Eight, Rou, and Arthas enjoy a quiet evening catching up with Viktor.
Eight approaches the individual with the familiar voice, and when they offer to pay for any food and drink ordered, they learn the voice belongs to Viktor. Eight eventually convinces their acquaintance to join the group for dinner, and learns that he has suffered a loss since their parting.
At first Viktor is reluctant to share details of his past, but Rou is able to pry information from him. When Viktor professes he wants to do good, to make up for the deeds of his past, the group agrees to make him the custodian of their new communications device.
Follow Dax @GM_Dax, Kappa @TheKappaChris, and Wren @ThornyDryad
Transcript by CJ Kallevig
Upbeat piano intro ends[00:28]
Gentle piano music fades in [00:30]
Dax: Eight, Rou, and Arthas. You are sitting at a table at The Silver Pearl. Drinking your drinks, there’s a bowl of mixed nuts on the table. A stranger, hooded and cloaked, has just entered the inn and sat at the bar and asked Beverly, the innkeeper, for a glass of water. I had indicated at the end of last episode that Eight and Arthas, the voice kind of sounds familiar? But you have.. you know, doesn’t really ring a bell. There’s just some nagging nuance to it.
Kappa (as Rou): Listen, I’m just, all I’m saying is that this place is a place of study and forward thinking, you would think they’d have more of a progressive idea surrounding religion and people’s beliefs and be more accepting of them, you know? It’s.. not everything needs to have a record to be valid, you know?
Wren (as Eight): It’s accurate. Arthas, I must ask, how resistant was the professor to you correcting his erroneous beliefs?
Neil (as Arthas): Less resistant, more just curious.
Wren (as Eight): Well, I suppose that in and of itself speaks highly of the institution.
Kappa (as Rou): Well that, well there you go.
Neil (as Arthas): You’re not wrong.
Wren (as Eight): Pardon me for diverting the conversation my friends, but that cloaked individual at the bar. I feel like I might recognize them.
Wren: And I’ll turn and look at Arthas.
Wren (as Eight): Arthas, do you recognize them? I feel like this is an individual from our collective past, before we began traveling with Friend Rou.
Neil: I squint at the individual in the most innocuous, inconspicuous way I possibly can.
Dax: I mean, it’s not hard to be innocuous or inconspicuous when their back is to you.
Neil: Great point. Do I recognize them?
Dax: They’re cloaked and hooded. I’ll say no. Or rather, it’s hard to tell.
Kappa (as Rou): Was this person of the friendly persuasion?
Neil (as Arthas): I hope so. If we have met them.
Wren (as Eight): Then it seems Arthas and I are in the same boat. For I cannot recall who this person actually is, but I believe I have met them.
Kappa (as Rou): Well, think about this logically. They came in a few minutes ago, they passed by three extremely noticeable individuals. You are eleven feet tall, you’re a Warforged, I am… I’m admittedly very passable. But, the three of us combined, if they recognized you and were hostile, would have immediately done something. So at least this person is not hostile. Not necessarily friendly.
Wren (as Eight): That’s an accurate assessment, and fair to boot. Oh!
Wren: And I will tap my fingers on my upper lip.
Wren (as Eight): What is socially acceptable in this instance? Purchasing a beverage for someone who is an acquaintance?
Kappa (as Rou): Oh yes, perhaps.
Wren (as Eight): Then that is what I shall do. Pardon me friends, I have an acquaintance to catch up with.
Wren: And I will push my chair away from the table.
Kappa: I am smiling, just kind of, not, not amused but like, just a little impressed at this gumption.
Wren: The gumption.
Dax: Our baby Warforged is growing up.
Wren: I will approach the bartop, my feet clomping on the floor as I thud my way over towards it.
Wren (as Eight): Beverly! Beverly!
Wren: And I will wave a hand.
Dax (as Beverly): [femme tone] Yes, Eight?
Wren (as Eight): This individual’s drinks and food are on me. As in I will pay for them. Please do not place them on my personal being.
Wren: And I will stop as I stand next to this cloaked, hooded figure at the bartop.
Dax: Do you stand to the left or to the right?
Wren: To the right.
Dax: When you started speaking, you did notice the individual kind of sat up a little straighter. And when you and Beverly are finished having this exchange, and you comment about the food not being put on you, you do hear a deep-throated chuckle.
Dax (as Viktor): [slightly deeper masc tone] I see time has not changed you, Eight.
Wren (as Eight): I see that time has not diminished your sense of humor. You may remove your.. your hood. You are among friends here.
Dax (as Viktor): Thanks, but I’d rather not.
Wren (as Eight): Well, then you would do me the honor of reminding me who you are.
Dax: They turn their head ever so slightly to face you, and you do get a glimpse of pale skin and an ice blue eye.
Wren (as Eight): Ooohhhh, it’s you!
Dax (as Viktor): I guess I should ask where is the Elf, Jokul? Where is Rialla? Are they safe?
Wren (as Eight): Well, they have taken refuge in a very safe haven. Arthas and I have continued along on our quest. And we have made a new friend! Friend Rou.
Wren: And I will gesture towards the table.
Kappa (as Rou): Hello!
Wren (as Eight): If you would like, you may join us.
Dax: He takes a second to think about it and nods his head yes.
Wren (as Eight): Wonderful.
Dax: Once Beverly delivers his mug, he stands to follow you back to the table.
Wren: As Beverly comes to the table, or comes to the bartop, I will just say,
Wren (as Eight): Beverly, if you would, I would love a crudités and cheese platter to be delivered to the table.
Dax (as Beverly): Sure. Why not?
Wren (as Eight): I’m sorry. Is that not on the menu?
Dax (as Beverly): No, but I’m, I’m sure I can put something together.
Dax: As she turns around and goes back to the kitchen, you hear a low mumbling,
Dax (as Beverly): The hell’s a crudités?
Wren (as Eight): Wha - I saw that you had it out this morning for the session! Thank you!
Dax: You suddenly, you suddenly hear,
Dax (as Beverly): Did you mean a jam sampler?
Wren (as Eight): Yes, a jampler.
Dax (as Beverly): Okay.
Wren (as Eight): I really must consult the menu the next time I order.
Wren: And I will escort this, this person back. I don’t remember this person’s name, but I remember who they are. So, I will walk back to the table with them.
Kappa: While that was going on, I’m just going to lean over to Arthas.
Kappa (as Rou): Arthas, what are the odds that that is the person that we talked to through the brooch?
Neil (as Arthas): That’s a great idea. Should we ask?
Kappa (as Rou): I, I think we should ask. Just, just on the off chance. How, how fortunate and serendipitous would it be if that was the person on the other side of the brooch and they just walked in a few minutes later! I’ll ask, I’ll ask. Okay, they’re coming. They’re coming. I’ll ask.
Dax: This person, just for Rou’s information, is just slightly taller than Eight. So, a pretty average height. Wearing what appears to be a mishmosh of leather armors, you know, knee-high boots. All very dark browns and blacks. Doing their best to keep their face shadowed in the hood.
Kappa (as Rou): Ah, so, so glad you could, you can join us. Hello. I’m, I’m, I’m Rou. I waved earlier, don’t, don’t know, you didn’t wave back so. Did you receive a message a few minutes ago through magical means? You probably would have heard this voice and maybe the name, are you friends with Arcterus?
Dax: You can see that the hood kind of looks in Eight’s direction, and then looks kind of towards Arthas, then looks back at you.
Dax (as Viktor): I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Kappa (as Rou): Ah, it was worth a shot anyway. Please, take a seat.
Kappa: I’ll look over at Arthas.
Kappa (as Rou): It’s not them.
Neil (as Arthas): That could have gone worse.
Dax (as Viktor): Arthas, it looks like you’ve survived the desert.
Neil (as Arthas): Yes, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. And how are you getting along?
Dax (as Viktor): I’ve been better. What are the two of you doing in Kidohlva?
Neil (as Arthas): Well at the moment we’re in an inn getting breakfast. As are you.
Dax: It’s almost dinner time. [laughs]
Neil: I slept late today so it is breakfast for me.
Wren: I suppose it is just a matter of perspective.
Dax: I’m just going to interrupt as the GM here, and just say, Arthas, you have a bag of ham. You have a meat bag full of ham, from this morning’s breakfast.
Kappa: Meal.
Wren: We, we watched a, we watched a baby this morning.
Neil: Breakfast Two.
Dax: Second breakfast, there we go.
Wren: I didn’t realize you were half Hobbit.
Neil: That’s why he’s only eleven feet tall and not taller.
[Kappa laughs]
Dax: That’s right, that’s why when you were eight feet tall, you were a wee lad, I believe you said in one episode.
[Neil laughs]
Dax: You hear this, another deep-throated chuckle, and they look around as best they can in the inn to make sure, I mean you guys are pretty much the only ones in the dining area. Reaches up and you see these very pale fingers grab the edges of the cloak and pull back the hood. Rou, there is this very fine-boned looking individual. Pale skin, ice blue eyes, they’re, they’re extremely light blue. Jet black hair, and Eight and Arthas, you would note that this is different about this individual, is that they now have a black leather eyepatch over their left eye.
Neil: Is it just like, a black patch or is there any decoration on it?
Dax: No, just a black patch.
Neil: Neat.
Kappa (as Rou): So, forgive me. You know us, presumably Eight and Arthas both know you, but I just don’t want to be rude. What should I, should I refer to you as? Because hooded, cloaked individual does not, that seems rude.
Dax (as Viktor): You can call me Viktor.
Kappa (as Rou): Viktor, pleasure to meet your acquaintance.
Dax: He gives you a slight nod, Rou.
Dax (as Viktor): How did you come into Eight and Arthas’s company? It’s much different than the company they were keeping the last time I saw them.
Kappa (as Rou): Well, I.. I mean, I had come to Azarra from Baukora, with the intent of traveling throughout Eulela. They seemed quite capable of travel, and we were heading in the same direction. I’ve.. I’ve grown to quite like Arthas and Eight. We are much great friends at this point.
Dax (as Viktor): Well, it at least seems like you’re in good hands. I do remember, I think, Eight, you cooked for us the last time I saw you?
Wren (as Eight): Yes, I did. I’ve been continuing to hone my skills over the time between our last meeting and now. Speaking of which, Viktor, you seem to be minus one of your.. visual perceptors. Your eye. What happened?
Dax: Lowers his head a little bit and gently reaches up a hand to touch the edges of the patch.
Dax (as Viktor): A price I paid.
Wren (as Eight): Ah. For delivering the warning.
Dax (as Viktor): No, actually. After we parted ways, I found a city and I had all good intentions of setting up a legitimate… trade. But nobody would hire me. I took to stealing. [pauses] I got caught.
Wren (as Eight): I see.
Dax (as Viktor): That’s the price I paid for my life.
Wren (as Eight): That is most pitiable. I’m sorry to hear that your life took that turn. Is there something we might do to assist you?
Dax (as Viktor): No, no. Thank you, Eight. Like Jokul and Rialla, I just have to find a safe haven, start fresh.
Wren: I look to Rou and Arthas in turn.
Wren (as Eight): Viktor, how do you feel about organizing library stacks?
Dax (as Viktor): I’m sorry, what?
Kappa: My face is very puzzled at that.
Wren (as Eight): It’s an innocuous question. I simply asked how you feel about organizing library stacks? Ancient texts, scrolls, hidden knowledge?
Dax (as Viktor): I am accustomed to rifling through library stacks, not necessarily organizing them. But I, I suppose I could manage it.
Wren (as Eight): Now, I don’t have much pull here, seeing as I am simply a visitor of a week or so at this point, but perhaps my companions and I can use what leverage we might have to secure you gainful employment. Kidohlva is quite the city.
Dax (as Viktor): Is it? I’ve only just arrived.
Wren (as Eight): It is the foremost place for knowledge and it is highly habitated. I suppose you would not be wanting for people to interact with, sights to see. Knowledge to obtain from the stacks.
Dax: You watch as his right eye moves as he’s thinking, trying to figure out what you’re implying.
Dax (as Viktor): I suppose if it’s big enough, it would also be a good place to hide, wouldn’t it?
Kappa (as Rou): You hiding from someone? Actually I, I assume you’re hiding from someone, given the hooded cloak thing, but…
Wren: I will just nod.
Kappa (as Rou): Would they be in Kidohlva?
Dax (as Viktor): Um, let’s hope not. I’m guessing, Eight, Arthas, you haven’t said anything to Rou about me, have you?
Neil (as Arthas): No.
Wren (as Eight): In fact, we have made a very large point in our existence of forgetting your existence. For your benefit, of course.
Dax: He nods his head a little bit.
Dax (as Viktor): Rou, considering you’re traveling with Eight and Arthas, I can imagine that you aren’t going to go around sharing certain secrets?
Kappa (as Rou): Oh, no I will tell everyone I know. Of course not, are you kidding me?
Dax: He kind of squints at you a little bit to see if you’re really joking because he has no idea who you are.
Kappa: Mhmmm. I’m going to take a sip of my tea as he does.
Dax (as Viktor): I’m actually a traveler from another plane.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh that’s so cool!
Dax (as Viktor): I came here to assist Eight and Arthas’s other companions. And in an attempt to do so, I put myself at risk.
Kappa (as Rou): Ah, I see. I see. Forgive me, Eight and Arthas. I would have assumed you would have told me earlier, but no, this seems, this seems like an appropriate time to ask. Your previous companions, Rokul and Jialla? Jokul, I had them backwards, didn’t I. Jo-Jokul, Jialla?
Wren (as Eight): At this point, it is of little consequence. But their names were Jokul and Rialla.
Kappa (as Rou): I see.
Wren (as Eight): Yes, they were travelers from another plane of existence as well.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh!
Wren (as Eight): They arrived from a strange rift that appeared over my campsite one night. And well, the rest is all my history at this point.
Kappa (as Rou): Aaaaah. So that’s where you, Viktor, come in. You’re, you’re assisting Eight, Jokul, Rialla, on, on this?
Dax (as Viktor): Sure, we’ll go with that. Needless to say, I am being hunted for my actions by someone from where I originally came from. So the hope is that they are not here. But I don’t know for sure.
Wren (as Eight): They seem to have been in over their head with respect to a league of thieves and rapscallions.
Dax (as Viktor): Eight, I think you forget that there’s a reason the three of us were running from this organization. We were once part of one of the most deadly assassination guilds.
Wren (as Eight): Why not simply confront them and put an end to your hiding?
Dax (as Viktor): I could never take them on my own.
Wren (as Eight): But, perhaps with the help of three seasoned adventurers?
Dax: Viktor shakes his head.
Dax (as Viktor): I, I don’t want you involved. I would rather forget who I once was.
Kappa (as Rou): You know, that makes a lot of sense. Thank you for looking out for our wellbeing. I appreciate that. But that does not solve the issue of your existence being at stake. You, you can’t just, you can’t just go, go, go to your original plane? Is that rude? Is that.. I’m not sure of the etiquette of interplanar travel.
Dax (as Viktor): To be fair, I’m not really sure of it myself. It.. I am safer here. They have a very strong hold where I come from. I would not be able to hide long. Um, look. I did not intend to come and disrupt your dinner, your afternoon respite. I am..
Dax: He stands up, nods, pulls the hood over his face again.
Dax (as Viktor): Thank you very much for the -
Kappa (as Rou): No, no, no no no no no. Food hasn’t even come yet. Please, sit. Share a meal with us. As you can see, there is nobody..
Kappa: I am motioning to the entirety of the dining room section of the inn.
Kappa (as Rou): You can see that there’s no one here. And Beverly seems nice enough. Please, sit.
Dax: Been staying at this woman’s establishment for over a week. “She seems nice enough!” [laughs]
Kappa: Yeah!
Kappa (as Rou): At least over the, yeah. She seems nice enough for the week that we’ve been here. Please, just sit. Rest. And, and maybe, maybe just catch up with your old friends. Do you have an appointment somewhere?
Dax (as Viktor): No.
Kappa (as Rou): A job interview, perhaps?
Dax (as Viktor): No.
Kappa (as Rou): Or are there other, two other friends that you decided to make arrangements to have dinner with them instead?
Dax: He pulls back the hood and you can see that there’s like this slight smirk on his face.
Dax (as Viktor): Alright, fine. I will take you up on your invitation for dinner. I suppose it’s been far too long since I’ve had the company of other individuals.
Kappa (as Rou): Well see, there you go!
Wren (as Eight): And besides, you must think about the offer that I have extended. You cannot simply get up and leave without giving me an answer with respect to whether or not you would like me to try and put in a good word for you with the Council.
Kappa (as Rou): Eight is very persuasive. Oh yes, the Council! We were very persuasive with the Council earlier today.
Wren (as Eight): Which reminds me, I need to speak to one of them.
Dax (as Viktor): Sure. I’ll take you up on your offer for a job. Perhaps I could find lodging. I mean, this place was hard enough to get to on its own. I suppose… I suppose even if they were to make it all the way here, they’d have a hard time getting here, getting inside. So, alright. Thank you.
Kappa (as Rou): Here, I have some extra hot water in this tea. Do you like tea?
Dax (as Viktor): I do, actually. I haven’t been able to afford tea since… well I can’t even remember.
Kappa: As he is talking, I’ve already started pouring. I’m assuming there is an extra, I’m assuming his mug was.. was empty. So I’m just going to start pouring into it, into his mug.
Dax: Sure.
Kappa (as Rou): And who knows? Maybe this, the position at the library leads itself to other opportunities. You can be some sort of assistant professor in interplanar travel, I don’t know. They seem to be into that sort of thing here. You can get tenure!
Dax (as Viktor): We’ll, we’ll see. Who knows? It’s not like there’s other thieves’ guilds here. Right? [chuckles, then clears his throat] Arthas, you are as quiet as ever. Something on your mind?
Neil (as Arthas): Not particularly. More or less just waiting for food and looking at you, catch up, as it were.
Dax: It isn’t too much longer before Beverly comes over and brings over a bowl of steaming rice, fried vegetables, crudités platter, cheese. Charcuterie board. Basically all the layout for, for tonight’s dinner. Plus what Eight ordered.
Dax (as Beverly): I hope you don’t mind. I just figured since it was so close to dinner, I would just bring you things and you could pick what you want.
Kappa (as Rou): Beverly, this is lovely. Thank you so much. Would you care to join us for, are you too busy tending to the inn?
Dax (as Beverly): Oh! Thank you Rou, I appreciate it. I know that I have some more patrons that are going to be coming back shortly for their meal, so I just make sure that I have everything ready to go. But I thank you.
Kappa (as Rou): Well good, good.
Kappa: I’m going to start shoving baby carrots into my mouth.
Dax: And baby corn?
[Kappa and Dax laugh]
Kappa (as Rou): So, so, so tell me. What, what were your adventures like with Eight and Arthas?
Wren (as Eight): Oh! I could tell you those stories right now if you would like.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh yes, please!
Wren (as Eight): While we were camping in the desert one night, Viktor arrived.
Dax (as Viktor): Uh, to, to be fair, Eight. You snuck up on my campsite and I called you out on it.
Wren (as Eight): In all honesty, I do very little sneaking up on anyone.
Dax (as Viktor): That’s the point.
Wren (as Eight): Well, then let me rephrase this. One night, while Viktor was having camp and being very unaware of his surroundings, we stumbled upon him. At which point, he gave an object to our then traveling companions, Jokul and Rialla. We spent the evening together talking, and I made dinner for all of our companions. Then by the time we awoke in the morning, Viktor had gone. Those are the extent of our precious adventures. Very exciting.
Kappa (as Rou): That was quite succinct.
Wren (as Eight): There’s not much to tell.
Kappa (as Rou): I, I realize that.
Wren (as Eight): After all, Viktor’s purpose was primarily for the benefit of my then traveling companions.
Dax (as Viktor): Yes, meeting here is merely a fluke.
Kappa (as Rou): You, you must show me what Eight sneaking looks like.
Dax: He stands up, walks over to the bar and goes on the other side of the bar.
Dax (as Viktor): Rou, could you come here please?
Dax: He gestures a come hither motion.
Kappa (as Rou): Sure, sure.
Kappa: I will come hither.
Dax (as Viktor): I want you to sneak down against the bar as if you’re peering over the bar towards Eight and Arthas.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh, oh okay.
Dax (as Viktor): Okay.
Kappa: I will do so.
Dax (as Viktor): [clears throat] Jokul, look! There is a person over there by that campfire. Do you think we should ask if they would mind some company?
Kappa (as Rou): In this situation, am I Eight or are you Eight?
Dax (as Viktor): I am Eight.
Kappa (as Rou): That tracks.
Kappa: I will, very bemused, return to the table.
Dax (as Viktor): It’s not so much sneaking as it is exclaiming loudly over a dune.
Kappa (as Rou): I’m so glad that you are the way that you are, Eight.
Wren (as Eight): If Viktor had been spending his time paying a little more attention for a man on the run, we would not have been able to sneak up on him so.
Wren: I snap my finger.
Wren (as Eight): Darn you, and your ability to nap.
Dax (as Viktor): Yes. Darn me for wanting to take a nap after a day’s travel. Are you still staring at people when they sleep?
Wren (as Eight): Like 50% of the time.
Kappa: I roll my eyes.
Dax: He looks over at you, Arthas.
Dax (as Viktor): Is Eight still staring at people when they sleep?
Neil (as Arthas): Yes. I would not know what percentage, as I am generally asleep during.
Wren (as Eight): It’s so nice to catch up with you, Viktor. Where did…but realistically, we have not caught up with you much at all. Where did you go after you left the desert?
Dax (as Viktor): Here and there. Small cities, villages, nothing of import.
Wren (as Eight): Right. Traveling where you will.
Kappa (as Rou): [food in mouth] You do realize that’s not really an answer?
Dax (as Viktor): Yes, I do.
Kappa (as Rou): [food in mouth] Are you afraid that Eight and Arthas will judge you?
Kappa: I say with lots of food in my mouth.
Dax: Starts to scoop some of the rice and vegetables into a bowl.
Dax (as Viktor): I’m not worried about being judged. I just don’t need everyone to know my business all the time.
Kappa (as Rou): That’s fair, that’s fair.
Dax (as Viktor): And to further point out, I did ask what you were doing here in the city, and I don’t believe I received an answer.
Wren (as Eight): Oh, well, the answer to your question is fairly simple. This was our ultimate destination when you first stumbled upon us.
Dax (as Viktor): And do you plan on living here now?
Wren (as Eight): Oh no. We have come, we have obtained information from the library, and we have obtained our next lead. And as such, we will be departing within the next day or so.
Kappa (as Rou): [food in mouth] It was a very informative trip.
Wren (as Eight): It was. In fact, us running into you must have been by divine providence. For, if we are to help you at all in establishing a new life, we would have to have done so in a very abridged timeline.
Dax (as Viktor): Out of curiosity, on your travels, have you seen anything unusual?
Wren: I do blink an inordinate amount of times. It is noticeable.
Dax (as Viktor): Eight, you shouldn’t blink at me like that.
Kappa (as Rou): Define… define unusual.
Dax (as Viktor): I suppose when you put it that way. Um, bandits on the road.
Wren (as Eight): No, no bandits.
Dax: He raises one eyebrow, like “okay so no bandits, but…?” kind of face.
Kappa (as Rou): What is more unusual than a traveler from another plane of existence? For me, most of this has been unusual. We’ve come across a.. a society of squirrel warriors.
Wren (as Eight): Deep underground!
Kappa (as Rou): Deep, deep underground. In that same, same stretch of time, some, some dogs that were preying upon the squirrel warriors.
Wren (as Eight): They were of the undead persuasion.
Kappa (as Rou): We found a skull of a professor that talked and was still alive. And you could feed it a cracker over and over. Arcterus would.. would love that, that piece of cheese or what have you.
Dax (as Viktor): Alright, I think that qualifies as unusual.
Neil (as Arthas): I miss him already.
Wren: I look to Arthas and place a hand on his hand.
Wren (as Eight): I do as well, Simply Arthas. I do as well.
Wren: And then I will turn abruptly to Viktor.
Wren (as Eight): Arthas and I encountered a magical portal while we were in the forest shortly after the time in which we met you! While we were there, we fought a magical tree that was given life by magics that came from the portal.
Kappa (as Rou): I do not like portals. Just the idea of them. [grunts negatively] I hope we don’t come across any.
Wren (as Eight): They’re so incredibly entertaining in the sense of the discoveries of the intellectual sense you might encounter.
Kappa (as Rou): They’re dangerous!
Wren (as Eight): Yes, danger is, is the name of adventuring. And the price of knowledge can sometimes be one of danger.
Kappa (as Rou): I suppose you’re right but, ugh. They just give me the heebie-jeebies. You just never know with.. with portals. You hear horror stories of portals, back in Baukora.
Dax (as Viktor): Baukora…[pauses then gasps] I remember somebody telling me that. Baukora’s in the west, right?
Kappa (as Rou): Yes! That’s my, that’s where I’m from. Very different from here. Here there’s all these magics and, and essences and everyone does everything so differently. Baukora is.. is very very very different. Lot of innovation and inventions and, yes, technology, if you will.
Dax (as Viktor): Is it true that your people genetically alter creatures to be larger than life?
Kappa: GM, would I know that? Or would I, would I, would I have heard that rumor and be able to speak to it?
Dax: You’ve heard of some provinces meddling with biomechanics and genetic structuring. You don’t know how true it is.
Kappa (as Rou): Well I imagine it’s as true as the stories that we hear of everything here in Eulela, where everything is magical. Everyone travels via magic carpet and grows their food out of thin air. I believe it’s true in that very sense. I’ve heard of it happening before but no one I know has genetically modified any organism.
Dax: He nods, like “yeah, alright, fair”.
Kappa (as Rou): Maybe, maybe picking the largest and biggest tomatoes to grow the next crop of tomatoes, that’s probably the best, the most accurate representation of genetic modification that I’ve heard of.
Dax (as Viktor): You could feed a starving country like that.
Kappa (as Rou): It does take a long time.
Dax (as Viktor): Look, I hopefully won’t be bothering the group of you again. With any luck. So I will say this. I may be in hiding, but if there is anything that I can do to assist you in the future, you can just let me know.
Kappa (as Rou): Ohhhhhh!! Idea! Eight, Arthas. We’ve just come across an artifact that would allow us to contact Viktor at any, at any point in time. Do you think this would be a worthy usage of said artifact?
Wren (as Eight): I would not disagree, though I would hate to put Viktor on the spot to be the recipient of such magics.
Kappa (as Rou): But, oh does it, does it require more than just agreeing to it? There’s no, there’s no blood sacrifice to be made, is there?
Dax (as Viktor): What kind of artifact, what kind of device?
Kappa (as Rou): Well, okay. Here.
Kappa: And I will uncover the napkin that has been at the table the whole time.
Dax: It’s got a nice pouch, and you’ve just been hiding it under the napkin, I love it.
Kappa: I’m going to put it in the pouch later, but..
Kappa (as Rou): Look, so there’s this brooch that allows the wearer of the brooch to communicate with another person that has agreed to be on the receiving end of the said communication. They can’t communicate back but, from what, what Eight has said about it and from what I understand. We could be across the continent and send you ‘hello, good morning Viktor. Could you please send us some crudités? We will be here in three days time.’
And you will, you will hear that! You understand it and hopefully send us crudités. Or, or, what, if, you know, we ever need your help in any some sort, in any sort of, you know, any situation in our adventures. You merely just need to sync with it.
Dax: Viktor takes the brooch and holds it up to the light and kind of moves it back and forth like he’s examining it.
[dice roll]
Dax (as Viktor): If that is your wish, I could be an endpoint of… is it like a sending stone?
Kappa (as Rou): I don’t know what that is.
Wren (as Eight): Neither do I. So I will say yes
Dax: You actually do. You have one.
Wren (as Eight): I know exactly what that is. I will say yes.
Dax: You have one that you have never used. [chuckles]
Wren (as Eight): It is exactly like a sending stone, however it is one way only.
Dax (as Viktor): That does certainly limit you, doesn’t it?
Neil (as Arthas): It certainly seems so.
Dax (as Viktor): What if, what if, if it is only one way, and seeing as I don’t have any holdings here, I have nowhere to stay. Instead of me taking it and being on the receiving end, what if, what if we sync to it and you can be on the receiving end, I can continue to do research or find information that you might need. I could feed you the information?
Kappa (as Rou): That does sound like a good idea. I will, I feel like I should inform you that our theory around this device is that it is stolen. The person that did steal it - not us, 100% not us - would be in lots of trouble with the authorities here, if found with it. So, with that in mind, would you want to draw any more attention to yourself? That does seem quite useful! I will, I will admit, but I.. I would be remiss if not, if we kept this information from you.
Dax: He shoves more rice and vegetables into his mouth and when he’s done chewing,
Dax (as Viktor): Look. Honestly, it can’t get much worse for me. So, whatever is going to suit you the best, it is your device. Whether I am the one receiving the information from you or you are receiving it from me. I will do as you wish. I would just like a chance to do some good.
Kappa: I’ll look over at Eight and Arthas.
Kappa (as Rou): Do you think this is, this is useful? Do you think this is worthy of, of this new device that we’ve acquired? What sort of, what sort of information would we want you to, would we want Viktor here to peruse and relay back to us?
Neil (as Arthas): I guess, anything suspicious that he’d see.
Kappa (as Rou): That’s right. Eight, you seemed quite interested in at least one of the Council members earlier today.
Wren (as Eight): Yes, I was. I have to speak with them with respect to my family, the Jruna family. That seems to have some knowledge as to Warforged’s creation and some link to my mother. So it would be in my best interest to quote “cozy up” unquote to this person, that I might gain more information with respect to the Jruna family. Which is currently a member of the Ruheran Council.
Kappa (as Rou): That’s, that’s a lot of names. I wish you luck. Are you going to do that tomorrow?
Wren (as Eight): Well, I intend to do something before we leave. And at the very least, if we have an informant here in the city, perhaps Viktor would be amenable to looking up more information on this Jruna family in the archives.
Kappa (as Rou): Perhaps we can go tomorrow, talk to the Council. Gain favor with them again, as we are wont to do. And while you have this conversation, maybe we can convince them to take on Viktor here as a new librarian of sorts. Or assistant professor of interplanar travel, as I had previously suggested.
Wren (as Eight): I believe, I believe that sounds most agreeable.
Kappa (as Rou): So Viktor, provided we can gain you station here in Kidohlva, I believe your suggestion, your plan for this brooch here, is quite advantageous.
Dax: He bows his head a little bit.
Dax (as Viktor): At your service then.
Dax (as Beverly): Eight, Rou, Arthas. A package has been delivered for you.
Neil (as Arthas): Oooh, a package!
Dax: Beverly comes in with several parcels.
Dax (as Beverly): Actually several packages.
Wren: Dax, I have a quick question not related to this. What’s the name of a large river in this world?
Dax: A large river?
Wren: Yes.
Neil: Oh I see what you’re doing.
Dax: I’m glad you do because I don’t.
[Kappa laughs]
Dax: The Crystal Brook?
Wren (as Eight): Ah good, Crystal Brook has managed to deliver our packages. Wait, what packages? If you would, Beverly, set them on the table?
Dax (as Beverly): Oh sure, sure.
Dax: She finds the closest empty table and lays the packages on, down on them.
Dax (as Beverly): This came as well.
Dax: And she holds up a parchment envelope.
Kappa (as Rou): Did you, did you happen to see who, who delivered them? Or were they just out on some sort of -
Dax (as Beverly): Just a courier.
Kappa (as Rou): Loading bay? Oh, just a courier, okay.
Dax (as Beverly): Mhmm. Is everyone good? Does anyone need a refill on anything?
Kappa (as Rou): I would, I would love some more hot water, but do whatever you’re doing first. This is.. this is of little import.
Dax (as Beverly): Of course, of course.
Dax: She heads off.
Kappa (as Rou): Were you expecting any packages, Arthas?
Neil (as Arthas): No, I wasn’t.
Kappa (as Rou): Eight?
Wren: I shake my head.
Wren (as Eight): I certainly was not expecting anything.
Kappa (as Rou): Neither was I. Okay, um, here’s what we, learning from our mistakes from earlier.
Kappa: I’m going to take the parchment and read it first.
Dax: Sure, yeah, yeah. The letter reads:
“I found these stashed with my belongings. May they keep you safe in the trials ahead. For Rou, my sister’s sword. It has already shed blood in battle and I will pray that it serves you as well as it served her. For Arthas, a pauldron fashioned from my own armor. It will amplify your already mighty prowess in combat. And for Eight, a pendant of silver. Keep it close and it will ward against those that intend you harm.”
Dax: And it is simply signed, V.
Kappa (as Rou): Viktor, you shouldn’t have.
Dax (as Viktor): I didn’t?
Kappa (as Rou): No, I know it’s not you. It was just, I find it, found it weird coincidence that we see a package from a V and your name starts with V.
Wren (as Eight): Rou,
Wren: I shake my head, as I slip this pendant on over my neck.
Wren (as Eight): These items do not come from Viktor, but from someone else we have met recently. Wink.
Wren: And I will say wink and wink at Rou.
Kappa (as Rou): Ooohhh. Yes yes yes okay okay.
Wren (as Eight): Yes, you now understand the need for secrecy. Wink.
Kappa (as Rou): I do understand you should not say wink when you wink.
Wren (as Eight): Well then how will you know that I am winking?
Kappa (as Rou): You’re right, I won’t. We should come up with some, some way to indicate this. Maybe, maybe it’s okay in, in the presence of friends, but if we’re actually trying to convey secrecy, maybe don’t say wink. Just assume that I understand.
Wren (as Eight): Mother always told me one thing about when I assumed. It makes me and you look bad. It was certainly much more catchy when Mother said it, but -
Kappa (as Rou): Mmmm. Speaking of, of secret messages and signals and whatnot, we, Arthas, we came up with a…
Kappa: I look over at Viktor.
Kappa (as Rou): You’re cool, right Viktor? Viktor, you’re cool. Right? You’re not, you’ve got, we’ve got your secrets, you’re not going to tell anyone our secrets. We’re about to enter this whole secret thing, right? You’re cool, right?
Dax: Viktor pulls up his hood and very intentionally faces his head down so you can tell that he can’t see what’s going on.
Dax (as Viktor): Just go ahead.
Kappa (as Rou): But you can still hear us. Viktor, I’m going to decide that you’re cool and if you’re not, then we’ll, we’ll deal with that.
Dax (as Viktor): Fair.
Kappa (as Rou): I explained this to Eight earlier, Arthas. You know how, how my other form, Werewolf, right? There was that, a group in Azarra that accosted me and harassed and threatened death upon me if I stayed in Azarra for too long. The reason why they, they approached me in such a manor is because they were also wolves, just protecting their territory. And me being a strange wolf, having encroached upon, had encroached upon their territory and they responded with the only way they knew how. With threats and violence and whatnot.
I believe it would have been useful to let everyone know, allies know, what exactly, what we’re dealing with. In this case, shifters and wolves and whatnot. We need some sort of signal, a message to convey, signal or message to convey the danger of what we’re dealing with. In a way that lets us know, but not others. Some sort of verbal, you know, slip it into conversation so that we know exactly what we’re dealing with. And I suggested some sort of verbal thing, and we need all here to understand that so everyone’s on the same page.
Neil (as Arthas): Spectacular.
Kappa: I’ll look over at Viktor. What’s Viktor look like?
Dax: He’s still got his head down. You can make the guess that he was assuming that you were actually going to demonstrate some sort of signal. So he’s just, he’s just eating rice and vegetables and every once in a while taking a bite of the flatbreads that she brought out.
Kappa (as Rou): So…
Dax (as Viktor): Are you done with this signal? Can I look up?
Kappa (as Rou): Well we haven’t created the signal yet. So, you -
Dax (as Viktor): Ah.
Kappa (as Rou): You, you made it much more of a challenge to eat for no reason. I didn’t, did not realize what you were doing. But again, Viktor, you’re cool. You’re, we’ve got, we’ve got mutually assured destruction on the table. So you’re, you’re good.
Kappa: Give him a thumbs up, I don’t know if he’s looked up yet to see the thumbs up but..
Dax: He’ll eventually sit up.
Wren (as Eight): See, if we were going to do a code phrase or word, it would have to be something that would be absurd. That no one would ever believe to actually be true. Or come up in normal conversation.
Dax (as Viktor): Eight is a murderer.
Wren (as Eight): Excuse me? I am not a murderer.
Dax (as Viktor): Exactly. And I don’t think anybody that would ever meet you would ever think such a thing.
Kappa (as Rou): Ohhh. So, okay, so, in the situation from Azarra. Like, they they ‘oooh we’re going to, get out of Azarra, this is our turf. We’re going to, just would be very bad for you if you don’t leave in the next 24 hours’. And I would say ‘My good friend Eight here is a murderer. Please give us more time.’ That would give us, Arthas, Eight, myself, the mutual understanding that what we’re dealing with are more Werewolves.
Wren (as Eight): I suppose so. I suppose it would work only in the sense that it is unbelievable, but what if the mere act of saying that sentence is deemed to be a threat, and it causes conflict in advance of what the normally ordained time would be?
Kappa (as Rou): That is true… Okay, so, so it needs to not be, it needs to be absurd but not absurd in the sense that incites more violence. Something innocuous, something like..ah..umm... I don’t know.
Wren: [high pitched] I could sure go for some of that grey paste.
[Kappalaughs]
Kappa (as Rou): Okay, so so maybe it’s something, something like ‘Eight, prepare the paste. We will need it soon’.
Wren: I will quirk my eyebrows at you.
Wren (as Eight): But, good friend Rou, you love my grey paste. Why would that be an unbelievable statement?
Kappa (as Rou): I believe not everyone will know that.
Wren (as Eight): Ah! So the phrase itself is a deception within a deception.
Kappa (as Rou): Exactly!
Wren: I clap my hands.
Kappa (as Rou): So if I, if I, if we, if any sort of situation arises, and we work in the phrase ‘grey paste’ into it, we know that we’re dealing with something more dangerous than meets the eye.
Neil (as Arthas): Red paste.
Kappa (as Rou): What if, what if we just added just another layer of absurdity? Because you do, you do have grey paste. That is a thing that you do and make and we consume. What if it’s red paste? But what if the phrase contains red paste? Because you don’t make red paste, at least not that I’ve seen before.
Wren (as Eight): I would never make red paste.
Kappa (as Rou): Red paste is just ridiculous.
Wren (as Eight): Unpalatable.
Kappa (as Rou): Absolutely.
Wren (as Eight): That, I can buy into.
Kappa (as Rou): So the phrase is red paste. If we, we’re all agreed, we work in the two words, ‘red paste’, together into conversation with some adversaries, red paste. I think this will work. [pauses] Viktor, you were part of some clandestine thieves guild.
Dax (as Viktor): Mhmm.
Kappa (as Rou): Was this, will this fit? Is this, is this smart?
Dax (as Viktor): For amateurs, yes.
Kappa (as Rou): Perfect. We are, wait what?
Dax: And I think with that, we’re going to end the session.
Music fades out [51:33]
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.