"The final victory of sci-fi is its final defeat," says AK, gnomically, before we sing the Beverly Hills Cop theme tune and talk about trombones. Join us for a discussion of 'the best fiction novel of the 20th century', A Wizard of Earthsea, and its masterful magic system: from Native American folklore to shamanism, demonic to natural theurgy, and eastern wyrms to western protodragons.

Is it written for children or not? What is 'Equilibrium'? Why is 'clot of shadow' so upsetting, and what does it have to do with Cultist Simulator?

In memory of Ursula Le Guin, and little Hoag.

Games / books mentioned in this episode, for your gaming / reading pleasure:

- A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula Le Guin
- City of Illusions, by Ursula Le Guin
- Cultist Simulator, by us

Lord of the Rings + Narnia + Jane Austen = ?

A smash-hit 800-page faux-Victorian novel of realist magic and alternate histories, of course! Welcome to the world of Susanna Clarke, whose rules-based, Mametian and very 'English' magic system is one of the best we've had the good fortune to meet.

Join us for a discussion of made-up magical scholarship, urban versus natural magic, whether you should consider the Land of Faerie for your next holiday destination, and 'the beauty of grey'.

Games / books mentioned in this episode, for your gaming / reading pleasure:

- Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke
- Piranesi, by Susanna Clarke
- The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories, by Susanna Clarke
- Harm's Way, by Colin Greenland
- Take Back Plenty, by Colin Greenland
- Lud-in-the-Mist, by Hope Mirrlees
- The Secret History, by Donna Tartt
- Cultist Simulator + BOOK OF HOURS, by us
- Deus Ex, by Ion Storm
- "Time Enough At Last", by John Brahm and Rod Serling

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Author. Visionary. Dreamweaver. Plus bellhop. Meet Jack Vance, one of the most inventive fantasy authors we've ever heard of, and probably not a pirate king. What happens when fairies become too lumpen and earthy? Why are Lvl1 wizards in D&D so rubbish? Who is Larkin the Baby-Stealer, and why are you reaching for that kazoo?

We talk Cugel the Clever, Vancean magic and why you shouldn't make bread from dogs.

Games / books mentioned in this episode, for your gaming / reading pleasure:

- Lyonesse, by Jack Vance
- Tales of the Dying Earth, by Jack Vance
- 'Liane the Wayfarer', by Jack Vance
- Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, by Richard Ayoade and Matthew Holness
- BOOK OF HOURS, by us
- Fallen London / Sunless Sea, by Failbetter Games
- Dungeons & Dragons, by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson

Follow us on Twitter and sign up to the mailing list to make sure you don't miss the next episode! ♥