Ayta’s lonely childhood was soon transformed by Gran’s fantastic stories of flight from one world to the next. From distant Siberia to the Second World of Alterran, from there to the very Land of the Dead she had come, or so she claimed. And she had returned with secrets taken from that underworld, to teach her granddaughter. 

Ayta would need to come to terms with the legacy she had inherited, bearing these myths in a world which has no need for what it sees as childish things. A childish world that she knew was soon to end... 

Behind-the-scenes "deep dive" recording during the 2021 Kickstarter. (Video)

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

Each episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, and P. Emerson Williams. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. 

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

The Summer Tree begins in earnest with Gran's fantastic story of escaping the terror of Siberia in the early 1900s and passing through a gate to another world. The focus of her tale to come will be on her journey through this realm, the characters she meets, and the trials they face as they are drawn into its politics, poetry, and revolution.

Her adventure begins in a dimly lit cell, where she meets Elena, a young girl with a mysterious past. Their uneasy alliance grows with the arrival of Nyssa, a girl who seems to be without a history. The cramped confines of their cell “at the heart of the sun” set the stage for future connections and conflicts.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, and P. Emerson Williams. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. 

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

Hints emerge of how Lilith, reborn as a martyr to her own cause, will catalyze cataclysmic events reshaping Alterran’s development. Gran’s story vividly depicts the creation of New Babylon, a sanctuary grown amongst the roots of the desert tree that grew from her very coffin. 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, and P. Emerson Williams. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. 

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

Amidst their ordeal, a mysterious figure emerges, offering a possible escape or deeper entanglement in the temple’s dark confines.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, and P. Emerson Williams. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. 

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

At the Sendiirian safehouse, Eluane’s revelations hint at a former network of espionage and ties to Elena’s father. The trio must decide whether to trust their newfound guide or forge their own path amidst the outer city’s shadowy alleys. Eluane’s statements about their intertwined destinies suggest they are part of a larger, possibly preordained narrative, deepening the intrigue around their roles in the unfolding events of the Second World.

Elena takes an unexpected trip with even more unexpected results...

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, and P. Emerson Williams. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. 

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS.

Within the tent, amidst exotic scents and distant music, a conversation unfolds, revealing the political and mystical intricacies of this world. Eluane discloses critical information about Elena’s actions and their potentially catastrophic consequences, raising the stakes. As Ayta and her new friends engage with Prince Samah, they must carefully navigate diplomacy and danger, questioning whether they can trust the prince to aid their escape or if his allegiance to tradition spells their doom.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

Suddenly, they are subjected to a horrific attack, forcing the group to confront immediate physical dangers while still grappling with the symbolic implications of their quest. Then the portents that have been spoken of become all too real... 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

Encounters with Samah and his “abdal” Wallaj reveal a delicate balance of loyalty and duty that defines the city. Meanwhile, mysterious celestial events—a missing star and an ominous comet—loom overhead, suggesting larger, cosmic forces at play. The anticipation builds towards a crucial meeting with the king, as the serene ambiance of Ashenti gives way to an approaching storm and the promise of worse to come.

We will be taking a break before we continue into Season 2: The Fall Tree.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

We are happy to announce that the Tales From When I Had A Face illustrated novel B&W softcover edition is available on Amazon as of Nov 1. Over 100 illustrations in this dark modern fairytale. Pick up your copy for just $20. 

Modern Mythology podcast and site currently being reworked, stay tuned for a new podcast delving into the ins and outs of system and story, both within RPGs, and applying those same methods to fiction and other narrative creative work. (The archive of current ModernMythology.net articles will remain on Medium after the changeover occurs). 

More discussed within this brief podcast announcement episode. Stay tuned, season 2 of the Fallen Cycle Mythos fiction podcast will begin in about a week!

This marks the point at which Gran’s tale turns dark: she becomes embroiled in the revolution amidst the prophesied return of the Red Goddesses. Through her story, Gran aims to teach her granddaughter to be an Oyun, or in Ayta’s modern terms, “a witch.”

As Gran’s story unfolds in the second season, themes of fate, destiny, and the cyclical nature of life and death come to the fore, hinting at the dangerous path that lies ahead for the young, would-be Oyun.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

As the city burns, we face the emotional and psychological turmoil of the survivors, who grapple with feelings of loss, betrayal, and the collapse of their world. Fire serves as both destroyer and purifier as Eluane and others attempt to salvage remnants of their culture and history, focusing on the city’s library—a sanctuary of knowledge now threatened by the possibility of eternal forgetting.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

Tensions within the group surface, particularly between Samah and Wallaj, as they all contend with the aftermath of their shattered world. The journey through the Waste is not just a physical traversal of a broken land but an emotional voyage through their pasts and the collective memory of their culture. As they seek sanctuary, the survivors’ internal struggles with hope, despair, and the search for meaning in an indifferent universe mirror their external quest for safety.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

Eluane’s recounting of history, particularly the legend of Aryn the first king of Chernaya, provides a backdrop for what has been, and what is to come... 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

As they navigate the cobblestone streets, engaging in covert activities, the pervasive tension and secrecy of their quest in hostile territory come to the fore. Eluane’s disguise and interactions with the local populace reveal the burdens of past alliances and failed revolutions.

A rendezvous at a seemingly innocuous location for strategic discussions reveals diverse motivations and histories. Eluane’s tales come into focus in the context of present struggles, highlighting the cyclical nature of history.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

As the train travels, the characters face a confined, claustrophobic atmosphere, confronting fears and histories. Elena’s personal crisis, intensified by the imminent danger to her home city, highlights her vulnerability amidst the larger conflict. 

Then, they encounter some surprise visitors...

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

A savage ceremony culminates in profound transformations, particularly for Elena, marking a critical turning point as they confront forgotten histories and hidden truths.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

This prologue explores the transformative power of storytelling and memory, Ayta’s journey through grief, and her struggle to construct her identity from her grandmother’s legacy, now that she has gone.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artists David Bessell, Jenn E, P. Emerson Williams, and others. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

As the narrative shifts to a more intimate setting, Ayta’s reflections on her grandmother’s teachings intertwine with her evolving relationship with Blue. This sets the stage for the culmination of her story in the forthcoming episode.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artist David Bessell. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. 

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

It opens with candlelight and soapy water—a moment of connection between Ayta and Nyssa. Myth bleeds through: the ziggurat, the House of Bones, the sky with teeth. Their plans to escape a mundane world are abruptly shattered when Blue vanishes after a disturbing phone call, leaving Ayta submerged in confusion and dread. An uncanny call. A trail of blood. And then—silence. Ayta falls into isolation and grief, drawing owls, skipping class, wandering inside herself.

Driven by desperation, Ayta performs a ritual—but it does not go quite as planned. She faces a harrowing flock of ravens, symbols of death and transition, signifying her crossing into the domain of the Feyn, enigmatic keepers of stories at the threshold of the afterlife. Here, after many trials and tests, she encounters Eluane, her grandfather, who proposes a sinister yet compelling quest: to track down Blue, whose true nature may hold existential consequences for both worlds.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artist David Bessell. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. 

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

This podcast is also available on Spotify, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

Nearly a decade behind the counter has dulled his ambitions into routine. He writes to keep a spark alive, using customers as raw material. Nyssa—a young woman with electric-blue hair and a scent he can’t place—becomes his latest subject. Her name unravels meanings and myths. Her presence sharpens the dream.

Curiosity moves toward obsession: noting her gestures, following her in the park, waiting outside her home. In his dreams, she appears in a circle of flowers carved into winter ice. They are hunter and quarry, a pattern older than memory.

When she returns to the store with a fading bruise and rents The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, he follows her into the cold. Something follows him. And his life would never be the same.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artist David Bessell. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. 

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

As the investigation begins, the boundaries between routine and uncanny start to blur.

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artist David Bessell. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. 

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artist David Bessell. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. 

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

As that Cycle closes, a new one opens. Next up will be our audio production of Party At The World’s End. Expect those episodes to start rolling out in 2026. In the meantime, explore more of the Fallen Cycle at our website. 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

This episode is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack produced by James Curcio, featuring collaborating artist David Bessell. 

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Many Cycles begin in a world much like our own, with characters who know little of the world beyond their waking lives. Gradually, the crack opens between the mundane and the fantastic, the wondrous and the horrific, the past and the future. 

Enjoy what you hear? Support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

March 15, 2012. In the fourth ward of a locked psychiatric facility, Dionysus measures time by med rounds, fluorescent lights, and the same arguments looping in the dayroom. His file says “domestic terrorist” after an ‘incident’ at a mall. On the unit with him are Johny, sharp-eyed and volatile, and Jesus, brilliant and withdrawn, barely willing to speak. Dionysus insists the place runs on rules: routine, compliance, and the threat of restraint.

But on a day that should have been identical to the last, something arrives that doesn’t fit the schedule... 

This podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

• Cycle 1: “Tales From When I Had A Face” (Seasons 1-4) was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. B&W print edition available on Amazon. 
• Cycle 2: “Party At The World’s End” (Seasons 5-6) was written by James Curcio, with special thanks to JF Stackhouse and Nate Sampsel for collaboration on earlier editions. 

The soundtrack was produced by James Curcio, with special thanks to collaborators new and old including Jenn E, Dave Bessell, Scott Landes, Bradley the Buyer, Sarah and Rahul Iyer, Marz 233, P. Emerson Williams, Martine DellaRufa, and all the others who sat in on the subQtaneous sessions.

“Cut the Sky’s Throat,” an album selected from this feature’s soundtrack by Lilith & The Bacchae is available on various streaming platforms.

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Subscribe, share and support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

Later, sedated and strapped down after a particularly hostile interaction with Dr. Fein, Dionysus slips into a dream with a peculiar mythic resonance: a woman who seems all too familiar, corridors that repeat, doors that don’t open, and a clerk who insists everything requires authorization. 

Alarms cut through the fog. Loki is inside the ward, urging him awake. The escape starts with cut restraints and a sprint for the motor pool before anyone can lock the ward down again. Who was that woman?

This podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” (Seasons 1-4) was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

“Party At The World’s End” (Seasons 5-6) was written by James Curcio, with special thanks to JF Stackhouse and Nate Sampsel for collaboration on earlier editions. 

The soundtrack was produced by James Curcio, with special thanks to collaborators new and old including Jenn E, Dave Bessell, Scott Landes, Bradley the Buyer, Sarah and Rahul Iyer, Marz 233, P. Emerson Williams, Martine DellaRufa, and all the others who sat in on the subQtaneous sessions.

“Cut the Sky’s Throat,” an album selected from this feature’s soundtrack by Lilith & The Bacchae is available on Bandcamp and other streaming platforms.

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Subscribe, share and support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

Johny tries to keep it light, but Bradley won’t let him. He pushes him toward an Op Johny knows he shouldn’t take, and speaks in half-coded language that makes refusal feel dangerous. He recognizes the hook, tells himself to cut free—then stays on the phone long enough for inertia to do its work.

This podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” (Seasons 1-4) was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

“Party At The World’s End” (Seasons 5-6) was written by James Curcio, with special thanks to JF Stackhouse and Nate Sampsel for collaboration on earlier editions. 

The soundtrack was produced by James Curcio, with special thanks to collaborators new and old including Jenn E, Dave Bessell, Scott Landes, Bradley the Buyer, Sarah and Rahul Iyer, Marz 233, P. Emerson Williams, Martine DellaRufa, and all the others who sat in on the subQtaneous sessions.

“Cut the Sky’s Throat,” an album selected from this feature’s soundtrack by Lilith & The Bacchae is available on various streaming platforms.

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Subscribe, share and support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

On the news, footage from Pennhurst paints Dionysus and Jesus as unstable patients who staged a violent breakout and took a hostage. Trevino watches the broadcast and catches what it leaves out.

In a federal building basement, three near-identical suits lay out the real assignment. They hand him a classified file, tell him Loki is still out, and make it clear the escape is not the whole story. Trevino’s job is to watch, map the connections, and wait for the moment they can cut this budding insurrectionary network at the throat.

This podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” (Seasons 1-4) was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

“Party At The World’s End” (Seasons 5-6) was written by James Curcio, with special thanks to JF Stackhouse and Nate Sampsel for collaboration on earlier editions. 

The soundtrack was produced by James Curcio, with special thanks to collaborators new and old including Jenn E, Dave Bessell, Scott Landes, Bradley the Buyer, Sarah and Rahul Iyer, Marz 233, P. Emerson Williams, Martine DellaRufa, and all the others who sat in on the subQtaneous sessions.

“Cut the Sky’s Throat,” an album selected from this feature’s soundtrack by Lilith & The Bacchae is available on various streaming platforms.

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Subscribe, share and support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

At the mall, he’s in a bumble-bee patterned hazmat suit waving a homemade scanner over strangers while other “agents” act out their own variations of bureaucratic menace. It plays like theater until the response is real: shouting, SWAT gear, a crowd that turns on a dime. Johny runs, tossing pieces of his costume, and still ends up on the floor in handcuffs.

This podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” (Seasons 1-4) was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

“Party At The World’s End” (Seasons 5-6) was written by James Curcio, with special thanks to JF Stackhouse and Nate Sampsel for collaboration on earlier editions. 

The soundtrack was produced by James Curcio, with special thanks to collaborators new and old including Jenn E, Dave Bessell, Scott Landes, Bradley the Buyer, Sarah and Rahul Iyer, Marz 233, P. Emerson Williams, Martine DellaRufa, and all the others who sat in on the subQtaneous sessions.

“Cut the Sky’s Throat,” an album selected from this feature’s soundtrack by Lilith & The Bacchae is available on various streaming platforms.

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Subscribe, share and support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

Afterward, Lilith names the thing they’re apparently building: Babylon. 

Knowing that they’re still fugitives, they stop improvising and start organizing. They steal a mobile broadcast rig, repaint it, and make it their rolling base of operations. Later, Dionysus hits record on an open transmission, and for the first time in a while their story isn’t confined to one room.

This podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” (Seasons 1-4) was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

“Party At The World’s End” (Seasons 5-6) was written by James Curcio, with special thanks to JF Stackhouse and Nate Sampsel for collaboration on earlier editions. 

The soundtrack was produced by James Curcio, with special thanks to collaborators new and old including Jenn E, Dave Bessell, Scott Landes, Bradley the Buyer, Sarah and Rahul Iyer, Marz 233, P. Emerson Williams, Martine DellaRufa, and all the others who sat in on the subQtaneous sessions.

“Cut the Sky’s Throat,” an album selected from this feature’s soundtrack by Lilith & The Bacchae is available on various streaming platforms.

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Subscribe, share and support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

The nights turn into fragments and dreams bleed into waking. Faces shift, names don’t stick, and Bradley’s voice keeps showing up where it shouldn’t. Johny wakes to a phone call that starts as nonsense and snaps into a single instruction. When he looks outside, the sky has turned the color of an apocalypse.

This podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” (Seasons 1-4) was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

“Party At The World’s End” (Seasons 5-6) was written by James Curcio, with special thanks to JF Stackhouse and Nate Sampsel for collaboration on earlier editions. 

The soundtrack was produced by James Curcio, with special thanks to collaborators new and old including Jenn E, Dave Bessell, Scott Landes, Bradley the Buyer, Sarah and Rahul Iyer, Marz 233, P. Emerson Williams, Martine DellaRufa, and all the others who sat in on the subQtaneous sessions.

“Cut the Sky’s Throat,” an album selected from this feature’s soundtrack by Lilith & The Bacchae is available on various streaming platforms.

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Subscribe, share and support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

Lilith pulls the band out of their post-show bliss, gathers new loyalists, and takes them straight into a four-star hotel like it’s already theirs. In the suite, she starts selecting who stays close and who gets turned away. By the time the door opens again, she’s offering a mark, a name, and a place inside her fast-growing cult. 

Next stop, apocalypse.

This podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” (Seasons 1-4) was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

“Party At The World’s End” (Seasons 5-6) was written by James Curcio, with special thanks to JF Stackhouse and Nate Sampsel for collaboration on earlier editions. 

The soundtrack was produced by James Curcio, with special thanks to collaborators new and old including Jenn E, Dave Bessell, Scott Landes, Bradley the Buyer, Sarah and Rahul Iyer, Marz 233, P. Emerson Williams, Martine DellaRufa, and all the others who sat in on the subQtaneous sessions.

“Cut the Sky’s Throat,” an album selected from this feature’s soundtrack by Lilith & The Bacchae is available on various streaming platforms.

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Subscribe, share and support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

Then Loki wakes Dionysus for the problem that isn’t law enforcement. The parking lot is filling, and word is spreading faster than any plan can contain. 

After the next track straight out of their mobile recording studio, the episode shifts to the voice of our narrator: Gabriel De Leon, writing in his journal a year ago with quiet certainty. He reads letters from recruits and pauses on one detail that makes him look up. Someone from Pennhurst is in play.

This podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” (Seasons 1-4) was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

“Party At The World’s End” (Seasons 5-6) was written by James Curcio, with special thanks to JF Stackhouse and Nate Sampsel for collaboration on earlier editions. 

The soundtrack was produced by James Curcio, with special thanks to collaborators new and old including Jenn E, Dave Bessell, Scott Landes, Bradley the Buyer, Sarah and Rahul Iyer, Marz 233, P. Emerson Williams, Martine DellaRufa, and all the others who sat in on the subQtaneous sessions.

“Cut the Sky’s Throat,” an album selected from this feature’s soundtrack by Lilith & The Bacchae is available on various streaming platforms.

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Subscribe, share and support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).

She leaves a month later. Johny is falling further into his neurosis, but he doesn’t call a doctor or a friend. He calls Bradley the Buyer.

Bradley answers like he expected it. He reframes the breakup as “timing,” offers exactly what he always offers, and pushes Johny toward one more operation with higher stakes and sharper consequences. 

When Johny confronts him after his capture at the conclusion of his tale, Bradley doesn’t apologize or explain. He calls it method and hangs up. A beat later, he makes another call, and another agent picks up the line...

This concludes season 5. Stay tuned for Season 6 summer 2026, where we reach the dramatic conclusion to Cycle 2: Party At The World’s End. 

This podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, PodBean, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and of course RSS. 

“Tales From When I Had A Face” (Seasons 1-4) was written by James Curcio, and edited by Brian Johnson. 

“Party At The World’s End” (Seasons 5-6) was written by James Curcio, with special thanks to JF Stackhouse and Nate Sampsel for collaboration on earlier editions. 

The soundtrack was produced by James Curcio, with special thanks to collaborators new and old including Jenn E, Dave Bessell, Scott Landes, Bradley the Buyer, Sarah and Rahul Iyer, Marz 233, P. Emerson Williams, Martine DellaRufa, and all the others who sat in on the subQtaneous sessions.

“Cut the Sky’s Throat,” an album selected from this feature’s soundtrack by Lilith & The Bacchae is available on various streaming platforms.

This podcast is Creative Commons 3.0, allowing for Attribution, Share Alike, and Non-commercial use, and features adult themes.

A mythpunk universe combining elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy and near-future noir.

Perhaps you've been having prophetic dreams that won't stop, or hear the spirits of the trees demanding a blood sacrifice every time you leave your apartment. But those are just dreams... right?

Enjoy what you hear? Subscribe, share and support us for full digital access and Discord benefits for just $5. Upon reaching our first funding goal, we'll introduce a $20 tier with additional perks like annual art prints and pins and new product exclusives (comics, novels, etc).