This episode carries content warnings for injury affecting motor skills, mention of gun violence, flesh eating creature, blood, creature feeding on corpse, knife use and stabbing, description of a bodily organ, and description of insects.

With a few days of overland travel behind them, the trio of Hazard, Lye Lychen, and the Cleaver Chine near the first landmark on their long journey west and north back towards Blackwick. From a high hill, they spot some smoke and light in the distance, and make their way towards the first landmark on their journey home. But before they get near, they first come face to face with a choice and a familiar threat.

This week on Sangfielle: Two Kinds of Quarry

The Almanac of the Heartland Rider

Places

The Residuum: A realm of vibrant color, where the things of the world go when their time in the material world fades away. A plane of death, but rendered in glorious light.

Facts and Figures

The Course: There is debate about the true nature of the Heartland's Truth, the power that turned Sangfielle into what it is today. But the Cleavers call it the Course. Part river, part lesson, part direction traveled. Entirely beyond the grasp of mortal minds.

Uno Riscano (he/him): The so-called "Count of Cards," this devil is the leader of one of the "six suits" that make up the Wrights of the Seventh Sun. Target of Hazard's ire due to an ill-handed card game.

Aterika'Kaal (it/its): An ambivalent and ancient spirit. Offers the sweet smell and sublime beauty of roses and the sturdy foundation of a root structure. In exchange: Feed it.

The Ravening Beast (it/its): A howl in the mind of Lye Lyken. A beast on the hunt. It haunts through the course of time, the shape of mind. An echo of a possible future?

Organizations

Wrights of the Seventh Sun: A secret society dedicated to the construction of Zevunzolia, whatever the cost. Their motivations are many: Some believe that the Devils ought to have continued climbing whent hey escaped hell, that this was not the paradise earned. Otherse believe that Zevunzolia is telos of telos, the end-cause of all end-causes, and thus will inevitably bring itself into being. And given that, to do anything but aid it is to risk exclusion from it, or worse.

The Toll Collectors: Made up of the devil Agdeline (she/her), drakkan Ettel (he/him), and human Larch (he/him), this trio once spent time mining in the hills of Blackwick. Recently, they've been spotted as bandits, hired thieves, and paid escorts—sometimes (strangely) holding down multiple jobs in multiple places at the same time. In any case, rumor has it that they fly a new banner now…

Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker)

Featuring Sylvi Clare (@sylvibullet), Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000), and Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry)

Produced by Ali Acampora (@ali_west)

Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp)

Text by Austin Walker

Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot)

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