Episode 6: Book Club

Pre-break
Sylnan has a very weird dream that he was constantly falling, and wakes up very confused. Mountain smacks Taxi for snoring too loud, and Sylnan shouts “We’re trying to be awake over here!” Br’aad notices Sylnan’s sheets are soaked, and Sylnan blames it on a good old case of swamp-ass.

Br’aad tries to “vibe check” everybody about how they feel about Hilltree’s special brain and the gem that wants it. Velrisa suggests they give up Hilltree, which everybody heavily opposes to immediately.

Taxi suggests that they just leave the Wharf. Everybody seems all for it except for Mountain, who argues that if they leave, Olgart died for nothing. Taxi asks for an alternative, to which Mountain has none. While they keep discussing, Oriana comes in with new information. She talks about a blue orc who spends his nights alone, mumbling about strange creatures under the sea. He has weird cult-ish tattoos across his arms and scars everywhere. She couldn’t find him herself, but it was the only lead she had.

Taxi tells her that he almost died while they were chasing their own lead (and being chased by the Butcher), to which she responds “... happens,”. Taxi thanks her for the info, and she says she’ll be at the library.

Before they leave to get clues on the orc, Oriana remembers about a small man who pawns off a bunch of ancient junk in the back of his house and that he may have ancient knowledge too. Oriana takes her leave, and Br’aad asks what he sees in her. Taxi just says that it’s a long story, and Br’aad lets Taxi know that he’s here for him if he wants to talk.

When they get to the pawn shop, they spend some time freeing the gnome man who owns the place. One Sylnan gets him to his feet, Sylnan punches him in the face (but not really) (This is when Grizzly yells, “I’m gonna pee!”). While they were trying to free the shop owner, Br’aad makes a toddler harness for Hilltree.

Once the gnome is free, he asks what he can do for them, and Sylnan asks about fish cult people, turtle dragons, a ritual that will flood the city, and a barber that doesn’t die. The gnome is completely confused, and thinks they’re all on drugs. To argue this, Sylnan urges the man to look at his purple veins.

The shop owner lets them look around for books, and Sylnan says that he’ll wait outside because he’s “illitimate”. Br’aad corrects him by saying he meant “illegitimate”. Sylnan and Mountain go to find leads on the orc.

Velrissa buys a book on grave clerics and Taxi buys a book written in a bunch of different languages about a deity called Ungaroe, a large dragon turtle that can control life below the sea, and wishes to flood the entire world. Br’aad finds a large book on ancient cults around the Great King’s Wharf, and buys it for 12 gold (paying 3 now and owing 8 later and no that’s not a typo).

Meanwhile, Mountain talks to the bartender, and learns that the orc usually bar hops around most nights. Sylnan talks to an old contact about the blue orc. He tells him that the orc is a part of the thieving group that is going to launch a heist on the King’s castle in 8 days. Sylnan pays him off to get more info, and learns that he was hired by Brenden.

Sylnan is warned to not try to get close to Brenden, and he replies that he’ll try anyway. His contact warns him that if he finds him dead, he’ll know it’ll be because of Brenden. Sylnan and Mountain make their way back to the shop to share their findings.

Break Announcements
Slimecicle announced that there is now fundraising for the podcast in order to help support Narwhal so he can spend more time as a DM.

Post-break
Mountain and Sylnan share what they learned about the blue orc, and Taxi suggests that everyone goes back to the factory to read until nightfall and then they go to the bars to find the orc. Sylnan can’t read, and wants to find Brenden. Mountain doesn’t like books, so he tags along, and they run off. Velrisa leaves for the tavern by the factory. Br’aad wants to read, but also doesn’t want to ditch his brother, so he chases after them and tries to read on the way. Taxi, Velrisa, and Hilltree end up going to the same tavern by chance.

Sylnan leads Br’aad and Mountain into the sewers, and to a secret underground thieves bar. Sylnan sees somebody he recognizes, a fancy-dressing twink named Jaquot. He asks him about where he can find Brenden, and Jaquot warns Sylnan that he shouldn’t try to seek him out. He asks him if he knows anything about the blue orc, and Jaquot says he has never seen or spoke to him, but knows of him. Sylnan begins making a scene, loudly asking Mountain about what bars the orc goes to, and Jaquot tells Sylnan to meet him back at his house with his friends at nightfall, to keep their conversation private. Sylnan agrees. While the three leave the sewer, they hear footsteps behind them, but none of them see anybody directly, but they know they are being followed. When they finally make it out of the sewers, nobody comes up after them.

They all agree to go back to their room in the factory, but find no one else there. Mountain and Sylnan investigate while Br’aad reads upstairs. Following a trail of blood, Sylnan and Mountain quickly stumble upon a pile of rats eating the Rat King’s corpse. They make eye contact with a rat with purple eyes, and Sylnan yells for B’raad to leave the building. He books it, and hordes of rats chase Sylnan and Mountain out of the factory. The rats start circling the building, effectively keeping them out. They go to the tavern for drinks, catch Taxi and Vel up about the Rat King, and they all decide to see Oriana.

At the library, Br’aad finally reads, Velrisa continues to read, Sylnan and Mountain go to throw rocks at walls, and Taxi talks to Oriana, which goes about as well as last time. Taxi awkwardly leaves and talks to the front desk worker, Gregori. He asks him about being able to translate his book, and Gregori says it will cost a lot of coin, but if he can grab some items from some people who are overdue on their loans, then he'll call it even. Taxi agrees and the librarian gives him a list with names, items and locations.

As Taxi makes his way out, Oriana blocks the way. She leans up and kisses him. Taxi immediately follows up the kiss with "Oof". The party makes their way to collect the items on the list before nightfall:
 * 1) Midolyn - Scimitar
 * 2) Slyker - Boots of Haste
 * 3) Iron Bucket - Cloak of Invisibility