From the team of Kelley Vlahos and Daniel Larison, subscribe today for straight talk about the latest headlines and politics, under-the-radar news, and interviews with newsmakers, politicians, journalists, and activists. crashingthewarparty.substack.com
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Never Split the Party is bringing you the edited audio from our actual play livestream of Paizo's Starfinder. You can find recorded episodes on YouTube, iTunes, the Google Play store, and watch us live stream the episodes on Twitch. We stream every Tuesday at 8:30pm EST. Follow the party on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NStPcast Chat with the party on Discord: https://discord.gg/NtGfYnB Join the party on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nstpcast/ Watch the party on Twitch, every Tuesday at ...
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"The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia" is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast DMed by Alex and joined by his wife, Mayling, who plays as Clyde Wulfstein, a farrier from the Ravenloft domain of Falkovnia. The podcast chronicles Clyde's life, including the horrors of living in a city besieged by zombies, as well as the epic destiny he discovers along the way.
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It's time. This is the end. The walls of mists that encircle and trap everyone within Falkovnia are thinning. Portals to new lands are opening, offering a chance at freedom, and happiness. Clyde and his party are ready, their plan is in motion. But General Vladeska won't take defeat lying down. In fact, she'll do anything it takes to win... The Rav…
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Plans are coming to a head. Clyde is determined to get every innocent person out of Falkovnia and away from General Vladeska. She is determined to destroy Clyde and everything he loves at any cost. There are only a few loose ends to tie up, like the mysterious phantom girl who appeared during the siege of the new moon. But who is this girl, and wha…
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AiF 33. Someone Call the Exterminator
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Remember the strange rats, whose brains could be seen visibly glowing through their skulls? The ones that brought with them the deep, disturbing voice of an entity calling itself Gray Worm? Clyde does. And it's time to go to Silbervas and deal with Gray Worm once and for all. But Gray Worm has been making new rats since the last time that it and Cl…
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It's time for the party to explore the hidden places in Falkovnia, those edges of the country that none of them have ever seen. And while some of them are long-abandoned and rotting, the group finds that General Vladeska still has a few surprises in store... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast takin…
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The situation in Lekar is worse than ever, with General Vladeska lethally punishing everyone that she can get her hands on. Clyde is more committed than ever so freeing the people of Falkovnia from the general's tyranny, but there's on problem: a snake still sits amongst Clyde's friends and loved ones, and it's time to get rid of them... The Raven'…
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AiF 30. The Blast Heard 'round Falkovnia
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While Clyde was able to rescue the imprisoned fieldies at the Gears, it's clear that it was only a minor setback, and others will be brought to the Gears to test Faber Vetus' plan to turn people into automatons. It's clear that something more permanent needs to be done. At the same time, High Priestess Adrienne is unhappy that Clyde seems to be the…
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Clyde knows that General Vladeska has some kind of secret that she's hiding in the abandoned city of Stangengrad. Fieldies are being forced into a place called the Gears, but for what purpose? Clyde is determined to find out, despite the fact that the general herself is on her way there... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited du…
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With Delmunster now providing a safe base of operations, Clyde's next step is to return to Lekar and empty the bank of its wealth, to distribute to the people. But what happens when Clyde returns to Lekar and sees that, in the wake of all his trouble-making, he's not the only one the general has in her sights... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia…
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The secret is out: creatures have infiltrated and infested Delmunster, and it's impossible to say who. Clyde and his party must be careful in extracting the creatures from their hiding places and getting rid of them, lest they be pulled into the fold as well... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast ta…
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With news of a possible city built into the treetops of the Forest of Strangers, Clyde and the group decide they have to check it out. But just because General Vladeska has no reach into the forest doesn't mean it isn't full of dangers anyway... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast taking place in th…
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With all the recent excitement, the group feels like it's a good idea to recap what they know so far, and how they can move forward. But when Clyde decides to check out a lead that the DM isn't prepared for, what will the DM do... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast taking place in the domains of th…
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Ever since he found out that the General's loyal subject, Major Chuska, is actually his brother Alfie, Clyde and his family have had to leave Alfie with the General, as it would be too dangerous to extract him. But now, with a place that seems safe from the General's reach, it's time to get Alfie back and reunite him with the rest of the Wulfsteins…
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Clyde and his friends now have a few problems. General Vladeska is on their tails, and she is not backing down until she finds them. The party must find a new safe place, and it must also recover some important things that were left behind in Lekar, even though that's now the most dangerous place in Falkovnia... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia…
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With the party one step ahead of General Vladeska's forces (for now), it's time for Clyde and his friends to tie off another loose thread: the unicorn queen Regina currently being held captive at Hatzimvas Hospital. But can Clyde and the party successfully liberate Regina from her prison, or will the General finally have them right where she wants …
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It's finally happened. General Vladeska has pushed Clyde too far, done one too many unforgivable things. It's time for Clyde to begin taking active steps against the general to protect those he loves and to save the people of Falkovnia from the Talons. But the general isn't going to respond well to Clyde becoming an active enemy. She does so hate t…
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Clyde has been arrested! General Vladeska has publicly arrested Clyde and sent him to Willow Watch to find information about the escaped High Priestess. But can Clyde stay undercover when he discovers the conditions of Willow Watch? And what will General Vladeska do if Clyde doesn't complete his assignment? The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a…
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Clyde has so far managed to get out of every bad predicament he's found himself in, but his luck might be running out this time when he decides to pose as the heiress Lahke Delamane in an attempt to liberate the last of her family's fortune from the bank. What happens when the bank's manager has a few magical tricks of his own? The Raven's Call: Al…
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The Cyclops has been located. Performing experiments on people to make them "better," but is Clyde ready for the true horror of what they might find in this burned-down cabin in the woods? The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast taking place in the domains of the Ravenloft campaign setting, DMed by Alex…
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It seems true, that once a month, in the week following the new moon, the misty borders of Falkovnia fall, and people can leave Falkovnia. This is why there is a ban for anyone leaving the city of Lekar during that week. But unlike many, Clyde has the means to get his friends and family out of Falkovnia and away from danger. But what happens when t…
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The new moon has passed, and the horde of undead has been dealt with, for now. But seeing for himself General Vladeska's methods, Clyde begins gathering powerful allies against the Falkovnian regime. But General Vladeska isn't going to take these indiscretions lying down, should she discover them... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily…
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Clyde's in a rough spot, completely helpless before High Priestess Adrienne Hodag. But even if he can extricate himself from this situation, the new moon has arrived, and the dead are coming. Can Clyde and his friends find a way to navigate the horde of the dead? And what happens when it becomes clear that not everyone in Lekar is meant to survive …
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It's the final day before the new moon. The dead are approaching, and anything could happen. Clyde is determined to have one more night of normalcy, one more night of fun and laughter before the dead arrive. But he just can't help himself from investigating what the priestesses of Hala want with people who have the blood of snakes within them... Th…
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AiF 13. The Night Whisperer Returns
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Still reeling from the revelation of Major Chuska's true identity, Clyde has decided on a new plan: kill General Vladeska. Will he go through with it, or will other opportunities come his way... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast taking place in the domains of the Ravenloft campaign setting, DMed b…
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Having discovered the plans of the man calling himself Mort, Clyde brings this information to General Vladeska herself. The General choose Clyde and Tatianna to go on a mission to kill Mort once and for all, but she may regret her decision to send Major Chuska with them... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual pla…
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While dealing with pressure from General Vladeska herself at his job training the griffons, Clyde begins to investigate the serial killer known as the Silken Strangler, a murderer who only targets Talons and leaves them strung up in silk by their necks. But he'll find more than he bargained for... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily e…
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While continuing to do his job during the day, Clyde plans on returning to the Delamane manor in order to relieve it of its valuables. But he isn't the only one who's realized that the Delamane fortune might be ripe for the taking... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast taking place in the domains of…
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Clyde begins his new job working with the griffons that have become part of the Falkovnian army. Meanwhile, he begins to investigate the illicit affair between Vladimir Ludzig and Nira Delamane, but what he finds out might shock him... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast taking place in the domains …
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The party continues to investigate the disappearances along Watcher's Road. But they aren't prepared for what they discover along the way... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast taking place in the domains of the Ravenloft campaign setting, DMed by Alex and joined by his wife, Mayling. Content warnin…
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Dragomir has been given jurisdiction to investigate a series of disappearances on Watcher's Road, and has conscripted Clyde, Driscoll, Tatianna, and Belinda to join him. Clyde convinces Dragomir to invite Alene along at the last minute as well, and the group leaves the walls of Lekar. For most of them, this is the first time they've ever left the c…
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Clyde, Driscoll, Belinda, and Alene travel to the Bell Rose to meet with vistani caravans who have entered Falkovnia. Clyde has a scheme to earn some money by hosting a wrestling tournament, but there are others who are trying to make coin at the gathering as well... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podc…
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AiF 05. The Day of the Forked Tongue
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Clyde, Driscoll, Belinda, and Alene attend the Day of the Forked Tongue, a religious ceremony taking place halfway between each new moon to celebrate Lekar and it's continued survival. However, General Vladeska Drakov has plans of her own to reinforce the loyalty of Falkovnia's citizens. And Clyde must also deal with the machinations of Gray Worm a…
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Matt Petti on Western media manipulation in the Israel-Hamas conflict
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According to journalist Matthew Petti's number crunching, 31% of English-speaking media have been using the phrase "Hamas-led Health Ministry" since Oct. 17. Before that day, only 7% were using such a phrase. What happened? Petti points to the Oct. 17 explosion at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza, the perpetrator of which has not been independently con…
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Clyde and Driscoll attempt to investigate the mysterious soul coins while taking a well-deserved day of rest... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast taking place in the domains of the Ravenloft campaign setting, DMed by Alex and joined by his wife, Mayling. Content warning: Mayling has no "red lines,…
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Giorgio Cafiero: Expect 'horrific blowback' to US policy on US-Gaza
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Experts are now speculating that America's reputation in the world, particularly in the Middle East, is taking a hit worse than when it invaded and occupied Iraq in 2003. Giorgio Cafiero, head of Gulf State Analytics and a keen observer of politics in the region, tells the podcast this week that President Biden is becoming more hated than George W.…
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Clyde, Driscoll, Dragomir, and Tatianna continue to investigate the mysterious group of assassins preying on people in the Field Quarter of Lekar... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast taking place in the domains of the Ravenloft campaign setting, DMed by Alex and joined by his wife, Mayling. Conten…
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Clyde begins to investigate the mysterious killings going on in the Field Quarter of Lekar, with the help of Dragomir, a childhood acquaintance who now serves as a Talon of the Falkovnian army... The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia is a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast taking place in the domains of the Ravenloft campaign setting, DMed …
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There was never a 'pivot' away from the Middle East. There should have been.
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A popular narrative after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and ensuing retaliation by Israel has been that the U.S. had dropped the ball because it had 'pivoted away' from the Middle East over the last three administrations. That is simply not true. According to our guests this week, CATO researchers Jon Hoffman and Jordan Cohen, Washington has maintained a…
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Introducing: The Raven's Call: Alone in Falkovnia, a heavily edited duet-D&D actual play podcast taking place in the domains of the Ravenloft campaign setting, DMed by Alex and joined by his wife, Mayling. Content warning: Mayling has no "red lines," so you can expect anything from this podcast. We're hesitant to attempt to list out every content w…
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Adam Weinstein and the US Troops in Harm's Way in the Middle East
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There are currently 2,500 American troops in Iraq and another 900 in Syria. Their bases have come under repeated fire in both countries since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. According to Pentagon officials, Iranian-backed militias are to blame, and they expect more as fighting ramps up in Gaza and the West Bank. Adam Weinstein, a senior fellow …
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Gaza War: US policy in the Middle East has failed
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In this special episode, Kelley and Dan update the headlines from the Gaza strip and talk about how U.S. policy in the region has become increasingly effective in terms of pushing for a two-state solution and helping to restrain the more extreme impulses of the Israeli government ahead of the Hamas attacks on Israel and retaliatory strikes in Gaza …
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Mike Brenes on the broken defense industry: you can't get ammo from a stone
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It took the Ukraine war to show how broken the U.S. war machine really is. President Eisenhower warned about the military-industrial complex in 1961 and we know that it is ten times as worse as he even imagined. But after almost two years of war in Ukraine and tens of billions of American weapons transfers, we now know how limited -- if not dysfunc…
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Sumantra Maitra asks: Why can't we have a dormant NATO?
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The Ukraine War has exposed a lot when it comes to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization — otherwise known as NATO. Aside from the "renewed mission" and "unity" that has emerged to help Ukraine confront the Russian invasion, there are downsides. NATO has a limited capacity of weapons stores and manpower and the US is taking on a disproportionate s…
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The libertarian split over Ukraine and more, from friends Kyle Anzalone & Connor Freeman
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We welcomed back to the show this week the co-hosts of Conflicts of Interest podcast, Kyle Anzalone & Connor Freeman, who both write and edit and support the Libertarian Institute. We ask them about the rancorous split among libertarians over Ukraine, a fissure not seen in the Global War on Terror. We also talked about signs of fraying support for …
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Michael Swaine warns against 'radical deterrence' in US-China policy
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Ask anyone in Washington and they'll tell you, in varying levels of panic, that China is a threat to the United States. Some will say it's the greatest threat ever or, in military-speak, the "pacing threat." So who is right? And if China is a challenge or even a threat, to its neighbors if not America directly, then how does the Biden Administratio…
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Sina Toossi: Washington's backward, non-productive, failing Iran policy
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This week, President Joe Biden announced that he was unfreezing $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds as part of a broader deal that involves an important prisoner swap. The deal has drawn howling from the usual suspects, those who believe any diplomatic course with Iran spells weakness and blunder. Sina Toossi, an expert in U.S.-Iran relations and se…
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Matthew Hoh: Are we seeing a breach of the Ukraine War echo chamber?
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We are excited to sit down (metaphorically) with veteran, whistleblower, peace activist, and foreign policy dissident Matthew Hoh. He has spent the last few years helping to build the Eisenhower Media Network, which is designed to promote and give voice to veterans with a critical point of view of U.S. wars, foreign policy, and the military-industr…
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Shackelford & Sanderson: Watching our military assistance in Africa go up in smoke
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For the last two decades, the U.S. military has been heavily invested in Africa — in training, weapons sharing, and basing — per its "war on terrorism." Unfortunately, the places in Africa that have had the most U.S. investment in this regard are now among the most unstable on the planet. Somalia continues to be wracked by militia violence and a fr…
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Lyle Goldstein: Not feeling great about being right on Ukraine
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Eighteen months into the war in Ukraine and the picture is grim. After so many US officials — including former military — pumped up the prospects of the Ukraine counteroffensive — it looks like the conflict is headed into a bloody stalemate if not a Russian rout. Lyle Goldstein, Director of the Asia Engagement program at Defense Priorities, has bee…
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Eldar Mamedov: Not the deal of the century, but Iran prisoner swap is big news
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Last week, the Biden administration announced a deal with the Iranian regime that would free five Iranian-American prisoners in Tehran in exchange for several Iranian prisoners here in the U.S. The deal would also free up $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds to be used solely for humanitarian purposes in Iran. Brussels-based foreign policy analyst El…
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James Carden: Saying the quiet part out loud about the Ukrainian counter-offensive
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Does Washington have a plan B if the Ukrainian counteroffensive doesn't work out? Kelley and Daniel talk to foreign policy and politics writer James Carden about continued maximalist talk in the Beltway, setting up the Ukraine war for another forever war. He also talks about the "peace conference" in Saudi Arabia last weekend and his disappointment…
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