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Announcement - It’s Over; It’s Just Beginning

Hello, friends and listeners.

We’ve been awfully quiet here on tumblr, and we apologize for that, as we’ve certainly been making noise elsewhere. So much of it, in fact, that this Friday we released the final episode of The Bronze Scales Campaign. 

All of our episodes can be found on Soundcloud, Youtube, Spotify, and iTunes, and you can now hear the story of the Scales in its entirety. 

This campaign has been such a labor of love for the past two and a half years, and it is extremely satisfying to see the final results published and forever in posterity.

So, we finished our campaign. What’s Next?

BttS is going to go through a few programming changes as we forge ahead. Our cast has shrunk to a core five (Klouse, George, Faye, Nyessa, and Swan), and after recent events regarding WotC, we’re choosing to move away from producing more D&D content.

However, we will still be producing ttrpg content! With a much looser schedule, we intend to release one-shots, short “mini-series” campaigns, and system reviews, all focusing on non-d&d games and game systems. The new uploads will probably occur once a month at most, as we adjust to new recording and editing schedules.

We have discussed possibly releasing a new fully-recorded campaign at some point in the future, but currently this is not one of our immediate goals. We’re “system shopping” and sorting out what we might want a new full campaign to look like if and when we were to release another.

We also have at least two more Bronze Scales Related projects in the works:

DadQuest: Embershore will be a one-shot played using Swan’s homebrew Powered by the Apocalypse game, in which the fathers of the Bronze Scales discover one of their number is missing, and must use their dadly skills to unravel the mystery and bring him home.

The Dying of Embers - The Ballad of The Bronze Scales, ‘Dying of Embers’ is a song written by Nyessa and Swan that will be recorded, produced, and released as a special post-campaign treat.

Stay tuned for more updates about upcoming content and release dates as we reimagine our podcast to be something new and wonderful! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next, we’d like to offer our humble and undying gratitude to everyone who listened to our campaign and joined us on this journey, and anyone who plans to listen in the future. We created this show because we believed in the power of storytelling, and wanted to share our world and characters with the internet.

We learned so much on this adventure, about how to produce a podcast, about the stories we tell, about the people we are, and about the people we want to be. And we’re grateful to have had the space and encouragement from friends and family to make this podcast, this storytelling experience, a reality. 

Thank you. Endlessly, from the bottom of our hearts.

We’ll see you next time, in Norithil and beyond.

#announcement #back to the story #actual play podcast #actual play #dnd podcast #d&d podcast #ttrpg podcast

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A Series of Announcements & A Casting Call

Hello, our beloved and most patient listeners! We hope that you and yours are healthy and wealthy and wise, and that you’re as excited as we are to return to the last chapters of the story of The Bronze Scales.

We finished recording Campaign One on May 17th, and are now working on editing and timestamps for the remaining episodes, which reach their finale at Episode 87. 

Due to scheduling conflicts and personal circumstances, we had precious few sessions left as a full group. Our greatest desire was to conclude the story of the Bronze Scales in as satisfying a narrative way as possible and while we were all still available to contribute, and so we took some liberties with the pacing and narrative of episodes 86 and 87, which are told in more of a series of vignettes than actual play of D&D 5e. 87 falls back onto actual play a little more, as we conclude the Bronze Scales’ narrative and tell the story of the fate of the Divine Gate, and all of Nor. 

We are looking forward to our next full campaign, which will take place in a new region of Norithil many generations after the aftermath of the finale of this first campaign. We have further homebrewed, house ruled, hacked, and adapted the core mechanics of D&D, hoping to move further away from published content in light of recent developments at WotC. That aside, we are also striving to implement new methods of play into a system we are all fond of and familiar with in a way that better benefits the style of narration and play that we are all looking for, and in a way that encourages creative independence and innovation.

While we fine tune that, in the interim between campaigns, our smaller core cast is hoping to play, record, and hopefully release one-shots and smaller “mini-series” campaigns, exploring indie games and a variety of systems (many of which we will hope to borrow from to implement into the next campaign), and:

WE ARE LOOKING FOR GUEST PLAYERS!

We will be casting guest spots for the one-shots and mini-series, as well as for the full campaign.

We have nothing scheduled in stone as of yet, as we wish to be flexible to those we welcome aboard, but our usual play time is Sunday, 5pm PST/8pm EST and we would be thrilled to have you aboard! 

If you would like to sign up for a guest spot, please dm us on twitter, and we will be in touch as soon as we have more information! 

We will also ensure that Black players and other players of color have top priority in casting, as we strive to make our table a welcoming and diverse place to play and enjoy.

When we began recording our game back in 2017, we were doing so as a group of long-time friends who had begun a private game together, who had all met coincidentally online, and who were excited to share our story with the world. But now that we’re an actual show, and we are actively casting for a show, it would be irresponsible of us not to seek out and elevate marginalized voices in the TTRPG space. 

Our table already hosts a variety of queer identities and neurodivergent players, but that’s not good enough, and for a long time we’ve been discussing ways of further diversifying our podcast in a way that benefits those creating that diversity. We have a responsibility to share a platform with players of color and especially Black players. Black lives and voices matter and we are working to create a safe table where you can share your voice and your creativity and stories with the world.

We have the will and responsibility to create a more diversified table, and have the space and a perfect opportunity to do so. 

Finally, the date of our return to Norithil: Wednesday, June 24th, we will resume our usual posting schedule with Episode 81, “Red Sky at Mourning,” and continue our typical weekly Wednesday/Friday upload schedule until the finale.

We want to thank everyone who has listened, spread the word, and enjoyed our story. We have never advertised the show, and our audience is small, but we have heard only good things from you all, and we are eternally grateful for your support. We hope that as we move forward, we expand our horizons and opportunities and continue to increase the quality of the content we produce for you all.

Keep safe, keep fighting, and keep wondering. We love you, and we’ll see you next time in Norithil.

#back to the story #d&d lfg #dnd lfg #ttrpg lfg #announcement #long post #but important!! Please read!

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Aeon Prophecies: Rider of Adreagas

Prophecy of Tharas

A stranger from foreign lands will walk upon foreign soil. They will bring with them the blood of their ancestors and the words of their gods. Know their words of harsh wind will leave their enemies upon the ground.

#Back to the Story #dnd #DnD podcast #actual play #actual play podcast #ttrpg podcast #ttrpg #Aeon Prophecies

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{Part One}

#Back to the Story #dnd podcast #d&d podcast #actual play podcast #actual play #ttrpg podcast #Episode 80 #Episode Eighty

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Aeon Prophecies: Hand Which Breaks Chains

Prophecy of the Poet

He will consummate a nation of slaves from the yellow wastes and they will praise him. A drake will appear and so will another from the south. His palm will shake as assassins plot in his holy lands.

#Back to the Story #dnd #DnD podcast #actual play #actual play podcast #ttrpg podcast #ttrpg #Aeon Prophecies

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{Part Two will be released Friday, April 3rd}

#Back to the Story #actual play #actual play podcast #d&d podcast #dnd podcast #Episode 80 #Episode Eighty

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Aeon Prophecies: A Guide

Prophecy of Tasha

When they come, so shall a guide appear. One who speaks the words of Old Gods. They will walk with them to the edge. Judge them worthy mate and have them gaze upon the corpses of our kind to ask if promises matter. Do not concern yourself over my chains for this is beyond even me.

#Back to the Story #dnd #DnD podcast #actual play #actual play podcast #ttrpg podcast #ttrpg #Aeon Prophecies

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Aeon Prophecies: Firmament

Prophecy of Divines

The spheres of gods will be shown to them and they will know. Essence and Ethos will be among them and it will bless and curse those who carry it with them.

#Back to the Story #dnd #DnD podcast #actual play #actual play podcast #ttrpg podcast #ttrpg #Aeon Prophecies

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Aeon Prophecies: Forgotten Redoubt

Prophecy of Bells

For twelve days the Bells of the Forgotten Redoubt will toll for the coming siege of heaven. The razors of banishment will be harsh in their song and the voice of one will be frayed and strained and desperate to be heard. When the last song is sung, woe to the perished and the victor.

#Back to the Story #dnd #DnD podcast #actual play #actual play podcast #ttrpg podcast #ttrpg #Aeon Prophecies

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An Announcent from Swan:

Hi, guys.

I’m turning off the PR/Social Media Manager voice for a minute to personally apologize for the continual delay in getting episode 80 out. Alex and I have both seen significant increase (surprisingly) in our work schedules and responsibilites at our respective jobs, myself especially.

I’m now the one and only staff member running my workplace and it’s become very difficult to keep up with the requirements of getting an episode uploaded, not to mention the delays Alex has seen in trying to edit in a timely manner.

My home state has issued a lockdown, so while my place of employment is technically considered essential, my schedule for the next few weeks is one big question mark and is essentially changing daily depending on workflow and customer demand. 

All this to say: it won’t be feasible to see an episode yet this week. We’ll keep you updated, but 80 is very close to completion! Thank you all for your patience and support, and I hope you’re staying safe and healthy, and making smart decisions in this time of uncertainty. 

Take care of yourselves. <3

Love, Swan.

#announcement

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Aeon Prophecies: Codex

Prophecy of Amethystus

One washes from the sea of light. They hold a star in their hands and approach the well of visions. They will see and not be blinded by the holy sights or be deafened by the holy words.

#Back to the Story #dnd #DnD podcast #actual play #actual play podcast #ttrpg podcast #ttrpg #Aeon Prophecies

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Aeon Prophecies: Last Stand

Prophecy of Judgment

From the clutches of Black Star a knight will rise, weapon in hand, who will ride upon trampled bone to meet her again. When they come they will proceed the judgment, but the scales will be shifted.

#Back to the Story #dnd #DnD podcast #actual play #actual play podcast #ttrpg podcast #ttrpg #Aeon Prophecies

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Aeon Prophecies: Wings

Prophecy of Diether

There will be one who flies through the gates of Armageddon on silvered wings not their own. Then upon the ashen winds there will be heard a blast and all will know as the Legions march. They will hide amongst the Black Pit or be swallowed by it.

#Back to the Story #dnd #DnD podcast #actual play #actual play podcast #ttrpg podcast #ttrpg #Aeon Prophecies

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Aeon Prophecies: Son of Vladas

Prophecy of Galvmhora

A lost son will return home and he will be wearing a ruby crown. Lend him your hammer and make for him an aegis of ember for he will carry the banner and proceed the return of the father.

#Back to the Story #dnd #DnD podcast #actual play #actual play podcast #ttrpg podcast #ttrpg #Aeon Prophecies

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Announcement: Hiatus!

Hello beloved listeners.

With a milestone episode upcoming, and everything in the real world proving a little difficult right now, we are going to go on a (hopefully!) brief hiatus after Episode 80 is posted, which is going to be a week late.

Many cast members are experiencing their schedules and lives being disrupted and altered significantly right now, with promises of more rescheduling in the weeks to come. Regretfully, we feel like until things settle down into a stable and sustainable routine for most of us, we will need to take a step back from the production side of things. 

We’ll still be recording new episodes and interacting on our social media, but the editing, timestamps, and uploading of episodes is going to be put on pause for now.

We want to give you all the best quality experience for listening to the podcast, and 80, ‘Ruins of God,’ is a fantastic mid-season finale. 

More than that, Episode 81, ‘Red Sky at Mourning,’ is intense, bringing about a new sense of urgency and a tonal shift in the Scales’ intentions and mission to save all of Norithil, and will kick off the next run of episodes with a bang.

So: Episode 80, ‘Ruins of God,’ will be posted Wednesday, March 25th, and Friday, March 27th; after which we will be going on hiatus.

Now is a great time to catch up or hop in (our ‘where to start’ guide has been updated, so you can choose where you’d like to join the adventure) and to share the show with friends and family who may need an escape from the world outside.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and we’ll see you again soon in Norithil!

#announcement #hiatus

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Back to the Story Recap: Episode 79

Ep 79: Nerves of Steel

Beneath the Spine of the World: 16-18th Feast 3E Y628 (558)

Previously, as the Bronze Scales make preparations for their conflict with the Harbingers, they find themselves beneath the Nor in a forest of mushrooms. While traveling through this bioluminescent space, Felix and Ellory worked on making the Ring of Mind Caging designed by Meli and Felix. The Scales gifted wine and suggested their way around a conflict with the Ulani, a group of bat-mounted Umbrameri elves. With the Stonegiant-crafted pillar’s face leading them in the right direction, the Scales found a river flowing through a twisting tunnel, following it eventually to a grand cavern holding a lake,  with a distant alien city dimly glowing upon an island in its center. Felix used an Arcane Eye to spy upon the city, witnessing: its mind-controlled Stone Giant patrols, strange orb spotlights, and into the temple-like pyramid itself housing a still-growing elder brain and mind flayer. We come Back to the Story here...After resting the night nearby, you awake and prepare your infiltration and assault upon the pyramid. The cavern air is moist and heavy. You can hear the occasional heavy footfall of the giants rotating and the buzzing of strange energy through the city’s circuits. What would you like to do?

#Back to the Story #dnd #DnD podcast #actual play #actual play podcast #ttrpg podcast #ttrpg #recap #Episode 79 #Episode Seventy Nine

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Back to the Story Recap: Episode 78

Ep 78: Deep is the Grave

Dom’Heim, Beneath the Spine of the World: 16th Feast 3E Y628 (558)

Previously, as the Bronze Scales make preparations for their conflict with the Harbingers, they find themselves delving deep under the Nor in search for the Bane of Rotted Dreams in the deceased mind of Norithil. After arriving in the Dwarvish city of Dom’Heim, their contact Kathyn Aramvizer led them down to the Gravelaw Mines, a death sentence for the worst criminals of the undercity. After passing through the gates, the Scales followed the journal of Dolgra Aramvizer past the ruins of ancient Dwarves, down a honeycomb of glowing moss, entering into a mushroom forest. After flying above the fungi, the Scales decided to find rest atop the cap of a larger mushroom, exploring the nearby surroundings. We come Back to the Story here...After setting up camp and exploring the nearby Gal Stone, the Scales set to watches as they rested, Bál waking to a vision of fire and destruction. In the darkness of this cavern, the sounds of scampering creatures can be heard moving in the darkness beyond. The forest grows in all directions, moss and fungi glowing dimly, but little visual beyond the forest itself. Some insects blink in the distance. The sound or running water can be heard as a damp and still musk hangs in the air. What would you like to do?

#Back to the Story #dnd #DnD podcast #actual play #actual play podcast #ttrpg podcast #ttrpg #recap #Episode 78 #Episode Seventy Eight