PC400, Giant Episode: Night at the Opera

[Talia]

PodCastle 400, Giant Episode: Night at the Opera

by Martha Wells

With a special full-cast reading!

    Wilson Fowlie as the Narrator
    Bigg Anklevich as Amadel
    Rish Outfield as Reynard
    Kevin Powe as Nicolas
    M.K. Hobson as Lady Shankir-Clare
    Tina Connolly as Belina Shankir-Clare
    Dave Thompson as the Mystery Man
    Graeme Dunlop as Idilane

Originally appeared in the author’s ebook story collection “Between Worlds: the Collected Ile-Rien and Cineth Stories” which was done for the group author Kickstarter “Six by Six” (six story collections by six different authors).

This was odd.  The Shankir-Clares were a family of rather famous diplomats, wealthy and well-respected in both Parscia and Ile-Rien, where the different branches of the family had originated.  Reynard had never met any of them because they were the sort of people who were invited to the palace, not the sort who traveled in demi-monde circles.  No wonder Amadel hadn’t been familiar with the Cafe Baudy.  “How did you ever run across Binny?”

“Lady Shankir-Clare’s hairdresser knew him,” Amadel said.  “She said he was the best way to contact people who could help with…sensitive problems.”

“Is it blackmail?” Reynard asked.  If one of the Shankir-Clare ladies had trusted her affections to the wrong man, and it wasn’t someone associated with the infamous Count Montesq, Reynard could probably have it taken care of before dinner.  “I quite like dealing with blackmailers.  I have some experience at it.”

Rated PG-13 for some violence.

Martha Wells has written well over a dozen fantasy novels, including the Books of the Raksura series (The Cloud Roads, The Serpent Sea, The Siren Depths, Stories of the Raksura Vol. I, Stories of the Raksura vol. II), The Wizard Hunters, Wheel of the Infinite, and the nebula-nominated The Death of the Necromancer, as well as YA fantasies, short stories, and non-fiction. She has had stories in Black Gate, Realms of Fantasy, Stargate Magazine, Lightspeed Magazine, and in the anthologies Elemental, Tales of the Emerald Serpent, and The Other Half of the Sky. She has also written the media-tie-ins, Stargate Atlantis: Reliquary, Stargate Atlantis: Entanglement, and Star Wars: Razor’s Edge. Her new book in the Raksura series, The Edge of Worlds, will be out in April 2016.

The story takes place in Martha’s Ile-Rien universe, in which she’s written five novels and several short stories. Find out more!

Listen to this week’s PodCastle!

[BoojumsRCool]

I know that I won't get points for form but: awesome! more please!
Thank you all so much, everyone did a great job, writing, acting, producing, most importantly it was fun.

[wintermute]

My only complaint about this one was that it wasn't a whole story, but more like chapters 1-5 of a novel. I really want to know how the rest of this goes.

[danooli]

Congratulations PodCastle! 400 (plus) episodes is such a wonderful accomplishment! 

I'm thrilled that there are more stories set in this world.  I will most certainly be seeking them out. I've always been a fan of detective stories too, and when fantasy and sleuthing are paired, I usually love it. This was absolutely no exception. I also really appreciate that there were no love triangles, or really any "shipping" of any of the characters at all. (I don't count the end referencing the actress Nicolas was interested in...nor Reynard lusting after an assignation with Amadel.)

The production was phenominal too.

Great job all around!

[Tango Alpha Delta]

I already gushed a bit about the production on Twitter, but I'll re-twitterate: very nice job on the full cast production!

I particularly savored Rish's performance - he sounded like the perfect sly "Reynard" - and except for him and Kevin (whom I don't think I've heard read before) I did pretty well at playing "spot the cast member."

Definitely need to look into more of Martha's stuff; this felt like a whole story to me, but like wintermute, I could do with more!

[Unblinking]

I enjoyed it, a good mystery in a fantastical world.  Not unlike wintermute, it did strike me as the first several chapters of a novel or the first half of a short story, kind of trailing off as things were still happening.  But enough happened in the body of the story and the major arc resolving the immediate threat from the blackmailer was at least mostly complete, it was complete enough that I didn't find it dull at least, I was just kind of left confused by the arbitrary ending point.

[FireTurtle]

I enjoyed the Full Cast Experience^TM. I found the characters compelling but incredibly similar to the Michael J Sullivan "Riyria" main couplet. This isn't a complaint, per se, and mostly speaks to the quality of the friendship portrayed in such a short space. Nonetheless, I had trouble remembering that these were not Royce and his companion, but entirely different men set in an entirely different world. It tempered my enjoyment.

I thought the magic system as revealed seemed coherent and the "female in peril" plot at least had some nuance. I would look forward, as most here seem to be saying, to seeing how these characters are realized in a longer narrative with more room for growth in all directions!

Again, lovely to hear everyone and happy 400th! 

[Unblinking]

Was I the only one who still has no idea what an "assignation" is, btw?

[BoojumsRCool]

um...... yes This is a family show though

[danooli]

Was I the only one who still has no idea what an "assignation" is, btw?

I only knew because of the Kushiel series by Jacqueline Carey.

[Wilson Fowlie]

Was I the only one who still has no idea what an "assignation" is, btw?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=assignation

[Unblinking]

Was I the only one who still has no idea what an "assignation" is, btw?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=assignation

Ha!  OK, yes I suppose I could've googled it.  It is such a random thing that I assumed that it was invented by the author.  Otherwise I just assumed it was someone being assigned something...

[Wilson Fowlie]

Was I the only one who still has no idea what an "assignation" is, btw?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=assignation

Ha!  OK, yes I suppose I could've googled it.  It is such a random thing that I assumed that it was invented by the author.  Otherwise I just assumed it was someone being assigned something...

I apologize if that came across as mocking. You are one of today's Lucky 10,000 for that fact.

[ThatOldCreep]

(Yes, you can call me that.)  :   I have listened to every PodCastle story since i discovered the podcast in 2010 but have refrained from commenting because of my fear that what i write will not be sufficiently insightful or will be too obvious, which will result in me feeling foolish.  But i felt compelled to comment on this one, hence the mask of an ironic screen name.    I love strong female characters and i hope to see Belina in more stories.  I was amused by the way her moment of self blaming for the blackmailing was dealt with--a more eloquent version of ~Honey, you aint hot enough or mean enough to inspire a normal man to do this.  This guy is TWISTED.~   Hahaha.  With victim blaming and victims of harassment and assault blaming themselves for what happens to them being such a common thing in many parts of the world, i was pleased to see an instance of this addressed in a fantasy story, and to see justice for the act being fought for and delivered.  Even though i have listened to the story several times, i am still a bit confused by the ending.  Did the magistrates come?  Was the murderous magician put through the ringer?  I guess there are things we must assume.   

[BoojumsRCool]

but have refrained from commenting because of my fear that what i write will not be sufficiently insightful or will be too obvious

If you want to feel better about posting read a few of my comments, no one has made fun of me.....yet

[Sgarre1]

but have refrained from commenting because of my fear that what i write will not be sufficiently insightful or will be too obvious, which will result in me feeling foolish.

One should always comment with their strong feelings. Modern conceptions of "pretention" are bullshit and one's opinions are always of worth, for good or bad.

[wintermute]

Was I the only one who still has no idea what an "assignation" is, btw?

It's a perfectly cromulent word...

[Unblinking]

but have refrained from commenting because of my fear that what i write will not be sufficiently insightful or will be too obvious, which will result in me feeling foolish.

One should always comment with their strong feelings. Modern conceptions of "pretention" are bullshit and one's opinions are always of worth, for good or bad.

What Sgarre1 said. 

Things that I say are of no more worth than any other particular person, but I like to post my opinion, and to read other people's opinions.  I hope that's why we're all here.  Whether you like it or dislike it, whether you feel you have something insightful to say or something more light or even silly, go ahead and say it.  As long as you follow the one rule about not attacking people, we can talk about things about stories we liked or disliked. 

[Unblinking]

Even though i have listened to the story several times, i am still a bit confused by the ending.  Did the magistrates come?  Was the murderous magician put through the ringer?  I guess there are things we must assume.  

I agree, FWIW.  I thought the ending point was kind of at an arbitrary point, and it gave me the impression of being just part of a mystery story.

The story did resolve at least one major conflict--the imminent danger to her life has been resolved with the death of the Fae.  But the situation is far from resolved.

[mercury]

Allow me to add to the general approbation. A worthy x00 episode! Especially enjoyed Kevin Powe's reading of Nicolas.

I have to wonder if the blackmailed sorcerer was the Court Sorcerer or someone close to him? He could easily have let his antipathy to the Shankir-Clares slip to Idilane. Pointing Idilane at the Shankir-Clares would be a give rise to a situation where all roads led to victory. Idilane embarrasses them, costs them a large amount of money and (unknowingly?) a beloved daughter, or they eliminate Idilane without him having exert himself.

[TrishEM]

I loved the performances and loved the story. I can see how some listeners were left wanting more resolved, but as a longtime Wells fan, I am confident that if you pick up Death of the Necromancer (which came out in 1998, BTW), you will have a great time finding out a lot more about this rich and complex world and some of its characters. Consider this as an appetizer.
Thanks to Podcastle for putting this together; it left ME very happy!

[Unblinking]

Allow me to add to the general approbation. A worthy x00 episode! Especially enjoyed Kevin Powe's reading of Nicolas.

I have to wonder if the blackmailed sorcerer was the Court Sorcerer or someone close to him? He could easily have let his antipathy to the Shankir-Clares slip to Idilane. Pointing Idilane at the Shankir-Clares would be a give rise to a situation where all roads led to victory. Idilane embarrasses them, costs them a large amount of money and (unknowingly?) a beloved daughter, or they eliminate Idilane without him having exert himself.

I suspected the Court Sorceror too for similar reasons.  Seems a likely culprit from the scattered information we have. 

[kevinjpowe]

Allow me to add to the general approbation. A worthy x00 episode! Especially enjoyed Kevin Powe's reading of Nicolas.

I have to wonder if the blackmailed sorcerer was the Court Sorcerer or someone close to him? He could easily have let his antipathy to the Shankir-Clares slip to Idilane. Pointing Idilane at the Shankir-Clares would be a give rise to a situation where all roads led to victory. Idilane embarrasses them, costs them a large amount of money and (unknowingly?) a beloved daughter, or they eliminate Idilane without him having exert himself.

Awww, thanks for the kind words, mercury! I'm glad I was able to add something to the story, and get a chance to play with a such a great cast. I'd love to come back to PodCastle again and do more if people like what they hear.

I like your theory about the sorceror, too. Setting two enemies at odds is a nice stratagem for a cunning villain.

[ctjhill]

I really enjoyed this story and even ended up listening twice. It's a combination of fascinating characters and setting, with great work from the various cast members too.

Who wouldn't like Belina? She's in a horrible situation and not only is she determined to get herself out of it, she also wants to seek justice for those victims who were less lucky. That she started to blame herself is realistic, but that the self-blame of a victim was immediately countered, and by a male character, was amazing. Reynard and Nicholas were fun together and I'd like to know more of their adventures. Will be on the lookout for more of Martha Wells' fiction.

[danooli]

I started listening to "The Element of Fire" by Martha Wells because of this story. It's set in the same world :-)
So far, so good!