[PUBLIC EPISODE] The Wizard, the Witch and the Wild One: ep028 "The Staff"

The ear ringing sound effect with Grimoire was wild

I am not a musician by any stretch, but Tough's (like Cough, with a T 😉) theme with the ?chimes, I didn't appreciate the first time round as much as I did this time. Thank you for making this so immersive, Taylor.

becky with the fad diet thinks she's the goddess of the hunt

Every episode hurls me through the emotional spectrum but, my gods, this one was a R O L L E R C O A S T E R

Late to the party, been a crazy week. This episode was intense in all the right ways. The music leading to the Straw scene sent chills down my spine. My favorite line was where Brennan described Fox sticking his "dirty little paws" somewhere sacred, and just made me love Fox even more. Also, as a Suvi apologist, BOOYAH, BABY! That's how you play a foil/rival/sister! I saw this coming miles away, and I knew it would take something dramatic to sway The Wizard Sky from her lofty position. Aabria, you are brilliant in leaning into the cues while remembering what this story is about. The strength it takes to make those difficult, sometimes world-breaking decisions never ceases to amaze me and I sing your praises. You all are amazing, and this is giving radio show with dice. I look forward to many more episodes to come.

QUESTION FOR AABRIA: Part of me wants to think that the reason Suvi was able to stare down Grimore and hold her ground was due in part to her steadfast belligerence against Yorin. Both take the form of beasts and are of spirit nature (Yorin less so). Was there any connection to Yorin that may have been running through Suvi's mind, almost like she was preparing for when she does have to face him?

Why do they recommend listening to it on a "podcasting" app?

My teeth are so on edge that none of the PCs have caught on; a drunk Ursulon is probably a shitty protector and MAYBE that's the point.

HOLY FUCK Y'ALL! Absolutely did not expect the extreme Gramore horror. I don't know why because it fits the narrative timetable but DAMN.

I love the conflict between the PCs even tho it stresses me out because it makes the reunion so sweet!! That ame and suvi hug and discussion of trust 🥰

Ame sewing her promise to the coal spirit made me realize that the song "Oh Had I A Golden Thread" absolutely needs to be on playlists for Ame. Many blues and folk singers have recorded it, but I mostly know the Pete Seeger with a banjo version. Oh had I a golden thread And a needle so fine I would weave a magic spell Of rainbow design Of rainbow design In it I would weave the bravery Of women giving birth And in it I would weave the innocence Of the children over all the earth Children of all the earth In it I would weave the restlessness Of men going ever forth Through heat of blistering desert sands And blizzards of the north Through the frozen north (in another version, "through our frozen hearts") Far over the waters I'd reach my magic band (Band that you're weaving with the golden thread, but maybe magic band like a very magical party of individuals) Through fallen cities To every single land To every land Show my brothers and my sisters My rainbow design Bind up this sorry world With hand and heart and mind Hand and heart and mind (Not a bad description of Eursulon + Ame + Suvi) Far over the waters I'd reach my magic band To every human being So they'd understand So they'd understand Oh had I a golden thread And a needle so fine I'd weave a magic spell Of rainbow design Of rainbow design https://youtu.be/1mRym1oJ1mk?si=uYM6mRLAWyhNfS4V

When Suvi started humming I got mildly terrified for her about this gaes because Steel made it very clear that the song component needed to be from someone not of the Citadel... gah, can't believe we have to wait so long for the next one!!

“The fox is hiding… *under* … a pile of ✨***stars***✨.”

Every single episode is absolutely masterful. Love love love this

So good. I’m listening for the fourth time now

You guys are doing it over and over again! I love this so much. And excuse me Ame(!): „You don‘t ever know, you trust.“ 🥹🥹 help me out of this existential pile that is my tears. I love this show and all of you creating together ✨

This show is just fantastic.

The library of stars containing the stars' memories is such a cool idea! I'm deeply in love with it, I really hope we're gonna see (listen?) more about the library, also considering that the music box is in there

Re-listening to Ame's arrival in the North Pole, and Indry's toast "To losing our breath in the very best of ways" hits SO MUCH DIFFERENT NOW...

I'm rewinding through the whole North Pole section and all the things I forgot y'all mentioned already: - Brennan saying someone got a nat 1 on their check with Indri - Ame coming to the conclusion that a second station being eliminated is important to why she's being targeted - that the contract was a thing and that we knew Straw had it - commentary on witch apprentices - the first interaction with Nief involved a >20 Insight check. I got distracted from thinking about what a nat 1 could do in this situation. Too much glorious shit in the background. >.> Indri picked a scarf with Suvi's colors and using the peacock eyes is a brilliant detail. Not just gorgeous but the implication of mesmerism. Also, Suvi is wearing that scarf when she enters the star library and Brennan's response to Suvi's 15 Perception check is that she ~detects no one following her. Isn't our moss faceplant witch old af and without an apprentice? She might be the next "easiest" to eliminate? Do the duties or powers of previous witch stations get redistributed to the remaining witches? Also, i found it interesting that a music box was the choice for this. Reminds me of Ursalon having a music box in the early days.

I loved the musucal influences in this episode. Also the Wizard Sworn casts Hold Monster (5th level enchantment), yet with Transmutation speciality he could have also tried resolving the situation with: Polymorph (turn the witch into a flumph?), Blink (Take six seconds in the Ethereal Plane to re-group), Maximilian's Earthen Grasp would have annoyed the witch for six seconds (She could take 2d6 bludgeoning damage), and Mold Earth could have slowed both of them down. A.G.

Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow! I think Grimoire actually did Suvi a favour. Could you imagine what would have happened if Straw was left to seek out Indri and share all of what she knew about the citadel? She didn't try to intimidate Suvi either, just do what her station is. She is the wild hunt. Any that run in her company she is compelled to hunt and will catch them. And I love her even more. Suvi in her bravery I think also garnered some respect from her. But Secret, so sweet in his own way. That little throw away about the ear worm with that unconscious gaes working on her, asking how Ame knew to lead them in song during the fight in Port Tallen was just perfection👌 Wonder who she will get to sing at dinner or if she will try and bring them all in the rain road or perhaps asking each of them a song of their station? Ame getting to see Rens first conclave with Indri much like her first and talking with Indri. The interaction with coal spirit talking about there needs to be more for the jobs reminds me of Ren saying there used to be more but now she is the last makes me wonder how if she was talking about others in the coven who tended to he world's heart in different ways (watching fire) or if she is talking about in the world as a whole? Eursulon with his connection to his family from Faerie on the inside of his shield facing him as if a special reminder just for him. I am looking forward to this coming back later on. I wonder if when they go back RoRo will see it and imbue some of his magic in it. His sister better get to meet his other sisters or at least, she passed to Faerie so the world does not lose such an important spirit.

Knowing that Erika and Lou weren’t around to see Suvi’s encounter with Steele makes every moment even better! Aabria is navigating this gaes with such precision! It really adds to the tension knowing that the PCs aren’t just acting, but are truly in the dark.

This show is so amazing, with such incredible storytelling, thank you so much for creating such fantastic content! I am so curious now what other spirits may be lurking around where they might find them, I wonder if Tof was always going to be there, or if they were improvised?

I’ll probably say this a few more times during this chapter arc, but Aabria’s ability to seed her interactions with the hidden geas agenda is flat-out incredible. Suvi’s humming of The Rain Road to herself, asking Ame how she spontaneously got people to join in song, and even the way Suvi pretty much ignored the contract after Grimore handed it to her (knowing subconsciously it wasn’t actually important) all just fit sooooo naturally in the scenes you’d never think there was a hidden motive. Kudos to Brennan for devising such a fun setup, but just all the praise to Aabria on weaving it into the narrative so seamlessly

HOLY SHIT I had only a few sips of coffee before the Grimoire scene and I'm lucky I wasn't taking a drink, hot DAMN. Now I want to relisten to the coven introduction episode; was it obvious to everyone that fleeing would lead to death? Or was that something known maybe by Ame, Suvi, and Eurselon? Also definitely whiplash from "blood for the blood God" to "oh a little coal spirit", though Tof definitely dropped a banger at the end that cracked me up. "Oh yeah Indre killed her. ANYWAY I gotta get going" LMAOOOOO, reminiscent of Brennan/Zac game changer scene, "Oh yeah I killed him."

I got story whiplash!! 😱🥰 Thanks Y’all!!

I am finally caught up and waiting 2 weeks for the next one is ROUGH! Amazing ep as always. I love the beautiful moment with Suvi and Ame - I’m so curious as to what Eursulan is feeling when he comes upon the scene! I also loved the slight ringing that disappeared once the scarf was thrown away and the incredible scene with Grimore and Suvi. So intense and so well done

Incredible, incredible ep! Grimore is so terrifyingly powerful (got a bit of Neverafter Stepmother vibes by way of predatory primalism). Would love to know if she’s inspired by any mythology or a whole-cloth Brennan Lee Mulligan original monster.

Thank you Taylor and sound team for NOT including the sound of everyone barfing 🤢

I am so fascinated by the idea of the reduction in seats on the coven as a way of limiting the power of the witch of the world’s heart that I don’t wanna ask about it because I want to see how it unfolds

"we are in different Ghibli movies" 🤣🤣🤣

How many folks find themselves wishing these were at least twice as long again?? Gah! Every episode is just so good, and two weeks feels like forever to wait for simply another hour. Although I imagine it likely makes the workload much more reasonable for Taylor & the editors, still… :’( I agree with Rain - y’all have created the first audio drug, and I am HOOKED!

”What other things has been left behind by the different witches that were in this keep?” One thing I realized listening to this episode is how great all three of you are at asking good questions when you do investigation checks! Would be nice to hear you reflect on investigation as a storytelling device from a dm+player perspective! Thanks for a beautiful story // Molly

I've struggled with liking Suvi for a while, to the point I honestly thought I wouldn't ever be a fan of the character. But I'll be gosh darned if that line "I *won't* let them hurt you" absolutely shattered that wall I'd put up in an instant. Absolute tears, both for the beauty of the scene and for finally letting go of the refusal to give Suvi a chance. My walls feel like they're coming down with Suvi's

Actually heck, I might was well ask for the fireside: I had never felt a potential romance among PCs thus far in the campaign until the end of this episode, where Suvi and Ame embraced and found strength and comfort in each other. Listening back, did the players or brennan feel or read into any potential romantic vibes between Suvi and Ame, or was the scene purely a moment of the strongest kind of plutonic friendship? Thx!

The music and sound pacing around THAT scene hit me in a way that no other podcast or DnD show has ever done: genuine fear. Also the moment and words shared between Ame and Suvi at the end of the ep gave me potential romantic vibes even tho I doubt it was played that way at all. Idk why maybe it was the strong protective and trusting vibes they had for each other. One heck of an ep!

Also the real question I have is: how many of the witches we have seen are truly wicked? I honestly feel Grimoire is true to her domain so she's just a monstrous neutral party, she was kind to the other witch and was walking her in with a youngling in her arms (eating on a heart, might I add). But I truly feel Indry and Minthara are wicked...and the others are all "good" witches

I really gotta listen to the scene where Suvi enters the castle chambers from the airship to see how her retinue responded to everything...I always thought they were all in danger, but the fact it was so IMMEDIATE and abrupt is....terrifying in a way that nothing else is. These are truly monsters. I love it.

glad the gym was empty when i was listening to this because oh boy i could not contain my reactions gosh golly that was an episode

Well well well. There is much to say about this and the last episode. So much thought is crafted into this story by all of you. Taylor: Man, the way you vide with what is happening at the table and in this story is just.... Also taking the raw you get and crafting sound that hits all the right resonance of the story in a way that language just can’t always capture is honestly absolutely stunning. Your editing, sound design and music are a window for me into what is under an already rich fabric. It inspires me. The emotion you evoke is so much of what makes my observations and reflections about this magical thing you are all creating come alive. It stirs the coals and whispers encouragement to sink deeper and reflect more. I can’t even really find words, but that’s ok because you give me the sounds and music signifying everything. Thanks man. Really even though we don’t know each other…a deep well of gratitude is in my heart for what you craft. And now on the others. Oh Ame. Small stiches and knots weave the grandest of tapestries. She may be small, but perhaps that is a place the witch of the worlds heart thrives. Kindness reveals connections and history that the self might rather be lost or hidden. Indri perhaps mistakes kindness for weakness or sees it as a tool for only self-fulfillment. But Ame is kind and is rewarded by understanding. It is not the only aspect of the worlds heart, but it is one which Ame chooses despite her desire to make mean girls understand. Instead, she has thus far chosen kindness. Woe be it to the Coven or the world if she were to set her feet instead upon the path of making them understand. The Coven was luck with Wren I think, and now seeks to take advantage of Ame in her early springtime. They best not wound her and let her live…for the sake not just of the Coven but because there are probably much darker aspects of the worlds heart that all in Umora would tremble at. Can we imagine connection via forced understanding, via obedience, via required service? I think the Coven had a clear understanding about Wren, who might in her wisdom be able to embrace those aspects of heart and connection without destroying herself. With Ame though some of them seem sure enough that they might be minimizing a terrible risk. One might even believe that if the Coven does not succeed but injures Ame badly enough that the Machinery of Empire might just find a terrible heart to drive it to ruinous terrible order. I know this season is already recorded but in a fun fantastical way my advice to the Coven is that If you come at the Queen you best not miss. Urselon: Brilliant action in force followed by quiet reflection of love, family and the wisdom they bring in moments of pancake secrets. Just perfect. Wayshadowed he may be, but his other worldly way of being are so astoundingly subtle and crashingly loud that it is has all of my attention. I find myself going back and relistening to all of Ureslon’s scenes because Lou is a genius. I have never felt so strongly in any medium someone capture the alien nature of the benevolent Fea. I am wracking my brain to try to come up with a way to describe it. It's like uncanny valley but alluring instead of disturbing. Not totally alien, but more like being drawn to or in awe of something that shines with the light of a world of forms. It’s not human or maybe it is the distilled fluid essence of humanness? What does one call an impact like that? Ephemeral Vale? Empyrean Plateau? Gah!!!! Good lord I love this character!!!!!! Suvi. Dear Suvi. I love so much the little moments where I can catch my breath with this character. The hug. The question about how Ame knew to sing. Everything about how Abria plays out this character is so heartbreakingly honest. The tension of Suvi is the embodiment of how hard it is to escape one's injuries, all the while giving will to power energy that will not be undone, will not be bowed or broken. And better still that even small refuge (a summer with magical friends and the kindest wisest witch) can shelter an ember of hope. Hope for connection. Hope for healthy growth and change. Hope that this woman who values so much knowledge will come to understand herself. While I hold back as the fate has not yet been cast around her story, I do believe there is very strong potential for Suvi’s story to be one that embodies something our world desperately needs people to learn. And so, I will take a moment to wax poetic. Suvi’s story is one I might point to and say with confidence. look there! Look there all seekers of insight! What mirror does mine spirit behold! Me? Myself? Potential? A silvered reflecting wisdom from which I can only look away and turn inward. It shines such light as I look upon it that might grow from within me a verdant beauty. Its bounty then might be a living fruit to be given as a gift to others. Count it joy! And waxing poetic done. Thanks Abria. Really thank you. Brennan. What to say? Honestly man listening you bring this to life as the GM is somehow like watching a master dancer perfectly shift from celtic to tap to waltz to salsa all the while constructing a perfect huge Lego build and painting something akin to the beauty of starry night. It just takes my breath away. I will have more to say to you sir, once this chapter is done! I reserve my comments until I have had time to process, reflect on and digest the whole of this awe-inspiring juggling act you are managing with witch con. To all of you, thanks for taking up my head space. I have so much more to say to each of you but I think some of my reflections will not fully formed until chapter 3 reveals more to me. I wait with sincere giddy stupid big joyful excitement.

The witch of the wind and stars is absolutely eating people. She is bathing in all the blood of her apprentices and devouring them whole. None can replace her, and none can even measure up, and any threat will lead to whatever potential they have to extend her fucking life.

Yo this one is so wild I gotta do it again

Well, WBN made me cry... again lol

such an emotional roller coaster, intreuged, Terrified, charmed, and Heart warmed. so excited for the next chapters of these four's story

Not to be dramatic but I would ✨️DIE✨️ for Tough 😭😭😭

"If you listen to the show with young children, you might wanna give this ep a listen first." sounds a lot like there's a content warning/note that this ep would benefit from.

Oh my god, the last two minutes was aftercare for the moment I need to dub “the big terrible”

I could talk about the philosophies of the Coven of Elders for hours because the implications of what has been set up is deeply fascinating. Gotta find a listening buddy and treat it like a book club 😅

Two Finger Toff. Great spirit, even better drag king name

*chefs fucking kiss** whhhhyyy isn’t it 5 hrs long??

I don’t understand the contract bit, can someone explain?

Ahhh! This episode! Omg. Indri is eeeeevil.

1. Holy shit... The other comments already convey the shock and awe quite thoroughly I think! 2. I cannot help but itch with so many questions that I want Ame to ask about the coven's history!! How did the coven get started/who brought all of these powerful stations together?? Was there a devastating conflict that lead to its creation like the UN? What would the consequences be if the coven was dissolved altogether? As mentioned in other comments, what are the consequences of witches abusing their power? What did Wren teach Ame about how to handle coven meetings, and if she didn't, why not? Can't believe we have to wait so long for more.......!!

well, I guess you could say that was the Straw that broke Grimoire’s pact 😁

Was the actual nat 1 for Starw edited out? And Eursulon clocking Straw crying? Was that also edited out?

Respectfully Brennan, wkfjsvnakxjfhandjdb WHY?! But also I still love it. Help.

I feel bad for the Wizard Straw and all, but I also keep hearing Suvi's remark from arc one about spirits in the mortal world in my head. Maybe when wizards come to the world of witches they get what they fucking get, mmm?

Bro the way I am fiending for new episodes. What is in this podcast, fucking drugs???? What the fuck you guys 😭😂

When was it mentioned before that the Wizard Straw was crying? Can not find where Eursulon clocked it.

I liked Tof and the fox hiding under a blanket of stars

Holy hell that was good! The intensity of the instant follow through on consequence - Brennan holding the story true to its threats - really reinforces the stakes and how fkn powerful the forces that our dear players are interacting with are. Phenomenal! I do wish that Eursilon had a bit more “screen time” tho, because his solo scene felt pretty short by comparison. Overall I am absolutely loving the blend of Ghibli vibes we’re seeing, from Mononoke to Spirited Away to Kiki’s Delivery Service (with Eursilon just quietly working on his art skills on his own near the cozy & whimsical hearth of the Witch of the World’s Heart). Tysm to everyone who had a hand in putting this together! It is literally my favorite ttrpg & storytelling experience of all time 🧡

Does anyone know how long it usually takes after an episode for transcripts to be uploaded?

I need to see a visual of the end of this episode NOW 😭 it was so amazing

Gomorrah enforcing her one rule was absolutely terrifying, but I love how magic works in this series.

Holy s**t. Holy s**t. Holy s**t (meant to be muttered quietly because that’s the only thing that feels appropriate)

The SOuNdS 😨😨😨😨

the greatest tragedy i know is that i can’t just listen to this story unfold all day every day forever

WOAH

I have no words... I need a minute

This is hands down my favorite episode

So many great scenes in this episode but honest to god my mouth hung open for a full minute, out of pure shock, when Straw got snatched up. I was just walk’n my dog and looked around agape as I tried to figure out “what, why, how, wha?!?!?” Did not see that coming. Amazing episode.

Is the music box that Suvi was given related at all to the music box Eursalon received from Ame??? Is it the same music box? I feel like I missed something.

God damn! This episode! This chapter! So good!!

Had to listen three times cuz I felt I hadn’t fully comprehended the entirety of what this episode contains. There’s so much. Omg the sound effects for the scene with Straw. The sound was so intense that I’m so very glad that this is only audio and not visual. I’d hate to watch, but listen, it’s a bit easier to handle. Awesome job, Taylor Moore!!! Striking awe with every episode!

You guys are incredible creators. I am swept away when listening to this story. Please don’t stop making incredible stories!

Holy crap, What a ride. The audio was insane!

Taylor Moore!! Got me in my feelings with that composition at the end of the episode. How dare you, good sir?!

my soul is gone away and that episode felt far too short- WHAT DO THE STARS HAVE TO SAYYYYYYYY?? (don’t worry, was still given lots to chew on, I just am v excited for that plot device to play out :)))

I just have a lot of feelings 🥲

This episode was so intense. God that last scene was so tender and beautiful

By the gods, this episode was so good

Tears are streaming down my face with all this boot business

Please tell me Suvi. Is over her anger with Ame or that Silver has been revealed as a bad guy… I need something to soothe me anxiety!!! (I just started)

I feel like we came down from mentor murder a little too quickly 😂 but I'll assume that that's because of the implication that there's a parade of apprentices getting iced (pun intended) if they start to show talent. Also seems pretty fucked that there doesn't appear to be a cosmic consequence for mentor/mentee murder considering Witches have retributive curses that basically double curse a person for harming something under the Witch's care. Certainly seems to imply that a Witch can harm things under their care all they want while also being under no obligation to reciprocate care given to them by a mentor

That murder was right up there with Asmodeus skinning Zerxus 😱 but also my bet on the threads is they're the magic of Ame's station, and Eursulon can see it bc it's all mixed up with Spirit Stuff.

OH MY GOD I have never been shook by an audio before in such terror as what happened in this episode.

Ame and Suvi finally hugging it out, and all it took was the brutal mauling of a wizard 😅😂

The pancakes are on the back of the shield because they’re just for him to see. To remind him what he’s protecting 😭

Taylor I gotta know, is that the Byzantar you were talking about in your AMA that we hear for a certain witch's motif?? I keep going back to listen to it because that sound is HAUNTING

The incredible whiplash between Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away that just happened omg

Tough is immediately my favorite spirit (not counting Eursolon)

Holy! That was a lot of sauce for an hour.

Man that one felt short even though it wasn't! That's what good storytelling will do. The narrative will fly by and you just want more.

All I can think about every time they talk about Hynrul now is the omegaverse and I hate it

Oh god the relief of Ame and Suvi finally hugging it out made me cry like a baby

Mirara better step up because Indri and Grimore currently have her beat in the heebie jeebies department

I was washing my dishes with so much fear listening to the scene with Grimore— what beautiful terrible beautiful sound Taylor 💖

Incredibly hilarious within Starlight Twinkle Butt's CENTURIES of Espionage and Juilliard acting PHD she got outed by a sentient Rock. "HOW DID YOU FIND OUT I MURDERED-" "Your coal told me :) :) :) We're friends now!!" No wonder everyone wants Ame dead these World-Heart Witches are Keter-class reality bending SCP's lol lmao even

I love Tough so much!!! And I’m scared so much of Grimore. Wow! Is the golden thread Eursilon’s power, Ame’s power or something else? Idk I’m leaning Eursilon since we don’t know his subclass yet.

Damn! What an amazing episode on all fronts. Timestamp for the warning: Approximately 25 minutes

I'm not ready.

Yay! This news just made my day!🎉🎉🎉

hell yeah