The Occupod

Following intelligence from a sometimes useful urchin, the Ghost Leaves head to Brightstone to break into the townhouse of Olaf, Halfdan's rival and brother-in-law. Opulent but seemingly unoccupied, the gang are searching the house for an ancestral necklace once owned by Hilda, Halfdan's sister, and the late wife of Olaf. But, first appearances can be deceiving, and the Ghost Leaves learn a terrible truth about Halfdan's old foe.

After a score and a half, the Ghost Leaves need to lay low to deal with the increased heat, and the fallout of the bloodshed on the water. While the Grinders seem to have been beaten for now, there are plenty more enemies for them to contest with in Doskvol. Vinly has some fish-inspired surgery and some drug-induced nightmares, Halfdan learns more about long term ghost containment from an actual expert, and Sabrina takes her dear uncle out for a night on the lash.

After their daring raid in the Lost District beyond the lightning wall, the Ghost Leaves find that their getaway plans have been dashed. The Grinders, a vicious gang of Skovic loyalists, have decided that tonight is the night that they will put their plans into action. They aim to board the Fog Hound and capture it. All that stands in their way are our scoundrels, a gang of smugglers, and several dogs.

Upon the request of Tetsuya, an archivist at the Archive of Echoes, our gang of Hawkers are on the trail of a missing ghost. There's been a break-in, and following this ghost-napping will lead the gang beyond the safety of the city, into the dangers beyond the wall.

Now that they've helped the learned doctor develop a 'new' drug, our gang of Hawkers are able to relax a little. The city doesn't slow down, of course - there's still a demon nipping at their heels and plenty of bridges to burn. Sabrina learns more of the world of Iruvian espionage, Halfdan discovers some valuable information about his rival, and Vinly deals with his toughest challenge yet: talking to his father.

Funded by their local shady doctor, the Ghost Leaves are off to the prestigious Doskvol Academy to try and put a stop to a new illicit substance. They're not doing this for any moral purpose, of course - the good doctor wants to get the recipe for himself.

After a night on the town, the Ghost Leaves catch their breath amongst the coffee fumes. The City Watch may be on the back foot, but there are far more dangerous things than law enforcement lurking in the darkness. Vinly moves out, Halfdan returns to his faith, and Sabrina learns the terrible truth about how her and her uncle escaped from Iruvia.

In order to fund the purchase of new weaponry, the Bluecoats have hired out the largest theatre in the city for a charity gala, aiming to divert the coin towards their darker purposes. But, more importantly for our gang of Hawkers, two of their rivals are attending and they're determined to make sure they have an absolutely rotten night. Just as a little note: we've all got colds, so everyone is Doskvol also has a cold.

Our gang of Hawkers take it easy after a surprisingly simple score. While they continue to supply Silkshore with coffee, the city is full of tension as old wounds are reopened. Sabrina discovers a disturbing gap in her memory, Vinly plans out how to get revenge on a childhood enemy, and Halfdan has to choose between the loyalty to his country or his love for his friends.

After months of work, it's time for the Clattering Cup, a dockside gambling den, to receive a fancy upgrade. Tonight is the first night of it reopening as the Doskvol branch of the Consenting Pugilist's League, a mostly civilised fight club for the people. The Ghost Leaves, our gang of Hawkers, have been recruited by the owner Ged to ensure the first night goes off with a bang. But, the rain is pouring, there are unexpected guests, and a whole crowd of people to cater for. Surely for Silkshore's finest coffee house, this job can't go wrong?

After their brief foray into being the terror of Doskvol's waterways, the Ghost Leaves return back to the regular work of maintaining Silkshore's finest coffee house. But, it's a time of great change in the city, and dark truths are learnt about those closest to the party. Vinly does some market research, Halfdan tends to the dead, and Sabrina engages in class tourism -- mostly to annoy Vinly.

During the infiltration on board the Lockport's Lament, Bear, a smuggler with the Fog Hounds, was captured by the Bluecoats. Proving that there is still honour among thieves, the Ghost Leaves decide to free him before he can arrive at Ironhook Prison. A prison barge will be steaming down the Silk any day now, full of the city's unluckiest criminals. All they need to do is to find their target and get him out safely - surely nothing can go wrong?

Returning to our regular non-canine episodes, the Ghost Leaves are keeping their heads down after a particularly risky score. But, as always, no one is innocent in Doskvol, and more consequences rear their ugly heads. Halfdan loses faith, Vinly supports a fellow small business owner, and some sand from Sabrina's home seems to have appeared in a place most unusual.

While our main group of scoundrels escape from the Lockport's Lament, a four legged fighter is also fleeing the scene. Doghound, wounded, washes up on the shores of Silkshore, and three inquisitive strays decide to help this warrior return to glory.For this session, we're not playing Blades in the Dark. We're playing Dogs in the Bark, a fan-made expansion of the game where everyone is dogs. It's the same dark city you know, though now even less colourful.

The Lockport's Lament, a leviathan hunter, has just had a new engine installed at great expense. The owners, the Gravedens, are hoping that this will turn their fortunes around and they'll finally be back to the upper echelons of society that they once dwelled in. The Iruvian embassy has other plans and has hired the Ghost Leaves to conduct a little bit of industrial espionage: Get in, photograph the engine, and get out. With the leviathan hunting fleet being essential to the city's survival, they are some of the most protected places in the city. But, taking a photo isn't too difficult, right?

Now their turf is secured, the Ghost Leaves conclude that their next goal is the same as every business in Doskvol: they need coin, and they need it fast. Halfdan finds that someone has struck against his church, Sabrina studies ancient Iruvian history, and Vinly learns that something terrible is lurking just behind one of their most trusted friends.

In a mouldy tenement in the docks, the impoverished locals are kept in place through fear. Their landlords, a gang of vicious Skovland dockers called the Grinders, have spread a rumour that in the basement there lives a creature from Skovic folklore that will hunt them if they break an oath. Is it real? It doesn't matter: our gang of Hawkers will exploit this situation for coin regardless.

With gang members both spiritually and physically wounded, the Ghost Leaves are starting to get more attention from those who dabble in the occult. Sabrina delivers some tragic news to a friend, Vinly encounters a fearsome whisper, and Halfdan has a vision of something on the edge of the veil.

Ged, owner of a gambling den by the docks, wants the weird noises coming from below his property to be stopped. He enlists the aid of the Ghost Leaves to don their waterproofs and explore what lies beneath. They quickly learn that beneath Doskvol is simply more Doskvol, and down there in the dark, some things that should have long since passed on still cling to the world of the living.

Recovering from their first assassination, the Ghost Leaves lick their rat-inflicted wounds and try to find ways to keep their heads down. Halfdan covers their tracks, Sabrina continues her feud with her designated hater, and Vinly finds out what happens to those who fall beneath the wheel. I've played around with some new editing tools so hopefully this sounds less like audio poison - let me know if it still sounds terrible.

Dr Elric Stroginobocks wants his rival, Dr Gustav Stenton dealt with, and that means asking the Ghost Leaves to do their first ever assassination score. Having never (intentionally) killed people before, the gang realise that their target might actually be a decent fella, but they still have a job to do despite that. As you'd expect, they get in over their heads, and have their first terrifying encounter with a power higher than any Bluecoat.

Now that they've secured a supplier for some premium Iruvian coffee, our gang of Hawkers set about the difficult task of expanding their workforce. Vinly gaslights his grandmother, Sabrina starts a new life as a casting director, and Halfdan sets to work building a great machine in the basement, helped by their resident ghost.

Our gang of Hawkers are visiting a trade show at the Iruvian Embassy in order to procure a new supplier for their rare coffee beans. A nice, simple score, but there's always the opportunity to ruin the evening through rat-based nonsense. But we know they wouldn't do that though, right? Right?

After a daring score in the Silver Stag Casino, the Ghost Leaves are rewarded by their mysterious employer, sitting within the upper echelons of Doskvol's society. Halfdan interrupts a coffee date, Vinly makes amends with his gambling buddies, and Sabrina tries to blend in with the scum of the streets.

The Ghost Leaves, under the employ of a mysterious aristocrat, are tasked with obtaining a ring from a Baron Graveden, a frequent gambler at the Silver Stag Casino. Their employer has one odd condition: the ring cannot be stolen, it must be won.

Now that the homeless have been conquered, the Ghost Leaves plan out their next move in Silkshore's premium coffee house. Halfdan grows the flock of the Church, Sabrina takes her dear uncle to the theatre, and Vinly brings sport back to the working man.

Tired of the Weeping Lady encroaching on their territory, the Ghost Leaves move against their newest recruit, Telda. Aiming to frame her for a crime they themselves are being suspected of, they need to use everything they have at their disposal to be successful. Naturally, this includes bribing urchins, political soapboxing, and wearing a silly wig.

After dealing with some bad reviews, the Ghost Leaves get back to work running Silkshore's only ghost infused tea room. Vinly is confronted by the Weeping Lady, Halfdan begins work on something terrible beneath the tea room, and Sabrina encourages her uncle to share an old Iruvian card game with the good people of Doskvol.

In an effort to stop bad reviews of their haunted tea room, the Ghost Leaves decide to intimidate a reviewer. On the way, they discuss child catching, Vinly's literacy skills, and the moral complexity of palliative care in a city where the dead don't rest.

Can't some scoundrels running a haunted tea room catch a break in this city? As it happens: no. Sabrina defends her Iruvian heritage by insulting everyone else, Vinly's homeless problem has now elevated to being a problem for the gang, and in the basement of the tea room, something hungry is calling out to Halfdan.

Occult dabblers and ne'er-do-wells, the Ghost Leaves have been asked to modify a will to ensure a doctor they know inherits a renowned clinic. Breaking in to the executor's office, they find there's more in their way than just legal jargon. Obviously, modifying a will like this is illegal, but it's white collar crime which makes it more morally okay.

The heat is rising, while the temperature is dropping. The Ghost Leaves continue to run Silkshore's premium séance/coffee business, but it seems that someone is conspiring to see them fail. Halfdan digs a hole and chases a child, Sabrina has a new roommate and an old suitor, and Vinly continues his one man campaign against the homeless, gambling away his hard earned money along the way.

Patrons of the arts, the Ghost Leaves are contracted to steal a mysterious paint for a young impressionist. However, in the dark heart of Silkshore, a visiting artist of renown attracts attention beyond just our familiar scoundrels.

After repaying a favour with the Fog Hounds, the Ghost Leaves prepare for their next move while managing Silkshore's latest small business. Halfdan bumps into an old 'friend', Vinly considers robbing a charity, and an old officer makes Sabrina an offer she can't refuse.

Returning a favour to the Fog Hounds, the Ghost Leaves get a chance to show off their culinary skills in their first catering gig. But, out on the water, things are never as clear cut as they first seem.

With the spirit in the tea room satisfied, the Ghost Leaves take some time to recover and refocus. Sabrina goes on a date, Halfdan finds a doctor, and Vinly emotionally manipulates the homeless.

The Ghost Leaves, under direction from the spirit in their tea room, work to kidnap an old officer from a retirement home. They use all of the skills at their disposal: dating, ethnic intolerance, and the precise application of explosives.

Battered by their last score, the Ghost Leaves take some time to recover. With the True Mirage sunk in the Silk, the city responds. Vinly helps an old friend, Halfdan tries to grow his flock, and Sabrina has a strange encounter with the entity that inhabits the tea room.

A crew of daring scoundrels seek their fortune on the streets of a haunted city. Asked to steal some cargo from a small smuggling gang, the Ghost Leaves embark upon their first score and learn very quickly the dangers of Doskvol. Welcome to season 2 of the Occupod. We're playing Blades in the Dark, a fantastic RPG made by John Harper. It's good to be playing together again, and you'll be pleased to know that in the break between seasons none of us improved our microphone technique or properly learnt all the rules. Enjoy!

Join us for a special episode of the world's premium orc-based ball adventure: ORCBALL. With cheating, violence, and a flexible view of the rules, can the Bashem' Boyz win the cup? Probably. I don't know I've not listened to it yet. ORCBALL is a one page RPG made by Grant Howitt and Chris Taylor.

This is a cheeky little wrap-up episode where we answer some of your questions, and naturally have a dumb argument. Thanks for joining us for this absolute slop. We'll be playing some fun one shots, then start our next big campaign, Blades in the Dark.

We've reached the end. Thank you for joining us on this terrible adventure. I hope it was enjoyable to listen to. For a podcast started as a way of conveniently sharing episode recordings between friends, it's amazing that people out there actually listen to this nonsense. Expect more games soon, with more editing, and more fun. We'll be doing a wrap-up episode soon where we answer some of the questions that have been sent in. If you're listening on Spotify, you can send these in through their Q&A system that should be attached to this episode.

Let it never be said that I am a Games Master without mercy. Let it never be said that I am a Games Master without fun. The boys get food, and get fighting.

Everyone has a case of the sillies this evening, not helped by the return of a long absent player. The boys get on a planet, and get in a planet.

It's the Throne Agent's last time onboard the Ipcress. Let's hope they spend the time well. The party steal a spider, and harass some frogs. If you're listening on Spotify (and you probably should be), you'll be able to ask a question about the campaign on the episode page! We're planning on reading through these in a wrap up episode some way down the line.

It's a very special festive episode tonight on the Occupod, featuring some interesting feedback from one of our dear Australian listeners. The gang get the presents, and see the present. If you're listening to this nonsense on Spotify, you can ask questions about the campaign on the episode page! We'll answer these in a wrap-up episode once the campaign is over.

Enter the dog. The party break some some social faux pas, and break into the planet's most secure facility.  If you're listening to this nonsense on Spotify, you can ask questions about the campaign on the episode page! We'll answer these in a wrap-up episode once the campaign is over.

The plot progresses at a hurtling speed. Luckily we're all holding on tightly to that rulebook so we don't drop it, right? The party find a way into the spires, and start working on their mixtape. If you're listening on Spotify, you can answer a Q&A about the podcast that we'll answer in a wrap-up episode once the campaign is over. We're in the final act now, so hopefully all will be explained.

What if they didn't torture people for answers? What if they negotiated? What if Touchstone kept all his fingers? The party get moving, and finally get some answers. If you're on Spotify, you can answer a Q&A about the podcast that we'll answer in a wrap-up episode once the campaign is over. We're in the final act now, so hopefully all will be explained. 

Writing mysteries is fun. Playing mysteries is not. The party are deep in the Underhive, and deep in trouble.