Natural Six

An interesting episode of Action Surge this week. Mark at Crafted Campaigns made pretty much everyone hot, and once we recovered from the bi-panic he managed to induce, we had plenty to discuss.We start by talking about how this might not have been a deadly encounter, but that did not mean we could afford to take too many hits. And this time, I (the character, not the me) did not shrink away! We are still not sure if it was Alex or I, but someone woke up feeling ready for a fight, and ready to break the old hide-shoot-hide-shoot rhythm of a classic rogue.We also had minis. Yes, we know some people have been itching for action, and in this episode, we had more incredible minis from Mark at Crafted Campaigns. Harry also talks about the limits of his improv, which incidentally seems to be playing someone universally agreed to be incredibly fit. Also, he was apparently going to leave a note in someone’s bag. Do not be a coward, Harry.We discuss Spare the Dying and how that might have saved Torrian. We also talk about how Harry previously establishing death saves for certain characters might have helped him live to see another day. Either way, if we are trying to keep Elowen from spiralling, then killing her family is not exactly helpful. After all, who does she fight for if not her family? We also break down more information about her brothers and Elowen’s relationship with each of them.Look, rules are hard, and the application of rules is even harder. We love trying new things at the table, but sometimes, no matter how many times you read something, it is not until you try to use it that you realise how tricky it can be. Lucky for us, all of that is captured on camera. Are we flawless? Absolutely not. But we’re learning as we go, and not being scared to share it is part of our journey too. We will try again next time.We also talk about supporting each other and supporting our characters. How the DM chooses to pass that information along, how exciting it is to arrive in a new city, and what we might expect when we get there.Winter sports in Reliquiae? Yes, we discuss those too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strength may hold you steady, but in the chaos of battle, when fear takes hold, even the surest hands can falter, and what once felt like control can begin to slip away.When reality feels like a nightmare, and dreams feel like the truth, trust begins to fracture beneath the weight of doubt, and when everything you love might slip away, whispers of power can be too sweet to resist. But between the safety of home and the road that still calls, sometimes strength isn’t found in the swing of a weapon, but in the act of letting go.Yet among it all, when armour can be traded for something far less guarded, there are still glimmers of what makes the fight worth enduring: a spark of laughter, a flush of colour, and the quiet reminder that charm can disarm just as easily as any blade. And when an impressive display turns every head, even those that hadn’t realised they were looking, it’s easy to forget that not every encounter requires a blade. Some of them might have you wanting to go a bit more slowly before deciding to yield. Natural Six are Harry McEntire, Doug Cockle, Ben Starr, Hollie Bennett, Alex Jordan, and Aoife Wilson.Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/naturalsixJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/HNV56DADnJFollow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/naturalsixFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural_sixFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural.sixLove lore? Check out the Fandom: https://natural-six.fandom.comStay up to date: https://www.NaturalSix.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before we can even begin doing what Action Surge is actually here for, which is reflecting on the previous episode, we somehow open the show with legs above the heart and a sexual intimidation roll-off. Naturally. How else were we meant to concentrate?We talk about how Harry tried to deliver story, lore, and information to the party without dumping it on the players. Despite the warmth and safety of a good, comfortable inn, Raidion's decision to stay sober for an entire session was a genuine moment of character growth. We also look at the role reversal in this episode. Kel really let his hair down, and we were all delighted.It has also been a while since we met any of the Grēnweard brothers, so Harry shares a bit more insight into the most bookish of them, Torrian, especially when compared to Eiddon. Realistically, not many people compare to Eiddon. And let us be honest, who among us does not have a crush on Dolly? Plus, it might actually be comforting for Elowen to hear news of her brother after everything she has been through.Naturally, we also talk about the hotties of Reliquiae so far. From Morgan, to Aska (who can absolutely make us feel special any time), to Medea (everyone has a type, we are not here to judge), and now Lovak. The group might have been a little starved for attention, and we're thrilled to hear that he knows what he's doing.Then there is the amulet. Raidion might not have been drinking, but he certainly didn't stay out of trouble. We chat about that moment, the beauty of detail-oriented Doug and Kelyn's, and how he loves encouraging little character beats to happen.Finally, we talk about death at the table and the important role it can play when it is used thoughtfully. Harry has never really hidden that he sometimes regrets not killing a brother or two back at Castle Grēnweard. And we also learn that the song From the Darkness Light does not actually have any lyrics, which is frankly devastating. We simply want to hear Harry sing.Oh, and the Reliquiae master document? It is currently sitting at 328 pages and still growing.Also, gag reflexes. For reasons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To all who would stand for Reliquiae,The gods are dead. Murdered by those who sought to break the world they built. For millennia, they gave their strength so that Reliquie might endure, their light burning so ours could remain.Now that light falters.Barabask and those who feed his hunger twist the truth and poison hearts. The Gloam march beneath his name, bringing the promise of a world drowned in shadow. They would see Reliquiae unmade, the gift of the gods turned to ash.But we will not let it fall.Stand with us. Rise against their deceit. Protect what remains of the light. Let your blade, your voice, and your faith hold the line.The shadow will not flood.The truth will be illuminated.-- The Last LightNatural Six are Harry McEntire, Doug Cockle, Ben Starr, Hollie Bennett, Alex Jordan, and Aoife Wilson.Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/naturalsixJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/HNV56DADnJFollow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/naturalsixFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural_sixFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural.sixLove lore? Check out the Fandom: https://natural-six.fandom.comStay up to date: https://www.NaturalSix.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Look, we just think it’s narratively satisfying.We discuss how everyone interprets things differently at the table (it might not be what Harry said, but it’s definitely what we heard). He doesn’t want to say we’re wrong, but…Today Harry gave us two things, and after that we sort of did whatever we wanted. We talk about how Harry plays with fast travel, what we did and didn’t do, and how we choose to interact with the world around us.We chat about Dolly and how she sets the tone for the group, how Harry would always choose to save the penguins, and the difference between help and hope.The Newly Dead are, for now at least, no longer the enemy, and we get a peek behind the screen at who we could have met (hello, Twinkle), the changes to Lesser Restoration (and how that might have completely changed our plans), and how our group seems determined to hold themselves to some very weird standards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hope moves in mysterious ways. It can be found deep within, bestowed upon you by chance, or something you simply search for in others. But with hope comes fear, the fear of failing, of carrying a burden you never asked for. And though so many seek it, hope can so easily be lost somewhere between the harshness of winter and the reality of war.Yet hope offers a chance to teach, a moment to heal, and an opportunity to break bread with others. Even when feelings are still too raw, too heavy, or sometimes just a little too salty to ignore, it can still be found by those willing to look for it.In a world where nightmares and anger threaten to throw you off balance, sometimes the only thing you can do is stand up, take a swing, and let it all out. Because while the road ahead might still feel heavy, there is strength in knowing you don’t have to walk it alone.Natural Six are Harry McEntire, Doug Cockle, Ben Starr, Hollie Bennett, Alex Jordan, and Aoife Wilson.Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/naturalsixJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/HNV56DADnJFollow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/naturalsixFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural_sixFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural.sixLove lore? Check out the Fandom: https://natural-six.fandom.comStay up to date: https://www.NaturalSix.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We open with the important questions, like why Alex always walks in circles and how sock puppets somehow entered the chat. Do not worry, there are many voices of Doug Cockle to make up for it.It is the first time we have filmed for a whole weekend in a while, and Harry talks about how much he prepped, and how much we actually explored. For the first time ever, we have left without tying up all the loose ends. They can figure it out for themselves, right?We chat about the team finally getting a moment to breathe, how they interact when the pressure is off (spoilers, they drink), and, how much Harry hates fast travel.Dolly and Aoife both chose chaos this week, and we break down her decision to stab straight through the middle instead of, well, literally anything else. Honestly, she just wishes they had kept the receipt.We get intimate with I, and unpack exactly what Raidion saw with that Nat 20. There really are no secrets among friends.Then it is story time with Doug Cockle. We talk patience, lore, and the perfect sprinkle of flakey salt that made Kelnys’ moment shine. He is such a unifying force, and it felt so good to learn more about him.Finally, we talk about Raidion treating this episode like a bottomless brunch, and Alex treating us to the gun show. Because why not? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As winter greets them with open arms, the air feels cold, clean, and gloriously alive. Now, as the world stretches wide once more, breath can turn to laughter instead of fear.Yet, while freedom might taste sweet, it can be a little unsteady, and the path ahead may yet prove far bumpier than expected, and not everyone is built for the ride. Still, laughter carries on the wind, and joy finds its place amidst the chaos, offering a chance to reflect on love, loss, and lives once lived. In a world full of promise and poor decisions, if you choose to dance to the beat of your own drum, you’d best be ready for the rhythm that follows.And as the fire crackles and the snow falls quietly, they learn that even in a world where everyone knows your name, even the Newly Dead can still get ghosted.Natural Six are Harry McEntire, Doug Cockle, Ben Starr, Hollie Bennett, Alex Jordan, and Aoife Wilson.Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/naturalsixJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/HNV56DADnJFollow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/naturalsixFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural_sixFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural.sixLove lore? Check out the Fandom: https://natural-six.fandom.comStay up to date: https://www.NaturalSix.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this instalment of action surge, we reflect on an episode that - despite being our shortest episode yet - was jam packed with story, character and with everyone needing to think on their feet. We talked about how discussions away from the table can result in further discussions at it, and how these moments offer characters the chance to change and grow. Ben revealed parts of Raidion’s story that many of the characters had not yet been party to regarding the family he remembers and the darkest corners of his past. Next we moved on to balancing mechanical efficiency and character authenticity, reflecting on what it’s like to play at a table where people don’t want to tell the story in simplest ways - Aoife giving insight into Dolly’s discomfort with her newly acquired drum.Then we moved on to the last half of the episode and the discovery of the way out of The Old Dark. Harry let us in on his thought process as he tried to balance creating atmosphere and handling seat-of-your-pants mechanics. We talked about responding to interesting ideas your players come up with, and trying to reward them for their ingenuity. It’s always about telling the story together.After a brief video game discussion detour, we moved on to what happens next. Could an alliance between the kobolds and The Children of the Midnight Moon benefit both parties? Do the Newly Dead need to start building bridges, or is it enough to keep burning them down? We’ll have to find out next time… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life is ever-moving, ever-changing. A weave of dreams and nightmares, the grotesque and the great. You might want to look cool, but it is not about how you appear. It is about what you live for and who you choose to fight for.A moment of rest can grant the gift of reunion, a chance to break bread and reflect on the paths that led here, and on stories shaped by fear, by loss, and by the desire to protect.Yet there is warmth in stories, in remembering who came before and in daring to paint the image of what comes next. While the paint of the past might still be wet, the colour of adventure is never finished. There is still so much to discover, if you can be strong enough to save those you love.Natural Six are Harry McEntire, Doug Cockle, Ben Starr, Hollie Bennett, Alex Jordan, and Aoife Wilson.Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/naturalsixJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/HNV56DADnJFollow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/naturalsixFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural_sixFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural.sixLove lore? Check out the Fandom: https://natural-six.fandom.comStay up to date: https://www.NaturalSix.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s Action Surge we start by talking about pace. Episode 39 opened with deep lore (some might call it an unskippable cut scene, others might call it a well-earned reward for surviving), before dropping us into a bit of a sandbox. Yes, even Harry had no idea what we’d do next, and yes, we still managed to surprise him. Not all of it was a delight.From there, it was colours, visions, and the question of what might have happened if Alex had actually rolled that six. And somehow, an NPC who somehow managed to survive at the end of last episode suddenly became more important than any of us, or Harry, ever planned. Kc’ahrl proved that when the average on 3d8 is twelve, sometimes you do not need to worry about morality at all.We also reflect on I’s unexpected promotion to de facto leader of the kobolds. Either way, a return to the Old Dark might have been exactly what the story needed. Finally, we touch upon what might happen when priorities do not line up, and why those differences might shape the party just as much as any battle on the table. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Colour blooms where endings meet beginnings, a brilliance that lingers long enough to change those who reach for it. Memories unfurl in shades of truth, painting the past in wounds not yet healed.Yet revelations can fracture what once felt certain, as truths and lies entwine so tightly they almost look the same. But while they lingered in shadow, the world above shifted, reshaped into something more dangerous than they left behind. Paths stretch forward, but none without cost, and none without consequence.Hope can be born from endings, if those left behind are willing to shape it. Yet even as new futures are spoken into being, discord stirs, and paths diverge. When one demands more than the others can give, which path will you walk?What do you do when there is still so much to be afraid of?Natural Six are Harry McEntire, Doug Cockle, Ben Starr, Hollie Bennett, Alex Jordan, and Aoife Wilson.Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/naturalsixJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/HNV56DADnJFollow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/naturalsixFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural_sixFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural.sixLove lore? Check out the Fandom: https://natural-six.fandom.comStay up to date: https://www.NaturalSix.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s Action Surge is packed. Big battles mean big conversations, and we had plenty to talk about once the dice finally stopped rolling. From the chaos at the table to the (lack of) chaos behind the screen, there was no shortage of moments to break down.We think it’s only fair to talk about what an incredible job Harry did. There was so much going on; the monsters, the cards, the chaos, and also those chromatic orbs, and somehow he kept hold of it all flawlessly (unlike the rest of us, who were mostly just panicking).But it wasn’t just Harry. Minis mean business, and once again Mark from Crafted Campaigns had been hard at work. And what work it was, seriously, how are we ever meant to go back to theatre of the mind after this?From there, we get into what made this battle so tense: why mobility matters so much for big bads, and how being able to move, and move quickly, can turn the tide (and keep Dolly running too). We also break down those bouncing orbs, chromatic and otherwise, and just how devastating they can be. Maybe a little too devastating, depending on who you ask.Alex opens up about his plans for I, the choice to gift healing, and how close things came to going catastrophically wrong. And of course, we circle back to the Deck of Many Friends, the latest companions it’s produced, and the question of whether Raidion would really ever have given it up. (Short answer: probably. Long answer: probably, but at least he had a plan.)Finally, we talk about the bigger picture: that moment of realisation where the party can’t back out anymore. They’re in too deep, the questions are piling up, and thankfully Elowen didn’t kill the one person who might actually be able to answer them. That’s progress! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fate is fragile, light enough to turn on the flip of a coin, yet powerful enough to make pawns of those who thought themselves players. As the pieces move, the board shifts, and the game is never truly theirs to command.Yet deeper in the dark, power is spinning into something dangerous. Lives are drawn and discarded like cards in a hand, played without hesitation, and spent without remorse, for not everyone chooses to play fair.Despite strength and skill, the rules bend, the stakes rise, and even the best hand may falter when the cost is nothing less than your soul.To survive they must outlast, outthink, and never underestimate the one across the board. The rules may be broken, and the odds stacked against them, but now that the pieces are set, they cannot leave the board.Natural Six are Harry McEntire, Doug Cockle, Ben Starr, Hollie Bennett, Alex Jordan, and Aoife Wilson.Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/naturalsixJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/HNV56DADnJFollow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/naturalsixFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural_sixFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural.sixLove lore? Check out the Fandom: https://natural-six.fandom.comStay up to date: https://www.NaturalSix.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re splitting the party, telling our stories, and, in true Natural Six fashion, getting immediately distracted along the way (puggles, anyone?). But at the heart of it all is I stepping into his moment, wrapping things up, and saying goodbye, because who doesn’t love a good story? Oh, and don’t forget to tell the hatchlings!We dive into Ben’s decision to go back and speak with Themself, when that choice was made, and what he hoped to find there. Of course, we can’t resist talking about Harry’s ever-expanding catalogue of kobold voices, and how the evolution of I shows just how far he’s come since his early hatchling days (chaos very much included).We also reflect on our frankly terrible track record with the children of Reliquiae, the joy of meeting old friends, and a few theories about what comes next. We’re fairly sure it’s going to be scarier than any of us are ready for.Natural Six are Harry McEntire, Doug Cockle, Ben Starr, Hollie Bennett, Alex Jordan and Aoife Wilson.Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/naturalsixJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/HNV56DADnJFollow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/naturalsixFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural_sixFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural.sixLove lore? Check out the Fandom: https://natural-six.fandom.comStay up to date: https://www.NaturalSix.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stories are meant to be told, and some begin where others end.In the quiet of the caverns, farewells are spoken, lessons are passed on, and even the smallest of tales can take root in unexpected ways.Some stories are mischief, shouted too loudly. Others are softer, carried in memory, pressed between moments that will never be written. A few are darker still, full of loss, of questions and discovery. And some teach that strength is not always chosen, that the weight of a blade can change the hand that wields it.But stories also belong to those who dare to leave them behind. To those who walk away not because they are forgotten, but because they choose to begin again.And beyond the dark, another tale waits to be told, of mushrooms, magic, and maybe a touch of madness.Natural Six are Harry McEntire, Doug Cockle, Ben Starr, Hollie Bennett, Alex Jordan, and Aoife Wilson.Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/naturalsixJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/HNV56DADnJFollow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/naturalsixFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural_sixFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural.sixLove lore? Check out the Fandom: https://natural-six.fandom.comStay up to date: https://www.NaturalSix.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're turning Spoiler Chat on its head. Honestly? We’re keeping you lot fed. Because if Episode 36 gave us anything, it was answers…and about a dozen more questions to go with them.Before we get too deep into the lore spiral, we kick things off with a chat about mushroom monsters and the seemingly universal urge to run away from Mouse. Oh, and Raidion’s casually dropping level 4 spells like he’s trying to dim Dolly’s light (Rude). There’s clearly more going on in those caves than just a missing god, but let’s be real, this one’s all about that second half.We dig into what it means to take everyone along for the ride, what actually goes into meeting a god (including the prep time for DoubleJump), and the emotional fallout that follows. We try to unpack what’s really going on with Raidion, that magical deck of cards, and we debunk one of our Spoiler Chat’s most beloved theories (sorry Jazzy B). There’s plenty of theorising about Kelnys too, and both Alex and I, the character not the…you get the idea, gently reminding everyone that D&D is, and always will be, the most emotionally validating form of millennial therapy available.And finally, we look ahead. Did you see that coming? We didn’t. But there’s still plenty more to unpack, and the journey’s far from over. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beneath root and ruin, the path winds deeper still.What begins as a descent soon reveals what lies below, and as the air thickens, the mind softens, and even the strongest start to slip. Some wander. Some wake. Others are already too far gone.A spark can be salvation, and there’s no time to mourn when the flames come fast. Still, there are moments to be found for those who look hard enough. A chance to recognise a face, to offer a way home, and to wonder if anyone ever truly returns the same.While answers may lie in the dark, they’re not always the ones we seek. Some truths echo, others accuse, and some have the power to reshape a story entirely. What they find is not certainty, but something older: the ache of wanting to belong, the fear of being forgotten, and the hope that someone might still be searching.Through smoke and story, memory and myth, they search for something real. The questions may outnumber the answers, but the way forward is clear enough if they choose to take it together.Natural Six are Harry McEntire, Doug Cockle, Ben Starr, Hollie Bennett, Alex Jordan and Aoife Wilson.Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/naturalsixJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/HNV56DADnJFollow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/naturalsixFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural_sixFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural.sixLove lore? Check out the Fandom: https://natural-six.fandom.comStay up to date: https://www.NaturalSix.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we began with a brief but vital chat about sitting on a d4. Look, we had it, so you need to listen to it. Mercifully, we then moved on to discussing I (the character, not the me) taking control of the narrative. We talked about the Gloam camp - what the players were expecting and how those expectations were confounded by reality. This led to discussion of overthinking and overplanning when it comes to encounters, and how the players can sometimes be their own worst enemies. Still, there was time to revel in a rare instance of a plan going off without a hitch. We ruminated on what was next for Mina Lavigne - widow of Azrel - and whether she would be able to avoid falling into the clutches of a midlife crisis, ending in her getting involved in one of the many multi level marketing schemes that blight Reliquiae. And that’s canon now.An extended discussion of bad smells and the fermented foods of Scandinavia led us (somehow) back to Somnium, body horror and the constraints that the three realms of existence place on Harry’s use of certain monsters. Our dear DM then went on what we can only describe as a bit of a rant about Reliable Talent being overpowered, and - speaking of overpowered - we discussed the potential destructive capacity of the greatsword Elowen looted from the body of Lilith.We finished by looking ahead to what might be lurking within the caves as the path leads ever downward towards… well, that’s for next time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the quiet of the forest, a plan begins to smoulder.While talent may prove reliable, it’s far from innocent, and with the air thick and heavy, not everyone is breathing easy. Some find themselves climbing to unexpected heights, though whether from inspiration or inhalation is anyone’s guess.In a forest where everything is watching, it pays to move carefully, speak softly, and keep the distractions loud. After all, subtlety is subjective, and when sabotage meets strategy, it can create a spark. Things shift quickly when the lines between brilliance and recklessness begin to go up in smoke.To move forward, they’ll need misdirection, momentum, and more than a little luck. Funny, how often the path to clarity begins with a little haze.Natural Six are Harry McEntire, Doug Cockle, Ben Starr, Hollie Bennett, Alex Jordan and Aoife Wilson.Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/naturalsixJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/HNV56DADnJFollow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/naturalsixFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural_sixFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural.sixLove lore? Check out the Fandom: https://natural-six.fandom.comStay up to date: https://www.NaturalSix.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.