After returning to Salix’s hermitage and having Aeron assess the damage to the Swift Hummingbird the party decides to rest for the evening before making their next move. Duo wakes everyone up to inform them that breakfast is ready and the group gathers in the kitchen to discuss what’s on the agenda for the day. Arguile poking the bear that is Galahad and making quips about Little G and the Bahamuts. Hoshino, Zechs, and Shanks set out to retrieve the necessary crystal to replace the one that had been damaged. Before heading out Salix informs the group that Sloane is a sentient and living being, show reverence and respect as you enter and do what you are going to do. The group meets the manifestation of Sloane when approaching and explains their purpose there. While this manifestation seems accepting of their goals they are asked what are their specific reasons to be doing what they are doing (in the grand scheme of things). This takes the group by surprise as they realize they may have never taken the time to ask that of themselves. After taking some time to ponder this, they respond. After hearing what the three have to say the manifestation says that they are allowed to pick a crystal with them. Zechs informs them that they will return their broken crystal as a way to pay thanks to them. The group comes together after returning the crystal and Shanks informs the group that he does not feel like he should remain with the group with the revelation about Arioch being his patron. There is an exchange from everyone that reassures him they will work through this together, as a team and family. He isn’t the only one feeling like they’re a liability to the group. Collectively they ponder if they can sever the pact made between Shanks and Arioch. It would not be impossible but it would be challenging to do. Arguile then asks if the three of them should have a conversation and ask direct questions. Upon meeting with Arioch, they both are given details of how their paths crossed. Stemming from decisions made by their parents and promises he made to them. It’s a lot to process and as expected, the trouble with asking a heavy question is that you may not like what you get. The truth can be hard to swallow, especially if you can't trust the source. Arioch offers a unique solution in the form of a proposition of sorts. The group can fight Arioch, obviously not at his full strength, and with caveats and handicaps on the party as well but with the promise of relinquishing Shanks from his contract no questions asked. There's so much happening and that's where we pick up… Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage! Theme Music is written and performed by The Floating Lighthouse Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

Hey everyone, welcome to the eighth Divergent Paths cut scene. This month we've returned to the Shuffle Guild in Granzia. This time we follow Cenari less than a week after Ren witnesses the "Sleeping Giants" events. Cenari makes her way into the Elven city of Luxenburough. The party doesn't know this information, but now you do. Written and read by Thomas Lapierre III Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

We pick back up as the adult Blue Dragon begins to reign its terror upon the group. It’s all hands on deck as the team protects the Swift Hummingbird from the onslaught of the dragon and two storm elementals. Galahad uses his potion of growth to launch himself at the dragon and begin to take it down. Arguile takes a spill off the side of the ship and Zechs sends Duo after him. Zechs then summons a giant eagle to save Arguile from meeting the water at terminal velocity, a mile above. Thankfully the party takes out the elementals, Galahad kills the dragon, and Arguile is safe. They spend the next few hours diligently picking the blue dragon clean. Galahad’s newfound fairy dragon companion reveals her true identity as the dragon goddess Hlal. Shanks learns of Salix’s distaste for the dragon and their kind. It’s a tale of betrayal, heartache, and pain. Arguile spends time making himself more familiar with the ship and Zechs joins him. During that time they exchange information about their respective guilds and we learn that not everyone considers their guild family as Zechs does. Hoshino prepares the Legend Lore spell and receives information on The Constable and his machines. Zechs and Shanks share a heartfelt conversation about their feelings of guilt. Salix reaches out to the Daughter of the Void for some guidance and reassurance. Zechs reaches out to Qho, Kivela, and Cenari and each tells him about what has been happening across Granzia, bestows some wisdom onto their brother, and warns him to be careful. Galahad reveals that the Dragon allied with Antonius is Iron Nimbus Vulsir, a legendary Drulcas. The group prepares as they make their way to the Glasmeda Isles, using conjure animals to learn aerial combat and Shanks revealing another gift from his patron Elrin. Upon reaching the Isles, they reconnect with Quon and learn of the havoc being wrought by the machines. They must act quickly after they rest for the evening. During the various evening watches, Shanks and Arguile have a discussion that evening about the group's varying moral compasses. Salix trains Duo a bit and Galahad helps Zechs connect with Solonar. The next day the group secures a meal with a recently caught elk and a guide from a creature that Duo captured and Zechs befriended. The team is led by their animal companion to the beginning of the dome, eventually, coming across a deserted town and plants shaped like Grippli. While they try to discern how long they have until the same fate falls onto them, they realize that the dome has dropped, prompting them to go search for the machine. Upon finding it, they find scorch marks and the appearance of damage that has rendered the machine in need of repair, granting the group and the planes some time. Zechs leaves a teleportation circle at the machine and informs the Swift Hummingbird captain, Cordell, of the change in plans. A new deal is broached between the party and the captain, and they set off to the Heartwood. There’s so much happening and we pick up with arc 18, “Echoes of the Past”. How will the rest of this story unfold? Find out next time on the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage! Theme Music is written and performed by The Floating LighthouseMixed by Thomas Lapierre IIICheck out the show at themedusascascade.com

Glad, via astral projection, joins the group in Invenas and offers to help the boys out if need be. The group connects with Aeron Stormrider and explains the needs of the Swift Hummingbird. They then also inquire if he can make some improvements to the ship as the group expects that this wouldn’t be the last scuffle for the airship. Aeron explains that they’ll likely need another crystal to power the airship, but fortunately, they are naturally occurring throughout Sloane. Glad divines the location of the crystal before parting ways with the group to rest back at the hermitage. They are given some time for some light shopping before the group brings Aeron back with them to the hermitage. During this, they also take some time to gather research and find some useful information as well as items for their journey. With that the group uses Zechs’ bow, Jack of All Trades, to teleport back to the hermitage, but with some difficulty as Zechs is still getting familiar with this new ability. Reconnecting at Salix’s hermitage the group catches up with one another, and checks in with Hoshino, a bit shaken up still after his first encounter with The Constable. During the evening’s rest Shanks and Hoshino have a deep conversation ranging from their histories and beliefs, and share things that they’ve kept close to the vest. A conversation that started as warm and thoughtful, became one that brought with it a third uninvited guest to that conversation. Arioch, the Archduke of Chaos himself, whispering and planting the seeds of chaos into Shanks, and leaving an unease in the air. There's so much happening and that's where we pick up… Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage! Theme Music is written and performed by The Floating Lighthouse Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

Galahad, Shanks, Arguile, and Zechs head to Invenas to find Aaron Stormrider who would help with the repairs needed for the Swift Hummingbird. Hoshino, Glad, and Salix stay at the hermitage and assist the ship’s crew with any repairs and keep watch over them while the rest go into the city. The group collectively is hesitant about returning to Invenas given that their last arrival there went poorly. As they approach the city they let Shanks know that while he’s comfortable with his new appearance it might be best to keep it under the radar as they don’t know what the response will be to Elrin. He obliges and they head to the Vice Ward to see Iggy, who has a large chest for Arguile as per their bet on whether or not they would succeed in their attempt to free the city of The Web. They catch up and exchange pleasantries with Iggy before checking in on their investment. On the way they discuss the information that Iggy gave in regards to the Tell Tale Guild having yet to find the artifact they’ve been searching for. They go back and forth about what it could be, and the greater plans of the gods in play, and they are left to ponder the ramifications of what would happen if they found the artifact. Back at the hermitage, Hoshino begins to meditate and we see a glimpse of his story. We see his relationship with the Daughter of the Weave. It’s a story of fear, desperation, strength, hope, and more. We also get a glimpse of Sloane’s past, 4000 years ago in a place called The Serpent’s Strait. The visions and memories, during this meditation leave Hoshino with a tear (or two) that run down the side of his cheek. When we return to the Invenas group, they have made a pit stop to check in on their investment as they arrive at Chubby T’s. It’s there they meet the owner, Mr. Balderdash, and the “entertainment” if you wish to call it that, Little G and the Bahamuts. While some of the group seems uncertain of what they’ve entrusted their investment in, they hear out the plans for the grand opening and the future of this franchise. It’s a bit of relief and respite after an intense battle and exchange just a day before. With that, the group finally makes their way towards Aaron Stormrider. There's so much happening and that's where we pick up… Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage! Theme Music is written and performed by The Floating Lighthouse Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

Hey everyone, welcome to the seventh Divergent Paths cut scene. This month we've come back to the group of travelers from Nymora. Last we saw Alaera, Torbera, Marleigh, and Peak they were meeting with Minister Fallyn in Balazaar's Sky District. We rejoin them as they travel north toward Stargrave at the behest of the Minister. The party doesn't know this information, but now you do. Written and read by Thomas Lapierre III Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

We’re back in Nymora with the Collateral team arriving almost simultaneously with Zechs’ parents. Galahad goes off to get his armor started on, Hoshino looks into his friend Ice on the Lake, Salix and Zechs look into some family history, the rest of the party goes shopping, and Shanks picks up his Elven saber. The group is tailed by a mysterious figure offering information about JM’s safety and a black feather, hinting at a future rendezvous. Galahad and Shanks enter a drinking competition which results in Galahad's victory. Zechs contacts Argo, who assures Zechs that everything is “fine”. Zechs, knowing his mentor, can’t shake the feeling that everything is far from fine. It’s revealed that Argo is on his way to speak to Antonius, which raises concern with the party. The party splits and goes to inquire about an airship to aid Quon. On the way they meet Aura and catch up, and eventually chat with Tobera about Nymora’s recent incursion from Iwi. Back at Zechs’ family home, pranks and revelry result in a mental snap from Shanks. It’s revealed to the group that the stress of information, circumstances, and something he’s wrestled with his whole life has resulted in this fractured state of his. Later on, the group goes out with Aura and goes to see the bard Roscoe perform. They share and exchange cultures and have some drinks reminiscent of their respective backgrounds, and Zechs finds himself in a contemplative state towards the front of the venue. A heartfelt conversation is had between Zechs and Hoshino. Hoshino later speaks with the Daughter of the Weave who reveals the stories of his compatriots even before they came together, resulting in a deeper understanding of the party he finds himself with. The next morning we find that it is Zechs’ 34th birthday and a breakfast banquet is prepared by his parents. The group then continues preparations for the long travel ahead and makes their way toward the airship they have found to ferry them. On the way Shanks and Salix continue to make more elven speed, perfecting the making of it and trying to work the bugs out. Hoshino performs a legend lore on Arguile’s rapier, the Guardian’s Rapier, which reveals a bit of cryptic information for the group. Quon sends a message that informs the group of his home’s current situation and informs the group that it might be too late to reverse what has transpired so far. In the downtime, the group catches up Hoshino and Salix on this group's adventures and tries to fill in any details that would aid them in not only better knowing the task ahead but the party. Hoshino and Zechs later discover that Zechs’ bow Jack of All Trades has transformed. A lot of investigating and experimentation has revealed one of the features to be the ability to create teleportation circles. This is great news, but does leave Captain Cordell a bit peeved at Zechs’ new attempted art projects. After Zechs offers a poor attempt at an apology, Galahad comes to aid and offers that the group will pay to leave the circle there and pay for any damages that may incur, which Cordell agrees to and finds to her liking. The serenity of travel is interrupted by the appearance of a blue dragon on the horizon and inbound towards the ship. Galahad learns that there is a connection to Tiamat and prepares himself for the battle ahead. There’s so much happening and we pick up with arc 17, “The Glasmeda Isles ”. How will the rest of this story unfold? Find out next time on the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage! Theme Music is written and performed by The Floating Lighthouse Read and Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

With the team trying their best to keep it together and Hoshino on the run from Shankise, it’s only a matter of time before things go completely off the rails. In Salix’s hermitage, we come back to a very stressed-out team. The Constable is revealing more about his plans, who he serves, and WHY he does what he does. He even goes so far as to offer the group a place with him, in exchange for sparing their respective plane. No one takes the offer, but he assures them that they can take the time to mull it over. Things reach the boiling point when The Constable points out things that have been a thorn in his side and a wrench to his plans. Namely, Elrin, or it’s revealed… Arioch. With this revelation, the team looks at Arguile and Shanks for a reaction to this information. Shanks speaks with Arioch/Elrin all the while face to face with The Constable who is ALSO chatting with him. As Shanks’ head begins to spin with the information he begins to break mentally again, as we’ve seen once before at Zechs’ home in Nymora. Shanks begins to frantically remove items from his person, tossing them onto the floor before him. Eventually, The Constable and company have had enough of the team and leave, dropping the force cage. Shanks regains his faculties and Hoshino returns to the hermitage to the news of what transpired. Shanks reveals that he had a blackout and Hoshino questions his place within the group, his act of cowardice, and what the future holds for him. The discussion circles back to what the group will do with the new information about “Elrin” and check in on the crew for a status report. They receive back from Duo that the ship will need repair and that the Captain said there was a look of pity on the face of The Executioner as they acted out The Constable’s will. They realize she may have questionable loyalty to him sometime later as she is also a paladin for the Daughter of Light. The group decides to stay the night and go to Invenas to seek aid in repairing the ship. There’s also their new investment to check in on. There's so much happening and that's where we pick up… Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage! Theme Music is written and performed by The Floating Lighthouse Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

We pick back up with the group amidst a well-thought-out ambush for them. Allies are falling, others are suffering immense damage, and others are trying to do what they can to ensure they all survive. It becomes apparent that they will have to make a tactical retreat as they are outnumbered and overwhelmed by the enemy's immense power. There’s a moment of nervous energy as Galahad is shot out of the sky and begins to plummet, unconscious and unaware of what waits below him. Thankfully Glad was able to heal him and bring him back from unconciousness. Upon coming to he applied lay on hands on himself for some healing as well, releases his wings, and regroups with the team towards safety. Everyone is doing what they can to help get some distance between the Wolf Pack, and The Constable’s lieutenants throwing just about everything they can from their bag of tricks. They follow Salix back to their hermitage where a force cage is dropped on them. It’s where they come face to face with The Constable yet again, but he is not alone. To either side of him is Shankise, an alternate version of Shanks and Alma, the woman who kidnapped so many children in Nymora, including Zechs and Kyver. The Constable and Hoshino stare at each other for some time, and the bard out of time instinctively uses dimension door to flee the situation. Shankise is sent after him, a game of cat and mouse begins, and Hoshino uses “Seeming” to appear like one of the unassuming creatures of Sloane. Meanwhile, back at the hermitage, there is a tense conversation happening between The Constable, Alma, and the other members of Collateral. One that is seemingly stirring up Malar within Zechs, feeding on his rage towards the two figures in front of him. And we’re only getting started. There's so much happening and that's where we pick up… Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage! Theme Music is written and performed by The Floating Lighthouse Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III Check out the show at themedusascascade.com

The group finally arrives at Salix’s hermitage. The place they stayed in hiding from the Web for so long. The party gives them a moment to take it all in, and let it settle in that they are not being hunted for sacrifice by that cult any longer. Words are exchanged and they begin to settle in for the time being as the ship circles around for a place to land. Just as the group gets comfortable they hear a MASSIVE explosion and upon investigation realize that the ship is under attack. Everyone rushes out and does their best to get to the scene as quickly as they can to help. Galahad and Duo take to the skies and Shanks can see the smoke from the ship beginning to grow larger while on top of a high tree. Hoshino is on the move with Arguile and uses the spell dimension door to get as close as they can. It’s around that time when Zechs taking in the scene realizes that this must be an ambush. Duo confirms that information and the group gets into a battle with Shanks' past… The Wolf Pack! The fight does not look good for the group as they not only fight them but three of The Constable’s Lieutenants… Anti Salix, Anti Galahad, & The Executioner! There's so much happening and that's where we pick up… Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage! Theme Music is written and performed by The Floating LighthouseMixed by Thomas Lapierre III Check out the show at themedusascascade.com