[birds chirping]
[chuckles] It worked.
I can't believe it actually...
[screaming]
Oh, shit!
Guys, stop! No, no, no! Don't step through!
[all screaming]
Pike, grab my claw!
- Wait, what?! - [screeches]
Gods! I hope she catches us!
[screaming]
♪ The landing's gonna be a bit rough ♪
♪ I'll save our asses with some butt stuff ♪♪
[both grunt]
Before I met you, I would have found this very upsetting.
[screaming]
[grunts]
[Grog grunts]
Come on. [grunts]
Good thing these titties were here.
[chuckles]
What?
Okay, that was not my fault.
I told Keeper Yennen I have to know the tree.
I mean, she was so vague.
Whoa.
You guys?
We made it.
Is that Vassem...? Uh... Vagil...?
Vasselheim.
Our only chance.
♪ ♪
[horses neighing]
[Percy] Remember, we're not here as tourists.
We need to find allies to fight the conclave.
[Pike] I have a good feeling about this place,
Percy, don't worry.
Oi, state your business.
Good sir, I am Lord Percival Fredrickstein
von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III,
and I require an audience with the Dawn Marshals...
Well, my name's Rob and I require a sandwich.
You're holding up the line.
[chuckles] You don't understand.
I have diplomatic credentials from Whitestone...
You want the Marshals, go to the Platinum Sanctuary
and find 'em yourself.
Now, g'day.
[Grog] Um, did he say "bidet"?
Oh, and the bear waits...
Waits outside, yes, we know.
[growls]
That usually works.
Of course, darling.
I'm sure it happens to all the nobles.
[indistinct chatter]
- [Keyleth] Good day. - [man grumbles]
G'day. G'day.
- [woman] Hello. - Oh, bidet.
[gasps] Bidet. Oh, bidet.
Oh, tourists.
[Scanlan] Yikes, lots of temples and no brothels.
You're telling me people choose to live here?
Almost every Prime Deity is represented.
The Wildmother.
Oh, the Stormlord.
The Lawbearer.
[Percy] The Dawn Marshals head each temple
and decide what Vasselheim will or will not do.
With my expertise in statecraft,
I can negotiate terms that will...
All due respect, we saw your statecraft
back at the gate.
These are priests, this is a temple.
Oh, who's standing right in front of you?
Yeah, me, a holy person.
I got this.
[indistinct chatter]
Uh, pardon us.
We come seeking an audience.
I am Highbearer Vord.
The Platinum Sanctuary will hear your business.
Highbearer, I am Pike Trickfoot of the Everlight.
A great evil has befallen Tal'Dorei.
You see, dragons have...
The water reveals the truth.
Hmm?
[Vord] Grant us vision.
[dragons roaring]
[crowd clamoring]
[crowd screaming]
This evil must be met with holiness.
Which is why we humbly ask all the mighty temples
of Vasselheim to lend their aid.
You have our sympathies and our hospitality.
But that is all.
You won't help us?
You have weapons.
Ballistae. Armies.
You have the strongest city in the world.
- Diplomacy demands that... - [Vord] Let me correct you.
Vasselheim's most potent weapon
is not its artillery, young man.
It is our isolation.
This city has stood for millennia
by keeping the affairs of Tal'Dorei outside.
If you turn your back on this, more will die.
Vasselheim could be next.
When peril arrives here,
our walls stand ready.
But until then,
this peril is yours alone.
Now, good day.
[chuckles]
I think you mean "bidet."
Oh, gods.
[footfalls echoing]
Well, that's a new record. Usually it takes us ten minutes
to get kicked out of a palace.
Whew. We're getting better.
[birds squawking]
They saw the Chroma Conclave.
And they didn't even care.
I mean, they have a duty to justice.
[growling]
- Oh! - Are you spying on us?
Yes. I mean, no. Aah!
I mean, I heard what you said in there.
And I know who you are.
Listen, I serve the Highbearer, so I can't say much.
But if you're slaying dragons,
you need the Slayer's Take.
- Interesting. - Absolutely not.
[both growl]
The Marshals are bound by politics.
But there is someone at the Slayer's Take
who can act independently.
They'll want to hear from you.
Ask to speak to their patron.
And please...
forget you ever met me. [exclaims]
The Slayer's Take?
[sighs] Don't ask.
A group of hunters for hire.
Vasselheim used to be surrounded by legendary beasts
until the Take cleared them out.
Legendary beasts?
Like dragons?
[male voice] Hunger.
Hmm?
Did you say something, Scan-man?
What? No. Clean out your ears, buddy.
[Vex] Never heard of any patron,
but we're short on options.
Options? Oh, didn't realize
painful death was an option now.
You forget, I have an old friend on the inside.
- Zahra? - "Friend" is a generous term.
If there's a chance,
even a small one,
we have to take it.
We're in a holy city.
What do say we take a leap of faith?
[sighs]
[male voice] I hunger.
Oh, I am hungry.
[laughs] Thanks, stomach.
[sniffs] Mmm.
Get some yum-yum in my tum-tum.
[muffled shouting]
Well, they spelled some of it right.
- [laughter] - [indistinct chatter]
[woman] Oh, fuck off, you big fuck.
[Vax] Remember, no one in the Slayer's Take is to be trusted.
Just keep your cool, find their patron, and get the hell out.
Ooh, can we grab an ale while we're here... on Vax?
[groans] Scanlan, we don't have time.
[Kashaw] Well, hello there.
I feel like I haven't met you yet.
Who, me?
But you?
Ah, you have those faces, they're...
they're just so familiar.
Where have I seen them before?
[grunts]
Oh, that's right.
You're famous.
Eyes up, gang!
Got ourselves a bounty.
[laughter]
[all clamoring]
What did you do?
Well...
Unless you want your skulls ground into powder,
you might want to step back. Right, Grog?
- Grog? - Aw, shit.
- We lost Grog? - [clamoring]
♪ ♪
Oh, yeah.
That hit the spot. [belches]
[farts] Uh-oh. All right.
Time to find my friends and save the world.
Ooh!
Whoa.
Whoa, nice decor, too.
[chuckles] Hello?
Um... [clears throat] Bidet?
[faint chanting]
Hmm.
Oh, shit.
Uh, sorry to wake you. Uh, I'll just...
You seek answers, Grog Strongjaw.
[gasps] You know my name?
Uh, question, did you say yours already
and I just forgot, or...?
I am Earthbreaker Groon.
Anyone entering the Stormlord's ring
seeks something.
You are no different.
Okay, since you asked.
Uh, we do need to fight these dragons and...
[Groon] The Stormlord is not concerned with dragons.
His interest is in warriors.
But you are no warrior.
Your mind is clouded with weakness.
Weak? Ha!
You got the wrong guy.
The answers you seek are earned,
not given.
In the field of combat.
Uh, but you're, like... old.
Come now, strike me, and you will learn
what you lack.
Mm, this feels real weird.
But fuck it.
Let's get ugly, Grandpa.
[laughter]
[Kashaw] Ooh, tough spot.
[Vex] Not the first time I've been wanted,
if you know what I mean.
I'm Vex.
Zahra's very close friend.
Kashaw, but you can call me Kash.
Like money. So clever.
You're very close to me. Hey, Z?
Are you expecting annoying visitors?
[creature squeaks]
[gurgles]
[Zahra] Visitors?
No.
[exhales]
Zahra, darling.
Still sharpening your horns, I see.
Yes, and you're still sticking
dead things in your hair.
When's the last time we saw each other?
Was it...?
Oh, I know. When you ditched us
to poach my monster
and steal the Take's reward.
You heard about our little prank?
[scoffs] You're not as charming as you think, Vex'ahlia.
You never were.
Hmm, as much as I'd love to chitchat,
we're actually on urgent business.
We need to see your patron?
No one sees her.
Especially not someone who owes the Take...
how much was it, Kash?
12,000 gold or the head of a hydra.
Got either on you?
12,000 is nothing compared
to the horde of a dragon.
A dragon?
Four, actually.
All incredibly wealthy.
Help us and that wealth could be yours.
[laughs] Oh, please.
They're destroying Tal'Dorei.
Killing innocent people.
This isn't about money.
This is about saving lives.
[laughter]
[Kashaw] Aw, I just want to put her in my pocket.
I know, she's so cute.
Ah, I'm sorry, love.
The Slayer's Take doesn't do anything for free.
Now...
let's discuss your payment plan.
With interest.
[all grunting]
Super shitty time to lose Grog.
Look, we're not here to fight you.
Well, this will be easy then.
[growls, snorts]
[laughs]
Damn it! Don't you get it?
We're trying to save the fucking world!
[groans]
[roars]
[female voice] Hold!
Not sure I want to know what that was.
[female voice] I will take care of Vox Machina.
[Zahra] You heard her.
Fuck.
- [clank] - [whirring]
[all shouting]
Where do you find your strength?
What you mean?
Aah!
[coughing]
You walk between worlds.
Weakness in mind and weakness
in conviction.
Where does your strength come from?
[Grog groans, scoffs]
I wasn't ready. I'd like to see you
try that again after I ra...
[grunts]
[coughs]
[weakly] Rage.
[grunts]
[doors creak shut]
Yeah, I got to say, I'm not a fan
of the sudden drops today.
I recall you saying you were friends with those people.
I may have misjudged our relationship.
[Vax] Look on the bright side.
At least they can't murder us down here.
[creature growling]
But whatever that is can.
Maybe they want to help?
[Vax] Hello?
[groans]
God, this city blows.
[growling]
[grunts]
Don't those usually, you know, come back?
[female voice] Weapons are useless here.
You're scared.
I wonder, how do you hope to avenge Emon,
when darkness makes you tremble
like children?
Are you... the patron?
How astute.
Call me Osysa.
Chosen of the Knowing Mistress
and Patron of the Slayer's Take.
[Keyleth] A Sphinx.
I didn't realize they still existed.
[Pike] We humbly seek your aid.
Yes.
You hope to save Tal'Dorei.
You know of the dragons?
Please, we're desperate.
But you haven't the slightest idea what it will cost.
- [Pike shouting] - Pike! Aah!
[Scanlan echoing]
[others screaming]
- [grunts] - [Osysa] Ah, the twins.
You depended entirely on your sister.
[both gasp]
You...
hopelessly seeking your father's love.
Both unprepared.
[screams]
[clears throat]
[Groon] Show me your conviction.
Where does your strength come from?
[sighs]
Why do you keep saying that?!
[grunts]
- Hmm. - [Grog shouting]
You wield such a dark weapon.
A reliance that proves your frailty.
[grunting]
What have we done?
Show yourself!
[Osysa] Why would I listen to the cursed heir?
Who wallows in self-pity,
begging to be trusted again.
[panting]
[shouting]
[grunts]
She's trying to get in our heads.
[Osysa] Says the hopeless holy warrior.
You don't even have faith
that you can save those dearest to you.
This doesn't have to be a fight.
If you won't help us, we can leave.
[Osysa] Fleeing from your duties again, Keyleth?
Tell me, what do you fear more...
failing your Aramenté?
Or knowing no one will live long enough
to see you achieve it?
[screams]
You don't have to call out my shit, okay?
I know I can be kind of annoying.
[Osysa] No one cares about you.
I'm no different.
- [growls] - [Scanlan] Well, damn.
- [grunting] - [bones crunch]
[sighs]
Where does your strength come from?
This is one of them trick questions.
You want me to say my muscles or my rage.
But I know it's my heart.
That's my real strength.
[Groon] Wrong.
[grunting]
[Osysa growls]
Paralyzed by fear.
You want to turn your back and run,
like you have all your lives.
[all panting]
How do you expect to save the world
if you can't even save yourselves?
- [Grog grunting] - Where does your strength
come from?!
[shouts]
I don't...
know.
I've seen the same for a hundred years.
Fools who think they can make a difference but can't deliver.
Leave now with whatever dignity
you have left.
Fuck dignity.
I'm not leaving.
Not giving up...
until someone listens.
And if I don't?
Would you sacrifice your life just to prove a point?
[Pike] I don't care if I die. None of us do.
But we're not leaving.
We won't be ignored.
[Osysa] You have found what you need.
The will to give everything.
[grunting]
Oh, okay, oh. Easy.
You have much to learn about being a warrior.
Seeking the path to true strength
is the first step.
[exhales]
Cool.
And you'll, um,
show me the next one?
[Groon] I already have.
[Grog] Uh, good talk.
You'll need strength to defeat the dragons.
But also knowledge.
Knowledge? Of what?
The Vestiges of Divergence.
In the Great Calamity,
these weapons of war were created to strike down
the gods themselves.
Believed too powerful for mere mortals to wield,
the vestiges were scattered across the lands.
Buried, lost, forgotten.
Or perhaps...
waiting to be found.
The Deathwalker's Ward is one such vestige.
The Matron of Ravens' own armor lies entombed
by a lake to the west.
And the other vestiges?
Will be revealed in turn.
Find this one
and bring it to my mate.
Nice.
Big fan of mating over here.
[grunts]
As the Knowing Mistress heals in exile,
to protect her sacred wisdom,
we must remain apart.
It pains me.
Yet it is for a greater good.
He...
[sighs]
He will await you.
Use these vestiges against the dragons.
You must not fail.
Righting the imbalance these horrid creatures bring
depends on your success.
Thank you.
We won't let you down.
It's not me you need to worry about letting down.
Only each other.
[Zahra] Who do you think Osysa killed first?
Probably ate them, right?
- Ah, probably the little one. - Mm.
- Perfect appetizer. - [laughs]
[stammers] You're alive?
No big. Osysa asked us to find something for her.
Our patron has a job
for you?
Guess I'm quite charming after all.
I'd say it was nice catching up,
but... it wasn't.
[doors creak closed]
[groans]
[indistinct chatter]
Vasselheim wasn't what we expected.
We came to get an army, but maybe we got something better.
Inspiration.
Huh, that's a new one for us.
Step one, find the vestiges.
Step two, kill some dragons.
Step three...
Mm, profit?
How about step one, we get a fucking drink?
- Grog! What happened to you? - [Scanlan groans]
Oh, an old man beat me up. [grunts]
- So, booze? - Well... yeah!
- [Keyleth] Lead the way. - [Vax] First round's on you, big man.
[indistinct chatter]
[bell jingles]
- [Victor] Ah, come in! - [Percy] Wasn't sure I'd find a black powder
- dealer here in Vasselheim. - [Victor laughs]
You'd be surprised.
In fact, business is booming!
- [Percy grunts] - [laughing] Pun intended.
Relax.
It's only coffee.
I think. You know,
you're the second person to buy black powder this week.
Really?
Do you recall what this other customer looked like?
Ah, sure, I remember her well.
'Cause she had one hand.
Kind of like me. [chuckles]
I've learned from my mistakes!
Ripley.
Something wrong, Percy dear?
Oh. Nothing at all.
[Victor] And don't blow yourself up!
Bye!
Huh? [whimpering]
[screams]
[explosion]
♪ ♪
Chirp.