Tales From the Swamplands: Recent Episodes
Benjamin Gaunt
A pirate radio show set in the world of the Swamplands - A dystopian, bio-punk metropolis of inch-tall citizens and their giant, automated bugs.
The show's offbeat host, Benjamin Gaunt, presents stories of terror, humor, and everything in-between, in order to better explore life in the Swamplands.
Amidst two story stalks of grass, nestled between massive pine needles, beneath the towering trees of a massive cypress dome -
Was a bug catcher lying in wait. But as he's tracking his most dangerous quarry yet, what surprises await him?
Find out in this special edition of "Into the Mire":
Lying in Wait
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If you're a long time listener of the show, you may recall Episode One including two stories:
- The first installment of "Neil Silva, Private Eye"
- "Axemen of the Verge" (the initial tale from the anthology horror series, Into the Mire)
While Axemen of the Verge is a fine story, it doesn't make a point of capturing many details and themes about the world of the Swamplands.
Thus, Episode 1 of the show has been re-released with a new tale in its place: "Lying in Wait". This story better encapsulates Swampland-y themes and concepts that Axemen didn't quite hit the mark on. I'll be sure to re-release Axemen in the near future, in a similar fashion to this bonus release.
If you've already listened to the initial version of Tales Episode 1 (with Axemen) and want to listen to Lying in Wait on its own, this release is for you.
If you've started the podcast after the change has already taken place, and are already familiar with this tale, feel free to skip this bonus episode! (unless you're feeling sentimental, in which case give it a relisten!)
This week's topic is... Paranoia! Living down in a bunker, hiding from the Fold, foments a special brand of paranoia. But there's lots of flavors to be had! Be they walks alone at night, trauma rearing its ugly head, or authoritarian theocracies, it’s easy to get wigged out now and again!
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The tale for this week is:
- Ep 04 of Into the Mire: Disconnection - Some two decades past, during the Emberglow Era, authoritarian control and civil unrest threatened to tear the city apart. All the while, the stock market fluctuated wildly - a morally mottled fruit ripe for the picking. One lonely clerk had bigger plans than stocks, fancy suits, and titles. On a night like any other, fate's hand would give Curtwell Steiner his golden opportunity. Was its form something beyond his wildest dreams? Or, even, nightmares? One thing was certain: after that night, he would never be the same again.
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Follow the show @theswamplands on Instagram, Reddit, Tumblr, or the show's website: https://theswamplands.com/tales/
For more of the show's music, follow Morphalia on Instagram, Spotify, or anywhere else @morphalia
This week's topic is... Excitement! AND I CANNOT CONTAIN MINE!! IS IT DUE TO GOOD NEWS, MANIA, OR A LITANY OF FREE ESPRESSOS?! ONLY TIME WILL TELL!!!
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The tale for this week is:
- Ep 04 of Neil Silva, Private Eye - After a confrontation with the ghosts of Neil's past (though not real ghosts - save that for Into the Mire), our favorite detecting duo finally has a lead in their investigation! But what answers will they find at the end of this harrowing journey? More office lobbies? One can only hope!
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Follow the show @theswamplands on Instagram, Reddit, Tumblr, or the show's website: https://theswamplands.com/tales/
For more of the show's music, follow Morphalia on Instagram, Spotify, or anywhere else @morphalia
This week's topic is... Memories! There’s something wonderful in sharing our own perspective on that which once was - and though our recollections can often be hazy, it’s not hard find beauty in those variations!
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The tale for this week is:
- Ep 03 of Into the Mire: The Whispering Walls of Dunmore House - Three friends take a trip down memory lane to unravel the mysteries of a house at the end of a forgotten trail. It’s been around for as long as anyone can remember - But as to who lived there, or what caused them to leave the domicile in rot and ruin... Well, the truth within its walls is left merely in hearsay, echoes, and legends!
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Follow the show @theswamplands on Instagram, Reddit, Tumblr, or the show's website: https://theswamplands.com/tales/
For more of the show's music, follow Morphalia on Instagram, Spotify, or anywhere else @morphalia
This week's topic is... Trust! Be it trust in others, ourselves, or larger governing bodies, trust is an important thing to weigh when faced with life's numerous uncertainties. On that, you can trust!
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The tale for this week is:
- Ep 03 of Neil Silva, Private Eye - Last time, things got more than a little out of hand for our favorite detecting duo. But Neil has an idea that may get them back on the right track! Or, back on some track. Either way, they're hitting a track and something's bound to happen!
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Follow the show @theswamplands on Instagram, Reddit, Tumblr, or the show's website: https://theswamplands.com/tales/
For more of the show's music, follow Morphalia on Instagram, Spotify, or anywhere else @morphalia
This week's topic is... Distractions! Whether the benign or the sinister, distractions are a major part of our everyday lives. Some might say this podcast is a distraction! I hope it's a bit more than that, but if you're enjoying it I'll take what I can get.
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The tale for this week is:
- Ep 02 of Into the Mire: The Flame That Burns Bright - A dancer has the opportunity of a lifetime: replacing the lead of a daring, theatrical performance. The act? A musical, headed by her and her massive, beetle costar. Will she shine under the spotlight? Or will its heat burn away her aspirations? Or, maybe, even more?
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Follow the show @theswamplands on Instagram, Reddit, or the show's website: https://theswamplands.com/tales/
For more of the show's music, follow Morphalia on Instagram, Spotify, or anywhere else @morphalia
This week's topic is... Expectations! Specifically: their many forms, their occasional value, and when to set them aside.
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The tale for this week is:
- Ep 02 of Neil Silva, Private Eye - Now that Neil has teamed up with (the arguably more competent) Regina Gray, the sky's the limit! But will Neil get it together and find his way? Will today be his day? S'hard to say. Tune in to find out if things go okay!
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The special guest for this week's episode was Charlie McGrath.
Follow the show @theswamplands on Instagram, Reddit, or the show's website: https://theswamplands.com/tales/
For more of the show's music, follow Morphalia on Instagram, Spotify, or anywhere else @morphalia
An introduction to the weird and wonderful world of the Swamplands! Well, a re-introduction. A previous conflagration by theocratic agents of the dystopian metropolis took care of the previous 348 episodes of this pirate radio show.
But did that deter the show's host, the enigmatic Benjamin Gaunt?! Slightly at first, if we're being honest.
And yet, he's back in the saddle to share what makes life in the Swamplands so unique! Be it the city's automated bugs, the ever-vigilant eyes of the Fold, the terrors of nature and the unknown, or simply economic inequality - life in the swamp can be hard. But that strife can spawn humor, victories, community, and learning.
Gaunt shares a bit of his wisdom in these tales in order to share his perspective and reflect on what comprises those struggles and triumphs.
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This week's topic is... the Swamplands! A concrete launching point for (re)introducing the metropolis and all of its idiosyncracies.
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The tales for this week are:
- Neil Silva, Private Eye - a comedic, noir, serialized radio play
- Into the Mire - a narrated horror anthology
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The special guest for this week's episode was Charlie McGrath.
Follow the show @theswamplands on Instagram, Reddit, or the show's website: https://theswamplands.com/tales/
For more of the show's music, follow Morphalia on Instagram, Spotify, or anywhere else @morphalia