The Medusa's Cascade

Welcome to Part 3 of the Prologue of our new monthly campaign: Blood & Booze! Over the summer, we will set up the events leading into the first adventure: The Scorching Sun. Each prologue will provide context to the adventure as well as 2 character profiles and player profiles from the party. This episode features the profiles of Ursus and Dona, and their players, Tone and Cheyenne. Thanks for joining us, and we hope to see you next month!

Narration written & recorded by Thomas Lapierre III

Ursus by Antonio Perez

Dona by Cheyenne Clardy

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.

With the siege of Drose reaching its conclusion. Most of the party helps the citizens as best as possible and regroups outside the temple. As the adrenaline leaves Hoshino, he’s shocked and heads to the Inn with Glad. The party, minus Zechs, catches each other up on what they’ve experienced and uses their shared knowledge to inform their next steps. Together, they recount the story Bound to the Void, the conversation that Gerviss had with Salix, Arguile had with Ÿbo, and any other information they’ve gathered so far. It’s decided that Arguile would likely need to speak with Fel once more and Ÿbo again after that. Salix speaks to Gerviss, and he informs them that Iolan and Ÿbo are lovers. Outside of that, he didn’t have much more information to offer as he was unaware of their story.

On the other hand, Zechs decides to head back to the Scholar’s Enclave to seek information regarding the creatures that attempted to overtake the city and figure out any info regarding Eldertwine. Regrouping with the rest of the team, Zechs catches up and divulges the information he gleaned to the team. A critical few details arise… Iolan mentioned Hoshino Matsuo by his full name and said she was there to give her regards. She spoke with Arguile directly, briefly, and insisted that Ÿbo was not trustworthy. Together, they head over to Tozi and explain what happened based on what they saw. They also give her information about Iolan being the culprit. Tozi is grateful for their help in protecting the city and its people. She asks that the group remain in Drose for a few more days to ensure the citizens' safety in the event of another attack. The party agrees, and they again begin to disperse throughout the city. 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 The Floating Lighthouse

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 siege of Drose is fully underway, and the party is scattered across the city. The Draegloth are sources of fear and shock as they pass through Drose and its citizens. Glad heads back to the inn and lets Arguile and Salix know to send people her way for safety, rest, and healing. Arguile and Salix agree and make their way through the city, taking out many of these creatures along the way. Arguile uses his Guardian’s Rapier, and Salix uses their Druidic wild shape ability to get the job done. Galahad works with the city guard to eliminate the threats and uses his animated tower shield to protect the citizens. Shanks is with Dreg, clearing out enemies with his bow, Mind’s Eye, and Jrehg with a greatsword of carved bone that cleaves enemies as if paper. He wields this weapon with ease, which is impressive as it’s almost the size of Galahad. On the other side of the city, Duo helps guide citizens to safety and provides “eyes in the sky” for Zechs. Hoshino, Zechs, and conjured bears help take down some of the Draegloths and help rescue the citizens who are in the path of destruction. There is chaos throughout the city, but Collateral is doing its best to be the heroes we know them to be.

Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage!

Theme Music is written and performed by The Floating Lighthouse

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 return to the battle with Xoco, Galahad, and the intruders of Drose. Upon the enemy’s defeat, Xoco makes the call to abandon her trial and realizes that Drose is under siege and needs the champion’s protection. We then pan over to Hoshino and Zechs, I'm the Scholar’s Ward, and enjoy themselves until a mysterious figure disrupts the history lesson, leaving Hoshino in a state of shock and Zechs uncertain of what to do. We finish with Salix and Gerviss discussing Salix’s disdain and history with Dragonkin. It is an exchange of understanding, empathy, and guidance of their newfound abilities. However, Drose is under siege, and the conversation is cut short. 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 The Floating Lighthouse

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.

In the northwest corner of The Heartwood, nestled between the Shattered Range and the Tempest’s Gauntlet, sits the segmented Elven city of Invenas. Settled in the early days of recorded history, this city started as a religious site settled by six clans of Elves. In the eighth episode of Across the Planes, Tom embarks on a solo mission to finish fleshing out the infamous city of Invenas. Over the course of the episode, he discusses the culture, religion, industry, and overall vibe of the Elven city before and after the Web of Fate.

Written, Edited, and 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.

Welcome to Part 2 of the Prologue of our new monthly campaign: Blood & Booze! Over the summer, we will set up the events leading into the first adventure: The Scorching Sun. Each prologue will provide context to the adventure as well as 2 character profiles and player profiles from the party. This episode features the profiles of Chantico and Bob, and their players, Liza and Sebastian. Thanks for joining us, and we hope to see you next month!

Narration written & recorded by Thomas Lapierre III

Chantico by Liza

Bob by Sebastian Bonet

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 back up for the conclusion of the heated argument between Glad and The Protector. Afterward, Shanks, with the aid of Hoshino and Galahad, offers her empathy and understanding. She is comforted by this, and Shanks breathes a sigh of relief, seeing as this did not go so well in his similar attempt with Zechs. Arguile breaks off from the group and connects with the Guardian’s Rapier. He is asked to introduce himself and asks what he wishes to know. He gets a history lesson on the origins of this blade, its previous wielder, and the soul that resides within it, ending the conversation with the soul saying, “She’s here”. We pan over to Shanks as he finds Jrehg, the Orc he was told to find. They connect upon learning that Shanks speaks Orcish and learning more about each other and their respective histories. There is a discussion about the gods, balance, and goals while the two traverse through the city of Drose. We end with Xoco in gleaming armor, beginning to make her way through Drose with Galahad, and begin her trials. She is confident, and Galahad assures her she will prevail, but the first trial proves difficult, with her being charmed. Eventually, she breaks the hold over her, but the fight in front of them is only just beginning.

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 The Floating Lighthouse

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.

Last we left off, the group and Xoco were catching up as they had with many new allies. There are jokes made at Galahad’s expense, and they eventually go out for the evening for food, drink, and more revelry. Salix makes their way to a temple to speak with Gervis, the void dragon, and connect more with the Daughter of the Void. They ask for guidance and a bit of clarity in the understanding of their powers and their role. Later that evening, we get Arguile’s education on the Guardian’s Rapier. He learns how to utilize its powers fully AND learns the connection between the gentleman Fel Mon’ri, a descendant of a companion to the soul residing inside the Guardian’s Rapier, Ÿbo. Afterward, Arguile is handed a piece of magical parchment that allows Arguile to write and for Fel to see. Back at their lodging, Zechs gives Hoshino The Quill of Desire, which he’s had since his time in Barovia and felt was better suited for the bard. We end with Glad in a meditative state, unknowingly reaching out to her patron, The Protector. The conversation started well, but escalated as he avoided answering Glad’s questions. Was she being manipulated by him? Could she truly trust him or what her alternate said of him? This entire exchange left Glad feeling uncertain and at her wits' end. The truth may not be what she truly wishes to hear, according to The Protector. Tensions rise as we head into the next episode. 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 The Floating Lighthouse

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 returns to Salix’s hermitage, where Aeron assesses the damage to the Swift Hummingbird, and they decide to rest for the evening. The next day, Hoshino, Zechs, and Shanks set out to retrieve a replacement crystal, meeting a manifestation of Sloane, who questions their intentions but ultimately grants them the crystal. Shanks, feeling like a liability due to his patron Arioch, is reassured by the group that they will face this challenge together. Arguile suggests speaking directly with Arioch, who offers to release Shanks from his contract if the group can defeat him under specific conditions. The group decides to perform a ritual to sever Shanks’s pact, during which Shanks reveals his guilt over causing a war between Elves and Goliaths. Despite the emotional toll, the ritual is successful, and the group moves forward with renewed resolve.

After resting, the group prepares for their next steps. Zechs has a disturbing dream about a tiger, leaving him uneasy. The group visits Salix’s childhood home, finding it ransacked, but uncovers a hidden library and a heartfelt letter from Salix's mother, which reveals her tragic fate. This discovery deeply affects Salix, and the group offers comfort. They then visit their friend Chico in Balazaar, where they share updates and receive support. Chico helps shed light on the Malar issue and reassures Hoshino. The group leaves with more food than needed and heads back to their ship, setting course for Drose. During their journey, they train and rest, but their respite is interrupted by an attacking airship filled with were-creatures empowered by Malar. A fierce battle ensues, with Zechs struggling against Malar’s influence while the team fights to free their ship. Despite heavy resistance, they fend off the attackers and stabilize their ship. In the aftermath, Zechs is distraught and continues to battle Malar’s presence within him. Hoshino offers comfort, but Zechs drinks himself back to sleep. Over the following days, Zechs isolates himself, feeling Malar's presence more intensely. Tension rises among the group as they try to make the most of their time on the ship. Shanks attempts to empathize with Zechs, but Zechs struggles to cope, leaving the group concerned about their future. Despite the low spirits, the team remains committed to supporting each other as they approach Drose, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

There’s so much happening, and we pick up with arc 21, “The Lost City of Drose”. 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 The Floating Lighthouse

Read & 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.

Welcome to Part 1 of the Prologue of our new monthly campaign: Blood & Booze! Over the summer, we will set up the events leading into the first adventure: The Scorching Sun. Each prologue will provide context to the adventure as well as 2 character profiles and player profiles from the party. This episode features the profiles of Thorak and Valen, and their players, Nhan and Law. Thanks for joining us, and we hope to see you next month!

Narration written & recorded by Thomas Lapierre III

Thorak by Nhan Nguyen

Valen by Lawrence Bentiné Jr.

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.