Fractal Observation Institute

Character Introduction - John Beinson

Played by Sean Alexander

Meet the reclusive John Beinson. Alaskan native and avid outdoorsman, John had a fine life until his father passed. Unable to process his grief appropriately, he instead spiraled into alcohol and fighting. After nearly murdering a man, he cleans up his life and finds peace working a fire watch in Denali. Until one night, when he fell victim to something plainly not of this world.

Follow John on his journey from small-town hoodlum to head of security at the FOI in this very special episode.

A Stars Without Number / Cities Without Number Actual Play Podcast

New episodes coming 5/1/23

Character Introduction - Apollo Armstrong

Played by Jake Macklem

Meet the grandson of the stranded Neal Armstrong. Of course, he didn't start out as that. Jake Disselbach was a rookie cop with a loving fiancée and two adoring parents - Norma and Dean Disselbach. On the night before his birthday in 2008, Jake awoke in a room completely unfamiliar to him, in a life that was not his own.

Join us as we follow his struggles to understand what happened to him. Can Jake find a way to live as Apollo, and what does that life look like?

This episode examines Apollo's life up to the point of the founding of the Fractal Observation Institute, and serves as a primer on this player character.

Exposition! Come learn about the broad strokes of the alternate universe in which the Fractal Observation Institute takes place. This high level primer will get you acquainted with our setting. You don't have to start here, but it'll make a lot more sense if you do. Come on in, find out about the events that have caused this world to differ from the one you know, and get immersed in the lore of The Broken Earth.