rustyquill
patreon
Penultimate plans
🕑 Added 2021-11-22 16:01:03 +0000 UTCHi folks,
We hope you’ve had a wonderful week! Here at Rusty Towers, we’re extremely busy working towards the end of the year. However, we’re still taking the time to relax and socialise – this weekend we held a digital RQ social for cast and crew to play some games ahead of a busy few weeks.
It goes without saying that we’re now down to the final two weeks of Rusty Quill Gaming – I’m sure plenty of you skipped straight down to read the title before anything else! We’re still following everyone’s reactions as the episodes release, and were really excited to see that we trended on Tumblr last Wednesday! After last week’s unexpected reunion, Hamid is one lucky halfling and Wilde makes an ill-advised gesture. After Tuesday’s episode, there is just one episode left of the main campaign. We know that a lot of you are eager to hear about our plans to pay tribute to the end of RQG. Over the last few months, we’ve been working on something exciting – a very special, commemorative collectable. While we can’t say much more than that at the moment, be assured that it is definitely worth the wait!
Next week, we’re planning a little celebration of RQG over on our social media pages and thought it would be lovely if our Patrons could be included in this! If you’d like your words to be shared alongside RQ cast and crew, put your message in the comments and you might see it shared on Twitter next week! This could be a simple thank you, how you first came to listen to RQG or just telling us who your favourite character is. Keep it short, sweet, and swearing and spoiler-free! (Please note, not all comments will be shared. Rusty Quill may edit comments to correct spelling and grammar, reduce the length or improve clarity. Comments will be shared anonymously).
If the RQG tension is too much, we have another great episode of Enthusigasm this week and, if you haven’t checked the show out, now is the perfect time! Firstly, due to some gremlins in our spreadsheet, there was a mistake in last week’s newsletter schedule and the episode on Marvel TV won’t go out until next week. We hope you enjoyed the episode on Wrestling – if you’re a fan of Old Gods of Appalachia you’re in for a treat, as both Steve Shell and Cam Collins guested, alongside our CMO Callum. Secondly, from this week onwards, Enthusigasm will be reducing releases to once a week, with extended cuts releasing to Patreon on Thursdays and standard-length episodes going out on public feeds on Friday. This week, join Helen, Imogen Harris, Nora Unkel and Rhys Tirado as they talk about writing. From writing professionally to stories they wrote as children, there’s a particularly interesting range of viewpoints in this episode and it is full of advice for aspiring writers. If you haven’t yet listened to Enthusigasm or if you have missed an episode, you can find every episode at this link.
We’re glad you enjoyed the interviews from last week’s newsletter! This week we have another in this series that showcases the people behind some fantastic podcasts, this time from Jeremy Enfinger, creator of The Storage Papers.
1. Tell us who you are and a bit about your podcast!
My name is Jeremy Enfinger and I created The Storage Papers in the summer of 2019. I had been podcasting for several years before this, but had never done fiction. If you're not familiar with The Storage Papers, it's about a guy who wins a storage unit at auction and finds a plethora of documented cases involving paranormal phenomena in the Southern California region. He begins experiencing strange things as he dives in and decides to share these stories in the format of a podcast. At first, the stories feel somewhat stand-alone, but after some time, he realizes there are some connections to be made between them and ends up getting involved in an overarching investigation into some of the people and organizations included in the documents.
2. What got you into podcasting?
I am a healthcare professional by trade, specifically in radiology, and I also teach a couple of radiography courses per semester at a local college. I'm always striving to provide various avenues of content delivery to my students, and I initially began podcasting to give the younger generation an easier way to listen to my lectures on-the-go. It only resonated with a few students, but as I researched this thing called "podcasting", it opened my eyes to a world that I never knew existed. I began listening to entrepreneurial shows at first, but quickly got burnt out on those before I decided to listen to some interview-based shows about the paranormal. At the time, there were only a handful of those and I found that nobody was asking the questions I wanted to ask, so I started my own. It lasted a couple of years before that market became saturated, but then I started listening to more fiction-based content, and here I am.
3. What’s something you’re most proud of within your podcast?
It's difficult to answer this without spoiling anything, but I would probably have to say I'm proud of our team's ability to drive the character development. In a sense, as we're in Season 3 we are just beginning to scratch the surface regarding some of the major players in the story and though our audience hasn't experienced much of this yet, I think they're going to enjoy what we've got planned for Season 4 next year. As a writer now working with a small team of other writers, I've never really had to collaborate on anything like this before, but ever since Nathan Lunsford and Cody Ditzenberger began contributing to the story, it feels like everything just kind of falls into place as we discuss the metaplot...even when we don't always approach things from the same angles. I'm just excited to share this story going forward because I think it will ultimately leave the listeners satisfied. I find myself extremely disappointed when a great story doesn't end in a satisfying way, and while we still have several seasons ahead of us, I have confidence that the story itself is solid and I'm proud of our team for driving us there.
4. If you could hang out with any cartoon character, who would you choose and why?
Hands down, Wile E. Coyote. I think he's just misunderstood. He's just going about his business, dogging like all dogs do, trying to get something to eat. He can't simply chase down the Roadrunner because he's just too fast, so he comes up with these ingenious ways to capture his prey that almost always backfire and leave him hungry another day. Then, to add insult to injury, this arrogant little bird who is mostly oblivious to his efforts finally notices him after horrendous failure and responds with a condescending, "meep meep". I think he just needs a hug and I want to invite him over for a barbeque while providing him with whatever emotional support I can muster.
Finally, please see our weekly transcript update. As always, this also available on our website.
Update 22/11/2021:
We are continuing to work on content warnings and reformatting for The Magnus Archives and Stellar Firma.
We are pleased to confirm that we are now past the halfway point on Rusty Quill Gaming transcription.
We will keep you updated if this should change, but we are still targeting January to release the complete transcripts for the main series (this does not include bonus or supplemental episodes).
Here is our full schedule for this week:
Mon 22nd November
EGSM 15 – Wrestling (Public) (4pm GMT)
Tue 23rd November
RQG 217 – Last Stand (Patreon) (4pm GMT)
Wed 24th November
RQG 217 – Last Stand (Public) (4pm GMT)
Thu 25th November
EGSM 16 – Writing (Extended Cut) (Patreon) (6pm GMT)
Fri 26th November
NOBLES Bonus – Hamid Does Shakespeare Again (4pm GMT)
EGSM 16 – Writing (Public) (4pm GMT)
Have a good week all!
The Rusty Quill team
Comments
GugTheGoose
It's hard to put into words how RQG has affected me in the last year and a half. Like so many people, I found RQG, my first actual-play, through a Magnus recommendation during the first spring of the pandemic. I didn't know what to expect, but something about it being set in something like our world was what drew me in at first (even though such a setting is a sensitivity minefield). I quickly became immersed, and so very attached to the characters (and also the players to an extent, in a parasocial but reasonably healthy way). The storytelling decisions, character decisions, metacasts, and explorations of some really dark stuff has kept me coming back: relistening an embarrassing number of times, redstringing, contributing to the wiki, and spreading the 'good news' through word of mouth. The complex and real portrayal of the characters has taught me a lot about myself, and helped me though the deepest depression of my life. Through RQG I've also found other great AP podcasts that I'd never have come across otherwise! [Shoutout to These Flimsy Rituals and Campaign:Skyjacks] Thank you so much to the cast and to the editors for producing such an immersive story with such passion and care <3
ArreisStörmQuest
Although I came into it late (much like this post), RQG has still managed to play a very vital role in my life. This podcast not only gave me a renewed sense of inspiration and helped me tap back into the creative forces I've been having trouble reaching, but both the characters and cast have allowed me to make important self-discoveries as well. If I had to pick one thing I enjoyed most about RQG, it would have to be the fact that, as a listener, it always felt so welcoming and wholesome to hear good friends having a blast together, playing games, developing characters, and just doing what they love in a safe, non-judgmental environment. There are so many different medias out there where relationships between co-workers might feel forced or the story might get a bit dull, but I can honestly say that throughout these past 200+ episodes, there has never been a time when I haven't laughed at least once. On the other hand though, the emotional arcs and the easy-to-relate-to scenarios that occurred during this campaign have been some of the most raw and honest displays of vulnerability I've ever heard and did not diminish the original purpose of the storyline in the slightest. I'm aware that this is all a make-believe world, but it's so rare to have something or, in this case, someone you can relate to on such a deep level. For me that character was our very own grumpy but loveable sea dad, Zolf Smith. Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore almost every character that is a part of RQG, there's a few exceptions of course (looking at you Barret), but Zolf just holds a special place in my heart. Right from the get go I found I was draw to him because, like myself, he also had trouble expressing his own emotions in a effective way. Not only that, but he would often struggle with perceiving emotions from others at the same time. As the campaign progressed and his abilities alongside it, I found this part of Zolf's development to be very comforting and commend Ben on this brilliant portrayal of my own personal flaws. The one thing that I appreciated the most though, and something I will never forget, is when Ben announced Zolf's sexual orientation. I have never been one for labels, mostly because I find them to be a type of confinement as if someone thinks they can so easily place you into a box with just one simple word, but the way that Ben went about the announcement so casually and didn't make it an unnecessary spectacle, showing his preference was just a part of Zolf but it didn't have to define him as a whole, that honestly made me cry when I heard it. Most people have a celebrity or personal encounter with someone they call their "defining moment", but for me RQG ep. 176 was mine. So from the bottom of heart I want to say a sincere thank you for making that decision, Ben Meredith, you truly made me feel seen and represented for the first time. As for the rest of the cast and crew, even though there were times I wanted to stab Mr. Ceiling, AKA Alexander J. Newall and my favorite chaotic evil, with one of Sasha's many knives myself, I can't thank him enough for putting in all of those long hours and sleepless nights for over 6 years in order to create this phenomenal story we all know and love. I realize how much sacrifice and faith that takes to do and I'm very grateful that he made the leap and seized the opportunity. The same amount of gratitude also extends to everyone who helped bring these loveable and legendary characters to life, so my many, many thanks goes out to you, Lydia Nicholas, Bryn Monroe, James Ross, Ben Meredith, Helen Gould, and of course again, the mastermind himself, the best GM, Alex; you all deserve so much love for everything you've done, as well as more recognition within the podcast community for bringing awareness to 'actual plays' centered on TTRPGs. That being said though, although these are some big names previously mentioned, I want everyone else to know that, whether you were a part of production, sound design or editing, voice actors or the author and creator of this project itself, every person who had even the smallest of parts in RQG made this podcast what is and should feel proud of all their efforts. Nothing would be successful without each and every gear making the wheels turns; however, before I turn this simple appreciation letter into a novel, let me just end by saying what has become our universal motto and somewhat of a send off for Rusty Quill Gaming: "He's a monster and a psychopath... but we respect his craft!" Thanks again for everything guys, here's to the finale and to a long 6 year journey coming to its inevitable end, you did it! 🎉🎉🎉🖤
Lark
Short version: RQG has spoiled me for any other RPG podcast. I've tried others, but it's the best there is. The humor, drama, and adventure bring me so much joy! Long version: When I started listening in Feb. 2020, I had chronic pain from endometriosis and had just been diagnosed with (small) cancer. My life was filled with doctors and medical appointments. These wonderful characters were a welcome distraction in a terrible situation. When I'm in so much pain I can do nothing else, RQG makes me laugh. Hamid, Zolf, Sasha, Grizzop, Azu, Cel, Oscar Wilde, and maybe even Bertie seem like friends who are close to my heart. That summer, my 19yo son and I listened through the whole show together. It was wonderful bonding for us in the midst of COVID. And now he has started his own RPG podcast. This "old lady" hasn't been able to connect much with the fandom, but I can see it's a wonderful community. I so appreciate all you've done for so many people during a very difficult time. The blue veins seemed like a bad coincidence at first during COVID, but I think it actually helped people process what they were going through. If Cel, Azu, Hamid, and Zolf can get through quarantine, so can we! I'm going to miss hearing your voices so much. Thank you for all your hard work. Keep inspiring. Love, Lark (Sorry I'm late)
Cyan
I have loved RQG it has been incredible to listen to for the last couple of years (for me). It helped get me back into running RPGs and helped me through my own struggles. It has inspired me to be a better player and GM. Thank you all so much, it has been great fun and I'm looking forward to what you do next.
Thank you for creating such a wonderful world to get wrapped up in with RQG. It has been such a pleasure to listen to it over the past couple of years, I only started listening in 2019. Truly thank you to all involved in making it, it was obvious from the intro that it was a labor of love, and that love did a great job reaching out and touching others.
Medilia
This fandom has meant so much to me (and will continue to after it's done). It is the one that brought me into the world of actual play podcasts, with the depth of world-building and lore, memorable characters, incredible performances by all, and a wonderful community. It rather spoiled me for actual plays as a whole, though I am certainly not complaining about that! I have never had a fandom which has made me cry so much one episode, and laugh so much the next. Thank you so, so much to everyone who was involved in bringing this show to life.
seaglassblue
What an amazing collaborative creation. I’ve learned so much about the craft of storytelling from RQG’s episodes and the metacasts, which are just a master class in How To Make A World To Share. But my favorite is, was, always will be Hamid. Thank you, Bryn! I know I join you in wishing him a long, loving and meaningful life.
RaspberryHeaven
I feel like I could open up a hundred different ways about why I love this show, from the imaginative lore and world building, bringing the listeners into an intriguing alternate history with no end of questions to explore, to the incredible work of the story telling, starting with humble origins and being beautifully brought to the grand scale it is at now, and to the incredible cast of both characters and players that bring this series to life with memorable performances, both hilarious and heartbreaking, it would be hard to imagine what this show would look like without a single one of them. So, genuinely, thank you to everyone who has helped bring this show to where it is now. Drawing these characters, discussing the story, and listening to each new episode every week has been a comforting constant in my life for over a year now, and I'm sure I'll keep carrying it all with me for a long time to come. <3
Pip Walker
Thank you much to everyone for all the hours of work, fun and enthusiasm over the years. It gave me the confidence to take up GMing again after 20 years and I am eternally grateful.
Varya B
I really wish the news about RQG celebrations weren't just in the Patreon newsletter. there are many more fans who aren't subscribed to Patreon and would jump on the hype train with a hashtag and kind words on social media *in a second*. but, past whatever reservations I have: thank you for RQG. this wonderful adventure has coloured my life for the past two years, and the community I found through it has helped me through thick and thin, in regards to whatever cliffhangers there were within the show, or to support me outside of it. these characters, all of which I love dearly, were oftentimes the highlights of my days. the entire crew is amazing at making this show. Erasing the Line is my favourite actual play campaign ever, and it's something I recommend to people wholeheartedly when they ask me what TTRPG adjacent podcasts I can recommend. to anyone not into RQG who is reading these comments: I came to Rusty Quill content via The Magnus Archives, but I stayed, became a patron, and found new joy in creation and community because of Rusty Quill Gaming. to everyone who ever listened to TMA, and anyone who likes RQs other podcasts, I simply cannot recommend RQG enough.
Thank you so much for all of these amazing, tense, funny, heartbreaking, unbelievable moments. Everyone involved in making this podcast, I respect your craft.
RQG has such a special place in my heart that i can barely put into words how much it matters to me, with it ive reconnected with my love for art and actually sharing what i do; ive found a community that offers nothing but love and support; and its helped me find new systems and new methods to play ttrps!! All together RQG has shaped my year in the most unexpected way, and i am grateful for everyone involved. Thank you so much.
