbing in through the window. Do you follow?


Russell (Upri)  

Upri will go in next.


Helen (Panret)  

Panret gives a shrug and is like, "Oh, what the heck" and like, climbs in. [Tim laughs]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I'm gonna look around and be like, "Okay, I guess" Moreso to watch Upri more than... because I don't... at this point, I think I've made it clear that I don't really WANT to do this, but I'm just gonna go because, you know...


Timothy (Ritt)  

You hear Ritt from inside whispering "Yonce, if you really don't want to do this, you can just hang outside. We'll be right back." 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

No, I'm going to come in. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

All right. Well, get in here before anybody sees you!


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I just yeet myself in there. [Russell laughs]


Timothy (DM)  

All right. So, as you all enter the brewery, you enter in through the window behind the, like, bar so you see casks, you see some tables with seating, stools at the bar, and Ritt is, like, already off in the corner, pulling a rug up off of a hidden door.


Russell (Upri)  

[sarcastically] Wow, what a great place to put a cellar; I never would have guessed. [Tim laughs]


Helen (Panret)  

Ritt, this seems like it's supposed to be a secret.


Timothy (Ritt)  

Well, like, yeah, because, like, if everybody did this, then there wouldn't be enough for the festival.


Russell (Upri)  

I thought you said this was leftover. 


Russell (Upri)  

[childishly] This is leftover!


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I want to walk over to Pan and be like "I'm not buying this. Something's up." [Tim laughs]


Helen (Panret)  

Ritt. [real talk] Listen, we've been friends for a long time. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Well, yeahhhh. 


Helen (Panret)  

I'm just... I'm not so sure about-about this. I think your dad, Ritt Sr., might be upset. [Tim wheezes]


Timothy (Ritt)  

Ritt Sr.? Like, I mean, *sigh* yeah, he did yell at me last time, but, like... [whiny] he's just such a hard ass, like... that man needs to, like, loosen up a bit.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[admonishingly] How old are you?


Timothy (Ritt)  

[confidently] Uh, I'm 22. [Russell laughs]


Helen (Panret)  

Panret is 41 by the way. [Kendrick laughs]


Russell (Upri)  

[to Helen, laughing] Oh noooo!  Just a 41-year-old person hanging out with...children.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Hey, no judgment, no judgment. [Tim sighs]


Helen (Panret)  

Just... I-I just... I'm not sure that this is the right thing to do, Ritt.


Timothy (Ritt)  

*heavy sigh* Killing my vibe. Fine. Well, we should probably get out of here then before, like, I don't know, someone hears us in here. 


Russell (Upri)  

[ho-humly] All right. 


Timothy (DM)  

And that's when you hear the lock clicking at the front door.


Russell (Upri)  

[urgently] Quick behind the bar!


Timothy (Ritt)  

Oh shit! No, better-- uh, let's go down into the cellar. They won't find us there. ]laughs]


Russell (Upri)  

[stuttering]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[deadpan] Seriously? Let's go into the cellar of a... with a woman I don't know?


Timothy (DM)  

You hear the door opening-- 


Russell (Upri)  

[rushedly] Fuck, we don't have a choice! Let's go! 


Timothy (DM)  

There's, like, a vestibule area, so there's the first set of doors you hear opening. Then you hear two voices and footsteps kind of approaching the doors into the bar room.


Russell (Upri)  

Upri opens the hatch. "Get in!"


Helen (Panret)  

Panret is frozen in place with their eyes wide. 


Russell (Upri)  

Yon! Shove 'em! 


Helen (Panret)  

[directly at Upri and firmly] No.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[whispering] Come on! Everybody in! 


Helen (Panret)  

Uh. Oo! Uh...


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[dryly] Ritt, it's probably your father. They probably won't be THAT mad that you snuck in and are trying to steal liquor that's sacred.


Timothy (Ritt)  

We don't have time. Come on! 


Russell (Upri)  

[strained] Alright, bye y'all!


Helen (Panret)  

[nervously] Panret, uh... doesn't move.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I see the urgency. I'm like, [defeated] "Come on, Pan Pan. Let's just go inside."


Helen (Panret)  

[still faltering]


Timothy (DM)  

Ritt is down in the cellar with Upri. Yonce is... are you going down?


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I'm gonna start going down, but I'm trying to get Pan to move.


Timothy (Partygoer)  

Panret is frozen in place as the door opens [Russell laughs] and you see two people entering, not Ritt's father, just like two other people from the village, and they stop, look at you in the go "Panret, what are YOU doing here?"


Helen (Panret)  

[trying to act super casual but very loudly] Hello!


Timothy (Partygoer)  

Shouldn't you be over the High Tea Festival?


Helen (Panret)  

[spinning a lie on the fly] I think I got lost.... 


Timothy (Partygoer)  

[confused] Yeah, I think you did, um.... [pointing to the door] Well, here's the front door, um. You're welcome to go out this way. 


Helen (Panret)  

[nervously] That's great! Thanks! Okay, bye. [moving quickly]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Do they see me, or am I like...?


Russell (Upri)  

Is the hatch open?


Timothy (DM)  

So, the hatch is behind the bar, [Russell "ohhhh's"] so you all can't see what's going on. You just hear... and they haven't seemed to notice your presence yet.


Helen (Panret)  

Panret walks out the front door and walks around the building and, like, tries to peek back in through the window to see what's happening, like... [Tim laughs]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Yonce is going to start going down the stairs, but, like, curiosity is getting the best of him. So, like, since they can't see him, I'm gonna listen and then when I hear them moving, I'm gonna quickly shut the hatch.


Timothy (DM)  

Alright, so you shut the hatch behind you. You hear the footsteps above you, some muffled voices. So, Panret, you are peeking in through the back window. Yonce, you have just started descending into the cellar, but you're listening to the voices above. Upri, what are you doing?


Russell (Upri)  

Is there light in the cellar? 


Timothy (DM)  

There is a dim candle. As you look around the cellar, you see a table with several chairs around it. You also see some bookshelves, and you see an altar with two large bowls on it. Ritt has already started making their way across the room towards the altar.


Russell (Upri)  

[in a hasty whisper] Ritt, wait! Wait for the others! 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Oh, where's Panret? 


Russell (Upri)  

I don't know. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

[thinking] Oh um... 


Russell (Upri)  

[in a yell-whisper] I tried to get them to come down, but they froze; they didn't wanna move!


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Can the people upstairs hear y'all talking?


Russell (Upri)  

I mean, I'm kinda yell-whispering. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

[nodding] Yell-whispering... Yeah, yell-whispering. [laughs]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

So, I can whisper... I'll whisper to Ritt "They saw Panret,and she left."


Timothy (Ritt)  

"Okay... They're probably fine... the wine's just over here." 


Timothy (DM)  

And so Yonce, you are kind of listening into the voices overhead and Panret, you also can hear through the cracked window. It's very mumbled, but you start to make out some of the words. 


Timothy (Partygoer)  

"Yeah, you hear the-the Steward, they selected our tribute." and then some more mumbled words... "It is that time in the cycle." Something about a half-orc and then more incoherent words. "My grandmother spoke of this the last time this happened." And then they finish their conversation as they are walking out the front door. You hear the door close behind them. Panret, you see them leave. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

"Ah, here it is! Upri, do you want the first drink? [Helen laughs]


Russell (Upri)  

[cheerfully] Oh, don't mind if I do! [Tim laughs]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Can I run down and knock it out of their hand?


Timothy (DM)  

Give me a contested Dexterity save.


Russell (Upri)  

Against me or you? 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I got a 22. [Russell sighs]


Timothy (DM)  

Okay.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[to Russell] Damn.


Russell (Upri)  

[dourly] 12. 


Timothy (DM)  

All right, so Yonce, you run over, and you SLAP the bottle out of Upri's hand as Ritt is handing it over. It crashes to the ground, splashes up all over. 


Russell (Upri)  

Shit, Yon! [stammering] That stuff's probably expensive!


Timothy (Ritt)  

[whiny] Yonce, WHAT are you doing?


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Let's go. Let's get out of here.


Russell (Upri)  

[confused] What the fuck is going on?


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[firmly] I will tell you when we get out of here. Let's go. No more drinking.


Timothy (Ritt)  

[defiant priveleged Valley Girl] Ex-cuse me?


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[a stone cold bitch] I said "NO MORE DRINKING." Let's go.


Russell (Upri)  

I mean, it sounds like YOU need a drink.


Timothy (Ritt)  

Yeah, is everything all right?


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I'm, like, grabbing Upri by the hand like "We're GOING."


Timothy (DM)  

[very pleased] Okay, give me a Persuasion cheeeeeeck.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

18. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

"All right, if you say soooo..." Ritt is going to grab the second and final bottle out of the altar, and follow Yonce.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

So, I'm going to open the cellar door because I heard everything that they said, and I'm putting two to two together from what Upri said and you know "tribute"...


Helen (Panret)  

When you open cellar door, you see Panret who's halfway through the window, climbing back in, and they're like, "Oh.... hey!"


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I help them in. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

See, I told you they'd be finnnne. 


Russell (Upri)  

[concerned] Yon, what's going on?


Kendrick (Yonce)  

They were mentioning something about the Steward selecting a tribute, and I'm assuming that that little now smudge mark means something. 


Russell (Upri)  

The charcoal?


Timothy (Ritt)  

[earnestly] Yeah, I don't know what that is. She's never done that before.


Helen (Panret)  

I've never seen that. That's not normal for this party.


Russell (Upri)  

Oh, it's-it's not part of the summer festivities.


Timothy (Ritt)  

Nooo...


Helen (Panret)  

Nooo...


Kendrick (Yonce)  

They mentioned something about a cycle. What does that mean?


Timothy (Ritt)  

Cycle, like, like the year?


Timothy (DM)  

LIke your time of the month? [Russell laughs]


Timothy (Ritt)  

Or, I mean, there's lots of cycles.


Helen (Panret)  

Yeah, like, actually everything is a cycle. It could be anything. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

A tribute? Like... *sighs* that's a weird word. Panret, there's the Tributes, but, like, they make that decision themselves.


Helen (Panret)  

Yeah, the only stories I've ever heard about are people volunteering. So, I don't know what it means for someone to be chosen.


Timothy (Ritt)  

Yeah, did you volunteer for something. DId you volunt--


Russell (Upri)  

Not that I remember! 


Timothy (Ritt)  

[concerned] Oh, shoot., um... Yeah, that's not good. I'm sure if we just talked to the Steward, we could just clear this all up. There's probably just some confusion.


Helen (Panret)  

Yeah, she's def-- she's actually suuuuper nice, so we can just-- 


Timothy (Ritt)  

[nodding their head] She's really nice. 


Helen (Panret)  

[suspicious of the druids] Waiiit, um...


Russell (Upri)  

What are the Tributes for? 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Yeah, I'm wondering the same thing.


Timothy (Ritt)  

Well, um... how do I explain it to outsiders? Like, Parnet, how would you explain it? You're, you're like a doula...


Helen (Panret)  

[slowly and throughfully] You know, this doesn't happen very often, but... sometimes, when people are nearing the end of their life... they... decide that... they want to... make their transition... part of a... bigger... tradition... of honoring the Goddess. And, so we come together as a community and support them in that, but a-but again, it's all on a volunteer... basis. I mean... you know, if someone knows what's happening, and it's their choice to... 


Russell (Upri)  

What is? 


Helen (Panret)  

[looking at Ritt, trying to find the right phrase] Well, you know, to...


Timothy (Ritt)  

Return to the earth. 


Helen (Panret)  

Yeah, to... 


Timothy (Ritt)  

[putting it gingerly] From where we came.


Russell (Upri)  

[very WTF] You mean fuckin' die?!?


Helen (Panret)  

I mean, accept the end of their life.


Timothy (Ritt)  

[to Upri] I'm sure this is all just a confusion. You probably, like, said something to the Steward...


Russell (Upri)  

[reeling] I drank mead with people in it?!? [thinking it over] I guess the food has people... [eyes wide] Oh, God... [thinking about it again] Wellll...


Timothy (Ritt)  

Just blood.


Helen (Panret)  

Don't worry; the blood is consensual. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

[nodding] Yeah, everything is consensual here.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Except for the possible MURDER, which was chosen. 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[quickly] No no no no. That's just a misunderstanding.


Helen (Panret)  

We would know about something like that, I think? I mean... 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Yeah, we would know about something like that. They-they would have told us, like-- 


Helen (Panret)  

It's just a little confusion. W-w-we'll clear it up. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Yeah.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I think we should go. I mean, let's go back to the guest cabin, I'll grab my bacon, and we can head out. [Tim laughs at Yon's priorities]


Timothy (DM)  

God forbid you leave the bacon behind.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[arms crossed] I'm not leavin' it.


Helen (Panret)  

Or the tea.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[laughing] Or teas, indeed! 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Let's just go talk to the Steward. We'll clear everything up, and then we can just go back to dancing and having a wonderful time.


Russell (Upri)  

I mean, that was pretty fun. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Plus, the feast tonight is supposed to be a-maz-ing. Maude's been working on a cake. Oh my gosh. I had a little sample earlier. [looking at the ceiling] Ahhhh, divine.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Yonce's apprehensive as FUCK. [Tim laughs]


Helen (Panret)  

It turns out Ritt's other dad is the baker. [all laugh]


Russell (Upri)  

All right, here's what we do, Yon--


Timothy (DM)  

Well, yeah. [laughs] The brewer and the baker!


Russell (Upri)  

--we'll go get our stuff--


Helen (Panret)  

--such a rascal!


Russell (Upri)  

--we'll go get our stuff, and if we need to bug out, we can bug out. When want to go back to the hut.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[arms still folded] Fine. The slightest bit of trouble, and we're the f--- out of here.


Russell (Upri)  

[honestly] "Alright, alright. I'll refrain from drinking." To clarify, Upri crossed her fingers when she promised she wouldn't drink and put it behind her back. [Tim and Helen laugh]


Timothy (DM)  

Ohh..., okay!


Russell (Upri)  

I should narrate stuff that I'm doing.


Timothy (DM)  

Yes. Okay, so Upri crosses her fingers behind her back as she feels a glass being pressed into her hand. [laughs]


Russell (Upri)  

I love efficiency [Tim and Helen laugh] 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Do I notice this?


Timothy (DM)  

[laughs] Give me a Perception check against Ritt's Sleight of Hand.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I got a 19.


Timothy (DM)  

I got a 7. 


Russell (Upri)  

Nooooo. 


Timothy (DM)  

So, yeah, you see Ritt tipping a bottle into the glass that they just put into a Upri's hands.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I grab, and I yeet it. [Tim laughs] I just throw it on the other side of him. "No drinking."


Timothy (Ritt)  

*heavy sigh* [whiny] Yonceeeee, you're no funnnn.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[imitating Ritt's whine] Riiitttt... [sternly] I don't care. [Tim and Helen laugh]


Timothy (Ritt)  

All right. We can go back to your cabin, and I'll go talk to the Steward. I'll clear everything up. I'll let her know it was all a confusion. You all go back to your cottage, and I'll meet you there. How's that sound? 


Russell (Upri)  

Yeah, I mean... 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[eyes rolling] Fine.


Russell (Upri)  

[guffawing] She's an old lady; what's she gonna do? Tackle me? Yeah, I fuckin' two-shot an elk today. [Tim laughs]


Helen (Panret)  

[defensively] Hey, I helped.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[also defensively] I also threw a dart at it. 


Russell (Upri)  

[realizing what he's said] Oh, shit. It's going to my head already!


Timothy (Ritt)  

Alright, and Panret, you-you go with them. I'll meet you all back at the cottage, all right?


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Alright, fine. Can we leave out the front door instead of having to jump in through a window?


Timothy (Ritt)  

Yeah, sure. We can lock it from the inside. 


Helen (Panret)  

Leave the brewery from the front door, you mean? 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Yeah. 


Helen (Panret)  

Yeah 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Yeah, yeah, yeah.


Timothy (DM)  

So, Ritt is going to slip out the front, checking directions to make sure nobody's watching as you all slip out the front door, and they are going to go off back towards the festival. You all head towards the residences on the other end of town. You make it to your cottage. Everything seems to be just as you left it. The bacon's package is still on your bed... 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Perfect, you know me so well. [Tim laughs]


Timothy (DM)  

What are you doing?


Russell (Upri)  

Up here just has... Fern, nothing else really. [laughs]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Yonce is kind of at this point, like, all need to partying is done, like, very concerned about his big sis, especially, like, hearing the word "tribute" so... there's a lot of nervous energy now coming from Yonce.


Helen (Panret)  

Panret can tell that Yonce is very nervous and is going to try to reassure them a little bit and so Panret says, "Well, I want you two to know, you know, again, that nothing happens here unless someone agrees to it and, you know, volunteers to it. I can't imagine, you know, that anything really bad... I mean, I'm sure the Steward meant something else... [breathes in] something else by this, you know? It's just a little charcoal, right? 


Russell (Upri)  

Upri's gonna start trying to get it off. [Helen laughs]


Timothy (DM)  

Alright, so you start rubbing your hands. You're kind of smearing it a little bit, but it's brushing off-- 


Russell (Upri)  

[bit tremulously] Get it off, get it off her face! 


Timothy (DM)  

You brush it off your face, you can maybe even wipe some of it on one of the beds, and you clear off your hand, clear off your face. No remnants of the charcoal are left.


Russell (Upri)  

Just to avoid confusion, y'know. 


Helen (Panret)  

Problem solved. We'll just, y'know, see... Ritt should be back any minute with a little bit more info and then we can all just relax and go back to having a good time, which is... the festival is all about celebrations, so...


Russell (Upri)  

I mean, I'm down. I cannot wait to try that elk, honestly.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Yonce's still, like, kind of nervous, but kind of feels a little bit of reassurance from Pan, so I'm going to say "All right, but the slightest bit of trouble? We're still out of here." 


Russell (Upri)  

All right, Yon. You got a deal.


Helen (Panret)  

That's fair. I understand if you don't feel comfortable here anymore. 


Timothy (DM)  

And so you all wait? 


Helen (Panret)  

Wait for Ritt. 


Russell (Upri)  

Yeah, and relax a bit.


Helen (Panret)  

Yeah. 


Timothy (DM)  

Alright, so you wait around in your cabin for a little while. You can still hear, like, the music and the drums on the other side of town. The party is still going, and you wait 10-15 minutes, and you hear a knock on your door.


Russell (Upri)  

Come in. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

"It-it's just me, Ritt." and they open the door and they walk in. "Okay, I cleared everything up with the Steward. Little misunderstanding. For some reason, she thought that you were dying? That's why you had come here. 


Russell (Upri)  

Ohhh...did she say why she thought I was dyin'?


Timothy (Ritt)  

Umm, I think she just like misinterpreted some signs?


Russell (Upri)  

[apprehensively] Okay.... 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Just, I don't know! 


Russell (Upri)  

Did she say what sort of signs? 


Timothy (Ritt)  

But, but yeah! No, it's all cleared up now, and you're no longer considered the Tribute. It should all be fine. We are just going to have our regular feast, and that'll be the end of the festival.


Russell (Upri)  

[completely convinced] Alright, that's good enough for me. What about you, Yon?


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[not convinced at all] Do I believe this story?


Timothy (DM)  

Give me in Insight. 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I've been rolling good for Insight, so... heh-heh, 19. 


Timothy (DM)  

They're telling the truth. 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[shocked] Oh... 


Timothy (DM)  

They don't seem to have any signs of lying to you or deceiving you.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I'm going to look at Ritt and be like, "Alright, I'm sorry I got a little worked up. I'm just... [looking at Upri] I really care about you; you're my big sis. So, we can stay for a little bit longer." and I put my bacon package back on the top bunk.


Russell (Upri)  

I mean, might as well bring it with you for a snack throughout the day,  y'know? 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Oh, I still have bacon in my bag, so I don't need to worry about that.


Russell (Upri)  

Oh, right.


Timothy (Ritt)  

There's still cakes and all sorts of nice goodies at the party--


Russell (Upri)  

True, true. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

So... plus, we're getting close to dinner time. Another hour, and it'll be time for the feast.


Russell (Upri)  

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about! [oomphs, and fist pumps]


Helen (Panret)  

[happily] I'm glad that we got this all sorted out.


Timothy (Ritt)  

I was a little nervous for a while. 


Russell (Upri)  

Yeah, me too. Can I have more of that, uh, special wine? 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Absolutely! Here you go! [Glug, glug, glug]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[staring at Upri] One glass. [Tim laughs] 


Russell (Upri)  

[acquiescing] One glass... [Tim laughs]


Timothy (DM)  

Um, and Ritt just drinks straight from the bottle, and then passes it to Panret. [Russell laughs]


Helen (Panret)  

Panret takes a little sip and then looks pleased with them.


Timothy (DM)  

And Ritt is, like, back to dancing, of course. [all laugh] You can, like, see that they're, like, nodding to the beat of the drums, and their, like, ears, like, being dragged off that direction, and they kind of beckon you to follow.


Helen (Panret)  

[in party mode] All right. Let's get back to the celebration!


Russell (Upri)  

I just picture Ritt like throwing a lasso on Upri.


Timothy (DM)  

Oh, yeah, just like miming lasso!  It like starts as a lasso and then turns into, like, a fish reel. [all laugh] Then they do the Lawn Mower. No, the Lawn Mower into the Sprinkler. [laughs]


Russell (Upri)  

Let's get turnt!


Helen (Panret)  

[to the audience] That's right. You can tell that everyone on this podcast was in middle school in the 2000s. [Tim laughs]


Timothy (DM)  

Oh my gosh, yes.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I legitimately had to do the math for a second. I'm like "I'm 30, so..."


Helen (Panret)  

Those were the dance moves. [Kendrick laughs]


Timothy (DM)  

Y-yeah! Oh, gosh. I was not cool, so... I'm still not cool.


Helen (Panret)  

Whatttt? 


Timothy (DM)  

Anyways, we're gonna go dance. It doesn't matter. Because... it doesn't matter. We're feeling our feels.


Helen (Panret)  

That's what I would call a Rittism. [Kendrick and Tim laugh] 


Kendrick (Yonce)  

Yeah, that definitely something-- 


Helen (Panret)  

"It doesn't matter because it does matter."


Russell (Upri)  

I do like that.


Timothy (Ritt)  

Rittisms, I like that. [Helen laughs] We should start using that, Panret? 


Helen (Panret)  

Yeah, totally. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

How are you visions, Upri? Like.. [sigh] are they better this time? 


Russell (Upri)  

I don't think I've gotten any yet. 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Oh, interesting. Well, they'll kick in eventually.


Russell (Upri)  

Are you seeing shit? 


Timothy (Ritt)  

[very chill] Oh, yeahhhh. [all laugh]


Russell (Upri)  

Well, fuck. Maybe... No, it's not a bad batch if you see shit. I don't see anything!


Timothy (Ritt)  

No. I mean, you may just, um... you had a lot earlier. So, like, maybe... 


Russell (Upri)  

You think I need another? 


Timothy (Ritt)  

Yeah, that sounds right. Hey, go. [Glug, glug, glug, glug.] [Helen laughs]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I'm, like, looking and I'm annoyed. I'm jus,t like, "whatever" at this point. Things seem to be relatively solved, so I'm trying to get back into dancing, but I am still keeping a watchful eye. 


Russell (Upri)  

Can we go back to the maypole?


Timothy (DM)  

Yeah, so you all make your way back to the maypole. There's more dancing, there's more cakes, there's more drinks and tea and the sun is still out, and it's warm and lovely. There's more flowers. You're given a second wreath of flowers upon re-entering the festival area. 


Helen (Panret)  

This is the best Panret has ever smelled. [all laugh]


Timothy (DM)  

And you have a lovely afternoon! No other interesting events-- 


Russell (Upri)  

No visions? Like none at all?


Timothy (DM)  

Um, you have your visions, they kind of ebb and flow. You get a couple, like, more, of, like, the hand on your wrist just continues to come back, but it's, like, less aggressive than before. It seems to fade out more quickly. It doesn't like burn into your mind like it did last time, but then the rest of your visions are all kind of mundane, and like an hour or so later, people start to filter back towards the center of town, where a long table has been put out and is set with the feast. The Steward approaches you again and ushers you all to the head of the table. 


Russell (Upri)  

Oh! 


Timothy (The Steward)  

As our guests, um, you may--


Russell (Upri)  

[butting in] And winners of the Hunt!


Timothy (The Steward)  

"--and our champions, absolutely." and motions to the head of the table for the four of you to sit at.


Russell (Upri)  

"Don't mind if I do, Stew." and Upri just goes, like, right ahead of everybody and sits down, doesn't wait. [Helen laughs]


Kendrick (Yonce)  

I say to the Steward "I'm sorry that... about earlier. I just heard, overheard some people talking about a tribune. Ritt told us that was a mistake, so my apologies."


Timothy (The Steward)  

Ah, yes. All just a misunderstanding.


Russell (Upri)  

Yeah, speaking on that, why in the hell did you think I'm dyin'?


Timothy (The Steward)  

Sometimes, the Goddess speaks to me, and um... well, I interpreted her signs wrong. 


Russell (Upri)  

[meekly] All right.


Helen (Panret)  

That's okay. Everybody makes mistakes. 


Russell (Upri)  

[slightly mocking] Yeah, everybody "almost" accidentally chooses the wrong sacrifice sometimes.


Timothy (DM)  

And she sits down next to you at the table. 


Russell (Upri)  

Oh, noooo... [Tim laughs] I mean, "Oh, hey, Stew..."


Timothy (DM)  

[playfully] What's wrong with that? So, as you settle into the table, people start to pass around dishes, and everybody starts putting things on their plates. They kind of do that thing where everybody picks up a dish, put somebody on their plate, passes it down, and it kind of does that cycle all around the table. As that's all kind of finishing up, people have drinks, people have food, the Steward takes a utensil and starts to hit it on a glass. 


Timothy (The Steward)  

Alright, I would like to thank everybody for joining us here today to celebrate the Goddess. This is the most revered holiday in the year of Ilrune, and it is our opportunity to live life in our finest, to embrace every aspect of it, but also to remember the Cycle. We all come from the earth, and we all must return to it eventually, and that relationship with nature is what sustains us, and we sustain it. It is all one symbiotic relationship, and we are pleased to be a part of it. I want to thank you all for your contributions over the past year to our community, and the Goddess thanks you as well. She shines upon you all. Well... enjoy!


Helen (Panret)  

Panret is the only person who's... does, like, a little clap after the Steward stops talking. [Kendrick laughs]


Timothy (DM)  

And everyone starts eating. 


Russell (Upri)  

Here here! Sip sip.


Helen (Panret)  

Crunch crunch


Kendrick (Yonce)  

 Nom nom nom. Munch munch.


Timothy (DM)  

So, you all start enjoying this lovely meal. It is so indulgent and rich and heavy. There's so many, like, salty, fatty, wonderful dishes. Everything's packed with flavor. Everything is made with such care. And you have a lovely dinner.


Russell (Upri)  

Cool. 


Helen (Panret)  

Now that is what I call a celebration of living.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

The food was pretty good. I have to admit that.


Timothy (The Steward)  

And as everybody's kind of settling back down to their seats, kinda leaning back in their chairs, the Steward turns to you Upri, and she places her left hand on your wrist. "I'm so glad you came here, Upri."


Russell (Upri)  

Oh, thanks, Stew. Me too.


Timothy (The Steward)  

But you know... [sighs] I told Ritt a little bit of fib earlier.


Russell (Upri)  

W-what do you mean?


Timothy (The Steward)  

[without emotion] You're not leaving. 


Russell (Upri)  

[breathlessly] What? 


Timothy (DM)  

And you feel the grip on your wrist tighten.


Russell (Upri)  

Upri's gonna try to get up and grab Fern, which is next to her on the ground.


Timothy (DM)  

All right, give me a contested Strength. 


Russell (Upri)  

19. 


Timothy (DM)  

All right. So, you break your wrist away, pull it away--


Russell (Upri)  

[quickly] Yon, we're goin' 


Timothy (DM)  

You turn around, and you see there are two robed figures-- 


Russell (Upri)  

[dismayed] Shit.


Timothy (DM)  

--that have been approaching from the village that are now behind you, and they go to grab you.


Russell (Upri)  

[with determination] Rage. [shouting to the sky] Hoo-weeEEH!


Timothy (DM)  

And that's where we'll end the session.


Kendrick (Yonce)  

[laughing] I knew not to trust that nitwit... [Tim laughs maniacally]


Helen (Panret)  

As soon as you said "She puts her hand on you, and we were all like--"


Timothy (DM)  

[mockingly] "NooOOOooOOOoo." [Helen and Kendrick laugh mirthfully] 


Timothy (DM)  

And that is where we will put a pause on today's story. Thank you all for joining us for a plunge into the abyss. I hope you all enjoyed this episode of Shadows of Prophecy. Join us next time to find out what becomes our unfortunate players in this most dreadful act.


Timothy (DM)  

Shout out to my brother known as the chill electronic vapor soul artist, LUSQ, for writing our chillingly epic theme song; editing by Scrubcast; and a big shout out to Syrinscape for some amazing atmosphere and music. Make sure you check them out at syrinscape.com. I always use them at my game table, and it adds that little something special to bring your players into the story. Also, please follow us on Twitter @ShadowsProphecy and Instagram at shadows_of_prophecy. And hey, show us some support by becoming one of our fabulous patrons at patreon.com/shadowsofprophecy, where you can get access to bonus content like handouts, encounter maps, and even adventure guides to run your own horrific campaigns or one-shots. And at the very least, give us a five star review on your podcast platform of choice. This is how we get the word out about our podcast and we love sharing it with you all. Thank you, and tune in next time for more tales of dread and despair at Shadows of Prophecy