This episode carries content warnings for imprisonment, gun violence, kidnapping, blindfolding, binding, blood, branding, and the cutting of skin.

Once a year, people gather across Sapodilla to celebrate the day, hundreds of years ago, that the Citadel of Callix, The Aquiline Marquis, was brought low and the doors to the city were thrown open, welcoming in refugees from the panic. It is called The Open Gates, and all day and night, music, meter, and meal fill the day and night with merriment. Held breaths are released, rivalries relaxed, and a common pride blossoms. A fitting occasion for a jail break, don't you think?

This week on Sangfielle: Hark! The Citadel Beneath Pt. 1

The Almanac of the Heartland Rider

Places

Sapodilla: One of, if not the, largest city inside of the walls of Concentus. Sapodilla rests on the western shore of the vast lake that takes up much of southeastern Sangfielle, and prizes itself as the rare hub of culture in the bloodfields. In recent years, the powerful witch hunting organization called the Glim Macula has grown in power there, owing to the city's focus on furthering "civilization."

Facts and Figures

William Blick (he/him): Head of the Macula's Honorguard, once a ceremonial unit with ties to the rituals of Sapodilla's liberation, now little more than a bunch of door-kicking bullies.

Felix Hollowfield (he/him): In many ways, brilliant inventor Felix Hollowfield is the reason for the recent surge in Glim Macula activity. Though the group has stalked the streets of Sapodilla for decades, it was Hollowfield's collection of tools that both allowed the Macula to face down truly powerful supernatural foes and put a deep and singular fear in the hearts of Sapodillans. His weapons reveal the hidden, nullify the mystical, and ground the transcendent. Where could he have found such ideas as these?

Alaway (varies): Last seen as the waxy, vampiric minister of Yellowfield, Regan, whose generations-long study of technology led him to dream of (and work towards creating) "The City of Lights," a place of flameless fire, energetic implements, and the safety and freedom to live as one wants. Disposed of, for now at least. But the dream yet lives.

Mabriella du Feza (she/her): Among the Glim Macula, it is said that Mabriella du Feza is an accomplished interrogator, brilliant scholar, and malicious commander. What goes unsaid, because it is not widely known, is her role as a 'liaison' from another, even more sinister organization.

Organizations

The Shape Knights: It took people with clear minds, great ingenuity, and implacable spirit to face down and defeat one of the living trains of Sangfielle. In the time since, they've crafted armor from their slain foe, and with that have come to be experts of all things train. They herd, they breach, they redirect. But they haven't yet killed a second.

Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker)

Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000)

Produced by Ali Acampora

Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp)

Text by Austin Walker

Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot)

A transcription is available for this episode here.

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