The Medusa's Cascade

The 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 Efflorescence

Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III

Title Card by Pierce Graphics

Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We 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 Efflorescence

Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III

Title Card by Pierce Graphics

Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We 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 Efflorescence

Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III

Title Card by Pierce Graphics

Check 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 Efflorescence

Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III

Title Card by Pierce Graphics

Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 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 Efflorescence

Title Card by Pierce Graphics

Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III

Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We 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 Efflorescence

Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III

Title Card by Pierce Graphics 

Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We 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 Efflorescence

Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III

Title 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 Efflorescence

Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III

Title Card by Pierce Graphics 

Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The group arrives in Zur Algud and immediately takes in the city's wonders as the festivities begin. They ask locals about the events and sights they shouldn't miss, and are told that, among the many things the celebration brings, the fighting tournament is certainly one of the highlights. This gets the attention of The Slash Bros & Valen, and they make a note to head to the coliseum to register for the fights.

Finally, the group heads to their lodgings at the Ebonwing Lodge and finds that Dona has already arrived ahead of them, and they are staying in a very luxurious suite. They are blown away by their accommodations and make themselves at home. At some point in the day, Bob sneaks away to don himself in his Gidorian Jager disguise and go check out the local talent. The three competitors in the tournament go back to finish registering and undergo physical testing to gauge their prowess and weed out anyone not suited for this level of combat. When it's all said and done, their results determine how they're placed in their brackets. 

As they finish, Valen feels a vibrational resonance emanating from his blade, Mind Splinter. Still, outside of seeing the former champion Leonin Kios, who has a similar crystallized blade, he can't figure out why this is happening. He decides to look around for someone in the city who might point him in the right direction. Ursus and Thorak join to do some shopping themselves. They meet Garrick, a dragonborn blacksmith, who tells Valen that while this isn't his specific area of expertise, he should try connecting with his weapon and see what bears fruit. He is also told his blade comes from the Outer Realms, and the new information makes the monk a bit hesitant about his weapon. Ursus strikes a deal for some Emerald Dragon armor to help ward against psychic damage, which Garrick agrees to; he offers to sponsor Ursus, the caveat being that he pays for the armor unless he wins the tournament, in which case it'll be a gift for the champion. 

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 Efflorescence

Title Card by Pierce Graphics 

Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III

Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The group wakes up to find Turk has left, much like Greyleaf and Cerius did some time ago. They discuss their next course of action, possibly heading to Granzia for unfinished business with Galahad's father, Antonius; the pincushion-maker fiasco, and Zechs wanting to check on Argo and the guild. The group discusses making any necessary purchases before leaving, even mentioning cold-weather gear as they plan to go to the mountains of Granzia and potentially to Coldbring. Shanks hands Galahad a concoction of sorts that shaves some years off of him, something the elven alchemist has been working on for him. 

There's some initial shopping for cold-weather gear and supplies, and discussion about possibly acquiring an Amulet of the Planes. Later, in the midst of the montage, Zechs settles on the callsign Overwatch, which Duo agrees to. They also come across a very familiar sign and come across a familiar tiefling to Hoshino & Shanks. Once inside the tavern, they're greeted by a cheery dwarven gentleman who takes some orders and informs them that the "boss" will be with them shortly. 

The group meets Mr. Bell, the 8th face of The Journeyman, who apologizes for taking Hoshino away for so long. He explains what he was doing with Hoshino, gathering information so that the group doesn't have a million questions. He gives the group 2 options: the first would be to stay the course and continue as they are to stop The Constable and his plans, which would alter their timeline's history from a few hundred years ago to the present. Second, they could go back several thousand years to prevent the planes from ever being judged unfit in the first place, which would change several thousand years of their history. In both cases, only the party would retain their memories of the events from their original timeline. The party weighs the decision, and it falls to Zechs, since he has the most to lose in this instance. They even offer potential life rafts for his family if that is a possible option. With a heavy heart and full understanding of the weight of this decision, they take the second option. Mr. Bell respects and understands this decision was not easy to make; he allows a few liferafts and hands them a dossier for their next mission.

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 Efflorescence

Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III

Title Card by Pierce Graphics 

Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.