Episode 55 (S2-02) - In Portents, of Being Earnest

[Oneiros]

Paris is in a bit of a pickle... or would be if someone doesn't seem to be making sure there are no pickles to be had. Things are getting heated both inside and outside La Triomphe as our heroes try to deal with the growing crisis in their own ways. And then some old friends go and turn up to make decisions even more problematic.

Well, it's crunch time. What do you think? Will the Rangers stay in Paris to try and deal with La Gourmande's attempts at a culinary monopoly? Or will they bow to Wilde, leave the Parisian embers smouldering and Czech check out what Prague has to offer? Or is it time for our heroes to admit defeat, that their actions have damaged things too much and not even an impassioned speech from Hamid can save them this time? Can we rely on Falcon-man to stand up for the common folk?

All in all, things are not looking bright in the City of Lights.

[kea]

There are a great many interesting and intelligent things to say about this episode but I'm just stuck on the image of Oscar Wilde fistfighting a dragon.

I mean, I'm sure that neither of those characters would actually fistfight given that they are magic but still.

[brittlegill]

Sea legs. Excellent.

[aslee]

Some people were probably listening to this episode and going, "Huh, that one crazy person on the forums sure is going to have some stuff to say about this," and those people were right. In fact, my friend that introduced me to Rusty Quill was one of those people, given that she @'d me on twitter, told me that she couldn't wait to watch me actually explode listening to it, and then proceeded to do so from the relative safety of Canada.

Sadly, you cannot see me relive that that explosion, as it's been more than 30 hours since I've slept and, I'll be honest, I'm not exactly in top form right now. I'm no Sasha. So, I'll leave you with a few tidbits and come back and fill in the thinky bits later.

Point the first: Oscar Wilde showed back up the very day I finished my yearly reread of The Picture of Dorian Gray, and I refuse to believe it coincidence. The universe is here to make me feel very, very bad this week.

Point the second: In reference to Hamid and Zolf-- ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Alright, no, but really, I will get into the shipping when I'm less weepy from sleep deprivation, but In General Ben was amazing this episode, and the sad little way Bryn always has Hamid say Zolf's name is still my #1 weakness when it comes to this podcast. Even if I wasn't 200% more invested in this interaction going well than everyone else, I would have loved it. I did love it, completely, and I will get more into why later.

.... Bertie rather shows his hand as a bit of an unpredictable force this episode, which I think the audience tend to forget most of the time. We think we've got him pegged, but he's the only one who isn't as regular as clockwork. That may come in handy in the future.

Final point? If Oscar Wilde ever controls Hamid without consent again, I will dimension warp and time travel just to kick his smug butt, personal literary hero or not.

[kea]

I can see Oscar's point - Bolla Smok (?) is dead, and IIRC Bolla Smok's the meritocrat who controls magic and lives in Prague...yeah, I'd be using some magic to corral my team as well.

Hamid is being true to himself. We didn't get the full backstory but it's nice to know that rather than "dilettante rich hero" is more "someone desperately trying to make up for what he's done." My heart really went out to him because he was trying so damn hard to get through to Zolf - which is pretty much one of his key traits as a character. The trying thing. And gosh is it SO REFRESHING to see a male player being the one to do the Feelings Pep Talk. *side eyes the NZ larp community*. Again, it's more about the characters than any conscious thing, but still. It's really nice.

Zolf's utter despair not alleviated by sudden appearance of creepy water legs. Understandable. Poseidon not being a god who (in this universe) values clarity when symbolism will do. But then, Gods. Do we know what other Gods or Goddesses are in this world apart from Apollo ("I'M HERE TO FIGHT EVIL")? (As a side note: Edward is one of the NPCs I wish to see again, simply because he annoys Bertie so much.)

Sasha's pretty much on the ball, as usual (apart from when she crit fails her athletics check). I really loved the Gargoyles and their voices and sound effects.

I wondered what horrific effects the disappearance of Mr. Ceiling would have on the world - power vacuums and break down of law and order. I wonder if Sasha's former associates in London are pulling the same trick as La Gourmand.

[Alex Newall]

It does my heart good to see the gaming forums spinning up again with the new season.

[Brave Sir Robin]

I cannot say how lovely it is for people to say nice things about the performances in this episode. I absolutely love this type of roleplay, immersion and emotional engagement is what I live for. Iiirc we recorded this episode and the last one in the same session, and I remember giving Ben a huge hug at the end - the episode made me quite emotional, I'm really glad it's been good for other people to listen to.

[Reyr]

These characters and their depths is something really lovely to see in a pen and paper game like this. I just want to say thank you to the cast for their ability and willingness to be vulnerable with emotions of the characters...

ZOLF, AHHH!!!!! So goodoodooodooddddd!! Wrestle with inner conflict outwardly and how that manifests. The last two episodes for you have been acting gold.

Hamid, Nicely done here as well. I'm floored by the the evolution and the ifs and whens of Hamid standing strong and/or backing down. I like that we never know what we will get and the situation truly dictates the action.

Sasha, loving how your processes are very truly rogue-like. I'm always excited to get the end of an episode and then have something that you said hit me, like a stealthy dagger in the night. Many of her quips, in and out of character, are perfect for stereotype of rogues!

Berti...oh Berti. Roll a perception check to see if you can read the rest of this message.... ( , . . , , and !)