Realis 09: Conference on Clouded Dokine 01

The Serene Atoll is now lit only by the fires spreading through its collapsing superstructure, the radiant blue of Realis-Itself blotted out by the chitinous hulls of the Imperial Empest’s cadaverous Grand Vessels, brought here by some fluke of fate, some surprise of syzygy, or, perhaps, some augurous echo of an event yet spied!.

Where to now, Nerveless Chancers? Another flight, another moon, another step in a journey towards…

Oh, you would like to know, wouldn’t you? I sense impatience among the listeners! Questions! Questions emerging on lips and in eyes, though I need not to read either to know them. Here, here! Listen to yourselves: “Oh, oh! Is our tour limited to these four moons, of the full thousand? What strings draw up from puppets’ back, and lead to which hands? Have we beheld the list entire of dramatis personae? What act is this? What scene!? What scene are we in!?”

Do not come unglued, listeners. Do not give in to that base urge—the aimless yearning for knowledge. Patience! Patience now, lest you come to regret your eagerness, as so many before who come undone by the awl of curiosity have learned to!

Apathy is asinine and passion powerful, yes. But desire is always dangerous. Ask any who have ventured into the Drift, realm of psychic hunger, of emotion-before-emotion. Or better: Ask those who have had the Drift—etheric land of unlatched longing, world of wish-and-want—venture into them!

So settle! And hear now of the troupe’s arrival onto Dokine, where city-states flutter on vast wings and where truth is lost in mists of gold.

Hosted by Austin Walker (@austinwalker on bluesky)

Featuring Art Martinez-Tebbel, Keith J Carberry and Ali Acampora

Produced by Ali Acampora

Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp)

Cover Art by by Oddesque

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.