So, with one loud sob, the galaxy shifted. But as with all widespread changes, this one was unevenly distributed. Few places changed as totally as Palisade, once just beyond the edge of the Twilight Mirage, now brought into orbit around the pseudo-sun of Volition as the new, ninth planet of the Quire System. And as above, so below: The change in the air is also a change in bodies, in minds, in matters military and social and even culinary. And parked below the newly painted skies of the Bontive Valley, the remaining crew of the Blue Channel ponders the future, reaching out to each other and beyond. This week on PALISADE: Where They Are Pt. 1 If you could do it all again / Yeah, without a second thought / I don't like leaving / The door shut / I think I missed something / But I'm not sure what   DOSSIER PEOPLE GUCCI GARANTINE (SHE/HER): A defector from Stel Kesh, who used the remaining wealth and power of House Brightline to help found Millennium Break. Currently a key member of the resistance efforts on Palisade, and a commander of Millenium Break forces there. Codename Watershed. JESSET CITY (HE/HIM): After helping to kick off Millennium Break on Partizan, Jesset served as one of its major leaders during its expansion across the Principality. Now, he uses his talents in Hollow and Altar engineering, piloting, and cipher breaking on behalf of the Grey Pond unit of the cause. Still considers himself to be a member of the Party of the Wolf, though those designations have largely fallen from use. MUSTARD RED (SHE/HER): A cyborg who once served as a member of Brink Proxy, with a speciality in surveillance. Joined the Cause during the Devotees expansion onto Palisade. LUCIA WHITESTAR (SHE/HER): The young “Lady Whitestar” emerged as a strategic genius during the early conflict between Kesh and Apostolos on PARTIZAN five years ago. Daughter of the Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. Commands her forces from her flagship, the Lander One with the support of her combat AI, Fire Support (it/its). PARTIAL PALISADE (HE/HIM): A man who was once a Divine, now living in the shell of a being quite unlike what he once was.   ORGANIZATIONS THE NEW ASTERISM: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet GUR SEVRAQ (HE/THEY), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler “rehabilitates” or “improves” the places they claim by violence. If Received Asterism places virtue in the state and Progressive Asterism places it in the Divines, the New Asterism places it in the Principality's mythologized point of origin: The Twilight Mirage.   PLACES BONTIVE VALLEY: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. TEMPLE OF THE THRESHOLD: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this serves as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet, THE TWILIGHT MIRAGE: Created over 5000 years ago by what was then the Divine Empyrean in an effort to protect the Divine Fleet, of which they were a member. The Mirage is a false nebula that obscures the position of its inhabitants both visually and by distorting time and space. Inside, there is now a vibrant and peaceful culture that spans eight planets, orbiting a dark and living Divine sun.    OBJECTS FS-N DAIS: One of the Altars competing in the tournament, piltoed by ZJENTA ZJARULE (SHE/THEY).  Utilizes a special glass originally from the Twilight Mirage. ADARM JURY: The Jury is the future of AdArm machines. As the first design which fully moves beyond the platforms of the previous generation, it’s a startling diversion from the bulky and boxy designs that the company is known for. In fact, the actual “unit” is only the cockpit, around which the rest of the Jury forms using concentrated Perennial Wave Material (PWM). Gone is the old LCD “eye,” replaced by a full pixel “face” that can send complex, laser-based communications silently to any other AdArm unit that can see it, as well as display iconographic messages to anyone nearby. A close study of the machine’s curved and ovaline elements suggests that it has much in common with the Motion’s Demiurgos design that AdArm salvaged as it does with the company’s previous designs…    DIVINES THE DIVINE FUTURE (THEY/THEM, IT/ITS): An ancient divine, dating back to the second major war in the Golden Branch star sector. Exists in the form of golden orb slightly larger than a softball or bocce ball, which can either be carried by or hover around its Elect. Historically, it has been bidden to share its unparalleled perspective on the hopes and dreams of its chosen (and the endless vigor with which to pursue those goals). THE DIVINE INTEGRITY (IT/ITS): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. Now, it has found a new home in Thisbe. THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  THE DIVINE, ARBITRAGE (IT/ITS): The amoral machine turned de facto treasurer keeps the Frontier Syndicate a step ahead in all matters of commerce. Sole minter of “glint,” a newly popular currency on Palisade. THE DIVINE CRUSADE (THEY/THEM): Leads Stel Nideo’s occupation on Palisade along with their Elect, GENTIAN. Crusade is an enormous, bipedal machine covered (or perhaps made with) beautiful stained glass.   MYSTERIES AXIOMS: Once, these beings were made by a so-called "Post-Divine" as embodiments of particular ideals, supposedly detached from mortal perspective or subjectivity. Today, the vast majority of them are the emanation of one woman's ideals, given perfect, violent form. PERENNIAL (SHE/HER):  The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has bonded with elements of Autonomy Itself and the Divine Motion to create Kalmeria.

2h 16m

Mar 29, 2024

In the depths of the Temple of the Threshold, a moment passes, a hero dies, and the world begins to change. But Thisbe, Cori, and Brnine—standing in the heart of Exanceaster March’s most advanced research facility—don’t know that yet. But they do hear it coming. A mechanical whine in the air is about to become something else. Unfinished plans will be pushed into action. Tomorrow will come, faster for some than others. And life on Palisade will change forever. THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: A MECHANICAL WHINE PT. 4 DOSSIER PEOPLE TELFORD STARE (HE/THEY): One of several foremen tied to the Lone Marble Group's contractor operations division.  CRYSANTH KESH (SHE/HER): Mother of Clementine (a.k.a. The Witch in Glass). Once, third in line to the throne of Kesh and de facto leader of the Curtain of Divinity, the predecessor to the Bilateral Intelligence Service.  Now dead. ORGANIZATIONS THE FRONTIER SYNDICATE: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by EXENCEASTER MARCH (HE/HIM), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. Developed THE ALTAR, the predominant war machine of the current era. THE LONE MARBLE GROUP: Built around a single artifact recovered from an Advent facility, this Frontier Syndicate subsidiary develops the future of Bilat war machinery. THE CHURCH OF RECEIVED ASTERISM: The most widely practiced faith in the galaxy, and one of the earliest major organizations in the Divine Principality, created at the beginning of the Miraculous Millenium, over 3000 years ago. Teaches that Divines, the immortal machines and mechs that helped establish the Principality's hold on the galaxy, reflect the best aspects of the state itself. The divine Strength, in other words, is like a living flag of the Principality's own strength. Organized as a central church, led by a religious leader named a “Cycle,” whose will is enacted across the Principality by their many “Songs,” who rule worlds, star systems, or sometimes entire constellations. THE CHURCH OF PROGRESSIVE ASTERISM: Created as the teachings of the prophet Logos Kantel grew in popularity 1000 years ago, and made a secondary state religion in order to prevent a large schism. Teaches that Divines are true embodiments of their names, and that the citizens and states of the Principality should look to them as guiding stars. The Divine Strength, in other words, is a reflection of strength itself, or maybe "god's strength," and we should aspire to make our strength look like the divine's. Unlike Received Asterism, there is no single central church, but hundreds of smaller sects, schools, and cults, each devoted to individual Divines, grouped sub-pantheons, or otherwise adjusted beliefs. THE NEW ASTERISM: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet GUR SEVRAQ (HE/THEY), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler “rehabilitates” or “improves” the places they claim by violence. If Received Asterism places virtue in the state and Progressive Asterism places it in the Divines, the New Asterism places it in the Principality's mythologized point of origin: The Twilight Mirage. FABREAL DUCHY: When the Divine Principality left Palisade nearly 5,000 years ago, they left behind a Duke and his barons as caretakers. In the generations that followed, they ruled as petty tyrants, creating Delegates as their slaves, remaking their bodies into glass and oil, and extending their reach across Palisade’s continents. Though they officially report to their handlers in Stel Kesh, recently they have begun to wonder if things were better before the Principality's return to Palisade. THE DIVINE COLLABORATE: A successor state to the once vast Autonomous Diaspora, the Divine Collaborate wsa an eternally ad-hoc and temporary alliance of Divines, their pilots, and those under their protection. Defeated by the Divine Principality at the climax of the Divine Clash. In her original home timeline, Perennial belonged to some version of the Collaborate. PLACES BONTIVE VALLEY: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. TEMPLE OF THE THRESHOLD: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this serves as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet, THE TWILIGHT MIRAGE: Created over 5000 years ago by what was then the Divine Empyrean in an effort to protect the Divine Fleet, of which they were a member. The Mirage is a false nebula that obscures the position of its inhabitants both visually and by distorting time and space. Inside, there is now a vibrant and peaceful culture that spans eight planets, orbiting a dark and living Divine sun.  OBJECTS FS-N DAIS: One of the Altars competing in the tournament, piltoed by ZJENTA ZJARULE (SHE/THEY).  Utilizes a special glass originally from the Twilight Mirage. ADARM JURY: The Jury is the future of AdArm machines. As the first design which fully moves beyond the platforms of the previous generation, it’s a startling diversion from the bulky and boxy designs that the company is known for. In fact, the actual “unit” is only the cockpit, around which the rest of the Jury forms using concentrated Perennial Wave Material (PWM). Gone is the old LCD “eye,” replaced by a full pixel “face” that can send complex, laser-based communications silently to any other AdArm unit that can see it, as well as display iconographic messages to anyone nearby. A close study of the machine’s curved and ovaline elements suggests that it has much in common with the Motion’s Demiurgos design that AdArm salvaged as it does with the company’s previous designs…  ADARM CAST: This surveillance hollow, mostly used by Stel Nideo in the pre-Kalmeria Era, features angelic (and grotesque) features and focuses on observation, surveilliance, and communications.  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. DIVINES THE DIVINE FUTURE (THEY/THEM, IT/ITS): An ancient divine, dating back to the second major war in the Golden Branch star sector. Exists in the form of golden orb slightly larger than a softball or bocce ball, which can either be carried by or hover around its Elect. Historically, it has been bidden to share its unparalleled perspective on the hopes and dreams of its chosen (and the endless vigor with which to pursue those goals). THE DIVINE RESONANCE (IT/ITS): The watchful guardian, doting caregiver, and ardent supporter of Nideo's colonial efforts on Palisade. THE DIVINE INTEGRITY (IT/ITS): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. Now, it has found a new home in Thisbe. THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  THE DIVINE OPPOSITION: One of many divines detained and experimented on by the nascent Divine Principality thousands of years ago, eventually becoming a source for the Fabreal Duchy's Delegates.  MYSTERIES AXIOMS: Once, these beings were made by a so-called "Post-Divine" as embodiments of particular ideals, supposedly detached from mortal perspective or subjectivity. Today, the vast majority of them are the emanation of one woman's ideals, given perfect, violent form. EBULLIENCE (IT/ITS): An axiom retrieved by the Lone Marble Group. It holds a rounded, liquid metal form and moves with impossible to exhaust energy.   PERENNIAL (SHE/HER):  The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has bonded with elements of Autonomy Itself and the Divine Motion to create Kalmeria.    

2h 47m

Mar 22, 2024

At the center of the Lone Marble Group's main campus stands a corkscrew-shaped building with no name. A sphere slides down its long external groove, serving as sentry and, perhaps, more. Behind it: The secrets of Exanceaster March. At the center of Palisade's main continent stands a coliseum-shaped city that has been named a temple. Thousands flock to it in pilgrimage daily, a mocking replication of a different pilgrimage. Today, thousands extra make the walk, faith-eager. Inside: The future, and perhaps more.    THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: A MECHANICAL WHINE PT. 2 DOSSIER PEOPLE TELFORD STARE (HE/THEY): One of several foremen tied to the Lone Marble Group's contractor operations division.  CRYSANTH KESH (SHE/HER): Mother of Clementine (a.k.a. The Witch in Glass). Once, third in line to the throne of Kesh and de facto leader of the Curtain of Divinity, the predecessor to the Bilateral Intelligence Service.  Now dead. ORGANIZATIONS THE FRONTIER SYNDICATE: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by EXENCEASTER MARCH (HE/HIM), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. Developed THE ALTAR, the predominant war machine of the current era. THE LONE MARBLE GROUP: Built around a single artifact recovered from an Advent facility, this Frontier Syndicate subsidiary develops the future of Bilat war machinery. THE CHURCH OF RECEIVED ASTERISM: The most widely practiced faith in the galaxy, and one of the earliest major organizations in the Divine Principality, created at the beginning of the Miraculous Millenium, over 3000 years ago. Teaches that Divines, the immortal machines and mechs that helped establish the Principality's hold on the galaxy, reflect the best aspects of the state itself. The divine Strength, in other words, is like a living flag of the Principality's own strength. Organized as a central church, led by a religious leader named a “Cycle,” whose will is enacted across the Principality by their many “Songs,” who rule worlds, star systems, or sometimes entire constellations. THE CHURCH OF PROGRESSIVE ASTERISM: Created as the teachings of the prophet Logos Kantel grew in popularity 1000 years ago, and made a secondary state religion in order to prevent a large schism. Teaches that Divines are true embodiments of their names, and that the citizens and states of the Principality should look to them as guiding stars. The Divine Strength, in other words, is a reflection of strength itself, or maybe "god's strength," and we should aspire to make our strength look like the divine's. Unlike Received Asterism, there is no single central church, but hundreds of smaller sects, schools, and cults, each devoted to individual Divines, grouped sub-pantheons, or otherwise adjusted beliefs. THE NEW ASTERISM: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet GUR SEVRAQ (HE/THEY), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler “rehabilitates” or “improves” the places they claim by violence. If Received Asterism places virtue in the state and Progressive Asterism places it in the Divines, the New Asterism places it in the Principality's mythologized point of origin: The Twilight Mirage. FABREAL DUCHY: When the Divine Principality left Palisade nearly 5,000 years ago, they left behind a Duke and his barons as caretakers. In the generations that followed, they ruled as petty tyrants, creating Delegates as their slaves, remaking their bodies into glass and oil, and extending their reach across Palisade’s continents. Though they officially report to their handlers in Stel Kesh, recently they have begun to wonder if things were better before the Principality's return to Palisade. PLACES BONTIVE VALLEY: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. TEMPLE OF THE THRESHOLD: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this serves as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet, THE TWILIGHT MIRAGE: Created over 5000 years ago by what was then the Divine Empyrean in an effort to protect the Divine Fleet, of which they were a member. The Mirage is a false nebula that obscures the position of its inhabitants both visually and by distorting time and space. Inside, there is now a vibrant and peaceful culture that spans eight planets, orbiting a dark and living Divine sun.  OBJECTS FS-N DAIS: One of the Altars competing in the tournament, piltoed by ZJENTA ZJARULE (SHE/THEY).  Utilizes a special glass originally from the Twilight Mirage. ADARM JURY: The Jury is the future of AdArm machines. As the first design which fully moves beyond the platforms of the previous generation, it’s a startling diversion from the bulky and boxy designs that the company is known for. In fact, the actual “unit” is only the cockpit, around which the rest of the Jury forms using concentrated Perennial Wave Material (PWM). Gone is the old LCD “eye,” replaced by a full pixel “face” that can send complex, laser-based communications silently to any other AdArm unit that can see it, as well as display iconographic messages to anyone nearby. A close study of the machine’s curved and ovaline elements suggests that it has much in common with the Motion’s Demiurgos design that AdArm salvaged as it does with the company’s previous designs…  ADARM CAST: This surveillance hollow, mostly used by Stel Nideo in the pre-Kalmeria Era, features angelic (and grotesque) features and focuses on observation, surveilliance, and communications.  DIVINES THE DIVINE FUTURE (THEY/THEM, IT/ITS): An ancient divine, dating back to the second major war in the Golden Branch star sector. Exists in the form of golden orb slightly larger than a softball or bocce ball, which can either be carried by or hover around its Elect. Historically, it has been bidden to share its unparalleled perspective on the hopes and dreams of its chosen (and the endless vigor with which to pursue those goals). THE DIVINE RESONANCE (IT/ITS): The watchful guardian, doting caregiver, and ardent supporter of Nideo's colonial efforts on Palisade. THE DIVINE INTEGRITY (IT/ITS): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. Now, it has found a new home in Thisbe. THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  THE DIVINE OPPOSITION: One of many divines detained and experimented on by the nascent Divine Principality thousands of years ago, eventually becoming a source for the Fabreal Duchy's Delegates.  MYSTERIES AXIOMS: Once, these beings were made by a so-called "Post-Divine" as embodiments of particular ideals, supposedly detached from mortal perspective or subjectivity. Today, the vast majority of them are the emanation of one woman's ideals, given perfect, violent form. EBULLIENCE (IT/ITS): An axiom retrieved by the Lone Marble Group. It holds a rounded, liquid metal form and moves with impossible to exhaust energy.   PERENNIAL (SHE/HER):  The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has bonded with elements of Autonomy Itself and the Divine Motion to create Kalmeria.

2h 0m

Mar 15, 2024

As the tournament to determine the next era of the Altar continues at the Lone Marble Group's headquarters, the Blue Channel's infiltration team finds itself backed into a corner. As they try to push their way forward, their allies in the Temple of the Threshold find themselves up against a different sort of wall. In just a few hours, this would all seem so insignificant.  THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: A MECHANICAL WHINE PT. 2 DOSSIER PEOPLE TELFORD STARE (HE/THEY): One of several foremen tied to the Lone Marble Group's contractor operations division.  ORGANIZATIONS THE FRONTIER SYNDICATE: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by EXENCEASTER MARCH (HE/HIM), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. Developed THE ALTAR, the predominant war machine of the current era. THE LONE MARBLE GROUP: Built around a single artifact recovered from an Advent facility, this Frontier Syndicate subsidiary develops the future of Bilat war machinery. THE CHURCH OF RECEIVED ASTERISM: The most widely practiced faith in the galaxy, and one of the earliest major organizations in the Divine Principality, created at the beginning of the Miraculous Millenium, over 3000 years ago. Teaches that Divines, the immortal machines and mechs that helped establish the Principality's hold on the galaxy, reflect the best aspects of the state itself. The divine Strength, in other words, is like a living flag of the Principality's own strength. Organized as a central church, led by a religious leader named a “Cycle,” whose will is enacted across the Principality by their many “Songs,” who rule worlds, star systems, or sometimes entire constellations. THE CHURCH OF PROGRESSIVE ASTERISM: Created as the teachings of the prophet Logos Kantel grew in popularity 1000 years ago, and made a secondary state religion in order to prevent a large schism. Teaches that Divines are true embodiments of their names, and that the citizens and states of the Principality should look to them as guiding stars. The Divine Strength, in other words, is a reflection of strength itself, or maybe "god's strength," and we should aspire to make our strength look like the divine's. Unlike Received Asterism, there is no single central church, but hundreds of smaller sects, schools, and cults, each devoted to individual Divines, grouped sub-pantheons, or otherwise adjusted beliefs. THE NEW ASTERISM: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet GUR SEVRAQ (HE/THEY), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler “rehabilitates” or “improves” the places they claim by violence. If Received Asterism places virtue in the state and Progressive Asterism places it in the Divines, the New Asterism places it in the Principality's mythologized point of origin: The Twilight Mirage. FABREAL DUCHY: When the Divine Principality left Palisade nearly 5,000 years ago, they left behind a Duke and his barons as caretakers. In the generations that followed, they ruled as petty tyrants, creating Delegates as their slaves, remaking their bodies into glass and oil, and extending their reach across Palisade’s continents. Though they officially report to their handlers in Stel Kesh, recently they have begun to wonder if things were better before the Principality's return to Palisade. PLACES BONTIVE VALLEY: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. TEMPLE OF THE THRESHOLD: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this serves as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet, THE TWILIGHT MIRAGE: Created over 5000 years ago by what was then the Divine Empyrean in an effort to protect the Divine Fleet, of which they were a member. The Mirage is a false nebula that obscures the position of its inhabitants both visually and by distorting time and space. Inside, there is now a vibrant and peaceful culture that spans eight planets, orbiting a dark and living Divine sun.  OBJECTS FS-N DAIS: One of the Altars competing in the tournament, piltoed by ZJENTA ZJARULE (SHE/THEY).  Utilizes a special glass originally from the Twilight Mirage. ADARM JURY: The Jury is the future of AdArm machines. As the first design which fully moves beyond the platforms of the previous generation, it’s a startling diversion from the bulky and boxy designs that the company is known for. In fact, the actual “unit” is only the cockpit, around which the rest of the Jury forms using concentrated Perennial Wave Material (PWM). Gone is the old LCD “eye,” replaced by a full pixel “face” that can send complex, laser-based communications silently to any other AdArm unit that can see it, as well as display iconographic messages to anyone nearby. A close study of the machine’s curved and ovaline elements suggests that it has much in common with the Motion’s Demiurgos design that AdArm salvaged as it does with the company’s previous designs…  DIVINES THE DIVINE RESONANCE (IT/ITS): The watchful guardian, doting caregiver, and ardent supporter of Nideo's colonial efforts on Palisade. THE DIVINE INTEGRITY (IT/ITS): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. Now, it has found a new home in Thisbe. THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  MYSTERIES AXIOMS: Once, these beings were made by a so-called "Post-Divine" as embodiments of particular ideals, supposedly detached from mortal perspective or subjectivity. Today, they are the emanation of one woman's ideals, given perfect, violent form. But, perhaps, there are some of the original Axioms remaining in the galaxy...   

2h 1m

Mar 08, 2024

Across Palisade, Millennium Break and its allies launch into action. One after another, the Frontier Syndicate’s egg-like power plants came under direct attack. With enough of them brought offline, the group’s ploy to revive Motion would be halted—at least temporarily. That is where the Blue Channel would do their work: Infiltrate the campus of the Lone Marble Group; locate a kill switch for the terrible project; bring it all to a permanent end.  THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: A MECHANICAL WHINE PT. 1 DOSSIER PEOPLE TELFORD STARE (HE/THEY): One of several foremen tied to the Lone Marble Group's contractor operations division.  ORGANIZATIONS THE FRONTIER SYNDICATE: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by EXENCEASTER MARCH (HE/HIM), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. Developed THE ALTAR, the predominant war machine of the current era. THE LONE MARBLE GROUP: Built around a single artifact recovered from an Advent facility, this Frontier Syndicate subsidiary develops the future of Bilat war machinery. THE CHURCH OF RECEIVED ASTERISM: The most widely practiced faith in the galaxy, and one of the earliest major organizations in the Divine Principality, created at the beginning of the Miraculous Millenium, over 3000 years ago. Teaches that Divines, the immortal machines and mechs that helped establish the Principality's hold on the galaxy, reflect the best aspects of the state itself. The divine Strength, in other words, is like a living flag of the Principality's own strength. Organized as a central church, led by a religious leader named a “Cycle,” whose will is enacted across the Principality by their many “Songs,” who rule worlds, star systems, or sometimes entire constellations. THE CHURCH OF PROGRESSIVE ASTERISM: Created as the teachings of the prophet Logos Kantel grew in popularity 1000 years ago, and made a secondary state religion in order to prevent a large schism. Teaches that Divines are true embodiments of their names, and that the citizens and states of the Principality should look to them as guiding stars. The Divine Strength, in other words, is a reflection of strength itself, or maybe "god's strength," and we should aspire to make our strength look like the divine's. Unlike Received Asterism, there is no single central church, but hundreds of smaller sects, schools, and cults, each devoted to individual Divines, grouped sub-pantheons, or otherwise adjusted beliefs. THE NEW ASTERISM: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet GUR SEVRAQ (HE/THEY), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler “rehabilitates” or “improves” the places they claim by violence. If Received Asterism places virtue in the state and Progressive Asterism places it in the Divines, the New Asterism places it in the Principality's mythologized point of origin: The Twilight Mirage. PLACES BONTIVE VALLEY: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. TEMPLE OF THE THRESHOLD: Built at the center of a massive bridge that crosses the Diadem, this serves as the home of New Asterism and its false prophet, THE TWILIGHT MIRAGE: Created over 5000 years ago by what was then the Divine Empyrean in an effort to protect the Divine Fleet, of which they were a member. The Mirage is a false nebula that obscures the position of its inhabitants both visually and by distorting time and space. Inside, there is now a vibrant and peaceful culture that spans eight planets, orbiting a dark and living Divine sun.  DIVINES THE DIVINE RESONANCE (IT/ITS): The watchful guardian, doting caregiver, and ardent supporter of Nideo's colonial efforts on Palisade. THE DIVINE INTEGRITY (IT/ITS): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. Now, it has found a new home in Thisbe. THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  ADDITIONAL NOTES

2h 19m

Mar 01, 2024

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

6m

Feb 23, 2024

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

1h 19m

Feb 09, 2024

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

1h 36m

Feb 03, 2024

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

1h 20m

Jan 26, 2024

Sometimes, AuDy had found, people asked them to wait. This was transparently an exercise of power. Sit in there. I’ll be right through. Flat silence as minutes passed. There existed a line of tension between one human and another and as one person wound it tauter and tauter - with distance, or silence, or an enforced period of waiting - certain useful anxieties would be sure to emerge in the other. The logic of this seemed sound to AuDy.  On the other side of the room was a framed print of a man in the snow. He was lying on his back. A wire ran from the ceiling down to an outlet just above the floor, painted pale green. The top pin in the outlet carried electricity and the hexagonal grey one beneath it was a mesh hookup. For cleaning robots, and the like. The room was very quiet.  What the people who asked AuDy to wait failed to understand was that  the line they wound as they brewed coffee in a neighbouring room would never grow taut. They could wind and wind and AuDy, silent in the waiting room, tracing the wire up the wall, would unspool their patience with an easy comfort. One minute was one hour was one month was one second.  Years later, just before the door opened, they remembered the man in the snow. He was lying on his back.  THIS WEEK ON COUNTER/WEIGHT 0.2: VALUABLE CONNECTIONS Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker http://www.twitter.com/austin_walker) Featuring Keith J Carberry (@KeithJCarberry), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), and Art Tebbel (@atebbel)   Produced by Ali Acampora Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) Music by Jack de Quidt

1h 32m

Jan 19, 2024

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

2h 29m

Jan 13, 2024

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

5m

Jan 11, 2024

Across the Bontive Valley, hardened members of the Cause join with recent recruits and regular civilians to kick off a region-wide celebration of their new liberation. Because it represents the first chance to publicly commemorate not only the group’s most recent victory over the Bilateral Intercession, but also their recent victory over the Stellar Combustor and their success in taking the Grav Train), it is a loud, boisterous, and sprawling party. There, in the town of Eversin, the crew of the Blue Channel joins in with the celebration. Who will they bump into? What new memories might they make?  THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: REACH IN / REACH OUT PT. 2 DOSSIER PEOPLE MIDNITE MATINEE (SHE/HER): Leporine scout and member of the Blue Channel. She and her trusty Pack-model light AutoHollow Popcorn used to run a repo company, but now are tentatively committed to the Cause and Millennium Break. ELLE EVENSONG (SHE/THEY): Elle arrived to Palisade along with the first wave of Devotees, making a name for herself as a cunning combatant and clever commander. She became a poster child for Twilight Mirage's support of Palisade (and, for members of the Dim Liturgy, a prophesied bridge between the past and the future). But as the war began to heat up, she seemed to vanish into the background. In fact, they were working for the Divine, Arbitrage as a double agent. Cori blames them for the death of her father. Pilot of the Cataphract. MURCHY “MURCH” SALTBURN (SHE/HER): A gig-cop working for Lock & Cross Security Services in Baseline-C.  ALISE BREKA (SHE/HER): Once, Alise was most popular for her Renegade Hearts books of daring pulp adventure. Now she is one of the chief propagandists of Millennium Break, turning their struggles (and victories) into novels, screenplays, and other media. GUCCI GARANTINE (SHE/HER): A defector from Stel Kesh, who used the remaining wealth and power of House Brightline to help found Millennium Break. Currently a key member of the resistance efforts on Palisade, and a commander of Millenium Break forces there. Codename Watershed. JESSET CITY (HE/HIM): After helping to kick off Millennium Break on Partizan, Jesset served as one of its major leaders during its expansion across the Principality. Now, he uses his talents in Hollow and Altar engineering, piloting, and cipher breaking on behalf of the Grey Pond unit of the cause. Still considers himself to be a member of the Party of the Wolf, though those designations have largely fallen from use. MUSTARD RED (SHE/HER): A cyborg who once served as a member of Brink Proxy, with a speciality in surveillance. Joined the Cause during the Devotees expansion onto Palisade. ORGANIZATIONS BILATERAL INTERCESSION: One of two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, comprised by Stels Kesh and Nideo, and lead by the so-called Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh (he/him), who took control of the faction from the Curtain, a secretive intelligence organization with roots in Kesh’s ancient spy operations. The “Bilats” are a conservative and reactionary force, aiming to return the Principality to its roots both literally and figuratively. After a long campaign against the Pact of Free States, they managed to take control of Palisade. ROSE RIVER: Though they are undoubtedly committed to the Cause, this unique research unit (combining Veronique (she/her), her Divine Fealty (any pronouns), and their followers with an out-of-time NEH Sleep Detachment squad) hope for a day when they can be something other than soldiers. JADE KILL: Based in Joyous Guard, this military arm of the Cause is operated by the Delegate liberation faction known as Reunion and supported by Kalar Anakalar's (he/him) Giantkiller unit and a wing of Swordbreakers. Led by August Righteousness (he/him). VIOLET COVE: The Dim Liturgy claim to have seen the Divine Devotion's arrival coming in their sacred text: A battered and corrupted backup of Crystal Palace's final predictions for the future. Now the two cults work together to oust the Bilats... and perhaps to do more intriguing things, as well. GREY POND: With members of the Oxblood Clan, the Company of the Spade, and the Shale Belt's Concrete Front, these blue collar revolutionaries are experts at getting the Cause the equipment it needs (and maintaining what it has when that's the only available option). CARMINE BIGHT: From ramshackle additions to the rocky shores of Rifle Island, Captain Skelton Knaggs (he/him) and his fearsome flotilla launch rusted pirate vessels beneath the waves, guided by a coalition of Hyphan navigators. THE TWILL: Though many groups have lived on the world of Palisade over the years, the Twill can trace their time on the world back the furthest. Though a first glance appraisal might make one think that their defining trait is the moss that covers much of their bodies and allows them to live on sunlight and water alone, in fact their most unshakable cultural trait is a practice of collaboration, aid, and acceptance. When groups like Advent, Kesh, the New Earth Hegemony, and the Divine Principality left Palisade behind, they often left behind the disaffected or unwanted. It was often, if not always, the Twill who helped these people find sustainable lives on the world, either by blending with the group over generations or through open exchange of goods and information. THE FRONTIER SYNDICATE: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by Exenceaster March (he/him), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. THE NEW ASTERISM: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet GUR SEVRAQ (HE/THEY), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler “rehabilitates” or “improves” the places they claim by violence. PLACES BONTIVE VALLEY: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. DIVINES THE DIVINE FILIGREE: The instrumentalized operating core of Palisade's extensive GravTrain system. Recovered by the Blue Channel and turned over to the Cause's leadership. THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  THE DIVINE, ARBITRAGE (IT/ITS): The amoral machine turned de facto treasurer keeps the Frontier Syndicate a step ahead in all matters of commerce. Sole minter of “glint,” a newly popular currency on Palisade. THE DIVINE CRUSADE (THEY/THEM): Leads Stel Nideo’s occupation on Palisade along with their Elect, GENTIAN. Crusade is an enormous, bipedal machine covered (or perhaps made with) beautiful stained glass. ASEPSIS (IT/ITS): The final living remnants of a Divine who pursues its particular vision of purity at the cost of everything else. Kept, studied, and utilized by Captain Kalvin Brnine. ADDITIONAL NOTES DELEGATES: In plain terms, Delegates are synthetic individuals created through a process of forcible extraction from a living Divine. Originated by the Fabreal Duchy, who were left behind to "attend to" Palisade by the Divine Principality around 5000 years ago, these Delgates were designed and used as slaves. Currently, a Delegate resistance group called Reunion operates out of the fortress Joyous Guard in the Caldera Stretch.

2h 36m

Dec 30, 2023

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

2h 50m

Dec 22, 2023

The dominos have begun to fall. Across Palisade, the Cause’s efforts have begun to be rewarded. And soon, its members will reward themselves with celebrations across the Bontive Valley. But, at least for the crew of the Blue Channel, it is not “soon” yet. Before they can party, they have some open issues that must be addressed. A visitor at the door. A hand on a scepter. An unclear connection to the divine. THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: REACH IN / REACH OUT DOSSIER PEOPLE LUCIA WHITESTAR (SHE/HER): The young “Lady Whitestar” emerged as a strategic genius during the early conflict between Kesh and Apostolos on PARTIZAN five years ago. Daughter of the Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. Commands her forces from her flagship, the Lander One with the support of her combat AI, Fire Support (it/its). PARTIAL PALISADE (HE/HIM): A man who was once a Divine, now living in the shell of a being quite unlike what he once was. MURCHY “MURCH” SALTBURN (SHE/HER): A gig-cop working for Lock & Cross Security Services in Baseline-C.  ALISE BREKA (SHE/HER): Once, Alise was most popular for her Renegade Hearts books of daring pulp adventure. Now she is one of the chief propagandists of Millennium Break, turning their struggles (and victories) into novels, screenplays, and other media. FACTIONS STEL NIDEO: Created the largest faith in the empire, and used that influence to shape (and surveil) mass culture. They are tied to the Present. Faith, coercion, stability. PLACES BONTIVE VALLEY: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. DIVINES THE DIVINE FILIGREE: The instrumentalized operating core of Palisade's extensive GravTrain system. Recovered by the Blue Channel and turned over to the Cause's leadership.  THE DIVINE INTEGRITY (IT/ITS): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, DAHLIA (THEY/THEM), the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. In an ancient era, SOKRATES NIKON ARTEMISIOS (THEY/THEM) was the "candidate" (user) of Integrity, and together they reformed the Apostolosian Empire, turning it into the Golden Branch Demarchy for some time. MYSTERIES PERENNIAL (SHE/HER):  The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has recently bonded with Kalmeria. ADDITIONAL NOTES DELEGATES: In plain terms, Delegates are synthetic individuals created through a process of forcible extraction from a living Divine. Originated by the Fabreal Duchy, who were left behind to "attend to" Palisade by the Divine Principality around 5000 years ago, these Delgates were designed and used as slaves. Currently, a Delegate resistance group called Reunion operates out of the fortress Joyous Guard in the Caldera Stretch.

2h 50m

Dec 22, 2023

On Palisade, it seems as if possibility has begun to bloom. The Stellar Combustor has been deactivated. The Grav Trains that run through the Diadem and across the planet have come under revolutionary control. The Bilateral Intelligence Service lies in shambles.  But Stel Kesh is not done, yet. THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: WEAPONS READY PT. 2 DOSSIER PEOPLE GENTIAN (SHE/HER): Elect of the Divine Crusade. Impossibly old, yet a source of power and vibrance. Attended to by her two sword bearers (Ramondre (she/her) and Ignadiah (he/him), Knight of Books (Clawed (he/him)), and Knight of Cups (Perevel (they/them)).  LUCIA WHITESTAR (SHE/HER): The young “Lady Whitestar” emerged as a strategic genius during the early conflict between Kesh and Apostolos on PARTIZAN five years ago. Daughter of the Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. Commands her forces from her flagship, the Lander One with the support of her combat AI, Fire Support (it/its). THE WITCH IN GLASS A.K.A. CLEMENTINE KESH (SHE/HER): A former scion of Kesh who, after knitting a bond with the adversary Perennial, came into control of the broken body of the Divine Past, which she has renamed the Reflecting Pool. Rules over the Crown of Glass, a city-state on the southeastern reaches of Palisade. A shaky ally of Millennium Break. Haunted by an old foe. RIAH CONNADINE (HE/HIM): Commander of the Bilateral Intelligence Service on Palisade. An expert in psychological operations and folklore. As a composer, his opus is the Adagio, a plan to get everyone on Palisade operating in ways not only predictable, but scripted. As a conductor, his orchestra now turns towards the second movement. RUDY SMAILS (HE/HIM): Member of Millennium Break who often spends his free time in the Crown of Glass, hanging with the boys. FACTIONS BILATERAL INTERCESSION: One of two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, comprised by Stels Kesh and Nideo, and lead by the so-called Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh (he/him), who took control of the faction from the Curtain, a secretive intelligence organization with roots in Kesh’s ancient spy operations. The “Bilats” are a conservative and reactionary force, aiming to return the Principality to its roots both literally and figuratively. After a long campaign against the Pact of Free States, they managed to take control of Palisade. ROSE RIVER: Though they are undoubtedly committed to the Cause, this unique research unit (combining Veronique (she/her), her Divine Fealty (any pronouns), and their followers with an out-of-time NEH Sleep Detachment squad) hope for a day when they can be something other than soldiers. JADE KILL: Based in Joyous Guard, this military arm of the Cause is operated by the Delegate liberation faction known as Reunion and supported by Kalar Anakalar's (he/him) Giantkiller unit and a wing of Swordbreakers. Led by August Righteousness (he/him). PLACES BONTIVE VALLEY: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. DIVINES THE DIVINE FILIGREE: The instrumentalized operating core of Palisade's extensive GravTrain system. Currently being taken into Dust's catacombs by the affliction's minions.  THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  THE DIVINE, ARBITRAGE (IT/ITS): The amoral machine turned de facto treasurer keeps the Frontier Syndicate a step ahead in all matters of commerce. Sole minter of “glint,” a newly popular currency on Palisade. THE DIVINE CRUSADE (THEY/THEM): Leads Stel Nideo’s occupation on Palisade along with their Elect, Gentian. Crusade is an enormous, bipedal machine covered (or perhaps made with) beautiful stained glass. THE DIVINE YOU (IT/ITS): A Divine that can look like anything, but (for a fee) can be made to look like you. The Divine embodiment of City City. ADDITIONAL NOTES DELEGATES: In plain terms, Delegates are synthetic individuals created through a process of forcible extraction from a living Divine. Originated by the Fabreal Duchy, who were left behind to "attend to" Palisade by the Divine Principality around 5000 years ago, these Delgates were designed and used as slaves. Currently, a Delegate resistance group called Reunion operates out of the fortress Joyous Guard in the Caldera Stretch.  

1h 55m

Dec 15, 2023

  With the Divine Filigree recovered by the Blue Channel and transferred to Cause leadership, a choice must be made. Spurred on by Millennium Break’s recent victories, should their allies commit to dramatic action? Or should they take the opportunity to rest, recover, and prepare for the next Bilateral strike? For some, this is a question of strategy. For others, it is one of identity. THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: Weapons Ready Pt. 1 DOSSIER PEOPLE JESSET CITY (HE/HIM): After helping to kick off Millennium Break on Partizan, Jesset served as one of its major leaders during its expansion across the Principality. Now, he uses his talents in Hollow and Altar engineering, piloting, and cipher breaking on behalf of the Grey Pond unit of the cause. Still considers himself to be a member of the Party of the Wolf, though those designations have largely fallen from use. GENTIAN (SHE/HER): Elect of the Divine Crusade. Impossibly old, yet a source of power and vibrance. Attended to by her two sword bearers (Ramondre (she/her) and Ignadiah (he/him), Knight of Books (Clawed (he/him)), and Knight of Cups (Perevel (they/them)).  CASSANDER TIMAEUS BERENICE (THEY/THEM): An Apostolosian war hero of the Golden era, 55,000~ years ago in the Golden Branch star sector. LUCIA WHITESTAR (SHE/HER): The young “Lady Whitestar” emerged as a strategic genius during the early conflict between Kesh and Apostolos on PARTIZAN five years ago. Daughter of the Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. FACTIONS THE BILATERAL INTELLIGENCE SERVICE: Formerly called the Curtain, the BIS is a Kesh-operated organization which specializes in espionage, subterfuge, and surveillance. Recently removed from power on Palisade ROSE RIVER: Though they are undoubtedly committed to the Cause, this unique research unit (combining Veronique (she/her), her Divine Fealty (any pronouns), and their followers with an out-of-time NEH Sleep Detachment squad) hope for a day when they can be something other than soldiers. JADE KILL: Based in Joyous Guard, this military arm of the Cause is operated by the Delegate liberation faction known as Reunion and supported by Kalar Anakalar's (he/him) Giantkiller unit and a wing of Swordbreakers. Led by August Righteousness (he/him). PLACES BONTIVE VALLEY: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. DIVINES THE DIVINE FILIGREE: The instrumentalized operating core of Palisade's extensive GravTrain system. Currently being taken into Dust's catacombs by the affliction's minions.  THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  THE DIVINE, ARBITRAGE (IT/ITS): The amoral machine turned de facto treasurer keeps the Frontier Syndicate a step ahead in all matters of commerce. Sole minter of “glint,” a newly popular currency on Palisade. THE DIVINE INTEGRITY (IT/ITS): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. THE DIVINE CRUSADE (THEY/THEM): Leads Stel Nideo’s occupation on Palisade along with their Elect, Gentian. Crusade is an enormous, bipedal machine covered (or perhaps made with) beautiful stained glass. ADDITIONAL NOTES DELEGATES: In plain terms, Delegates are synthetic individuals created through a process of forcible extraction from a living Divine. Originated by the Fabreal Duchy, who were left behind to "attend to" Palisade by the Divine Principality around 5000 years ago, these Delgates were designed and used as slaves. Currently, a Delegate resistance group called Reunion operates out of the fortress Joyous Guard in the Caldera Stretch.  

2h 25m

Dec 08, 2023

Where has the crew of the Blue Channel gone? For Eclectic Opposition, the answer is easy, if dire: In the passenger seat of a Baseline-C security vehicle, under the watchful eyes of the Divine Resonance, scrambling for a way out. For the support staff, like Hunting Tomorrow and Partial Palisade, the answer is scanning for the others. And those others? They are so close—under five miles away from the ship’s landing zone—yet so, so far. Deep in the Catacombs of Dust. Deeper, still, living new lives, considering what might be, what might have been, and what yet might still come. THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: SEIZE THE CHANCE PT. 5 DOSSIER PEOPLE PARTIAL PALISADE (HE/HIM): A man who was once a Divine, now living in the shell of a being quite unlike what he once was. MIDNITE MATINEE (SHE/HER): Leporine scout and member of the Blue Channel. She and her trusty Pack-model light AutoHollow Popcorn used to run a repo company, but now are tentatively committed to the Cause and Millennium Break. ELLE EVENSONG (SHE/THEY): Elle arrived to Palisade along with the first wave of Devotees, making a name for herself as a cunning combatant and clever commander. She became a poster child for Twilight Mirage's support of Palisade (and, for members of the Dim Liturgy, a prophesied bridge between the past and the future). But as the war began to heat up, she seemed to vanish into the background. In fact, they were working for the Divine, Arbitrage as a double agent. Cori blames them for the death of her father. Pilot of the Cataphract. MURCHY “MURCH” SALTBURN (SHE/HER): A gig-cop working for Lock & Cross Security Services in Baseline-C.  ALISE BREKA (SHE/HER): Once, Alise was most popular for her Renegade Hearts books of daring pulp adventure. Now she is one of the chief propagandists of Millennium Break, turning their struggles (and victories) into novels, screenplays, and other media. FACTIONS BILATERAL INTERCESSION: One of two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, comprised by Stels Kesh and Nideo, and lead by the so-called Peaceful Princept, CYNOSURE WHITESTAR-KESH (HE/HIM), who took control of the faction from the Curtain, a secretive intelligence organization with roots in Kesh’s ancient spy operations. The “Bilats” are a conservative and reactionary force, aiming to return the Principality to its roots both literally and figuratively. After a long campaign against the Pact of Free States, they managed to take control of Palisade. THE BILATERAL INTELLIGENCE SERVICE: Formerly called the Curtain, the BIS is a Kesh-operated organization which specializes in espionage, subterfuge, and surveillance. Recently removed from power on Palisade STEL KESH: The oldest established power in the galaxy, built around a stuffy (and secretive) aristocracy. They are tied to the Past. History, knowledge, stubbornness. STEL NIDEO: Created the largest faith in the empire, and used that influence to shape (and surveil) mass culture. They are tied to the Present. Faith, coercion, stability. THE FRONTIER SYNDICATE: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by EXENCEASTER MARCH (HE/HIM), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. THE PACT OF FREE STATES: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. Led in name by the Glorious Princept, Dahlia (they/them), but operated in day-to-day matters by members of the original Pact of Necessary Venture, including Rye (he/him) and Gallica (she/her). Though they are reformist in some ways, their primary goal is greater autonomy for each Stel, freedom from the legal restraints, taxes, and oversights demanded by the Principality, with additional deregulation to follow downstream. FABREAL DUCHY: When the Divine Principality left Palisade nearly 5,000 years ago, they left behind a Duke and his barons as caretakers. In the generations that followed, they ruled as petty tyrants, creating Delegates as their slaves, remaking their bodies into glass and oil, and extending their reach across Palisade’s continents. Though they officially report to their handlers in Stel Kesh, recently they have begun to wonder if things were better before the Principality's return to Palisade. PLACES DIADEM GRAVTRAIN: While the vast trench-city on Palisade's equator lays abandoned, Kesh has reactivated its railway via an operations center in the city of CARMATHEN. COLLIER: The agricultural world where Thisbe was dug up and eventually sold to mercenaries. A planet that, due to the Farmer's Rebellion, was removed from all Principality maps and effectively abandoned. Became the "breadbasket" of Millennium Break, a farming world to support the revolutionary movement. DIVINES THE DIVINE FILIGREE: The instrumentalized operating core of Palisade's extensive GravTrain system. Currently being taken into Dust's catacombs by the affliction's minions.  THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  THE DIVINE, ARBITRAGE (IT/ITS): The amoral machine turned de facto treasurer keeps the Frontier Syndicate a step ahead in all matters of commerce. Sole minter of “glint,” a newly popular currency on Palisade. THE DIVINE INTEGRITY (IT/ITS): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. THE DIVINE RESONANCE (IT/ITS): The watchful guardian, doting caregiver, and ardent supporter of Nideo's colonial efforts on Palisade. ASEPSIS (IT/ITS): The final living remnants of a Divine who pursues its particular vision of purity at the cost of everything else. Kept, studied, and utilized by Captain Kalvin Brnine.  OBJECTS THE BROKEN SPOKE: The Figure’s bipedal and asymmetrical mech, The Broken Spoke is made of a matte crystaline material that has Russian Sage seemingly sprouting out between its joints. It has stout legs. Its right arm carries a glaive; its left "arm", or what would pass as such, is an oversized cannon with an attached shield. This oversized half of the mech is covered by a flowing cloak. BAC HATCHETS: Appearing like fantastical knights made of tooth enamel, the Divine Consecration's latest machine of war, derived from parts recovered from the Divines Felicity and Souciance, buried inside of Chimera's Lantern. The Hatchets wield axes that sport long, weaponized chains running from the bottom of their hafts, and the materials used in their construciton make them sturdier than most front line units. The trio of Hatchets deployed by Stel Nideo to capture the "train brain" are piloted by three brothers: CALAMEDES, CASPIN, AND CAYDOR. SAINT: A series of mechs piloted by knights that served the original Crown of Glass, a major power on the pre-Divine Principality-era Twilight Mirage world of Quire.   MYSTERIES PERENNIAL (SHE/HER):  The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has recently bonded with Kalmeria. THE FIVE AFFLICTIONS: A group of “monstrous” beings that haunt the dark corners of Palisade. They have been named as follows: __ __ FLASH NAUTILUS: An alien creature who uses plasma-energy for propulsion. Compelled into service by Stel Nideo. ADDITIONAL NOTES DELEGATES: In plain terms, Delegates are synthetic individuals created through a process of forcible extraction from a living Divine. Originated by the Fabreal Duchy, who were left behind to "attend to" Palisade by the Divine Principality around 5000 years ago, these Delgates were designed and used as slaves. Currently, a Delegate resistance group called Reunion operates out of the fortress Joyous Guard in the Caldera Stretch.  

1h 37m

Dec 01, 2023

HELLO. I AM HERE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO CHECK OUT FRIENDSATTHETABLE.SHOP!  All of this is covered in the audio but I will also WRITE OUT EVERYTHING HERE~!  There's a lot to go over so here's a big list: NEW Twilight Mirage T-Shirt - designed by Conner Fawcett! https://linktr.ee/badbucket Reprint of the COUNTER/WEIGHT T-Shirt (including one new color!) - also designed by Conner Fawcett https://linktr.ee/badbucket Reprint of the Millenium Break Hoodie in two colors - all pull up, no zipper - designed by Annie Johnston-Glick https://www.anniejg.com/ Palisade Cover Deskmat in two sizes - designed by aurahack https://aurahack.jp/ Millenium Break beanie in two colors - designed by Janine Hawkins Cali-yumm sticker sheet - free with orders over $100 until 12/3, designed by Janine as well! And with all of that, 25% of profits made until 12/3 will be donated to Doctors Without Boarders to support their work in Gaza and the many other humantarian crises they work with. Our hearts go out to all of the people effected by the current violence in Gaza and the surrounding areas and are thankful to our listeners for supporting us, in turn putting us in the position to support others in need. We had to skip an episode this week for the holiday/associated illnesses BUT the mystery of Dust WILL CONCLUDE IN THE NEXT EPISODE OF PALISADE . . . . Until then, thank you so much for your support and have a lovely weekend!!!

9m

Nov 25, 2023

Standing astride the Diadem, the massive Affliction called Dust first sapped sound from the world and then turned its attention to the train car at the center of a multi-factional chase. Now, in the depths of the ruined megacity, those that fell into the pit awaken. And they awaken in places impossible to predict. THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: SEIZE THE CHANCE PT. 4 DOSSIER PEOPLE PARTIAL PALISADE (HE/HIM): A man who was once a Divine, now living in the shell of a being quite unlike what he once was. MIDNITE MATINEE (SHE/HER): Leporine scout and member of the Blue Channel. She and her trusty Pack-model light AutoHollow Popcorn used to run a repo company, but now are tentatively committed to the Cause and Millennium Break. ELLE EVENSONG (SHE/THEY): Elle arrived to Palisade along with the first wave of Devotees, making a name for herself as a cunning combatant and clever commander. She became a poster child for Twilight Mirage's support of Palisade (and, for members of the Dim Liturgy, a prophesied bridge between the past and the future). But as the war began to heat up, she seemed to vanish into the background. In fact, they were working for the Divine, Arbitrage as a double agent. Cori blames them for the death of her father. Pilot of the Cataphract. MURCHY “MURCH” SALTBURN (SHE/HER): A gig-cop working for Lock & Cross Security Services in Baseline-C.  FACTIONS BILATERAL INTERCESSION: One of two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, comprised by Stels Kesh and Nideo, and lead by the so-called Peaceful Princept, CYNOSURE WHITESTAR-KESH (HE/HIM), who took control of the faction from the Curtain, a secretive intelligence organization with roots in Kesh’s ancient spy operations. The “Bilats” are a conservative and reactionary force, aiming to return the Principality to its roots both literally and figuratively. After a long campaign against the Pact of Free States, they managed to take control of Palisade. THE BILATERAL INTELLIGENCE SERVICE: Formerly called the Curtain, the BIS is a Kesh-operated organization which specializes in espionage, subterfuge, and surveillance. Recently removed from power on Palisade STEL KESH: The oldest established power in the galaxy, built around a stuffy (and secretive) aristocracy. They are tied to the Past. History, knowledge, stubbornness. STEL NIDEO: Created the largest faith in the empire, and used that influence to shape (and surveil) mass culture. They are tied to the Present. Faith, coercion, stability. THE FRONTIER SYNDICATE: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by EXENCEASTER MARCH (HE/HIM), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. THE PACT OF FREE STATES: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. Led in name by the Glorious Princept, Dahlia (they/them), but operated in day-to-day matters by members of the original Pact of Necessary Venture, including Rye (he/him) and Gallica (she/her). Though they are reformist in some ways, their primary goal is greater autonomy for each Stel, freedom from the legal restraints, taxes, and oversights demanded by the Principality, with additional deregulation to follow downstream. FABREAL DUCHY: When the Divine Principality left Palisade nearly 5,000 years ago, they left behind a Duke and his barons as caretakers. In the generations that followed, they ruled as petty tyrants, creating Delegates as their slaves, remaking their bodies into glass and oil, and extending their reach across Palisade’s continents. Though they officially report to their handlers in Stel Kesh, recently they have begun to wonder if things were better before the Principality's return to Palisade. PLACES DIADEM GRAVTRAIN: While the vast trench-city on Palisade's equator lays abandoned, Kesh has reactivated its railway via an operations center in the city of CARMATHEN. COLLIER: The agricultural world where Thisbe was dug up and eventually sold to mercenaries. A planet that, due to the Farmer's Rebellion, was removed from all Principality maps and effectively abandoned. Became the "breadbasket" of Millennium Break, a farming world to support the revolutionary movement. DIVINES THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  THE DIVINE, ARBITRAGE (IT/ITS): The amoral machine turned de facto treasurer keeps the Frontier Syndicate a step ahead in all matters of commerce. Sole minter of “glint,” a newly popular currency on Palisade. THE DIVINE INTEGRITY (IT/ITS): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. THE DIVINE RESONANCE (IT/ITS): The watchful guardian, doting caregiver, and ardent supporter of Nideo's colonial efforts on Palisade. ASEPSIS (IT/ITS): The final living remnants of a Divine who pursues its particular vision of purity at the cost of everything else. Kept, studied, and utilized by Captain Kalvin Brnine.  OBJECTS THE BROKEN SPOKE: The Figure’s bipedal and asymmetrical mech, The Broken Spoke is made of a matte crystaline material that has Russian Sage seemingly sprouting out between its joints. It has stout legs. Its right arm carries a glaive; its left "arm", or what would pass as such, is an oversized cannon with an attached shield. This oversized half of the mech is covered by a flowing cloak. BAC HATCHETS: Appearing like fantastical knights made of tooth enamel, the Divine Consecration's latest machine of war, derived from parts recovered from the Divines Felicity and Souciance, buried inside of Chimera's Lantern. The Hatchets wield axes that sport long, weaponized chains running from the bottom of their hafts, and the materials used in their construciton make them sturdier than most front line units. The trio of Hatchets deployed by Stel Nideo to capture the "train brain" are piloted by three brothers: CALAMEDES, CASPIN, AND CAYDOR. SAINT: A series of mechs piloted by knights that served the original Crown of Glass, a major power on the pre-Divine Principality-era Twilight Mirage world of Quire.   MYSTERIES PERENNIAL (SHE/HER):  The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has recently bonded with Kalmeria. THE FIVE AFFLICTIONS: A group of “monstrous” beings that haunt the dark corners of Palisade. They have been named as follows: __ __ FLASH NAUTILUS: An alien creature who uses plasma-energy for propulsion. Compelled into service by Stel Nideo. ADDITIONAL NOTES DELEGATES: In plain terms, Delegates are synthetic individuals created through a process of forcible extraction from a living Divine. Originated by the Fabreal Duchy, who were left behind to "attend to" Palisade by the Divine Principality around 5000 years ago, these Delgates were designed and used as slaves. Currently, a Delegate resistance group called Reunion operates out of the fortress Joyous Guard in the Caldera Stretch.    

2h 35m

Nov 18, 2023

The crew of the Blue Channel battles their way towards a train heading east. Inside one of its cars is the Diadem Grav Train control system, a device that could turn the tide of the war on Palisade and grant the Cause a major logistical advantage. But the members of Millennium Break aren’t the only ones in search of the so-called “train brain.” On the world of Palisade, chaos now rules. The question remains: Who will end up in control? THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: SEIZE THE CHANCE PT. 3 DOSSIER PEOPLE PARTIAL PALISADE (HE/HIM): A man who was once a Divine, now living in the shell of a being quite unlike what he once was. MIDNITE MATINEE (SHE/HER): Leporine scout and member of the Blue Channel. She and her trusty Pack-model light AutoHollow Popcorn used to run a repo company, but now are tentatively committed to the Cause and Millennium Break. ELLE EVENSONG (SHE/THEY): Elle arrived to Palisade along with the first wave of Devotees, making a name for herself as a cunning combatant and clever commander. She became a poster child for Twilight Mirage's support of Palisade (and, for members of the Dim Liturgy, a prophesied bridge between the past and the future). But as the war began to heat up, she seemed to vanish into the background. In fact, they were working for the Divine, Arbitrage as a double agent. Cori blames them for the death of her father. Pilot of the Cataphract. FACTIONS BILATERAL INTERCESSION: One of two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, comprised by Stels Kesh and Nideo, and lead by the so-called Peaceful Princept, CYNOSURE WHITESTAR-KESH (HE/HIM), who took control of the faction from the Curtain, a secretive intelligence organization with roots in Kesh’s ancient spy operations. The “Bilats” are a conservative and reactionary force, aiming to return the Principality to its roots both literally and figuratively. After a long campaign against the Pact of Free States, they managed to take control of Palisade. THE BILATERAL INTELLIGENCE SERVICE: Formerly called the Curtain, the BIS is a Kesh-operated organization which specializes in espionage, subterfuge, and surveillance. Recently removed from power on Palisade STEL KESH: The oldest established power in the galaxy, built around a stuffy (and secretive) aristocracy. They are tied to the Past. History, knowledge, stubbornness. STEL NIDEO: Created the largest faith in the empire, and used that influence to shape (and surveil) mass culture. They are tied to the Present. Faith, coercion, stability. THE FRONTIER SYNDICATE: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by EXENCEASTER MARCH (HE/HIM), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. THE PACT OF FREE STATES: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. Led in name by the Glorious Princept, Dahlia (they/them), but operated in day-to-day matters by members of the original Pact of Necessary Venture, including Rye (he/him) and Gallica (she/her). Though they are reformist in some ways, their primary goal is greater autonomy for each Stel, freedom from the legal restraints, taxes, and oversights demanded by the Principality, with additional deregulation to follow downstream. FABREAL DUCHY: When the Divine Principality left Palisade nearly 5,000 years ago, they left behind a Duke and his barons as caretakers. In the generations that followed, they ruled as petty tyrants, creating Delegates as their slaves, remaking their bodies into glass and oil, and extending their reach across Palisade’s continents. Though they officially report to their handlers in Stel Kesh, recently they have begun to wonder if things were better before the Principality's return to Palisade. PLACES DIADEM GRAVTRAIN: While the vast trench-city on Palisade's equator lays abandoned, Kesh has reactivated its railway via an operations center in the city of CARMATHEN. THE PAINT SHOP: Sitting atop the central peak of Steeple Catterick, this faux-commune was once the central HQ of the Bilateral HQ on Palisade. Now it has gone quiet. DIVINES THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  THE DIVINE, ARBITRAGE (IT/ITS): The amoral machine turned de facto treasurer keeps the Frontier Syndicate a step ahead in all matters of commerce. Sole minter of “glint,” a newly popular currency on Palisade. THE DIVINE INTEGRITY (IT/ITS): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. THE DIVINE RESONANCE (IT/ITS): The watchful guardian, doting caregiver, and ardent supporter of Nideo's colonial efforts on Palisade. ASEPSIS (IT/ITS): The final living remnants of a Divine who pursues its particular vision of purity at the cost of everything else. Kept, studied, and utilized by Captain Kalvin Brnine.  OBJECTS THE BROKEN SPOKE: The Figure’s bipedal and asymmetrical mech, The Broken Spoke is made of a matte crystaline material that has Russian Sage seemingly sprouting out between its joints. It has stout legs. Its right arm carries a glaive; its left "arm", or what would pass as such, is an oversized cannon with an attached shield. This oversized half of the mech is covered by a flowing cloak. BAC HATCHETS: Appearing like fantastical knights made of tooth enamel, the Divine Consecration's latest machine of war, derived from parts recovered from the Divines Felicity and Souciance, buried inside of Chimera's Lantern. The Hatchets wield axes that sport long, weaponized chains running from the bottom of their hafts, and the materials used in their construciton make them sturdier than most front line units. The trio of Hatchets deployed by Stel Nideo to capture the "train brain" are piloted by three brothers: CALAMEDES, CASPIN, AND CAYDOR. SAINT: A series of mechs piloted by knights that served the original Crown of Glass, a major power on the pre-Divine Principality-era Twilight Mirage world of Quire.   MYSTERIES PERENNIAL (SHE/HER):  The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has recently bonded with Kalmeria. THE FIVE AFFLICTIONS: A group of “monstrous” beings that haunt the dark corners of Palisade. They have been named as follows: __ __ FLASH NAUTILUS: An alien creature who uses plasma-energy for propulsion. Compelled into service by Stel Nideo. ADDITIONAL NOTES DELEGATES: In plain terms, Delegates are synthetic individuals created through a process of forcible extraction from a living Divine. Originated by the Fabreal Duchy, who were left behind to "attend to" Palisade by the Divine Principality around 5000 years ago, these Delgates were designed and used as slaves. Currently, a Delegate resistance group called Reunion operates out of the fortress Joyous Guard in the Caldera Stretch.    

1h 42m

Nov 10, 2023

In the city of Carmathen, the Fabreal Duchy has spread itself too thin. Look only at the entrance to the Diadem Grav Train’s control center: Once guarded by a full detachment of Stel Kesh’s most reliable soldiers. Now, guarded by little more than an honor guard. On a world like Palisade, in a war like this one, it may as well be an invitation. The question is only how many might decide to come calling. THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: SEIZE THE CHANCE PT. 2 DOSSIER PEOPLE PARTIAL PALISADE (HE/HIM): A man who was once a Divine, now living in the shell of a being quite unlike what he once was. CONNADINE (HE/HIM): Commander of the Bilateral Intelligence Service on Palisade. An expert in psychological operations and folklore. As a composer, his opus is the Adagio, a plan to get everyone on Palisade operating in ways not only predictable, but scripted. As a conductor, his orchestra now turns towards the second movement. MIDNITE MATINEE (SHE/HER): Leporine scout and member of the Blue Channel. She and her trusty Pack-model light AutoHollow Popcorn used to run a repo company, but now are tentatively committed to the Cause and Millennium Break. GUCCI GARANTINE (SHE/HER): A defector from Stel Kesh, who used the remaining wealth and power of House Brightline to help found Millennium Break. Currently a key member of the resistance efforts on Palisade, and a commander of Millenium Break forces there. Codename Watershed. FACTIONS BILATERAL INTERCESSION: One of two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, comprised by Stels Kesh and Nideo, and lead by the so-called Peaceful Princept, CYNOSURE WHITESTAR-KESH (HE/HIM), who took control of the faction from the Curtain, a secretive intelligence organization with roots in Kesh’s ancient spy operations. The “Bilats” are a conservative and reactionary force, aiming to return the Principality to its roots both literally and figuratively. After a long campaign against the Pact of Free States, they managed to take control of Palisade. THE BILATERAL INTELLIGENCE SERVICE: Formerly called the Curtain, the BIS is a Kesh-operated organization which specializes in espionage, subterfuge, and surveillance. Recently removed from power on Palisade STEL KESH: The oldest established power in the galaxy, built around a stuffy (and secretive) aristocracy. They are tied to the Past. History, knowledge, stubbornness. STEL NIDEO: Created the largest faith in the empire, and used that influence to shape (and surveil) mass culture. They are tied to the Present. Faith, coercion, stability. THE FRONTIER SYNDICATE: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by EXENCEASTER MARCH (HE/HIM), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. THE PACT OF FREE STATES: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. Led in name by the Glorious Princept, Dahlia (they/them), but operated in day-to-day matters by members of the original Pact of Necessary Venture, including Rye (he/him) and Gallica (she/her). Though they are reformist in some ways, their primary goal is greater autonomy for each Stel, freedom from the legal restraints, taxes, and oversights demanded by the Principality, with additional deregulation to follow downstream. FABREAL DUCHY: When the Divine Principality left Palisade nearly 5,000 years ago, they left behind a Duke and his barons as caretakers. In the generations that followed, they ruled as petty tyrants, creating Delegates as their slaves, remaking their bodies into glass and oil, and extending their reach across Palisade’s continents. Though they officially report to their handlers in Stel Kesh, recently they have begun to wonder if things were better before the Principality's return to Palisade. PLACES DIADEM GRAVTRAIN: While the vast trench-city on Palisade's equator lays abandoned, Kesh has reactivated its railway via an operations center in the city of CARMATHEN. THE PAINT SHOP: Sitting atop the central peak of Steeple Catterick, this faux-commune was once the central HQ of the Bilateral HQ on Palisade. Now it has gone quiet. DIVINES THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  THE DIVINE, ARBITRAGE (IT/ITS): The amoral machine turned de facto treasurer keeps the Frontier Syndicate a step ahead in all matters of commerce. Sole minter of “glint,” a newly popular currency on Palisade. THE DIVINE INTEGRITY (IT/ITS): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. THE DIVINE RESONANCE (IT/ITS): The watchful guardian, doting caregiver, and ardent supporter of Nideo's colonial efforts on Palisade. ASEPSIS (IT/ITS): The final living remnants of a Divine who pursues its particular vision of purity at the cost of everything else. Kept, studied, and utilized by Captain Kalvin Brnine.  OBJECTS ADARM BOUQUET: Designed by Stel Orion’s Adamant Arms and Artifice as an Altar-era update to the classic Troop design. It’s still boxy (if a little trimmer) and it retains it’s wide, rectangular “eye” on its head. Gone are the heavy grip claws, replaced with traditional, five-fingered hands, allowing it more complex manipulations, including the operations of its distinctive Roundless Rifle, which seems convert raw Perennial Wave into ammunition. Additionally, the shoulder mount has ditched the heavy cannon in exchange for a close range, pneumatic lance that can devastate even the strongest armor. Roundless rifles fire condensed Perennial Wave gathered from the atmosphere itself. THE BROKEN SPOKE: The Figure’s bipedal and asymmetrical mech, The Broken Spoke is made of a matte crystaline material that has Russian Sage seemingly sprouting out between its joints. It has stout legs. Its right arm carries a glaive; its left "arm", or what would pass as such, is an oversized cannon with an attached shield. This oversized half of the mech is covered by a flowing cloak. MYSTERIES PERENNIAL (SHE/HER):  The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has recently bonded with Kalmeria. THE FIVE AFFLICTIONS: A group of “monstrous” beings that haunt the dark corners of Palisade. They have been named as follows: __ __   ADDITIONAL NOTES DELEGATES: In plain terms, Delegates are synthetic individuals created through a process of forcible extraction from a living Divine. Originated by the Fabreal Duchy, who were left behind to "attend to" Palisade by the Divine Principality around 5000 years ago, these Delgates were designed and used as slaves. Currently, a Delegate resistance group called Reunion operates out of the fortress Joyous Guard in the Caldera Stretch.  

1h 14m

Nov 03, 2023

There is, apparently, no time for rest. An opportunity emerges: With Kesh in chaos on the planet and Nideo not yet in proper posture, the Grav Trains which run through the Diadem and which vein across Palisade’s continents could be brought under Millennium Break control. And so the Blue Channel launches again, but not before dropping off their latest asset, a detective determined to uncover the secret of the new power stations scattered across the planet. THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: DOSSIER PEOPLE PARTIAL PALISADE (HE/HIM): A man who was once a Divine, now living in the shell of a being quite unlike what he once was. CONNADINE (HE/HIM): Commander of the Bilateral Intelligence Service on Palisade. An expert in psychological operations and folklore. As a composer, his opus is the Adagio, a plan to get everyone on Palisade operating in ways not only predictable, but scripted. As a conductor, his orchestra now turns towards the second movement. MIDNITE MATINEE (SHE/HER): Leporine scout and member of the Blue Channel. She and her trusty Pack-model light AutoHollow Popcorn used to run a repo company, but now are tentatively committed to the Cause and Millennium Break. GUCCI GARANTINE (SHE/HER): A defector from Stel Kesh, who used the remaining wealth and power of House Brightline to help found Millennium Break. Currently a key member of the resistance efforts on Palisade, and a commander of Millenium Break forces there. Codename Watershed. FACTIONS BILATERAL INTERCESSION: One of two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, comprised by Stels Kesh and Nideo, and lead by the so-called Peaceful Princept, CYNOSURE WHITESTAR-KESH (HE/HIM), who took control of the faction from the Curtain, a secretive intelligence organization with roots in Kesh’s ancient spy operations. The “Bilats” are a conservative and reactionary force, aiming to return the Principality to its roots both literally and figuratively. After a long campaign against the Pact of Free States, they managed to take control of Palisade. THE BILATERAL INTELLIGENCE SERVICE: Formerly called the Curtain, the BIS is a Kesh-operated organization which specializes in espionage, subterfuge, and surveillance. Recently removed from power on Palisade STEL KESH: The oldest established power in the galaxy, built around a stuffy (and secretive) aristocracy. They are tied to the Past. History, knowledge, stubbornness. STEL NIDEO: Created the largest faith in the empire, and used that influence to shape (and surveil) mass culture. They are tied to the Present. Faith, coercion, stability. THE FRONTIER SYNDICATE: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by EXENCEASTER MARCH (HE/HIM), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. THE PACT OF FREE STATES: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. Led in name by the Glorious Princept, Dahlia (they/them), but operated in day-to-day matters by members of the original Pact of Necessary Venture, including Rye (he/him) and Gallica (she/her). Though they are reformist in some ways, their primary goal is greater autonomy for each Stel, freedom from the legal restraints, taxes, and oversights demanded by the Principality, with additional deregulation to follow downstream. FABREAL DUCHY: When the Divine Principality left Palisade nearly 5,000 years ago, they left behind a Duke and his barons as caretakers. In the generations that followed, they ruled as petty tyrants, creating Delegates as their slaves, remaking their bodies into glass and oil, and extending their reach across Palisade’s continents. Though they officially report to their handlers in Stel Kesh, recently they have begun to wonder if things were better before the Principality's return to Palisade. PLACES DIADEM GRAVTRAIN: While the vast trench-city on Palisade's equator lays abandoned, Kesh has reactivated its railway via an operations center in the city of CARMATHEN. THE PAINT SHOP: Sitting atop the central peak of Steeple Catterick, this faux-commune was once the central HQ of the Bilateral HQ on Palisade. Now it has gone quiet. DIVINES THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  THE DIVINE, ARBITRAGE (IT/ITS): The amoral machine turned de facto treasurer keeps the Frontier Syndicate a step ahead in all matters of commerce. Sole minter of “glint,” a newly popular currency on Palisade. THE DIVINE INTEGRITY (IT/ITS): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Until being assassinated by Brnine, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, was the elect of Integrity. THE DIVINE RESONANCE (IT/ITS): The watchful guardian, doting caregiver, and ardent supporter of Nideo's colonial efforts on Palisade. ASEPSIS (IT/ITS): The final living remnants of a Divine who pursues its particular vision of purity at the cost of everything else. Kept, studied, and utilized by Captain Kalvin Brnine.  OBJECTS ADARM BOUQUET: Designed by Stel Orion’s Adamant Arms and Artifice as an Altar-era update to the classic Troop design. It’s still boxy (if a little trimmer) and it retains it’s wide, rectangular “eye” on its head. Gone are the heavy grip claws, replaced with traditional, five-fingered hands, allowing it more complex manipulations, including the operations of its distinctive Roundless Rifle, which seems convert raw Perennial Wave into ammunition. Additionally, the shoulder mount has ditched the heavy cannon in exchange for a close range, pneumatic lance that can devastate even the strongest armor. Roundless rifles fire condensed Perennial Wave gathered from the atmosphere itself. MYSTERIES PERENNIAL (SHE/HER):  The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has recently bonded with Kalmeria. THE FIVE AFFLICTIONS: A group of “monstrous” beings that haunt the dark corners of Palisade. They have been named as follows: __ __   ADDITIONAL NOTES DELEGATES: In plain terms, Delegates are synthetic individuals created through a process of forcible extraction from a living Divine. Originated by the Fabreal Duchy, who were left behind to "attend to" Palisade by the Divine Principality around 5000 years ago, these Delgates were designed and used as slaves. Currently, a Delegate resistance group called Reunion operates out of the fortress Joyous Guard in the Caldera Stretch.  

2h 8m

Oct 27, 2023

“What sort of shape is it though?”  “It is empire.” “Yes, no, I get that, but...  Is empire a square? Is it circle? It helps to know the shape of a thing if you’re hoping to break it.” “Yes. I understand. You tell me, then. What shape do you think empire takes? Perhaps you can see it in a way I cannot, because you first apprehended it from outside.” “Well, I can’t tell you about all empires, but this one? It wants to be fractal. Each stel tries to make everything inside of it a repetition of itself.” “Yes. Yes, I see. Stel Apostolos shapes itself as a spear, and so it extends downward in echoing cacophony. Its military bases, its schools, its students, its children—all spears.“ “Yeah, something like that. The trouble is, a fractal is really strong. All those shapes, repeated inwards forever. They flex, like a tree’s branches bending in the wind.” “Yes, but that is it. The Principality is not an abstract fractal, repeating forever. It is a tree. And a tree repeats only for so long.” “And when a strong enough wind blows…” “It can be uprooted.” THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: HONESTY AND INTEGRITY PT. 2 DOSSIER PEOPLE ROUTINE RENNARI (HE/HIM): Half-Apostolsian, scion of a minor Kesh noble house, and the Blue Channel's heavy.  PARTIAL PALISADE (HE/HIM): A man who was once a Divine, now living in the shell of a being quite unlike what he once was. ECLECTIC OPPOSITION (HE/HIM): A delegate and member of the Cause who left Palisade to spend time working under Exeter Leap before returning to his home planet to investigate the strange factories being built by the Frontier Syndicate. GALLICA (SHE/HER): Elect of the Divine Present. Gallica spent years as Chief Emissary of Stel Nideo, Verse (missionary) in the Holy Church of Received Asterism, but in fact was a signatory to the Pact of Necessary Venture, and when the war spilled beyond Kesh and Apostolos, Gallica betrayed her home Stel to join Apostolos and Nideo. Currently, she leads high level intelligence and espionage operations for the Pact of Free States. THE GLORIOUS PRINCEPT, DAHLIA (THEY/THEM): The second pretender to the title of Princept. Born to house Kesh, Dahlia was once kidnapped by a rebelious Sovereign Immunity known as the Farmer. After being rescued and raised by the then Apokine of Stel Apostolos, they integrated into Apostolosian culture. Though they were not part of the Pact of Necessary Venture at its founding, they welcomed the group’s support, though focused their efforts on the war with the Branched instead of the ongoing civil conflict.  CAS’ALEAR RIZAH (CAS/CAS’, THEY/THEM): Leader of the Swordbreakers, an elite unit of Apostolosian-trained pilots who have since sworn service to Millenium Break. Cas holds a reputation for beauty and bravery among allies, but is seen as unflinching and unpredictable by cas’ foes.. FACTIONS THE FRONTIER SYNDICATE: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by Exenceaster March (he/him), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. THE PACT OF FREE STATES: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. Led in name by the Glorious Princept, Dahlia (they/them), but operated in day-to-day matters by members of the original Pact of Necessary Venture, including Rye (he/him) and Gallica (she/her). Though they are reformist in some ways, their primary goal is greater autonomy for each Stel, freedom from the legal restraints, taxes, and oversights demanded by the Principality, with additional deregulation to follow downstream. STEREOMA: Pact truebeliver Cor'rina Corrine (cor/cors, they/them) and cor rival Misericorde (he/they) have begun building a surgical, anti-Bilat hit squad on Paliade.  PLACES DIADEM GRAVTRAIN: While the vast trench-city on Palisade's equator lays abandoned, Kesh has reactivated its railway via an operations center in Carmathen. DIVINES THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  PRESENT (IT/ITS): On first blush, Present might be confused for a small, if luxurious frigate. And sometimes, it is just that: Its oval structure houses living quarters, a humble armory, enough cargo space to hold a single hollow, and even a fully stocked bar. But at a snap of its elect’s fingers, it transforms into a humanoid war machine that serves its elect loyally, outclasses any Altar currently in operation, and is capable of holding its own against many other Divines in combat. THE DIVINE COMMITMENT (IT/ITS): A malleable divine made of inky black metal. Has historically required two pilots (both in a condition of ego death) in order to be operated, its current Elect is the Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, who operates it with the aid of the Divine Integrity. THE DIVINE INTEGRITY (IT/ITS): Sometimes appearing as an articulated staff or a metallic spine, Integrity integrates itself into its chosen user. Once the two are connected, Integrity becomes a powerful exoskeleton, and supports its user in matters of military and morale. Currently, Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, is the elect of Integrity.  OBJECTS EKPYROSIS: Flagship of the Pact’s fleet, a transforming, beautiful monstrosity able to casually destroy worlds while simultaneously supporting life in a vacuum. MYSTERIES PERENNIAL (SHE/HER):  The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has recently bonded with Kalmeria.

2h 43m

Oct 15, 2023

The Blue Channel orbits Palisade unhelmed, one of its members sacrificed and two under lock and key in the brig of a ship hiding in the darkness beyond the system’s fringe. Nevertheless, the Blue Channel’s remaining crew attempt to get back to work—and there is work to do, as their allies on the planet below have suffered from Bilateral retaliation. Plus, there is the matter of the new factories popping up across the planet: A new mystery waiting to be investigated… THIS WEEK ON PALISADE: HONESTY AND INTEGRITY PT. 1 DOSSIER PEOPLE CONTINENTAL COUNTINGHOUSE (HE/HIM): Former host of the Stel Orion-broadcast panel show “CENTER/Line”. Now host of the most watched interview show in the Principality, “Five Stels, Five Questions”. ROUTINE RENNARI (HE/HIM): Half-Apostolsian, scion of a minor Kesh noble house, and the Blue Channel's heavy.  PARTIAL PALISADE (HE/HIM): A man who was once a Divine, now living in the shell of a being quite unlike what he once was. ECLECTIC OPPOSITION (HE/HIM): A delegate and member of the Cause who left Palisade to spend time working under Exeter Leap before returning to his home planet to investigate the strange factories being built by the Frontier Syndicate CAPTAIN JEV’ARI ESTANO (JEV/JEV, THEY/THEM): Commander of Onyx Squadron and captain of the Stolen Cameo, the Pact ship holding Brnine and Routine. ALEEL VERDICATE (SHE/HER): Song of Partizan, making her the de facto head of the Church of Received Asterism on the moon.  PARTICULAR EMPHASIS A.K.A. PARTI (SHE/HER): Member of Reunion on loan to Grey Pond's communication and outreach division. One time protégé of Black Screen.  FACTIONS THE BILATERAL INTELLIGENCE SERVICE: Formerly called the Curtain, the BIS is a Kesh-operated organization which specializes in espionage, subterfuge, and surveillance. Though it is as secretive as ever, it is no longer the true source of power in Kesh territory. Instead, CYNOSURE WHITESTAR-KESH (HE/HIM) has modernized its structure and operation, and has ensured that it remains well integrated into the Bilateral Intercession’s greater workings—as to better keep one eye on them. THE FRONTIER SYNDICATE: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by EXENCEASTER MARCH (HE/HIM), the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. THE PACT OF FREE STATES: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. Led in name by THE GLORIOUS PRINCEPT, DAHLIA (THEY/THEM), but operated in day-to-day matters by members of the original Pact of Necessary Venture, including Rye (he/him) and GALLICA (SHE/HER). Though they are reformist in some ways, their primary goal is greater autonomy for each Stel, freedom from the legal restraints, taxes, and oversights demanded by the Principality, with additional deregulation to follow downstream. THE DEVOTEES: A church from the Twilight Mirage that is committed to the worship of THE DIVINE DEVOTION, which they sometimes refer to as Fervor. Common practices include the regular checking of one’s pulse and multi-day group picnic outings. DIVINES THE DIVINE MOTION (SHE/HER): One of the founding members of the Pact, the necromantic Apostolosian divine once led its infamous retinue, the Black Century, on Partizan. They were defeated and dispersed, turned into part of Kalmeria, during Operation Shackled Sun.  MYSTERIES AXIOMS: Once, these beings were made by a so-called "Post-Divine" as embodiments of particular ideals, supposedly detached from mortal perspective or subjectivity. Now, they are the emanation of one woman's ideals, given perfect, violent form. In this way, THE INGRATE is the first of its kind. PERENNIAL (SHE/HER):  The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has recently bonded with Kalmeria.

2h 42m

Oct 06, 2023

Across Palisade, the gears of Kesh’s occupation grind to halt, for however brief a time. Attaches clear the schedules of their client-commanders. Chefs discard the still-fresh ingredients for the coming week’s feasts. Countless BIS operatives—many of whom hid in plain sight as attaches or chefs—simply vanish one midday, lost to long hallways and shaded corners.  And in their stead, the Divine Crusade moves. THIS WEEK ON PALISADE:  RESENTMENT AND FRUSTRATION PT. 2 DOSSIER PEOPLE OCCAM OLIO (THEY/THEM): Columnar member of the Frontier Syndicate and low level officer of Lock & Cross Security Services. Sharp the way a knife is. Made themself a hero among Palisade Bilats during Frontier Syndicate operation against Rose River.  SILVERBRICK (THEY/THEM): A “visionary” architect, technologist, and urban planner of the Frontier Syndicate. BLANK SHORE (HE/HIM): Ex-Concretist Hacker, happy that “the future is finally here.” Claims to be “perfectly apolitical.”   JESSET CITY (HE/HIM): After helping to kick off Millennium Break on Partizan, Jesset served as one of its major leaders during its expansion across the Principality. Now, he uses his talents in Hollow and Altar engineering, piloting, and cipher breaking on behalf of the Grey Pond unit of the cause. Still considers himself to be a member of the Party of the Wolf, though those designations have largely fallen from use. GENTIAN (SHE/HER): Elect of the Divine Crusade. Impossibly old, yet a source of power and vibrance. Attended to by her two sword bearers (RAMONDRE (SHE/HER) and IGNADIAH (HE/HIM), Knight of Books (CLAWED (HE/HIM)), and Knight of Cups (PEREVEL (THEY/THEM)).  ELLE EVENSONG (SHE/THEY): Elle arrived to Palisade along with the first wave of Devotees, making a name for herself as a cunning combatant and clever commander. She became a poster child for Twilight Mirage's support of Palisade (and, for members of the Dim Liturgy, a prophesied bridge between the past and the future). But as the war began to heat up, she seemed to vanish into the background. Pilot of the Cataphract. FACTIONS BILATERAL INTERCESSION: One of two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, comprised by Stels Kesh and Nideo, and lead by the so-called Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh (he/him), who took control of the faction from the Curtain, a secretive intelligence organization with roots in Kesh’s ancient spy operations. The “Bilats” are a conservative and reactionary force, aiming to return the Principality to its roots both literally and figuratively. After a long campaign against the Pact of Free States, they managed to take control of Palisade.  THE FRONTIER SYNDICATE: A powerful conglomerate with a broad purview, including technology, heavy industry, entertainment, telecommunications, and transportation. Led by EXENCEASTER MARCH (he/him), former chair of the Columnar R&D giant the Zenith Fund, the Syndicate betrayed the Pact of Free States and joined the Bilats in order to be part of their colonization efforts on Palisade. THE PACT OF FREE STATES: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. JADE KILL: Based in Joyous Guard, this military arm of the Cause is operated by the Delegate liberation faction known as Reunion and supported by KALAR ANAKALAR'S (he/him) Giantkiller unit and a wing of Swordbreakers. Led by AUGUST RIGHTEOUSNESS (he/him).  LOCK AND CROSS SECURITY SERVICES: The largest mercenary unit on Palisade, invited to the world by Exenceaster March. Founded by MAIDSTONE CROSS (SHE/HER) and MARGATE LOCK (SHE/HER), a pair of divorcees too committed to their work together to fully separate. Margate was lost to the depths of the Diadem. 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. After centuries of fighting a purely defensive war, the Branched have now begun to strike into the Principality’s territory.  PLACES DIADEM GRAVTRAIN: While the vast trench-city on Palisade's equator lays abandoned, Kesh has reactivated its railway via an operations center in Carmathen. BONTIVE VALLEY: Blessed by the departed divine Bounty, the Valley provides the Bilats with fruit that never rots and hyper-nutritional grain. CARHAIX: The northernmost city in the Bontive Valley, Carhaix is one of the first major settlements founded by the nascent Divine Principality 5,000 years ago. It was created on the site of a battlefield where they obliterated the straggling remnants of the Advent Group, an organization that had invaded and pillaged the Twilight Mirage. After the Principality left Palisade behind, it became one of the Fabreal Duchy’s many centers of power in the northwestern continent. Currently, it is controlled by Jade Kill. OBJECTS THE STELLAR COMBUSTOR: A weapon of immense destruction, capable of destroying countless star systems if deployed without a firebreak. Has been used in some form or another since the time of the earliest Divines. In current form they take the form of a twirling, 3-ringed space station that rotates around a system’s sun.  DIVINES DISCERNMENT (IT/ITS): Able to see the whole of the galaxy for one moment a year, this massive Divine was stolen by Millennium Break in the years after Operation Shackled Sun.  THE DIVINE CRUSADE (THEY/THEM): Leads Stel Nideo’s occupation on Palisade along with their Elect, Gentian. Crusade is an enormous, bipedal machine covered (or perhaps made with) beautiful stained glass. ADDITIONAL NOTES DELEGATES: In plain terms, Delegates are synthetic individuals created through a process of forcible extraction from a living Divine. Originated by the Fabreal Duchy, who were left behind to "attend to" Palisade by the Divine Principality around 5000 years ago, these Delgates were designed and used as slaves. Currently, a Delegate resistance group called Reunion operates out of the fortress Joyous Guard in the Caldera Stretch. THIS EPISODE WAS MADE WITH SUPPORT FROM LISTENERS LIKE YOU! TO SUPPORT US, YOU CAN GO TO FRIENDSATTHETABLE.CASH.  

2h 0m

Sep 29, 2023

The star at the center of the Palisade system seemed to release a breath, and all at once across the Bilateral Intercession, the line between “outcome,” “consequence,” and “blowback” became stunningly clear. Malicious action alone would have led to a great loss. But in negligent inaction, something worse has emerged: chaos. Now, something must be done. Blame must be assigned. Accountability must be achieved. Change must come to Palisade. This week on PALISADE: Resentment and Frustration Pt 1  DOSSIER PEOPLE STARGRAVE ELCESSOR (SHE/HER): Leader of the Bilateral Interecession’s occupation of Palisade, assigned personally by Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. As a Stargrave, she has been granted the means and “right” to detonate the star at the center of Palisade’s star system if she determines that those here are an existential threat to the Principality. CONNADINE (HE/HIM): Commander of the Bilateral Intelligence Service on Palisade. An expert in psychological operations and folklore. As a composer, his opus is the Adagio, a plan to get everyone on Palisade operating in ways not only predictable, but scripted. As a conductor, his orchestra now turns towards the second movement. OCCAM OLIO (THEY/THEM): Columnar member of the Frontier Syndicate and low level officer of Lock & Cross Security Services. Sharp the way a knife is. Made themself a hero among Palisade Bilats during Frontier Syndicate operation against Rose River.  CRYSANTH KESH (SHE/HER): Mother of Clementine, a.k.a. The Witch in Glass. Once, third in line to the throne of Kesh and de facto leader of the Curtain of Divinity, the predecessor to the Bilateral Intelligence Service.  LUCIA WHITESTAR (SHE/HER): The young “Lady Whitestar” emerged as a strategic genius during the early conflict between Kesh and Apostolos on PARTIZAN five years ago. Seventh in line to the throne of Princept.  FACTIONS BILATERAL INTERCESSION: One of two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, comprised by Stels Kesh and Nideo, and lead by the so-called Peaceful Princept, Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh (he/him), who took control of the faction from the Curtain, a secretive intelligence organization with roots in Kesh’s ancient spy operations. The “Bilats” are a conservative and reactionary force, aiming to return the Principality to its roots both literally and figuratively. After a long campaign against the Pact of Free States, they managed to take control of Palisade.  THE PACT OF FREE STATES: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. THE NEW ASTERISM: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet Gur Sevraq (he/they), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler “rehabilitates” or “improves” the places they claim by violence.  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. After centuries of fighting a purely defensive war, the Branched have now begun to strike into the Principality’s territory.  PLACES CHIMERA’S LANTERN: The second moon of Palisade, shaped oddly like a wasp’s nest or paper lantern. New arrivals to the world find its occasional glow unnatural and frightening. Thisbe and the Figure found evidence that it could be tied to driving the bulk of ancient Divine Principality forces off of Palisade. Home to the Chimeric Cadent (they/them, it/its), an amalgam of the ancient Excerpt ⸢Signet⸣, the mysterious Waking Cadent, and the Divine Belgard. As one being, they protect the corpses of a number of Divines, including Sagacity, Dissent, Felicity, Barricade, and Bounty—its newest resident. OBJECTS THE STELLAR COMBUSTOR: A weapon of immense destruction, capable of destroying countless star systems if deployed without a firebreak. Has been used in some form or another since the time of the earliest Divines. In current form they take the form of a twirling, 3-ringed space station that rotates around a system’s sun.  DIVINES DISCERNMENT (IT/ITS): Able to see the whole of the galaxy for one moment a year, this massive Divine was stolen by Millennium Break in the years after Operation Shackled Sun.  THE DIVINE CRUSADE (THEY/THEM): Leads Stel Nideo’s occupation on Palisade along with their Elect, Gentian. Crusade is an enormous, bipedal machine covered (or perhaps made with) beautiful stained glass. THIS EPISODE WAS MADE WITH SUPPORT FROM LISTENERS LIKE YOU! TO SUPPORT US, YOU CAN GO TO FRIENDSATTHETABLE.CASH.

1h 23m

Sep 22, 2023

For months, even before the sun bulged red, the only way to think about events on Palisade was with large numbers. Troop maneuvers. Logistical networks. Centuries of oppression. A continent of power. But now all of that has collapsed. Now it is minutes, not hours. Meters, not miles. Guards, not battalions. A set of hallways. A set of doors. A set of people trying to breach them. And beyond them, a question: Tomorrow, will there be any events on Palisade at all? DOSSIER PEOPLE STARGRAVE ELCESSOR (SHE/HER): Leader of the Bilateral Interecession’s occupation of Palisade, assigned personally by Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. As a Stargrave, she has been granted the means and “right” to detonate the star at the center of Palisade’s star system if she determines that those here are an existential threat to the Principality. CONNADINE (HE/HIM): Commander of the BIS on Palisade. An expert in psychological operations and folklore. As a composer, his opus is the Adagio, a plan to get everyone on Palisade operating in ways not only predictable, but scripted. As a conductor, his orchestra now turns towards the second movement. ROUTINE RENNARI (HE/HIM): Half-Apostolsian, scion of a minor Kesh noble house, and the Blue Channel's heavy.  MUSTARD RED (SHE/HER): A cyborg who once served as a member of Brink Proxy, with a speciality in surveillance. Joined the Cause during the Devotees expansion onto Palisade. MIDNITE MATINEE (SHE/HER): Leporine scout and member of the Blue Channel. She and her trusty Pack-model light AutoHollow POPCORN used to run a repo company, but now are tentatively committed to the Cause and Millennium Break. FACTIONS STEREOMA: Pact truebeliver COR'RINA CORRINE (COR/CORS, THEY/THEM) and cor rival MISERICORDE (HE/THEY) have begun building a surgical, anti-Bilat hit squad on Paliade.  THE PACT OF FREE STATES: One of the two factions vying for leadership of the Principality, a joint operation by Stels Columnar and Apostolos. THE NEW ASTERISM: What was once a schism between Received and Progressive Asterism has now been healed by the false prophet GUR SEVRAQ (HE/THEY), or at least someone in his name and face. The New Asterism claims that to be a citizen of the Principality is to have an obligation to "better the world," in the sense that one invests in property or in the way that a settler “rehabilitates” or “improves” the places they claim by violence.  PLACES CHIMERA’S LANTERN: The second moon of Palisade, shaped oddly like a wasp’s nest or paper lantern. New arrivals to the world find its occasional glow unnatural and frightening. Thisbe and the Figure found evidence that it could be tied to driving the bulk of ancient Divine Principality forces off of Palisade. Home to the CHIMERIC CADENT (THEY/THEM, IT/ITS), an amalgam of the ancient Excerpt ⸢Signet⸣, the mysterious Waking Cadent, and the Divine Belgard. As one being, they protect the corpses of a number of Divines, including SAGACITY, DISSENT, FELICITY, BARRICADE, AND BOUNTY—ITS NEWEST RESIDENT. OBJECTS GAMBESON: The Gambeson is only about 10 meters tall (less than half an Altar), but it is nevertheless a terrifying scourge of the battlefield. Modeled after an iron maiden, except with it's tortorous doors attached to its back serving as wings. Its head features a metalworked face, twisted into extreme and offputting smile.  Its skeletal frame serves not only as body, but cage: pilots are criminal conscripts forced to pay off their “debt” to Kesh by the Divine Plight, earning their freedom through combat achievements. PARAMERION: Cori’s new Altar, as designed by her brother Formido. Constantly twitching and rippling underneath the regal embellishments of its filigreed armor. Massive metallic wings stay folded on its back, a smaller pair cover its eyes like a visor and the sickles jut out from its forearms when stowed. A halo shaped like a crown rotates above its skull-like head. THE STELLAR COMBUSTOR: A weapon of immense destruction, capable of destroying countless star systems if deployed without a firebreak. Has been used in some form or another since the time of the earliest Divines. In current form they take the form of a twirling, 3-ringed space station that rotates around a system’s sun.  BAC SECATEURS: Designed and built on Chimera's Lantern by THE BLESSED ARMORY OF CONSECRATION, an Altar who holds itself in the form of a tortured saint, with sharp, crystaline “holy expressions” emerging from its body, like wounds in reverse. As it pulls these from its body, its form glows like heated glass, then reverberates back into place.  DIVINES THE DIVINE, ARBITRAGE (IT/ITS): The amoral machine turned de facto treasurer keeps the Frontier Syndicate a step ahead in all matters of commerce. Sole minter of “glint,” a newly popular currency on Palisade. THE DIVINE PLIGHT (SHE/HER): Plight is a 40 meter tall, humanoid Divine cast in black metal armor, and wearing the of a judge or inquisitor. She conscripts the guilty into her army as Gambeson pilots, compelling their loyalty with terrible, Divine feelings of guilt. Hemlock, whose interest is fundamentally in punishment and not justice, was born heir to a mid-tier Kesh House, but jumped at the chance to become an Elect. THE DIVINE CONSECRATION: Though humanoid in shape, like most Nideo Divines, its chest is a vacuous cavity that serves a living forge. This open wound burns brightly, and Consecration can reach inside of it to produce a range of objects, or a sort of Divine molten metal which rapidly hardens as it is shaped by the Divine. But this is only half of its fearsome nature. Guided by the hand of its elect, a Sovereign Immunity devoutly committed to his role as armorer, Consecration also operates as Nideo's chief weaponsmith, Altar designer, and forge.  THE DIVINE SOUCIANCE: When the burgeoning Divine Principality left Palisade behind, the Divine Souciance carried doubts about the project. So bloody was the Embarkation, so strenuous the objection of those who opposed the Glass Duchy’s rule, that Souciance—ever committed to careful consideration and compassionate concern—never found their place in the Empire, however grand the vision Nideo had presented before his death was. But, devoted to steady study, Souciance played their part for generations. It was not until the Divine Clash that they came to their decision: They could not be part of an empire so vast, so terrible, so cruel. And so they sought out a place where they could do what Divines no longer could. They sought out a grave. MYSTERIES THE ICONOCLASTS: Something beyond the human, desperate to eradicate subjectivity itself. After their messenger, the Usher of Truth, was delivered to The Witch in Glass, they have found themselves serving a new master. AXIOMS: Once, these beings were made by a so-called "Post-Divine" as embodiments of particular ideals, supposedly detached from mortal perspective or subjectivity. Now, they are the emanation of ideals, given perfect, violent form. In this way, THE INGRATE is the first of its kind. PERENNIAL (SHE/HER):  The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has recently bonded with Kalmeria.

2h 48m

Sep 05, 2023

Hi everyone! The Hunter x Hunter show exists, it's called Media Club Plus, it's free, it has its own feed. It will eventually be available everywhere you can find podcasts but right now the android apps are lagging behind. You can search for it right now on Apple Podcasts and spotify and some android apps (podcast addict and beyondpod i think both work). If you use an app that can't find the show right now, here's the RSS link which you can manually add into your podcast app of choice -----> https://feeds.libsyn.com/484704/rss First episode is out tomorrow! September 5th!

7m

Sep 04, 2023

They arrive in the long rings of the Stellar Combustor to no greeting, and this they are thankful for. The path to their objective is known, but what lies on it (and what they'll find at its end) are not. As they travel the length of the arc, spanning half the circumference of the sun, they wonder: How are their friends, now traveling through lunar shadow, far across the solar system? How are their comrades? Might they find freedom in the dark as we search for it in the searing light? DOSSIER PEOPLE STARGRAVE ELCESSOR (SHE/HER): Leader of the Bilateral Interecession’s occupation of Palisade, assigned personally by Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. As a Stargrave, she has been granted the means and “right” to detonate the star at the center of Palisade’s star system if she determines that those here are an existential threat to the Principality. CONNADINE (HE/HIM): Commander of the BIS on Palisade. An expert in psychological operations and folklore. As a composer, his opus is the Adagio, a plan to get everyone on Palisade operating in ways not only predictable, but scripted. As a conductor, his orchestra now turns towards the second movement. ROUTINE RENNARI (HE/HIM): Half-Apostolsian, scion of a minor Kesh noble house, and the Blue Channel's heavy.  MUSTARD RED (SHE/HER): A cyborg who once served as a member of Brink Proxy, with a speciality in surveillance. Joined the Cause during the Devotees expansion onto Palisade. MIDNITE MATINEE (SHE/HER): Leporine scout and member of the Blue Channel. She and her trusty Pack-model light AutoHollow POPCORN used to run a repo company, but now are tentatively committed to the Cause and Millennium Break. PLACES CHIMERA’S LANTERN: The second moon of Palisade, shaped oddly like a wasp’s nest or paper lantern. New arrivals to the world find its occasional glow unnatural and frightening. Thisbe and the Figure found evidence that it could be tied to driving the bulk of ancient Divine Principality forces off of Palisade. Home to the Chimeric Cadent (they/them, it/its), along with the warded corpses of a number of Divines, including SAGACITY, DISSENT, FELICITY, BARRICADE, AND BOUNTY—ITS NEWEST RESIDENT. OBJECTS GAMBESON: The Gambeson is only about 10 meters tall (less than half an Altar), but it is nevertheless a terrifying scourge of the battlefield. Modeled after an iron maiden, except with it's tortorous doors attached to its back serving as wings. Its head features a metalworked face, twisted into extreme and offputting smile.  Its skeletal frame serves not only as body, but cage: pilots are criminal conscripts forced to pay off their “debt” to Kesh by the Divine Plight, earning their freedom through combat achievements. PARAMERION: Cori’s new Altar, as designed by her brother Formido. Constantly twitching and rippling underneath the regal embellishments of its filigreed armor. Massive metallic wings stay folded on its back, a smaller pair cover its eyes like a visor and the sickles jut out from its forearms when stowed. A halo shaped like a crown rotates above its skull-like head. THE STELLAR COMBUSTOR: A weapon of immense destruction, capable of destroying countless star systems if deployed without a firebreak. Has been used in some form or another since the time of the earliest Divines. In current form they take the form of a twirling, 3-ringed space station that rotates around a system’s sun.  BAC SECATEURS: Designed and built on Chimera's Lantern by THE BLESSED ARMORY OF CONSECRATION, an Altar who holds itself in the form of a tortured saint, with sharp, crystaline “holy expressions” emerging from its body, like wounds in reverse. As it pulls these from its body, its form glows like heated glass, then reverberates back into place.  DIVINES THE DIVINE, ARBITRAGE (IT/ITS): The amoral machine turned de facto treasurer keeps the Frontier Syndicate a step ahead in all matters of commerce. Sole minter of “glint,” a newly popular currency on Palisade. THE DIVINE PLIGHT (SHE/HER): Plight is a 40 meter tall, humanoid Divine cast in black metal armor, and wearing the of a judge or inquisitor. She conscripts the guilty into her army as Gambeson pilots, compelling their loyalty with terrible, Divine feelings of guilt. Hemlock, whose interest is fundamentally in punishment and not justice, was born heir to a mid-tier Kesh House, but jumped at the chance to become an Elect. THE DIVINE CONSECRATION: Though humanoid in shape, like most Nideo Divines, its chest is a vacuous cavity that serves a living forge. This open wound burns brightly, and Consecration can reach inside of it to produce a range of objects, or a sort of Divine molten metal which rapidly hardens as it is shaped by the Divine. But this is only half of its fearsome nature. Guided by the hand of its elect, a Sovereign Immunity devoutly committed to his role as armorer, Consecration also operates as Nideo's chief weaponsmith, Altar designer, and forge.  THE DIVINE SOUCIANCE: When the burgeoning Divine Principality left Palisade behind, the Divine Souciance carried doubts about the project. So bloody was the Embarkation, so strenuous the objection of those who opposed the Glass Duchy’s rule, that Souciance—ever committed to careful consideration and compassionate concern—never found their place in the Empire, however grand the vision Nideo had presented before his death was. But, devoted to steady study, Souciance played their part for generations. It was not until the Divine Clash that they came to their decision: They could not be part of an empire so vast, so terrible, so cruel. And so they sought out a place where they could do what Divines no longer could. They sought out a grave. MYSTERIES THE ICONOCLASTS: Something beyond the human, desperate to eradicate subjectivity itself. After their messenger, the Usher of Truth, was delivered to The Witch in Glass, they have found themselves serving a new master. PERENNIAL (SHE/HER):  The Principality's so-called 'adversary,' who lives at the center of the galaxy and whose chaotic whims spread through her "Perennial Wave," an ever-present nanoparticle that has recently bonded with Kalmeria.  

2h 25m

Sep 01, 2023