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Friends at the Table

Friends at the Table
Friends at the Table
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551 episodes

  • Friends at the Table

    Marielda 10th Anniversary Soundtrack Vinyl Available to Pre-Order Now!

    25/06/2026 | 13 mins.
    For Semiotician Uklan Tel, the discovery of the object in the vaults of the New Archives was a gift he could scarcely have hoped for. The Holy City, walled and impenetrable, had fascinated him for so long. He'd pored over the Marieldan documents and artifacts that the Archives had collected over the years so many times that his name repeated in the access cards like a prayer . But here was something new - misfiled, overlooked - that had evaded his eye all this time. He was starting to take notes for a book.
    We could not be more excited to unveil the Marielda 10th Anniversary Vinyl Soundtrack edition in all its unfolding, kaleidoscopic color, and let you know that it is now available to preorder at lostincult.co.uk/marielda. A very limited number of signed copies still remain, to be followed by a second, unsigned run.

    This extra-special edition, which began in early ideas and sketches six long years ago, is based on concepts by Annie Johnston-Glick and illustrated by Elemei, and is created in collaboration with the British publisher and designworks Lost in Cult.
    The centerpiece, alongside the full Marielda soundtrack, is the "star book", an unfolding, layered diorama showing four scenes from that fateful High Sun Day, secured by a red ribbon.

    This object exists in-fiction and tells a story, discovered in the cavernous vaults of The New Archives by Semiotician Uklan Tel, and shipped (much to the chagrin of the Archives' Exceptional Loans division) to a friend in Velas. In addition to the vinyl and star book, contained inside are two enamel pins showing coinage of ancient Hieron, as well as five bone-white d6 dice emblazoned with the sigil of the second god to rule the holy city.

    Alongside Tel's covering letter, you can also find eight pieces of Marieldan paper ephemera: an undelivered postcard bought by a holidaymaker at a pleasure garden, a double-sided broadsheet of Marielda's newspaper "The Charioteer", and six other mysterious pieces from the City of First Light at a time of great change.

    Oh, and there's also a 7" vinyl with a plain red label, and we'll say no more on that for now.
    We've already been blown away by yesterday's response to this project from our Patrons, which has really helped demonstrate that there's an audience for physical media projects from Friends at the Table.
    It has been an absolute joy to return to this world in collaboration with such incredible artists and designers. Writing in character as gods, citizens, and tourists to the holy city (as well as people thousands of years later, trying to make sense of what they hold in their hands) has been a real treat and we are so excited to finally - finally! - get to share it with you.
  • Friends at the Table

    Perpetua 43: Escape the Rumbling Castle! 03

    19/06/2026 | 1h 43 mins.
    In a chamber of the Castle Eschatonica, filled with technology from another world, Veile, Caoimhe, Elena, and Brontë investigate the truth behind their mysterious gems (and the seemingly lost universes they were once connected to). Meanwhile, on the other side of the metaphysical fortress, Uncle Nicky, Jonathan, Antistrophe and their newly acquired Agonies encounter a brusque soldier from a war whose rules they can barely understand.
    This week on Perpetua: Escape the Rumbling Castle! 03
    Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.06]
    Celestial Echoes [CECH]
    Imago [CEIM]
    While I haven't played the Imago games myself, from what I've read, it's a game about the power and cost of the creative spirit. And also demons, maybe? In any case, the way that this Echo shows up in the Castle Eschatonica is the Agonies, a special set of NPCs you can acquire who can grant even non-spell casters the ability to cast a few key spells! 
    Melo (he/him)
    Traits: Relaxed, Friendly, Sleepy
    Status/Element: Slow/Air 
    Description: A living statue of a little knee high elephant man, smoking a pipe.
    Ability: Trumpet Toss  - 10 - Self - Instantaneous
    Melo wakes up and releases blasts of air from his trunk, sending you flying across the battlefield. You may immediately perform a free attack with a melee weapon you have equipped. This attack may target creatures that can only be targeted by ranged attacks. If you used a weapon belonging to the brawling or spear Category for this attack, it deals 5 extra damage. If you hit a flying target with this attack, you may force them to land immediately.


    Wan (he/him)
    Traits: Sickly, Curious, Hopeful
    Status/Element: Weak/Ice
    Description: A painting of a strange looking child in bed, under a blanket, covered in shadows.
    Ability: A Chill Air (attack) - 10 x T - Up to Three Targets - Instantaneous
    Wan coughs, and the temperature in the room drops low. The targets suffer【HR + 15】ice damage. Opportunity: Each target hit by this spell suffers Weak.


    Hezzi (they/them)
    Traits: Afraid, Tentative, Big
    Status/Element: (Shaken/Physical) 
    Description: A ghostly, one-eyed ogre who quietly plays their piano until someone approaches.
    Ability: Intimidating Presence (attack) - 5 x T - Up to Three Creatures - Instantaneous
    Hezzi shows themself in fully material form, strikes an aggressive pose, and roars, giving every target Shaken.


    Miss Mephitic (she/her) 
    Traits: Layered, Beautiful, Frightening
    Status/Element: (Poisoned/Poison)
    Description: A human-sized music box ballerina, from which vines, petals, and teeth emerge. Ability: Bloody Thorn (attack) - 20 - One Creature - Instantaneous
    Mephi's vines strike out at a target, doing 【HR + 15】poison damage and giving them the Poisoned status.


    Connie (she/they)
    Traits: Excitable, Mercurial, Confused
    Status/Element (Dazed/Bolt) 
    Description: A fuzzy television on a wheeled cart which continually changes channels, occasionally landing on young woman with frizzy, dirty blonde hair .
    Ability: Surprise Shock (attack) - 20 - One creature - Instantaneous
    Connie slams into your foe and electrifies them. The target suffers【HR + 25】bolt damage. Damage is doubled against a target who is Dazed


    Ira (he/him)
    Traits: Irritable, Small, Loyal
    Status/Element: Enraged / Fire
    Description: A ceramic pot with a little angry red devil cherub on it—and the impish being itself.
    Ability: Devil's Breath (attack) - 10 × T - Up to three creatures - Instantaneous
    Ira unleashes a blast of fiery breath at your foes. Each target hit by this spell suffers【HR + 15】fire damage. Opportunity: Each target hit by this spell suffers enraged.
    Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social)
    Featuring Ali Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Art Martinez-Tebbel (amtebbel.bsky.social), Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social),  Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart), Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (swandre3000.bsky.social)
    Produced by Ali Acampora
    Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp)
    Cover Art by Ben McEntee (https://linktr.ee/benmce.art)
    With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint
    This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.
  • Friends at the Table

    Perpetua 42: Escape the Rumbling Castle! 02

    29/05/2026 | 1h 26 mins.
    As the northern edge of the Castle Eschatonica grows closer, the adventurers within begin to sense a change in the dungeon around them. While the Celestial Echoes that make up the hallways and rooms of the castle were once neatly separated, now it seems that the people and places from the various past Perpetuan worlds have begun to overlap and interact. In search of information, Brontë, Veile, Elena, and Caoimhe seek help from an otherworldly machine. Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle, a gang of otherworldly beings seeks help from the trio of Antistrophe, Jonathan, and Uncle Nicky. 
    This Week on Perpetua: Escape the Rumbling Castle! 02
    Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.06]
    Some Feedback [Page 64 of 65]
    Doom_Tree_Anne 
    So, I HAVE to know… who is everyone's favorite Agony? Back in Imago 2: Ancestral Fault, I HATED Miss Mephitic, because I just thought compared to the other Agonies, she was a really boring design. Who cares about a bunch of vines!? But with the music box/ballerina re-design in this game… I think she might have jumped to the top of the list! I guess we have to wait and see if she keeps it going forward…
    TheUnforgivenIII
    My favorite is definitely Melo. That guy seems like he'd be cool to chill out with and listen to music with.
    Alukard83
    Wow, color me surprised Unforgiven! I thought you'd be an Ira guy, through and through. 
    TheUnforgivenIII
    Why the hell would I like that stupid little idiot baby?
    Alukard83
    Well, now I think it might be a bad idea to tell you why. As for my favorite, this is the first time I'm really meeting them, but I gotta say, I really love Connie. I love it when something references something else, you know? And she's sort of a walking (well, rolling) reference machine!
    TheDiamondRanger
    What's An Agony? The strategy guide says they're like equipable spells but it sounds like they're NPCS too!?
    CarlsSr
    You're such a Wan.
    Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social)
    Featuring Ali Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Art Martinez-Tebbel (amtebbel.bsky.social), Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social),  Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart), Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (swandre3000.bsky.social)
    Produced by Ali Acampora
    Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp)
    Cover Art by Ben McEntee (https://linktr.ee/benmce.art)
    With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint
    This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.
  • Friends at the Table

    Perpetua 41: Escape the Rumbling Castle! 01

    16/05/2026 | 1h 44 mins.
    In the depths of the Castle Eschatonica, the true beckonings called to the travelers of the Dragon Path. Led across the ether under divine shadow and holy light, to things that aren't, but which might yet be:
    New more peaceful lives. Freedom from obligation and duty. Different, more adventurous histories. A key to a door which itself beckons. The power to protect those they care for. Power for power's sake alone.
    With these behind them, the two groups re-emerge into the halls of the Castle. In the western wing, three figures push forward into the passageways of this transcendent fortress—Uncle Nicky, criminal turned chef; the terrapine Jonathan, inventor and—now—airship captain; and Antistrophe Landrace, the Ruinbringer, though he may not know it yet. 
    Meanwhile, to the east, an octet walks Eschatonica's twisting paths: Famed adventurer, and Jonathan's sister, Maebela; Veile Lyndelle, destined devotee of the Ennead; Elena Millefiori, Tesserae chanter and eager traveler; the youthful and curious Waylon of Spillaway Peaks; Renegade Hexcloak Caiomhe Wake; and finally, Brontë Adelvys, dissipated sixth scion of the First Line, along with his attendants, Efta and Zolfta
    Above them, watching with all nine eyes, is Gnova, once the God of Distant Color and Light, now the steward of this Castle. But they are not the only celestial being interested in Eschatonica. They saw Lucena's sunlight streamed across the ether towards their home. They watched as Caliginia's long shadow fell, finally, even here. Indeed, they dread how these gods now shake the diorama-like stability of Eschatonica, and how in doing so, they unknowingly have sent up a flare…
    Because she is coming, now. Indeed. She is almost here.
    This Week on Perpetua: Escape the Rumbling Castle! 01
    Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.06]
    NPCs & Monsters [PNMS]
    Thanks to TheUnforgivenIII for pushing me to include a little more info in the NPCs & Monsters section! Still not giving it all away, because my goal isn't to take away all the mystery! But you should check TU3's strategy guide (in progress) for more combat focused tips!
    Windborne Hawk
    Traits: Agile, Lightweight, Droning
    Type: Hunter Construct
    Level: 10
    Rank: Soldier
    Stats: DEX 10, INS 8, MIG 6, WLP 8 
    Attacks: Flechette Burst
    Special Abilities: Occult Dampener, Annoying Buzz, Flying
    Elemental Affinities: IMM: Poison | RES: Wind, Dark, Earth | VUL: Bolt, Ice, Light
    In-Game Description: A beautiful bird automaton that floats through the power of a dark wind.
    Despite being level 10 soldiers, these are one of the most dangerous enemies in the Castle Eschatonica. They are custom made to crush your casters (which according to DoomTreeAnne's lore document really lines up with their anti-Oracle purpose in Armidirge). Their Flechette Burst can tear through your party (especially characters without martial armor!!) and their Occult Dampener turn them into spell-devouring TANKS.  
    Starter Tip: Take. These. Down. Quick. Once their Dampener is up, they're that much harder to deal with.
    Windborne Turret
    Traits: Automatic, Threat-Finding, Defensive, Deployed
    Type: Hunter Construct
    Level: 10
    Rank: Soldier
    Stats: DEX 8, INS 10, MIG 8, WLP 6 
    Attacks: Repeating Fire
    Special Abilities: None
    Elemental Affinities: IMM: Poison | RES: Wind, Dark, Earth | VUL: Bolt, Light
    In-Game Description: A hovering, bronze-clad weapon that scans for (and eliminates) targets
    Extremely straightforward enemies. They float in place (but AREN'T Flying enemies) and take a really strong shot at you every other turn (and it doesn't seem like they do much in the way of supporting the rest of their side).  Exploit that to keep their total attack
    Starter Tip: Focus them down, one at a time.
    Windborne Flower
    Traits: Automatic, Defensive, Deployed
    Type: Support Construct
    Level: 10
    Rank: Soldier
    Stats: DEX 8, INS 8, MIG 8, WLP 8
    Attacks: Shadow Cast
    Special Abilities: Barrier of Wind, Flying
    Elemental Affinities: IMM: Poison | RES: Wind, Dark, Earth | VUL: Bolt, Fire, Light
    In-Game Description: Like a bronze flower, this device unfurls its petals and emits a shielding over its allies.
    These are the de facto "clerics" of these Windborne automata. Their Barrier of Wind is super annoying (though it should be recognizable if you're doing a support Elene build!). 
    Starter Tip: While they don't do a lot of damage, their Shadow Cast ability can leave your party dazed, so be careful!
    Eaja, Windborne Hawkmaster
    Traits: Fierce, Quick, Determined, Principled
    Type: Sentinel Humanoid
    Rank: Champion (3)
    Stats: DEX ??, INS ??, MIG ??, WLP ?? 
    Attacks: Unknown
    Special Abilities: Unknown
    Elemental Affinities: Unknown
    In-Game Description: A scout from the Windborne Church, one of the two major factions of Armidirge.
    Thankfully, you don't need to fight Eaja along with her automatons when you first bump into her, though if you're quick you can tackle her as an optional boss fight (which is really hard).
    Starter Tip: Leave her for later! Trust me.
    Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social)
    Featuring Ali Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Art Martinez-Tebbel (amtebbel.bsky.social), Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social),  Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart), Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (swandre3000.bsky.social)
    Produced by Ali Acampora
    Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp)
    Cover Art by Ben McEntee (https://linktr.ee/benmce.art)
    With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint
    This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.
  • Friends at the Table

    Perpetua 40: The Castle Eschatonica 08

    21/04/2026 | 1h 28 mins.
    At the highest point of the Castle Eschatonica, the crew of the Little Snail and Team ABC finally find some answers to their most desperate questions. And yet, many mysteries remain, perhaps most of all: How can they escape this castle and return to the paths from which they were pulled away? For that, the answer is simple: Walk on… and beware the True Beckonings.
     
    This week on Perpetua: The Castle Eschatonica 08
    Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.0599]
    Some Feedback [Page 59 of 60]
    Alukard83
    So does anyone know what happens if you don't resist the beckonings?
    TheUnforgivenIII
    That depends on which one it is, right? Don't you just get the thing?
    Alukard83
    But aren't some of them really big changes? Like sure, if you get the pet landshark, you just get the companion added to your sheet. But if Elena retires to takeover her family's bar, doesn't wouldn't that like, end the story for her?
    FriendOfNei
    Woah, I didn't get either of those options when I hit the True Beckonings chapter. What the heck! For me, Elena was offered the chance to build her own megadungeon, and there was nothing shark related for anyone (land or sea or otherwise). Anyone know what's going on here?I promise I'm not freaking out and leaving this time, I just really want to know what I missed!
    xXZelgadyskXx
    Maybe it's random? Has anyone tried loading up a save from before the Beckonings to see if it's always the same?
    TheUnforgivenIII
    I just tried and it SUCKS, it takes SO LONG. The only save point is before you meet Gnova so you have to wait through THAT WHOLE UNSKIPPABLE CUTSCENE and all that text before you get to even SEE the Beckonings again, and it was all the same for me anyway.
    Doom_Tree_Anne 
    Since the "True Beckonings" are meant to relate to what someone really desires deep down inside, maybe it's tied to how you've been playing? 
    TheDiamondRanger
    The official guide says it's just random, so it's probably just random, right?
    FriendOfNei
    Maybe… But sometimes those guides get stuff wrong. That's part of what made me want to do write my own FAQs to begin with. When I played the first Alteros game, the official guide said that you could only get the Ill Wings of Deadwind OR the Black Wings of Night, but not only was it totally possible to get both, you needed both to get the best epilogue.
    Which is really my question (and I'm not sure if I trust that the official guide knows the right answer, sorry Diamond): Do you think the game punishes you for following the beckonings with a worse ending, or do you think you can accept what they say on their face?
    Doom_Tree_Anne
    Hmm. Well, this is my own opinion, but I sort of think some of them are their own punishment, ya know? Like, it's the difference between you getting to write the walkthrough you wanted to see in the world vs just buying it ready made. Actually getting to write it is its own reward.
    CarlsSr
    Sounds like someone who can't afford the strategy guide lol
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About Friends at the Table
Friends at the Table is an actual play podcast about critical worldbuilding, smart characterization, and fun interaction between good friends. Find us (and a listener guide) @Friends_Table on Twitter.
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