User:RABNerd VP/Notes

Season 1
MONUMENT

Sypha asks what happens now, and Alucard says that he needs their help to defeat Dracula. Trevor asks why, and Alucard says that it’s what his mother would have wanted. They are the only ones who can do it.

Zemnian Nights

 * Jester and Beau decide to ask Molly about Yasha.

Jester and Beau tell Molly that Yasha left after starring at the storm. Beau asks if Yasha sleeps, which Molly says she does. Beau thinks it's creepy, but also hot. Jester feels like she's protected and safe, which Beau kinda agrees with. Molly says that she does. Beua says that she's mysterious, but Molly assures her that she's good, just going through some personal stuff. Caleb says that it's hard to get a read on her, but Molly assures him that she's worth it; just give it time.

Arrival at Kraghammer

 * Keyleth suggests that Grog bring Balgus a drink.
 * Grog realizes that he's not gonna be able to convince Balgus, and throws Vex and Keyleth at him.
 * Keyleth runs down after Grog.

Into the Grayspire Mines

 * Grog asks if Keyleth wants plant stuff or potion stuff.
 * Keyleth is disgusted by Grog throwing the food at random people.
 * Keyleth tells Grog that she'll take a healing potion.
 * Grog is excited to see Keyleth turn to Minxie.
 * Keyleth attempts to go heal Grog.

Curious Beginnings

 * Nott checks to see if Molly is using sleight of hand.
 * Molly overhears Nott and Caleb's conversation.

Curious Beginnings

 * Yasha notices Nott trying to hide her weapon and tells her to hand it over.
 * Nott tells Yasha that they were recommended the front row.
 * Nott thinks that Yasha is going to kill the guard.

Curious Beginnings

 * Caleb asks Yasha where their weapons go when they hand them over.
 * Caleb gives Yasha his dagger as she promises to give it back.
 * Yasha gives Caleb a pat down to see if there are more weapons on him.

Zemnian Nights

 * Caleb says that he really can't get a read on Yasha.

Curious Beginnings

 * Beau and Fjord debate whether to accept the payment.
 * Fjord gives Beau his extra gold.
 * Beau says that Jester called Fjord handsome.
 * Beau tells Fjord that she liked Yasha.
 * Beau jokes about Fjord being allergic to Frumpkin.
 * Beau moves Frumpkin away from Fjord.
 * Beau agrees with Fjord about not saying they made money.
 * Beau accidentally says that Fjord has the same name as her.

Curious Beginning

 * Jester leaves Beau and Fjord to check out Nott and Caleb.
 * Beau and Jester notice that Nott isn't exactly a Halfling.
 * Caleb accidentally tells Beau and Jester that Nott is a goblin.
 * Jester and Beau ask Nott about the guys in cloaks.
 * Beau grapples Nott as she tries to attack Jester.
 * Beau and Jester warn Nott and Caleb to stay away from the Baumbauch's.
 * Jester and Beau encourage Nott and Caleb to join them at the Carnival.
 * Nott, Jester and Beau try and get Yasha to let them be bouncers.

Curious Beginnings

 * Beau says hi to Nott and offers to buy her coffee.
 * Beau notices Caleb and Nott whispering.
 * Beau notices that Nott isn't exactly a Halfling.
 * Caleb accidentally tells Beau that Nott is a goblin.
 * Beau grapples Nott as she tries to attack Jester.
 * Beau asks Nott if she made her mask.
 * Beau and Jester warn Nott and Caleb to stay away from the Baumbauch's.
 * Jester and Beau encourage Nott and Caleb to join them at the Carnival.
 * Beau tells Nott that she should stop saying that she's a "little girl".

Curious Beginnings

 * Caleb accidentally tells Beau that Nott is a goblin.
 * Beau suggests that Caleb and Nott join them at the Carnival.
 * Beau asks the name of Caleb's cat, Frumpkin.
 * Beau asks Caleb more about the magic cat.
 * Beau and Jester warn Nott and Caleb to stay away from the Baumbauch's.
 * Caleb and Beau ask Molly about not allowing the sick in the circus.
 * Caleb and Beau both believe that the zombie and the singing weren't a coincidence.

Curious Beginnings

 * Caleb accidentally tells Beau that Nott is a goblin.
 * Beau suggests that Caleb and Nott join them at the Carnival.
 * Beau and Jester warn Nott and Caleb to stay away from the Baumbauch's.
 * Beau and Caleb talk to Nott about her trying to sneak her weapon in.

A Show of Scrutiny
As the group is being watched by the crownsguard, one enters the tent and yells that Yasha disappeared. The head guard tells the guards to shackle Molly, Gustav and Bo, and keep an eye on the rest of the group. Jester says that they're innocent, however the guards still say that they're not allowed to leave till the investigation is complete. Caleb steps forward and vouches for Molly, and says that everyone outside will as well, but the crownsguard decide to leave it up to the lawmaster. Beau asks why they're not questioning them now, but that would mean getting arrested as well. Jester and Fjord say that they'll just followe them to the stockade instead, but Beau really doesn't want to go to a jail. They're not a favored terrain. Fjord says that's good to know, but Jester could tell that as well, Beau insisting that she's not comfortable.

The guards take away the others, as Caleb sends Frumpkin to follow. As Beau sneaks out to find Toya, Fjord and Jester follow the guards taking away Molly. Nott asks if they should follow, since it's not their business, but Caleb isn't sure. Nott asks if he sent the cat, and both agree to follow behind them a bit. He grabs onto Nott as he enters Frumpkin's senses and follow.

Molly is taken to the lawmaster, Norda, who reads them the reason for their arrest. Jester and Fjord enter also, and Jester tells the woman that Molly was "technically" saving everyone from the zombies. Gustav is able to convince her that he would take full responsibility for the attack and Molly is let go. Norda asks if he will be staying with his Fjord & Jester, but Jester says that they've only just met, but Norda doesn't care. Jester get excited when Norda calls she, Fjord and Molly a group. They're warned not to leave the city, and asks Molly if he has anything else to say. Molly just says that he's shocked to see someone die in front of him, and Fjord assures that they'll be as compliment in the investigation as possible.

Outside of the stockade, Fjord asks Molly if this has ever happened to him before, but it hasn't. He thanks him for the save, but believes that he doesn't owe them anything. Fjord doesn't know about this, but Molly still says he will help them. Jester asks if he thinks it was Toya, but Molly insists that it's just an act. Fjord asks aobut the story with Toya and the toad, but Molly says it's nothing special, and asks where Beau went. The three of them then see the guards pulling Beau along in chains yelling for help. Jester asks what happened, but Beau just asks for more help, furthering to Jester to comment on her not liking jails. Molly jokingly asks if it's part of the show, but Fjord says that it's not. Molly says he'll help them with their problem by not going with to get her out. As Jester and Fjord enter, Fjord tells Molly not to leave but he's got nowhere to go.

Jester and Fjord enter the stockade again, and a guard allows them in. Fjord says that this doesn't keep with having a low profile, which Jester find weird. Jester comments that the cells smell like Caleb. They reach the cells and Fjord and Jester ask why Beau doesn't get a seat with the Lawmaster. The guard says that it was because she was uncooperative, leaving Jester confused. Beau says that it was a twitch from an old injury, Jester asking if they were making fun of her spasm. The guards says that Beau gets to see the lawmaster in the morning, but Fjord asks if they can see her now. Beau back him up saying that she's injured and that it was just the wrong place at the wrong time. The guard says he'll get her, but if she's angry it's not on him. Fjord thanks him, while Jester says that she's never seen Beau angry. As the lawmaster comes down, Fjord tells Beau to remember her "sister". The lawmaster arrives, and Fjord quickly apologizes and lies that Beau's sister had been in a similar situation as Toya and it just made her want to protect her. She meant no harm. Jester says that it was her adoptive sister, and Beau says that she had practically raised her...it's a sensitive subject. The lawmaster says that the girl is under investigation, Jester and Fjord saying that they're staying at the same place as them. Beau says that she'd be willing to cooperate with the investigation, and indicates her bruise for a place to look for samples. Jester asks if she needs to heal it, but Beau clenches her teeth and says no. The lawmaster asks if she's afraid that she was bitten, but Beau clarifies that she was swiped by the toad. The lawmaster orders the wound looked at and Fjord thinks it's a good idea. The lawmaster agrees to let Beau go free, but says that they are not allowed to leave the inn till the investigation is done. They're then escorted back to the inn.

Jester says that Beau should have spamed to make it realistic, which makes Beau mad that she didn't. She turns to Fjord and asks why he said that Toya was her sister, Jester pointing out that Toya is a dwarf. Fjord explains that he was trying to say that Beau had a sister in a similar situation, and that's why she tried to protect her. Jestre understands, but doesn't thinks that Fjord did a very good job explaining. Beau says that she was just going along with Fjord, and he says that she did pretty good. He asks if she saw anything, but she didn't. Jester asks why Beau would save Toya since she turned all the people into zombies, but Fjord and Beau aren't entirely sure that's true. Jester insists that she could have, when Molly joins them and says that she didn't. Jester says hi to Molly. Beau says that they should be looking into Molly instead, asking why they even stuck their neck out for him. Molly points out that Beau stuck her neck out for Toya, even though she can handle herself. Fjord asks if Molly has been to Trostenwald before, but Molly doesn't think so. Although towns do start to look the same after awhile. Fjord asks if this has happened to other carnival goers, but Molly says that it hasn't. Jester sarcastically says it's great that they're now stuck in a town with a zombie problem. Fjord asks where Caleb and Nott are, and Jester goes up to the tavern keeper to ask. She returns and tells the others that the two came back.

Caleb and Nott head down and join the others. Nott says that they somehow got seperated, but Beau knows that she's lying. She's says that the two of them left fast, and Caleb tells her that they didn't come to Trostenwald to get arrested. Fjord asks why they came and Caleb explains that they came for a rest from their time on the road. Fjord says that he didn't mean to pry, but was just curious. Beau asks Nott about the mask, but Molly interrupts to get a drink if he's gonna listen to people's life stories. Everyone else orders, and Jester asks if the barmaid heard her ask for milk. Molly says that he doesn't know, but won't drink alone.

Caleb starts to leave them and sit with Molly, but Jester stops him to show him the dick she etched in the table. Molly asks how she etched a deck in, but then Jester shows him that it's a dick. Caleb then asks where they came from, and Jester asks if he's referring to her and Molly. Caleb says yes, but Jester doesn't know where Molly comes from and finds it inconsiderate that he thinks all Tieflings come from the same place. Caleb says that he's clear that they're different. Jester points out that Molly is purple, while Molly points out that Jester is blue. Caleb says that Molly is more of every color, which Molly says is true. Jester says that she's from Nicodranas, and Molly says that he is from the circus. Caleb asks if he's traveled for awhile and Molly says that it's been for as long as he remembers. He likes it, all the people are good. Caleb points out his scars, and Molly says that it's a funny story. Fjord says that he likes funny stories, and Caleb agrees. Molly says that he does as well but doesn't offer any answers.

Caleb lets Frumpkin run over Nott. Molly says that his mother told him to never give away a story for free. Jester says that her mother told her not to give things away for free, which Fjord calls wise words, while Molly already likes her mom. Beau says that her moms said that nothing in life is free, which Molly can tell. Beau brings her attention back to Nott and asks about the traveling and the mask. Fjord clarrifies that it's because they find themselves in a predicament. Nott says that they're just passing through, but Beau doesn't believe her. Caleb points out that they would move because Nott is a goblin, but Beau says that people who move around a lot tend to be doing it for a reason. Caleb says that she wears the mask to hide that she's a goblin, but Beau is more focused on the travel thing. Nott explains that they've had bad luck, and she also sometimes gets the urge to steal things. She tells them that Caleb understands her, and calls him a brilliant magician. She asks if they've seen anything he's done and Fjord says that he hasn't but would like to. Nott does feel bad though, since they never stay in places long enough to clean up well. Fjord calls it a moving story as he and Beau double check to see if Nott took any of their stuff.

Fjord asks if the more someone wants something if Nott would desire it more, but Nott says that she doesn't care. She just likes pretty things. Beau asks if it's the taking or the gifts themselves she likes more, but Nott says that its the collecting. Fjord asks if she's good at not getting caught, prompting Nott to ask if they want a demonstration. Jester volunteers herself and Nott attempts to steal something from her but gets nervous. Molly notices Jester's symbol of the Traveler.

Molly says that he wants to hear Jester say fibulous. Beau tries to see if there's something suspicious about Nott as she takes Jester's money. After finishing the demonstation of the money pot, Nott tells Beau that she has questions for her. Like, how Beau knows halfling. Beau explains that her parents worked in the wine business, and halflings really like wine. Nott says that everyone likes wine, which Beau agrees with. She says that she worked the books and it kinda forced her to learn halfing since she was around it a lot. Nott asks what town that is, and Jester asks if it's near Trostenwald. Beau says it's a bit further and it's called Kamordah. Nott says that she's never heard of it, and Beau says that it's no big deal since it's a small farming town. Nott says that there's nothing shady about Beau then, and Beau says that she's just a traveler like everyone else.

Fjord interrupts them and says that he'd like to see a bigger trick and Jester uses Thaumaturgy to open all the windows. Fjord clarifies that he meant a trick from Caleb and Jester shrinks back down. Beau tells Nott and Caleb not to break anything. After they finish the spell, Jester suggests that Caleb could teach Fjord, and Molly asks if Fjord is learning magic. Fjord says that he is curious about it. Beau points out that Fjord has used magic before, but Fjord says that he's still trying to learn. Beau asks if Fjord's had his ability since he was a kid, but Fjord says that it's recent. She asks if something happened and he says yes, but doesn't clarify.

Caleb asks if they don't know each other that well, and Beau says that they've known each other a day or two longer, and both she and Fjord agree it's not that deep. Nott asks where they came from, and Fjord says that he's from Port Damali, and Jester says that's where they met. Fjord explains that he ran across Jester as he was leaving town, and saw her do magic. Jester says that if he needs more displays she can show him. Beau requests a display of her healing magic, since she's pretty sure she broke her rib, but Jester says that she's tapped. Beau decides to sleep if off, but Jester quickly tried cure wounds, but gets nothing. Nott says that it's past midnight, and Jester says that she has to sleep. She gets a closer look at the bruise and starts to think it might be infected. She takes a fork off the table and Beau tells her not to poker her with it, but Jester says that she's using the the blunt end and to stop being a baby. Ultimatly it's fine but Jester still needs to sleep. Caleb asks Molly if Gustav is your friend, and Molly calls him family. Caleb then asks what he'll do tomorrow, and Molly plans to try and figure out what happened. Jester asks how they'll leave since they're not allowed to leave the tavern, but Molly decides to figure something out in the morning. Jester yells to Fjord that they could leave the same way they entered, which Fjord agrees with. Jester tells Nott and Molly that she was checking to make sure that Beau wasn't going to be a zombie, which Molly sees as fair. Jester then heads up to bed, Beau sleeps on the floor of the same room. As Jester draws to The Traveller, she wakes up Beau by giggling, She apologizes, which Beau accepts.

The next morning, Jester asks Beau if she has a way to disguise herself. Beau makes a quick disguise, but Jester says that she still looks liker herself. Fjord says that's not what they had in mind, and Beau asks what they're doing. She asks if they're leaving and accuses them of leaving without her. Jester says they're not, but Beau just accuses them of skipping town which Jester considers. Fjord reminds her that Beau is right there, and Beau says that she could come with them. Fjord suggests checking with Caleb and Nott, and Jester agrees.

After figuring everyone else out, Fjord says that he'd hate to leave Beau behind, but Jester offers her disguise kit. Beau asks if she's good at make up, and Jester asssures her that she is. Molly suggests that they bathe Caleb to disguise him, but Jester points out that he's allowed to leave the tavern. Nott asks what they're doing and Jester explains that they're going to find out what happened so they don't get arrested. Caleb suggests letting it blow over, but Molly says that that doesn't normally happen and someone will just blame someone else. Caleb asks if Molly ever finds himself in similar situations, and Molly says not this specific one. Beau says that he can just look at Molly and piece it together, and offers a no offense, which Molly takes. Molly says that Beau is right, and will most likely get blamed for what happened, along with Jester. Beau says that Nott is also as likely to get blamed.

Jester help Beau disguise herself as a man. Beau calls Fjord manly and asks him to speak so that she can copy his voice.

MARISHA: Wait Fjord how do you sound? Say words, you're manly.

LAURA: Should we try to do this, then?

TRAVIS: In twos, or singles.

LAURA: Yeah, of course, not all at the same time, that's obvious.

TRAVIS: Level two, trying to get out of a fucking inn.

MARISHA: It's so hard.

TALIESIN: Now I'm kicking myself.

MARISHA: So anxiety-inducing.

TALIESIN: No, never mind, I didn't do it at the time, I can't do it now. No retconning, never mind.

LIAM: I'm going to squat down over with you, privately. I still think that this is a bad idea, but I can tell that you want to.

SAM: Well it's just that-- listen, there's no offense, I enjoy our talks and your schooling and everything, but I haven't talked this openly and freely with other people in months. It's amazing.

LIAM: It really is pretty nice, isn't it?

SAM: Yes!

LIAM: Still, if this goes south, we leave.

SAM: We're the first ones out the door.

LIAM: Easily.

SAM: Yeah. They'll never know who we were.

LIAM: Caleb and Nott.

SAM: Well, don't say that too much. I mean, yes, they do know that we're Caleb and Nott, yes.

LIAM: All right.

SAM: Okay.

LIAM: So we're doing this?

SAM: Yeah, let's just go with, and see where it leads.

LAURA: Can I walk up to Nott?

SAM: Hi! Yes, we weren't talking!

LAURA: Do you like my outfit?

SAM: Oh! What are you? I'm sorry, I'm just a young girl from the village.

LAURA: And I'm just a young girl from town.

SAM: I don't know anything. I should go get my father.

LAURA: Nott, it's me! It's Jester!

SAM: But you look like--

LAURA: I know! This is how good I am at magic! Check me out. Are we leaving here or not?

SAM: Are you afraid you'll be propositioned on the street?

LAURA: I am really attractive right now.

SAM: Those lips are very big.

LAURA: I came over here to give you the blessing!

SAM: What is that? What does that do?

LAURA: It helps you with your stealthing!

SAM: Oh, the stealthy thing, yes, thank you so much, I'll accept it.

LAURA: You're welcome. Okay, that's it. But I'll see you outside at some point, okay? Don't be scared, come up to me.

SAM and LAURA: Okay.

MATT: Okay, in what order are you leaving?

TRAVIS: Should I go first?

LAURA: Sure!

MARISHA: Are we going out in pairs? Like you said? Are we going out in pairs?

TALIESIN: Has Adelaine noticed any of this?

MATT: I imagine you guys have been using your disguise kits in your own rooms and chambers. Other than that, no one immediately seems to be noticing.

TRAVIS: Not command ops in the tavern hall.

MATT: You do see Yorda, the barkeep, in the process of wiping out some glasses at the end, she's occasionally giving a glance over to you guys as you're walking around.

LAURA: You go first!

TRAVIS: You want to come with?

MARISHA: Yeah.

TRAVIS: Don't do anything stupid. Mouth shut, eyes forward. Show me how you walk. Maybe a little less. That's nice. I also assume a little limp, slight.

MATT: Okay. The both of you exit out, holding your breath. Out of your peripheral you can see the deep reds and golds of the crownsguard armor flanking you as you breach the outer porch of the tavern, stepping down into the dust to the main street. You curve to the left and see nor hear any reaction from either of them.

TRAVIS: Just keep moving to the other side of the street.

TALIESIN: I go single just a little bit after.

MATT: All right, you saunter by without an issue. By saunter, I mean you stumble through. You hear a cough at one point, and it causes you a moment, but you just continue on without notice.

LAURA: Oh, everybody's leaving and I didn't have a partner!

MARISHA: It's fine, don't worry about it.

SAM: You can come with us, if you like.

LAURA: But I feel like you guys are noticeable and why would I be this really beautiful woman leaving with the stinky guy?

SAM: It's quickly becoming canon that you just have shit smeared all over you. You could travel with me! I could be your daughter.

LAURA: You're my daughter!

SAM: Yes! We're a couple, and he's our guard or something, I don't know.

LAURA: Yeah! You leave after us Caleb, okay?

LIAM: Isn't it simpler for you to walk on yourself like a beautiful woman?

LAURA: No, me and Nott are going to go together. Okay, come on, Nott!

SAM: I'm sorry, she's very forward.

LAURA: Come on sweetie, let's go.

SAM: Yes, mommy!

LAURA: And we walk out.

MATT: You've exited before, and you're completely visually a different individual, so you guys pass through without an issue. Caleb, you can follow up behind, as you are not currently under direct guard in the tavern. So you guys all manage to slowly come together a few blocks down and out of the sight of the crownsguard guarding the Nestled Nook Inn, and where are you off to?

LAURA: We did it! Where should we go?

TRAVIS: Let's just keep walking for now.

LAURA: Okay. Should we walk toward the carnival where the zombies were?

TALIESIN: Who was he, would be my question.

LAURA: Oh, right. We should find out where he's from. How do we do that? Should we ask around and say hey, anybody know where the old guy came from that turned into a zombie?

TRAVIS: That's a good point.

TALIESIN: Seems to be the most appropriate thing to ask at this point

LIAM: Well, we could find some public places and just gossip a bit, see if anybody has heard of him, if a friend has died at the circus last night.

MARISHA: I mean, you mentioned no sick people. If he was sick, sometimes that word gets around.

TRAVIS: Maybe there is a morgue, maybe they recognized him.

TALIESIN: These small towns, most everyone knows everyone else.

LAURA: Let's go to, is there a market area?

MATT: They don't have a large bazaar, but there is an area that is generally where a lot of the simple wares and vegetables and meats and people who sell small things that they craft their own at, it's a small market. By going around asking questions and inquiring and trying to prod people to talk about what transpired the night before, the information you gather involves the man who passed away. His name is Enon Brinjay.

LIAM: Brinjay?

MATT: Brinjay. He's a standard human being in his early 80s. He's old, but healthy, it seemed.

TRAVIS: Was he in good health?

MATT: Seemed to be in good health for his age.

LIAM: So the war against the old continues.

MATT: Apparently.

TALIESIN: We’re the Logan's Run of D&D.

MATT: He seemed to have been retired for quite some time, but had been making little bits here and there, helping the fishermen move fish to and from the outside of the lake. He wasn't really well known. The reason people are talking about him now is because the word is gotten around and gossiped about, but for the most part, he was one of the many faceless people that live in the town. A handful knew his name.

TALIESIN: Retired fisherman?

MARISHA: He was helping.

TALIESIN: Do we know where he was retired from and where he was staying, maybe where he was drinking? He had to go somewhere.

MATT: Actually, he was known often to be drinking at The Old Mud Hole Tavern.

TALIESIN: Is that with the weird "e" spelling?

MATT: No, just "old."

TALIESIN: I'm always a fan.

MATT: I know.

LAURA: "Ye olde."

TALIESIN: "Ye olde" It's pronounced "the" when you see the ye.

TRAVIS: I should point out this is the second connection to the Ustaloch.

TALIESIN: The what?

TRAVIS: Well, before we met up with you two, we fought off a wicked, sick water snake.

LAURA: It came up out of the lake for some reason.

TALIESIN: Is this a metaphor or is this actually a real thing?

LAURA: It really happened. I almost died.

MARISHA: I punched a snake to death.

LAURA: She did.

SAM: There were the snakes in the circus last night, but it wasn't related to the attack, I suppose.

LAURA: A little different.

LIAM: How long of a snake are we talking about?

MARISHA: Oh, it was a giant water snake, then the little girls were complaining about more and more instances of these snakes coming out of the lake.

SAM: And this fellow who died worked with the fishermen in the lake?

LAURA: Well, he took some jobs with them. Did anybody see him the day of the carnival? Was he working with anyone that day?

MATT: You don't find any information. You would have to go beyond asking questions around a market.

SAM: Is the lake within the city limits?

MATT: It's technically considered part of the city.

LAURA: Where's Ye Olde Mud Hole Tavern at?

MATT: The Mud Hole Tavern, you've been to before.

TALIESIN: I was doing my rounds.

MATT: Yeah, when you first entered the city, so you can--

MARISHA: The Lochward, is that what we're talking about?

MATT: The Lochward is where the Old Mud Hole would be at. The Lochward is to the eastern side of the entire city. The Lochward is the central one.

LIAM: The wards border the lake.

MATT: So you make your way to the Old Mud Hole. Entering inside, this is a dark dive of a bar, you've been there once before. It smells heavily of old, wet wood, ale stains, and peanut. It's a very small area and of the four tables that are there, they are mostly empty, except for one old man who is sitting there in the process of playing a game of solitaire with his cards and a man in his 30s thumbing through a book, who would be the barkeep if there were more patrons at the moment. He's flipping through and glances up and gives you a look as you enter. "Can I help you? Are you looking for drinks? Can I get you anything?"

LIAM: Yeah, I would really love a drink and I sit down next to him. What do you have? I need something heavier than a trost. I've had enough trosts to last me a lifetime.

MATT: "We have liquor."

LIAM: I will take your liquor.

MATT: "I will get some whiskey for you then. Whiskey, everyone?"

MARISHA: Sure.

SAM: Two please.

LAURA: It's okay. She's my daughter. She loves whiskey. I don't even remember what voice I was doing. I let her have any whiskey she wants.

TALIESIN: We've been doing a pub crawl.

MATT: He goes and lines up a few small containers, fills whiskey for all of you. "All right, that will be eight silver for the batch."

LIAM: I have that. I pull out eight silver. Oh wait, silver, did you say? I do not have eight silver.

LAURA: It's okay. I have it.

LIAM: You do?

LAURA: Sure. I mean, sure.

MATT: He takes the silver and puts it away, slides the drinks to the rest of you and goes back to his book and starts thumbing through again.

LIAM: Honestly, it's been a terrible 24 hours. We were at the circus last night and I did not know him well, but old man Brinjay fell.

MATT: He looks up and goes, "Enon, it's sad to see him go and many of us were wondering what day it was going to be."

LIAM: Did you know him?

MATT: "He came in here most every day to drink. He's a lonely man."

LIAM: It was a terrible way to go. I'm sorry.

MATT: "Doesn't bother me one way or the other. Just sad to lose a patron."

LAURA: Do you know who was talking to him the day of the carnival?

MATT: "I don't recall. Sometimes he would tell stories to whoever was willing to listen and not most were willing to listen."

LAURA: Was he here that day?

MATT: "Yesterday?"

LAURA: Yeah.

MATT: "I think he came in briefly for a drink before the carnival, but that was it."

MARISHA: You know, we should drink to old stories of Brinjay.

TALIESIN: I down my shot. What did the man drink out of curiosity? What was his final drink? I'm a bit of a macabre person myself.

MATT: "It's this very whiskey you just had."

TALIESIN: I'll take one more, and I'll get one of my own.

LIAM: I heard he was sick, too.

MATT: "I don't believe he was ill. I hope not. He seemed to be rather wasting away. You shouldn't be doing so much manual labor at that age."

SAM: What labor was he doing?

MATT: "He carries stuff around from small tasks to--

SAM: Down at the docks?

MATT: "The docks, up at the North Ward. He carried crates, boxes. Just odd jobs, ways to get by til the end of his days, which now that they've come, may he rest and not have to do odd jobs ever again." He pours his own bit of whiskey.

ALL: Cheers.

LAURA: Do you know who he was doing odd jobs for that day?

SAM: Your lady voice is worse than mine.

MATT: "To be honest, if he did, I wasn't paying attention."

LIAM: I'm sure his family will miss him very much.

MATT: "There's nobody nearby. He had a son about 35 years ago, but he got married and went up north."

TRAVIS: Did he work for any of the particular breweries somehow?

MATT: "I don't know. Maybe."

MARISHA: Brinjay.

LAURA: Where did he sit in here?

MATT: He points over to the not the table the guy is playing solitaire on, but the empty table to the right of him. "Usually right there in the corner."

LAURA: I go sit in the corner. I'm going to look if I can find that looks like an old man was touching it.

MATT: It looks like probably old person touching has been all over here. Yes. The table is very old and warped in places, stains all over it. It's not a very good table. It’s seen some rough days.

TRAVIS: If we were to go down to the docks and ask after a few people he worked with, is there anyone you know that we should speak to, familiar of his?

MATT: "I apologize. I served him drinks and pretended to listen to him many times, but I wasn't really paying attention."

TRAVIS: Right, I understand.

MARISHA: Is there anyone who did? That wasn't hypothetical.

MATT: "Maybe. I apologize. I spend most of my days reading." He lifts the book.

MARISHA: What's the book?

SAM: You read!

LIAM: Subtle, guys.

TALIESIN: We got a reader. While they're doing this, I'm going to saunter over to the card player.

LIAM: Can I see what's on the spine of that book from where I am?

MATT: At a glance at it, it's in Zemnian, which you can read. The translation would come about to The Rosed Embrace.

MARISHA: A romance novel.

MATT: Probably.

LAURA: Is Fabio on the cover?

LIAM: How's your trashy novel? It’s a good one. No judgement.

MATT: "It's not trashy. It's very tasteful."

LIAM: Oh no, I'm fluent in Zemnian. I've read all of his works.

MATT: "Have you?"

LIAM: Mutual fan.

MATT: "I didn't realize there was another Samuel fan in here. Which is your favorite?"

LIAM: I love the Farthing’s Embrace.

MATT: "I haven't read that one."

LIAM: It's an early one. He actually did it under a pseudonym. He did a whole series under that pseudonym, short stories.

MATT: "What is it again?" He goes over and grabs a piece of chalk in the back and starts, "It was?"

LIAM: Farthing’s Embrace.

MATT: "Mein Gott, I did not know about this. I may have to send out Zadash and see if we can find some of those books. Thank you.”

LIAM: You're a big reader or just Samuel?

MATT: "Just recently Samuel. I read on occasion. It depends on what you can find."

LIAM: I read a lot, but all I've been able to find in this town is that parchment place.

MATT: "The parchment place is good for trash. If you're looking for unique stuff, there's a few places you can go."

LIAM: Here in town?

MATT: "Here in town, yeah. If you're having a hard time finding a specific book, I would recommend going to Burnished Bibelots."

LIAM: Burnished Bibelots. Which ward is that in?

MATT: "That is in the North Ward, just on the outskirts of the main market street. It's a bit of a cluttered mess, but Oglen would be happy to help you.

LIAM: Oglen?

MATT: "Oglen."

LIAM: That is good to know. Thank you.

MATT: "Not to worry."

LIAM: Those are hard to find, the Farthing’s Embrace.

MATT: "I imagine so. It can't be that bad."

LIAM: He wasn't as proud of them. Early work and all that.

MATT: "Of course. I have a contact in Rexxentrum. If I cannot find it in Zadash, I will get it from Rexxentrum.

LIAM: That would be the place.

MATT: "What's your name?"

LIAM: My name is Caleb.

MATT: "Caleb. Pleasure to meet you. I am Vosna.”

TRAVIS: Thank you for the drink, Vosna. I'll be taking my leave now.

MATT: "Of course. If anybody else is a reader as well, come by and talk sometime."

TALIESIN: Not there at all.

LIAM: This has been quite a day.

LAURA: Is there pictures?

MATT: "Pictures are up in here."

LAURA: Oh. Sounds exciting.

LIAM: I sneak my undrunk whiskey to Nott.

SAM: I take out my flask from my leg, unscrew it, and pour it in.

MATT: Okay.

LAURA: What do you guys think? Should we stay here? Should we go somewhere else?

TRAVIS: We got to get Molly.

TALIESIN: I just sat down for a moment with this solitaire player.

MATT: Correct.

TALIESIN: They say that solitaire is the game for the death-obsessed. There's inevitability to every hand, most of them are doomed from the start no matter what you do. Any interest to buck fate and try your hand at an opponent for once? No money, just friendly. I slide the rest of my whiskey over.

MATT: "Are you a devil?"

TALIESIN: I've been called worse.

MATT: "I don't play with devils."

TALIESIN: I'm just a man who saw another man die yesterday. It's been heavy on my conscience and I was just wondering if there was anything you could tell me about Enon.

MATT: "Enon wanted to go to that bloody circus."

TALIESIN: I'm regretting it myself.

MATT: "I told him not to go. Stupid, it is for the common folk and the young. He's always had his head in the clouds."

TALIESIN: Has he? That's not what other people have said.

MATT: "Other people are stupid."

TALIESIN: Why do you think he went? Why do you think that happened to him?

MATT: "He's lonely. Don't trust the carnival. Nothing but spooks and magicians and things that want to take your life and take your money, take your family, whisk you away. Fuck the circus."

TALIESIN: Fuck the circus. So that's what you think happened to him, then? I feel like there's something evil afoot.

MATT: "Says the devil."

TALIESIN: Again, I've been called worse. Sure you have in your time, as well.

MATT: He takes the drink, sips it. "Don't come ‘round here no more."

TALIESIN: I take my cup back. Down it. I love small towns.

MARISHA: Shithead.

TRAVIS: We head outside. Well, that was revealing.

SAM: Was it?

MARISHA: We learned a few things, actually. He's a prime target. Perfect victim, perfect candidate. No one really paid attention to him, he was old, he had no family, his son's gone.

TALIESIN: Awfully convenient.

MARISHA: Awfully convenient. Still awfully convenient that your little circus doesn't allow the elderly, which you never fully explained, and he happened to be one of the oldest people in that circus. Where did that rule come from? The sick makes sense, I asked you that before, but why elderly?

TALIESIN: That rule's been around for as long as I can remember because it makes people think the show's dangerous. Gives them a thrill.

TRAVIS: You're worried about them having a heart attack or something?

TALIESIN: We're not really worried about people having a heart attack; we want people to be worried about having a heart attack, because then they're more excited to come see the show. This is how these shows work.

MARISHA: Do you know who implemented that rule?

TALIESIN: Before my time.

LAURA: In his defense, every carnival I've gone to has said no sick people, no old people.

TALIESIN: It's a boilerplate.

MARISHA: Still a good candidate.

TALIESIN: If you were trying to hide doing something to someone it's a great candidate. If I was trying to get away with something, terrible idea.

MARISHA: Or if you were trying to frame someone. Seems to be a lot of pretty bigoted people in this town who don't like tieflings and other strange lots. Jester, you actually said one of the smartest things of the night, which is-- you did, yeah. Which is, guard's really weird.

LAURA: Right?

MARISHA: Yeah.

TALIESIN: Wait, what?

LAURA: The guards are really weird.

MARISHA: The Crownsguards. As you were saying, the Ustaloch?

TALIESIN: What kind of weird?

LAURA: Like, you know, they-- What kind of weird?

MARISHA: They seem to be the one connecting through-line. Also, what's her name, Norda? Mentioned that she didn't want to let you lot in, but made an exception. I don't know, if I wanted to do something, and if I already knew a bunch of people were upset and angry at a circus and strange people coming in, it's easy framing, in my opinion.

TRAVIS: She makes a valid point, actually.

LAURA. Oh. If people are scared of carnivals, they won't want them in the future.

TRAVIS: Bingo.

MARISHA: That, or if you're up to no good and you don't want to get caught, blame it on the easy frame. The weirdos who just rolled into town.

LAURA: Great, so we just need to investigate the guards.

TRAVIS: That might be harder to do. Maybe we go down to the Lochward.

TALIESIN: Start at the docks, but I'll keep that in mind.

MARISHA: I don't know, it might not be the guards. There might be another through-line that we're missing.

LAURA: Do we need to question the guards?

SAM: That sounds terrible.

LAURA: Maybe we should tell them they can't leave town.

MARISHA: Ooh, that's a good idea, yeah! Maybe when they question us--

LAURA: We turn it around!

MARISHA and LAURA: Yeah!

MARISHA: I like that.

TALIESIN: I was about-- nope, nevermind.

LAURA: What?

TALIESIN: I was about to be very impressed, but I take it back.

MARISHA: Aw.

TRAVIS: How far is it from where we are to the Lochward?

MATT: You guys are technically in the Lochward. It's a quick jaunt over to the edge of the Ustaloch.

MARISHA: So the Ustaloch is the docks? It's what they called the ward, or it's the lake?

MATT: It's the giant lake that the docks are up against. The city is built against this giant, kidney bean-shaped lake.

MARISHA: What does "usta" mean? What does "usta" come from?

MATT: Do you speak Zemnian?

MARISHA: You speak Zemnian.

LIAM: I do speak Zemnian.

TALIESIN: What does "usta" mean?

LIAM: It means--

MATT: Do you know?

LIAM: Do I know?

MATT: I just wanted to fuck with you.

LIAM: It's been a while, but osten means lake. No, it's not Lake Lake.

MATT: Essentially, it just means "an east lake."

LIAM and MARISHA: East Lake.

TALIESIN: Very good.

MATT: Not too complicated.

MARISHA: All right.

TALIESIN: I'd like to avoid the guards for as long as possible.

MARISHA: Agreed.

TRAVIS: Let's head down to the docks. Keeping an eye out for crownsguard.