Roads Uncharted

A younger Rou is leaving the office where he has been hired to perform some clerical work and off in the distance sees a familiar face among the market-goers. A tall, athletically built dark-skinned person with round glasses is bribing a vendor with some cinnamon buns. The person spots Rou and immediately rushes over, hastily grabbing their purchase before doing so. Rou tries his best to disappear into the crowd but can’t escape Talbain’s excited greeting. After a short banter, Talbain steers Rou toward the nearest bar in an overly friendly gesture of camaraderie. 

Back in th...

Realizing they have a moment to breathe, the party takes a break to tend to their wounds and enjoy a short rest. They can hear the alarm still ringing in the distance, so they know it’s only a matter of time before they’re confronted by the enemy. As break draws to a close, Eight approaches Mongo and tries to convince them that they’ve been fooled and should tear through the Emperor’s fortress as payback. Mongo seems to agree and begins sniffing around. He comes to a portion of the far wall and uses the cudgel to break...

The Dragon’s voice has echoed through the room, the temperature has dropped and the sconces have been blown out. Forced to scramble in the dark, Rou hears a low rumbling nearby and extends his senses to try and gauge Mongo’s mood. When Mongo makes an angered exclamation, Trix responds by firing an arrow toward where they believe the creature is. They’re successful, and an explosion briefly lights up the room to expose Mongo’s position.

Eight scolds Mongo for their actions, and in response Mongo swings their large chained weapon. Rou is lucky enough to dodge...

Realizing the creature can talk, Rou tries to engage it in a dialogue to avoid a fight. He makes his introductions of the group but the creature is not impressed that Eight is Rou’s friend, still mad that Eight hurt them. Rou continues to try and placate the creature and eventually learns that it has a name: Mongo. Mongo claims to have been ordered to guard the children, and gets clearly mad when Trix makes an attempt to get closer to the cages.

As a truce has been brokered, Mongo allows Rou and Trix closer to th...

CW: This episode contains a brief mention of dislocating limbs. Please skip 31:16 to 31:21 if this would be triggering for you as your safety and enjoyment are important to us.

Trix leads Rou through the halls toward where they believe the dungeon, and subsequently Zero and the children, might be. The pair successfully avoid guards and find themselves halted by a pair of locked doors. Trix is able to pick the lock on one but the other proves to be more of a challenge. Deciding they have a 50/50 chance, they head down the hallway and hope for the...

With Rou hiding in the wardrobe ready to enact their plan, Trix calls for a guard to get some food. However, with the alarm blaring the guard admits food will have to wait as they don’t know what the alarm is for yet. When the guard tries to go to the bathroom for water, Trix stops him and says that they’d much rather take a nap as they’re not feeling well and he can leave. Rou attempts an attack but is foiled when his foot gets caught on the rug. Trying to salvage the situation, Rou covers...

CW: This episode has a reference to self-harm to activate a spell. If this would be triggering for you, please skip 10:27 to 10:48 as your safety and enjoyment are important to us.

Trix reviews the information received from Ikar and decides to take a chance. They get the dagger out of hiding and try talking to it. Surprisingly, Rou and Trix find they can communicate just like they do with the Seven Swords. They try to work through Ikar’s riddle together, but it isn’t until Trix offers blood that they hear Ikar’s voice again. Offering up the...

CW: This episode includes scenes that imply torture. If this would be triggering for you, please skip 22:20 to 22:44 and 40:26 to 40:30. Your safety and enjoyment are important to us. 

Zero makes their way down the dark strange hallway, grabbing a pebble and turning it into a little light as they do so. As they follow the hallway they find that there is strange tubing connected to the ceiling. Following the tubing they arrive at a room with strange machinery and wiring, and at the center is a reclining metal chair with a familiar person strapped to it. Cela, t...

CW: This episode deals in blood magic and therefore has a small reference to self-harm, blood. If this would be triggering for you, please skip 15:29 to 15:41. Your safety and enjoyment are important to us.

Zero makes their way through the fortress, dodging guards for the most part. Unfortunately, one guard sees through their ruse. Though they are captured temporarily, they are able to make a smooth getaway by distracting the guard and disarming him. They run off and continue their search, eventually finding a strange room. The floor is etched with runes and constellations, a large brazier...

CW: This episode contains themes of PvP, and while we discuss this above table we recognize this may be difficult for some audience members. Please listen at your own discretion as your safety and enjoyment are important to us.

Eight updates Trix briefly on the situation before Raspy calls for the guard escorting Trix to apprehend “the construct”. When the guard makes his attempt, Eight blasts energy from their palm toward the ceiling which causes chunks of debris to fall onto the guard. Though the guard is able to avoid most of the debris, Eight tries to shov...

CW: This episode includes the description of bugs. If this would be triggering for you, please skip 35:38 to 36:09, 45:32 to 45:36, 50:38 to 50:45 and 1:08:18 to 1:08:24. It also contains themes of PvP, and while we discuss this above table we realize this may be difficult for some audience members. Your safety and enjoyment are important to us.

Trix wakes in the arms of Faerlin, who gives them a healing potion for now and a regeneration potion for later. They escort them back to Trix’s room through a secret door. Over the next four days, Trix is escorted by armed guards wh...

CW: This episode includes a scene implying torture. If this would be triggering for you, please skip 30:00 to 30:30. As always, your safety and enjoyment are important to us.

Eight is left alone in a room with four robed cultists, Rou’s corpse on a platform in the center. As the cultists approach, Eight warns them to stay away or they’ll be destroyed. At first they seem to listen, but when they begin to draw on their magic Eight is forced to drop to the floor to dodge it. They retaliate, immediately dropping two of them. The rema...

Trix dangles from the window ledge, nearly falling to their death, when they realize a patch of sky seems to be missing. The shadow moves and is revealed to be the dragon Faerlin warned the group about. She snatches Trix and carries them up to the roof of the stronghold. As she climbs, Trix tries to escape her grasp but there is a thin mucous substance that prevents them from getting good traction.  

Meanwhile, Raspy leads Eight from their cell, through the fortress and down to a “purification chamber” where four cultists stand on opposite walls. On a plat...

Rou finds he’s running in the woods, a raven flying at his right side. Given that wolves and ravens have been allies in his experience, he follows the raven to a patch of woods. The raven, perched on a large rock, shifts into the form of a woman wearing a silver pendant in the shape of a raven’s head. Out of the shadows appears a form draped in black robes, face covered by an ivory mask. The woman leaves and, when he realizes he’s about to deal with Death itself, Rou begins bargaining for his return.  

Tri...

CW: This episode deals with the repercussions of character death. While we discuss these things above table and feel safe exploring them, we realize this might be difficult for some audience members. Please listen to this episode only if the content would not be triggering for you. As always, your safety and enjoyment is important to us.

With The Dragon’s words echoing in the chamber that they’ve lost, Trix takes the opportunity to get another shot off at the final creature down below. Weakened from blood loss, they nearly fall off the rafter from the effo...

CW: This episode deals with character death. While we discuss these things above table and feel safe exploring them, we realize this might be difficult for some audience members. Please skip 47:15 to 49:42 if this would be triggering for you. As always, your safety and enjoyment is important to us.

With the doors locked and nowhere to escape, the party hears a crackle of lightning and suddenly The Dragon stands before them in the dining hall. Implying he doesn’t consider them a threat, he asks the group if they’re willing to surrender and make things easy on e...

With the alarm ringing through the fortress, the group makes a dash for the barracks. On their way, they’re nearly caught by guards rushing down the hallway past their hiding spot. The alarm eventually shuts off and the party continues on toward the barracks. When they arrive, Rou and Trix start to sift through the supplies for uniforms and equipment, while Eight follows Faerlin to the hallway to keep an eye on him. Trix does their best to assure Eight that Faerlin has not betrayed them, but Eight has their doubts.

Faerlin catches Eight watching him, an...

Faerlin has convinced the guards to drop their weapons under the guise of a “training exercise”, so Eight takes Jimothy and Bessie down to the stables where they should be safe from harm. While they’re gone, Rou unintentionally undermines Faerlin’s deception when he reveals he and the others have not been hired for any purpose, training or otherwise. Realizing the reality of the situation, one of the guards tackles Rou. 

Eight returns to find Trix and Rou battling the guards and Faerlin merely standing off to the side, watching. They gasp, draw their weapon and point it...

Trix and Faerlin, having met no resistance, head off toward the barracks. Sneaking through the fortress, they are able to avoid detection and arrive at their destination surprised to find Rou and Eight aren’t there yet. They wait for a bit before going off to search for their companions. Meanwhile, Rou and Eight have been surrounded by guards. Looking around the room, Rou notices that there is a large chandelier above and cuts the rope to try and trap their potential captors. 

One guard is trapped by the chandelier, leaving Rou and Eight to engage the rem...

As the party watches the guards march from the fortress below, they discuss their plans for infiltration. Faerlin offers a few options: directly up the treacherous path to the front door, through the servant’s entrance, or a secret passageway around the back. All options have their benefits and risks, but none seem the obvious best choice. Deciding it would be best to consider their options while they make their way down, the group attempts to avoid the guards’ gaze. However, Jimothy halts suddenly and causes Eight to lose their footing. Chunks of rock tumble down the side of the...

CW: This episode references miscarriages and the grief associated with them. While this is implied to have happened off screen, we take your safety and enjoyment seriously. Skip 02:55 to 03:31, 07:45 to 8:08 and 10:58 to 11:12 if this would be triggering to you.

Join Dax as she shares another story from the War of Seven Hells. This is the fifth and final in a series of short episodes that give a peek into what was going on hundreds of years before the show begins. 

Thank you all so much for sticking with us!! We can't wait to be back l...

CW: This episode references violence, hanging corpses, harm to children and death. While much of this is implied to have happened off screen, we take your safety and enjoyment seriously. Please listen at your own discretion.

Join Dax as she shares another story from the War of Seven Hells. This is the fourth in a series of short episodes that give a peek into what was going on hundreds of years before the show begins. 

Thank you all so much for sticking with us!! We can't wait to be back in February!

Follow D...

CW: needles at 4:51

Join Dax as she shares a story from the War of Seven Hells. This is the third in a series of short episodes that give a peek into what was going on hundreds of years before the show begins. 

Thank you all so much for sticking with us!! We can't wait to be back early next year.

Follow Dax @GM_Dax, Kappa @TheKappaChris, Sebastian @sebastianyue and Wren @ThornyDryad 

Transcript by Dax

EPISODE CREDITS: 

Produced by Dax

Opening theme music, editing and mix...

CW: violence, murder, interrogation, blood and suicide 

Join Dax as she shares a story from the War of Seven Hells. This is the second in a series of short episodes that give a peek into what was going on hundreds of years before the show begins. 

Thank you all so much for sticking with us!! We can't wait to be back early next year.

Follow Dax @GM_Dax, Kappa @TheKappaChris, Sebastian @sebastianyue and Wren @ThornyDryad 

Transcript by Dax

EPISODE CREDITS: 

Produced by Dax

Opening them...

CW: Emotional abuse, talk of war and violence 

Join Dax as she shares a story from the War of Seven Hells. This is the first in a series of short episodes that give a peek into what was going on hundreds of years before the show begins. 

Thank you all so much for sticking with us!! We can't wait to be back early next year.

Follow Dax @GM_Dax, Kappa @TheKappaChris, Sebastian @sebastianyue and Wren @ThornyDryad 

Transcript by Dax

EPISODE CREDITS: 

Produced by Dax

Open...

Join Wren, Kappa, Sebastian and Dax as they recap Season Five and talk about the latest season’s highlights, regrets, and their wishes for Season Six.

Thank you all so much for sticking with us!! We can't wait to be back early next year.

Follow Dax @GM_Dax, Kappa @TheKappaChris, Sebastian @sebastianyue and Wren @ThornyDryad

Check out Chaotic Wholesome

Transcript by Wren

EPISODE CREDITS: 

Produced by Dax

Opening theme music, editing and mixing by Wren

Logo Artwork design by Jessie

Cha...

CW: This episode includes references to rotting corpses and gore. Please skip 5:41 to 6:00, 7:04 to 7:14 and 16:42 to 16:59 if this would be triggering for you, as your safety and enjoyment are very important to us.

Rou walks further down the hall to try and determine what happened to his friends, falling through the trap in the process. However, he is able to slide down more gracefully and avoid falling into the large pile at the base of the trap. The group lights a few lanterns and discovers they’re in an oubliette, and many other previous victims can be se...

With Tindal gone, Faerlin begins to search for the hidden door within the stone column. Rou and Eight help in the search while Trix is forced to rest and work on bandaging their wounds. Realizing they could make this easier, Eight summons a little dust devil construct to help search and they name it “Back Door Friend”. Meanwhile, Rou climbs up the column to see if there is anything at the top. When he arrives, he finds an abandoned bird nest and takes a moment to admire the view before heading back down.

Back Door Friend finds a hi...

Rou, Trix and Eight are elated to discover Tindal has one of the Seven Swords with him. However, their excitement is short lived when they find out the bracelet has been cursed to be permanently attached to Tindal’s wrist. As further details arise about his predicament, the group realizes it was The Dragon that cursed Tindal. Eight offers to try and break the curse, and as their magic washes over Tindal the bracelet comes loose.

As the bracelet slips off his wrist, Tindal becomes ravenous and tries some bread but he immediately regurgitates. His need to fe...

The group is weary, beaten down and hungry. Preparations for camp are being made when unexpectedly a Gnome shows up. His name is Tindal and he claims he can eat magic. At first, Eight is worried the bread they conjured has been destroyed but Trix is able to verify it is still tasty. Over a meal of desert fruit, magic bread and overcooked scorpion, they learn about Tindal’s abilities.

He recounts how he came to be a magic eater, how it ostracized him from his family and what his current situation is. When he explains how it...

The creature chasing Trix and Faerlin has revealed itself to be a giant worm with sharp teeth. As the group engages, they realize that it’s a little hardier than a worm should be and its strikes are even deadlier. Faerlin climbs up the worm to make their attack, which leaves Trix open to attack. It takes the first opportunity to chomp down, enclosing Trix in its jaws.

The group gives the creature everything they have as they try to take it down and eventually are successful. As Trix climbs out of the mouth, they notice Faerlin wo...

The group has finally reached the end of the Cragsward Mountain range after a week of travel. Seeing their goal off in the distance, Faerlin pushes the group a little further before suggesting a short break since it’ll be another full day’s travel before they reach the rock that looks like a bird’s skull. Unfortunately, they find their water supplies are gone. Eight is able to conjure water but the sound of it trickling sends Faerlin off into the desert.

When Trix goes to look for them, they find he’s in a sandy pit pull...

With the scorpions vanquished, the group takes a moment to collect their thoughts. Faerlin is adamant about apologizing to Trix for missing his shot, despite their assurance that they’re not mad. Regi helps Rou carry Eight closer to camp, and the pair work to restore the unconscious construct. Once that is taken care of, Regi turns his sights on Trix and reveals how shocked they are about Trix’s true identity.

Trix admits their relation to the old Emperor, and even shares their true goal of assassinating him. Regi very bluntly points out that chasing the Empe...

CW: This episode deals with fighting giant scorpions and there are some descriptions in detail of their anatomy. If this would be triggering for you, please skip 31:56 to 32:07, 33:28 to 33:39, 37:04 to 37:32, 47:03 to 47:18 and 53:30 to 54:02. Your safety and enjoyment are important to us.

Trix and Regi’s conversation is interrupted by Faerlin, who has come to take their turn at watch. They sit and carve a piece of wood while Rou tries to ply him with questions. Rou’s curiosity is met with Faerlin’s assurance that he’s not like most servants and is more than capable. They promise...

As the ship continues to burn and crumble on the mountainside, Trix introduces Regi to the rest of their current group. In turn, Regi reveals that the mayor from Sparrow’s Landing has put out an open contract for their deaths. He tells them that while she doesn’t plan to go through with the contract now, they warn them that if he doesn’t do something the contract will remain open and will have to deal with worse foes down the road. Eight offers to give him their finger as “proof”, but the party decides they have some time to wo...

After gathering some new supplies, the group begins their trek into the desert. The day is spent following the mountain range, each member of the party prodding Faerlin for details on how to find the hideout. Eventually Faerlin caves, offering up a landmark to look for. Just as they decide to set up camp, the wind begins to blow and a shadow above them blocks out the sun.

The shadow is caused by a large metal airship and Trix notices the symbol on the ship belongs to the Bloodbeards, a guild that once rivaled their own Onyx...

As the fire rages at the outpost, Rou and Trix take a moment to catch Eight up with what they’ve missed the last week or so. It quickly becomes apparent that, aside from a memory gap, Eight now also is having trouble functioning despite their assurance that they feel fine. Trix comes clean about their history with the Emperor, the group’s most recent encounter with The Dragon, and what they did to try and bring Eight back. 

When they rejoin the group, it’s obvious to Indy & Co that Eight is no longer Amara, which prompts...

The group has cleared the blaze that rages within the cavern. The remaining guards are running around trying to salvage what they can in the enclosed outer areas, but it’s only a matter of time before that goes up in flames as well. The group stops in the middle of the chaos to try and bring Eight back to consciousness, unaware of whose personality might arise. As Trix tries to open the paneling, Rou pushes them away at first. Trix pushes forward and begins to examine Eight’s darkwood core. They eventually find a series of strange grooves but...

CW: This episode involves a PC being brought to zero wounds. While we discussed this and have safety tools in place, we want to make sure your listening experience is as enjoyable as possible. Please skip 17:01 to 18:17 if this would be triggering for you. There is also a gory description of an arm being chopped off from 23:53 to 23:59, please skip this if it would be triggering.

Rou and Anaan make their way through the outpost toward the source of the scream. They come upon the sight of Trix on a dais with the Emperor and The Dragon...

Trix is forced to change into more elegant clothing more befitting their station before having a private meeting with the Emperor. He asks about their journey, how they arrived at the outpost and what they desire from this meeting. Seemingly satisfied with Trix’s answers, the Emperor and The Dragon escort Trix to a small amphitheater to deal with some trespassers. 

Back in the cells, the rest of the party learns that Anaan’s companions have already been executed. They were caught due to an ill-timed hand gesture change. Before they can learn more, Amara is retrieved by tw...