Up next in 10
This week we're playing a game of Daggerheart, largely because I was enchanted by the Motherboard setting in the book — a funny turn of phrase, since the setting has no magic! In the Echo Vale, civilization has been reborn in the ruins of the old world, repurposing the technology of people long gone. But the robotic creatures roaming the valley have been stirred into a wild fury, and the Prophet of the Motherboard thinks our party may be able to help.
Join GM Liz Harper as I attempt to guide a motley crew of adventurers through this adventure! Here's our cast of characters:
* Joan as Lithyen of Redcanyon (Rogue), a faun who lost her family at the hands of cultists obsessed with technology. She now travels alongside those who rescued her.
* Matt as Ishvit (Brawler playtest), a young giant, raised in isolated ruins. She's looking for her way in the world after losing her dwarven foster family.
* Nick as Tavin (Seraph), a human priest who has pledged himself to the Motherboard, but his faith was shaken when he met a supposed worshipper who used the faith to steal and kill.
* Phil as Laplace Cadmus (Warlock playtest), an elf who narrowly survived an attack on his group of pilgrims with the help of a mysterious voice in the network (and also Tavin).
This is the first in a three-part game of Daggerheart! Look for new episodes every Monday.
Daggerheart is the latest game from Darrington Press and the team at Critical Role — we're all still learning the rules of this game, so please apologize our mistakes! Increasing the chaos, two of our party were trying out playtest classes: Brawler for Matt and Warlock for Phil. You can find details on these classes (and more playtest content) on Daggerheart's website. If you want to follow along and/or see where we went wrong, you can read all of the rules in the completely free SRD. The print book is sold out (though check with your FLGS if you're interested in a copy), but if you enjoyed our game you can buy Daggerheart digital copies from Demiplane and DriveThruRPG.
This product includes materials from the Daggerheart System Reference Document 1.0, © Critical Role, LLC. under the terms of the Darrington Press Community Gaming (DPCGL) License. More information can be found at https://www.daggerheart.com. There are no previous modifications by others.
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Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:01
[Music]
0:25
Hello and welcome to another episode of Tavern Watch Plays. This week we are playing Daggerheart,
0:31
a newly released game from the team behind Critical Role, and we're playing it in a unique setting found in the book
0:38
called Motherboard. So, I'm going to set the scene, and then I'm going to ask our players to
0:43
introduce themselves. The world of Motherboard is set in the Echo Veil where towering spires built by an
0:52
ancient civilization uh fill the land. Connected between them are great networks of wires and cabling
1:00
that carry data and power throughout the veil. And the people here don't entirely
1:06
understand how any of this works, but they've made their best use of it anyway. Using it and adapting
1:11
technology, scavenging scrap, and building a new civilization at top the
1:17
old. Our party is making their way to the motherboard herself, one of the
1:22
largest cities in the veil, which is built around the highest spire that goes
1:28
thousands of feet into the air called, of course, the motherboard. No one is allowed to enter the motherboard, but
1:36
many worship her as a god. And this is home to a priesthood. And uh many
1:42
pilgrims come, traders come to trade with the pilgrims. It's usually a busy
1:47
place. As you've been approaching through the waist, you could see the motherboard rising up to the clouds for
1:54
several days now. And now I'm going to go to our party and tell you to
2:00
introduce yourselves. Let's start with Joan. Uh who are you playing and uh what's going on?
2:06
Uh so I am playing Lithion of Red Canyon. She is a night walker rogue.
2:13
She's a a fawn who was born out in the the outskirts of Echo Veil. Um, sort of
2:21
up in the the ridges and the the canyons there. All right, now let's go to Matt.
2:28
I am playing Ishvit. Uh, Ishvit is a underborn juggernaut fighter. The
2:33
fighter is a play test class, so this should be fun. Um, yeah, Ishvit is like a let's I'm not going to
2:41
use human ages, but close to adult, but not quite adult yet. She's only 8t tall.
2:47
Uh, she's not at the full 8 and 1/2 ft some can get, but she's still growing. Um, basically likes to has a lot of
2:56
marks and tattoos on her body symbolizing things she's experienced and been through. She spent the last 16
3:02
years of her life underground in a very big old complex. Lots of mining tunnels,
3:09
lots of strange pillars that seem to do various things. One of those pillars had
3:15
big glass tubes with a bunch of dead people in them, but one of the tubes was still working and Ishfit was in it. She
3:21
was raised by seven dwarves. Yep. Yep. That's the thing we're doing. Okay. Thank you, Matt. Let's go to Nick.
3:28
Nick, who is also bringing a really unique character to the game. Hi, I'm Nick. I'm going to be playing
3:35
Taven, a human order serif. And in the
3:40
motherboard setting of Daggerheart, uh technology has a really large place and
3:46
it that's how the main it's one of the main interactions with the world and that it replaces magic. And
3:55
since Sarif is in Daggerheart one of the spellcasting classes, it's like a hybrid
4:02
tank healer depending on how you spec it. Um, Taven is part of a the closest
4:11
thing is a monastic group from the Echo Veil uh called the Nameless Circuit. And
4:18
they their mission is to serve the uh serve the people of the veil uh in the
4:25
name of the motherboard. And in order to accomplish this mission uh seraps that
4:30
are part of the nameless circuit undergo a transformation where they give up
4:37
their regular hands and have them replaced with mechanical hands uh in
4:43
order to do their work. And after undergoing this trial, the sec part two of the trial is for was for Tav to
4:50
create his set of mechanical wings because Sarif is a class in Daggerart that can fly. Um, and with the help of
4:58
his brothers and sisters of the Nameless Circuit, they, for the lack of a better word, installed the wings onto his body
5:05
before he set out on his mission to serve the Veil. It's It's going to be a weird one, people. And Phil wrapping up our party
5:13
here. Yep. It gets weirder. Um, so I'm I'm playing Alaskmus. Uh, his heritage
5:20
is he is a wander elf. Wanderborn indicates that he didn't really have grew up in a fixed place. Specifically,
5:26
he has spent most of his life with the pilgrims of the spire. Uh, a wandering group that uh, one of the ones that
5:32
literally worships the data wells and spires of motherboard as uh, deities of a sort. Um, and I am also like Matt play
5:39
testing one of the new classes for Daggerheart. Uh, which I am play testing in this magic free setting, the Warlock,
5:46
which, uh, if you've played D and D 5e, you'll be familiar with the concept. It's, uh, it's a spellcaster of sort who
5:54
is pledged to a mysterious patron for supernatural powers. Except, of course,
6:00
the uh, supernaturality is in question and the powers are technology based, not
6:05
magic. But sufficiently advanced technology something something magic. So
6:10
it's true. It's true. Uh so the lot of you have been summoned to the
6:17
motherboard in a letter specifically addressed to tabin and it was a paper
6:22
letter that was delivered to you by messenger with a wax seal coming from the prophet of the motherboard kind of
6:29
the head of the church here. and uh she has called you to the motherboard for a
6:35
meeting which she has been uh she didn't say any more about it. It's definitely
6:41
unusual to be summoned in this way. So you were approaching the city. What are
6:48
y'all what are y'all up to? Um well, since I guess as Tav approaches
6:54
the city, he's rereading the letter um in a sort of anxious fashion. Uh mainly
7:03
because this is something that's unheard of for him at least and for his people.
7:09
Uh no one has been summoned like this. So now he wonders, he's contemplating
7:17
what he can what this could be about. and it's occupying all of his brain space. He's basically on autopilot going
7:24
over in his head what this could be about as they walk towards um the central spire.
7:30
Uh has never go. Lithium has never been this close in
7:36
before. So she's basically doing the tourist thing where she just stares at
7:41
everything and goes, "What is that?" So, as you were approaching the city, it
7:47
is definitely Who here has thinks they've uh been to the motherboard before has been to this
7:52
about it say I think it's got to come down to uh Taven or Lelass, right? And I think
7:58
Lelass has definitely been close. Tavven's been close. Never this close. So, as you're approaching, you see it's
8:05
it's busier than you remember. There are crowds of pilgrims, maybe merchants
8:12
outside waiting to be let in. Uh, and you notice there are some new towers
8:18
that have been erected, kind of bordering around the city with a couple of serifs on top of each of them,
8:23
keeping an eye on things. You are all pro, you're all aware of the remnants
8:29
fury, an event that happened a couple of years ago when all of the robotic and mechanical creations throughout the veil
8:36
went crazy. Usually they were peaceful and they turned violent all all at once.
8:44
The entire network was out for several days while this happened. and the
8:49
technommancers of the veil did manage to uh to apply some fixes to apply patches
8:55
that the situation but it didn't quite bring things back to normal. The veil is
9:02
still much a much more violent place and there has been some outcry against
9:08
technology and against the motherboard herself who did not protect the people of the veil from this. So, it does it it
9:15
looks like there might be a little tension within the city. As we get closer, um I want to take
9:22
notice of the serif standing on top of the uh on top of these new towers.
9:28
Specifically, I want to look at what what they're outfitted in and what their
9:34
demeanor is. Um, all of them are carrying. They all have an iconis, which
9:39
in this world is kind of a ceremonial weapon that you're given. And they are
9:45
long stabs. And you would know that these are usually a kind of energy weapon that can shoot at range. They can
9:53
be used for melee defense if needed or to shoot things at range. They are calm
9:59
but watchful. and they're they are wearing armor, but they aren't like
10:06
super equipped out for war, if that makes sense. They're they're keeping an eye on things. And there is one fairly
10:14
large encampment with uh red tents that you notice as you approach. That's you
10:22
think there's some special watch being paid to it. From here, can we see like what who or
10:28
what's inside the encampment? It's uh it's a collection of tents and there are
10:33
some people out there. They are all wearing armor and they seem organized.
10:39
As you all approach, you do see that they're they're being watchful as well.
10:44
They're keeping an eye on everyone who passes by. As you continue through the crowds, and it is it is kind of crowded
10:51
here. One uh you notice one of them break off and approach your group. It is
10:58
a Qatari tall with broad shoulders. He does not seem aggressive as he comes up
11:03
to you. Uh but he comes up alongside you and uh walks as you continue to walk
11:10
unless anyone is stopping or doing anything. Um I'm just going to stop, give like a a
11:17
h put my hand over my chest, slight bow, um respectfully a hello.
11:23
He returns the gesture. I had been hoping to speak with you. There has been some gossip around the town that the
11:30
prophet has summoned someone to aid in this
11:35
trying time and it would seem to be you and this group. Yes.
11:41
Well, I know I start saying things to people without telling them who I am first. That's that's what I always do.
11:50
People tell me it's rude, though. I don't know. I guess it's not. It's
11:55
good to know. My name is Kith and I lead the free men of the veil. I'm Ishvit. I don't
12:03
Well met is uh uh Taven says to Kith, uh it's very
12:10
it's an honor to be summoned. Um we speaking on behalf of myself and our group, I can say that we're all curious
12:18
as to why us specifically. Uh, do you have any insight as to what this trying
12:27
time is? Well, they do not like us to wander
12:32
close to the mother, but the people here and the many pilgrims he
12:38
gestures and there's quite a crowd out here have come because the motherboard
12:44
has started to speak. So they say it is. Some of this is nonsense I believe. But
12:51
we think our group at least thinks that we should be less reliant on technology.
12:57
We should not take messages from ancient creations. But yes, more and more people
13:03
have been saying they hear her voice when they have been allowed to make a pilgrimage into her presence.
13:10
There have been many people who have gone out to carry out whatever will she has imposed on them. And we have been
13:18
keeping watch against trouble. Tavven's just going to give a quick side
13:25
glance to the place. They both have been here before or a situation like this.
13:31
Yeah. And I'm just looking from these dudes in the red tent to the seraps on the towers to the people in the red tents going. There seem to be a lot of
13:37
people on guard against a lot of people right now. Is there something? There's no there's no
13:43
open hostility, but I would say that our interests differ. They of course are
13:50
amongst the priesthood, the seraphs, and serve the motherboard in her grace. And
13:57
we do not wish the motherboard to continue to rule over these lands. In fact, I was hoping to talk to you about
14:04
an arrangement perhaps we might make if you are to be summoned into the prophetus's presence. Tavan rais an
14:11
raises an eyebrow. Go on. Um, at this point he will, if you would follow him, lead you into their
14:17
encampment into just or maybe just a quiet area outside the crowds somewhere
14:26
definitely out of line of the seraps. Yeah, except for the one that you're talking to.
14:31
She gestures like Ishma is like going she's not actually even saying anything. just looking at his wings, looking back
14:37
at the guy, looking at the wings, looking back at the guy. But but you
14:42
know, so I will say that at least for Taven, he's his wings are slightly covered by a
14:50
cloak because they're they're visible. So if if Kith
14:56
has looked hard enough, they'll notice. Yeah, you do have an impression that he has maybe some knowledge of who you all
15:03
are. Yeah, I was kind of wondering about that since he picked us out of a crowd. You you do stand out a little bit. I
15:10
mean, the pilgrims are they're a varied bunch, but most of them aren't armed.
15:17
There's there are some similarities between them. You have walked in with some
15:23
amount of purpose. I believe the prophetus may be bringing
15:28
you into the motherboard's presence in some way. And it is my wish to bring the
15:36
motherboard down to disconnect the network. And I think you are an
15:42
unconventional lot. You are not necessarily prince to this technological voice that
15:49
everyone claims to hear. He gives a specific look at Lithion in this.
15:55
She frowns. Oh, I heard someone go. Nope. Okay. Uh,
16:00
go on. Taven. So, Tavven's iconis is doubles as a like it's a simple metal staff. It's
16:09
got some wires wrapped around it. Uh, some uh chips very bare bones compared
16:16
to some of the other a uh icon in the world. Uh, it bas also doubles as like a
16:23
walking stick for him. So he uh tends to lean on it uh casually as he's talking
16:29
to folks. But for this time he's standing up straight and his hand is for
16:35
any who are paying attention. His grip tightens around the staff and in a not
16:42
disrespectful but sort of a shrewd tone asks bring down the motherboard. That's
16:48
that affects everybody. You're going to force that on the entire veil for what?
16:53
You've seen You've seen what harm she has done. We, the people of the veil,
16:59
need to stand on our own without everyone interpreting the potential will
17:05
of the motherboard to do what they wish or to prey on others or cults of
17:11
technology coming to do what they will. I ask you only to consider this is a
17:20
thought that the motherboard does as much or more harm than good in this
17:25
valley. Tavven's going to look around at the rest of the group. Oh god. He is He is armed. He has a sword at his
17:32
hip, but he has made no move to his weapon of any sort. All right. Is Is Taven actually looking
17:37
at us? Uh yeah, I'm Hey, I got a big old smile on my face.
17:43
Like just huge. just this enormous grin and I'm like I'm I'm like not hold I'm
17:50
not making any hostile gestures at all. I'm not touching for the staff. I'm not making a fist. I'm just like this is
17:56
going to be so interesting. Go. So, we live in interesting times indeed.
18:04
I just want to follow up. Um are you are you blaming the motherboard
18:09
for the remnants fury? Is that what you're doing? I'm not I'm not saying that it is. I'm asking cuz it sounds
18:16
like that's what you're saying, but it sounds like you're saying it so that you're not saying it and I'm I'm not
18:22
very smart. So, I kind of need things spelled out for me sometimes. So, yeah. Are you blaming the whole remnants
18:29
theory on the motherboard? Are you saying that that the motherboard did that? That's the whole thing. We do not know
18:35
exactly what the motherboard did or the priesthood tells us a virus infected the
18:41
network. Where did it come from? No one has said or no one knows. But certainly
18:47
the motherboard did not protect us. And now the many who claim to hear her voice are doing other violences in her name.
18:55
For better or worse. I say this is a remnant of an ancient civilization that fell. It fell. Ours does not have to
19:02
fall in the same way by leaning on their technology. Yeah. I heard a story my my dad's used
19:08
to tell about technology that was you know from really long before the
19:14
civilization was made and disseminated throughout space.
19:19
It was actually they were up there and I point up into the space and and then the
19:24
things would come back and they would like be like haha you used our technology so you you developed along
19:31
the lines we wanted. And then my my uh my my fifth dad Len, he would make the
19:38
noise that the things they would they would go and then they would eat everybody and
19:44
turn him into like they turn him into a big octopus monster made out of metal. So yeah,
19:51
I I mean I guess uh I just we have to watch out because someday uh you know
19:58
Captain Sheep herder is going to show up and then he's going to save us or she. I
20:03
I think four of my dad's preferred she and three preferred he. So
20:09
and I never heard of sheep. I don't even know what a sheep is. Um I I I will cut in here to say as the GM
20:18
uh actual living animals are extremely extremely rare in the veil and
20:23
considered quite precious. So it's up to you whether you have seen them or even herded sheep in your village.
20:31
It's an unusual site. I grew up in a place where there were no sheep. I just I remember the story.
20:37
Taven's just going to quip as this the sheep conversation going is going on. I've heard the remnants dream of sheep,
20:43
electric sheep. Um, well, yeah, because I mean, most animals
20:48
are they copy things. Um, I've actually wanted to ask you this for a long time, Taven. Did Did you have a fiddle of
20:56
gold? A a fiddle? Yeah. Of gold. Uh, I don't think I've ever seen that
21:02
much gold in one spot. Yeah, I never have either. I don't even not even sure what gold is. my uh my my
21:09
sixth dad uh Cinei, he used to say that uh gold was really good conducting
21:16
material, but I I don't know why that's important. Uh you can find bits and pieces. I guess we're getting off track though
21:22
because we should be talking about turn to turn to Keith and say I don't
21:27
think we'll be making any decisions until we find out why we're here. I
21:34
would ask you to make none, but consider it. Consider the harm that has happened.
21:40
I think David's going to look at Kith and say, "Friend, we will consider your your request with all of the gravity
21:47
that it deserves. I can speak for myself where I'll say that I am familiar with
21:55
plenty of people carrying out acts in the name of a voice they think that they
22:00
hear. Mhm. Although I have sworn my life to helping people, I cannot force people to make
22:08
choices. I can't force choices on people against their will. At least I do my
22:14
best not to. And there's a hint of remorse as he looks at Lithion very
22:21
quickly before stealing his eyes on Kith. I do appreciate your concern, your consideration, and you especially is
22:30
looking at Lithion. Should tread carefully here. She just gives him a look like,
22:38
was that a threat? What are what is he even saying? But she stays silent. We understand someone may be looking for
22:45
you. Hi. Who? Do not threaten. Besides you,
22:53
I bear you no ill will. I offer you this as a courtesy. Who Who would even be looking for me?
23:00
I don't know. You're cool. Don't get yourself down. Lots of people could be looking for you. You're really neat.
23:06
But everyone I know is a pile of bones back in Red Canyon. I mean, you know me. I'm not a pile of
23:12
bones back in Red Canyon. This is This is true. I'm sorry. You are a pile of bones inside a meat
23:17
suit. No, no, no, no. Mike, that's a that's a misnomer. Um, I am a bag of meat with
23:26
bones hanging inside it. Look, just tell me who's looking for me. Are they from Red Canyon?
23:32
I do not have a name, only that my group was approached with to return someone of
23:41
your description to someone who offered us a great deal of money. But we do not
23:47
condone such actions, nor do we take part in them. We are here to safeguard
23:53
the people of the veil against the threat of technology. Oh, that can't be good. Thank you for
23:59
your warning. Okay. He gives a a half bow. Taven will return
24:04
in kind and then as they turn to walk away, he'll put a he'll put a very
24:11
slight hand on Lithium's shoulders and give her a knowing look that we'll be on
24:16
the we'll we'll keep an eye out. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, hold on, hold on, hold on. Uh, Lithan, are
24:22
these are these the people that had you before when I when I ran into you the first time?
24:28
I don't know anyone else. Oh, new plan. Uh, can we wait? We can wait to meet whoever sent the letter.
24:34
Let's go find them and kill them. No. Okay. No. Just No.
24:40
You don't want to kill those people. They were jerks. I mean, you killed most of them for me.
24:46
So, yeah. And if there's more of No, I'm good. I'm I swear it's okay. We
24:52
can do what we came here to do. Can I tell Ishvet one of my Orderborn dedicated uh features?
24:59
Sure. To try it. Okay. So, Orderborn has there are three sayings that you can say or
25:05
that you can give your character of lessons that you've or values your upbringing instilled in you. Um,
25:12
normally this is used as a role, but this is just going to be for RP purposes. Uh, one of these sayings I
25:20
will say to Ishvit now and that is do not be too eager to deal out death and judgment.
25:26
Okay. So, if I'm not super excited about it, it's okay. You know, that's an interesting way of looking at it. I'll
25:32
accept that. All right, let's go find them and explain to them that they should stop
25:38
looking for you. Are you going to explain with your fist? Oh, that's Yeah, of course. I mean, what
25:44
else would I explain? You're not much of a talker. No, I mean, I'm a lot of a talker all the time, but I don't actually have
25:50
anything interesting to say. I guess we should go find this alternative person. Yeah, let's just go
25:56
meet with whoever was supposed to invite us here and then if we happen to find the people who want Lithian, then we can
26:02
persuade them to leave for forever. All right. All right. I'm down for this for now.
26:08
Forever is good. I mean, I just get worried because you guys are all so small. That is that is true. You tower above
26:15
the people in this crowd. You would have the best view around actually. Even uh
26:21
Kith, who is a very large Qatari, he could be very intimidating. He was
26:26
looking up at you pretty far up. Yeah. I I just I mean, you know, I keep
26:33
I didn't I didn't when my dad's I didn't worry that they were so small like cuz they were small. I mean, woof. And I I
26:41
thought that's just how dads are. And then I realized I should have when the when the when the remnant fury happened
26:48
and it was me, just me. It it was just me and Tis and we were trying to get back. And I mean, he couldn't fight
26:55
worth anything. He just was so small and he just kept trying to hit things with that glowing hammer stick he had. And
27:01
I'm like, you know, it's so sad watching you try to fight. So yeah, I just worry.
27:07
So if we can go punch these guys and then they'll go away, that's great. And if they if they have to get punched so
27:12
many times that they don't move anymore, that's sad. And I I now I'm sorry. I'm
27:18
sorry, Tab. I won't get excited about it anymore. I'll try. I'll try. The problem about very small people is
27:25
that they know that they're small and so they sometimes bring their friends,
27:31
like a lot of friends. I'm more worried about their friends. So, I'm going to
27:37
stay away from them if that's okay with you. I mean, it's your life. As you continue,
27:43
as you continue to the through the crowds, um, sorry that you have a hyperactive
27:50
16-year-old. I didn't really realize what I was doing when I made this character
27:55
walk. So, uh, yes, we're just imagine this as a
28:01
single uninterrupted camera pan following everyone. Um, Ishvet, as you
28:07
continue through the crowds, you notice with your higher view that there's a
28:12
crowd of pilgrims around one person in particular talking excitedly as you walk
28:19
through. You're getting kind of up with him in the crowd. Um, um,
28:26
purple. Purple. I don't know why I said that. This is a personal.
28:32
Uh, as you as you all get close enough to hear, you know, with that that keen
28:38
warning, you do hear him this uh he's a human up on stage. He's wearing very
28:45
brightly colored clothing that clashes with itself. This is the investment
28:51
opportunity of a lifetime. You can buy into this and guaranteed returns
28:58
tenfold. All you need to do is purchase this and he holds up a like a square piece of
29:05
paper and as and he he carries on in that vein. He is looking over through
29:11
the crowd looking for people who are attentive to this message. He does have
29:17
quite a crowd gathered around him and he looks at he glances over at you. Ishid
29:22
does stand out. You do you wish to buy some of my paper currency? It is an
29:30
invention of the old world. Magnificent
29:35
and precious. Dear word, no. See, you that's not very forward
29:43
thinking. This is going to Oh, no. No. No. You You don't understand. I have we talked about the
29:48
blockchain yet? I have I have heard of this blockchain
29:55
technology. I do not. You reach out with your hand and I do a hand gesture and you block
30:02
the chain. Now go away from me and I keep walking. All right. He keeps he keeps going on in
30:10
his patter. My my my dad's always said if somebody's trying to sell you something, they're they're going to tell
30:16
you lies because they just want your money. And then I'd be like, "What is money, Dad?" And they'd be like, "Don't
30:22
worry about it. It it's it's something bad that went away." So, yeah, I don't I
30:27
don't know what that guy wants, but it's probably not. You might have to teach Lithia that lesson because I don't I don't know that
30:32
she's savvy enough. Well, there is money in this world of a sort and it's called
30:37
quantum and it's uh it's carried on like a card, a a disc you have that will
30:45
tell others what amount of quantum you are. And if you wish to make a transaction other than just bartering
30:51
with scrap or other things, you would spend quantum and uh swipe your card to
30:57
add or deduct an amount from it. So that's the usual manage of trade throughout the veil. As you continue
31:04
into the city of Motherboard, this is one of the most uh intact cities
31:09
throughout the veil. It has many buildings from the ancient times and
31:14
those that were damaged have been repaired with great care with scavenged
31:19
materials attached to the rest in with uh lines of copper gold to attach them
31:28
that form patterns of code along the walls as you walk through. It becomes
31:35
it's there's less bustle once you pass into the walls of the city. The seraps do clock you coming in and they watch
31:41
you, but they do not stop you. You were as long as you were not uh expressing
31:46
any any sentiment of violence that they can see. And you uh carry carry nwords.
31:52
What's the inside look like? Um it's a it's a large open pl like it's
31:58
uh open. You aren't um of course no one's allowed to go in the motherboard.
32:04
It's a collection of buildings that surround the motherboard. Uh it's very open. There's actually a lot of greenery
32:10
here. There's a lot of there are gardens are vines coming down covering most of
32:16
the rooftops and it's it's a very pleasant place as far as places go in
32:22
the in the echo veil, but uh you do have to have kind of an enthusiasm for the
32:28
motherboard to reside here. And it is mostly as you get closer, it is more
32:34
inhabited specifically by the priesthood. The streets get quieter, you
32:39
know, to see the prophetus that you need to go almost to the motherboard herself.
32:46
The roads get quieter the further you approach because uh Tavan you would know
32:51
that those pilgrims allowed in her presence. No one is allowed to speak in the presence of the motherboard to
32:57
better listen to her message. As you get closer in a pair of seraps does approach
33:07
you coming in on either side of you as you walk. The prophetess expects you.
33:13
Yeah, it seems like everybody expects us today. Tavven gives a the same greeting he gave Kith uh and then in a barely above a
33:22
whisper just lead on. Uh so so they they nod, they are quiet
33:29
and they aren't like hurting you or anything, but they're alongside of you. And because they are there in a known
33:35
presence, anyone in your way gets out of the way. Uh they do lead you right up to
33:41
the base of the motherboard where a a broad plaza around the the base of this
33:50
giant tower that soarses upward. It's very empty, but there are pilgrims lined
33:57
up. Not close enough to touch, but kneeling, praying, daring at her. And
34:06
the whole area is filled with a a soft humming noise. The sort of the sort of
34:11
hum you would hear from maybe an a transistor perhaps something that power
34:17
is flowing through. It is not loud which is why silence is enforced but you just
34:26
feel a presence. And I would like everyone here to make a roll for me.
34:31
Just roll your hope and fear dice and tell me which one is higher. So that's the 2d12, right?
34:38
2d12.
34:44
Uh, I rolled a five and a five. Well, that that is actually a crit. I had not considered what might happen on
34:50
a crit in this situation. Uh, let me let me think on that. What
34:55
did everyone else roll? I got two ones. Two crit. Isn't that also a crit? Yeah,
35:02
it is. I just remember from the last time you played Dagger Heart and I was so upset cuz I got two ones.
35:07
Yep. You won emotions. Uh Taven got um 64 with the 64. The six
35:17
die was my fear die. Okay. And uh I'm sorry. Six fear. Okay. So you two are fear and then we
35:25
have two crits. So the two of you who rolled with fear,
35:30
you hear this hum and as you listen and you taven then would know that this is a
35:37
consistent noise. It always has been. That's the whole thing and why sometimes
35:42
the people who claim to have heard her seem a little a little off because she
35:49
makes a hum and it's always the same hum. But as you are listening, you hear
35:55
the hum raise up a little bit and then it repeats, repeats, repeats.
36:02
It gets louder and louder and louder and comes to kind of a crescendo and holds
36:08
it there for a moment. The guards next to you stop and look silent and then it
36:14
comes back down to that normal level. They pause for a moment all the way all the way down. So the two
36:21
of you who rolled with fear, you are you are consumed with feeling that this is
36:28
this is not good. This is extremely worrying. And the two of you who rolled
36:34
crits, I'm going to say you hear this and it's like perhaps the motherboard is
36:41
here is presence. Perhaps she does have a message. Perhaps it just it just gives you a feeling of presence like there is
36:47
something here that perhaps you could work with. And I will say since you rolled a crit, each of you can give
36:54
yourselves two hope. I was going to say one hope, but what else am I supposed to do? Crit. Good job, guys.
37:01
Thanks, New T. as uh as the crescendo or the humming uh
37:09
raised and crescendoed for Tav specifically whenever he uses uh any
37:14
sarafhic ability um inert overt or otherwise
37:20
uh parts of his hand like the metal parts of his body will sort of shimmer
37:25
with a blue light. Mhm. Uh kind of like a blue screen of death.
37:32
Um, but when this happens, the the blue color reacts to the uh the humming
37:40
frequency and when it crescendos, it gets its brightest and then when it goes back to normal, it stops. And but
37:46
everyone can see that he's visibly unnerved. He's breathing a little harder than normal and he's got a slight slight
37:56
beads of sweat starting to form on his forehead. Uh so the two steriffs escorting you uh carry you into one of
38:02
the larger buildings alongside the motherboard. Very elaborate, covered in large uh patterns of gold and gold and
38:11
copper. Uh in you go. You go up to you
38:16
climb a broad set of stairs up to an upper level where a woman in green robes
38:23
adorned with gold is in conference with a number of other members of the
38:29
priesthood and seraphs. When she hears others approach, she looks up and sees you and says, "I must
38:38
speak with them. All of you leave." And they do. They gather up whatever they were working on. Uh, and all of them are
38:46
looking at you as a group because this is this is unusual. You are not all
38:51
members of the priesthood. You are not all sworn to this place. But they file
38:56
out quiet and obedient. Uh, Tavan, I think he would know that this is well,
39:03
everyone knows the prophet who is named I wrote this down somewhere. uh Prophet
39:11
Atheran and uh she used to be the head of the
39:17
seraphs in this order, the of the priesthood of the motherboard
39:24
who were sworn to defend her before being elevated to being the prophet.
39:30
Uh thank you for answering. Yeah, go ahead. I thank you for answering my summons. I
39:35
do appreciate your prompt attention. Um, in a show of formality and respect, uh,
39:42
Tavan gives a lower bow than he gave to the other seraps, uh, and the people that they have met so far and, uh, says,
39:51
"I'm Taven of the Nameless Circuit, and I have answered, please tell me. Why are we here? What is happening?"
39:58
That's almost desperate to find an answer. Uh, before before you guys get too
40:03
involved in what you're doing, uh, she's human. What is she? Uh, she is a human.
40:08
She's kind of stockly built. She's older, but
40:14
she has um she's old, but she's not like a haggarded elderly
40:20
person, if that makes sense. She stands tall and strong. Her hair is silver
40:25
through and through. And I assume that this place has got like a lot of interesting stuff all along the walls and everything.
40:31
Uh, yes. It's kind of a large conference area. Okay, I'll be giraffing and looking at
40:39
all the stuff like, "Wow, oh my, wow." And I don't say anything for a while unless someone talks to me. I'm just
40:46
like very very obviously gawking at all the weird stuff to look at. All of the walls are adorned in patterns
40:52
of code. And there are Yeah, I would say it's it's a formal
40:59
it's not a place of worship, but everything is decorated all over the walls. Anyone else doing anything
41:05
before? I'm still pretty freaked out, so I'm just sitting here with my ears low and keeping an eye out.
41:11
Yes, she does gesture to the chairs in front of the table if anyone wants to sit and she sits herself. We do not
41:21
exactly know what has happened to the motherboard, but I do hope you will be able to help us because
41:28
there are certain limitations to my position. some things that I cannot do
41:33
directly. And I believe perhaps you have
41:38
an interesting relationship with her. She's specifically looking and speaking to Tavern at this point, though she does
41:45
glance around at the rest of the group. Um he still a little rattled from the
41:51
earlier the earlier humming encounter. Uh tries to keep up in his
41:57
professionalism in this instance. uh and just says, "Be that as it may, I still
42:02
serve the veil." Of course, I would ask no less of you, and the
42:08
motherboard protects the veil, as she can. I will tell you something that very
42:15
few people know, which is that when the remnants fury struck for a time, she was
42:21
completely silent. There I know there w rumors, but she made no sound. Not a
42:28
whisper, not the faintest hum. And we were worried she would not make a sound
42:33
again. But some days later, she came back and returned to us. But
42:40
now, in the past several weeks, she has been doing this. She gestures in the
42:46
direction of the motherboard. And we have had a great flow of pilgrims since
42:51
this news has started going around. And all of them feel the motherboard is
42:58
speaking to them, giving them some direct message in these patterns of
43:04
sound. It is it is a problem in and of itself, but I am worried more about the
43:10
motherboard herself and what might be ailing her. She makes eye contact with
43:15
everyone except Ishvit. She looks in your direction, but if you're occupied,
43:21
she won't I'm not completely ignoring her. I'm just Yeah, I'm just Yeah. Wow.
43:26
It's She's She's probably used to this. As far as CDs in the veil, this is this is
43:33
an impressive place. It's designed to be impressive and generate a sense of awe
43:39
in the power of her go of her glory. Um,
43:44
in a sort of in a shake sort of shaky voice, Tav's going to ask the pilgrims
43:50
what are they saying? What do they say her message is? They have different interpretations of
43:55
what this means. Some believe it is a message to go out and serve the veil,
44:00
much as you have decided to do and pledged yourself to do. But they go out
44:06
with much enthusiasm but little training. I fear that it has not been to
44:15
the benefit of many of them. Some believe it is a call to action against
44:22
those who would protest the motherboard. Some have been called to violence
44:29
against the anti-technologists. There has been bloodshed. And neither of
44:37
these are things I want. I would hope to bring the motherboard back to where she
44:42
was to find what ails her and silence it. Lithian kind of half under her breath
44:49
goes, "Um, sounds to me like they're all just hearing what they want to hear." She sigh and looks at you. That is very
44:56
often how it works. Some people may indeed hear her voice, hear a message,
45:02
be inspired to some great work. But many want so desperately to hear something
45:08
that they will hear anything their heart desires. And
45:14
her cries have garnered much attention. More people than ever think they hear
45:19
her voice and are confident in saying so. The movement in all directions.
45:25
Yeah. All it sounded like to me was the sound that the windmills used to make when they needed oil.
45:33
I do suspect there is some technical problem that we are not aware of.
45:39
Perhaps a power issue or interruption. Now she is herself a technommancer of
45:45
some as some knowledge. All all of the seraps have some training with technology. So, and the world is not
45:53
ignorant of these things, even if they don't know exactly how the motherboard works. But of course, no one is allowed
46:01
to go inside and check or see what may
46:06
be the issue, what may be happening. I can only sit outside and speculate and worry. We sent I have
46:16
sent what seraps I can to try and quell violence and particularly to protect pilgrims who have gone off with their
46:24
enthusiastic desires. Yeah, that's bad. Enthusiasm is bad. You have to be very calm about it.
46:31
You enthusiasm can be a great thing, but you
46:37
must be prepared when you go out into the wastes. You cannot just run out and
46:42
hope for the best. The motherboard may offer protection, but you must protect
46:47
yourself first. Takes a deep breath and asks, "Where
46:53
should we start?" I cannot ask this of anyone of my order,
46:59
any one of the priests here. They would I decry it as heretical no matter that
47:04
it needs to be done. But I need someone who is willing to enter the motherboard
47:09
and see what might be done to repair her and bring her back to order. You hear a squeaking noise
47:17
from above you? Complicated than a window. When when you guys all turn, Ishin is
47:23
looks like she's about to just squee out of her skin like go. But
47:31
come got to be calm. I'll go.
47:37
Well, that is that I have I have said that enthusiasm can be very worthy.
47:43
Yeah, I think you can get excited about this, but it's fine. You I lift your butt up into the air
47:49
just start squeezing you. We're going inside the thing.
47:57
Not too loud. They're We don't want them to know. I guess she is uh Don't worry. This uh this room
48:06
is shielded from listeners because
48:12
there is nowhere rumors and gossip travel more quickly than amongst an isolated priesthood. And of course with
48:19
the network that those rumors may travel far and fast. I cannot simply open the
48:27
gates for you to go inside, but I can suggest two possible routes that may uh
48:35
that may serve you. Now, of course, none of us know what is actually inside.
48:41
There may be remnants. There may be security measures. There may be nothing
48:47
at all. I hope that is not so, but it may be true. So you must be ready and be
48:53
prepared to see anything and do what you may to help. Uh one possible way would
48:58
be to go up to climb the spire. It is possible there are maintenance hatches towards the top where all of the cables
49:05
of the network connect converge into the motherboard. We do have members of the tower watch who are stationed there to
49:12
maintain the cabling and ensure the network is physically intact. They do
49:19
not say so directly, but there may indeed be an entrance up there in the
49:24
clouds. There are balconies from which they work. Could also try going down in
49:31
the valley on either on the side of the of the motherboard. There are canyons
49:38
and under the canyons there is a river flows. And I believe though no one is
49:44
certain that this may be part of the motherboard's cooling system that it may be some form of water cooling. This much
49:53
energy there is no source of energy like this in the entire veil. She provides power everywhere and that sort of thing
50:02
generates heat which we do not feel this area being hotter. So she must be cooled
50:07
in some way. But again that is speculation. I do not know if there is an entrance there, but if that is the
50:14
case, there must be. Well, I'm thinking I can get me in going
50:19
up without anyone seeing me, but I'm not so sure I can get the rest of you in. So, maybe down is the better idea.
50:27
There are So, there are there are handholds up along it, but it is quite a
50:33
way. She does not have specifics on how high up the tower guard who safeguards
50:40
the network is not a direct part of the priesthood and does not specifically
50:45
answer to her. So, she knows some things, but she doesn't know specifics and she certainly hasn't been allowed to
50:50
climb up there herself. Yeah, I'm not afraid to climb it. I just There will be that's useful.
50:56
Um, yes, I'm afraid I can give you very little specific information about either
51:02
direction. Well, I guess the better question is, are we even doing this? And she looks at
51:07
everyone else. You get the saddest puppy dog eyes you've ever gotten. Oh, you don't want to go in?
51:13
Oh, yeah. Ishid definitely. I mean, I'm cool with whatever you guys decide. I
51:20
don't really understand this whole religion thing. So, Oh. Oh, my my dad's explained it. It's a
51:28
hidebound mentality that's used to control people. Okay. I only understood about half of
51:34
those words. Yeah, I don't get any of it. But they said it a lot. They were very mad. They
51:39
were forced to leave. Yeah. Like they they're not willing to accept our truth and we we speak primal code
51:47
and we must go inside. Yeah. They'd be so happy. I think you're right. They would be
51:53
the tide. Prophetus. the prophetus is just watching you and yeah, you get the
51:59
feeling that she's trying very hard not to smile.
52:04
Uh Tavan just sigh and tells Ishvit very quickly that Yeah, some some not
52:13
all beliefs are good beliefs, my friend. We've talked about this. Yeah, you talked a lot.
52:18
I I didn't really understand most of it, but you know, you're pretty so I smile
52:23
like now. But now I'm smiling because I've got I've got him and I'm like still
52:29
kind of holding you like a teddy bear. And and also because we're going to go get to see if there's anything in there,
52:35
which would be so cool. And it'd be even cooler if it was like like a pony. I
52:41
don't really know for sure what a pony is, but I think I think it's got a big big spike on its head and it gores
52:49
people because that's what that's what Grandar said. But anyway, whatever it is, whatever it is, it's gonna be cool
52:55
and it's gonna tell us because when we we came in, I heard it and it was like
53:00
it was trying to tell me something and I was like, "Wow, it's trying to tell me something. I really can hear this.
53:07
We know you want to go." No, no, no, no, no. This is this isn't that this isn't that. I I really think there
53:14
is something in there. Mhm. Haven says to the rest of them, "I have questions that I and that I may finally
53:22
be able to answer." I'm willing to go. Uh I think the down one's the way to go, though, cuz you know, if if we go up and
53:30
those tower watch people are up there, I mean, what if they tell us to go back down? Are we going to punch them or are
53:38
we going to, you know, go back down, which would mean climbing up was a waste of time? They do work in shifts and they
53:46
may be some that might be sympathetic to this cause, but I do not know that for sure. They are a mechanically minded
53:54
bunch, not always a religiously minded bunch, but I cannot say for certain
54:00
these are the sorts of questions that a prophet cannot go around simply asking.
54:07
I think I like the sound of the lower route as well. Less chance of having to hope we run into the right person or
54:12
don't run into a tower guard coming down the tower off their shift. Agreed. So the lower we head to the
54:19
valley. The valley it sounds like is our plan. Can you put me down, please?
54:24
Oh, right. I'm sorry. Here. Thank you. Ow. My ribs. You're You're really light.
54:30
Most people are light compared to you. Yeah, but Tav's got metal stuff, so he's actually kind of heavy. Not too heavy. I
54:36
can pick you up if you want. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to leave you out. Tav playfully
54:41
dodges a little bit out the out of just arms reach and that won't be necessary.
54:47
Um he turns and he looks at the prophet and tells her that it sounds like we're
54:53
in agreement. We will depart at once. Thank you. I appreciate your aid. If there is any equipment I can offer, some
55:02
things I can bring together without attracting too much attention. if you would like potions or supplies that I
55:10
might share with you. I I take another stamina thing. Yeah, potions could be great, especially
55:16
if we don't know what we'll run into in there. Yeah, I'll take a potion. So, she gets up and uh walks to the
55:24
other side of the room. There's a fancy ornate gilded chest and she rummages
55:29
inside it and she pulls out four potions. Two stamina potions and two
55:36
health potions. I I want to grab a stamina cuz I have a health potion on me. Okay,
55:41
I'll take one of the health potions then. Stamina for me. Diversify.
55:46
Okay. Well then, if you wish to set out on this venture, I wish you well. And
55:52
the motherboard's hope be with you. Tav bows hand over heart and with you.
55:59
And she gives a bow, but uh kind of like a deep head bow, which is from her
56:06
that's pretty that's that's a lot. Oh, is there anything else people would like to do before departing? Anything people
56:13
want to look for or etc. I think you should just go vibe radio attention. Oh,
56:20
sorry. Yeah, I'm just making sure my cloak is up and kind of hide the horns and the
56:25
ears and I don't want certain people to find me if they're still No. Uh, Taven's ready to go. I think
56:32
he's he's duty bound and singularly focused. Okay, then.
56:38
Meanwhile, I am singularly unfocused. Uh, the lot of you head out into the
56:46
city, out of the city, through the crowds of pilgrims and back into the
56:52
wastes, heading in the direction that the prophetus indicated. And I believe
56:58
that is where we will end this part of the story. Blizzard is made possible due to the
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