The Medusa's Cascade

The party identifies their mysterious pursuer as Shankise, an alternate version of Shanks, after he deliberately unsettles Hoshino and provokes Turk. Eventually, Shankise approaches the group and warns them to abandon their current course, claiming they cannot foresee the consequences of their actions. Though the party remains suspicious, his warning gives them pause before he disappears. With “BARRAGE” established as a warning should things turn hostile, the group continues toward the Daughter of the Vine. They successfully bypass the treants through teamwork and find a safe place to rest. Along the way, Shanks works on new inventions, including a grenade for Duo, while Zechs offers to collaborate on future projects.As they reach a glasslike lake near the temple, the party rests in the Magnificent Mansion and shares a few quieter moments. The Queen eventually contacts them, displeased that they have passed their intended destination, and demands the Songbloom by day's end. Glad insists they trust her and wait until high noon before entering the lake. Following her underwater, the party discovers a submerged temple where they can breathe normally. Hoshino seeks guidance through a spirit session and Commune, while the group questions whether to remain pawns in the Queen's plans or heed Shankise's warning.Meanwhile, Glad meets the Daughter of the Vine, who reveals the truth about her creation, Coralin's intentions, and the purpose of her predecessors. Though shaken by how these revelations challenge her understanding of herself, Glad is reassured that her identity is defined by her choices rather than her origins. The Daughter confirms that Glad's journey has already served as her trial and grants her blessing, offering the acceptance and reassurance she needed.Reunited, the party chooses a third path: negotiating with the treants rather than blindly obeying the Queen or risking Shankise's warning. The treants explain the consequences of taking the Songbloom, prompting the group to find a compromise. They locate the true Songbloom but uproot another, carefully preserving it in a makeshift pot to present to the Queen. After preparing for the possibility of betrayal, they deliver their offering. The Queen accepts it and immediately departs, leaving her guards to attack.The Executioner joins the ensuing battle, which becomes a brutal struggle against overwhelming numbers and powerful magic. Arguile is dominated and ordered to attack Salix, while Shanks falls in combat. Duo revives him with a Goodberry, allowing Shanks to kill Arguile's controller and break the domination. Glad and Galahad help bring the remaining enemies down, ending the fight.With the battle over, the party interrogates The Executioner and uncovers her true name, complicated past, and reasons for serving the Constable. They also learn that The Judge is the surviving member of the Gargoyle Unit, the same elite unit Argo and Antonius belonged to in this reality. Recognizing an opportunity, the party recruits The Executioner as a double agent, hoping her position within the Constable's forces will help prevent the planes from colliding.There’s so much happening, and we pick up with arc 32, “A Dangerous Gambit”. How will the rest of this story unfold? Find out next time on the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage!Theme Music is written and performed by EfflorescenceMixed by Thomas Lapierre IIITitle Card by Pierce Graphics Check out the show at themedusascascade.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trouble in Zur Algud Ch 4As the party regroups and catches up on Bob's findings, Thorak races chariots for charity and does extremely well. He meets the organizer, Don Cornetto, and they bond over their desire to help the city's orphans. Thorak goes undefeated in his races and thanks Don for his time and hospitality, assuring him he'll visit the kids when time allows. The party looks into the dance troupe Bob initially found the King's influence on and finds they are a traveling group that's been doing the festival for many years. Bob decides to take it a step further and join the troupe amidst their routine and tries to strike up a conversation with a performer, which goes about as terribly as you'd expect. Now reconnecting with the other party, the group decides to venture to the secret masquerade party, and while tailing some folks headed there, they are discovered and cause quite the scene. Thorak and Bob are stopped by guards, and they lose the people they were tailing. Through some shenanigans, to say the least, the party manages to ditch the local patrol, find the partygoers, and acquire masks for the evening's festivities. Finally, at the party's secret location, Thorak uses Paco to guide them through the catacombs of Zur Algud to where the actual party is happening. Both parties try to relax and let the events of the day drift away as they enjoy themselves... Though in the back of their mind, they suspect relaxation is going to be a difficult thing to find in the ancient city of dragons.There's so much happening, and that's where we pick up…Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Blood & Booze! Theme Music is written and performed by EfflorescenceTitle Card by Pierce Graphics Mixed by Thomas Lapierre IIICheck out the show at themedusascascade.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Shattering of Iwi Ch 4The party steps through Zechs' teleportation circle, and what they find on the other side is a grim scene. A massacre of innocents that makes the party's blood boil. At a glance, they confirm that these rebels were non-combatants, and they look across the way to see soldiers and warforges that carried out this execution starting to walk away.Galahad is in a fury and, in a booming voice, says, "THE DIE IS CAST," and the fight begins. This is a one-sided fight, to say the least, and the party makes quick work of the soldiers and warforged. In the aftermath, some soldiers remain and try to turn tail, but they stop them immediately. In their Guardian of Nature form, Salix magnifies gravity and pins one soldier down; Zechs sends Duo and some wolves to get the others; and Galahad grabs one himself. Duo takes out the soldiers who ran, feeling proud of himself despite the circumstances and timing.Galahad begins his line of questioning, and it quickly becomes an exchange that surprises the Champion of Bahmut. He scolds the soldier for "just doing his job" and giving up information so quickly, questioning his loyalty. The soldier snaps back, and eventually Galahad takes the soldier, flies high up the mountain, and tries to give him one final choice that doesn't go as the paladin expected. Instead of a change of heart, the soldier spits in his face and seals his own fate. Below, the other soldier is receiving a line of questioning from the rest of the party and tries to help treat the soldier and give him a chance to walk away from this senseless war. The soldier struggles to believe it, but the group earnestly assures him he is free as long as he never goes back to the war. Duo is sent down the mountain with two wolves to scout ahead and confirm the massive military presence at the bottom of the pass. With that, the soldier is sent off, and the party investigates the destroyed warforged and devises their next steps. There's so much happening, and that's where we pick up…Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage!Theme Music is written and performed by EfflorescenceMixed by Thomas Lapierre IIITitle Card by Pierce Graphics Check out the show at themedusascascade.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Shattering of Iwi Ch 3We pick up with the Twin Seers dismissing everyone except the party. Questions range from Torok's true intentions to what he knows, what he needs to know, the empire's key players, and how they can prevent Torok's seemingly inevitable downfall. It also questions the twins' motivations for siding with Torok and trying to ensure his victory. The conversation wraps up with plans to travel the vast plane in three weeks and note the ley lines that are also failing as part of their mission.Outside, Torok eagerly awaits the group and asks what came of the conversation with the twins, and the group tells him to stay on the path and focus on the task at hand. They also ask if he has someone close to him that he can confide in who would set him straight and be unbiased in how they approach him should he be led astray, to which he reveals a friend named Myk, who the party assumes is a spirit and one of Torok's driving forces in his desire for revenge and justice. During this time, a figure hands off something to Salix, which appears to be teleportation circles much like the ones Zechs has drawn with his bow. This would help them travel throughout Iwi, at least through the network available to the resistance. With that, they secure lodgings to act as a base of operations for the time being. With that, they make preparations and get ready for what's to come in the weeks ahead.There's so much happening, and that's where we pick up…Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage!Theme Music is written and performed by EfflorescenceMixed by Thomas Lapierre IIITitle Card by Pierce GraphicsCheck out the show at themedusascascade.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Shattering of Iwi Ch 2We start the morning after the night's shenanigans. Everyone slowly gets up and starts their day, with Duo getting some sweet new goggles that give him darkvision. The group tells Mr. Bell they intend to see the Seer Twins, and everyone confirms they've read the dossier. They discuss how to execute the plan or find a resolution, and they hope for a third option where the two factions can work together for Iwi's greater good.Arriving in the city of Ka'Iru, the group does their best not to stand out too much, get a lay of the land, and figure out how to get an audience with the Seers. It's what you'd expect from a city with a heavy military presence and rebellion presence. A heaviness hangs in the air, and everyone they see moves with an uneasy, focused calm. Eventually, they come to the Spire, where they learn where the Seers are. To their surprise, they are welcomed in and expected. Upon going up the Spire, they meet Torok, the Seers, and Councilor Iriko.Their conversation with Torok touches on the Empire and the reasons for the Rebellion, and eventually on the Ember Concord's long-term plans, provided they win. Galahad speaks plainly with Torok and informs him that he intends to have a dialogue with the Emperor to see if he's truly so far gone that he won't see reason and peace for the future of Iwi and his people. The party and Torok are aligned for now, as they seem to want what's best for Iwi's future.There's so much happening, and that's where we pick up…Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage!Theme Music is written and performed by EfflorescenceMixed by Thomas Lapierre IIITitle Card by Pierce GraphicsCheck out the show at themedusascascade.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Follow the beginnings of the adventuring party known as Blood & Booze, from their formation to the first part of their ongoing story. Welcome to Field Reports for Blood & Booze. This is not your typical adventure and certainly not your typical group of adventurers. Enjoy the tale.Theme Music is written and performed by EfflorescenceMixed by Thomas Lapierre IIITitle Card by Pierce GraphicsCheck out the show at themedusascascade.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trouble in Zur Algud Ch 3The party returns to the room and finds Dona comfortably enjoying its amenities. Ursus loudly says she has the right idea and changes into more casual clothes. The party very quickly gets to drinking, cooking, and enjoying themselves. It is at this point that the party sans Ursus is introduced to Gidorian Jäger, Bob's newest alias. Downstairs, Ursus meets a female dragonborn adventurer who strikes up a conversation with him and invites him and the party out with her party later on that night, which he accepts. Upstairs, Valen excuses himself from the group and Bob's shenanigans to see if he can connect with his sword Mindsplinter, as he was instructed. Still, his nerves are getting the best of him, and he knows the risk of doing so. He heads downstairs to the front desk, where he gets information on someone who might be able to help with his sword inquiry, and is even directed to some must-have food items while in town.Valen catches up with Ursus and learns about the party's evening plans. Back upstairs, the party learns of the plans and starts getting ready for their guests and evening activities. Eventually, they meet the other party and delve into conversations ranging from light banter and flirting to tournaments and secret societies. Thorak begins exchanging recipes and tales from his time in the orphanage as the group finally heads out for the evening's festivities.They arrive at the Grand Plaza, and the city is alive and thriving. Food vendors, performers, and more fill the streets with onlookers. We even have a welcome speech by the host of the event, and it seems that all is well in the city of dragons thus far. Thorak joins the chariot races, Ursus performs impressive feats of strength, but it's Bob who clocks an ominous symbol, a familiar one at that, on the dancer's mask. He gathers the party, and eventually it seems the King's influence stretches across the plane of Sloane. An evening of fun comes to an abrupt stop as the party tries to come to grips with what his presence could mean... so much for a vacation.There's so much happening, and that's where we pick up…Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Blood & Booze!Theme Music is written and performed by EfflorescenceTitle Card by Pierce GraphicsMixed by Thomas Lapierre IIICheck out the show at themedusascascade.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Shattering of Iwi Ch 1We begin with the reconnection of father and son, Shankise and Kalgar. It's not as tense as the night's other conversations between child and parent, but a mix of heaviness and levity hangs between them as Shanks catches his father up on a few things. They exchange apologies, tears begin to form, and father and son share an embrace. We pan across the evening's events to Arguile and Cenari, who discuss the future and what opportunities may lie ahead for them. Having not caught up in quite some time, the two share a fun exchange and banter. Panning across the scene again, Argo and Galahad are deep in their cups as they discuss Argo's best friend and Galahad's mentor, Antonius. How Antonius reached the point he's at and how what he's doing is not nearly rightfully justified, no matter how much pain he's in. Later in this conversation, the name Oorvo, or as we now know him, The Judge, gets brought up. Talk about a blast from the past. Argo asks how Galahad came upon that name and learns about his former brother-in-arms' alternate identity. With this, Argo gives Galahad a little more detail and context to the Constable's Judge. The conversation ends with Argo bestowing advice on fighting such a person in the inevitable fight to come. Hoshino has an unexpected visit from his descendant Hiyo. The two exchange stories about what they know of their lineage and what brought them here. There's some sadness when Eldertwine is mentioned, but the exchange tells of the desire for redemption and the heaviness of guilt in Hoshino's heart. We end as we do all such events: with a drinking game and stories from their adventures thus far. Of course it wouldn't be a drinking game without laughter, chaos, and lots of shenanigans as well. There's so much happening, and that's where we pick up…Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage!Theme Music is written and performed by EfflorescenceMixed by Thomas Lapierre IIITitle Card by Pierce Graphics Check out the show at themedusascascade.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Blooming Court Ch 16We start with Mr. Bell going over the dossier he hands to the party and telling them their first stop is Iwi, to change the outcome of the war between the rebellion (The Ember Concord) and the Emerald Empire, led by Shun-Dai IX. Torok and the rebellion win, putting Torok in a leadership position before he ultimately becomes a tyrant himself. Mission guidelines and plans are set in place before the team acquires some fun toys to help with this endeavor. Galahad, eager to try out his new arsenal, heads to the training room downstairs and is pleased with the results. Back in the tavern, the party discusses the implications of what they're doing. They discuss their legacies, impact, past, traumas, and futures. They anticipate interference from The Constable as they arrive in Sloane to pick up Zechs' parents for a difficult conversation. It goes as well as you'd expect, as he informs his parents about EVERYTHING this plan entails and offers them a life raft. He then has a similarly difficult, if not even more difficult, conversation with his adopted family, particularly Argo and Natasha. While things get heated and everyone seated begins to choke up, Zechs understands Argo and Natasha's decision to decline the life raft. Fortunately, some of his adopted siblings do take the offer, and to end things on a high note, the parents (both biological and adopted) finally meet. They gather the rest of the Shuffle Guild and have a much-needed night of revelry before they venture on this dangerous gambit. We end with drinking, laughter, celebration, and conversation scattered amongst the tavern. The evening ends with the most unexpected visitor... Shanks' father. There's so much happening, and that's where we pick up…Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage!Theme Music is written and performed by EfflorescenceMixed by Thomas Lapierre IIITitle Card by Pierce Graphics Check out the show at themedusascascade.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The party finishes preparations for the Ren Faire, recounting the recent battle and their encounters beyond death before stocking up for the next leg of their journey. At the Faire, Shanks and Zechs dominate the archery game; Turk tests his new abilities in an exhibition fight and is quickly defeated. At the same time, Galahad enters the jousting tournament atop a summoned pegasus. After losing to the crowd-favorite Red Knight, Galahad wins the rematch but nearly kills him, then uses Lay on Hands, pays him an apology, and dramatically flies away. Turk and Zechs receive eerily accurate fortunes, while Arguile and Shanks try their luck at the casino. Galahad later visits The Old Pickaxe, where he bonds with owner Ron over Dwarven whisky and steak, learns more about the city's inner workings, and is offered another job involving a corrupt figurehead. Meanwhile, preparations for Uscana continue: Zechs learns that his bow, Jack of All Trades, is made from rare ghost silver tied to the Astral Sea and a dead god's tooth, while Galahad retrieves his reforged Kanna's Blazing Fury and buys the Thunderstrike Mace. The party then takes Strauss's company jet toward Uscana, only to be attacked by flying Fey; the pilot is killed, Glad and Turk struggle to land the aircraft, and Galahad destroys the primary attacker before the party crash-lands.After assessing the wreckage, Shanks and Duo scout the dense Feywild forest while Zechs confirms the overwhelming Fey presence. The group prepares protections against Fey magic, and Glad offers tribute to the land for safe passage before encountering a booze-loving pixie and narrowly escaping a Fey trap. Zechs stresses that the party follows his lead, given his experience in the Feywild, and they establish camp. During the watches, Arguile and Shanks encourage Duo to pursue a more active role beyond scouting; Turk explains why the crash shook him and discusses his past and Paladin oaths with Galahad, who promises the party will support him against Kas if needed; and Glad and Zechs discuss faith, the gods, and their found-family bond. Their conversation is interrupted by the Briar Envoy, who chastises them for failing to properly present themselves to the Queen and demands a suitable tribute within a day. Hoshino then returns with The Journeyman, exhausted but warmly welcomed, and the party brings him up to speed before heading to the Fey Court. Queen Sinestra offers two choices for their tribute: retrieve a once-in-a-century Songbloom from the treants or recover her former consort's mask, and the party chooses the Songbloom to avoid provoking a war.Using Shanks's knowledge of the Songbloom and Zechs's tracking abilities, the party begins the detour while Galahad grows increasingly frustrated with their circumstances. During camp, Turk receives another lesson in Thieves' Cant, reveals his singing ability, and tells Hoshino how he earned the nickname Big T; Hoshino counters with a story about Arguile and Shanks battling the Gathakanaki warriors. Shanks senses they are being watched, later confirmed during Arguile and Hoshino's watch as they discuss Arioch, family, and Hoshino's regret at missing what happened; Arguile assures him there is nothing to forgive. The final watch is lighter, with Zechs teasing Galahad about his frustrations. The next morning, the party organizes spells and supplies, with Duo estimating two days to their destination, but Shanks and Zechs continue sensing their pursuers. Shanks finally slips into stealth and activates his Gem of Seeing, revealing an armor-clad Loxodon painfully familiar to the group.There’s so much happening, and we pick up with arc 31, “Daughter of the Vine”. How will the rest of this story unfold? Find out next time on the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage!Theme Music is written and performed by EfflorescenceMixed by Thomas Lapierre IIITitle Card by Pierce Graphics Check out the show at themedusascascade.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.