Fireside Chat for WWW ep12 "Prisoner's Dilemma"

The witch cackle...

Someone who listened to this Fireside is going to go attempt to crash a party or be somewhere they’re not supposed to and come away with a great story about how it absolutely did NOT work out 😂 I am such a shit liar I could never get away with it

Never realized how the Law & Order theme song is an insane banger

Some call breaking rules and/or lying to authority figures as "anarchist calisthenics" and I largely support it if you use your best judgment for safety

😭😭😭 not the law and order theme 😂😂😂😂

The fox is the Zac Oyama of this campaign (comedy sniper) good job Brenan

Glorious Mustard is a praise in calorum

This whole show is incredibly moving. Happy tears, sad tears, oh-shit and holy shit moments. For all the drama that takes place in this story, it is deeply comforting. ❤️

I've learned it's called a Hungarian Firedrill and I appreciate the knowledge, thank you 🤹

Steel is amazing.

This is so bad, but when I was in middle school I was helping my friend run away (she was getting abused by her parents so it was necessary) and I literally smuggled her into my house, gave her like rations and my allowance, and then sent her on her way. Eventually the cops come, and my parents ask me. I used all the authority of my little goodie two shoes self and said “no, idk where she went, we just wanted to continue talking after her stop so she got off on my stop.” Within a few hours everything did come out and my mom was initially pissed but then saw the intent behind it and I learned the lesson of involving grown ups when a child is being abused, but I ultimately got away with lying to the cops because my mom was like “no I trust my daughter.”

I just bought beans without even looking at the art of the next episode I would be listening to

I have gotten away with so much shit by just carrying myself like im supposed to be there

In the magical justice system, the people are represented by ...

Very unfair for yall to make me feel things during the talk back episode, regarding naram sending the blood out to protect him and it coming full circle like damn

Brennan is usually very wise but just a heads up you should absolutely start CPR ASAP, if you wait for the paramedics the chance of survival plummets from very low to basically none. That said I am neither a US citizen or a witch lawyer so this doesn’t constitute legal advice :-D

the ending song had me cracking up

I'm currently relistening to everything, and really want have a witch lawyers one shot/side quest 😁😁😁🧹🧙🧹🧙🧹🧙

I have never identified with Brennan less than him considering his story unusual for a group project. I always did the entire project. That was just life. I hated group projects. It weirds me out when my students choose group work.

It's so hard not to go for the good story.

"Tell the police nothing. Tell the paramedics EVERYTHING."

My sister has a story of using confidence/flirting to get past security to go in to see her mom in the hospital at the height of covid. She even went so far as to buy scrubs and a clipboard. She also used a hard hat and a walkie talkie to go to an "off bounds" area while rock hounding because the corporation used the off bounds area to find stones for their jewelry. Confidence plays a huge part in getting passed people.

As soon as Brennan asked who we kill in FMK, it had to be Findley. Truth has been spoken.

Have to agree with Erika on this one. Urban decay is A+++

Sleepy Brennan is hilarious if it wasnt so bad for your health Id totally want a recording after staying up for over 48 hours again

Is Lou just making sounds in the back of this episode?

The end credit music really got me boppin this time

I would buy an Eurselon plushie AND a fox plushie as soon as they were released!

It is always super powerful for me to listen to these chats and hear folks chatting, but especially for these last few episodes because Steel is an adult that made me want to never have children and to fuck everything up forever, and the gentling effect of distance is good because I love listening to this story and making things along to it so so much! Clarification: Steel is a caring adult in an uncaring society - the sort of person who doesn't do bad things, but who also is inherently untrustworthy. Childhood landed a bit heavy. We're working with it.

I have a VERY similar story to Brennan’s in that I went on a trip to Ireland and convinced all the other Americans I was indeed from Ireland and grew up there. And that this was my first time back since I was a child. (I was like 15… still a child) I was successful in convincing almost everyone. For what reason? There was none

I just wanna point out, if you have a clip board, you can walk into just about any restaurant kitchen in the country (USA). And you wouldn’t be questioned.

This episode doesn’t seem to be available on the RSS feed anymore? I’m not sure if it’s a problem with Overcast specifically or what might be going on, but so far it’s only episode 12 that’s having trouble.

I needed this fireside chat! The episode was fun, funny, entertaining, and simultaneously deeply emotional and analogous to my current personal roller coaster. Distinct parts of me resonate with Aabria, Erika and Lou, and I'm always grateful for my 'Brennans' who catalyze and celebrate my ability to be my most authentic self. I thought my Dropout subscription was the best, but truly this Patreon is keeping me going ❤️

After Brennan said "Is FURIOUS that we're playing DnD" I opened the app to like that sentence. Then remembered that's not a thing you can do.

You definitely owe them $100. Maybe, to a charity for birding…

You all have blown my world open with the your imaginative storytelling. Glorious mustard, indeed

glorioius mustard brings to mind only perfect bacon

I love hearing about Erika's adventures with Taliesin. Why was Brennan parking cars as a 12 year old? Why didn't Brennan try to get paid for his solo group project? And it was depressing.

EDIT: I am a lawyer but not your lawyer Cops do need to mirandize you but only if you are subject to a custodial interrogation - so most of the time they just claim (and judges agree) that you aren’t in custody. The recent SCOTUS case was about there not being a civil remedy - so you can’t sue for them not mirandizing you. The point stands: we don’t talk to the cops! (But also if you do, don’t give them false info because they can charge you for that)

Similar to Brennan's "funny" college story, "Ame's boat adventure" feels just as tragic as it is funny. It really personifies the theme about how witches walk both worlds yet are not truly a part of either. Ame rushes off from Suvi, her human companion, to follow quest fever with her Honoured Friend, Eursulon. Yet even after rushing away from Suvi, who kinda embodies empire and humanity, Ame finds herself unable to follow Eursulon because he goes a way only a spirit could. She finds herself stuck in a hilariously awkward, yet unbeknowingly tragic and dangerous, position. Suvi is left within her Empire walls, Eursulon is deep beneath the waves with his spirit brother Naram(?), but Ame is left with a stolen boat and a stolen cloak (and of course the fox too)

Props to Taylor his audio engineering slaps. Keep up the good work.

The fact that Taylor made the witches law and order theme at the end killed me, sooo funny. Adore you all

Both the podcast and the fireside chats have become such a safe space for me. Thank you, you magical humans.

Did anyone catch the first word in Aabria's "???? loves a dead mall" remark?

I don't know if we have a leg to stand on questioning the breath control game of an ocean spirit.

Wow that theme just keeps on going doesn't it?

Forgive me if I’ve missed this, but are the three of them still level 1 characters?

TPK’d by Steel 💀😂

Nigels guitar rift at the end is insane. He’s so talented

I am both the “do all the work for the project” friend, and the “has 37,000 markers” and “likes to make things pretty” person in all group projects.

Thalinios Rigel can smack the fuck out of some guitar strings jeez

L M A O "I have two modes: sincere and pretending to be a made-up person" is so real, think i dont have to go to therapy any more this says it all

Can’t wait for our friend Lou to get on a fireside chat and talk about his perspective of the events with Naraum.

1989 (Taylor’s Version) October 27th!

I love that the end of this fireside chat implies that Thelonius Rigel is a being that only speaks in instrumental musics

I'll be taking a break from the Patreon for the next little while ($) but I'll be back! Just wanted to thank you for the work you do and the world you have created, I'm having so much fun listening and I am excited to follow this story wherever it leads. Thank you for sharing this creation with us :) <3

I love these fireside episodes so much ❤️

Incredible composition at the end

Y’all are such a joy to listen to - from Brennan, Erika, Aabria, and Lou to Taylor’s sound magic! I look forward to day when we meet at the WBN panel at a con and greet each other with a-hoo-hoo and crackle crackle

To Brennan: hope you’re able to put out the fires and get sustainable soon! But also, kind of funny to witness the brainwaves created by utter exhaustiobasketbasketbasketball.

The absolute bop at the end - thanks Taylor

See, because here’s the thing. Lou probably couldn’t make it to this fireside, which is why Thelonius didn’t speak. But. I also think Lou is exactly the kind of person to have been fully in the room and just committed to the bit

OMG. I have such a similar story to Brennan. I accidentally became a Scottish Waiter at a Chinese restaurant in Dayton Ohio.

Ginme gimme Gimme the ball because I'm gonna DUNKIT!

Ahhh I can't wait for the palylist. Would it be possible to make it available on a non-spotify platform too?

It's not lost on me listening to the sneak in with your milk crates segment just having come back from gencon where someone wheeled off 300k in magic cards on a pallet jack

Is it just me, or is Brennan setting up a long term betrayal from Steel? I don't think it will be this, ir even the bect arc, but... she's just a little too enlightened about spirits and feels a little deus ex machina.

It's funny that literally just today I renewed my CPR certification. Brennan, after you call 911 you are, in fact, supposed to swoop in and start CPR if at all possible. Regular people save lives that way all the time. But you know... 🎵 you can't know everything all of the time🎵. So no shade my dude.

It’s been five minutes and I’m still not sure if Lou is committed to a bit or just isn’t there

Brennan, if you didn't want everyone to perv after your bad guys, you should stop voicing them like The Witcher 😂. That gravel kills every time man

Now if I don’t get “Law and Order: Special Witches Unit” as one of the campaigns, I’m gonna be very disappointed.

Where do I find the playlists for the character's?

This was a delight, (as always) but I can't get over Brennan explaining the ACCENT as though THAT'S the odd part in an anecdote about being a tween valet at a wedding 🤣

(i have paused the episode because y’all are discussing an Eursulon plushie) i won’t claim to know how any of this works, however if there could be a collab between this podcast and Fluffnest i would simply be OVER THE MOON. i came across them in my quest for a Paw Paw - possum, for those unindoctrinated to NADDPOD - that wasn’t a nightmarish sin from wool hell. all their stuff is so very good and cute. Brennan, they do have a crow plushie. i’m JUST saying. additionally, controversy be d*rned: feelings ARE good and important!!! excuse my language

Also, I love that the interaction with Gelani basically confirms that Suvi is a nepo-baby 🤣

It makes perfect sense to me that the Empire wouldn't have a legal drinking age, because they have child soldiers. A throughline of this story seems to be interrogating the ways power (military-industrial complex lol) can shape social relationships and the development of identity. I love hearing how Aabria plays Suvi's moments of vulnerability and (im)maturity.

can we get taylor at the next fireside ??

ugh why can't I get hours and hours of you guys?? I'm so excited for the new content <3

Definitely not me absolutely fucking cackling at the idea of a "spherical bear of uniform density". 🤣

I need confirmation whether the "sorry" bit was a Drawfee reference, haha

Also, I appreciate the Will Gallows vs Naram hotness discussion... but I'm surprised Steel didn't make the list. Knows how to use the sword, is caring, educated AND can be hella intimidating? 1000/10

I can't wait for ALL of the playlists ...but I can not stress enough how obsessed I am with the fact that The Fox gets a playlist too

the entire law and order theme at the end. brilliant sensational life changing extraordinary never done before inspiring etc etc.

As someone who has spent my whole life telling "fun and funny" stories I feel that entire interaction deep in my hilarious soul.

The only downside to pro bono witch lawyers is that they really do expect to be paid in bones. The pro bone-o part is that they don't care who supplies them. :)

“I wouldn't marry anyone who was really wicked, but I think I'd like it if he could be wicked and wouldn't.” Anne Shirley, and maybe Aabria?

Cock Ass

Ursalon squishmillows

Sometimes, you're the art friend and the work friend and you know if you do the whole project yourself, you're guaranteed an A

21:00 Does Erika like Kipo and The Age of Wonderbeasts?

Umm actually the drinking age in Ancient Rome was 44 and drinking in empires was often restricted to the priest class

That legally distinct rendition at the end didn’t have to go that hard. 🫡

Decided to look up who composed the L&O theme and the guy (Mike Post) wrote so many iconic tv themes? And produced Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, AND Van Halen?! Thanks for leading me to this Wikipedia rabbit hole, Fireside.

PRO BONO WITCH LAWYER

Loved the episode! Always so funny, heartwarming, and thoughtful. I have a couple of thoughts about Steel and her relation to the rest of the party in Episode 12 inspired by what was said in the fireside chat. (1) I loved what Brennan said about Steel being the character that hates that people are playing D&D. It reminds me of Eursulon's whole dilemma of there being no room for Knights in a world of Empire -- D&D tracing back thematically to Lord of the Rings, which itself traces back to medieval chivalric tales. D&D (traditionally) is about a small group of people who defeat a grand evil by themselves, which is very archaic, as opposed to the machinery of the Empire and the Citadel thrusting itself down on the problem. (2) The thing Steel was mad about being the lack of transparency/communication is also fascinating in comparison to (SW CA) Grandma Wren who says that a "Witch must always have her secrets" and doesn't demand that same kind of transparency from Ame. This seems very indicative of the difference between how Witches and Wizards (and their respective institutions/lack thereof) view knowledge. (3) Lastly, I found it curious that Brennan mentioned how it's remarkable how good Ame is at speaking to both Great Spirits and Steel, given that they are on the opposite sides of a human-spirit scale. Maybe I'm misremembering, but I feel like Ame's tone was actually quite similar when speaking to Orima and Steel. There's something here about how, although an empire is made out of people, collectively they become something rigid that has an almost unshakeable nature, almost becoming like a spirit themselves. The Empire (and its representatives) can't NOT orient themselves towards war, in the same way that Orima can't NOT fight for her husband. In that way, dealing with them as Ame does is actually surprisingly similar.

Dead mall's are the best!

Of course I take a sip of tea right when Aabria makes the choking comment. Fully snarfed.

I love the idea of Ericka and Taliesin just being so charming they got to steal things

I met Thelonius Riegel in an elevator once and he pushed all the buttons before he got out

As usual the fireside is just as good as the show itself! Definitely missed Lou though

Man, never realized how much the Law & Order theme slaps.

I love the parallels between the end of this episode and the children's adventure when Ame ans Eursolon ran into the woods and Suvi stayed back to clean up the mess. And that as a child Eursolon didn't know he could be trapped. Now he knows and took the risk to free another spirit. It's such beautiful storytelling, y'all.

I really hope Lou was there and just sat silent for an hour because he was that committed to the bit.

And I absolutely stayed on for the final 2 minutes of this listening to a part of the Law & Order theme that I had no idea existed lol

Someone tell Brennan that his college story wasn't sad because he did all the work (we've all been there), it was sad because he heard two stories about his friends lying to sneak into parties and concerts and went "I have an equivalent experience right here" Never change my dude

Someone else probably commented this already, but the name "Glorious Mustard" totally has Terry Pratchett's "The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents" vibes. One of the main rats is Dangerous Beans

annotated playlists would absolutely feed me

The OUTRO 💀💀💀

Yes! so stoked for playlists playlists! And Will Gallows!

Thanks for the legal advice!

It’s Bavarian fire drill not Hungarian

This continues to be my favorite D&D meets legal advice podcast. Phenomenal work by everyone, and such a powerful message from Theolonius! A hoo hoo and crackle crackle, friends ❤️

Brennan owes everyone $100

I can’t believe you guys managed to book Theolonius on such short notice, IN-credible

Oh listening to this made me realize the parallels between the moment at Grandmother Wren's when Ame is bringing Eursulon back to the doorway to the Spirit World, and Suvi can't go because it means she'll be out after dark (a command from an authority figure). And here again, Ame is running to accompany Eursulon on a Spirit Thing, and Suvi can't go because of a command from an authority figure. It's like they've all been operating under different rules since they were children.

Executive Producer Dick Witch

I am so thankful that you're telling this story and share it with us, it is such a joy to listen to and genuinely makes me so happy! And inspired!Everytime I finish an episode I'm like "I want to play dnd!" (and I get to do it often thankfully) and that's such a great feeling

Nothing more relatable than being like "let me do all the work and then we'll get an A."

Wild my mind went to the "this boy eating beans meme" instead of spilled beans😂 also great fireside chat as always!

That is also how I tackled 90% of group projects in college

Ok but how much would we all like a legal drama style one shot of witch lawyers 😂

No set pieces, no episode limits, NO MERCY! Absolutely chilling

Glorious Mustard is for sure a Terry Pratchett character name.

Is there a PO Box we can send physical art to?

I’m waiting for that theme music to be used in Law and Order: Special Witches Unit

When the insomnia works in your favor and you're awake for the newest Fireside drop. 👍🏻

Miranda rights update in case you look here before googling (I paused and googled because I couldn't handle waiting): the Supreme Court changed the law so police have to mirandize before questioning in custody (as opposed to at time of arrest), and cannot be sued for damages, protecting police from civil liability.

A Hoo Hoo all!

I just wanted to say. No you Brennan thank you for such a wonderful story and I love the whole gang.

A hoo hoo crackle crackle firesiders

PLEEEEEEASE include the Will Gallows playlist! He's such a fun bad guy and I'm super curious about the songs on that playlist.

Aw, Lou and Brennan being the Bummer Boys is so consistent. "I got a story, and it's not a bummer at all, it is funny! Not sad, funny!"

'I feel like Naram would choke me if I asked him to.' - Never change Aabria

'I'm trying to think of any other time where I, like, successfully conned my way into something and other than my whole life and career I'm not really thinking of anything.' The impostor feels are real. I can relate.

Awww such a wholesome beginning to the fireside chat today!

I cannot wait for Lou to join the fireside chat one day!

BEANS!

SPILL THOSE BEANS 🫘

Crackle crackle and a-hoo-hoo.

:)