Smooth Critical

Bo is Ambrose Elias Skylark Junior. Reeling from this bombshell, Bo, Ban, and Abe have to gather themselves and figure out how to get out of this library dungeon. And if they do, maybe then they can begin to get more answers to the questions they seek in Emberhold…like what the heck is a sconce? ATTRIBUTIONS "Anguish", "Arcadia", "Backbay Lounge", "Black Vortex", "Devastation and Revenge", "Discon...

Suspicions are abound, and after the events of last night, the Monos think it prudent to keep a low profile…well as low as they possibly can. What better place to do that than in a library? Hey, librarian, can I ask some questions? Like, where do you keep the forbidden books? Which books are being burned by the powers that be? Oh, you’re not going to give me answers to those super innocuous questi...

The Monos collect their earnings and decide to call it a night, but in this session, there’s knowledge lurking around every corner…here…there…everywhere! Before they go to bed (and for some of them, while they sleep), news of the past and present marks a path for their futures. It’s a lot to take in, really. Don’t get overwhelmed. Come here, say a little mantra, and breathe it all out. "Air P...

It’s fight night in the cavern, and the Monos are pulling out all the stops to make sure they win big. For the first time, they are splitting up to take on some fresh new foes. Luckily, they have charm, magic, and fists on their side.  Episode 18 "Big Mojo", "Hit the Streets", "Hit the Streets v2", "Malicious", "Movement Proposition", "Schemin...

Cautious as ever, the Monos decide it’s best to survey the scene before jumping straight into a fight, but as usual, the party seems to get themselves into a little bit of trouble. While Ban and Bunty are off making friends with some dangerous people, Abe and Bo are accidentally pissing them off. Will the Monos survive the social encounter before the combat encounter? ATTRIBUTIONS Episode 17 &quot...

The Monos live by one rule: Shop ‘til you drop. Well, shop so you don’t drop permanently. Every adventuring party needs a little retail therapy. Yes, fun clothes are a must, but so are spell components. The Monos must secure some goods before they venture down the cliff face and into the cliff itself for some high-stakes gladiator fights. "Chill", "Devastation and Revenge", &qu...

Welcome to Galesong’s Glasses and Guesthouses, where the drinks are cold, the patrons are rowdy, and the giant portrait behind the bar gives off weird magic vibes. Here at this lovely establishment you can find: sea shanties, corndogs, ale, dice games, and a resident on the second floor who says odd things. Come on in, and leave your weapons and magic at the door. ATTRIBUTIONS "Air Prelude&qu...

The morning after one of our gorgeous gladiators has a (kind of insightful?) nightmare, the Monos debrief on the growing mystery surrounding Thesmyra. There's really no time to linger, though, when the entire ship is about to be transported across dry land. Thanks to a bit of horse power and the super, duper cool and modified version of Tenser's floating disk (shh it's not bragging, Tr...

After surviving the pirate ambush, it's time for some quick ship repairs and a little downtime as the party sails toward Emberhold. But the open currents bring strange vibes under the night sky. Between a creepy cosmic shift in Bunty, some heavy backstory drops on deck, and Abe diving deeper into Jovenian’s journal, the SS Flamerider is suddenly full of questions. Meanwhile, Ban tries desperat...

Cruising down a river of lava with a pair of cool orc lesbians is exactly the change of pace the Monos needed. Safe aboard the SS Flamerider, the party finally has a chance to relax with a quick sparring match, a bit of banjo practice, and some much-needed decompression. But the open currents of Exumoria are never truly safe. I spy with my one little eye, something dangerous quickly approaching. B...

What do you do when you get a second chance at life? Well, if you’re the Monos, you take a beat, share some heavy secrets, and get right back to the political grind. The elections are finally here, and with a bit of brutal honesty (and maybe a promise to tax the rich), it’s time to see if La Granda's Village is ready for a whole new era (Taylor’s Version). Episode 11 "Air Prelude", &...

In an endless, quiet garden, the cycle of renewal and decay begins its slow turn. Close your eyes and feel the warmth on your skin. Weave your fingers in the cool, damp dirt you sit on. Breathe in the fresh air as the cycle of life moves around you. Don’t forget the secrets you’ve uncovered and the secrets you’ve been told as you crash back to reality... ATTRIBUTIONS "At Rest", "Big...

As the mayoral race turns from cold to boiling, the Monos find themselves at odds with 2 out of the 3 candidates. But there’s no time to linger on that, as the semifinal and final matches are quickly approaching. Do we think the Monos stand a chance against the Kitten Claws? How about The Sibling Mages? How will they fare against one man with a vengeance? "Air Prelude", "Devastation...

Welcome to Drummond’s shiny white McMansion. Can I get you anything? Some dinner? Raw chicken feet in lime green jello? A very strong drink or two (or three or four)? So, three cheers for the Monos as they toast and raise their glasses for some potential new allies. ATTRIBUTIONS: "Backbay Lounge", "Bossa Antigua", "Fast Talkin", "Hard Boiled", "Heroic A...

From limb upgrades to campaign promises, the Monos are finding that every favor in La Granda’s Village comes with a price tag. But the real heat starts with their first battle in the Pounce and Fury Festival. So come one, come all, and join the tabaxis as they cheer for none other than Toby and, you know her, you love her, the Notorious B.E.R.T.H.A. ATTRIBUTIONS "Big Mojo", "Branden...

A bonk to the knee and a breakfast sandwich later, the Monos are officially on the run. But as they trade the Agni Arena for the woods around La Granda’s Village, they quickly learn that in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and tabaxis. Between Abe’s confrontational diplomacy and a run-in with the CVPP, the party finds themselves entangled in local tensions. But when don’t...

Welcome, Sexy Hexies, to a special episode where we put our improv skills (or lack thereof) to embody the women of Hex and the City, a crystal cast that takes place right in Exumoria. The half-elf ring leader Cariel (Avani), feisty halfling jersey girl Chanora (Harry), cute but gullible satyr, Myranda (Charlie), and the very, very problematic high-elf Sylvena (Himay) talk about all the hot goss th...

Since we just finished our first mini-arc, we thought it would be fun to recap our favorite moments so far and throw out some theories about where the story is headed. So welcome in! Please, sit by the fire and warm yourself as we have a little chat.  Attributions "Our Story Begins", "The Pyre" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0...

Deep beneath the tower, gold glitters, wizards cast an eerie silence, and something ancient slumbers. All it takes is a single mistake… or three mistakes, if we’re getting technical. What follows will test the town, the party, and ask us all, what does it really mean to be a hero? (P.S. we don’t think Avani meant for this to happen) Attributions: "Black Vortex", "Crusade - Heavy Industry", "Discon...

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today not only to witness the sacred union of marriage, but to see Bo get traumatized, Abe, maybe inadvertently, join a mysterious group, and Ban lose his patience. Attributions: "Air Prelude", "Arcadia", "Big Mojo", "Goblin Tinker Soldier Spy", "Gymnopedie No. 1", "Heroic Age", "Lost Frontier", "Movement Proposition", "Our Story Begins", "Prelude and Action",...

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the sexiest of them all (Spoiler: it’s Ban...but also not Ban)? Beneath the arena, forgotten murals, deadly reflections, buried histories, and a spunky little kobold pull the party deeper into Exumoria’s long-buried secrets. ATTRIBUTIONS "Air Prelude", "Arcadia", "Disconcerned", "Feral Chase", "Goblin Tinker Soldier Spy", "Gymnopedie No. 1", "Heroic Age", "Impendi...

Abe gains an arm, Ban seeks the spirit, Bo uses his charm, and Bunty gets a…bonk-it? Our three gladiators prepare to descend into the depths of the Agni Arena to find the mysterious tablet, trusting in their new sponsor, Vox R.M. Attributions: Music "Air Prelude", "Arcadia", "Goblin Tinker Soldier Spy", "Heartbreaking", "Heroic Age", "Impending Boom", "Industrious Ferret", "Lord of the Land", "Mar...

Welcome to Exumoria! Abe [Himay], Bo [Charlie], Ban [Harry] ...and Bunty [Avani] form an unlikely party to fight in the gladiator games celebrating the 500 year anniversary of The Pact of Salt and Smoke. In Cinerium’s Agni Arena, their first opponents are revealed: The Gear Grinders.  Music Attributions "Air Prelude", "Arcadia", "Black Vortex", "Crusade - Heavy Industry", "Disconcerned", “Heroic A...

This introduction to Exumoria serves as our worldbuilding basis and Session 0. Originally at the beginning of episode 1, it is now a standalone post. Enjoy and reference it whenever you need! ATTRIBUTIONS "Black Vortex", "Crusade - Heavy Industry", "Heroic Age", "Lost Frontier", "Midnight Tale", "Oppressive Gloom", "Willow and the Light", "Wizardtorium" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed und...