Rifts, lists and dice on sale!

Hi folks,

We’re coming to you a little early this week, but don’t worry – the newsletters will return to their usual 4pm-UK-timeslot next week!

Firstly, we’re excited to say that The Magnus Archives “The Entities” dice set goes on pre-sale at 4pm BST today – that’s about half an hour after this newsletter goes live! It was really great to see everyone’s excitement last week, especially for the incredible oversized D16 "entities" dice. As well as the early bird discount, we’re offering Patreon supporters and Kickstarter backers an extra £5 off their order, as a thank you for your support.

Simply enter the code AMG3Q4 at the checkout to save £5 on orders of The Magnus Archives - The Entities Limited Edition Dice Set or The Magnus Archives x Rusty Quill Gaming Dice Bundle. This code is exclusive for Patreons and Kickstarter backers only – please don’t share it elsewhere. Remember, the pre-order doesn’t open until 4pm BST – if the dice are still showing as ‘sold out’ just refresh the page or come back after a few minutes.

Next up, we have more exciting news from the RQ Network! What’s in the Rift, a brand-new science fiction actual play podcast from the creator behind Wireland Ranch, launched its first three episodes yesterday and we’re delighted to have them on board the Network! Six individuals receive mysterious invitations to a website called The Rift, which promises answers to life’s most profound questions. Follow along as they dive deeper into the website’s cryptic posts and find themselves on a journey to Orlando, Florida, to uncover the true nature of The Rift and its connection to their own mysterious pasts. We were really pleased that producer, Josh Burgess, was able to chat to us for our exclusive series of Patreon interviews to tell us a bit more about the show.

Tell us who you are and a bit about What’s in the Rift?

I'm Josh Burgess, and I produce What's in The Rift along with Joseph Rutledge. What's in The Rift is an actual play / audio drama hybrid centered on the story of six people drawn together by a mysterious website. Five of these individuals have been lured into engaging with this website by preying on their curiosity. One stumbles on it through pure happenstance. Though The Rift promised answers, only more questions arise. The only posts are long, seemingly random bits of data that make little sense to the users who struggle to interpret these messages in the comments.

This story begins when one user claims to have decoded a schematic from this junk data and built something from The Rift. They share this information with a group of folks they've grown close to on The Rift, and those five agree to travel to Florida to meet and figure out the meaning of this device. What they find is not what they were expecting. The more they interact, the less the world they thought they knew exists.

What got you into podcasting?

I'm a storyteller at heart. I'd spent too many years not engaging with that side of myself. So when I fell into podcasting, it fully took over.

I actually did not want to podcast. I actively discouraged the people I had been gaming with from attempting a podcast. I (rightly) let them know it would be a massive investment of time, money and effort. However, I decided to play along. The more we did this, the more I slowly became obsessed. Long hours spent writing increasingly more detailed plots, editing hours of table talk down into a consumable package, and then the next thing you know you're cramped up in your studio with every free moment like some kind of audio goblin. However, it's been incredibly rewarding. Our community is fantastic and I wouldn't change it for the world.

When my first show failed for unforeseeable issues with our cast, I took that experience and sought out everything I wanted that I didn't have the first time around. I asked the people I was closest with to join our cast, including my wife Yolandie Hamilton, my wife's sister Patty Hamilton and her partner Ryan Daylor, my childhood best friend Grayson Stamm, plus my good friend and only hold-over from our previous podcast, Summer Schlenker.

I had the kernel of a great story, what I knew was a good cast with phenomenal chemistry, but we needed something more.

I knew that sound design was important, and I was in love with what Joseph was doing on Wireland Ranch, so I sought him out and asked him if he'd like to be a part of our show. Surprisingly, he agreed. He got on very well with everyone at the table. The two of us worked together so well that we subsequently started Gas Station Drugs to produce both of our podcasts as well as identify and bring in more quality storytellers along the way.

What are you most proud about What's in The Rift?

We have a story that I feel is truly unique, and the mystery at the center isn't going to be something you'll figure out by episode 3 (or episode 9, for that matter). The cast are as much in the dark about where things are going as everyone else is, and there are moments of this first season that will absolutely melt your brain.

I also firmly believe that Joseph is one of the best in the industry at capturing emotion in his sound design. I can feel my blood pressure rising and the adrenaline leaking into my limbic system every time his score weaves into the story. As this story progresses, that score and sound design is going to yank you along on the same journey whether you like it or not, so strap in.

Find out more about What’s in the Rift on the Rusty Quill website and listen wherever you find podcasts. As always, if you enjoy the show, please consider leaving a rating or a review, as this is the best way to get word out about a new show.

Finally, this week on Cry Havoc things are going from bad to worse for our triumvirs. With an angry mob at their doorstep, an allegiance with Cleopatra in tatters and Charmian behind bars, there’s only one thing to think about: Lepidus’ birthday party! After this week’s episode, there’s only two left until the finale of the series. We’ve adored making our Roman Comedy – if you haven’t listened to it yet, there can’t be a better time to get up to date. As we said above, please do consider rating and reviewing the show if you’ve enjoyed it – and maybe recommend it to your friends and family for good measure!

Fridays bonus meanwhile we get to hear some more from the cast of Cry Havoc – this time, from some of our multi-talented, multi-role cast. Eagle-eared listeners may have heard some familiar voices pop up a few times throughout the show – now you can hear from the actors themselves, including Tom Crowley, Ryan Hopevere-Anderson and Lowri Ann Davies talk about their many minor parts!

Here is our full schedule for this week:

Monday 2nd October

MAG Dice Pre-Order Starts! (Public) (4pm BST)

Tuesday 3rd October

ROME 18 – Hit List (Patreon) (4pm BST)

Thursday 5th October

ROME 18 – Hit List (Public) (4pm BST)

Friday 6th October

KNIGHTS+ - Backstage: Meet the Multi-rolers (Patreon) (4pm BST)

Have a good week all!

The Rusty Quill team