Compelled Dual

The Valcyne siblings get some shocking news. Leoril makes a deal. Phirora accepts her duty. A single choice begins a story that will change the world of Illiri forever.

Five years and many miles since we last saw him, Leoril makes a grab for power in the Sovereign Principalities of Torduun. Facing down a council of kings, a princess with a mysterious agenda, and a group of local ruffians, Leo will have to use his head if he wants to keep it.

Meanwhile, back in Astraria, Phirora has to juggle several issues - and not just because the circus is in town. With the party of the year, an unwelcome memory, and a sinister plot at hand, Phi's carefully-cultivated existence is about to become a spectacle for the ages.

Leoril makes good on a promise. Zed finds a quest worth undertaking. Eleanora thoroughly enjoys watching the chaos that ensues. A troupe of bandits, a political boon, and a lavish party all coalesce into one realization: Leoril Valcyne is too bisexual for this.

Phirora prepares for a conflict. Kalessa has a bad feeling. Fen finally gets his Big Day. Faced with threats both far-away and too close for comfort, the most important holiday in Astraria drawing ever closer, and the appearance of a mysterious new acquaintance, Phi is going to have to fight to keep her head above water.

A dangerous situation comes to a boiling point in the city-state of Lockham. Leoril seizes an opportunity. Eleanora grapples with some uncomfortable memories. Zed finds out that the truth has a way of coming out whether he likes it or not. With the life of Lockham's boy king and the political stability of the Sovereign Principalities of Torduun hanging in the balance, it's time for Team Leo to acknowledge some inconvenient truths if they have any hope of saving the day.

Phirora and Fenandrys embark on a rescue mission. The bard "Mira" knows more than she lets on. Important players in Astraria's grand political game - and an unexpected stowaway - make their way to the small village of Embertide as Phi learns that not everything in her life is as it seems.

The attempted coup of Lockham reaches a fever pitch. Leoril revisits some unpleasant formative memories. Eleanora has seen this all before. Zed tries to hold the group together. As our heroes fight to save the lives of Lockham's boy king and his mother, history's tendency to repeat itself is interrupted by something - or someone - entirely new.

Phirora returns home to more mysteries than ever. Kalessa has an idea. Sorran has some explaining to do. A fateful masquerade at the Shakrana Manor brings together new friends, old enemies, and everything in-between as Phi learns that the truth doesn't always set you free.

Leoril, Zed, and Eleanora get embroiled in a fungal fracas as the coup of Lockham approaches the point of no return. Leo discovers new things about the world. The Wood Elves of the Tower of the Red Lady harbor more secrets than they let on. Zed makes a touching gesture. Eleanora makes some questionable life choices. With the pressure in Lockham reaching critical levels, Team Leo will have to move fast if they want to save the day - and their young friend's life.

(PLEASE READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS BEFORE YOU LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE. We encourage this as a practice for all episodes, but this particular episode includes especially sensitive content.) The Shakrana Masquerade comes to a bloody conclusion. Elasha teaches Phi a lesson about truth. Morlin shows his true colors. Sabine gets some help with a rescue mission. With her world upside down and more questions hiding behind every answer, Phirora takes a journey to one of Astraria's most mysterious locales - and finds much more than she bargained for.

A month after the attempted coup of Lockham, Leoril reflects on his choices. Zed is less than forthcoming with his feelings. Ruvaen steps outside his comfort zone. Eleanora tries not to blow up her life. Tension at a Council meeting in the city-state of Stoutwood brings our heroes into a brand-new conflict, and Leo discovers that not all friendships are created equal.

Phirora and her new acquaintance explore one of Astraria's oldest archeological sites. Truths older than a nation finally see the light. A mysterious entity with ties to all of Phi's life is revealed. Phi finds out that getting answers doesn't necessarily mean having fewer questions.

Team Leo find themselves in a bitch of an unsatisfactory situation. A new acquaintance makes a violent appearance. Eleanora searches for answers. Five years of planning come to a bloody conclusion. Leo learns the nature of true sacrifice.

Phirora struggles to reconcile an onslaught of new information with her day-to-day life. Relationships are tested. Fen gives an ultimatum. Aravae has an idea. A trip to another Silent City brings up parts of Phi's life that don't make sense, and in the midst of an onslaught of truth, an ancient, nameless goddess bestows a gift.

Tensions between the Valcyne siblings reach a boiling point. Team Phi and Team Leo face off. Old and new friendships alike are put to the test. Everyone gets inexplicably good at rock climbing. Plans go awry in a way that will change the face of Illiri as everyone knows it.

The fractured remnants of Team Leo journey to an ancient monastic order high in the mountains of Torduun. Zed reveals an unpleasant past. Ruvaen works on The Mushroom Thing. Mia... just kind of hangs out. Leoril discovers the potential for a new way home. With change on the horizon and the fear of what comes next much closer at hand, two of our heroes find themselves at risk of doing something stupid.

PLEASE READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS BEFORE LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE. While we encourage this for all episodes, Episode 17 in particular deals with topics and situations that many listeners may find upsetting. Phirora and Morlin have a confrontation that escalates to horrifying levels. Kalessa helps out with some espionage. Elasha's loyalties are questioned. Phi acknowledges what (and who) she can't live without. The pieces of the puzzle are finally brought together, and Team Phi finds out that the big picture may be even worse than they could have imagined.

Leoril and his friends travel to the city of Gimtarum in search of a way home. Old acquaintances make a last-minute appearance. The gang enjoys an eventful day of magic, shopping, and nightlife in the Voldhuran metropolis. Leo discovers secrets that have been kept for hundreds of years, but fails to see what's hiding in plain sight.

Phirora and her friends travel to the city of Gimtarum in search of answers. Old acquaintances make a last-minute appearance. The gang enjoys an eventful day of magic, research, and nightlife in the Voldhuran metropolis. Phi discovers secrets that have been kept for many years, but fails to see what's hiding in plain sight.

Leoril and Phirora deal with unexpected encounters. The gods grow tired of being patient. Leo figures out that some things are worth waiting for. Phi decides what she is fighting for. A high-stakes race to a mountaintop outside of Gimtarum comes to a bloody conclusion.