In the Season Two finale, we take a final, comprehensive look at our spooky multidimensional caveman epic: Beyond the Mirror. Other topics include figuring out which “big energies” we tapped into over the course of the story, other titles that didn’t make the cut, and why Ethan decided to make the book’s final antagonists an army of gentrifying sadness monsters.
The group prepares to move on to Torv's world, but before they can leave the ruins of Orn behind, they discover what the Harvester had planned for them all along.
With pretty much all of our bad guys dead following the climax of the story, we take a look back at all of the antagonistic forces from the book and rank them from dumbest to best. Other topics include whether or not we inadvertently made our main character a Thanos, Jeff’s asinine internal battle of efficiency versus originality, and Ethan’s deep-seated fears concerning other men, bourbon, and barbecue.
Before the group can even hope to stop the Ghora, they have to find it first. Following the monster's path, they discover the scale of destruction Ja has inadvertently unleashed on Orn.
Because we have dragged our protagonists back to their miserable home world, we explore the idea of homecoming in our real lives and try to figure out which of our personal traumas we have projected onto the story. Other topics include the futility of trying to explain magic, finding the right balance between being corny and sensible, and how all of Ethan’s early courtships started and ended at Applebees.
As the group transports the mirror shard back to Orn, they see the devastation they have caused by traveling from world to world.
Forced to use an "eerie" Fate Index submission on one of our protagonists, we discuss how we would cope with similar weird changes in our real lives. Other topics include how farts are a great catalyst for transformation, deciding when a story needs to slow down the pace, and big sacrifices like Randy Quaid in the blockbuster film Independence Day.
The group of unlikely companions travel together to an idyllic island while they wait for the Harvester's return, but even in paradise, Ja can't escape the mistakes of his past.
Which animals would we follow into a deep, dark hole? We discuss which of nature's children are the most trustworthy. Other topics include whether or not Ethan is actually a bunch of bugs in a man suit, playing fast and loose with our Fate Index rolls, and not wanting to overwrite a gross scene because someone will inevitably use it to scratch a kinky itch.
Ja hears a voice in his head that confirms his suspicions about the Harvester and follows it underground to build a questionable new alliance.
Now that we're in the back half of the story, it's time to go back and look at the original rolls from the first episode to see how well we've been following directions. Other topics include the fun of creating insidiously creepy chapters, making fast friends with an UltraBacon at the bar, and the introduction of a new, unexpected pet: former US president Grover Cleveland.
Doro excitedly brings Ja and Kaia to the forest of a man named the Harvester. Though the skeleton venerates the powerful stranger, the humans are far less trusting.
Being forced to write an awkward social faux pas into the story is the perfect excuse to talk about our own devastating personal embarrassments. Other topics include using Fate Index rolls to become an edgelord, creating the Skeleton Bible, and being fine with tropes in our story as long as they were someone else’s idea.
The jawbone mirror has transported our protagonists to "a world without men like the Blood Summoner." It offers Ja and Kaia a great opportunity to learn more about their travels; all they have to do first is enjoy a simple meal in silence.
Who has the hot looks and perfect life and how do we get into those bodies instead of our crummy ones? Ethan wants to be the tallest guy in the neighborhood and Jeff knows he'll never cut it as Beyoncé. Other topics include whether or not we should care about "good storytelling" over fun, getting creative with suboptimal rolls, and having to level up our story challenges as we level up our characters.
After a bizarre turn of events, Ja and Kaia find themselves in the upper echelon of Orn society. Have things finally improved for our protagonists, or is life too good to be true?
Animals can be scary! In this episode, we create a tier list that determines once-and-for-all which animals are the most terrifying. Other topics include Ethan deciding that a brand-new character is unnecessary, how Elden Ring is still infiltrating our creative nodes, and characters who mysteriously know all of the story's secrets.
Ja and Kaia attempt to track down Torv on the other side of the portal, hoping that his brute strength can help keep them safe in a harsh new world.
Inspired by a trans-Atlantic viewing of Indiana Jones, we explore the idea of a "leap of faith" and whether or not we're the type of people to take big risks. Other topics include the unstated peril of not naming characters, whether or not we've got too much magic in the story, and an introduction to a sexy bug waifu Bionicle named Zethra.
Torv learns some hard lessons about acting without thinking things through. Ja is chosen to command a mysterious and powerful ancient relic.
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