#deastock

[mayapapaya33]

If we don't get a fully animated feature of The Adventures of the Darrington Brigade, at the very least, I want Owlbear references in the Mighty Nein Animated show. Give me some npc's in the pub speaking in hushed whispers about the hooting terror that stalks the night, criminals are a superstitious lot after all. Let me see the silhouette of an owlbear cowl on a rooftop in Rexxentrum.

The Darrington Brigade is set in the Dwendalian Empire, in fact the adventure was in Deastok, which is the sister city to Kamordah, Beau's hometown. Castle Lorelei is also about a day's journey away. They're all around the Cyrengreen forest. I'm just saying, it makes sense!

I mean, Pumat read a copy of Tary's autobiography (or is it a biography if Doty wrote it?) The Daring Trials and Tribulations of sir Taryon Darrington. So he and his troupe are known in the area at least somewhat lol.

[dungeon-marrs]

skyrim randomizer mod 5e

My fiancé [BQ] and I have recently started a D&D 5e home game with just the two of us, myself playing the part of DM. As Critical Role fans, we decided to play in the world of Exandria for ease as I have no DM experience prior to this and we both already know a lot of the lore associated with this world. We recently re-watched Many A True Nerd’s playthrough of Skyrim with the doorway randomizer mod installed [linked below]. Conversations ensued. 

BQ always has such wonderful ideas for one-shots and gameplay mechanics, and every time they watch a new video or read an interesting article they throw those ideas my way. My OneNote document is getting out of hand... 

I’ve put in a little work devising an idea of how to introduce this mechanic to our home game without hopefully totally breaking our game. Below are my notes. Feel free to let me know if you have any ideas or thoughts, would love to hear them. 

The PC finds a disheveled, mossy hut in the swamps near the coast of the Emerald Gulch. The hut seems to be half-sunken, surrounded by mud, water, and vegetation. The sea-swamp hut emits a magical effect that will make the PC feel sick or paranoid, pending a saving throw or two. Upon investigation, the hut is inhabited by a homebrew version of a hag. I’ll probably be utilizing a Sea Hag, and buff it up pending the PC level upon arrival. Not sure if I want to make this encounter potentially non-violent, but I haven’t gotten there yet. So...we’ll say a fight ensues, hopefully leaving the PC still standing.  Some loot ideas for the Sea Hag’s hut (thanks homebrew masterminds on the internet): glass dome with water bubble inside that always points north, cracked spyglass that always shows a different point in the water plane, sea shell that lets you change your voice, eye of the witch that allows Identify spell 3/day but only speaks in riddles, edible pickled octopus tentacles, and a pearl that when licked allows the PC to breathe underwater and have a swim speed up to their walking speed for 1HR. 

Inspecting the hut further, the PC will find a large, woven seaweed blanket thrown over something rather large. If removed, an opening framed in seashells and seaweed, as well as gemstones and other small collectible items, will be reveled. There is a faint green-grey glow emanating off of the frame, and the opening has the appearance of purple-black ooze. It appears to shift like ocean waves but stands in the place of what should be a door, based on size and appearance. This door, when entered, will take the PC (and anyone else within 15ft. of the door? maybe?) to a random location (D100 table below). Once the door has been utilized by a person, the path of the doors always stays the same for that person, i.e. the doors will always lead to the same place, and you can backtrack to find your way back to the door you came though. Might need to succeed on INT first. Trying to figure out if there should be an unknown to the PC mechanic that could break the magic holding the door together. If the magic is broken, the PC is stuck wherever they are. There is no way to fix it once it has been broken. If someone else opens a door for the PC while they are inside the randomizer, the door functions as normal. If the PC opens a door while inside the randomizer, it will always lead to a new location (new D100 roll). 

1. Study Room, Folding Halls of Halas 2. Patient room, Vergesson Sanatorium 3. Fort Daxio prison cell   4. The Armavault, the Ironlot, The Lower Tier, Hupperdook 5. Abandoned shack in the Emberhold 6. Crews quarters, docked fishing vessel for the Wanderman Assembly, Shattered Teeth 7. The City of Brass, Plane of Fire 8. Outhouse in Stilben 9. Deastock sewers, Myriad holding cell 10. Balenpost fort, Foren, Eiselcross 11. Cult of The Remnants temple 12. Driftwood Asylum orphanage in Port Damali 13. Aurora Watch Barracks in Rosohna 14. Icehaven, Frigid Depths 15. Rockguard Garrison 16. The Gentleman's safe house, Labenda Swamp 17. Palebank Village 18. Zorth's Pits, livery in Asarius 19. Ruins of Molaesmyr 20. Yurt in Syrinyla 21. The Platinum Sanctuary, Vasselheim 22. Inhabitant's home, Vurmas (floating outpost) 23. Treetop temple to Melora, Charis, Xhorhas 24. The Bloated Cup, Darktow tavern 25. Fownsee Hollow, Core Spire, Jrusar 26. Deepriver Mine and Icozrin Steelworks construction yard, Xhorhas 27. The Landlocked Lady brothel in Shadycreek Run 28. Ruins of Draconia 29. Warehouse in the Bottom Slab, Kraghammer 30. Leather workshop, Urzin 31. Dilapidated Temple, Bazzoxan 32. New Haxon, Blightshore 33. Tackle shop in Drynna 34. Bladegarden soldier's dormitory 35. Tavern, Rotthold, Blightshore 36. Tempest Fang pirate company, Hespet Archipelago, Ozmit Sea 37. Villager home in Jorenn Village 38. Xxx 39. Villager hut, Vo Village, Rumblecusp 40. Xxx 41. Xxx 42. Kymal headquarters of The Clasp 43. Pallid Grove, Menagerie Coast 44. Farmer's home, Turst Fields 45. Xxx 46. Xxx 47. The Candleglow Inn, Alfield 48. Windmill in Felderwin 49. Customs warehouse, Brokenbank Island docks, Menagerie Coast 50. Myriad store house in Ank'Harel 51. Trudge the Glimmer antique shop in Yios 52. Xxx 53. Finders Takers, East Dregs, Bassuras 54. Orroyen Tribe abandoned Tomenda 55. Light Above Sanctum, temple to the Dawnfather, Deliberation Disk, Uthodurn 56. Xxx 57. Golden Grin performer's circus tent 58. Xxx 59. Greenhouse, The Mudfields, Kamordah 60. Tavern in Westruun 61. Balcony on cliffside homestead, Vol'Antim 62. Xxx 63. Seaside bar at Bay of Gifts 64. Claret Order headquarters 65. Ashguard Garrison, mid attack from the Empire 66. A Taste of Tal'Dorei kitchen, Bassuras 67. Silkworm farm, Pride's Call 68. Bookshop in Syngorn 69. House of the Lawbearer in Whitestone 70. Velvin Thicket 71. Boroftkrah 72. Xxx 73. Home of Kradin Grimthorne, the foremost brawler talent scout in Tal'Dorei 74. Tutoring hall, Bysaes Tyl 75. Seafloor's Bounty general store, Open Quay, Nicodranas 76. The Sterling Satchel gambling tavern, Silverstreet, Druvenlode 77. Whitestone Rifle Corps weapons locker 78. Amber Crossroads merchant's tent 79. Library study room in Zadash branch of Cobalt Soul 80. Dreemoth Quarry, Xarzith Kitril, Dreemoth Ravine, Wildemount 81. Yrrosa 82. Xxx 83. Tal'Dorei council meeting room 84. Emon Skyport 85. Vineyard, Feolinn, Menagerie Coast 86. Xxx 87. Bakery in Zephrah 88. Xxx 89. Xxx 90. Xxx 91. Gilmore's Glorious Goods, Emon 92. Xxx 93. Xxx 94. Arcanist Allura Vysoren's tower 95. Alchemist Oz Gruude's workshop 96. Leader of Terrah, Pa'Tice, Heart of the Mountain's sanctuary 97. Xxx 98. Xxx 99. Bright Queen Leylas Kryn's throne room 100. King Bertrand Dwendal's personal chamber

 - Aspiring DM Margot Marrs

P.S. It’s been over a decade since Myspace and I’ve forgotten all my HTML knowledge. Does anyone know how to make a bullet point list?  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMOvAyLAoyA

[backintheblackparade]

Non-Exhaustive List of CR Stuff I Misheard/spelled Because of My Regional Accent:

Darrington Brigade’s town of Dearstalk (Deastock)

Fearne’s conquest Menard (Manad)

[earltealord]

Im like, what if they also ended up on Wildemount, because the truscan vale is close to forest and deastock...

But im also like... they are probably on Issylra because i have no idea about it's terrain

[sokonowa]

From Europe

- unisex - ▼ Swedish Military M-59 field coat ‣‣‣

2月11日珍しい祝日火曜日。本日ものんびり川越の裏路地で御待ちしておりますね。

[intobarbarians]

is matt implying that what made kamorah so mineral rich was the meteor from the darington brigade one shot?

[failedskillcheck]

Change with the Tides (Part 1/??)

A/N: Hiya! This is a little thing that I wanted to write, where the reader is a changeling wizard/rouge working for the Gentleman and joins the Mighty Nein! This takes place around 2x14-2x16. I’ll probably write it for the whole campaign.

You grew up in the various orphanages of Wildemont, starting in Port Damali, then Alfeild, Nogvurot, Trostenwald, Rexxentrum, and Deastock, eventually ending up in Zadash.

Due to your race, people found it hard to trust you. You didn’t really blame them, you had been picking pockets since you were seven. In Alfeild, you managed to steal a few spellbooks off of a traveller and began teaching yourself magic. Mostly Illusion spells, but you got your hand on some water-based magic as well.

When you grew out of the system, you were in Zadash, so you went about looking for the Gentleman. By the time you were 23, you had a secure career with him.

That is until a group barged into the underground bar, a strange collection of individuals calling themselves the Mighty Nein… but there were only seven.

From your seat at the bar, you couldn’t see them. You subtly put up your usual disguise, a human woman with brown hair and dark eyes, except you keep the hair a platinum blonde, the closest colour to your true form.

Cree noted one of the adventurers, a purple teifling she called Lucien. The man was a literal peacock. In fact, you’re pretty sure you saw a peacock tattoo creeping up his neck. You noted the others. An aloof half-orc, an energetic blue teifling, a massive woman who could probably crush you, a human woman in Cobalt Soul blue, and a human man in dirty brown clothing, sticking close to a small goblin. The goblin surprised you. You were all too aware of what people thought of monstrous races like hers.

The group went to the Gentlemans’ table, and you snickered, sipping on your drink. Then, Clive comes over and leans over the bar, “He needs you.” You sigh, down the rest of your drink, and walk over to the table, knowing that the drink will be paid off later.

“What’s up Boss?” You say as you reach the table, grabbing the chair closest to him. You’re his best employee. He knows that, everyone here knows that. There’s very little you can’t get away with.

“Ah, Y/N. Meet the Mighty Nein. You may recognize those two,” he gestures to the purple teifling and the monk, “as the two who murdered the High-Rictor. They’ve agreed to do me a favour, in exchange for me clearing their names.”

“So you’re the sorry sods he’s making go to that blasted facility,” you turned your head to the Gentleman, “Let me guess, I’m going with them?”

“You are the one who found it.”

“So when do we leave?” You asked, looking back at the group, who all seemed to be talking to one another. All of them except for the half-orc, who was instead watching you.

“Tomorrow, we need to prepare first.”

The Gentleman waved you off, and you went to your bed in the upper part of the Evening Nip, then preparing some things for your mission tomorrow. You went down to the bar, waiting for the Mighty Nein.

They finally arrived, and they were blindfolded and escorted to a dock, where you parted ways with you’re colleagues and rowed down the river with the Mighty Nein. You led them down the river, not talking and very aware that the half-orc and the monk were watching you. The Nein then decides to pull a race, and the goblin uses her ring of water walking. Until she hits a rock.

As she’s being pulled into the boat, you see a dark mantle drop, wrapping around her head, as well as the man and the half-orc. Luckily, you’re able to defeat them with almost no injuries.

“Those weren’t there before, I swear.” You say as the monk woman accuses you of trying to kill them. As she’s yelling at you, she stops and urges everyone to go faster due to rock monsters.

You drift downward before docking and sitting on the gravel beach as the large woman and blue teifling clear the rockslide.

“Mind telling us your name?” the half-orc asks, sitting beside you,

“Y/N,” you say, looking over, “And no, no last name. What about you?”

“I’m Fjord,” he says, then points to his party, “That there’s Beauregard and Jester. Then Mollymauk and Yasha. Those two are Caleb and Nott.” He pointed to where the goblin was braiding flowers into the man’s hair.

“Right. Apologies for the cave-in, when I first discovered this place, my group got attacked, one of them decide to destroy the wall.”

“Not a problem Y/N!” says Jester, clearing away the last rocks, “See, already cleared”

Mollymauk walks over and offers you his hand to helo you get up, as he does, he pulls you close to whisper in your ear, “Do you have any clue who I was?”

Was. Interesting choice of words, Mr. Mollymauk. “No, Cree seemed to though. So whatever little gang you two were in, I certainly wasn’t a member.”

“Something tells me there’s more to you than meets the eye Y/N, and I for one, am interested to find out what.”

Mollymauk back off at my shocked expression, walking away before saying over his shoulder, “And it’s just Molly, dear.”

We go down the stairs, through many trapped rooms (which Nott kept forgetting to check, leaving you to pick up her slack), Fjord almost falls down a pit, before finally reaching a large chamber.

The first thing you notice in the room is a teleportation circle, though it’s broken. You tell this to the Nein, which makes Caleb give you a quizzical look “And how do you know what a broken teleportation circle looks like?”

“I may be nothing more than a thief, but I am somewhat educated.”

You all begin searching around, and eventually, Caleb finds a journal written in Draconic. As you discuss it, the temperature drops and a skeletal form stretches from the group, ghastly skin stretched over its face.

“My secrets are yours.”

After that, you and the Nein launch into battle, and shockingly, you all fight very well together, working in sync.

You watched Jester sink to the ground, your own head pounding from the mental attacks. Molly charged at the undead Siff Dunder, and you shouted “Finish this Mollymauk!” as you ran towards Jester, giving her a healing potion you kept in your pocket.

The temperature drops again, cold energy emerging from a bookshelf. You can physically see Caleb remembering something, his eyes lighting. He mentions a physical form, like will o’ wisps and you swear under your breath as a series of attacks knocks Yasha unconscious. Jester is by her side instantly, healing her, before she and Beauregard pull down the bookshelf.

A large urn stands amongst pots and small cases, and Molly reaches through and destroys the urn. Siff, who was just attacking you and Fjord as you tried to distract it, disintegrates, and you both breathe a sigh of relief.

You all take a bit of time to collect yourself, and Fjord once again sits beside you, “Alright, I need to know. Why no last name?”

“Never got one.” You said, drinking from your waterskin and checking for any injuries.

“Orphan?”

“Yeah”

You notice a flash of something like sympathy on his face, and but in “I don’t need your pity. I’m perfectly fine without parents.”

“I was gonna say me too.”

You look at Fjord, “Right, sorry.”

Fjord looks like he’s about to ask another question, but you’re interrupted by Nott rubbing oil on herself and squeezing through the hole. Yasha just breaks the wall.

Why was that hot? You think to yourself

You see Nott bent over a case with her thieves tools out, trying to open a lock. Two minutes pass and you hear a gas leak and repeated coughing. “Poison,” she croaks, handing out the jewelry she found, even handing you a piece.

Beauregard searches through the urns, finding a spellbook, which she gives to Caleb. He traces some pattern in the air and finishes the spell, looking around the room. Your back is turned, but he gives you a look, nodding at Beau. You’re definitely hiding abilities other than the rouge ones you’ve displayed.

He points out a sword called the Magicians Judge, which Yasha takes. Molly, Jester, Fjord, and Beau leave to investigate further down the river, while you make camp with Caleb and Nott.

“You know magic,” Caleb says after a long stretch of silence. “How?”

A simple question, but you were reluctant to answer, Fjord already knows too much about you. “I stole some books off of a travelling wizard when I was 15. I was going to sell them, but they seemed interesting, so I taught myself.”

“How old are you?” Nott asked in between sips of her flask.

“23.” You answer, resting your head on your bag.

“What spells do you know?”

“Just a few illusions. Makes thievin’ easier.”

The interrogation seemed to stop then, and a few minutes later, the others return, and you all fall asleep.

You dream of being chased through Alfeild after stealing the books. You ran and ran, jumping on carriages until you deemed yourself far enough away. Late nights of learning magic, trying to get a hold on precious components with no money. Slowly learning.

When you woke up, you realized you shouldn’t have slept around strangers, your true form peeking through. You shift slowly back, keeping your cloak wrapped around you.

“Fjord, you have a little something right here.” Jester says, pointing out the dried blood on the corner of his mouth.”

“Oh, yeah, I grind my teeth,” Fjord explains blushing slightly as he wipes it. As he does you notice his tusks are shorter than other half-orcs you’ve seen.

Jester notices it too and starts questioning him about them. Fjord gets nervous and says “When I was younger, they used to make fun of my teeth, so I got rid of the target.”

“The kids at the orphanage?” You ground out, all too familiar with asshole kids

“Yeah, it just kinda became a habit.”

“Did you ever kill them?” Yasha asked, looking very serious,

Nott quickly became concerned “Yasha. Have you ever killed a kid?”

No answer.

Immediately, the Mighty Nein promised that if he grew them out they’d support him. You had a moment then. These people hadn’t known each other long, minus a couple of obvious pairings, but you could tell they were good people. Certainly better than the Gentleman’s goons.

You all make your way up to the Gentleman’s lair, keeping quiet. You’re lost in thought, right up until you take the blindfold off of the Nein. You pull Fjord aside before he gets to the Gentleman.

“I still have to talk to the Boss about it, but would it be alright if I maybe tagged along with you guys for a bit? You seem like good people, and I think I need a change of company.”

“I’d have to talk to the other, but I don’t have a problem with it. You’re a good fighter Y/N, we could definitely use you.”

You nod and wait for the Mighty Nein to finish the meeting with the Gentleman before you sit down with him.

“Hey, Boss?” You say, waiting for permission to speak, “I was thinking, I might try travelling around a bit. I’ve never been good at staying in one place, you know my past. And those Migh-”

The Gentleman held up a hand, and you felt the entire bar fall silent. He was going to say no, you knew it.

“Y/N, you’ve been my best employee for the last several years. Your talents are unmatchable, and I don’t think I’ll ever find a replacement. But I get it. A change of pace is always needed. Go pack up your things, and don’t worry about your bar tab, I’ll pay.” He slid a pouch of gold across the table, “Here’s a little something to start you off.”

Holy shit.

“Thank you, sir.”

The Gentleman nodded, and you ran to pack your things. Fjord said something about the Leaky Tap, so you headed over. Right away, Jester threw her arms around you.

“Welcome to the Mighty Nein!”

[superfrumpkin]

WORTH IT.

Read it on AO3

You always knew this day would come. In fact, you knew you had many of them ahead of you. And yet, when your necklace starts glowing, you feel the dread creeping up, the fear of finding out who's turn it was. 

As if she could hear you, Pike's broken voice comes through in your mind: "Kiki, it's Grog. Please, come to Whitestone".

As quickly as you could, you let your father know, open up a portal, and you're out of the Sun Tree. Vex'ahlia, tears in her eyes, and Percy, holding her by the shoulders, are waiting for you there. 

You hug them both tight, and you head to Sarenrae's temple, where Pike and Scanlan are standing beside a lifeless Grog. 

He looks peaceful. His hulking form isn't menacing with his eyes closed, and his mouth so relaxed. It was time. 

You let a few tears fall, hold the gnomes, and you have a small service for the goliath. 

You then head to a tavern and drink his beloved ale in his honor, reminiscing of all the good times. 

"To Grog Strongjaw, Grand Poobah de Doink of All This and That" a slightly drunk Percy shouts "a great fighter and an even greater friend!" 

"To Grog!" You all cheer. 

Just as the day begun, it comes to a close. You're all tipsy, and teary eyed. You say your goodbyes and head back to Zephrah, your heart a little heavy.

You carve a space for a cup of ale next to the shrine to the Raven Queen, and head to sleep. 

//

A few years go by, you visit Whitestone from time to time, get to see all the De Rolos grow up, share a knowing smirk with Percy when Cassandra finally introduces her girlfriend to all of you.

You participate to all the great events, the weddings, the births, the tearful final goodbyes to your allies.

Allura introduces you and the Tal'Dorei council to a group of colorful individuals from Wildemount, called the Mighty Nein (but there's eight of them? No one says it but you all think it), who apparently had saved the World and managed to let it go undetected. 

You recognize them from your mother's stories, they are the ones who brought her back to you. 

You thank them profusely, and you catch the redhead wizard blush as the white haired drow next to him smiles and rubs his shoulder, and stifle laughter knowingly when you see the dark skinned woman, the pale and tall one who was holding her hand and the blue tiefling all looking at Vex with their mouth open. The yellow clad halfling smacks them subtly as their half orc friend politely smiles at all of you. 

It's funny, you knew the feeling of being caught staring at Vex'ahlia very well.

You see Percy grow a beard that makes him look older and cheer loudly alongside Vesper when with an excited "Auntie Keyleth, look!" she druidcrafts a snowdrop in her hands. 

//

 A few years later, as you're tending to the needs of your people, the necklace pulsates again. You have a suspicion this time, and your heart clenches. 

Coming out of the Sun Tree once again, you can see the whole atmosphere is somber. Black flags with the Whitestone crest glowing gold wave in the breeze, falling from the Castle's large windows.

You lean against the Tree that's become like a friend to you.

"Hey, Keyleth. It's quite the sad day. I can feel the grief of the whole city in my roots."

Tears fall and you ask what you already know.

"It's Percy,isn't it?" 

"It is. You might want to go to Lady Vex. I know she might need you." 

You find them once again, gathered in the temple. The De Rolos are surrounding their mother, who's sobbing loudly. You'd seen her this broken only once before, for her brother. 

Only this time, it was your brother, laying limp and quiet, with Pike performing the last rites.

You see Taryon held by Lawrence in the large crowd, but you make a beeline to Vex.  

"Mom, aunt Keyleth is here," Vesper whispers. 

Trinket is next to her of course, whining in pain too.  

Vex'ahlia opens her bloodshot eyes, looks at you briefly and runs into your arms. 

You feel her pain, all of it. You try to convey everything you can in that hug. 

I'm here. I know. I feel it too. I've felt it too. She holds you like you're the last thing keeping her standing. And you hold her like she held you many years before. 

Drinks are had, words and stories are shared. You decide to stay at the Castle one more night, you let Korrin know through Pike. 

Everything goes quiet. In the dead of night, you hear a knock at the door of your guest room. You already know who's going to be on the other side, and yet when you open it and the dim candles show a shattered Vex'ahlia, her cheeks wet with tears, her eyes sunken with exhaustion, your heart aches. 

"Keyleth..." she says with a barely audible whisper. 

No more words are needed. You let her fall into your arms, and hold her through the night, let her sob in your arms until she passes out. 

Eventually, you fall asleep too. 

Vex gives you the raven skull you made for him before you leave, and you make sure to place it next to the mug of ale, with a pocket watch. 

//

Years keep passing by, you see Vesper's magic thrive and see the proud look in her mother's eyes. You know you must share that same look. You see her become every bit of the leader Percy was, with her mother's wits and her father's strong willpower.  

//

Eventually you have to go to Deastock and say goodbye to Taryon, that's another hard hit on Vex. He was her best friend.

This time you carve the logo of his Brigade in what has become the Vox Machina tree in Zephrah. 

//

You and Vex grow closer. She reminds you of him in so many ways, and yet she's so different. A few wrinkles are starting to appear near her eyes, but as you keep observing her, she's never been more beautiful. 

Many things start to become usual occurrences, like you visiting the Castle, and her coming to Zephrah with the help of her daughter. 

Everytime you see each other, it seems like the pieces start falling back together.

One day, as regular as any other, you're watching the sun setting on your tribe and you catch her looking at you intensely. 

"You're so beautiful, darling."  

You're taken aback. She doesn't give you time to reply. Without even being able to register it, her mouth is on yours, and her hand is in your hair. 

You'd lie if you said you hadn't ever dreamed of this. 

Suddenly, she stops, touching her lips in shock "Keyleth, I'm so-" this time you cut her off, shaking your head and catching her sorry with your mouth. 

You're not sorry. You're glad she did that. You would have never had the guts to make the first move. And Gods, her lips are so soft, her hands tangle in your hair and you don't know what to do, but bask in the comfort her body pressed against yours gives you.

She must be feeling something similar, cause her breath becomes shallow as she whispers "Key" in between kisses.

That night you make love and it's sweet, and calm and slow, nothing like you thought Vex would be. You both needed this so bad, you know you've loved her for a long time and if only an ounce of her felt the same, you'd be happy with it. 

Waking up next to her is nothing short of magical. She's peacefully sleeping, her dark, naked back warmly lit by the sunrise creeping in. You softly brush your fingers along her spine, and her eyelids flutter to reveal warm hazel irises, looking at you with a small smile. Your breath catches.

"I love you," you whisper, unable to keep it in anymore. 

Her smile widens. She kisses you and your heart races fast when she says "I love you too, Keyleth," brushing your noses together. 

You feel happier than you've been in a long time. 

// 

Life goes on between Zephrah and Whitestone, you both have responsibilities you can't run from. 

You say your last goodbyes to Allura, and shortly after Kima, who are buried together as they always asked. 

//

Once Vesper is ready to take the helms of Whitestone, Vex decides that it's maybe time to leave, not without hesitation.

"Mom, go. I get it,okay? We will visit all the time, you won't even have time to miss us".

Vex gives her a teary laugh, kisses her forehead, and with an "I'm so proud of you" she comes to Zephrah with you. 

Korrin and Vilya treat her like their own, and you look at her in adoration when she tells you they're like the parents she always wanted. 

//

Vesper keeps her promise, and the De Rolos come visit all the time. You don't catch when Percy IV, their youngest, calls you mama, but Vex does and maybe sheds one little happy tear. 

Zephrah is always buzzing with life, thriving under Keyleth's leadership, and Vex's advice. 

//

Their necklaces glow once more, and they know it's time to say goodbye to Scanlan this time. 

Kaylie plays a sorrowful piece in honor of her father, as you and Vex hold Pike. They both know what it's like to lose a soulmate. 

As always you gather in the tavern and share stories of Scanlan the bard. 

"He died as he lived," Kaylie raises her cup "hard and fast!"

You all share a teary laugh and get drunk as you say goodbye to another friend.

You show Vex the Vox Machina tree for the first time in years, as you carve a space for a miniature shawm. 

She holds you as you both look at the Raven Queen's shrine.

"I hope they're all together," Vex whispers. "I hope he doesn't hate me for this," she chuckles and kisses your cheek.

Just as she says that, as if out of nowhere, a large raven lands between you two on Vex's shoulder. It nuzzles her. 

"I guess you have your answer," you smile and scratch the top of the raven's head. It leans in your hand. 

// 

Life goes on, the kids aren't kids anymore, Vesper leads Whitestone fiercely, you say goodbye to Gilmore a couple of years after Allura and Kima, but you have each other to lean on. 

// 

One day, Vex feels too tired to get out of bed and Trinket lets out a long groan. 

You quickly message Pike, who comes to Zephrah with the children. 

She does a quick scan of her body and confirms what you already know. 

There's nothing wrong with your Vex, nature is claiming her. It's time to say goodbye. 

A sob wracks your body, you knew it was coming. You saw the wrinkles getting more prominent and her hair going gray with the passing of years, but it still hurt to know. 

You can never be ready. 

You let the kids say their goodbyes, not wanting to intrude on such an intimate moment. 

When your turn comes you try to be strong, but your heart is in too much pain. 

She lays a hand on your now wet cheek, and strokes it with her thumb, wiping away some tears. "Kiki..." her flebile whisper is full of love.  

"I don't know if I can do this without you,too".

"Of course you can. You're strong, and caring, and kind. Your people rely on you. You don't need me to succeed. I will always love you, Key. I will always be with you. Far, but never gone, remember?"

You kiss her hand. 

"I love you. You're every bit as beautiful as the day I first met you."

You lean over her to kiss her lips, and with a smile, she lets out her last breath. 

You can't help but hold onto her a little longer. 

Trinket plops down next to you and lays his head on Vex's stomach, breathing heavily. 

You know he must be close as well. 

You clutch his fur, as he breathes one last time, too. 

All the kids and Pike kneel down to hold you, and together, you mourn the loss of Lady Vex'ahlia. 

You take her blue feathers, tie them on your staff, with the black ones you had from Vax. 

In the tree, you leave the tip of an arrow, and one of the pink bows you and Vax once put on the bear. 

//

The De Rolos go back to Whitestone, Pike spends some days with you. 

It will take a long time to heal, but you have plenty of that. 

You'll outlive them all, it's your tragic destiny, you signed up for it. It doesn't hurt any less. 

// 

Pike is of course the next one to go, the worshippers of the Everlight all gather to say goodbye to her Champion, you look around and see just how many lives Pike's kindness had touched. It's beautiful. 

Your tree has another spot, with the symbol of Sarenrae and a miniature mace. 

// 

You carve one last spot on the tree, that you know won't be filled for many years still. 

You leave instructions for your antlers to placed there. 

//

You're thankful to have your parents by your side, as the days blur together. 

Eventually you feel happiness again, when Vesper brings her firstborn to you and you get to see new life blossom in every corner of your tribe, the Ashari growing and leaning on you, the love on your mother's face and the pride on your father's. 

//

Years, and years, and years pass but you never forget them, not once, not for a second.

Vax'ildan, with his smirk and his daggers, and his wings that held you in safety. Your first love. Forever and ever and always. 

Vex'ahlia, matching smirk on softer lips, the best of hagglers, witty and beautiful and quick with her arrows. The lover you got to keep. The lover that got you through. 

Percival, your very best friend, your brother and partner in crime, a quick draw, the smartest of you. A loving husband and father, a fierce leader. 

Grog, big and strong with a heart of gold, with his smile and fun in fights and taverns, his gentle hands with small creatures. Not the smartest, but still one who thought you so much. 

Scanlan, the embodiment of fun and laughter, always ready to pick everyone up and help out, cheering and inspiring with his voice and his charm. 

Pike, the kindest of spirits, her heart bigger than her small frame could ever contain, sweet and loving like a mother to all. 

Taryon, flamboyant and fun, with his desire to be accepted and his mind full of ideas, always accompanied by his thousands versions of Doty, faithful companion. 

Trinket, friend of Vox Machina, her Vex's best friend, as much of a member as everyone else.

You never forget any of them. You feared it would happen after meeting Sprigg, it felt like looking in a mirror of your future. 

But you keep them in your heart until you're old and gray, tell your stories to your tribe, make sure they are spread across the world so that Vox Machina may never be forgotten. 

As you close your eyes for the last time, you dream of them and hope that the Raven Queen will be kind enough to let you see them once more.

//

On the other side, what you see surprises you. It's them, all of them. Vax, with his wings spread, in the middle, smiling bright. Vex is next to him, looking like the day you met. None of them is old and gray. Percy's hair is even black, rid of the stress and weight of the world.

Pike's hair is black as well, like the day you first called her to help you with Grog. 

Everyone looks young, and happy. You feel yourself crying. As you look down, you notice your hair are long and flowing, a fierce red. 

"You did so well, princess." Vex'ahlia winks at you, and you suddenly feel surrounded by all your family's arms. 

You smile in the cuddle pile, think back to your adventures, and realize that everything was worth it, after all. 

[setsailforthestars]

I am just thinking about how Vox Machina would react to the Mighty Nein. Like imagine they pop over to Deastock to visit Tary for a 30 year reunion or some shit and he starts telling them about this band of idiots making a name for themselves in the Empire. Of course Vox Machina can't leave Wildemount without seeing this for themselves, for the nostalgia of it all, and manage to track down the Mighty Nein in the streets of Zadash.

I feel like Grog would take one look at Yasha's whole goth warrior thing she's got going on and IMMEDIATELY challenge her to a fight and while she's stumbling through her answer there's Beau, fists up, ready to throw down all like 'babe is this guy bothering you.' Scanlan would smoothe it out and they'd go for drinks and Grog would take them both on in a fighting pit and probably lose because a Monk/Barbarian melee combo is so deadly but he'd love every minute of it and they'd all get drunk with Scanlan after.

Pike and Veth would hit it off instantly, bonding over being the mom friends, and end up furiously making button friendship bracelets in the corner of the bar.

Percy would take one look at Caleb and be like 'is anyone going to adopt this brilliant tortured soul' and then not wait for an answer. Ten seconds later they're a mile deep in conversation with one of his guns dismantled in front of them, collaborating on mixing magic and weaponry and sensing a deeper pain in each other that they resonate with but of course need not discuss. The gun would draw Veth's attention and she'd amble over and make fun of them with Tary, while her new best friend Pike goes over to get drunk with Grog and co but runs into Fjord on the way who is silently watching his friends and immediately finds a way to make him laugh. They'd get to talking about his background and she'd regale him with stories of her time on the sea during her recovery from being brought back to life while he recounted memories from his past with Vandran's crew that he'd never told anyone before.

Vex would be rattled at first by the force of Jester's personality but amused by her mischief and chaotic nature. There's something about her that reminds Vex of Garmelie from the Feywild, probably because of the dick she absently scratches into a table while they're talking, and she loses herself in reminiscing for awhile until she tunes back into the conversation just as Jester is talking about the tragic romance between her parents. It makes her smile, knowing this source of joy and light still has her family unlike so many of Vox Machina.

Meanwhile at the end of the table Keyleth and Caduceus immediately bond over their connections to Melora and are definitely concocting a spiked tea with the various bits of hallucinogenic fruit he still has and the mushrooms he collected somewhere on the way.

Vex would be the one to figure out who exactly the blue Tiefling's god is... and their reactions? Now that's a story for another time

[simmonsofshield]

hi! I'm still alive!

I haven’t been around because I happened upon a new hyperfixation last fall. in September, I started watching critical role, a d&d show. it became the only thing a thought about and engaged in (fandom-wise) for....well....almost a year now.

of course I still love marvel, it just kind of went on the back burner. I promise I'm still working on broken, mended. 

long story short, despite it not being marvel, I wanted to share a snippet since it’s what I'm writing at the moment. (this is from the middle-ish/where I'm currently at in the wip, not the beginning) I also have an ao3 now and will be posting stuff - or at least this fic - both there and here. 

Morning comes quicker than expected. You thank the inn keep again and, Dagger at your side, take your horse from the stables, walking through the city. Exiting Deastock proper, and walking along the treeline, you come upon a very nice looking estate. The sign outside it said Darrington Estate: Home of the Darrington Foundation and Darrington Brigade - lead by former member of Vox Machina, Taryon Darrington

Squinting trying to understand the string of words in front of you, a voice come from your left, “Hello! My name is Taryon Darrington. Are you loo- oh my, you look a little worse for wear.”

“Quite the greeting,” you say with a roll of your eyes.

“Sorry,” he replies with an awkward chuckle, “do you need a bed or anything? Wraps for you wounds?”

“What is this place?”

“Well, that’s quite the story,” he beams, flashing a bright smile.

His mouth opens to begin and you quickly stop him, “short version please.”

“Right. This is simply a temporary home for the less fortunate and hungry, and the headquarters for the Darrington Foundation. I also lead a not-for-profit adventuring group called the Darrington Brigade. Well, more oversee. I’m not as young as I used to be,” he shrugs, smile still on his face, “you seem like the adventuring type, interested?”

“Thank you, but I would like to earn some coin actually. I’m quite low at the moment.”

“Understood,” he nods and motions toward the house, “why don’t you come in and we can bandage you up a little, get you some water. The horse and uh...” he takes a step back, seemingly just now noticing Dagger, “wolf will have to stay outside.”

You nod and tie up the horse and pat Dagger on the head, telling him to keep watch. You follow Taryon inside the estate, seeing many of the large rooms on the lower floor converted to temporary bedrooms, filled with cots and bedrolls. He walks over to another man, saying a few words and kissing him on the cheek. Continuing to follow, you go to one of the less filled rooms where he motions for you to sit on one of the cots. You do and wait patiently as he walks away. A few minutes later, he comes back, bandages and a small plate of food in his hands.

[grayintogreen]

Things I am slowly forgetting are not canon in Critical Role due to the absolute ease in which I insert them into stories without context:

The Wildemount Claret Order is in Deastock.

Lucien calling Molly “sliver/the sliver.”

Tyffial and Jurrell are twins.

Honestly everything about Jurrell period.

The Tombtakers’ backstories in general.

Lucien’s post resurrection touch aversion

The Somnovem granted abilities being boons from SPECIFIC Somnovem.

Everything about any Somnovem that isn’t Gaudius, Ira, or Timorei.

[midnight-dice]

Vesper De Rolo

She grew up on slightly sanitized tales of Vox Machina. The blood and death remained, but her parents kept Scanlan away from story time with her until after they'd had The Talk. She was told of mighty battles, revenge, of pranks and drunken decisions.

She grew up with legends.

They don't tell you how hard it is to grow up in the shadow of legends.

And as her father shared designs for his clock tower, as her mother talked with ravens, as she got older - well.

She snuck into her father's workshop, some nights, and snuck out to her mother's shooting range in the woods, revolver in hand - and she practiced her aim. She improved her pet project based on her father's designs, when her parents were out on official business. 

He'd promised never to build another gun - she'd made no such oath. 

No, she learned different lessons from those childhood stories than they probably wanted.  She learned that if she didn’t learn to defend herself, didn’t get stronger, one day it would not end well. How else would she protect her loved ones? Still, she kept it a secret - no need to worry her parents over her interests.

Her siblings didn't know - they were still too young. Freddie preferred sparring with Aunt Cassandra and learning about lordship (she attended her lessons too, of course, but he had a keen mind for politics.)

The twins were still little. She did hope that being a tiefling and aasimar wouldn't drive them apart. And baby Vax was adorable, but he definitely wasn't going to rat her out for her nightly adventures. He was too busy taking rides on Trinket’s back.

And the funny thing is - the past doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme. 

She was visiting Uncle Taryon in Deastock with the family when it happened. A visitor from the Cerberus Assembly, come to follow up on an old quest Tary had done for them. The old man had two guards in black, rippling faintly with arcane force. 

“Please, call me Trent, Lord and Lady De Rolo,” he had simpered. They were bringing out tea for them - the male guard in black refused to drink, humming. 

Without warning or provocation, they attacked. Mother and Father hadn't even been able to grab their weapons in time to properly defend themselves or the kids - but Vesper had been hiding her gun beneath her skirts for years.

She fired at the old man first, figuring it would distract the guards long enough for her parents to act. She was right - even if she got lightning called on her in the meantime.

They managed to subdue them together with minimal injury. Her mother cast healing spells while her father stared her down.

"Vesper Elaina De Rolo, what in hell were you thinking?"

[komatsunana]

The Chronicles of Exandria: The Mighty Nein I

And so I do what I did the last 2 times for the Vox Machina Chronicles of Exandria books, which you can read [here] and [here].

These posts by no means contain all of the information in these books, but plenty of what would most interest other fans.  This is by no means a replacement for actually seeing the book.

My best guess on up to where this book spoils is episode 46.  Anyone who has not watched passed 46 can read this without spoilers outside of vague references that don’t really matter.

First and foremost, as usual, the artistry is the most important part of the book. All of the lovely fan-created art work is even more beautiful in ink than on screen. This I promise you.

As has been noted by other people who have received the book, it is written as though it was transcribed by Beau’s journals by the Cobalt Soul.  Some unnamed writer(s) from the Cobalt Reserve from Tal’Dorei have written all parts that are not excerpts from Beau’s journals.  There are edits by Zeenoth, which indicate that the book is not a final draft.  Zeenoth is not impressed by their work.

The books’ foreword is a dedication to critters.  I won’t transcribe all of it but it ends, “As always, we are richer for your company.  For truly, what good are stories unless they can be shared?”

Unlike the Vox Machina ones, which started with pages dedicated to Vox Machina and their adventures first before branching out for guest and NPCs, this one’s table of contents shows that everything is scattered.

The first section is dedicated to the Storyteller - accompanied by art of Matt as “The Storyteller.”   An excerpt follows below:

“A story walks the land through the songs and tales of those who are touched by its heart.  And then one day, long after all the players within have met the Matron, a story will be told for the very last time.  Unless, by the Grace of the Storyteller, we are let to it. [...]  Through Ioun’s blessing we make his favorite children immortal.  You hold one of them in your hands even now.  Wake it carefully.”

Thoreau contacted the Cobalt Soul immediately after Beau’s first arrest - presumably the one with Tori.  As the monks took Beau away, Thoreau referred to her as “his misfortune.”  It is also noted in the margins that Thoreau is a good friend to the Archive.

Unlike the rest of the M9 and characters, there are no excerpts about Beau herself from her journal... Because obviously she doesn’t need to take notes in herself.  However the Cobalt Soul write their own notes about her and her reputation in the Cobalt Soul and note... more than a few times that Zeenoth thinks she is aggressive, stubborn, and quick to judge and anger and as a result they can’t put a lot of stock into her notes on other people.  However, Dairon was right to put their trust in her because her insight in invaluable and is quick to call out injustice.

Beau’s note taking is exceptional - and color-coded.

Beau’s first notes about Molly is that he is “not that bright, definitely drunk, completely full of shit, and not nearly as good of a liar as he thinks he is.  His outfit is loud, far louder than the man himself.”  His coat contains iconography from at least half a dozen gods.  Beau also noted that Molly’s swords were interesting to which the footnotes immediately made note that Molly’s swords were just swords.  Beau thought, in her first impression of him, that he might be on the run from a family of Warlocks.

The librarians decided to omit all of Molly’s earlier lies that he told Beau and the group about his background, and instead only described the climbing out of the grave and only able to say “Empty” story.  He had scars and 9 red eye tattoos on him at the time.  

There are sketches of the tattoo in full, after Molly had added to it, but it’s noted by Beau that part of the tattoo is covered by Molly’s hair.  Looking at the sketch, it is implied there are more tattoos on his scalp, rather than just the length covering it.

For Molly’s story of climbing out of the grave to be true, it means that Molly relearned to speak both Common and Infernal, learned to perform his skills and duties with the Carnival, covered his eye tattoos with additional, elaborate tattoos, befriended Yasha, and discovered his innate magic ability to use his blood to infuse his weapons with magic.

Beau had made a list of every book she knew Caleb had on his person or expressed interest in.  This includes the erotic books and the 2 spellbooks. 

On the spellbooks, Beau says she isn’t sure about them. One she knows is a spellbook, but she’s not sure on the other as he never opens it.  She wonders if it is a journal of some kind.

There is a page on Beau’s notes in the first arc with the Fletching and Moondrop Carnival - notes about the victim and all her possible suspects of which it is everyone that is part of the carnival.  All of them have a strike through their name, indicating she had eliminated each of them as a suspect at one point, including Kylre.  

Among the notes she has, my favorites are that Beau thinks that everyone in the circus hates each other, never trust a clown (about Desmond), and that everyone has a title such as Molly “The Ice-Spinner” and Yasha “The Brute.”  Beau also notes Yasha as being human.

Outside of Beau’s notes, the best information to be found about Shakästa “Hush” is from an anonymous book from Deastock titled “Heroic Deeds of the Golden Grin.”  It is because of Beau’s notes that Hush is confirmed to be real, not a myth, once and for all.

Because of how cool Shakästa was with his cool bird, Beau notes “I gotta get a bird.”  So we have him to thank for Professor Thaddeus.

Unknown what deity Shakästa draws power from.

Known members of the Tombtakers:

Lucien Nonagon (Molly)

Cree: currently employed by the Gentleman.  Blood powers like Molly’s.

[A name which as been severely crossed out but looks like it says Tyffinl]:  Currently said to be in Nogvurot.

Otis and Zoran:  Still at large, whereabouts unknown

Jurrell:  Deceased

Some lady spellcaster from Rexxentrum 

The Myriad is currently gaining footholds in Tal’dorei as well.  There is also a written notation by Zeenoth to cross reference the Myriad activity with the Tombtakers, indicating that he believes that the Tombtakers and the Myriad might be connected.

Cobalt Soul theorizes that the blood Cree claims the Gentleman took from the M9 to track them might be a new form of blood-based mutagenetic tracking.

Beau’s first impression of Nott and Caleb’s relationship was that Nott heaped praise on him and that there might be some sort of blood debt or magic going on.

Beau’s early theory on Caleb was that he was hiding from a criminal employer and had done a high-level theft.  She made note to watch if he attempted to side-step certain kinds of work.

Everything about Caleb sounded like bad news to Beau, but because he stuck around to get her out of jail Beau comes to the conclusion that that’s endearing.

Beau has made an observation that Caleb was searching for some kind of information in a book, related to transmutation.  She wonders if bartering to get him into the Cobalt Soul library will get her into his good graces, though she hopes he won’t find out that the library is technically open to all if you ask nicely.

There is an entry (in Beau’s second journal, it should be noted) were several pages were ripped out about Caleb.  This indicates that Beau had written down Caleb’s backstory of killing his parents but she, Caleb, or someone else had ripped it out before it got into the hands of the Cobalt Soul.  The Cobalt Soul draws the conclusion that Caleb is connected to organized crime.  They are also unable to find anyone born with the name Caleb Widogast in the Empire and they believe it to be an alias.

There are written notations that say that at least one of the ripped out pages were recovered, in which Beau describes the night Caleb told her and Nott about killing his parents.  Both mentions of Trent Ikathon’s name were crossed out until illegible.  Beau was unconvinced that Caleb’s memories after killing his parents aren’t still jumbled (rather than missing).

Fun fact!  All of the Caleb illustrations in his art section all either have fire or Frumpkin in them.  Because when you boil down Caleb to his essentials that’s all I’m saying.

The strangest thing about the M9, as far as the Cobalt Soul is concerned,  is that they have a goblin among their party.

Beau also wonders if Nott’s relationship with Caleb isn’t also out of love or blind loyalty.  Upon finding out that Nott feels like the parental figure (rather than the other way around, as Beau had assumed) Beau wonders what it is that Nott wants Caleb to be stronger for... Revenge? Or to change herself.

Beau notes that while Nott might have named herself so to call herself not brave, Beau thinks she is pretty brave.  She describes Nott diving into the water for Fjord’s arc twice (even if she complained the entire time) and Nott saving Jester from the blue dragon which “absolutely saved Jester’s life.”  Nott is very focused on everyone remaining together as a team.  Beau believes that while Nott’s loyalty to Caleb has not lessened, her loyalty to the rest of the party has extended to them all.

“I think we might all be her kids now.  It’s kind of sweet, in a really weird way.”

Zeenoth is extremely salty their junior drew lots of buttons instead of researching the crossbow Nott got from Hupperdook.

A list of all phrases that Beau noted in her journals that Kiri had learned in her time with them.

Welcome to the Mighty Nein!

I am Kiri!

Yes, I am very sweet.

It’s sharp.

Ooh, I’m a captain.

Where do babies come from?

Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire!

If it bleeds, we can kill it.

I killed people!

Get into trouble!

She’s probably a good egg.

Go fuck yourself.

Zeenoth is VERY upset about the word fuck and wants that entry removed.

Beau thinks Calianna is too polite.

Cobalt Soul believes there is at least one other bowl like the one Calianna destroyed with the M9.

Beau hopes they don’t pick up any more stragglers, as she thinks it is getting crowded.

Cobalt Soul theorizes about why Keg had a four o’clock shadow rather than a proper Dwarven beard, wondering if she wasn’t forced to shave.  This indicates that beards are normal on female dwarves.

Beau thinks Shady Creek Run is so called because it’s full of shady criminals, but the Cobalt Soul notes that Shady Creek Run has a creek that is in near constant shade in the abundant pine trees.

On Molly’s death Beau says:

“Fuck.   That went horribly.  We lost Molly, and I don’t know what to do. [This part is crossed out: Maybe if I had-] I’m trying my best to stay objective.”

Beau also crosses out “I’m starting to like her” about Keg, and replaces it with “She’s fine, I guess.”

On Nila Beau says: “She said something really nice about Molly.  How in her clan, someones spirit never leave you.  They return to nature, and are forever by your side.  I don’t know if I believe it, but I like the thought.”

Beau wants her own “lucky smell bag” that’ll make decisions for her.

The Blooming Grove was built post-Calamity.

Beau’s first impressions of Caduceus is that he is both grounded and flighty.

Because Caduceus hasn’t eaten meat or alcohol in the time she’s known him, she thinks he’s got to have some sort of vice.

Because of Beau’s talk with Caduceus after killing the blue dragon, Beau remarks that she likes her edge and doesn’t want to lose it and go soft. But maybe it is a better, more efficient way of doing things by being there for the M9. “Gross.”

There is a note in the margins telling the editor to contact Archivist Demid (AKA the guy studying the moons) for information on the Dust family.  This indicates that he may have some special information.

Because of Jester’s defacing every town she visits, the Cobalt Soul has been able to track the M9′s movements.

The Cobalt Soul’s 2 working theories on the Traveler is that he’s a smaller/younger deity either from folk tales about a cloaked figure that either rewards or punishes heroes with a ironic twist OR a god of vandalism.

Zeenoth notes that if the Traveler IS a god of vandalism... they may have a secret follower in their ranks because of all the smut doodles in their books lately. Which of course Jester probably drew.

Beau says that as Jester told the group about her prank causing her to have to flee from Nicodranas she was full of her usual bubbliness... But was starting to see that there was underlying sadness in Jester.

Beau has known Jester has had a thing for Fjord since they first met, but after she got Tusk Love it became full-blown infatuation.

“Fjord seems super oblivious, though, which isn’t surprising for a man who occasionally wakes up covered in seawater and confusion.”

Beau stands by her and Jester’s purchase of the owl and blink dog, but she wonders how long the weasel is going to last in their line of work.

Beau wonders if it’s weird to be attracted to your friend’s mom and comes to the conclusion it is so she’ll back off... But the Ruby is smoking hot.

Beau can also see why people who want to release and evil god for Avantika. Not that she would. “She’s hot, but come on.”

No really new information on The Plank King is revealed in his section, but quite a bit is crossed out until illegible.  This could detail what connection to the Cobalt Soul he has, but was redacted.

The Cobalt claims that while the M9 titled a leader, Fjord often took that position.

Beau is making direct reports on Fjord to the Cobalt Soul and his connection to Uk’otoa.  In her latest report, she says that they’ve bought some time until their next trip to the sea............

Waiting for the rest of the M9 to come out of the Happy Fun Ball, after fighting the blue dragon, are among the rest worst few minutes of Beau’s life.

Beau believed Twiggy that she killed the blue dragon, in part because Caduceus believed her.

Beau accidentally writes “cute and dry” instead of “cut and dried” about Yasha’s background.

“For someone dressed in greys, who carries herself like a dark cloud, Yasha sure seems drawn to color and light. I wonder where it stems from.”

On Yasha being tested by the Stormlord by the “man made of lightning” the Cobalt Soul says it is not uncommon for the Stormlord to test his disciples through acts of physical, mental, or spiritual exertion.

The final notes by Zeenoth indicates that whoever wrote the book (outside of edits from Zeenoth himself and excerpts from Beau’s journals) were by someone from Tal’dorei.  Who might it be? Someone we know?

[hufflepirate]

I have a killer headache but can’t fall asleep to nap it off, so I’ve just been lying here thinking about Buddy and Macaroni Samsonite? Ty Liam and Travis for my LIFE but anyway:

Buddy and Mac settling in for the night and Mac falling asleep on top of Buddy with his little bone-clad arms wrapped around as much of Buddy’s back/shoulders as possible. If you look at his face in the firelight it’s kind of sweet, relaxed and drooling slightly, but all the spikes cast weird shadows and when you look from a distance he just looks ominous, like he could roll over and stab Buddy in a flash. (He won’t.)

Buddy’s a bi-romantic/pan-romantic ace send tweet.

Usually Buddy only picks Mac up by the scruff of the neck when he’s in danger, but after they join the Derrington brigade he occasionally does it on Tary’s orders when Mac’s being particularly aggressive. It does not make him less feral, though he does eventually stop kicking and flailing and let Buddy cuddle him up into a calm-down hug, which he inevitably endures looking like a wet and grumpy house cat.

The fight that takes Farriwen down is in rough terrain that Buddy moves through like it’s nothing, and when she falls, Mac shrieks in his ear to bring Farriwen to him, fast. Buddy does, his big hands picking her up gently and depositing her into the chariot on his back. He grunts in pain as sharp teeth sink into his side, where he left an opening trying to be gentle with Farriwen, but Mac’s already climbing around inside the chariot, getting his hands on Farriwen’s face to bring her back up again, and Hazel throws a quick healing word at Buddy instead, smiling at all three of them. Buddy smiles back. Hazel is pretty.

Buddy always wants to hear a story when they all bed down for the night while camping. Mac pretends it’s dumb and he doesn’t, but eventually all storytellers find themselves staring into two rapt pairs of eyes as Mac leans toward them so far he almost falls off of Buddy and Buddy nods and listens and makes little surprised noises and doesn’t realize Mac’s about to slip.

Damian designed all her own tattoos and when she tells Buddy this he’s fascinated. “You make the pictures?” She says she does and it’s easy and his eyes get even wider and she finds herself, unexpectedly, a little bit in love. Her sketchbook is way too small for him to use, but the next time they get back to Deastock, she acquires some very large canvases and some paint and they set up a little studio together. Buddy’s not very good at realism, but he’s enthusiastic and his work has charm and Mac insists on hanging the portrait Buddy did of him up in their room even though it’s the first thing he’s ever painted and didn’t come out quite right. (Damian will never, ever, ever admit how much she treasures her own portrait and if someone ever worked it out, she’d definitely have to stab them.)

Once Buddy’s had a little more practice, Mac starts letting him design some new tattoos for him. Buddy insists that all of them be of pretty things, but Buddy’s definition of “pretty” is broad enough to encompass all the tough, gritty stuff he likes, anyway. He does end up with a very delicate floral one half-inspired by Farriwen’s wind patterns on the back of his neck, but he can hide that behind his collar and his hair, so that’s alright.

Buddy doesn’t get to design Damian’s new back piece when she decides to get one, but he “helps” with all the sketches by gasping and telling her they’re pretty and then grunting and drawing additions on his own copy on his canvas. She takes some, but not all, of his suggestions.

Everyone laughs when The Owlbear flubs an attempt at stealth and Buddy asks, innocent and concerned, if he wants to hide in the chariot, but once the offer’s been made, Mac finds himself sharing the space fairly often. Sort of. The Owlbear prefers crouching on the outside of the chariot, one arm locked on to the side as he leans out and lets the wind blow his cape dramatically.

The Owlbear CAN do a lot of damage by hunkering down in the chariot and then leaping out with his arms outstretched in the silhouette of (he thinks) an Owlbear and stabbing whoever he lands on.

Sometimes Mac has to share chariot space just because someone else is tired or injured or ill. The rocking, swaying motion as Buddy walks is soothing. Once, Tary commented that it was “cute” that Mac and Hazel had ended up all cuddled up and napping up there while she recovered from being quite badly stabbed. Mac bit him and Buddy had to drag him off their boss before he could get his claws in.

(It was cute, though. Damian has sketches. It was also cute when Mac ended up cuddled against Farriwen in a similar situation. Buddy’s the one who drew him asleep with Damian and with The Owlbear, though. Damian hid both drawings so Mac wouldn’t feel betrayed.)

Mac picks up a level of monk shit from Farriwen, but it’s so distressing for Buddy when he jumps down into the thick of things that he doesn’t get to use it as much as he’d hoped. He could, of course, but he’s not a monster. (And he can’t punch fire yet, so what’s the point? Sacred flame works fine.)

[illithicdreams]

Born in Nicodranas to a seamstress, your mother told you stories of your father; a nobleman skilled with a lyre. He promised to marry her one day and gave her a lyre as proof of his promise; instead all she got was a child. You.

Octavia goes by a few names; but Tav or Tavia are the most common but names don’t matter, she never stays in one place for long as a member of a dance troupe. A natural oxymoron, kindhearted, selfish and cunning, the bard relishes in forming fleeting ties, taking what she can and the magic of music. She normally performs with two other women, a halfling named Portia and an older elf, Rissa and both of these women are the closest thing she has to a real family apart from her mother. 

She has many guises, an actress from Port Damali, a cleric from Zadash and a merchant from Deastock, with a different accent for each one. While she delights in meeting new people as whatever alias she takes for the evening those who get too close are left with either broken hearts or empty wallets; sometimes both. 

[hyunllx]

This is such a mix of Vex and Vax in Syngorn and Tary returning to Deastock and its somehow x200 more intense than both