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The Medusa's Cascade

Mr. Bell

D&D 5E actual-play homebrew podcast featuring a mysterious tavern known only as The Medusa's Cascade, that follows the adventuring parties Collateral Damage and Blood & Booze (Season 1 start).

Includes: campaign recap episodes (Season 101), setting lore episodes (Season 102), character profiles (Season 103), and NPC side stories.

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

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27 episodes
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Avg 1 hr 33 min
English

Episodes 27

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S101 · E32
Saturday · 17 min
Field Reports 32: A Dangerous Gambit
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 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.
S3 · E4
October 31 · 2 hr 27 min
Blood & Booze - Eyes Open
Trouble in Zur Algud Ch 4 As 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 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.
S11 · E208
October 24 · 2 hr 8 min
Collateral Damage - Gray Area
The Shattering of Iwi Ch 4 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.
S11 · E207
October 17 · 2 hr 35 min
Collateral Damage - The Die is Cast
The Shattering of Iwi Ch 3 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.
S11 · E206
October 10 · 2 hr 26 min
Collateral Damage - Context Clues
The Shattering of Iwi Ch 2 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.
S101 · E1
October 3 · 26 min
Field Reports 1 (B&B): Unlikely Heroes
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.
S3 · E3
September 26 · 2 hr 6 min
Blood & Booze - Fast and Fierce
Trouble in Zur Algud Ch 3 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.
S11 · E205
September 19 · 2 hr 32 min
Collateral Damage - The Twin Seers
The Shattering of Iwi Ch 1 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.
S10 · E204
September 12 · 2 hr 39 min
Collateral Damage - One More Round
The Blooming Court Ch 16 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.
S101 · E31
September 5 · 18 min
Field Reports 31: Daughter of the Vine
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.
S3 · E2
August 29 · 2 hr 40 min
Blood & Booze - Settling In
Trouble in Zur Algud Ch 2 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.
S10 · E203
August 22 · 2 hr 23 min
Collateral Damage - Tough Conversations
The Blooming Court Ch 15 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.
S10 · E202
August 15 · 2 hr 15 min
Collateral Damage - Number 8
The Blooming Court Ch 14 We start with the party finalizing the details of their gamble, making The Executioner a double agent. The party then returns to Dorna's home to regroup, shop, decompress, and figure out their next move. After grabbing breakfast, Hoshino's inability to taste anything but ash comes up again, and the group raises the idea of finding something to help him enjoy food and drink again. Afterward, the group receives their custom orders, which were dropped off at Dorna's home. After taking some stock, the party decides to stretch their legs and do some more shopping while they're still in the technologically advanced plane of Iwi. There's quite a bit of shopping for very specific items, Zechs and Shanks getting custom arrows, for instance. Some items from their inventory and bag of holding get traded for gold or toward another item or enchantment. We end shopping with some custom requests from Glad, a staff modification for Hoshino, and some healing potions for the group. Duo talks with Zechs about getting into the fight more, and they have a serious talk about expectations and trust, but ultimately Duo gets what he wants. Zechs also gets sat down to review all the media Duo consumed while in Iwi and says that if he's going to have a callsign, he wants something other than Goose, and to let him think on it. Dorna takes Glad and Salix to the rooftop garden she has, and they connect over their love of nature. 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.
S10 · E201
August 8 · 2 hr 34 min
Collateral Damage - Take a Beat
The Blooming Court Ch. 13 The battle continues, and it's anyone's guess as to who will come out on top. While the party does manage to gain the advantage, the opposition has the numbers on their side and spell resistances. Arguile is dominated and told to take out the healer, who is, circumstantially, Salix. Shanks goes down but is picked right back up with a combat medic maneuver from Duo via a Goodberry. Immediately after getting up, Shanks takes out the person who dominated Arguile, freeing him of the spell. Glad and Galahad make quick work, tearing through the cannon fodder; eventually, the fighting comes to a close, and the party can heal and rest up until the Force Cage spell drops on the Executioner. It's during the conversation with The Executioner that the party discovers where her allegiances truly lie. Galahad takes the lead in this and not only gets her true name, but also her complicated situation and the turn of events that led her into league with The Constable. At one point, it's revealed that The Judge is the surviving member of the Gargoyle Unit, the same elite unit that Argo and Antonius are surviving members of in this reality. With revelations made, cards put on the table, and newfound allies formed, the party works with The Executioner as a double agent, which will prove very tricky and dangerous but would be a huge win for them and their allies who are trying to stop the planes from colliding. 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.
August 1 · 10 min
Divergent Paths - Nine Emperors of Emerald and Brass
Hey everyone, and welcome to the twentieth Divergent Paths cut scene. This particular scene surrounds a time and place that the party hasn't reached yet. Think of this scene and the last Divergent Paths as a sneak peek into what is ahead for Collateral Damage. 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.
S3 · E1
July 25 · 2 hr 15 min
Blood & Booze - City of Dragons
Trouble in Zur Algud Ch. 1 With the battle still underway, the group uses all they have in their various kits. The cleric begins to look hurt, but the fight is far from over. In retaliation towards Thorak, the cleric casts Harm on one half of the Slash Bros. Valen, trying to test his luck with his magical flask, drinks an Elven Ale called PolyPilsner, which polymorphs the monk into a canary. Chan summons a flame strike on the flesh effigy, and it does even more damage than expected; as a result, her flames that she's done so well to control and suppress thus far are now beginning to go wild. A giant sunbeam from the Mad Cleric takes out a good number of the team, rendering them unconscious. The team's own cleric, Thorak, helps Chantico back up with a Cure Wounds spell. As she comes to, she uses burning hands on the cleric of Hastur, finally putting an end to him. They don't have time to celebrate; they pick up their fallen allies and begin to make a fast exit. The blob makes an unsettling sound that brings back some "familiar" faces. The andrite in the mines begins to explode as the group attempts to flee and fight as they head out of the mines. Chan calls to the Daughters of Creation and Enya to aid in the safe exit of her friends and companions. Calling three scorching rays towards the monsters closing in on the group, which coalesces into a sphere surrounding the group as Enya attempts to teleport them out. It is successful, and in a flash they are outside the mines, and as they look behind them, they feel the immense explosion that erupts from the mines. After the smoke and dust settles, they realize that Chan is no longer with them. The party is embraced, arriving in Tradeshore as heroes, as Hanith Blackburn sent word of their heroic deeds. They are offered a reward to Zur Algud to celebrate the upcoming Festival of the Children, accommodations at the Ebon Wing Lodge, a 10g-a-day stipend, and access to the family's teleportation circles to travel to and from. We finish with the varying accounts of what the party did in the three weeks leading up to their travel for the festival. From one adventure to the next, they sharpen their skills, broaden their horizons, and prepare for a time of reprieve and revelry if it were only that simple. 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.
S10 · E200
July 18 · 2 hr 9 min
Collateral Damage - The Twist
The Blooming Court Ch. 12 The party glances at the true Song Bloom and chooses one that they think will please the Queen. It, however, takes some time and teamwork to figure out how to properly remove it and keep it intact and healthy for travel. Zechs manages to uproot the Song Bloom and, with the aid of Galahad, makes a makeshift pot for it to travel with. Before heading to the Queen straightaway, the group, using Arguile's Rope Trick spell, devises a plan for what they should do if things inevitably go sideways. Taking all possible scenarios into account, they agree to try to avoid fighting at all costs, but if it comes down to it, so be it. The party presents the Song Bloom for the Queen's approval, but after getting what she wanted, she promptly leaves, and a fight between her guards and the party ensues. The twist? A familiar halberd wielder joins the fray as The Executioner makes her attack as well. The fight is intense as each side pulls out its big guns, trying to overwhelm its opposition. Ultimately, through a lot of teamwork, grit, and heavy swings of their weapons, the party manages to shift the tide to interrogate The Executioner when the dust settles. 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.
S10 · E199
July 11 · 2 hr 11 min
Collateral Damage - The Songbloom
The Blooming Court Ch. 11 We pick back up with Glad, who comes face to face with the Daughter of the Vine. It is here that she is told the circumstances of her birth, or rather, how she came to be. It's not an easy tale to tell, nor is it easy to receive. The Daughter speaks of Corellon and his making of what would become her siblings, or the ones who came before her. Sharing in great detail their purpose and their intention. Finally ending with Glad's story. Glad, very torn between distraught and trying to wrap her head around what she has just heard, continues to listen and take in what the Daughter tells her. Feeling uncertain about what she's to do and watching the world crumble beneath her feet, Glad tells the Daughter that, while she's been on this journey, she's slowly discovered who she was and is now conflicted by the truth that clashes with her identity. The Daughter tells her that she is who she chooses to be and not where she came from. She has made conscious decisions to be who she is, and she has not done so out of obedience or command. Glad feels reassurance that she hasn't felt in quite some time, as well as recognition that she was doing well. The Daughter informs her that there is no trial for her to endure for her blessing, as this entire journey has been her trial. With that, they embrace in a much-needed hug. On the outside, the party, still waiting for Glad, is discussing their next steps. Some feel as though they shouldn't incur the scorn of the Fey by disregarding the Queen's request for the Song Bloom, and on the other side, some wish to heed the warning of Shankise and be instruments in starting a war. This all happens as Glad is speaking with the Daughter and continues upon her exit. Eventually, the party leaves it to speak with the Treants, hoping to reach a peaceful third option. Exiting the lake, the group heads back the way they came, and upon entering Treant territory, they decide the bards should speak with them to reach a peaceful resolution to their predicament. The Treants receive the party and invite them to speak with the elders about what was asked of them and by whom. The party is then informed of the ramifications of what would occur if they got the Song Bloom and began to question the nuances of THE Song Bloom and A Song Bloom, hoping that by not taking THE Song Bloom, they can avert the Queen's intention of starting a war while not incurring her wrath for finding a loophole. 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.
S101 · E30
July 4 · 20 min
Field Reports 30: The Blooming Court
Amid a desperate retreat through Ors Themar, the party is scattered and under relentless pressure. A draegloth pins down Arguile, Shanks teeters on the brink of death, Galahad draws constant enemy fire, and Yurik struggles to regroup with the others. Through quick thinking, Zechs, Salix, Duo, and the rest manage to extract Arguile, rescue Shanks, free Galahad, Turk, and Glad from a magical binding, and reunite the party. They are then led to safety by Enich, Yurik's son and Arguile's half-brother, who provides refuge, shares what he knows of Ors Themar, and helps them recover before guiding them toward an escape route. After narrowly escaping the city, the party reflects on what they've witnessed during camp while Arguile's mysterious stone rapidly counts down. Shanks discovers a copper coin and a raven's feather, and growing signs point to Arioch's manipulation. Racing back into the city after the stone reaches zero, they find Dorna missing, identify Yurik's sword as Tempest's Edge, and rush to answer Shepard Miles' summons. At the cemetery, Arioch reveals the devastating truth: Yurik is Arguile's biological father, having sacrificed his own heart to save his son at the cost of everyone's memories. Later reunited with Dorna through Arioch's cruel amusement, the two unknowingly had Enich together. Arioch forces father and son to duel for the right to become his general, threatening to endlessly kill and resurrect Dorna until they comply while infecting Enich with the same deadly illness that once plagued Arguile. Though the party aids from the sidelines, they are powerless to stop him. Yurik ultimately chooses to go willingly with Arioch after an emotional farewell, leaving the party to battle Shepard Miles' forces. The ensuing fight quickly becomes a brutal uphill struggle as a necromancer raises undead, a monk repeatedly stuns Galahad and Turk, and the enemy relentlessly presses its advantage. Galahad receives Bahamut's blessing after falling in battle, rising with divine power. At the same time, Arguile slays the cleric, Shanks, Arguile, and Zechs eliminate the monk, and the remaining undead are slowly cleared. The battle reaches its darkest moment when the necromancer casts Power Word Kill, instantly killing Shanks before later dropping Turk with Cone of Cold, while Zechs also falls unconscious. As each fallen hero enters the Veil, they receive life-changing encounters: Shanks speaks with The Hunter, fully awakening Mind's Eye, and later receives the Matron of Ravens' blessing to oppose the Constable; Turk confronts Kas the Bloody-Handed, who strips him of his warlock powers after he refuses to serve him further; and Zechs finds peace with Tumra, the Snow Leopard, awakening with her white handprint upon him. Salix ultimately revives Shanks, the party defeats the remaining enemies, and the family reunites before returning to the city. Though shaken, they recover what spoils they can, spend an evening mourning and celebrating with matching tattoos, share their divine experiences, and help Galahad acquire a Belt of Giant Strength. With new equipment, plans to retrieve Glad's boon, and a long-overdue trip to the Ren Faire ahead, the party finally earns a brief respite after one of the most harrowing chapters of their journey. There’s so much happening, and we pick up with arc 30, “The Blooming Court”. 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.
S2 · E12
June 27 · 2 hr 9 min
Blood & Booze - Wild Fire
The Serpent's Strait Ch. 12 As Thorak turns to throw the flaming javelin, the priest laughs maniacally. Thorak gives him some parting words for his patron, Hastor. With that, the party runs like hell to escape the inevitable blast, most of the members falling unconscious in the process. Chan, being one of the lucky ones, heals and brings back her comrades from the brink of death in tandem with Bob. Dona casts Pass Without Trace as the group slips away from the crowd of onlookers, and Chan stays behind to confirm a body. The group slips out to the outskirts of the city to rest up and gather themselves until Chan comes back with confirmation that the priest died in the explosion. Their luck isn't that good as Chan realizes that the priest escaped and will likely be back at the mines. Tired, battered, and bruised, they decide it's probably best for a long rest if they are to intercept the priest to put an end to him once and for all. During the night, while on watch outside the mining town of Blackburn, Chan informs Ursus that "it's happening again." The large bonfire and madness celebration of the denizens of the town. The party makes their way towards the mines after their past selves leave the town, and the tension is palpable. It's been a stressful few days, and their well-laid plans have been thwarted. In the mines, they can feel a palpable sense of unease amongst them all. They are greeted by the mad priest, and pleasantries are short before the fight begins. It's a long, drawn-out, and frustrating fight. Spells are thrown from both sides; they temporarily lose their monk, and key players are immobile for most of the fight. How this ends is anyone's guess. We can only hope that the party comes out on top. 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.

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