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.

Are we loyal friends and family members? Is Ethan the perfect American? In this episode, we explore the depths of our loyalty to others, ourselves, and our countries. Other topics include problematic protagonists, the pervasive propaganda of Libby's Pumpkin Pie Mix, and how it's easier to unlock a door than pull it off its hinges.

The great forest is dying and with it the barbarian Ulvson clan. The decline began with the emergence of the hideous boar faces and their mysterious leader, the Light Eater. To save his people, Torv sets out to destroy the bringer of the Black Night.

What drives fear into the hearts of the Cool Story Guys? In this episode, we discuss the tangible and existential dreads that haunt our everyday existence. Other topics include Jeff's general inability to listen to good advice, the impending emergence of the Shrimp Summoner, and an introduction to the physically, emotionally, and temporally separated "Distant Ethan."

Desperate for supplies, Ja and Kaia venture beneath the vine-covered ruins and find that not everything among the countless scattered bones is dead.