002 - Protectors - Trust Issues
002 - Protectors - Trust Issues
Content Warnings
- Missing People/Disappearances
- Being arrested (referenced)
- Mind manipulation/acoustic hallucination
- Mention of guns
[Show intro plays]
ROVER
Hello everyone, and welcome to Remains To Be Seen, the DnD show where one group's past can determine the other group's future. I am your host and DM Rover Elliott, pronouns he/they, and today I am here with...
ALYSSA
Hello, Alyssa, she/her, and ready to not know what the hell is going on.
RIK
Hi, Rik, he/him, and I'm probably gonna roll really bad again.
ZOE
Hi, I'm Zoe, they/she, and I hope this time I don't have to carry all the dice rolls for the entire party.
[Laughter]
ROVER
Oh my god. And you guys are playing?
ALYSSA
Yitri, and I am excited to be a part of this group, and finally find out who our mystery fourth member is, cause why won't they answer, when I say... ask for their name, cause... What is your name? What is your name? (Laughs) Oh, she/her!
RIK
I'm Pierre. He/him. I am currently very creeped out by Miguel who seems to know a lot of things about us and is not willing to divulge much information.
ZOE
I'm Aleks, he/him, and I'm glad to not be in jail.
[Rik laughs]
ROVER
Wonderful. So, let's see, we've had one episode. Rik, can you tell us what's been happening in the previous episode?
RIK
So, Tobias has been putting together a group of protectors to put people's minds at ease. There's a large amount of candidates and there's also rampant speculation about missing people. Miguel Ortiz, who has been judging us on our supposed skills, but, you know, hasn't even seen us do anything, chose us three, a group of... as the group of protectors. He's a very scary man, I think. I don't know why he knows so much about us.
[Giggling]
And there's also this very mysterious person with a Grim Reaper mask, whom I'm a bit worried about. And we currently are going towards our rooms. Aleks has been arrested. Or, well, that's where Pierre's knowledge stops. But now he's becoming a part of the Protectors as well.
ROVER
Wonderful. And that is exactly where we are picking up. We have Aleks and Miguel in one of the side offices in Darlington Palace, which is our version of Buckingham Palace. And Aleks has just told Miguel that he is being looked for by someone named Chester King. Now, let's see, where did we completely end up? We were talking about why he should not hand you in. Gave a good enough reason. And he said Chester, who is apparently located in Chesterfield, is near the location where they are heading. We'll pick up there with Miguel going,
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
So, we are going to Manchester.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
That's great. Looking forward to it.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Are you actually?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Depends on the day, I think.
[Rik laughs]
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
And if I said you would be going tonight?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Then I would be going tonight. Just cause I don't want to go, that doesn't mean I won't.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Glad you think that way. We are... You have been a part of a group of missing people in the last six months. However, your missing poster is way earlier than the others are. I need to know what you know of other missing people. Do you think this Chester King is also behind that?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I don't think so. I have absolutely no knowledge of anyone else going missing.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
And you said your fake name - thank you for trusting me, by the way. Very, very smart of you - your fake name was Linus King.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I panicked. First thing that came to mind.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Has this Linus been with Chester King? Like, family or something that we need to know about?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
There is no Linus.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
There is no Linus?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
There is no Linus.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
And I can 100% trust you on this?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
No. We don't know each other.
[Alyssa laughs]
I know I'm telling you the truth. If you believe me, that's totally up to you.
ROVER
He pulls his feet up off from the counter and leans forward on his desk, and is like,
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Look. I do not have the time for these games. If we want to help each other, we can. I need to be sure that you can be trusted with the group, and I need to be very sure that I can be trusted with you and you can be trusted with me. I have no problem handing you in. I want the money. There is zero reason for me not to do this. Honestly, Safra would be happier with me handing you in.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
As I said; I know I'm telling the truth. I cannot make you trust me. I can just tell you what I know and I am doing that.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Hmm. I will tell Xana that you have been arrested and informed for impersonation of Linus King. I will find a way to make Linus King real. I need you to be incredibly careful. If you are arrested on the first mission, I cannot guarantee your safety anymore. If you surpass that mission with your group, I can guarantee your safety.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I understand.
ROVER [as Miguel]
Do you? Do you know what is at stake?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Kinda.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Good.
ROVER
He gets up from his chair, walks around to the door, opens it and is like,
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Go... find your new companions. And if you see the orange Tabaxi, do not ask questions.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Ok.
ZOE
And I stand up and walk to the door. Before I go out, I look at him, and like,
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Thank you for trusting me. I hope you can show me it wasn't a mistake to trust you as well.
ZOE
And I leave.
ROVER
Good. Alright, so. There is another butler waiting for you. Together with, I'm gonna at this point say all the butlers are Human. Feel free to give me a name for your butler.
[Small awkward silence that's broken up by Alyssa and Rik laughing]
RIK
Very confused you, or you don't know. You don't know.
ALYSSA
(Laughs) It's hard, it's really hard.
ZOE
It is. And I've been thinking for the past twenty minutes.
[Laughter]
ZOE
And I came up with nothing.
RIK
You knew this question was coming. Ok.
ALYSSA
You had time.
ZOE
I had time. Aargh, what are names?
ALYSSA
Real.
ZOE
What names do exist? There are too many.
RIK
There are a lot of names in the world, yeah.
ALYSSA
You should name the.. The butler should be Linus King,
[Laughter]
[Crosstalk]
ALYSSA
(Excited) Oh my god! Same idea! Same idea!
ROVER
You wanna call him Linus?
ZOE
That's what Jo just said. That guy's just now Linus.
ALYSSA
Same hat! Same hat!
ROVER
Alright.
RIK
I mean, wouldn't Miguel know Linus King is on the... Oh, ok.
ALYSSA
Well, actually, it's Linus Queen.It's Linus Queen, Linus Queen.
[Crosstalk ends]
ROVER
I will do a funny, hold up.
RIK
(Encouragingly) Yes!
[Zoe laughs]
ROVER
I will do a funny. So...
ALYSSA
(Silently) Slay!
ROVER
The butlers are standing there - two Human butlers - next to one of them is the orange Tabaxi. And Miguel walks past you, pats the butler on the shoulder and is just like,
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Your name is Linus King. Do not ask questions.
ROVER
Before walking –
[Alyssa gasps]
– up the stairs through the hall, away.
ZOE
My guy just lost his entire personality.
RIK
Oh my god. (Laughs)
ALYSSA
(Accusingly) You are Linus King!
ZOE
Sorry butler number 3, I didn't mean to.
[More laughter]
RIK
Just points right at his face.
ROVER
Yeah, exactly.
ALYSSA
We are Linus King!
RIK
(Quietly) Linus
ROVER
So, Linus walks up to you and is just like,
ROVER [as LINUS]
(Timidly) Please... Please follow me to your room, uh... sir.
ROVER
Before heading up the stairs, kind of looking back to see if you are following.
ZOE
I'm following.
ROVER
Ok. So, while the butlers... from this point on I'm gonna give you guys the same time — time does not exist in DnD, what is time? - you guys are all gonna be shown your rooms. They are all these grand master bedrooms with more marble and gold on the sides. You'd see these dark wooden bedframes with more gold inlaid in it. And you all have a grand master bedroom for yourself. And it is in a line next to each other. Your butlers will all tell you guys – I'm not gonna do four different voices –
[Alyssa laughs]
They will all tell you guys that they would like to meet you guys in about half an hour downstairs in the dining hall. Now at this point you guys have half an hour.
[Mumbles of agreement]
In your own grand master bedrooms, you can go to each other, do whatever you want. What do you guys do?
ALYSSA
Ok, so first Yitri is going to admire the room, cause like wow, this is huge! This is like... This was not in the job description. Like this amazing... And she's kinda just figuring out where everything is. Throws herself on the bed, for a bit and just lays down for maybe 5 minutes. And then she's determined to go talk to everyone else. Pretty much, yeah, she's gonna meet up with other people.
ROVER
Ok. So who are you first going to?
ALYSSA
Whoever's in the room…
ROVER
On your… Your neighbours currently are both Pierre and Aleks. I will say that.
ALYSSA
Ok.
ROVER
The orange Tabaxi is, let's say, next to Pierre. In the room next to Pierre.
ALYSSA
She's gonna go to Aleks. She's gonna knock on the door.
ZOE
(Whispering) Give me one second.
ALYSSA
Yeah, of course, take your time.
ROVER
(Whispering) Ok.
ALYSSA
I was just like...
ZOE
So many notes need to be taken.
[Rover laughs]
ROVER
Aleks, I need to say –
ZOE
Ok, yes, I'm ready.
ROVER
– your weapons have not been given back at this point yet.
ZOE
I was about to ask you that. I was like "did I get my stuff back?"
ROVER
No.
ZOE
Or am I just running around with a lute?
ROVER
Yep. You are running around with a lute.
ALYSSA
Beautiful.
ZOE
Lovely.
ROVER
So, you hear this...
ZOE
Cool. Doesn't affect me at all.
ROVER
You hear this knock on the door.
[Knocking]
ZOE
I carefully walk towards the door, and I open just a bit to see who's on the other side.
ALYSSA
You see Yitri who's...
ZOE
And I look at her.
ALYSSA
She's smiling. She's like,
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Hi!
ZOE [ as ALEKS]
Hello.
ALYSSA [as Yitri]
I –I just wanted to introduce myself, because I feel like everyone's kind of... not everyone. There's that one mysterious person who I (short sigh) can't get a name out of, but that's... I'm gonna get a name, don't worry. But, I'm very determined, I don't know why, but I really wanna know this guy's name, what his deal is. Anyway, Aleks, right? I think I remember hearing that. Right? That's your name?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Yeah. That's true.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yitri, nice to meet you. I just wanted to make sure I introduce myself, cause I know we're gonna be working together, so I just wanna make sure I know who I'm working with. Oh, not like "know", but know your name. (Chuckles)
ZOE [as ALEKS]
You talk a lot, Yitri.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
(Chuckles) Yeah. I've been told that a lot.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
It's fine. I enjoy that.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah. Keeps things interesting.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
That's true.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
You know, I feel like, especially when it's awkward like this, when no one really knows each other, you need someone to break the ice.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Right.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Which, you know, it's kinda hard in this situation, because we're a really random group of people. I mean, we got –
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Yitri?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
It's fine.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Ok, yeah.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Our conversation does not need to be awkward. You're good.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Oh, yeah, no, it's not... This isn't awkward, but I mean, the situation itself, cause like –
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Right.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
– you got arrested.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Yeah.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
(Stutters) Are you okay?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Oh, I'm fine.
ALYSSA as YITRI]
Ok, that’s… I also wanted to check about that. You're okay, that's cool.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
That's lovely. I'm good. I'm fine.
ALYSSA [as YTIRI]
Did you get your stuff back? Did they give you your stuff back?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
No. I am very much –
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Huh.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
– holding on to my lute, and that is it.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Huh, weird. Also I think that's kind of weird that they had us move into these rooms, but we didn't bring anything to move in to. Like, I don't have any other stuff besides my weapons. Cause I didn't think I was gonna get the job right away. You know? There's usually a process, and it was a really weird interview process. I mean, honestly? I lied for a lot of it. I'm not a very perceptive person. Like, at all.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Right.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
But you gotta say what you gotta say to get the job and I didn't think it would be that easy. (Laughs) I mean, it wasn't very easy for you. But, I don't know...
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I mean, it was. I didn't do anything.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I mean, honestly? Yeah!
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I stated my name and I lied, I got arrested and now I have the job. I feel like yours was a bit more complicated.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
You know? Actually, yeah. Yeah, it was really easy. I think the only one it was kinda hard for was Pierre. Cause, like, Pierre had to be like, "Hey, what's your biggest fear?" Which is like kind of a crazy question to ask in front of a bunch of people. Cause I get if it was like a one-on-one interview, that’s one thing. But, so many people are there. I can imagine, like, "Hey, what's your deepest, darkest secret?" And then everyone's watching. That would suck. And also did they even prove it was his actual fear? I would've been like "Yeah, I'm really scared of sharks and the Netherlands," and they can't factcheck me.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Sorry, Yitri, you are scared of the Netherlands? (laughs)
ALYSSA
No, she's not! She's not! She's lying!
[Rik laughs]
ROVER
Pierre. Give me a Perception check –
RIK
Wait!
ROVER
– to see if you can hear them talking about you.
RIK
Yeah, that's what I was gonna ask. Are they still standing outside?
[Short laugh from Alyssa]
ROVER
They are currently still standing in the hallway.
RIK
Alright, alright.
ZOE
Yeah, I never let her in.
ALYSSA
All happening in the hallway.
ZOE
I opened the door and she started rambling.
ROVER
Yeah.
ZOE
I'm standing in the door in the hand, just like… “Right.”
ALYSSA
The door isn't even fully open.
ROVER
Roll Perception.
ALYSSA
The door is only open a crack. She's just going.
RIK
12.
ROVER
12. You can hear rambling outside in the hallway. You can hear the echo of it and you can't fully hear the full conversation, but you hear your name come by at least twice.
[Alyssa laughs]
RIK
Pierre, looking a bit confused,
RIK [as PIERRE]
Why is my name being used? (Chuckles)
RIK
Pierre just wants a coffee.
ALYSSA
I'm gonna investigate, he just wants coffee.
RIK
(Laughing) He wants a coffee.
ALYSSA
It's been a long day.
RIK
So, Pierre walks outside, tries to look for the butler. Is the butler around?
ROVER
The butler is right next to your door, yeah. So we have Jones, yeah.
RIK [as PIERRE]
I didn't catch your name. What's your name, bud?
ROVER [as JONES]
Uh, Jones, sir.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Jones, hey, nice to meet you. Hey, could I trouble you for some coffee, please?
ROVER [as JONES]
Of course, sir.
ROVER
Walks immediately past you down the stairs towards the kitchen.
RIK
Oh.
ROVER
As your gaze follows them, you can see... on the other side you can see this small Eladrin girl, currently talking to a door.
[Alyssa laughs]
Cause you can't see… you can’t see if the door's already been opened or not.
[Alyssa continues to laugh]
Your guess is that it is definitely open.
[Everyone laughs]
ZOE
Yitri is like Anna in Frozen.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Talking to a closed door, that one.
ALYSSA
(Singing) Do you wanna build a snowman?
RIK
[Laughs] Yes! Uh, Pierre walks over as he did hear his name, so he's gonna walk over. He's gonna say,
RIK [as PIERRE]
So, you called my name? What's up, guys?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Oh, hi! Oh, we were just talking about the crazy interview process. Cause it was really weird. Cause was that even really... I mean, I feel like we were the only ones that were asked questions. I mean, the other person was, but didn't answer them. I'm still really confused about…
RIK [as PIERRE]
Hmm. It seems a bit fishy, like you said before.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah! And I mean, I was just talking to Aleks here, and Aleks is like "Yeah, I got the job really easily. They arrested me and now I have a job". Which is, like, that's not normally what happens when you get arrested. But honestly, that's pretty cool. You just kinda got the job, which is cool. And I trust that you...
RIK
Pierre is gonna just peek through the doorway and look at Aleks.
[Zoe laughs]
ZOE
Aleks just looks at him and waves.
RIK [as PIERRE]
How did you manage to worm your way into the group?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I have no idea.
[Alyssa laughs]
Genuinely, I feel like I'm more confused than you are. I got arrested –
RIK [as PIERRE]
Wow, that's impressive.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
– but also kinda not.
[Rik chuckles]
ZOE [as ALEKS]
And then I talked to Miguel, and he was like "Why shouldn't I just arrest you?" and I was like "I don't know. Why shouldn't you?" and he was like "Great, you got the job." It was a bit more talking than that.
[Alyssa laughs]
But now I'm here, in a room that is way too fancy and I'm talking to two strangers in a hallway.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
It is a really fancy room.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
On that note, do you guys - it is a really fancy room - do you guys want to come into that fancy room?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
(Quietly in the background) Really fancy.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Or should we continue to awkwardly stand outside the hallway.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Maybe we should go inside, I think.
RIK [as PIERRE]
I think it's for the better.
ROVER
The butler standing next to Aleks' room is very much trying not to listen into this conversation currently.
ZOE
Nah, Linus is my buddy, he can do that.
ALYSSA
Yeah, the new name, he's allowed to do whatever the hell he wants.
[Zoe and Rik laugh]
His identity's been changed against his will. He's allowed to hear what's going on. (Laughs)
ZOE
I open the door more widely and gesture for the other two to come in.
RIK
Ok, well, I walk in.
ALYSSA
I also walk in.
ZOE
I close the door behind them.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
So... Why are you guys here?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
For the job mostly. I mean, honestly, it's a pretty good gig. I heard it pays pretty well. And also, I'm looking for something new, you know? This is a huge grand scale from like "Oh, want something new? Let's become a protector of the House of Six." But, why not? I mean…go big or go home, like they say, you know?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Sure. Why not?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I only bought a one-way train ticket, so I'm not really going home anytime soon, so.
[Rik laughs]
ZOE [as ALEKS]
(Chuckles) Well, then it's a good thing you got the job.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah!
RIK [as PIERRE]
Yeah, quite confident!
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Yeah.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah, no, honestly, I thought I bought a two-way and I realised when I was in the train that it wasn't two-way, so I'm really glad I got the job, cause that would've sucked if I didn't. I mean, I would've just bought another train ticket, but, like...
ZOE
You can just see Aleks facepalming in the background.
ALYSSA
(Laughs) Like "How the fuck did she get in here? She's not qualified at all."
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Hey, Pierre. Say, did you get your stuff back? Yitri asked me if I got mine and made it seem like she did.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Oh, yeah, I got all my stuff back. It's in my room. Got all me weapons.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Right. Interesting. So, apparently getting arrested means you don't get to keep your stuff, ok.
(Small chuckle from Rik)
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Oh, so, what did they take from you?
ZOE [ as ALEKS]
My daggers and my shortbow. Weapons, same as you.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Well, yeah, I just wanted to understand which weapons, cause if anything, you can borrow. I have a -
ZOE [as ALEKS]
My daggers and my shortbow.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
- hand crossbow. I was gonna say you can borrow, like if you needed... I have a hand crossbow if you wanted to borrow it for anything. Cause I mostly use my greataxe, so. Just wanted to extend a helping hand.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
It's fine, thank you.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
You’re welcome.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I prefer my own weapons, and if I don't have them –
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Fair enough.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
– I just punch someone.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Fair enough. You know, I feel like people don't realise how sometimes you just gotta punch people. Sometimes it's just the easiest way to do it.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Yeah, exactly. Yeah.
RIK
(Chuckles) Pierre chuckles.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
It also throws them off guard, especially if you have a weapon in your hand. Especially if you have, like a giant weapon in your hand, you just go... (punching noise).
ALYSSA
She airpunches the air, like... (more punching noise).
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
That would really throw them off. (Chuckle)
ZOE [as ALEKS]
You're right.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Say, why did you actually get arrested?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Impersonation.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Impersonation. My god.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
(Sarcastically) Oh, no, you impersonated someone. That's not even that crazy of a crime. Sort of the way they went about doing it, like, I would've thought you killed a bunch of people. Cause they made it a whole big thing. Just cause you said a different name? Also, it's like...
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Maybe I have.
[Rik stutters]
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I mean, I don't care. As long as you don't kill me. I'm kinda cool with that.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Don't worry, Pierre, I haven't killed anyone.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I mean, not that I - (stumbling over words)
RIK [as PIERRE]
I don't know about that one, Yitri.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
(Continues stumbling) Yeah, no, I... Now that I say it out loud, no, I'm not actually cool... I mean, like, depending –
[Zoe and Rik laugh]
ALYSSA [as YITRI]-
– if it was self-defense, I'm not gonna judge you, but... (Laughs)
ZOE [as ALEKS]
No, don't worry.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Ok, yeah, you know, that's a line we're not gonna cross.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah, if it's self-defense, or like...
RIK [as PIERRE]
Self-defense is fine, yeah.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Self-defense is fine, but if you're going on a murder spree just cause, I feel like that's a different story.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Alright, then I guess it's my lucky day. But, as I said, it's impersonation.
(Rik laughs)
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Ok, cool, cool, cool.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Alright, well –
RIK
And Pierre slaps you on the back.
RIK [as PIERRE]
– great to have you on the team then.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Thank you. I appreciate it, I think.
ROVER
There is a knock -
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
So...
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Did you reach my back?
ROVER
Yeah, I was about to say.
(Alyssa and Zoe laugh)
RIK
I don't know, I thought we were, like, just...
ROVER
I think... I think you can... So...
ZOE
I was like, "Wait!"
ALYSSA
You smacked his ass by accident? Like you were just trying to...
(Everyone laughs)
RIK
I don't know!
ROVER
I will say –
RIK
Wait! Wait, yeah! Can he actually reach his back?
ROVER
– officially both... Mechanically, you all, except for Yitri, are medium characters. I will say you can hit at least Aleks' back. I think if we're looking more at, like the…can’t reach, you're looking more at halfling/gnome height. With Dwarf height, you can still get there.
ZOE
Ok.
RIK
You know what? Otherwise, I'll just be standing on one of the chairs. There's probably a chair in the room. So I just grab a chair. (Laughs)
[Crosstalk]
ZOE
We were talking and Pierre just drags over this chair.
ROVER
There are two chairs in the corners of the room.
RIK
He'll just have gently grabbed a chair, stood on it, and slapped Aleks on the back.
[Crosstalk ends]
ALYSSA
The whole production just... (Trails off)
RIK
Oh, yeah! Yeah!
ROVER
There is a knock on Aleks' door.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Well, I better get that.
ZOE
And I once again…
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
You have a lot of visitors today.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Yeah.
ZOE
And I walk to the door and I open it just a bit to see who it is.
ROVER
Ok, cool. It is the orange Tabaxi.
ALYSSA
Oh!
ROVER
With behind him Miguel who kind of just pushes them slightly out of the way. And has your daggers and your shortbow in his hands.
ZOE
(Quietly) Yay!
ROVER
And he's just like,
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
I think you were still missing some weapons?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I was, thank you.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Here you go.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I appreciate you returning them.
ROVER
And he hands them back to you –
ZOE
I take them.
ROVER
– before peeking kind of more into the room, being like,
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
I need you guys downstairs in about... ten minutes. Is the conversation done after that, you think?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Pretty much, yeah. We were just kind of trying to get to know each other and stuff.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Alright. Continue to do that, don't let me stop you.
ROVER
And he walks away.
RIK
Does the Tabaxi also walk away?
ROVER
The orange Tabaxi stays there.
ZOE
I open the door for the orange Tabaxi, and I gesture for them to come inside.
ROVER
They indeed walk in. They look through the room at everyone and then take a seat on one of the chairs in the corner.
ZOE
I close the door and I put my weapons away and I look around the room.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Well, now we're complete.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah!
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Isn't that lovely?
ALYSSA
She's gonna turn to the orange Tabaxi and be like... She wants to know!
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
So... I mean, if you're shy, that's... (small sigh) How do I put this? What's your name again? I don't think I caught it.
ROVER
They stay completely silent.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Ok, you're shy, that's okay! You know, I get it. Like, you’re not… Yeah, that's okay, not being much of a talker. I mean, I've been told I talk enough for two people, but that's kind of rude. Like, that was kind of rude and I was like, "whatever". But, I mean, it's okay if you're not a talker. I just wanna make sure, if we're in battle and I need you... Also, wait, before we keep going, speaking of combat and stuff, what do you guys do? Like, what is your shtick?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I punch people.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Cool.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Said that before.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah, and you also have a lute, too. Do you do magic with that or just have it just cause?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
No.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
You have it just cause? That's cool. That's cool.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Probably works magic on the lute (chuckles). I bet you got some amazing skills.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I probably do, yes. That's too bad you're not gonna hear them, then.
[Alyssa laughs]
RIK [as PIERRE]
Oh. (Stutters) I'm sorry, I–I... Sorry, did I say something wrong? I didn't mean to.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
No, you're good. All good, just informing you that this lute will not be played.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Oh.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Is it just kinda for show?
RIK [as PIERRE]
Oh, that's such a pity, I think that's a great instrument.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
For show? Please, no. I can work the lute.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Oh, well, yeah, I didn’t...
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I just don't want to.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah, I wasn't gonna say that you can't, but...
ZOE [as ALEKS]
It's a lute, and I have it with me.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
What about you, Pierre? What kinda stuff do you do?
RIK [as PIERRE]
Well, uhm, I'm kinda like Aleks. I punch people. But, really fast. (awkward laugh). Yeah.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Oh, fun! Fun! Sweet! That's cool. That's cool.
RIK
He does a little, you know...
RIK [as PIERRE]
I got these guns!
RIK
You know, he slaps his arm, pulls up his arm, does a little flex.
ALYSSA
Oooh, okay! Okay!
RIK
You can visibly see the 'punch' arm. The one that has the 'punch' tattoo on it.
[Alyssa laughs]
RIK [as PIERRE]
Uh, yeah. Got these guns.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Okay!
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Impressive!
RIK
Has a broad grin.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Okay! I see you, I see you! Very impressive!
RIK
Knowing it's completely ridiculous to do that, but, yeah.
ZOE
You can see Aleks just staring at you with a really blank face. He's like "What is going on?"`
[Rik laughs]
ZOE
"What is that Dwarf doing?"
ALYSSA
Bro does not care. Bro does not give a fuck! And then she goes to the orange Tabaxi and is like,
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Uh, I mean, I don't know if you're gonna answer my question, but can you maybe... Do you mime stuff? Maybe you can do like a gesture of what you can do. Like, can you...
ALYSSA
And then she starts kinda of like, you know when you mime, you do the hand thing in front of... you know, like you're in a box? She starts doing that, like "Can you mime something?" She pretends she's in a box.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Can you, like, mime something, or something like that?
ROVER
The orange Tabaxi looks at you for a moment before turning their... well, their unseen gaze onto Pierre, and kind of mimics what he did with the punching on both arms. Before very slowly turning his head back to... turning their head back to... back to Yitri.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
You also punch things?
ROVER
They nod once.
[Rik chuckles]
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Oh!
ZOE [as ALEKS]
We're gonna be an effective party.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah! I mean, we have a lot of punching going on. I mean, yeah, that's awesome! I have my greataxe and have a lot of pent-up anger and rage that I'd like to take out on opponents. So, that's kind of my deal.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Lovely. Tiny and angry.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah! Well, I try not... (stutters) I like to channel it into things that aren't, like, deserving, I guess. Or the things that are deserving, I guess. Cause I don't want to freak out on random people, cause that's not fair.
ROVER
There's another knock on the door again.
ZOE
I open it.
ROVER
Alright, it's Linus.
ZOE
My boy!
ALYSSA
My boy, Linus!
ROVER
Linus is like,
ROVER [as LINUS]
You guys are being expected downstairs. I will need you guys to follow me.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Alright, thank you.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah. That was a very fast ten minutes, but thank you!
ROVER
He is going to lead you downstairs and down the stairs into - there's this huge archway - into a, what seems to be a dining area, and at the far back there is this really large painting of Queen Isobel in this huge blue dress. She has pure white, long hair to the back. Very striking blue eyes, and then there's this older human man, probably around 70 - the queen is Elvish, by the way - older man, probably in his seventies, with a very, very tight suit, almost, on. And this kind of walking stick next to him.
[Soft piano music starts playing]
And in the dining area you have on one end of it… is Tobias. And next to him — standing at that point — are Xana and Miguel. And as you guys walk in, Tobias stands up, is like,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Well, we have our party together, I see. So, take a seat, everyone. Please.
ALYSSA
We all sit, I think.
ZOE
I take a seat.
ROVER
Do you all take a seat?
RIK
Yeah (chuckles).
ZOE
Yes.
ALYSSA
Yes.
ROVER.
Ok, cool. I will need you guys to say that stuff, because I can see you guys nodding, not everyone can.
ALYSSA
Ok, ok, cool, cool, cool.
RIK
Mmhmm.
ROVER
Remember that (laughs).
ALYSSA
Yeah, yeah, yeah! Uh, we sit... I sit, I sit.
RIK
We sit.
ROVER
Ok, cool.
RIK
Communism (laughs like he's so proud of himself for that joke).
ALYSSA
Communism!
ROVER
Wow. As you guys sit down, Tobias looks upon you guys, like,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
So. These are the ones decided by Miguel, I assume?
ROVER
And he looks at Xana, and Xana just kind of gives a nod. The Doberman dog is still at her heels, constantly. And she says,
ROVER [as XANA]
Yes. Yes, sir. Uhm, I personally think they will be... a great try-out team for, you know, Jonny. I think they'll do an ok job. If they fail, we can just find new people. Like, Miguel has had ten candidates so far. We can find others.
ROVER
And Tobias kind of shuts her up with holding his finger in the air. And he's like,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Thank you, Xana.
ROVER
Looks to the other side.
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Thank you, Miguel.
ROVER
And he, he sits down, leans his hands on the table, and says,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
So. Welcome, first of all, to Darlington Palace. I hope you guys are having a splendid time in your own rooms. You have your own butlers. Whenever you guys are in the UK, you can stay here. This is all for you, currently.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Oh. Wow, thank you.
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
I hope we can make sure that your stay... won't be necessary for too long, and that we can fix whatever has been going on with these current disappearances rather quickly. Now, obviously we don't know if you're fully qualified yet. However, I trust Miguel's instincts, and Xana's intelligence, to understand who we need, rather than who the public think we need. Now, what do you guys know about the current disappearances?
ROVER
Uhm, can I have a History roll from everyone? Yeah.
[Dice ASMR]
ZOE
16.
ROVER
16.
RIK
Where is my History?
[More dice rolls]
ROVER
Roll your D20 and add your…
ALYSSA
I got a nat 20!
ROVER
Nat 20!
RIK
Eey, let's go!
ZOE
The first one!
ALYSSA
(Laughs) The first nat 20 is a History check from Yitri! I think that's really funny.
ROVER
What did you have, Pierre? 15? Ok, so we have a 15, a 16 and natural 20. Let's start with 15 and 16. You guys know that lately the missing people notices in journals and on radios have been higher. Things have been happening. You've heard about, like, architects from Paris going missing, which is one Pierre will definitely have heard. That a famous architect from Paris was missing. Same goes for a prisoner in the Solar Bastion on the coastside of France. And that has been bottling up in the past month or so.
Now, with a natural 20, you know that... it has been rather a mess with disappearances. Like, people disappear. It is a thing that happened and things get... people get looked for by, most of the time, Bounty Hunters. There must be a reason as to why the Bounty Hunters aren't being used for these disappearances. You do not know said reason, but, with not just the prisoner and an architect being... uh, having been disappeared, you know that there is... there is a crownsmith from the UK who went missing along these people which has caused quite the uproar, definitely in the UK. And you know that there has been a casino owner from the world's biggest casino in Monaco, has gone missing as well.
It seems to align up with all the professions that there is a pattern there. No one has at this point figured out what the pattern is, but there is a pattern. You have heard people talk about what that potentially could be. You have also figured out that the chances that you guys are gonna be used for that, are pretty big with the fact that the House of Six is gonna be here in a couple of days to discuss what needs to be done with this group. So, the fact that Tobias has gathered you all a couple of days before that, is probably the reason why... the reason for why you guys are here. That's what you know. I will give you guys a second to write.
[Soft laugh from Alyssa]
RIK
Who was the guy from Monaco?
ROVER
No names have been said. You're not sure on the names.
RIK
No, no, no, but, like, the job title.
ROVER
Oh, casino owner. So we have... Yitri knows about the casino owner. Pierre knows about... Pierre and Aleks know about the prisoner and the architect.
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
So, I ask again, what do you guys know about the recent disappearances?
ROVER
And he looks... Tobias looks upon everyone.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Well, uh, I know someone important – an architect – went missing from my own country, from France. And also a prisoner, but those don't seem too significant to me, sir.
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
They don't seem too significant, yet we are currently... Indeed you are correct. The architect Alea Duvall is currently missing, and the Solar Bastion prisoner is missing, which is quite the problem.
ROVER
Pierre, can I have another History check about the Solar Bastion?
[Dice clacks]
RIK
(Chuckles and sighs) Uh, 10.
ROVER
Ok, cool. You know that the Solar Bastion is something about a magical artifact. You're not too sure what else. You didn't even know they had a prisoner. You know that a prisoner has gone missing, you do not know anything about the prisoner itself and what the Solar Bastion is.
RIK
Ok.
ROVER
And he goes,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Yeah, and the one and only prisoner, Graham, Graham Gallagher, has gone missing and, let's just say... we need to get this fixed. Immediately, before more people go missing. Our smith – our crownsmith – is one of these people. His name is Jonny de Rolo. And we have been trying to find him for the past couple weeks. Now, this is obviously also when the hiring notice came out. We are, let's just say, we have not had the right opportunities to find any information of Jonny. We have his workshop here, and somehow we're unable to find anything. I will have you guys have a look –
ALYSSA
Can I do a...?
ROVER
Yes?
ALYSSA
I was gonna say, can I do a History check on Jonny specifically?
ROVER
Yes! Please give me a History check about Jonny, because you also had a natural 20 on Jonny, yeah.
ALYSSA
Yeah, so I wanted to see if I could actually contribute.
ROVER
Yeah, absolutely.
[Dice clacks]
ALYSSA
Well, I got a three, so I can't do shit. (Laughs)
RIK
Goddamn.
ROVER
You... This is the first time that you hear that the crownsmith has an official name.
ALYSSA
(Laughs) Fair enough.
ROVER
I feel like Yitri... Yitri has seen the papers, Yitri's read the papers, Yitri took, like, a train all the way from Spain to the UK. If she had seen something, she would've read the titles on the newspapers the moment they got here. Because 'Crownsmith' was heavily on newspapers all around. So, he continues with,
[Music continues in the background]
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
We have his workshop in our palace. We have already looked through it. I will give you guys another chance to look, but I am pretty sure you guys will not find anything. I will need you guys to go to Manchester. Jonny went to get supplies at Manchester University. And since then, we have not seen him. We have not heard from him in any way. This has been about a month. Now again, we have tried to get everything that we can. But we might need some more 'professional detectives', as we would like to call it, on the case. And Miguel here –
ROVER
And he extends his hands to Miguel for a moment, says,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
You—
ROVER
Points at Yitri.
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
—have a good sense of perception.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Mmhmm, yeah! Yeah, I've been told. (Chuckles)
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Wonderful, wonderful. So we can –
[Alyssa laughs]
ALYSSA
You can kinda see, she's slowly dying inside.
ROVER
Do you want to give me a Deception check, by the way?
ALYSSA
Yes!
ROVER
Alright!
ALYSSA
I was gonna say, her eyes are so wide. She is, like, sweating. She is... Ok, let's see.
[More dice clacks]
Deception! Uh, where is it? Deception. I got a 17 in Deception!
RIK
Ooh! (Chuckles nervously)
ROVER
So, he...
ALYSSA
(Laughing) The relief that just came over Zoe!
RIK
Thank god.
ZOE
I have no hopes.
[Laughter]
ROVER
So, he indeed says,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Wonderful, I am very glad Miguel has chosen someone so perceptive for this job.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
(Nervous) Mmhmm.
ROVER
And he looks to Pierre and he's like,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
You are from France, right?
RIK [as PIERRE]
That's right. I'm from France.
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Near Paris in any... for any reason? Have been there in the past month, or just lived near there? Do you know anything about Miss Duvall?
RIK [as PIERRE]
Uh, well, I just know that she's a famous architect. I haven't been around Paris recently. Must say, I live near the bottom of France myself. Uh, Lyon area.
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Ok. Lyon. Understood. Do you think you have what it takes, because I have heard from Xana that Miguel has been, uhm, pretty harsh on some of our candidates. And I'm sure that you, now that you are here, that you have had no problem with him. And I'm sure he's a very good lad for that.
RIK
Is he... is he...
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Have you...
RIK
Is he kind of, you know, saying that, (sarcastically) "I'm sure he's..." Like, is he saying that kinda in this dismissive way, or...?
ROVER
Yeah. "I'm sure, I'm sure he's been great." Give me an Insight check.
RIK
Insight, yes.
[Dice clacks]
That's a 15 plus 3, 18.
ROVER
With an 18... it's kind of dismissive but also in the fact of he seems to not have a lot of belief in Miguel.
RIK
(Relieved) Oh.
ROVER
He is just like, he trusts Xana, you can see that from the way he also just talks to her. Miguel is below him.
RIK
Mmhmm.
ROVER
Like, in every single way. He's and taller and he will just see that Miguel... he feels below him. That is what you can tell. And he just nods and is like,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
I'm sure he... I'm sure he's been, uhm... I'm sure he's been a good lad.
RIK [as PIERRE]
(Chuckles) Yeah, yeah, he has been.
ROVER
I hope he's not scared you with his fear questions?
RIK [as PIERRE]
(Stutters) A bit, a bit, I must say. But, uh, I–I'm alright, I'm fine.
ROVER
He does this kind of, very fake, like,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
(Low, sarcastic laugh, sounding almost like Santa) It's.. Oh, it's so... It's all good. He was only joking. You do not need to fear for anything at all. I... We do have another smaller problem with... our arrested fellow over there.
ROVER
And he turns his head to Aleks. And is just like,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
So, you've made quite the show, haven't you?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I do tend to do that, sir.
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Interesting. Miguel has told me you decided to use a fake name on our grounds.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Why not? Could've worked. Didn't.
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Well, the one good thing about Miguel is that he's perceptive, so at least he will notice that. As long as you are careful. We do not want you to get arrested again, and this time not by us, ok?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Trust me, sir, I don't want that, too. I'll be careful.
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Wonderful. And you –
ROVER
And he looks at the orange Tabaxi. Who looks at him for a moment before Tobias kind of shakes his head like he's shaking something off. And then stands up and is like,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Wonderful.
RIK
Wonderful? What the fu–
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
This group will do well.
ALYSSA
Yitri just looks at the orange Tabaxi and back at…and just looks between really fast. She's like, "Huh?!"
RIK
Huh?!
ALYSSA
Why did all of us get ripped a new one except for this man? What is his problem?
ROVER
Give me an Insight check, all of you.
[Dice ASMR]
With disadvantage, because there is no face on this Tabaxi, obviously.
[More dice ASMR]
RIK
Hah! Nat 1.
ZOE
7.
ROVER
Nat 1. 7.
[Rik groans]
ALYSSA
Was it Insight, or...?
ROVER
Insight.
ALYSSA
Uhm, I got a 4. (Chuckles)
ROVER
Wonderful.
ALYSSA
I rolled a 5 and I rolled a 6, so… (splutters)
ZOE
We're so fucked. (Laughs)
ALYSSA
We don't know shit.
RIK
Why are we rolling so ass?
ALYSSA
(Laughing) Let's go, team!
ROVER
So, this is really good. I love that the first... just first episodes of Remains To Be Seen is just everyone rolling garbage. Except for Aleks.
ZOE
Yeah, but I'm not arrested anymore. I don't have that advantage anymore.
ROVER
(Sighs) That's fair.
ALYSSA
Just put him in handcuffs and he'll roll really good.
[Laughter]
ROVER
So...
RIK
Wait, the arrestation was an advantage?
ALYSSA
I guess so.
ZOE
Yes.
ROVER
Apparently so.
ZOE
Look at my dice rolls. (Laughs)
ROVER
So... Yeah, he stands up and he's like,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
You guys get to have a look in the workshop. I will need our good fellow over here -
ROVER
Pointing to the orange Tabaxi.
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
- to follow Miguel. And I will have the rest of you go towards the... towards Jonny's old... well, old... untouched... monthly untouched workshop. I hope that is okay for you guys?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Of course.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Uh, yeah, of course.
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Good. In the meantime I will arrange train tickets for you guys to... Hmm, let's see… to Manchester immediately tonight around 7. You guys can get dinner here, obviously. And then you guys will be on your way. Obviously, Miguel won't join you, but we have another member of your team waiting for you in Manchester. They have been assigned earlier, and will... join you when you are there. I'm sure you'll notice him.
[Rik chuckles]
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Oh, cool!
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Looking forward to it, sir.
RIK [as PIERRE]
I thought we were the test team?
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
You are the test team.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Also is, uhm -
ALYSSA
She points to the orange Tabaxi.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Are you not coming with us?
ROVER
Orange Tabaxi turns their head very slowly to you, shakes their head –
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Oh. ok.
ROVER
– and turns their head right back.
RIK
Can I try something?
ROVER
What do you wanna try?
RIK
So, Pierre kinda has a little hunch here, right? Because he doesn't talk that much.
ROVER
Mmhmm.
RIK
And kinda signs in Sign Language to…
ROVER
Do you speak Sign Language?
RIK
I do speak Sign Language.
ROVER
You do! Oh, yeah, I forgot.
RIK
(Smugly) Yes!
ROVER
Ok, yeah.
RIK
(Chuckles) And kind of signs to the orange Tabaxi, like, "You don't talk much". (Chuckles)
ROVER
Give me a Constitution saving throw.
RIK
Constitution? Oh, dear.
ALYSSA
How well do you sign?
[Dice clacks]
RIK
How well do I sign? Ok, that's a 9 plus - what's my Con? - 2. Plus 2, that's 11.
ROVER
11. Hold up...
[Dice clacks]
Ok. As they look to you – like, look directly at you – they are staring. And not just staring at you, they are reaching into your soul.
[Piano music stops]
It's almost like these -
[Rik groans, then laughs]
- like something is actively pushing itself in your way.
[Low, ominous music starts playing]
And you can just, for a split second, hear someone screaming your name.
[Screams]
A recognisable voice. And then it's gone.
[Ominous music stops]
[Soft piano music continues]
RIK
(Scared) Huh? Huh?!
[Nervous laugh from Alyssa]
ROVER
And then they turn their head back towards you, stands up, and follows Miguel out of the room.
ALYSSA
(Scared) What the fuck was that?!
RIK
What is this guy?
ALYSSA
What the fuck was that? What was that?
RIK
(Splutters) And Pierre is... (chuckles) stands there with his mouth open, like (stunned noise) "What?!"
ALYYSSA [as YITRI]
What is... What just happened?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Are you okay, Pierre?
ROVER
Tobias kinda leans forward more, and is like,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Are you okay?
RIK [as PIERRE]
Uh...
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Do we need to call someone?
ROVER
You take, by the way –
RIK
Yeah?
ROVER
– three Psychic damage.
ALYSSA
Oh my god!
RIK
Three Psychic damage? Oh my goodness. Ok.
ALYSSA
(High-pitched) What is the deal with this dude?! I need to know!
RIK [as PIERRE]
(Stutters) Uhm, a-a bit shocked, uh, let's just put it like that.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
What happened?
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Oh, it's all... it's all okay.
RIK [as PIERRE]
I'll be fine, just give me a minute.
RIK
And he brushes it off, you know.
ROVER
Uhm, Jones will walk forward – your butler Jones – will walk forward, give you a glass of water.
RIK
I thought he would give me the coffee he's been, uh... (laughs) I was promised.
[Alyssa and Zoe are losing it]
ROVER
Actually... Turn that around, turn that around! I completely forgot you were gonna get coffee.
ZOE
Pierre's like, "What kind of butler are you?"
[Rik chuckles]
ROVER
Jones puts down the coffee and next to that also puts down a glass of water. And is just like,
ROVER [as JONES]
You will be okay, sir. Sorry it took so long.
RIK [ as PIERRE]
I appreciate it, Jones. Appreciate it.
RIK
He nods to him.
ROVER
And Tobias stands up again, and he says,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Wonderful, so I will book the tickets and then you guys will be on your way. I will make sure that dinner is ready here for you. Again, you can do whatever you want here. I will give you guys enough money to go on your way. Unless you guys think you have enough for a journey of maybe… Let's say three days max.
ZOE
Aleks very visibly shakes his head.
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Oh, y-you need a... Ok, inter– Good. Uhm, Linus?
ROVER
And Linus walks over to him and he just says,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Can you get me – from the office – let's say, about 500 gold? Sounds good, yeah? Good.
ROVER
Linus walks back and then a couple of minutes later comes back with a pouch of gold. So you can now add to your inventory 500 gold.
ZOE
I'm not broke anymore!
RIK
Goddamn!
ROVER
You're not broke anymore, yaay!
ZOE
Yaay!
[Alyssa cheers]
ROVER
How much did you have on you? For the listener's sake.
ZOE
20.
ROVER
20 gold?
[Rik laughs]
ALYSSA
Nice!
ZOE
It was 10, but then I got a really good dice roll and Ro was like, "Make 20 out of that", and I was like, "Yes!"
ALYSSA
Wait, can I roll Deception to see if Yitri can be like, "Hey, I also don't have money"? (Laughs)
ZOE
"Hey, I'm also broke!"
ROVER
Yes, you can.
ALYSSA
Ok, Deception, uh, what do I... Where is my.. I got a 19! What the fuck!
ROVER
Ok. Yitri is good at Deception.
ALYSSA
She's gonna be like, "Uhm, can I get a..."
ROVER
And Tobias nods and will give you... also give you 500 gold.
ALYSSA
(Gasps) I can't believe that fucking worked. I have a thousand gold to my name.
ZOE
Nice! So, Yitri's paying for the –
ROVER
Even Xana doesn't get it.
ZOE
Nice!
ROVER
Xana's Deception, or Insight, is not high.
ZOE
Yitri is paying for the food.
ALYSSA
Yitri is gonna be the sugarmommy, it's ok.
ZOE
Let's go!
[Rover laughs]
ALYSSA
She's the tank, the sugarmommy, the personality-hire, she's got everything going for her.
ZOE
Look at her go.
ROVER
So, Tobias talks again,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
So, uhm, his workshop is on the other side of, like, near the west wing. I will need you guys to check that out. And then after that, you guys will have dinner, and you guys will go on your merry way. I will let the University know that tomorrow you guys will arrive there. All you have to do is find a place in Manchester to sleep for that night. But I'm sure our friend over there in Manchester will already have an idea of where to stay.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Alright. Sounds like a plan.
ROVER
Cool. So, he nods to all of you and gives a nod to Xana before he walks out of the room and you guys are left with Xana. Give me an Insight check, on... this woman. (laughs)
RIK
All of us? Ok.
ROVER
Yes.
[Dice clacks]
ZOE
I need to get arrested again.
ALYSSA
"I need to get arrested again." I have a negative 1 to Insight, this is awesome.
ZOE
I have a 9.
RIK
Why do I keep getting these garbage fucking rolls.
[Zoe laughs]
I'm rolling ass today. I rolled a 5 –
ALYSSA
I got a 12.
ROVER
You need different dice.
RIK
– so plus the 3 is 8.
ALYSSA
Got a 12.
ZOE
I also got a 5, but I got a plus 4.
RIK
I'm grabbing another die.
ALYSSA
Yitri is perceptive in relation to this group, apparently.
ROVER
Get a different die.
ALYSSA
(Laughing) In relation to this group, apparently!
ROVER
So we have 8, we have... what do Aleks and Yitri have?
ALYSSA
I have... Yitri has 12.
ZOE
I have a 9.
ROVER
Ok, cool. The ones below a 10 can't really tell what her expression is.. And Yitri, you can kind of notice...you, in your life, you have – again, you come from a glassblower family – you have seen what stress looks like in someone. You would potentially say that there is some stress within Xana. She looks stressed. You don't think it's that bad. She hasn't seemed to be doing anything, at this point. But there's a little bit of stress there.
ALYSSA
Can Yitri go up to Xana and be like,
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Hey, uhm, you seem a little stressed, but I want you to know, I can't really speak for the other people, but like, I... I don't look qualified, but I am. I-I know what I'm doing, I know my way around weaponry, and I will do what I can to help. And I just want to make sure that... I mean, I don't know what I'm saying is helping you at all feel any better – cause it's probably not –but I just know you see... this seems like a very... the selection process was very weird, so it makes sense that you're a little stressed. But I just want you to know that... we got this? Maybe? That doesn't help. We got this. I'm gonna say with full certainty that we got this.
[Rik laughs]
Cause we gotta... we just have to have confidence, because people, I don't know, just have that confidence in us, I guess.
ROVER [as XANA]
I appreciate this, however, I am not stressed. I do not understand –
ALYSSA
Can I roll...?
ROVER
She's gonna... She's gonna.. Yeah, give me Insight.
[Dice thumps]
ZOE
Aleks is once again facepalming in the background.
ALYSSA
I got another 12.
ROVER
What did you get on the dice?
ALYSSA
I got a 13. I got a 13 on the... but I have a negative 1 to Insight.
ROVER
Yeah, no, okay, I'll take that. Because I don't have a character sheet for her, so I'm kind of just guessing what her modifiers would be. Uhm, so that makes sense. (High pitched) She... she... (whispering) she's stressed. (Normal tone) She's stressed. And she's just like,
ROVER [as XANA]
(Firm) No. You do not have to talk to me like I do not know what I'm doing, but thank you very much. I –
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I'm sorry, I did not mean it like that at all!
ROVER [as XANA]
It's okay. It's okay.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I know you definitely know what you're doing. I just wanted to... yeah. (Stutters) Sorry.
ROVER [as XANA]
It's okay.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I didn't mean it to come across like that. You definitely know what you're... Honestly, I don't tell anyone, but you seem like you know more of what you're doing than Miguel does. (Whispering) Don't tell him I said that. But, uh -
ROVER [as XANA]
Oh.
ALYSSA [as Yitri]
He seemed like he... Don't tell him I said that, please. Cause I-I really don't wanna lose this job.
ROVER [as XANA]
Oh, no, we are in agreement there. We are in agreement there. My, uh -
[Alyssa laughs]
- my assistant sometimes does not know what he is doing. I don't understand how we still work with him. Anyway. That's okay.
[More giggles from Alyssa]
Listen...
ROVER
And she looks upon everyone and is like,
ROVER [as XANA]
I would really like for you guys to not come home empty-handed. I would like to keep my job as assistant to Mr. Isworth. I hope that is understandable in any way?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Yes, ma'am.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yes, it is.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Of course, ma'am. We'll do our very best.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yes.
ROVER [as XANA]
Thank you. And for you, Pierre, as you are the oldest one in the group by… I can assume from... many things, I will need you to look out for them. I think you will get along with our friend in Manchester quite well.
RIK [as PIERRE]
I'll make sure to do that. You can count on me.
RIK
And he does, like, a little salute.
ALYSSA
Aw.
RIK
Very cheekily. Ch-cheekily? Is that a word? Cheekily.
ALYSSA
I think so.
ROVER
Cheekily is a word, yes.
RIK
Cheekily. Yeah, he does a cheekily salute (laughs).
ROVER
Mmhmm. A cheeky salute.
RIK
Yes. A cheeky salute.
ROVER
Yeah. So, she kind of frowns at that a little bit and then is just like,
ROVER [as XANA]
Understood. I am glad you are willing to do that for us. So, I will need you, out of all, to make sure you do not come home empty-handed. You are currently our last hope. If we do not find anything, we are - as nicely to say - fucked.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Understood. Understood.
RIK
Pierre's face turns serious. You know, cause he just did the silly... the silly. Uhm, turns serious and he looks her dead in the eyes,
RIK [as PIERRE]
Understood.
ROVER [as XANA]
Thank you. I will lead you guys to his workshop (sighs). Follow me.
ROVER
And if you guys do so, she will –
ZOE
Yes.
ALYSSA
Following.
ROVER
– lead you guys to the east wing –
[Piano music stops]
– where you will at some point while you walk through multiple archways, you will get to this... kind of smaller room filled with all kinds of mechanics. You can see –
[Bell dings. Grandfather clock starts ticking]
– there are multiple versions of the crown of Queen Isobel that you have seen on the paintings. You can see multiple versions of that in that room. And there are many different versions of what look to be, maybe, like, prototypes for mechanical arms, mechanical legs, mechanical hands. Like, there's parts of them everywhere. There is a box of weaponry –
[Bell dings again]
– in a corner, and on his desk seems to just be a bunch of papers just thrown around. And Xana says,
ROVER [as XANA]
(Tired) As you can see there is not much to see.
[Mechanical whir]
Other than a mess. Jonny's not very tidy, he really should be when he wants to continue working for us. If he ever comes back, that is (sighs). I hope so.
[Bell dings]
Feel free to look through it and... just, whatever.
ROVER
She puts her hands up for a moment and then walks away.
ZOE
Can I look through the papers, specifically, like –
[Mechanical whir]
– buzzwording for anything that has to do with Manchester and his journey there.
ROVER
Yes, you can. Can you give me an Investigation check?
[Dice clacks]
So that's a D20 and add your Investigation modifier, which should...
ZOE
Uh, 17.
[Bell dings]
ROVER
Nice. There is a, oh, let's see. There is indeed a piece of paper there –
[Mechanical whir]
– which is from...a name that you remember – from your university – from a Magic teacher named Miss Williams.
[Bell dings]
She taught more Evocation magic in Manchester University. And she is talking about how she can... help him with putting more magical elements into weaponry. But she isn't sure if she has the availability to go and bring that to London. Which means –
[Bell dings]
– he would have to go to her.
ROVER
That is one of the things that you can find.
ZOE
Can I...
ROVER
Mmhmm.
ZOE
Can I pocket the paper?
ROVER
You can pocket the paper, absolutely.
ZOE
I am gonna pocket the paper.
ROVER
You pocket the paper. I love the sentence "pocketing the paper". Wonderful.
ZOE
I pocketed the paper.
ALYSSA
Pocket the paper. Pocket the paper.
ROVER
I pocket the paper.
ALYSSA
Pock... Po (stutters) Blergh!
[Rover and Zoe laugh]
Pocket the paper!
ZOE
After I pocket the paper –
ROVER
Yeah?
ZOE
– uhm (chuckles), I'm gonna look around the room to Yitri and Pierre, and I'm gonna tell them what I found.
[Bell dings]
ZOE [as ALEKS]
So... When we're going to Manchester, we might have to look for a very specific teacher. I found a letter from someone –
[Mechanical whir]
– she must've taught Evocation magic there - and she wants to meet with Jonny. Maybe, when we're there, we can see if that meeting happened. Or if she knows anything else?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah, cause if he didn't make the meeting, that says something, and if he did and she was the last person who saw him, that also means something.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Exactly.
[Bell dings once again]
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
So... Yeah, we can... She clearly... Do you know when the letter was written? Do you have, like, a date?
ZOE
Do I? (Chuckles)
ROVER
You have... there is a date at the top right corner. That is...
[Another mechanical whir]
Oh, I need to be very careful with my dates here. Uh, it's the 21st of October, which means... 5th of September.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Uh, the letter says it's from the beginning of September. 5th.
[Bell dings]
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Hmm, ok. Interesting. Uh... Hmm.
RIK [as PIERRE]
You know, one would say that a guy like this would have, maybe, like some sort of notebook or something. Like, where he writes, you know, his inventions in.
[Mechanical whir]
I figure we might find one and then maybe it has a date in it, as well. Could see... if there's something like that.
ROVER
Do you also want to give me an Investigation check?
RIK
I'd like to, yes.
ROVER
Give me an Investigation check. Maybe you can also pocket a paper.
[Zoe laughs]
RIK
Pocket a paper.
ZOE
Pocket a book.
RIK
I wanna pocket the paper.
[Dice clacks]
ZOE
While Rik rolls, could you repeat the name of the teacher? Maybe write it down somewhere.
ROVER
Miss Williams.
ZOE
Oh. I understood something so different.
[Rover laughs]
Ok, thank you.
ROVER
Yes, Pierre?
RIK
It was Insight, yeah?
ROVER
Investigation.
RIK
Oh, Investigation. Uh, oh, good, I also have a plus 3 on that. That would be 19.
ROVER
19.
ROVER
Is there a specific thing that you're looking for?
[Bell dings]
For, like, the notebook that you just mentioned, or...?
RIK
Uh, just looking if there is one. And if there is one, kinda what he's been working on. Uh, and a date, of course.
ROVER
While you investigate the room, you do notice that there is no bag –
[Mechanical whir]
–there is no notebook, there's no jacket there. It seems like, while the room is messy, the necessary stuff has been picked up.
RIK
Hmm.
ROVER
So your thoughts are going more towards, like,
[Bell dings]
"he has gone somewhere". You can definitely tell, he has left that room and gone somewhere.
ROVER
And if he had anything like a notebook, he would've taken that with him.
[Mechanical whir]
Uhm, what you can find is, in one of the drawers from his desk, an unfinished shotgun.
[Bell dings]
Like, a sawn-off shotgun. With the letters N-Y-X on it. Nyx. And there is a small note attached to that, saying,
[Mechanical whir]
"I will return soon. Just wait for me." And that is where we're gonna end this episode.
ALYSSA
Oh, shit.
RIK
Ooh!
ROVER
Thank you all so much for listening to today's episode and what happens after this, what happens in the other group, remains to be seen. (Gasps) Buh-bye, everyone.
RIK
Buh-bye!
ALYSSA
Bye!
ZOE
Buh-bye!
ROVER
Bye-bye!
[Show outro plays]
ROVER
Remains To Be Seen is an original podcast created by Dyaflame Studios and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share-alike 4.0 International License.
Today’s episode was produced and edited by Jo Mendacium, and it starred:
Rik den Breejen as Pierre Ardoise
Alyssa Roldan as Yitri Meadowtwirls
Zoe Emily as Aleksander Aintsworth
And Rover Elliott as the Dungeon Master
The intro and outro was composed by We Talk of Dreams, and the transcript was written by Kim van Teeffelen.
To get in touch with us and keep up to date with our antics, follow us on Instagram, BlueSky and TikTok @ DyaflameStudios or view our website at www.dyaflame.com
Check our show notes for additional credits, links and transcripts.