WWW #37: Who Goes There

Key takeaways

The shroud of war brings about a tension that can obscure vital truths and reality.
Magic and the influences of lost spirits can complicate the existing landscape of conflict.
Moral dilemmas arise when facing enemies bound by past ties; the characters feel compelled to respond with compassion.
Strategic thinking is crucial in turning the tide of battle, especially when dealing with trapped allies.

Summary

The Ghosts of War

The episode opens amid the tension of war in the Shroud Mountains, revealing the horrors and mystique lurking just behind the shroud of morning silence. The party observes powerful magic at work, as a sorcerer banishes a spirit called Firebringer, setting the stage for the looming conflict. The characters wrestle with the reality of their situation as they realize they are in a war-torn landscape, where survival is at the forefront of their minds.

Mystic Investigations and Challenges

As the discussion unfolds, the characters engage in an exploration of arcana and mystery, marking the growing tension within their group that stems from loss and the harsh realities of combat. They grapple with the nature of the sorcerer’s magic and the implications of encountering such a powerful force. This leads to a deeper examination of their abilities and the strategies they need to deploy to survive and protect one another in their upcoming encounters.

Spirit Traps and Strategy

The narrative shifts towards the discussion of a dangerous spirit bound to a cottage, an embodiment of past tragedies tied to house Bahá'í. The party strategizes on how to navigate this trap while potentially releasing the spirit from its torment. This segment highlights their moral conflict about the battle at hand and the notion of empathy, even towards an enemy. They have significant discussions about how to approach the encampment of wizards and explore the various methods of extraction.

Dawn on Despair

As the conflict nears, they gain insight into a grim stalemate at Abison, acknowledging that the forces surrounding them are not bolstered and the wizards are trapped without reinforcements. This stark reality brings a mixture of urgency and determination to the party as they consider taking decisive action to help their allies. They emphasize stealth and precision, outlining a plan that could shift the tide of the war if executed well.

Show notes

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The fog of war floats in the valleys and ravines of the Shroud Mountains like a ghost. It erases. It confuses. It hides. It lies. And through the veil, those unlucky few soldier on, to take in the view, and plan their attack, above a place so many will never leave. Anyone can turn around, but thresholds were made for crossing, and we've got business with the butcher.

Worlds Beyond Number is:

and is produced, designed, and scored by Taylor Moore at Fortunate Horse with exquisite design and editing help from Jared Olson

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Tazer Army, Shannon, and Amanda Freberg!

Transcript of this episode coming soon! You can find transcripts of all our episodes here, for free, on our Patreon.

Our album art is by the great Corey Brickley

Some additional ambient sound design comes from Michael Ghelfi Studios. You can get their sounds and music for your home games and VTT as well, which we enthusiastically recommend.

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