Gran’s tale transitions between the immediate challenges faced by the characters and reoccurring themes of memory and story. Their train journey to Sevgorod, with its smoke-filled skies and grand desolate architecture, conveys the Empire’s might and underlying corruption.

As the train travels, the characters face a confined, claustrophobic atmosphere, confronting fears and histories. Elena’s personal crisis, intensified by the imminent danger to her home city, highlights her vulnerability amidst the larger conflict. 

Then, they encounter some surprise visitors...

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

Gran’s story continues, focusing now on the industrial city of Highmount, once just a military fort at the edge of the empire, where the air is thick with acrid smoke and the relentless clatter of machinery. This environment sharply contrasts their experiences in the continent now far beneath them, south of the Divide.

As they navigate the cobblestone streets, engaging in covert activities, the pervasive tension and secrecy of their quest in hostile territory come to the fore. Eluane’s disguise and interactions with the local populace reveal the burdens of past alliances and failed revolutions.

A rendezvous at a seemingly innocuous location for strategic discussions reveals diverse motivations and histories. Eluane’s tales come into focus in the context of present struggles, highlighting the cyclical nature of history.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

In the next episode of the Fall Tree, we explore the depths of a mostly forgotten and  now-abandoned city beneath the Great Divide. As Ayta, Eluane, and their companions journey through the eerie, timeless caverns, they encounter remnants of the now extinct Chatillian civilization, a place where the past is both a burden and a treasure.

Eluane’s recounting of history, particularly the legend of Aryn the first king of Chernaya, provides a backdrop for what has been, and what is to come... 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

In the next episode of the Fall Tree, the survivors’ journey takes them away from the remnants of the once-thriving kingdom of the Imari, now reduced to ruins. As Ayta, Eluane, and their companions traverse the desolate landscape known as the Waste, they encounter statues and relics, silent witnesses to a forgotten past. This desolate environment prompts reflections on memory and legacy, glory and decay.

Tensions within the group surface, particularly between Samah and Wallaj, as they all contend with the aftermath of their shattered world. The journey through the Waste is not just a physical traversal of a broken land but an emotional voyage through their pasts and the collective memory of their culture. As they seek sanctuary, the survivors’ internal struggles with hope, despair, and the search for meaning in an indifferent universe mirror their external quest for safety.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

Catastrophe unfolds as the City of Stars succumbs to chaos and destruction. Gran describes the harrowing moments she witnessed as Ashenti, once a beacon of peace and beauty, is engulfed in flames.

As the city burns, we face the emotional and psychological turmoil of the survivors, who grapple with feelings of loss, betrayal, and the collapse of their world. Fire serves as both destroyer and purifier as Eluane and others attempt to salvage remnants of their culture and history, focusing on the city’s library—a sanctuary of knowledge now threatened by the possibility of eternal forgetting.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

Season 2 begins with the next of Ayta’s prologues, describing a haunting scene from her childhood as the cosmic season turns towards Fall. A severe accident leaves her with a life-altering injury, impacting her physically and revealing the dynamics within her family. This incident sets the stage for an exploration of modern sensibilities clashing with ancient beliefs.

This marks the point at which Gran’s tale turns dark: she becomes embroiled in the revolution amidst the prophesied return of the Red Goddesses. Through her story, Gran aims to teach her granddaughter to be an Oyun, or in Ayta’s modern terms, “a witch.”

As Gran’s story unfolds in the second season, themes of fate, destiny, and the cyclical nature of life and death come to the fore, hinting at the dangerous path that lies ahead for the young, would-be Oyun.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

Some important announcements from James Curcio before we contine with our tale... 

We are happy to announce that the Tales From When I Had A Face illustrated novel B&W softcover edition is available on Amazon as of Nov 1. Over 100 illustrations in this dark modern fairytale. Pick up your copy for just $20. 

Modern Mythology podcast and site currently being reworked, stay tuned for a new podcast delving into the ins and outs of system and story, both within RPGs, and applying those same methods to fiction and other narrative creative work. (The archive of current ModernMythology.net articles will remain on Medium after the changeover occurs). 

More discussed within this brief podcast announcement episode. Stay tuned, season 2 of the Fallen Cycle Mythos fiction podcast will begin in about a week!

In the final episode of the Summer Tree (Season 1), Ayta and her companions arrive in Ashenti, a city of serene lakes and grand architecture, offering a stark contrast to their perilous journey. Beneath its tranquil surface lies a web of politics and power plays, hinting at the portentous events that await them.

Encounters with Samah and his “abdal” Wallaj reveal a delicate balance of loyalty and duty that defines the city. Meanwhile, mysterious celestial events—a missing star and an ominous comet—loom overhead, suggesting larger, cosmic forces at play. The anticipation builds towards a crucial meeting with the king, as the serene ambiance of Ashenti gives way to an approaching storm and the promise of worse to come.

We will be taking a break before we continue into Season 2: The Fall Tree.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

The penultimate episode of the Summer Tree (Season 1) propels Ayta and her companions across a vast desert aboard a windship, floating towards an uncertain destiny. As they traverse the sun-scorched wilderness, the whisper of prophecies and the weight of destiny loom large, setting a tone of both anticipation and dread. Eluane, ever the enigmatic guide, shares his musings about the cosmic and cyclic nature of their world.

Suddenly, they are subjected to a horrific attack, forcing the group to confront immediate physical dangers while still grappling with the symbolic implications of their quest. Then the portents that have been spoken of become all too real... 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

Gran recounts how Ayta, Elena, and Nyssa navigate New Babylon’s marketplace under Eluane's watchful eye. Worried about attracting attention after Elena’s recent misadventures, he leads them to an ornate tent where Prince Samah awaits, a figure of both youthful poise and heavy responsibility. This encounter has the potential to alter their destinies profoundly.

Within the tent, amidst exotic scents and distant music, a conversation unfolds, revealing the political and mystical intricacies of this world. Eluane discloses critical information about Elena’s actions and their potentially catastrophic consequences, raising the stakes. As Ayta and her new friends engage with Prince Samah, they must carefully navigate diplomacy and danger, questioning whether they can trust the prince to aid their escape or if his allegiance to tradition spells their doom.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS.