The Talk

This transcript is machine-generated and may contain errors in names, terminology, or attribution.

[clink] [clink] Pickaxe. Coming to Apple TV+ on August 9th. You're the Marine? Yeah, you're the ex-con. Yeah, I did time, but you only got to cast aspersions at me. From the director of Mr. and Mrs. Smith and The Bourne Identity comes a new film. This your first job? I know what I'm doing. I'm a little late for a crit change. Starring Matt Damon. Everybody in New England is after us. And Casey Affleck. Go, go, go, go, go! What are you doing? Taking notes. Taking notes on a criminal conspiracy. The Instigators, rated R. Streaming August 9th on Apple TV+. This summer, during the biggest sporting event of the year, Peacock turns to two broadcasting legends for the Olympics coverage you can't find anywhere else.

Um, I think they mean us. Oh, s***. Um... [clears throat] With an incredible duo sure to take home the comedy gold. Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson. New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Only on Peacock. Hey DNR listeners, it's James Wilkinson from DNR Podcast Group 2. Normally I play Dig on Arkanscape, the Aladrin Scion. Here's a new thing. Patreon. Come see us at patreon.com/dnr. For a small subscription fee, you can get some extra content. And it helps us, you know, to pay the bills and sort of get by with all the daily behind the scenes grind stuff.

As always, you can subscribe to us on iTunes, give us a 5 star rating there, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Enjoy the show. So this will be quick, but let's do that thing where we go around the table and introduce ourselves. I'm Jason, I'm the Dungeon Master going around the table starting with James. Hey, it's James. I play Dig on Arkanscape, the Aladrin Scion. And Jamie. I am Jamie Richardson, I play Kori Forestkeeper, a Goliath Seeker. And that's it. That's the table tonight. End of story. And that's it. So, last time on Group 2. I feel like I take this tone a lot when we reintroduce Group 2.

Each time we catch up, it's like last time things happened. I feel like there's always that very somber, it's like, "I feel like we lost the patient." Like that. Every time. We did? We lost a lot of patients that day. Oh, god. So, previously on Group 2. They ended up cleaning up a mess in Lockford. In the Silverglade, more specifically. By killing Trevor and kind of disbanding the little union of werewolves that he had created. They had went back to town and talked to Oren, the mayor there. Acto Runners kind of made an impassioned plea for him to just try and do better.

Just do good, I think was the overall message there. And then that night, the party decided to camp in a wooded area near Lockford. And were promptly attacked by a troll. In the melee, Haven ended up wolfing out and losing control. The party did end up taking down the troll, but at a great cost. Losing Acto Runners and Trixie. Severus... Sevetys had been knocked prone. And after the troll was dealt with, Haven turned on Sevetys and ripped his throat out. At which point, Cory and Dagon kind of fled. It was just time to cut their losses. There was nothing they could do for Haven, short of killing him.

And they weren't even sure they could take him on in his current state, so they left. So let's pick up shortly after that. Cory and Dagon would eventually find each other on the road. Not a word was spoken. I would imagine the two of them just kind of, their eyes would meet and then just keep walking. They are currently on their way to Fairbay. I'm not even sure if there's an agenda. I'm not even sure if there's a reason to go to Fairbay other than just get away from where they were, keep walking. So let's pick up, let's pick up outside of the town of Fairbay.

You guys have been walking for many, many, many hours. This would have been all night and well into the next day. Actually it would be pretty close to noon. So there are these large clearings near Fairbay. Fairbay as a town is this little harbor town. It's a little fishing village type of thing. So outside of it there are these really lush fields. Really, really gorgeous picturesque kind of stuff you see on postcards or nature documentaries or something. Very kind of untouched, unspoiled. So that would be pretty much where the two of you would be standing now.

On either side of the road there are these really kind of tall wavy grass that the wind just kind of catches. You can kind of see which way the wind is blowing by which way the grass is swaying. So it's very picturesque. It's just you guys probably aren't noticing it. Probably the last thing on your mind right now. Right. Okay. Here we go. Here we go. Well what, can I roll a perception check? What do we see right in front of us? Sure. We're just outside the town right? Yeah, you're a little bit outside. Yeah. 26. Okay. So besides these fields there does appear to be a forest in the distance.

This would be east of you. Kind of northeast. The town itself is pretty small. Kind of nondescript. It's a stop along the way. People between Lockford and Esterhold, that's the only town that you can stop and get supplied or stop at an inn, something like that. Just catch your breath. The town has no walls. It is almost completely unprotected in terms of guards. There's a couple of people very meagerly outfitted and you can kind of see them traipsing about in town. They're very much kind of local, kind of picture Andy Griffith type stuff where it's just like he knows everyone's name.

It's like two, three guys that just kind of is like, "Oh hi Mrs. Johnson." That kind of thing. It is not very military at all. And how are these people alive? Well, you have to find out. Well, group two is coming to town. Who knows what's coming. We find out that these aren't actually people. They're demons spewing out from hell. DPK. DPK. I'm going to look over to Cory as if to say something and then kind of catch myself, but then look back at her and say, "I need a drink." Cory's not necessarily looking at anything right now. She's sort of just keeping her eyes on the road.

But the minute you address her, she's just going to give a slight nod without making eye contact or anything. Would it be obvious where there'd be a tavern or something? Is there anyone around I could ask? Well, Fair Bay is not a large town. Finding the bar is not going to be much trouble. Walking through town, there's pretty much one road. If you've ever been to like Durran Hollow, it's kind of like that, but nice. There are a few shops. There's your local inn. That's Breckin's Hearth. Hunter's Alley is their little weapons and armor type of shop. And then there's an establishment called the Tipsy Pig, which is their bar/little restaurant, like an eatery type of thing.

I'll look up at the sign and just say, "I think this will do perfectly." Cory's just going to follow in behind you. So it's the kind of warm little establishment where you open the door and there's a little bell that chimes as soon as you walk through. Something you've noticed about the town as you're kind of marching through is that people will kind of stop and kind of give a friendly nod or a wave or something. No one appears to be very standoffish or like, "Who the fuck are these guys?" Specifically interesting is that they are nodding and smiling to Cory, who is a giant albino goliath, which is surely something that they've either never seen or...

I mean, that should be alarming to these people and they're like, "Oh, how you doing?" That kind of thing. You're going to notice a lot of fishing boats, things like that. People do have day jobs here. They're definitely working. So there really isn't anybody in this bar beyond you two and a young tiefling woman. And as soon as the bell kind of chimes, she's going to look up from what she was doing and give you this really warm smile. "Hi, how are you?" Just kind of illuminates the room. She's very genuinely happy to see you. I feel like after everything that's just happened, I don't want any happiness in the world.

No, I'm just kidding. We have to kill her. Dagon's just going to hold up his hand with two fingers up and say, "The strongest you have." And I guess he'll sit down. Is there like a bar? There's a bar and there's tables and stuff scattered around the place. Maybe he'll just take a table in the corner. Corey's going to mimic what Dagon does and put her hand in the air and say, "Same, please." And sit right down next to him. Dagon's going to look at Corey and kind of eyes go a little wide and a little confused, but sort of give a little nod of approval and then sit down.

So the chair's in this place. Dagon takes a seat and it's totally fine. Do you ever go back to a lower grade when you were in school and then you realize how small the chairs were? Have you ever noticed that before? That's kind of what's happening with Corey right now. This is a kindergartner's chair. She's kind of like, "Okay, I can crack." She kind of like positions herself on it, but there's kind of like a gentle creaking sound when she sits there. This is a nice sturdy chair. It's well constructed. It's just... this could be bigger. This could be a little more tricky.

She's going to squirm around a little bit, which probably makes the chair creak a little bit more, trying to not be as awkward sitting at this table and then find a comfortable position and sort of slump over the table. It kind of reminds me, isn't there a scene in Kindergarten Cop where Arnold Schwarzenegger gets in one of the chairs and that's what I'm doing? Absolutely, yeah. So this tiefling woman is going to kind of almost bound over to your table, just infinite cheeriness coming out of this woman. And she's going to kind of pop a couple of glasses down on the table and then she's also going to leave the bottle.

And she's going to give this really wide smile to you guys again. I kind of figured I would just leave this with you both. You look like you're having a really tough day. I'll just give a sort of a forced sarcastic smile and nod his head. And she's going to try to force her smile to go just a little bit larger. Like, "Okay, you're really having a bad day. I should leave you." I'm Naza, by the way. If you need anything at all, I'm just going to leave you alone, but I'll be right over here, okay? Thank you. She's just going to give this little nod and bound right back over to the bar proper.

She's going to look over at Cory and say, "I thought you didn't drink." Cory's going to lift up her, assuming compared to her hands, very small glass, swig it down and probably make sort of like a sour face because she doesn't drink regularly. And with her eyes closed, looking into the air, she's going to say, "For Trixie, exceptions must be made." Dagon will sort of motion his glass towards Cory and just say, "For the Fallen," and chug back the first one. So he'll put his glass down slowly and pour another one, sort of hold it in his hands for a second and look at it.

And without looking at Cory, he's just going to ask, "Do you mind if I told you a story?" Cory's going to open her eyes and put her glass down and just look at Dagon with like a continue sort of stare, but she's not going to say anything. Um, I'll do my best here. It's been quite a long time. When I was 15 years old, I was at home in my family's estate, meditating in the afternoon, and I suddenly became aware of sounds outside, branches breaking, rumbling noises as if the earth was moving. And a faint crackling noise, something in the air. Of course, I went to the window to look outside and I saw something I'll never forget.

An enormous black cloud is really the only way I can describe it, lumbering up over the city walls. I have no idea what it was. By this time, people were screaming in the streets, running about. The commotion was alarming, it was frightening. I rushed down to the courtyard, out into the city, yelling, warning, doing whatever I could. And before I knew it, I turned around and I was engulfed in this darkness. And that was it. When I woke up, I was back inside, but there was no one around. No servants, no children, no sounds of anything. There was nothing. Everyone was gone.

And that's the last time I ever saw anybody. And I'll just sit there and play with this drink slowly and fidget of it. I've never told anyone that story before, but in light of all this death, once again losing everybody, I'm afraid this story will die with me. Corey's going to be looking at her hands and mimicking Dagon finicking with her glass and just ask, "Did you ever find out what it was?" No. No. I... I don't know. I've asked. As far as I know, there is nothing like that. I wish I had an answer. Corey, I've been sidetracked for too long. And I don't even know what we were doing here.

People dying for no reason. I'm sure not ready to die. And I don't think you are either. But I need to get back on track here. I need to continue my search. I need to find answers. After we first met, you had told me that you were going to find them. Your determination seems to see no bounds, so I don't see why you can't go after your ultimate goals now. There's nothing left to even live for at this point. What are you... What are you trying to do? You lost your home twice, it would seem. What is your plan? I don't really have one, Dagon. My... I left the Evergreen because I was forced to, but once I met all of you, it seemed like I found my place again.

All I seem to do is cause destruction to my homeland and the Evergreen Forest and everyone I have ever met is gone. I mean, maybe they were right. Maybe I am cursed. I just want to do good and it seems to backfire. I don't know where to go from here. What do you mean cursed? If you're cursed, then I am cursed as well. As far as I can see, we're in the same boat. At this point, she's finally going to look up from the table and meet Dagon's eyes and say, "And who are we to decide that the world deserves this curse?" I don't believe in curses, and neither should you.

Who said you were cursed? There's a custom back with the Kobe tribe. On your name day, your lithoderm's aren't to be read and you're supposed to find your place within the community. You don't know what you will be, whether it be a hunter or a priestess. Usually you take your parents' former role after they've died. When my mother died, my name day came and the sky watchers tried to read me and were unable to do so. That never happened before, so I was cast off from fear of what that might mean. There was no place for me there and there seems to be no place for me here.

Except by your side. Two cursed peas in a pod. And she's going to look back down. So, help me understand. They couldn't read your lithoderm's. And this has never happened before? It's never happened in the known history that we have, no. She's going to start to trace the lines on her skin. I suppose that is my one goal. I'd like to know what my true purpose on this world is, if not to serve for my tribe. And not to help my friends and those misfortunate I don't really know what else there could be. It's so typical for one to fear what they don't understand.

What if I knew of somewhere, someone, where there's a chance they could help you? At this, Kori is going to sort of jolt her head towards Dagon. You're not promising anything, mind you. There was a witch that I have been to before. I was told she was clairvoyant. I was told she was so powerful. And she was. I think she could help you. But it's not a decision to make lately. She nearly killed me. And she barely had to try. Kori, while still looking at Dagon, her lower lip is going to start to tremble just a slight amount. And she's just going to ask, "Where is she?" I found her in the Yemgar swamp.

Or maybe it was she that found me. I don't know. But she knew me. I don't know how. When you were there, did you get the answers you were looking for? No. No. I got taught a valuable lesson about patience, about virtue, things I had none of. It was also she that brought out my ability. Of course then I didn't even know what it was. And like I said, she almost killed me. I've stayed away from there for obvious reasons. It's odd. I'm not angry with her. I would even say I respect her. But it's about one of the most dangerous things we could do. But if you help me, I'll help you get to her.

I don't know when it'll be. And I don't think it should be just us either. But when we're ready, I'll take you there. Corey's eyes are going to start to dart back and forth as though she's thinking about the proposal. And then again while staring at the table and her glass, she's going to ask, "Before you answer this, you have to know that your life may depend on this decision. Are you sure you want to adventure with me? Two of us together could just wreak havoc on this world." (laughs) Like you said, we are two of a kind. And traveling alone is not really that appealing.

Besides, who's going to pick on me when I have a goliath by my side? At that, Corey's going to have a very small smile, but almost as if she knows that it's not okay to smile right now. And she's going to look up and just sort of slide her glass across the table to have Dagon pour her another. Which he will. Corey, do me a favor. Could you roll an endurance check for me please? Because I've never drank before? Right. She's big. I mean, she can still take like five bottles. It is the strongest stuff though. Here we go. 19! Okay, so Corey's handling her liquor fairly well.

Like she's a little buzzed, a tiny bit tipsy, not falling over her stupid drunk though. She's fine. I have two trains of thought right now. I found this book in On A Call, right where we found a gate of sorts. I know the book references the gate. I know that much. I have yet to read it, but I think this could help me. It's a plus. And it's something I would like to pursue if you're on board. I also have another thing. I have an entire city. I have Odysseia. And I vowed many, many, many years ago not to return there until I found the Aladrin. But I'm starting to think we could use it.

I think I need to go back. I think I need to re-investigate now that it's just been so long. When you left, you were a child, correct? Yes. Perhaps the answers to the whereabouts of your people are there and you just were too young to see that they were staring right at you. Exactly. I think it's time. I don't consider it a... I may be breaking a vow, but I think it's right. I think I'd be foolish not to. We'll have everything we need there. You should see this place. It's magnificent. It's been so long. I only hope it stands as glorious as it did when I left.

For what it's worth, I'm not sure that vows stand for much from what I've seen of the mainland and this world. I'm not sure that a vow is really keeping with the spirit. They're gonna raise his glass and his toast to the honorable land of Thuria. Thuria will raise her glass as well. Here, here. I imagine that Corinne Dagon kind of spent the better part of the day in this bar and just continued to talk to each other and probably drain this bottle. And maybe other bottles. I'm not sure. Probably. And perky little Naza would probably just keep coming back and just kind of take care of you guys and at a certain point would probably even help you across the street to Brecken's Hearth.

Where you can get some sleep and hunker down for the night and kind of stay in town. You know, in lieu of camping. We don't camp. We don't camp. Ever again. And I think that's a good time for us to stop for the evening. Yes. You guys did fucking fantastic. Was that okay? I was worried. I was like, is that okay? I'm sitting here listening like I'm riveted the entire time. It's like, this is really fucking good. Okay. Like really good. Oh, that makes me feel so much better. Yeah, me too. It felt good. Like I'm editing it as I'm going and all I'm doing is like taking out little pauses where you guys are thinking about what you want to say.

But like I'm hearing the finished version of my head. This is really fucking good. You gotta have some sweet music behind that. Oh, dude, it's gonna yeah, there's gonna be yeah, I'm gonna I'm gonna fully the shit out of this. This is gonna be you're gonna like it. Well, yeah, well that makes me happy because I said everything I wanted to say and you know, I hopefully it was clear and it absolutely was there wasn't one point where like I'm waiting for you to say certain things or deliver a line of someone like yes, yes, that's great. That's great. Like it was really, really good.

You guys did like I think just the fact that there were two of you here. I think the scene had room to breathe. There was no pressure to get back to the rest of the party or introduce new people. I think I think this was the smart choice. Okay. Hopefully this sounds like a sincere recount. Dude, like that shit where you're sitting there is like hopefully I'll be a good role player. Fuck that dude. You did fantastic. You really did. And Jamie, I could hear you getting emotional at one point. It was so good. It was so good. It was really, really good. You guys you guys did a fantastic job.

Really, really good. The best part is Dagon's been on the show for a year. We know almost nothing about him. In that 30 minute scene, we found out tons about both of you. There's now an emotional connection to both of you. You have a backstory. You have a purpose and a goal in the world. You can point to several places on the map. It's like I have business here, here and here. This is where we need to go. This is what we need to do. As of this episode right now, you have ties to the fucking world on the show. Yeah. Yay. Yeah. I feel good right now. You have a reason other than the underdog for people to root for you.

And I like like I mean there's obviously I've got more backstory too. So that's not all. I didn't I didn't even plan on talking about the witch. And then I remember Jamie and I talked about that could be her lead to finding out what the lithoderms mean. I just kept building man. It was so good. And then it's like, oh, by the way, that's how I got my power. Or that's when it. Yeah. I did. But I kind of whatever. I think it still came out OK. I did. And I don't think it was I don't think it was too like I want to shove my backstory down your throat either. You know, it's like this was totally the time and the place for it.

It kind of it kind of felt like a breaking point type of thing. It's like, OK, I'm going to level with you. And Dagon doesn't seem like the sharing type. No, but the way you put it to you're like, I'm afraid that the story is going to die with me. I was like, oh, then that's the perfect purpose to say your story. That's beautiful. And I'm like with the vow is just like I don't even know if I've even revealed yet that I've made a vow, but it was like. I think it came off as OK to break it. I thought about the whole it's like, well, we could creep around Odysseus and go find the boat and it's like, oh, we got to go inside.

We have to go find out and hopefully not get eaten by a dragon. But hopefully we're not supposed to know about that. So it's a magnificent city. It's glorious. And the best part, the best part is like listeners are going to get tied, because they're already rooting for the two of you. They like the two of you because I think it comes off as you two are just affable people, like in general, not just characters, but like you two as people are good people. So it's it's like, man, stop hitting them. Stop pistol whipping them for 10 seconds. Let them do something.

And then it's like, OK, they're getting their shit together and they're they're kind of there's this really awesome, sweet, tender moment where you're both kind of bolstering each other and you it is kind of a question is like, what do we even do? Where do we go from here? And then you have it. It's like Odysseus. Like it's like, no, don't. It's going to be like in a movie theater when the crowd's going, don't open that door. Exactly. No. (laughs) Bye.