MatCom surprised me. DM Mike Gorgone threw a handful of emotional suckerpunches at me from which I continue to recover, and then a few more for good measure. Joke characters with tragic backstories? They're here. Broken families? He's got you, boo.
But that's not all! Tempest Rest Valley is a fascinating setting full of varied factions with inscrutable goals. Every episode has me hoping that my growing checklist of Big Mysteries™ will be answered by a juicy lore dump, but as any fantasy TTRPG player will know, the answers always raise more questions.
But this show ain't all Mike talking to himself. We got Olivia as Tirzah Cloakbearer, Elliott as Cherish Ironstryke. Michael as Cid Emberlight. And Reed as Graahl of No Legion.
This varied cast of weirdos come together as The Threadless to battle cults, sass Southern gentleman vampires, fight off the forces of Hell, get wasted on expensive archfey booze, and maybe even learn a thing or two about friendship!
Mini character reviews!
Tirzah, a recovering cultist, is just the best little ball of awkwardness and badassery.
Cherish Ironstryke is SPICY. She's got a mistrust of for authority and a problem with injustice, and this purple girl will let you know.
Cid Emberlight, aka One-Liner Delivery System and #1 Sassboi; love this kid, but it's rough when he deals only 19 damage in one hit.
But y'all. Graahl is the best boy. I love this confused hobgoblin so much. He's the Mom Friend and by far the funniest character.
I kept this light and silly, so I want to end by restating that I adore this show and can't recommend it highly enough. 10/10 podcast, go listen now!
