Unbalanced Encounters – Details, episodes & analysis

"You don't have a millstone, boy. You run a mill."

What do you get when you take a remote logging village and plague it with a string of bad luck until it hits rock bottom bottom? Rally.

Join Isaac, Harisa, June, and Guard as they bumble their way through waning trees, doubling demands, and, finally, a broken millstone. Oh, and the damn boar got out again. It seems something has spooked them.

Can our heroes mend the pieces of their fractured community and find out what's behind all of these misfortunes?

Probably not.

== CREDITS ==

Soundtrack

• “Stronger Rallied” by Sayer Roberts
• “Hustle and Bustle” by Sayer Roberts
• “Grand Buffon” by Benjamin Rice, Epidemic Sound
• “Hocus Bogus” by T. Mori, Epidemic Sound
• “Be My Shelter” by Headlund, Epidemic Sound
• “Rally at Dusk” by Sayer Roberts
• “The Wind is Changing” by Howard Harper-Barnes, Epidemic Sound
• "High Scepter” by Sayer Roberts
• “June's Magic Surge”, Patrick Perini and Samantha Oliver
• “Toy Army March” by Martin Klem, Epidemic Sound
• “Secret Garden” from Tabletop Audio
• “Speed Fight Ozo” by Hampus Naeselius, Epidemic Sound

Support

• TW Clawson, beta listener
• Tyler J. Henderson, beta listener
• Le_Top_Hat, beta listener

"Only animals that are playing fight with rules. It will be fun to play with you."

The Minehead boys have come to Rally to gamble a new millstone. Their champion, Big Paul, will wrestle Guard. And in all likelihood, win.

Will Harisa's plan to get Big Paul blind drunk give Guard the edge — or backfire horribly? And what of the mysterious sandal prints? Is anyone still worried about those?

Probably not.

== CREDITS ==

Soundtrack

• “Stronger Rallied” by Sayer Roberts
• “The Wind is Changing” by Howard Harper-Barnes, Epidemic Sound
• “Rally at Work” by Sayer Roberts
• “Toy Army March” by Martin Klem, Epidemic Sound
• “Hide and Sneak” by The Fly Guy Five, Epidemic Sound
• “By My Shelter” by Headlund
• “Keep it Under Wraps” by Mac Taboel, Epidemic Sound
• "Entering Kathmandu” by Sight of Wonders, Epidemic Sound
• “Speed Fight Ozo”, Hampus Naeselius, Epidemic Sound
• “Flame Killer” by Martin Klem, Epidemic Sound

Support

• Tyler J. Henderson, beta listener

"...a world we could share with other rebels, other lost children, others who wanted to plant their own flag in life."

For the first time, our heroes have taken up arms in defense of Rally. For the first time, Harisa and Scrumpy lie wounded in Oz's infirmary. For the first time, June must confront the inevitability of war.

For the first time, Isaac must stand before his people and convince them that it is all worth it; that Rally stands for something more than just a place to call home.

But will it be the last time?

Probably not.

== CREDITS ==

Soundtrack

• “Stronger Rallied” by Sayer Roberts
• “Rally at Dusk” by Sayer Roberts
• “Dark Woods” by Phoenix Tail, Epidemic Sound
• “Be My Shelter” by Headlund, Epidemic Sound
• “West of the Soul” by River Foxcroft, Epidemic Sound
• “Drained” by Bireli Snow, Epidemic Sound
• “Explorative Mood” by Stephan Rozier, Epidemic Sound
• “Find the Truth” by Stephan Rozier, Epidemic Sound
• “A Foreboding Presence”, by Martin Klem, Epidemic Sound
• “Dystopian Dream” by Deskant, Epidemic Sound
• “That City” by Rupert Sachs, Epidemic Sound
• “Secret Garden” from Tabletop Audio
• “Symbolics” by Headlund, Epidemic Sound
• “Desert Footsteps” by Sight of Wonders, Epidemic Sound
• “Overland with Oxen” from Tabletop Audio
• “Forest Flute” by Leimoti, Epidemic Sound
• “Entering Kathmandu” by Sight of Wonders, Epidemic Sound
• “Bongo Thrasher” by Henrik Andersson, Epidemic Sound
• “Sincerity” by Gavin Luke, Epidemic Sound

"Martin's great. Martin's the best. Martin is competent at his job."

The Minehead Boys have been missing for a month, and now Porki has found Sherwood's lute — in a swamp way off course.

Now our heroes have to pull together to find their friends and quell the fury of The Guide.

But will they find Sherwood in time?

Probably not.

== CREDITS ==

Soundtrack

• “Stronger Rallied” by Sayer Roberts
• “Rally at Dusk” by Sayer Roberts
• “Tidy Illusion” by Jerry Lacey, Epidemic Sound
• “Temple of the Buddha” by Sight of Wonders, Epidemic Sound
• “Strange Contraptions” by Real Heroes, Epidemic Sound
• “The Collector” by Farrell Wooten, Epidemic Sound
• “The Wind is Changing” by Howard Harper-Barnes, Epidemic Sound
• “Nippon” by Yi Nantiro, Epidemic Sound
• “Drops of Golden Sun”, by Yi Nantiro, Epidemic Sound
• “Hustle and Bustle” by Sayer Roberts
• “Quiet Steps” by Kasper Schill, Epidemic Sound
• “And So It Turns” by Eric Feinberg, Epidemic Sound
• “Spy” by Spring Gang, Epidemic Sound
• “Toy Army March” by Martin Klem, Epidemic Sound
• “A King's Land” by Mike Frankly, Epidemic Sound
• “All is Made of Light” by John Bjork, Epidemic Sound
• “Secret Garden” from Tabletop Audio
• “Mystery Minutes” by Farrell Wooten, Epidemic Sound
• “Forest Flute” by Leimoti, Epidemic Sound
• “Hide and Sneak” by The Fly Guy Five, Epidemic Sound

"The farther we get from Rally, the more the... 'mission' fades."

The Western Wealds drags on for days as our heroes search for their lost friends — or the god of death, whichever they find first.

But as they draw nearer and nearer to the swamp where Sherwood's lute was found, they find themselves going through... changes.

Will they be able to find the Minehead boys and get out of the this topsy-turvy swamp intact and unharmed?

Probably not.

== CREDITS ==

Soundtrack

• “Stronger Rallied” by Sayer Roberts
• “Ghost Ship Story” by Kikoru, Epidemic Sound
• “In the Loopholes” by Timothy Lewis, Epidemic Sound
• “The Cast” by Wendy Marcini, Epidemic Sound
• “A Foreboding Presence” by Martin Klem, Epidemic Sound
• “Forlorn” by Martin Klem, Epidemic Sound
• “Misty Valley” by Jerry Lacey, Epidemic Sound
• “Valley of the Drakes” by Dragon Tamer, Epidemic Sound
• “No Fame, No Fortune”, by Mike Franklyn, Epidemic Sound
• “Tremble” by Leimoti, Epidemic Sound
• “The Clearing” by Golden Anchor, Epidemic Sound
• “See, That's What Happens” by Mike Franklyn, Epidemic Sound
• “Shapeless Inside” by Cobby Costa, Epidemic Sound
• “The River at Dusk” by Leimoti, Epidemic Sound
• “Panic Frenzy” by Mike Frankly, Epidemic Sound
• “No Filter Needed” by Jay Varton, Epidemic Sound
• “Savannah Sunrise” by Leimoti, Epidemic Sound
• “Paths of a Samurai” by Mandala Dreams, Epidemic Sound
• “Stronger Reborn” by Sayer Roberts

”It’s about time I got treated the way I should be treated! I’m sick of the way you treat me! I am a god here.”

You rarely want to find yourself permanently stuck in the afterlife, no matter how much it resembles a five-star spa resort. However, that’s exactly what has happened. Guard, June, and Mr. Spinx all try to make the best of it while Isaac meets another warden and Harisa tries to get herself killed. Will our heroes survive being very-nearly-almost dead?

Probably not.

== CREDITS ==

Soundtrack

• “Stronger Reborn” by Sayer Roberts
• “The Way of the Warrior” by Yi Nantiro, Epidemic Sound
• “Lanterns Ascending” by Jerry Lacey, Epidemic Sound
• “Drops of Golden Sun” by Yi Nantiro, Epidemic Sound
• “Camino Solo” by Gabriel Lewis, Epidemic Sound
• “The Worst” by Jon Bjork, Epidemic Sound
• “Short Story” by Feras Charestan, Epidemic Sound
• “The Collector” by Farrell Wooten, Epidemic Sound
• “Osaka Solitude” by Sight of Wonder, Epidemic Sound
• “Missing of Times” by Joseph Beg, Epidemic Sound
• “Nippon” by Yi Nantiro, Epidemic Sound
• “Speed Fight Ozo” by Hampus Naeselius, Epidemic Sound
• “Drops of Golden Sun” by Yi Nantiro, Epidemic Sound
• “Car Troubles” by Trevor Kowalski, Epidemic Sound
• “Drops of Golden Sun” by Yi Nantiro, Epidemic Sound

”Who's out there? No one is supposed to be here!”

Moved by brazen curiosity, Harisa has found herself staring down the wrath of an elder god. One by one, each of her allies snap out of their memories and rush to her aid, only to be confronted by eldritch serpents, an inconsolable mourner that can kill with a touch, and Reevesy, who is trying his best.

Will Isaac's apology be enough to quell the grief of the mother of death?

Probably not.

== CREDITS ==

Soundtrack

• “Stronger Reborn” by Sayer Roberts
• “Hustle and Bustle” by Sayer Roberts
• “None of my Business” by Arthur Benson, Epidemic Sound
• “In the Wizard's Home” by John Abbot, Epidemic Sound
• “No One Sleeps Tonight” by Leimoti, Epidemic Sound
• “Gardener's Wife” by Sight of Wonders, Epidemic Sound
• “Speed Fight Ozo” by Hampus Naeselius, Epidemic Sound
• “It Goes On” by Peace Reels, Epidemic Sound
• “When Worlds Collide” by Hampus Naeselius, Epidemic Sound
• “Desert Wind” by Jon Algar, Epidemic Sound
• “Protector of the Sky” by Jo Wandrini, Epidemic Sound
• “Double Crossed” by Craft Case, Epidemic Sound
• “A Foreboding Presence” by Martin Klem, Epidemic Sound

”I think we need to kill the Empressar.”

Shaken to their core by a surreal encounter with the Elder God of Death, our heroes regroup — where else — in a bar.

Over a few bottles of perilberry wine, they finally come clean. Mel has been conning Ganbald. Harisa has seen Sherwood. Guard has seen Demoiselle. Isaac is done serving the Empressar.

But as they make plans to find their way home, we're moved to ask the most important question: will anything surpass Mr. Spinx in a Marie Antoinette ballgown?

Probably not.

== CREDITS ==

Soundtrack

• “Stronger Reborn” by Sayer Roberts
• “Army of Silent Thieves” by Kikoru, Epidemic Sound
• “Governor of the North” by Jo Wandrini, Epidemic Sound
• “Maybe It's Too Late” by Deanz, Epidemic Sound
• “Gnomes Inside” by Edward Karl Hanson, Epidemic Sound
• “Wire” by Farrell Wooten, Epidemic Sound
• “Our Final Mission” by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen, Epidemic Sound
• “Solution in Sight” by Kikoru, Epidemic Sound
• “Les Champs Elysees” by Trabant, Epidemic Sound
• “Shopping Spree Galore” by Claude Signet, Epidemic Sound
• “Lights from the Hilltops” by Christian Andersen, Epidemic Sound
• “Band of Cubs” by Isobel O'Connor, Epidemic Sound

”Being a god and everything, these things are not worth what you're charging.”

In a moment of reprieve, our heroes collect themselves, their thoughts, and a series of artifacts from the world of the living — in that order.

It turns out that those forks and bowls and berries might hold the key to distracting Ganbald, accessing Demoiselle, and extracting the Minehead boys.

But can Isaac Axedrummer live up to his Danny Ocean aspirations?

Probably not.

== CREDITS ==

Soundtrack

• “Stronger Reborn” by Sayer Roberts
• “Rusty” by Sindrandi, Epidemic Sound
• “Simple Man” by Charles Holme, Epidemic Sound
• “Silent as Smoke” by Jay Varton, Epidemic Sound
• “Organic Foundation” by Jay Varton, Epidemic Sound
• “Unfamiliar Reality” by Jay Varton, Epidemic Sound
• “Trying to Figure it Out” by Alan Carlson-Green, Epidemic Sound
• “An Endangered Forest” by Jay Varton, Epidemic Sound
• “Shinjuku” by Leimoti, Epidemic Sound
• “Nippon” by Yi Nantiro, Epidemic Sound
• “Heart Matters” by Bireli Snow, Epidemic Sound
• “Primordial” by Joseph Beg, Epidemic Sound

"The name's Bruce. I'm uh........... here to fix the pipes?"

Everything has to go precisely according to plan. Harisa and Isaac have coerced a myconid into stealing an elderwood berry. Mel and Guard have concocted a scheme to frame that myconid for a greater theft. All to distract Ganbald so that June can sneak in to get access to the ledgers and, more importantly, Demoiselle.

Will their twisty heist go off without a hitch?

Probably not.

== CREDITS ==

Soundtrack

• “Stronger Reborn” by Sayer Roberts
• “The Great Escape” by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen, Epidemic Sound
• “Diamond Heist” by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen, Epidemic Sound
• “Path of Uncertainty” by Trailer Worx, Epidemic Sound
• “Void” by WHENISEEYOUISEEMYSELF, Epidemic Sound
• “The Winning Game” by Gerhard Feng, Epidemic Sound
• “Bombay Cab” by Sight of Wonders, Epidemic Sound
• “Sneak Me an Orange” by Alexandra Woodward, Epidemic Sound
• “Looking Over Your Shoulder” by Stationary Sign, Epidemic Sound
• “Bailar Contigo Amor” by Harper Rey, Epidemic Sound
• “Sergeant Wise” by Stationary Sign, Epidemic Sound
• “Secret Garden” from Tabletop Audio
• “The Masterplan” by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen, Epidemic Sound
• “Successful Disarming” by Jon Bjork, Epidemic Sound
• “Boss Encountered” by Trailer Worx, Epidemic Sound
• “Played by Ear” by Piper Ezz, Epidemic Sound
• “As Horizons Expand” by Charles Holme, Epidemic Sound
• “The Proposal” by Jon Bjork, Epidemic Sound
• “Be My Shelter” by Headlund, Epidemic Sound