Title: Cloudward, Ho!
GM: Brennan Lee Mulligan
Players: Emily Axford (she/her) as Marya Junková (she/her). Zac Oyama (he/him) as Daisuke Bucklesby (he/him). Siobhan Thompson (she/her) as Vanellope ‘Van’ Chapman (she/her). Lou Wilson (he/him) as Montgomery ‘Monty’ LaMontgommery (he/him). Ally Beardsley (they/them) as Olethra MacLeod (she/her). Brian Murphy (he/him) as Maxwell Gotch (he/him).
Streaming Service: Dropout

If you missed them, catch up on our review of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth, and seventeenth episodes!

We return to Zood in this week’s episode of Cloudward, Ho! As exciting as I am to see the crystalline city of Zumhara, we’re in the time crunch stage of the series. The barrier between Zood and Zern has broken. By freeing Tazgw’agwa, Van ensured their path back to Zood, but she also cleared the way for the Queen of Zern to invade. However, with the new discovery of Ludmila’s fate, there are more questions than answers in what exactly Zern’s armies intend to do outside of conquest.

Comfrey signals for the Zephyr II to meet them; however, it won’t be able to carry Big Britches. If they intend to make a stand-off before Zumhara, then that might be workable; however, if they intend to go after Straka, the Zephyr II won’t be able to carry the mech. As they enter the city, the crew discover that they’re not the only ones. After the barrier broke, a flash across the sky sent many flooding into the city for safety. Among those are numerous others who proclaim they’re there to save the world.

In the frenzy, they turn to Buzz for answers. He gives them some direction of important areas in the city. While hubs of community, philosophy, and history are prime candidates for Ludmila’s attention, Comfrey suggests the city hides an engine for Zoodian energy which would be a more important target.

The crew splits up. Maxwell and Monty go to the Lux Eternium, a forum for discussion. Rev. Vernon J. Feldspar lectures on compassion, but Maxwell interrupts and reveals that he’s gone through multiple biangles. Leaving out the group’s involvement in the barrier falling, he explains what has happened, warning that the Queen of Zern still reigns and intends to invade. Horrified by this but relieved to have it affirmed, the elders speak of a family of Gathi and talk about the Chapman family. Monty reveals Van is here and that Comfrey lives.

As they go to leave, the keys in Maxwell’s pocket react, sensing a doorway. The key leads to a wall covered in glowing crystals, pointing specifically to a single spot of red amid the red.

Van and Bert explore the city; however, while they’re looking for anything particular of interest that could be helped for the defense of Zumhara, Van takes that time to check in with her husband and reconnect after all that has happened. Their sweet romance steals my heart once more. Bert compares his wife to a selkie, stating that unlike the men who tried to control those mythical women, he never wanted her to have to choose. Both want nothing more than to be together, and as much as Van only truly feel fear when thinking Bert is in danger while Bert states that he always feels safe with her. Unfortunately, Bert reveals he found a gun in Zern, so if that isn’t a literal Chekov’s gun, I’ll be shocked.

Picking up some foreign energy, Van makes contact with Tazgw’agwa. The endless entity laments being trapped, seemingly more embarrassed for being tricked only to be used as a barrier. Seeing the grief, Van offers potential purpose; however, Tazgw’agwa states the celestial being wants to go home. Despite this, Tazgw’agwa leaves a bit of their power behind with her.

Meanwhile, Daisuke goes along with Comfrey and Olethra, returning to the ship. Kočka needs a new mech, and Olethra yearns to learn more about the mech that her grandmother left for her. As they work, Olethra confides in her grandmother that she fears that she might end up like Ludmila. Comforting her, Comfrey laments her carelessness when teaching Marya and promises to do better by Olethra. Odds aren’t the best on Comfrey actually doing better as she does end up just leaving her granddaughter to reconnect with Daisuke.

On her own, Marya explores the library of Zumhara. Crystals line the shelves, containing moving pictures. She also meets Iridia Neff, a Zumharan librarian. Even as she tries to search for cracks in the honor system of the city, but she finds none. Instead, she finds a crack in an important informational crystal. To no one’s shock, the person who tampered with the crystal was none other than Mordecestershire. Marya quickly finds other crystals about Straka, describing the heart of flesh and the workings of the mechanical beast.

Back in the Lux Eternium, Van and Bert reunite with Monty and Maxwell as they use the key and find a large floating crystal. Monty determines this crystal is the heart of Zood. It is an ancient engine, built like a mirror to concentrate and reflect energy. This is very likely what the army of Zern will attack first. Undoubtedly, there is an identical engine in Zern.

The group returns to the Zephyr II, and Marya discovers the crystal from Mordecestershire’s collection which Comfrey had turned into a pipe. Placing it back in the main crystal, we see only the beginning of a united decision before the episode ends.

Highlights

This episode was on a strangely even keel, so picking a highlight is rather difficult. I always love Bert and Van’s interactions; unfortunately, Bert’s Zernian gun seems a dangerous set-up to me. While Dimension 20 isn’t known for its tragic moments, Brennan’s recent debut on the latest season of Critical Role has me on edge, waiting for some sort of sudden subversion as if Ludmila’s fate isn’t horrifying enough on its own.

Alternatively, I loved Tazgw’agwa’s farewell to Van. An Eldritch Horror, a gentle patron, a giant space squid, and a celestial ghost ship for a family of pirates saved in the moments of their drownings / deaths – that’s goals.

Final Score (4 out of 5 Stars)

Having escaped Zern, this episode heavily focused on research and preparation as our Intrepid Heroes raced against the clock to prepare Zumhara for the coming invasion. The gap between their passing into Zood and the arrival of the Zernian army seemed far longer than I would’ve expected, but we desperately needed the slow down. Though Ludmila’s reveal wasn’t entirely shocking, there were a number of questions about how the Primarchs removed Ludmila’s heart and whether the queen is her body without a heart or an automaton based on her appearance.

I’m sincerely hoping we saw the last of Wisconsin, but I’m not sure Ally will let that automaton die. Otherwise, this was a bit of a slow roll, filled with more bits and trickles of information, but we desperately needed some time to give Marya a breath and reset the meter. There’s only so long you can keep a desperate pace moving without the tension breaking, and if it breaks unwittingly, the whole climax can become an absolute mess, so better to break it intentionally and up the ante with expressions of love. Comfrey’s death or Bert’s will hurt all the more after this episode if either comes.

With only two more episodes to go, we’re racing into the end game, and we have mysteries to uncover and an invasion to prevent. Do you think Ludmila can still be saved? Or will only death release her from her suffering? Let us know what you think in the comments below or go over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.

Featured Image: Dimension 20

The Boss Rush Podcast: The Flagship Podcast of Boss Rush Media and the Boss Rush Network

The Boss Rush Podcast – The Boss Rush Podcast is the flagship podcast of Boss Rush Media and the Boss Rush Network. Each week, Corey, Stephanie, LeRon, and their friends from around the internet come together with other creators, developers, and industry veterans to talk about games they’ve been playing, discuss video game and entertainment based topics, and answer questions solicited on social media and the community Discord. 

New episodes of The Boss Rush Podcast release every Monday morning on YouTube and all major podcast applications like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Patreon supporters gain one week early access. 

Listen on your favorite podcast application or watch on YouTube!
Anchor | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | Twitch | Overcast | Pocket Casts |

Follow The Boss Rush Podcast on Social Media:
Twitter | Discord | Instagram | Twitch | YouTube | Facebook Group | Facebook