Speculate!

This episode carries content notes for sleep deprivation, eating, meat, and smoke bombs. The Dream Knights run down leads and recover from the attack on Monsieur and Roses. Vik has a clandestine chat about books. Cat focuses her oracular powers on the deck of reveries, then has Nina over for pizza and movies. Fractal Spire is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Girl by Moonlight by Andrew Gillis (forthcoming from Evil Hat Productions). We are grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by Evil Hat in helping us make this show. Brandon O’Brien (@therisingtithes) GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes), Iori Kusano (@iorikusano), Jeoi Gawain Lin (@thisismydasein), and our own Michael R. Underwood (@mikerunderwood). If you like what you hear, please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more content (including Fractal Spire extras, special episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more! You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

Note: Brandon had some major technical problems during the recording, and even with Rudy’s excellent editing skills, this episode may be choppier than normal. This episode carries content notes for combat, gas grenade, time distortion, unnatural textures, and transforming inanimate objects.   Cat comes to grip with the oracle cards and Time Traveler shenanigans ensue. The fight at Monsieur & Roses goes a bit differently this time. Fractal Spire is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Girl by Moonlight by Andrew Gillis (forthcoming from Evil Hat Productions). We are grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by Evil Hat in helping us make this show. Brandon O’Brien (@therisingtithes) GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes), Iori Kusano (@iorikusano), Jeoi Gawain Lin (@thisismydasein), and our own Michael R. Underwood (@mikerunderwood). If you like what you hear, please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more content (including Fractal Spire extras, special episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more! You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

This episode carries content notes for combat, vandalism, gas grenade Ruth and Vik question Dice about their experience working for the Conspiracy. Monsieur and Roses is attacked by masked figures, and Ruth has finally had enough. The players reflect on the session and express some wishes for the future. Fractal Spire is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Girl by Moonlight by Andrew Gillis (forthcoming from Evil Hat Productions). We are grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by Evil Hat in helping us make this show. Brandon O’Brien (@therisingtithes) GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes), Iori Kusano (@iorikusano), Jeoi Gawain Lin (@thisismydasein), and our own Michael R. Underwood (@mikerunderwood). If you like what you hear, please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more content (including Fractal Spire extras, special episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more! You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

This episode carries content notes for alcohol, public drunkenness, and rich people being obnoxious. Cat manages more workplace problems at Somnio and receives another mysterious oracle card. Ruth’s attempts to close up shop are thwarted by increasingly unexpected events. The cast discusses what advance to take in order to make the characters less squishy. Fractal Spire is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Girl by Moonlight by Andrew Gillis (forthcoming from Evil Hat Productions). We are grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by Evil Hat in helping us make this show. Brandon O’Brien (@therisingtithes) GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes), Iori Kusano (@iorikusano), Jeoi Gawain Lin (@thisismydasein), and our own Michael R. Underwood (@mikerunderwood). If you like what you hear, please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more content (including Fractal Spire extras, special episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more! You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

This episode carries content notes for arbitrary punishment, scissors, workplace anxiety, falling asleep at the wheel, The Dream Knights have survived their first mission without Euphony, and now turn to managing their obligations. Vik tries to protect a student from unreasonable punishment and Nina deals with a scary episode on the highway. Fractal Spire is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Girl by Moonlight by Andrew Gillis (forthcoming from Evil Hat Productions). We are grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by Evil Hat in helping us make this show. Brandon O’Brien (@therisingtithes) GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes), Iori Kusano (@iorikusano), Jeoi Gawain Lin (@thisismydasein), and our own Michael R. Underwood (@mikerunderwood). If you like what you hear, please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more content (including Fractal Spire extras, special episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more! You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

Mike, Brandon, and Greg talk about Faction Turns/GM turns in ttrpgs, systems seen in games like Stars Without Number, Urban Shadows 2E, Blades in the Dark, etc. Brandon shares some of their experience playing in a faction turn for Elder County TN, Mike talks about scope and intention with Faction/GM turns, and Greg muses on the role of surprise/secrets as an actual-play-focused GM. If you like what you hear, please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more content (including Fractal Spire extras, more special episodes like this one, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more! You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

After a short recap of our Court of Blades series announcement, Greg, Mike, and Brandon gather to discuss some games they’re excited about, from games currently crowdfunding to games farther on the horizon. They talk about style, scope, and genre across the recommendations. Court of Blades announcement – https://www.patreon.com/posts/announcing-court-65998407 Games mentioned: Blade Runner – Free League Publishing https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/blade-runner-the-roleplaying-game Once More Into The Void – Genesis of Legend Publishing https://temporalhiccup.itch.io/once-more-into-the-void Seven Rings – Boy Problems https://boyproblems.itch.io/seven-rings Brindlewood Bay – The Gauntlet https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gauntlet/brindlewood-bay-cozy-murder-mystery-rpg Desperation – Bully Pulpit Games https://gamefound.com/projects/bully-pulpit-games/desperation Expedition From the Mysterious Peaks – Alligator Alley Entertainment https://espergenesis.alligatoralleyentertainment.com/expedition-from-the-mysterious-peaks/ If you like what you hear, please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more content (including Fractal Spire extras, more special episodes like this one, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more! You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The C...

This episode carries content notes for violence, falling, medical trauma, and caretaker trauma. Dice and Ruth clash again, then finally talk about what’s going on and why Dice is working with the Conspiracy. The Dream Knights make their way out but end up not where they expected. Fractal Spire is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Girl by Moonlight by Andrew Gillis (forthcoming from Evil Hat Productions). We are grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by Evil Hat in helping us make this show. Brandon O’Brien (@therisingtithes) GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes), Iori Kusano (@iorikusano), Jeoi Gawain Lin (@thisismydasein), and our own Michael R. Underwood (@mikerunderwood). If you like what you hear, please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more content (including Fractal Spire extras, special episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more! You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

This episode carries content notes for submersion in a sticky liquid, violence, giant animated toys, and head injuries. The Dream Knights gather tools to free Nina, which lands them in an even bigger problem. Deed appears to dive into the fray. Ruth and Dice square off again. Fractal Spire is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Girl by Moonlight by Andrew Gillis (forthcoming from Evil Hat Productions). We are grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by Evil Hat in helping us make this show. Brandon O’Brien (@therisingtithes) GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes), Iori Kusano (@iorikusano), Jeoi Gawain Lin (@thisismydasein), and our own Michael R. Underwood (@mikerunderwood). If you like what you hear, please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more content (including Fractal Spire extras, special episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more! You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

This episode carries content notes for submersion in sticky liquid, toilets, mention of starvation, and general horror. Nina is trapped in a hole. But also a pool of soda? Dreams are weird. The remaining Dream Knights dive into Nina’s dream to rescue her and discover far more than they expected. Fractal Spire is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Girl by Moonlight by Andrew Gillis, forthcoming from Evil Hat Productions. We are grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by Evil Hat in helping us make this show. Brandon O’Brien (@therisingtithes) GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes), Iori Kusano (@iorikusano), Jeoi Gawain Lin (@thisismydasein), and our own Michael R. Underwood (@mikerunderwood). If you like what you hear, please tune in soon for more actual play content, and please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more content (including Fractal Spire extras, special episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more! You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

This episode carries content warnings for police action, enclosed spaces, reference to home intrusion, and alcohol. Ruth makes a quick exit from his late-night activity before the cops arrive. Once home, Vik and Nina have a disconcerting dream that doesn’t behave like it should. Vik rallies the Dream Knights to respond. Fractal Spire is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Girl by Moonlight by Andrew Gillis, forthcoming from Evil Hat Productions. We are grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by Evil Hat in helping us make this show. Brandon O’Brien (@therisingtithes) GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes), Iori Kusano (@iorikusano), Jeoi Gawain Lin (@thisismydasein), and our own Michael R. Underwood (@mikerunderwood). If you like what you hear, please tune in soon for more actual play content, and please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more Speculate (including Fractal Spire extras, special episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more!You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

This episode carries content warnings for hand-to-hand combat, blood, profanity, sprained wrist, references to grievous bodily harm, and police raids Dice shows off for Ruth as their underground fight club match begins. Dice performs not just for the crowd—ravenous for blood, for spectacle, and for the clash of bodies—but also Ruth, who is not impressed. Ruth gets a suspicious invitation and the fight ends abruptly. Fractal Spire is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Girl by Moonlight by Andrew Gillis, forthcoming from Evil Hat Productions. We are grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by Evil Hat in helping us make this show. Brandon O’Brien (@therisingtithes) GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes), Iori Kusano (@iorikusano), Jeoi Gawain Lin (@thisismydasein), and our own Michael R. Underwood (@mikerunderwood). If you like what you hear, please tune in soon for more actual play content, and please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more Speculate (including Fractal Spire extras, special episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more! You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

This episode carries content warnings for hand-to-hand combat, blood, surveillance, reference to facial injuries, alcohol, Ruth gets an invite to a pop-up underground fighting ring. Cat investigates the card left at Somnio by a client and takes some precautions about it. Ruth squares off against a “friend”. Fractal Spire is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Girl by Moonlight by Andrew Gillis, forthcoming from Evil Hat Productions. We are grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by Evil Hat in helping us make this show. Brandon O’Brien (@therisingtithes) GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes), Iori Kusano (@iorikusano), Jeoi Gawain Lin (@thisismydasein), and our own Michael R. Underwood (@mikerunderwood). If you like what you hear, please tune in soon for more actual play content, and please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more content (including Fractal Spire extras, special episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more! You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

This episode carries content warnings for violence, being knocked into unconsciousness.   The Dream Knights meet up very late, after they’ve all been through the wringer. Vik brings up the announcement of the Eye and recalls the times when Euphony and they crossed paths with Rüstem Demir. The group make uneven attempts to re-connect with one another as they decide where to pick up their investigation into the Conspiracy. Dice Kallendrine leaves someone with a bruise and a conspicuous card.   Fractal Spire is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Girl by Moonlight by Andrew Gillis, forthcoming from Evil Hat Productions. We are grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by Evil Hat in helping us make this show. Brandon O’Brien (@therisingtithes) GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes), Iori Kusano (@iorikusano), Jeoi Gawain Lin (@thisismydasein), and our own Michael R. Underwood (@mikerunderwood). If you like what you hear, please tune in soon for more actual play content, and please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more content (including special episodes, access to behind-the-scenes videos like GM streams and session zero recordings, plus other bonus episodes!). You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

This episode carries content warnings for stalking, workplace harassment, and a reference to choking.   As she’s preparing Somnio for opening, Cat helps a co-worker at Somnio deal with a stalker. Nina is caught between staying late at one job to finish things up and being late for her other job.. Nina visits Ruth to check on him and then they head out to visit the others.   Fractal Spire is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Girl by Moonlight by Andrew Gillis, forthcoming from Evil Hat Productions. We are grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by Evil Hat in helping us make this show. Brandon O’Brien (@therisingtithes) GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes), Iori Kusano (@iorikusano), Jeoi Gawain Lin (@thisismydasein), and our own Michael R. Underwood (@mikerunderwood). If you like what you hear, please tune in soon for more actual play content, and please spread the word about the show! Become a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate to get even more content (including special episodes, access to behind-the-scenes videos like GM streams and session zero recordings, plus other bonus episodes!). You can watch our completed series “Splendour and Shadow” and “The Case of the Cindered Seal” at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron. This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!