016 - Protectors - C'est La Vie
016 - Protectors - C'est La Vie
Content Warnings
- Strangulation
- Gun shots
- Description of a corpse
- Cults (mentioned)
- Burial
- Walking in on someone changing
- Screams/panic
- Death
- Sound warning (high-pitched beep)
- Spiders (mentioned)
[Show intro plays]
ROVER
Hello everyone and welcome back 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 Elliot, pronouns he/they, and today I am here with...
ALYSSA
Alyssa, she/her.
RIK
Rik, he/him.
ZOE
Zoe, she/they.
MIKE
Mike, he/him.
ROVER
And who are you guys playing?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yitri, she/her, and the fucker speaks!! The fucker can talk and he quit! He just quit! What the fuck! Finally! You little bitch! You could talk the whole time!
RIK [as PIERRE]
Pierre Ardoise, he/him. Uhm... It's happening. It's actually happening. What the fuck?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Aleks, he/him. I have a feeling that this, uhm, dead body is not gonna help the Bounty Hunters in this discussion.
MIKE [as KOL]
Kol, he/him. (Sighs) Even the diplomats are fucking children.
ROVER
Speaking of the diplomats, I'm not necessarily sure what happened. Alyssa!
ALYSSA
Okay, hi!
ROVER
Why are the diplomats... Why are the diplomats? Why?
ALYSSA
Okay, so basically, we come back to the palace and we're not supposed to be there, because we're supposed to be gone for a few days. We were only gone for a few hours. We get back, Yitri's like, "Hey. Aleks, why aren't you mad at me?" And Aleks was like, "Because it's not your fault." And she's like, "Okay, I guess. Also your cloak: awesome!" While that's happening, Pierre and Kol have a moment. Kol's having a mental breakdown, Pierre tries to get him coffee. So, of course he goes to his trusty butler Jones Chafley? Chafley. Wwhile he's trying to find mister Jones Chafley, he sees him talking to Xana. And Xana and him are having a very intense discussion and then Xana's like, "Please tell me that I'm imagining you." And Pierre, not getting the hint, is like, "No, you're not. And we broke into this university." And basically said everything that happened. And then Xana's like, "I'm going to fucking kill you guys." And then was like, "Wait, actually, but you guys have information. We're gonna take you to the meeting with the House of Six." We meet the House of Six. We got Ciel, who is a Dwarf from France, who is French. Valkyra, and Owlin from Greece. Tobias, we know him, we hate him. He is the Prime Minister of the UK. Brunhilde, who's an Orc from Germany. Samira, who is a Leonin from Belgium. And Luciano, who's an Elf from Italy. So these are the big world leaders that are meeting to see if the Bounty Hunters should be outlawed. Half of them are like, "Yes, they should all be outlawed, because of this one group of people, The Order. That are technically not even Bounty Hunters, but let's blame all Bounty Hunters, right? Cause that's how we're doing this." And the other group was like, "No, we shouldn't generalize. That's not how we should do things. And The Order's not Bounty Hunters." And they're kinda going at it, and then Kol just completely interrupts. Cause apparently we have the authority to interrupt the meeting and be like, "Hey, let's take a recess." And then they listen to him and they did. He passes a note to Ciel. We don't know what's on the note. And then after we all leave, the orange Tabaxi, my enemy, comes in and... Not my enemy, Yitri's enemy. Comes in and is like, "Hey, I quit." With a dead body in their hands, because yeah, that's how you make an exit, I guess. And that's where we leave off. Did I miss anything?
ROVER
I don't think you did, no. I mean, there's now a dead body in front of you guys.
ALYSSA
Yeah.
[Soft birdsong and outdoor ambience begins]
ROVER
And the body that was brought in has this kind of more brown mullet. And yeah, there's a bandage wrapped around their eyes and in their mouth is a golden coin. Like someone paid the ferryman. Can I, immediately, have a History check from everyone?
[Dice clacks]
ZOE
Nat 20.
[Dice ASMR]
MIKE
Whoa.
RIK
(Huffs) Nat 1.
MIKE
Oh, holy shit. Nat 20! Actually, wait. My History is minus 1, so it's a nat 20 for 19. (Laughs)
ROVER
It's fine.
ALYSSA
I got a 13.
ROVER
So, you remember... Listeners, if you guys listened to the previous episode you know that Pierre's the oldest one here and will probably have, like, witnessed everything happening. However, somehow... Somehow the cult has never been in his interests.
RIK [as PIERRE]
It must've slipped my mind.
ROVER
He was always too busy focusing on everything else. I mean, it's more like, "Religious folks, right? It's fine. I'm not gonna focus on that. I have too many other things to focus on."
ALYSSA
"I have children to raise, you know?"
ROVER
"Yeah, I have children to raise."
RIK
I have children to raise, sculptures to make. Busy life. Busy life.
ROVER
And the 13. You know that there is a Cult of Hades. However, there technically isn't anymore. The last of the Cult of Hades have been wiped out together with the flood in the Netherlands. And for our natural 20's; the Cult of Hades, their entire motto that no one really ever figured out was “Keeping "the box" closed.” No one knew what the box is. And there is a main family in this Cult, which is the family Virelle, who did everything to make sure that this box would not be opened. And they wanted every single bit of information that people were trying to figure out about Revivify out of the world. Now this is also where they wanted to infiltrate the more scientific labs in the Netherlands. And that went so badly that the Netherlands doesn't exist anymore. While everyone is blaming Poseidon for, obviously, flooding the entire country, the Cult was known to be there and fucking around with the system there. And you guys will... The ones with the natural 20's; you guys will know when someone was killed by a Cult of Hades member, they would put a coin in their mouths. And normally that was a silver coin. However with this one, it is a golden coin. And it's completely silent in the hall where people are waiting for the meeting to continue again. And you can see Valkyra pushing past everyone, immediately going to the body, checking the entire body for all the marks that are on them, and is about to touch the bandage around this person's eyes and then stops herself. And she says,
ROVER [as VALKYRA]
This meeting will not continue without having full knowledge about this.
ROVER
And Tobias, in the corner, walks towards her, is like,
ROVER [as TOBIAS]
Valkyra, you know I need this meeting to –"
ROVER
And she extends her wing towards him and two of the feathers are like arrows past his head into the wall.
[Sharp thunk and twang of an arrow]
And she turns her head towards him and she says,
ROVER [as VALKYRA]
(Chuckles) Well. Like I said; this meeting will not continue unless we figure out what is going on.
ROVER
And Tobias, for the first time that you guys have seen him, does not interfere with the orders that he's just been given.
MIKE
Yeah, bloody Brits and their listening, am I right?
[Laughter]
ROVER
And she's like,
ROVER [as VALKYRA]
I want everyone out. I want everyone out. I need the Protectors, I need them here with me. I need their help. This meeting is dismissed.
ROVER
And she picks up the body and she walks back into the meeting room and puts the body on the table. You can see that the members of the House of Six are very quietly whispering to each other. And you can hear a lot of them mention the Cult of Hades and... Tobias is quiet.
ALYSSA
Question. Is the orange Tabaxi still there?
ROVER
Orange Tabaxi walked away. If you wanna run after him.
ALYSSA
I'm going to run after him. (Laughs)
[Quick footsteps begin in the background]
ROVER
Okay, you're gonna run after him. Mmhmm.
ZOE
Yitri's just gonna ignore this really important politician being like, "Meeting dismissed. The Protectors are gonna come with me to discuss this."
[Mike laughs].
And Yitri's like, "Girl, sorry, I have no time. Let me figure something out." And she runs off. (Laughing) Is that what's happening right now?
ALYSSA
No, I think that she ran off as soon as the orange Tabaxi started running, she ran off afterwards. So she did not hear that order.
ROVER
Okay.
MIKE
Whoa.
ZOE
Okay.
ALYSSA
So she just, kind of, is yelling like, "Hey, you! Come back here! You can't just fucking do that!"
ROVER
They keep walking. Do you wanna jump in front of them before they open the door?
ALYSSA
Yes.
ROVER
Okay. Give me… Give me a Dexterity, just to... Give me an Acrobatics, actually. I think that's funny. Give me an Acrobatics.
ALYSSA
Okay.
[Dice clacks]
Well, I got a 10. (Laughs)
[Tense, rhythmic music begins]
[Dice thunks]
MIKE
(Chuckles) Uh oh. Uh oh. Uh oh.
ALYSSA
Yitri's gonna die.
ROVER
You are able to do this.
[Running stops with a thump]
ALYSSA
Let's go!
[Mike laughs]
She's gonna be like,
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Hey, what the –. Hey! I have questions. Number one: (whispering) did you kill that guy?
ALYSSA
She whispers quietly.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
(Whispering) Was that you? Did you kill that –? You just killed a guy in front of the House of Six? That's kind of fucking stupid.
ROVER
They say nothing.
ALYSSA
Fucking shit! Okay.
ROVER
You can currently see, the difference from last time you saw him, was that he also... You can see that some parts of the fur are burned away. So he has, like, actual burn marks on the parts of the body that you can see.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Okay, so you're just ignor– You can talk, you can hear, you're just ignoring us cause you're a bitch. I-I see. (Chuckles) I-I-I shouldn't have called you a bitch, you got –. I just have a... Who the fuck is that on the ground? And why are you quitting? What the fuck. I'm just curious. I'm just.. Cause if you tell us who that is, we can probably figure out something.
ROVER
Give me a Persuasion check.
ALYSSA
(Laughing) Okay.
ROVER
This is a high DC. Give me a Persuasion check.
ALYSSA
Of course. Persuasion.
[Dice clacks]
(Cries) Argh! I got a, uhm, 5.
[Mike laughs]
ROVER
They stay quiet.
ALYSSA
Of course they do!
ROVER
But they are... Like, they're....
ALYSSA
I'm putting this dice away! You're banned.
[Dice clacks]
I rolled a 2.
ROVER
They aren't looking at you. As in, you can see that their head is tilted downwards to spot you. You can still see nothing behind that mask.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Okay, so, is... Okay. You're not gonna tell us anything. You're just gonna drop a body, speak for the first time and just leave? And just renounce, and not even try to explain, cause... To my understanding, you killed that guy and you put the Cult of Hades thingy. And we're gonna think something of that. Like, I'm just curious as to what your plan was here. Whatever your name is, cause you still haven't given me your name. Which I don't even know if it's important anymore. (Chuckles)
ROVER
They bend their body a bit more forward to get closer to your face.
ALYSSA
I'm gonna die. (Laughs nervously) I'm gonna die.
ROVER
To the point where the… almost the beak of their mask is hitting the tip of your nose. And they speak, but it is more in your head than in the world itself. And they say,
ROVER [as ORANGE TABAXI]
(Echoing) You are not ours to claim. You are not our victim.
ROVER
And they pull back.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Okay, wh–?
ROVER
You can...
[Rhythmic music stops as the outdoor ambience comes back]
The moment you see... The moment you are right there, when the mask is in front of you. Give me a Perception check.
ALYSSA
Oh, that's a 16.
ROVER
I don't remember if I told you this in the episode before that, but... Or the episode before that... the end of one of the first episodes. But if I did, you will now see it even more. The sides of where the mask is, it is like they are stitched into the body itself. There is... Like, the sides of it are burned into the skin. t also doesn't sound like there is any breath coming from this person.
ALYSSA
Oh! Idea.
ROVER
Idea, yeah.
ALYSSA
Can I… Glasses. Can I try to detect some kind of magic? I'm gonna press the little thingy on my glasses…
[Button press followed by a magical chime]
… and see what I see around this, this person.
MIKE
Go on, Yitri!
ALYSSA
It was magic out of my hand, but I can't do much with... I just know that there's magic there. And I thinks she figured out the colors, but she can't do anything besides be like, "Hey, there's magic there." (Chuckles) I think that's beautiful.
ROVER
So you can sense the presence of magical effects within 30 feet of you. If you sense such object, you can take the Magic action to see a faint aura around any invisible creature or object. Hey. Hey, Yitri.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Hi.
ROVER
Give me a Constitution saving throw.
[Alyssa groans]
MIKE
I was waiting for this to happen. I was waiting for this.
ALYSSA
Okay.
[Dice clacks]
ALYSSA
Well... I got a nat 1.
MIKE
Oh.
ALYSSA
But I have a plus 4 so that's a 5. I'm gonna make my backup character now, cause Yitri's dead. She almost survived the prologue. This dice is going to jail too.
[Dice clacks]
ROVER
You are stunned...
ALYSSA
Ooh!
ROVER
... by the magical effects that are coming from this creature.
[A high-pitched beeping sound begins in the background]
And it is not even as if this creature's any kind of illusion, or something. It is purely the aura around them... is a weird, fucked up energy that is this entire creature. And it's... You can't even determine what it is.
ALYSSA
Just everything at once, but nothing.
ROVER
Yeah, you're gonna get a huge headache from literally looking through your glasses at this... creature that is there.
MIKE
It's like turning on night vision goggles on a sunny day.
ROVER
Yeah.
MIKE
It's just like, "Whaa!"
[Laughter]
ALYSSA
Like a flash bang, like, "Aah!"
[Beeping stops as the tense, rhythmic music starts playing again in the background]
ROVER
And they...grab you by the throat…
[Bones cracking]
…and lift you up...
[Alyssa gasps]
... against the door.
[Thump]
[Alyssa squeals]
RIK
How in-vision is this?
ROVER
Give me a Perception check, Pierre.
RIK
. Fuck, where is my dice? There is my dice.
ZOE
Everyone?
MIKE
I was gonna say, me and…
RIK
It's fine. This is fine, this is fine.
ROVER
Yeah, everyone give me a Perception check.
[Dice clacks]
RIK
Alright, that's an 11.
ZOE
Aah, there! 16.
MIKE
12.
ROVER
Okay. Aleks, you are the first person to notice this. And you can hear the yelp that Yitri made when she was physically attacked by the...
ZOE
How far away are they?
ROVER
They ran all the way down. I think you're at least 50 feet-ish. And then... If Aleks starts running, the moment Aleks starts running, you guys can see it too. The others can see it too.
ZOE
Yeah, I would've shot that guy.
ROVER
You wanna shoot him? (Whispering) Oh fuck, okay.
ZOE
I'm thinking about it. (Chuckles)
ROVER
Okay.
ZOE
Look, it's like... If they're 50 feet away, I don't know what... Aleks wouldn't know what could happen by the time he actually gets there. And just shooting an arrow would be quicker.
ROVER
Go for it.
ZOE
I don't like when you say that, though. (Chuckles nervously)
ROVER
No, genuinely. If you wanna... I did not prepare any of this, right?
ALYSSA
Sorry.
ROVER
Do whatever you wanna do.
ZOE
Ro, I'm just gonna trust you that you're not gonna TPK in the finale of the prologue.
[Laughter]
ROVER
Wasn't planning on, but hey!
[Laughter
RIK
If you insist. (Laughs)
ZOE
Well...
ALYSSA
I'm sorry.
ZOE
Okay, you know what? You know what? No. Fuck it. I am going to... So they're by the door, right?
ROVER
Mmhmm.
ZOE
I want to aim at the door. I want to shoot a warning shot.
ROVER
Okay.
MIKE
Oh, fuck me.
ZOE
I've never used a bow. (Laughing) How do I do that?
ROVER
You make an attack roll.
ZOE
Okay. Okay, cool.
ROVER
If you're proficient in it, which I think you are...
ZOE
Yeah, I have a shortbow, yeah.
ROVER
Yeah, so it is; you roll your D20, you add your Dexterity modifier and your proficiency. You make sure that it hits the door and not Yitri.
[Alyssa laughs]
ZOE
Okay. Please don't make me hit Yitri.
[Dice clacks]
(Gasps) Okay. That is a 24.
ALYSSA
Let's go!
MIKE
Whoohoo!
RIK
We're so back!
ROVER
Okay, you are shooting the door, right?
ZOE
Yeah, I was aiming at the door so the Tabaxi can see it as like a... as I said, like a warning shot.
ROVER
So yeah, the arrow flies through the room…
[Sharp thunk of an arrow]
… into the door next to them.
[Twang of the arrow hitting the door]
And from that very moment, Kol and Pierre start noticing what's going on.
ZOE
Can I say something after I...?
ROVER
Yeah, you can. Yeah, you can.
ZOE
Cause.. Okay, I'm so glad I didn't hit Yitri, first of all. If I say something, how loud do I have to speak for the Tabaxi to hear me? Can I just, like, normal? Can I just talk normally?
ROVER
Yeah, sure. I cannot tell you how much he can... They can hear, but...
MIKE
How far away are they, tho?
ROVER
50 feet.
MIKE
Oh, wow.
ZOE
So you have Aleks with his bow still in hand, still raised, he's really ready to take the next shot, right? He's looking at the Tabaxi and he's looking at Yitri, who I assume is still being held by the Tabaxi. And he obviously doesn't know if the Tabaxi's listening or not. But he just goes,
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Let her go, now. Or the next one won't miss.
ALYSSA
Ooh!
ZOE
And he still keeps the bow up. He is ready to punch someone. Or shoot another arrow, but you know what I mean.
ROVER
So, Kol and Pierre notice all of this, as well.
[Rhythmic music continues]
They don't move. They are not even... It's also not like they're trying to choke Yitri in a way. They are just holding her up. And they do not move.
ALYSSA
Can I try to break free?
ROVER
Sure. Give me a Strength check.
ALYSSA
Come one. (Blows on the dice)
[Dice clacks]
ROVER
Go on, Yitri.
ALYSSA
That's a 10.
[Dice thunks]
All of my dice are going to jail.
RIK
Damn.
ROVER
You can't wiggle free.
RIK
How many dice are in the jail?
ALYSSA
My jail, I mean, just where I keep my dice normally. I'm just not having them out.
RIK
Hmm.
ROVER
So...
[Rik giggles]
ALYSSA
But probably all of them.
ROVER
Yeah, no, they are not moving. You can see that Yitri is trying to fight her way out of their grip, but they're not budging at all.
RIK
You said it was 50 feet.
ROVER
50 feet, yes.
RIK
Pierre's gonna dash towards the scene.
[Running sounds]
And he's gonna start yelling at this motherfucker.
RIK [as PIERRE]
You! Out! Now!
ROVER
Do you try to grab them?
RIK
Yes.
ROVER
The moment you do, they drop Yitri.
[Body thumps to the floor]
[Alyssa yelps]
Like, they let Yitri go. And they grab onto your arms…
[Sounds of an arm being grabbed tightly]
… and they say,
ROVER [as ORANGE TABAXI]
You should've just died with them.
ROVER
And then they vanish into this swirling smoke up into the air and then (whoosh) gone.
[Whoosh as the music abruptly stops and the outdoor ambience returns]
ALYSSA
Oh, so I could've just done it the whole time, they just wanted to fuck with Yitri. (Laughing) They could've just been like, (snaps fingers) *poof*, gone. "I don't wanna deal with this bitch, but apparently..."
MIKE
Just as they vanish into a puff of smoke, a shot rings out..
[Gun shot]
… and it goes straight through the middle of the smoke. And Kol is standing there…
RIK
Whew!
MIKE
… with black smoke coming from his revolver. And then holsters it and runs over to check if Yitri's okay.
ROVER
Okay.
ZOE
I'm gonna run with Kol to see if Yitri's okay.
RIK
Pierre is gonna offer Yitri a hand to help them up.
ALYSSA
She takes it, and for the first time, willingly takes off her sunglasses. Cause she takes them off and kind off... I'm trying to think of the hand motion I'm doing right now. She pinches between her eyebrows and trying to close her eyes tightly to shake off this headache that she has. And kind of takes the glasses and puts them in her pouch.
ROVER
Mmhmm.
ALYSSA
Cause she doesn't wanna... And then she's just like,
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Ugh, what the fuck is that thing?
MIKE [as KOL]
Hmm. Bad news, is what it is. Are you okay?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah. I-I'm fine, just headache. But I'll get over that. Are you okay, Pierre?
RIK [as PIERRE]
Yeah, I'm fine. I was mostly worried about you.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Sorry, I-I..I thought that I was stupid and reckless, but I didn't... I was hoping to maybe get a lead, cause, hey, someone comes in here, drops a dead body, and is like, "I quit."? There's... I-I gotta ask questions. You know? I mean –
RIK [as PIERRE]
Going after the perpetrator is the right call.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah, I don't know if that's the perpetrator, though. Cause, I mean, I... (exhales) I don't know. There's... I don't... I try to get a read on what, cause there's such a presence around this guy and it just read as everything and nothing and it's never happened before. And also, the mask is sewed in and burned to their face.
RIK [as PIERRE]
It's what?
ROVER
At this point... Yeah, at that point you can see Brunhilde pushing her way through you guys, is like,
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Do you need any healing?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I-I'm okay, thank you.
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Is there any way I can help? Are you okay?Are you sure?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Uh, I'm all good. Thank you. Yeah. Yes, I'm 100% sure, thank you. I really appreciate that. I'm just sorry that I let them get away. But...
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
No, no, you're okay.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I don't know if that's...
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Safety first.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah, yeah, but that was someone that was in our group, kind of. I'm just so confused about them as a person. And have been this whole time.
ROVER
You guys can hear from behind, up the stairs, Samira yelling at Tobias going,
ROVER [as SAMIRA]
You let someone in here who does this?! What are you even thinking?! How reckless are you?!
ROVER
And she's actively yelling at him. And he is not saying a word back to her.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
God, I caused the whole thing, I’m sorry. But just… So, (Sighs) now what? We gotta figure out what happened to that person. And why the bandages over the eye. The coin's a cult thing, right?
ALYSSA
She looks up at whoever closest to her that might know the answer to that. Cause I think if I remember correctly, I got a 13, so I know of the Cult, but not...
ROVER
Yeah.
ALYSSA
... a lot about it, so...
ROVER
A lot of the information I said in the last episode, you guys will have heard.
ALYSSA
Okay.
ROVER
Cause they would've mentioned more of it.
ALYSSA
Yeah.
ROVER
And otherwise, Valkyra would've been mumbling to you guys about what's been going on.
ALYSSA
Yeah.
ZOE
Then Aleks is also nodding along with what Yitri's saying, but just going,
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Technically it is, but the coin is the wrong color.
ROVER
Brunhilde stands up and she kind of, almost rubs the dust off her outfit. And she says,
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
I think you guys should go see Valkyra. She is the best of all of us. She might be able to help you guys. Please.
ROVER
And she extends her hand towards the dining hall where the meeting was. And you can see everyone dispersing.
ZOE
Aleks nods and give a little bow.
ROVER
She gives a bow back and, yeah, you can see the others are dispersing. They are chatting among themselves. Samira is still... She's not yelling anymore at Tobias, but she gives him a little bit of a shove and then also walks to a different direction than the others. And you can see they are all... You can see maybe they're going to their rooms. They at least are taking this moment as the break they probably all need. And you can see Samira going off on her own. Brunhilde's staying with you guys, Valkyra is in the room, Tobias is almost grumpily walking off towards his and you can see Luciano and Ciel also moving away together from the scene. Yeah, and Brunhilde starts leading you guys towards Valkyra again.
MIKE [as KOL]
Well, that certainly wasn't the ending that I was expecting to this meeting.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I'm not sure the meeting is really over yet.
MIKE [as KOL]
It doesn't seem to be, but it looks like we're taking a short adjournment. (Sighs deeply) Something's not right about this. I think we should keep a keen eye out. There's something amiss here. I just don't know what yet.
ROVER
Valkyra... You can see that once you get into the... Valkyra is checking every single bit on the body's clothes, trying to figure out... Trying to cast healing spells on this body, even though knowing that this person is dead. They are trying to really assess the situation and assess every single wound that is on this person to figure out what happened to them. And yeah, you guys are now alone in the room with them. Brunhilde will have closed the door behind you guys.
[Door creaks as it closes]
RIK [as PIERRE]
What's your assessment?
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Well, we got... (exhales) We got burn marks. There must've been a fire. Do you guys have any idea where this... Where the person that brought this found them? Do you have any idea where they are from?
RIK [as PIERRE]
Uh…
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I tried to get an answer, but I didn't get anything. I just got told that I wasn't the victim, which.. That's not helping with anything, but they… They’re notorious for not answering any questions, at least for me. Or speaking. That was the first time I heard them speak, that was really weird.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Yitri?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Uhuh?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Not now.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Are you aware of what happened at the University? We've seen these types of people before. It was there.
ROVER
She turns her head towards you and is like,
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
You have? Tell me everything about it. Please.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Unfortunately, that's about all we know. They're strong, seem to be in numbers, and uh, well, highly dangerous. So, maybe it's not so bad that, uh, the Tabaxi took them out.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
You don't know if it was the Tabaxi. They just brought the body. We have no idea what happened.
MIKE [as KOL]
Hmm.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
We don't know if it was them that killed them. We don't know if it was... They found the body on the ground and decided, "I don't really wanna do this." We don't know anything. It's so –
MIKE [as KOL]
One thing that we do know; that Tabaxi is dangerous. And I'm glad that they're gone from here.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I don't think they're –
MIKE [as KOL]
Like you say, Pierre, these people are organised and... (inhales) I don't think we should be around them. That's for sure.
RIK [as PIERRE]
I agree.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I don't think "I'm quitting" means they're gonna be gone, unfortunately.
MIKE [as KOL]
Hmm. I fear that you might be right.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I fear that that's –
MIKE [as KOL]
Where are you staying this evening?
MIKE
And he turns to the dignitaries.
ROVER
Just outside of Darlington Palace, there is a large hotel where they have suites, and she will mention the address of that. She will say what the hotel is. And then she goes,
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
I think it is really important that we leave. Tonight. Tomorrow. As soon as possible. We need to figure out what is going on here, because if people who killed this person are this dangerous and are... well, somehow associated with the Cult of Hades, it is a problem. The Cult of Hades is dangerous. They have ways to get in contact with their god that none of the other churches have or cults. They have a way of contact with Hades and it is terrifying.
MIKE [as KOL]
Hmm. Well, one thing's for certain; it doesn't seem like you're safe here. I fully agree. You guys should, uh, go back to the hotel. Get yourselves some security and if possible, maybe leave. We, uh...
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
We should.
MIKE [as KOL]
We've dealt with the people, and uhm...
MIKE
Kol, subtly, sort of looks sideways at Aleks and is kind of stumbling over his words. But is trying to stay focused on the conversation.
MIKE [as KOL]
Uhm, I don't know if they come back, whether or not we'll be able to effectively secure the area.
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
I believe that you guys will figure something out. I have full faith in you guys. Even though Tobias really doesn't. Like I mean, how do you keep up with them? I feel like the five of us don't even know how to keep up with him. (Sighs) They are... It's not great. I'm at least glad you guys have –
MIKE [as KOL]
Well, now is not the time for bickering and infighting.
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Yeah, true. It's... I'm glad you guys have Xana. She's smart enough for this. How are you guys...? What is you guys' plans?
MIKE [as KOL]
Hmm. Well.
ALYSSA
Yitri looks at Kol, is like, (chuckles nervously)
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
We can.. I can have contact with people everywhere. If you need anything, I can help. What do you guys need?
MIKE
Where were we going again? Was it Paris?
ZOE
The Solar Bastion.
MIKE
The Solar Bastion, yeah, that't it. Kol's like,
MIKE [as KOL]
We need to get to the Solar Bastion, and we['re gonna need transport soon. Is that something that you can help us arrange?
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
I can absolutely do that. I mean, you'll probably... I mean, the fact that you're asking me for that and not Ciel, is interesting. But I'm sure that I can figure something out. I can... Do you guys need a tour? What specific thing do you guys need from the Solar Bastion? Because I know that you guys were looking into Jonny. And I know that we have helped Jonny get information from the Solar Bastion. However, he wanted books. Is that something you want? (Stammers) How do I help you guys?
MIKE [as KOL]
Wait, what do you know about Jonny, exactly?
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Well, he's missing and that's why we're here.
MIKE [as KOL]
Hmm, I figured you might know a little more/ (Sighs) Well...
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
I mean, I do, but...
MIKE [as KOL]
Well, then speak up. It looks like we're after the same people and the more you give us, the more we can help.
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Tell me the information that you guys got and I can help.
ROVER
She has this grin on her face.
ALYSSA
I love her, oh my god.
MIKE
Kol is gonna look at the rest of the party for confirmation. To see what the room is like.
ALYSSA
I mean, as long as you don't say we... I mean, don't say we met the Bounty Hunters, I think we're good. (Chuckles)
ZOE
Aleks is gonna give a very subtle, very careful nod towards Kol.
MIKE [as KOL]
Then I think you best sit down. We've got a lot to discuss.
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Yes.
ROVER
And she sits down and I... To kinda skip it forward; how much are you guys gonna tell her about the stuff that you found?
MIKE
I think we're gonna be a little bit discreet about the things that we're explaining. I think we're gonna give them enough to know that we're on the trail of them, but not so much that, you know, we're giving away, as you say, about the Bounty Hunters and that kinda thing. So we tell them that obviously we found out about Jonny, we found out about what Jonny does. You know, we've got a little bit of information and a lead that led us to the Solar Bastion. And that's kinda where we... That's the next stop on the trail.
ROVER
Okay. And she nods along with everything you're telling her. And she says,
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Well, uh, would that then be a tour? I think you're having a tour through the Solar Bastion. It's fantastic in general. It's gorgeous. I don't know if you've ever been there, it is wonderful. The knowledge they have in that library is... Oh. Yeah, I will make sure that you guys can get an audience with them. They have a harbor, so you guys will probably go there with a ship. I'll kinda see from where you guys can go. Is there anything... Now that you guys helped me, I...
ROVER
She starts hesitating about her own words. And she looks down at the table and then at the body before looking back at you guys, like,
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
I need a favor.
MIKE [as KOL]
Depends on the favor, then. We'll hear you out for sure, but we can't guarantee.
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
I... (Exhales) I don't know what the House of Six is planning on doing. No matter what happens, this will not change my opinion that... My people from the First Void –
ROVER
First Void are the Bounty Hunters in Greece In Athens, specifically. And she mentions,
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
I need to make sure they are safe. And I can assure you guys that they are at least trustworthy. I don't know what is going to happen, currently. But if you need to work together with people, I can assure you that the First Void is a safe place, must you ever come to Athens. I can help you guys, but I need... I need you to make sure that this group, our House, will not fall. Because I don't know what is currently going on, but this is a huge problem. And if anything were to happen right now, if any one of the government would fall currently, we are going to be in so much trouble. We cannot have a flooded country, an already broken country by a bunch of... The Order of whatever their name is, and... (sighs) I cannot have the same things happen for us. And I know that you guys have been Protectors and have worked together for 24 hours or so, but I can see how you guys care about each other and how you guys work together. Please make sure that, whatever happens, that we say safe.
MIKE
Kol takes a minute to sort of lean back in the chair a little bit and take in the room. And he looks back at her and says,
MIKE [as KOL]
Well. Me and my colleagues are professionals. I can't guarantee, but, uhm... we'll try our best.
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Thank you.
MIKE [as KOL]
That's the best I can offer. No promises.
[Rover sighs nervously]
RIK [as PIERRE]
What makes you so worried your government's gonna fall?
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
I mean, I'm always worried. I'm always worried things are gonna go wrong. And, you know, we have been... quite a safe-haven for a lot of people and... Listen, if I didn't fear whatever is going on in the world right now, (stammers) I wouldn't be a good leader. If I start acting like everything's gonna go well, I would be a liar. And I will never be a liar. I refuse to be one. However, keeping information out isn't necessarily lying, but anyhow, I'm already a terrible liar, so it's all good. I cannot lie to my people and I have to keep them safe and I do not want them to worry. Even though I have most of the worries in this entire group, currently.
RIK [as PIERRE]
For the people.
MIKE [a KOL]
Well, listen; more allies is better than a few. And we'll take what we can get. Thank you for that.
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Of course. I can see great power in you guys. And I cannot wait to see what you guys do with the world.
MIKE [a KOL]
Well…
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
If there's one group I will put all of my faith in, it would be a bunch of stranger together, who have been together for 24 hours. And I know that sounds very stupid, but trust me. I have faith. And again; I do not lie.
ALYSSA
Okay, maybe not all your faith, maybe. Don't put all your faith in us. (Chuckles)
[Mike chuckles]
She's perfect, oh my god. She's the perfect, perfect woman.
RIK
Wrongly placed faith, my guy. (Laughs)
ALYSSA
I love her so much. No, we have to be good now. We have to do good, because she has faith in us.
RIK
Obviously!
ALYSSA
Not before –
RIK
Obviously, for the people.
ALYSSA
No, not for the people. For her. I'm kidding, for the people. For the people. But also, especially...
[Mike laughs]
She's one of the people. I love her so much.
MIKE
"For the people, but also..."(Laughs)
ALYSSA
But also for her. Her specifically.
ZOE
Also, Aleks is going to look really conflicted at basically everything what she just said and everything that paints the Protectors and this group in a very positive light.
ROVER
Mmhmm.
ZOE
And he seems pretty hesitant. And he looks at her and goes,
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I really hope that your faith isn't misplaced in us.
MIKE [as KOL]
Hmm. As do I.
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
I don't... I hope you guys also understand that making mistakes will not make me less faithful in you guys. Everyone makes mistakes, I'm sure you guys will too. But... You guys try. And people trying to figure this all out, trying to see if our people are safe, is honestly enough faith for me.
RIK
Oh, what a saint. (Laughing) What a saint.
ALYSSA
(Laughing) Oh my god, I love her so much!
MIKE [as KOL]
Speaking of safety, I think it would be wise for you to, uh, adjourn to the hotel. With your security team.
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Yeah. I will, I, uh... What do we do with this body?
MIKE [as KOL]
Uhm…
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Do we... I don't know how many people have seen this.
MIKE [as KOL]
Uhm, without sounding too grim, we can deal with that for you.
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
Okay. Okay.
ROVER
And she stands up and she walks towards the door and before she walks out, she turns back to you guys and is like,
ROVER [as BRUNHILDE]
I can assure you that if you ever need anyone, just let Xana call me. We'll figure it out.
ROVER
And then she leaves.
[Door creaks as it closes]
RIK
Alright, alright.
MIKE
(Sighs) Oh boy. Holy shit. (Laughs)
ALYSSA
We can't fuck this up, boys! We gotta... (Laughs)
MIKE
Damn! (Laughing) Yeah, no, we're on the 'not fuck this up' journey now! This is our 'don't fuck this up' era
RIK
Yep.
MIKE
Oh my god.
ROVER
So yeah, you guys are now alone in the room with the dead body.
ZOE
Aleks is going to turn to Kol.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
How are we going to deal with a dead body? And why do you seem so confident that you know how to deal with a dead body?
MIKE [as KOL]
Well, first of all...
MIKE
And Kol walks over to the dead body and is gonna examine it to see if there's anything untoward, anything weird, like entry wounds, exit wounds, anything like that. To work out what actually happened. Or, he's gonna try, at least.
ROVER
Give me an Investigation check.
MIKE
He is not a medical person and his Investigation is minus 1! But, my goodness everyone, we are gonna give this a go. (Laughs)
ALYSSA
What are Kol's stats? I feel like... (Laughs)
ZOE
Apparently, they're not that good.
MIKE
Fucking wild, is what they are. It's a 14.
ROVER
So, you start examining the body and you can very clearly see, indeed, the burn marks on their cheek, the bruises that are on his cheekbone and his jaw. And you can see the faintest bit of blood at the very under-edges of where the blindfold is. But you cannot fully determine, while scanning the body, what the very specific point was that finished him off, basically.
MIKE
Hmm.
ROVER
But you see, they seem to have been through a rough time. And where the burns come from, you can't really tell. You can't tell the final details.
MIKE
(Clears throat) Kol turns back to Aleks and is like,
MIKE [as KOL]
Well. (Sighs) This person went through some real stuff. And when I say "real stuff", I mean, uh, they really went through it before they passed. This wasn't easy. Can you make anything of this?
ROVER
Oh! Sorry, I completely forgot about one thing.
MIKE
Oh?
ROVER
What you can tell is that around their wrists, there are marks where possibly rope could've been tied around them. And there are strands of spider silk on their body.
ALYSSA
Oh!
RIK
Wait, what spider silk? What the fuck?
ROVER
Yeah.
ALYSSA
Oh, great! Spiders...
MIKE
Oh my god. Yeah, no, that's pretty critical. (Laughs)
ROVER
Yeah, I forgot about them. I just reminded myself of it.
MIKE
Yeah, Kol is gonna turn to the room, looking at the spider silk, and be like,
MIKE [as KOL]
Hey. Before we, uh, do what we have to do; what do you make of this?
MIKE
And gestures to the spider silk.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
God, I hope it's not the fucking bone spider.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Not again.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Please don't be the bone spider. I don't wanna deal with the bone... That was freaky.
ZOE
Aleks is gonna take a step back away from the body and kinda turn away a bit.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Kol, with all due respect; I really cannot examine a dead body right now. But I'm sure the others can help you with that just fine.
MIKE [as KOL]
Fine. Okay. Well. In that case, then; Yitri, I'm gonna need your help with this.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Okay.
MIKE
And Kol gestures to the legs of the dead body.
ALYSSA
Got it. Quick thing; do I still have a headache from the sunglasses? From the Detect Magic?
ROVER
You do, yeah.
ALYSSA
Okay, cool.
ROVER
Absolutely.
ALYSSA
Okay. Cause I was thinking of using them again, but I think that would just make everything worse for Yitri, specifically. So I'm gonna not.
ROVER
You've used them...
ZOE
I was about to say.
ROVER
Oh no, you haven't used them the first time, because someone stopped you.
RIK
On the train, right?
ROVER
Yeah no, you still have one charge left, yeah.
ALYSSA
I still have one charge left, but also; headache. And I imagine that this is gonna have the exact same effect as the other thing. So, I'm just not gonna do it. She's gonna reach for her pouch, cause she doesn't have them on, cause she's like, "I don't wanna accidentally turn them on and hurt."
ROVER
Mmhmm.
ALYSSA
And she's about to take them out and then doesn't. And then looks at Kol and kind of understands what he's trying to say. It's like,
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Should we, uh... Do you want me to move? Or do you want me to... What do you want me to move it to?
MIKE [as KOL]
Uhm, well, you see that door?
MIKE
And Kol starts explaining how they're going to take the body out of the palace, using an obscure back route...
ROVER
Mmhmm.
MIKE
... that he's never seen before and is mostly improvising as they're going along.
ALYSSA
Great!
ROVER
Give me a Deception roll.
MIKE
Yeah, let's go! (Singsong) Deception.
ROVER
Yitri, give me Insight. Everyone, give me Insight, actually. On Kol's bluff.
[Dice ASMR]
[Rik chuckles]
ALYSSA
I got a 4.
MIKE
13.
RIK
Got a 10.
ZOE
That is a 21.
[Laughter]
MIKE
D'you know what? This is so canon that no one else calls Kol's bluff, but Aleks sees straight through it. (Laughs)
[Zoe laughs]
ROVER
I'm going to say that Pierre and Yitri; the moment he starts explaining what the back route is of the palace, you guys are like, "You didn't tell me this before." It's that moment of like, "Oh, he's been here before. Okay, interesting." And in the meantime, Aleks facepalms in the background.
ZOE
I would've said the same thing.
[Laughter]
I genuinely would've said "Aleks facepalms in the background." But also adding to that, he's very amused. He does not plan on calling out Kol's bluff. He looks around and he looks at Kol with a very knowing look on his face and he says,
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Yeah, Kol. Why don't you show them around the back? I'm sure that's a great idea giving that these poor politicians outside. I'm sure they don't wanna see that now.
ZOE
And he gestures towards this random door and waits for you to go first. Or to lead the way.
RIK
Leads into the broom closet. (Laughs)
MIKE
Kol, holding the arms of a dead body with Yitri on the legs, is like,
MIKE [as KOL]
Fine. I'll go first.
[Alyssa giggles]
MIKE
And then starts walking down the stairs, but is tripping down some steps and is looking behind him to see where the doors are. And it's very obvious to Aleks that he is just looking and then making it up and is like,
MIKE [as KOL]
Yeah, yeah, we take a left here. And then a right here. And then we go, uh, into this, uh...
MIKE
Opens the door.
MIKE [as KOL]
... courtyard.
[Laughter]
ZOE
Aleks just, enthusiastically, nodding along with everything that Kol is saying.
[Laughter]
ROVER
Give me a... Ooh, what is a good one for this? Let me think. Give me a Performance.
[Alyssa laughs]
With disadvantage.
MIKE
Me?
ROVER
Yes, Kol.
MIKE
(Laughing) Yeah, okay, alright, fine.
[Laughter]
Oh f– Now… Now...
[Alyssa loses it]
I'll tell you what Ro; I don't need to roll that dice twice. Cause that's a nat 1. And that is my first nat 1 of the campaign! (Laughs*)***
[More laughter]
ZOE
Honestly, could've been worse.
ALYSSA
Also, fuck you for getting through fif–. Yeah. Fuck you for getting through 16 episode without having a nat 1.
ZOE
No, for real.
MIKE
I know, I know. I'm pretty sure, maybe the listeners will correct me, but yeah.
ALYSSA
Probably, yeah. I wouldn't be surprised.
ROVER
You... (Chuckles) You start walking around and you get… It leads to that moment where you're like, "Oh yeah, no, this is the courtyard." And it is some... What seems to be a side room, a more storage room almost. And the moment you open the door, there's just,
[Door opens]
ROVER [as LUCIANO]
"Oh, no, no, no, close it!!"
[Laughter]
ROVER
As you can see Luciano half-undressed in that room, he's like, (cries)
[Everyone loses it]
He is against the door.
RIK
Damn, okay.
ALYSSA
Without me? I'm kidding.
[Laughter]
ROVER [as LUCIANO]
I was getting... I was getting... What?!
MIKE
And Kol just slams the door shut again…
[Door slams]
… and is like,
MIKE [as KOL]
Oh, I guess it's the second left.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Right.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
You don't know where you –
ROVER
Take one Emotional damage.
[Laughter]
MIKE
Wha– (Laughing) One Emotional damage?
ROVER
From the embarrassment.
MIKE
Where do I put Emotional damage?
ZOE
Could I see if I know the way? Like, the actual back way out? I don't know why I should, but I wanna see if I can.
ROVER
Give... Ah, just give me a raw Intelligence check. So basically just your D20 plus your Intelligence modifier.
[Dice clacks]
ZOE
(Snickers and laughs)That is an 18.
MIKE
Woah!
ROVER
Yeah, so... Yeah, you guys actually start walking through the palace. Not walking into a room where there's half-naked people in there.
ALYSSA
Aw, man!
ROVER
And...
RIK
Too bad. Too bad.
ROVER
You guys start to find your way through the palace towards a back area that leads towards the courtyard.
MIKE [as KOL]
See, I told you I knew where I was going.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
You didn't. You really didn't.
MIKE
I thought Yitri believed. I thought Aleks was the one... (Laughs)
ALYSSA
No, she did. She did believe, until Aleks had to take over.
MIKE
Ah, yeah.
ALYSSA
Cause I'm imagining Kol stopped leading and Aleks, “Just fucking follow me.”. And just like...
[Laughter]
ZOE
Just imagine Aleks, once again, facepalming in the background while Kol is desperately trying to close that door. And just sighing and gesturing for the others to follow him.
MIKE
Oh my god, yeah. It's one of those hinge– You know the old barn doors with that really old lock? Like, the hinge lock? And it just keeps banging back open again every time he slams the door shut?
[Laughter]
ROVER
So, yeah, genuinely, what do you guys want to do with the body?
RIK
We've got a professional right here, right? Dispose of the body.
ALYSSA
Do we bury the body or do we examine it more? What are.. Those are…
MIKE
Kol offered for you guys to examine it and everyone was like, "I don't know."
ZOE
(Laughing) We can't bury the body in the back courtyard of the palace!
ALYSSA
Obviously not! We're gonna find a place to bury it! I don't fucking know.
RIK
Are we just gonna bury it in the fucking courtyard of the palace?
ALYSSA
No!
ZOE
Should we, also, maybe just to make sure that... Should we talk about that? Like, in character, what we're doing?
ALYSSA
Yeah. Yeah, we should... Yeah!
RIK
Yes.
ZOE
Cause currently, we're standing in this courtyard with you guys holding the body, just… silently.
RIK [as PIERRE]
What are we doing with the body?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Now, that is a good question.
ZOE
And Aleks just looks at Kol.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
So we carry... I thought you guys had a plan. I thought Kol had a plan. (Stammers) We're dragging this guy around and we don't even know what the fuck we're gonna do with him?
RIK [as PIERRE]
I mean, we could–
MIKE [as KOL]
We do know what the fuck we're gonna do with him. We're gonna put him in this cemetery. They don't wanna see him.
RIK [as PIERRE]
In this cemetery?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
This one?
MIKE [as KOL]
That one.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Isn't this the Royal Cemetery?
MIKE [as KOL]
Mmhmm. It's a cemetery.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Tobias is not gonna like that. I'm so in.
MIKE [as KOL]
Well…
ZOE [as ALEKS]
I'm so in.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
With what shovels?
MIKE [as KOL]
(Sighs) Have you never been to a cemetery before? They'll be gravediggers here. Go check that shed over there. There'll probably be a shovel.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Okay!
ALYSSA
Yitri's gonna go find the shovels. (Chuckles)
[Rik giggles]
There's exactly four shovels!
MIKE
And in a quiet spot in that cemetery, around the corner from a small bushel of fig trees, we find ourselves burying a body together. With four shovels. (Chuckles)
ZOE
Wha– Together? I'm gonna watch. Do you think Aleks is getting dirty in a cemetery?
[Laughter]
Excuse me?
[Sounds of a shovel digging into the ground]
MIKE
With three shovels.
ZOE
If Yitri tries to hand him a shovel, Aleks is literally going to look at her with the most blank expression, look himself up and down, and then just turn around to watch you guys work. Cause I am not digging a grave.
ROVER
Okay. If that's okay with you guys, I'm gonna do a little bit of a skip forwards towards more evening. So, news goes around London that the meeting got canceled. And yeah, you guys buried a body in the Royal Cemetery...
[Laughter]
ALYSSA
I can't believe we fucking did...
ROVER
You guys can go get food. And yeah, it's gonna get more towards the evening. You guys can stay in your rooms, you guys can plan ahead. You guys can talk to Xana. Miguel will have returned at this point as well. And Xana will have briefed him in. And yeah, so skip forwards to, let's say, 7. 7 or 8PM.
RIK
I think Pierre's gonna suggest that we talk to Xana to ask why the fuck Xana hired this fucking Tabaxi. What the fuck is up with that?
ALYSSA
No, it was Miguel, wasn't it?
RIK
Was it Miguel?
ALYSSA
If I remember correctly, Miguel just made...
ROVER
It was Miguel.
RIK
Oh, it was Miguel!
ALYSSA
They were just staring into each other's souls and then he got the job.
RIK
Oh. Okay. So as the group kind of is done with the grave digging, Pierre will say,
RIK [as PIERRE]
So, this orange Tabaxi, they just disappeared and we have no idea who they are, what they are, and why they even were hired. We need to investigate that.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
I mean, honestly, why the hell were any of us even really hired? I feel like... I mean I'm not gonna get into essentials.
RIK [as PIERRE]
I mean yeah, but this seems pre-meditated.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
But that one specifically. Just, fuck that guy in particular. Yeah, no, I don't... I knew I had a bad vibe, but I didn't think they were gonna be that bad. You know? Like, I knew I was like, "Hmm, this person seems weird." And I didn't realize I'd see an abomination of nature.
RIK [as PIERRE]
An abomination of nature?
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
That's mean.
RIK [as PIERRE]
That's really mean.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Honestly, well deserved.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
No, no, I-I'm not saying th–
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Yeah.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Cause, look, I tried to check what kind of... anything, if there were any magical auras around this person and there was just all of them and none of them at once. Everything was just... I still have a headache, by the way. It's never happened to me before. And it's just so much and it could speak in your brain and the mask is burned into their face. And it's just so... I-I don't know what kind of... I don't wanna be mean, but what is that? I don't know who, what...
RIK [as PIERRE]
Definitely warrants an investigation.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Yeah, but how are we gonna do that? They're gone.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Obviously, talk to Miguel. We need to investigate that with him. Who's in?
ZOE [as ALEKS]
You know, I'd never thought I'd say that, but I agree with Pierre. Talking to Miguel might be a good first step.
MIKE [as KOL]
Hmm, yeah. I think we're all in agreement. (Sighs) And if we run into this person again, it looks like we're gonna have, uhm, trouble. And I really hope that we don't.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
(Chuckles) Not gonna happen.
ALYSSA
She's gonna grab her axe from off her back and she's like,
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
It won't be too much trouble next time.
ALYSSA
And holds it.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Ha! That's the spirit!
ALYSSA
And stabs it in the ground and holds it, like,
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
It won't be much trouble next time. I'll be prepared.
ZOE
Aleks just raises an eyebrow.
[Rik laughs]
ROVER
So you guys are gonna go find Miguel. And with you guys... Are you all gonna crowd him?
ZOE
No!
ROVER
Or is it just going to be Aleks and Pierre?
ZOE
That's so stupid!
ALYSSA
No.
MIKE
No, no.
ALYSSA
No, we're not gonna... I think Aleks and Pierre go first and then Kol and Yitri stay at the back, I think is the best bet to, like, just in case have them there.
MIKE
Yeah.
ROVER
Y'all can do your own thing, currently. It's really... In this evening, nothing is going to happen anymore with the meeting. They will have said that the meeting is gonna be postponed until tomorrow.
MIKE
Yeah, I think Kol is more concerned about the dignitaries, to be honest with you.
ROVER
Yeah.
MIKE
Because, I mean, this is all very fucky so, like, yeah.
ROVER
Yeah. Go talk to Miguel.
RIK
As we're walking towards Miguel's office, Pierre's gonna turn his head back and say to Yitri,
RIK [as PIERRE]
You might wanna get an icepack or something for that headache.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Oh, y-yeah. I... Yeah, sure. I can see if I can get it.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Tends to help.
ALYSSA [as YITRI]
Oh, thank you. Yeah, I'll try to see if I can get something like that.
ALYSSA
What she needs is a fantasy-Ibuprofen. (Laughs)
[Laughter]
MIKE
Wait, hold on. Hold up, back up, back up.
ROVER
Yeah, back up.
MIKE
So, we go to Miguel, me and Yitri are covered in mud.
ALYSSA
Maybe we're having a fun little time in the mud. Maybe we're... (Laughs)
MIKE
(Laughs) What?! What? What do you mean, "A fun little time in the mud?"
ALYSSA
(Laughing) I don't know!
MIKE
Okay. We were just having a fun little time in the mud. (Laughs)
ROVER
Yitri's gonna go find an ice pack and Aleks and Pierre are going to talk to Miguel. You guys can find Miguel alone in the dining room. Not the same dining room, the place where you guys dined.
RIK
How many dining rooms are there?
ALYSSA
It's a palace!
ROVER
Three! There's three. I've decided that there are three.
RIK [as PIERRE]
There's so many dining rooms, wouldn't you say? This one's so big, as well!
ROVER
Miguel is sitting alone, kind of more... How do you say that normally, other than stabbing into his food? Without actually eating it.
[Rik sighs]
ZOE
Kinda just playing with his food.
ROVER
Yeah.
RIK
Yeah.
MIKE
Go on then, front-liners. Good luck.
ALYSSA
(Chuckles) I'm getting an ice pack.
MIKE
(Chuckles) I am going with.
ZOE
So, Aleks is going to kind of stop himself, and Pierre as well, without touching Pierre, since he's still dirty.
RIK
Pierre's not dirty.
MIKE
Pierre's not dirty at all. He's got the Armor of Gleaming, right?
ZOE
A mechanic question; does that work for his entire body? Is his skin and his hair and stuff. Is that also –?
ROVER
Uh, no, only for shirts. Or armor. Only for his armor.
MIKE
(Laughs) Wait. Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on. So he is... (Laughs) So, all of him apart from his crisp white shirt is caked in mud?
ALYSSA
He's covered in dirt.
RIK
Yeah, but like... He kind of rolled up his pants, you know? So he's... He should be somewhat covered.
MIKE
Wow. Smart casual.
RIK
He kinda wiped his feet on the way in. He should be fine.
ZOE
Okay. Okay. Alright, so, they stop a few meters away, as to not immediately run into his space.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Miguel, may we join you?
ROVER
He looks up at you and he's like,
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
I mean, I don't have the right to say that you are not. Feel free to sit down.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
You very much do.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Just sit down. Just sit down.
ROVER
And he looks down at his food again. And this time he does start eating it, but not... You can see that it's... Like, very slowly chewing, like he doesn't really want to eat it, but he's eating it anyway.
RIK [as PIERRE]
We're sorry for the interruption. Uhm... We have questions. I know this is maybe not the perfect time, but...
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Oh, ask away.
RIK [as PIERRE]
(Sighs) The orange Tabaxi. How... Why did you hire them?
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
I don't know what you are talking about.
RIK [as PIERRE]
So, are you aware of the current situation? They dragged a dead body into the palace.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Mmhmm.
RIK [as PIERRE]
In front of the House of Six.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Yeah, and then they left.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Yeah. What's going on with that? I figured you might know something about that.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Now, you see here, Pierre... I don't have the right to stop you from sitting down here. I do have the right to stop you from asking that specific question.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Okay, uhm... Not the response I figured.
RIK
He's kinda just gonna look towards Aleks. (Chuckles)
RIK [as PIERRE]
What now?
ZOE
Aleks looks back at Pierre.
ZOE [as ALEKS]
Well... Nothing we can do about that. After all, we can respect a ‘no’ if we're being told so. Can't we, Pierre?
RIK [as PIERRE]
Yeah. You're right. (Sighs)
RIK
And he's gonna look at Miguel.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Sorry I asked.
ROVER [as MIGUEL]
Oh, don't apologize. Just didn't wanna give you an answer. Doesn't mean you have to be sorry for it.
ROVER
He is very much more acting like Xana then how Miguel was before you guys met him. He's a little bit more snappy. And this is the moment I think you can clearly tell that they're twins.
ALYSSA
Aaw.
ROVER
And give me a Perception check. I'd say Pierre and Aleks.
RIK
Both?
ROVER
Yeah.
[Dice clacks]
RIK
It's a 17.
ZOE
That is a 10.
ROVER
You guys can hear people running in the other room.
[Sounds of people running]
And... Pierre, what is your Perception again? Was it 13?
RIK
17.
ROVER
17. Just before that, you can hear screaming…
[Distant screaming]
… coming from a room further into the palace. Like pained screaming. And people are... You can hear footsteps running towards it. And... Yeah, that's currently what you can hear, because you are not in the other room. Miguel also immediately looks up.
RIK
Pierre's eyes widen to this sound.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Aleks. With me. We're going.
RIK
And he kinda pushes the chair…
[Chair squeaks]
… away from the table and he starts bolting towards the noise.
ZOE
Aleks is gonna nod at Pierre and he's also gonna start running. But before he, you know, completely starts running of, he's gonna shoot a glance back at Miguel before following Pierre.
ROVER
Once you're running through the hall, there's steam coming from the room…
[Sizzling sounds]
… where the screams were coming from. And you can see Luciano and Samira and Valkyra and every member of the House of Six, their hands are clasped over their mouth. And Luciano, still... Like, he has a towel wrapped around his waist. And he is pacing. And you see your butler, Jones Chufley.
[Running stops]
He is shaking and he turns around and he looks towards Aleks and Pierre and he walks towards Pierre and he grabs Pierre by the side of the arms and he's like,
ROVER [as JONES]
(Inhales) They are dead! They're dead.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Who? Who's dead?
ROVER [as JONES]
They're dead.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Jones? Jones, talk to me.
ROVER [as JONES]
Ciel's dead.
RIK [as PIERRE]
Ciel's dead?
[Outdoor ambience stops]
ROVER
And that's where we're ending...
ALYSSA
WHAT?!
ROVER
... the prologue of...
ALYSSA
WHAT?!
ROVER
Of the Protectors of Remains To Be Seen.
ZOE
Well, that's fun. No, that's great.
ALYSSA
WHAT?!
MIKE
(Laughs) Oh my god.
RIK
I am shooketh.
ROVER
Thank you all so much for listening and supporting us throughout these 16 episodes. We appreciate you all very, very much. I hope you've enjoyed the first start of the show. And, uh...
MIKE
Woah.
ROVER
Don't forget to listen to the Bounty Hunters on Sunday.
ZOE
Holy fuck.
ROVER
What happens next remains to be seen.
MIKE
Remains to be seen! Whoo!
ROVER
Bye bye, everyone!
ALYSSA
Bye!
ZOE
Buh-bye!
MIKE
Bye!
RIK
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 by Jo Mendacium and edited by Mees Verkade and Jo Mendacium. It starred:
Rik den Breejen as Pierre Ardoise
Mike LeBeau as Koltrast
Alyssa Roldan as Yitri Meadowtwirls
Zoe Emily as Aleksander Aintsworth
And Rover Elliott as the Dungeon Master
The intro and outro were 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.