What if the worst people you knew in high school were tasked with saving the world? This is The Valkyrie Cycle: a Monsterhearts 2 actual play podcast about the messy lives of even messier teenagers, whose monstrosity is as inevitable as their destiny. Our setting is the small town of Thornridge, Washington, where monsters are as likely to lurk in the forest as the hallways of the high school, and apocalyptic mythology threatens to become ugly reality. As an unnaturally long winter casts an icy shadow over the upcoming prom, something more dangerous prowls at the edges of Thornridge, waiting for its chance to strike… The Valkyrie Cycle is a story about queerness, family, the chains that hold us back, and what happens when we break them.
https://midnightceremoniesmedia.com
Cassie experiences the consequences of his Darkest Self. Silvia plays with Stephanie and Starfyre’s emotions. CW: Hospital/heart-rate monitor sound effects, slight emotional manipulation [2:47-9:39]. Discussion of child endangerment, trauma, and near death situations [16:26-20:45]. Brief discussion of murder and arson [33:50-34:05], [35:42-36:03], and [41:13-42:15]. Brief mention of snakes [52:25-52:50]. Description Read more…
Eden explains the supernatural to the computer science club. Lucien and Cesar go on their first date. CW: Discussion of patricide, violence, and magical hypnosis [38:00-43:15]. Magical hypnosis and ringing sound effects [1:12:57-1:13:47]. Descriptions of violence, murder, and blood [1:14:07-1:27:00]. Description of arson and fire sound effects [1:51:17-1:52:35]. Website: https://midnightceremoniesmedia.com/ Read more…
Our cast answers audience questions and gives behind-the-scenes insight on character creation and worldbuilding. This talkback contains spoilers from the first and second arc of TVC (Episodes 1-10), including major plot points from Episode 10.
Saffron, Karina, Quin, and Fabiola give a name to the archetypes of “evil gay people” found in your favorite media (including The Valkyrie Cycle). Discussion of (and thus spoilers for): The Valkyrie Cycle (episodes 1-10) Hannibal Campaign 2 of Critical Role These Violent Delights (by Micah Nemerever) Red vs. Blue Read more…
Starfyre shows her friends the prophecy. Arthur Astor hosts a dinner. Content warnings: Description of a hospital including sound effects, brief description of wounds, mention of internalized homophobia [44:30-56:49]. Underage smoking, brief mention of death of family members (car accident), threat of death, sexual situations [1:19:55-1:24:05]. Website: https://midnightceremoniesmedia.com/ Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/midnightcmedia Read more…
The fight in the woods meets a hasty end. Starfyre and Lucien share a dance. Content warnings: Snake description/sound effects; description of blood/wounds [13:45-16:10]. Description of ambulance, paramedics, and police; siren sound effects [56:37-56:52] and [58:02-1:09:13]. Discussion of generational trauma, loss of parents [1:57:19-2:06:03]. Intense inter-party conflict throughout. Website: https://midnightceremoniesmedia.com/ Read more…
The meeting in the clearing turns bloody. Cesar finds out dirt on the Strisciantes while Silvia searches for answers about Blackwell. Content warnings: Descriptions of wolf attacks, violence, near-death experience. [24:10-54:13]. Teeth gore with sound effect [30:23-31:40]. Magical hypnosis, forced truth-telling, ringing sound effects [1:00:42-1:02:02] and [1:12:43-1:14:45]. Intense interparty conflict Read more…
Starfyre, Lucien, and Cassie meet with Eden before school Monday morning. Stephanie confronts the consequences of her actions. Content warnings: Mentions of seizures/brain injury, discussion of homophobic parents and murder, hospital sound effects [16:57-37:35]. Hospital sound effects [43:20-50:08]. Description of dissociation/PTSD and of being attacked by a wolf [1:11:37-1:13:23]. Interparty Read more…
Lucien tests the limits of Stephanie’s spell. Starfyre talks to her aunt Morgan about the prophecy. Content warnings: Attempts at physical violence, punching [13:50-23:43]. Brief descriptions of wounds and wound care [24:51-25:44]. Discussion of grief and loss of family members [38:05-44:07]. Mentions of the foster system, being attacked by an animal Read more…
Our cast answers audience questions and gives behind-the-scenes insight on character creation and worldbuilding. This talkback contains spoilers from the first arc of The Valkyrie Cycle (Episodes 1-5).