Episode 11: The Rest of the Story

Pre Break
As the sun sets over the Wharf, Br’aad, Taxi and Velrisa examine the ransom note, which reads, “If you ever want to see your brother alive again you know where to go” and has a crude drawing of a house. Initially, Br’aad is unsure if he is correctly interpreting the message, only about 80% certain. Br’aad picks up the arm and is ready to throw hands.

While deciding where to rest (if they even choose to rest), Br’aad keeps bringing up the water kerfuffle at the bar. As well,  Br’aad doesn’t want to wait and rest, he just wants to go. Taxi awkwardly agrees while on single digits of hitpoints. Br’aad asks if Vel even gives a shit, and she responds that she is okay with doing whatever.

Br’aad mocks her response, Taxi asks why Br’aad is being mean to Velrisa, and he feigns ignorance at the accusation.

Taxi says that Vel saved her life and B’raad argues that she really thought about it first though. Vel minces words and says that “you should always think about what you do before you do it," which prompts Br’aad to tell Taxi that Velrisa saw him go down right in front of her, and she just sat back and had a drink (Taxi will remember this).

Br’aad concedes to a rest. They don’t feel safe at Jaquot’s so they go to a bar near the Factory to take a short rest. While there, Br’aad tells Taxi more about Ob’nockshai, and that the god enjoys hurting him and the people he’s close to. Taxi asks if he was brought to the bar to help Taxi and Vel, and Br’aad says it was partially to help and a partially to hurt, as he couldn’t do anything for Sylnan or Mountain. He doesn’t know if this is a loss or a win, but he is glad that Taxi is okay. Taxi thinks he understands, and Br’aad is relieved, because he sure doesn’t. Taxi comments that he has met a god before, and Br’aad laughs at him glossing over it so easily. Taxi asks if he and Ob’nockshai are close, and Br’aad comments that he called him son once, but no, that their meeting was really just an accident.

Br’aad mishears Taxi’s next question, and shares that Ob’nockshai hurts him badly, but not physically. Taxi quietly comments that that actually wasn’t his question and Br’aad cringes before asking Taxi to tell him about himself. Taxi thanks him for coming at the best and worst time to save him, and that they probably would have died without him.

Br’aad asks to meet Taxi again over another glass of water and talk about Taxi’s god, he agrees to at least hanging out more.

Suddenly, the bar door slams open, and a hurting Olgart stumbles into the tavern. Everybody is shocked to see him alive after the underground, which was a few days ago at this point. After being healed by Velrisa, Br’aad tells him about Sylnan and Mountain and that they’re really in deep shit with Brenden and Jaquot. Olgart grows concerned about them as well, and goes with them to the Factory, which Br’aad is incredibly grateful for.

Taxi beastshapes into a wolf and scouts ahead. While at the Factory, he smells blood and decay, but sees nobody around, not even any rats. Taxi returns and tells Br’aad that nobody was in the Factory, and Br’aad loses certainty that this was the right location. Olgart comments that it may be awhile before Brenden drops Sylnan and Mountain off, then asks Br’aad’s where his home is, and he realizes that his answers grow even more uncertain and vague the further back he thinks, and is unable to think of another singular location besides the Factory.

Olgart suggests that they go to sleep in the tavern and come back later in the night, and Velrisa agrees. Taxi argues that since this is Br’aad’s brother, he should decide their next move. Br’aad says that if it was his decision, he would stay here and have everyone take watches.

Post Break
On Taxi’s watch, he hears a carriage pull up near the Factory. Upon closer inspection, Taxi sees the blue orc, two cloaked figures, and what he swears to be a second Br’aad drop off Mountain and Sylnan's limp forms, along with Hilltree. Once they leave, Taxi wakes everyone up, and lets them know what he saw. Br’aad wants to rush in, but Olgart suggests they finish resting so they’re ready to face any enemy. Velrisa does her watch.

They approach the Factory, and confirm that Sylnan, Mountain and Hilltree aren’t doppelgangers, like what Taxi thinks the second Br’aad was. Br'aad and Sylnan reunite, Taxi checks in with everyone.

Mountain asks Br’aad where he went at Jacquot's, and Br’aad dodges around answering, asking if pulling Jaquot's pants down was worth it, which Mountain laughs about. Sylnan steps closer to Br’aad and asks if it was “him”, which Br’aad quietly confirms. Taxi interjects on their conversation, saying Br’aad told Taxi all about his god magic, Sylnan argues that he doubts this guy is a god, and Mountain doesn’t even want to try to understand whatever they’re talking about.

Mountain brings up his missing locket to the party, and Br’aad wonders if they’re close enough to ask why it’s so important to him. Sylnan says they probably shouldn’t ask, and Mountain tells them that they don't have enough time to go through it at the moment. He also says that he’s getting it back with or without their help, and Br’aad promises that they'll all be there to help him get it back.

Mountain throws Sylnan under the bus and tells everyone that he lost a pinkie, and the moment is fully ruined. Velrisa says that the pinkie is gone without a restoration spell, which she isn’t able to do yet. The team makes their way back to the Slaughtered Ox to regroup.

On the way, Br’aad is casting Prestidigitation on Sylnan’s stump to try and find his Optimal Pinkie when Sylnan’s hand starts to burn. While Sylnan grips it in pain, he notices that, disturbingly, it looks like his pinkie is growing back on its own, but a pale purple color.

Sylnan grows concerned about this new development and what it means for him. Taxi grows concerned about the second Br’aad he saw, and what that would mean for this world. Br'aad is happy to see his brother again, and very happy to know that there is another Br'aad somewhere in the world.