Watch the episode live on Twitch and YouTube at 7pm PST. Restreams on Twitch at midnight and the next day at 9am PST.

Runtime Break start
5h 16m 1h 32m

Episode 118: The Hallowed Cage

Bell’s Hells, with the aid of two other disparate groups of heroes, have managed to head towards the depths of Ruidus, trying to follow the footprints and current aspirations of the Ruby Vanguard and Ludinus Da’leth. After discovering through a vision that your mother was seemingly captured by Ludinus and being transferred (her abilities and possibly her physical being being transferred and destroyed into Ludinus through a newly-constructed Quintessence Array) you raced through the subterranean tunnels, befriended a number of the myceits (and the strange fungal culture that exists within the lower layers of Ruidus itself), interfaced with the core of that mycelium network and the hive mind of the myceit culture (to which you also granted the seed of the All-Minds-Burn, to whatever end that might be).
Trekking further on, bypassing some challenges, stumbling past others, eventually you came to the outer depths of the Prime Pillar (whereupon a fissure in the thick glass led you deeper within the tree trunk-like ringed layers of stone and glass revealing themselves) as you began to wind deeper into the central pillar that seems to represent a path to the core of the moon. There you came upon a troop of Exaltants that had surrounded Ludinus, keeping him contained within a psychic shell while he was on the cusp of absorbing the remnants of your mother. You then quickly sprang into action, defeating and dispelling and disrupting the concentration of these Exaltants until one by one they fell. With the last one crumbling, the shield was absolved and destroyed. A rapid series of actions pulled your mother, Liliana, from the jaws of destruction and ash and your resident blue bard here immediately locked Ludinus within a dense Force Cage spell.
In this moment, here within the outer layers of the Prime Pillar, Ludinus seems to nod with a strange bit of approval of what has just transpired. As you see the arching, flaring veins of purplish Exaltant energy crawling up around his neck and his arms, his hair beginning to float and flow around him (the essence of Liliana’s Exaltant Ruidusborn gift being transferred, albeing temporarily to Martinet Ludinus Da’leth).
Here as you all stand at the immediate end of an intense conflict, you catch your breath and look face to face with what looks to be a very calm and smug villain. As you all stand there, Ludinus paces back and forth within the cage, like a calm lion, tiger, looking about the rest of your troop. A liger if you will.
L.D.:“Very well. I suppose you have your mother back. That’s one thing before the end, I suppose…if it is to be the end.”

Previous Episode: “Race to the Ruidian Core”

  • @thisisdeeMEnglish
    2•20 days ago

    Really thought Imogen was gonna say no and Fearne was gonna say yes. Can’t watch Cool Down yet cos it’s not loading for me but I’m excited to hear what Laura thinks there. Felt a bit out of character but it was a hard decision with a tether pulling you so I can’t really say.

  • UltragrampsOPMEnglish
    1•8 days ago

    ♪Episode Song References♪

    ᕕ( ᐛ)ᕗ

    Highlights

    • 00:12:58 Sam reveals the Asmodeus symbol on his Stanley mug
    • 00:13:26 Chet dips into the shadows
    • 00:13:53 New staff, who dis? “like a strange, golden, two-pronged fork of magical, attuned energy”
    • 00:15:14 LD:“I have nothing to hide. I never have.” (leader of subversive organization with ties to espionage and corruption in multiple kingdoms, but sure)
    • 00:17:27 Travis smiling at Laura’s well-practiced tone of biting condescension
    • 00:20:05 Luda flips it on the Hells, “…your bloodline has already proven duplicitous. Why should I even believe you?”
    • 00:22:16 Lore Moment Ludinus’ family were devout followers of The Lawbearer (who fought Torog, The Crawling King during the Calamity over the Da’leth family’s hometown of Ozana and destroyed it in the process, rendering Ludinus an orphan).
    • 00:24:15 Ludinus reacts strongly to Laudna inquiring about his mother
    • 00:26:13 Braius:“What happened to your family?”
      Luda:“…I literally just told you.”
    • 00:26:39 Insight check gets a Whisper about whether or not Ludinus shared parting words with his family
      Sam rates the first monologue a 6 out of 7
      Matt:“I hate this.”
    • 00:28:43 Luda gives Fearne the title of “she who sits between many thrones”
    • 00:29:57 Why is Fearne here?
    • 00:30:52 Laudna:“There is merit to giving a little bit more fate and destiny back to the people.”
    • 00:32:36 Orym:(ice cold calm)“Honestly, I can’t wait for you to come out of that box.”
      Imogen:(telepathically)“I love you so much, Orym.”
    • 00:34:38 Dorian:“The best villains always think they’re right.”
      Braius:“Wait. We think we’re right, too.”
      Dorian:“Don’t think too hard about it.”
    • 00:36:56 Braius attempts the empathic approach
    • 00:37:41 Where’s Chet?
    • 00:39:28 Chetney views the strange geometric magical barrier sealing Predathos
    • 00:41:02 Sam looks suspicious while sipping; Ashley and Laura watch closely
    • 00:41:11 Liam has a hearing affectation known as hyperacusis and the description is a bit triggering for him, so Matt apologizes.
    • 00:43:12 Did Chet invent pogs?
    • 00:45:21 Fuck it
    • 00:46:59 The vibration from Sam moving his mug dominates the microphone
    • 00:48:16 Imogen ignores another Ludinus monologue and Misty Steps away
    • 00:49:08 Ludinus vanishes in the Force Cage
    • 00:53:24 Sam’s decision to pray ends up clearing the table
    • 00:54:23 Braius chooses to reach out to Asmodeus “the Lord of Lies, the King of the Hells”
    • 01:08:08 Braius’ vision ends
    • 01:14:51 Sam:”Mmm. Yank that staff.”
    • 01:16:40 Liam:”Seems like a terrible god-eater; actually a cinnamon roll.”

    INTERMISSION

    • 01:28:48 Roll Inish Bish
    • 01:31:07 Fancy map FX
    • 01:31:19 Laura and Marisha half-heartedly sing along with Liam’s reference.
    • 01:32:19 Orym successfully yoinks the staff
      Taliesin:”The dog has caught the car.”
    • 01:35:12 Chet brings some more thunder
    • 01:36:40 Ludinus casts Ravenous Void at 9th level, essentially creating a singularity, or black hole, on the battlefield. To finish his turn he activates a ring that seems to generate a protective skin around him.
    • 01:39:16 Travis:”This is a fuckin’ bonkers-ass move. Look at how fuckin’ happy you are.”
    • 01:43:09 Successful “rules lawyering” from Marisha lets Braius’ Silence cast connect
    • 01:48:24 Ashton is considered a large creature.
    • 01:49:46 Liam:”He’s got an extra penis.”
    • 01:54:14 Robbie:”Debatable.”
    • 01:55:32 Robbie:”C’mon big boy!”
    • 01:57:11 Robbie:”Beep, zwip. Out of trouble. Up, up and away.”
    • 01:59:28 Dorian:”You look great, by the way, Inspiration.”
    • 02:00:51 Laura:”Twat?”
      Liam:”Cunt hear you.”
    • 02:02:41 Sam successfully predicts Laura’s nat20 roll
    • 02:03:16 Sam reveals his shirt (Young Laura Bailey glamour shot)
    • 02:03:23 Liam:”Full Birthday girl smashing the bowl at the party.”
    • 02:05:12 Spell fuck
    • 02:07:42 Liam:”I’m gonna fart on you. I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna let it rip. Here it comes.”
    • 02:08:05 Laura finally notices Sam’s shirt
    • 02:08:31 Matt’s impression of Mister being pulled into the gravity well is too good
    • 02:10:21 Fearne’s clutch Fiery Teleportation
    • 02:12:40 Ludinus’ vulnerable neck point needs a 26 or higher to hit it
    • 02:13:24 Laura flashes her new gang sign at Matt
    • 02:15:50 Orym gets yoinked. “Taking his mufuggin staff with me.”
    • 02:17:10 Ashley refills unfortunately loudly and slowly turns to look at Matt
    • 02:19:45 Laura(about Sam’s shirt):”Can you see my boobs in that?”
    • 02:20:55 Ludinus:”Oh, there you are.”
    • 02:21:43 Laura:”Did you just burp?”
      Liam:”Yes I did. Stinky, huh? Hey, I could’ve farted on your head. But I didn’t”
    • 02:22:48 Ludinus performs a burst similar (though smaller) to Imogen’s “aoe blast” after their first encounter with Otohan and it makes the runic barrier permeable.
    • 02:24:58 Ludinus casts Telekinetic Throw on Chetney, “Go play with your friends.”
    • 02:25:40 Chetney:”I always like being on the cusp of a tug.”
    • 02:26:14 Braius:”It’s going to suck when I kill you.” Travis:”Thank god you converted to a ‘good’ diety.”
    • 02:27:31 Laura(cheering on Braius’ Moonbeam cast):”Get it up there. Fuck this guy.” Ashley:”Shove it in.”
      Liam:”Is it a red moonbeam?”
      Sam:”Yes! Oh, weirdly, on the moon, it’s just called Beam.”
    • 02:30:08 Marisha:”I’m gonna skrrt this line…”
      Laura:”Edging it?”
      Marisha:”I’m gonna edge it. I’m gonna cusp it.”
      Taliesin:”Keep edging.”
      Marisha:”I’m gonna get up here.”
      Liam:”Right in that crack there?”
    • 02:30:39 Robbie:”Secret weapon: Pâté?”
      Marisha:”You’re my nuke, baby!”
    • 02:31:04 Pâté:”Latch on to his fleshy hole, got it.”

      by IWillTryALittleArter
    • 02:40:25 Coriolis gets sucked into the gravity well
    • 02:41:54 Travis anticipates part of the background music
    • 02:43:25 Laura laughs at Liam’s note. Orym:”Got it under control.”
    • 02:44:33 Liam:”Matt, Taliesin said he’s going home…”
    • 02:44:47 Robbie:”Shh, shh, Sheboygan.”
    • 02:45:38 Dice go flying
    • 02:46:52 Travis:”It’s all backlit, that’s cool. This is a great seat. My seat sucks ass.
    • 02:47:07 Travis dares to lower his head near the open jaws of a Bailey-gator.
    • 02:50:19 Pâté Schwarzenegger
    • 02:52:08 Ira:”I’m here to just watch him fail.”
    • 02:54:16 Fan Art Moment Ira’s teleportation attack forces the use of Ludinus’ third Legendary Resistance
    • 02:58:48 Ashley:”Naur.” (callback to Aimee Carrerro’s silly British accent phrase)
    • 02:59:19 Mister succeeds the STR save with a natural 20
      Marisha:”Warrior monkey.”
    • 03:00:48 Braius:”Don’t worry, small monkey friend. You’ve got this.”
    • 03:01:15 Marisha:”I love this game.”
    • 03:01:31 Liam:”Oh, to have a pet with more than four hit points.”
    • 03:01:39 Choose Imogen or the pretty flying horse
      Sam, Robbie, and Matt:”Tough call.”
      Liam:”Fuck off, horse.” (reference to the fuck off ghost from C2E44)
    • 03:02:09 Braius:”That was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen, young monkey friend. You have the strength of a cow.”
    • 03:03:42 Matt:”It’s not a hole…” (he tried his best)
    • 03:04:31 With shield up, Ludinus’ weak spot has a 31 AC to hit it
    • 03:08:07 Laura, Ashley, and Robbie practice their non-verbal communication via expressive hand gestures.
    • 03:10:23 Fan Art Moment Chetney’s C-POP Brand of Castigation on Ludinus’ neck
    • 03:11:36 Ludinus weakens another boundary
    • 03:12:19 Robbie is prepared with lollipops
    • 03:16:04 Braius makes Henry Crabgrass proud and remembers consent
    • 03:17:02 Marisha:”And we’re on the edge of the hole, right?”
      Sam(whispering):”That’s what she said.”
    • 03:18:24 Braius:”I haven’t been looking at your eyes.”
      Fearne:”You’ve been lookin’ at my tits?”
    • 03:19:18 Laura:”What’s it feel like to have movement?”
      Sam:”That’s what Laura says when she’s constipated.”

    (continued)

    • UltragrampsOPMEnglish
      1•7 days ago
      • 03:20:58 Travis:”Swing away.”
      • 03:21:44 Another wild dice toss loses one of Taliesin’s d6 to the void.
        Laura:”It got sucked into your penis!”
        Sam:”Laura Bailey.”
        Marisha:”This fight is making us lose our minds!”
        Travis:”You’ve got to justify that to your son at some point.”
        Marisha:”His dick has been the gravity well the whole time.”
      • 03:23:30 The deadly Gravity Well is finally removed with Ashton breaking Ludinus’ concentration
      • 03:25:47 Matt:”It’s seventeen more attacks. No Laura Bailey. Only Vax can do that.”
      • 03:27:54 A 20 still fails the DEX save for Ludinus’ Chain Lightning spell
      • 03:28:44 Ludinus:”If you’re going to be this obnoxious, then sure. Step into the chamber or sit back and watch.”
      • 03:30:24 Dorian:”Force Cage! Just kidding.” Begins an attack sequence with Master’s Flourish
        Braius(flirting with Dorian):”You got your master’s?”
      • 03:33:20 Travis:”Six six six?”
      • 03:34:55 Fan Art Moment Imogen with the clutch Power Word: Stun “Enough!”
      • 03:37:56 The Nightmare King strikes
      • 03:41:00 Matt:”Just so you know, look at the radius of Flame Strike.”
        Ashley:”Scratch that.”
        Robbie:♪Barbecuing friends.♪
      • 03:46:17 Scorching Ray comes through with another neck strike
      • 03:48:33 Orym, Savior Blade of the Tempest. Warrior of Zephrah. How do you want to do this?
      • 03:54:13 Braius:”Do we keep going?”
      • 03:57:30 The glowing vial that Ludinus was going for was a powerful healing potion.
      • 03:58:57 Fearne is down to just get a peek at Predathos
      • 04:01:30 Chetney feels a pulse while using Grim Psychometry on the membrane
      • 04:05:31Ashton:”What do you think, Ira? Let chaos reign?”
        Ira:”I’m comfortable just watching from the sidelines.”
        Imogen:”So a bunch of slap dicks are gonna decide the fate of Exandria right now?”
        Ira:”Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
      • 04:06:31 Ludinus’ staff prevents Fearne’s Identify cast
      • 04:08:23 Ludinus’ corpse dissolves and Ira is gone
      • 04:09:27 Braius:”Do it on my pecs.”
        Chetney smashes the orb into Braius’ groin, making Johnny Knoxville proud
      • 04:16:03 Travis(New York accent):”Two forkin points.”
      • 04:18:55 Successful Identify on the Staff of Soulbind Relay that has had it’s ability expended, implying Ludinus may well have survived in some form.
      • 04:20:57 Ashley’s book sneeze
      • 04:22:45 Imogen and Ashton:”After.”
      • 04:23:48 Ludinus left his personal Bag of Holding somewhere nearby
      • 04:24:49 Imogen:”How’s my mom? Did you check on her?”
        Chetney(out of breath):”I killed her.”
      • 04:24:59 Robbie’s Aerosmith voice:”It’s TIME.”
      • 04:26:58 The final boundary gives way.
      • 04:30:10 A glowing teal-white light floats in the center of the chamber
      • 04:34:11 Travis is temporarily stunned from a jump scare. “In too deep.”
      • 04:36:57 Insight check on Predathos
      • 04:37:51 Dorian notices a golden tint to the ephemeral red tethers forming between the party members within the chamber. Not unlike the golden threads of fate seen in the animated Legend of Vox Machina series
      • 04:38:47 A Ruidian Flare occurs with the party in the core
      • 04:39:42 Predathos:”Making more of you. To come find me.”
      • 04:41:54 Chetney chooses not to intercept the meeting of the entity with Fearne and Imogen
      • 04:43:14 Orym intervenes
      • 04:45:49 No promises from Predathos when asked to spare lives
      • 04:46:06 Laudna remembers the mask from the Matron of Ravens
      • 04:48:40 Laura believes the Matron of Ravens (especially since she played her in Downfall)
      • 04:52:51 Imogen accepts and Fearne resists
      • 04:54:27 Liam:”Like Poochie the Dog skateboarded in.”
      • 04:55:37 Fearne focuses on her tether with Imogen to reinforce her independence from the influence of Predathos