Go For the Eyes

·1 hr 10 min·5 clips

Lone Walker opens a door to find Valen Sarnaster floating cross-legged, saying 'you were expected' as initiative rolls.

This episode of Total Party Kill is part of a Dungeons & Dragons actual-play series, continuing the 'Canopic Being' mystery from Candlekeep. The host, Tony Sindelar, serves as Dungeon Master. Players include Micah Sargent as Ajguri Lonewalker Mako Tatahani (Goliath Paladin), Erika Ensign as Reed Quarrel Kilgariff (human cleric), Brian Guffey as Malleus Starsinger (Eladrin Bard/Druid), Sarah Beckerton as Vroga Trowsbane (Half-Orc Barbarian), and Jason Snell as Nis (sorcerer). The adventurers are in a pocket dimension ruled by Valen Sarnaster, a mummy lord and oracle. They previously found the body of Maestan Siddhar, a librarian who killed himself to limit Valen's control. After using Animate Dead to speak with Maestan, they learn about confronting Valen. The group debates whether to take a long rest, with Reed Quarrel casting Guards and Wards for protection. They decide to head west toward Valen's lair. In an antechamber, they find a large floating eyeball that tracks them; Vroga destroys it after debate. They climb a rope to a door 20 feet up, leading to a chamber with altered gravity. Inside, Valen Sarnaster floats cross-legged with many floating eyes, saying 'you were expected.' Initiative is rolled. Combat begins with Reed Quarrel casting Cloudkill, obscuring Valen. The party focuses on destroying the eyes, as hinted by Maestan's advice to 'go for the eyes.' Valen uses legendary actions, including transforming into a whirlwind of sand to disperse the cloud and casting Harm at Nis, who counterspells it. The eyes are systematically eliminated, unsettling Valen. She eventually emerges from the cloud to punch Lone Walker, dealing significant damage. The episode ends mid-fight, with the outcome unresolved.

As heard by us

A poison cloud, a bad doorway, and a party wrestling with dungeon geometry.

Total Party Kill frames the Canopic Being mystery as a tactical puzzle as much as a fight, with the 20-foot drop from the doorway and the 7th-level cloud kill setting the terms of the room.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a mummy-lord scrap where the doorway matters as much as the spell slot.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Total Party Kill