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Friends at the Table

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S8 Ep 104A tiny announcement!

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Hello all! This is a short announcement to make sure everyone is aware THE NEXT SEASON OF FRIENDS AT THE TABLE IS STARTING TOMORROW(/TODAY MOST LIKELY AT THE TIME YOU ARE READING THIS! IT'S MIDNIGHT SOMEWHERE! IT'S MIDNIGHT EASTERN TIME AT THE TIME THAT I'M POSTING THIS, ACTUALLY!) ...ahem. Let me break from the caps to make this post actually readable. Thursday, March 13th 7 PM EST we will be debuting our next season Perpetua. We'll be starting the season with the Perpetua Prelude playing a world building game (Cartograph Atlas Edition) to establish the setting for our season. We will also be doing a debut stream on twitch.tv/friendsatthetable because it's fun! And because coincidentally Fourthwall (friendsatthetable.shop host's) are offering to do a gift give away to our chat the same day!

Mar 13, 20254 min

S8 Ep 103Realis: Nextlander Preview

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Hey everyone! To make the wait for next week's premier of Perpetua just a little bit easier, we decided to share a recent session of Realis Austin ran with the Nextlander crew! Enjoy! Hosted by Austin Walker (@austinwalker on bluesky) Featuring Vinny Caravella, Brad Shoemaker, and Alex Navarro Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by by Oddesque With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Mar 7, 20253h 44m

S8 Ep 102Realis 05: Feast at the Citadel Bein 04

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This episode carries content warnings for body horror and military violence On a moon of muddy histories, none is as unclear as that of the Citadel Bein. There are, in fact, no records of a fortress ever being raised on the hill above the lake. But when you cannot find the roots, find the branches: Date the changes in county-wide taxes. Track the yearly increase in travel during the harvest season. Re-read the stories of the pigs and the soil and cross-reference the lyrics of the major rondeaux. Ah, do you see it now? A feast hall. And its cellar. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austinwalker on bluesky) Featuring Art Martinez-Tebbel, Keith J Carberry and Ali Acampora Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by by Oddesque With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Feb 28, 20251h 42m

S8 Ep 101Realis 04: Feast at the Citadel Bein 03

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This episode carries content warnings for body horror, injury and magical intoxication Like many of the truths of Realis, the nature of the Creature—conceptually—is contingent on context and subjectivity. In illustration: For the Child, the Dog may be First a companion, Second a responsibility, and Third a curious sliver of raw wilderness. For the Parent, the Dog may be First a living lesson, Second a dutiful guard, and Third, a fellow Caregiver, capable of providing food, shelter, and spiritual guidance for the Child in their own absence. Expand such a survey to include the Fisher, the Ranger (Scout), the Ranger (Herder), the Butcher, or, not least of all, the fellow Beast, and you will have a deluge of truth, each insisting on its own merit. One wonders: Why do so few dare ask the Creature to speak for itself? Hosted by Austin Walker (@austinwalker on bluesky) Featuring Art Martinez-Tebbel, Keith J Carberry and Ali Acampora Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by by Oddesque With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Feb 21, 20251h 53m

S8 Ep 100Realis 03: Feast at the Citadel Bein 02

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As far as traveling spectacles go, the Krinsky Family Circus has it good. Because it only operates on the four moons of the Tetraspherica, which orbit close enough for low orbit shuttles to traverse, it does not need to rely on the mercurial whims of an Orphan Vessel. And because of the variety of cultures encountered on its circuit, there is always the opportunity to find new hires and encounter fellow showmen from which new techniques. Most of all, because the route is short and reliable, Those Nerveless Chancers are able to do more than simply skate across the surface of the local culture, little more than tourists. They're able to dig a little deeper, so to speak. A little curiosity and some sharp application of professional skill is all it takes to open the right doors… Hosted by Austin Walker (@austinwalker on bluesky) Featuring Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal on bluesky) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by by Oddesque With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Feb 14, 20252h 8m

S8 Ep 99Realis 02: Feast at the Citadel Bein 01

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Ulled is a pocked and placid-seeming agricultural moon. But as the saying goes, be wary the still lake. Yes, farmers speak softly and tend to their crops with loving cultivation. Yes, life is quiet and late afternoons are restful. Yes, harvest work brings reward. But then there is underneath. There is underneath. But Those Nerveless Chancers, The Krinsky Family Circus And Travelling Curiosity, they know only what is above. They know they step on fertile soil and soft grass, perfect for staking their tents and stands. They know they walk through fields under the lights and shadows of the Citadel Bein, a fortress layered with history so visible that it is seemingly built from the accretion of time itself. They know that they stand above a castle village sonorous with the sounds of marketplaces and buskers and craftshops—a circus of a different type than their own, but not altogether unfamiliar. They know they stand on a geological shelf, the shore of a vast, shimmering lake beyond—open like a sea, polished as a mirror, reflecting the sky above, reflecting the Thousand Moons in conlunation, reflecting Realis-itself, and in its light The Tetraspherica: Three more marble-like moons. Cousin orbs. Neighbor spheres dominating the heavens above. So is it any wonder they do not consider what might be below? What might move in that fertile soil or between the blades of that soft grass? What else might have staked a claim on Placid Ulled? Or who else might move in the shadows of the citadel Bein? What else might hover above the echoes of the castle town? Who else might stare out onto the lake's horizon, might witness the impossible beauty of the dancing lunar quartet, might bathe in the bluelight of Realis-Itself, and radiating with pure possibility, dream!? It is no wonder at all. Such is life on the Thousand Moons. Such is life for those Nerveless Chancers, that circus caught in gravity. At least, for now. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austinwalker on bluesky) Featuring Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal on bluesky) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by by Oddesque With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Feb 7, 20252h 8m

S8 Ep 98Realis 01: Those Nerveless Chancers

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I want you to close your eyes and imagine with me: Imagine Realis Itself, the Radiant Planet at the heart of the Thousand Moons, that orb which lights the cosmos entire. Above it, the betrayer star, the Corpse Sun, red and sick and pulsing ill, small and fainter by the day. Below it, hungry and roiling, the Great Void, an abyss of voracious clouds. And in between, those thousand moons, countless except you know their number. Varied eternally, yet all dwarfed by the azure orb around which they glide. And there, bring them to mind too: Four colorful moons, spinning and buzzing and twirling around each other. Do you remember their names? The names of the Tetraspherica? The Speckled Quartet, the Marbled Quartenion? Those spinning, glorious jewels—unique even among all thousand of the moons of Realis? Let me tell remind you: Placid Ulled. World of farms, of cultivation, of soil—and of what lies beneath it. The Crux. A vast colosseum world where victory, glory, and power have been rendered equivalent. Prismatic Principia: Home to the Endless Academy, whose halls house famed philosophers, eager alchemists, mages, and—it seems—the occasional ghost as well. And Hypnotic Dokine, where mists mystify, clouds corrode, and the light always reveals a new truth. For as Long as Long had been, these four vibrant moons have swung with dancer's rhythm around one another. Long before the great Powers spread their influence across the orbital sphere, long before the founders of Sphenic Polytechnic revived the Orphan Vessels, LONG BEFORE THE MOONFOLK UNDERSTOOD THEY WERE THE MOONFOLK, those who lived on the worlds of the Tetraspherica knew each other as neighbors, traveling through orbital shuttle, exchanging supplies and stories, marrying and moving and making lives together. "True as the tetrad," the saying goes. A stable waltz. Four marbles in alignment. Eternal. Reliable. Unshakeable. But today… in the shadow of an Ulledd mountain, in the keep of the Citadel Bein, where negotiators bicker and showmen entertain and lords gather for a feast, a treacherous conspiracy unfolds… Hosted by Austin Walker (@austinwalker on bluesky) Featuring Ali Acampora, Keith J Carberry and Art Martinez-Tebbel Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by by Oddesque With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint, This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Jan 30, 20252h 12m

S8 Ep 97An Introduction to Realis

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Two and a half years ago, towards the end of our NNAFN fundraiser, I announced that I was making a game called Realis. That game is now here—at least in Ashcan form. So, what is Realis? Realis is a cursed orbital sphere of 1,000 mystical moons filled with mystery, magic, and impossible technology. Realis is a game of diceless storytelling, where characters deploy powerful Sentences, which are rewritten over the course of their saga. And it's available right now. This Ashcan version is being published by Possible Worlds Games. This version has 20 Playable Classes and 40 NPC Classes (both of which are less than half of what will be available in the final edition), three Grand Factions, two Example Moons, art by Sam Beck and Oddesque, and layout by Tyler Crumrine. It has some additional design and writing by Friends at the Table's own Jack de Quidt and Janine Hawkins. So, that is Realis. And today, we start our campaign of the game, beginning with this introduction to the game featuring me and Jack, free for all listeners of Friends at the Table. Then, tomorrow, all $5 members of our Patreon will get access to the character creation for our ongoing, Patreon-exclusive Realis campaign—and will receive a new episode every week for the first couple of months, as we catch up with our overdue Patreon episodes. And guess what: The whole first arc of that campaign will also be free, available here in this feed, just one week behind the Patreon release. Once that's over, we'll begin our next full, main feed season, Perpetua, where we'll be playing Fabula Ultima. We've already begun recording that, too, and it's been a blast. I can't wait for y'all to hear what we've been cooking up. (Oh, and definitely go listen to Media Club Plus. We're headed into the most exciting and dramatic part of the Chimera Ant Arc, and now is the best time to catch up with us!) Thanks as always for your support. -Austin Hosted by Austin Walker (@austinwalker on bluesky) Featuring Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal on bluesky) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by by Oddesque With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint, This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Jan 24, 20251h 54m

S8 Ep 96Bonus: Live at the Table: Shooting the Moon Pt. 4

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Hey everyone, here's the audio for the Shooting the Moon finale! Ali, Jack and Janine played Shooting the Moon by Emily Care Boss (which you can find here: http://www.blackgreengames.com/shop). Join us as we return to a far away toy shop in a snow covered down as the beloved toymaker and her suitors chase their dreams and their hearts~ We'll be back very soon with brand new episodes.

Jan 17, 20251h 42m

S8 Ep 95Bonus: Live at the Table: Shooting the Moon Pt. 3

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Join us as we return to a far away toy shop in a snow covered down as the beloved toymaker and her suitors chase their dreams and their hearts~

Jan 10, 20252h 26m

S8 Ep 94Bonus: Live at the Table: Shooting the Moon Pt. 2

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Here's part two of Shooting The Moon featuring Jack, Janine and Ali! The suitors meet their beloved and with her, an opportunity to achieve their dreams. Will they be able to overcome the hurdles that stand in their way? Will the beloved find a partner on her path to achieve her own dreams? A transcription is available for this episode here.

Jan 3, 20251h 51m

S8 Ep 93Bonus: Live at the Table: Shooting the Moon Pt. 1

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This epsiode was originally recorded as an exclusive for the Friends at the Table Patreon in December 2018. To support us and get access to the rest of our Patreon-only catalog, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash. Here's part one of Shooting The Moon featuring Jack, Janine and Ali! This part is just character creation before a real break we took on air and the next post will be the rest of the stream! Come get to know our humble toymakers and see if sparks will fly........!!

Dec 25, 20241h 27m

S8 Ep 92Palisade Post-Mortem

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Hello! Welcome to the Palisade post-mortem! I struggle to find something to write here that isn't covered in this nearly five hour episode so let's just go over the important announcements. New Merch! We've added some new merch to friendsattetable.shop to celebrate our 10th year anniversary and the end of Palisade! The hat and shirt will be available for as long as possible but the poster is a limited edition item only being sold until October 1st! Based on some potential issues with getting a good size and fulfillment, we've decided to ship this from a different method than Fourthwall--meaning right now we're selling it until October 1st and then will ship out the orders! There is a small chance the poster will get re-added at only size 12x18 to stay consistent like our other products, so if you're interested in the other sizes (8x12 and 4x6), get your order in asap! Our next season will be titled Perpetua and we will be playing Fabula Ultima! That's all we're able to share right now as we're still working on developing the season but we're all SO excited to dig into this new system! Please pardon the empty feed while we give ourselves time to make something incredible, the wait will be so so worth it. REALIS (a game system written by Austin Walker) will be hitting our patreon SOON! I think that I said end of September some time in this recording, because sometimes you just say a thing into a microphone after five hours, but please expect it closer to mid to late October. Oops! As you might imagine, the extended finale of Palisade really made a mess of our timeline... ontop of developing a new season! HOWEVER, with the current Patreon backlog, the entire first session/adventure will be released weekly on our patreon until we're caught up and switch back to monthly episodes. We intend to put those episodes onto the feed a few weeks later so in the mean time... PLEASE GET EXCITED!!! :) A Chaotic Cataloging: A Seasons of Hieron Fanzine has smashed through it's goal and they have a ton of community copies! If this is something you didn't check out because funds are tight, please use the wonderful resource our generous fans have provided for you and enjoy some sick Hieron art!!! And if you DO have some walking around money and want to get some of the higher tier goodies, all the funds go to a good cause so check them out! Thank you so so so so so much everyone for all of your support. Here's to many more years of Friends at the Table!!! (emoji of two cups clinking together)

Sep 20, 20244h 50m

S8 Ep 91Palisade Post-mortem TONIGHT 6:30 PM ET ON TWITCH!

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Hullo! Just a short announcement confirming the post mortem for anyone who isn't subscribed to our socials or our patreon newsletter--but I DO think you should do that hitting join for free right here! Our Palisade post-mortem WILL be streaming tonight over at twitch.tv/friendsatthetable! And here are some things I'm copying and pasting from our last post that you might be interested in :) To celebrate our anniversary, we're doing a giveaway!! You can enter into the giveaway by going to https://tinyurl.com/fatt10 Armor Astir: Advent, the game we played for the majority of Palisade will be on kickstarter to produce physical copies soon! Go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/weregazelle/armour-astir-advent-hardback-edition to sign up for an announcement on when the campaign goes live! In addition to our upcoming anniversary celebration, fans have organized something as well... a dedicated zine to Seasons of Hieron! You can find more information about that here: https://hieronzine.carrd.co/

Sep 12, 20242 min

S8 Ep 90Goodbye Palisade! Upcoming Twitch Stream + Giveaway September 12th!!

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HELLO! WELCOME TO THE END OF PALISADE! THERE ARE A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THIS POST! Right now the date of the Palisade Post mortem isn't 100% decided. OUR PLAN AT THE MOMENT IS TO STREAM ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH. Odds are very high that this will be the Palisade post mortem but if it isn't, we'll still be streaming to celebrate our anniversary Yes that's right!! September 12th is the 10th anniversary of the first episode of Seasons of Hieron....................... wow. Did you know we only called it Autumn in Hieron then?? We didn't think about what other seasons we'd do??? WOW Please send in YOUR questions (not anyone elses!!!) to friendsatthetable AT gmail DOT com with PALISADE PM in the title! Please send them in before September 12th! To celebrate our anniversary, we're doing a giveaway!! You can enter into the giveaway by going to https://tinyurl.com/fatt10!!!! Armor Astir: Advent, the game we played for the majority of Palisade will be on kickstarter to produce physical copies soon! Go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/weregazelle/armour-astir-advent-hardback-edition to sign up for an announcement on when the campaign goes live! In addition to our upcoming anniversary celebration, fans have organized something as well... a dedicated zine to Seasons of Hieron! You can find more information about that here: https://hieronzine.carrd.co/ And that's it from me!! Thank you so much for everything everyone!!

Sep 4, 202413 min

S8 Ep 89PALISADE 62: Above the Earth Pt. 6

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This episode carries content warnings for mental manipulation and body horror ////ACTIVE RECORD PERSPECTIVE: ASEPSIS ////DATE: 01.01.0001 [category pending] ////LOCATION: STATION PERENNIAL - PERENNIAL SHARD - BLUE CHANNEL | STRAND COORDINATE 00.00.0127236 ///RECORD TYPE: PARTIAL INVENTORY OF ITEMS RATED ESSENTIAL NON-ESSENTIALS (OVERRIDE K.B.99) 1x Framed Photograph [Young woman with three pairs of wings, standing above the wreckage of an altar, signed with rushed, curving signature] 12x 'Bing32P' variants [1x featuring unknown growth, danger-markers, counter-override requested, counter-override rejected] 3x 'Cascabel-Gardner Catering Cooperative' boxes, label reads: 'DO NOT OPEN UNTIL VICTORY' [sensory analysis identifies high sweetener content] 1x Mug (regulation extra-large size), ceramic, hand-shaped--analysis suggests Delegate creator, labeled 'Galaxy's Best Captain' 1x Flute (wooden), inscribed message: 'If you need anything, just whistle' 5x History Textbooks [in box], marked, out of date [suggest replacement] 1x Three-ring Binder, cover reads: ⟨⟨DREAMER BATTLE AURA⟩⟩ [327 unique 73 duplicate items stored within, value audit: low] 2x Cases 'Lambic House Tripel Punch' 1x Holographic Display [Apostolisan Woman and dog in field] 1x Custom toolkit [unused for 2500+ days, counter-override purge request, counter-override rejected] This week on PALISADE: Above the Earth Pt. 6 Exchange glances through arboretum / Exchange secrets with weeping willows Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Clark, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, and weakmint for their support For the finale, we are playing Questlandia 2nd Edition. This season we played Armour Astir: Advent with additional playbooks from Strangers in the Night and 106th Astir Squadron. If you enjoy the show, consider supporting the TTRPG. This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Aug 30, 20242h 19m

S8 Ep 88PALISADE 61: Above the Earth Pt. 5

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This episode carries content warnings for mental manipulation, body horror, and death. Hours after defeating Artifice, and hours before Motion's flagship breaches the far end of the battlefield, an uncomfortable buzz runs through the air. Even with the reinforcements from Millennium Break and the Apostolosians loyal to Cas'alear Rizah, the defenders of Perennial are outnumbered. Worse: Great heroics on the battlefield might fell a Divine or rout a batallion, but how do you stop a machine god who exists across the whole galaxy, dormant in every particle of the Perennial Wave. Such a feat would require more than battlefield brilliance... This week on PALISADE: Above the Earth Pt. 5 Damn, you look like you had a bad time / You look like you don't even know why Dossier People Audacious Opportunity "A.O." Rooke (he/him): Once an Orion mercenary, then the commander of the Rapid Evening's "toughs" squad, and now a unit leader for Millennium Break. K.O Rooke's son. Kueen Overture "K.O" Rooke (she/her): A long time dispatcher and operator of the Scrivener's Guild, KO has taken the role as a major commander in Millennium Break. Mother of A.O. Rooke. Passiflora (she/her): Elect of the divine Artiface, naive but devoted to the vision promised to her by The Pact of Free States. Xiphion, aka Zig'ell Barbos, aka The Red Roc (zig/zig's, he/him): Elect of the Divine Valour and icon of the Apostolosian military. Zig'ell kept his Apostolosian name in personal use even after being chosen by Valour as its elect. Famed for zig's talent as a pilot and commander, zig spent years serving as Cas'alear Rizah's confidant and lieutenant, before being promoted and transferred into service directly under the Divine Motion. In her absence, his profile only grew as he secured wins against the Bilateral Intercession. Now that Motion has revived, Zig'ell has returned to her service with optimism and loyalty--quieting any doubts through a commitment to the larger project of the Pact. Organizations The Pact of Free States: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. Before they were killed by Kalvin Brnine, they were led in name by the Glorious Princept, Dahlia (they/them), but were controlled in day-to-day matters by members of the original Pact of Necessary Venture, including Rye (he/him) and Gallica (she/her). With all three dead, the Divine Motion has rushed to fill a vacuum many feel but can hardly give word to. Under her control, the long-held "reformist" goals of the Stel have been set aside for simple, metaphysical domination. Places Earth: Ancient home of humanity. Moved into orbit around the center of the galaxy by the Old Earth Cult, under guidance by a manipulative and influential divine called Independence. Divines The Divine Integrity (it/its): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. Now, it has found a new home in Thisbe. The Divine Motion (she/her): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun. Now, she has returned to take control of the Pact of Free States, and has set her sights on Perennial at the heart of the galaxy. The Divine Present (it/its): On first blush, Present might be confused for a small, if luxurious frigate. And sometimes, it is just that: Its oval structure houses living quarters, a humble armory, enough cargo space to hold a single hollow, and even a fully stocked bar. But at a snap of its elect's fingers, it transforms into a humanoid war machine that serves its elect loyally, outclasses any Altar currently in operation, and is capable of holding its own against many other Divines in combat. The Divine Commitment (it/its): A malleable divine made of inky black metal that has become one with the body of the Ekpyrosis, flagship of the Pact's fleet. Has historically required two pilots (both in a condition of ego death) in order to be operated, but currently operates alone, tethered by something like loyalty to the Divine Motion. How such obedience was garnered is unclear. The Divine Valour: A machine the size of a large Hallow, Valour can transform between a vast, roc-like bird form and a more traditional humanoid model. Soldiers claim that serving under Valour gives them a noticeable boost to their morale, but it is unclear if this is a feature of their proximity to the Divine or to its elect. Objects The Ekpyrosis: Flagship of the Pact's fleet, a transforming, beautiful monstrosity designed to casually destroy worlds while simultaneously supporting life in a

Aug 24, 20241h 56m

S8 Ep 87PALISADE 60: Above the Earth Pt. 4

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This episode carries content warnings for mental manipulation, body horror, and death. Though Motion and her fleet remain at a distance, Levi, Brnine, Thisbe, and Cori find themselves facing overwhelming odds against the Pact's forward operating unit, led by Passiflora, elect of the divine Artifice. Meanwhile, as Exeter Leap looks for a way to help Cas'alear Rizah with their address to the galaxy, Motion's grip on their minds begins to tighten. Thankfully, unexpected guidance could be right around the corner… This week on PALISADE: Above the Earth Pt. 4 You saw me cry and it wasn't for help / This is the best thing that I've ever felt Dossier People Audacious Opportunity "A.O." Rooke (he/him): Once an Orion mercenary, then the commander of the Rapid Evening's "toughs" squad, and now a unit leader for Millennium Break. K.O Rooke's son. Kueen Overture "K.O" Rooke (she/her): A long time dispatcher and operator of the Scrivener's Guild, KO has taken the role as a major commander in Millennium Break. Mother of A.O. Rooke. Passiflora (she/her): Elect of the divine Artiface, naive but devoted to the vision promised to her by The Pact of Free States. Organizations The Pact of Free States: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. Before they were killed by Kalvin Brnine, they were led in name by the Glorious Princept, Dahlia (they/them), but were controlled in day-to-day matters by members of the original Pact of Necessary Venture, including Rye (he/him) and Gallica (she/her). With all three dead, the Divine Motion has rushed to fill a vacuum many feel but can hardly give word to. Under her control, the long-held "reformist" goals of the Stel have been set aside for simple, metaphysical domination. Places Earth: Ancient home of humanity. Moved into orbit around the center of the galaxy by the Old Earth Cult, under guidance by a manipulative and influential divine called Independence. Divines The Divine Integrity (it/its): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. Now, it has found a new home in Thisbe. The Divine Motion (she/her): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun. Now, she has returned to take control of the Pact of Free States, and has set her sights on Perennial at the heart of the galaxy. The Divine Present (it/its): On first blush, Present might be confused for a small, if luxurious frigate. And sometimes, it is just that: Its oval structure houses living quarters, a humble armory, enough cargo space to hold a single hollow, and even a fully stocked bar. But at a snap of its elect's fingers, it transforms into a humanoid war machine that serves its elect loyally, outclasses any Altar currently in operation, and is capable of holding its own against many other Divines in combat. Objects Columnar Altars: Though Exenceaster March took his research with him when he defected from Columnar and the Zenith Fund he once led, those engineers who remained loyal to their Stel had learned enough to develop their own rival machine, powered not only by Kalmeria, but also by upscaled (and stolen) Equiaxed designs. The result: The ZFC-Wizard. Central to this design is the modularity and iconic visual design that has been core to Columnar technology for generations. The stock Wizard is rarely seen as-is. Instead, it is used as a frame for a number of other variants. The ZFC-TOME is the workhorse model of the Wizard, able to hold its ground defensively with a massive claymore and an arcane "breath" weapon. The ZFC-STAVE is a designated marksman unit, while the CLOAK was designed to operate behind enemy lines without being caught. Two commander class units were created as well. The ORB houses the Wizard frame inside of a sphere, which projects a directed energy field to its allies, serving as a shield. The TALISMAN, with its swarm of hard-to-control drones, was designed especially for ace pilots who lead from the front with near-impossible acumen. Apostolosian Altars: In the age of Kalmeria, Apostolosian culture became fascinated with mastery over (and blending with) the natural and elemental. As such, it is no surprise to see that their Altars (designed in collaboration with Columnar's Zenith Fund), reflect those new interests. The ZFA-FANG is a new version of an old classic: A Hypercat model with mounted freeze cannons and the ability to skate on ice it creates. The ZFA-TALON offers air supremacy, firing powerful, flaming beams and dropping dense explosive salvos. Both

Aug 16, 20242h 56m

S8 Ep 86PALISADE 59: Above the Earth Pt. 3

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This episode carries content warnings for mental manipulation. At the center of the galaxy, the battle rages. Outnumbered, Cori and Thisbe turn to powers divine and profane in order to turn the tide, while Levi goes toe to toe with foes ten times his size. Brnine, Hunting--along with the the crews of the Blue Channel, Starcrossed, and Stolen Cameo--support their forces on the ground below. And in the depths of the station, Exeter Leap leads Cas'alear Rizah deeper into the maze, where the scion of Apostolos hopes to deliver an address that will change the galaxy forever. This week on PALSIADE: Above the Earth Pt. 3 I'm a sinner, you a sinner / I can see the devil grinning Dossier Organizations The Pact of Free States: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. Before they were killed by Kalvin Brnine, they were led in name by the Glorious Princept, Dahlia (they/them), but were controlled in day-to-day matters by members of the original Pact of Necessary Venture, including Rye (he/him) and Gallica (she/her). With all three dead, the Divine Motion has rushed to fill a vacuum many feel but can hardly give word to. Under her control, the long-held "reformist" goals of the Stel have been set aside for simple, metaphysical domination. Places Earth: Ancient home of humanity. Moved into orbit around the center of the galaxy by the Old Earth Cult, under guidance by a manipulative and influential divine called Independence. Divines The Divine Integrity (it/its): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. Now, it has found a new home in Thisbe. The Divine Motion (she/her): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun. Now, she has returned to take control of the Pact of Free States, and has set her sights on Perennial at the heart of the galaxy. The Divine Present (it/its): On first blush, Present might be confused for a small, if luxurious frigate. And sometimes, it is just that: Its oval structure houses living quarters, a humble armory, enough cargo space to hold a single hollow, and even a fully stocked bar. But at a snap of its elect's fingers, it transforms into a humanoid war machine that serves its elect loyally, outclasses any Altar currently in operation, and is capable of holding its own against many other Divines in combat. Objects Columnar Altars: Though Exenceaster March took his research with him when he defected from Columnar and the Zenith Fund he once led, those engineers who remained loyal to their Stel had learned enough to develop their own rival machine, powered not only by Kalmeria, but also by upscaled (and stolen) Equiaxed designs. The result: The ZFC-Wizard. Central to this design is the modularity and iconic visual design that has been core to Columnar technology for generations. The stock Wizard is rarely seen as-is. Instead, it is used as a frame for a number of other variants. The ZFC-TOME is the workhorse model of the Wizard, able to hold its ground defensively with a massive claymore and an arcane "breath" weapon. The ZFC-STAVE is a designated marksman unit, while the CLOAK was designed to operate behind enemy lines without being caught. Two commander class units were created as well. The ORB houses the Wizard frame inside of a sphere, which projects a directed energy field to its allies, serving as a shield. The TALISMAN, with its swarm of hard-to-control drones, was designed especially for ace pilots who lead from the front with near-impossible acumen. Apostolosian Altars: In the age of Kalmeria, Apostolosian culture became fascinated with mastery over (and blending with) the natural and elemental. As such, it is no surprise to see that their Altars (designed in collaboration with Columnar's Zenith Fund), reflect those new interests. The ZFA-FANG is a new version of an old classic: A Hypercat model with mounted freeze cannons and the ability to skate on ice it creates. The ZFA-TALON offers air supremacy, firing powerful, flaming beams and dropping dense explosive salvos. Both operate with greater efficiency when deployed directly alongside their allies. Operating as an on field commander, the ZFA-TUSK is a defensive powerhouse that can chase down enemies with incredible, wind-driven speeds. Mysteries Perennial (she/her): The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has bonded with elements of Autonomy Itself and

Aug 9, 20241h 44m

S8 Ep 85PALISADE 58: Above the Earth Pt. 2

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Under the command of Levitation Cascabel-Gardner, and supported by an ad-hoc alliance with Millennium Break, the pirate crew of the Precipice, and the dedicated loyalists of exiled Apokine Cas'alear Rizah, an operation at the center of the galaxy begins. At the center: A strip of metal as long as a city and as deep as a geological straum, which produces and spreads an endless wave of nanomachiens across the Milky Way. To its relative north, the supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy, menacing despite its apparently safe distance. To its east: The holy node where Perennial first came into control of the station. To its west, three Portcullis gates under control of the Pact of Free states,, nearing their completion; beyond, the Ekpyrosis, helmed by Motion, and surrounded by a fleet of allies. And to the south, Earth, and three heroic ships approaching at high speeds. I'm not afraid for my life Dossier Organizations The Pact of Free States: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. Before they were killed by Kalvin Brnine, they were led in name by the Glorious Princept, Dahlia (they/them), but were controlled in day-to-day matters by members of the original Pact of Necessary Venture, including Rye (he/him) and Gallica (she/her). With all three dead, the Divine Motion has rushed to fill a vacuum many feel but can hardly give word to. Under her control, the long-held "reformist" goals of the Stel have been set aside for simple, metaphysical domination. Places Earth: Ancient home of humanity. Moved into orbit around the center of the galaxy by the Old Earth Cult, under guidance by a manipulative and influential divine called Independence. Divines The Divine Integrity (it/its): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. Now, it has found a new home in Thisbe. The Divine Motion (she/her): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun. Now, she has returned to take control of the Pact of Free States, and has set her sights on Perennial at the heart of the galaxy. The Divine Present (it/its): On first blush, Present might be confused for a small, if luxurious frigate. And sometimes, it is just that: Its oval structure houses living quarters, a humble armory, enough cargo space to hold a single hollow, and even a fully stocked bar. But at a snap of its elect's fingers, it transforms into a humanoid war machine that serves its elect loyally, outclasses any Altar currently in operation, and is capable of holding its own against many other Divines in combat. Objects Columnar Altars: Though Exenceaster March took his research with him when he defected from Columnar and the Zenith Fund he once led, those engineers who remained loyal to their Stel had learned enough to develop their own rival machine, powered not only by Kalmeria, but also by upscaled (and stolen) Equiaxed designs. The result: The ZFC-Wizard. Central to this design is the modularity and iconic visual design that has been core to Columnar technology for generations. The stock Wizard is rarely seen as-is. Instead, it is used as a frame for a number of other variants. The ZFC-TOME is the workhorse model of the Wizard, able to hold its ground defensively with a massive claymore and an arcane "breath" weapon. The ZFC-STAVE is a designated marksman unit, while the CLOAK was designed to operate behind enemy lines without being caught. Two commander class units were created as well. The ORB houses the Wizard frame inside of a sphere, which projects a directed energy field to its allies, serving as a shield. The TALISMAN, with its swarm of hard-to-control drones, was designed especially for ace pilots who lead from the front with near-impossible acumen. Apostolosian Altars: In the age of Kalmeria, Apostolosian culture became fascinated with mastery over (and blending with) the natural and elemental. As such, it is no surprise to see that their Altars (designed in collaboration with Columnar's Zenith Fund), reflect those new interests. The ZFA-FANG is a new version of an old classic: A Hypercat model with mounted freeze cannons and the ability to skate on ice it creates. The ZFA-TALON offers air supremacy, firing powerful, flaming beams and dropping dense explosive salvos. Both operate with greater efficiency when deployed directly alongside their allies. Operating as an on field commander, the ZFA-TUSK is a defensive powerhouse that can chase down enemies with incredible, wind-driven speeds. Mysteries Peren

Aug 2, 20242h 11m

S8 Ep 84PALISADE 57: Above the Earth Pt. 1

With a fleet of Pact vessels heading towards Perennial's station at the center of the Milky Way, Levi Cascabel-Gardner, Exeter Leap, and the reunited crew of the Blue Channel join with their allies on the beaches of the nearest world. There, they prepare for what is to come: Searching for new tools, drawing formations in the sand, and connecting with the very currents of reality. It is a place they know well, a time of preparation and planning. One last, long held breath under blue skies. This week on PALISADE: Above the Earth Pt. 1 I think it was the first time I realized that I could change the world Dossier People Telford Stare (he/they): One of several foremen tied to the Lone Marble Group's contractor operations division. Organizations The Frontier Syndicate: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by Exenceaster March (he/him), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. Developed the Altar, the predominant war machine of the current era. The Lone Marble Group: Built around a single artifact recovered from an Advent facility, this Frontier Syndicate subsidiary develops the future of Bilat war machinery. The Church of Received Asterism: The most widely practiced faith in the galaxy, and one of the earliest major organizations in the Divine Principality, created at the beginning of the Miraculous Millenium, over 3000 years ago. Teaches that Divines, the immortal machines and mechs that helped establish the Principality's hold on the galaxy, reflect the best aspects of the state itself. The divine Strength, in other words, is like a living flag of the Principality's own strength. Organized as a central church, led by a religious leader named a "Cycle," whose will is enacted across the Principality by their many "Songs," who rule worlds, star systems, or sometimes entire constellations. The Church of Progressive Asterism: Created as the teachings of the prophet Logos Kantel grew in popularity 1000 years ago, and made a secondary state religion in order to prevent a large schism. Teaches that Divines are true embodiments of their names, and that the citizens and states of the Principality should look to them as guiding stars. The Divine Strength, in other words, is a reflection of strength itself, or maybe "god's strength," and we should aspire to make our strength look like the divine's. Unlike Received Asterism, there is no single central church, but hundreds of smaller sects, schools, and cults, each devoted to individual Divines, grouped sub-pantheons, or otherwise adjusted beliefs. The New Asterism: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet Gur Sevraq (he/they), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler "rehabilitates" or "improves" the places they claim by violence. If Received Asterism places virtue in the state and Progressive Asterism places it in the Divines, the New Asterism places it in the Principality's mythologized point of origin: The Twilight Mirage. Places Earth: Ancient home of humanity. Moved into orbit around the center of the galaxy by the Old Earth Cult, under guidance by a manipulative and influential divine called Independence. Divines The Divine Integrity (it/its): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. Now, it has found a new home in Thisbe. The Divine Motion (she/her): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun. Now, she has returned to take control of the Pact of Free States, and has set her sights on Perennial at the heart of the galaxy. The Divine Present (it/its): On first blush, Present might be confused for a small, if luxurious frigate. And sometimes, it is just that: Its oval structure houses living quarters, a humble armory, enough cargo space to hold a single hollow, and even a fully stocked bar. But at a snap of its elect's fingers, it transforms into a humanoid war machine that serves its elect loyally, outclasses any Altar currently in operation, and is capable of holding its own against many other Divines in combat. Mysteries Perennial (she/her): The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread

Jul 26, 20241h 59m

S8 Ep 83PALISADE 56: Some New Thing Found in the Light, Or: A Year in Nine Parts

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This episode carries content warnings for death and severe isolation. It happened without much fanfare: They'd scattered—like the so-called shards of Divinity itself—all across the Milky Way. Searching. Fleeing. Exploring. Building. Fighting. A year apart. Not their year apart, because there was no "them" anymore, not by affinity or proximity, not through collaboration or communication, not in duty, not in friendship. And around them, the Divine Principality seemed to be slowly splintering too. Worlds detached from each other. Families separated not by war but by silence. New claimants to old thrones. Civil wars at small scales, intimate scales. This week on PALISADE: Some New Thing Found in the Light, Or: A Year in Nine Parts I don't need rescue / But it helps when you drift through Dramatis Personae Barnacle (Austin Walker) … … … ... ... ... ... ... ... ... A spymaster Cas'alear Rizah (Austin Walker) … … … ... ... ... ... ... ... ... An exiled heir Coriolis Sunset (Sylvi Clare) ... … … … ... ... ... ... An anguished pilot on the run Exeter Leap (Keith Carberry) … … … ... ... ... ... A pirate captain in leisure Gallica, Elect of Present (Austin Walker) … … … ... ... ... ... ... ... ... A powerful bon vivant Jorrie Bluebrick (Austin Walker) … … … ... ... ... ... ... ... ... An ambitious recruit Kalvin Brnine (Ali Acampora) … … ... ... ... ... A crestfallen commander Levitation Cascabel-Gardner (Andrew Lee Swan) … A renowned hero Resolute Welkin (Austin Walker) … … … ... ... ... ... ... ... ... A scout Riah Connadine (Jack de Quidt) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... A master spymaster Rye, Elect of Space (Austin Walker) … … … ... ... ... ... ... ... ... A brilliant negotiator Svir (Austin Walker) … … … ... ... ... ... ... ... ... A pilgrim Thisbe (Janine Hawkins) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... A traveler in search of Divinity Xylem (Austin Walker) … … … ... ... ... ... ... ... ... A researcher far from home Wakeful (Austin Walker) … … … ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Emergence Itself Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora and Austin Walker Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Clark, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, and weakmint for their support For the finale, we are playing Questlandia 2nd Edition. This season we played Armour Astir: Advent with additional playbooks from Strangers in the Night and 106th Astir Squadron. If you enjoy the show, consider supporting the TTRPG. This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Jul 19, 20242h 45m

S8 Ep 82PALISADE 55: A Palette of Colors Pt. 10

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There, on the edge of the Twilight Mirage, after a period of rapid revolution, the world of Palisade seems to find a slower rate of turn. Objects that hung in the air find their place on the ground—or commit to leaving the world, carrying their outward momentum with them. But even a world at peace exists in a broader orbit. This week on PALISADE: A Palette of Colors Pt. 10 Hey, just look at us now / Time made fools of us all Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Clark, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, and weakmint for their support For the finale, we are playing Questlandia 2nd Edition. This season we played Armour Astir: Advent with additional playbooks from Strangers in the Night and 106th Astir Squadron. If you enjoy the show, consider supporting the TTRPG. This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Jul 5, 20242h 6m

S8 Ep 81PALISADE 54: A Palette of Colors Pt. 9

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The Twilight Mirage is known for its captivating color, its endless light, its ever-shifting shape, and its penchant for blurring the physical and digital into a poetic reality impossible to deny. But along with these things, it is marked by a unique distance, separated from the galaxy through tumultuous time. In this way, its sunset skies might be better understood to be storm clouds. And as the members of the Blue Channel will come to learn, there are many ways out of a tempest, but all of them require you to move through the rain. This week on PALISADE: A Palette of Colors Pt. 9 Love seeps out from the rain Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Clark, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, and weakmint for their support For the finale, we are playing Questlandia 2nd Edition. This season we played Armour Astir: Advent with additional playbooks from Strangers in the Night and 106th Astir Squadron. If you enjoy the show, consider supporting the TTRPG. This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Jun 28, 20241h 51m

S8 Ep 80PALISADE 53: A Palette of Colors Pt. 8

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With the capture of Lander One, major military operations on Palisade have seemingly come to a close. Most of the remnants of the Bilateral Intercession's forces have been captured or have turned themselves in—though some, like those now under the sway of the re-emergent Motion, have seemingly disappeared altogether. There are, remain, however, some loose and chaotic threads splayed across the planet: The Nidean forces who have wormed their way into the protection of Wakeful, the so-called scattered shards of Divinity (including the Afflictions and the Chimeric Cadent), and, of course, the treacherous Witch of Glass, Clementine. This week on PALISADE: A Palette of Colors Pt. 8 Haven't had a dream in a long time Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Clark, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, and weakmint for their support For the finale, we are playing Questlandia 2nd Edition. This season we played Armour Astir: Advent with additional playbooks from Strangers in the Night and 106th Astir Squadron. If you enjoy the show, consider supporting the TTRPG. This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Jun 21, 20242h 11m

S8 Ep 79PALISADE 52: A Palette of Colors Pt. 7

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Though it seems the worst is behind the people of Palisade, there is work yet to do. Work made harder by the realization that the work already done had higher costs than anticipated. But still, the members of the Cause do what they must to confront the remaining occupation forces, to bring each other back from the brink, and to steel themselves for what is to come next. This week on PALISADE: A Palette of Colors Pt. 7 Inhale, exhale like never ending / Life before us, light leaving us down Dossier People Lucia Whitestar (she/her): The young "Lady Whitestar" emerged as a strategic genius during the early conflict between Kesh and Apostolos on PARTIZAN five years ago. Daughter of the Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. Commands her forces from her flagship, the Lander One with the support of her combat AI, Fire Support (it/its). Places Chimera's Lantern: The second moon of Palisade, shaped oddly like a wasp's nest or paper lantern. New arrivals to the world find its occasional glow unnatural and frightening. Home to the Chimeric Cadent (they/them, it/its), an amalgam of the ancient Excerpt ⸢Signet⸣, the mysterious Waking Cadent, and the Divine Belgard. As one being, they protect the corpses of a number of Divines, including Sagacity, Dissent, Felicity, Barricade, and Bounty—its newest resident. Currently, Stel Nideo's master armsmith, the Divine Consecration, lays siege to the Cadent's refuge, attempting to rebuild an army to reconquer Palisade. Temple of the Threshold: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this temple served as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet until Future fled under the protection of the Devotees. Now, it is home to Wakeful, the (post-)Divine gestalt. Divines The Divine Future (they/them, it/its): An ancient divine, dating back to the second major war in the Golden Branch star sector. Exists in the form of a golden orb slightly larger than a softball or bocce ball, which can either be carried by or hover around its Elect. Historically, it has been bidden to share its unparalleled perspective on the hopes and dreams of its chosen (and the endless vigor with which to pursue those goals). Now, sensing Wakeful's strength, Future has provided the rhetorical pathway for itself, Devotion, Crusade, and the fragments of Stel Nideo on Palisade to come under the gestalt being's protection—and perhaps to reshape its destiny. The Divine Integrity (it/its): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. Now, it has found a new home in Thisbe. The Divine Motion (she/her): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun. Mysteries Wakeful (any): Wounded, yet still curious. Cautious, yet still creative. Powerful, yet still vulnerable. Wakeful is a newly emerging, gestalt being composed by the Divines freed from the Garden of Fidelity and the Delegates who have rejoined with them. Wakeful has found itself in an odd position, as the remaining forces of Stel Nideo, the Devotees, and Future vow themselves to what they call its new Kingdom on Palisade. How this new, potentially post-divine being develops—and how it will relate to those who have suffered under occupation on Palisade—remains unclear. The Iconoclasts: Something beyond the human, desperate to eradicate subjectivity itself. After their messenger, the Usher of Truth, was delivered to The Witch in Glass, they have found themselves serving a new master. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Clark, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, and weakmint for their support For the finale, we are playing Questlandia 2nd Edition. This season we played Armour Astir: Advent with additional playbooks from Strangers in the Night and 106th Astir Squadron. If you enjoy the show, consider supporting the TTRPG. This episode was made with

Jun 14, 20241h 54m

S8 Ep 78PALISADE 51: A Palette of Colors Pt. 6

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Having played their opening gambits, the leaders of Palisade now find they face unprecedented situations. At the center of it is the being calling itself Wakeful, an emerging gestalt consciousness comprised of (but irreducible to) the Divines freed from the Garden of Fidelity. As the guilty hide in its shadow, the Cause must determine how to act. Is this a new front to the war, or something else? This week on PALISADE: A Palette of Colors Pt. 6 Passageways to windows that don't close Dossier Places Chimera's Lantern: The second moon of Palisade, shaped oddly like a wasp's nest or paper lantern. New arrivals to the world find its occasional glow unnatural and frightening. Home to the Chimeric Cadent (they/them, it/its), an amalgam of the ancient Excerpt ⸢Signet⸣, the mysterious Waking Cadent, and the Divine Belgard. As one being, they protect the corpses of a number of Divines, including Sagacity, Dissent, Felicity, Barricade, and Bounty—its newest resident. Currently, Stel Nideo's master armsmith, the Divine Consecration, lays siege to the Cadent's refuge, attempting to rebuild an army to reconquer Palisade. Temple of the Threshold: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this temple served as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet until Future fled under the protection of the Devotees. Now, it is home to Wakeful, the (post-)Divine gestalt. Divines The Divine Future (they/them, it/its): An ancient divine, dating back to the second major war in the Golden Branch star sector. Exists in the form of a golden orb slightly larger than a softball or bocce ball, which can either be carried by or hover around its Elect. Historically, it has been bidden to share its unparalleled perspective on the hopes and dreams of its chosen (and the endless vigor with which to pursue those goals). Now, sensing Wakeful's strength, Future has provided the rhetorical pathway for itself, Devotion, Crusade, and the fragments of Stel Nideo on Palisade to come under the gestalt being's protection—and perhaps to reshape its destiny. The Divine Integrity (it/its): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. Now, it has found a new home in Thisbe. The Divine Motion (she/her): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun. Mysteries Wakeful (any): Wounded, yet still curious. Cautious, yet still creative. Powerful, yet still vulnerable. Wakeful is a newly emerging, gestalt being composed by the Divines freed from the Garden of Fidelity and the Delegates who have rejoined with them. Wakeful has found itself in an odd position, as the remaining forces of Stel Nideo, the Devotees, and Future vow themselves to what they call its new Kingdom on Palisade. How this new, potentially post-divine being develops—and how it will relate to those who have suffered under occupation on Palisade—remains unclear. The Iconoclasts: Something beyond the human, desperate to eradicate subjectivity itself. After their messenger, the Usher of Truth, was delivered to The Witch in Glass, they have found themselves serving a new master. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Clark, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, and weakmint for their support For the finale, we are playing Questlandia 2nd Edition. This season we played Armour Astir: Advent with additional playbooks from Strangers in the Night and 106th Astir Squadron. If you enjoy the show, consider supporting the TTRPG. This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Jun 7, 20242h 18m

S8 Ep 77PALISADE 50: A Palette of Colors Pt. 5

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This episode carries content warnings for body horror and discussions of slavery. Though the wheel yet spins in the Divine Principality, spinning is movement. And though one day we may return to the starting position, where it all gets driven around the axle again, until then movement may bring change, surprise, or truly novel developments. For those, who like Cori and Perennial seek to break the wheel, such newness is an opportunity. For others, it is a surprise, hard to confront and difficult to situate yourself to. This week on PALISADE: A Palette of Colors Pt. 5 [instrumental] Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Clark, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, and weakmint for their support For the finale, we are playing Questlandia 2nd Edition. This season we played Armour Astir: Advent with additional playbooks from Strangers in the Night and 106th Astir Squadron. If you enjoy the show, consider supporting the TTRPG. This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

May 31, 20242h 15m

S8 Ep 76PALISADE 49: A Palette of Colors Pt. 4

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This episode carries content warnings for death. Another daring mission, another stunning success, and then, once again, the people Palisade breathe out all at once. But these exhalations aren't quite like the old ones. Some breathe deep, looking for solace but finding only solitude. Others breathe lound, so that the words they say get lost under the noise. And some unlucky few breathe their very last breaths. This week on PALISADE: A Palette of Colors Pt. 4 New fears they get old too / They'll get old soon Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Clark, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, and weakmint for their support For the finale, we are playing Questlandia 2nd Edition. This season we played Armour Astir: Advent with additional playbooks from Strangers in the Night and 106th Astir Squadron. If you enjoy the show, consider supporting the TTRPG. This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

May 25, 20243h 1m

S8 Ep 75PALISADE 48: A Palette of Colors Pt. 3

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This episode carries content warnings for discussion of enslavement, torture, death, body horror and eye injuries. Across Palisade, a question begins to weave itself through life. Across everyday kitchen conversations, war room arguments, and salon debates, people wonder what it might mean to be whole. If Delegates to reunited with their Divine sources, would that be totality, or something else? Can the revolution to encompass the whole of the periphery? Where the boundary between the self and the other? And if one finds themelves to be, suddenly and confidently, whole, what responsibility comes with such a feat? This week on PALISADE: Slow. Constant. The joy of quiet. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Clark, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, and weakmint for their support For the finale, we are playing Questlandia 2nd Edition. This season we played Armour Astir: Advent with additional playbooks from Strangers in the Night and 106th Astir Squadron. If you enjoy the show, consider supporting the TTRPG. This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

May 17, 20243h 13m

S8 Ep 74PALISADE 47: A Palette of Colors Pt. 2

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This episode carries content warnings for discussion of death and self sacrifice. Palisade spins and twirls, coming to terms with its fresh orbit. And on its body, the people begin to adjust too. Finding a moment of space, Blue Channel captain Kalvin Brnine reconnects with an uncanny contact, with hopes of developing the tepid relationship into an allegiance. August Righteousness, with the mandate given to him by General Tomorrow Mouring, attempts to route the remaining forces of the Whitestar Fleet. And Coriolis Sunset decides that there is no use in waiting: In matters like these, one must act first. This week on PALISADE: A Palette of Colors Pt. 2 She's gonna cut my head off / But I don't care, I don't care Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Clark, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, and weakmint for their support For the finale, we are playing Questlandia 2nd Edition. This season we played Armour Astir: Advent with additional playbooks from Strangers in the Night and 106th Astir Squadron. If you enjoy the show, consider supporting the TTRPG. This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

May 10, 20243h 6m

S8 Ep 73PALISADE 46: A Palette of Colors Pt. 1

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It is the year 1430 of the Perfect Millennium, and in the center of the Milky Way galaxy, Perennial tries to shut out the noise, to focus in on only one place, one voice. But it is too loud on Palisade. This week on PALISADE: A Palette of Colors Pt. 1 It's going to be soon, babe / I've made up my mind Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Daniel Laloggia, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, fen, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nich Maragos, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, and weakmint for their support For the finale, we are playing Questlandia 2nd Edition. This season we played Armour Astir: Advent with additional playbooks from Strangers in the Night and 106th Astir Squadron. If you enjoy the show, consider supporting the TTRPG. This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

May 3, 20242h 40m

S8 Ep 72PALISADE 45: Where They Are Pt. 3

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As Palisade eases into its new orbit, the people below face a new marker of evening. Yes, the dual moons of Chimera's Lantern and Travertine remain above them. But now night brings a new absence: Gone are Gift-3 and Seneschal, Altar and Moonlock, Skein and Crown, Brighton and Thrysus, and of course the new dark sun, Volition. And so, at night, with only the Mirage itself in the sky, the people of Palisade might be able to convince themselves that things have not changed so much. And so, on one such night in the Bontive Valley, it is time for one more—one final?—movie night aboard the Blue Channel. Why me, or better, why you? / When we can fake it like any way we want to People Elle Evensong (she/they): Elle arrived to Palisade along with the first wave of Devotees, making a name for herself as a cunning combatant and clever commander. In reality, they work for the Divine, Arbitrage as a double agent. Cori blames them for the death of her father. Pilot of the Cataphract. One of Arbitrage's remaining agents in the Twilight Mirage. General Tomorrow Mourning (she/her): Leader of the Qui'Err Coalition's forces en route to the Twilight Mirage. Gucci Garantine (she/her): A defector from Stel Kesh, who used the remaining wealth and power of House Brightline to help found Millennium Break. Currently a key member of the resistance efforts on Palisade, and a commander of Millenium Break forces there. Codename Watershed. Jesset City (he/him): After helping to kick off Millennium Break on Partizan, Jesset served as one of its major leaders during its expansion across the Principality. Now, he uses his talents in Hollow and Altar engineering, piloting, and cipher breaking on behalf of the Grey Pond unit of the cause. Still considers himself to be a member of the Party of the Wolf, though those designations have largely fallen from use. Mustard Red (she/her): A cyborg who once served as a member of Brink Proxy, with a speciality in surveillance. Joined the Cause during the Devotees expansion onto Palisade. The Witch in Glass a.k.a. Clementine Kesh (she/her): A former scion of Kesh who, after knitting a bond with the adversary Perennial, came into control of the broken body of the Divine Past, which she has renamed the Reflecting Pool. Rules over the Crown of Glass, a city-state on the southeastern reaches of Palisade. A shaky ally of Millennium Break. Now broken with Perennial, she has become the egoist queen of the Iconoclasts. Lucia Whitestar (she/her): The young "Lady Whitestar" emerged as a strategic genius during the early conflict between Kesh and Apostolos on PARTIZAN five years ago. Daughter of the Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. Commands her forces from her flagship, the Lander One with the support of her combat AI, Fire Support (it/its). Partial Palisade (he/him): A man who was once a Divine, now living in the shell of a being quite unlike what he once was. Exenchester March (he/him): Founder of the Frontier Syndicate and the March Institute, former chair of the Zenith Fund. Betrayed the Pact and Stel Columnar, defecting to the Bilateral Intercession in exchange for territory on Palisade and the freedom to use it as he wishes. August Righteousness (he/they): Once, August served as the court chef of Joyous Guard. Now, he is the commander of Reunion, a Delegate resistance movement that is part of the Cause's Jade Kill unit, and one of the de facto most important leaders of the resistance on Palisade. Organizations The New Asterism: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet Gur Sevraq (he/they), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler "rehabilitates" or "improves" the places they claim by violence. If Received Asterism places virtue in the state and Progressive Asterism places it in the Divines, the New Asterism places it in the Principality's mythologized point of origin: The Twilight Mirage. Fabreal Duchy: When the Divine Principality left Palisade nearly 5,000 years ago, they left behind a Duke and his barons as caretakers. In the generations that followed, they ruled as petty tyrants, creating Delegates as their slaves, remaking their bodies into glass and oil, and extending their reach across Palisade's continents. Though they officially report to their handlers in Stel Kesh, recently they have begun to wonder if things were better before the Principality's return to Palisade. Places Bontive Valley: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. Temple of the Threshold: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this serves as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet, The Twilight Mirage: Created over 5000 years ago by what was then the Divine Empy

Apr 12, 20241h 57m

S8 Ep 71PALISADE 44: Where They Are Pt. 2

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With the initial shock of arriving in the Twilight Mirage starting, slowly, to fade, the people of Palisade and the Quire System leap into action. General Tomorrow Mourning turns to the only person she believes can quickly give her the authority to build a net to catch Bilateral Intercession war criminals. Gucci Garantine orders supplies be delivered to the ever-overstretched Blue Channel. And a guest arrives to make parley, along with a gift. This week on PALISADE: Where They Are Pt. 2 Well, I've been here a thousand times / I don't want to go again / I've been here a thousand times / One thousand and one won't be so bad People General Tomorrow Mourning (she/her): Leader of the Qui'Err Coalition's forces en route to the Twilight Mirage. Gucci Garantine (she/her): A defector from Stel Kesh, who used the remaining wealth and power of House Brightline to help found Millennium Break. Currently a key member of the resistance efforts on Palisade, and a commander of Millenium Break forces there. Codename Watershed. Jesset City (he/him): After helping to kick off Millennium Break on Partizan, Jesset served as one of its major leaders during its expansion across the Principality. Now, he uses his talents in Hollow and Altar engineering, piloting, and cipher breaking on behalf of the Grey Pond unit of the cause. Still considers himself to be a member of the Party of the Wolf, though those designations have largely fallen from use. Mustard Red (she/her): A cyborg who once served as a member of Brink Proxy, with a speciality in surveillance. Joined the Cause during the Devotees expansion onto Palisade. The Witch in Glass a.k.a. Clementine Kesh (she/her): A former scion of Kesh who, after knitting a bond with the adversary Perennial, came into control of the broken body of the Divine Past, which she has renamed the Reflecting Pool. Rules over the Crown of Glass, a city-state on the southeastern reaches of Palisade. A shaky ally of Millennium Break. Now broken with Perennial, she has become the egoist queen of the Iconoclasts. Lucia Whitestar (she/her): The young "Lady Whitestar" emerged as a strategic genius during the early conflict between Kesh and Apostolos on PARTIZAN five years ago. Daughter of the Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. Commands her forces from her flagship, the Lander One with the support of her combat AI, Fire Support (it/its). Partial Palisade (he/him): A man who was once a Divine, now living in the shell of a being quite unlike what he once was. Exenchester March (he/him): Founder of the Frontier Syndicate and the March Institute, former chair of the Zenith Fund. Betrayed the Pact and Stel Columnar, defecting to the Bilateral Intercession in exchange for territory on Palisade and the freedom to use it as he wishes. August Righteousness (he/they): Once, August served as the court chef of Joyous Guard. Now, he is the commander of Reunion, a Delegate resistance movement that is part of the Cause's Jade Kill unit, and one of the de facto most important leaders of the resistance on Palisade. Organizations The New Asterism: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet Gur Sevraq (he/they), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler "rehabilitates" or "improves" the places they claim by violence. If Received Asterism places virtue in the state and Progressive Asterism places it in the Divines, the New Asterism places it in the Principality's mythologized point of origin: The Twilight Mirage. Fabreal Duchy: When the Divine Principality left Palisade nearly 5,000 years ago, they left behind a Duke and his barons as caretakers. In the generations that followed, they ruled as petty tyrants, creating Delegates as their slaves, remaking their bodies into glass and oil, and extending their reach across Palisade's continents. Though they officially report to their handlers in Stel Kesh, recently they have begun to wonder if things were better before the Principality's return to Palisade. Places Bontive Valley: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. Temple of the Threshold: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this serves as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet, The Twilight Mirage: Created over 5000 years ago by what was then the Divine Empyrean in an effort to protect the Divine Fleet, of which they were a member. The Mirage is a false nebula that obscures the position of its inhabitants both visually and by distorting time and space. Inside, there is now a vibrant and peaceful culture that spans eight planets, orbiting a dark and living Divine sun. Objects FS-N Dais: One of the Altars competing in the tournament, piltoed by Zjenta Zjarule

Apr 6, 20241h 51m

S8 Ep 70PALISADE 43: Where They Are Pt. 1

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So, with one loud sob, the galaxy shifted. But as with all widespread changes, this one was unevenly distributed. Few places changed as totally as Palisade, once just beyond the edge of the Twilight Mirage, now brought into orbit around the pseudo-sun of Volition as the new, ninth planet of the Quire System. And as above, so below: The change in the air is also a change in bodies, in minds, in matters military and social and even culinary. And parked below the newly painted skies of the Bontive Valley, the remaining crew of the Blue Channel ponders the future, reaching out to each other and beyond. This week on PALISADE: Where They Are Pt. 1 If you could do it all again / Yeah, without a second thought / I don't like leaving / The door shut / I think I missed something / But I'm not sure what Dossier People Gucci Garantine (she/her): A defector from Stel Kesh, who used the remaining wealth and power of House Brightline to help found Millennium Break. Currently a key member of the resistance efforts on Palisade, and a commander of Millenium Break forces there. Codename Watershed. Jesset City (he/him): After helping to kick off Millennium Break on Partizan, Jesset served as one of its major leaders during its expansion across the Principality. Now, he uses his talents in Hollow and Altar engineering, piloting, and cipher breaking on behalf of the Grey Pond unit of the cause. Still considers himself to be a member of the Party of the Wolf, though those designations have largely fallen from use. Mustard Red (she/her): A cyborg who once served as a member of Brink Proxy, with a speciality in surveillance. Joined the Cause during the Devotees expansion onto Palisade. Lucia Whitestar (she/her): The young "Lady Whitestar" emerged as a strategic genius during the early conflict between Kesh and Apostolos on PARTIZAN five years ago. Daughter of the Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. Commands her forces from her flagship, the Lander One with the support of her combat AI, Fire Support (it/its). Partial Palisade (he/him): A man who was once a Divine, now living in the shell of a being quite unlike what he once was. Organizations The New Asterism: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet Gur Sevraq (he/they), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler "rehabilitates" or "improves" the places they claim by violence. If Received Asterism places virtue in the state and Progressive Asterism places it in the Divines, the New Asterism places it in the Principality's mythologized point of origin: The Twilight Mirage. Places Bontive Valley: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. Temple of the Threshold: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this serves as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet, The Twilight Mirage: Created over 5000 years ago by what was then the Divine Empyrean in an effort to protect the Divine Fleet, of which they were a member. The Mirage is a false nebula that obscures the position of its inhabitants both visually and by distorting time and space. Inside, there is now a vibrant and peaceful culture that spans eight planets, orbiting a dark and living Divine sun. Objects FS-N Dais: One of the Altars competing in the tournament, piltoed by Zjenta Zjarule (she/they). Utilizes a special glass originally from the Twilight Mirage. AdArm Jury: The Jury is the future of AdArm machines. As the first design which fully moves beyond the platforms of the previous generation, it's a startling diversion from the bulky and boxy designs that the company is known for. In fact, the actual "unit" is only the cockpit, around which the rest of the Jury forms using concentrated Perennial Wave Material (PWM). Gone is the old LCD "eye," replaced by a full pixel "face" that can send complex, laser-based communications silently to any other AdArm unit that can see it, as well as display iconographic messages to anyone nearby. A close study of the machine's curved and ovaline elements suggests that it has much in common with the Motion's Demiurgos design that AdArm salvaged as it does with the company's previous designs… Divines The Divine Future (they/them, it/its): An ancient divine, dating back to the second major war in the Golden Branch star sector. Exists in the form of golden orb slightly larger than a softball or bocce ball, which can either be carried by or hover around its Elect. Historically, it has been bidden to share its unparalleled perspective on the hopes and dreams of its chosen (and the endless vigor with which to pursue those goals). The Divine Integrity (it/its): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity inte

Mar 29, 20242h 16m

S8 Ep 69PALISADE 42: A Mechanical Whine Pt. 4

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This episode carries content warnings for discussion of death, imprisonment, slavery, medical experimentation, and mind control. In the depths of the Temple of the Threshold, a moment passes, a hero dies, and the world begins to change. But Thisbe, Cori, and Brnine—standing in the heart of Exanceaster March's most advanced research facility—don't know that yet. But they do hear it coming. A mechanical whine in the air is about to become something else. Unfinished plans will be pushed into action. Tomorrow will come, faster for some than others. And life on Palisade will change forever. This week on PALISADE: A Mechanical Whine Pt. 4 Moon river / wider than a mile / I'm crossing you in style some day Dossier People Telford Stare (he/they): One of several foremen tied to the Lone Marble Group's contractor operations division. Crysanth Kesh (she/her): Mother of Clementine (a.k.a. The Witch in Glass). Once, third in line to the throne of Kesh and de facto leader of the Curtain of Divinity, the predecessor to the Bilateral Intelligence Service. Now dead. Organizations The Frontier Syndicate: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by Exenceaster March (he/him), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. Developed the Altar, the predominant war machine of the current era. The Lone Marble Group: Built around a single artifact recovered from an Advent facility, this Frontier Syndicate subsidiary develops the future of Bilat war machinery. The Church of Received Asterism: The most widely practiced faith in the galaxy, and one of the earliest major organizations in the Divine Principality, created at the beginning of the Miraculous Millenium, over 3000 years ago. Teaches that Divines, the immortal machines and mechs that helped establish the Principality's hold on the galaxy, reflect the best aspects of the state itself. The divine Strength, in other words, is like a living flag of the Principality's own strength. Organized as a central church, led by a religious leader named a "Cycle," whose will is enacted across the Principality by their many "Songs," who rule worlds, star systems, or sometimes entire constellations. The Church of Progressive Asterism: Created as the teachings of the prophet Logos Kantel grew in popularity 1000 years ago, and made a secondary state religion in order to prevent a large schism. Teaches that Divines are true embodiments of their names, and that the citizens and states of the Principality should look to them as guiding stars. The Divine Strength, in other words, is a reflection of strength itself, or maybe "god's strength," and we should aspire to make our strength look like the divine's. Unlike Received Asterism, there is no single central church, but hundreds of smaller sects, schools, and cults, each devoted to individual Divines, grouped sub-pantheons, or otherwise adjusted beliefs. The New Asterism: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet Gur Sevraq (he/they), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler "rehabilitates" or "improves" the places they claim by violence. If Received Asterism places virtue in the state and Progressive Asterism places it in the Divines, the New Asterism places it in the Principality's mythologized point of origin: The Twilight Mirage. Fabreal Duchy: When the Divine Principality left Palisade nearly 5,000 years ago, they left behind a Duke and his barons as caretakers. In the generations that followed, they ruled as petty tyrants, creating Delegates as their slaves, remaking their bodies into glass and oil, and extending their reach across Palisade's continents. Though they officially report to their handlers in Stel Kesh, recently they have begun to wonder if things were better before the Principality's return to Palisade. The Divine Collaborate: A successor state to the once vast Autonomous Diaspora, the Divine Collaborate wsa an eternally ad-hoc and temporary alliance of Divines, their pilots, and those under their protection. Defeated by the Divine Principality at the climax of the Divine Clash. In her original home timeline, Perennial belonged to some version of the Collaborate. Places Bontive Valley: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. Temple of the Threshold: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this serves as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet, The Twilight Mirage: Created over 5000 years ago by what was then the Divine Empyrean in an effort to protect the Divine Fleet, of which they we

Mar 22, 20242h 47m

S8 Ep 68PALISADE 41: A Mechanical Whine Pt. 3

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This episode carries content warnings for discussion of death, imprisonment, and slavery. At the center of the Lone Marble Group's main campus stands a corkscrew-shaped building with no name. A sphere slides down its long external groove, serving as sentry and, perhaps, more. Behind it: The secrets of Exanceaster March. At the center of Palisade's main continent stands a coliseum-shaped city that has been named a temple. Thousands flock to it in pilgrimage daily, a mocking replication of a different pilgrimage. Today, thousands extra make the walk, faith-eager. Inside: The future, and perhaps more. This week on PALISADE: A Mechanical Whine Pt. 2 What about foxgloves? / Is that a flower you liked? Dossier People Telford Stare (he/they): One of several foremen tied to the Lone Marble Group's contractor operations division. Crysanth Kesh (she/her): Mother of Clementine (a.k.a. The Witch in Glass). Once, third in line to the throne of Kesh and de facto leader of the Curtain of Divinity, the predecessor to the Bilateral Intelligence Service. Now dead. Organizations The Frontier Syndicate: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by Exenceaster March (he/him), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. Developed the Altar, the predominant war machine of the current era. The Lone Marble Group: Built around a single artifact recovered from an Advent facility, this Frontier Syndicate subsidiary develops the future of Bilat war machinery. The Church of Received Asterism: The most widely practiced faith in the galaxy, and one of the earliest major organizations in the Divine Principality, created at the beginning of the Miraculous Millenium, over 3000 years ago. Teaches that Divines, the immortal machines and mechs that helped establish the Principality's hold on the galaxy, reflect the best aspects of the state itself. The divine Strength, in other words, is like a living flag of the Principality's own strength. Organized as a central church, led by a religious leader named a "Cycle," whose will is enacted across the Principality by their many "Songs," who rule worlds, star systems, or sometimes entire constellations. The Church of Progressive Asterism: Created as the teachings of the prophet Logos Kantel grew in popularity 1000 years ago, and made a secondary state religion in order to prevent a large schism. Teaches that Divines are true embodiments of their names, and that the citizens and states of the Principality should look to them as guiding stars. The Divine Strength, in other words, is a reflection of strength itself, or maybe "god's strength," and we should aspire to make our strength look like the divine's. Unlike Received Asterism, there is no single central church, but hundreds of smaller sects, schools, and cults, each devoted to individual Divines, grouped sub-pantheons, or otherwise adjusted beliefs. The New Asterism: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet Gur Sevraq (he/they), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler "rehabilitates" or "improves" the places they claim by violence. If Received Asterism places virtue in the state and Progressive Asterism places it in the Divines, the New Asterism places it in the Principality's mythologized point of origin: The Twilight Mirage. Fabreal Duchy: When the Divine Principality left Palisade nearly 5,000 years ago, they left behind a Duke and his barons as caretakers. In the generations that followed, they ruled as petty tyrants, creating Delegates as their slaves, remaking their bodies into glass and oil, and extending their reach across Palisade's continents. Though they officially report to their handlers in Stel Kesh, recently they have begun to wonder if things were better before the Principality's return to Palisade. Places Bontive Valley: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. Temple of the Threshold: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this serves as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet, The Twilight Mirage: Created over 5000 years ago by what was then the Divine Empyrean in an effort to protect the Divine Fleet, of which they were a member. The Mirage is a false nebula that obscures the position of its inhabitants both visually and by distorting time and space. Inside, there is now a vibrant and peaceful culture that spans eight planets, orbiting a dark and living Divine sun. Objects FS-N Dais: One of the Altars competing in the tournament, piltoed by Zjenta Zjarule (she/they). Utilizes a sp

Mar 15, 20242h 0m

S8 Ep 67PALISADE 40: A Mechanical Whine Pt. 2

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As the tournament to determine the next era of the Altar continues at the Lone Marble Group's headquarters, the Blue Channel's infiltration team finds itself backed into a corner. As they try to push their way forward, their allies in the Temple of the Threshold find themselves up against a different sort of wall. In just a few hours, this would all seem so insignificant. This week on PALISADE: A Mechanical Whine Pt. 2 Hey wildflower / You're in the weather Dossier People Telford Stare (he/they): One of several foremen tied to the Lone Marble Group's contractor operations division. Organizations The Frontier Syndicate: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by Exenceaster March (he/him), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. Developed the Altar, the predominant war machine of the current era. The Lone Marble Group: Built around a single artifact recovered from an Advent facility, this Frontier Syndicate subsidiary develops the future of Bilat war machinery. The Church of Received Asterism: The most widely practiced faith in the galaxy, and one of the earliest major organizations in the Divine Principality, created at the beginning of the Miraculous Millenium, over 3000 years ago. Teaches that Divines, the immortal machines and mechs that helped establish the Principality's hold on the galaxy, reflect the best aspects of the state itself. The divine Strength, in other words, is like a living flag of the Principality's own strength. Organized as a central church, led by a religious leader named a "Cycle," whose will is enacted across the Principality by their many "Songs," who rule worlds, star systems, or sometimes entire constellations. The Church of Progressive Asterism: Created as the teachings of the prophet Logos Kantel grew in popularity 1000 years ago, and made a secondary state religion in order to prevent a large schism. Teaches that Divines are true embodiments of their names, and that the citizens and states of the Principality should look to them as guiding stars. The Divine Strength, in other words, is a reflection of strength itself, or maybe "god's strength," and we should aspire to make our strength look like the divine's. Unlike Received Asterism, there is no single central church, but hundreds of smaller sects, schools, and cults, each devoted to individual Divines, grouped sub-pantheons, or otherwise adjusted beliefs. The New Asterism: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet Gur Sevraq (he/they), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler "rehabilitates" or "improves" the places they claim by violence. If Received Asterism places virtue in the state and Progressive Asterism places it in the Divines, the New Asterism places it in the Principality's mythologized point of origin: The Twilight Mirage. Fabreal Duchy: When the Divine Principality left Palisade nearly 5,000 years ago, they left behind a Duke and his barons as caretakers. In the generations that followed, they ruled as petty tyrants, creating Delegates as their slaves, remaking their bodies into glass and oil, and extending their reach across Palisade's continents. Though they officially report to their handlers in Stel Kesh, recently they have begun to wonder if things were better before the Principality's return to Palisade. Places Bontive Valley: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. Temple of the Threshold: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this serves as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet, The Twilight Mirage: Created over 5000 years ago by what was then the Divine Empyrean in an effort to protect the Divine Fleet, of which they were a member. The Mirage is a false nebula that obscures the position of its inhabitants both visually and by distorting time and space. Inside, there is now a vibrant and peaceful culture that spans eight planets, orbiting a dark and living Divine sun. Objects FS-N Dais: One of the Altars competing in the tournament, piltoed by Zjenta Zjarule (she/they). Utilizes a special glass originally from the Twilight Mirage. AdArm Jury: The Jury is the future of AdArm machines. As the first design which fully moves beyond the platforms of the previous generation, it's a startling diversion from the bulky and boxy designs that the company is known for. In fact, the actual "unit" is only the cockpit, around which the rest of the Jury forms using concentrated Perennial Wave Material (PWM). Gone is the old LCD "eye," replaced by a full pixel "fac

Mar 8, 20242h 1m

S8 Ep 66PALISADE 39: A Mechanical Whine Pt. 1

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Across Palisade, Millennium Break and its allies launch into action. One after another, the Frontier Syndicate's egg-like power plants came under direct attack. With enough of them brought offline, the group's ploy to revive Motion would be halted—at least temporarily. That is where the Blue Channel would do their work: Infiltrate the campus of the Lone Marble Group; locate a kill switch for the terrible project; bring it all to a permanent end. This week on PALISADE: A Mechanical Whine Pt. 1 Blood on the horizon Dossier People Telford Stare (he/they): One of several foremen tied to the Lone Marble Group's contractor operations division. Organizations The Frontier Syndicate: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by Exenceaster March (he/him), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. Developed the Altar, the predominant war machine of the current era. The Lone Marble Group: Built around a single artifact recovered from an Advent facility, this Frontier Syndicate subsidiary develops the future of Bilat war machinery. The Church of Received Asterism: The most widely practiced faith in the galaxy, and one of the earliest major organizations in the Divine Principality, created at the beginning of the Miraculous Millenium, over 3000 years ago. Teaches that Divines, the immortal machines and mechs that helped establish the Principality's hold on the galaxy, reflect the best aspects of the state itself. The divine Strength, in other words, is like a living flag of the Principality's own strength. Organized as a central church, led by a religious leader named a "Cycle," whose will is enacted across the Principality by their many "Songs," who rule worlds, star systems, or sometimes entire constellations. The Church of Progressive Asterism: Created as the teachings of the prophet Logos Kantel grew in popularity 1000 years ago, and made a secondary state religion in order to prevent a large schism. Teaches that Divines are true embodiments of their names, and that the citizens and states of the Principality should look to them as guiding stars. The Divine Strength, in other words, is a reflection of strength itself, or maybe "god's strength," and we should aspire to make our strength look like the divine's. Unlike Received Asterism, there is no single central church, but hundreds of smaller sects, schools, and cults, each devoted to individual Divines, grouped sub-pantheons, or otherwise adjusted beliefs. The New Asterism: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet Gur Sevraq (he/they), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler "rehabilitates" or "improves" the places they claim by violence. If Received Asterism places virtue in the state and Progressive Asterism places it in the Divines, the New Asterism places it in the Principality's mythologized point of origin: The Twilight Mirage. Places Bontive Valley: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. Temple of the Threshold: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this serves as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet, The Twilight Mirage: Created over 5000 years ago by what was then the Divine Empyrean in an effort to protect the Divine Fleet, of which they were a member. The Mirage is a false nebula that obscures the position of its inhabitants both visually and by distorting time and space. Inside, there is now a vibrant and peaceful culture that spans eight planets, orbiting a dark and living Divine sun. Divines The Divine Resonance (it/its): The watchful guardian, doting caregiver, and ardent supporter of Nideo's colonial efforts on Palisade. The Divine Integrity (it/its): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. Now, it has found a new home in Thisbe. The Divine Motion (she/her): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun. Additional Notes Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal),

Mar 1, 20242h 19m

S8 Ep 65No Palisade Announcement (sorry!!!)

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Hey everyone, As this short audio announcement explains, there is no new episode of Palisade this week. We apologize for having the show on delay for as long as we've had but a combination of scheduling + story . .. . . .. + production decisions hanging in the air means that releasing an episode today wouldn't be to our usual standard. We FULLY intend for there to be a new episode next Thursday!! If you ARE TTRPG hungry, we'll be doing a live stream this Monday at 6:30 Eastern on twitch.tv/friendsatthetable! There were also be a merch giveaway as we sort of test the system so it'll be a fun time! Thank you so much for your support of Friends at the Table and for allowing us this time to assure a banger.......... we are doing our best!!! thank you!!!!

Feb 23, 20246 min

S2 Ep 51COUNTER/Weight 0.5: Thrilled Enough

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Aria Joie has a song stuck in her head. She knows all the lyrics. For a long time, whenever she thought of a song, she could hear the guide track too. Her own voice in her earpiece, peppy, encouraging, saying "One fifteen BPM! One, two, three, four!", counting her through the dance break. That's mostly faded away now. "Open up my heart," she sings, and she folds a paper plate in half and puts it in the trash. "Tear open up my heart!" New job tomorrow. New colleagues. She's going into a casino to check out some CCT screw-up. She measures out a little pinch of fish food in her palm, and tips it into the tank by the door. A neon swirl. It's not "open up my heart," is it? She's got the lyric wrong. Get a glass of water, Aria. Clear your head. She wishes she could open a window but there's no window in here. She pinches the bridge of her nose. "Open up—" what was it? How long has she been misremembering? Forget it. It's not important. She goes to the kiosk in the lobby. Gets a soda and a gacha toy. Taps her foot to the music in the elevator on the way back up. Big day tomorrow. Blackout. The arena goes silent. And then her voice, the first words spoken in the show. "Do you believe in the power of love?" Lightsticks, like a heart beat. "Do you? Do you believe in the power of love?" This week, on COUNTER/Weight 0.5: Thrilled Enough Listen to my heart! Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), and Art Tebbel (@atebbel)

Feb 9, 20241h 19m

S2 Ep 50COUNTER/Weight 0.4: New Perspectives

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The robot didn't want to wear the hat: and that's fine. All you can do is try. All you can do is hack the machine that prints the hats and go skipping through it's kaleidoscopic innards. It's a wave of a hand. It's no time wasted, if there's such a thing as wasted time. They said that if you kept being late to class there'd be consequences, but you could access the registration computer from the rooftop of C block and look down at the campus and be exactly as late as you wanted. You could be terrifically late. It's a blink of an eye. And this is SO easy! The machine that prints the hats is easy, some squat little AI inside turning and looking at you, bleary-eyed. Goodbye! The security cameras all over this casino? Trivial. You can see a man about to spill his coffee. He's spilled his coffee. Down in custodial a pink LED clicks on. This is a casino? They store money here? But what would you spend the money on? So, the rent's due, but what are they going to do about that? Evict you? These are magic tricks. This is sleight of hand. Small fry don't get to see the real stuff. Once you made it to class on time and there was a box on your desk and right between then and the end of the period you spent 6 months in the dream of a dream of some glacial, oily thing. You rearranged planets in the sky between your thumb and index finger. The ocean in the shape of a ring. Click your fingers. It's cameras. Scrub through the footage. Pay attention, as much as you can. It's just a job: and that's fine. Hack the machine that prints the hats. Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life. This week on COUNTER/Weight 0.4: New Perspectives In the event of a crisis, remain calm! 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) Music by Jack de Quidt

Feb 3, 20241h 36m

S2 Ep 49COUNTER/Weight 0.3: Under the Bus

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Cass had not brought their big medical bag. There was the box in the ship, of course, with the mint-coloured lid and little trays, but their black bag hung where it always did: on a hook beside the door, back in Centralia. In the inside pocket of their jacket was a fabric pouch, folded over and sealed with velcro. A thin tube of medical sealant, a pair of needle-nose scissors, a flat spool of thread, antiseptic cream, gauze, and a small phial of epinephrine. They didn't need any more than that. As soon as Godlove's call came through and they watched him studiously, awkwardly walk through the briefing (each syllable of "Ithikos" carefully sounded, a furrowed, sympathetic brow with the mention of the revenants) they knew that they had been hired as a doctor second, and an Apostolisian first. Godlove probably expected them to "work their contacts." They'd have contacts, of course, here in the Sill. No doubt. Among the casino family, or perhaps in the Agora. Perhaps an old friend from the war. That's how it worked. Find an old friend from the war, shake hands, smooth this over. Feel the connection. On a hook beside the door, back in Centralia, hung their medical bag. Below the supplies was a very fine layer of sand. The incendiary fire had fallen on the town across the bay and the whole fishing fleet had gone up like paper and they'd been told run, run, move your body and then the heat had hit them like July. There was also a shell in the shape of a pinwheel. This week on COUNTER/Weight 0.3: Under the Bus It's never too late to cash out! 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) Music by Jack de Quidt

Jan 26, 20241h 20m

S2 Ep 48COUNTER/Weight 0.2: Valuable Connections

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Sometimes, AuDy had found, people asked them to wait. This was transparently an exercise of power. Sit in there. I'll be right through. Flat silence as minutes passed. There existed a line of tension between one human and another and as one person wound it tauter and tauter - with distance, or silence, or an enforced period of waiting - certain useful anxieties would be sure to emerge in the other. The logic of this seemed sound to AuDy. On the other side of the room was a framed print of a man in the snow. He was lying on his back. A wire ran from the ceiling down to an outlet just above the floor, painted pale green. The top pin in the outlet carried electricity and the hexagonal grey one beneath it was a mesh hookup. For cleaning robots, and the like. The room was very quiet. What the people who asked AuDy to wait failed to understand was that the line they wound as they brewed coffee in a neighbouring room would never grow taut. They could wind and wind and AuDy, silent in the waiting room, tracing the wire up the wall, would unspool their patience with an easy comfort. One minute was one hour was one month was one second. Years later, just before the door opened, they remembered the man in the snow. He was lying on his back. This week on COUNTER/Weight 0.2: Valuable Connections What's your lucky number, Aria? 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) Music by Jack de Quidt

Jan 19, 20241h 32m

S2 Ep 47COUNTER/Weight 0.1: The First Bell

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By two o'clock in the morning, Orth Godlove of the Consolidated Counterweight Technocracy had chosen four names. Cassander Timaeus Berenice: an Apostolosian medic with a cool head and a noble background. They'd be able to use their connections, Orth thought. Speak with the Ithikos in a register others wouldn't. Then there was Mako Trig, some bright-eyed punk kid who claimed to be able to hack anything and everything. He'd dance through their security with a smile. The robot was a risk. Automated Dynamics' presence would raise questions, but if it came to it, Orth trusted that they would be nothing compact steel and ceramic couldn't answer. The last name on the list was a wildcard. He'd had to pull some strings, get some questions answered, make sure that this was the real deal. Aria Joie herself, the jewel in EarthHome's crown, now apparently turned freelancer on the desert planet. Whatever her motives, her legendary charisma and boundless optimism more than qualified her. There was a certain matter that needed to be cleared up - a corpse on a casino floor, a CCT manager in a cell. There were people down the hall who Orth knew would love nothing more than to roll in with the big guns, but things were… delicate. That'd be a disaster. No, it'd be these four. He'd already furnished them with a ship. He pinched the bridge of his nose. They'll be in and out. He made the call. This week on COUNTER/Weight 0.1: The First Bell Orth Godlove rolls the dice! 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) Music & Show Notes by Jack de Quidt

Jan 13, 20242h 29m

S8 Ep 64COUNTER/Weight Prequel Debut 8 PM ET 1/12 on twitch.tv/friendsatthetable!

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Hello hello hello everyone!! Instead of a new episode of PALISADE, here is YOUR announcement that TOMORROW AT 8 PM ET we are going to be DEBUTING THE COUNTER/Weight PREQUEL OVER ON TWITCH.TV/FRIENDSATTHETABLE!!!! Can't make it to the Twitch stream?? That's okay, it will also be released in the RSS feed!!! The next few weeks will be THE CHIME'S FIRST MISSION instead of PALISADE! All of the episodes will be DEBUTING ON TWITCH AT THURSDAYS AT 8 PM AND IN YOUR RSS FEED AS WELL. Don't forget that Twilight Mirage rebroadcasts are still happening on Sundays at 4 PM ET! And as a happy new year, our clapcast is free this month! Go check it out at friendsatthetable.cash! Happy New Year!!

Jan 11, 20245 min

S8 Ep 63PALISADE 38: Reach In / Reach Out Pt. 2

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Across the Bontive Valley, hardened members of the Cause join with recent recruits and regular civilians to kick off a region-wide celebration of their new liberation. Because it represents the first chance to publicly commemorate not only the group's most recent victory over the Bilateral Intercession, but also their recent victory over the Stellar Combustor and their success in taking the Grav Train), it is a loud, boisterous, and sprawling party. There, in the town of Eversin, the crew of the Blue Channel joins in with the celebration. Who will they bump into? What new memories might they make? This week on PALISADE: Reach In / Reach Out Pt. 2 Sing where the other boys can watch you dance Dossier People Midnite Matinee (she/her): Leporine scout and member of the Blue Channel. She and her trusty Pack-model light AutoHollow Popcorn used to run a repo company, but now are tentatively committed to the Cause and Millennium Break. Elle Evensong (she/they): Elle arrived to Palisade along with the first wave of Devotees, making a name for herself as a cunning combatant and clever commander. She became a poster child for Twilight Mirage's support of Palisade (and, for members of the Dim Liturgy, a prophesied bridge between the past and the future). But as the war began to heat up, she seemed to vanish into the background. In fact, they were working for the Divine, Arbitrage as a double agent. Cori blames them for the death of her father. Pilot of the Cataphract. Murchy "Murch" Saltburn (she/her): A gig-cop working for Lock & Cross Security Services in Baseline-C. Alise Breka (she/her): Once, Alise was most popular for her Renegade Hearts books of daring pulp adventure. Now she is one of the chief propagandists of Millennium Break, turning their struggles (and victories) into novels, screenplays, and other media. Gucci Garantine (she/her): A defector from Stel Kesh, who used the remaining wealth and power of House Brightline to help found Millennium Break. Currently a key member of the resistance efforts on Palisade, and a commander of Millenium Break forces there. Codename Watershed. Jesset City (he/him): After helping to kick off Millennium Break on Partizan, Jesset served as one of its major leaders during its expansion across the Principality. Now, he uses his talents in Hollow and Altar engineering, piloting, and cipher breaking on behalf of the Grey Pond unit of the cause. Still considers himself to be a member of the Party of the Wolf, though those designations have largely fallen from use. Mustard Red (she/her): A cyborg who once served as a member of Brink Proxy, with a speciality in surveillance. Joined the Cause during the Devotees expansion onto Palisade. Organizations Bilateral Intercession: One of two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, comprised by Stels Kesh and Nideo, and lead by the so-called Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh (he/him), who took control of the faction from the Curtain, a secretive intelligence organization with roots in Kesh's ancient spy operations. The "Bilats" are a conservative and reactionary force, aiming to return the Principality to its roots both literally and figuratively. After a long campaign against the Pact of Free States, they managed to take control of Palisade. Rose River: Though they are undoubtedly committed to the Cause, this unique research unit (combining Veronique (she/her), her Divine Fealty (any pronouns), and their followers with an out-of-time NEH Sleep Detachment squad) hope for a day when they can be something other than soldiers. Jade Kill: Based in Joyous Guard, this military arm of the Cause is operated by the Delegate liberation faction known as Reunion and supported by Kalar Anakalar's (he/him) Giantkiller unit and a wing of Swordbreakers. Led by August Righteousness (he/him). Violet Cove: The Dim Liturgy claim to have seen the Divine Devotion's arrival coming in their sacred text: A battered and corrupted backup of Crystal Palace's final predictions for the future. Now the two cults work together to oust the Bilats... and perhaps to do more intriguing things, as well. Grey Pond: With members of the Oxblood Clan, the Company of the Spade, and the Shale Belt's Concrete Front, these blue collar revolutionaries are experts at getting the Cause the equipment it needs (and maintaining what it has when that's the only available option). Carmine Bight: From ramshackle additions to the rocky shores of Rifle Island, Captain Skelton Knaggs (he/him) and his fearsome flotilla launch rusted pirate vessels beneath the waves, guided by a coalition of Hyphan navigators. The Twill: Though many groups have lived on the world of Palisade over the years, the Twill can trace their time on the world back the furthest. Though a first glance appraisal might make one think that their defining trait is the moss that covers much of their bodies and allows them to live on sunlight and water alone, in fact their most unshakable cultural trait is a prac

Dec 30, 20232h 36m

S8 Ep 62PALISADE 37: Reach In / Reach Out Pt. 1

The dominos have begun to fall. Across Palisade, the Cause's efforts have begun to be rewarded. And soon, its members will reward themselves with celebrations across the Bontive Valley. But, at least for the crew of the Blue Channel, it is not "soon" yet. Before they can party, they have some open issues that must be addressed. A visitor at the door. A hand on a scepter. An unclear connection to the divine. This week on PALISADE: Reach In / Reach Out Pt. 1 Words are blunt instruments / Words are sawn-off shotguns Dossier People Lucia Whitestar (she/her): The young "Lady Whitestar" emerged as a strategic genius during the early conflict between Kesh and Apostolos on PARTIZAN five years ago. Daughter of the Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. Commands her forces from her flagship, the Lander One with the support of her combat AI, Fire Support (it/its). Partial Palisade (he/him): A man who was once a Divine, now living in the shell of a being quite unlike what he once was. Murchy "Murch" Saltburn (she/her): A gig-cop working for Lock & Cross Security Services in Baseline-C. Alise Breka (she/her): Once, Alise was most popular for her Renegade Hearts books of daring pulp adventure. Now she is one of the chief propagandists of Millennium Break, turning their struggles (and victories) into novels, screenplays, and other media. Factions Stel Nideo: Created the largest faith in the empire, and used that influence to shape (and surveil) mass culture. They are tied to the Present. Faith, coercion, stability. Places Bontive Valley: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. Divines The Divine Filigree: The instrumentalized operating core of Palisade's extensive GravTrain system. Recovered by the Blue Channel and turned over to the Cause's leadership. The Divine Integrity (it/its): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia (they/them), the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. In an ancient era, Sokrates Nikon Artemisios (they/them) was the "candidate" (user) of Integrity, and together they reformed the Apostolosian Empire, turning it into the Golden Branch Demarchy for some time. Mysteries Perennial (she/her): The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has recently bonded with Kalmeria. Additional Notes Delegates: In plain terms, Delegates are synthetic individuals created through a process of forcible extraction from a living Divine. Originated by the Fabreal Duchy, who were left behind to "attend to" Palisade by the Divine Principality around 5000 years ago, these Delgates were designed and used as slaves. Currently, a Delegate resistance group called Reunion operates out of the fortress Joyous Guard in the Caldera Stretch. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Daniel Laloggia, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, fen, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nich Maragos, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, and weakmint for their support

Dec 22, 20232h 50m

S8 Ep 61PALISADE 36: Weapons Ready Pt. 2

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This episode carries content warnings for discussion of civilian casualties. On Palisade, it seems as if possibility has begun to bloom. The Stellar Combustor has been deactivated. The Grav Trains that run through the Diadem and across the planet have come under revolutionary control. The Bilateral Intelligence Service lies in shambles. But Stel Kesh is not done, yet. This week on PALISADE: Weapons Ready Pt. 2 Tell me, tell me / Will you still enjoy the view / Through the smoke into the blue Dossier People Gentian (she/her): Elect of the Divine Crusade. Impossibly old, yet a source of power and vibrance. Attended to by her two sword bearers (Ramondre (she/her) and Ignadiah (he/him), Knight of Books (Clawed (he/him)), and Knight of Cups (Perevel (they/them)). Lucia Whitestar (she/her): The young "Lady Whitestar" emerged as a strategic genius during the early conflict between Kesh and Apostolos on PARTIZAN five years ago. Daughter of the Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. Commands her forces from her flagship, the Lander One with the support of her combat AI, Fire Support (it/its). The Witch in Glass a.k.a. Clementine Kesh (she/her): A former scion of Kesh who, after knitting a bond with the adversary Perennial, came into control of the broken body of the Divine Past, which she has renamed the Reflecting Pool. Rules over the Crown of Glass, a city-state on the southeastern reaches of Palisade. A shaky ally of Millennium Break. Haunted by an old foe. Riah Connadine (he/him): Commander of the Bilateral Intelligence Service on Palisade. An expert in psychological operations and folklore. As a composer, his opus is the Adagio, a plan to get everyone on Palisade operating in ways not only predictable, but scripted. As a conductor, his orchestra now turns towards the second movement. Rudy Smails (he/him): Member of Millennium Break who often spends his free time in the Crown of Glass, hanging with the boys. Factions Bilateral Intercession: One of two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, comprised by Stels Kesh and Nideo, and lead by the so-called Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh (he/him), who took control of the faction from the Curtain, a secretive intelligence organization with roots in Kesh's ancient spy operations. The "Bilats" are a conservative and reactionary force, aiming to return the Principality to its roots both literally and figuratively. After a long campaign against the Pact of Free States, they managed to take control of Palisade. Rose River: Though they are undoubtedly committed to the Cause, this unique research unit (combining Veronique (she/her), her Divine Fealty (any pronouns), and their followers with an out-of-time NEH Sleep Detachment squad) hope for a day when they can be something other than soldiers. Jade Kill: Based in Joyous Guard, this military arm of the Cause is operated by the Delegate liberation faction known as Reunion and supported by Kalar Anakalar's (he/him) Giantkiller unit and a wing of Swordbreakers. Led by August Righteousness (he/him). Places Bontive Valley: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. Divines The Divine Filigree: The instrumentalized operating core of Palisade's extensive GravTrain system. Currently being taken into Dust's catacombs by the affliction's minions. The Divine Motion (she/her): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun. The Divine, Arbitrage (it/its): The amoral machine turned de facto treasurer keeps the Frontier Syndicate a step ahead in all matters of commerce. Sole minter of "glint," a newly popular currency on Palisade. The Divine Crusade (they/them): Leads Stel Nideo's occupation on Palisade along with their Elect, Gentian. Crusade is an enormous, bipedal machine covered (or perhaps made with) beautiful stained glass. The Divine You (it/its): A Divine that can look like anything, but (for a fee) can be made to look like you. The Divine embodiment of City City. Additional Notes Delegates: In plain terms, Delegates are synthetic individuals created through a process of forcible extraction from a living Divine. Originated by the Fabreal Duchy, who were left behind to "attend to" Palisade by the Divine Principality around 5000 years ago, these Delgates were designed and used as slaves. Currently, a Delegate resistance group called Reunion operates out of the fortress Joyous Guard in the Caldera Stretch. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp)

Dec 22, 20231h 55m

S8 Ep 60PALISADE 35: Weapons Ready Pt. 1

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This episode carries content warnings for civilian casualties, description of the Kent State shooting. With the Divine Filigree recovered by the Blue Channel and transferred to Cause leadership, a choice must be made. Spurred on by Millennium Break's recent victories, should their allies commit to dramatic action? Or should they take the opportunity to rest, recover, and prepare for the next Bilateral strike? For some, this is a question of strategy. For others, it is one of identity. This week on PALISADE: Weapons Ready Pt. 1 [Ah, a flare cuts through the landscape] Dossier People Jesset City (he/him): After helping to kick off Millennium Break on Partizan, Jesset served as one of its major leaders during its expansion across the Principality. Now, he uses his talents in Hollow and Altar engineering, piloting, and cipher breaking on behalf of the Grey Pond unit of the cause. Still considers himself to be a member of the Party of the Wolf, though those designations have largely fallen from use. Gentian (she/her): Elect of the Divine Crusade. Impossibly old, yet a source of power and vibrance. Attended to by her two sword bearers (Ramondre (she/her) and Ignadiah (he/him), Knight of Books (Clawed (he/him)), and Knight of Cups (Perevel (they/them)). Cassander Timaeus Berenice (they/them): An Apostolosian war hero of the Golden era, 55,000~ years ago in the Golden Branch star sector. Lucia Whitestar (she/her): The young "Lady Whitestar" emerged as a strategic genius during the early conflict between Kesh and Apostolos on PARTIZAN five years ago. Daughter of the Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. Factions The Bilateral Intelligence Service: Formerly called the Curtain, the BIS is a Kesh-operated organization which specializes in espionage, subterfuge, and surveillance. Recently removed from power on Palisade Rose River: Though they are undoubtedly committed to the Cause, this unique research unit (combining Veronique (she/her), her Divine Fealty (any pronouns), and their followers with an out-of-time NEH Sleep Detachment squad) hope for a day when they can be something other than soldiers. Jade Kill: Based in Joyous Guard, this military arm of the Cause is operated by the Delegate liberation faction known as Reunion and supported by Kalar Anakalar's (he/him) Giantkiller unit and a wing of Swordbreakers. Led by August Righteousness (he/him). Places Bontive Valley: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. Divines The Divine Filigree: The instrumentalized operating core of Palisade's extensive GravTrain system. Currently being taken into Dust's catacombs by the affliction's minions. The Divine Motion (she/her): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun. The Divine, Arbitrage (it/its): The amoral machine turned de facto treasurer keeps the Frontier Syndicate a step ahead in all matters of commerce. Sole minter of "glint," a newly popular currency on Palisade. The Divine Integrity (it/its): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. The Divine Crusade (they/them): Leads Stel Nideo's occupation on Palisade along with their Elect, Gentian. Crusade is an enormous, bipedal machine covered (or perhaps made with) beautiful stained glass. Additional Notes Delegates: In plain terms, Delegates are synthetic individuals created through a process of forcible extraction from a living Divine. Originated by the Fabreal Duchy, who were left behind to "attend to" Palisade by the Divine Principality around 5000 years ago, these Delgates were designed and used as slaves. Currently, a Delegate resistance group called Reunion operates out of the fortress Joyous Guard in the Caldera Stretch. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Daniel Laloggia, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, fen, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nich Maragos, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, S

Dec 8, 20232h 25m