The World Below The War in the Heavens

Halden I earned his unflattering nickname because of the way he walked into disaster and steered Anaquist into a nightmare, if you can have a sleepwalking steersman/helmsman/at the wheel. One thing is clear, though – it’s the end of the Foundation Era of Anaquist, however you put it.

Queen Iona's ambitions were, paradoxically, both heavenly and firmly of the world, aiming to bridge the two. Misguided, but visionary, she was doomed to failure - and what a spectacular failure it was.

Absolute power does some people’s heads in, and when it goes hand in hand with brooding resentment and the harbouring of grudges, it’s a nasty combination, but that’s the way things unfold in this period of Anaquistian history, so get ready.

Definitely a youthful monarch, his reign was marred by the legendary Lessgar Affair - a sobering story of loyalty, mistrust and petty ambition gone badly, badly wrong.

With a cognomen like that, you can guess that we're in for a wild ride this episode. Short story: if she ever offered you a plate of snacks, it was best to decline politely.

Jallox is a large island separated from the mainland continent by a two hundred mile stretch of stormy waters. Jalloxians have always considered themselves apart from the rest of the World Below the War in the Heavens, separate and better – more hardy, more independent, more resourceful, more good looking and, pointedly, braver than mainlanders. 

Cunning, manipulative, scheming and ambitious, Queen Ascot I was the epitome of the Anaquist dynamic, with a flair for the dramatic. She had to deal with a slew of Pretenders to the throne, too, and she did it in her own, inimitable way.

King Blemin lived fast, died young and was buried in a royal mausoleum. No regrets.

Queen Varphina I didn’t suffer fools gladly, and she suffered villains even less. She died wrestling a giant killer boar, which should tell you something about her.

Prescon: son of King Sayn I, the sixth monarch of Anaquist is the most overlooked of the early Anaquistian monarchs, but I've found an intriguing side of this enigmatic king.

A look ahead at the upcoming second season of The World Below the War in the Heavens podcast. More magic! More intrigue! More fascinating characters! And, perhaps, a special guest or two ... Coming soon!

King Sayn of Anaquist amassed a huge treasure in his lifetime but when his special vault was opened, it had all disappeared. What happened to the hoard to end all hoards?

This is a very special episode with a very special guest - Dr David Threshton, Head of Anaquist Studies at Hallmark University, the expert we need to get to the bottom of this mystery for the ages.

Here, in the vast expanses of the World Below the War in the Heavens roam a multitude of species, a panoply of life, a cornucopia of animals great and small in a dizzying display of the wonders of life itself, writ large and writ small. Come and explore them with me.

Sendia 1 of Anaquist became obsessed with magic and her life was tragically cut short by a tragedy that is fascinating in its unfolding. And who was the mysterious strangers who worked her way into becoming Sendia's most trusted adviser, much to the disquiet of those around her, and who may have played a major role in the young monarch's demise? 

Omir: warrior, thinker, a man of both action and reflection, a monarch who never thought of himself as ruler of a land but more of a protector of its people. Plus, the Autumn Plot!

What is magic in The World Below the War in the Heavens? How does it work? Where does it come from? And what about the question that’s on everyone’s lips: how can I get me a piece of it?

The second half of two episodes exploring the life of the legendary founder of Anaquist, Ucantha Anaquist herself. After uncovering the extraordinary riches of the Heavenfall, in short time Ucantha Anaquist displays her abilities as a military leader, an architect, an engineer, a logistician and a people manager beyond compare, surrounding herself with some remarkably talented supporters. No wonder they made her queen.