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This episode carries content warnings for physical harm, death, and the discussion of sports-related injuries.

Even as Stels Kesh and Apostolos began to fall into war, the in the year 1423 of the Perfect Millennium, the Divine Principality held the the Summer Passage of Arms on the world of Partizan, moon of Girandole. There, poets competed in verse, the Providence was run, biathletes strutted their stuff by land and by sea, and pilots wrestled their hollows against each other along the coastlines. In one such hollow was a grappler whose vision saw beyond the shore of that ill-fated moon. A man who dreamed of being something more than a athlete. A man who dreamed of being a superstar.

This week on the Road to PALISADE: My Way

Records Recovered from the Divine, Arbitrage

Factions

Principality Wrestling Association (PWA): The largest professional hollow wrestling organization in the Principality. Tours each Stel. The PWA\\u2019s current active roster includes Caden "The Sensation" Davis (they/them), Vlad \\u201cBone Daddy\\u201d Rivera (he/him), Jade \\u201cThe Dentist\\u201d Suzuki (she/her), Brian Million Dollar Man\\u201d Johnson (he/him), Liam \\u201cThe Beast\\u201d Petit (they/them), and Dash \\u201cCity Slicker\\u201d Dubrovnik (they/them). The PWA also maintains a \\u201cspecial relationship\\u201d with the Divine Honor, who referees all matches for the control of the Belt of Honor.

The Bilateral Intercession: This faction, made up primarily from Stel Nideo and Kesh assets, was formerly known as the Curtain. The rebranding comes as part of a \\u201ccivil coup\\u201d performed by Cynosure Whitestar-Kesh. In a move that surprised no group more than the Curtain themselves, Cynosure spent years growing in confidence and power, until that intelligence organization could be once again reduced to a tool. Still defined by their traditionalism, they wield their control on culture, religion, and history as a weapon\\u2014and the extensive spy network for which they are named when those come up short.

The Pact of Free States: While the Bilateral Intercession\\u2019s name change reflects a shift in leadership and posture for the Curtain, the shift from \\u201cThe Pact of Necessary Venture\\u201d to \\u201cThe Pact of Free States\\u201d is simply the public acceptance of what was already widely understood to be true. Led in name by Dahlia, the Glorious Princept, and in day-to-day operation by senior members of Stels Apostolos and Columnar, the Pact paint themselves as liberal reformists whose aim is to increase the degree of autonomy in each of the Stels, such that they become in reality five separate nations.

Persons

Dogmatic Mettle (he/him): Former shoot combatant in real hollow sumo competitions and pilot of the fearsome Harvester, Mettle has turned his sights on the squared circle. Does he hope to obtain glory? To lift others to his heights? Or something else?

Locations

Deep Dish Steakhouse: A gimmick-driven bar-and-grill chain. I would call its fare repugnant, but being able to avoid such slop is one the benefits of my form, and unlike mortal minds, I would never lower myself to offer uninformed critique. The decor, though, is an absolute disaster.

Articles

Steam and Smolder: One of the Principality\\u2019s most popular professional hollow wrestling podcasts, hosted by Jimmy "Steam" Steamanski (he/him) and Smolderin\' Sara McKenzie (she/her).

Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker)\\xa0

Featuring Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) and Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel)

Produced by Ali Acampora (@ali_west)

Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp)

Text by Austin Walker

Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot)

You can buy My Way right here: https://thatacegal.itch.io/my-way