Tag Archives: claudiusthefool

VoK 855: The Devils (by Joe Abercrombie)

Posted on July 11, 2025 by | Leave a comment


The Vassals of Kingsgrave dive into the start of a new trilogy by one of their favorite authors, Joe Abercrombie. Join Brett (White Raven), Greg (claudiusthefool), Alex (LuckyCharms), Zach (Alias), and Casey (blue-eyed-queen) as they review and discuss the first book of this new journey, The Devils.

Credits:
Edited by Zach/Alias

Music: Kellan the Undying by Drumurboy

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VoK 823: DragonCast – “The Queen Who Ever Was” House of the Dragon Season 2 Finale (S02E08 Review)

Posted on August 15, 2024 by | Leave a comment

This week on Dragoncast the Dragons discuss House of the Dragon episode 8, the season finale (?), entitled “The Queen Who Ever Was”. It was certainly an episode of television but did the finale leave viewers wanting?

Hosts: Adam (drownedsnow), Katie (Lady Griffin), Casey (blue-eyed-queen), Michal (Inkasrain), Bing (Shoeshiner), and #Greg (claudiusthefool).

Spoilers: This episode could cover anything from George R R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire as well as all aired episodes of Game of Thrones and various related media.

Editor: Adam

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VoK 731: DragonCast – “The Black Queen” House of the Dragon (S01E10 Review)

Posted on October 29, 2022 by | Leave a comment

The Dragons discuss episode 10, the season 1 finale, of HBO’s House of the Dragon series “The Black Queen”. Fly you fools!

Hosts: Adam (drownedsnow), Bing (Shoeshiner), Casey (blue-eyed-queen), David (davidhhh), Michal (inkasrain), Katie (Lady Griffin), Stephanie (gsdg), Ben (King Jucio), and Matt (Blu3arm0r).

Spoilers: This episode could cover anything from George R R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire as well as all aired episodes of Game of Thrones and various related media.

Aftershow at 2:27:10 featuring #greg and birthday Casey!

Editor: Adam

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VoK 707 – Rings of Power s1e1/2 – Can you hear the drums, Palando?

Posted on September 4, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Join Amber(rocks), Bina007, Brett (White raven), Casey (Blue Eyed Queen), Eddie (Teddard), Greg (Claudius The Fool), Matt (Varley), Michal (Inkasrain) and Michael (Khal Wadege) as they discuss the first two episodes of Amazon’s new Rings of Power. Spoilers for all of Tolkien’s published works and adaptations thereof.

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VOK 678: The Wisdom of Crowds (by Joe Abercrombie)

Posted on November 23, 2021 by | Leave a comment


The Vassals of Kingsgrave dive back into the world of the First Law, created by Joe Abercrombie. Join Brett (White Raven), Greg (claudiusthefool), Alex (LuckyCharms), and Zach (Alias) as they review and discuss the final book in the Age of Madness trilogy, The Wisdom of Crowds.

Credits:
Edited by Zach/Alias

Music: Kellan the Undying by Drumurboy

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VoK 635: Book Club (Vol.7) – The Darkness That Comes Before (by R. Scott Bakker)

Posted on January 28, 2021 by | Leave a comment


The VOK Book Club reconvene to review the dark fantasy novel The Darkness that Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker (the first book in The Second Apocalypse series). Join Greg (claudiusthefool), Zach (Alias), Alex (LuckyCharms), Matt (Blu3arm0r), Steven (SJLee), Duncan (Valkyrist), Adam (drownedsnow), and lurkers Casey (blue-eyed-queen) and Amber (amberrocks), for an in-depth discussion on grimdark fantasy, amoral characters, historical parallels, and existential philosophy.

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

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VoK 606: The Plot Against America (HBO miniseries)

Posted on May 5, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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The Nerdywells discuss Philip Roth’s 2004 alt-history novel and the recent HBO series based on it. Spoilers for both within.

Topics:
Lindbergh baby ratings
10 mins in – the romantic idealism of Herman Levin and the tragic cynicism of Alvin Levin
27 mins in – the strength of Bess Levin and vacuity of Evelyn Finkel
36 mins in – Interlude: what really happened at the end?
46 mins in – the assimilationist politics of Rabbi Bengelsdorf
58 mins in – Sandy, Philip, Seldon and Alt history as a genre
1 hr 11 mins in – the ending again! Seriously if any of you can explain this to us please write in.

Hosts: Bina007, Matt/Varley, Greg/ClaudiusTheFool, Adam/DrownedSnow, Abby/DarceyMormont and Jock/MunroJock2.

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VoK 600: The Dance of the Vassals VI aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 106)

Posted on April 6, 2020 by | Leave a comment

final

Welcome to the 600th episode of the Vassals of Kingsgrave! We begin with some chat from the VOK Curators  about the status of the fandom and what will come next for VOK in the absence of a new book. Your hosts are Casey/Blue-Eyed-Queen; Hashtag Greg/ClaudiusTheFool; Adam/Drownedsnow; Zack/Alias; Bina007, the Podcast Bard/Jed O’White Hart and a guest appearance from Nadia.

At 41m, we move to the penultimate episode of the reread but the final chapter episode!  We cover the final two linear timeline chapters of A Dance With Dragons – Dany 10 and Jon 13 – both taking place at an unspecified time in late July to – late August 300 AL.  To do so we reunite some of the hosts of the first two episodes of the reread – published back in August 2015 – Thomas/FTWard; Brett/Whiteraven; Michael/Mordion; Matt/Varley and Bina007.  And we also get two special songs from the Podcast Bard.

The podcast is dark and full of spoilers for all works in George R R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series but for Game of Thrones, the TV show.

Music credit – Alpine Universe.
Picture credit – HBO’s Game of Thrones.

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VoK 578: A Little Hatred (by Joe Abercrombie)

Posted on November 18, 2019 by | Leave a comment


The Vassals of Kingsgrave get their book reading game back on as they dive into the world of the First Law, created by Joe Abercrombie. Join Brett (White Raven), Greg (claudiusthefool), Alex (LuckyCharms), and Zach (Alias) as they talk about how they got into this series of fantasy novels, share why they enjoy them so much, and do an in-depth review of the most recently published book, A Little Hatred.

This podcast contains spoilers for all books in the First Law series. Spoilers for A Little Hatred begin at 27:50. 

Aftershow starts at 1:40:45

Credits:
Edited by Zach (Alias)

Kellan the Undying by Drumurboy

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You can purchase A Little Hatred, the earlier books in the First Law series, or any other book you want at Southhampton Sag Harbor Books. 

Art by Whichever Flower

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VoK 548: Deadwood (HBO series) – Season 2

Posted on June 3, 2019 by | Leave a comment


Please join (most of the) The Ambulators (Greg (claudiusthefool), Matt (Varley), Dana (taindana), Dermot (tomred) and Thomas (FTWard) ) as we discuss the second season of the HBO series Deadwood.

Before going completely off the rails we do discuss gender, race, class, technology, politics and religion as well as other important topics like Anzac desserts, turkey fucking and how best to spend our tax refunds. (Spoiler – https://southamptonsagharborbooks.com)

Aftershow @ 1:35

Credits:
Edited by FTWard

Intro:
Calling All Angels
Performed By: k.d. lang and Jane Siberry
Written By: Jane Siberry

Outro:
Froggie Went a Courtin’
Performed By: Bruce Springsteen with The Seeger Sessions Band
Written By: Unknown

Audio clips thanks to http://deadwoodchronicles.com/

@sepinwall Uproxx Deadwood Reviews/Commentary

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VoK 543: DragonCast – “The Iron Throne” (S08E06 Review) [Game of Thrones Series Finale]

Posted on May 20, 2019 by | Leave a comment


Dragoncast gets together to talk Thrones one last time for the series finale. The end of this journey through televised fan fiction.

Aftershow at 1:17:00

Hosts: Adam (drownedsnow), Michal (inkasrain), Casey (blue-eyed-queen), Bina (Bina007), Matt (Varley), Katie (Lady Griffin), Brett (White Raven), and Greg (claudiusthefool).

Spoilers: This episode covers all published works in George R R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and all aired episodes of Game of Thrones

Editor: Adam

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VoK 531: DragonCast – “The Long Night” (S08E03 Review)

Posted on April 28, 2019 by | Leave a comment

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Join Bina, Katie, Michal, Varley, Adam and Brett for a rapid-response take on this week’s epic episode. At 57m we’re pod crashed by Greg, Casey, and a very shell-shocked Zack and Duncan from Ice and Fire Con.

The night is dark and full of spoilers for all published works in George R R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and all aired episodes of Game of Thrones.

Music credits: Alpine Universe.

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VoK 523: Dragoncast – “Winterfell” (S08E01 Review)

Posted on April 14, 2019 by | Leave a comment


Game of Thrones is back after more than 18 months away and brings with it Dragoncast. How does this premiere compare to other season premieres? Join us for drinks and dragons.

Hosts: Adam (drownedsnow), Casey (blue-eyed-queen) Michal (inkasrain), Matt (Varley), Katie (Lady Griffin), and #Greg (claudiusthefool).

Spoilers: This episode covers all published works in George R R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and all aired episodes of Game of Thrones

Editor: Adam

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VoK 502: Deadwood (HBO series) – Season 1

Posted on December 26, 2018 by | Leave a comment

VOK502

Please join The Ambulators (Greg (claudiusthefool), Matt (Varley), Matt (blu3arm0r), Dana (taindana), Dermot (tomred) and Thomas (FTWard) ) as we meander through the muddy streets of Deadwood.
Along the way we discuss and debate US Geography, the impact of S.C.U.B.A. diving on Western culture, what we should call “Kristen Bell”, why Bina is our Cornland expert and the proper technique for Tanker Wanking.
One cocksucker said “It’s been a super fun conversation but it’s going to be a shitty podcast to listen to…” but eventually we do manage to mention Season One of the HBO series Deadwood.

After Show; 1:35:00

Music –

Intro
“The Farmer and the Cowman”
Lyricist: Oscar Hammerstein II
Composer: Richard Rodgers
Performed by: taindana

Outro
“Not Dark Yet”
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Performed by: Shelby Lynne & Allison Moorer

Credits:
Edited by FTWard

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VoK 501: A GameShow of Thrones (ASOIAF Trivia)

Posted on December 19, 2018 by | 3 comments


The vassals continue their 500 revelry with a heated round of ASOIAF trivia! Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Casey (blue-eyed-queen), Zach (Alias), Greg (claudiusthefool), Michal (inkasrain), Adam (drownedsnow), Patrick (Ser Patrick the Tall), and Nadia as they go head to head in a battle of wits, wills and White Walkers.

Who will be crowned champion and who will be fed to the dogs? There’s only one way to find out…

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Board Games & Trivia, Fandom, Podcast

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VoK 500: The Dance of the Vassals V

Posted on December 15, 2018 by | 1 comment


The curators of Vassals of Kingsgrave celebrate their 500th episode!! Join Casey (blue-eyed-queen), Zach (Alias), Greg (claudiusthefool), Michal (inkasrain), Adam (drownedsnow), Patrick (Ser Patrick the Tall), Duncan (Valkyrist), Glen (Dagos_Rivers), and Nadia as they answer listener-submitted questions about the books, the podcast and the fandom of A Song of Ice and Fire.

Topics include: our favorite episodes, meetup experiences, Westerosi survival tips, best and worst tinfoil theories, dream podcast guests, stalking George, how the series has affected our lives, and what the future holds.

Stick around for the Aftershow (at 2:31:51) for an interview with Amin Javadi from “A Podcast of Ice and Fire,” in which he elaborates on the early years of the ASOIAF fandom and the origins of VOK.

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Music from Age of Empires

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Links:
Full VOK Episode Archive

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VoK 483: Ice & Fire Con 2018 Recap

Posted on July 29, 2018 by | Leave a comment



Hey, remember Ice and Fire Con? We finally got a podcast out about it. Get an inside look at what it’s like at this wonderful event as Vassals Casey (blue-eyed-queen), Matt (blu3arm0r), Greg (claudiusthefool), Zach (Alias), Dan (Witless Chum), Thomas (FTWard), and Jon (eigenvectorjon) recap and share their experiences of Ice and Fire Con 2018.

Credits:
Edited by Alias
Music by Alpine Universe and DrumurBoy

Ice and Fire Con Links
Ice and Fire Con 2019 Tickets
Ice and Fire Con and Vassals of Kingsgrave Instagram pages for more pictures from the event
Westeros: An American Musical
The Rains of Castamere in Russian by Pasha
Mallory/Sanxrian’s Art
The Broken Man by Scad from Davos Fingers
The Floppy Fish by Tom o’Sevens
Ser Duncan the Tall vs Rohanne Webber Rap Battle

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VoK 472: Chinchilla-Dick and the Scuttlebutts aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 71)

Posted on June 4, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Dany bursts in to discovers the dragons are gone. Irri is dead

Join OG Vassals – Bina007, Brett/Whiteraven, Hashtag Greg/ClaudiusTheFool, Matt/Varley and Podcast Lurker Amberrocks – as well as the delightful new Podcast host QueenJames  – as they continue VOK’s epic linear re-read. In this episode we cover Dany 3 from A Dance With Dragons, wherein Ducksauce Declares War; Davos 2 from Dance, in which he reaches White Harbor; and Jaime 2 from Feast in which all the Tyrells have left. These events take place on the 25th and 27th of February 300 AL.  Also please be warned that this episode is smuttier than usual.

The podcast contains spoilers for all published works in ASOIAF but not for Game of Thrones.

For those following along at home the next episode of the re-read is will be hosted by Sarah/LADY WEAVER and will cover Arya 1 (AFFC), Tyrion 3 (ADWD), and Sam 2 (AFFC).

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VoK 459: Ready Player One [2018] (Review)

Posted on April 10, 2018 by | Leave a comment

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Join Adam/DrownedSnow, Bina007 and Greg/ClaudiusTheFool as they discuss the Steven Spielberg film Ready Player One based on the novel by Ernest Cline. This podcast spoils both the book and film, although a more detailed discussion of the former is available in VOK 158.

The after show begins at 45m.

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VoK 456: Snow Day aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 63)

Posted on March 28, 2018 by | Leave a comment

jon

The Vassals complete their reread of A Storm Of Swords, with four chapters –  Sam 4, Jon 11, Sam 5, and Jon 12 – that see the election of the new Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. These events take place on the 9th and 10th February 300 AL.

Your hosts are Bina007; the OG VOK Curator Glen/Dagos Rivers; the legendary Hashtag Greg aka ClaudiusTheFool; Varley Mo Varley/Matt; Ser Patrick The Tall and Podcast Lurker, Amberrocks!

Beware! This podcast is dark and full of spoilers for all published works in the A Song Of Ice and Fire series including very briefly TWOW preview chapters. It does not spoil the show.

Music – Alpine Universe
Artwork – HBO

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[Devianart] J C Barquet’s amazing artwork

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