The Medusa's Cascade

The battle intensifies, and the team tries to be free of the influences of Malar. Doing away with the harpoons in the ship, the were-creature attackers, and the taxing amount of willpower it’s taking for Zechs to fend off Malar. In the aftermath of the battle, we get a very distraught Zechs barely hanging on and continuing to fight Malar within him. As the team surrounds him and offers their aid, Malar tries to plant seeds of doubt, while Zechs reminds him that his team gives him strength. There is an assessment of damage and the regrouping to strategize spoils and planning for the next steps. Eventually, too tired to do anything else, Zechs retreats to his chambers and has a nightmare that wakes him in a cold sweat. He finds Hoshino on the deck of the ship and explains what he saw in his sleep. Hoshino offers aid and comfort to Zechs, and Zechs drinks himself back to sleep. The next several days, we find Zechs keeping to himself in his room. Shanks, upon speaking to Hoshino and Galahad, proceeds to speak to Zechs and offer some level of empathy, which isn’t received well, as Zechs is feeling Malar’s presence even more in recent days. It’s a tense time on the ship as everyone tries to make the most of the time they’ve got on the ship on the way to Drose. Spirits are low for some, and there’s a concern for what’s to come for the group. It’s just another day with Collateral, isn’t it?

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.

Hey everyone, welcome to the tenth Divergent Paths cut scene. This month, instead of current events, we travel back to the end of the 5th age of Sloane and explore a little bit more of the story surrounding the lost city of Drose. While the party may know the story within the book Galahad purchased early on in the campaign, this is a peek into what actually happened. But not too much, because where is the fun in that?

Written and read 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.

Many characters appear in this campaign, and quite a few have joined Collateral Damage for varying lengths of time. Listen in on the Journeyman’s audio logs about these characters to gain a better understanding of where they came from. We start the series with the enigmatic Attros.

Written, read, and recorded 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 team uses its downtime effectively to train, seek advice, and rest. Shanks tests the limits and advantages that his new scope provides for his bow, Mind’s Eye. All of the rest comes to an abrupt halt with the presence of an airship making a fast approach to theirs. Evasive maneuvers are taken, plans are quickly made, and a massive fight ensues. Galahad is trying with the help of a summoned eagle to remove the spears that are trying to bind the two ships, dismantle the crystal that keeps them afloat, and destroy the enemy airship. The rest of the team is doing their best with the enemies. An array of were-creatures that are powered by the full moon and are drawn to their god, Malar. Zechs is having a rough go at it with Malar trying to weaken him mentally, and the fight starts to turn as the enemy ship begins its descent, plummeting from the sky while still bound to the Hummingbird. There is just never a dull moment for the team, is there?

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 pick back up at Salix’s family home, now finding the hidden room of their mother’s and an item that was meant for them, Juniper’s Bloom. It’s during this time that Salix gathers that their mother did not exit this plane at the hands of the cult, but instead on her terms. This broke Salix, and the rest of the group did their best to aid and comfort them in this moment. After returning from Invenas back to Salix’s hermitage, the group now sets off to Balazaar to see their friend Chico. It is a heartfelt and needed reunion, accompanied by two new faces at the Cascade. He catches the party up on what he’s been up to, and they catch him up in turn. Over some of his food, he comforts Salix and helps shed some light on the Malar issue and Zechs. Hoshino meets the famous Cascade chef, and they bond and Chico assures Hoshino that he will leave him with something special. They leave with more food than they would probably need and say their goodbyes. After the group's very short but special pit stop, they head back to the ship and set a course for Drose.

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.

Arguile, Zechs, Galahad, and eventually Salix go for a dip and have a friendly competition to see who catches the most fish. Upon coming back to the hermitage, we see Shanks is not fully recovered, but he feels better and rested at least. After some discussion, the group makes plans to visit Salix’s childhood home and see a rehearsal for Little G and the Bahamuts. They address that the “other-other” Salix was heading towards Invenas, and Salix addresses the elephant in the room with Zechs, Malar, and the multiple moons of Sloane. The group has a feast and heads to bed for a well-deserved rest. Zechs has a strange dream of a large tiger stalking and watching him, which leaves him uneasy and questioning what that means for him. Eventually, we see the group make their way back toward Invenas, as there is one more day before the ship is back operational. They go back to see the spectacle that is Little G. The group is beside themselves, some with amusement and others, mainly Galahad, reasonably upset by this mockery of him and what he stands for. Shanks makes his way, at this time, to a blacksmith to get his newly acquired Gem of Seeing made into a sight for his bow. It would take some time, and Shanks catches back up to the group where Zechs has stepped outside, stopping him, and assuring him that it’s best if he doesn’t go inside. The group makes their way to Salix’s family home and sees remnants that someone has torn the place apart. The group begins to search the place in the hopes of finding what has been pulling Salix to return to their family home. We end with Salix reading a note left by their mother, and we hear a heartfelt letter from a parent to their child.

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.

Hey everyone, and welcome to the ninth Divergent Paths cut scene. This particular character has only appeared twice in the podcast thus far, in Episode 65, Entrapment, and Episodes 126/127 Forced Education/Inevitability. We will keep the details sparse, but let's just say that they play an important role in the overall story moving forward. The party doesn't know this information, but you do.

Written and Read 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 embarks on a series of events beginning with a shopping trip at The Brass Jackalope, striking a deal with the proprietor, Ulprana, for custom items, including vial arrows crafted by Attros. They then reunite at a familiar tavern where they meet new staff and learn about the whereabouts of Welby and Chico. JM updates the group on recent events and introduces them to another party they're collaborating with, sparking excitement, especially for Hoshino, who learns he might return home. As they bond and prepare, Zechs, Galahad, and Hoshino embark on a hunt, encountering a wolf and a profound moment for Zechs. The group later returns to the tavern to share a meal before departing on an airship journey back to Nymora.

Upon their return, they discover the Vitalis Manor transformed into a crime scene, triggering Zechs's turmoil. Zechs, Galahad, and Glad investigate, suspecting Kyver's involvement. Zechs leverages his bounty hunter status to gather information, uncovering a potential connection to the group's adversaries. Meanwhile, the rest of the group splits up for further investigation, encountering surprises such as an imposter tiefling and confirming suspicions about Kyver's associates. The discovery of a chilling letter from Agatha Vitalis prompts the group to divide again, with Glad, Galahad, and Zechs investigating the Drakewood Travelers while the others visit Kyver's family home for more clues.

Later, going to the Temple of Elrin for any additional information, but alas, there was none to be given. As they leave the temple, they begin to plan a freestyle battle to determine who indeed is the best Arguile. The other half of the party tries to find and piece together clues and gather any information that would give insight into these Drakewood Travelers. After they go off to explore the underground network underneath Nymora. It’s apparent that Zechs’ mind is racing, and he’s trying to keep himself busy. The sight he sees in “The Vineyard” while empty leaves a sense of tangibility. Kyver’s stories with this paint an even more disturbing picture and leave the group sullen at the sight of it all. All of this took place just below the city, a setting of unspeakable horrors and seemingly no end to how far it expanded.

Salix, Arguile, Hoshino, and Shanks begin to make a plan on how to lure out this “Fat” Arguile, concluding in the planning of an event. A battle of words that is catered by local food markets and led by the Murky Armadillo bakery and its owner, Sen. That evening, after word travels and a crowd gathers, the battle of words and food commences. It is a spectacular show that sees “Slim” Arguile come out on top. It was a great show that saw the community delighted at the event, and a sense of showmanship. With heavy hearts, Zechs, Glad, and Galahad make the tail end of the night’s festivities and decide to leave, sharing what they found until the next morning.

There’s so much happening, and we pick up with arc 19, “A Dramatic Turn of Events ”. 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.

Upon concluding the conversation between Arioch, Arguile, and Shanks, the two speak with the group about Arioch’s offer. Shanks explains that he doesn’t want to be a liability to the group anymore, while Zechs assures him that he’s not the only one who feels that way, but they are a team at the end of the day, and he isn’t a liability. Galahad asks to see his contract with Arioch and explains that there is a difference in a deal between various entities and that the contract in hand was pretty ironclad. Glad assures Shanks that he is not alone in this endeavor, and if he wants to sever this hold Arioch has on him, she will help do just that. The group agrees that just before the first light, they will conduct a ceremony and separate the contract with the party's help.

Before the party ventures to the ceremony, Shanks comes clean with Glad and Galahad about the war between the Elves and Goliaths. He explains that he was the reason the war even started. He begins to explain in detail the events that led up to the war and how he feels responsible for what transpired and directly affected both of them. Glad proceeds to tell Shanks that she does not believe one person can be the sole reason for a war, to which Galahad agrees. While they both appreciate the information and the admission of guilt, that is not his burden to bear. With that, they proceed to the site for the ceremony and proceed with the ritual. It was a group effort, and everyone did what they could to aid in this process. While the ritual proved successful, it was not without a message from Arioch and a reminder for Shanks.

Afterward, the very exhausted Shanks went to bathe and rest with the aid of Salix and Glad. Arguile, Zechs, and Galahad asked Salix if there were any places where they could go for a swim. Hoshino decides to stay behind, and Salix asks Galahad to bring back some water for Shanks and the group. He also grabs his belt of returning and thinks of catching some food for the day.

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.

After returning to Salix’s hermitage and having Aeron assess the damage to the Swift Hummingbird, the party decides to rest for the evening before making their next move. Duo wakes everyone up to inform them that breakfast is ready, and the group gathers in the kitchen to discuss what’s on the agenda for the day. Arguile poking the bear that is Galahad and making quips about Little G and the Bahamuts. Hoshino, Zechs, and Shanks set out to retrieve the necessary crystal to replace the one that had been damaged. Before heading out, Salix informs the group that Sloane is a sentient and living being, show reverence and respect as you enter, and do what you are going to do. The group meets the manifestation of Sloane when approaching and explains their purpose there. While this manifestation seems accepting of their goals, they are asked what their specific reasons are for doing what they are doing (in the grand scheme of things). This takes the group by surprise as they realize they may have never taken the time to ask that of themselves. After taking some time to ponder this, they respond. After hearing what the three have to say, the manifestation says that they are allowed to pick a crystal with them. Zechs informs them that they will return their broken crystal as a way to thank them.

The group comes together after returning the crystal, and Shanks informs the group that he does not feel like he should remain with the group, with the revelation about Arioch being his patron. There is an exchange from everyone that reassures him they will work through this together, as a team and family. He isn’t the only one feeling like they’re a liability to the group. Collectively, they ponder if they can sever the pact made between Shanks and Arioch. It would not be impossible, but it would be challenging to do. Arguile then asks if the three of them should have a conversation and ask direct questions. Upon meeting with Arioch, they are both given details of how their paths crossed. Stemming from decisions made by their parents and promises he made to them. It’s a lot to process, and as expected, the trouble with asking a heavy question is that you may not like what you get. The truth can be hard to swallow, especially if you can't trust the source. Arioch offers a unique solution in the form of a proposition of sorts. The group can fight Arioch, obviously not at his full strength, and with caveats and handicaps on the party as well, but with the promise of relinquishing Shanks from his contract, no questions asked.

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.