Episode 5: A Bad Trip

"'The Fated Five regroup at the Tavern and discuss how to go about things. Sylnan meets a strange man, Br'aad drinks too much, Velrisa receives a letter, Taxi is panicking, Mountain has a loud mouth.'"

Episode Events
Sylnan and Br'aad finish up their conversation with Thardo, and return to the rest of the party. They discuss the events that occurred in episode 4, If It Bleeds..., and the damage that Taxi, Mountain, and Velrisa took during those events. During this, they notice a small paper bird flying towards them, which transforms into an envelope and drops at Velrisa's feet.

The envelope contains a letter from Ander, discussing his future arrival in the town of Vexen. They discuss plans, debating to split the party. Ultimately, they decide Taxi and Velrisa will travel to Vexen, while Sylnan, Br'aad, and Mountain pull the play heist.

The party heads back to the tavern and inn, where they begin to argue over whether to include Velrisa into the heist scheme. They decide that they should let Velrisa know of the plan, and send Sylnan to inform her. During this conversation, they are interrupted by someone eavesdropping from the shadows. He introduces himself as Avermire, and requests to assist with the heist for a 20% cut of the profits.

While this is occurring, Mountain and Br'aad offer up 24 gold total for the innkeeper, Hera, to give them the best drink she has. After a few moments, she produces a green liquid in a shot glass, with a dead spider floating inside. Both Mountain and Br'aad drink the beverage, having different reactions. Mountain seems unharmed, meanwhile Br'aad collapses face-first onto the bar. Taxi and Mountain carry Br'aad into a spare room.

Br'aad awakens, now back in the underground cavern where the fight with Brendan occurred. He sees both Brendan and the Blue Orc, Sarc, and assumes that he is dreaming. After Brendan expresses concern over Br'aad's being there, he forces Br'aad to collapse once more. Now, Br'aad reawakens in the sewers, during his travels to Viecta. Here, he sees Ugarth, and can see what secrets Ugarth kept in his head. He sees a large, mountain sized orc, staring at Ugarth, uttering that Ugarth is "Not fit to carry [his] blood". Br'aad awakens for a third time, his vision flickering between seeing Taxi in front of him to seeing Ugarth. Br'aad continues his hallucinations as he peers out the window in the room. Velrisa is able to detect that he is poisoned and cure him.

The party heads back into the main area of the tavern and discuss their plans, notably doing so loudly. As this is being discussed, 4 guards rush into the tavern, arresting Mountain, Sylnan, and Br'aad. They are taken to the prison, where they convince the head prison guard that it was a joke and misunderstanding. They are freed, and regroup, traveling into the forest where they cannot be heard.

Br'aad reveals his motives behind the play, and how Ob'nockshai told him that by robbing the play, he would not only get the good he stole, but additional power. He also reveals that if he does not complete this task, Liveclock will be taken away from Br'aad.

They decide that Velrisa and Taxi will travel to Vexen while Mountain, Sylnan, and Br'aad perform the heist at the ball the night before the play. They plan for the heist with the idea of utilizing Liveclock's ability to eat items as storage, allowing them to steal the gold and items without leaving a trace. Avermire uses fast teleportation to find them in the forest, making sure they have everything planned. The party returns to the tavern for the night.