COUNTER/Weight 00: If Han Solo Used To Be Beyoncé, or: Hashtag Otechku

This episode carries content warnings for violence, abduction, and risk of suffocation. Welcome to the Road to PALISADE, an interlude connecting PARTIZAN to PALISADE, our upcoming season (which will be played in Armour Astir: Advent by Briar Sovereign)! Unlike 2019's Road to PARTIZAN, please know that this season will likely contain broad spoilers for COUNTER/Weight, Twilight Mirage, and PARTIZAN. In many ways, we see both the Road to PALISADE and PALISADE itself as opportunities to weave many important threads from the Divine Cycle together. Another way in which this interlude season is different from the Road to PARTIZAN is that we aren't necessarily telling a linear history from point A to point B. While many key points on the five years separating the two seasons will be hit, the Road to PALISADE is intended to be less of a direct history and more of a series of snapshots, capturing events happening as the Principality's civil war continues. As a fun note, all of the stories we play this interlude season are generally inspired by the cast's answers to Crunchyroll writer Adam Wescott's question about what sort of PZN spinoff we'd all want to do! There are (thus far) two exceptions, and this episode is the first of those. When I first read Tyler Crumrine's HOUNDs, I knew instantly that this was how I wanted to kick things off. And as you'll see, Jack and Art proved that it was the right decision. Okay, given how long this particular Road is going to be—it's still in production as this first episode hits the main feed—I better shut up and let you get on with listening. This week on Friends at the Table: The Road to PALISADE: Hounds Pt. 1 Records Recovered from the Divine, Arbitrage Factions The Divine Principality: Stitched together thousands of years ago from the remains of the Divine Free States and the Principality of Kesh, it is largest empire in the history of the MIlky Way Galaxy. Even now, divided against itself, any subdivision of its arms stretches further than any kingdom or confederation ever has before. An utter failure. Stel Kesh: Among the oldest operating powers in the stars. Devoted to the Past even though they've long lost control of the Divine who shares its name. Snobbish historians, ineffective parliamentarians, and stubborn reactionaries. Kesh is generally aligned with the Curtain of Divinity. Stel Nideo: WIth origins in the long lost Twilight Mirage, Stel Nideo are architects of our current era, dread controllers of the Present. Along with shaping mass media, popular culture, and educational standards, they now operate both Received and Progressive Asterism, the former run by the corrupt Cycle and the latter by the grotesque puppet of the lost prophet Gur Sevraq. These priests, pop idols, and patriotic poster children are largely aligned with the Curtain of Divinity. Stel Orion: For hundreds of thousands of years, Stel Orion—under countless names and forms—has repeated a cycle of exploitation and revolution. Competing spirits of individualism and camaraderie ebb and flow, but industry remains. Is it any wonder that it remains associated with the raw breadth of Space itself? Currently, Orion is at war with itself, with countless small factions not only differing in position on the larger civil war in the Principality, but also on many additional issues like wealth, religion, and culture. Stel Columnar: Famously "courted" by the growing Principality many generations ago, this nation of humanoid synthetics traded freedom for the prestige and security of the Principality. They hid behind imperial walls and pursued the Future, pushing boundaries not only in technology, but in art, commerce, and war. I suppose I can call them cousins, but not with much fondness. Today, they share righteous screeds and fight for the return of something like democracy as part of the Pact of Necessary Venture. What a comedy. Stel Apostolos: An ancient people, ever obsessed with external conquest and internal freedom, and utterly uninterested in understanding their own contradictions. They are dedicated to the pursuit of forward Motion, and I suppose I can respect such bullheaded devotion. It is, at the very least, not boring. They are the meat and muscle of the Pact of Necessary Venture. The Curtain of Divinity: For generations, the Curtain of Divinity operated in the shadows of the Principality, partly as intelligence agency, partly as shadow government. Now they have been dragged into the daylight, and serve as one of the two ruling factions of the whole Principality. Though there are some divisions along questions of secularity, humanism, and cultural taste, in general, leaders of the Curtain are conservative, traditionalist, and nationalistic. They seek the reunification of all five Stels and the permanence of the Divine Principality. Led, in public at least, by Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh, the Peaceful Princept. In fact, the Curtain has five divisions, each led by a ruthless individual known only by a codename: Silk (diplomacy), Damask (research & inquisition), Lace (military), Linen (economics), and Gabardine (espionage and collaboration). The Pact of Necessary Venture: As their (current) name suggests, the Pact began as a cooperative exploratory committee founded in the late 14th Century of the Perfect Millennium. They sought new territory to conquer, breaking an old taboo in the process, and inviting destruction and fracture. Which is appropriate, as their vision for the future is one where each Stel is granted more autonomy and independence—some even claim that they would see the Principality utterly destroyed and replaced by a loose affiliation of free states. Despite this, the Pact are no radicals: While they want more independence from the Principality, they have little interest in shaking up the internal power structures of the Stels themselves. After all, their founders were all Elects, and though only two remain (Gallica, elect of the Divine Present, and Rye, elect of the divine Space), they are led by Dahlia, who serves as both Apokine and Glorious Princept. Millennium Break: Terrorists, thieves, and revolutionaries. Founded on the moon of Partizan in 1423-1424 PM. A wrench in the wheel, a fly in the ointment. Critical in pushing the Principality into chaos. Now spreading dissidence through the galaxy. Their manifesto, such as it is, is thus: We will help those displaced by the war. We will claim supplies only when it adds losses to the ledgers of the unjust. Free and fair elections will be held every two years. Burn thrones, build tables. When we provide for ourselves, we can provide for others. We will not turn our back on allies in need. If we must play their game, make sure to bloody their noses. When we reach the edge, we will Leap. Look sick as shit. The words of children. Persons Veronique (she/they): Elect of Fealty. A loyalist. A protector. A runner, in a previous life. Fealty (any, they/them): A Curtain Divine of glittering chrome and sculpture. Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh (he/him): "The Peaceful Princept," supposed leader of the Curtain of Divinity. Growing, ever so slowly, into the title. Sierra (they/her): The bashful intelligence which pilots the agrivessel the Hen and Chicks. Gucci Garantine (she/her): Once, when she operated the revolutionary group HORIZON, true heir of the Rapid Evening, she called herself Saint Dawn. Now she simply calls herself one of the MIllennium Break's commanders, albeit through gritted teeth. Fortitude (it/its) & Acacia (they/them): A Divine from an era before my own, and in that way at least, a curiosity. It spreads its strength across many military units. As always, its need for an Elect is a disappointment. Layer Luxurious (he/him): A "podcaster." What a waste. Locations The Skarnoc Debris Fields: The remnants of a battle from the era before the Twilight Mirage, where the Rapid Evening fought and lost the Divine Nobility. Besides the normal ship debris, the field has gathered strange crystalline spires. Articles A Dash of Purple: Fealty, of course, knew what it was at once. How could they not? Hollows & Hallows: Mechanized military vessels, often in humanoid shape. The latter are enhanced by the touch of a Divine. The Treaty of Permanent Peace: An agreement of terms and conventions between the Curtain and the Pact, negotiated by the Elect Rye and the Peaceful Princept. By all accounts, this was the first great achievement of the latter. Without the safeties, guidelines, and structure provided by the Treaty, the less technologically advanced Curtain would have lost the war within the first two years of its start, with countless civilians left dead across core Curtain worlds. Miscellany The Perennial Wave: Perennial is something like a god, or at least I think she imagines she is. Her wave is her arrogant whim, made manifest. Functionally infinite nano-particles, spread throughout the galaxy, hampering all technology except (curiously) Divines. Kalmeria Particle: Most people don't know what it really is, or where it came from. Some know that it is named for the rogue engineer Kal'Mera Broun, but phew know that it is the result not only of their research into the divine Asepsis, but also the particular consequences of Millennium Break's battle with Motion and her siphoning of so-called "Autonomy Itself." Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel) and Jack de Quidt Produced by Ali Acampora (@ali_west) Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot)

26 Aug 20224h 19min

Hello everyone! Here's another actual play from our National Network of Abortion Funds fundraiser, this time with Austin, Sylvi, Janine, Art, Dre and Keith playing Standoff! Standoff is available at https://worldchampgameco.itch.io/standoff on its own or as part of a collection in Wish You Were Here, available at https://worldchampgameco.itch.io/wish-you-were-here

12 Aug 20221h 8min

Well, I suppose I've got a story or two left in these old bones. And hell, since it is another one about Marielda, why not make one about stories and the people who tell 'em. Now I know what you might be thinking: Physicality alive, in the era that The Six operated in Marielda, it was knowledge which was forbidden, turned into contraband and currency both, not stories. But as anyone ever wounded by art can tell you, fiction is a sharper knife than information could be. And living fiction, played out in front of your eyes and ears? Very few things are as well honed as that. And so it was that Samothes, ever jealous and increasingly suspicious that his erstwhile beau might conquer his capital with culture instead cudgel, all but forbade the theater. Of course, any scoundrel worth their shadow would narrow in on those two words preceding "forbade": "All but. " There were two exceptions to the rule banning theater. The first was liturgical drama, approved by the Blessed Council and performed in the True Church of Samothes on the Day of High Sun and other feasts. Between us, these were boring. They might serve academic value to someone of today's New Archives, and I suppose for the true believer of that old era, seeing even the most sanitized depiction of their King-God, Artificer Divine would make their day. But most folks, they wanted something a little less sacramental. Which is where the second exception comes in. Once a season, as an act of supposed Good Will, the Preceptors of the Font of True Knowledge—the Fontmen—opened the gates of their domain and put on a grand show. A day of comedy and tragedy in the Font Theater—the leash let slack so that the next time those censors pulled on it, they could claim it was done in good faith. What does any of this have to do with the Six. Well, nothin, until those out-a-towners with mysterious pasts and glorious masks showed up, claiming they had a spot on the stage and job for Hitchcock, Castille, and the rest. Help those actors steal their names back. Hello everyone!! Here is our livestream marathon finale game, a return to Marielda playing Scene Thieves! Most donation and fundraising shouts were cut to get this (as close as possible) under 5 hours but we'd like to thank everyone again for joining us on stream and supporting the National Network of Abortion Funds with us! Featuring: Austin Walker, Art Martinez-Tebbel, Jack de Quidt, Janine Hawkins, Ali Acampora and Sylvi Clare Music by Jack de Quidt Scene Thieves is available here: https://possible-worlds-games.itch.io/scene-thieves

5 Aug 20225h 4min

Princeton, The Powdered Sugar Horse "Only a fool would say the horse does not belong at the beach," wrote a young Elliott Callahan in 1885. "The British, in their usual parsimonious fashion, insist that the beach is the province of the donkey, but the fact of the matter is that as far as strength, determination, and grit are concerned: one can do no wrong by bringing the horse—America's workhorse, if you will—down to the waterfront." By 1897, horses were a regular sight on the Bluff City boardwalk. Carriah and Letitia dragged the boat launch down to the water and back. Maribeth stood patiently by the bicycle rental stand and blinked placidly at passing cyclists. The less about Big Arthur that is committed to the historical record, the better. The most beloved of these animals, however, was Princeton: the mild mannered Clydesdale who pulled the Princeton Powdered Sugar wagon. Though whether he was named after the company or vice versa is a matter of some dispute, his sweet temper and calm demeanour is not. In the summer of that same year, Callahan—still clearly an equestrian enthusiast—catalogued this song in commemoration of the animal. Princeton the Powdered Sugar Horse, Is coming by again! Princeton the Powdered Sugar Horse, With flowers in his mane! If ever God made the sweetest creature, So sublime in every feature, Who would it be? Of course! It's The Powdered Sugar Horse! Princeton the Powdered Sugar Horse, They say he's a businessman! Princeton the Powdered Sugar Horse, As only an equine can! Tho' there's often a fellow who stands beside him, Sells the sugar and helps to guide him, Who runs the show? Of course! It's the Powdered Sugar Horse! Princeton the Powdered Sugar Horse, The children clap and cheer! Princeton the Powdered Sugar Horse, Whenever he draws near! They say that he's never bit a man, And only God knows if he even can. Would he pummel a villain? Of course! He's the Powdered Sugar Horse! Featuring: Austin Walker, Art Martinez-Tebbel, Jack de Quidt, Janine Hawkins and Keith J Carberry Music & Description by Jack de Quidt Mall Kids is available at https://mr-matthew.itch.io/mall-kids

28 Juli 20221h 21min

(If you'd like to follow along to everyone watching Mr. Ed Plays Baseball at 1:22:24, here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlVr45CHOuA ) Three Out of Five It Ain't Bad During the late 1880s and early 1890s, the Bluff City Boardwalk saw a surge (and then sudden decline) in the unusual genre of "Lovers' Songs". Enterprising organ grinders would charge participants a small sum, hand out a broadsheet, and then act as an accompanist to a lovesick singer. These proved wildly unpopular. The songs were never particularly emotive, the cost was slightly too high, but the primary nail in the coffin was that it turned out that nobody liked to be sung to - in public - by a potential beau (who was invariably fighting the volume of a barrel organ two feet away). Most of these songs had faded into obscurity by the time Elliott Callahan, in 1899, recorded "Three Out of Five It Ain't Bad", a song that fails - straightforwardly - at communicating anything about love, or indeed anything at all. I wish I could give you the crown on the head Of the Queen out in Olde London Town! 
I wish I could send you the brooches that shine Of the Princess of Burgundy's gown. But all I can offer's the love in my heart, You can make me the happiest lad! I can offer this music, companionship too, And hey, three out of five it ain't bad. Three out of five, three out of five, Three out of five it ain't bad (it ain't bad!) Three out of five it ain't bad, my love, Three out of five it ain't bad. I wish we could visit the fanciest stores, I would buy you such satin and lace. I wish we could hike, hand in hand, through the Alps, See the wintry sun on your face. But all I can offer's the spring in my step, And the knowledge your smile makes me glad. And the tune that I raise with such fullness of heart, And hey, three out of five it ain't bad. Three out of five, three out of five, Three out of five it ain't bad (it ain't bad!) Three out of five it ain't bad, my love, Three out of five it ain't bad. *Organ grinder part in parentheses Featuring: Austin Walker, Art Martinez-Tebbel, Jack de Quidt, Janine Hawkins and Keith J Carberry Music & Description by Jack de Quidt Mall Kids is available at https://mr-matthew.itch.io/mall-kids

21 Juli 20221h 36min

What A Big Building, I Can't See The Top By 1898, construction had begun on several boardwalk-side buildings that so exceeded the previous maximum building height that they caused a city-wide stir. Of course, early skyscrapers had been constructed before, closer to the city centre, but these new buildings' proximity to the ocean was a cause for excitement and, in some cases, concern. Would the ocean winds knock them over? Was it an act of hubris to situate such a tall building so close to the waves? These questions, however, were the purview of city folk. Those on the boardwalk were mostly disinterested by the whole situation, or irritated by the construction noise, or confused as to why the skyscrapers were called for at all. Elliott Callahan, writing in the summer of 1898, and seized with the "skyscraper spirit", asked a local organ grinder to "let loose a tune commemorating the new buildings that [he] might put it to paper." The resulting tune did not reflect the spirit in which it was requested. Some kinds of buildings are houses. Some kinds of buildings are shops. Sometimes they even take the shops that I mentioned, And they put a little house right on the top. (Combination!) Everybody loves buildings. Everybody loves 'em tall. Everybody needs buildings, And the highest ones up are best of all. Today I will sing about the skyscraper. Today, I will sing and never stop. I'm looking over there at the great big building. And I cannot - no, I cannot - see the top. Featuring: Austin Walker, Art Martinez-Tebbel, Jack de Quidt, Janine Hawkins and Keith J Carberry Music & Description by Jack de Quidt Mall Kids is available at https://mr-matthew.itch.io/mall-kids

14 Juli 20221h 37min

I Can't Find My Way Off Atlantic During the winter of 1895, the main thoroughfare of Atlantic Avenue was set upon by work crews from City Hall, who - in preparation for the approaching 20th Century - sought to improve the quality of the road surfaces and allow for increased traffic. The works were scheduled to last no longer than two months - but, thanks to mismanagement, bad luck, and direct appropriation of funds - the project stretched languorously into the summer of 1896: the year of the heatwave. "What a disaster," wrote Elliott Callahan. "The wheels of carts, of automobiles, sinking into the asphalt as it melted on the streets. Confused horses. Shouting patrons. Great columns of immobilised travellers, the length of the avenue." From the relative safety of the boardwalk, far from the sounds of the work crews, the organ grinders were known to sing: Oh once, long ago, I knew peace in my heart, I would rise with the sun and the birds! But now I am stuck in the back of a cart, And my anger surpasses my words. Last springtime I met a remarkable gem, In the summer, my thoughts turned romantic. I would love to revisit my sweetheart again, But I can't find my way off Atlantic. Perhaps I have been here for thirty five years. Suspended 'twixt horror and prayer. Perhaps when the horrible traffic jam clears, I will find and imprison the mayor! I will find and imprison the mayor of Bluff, Just as soon as I'm out of the fray! I can see City Hall just ahead, sure enough, But there's forty nine cars in the way. Help! Help! Help! Help! I can't find my way off Atlantic! Help! Help! Help me! Help! I can't find my way off Atlantic! (x2) Featuring: Austin Walker, Art Martinez-Tebbel, Jack de Quidt, Janine Hawkins and Keith J Carberry Music & Description by Jack de Quidt Mall Kids is available at https://mr-matthew.itch.io/mall-kids

7 Juli 20221h 16min

Here's our GenCon liveshow set in Marielda, playing Blades in the Dark! While this game of Blades in the Dark takes place in our Marielda setting, it's totally listenable even without that background (at least, that's what some totally new fans told us at the event!). That said, I do think listening to Marielda first makes it shine even brighter. For those curious, it takes place in the time jump between "The Valentine Affair Pt. 4" and "Four Conversations," and here's how we listed it in the big list of GenCon Events: Come watch a high stakes heist in an industrial fantasy world like no other! Friends at the Table leads you through a live Blades in the Dark game featuring new and returning players from their Marielda campaign. For new fans, get ready to learn about tea witches, lovelorn gods, and a very unpredictable train. For those in the know: Months before their climactic confrontation, Aubrey and Sige find themselves teamed up with a rival gang on a robbery like no other. Their target is a national treasure: the very first words written to page. Also if you listen to this and love it, and want to hear even more about Art and Keith's characters, we recorded their character creation and posted that as Pusher update right here. A transcription is available for this episode here. A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!

6 Juli 20222h 11min