The Medusa's Cascade

The fall of the web was not as easy as it seemed. Even the planning stages were tense and filled with doubt. Frustration was in the eyes of some members as they had truly had their fill of this god-forsaken city. Things went according to plan as they could until they didn't. Bringing back Duo and the stone was not the hard part. It was having him hand over the stone that seemed the most troublesome. He even threatened to leave the group if they planned on taking it away from him. Thankfully, with the combined efforts of the team, they successfully killed the Web, retrieved the stone, and freed the city of Invenas.

All in a day's work for our heroes, right? Enter a man lost in time. Once a statue, a man by the name of Hoshino, a victim of the Web, has now joined the group. We find ourselves saying goodbye to Voyas and meeting a distant cousin of Rig. Eventually, they made it back to The Heartwood and Amina. They give her the stone, and she assures the group that Nymora is indeed safe. They return to Nymora, and it is as if the siege of Nymora had never taken place.

We return to Bosco, Thai, and Morz in the midst of their gem heist. There, the three of them encounter a gem dragon that does a significant amount of damage to the group. There's a plea for their lives, and a fragile truce is forged. Morz will stay behind, and the two rogues will travel with the dragon that they name Sage. Together, they aim to put a stop to Olmaz and his Infinity Bazaar. On their way to Mechfall, Bosco and Thai exchange details of their past, and Thai tells Bosco of the party he briefly ran, which led him back to the bazaar. Eventually, they arrive at “The Twisted Antler”, a speakeasy where your coin is of no value, but the real currency is information. They meet with some old associates and allies. With their help, they set forth a plan to take down Olmaz, but first, they have to stop their pursuer. The three set a successful trap, though things don’t always go to plan. In a fit of rage, Bosco removes his amulet, alerting The Ringleader that he is, in fact, alive.

There’s so much happening, and we pick up with arc 16, “Return On Investment ”. 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

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 the end of the festivities. The group reunites to exchange what has developed, and allows for the heavier news to follow later on. There is a lot of discussion on morality amongst the various party members. In a dream that evening, Thiadikus, at least a version of him, visits Galahad and wants to get a look at Antonius’ protege and the person that The Judge showed approval over. Over breakfast the next day, Galahad brings up his visit from Glad’s husband, and a discussion trying to sort out the news that the Constable indeed reports to someone higher than himself. Zechs then decides to inform the group of what Galahad, Glad, and he saw down in the Vineyard. Eventually, he decides to give an update to Amina via the Speak with Plants spell again before the group heads off to their meeting. The results of the meeting saw them as controlling shareholders of Chubby Ts and any future potential franchises. More was to be solidified after signing NDAs and determining a proxy, but they now have, potentially, a nice source of income in about six months. 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.

Let the battle of food and words COMMENCE!!! We pick back up with the crew of Arguile, Shanks, Salix, and Hoshino making final preparations for the battle of words between “Slim” Arguile and Fat Arguile. It was a glorious exchange of words and a spectacular show for the city of Nymora to behold. The food was incredible, and the mood was electric as things wrapped up. It was decided that “Slim” Arguile was the winner! Towards the end, the group enjoyed the rest of the food and connected with the people of Nymora, Fat Arguile, and eventually the rest of the party. With hearts heavy, Zechs, Galahad, and Glad decided to just enjoy this brief moment of joy and to save sharing what they found until the next day. Today is a day for revelry and rest.

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, welcome to the fifth Divergent Paths cut scene. We're still in Granzia but further south than last time, in the very heart of Granz City. It's here we follow a killer in search of their prey. The very same one that has been taking on the face of Shanks, the Pincushion Maker. The party doesn't know this information, but now 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.

We return to the group’s time in Invenas. A stressful time filled with some of the most difficult adversaries that the group has faced, The Web of Fate. To shift the tides in their favor, they decide to take each member out one at a time. The first up is Garron, for whom they laid a very carefully thought-out plan, but a single misstep allowed her to stay alive and escape the group’s effort. The tension was thick in the air of Invenas that evening, for sure. Frustrated, they regroup at the tea shop “Herbal Delights” with the owner, Ilezea. They decide to go after Grimwing and make another plan on how to take him out. It almost worked, too, except when Galahad recalled just what the artifact’s name was that Amina asked for: “The Stone of Revival”. After taking Grimwing down in an ambush, a light shot from him and to the tower in the middle of the city and back to him again. He was reborn as a 10-foot spider-centaur-like being from nightmares, and the group collectively took him down again, but started to question how much longer they could do this for. Was the story about the spider god real? With quick thinking, Salix banishes Grimwing, and the group plans for an escape as Zechs arrives to tell them they have company.

Arbane and his beasts are in hot pursuit of the group, and they just barely escape. They made it to a safe house on the edge of the city, and a number of the party members were contacted by their patrons. Awaking to a bestial spirit in the form of a small caracal kitten, which unsettled and enraged Zechs. Arbane tracked them, and their cover was blown. He was toying with them. The group reconnected with the resistance, trying their best to hide their tracks, and deliberated on how to remove the stone from the equation. It was decided that with the help of Iggy, who could provide pendants that showed two members as high-ranked guards, they could infiltrate the Tower, which the Web called home. Arguile and Shanks disguised themselves and stealthily embarked on one of the most dangerous missions they had ever had. The two made it to the den of the Web, and while they were unsuccessful in retrieving the stone, they left with information and their lives. They return to the safehouse and inform the party of their encounter with some of the Web’s members and the information they gathered. The party in the final hours of their showdown with the Web plans, prays, and prepares for what’s to come.

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

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 come back to the split party in Nymora, both of which are having very different experiences at the moment. On the one hand, Zechs, Galahad, and Glad try to unlock clues as to the motive, method, and anything the Drakewood Travelers might have left behind at the bank before heading to explore the underground network underneath the Vitalis estate. Galahad and Glad can tell that Zechs’ mind is racing and he’s trying to keep himself busy, but the sight that he sees down in “The Vineyard” while empty leaves a lasting impression. There’s a lot of Kyver’s story that now has a sense of tangibility, and everyone’s hearts are a bit heavier for having seen this place, just 100 feet or so below Nymora this whole time. Salix, Arguile, Shanks, and Hoshino are currently exploring ways to lure out this “Fat Arguile” and have a friendly battle of words with him. They even have a caterer for the event, by the way of “The Murky Armadillo”. Eventually, while making this plan, they meet Fat Arguile and agree to have this rap battle that very evening. Further preparations are made with the owner, Sen, and they will have an epic rap battle (and baked goods) just hours away!

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.

We pick up with the other half of the team: Salix, Arguile, Shanks, and Hoshino. The group gathers at Zechs' parents' home, where Zechs reads the letter from Agatha Vitalis. There's a weight in the room and unease as the group splits. Zechs asks if they can go to Kyver's family home and see if he visited them, and maybe get answers (and confirmations) as to who is with him. On the way, Arguile is stopped by supposed fans of him asking to get his autograph and say his catchphrase "Stay Crunchy!". There's some confusion and discussion of what to do with Arguile's new alternate. Arriving at the Sabertooth farm, they find his parents safe and thrilled to meet more of Kyver's friends. They eventually find their way over to the Church of Elrin to talk to Rev and find information on what's been happening in Nymora since they last spoke. We end with the crew planning a freestyle battle to determine who indeed is the best Arguile.

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, welcome to the fourth Divergent Paths cut scene. We're back in Granzia and this time in the far north of Coldbring. It's here that we find a high-ranking member of the Shuffle Guild witnessing something terrible and speaking to a familiar being. The party doesn't know this information, but now 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 last time we were at the party, we found them making final preparations to embark on their quest for Amina. They are to go to Invenas to put a stop to the cult that is there and retrieve the Stone of Revival. In doing this, Galahad will receive his piece of the root of the Heartwood to enchant his armor further. They are joined by Quon, a Grippli Druid, who offers their help to the group in exchange for help with restoring their homeland in the Glasmeada Isles. From what they gather, the situation is very similar to the machines that the Constable has been placing. The group arrives just outside of Invenas and is not met with a warm welcome. They’re met with arrows fired at them and are promptly arrested. Their crime? Espionage. While in prison, they meet Arbane, who, after some exchange, is already hated by all, but most by Zechs. Eventually, plans are made, prayers are said, and various levels of comfort and discomfort move through the party. Through a shared vision, Zechs and Galahad see an image of Melora, and eventually, through Glad, the group meets The Protector. They are told to wait and be patient; the time will come for their escape. Quon, using wild shape, helps locate the party’s items, and they begin to plan their escape. They also meet Colel and some other members of Invenas’ resistance. After a very elaborate escape, they find themselves underground with the leader of the resistance, Finnea. Finnea also comes with the real Salix in tow. Finnea has crucial information for the party, which is great considering that not too long after, they are met by some leaders of this cult, The Web Of Fate. Some of their variants and The Constable’s lieutenants have joined them to make things even more dire. The party manages to get a party vs. party battle going, which looks like it will be going in their favor until the tides change. They are forced to make a retreat and recover from this fight. Licking wounds, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The party decides that the best strategy is to systematically take them out individually.

There’s so much happening, and we pick up with arc 14, “Under the Web”. How will the rest of this story unfold? Find out next time on the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage!

Written, Read, and Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III

Theme Music written and performed by The Floating Lighthouse

Title Card by Pierce Graphics

Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

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

Zechs, Galahad, and Hoshino finish the hunt and take what they need while providing the rest as offerings and food for those in need. The following day, the party begins to gather their things from the tavern, pick up their custom items from the Brass Jackalope, and board the airship back to Nymora. It’s there that the group comes upon a shocking scene: The Vitalis estate has been burned to the ground and is surrounded by the city guard. Zechs, Galahad, and Glad go to find out what’s going on and see if Kyver perhaps had anything to do with it. Upon asking questions, a guard informs Zechs, who is using his status as a bounty hunter, to speak with Lt. Flash. He would be able to provide more information. The trio goes, and Zechs leaves Duo there to survey the area and keep watch in the meantime. The other half of the team goes to Zechs’ parents' place and checks in on them to see how they are doing. Lt. Flash carefully provides the trio with his thoughts on the situation, and Zechs explains that he is one of the lost children and that he is currently a bounty hunter. He further explains that his bounty, Kyver, may have been responsible and offers to help in his capture. The Lt. appreciates the tenacity and says very plainly to Zechs that while he officially can’t tell him that he can look through the wreckage, he can say that if he doesn’t get caught, then it’s fine by him. They are informed about a group matching the descriptions of We’ahqa, Cereius, Shanks, and someone who looked a lot like Zechs, but shorter and more stout by comparison. They figure that it must be Kyver posing as Zechs, and are skeptical but suspect that somehow Rig is alive and posing as Shanks. On their way back to his childhood home, Duo informs Zechs that he has a letter addressed to him waiting for him. They finally arrive at Zechs’ family home and get filled in on more details from Zechs’ parents, and Seti hands him the letter they received a few days earlier. The letter sends a chill down Zechs’s spine, and he tries to wrap his head around just what Agatha Vitalis could want from him. They decide to split up and look into the matter of these Drakewood Travels. This might not be just a quick pit stop for the group after all.

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.