[PUBLIC EPISODE] The Wizard, the Witch and the Wild One: ep022 “Bring Them to Me"
When there is no path, you make a path by walking. The rest of us are just following orders. Slow down, you're moving too fast, you got to make the moment last. Is a trap a trap if you like it? Bad news kiddo, wherever you go, there you are.
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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.
Album art by the great Corey Brickley
Comments (261)
“And ultimately I wanted Grandmother Wren to remember…” 😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒 Well, she didn’t remember shit, did she?!
The entire episode was so amazing but god, i was so in it at the end that as the heartbeat sound effect started playing i could literally feel my own pulse
Brennan... so help me if Keen was on one of these incoming imperial ships to Xiao...
Oh my God the music for Ame curse potential is just 😲😍😲😍😲😍😲😍😲
Pressure builds by piece Perspective means everything What do you want to
Magic is what you ARE. Screaming.
Just, wow!
This episode was a gut-punch in the best way. I had to take a moment along with Erika/Ame when Brennan said that deep pool analogy as that's something that I slowly realized in my 20s and he just laid out in such a succinct and beautifully said way. ❤️
I have had trouble playing the episodes on Apple Podcasts. This sucks particular ass because it’s one of the only sites that don’t have ads and has convenient forwards and back buttons. Anyone else have this issue?
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
My god, so glad I was working from home because I unwillingly yelled "HOLY FUCK" when Suvi said "bring them to me" and then started crying with emotions. THIS STORY IS SO GOOD YOU GUYS 😭
It just occurred to me how Interesting it is that Suvi’s the only character with Friends? Like, for all Ame’s the high wis, emotionally intelligent one, Suvi has (step?)siblings, friends, and classmates. It makes “they don’t care about me” that much worse bc Suvi has examples of friendship that aren’t just nostalgia from over a decade ago
THIS! I have to admit I feel more of Suvi's disappointment and frustrations here. I think you just said succinctly why Suvi has demonstrated SO MUCH MORE than the other 2 (despite their stats on paper or class functions/features) why Suvi is better at being a friend to them, whereas they are more like siblings to her--and even thoughtful and loving siblings can find it much easier to take you for granted.
What happened to Kaya's name cloak? Was it destroyed when she was found to be a spirit?
She would have given them a fake name from the beginning — so they would have cloaked that one, not Kaliyah
I finally got a chance to listen to the episode and was compelled to come in to say WOW what an episode! Absolutely masterclass from everyone.
This narrative becomes better and richer as it goes along - what a storytelling powerhouse!!
Honestly...shout out to the performances in this and the truly masterful storytelling. Aabria's ability to make us narratively fall in love with seemed like a a hard-to-love character at the start of this...I definitely was always rolling my eyes at Suvi's [seemingly] blind loyalty to the Citadel and to have the moments that have softened Suvi and specifically Aabria's choices of when to lean into the "oh shit....I love my friends and this place but... how can I be loyal to both when they are each trying to confront and/or capture and marginalize the other" . I think Suvi's emotional beats showing her realizations that her loyalty to her friends will come at a cost and she's not just a stubborn, "know-it-all" (AWAB-- All Wizards Are Bastards"), she is truly learning what it means to actually maintain trust in her relationships -- chef's kiss. AND ERICA AND LOU-- -embodying their characters and the nature of their characters.!! Ame's grasp of the weight of the Past and the memories she waited so long to be reconnected with!! Echoes of Grandmother Wren's warnings and the choice to demonstrate radical self-trust-- sometimes from a grounded place and sometimes from a naive and sometimes problematic place!!! And Lou's response to the threat of the walls closing in ratcheting up slowly. Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Interrogating what Honor in THIS world --- this much more complex and nuanced world than the one he first learned that word in.....well done, all.
I hear everyone's respect for Suvi's position in this episode. I do think her position makes sense and accordingly her choices. BUT I don't get the frustration with Ame. I think people are missing the complete dismissal Steel had for the gravity of Ame's situation. I know Steel is showing through actions (taking time during a war to seek out more information) that she cares but she's only doing that in the first place because she doesn't believe Ame. She says multiple times that young witches can be manipulated and led astray. If I were Ame I would feel trapped in a violent state that isn't on my side. Of course Suvi doesn't get it, she feels safe at the Citadel. She's privileged there and her mom is the military boss. Eursalon and Ame though are outsiders and we have been shown that they are very violent toward spirits and dismissal of witches. ALSO want to point out that the Fox is the terrorist here! Ame did not say, light em up. She just took the opportunity after it was already too late, but if she had known the plan she for sure would have told the fox no and to do something that wasn't going to hurt people.
I appreciate this comment, I feel much of the same way. I think that her roles and decision to ignore/not notice things right in front of her (which is an amazing choice from Aabria) have led her to not see or even ask where Ame was coming from and so is really frustrated with her because she is looking inward instead of trying to understand the world around her.
In the timeline, there is BBTM (before bring them to me) and after. Bold, brave, flawed, perfect moves across the board. No story has ever felt this real and it has a talking fox
HOLY FUCK. The sound design! It felt like my car was literally falling through an aflame tornado when the Fox knocked over the barrels and started the magic fire in Zhao court.
As if I needed yet another reason to consider Fox to be the sagest scamp on the Material Plane.
Amazing. One of the best so far!
AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
I have never listened to a podcast more than once until this one. Three times straight. Just incredible. Act Two hits like a TRUCK.
This is such excellent storytelling and I feel so deeply for Suvi because in the absence of communication the only conclusion she can come to is that her friends don't care about her and how what they do affects her. And it really raises the question in my mind of does Ame not understand that her choices have very real consequences for Suvi or is it that she does understand but cares more about her own convictions and values them more than the hurt she's causing Suvi. Cause all I can picture is Steel at the end of Arc 1 telling them that if they endanger more lives of the citadel then they'll be viewed as enemies accordingly.
I want to go on record that I have a lot of compassion for Suvi - her loyalties have been tested and challenged many times with Ame & Eursulon & she's right to feel that they are not respecting the culture and values that raised her - the fact that she also takes that to mean they don't care about her is a logical leap, especially someone who is still young and working on her emotional maturity 🙂 The one thing that I keep coming back to is that prophecy was very clear that (1) Suvi would not be given permission to go with Ame and (2) Ame would die without her, and still she told Ame nothing could stop her from going with her. It seems that she never really thought about what that truly meant and also that she really doesn't respect the gravity of Ame's responsibilities or position and even the urgency of this situation - her very existence and the balance between humans, spirits, and witches is being threatened and she's being told to sit tight. To be fair there's a lot of not respecting or understanding where each other comes from period in this trio, but the Citadel and the Empire (and Suvi, by extension) seem quickest to force when respect isn't freely given. Or simply when it suits their beliefs to do so. Don't forget that the Citadel held Eursulon's sister as a prisoner and would do so again if they could, when she didn't cause any harm or pose any risk and arguably enhanced their society. So I don't think it was that Ame didn't consider the consequences of her actions, it was that she was refusing to be subject to a system that did not understand or respect her or her values. Her position is adjacent to and not under the Citadel. And she couldn't risk her entire purpose and being to make the way easier for Suvi. Honestly every decision each of them made was pretty understandable and I don't fault anyone for the situation necessarily.
I really felt for Suvi in this episode. The contemplations of Ame and Eursalon benefitting from (and taking advantage of) all the good the Citadel has to offer without granting it any respect or allegiance was so profound and enforces what she has always known about witches and honored friends. But to hear the words percolating below the surface and motivating Suvi's actions was so honest and bold as fuck. Aabria, Lou, and Erika brought some of the most cohesive and suspenseful game play so far in the campaign and the way that Brennan lets them literally jump into fire is just astounding.
Does anyone know when the transcript for this episode comes out?
Had to say how much I loved this episode! I have been so floored by everyone's performances and character choices, but especially Aabria! I happened to re-listen to the prologue again recently, and her and Suvi 'reliving' her one regret, her insistence to 'be good' and sit quietly having robbed her of her final words to her parents (let alone all the other possibilities)... MAN!! And it just keeps happening! Then, Eursulon's encounter with the mushroom spirit, Port Talon and NOW! Not to say I disagree with Suvi's choices at all, far from it. I just had mention that this one aspect is very nearly the first thing we learn about Suvi, and how fascinating it has been to see it echoed and warped with each pivotal and irrevocable moment of the campaign!
I loved this episode! I feel like Ame has a lot to learn about friendship, maybe because she didn't grow up with many friends. Lots of consequences for her actions that she doesn't seem to think (or care?) about.
I know Lou isn't likely to see this. But if he does, I just want to know... Do you like, REALLY like honey or really hate honey? Because in two games now, the children's adventure and fantasy high junior year, you've dunked on someone's free honey!
Tbf, all of that honey was quiet. Definitely worthy of being dunked on.
“Bring them to me… and I wait.” Is so awesome!
With the organ chord! Chills...
I came here to echo everything that's already been said, but really wanna congratulate Taylor on the sound design it truly had me immersed, engaged, and even more emotional.
The SQUEALING at the rolls, j just 🤌😭 your outside voice is my inside voice
To whoever chose to end this episode where you did, I want you to know that was cruel and unusual punishment.
First arc, y'all had me on the edge of my seat every episode, counting down the minutes til the next one dropped, then immediately devouring it. And now?-- I'm on the edge of my seat every episode, counting down the minutes til the next one drops, then Absolutely Dreading starting & finishing each new episode. In the best way. Like dreading cliff diving. Or a first kiss. I'm hooked, y'all. Well done.
I really would love a physical copy of the arcs. i am a big cd fan and would buy it in a heartbeat
seconded!!
I keep thinking about how Steel cast doubt on the prophecy, and makes me wonder if Ame stopped trusting that she really needed Suvi with her because she’s at risk of death if the prophecy is right!
I was thinking about this too oh god
I'd love to be the Wizard Sacred.
Whats everyones wizard names, id want to be the Wizard Sanguine
That ending!
C'mon man. Why end it like that? 🥲
You ever realize that youre living through history in the making….
Perfect day to release the mardi gras bomb ep
My goodness. The music calling back to the port talon Derrick and being trapped, Suvi’s descriptions being true of her friends but even more true of the citadel itself, Eursulon’s impossible decision.
To be lucky enough to listen to what possible is the greatest single chapter of story telling I've ever experienced on the fiftieth anniversary of D&D. We are all so fortunate (horse) to be on the same big rock at the same time as Brennan, Aabria, Erika & Lou.
Jaw on the floor
WTAF!!! What an intense episode. So so good I had forgotten to breathe pretty much the last 20 minutes of this episode.
This week I learned that podcasts can make me stress sweat
Beyond excited to hear them discuss the episode by the fireside 😍😍 obsessed
You are terrible people for doing this to my feelings. How dare you make us wait.
Absolutely in love with this party split. When Brennan set the dc results in being absolutely catastrophic I expected the threat to come from anywhere but inside the party. The best part is that non of it felt forced. Suvi reliving her helplessness from port talon and again finding herself siding with the citadel over her friends after earning her only salvation with steel by making this decision makes so much sense. She has practically a life time of conditioning to reckon with vs friends she was with for a summer and have done nothing but mooch off of her in her eyes. Meanwhile it’s almost hard to believe Ame even stayed this long. The Fox has been dying to get out for days. The citadel has been a nice stop in the story but Ame and Eursalon just felt trapped there. The establishment has been crushing them slowly. Jorren also making a reappearance was so interesting. Who else could take down a fort so quickly? He has been shown to have inside info and connections going back 20 years at least.
The first moment, the first inkling, Suvi ever gets of exactly how truly powerful and worthy of fear and respect witches are just not as individuals but as an institution, all pretensions of friendship are quickly discarded and she just goes into full Citadel mode. She’s no longer dealing with friends, but with threats. With people who disobeyed her. All talk of how Ame, her so-called friend, would die without her? No longer a problem. Suvi complains that they don’t listen without realizing she doesn’t really listen to them either. It’s all been her using her privilege within the structure of the Citadel and Ame and Eursalon quietly walking behind her and getting a first person view of all its ugly underbelly that she doesn’t even notice. Ame is no saint either here, but she’s been basically loli gagged and treated like a child every step of the way by both Suvi and Steel. Her situation and station as a Witch completely bypassed because Citadel shit. At the end of the day, these are two twenty something couple of idiots who barely know how the world truly works, still trying to desperately tether to each other by a single, idyllic, nostalgia-fueled experience that may simply not be enough.
aaaAaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
@Brennan, Ame's insight check into herself was a free therapy session for all of us who are interested in looking at everything the universe has to offer, yet still have to operate in a world in which that is not the modus operandi for everyone we encounter. Yes sir, that was good for a 24.
You're a sick man Brennan, That cliffhanger is gonna be the death of me
Brennan sniped Erica through the door that in the duplex! Suvi is anchored by her upbringing. (Also Suvi verbalizing her feeling! Growth) Eursulon becomes one with magic. (The fact that he both saves those wizards from the magic and also finds that burrow is just *chefs kiss*)
Justice for Suvi! She’s right!!! Like the other characters are right too but she is trying her best and doing her damndest to roll with the punches but holy SHIT does Ame not respect her or her needs in this episode. She’s acting like someone who is forgetting that she needs suvi to be at the north pole or she dies.
That's what I'm saying!!! It makes the lack of care on Ame's part even worse cause she's completely disregarding how what she does affects Suvi like she doesn't need her to live. It's like treating her poorly because you know she won't leave you to die
God what an episode. The players cheering over things that will devastate their characters. The return of the Citadel's Organ Music when the Wizard Sky gives an order. Eursolon's incredible rolls. I am on the edge of my seat here.
Just a perfect union of creative DM and player choices plus the dice showing they also know how to ramp up the action and tension! Beautiful 😍. Furthermore Brennan thanks for just straight up seeing into my soul on that 24 insight with Âme 😂🤗
I'm obsessed over how Theatrical this whole episode is! After last ep ending on such a mellow but hopeful note, this was Tense from start to finish! The drones and the Echo had me from the getgo it's both bustling and Eerie. This ep just convinced me a bajillion times over i Want his album So So Bad some day
That stab of organs after Suvi says “bring them to me”. Hoooly shit. Chills. In some universes this is the start of her villain arc for sure.
When Suvi's persuasion failed and Steel was saying to Just Stay Put that racheting tension had me fully sprinting (thanks for the addition to my run!) and that CLIFFHANGER (also Ursulon's realising he Is Magic was beautiful oh my GODS) <3
you all are incredible, marvelous, wonderful storytellers. I just started this podcast like a month ago and finally got caught up and the realization that I now have to wait for the next episode is decimating. but also, holy shit I might need a second to recover from this episode anyways. just beautiful
The mechanic implemented at 56min mark is something inspiring and never seen before. Was that made up in the moment or something you've used before, at BLM?
I’ll never recover from this episode!
Love it when brennan just Reminds me how Cool Eursulon is w straight up prose like I love that greek chorus for me it's so Viceral every time fr (Losing my mind at three am oops)
Goodness that was Great !!!! I Love Character Dama So Much !!!!! I MISSED THISSS
I CAN'T WAIT to hear what Steel has to say and how she'll react to all this!!!
Everyone is (or should be) talking about the "24" moment at 7:30. "That was for my CHARACTER." BLM, do you realize (in the moment) that you are shaping the way your player will understand and interpret their character forevermore as you deliver these harrowing Insights? Like, we all play our PCs beyond a gossamer veil of fantasy. But it's like you use a scalpel to expose this link and say, "Here, this is who you are / pretending to be."
"The Door"
HOLY CRAP -- I.....THEY....HE.........
So much happened close to the conclusion of this episode, but can we quickly talk about poor Mr. Callum?! And that Ame walks in deep waters where most are terrified to tread?! Brennan just whipping that out off the top of his head. The audacity. What a beautiful exchange.
Oh no Ame has autism XDD
I have signed up for this Patreon to simply say to Brennan, Aabria, Erika, Lou and everyone else: no. Absolutely not. This is an unacceptable cliff on which to hang my heart and my hope and that I have spent money for the opportunity to speak this bittersweet indignance is the absolute darkest mirror of capitalist hell, but there it is. Huh-uh. Not okay. You go back in that booth and you record another episode and you think about what you've done.
Hello! Welcome! I highly recommend you fill the hole in your heart with the children’s adventure. It’s ~13h of content and enhances WBN so incredibly much. It’ll tide you over to next ep for sure. Plus there will be a Fireside (talkback) next week!! Welcome. It’s wonderful here
I liked how you can see all the characters points of view. Also I wonder if Eurselon would choose to find his family first since that is his big quest or if he will go to Ame.
Conspiracy theory: Steel is the one who killed/caused the death of Suvi’s parents and Eioghorain is the only one who knows
I’m pretty sure that’s canonically how it’s spelled! Can’t take credit for it but agree that it’s perfect.
I have never felt more for Suvi than now, I cannot feel that her assessment in this moment is wrong. And Ame has seemed to have forgotten that without Suvi she will die
Like damn they really did what will be considered an act of war and terror
Omg. That ending.
That 24 was UNCALLED FOR. 😅 Read for absolute filth at 10am on a Wednesday, damn.
I have to say it's very interesting to see the HUGE pendulum swing of people being in favor of Suvi after people disliking her for so long - I guess all it took was a sprinkle of rejection sensitivity 😅 I think Ame is reckless and Suvi is too trusting in the Citadel, but, they're also pretty damn young with huge and sudden weights on their shoulders.
Reminds me of the rage people felt about Korra in the Legend of Korra. Like, hey whoa a kid brought up in social isolation sheltered from the world and told she was its next great savior is dumbass powerful but socially messy as hell and has ALL of their identity wrapped up in their own mythology at *17*. Yeah. They're gonna make weird calls sometimes.
absolutely love the episode! especially love that you can hear The Wizard Sunny's contributions in the background peppered throughout the episode.
Thank you for this comment I will now be listening back for these contributions
For fox sake Brennan, we weren’t even 9 minutes into the episode before you sniper shot that self-awareness directly into Erika’s brain (as AuDHD who lives in the UK and has to really force small talk about weather and routes, it was a hard relate and I send a mental hug). An amazing ep all round, can’t wait for Lou’s decision (Aabria, OMG, mental hug for you too, so many hard emotions!) 🫶
I have so many emotions about the end of the episode, but I just CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE WIZARD STRIPE 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
I absolutely bothering my partner every few minutes to play her parts of this episode and she doesn't even listen to the show. The production, DMing and play were all top notch!
i really get Suvi but ooo baby is it scary. Suvi needs to realize the citadel isnt law to a witch and a spirit
Suvi is fully in the right, and I will not be convinced otherwise.
Cannot understand how people would be mad at Suvi here. Her best friends have betrayed her time and time again when she needs them most. Ame has literally set the citadel on fire.
Taylor.... no Dvorak??? After THAT?? I feel rode hard and put away wet
Everyone's talking about how Suvi is being "villainous", but I instantly related to those feelings she had...
The scene where Suvi touches Ame to stop her, and essentially awakens the power of the worlds heart by accident, gives the same energy as the scene from Avatar the last air bender when Aang says “fire lord ozai you and your forefathers have devastated the balance of this world”. This was so good 😁.
T H I S exactly that tbh
An absolute roller coaster of emotions. I can't wait till the next episode. I don't know how I'm going to make it till then!
Good ol' Justin Fication is really working overtime for Suvi, huh
Incredible episode. I love Suvi, how complex she is, and how her more villainous actions like "bring them to me" are never made without a dozen reasons to justify them. But I agree with Aabria's mom. I don't approve of where Suvi is headed! (Just kidding, I'm excited for her villain arc)
Aabria Iyengar, the woman that you are... Never change, diva 💋
Hell yes. This was so fucking good. Thank you!
This is my favorite episode of any actual play ever I think
I gotta say while all the choices make sense to me the thing that felt like the start of the split was Ursalon saying, “It was always going to be this way…” (or something to that effect) It verbalized the divide between the Wizard, the witch and the wild one. Excited to see how this resolves but I have a gut feeling this is going to HAVE to explode at some point with so many clashing ideological differences…
Witches and Spirits will do as they want... man what an episode! The knowledge that Ame and Ursalon by pure luck managed to avoid killing innocents in there bid to not take an order... damn I've never resonated with Suvi more than now but I'm so thrilled to see where this goes!!!
The Wizard might be the antagonist.
I mean her society for sure is.
Oh my GOD what a thick sode!!! Beautifully brilliant. Perfectly executed. The drama! The splitting of the paths. WBN is truly the highest echelon of the TTRPG actual play world
Guys. All you had to do was wait 2 HOURS at the airport for Mom to get our plane tickets and you HIJACKED A PLANE AND LIT THE RUNWAY ON FIRE
Sly said explicitly that Suvi would not get permission to leave and there were Empire warships descending on them after Suvi’s failed deception check. I think Steel was about to be the limit of her ability to shield them and allow the others to leave in time. Right move for Ame, disastrous consequences for all IMO.
Honestly, just such a phenomenal episode. I was kicking and screaming at that amazing cliffhanger. My biggest question: how is the group going to reconcile after this?
All I can think is that we’re going to have a lot of episodes between now and the party coming together again, but surely something will force them together sooner?
I hope I word this right. I think this is a really good representation and like expression of what the reactions and consequences of knowing what our future needs in order for specific things to happen. I understand pacing of the episodes and everything, but I can’t help but feel like it’s also a little bit more intentional. I will be transparent, I believe I am on Ame’s side of this. I am not ignorant to the actions that Ame is actively choosing to do that are hurting and harmful to their friends. But Ame can push the limits because she knows of what her future requires and so does Suvi and Urselon. Yes, Ame is being a loose canon in certain ways, but also they all hold the same information around what Ame’s future requires. I really liked the description of Suvi and her thoughts. I am shook at how this episode ended. I thought I accidentally hit the next button, I didn’t know what had happened. I applaud yall on the active choice of not having the outro. And to anyone who listens I would climb Everest just to yell to the distant stars about how much I absolutely love Urselon and the story has and will affect him.
This episode had everything... Godddd the fallout from this is gonna be delicious. Fully understand where everyone's coming from. The anti- institutionalist in me wants to side with Ame, but idk that I see a path to forgiveness after this, and I'm just heartbroken for Suvi. This really is the best actualplay ever made. And everyone's said it but again, the cliffhanger 😭🤌
How dare you.
The cliffhanger? I am not okay! I was listening to the end of the episode on my way to work and I could keep my mouth closed, everyone on the train stared at me. God I love this podcast so much.
I love the way the episode ended so suddenly but my phone gave me a no-delay autoplayed episode of "Wonderful!" which if you've hear that show begins with loud upbeat saxophone music. Sort of undercut the moment... 🤣
Going from a deeply emotional and dramatic cliffhanger to Rachel and Griffin talk about Jorts is definitely a whiplash of emotions.
if i keep trying to pick a quote from this pod to get tattooed i’ll never decide. wbn continues to be such a sweet & heartwrenching masterpiece….never stop making this story come to life
Ame's choices are, as ever, endlessly fascinating to scrutinize. On the one hand, it just reads like flighty, reckless impulsivity. Doing the wrong things for the right reasons. On the other hand, Ame really captures that ADHD curse/superpower of being able to take the temperature of a person, situation, or community at a glance, and instantly see the whole emotional flow-chart 200 junctures out. She is the epitome of a character with +10 wisdom and -3 intellect. Basically I think Ame's gut is telling her "we will be fighting the Citadel about 70 episodes from now", and she's just gotten there before anyone else. So choices that read as really impulsive are actually just somebody with rock-solid instincts that reality and other people haven't caught up to yet. (But in the same breath, as stock traders say: The right move, at the wrong time, is actually the wrong move.) It really draws the arc from a beginner witch to someone like Grandma Wren so clearly, and reframes that whole "cryptic grandma" shtick as the hard-won tactical footing it actually is. Grandma Wren wasn't aloof because it's so cute and witchy; she played her cards close to the chest because acting on instinct too soon robs you of the advantages instinct GIVES you. And that deep interpersonal wisdom is what marks a mature witch. It's what lets them have their cake and eat it too, where they not only get to be right, but also get to persuade consternated NPC's into trusting their conscience and betraying their own dogmas, in precisely the way Ame just FAILED to do. I mean hell, even that bit where Ame didn't want to reveal Sly's name, and wound up arousing Steel's suspicion, is EXACTLY the kind of thing Grandma Wren would have navigated EFFORTLESSLY with a twinkling little offhanded comment about how a witch never reveals her secrets. That's what winking little asides like that are FOR!
Steel relents and lets Suvi accompany Ame. I’m not sure about another way forward.
Sly said she would not be *allowed* to go. She might be *ordered*
The cliff hanger ending was cruel to me as an audience member. So many emotions falling on a single decision that I now have to survive 2 weeks to find out what happened. Thank you.
I love how much I can understand every. single. character decision. It makes the relationship destruction even more heartbreaking 😭 and that ending!! Brennen!!
This divide was a long time coming unfortunately. All of them have grown up differently and,no matter how much peace and love they knew as children that one summer, they still don’t understand the fundamentals of who they are. Suvi broke my heart with her thoughts. I have been through that mindset before. She HAS to be so careful, to work in the system she was raised in. When she has gone off the path it has only lead to pain. And now she is left with this painful decision to close her heart to her dearest friends. And I do understand the Wilds for leaving. This world of Wizards and these politics have only really hurt them in a way. There is still more that needs to be uncovered and being pulled in these directions are so hard to ignore. The worlds of spirits and witches are just as important, but I fear this may cause other consequences for Suvi and Steel since they supported Ame in front of so many important wizards.
This episode was gut-wrenching and heart-rending. It hurts to think that Ame's brash choices may have just destroyed her oldest friendship.
Weird coincidence that this episode drops the day before Valentine's day, and there's mention of a wizard couple and heart-shaped cake. Also weird coincidence that this same episode dropped on Mardi Gras, and wizards caught near the 'floo powder" were sweating "purple, green, and gold"
Aabria’s dice refusing to cooperate until she made the pro empire move was so good and so sad
hey man the dice tell a story!
I think I stopped breathing for the last 20 minutes of this episode. 😱
Me at the end of this episode.....Hmm, oh, a dramatic pause...wait, that's a long pause....an uncomfortably long pause....>....What the hell! No, no, no.
I actually cannot believe that I have to wait 2 weeks to know his choice omfg, the best podcast episode I’ve ever heard maybe ever???
I am STUNNED!!!!! This is such a tremendous story and I love it SO much!!!!!
Ammmmmazing episode as always!!! I was so nervous for them the whole time and then when it ended I was like wait what?! I need more now 😭😭😭
TAYLORRRRRR OMGGGGG WHYYYYY
Is there a place to get episode recaps?? I forget what happens in the two weeks between episodes and I'd love a refresher before listening to the new episodes
I find it helpful to listen to the fireside to jog my memory if I forget. I also know some people have put together a wiki that might be helpful!
TAYLOR HOW DARE YOU... the hard cut at the end 😭😭😭
Incredible episode!
Why couldn’t they just wait like 30 min and escape then?????
Steel literally said this episode “with enough time, wizards win.” It would not have become an hour to get Steel’s help. It would have been an hour to have Steel tell them there are bigger forces at play (in her perspective) and that it’s not safe to leave. She did that twice already. Ame knew she wouldn’t be able to leave legally, on the time scale she needs
The world changed
Does anybody else think that burrow is a way back home for Ersulon?
I think it is the way to his sister
I love the contrast of Suvi being like "waa the never consider consequences of their will" while just a day or so before she was like "okay how to I justify the citadel's actions here?"
"I need to learn...SMALL TALK!" I feel seeeeen! (Also, I kept listening for a full minute at the end waiting for the answer that never came! Cruel trickery to not even give me the escape hatch of end credits! 😜)
I can’t wait two weeks for Eursulon’s answer 😭
ayo, what the fuck??? this was WILD, i have no thoughts, just flabbergasted
Oh my god. And that ending! Poor Suvi 💔
Ok, was that Erika/Ame snipe moment payback for her moment in Misfits & Magic?
Well. The neighbours and my housemate are terrified by the several, intermittent screams and shouts. Thanks guys.
I see what you did with that title thanks I HATE IIIIIT My heart :(
The river of time flows ever downstream, and it is commonly only when looking back that we recognize the significance of events, people, and works of art. I feel that WBN is the exception to this rule. I can already see how influential WBN will be to this art form. This podcast is helmed by masters of their craft, and the waves they have created will propel the art of ttrpgs forward. WBN shows us what wonders are possible with ttrpgs and encourages us to try as well. I love this fucking show so much and feel lucky to be here as it is coming out! Taylor Moore will one day pay for his cliff-hanger crimes!
couldn’t have said it better myself!!!!
Uuum fucking amazing...
Massive choices from every character and I can’t wait to see what happens next!!! Ame and Suvi keep being put in impossible situations and it’s so interesting to see how their ideological differences clash with their friendship time after time. That said, I am immensely stressed and wish the world could be kinder to these characters
Also they’re LEVEL TWO and everything is happening to them. I want them to stay friends so so badly but I don’t know if they can come back from this. 😭
This fucking podcast you guys. Chills every time.
I've been seeing a lot of people confused by Ames reaction to flee, which is in turn confusing to me so I just wanted to throw my ideas into the void in case someone wanted conversation but the way I interpreted it, ame did take suvis council. yes it was begrudgingly, and yes it took ersulans agreement for ame to comply, but ame waited until morning to speak with steel. and like ame had assumed, steels inability to interact with the philosophy of magic (which I don't blame her for, but applying logic so that magic becomes palatable is a nonstarter) further stalled a dire situation. steel is trying to placate ame, not actually listen to her, because having ame, and therefore suvi, here in the citidal is easier for steel, is less worry for her if they are in her home when she is already trying to juggle a war. that priority, is put before Ames duty as a witch. and suvi said she'd go with what ame had decided, having fulfilled the deal of waiting to talk with steel. and ame decided to leave. that wasn't the point of contention. what made the party split, was when they tried to, and failed, to deceive the citidal in their departure. if ame had stayed put, the level of difficulty to leave after they were swarmed by citidal wizards on high alert, would be impossible. if she stayed, the three would have been apprehended, and the second day of a three day countdown till doomsday, would have been gone. suvi trusts the citidal to have her in their best interests. ame does not. it was run, or be captured, and suvi had agreed to follow ame's lead after she initially waited. suvi changed her mind, which again, I don't blame her for. her mother figure demanded that she stay, her best friends abandoned her, in her perspective, what sacrifices have they given like she has? I don't think suvi is illogical in her feelings at all. what I am trying to say, is that this idea that ame would be in a better position had she stayed, does not make sense to me. as she said earlier, in port talon, waiting may have been the right call, but this is a different situation entirely. and the fox's counterpoint, of her gut instincts saved more people and secured more of a human/spirit balance in the end. yes, people got hurt in the process, but in Ames mind, even more people would be hurt if she let herself bend to the citidals structures and policing. she had to go. BUT I COULD BE MISSING SOMETHING. this is just my first impression after listening once, and am more than happy to have someone explain to me their disagreement with ame fleeing. discussion is fun✨
I would whole heartedly agree with your assessment, but from an outside perspective and even from the perspective of a GM… all actions have consequences. In the short run things have worked out when Ame acts on instinct. However there are already consequences from her actions pretty big consequences to her actions. In letting Steel do her a favor and then leaving without a reason Ame is burning a bridge with Steel. In putting Suvi in the middle to make sacrifices if she follows, she is weakening bonds and leaving behind THE ONE PERSON she was told needed to be with her most at the coven meeting. In letting her Fox pick the way out,without first asking questions she caused damage to a place preparing for war and who are more than ready to label people as enemies. And as a bonus side consequence, Eursulon, the wizard Sky’s protector, reveals himself as a spirit. I don’t know that there were a lot of other good options or if their were even any better choices that could have been made, but rushing forward on instinct can only turn out well so many times. And I do know that if there is one thing that Brennan loves as a GM, it is imposing natural consequences. However things wash out, it will be nail bitingly fun to listen.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
INCREDIBLE EPISODE HOLY CRAP Also Brennan’s small galithopter noise in the background of the sound design galithopters was delightful 🤭 very glad that was kept
OMG, this episode was INcredible!
To start on the happy visit to Calums and turn it into an existential crisis was so charged!
I'm sort of team wilds on this one because if they just kept waiting for this red tape they will lose Ame's station.
This episode was amazing! And so claustrophobic and scary as you feel the walls closing in on the gang. And I'm not mad at Suvi, the dice liked the story of the divide between them growing 😂.
Oh. My. God. I feel like I’m not going to be able to anything but sit here and wait for two weeks to pass.
I think the fact that it feels "right" to side with Suvi in this circumstance and that Ame has caused problem by being impulsive and not listening is very telling about human socialization around power and dominion. Ame is a witch of the world's heart, her loyalty is to the world and to her craft, not the imposed hierarchy of the empire or the citadel. Her waiting AT ALL was a *courtesy* to Steel. And as much as I have a ladyboner for Steel (powerful women in authority hnfghemh!), Steel does not ultimately respect the autonomy of Witches and Spirits. She deprioritized Ame's life and disrespected her position and then said, "Don't worry honey we'll keep you safe." As someone who is constantly fighting the urge to defer to the establishment, I do understand Suvi in this moment. But she told Ame she would respect her choice and swore to stay by her and then she broke that promise. I'm with Ame 100% on this one. This system did not respect or understand her so she blew it up. F'ing pop off you beautiful chaos goblin ❤️🧹
That's interesting. I see your point, and it was a problem that Suvi essentially said, "I'll back you. I'll do what you want" then immediately turned. Also, Steele has stumbled mightily in how seriously she's taking Ame in this matter. She would have taken Grandmother Wren seriously. At the same time, I feel like Ame has consistently displayed an amount of callousness and mistrust in The Citadel and towards it people that is hurting her cause. Steele's experience with Ame is Steele saying, "Wait for me," and coming back to 200 people dead in a matter that she could have resolved bloodlessly and Ame barely alive and needing a month of medical care because she messed around with a curse she didn't understand.
Gotta say, still Team Wizard. Compared to the weird secret Game of Thronesian Cabal of Witches who, I guess, try to assassinate the only one who speaks for humans and the Forever Aristocracy of Spirits, I like a big group that gets together and fucking creates. And I don't blame them for not trusting a couple of people who keep blowing up aspects of their infrastructure and getting people killed because they don't want to share information and don't want to wait.
I respect this position. We've been seeing a lot of the dark underbelly of Team Wizard the last few episodes, and they definitely have flaws to be corrected. Yet there are lots of wondrous, amazing feats they achieve that are very good.
The pool metaphor was so geometrically pleasing to my brain how does he DO that
Oh my goodness, I usually listen in my car or over speakers at home. Today, I used my AirPods. TAYLOR YOU ARE AMAZING. Like I already knew the sound engineering was amazing but in stereo in my ears, holy experience.
By all the gods what have they done
Ame needs to slow her roll I love her but I don't want this campaign to end early
omg i was driving and my phone died ok that final moment! I spent 40 mins thinking I had lost a vital reveal! I kept to the speed limit!!
The GASPS I have GRUMPT this day
[Incoherent fan screaming] (/pos?)
Huge props to Taylor for ending on the sound of a heartbeat and silence instead of the Outro! It gave me chills.
Anyone else think suvi is gonna be sent as a bounty hunter to bring ame back?
This was some wild business! Totally not where i thought the title name was gonna come from 😳
This is an interesting direction for all of this to go. I’m excited to see where everything’s going. But Ame needs someone to tell her to stop. She’s not talking to her friends or taking council, she abandoned Suvi twice now without consult. Has now lied to an honored friend of her teacher (she told Steel she’d wait 2 hours then immediately ran away seemingly for no reason) she let her familiar run free and when he nearly killed 4 men she abandoned those random working civilians to save herself. (Urselon saved them, but she had no way of knowing that’d happen). Suvi’s consequences are coming, the empire will show its true colors to her no matter what she does. She will have her whole world crash around her, and the dramatic irony of knowing that is truly staggering. But Ame’s choices are her own, and neither the story, nor the characters have really done anything to try and pull her back from these absolutely wild moves she’s making. Also very worrying that the fox (a part of her soul) said “so what” when she mentioned that hundreds of people died AND SHE DIDN’T CORRECT HIM! She’s taking a very “Move fast and break things” approach to life and it’s a wild approach for a witch. Hopefully something or someone will get her to slow down for a bit. Keep at it y’all, I have no idea where this will be moving forward to and I’m excited to see what will happen.
Starting to have issues with the idea that Ame is a wise character. She's a loose cannon and makes decisions for everyone else to have to clean up after. Repeatedly putting herself, her friends and her relationships in danger on what seems like nothing more than momentary impulse. She needs to be checked or something else is going to do it harder still.
Not me screaming, "dont split the party" for the last twenty minutes over and over, with increasing intensity 😭 Already on my third relisten, and I still can't believe what I'm hearing.
Tears omg omg omg this is just amazing
“we knew it was going to be this way,” holy shit, the chills, the PARALLELS, the mirroring of Port Talon. incredible storytelling.
Stunning. Compelling. Hard-hitting. I…I can’t. This is SO GOOD and I will listen to it until I die. This podcast has made me fall in love with not just itself, but the very art of storytelling. Thank you all for sharing your incredible skills!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
I just wanna say everyone apart of this is wildly talented, because only a genius like Aabria says some cold-blooded, villain era vibes "Bring them to me." And the fucking MUSIC, gahdamn it.
I can’t wait for the next episode. You all are evil people for that cliffhanger. 😂 This rapidly becoming one of the best stories I’ve ever experienced.
There's something specifically about Steel that drives me absolutely batty. Because like was said in a fireside chat, she's the reasonable authority figure who doesn't want these people she views as children going off on crazy quests. But for this arc that mostly meant she was unintentionally doing all the wrong things. She was trying to reassure Ame based on the Citadel trained checklist of "here's how we do things", while Ame doesn't trust the Citadel. Steel was focusing her suggestions on logic, while Ame is running on emotion. And Steel's awareness of the age and (apparent lack of) experience of the party members came in conflict with respecting that Ame is the Witch of the World's Heart and that has significance and weight that Steel either doesn't understand or hasn't moved from Grandmother Wren onto Ame yet. And it all led to that order to Suvi that broke my heart (and the group). I had to relisten to the end of the episode three times because I kept thinking I missed something. But nope, just the heaviest cliffhanger I've experienced in A WHILE.
Yeah it’s steel who’s messing up, not Ame actively choosing to be a force for chaos and being reckless for no reason
I want the next episode now 😭😭😭😭
LMAO Brennan got Ericka back for that reading of Kelmp
What was it?
Damn. That’s so good.
That is the most brilliant cliff-hanger ending yet, but poor Suvi.
No one does stakes like The Wizard The Witch and The Wild One does stakes!!!!!!
Amazing episode! That ending had me like, oh, there must have been a mistake cuz there is no way they would end it like that! Gah so excited to see what happens next!
OMG that was crazy. So good.
This episode was so nuts. Was that an oboe representing Yoren at the end? Really compelling instrument choice for the character
It’s a hurdy gurdy! But it does sound like a quacky wind, doesn’t it?
My poor sky lol.. you hate to see it but when Ame’s eyes glowed my heart was in my stomach lol love this so much
This has been my fave episode for suvi so far, her conclusion of “they don’t care” felt so natural and the response felt the same
Holy shit…
Hey. HEY. HEY. WHAT THE HECK GUYS /pos
HOOOOLY SHIT. OH MY GOD. THAT CLIFFHANGER. oh my god. holy fucking shit guys. The way I cheered when Eursulon rolled that 2. I can't believe this episode, I loved Fox's beautiful, incredible plan!!!! And also Ame brought up a great point when she [basically] said to Suvi "we were told you wouldn't be allowed to go, do we think it could be by Steel?", cause I totally didn't consider that. Suvi my brainwashed baby I'm begging you to realize you're at a crossroads, and that at some point you're gonna have to pick a side (if she hasn't already, considering they were told Ame won't survive if Suvi doesn't go to the meeting with her). This episode made me feel insane [positive and affectionate and obsessed with the character-work displayed by these Fine, incredible storytellers]. Another thing is, when Suvi grabbed Ame's arm and Brennan narrated that Ame, if she wanted, could twist all the magic she cast onto Suvi through kindness and nurture into punishment for trying to control her — I NEVER KNEW I WANTED THAT- DONT GET ME WRONG I HEARD THEM TALK ABOUT HOW THAT WAS BUILT INTO THE WITCH CLASS BUT TO EXPERIENCE IT HAPPENING IN PLAY????? Phenomenal. Astounding. Groundbreaking. I need to play a witch IMMEDIATELY. Gotta go over the Witch class PDF asap to know more (I've been putting it off against my better judgement) because How Do You Guys Know Exactly What I Need,?,?,? Lastly, one of my favorite things is listening to the episode and then going over the title and synopsis (? description) again. Amazing work on these as always!!
HOLY FORKING SHIRT BALLS BRENNAN. I am trying, and partly failing, to stifle the screams and tears and laughter.
I was not expecting to have a neurodivergent socialization breakthrough in the first 15 minutes of the podcast but here we are. :)
SAME
If Ame had failed and Suvi had succeeded in grappling her, is there a world where Ame would have weilded that witch magic against Suvi to get out of there?
Every episode I have to remind myself that Suvi is 20
i'm absolutely TORN for suvi because in a lot of ways she keeps getting the short end of the stick, from her dice and how her priorities keep getting sidelined by her friends but the fact that her rolls only succeeded when she was In Citadel Mode is SO POETIC, and that moment where she Feels the deep and ancient power of A Witch i think could give suvi perspective down the line we already see hints of grappling with what the citadel truly represents, and the not-so-savoury things it'll do in the name of magic and wizardry the citadel holds itself up high and mighty, so in a way i think suvi feeling the power of a witch is representative of the citadel one day realizing that maybe they arent the biggest power out there, or that they arent as powerful as they think like the way ame was able to brush suvi off SO easily, i can imagine that instance being scaled up to be the citadel being brushed off by greater more ancient forces of spirit and magic
I think you're right, but I feel like we're trusting witches because of Ame and aesthetics., "We are a greater and more ancient power. And we will meet in a secret council to determine the balance of magic. How many of us? Like between five and thirteen. Does anyone vote for us? No. Do we answer to anyone? Nope." Big institutions are scary and the Citadel has horrible flaws, but spin this and the Witches are very much the established, unfair institution that needs taking down by this scrappy band of ingenious and hard-working humans who have decided to organize.
At this point I don't know whose path is the right one (though of course there is an argument to be made, and rightly so, that each character's path is right for them). You four are telling an amazing story here and I respect the hell out of the players' abilities to make decisions that make perfect sense for their characters. Also, a LOT can happen in ten minutes. Like the last ten minutes of the episode, holy good gravy. Also also, huge respect to Taylor and Jared for the sound work. The fox noises when Ame went into "fox vision"and THAT HEARTBEAT at the end in particular, goddamn brilliant work.
Damn the episode ends with no outro just like that? That was nuts! Also Ame is absolutely going to be a wanted criminal by the Citdadel, I don't see how she can't be at this point.
ain't no FUCKING way
This one was so intense I had to pause the episode and walk around a bit more than once.
A tragically “short” episode. I really wanted to hear that answer.
These past two episodes I've just been on my knees begging for Ame to listen to Suvi😭 this was an amazing episode!
Thank goodness that tether got cut, gotta keep the body count low lest they assume Ame is an agent of Gauthmai.
I AM UNWELL 😭😭😭 how can we just i what???? aijsksksjkdjdjdkksjdkdkdjkdkskhd
AAAHHHHHHHHHHHH
OOF that conversation/insight check for talking with Mr. Callum and Ame realizing like “I need to get good at small talk.” Is so real, especially from me as like someone who also has ADHD and really struggles with small talk.
WHAT??? We're just gonna leave it like that huh. Kind of hope we actually split the party. I'm feeling a Suvi antogonist arc???
60 minutes in: oh nooooo...
I love Ame’s stubbornness and the INCREDIBLE story consequences of the back half of this ep…but I can’t help feeling frustrated that if Ame had just told Steel that the diviner in question is the one who’s never wrong it wouldn’t have split the party (which also does not bode well for Ame per said Diviner). Would love to know why Erika chose to stick to their guns on this one!
Per the last fireside, Ame’s not a snitch!!! She knows that would bring an institutional hammer on Sly’s head and she’s not gonna give him up — and I think the impatience Brennan gave Steel proves that was a fair call
Ngl I also, like Erika, felt attacked by Brennan's explanation of the insight check
For me, I would more say "seen" than attacked. Like Ame I enjoy the philosophical and existential implications of the deep thoughts, and to say there are many who WILL NOT go there is so very real.
Poor Suvi just wants to stop being the fall guy for her friend's plans that for some reason end in enormous waves of Elements (Eursulon brought a tsunami to Port Talon, and Ame brought a wave of Fire to the Citadel. Watch as Suvi brings an Earthquake to eventual planes of Ame and Eursulon)
Holy hell the dice told the story this episode
"Brennan Lee Mulligan, that was for my character, that 24" had me in TEARSSS what a read 😭
The full reboot was delightful
Holy fucking shit this episode
With the party now seemingly split apart, and Suvi on the road to becoming an enemy or at least no longer a friend; will Aabria play a new character?
Brennan said that Ame WILL die if Suvi's not there. There's no way Suvi won't go. She wants Ame to be chewed out ... not dead. There will be tension; but I think they've implied that was always a possibility in this campaign
I feel like the cost of Ame and Eursulon's friendship continues to rise for Suvi. When, if ever, will it become too costly?
The SCREAM that echoed through my living room as that heartbeat faded out 😭😭😭
Ugh. The moment where Suvi feels the Power of a Witch. It is so different than Wizardy that it made me feel so sad for her.
AAAA
Screaming, holy hell!!!! I feel so so so deeply for everyone this episode. And the pain in Suvi’s voice recalling them just hits so hard.
"you're in the deep end and there's many people who will never want to join you there" this hits So hard
How many more episodes do we have this season??
i am absolutely losing it at the music this episode,,,that fucking ORGAN after Suvi's insane title line drop?? I'm gonna have to lie down
The chill that engulfed my body at that moment…
Holy shit, this whole episode! Aabria's bring them to me, what?!?! That ending!! What are we going to do with everyone doing their own thing?!?! This is so incredible! Brennan is a storytelling genius and the players are masters at being their characters!
Brennan just made me look myself in the mirror and have a spiritual conversation haha. I wish small talk was described like that when I was a younger autistic haha
The way this men read into my soul right then, holy shit
Omg. This episode. Brennan is out here making attacks on the wisdom kids not just their characters... And I love it! 💖 Incredible episode and I'm barely 13 minutes in
Still not seeing it on Apple podcast. Anyone else?
Not there for me either 😔
Crackle crackle!!!
Lets goo
So excited!