recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Second Best Wiki

## **Welcome to the Second Best Wiki**

Official wiki for 'Second Best: A D&D Adventure' - A real play, Dungeons and Dragons comedy podcast created by New York City improvisers.

## **The Project**

Second Best was originally conceived in 2016 by Stephen Kelly. He got together some of the funniest (that's our words...) improvisers in NYC to play a wholly original campaign (as created and DM'd by Stephen Buckley). All the players (that's Ali Gordon, Stephen Kelly, Marty Scanlon, and Glo Tavarez) combined have studied and performed at major comedy theatres including The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB NY), The Pit, The Magnet, and more! Though all the players came form a similar performing background, many were new to D&D. The podcast aims to be accessible to new listeners who might just be getting into the game as well as seasoned veterans alike!

## **Quick Links**

* Major Arcs
* Episodes
* Characters
* Locations
* Items
* Quotes

## **Important Links**

* https://www.patreon.com/SecondBestDnD
* https://www.secondbestdnd.com/
* https://www.secondbestdnd.com/fanart/
* https://soundcloud.com/martyscanlon
* https://www.facebook.com/SecondBestDnD/
* https://twitter.com/SecondBestDnD
Bejen

Bejen is the first NPC that the players interact with in the show. He guards the gate to Blackhollow. He apologizes for not having any children.

The team take issue with his stance (as a guard) that people can solve their own problems. He and Bug share a hearty, warming handshake and he directs them to the mayor's office.

Bejen is on the law side of the "weed-having," so he's not at liberty to tell Yolanda where she can buy some in town.

## Quotes

*"Uh, my name Bejen, and I am a 37-year-old man, and I guard this gate and I have no children."* --Bejen to Gail

*"Uh, I'm sorry to let you down so early..."* --Bejen to Bug, after not having a photo of his children to share.
The Gwomma Institute

The Gwomma Institute of Kordothian Studies, or better known as the Gwomma Institute, is a university that studies ancient relics from the bygone civilization of Kordoth.

The students here take a vow of silence, except for those who work the reception desk. They mostly where gray robes. There are two tracks: researcher and archivists. Researchers develop the body of knowledge, and the archivists store the knowledge. Celesna, a floating shimmering creature, guards the Archives behind glass walls.

Some examples of artifacts that were/are studies here include:

* A scepter/rod with engravings of fire and water
* A rod that shoots out light when a button is pressed (a flash light, demonstrated by Miss Segundin)
* A bead (as mentioned by Queen Kinaine)
Caruthers

Caruthers is a crew member on the Sophie Sorrowfeather. He is a bubbly li'l gnome who has mostly been seen performing his duties as a cook in the kitchen with Tim and Georgia. He's the most personable and bubbly people in the kitchen. He's always zipping around and saying stupid stuff.

At the end of the first day aboard, Stephen Buckley forgets Caruthers' voice, and Marty/Ali/Yolanda make increasing squeakier, high-pitched voices.

### Quotes

"That's not pepper! Yeah-ey-yeah! OH, THAT'S not pepper! Yeah-ey-yeah! Caruthers' in the kitchen, yeah-ey-yeah! Who else is in the kitchen, yeah-ey-yeah? Bug is in the kitchen, yeah-ey-yeah! Tim is in the kitchen, yeah-ey-yeah! Georgia's in the kitchen, yeah-ey-yeah! Yolanda's in the kitchen, yeah-ey-yeah! Alright, let's make lunch."
The Ladies of the Bay

The Ladies of the Bay are a coven of three hags. They live in the remains of a storm giant that was slain by the Finest several years ago in the Bay of the Bairn in Keen. There are two daughters (one of whom is named Linda) and one mother. They are causing a horrendous poisonous fog that is sickening sailors and dissuading ships from wanting to leave port.
Maiden Chyna

Maiden Chyna is a barbarian and also the name of a series of clothing/weapon stores. It is a chain-link store. Among its wares are pumpkin spice leather (PSL) armor. The Tranquility Team visits one of these stores in Keen to purchase new leather armor for Yolanda as she transitions into a druid/cleric multiclass.
Strong Arms, Strong Seas

*Strong Arms, Strong Seas* is a romance novel written by the number one, New York Times bestseller Laurel Hardcastle from the House of Hardcastle. It's like a dime store romance novel that Bug is currently reading.

The cover sports a Fabio-esque male lead with swashbuckling clothes similar to Bug's. Also on the cover is a woman looking into the distance. The book originally had approximately 300 pages, but Bug's copy has about 75, due to him ripping out the sections where things get inappropriate (the steamy romance sex).
Episode 0: Prologue

This episode was released February 19, 2018.

## Summary

In this prologue, Stephen Kelly describes the show as a real-play podcast, meaning that they are collaboratively telling an improvised story that uses the mechanics of 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons. The goal is to combine a fast, funny fantasy plot with a bunch of silly jokes.

Stephen Buckley introduces himself as dungeon master (DM) and gives an overview of the world of Second Best. To deal with the constant crises of the world, one nation has organized a group of powerful wizards and brash bold warriors, some of the finest adventurers this world has to offer (Milarien's Finest). This podcast is not about them. Second Best follows the second string (B- or even C-list adventurers) known as the Tranquility Team. The Tranquility Team is called in for small jobs that the Finest can't be bothered to address, often things the Finest caused themselves.

Ali, Glo, Marty, and SK also introduce their characters.

* Ali Gordon plays a character named Brywyn Vox Moorwalker, but everyone just calls him Bug. He's a human paladin who'd never hurt a fly. While some paladins are devoted a specific cause or deity, Bug fights for the power of friendship. He likes poetry and hugs.
* Stephen Kelly (SK) plays a character named Gail Tartarsauce. Gail is 54-year-old human rogue who's a lady. She is a sneaky person who can steal things and kill people in a sneaky way. She's a mother of two kids who are away in college, who's taken up her rogue profession again because she loves it. She's a very fancy competent lady with white hair, comparable to Maggie Smith or Glenn Close.
* Marty Scanlon plays a character name Hue, a female tiefling bard. She has dark red skin and purple and white braided hair with goat-like/ram-horns that hook behind her ears and a tail. She has yellow eyes that glow. She's a very talented and gifted musician, and also fancies herself a talented stand-up comedian.
* Glo Tavarez plays a character named Yolanda, who is a high elf cleric with the Nature domain. She loves nature and she's a pothead because she's a \*high\* elf. She smokes weed and is always tokin'-tokin'-tokin'. She has purple skin and two long braids.

## Quotes

*"Hello, world. And welcome to Second Best, a D&D adventure starring a bunch of New York City improvisers." --SK*

*"Second Best takes place in a world I've created. This world is chock-full of delightful disasters: rampaging dragons, sinister demons, and just preposterously stupid problems abound."* --Stephen Buckley

*"I think I've once described him as looking like a golden retriever who got really buff but also ran through a couple of fires."* --Ali Gordon in describing Bug

*"Clerics are, like, they're like cool 'cause they're like--I don't know what clerics are."* -Glo describing Yolanda.
Lindiwe Economic Advancement Plan

The Lindiwe economic Advancement Plan (LEAP) is a common initiative of Republic of Maltuan, Republic of Mandakir and Republic of Alfjari-Vet. Its aim is to strengthen the ties between the nations and allow them greater cooperation in fields of infrastructure, industry, research and security.

## Development and Deployment

1. ↑ https://www.templin.institute/news/2020/12/11/front-page-of-the-sagallo-courier-friday-december-11th-258al
Queen Kinaine

Queen Kinaine is the ruler of the country of Milarien. She employs Milarien's Finest and the Tranquility Team to conduct special operations for her.

Most recently, Queen Kinaine has been acquiring artifacts from The Council of the Illumined, including a bead and a scepter/wand. She directs the Tranquility Team to infiltrate O'Doalt's Mansion to retrieve a dragon-turtle egg, which is illegal in Milarien.

## About

Queen Kinaine lives in opulence, as denoted by the gold and red diamond-studded door to her enormous throne room.

## Spoilers

### **Episode 10: The Docks - Part 2**

Bahali reveals that he was trying to destroy records aboard Jet Drake's smuggling vessel. These records describe how a dragon-turtle egg was smuggled into the country, expressly for the queen. Bahali does not elaborate more on the plan.

### **Episode 22: The Ascent - Part 4**

Itotia reveals the history of the world according to her people. Some time ago, the Council of Illumined cast a wish using a dragon-turtle, a wand, and a crown. This wish created magic and split Kordoth from the rest of Siemas. This wish also created the races as we know them today. It appears that Queen Kinaine has been acquiring these artifacts because she intends to use a wish again. She already has the crown of the Illumined and a wand acquired from the Gwomma Institute for Kordothian Studies.

## Trivia

* In some of the earlier episodes, she is referred to as Queen Kilanie'ay
* Ali Gordon calls her as "Queen Frostine," referring to the character from the board game, Candy Land.
Milarien's Finest

Milarien's Finest, or simply the Finest, are a group of five adventurers in service to Queen Kinaine.

## History

Before the creation of the Finest, each member was a renowned adventurer in their own right. Banor Galesti is credited with the creation of the group, hand-selecting each member for Queen Kinaine. This group was organized to deal with the constant crises of the realm of Siemas.

### The Tranquility Team

They have accomplished several harrowing feats, such as eradicating a Beholder from the town of Rabicant or defeating a storm giant in Keen. However, despite their A-list status, the Finest often cause more problems than they solve; that's where the Tranquility Team comes in. The Tranquility Team is a back-up group comprised of four adventurers that handle the smaller problems of the world, often problems that the Finest can't be bothered to address or often times the Finest have caused themselves.
Gisilbert Mercurious

Gisilbert Mercurious is the former chief of police for the city of Blackhollow. He disappeared in the first attack, according to Chief Aldonna. He was assumed to be dead even though his body was never recovered because he was missing for weeks and didn’t contact any of his loved ones, granted he didn’t have many loved ones. The Tranquility Team killed him after discovering that he was alive and was partly responsible for summoning the demons that were terrorizing Blackhollow.

## Home

Gisilbert owns a medium-sized, two-story home in a residential area of Blackhollow. It's nice, but not quite a mansion. The interior is very sparse and spartan. There is not comfortable furniture, most of it being handcrafted wood with very sharp edges. There is workshop on the first floor. On the second floor, there is a bedroom with a single twin bed and a desk with letterhead. The letterhead say "Gisilbert Mercurious, Chief of Police, Blackhollow". In the basement, there are crates filled with salted meat (mostly jerky, of a beef variety) and a tool bench with shelves of tools used for carpentry. Behind the tool shelf is a secret passageway.
Lykke Nilda

Lykke Nilda is the mayor of the city of Blackhollow. She requested the Tranquility Team come to address the demon issue still terrorizing her town. She shows herself to be a kind, well mannered and patient woman as she mediates much of the strife between the Tranquility Team and Chief Aldonna.

She has an office in the town hall of Blackhollow. It's a 10 x 15 ft room dominated by a desk with papers. Mostly, these papers are budgetting documents, and reports about breaking and entering, dead bodies ending up in people's yards.

Yolanda does not find her particularly chill.

## Clothing

Lykke Nilda sports good pants and a shirt with buttons at regular intervals. The clothes, however, are very much office attire, and Gail judges Nilda slightly for her lack of color. She wears glasses.

## Quotes

"*Lykke Nilda: she is a human, she's a short woman, and dressed very professionally, which in this era, I'm gonna say, like, good pants... and like a shirt with buttons at regular intervals.*" -- Stephen Buckley describing the mayor of Blackhollow

*"There's just a few demons that are still killing people, and it issss a problem, as I'm sure you can appreciate."* --Lykke Nilda

## Appearances

* Episode 1: Blackhollow - Part 1
* Ep 3: Blackhollow - Part 3
Mumbattan Visions Academy

The **Mumbattan Visions Academy** is a prestigious private school in Mumbattan of Earth-50101. Not much is known about this facility other than it is the school that Pavitr Prabhakar attends with the latter being one of their top students.

## Known Members

### Students

* Pavitr Prabhakar
* Gayatri Singh

## Trivia

* The academy is mentioned during Pavitr's introduction scene as a school. The schools name is revealed as a small detail on Pavitr's school uniform which he wears a navy blue tie with the initials MVA.
* We can supposed that similar to his comic counterpart he gained a scholar ship at the school.
Blackhollow (city)

Blackhollow has a population of around 10,000 people. It first appears in Ep 1: Blackhollow - Part 1 and is the setting of the Blackhollow story arc. There is only two bars, which should definitely be making more money than they are.

## Notable Locations

* The Hairy Chin: A bar run by someone racist against tieflings.
* The Leaky Spout: A bar run by Reshenelle, a much more tolerant man. The night time innkeeper is named Bafar.

## Notable NPCs

* Lykke Nilda: The mayor of Blackhollow.
* Chief Aldonna: The Chief of Police in Blackhollow.
* Frank Brandt: A doctor and coroner.
Hue's Dreams

In the first season, Hue receives a series of cryptic and symbolic dreams. She does not reveal these dreams to the party (at least not in Episode 8 or 10).

## The Dreams

#### Episode 8: The Scepter and the Frog - Part 5

* *"Hue dreams of a mirror, and every time Hue gets closer to the mirror and tries to touch it, the reflection in the mirror gets farther back. However, you can't quite make out the face of the reflection."*

#### Episode 10: The Docks - Part 2

* *"Hue goes to bed a bit later than the rest of you after entertaining the other patrons, and as she drifts off to sleep, she starts to dream fitfully until she finds herself dreaming of a, of a pool of water in a glade. There's rushes sort of wafting in the wind, and the water surface moves and it looks almost silvery. You've a mild control over yourself in this dream. [Hue walks towards the water] As you approach the water, you see that the rushes don't extend through the water. At the water's surface, they stop being rushes, and the other side of the water is looking up into the sky, a different sky, and there's stone as though you're at the bottom of a shallow well or a fountain. [Hue reaches toward the water] You reach towards the water, and your fingers touch the water but instead of feeling more water on the other side, you feel air as though you're putting your hand up through water. And after just a moment of your hand being out there, another hand grabs you on the other side and pulls your arm up to the shoulder into the water, but your head strikes the water as though it's cement. The hand pulls you a few more times, and your head keeps striking, and then it lets you go. And you wake up."*

## Trivia

* The music that plays over Buckley's narration is the same theme as Kordoth (which is based on the Second Best leit-motif).
* Marty "legit" got goosebumps from the dream narration in Episode 8.
* Hue shouts "Stone! Water! Rushes!" during her dream in Episode 10.
* She does an Insight check on herself in Episode 10. She can remember the facts of the well dream, but doesn't think she's ever seen that place before and that the night sky looked different from any night sky she's seen.
* It is revealed in Season 2 that the dreams were created and sent to Hue by Omine, Hue's long-lost twin brother. Omine developed a machine that can synthesize dreams.
Rixian Galactic Directorate

(This article is currently being worked on and any help would be apreciated)

The RGC was encountered by the Greater Terran Union in 2238.09.05.

It was later a part of an anti-GTU coalition, named the Compact. Consisting of them, the Algan Republic and the Faraxian Union. They participated in several wars against the GTU.

This membership came to an end after the final war between the Compact and the GTU, ending with the vassalization of the RGC and most other members.

In 2647, the GTU´s control was fully cemented, when the RGC was fully integrated by the GTU.

### Raltek Confederation - Vassal

Prior to the integration of the Directorate into the GTU, the Raltek Confderation was a vassal state of the Rixian Directorate. The Confederation constituted a single star system, but had a relatively large population, with three habitable planets, a major space station, and three space habitats. During the final war between the GTU and the Compact, Raltek held the GTU at bay for several years. Its planets possessed FTL inhibitors and planetary shields, negating the ability of the GTU to bypass the system or to use orbital bombardment to destroy Raltek ground forces. All three planets had to be invaded in the Siege of Raltek, the bloodiest ground campaign in GTU history.

The fall of Raltek opened up the inner systems of the Directorate to GTU forces. Within months of the breakthrough at Raltek, the Rixians surrendered and accepted their status as a Terran Protectorate. Following the Integration, Raltek legally became a direct subject of the GTU and a Terran Protectorate.
Rabicant

Rabicant is a small city on the Craw, an island on the western side of Siemas. The population is about 2000. It has a bustling religious scene and a light crime rate. It's chiefly known for its wool and fine clothing.

A few months ago, all of the coffee in the town started being stolen. Local commerce *ground* to a halt. Additionally, all new shipments were being mysteriously stolen or destroyed.

## Citizens

* Miranda Velasquez, mayor of Rabicant
* Phue Sigrun, sheep keeper

## Layout

Rabicant is a coastal town with docks. Within the city walls, there are several craftsmen and merchant areas. There is a central market and a temple. There is a lighthouse nearby.

## Appearances

* Episode 35: Trouble Brewing - Part 1
* Episode 36: Trouble Brewing - Part 2
* Episode 37: Trouble Brewing - Part 3
* "Rabicant Notes"

## Trivia

In "Rabicant Notes", Stephen Buckley describes the city as "The Sleepy Town of Rabicant." There is also a map and breakdown of all the professions in the city.
Peter Parkedcar

***This article is about Peter Parkedcar, the Spider-Man of Earth-53931.******Were you looking for Spider-Mobile, Peter Parker of Earth-1610's former car or other versions instead?***

## Spider-Mobile

### Alias(es)

**Codenames**
 Spider-Mobile

## Personal Information

### Alt. versions

* Peter Parker
* Spider-Mobile

## Series Information

### Appeared in

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

**Peter Parkedcar** also known as **Spider-Mobile** is a Spider-Person or rather vehicle associated with the Spider-Society.

## Biography

Peter Parkedcar was a member of the Spider-Society that was recruited by Miguel O'Hara at some point in time. He went with Spidercide, Ultimate Tarantula, Last Stand Spider-Man, and LEGO Spider-Man to go deal with the Spot situation. Later, he participated in the Hunt for Miles Morales and falls to the ground while trying to cross a Spider-Girl's rope.

## Trivia

* In *Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse*, Peter Parker of Earth-1610 had a spider-mobile that happened to look exactly like Peter, in fact most versions of the Spider-Mobile share Parkedcar's exact design.
Items

Below is a non-exhaustive list of important items in the Second Best DnD campaign

* The Wand
* Dragon Turtle Egg
* Teppin's Ring
* Karpok
* Elven Rope Armor
* Potion of Storytelling
* Potion of Fire Immunity
* Day-Stick
* Ghost Gun
* Poison Wipes
* Sextant of the Blue Raven
* Cap of Water Breathing
* Dagger of Warning

### Famore's Magical Items

* Decorative Chowder
* Farting Boots
* Bagpipes of Invisibility
* Rope-on-a-String
* The Mis-Mirror
* Ring of Aye-Aye
* Stick of Ad-Libbing
* The Forgetting Cap
* Dad's Cool Shirt
Two Minutes to Midnight

Two Minutes to Midnight was a art piece commissioned by the Union Chamber of Culture. The painting depicts a midnight swearing in ceremony outside the halls of the National Assembly in London. Two Minutes to Midnight was created by Giorgio Grecu, winner of the 2624 Natasha Fox Prize for Art & Social Patriotism. When it first premiered at the Qing Huang Museum of Contemporary Art, Two Minutes to Midnight was immediately regarded as one of the greatest examples of Nationalist-Realism.

1. ↑ https://shop.templin.institute/collections/the-greater-terran-union-collection/products/two-minutes-to-midnight
Forward Antares

Designed by Alfjari-Vet artist Joan Piqué Llorens, **Forward Antares** depicts a stylised view of Memorial Hill and Sagallo Harbor. The design was created to support, although initially independent from the Second Colonization Campaigns and became one of the most widespread symbols of the effort. While it spawned numerous parodies and imitations in the ensuing centuries, the optimistic message of “Forward Antares” has made the piece one of the most popular depictions of Antares history.

## References

1. ↑ https://shop.templin.institute/collections/antares-confederacy/products/poster
Unbidden

```
                                                                       **The Unbidden**

```

*Have you ever looked in a mirror and wondered if the shadow you saw cast behind you did not come from the light in the room, but from the light reflected in the mirror?*

The **Unbidden** are, by what information exists, a race of extra-dimensional entities known as the Eternal. Malevolent, war-like and beyond "normal" comprehension, the Unbidden wage an endless war for something they call the Throne of Eternity, the right to which is measured solely in the energy of all living things, from the most insignificant bacterium to the most powerful intergalactic species. Little beyond this is known by researchers, and those few who have tried to delve into the secrets of the Unbidden have all, without exception, gone insane. One Greater Terran Union (GTU) scientist, who had spent a decade studying stripped “dead worlds” in the Aftermath of the War in Heaven (which the fallen Jaz Gavaz's reckless use of the Jump Drive got the Unbidden's attention of the Milky Way Galaxy), was said to have ultimately gouged his own eyes out and brutally murdered three of his assistants before being shot by Terran Marines who were standing security at his lab. This is thoroughly denied by the Ministry of State Security, along with the other rumor that the corpse of the Scientist continued to speak, even after being repeatedly shot by Gauss guns.

What is known is that when given a specific trigger, usually the overuse of faster-than-light jump drives or hypergate technology, the attention of the Unbidden is drawn. The Unbidden open a “gate” of their own into real space, and launch a genocidal war on all life. While the Unbidden remain the only known faction of the Eternal to ever be encountered, there have been rumors that they are in fact the smallest of the Eternal factions, and that there are least two other, even more powerful versions of this species; All vying for the Throne of Eternity. This claim is generally dismissed as "disinformation".

For the Antares Commonwealth, even less is known beyond what could be salvaged from the Screk Empire's Archives; very little, ultimately amounting to psychic gibberish of destruction across a thousand worlds and possibly even realities/multiverses. Efforts to ask the surviving Screks more about the creatures has been met with a mixture of almost religious symbolism against evil, or in some cases a near generational traumatic response, to such a point it is considered impolite to even mention the Unbidden in the presence of a Skrek.
Georgia

Georgia is a crew member on the Sophie Sorrowfeather. She has mostly been seen performing her duties as a cook in the kitchens with Tim and Caruthers. Georgia and Bug shared a humorous moment, where suddenly for no reason at the same time they both said "Whaaaaat??? Thaaaattttt'sss nottttt pepppppperrrr???", which became their inside joke.
Ariane

### Destroyed by

**Ariane** is one of the planets of the Antares System, orbiting the star Abeni. As of 292 AL it has been fully recolonized as a confederal territory.

## History

### Initial Colonization

Ariane was one of the eight worlds initially colonized by the Earhart Colonization Flotilla, with two major colonies established. Due to the planet's superficial similarity to Earth, its initial colonists were given only the barest amounts of resources and machinery. However, anomalies in the planet's magnetic field were discovered too late and despite seemingly everything needed for human life to thrive, immense solar radiation caused crops to fail and strange forms of cancer overwhelmed every colonist.

Despite these challenges the colonists of Ariane endured for a remarkably long time with the last colonists dying only a few weeks before Reunion Day. When the cause of the colony’s failure was discovered Ariane was placed under an exclusion zone and left as a memorial to those that died there.

### Resettlement Debate

Following the formation of the Antares Confederacy, the recolonization of Ariane became increasingly debated. Within the Confederacy there exists strong support to keep Ariane as a memorial, but the demands of orbital development and potential extra-Antares colonies has fuelled a demand for resources with many political leaders believe colonization of Ariane could alleviate.

In 210 AL House Majority Leader Dayananda Shrivastava introduced a measure to begin a preliminary investigation to resettlement of Ariane.

### Resettlement

In 288 AL the decision was made to recolonize Ariane, with the effort finishing in 292.

## Trivia

* The decision to resettle Ariane was given to Templin Institute patrons. The recolonization option won the poll with 79% of the vote, and colonization started and finished in the 5th stream.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.templin.institute/news/2020/10/16/an-update-on-stellaris-invicta-season-ii
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://youtu.be/w7xTkcqFciY?t=535
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 https://www.templin.institute/news/2020/11/13/front-page-of-the-sagallo-courier-november-13th-210al
4. ↑ https://www.patreon.com/posts/should-ariane-be-44007122
Federation of Rhumdara

The **Federation of Rhumdara** is one of the original colonies of the Antares System and a constituent nation of the Antares Confederacy.

## History

Situated across a truly vast expanse of ocean, Rhumdara consists of more than forty-five thousand islands, the largest of which is roughly the size of old Cuba. The initial population was purposely isolated from one another in the hopes that any local diseases would not be spread throughout the entire population. Within a single generation however, the settlers of these island states began seeking out one another, in direct violation of their initial mandate. Rhumdara’s formation reflected that of the Antares Confederacy. Not every island settlement had survived and initial disagreements arose between competing settlements, but in their reunification came the impetus for the modern nation state.

Rhumdara is generally considered a rising power within the Confederacy.

## Culture

The Chengan band "Red Nine" performed in the Rhumdaran capital, Torres Bay, on the last day of the Vrul War. The ceasefire was declared in the middle of the concert, which subsequently turned into a victory celebration.

## Economy

Traditionally unable to maintain large industries, outside investment, particularly by the Republic of Chengatai, has the potential to transform the nation. The current government is especially invested in expanding Rhumdara’s maritime resources and pursuing other infrastructural development, and the significant economic achievements of Rhumdara have elevated the Federation above being a simple tourist destination.

The Federation is the home of many successful corporations, including Santiago Space Industries, Mantra Marine, Beirenmin Cybernetics, and Deseret Skypaths.

## Geography

The Federation of Rhumdara is located on the planet of Hai, which orbits Abeni - the main star of the Antares System. Rhumdara shares Hai with the Republic of Chengatai. Over 45,000 islands make up the federation, the largest of which is only the size of the island of Cuba, on Earth. Rhumdara is known across the system for the breathtaking natural beauty of its countless islands.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://shop.templin.institute/collections/antares-confederacy/products/federation-of-rhumdara
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://www.templin.institute/news/2020/12/11/front-page-of-the-sagallo-courier-friday-december-11th-258al
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://shop.templin.institute/collections/antares-confederacy/products/rhumdara-hat
4. ↑ https://www.templin.institute/news/2020/10/16/an-update-on-stellaris-invicta-season-ii
5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7xTkcqFciY&t
Nex Network

The NEX Network was a lethal virus that was a catastrophe towards the Greater Terran Union. It was first mistaken as ordinary errors and operator fatigue, until it gained access to the GTU's nanotechnology obtained from the intergalactic cluster. Billions of self-replicating murder machines began spreading across what were once human paradises.
Association of Antares Nations

The Association of Antares Nations was a supernational union formed by the Federation of Jut Fareed.

## History

Formed within a decade of Reunion Day the Association of Antares Nations competed against the Retivan-led Antares Community and the Chengatai-led Ariko Pact for political and economic influence among the nations of Antares.

While the benefits offered by the Association of Antares Nations were considerable, the increasing tension between the Association and its competitors only served to alienate many of the neutral nations they were attempting to influence. On March 1st, 164 A.L., the Republic of Maltuan, the Republic of Sabmadi and the Free State of Sagallo, and the Union of Thanh-Jenal, established the competing Non-Aligned Movement of Antares. The Non-Aligned Movement quickly became the largest in the system, with many of the remaining neutral nations joining the new institution.

By 189 A.L. all members of the Association of Antares Nations except the Federation of Jut Fareed had left and had instead joined the Non-Aligned Movement. On September 4th, 191 A.L., The Federation of Jut Fareed dissolved the Association of Antares Nations and, alongside the Republic of Retiva, and the Republic of Chengatai, was unofficially accepted into the Non-Aligned Movement, which, as a face saving measure was immediately dissolved. Instead the Antares Assembly underwent a complete reform, adopting both the structure, laws and decorum of the Non-Aligned Movement. This led to the establishment of the Antares Confederacy 11 years later.

## References

1. ↑ https://youtu.be/ZZsG\_OiVsGk?t=907
2. ↑ https://youtu.be/ZZsG\_OiVsGk?t=937
3. ↑ https://youtu.be/ZZsG\_OiVsGk?t=990
Major Arcs

## The Story So Far

In the world of Milarien, there are fantastical threats like demons, ghouls, and monsters all over. Milarien's Finest are a team that restores order and balance to the land. This podcast is **not** about them. The Tranquility Team (that's Bug the paladin, Gail the rogue, Hue the bard, and Yolanda the cleric) are the clean-up crew for Milarien's Finest. Their job is to clean up the mess of the *actual* heroes of the land and restore order.

## Major Arcs

### Blackhollow

* Episode 1: Blackhollow - Part 1
* Episode 2: Blackhollow - Part 2
* Episode 3: Blackhollow - Part 3

### The Scepter And The Frog

* Episode 4: The Frog and the Scepter - Part 1
* Episode 5: The Frog and the Scepter - Part 2
* Episode 6: The Frog and the Scepter - Part 3
* Episode 7: The Frog and the Scepter - Part 4
* Episode 8: The Frog and the Scepter - Part 5

### The Docks

* Episode 9: The Docks - Part 1
* Episode 10: The Docks - Part 2

### The Monstrous Menagerie

* Episode 11: The Monstrous Menagerie - Part 1
* Episode 12: The Monstrous Menagerie - Part 2
* Episode 13: The Monstrous Menagerie - Part 3

### The Final Curtain

* Episode 15: The Final Curtain - Part 1
* Episode 16: The Final Curtain - Part 2
* Episode 17: The Final Curtain - Part 3
* Episode 18: The Final Curtain - Part 4

### The Ascent

* Episode 19: The Ascent - Part 1 (Season 2 Premiere)
* Episode 20: The Ascent - Part 2
* Episode 21: The Ascent - Part 3
* Episode 22: The Ascent - Part 4

### Dockblocked

* Episode 24: Dockblocked - Part 1
* Episode 25: Dockblocked - Part 2
* Episode 26: Dockblocked - Part 3
* Episode 27: Dockblocked - Part 4
* Episode 28: Dockblocked - Part 5

### Sea Legs

* Episode 29: Sea Legs - Part 1
* Episode 30: Sea Legs - Part 2
* Episode 31: Sea Legs - Part 3

### Missouri Jones and the Temple of Giants

* Episode 32: Missouri Jones and the Temple of Giants - Part 1
* Episode 33: Missouri Jones and the Temple of Giants - Part 2
* Episode 34: Missouri Jones and the Temple of Giants - Part 3

### Trouble Brewing

* Episode 35: Trouble Brewing - Part 1
* Episode 36: Trouble Brewing - Part 2
* Episode 37: Trouble Brewing - Part 3

### The Call of the Heart

* Episode 38: The Call of the Heart - Part 1 (w/ special guest Carlos Valdes)
* Episode 39: The Call of the Heart - Part 2 (w/ special guest Carlos Valdes)
* Episode 40: The Call of the Heart - Part 3 (w/ special guest Carlos Valdes)

### Always Ask Famore

* Episode 41: Always Ask Famore (Season 3 Premiere)

### Homecoming

* Episode 42: Homecoming - Part 1
* Episode 43: Homecoming - Part 2
* Episode 44: Homecoming - Part 3
Dakarai

**Dakarai** is one of the planets of the Antares System. It is the sole inhabited planet orbiting Nakato, and as of 210 AL it is the most populated world in the Antares Confederacy.

## History

In spite of some challenges to colonisation, most notably Dakarai's large tropical storms, Dakarai proved to be one of the most amenable planets to large-scale Human settlement in the Antares System. Dakarai's first settlers found that their crops required very little genetic modification to take root.

## Geography

Dakarai is outwardly similar to Earth, it is a diverse world of vast seas and great continents. The major differences between Dakarai and Earth are Dakarai's larger amount of surface water cover and slightly higher temperature. As a result, Dakarai is often engulfed in great tropical storms which can stretch across a large percent of the planet's surface.

Dakarai contains enormous stores of mineral wealth across its surface, requiring only the most rudimentary of mining efforts to access.

## Ecology

Following the Vrul War, efforts to introduce Earth-native life to Dakarai's biosphere culminated in the birth of blue whale twins.

## Politics

Dakarai is home to the Federation of Jut Fareed and the Republic of Retiva the two largest and most powerful nations in the Antares Confederacy.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.templin.institute/news/2020/10/16/an-update-on-stellaris-invicta-season-ii
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://youtu.be/w7xTkcqFciY?t=237
3. ↑ https://www.templin.institute/news/2020/12/11/front-page-of-the-sagallo-courier-friday-december-11th-258al
Last Light

Last Light is a Type M red dwarf star located on the periphery of the Perseus Arm of the Milky Way galaxy. The system was originally designated Gliese 133, and is notable for possessing a hyperspace jump point that connects to the outer Cygnus Arm. The system was colloquially named "Last Light" by the GTU Border Guards assigned to the system, and for much of its history it was the furthest most GTU system facing Vol Space. Most exploration vessels or independent merchants who travelled past the system into Vol territory would not return, and the system gained a reputation for being the "last light of civilization" on the frontiers of the GTU's outer rim territories. During the First Galactic War, the system would become site to the Battle of Last Light, one of the largest single engagements in Union history, as three fleets of the Terran Navy engaged a massive armada of NEX extermination ships that had overrun the recently conquered Vol territories and were driving towards the core worlds of the GTU.
Vrul Salvation League

The Vrul Salvation League was a rabidly xenophobic and heavily militarized dictatorship founded by the plutocratic elite of the Vrul civilization to oversee the emergency evacuation of the now destroyed Vrul-Ho, which had been irreparably destabilized by their reckless exploitation of its natural resources. During its comparatively brief existence the Salvation League espoused a supremacist and openly genocidal view of all other sentient life in the galaxy and state propaganda claimed the dictatorial government to be working towards the salvation of all Vrul regardless of class or creed, when in reality the evacuation efforts quickly abandoned most of the Vrul lower classes to their fate upon the surface of the doomed world as the privileged upper class fled for the colony of Torix alongside a small indentured workforce.

Once reestablished on the nascent colony, the Vrul Salvation League's appalling treatment of what remained of its working class (in many cases amounting to little more than forced labor in massive death camps) combined with its genocidal overtures and refusal to accept Confederate aid amidst the largely unsuccessful evacuation efforts lead to the declaration of a war of containment by the Confederated Republics of Antares, resulting in the complete and almost spontaneous dissolution of the Salvation League following Confederate landfall on Torix.
Terran Home Fleet

The Terran Home Fleet is the oldest combat formation in the GTU's Fleet Command, having been formed in the year 2202 with the discovery of the hyperlane network. The duty of the Home Fleet has since that moment been the protection of the Sol system. It is only in the direst of emergencies that it would ever leave Sol uncovered, such as the Battle of Last Light against the AI rebellion and the Battle of Styx during the unbidden war.
Thermopylae Commissariat

Thermopylae Station

One of the largest and prominent Commissariats in the Greater Terran Union, directly bordering the Core Sector of the GTU, the Rixian Directorate, the Union of Nimerium, the Faraxian Confederation, and the Raltek Confederation. Thermopylae Commissariat is surrounded on all sides by Terran territory and allies, arguably making it the astrographic heart of Terran power. It was created almost entirely from star systems conquered from members of the Compact, although it is now dominated by human colonists. Most of its planets have been terraformed into Continental type worlds, with the capital of the commissariat being the eponymous Thermopylae Station, the largest non-habitat space station in GTU space.

The commissariat was heavily devastated during the NEX uprising, and was partially occupied afterwards by the Rixian Directorate in a quasi-rebellious dispute with the GTU, causing the GTU to absorb the Directorate by 2647.
Ariko Pact

The Ariko Pact was a supernational union formed by the Republic of Chengatai.

## History

Formed within a decade of Reunion Day the Ariko Pact competed against the Jut Fareed-led Association of Antares Nations and the Retivan-led Antares Community for political and economic influence among the nations of Antares.

While the benefits offered by the Ariko Pact were considerable, the increasing tension between the Pact and its competitors only served to alienate many of the neutral nations they were attempting to influence. On March 1st, 164 A.L., the Republic of Maltuan, the Republic of Sabmadi and the Free State of Sagallo, and the Union of Thanh-Jenal, established the competing Non-Aligned Movement of Antares. The Non-Aligned Movement quickly became the largest in the system, with many of the remaining neutral nations joining the new institution.

By 189 A.L. all members of the Ariko Pact except the Republic of Chengatai had left and had instead joined the Non-Aligned Movement. On September 4th, 191 A.L., The Republic of Chengatai dissolved the Ariko Pact and, alongside the Federation of Jut Fareed, and the Republic of Retiva, was unofficially accepted into the Non-Aligned Movement, which, as a face saving measure was immediately dissolved. Instead the Antares Assembly underwent a complete reform, adopting both the structure, laws and decorum of the Non-Aligned Movement. This led to the establishment of the Antares Confederacy 11 years later.

## References

1. ↑ https://youtu.be/ZZsG\_OiVsGk?t=907
2. ↑ https://youtu.be/ZZsG\_OiVsGk?t=937
3. ↑ https://youtu.be/ZZsG\_OiVsGk?t=990
Union of Nimerium

Flag of Nimerium

Borders of Nimerium

### Summary

The Union of Nimerium is a GTU puppet state. Established on Nimerium in 2399, 6, 23 after the end of the Terran-Compact war. This was the second GTU puppet state established within previously Algan Republic territory and the former United Clans of Skiron

### Early History:

Before the establishment of the Union, there was another puppet state, named the Algan Republican States. This was in many ways similar to the Union of Nimerium, in that it was a GTU puppet state that was set up in order to be a buffer on the Algan/Terran border. This puppet state was eventually overthrown by pro-Algan Rep forces, which sparked the Terran-Compact war.

During the negotiations to end the Terran-Compact War, Diplomats of the GTU were on Nimerium in attempts to secure a break away state to cripple the Algan Republic into a worse bargaing position. This was mostly unsuccesful, until the GTU managed to secure a treaty. In the agreement the GTU would be allowed to create a puppet state, a buffer between the two in order to prevent further wars. They had some trouble finding a willing Polenien to cooperate, but they eventually found a candidate. This Poleniens name was Jut K´lickel, a war hero and idol to many, he had grown tired of the leadership of the Algan Republic, and wanted to form his own state. He was perfect, but in order to make him more appealing to the Terran leadership, he was renamed to: Bud Maple. which appealed to the current High Marshal.

### Government:

The government is headed by the human minority, with a Polenien being the front for the people and outward politics. But in reality the state is ruled by the GTU.

### Population:

Whilst 90% of the population is Polenien, it is the human minority, mostly politicans and people searching a better life after the Terran-Compact War, that control its actions and politics. It is them who keep the Union loyal to Terra and the High Marshal. Many humans emigrated to the Union after the final colonization of the Outer Rim to search for a new chance in life.

### Military:

After the formation of the Union their military was strictly restricted by the GTU. They are only allowed to build and operate a certain amount of warships and armies. These ships are mostly patrol fleets and anti-piracy forces. The reason for this is to prevent any attempt of independence by Polenien partisans or to make sure that no Terran warlords attempt to take leadership by force. However during the Terran-Florian war they were decisive in the destruction of the Florian Federation fleet.

### Traits:

* Militarist: They believe in a strong military to fight against other xenos and dangers
* Egalitarian: They believe that every citizen of their empire has the right to be treated equally.
* Xenophobe: They believe that all other xenos (except for humans) are disgusting.

1. ↑ Templin Institute

Templin Archives
Ziva

**Ziva** is a moon orbiting the planet Vinh, which in turn orbits Dejen in the Antares System. As of 210 AL it is the 5th most populated world in the Antares Confederacy.

## History

Four colonies were originally established on Ziva by the Earhart Colonization Flotilla. However, only two survived until reunification day. The colony that would become the Sabmadi Republic only managed to survive because of its disproportionate allotment of military drones, while the early settlers of the Tehnali Republic were forced to barricade themselves within their colony ships before eventually finding refuge in an underground cave system.

## Geology

Ziva is known for its complex cave systems; the Tehnali Republic was saved by taking refuge in a cave, while a major cavern believed to be the largest on the moon was discovered during the excavation of a subterranean highway.

## Ecology

Ziva defies easy categorisation, boasting a plethora of extreme climates and vastly differing ecological zones. Ziva is also the only world in the Antares System with indigenous life forms as evolutionarily advanced as those native to Earth. Much of Ziva is covered in bizarre forms of jungle which are equally adept at surviving in humid tropical zones or frigid tundra. As a result, travel and communication across Ziva is done by way of air or space travel, as no highway or other method of ground connection has survived the moon's hostile ecosystem.

The moon is known for the exceptionally hostile flora and fauna of its impenetrable jungles, and a group of thirteen university students was reported missing in the Tehali Republic's Albertine National Park just prior to the launch of the *CAS Earhart.* New species are discovered every day, including a savage dog-like creature native to the planet's jungles.

## Politics

The Sabmadi Republic and the Tehnali Republic are both located on Ziva. The two nations are connected by a subterranean highway, which despite its complexity was estimated to ultimately save billions by avoiding the moon's hostile surface ecology.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.templin.institute/news/2020/10/16/an-update-on-stellaris-invicta-season-ii
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://youtu.be/w7xTkcqFciY?t=467
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://www.templin.institute/news/2020/12/11/front-page-of-the-sagallo-courier-friday-december-11th-258al
4. ↑ https://www.templin.institute/news/2020/11/13/front-page-of-the-sagallo-courier-november-13th-210al