The Lightless Chasm | Altheya: The Dragon Empire #4

[@Actuallyisvirus]

"Percival has no eyes" has the same vibe as "they're smarter than sentry!"😂

[@naraferalina2308]

Kim nailed the delivery of "I've seen that look before, in the eyes of a man who is drowning."

[@j-mc2144]

2:38:40

[@CavishBeka]

It's adorable how flustered Tom get's anytime someone pokes around in his backstory.

[@oresthopiak8609]

I am too anxious at the moment to play DnD with somebody irl or online, so watching this is probably the only way at the moment where I can experience DnD, thanks for doing this quality content

[@joejoeington6899]

2:39:14 woah man Griffith go off Seriously gave me chills nice Kim.

[@TheRandomProducers]

2 big boiks deflecting pincer attacks, Ophelia's jump onto floaty gal and then Rowan's herculean feat!!! What an amazing episode

[@SGR_Renegade]

That conversation at the end by the river, as Gruff talked to Xan, I got goosebumps! Amazing!!!

[@splooshmagoosh8251]

Trott doing that push and rolling a Nat 20 was insane! Props to DM Mark for playing along and giving them a chance for it to happen instead of only pushing it 5ft!

[@MusesWhim]

2:01 Intro 3:01 Recap 5:01 Straight into the map 6:31 Initiative 15:24 Arcana check on rod 21:14 Screaming in mines 42:20 Crucible of Fate 48:37 Ophelia Jones 55:39 Teamwork 59:32 Sorry Dad 1:02:33 Shilaylay reprise 1:03:31 Accents are hard 1:04:39 Rune bros 1:07:18 One at a time 1:08:21 Naughty dice go to jail 1:10:47 Xanakin Oregon or whatever 1:21:49 Always do the stupid thing 1:28:25 He's cooking! 1:34:32 End of combat 1:36:46 I've been here the whole time 1:39:10 Sick burn 1:39:32 Break 1:42:18 Song queue 1:44:55 Percival best boi 1:47:32 Checking in with the earth 1:54:19 Loot that body 1:57:18 Meetup 1:58:59 Kobold 2:01:49 Rhi pulls a Tom 2:03:46 Formal debriefing 2:09:54 Knight lore 2:14:01 Perception/Insight 2:16:29 Heroes welcome 2:18:51 Riker maneuver'd 2:22:21 Ophelia breaks a halfling 2:31:29 Nim's hierarchy of sus 2:35:07 Daddy Gruff 2:40:19 This boy is messed up 2:41:59 New day 2:46:16 Reward 2:50:11 End of Episode 4 The Lightless Chasm 2:52:08 Outro, no donos

[@pauraiccleary6900]

Legend

[@gyrrakavian]

I was looking through your tags for the "all we need is a brass fist" bit, then I saw "loot the body". I was concerned.

[@leseliese6777]

Rowan is my favourite of the new characters so far (they're all brilliant, tbh) - he's such a sweetheart 💚 and Gruff's words of wisdom really struck a chord, what a great bit of RP!

[@TRivan-kx2bi]

Rowan is great, but Xantheus is growing on me. I love how everyone (other than Ophelia) reacts to Percival.

[@yennefer440]

Trott always makes good characters

[@bubblehubble13]

Dude Gruff and Xan have one of my favorite dynamics in the campaign so far, the way they interact is so fun and so sweet to watch and I LOVE THEMM also Ophelia's chat with the priest was so lovely, Rowan deserves the world, and DAISY'S FRIEND HELLO?? Ugh I love everyone's characters and this story so much and we're only four episodes in, this is wonderful !!!!!!!!!!

[@zachariahnye4953]

Dungeon daddy mark on top form with the new mechanics as usual! Love the Crucible of Fate so much!!!

[@mrchunk231299]

I think it's heavily influenced by the destiny points in Star Wars Fantasy Flight Games. It is a great system for making the players feel like the heroes!

[@TheBaldParakeet]

Closer to Wrath and Glory but yeah

[@mjr8888]

I like how Mark is telling them there is still more in the village and the gang is like: moving on!

[@Katie-sk4hu]

I can’t believe it took me so long to start watching a high rollers campaign despite having been vaguely aware of their existence for a while now. So far it’s been everything I’ve wanted from a d&d ‘show’. The production quality is fantastic, it strikes a great balance between showing off the incredible skills of the dm and players while still maintaining that home game feel, plus everyone just seems like lovely people to hang out with. Super impressed and can’t wait to watch more 👊

[@magley64]

Psyched! I consumed 5 years of Aerois in 6 months like a real hadar... Finally caught up!

[@forsakenparadise6828]

You watched about 85 hours of aerois a month

[@Christopher_Pug]

“Like a real hadar” 😂😂

[@cuttlefishhh]

that’s extremely impressive it took me 3 years to watch aerois!!

[@magley64]

@@cuttlefishhh I was a huge OxVenture fan, and once I saw Mark and Rhiannon on the idle champions fury of the black rose with Johnny and Ellen, I got super intrigued by their story. Took me a bit to find the beginning of Aerois on KZbin, but once I did, it was just one episode after another in my headset.

[@CthulhuOnCam]

HOW!?

[@ch3ls3ab0t6]

I don't comment too often, but I have watched since Lightfall, and I am really enjoying the new campaign! The new characters are all so much fun. And watching Mark grow as a DM to create hands down the best boss battles in DND is truly a privilege. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us!

[@michaelrakowitz2735]

BEST CAMPAIGN EVER!!!!!

[@Sanatec13]

Really enjoyed the super respectful trading of faiths and theological discussion in this sesh! Not a religious person but I think its important to depict people of differing religious beliefs trying to understand each other and not being undermining or aggressive against people with differing beliefs... loving the new campaign, can't wait for more ❤

[@corberus3119]

truly a fantasy world

[@SomeGuy_Somewhere]

It's been more than year but I'm almost caught up with ALL of high rollers. Been watching listening practically everyday at work.

[@demilts]

Loving this so much so far!! That moment between Gruff and Xantheus was so lovely

[@rodeletters]

That RP at the end from Kim was something to behold. It made me feel things.

[@chrishatton8197]

Woow some of the best story telling I've seen played out in DnD! The characters have an amazing depth and so far work really well together! I love the fate mechanic you have and also the team play. Great work guys!! Big respect to the team for creating this world and I love how the DM is versitile, this campaign seems more real with cause and effect. Great immersion.

[@jordanbuster8374]

Mark’s shit-eating grin as he begins to describe Kalifris taking the rod is just everything 😂 My first campaign I’ve watched and I am absolutely loving it!

[@christiansherlock6662]

Gruff is too precious, too good for this cruel world

[@RobAllenB]

I love all of Mark's mechanics experiments. Always fun to see how they turn out.

[@r4ks84]

Was lucky enough last week to catch you guys live. Started watching Lightfall during Covid. Love everyone's progress

[@cassandrariordan7901]

I do enjoy this new campaign. I quite like Rhi's character. She is very neat.

[@braydenjj1163]

Stoner's Endurance hits on so many levels !!! Loved this episode

[@jizamkizam9611]

I'm liking the characters so far, and I really like how you all have still kept that vibe of just a group of folks having fun playing a game.

[@ElenaSesana]

I found myself eagerly waiting for new episodes in a way I hadn't expected. It's my first time following a DnD campaign and I'm enjoying it so much! I love Rowan ❤. And Percival, obviously... how can you not love Percival

[@HOTTOGO25]

Excited to hear more from Ophelia! Loving all the characters so far

[@mow1980ish]

You are amazing people and a joy to watch. Thanks for the great times and keep rolling high

[@jeffreysmith7463]

It is delightful t watch you all work so well together. And I love the teases of deeper secrets and mysteries (I'm looking at you, Xanthus). I am very glad to have tuned into what is now my second weekly D&D obsession.

[@notsketchy605]

This campaign has been my first introduction to DnD and i am LOVING it!!! Absolutely hooked

[@lpbigD4444]

You guys are all doing a great job! Rowan and Ophelia are still my favs (especially rowan) but your characters are all growing on me and we're only 4 episodes in. Im also a first time DM and watching your games helps with my comfortability so thanks!

[@RandyTheBarista]

I think this Teeflings vs Tyflings thing is going to forever bother me. 😭😭

[@almondsai7214]

The way I'm hearing it being said it sounds like tithelings to me, which given the Imperial tithe's importance would make sense.

[@futurebatkat985]

Always thought it was teethlings

[@jurgen4466]

Haha 😂 all forgot about the insight check entering the village about the nervous Rev. Good fun, liked the nat 20 push by Rowan! 💪😄 But that the tiefling was just where the staff ended up was a bit to much. You should have moved him towards the staff in the actions it should take to sneak there Problary the party would not have noted him and not dared pick the staff up. That had been really cool 😮 🎉😊

[@Christopher_Pug]

The intro orchestration is absolutely next-level. Amazing work.

[@coreyhudson5430]

I have only recently started watching High Rollers. I have been a Hat Films boi for a very long time. Knew Trott did this on the side but over time have gotten in to a lot more Yogs stuff. Just hit hit Eps 51 in Aerois (have been watching it none stop over the last 3 weeks) Marks world building is amazing. So much so it is distracting me from my second Baldur's Gate play through which says some thing. Wish I could join you guys as a rogue assassin monk guy. Also I had to go decompress at work today and hid in the bath room during the Aegis V escape.

[@suntiger745]

Oof, yeah the Aegis V was rough. A real nail biter, but also cool.

[@richieclark882]

Loved Aerois, and already loving this new campaign. Keep on being awesome

[@robber5159]

I really like your travel rules, I added animal handler as well, and I've followed your ruling on low light vision too, i think both have made the game feel more immersive so thank you

[@RossMKitson]

really get into the swing of the campaign now and loving the character direction and the little secrets. Mark's plotting is as solid as ever; not sure about that Crucible mechanic, but the players seemed to like it.

[@daeins]

I've been so invested so far, I'm really loving this new campaign! You guys are awesome! 🥰

[@pxlpuffin]

I love this campaign so much! Excellent writing and the characters are SOOO compelling.

[@ericaheathrow7085]

Heya Mark ^.^ The crucible is interesting, it'll be neat to watch where it goes and how it plays. It does seem to inherently rely on the DM actively pulling their punches to work effectively; it'd probably take a bit more to explain the nuance of what I mean there than a comment here allows, but I'm not meaning it at the surface, simple level, so much as the 'how and when'... A couple of elements that stood out to me as potential rough points; active play may prove these to be unfounded concerns but: The first thought is that as an "I don't want to fail" mechanic, you're naturally going to have some players more eager to dip into it harder than others... not a bad thing but worth keeping an eye on... it does lead to the second thought, however, which is that the dice burning is an interesting mechanic but it only takes three instances of a DM dice move being met by a player "I don't want to fail", for the entire dice pool to be burned out for the remainder of the session The same is true the other way around, of a Dm being left in a "I'd really like this boss to do this, it'd be such a cool moment.... but if I use it here, that'll burn dice" ... and so they don't, because they want the mechanic to remain in play. Maybe that'll be self-regulating, but it could lead easily to the mechanic being non-present the majority of the time, or it could lead to the player feeling of "well, I guess I've got to let the DM have this one, because there's only two dice left'" - which is really not a nice kind of vibe if players feel it too often, either. My other thought was more mechanical, in that it's yet another system that is favouring attack rollers and disadvantaging save-users (the new exhaustion system does this too; one point of attack bonus is worth only half the value of a point of save Dc, but they're penalised the same). Here's what I mean in this case: A player is making an attack -> They can use the crucible to buff their attack, and increase their chance of landing their attack. -> The target can use the crucible to buff their AC and increase their chance of avoiding the attack. A player is forcing a saving throw -> They *cannot* use the crucible to make this save harder to resist, or increase the chances of sticking this ability at all. -> The target can still use the crucible to buff their saving throw, and increase their chance of resisting the save. Saving throw casting is being left out in the cold again, unless I've misunderstood (If they can use the crucible to buff their save DC in the same manner, then disregard this bit ^.^). My last thought is to keep an eye on what impact this could have on other character's class abilities - with a bard in the party especially. If players constantly have a pool of dice they can dip into to buff their attack rolls, ability checks and saving throws, and they can all do, all the time... that risks substantially devaluing bardic inspiration. Like I said, don't know if any of these will actually be issues in active play - you all know each other really well, after all. I think it'll fun and really interesting to watch it in active play! Lot's of really interesting characters this time around, looking forward to the campaign!

[@Mealbot2000]

I also have a few concerns about it, but am interested in how it will play out in the future, however I do know Mark and the party are all very experienced and reasonable people, so I do think it will be handled well, and add to the story!

[@lemonfright]

Can't express how much I love the tiefling npc :')

[@lemonfright]

Great episode!!

[@davidspainhower1281]

Just caught up and can't wait till Sunday to finally watch live! Peace, loves, and hippy hugs!

[@UncleverCarapace]

Never gonna get tired of the new music

[@Steve-fj5sk]

Great stuff! Happy to be watching in near real time now!

[@ciaranburks4638]

Loving the campaign - especially Sherlock!

[@Wayne_Sawyer]

Amazing, absolutely loved it! Still trying to finish Aerois, I think i'm around 130ish, but I'm NOT going to fall behind on these! I make this Oath now, and gain my first level in Paladin.

[@yepsser]

Great DMing and great plays from all the boykes. That was amazing!

[@jurgen4466]

Nice touch the fate dices but I would suggest make them 1d4 since 1d6 might be a tad overwhelming. 😮

[@justinkaye9973]

Very enjoyable listen to help pass some time at work.

[@ratwizard137]

Loving all the characters already, looking forward seeing wheere the campaign goes :)

[@Hashel]

Refermement at your service ! Super happy to catch the start of a new campaign, discovered you guys with the CoS you did and it was a ton of fun !

[@JohnVikingFilms]

The Crucible dice reminds me of the Force dice in Fantasy Flight's Star Wars ttrpg game so thats really cool!

[@Falloutforthewin88]

I love the idea of using Edge of the Empire's Destiny dice/pool in dnd to effect the world! Really cool idea

[@errantvenatus6732]

Its so cool seeing different mechanics from other table tops that I recognize. Like the fate dice system he's using is the Destiny Point rules for Star Wars Fantasy Flight Games

[@jess_hoot]

That dang tiefling!

[@Zathurious]

I know this is professionally done, but I'm loving it. I really want to know Xanthus' secret. I hope the live streams are later uploaded here.

[@damiandarendalfdrakenkof6967]

In love with this season the lore the characters, MWAH chefs kiss

[@NightSterling]

Really loving the new mechanics

[@KevlarnHEMA]

Anyone know the music they're using? it's all so good

[@adammancheski8249]

Loving this story hope their are more their are in the walls!!

[@BlackIjs]

I've only just started watching this series. This one was epic!

[@IvyHarleyT]

Seeing the Nat 1 at 41:55 I remembered a rule I used to use for my campaigns - counter attacks Basically when you or an enemy role a N1 on an attack the person/being that was attacked gets to roll 1 of the dice they use for damage for their equipped weapon or if it is a bow and arrow, then they roll damage for the arrow equipped with the special effects of magical weapons

[@jameswilson2516]

Beside my in person DM (;cause he'll see this post and TPK us) Mark is my favorite DM. OK, the player's are pretty good as well. Rhi each season always seem to be having fun, but there is something about Ophelia that she seems to relish and is more engaged with her character's status.

[@leohoffa]

Woo, commenting for that sweet sweet engagement!

[@benwebb9027]

Awesome episode, definitely engaged now.

[@victaaax5763]

i love the intro so much

[@ashl0h]

Here is my default engagement comment. Your content is appreciated.

[@Christina-lh1mp]

My first campaign with you guys and enjoying it!

[@Candyrock87]

I like that Mark took inspiration from FFGs force dice mechanic for the fate dice

[@T33NYN3]

Can’t wait to see where this story goes!

[@jamesmaceaveli6679]

It dawned on me last episode that this party has no cleric, I look forward to seeing how this effects thier need for healing down the line.

[@BlackIronHero]

They have a Druid, which is basically a cleric, and Bards can pick healing options, which I suspect Trott will do. They'll be fine.

[@jamesmaceaveli6679]

@A2Ztigers Yeah but clerics get the good healing spells.

[@library2952]

@jamesmaceaveli6679 It can be a good learning opportunity to have the 'healer' role spread out amongst a party.🤔Katie is a pretty cautious/strategic player, so not having a cleric might've partly influenced both Daisy & Ophelia having mini self heal features baked into them as well.

[@BlackIronHero]

@@jamesmaceaveli6679 which ones do you have in mind? They don't get Raise Dead, Mass Cure Wounds or Beacon of Hope, but one of those is 9th level, another is replaced by Reincarnate, and as for Beacon, it's a good spell but hardly one that'll make or break a party. I know Reincarnate is a little annoying but it's not flat out worse because it can restore limbs, doesn't inflict weakness, and only needs "a piece of a humanoid" to work, so you could use it even if your buddy got beheaded. Also Mark would probably let them go on a short quest to restore their race if they wanted to do that, like he did when Lucius turned Aarakocra.

[@jamesmaceaveli6679]

@A2Ztigers Beacon of Hope saved the day so many time in Campagin 2, personally I thin every D&D party needs a cleric I think we are in for a wild time here in C3.

[@42across]

We're doing it! We are playing some great dang dnd now folks! Keep em rolling!

[@ironbeard_DM]

I really enjoy the campaign and your roleplaying guys❤❤❤❤

[@allexbullard6537]

Love every episode and loving Campaign 3!

[@Trigun99]

Awesome!

[@saruhanozgan7043]

Thank you for your amazing work ❤️

[@narwhalzxz]

An army soon chants. Epic music starts. FOR….THE….ALGORITHM!

[@ShakemsMaster]

Another 🔥 episode.

[@NMXP]

Hey Mark for Stalagmite vs stalactite what I was taught is One has a G for ground the other has a C for ceiling. Stalagmites grow from the ground, Stalactites Cling to the Ceiling

[@lumonetic1124]

ok nova

[@weezact7]

I was always taught that stalagTITES hang TIGHT to the ceiling and stalagMITES MIGHT reach the roof of the cave.

[@Thebull1526]

Another banger!

[@joejoeington6899]

Wow look at these cool folks doing cool things.

[@rdpeake]

somewhat odd question - but given the push for bringing new people in - would it be possible to give a quick, almost speed dating like intro to the players and DM - things like the sorts of things players enjoy in their own time (without asking for them to share anything they don't want to) and things they often enjoy in the game. Just to get an idea of the personalities to be more easily able to follow the interactions and "in jokes" that may be made that long term players will understand easily and new watchers may be confused or possibly turned away because off? Or if this already exists within your socials, a shoutout to it?

[@SupremeFallacy1776]

Love this series!

[@yukidogzombie4708]

great episode

[@kyleweir689]

Always really funny to me when people roll a mess of dice (like 4d6) and go “whoaaaaa 14!” That’s average on 4d6 lol.

[@OrangeyChocolate]

I realised from watching this that if you repeat the second to last syllable of Shillelagh, it sounds like a One Piece laugh. Like, "Shilelelelelelelelelelelelagh!"

[@luka2784]

I’m very interested in the new travel rules, on the whole I really like them but I have a bit of concern about how hard it is to get rid of the exhaustion vs how easy it is to get. For most characters without proficiency in constitution(which I think is everyone except xanthius and Ophelia) their is about a 50% chance of getting an exhaustion on any travel even if there are no complications. I don’t know how many travels are planned for each extended rest, but if even a something like expiring a mine counts as a journey I could see this happening quite a lot. I don’t know how this will work out in practice and will have to wait and see, but my fear is that either all the characters will build up many stacks of exhaustion to the point that they are very hard to play, or worse that only the three without con saves will get the exhaustion, so their are 2 players who are far more functional than the rest.

[@CoIdnestea]

Hard agree. Exhaustion is meant to be a mechanic for a hero/heroes who push BEYOND a normal adventuring day.

[@Redsparrowcomics]

The new mechanic reminds me of Triangle Strategy, I dig it :3

[@c.wilbanks957]

Anyone know what music track is playing at 35:24? :)

[@traartadventures]

2:24:52… what?!😭😭 “A KID’S WINE GLASS”

[@TheCatBehind]

The Hulmes Extended Universe is taking real interesting shape in this ep :3c

[@yennefer440]

The battle music is so good

[@thedocp]

I support this content 👍

[@madarab37]

Here to goob over the terrain. Is that Dwarven Forge? Warlock tiles? Someone else?

[@burtonjackson3324]

Yay engagement. Also mark grapple and shove are a “special attack that is an athletics check opposed by either athletics or acrobatics” no separate hit roll.