For one hundred forty years, Sapryc has been colorless and dim.
War with the voracious Imperial Empest ravaged the land. Abandonment by the craven Leo Suzerainty ruined all refuge. And occupation by the covetous Venerent See, by the prideful Venerent See, by the pietistic Venerant See drove all hope, all Dreams, to die.
What do the Moonfolk on Sapryc dare hold onto in this grey world? What wish could survive such a wishless domain? And where would their hope live if it did exist? Where in their souls, which have been filled with despair? where in their bodies, which have been overtaken by hunger? Where in their minds, which rattle with confusion? Where in their hearts, which overflow with the bile? Where is there a place in the moonfolk of Sapryc for anything but survival.
Ah, but perhaps the monks of the north have an answer.
There, behind the walls of the Cloister of the Hollow Heart, they toil. They plow the dirt, and work the kiln. They tend to books and meals. They move the air itself so that they may breathe deep enough to Dream. Where do they find such aspiration? Where do their newly born hopes find the space to live?
The answer is in their name: The Cloister of the Hollow Heart. For, like an animal in the trap, they have cut away at themselves, digging and wriggling like grubs, draining the bile and the blood and anything else in the way until there is new, precious absence, waiting to be filled with hope.
Hosted by Austin Walker (@austinwalker on bluesky)
Featuring Andrew Lee Swan, Jack de Quidt, Janine Hawkins and Sylvi Bullet
Produced by Ali Acampora
Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp)
Cover Art by by Oddesque
With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint