COUNTER/Weight 07: I Am Not Allowed

For Kalar Anakalar and Phrygian, SBBR's newest recruits, it seemed like another boilerplate mission. A too-warm, too-quiet night in seaside town, making sure that the people in suits and dresses could go about their politicking and gallivanting in safety. But when Ver'Million Blue called in a strange occurrence at the Strand Semaphore station to the north of Auspice, they understood this would be no ordinary mission. But no warning would prepare these new recruits--or the rest of SBBR for that matter--for GLORY, and the hardest fight they'd faced yet. This week on PARTIZAN: GLORY Arrives ///Operation Dossier\\\ //Organizations\\ The Isle of Logos: An independent nation built by the followers of the prophet Logos Kantel's around their very first church. Though only a small handful of islands in the Prophet's Sea, the Isles keep a standing defense force that rivals any individual unit of the Major Stels. The Branched: A post-human society of beings who have transformed their bodies into forms terrifying and spectacular and free--only to have the threat of war force them to rebuild themselves as soldiers first and foremost. The Black Century: Infamous retinue of the Divine Motion. Each member of this 100-person company serves for 100 years. Motion guarantees them this service. The Church of the Resin Heart: A Disciples of Logos church on Partizan which claims to be the true inheritor of the prophet's religious mission. The "resin heart" in question is a 3-foot large object--a component of the Exemplar--pulled from the sea 400+ years ago and displayed as a relic by the Church. In mourning after the loss of Gur Sevraq, though still committed to the cause. GLORY: With the help of advanced Columnar cloning science, the Glory Project (or simply GLORY), claims to have resurrected (and made immortal) heroes of the nation's past called Eidolons. On Partizan, they field Kleos, Apothesa, Vervain, Sabeeha, and the squad's leader: Laurel, elect of Motion. The Zenith Fund: A public institution of Stel Columnar that incubates, defends, and offers testing for teams pursuing cutting edge projects in a wide range of fields including medicine, environmental science, infrastructure, culture, and emerging military hardware. Aids with major projects across every other Stel, including Apostolos' Glory Project. Like the rest of Columnar, increasingly tied to the Pact of Necessary Venture. //People\\ Break Lieutenant Kalar Anakalar (he/him): A Millennium Break soldier who specializes in fighting Hollows without one of his own. Large, even for the commonly tall, bird-like Talonites. White and grey plumage, a long or cool coat. Originally a steeplejack in Obelle and a member of a religious community devoted to the Divine Peace. Believes that Divines should not be used in war. Phrygian (they/them): Also known by their callsign, Deck 7, Phrygian is a member of the Branched who arrived on Partizan with a team of undercover researchers who sought to understand the God preached about by Gur Sevraq. While investigating, they and their team were captured and researched by Stel Apostolos and the Pact of Necessary Venture. Phyrgian is the only remaining member of their team. Cas'alear Rizah (cas/cas', they/them): Leader of the Swordbreakers, sibling of the Glorious Princept. Cas has brown skin with dark green hair up in a bun, with a few strands hanging down in front of their face (which is framed with similarly colored scales covering cas' jawline and neck. Broken sword tattoos under their eyes. Reputation as being beautiful and brave by allies, unflinching and unpredictable by foes. Pilots the notorious Ataraxia. Cares more about metaphors than astrophysics. Boole Batanca (they/them): Chancellor of the Isle of Logos, one of two chief executives of the small sovereign nation. A cephalopod type species, squid-like species, the same as Gigas Acano from Twilight Mirage. White/blue skin with black/brown markings. Tentacle hands, tentacle mouth, eyes adjust in size depending on environment and light. Unlike Gigas, though, this one also has some sort of shell like structure running up their back and parts of their head, almost like hair. Laurel (they/them): Elect of Motion, new mortal leader of GLORY, and a clone of Cassander Timaeus Berenice, an Apostolosian war hero of the Golden era. Recently selected by Motion as her new elect, catapulting them to leadership. They have served well, with a remarkable propensity for strategic thinking and tactical execution. Pilots the Demiurgos. Sabeeha (they/them): Sabeeha is pound-for-pound GLORY's best pilot, though their specialities also include infiltration, disguise, and sabotage. Brown, light olive skin. Brown hair kept short and wavy, close to their head. Face and body both a little long, a little chubby. Big brown eyes. Slightly bushy brows. Pilots the Aporia. Vervain (they/them): Member of GLORY, clone of their Apostolosian tragic hero namesake, and a bright reflection of Ver'Million Blue. Using their Divine, the historic Vervain was able to predict enemy movements and turn the tide of battles with uncanny strategic foresight. Kleos (they/them): Skin is fully like a shiny maroon. Bright red cloak wrapped around neck and hanging back like a cape, totally topless otherwise. Khaki army pant capris, a spear slung over their back, and a heavy sidearm at their waist. Pilots the Epoche. Apothesa (they/them): Former field commander of GLORY's main Hallow unit. Supposedly a clone of the ancient (perhaps even mythical) eidolon of construction, military action, and history. They have big team-parent energy. Long wavy hair, perfectly kept pilot uniform, stern features, sterner attitude. Pilots the Aporia. //Places\\ Auspice: A seaside city in the Prophet's Path north of Marengo (which it is smaller than) and south of Obelle (which it dwarfs). Auspice is the final destination of the land travel portion of the yearly pilgrimage led by the Church of the Resin Heart, which has a great temple in the city called the High Altar. Resting on a landmass that appears on a map to be a finger pointing eastward, it has become a coastal refuge for members of Millennium Break. The Golden Branch: A sector of the galaxy extremely far from PARTIZAN, on the other side of the galactic core. The civilizations of Kesh and Apostolos first began there. Now, it is home to the Branched. //Divines\\ The Divine Motion (she/her): Long after enemy fuel tanks run empty, Motion continues to power Apostolosian machines of war (like its infamous retinue, the Black Century) and service (including the massive Barranca Loop that allows Apostolos to regularly launch ships spaceward). Ver'MIllion Blue's rival. Has taken a new elect, Laurel, a clone of the Apostolosian war hero Cassander Timaeus Berenice, a young, yet intuitive Apostolosian commander known to be attentive and authoritative in equal measure. //Things\\ Strand Semaphore: Using ancient Hyphan technology, this messenger service is able to send text-based communications to anywhere on-moon, so long as they've built an outpost there. The backbone of the private comms network used by Millennium Break. Ataraxia (Cas'alear's mech): A white, purple, and yellow mantid-shaped machine blessed by the divine Commitment and developed by Stel Columnar's Zenith Fund. Each of its six curved limbs can light up its edges with energy beams. On the ground, it can dance in combat in such a way that any two limbs can be its temporary feet, and when it's in flight, it becomes a complete whirlwind of violence. Named for the philosophical concept key to ancient Stoicism. The Demiurgos (aka "The Demiurge," Laurel's mech): A Pneuma model (see below) which has been modified using cutting edge research and materials, including recovered parts of the supposed "exemplar," Branched materials, stabilized Perennial Wave particles, and, of course, Motion's own divine power. Aponia (Sabeeha's Hallow): A highly modified Kosmos unit (see below) which is able to transforms into a high-mobility aircraft mode. Though it can be outfitted with a custom, solid-state rifle, this limits its maneuverability and flight length, so Sabeeha often chooses to leave the weapon behind, instead favoring the machine's built in energy blades, featured on its wings in flight mode, or extending from elbows and knees in humanoid forum. As a holdout weapon, this configuration also comes with energy-powered throwing blades. Katalepsis Mk. II (Vervain's Hallow): Like Milli's own Katalepsis, this model began as an exploration into combining features from both the Kosmos and the and the Obscura (see below for reference on both). Deep, dark teal with gold accents, rounded head shape built to scan its surroundings. Can launch dozens of drones into the air for reconnaissance and observation, which will quickly locate anything nearby, but must remain stationery to do that. Can launch micro missiles at locked targets from its shoulders. Its signature weapon is a huge V-shaped rifle that gives it a unique silhouette when attached to the Katalepsis' back. Because it is powered by Motion, the V Rifle is able to release incredible damaging energy attacks: Either in a devastating, short range spread when open, or as an incredible powerful long range railgun-like shot at range. Up close, Vervain can run this energy throughout the interior of the V's two "blades," creating a unique, shear-like melee weapon. Epoché (Kleos' Hallow) A Kosmos unit highly modified for top-of-class melee functionality. Deep brown, triangular head headshape, humanoid machine with gold accents, and a faceplate made of brown stone, and heavy skirt plates to defend its upper legs/lower torso. A long, oval shield built onto it's left arm, a pair of grappling hook launchers on its skirt. Wields a guisarme--a spear that has a hook on the reverse side of the blade. The bottom of the weapon's shaft is weighted with a dense metal to allow for heavy clubbing attacks, and since the guisarme is able to split into two, connected by a long electrified cable, both the blade and club are able to be wielded simultaneously. Kleos is known to spin it around in a disorienting fashion and wield either side as a ranged weapon, using the electrified cable to disable anyone who gets caught up in the chain. Aporia (Apothesa's Hallow): A Kosmos unit retrofitted for high level defensive tactics. Able to deploy both physical walls and particle fields to block off areas of the battlefield. Additionally, wields a glaive and shotgun. Zenith-A Project Kosmos (for reference): Designed by the Columnar Zenith Fund for Apostolosian use, these hefty hollows are designed for melee supremacy. Their bulky, reverse jointed legs allow them to explode with speed into close range (where they can do serious damage with their long heat glaives), or to hold their ground from incoming assaults (supported by the stock, circular shield each unit wields). The cost of this strength is a lack of versatility: Between the added articulation and pre-programmed combat routines required for the elaborate weapon use these hollows are known for, there simply wasn't room left for any serious ranged weaponry. Z-A Project Pneuma Prototype (for reference): The Pnuema is a model based on the basic design ethos first explored with the Z-A Kosmos. Instead of being focused on extreme close range, the Pneuma is meant to dominate the battlefield as a heavyweight, mid-range commander. Despite its increased scale, large ovoid vernier engines allow it a great deal of mobility, making it an intimidating machine to face--even more so when you take into account the fact that its heat glave has been affixed with a pump-action rocket launcher. Zenith-C Obscura (for reference): Wide shoulders that lead down to treaded legs. Can launch dozens of drones into the air for reconnaissance and observation, which will quickly locate anything nearby, but must remain stationery to do that. Can launch micro missiles at locked targets, has small vulcans for infantry and small armored counter attack--does little to close range mechs. //Additional Notes\\ Primary Objectives: Prevent the High Altar (Point Ampersand) from being breached. If Attacked, escort Boole to Point Bracket for Extraction. Bonus Objective: Prevent the forward base at Point Comma from falling. This is where your long distance Strand Semaphore station is, along with long range scanners, Rules of Engagement Deployment of chemical, biological, and/or poisonous weapons: Even in the case of open combat, none of these weapons are to be used. We need to convince the Isles of Logos to joining up with us. Prisoners must be taken alive: We need intel, we need bargaining chips, and we need to show this world that we're just not the terrorists that we've been made out to be. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith J. Carberry (@keithjcarberry), Sylvia Clare (@sylvisurfer), and Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Produced by Ali Acampora and Austin Walker Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) 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!!

12 Sep 20202h 42min

It has been just over fifty days since Millennium Break took Cruciat, and each day has been more busy than the last. The hammer of the Principality fell on the organization's independent cells across the moon, and now the leaders of Millennium Break seek allies wherever they can find them. No potential partner in the fight against tyranny is more important than the Isle of Logos. As a sovereign nation with key control in Partizan's great sea, the Isle could offer Millennium Break a literal port in troubled waters. And so, Gucci Garantine and Apparatus Aperitif have spent the better part of a month negotiating towards that end. Protecting these ever-moving negotiations has been trying, as SBBR can attest to. Even the quiet days, where nothing happens, require utmost focus and practiced determination. Yet they cannot hope for such a today to be such a day: One where the only red they see is that of the carpet rolled out for VIPs, where the only flash in their eyes comes from the cameras capturing the event. To the north, the air of Obelle cracks with the sound of artillery fire. But here in Auspice, Zo'la has finished their film, and it is due its audience. This week on PARTIZAN: The Grand Premiere ///Operation Dossier\\\ //Organizations\\ The Isle of Logos: An independent nation built by the followers of the prophet Logos Kantel's around their very first church. Though only a small handful of islands in the Prophet's Sea, the Isles keep a standing defense force that rivals any individual unit of the Major Stels. The Branched: A post-human society of beings who have transformed their bodies into forms terrifying and spectacular and free--only to have the threat of war force them to rebuild themselves as soldiers first and foremost. The Black Century: Infamous retinue of the Divine Motion. Each member of this 100-person company serves for 100 years. Motion guarantees them this service. The Church of the Resin Heart: A Disciples of Logos church on Partizan which claims to be the true inheritor of the prophet's religious mission. The "resin heart" in question is a 3-foot large object--a component of the Exemplar--pulled from the sea 400+ years ago and displayed as a relic by the Church. In mourning after the loss of Gur Sevraq, though still committed to the cause. //People\\ Break Lieutenant Kalar Anakalar (he/him): A Millennium Break soldier who specializes in fighting Hollows without one of his own. Large, even for the commonly tall, bird-like Talonites. White and grey plumage, a long or cool coat. Originally a steeplejack in Obelle and a member of a religious community devoted to the Divine Peace. Believes that Divines should not be used in war. Phrygian (they/them): Also known by their callsign, Deck 7, Phrygian is a member of the Branched who arrived on Partizan with a team of undercover researchers who sought to understand the God preached about by Gur Sevraq. While investigating, they and their team were captured and researched by Stel Apostolos and the Pact of Necessary Venture. Phyrgian is the only remaining member of their team. Cas'alear Rizah (cas/cas', they/them): Leader of the Swordbreakers, sibling of the Glorious Princept. Cas has brown skin with dark green hair up in a bun, with a few strands hanging down in front of their face (which is framed with similarly colored scales covering cas' jawline and neck. Broken sword tattoos under their eyes. Reputation as being beautiful and brave by allies, unflinching and unpredictable by foes. Pilots the notorious Ataraxia. Cares more about metaphors than astrophysics. Boole Batanca (they/them): Chancellor of the Isle of Logos, one of two chief executives of the small sovereign nation. A cephalopod type species, squid-like species, the same as Gigas Acano from Twilight Mirage. White/blue skin with black/brown markings. Tentacle hands, tentacle mouth, eyes adjust in size depending on environment and light. Unlike Gigas, though, this one also has some sort of shell like structure running up their back and parts of their head, almost like hair. //Places\\ Auspice: A seaside city in the Prophet's Path north of Marengo (which it is smaller than) and south of Obelle (which it dwarfs). Auspice is the final destination of the land travel portion of the yearly pilgrimage led by the Church of the Resin Heart, which has a great temple in the city called the High Altar. Resting on a landmass that appears on a map to be a finger pointing eastward, it has become a coastal refuge for members of Millennium Break. The Golden Branch: A sector of the galaxy extremely far from PARTIZAN, on the other side of the galactic core. The civilizations of Kesh and Apostolos first began there. Now, it is home to the Branched. //Divines\\ The Divine Motion: Long after enemy fuel tanks run empty, Motion continues to power Apostolosian machines of war (like its infamous retinue, the Black Century) and service (including the massive Barranca Loop that allows Apostolos to regularly launch ships spaceward). Ver'MIllion Blue's rival. Has taken a new elect, a young, yet intuitive Apostolosian commander known to be attentive and authoritative in equal measure. //Things\\ Strand Semaphore: Using ancient Hyphan technology, this messenger service is able to send text-based communications to anywhere on-moon, so long as they've built an outpost there. The backbone of the private comms network used by Millennium Break. Ataraxia: A white, purple, and yellow mantid-shaped machine blessed by the divine Commitment and developed by Stel Columnar's Zenith Fund. Each of its six curved limbs can light up its edges with energy beams. On the ground, it can dance in combat in such a way that any two limbs can be its temporary feet, and when it's in flight, it becomes a complete whirlwind of violence. Named for the philosophical concept key to ancient Stoicism. //Additional Notes\\ Primary Objectives: Prevent the High Altar (Point Ampersand) from being breached. If Attacked, escort Boole to Point Bracket for Extraction. Bonus Objective: Prevent the forward base at Point Comma from falling. This is where your long distance Strand Semaphore station is, along with long range scanners, Rules of Engagement Deployment of chemical, biological, and/or poisonous weapons: Even in the case of open combat, none of these weapons are to be used. We need to convince the Isles of Logos to joining up with us. Prisoners must be taken alive: We need intel, we need bargaining chips, and we need to show this world that we're just not the terrorists that we've been made out to be. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Keith J. Carberry (@keithjcarberry), Sylvia Clare (@sylvisurfer), and Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Produced by Ali Acampora and Austin Walker Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) 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!!

3 Sep 20202h 29min

Content Warnings for this Episode Throughout: Violence During a Public Event 00:00 - 20:30: Disrespect of the Dead, Implied Disrespect of a Dead Body 1:41:00 - End: Death, Deliberation about Character Sacrifice, Suicide by Sacrifice, Immolation, Violence During a Public Event, Hey everyone, this has been a really heavy week: Wildfires across the western United States, Hurricane Laura in the Caribbean and gulf states, the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha and the murder of two Black Lives Matter protesters by Kyle Rittenhouse, all during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Given all of that, we wanted to be very upfront about the content of this week's episode, which is also a pretty heavy one. We stand in solidarity with those who are suffering right now--both under the weight of police brutality and natural disaster--, and we know that even natural disasters often cut hardest against those in the margins. So I hope you'll take a moment to consider helping those in need right now. Below are a small collection of links to funds or resources where you can figure out ways to support folks right now. We know this is an incomplete list, but we hope it's a start. Milwaukee Freedom Fund Northern California Wildfire Relief Resource Page Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana Hurricane Relief Fund ---- Below the amber leaves of Goldcrown, masses gather to pay respect to a fallen hero who is more pyrite than gold. And above them, pallid yellow clouds gather in fallow anticipation of what is to come: An event worthy of the cenotaph's sobriquet. The whirring of aircraft blades to the east. The rumble of truck, unseen, to the west. And in the middle, SBBR, waiting to draw. This week on PARTIZAN: A Cemetery for Heroes //Organizations\\ The Knights of Order: Order towers over the world in both physicality and presence. Though it rests, without Elect, its blessed Hallows enact its will and search for one worthy to pilot it. //People\\ Crysanth Kesh (she/her): Third in line to the throne of Kesh. As Gabardine of the Curtain of Divinity, Crysanth is the highest ranking member of the Curtain on Partizan. Brother Alard Cadmus: Knights of Order leader. Gruff, old, and determined, but understands Order better than any. Believes Order must be tamed . //Places\\ The Verglaz Taiga: Wrapped around the northern latitudes of Partizan, the Verglaz is a beauty to take in, at least from the comfort of the palatial Kesh estates which dot its wooded expanses. Soon after Millennium Break's capture of Cruciat, Kesh deployed what it and its allies in Nideo are calling a miracle that echoes those done by Logos Kantel one thousand years ago: the melting of the snows, and the emergence of a new, jungle biome, emerging from the rocky plains, snowy hills, and dense forests that were already in kesh territory. Nooncrown: A holy cemetery located in the Estatelands of Kesh, where many elects, Princepts, Eidolons, and other heroes from across the principality are buried and watched over by the Divine Order and its cult. Goldtown: An ad hoc village made that surrounds the southern half of Nooncrown, made up of Cruciat's exiled bourgeois class. //Divines\\ Order: A massive and slumbering Divine, part monument, part knight. Abhors chaos. Seeks an elect. //Things\\ Zenith-K Project Filigree: Delicate and light hollows, like leaves on the wind, built for long distance escort ops because they require little fuel and have low profiles. Humanoid with glider wings. Zenith-K Project Pinnacle: Humanoid knight-mechs, similar in many ways to the Zenith-A Project Kosmos units that were designed for Apostolos, though without the distinctive curves, rear-jointed legs, and Apostolosian style. Have spears bolted to their right underarms and close range blades under their left. The spears are able to be used as a projectile with a coiled cable, allowing for the spatial manipulation of enemy hollows. Memoria: A rare precious material with a high, natural storage capacity. Clarified Memoria: The Sable Court has developed a process by which they "reveal" the truth of Memoria gems, which allows the already potent material to conjure and confer the miraculous. The Eyes of the Exemplar: Special memoria that seem to be naturally clarified. Recovered from the now-abandoned Equiaxed Commune underneath Vigil City. //Additional Notes\\ Primary Objective: Prevent Kesh from retrieving the shipment of clarified memoria also known as "The Eyes of the Exemplar." Secondary Objective: Successfully retrieve the Eyes of the Exemplar for Millennium Break. Rules of Engagement: Hurt none of the funeral's attendees. Do not wake Order, whatever you do. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora (@ali_west) and Austin Walker Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) 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!!

27 Aug 20201h 59min

A month ago, Millennium Break seized control of Cruciat, ushering in a new age on the holy moon of Partizan. But like a counterpunch already chambered, the great Stels of the Divine Principality hit back with force and speed, driving minor Millennium Break bases into the dirt. Today, along with Cruciat, the only two strongholds left to the revolutionary group are the Lambic House and a trio of cities along the eastern edge of the Prophet's Path. Millennium Break must hold this ground, at all costs. And that is why, though they were one of the founders of the group, and its first executive elected, Valence's request for support in finding the parts of the Exemplar was denied. Even now, with actionable intel from their contact in Columnar, SBBR was being told that they'd need to go it alone. And with the memory of Gur Sevraq fresh in their minds, they saw no other option... This week on PARTIZAN: Buried Beneath Golden Leaves ///Operation Dossier\\\ //Organizations\\ The Knights of Order: Order towers over the world in both physicality and presence. Though it rests, without Elect, its blessed Hallows enact its will and search for one worthy to pilot it. //People\\ Jesset City (he/him): Previously worked for Adamant Arms and Manufacturing, Jesset became full time Oxblood Clan lieutenant and then a major figure in Millennium Break. Expert technician, veteran hollow pilot, and Cipher Certified by Stel Nideo. Utilizes prostheses on his right arm, switching between an affordable myoelectric model with grip hooks and a custom model specifically designed for interfacing with a hollow cockpit. SBBR's CO for this mission. Gucci Garantine (she/her): AKA Saint Dawn. Defector from Stel Kesh, controller of House Brightline and HORIZON's efforts on Partizan. Now a powerful member of Millennium Break's political class.. Crysanth Kesh (she/her): Third in line to the throne of Kesh. As Gabardine of the Curtain of Divinity, Crysanth is the highest ranking member of the Curtain on Partizan. Brother Alard Cadmus: Knights of Order leader. Gruff, old, and determined, but understands Order better than any. Believes Order must be tamed . //Places\\ Oxbridge: Most bridges connect land to land, but the enormous Bridge of the Ox connects ocean ports to the docks of largest freshwater lake on the moon. Under the bridge rests Oxbridge, a dense city of canals and crimson light, and the first large scale Principality settlement to come to the moon, nearly 1000 years ago. Oxbridge is split into three regions: Brightsky West, Underbridge, and Brightsky East. To the East and West, merchants, nobles, and the ever-upwardly mobile live, work, shop and play. But below the bridge's shadow is an undercity of laborers both local and transient, eking by from job to job, day to day, by the fuel of their effort and the light of the red, phosphorescent "lamps" that give Underbridge its distinct glow, even in daytime. Connecting it all together are a network of waterways, roads, and secret tunnels. And above it all is the Bridge of the Ox, the symbol of Orion's commitment to (and mastery of) brute-force ideology. Deep Dish Steak House: A loyal bar. The Verglaz Taiga: Wrapped around the northern latitudes of Partizan, the Verglaz is a beauty to take in, at least from the comfort of the palatial Kesh estates which dot its wooded expanses. Soon after Millennium Break's capture of Cruciat, Kesh deployed what it and its allies in Nideo are calling a miracle that echoes those done by Logos Kantel one thousand years ago: the melting of the snows, and the emergence of a new, jungle biome, emerging from the rocky plains, snowy hills, and dense forests that were already in kesh territory. Nooncrown: A holy cemetery located in the Estatelands of Kesh, where many elects, Princepts, Eidolons, and other heroes from across the principality are buried and watched over by the Divine Order and its cult. Goldtown: An ad hoc village made that surrounds the southern half of Nooncrown, made up of Cruciat's exiled bourgeois class. //Divines\\ Order: A massive and slumbering Divine, part monument, part knight. Abhors chaos. Seeks an elect. //Things\\ Memoria: A rare precious material with a high, natural storage capacity. Clarified Memoria: The Sable Court has developed a process by which they "reveal" the truth of Memoria gems, which allows the already potent material to conjure and confer the miraculous. The Eyes of the Exemplar: Special memoria that seem to be naturally clarified. Recovered from the now-abandoned Equiaxed Commune underneath Vigil City. Zenith-K Project Pinnacle: Humanoid knight-mechs, similar in many ways to the Zenith-A Project Kosmos units that were designed for Apostolos, though without the distinctive curves, rear-jointed legs, and Apostolosian style. Have spears bolted to their right underarms and close range blades under their left. The spears are able to be as a projectile with a coiled cable, allowing for the spatial manipulation of enemy hollows. //Additional Notes\\ Primary Objective: Prevent Kesh from retrieving the shipment of clarified memoria also known as "The Eyes of the Exemplar." Secondary Objective: Successfully retrieve the Eyes of the Exemplar for Millennium Break. Rules of Engagement: Hurt none of the funeral's attendees. Do not wake Order, whatever you do. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora (@ali_west) and Austin Walker Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot)

21 Aug 20201h 42min

Hey everyone, welcome to a very special bonus episode of Friends at the Table. As we said on Twitter, we're currently taking a few weeks off after the end of Kingdom to catch up on things, prep for the rest of PARTIZAN, and generally tak ea break. Many of us here on the show have spent some of that break by playing Blaseball, the internet sensation that VICE's Gita Jackson describes as "an online, joke-y, facsimile of [baseball] ... about baseball fandom, and the bullshit that goes along with it." It's an absolute blast, and because so many of us were getting into it, Art had the great idea of wanting to sponsor a season or two of the game. So, he reached out, we chatted with the folks behind Blaseball (though we didn't get to meet the commissioner himself), and here we are. If you are just joining us for the first time as a fan of Blaseball who doesn't know anything about us, we hope this episode is an enjoyable introduction into the sort of stories we tell and games we play. If you're a fan of ours who is itching for more PARTIZAN, well, I hope this visit to a figure from the past helps sate that thirst. If you'd like to check out Sports Are Just Numerology by Ben Roswell, the game we play in this bonus episode, you can do that by clicking right here. We'll be taking this week and potentially next week off, but please look forward to our return. Have some great stuff in the can already. Until then, be safe, have fun, and go Millennials! Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel) Produced by Austin Walker Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) 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!!

3 Aug 202058min

For those who live under tyranny, the exhaustion and fear is such that it can be hard to even imagine or recognize what escape or progress or revolution look like. But when Icebreaker Prime came over the horizon, the citizens of Cruciat, beaten down by generations of chic, high-minded Kesh terror, knew exactly what they were looking at. Millennium Break. Cruciat was all but undefended, with the bulk of Kesh's forces engaged with Motion her Apostlosian forces to the west--an attack they would not have anticipated if not for late coming intelligence from an Apostolosian traitor. Now, the revolution had to make a final decision in this first stretch of what would surely be a decades long campaign: Was it time to make a definitive strike. To take not just any city, but the city a Princept sometimes calls home. The city where the prisoners turned radicals of the Rapid Evening were once held. Where knowledge is locked away from those that need it most. Where hierarchy is woven into the streets themselves. The question on everyone's minds wasn't what the cost would be if Millennium Break took Cruciat. It was what it would be if they didn't. This week on PARTIZAN: The Storm Over Cruciat ///Operation Dossier\\\ //Organizations\\ The Curtain of Divinity: Though Kesh is technically governed through an elaborate parliamentary democracy, the truth is that The Curtain of Divinity, a secretive organization inside of the Stel (and with agents across all of the Principality), serves as the actual power behind the throne. Knowledge of the Curtain is carefully guarded, and its membership is even further protected. Was originally established to rein in the Principality's most tyrannical institutions and encourage growth and equity over generations, while hiding the truth of what lied beyond the Scutum-Centaurus Portcullis. Over time, their more noble aims were eroded, and only this final goal remained, along with a much more selfish goal of controlling the state. Is currently in a covert war against the Pact of Necessary Venture. The Pact of Necessary Venture: Though they trace their lineage back to an exploratory committee founded in the late 14th century of the Perfect Millenium, the Pact was not made in earnest until five years ago in 1418 PM, soon after hostilities began between Kesh and Apostolos. It's original leadership committee, Plumeria, Gallica, Myosotis, Rye, and Hyacinth determined that to ensure the future stability of the Principality, the Pact would establish a power base in the Scutum–Centaurus arm, amass a vast fleet using the unexploited resources there, and sweep both princepts out of power, replacing the role with a five-part council representing each Stel equally. Each was an elect: Plumeria the elect of Past, Gallica of Present, Myosotis of Future, Rye of Space, and Hyacinth of Motion. Plumeria and Myosotis were killed during Gur Sevraq's theft of the Divine Future. Plumeria's successor, Cymbidium, was killed when Past crashed into the sands of the Prophet's Path. Hyacinth was killed in combat by the Rapid Evening, but has already been replaced. The Church of the Resin Heart: A Disciples of Logos church on Partizan which claims to be the true inheritor of the prophet's religious mission. The "resin heart" in question is a 3-foot large object pulled from the sea 400+ years ago and displayed as a relic by the Church. It was originally part of the Exemplar. Millennium Break: Dissidents, idealogues, rebels, and mercenaries launch a revolution from a state-of-the-art mobile fortress. They agree on little, except this: It is time for a new Millennium. Strand Semaphore: Using ancient Hyphan technology, this messenger service is able to send text-based communications to anywhere on-moon, so long as they've built an outpost there. The backbone of the private comms network used by Millennium Break. Lambic House: A group of beer-brewing monks who both operate a brewery and manage a sizable civilian settlement deep in the mountains of the Pique Ridge. Part of the Shepherd's Crook. HORIZON: In the popular consciousness, HORIZON is a radical, anti-Principality terrorist organization. In actuality, they are a radical-reformist group, which seeks to drive out what it perceives as corruption in an empire that ought be pursuing noble (instead of selfish) ends. Rumored to be funded by Stel Kesh's House Brightline. The Mysteries Metronomica/ "Metronomica"/"The Cult of Perennial": Guided by the paradoxical belief in historical cycles and radical freedom, the Isles of Logos offers this faith of the Adversary, Perennial, perhaps the only safe ground in the entire galaxy. The Red Fennecs: Technically, the Red Fennecs are an Apostolosian logistics and transport squad. In actuality, they're utilized by their commanding officer, Tes'ili Serikos, as the backbone of a humble smuggling operation. The Sable Court: Some say that on dark nights, they have seen these Ashen witches on the eastern edge of Lake Timea, horns and antlers glittering in the light of Girandole. Some even say that a former elect walks among them. Heresy, all of it. Company of the Spade: A veteran mercenary unit founded by space miners who learned how to pilot Hollows in the most dangerous of settings. They've been brought to Partizan to combine both types of expertise. The Oxblood Clan: What started as a group of orphans turned into a labor guild and criminal enterprise with connections across Partizan. Occasionally run rough-and-tumble military ops for extra cash. Allies with SBBR. //People\\ The Peaceful Princept (he/him): Born Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh, The Peaceful Princept is one of two current pretenders to the title. He was not meant to inherit the position, but instead was thrust into it as part of Stel Kesh's attempt to hold onto the title after Dahlia defected to Stel Apostolos. When he was still "only" Cynosure Kesh, he was a mediocre negotiator of economic policy (notably losing ground to Stel Orion's Rye, elect of Space, during the Kesh-Coronet Trade Dispute of 1390) and an even more mediocre poet (having written the much panned collection "In All Days the Sun Second"). He is attending the Summer Passage of Arms. Both The Curtain and the Pact of Necessary Venture hope to manipulate him in order to better secure their power. The Glorious Princept (they/them): The second pretender to the title of Princept. Born to house Kesh and current Apokine of Stel Apostolos, they are known to many as simply 'Dahlia. Unlike Cynosure, Dahlia is a beloved leader who has proven themselves in court and on the battlefield in the ongoing war against the Branched far from the moon of Partizan. At the same time, they wage war against Stel Kesh and promise to bring to light misdeeds perpetrated by the Principality against the Apostolosian people. Though they are not at the Summer Passage this year, in the year of their majority, they attended as a competitor and won six events, sweeping the Passage and gaining the title "The Six-Fold Champion." Kueen Overture "K.O." Rooke (she/her): SBBR's contact at the Scrivener's Guild. A former ace pilot, lead mechanic, and battlefield commander, KO now uses her expertise to dispatch and guide mercenary units across Partizan as a broker in the Scrivener's Guild. Mother of Audacious Opportunity ("A.O.") Rooke. Crysanth Kesh (she/her): Clementine Kesh's mother. Third in line to the throne of Kesh. As Gabardine of the Curtain of Divinity, Crysanth is the highest ranking member of the Curtain on Partizan. Cas'alear Rizah (cas/cas', they/them): Leader of the Swordbreakers. Cas has brown skin with dark green hair up in a bun, with a few strands hanging down in front of their face (which is framed with similarly colored scales covering cas' jawline and neck. Broken sword tattoos under their eyes. Reputation as being beautiful and brave by allies, unflinching and unpredictable by foes. Pilots the notorious Ataraxia. Apparatus Aperitif (they/them): Logos City, the largest independent city on Partizan, is known as a religious center, but its robotic night mayor ensures that everyone has a good time at the end of their time traveling the Prophet's Path. Representative of the Mysteries Metronomica onboard Icebreaker Prime. Gur Sevraq (he/them): Leader of the Church of the Resin Heart. Miracle worker. Currently on board Icebreaker Prime. Has possession of the Divine Future, which gives them startling prescience and the ability to imagine futures outside of the confines of the hegemonic and imperialist world around him. Si'dra Balos (Si/Si's, they/them): During their time in a communications division of the Apostolosian Navy, Si'dra saw the cost of war first hand. Now they dream of a world where people can connect instead of fight. Tes'ili Serikos (they/them, tes/tes'): This Apostolosian transport specialist, black marketeer, and Tes'ili Serikos can get just about anything just about anywhere, for a price. Short, round, fuzzy, and good natured… unless you screw tes over. The Blossom (he/him): The Lambic House is just supposed to make beer, sell it around the world, and keep people happy. But with each keg delivered by the sect's Abbot of Provision, the Blossom also serves a short, populist whisper. Zo'la (zo/zo's, they/them): As a projection artists, Zo'la seeks to create a cinematic work that captures the dynamic spirit of this historical moment. Born to Columnar, then drawn to the Apostlosian ideology of Dynamism (which values speed, change, and violence above all else. A wildcard and a vanguard. Friends with Gucci Garantine, despite having spent time on opposite sides of the Kesh/Apostolos war. Agon Ortlights (she/her): Aided by her servicebot companions, Agon worked hard to attain the rank of lieutenant in the Company of the Spade, where she's become a veteren mercenary, a skilled miner, and a hell of a drinking buddy. A.O. Rooke (he/him): Former Stel Orion mercenary, now commander of the Rapid Evening's "toughs" squad. Eiden Teak (he/him): Soldier and commander in the Sable Court. Wears the wounds of past fights on him with a distinct sort of pride, inherited from his time fighting as an Apostolosian soldier: He's missing right leg under the knee, and a number of his antlers have been snapped and broken. Wears loose olive drab fatigues, marked the occult insignia and wards of the Court. Mourningbride (she/her): An initiate in the Sable Court, and a former Elect. Alise Breka (she/her): Guest lecturer at Verglaz University and Author of popular Renegade Hearts pulp series, which tells stories of daring and romantic Hallow pilots. On Partizan to research her next book, partly by interviewing the imprisoned pirate Exeter Leap. //Places\\ The Prophet's Sea: A massive ocean that dominates the center of most maps of Partizan. It is said that the sea was made by the prophet Logos Kantel in their first miracle, after walking the length of its radius and climbing a set of hills that would soon become islands. The Verglaz Taiga: Wrapped around the northern latitudes of Partizan, the Verglaz is a beauty to take in, at least from the comfort of the palatial Kesh estates which dot its wooded expanses. From the smaller villages and towns, where feudal tenants huddle for warmth in the snow, whatever aesthetic pleasure the taiga may offer the rich is lost. In the south west, though, a new source of warmth has made its presence known: The burning engine of the Apostolosian war machine, which melts the ice away with artillery barrage and crashed mech, both. Cruciat: The Jewel of Kesh's holdings on Partizan (and the home of the Stel's Winter Palace) sits on a cross shaped island in the northernmost reaches of the Prophet's Sea The Winter Palace: Owned and managed by House Kesh, but eternal "home" to the Princept, whether they choose to visit or not. Built for privacy and access, featuring both its own port and trainyard. Westhaven: Kesh's military might is most centered in this province, which stretches across its westmost ports and up against its border with chief rival, Apostolos. "Westhaven stands so that we may serve dinner in the palace." The Estatelands: The southeastern taiga, where the climate is most temperate and the tall trees stand closely together, is home to the dozens of noble families who rule Kesh's lands on Partizan. Miles of canopy suddenly broken by vast, cleared and pruned acreage. The North Gallery: Decades before Museum Row was an established destination, the North Gallery collected art about and ephemera from Kesh's original colonization of the Verglaz Taiga on Partizan. //Things\\ Icebreaker Prime: A massive arsenal, garrison, airfield, and a firebase all rolled into one. Icebreaker Prime is a rumbling carrier which prowls land and sea, armed with innumerable weapons and potentially housing over ten thousand soldiers. Currently, Icebreaker Prime is under the command of Clementine Kesh and the Rapid Evening, and is hidden in the most unperturbed waters of the Prophet's Sea. "Autonomy Itself"/"The True Divine"/The God of the Nobel/The God of Logos Kantel (they/them): Granted the power to transform Partizan into a living world to Logos Kantel 1000 years ago. Guided the Nobel and other cultures in the Scutum-Centaurus arm through the course of their history. A God of becoming, not being, process, not finality. Their origin is unknown, sometimes debated, but rarely considered important to their devotees, who care more about Their current divinity rather than the circumstances by which it was arrived at. The phrases "the True Divine" and "Autonomy Itself" are found in some Progressive Asterists texts and doctrine, but also across heterodox and heretical religious creeds and in the teachings of gnostic and esoteric secret societies. The Exemplar: "God's Divine." Originally built 1000 years ago, now spread in "parts" across the moon. Its beating heart was left in the sea. It's countless eyes buried under the Memoria Teardrop. Its blood runs through the springs of the Pique Ridge. Its powerful voice echoes through the windswept canyons of the Barranca. And, perhaps, something else trapped below the ice in the northern reaches of Kesh territory in the Verglaz Taiga. Bing 32: Broun's floating, cat sized drone able to use a variety of tools. Now mass produced for use across Millennium Break. //Additional Notes\\ Crossroads Crossroad #1: Will The Kingdom allow civilian refugees to live on Icebreaker Prime? Crossroad #2: Will the Kingdom rob the surreptitious Columnar and Orion arms shipments in order to address our resource problem? Crossroad #3: Will the Kingdom hold elections? Crossroad #4: Will the Kingdom put counterrevolutionaries on trial? Crossroad #5: Will The Kingdom accept the aid of the Pact of Necessary Venture in the form of a secure island, from which MB can expand their operation and farm food safe from the crisis? Crossroad #6: Will The Kingdom invade Vigil City in order to rescue the Equiaxed Commune there? Crossroad #7: Will The Kingdom participate in the Summer Passage of Arms? Crossroad #8: Will the Kingdom invade Cruciat? The Millenium Break Manifesto We will help those displaced by the war on Partizan 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 backs on allies in need. If you must play their game, make sure to bloody their noses. Character Bonds Valence: I feel the uncomfortable draw of the unknown from Apparatus, but must keep focus on the revolution and the way of God. An overindulgence of curiosity would sidetrack me. Apparatus: Gur Sevraq has always been a bit of a Day Mayor. I hope he has not gotten too used to the light. Gur Sevraq: Milli is right to distrust all who seek to direct her power, but she ought fight for those who share her dreams yet lack her strength. Milli: Sovereign Immunity's connections could get us out of prison. I need to make sure this summit doesn't make him forget that. SI: This is the moment Clementine must show her mettle as a leader. If she is truly a frivolous child I will find someone better. Clem: United, Gucci and I could be a powerful force for Kesh, with me at its head. Her misplaced egalitarianism, however, is a problem. Gucci: Broun knows how to get things done and I know what they want in return. But there's a difference between service and loyalty, and I don't know when or where they'll draw that line. Broun: I need Valence to keep their promise to me but I don't believe they can. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Clare (@sylvisurfer), 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 Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) 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!!

24 Juli 20203h 33min

However the Summer Passage of Arms--a yearly competition of strength, skill, acumen, and style--began, it has followed in the fate of many similar comptetitons prior and become a proxy for nationalistic fervor. On the Isle of Summer in the Prophet's Sea, all five Great Stels gather to test each other in a host of events. Commenters often say that the games bring out "the best of the Principality." This is true, though perhaps more true--and obvious through its omission--it is the case that the Passage serves to hide the worst of the Principality, too. The winner earns glory, but each Stel--even those currently at war with each other--also seeks something else through their simple presence at the games: To convince the world that this is what 'civilization' looks like. At home, the Stels drive their boots into the backs of their most vulnerable citizens. But here on the beautiful Isle of Summer, they gather in the name of fair and even conflict on an agreed upon battleground to see who is the noblest of them all. This week on PARTIZAN: She Said, "To Win We Must Play!" ///Operation Dossier\\\ //Organizations\\ The Summer Passage of Arms: The Summer Passage is as much an event as an organization, a committee that holds a yearly competition of athletics, martial prowess, cultural acumen, and all else expected in a hero of the Divine Principality. As such, each Stel serves as patron to an official team, though smaller organizations (Progressive Asterist churches,Stel Orion corporations, Columnar regional funds, etc.) are known to send their own teams. As Partizan is the rare place where all five Stels meet, the event is held on the moon yearly, with results shared (albeit slowly) across the whole of the Principality. Though key events change from Summer to Summer, they often include an element of hollow proficiency. In this year's event, sponsored teams are required to compete across hollow wrestling, synchronized sharp shooting, poetry, the biathlon, and the Divine Providence, a race and obstacle course that tests each competitors endurance and agility. Though they are not official events, patrons are also encouraged to participate through a general display of style, and a non-ranked demonstration of spear technique. The Church of the Resin Heart: A Disciples of Logos church on Partizan which claims to be the true inheritor of the prophet's religious mission. The "resin heart" in question is a 3-foot large object pulled from the sea 400+ years ago and displayed as a relic by the Church. It was originally part of the Exemplar. Millennium Break: Dissidents, idealogues, rebels, and mercenaries launch a revolution from a state-of-the-art mobile fortress. They agree on little, except this: It is time for a new Millennium. Strand Semaphore: Using ancient Hyphan technology, this messenger service is able to send text-based communications to anywhere on-moon, so long as they've built an outpost there. Lambic House: A group of beer-brewing monks who both operate a brewery and manage a sizable civilian settlement deep in the mountains of the Pique Ridge. Part of the Shepherd's Crook. HORIZON: In the popular consciousness, HORIZON is a radical, anti-Principality terrorist organization. In actuality, they are a radical-reformist group, which seeks to drive out what it perceives as corruption in an empire that ought be pursuing noble (instead of selfish) ends. Rumored to be funded by Stel Kesh's House Brightline. The Mysteries Metronomica/ "Metronomica"/"The Cult of Perennial": Guided by the paradoxical belief in historical cycles and radical freedom, the Isles of Logos offers this faith of the Adversary, Perennial, perhaps the only safe ground in the entire galaxy. The Red Fennecs: Technically, the Red Fennecs are an Apostolosian logistics and transport squad. In actuality, they're utilized by their commanding officer, Tes'ili Serikos, as the backbone of a humble smuggling operation. The Sable Court: Some say that on dark nights, they have seen these Ashen witches on the eastern edge of Lake Timea, horns and antlers glittering in the light of Girandole. Some even say that a former elect walks among them. Heresy, all of it. Company of the Spade: A veteran mercenary unit founded by space miners who learned how to pilot Hollows in the most dangerous of settings. They've been brought to Partizan to combine both types of expertise. The Oxblood Clan: What started as a group of orphans turned into a labor guild and criminal enterprise with connections across Partizan. Occasionally run rough-and-tumble military ops for extra cash. Allies with SBBR. //People\\ The Peaceful Princept (he/him): Born Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh, The Peaceful Princept is one of two current pretenders to the title. He was not meant to inherit the position, but instead was thrust into it as part of Stel Kesh's attempt to hold onto the title after Dahlia defected to Stel Apostolos. When he was still "only" Cynosure Kesh, he was a mediocre negotiator of economic policy (notably losing ground to Stel Orion's Rye, elect of Space, during the Kesh-Coronet Trade Dispute of 1390) and an even more mediocre poet (having written the much panned collection "In All Days the Sun Second"). He is attending the Summer Passage of Arms. Both The Curtain and the Pact of Necessary Venture hope to manipulate him in order to better secure their power. The Glorious Princept (they/them): The second pretender to the title of Princept. Born to house Kesh and current Apokine of Stel Apostolos, they are known to many as simply 'Dahlia. Unlike Cynosure, Dahlia is a beloved leader who has proven themselves in court and on the battlefield in the ongoing war against the Branched far from the moon of Partizan. At the same time, they wage war against Stel Kesh and promise to bring to light misdeeds perpetrated by the Principality against the Apostolosian people. Though they are not at the Summer Passage this year, in the year of their majority, they attended as a competitor and won six events, sweeping the Passage and gaining the title "The Six-Fold Champion." Kueen Overture "K.O." Rooke (she/her): SBBR's contact at the Scrivener's Guild. A former ace pilot, lead mechanic, and battlefield commander, KO now uses her expertise to dispatch and guide mercenary units across Partizan as a broker in the Scrivener's Guild. Mother of Audacious Opportunity ("A.O.") Rooke. Crysanth Kesh (she/her): Clementine Kesh's mother. Third in line to the throne of Kesh. As Gabardine of the Curtain of Divinity, Crysanth is the highest ranking member of the Curtain on Partizan. Cas'alear Rizah (cas/cas', they/them): Leader of the Swordbreakers. Cas has brown skin with dark green hair up in a bun, with a few strands hanging down in front of their face (which is framed with similarly colored scales covering cas' jawline and neck. Broken sword tattoos under their eyes. Reputation as being beautiful and brave by allies, unflinching and unpredictable by foes. Pilots the notorious Ataraxia. Apparatus Aperitif (they/them): Logos City, the largest independent city on Partizan, is known as a religious center, but its robotic night mayor ensures that everyone has a good time at the end of their time traveling the Prophet's Path. Representative of the Mysteries Metronomica onboard Icebreaker Prime. Gur Sevraq (he/them): Leader of the Church of the Resin Heart. Miracle worker. Currently on board Icebreaker Prime. Has possession of the Divine Future, which gives them startling prescience and the ability to imagine futures outside of the confines of the hegemonic and imperialist world around him. Si'dra Balos (Si/Si's, they/them): During their time in a communications division of the Apostolosian Navy, Si'dra saw the cost of war first hand. Now they dream of a world where people can connect instead of fight. Tes'ili Serikos (they/them, tes/tes'): This Apostolosian transport specialist, black marketeer, and Tes'ili Serikos can get just about anything just about anywhere, for a price. Short, round, fuzzy, and good natured… unless you screw tes over. The Blossom (he/him): The Lambic House is just supposed to make beer, sell it around the world, and keep people happy. But with each keg delivered by the sect's Abbot of Provision, the Blossom also serves a short, populist whisper. Zo'la (zo/zo's, they/them): As a projection artists, Zo'la seeks to create a cinematic work that captures the dynamic spirit of this historical moment. Born to Columnar, then drawn to the Apostlosian ideology of Dynamism (which values speed, change, and violence above all else. A wildcard and a vanguard. Friends with Gucci Garantine, despite having spent time on opposite sides of the Kesh/Apostolos war. Agon Ortlights (she/her): Aided by her servicebot companions, Agon worked hard to attain the rank of lieutenant in the Company of the Spade, where she's become a veteren mercenary, a skilled miner, and a hell of a drinking buddy. A.O. Rooke (he/him): Former Stel Orion mercenary, now commander of the Rapid Evening's "toughs" squad. Eiden Teak (he/him): Soldier and commander in the Sable Court. Wears the wounds of past fights on him with a distinct sort of pride, inherited from his time fighting as an Apostolosian soldier: He's missing right leg under the knee, and a number of his antlers have been snapped and broken. Wears loose olive drab fatigues, marked the occult insignia and wards of the Court. Mourningbride (she/her): An initiate in the Sable Court, and a former Elect. Alise Breka (she/her): Guest lecturer at Verglaz University and Author of popular Renegade Hearts pulp series, which tells stories of daring and romantic Hallow pilots. On Partizan to research her next book, partly by interviewing the imprisoned pirate Exeter Leap. //Places\\ The Prophet's Sea: A massive ocean that dominates the center of most maps of Partizan. It is said that the sea was made by the prophet Logos Kantel in their first miracle, after walking the length of its radius and climbing a set of hills that would soon become islands. //Divines\\ The Heretical Divine Providence: When Progressive Asterism was officially recognized, each of the Stels celebrated by collaboratively building this Divine. But for reasons none could understand, it turned on them as soon as it came to life. It was laid to rest, its Divinity stripped from it, and now lies dormant (thought dead) in the center of the Summer Isle, where its dragon-like skeleton serves as a literal obstacle course for the final event of the games. //Things\\ Icebreaker Prime: A massive arsenal, garrison, airfield, and a firebase all rolled into one. Icebreaker Prime is a rumbling carrier which prowls land and sea, armed with innumerable weapons and potentially housing over ten thousand soldiers. Currently, Icebreaker Prime is under the command of Clementine Kesh and the Rapid Evening, and is hidden in the most unperturbed waters of the Prophet's Sea. //Additional Notes\\ Crossroads Crossroad #1: Will The Kingdom allow civilian refugees to live on Icebreaker Prime? Crossroad #2: Will the Kingdom rob the surreptitious Columnar and Orion arms shipments in order to address our resource problem? Crossroad #3: Will the Kingdom hold elections? Crossroad #4: Will the Kingdom put counterrevolutionaries on trial? Crossroad #5: Will The Kingdom accept the aid of the Pact of Necessary Venture in the form of a secure island, from which MB can expand their operation and farm food safe from the crisis? Crossroad #6: Will The Kingdom invade Vigil City in order to rescue the Equiaxed Commune there? Crossroad #7: Will The Kingdom participate in the Summer Passage of Arms? The Millenium Break Manifesto We will help those displaced by the war on Partizan 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 backs on allies in need. Character Bonds Valence: I feel the uncomfortable draw of the unknown from Apparatus, but must keep focus on the revolution and the way of God. An overindulgence of curiosity would sidetrack me. Apparatus: Gur Sevraq has always been a bit of a Day Mayor. I hope he has not gotten too used to the light. Gur Sevraq: Milli is right to distrust all who seek to direct her power, but she ought fight for those who share her dreams yet lack her strength. Milli: Sovereign Immunity's connections could get us out of prison. I need to make sure this summit doesn't make him forget that. SI: This is the moment Clementine must show her mettle as a leader. If she is truly a frivolous child I will find someone better. Clem: United, Gucci and I could be a powerful force for Kesh, with me at its head. Her misplaced egalitarianism, however, is a problem. Gucci: Broun knows how to get things done and I know what they want in return. But there's a difference between service and loyalty, and I don't know when or where they'll draw that line. Broun: I need Valence to keep their promise to me but I don't believe they can. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Clare (@sylvisurfer), 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 (@ali_west) Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) 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!!

17 Juli 20202h 35min

With its internal threats sorted, at least for now, Millennium Break's de facto leaders shift the bulk of their attention outward. As rebellion is sparked across Partizan, a new question takes center stage: If Millennium Break wants to lead this revolutionary moment, does it need to step out into the light of day? Who can they save if they take this risk? And who do they put in harms way if they refuse to rise to the challenge? As a dire situation develops in the Memoria Teardrop, it becomes clear that these are not hypothetical questions. A decision must be made. This week on PARTIZAN: Breaking Vigil ///Operation Dossier\\\ //Organizations\\ The Vigil City Equiaxed Commune: Across Columnar space, the Equiaxed--a culture of people who augment their synthetic frames with living, organic materials for a variety of reasons--are persecuted, outlawed, arrested, and even experimented on. One way that this vulnerable and targeted group has found some peace is to live together in communal living spaces, where they can support each other emotionally and materially, sharing skills, resources, and information. One such group is the Commune at Vigil City, which is located towards the Northern edge of the city's reaches. There is a massive cavern underneath a dreary office park, and the structures that stretch above also delve below. It is a vertically-hanging housing project, each tower a stalactite filled with lives. And around it all, shimmering memoria like one thousand thousand eyes in the dark: A resource that Stel Columnar would do anything to get hold of. 301st Appraisal Unit: Before the Columnar commits the resources necessary to take something for their own, this small reconnaissance unit comprised of soldiers, engineers, and academics needs to find it The Church of the Resin Heart: A Disciples of Logos church on Partizan which claims to be the true inheritor of the prophet's religious mission. The "resin heart" in question is a 3-foot large object pulled from the sea 400+ years ago and displayed as a relic by the Church. It was originally part of the Exemplar. Millennium Break: Dissidents, idealogues, rebels, and mercenaries launch a revolution from a state-of-the-art mobile fortress. They agree on little, except this: It is time for a new Millennium. Strand Semaphore: Using ancient Hyphan technology, this messenger service is able to send text-based communications to anywhere on-moon, so long as they've built an outpost there. Lambic House: A group of beer-brewing monks who both operate a brewery and manage a sizable civilian settlement deep in the mountains of the Pique Ridge. Part of the Shepherd's Crook. HORIZON: In the popular consciousness, HORIZON is a radical, anti-Principality terrorist organization. In actuality, they are a radical-reformist group, which seeks to drive out what it perceives as corruption in an empire that ought be pursuing noble (instead of selfish) ends. Rumored to be funded by Stel Kesh's House Brightline. The Mysteries Metronomica/ "Metronomica"/"The Cult of Perennial": Guided by the paradoxical belief in historical cycles and radical freedom, the Isles of Logos offers this faith of the Adversary, Perennial, perhaps the only safe ground in the entire galaxy. The Red Fennecs: Technically, the Red Fennecs are an Apostolosian logistics and transport squad. In actuality, they're utilized by their commanding officer, Tes'ili Serikos, as the backbone of a humble smuggling operation. The Sable Court: Some say that on dark nights, they have seen these Ashen witches on the eastern edge of Lake Timea, horns and antlers glittering in the light of Girandole. Some even say that a former elect walks among them. Heresy, all of it. Company of the Spade: A veteran mercenary unit founded by space miners who learned how to pilot Hollows in the most dangerous of settings. They've been brought to Partizan to combine both types of expertise. The Oxblood Clan: What started as a group of orphans turned into a labor guild and criminal enterprise with connections across Partizan. Occasionally run rough-and-tumble military ops for extra cash. Allies with SBBR. //People\\ Kenzington "Kenzi" Be (she/her): Commanding Officer of the Columnar 301st Appraisal Unit. Has legs that can fold down into tank treds--in some ways, she looks like the humanoid version of Broun's mech, the Three Cheers! Has a long oval torso and a totally spherical head with dozens of cameras on it that sort of extends from her torso. Quintessence "Tessence" Rey (he/him): A young member of the secret Equiaxed commune in Vigil City, Tessence is the community's only remaining military defender. In his custom Kosmos unit, he has helped defend his family and friends from Columnar aggression numerous times. He did, however, have a card up his sleeve: An EDICT system, kept in operating condition since the time of the Divine Clash, through a combination of cleverness, effort, and good luck. Apparatus Aperitif (they/them): Logos City, the largest independent city on Partizan, is known as a religious center, but its robotic night mayor ensures that everyone has a good time at the end of their time traveling the Prophet's Path. Representative of the Mysteries Metronomica onboard Icebreaker Prime. Gur Sevraq (he/them): Leader of the Church of the Resin Heart. Miracle worker. Currently on board Icebreaker Prime. Has possession of the Divine Future, which gives them startling prescience and the ability to imagine futures outside of the confines of the hegemonic and imperialist world around him. Si'dra Balos (Si/Si's, they/them): During their time in a communications division of the Apostolosian Navy, Si'dra saw the cost of war first hand. Now they dream of a world where people can connect instead of fight. Tes'ili Serikos (they/them, tes/tes'): This Apostolosian transport specialist, black marketeer, and Tes'ili Serikos can get just about anything just about anywhere, for a price. Short, round, fuzzy, and good natured… unless you screw tes over. The Blossom (he/him): The Lambic House is just supposed to make beer, sell it around the world, and keep people happy. But with each keg delivered by the sect's Abbot of Provision, the Blossom also serves a short, populist whisper. Zo'la (zo/zo's, they/them): As a projection artists, Zo'la seeks to create a cinematic work that captures the dynamic spirit of this historical moment. Born to Columnar, then drawn to the Apostlosian ideology of Dynamism (which values speed, change, and violence above all else. A wildcard and a vanguard. Friends with Gucci Garantine, despite having spent time on opposite sides of the Kesh/Apostolos war. Agon Ortlights (she/her): Aided by her servicebot companions, Agon worked hard to attain the rank of lieutenant in the Company of the Spade, where she's become a veteren mercenary, a skilled miner, and a hell of a drinking buddy. A.O. Rooke (he/him): Former Stel Orion mercenary, now commander of the Rapid Evening's "toughs" squad. Eiden Teak (he/him): Soldier and commander in the Sable Court. Wears the wounds of past fights on him with a distinct sort of pride, inherited from his time fighting as an Apostolosian soldier: He's missing right leg under the knee, and a number of his antlers have been snapped and broken. Wears loose olive drab fatigues, marked the occult insignia and wards of the Court. Mourningbride (she/her): An initiate in the Sable Court, and a former Elect. Alise Breka (she/her): Guest lecturer at Verglaz University and Author of popular Renegade Hearts pulp series, which tells stories of daring and romantic Hallow pilots. On Partizan to research her next book, partly by interviewing the imprisoned pirate Exeter Leap. //Places\\ The Memoria Teardrop: A range of mountains and high plains, dense with mineral resources. Named for "memoria," a rare precious material with a high, natural storage capacity. Vigil City: The capital city of Stel Columnar on Partizan. Sits on the southern end of the "Teardrop" on a high plateau. The densest city on Partizan, Vigil City is also the most automated city on the moon. The Prophet's Sea: A massive ocean that dominates the center of most maps of Partizan. It is said that the sea was made by the prophet Logos Kantel in their first miracle, after walking the length of its radius and climbing a set of hills that would soon become islands. Marengo: Oxbridge's biggest rival to the far west of Orion territory, Marengo borders the Prophet's Path and because of that has been favored by three groups: faithful hoping to draw on the strength of passing pilgrims; traders eager to take tourist coin; and criminals who like the proximity of uncontrolled territory. Auspice: A seaside city in the Prophet's Path north of Marengo (which it is smaller than) and south of Obelle (which it dwarfs). Auspice is the final destination of the land travel portion of the yearly pilgrimage led by the Church of the Resin Heart. Resting on a landmass that appears on a map to be a finger pointing eastward, it has become a coastal refuge for members of Millennium Break. //Divines\\ The Divine Asepsis: Vigil City is the densest urban settlement on the moon, and yet, every morning, it is spotless. Give thanks to Asepsis' swarm of robotic servants. //Things\\ Icebreaker Prime: A massive arsenal, garrison, airfield, and a firebase all rolled into one. Icebreaker Prime is a rumbling carrier which prowls land and sea, armed with innumerable weapons and potentially housing over ten thousand soldiers. Currently, Icebreaker Prime is under the command of Clementine Kesh and the Rapid Evening, and is hidden in the most unperturbed waters of the Prophet's Sea. Zugzwang: The state of play in Chess when one play is forced to make moves to their own disadvantage. EDICT System: The Electronic Divine Interface and Control Technology System was originally deployed during the Divine Clash, over 2400 years ago. Requires a great deal of power to activate, and needs to be transported by multiple large trucks, but when it is used, it can badly disrupt Divine activity--at least most of the time. There are many theories as to which Divines are affected and why, with many believing it is determined by provenance or era of Divine, some internal system of the EDICT itself, or even the current condition of the Perennial Wave. AdArm Troop: Designed by The de facto "grunt" mech of the Divine Principality. 55~ feet tall bipedal hollow, mid sized but bulky in aesthetic. Blocky, visible cabling. Head is a rectangular unit (with a long, flat LED-lit single "eye") that functions as a sensor suite, and attached to its right (above the shoulder) is a heavy cannon. Left arm has actuator/clasper, right has bayonet. Panther: An ancient mech once piloted by a near mythological hero of a war barely remembered. Medium sized, black, humanoid, angular, and birdlike in some elements of its design. In another life, it could split itself up into independently flying microwings, each of which could serve as a flanking weapon. Its current pilot can not conceive of using it in this way. Formerly piloted by Clementine Kesh. Blessed by Future. Three Cheers!: Kal'mera Broun's hollow, a heavily modified Adamant Arms and Artifice (aka AdArm) machine. Humanoid with the ability to take a mobility form. Equipped for long range volleying. Easily removable/replaceable plates with non-standard rivets. Heads Up: Exeter Leap's hallow, a re-fitted Emergentec Rapid Response Type III Breaching Ambulance which he has converted for criminal purposes. Large cylindrical legs taper upwards towards the head. Armored fists and a back mounted mortar. Blessed by Future. Mow: A recovered Zenith-A Project Eudaimonia prototype model. The build of a gorilla, quadrupedal & topheavy, a saddle horn-like addition on the back, battered but lovingly maintained. Stray Dog: Million's hollow, a Zenith-A Project Katalepsis prototype model, stolen when she went AWOL from GLORY. Medium-sized and humanoid in base shape, but able to rearrange its body to accommodate the rail gun built into the torso and left arm. Each limb is double jointed with sleek black and silver plating. There is only one glowing eye on the head, which houses the Stray Dog's aiming systems and pilot. Blessed by Future. Transgress Oblige: The hollow of Gucci Garantine, and a chief symbol of the terrorist organization Horizon. Whitesmoke color body, with the torso, shoulders, and upper arms covered in a sort of secondary armor layer that is blue with gold flourishes. Carries a bazooka and a pair of beam partizan (with a golden beam blade) which can retract into a beam saber. Below the blue armor layer is a secondary core, made of some sort of rare crystal: When revealed, those that see it are struck by the power and magnificence of humanity itself. Hippocampus: Valence's hollow, an AdArm Prototype Loveliness. A small, ovoid cockpit that has two "chicken legs" attached to it. Helicopter blades fold out from inside the cockpit and onto the top of the mech to give it basic flight. Old Glory: Sovereign Immunity's hallow, a modified Singh Sisters Wheel Service & Heavy Industry Ltd. "Deltoid" model. Used for rapid agricultural construction, able to create small shelters in minutes, and large modular structures in a matter of hours instead of days. Able to rapidly create barricades with large construction panels. Wields a spike-planting gun and a scythe, the latter of which was appropriated from an agricultural hollow. Once featured the icon of the Shepherd's Crook, but this was melted by a flamethrower, then removed, leaving behind the negative space of the symbol instead of a scorch mark. Blessed by Future. //Additional Notes\\ Crossroads Crossroad #1: Will The Kingdom allow civilian refugees to live on Icebreaker Prime? Crossroad #2: Will the Kingdom rob the surreptitious Columnar and Orion arms shipments in order to address our resource problem? Crossroad #3: Will the Kingdom hold elections? Crossroad #4: Will the Kingdom put counterrevolutionaries on trial? Crossroad #5: Will The Kingdom accept the aid of the Pact of Necessary Venture in the form of a secure island, from which MB can expand their operation and farm food safe from the crisis? Crossroad #6: Will The Kingdom invade Vigil City in order to rescue the Equiaxed Commune there? The Millenium Break Manifesto We will help those displaced by the war on Partizan 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. Character Bonds Valence: I feel the uncomfortable draw of the unknown from Apparatus, but must keep focus on the revolution and the way of God. An overindulgence of curiosity would sidetrack me. Apparatus: Gur Sevraq has always been a bit of a Day Mayor. I hope he has not gotten too used to the light. Gur Sevraq: Milli is right to distrust all who seek to direct her power, but she ought fight for those who share her dreams yet lack her strength. Milli: Sovereign Immunity's connections could get us out of prison. I need to make sure this summit doesn't make him forget that. SI: This is the moment Clementine must show her mettle as a leader. If she is truly a frivolous child I will find someone better. Clem: United, Gucci and I could be a powerful force for Kesh, with me at its head. Her misplaced egalitarianism, however, is a problem. Gucci: Broun knows how to get things done and I know what they want in return. But there's a difference between service and loyalty, and I don't know when or where they'll draw that line. Broun: I need Valence to keep their promise to me but I don't believe they can. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Clare (@sylvisurfer), 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 (@ali_west) Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) 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!!

10 Juli 20202h 51min