Transcribed by Michelle Kelly.
## Intro
Rhi: Welcome back to Imperial City. As always, thank you so much for joining us. We’ve already passed 1,000 downloads for The City That Never Dies, within a month of launching. That’s amazing for a show like ours! If you like the show, please leave a review on iTunes or Spotify! We’ve also got a merch store with t-shirts and stickers, and a Patreon with cool behind the scenes content. Our most recent post has some background on the car manufacturers of Imperial City, written by Josie!
Next, Aki is going to tell us about this month’s featured charity.
Aki: Hey, it’s Aki. Our chosen charity of the month is Hate is a Virus, a non-profit community dedicated to dismantling racism and hate. Formed in 2020, Hate is a Virus continues to amplify, educate, and activate AAPI to stand for justice and equality in solidarity with other communities. If you want to support the cause and our community, feel free to donate or buy some merch. Both can be found on hateisavirus.org. That’s hateisavirus.org. Thanks.
Rhi: As we look ahead to next year, I hope that you can find ways to support people in your community. Through the difficult times ahead, taking care of each other is going to become increasingly important. Stay safe, be kind, fight for a better future.
Now then. Let’s get started, shall we?
## Story continues [00.01.55]
Rhi: And she’ll hold the door open. She looks inside, looks at the four of you, frowns, leans her head and is like:
Rhi (as Ruffian): Yeah, boss, um, I don’t… two of them are just really tall. I don’t think this is gonna be comfortable for anybody. You think you can meet out here?
Rhi: And you just hear kind of a grumble of like:
Rhi (as Voice): Yeah, fine, fine.
Rhi: And two people come out. The first is an Akorosian woman, looks like she’s in her mid-forties. Average height, very buff. She’s got a lot of scars visible. Like, notable she’s got a big knife scar across her forehead.
Kim: Ooh.
Rhi: Is openly carrying a pistol on one hip and a large knife on the other. And she is followed by a younger Akorosian man who is very lanky, dressed probably the nicest out of anybody that you’ve seen here. He actually is kind keeping up with current fashions as best he can. It’s clear that nobody in this group has a ton of money, but he’s clearly trying to sort of look, you know, like he knows what the trends are. Hair is slicked back and yeah, he kinda trails her out. And the woman puts her hands on her hips and looks you all over and particularly looks up at Echo and Darling as is like:
Rhi (as Buff Woman): Well, you weren’t kidding. They are very tall drinks of water. I’m Birdie, I’m in charge of this operation.
Kim: I think Val shakes their hand.
Rhi: Yeah. She’ll shake. She’s like:
Rhi (as Birdie): So, you’re interested in joining up with us.
Kim (as Val): That’s right.
Rhi (as Birdie): And what exactly made you wanna do that? You may have noticed we’re not exactly on the up-and-up here.
Kim (as Val): Well, that’s precisely why we’re here. We heard you could use a little bit of helping hand around here.
Rhi: Gimme a roll.
Kim: Yeah, that was probably not the best.
Rhi: Well, it’s just like, she’s more suspicious than her people.
Aki: Can— is there a way to help?
Rhi: You can help, but tell me what you’re thinking.
Aki: I’m thinking I add on to the conversation by saying:
Aki (as Darling): Well, you also have a very flashy car. A very nice, lovely, wonderfully painted flashy car. And you did so much damage and we are just very interested in fashionable chaos.
Rhi: Yeah, yeah, I’ll allow that to help. [laughs]
Kim: Awesome, thank you.
Rhi: So, you mark a point a of stress so Kim, you can add another die.
Kim: Alright. I’m gonna make another Sway.
Rhi: Yeah. This is gonna be risky, reduced, I’m gonna say.
Kim: Okay. [shakes dice]
Rhi: Just cause she is more suspicious of four fairly impressive people showing up offering their services.
Kim: Yep. That’s a 5.
Rhi: Let me think. So you do it at reduced effect and there’s a consequence.
Josie: I mean, that almost sounds to me like the classic, “We believe you but we’re gonna need a show of dedication,” or something, right?
Rhi: Yeah, yeah… okay, yeah, that’ll work. So, Birdie kinda frowns at the four of you, squints at the tiger and then, like, looks back at her office and kinda clicks her tongue and is like:
Rhi (as Birdie): Okay. You wanna join up with our operation here. Honestly, that would be great. But I’m gonna need proof that you all are capable of being a help and not a hinderance to us.
Kim (as Val): Fair enough. Whaddya got for us?
Rhi (as Birdie): There’s a, uh, apartment building a couple blocks down. I think it’s like, I dunno, eight or ten families. Anyway, they haven’t been paying their protection money, so I think a few strategic fires will probably send the message.
Kim (as Val): Yeah, we’ve done an arson or two in our days, right guys?
Kim: And I think Val looks around the crew. [laughs]
Aki (as Darling): Oh, god no.
Aki: Darling won’t lie about this.
Aki (as Darling): I don’t do arson, just murder.
Kim (as Val): Yeah, not necessarily.
Josie: Echo looks down at, like, a folio she brought in a show of checking it. I think she had been just kind of looking at Birdie this whole time. She can’t really do expressions outside of like, eyelids and mouth opening, so like, it probably just looks like awkward staring. And I think Echo looks back up:
Josie (as Echo): At least one arson has been done.
Kim (as Val): So we have experience.
Rhi (as Birdie): Okay, I’m getting kinda mixed messages here. You’re saying a few arsons, she’s saying one arson, she’s saying no arson, it’s murder. I’m not exactly what sure what the stance here of the group is.
Aki (as Darling): Well, no—
Josie (as Echo): We have varying amounts of experience.
Aki (as Darling): Yes. And varying amounts of talent. They do, um, arson. I do murder.
Minna (as Arlene): I also do murder.
Josie: We are the worst at this. [laughs]
Aki (as Darling): Oh yes, you do, my little one.
Josie: We are absolutely the worst.
Rhi (as Birdie): Uh… oddly cheerful about that. Most people are quite so peppy.
Rhi: And the guy who’s been just kind of standing there silently rolls his eyes and is just like:
Rhi (as Man): They’re not gonna do it. If they were gonna do it, they would have already agreed. This is a waste of your time.
Kim (as Val): No, no, no, hold on, hold on. No, no, you know what? You know what? C’mere. C’mere. Lemme tell you something.
Kim: And like, Val gestures towards themselves like, come a little bit closer.
Rhi: Okay, yeah, Birdie will kinda, yeah, lean in a little bit, like yeah, what’ve you got?
Kim (as Val): You’re right.
Kim: And I’m gonna just sock ‘em straight in the face.
Rhi: [amused] Alright.
Josie: [laughs]
Rhi: Um, so I think becuase no one was expecting this—[laughs] you know what? I’m not even gonna make you roll for it.
Kim: Oh!
Rhi: You just, you get in— yeah. Cause no one was expecting you to throw a punch.
Kim: Excellent, cause I have no dots in Skirmish. [laughs]
Rhi: Yeah, so you just throw a punch into Birdie’s face. She stumbles back a step and mayhem breaks loose. Cedrick pulls a gun— that’s the guy. He pulls a gun, the two guards who had walked you back move to, like, jump on you all. One of them is shouting for backup. The situation: it has escalated. So, who wants to start doing things?
Josie: [laughs]
Rhi: Right now, just kind of so you know, your current sort of enemies are Birdie, Cedrick, who has a gun, and then two guards. But other people will probably be here shortly.
Josie: What’s the over under on me having, like, smoke bombs?
Rhi: Well, you’re a Leech, so let me take a look.
Josie: Bandolier is one of my things.
Rhi: Yeah, lemme see… oh no, it says “Bandolier: a strap worn across the body fitted with specially padded pouches to hold three alchemical agents or spark-craft bombs.” So yes.
Josie: Yay!
Rhi: You can have a smoke bomb. You can have up to three smoke bombs. But you only have to mark one thing at a time as you decide what you want. So yes, you may have one smoke bomb.
Josie: So have we actually escalated into fight?
Rhi: Yes.
Josie: Okay.
Rhi: Yeah, it is clear that— Val just punched the leader of this gang in the face. Everyone else is closing in on you for imminent violence.
Josie: Okay. I think Echo just calmly out of her glove takes a little, compact capsule and throws it on the ground, trying to fill the room with smoke and see if we can get the thing and get out of here.
Rhi: Okay. Um, I think at this point tis is gonna be risky, standard.
Josie: Okay. What sorta roll? Arguable Tinker for making the stuff? Skirmish, maybe?
Rhi: I think I would allow Tinker cause you’re not— you’re not… you know what? None of these other skills seems to fit very well. I think I’d allow Tinker or Finesse.
Josie: I’m gonna go with Tinker, cause it’s better. [shakes dice]
Rhi: Okay. So yeah, risky standard on this.
Josie: [rolls die] Uh, 5.
Rhi: 5, okay. So, you do it but there’s a consequence. So, I think what happens is you— yeah, you drop this little smoke bomb. What does the smoke look like coming out of here? Is it really dark? Is it white smoke? What’s it look like?
Josie: Um, I think it’s— oh, it being dark could be fun. Yeah, cause it’s like— like, this is definitely not good stuff to breathe in. I think there’s definitely kind of like, a mix of soot and exhaust in this, cause that’s what I have on hand.
Aki: Ugh.
Kim: Oh no.
Rhi: Yeah.
Josie: So it’s kinda like, it’s kinda a bunch of gunk in a powdered capsule that I don’t have to worry about, but other people might. I imagine the rest of the crew might be somewhat used to it, but when it comes out it kinda looks like car exhaust, almost.
Rhi: Okay, cool.
Josie: Cause it’s kind of a dark, thin smoke.
Rhi: Okay. So, this starts to fill the room and I think that the consequence is just gonna be before you’re obscured by this smoke, one of the guards just like, jumps on you, Echo, and is trying to get you in like a… I don’t know what the hold is called, where you grab somebody from behind and pin their arms.
Josie: Oh, yeah.
Kim: That thing.
Rhi: But is, yeah, trying— basically, yeah, trying to just grab you and pin you and stop you from doing anything else. So you’re now having to wrestle with somebody. Who wants to go next?
Kim: Um, I’ll go next.
Rhi: Okay.
Kim: I wanna do a shooty-shoot.
Rhi: Okay.
Kim: And I’ll also push myself for this one, I could use the extra dice.
Rhi: Alright. What are you rolling?
Kim: Isn’t Hunt usually the gun one?
Rhi: Yes. Sometimes, like, this is at pretty close range, so I have in the past allowed Skirmish for very close gunfights, but if you have Hunt, you can always use Hunt if you’re shooting.
Kim: Yeah, I’d prefer Hunt. Alright let’s do this.
Rhi: Yeah. Go for it. Oh, who are you shooting?
Kim: Oh. Um… who’s shooting at me? [laughs]
Rhi: No one is shooting at you yet. The only person who has drawn a gun is Cedrick. Birdie has a gun on her person but hadn’t drawn it. Cedrick has a gun in hand.
Kim: I think I’ll shoot at Cedrick.
Rhi: Okay.
Kim: Bascially, in general, I just wanna give covering fire so that someone can run around and try and find the ledger.
Rhi: Okay, yeah. So you’re not actually— you’re not shooting to kill or even necessarily wound, you’re just trying to…
Kim: Yeah.
Rhi: Yeah. Suppressing fire.
Kim: Right.
Rhi: Got it. Alright, go ahead. Make the roll.
Kim: [rolls dice]
Rhi: This’ll be, I think, we’re at risky standard.
Kim: Glad I used that extra die, that’s a 6 and a 1.
Rhi: Woof. Alright, so yeah, on a 6 you just kinda start shooting. Cedrick very dramatically dives for cover behind a counter, but I— I think Birdie also kinda ducks outta the way. But I think that they both ducked off to the sides and neither of them went back into the office. So that is now open. Who wants to go next?
Minna: Um, I think that Arlene’s gonna go for the guards.
Rhi: Okay.
Minna: I think the weapon she— she’s just kinda had, like, a stick to hit people with tucked into the back of her pants and she kinda pulls that out and goes for it.
Rhi: Yeah. Like a night club?
Minna: Yeah. I was trying to think what they’re called. [laughs]
Rhi: Or a nightstick, rather. A nightclub is something entirely different.
Minna: Listen, I don’t… words. I don’t know. Anyway, yes,
Rhi: Yeah. Language is hard, man. Yes, you have a beatin’ stick.
Minna: [laughs]
Rhi: Are you— who are you going for? You said both guards? One guard?
Minna: We’ll see how it goes. [laughs] She’s just—
Rhi: Well, I mean, in order for me to set position and effect, I need to know how many.
Minna: I think there are enough of them that she goes for one guard.
Rhi: Okay. Are you going for the one that’s on Echo already or the one that isn’t?
Minna: The one that’s on Echo.
Rhi: Okay. So you’re hitting the one that is latched onto Echo. Okay, in that case it’ll be— I’m actually gonna say risky, greater, because they have their hands full. With Echo. [laughs] Echo is a difficult person to hang onto.
Josie: [laughs]
Minna: I’m gonna push myself for more effect.
Rhi: Okay.
Minna: Because I wish to defend my buddy Echo.
Rhi: Oh, well you’re already at greater effect.
Minna: Oh, I’m already at greater effect?
Rhi: Yeah, cause you’re—
Minna: Or, sorry no, I didn’t mean effect. I meant for an extra die.
Rhi: Okay, okay, yeah. Then go for it.
Minna: Damn. [laughs] I got a 3.
Rhi: Oof.
Minna: Man, “I do murders” is a thing for her to declare before absolute whiffing her first… [laughs]
Rhi: [laughs] I think that what happens is the guard sees you coming and kinda like, uses Echo for leverage to swing a leg up, and just kicks you in the chest and knocks you back before you can get in and hit them.
Josie: Ha!
Rhi: So, I think it’s you lose this opportunity.
Minna: Okay.
Rhi: Darling, what would you like to do?
Aki: Hmm… is it at all possible to go, like, to make Pearl go get our stuff?
Kim: [gasps]
Rhi: You don’t know where it is and Pearl does not— Pearl is a beautiful and wonderful and intelligent creature. She is still a tiger.
Aki: Yeah, I know, that’s— I was like— would it be—
Rhi: [laughs]
Aki: Because I definitely don’t think I’m the best equipped to go after and get the stuff. So what I will do, though, are things that I am better equipped with, and I will shoot. [laughs]
Rhi: Alright. Who are you shooting at?
Aki: I think Echo is technically in need of immediate assistance, yeah?
Rhi: Uh, yeah. Echo is the one who is currently engaged in close-quarters combat.
Aki: Then I shall shoot that person.
Rhi: Okay.
Aki: I have a pair— I’m taking the fine pair of pistols that I have. I just like, pull them out from my back pocket.
Rhi: They’re hidden under the blazer.
Aki: Totally, totally. There is a reason why the black bra was a thing, you know? Gotta use them as a distraction.
Josie: [laughs]
Rhi: So no one notices all the weapons that are also under there. Yeah, so are you— what is your goal in shooting? Are you doing kinda the same thing that Val did, and just sort of shooting as cover fire? Are you shooting to wound? Are you shooting to kill?
Aki: Mm… killing would be so bad right now.
Rhi: It would not be great,
Aki: It would not. We would have to get our stuff and leave, but it would also involve the Spirit Wardens. So, I think I will— I’ll shoot to wound. I’ll aim for like, the legs or something like that. Get them to let go especially, but hopefully make it so that way they are advised to stay down. [laughs]
Rhi: Yeah. [laughs] “You’re done now.”
Kim: “Goodnight.”
Rhi: Okay, yeah. So, I’m gonna say you’ve got your fine pistols, so this’ll be risky, greater. Go ahead and make that roll.
Aki: And it’s my Hunt. Ha ha! Thank you, 2d6. So that’s a 6.
Rhi: Okay.
Aki: It’s a 6 and a 1— technically, it was a 1 and a 6, but like, aaah, you know? [laughs]
Rhi: God, same roll that Kim got. So yeah, you fire off a shot, I think it hits this guy in the leg. Somewhat unsurprisingly, he yelps and drops Echo and falls to the ground clutching said leg. So Echo, you are no longer being grabbed. And yeah, uh, it’s kind of chaos in here. There’s screaming, there’s shooting, there’s smoke. Who wants to go next? [laughs]
Josie: I wanna try to find the thing that we’re here for. In these less-than-ideal conditions for looking for something.
Rhi: Yeah. Yeah. [laughs] This is a great time to search for a document. How are you looking and where are you looking? I think are basically the questions that I have.
Josie: Um… well I can’t really look with the ghost field, because objects don’t show up very much.
Rhi: Yeah.
Josie: Yeah, I think I just wanna scramble through— there’s a desk in here, right?
Rhi: There is in the office. You guys are kinda standing out in the kitchen, but the office door is open and nobody’s in front of it, so you can just run in there.
Josie: Okay. Yeah, I’m gonna run into the office and start ransacking.
Rhi: Okay. This is probably Survey because you’re searching really fast.
Josie: Uh huh. I’m gonna push myself.
Rhi: Okay. Somebody could assist, if somebody wanted to run in and help. I would allow that. Or you could even make a group action about it.
Josie: I feel like they kinda have their hands full.
Kim: Yeah.
Rhi: That’s fair, if— yeah. Okay. So yeah.
Minna: I mean, could having our hands full be assisting? Like, stopping people from getting over there?
Rhi: Hmm… I think if somebody wants to specifically post up in front of the door to give Echo more time.
Minna: I can do that.
Rhi: That can be the assist. Okay. So, Arlene will, having been kicked away from standing in front of a dude, Arlene can stand in front of the door and make sure that Echo has time to search, so—
Minna: I’m a very small human shield.
Rhi: [laughs] Yeah. Take a point of stress and then Echo can get another die on that roll.
Josie: Woo!
Rhi: And this is gonna be… I’m trying to think. I think it’s gonna be risky, reduced, because this is an unfamiliar office and you’re not quite sure— like, you know you’re looking for a ledger, but that just means a black leather-bound book and there’s probably several of those in here. If you’d like, you can switch one of your either your pushing yourself or your assist into improving your effect.
Josie: Um…
Rhi: I will allow that.
Josie: I think I’d rather just succeed at all, rather than take a greater risk to succeed better.
Rhi: Okay.
Josie: [shakes dice]
Rhi: Yeah, so I think this is gonna basically end up being like, depending on how this roll goes, you may have a clock to fill to find it. So— but yeah, let’s see how this goes.
Josie: I got a 6.
Rhi: Flipping through papers, flipping through books, opening drawers, and you get to the bottom drawer of the desk and you go to yank it open and it doesn’t move. Like, I think just because of Echo’s strength, the desk moves a few inches.
Kim: Oh my God.
Josie: [laughs] Oops.
Rhi: But the drawer doesn’t. So, you’ve encountered a locked drawer and I think that your next action is gonna need to be getting that open. But you’re guessing, like, you know, if I had stolen a ledger from a rival or somebody, a locked drawer in a desk is a probable place for it. So yeah, I think that’ll be your next thing, is you’ve figured out probably where it is, you just have to get to it on your next action.
Meanwhile, one more guard has come charging in to see what the hell is going on. I think you can like, if you peer through the smoke you can see a few people are like, at the door with guns, but they’re not running in. But one other person does. So there are now three guards in the room, although one of them is down on the ground, bleeding. So, folks who are outside in the fray, what are you all doing?
Kim: I imagine we’re just still shooting, right?
Aki: Probably. Let’s get the boss.
Kim: Yeah.
Rhi: [laughs]
Kim: Yeah, let’s go after her.
Rhi: Okay. Yeah. So, how do you wanna do that?
Kim: Do we just wanna make a group action about it?
Rhi: Ooh. Yeah, you could.
Kim: Yeah, I have the stress to spare if we wanna lead a group Hunt or something?
Aki: I’ve never done that before, but it sounds cool.
Rhi: So, a group action is basically where two or more of you all roll the same action roll. One person is designated as the leader, but everybody makes the same roll and whoever gets the highest result, that is the result for the whole group. So like, a good example of this would be like if you’re all trying to sneak somewhere, everybody would roll Prowl, and whoever got the highest on roll on their die, that’s the whole group. However, the person who leads takes stress for anybody who rolls a 3 or lower.
The idea is that, like, the leader is having to expend extra energy to kinda cover for the people who aren’t doing as well at the thing. So, group actions are really cool ‘cause it means that like, people who aren’t as good at something can still get through an obstacle with the help of their friends. Blades in the Dark is really a game about the power of friendship. [laughs]
Josie: [laughs]
Kim: And also this cool gun I found.
Rhi: Yes.
Aki: That’s very gay. I like it. Let’s do it.
Kim: Alright.
Rhi: [laughs] Alright, so it sounded like Val was gonna lead.
Kim: Yup.
Rhi: And then who all is participating? It sounded like Darling, and Arlene, are you gonna get in on this?
Minna: Sure. Although actually, no, I think I’m still blocking the door.
Rhi: I mean, if you’re shooting, you can shoot from the door.
Minna: That’s true.
Rhi: It’s up to you. You do not have to participate if you do not wish to.
Minna: I think I am not. I think she is just staying on guard.
Kim: Okay.
Rhi: So this will be Val and Darling. So both of you roll Hunt.
Kim: Alright.
Rhi: I think this is just gonna be risky, standard.
Kim: I got a 2.
Aki: Well, I roll two dice, um, and I will say one of them is a 6.
Kim: Excellent.
Aki: The other one is below a 3 though, so do you take stress for that or no?
Rhi: Nope, no. Your result is a 6, so that’s the result for the group, but Val, you’re gonna take one point of stress because you rolled lower than a 3. So, one point of stress but you collectively get a 6. So, what is your goal here? Are you just trying to, like, keep her pinned down? Are you trying to wound her?
Kim: I think pin her down makes the most sense.
Rhi: Okay. So, yeah, so I think what happens is— I think we see this from over Birdie’s shoulder, cinematically, as she, you know, she’s crouched behind the counter, looks across at Cedrick who is also crouched behind the counter with a gun, but has not popped back up to return fire, he’s just huddled down there. She rolls her eyes, draws her pistol and comes up ready to start shooting. And then we just see Val with their one revolver and Darling with her two pistols just both opening fire. And Birdie just hits the floor as a spray of bullets line the wall above her. So, Arlene, I think that the new guard is rushing you. What would you like to do about this situation?
Minna: I would like to hit him. [laughs]
Rhi: Alright, do that.
Minna: We are all so squishy right now.
Rhi: Yeah. I think this is gonna be risky… hmm. I think it’s actually gonna be risky, greater, because of the smoke. This person can’t see you as well.
Minna: I’m just gonna roll my one die in Skirmish and hope for the best.
Rhi: Alright, go for it.
Minna: Goddammit. It’s a 1.
Rhi: Oh!
Minna: I’m good at exactly one thing and it’s sneaking.
Rhi: Yeah. You’ll be good at more things eventually. It’s just right now you’re all very small, squishy, baby thieves. I think, again, we kinda see this like, Echo, you are struggling with the drawer on this desk and then the desk sort of like, jerks towards you as Arlene just gets thrown into the office and slams into the desk. So, I think, Arlene you’re gonna take level 2 harm, Bruised, as you’ve just been thrown into a heavy piece of furniture.
Minna: I’m gonna resist that with armor.
Rhi: Okay. Yep, you can have armor. So just mark two points of load and that’ll drop it down to level 1 harm.
Minna: Aren’t we glad that I chose heavy load? [laughs]
Rhi: Yes. Alright, Echo? You wanna try and get this drawer open?
Josie: Yes. I would want to Tinker it open.
Rhi: Yeah.
Josie: I have tinkering tools.
Rhi: Yeah, I was gonna say, you have fine tinkering tools. So I think this’ll be risky, greater for you.
Josie: Okey dokey. Um, yeah. I’m gonna roll it. [shakes dice]
Rhi: Okay.
Josie: [rolls dice] 4.
Rhi: 4, okay. So you do it, but there’s a consequence.
Josie: So, I think I kind of have, like, lock removal stuff. Like, I think I have a little screwdriver and a, like, small drill that can get a power source from something on me and just sorta like, try and drill it out.
Rhi: Yeah. So yeah, you’re able to get the drawer open without a lot of trouble. Like, it’s locked but it’s not a super expensive lock. It’s not very high quality. But I think like, so you open it up and sitting right on top is the ledger. It’s marked with a big RF for Riverford, and as you reach in to grab it, you hear a gun cocking as someone— the guard who had thrown Arlene in here is pointing a gun at your head. So, you are now in a desperate position.
Josie: Oh.
Rhi: Who would like to act next?
Aki: Did I see my child get thrown?
Kim: Yeah, we need to save our kids.
Rhi: Yeah, yeah. The kiddos are in trouble. You saw Arlene get thrown and then a guard stalk into the room.
Aki: Okay. I would like to go after the guard, please. I am a… I am a mom on a mission! [laughs]
Rhi: Yep. [laughs] Go for it.
Kim: [sings] A single mom who works two jobs…
Aki: [laughs]
Rhi: Yeah, so you can go in. I assume you’re shootin’?
Aki: Yes. I shall shoot.
Rhi: Alright, this’ll be risky, greater for ya.
Aki: Mm… is it too late to ask for a bargain?
Rhi: If you have already rolled, I am afraid yes.
Aki: Dammit.
Josie: [giggles]
Aki: Okay. That’s a— I don’t think a 4 will do it.
Rhi: No, no, a 4 is a partial success. Or a success with a consequence. So, you do it, but consequence. So, yeah, I think you— I assume you’re again, just shotting to wound this guy.
Aki: For now. [laughs]
Minna: [laughs]
Rhi: So yeah, you rush into the doorway, you see Arlene kinda half-sprawled, you know, on this desk where she’d been thrown, you see Echo kneeling behind the desk and a guard is pointing a gun at her head. And you take a shot and I think it just, you know, hits this guy in the arm where he’s holding the gun. And he yelps and drops the gun and then another gunshot rings out as Cedrick finally gets his act together and shoots Darling in the leg.
Aki: [groans]
Rhi: So that’s gonna be— yeah, it hurts. It’s gonna be level 2 harm. However, you can either, if you have the space left in your load, you can mark armor, or you can roll to resist it, which would basically mean you take some amount of stress to reduce the harm level.
Aki: Oh, I see. Um, I think then I will do the armor.
Rhi: Okay, so yeah, armor takes up two slots of your load. So yeah, you have armor on so instead of getting shot in the leg, it will kinda graze your leg, and it hurts but you’re not in as bad of shape. So it’ll be just level 1 harm and you can just mark it as bullet graze. But the dude is no longer pointing a gun at Echo’s head, which is great. And yeah, uh, I think at this point you just need to grab the thing and get out. So, how do you wanna go about doing that?
Kim: I should probably get the car ready. I’m gonna handwave and say that we got the car here.
Rhi: You can do a flashback, but I think it’ll be a no stress flashback to say—
Aki: Can we steal their car?
Josie: I think we already—
Rhi: Or you could steal their—
Josie: I think we already established the car was here, right?
Aki: No, we—
Kim: No, we walked here.
Minna: That was an option that we were given.
Rhi: Yeah, we had talked about sort of like if we need the car, you can have parked it. But you also could steal his shitty, shitty car if you want.
Kim: I think we should steal the shitty car.
Aki: We should totally steal the shitty car.
Josie: Yes. Yes, yes, yes.
Rhi: And bring it to Hedwig as an offering.
Aki: Yes.
Kim: Yeah.
Josie: [laughs]
Rhi: [laughs] Okay. So yeah, so now the plan is to go steal the car.
Kim: Yup.
Rhi: So, I think you can take off towards the back, where you suspect the back door is.
Kim: Okay.
Rhi: Darling just shot a dude and then got shot a little bit. Arlene, are you wanting to stick with this group or go with Val? What’s your plan?
Minna: I think I’m gonna stick with the group.
Rhi: Okay. So, the main threat in the office has been dealt with as the guy with the gun just got shot in the arm and has kind of fallen back into a corner clutching his new bullet wound. Echo, you grab the ledger out of the drawer and underneath it is a telegram that looks like it’s been crumpled up and then somebody smoothed it out later. And there’s a couple words in there, like, you just sort of, you know, as you glance at it, that jump out to you. “Relic”, “Devil’s Tooth” and “Vulture”. Do you grab it? Do you stop to read it in full now?
Josie: I think I see those words, my eyes widen and I immediately grab it and shove it in a pocket. So I’ll read it later.
Rhi: Okay. So, the three of you— so Val has gone on ahead. I think at this point I feel like this would be a good point for a group action for the three of you to kind of—
Josie: GTFO.
Rhi: Yeah. To make it out. Because there are still a few people around with various weapons that you need to get past.
Josie: I could see, like, a Hunt or a Prowl or something? Or a Skirmish.
Minna: I’m good with Prowl.
Rhi: Are you gonna do a group Prowl as you all just kinda run for the exit?
Josie: Yeah, I think so.
Aki: Yeah.
Rhi: Okay. Who wants to lead it?
Minna: I shouldn’t, because… I guess I have four stress to spare, I could do that.
Rhi: Okay, yeah. So—
Minna: That also makes sense narratively. [laughs]
Rhi: Yeah. Um, so this is gonna be, again, risky, greater, cause there’s still that smoke that’ll give you a little extra cover.
Josie: [rolls dice]
Rhi: So everybody go ahead and roll Prowl.
Josie: [sing-song] I got a 3.
Minna: I got a 6.
Aki: A 5 from me.
Minna: Okay, so I take one point of stress ad the result is a 6.
Rhi: Correct-amundo. So yeah, you run and I think Arlene is taking point and is kind of, you know, leading everyone through various pieces of kitchenware to avoid the shots, and you crash out through the back door and you are finally able to see this car in all its glory. It’s a beater. It’s not a good car. But Cedrick has sunk so much money into this thing.
Minna: Oh, it’s a beater like the brand Beater? That’s right.
Rhi: No, no, no.
Minna: Oh.
Josie: [laughs]
Rhi: Just as in, it’s a shitty car. [laughs]
Minna: Isn’t there a model that’s also called a Beater? [laughs]
Josie: Beater is the nickname for the Glamdring cars, the one— the type we have.
Rhi: Oh! Okay. Then yeah, no, it’s not one of those. It’s specifically an Empire motors car, which are—
Josie: So, a run-down Ember.
Rhi: Yes. That he has just sunk a lot of money into to do… this. So yeah, I think in order to hotwire it there will need to be a roll, but once that’s done you all can get outta here.
Josie: Uh, I can Tinker it?
Kim: Would you like an assist?
Josie: Yes, please.
Rhi: Tinker would definitely be the correct thing here, so yeah, Val takes a point of stress and Echo can get on it there and get this thing going. I think right now no one is actively shooting at you, so this is gonna be controlled and you’ve got your fine tinkering tools, right?
Josie: Yes.
Rhi: Okay, so controlled, greater. For the moment. [laughs]
Josie: Alrighty. 5.
Rhi: Okay. Um… I think I’m gonna say that you do it with a minor consequence. It’s clear that the car’s current owner has tried to do some work on it himself, but is not nearly as skilled as you or Val. And so there’s just like, some loose wires that zap ya, and it’s just sort of like “Bleugh!”
Josie: [laughs]
Rhi: But you’re able to get it started, everybody can pile in, and I think as you tear off into the night, like, as you’re pulling out the door bursts open and Cedrick goes
Rhi: (as Cedrick): [screams] My car!
Rhi: And fires a couple shots after you, but they do not hit. So yeah, you head off through Kestrel Heights and down to Riverford Used Cars. And I think it’s, you know, it’s well into night when you pull in, but Hedwig is still there, continuing to clean up after the neighbors have finally departed. And she comes jogging out. Like, first when she sees the car she comes out with, like, her hand reaching into a pocket for obviously a weapon of some kind, but then she sees that it’s all of you piled in there and she visibly relaxes and is like:
Rhi (as Hedwig): Wow, it’s so much worse up close!
Minna: Isn’t it awful?
Kim (as Val): You should try sittin’ in this thing. It reeks.
Rhi (as Hedwig): Ah.
Josie (as Echo): Does run, though.
Rhi (as Hedwig): Yeah, I mean, I can do something with it. Uh…
Josie (as Echo): Can I cannibalize parts of it?
Rhi (as Hedwig): Yeah.
Josie (as Echo): Okay, cool.
Rhi (as Hedwig): Well, did y’all get the ledger?
Josie (as Echo): Yeah.
Josie: Echo kind of slips it out of her coat.
Rhi: Yeah, Hedwig will take it and open it up and flip through and she’s like:
Rhi (as Hedwig): Okay. It’s all here. Doesn’t look like it’s been marked up. Okay. [relieved sigh] Alright. Thank you so much. I… I’ll have to hit a bank tomorrow morning, but come by tomorrow afternoon and I will get you your pay. And I’m probably gonna give you a couple casseroles. I have so many right now.
Kim (as Val): Oh, yeah. Whatever you need. We can take it off your hands for ya.
Rhi: And then, yeah, Echo, you can have your pick of this thing.
Aki: All you guys are gonna hear as Darling is trying to treat her leg wound is:
Aki (as Darling): What the fuck is a casserole?
Rhi: [laughs]
Rhi (as Hedwig): It’s a— you know what? You’ll get to experience one tomorrow. It’ll be an educational moment for us all.
Rhi: I think at this point we will move into downtime. And we will start with, um, Arlene and Darling. Where do we find the two of you after this particular score?
Aki: Probably at my place. Like, to be realistic. [laughs]
Minna: Yeah…
Aki: I dragged you to my house. Maybe because I also need help walking. We don’t know.
Minna: Yeah, I think we decided to go ahead and— or you invited me over to your house and we’re just— I think Arlene is just like, lying with her feet up on the arm of a couch, which I’m sure Darling isn’t happy about.
Aki: I’m too tired.
Rhi: [laughs]
Aki (as Darling): Alright, you can do that.
Aki: And Pearl is—
Minna: I think her head is kind of hanging off the couch so she can, like, put it against Pearl’s shoulder.
Aki: Yes.
Rhi: Aww.
Aki: Pearl is there. Pearl will probably give you cuddles. You don’t come— you don’t visit often enough so Pearl is gonna steal your time for the most part.
Minna: Mm hmm. I think Arlene has her face, like, buried in Pearl’s fur and is like:
Minna (as Arlene): Pearl, only you understand.
Minna: [laughs]
Rhi: What is Darling doing?
Aki: I think Darling went to change out of this ruffian’s clothing and into something like a robe or whatever, so that she can move around without necessarily touching the wound. And then she’ll go over and attempt to boil water.
Rhi: [laughs] To make some tea?
Aki: Mm hmm. We’re gonna have tea, and if you decide to spend the night I’m making us dinner.
Minna: Aww. Yes.
Aki (as Darling): Have you been eating alright?
Minna (as Arlene): Um. I mean, I’ve been eating.
Aki (as Darling): Oh, so not good. Alright, well, then I insist you stay so that I can cook you a real meal and maybe give you something to take home.
Minna (as Arlene): That sounds good.
Aki (as Darling): So, how is… mm… your friend?
Minna (as Arlene): Um, she’s good. I mean, she’s outta town.
Aki (as Darling): Mm. Work, I assume.
Minna (as Arlene): Yeah?
Aki (as Darling): Mm hmm. And what was it that she did again?
Minna (as Arlene): Okay, if we talk about this are you gonna be like, normal about it, or are you gonna be like, overprotective about it? Because I’m really fine.
Aki (as Darling): [huffs] Pfft! Of course I’m going to be normal about it. I’m normal all the time. I’m about as normal as someone with a tail can be.
Aki: I say as my tail wiggles over to grab a cloth that I might need to wipe up my, I don’t know, my table.
Minna: [laughs]
Minna (as Arlene): I mean, we’re not in dissimilar work, so like, if you’re judging her for it you’ve gotta judge me for it, too.
Aki (as Darling): I’m not judging the job. I’m simply judging the work ethic.
Minna (as Arlene): The work ethic?
Aki (as Darling): Yes.
Minna (as Arlene): She’s a leader! Not the leader, but she has— she has leadership skills. And is trusted.
Aki (as Darling): Oh. Amazing. Wonderful. Yes, good. Good on you for the… leadership.
Minna (as Arlene): [groans] You’re not being normal about this, I don’t wanna talk about this anymore.
Aki (as Darling): I’m being so normal about it! I’m being incredibly— look at how normal— I’m being so normal about it you could… invite her over one day and maybe I won’t cook something that will poison her. Maybe.
Minna (as Arlene): I don’t trust you to not do that?
Minna: [laughs]
Aki (as Darling): I’m… I’m so… chill. About you. Dating the horse girl.
Rhi: [laughs]
Kim: Oh my God.
Minna (as Arlene): Her name is Leona.
Aki (as Darling): Yes.
Josie: [laughs]
Aki (as Darling): That was her name, yes. Yes. Leona.
Minna (as Arlene): Darling. I’m in actual pain. And I already had pain when I came here. If you’re gonna be like this, I’m gonna leave.
Aki (as Darling): No, no, we can— we can talk about something else. But yes, no, the offer stands. I make a very good— it’s not one of those casserole things, but it’s got meat in it, so it’s good for you growing girls.
Minna: [laughs and wheezes]
Josie: I… I love them.
Rhi: Yeah.
Minna: I’m just helplessly giggling.
Rhi: I cannot wait for Darling and Leona to actually have a conversation, because I think Leona is going to be very polite and respectful and Darling isn’t going to be able to find any reason to be upset and she’s gonna be so mad about it.
Aki: [laughs]
Minna: Darling is also the embodiment of “act casual”.
Rhi: Yep.
Aki: Mm hmm. Mm hmm.
Rhi: So, we leave Darling making tea in the kitchen and Arlene burying her face in a tiger and wondering why Darling has to be like this.
Aki: Because that’s her baby. [laughs]
Rhi: Yep. And we zoom across the city to a speakeasy. One of many scattered throughout the city. And Kim, why don’t you tell us about what this place looks like?
Kim: So, as we look at the Black Rabbit Speakeasy, I think— oh, you know what it is? Have y’all ever been inside like, a Hollister in the early 2010s, 2000s?
Minna: Ugh.
Rhi: Yeah?
Kim: Yeah. It’s like very— it could be better lit in here, but it’s very dark and maybe just a little bit dingy, just for the flavor. But it’s hazy in here, because, you know, people are smoking. And maybe there’s a fog machine or something, I dunno. And like, there’s some kind of perfume in the room, but nobody really knows what it is or where it’s coming from, or how they’re able to smell it over all the food and drink, but it’s there. Yeah, I think it’s just like a very stereotypical layout, just a few circle tables arranged in a certain way, there’s a bar off in the corner and there’s like, you know, a semi-circle stage with those— oh, what are those little floor lights called? The scallops on the edge of the stage?
Rhi: I think they’re just floor lights.
Kim: Floor lights. Those things. They’re on the stage. And there’s probably some, like, art deco decorations on either side of the curtains and it’s— it’s like a really dingy red curtain. Like, it would have been a really vibrant crimson, super saturated back in its day, but, you know, it’s kinda dusty, kinda grimy, it’s lookin’ a little sad.
Rhi: Yeah. And where do we see Val in all of this?
Kim: Valerie is on stage. They are singing into the microphone and just wrapping up a song.
Rhi: Yeah, and I think as the song ends, there’s, uh— it’s not polite applause, people enjoyed it, but it’s, you know, it’s a small crowd. So it’s kind of light, scattered applause throughout the room as the song finishes up.
Kim (as Val): Thank ya, thank ya very much.
Kim: And Val’s probably gonna take, like, a sip of water. Or whisky, who knows, that’s sitting on a stool right next to them.
Kim (as Val): You’ve all been such a really lovely audience, and I would like to take the time to just, uh, dedicate this last song to someone very special out here in the crowd: Brennah!
Kim: And I think Val’s going to point to some person in the crowd and the spotlight is gonna shine on them. [laughs]
Rhi: [laughs] And yeah, I think they look a little surprised but will kind of, like, yeah, smile and wave as everyone is clapping again.
Kim (as Val): Brennah’s new here in town, so if you haven’t gotten a chance to talk to her yet, make her feel welcome, know that she’s welcome back here any time.
Rhi: [laughs] And she’ll kinda laugh and like, toast the stage.
Kim (as Val): Alright, alright, this one’s for Brennah.
Kim: And I think the backing band just starts up on the piano.
Rhi: Yep. And yeah, the song starts and the crowd sorta continues enjoying the music and enjoying the drinks. And from there, we’re gonna go over to Echo.
Josie: So, I think we cut to Echo on her way to visit someone. And she, as she’s walking, she uncrumples the telegram, because it had gotten smushed as she shoved it into her pocket, and reads it off again.
Rhi: “B – Prove your value to our op and we will consider your appeal STOP Obtain Relic of Glutton from Devil’s Tooth and return to city STOP Negotiations begin then STOP – The Vulture”
Josie: So, I think just looking at it again, there’s now a small puncture hole in the paper where her tensed thumb just pierced through it. And I think she arrives at her destination. She’s going to see Alondra, who’s a friend and also a diviner, to seek more information.
Rhi: Yeah. Tell me about Alondra. What kinda person are they?
Josie: Well, I was thinking of ways to like, combine mysticism and technology. So, I think a lot of her divining is based around clocks.
Rhi: Ooh…
Kim: Oh, that’s sick.
Rhi: That’s really cool!
Josie: Yeah, like it’s all— divining is very much based around the moon phase things are in, the position of— what time of day celestial objects are at and checking things at very precise, like, seconds and microseconds.
Rhi: Oh, so it’s probably, like, she’s probably got like an orrery too. Like those big metal models of celestial bodies.
Josie: Yeah.
Minna: How weird do you think that gets with, like, the inconsistency of where the fuckin’ stars are?
Rhi: So weird!
Josie: Super weird. You have to keep recalibrating everything.
Kim: Don’t like that.
Josie: And have a bunch of different clocks.
Rhi: [laughs] Yeah. Oh, that’s really cool. I love that concept.
Josie: I think she is very eccentric, but also soft-spoken and kind. She’s like the setting, occasionally something comes out of her mouth that makes you just go like, “…what?”
Rhi: “Wha…?”
Kim: “Moon’s haunted?”
Rhi: “What did you say about the moon?”
Rhi and Josie: [laugh]
Rhi: Yeah, I imagine that her workshop is just filled with a constant soft ticking.
Josie: Mm hmm. And I think maybe her neighbors don’t like her very much, because she has her workshop on an elevated floor so she can have a better sky view.
Rhi: Oh no! [laughs] So they all get to hear all of the ticking and metallic noises of working, probably at very odd hours.
Josie: But she’s also my positive contact and I don’t know exactly how we came to like each other so much, but…
Rhi: Yeah. We can work that out. I think— and this might be part of it, but I’m thinking maybe that she is a Skovlander.
Josie: Oh, okay. Yeah.
Rhi: Yeah, so I think very pale skin, lot of freckles. Kind of a reddish blonde hair that I think is cut kinda short. And like, when you knock on the door of the workshop you just hear a:
Rhi (as Alondra): It’s open!
Josie: Echo shyly opens the door, ducks her head so she doesn’t bang it on the doorframe.
Rhi (as Alondra): Oh, you’re getting better about remembering that.
Rhi: And Alondra kinda looks up from the clock that she’s tinkering with to repair some of the gears or adjust some and is like:
Rhi (as Alondra): Good to see you, Echo.
Josie (as Echo): Good to see you, too, Alondra.
Rhi (as Alondra): Ooh, you don’t sound so good.
Josie (as Echo): No. I don’t know what it is, but it isn’t good. And I need to find something.
Rhi (as Alondra): Okay. Well, why don’t you grab a stool and tell me about it?
Josie: Echo scoots a stool over to a table which I imagine is like a small table with a— what do you call one of those lacy things—
Rhi: Like a doily?
Josie: Like a doily on it. Like, kind of a fortune-teller table in the midst of this big workshop full of clocks and—[laughs] stuff. It’s very out of place.
Rhi: Yeah. I think Alondra—[laughs] Yeah, I like that. I think it’s got, like, a nice lamp on it too that’s got kinda like a frilly lampshade. And I think Alondra just sits down across from you with a notebook. She thumbs open to a clean page and is like:
Rhi (as Alondra): Alright. So, what are you looking for?
Josie (as Echo): Well, I actually sort of know where it is, but what it is is the issue.
Josie: You know what? I think part of our positive relationship is I’m gonna trust Alondra enough to just show her the telegram and point at the words “Relic of Glutton”.
Rhi: Okay. Yeah, so Alondra takes it and reads it and frowns and is like:
Rhi (as Alondra): This is… people who go to Devil’s Tooth don’t come back, Echo.
Josie (as Echo): I know. I don’t want to go, but if that person is looking for it, I need to at least know what it is.
Rhi (as Alondra): Well, that is going to take quite a bit of time. But I can tell you to start, at the very least, that the Glutton is another name that certain worshippers of a local forgotten god use. It’s a shorter version for the full name: He Who Devours. They say that it lives in the heart of Devil’s Tooth and, well, consumes things.
Josie (as Echo): That would make sense.
Rhi (as Alondra): So, it’s not just the prison that’s a reason that it’s a bad idea to go out there.
Josie (as Echo): So, this relic also eats?
Rhi (as Alondra): Who knows? I will have to, like I said, look into it. I think this is going to be a combination of research and divination. But I’ll see what I can do.
Josie (as Echo): Thank you, Alondra.
Rhi (as Alondra): Yeah, of course.
Josie (as Echo): Oh— I have this.
Josie: She pulls out a small, like, brass disc – it’s pretty thick – from a pocket of her coat, and a bunch of similarly-colored pins that there’s a slot along the curved side of the disc that she gently sticks those tabs into and they start ticking and moving. Um, this is like a small divination clock. The top of the disc has the moon phases on it.
Rhi: Ooh! Alondra is just like, immediately so intrigued.
Josie (as Echo): Yeah. I— I’ve been toying with a new arrangement, so I figured you’d be the best person to try it out.
Rhi (as Alondra): Yes! Oh, and you’ve even accounted for the Dimmer Sisters! Very clever. It’s very difficult to keep track of the moon’s refractions. Oh, perfect. Yes, this is very well done. I’ll have to examine it in greater detail, but— and it’s pocket-sized! I love that. Sometimes I have to go out to get a good view. Thank you, Echo, this is wonderful.
Josie (as Echo): I— I try. N-no problem.
Rhi (as Alondra): Well, I will get started on answering your question here. Do you wanna stay and hang out for a bit?
Josie (as Echo): Sure.
Rhi: I feel like another, probably, reason why they have a good relationship is like, they’re both comfortable with just kinda hanging out and doing their own thing and not talking to each other. So like, Echo can just kind of like, sit and just tinker with stuff and there’s no pressure or expectation to like, maintain conversation.
Josie: Yeah. And I think part of it is also, like, they just don’t really question each other’s weird.
Rhi: Yeah. [laughs] So yeah, we’ll leave the two of them working on various machinery, and that is where we will leave the city for this time.
Josie: Woo!
Kim: Cool.
Aki: Yay!
## Outro [00.54.22]
Thanks for joining us! The Whisky Jays will return in two weeks. The City That Never Dies is a Clever Corvids production. Visit our website at clever corvids dot net and follow us on Twitter at clever underscore corvids for the latest on this and other shows.
The City That Never Dies is GM’d and edited by Rhi. Check out her business Skill Check for copyediting and accessibility consulting for the RPG community at rpg skill check dot net.
Arlene Graeme is played by Minna Reilly. Find her on Twitter @mynaminnarr.
Darling Tsering is played by Aki. Find her on Twitter @akinomii_art for more TTRPG Content.
Echo is played by Josie. Find her on Twitter @dragongirljosie, and check out her art at josie-art.com.
Valerie Sullivan is played by Kim. Find her on Twitter @kimdianajones.
Our opening and closing theme music is from Something by Kai Engel and is used under a Creative Commons license. Blades in the Dark is the creation of John Harper and is published by Evil Hat Productions.
This episode’s jumbotron message is from Tori, and it’s for Caleb!
Thank you for introducing me to these amazing creators who have made this vibrant queer inclusive world for us to wonder at. I adore you, Caleb. I am grateful for how you continue to make space for me in your life, know just what to say to make me blush and laugh, and choose the hard path because it is the right thing to do. I am looking forward to where our adventures take us, even more than the Project Bluejay episodes. I am sure they will be just as epic as the Magpies, with some pin tossing of our own.
Thanks so much Tori, and I hope you and Caleb have the most wonderful of adventures. And as always, thank you to all our Patreon backers, whose ongoing support makes the show possible.
## Blooper [00.56.38]
Josie: And I wanna point out to Rhi that you did it again.
Rhi: What did I do?
Josie: You immediately led off with a huge, gruff, buff lady.
Aki: Yep. And I enjoyed every bit of it.
Josie: With a cute name. Second episode this time, not first episode. [laughs]
Rhi: Yeah. But she’s not gonna stick around as a friend.
Josie: [sadly] No. [laughs]
Rhi: [laughs] She’s a bad person.
Kim: Not friendly.
Josie: [laughs]
Rhi: She asked you to go set fires in an apartment building with several families in it.
Josie: [laughs]