Rusty Quill Originals

The Magnus Protocol

Fear takes many forms

“The Magnus Institute was an organisation dedicated to academic research into the esoteric and the paranormal, based out of Manchester, England. It burned to the ground in 1999. There were no survivors. Now, almost 25 years later, Alice and Sam, a pair of low-level civil service workers at the underfunded Office of Incident Assessment and Response, have stumbled across its legacy. A legacy that will put them in grave danger…”

The Magnus Archives

Make your statement, face your fear.

“Join new Head Archivist Jonathan Sims as he attempts to bring a seemingly neglected collection of supernatural statements up to date, converting them to audio and supplementing them with follow-up work from his small but dedicated team. Individually, they are unsettling. Together they begin to form a picture that is truly horrifying, because as they look into the depths of the archives, something starts to look back…”

Neon Inkwell

Dip your quills into our new collection, Neon Inkwell.

“This innovative compilation series features short-form podcasts from a variety of creators. This project aims to highlight new and underrepresented creators and showcase a few from recognised Rusty Quill favourites. Whether it’s a post-apocalyptic space thriller or a quirky monster road trip, Neon Inkwell listeners will always have something new to discover.”

Cry Havoc! Ask Questions Later

“Cry Havoc! Ask Questions Later takes place two years after Julius Caesar failed to beware the Ides of March and got stabbed to death by a band of well-wishers. Now the assassins have been rounded up and slaughtered in battle, so we can all breathe a sigh of relief. But who’s in charge now?”

Trice Forgotten

Monarchy, Anarchy, & Everyone in Between

“Alestes puts her head down working as a merchant, couriering deliveries and carrying travelers to destinations across the seas. Only, her travelers gradually become permanent crewmates, until she realises her ship has become a floating museum, laboratory, vault of repatriated ‘treasures’ and chef’s kitchen.

Chapter and Multiverse

Same city. Different universes. Infinite stories.

“One episode, Chapter may be a medieval fantasy town complete with monarchs, magic and monsters, but another episode, it may be a gritty futuristic metropolis where corporations control everyone’s daily lives. Along the way the Eternal Tavern Keeper guides the listeners, and the characters, in their journeys through Chapter and beyond.”

Enthusigasm

A podcast about our favourite things.

Rusty Quill’s first venture into a “talking heads” podcast format, Enthusigasm was hosted by Helen Gould and was initially launched as a Patreon exclusive in October 2020, later becoming publicly available. Unlike Rusty Quill’s audio fiction projects, this podcast took a more relaxed and conversational approach, bringing together members of the RQ team and guests from across podcasting and new media to explore a wide range of topics.

Outliers

Stories from the edges of history.

Commissioned by Historic Royal Palaces, this unique audio drama series aimed to uncover the stories of people often left in the shadows of mainstream history—those on the margins, from minority groups to overlooked figures whose lives shaped the past in unseen ways. Every episode was recorded on-site at one of the historic palaces, adding an atmospheric authenticity to the storytelling. The series brought together some of the most talented writers in the audio drama community, including Jonathan Sims, David K. Barnes, Gabriel Urbina, and Beth Crane, each crafting compelling narratives that breathed life into hidden histories.

Rusty Quill Gaming Podcast

Erasing the line.

“Expect epic battles, critical misses, and the occasional special guest as the party strive for fame and glory whilst cracking wise and trying not to kill one another.”

Rusty Quill’s podcasting history begins with Rusty Quill Gaming, a fantasy steampunk “TTRPG Actual Play” – a podcast where a group of people play through a tabletop role-playing game, guided by a Games Master. Alexander J Newall took on this role for Rusty Quill Gaming, using the Pathfinder system as a springboard to create a long-form plot and setting for players Ben Meredith, Bryn Monroe, James Ross, Lydia Nicholas and Helen Gould to engage with. The six-year-long campaign was named Erasing the Line.

Stellar Firma

Build your planet, keep in line? Also clones.

Created by brothers Ben Meredith and Tim Meredith, Stellar Firma was Rusty Quill’s first venture into sci-fi and short-form improv, offering a comedically chaotic take on intergalactic design consultancy. Launched in February 2019, the show invited listeners to submit their off-the-wall ideas for new planets, which the main characters—Trexel Geistman, an egotistical, questionably competent planet designer, and David 7, his long-suffering clone assistant—would attempt to bring to life each episode. The result was a whirlwind of absurd world-building, fast-paced improvisation, and increasingly ridiculous levels of corporate bureaucracy.