How did this accomplished professor go from a chronicler of conspiracy theories to a character in one? Is this eccentric composer the “mastermind behind QAnon?” Journalists at The State News tried to unravel those questions and more.

This audio adaptation was produced as part of an independent study with Professor Jon Whiting at the Michigan State University School of Journalism. It was written, recorded, and edited by Alex Walters.

It is based on a story he reported with his colleague, Theo Scheer, at The State News, Michigan State University’s independent student newspaper. That story was edited by their colleagues Amalia Medina and Owen McCarthy. It’s available to read at StateNews.com.

Welcome to Mercs of Monteau: a Dungeons & Dragons actual play podcast about a group of swords for hire in the fantastical land of Monteau. In this episode, Hogar the dragonborn barbarian, Daintree the gnome druid, and Bloom the half-elf cleric venture to the bandit city of Lerwick, alongside their new kobold companion, Stik.
Dungeon Master: KayeLee Martens
Daintree played by Leah Haberek
Bloom played by Leyna Rassi
Hogar played by Braylon Champion
Produced by Leah Haberek and KayeLee Martens
Edited by Leah Haberek and KayeLee Martens
Sound effects from Freesound.org & Pixabay
Art created by Leyna Rassi
Music:
"Legendary Kingdom - Backing Vocals Only (Full Length)" Composed by Anthony Giordano [SACEM], Published by Illustration Musicale [SACEM] & Universal Production Music France [SACEM], Label: Galerie
"Wildtree - Instrumental - (Full Length)" Composed by Olli Juhani Varis [TEOSTO], Published by Universal Publishing Prod. Music Nordic [STIM], Label: Nordic ID
"Ronin Rhapsody - Underscore - (60 Sec)" Composed by John Theodore [ASCAP], Published by Emperia Alpha Publishing [ASCAP], Label: Emperia Musicworks
"Earth's Lungs - Instrumental - (Full Length)" Composed by Anthony Giordano [SACEM], Published by Illustration Musicale [SACEM] & Universal Production Music France [SACEM], Label: Galerie
"Circus Band March" Composers: Benjamin William Castle [PRS], Danny Fromajio [PRS], Will Grove-White [PRS], Publishers: Primetime Productions Ltd [PRS], Album: Circus & Funfair Music, Labels: Match Music
"Daring High Wire Act" Composers: Martyn Swain [PRS], Publishers: BBC Production Music [PRS], Album: Big Top Toon Shop, Labels: BBC Production Music
"Time To Go" Composers: Paul Piot [SACEM], Publishers: Musique Cinéma Télévision [SACEM], Album: Circus, Labels: Galerie
"With Regret" Composers: Richard Everard Lawrence Wells [PRS], Publishers: Sound Pocket Music [PRS], Album: Abandoned, Labels: Sound Pocket Music
"Shadow Overhead 1" Composers: Joel S Goodman [ASCAP], Publishers: Medley Lane Music [ASCAP], Album: Fragile, Labels: Storyteller
"Creeping Suspicion 2" Composers: Joel S Goodman [ASCAP], Publishers: Medley Lane Music [ASCAP], Album: Fragile Labels: Storyteller
"Mercs of Monteau" is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC

Welcome to Mercs of Monteau; a Dungeons & Dragons actual play podcast about a group of swords for hire in the fantastical land of Monteau. In this episode, Hogar the dragonborn barbarian, Daintree the gnome druid, and Bloom the half-elf cleric go on a quest to save noble teenager Adrianna Fanfoss from being kidnapped by bandits.

Dungeon Master: KayeLee Martens

Daintree played by Leah Haberek

Bloom played by Leyna Rassi

Hogar played by Braylon Champion

Produced by Leah Haberek and KayeLee Martens

Edited by Leah Haberek and KayeLee Martens

Sound effects from Freesound.org & Epidemic Sound

Art created by Leyna Rassi

Music:"Legendary Kingdom - Backing Vocals Only (Full Length)" Composed by Anthony Giordano [SACEM], Published by Illustration Musicale [SACEM] & Universal Production Music France [SACEM], Label: Galerie"Burundi Clash - Instrumental - (Full Length)" Composed by A.G. Magwaza [PRS], Published by Fat Mama Publishing [SAMRO], Label: AFROSONIC"Wildtree - Instrumental - (Full Length)" Composed by Olli Juhani Varis [TEOSTO], Published by Universal Publishing Prod. Music Nordic [STIM], Label: Nordic ID"Ronin Rhapsody - Underscore - (60 Sec)" Composed by John Theodore [ASCAP], Published by Emperia Alpha Publishing [ASCAP], Label: Emperia Musicworks"Earth's Lungs - Instrumental - (Full Length)" Composed by Anthony Giordano [SACEM], Published by Illustration Musicale [SACEM] & Universal Production Music France [SACEM], Label: Galerie

"Mercs of Monteau" is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC