Lorekeepers - A Worldbuilding Podcast

Ser2.9 - So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish (For Now!)

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we wrap up the series, we ask the question: was it any good? We think... perhaps? In the final episode before an undetermined hiatus, the Lorekeepe...

Ser2.8 - Monstruwacans (Lorekeepers Jr.)

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Animals, monsters, beasts, whatever you call them, monsters hunt them. The resourceful use them for something, but what? ——— Website: theloreke...

Ser2.7 - Tolkien, that Good Bud (Lorekeepers Jr.)

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What kinds of things are plants used for in Halûme? ——— Website: thelorekeepers.comEmail: [email protected]: @thelorekeepers...

Ser2.6 - View through the Pinhole

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Halûmians tend to shape reality as much as it shapes them. When they stop to ask where it all comes from and what are the smallest building blocks of...

Ser2.5 - Heart of Alloy

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we explore the world of (non-)magical alloy, and examine mithril in particular. Is it an alloy, or a process? Well, the answer is kindof bot...

Ser2.4 - The Cure's what Ails You

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We come around again to the subject of Ashglaze. We have a rough idea of what it is and where, but how does it get used, and by whom? ——— Websi...

Ser2.3 - The Investitured and the Bees

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we ask a simple question with complicated implications: if it can be made into a material all by itself, what is magic, exactly? Can it exis...

Ser2.2 - Franchise Flea Market

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's less formal this week, we just jump right in and start stripping ideas from other worlds. This week we explore elements and materials which ...

Ser2.1 - Atomic Failsons

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are many materials we've discussed before, but we've never talked about them in relation to each other. This episode we re-examine the...

Ser2.0 - Form's Function

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A new series, a new fixation. We've set our sights on the curious and strange materials which can show up in fantasy. What do we see in Halûme s...

Ser1.8 - Heavens and Earth

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We round up the Scars of Divinity series by pulling all the episodes together (and seasoning some new ideas in there) before deciding where we'll...

Ser1.7 - the Regent Behind the Curtain

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we wind the Scars of Divinity series down,  we turn our eyes towards the theocracies which arise when the gods retreat from the material world. Am...

Ser1.6 - BIG9 (S5.07)

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the long history of Sudar, there is perhaps no more overt example of the presence of gods than the Okraiot Shaval, the realms of the leyline spires...

Ser1.5 - Can't get no Transfiguration (S5.6)

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean for mortals to ascend to godhood? Just how close do they get to the divine, and what do they do with that power? There's no que...

Ser1.4 - Slow Fractures (S5.5)

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Long have we spoken of Osteos as the origin of slowly deteroriating foundations of reality. But how is Tiirs pushing this? What is he doing exactly, a...

Ser1.3 - Desperado's Sacrifice (S5.4)

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the long aevum of Halûme's history the conflict between the Etherium and the Absentium has taken many forms. It may be called a "war&quo...

Ser1.2 - Strange Encounters of the 1st-4th Kind (S5.3)

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our second installment of the new series, we imagine a situation where people are grateful that a Dawn arrives to destroy their city. What happens?...

Ser1.1 - Wanna Know How I Got These Scars? (S5.2)

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New year, new look. In our first series of season 5, we kick things off by taking a good, long, zoomed-out look at the damage the gods can bring (but ...

S5.1 - Decisions, Decisions

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we prepare for a year of series (a s-year-ies , one might say) we reflect on ideas new and old and decide on what our first subject will be. It&apo...

Ep. 5.0 - A Look Ahead

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A new year, a new season. This week we depart a bit from our typical structure and zoom out, examining how we've got here, what we'd like to...

S4.39 - Follow the Trail of Soulcrumbs

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we return to the moon-sisters and the afterlife from the perspective of ghosts. There's a lot thrown in here about quantum field theory...

S4.38 - Fly Me to the Moon

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The moon-sisters are back as we attempt to untangle the oddities of strange designs. This week we examine some of the more esoteric parts of the after...

S4.37 - The Thousand-Year Amble

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When is an amble not an amble? When going through the "just 10 minutes" of lore backgrounding becomes the entire episode. It's been qui...

S4.36 - Speak No Evil (Mute Miniseries wrap-up)

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

And that's a wrap(-up)! We've concluded our exploration into the Mutes of the Absentium for now, and take a look over our work. What conclus...

Ep. 4.35 - Destroying Light (Mute Miniseries 5)

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We round out the Mutes this episode by investigating Para'ti and his brilliant and terrible power. ———Curious about something you heard in...

S4.34 - Loaded Dice with a Losing Hand (Mute Miniseries 4)

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Thank you so much for your patience! It has been a little bit, but we're back in the saddle with some fantastic worldbuilding coming your way in ...

S4.33 - Strangled by Heartstrings (Mute Miniseries 3)

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We continue the miniseries this week by examining Gogra, The Divine Child. Isn't it awful that such a joyful and sympathetic figure would be trap...

S4.32 - ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!??!!! (Mute Miniseries 2)

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week is all about Carnus, champion Mute of Khyzghor. A bloody, mighty, powerful monster of a figure, ready to face any otherworldy challenger whi...

S4.31 - Caught in the Throat (Mute Miniseries 1)

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"What do we see? A demon, a noxious, unnatural creature. It eats natural patterns, creates its own patterns like a thief in the night. We cannot ...

S4.30 - Garbage Piles & Cubist Styles (Lorekeepers Jr.)

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If Illuvium and Orconis are chaos as growth and chaos as destruction, does that mean there might be realms of law as growth and destruction?———C...

S4.29 - No Time to Explain! (Lorekeepers Jr.)

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do the gods experience time? Can they predict the future?———Curious about something you heard in this episode? Chances are you can find out ...

S4.28 - Cosmos of the Half-Cursed

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're considering taking a detour into the Absentium, fleshing out the Mutes and resolving some questions around them (while creating many more)....

S4.27 - the Decaying Shadow

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a while since we chatted about Orconis or the Architect. Why not dip back into that? This week we examine the Shadow of Halûme.———...

S4.26 - Separation of Pantheon & Kingdom

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This one is a bit of a doozy! This week, we explore the Pax-Demiurge, the most important treaty ever signed, ushering in a new Aevum.———Curious ...

S4.25 - Vote for Stormogg Stumpf****r

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we look closely at the timeline of Aevum Tertius, and examine what exactly happened then. What was it like for those who lived? How did the ...

S4.24 - Behold Mortals as Trees, Walking

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Thanks to another fantastic question from Thurston, we've got to clean up the mess we've made in the past couple episodes regarding "Wa...

S4.23 - You Wouldn't Download Godhood, Would You?

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you prevent mortals from achieving godhood? Not by fighting, but by offering a deal. This week, we explore the world of the demi-divine, the st...

S4.22 - Heaven is Taken by Violence

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the Aevums, there is only War. Holy war! This week, we discuss divine conflict, crusades, and the tensions between divinity and mortality. How do t...

S4.21 - Let's Make a Deal...

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week the episode is about Oaths, Pacts, Vows and how they differentiate from each other. When are gods involved? What happens when one is taken? ...

S4.20 - Primordial Soup, Ethereal Loam

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Spirits. What are they and where do they come from? Are gods made of the same stuff as mortals? How does this relate to Wailas?If you're curious ...

S4.19 - What Am I Looking At?

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In a foolhardy attempt, we address queries about the Tongue of Creation and the Language of the Dead. What exactly are they, and how do they correlate...

S4.18 - Mountain Momma

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Time for another godmill! This week, we roll on the table and learn much more about the divine Dwarven family than we ever knew.———Curious about...

S4.17 - Divine Materialism

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this one it's all about the elementals, baby! We discuss the First, Second, and Third Elementus and their differences, and how they may all al...

S4.16 - The Manor on the Rock

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week it's all about Death. Beyond the Animus, untouchable by magic. What is Death, who is Death? WHEN is Death?Also, does Death know sign la...

S4.15 - #Blessed

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a come & go release cycle, but don't worry, we're not going anywhere! After all, how could we when there's so many t...

S4.14 - From Dust to Dust

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for another godmill, and this week we are joined by a strange and devious fellow: Sable, god of misfortune.———Curious about somet...

S4.13 - The Second Ascension

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've mentioned it, we've considered it, and now it's gotten its whole own episode: Second Ascension. That's right, we're tal...

S4.12 - War Wider than Valor and without Judgement

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Not all gods are made to be worshipped (or esteemed, as the case may be). This week, Carter leads the discussion on Ort'eln, the goddess of war, ...

S4.11 - All Eyes on the Stage

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Enough with the crazy physics and insane scope. Let's return to the more traditional focus. This week we examine the gods of good ol' Everas...

S4.10 - Questions from the Congregation

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Somehow, this week we return to the (relatively) more grounded worldbuilding that we're used to, and it's all thanks to some mail-in questio...

S4.09 - Fundament in the Dark

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Aaaaaand we're off the deep end again. Strap in.It's another heady (swiss-cheesed with errors) physics-fest this week with the Lorekeepers! ...

S4.08 - The Quantum Field of Spirit

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After some truly crazy notions about causality and the nature of a deterministic reality, the Lorekeepers blow the current models of magic halfway to ...

S4.07 - Home is the Mouth of a Shark

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we investigate one of the strangest implications of the Ashcurse; the heavenly refugees. At the time of the Ashcurse, not only were there go...

S4.06 - Shorn from the Source

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week the Lorekeepers examine the Shorn. What begins as an investigation of the deities trapped on the mortal side of the divine divide during the...

S4.05 - Siserym

04 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Thresholds exist everywhere. They're kinda like the matrix that way? Anyways, we ring in the new year with another godmill, this time taking a lo...

S4.04 - Reason for the Season

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Merry happy! It's that time of year again, and to celebrate/send the old year out, we examine the holidays of Halûme: what role do they play? Ho...

S4.03 - Ascending the Eternal Throne

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When do the rules of faith and godhood collide with the greed for power within mortals? This week, we explore the divine empress, one of the first to ...

S4.02 - Nick a Knack, Split a Whack, Give Your God a Loan

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Avoid Control spoilers: 1:11:50It's early yet, but why wouldn't we do a godmill? 'Tis is the season for it, after all! This week, we ro...

S4.01 - Euthyphro's Temperaments

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

 Welcome to the new season! We begin by exploring power structures among the gods, and their respective associations to ideals. And in classic Loreke...

S4.00 - Getting our God Legs

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Well, we didn't *exactly* intend to take almost 2 (2!) weeks off, but thanks to a long vacation  we're back and nicely refreshed! Now as we...

Interim 18: Warding (Lorekeepers Jr.)

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In our final (for real this time) interim episode, imagine how magical cloth armor would work.———Curious about something you heard in this episo...

Interim 17: Anatomy of Magic (Lorekeepers Jr.)

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As we prepare the transition to the new season, we take a quick glimpse at the anatomy of magic. Enjoy!———Curious about something you heard in t...

Interim 16: Static Eternity

02 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In our last Interim episode, we explore an oft-misaligned concept: immortality.———Curious about something you heard in this episode? Chances are...

Interim 15 - The World that Never Was

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is an interesting one: how do you do an episode about literally nothing? Less than nothing? In this episode we explore the World that Never Was, ...

Interim 14: The Sacred Timeline, pt. 2

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Carrying on from where we were last week, the Lorekeepers return again to the timeline and seek to clear up the events of the end of Aevum Tertius thr...

Interim 13: the Sacred Timeline, pt. 1

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We've made a mess of things, but now we're going to clean it up! This week, the Lorekeepers take the significant events of Aevum Tertius all...

Interim 12: The Rebirth of Rebirth

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most consequential ideas in Halûme is the Aspects. Throughout the Aevums, their presence has marked the most significant events to occur. ...

Interim 11: Aevum Pentus

28 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's rare that we explore things during Aevum Pentus. Let's change that.You can find the Lorekeeper's album art tattoo here!———Cu...

Interim 10: Awakenings during the Apocalypse

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The end of one world is the beginning of another. But it's still an end.This week we focus the lens on a very tight view of a mere couple centuri...

Interim 9: The Curse of Worship

14 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's something we've mentioned many times, but never truly explored. What is the Curse of Worship? And why can we not truly compare the reli...

Interim 8: The Boomers

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It must have been really confusing. From nowhere, hundreds of thousands have new access to abilities barely understood, and with even less control. At...

Interim 7: New Magic

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Between spellbooks, copying magic down, and gathering magical power, wizards had to start somewhere. Carter has a great idea for that. Let's find...

Interim 6: Monkey Business

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In a vacation to the faerie forests of the Illuvium, we reexamine some of their history and namely, how they are related to the One Who Was. Who is th...

Interim 5: Widening the Lens

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A change in the cosmic model necessitates other changes. If the Fundament is indeed real, how might other models of consciousness arise? Perhaps the R...

Interim 4.5: The Loonies are going for it

05 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We interrupt your regularly scheduled podcast feed to swing wide the doors on a new venture: in the backdrop, for the past several months Frank has be...

Interim 4: Learn the Fundamentals

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Of all the things to readress in Halûme, is any more significant than the Nineflow itself? We think not. In this episode, we crack open the previousl...

Interim 3: The Great Dance

31 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about Whims.What are they? Who has them? What do they do? What role do they play in the Halûmian cosmos? And why is the episode calle...

Interim 2: Defeat Built upon the Backs of Victory

20 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we respond to a listener question, and in doing so, clarify some of the strange and curious things occurring near the end of Aevum Secunda....

Interim 1: A Whole of Many Parts

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's a new season! Well, not really. In our first interim episode we re-open that aged folder wherein lie the planes of the Halûmic Cosmos. And ...

S3.35 - Time Enough at Last (Finale pt. 4)

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It may be the end for Parresari, but the world of Sudar will continue to spin (partially because of Parresari's sacrifice). What's next for ...

S3.34 - In Search of Lost Time (Finale pt. 3)

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The end is near! We take a short jaunt afield from Parresari proper to fully understand what's occuring during Aevum Quartus and how the destruct...

S3.33 - Urbanboros (Finale pt.2)

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue to wrap up the last days of Parresari, the implications grow until we discover potentially very strange things about the whole strange ...

S3.32 - Ends are Beginnings (Finale pt.1)

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The end has finally come. It's time to talk about the last days of Parresari, and what becomes of the city. Does it go out with a bang or a whimp...

S3.31 - Cults and Cosmos

01 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We start out this week by examining a fresh cult, worshippers of the Deep and Dark. What do the wealthy of Parresari think of ancient monsters? What d...

S3.30 - A Lodge of their Own

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There are all sorts of different players in the growing spheres of Parresari. As we wrap up the season, we take one last look at who some of these ind...

S3.29 - Parresari Revolution

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Somehow we developed a fascist dictator, a rebellion, and didn't truly consider the implications of any of it. But thanks to our loving listeners...

S3.28 - The View from Above

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Not everyone has aphantasia. Most people don't! But it is easy to forget sometimes.This week the Lorekeepers take some much-needed time to fully ...

S3.27 - Refuge Beneath the Waves

04 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It is a Parresarian struggle to do all the good one wishes to do. Sometimes, they bite off far more than they can chew. What happens when refugees fro...

S3.26 - Folk on the Water

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Life on the Marion Ocean isn't always easy, nor are the inhabitants fair to all. This week, we investigate the Honorless and "Seeple" (...

S3.25 - Bat-nanas

17 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Though it has hardly been acknowledged, there are other towns on the island of Tensitung. What are their relationships to Parresari? Do they get along...

S3.24 - Foreign War, Local Shore

09 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes conversations about Nazis, Nazism, and Kristallnacht. What is the legacy of the Ano Occupation? This week we ex...

S3.23 - New Ancestry Just Dropped

02 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week the Lorkeepers take a chance on a wild idea from the mind of Carter: lava crabs! Who are they? Where do they come from? What are they doing ...

S3.22 - Look at This Stuff, Isn't it Neat?

19 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In a nice, abbreviated package we introduce a new figure to the continuing tale of Parresari. She's a mermaid by the name Mezami and goes from be...

S3.21 - Water for the Soul, Lightning Strikes the Mind

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's back to the godmill again to discover a new being of great power, this time localized to the Marion ocean and with a twist: they've asc...

S3.20 - The Measure of a Life

05 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, amid a shipwreck of audio rabbit trails and getting lost in ideas, we explore the life of a simple, regular Parresarian: Salius Karlan. He ...

S3.19 - Forward and without Nostalgia or Grief

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In part 2 of our exploration of the Ano Occupation, we investigate the motive behind Iulia's warpath and the moral justifications for her passion...

S3.18 - The Honor that Changed Who We Were

19 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Parresari has not always been a simple place to live. When forces of powerful elven lords have taken an interest in your home, what can you do? This w...

S3.17 - My Side of the Island (Lorekeepers Jr.)

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Well before the city of Parresari came to be a bustling port, a much more modest town found a place for itself among the craggy grounds of the far sid...

S3.16 - What Lurks Deep Below

06 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Every good ocean has sea monsters that live deep below the waves. How do they come about? What do the Parresarians do to handle the monsters? Related...

S3.15 - Evoking Piracy

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Well, we finally do it. Guns. We've referenced it for years, but it's actually happening.But how exactly? Do they use gunpowder? What do the...