Amid a chaotic tactical retreat, the party is scattered and under heavy pressure. Arguile is locked in combat with a draegloth, Shanks is on the brink of death, Yurik is struggling to reconnect with the group, and Galahad, glowing and highly visible, draws relentless enemy fire while attempting evasive maneuvers. Zechs deploys an axe beak from his Tan Bag of Tricks to disrupt the draegloth, while Duo delivers Shanks’ chained alchemist fire to further weaken it, allowing Salix to extract Arguile by eagle. Meanwhile, Galahad is struck by a lightning arrow and badly injured, Turk and Glad remain stuck to him, and Salix, Zechs, and a barely lucid Arguile scramble to locate Shanks with no clear bearings.
Duo is sent ahead to search and coordinate, eventually catching up to Yurik and guiding him through the chaos of Ors Thurmar. Zechs summons additional eagles to aid the search, but they are shot down, costing the group time and momentum. Turk and Glad fend off a chasme while stuck to Galahad, and Salix creates a decoy image to draw sniper fire, giving the party a chance to regroup and escape at low altitude. Yurik contributes by unleashing a firestorm toward the area where the group fell. Through quick thinking and teamwork, Salix, Zechs, and Arguile reach Shanks in time and pull him back from death. Once reunited, Zechs uses alcohol from the Bag of Holding to dissolve the substance binding Galahad, Turk, and Glad, allowing the party to move together again.
The group is then approached by a pale man, urging them to move quickly and quietly, revealed to be Enich, Yurik’s son and Arguile’s half-brother. After brief explanations of his disappearance and how he’s survived, Enich leads them to a hidden safe spot where they can rest and recover. The brothers share a quiet moment bonding over family memories, and Enich confirms hearing rumors of Elrin topside, but nothing of Arioch. Shanks and Arguile exchange coded words in Thieves’ Cant, revealing that Arguile’s stone has grown warmer in the Underdark and that its number has dropped significantly, raising new concerns. With questions unanswered but strength regained, Enich points out a route out of the city, and the party prepares to move on.
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
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
As the battle continues, resources dwindle, and there seems to be no end to the enemy in sight, it becomes clear that the party needs to regroup. Shanks is still making his way down and back to the group when Zechs hears Shanks go down through their coms. His target exacted revenge on him, but it's not the first time Shanks has knocked on Death's door. Time begins to slow down as Yurik grabs Arguile and heads off to pick up their fallen ally.
Meanwhile, injured and starting to feel the need for a tactical retreat, Galahad opens his wings, grabbing Turk and Glad for a chase down the streets of Ors Themar, keeping himself below the height of the buildings that surround them. While taking a significant hit, he manages to drop his passengers, but with some speed and teamwork, and mostly the help of a certain Bubblegum Wand, the three are back together and continue their exit.
Yurik is finally able to grab Shanks and uses Dimension Door to get himself near the group, now making their escape. With some quick thinking from Zechs, being carried by a giant eagle version of Salix and his Hole Thrower, he manages to put an 18-foot hole in the ground between them and their pursuers. He also tosses an item from his Tan Bag of Tricks, which turns out to be a baboon, that he lets loose on the enemy on their tails. Just another typical adventure for the Collateral crew, huh?
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
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
Hey everyone, and welcome to the eighteenth Divergent Paths cut scene. This particular character has only appeared once in the podcast thus far, in Episode 62, The Herald of Tiamat. For those of you that have been with us since the beginning, you finally get a peek inside the mind of Galahad's mentor Antonius. The party doesn't know this information, but you do.
Written and read by Thomas Lapierre III
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
With their guide, Ernie, providing the information he could about the goings-on at the mine, the information was troubling, and it was clear that the mine was not for the faint of heart. Chantico appears visibly uncomfortable as she has been actively suppressing her magic. Upon further taking a look at Chan, Valen realizes it's not her suppressing her magic so much as it is that her flame has been dimmed, as if she is not feeling herself fully.
Eventually, a plan emerges to investigate the depths of the mine further, using Dona riding a polymorphed Ursus as a giant spider, and Thorak using beast sense on him. What they find, or rather what they think they sensed, leaves the three with more questions and uneasiness. Eventually, they briefly reconnect over drinks and attempt to put their heads together to discuss their findings. Bob & Thorak put their heads together and determined that some of the markings they had found correlated with the King in Yellow.
That evening, plans are made to set up lodging in one of the abandoned homes, and sleep in shifts to catch any strange activity happening from an adjacent building. Bob would act as bait, and the other party members would swoop in if anything went awry. If only things were that simple. That evening. Ursus is visited by one of the ashen children, and this mysterious adventure only gets more bizarre.
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 and Booze
Theme Music is written and performed by Efflorescence
Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
Shanks brings the house down, and in a way, sets the stage for this next fight to take place. As he scales down while avoiding debris, he also takes note that he didn't kill his intended target, but at the very least, he's immobilized from what he can tell. Keeping communication going with Zechs, trying his best to maintain a line of sight, and scaling down the rugged terrain is taking every bit of mental energy from our demolition elf.
Meanwhile, the party faces off against an iron golem, multiple Chasme, scavengers, and has Armenites incoming. While they aren't taking heavy damage by any means, they are already feeling the fatigue, mental drain, and dwindling resources as they face off against another seemingly endless wave of enemies. The once quiet streets of Ors Themar now grow louder with the clanging of metal, buzzing of chasime, hoofs in the distance nearing closer, and spells being shot off from the spell casters. It's still too early to call a winner; there's a lot of fight left to have, and so much of the city still to explore.
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
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
As the party continues their short rest, taking stock, and figuring out next steps, Shanks is in pursuit of their sniper assailant. When the group is ready to go, thanks to the help of Yurik's sentient blade, they begin heading deeper into the city. The once-bustling streets and seemingly thriving city look nothing like what was described before the invasion took place. A marketplace now in ruins, the group splits to cover more ground and look for clues as to where Enich can be. Thankfully, Arguile knows Thieves' Cant and can make out some messages that help clue him into a possible location for his brother. The party makes their way inside a shop to investigate further.
As this is happening, Zechs is getting information relayed to him via Shanks. He's in pursuit of the sniper, and he suspects the group is being tracked somehow, again. Zechs relays the information to the group, and Arguile begins to ritually cast identify until they hear something significant approaching them outside. Glad, Yurik, and Galahad immediately go outside, with the rest following soon after. They find themselves face-to-face with a large iron golem, and another fight commences.
It's not much later that they hear even more enemies approaching them, and the party braces itself for another long and arduous fight. Meanwhile, at the sniper's last known location, Shanks is making a tactical assessment of how to approach and what out of his bag of goodies he can use to bring the house down. After some time, a lot of triple-checking his work, and a lot of second-guessing himself, he decides how he's going to make quite the explosive display and not get himself caught in the blast. The pieces are set, the match is lit, and a fuse is ready to go boom!
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
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
We pick back up in the midst of the group’s current skirmish and ambush against an unending number of foes. It’s a stressful and taxing fight on every level. As time passes and resources are exhausted, the group begins to make some headway, but their brief moment of reprieve is met with even more opposition. It’s a numbers game, and the enemy has them in spades. Knowing this, they continue to fight their way through and into the city. Eventually, they finally see the end of this wave of assault and can stop, regroup, and assess their next movements. As Galahad gathers materials to bring back in exchange for his new belt and the group begins looting, Shanks heads to the sniper tower to investigate further and see what he can make of their assailant, and relays his findings to Zechs via the Spies Murmur. It’s here that he stumbles into a trap laid out just for this occasion, a well-placed Alarm spell placed just at the foot of this perch in the path leading up to it, hidden 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
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
Following the intense battles with Malar and Enich, Zechs collapses in exhaustion and is taken to his parents’ home to recover. At the same time, Galahad marks the ritual site to prevent further sacrifices. That evening, the party celebrates their hard-won victory at the Faint Mandolin and Jaded Kitty Kat, sharing drinks, reflections, and heartfelt moments—Turk earns his title “THE Turk,” and Greyleaf connects deeply with him over magic and family. Before the night ends, the mysterious Ickra appears with critical news: updates from JM, the status of Argo, warnings of fiend activity in Ors Themar, threats to the arcane balance in Mechfall, and a chilling note that Arguile has another alternate—one with a rifle. Meanwhile, Zechs dreams of his childhood sacrifice, recalling The Constable calling him "Quill" and suggesting his role is tied to destiny, not malice. Upon waking, Zechs reflects on the weight of his powers and joins the others to discuss next steps, including Galahad’s coming confrontation in Granzia and finding Arguile’s mother.
As the group departs for Iwi, they briefly reunite with past allies Cereius, Attros, and Doctor Honeydew, noting significant changes in their magical gear and a new ally, We Ahqua. Flashbacks reveal Arguile fleeing mid-heist under the curse of lycanthropy, with Greyleaf, Duo, and Shanks tracking him down and subduing him until morning. With the curse lifted, the group reconnects, makes camp, and prepares for the next leg of their journey. After notifying their families and arranging travel via Rig, they arrive in Nykorua and begin adjusting—Arguile’s hometown is alien to most of the party, leading to humorous missteps, the discovery of Arguile’s many aliases, and a tailor named Elmira who upgrades their wardrobe. As the group explores the city, they enjoy both fun and introspective moments, with Arguile meeting Mira, who provides a lead on his mother and returns his hidden stash. Meanwhile, Galahad acquires a temporary weapon and orders a custom-fused blade from a smith named Jax, while Zechs excitedly pitches gadget ideas.
After shopping and training, the group visits the Crystal Gardens for a brief connection to nature and gathers more information about the city’s rules, history, and key figures. Arguile shares insights about his guild and their operations compared to others, giving the party a clearer view of the city’s underworld. The team’s next mission begins to take shape as they prepare to locate Arguile’s mother and address mounting threats. With their goals set, they make their way toward the Spire District, eyes forward on what may be their most personal and revealing journey yet.
There’s so much happening, and we pick up with arc 27 “Much Ado About Dorna ”.
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
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
Upon arriving at Midmount, the party begins investigating a series of strange events. Thorak, disguised as “Snorak” using his hat of disguise, gathers information from the locals under the pretense of being a new foreman. Rumors of a mine explosion and memory issues surface, and as they journey further into town, Thorak continues his ruse to gain access to the city center. They’re led by a woman named Sam to Lua Hugh, another foreman. Still, their vague story about missing shipments and lack of documentation gets them quickly dismissed, until Bob’s improvisation about searching for a brother elicits Lua’s sympathy. She brings them back in privately and offers to help, though she admits she doesn’t know how much she truly can.Meanwhile, Valen investigates the area and notices unsettling signs: his reflection shows a black smear on his face, and his hands appear stained with charcoal. Back inside, Lua gives the group some names, but strange happenings continue: Bob finds a pencil in his hand that he doesn’t recall taking, and everyone in the group is marked with charcoal without explanation. Dona spots this first, and as they regroup and speak with locals, they learn that such marks began appearing after the mine explosion, linked to something ominously called the “ashen children.” The more they explore, the more markings appear, and no one seems to know how or why.Dona uses Primeval Awareness and senses aberrational presence coming from the mine, while Valen’s Detect Thoughts spell picks up nearby minds he cannot locate. Still disguised, “Snorak” presses further into the mine pretending to be an inspector, hoping to piece together the puzzle of the explosion, the missing shipments, the mysterious children, and the rising aberrations. But as the group delves deeper, the marks on them grow stranger, until one final message appears, stark and urgent: RUN!
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
Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
Within the city walls, the group makes their way through the once thriving city, now unrecognizable as its streets are barren. The group cautiously makes its way through the city, careful not to draw any attention. A formation is called out, and they proceed, ready for whatever dangers lie ahead of them. Unfortunately, their caution was met with curiosity, and when Arguile investigated the gargoyle, that curiosity was then met with flame. Most of the group is hit, and immediately the party realizes that a fight is underway. Shanks unloads a volley of arrows at one of the gargoyles, doing overkill but trying to buy the team some time. Chasme buzz, scavengers approach, and they can hear the sounds of hooves in the distance growing louder.
In the exchange, Shanks is hit by a highly unfamiliar, large arrow that comes from an unidentified assailant. Salix turns into a cave bear, and Zechs pulls a black bear out of his bag of tricks to join the fray. We have two gargoyles now joining to take on Galahad and the team. While making quick work of enemies, they are realizing the position that they’re in. This is going to be a resource challenge and a numbers game, with more enemies than they have resources available; every decision they make is crucial. Zechs uses his Tabaxi speed to run for some better cover and vantage point while yelling to Shanks in their coms, “What the fuck is hitting us, and PLEASE tell me you have eyes on that!”
In the distance, the group sees what has been making the galloping noises, a small army of Armanites, demonic centaur-like creatures that have been dealing a ton of damage to the group amidst this whole exchange. The group has been burning resources, taking a lot of damage, but they’re holding their own, for now.
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
Edited & Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
As the group continues heading towards the city of Ors Themar, they pass more denizens of the Underdark: an umberhulk and a hook horror, to be precise. As Galahad asks Yurik if he knows the way to continue, Shanks, who had scouted ahead, tells Zechs in his Spies Murmur that he hears voices ahead. After Zechs tells him to get closer but be careful, Shanks, unfamiliar with the language the voices are using, immediately realizes they are speaking Undercommon. Zechs relays that they are talking about the party, and they seem uneasy and untrusting, at least mostly. Zechs informs Shanks to hold his position, assuring him that they will come to him shortly while remaining stealthy. It’s at this point that the group, Zechs taking the lead and accompanied by Galahad, is accompanied by the trio of Drow that are there.
The conversation is tense and skeptical, as the group of Drow describes the current situation of Ors Themar. While the party is told that Enich is likely not alive anymore, they say they want to confirm that information for themselves. Upon speaking further, they realize that they have a shared ally, Nedyrae, who is Chico’s replacement at the Tavern. As this is happening, Yurik whips out a game of Dragonchess and asks Arguile if he’s up for a game while the likely long discussion takes place. After a relatively close match between the two, Arguile comes out the victor. Galahad, walking back, informs the party that the group will be escorting them down to Ors Themar.
Continuing, the group hears loud droning noises and is informed that these are the Chasme they will likely encounter while there. Giant insect-like creatures that are not to be taken lightly. Sabal shares his dark story about the siege from his perspective, and it’s genuinely haunting. And Galahad offers the story about Collateral’s liberation of Invenas. The two bond over how they want to go out, and Sabal says that so long as he takes a bunch of them out too, he’d be okay with that. Yurik and Arguile discuss how Yurik is so sure that Enich is alive, and in turn, Yurik tells him that it is similar to how Arguile knew that his mother was alive and out there. Eventually, they are on the outskirts of the city and are planning their entry. Learning from their last attempt to enter a city amidst a siege, they decide not to use the front gate. Once inside, they take stock of the wreckage and do their best to avoid being seen, all the while hearing the ominous droning sounds that grow louder the further into the city they go.
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
Edited & Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
Hey everyone, and welcome to the seventeenth Divergent Paths cut scene. This particular character has only appeared twice in the podcast thus far, in Episode 65, Entrapment, and Episodes 85/86 Cavern Brawl Part 1 & 2. 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
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
The group starts their day preparing for the voyage to Midmount, with mixed feelings about crossing the ocean. Chan is visibly anxious, running between her room and downstairs, mainly worried about being a fire hazard on a wooden boat. Valen offers his magical flask to ease her nerves. Bob sings a sea shanty from his mentor, Rosco, while Dona expresses her apprehension about traveling by water. Thankfully, Thorak ensures everyone is well-fed with his signature large meals. Upon arrival at the docks, the group is guided by an automaton to their ship, The Voyager, where they meet its warforged captain, Vessel, and a crew of small automatons. As they set sail, Bob privately asks Valen for help meditating to contact his patron. Valen agrees and encourages Bob to speak with Thorak, a cleric, for spiritual guidance.
While settling in, Bob attempts his first connection with his patron and feels something stir. Excited, he shares the moment with Valen, who continues practicing with his sword and experimenting with his magical flask. One swig causes him to burp fire, but the next renders him ethereal, unseen but present, leading to concern from the rest of the group. Valen enjoys the new experience, but the others, especially Thorak, decide the flask should be taken from him temporarily. After a heartfelt conversation, Dona returns it with a promise from Valen to use it more mindfully going forward. Meanwhile, Bob dives deeper into his connection with his patron and finds himself submerged in a vision. He senses another presence and questions whether he’s being punished for failing to recognize his patron sooner.
The next morning, Valen recounts his brief shift into the ethereal plane, noting that while reckless, it was helpful in future encounters. While Bob studies the maps, Chan explores the ship and familiarizes herself with Vessel. Valen and Thorak train together, with Thorak now blindfolded and relying on his familiar Paco to “see,” testing strategies that may come in handy. Bob and Chan reflect on his vision; though she’s uncertain how to help, she offers to consult her sister, who’s more knowledgeable about such matters. Grateful, Bob thanks her. As the day ends, Vessel informs the party that they are one day away from Midmount. The group prepares for landfall and begins planning their next steps to uncover the mysteries behind the strange occurrences...
There's so much happening, and that's where we pick up…
Find out what happens next in this episode of Medusa’s Cascade: Blood & Booze
Theme Music is written and performed by Efflorescence
Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
We resume with the group in the midst of a fight against giant spiders. They have to fight in tight quarters and carefully, but manage to come out victorious. As the group continues to venture forward, it continues to question Yurik’s peculiar behavior. After some gentle prodding, Yurik comes halfway clean about his current situation. His sword is not only sentient but also drives him to slay creatures every so often, it seems. While some of the party members are familiar with sentient weapons and the magical energies this blade gives off, so long as it isn’t a problem, they won’t pry any further. As they continue, there’s a lot of dependence on Yurik to guide the party, which he does, but there’s an obvious tension in the air as they pass Myconids who seem to pay them no mind. They continue across a cavern further into the Underdark.
Eventually, they use some quick thinking and teamwork to navigate further. With the help of The Turk’s telepathy, the group can communicate with the fungal residents of the Underdark, aiding in confirming some of the information they have. While traveling a bit further, the group comes upon a group of them performing a ritual of some kind, and tries to give them a wide berth. Trying to be as stealthy as they can, not everyone can avoid being affected by a cloud of spores, as The Turk briefly goes unconscious and is woken up by a firm goliath hand to the face. Before moving forward, The Turk sends Jolene ahead to scout further, and the group takes the opportunity to take a short rest. When they begin to travel again, they are surrounded by bioluminescent spores that aren’t harmful as far as they can tell, and continue onwards.
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 & Edited by Thomas Lapierre III
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
The party resumes their evening watch rotation, beginning with Arguile and Yurik, who open up to one another about their pasts, sharing stories that highlight their respective journeys. Zechs and The Turk take the second shift, engaging in a reflective conversation about the bonds they’ve built within the group. Although both acknowledge that their time together may be temporary, they find comfort in the growing trust between them. Zechs shares how he came to join Collateral, while The Turk discusses his pre-party life. For the final watch, Galahad fills in for Glad, who eventually joins alongside Salix. The three of them discuss divine manipulation, personal growth, and the heavy choices ahead, particularly those Galahad must soon face.
The following day, the party begins their descent into the Underdark. Zechs casts darkvision on Galahad and The Turk, while Shanks rejoins the group after completing his ranger training. He and Yurik scout ahead for signs of purple worm tunnels, dangerous but potentially profitable. During this, Shanks opens up to The Turk about their respective warlock pacts, while Zechs takes a quiet moment to read a long-held note from Shanks. As they travel, Shanks and Salix harvest functional materials, and Yurik warns of the monstrous dangers that await in Ors Thurmar, jokingly betting Shanks a reward if he manages to slay one alone, a challenge Shanks eagerly accepts.
Deeper into the Underdark, the group encounters multiple possible routes, each with its own dangers. Jolene scouts ahead, confirming the presence of enemies, while Zechs uses Speak with plants to communicate with the local fungi. A deal is struck: in exchange for information, the group will feed the mushrooms the corpses of their enemies. Arguile and the fungi exchange tense words, but Zechs smooths things over. As they travel on, concerns grow around the eerie energy of Yurik’s sword, fiendish and undead in nature. Galahad walks with Yurik, questioning his aggressive demeanor toward the party. Before their talk can go further, Yurik charges into combat, signaling that the next fight is upon them.
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 & Edited by Thomas Lapierre III
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
The party dives headfirst into shenanigans, but Zechs quickly steers the mood in a serious direction—proposing to speak directly with Malar. Despite the risks, Galahad and Hoshino agree to help facilitate the meeting, ensuring safeguards are in place. The conversation with Malar is cryptic and frustrating, confirming more through evasion than answers. With no more straightforward path forward, Zechs severs the connection. They head toward the vineyard and soon stumble into a vision of Sloane’s past—Zechs, Arguile, Salix, and Glad transported to the Second Age. There, they witness the growing tensions between the Pantheran Pantheon and Malar’s cult and uncover that this temporal journey is meant to guide Zechs toward acceptance and closure.
Meanwhile, in the present, the rest of the party learns more about Nymora’s hidden leadership and plans defenses. Hoshino initiates a covert operation, while Shanks and Greyleaf interrogate a cult target, gathering key intelligence. Everyone then regroups at the inn and meets a new ally, Turk.
While Zechs and his group witness Malar’s avatar call for the Wild Hunt in the past, divine avatars arrive to oppose him in a chaotic battle. Afi later reveals that although Malar can be extracted, the aspect inside Zechs cannot be destroyed or contained—only managed. This adds emotional weight to Zechs as he must interrupt the ritual at his sacrifice site. In the present, Galahad incapacitates cultists preparing for the event, while Hoshino infiltrates the enemy to gather valuable intel from Five Shadow. As all groups reconvene, they plan for the night’s ritual. Zechs, Galahad, Turk, and Glad perform the ritual, while the others keep watch. Enich, revealed as Arguile’s alternate and a Paladin of Arioch, engages the team with chilling declarations of divine judgment. The ritual begins, sparking parallel battles inside Zechs’ mind against Malar and outside against Enich.Both battles are intense. Malar summons wolves and fire, countered by coordinated efforts from Galahad, Turk, Zechs, and Glad. Zechs lands several divine-infused blows while Turk disrupts Malar’s casting. Enich proves to be an overwhelming foe—casting powerful necrotic magic and holding off the team with resilient defenses and his Dread Lord ability. Salix is downed but revived, Shanks lands a critical blow with a poisoned arrow, and Greyleaf, Glad, and Zechs continue their assault. The tide turns when Galahad strikes Malar with Kana’s Fury and ends the fight. As the group returns to consciousness, the battle with Enich continues. Despite his strength and spellwork, the full force of Collateral wears him down. Galahad batters him in a brutal exchange before Glad finishes him with Sacred Flame, finally ending the threat and offering the team a hard-earned, bittersweet victory.
There’s so much happening, and we pick up with arc 26, “Nymora to Nakoroa”.
How will the rest of this story unfold?
Find out next time on the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage!
We begin with Izca’s recovery, closely monitored by Norkin. For days, she felt the lingering presence of the King, his incomprehensible words still echoing within her. Eventually, aided by a mysterious guiding voice and the support of those around her, she regained enough clarity to understand that help had arrived. After a formal trial, it was determined that she posed no threat, having acted under an influence beyond her control. The party that apprehended her was praised and rewarded for their actions, and Izca was granted her freedom. At the council’s request, the group was asked to provide a name to officially record their deeds.
Flashing back three weeks before the elder brain battle, Bob and Dona emerge at Tradeshore from the soft spot and stumble upon a burning ship approaching the docks. Their attempt to rescue survivors fails, leaving them with a grim, unanswered message. Weeks later, a second vessel drifts into port, this time crewless and reeking of death. Below deck, a grotesque sculpture made of bodies is discovered—draped in yellow cloth and topped with a crowned head. A lifeless body, impaled by a ceremonial dagger, appears to be the person responsible. The grim discovery prompts another investigation and summons the party back to the small council.
Back at the Witty Glaive, the party reunites over breakfast, reflecting on their time since the elder brain battle—working, training, shopping, and resting. They welcome their newest ally, Chan, and receive heartfelt gifts from Bob. Plans for the day are laid, including a stop at Zari’s Haberdashery to collect enchanted items. Afterward, they meet again with the council, who request their help with disturbances in Midmount. Before preparing for that, they visit Izca to ensure her well-being. She assures them she’s safe for now and intends to head for the mountains eventually. The chapter closes with a mysterious, fiery-haired figure speaking with Dona, revealing herself as Lore. After discussing her blood hunter abilities, they forge a contract, hinting at deeper implications to come.
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
Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
We pick back up with the group wrapping up dinner and figuring out watches for the night’s rest. We have The Turk and Yurik first, whose conversation begins with The Turk apologizing for putting Yurik up for a fight with Galahad, and then transitions into a discussion about family, upbringing, and their current situation. Arguile and Zechs are on second watch, where Zechs apologizes to Arguile for not being there for him as often as he thinks he should be. Arguile hears him out further but assures him that no apology was ever needed, as they all have their own things that they’re working through, and it’s easy to fall into groups amongst the party. Arguile asks Zechs how he’s doing post Malar, and Zechs reveals that while he’s relieved, it feels strange not to have him there, but most of all, while he knows he couldn't do anything at the time, there is still some guilt in just letting him loose to the planes. They end with talks of their love life, once there’s time to think about it after saving the planes, for Arguile, potentially reconnecting with Cenari, Zechs expresses that he approves and reveals that he’d probably try to see where things went with Kivela from the Shuffle Guild to Arguile’s surprise, and finally joke that Galahad is likely holding out for the Executioner one day. Finally, we get to the third watch with Shanks and Galahad, who catch up and express their thoughts about what’s to come for them and if they’re prepared for the inevitable decision they’ll have to make. For Galahad, it’s putting a stop to Antonius and his father, and for Shanks, it’s putting a stop to his mother.
The next day on the road, Glad is having a conversation with an unknown figure, and it gets heated rather quickly. Though the party can only hear half of the conversation, they picked up that the conversation was between Glad and The Protector. There’s an awkward silence as things continue until eventually she sends him off in colorful fashion, and her magic dissipates around her, but in its place, there is the energy of protection around her from her ancestors, reaffirming her relinquishing herself as a cleric and embracing this road of rediscovery as a barbarian. After this, Zechs briefly speaks with Glad to check in on her and then sends Duo to accompany her for this part of the trip until they arrive at camp.
We end with the group going around the campfire, revealing more about themselves to each other. It’s a thoughtful bonding experience that The Turk introduced to them, and they are grateful for the refreshing, somewhat more cheerful conversation, even Duo and Yurik get involved, to everyone’s surprise and delight. After which, the group decides on watches and settles down for the evening.
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
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
Ah, where were we? Yes, the never-ending forest and the suspicious woman in the cabin. The group finds itself still stuck in this loop and getting very frustrated by the process. Galahad now approaches the cabin with The Turk in tow and has a heated conversation with a perplexed woman named Mal, whom the group attempts to explain that she has met before. She tells the group that they are more than welcome inside, and she can make them some tea, which has a mix of reactions and responses. The Turk, having gone inside and taken note of the inside of the cabin, notices some books that catch his eye and feel out of place. While he can’t make heads or tails of it, he offers the information up to the group in the hopes that one of them can. The rogues attempt to put their heads together using their insights and eye for detail to see if they can see something that is being hidden in plain sight. Lo and behold, it’s Galahad who figures out that the books contain a shift cipher, and it’s with that bit of information that the group manages to connect the dots that they are in the Endless Maze. There is concern and a lot of plans being made to escape the maze, with Zechs trying to follow Duo and eventually using Speak with Plants to talk to the nearby trees, Arguile inspecting the cabin further, and Galahad doing a fly around with Duo to see if he can find and go through the path that Duo did. After which, Bahamut informs his champion that the only way out is through. It took some time to assess the meaning, as every conceivable plan was being made to circumvent the maze entirely. It was when they took a second to stop and take the words literally that they finally did make their way through. Eventually, they find their way out, seeing the cabin deteriorate as they came across it one last time, and they continued on their way. We end with dinner and evening watches as Zechs and Shanks speak to a seemingly frustrated Arguile and try to get him to open up on what’s been bothering him. After some words of wisdom from the Elven archer and some whiskey provided by Zechs, the three shared a laugh and were able to finally feel a bit more at ease with the given situation.
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
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
We pick back up with the party visiting Arguile’s contact, the Shade, again to negotiate the terms of the deal for Galahad’s belt. After this, the group returns to see Mr. Strauss, who asks Arguile if he would like to see Dorna to confirm his truthfulness. There is a momentary pause as Dorna turns to where Yurik has presented the party, as she drops her tea cup, leaps over the couch, and embraces Arguile. Mother and son reunited, the two are relieved to have found each other after such a long time, but question how it is that they could be so close to each other and miss one another for all that time. When the name Enich gets mentioned, there is a long, awkward pause from the group as they try to delicately determine if Yurik’s Enich is (or isn’t) Enich, Arguile’s alternate, AND the Skin Flayer. Thankfully, there’s a confirmation that they are, in fact, two different people, and with that, the group lets out a massive sigh of relief.
After the two catch up, Arguile introduces the team to his mother, and Dorna takes the opportunity to share fond memories of a younger Arguile to everyone’s enjoyment, especially Zechs. Shanks grabs Arguile for a second to confirm that the stone from Arioch is still showing a number, despite finding his mother safe, which it is. Shanks reads the written recount of the siege of Ors Themar by Commander Valen. It was a grim and seemingly unending fight that saw the Drow face to face with the horrors of fiends that poured into the city.
With that, the group rides to find Enich with Yurik. Unfortunately, on the way, they find themselves caught in a loop. They come up to a house in a clearing, and despite traveling away from it for some time, they find themselves back at it. This happens a few times before they decide to stop and investigate the strange occurrence. It’s at this point that Turk, accompanied by Arguile and Zechs, approaches the home to find an older woman who greets them. Everyone is wary and suspicious, but they meet and speak with the overly friendly woman. Zechs sends Duo out to check if the loop continues, which he confirms doesn’t, and with that, the group decides to bail as quickly as they came and continue to Ors Themar, to the other horrors that await them there. Or so they think...
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
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com