Blackspire is an ongoing sci-fantasy epic told through the lens of a Dungeons & Dragons game and set in an original world of dark, baroque glory... Each episode of this Actual-Play Podcast was written, produced, and edited by Robert Randle and played by members of the Baltimore Role-Players Unite…
Robert Randle - GM, DM, Magician
TEASER #40: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Harvesting Gold: Part 7! Things haven't gotten any easier for the White Hydra Mercenaries as they continue to penetrate deeper into the Necropolis by making a series of increasingly more difficult decisions. Also enjoy the first appearance of the mysterious undead druid CURSE. Plus... G'eldatar's eerie familiar makes a reappearance this episode as well!
TEASER #39: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Deep in the Stacks: Part 2! Inspector Claerydia learns more than she ever bargained for from Mr. FINGERS concerning the mysterious realms of Feywild and the Shadowfell... as well as a few choice bits of intel concerning the ever-elusive Vorpal Order. Later, our steampunk gorgon inquisitor does some more digging on the kitsune clans, and learns a thing or two about Akihoshi's people (that makes total sense when you think about it)...
TEASER #38: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Deep in the Stacks: Part 1! Inspector Claerydia returns to the INFORMATION wing of the 1000 Eyes in an attempt to learn more about the mysterious realm of the Feywild, and in doing so makes a new contact... enter the eerie archivist Mr. FINGERS..!
TEASER #37: Please enjoy PART 2 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Harvesting Gold: Part 5 as well selections from Part 6! Seems like it didn't take long for the White Hydra Mercenary Company really starts to fall into their new role as Road Harvesters. Experience a side of the Necropolis you may not have expected... as well as a few other parts you definitely did..!
TEASER #36: Please enjoy PART 1 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Harvesting Gold: Part 5! Words can't do this one justice... Listen to these exciting excepts of the White Hydra Mercenaries attempt to cross through the infamous Gate of Blades! Later get introduced to the Necropolis the undead sector of the city of Blackspire, as well as the deadly house rules we'll be using to traverse this literal ghost town...
TEASER #35: Please enjoy PART 2 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Harvesting Gold: Part 4! Listen to an in-your-face introduction to the life of a Road Harvester... especially the deadly crossing through the infamous Gate of Blades. Plus..! Our "heroes" enter into negotiations with the steampunk hag charioteer "Piss-Pot" Peggy... Thank you for listening to Season One of the Blackspire RPG Campaign! For the foreseeable future the full Blackspire adventures will be available exclusively on our Patreon page. https://www.patreon.com/blackspire There you can listen to the additional material from Seasons Zero and One, hear the continuing adventures of the White Hydra Mercenary Company, and even listen to all the preparatory recordings that will go into the creation of the upcoming Season Two... including new BISHAMONTEN story lines, new Player Characters, and much more! We plan to take our time to create, record, edit, and finally produce a fully remastered and highly condensed Season Two, and we'd like to invite you to come alone on this journey with us. The only way you can hear the continuing saga (or really to just get the full Blackspire experience) is to listen to it all on Patreon! There you will not only see the bigger picture, but receive many opportunities to be a part of it... or even shape it! Please review our various rewards levels and consider backing us at a level you feel comfortable with. Click Here for more Campaign Resources Facebook Twitter Instagram Patreon *************************************************************** RESOURCES Welcome to the Blackspire RPG Campaign Actual-Play Podcast… a dark, baroque, postmodern love letter to Dungeons and Dragons. Blackspire is an ongoing sci-fantasy epic told through the lens of a Dungeons & Dragons game and set in an original world of dark, baroque glory! The episode was written, produced, and edited by Robert Randle and played by members of the Baltimore Role-Players Unite Weekly (or B.R.U.W. Crew for short). Comedian Jim Meyer played BISHAMONTEN as well as providing voice-over for our intros and outros . Be sure to check Jim’s website the Jim Meyer Experience.com for information concerning his upcoming appearances. All music and foley content used in this program has been made available for use under the Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License… but extra special thanks is due to Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech, David Fesliyan at FesliyanStudios.com, Jingle Punks, Audionautix, MK2, Silent Partner, the various talented composers at Media Right Productions, and the many inspired folks over at ZapSplat.com and Freesound.org. SOUND CREDITS This Blackspire RPG Campaign teaser features music from Halgrath off of the album The Whole Path of War and Acceptance (Your Soul is Just a Particle of Stars). Visit https://cryochamber.bandcamp.com/ for more dark ambient. Music (Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Kevin MacLeod at Incompetech Gnarled_Situation (Introduction) Darkness Speaks SFX (Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) MK2 Hero_Theme_Sting (Introduction) Media Right Productions: Max Surla Day_of_Recon_Sting (Introduction) ZapSplat nature_thunder_clap_close (Introduction) sound_design_lfe_airy_blowing_pipe_dark_big_reverb_scary_001_10634 (Introduction) Blastwave_FX_CarExplosionDebris_HV.132 sound_design_effect_electricity_electric_arc zapsplat_sound_design_cinematic_hit_thud_electric_20286 magic_wand_ascend_spell_beeps_12528 (Message) Justin Macleod Whoosh begins with dark sigh then synth wind gust with mettalic resonances and quiet tonal decay
TEASER #34: Please enjoy PART 1 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Harvesting Gold: Part 4! Our "heroes" get an overview of their options in beginning their new careers as Road Harvesters, as well as hints of some who might later hinder their success. Also, we discover how G'eldatar D'Vosh's alchemy skill will really start to pay off in the coming adventure... Also..! Enjoy a (almost too) detailed description of the steampunk night hag charioteer "Piss-Pot" Peggy...
TEASER #33: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Harvesting Gold: Part 3! Listen in horror to the White Hydra Mercenaries' terrible encounters with the Yellow Sign... as well as its devotees! Then, enjoy Blackspire gazetteer-style review of the limited entrances into the terrifying Necropolis, as well as the business of corpse-selling at the College of Necromancy (and also for Road Harvesters)... And finally, you simply cannot miss the first appearance of "Piss Pot" Peggy! Thank you for listening to Season One of the Blackspire RPG Campaign! For the foreseeable future the full Blackspire adventures will be available exclusively on our Patreon page. https://www.patreon.com/blackspire There you can listen to the additional material from Seasons Zero and One, hear the continuing adventures of the White Hydra Mercenary Company, and even listen to all the preparatory recordings that will go into the creation of the upcoming Season Two... including new BISHAMONTEN story lines, new Player Characters, and much more! We plan to take our time to create, record, edit, and finally produce a fully remastered and highly condensed Season Two, and we'd like to invite you to come alone on this journey with us. The only way you can hear the continuing saga (or really to just get the full Blackspire experience) is to listen to it all on Patreon! There you will not only see the bigger picture, but receive many opportunities to be a part of it... or even shape it! Please review our various rewards levels and consider backing us at a level you feel comfortable with. Click Here for more Campaign Resources Facebook Twitter Instagram Patreon *************************************************************** RESOURCES Welcome to the Blackspire RPG Campaign Actual-Play Podcast… a dark, baroque, postmodern love letter to Dungeons and Dragons. Blackspire is an ongoing sci-fantasy epic told through the lens of a Dungeons & Dragons game and set in an original world of dark, baroque glory! The episode was written, produced, and edited by Robert Randle and played by members of the Baltimore Role-Players Unite Weekly (or B.R.U.W. Crew for short). Comedian Jim Meyer played BISHAMONTEN as well as providing voice-over for our intros and outros . Be sure to check Jim’s website the Jim Meyer Experience.com for information concerning his upcoming appearances. All music and foley content used in this program has been made available for use under the Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License… but extra special thanks is due to Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech, David Fesliyan at FesliyanStudios.com, Jingle Punks, Audionautix, MK2, Silent Partner, the various talented composers at Media Right Productions, and the many inspired folks over at ZapSplat.com and Freesound.org. SOUND CREDITS This Blackspire RPG Campaign teaser features music from Flowers For Bodysnatchers off of the album Asylum Beyond (Ravenfield). Visit https://cryochamber.bandcamp.com/ for more dark ambient. Music (Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Kevin MacLeod at Incompetech Gnarled_Situation (Introduction) SFX (Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) MK2 Hero_Theme_Sting (Introduction) Media Right Productions: Max Surla Day_of_Recon_Sting (Introduction) ZapSplat nature_thunder_clap_close (Introduction) sound_design_lfe_airy_blowing_pipe_dark_big_reverb_scary_001_10634 (Introduction) zapsplat_household_iron_water_sizzle_steam_followed_by_steam_button_press_10623 sound_design_effect_electricity_electric_arc zapsplat_sound_design_cinematic_hit_thud_electric_20286 giovannitp horse-and-chariot-30-sec Orlando Lanzini whoosh_100
TEASER #32: Please enjoy PART 2 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Harvesting Gold: Part 2! This one is almost all Blackspire ecology lessons! Enjoy a brief briefing on the borders of the city of Blackspire... as well as many hints of what might lie beyond..! Plus "Jolly" Paul swaps words with Yellow Sign cultist Zamiel the Wise, and later Stormtooth risks ticking off Jakob Tallow..!
TEASER #31: Please enjoy PART 1 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Harvesting Gold: Part 2! Listen as Axxitonis, called "Stormtooth" visits the clock tower of his mentor the black dragon vampire necromancer Kviscero, called "Darksoul" for an enlightening discussion on demiplanes (as well as the nature of Time itself)...
TEASER #30: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Harvesting Gold: Part 1! Listen to St. Jezebel experience the what Golemoro is like when he starts getting serious... Then enjoy a debriefing on the real skinny of why there are Road Harvesters in the first place, and later the Crimson Shadow and Countess St. Lovebane both have important quests for "Jolly" Paul..!
TEASER #29: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: A Perfect Lunch: Part 2! Listen to Inspector Claerydia (in the course of her Feywild inquiries) attempt to overcome the red tape bureaucracy of the INFORMATION department of the 1000 Eyes... and begins to uncover clues about the mysterious and elusive Vorpal Order..! Also enjoy a brief Blackspire ecology lesson on the nature of ravens in the city. The "Mystery of the Missing Moon Elf" story-line continues..!
TEASER #28: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: A Perfect Lunch: Part 1! Join Inspector Claerydia and the sorceress Akihoshi as they drop in on the master kaiseki chef Udunaba's restaurant "The Golden Asp" (along Window Hook Row in Jade Town) for a little light lunch... and a little heavy gossip. The "Mystery of the Missing Moon Elf" story-line continues to unfold..!
TEASER #27: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episodes: Forging Fellowships: Parts 1 & 2! The "Mystery of the Missing Moon Elf" story-line starts to get back on track (sort of) as Inspector Claerydia and Akihoshi actually meet for the first time at the Chapel of the Machine God, and begin to study that cult's eerily fascinating religious "book" together. Later they will lend their outlooks as "organic machines" to the key question at the center of that faith: "What is my Primary Function"?
TEASER #26: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episodes: Grave Responsibilities: Parts 1 & 2! Even as BISHAMONTEN attempts to unpack his experiences at the Cult of the Machine God, he is faced with an even more troubling revelation...
TEASER #25: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Revelations at the Cult of the Machine God: Part 2! The bizarre steampunk techno-magical inner sanctum of the Machine God religion is on full display. Words won't help you here, only listening could give you any sense for what the full Patreon supporter fully enjoys...
TEASER #24: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Revelations at the Cult of the Machine God: Part 1! In this episode, BISHAMONTEN decides that if he must attend that eerie cult's mysterious religious service, he plans to do so in style...
TEASER #23: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Has Anyone Seen Brother Zao: Part 2! The "Mystery of the Missing Moon Elf" story-line continues to take shape as Akihoshi comes on the scene... and meets L'il Kippa!
TEASER #22: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episodes: Limping Home Victorious as well as the raw cut of the first actual-play episode of Season 2! The "Mystery of the Missing Moon Elf" story-line begins to truly take shape!
TEASER #21: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: The Temple of Changes. Hear St. Jezebel attempt to put the fractured pieces of her mind back together after having seen the Yellow Sign. Plus: we finally get that Blackspire ecology lesson on Razorvine..!
TEASER #20: Please enjoy PART 2 some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episodes: The High Cost of Trading Favors: Parts 1 & 2. The temptations keep on coming as Jolly Paul's negations with Countess St. Lovebane conclude! Plus: find out just what a "Road Harvester" does during the month of Necrodious...
TEASER #19: Please enjoy PART 1 some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episodes: The High Cost of Trading Favors: Parts 1 & 2. Get introduced to the infamous Countess St. Lovebane and the eerie members of her court as Jolly Paul learns the nature of the favor he now owes to the Crimson Shadow! Plus: find out just what the mysterious Vorpal Order is...
TEASER #18: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episodes: Claerydia's Special Assignment and Salutations at the Cult of the Machine God. Hear just a hint of what only the most dedicated Blackspire listener could hope to understand... as the secret inner workings of the Three Guilds of Fleshcraft are on full display in these exclusive episodes! Plus: hear a roster of the most common mechanical insect creatures that are at the disposal of the agents of the three Guilds of Silence, Secrets, and Justice.
TEASER #17: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: A Day in the Life of Claerydia. One very special day perhaps, but get a unique insight into the life of the Steampunk gorgon Inspector Claerydia... both known and unknown... What begins as a routine day takes a turn into anything but... Plus: hear just a smidgen of the latest Jade Town gossip over breakfast with master chef Udunaba!
TEASER #16: Please enjoy PART 3 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episodes: Gone Fishin': Parts 1 - 4. The White Hydra Mercenaries seek out the assistance of the Crimson Shadow to aid them with either retrieving the imprisoned Solina or replacing the missing Sacred Invoice that's still on her person... Plus: listen to Jolly Paul ask the vampire assassin a seemingly simple question that will undoubtedly have vastly wider implications for the whole of the Season Two story-line to come..!
TEASER #15: Please enjoy PART 2 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episodes: Gone Fishin': Parts 1 - 4. The White Hydra Mercenaries find themselves trading more and more of their leverage away in exchange for the hope of collecting any reward at all from their mission. Will the final price prove itself to be too high..? Plus: enjoy a brief Blackspire ecology lesson on the nature of Golden Ice, the mysterious crystalline substance formed from the blood and tears of very special gargoyles like St. Jezebel.
TEASER #14: Please enjoy PART 1 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episodes: Gone Fishin': Parts 1 - 4. After the epic assassination attempt of the beholder Count Zarathusa, the White Hydra Mercenaries scramble to keep their very lives... and still try to turn a profit in the bargain... Plus: enjoy a brief Blackspire ecology lesson on the nature of consciousness as it relates to petrification.
TEASER #13: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Akihoshi & Golemoro. Dig even deeper into the background and motivations of our kitsune sorceress (as well as her oracular father), as well as their familial crossover with Golemoro's household. Plus... learn where Akihoshi's actually been all during Season 1!
In the final installment of this classic Planescape adventure, our characters face a series of terrifying challenges, each more horrific than the last… all in the desperate hope that they might finally escape from the plane of Baator and perhaps even one day to find a portal that will eventually lead them back to their home world. But, how many more of their dwindling numbers will the Nine Hells ultimately claim before they even have a prayer of safely setting foot upon the streets of Sigil: the City of Doors…?
In the penultimate installment of this classic Planescape adventure, our characters set forth with the new knowledge that they have obtained concerning the method and means to finally facilitate their escape from the dreaded plane of Baator. But… will they be able to find their way safely along the river Styx, or will the horrific denizens of the Nine Hells prove to be their final undoing?
In the fifth installment of this classic Planescape adventure, our characters must traverse the hellish plane of Baator to find (and then barter for) the keys to their escape from the fabled Pillar of Skulls… though how could they ever hope to trust something actually comprised of the souls of dead sages who in life had lied for a living?
In the fourth installment of this classic Planescape adventure, our characters must wade through a river of blood… in this particular case: literally! And all on the blind hope that they will eventually be able to trade something of theirs for the information they need to escape the hellish plane of Baator… and that from a very dubious vendor indeed…
In the third installment of this classic Planescape adventure, our characters begin to take in the full scope of the truly terrifying obstacles that lie ahead of them… and yet, the challenges of this literal hellscape may pale in comparison to the challenges that face each man’s personal journey…
In the second installment of this classic Planescape adventure, our characters find themselves in the horrific plane of Baator… yet this bunch of clueless primes still somehow manages to bring the adversarial relationships of their home world right along with them… to the very Nine Hells themselves…
Red Moon Roleplaying in association with the Adventure Hook podcast proudly present a Blackspire Studios rendition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition classic Planescape adventure “To Baator & Back”… which we’ve humbly subtitled: “Hell is Other People”.
TEASER #12: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Akihoshi's Beliefs. Get introduced to the Twelve Sacred Animal Forms, as well as how her fox family may actually have some crossover with the wizard Golemoro! Plus: enjoy a brief Blackspire ecology lesson on Darkwood trees.
Teaser #11: Please enjoy some (juicy) excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Akihoshi's Background. Get introduced to the nine ranks of the kitsune kami, as well as the five Paths of the Druids!
TEASER #10: Please enjoy PART 3 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Akihoshi's Upbringing. Get introduced to the eight sacred cherry blossom trees!
TEASER #9: Please enjoy PART 2 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Akihoshi's Upbringing. Get introduced to the twelve kitsune clans!
TEASER #8: Please enjoy PART 1 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Akihoshi's Upbringing. Get introduced to the philosophy behind kitsune culture and decide for yourself whether you are more zenki or more nogitsune...
TEASER #7: Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Meet Akihoshi. You have no idea what a treat you are all in for...
Please enjoy PART 2 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: The Guild of Silence & the Troubled Cleft as well as from: Beholding Sacred Invoices.
Please enjoy PART 1 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: The Guild of Silence & the Troubled Cleft.
Please enjoy PART 2 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Reservations at Mynphauna's Reserve
Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: White Hydra Side Sessions: A Temple, a Theater & a College!
Please enjoy PART 1 of some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Reservations at Mynphauna's Reserve
Please enjoy some excerpts from the Patreon-exclusive episode: Season 2 - Character Backgrounds: Meet Claerydia!
Wherein our trusty shikigami ninja discovers more about the true nature of the city of Blackspire than the little kami dared to dream…
As the dust from his duel settles, our stone golem samurai begins to enjoy some of the first fruits of his labors...
Wherein our stone golem samurai learns the true price of the weapon that has been fashioned in his honor… and attempts to pay it…
Wherein our stone golem samurai learns the true price of the weapon that has been fashioned in his honor… and attempts to pay it…