Transcript – The Dark Climb
[Quest of Ruin theme plays]
ANNOUNCER
Scroll and Dagger presents:
Quest of Ruin
Episode Thirty
The Dark Climb
[Theme fades to urban background noise, with sounds of stationery and dice in the foreground.]
GAME MASTER
Hello and welcome to Quest of Ruin, the post-apocalyptic fantasy roleplaying podcast. I am your host and Game Master. So, we have finally arrived here. At the Harbinger’s Tower where lies the seed of creation, the ceredh – or ceredh, if you’re a dwarf – that might undo the damage of the War and remake the world as it once was.
WILL
Exciting stuff.
GINA
I feel like I’m forgetting something. Like there’s somewhere I need to be.
GAME MASTER
[voice heavy] Where could you possibly need to be right now?
GINA
I… I don’t know.
MATT
Can we get on with this?
ROSIE
Yeah, you said last week that there was some kind of enchantment on the door?
GAME MASTER
Yes, one that you’ll be familiar with. A magic barrier.
LEAH
Which we have no way of getting past.
MATT
Not really, no.
GAME MASTER
Well this is your first obstacle. How do you want to handle it?
WILL
I don’t see how we can handle it. You need a mage to dispel a magic barrier and our mage’s magic isn’t working.
MATT
I mean, it is sometimes.
WILL
Alright, so not reliably.
GAME MASTER
There is another way.
LEAH
Like what?
GAME MASTER
I can’t tell you. You need to think.
WILL
Oh great, that’s helpful.
GAME MASTER
Well I can’t just tell you how to do it.
ROSIE
Well you can’t just give us a puzzle with no way of solving it either.
GAME MASTER
I didn’t… that’s not what I’m doing, just hang on –
[All players start talking at once, debating how they can get past the barrier.]
GAME MASTER
Okay, [echoing] stop!
[A burst of magic, and the players immediately cease talking. The urban ambience is gone, a clock ticks.]
GAME MASTER
[to himself] We don’t have time for this. I suppose… yes, I think more direct action is needed here.
[The Game Master snaps his fingers. A swirling portal opens.]
GAME MASTER
You five just wait here… I mean, you don’t have a choice, but I’ll go and take care of this then we shall carry on.
[The portal closes, and there is silence except for the ticking of the clock. A few seconds later, it opens once more.]
GAME MASTER
Right, that ought to be enough. Oh, right, wake up.
[The Game Master snaps his fingers, and the players come to, breathing heavily.]
WILL
What the hell did you –
GAME MASTER
It’s not important right now.
WILL
… Right. Yeah. It’s not.
GAME MASTER
Shall we carry on?
PLAYERS
[in unison] Yes.
[Transitioning to the exterior of the Dannengwath, a magical barrier thrums in the background.]
VURIETH
This was a work of great power.
AIOLIN
Well I could’ve told you that.
VURIETH
Hm? Oh sorry, just thinking out loud. I of course heard stories of the Harbinger’s magical power but to see one of his works up close, to feel it. It is a little overwhelming.
AIOLIN
Any thoughts on how we’re going to get through it?
VURIETH
Not yet. In truth, even if my own magic were working perfectly, I am not sure I would be able to break it. I struggled with that one at the necromancer’s tower and this is a much stronger shield.
AIOLIN
Hm. Maybe we should ask Laethar about it.
VURIETH
Yes, he might know something. You know, I was sceptical when he offered to help me with my magic, but for a non-mage, he seems quite knowledgeable on the subject.
AIOLIN
It might not be all that surprising.
[Aiolin starts walking.]
VURIETH
What do you mean?
[Vurieth joins him.]
AIOLIN
How many elves have you met who had no magic at all?
VURIETH
Well, apart from Laethar, none.
AIOLIN
Exactly. Even the least powerful among them have some small amount of the gift. Take Reynard, for example. He’s no mage but he could still light a candle or create symbols.
VURIETH
Agreed but what does –
AIOLIN
Do you not think it’s strange? All elves, through all of history, have had some affinity to magic, even the least of them. And yet Laethar, who was a lord of elves, once upon a time, has no magic whatsoever?
VURIETH
I suppose… well… I did not think about it.
AIOLIN
There’s something he’s not telling us.
VURIETH
Well, perhaps. But that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Perhaps he is simply ashamed of it and does not wish to talk of it.
AIOLIN
Perhaps.
VURIETH
Besides, we have more important things to deal with at the moment.
YAELA
Hey you two. Any thoughts yet?
AIOLIN
Not yet.
VURIETH
It is a powerful barrier. I do not think a simple dispel would work.
AIOLIN
I suppose this is when you suggest blowing a hole through the wall, little fella?
BALINK
Are you mad? The Lighthouses are made of solid bedrock. I may like ‘splosions but I ain’t an idiot.
VURIETH
How is Laethar doing?
YAELA
He’s… thinking.
AIOLIN
Thinking?
YAELA
Yes, over there.
BALINK
He’s just been sat there, staring at the tower. Lookin’ all angry.
AIOLIN
Doesn’t seem too out of character.
VURIETH
I will talk to him. We need to figure out how to get through the barrier. Perhaps that will take his mind off of whatever is bothering him.
YAELA
Alright, good luck.
[Vurieth’s footsteps fade in.]
VURIETH
May I join you?
LAETHAR
Hm? Oh, Ashlander. Yes, of course.
[Vurieth sits.]
VURIETH
You seem troubled.
LAETHAR
Of course I’m troubled. I’m sitting in the blasted wasteland that was once my home, in the shadow of the tower of Fallen Light, within which is… the Harbinger. How could I not be troubled?
VURIETH
Well, we do not yet know how we’re getting through the barrier.
LAETHAR
But we do need to.
VURIETH
I don’t suppose you have any ideas on how to do that?
LAETHAR
No. There are only a few ways through a barrier. First is to dispel it.
VURIETH
No good. I was just saying to Aiolin, even if I had true usage of my power I think this would be beyond me.
LAETHAR
There is also killing the sorcerer who created it.
VURIETH
Equally as unlikely.
LAETHAR
Which leaves possessing a keystone.
VURIETH
A keystone?
LAETHAR
If a mage created a barrier but wanted someone to be able to pass through, for whatever reason, they would give that someone a keystone. A token that would be enchanted with spells of protection and passage specifically linked with the corresponding barrier.
VURIETH
Hm. Which we are unlikely to find around here.
LAETHAR
Yes, quite. We shall… we shall…
VURIETH
My friend?
LAETHAR
[whispering] It can’t be.
[Laethar rummages through his pack.]
VURIETH
What is it?
LAETHAR
It was a long time ago, long long before the War. There was this human, dressed very strangely, with an accent like none I had ever heard. He gifted me something. A small piece of lapis shot through with veins of silver. He told me that I must carry it always. He said that when it seemed there were no options, it would be the key.
VURIETH
You think it was -?
LAETHAR
Well I don’t see any other options, do you?
VURIETH
Do you still have it?
[Laethar pulls something out of his pack.]
LAETHAR
I do indeed.
VURIETH
You know it might not be the keystone.
LAETHAR
I know, Ashlander, but I am inclined to give it a go.
VURIETH
A fair point. Alright, let’s go.
[They return to the others.]
YAELA
And this will definitely work?
AIOLIN
If that’s the keystone to this barrier, which I am very sceptical of –
BALINK
Understandably.
AIOLIN
Then yes, this will work.
LAETHAR
The downside, however, is that when we cross the barrier, the Harbinger will know we are here. If he doesn’t already.
YAELA
Will we all be able to go through together?
AIOLIN
No, a keystone only works if you’re physically holding it in your hand.
VURIETH
So, we shall have to pass it back to each other?
AIOLIN
I guess so. Presuming this works, of course.
YAELA
So, who’s going first?
BALINK
Well I ain’t doing it. I don’t trust that thing.
AIOLIN
Yeah, I’m with Balink on this one.
LAETHAR
Whoever goes through first should be capable of defending themselves from what might be waiting inside.
VURIETH
That probably rules me out then.
LAETHAR
It should be me.
YAELA
I’m not sure that’s a good idea…
LAETHAR
Maybe not. But, it’s my stone and I’d probably have the best chance against anything that might be waiting.
YAELA
Excuse me?
LAETHAR
Oh you know that’s not what I meant.
YAELA
Do I now?
LAETHAR
Well, do you want to go first?
YAELA
No, of course not.
LAETHAR
Well then.
[Laethar draws his sword.]
LAETHAR
Wish me luck.
YAELA
Laethar, wait-
[Laethar walks through the barrier. The forcefield rushes around him – and then the wind from outside the barrier is muffled, as are the voices of the rest of the party.]
LAETHAR
[sound of relief] Well, that’s good then. Hm, looks like there’s no one around. [calling] Stand back, I’m going to throw the stone back through. Where’s Yaela?
AIOLIN
[muffled] She shadestepped right after you went into the barrier.
LAETHAR
What? Why?
[Shadestepping next to Laethar, Yaela gasps.]
LAETHAR
Yaela! You shadestepped through the barrier?
YAELA
[breathing heavily] Yes. I only just realised that it would be possible.
LAETHAR
Possible, yes, but seriously foolish!
YAELA
Oh, will you give up the pretence?! You were never a master mage, even when you had magic.
LAETHAR
Shh! Keep it down. The others could still hear. Anyway, I may not have been one of the enchanters but I know that skimming the Fae through a wall of magic is incredibly dangerous.
YAELA
I thought it might be better than trusting everything to your stone.
LAETHAR
Really? You think you could have made that Step bringing all of us along as well?
YAELA
… maybe if we went one at a time.
LAETHAR
Well, fortunately, the stone works and it’s a lot less risky than shadowstepping through.
YAELA
Fine, fine. Toss the stone out to them and let’s get on with this.
[Fading out, Balink enters through the barrier.]
BALINK
[shuddering] Ugh, I didn’t like that!
VURIETH
Well don’t worry, my friend, it’s over now.
YAELA
Still nothing. No guards or anything. Not sure if that’s a good thing or bad.
AIOLIN
Well, if that’s the case, can we talk about something a minute?
LAETHAR
What?
AIOLIN
Oh, nothing major, just the fact that, what, a hundred and fifty years ago? You were given a keystone to a magic barrier that hadn’t even been conjured yet! I mean, I know we’ve had a fair amount of good fortune, all things considered, but this goes beyond unlikely. This is literally an impossibility!
YAELA
Is this really the time?
LAETHAR
Well, what do you want me to say? I know it’s impossible. But here we are, inside the tower.
AIOLIN
But what did you think it was when you got it?!
LAETHAR
I don’t know. I was often given gifts when I visited Aladia. And humans and elves shared a love of gemstones. I didn’t think much of it. For a long time, I just used it as a paperweight. And then the War happened and I had a little more on my mind!
VURIETH
Does it really matter right now?
AIOLIN
Of course it matters! It doesn’t make sense!
BALINK
Yeah, it’s weird. Definitely weird. I don’t like it.
YAELA
Look, I think we can all agree its strange. But none of us know how or why it happened and we’re not in a position to find out right now so talking about it is a waste of time. We need to focus on the matter at hand.
LAETHAR
Agreed. We need to find the ceredh and get out of here. I’m not sure why but the Harbinger seems to be ignoring us. I doubt that will last once we take the seed.
BALINK
There’s probably a treasure room or something in here where he’s keeping all the good stuff.
VURIETH
Yes, good idea. Aiolin, where do you think it’s likely to be?
AIOLIN
Well, somewhere up there, I’d imagine.
BALINK
Can you be a little more specific?
AIOLIN
Well, no. There were never any books written on the architecture of the lighthouses – I have no idea how this place is laid out.
BALINK
Gonna need to be careful about what doors we open then. Don’t want to go up a bunch of floors, open a door and find ourselves in the basement.
LAETHAR
I don’t think that will be a problem.
VURIETH
You don’t?
LAETHAR
No. Mage towers were built with magic, which is why arcane architecture can be so tricky. But the lighthouses were raised by the First Folk, and they had a power beyond magic. I think it should be fairly straightforward.
YAELA
I suppose there’s nothing for it but to climb and investigate every room we come across then?
AIOLIN
Let’s get started.
[The party climbs the stairs, breathing heavily.]
BALINK
Door 3987…
AIOLIN
[calmly] Number five.
YAELA
Same tactics again then?
LAETHAR
You and I in front, Balink centre, you two behind.
[They agree.]
LAETHAR
On three then. One two, three –
[The door is opened, and they walk in quietly.]
BALINK
There’s no one here.
LAETHAR
It is clear my way too.
YAELA
And here. It’s just… oh.
BALINK
What?
YAELA
I think this might have been some kind of armoury. Look, Laethar, isn’t that the Narolin crest?
LAETHAR
Yes, you’re right. I suppose this must have been where the Tower Guard kept their equipment.
AIOLIN
Is anyone else starting to get a little… concerned that we haven’t met anything yet?
VURIETH
You are not alone, my friend. I am uneasy. Surely we should have been stopped by guards or spells or something of note?
BALINK
Maybe everyone’s on a break?
YAELA
I think it’s more likely they’re all further up. Maybe watching over the seed and their ‘master’.
LAETHAR
Onwards and upwards once more then?
[They begin to leave.]
BALINK
Hang on a minute…
[Balink tugs at something.]
YAELA
Binks, stop that.
BALINK
But look!
[Balink tugs until something pulls free, and he falls over with the effort.]
YAELA
We do not have time for this, Binks.
BALINK
Look at it!
YAELA
It’s just some old clothes, we have plenty of our own. Besides look at the leather, it’s fading away.
BALINK
You ain’t lookin’ proper. Smack it, go on!
YAELA
Excuse me?
BALINK
[panting] Go on, just try and cut it or something.
YAELA
Then will you be quiet and come with us?
BALINK
[gleefully] Yup!
YAELA
[sighs] Alright then.
[Yaela draws a knife – and the knife draws against metal.]
BALINK
See!
YAELA
Wait, what?!
BALINK
I knew it! It’s annerkel!
YAELA
No…
BALINK
Yes!
YAELA
The hide of an Annaark beast?
BALINK
Yeah! it’s meant to be tougher than steel! I heard you could run straight into a spear and come out laughin’! But it’s no heavier than regular leather.
YAELA
This is… this is incredible!
BALINK
You want it?
YAELA
Me?
BALINK
Well I can’t wear it can I? It’d fit three of me!
YAELA
But, well, the others…
BALINK
Laethar has his own fancy stuff, Aiolin wouldn’t even get his head in there and Vurieth don’t seem to like wearing armour. I mean, offer it to ’em, but I bet they’ll all agree with me. You should have it.
YAELA
Come on then, let’s catch them up.
[Fading away, they catch up.]
YAELA
You are all too kind, truly.
VURIETH
Nonsense, my friend.
AIOLIN
We want you to have it.
LAETHAR
We need as many advantages as we can get. I’m just glad you’re finally wearing some proper armour at last. All those years in the War and you insisted on nothing more than a tunic.
YAELA
What, so I could be like you? Clanking around everywhere I go?
LAETHAR
Excuse me, my armour is made of angluin, it does not clank.
BALINK
Heads up, another door! This must be it, right?
LAETHAR
… no. Looks like a storage room.
[Balink groans]
LAETHAR
Up again?
AIOLIN
Maybe we should have a look inside? I mean, we found an annerkel tunic, who knows what else is lying around. And maybe the seed’s in here.
YAELA
[amused] I’m pretty sure the Harbinger will be keeping that with him. But you make a good point. Let’s have a look.
[They walk across the floor.]
VURIETH
I only hope this is all worth it. If we could use that seed it could… change everything.
AIOLIN
Lives, countries, the whole world.
VURIETH
Just think of it…
BALINK
What’d you change first? If it works.
VURIETH
[wistful] The Ashen Plains. They are a place of wonder and beauty, true, but… the elders used to tell us stories of how it once was. The golden desert of Lithmelin. If I could bring that back…
BALINK
You’d go back to live there?
VURIETH
At once. I would bring all of you to visit too. Oh, the things we could see…
BALINK
Like what?
VURIETH
Dazzling lakes… sparkling like jewels scattered across a landscape of golden sands… the lost city of Minalith, raised again, the crystal tower making rainbows of the sunlight. Cor-tail birds. Alas, all long extinct now. But with that seed…
BALINK
What’s a cor-tail bird?
VURIETH
My Zaeim claimed to have seen the last one. She said they were beautiful creatures. Each had plumage you could see for miles! Rich in all the shades of the rainbow. When they flew their shadows were lit with colour. And they could run like the wind, speeding past like a rush of warm air. They stood no taller than you, little one.
BALINK
Cool!
AIOLIN
I would see the college restored. In all its splendour.
BALINK
Yeah? Would you go study there again too?
AIOLIN
Definitely. It would be my greatest wish.
BALINK
Yaela! What’ll you do when the seed makes the world go back to good again?
YAELA
Oh… Well, I mean…
BALINK
Fae stuff?
YAELA
Yes, I suppose. There used to be more great forests, full of shadowy corners, hidden pools, places where the Fae could touch. They stretched for miles and both we and our creatures ran wild. It helped our world and this one feel more connected. I think I would try and bring that back.
BALINK
So you’d stay here?
YAELA
For a while, yes. Drink it all in, explore. Show anyone who wished to see.
BALINK
Can I come? I’d love to see the Fae properly, when it doesn’t make your tummy go funny.
VURIETH
If the Fae were to grow within this realm once more, would it be less, uh… forgive me my friend, would it be less uncomfortable for those of us without fae blood to visit?
YAELA
Yes exactly! You could all visit with no discomfort. I would love to show you. The trees, the flowers, the glades in the wilds…
BALINK
[gasps] We could go camping!
AIOLIN
That sounds nice.
BALINK
And a big fire pit! And we can toast things like Splitzers! and hearth-hog! And marshfluff!
VURIETH
If we went via my homelands first, we could bring desert cacti to roast. It turns to a sort of honey in your mouth…
BALINK
Cool!
YAELA
That sounds like a wonderful plan.
AIOLIN
Then to the college after all the gallivanting. I could show you how it truly looks, all its turrets and libraries and stained glass…
BALINK
What’ll you do, Laethar?
LAETHAR
What?
BALINK
With the seed! When we can change the world, what’ll you do?
LAETHAR
Nothing.
BALINK
Oh come on…
YAELA
Hush.
VURIETH
There must be something.
AIOLIN
What about Narolin? Surely you’d wish to see that raised again?
LAETHAR
And who would live there? Those who survived the fall of the city fled to the Sealine Lands and would not return. [deep breath] It is a nice idea. But I’m afraid what I lost cannot be rebuilt. I only wish that –
YAELA
Laethar!
[Yaela swings out an arm and catches Laethar to stop him from moving.]
LAETHAR
[grunts] What?!
YAELA
Look! Is that what I think it is?
LAETHAR
I don’t… gods above and below.
BALINK
What? It’s a hammer.
LAETHAR
That’s not just any hammer. That’s Ûbreitha. The weapon of Galnor Greyhammer, the Paladin of Mahlascund.
VURIETH
The one you said killed all the gorgons?
YAELA
That’s the one.
AIOLIN
You can’t be serious. You’re sure?
LAETHAR
I saw him use it in the battle of the Glancil Pass, back during the War of the Lamps. Trust me, that’s the hammer.
VURIETH
What is it doing here?
BALINK
Harbinger took it as a trophy, maybe?
LAETHAR
[distracted] I doubt it. He was never that sentimental.
YAELA
Laethar! What are you doing? Don’t touch it!
LAETHAR
You think I’m going to pass up this chance? One of the most famous weapons in all of Toor, I’d be mad not to –
[There is a metallic sound, as if a sword is drawn from a scabbard.]
LAETHAR
– What?!
BALINK
Wow! How did you do that?
LAETHAR
I didn’t… I… I didn’t mean –
AIOLIN
I guess it’s not a hammer anymore.
VURIETH
You do prefer swords, this must be a good thing.
LAETHAR
What do you mean?
VURIETH
Well, like you were saying to Yaela. We need as many advantages as we can get.
AIOLIN
That’s true. And if Ûbreitha’s as great as you say, well, like you said, you’d be mad not to.
LAETHAR
I… I suppose.
BALINK
Ooh look, there’s something else here!
VURIETH
What is it?
BALINK
Looks like some kind of amulet. Weird looking. Looks like a blue pearl set in silver.
YAELA AND LAETHAR
What?
BALINK
Probably be worth a fair bit.
LAETHAR
Let me see that!
[Laethar snatches it away from Balink.]
BALINK
Hey, that’s mine!
YAELA
Hush Binks, is that –
LAETHAR
Yes, but if it’s here…
YAELA
Then that can only mean –
[There is a short pause.]
AIOLIN
Feel free to fill us in any time.
LAETHAR
Come on!
[Laethar takes off at a run.]
BALINK
Wait, what?
VURIETH
Laethar!
YAELA
He’s right, come on!
[Everyone leaves the room, and pants as they climb the steps.]
AIOLIN
So I guess we’re just forgetting about stealth?
VURIETH
Apparently so. Will you two slow down?!
LAETHAR
Here we are. This must be the throne room.
VURIETH
I do not feel ready for this.
BALINK
If you like, I’ll drop my oubliette and you can hide in that until your spells start working.
VURIETH
Thank you, my friend.
LAETHAR
Aiolin, can you break down the door?
AIOLIN
What, I mean, probably but are you sure -?
YAELA
Aiolin, quickly!
AIOLIN
Alright.
[Aiolin grunts and the wood of the door splinters as he breaks it down – the party enters.]
YAELA
… It’s… empty.
LAETHAR
[breathily] No… no no no.
YAELA
Laethar we’re both looking at it! There’s no one here! [softer] It’s his amulet. You know what that means.
BALINK
Yep, definitely no one home.
VURIETH
But… I always thought the Harbinger was here. That he commanded his Horde from this tower.
AIOLIN
I thought so too… we all did. But, well, clearly no one’s lived here for years.
BALINK
But that’s a good thing, isn’t it? Means we can take the seed without a problem.
YAELA
I think it’s safe to say if the seed was ever here, the Harbinger took it when he left.
VURIETH
No… no it must be here. He left that hammer behind, maybe he was unable to take things with him.
[Vurieth walks away.]
AIOLIN
Where are you going?
VURIETH
To search everywhere. I am not ready to give up yet.
AIOLIN
I’ll give you a hand.
BALINK
Yeah, me too!
YAELA
We’ll all go.
[Vurieth, Balink and Aiolin leave the room. Yaela starts walking but stops.]
YAELA
You coming?
LAETHAR
Why? To search for something we won’t find.
YAELA
It might still be –
LAETHAR
No, it won’t, Yaela. You just said it.He’ll have taken it. Taken it wherever he’s gone. They just don’t want to see it because their minds are full of yellow sands and rebuilt memories. He’s gone, Yaela. He’s gone. It’s over.
[Dice roll and clatter at the gaming table.]
MATT
Bit of a let down, if I’m honest.
WILL
Yeah, kinda anticlimactic.
ROSIE
So, what, has the Harbinger just vanished? Is he dead? What’s the deal?
GAME MASTER
I have to go.
[The Game Master stands and walks away. A door opens and closes.]
LEAH
That was weird.
[A phone buzzes with a message alert.]
GINA
Whoops, sorry.
[Gina checks her phone.]
GINA
Oh god, I had a date!
MATT
Why didn’t you say anything?
GINA
[groans] I must’ve forgotten. Aw, she’s gonna kill me for this.
WILL
Right, well it looks like our GM has gone so, I guess we’re calling it there.
[Everyone gets up.]
MATT
So who is this lass?
GINA
None of your business.
MATT
Oh come on.
[Their voices fade as they leave.]
MATT
At least tell me her name.
GINA
Nope, not happening.
[The door closes.]
ROSIE
You alright?
WILL
Hm? Yeah, it’s just… that keystone thing.
ROSIE
What about it?
WILL
It wasn’t in my inventory when we started.
ROSIE
Eh?
WILL
Well look, you see right there in my inventory where it says “Dannengwath keystone”? That wasn’t there when we started today, and I haven’t had anything like it since we began the whole campaign.
ROSIE
You’re sure?
WILL
Well that’s not my handwriting so pretty sure.
ROSIE
Maybe the GM put it in for you?
WILL
Not sure when he’d have done that.
ROSIE
Hmm… what do you think happened at the end there?
WILL
No clue. I thought he was setting up this big final boss fight…
ROSIE
Yeah, me too. But…
WILL
What?
ROSIE
I mean, did you see his face? He looked surprised.
WILL
Surprised?
ROSIE
Yeah, and kind of angry.
WILL
[amused] You’re crazy. Why would he be surprised? He wrote the campaign.
ROSIE
Hmm… I guess.
WILL
He’ll probably explain it later. Shall we head off?
ROSIE
Yeah alright. Can you stop the recording?
WILL
Hm? Oh yeah, sure.
[There is a click as the recording is turned off.]
ANNOUNCER
Quest of Ruin will return.
[The end theme plays and the Announcer recites the end of season credits.]