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[PUBLIC EPISODE] The Wizard, the Witch and the Wild One: ep041 "Peace and Quiet"

The spirit touches all things, but boots find sure footing on moss and stone. At long last, the long arm of empire legs it. The machine is repurposed. Love your mommy and listen to the mirror for once. The least you can do is ask. Finally, after such a long time in the wilderness, peace, and like a knife in the stomach, quiet. All hail the returning heroes. We're going home.

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We are

Brennan Lee Mulligan

Erika Ishii

Aabria Iyengar

Lou Wilson

Produced, designed, and scored by Taylor Moore  at Fortunate Horse with exquisite design and editing help from Jared Olson.

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Tazer Army, Shannon, and Amanda Freberg.

Album art by the great Corey Brickley

Comments

I’m finally catching up on these episodes and I NOW HAVE A PERSONAL SCORE TO SETTLE WITH THE ARCHMAGE SILENCE. I almost started sobbing at the end. It might be because I love frogs so damn much but still

Aberdeen Bowman

Sworn saying, “I need to go to bed but I can’t lay down,” is very relatable.

Matt

I fully support episode-long lunchtime walks. It’s brilliant.

Aviva

RIPbit So sorry. It had to be done.

Aviva

The post about the Citadel taking children was the one that stirred the most discussion. I explained that I didn’t like that turn in the story—I prefer more moral grey areas, and I also thought it was a poor decision in-universe. That’s where things escalated. Some people took my criticism as claiming Brennan and Co. had misled me, which wasn’t my intent, and I was told I was “wrong in a dumb way” for feeling that way. When I tried to clarify, I got responses along the lines of “keep your comments to yourself,” which made it feel like there wasn’t much room for discussion. I also don’t see my perspective as having a “pro-Citadel” slant—I just like exploring complex characters and worlds. The Citadel doesn't need defending because it isn’t real, and I don’t think not explicitly condemning it should be seen as a moral stance. That ties into the idea of the “real-world implications” of the Empire being frustrating. I don’t think engaging with a story in different ways necessarily reflects a deeper ideological position nor should levels of enjoyment be used as a litmus test for deciding if someone is the right kind of fan.

Agiddysea

Ah thanks for the clarification. In that case then yeah I'm not sure why people would call your takes bad faith. The only comment I've saw of yours that I could easily see people calling out was the one regarding claiming the citadels kidnapping of children pushes them towards more cardboard or simplistic villains. That one was rightfully addressed (and if I recalled, one of the ones you deleted.) Outside of that one, your other posts felt more align with a pro citadel slant. I've seen people disagree with it, but I don't get why people would call it bad faith. With that said, I'm also hoping you're not taking much of the criticism towards your posts as bad faith, as much of the posts I've seen have mostly disagree with your statements, not saying your trying to bring down the content creators. Though I could have missed those.

leotoffee

My comments were deleted by me, not the creators. I removed them because I felt they weren’t helping convey what I wanted and weren’t constructive to the discussion. There was censorship but only on my part. I get why it might look like there’s a connection, but that’s not the case. Just wanted to clear that up.

Agiddysea

While I can't fully speak on people calling out your posts as bad faith, I have notice that a few of your comments have been fully deleted, which is very rare to see on a Patreon (and has to be done by the owners of the Patreon themselves). As such, you might want to self reflect as to why some of your posts are being deleted, as that may also be a correlation towards why you're receiving some of the feedback.

leotoffee

I want to take a moment to respond to some of the comments about my approach to discussing the worldbuilding of the podcast. I find it frustrating that my engagement with the story is being framed as something concerning or disturbing simply because I don’t take the most obvious moral stance. I have never argued that the Empire or Citadel are good—I’ve simply pushed back against a simplistic reading of them as purely evil, especially when we’ve had limited information. That’s not apologist thinking; that’s just engaging critically with the narrative. I also think there’s a major difference between discussing how a fictional world is built and endorsing the real-world systems it may resemble. My thoughts on the podcast’s factions are not a reflection of my personal politics or ethics, and I don’t appreciate the insinuation that they are. Engaging with a story’s complexity does not mean excusing or sympathizing with real-life imperialism. Fiction invites analysis, and questioning how it constructs morality should not be treated as some kind of moral failing. Finally, I don’t think it’s fair to assume bad intent just because I’m not taking the same approach to the story as others. I engage with media in a way that challenges easy answers—not because I dislike the story, but because I care about it. If that doesn’t fit with the kind of discussion people want to have here, then maybe this isn’t the right space for me. But I don’t think it’s fair to reduce my perspective to something nefarious just because it doesn’t align with someone else’s conclusions.

Agiddysea

Did anyone else hear Taylor cackling from the back room when Brennan started counting the seconds Zero had been in Bracken?

Alex

Absolutely

I Want My Name To Be Spaghetti

Good, then I'm glad I missed it rather than them not being there at all.

Sil

I’ve also been suspicious of Steel from the jump. Even if Steel isn’t to blame for the deaths, I think bare minimum there’s more to Yoren(sp) and his relationship to Suvi’s parents than what Steel says. It seems too simple to demonize the scary blood-smelling shapeshifter. But this ep I also noticed that Steel never called Suvi by her true name, only Sky. Which now makes me suspicious of who Suvi might be talking to. How secure are these mirrors?

thebillmm

Brah, Episode 1 is completely different with this in mind. 2:17:15 Taro Speaks: "For all her foresight, Grandma Wren cannot see where all the secrets are kept." (Has Eursalon used Wavebreaker to Scry yet?!) It is a regular literary twist: the evil step-mother / the one that raises character not of blood betrays character. I hope it goes deeper. That feels simple, but it did have an outrageous upending effect. I want step-moms to have a different representation. I'll keep listening.

Stefanucci Mozzarella

I heard about mountain lions and bears in USA woods two weeks back, i swear the bush isn't nearly as scary here. It's the water and the grass that wants to kill you with it's jellyfish and it's bull ants

Sil

Can challenge great spirits… Will, Has, Continues to challenge great spirits as well. Rendering them inert…. That’s the thing about spirits though, the corporeal manifestation is one expression of it. There is a tie to the world that spirits have that wizards and mortals do not understand. There is story here … not to be seen … nature always finds a way … and the more intense humans off set it the more intense Nature’s counter measures. In Princess Mononoke, the Wolf Mother explains that the Spirits live in a balance. Humans defy that balance. That’s the troubling part. That’s what is so upsetting. The lack of willingness to coexist and respect the balance. Spirits I don’t believe are meant to reign supreme, but the Pilgrim of Night is an order of balance. Yes, I do think the Mages of the Citadel believe in Growth or Death and the black and white thinking of power acquisition and ultimately choose to construct a lie that the Spirits are an enemy. The last paragraph, which are you speaking to? Remember, there is The Empire And then The Citadel Each have objectives and I might be mistaken but the Citadel is an extension of the empire, I don’t believe the Head of the Empire…

Stefanucci Mozzarella

I'm reposting from reddit because I'm curious about the perspectives of folks here: in this episode, we meet a member of Prince Khemari Olfgang Saraz's retinue, Lady Irimin Telniket. I can't find where, but I recall another fan pointing out that the suffix of her name matches Suvirin Kedberiket. That seems intentional to me. In episode 16, Steel mentions the Crystal Lake of Ket, a location near the capital of Gaothmai whose wards were impacted by the changing of the celestial paths of Umora when Suvi was a child. I'm led to wonder if Kedberiket and Telniket could be toponymic surnames akin to a nisba indicating familial place of origin. If that were the case, then it suggests to me that Soft's ancestry could have roots in Gaothmai. I draw no concrete conclusions from this possibility, but I'm sharing it here mainly to bear that potential connection in mind as the story progresses. (I'm especially paying attention to what connections might be made with our mystery Gaoth shapeshifter Eioghorain looming on the horizon.)

bluebluebutton

I’m literally going to relisten to the whole thing for interactions between GMa Wren and Steel.

Stefanucci Mozzarella

Bravo. 👏

Stefanucci Mozzarella

yeah the amount of apologist talk and denial of blame for the mechanisms of Empire is a little disturbing to me. They are military run monarchy. They is plenty of nuance in the show that shows that people who are cogs in the system are morally complex and not necessarily evil. But in real life the forces of Imperialism (in this moment in history the United States) are the sources of brutal and unwavering violence towards civilian and soldier alike. The show’s themes reflect very real things even if it is fantasy. So trying to read good or feel sympathy for any sort of Imperial power irks me.

irisilmaril

I never got the impression that Steel and Wren actually knew each other that well, only that they had mutual respect for each other and, more importantly, Suvi's parents. Steel has made it pretty clear, imo, that her first love is the Citadel above all else. Wren is wise, but not omniscient, and we all know that Wizards are defined by their secrets.

Jacob Moore

Yes. Steel should know better by now than to tell Suvi, "Sit tight, I'm on my way."

Carrie Mook Bridgman

Imperial mages, not Citadel (like Morrow's bunch in Port Talon) in Carrow. Where Ghost turned up, and we don't know what happened afterward.

Carrie Mook Bridgman

Someone in the Discord mentioned that the watch pointing almost but not directly to Bracken implies the Imperial headquarters there has spirits bound--not in the city itself, but nearby.

Carrie Mook Bridgman

I only knew about hard cider from reading *Fantastic Mr. Fox* as a child. Discovered it as an adult in a pub famous for international beers. I hate beer and was glad to give it a try. I'm in love.

Carrie Mook Bridgman

Annabelle Cheddar, anyone?

Carrie Mook Bridgman

Ouch.

Carrie Mook Bridgman

Right back at you.

Carrie Mook Bridgman

She does show them the box/spider to get it to replay the Willow's speech for Eursulon. She tells them she literally can't explain it.

Carrie Mook Bridgman

Probably both.

Carrie Mook Bridgman

Hey, they've been throwing W3 references around D20 for a while.

Carrie Mook Bridgman

That could have been a long lunchtime walk.

Carrie Mook Bridgman

Thank you so much for the episode. Each one is a gift!

Nolf!

Have you thought of making a YouTube channel on WBN? I think yours certainly attract your crowd.

Stefanucci Mozzarella

I didn’t see this one but I strongly agree it’s on the table! That just flipped my world even though it was but a proposal! Great insight! It would give Suvi every excuse to rebel against the Citadel and claim her own path. … OK Jacob… I got something for you. what about Steel’ relationship with GrandMa Wren? Aren’t they strong advocates of each other? (I don’t necessarily recall instances of connection between them, just fond tones of appreciation. ) Doesn’t GMa Wren represent insight of the heart? It’s grandma wren that makes me doubt Steele is malicious. I’m not saying you’re wrong, if she did kill them it would have been for a good reason and Joren to use this knowledge to sabotage Suvi. I do agree that Steel is after Joren for something that is being kept secret.

Stefanucci Mozzarella

Amen.

Aviva

Hundo chill bear fox mushroom maple mushroom cookie? Pasta pasta! Hmmm? Rah! Gold star rainbow. Shooting star!

Aviva

To clarify, he can go fuck himself respectfully and lovingly? Or rather you told him to do so respectfully and lovingly? 😄

Aviva

They are one and the same. Ne’er have my loins been so girded.

Aviva

100% read that in Aabria’s voice.

Aviva

Careful. He’s old.

Aviva

Gird yer loins, kids. That arc art is a’comin!

Aviva

And then Brennan has the gall to be aghast at the Horner Corner!

Aviva

I don’t trust that the soldier’s recap is anywhere near the whole picture. It would be an enormous leap in our very limited understanding of wizards’ power over great spirits. If Tefmet has any inkling of true understanding about the Citadel’s powerful and near omnipresent awareness (and even hidden oversight), what does that mean re: the derrick? Was all of the time, effort, and resources in preparation for a backup plan assuming there would be a major rallying cry and pushback once it was known that a single archmage can go toe to toe with a Great Spirit? Or maybe they didn’t know if that was the case. Or perhaps this is a particularly potent pairing of one wizard’s narrow strength against one spirit’s power. Regardless of all that we don’t know, you’re absolutely right that the battle between Silence and the Great Bullfrog will be revelatory. There are massive implications at play, and undoubtedly this will be a catalyst for the MiB, the Coven, and their allies. Seems like we’re suddenly a lot closer to the arc’s terrifying preview art.

Aviva

I concur!

Cackle Cackle

He seems so fun and likable, but he’s got a worrisome talent for rending my heart.

Aviva

I propose that “OH NO, TAYLOR, YOU MADE ME YEARN,” become an official phrase of the fandom.

Aviva

Yeah, Arbor nailed it. (Hey, Arbor of the Apple Trees. I dig it.) The nonalcoholic version of cider is the superior form of apple juice, but still a subset thereof. No fermentation involved. Think I need to pick up some cider now. Even “unsweetened” it’s an absolute sugar bomb.

Aviva

HOLY SHIT! I imagined, like, a ponderosa or maybe a sugar pine cone. Not a legitimate weapon. TIL that even Australia’s pine trees are scary.🫣

Aviva

Man. It’s not practical, but I would upvote the shit out of your question!

Aviva

Big same. The fully expected more time there. I suppose that hinged largely on that successful check to navigate it. On the flip side, it was exceedingly validating and restorative for Eursalon, and made a strong impression on the soldiers. Brennan sure left the door open on future fallout from that impression.

Aviva

TLDR: when you’ve got hot takes expect spicy responses. Especially on a platform people pay for. Since you’re looking for feedback… I think if this was a public forum I would expect to read opinions like yours. The issue I take, and why I don’t engage with your comments, is because I expect that when I’m behind a paywall I will be engaging with fans of the creators not just the content. Often when I am scanning the comment section, your opinions read as disrespectful to the artists not just an analysis of the work or world. I’ve seen several of your comments deleted. In addition to those few remarks, I’ve also read a comment or two from you on Umora, the tension of war, and the socio-political landscape of the world that are concerning to me when I think about real-life applications of those ideals. You’ve got a great talent for dissecting story/world, but It’s not surprising to me that those opinions/critiques receive strong reactions.

Abigail W

also i love that steel is always playin tag with Suvi

yimyams

saw that the word quiet was in the title, immediately felt like a "before the storm" was coming

yimyams

Great episode!! Reminder for those only on Patreon that there is a fan run Discord server (named “Worlds Beyond Number”) where we get into deeper discussions about the shows

Finnley!

A tamori on the spectrum? War-time propaganda improvised on the fly? Politicians balancing formality and sincerity? Soldiers finding spirituality? Steel not realising she's slowing everyone down again? A spider in a spell book? LOVING IT ALL! >.< A.G.

Aussie Griffin

I think ocs is the first tamori we see cast a spell other then the spell they are he cast detect magic on eursulon and ame now I’m even more fascinated with tamori now

Nicholas Savage AKA Eursulon’s knight in training

I fully believe Brennan is Just Like That until I see some evidence to the contrary.

Dominic Corbin

The prince’s theme has real Steven universe vibes.

Shannon Giesige

She fuggin did that 😄

PhillyMoe

They went to Jared…

Stefanucci Mozzarella

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to psychoanalyze or sound patronizing.

Stefanucci Mozzarella

5 seconds into this and erika goes 'you're doing so good' twice in that gentle voice and I'm ded (putting myself in horny jail to repent but truly, thank you I needed that)

Riga

Hey I’d like you to know that I rarely agree with your comments about the show’s world building but I read them in full every time because they are well written and thought out. I think critique of the show should spark discourse and not dogpiling of any sort. I like your work and would like to continue reading it.

irisilmaril

The music for when the party rolled up to Brackin was so absolutely gorgeous, I could have lived in that piece forever, Taylor and Jared are madlads for that one, making me straight up emotional

Adarsh Nednur

I hope this doesn't sound too blunt (and sorry I wrote so much): Fundamentally, you're welcome to your opinions and critiques of the show, but my connection to the show isn't primarily intellectual; it's emotional. As such, hearing people critique the show—unless it's being actively harmful to people in some way that falls in a blind spot for me—doesn't actually enrich my experience of it at all. I really have no desire to engage in intellectual discourse about a thing that feels very personally meaningful to me. That's why I usually skip over overtly critical comments and don't engage with them. I would hope everyone who feels similarly would do the same thing. People accusing you of acting in bad faith shouldn't be doing that, and you should be allowed to critically discuss the show if you want. That being said, the group of people who pays $5 a month because the show means that much to us are probably never going to be particularly receptive to that discussion, and I think it's equally reasonable for us to want this to be a space where we can more or less uncritically enjoy the show, admire the work that goes into it, and share our niche jokes and theories with people who are as emotionally invested as we are. Obviously your contributions are still welcome here, but it's very normal to not want to be told that something you like is bad (I know you're not saying it's bad, but you know what I mean). So, if you share your criticisms with this audience specifically, it will always be an uphill battle for us to not get defensive, and I don't think that's necessarily a flaw on our part. To use a clumsy analogy, it's like going to a concert, having a borderline spiritual experience because it was so good, and then hearing someone say it was 3/5 as you walk out. They're allowed to think and say that, but if you wouldn't be annoyed or defensive as a result then you're a better person than I am.

Adarsh Nednur

Oh we have beer gardens too, I just liked yelling it in a German accent. ❤️

Cackle Cackle

non-alcoholic cider isn’t fermented it’s just pressed straight from the apple instead of adding water and sugar as the case with apple juice, but yeah. sorry i come from apple territory 😆

Arbor Hoff

Someone put a BOLO out for The Queen of Coin, STAT

Jordan Charles

“Be Quiet” was a dead giveaway for me

Jordan Charles

Imma need that Capt Castwain artwork

PhillyMoe

Thank you for explaining how non-alcoholic cider isn’t just apple juice. That always confused me

Jordan Charles

Can someone pls remind me who The Glass Coronet are??

Jordan Charles

I think it’s important to recognize that actual play is fundamentally different from a typical D&D game—it’s designed to be consumed as entertainment. While it's improvised, it still adheres to narrative structure, pacing, and audience engagement in ways that distinguish it from a casual home game. Improvisation, especially improv comedy, is critiqued and analyzed all the time. Brennan himself was an improv coach at UCB, where they explicitly teach narrative structure, the "game" of a scene, and how to respond effectively to your scene partners. Just because something is improvised doesn’t mean it’s beyond critique—it just means the criteria might be different. When critiquing actual play, we don’t need rigid storytelling "norms," but we can still analyze what works, what doesn’t, and why it resonates (or doesn't) with us. That’s how meaningful discussion about the art form moves forward.

Agiddysea

Yeahhh I’ve been brewing this one for a while as well. Steel’s dscription of her parents death and the ‘choice’ they made. Sounded like she gave them an ultimatum.

Jordan Charles

Sounded like the fireball to me

Jordan Charles

It points in the direction of any bound spirits nearby

Jordan Charles

Need to shout this out because all the comments mention Taylor... thank you Jared for all the work you contribute!

Sil

That must be close to the Fox's hollow before meeting Ame (why else would he be saying 'hey boss'? 😛)

Sil

In front of MY plum jam fritter?

Sil

Yea...I haven't been able to forget that either

Sil

Not sure if you'll have it where you live, but have you seen/ heard of rosella? It's a relative of hibiscus, and grows well where I live in the subtropics. I heard Plum jam fritter, daydreamed, and came to Rosella jam fritter. I'm gonna try Plum jam fritters, but I'm gonna make a Rosella batch as well.

Sil

Whilst fair (I am a Warlock main for daaayyys,) you don't have to be a Shifter to be Gaoth ;)

Sil

I can't forget the talk back for the "Sending" episode where he chastises himself with "... you nasty, nasty man," and now it's what I scream in the car sometimes when he is in fact said nasty man. 😂

Sil

Pretty sure that's Taylor, and he relishes our rage. Just a suspicion.

Sil

Sometimes when people critique actual play they forget it's improvised. Yes the DM plans but we don't know how much, so one player decision could destroy a plan we don't know existed and now it's even more improvised. This art form is as close to life as I think most other kinds of stories because it's not nearly as planned and the creators have to live in it. You can't really critique something made up on the spot for it's structure outside of Brennan for not writing enough before hand, and any player decision comes down to disagreeing with the people making moment to moment decisions. It's also a hard art form to critique because it's so new that there's no norms to really compare it to. You can say a book is bad because it doesn't follow the norms structure of books like it, which if you're trying to write a book you should be shooting for. A realism painting is bad if it doesn't accurately capture reality. An actual play show becomes "bad" when? If it doesn't feel like Critical Role? If it doesn't feel like a book or movie? You can not like certain creative choices, but I think critique is relative and I don't usually see people treating actual play like actual play. Most people (as far as I've seen) see actual play like TV shows, Movies, Or books and that's how they approach critique. That was longer than I expected, critique me like a Ted Talk cause that's where you've just been.

William Wright

Hey y’all I need words with whoever comes up with the titles because they can’t keep getting away with it

Ammar Khalid

I was looking for engagement on a substantive level, but instead, I got what feels like a philosophical pat on the head. Your response has a patronizing undertone—whether intentional or not—because it shifts the focus away from my critique and toward psychoanalyzing why I might feel unfulfilled by the lack of discussion. Rather than addressing the actual substance of my critique, it frames the issue as my expectations being the problem. On top of that, implying that my desire for discussion is rooted in a need for validation (“I am hearing you feel lonely”) is belittling. I’m not looking for personal reassurance—I just want to talk critically about storytelling. Instead, this reads like someone trying to sound wise while ultimately telling me to just get over it.

Agiddysea

Wowwwwwww. Hey can anyone remind me what the pocket watch does? I’m really bad at remembering items from one ep to another

Yarl

Are you wanting appreciation and discussion of your critique? I am hearing you feel lonely. You write a lot on this thread. There are people that reference your work and in-depth analysis. Do you want a critique about critique? People enjoy positive emotional state change. It’s a contribution. The simple funny comments get the attention; in the end of the day, it does fuel my life. I don’t ever recall a wild celebration of a critique. A simple connecting joke; Yup! Mind and analysis meets the minority in generating energy. A petition for Meaning and Significance lies within each critique. …maybe that’s more of a challenge. I hope you love what you write on here and let it stand in your heart if youre heading in a direction that advances consciousness. Sometimes what matters most is the quiet moment of self-reflection by someone checking your comments. Do you DM?

Stefanucci Mozzarella

Bro crafted the perfect spirit rival for Arch Mage Silence. Clutchy Dutchy. Poor Suvi is going to need to come to terms with what the Citadel represents. Like red flags in a long standing relationship. The inner tension for the characters here seems extremely well crafted. He took away any denial that Citadel = Bad for Spirits. This Forces Players to Make Decisions. Whoa. This is the type of tension I want to create at a table. Taking things away for player characters to understand what is at their core… *smokes pipe and looks into fire* hmmm…

Stefanucci Mozzarella

Can't tell if the sound effect dedicated to the enchanted amulet around Prince Kumari Saraz (spelling my B) neck implies something or is just taylor having an excuse for the sound effect :D

I Davis

I've really enjoyed Worlds Beyond Number, but I’ve found that discussing its storytelling in a critical way can be surprisingly difficult. In the past, times were I wanted to talk about aspects of an episode that didn’t quite land for me—while still appreciating the show overall—found myself immediately met with accusations of bad faith. There’s a real challenge in critiquing actual play because the parasocial connection to the cast makes even thoughtful criticism feel personal to some fans. I think if actual play is going to be taken seriously as an art form, there needs to be space for both praise and critique without it turning into a defense of the people involved.

Agiddysea

I'm glad our heroes didn't get re-re-re-traumatised in Halliker (sp?) Forest, but I'm a bit disappointed we didn't get to spend time in there, hope they get to go back under better circumstances.

Ylld

Omg does this mean that if Eursulon had followed his timepiece/compass he would have arrived in time to protect the Great Bullfrog??? Or does that only work for trapped spirits, not spirits in danger?

Ylld

On the other hand, when Erika said Ame was drinking the beer garden's non-alcoholic drink and Brennan said "Sure, there's some cider" that threw me for a loop until I remembered that USians have cider (non-alcoholic fermented apple juice) and hard cider (cider).

Ylld

Why strike for the throat rather than the shoulder? Hurts more.

TheloniousPunkyBrewster

Did now, thank you for the glorious reminder fireside friend. ♡

Kelsey Aeilts

The tower of the glove is the right hand of the business of the archmage’s sanctum. As a vessel for the hand, which enacts the will. Suvi must soon reckon with the role she is playing in the violence and erasure that are the Citadel’s chiefest weapons. It is beyond mere obliteration, it is a warping or erasure of meaning and form, and a material replacement. I wonder what could happen if one witch expended an eight level spell slot and caused an earthquake in Haverward. I’m just so darn curious

thmengle croopken

Oooh, did you pop this into their questions/ openform thing in their description? I hope this gets answered

Sil

"I swear to the King of f*cking Night, I will stop being so polite... get the f*ck out of my sight before I demolish you...I CAN STILL F*CKING SEE YOU, INK DEMON!"

Sil

"WHEN DID YOU BECOME A F*CKING EXPERT ON WHAT I CAN OR CANNOT DO, YOU F*CKING WEEPY WILLOW SH!TSACK!?"

Sil

My theory is that Eoighran is the reason for the white scarring across Steele's features

Sil

I'm already gonna listen, plz, these cliffhangers. 😭😭😭😭😭 But fr, Taylor, how does the cast influence how you end the episodes sound design? Is there anything in particular that inspires you?

Kelsey Aeilts

MAGIC AI. "NEXUS" by Harari. LETS GO.

M Dorsey

Okay but Ocs is giving big "Stand Clear of the Closing Doors" by Small Fools energy. Magical, otherworldly, complicated AI that was given a directive as it was brought to existence.

M Dorsey

Also, the piano in the background of the Prince's scene... is chilling, Taylor

Sil

Real quick, Ame mentions giant pine cones and all I can think of are bunya pine seed cones which are endemic to my country. When they fall, they can dent metal and knock you out (sometimes fatal) they're spiky af. I can just imagine Ame not caring and simply grabbing a really low hanging one 😅

Sil

Why the frog 😭😭😭

Blake Draut

I'm right with you bro. I've been thinking that since the end of arc 2

Blake Draut

God this would make me so sad

Zoop

Literally downloaded the patreon app on my ipad so i could type out exactly how seen this episode made me feel. I remember being so alone in 9th grade in catholic school in Lexington, KY when we invaded iraq. I felt like the only person in the world watching folks joke and celebrate as we pummeled a bunch of innocent people into the stone age. My whole school booed me and i had to hide in an empty classroom when i asked a speaker a pointed question about George Bush. Literally all my friends dove to get away from me. That last 5 minutes when you feel the air get sucked out of the room as the soldier celebrates what is obviously like…a world significant catastrophe with a great spirit getting murdered as seen from Eursulon and Ame’s perspective…its such a peculiar experience to someone who’s been on the left in this country for a long time. To be completely alone while everyone celebrates what to you is clearly an evil, world darkening event…I just wanted to shout out Brennan and the whole cast for that piece of story telling. I tell everyone i can about this because i think it’s the best story being told in all media right now, and it’s because of moments like this. I’m so invested to see how Ame and Eursulon are going to react to this with the ask that Suvi has to make and the revelation that the Empire is AT THE VERY LEAST ethnically cleansing the Gruineau…this is such an important story to tell and i’m so grateful that i’ve gotten to be a part of it almost from the beginning. Thank you all so so much!

Greg Capillo

I have also been thinking this. Suvi's parents were, clearly, not willing to blindly confirm to the Citadel's plans. Steel was probably activated to stamp out the dissent

Sarah Osgood

Oh my goodness, please not that. Would be an amazing twist, but please not that😳

The Wizard Sober

It occurs to me that Ghost can de-magic people and objects, that Ghost went missing in Carrow, that there's a Glass Coronet agent present in the biergarten, and that magical children are being kidnapped. Is it crazy to think the imperium might be using our sweet girl to disenchant/homogenize the greneaux children?

bluebluebutton

I've been harbouring this prediction for a while and I'm going to make it here for posterity, since this episode all but confirmed it for me: Steel wants to find Joren because he knows that Steel is actually the one who killed Suvi's parents.

Jacob Moore

Correct, the longer the machine of the Citadel/Empire is allowed to function the better the chance to produce wizards of Silence's caliber.

Agiddysea

Yet another reason why stalling for time is advantageous for the citadel.

Andrew Gribat

Excuse me? The official like makes it worse! I don’t trust this seal of approval shaped as a digital heart at all. 😂

The Wizard Sober

Not sure if anyone else has said it but I’m calling it here that the Empire’s overarching goal is to eventually get rid of all non-wizard magic users. Magic is a huge resource that is tightly under the empire’s control through the citadel and it existing as a form of power elsewhere would be considered a threat- hence the capture of the Granoe (sp??) the war with a country led by sorcerers, the capture of a great spirit, gramma wren always downplaying her amount of power until otherwise necessary, etc. I think it’s also why the forces of spirit/magic are amassing against the citadel- during the conclave they framed it as wizard hubris messing up the natural order of magic to take for themselves but what if the citadel knows they’re doing that? Wizards always have a plan

Domtext

I went back, it's episode #33 The Witness, and that's the last time we hear the Rain Road played in reverse, when Suvi runs the Identify spell and we get the truly glorious life cycle of the box and its creation 🤌✨

Ashley Teatum

Xero sure is a counter-spell.

Tiffany C

Big saaaaaaaaaame. 💖

Evelina Meiklejohn

It can't be a coincidence that that woman's last name "who helped Suvi to the mirror" has the same suffix as Suvi's, right?

Lauren

Just listened a third time and I may have overlooked it but I believe it hasn't been mentioned in the comments. If it has, my apologies. The lack of outro music gave me goosebumps every time. I am always kind of sad when an episode ends, but there was comfort, safety even, in that music. Even with a cliffhanger, the sound could shake me out of dread or awe slightly and prepare me for the real world, but this...it just keeps lingering. I'll be unsettled for two weeks, knowing Taylor robbed us of that safety😂

The Wizard Sober

https://discord.gg/KaT8Bnjb There's another link in one of the comments of the faq page atop the Patreon. It's quite active! But maybe you were aware of this one and are looking for another

The Wizard Sober

I'm going to second the call for a Discord to chat in. Patreon's comment system seems designed to discourage community-building. Official discord would be ideal, but a well-run fan discord would be good.

Matthew B

Did Suvi open the box back up for them to get information, or did she end up keeping it secret? I have to go back and re-listen to that witch con episode to remember... I figured that was the trip that got tripped.

Ashley Teatum

Oh my GOD why would you give me this new thing to worry about, is the rhyme a hitlist KEVIN WHY

Ashley Teatum

This makes the Citadel’s structure an ingenious system for the cultivation of magical power. Silence confronting the Great Bullfrog exemplifies the potential heights a Citadel-trained wizard can reach. And even if it was a one-off it still proves they're heading in the right direction and even if only one in hundreds or thousands of students possesses this level of power, the Citadel’s structure ensures that they are identified and elevated. This not only solidifies the Crown’s dominance but also positions the Citadel as a key player in the balance of power in Umura, challenging the supremacy of ancient powers.

Agiddysea

Adding into this, is every foray Suvi has going to end with Steel asking her to find a mirror to recap? Do other wizards have to check in to their moms when they do something rad? Never trusted Steel for a second, she absolutely knew more about the Naram stuff than she let on.

Ashley Teatum

Since ep one: never trusted her wanting to bring Suvi on a mission. Never trusted she was the only one who came back for her.

P. Cornielius

We do also have “beer gardens” here in the UK so it didn’t sound odd to me. It’s just an outside area of a pub.

Cressida Ford

While listening: My Intrigue and Drama brain wheels are spinning. Archmage + Prince would be an *excellent* match on both sides. All we need is Sky + Prince for a perfect love triangle

Jessie Harris

Also: BIERGART-EN (I don’t drink, but I wanted to yell it back at Aabria. ❤️)

Cackle Cackle

When we were in the forest with Eursulon, the music was just SOO Eursalon-y. So pure! It was absolutely gorgeous sound design throughout, but the forest was my favorite. I wish I could go stand in the woods and blend into a tree to only be seen by young people. OH NO, TAYLOR, YOU MADE ME YEARN. PS: Brennan I am satisfied that my inklings and sense of foreboding were correct however I am still mad at you. And I love you. It’s all very complex.

Cackle Cackle

Always after listening, I re-read the title and a little shiver goes down my spine. Sweep-jeebus.

William Hazelden

I’m telling youuuuuuuuu Steel has given me villain energy since Port Talon, bay-beeee! Girl has some skeletons.

Cackle Cackle

Huge shoutout to Taylor for ending the episode with “Quiet” in the title in Silence.

David Morales Boroff

Gods such a powerful episode, hilarious as well. Excited for what comes next!

Michael

Taylor I loved the music for the prince, I didn't know my goosebumps could get goosebumps

Shreyas Joshi

homie why you gotta do that WHAT WAS THE REASON BRENNAN

Antareeksh Deb

Hats off to Brennan, cause no matter how many Calamities or Crown of Candies I watch, he always finds a new way to bring the pain.

Pyrohydriscence

So Suvi won't be coming for money or a crown. She's coming to burn Silence's tower down. *chanting from Odysseus by Jorge Herrans plays in the background*

Sil

The battle between Silence and the Great Bullfrog implies that Archmages can challenge Great Spirits, suggesting that mortal magic has reached a level where it can counteract these beings. However, the way Silence neutralized the Bullfrog—seemingly by denying it the ability to express its power—reinforces the idea that Great Spirits struggle to fully exist within the Real. If they require an open channel to manifest their presence, then wizards capable of closing that channel effectively render them inert. This would justify the Man in Black’s hatred of the Citadel. Much like how Prometheus defied the gods by giving fire to mortals, the Citadel has produced wizards who can deny the divine-like power of Great Spirits. If the natural order dictates that these beings should reign supreme, then the Citadel’s existence represents a direct challenge to that order—one that certain entities would seek to destroy. Silence’s triumph, then, is not just a battle won but a revelation of a deeper truth: magic is the bridge between mortals and the Spirit. And for those who would see mortals remain beneath Spirits, that bridge must be burned.

Agiddysea

The further we go along and the more steel talks business the more it seems like she knows about and has supported the capture of great spirits especially with the war with the witches coming up on them. It makes me wonder what suvi could have done differently early on to get this info

BigMomma

Okay I NEED "the wizard of Oz" fanart on my desk by Monday

John Lancaster

I’ve known better than to underestimate a sleepy old man like Silence, and I’m absolutely devastated that my suspicions were warranted. How very dare you.

Maddie Moreland

Whoa, Sworn lulled me in and then I’m utterly gutted. Going to need to sit with this one for a while. Bravo, WBN team, bravo!

Sean Case

YES okay thank you I thought I was making it up but there was definitely a sound like a door opening and some footsteps, right?? Was someone else listening in on their conversation?

Kael McDonald

Suvi called it "what feels like safety isn't". Now it's just "me, you, and the spirits two"

Kevin Goodwin

He just wanted to tell them about Budweiser

Kevin Goodwin

I was so worried that Sworn was going to give away Bear while he was drunk...in an Imperial garrison, especially without Steel being there, is not the time to for folks to find out

Kevin Goodwin

So Sworn drinks? He’s not an addict, just a student who missed some exams while out partying? I got worried for a second when he asked Eursulon to drink and was then surprised at the scene that followed. It honestly is quite sad to think about though. The response to an alcohol problem being “loyalty to the citadel cause I don’t trust my own judgment” instead of trying to get sober. Ame, please deprogram this poor man!

The Wizard Sober

We all know JK Simmons is playing the Wizard Swole, right?

Karen Hainstock

and what if i lost my mind?? what then?

Lee

EAAAAAUUUUU

Liu

I can't believe the Archmage Silence is all about censorship. I wish Brennan used more subtext /s

Bor

Absolutely beautiful music and sound design this one.

Levi Dettling

not enough people talking about the captain who might be the hottest character I've ever heard described, need more info give me more info I'm smitten

Mark van Dijken

I feel that Suvi blushing at the Prince and him making it no big deal because he’s used to that reaction makes it ok that I’ll stammer and blush if I ever meet any of them.

Jo Carter

Is this covered by the Geneva Convention?

Jo Carter

I've listened 4 times already

Bo0gie

I'm glad they got through Haligur safely but I really wanted to know what unsafe looked like. Also, "Merlin that went to prison" is the best description ever.

Conor Steinke

I cannot believe Brennan would take one of the most pure-of-heart, cozy, lovely D&D stories I've ever heard in Twelve Brooks, and just turn that directly into the source of all despair and fear. I thought maybe someone would eat the fabled Twelve Brooks cheese as a callback, oh what simpler times

The Ok Heifertoad, the Great Bullfrog understudy

Hey so just like, you know, what the fuck??

Tyra

Does Izzy help Brennan coming up with NPC disruptions? Or does homeboy got it like that.

RionthLion

Oh no the citadel silenced another “threat” before the could parlay with it…I wonder how many times this happened in the many years of this war?

Dooby cooby

I’m so *emotion* right now. Like wtf you mean Silence silenced the great bullfrog. Did Steel know that was going to happen? It makes me question her credibility in arc 1 about Naram so much. Especially with the vagueness of yorren getting in the way of “what we are trying to do out there”. And will this count for Eursulons timepiece? Quest fever??? Lfg! (PS can someone send me a link to a fan run discord? I am buzzing every week and need to chat)

Rachel Douglas

Holy shit. The composition of this is amazing Taylor!

Justin Smith (Barbarossa Builds, LLC)

Is it a crime to end every episode on a cliffhanger so intense it violates several health codes?

One Punch Max

*screams into the silence*

H. Jean Garvey

A good composer knows when to back the music out and let the audience sit in the ominous silence. And Taylor is a damned good composer.

Brandon Brewer

How dare you leave me in SILENCE like that. My heart’s just a little guy.

Warlock Fulltime

Brennan, you’re suspended from storytelling. Creative privileges revoked until you learn how to handle hearts responsibly. Hope it was worth it buck-a-roo, think long n hard about what you’ve done 😤

ailovlovyuu

holy. shit. brennan! whaaaat! noooooo!

Ria Delva

yeah about that

irisilmaril

Taylor you menace!! Really nice touch at the end with the roar from the crowd mimicking the description of the Bullfrogs breath fading to nothing.

Jack Jones

Well put

lil guy

Love the moment of realization that they will absolutely let him go on counting forever if he doesn't pivot

lil guy

Oh you know it's bad when Dvorak doesn't play at the end of the episode and it's just Taylor talking

lil guy

Brennan what did you do to the Great Bullfrog... Brennan... Brennan...we just wanna talk, ok. we just wanna talk...

The Ok Heifertoad, the Great Bullfrog understudy

I thought I was hearing things, I skipped back to hear those single player violin(?) sounds, or maybe one of them was like a creepy door opening

Emily C

Thank you for providing a distraction for me today. Last week's executive orders have my career on the chopping block. Sending love.

Madison Brown

Aabria's "Wizard of Oz the prison" killed me. Right up there with Zac's "Shit the Clown" from MSN.

xatlern

The SILENCE at the end of that episode destroyed me. Things are getting even worse than before 😭

Erin R

OH NO

Ro Lara

Taylor, what is that music during Suvi and Steel's convo, it was so good and suspenseful

Amelia Morgana

i was going to do an immediate re-listen until the last 30 seconds absolutely decimated me (i almost said “knocked the wind out of me” and hurt my own feelings)

bails

Aww I just started that

Destiny Davis

BRENNAN

OneHappyChipmunk

With that "like a knife in the stomach, quiet" description, I was waiting for the shoe to drop the entire episode. I was not expecting said shoe to be less "US size 10" and more "Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe." Feeling a bit like the Witch of the East post-Dorothy. 💀 Excellently done, team, as always ❤️

Danielle St John

Beautiful words❤️

The Wizard Sparrow

I have never been so stunned by the end of an episode

Arthur

...is Rhuv recruiting? Asking for a friend

Prof_Bahamut

OMG…yes❤️

The Wizard Sparrow

Obviously, I should have read more of the messages before putting my statement down about the bullfrog. What the hell!!

The Wizard Sparrow

This arc does such a good job of capturing that "Band of Brothers" romantic-version-of-WWII vibe. Just guys marching across the countryside in hard times.

Brandon Carbaugh

One more thing where is the spider Suvi’s little friend? Is it in her spell book? Has it been there all along or did rasper do something to it?

The Wizard Sparrow

First off I just wanna say I totally want a plum jam fritter. I am a fan of jam and you can’t go wrong with a fritter so the two put together sound amazing.. at the end there did I get it right that the mighty bullfrog helped the citadel?? is this because of Ursulon? What a wonderful episode specially on a Wednesday in the middle of the week this show never ceases to amaze me. I just love it so much.

The Wizard Sparrow

*smacks hood of carriage" Eyy, I'm upholdin' my animistic pastoral folk traditions here!!!

Brandon Carbaugh

*this* is Suvi's best day, yeah? She's a war hero now, with Steel and the prince both praising her and her boyfriend is safe? Which means that Suvis worst day isn't that far off...

Adonis

Brennan bringing it back minutes later is somehow funniest. I love these people.

ChefJustinLane

He shalt ribbit no more : (

irisilmaril

What have you done?

ChosenOfAeterna

Holy shit!!!! Why does every episode end with me feeling like my heart just dropped to the floor??? If that meant what I think it meant, that is truly horrific and I want to burn that Citiadel to the ground!

Michelle Spurgeon

😱

Shelby Welby

Brennan and Lou playing chicken over the time-keeping cantrip tymori is unbelievably funny. Brennan losing and having to pivot to Ame is even funnier.

ChefJustinLane

Silencing the great bullfrog?...on MY cellular device?!?!?!?

Jade_Jerichooo

Somewhere in the world there is a village or city with a New York accent and that sparks joy.

Nathan Spring

You guys really got me with the Steel being angry fake out

Mehmet

Hi yes hello, 1. This was amazing and 2. Brennan what the FUCK

Kat

FUCK

Emily C

Thank you for another wonderful episode. Definitely worth the wait.

Haldon Lindstrom

"Do you have your herbs... and... spices?" "Yes, all eleven of them"

ChefJustinLane

Simply begging yall to release this music, I need to rock this every single day

Page Stauffer

"The Wizard of Oz" /dead This is why she is our queen.

Lilith Evenstar

Having reached the end of the episode, I am angry (in a fun way) with the title.

bluebluebutton

Also, great Lunar New Year present!

Daniel Wong

"We got 'em" I immediately knew who, and Brennan can gfhs (respectfully & lovingly, of course

I Want My Name To Be Spaghetti

addendum: haha, uh oh

robo

When Lou let Brennan count the seconds, what a beat. Y'all are a *gift.* 🩷🩷🩷

Snowbun

Every episode I fall more and more in love with this podcast! Stunning work everyone

Millie Carvell

Did not expect a mismag "reference" ;)

Daniel Wong

I've never felt so much chills run down my spine than when the royal score soared

Thibaud Pires

taylor assembled a damn orchestra!!! amazing ep

robo

Taylor really popped off with the sound and music this time, it gave me chills when the prince was announced and he's definitely done the research, as a cellist and classical musician I appreciate it SO much 🙏❤️💖

Haley Nicholson

Captian Castway is so hot! Erika is so so right! I love women....

Faye Core

Hell's yeah!!!

Glen Petrofski

The teaser was accurate

Raquel Albert

ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK WHEN?!?

Destiny Davis

Thank You to each and every person who helps craft our transport to this world! 💯😎🐻🦊🍄🍁🍄🍪🍝🍝🤔👹🌟🌈🌠

Ryan L.

Yay! 🌻🤙🍨🖖

Ryan L.

There are moments in the scoring here - a swell of strings that soars and opens up the landscape like a sunrise, while whispering something dangerous and unseen - that remind me of the late Barrington Pheloung’s gorgeous music for the first Broken Sword game and I really can’t think of a higher compliment.

Cressida Ford

So ready!

Justin Smith (Barbarossa Builds, LLC)

Witty excitement words!

Johnathan Arriola

Let's gooooo (on my lunchtime walk, perfect timing for the episode release)

Steve Cartwright

There has never been an episode title in all of media that i’ve trusted less… i can’t wait.

Alan

Much love yall! Thank you so much for all the energy yall brought to the garden. Made the experience of a lifetime to me and knowing all the friends and family of this space were up there supporting you warmed my souled. Love yall! And thank you Taylor and everyone else who help make this wonderful podcast !

OminousOwl

Literally finished Ep 8 of Outlaws and Obelisks when this posted

Tijay Arnie

Let's get this doozy started!

SvenTS


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