Friends at the Table

This week, we enter into The Sprawl in earnest. Big Cass finds himself pulled between familial duty and personal safety, AuDy calls in a favor from a fellow sentient machine, Mako goes digging for information, and Aria finds, to her surprise, that she has a new hit record. This week on COUNTER/Weight: "A Thing You Know About Nightclubs" Get ready to feel the beat! Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), and Art Tebbel (@atebbel) Produced by Ali Acampora Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

After 10 or so episodes of using Jeremy Keller's excellent MechNoir, we're switching our game of giant robots, neon hair, and gig economies over to Hamish Cameron's upcoming game The Sprawl. This week, we transfer Aria, AuDy, Cass, and Mako to the new system, but it's also a lot more than just shifting stats around! After the food crisis that struck Counterweight, tensions between OriCon, the Diaspora, and the remnants of Apostolos are high. The Chime has gone to ground, giving them a chance to reminisce about their pasts and reveal a little bit more about who they are and what they really want in life. But while they'd would love to wait for things to cool off, you need to run missions to eat, and each mission brings change. Cass reveals that the September Institute played a horrific role in the defeat of Apostolos during the Golden War, AuDy begins to doubt their free will, and Mako determines that he will be the funniest person in the room, even if it costs everyone else their lives. Meanwhile, on a beautiful blue and green planet in the sky, Aria Joie finds something to believe in... This week on COUNTER/Weight: "Drawing Clocks" What's past is prologue... Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), and Art Tebbel (@atebbel) Produced by Ali Acampora Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Throughout the Golden Branch sector, a dozen little pieces begin to move all at once, each one causing two dozen to move, and each of those, four, and suddenly the whole sector is... What will happen to those loyal souls on the abandoned world of Sage? What tricks does the manipulative headmaster of the September Institute have up his sleeves? What do the disenfranchised do when they find themselves in power? And what force sleeps, buried in the ice of Ionias? All of that and more... This time on the Friends at the Table: COUNTER/Weight Faction Turn: "This Month of Ours" There's no turning back, you know. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Sylvi Clare (@captaintrash) and Andrew Lee Swan (@andrewleeswan) Produced by Ali Acampora Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here. A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

The battle continues as The Chime tries to rescue Orth Godlove but they aren't the only ones with their sights set on him... between the Iron Choir and the Netted Wave, this Orth guy is pretty popular! Who knows what they want with him, but who's asking questions when his life--and more importantly, kredits are on the line? This time on COUNTER/Weight: "Our Hostage Below" Ready for action? Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), and Art Tebbel (@atebbel) Produced by Ali Acampora Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

The Chime's sometimes-employer Orth Godlove has gone missing and the group is on the hunt... but the mysterious Netted Wave is just a few steps behind them. A key witness, who is both familiar and strange, leads them to a brand new line on the Starlight Straights MagLev System. Will they find Orth out in the the desert wastes of Counterweight... or will they run into something else altogether? This time on COUNTER/Weight: "I Am Not Allowed" Keep your head down, Orth! Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), and Art Tebbel (@atebbel) Produced by Ali Acampora Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

After a few weeks of recovery and dry times, The Chime finally gets a new job from Orth Godlove: to investigate his own disappearance. Stakes are high but tensions are even higher as protesters fill the streets around the Consolidated Counterweight Technocracy. Just what, if anything, do the protests have to do with Orth? Where is Orth and what else can The Chime learn about him while they have the chance? This episode of COUNTER/Weight: "Here's Your Bribe Tip" Things are heating up! Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), and Art Tebbel (@atebbel) Produced by Ali Acampora Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

In this episode of Friends at the Table, we introduce the "second layer" to our MechNoir campaign, combining elements from Microscope and Stars Without Number to get a fuller picture of the powers that be in the Golden Branch star sector. Find out what Snowtrak Industries is digging up from the icefields of the planet Ionias. Listen in on EarthHome Entertainment as they put wicked machinations into action. And get ready to meet the slickest pirate fleet you've ever heard of. This time on Friends at the Table: COUNTER/Weight "A Ship of Seeds" Remember not to lose the forest for the trees! Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Sylvi Clare (@captaintrash) and Andrew Lee Swan (@andrewleeswan) Produced by Ali Acampora Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

The Chime continues their rescue of Cene Sixheart, the brilliant roboticist kidnapped by Snowtrak Industries and forced to work on a mysterious project in a research and development facility. Surely things couldn't get any worse—or ridiculous—for our heroes, right? AuDy (Jack de Quidt) makes a scene, Aria Joie (Ali Acampora) makes a statement, Mako Trig (Keith Carberry) pushes the limits of his charm and Cassander (Art Tebbel) tests his skills as a doctor. This episode of COUNTER/Weight: "The Bells Are Ringing" Gotta lose some to win some! Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), and Art Tebbel (@atebbel) Produced by Keith J Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt (Heads up, this episode is still using an OBS back up and is a little lower quality than our usual standard! We apologize and thank you for understanding~!) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

The Chime, our intrepid group of freelance investigators and problem solvers, managed to survive their encounter with the mercenary band known as The Weightless. But many questions remain unanswered: Who are The Weightless. What have they done with Cene Sixheart? What does Orth Godlove of the Consolidated Counterweight Technocracy know about all of this? And who, or what, are the angels of Counterweight? Mako Trig (Keith Carberry) and Aria Joie (Ali Acampora) devise a cunning (and absurd) plan to answer these questions. AuDy (Jack de Quidt) and Cassander (Art Tebbel), meanwhile, have a much more direct approach in mind. This episode of COUNTER/Weight: " It's Fine, We're Criminals" There's nothing like a little breaking and entering! Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), and Art Tebbel (@atebbel) Produced by Keith J Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

In their search for the missing roboticist Cene Sixheart, Cassander Timaeus Berenice (Art Tebbel) and Mako Trig (Keith Carberry) have tracked down the secret hanger of a mysterious mercenary group. But elsewhere on counterweight, AuDy (Jack de Quidt) and Aria Joie (Ali Acampora) find themselves pursued by the specialized mechs from that very paramilitary outfit! This episode of COUNTER/Weight: "Soldier Game." Get ready to launch! Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), and Art Tebbel (@atebbel) Produced by Keith J Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

In the first session of our new MechNoir game, the freelancer problem-solving crew known as The Chime begins an investigation into the disappearance of their friend, the genius roboticist Cene Sixheart, and the destruction of the recently completed BluSky Dome. Mako Trig (Keith Carberry) and Cassander (Art Tebbel) deal with increasingly absurd robots. Meanwhile, the robotic AuDy (Jack de Quidt) tests the limits of their spaceship, and Aria Joie (Ali Acampora) launches! This time on COUNTER/Weight: "I Would Like a Bribe" Welcome to Counterweight! Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), and Art Tebbel (@atebbel) Produced by Keith J Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Whether you're a brand new listener or a long time fan, welcome to Friends at the Table, an actual play podcast about critical worldbuilding, smart characterization, and fun interaction between good friends. This season, we'll be using a combination of games to explore the relationship between individuals, society, and technology. Oh, and uh, there will be lots of giant robots and explosions, too. All of this will happen across two "tiers" of play. First, in a game of Jeremy Keller's MechNoir, a team of freelance problem solvers living at the galactic crossroads will try to keep a massive cold war from going hot. Then, in a game that will combine elements of Stars Without Number's "Faction Turn" and the open-ended roleplaying of Microscope, we'll zoom out to a higher tier, figuring out what the major organizations of this universe are up to. In this first, extra-long session, Ali Acampora, Keith Carberry, Jack de Quidt, and Art Tebbel create their MechNoir characters. If you're itching for more content once you finish listening to this episode, then check out our "World Generation" episode here. I've kept the episode out of our main feed because some technical isues impacted the the quality of the recording (and because the whole creating-a-sci-fi-universe-from-whole-cloth thing takes quite a long time.) Special thanks to Craig Sheldon for knocking the art out of the park for the second season in a row, and to all of the fans who have been waiting patiently for this release! Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), and Art Tebbel (@atebbel) Produced by Keith J Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here. A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Since we've reached the finales of both boat party and ice party's arcs, we take some time to discuss the show and answer some questions during a live stream. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan), and Art Tebbel (@atebbel) Produced by Keith J Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

In the season finale of Friends at the Table: Dungeon World, The Great Fantasmo (Nick Scratch) makes a new friend, Thorondir (Andrew Swan) tries to keep his friends safe, and Hadrian (Art Tebbel) finishes a chase he didn't realize he'd started. Featuring Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

In this season finale of the "Boat Party" group, Lem is torn, Fero is frustrated, and Hella finds herself face to face with the last scion of the line of Tristero. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Hadrian recommends splitting up, Thorondir grows uneasy, and the Great Fantasmo finally finds his voice. Featuring Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

The court proceedings continue. Lem leans into conspiracy theory, Fero tries to save his friends by throwing them under the bus, and Hella takes the stand. The crowd reacts. The life of the case comes to a close. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Hadrian learns it's a tough thing to be obliged, Thorondir waits patiently, and the Great Fantasmo won't turn down a free meal. And something about Sting Featuring Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Hella receives words from the outside, Lem tries to play his part and Fero starts the show with a show stopper. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Thorondir does a little shopping, Hadrian goes for a little jaunt, and the Great Fantasmo makes a little mistake. Austin launches a new podcast about door knobs. Featuring Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

On the eve of a crisis in the seaside city of Nacre, Fero nominates himself for public service, Lem King finds himself surrounded and alone, and Hella... oh Hella. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Phantasmo catches up with an old friend, Thorondir considers the past, and Hadrian decides to carry yet another burden for the party. Samot meets the God of Wolves. Featuring Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Lem King (Jack) holds a dissenting opinion, Fero (Keith) visits the zoo to make a new friend, and Hella (Ali) meets up with an old one. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Fantasmo (Nick), Thorondir (Andrew), and Hadrian (Art) finally arrive at the center of erasure. If you can overlook the strange figures moving in the distance, the imposing size of the tower, and the brutal weight of history, it's actually pretty nice! Featuring Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Hella (Ali) considers making a a fateful promise, Lem (Jack) receives a special gift, and Fero (Keith) makes new strides in the field of faux pas Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Fantasmo (Nick) and Hadrian (Art) find out what it's like inside of a Snow Elf prison. Thorondir (Andrew) discovers that, even after facing down a being of living ice, the coldest things in the world are made of flesh and blood. Featuring Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Hella (Ali) tests the sharpness of her magic sword, Lem (Jack) tests the limits of a new friendship, Fero (Keith) tests the hardness of the floor, and Austin tests his ability to do a British voice. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Austin scrambles to come up with interesting loot, Fantasmo (Nick) tests the limit of his fame and presence, Hadrian (Art) puts his neck on the line for his friends, and Thorondir (Andrew) learns that you can't go home again. Featuring Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) A transcription is available for this episode here. A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

The party had just begun to piece together clues about the mysterious murder in the fields of Velas when a blizzard struck the city. Now, under terrible conditions (and with limited time), they must uncover the secret motivations and conspiracies behind the crime. Can they find justice? And if so, at what cost? Inspired by Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective, by Raymond Edwards, Suzanne Goldberg, and Gary Grady. Check out the investigation documents here! And the map of Velas here! Ali Acampora (@ali_west) as Hella Varal Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan) as Thorondir Arthur Tebbel (@atebbel) as Hadrian Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry) as Fero Feritas Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) as Lem King Austin Walker (@austin_walker) as the GM Produced by Keith Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

In the seaside port of Velas, it is Sun Day, the Long Day, the Day of High Sun, the most holy 20 hours of the year. Visitors from across the region have come to visit their families, to celebrate in the streets, and to sweat under the heat of Samothese's Gift. But when not everyone in town lives to see the sun rise, the party is recruited to investigate the murder... and the conspiracy behind it. Inspired by Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective, by Raymond Edwards, Suzanne Goldberg, and Gary Grady. Check out the investigation documents here! And the map of Velas here! Ali Acampora (@ali_west) as Hella Varal Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan) as Thorondir Arthur Tebbel (@atebbel) as Hadrian Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry) as Fero Feritas Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) as Lem King Austin Walker (@austin_walker) as the GM Produced by Keith Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Music by Jack de Quidt Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Lem (Jack) makes a new friend while Hella (Ali) and Fero (Keith) eavesdrop on all the city politics. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith J Carberry & Nick Scratch (@drevilbones) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Thorondir (Andrew) forgets what water is, Hadrian (Art) nearly sacrifices himself for his faith, and Fantasmo (Nick) finally proves that maybe he isn't completely worthless. Featuring Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Nick Scratch Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

The group comes upon a curious city. Hella (Ali) tries shush her sword, Lem (Jack) catalogues everything, and Fero (Keith) is as quiet as a mouse and also is a mouse. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith Carberry (@somethingdumb), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith Carberry & Nick Scratch (@drevilbones) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here. A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Hadrian (Art) struggles with divine vocabulary, Thorondir (Andrew) shows off his fancy Ranger skills, and the Great Fantasmo (Nick) explains thee intricacies of magical air mattresses. Featuring Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith Carberry (@somethingdumb) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

This week, Fero (Keith) learns to swim, Lem (Jack) connects with an undead pastry chef, and Hella (Ali) makes a decision that will change the course of our adventure. Meanwhile, Austin develops a thing for chickens. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith Carberry (@somethingdumb), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Thorondir (Andrew) meets a cool new friend, the Great Fantasmo (Nick) makes a substantial effort to remain, well, substantial, and Hadrian (Art) says his prayers... or at least tries to. Featuring Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith Carberry (@somethingdumb) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

This week, Fero (Keith) stretches his sea wings, Lem (Jack) enters an oceanic battle of the bands, and Hella (Ali) decides that a boat full of hung over party guests is definitely a match for an Undead Pirate Lord's Galleon. Meanwhile, Austin considers the shaving habits of the undead. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith Carberry (@somethingdumb), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith Carberry Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

The game shifts away from the Boat Party, and towards a group that's a little... colder. Andrew Lee Swan finally joins the battle. Nick's trademark spell goes a little wonky. Art leads the party astray. Featuring Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Andrew Swan (@andrewleeswan), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Produced by Keith Carberry (@somethingdumb) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

The start of our second Dungeon World adventure! Austin splits the party… permanently. Jack runs into an old friend. Ali plays it cool under pressure. Keith gets the group into a wicked boat party. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith Carberry (@somethingdumb), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!! Save

A special double episode finale to our first adventure! The party continues its skirmish with the loyal servants of Good King Samot and then.... Art and Jack share a special moment with a beautiful man. Nick covets a book. Keith covets a knife. Ali has no patience for any of this. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith Carberry (@somethingdumb), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

The party confronts a small group of strange. Art continues to invent new titles for his deity. Jack helps Ali be even better at sword-ing. Nick continues to show off how invisible he can be. Austin does a terrible accent. Keith is currently a couger. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith Carberry (@somethingdumb), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here. A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

The party finally enters the mysterious tower on Eventide Island. Ali peaks through, hides behind, and struggles to open various doors. Jack and Art play a game of telephone with a very busy chef. Nick deals with lots of books. Austin wonders what knives think about. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith Carberry (@somethingdumb), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Our Dungeon World campaign kicks off, as the party lands on a strange island, dominated by a giant tower. Austin makes a beach landing seem much harder than it needs to, causing Ali to wonder if her armor is too heavy. Keith learns about what birds eat and Art learns how they talk. Jack admires some paintings. Nick demonstrates how to disappear completely, and at the worst possible time Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt New Map Art by Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

In our first episode, Austin staples "post-" onto the front of genres he doesn't love to create new ones he maybe likes more. You know, genres like "post-fantasy" and "post-post-apocalypse." Meanwhile, Art struggles with what faith after looks like after the end of the world, Keith wants to burn the past down, Ali finally gets her talking ghost sword, Jack designs a culture devoted to warehouses and index cards, and Nick thinks a lot about Elven privilege. Featuring: Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Nick Scratch (@drevilbones), Art Tebbel (@atebbel), and Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Intro Music by Jack de Quidt A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

Hey, everyone my name is Austin Walker, I'm the host, GM, and co-creator of Friends at the Table, which is an actual play podcast focused on critical world building, smart characterization, and fun interactions between good friends. Maybe you know some of our cast from one of the other podcasts that we do like Emojidrome or Waypoint Radio, or you heard us guests on something like the Great Gundam Project or the Giant Bombcast, or you saw the show's name in an article or had a very exhuberent friend recommend us to you with a lot of excitement. However you got here, thanks for giving us a shot! I'm going ot do my best to make sure that we don't squander that opportunity by giving you some advice on where you can start the show! Because there is a LOT of show, and honestly there isn't just one good place to hop on--but I do have some thoughts on what might work best. Broadly, we're an actual play podcast, like I said before. Which means we play tabletop roleplaying games and story games in order to tell stories together. It's sort of like a collaborative writer's room with some dice thrown in. Thankfully in 2020 a lot of people already know what that is, thanks to shows like Critical Role or The Adventure Zone. So I'm going to talk assuming that you have some idea about what it means to be a podcast like ours. If you want something short and sweet to get to know some of us and the style of stories we tell, then check out the three part Fall of Magic series which starts at September 14th, 2018 in our main feed. It's a light, but melancholy story about magic leaving a fantastical world and a great mage and her companions who are on a journey to restore it. It was originally a series of live streams which means that things are kind of loose and playful, it all has a sort of of Studio Ghibli vibe. And again, 3 episodes, in and out. A great starting place. If you wanna stick with fantasy but want something a little meatier, then let me recommend jumping on board with Marielda, which starts on July 14th, 2016 in your feed. In Marielda we begin with Avery Alder's The Quiet Year to build a custom, industrial fantasy setting filled with ingenious inventors, curious creatures, and broken hearted gods, and then we play out a campaign in that setting using John Harper's incredible Blades in the Dark. Plus, it's a great jumping on point for our now complete Fantasy series Seasons of Hieron. Marielda is a prequel story, you don't need to know anything about Hieron before listening. And when it ends, the episodes that follow are a clip show of everything that came before Marielda, which means you can jump right in to the second season fo Hieron after you finish our campaign of Blades in the Dark. If fantasy isn't your thing, then we've still got a lot of options for you. Our current season, PARTIZAN, is frankly one of the best we've had. It takes place at the heart of a corrupt galactic empire, where the very first dreams of revolution begin to stir in those who live there. We play Austin Ramsay's Beam Saber along with some other games, and it's great. It's about compromised characters, backdoor politicking, and tremendously powerful robotic gods called Divines. If you like Mobile Suit Gundam or Escaflowne or Crusader Kings II, PARTIZAN is the place for you. Plus, if you catch up, you'll be able to listen week to week along with the audience which is always really fun. I suggest starting at PARTIZAN 00, which is a character creation episode, or 01 if you want to get right into it. If you want to hear how we first conceived of Divines, then you can go way back to July 15, 2015, when we started COUNTER/Weight, our first sci-fi season. We play a bunch of stuff again: We use Jeremy Keller's TechNoir and Haimsh Cameron's The Sprawl to follow a group of cyberpunks, fixers, and mech pilots, and we zoom out from time to time to use the faction rules in Stars Without Number to follow things frmo a grander, more faction-scale level. COUNTER/Weight is probably my favorite season all said, but it does get off to a sort of rocky start, so I definitely suggest PARTIZAN first, unless you're someone who HAS to hear everything in release order. Finally, there's Bluff City, which isn't in this feed, but its first season is free on our Patreon. You can access it by going to tinyurl.com/freebluff. Bluff City is an anthology series, where we use a bunch of different games, including Masks, World Wide Wrestling RPG, Inspecrtres, Fiasco, and others to tell the stories of an uncanny version of Atlantic City. It has some of my favorite moments and characters and player performances, and I really recommend that people give it a listen! There are so many other things I could reccomend, but these are best jumping on points. If you give them a shot and like them, then hit us up on Twitter at Friends_Table to get more recommendations of what to listen to (or ask our incredible fans using the hashtag #friendsatthetable. Like I said, we also have a Patreo