The Medusa's Cascade

Machines, Mentors, and Mystery Ch. 7 Shanks learns a bit more about his current situation. Eventually, at the tavern, he has a heart-to-heart with Chico. Chico explains that he has been speaking with the Wild Mother, Melora, and knows the truth of how he ended up at The Cascade. Elsewhere, the party catches up with Glad and makes plans to meet Argo in Granz City. While on their way, they met an ad...

Machines, Mentors, and Mystery Ch. 6 While the group who are at the Shuffle Guild finish their night of drinking and revelry… Galadoriel is on her way to the Seelie Court to speak to Oberon. Upon arrival, she is given information that would aid the party in their quest to save the planes. In her discussion with the King of the Seelie Court, she informs him that she has ceased her search for her fa...

Machines, Mentors, and Mystery Ch. 5 One by one, the group goes up to meet with Inia and Gojun. All giving accounts of what they've now named "The Barovia Job". While some are reserved at first, they all manage to give an accurate summation of the events. Strahd, The Constable, Rig, the party dynamics… all of it. Inia and Gojun file their report and instruct the team to go back downstairs to the f...

Machines, Mentors, and Mystery Ch. 4 The group finds themselves with several members of The Shuffle Guild: Qho, an Aarakocra; Gojun, a Triton; Kivela, a Shifter; Inia, a Yuan-ti, and Strohm, a Changeling. They exchange information and familiarize themselves with each other. Information is exchanged about Shank’s current bounty, the other odd happenings on Granzia, and catching up the Guild members...

Machines, Mentors, and Mystery Ch. 3 While most of the group decides to head to the city of Belrondis, Shanks goes off on his own adventure. While there, he meets a mysterious figure who introduces himself as Mr. Bell. Together, they delve deeply into Shanks's psyche, upbringing, and what led him to his current state. Meanwhile, the group has some horse races to let off some steam. Eventually, the...

Machines, Mentors, and Mystery Ch. 2 After spending some time discussing what they would do going forward, the party spends a night of rest in the Cascade. For most, sleep is met with thoughts of their journey so far. For others, their thoughts are filled with visions of what's to come. The Journeyman fills them in on The Constable's plans to merge their planes, ultimately destroying them. The gro...

Machines, Mentors, and Mystery Ch. 1 Attros did what he felt that he needed to do, and in the end, The Curse of Strahd was lifted, but at what cost? The party narrowly escapes, but We Aqua and Attros are nowhere to be found. The Journeyman picks them up and begins to do a headcount. The group informs her of what transpired. The drinks flow, some go off on their own, and others air out grievances w...

The Black Wedding Ch. 24 We find Kaleb, who in earlier episodes was with the group but seemingly disappeared, at the side of Strahd. Red Wyrmlings, as well as Ireena, are at Strahd’s side as the group has some back-and-forth with the ruler of Barovia. Zechs, who wants nothing more than to get this fight over with, fires off a shot towards Strahd. Attros attempts to intercept, but Shanks beats him...

The Black Wedding Ch. 23 The group makes its way toward Ravenloft and prepares for one of its toughest fights yet. Strahd greets them and has a conversation with the party until they eventually decide to have at him. Alas, he was an illusion, and as the party unleashed all their might on him, he simply thanked them for showing their true intentions. Just then, they are met with Ireena, who is alre...

The Black Wedding Ch. 22 The party is fast approaching the end of their mission, and tensions are high. The need for a decision is evident, and the party’s indecisiveness has started to ruffle some feathers. They decide to leave without a Mad Mage or the Werewolf and make their way towards Ravenloft. Is this sudden “plan” to their benefit, or are they being too hasty?  Find out what happens n...

The Black Wedding Ch. 21 The party finds themselves back in the town of Vallaki. Tension is relieved, plans are made, and Duo reveals his new ability to speak with the group. They head to the church and, after a quick search through town, and some information that Strahd has vampire spawn at the local casket shop. Glad wants to be rid of them immediately, and the party stops her briefly so that th...

The Black Wedding Ch. 20 After a tough-fought battle, the party manages to secure the Sun Sword in an effort to defeat Strahd. However, several of the party members are badly injured and have only a day before the revenants make their way to exact their revenge upon Galahad, Shanks, and Kyver. That seems to be the least of their worries, though. With nightfall already underway and the sounds of cr...

The Black Wedding Ch. 19 The party, now defeating the Spectral Warriors and clearing the trap, has new troubles on the horizon. Kyver, Attros, and Arguile make a plan for the Sun Sword that is tightly gripped by Vladimir Horngaard. The plan ends up not working in their favor, and a fight ensues. The Collateral crew is in for their toughest fight yet. How will they make it out of this one? Find out...

The Black Wedding Ch. 18 Finally, at Argynvostholt, the party begins their search for what may aid them in the fight to come. Memories reveal truths that leave most of the party concerned with what they thought they knew. For some, their memories were traumatic, happy, or concerning. While exploring the ruins of Argynvostholt, the group is separated by a trap on the second floor. How will the part...

The Black Wedding Ch. 17 Zechs finds himself in the Feywild in the Seelie Court and has an audience with King Oberon. Meanwhile, in the training room, Shanks and Attros use an exhibition match to clear up any bad air that remains between them. Zechs now has his memories back and has returned to the tavern. He informs the party of what happened. The Journeyman suspects The Constable but tells only...

The Black Wedding Ch. 16 Everyone finds themselves hit with bombshell after bombshell. New information is being revealed to the party, and all cards are about to be laid on the table. They find themselves STILL in a state of constant tension. What will their new course of action be? Is Strahd of no concern to them anymore? Will they be ready for what possibly faces them after they leave Barovia? F...

The Black Wedding Ch. 15 The tension is thick as the party deals with the aftermath of the Rig situation. Intense conversations are had. There is an air of distrust circling the tavern. Who sent Rig? What does this mean for the future of the party? Where does everyone’s loyalty lie? Is everyone ready to put their cards out on the table? Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Ca...

The Black Wedding Ch. 14 A terrifying battle leaves several members injured and one member unconscious. They can heal themselves and pick up We'ahqa, but the battle is the least of their concern. The dark magic that fills the temple continues to try and take hold of a few members of the party. After their dusk elf companion finds what he is looking for, they make haste for a quick exit. Returning...

The Black Wedding Ch. 13 This place has an unsettling feeling. That’s the consensus amongst the group. Filled with fiends and undead, and rich with dark magic. The party finds themselves in fight after fight and eventually finds a treasure room. Discussions are made to divvy it all up, and the rest is had for those who need it. They have yet to find what they came for, and few find themselves ques...

The Black Wedding Ch. 12 The party makes camp for the evening before making their way towards the Amber Temple. Rig reveals more about her relationship with Shanks. We'ahqa and Shanks share a heartfelt conversation, and Zechs gets his first inkling of a memory back. Upon entering the temple, the party is ambushed by an arcanaloth. The temple gives an air of undead, fiend, and dark ancient magic. A...

The Black Wedding Ch. 11 After meeting the Dusk Elf, Kasimir, the group discussed his joining to take on Strahd. His condition? Help resurrect his long-dead sister. There are a lot of tense moments and discussions. At one point, they played with the idea of enlisting the "Mad Mage" who took on Strahd, many years ago. Eventually, they make their way to the Amber Temple. It's the first requirement n...

The Black Wedding Ch. 10 The party starts to head towards the town of Vallaki. Galahad sings a song of his mentor’s, and Zechs realizes that his mentor sang the same song. They were brothers in arms, and Attros was friends with them both. They finally make their way to the town of Vallaki and find a place for food and rest. Some plans are made, and questions are answered, but not before a mysterio...

The Black Wedding Ch. 9 Kyver tries to make amends. Attros makes a deal and delivers a gift to Arguile. The party eventually decides to make their way to Vallaki to further their ties with the Martikov family and the wereravens of Barovia. Simple enough, right? Background Music by Sword Coast Soundscapes Theme Music written and performed by Gaetano Semilia  Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III ...

The Black Wedding Ch. 8 Rest is had, questions are answered, and plans are made while back at The Medusa’s Cascade. Information is gathered on vampires and how best to defeat them. The party also introduced Chico’s chicken and waffles. We later see some of the party’s deities in the new guest lounge. Galahad and Galadaloriel had in-depth conversations with their patrons. While the party gathers it...

The Black Wedding Ch. 7 The party gets rid of all the druids that have been plaguing the lands of Barovia, but decides to revive the one named “Chico”. Through an elaborate series of lies and such, the party has found itself a new ally and cook for the Cascade. They find themselves in another fight as they attempt to take down Gulthia’s Tree. Towards the end of the fight, Strahd arrives to watch....