The trio opens Arcterus’s mystery pouch and the end of a strange day becomes even stranger.
Rou and Eight return to the inn, carrying with them a velvet pouch and a scroll with a broken seal. They discuss the nuances of wolf pack behaviors and speculate how Arthas’s interview with Professor Whitmire went. When the group is together again, they discover the pouch contains a one-way communication device.
Rou attempts to contact anyone that might be at the other end, informing the listener of Arcterus’s fate and that they will be the owners of the device. When they read the scroll, they realize the connection it has to the brooch and Rou immediately fears he has committed a social faux pas.
Just as they begin to relax, a familiar figure wanders into the inn.
Follow Dax @GM_Dax, Kappa @TheKappaChris, and Wren @ThornyDryad
Transcript by Wren
Upbeat piano intro music ends [00:27]
Soft piano music begins [00:29]
Kappa (as Rou): Hello, this is Rou and you're listening to Roads Uncharted. Last episode, there was a bit of espionage. A bit of reconnaissance, if you will. After our conversation with Arcterus, we successfully found his old office. Fortunately, there was a new professor moving in: the first one in 100 years! Professor Blossom. After some "convincing", quote unquote, Professor Blossom allowed us to investigate and pull some materials. Whether he knew about those materials or not is none of our concern. And so, we're about to investigate those materials once we meet up with Arthas back at the inn.
Dax: So, Eight and Rou, you have dashed from the lower levels of the university. At what point do you start to slow down and act casual again? Or do you dash all the way to the inn? You tell me. What's going on with you two?
Kappa: I would definitely stop and catch my breath before hitting any major crowds to avoid attracting, not necessarily any unwanted attention, but extra attention.
Wren: I will be following friend Rou's lead, so when I see him slowing down, I will mirror that action, as well.
Kappa (as Rou): Okay, Eight. Hoo, I don't do very much running. So, we have the stuff. All we need to do is – I don't know why I'm acting like this is some sort of "super illicit, everyone's coming after us" type of situation. No one really knows what's in the bag. Or is looking for it. It's a normal day. We're walking through a crowd and we’re making our way back to the inn. There's no reason – no such reason to act as though we're doing anything illicit.
Wren (as Eight): Illicit, no? And we have been here in Kidohlva for at least a week. If anyone was going to give us difficulties we more than likely would have run into them at this point. After all, we did run into those hooligans when we were in the port city all those weeks back and they gave you quite the bit of trouble. So, hopefully we don't run into the same thing here!
Kappa (as Rou): That's right, Azarra. I don't believe I ever told you – I don't believe I told you why they were harassing me.
Wren (as Eight): I believed it was just because they were afraid of an outsider.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh, well, that could be true. That could be true, too. But there's a very important underlying reason that only I was able to pick up. Walk and talk.
Wren (as Eight): Yes, more cardio. Apparently, you need it.
Kappa (as Rou): Um, yes. I don't know if that was an insult...anyway.
Wren (as Eight): I'm simply repeating what you said!
Kappa (as Rou): Yes, yes, which is why I am not sure. Arriving in Azarra you found that I was being harassed by some dudes. Some nasty individuals. They seemed very territorial and they gave me quite a bit of trouble, just for existing! Just for being in the same city as themselves. And that's because…
Kappa: And I lean in, every so slightly.
Kappa (as Rou): Because wolves are quite territorial. They can sense when one not of their own pack is in their territory, the instinct there is to drive the intruder out.
Wren: As we're walking and you're telling me this, my facial expression goes from brows furrowed, my head cocked, listening to you whispering or speaking softly in my ear. And my eyes will gradually brighten and my eyebrows will arc as I put those sentences together and discern what you mean.
Wren (as Eight): Wait, you mean to tell me that- you mean to tell me that all along they were also...shifters?
Kappa (as Rou): Yes, yes indeed. Quite so.
Wren (as Eight): Oh…
Kappa (as Rou): They were just trying to protect their pack and their territory. Something strange, some new threat to the area, could be cause for warning. Now, granted they could have just talked to me and realized that I am not here to steal their land or whatever ill-intent wolves are ought do.
Wren (as Eight): And of course you would not even know what that is! Because you are not an ill-intenting...intented? You do not have ill intentions.
Kappa (as Rou): No, no. Absolutely not. Never. 100%. Well, at least in that instance, I was just visiting. I was just passing through and it was more of a warning. It is very easy to slip from more of a warning to something a bit more dire.
Wren (as Eight): I see. Perhaps we should work on developing some sort of...
Wren: And I make a strange hand motion where I twist my fingers in weird, contorted positions.
Wren (as Eight): Call sign? Or some sort of signal that can indicate that we are talking to shifters, without drawing attention to that fact to the wider public.
Wren: And I do, like, a half circle in an arc with my two hands.
Wren (as Eight): As a way that I can understand the stakes and we can make sure that we handle the situation with delicacy.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh, I never considered that. Um, that's very good. I don't think I can do the finger-thing that you just did. My fingers don't move in that fashion.
Wren (as Eight): Oh, I was not indicating that to be the signal. I was just moving my fingers in a way that I thought mirrored secret handshakes or covert finger movements that humans might create.
Kappa (as Rou): Mmm, I see, I see. I don't think that some sort of somatic indication will work very well. Like, if we bust out a secret handshake in the middle of a conversation with some ne'er-do-wells that are shifters, they'd obviously notice something. Maybe something more verbal? I'll say something in conversation either with you or with them that does not seem to pertain to the situation at hand. But we would know. You and I and, potentially, Arthas, would know that the stakes do involve shifters, as you say.
Wren (as Eight): Ah, yes. Like a code word.
Kappa (as Rou): A code word, yes!
Wren (as Eight): Or a phrase!
Kappa (as Rou): A phrase, hmm.
Wren (as Eight): We shall have to pose this to Arthas once we get inside.
Wren: And I will pretend that, at this point, the Silver Pearl is looming up in front of us as we're coming to the conclusion of this walk and talk.
Dax: You? You as in Eight will pretend that the Silver Pearl is there?
Wren: I, as in Wren, will pretend that the Silver Pearl is now here. And Eight will say...
Wren (as Eight): Oh, look! We have arrived at our destination.
Kappa (as Rou): Perfect! I wonder if Arthas is inside. What has Arthas been up to?
Wren (as Eight): I'm not entirely certain. I do know that he was talking with an interested professor. But if there was anything beyond that, I would not know it.
Dax: Alright. So, Eight and Rou, you open the doors to the Silver Pearl and Arthas has not arrived yet. But you can see Beverly cleaning up and setting things up by the bartop. She's setting out some bowls and things. Little nuts and dried fruits and things. She nods when she sees you coming through the door but doesn't really do much more than that. Just keeps to her tasks.
Kappa: Upon entering...
Kappa (as Rou): Hello, Beverly. Oh, do you require any assistance?
Dax (as Beverly): Nope, nope, nope. You just stay there. You do what you're supposed to do. You're the guest here. Not-not- you're not an employee now.
Dax: And she wags a finger at you as she gives you a little bit of a smile.
Dax (as Beverly): Rou, just sit down. Can I get you a drink? Eight, would you... Rou, can I get you a drink?
Kappa: I will look over at Eight with an amused smile and then look back over to Beverly.
Kappa (as Rou): I may not be an employee, but I am a courteous person. I just thought that I would offer. Just water. Maybe tea? Tea! Tea sounds delicious right now.
Wren (as Eight): [softly] I would -
Dax: She nods and heads into the back where the kitchen is.
Wren (as Eight): I was going to ask her for mineral water, but I suppose I can wait.
Kappa (as Rou): [loudly] Beverly! Mineral water, please, as well!
Wren (as Eight): Thank you, friend.
Kappa (as Rou): Of course.
Dax: Do you two take a seat at a table? Do you sit at the bar?
Kappa: We'll sit at a table.
Kappa (as Rou): So, Eight, really quick. Mineral water? Is it just water with any sort of rock in it? Can I put salt in there and have it count as mineral water?
Wren (as Eight): Oh, no. That would be salt water.
Kappa (as Rou): But salt is a mineral, is it not?
Wren (as Eight): I suppose in the most basic sense, yes. But mineral water, from my understanding, is water that travels through a deposit of various minerals or a rock formation and comes out fortified with various aspects to its composition that make it perfect for my body structure.
Kappa (as Rou): So what if the water passed through a bunch of salt rocks and dissolved salt into itself? Is that not...
Wren (as Eight): That would be salt water, yes.
Kappa (as Rou): Still salt water? Okay.
Wren (as Eight): Yes. There is salt in it. Therefore, it is salt water. Yes.
Kappa (as Rou): Mmm. Okay. And water from the beach does not count as mineral water, either, even though it is -
Wren (as Eight): Oh no. Sand holds nothing useful.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh, not even a little bit useful, sand?
Wren (as Eight): I supposed in some of the stories I've read, pirates would bury, quote, “treasure” under the sand. Which, I suppose, in a roundabout way, would make sand hold treasure. But that is not minerals. That is not anything truly useful.
Kappa (as Rou): Hmm, okay. Sorry, I just – it struck me as odd. An odd thought struck my mind when you specifically asked for mineral water.
Wren (as Eight): Well, I have been making due with ale, wine, water, juices and other types of consumptive beverages. But I figured that it was time that I should consider fortifying my own body structure.
Kappa (as Rou): And you can taste all of that, right?
Wren (as Eight): Oh no.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh no, okay.
Wren (as Eight): But I can detect -
Kappa (as Rou): But you can detect it! That's sort of like tasting, is it not?
Wren (as Eight): I suppose. In a sense.
Kappa (as Rou): Like, if I drank a glass full of rosemary or whatever, I would be able to detect that. Albeit, in my own way, as my tongue detects taste. But you would also be able to detect that. But you wouldn't necessarily have the flavor. You would just know that it's rosemary.
Wren (as Eight): I would know the chemical composition of the water. Or the liquid that it is dissolved in. So, every herb, poison, mineral has a different chemical composition. In a way, I suppose I would be able to detect rosemary. Though I detect it at it's most basic levels. Not in the same way you do. I would know the combination to be that of rosemary, or brown mushroom, or essence of poultry. That kind of thing. Whereas you would know it as mushroom water, rosemary-steeped tea, or chicken bouillon.
Kappa (as Rou): Mmm, chicken bouillon does sound really good. Maybe we might have that for dinner.
Music shifts to a plucky string [14:12]
Dax: It is about this time that Beverly arrives at the table with a glass of mineral water and a pot of steaming hot water and some loose-leaf tea in a strainer and an empty mug for you, Rou. All of the accouterments you would need for tea. She also brings over a bowl of nuts and as she is setting things on the table, the door opens and in comes Arthas.
Kappa (as Rou): Cheers, Beverly.
Wren (as Eight): Cheers!
Wren: And I mimic whatever motion Rou has made with his glass.
Dax: She nods.
Kappa: Well, I'm pouring tea.
Wren: Oh, then I'm not mimicking that!
[Dax and Wren snicker]
Wren: I hold the glass up.
Wren (as Eight): Cheers!
Dax: She nods at the both of you. Out of curiosity, Arthas, is there something… do you consistently get the same drink whenever you are offered? I should have asked all of you, because you have been at this inn long enough that if there was something that you consistently ask for, Beverly probably would have brought it to you.
Neil: That's a great point. I didn't think of that.
Dax: I didn't either, obviously. So, Arthas, is there something that you'd normally ask for?
Neil: Oh, just water.
Dax: Okay. So, when Beverly sees you walking in she would nod and go,
Dax (as Beverly): Do you want some water, Arthas, as well?
Neil (as Arthas): Please.
Dax: She goes back.
Kappa (as Rou): Arthas!
Neil (as Arthas): Hello hello hello!
Kappa (as Rou): We were just waiting for you! Here, take a seat!
Neil: I do so.
Wren (as Eight): How was your interrogation, Simply Arthas?
Neil (as Arthas): Informative!
Kappa (as Rou): Wait, you were - I thought you just talked to a professor. I didn't realize you were interrogating them.
Neil (as Arthas): Oh, yes. I was talking.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh, okay.
Neil (as Arthas): Less, uh…less in the actual interrogative way. How was your adventure?
Kappa (as Rou): Also, quite exciting. We did uncover a few things, but we can get to that later.
Wren (as Eight): I was going to say that it was slightly bittersweet. We said "goodbye" to our good friend, Arcterus, who, to our knowledge, is to be terminated of his existence.
Neil (as Arthas): Oh.
Kappa (as Rou): But it's something that Arcterus wants. It is the next stage in his journey.
Wren (as Eight): The termination is of his own desire.
Neil (as Arthas): Okay, that's better, I suppose. I suppose I’m glad it’s what he wants.
Wren: I nod my head in agreement.
Wren (as Eight): Yes.
Wren: I take a sip of my mineral water.
[Wren makes a loud slurping noise]
Wren (as Eight): Ah, fortifying.
Neil: I...where is the box that you guys brought? Is it on the table?
Kappa: It’s not a box, it’s a satchel and yes, it is on the table.
Neil: I gesture towards it.
Neil (as Arthas): What’s in the satchel?
Kappa (as Rou): Well that’s what we were waiting for you for. We wanted to find out with you here as well. Find out together.
Neil (as Arthas): Ah..
Wren (as Eight): As a team.
Kappa (as Rou): So, before we parted ways with Arcterus…
Kappa: And leaning in just ever so slightly. Not to draw any attention but just as this is more important information.
Kappa (as Rou): So, before we parted ways with Arcterus, he informed me of a secret compartment in his office desk. Which contained…something…that would help us on our way. I’m not sure what it is, he was being very clandestine about it. And today, after our conversation with Arcterus, we went over to his old office and retrieved it. Retrieved the contents of the false bottom drawer that he referenced. So here we are, and I don’t know what to expect.
Neil (as Arthas): Did he give you any hints?
Kappa: I’m shaking my head no.
Kappa (as Rou): And when I asked him again, he was just as mysterious as the first time.
Neil (as Arthas): Eerie…
Kappa (as Rou): I know, right? Well, okay. No point in delaying it.
Kappa: I slide the pouch towards the center. Is it like a flap? Or do I have to untie it, or -
Dax: It's one of those drawstring, velvet pouches.
Kappa: Okay. So, I am going to undo the string and looking over at Eight and Arthas...
Kappa (as Rou): Okay, are you ready?
Kappa: Undo and open up the satchel. And reach inside if there's anything to grab and then slide- basically, what I'm doing is holding whatever I grab in place and sliding the pouch away.
Dax: Sure. I will say that as you're reaching into the pouch, that is when Beverly walks over, drops off the mug of water and retreats back to the kitchen. When your hand goes into the pouch, the first thing you touch is something slightly sharp. It doesn't prick you but you can tell that there are rough edges to it. When you draw it out of the pouch you find that what's in your hand is a brooch. A silver brooch intertwined with rose gold filigree, sapphires and emeralds.
Kappa (as Rou): It certainly is shiny.
Wren (as Eight): You don't suppose he stole it, do you?
Kappa (as Rou): I'm not sure. To be honest, I was expecting some sort of sword or something with more utility.
Wren (as Eight): Wait, friend Rou, were you expecting an entire sword to fit in that small satchel?
Kappa (as Rou): I don't know! I thought it would be a magic sword that you could pull out of a small bag or something!
Neil (as Arthas): It could have been a very small sword.
Kappa (as Rou): Or a very small sword! A knife or something.
Wren (as Eight): That is true. We did see a sword that belonged to a Sciuren which was no more than a toothpick in size.
Kappa (as Rou): But we have this...what would you call this? A clasp? An ornament?
Wren (as Eight): I believe it is more of a decorative pin.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh, a pin, yes! Oh! Do you think this is magical?
Wren (as Eight): I would have no way of knowing.
Kappa: I am going to gingerly pick it up and hold it up to everyone and rotate it around.
Kappa (as Rou): I don't know if I'm supposed to be able to feel magic in this thing.
Wren (as Eight): In my experience, I find it difficult to feel much of anything. So, I would not be able to coach you on this. It certainly looks normal.
Kappa (as Rou): If not a little bit extravagant. It's so shiny! It's got jewels and it's got this shiny metal.
Wren (as Eight): Arcterus said this would assist us in our quest. I'm curious how he believes that would work.
Kappa: I'm going to hand it over to you, Eight, and then I'm going to grab the pouch, look inside and see if there are any secret pockets or turn it inside out or something.
Dax: No, that was the only thing in the pouch is the brooch.
Kappa: Not even an instruction manual? Or anything? Maybe, like, a tag? You know, the pin of invisibility or the pin of growing really, really, tall.
Kappa (as Rou): Arthas, what do you make of this? Have you seen something like this before?
Neil (as Arthas): Several times, but not like this design, I suppose. Should...should we put it on?
Kappa (as Rou): Maybe, perhaps.
Wren: GM, I would like to ask a silly question.
Dax: Ask away! You don't have to ask to ask, just ask.
Wren: Is there any method by which I can identify if this is magical or not?
Dax: So, that's what I'm double checking right now, because I forgot to write that down. Does anybody have any Arcana ranks?
Wren: I sure do!
Dax: Then, Eight, you can try to discern what this is.
Wren: Alright, what's the difficulty on that check?
Dax: Well, gee, don't sound so – go ahead and make this Medium difficulty!
Wren: Two whole purple dice!
[dice rolling]
Wren: That's two Success and one Threat.
Dax: Okay, so, what does this look like?
Music shifts to a mysterious melody [23:19]
Wren: Everyone's talking about this decorative pin and Rou has handed it to me. I have it gingerly between my thumb and forefinger as I am kind of holding one of the outer edges of the metal filigrees. And after a few moments, I put it down on the table between everyone and I just, kind of, take my hands and put them together on the table flat, so that I make a little triangle with my fingers.
So my thumbs are together and my forefingers are together as Arthas and Rou are discussing some of the pieces that Arthas has seen before, I will stare into it and I just let my mind go blank as everyone is talking around me. The sound, which I started listening to gradually becomes more muffled and distorted, kind of like I am just tuning it out and it is droning into the air around me.
It gradually turns into this high-pitched ringing noise and the brilliance of the brooch also grows and escalates until that silver becomes really shiny, the sapphires are just dazzlingly blue. The emeralds are as verdant as the ocean waves. And then, suddenly, it all just snaps [snaps fingers] back to silence. I shake my head and I have an idea of what this thing may or may not be capable of.
Music shifts back to plucky strings [25:19]
Dax: Sure. I will say that with your Threat, take a strain for it, because this is a spell that you haven't done yet. You are not sure how you were able to do it. So, it just took a little bit of a toll on you. As you finish your spell and the aura around this item reveals itself to you, you learn that it has something to do with communication. It acts kind of like a sending stone, but a one-way sending stone. You learn that, um, if you or anybody who wants to use it spends some time meditating with this object, it will attune itself to you and the wearer can communicate with the person that it's attuned to.
Wren (as Eight): Oh!
Wren: As I shake my head.
Wren (as Eight): Friends, friends! Hold on just a moment! I apologize for interrupting your course of conversation, but...
Kappa (as Rou): Oh, no. I was just telling Arthas about how we placed that box in the other professor's office and then ran.
Wren (as Eight): Hah. Yes. We practically joked all over that professor.
Kappa (as Rou): Yes! [chuckles] So...your idea?
Wren (as Eight): This...
Wren: And I will take the brooch and I will actually reach forward and find a place on Rou's lapel and I will clip it.
Wren (as Eight): Is a special communication device!
Kappa (as Rou): Oh, very cool! How does it work? Do I just talk into it? Hello?
Wren (as Eight): Do not ask me how this came to me -
Kappa (as Rou): I wasn't going to.
Wren (as Eight): But we can ask a common ally to spend some time with this decorative piece to become synced with it. And once they become synced, it is possible for the wearer to communicate directly with this individual. However, it is of note that this is a one-way form of communication. So clarity in your dialogue is of utmost importance.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh, I see. Okay. So, for example, if I am wearing it and, let's say, you or Arthas are synced to it...all the way across town interrogating a professor, I could be like, "Hello, Eight or Arthas, I am heading back to the inn. Would you like any mineral water or water?" And you would understand that, but I would not be able to hear any response?
Wren (as Eight): That is my understanding and, therefore, your question would be questionable in and of itself as you would not be able to obtain a response.
Kappa (as Rou): Mhmm, Mhmm. I would get those things for you, anyway.
Wren (as Eight): You are most polite. It is of note that Arthas was the one being interrogated today.
Dax: So, mechanically, this item is a magic item and once per session you can use it to communicate for as long as you wish.
Kappa: [whispers] Fun!
Dax: You will just never hear a response. It's a one-way thing. But it does have to be activated and if you end the activation, that is it for the session.
Kappa (as Rou): So, Arcterus was not wrong in saying that this would be useful. I appreciate the gift for our party. But I will say, he made it seem like it was something much more...I don't know. Much more worthy of secretiveness? You know?
Wren: I fold my hands on the table, my fingers interlacing.
Wren (as Eight): Perhaps...perhaps Arcterus did steal this from the university?
Kappa (as Rou): Oh. Oh!
Kappa: I'm going to remove the brooch and, sort of, palm it. Put it back on the table. Put a napkin over it.
Kappa (as Rou): I see. Maybe something we don't want to proudly display while we're here in Kidohlva. Maybe we can pin it to the inside of someone's pants?
Wren (as Eight): That is a worthwhile thought. I must question, though: Arcterus does not seem like he was a man of many friends or acquaintances. I wonder with whom he intended to communicate?
Kappa (as Rou): Do you think they're still synced with it?
Wren (as Eight): It is possible.
Kappa (as Rou): They can't listen to us, so that's not a whole thing. Do you think I would have to know who I'm talking to in order to send a message to them?
Wren (as Eight): I am not 100% certain.
Kappa (as Rou): Also, it's been 100 years.
Wren (as Eight): I believe it would be in our best interest to send the message before we sync someone new, if we really would like to try to meet with this person that may or may not have been Arcterus' companion.
Kappa (as Rou): Or maybe just send a courtesy message to let them know that Arcterus is not the other end of this device. You know, so they won't be waiting or holding out for a message.
Wren: My eyes go soft and dim.
Music shifts to a melancholy melody [30:47]
Wren (as Eight): That is such a polite and charming way to handle this situation!
Kappa (as Rou): I mean, Arcterus didn't have time to let anyone know the circumstances of his… fate. They were very sudden and unexpected. He doesn't seem like the type of person to be like, "Hello, friend. I am doing some potentially dangerous things and don't know where I will end up for the next 100 years! Don't expect anything from me."
Wren (as Eight): No one ever expects to be teleported into solid rock. A thought occurs...perhaps it was not the brooch itself that Arcterus thought would be useful, but, as you suggest, the person on the other end?
Kappa (as Rou): I did not think of that! Do you think there is any way of trying to find out who is on the other side of this thing through magical means?
Wren: I fall into a stony silence for a long time. Awkward pause?
Kappa: With the awkward pause, I will uncover the brooch from underneath the napkin and pick it up. I'll pin it on and speak into it, activating its use for this session.
Kappa (as Rou): Hello? Uhhhh, if you are a friend of Arcterus, just know that Arcterus won't be using this brooch anymore. It's not bad! It's actually quite good. He has gifted this to us, this device to us, for use in our travels! I hope you would like to know that Arcterus is moving on from this mortal coil. His choice! Not a punishment! And, rest assured, he has given this brooch to us in good faith. I realize that sounds a little bit suspicious, but, trust me, there is no reason, no motivation for us to deceive you. Whoever you are.
Wren (as Eight): Oh, oh, that's good! Now tell them the part where Arcterus is to be terminated.
Kappa (as Rou): I thought I just did? He's moving on from this mortal coil.
Wren (as Eight): Oh, your flowery prose confused me.
Kappa (as Rou): Yes. I did not want to say that Arcterus is effectively dying a second time.
Kappa: This is all going into the brooch, as well.
Kappa (as Rou): He said that this would be quite useful – the brooch would be quite useful – in our travels. Perhaps it is not just the brooch, but it could be you on the other side of this. But we have no way of knowing. So, if you have some sort of wizard or sorcerer that could potentially send us a message back and let us know if you could help, please do. Because we don't...have those means. Thank you and good night. If it's night where you are...
Kappa: I'll remove the brooch, put it back on the table, napkin back over it. Look over at Arthas and Eight, a little bit unsure...
Kappa (as Rou): Do you think that was good? Do you think that went well?
Neil (as Arthas): I think you couldn't have put it better.
Kappa (as Rou): Thank you, Arthas.
Music returns to the plucky string [35:01]
Wren (as Eight): I probably would have mentioned how we rescued friend Arcterus from the stony prison in which he was entombed. But, I believe, all in all that was a 9 out of 10 message.
Kappa (as Rou): I thought of that, you know. I really did think of that, but I didn't want to have to, you know, go on- explaining it would have gone on for way too long. Like, absolutely, just, a whole ordeal. This person would be getting a message in the middle of the day or night, wherever they are. Maybe doesn't have the time to listen to a whole several minute explanation of why Arcterus is not coming to the phone right now.
Wren (as Eight): That's a good point. Then I will amend my score to a 9.5 out of 10.
Kappa (as Rou): Ah, yes! 9.5?
Wren (as Eight): Yes. It was still a trifle long.
Kappa (as Rou): Mmm, that's what I was worried about.
Kappa: We didn't get anything else from Arcterus' office, right? Just the pouch?
Dax: You have the pouch and a scroll.
Kappa: And a scroll, that's right!
Wren: Tell me that the scroll is just instructions.
Kappa: Yeah, I'll – [laughing] – I'll take the scroll. Is it a scroll, right? Or is it a scroll case?
Dax: It's a scroll.
Kappa: A scroll, okay.
Dax: The wax seal has already been broken.
Kappa: Oh, that's right. Okay.
Kappa (as Rou): And this might be a little bit more interesting, perhaps?
Kappa: I'll show it to Arthas. I'm going to read it now.
Dax: So, you open up the scroll and find that it's a letter addressed to Arcterus. It says:
Kappa: Ooh!
Dax: It says:
"Arcterus, I am writing to offer you a chance for fame and fortune. For years, I've offered you opportunities and yet you've always passed them up. However, if you take me up on this one, I promise you will never regret it. I need you to get that transporter that is locked in the recesses of the university. If you can meet me in Azarra on the final day of Sumanin, we can hop on an airship and hide in Baukora. Nobody will find us and my guaranteed buyer will make sure that we are well cared for for the rest of our days. If I do not see you at the docks on that day, I'll know that you have decided to pass this up and that you no longer wish to do business. If that is your wish, accept this as a gift to remember me by. Yours truly, Erdir."
Kappa: I am going to roll the scroll back up. And kind of bow my head a little bit.
Kappa (as Rou): We really should have read the scroll first.
Wren (as Eight): Oh no, have we committed a social faux pas?
Kappa (as Rou): Potentially. We have potentially committed a social faux pas. With any luck, Erdir is dead.
Wren (as Eight): How would that be fortunate?!
Kappa (as Rou): Then our social faux pas would not have landed on any ears to turn it into a social faux pas. It's just us talking into the wind.
Neil (as Arthas): We should simply leave an additional message, explaining everything.
Kappa (as Rou): I don't believe I can do that until later.
Neil (as Arthas): Then we will wait until later.
Wren (as Eight): Agreed, Arthas. That is an excellent suggestion. Rou, I am surprised that you would rather someone be dead than apologize for a potential faux pas.
Kappa (as Rou): Well, it's been 100 years!
Wren (as Eight): And I am sure that they have experienced a large number of sleights and rude behavior in 100 year's time. Least of all, the fact that they have not seen nor talked to their friend for 100 years.
Kappa (as Rou): This is right. This is true. I think I'd rather save myself the embarrassment. It's troubling to know that somewhere across the world, there is someone that doesn't like me based on how I've acted.
Dax: Is Rou experiencing the internet for the first time?
[Kappa laughs]
Wren (as Eight): Well, Rou, as someone who is entirely, 100% likeable, I can tell you, I would also be worried about the same thing if it happened to me.
Kappa (as Rou): Do you think, maybe, next time we try and contact this Erdir, it shouldn’t be me?
Wren (as Eight): Oh no. You are the one who committed the faux pas, so you should be the one to apologize and make amends.
Kappa (as Rou): I was afraid of that. Okay. Okay. This I will do.
Wren (as Eight): Perhaps if we can discover where this Erdir exists, we might send them an apology care package.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh, yes. With, like, mineral water or some sort of honeycomb. Maybe some nuts?
Wren (as Eight): Yes, nuts. Marshmallows. Grey paste... the works!
Kappa (as Rou): Mhmm, mhmm. Grey paste.
Neil (as Arthas): Would this be an additional social faux pas? How would we get their address?
Kappa (as Rou): Hmm, maybe we skip out on the gift basket.
Wren (as Eight): That's true. If it comes up in conversation naturally, then we may capitalize upon it. But until then, Arthas raises a great point.
Kappa (as Rou): Speaking of good points, Arthas? You spent some time talking to someone today. What was that like? What happened?
Neil (as Arthas): Strange. Very strange.
Kappa (as Rou): Strange how?
Neil (as Arthas): Well, I learned a lot about religious texts and it didn't exactly fit with what I'd known.
Wren (as Eight): Did they have incorrect knowledge with respect to your people's religion?
Neil (as Arthas): Yes.
Wren (as Eight): And beliefs?
Kappa (as Rou): I often find that religion does that.
Neil (as Arthas): Yes, it does.
Wren (as Eight): How embarrassing for the university, then.
Kappa (as Rou): Yes, I agree. Speaking of social faux pas, right?
Neil (as Arthas): Well, I went to the library and did a little digging and found out a bunch of what I believed was incorrect. Then the professor asked me a bunch of questions about me and my home life. And then I had to amend most of what was in the religious section with a bunch of what he called...
Neil: And Arthas raises his hands up for air quotes.
Neil (as Arthas): "Citated texts".
Neil: And then he lowers his arms again.
Kappa (as Rou): Well, I'm sorry that someone was rude to you in that fashion, Arthas.
Neil (as Arthas): Oh, I don't think it was meant to be rude.
Kappa (as Rou): Yes, but it was rude.
Wren (as Eight): I believe that they owe Arthas an apology basket.
Neil (as Arthas): I suppose. I wouldn't worry about it too much. They seem… bookish.
Wren (as Eight): So, correct when correct...and noticeably incorrect when erroneous.
Neil (as Arthas): Precisely.
Dax: It's at this point that the door to the inn opens. A hooded and cloaked individual walks through the door and up to the bar, seeming to pay nobody else in the establishment any mind. They sit down at one of the chairs. They knock twice on the bar table to get Beverly's attention. When she turns around, you all hear,
Dax (as the stranger): [raspy, slightly deeper tone] I need a glass of water. I'm extremely parched.
Dax: Eight and Arthas, give me a combined Adventuring check. Give it to me at Medium difficulty, please.
Wren: Arthas, I have Intelligence three.
Neil: You're going to carry this.
Wren: Do you have any ranks in Adventuring?
Neil: No.
Wren: [Laughing] Okay.
[Dice]
Neil: In all a failure.
Dax: The voice sounds familiar. But you can't place who it is. And that is where we're going to end the session.
Wren: Come on! [Laughter] I hate that.
Music fades out [43:30]
Dax: Thanks for listening! We hope you’ll join us next time but in the interim, follow us on Twitter @RoadsUncharted.
The “Roads Uncharted” podcast is GMed and produced by Dax, who you can find on Twitter @GM_Dax. We use the Genesys RPG system published by Fantasy Flight Games, and music licensed by Epidemic Sound.
Arthas, Champion of Offam, is played by Neil.
Eight is played by Wren, who also composed the music for our opening theme. Follow them on Twitter @ThornyDryad.
Rou is played by Kappa, and you can follow him on Twitter @TheKappaChris.