The Calm After. The Shattered Calm Talk back Episode 1 with Brad Silman

Welcome to our first official Talkback episode! As we shift to our new bi-weekly schedule for The Shattered Calm, we’re using our off-weeks to step away from the table, pull back the curtain, and answer some questions.

Today, I (Brad) discuss what it’s like for our cast to navigate Spira without any prior Final Fantasy X knowledge, where exactly is in the timeline 600 years in the past, and the heavy emotional themes driving this pilgrimage. Plus, we get under the hood to talk about mechanics: how we blended the world of FFX with Darrington Press's Daggerheart system, including the process of homebrewing a custom Summoner class and bringing Aeons like Ifrit, Shiva, and Valefror to life

The Cast of The Shattered Calm:

llaria is played by Pyreiia (@pyreiia)

Karagin Droll is played by Took (@tookiguess)

Mennsun "Sunni" Lark is played by Mere (@ohhellomere'

Raymerro "Rai" Ramos is played by Justin (@gmjustin)

Music & Sound Design:Audio editing, sound design, and mixing by Brad.Music and sound effects provided by Epidemic Sound and Monument Studios.Special thanks to TPR and Roxane Genot for their licensed acoustic piano and cello covers that bring the atmosphere of Spira to life

If you have questions for our next Talkback, drop them in our Discord or tag us on socials!

Episode 7: Ahead On Our Way

Dawn breaks over the peaceful village of Seleanas, signaling the end of rest and the beginning of the true journey. With the obligations and the echoes of past rivalries still lingering in the air, the unified party must pack their bags and say their bittersweet goodbyes to the sanctuary of home. As they step out into the morning light, our guardians leave the warmth of the chocobo ranch—and the comfort of Sunni’s grandparents—behind, finally setting foot onto the perilous pilgrimage road that awaits them.

Cast & Crew

• Mere (@ohhellomere) as Mensun

• Justin (@gmjustin) as Ramerro

• Pyreiia (@pyreiia) as Illaria

• Took (@tookiguess) as Karagin

• Brad Silman (@herocast_atx) as The Storyteller

Music & Audio Credits

• Featured Covers: A special thank you to TPR (@tprpiano) and Roxane Genot (@roxthecellist) for granting permission to feature their Final Fantasy X covers of To Zanarkand, Yuna’s Theme, and Oui Are Al Bhed.

• Original Composition: Original Final Fantasy X themes composed by Nobuo Uematsu.

• Additional Music: Background audio and supporting tracks provided by Epidemic Sound, featuring:

• • A Song for the Moon by Headlund

  • Robin Adair by Bonnie Grace

  • Amamiku by Rina Rinoa

  • Falling Leaves by Jon Algar

  • Remove the Complexities by Peter Sandberg

  • Was It Just A Dream by Hanna Lindgren

So You Want To Be A Hero Presents: Shattered Calm is an actual play podcast powered by the Daggerheart tabletop roleplaying system. Final Fantasy X, its setting, lore, and original music are registered trademarks and copyright of Square Enix. All rights reserved to Square Enix.

Follow Us: @herocast_atx on Instagram, Bluesky, and Threads.

Episode 6 : A Place Called Home

The journey brings our unified party to the peaceful village of Seleanas, offering a much-needed moment of rest before the road ahead. In the quiet comfort of the chocobo ranch, the group shares a warm hearth and a good bowl of soup with Sunni’s grandparents, Calliope and Barnabas Lark. Away from the dangers of the wilds, walls finally begin to come down. Sunni and Rai find their relationship blossoming into something entirely new, while Illaria and Karagin share a quiet, profound conversation, questioning what truly lies beyond the hymns and teachings. With a fleeting night of peace behind them, the guardians prepare themselves for the truth that waits on the horizon.

Cast & Crew

• Mere (@ohhellomere) as Mensun (Sunni)

• Justin (@gmjustin) as Ramerro (Rai)

• Pyreiia (@pyreiia) as Illaria

• Took (@tookiguess) as Karagin

• Brad Silman (@herocast_atx) as The Storyteller

Music & Audio Credits

Featured Covers: A special thank you to TPR (@tprpiano) and Roxanne Genot (@roxthecellist) for granting permission to feature their Final Fantasy X covers from A Fleeting Dream and Tranquil Days

Original Composition: Original Final Fantasy X themes composed by Nobuo Uematsu.

Additional Music: Background audio and supporting tracks provided by Epidemic Sounds.

Including :

To Zanardkand by TPR and Roxane Genot

Yuna’s Theme by TPR and Roxane Genot

A Song for the Moon by Headlund

Hoist the Colours Buccaneers by Christoffer Moe Diltevsen

Highland Hymn by Bonnie Grace

Song for Adam by Infinity Ripple

Robin Adair by Bonnie Grace

Elder by Headlund

Kattegatt by Christian Nanzell

Thunder Plains by TPR

Falling Leaves by Jon Algar

So You Want To Be A Hero Presents : Shattered Calm is an actual play podcast powered by the Daggerheart tabletop roleplaying system. Final Fantasy X, its setting, lore, and original music are registered trademarks and copyright of Square Enix. All rights reserved to Square Enix.

Follow Us: @herocast_atx on Instagram, Bluesky, and Threads.