Speculate! show

Speculate!

Summary: Speculate! is an actual play TTRPG show starring science fiction & fantasy authors, editors, and more. Co-hosted by authors Gregory A. Wilson, Brandon O'Brien, and Michael R. Underwood, the show explores the overlap between different forms of storytelling from prose to games and beyond. They've played Blades in the Dark, Rebel Crown, D&D, Girl by Moonlight, and more. In addition to the podcast episodes, you can find video-only shows at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTBKdAD6ibG9kUpFVqjuvSxOTLLdXq3hJ NOTE: In 2018, Speculate transitioned from its original literary criticism format to the current actual play. All of the old episodes are still available.

Podcasts:

 Episode 273 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Forty-Seven of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 37:17

This episode carries content warnings for references to traumatic brain injury, childhood trauma, child labor, children in peril, and alcohol. Skelly remembers the bells of the orphanage. Ring tries to grab a ride. The crew regroups and heads back to Derrn’s. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/) 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 272 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Forty-Six of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 36:58

This episode carries content warnings for children in peril and alcohol. Fresh off a chaotic rescue operation, The Strange Friends scramble to regroup as they make their way out of Dunslough. Ash directs the young porters as a snowstorm kicks up. Skelly and Crossroads figure out how to move some inconvenient cargo. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/) 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 271 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Forty-Five of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 39:57

This episode carries content warnings for childhood trauma, flashbacks, children in danger, and divine visitation. While the rest of The Strange Friends escape with the young porters, Skelly faces off against Casta. The fight brings back memories of the bad times Skelly & Casta spent together at the orphanage. Crossroads links up with Skelly as things escalate again. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/) 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 270 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Forty-Four of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 43:57

This episode carries content warnings for divine magic, children in danger, firearms, arcane weaponry, injuries to limbs, and death. Crossroads flexes its powers to kick off The Strange Friends’ power play in rescuing the porters. Ring uses their Sergeant Voice to evacuate the porters. Ash gets another divine surprise. A fight breaks out in the warehouse, lit only by the flashes of gunpowder and electroplasm. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/) 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 269 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Forty-Three of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 40:43

This episode carries content warnings for abandonment, childhood trauma, children in danger, violent ambush, magic-induced disorientation. The Strange Friends infiltrate one of Aldo Booker’s warehouses to rescue some young Porters, with Skelly in overwatch position with Crossroads’ larger hull body. The players contemplate the warehouse as a Hitman level. Ash explores her divine gifts. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/)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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 268 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Forty-Two of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 43:02

This episode carries content warnings for references to childhood trauma and children in peril. The Strange Friends make their way back to Dunslough, moving through the warrens to one of Aldo Booker’s warehouses. Skelly sees an old “friend” during her scouting run. And as they say in Duskwall, you kill two stones with one bird. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/) 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 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 267 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Forty-One of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 34:37

This episode carries content warnings for children in peril, arcane visions, descriptions of food, and recovery from injury. The Strange Friends assemble to track down a group of missing porters, reviewing the porters’ ledgers. Ring tries to get information from Yara. Crossroads consults the tea leaves and Ash gets a weird tip. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/) 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 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 266 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Forty of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 37:18

This episode carries content warnings for violence against civilians in wartime, destructive magic, children in peril. After a most eventful Porters’ Day, the group wakes to a bright but still snow-laden morning. Ring gets an early morning visit from a panicked Derrn with bad news about the Porters. Skelly is asked to do the exact wrong/right thing. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/)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 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 265 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Thirty-Nine of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 26:12

This episode carries content warnings for descriptions of blood and medical treatment. Crossroads offers to get Ash some gloves and spars verbally with Melvir. Ring sings a working song as the porters clean up from the party. Yara and Moss wonder if they should have said more. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/) 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 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 264 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Thirty-Eight of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 31:24

This episode carries content warnings for labor exploitation of minors, prophetic dreams, and recollection of severe childhood injuries. Crossroads relays its vision of Aldo’s recruitment of the young porters. With a list of delivery locations provided by Kess, Yara, and Moss, the Strange Friends choose where to go next and begin planning a score. Ring struggles again with parenting. Ash speaks with a familiar visitor during a dream and comes away with some keepsakes. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/) 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 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 263 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Thirty-Seven of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 35:55

This episode carries content warnings for labor exploitation of minors and arcane visions. The players decide on a new crew upgrade (it’d only been sitting there for 3 months). Ring and the other Strange Friends convince reticent young porters to spill the beans about some off-the-books work they’ve been doing for someone already well-known to the crew. Crossroads catches another glimpse of a distant moment. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/) 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 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 262 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Thirty-Six of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 31:08

This episode carries content warnings for arcane visions/disassociation. Crossroads takes flight again. Ash has a brief vision of a map and a symbol. Ring recaps the last week and their misadventures, then the crew realizes that they’re being watched by a young Porter who knows more than they’ve let on. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/) 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 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 261 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Thirty-Five of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 45:23

This episode carries content warnings for arcane visions/disassociation. Crossroads takes flight again. Ash has a brief vision of a map and a symbol. Ring recaps the last week and their misadventures, then the crew realizes that they’re being watched by a young Porter who knows more than they’ve let on. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/) 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 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 260 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Thirty-Four of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 34:55

This episode carries content warnings for recovery from physical injury, memories of childhood trauma, and food anxiety. The Strange Friends try to make merry as best they can. Ash is feeling partially but not all the way better after the day’s ambush and her vision. Melvir asks Skelly about her childhood. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. 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). Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/) 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 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

 Episode 259 of Speculate!–Blades in the Dark–Part Thirty-Three of The Case of the Cindered Seal! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 37:03

This episode carries a content warning for traumatic associations with fictional holidays and trauma about food/eating. The Strange Friends find themselves in the very odd situation of being totally safe and surrounded by friendly faces as Porters’ Day celebrations begin in earnest, but some find it hard to truly relax. The group tries to explain themselves to their hosts. Skelly and Ring struggle with bad memories from Porters’ Days past. “The Case of the Cindered Seal” is a joint production with Greg’s Twitch channel, playing Blades in the Dark by John Harper. Brandon O’Brien GMs for the crew of Valerie Valdes, Iori Kusano, Jeoi Gawain Lin, and our own Michael R. Underwood. Featuring a unique “Fugitives” crew sheet created by Brandon! (Available at https://therisingtithes.itch.io/) 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 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 other series “Splendour and Shadow” (playing Rebel Crown by Michael Dunn-O’Conner), at Youtube.com/ArvanEleron and catch new episodes live at Twitch.tv/ArvanEleron\ This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso – find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso – and thanks as always for listening!

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