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worldsbeyondnumber
worldsbeyondnumber

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[PUBLIC EPISODE] The Wizard, the Witch and the Wild One: ep013 “Of the Gentle Sea”

Balance in all things.

The great Machine above you.

A leaf in the water.

After years of being asleep, you are awake again.

We need each other now:

The fish has a wife.

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We are

Brennan Lee Mulligan

Erika Ishii

Aabria Iyengar

Lou Wilson

Produced, designed, and scored by Taylor Moore at Fortunate Horse

Album art by the great Corey Brickley

Comments

Immediate chills. This is insane

writeathome

Also the crying 😭 😭 😭 No episode yet where there’s no crying heart breaking and mending breaking and mending Heart magic this is❤️‍🔥

Iryn

Wow! The names of the gang sum up to the acronym of S E A 🌊

Iryn

Suvi in her room, and the quiet strength of A three legged stool

Jonesey

On a second listen, the choral samples taylor uses for Naram’s anger/power are really evocative— reminds me vaguely of the Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices women’s chorus?

Jules Vance

i started crying like 5 minutes in THIS IS MAGICAL WTF

clara

Whoever writes the episode synopses always delivers pure gold. It's referential without spoilers, and both snappy and poetic in equal measure. Thanks for making me smile every episode!

Brendan Dixon

Eursolon's moments at the start of this episode give the powerful energy of what it is to have some recovery from trauma. Thanks to all of you, for this amazing and special story.

Cipactli

I see Taylor went off on the sound design again. :)

Brianna M

I’ve listened to the first 6.5 minutes of this episode 30+ times. It’s one of the most immersive, honest, and beautiful moments of self-realization that I’ve heard or seen in a long time. The entire episode is good, but kudos to everyone involved for these few moments of storytelling… of reminding us what it’s like to find that thing inside that we thought was lost forever, but was really just waiting for us to be bold enough to reclaim it, and through it, ourselves. This story slaps so hard.

Eric Bennett

This is one of the best episodes of D&D I have ever heard. Which I feel like I say after many of these WBN episodes 😂 but this just enraptured me and shook me to my core and everyone was incredible and the SOUND DESIGN was AMAZING. Thank you all so much for making this absolutely world-rocking, beautiful art and sharing it with us.

Aberdeen Bowman

The sound design of this episode are absolutely breathtaking, gut wrenching, bone shakingly good. I have had chills every 15 seconds it feels like

YakisobaBaby

this episode was just like. just adrenaline. i'm going feral. ALSO THE LITTLE OVEN DONE NOISE TAYLOR PUT IN FOR MORROW IS UNREAL

JC Wihardja

Taylor triggering my claustrophobia there at the outro 💀

K C

nah this stuff is like gold or ichor. I was screaming when this stuff was happening and just wow thank you for these stories

Carla D.

Yes yes yesssss. I second this

Squirrelly Girlie the not very girlie squirrel

Taylor just darn out did himself on the sound in this ep truly spectacular the breaching of the water is unreal, mixed with the amazing performances by the gang ugh so good

Jack Jones

Immediate tears when he leveled up. Most emotional mechanical change I’ve ever heard haha

Christen Bushie

Like for real, the whole episode was insanely cool but going straight from one moment of dramatic self-sacrifice right into another??? After being so timid and scared for the rest of the arc??? It's enough to give a guy questing fever

Fireflux

I am so deeply moved by Eursolon's quest for honor that I may never be the same person again

Fireflux

absolutely amazing everything that is happening here.

David Stanley

I listened to this on the plane today and the people around me just have wondered why tastes started rolling down my face. What an absolute treat the whole podcast is!

Tom

I have got to stop listening to these at work because I find myself not doing anything and just transfixed. Amazing!!!!!!

Megan Gass

Wtf this is si good. The sound design, the ending with the waves and the microphone going under them, everything so beautiful omagaaaaad <3

Nahda

When I'm listening to these episodes, it truly feels like I'm tapping into some primal part of the human condition; like this is how stories are supposed to be told. You folks are really doing something special and amazing. Will never stop absolutely SHOUTING this series' praises. This entire production from the characterization, performances, narrative, and sound design really sets an industry standard for me.

Ashton

Ugh. Out of control. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Victometron

"The fish has a wife"..." FUCKING RUN!" has been playing non stop in my head all week

Merissa McClure

hey. what the fuck?

Heyyitsphil

TAYLOR MOORE YOU GENIUS every time I have to listen to these with the good headphones so I can truly relish every auditory morsel, or sound bite if you will. Truly astounding work

Foxglove_Dreams

How y'all continue to top yourselves with the most thrilling, engaging, captivating, delighting, illuminating, pulse-wrecking narrative astonishes me more and more each week (yes, even & especially you, Taylor - over there with your sounds, musics, & whatnot)

Ted Meredith

I loved this episode, I listened s bunch of times. I listened on a long flight and it was so entertaining, reminded me of scenes in studio Ghibli movies.

Christie Joesbury

Y'all are truly magical. Literal "overwhelmed by story and emotion" goosebumps.

Nolan Childerhose

I enjoyed seeing the gods flex on the Wizards. I enjoyed a bit more of Suvi this episode as all previous episodes she's been out of pocket to people she calls her friends. Seeing Eursulon (sp?) flex and grow has been fantastic.

Jay Harris

Listening to this episode in my car in the middle of a thunderstorm is an absolute experience I cannot put into words

Sebastian Moran

A bunch of people already said it but this ep was some of the great story telling I’ve ever heard. I’m excited to hear more.

L C

I got goosebumps during this episode. The story and the audio magic were absolutely phenomenal!

StWindsor

Yall fucking killed it on this! I don't usually comment but I need you all to know that every single member of the team nailed it with the culmination of this arc!

Zach Lee

That Akira/Ghost in the Shell women's choir motif for Naram in his god form was an inspired choice. That whole section had me weeping.

Brick Ingle

holy. the sound effects in Suvi's POV, the ominous, dangerous choir of chaos - it made me weep. my god.

Mateusz Leszczyński

"The sea explodes.. " literally breathless and transfixed by this episode. Fantastic stuff, team!

Gregory Davis

This series is now in my top 3. That's how good the last episode of the arc was. And now is a good time to catch up on the prequel!

FooldiverDX

I was thinking that they could go to Galani who may know little or nothing about the project and would abide by what Steel wanted. And it's crazy for Suvi not to tell her once the fight started! But you're right that waiting until Steel arrived was no guarantee that everything would work. (Knowing stories have to make things hard for the protagonists it's possible that it would have been one more day, and then another, then another.)

Ecceptable

I was absolutely glued to this whole episode. And now I have to replay it because it's just so good!

Julianne Hughes

This was so satisfying to listen to and completely transported/calmed this stressed out teacher's brain. Thank you all so much. Shout out to fox for self-care priorities.

R Walker

I got SO MANY chills!!!!

Catrick

This episode in its entirety was done very well and is extremely entertaining and enjoyable!

Andrew Garcia

We are definitely listening to different podcasts

Lojaan

This is a fair point. The only thing I would say is we don't know what the consequences would be had they waited or shared information. Morrow had capabilities to actually hurt Naram, what would he do when confronted with consequences for his actions? I don't think this hasty decision on the part of Eursulon and Ame will go unaddressed. Suvi had a lecture about taking things into her own hands to play the part of a hero, but perhaps that lesson needed to extend to the group as a whole. Yet, on the other hand, do you allow a terrible thing to continue to happen because there might be a more peaceful resolution, or do you do everything you can to stop it then and there if it is within your power? What happened to Naram was an injustice and a sacrilege. I can't say I'm team Wizard because they are wholly to blame for the situation, but our heroes are flawed and their actions have big consequences in the world.

Arelena Savic

So ah. Yeah. Should probably have waited a day there Ursulon buddy. Amazing ep people! Taylor - the end credits were INSPIRED 👍👍

Lojaan

Oh my goodness this episode!!!! this is truly my favorite podcast, what you guys are accomplishing is magnificent. I am so enthralled by this story omgggggggggg

Madison Beske-Somers

Amazing!! I have no words but give you all massive applause! I gasped so many times about the choices, the consequences and the music and sounds. 👏🏽 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Dana Wheeler

This episode was INCREDIBLE on LITERALLY all fronts!

Kelly

Fully wrecked by this whole episode, but especially the outro, worth the wait

Emily Stetson

I agree that they're too experienced to do simple Empire/Citadel Bad, Spirits/Witches Good morality tale. But even when the dumbest and most avaricious wizard captures the Great Cinnamon Roll Spirit, I'm horrified by the mass death that came about because the characters couldn’t wait a few more hours or share a little more information.

Ecceptable

This episode had no right to hit me so hard with the music. Absolutely stunning. Ridiculous. Unhinged. Immediately listened to it again with my cat. Amazing work crew.

Julianna Richie

THE OUTROOOOO

Amanda Flicop

Not me dancing around the 33 minute mark while unthinkable horrors befall the city because Taylor’s music editing is so good

Andrew Cabrera

Hands down one of the best episodes of anything ever. I would listen to this story regardless, Taylor Moore your sounds design truly puts it head and shoulders above anything else I’ve heard. Wishing you all the best from the Bay of Rest.

Tyler Quijada

holy shit guys. HOLY SHIT GUYS.

Max Moran

Omg omg omg. The sound design on this one???? The whole episode!!! And then we get that bonus closing credits sound design??? This was EVERYTHINGGGGG

Nicole Wong

INcredible 🌊

melanee

I'm halfway through the episode so far and the question just occured to me: WHAT HAPPENED TO GHOST AND FLICKER???? Please remember our collective daughter she's so precious 😭

Renoku

BLM: do you want to kill an innocent elder spirit or possibly hundreds of innocent people? ME: Jesus man, that's dark! AME WITH ZERO HESITATION: F$#K them wizards!

Brennan Holtzclaw

Just joining the chorus screaming about the sound design because I absolutely CANNOT handle it's brilliance ♥️♥️♥️

Kat Roy

TAYLOR! GOD!!! Popping off yet again, incredible work. Oof what a great episode

Katie P.

I think our storytellers know that they aren’t in a black and white world- Eursalon felt compelled to honor his quest.

Erika Iverson

The audio in this episode is freaking epic!!!! Well done Taylor!!!

Jamie M Light

As someone whose last D&D char died from drowning, I was worried for a hot second when Eursulon was trapped underwater (thank god for water breathing.)

Katie Butler

The ABSOLUTE flex at the end with the credits coming in and out of the water. You maniacs!!

Ignacio Segura Montero

"It hurts living things to grow this fast, and they do it greedily" (lovvvvveeeeeee)

Katie Butler

Incredible, I can't wait to hear it again

Alex Reid

Cannot explain how visceral my reaction was to this episode. Absolutely the best to date. Obviously got to join the chorus yelling Taylor’s praise for sound design as well. Holy hells gang, what an incredible episode.

Han

Excellent ear to notice the Bulgarian choir! I wrote it for this episode and really enjoyed playing around with it. Expect to hear it again for sure. -t

Worlds Beyond Number

I very much need to know where you got the Bulgarian choir music from

Alex Reid

I'm team wizard against Orima but team Naram against wizards

Alex Reid

Let’s go water bear!!!

skipclarke

perfect story, hilarious and touching and cinematic, all in the right ways and right times.

Joshua J.

Yes yes, amazing episode, of course, the pinnacle of audio storytelling, can we all just acknowledge that Lionfish Leviathan is a fucking sick band name??!?!?

Adam Curtis

That freaking outro. LOL Taylor you are truly magical. The great spirit of sound.

BubbleFog

I don't like Morrow, but Galani and Steel could be great if people got them the right information at the right time. (It was wild seeing Suvi not tell Galani that the Sword of the Citadel wanted Naram set free OR that kudzu threat would stop if Naram was let go.) And hundreds of people dying because an immortal being couldn't sit at the bottom of the ocean for around 18 more hours seems like an unfair trade.

Ecceptable

THE OUTRO!!!!! Oh my god Taylor you magnificent mermaid

Suvi Häkli

I know the whole day was spent on the outro

Theo Vařák

Release the Kraken!

David Paterson

God I was like "yessss Ame the fox taught you to bare your teeth!"

Kitty Stryker

Taylor's immersive effects over the end credits gave me such Monkey Island vibes.

Doctor Quixote

Ho boi that got me in my queer feelings

Ruvi

Holy cow, worth the wait.

Nigel Fullerton

I cannot overrstate how spectacular this arc has been, my goodness.

DocFumbles

This particular arc is only 14 episodes so next is the finale and then onto the next arc!

LookItsLyrica

the number of references in this show to other media properties that I absolutely adore is insane. extra fingers as tools for more complex somatic components in spells? the magicians. everything about this first arc, obviously, as you've pointed out, the titular kingkiller chronicles parable. the whole children's adventure was SO studio ghibli, and there's so many real world mythological premises (especially shinto and celtic pagan) woven in and I'm just. I love it so much I'm over the moon about this episode

Lena

Season 2!? Is this the end of season 1!?

Damien Kirby

If your purpose was to just cliffhanger me so hard I have to immediately know what happens in Season 2, we’ll… Mission Accomplished

Ignacio Segura Montero

Kinda? A bit?

Ignacio Segura Montero

Taylor the sound design was sublime, the storytelling as always gorgeous and fulfilling.

Brendon Speed

“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”

Pip Tarou

Happy to be the approximately 195th person to point out that the sound design on this episode was STELLAR. Ye gods - literally. I drove back to work to get my over the ear headphones for my second listen!

Melani

HOLY FUCKING SHIT I'M OBSESSED, THIS IS INCREDIBLE. this ending was insane. i'm a sucker for fictional stories getting intense enough to break formalities of the 4th wall, sort of. like the credits in this episode. delicious. (must say that the whole sound design this episode was INSANE!!! from the musical honey to the transitions of Galani going into the battlefield, to Naram's whole deal, everything was incredibly insane, Taylor.) and holy hell Brennan knows how to end a season huh. marvelous. everything in this episode. incredibly showstopping.

Rafael C

I don't blame her.

Ecceptable

Is it weird that I'm team wizard?

Ecceptable

Ahhhhh!! I know we always rave about the sound design, but this episode. I’m absolutely floored by how amazing it was!

Taliyah IDK

sound design was extra incredible!!!

Alana Turnbull

Incredible. Simply incredible! What an episode! The sound design! The decisions! I don't think I've ever seen an encounter where level one characters are essentially in a level 15+ encounter and be so impactful. Ame making the decision to harm the wizards (YES!) and being an incredible witch! Suvi reading a book and deciding to try to persuade Orima! Eursolon attacking a high level wizard because he's level 2 now! It's just so good!!!

Lee Philips

THE SOUND DESIGN. I am DECEASED.

biblioprincess

Just gorgeous storytelling time and time again. LOVED this episode

Andy Gonzalez

Amazing episode. Can't wait to see how the story turns out. Shout out to Taylor for the phenomenal sound design. Every moment waited for this episode to come out was more than worth it.

Levi Dettling

I have SO much respect for this crew, both actors/players and production!! Absolute Magic.

Amelia Tedesco

That was absolute MAGIC. Wow. Wow wow wow. What a captivating, cinematic, and powerful episode. I'm going to be riding this high for a WHILE. Thank you for creating and sharing this story with us!

Emily Saunders

I rediscovered Can't Stop by the Red Hot Chili Peppers today on the same day I listened to this episode and now I've got a WWW music video in my head.

Arelena Savic

Oh no! The fireside Q&A is closed, but I have so many questions.

Kyle Rudy

Fabulous.

Jennifer Williams

Worth the wait y’all!!!! So well done thank you so much!

Thomas Hegarty

I openly wept over my cava bowl for thirty minutes on my lunch break today listening to today's episode.

Timothy Clark

Gasped screamed and cried in the car! Well done everyone! The sound design was incredible!!

Josh Harris

I don't even have words. I am in shock, in awe, flabbergasted. I immediately started listening to it a second time. I was crying within the first 10 minutes and the emotional rollercoaster continued until the end. Bravo, everyone. Seriously, this episode was masterful from beginning to end. Standing ovation for Brennan, Lou, Aabria, Erika, Taylor. ❤️❤️❤️

Ladyrwhen85

Taylor and the rest of the sound design team really outdid themselves on this one

Dream

Wow. Woooooooooooow.

syftr

Oh it's so goooooood

Elin

This episode almost made me scream on the bus. The roleplaying/music/sound design/etc were so gooooddd! Kudos to everyone!♡

Dijonna Terry

Electrifying!!!

RIchard Vegas

"This wild world is filled with things you needn't have done but you chose to." That hit me really hard

Charlie Karls

Holy shit the outro being drowned out was so fucking cool what the hell

Masochismet

Absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!!!

Raine

I’m on the edge of my seat screaming in my car! People probably think I’m crazy. This episode was so good!

GingyGinger

TAYLOR!!! OH MY GOD!!! What a maestro. Your talent knows no bounds. This episode is phenomenal. Every. Single. Performance. STUNNING. And the atmosphere to match just felt so vivid. It's thrilling to listen to these master storytellers go SO HARD. This podcast is my happy place.

Alistair Quinn

absolutely worth the wait! the sound design on this ep was outstanding, Taylor you are amazing!

Vi

(24:40) Ame: I pluck a leaf — a kudzu leaf — from my bag, and I gently let it float onto the waves. "In all things there must be balance. For those that do not abide by the balance of the universe. Must. Pay. The. Price." The whole world (beyond number) became technicolor vivid in my mind in this moment of choice.

Schwa

This is by far the best episode of this series so far. This podcast showcases why this team deserve everything they've gotten and more - the talent is awe-inspiring and something to behold!

geansai

I truly cannot imagine.

Kiera Faye

such an incredible episode!

J. Marshall Smith

THAT OUTRO. I listened to this while "working" in a coworking space... I can't imagine what everyone else made of my shocked and haunted expression. I'm just gonna sit here for a bit while my heart rate slows down.

Kiera Faye

The contrast between the absolute desperate and vengeful franticness of Orima and the chorus of the sheer power of Naram unchained was so... so incredibly conveyed. I swear I felt my heart stop like three times And AME'S CHOICE??? This feels like it will sincerely go down as one of the best moments in DND history.

Sarah Lunow

Stunning work. I laughed, I cried, I gasped. Well worth the wait as always

Daylynnrey

YES YES YES! Taylor of the Glorious Mustard!

Kiera Faye

Oh my god, shit got so real! Epic, truly epic. What a banger of an episode! Totally worth the wait!!!!!!

abardnamedkate

Oh my god this was some biblical shit!! Taylor fucking killed it and Brennan?!? WHAT THE FUCK!?

Demelza Walkden

Top notch

Ben Perry

I'm starting to feel like there is no media better than this podcast. Lou's speech at the beginning, connecting to his home and family and breath, completing this quest, it had me crying right from the start, and filled with emotion through all of the action and choices that came after - Ame's choice especially.

Dolphin

This episode was amazing and the sound effects/editing is getting better and better each week! Top-notch crew! Thanks for such great content!

Sarah Beyeler

I tend to want to listen on my desktop during work and unfortunately my new company firewall is blocking everything but YouTube, could we get the public episodes up on the Youtube channel sooner than a week after?

Brad Barnes

OMG it's sooooo good. And the editing is beautiful! Totally worth the extra time to get it done right, even if I was refreshing my browser like a mad woman for 2 days lol.

Maddie Clark

TAYLOR YOU DID IT AGAIN AND I HAD SO MANY GOOSBUMPS. 100% you have our trust and we fully stand behind you when you need extra time to do things like this!!!

Sarah H

I am so thoroughly enjoying the slower pace of this campaign. Counting the children's adventure, we're at 21 episodes and just now getting to level 2?! It's wonderful for you to have the space to really flesh out these characters.

CJ

Another incredible episode gang!

Tyler Gob

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL STYLE CHOIR WAS SO PERFECT

Ruben Bernal

RIGHT?!

Kiera Faye

The audio, the gameplay decisions, the voice work. Everything just sparkles on this podcast. Thanks, folks.

mguin

OMG that was a fantastic finale!

Barry Pender

Absolutely 100000% loving the outro under the ocean, also absolutely loving everything about the sound design, AND THE DECISIONS

Fen Petrichor

Damn no wonder these take a little longer to get out the sound production on this was crazy! Please Take your time; it was fine to take your time before obviously but now we see how it’s being spent it’s double fine!

Extra Crispy

SO GOOD! So worth the wait. But how will I survive until the next one?

B Dunks

Oh. My. God. Absolutely worth the wait if it was to get the sound design and production to where it was. And then you had to go and just flex at the end with the credits? Wow.

Jason Nino

Steele is going to be pissed.

The Overthinker

Ursulon is a water bear now.

The Overthinker

Every episode I think this is it it’s peak can’t get better than this and every new episode it gets better

Samuel Strecker

I enjoyed it a lot! Also, oof, lot of bad decisions. Is there a Spoiler Zone for this patreon?

Ecceptable

Incredible episode - the sound design and music was absolutely off the charts. This is the best actual play D&D that’s there has ever been. I can’t believe we’re just getting started 😍

Matt Kilsby

Genuinely it blows my mind that y'all put these episodes out into the world FOR FREE. Incredible. Beautiful. Thank you. <3

Marjorie Askins

OH MY GOD THE CREDITS IN AND OUT OF THE WATER 🌊🌊😭😭

Griffin

the editing of the end credits omfg

Gabriela Medina

I'm listening with a nice pair of noise canceling over-ear headphones and OMG the sound editing. Please always take however long you need for an episode (within the bounds of your own mental health and not burning out, ofc).

CJ

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh another cliffhanger?!?!??

Louis Magallanes Jr.

My god, the gloriously mustard. The cast yeah yeah beyond the discription of words and my favourite actors ever- blah blah old news. Taylor, you are a god of sound wtf, so so so worth the extra day for that sound design Divine work 50/10, you are my new favourite cast member

Lauren Schofield

Oh Eursulon !!!!! I'm just beginning this episode and already heart-swellingly transported. Thank you for this. Thank you thank you thank you all. Honey with song.

Kiera Faye

I had chills for the whole fucking episode. I don't know enough words to adequately describe how amazing it is to listen to this story.

Launchpad

Taylor Moore, you MAGNFICENT bastard. That soundscape hit SO hard.

Adam Hodel

I had to stop this episode multiple times to pace around my house until I calmed down. A+ 5 Stars

Richard

OH MY GOD. SOUND DESIGN TEAM PLEASE TAKE ALL THE TIME YOU EVER NEED FOREVER. THIS IS INSANE.

Seth Carter

TAYLOR THE OUTRO!!! THE FLIPPING OUTRO!?!!!! I can’t! Y’all didn’t have to go that hard but I’m glad you did! Truly the character growth this season has been wild! Also, how can I marry a Noram (?) in real life! This episode might be in my top two so far..and it’s not two!!! I can’t wait to listen again! CANNNTTT WAIT!! Thank you soo much!

Tiniqua P

Oh shit never realized cuz I’m always dumbfounded at the end and not paying attention

KB2020

That’s Taylor’s voice

Wizard Susurrus

5⭐️ 10/10 no notes

Awkwurd

Truly the sound design of this show is pure ASMR to me.

Mia Mac-Pry

the first half of this ep did things to my emotions jfc

Jessica Batty

Biggest swerve in the ep was finding out Taylor was one of the bad baby magicians at the very end!

Jordan Tompkins

I wanted to just say that this group of storytellers is absolutely magnificent. I eagerly await for the next installment of the Wizard, the Witch, and the Wild One every week. I am in awe of this story and world you have created together. The sound design is immaculate and completely immerses you within Umora. I literally sat and listened, completely riveted, to this episode. All my actual work forgotten as I was caught up in the events of Port Talon and the clash between humanity and the great ones. I had goosebumps more than once during this episode and gasped out loud to so many moments. This group is amazing. Thank you for sharing this with us. ❤️

Rachael

I have never needed a Lo Fi beats studying meme more - suvi just reading while in the background everything happening is happening

Patrick

Can we get the OST sometime? It's all so beautiful

Cold Punk

OMG was that worth the wait or what.

Tina Cassell

Loved everything about the editing and sound design. Made everything feel appropriately fast paced and dramatic - Can't wait for the next one! Much love

Leo Burn'd

"I think, at this point, it's time to roll initiative. [...] you hear a thundering mountain [rain splattering, wind blowing]" and at this point I was already amazed by the sound design in this episode but it was actually an afternoon storm but the fact that I couldn't tell...amazing tension Time to finish the episode lol

argylsocks

Extremely banger episode, well worth the wait!! Thanks Taylor and team!

mads

Fabulous. Magical. WORTH THE WAIT. Also, Taylor, buddy, I hope your swimming skills are up to snuff…sounded like you were struggling a bit there at the end! Hahaha!

Elaine

That was worth every second of the wait. Taylor, the audio was spectacular

Asher Berghoff

Brennan definitely knows how to break things in big and satisfying ways.

Matthew B

Wow. Just everything is wow. The action, the story. Taylor went OFF on the scoring and sounds. What an incredible job you are all doing.

Rowan Sauer

I don't appreciate that the editing keeps cutting Brennan off and muting him. Also the music and sfx are still way too loud compared to the talking (although it was less bad this ep since there was less whispering). Great ep tho! Looking forward to what comes next!

1man2hands

This was pure insanity, seriously amazing work all!

Katie Melsheimer

Gentle sea my ass

MKP

Taylor, I hope today you have a good nap and like, some cake.

Sara

I want a shirt that saids "Fucking Run" -Suvie 🤣

Am3thystFlam3

The entire episode was fantastic, but I especially appreciated the sound design at the end. *Chef's Kiss*

Andrew Hicks

Everyone just OUTDID themselves on this episode!! What an absolute joy and privilege to listen to. The sound design, the narration, the choices... Im so glad I gst to listen to this.

Joos

Amazing amazing penultimate episode for this arc!! Floored by all the sound design Taylor did for this one! Was incredible to listen to while walking the beach on a cloudy day. One eye on the sea one eye on the green grass of the dunes lol

David Brady

Killer episode.

Dave

THIS WAS SUCH A GOOD EPISODE. Everybody had those major characters beats, and the story -- even with a split party!!! -- came together so beautifully. Also gold star to Gallani for dealing with (as Erika said) a whining mad baby of a man who somehow has more people listening to him than a sensible, powerful person trying to retrench to a defensive position. Cool. (Also, Erika's line about how the Port Talon lack of community was so stark to Ame—"But they need each other now." This is what the politics of so many disaster/zombie/apocalypse fictions don't get. In real life when disasters strike, people tend to band together and help out, to aid even strangers.) Amazing story, amazing sound, amazing editing, another terrific cliffhanger. Ahoo hoo!

FootnoteLovenote

Taylor... did your sound design imply there was still people clinging onto the derrick as it was flung into the sea? ... brilliant

Jonathan Turberfield

God damn was that worth the wait. Taylor, you are both an evil mastermind and a beautiful genius.

Randolph McGurrin

THE FISH HAS A WIFE?!?! I'm dying

Cassandra Cordova

"It's not a witch's job to make perfect choices; just right ones." If this is the kind of production we get, you're never going to hear me complaining about delays. Worth any wait.

Matthew B

Holy fuck Taylor, you're a god damn artist

Spencer from Canada

Let’s goooooooo

Taylorea

Sound design on the outro alone made the delay more than worth it

Jonah Klein-Barton

I'd bet it is! They talked about how Avatar heavily contributed to the "Spirit World" vibe together with Ghibli's animations!

Diamondarrel

Taylor! Taylor! Taylor! Taylor!

Like a bat out of The 9 Hells I’ll be gone when the morning comes

Haven't finished yet but this is giving heavy Avatar "Siege of the North" vibes. Would love to hear from the cast if that was at all an influence, like what would have happened if Aang truly wiped the fire navy off the map in that finale.

Noah Mendell

No but seriously, would pay the gewd monies for a soundtrack. Truly spectacular.

Lilith Evenstar

I’m only 45 minutes but I gotta say. I just can’t listen to these at work anymore. They’re too good I can’t get anything done

AcesAreHigh

2 ' 30" in and I've already got GOOSEBUMPS. almost in tears, you GUYS I LOVE THIS.

lunarsummer

Has anyone checked on Taylor and his family’s floatation situation. I’m pretty worried after this last one (just a lil joke for those who like end credits)

M. E. Johnson

Just incredible. Favorite episode. Every entry finds a way to sound better than the last!

KneesBees

So uh, when's the Kickstarter to make this cartoon dropping 👉👈

d2k

I am once again speechless over how good this is. Amazing. I love this so much.

codemonkeyquilts

I was like "Taaaayloooorr!"

Just a Fox

That mustard fucked me up

Amy Colgan

The mustard made me cry

Dooby cooby

Wow. Just. Wow. How does each episode just keep getting better?

Brian Sexton

Welp, this episode now holds the record for fastest to make me cry. GotDAMN it's so good 💖

d2k

Taylor water boarding Brennan at the end of the episode is truly a masterpiece

KB2020

i’m 26 minutes in and SHAKING TAYLOR YOU MASTERFUL GENIUS BRENNAN YOU MASTERFUL DUNGEON MASTER ERIKA YOU MASTERFUL WITCH LOU YOU MASTERFUL WILD ONE AABRIA YOU MASTERFUL WIZARD

Miriam Meeks

Taylor, the last 2 eps were 100% worth the wait. Don't kill yourself getting them out. A craftsman must take care of themselves, and we know you and the rest of the gang are pushing quality content each and every release. That being said... You've gotta tell me where you get your mustard, because it is POTENT.

Stephen Laster

As of now, even after Calamity, this is the entire cast's MASTERPIECE. It has no business being this good. Damn you Brennan and Taylor! DAMN YOU!

Diamondarrel

OMG!!!!!!!

RoadDietsRule

Yes, high quality too. I’m definitely getting hints of Grey Poupon Dijon, maybe a bit of black truffle

KB2020

Taylor continues laying that mustard on thick

Sean Ryan

I thought they were using milestone?

Jonathan Wolfe

THIS IS A LEVEL 1-2 STORY. WHAT THE HECK YOU GUYS YOU COMPLETELY SHIFTED MY VIEW ON THAT PARADIGM AS A DM. "Let' start in a nice little village." Brennan "The Goat" Lee Mulligan "DID I HEAR YOU CORRECTLY???"

Christian Paul D. Barrera

We're playing by XP rules, right? How many levels worth do you think Eursalon gets from that last move?

Saleibriel

It’s amazing how 90 minutes just flew by… I can’t believe it

Liam Egan

This installment was really quite incredible - a real journey for the minds eye. Soundscape really put it over the edge. Mad props!

Matthew Rowe

I keep being floored by how seemingly effortlessly Brennan and the players manage to weave a story that is so tonally consistent and powerful in a goddamn TTRPG. Both as a DM and a player, to craft an adventure in a homebrew world that manages to convey a sense of scale, to honour setting and characters with realism, complexity, depth, to consistently highlight powerful moral positions with applicability to the real world, while preserving the organic, improvisational flow of the story, and making it entertaining as all hell on top of that?? The number of plates that have to be kept spinning simultaneously, the number of different threads that need to be woven together – we’re witnessing the highest levels of mastery at work here, and I’m so, so grateful, week after week (well, not quite – that bimonthly schedule is deliciously painful) to be able to witness and experience it.

BardicDesperation

I haven’t even listened yet but - The fish has a wife!!!! Ofk!

Casey Furtado

What an amazing episode! The storytelling is so fresh and the production quality is so high. Thanks to everyone involved in this creation!

Jenny

I’ve decided: gonna be on the exercise bike the entire this episode is going. I’m 15 minutes in - if Eursolon can handle it, I will

Liam Egan

That ending! Wow just wow!

Honey.fairys

OH. MY. GOD! THIS SOUND DESIGN! TAYLOR! AAH! 😍

Dream Wizard Kyle Arca

I haven't quite finished it yet, but this is just sensational from all involved. Absolutely incredible. Make more stuff I can throw money at you for.

Jonathan Laury

4:26am, just finished. No regrets for the zombie self I will be in the morning. Holy forking shirtballs. This is a masterpiece.

Pat & Heather

Amazing ep!! I cackled at the outro

Welibwe

thank you!!! 😭😭😭i would wait any amount of time to hear more of this story and beautiful score

fearne

So good!

David Dyson

SO GORGEOUS!!!!!!!! I just sat in the cool dark and listened, this is the only podcast I can't do chores to, it's too cinematic and lovely.

Chris Rzepa

Brennan's narrative style layered by Taylor's sound design is absolute cinematic magic. Felt like I was watching a movie!

Miriam Maina

SO worth the wait. I'm in love with this show.

Laura DW

The chanting and the drums when Ame made her choice. Holy shit. I also imagine Orima being so proud of her sweet man doing the murders. Haven’t finished the ep yet, I’ve rewound this section several times.

Taliesin Breen

Stop releasing while I’m at work 😭

jdthetugboat

I can imagine multiple reasons all living under the umbrella of "marketing/advertising." Having listener metrics available on these given services will give them ammunition to pitch to eventual advertisers for the show, and I'd anticipate by having higher numbers on those given services they would be more likely to recommend the show to other listeners on that service. Hopefully after a time things could eventually settle into a NADDPOD-like model where I could get absolutely everything here in one feed, but I get it.

bushpusherr

Rad

Philmeanslove

Masterpiece

Courtney Seebadri

When you notice the update and go to your car so that Taylor's work hits different

Alex Yee

Chef's kiss on the "being pulled below the water under the weight of your own hubris" ASMR in the closing credits.

Alyn Spector

Thank you for getting it ready in time for the weekly work commute my wife and I take together! That's always Taylor's true deadline 😉

James Goss

wow. Wow. WOW

Manny A

Just finished it and it was more than worth the wait. That was the best thing I have ever heard and I’m now eagerly waiting for the last one of this story ❤️ Thank you thank you thank you for the hard work! It was magnificent!

Erin R

Fuuuuuuck yes! This is the shit... And if I'm honest,at my weakest moments I have been a petty man screaming and crying at a god

jbyrd

Worth every second

The Wizard Spice

God damn Taylor! You didn't have to go that hard! Was worth the wait!

Adrian Suthaharan

An entire masterpiece of sound design and editing accompanied by possibly the best piece of emergent storytelling I've seen in ten years of being a dungeon master.

Jack Hall

Holy cow you guys that was absolutely captivating. I could listen to Brennan describe wizard/spirit battles forever. All of the amazing and brilliant choices of the PCs were so cool. Taylor you outdid yourself once again with the sound. I especially liked the effect at the end. I can’t wait for the fireside chat on this one!

Katlynn

I’m literally shaking from the excitement and tension. Yay let’s go!!!

Joanne Moody

This one is a true masterpiece of storytelling, score and overall sound design. Team WaterBear for life and justice for Naram!

Saga Nadow

Worth missing some sleep for this! So good!

Aunty Kristin

HOLY SHIT! I was literally screaming all episode! JUSTICE FOR NARAM!

Vincent

I stayed up until 1:40 in the morning to listen to this and I'M NOT SORRY!

Lori Otis

Absolutely incredible, amazingly worth the wait. I had no less than 15 moments where I yelled “holy shit that’s so cool”

Simon Pena

Great episode. I hope Taylor gets some well-earned rest.

Dave Thomer

Listen

Simon Pena

What a tremendous episode... I have been viewing/listening to actual play content since the beginning of Critical Role and I am convinced that this was the hieght of this genre can be. From the phenomenal character play of our Wizard, Witch, and Wild One to the editing of Taylor Moore and the world/story telling of Brennan Lee Mulligan. It is most auspicious that I am alive to contribute & witness this story be told in this manner.

Robert J Kennedy

I require elaboration. Why a pod catcher? To what benefit? Whom does it serve?

sam z

Listen or Sleep? Listen or Sleep?? Listen or Sleep??? LISTEN OR SLEEP????

Ignacio Segura Montero

Worth the fucking wait!!!!!

Raquel Blacken

WOOOOOOOOOO! GREAT JOB EVERYBODY!

Justin

Guess I'll be tired at work because there's no way I'm waiting til tomorrow

Joe Hodge

My god Taylor the wait was so incredibly my worth it for the emergence alone, good lord.

JT Gwozdz

Sleep now, sweet prince

Rosemary Richardson

Joy! Just in time to be a nice bedtime story.

MeatyTamale

Haven't even hit play,... I'm pumped

jbyrd

Thank yoooooou!! And here I thought I was going to go to sleep. 😅

Jennifer Hirliman

He Said it would be out by Wednesday and he got it out with 2 mins to spare. At least accordingto the only time zone that matters, Eastern Standard Time. Suck it other time zones.

Brian Reardon

*SPOILERS* The divine smite sound OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Dylln

Ooooooweeeee Taylor, thank you for the late-night snack!

Sara

So do I listen now or save it for work tomorrow 🤔

Noah the Bullywug Boy #HonortheCock

Oh we’re so back

redolent forsooth

PANIC! If our precious spherical bear of uniform density gets hurt, I am going to lose my damn mind.

Simon Mills

Taylor tell me you released it at 11:59 PM just to troll the people who were being nasty 😂 I will love you even more.

Christian Paul D. Barrera

YeeHaw

Sam Martinich

Let's gooooo! I know it will be well worth the wait.

SvenTS

Just got out of my dnd session. The timing could not be better.

Code0scar

Much love

James B

WE LOVE YOU TAYLOR

Mack Whaley

Can’t wait!! Diving in now. 😍

Joanna Szabo

WOOOO LETS GOOOO!

Katlynn

ITS HERE ITS HERE THANK YOU GUYS 😭😭

Cristian

I needed this to get through my shift, thank y’all so much 😭

Amanuel Molla

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL THE HARD WORK. YOU ARE ALL INCREDIBLY TALENTED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE APPRECIATED BEYOND MEASURE!!!♡♡♡

Kelsey Aeilts

AAAAHHHH thank you Taylor!!!!

CV

ITS HAPPENING

deebee

Hurray its finally here!! Thanks for all the hard work!

Kevin Staley

YESSSSSS

Quinn Gallagher

so fuckin hyped for this one. Can’t wait to listen. Y’all are the best.

Caleb Jackson

WE GOT EPS YALL

Noa Chang

Just got off of work time to not sleep 🙏🙏🙏

Noam Gumerman

HERE WE GOOOOOO

Naomi Smith

YOOOOO

Caleb Jackson


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