Canopy Archive: 235 bloom

the Institute for Manufactured Futures x Des Moines & Dragons
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In 2089 Des Moines, Iowa, along the “2-3-5”, a highway-turned-metro-transit hub, communities are in an ideological struggle to make real their own visions for the future. This is a land of suburban agri-jungles, community-scale 3D printers, and up-to-two-story-tall battery-powered mecha. The federal government has become mostly irrelevant to people's everyday lives, as communities have been largely self-sufficient for decades. Through a handful of independently-produced roleplaying games, 235 bloom explores the invasion of the Des Moines metro by plutocratic ideologues, following the stories of Emil, an Emergency Services Cooperative worker who is in over his head in the Civil Resistance, and Baz, a hotshot BE-TLE pilot whose mercenary cooperative has returned him to his childhood home. 235 bloom also features seven guests to help scaffold the future in which this story takes place, over three prologue episodes. 235 bloom - the premiere series of Canopy Archive, a collaboration between Des Moines & Dragons and the Institute for Manufactured Futures - is a work of speculative fiction taking place in Des Moines, the traditional, ancestral, unceded land of the Báxoǰe, Sauk, and Meskwaki peoples, in the year 2089. The locations may be real, but any similarity to actual persons or their descendants is unintentional. Please be aware that this series deals with issues of paramilitary and other violence, including fasco-capitalism, colonialism and occupation, as well as natural disasters in a real city in the future lifetime of current generations. Please take care while listening. Producers: Jordan Lee Thompson + Paul Privitera. Editor: Jordan Lee Thompson. Music: Goatfoam (Javier Lopez), Isac Lundholm, Tommy Ljungberg. Cover Art: Maddy Fusco. Additional Voice Work: LIPING VONG. Find the games we used to create this story: ECOPUNK: 2044 by Liam Hevey Salvage Union by Panayiotis Lines and Aled Lawlor The Ground Itself and World Ending Game by Everest Pipkin Conquest & Glory (Expanded Edition) by Kyle Serafin Dog Eat Dog by Liam Liwanag Burke Special Thanks: All our guests, The Rook Room, Alex Walton, Oanh Vu, Ruben Vallejo Regalado, David Valentine, nouf saleh, H. LaVeau, Aydın Yaman, Alexander Anderson, Jeff Knopf, Nick Studer, Courtney Gunderson, Katie Privitera, the Des Moines & Dragons podcast collective, and everyone else whose conversations and stories informed the process behind 235 bloom.

  1. 1) Prologue: The Land Between Two Caseys - The Ground Itself

    EPISODE 1

    1) Prologue: The Land Between Two Caseys - The Ground Itself

    In episode 1 we play the TTRPG The Ground Itself by Everest Pipkin to collaboratively build a vivid future off-grid community nestled in the Des Moines metro, facing climate challenges and social upheaval. Explore themes of land, community, and resilience as we imagine a world shaped by collective action. With guests Dan Umthun of The DOOMCAST and Lisa Irey of Irey Shire Gardens, this episode sets the stage for an important new neighborhood in 2089 Des Moines. Content Warnings: Paramilitary violence, occupation and resistanceThemes of colonialism and land ownership disputesNatural disasters such as floods, heat waves, and fires Produced by Paul Privitera and Jordan Lee Thompson, supported by Lisa Irey and Dan Umthun. Edited by Jordan Lee Thompson. Music by Javier Lopez of Goatfoam. Cover Art by Maddy Fusco. Voice over by LIPING VONG. 235 bloom is a collaboration between Des Moines & Dragonsand The Institute for Manufactured Futures. It is a work of speculative fiction taking place in the year 2089. The locations may be real, but any similarity to actual persons or their descendants is unintentional.

    2h 26m
  2. 2) Prologue: Occupation - Conquest & Glory

    EPISODE 2

    2) Prologue: Occupation - Conquest & Glory

    This episode of 235 bloom features guests from outside the Des Moines area, who dive into the TTRPG Conquest & Glory (Expanded) by Kyle Serafin of Salmonjumpsuit, a game about exploring themes of conquest, occupation, and those who glorify it. Playing as rival factions within the Demeter Group, our cast explores and invades a transformed Des Moines cityscape. During play the participants collaboratively build the world’s social fabric through their roles—ranging from propagandist mercenaries to theocratic fascists to technocratic girlbosses—they define their strategy and routes across the city. The episode ends with our player characters changed and the city changed further. Featuring guests intentionally from outside of Des Moines: Jennings Mergenthal of the Department of Puppet Studies, rapper and podcast producer Tony Williams, and artist/educator/software engineer Anniessa Antar. Content Warnings: Themes of conquest and occupationDepictions of violence and warfareDiscussion of colonialism and settler colonialismReferences to death and lossExploration of oppressive systems and resistancePossible distress related to bio-horror and body horror elementsDiscussion of sex toysSpiders Produced by Jordan Lee Thompson and Paul Privitera, supported by Anniessa Antar, Tony Williams, Jennings Mergenthal, and guest co-facilitator Annelise Tarnowski. Edited by Jordan Lee Thompson. Music by Javier Lopez of Goatfoam. Cover Art by Maddy Fusco. Voice over by LIPING VONG. 235 bloom is a collaboration between Des Moines & Dragonsand The Institute for Manufactured Futures. It is a work of speculative fiction taking place in the year 2089. The locations may be real, but any similarity to actual persons or their descendants is unintentional.

    3 hr
  3. 3) Prologue: Seeds of Resistance - Dog Eat Dog

    EPISODE 3

    3) Prologue: Seeds of Resistance - Dog Eat Dog

    This episode sees our hosts and guests dive into a TTRPG called Dog Eat Dog by Liam Liwanag Burke, exploring themes of colonialism and occupation set in a future East Village neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa. Using the game's mechanics, our storytellers create rich character traits and backstories, and collaboratively build a tense narrative about the struggle between the occupying Demeter Group factions and the local residents of Des Moines who resist them or comply. This is the last prologue episode to set the stage for the narrative of 235 bloom. Featuring Annelise Tarnowski and Tony Tandeski from The Rook Room. Content Warnings: Colonialism and its consequences, including themes of occupation and assimilationViolence, including gunshots, injury, and potential deathSurveillance and restrictions on movementMedical procedures and blood donation (bio exchange) Produced by Paul Privitera and Jordan Lee Thompson, supported by Annelise Tarnowski and Tony Tandeski. Edited by Jordan Lee Thompson. Music by Javier Lopez of Goatfoam. Cover Art by Maddy Fusco. Voice over by LIPING VONG. 235 bloom is a collaboration between Des Moines & Dragonsand The Institute for Manufactured Futures. It is a work of speculative fiction taking place in the year 2089. The locations may be real, but any similarity to actual persons or their descendants is unintentional.

    3h 40m
  4. 4) Emil's Story: The Des Moines Art Center

    EPISODE 4

    4) Emil's Story: The Des Moines Art Center

    This episode kicks off our game of ECOPUNK: 2044 by Liam Hevey of Dice Kapital, featuring Paul’s character Emil Kampfer. While grappling with the consequences of our prologue episodes, Emil comes to grips with the seriousness of his work against the occupation. Follow his journey through a vision of the future for our city and meet a few of the people who live there, trying to navigate towards a better future themselves. Content Warnings: Themes of occupation, oppression, and resistance movementsScenes involving violence, including descriptions of bombings and armed conflictMentions of cold, harsh weather conditions and physical hardship Produced by Jordan Lee Thompson. Featuring Paul Privitera. Edited by Jordan Lee Thompson. Music by Isac Lundholm. Cover Art by Maddy Fusco. Voice over by LIPING VONG. 235 bloom is a collaboration between Des Moines & Dragonsand The Institute for Manufactured Futures. It is a work of speculative fiction taking place in the year 2089. The locations may be real, but any similarity to actual persons or their descendants is unintentional.

    2h 11m
  5. 5) Bazil's Story: Isadore's Rest

    EPISODE 5

    5) Bazil's Story: Isadore's Rest

    Launching our game of Salvage Union by Panayiotis Lines and Aled Lawlor of Leyline Press, we follow Jordan’s character Bazil “Baz” Andrija-Cardoso for the first mech adventure set in 2089 Des Moines. Follow the tense and thrilling mission of Royal Team’s BE-TLE pilots as they navigate brutal winter storms and high-stakes mecha combat against the Cyrenian forces we first saw in Episode 2. Content Warnings: Violence and combatDepictions of warfare and military operationsInjury and medical emergenciesHostage situation and armed threatsCold and harsh weather conditions (blizzard, deep freeze) Produced by Paul Privitera. Featuring Jordan Lee Thompson. Edited by Jordan Lee Thompson. Music by Tommy Ljungberg. Cover Art by Maddy Fusco. Voice over by LIPING VONG. 235 bloom is a collaboration between Des Moines & Dragons and The Institute for Manufactured Futures. It is a work of speculative fiction taking place in the year 2089. The locations may be real, but any similarity to actual persons or their descendants is unintentional.

    2h 55m
  6. 6) Emil's Story: The Tower

    EPISODE 6

    6) Emil's Story: The Tower

    Continuing our game of ECOPUNK: 2044, this episode follows Emil and his emergency response team as they search for a missing ally amongst the aftermath of a pitched BE-TLE battle. Content Warnings: Violence and armed conflictWeapons and gun useThemes of occupation and resistanceInjury and medical emergenciesEmotional distress and relationship tensionFlooding and natural disaster impacts Produced by Jordan Lee Thompson. Featuring Paul Privitera. Edited by Jordan Lee Thompson. Music by Isac Lundholm. Cover Art by Maddy Fusco. Voice over by LIPING VONG. 235 bloom is a collaboration between Des Moines & Dragons and The Institute for Manufactured Futures. It is a work of speculative fiction taking place in the year 2089. The locations may be real, but any similarity to actual persons or their descendants is unintentional.

    1h 44m
  7. 7) Bazil's Story: Big Sister Territory

    EPISODE 7

    7) Bazil's Story: Big Sister Territory

    Continuing our game of Salvage Union, join Baz and the rest of Royal Team as they dive into an intense mech simulation, a growing community conflict, and a moment that shows us the cost of survival in a recovering ecology of future Des Moines. Content Warnings: ViolenceDeath and injury referencesThemes of trauma and lossDiscovery of a corpseAlcohol use and drinking scenes Produced by Paul Privitera. Featuring Jordan Lee Thompson. Edited by Jordan Lee Thompson. Music by Tommy Ljungberg. Cover Art by Maddy Fusco. Voice over by LIPING VONG. 235 bloom is a collaboration between Des Moines & Dragonsand The Institute for Manufactured Futures. It is a work of speculative fiction taking place in the year 2089. The locations may be real, but any similarity to actual persons or their descendants is unintentional.

    2 hr
  8. 8) Emil's Story: Such a Bad Liar

    EPISODE 8

    8) Emil's Story: Such a Bad Liar

    Continue Emil's journey through Des Moines in our game of ECOPUNK: 2044. In this episode, Emil navigates the aftermath of a devastating flood, confronts a dangerous new faction, and wrestles with trust and loyalty within the Civil Resistance. Content Warnings: Violence and references to violence (including shootings and physical confrontations)Kidnapping and captivityTorture or restraintIntense heat and physical exhaustionFlooding and natural disaster impactsInjury and medical emergencies Produced by Jordan Lee Thompson. Featuring Paul Privitera. Edited by Jordan Lee Thompson. Music by Isac Lundholm. Cover Art by Maddy Fusco. Voice over by LIPING VONG. 235 bloom is a collaboration between Des Moines & Dragons and The Institute for Manufactured Futures. It is a work of speculative fiction taking place in the year 2089. The locations may be real, but any similarity to actual persons or their descendants is unintentional.

    1h 31m
See All Season 1 (18)

Trailer

About

In 2089 Des Moines, Iowa, along the “2-3-5”, a highway-turned-metro-transit hub, communities are in an ideological struggle to make real their own visions for the future. This is a land of suburban agri-jungles, community-scale 3D printers, and up-to-two-story-tall battery-powered mecha. The federal government has become mostly irrelevant to people's everyday lives, as communities have been largely self-sufficient for decades. Through a handful of independently-produced roleplaying games, 235 bloom explores the invasion of the Des Moines metro by plutocratic ideologues, following the stories of Emil, an Emergency Services Cooperative worker who is in over his head in the Civil Resistance, and Baz, a hotshot BE-TLE pilot whose mercenary cooperative has returned him to his childhood home. 235 bloom also features seven guests to help scaffold the future in which this story takes place, over three prologue episodes. 235 bloom - the premiere series of Canopy Archive, a collaboration between Des Moines & Dragons and the Institute for Manufactured Futures - is a work of speculative fiction taking place in Des Moines, the traditional, ancestral, unceded land of the Báxoǰe, Sauk, and Meskwaki peoples, in the year 2089. The locations may be real, but any similarity to actual persons or their descendants is unintentional. Please be aware that this series deals with issues of paramilitary and other violence, including fasco-capitalism, colonialism and occupation, as well as natural disasters in a real city in the future lifetime of current generations. Please take care while listening. Producers: Jordan Lee Thompson + Paul Privitera. Editor: Jordan Lee Thompson. Music: Goatfoam (Javier Lopez), Isac Lundholm, Tommy Ljungberg. Cover Art: Maddy Fusco. Additional Voice Work: LIPING VONG. Find the games we used to create this story: ECOPUNK: 2044 by Liam Hevey Salvage Union by Panayiotis Lines and Aled Lawlor The Ground Itself and World Ending Game by Everest Pipkin Conquest & Glory (Expanded Edition) by Kyle Serafin Dog Eat Dog by Liam Liwanag Burke Special Thanks: All our guests, The Rook Room, Alex Walton, Oanh Vu, Ruben Vallejo Regalado, David Valentine, nouf saleh, H. LaVeau, Aydın Yaman, Alexander Anderson, Jeff Knopf, Nick Studer, Courtney Gunderson, Katie Privitera, the Des Moines & Dragons podcast collective, and everyone else whose conversations and stories informed the process behind 235 bloom.

Information

  • Creator
    the Institute for Manufactured Futures x Des Moines & Dragons
  • Episodes
    18
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Institute for Manufactured Futures, Des Moines & Dragons, Jordan Lee Thompson, Paul Privitera | 2026
  • Show Website
    Canopy Archive: 235 bloom