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Runtime Break start
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Episode 78: Fractures

So last we left off: Bell’s Hells, after an extended excursion to the Shattered Teeth, learning more and more about the history of Ashton’s youthful transformation into what you now know to be some sort of elemental humanoid, genasi-esque it seems, carrying within them the dormant seed, a broken shard of one of the ancient Primordial Titans. You made your path through these islands, acquired another chunk of one of these Primordial Titans that might be used to awaken this dormant shard.
Given numerous bits of information about its history, the possible power within and warnings attached returned to Whitestone to both convey the information you gathered to the allies that you’ve made who are hoping to soon wage a massive front against the Malleus Key, but they lack information about what resides in the opposite side of the moon.
The worry of destroying the key before knowing too much could leave Ludinus completely left to his own machinations unable to be stopped. So the bridge must be maintained for now and information is to be gathered.
You, Bell’s Hells, volunteered to be the recon mission to the moon and back. You gathered materials from your allies. Arcanist Allura Vysoren, member of the Tal’Dorei Council, making your acquaintance and providing a number of materials to help hopefully aid you on this recon mission.
Before you left, Fearne and Ashton had a discussion to find a way to awaken the dormant shard of the titan within. In asking for a space to do this, you were shown to a subterranean layer beneath Whitestone where there seemed to be an ancient ziggurat. Itself coated with layers of residuum glass. This platform of power at the top was where the two of you brought the harness and asked for some privacy.
While your friends waited out of sight and Allura put up a barrier to protect any wayward magical energies from damaging the surrounding cavern and Whitestone above, Ashton decided to take the shard into himself. The words from Evontra’vir, the Tree of Atrophy, echoing in the mind of those around that both shards within one vessel would likely destroy it. Upon the process beginning, Ashton’s physical physical form was brought not just to its limit, but past it twice. Thanks to some careful preparatory spellcasting and a ring taken by an old flame and some fucking lucky rolls at the end there, Ashton lost an arm and then gained a new one, bouncing back and forth on the cusp of death before eventually the process completed. With just a shred of consciousness to you, you looked upon your newly formed molten rock arm before Fearne kicked you in the head and knocked you unconscious, once again sliding across the surface.
The rest of you have been hearing these shouts and rushing up to help and trying to find a way to keep them alive, being burned in the proximity of the heat of this spark of Rau’shan. You just begin to catch your breath. The anxiety still thrumming in your minds. The last thing you see is Ashton smile through the pain before clattering, motionless to the top of the ziggurat floor.
Fearne, you stand there gripping your fist at your side as you land back onto your hooves.

Previous Episode “The Promise and the Price”

  • Linuto@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    I made a comment on last week’s episode that I deleted because it wasn’t adding to the discussion in a helpful way. I missed the part where Matt explained Ashton would die on a failed save. Does anyone remember when that happened?

    • Ultragramps@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPMEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      There was the brief moment where Ashton had a death ward I think may be one of the first indications of death potential. The part where it’s implied that it’s true character death, not unlike disintegration, was when the ring was used up. That’s also the part where it’s been claimed that the Ashton with the party now is from an alternate universe where they succeeded in all the DC checks.

  • Ultragramps@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPMEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    Welp. Fearne is pissed off and they’re finally detecting thoughts on Ashton. Consequences are a thing. Do they have the humility to make an honest effort to earn trust back from the team, and especially Fearne? Fearne lied to the team, too, and they just let her walk off with the harness they’ve done so much work for.

    Edit: Chet with the clutch steal! “Hey Fearne… You fucked up… I mean, look at me, I am the greatest wolf that ever lived…Don’t fuck around, 'cause Ashton almost found out.”

  • Ultragramps@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPMEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    ~ 03:15:00 Allura learns that Fearne’s nana is the infamous Fate-Stitcher, Morrigan of the Fey Realm and agrees to join the team in their journey. Matt explained in the 4-Sided Dive episode that Allura is the character that Matt uses to interact with the players as his own kind of avatar. This has the beginnings of a fantastic Fey Realm adventure.

  • Ultragramps@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPMEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    ♪Episode Song References♪ ᕕ( ᐛ)ᕗ

    Highlights

    • 01:38:12 {Imogen apologizing to Allura for the team’s behavior} “I’m so sorry. We’re not normally like this.”
      “‘Do I smell food?’ I come down just in a pair of briefs with a bottle of courage.” - Travis
    • 02:44:00 Fan Art Moment {Chetney transforms} “Let’s see what that new arm can do.”
    • 02:55:10 “Did he manipulate you?”
    • 03:08:31 “I’m not an MC like Chet-ney” Travis’ faces lol
    • 03:19:50 “Is there ayahuasca there?”
    • 03:24:00 Fearne:“That was awful to watch.” (talking to Ashton about his death).
      Ashton:“Yeah it was…How awful to feel, too.”
      You know those moments where you aren’t listening and just autorespond and it is embarassing? For example, replying to a server saying “enjoy your meal” with “you too”.
    • 03:29:58 “Canopy!” apparent obscure reference by Laura
    • 03:32:53 (Morri 1) “I’m just trying to keep on my stories, that’s all. Keep rubbing there, still a bit sore.”
    • 03:39:35 “Hello. I’m Arcanist Allura Vysoren of the Tal’Dorei Council and Arcana Pansophical. I have many powerful friends who know where I am and will come looking for me if I vanish.”
    • 03:41:13 Fan art moment (Morri 1) “Is this a retreat?!”
      Fearne:“Yes, it is.”
      FCG:“But, something where we need to work together–”
      (Morri 1):“(CACKLES LOUDLY)”
      Travis:“I take two points of psychic damage.”
      Nana Morri’s long neck and sudden booming volume make for some excellent and terrifying visuals.
    • 03:57:13 “Dirty Fey.”