The Once And Future Nerd

The Party is in for yet another of their many culture shocks as they make their way aboard Ren’s notorious Red Reaver (except for Regan of course). Billy questions his role in the group, and Arlene levels up the vital bardic skill “read the damn room.” Meanwhile, Bryce Riverfell proves far less cooperative than Ry’y lo-Th’yyt expected. And new pressures threaten the delicate agreement between Regan and Ren.

The script for this episode can be downloaded here.

The thrilling conclusion of this chapter will be released on June 17. We I’hope you’ll join us then!

If you enjoyed the (almost entirely improvised) performance of our pirate crew, you can see Night Captain perform live at the PIT Striker on June 28 (Tickets). If you enjoyed the complex and multi-layered sound production, you can thank Jared Paul for recording it and Oliver Morris for mixing it. Oliver produces his own horror-noir podcast called KANE AND FEELS: PARANORMAL INVESTIGATORS.

CONTENT NOTES for this episode, including an inevitable MAJOR SPOILER, below.

CONTENT NOTES:

• From 03:23-03:28 there are vomit noises.
• From 19:55-20:06 (Script Pg. 53) someone with a pre-modern vocabulary says “sex” where ‘gender’ would be more appropriate in a modern context.
• From 24:07-24:48 (Script Pg. 57), there is a depiction of a gruesome suicide, committed to avoid torture.

End of listed CONTENT NOTES.

CONTENT NOTE: This episode depicts a physically and emotionally abusive domestic situation from the beginning until the 4:15 timestamp. Please use your discretion in listening.

In Billy’s vision, the young man must contend with his father’s harmful expectations. Will he escape with his mind and soul intact?

Our next episode will be released on June 7. In the meantime, be sure to head over to our discussion forum to discuss all that’s transpired so far.

Some scheduling announcements for our upcoming episodes.

Book 2 Chapter 4 premieres on May 6, 2018. We’ll see you then!

Remember the song that Arlene sang to Gwen back in Chapter 6 and again in Chapter 9? We know at least some of you do, because you wrote in to tell us how much you loved it, and to ask whether it was available as a standalone track.

Well...it is now! We re-recorded it with a new arrangement and live instruments. Head over to onceandfuturenerd.bandcamp.com to purchase it for $1 (or more if you’d like to be very kind. Patreon subscribers, check your Patreon feed for a coupon code to save 50¢.)

And for today’s bonus content, we talked to the talented folks involved for insight into making the song.

Keep reading for full credits and attributions.

“The Singing Sister”

Copyright © 2015 by Gibian, Glass & Madera

Lyrics by Zach Glass & Christian T. Madera, based on a traditional folk song
Music by Anya Gibian

This version arranged, orchestrated, and produced by Tom Lee.

Recorded and Edited by Justin Tricarico at Studio 302, Queens College, Queens, NY.

Performed by:

Anya Gibian – Vocals

Emily P. Dana – Harp, Violin, Viola
Simona Donova – Flute
Zach Glass – Trumpet
Tom Lee – Percussion programming
Kelsey Sheldon – Cello

Mixed by Chris Montalbo of The Last Alliance.

Executive Produced by Zach Glass & Christian T. Madera

The Making-Of Featurette:

This episode is heavily inspired by Song Exploder, which we highly recommend.

Music used:

“Cruel Sister” by Pentangle (Amazon | iTunes | Google Play | Spotify)
Main Title Theme from HOUSE OF CARDS by Jeff Beal (Amazon | iTunes | Google Play | Spotify)

It’s the dramatic conclusion of Book 2, Chapter 1. At the Horse’s Head Inn, Arlene and Gwen Anna and Gayle reluctantly make plans regarding their newfound ward. In an ice cave in the south seas, Renault the “nice” necromancer meets a legendary warrior from an age nearly forgotten. And back near Freehold, a newly (and just barely) conscious Regan divulges what she saw in the western forest.

The script for this episode can be downloaded here.

We’ll be taking our customary micro-break between chapters, but release dates for Book 2, Chapter 2 – entitled “What Used To Be Enough” – will be announced shortly. In the meantime, though, we’ll be answering listener questions on air! Read this post for full details on how to submit a question.

CONTENT NOTES below:

CONTENT NOTES:

• From 09:47-10:38 (on script pg. 63), bodily mutilation is played for laughs.
• From 15:00-16:25 (on script pgs. 68-69), the extreme violence from the end of Book 1 is verbally recounted.
• From 23:18-23:25 (on script pg. 75), a character threatens suicide in a way that is flippant and obviously insincere, and is dismissed just as flippantly.

End of listed CONTENT NOTES.