Called to Cenn, City of Iron Chains, Caiomhe Wake, Antistrophe Landrace, Brontë Adelvys (and his two attendants), arrive to find crisis rumbling in burg. The Hexcloaks have quietly taken over town governance, while outside, tremors have turned to quakes, even bringing harm to the Ironclad Parade—the statuary whose inhabitants were once devotees to Castine, Living Metal.

Perhaps such devotion is earned in part by the curious community that Castine has built here in Cenn since his arrival a century ago. While the archeological dig that gave Cenn its full moniker continues, the city is now known just as well for the smells of its sizzling food, its many seaside diversions, and the spiritual contemplation offered by the lunar temple that graces the moon resting at its center.

There, Castine walks with pilgrims who have traveled seeking his company, his wisdom, or his divine favor. But however pure he’s kept his temple, he could never keep it safe from the prying eyes of the other members of the Ennead: Ryme, Master of Ice. Lucena, Bringer of Light. Zephius, the Old Wind. Gritt of the Earth. Scintero, Living Bolt. Cinner, Soldier of Ash. Pharmakos the Poisoner. Caliginia, Fated Darkness.

None of these divine beings are omniscient, and none omnipotent, but each is capable, powerful, and driven by their own ends, their own understanding of responsibility, and their own relationship to the Perpetuan Cycle.

“What must they think,” you might wonder, “about the Sourcerot, which threatens to end the world ahead of its scheduled decline? What must they think about these heroes journeying across continents in search of destiny?” Well, my own thoughts will be saved for now. But soon, in the city of Cenn, one so-called god will speak.

This week on Perpetua:

Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.05] MiniGames and Side Activities [MGSA] Wordzin [MGWZ]

In-Game Description: A word-association game with its origins in the Elevana League town of Burzin.

You’re prompted with one word and then you’re given a choice of words to pick that all could be associated with that first word. Your goal is to pick the same word as the second “dealer.” At first, I thought that this game was totally random, but after talking to people on the forum, it sounds like you can start to predict what style of word the computer will pick based on which dealer modeler is being used. The one with the long fancy mustache tends to pick adjectives fancy words and is the only one who uses adverbs. The lady with the big eyes tends to pick animals and weapons. The guy with the apron on picks verbs the most (but not exclusively). When you get the twin dealers, though, it IS totally random! I guess it’s like they have an inside joke going?

Calstega Cook Off! [MGCO]

In-Game Description: After the success of the first cooking competition, the people of Northcrook decided to run a regular Cook Off competition as part of a ‘neighborhood revitalization’ effort.

The game basically counts on you paying attention during the first time this minigame shows up, because there is NO tutorialization after that. You’re just dropped back into the town as if you’re not even in a minigame. Once I loaded a save and was confused why I couldn’t even leave the screen, because I forgot I saved after starting the Cook Off!

So : Step 1: Pay attention to the theme of Cook Off is. They say this up top and will NOT repeat it. 2. Try to learn the judge’s tastes. Most of the time you can do this through a few skill checks, but once I had to do a duel, and once they made me do this weird tower puzzle (a minigame INSIDE of a minigame!?). 3. Come with good ingredients. Even though you can normally buy ingredients inside of a settlement (you have been doing that, right?) you can’t do it once you start the Cook Off!

Beachminton [MGBM]

In-Game Description: The favorite pastime of Cenn’s beach goers. Hit the Sandy Shuttlecock onto your opponent’s side, but be careful not to break it!

I don’t know anything about real badminton, except that every single word associated with it is funny. But Beachminton is pretty simple: Look at the sand ball to see how close it is to breaking apart: if it’s in crisis you can see sand falling off of it while its in slow motion between rounds. If it’s close to breaking, try to hit it with your weakest character and use any tricks you can to do low damage. If it’s not close to breaking, try to hit it as hard as you can. At least that’s how I play!

Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social)

Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart), Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), and Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry)

Produced by Ali Acampora

Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp)

Cover Art by Ben McEntee (https://linktr.ee/benmce.art)

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

This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Perpetua 19: A Roar Across Cenn 01