The Magnus Archives - MAG 161 - Dwelling

Starting point is 00:00:00 This is the first radio ad you can smell. The new Cinnabon Pull-Apart only at Wendy's. It's ooey, gooey, and just five bucks with a small coffee all day long. Taxes extra at participating Wendy's until May 5th. Terms and conditions apply. As women, our life stages come with unique risk factors, like high blood pressure developed during pregnancy, which can put us two times more at risk of heart disease or stroke. Know your risks. Visit heartandstroke.ca. Hi everyone, Alex here, Director of the Magnus

Starting point is 00:00:32 Archives and voice of Martin on the show. I'm just taking a moment ahead of today's episode for a couple of updates. Firstly, in order to ensure we thank every patron who has been promised a shout out, we are moving them to the end of episodes going forwards. This is because we need to increase the number of names read, and we don't wish to increase the delay at the start of episodes any further. Secondly, I need to give everyone a warning. Season 5 of the Magnus Archives was conceived, written, and entered production well before the current situation regarded COVID-19, and it dives pretty heavily into themes of isolation, contagion, and Armageddon. After serious consideration, we have elected to release this season as it was originally intended,

Starting point is 00:01:10 as we felt doing otherwise would be a disservice to the story and all our dedicated listeners. We will, of course, continue to provide content warnings in the show notes for every episode, and we advise everyone to check these, even if customarily you don't. Thirdly and finally, we just wanted to thank everyone for their support and patience during this season break. We couldn't have done this without you. And now, the wait is over, and we hope you enjoy the final season of The Magnus Archives Episode 161 Dwelling Careful. Shh.

Starting point is 00:02:45 Surprise! Jesus! Happy birthday, boss! Happy... Oh, are you okay? No, I... Christ, one second! Sorry, sorry, Tim wanted to surprise you and...

Starting point is 00:02:58 Snitch? No, it's fine. Thank you. Just a shock. Well, that's the idea. Indeed. Though, er, honestly the bottle of wine was just fine. Yeah, as a decoy. Yes, well, thank you. This is very elaborate of you.

Starting point is 00:03:15 Plus, it was kind of fun giving you a heart attack. Hmm, I'm sure. I noticed you didn't jump out at Martin when he had a birthday. No, he's way too jumpy as it is. We were worried he might damage himself. Hey! Well, I preferred going out for ice cream anyway. Went for ice cream? Yes, you were there. You had rum and raisin and taught us all about emulsifiers. Oh, right, yes.

Starting point is 00:03:36 I remember. Liar. Well, thank you anyway. This is all very touching. We just wanted to do something to lighten the mood, you know? Yes, I'm aware it's been a rough start. That's not what this was about. We just thought you could use a chance to unwind.

Starting point is 00:03:52 I suppose it couldn't hurt. Knock, knock. Double boss! Elias? I'm not too late for cake, am I? There's a cake? How did you... Martin, that was a secret! I didn't say anything. He didn't

Starting point is 00:04:06 have to. Nothing escapes my notice and I like to keep an eye out for this sort of thing. Well, it's good to see you. Yes, yes. Come in. So, how old is the birthday boy? Uh, 38. Liar. How would you know? Well, does someone need to change

Starting point is 00:04:22 their password again? What? Sasha, have you been going through my computer? Definitely not. No idea what he's talking about. Of course not. That's really not appropriate. Oh, come on, guys. Anyway, did somebody mention cake?

Starting point is 00:04:34 Yeah, you did. Yes, I did, didn't I? All right, all right. Well, I guess the cat's out of the bag now anyway. Look, just give me a second. Right, alright, well, I guess the cat's out of the bag now anyway. Look, just give me a second. Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Jockerviz, happy birthday to you. Right, yes, thank you. I do hope you're not planning to light those candles. Oh goodness, a source of ignition in the archives. Uh oh.

Starting point is 00:05:15 Tim. Oh, whoops. Sorry, my hand slipped. And again, and again, And a couple more times here. I'm so clumsy today. That is a lot of fire. I'm really not comfortable with... So, blow them out then. Oh. Right, yes. Make a wish.

Starting point is 00:05:36 If I wish for you all to go away, do you think it'll work? He's so grumpy today, isn't he, Martin? Oh, well... Do you think it's his looming sense of mortality? I don't think... Fine. today, isn't he, Martin? Do you think it's his looming sense of mortality? Fine. Yay! So, what did you wish for?

Starting point is 00:05:53 I can't tell you. He wished for a little bit of peace and quiet. Was it that obvious? Oh, I wouldn't worry, John. It's an archive. Quiet is very much the course du jour. Well, after the party, at least. Wine? Anyone? Tim, it's eleven in the morning.

Starting point is 00:06:07 Yeah, your birthday party. I really don't think it's appropriate. I'll allow it. In fact, I'll join you. Oh, okay. All right, then. Martin? Oh, I mean, I don't normally drink wine. You know, tannins are a proven headache trigger, and so...

Starting point is 00:06:24 Martin. Yeah, sure. maybe just a drop. You know that there's a lot of tannin in tea as well. What? Hang on, have you been recording this? Oh, yeah. I just thought it might be nice. You know, something to look back on when we're all old and sick of each other. You probably should have told us, Tim.

Starting point is 00:06:43 What, are you afraid we're going to get sued over the happy birthday song? Oh, well, I am now. It's just a bit of a privacy thing. Oh, hypocrite. All right, all right, fine. Look, I'm turning it off. Any last words for your future selves? Yes. Fire Tim. Hey. Hi. You, er... Listening to the tapes again?

Starting point is 00:07:23 How many times is that now? They were sent to me, Martin. There's got to be some reason. Gloating, John. Elias won and there were some tapes he'd kept for himself and he wanted to gloat. So he sent them. He's not Elias. Jonah, then. I don't know. I find it hard to think of him as... I don't really like to think of him. You should get some sleep. I can't. I can't. I don't think I do anymore. Sleep. How long's it been now?

Starting point is 00:08:00 I don't know. It's not like there are days to count anymore. All the clocks have stopped and... Well, I haven't know. It's not like there are days to count anymore. All the clocks are stopped and... Well, I haven't yet. I get tired, but it doesn't feel the same. Probably for the best. Sleep doesn't look pleasant. No, it's... it's not. I couldn't wake you. I'm sorry. It's not... you're not wake you. I'm sorry. It's not...

Starting point is 00:08:25 You're not the one who ended the world. Well, just as well I don't remember my dreams. I do. What? They... I see most of the suffering around here. When it's quiet, you just... It's like...

Starting point is 00:08:44 I can see it, like I'm watching all of it. You haven't been opening the curtains. No, I don't need to. It can see us here and I can see out as well. Okay, we'll just file that under ominous for now. under ominous for now. We seem safe enough in here at least. I suppose so. Bit of a hideaway? Or a prison. Yes still better than outside. It sounds bad. It is. Are we still safe? Yes. It doesn't want to harm me. And me? I won't let it.

Starting point is 00:09:36 And thanks. John, it's not your fault. Martin, can we not do this again? Sorry. I'm just... I'm mourning a world I killed. I know. And we're all trapped in its rotting corpse. Enough, John.

Starting point is 00:09:59 Have you heard the Gertrude one? What? The Gertrude tape. There are a few of them, but this is my favourite. I don't... Just listen. Right. If you're listening to this, then it is likely that...

Starting point is 00:10:15 No, let's not beat around the bush. If you're listening to this, it means I'm dead. And you have been chosen to be my replacement as head archivist. Hopefully this means you, Sasha, but if someone else is hearing this and Elias has made a different choice for some reason, then these words are still very much intended for you. Before I continue, it is very important to be absolutely clear this is not a joke, nor is it any sort of prank or game. Your colleagues have not convinced me to record this as an attempt to haze you. This is completely serious, and very, very important for you to know.

Starting point is 00:11:03 and very, very important for you to know. If it is you I'm talking to, Sasha, hopefully your background in artefact storage will lend a certain degree of credence to my words, but others may have to take it on trust. All I can do is assure you I am deadly serious. So, the first thing you have to do is accept that you are in great danger, and will be for the rest of your life. There are now things that will actively be trying to kill you, due to your new role as archivist, and Elias has plans for you that are little better.

Starting point is 00:11:41 You will also be unable to relinquish the position or quit the Institute, finding you are supernaturally compelled to remain. In fact, it occurs to me that attempting to do so is probably the quickest and easiest way to establish the truth of what I am telling you, so I suggest you do so at the earliest possible opportunity. Things you need to be aware of. There exist in our world supernatural entities of incredible power that reflect and feed on the fears of all living creatures, but most commonly humans. Many consider them gods, and while I believe that is far too simplistic a comparison for our purposes here, it is perhaps the most useful shorthand. They do not rule our world, but they do exercise considerable power, which they generally manifest

Starting point is 00:12:41 in the form of monstrous beings that spread further fear, or incarnations, those humans who have willingly, though not always knowingly, chosen to take on the power of these entities. You, unfortunately, have unwittingly made the decision to become one of those incarnations, for the Institute serves a being known variously as the Eye. It knows you, the Beholding, the Ceaseless Watcher. It is the fear of being watched and judged, and having all your secrets known.

Starting point is 00:13:22 The Institute serves as a way for it to harvest the fears of the other entities, dragging out the suffering of those who come to give statements and claiming their terror. But there is another part of being the Archivist. These beings, these gods of fear, their followers believe that they have rituals. Grand projects which, if successful, would allow them to enter our world, reshaping it in unthinkable ways. Moulding it into a dimension where terror is as natural as gravity. You are now one such ritual. I do not know

Starting point is 00:14:13 the exact details of it, but be wary of whatever Elias asks you to do. Oh, yes, On the subject of Elias. Trust nothing, he says. He was originally known as Jonah Magnus, the founder of this institute, and I have known perceive out of any eye, real or symbolic. So be wary. Play ignorant as long as you can while you expand your own research. I've managed to keep the archives in a state of chaos for decades, as I believe his plan would benefit from their organisation. But I leave that to your judgment. Certainly the longer he is ignorant of how much you know, the better. Above all else, be ready.

Starting point is 00:15:19 There are many things out there loyal to other powers which know your importance to the eye, and will want you dead. You are entering a new world, a place I've lived for most of my life. A place... A place that will often demand a high price from you. A place that will often demand a high price from you. Pay it without hesitation, because one way or another, the world is now on your shoulders. I wish I had more time to explain it to you.

Starting point is 00:16:16 That time is short, and hopefully my actions tonight will ensure this tape never needs to see the light of day. But if you are hearing it, then good luck. Do what you have to do. Are you finished? Jurgen, I told you to stay in the tunnels. Your message also told me it was urgent. If Elias is watching right now... Then your recording all that was meaningless anyway. Besides, I'm not afraid of him. Bravado? Really? It's not bravado.

Starting point is 00:16:39 We're wasting time. Do you still have the Ruskin book? I do, though I don't relish the thought of using it. Makes it rather hard to breathe, like your chest is being... You know the gas main, little way out in the tunnel? I do. I need you to move it. I...

Starting point is 00:16:56 That's... I mean, that's not just earth. That's pipework and all sorts of... Find a way. I need it to be directly under the Institute, or at least closer. I'm more likely to rupture it and fill the place with gas. That would also be acceptable. I'll do what I can.

Starting point is 00:17:18 When do you need it? If my guess is right, the Church's ritual should be collapsing at any time now, so immediately. And if you're wrong? Then a bit of gas will be the least of our worries. Right. What are you going to do? Paper burns well. Petrol burns better.

Starting point is 00:17:40 I always forget about your pyromaniac streak. Remind me to tell you about Agnes sometime. Right. Did you mean to leave the tape running? Oh, good grief. Forty years I've been using them and I swear I'll never... Can you imagine if we'd had this? We didn't, though, did we?

Starting point is 00:18:06 No. So there's no point in dwelling. John, this isn't healthy. Healthy? I am an avatar of voyeuristic terror whose unquestioned craving for knowledge has condemned the entire world to an eternity of torment. Healthy, isn't it?

Starting point is 00:18:25 It's not- Fine, fine. I get it. Besides, grief is healthy. If nothing else, it pushes away the other feelings that that thing wants me to experience. It just... it hurts me to see you wallowing like this. Well, some of us weren't able to cut ourselves off from the world before it ended. That's not fair. No, it's not. I'm sorry. I just... It hurts. I know. I need time.

Starting point is 00:18:59 I know. But we can't stay in this cabin forever. Why not? It's quiet here. and I have you. What about food? What about it? When's the last time you thought to eat, or even felt hungry? What? I don't know. No. Whatever is sustaining us now doesn't need us to eat.

Starting point is 00:19:24 That can't be possible. It's a new world, Martin. The natural laws are doesn't need us to eat. That can't be possible. It's a new world, Martin. The natural laws are whatever they want them to be. And I suspect they don't much care to keep humanity fed and watered. Well, that as may be. We can't just stay here forever. What could possibly be out there that you want to see? A way to stop this. Some way to turn the world back. Do you really think there is one? Well, if there is, it's not in here, is it?

Starting point is 00:19:50 It's so... It's so loud out there. The agony, the terror. I can see it all so much more clearly. I'm sorry. Oh, it's... I love you. I just... I need more time.

Starting point is 00:20:08 It's alright. It's alright, I'm good at waiting. Thank you. I just wish it didn't feel like whatever's out there was waiting too. Yeah. Hey, when did you start recording? I didn't. I only brought one and I've been using it to play the tapes. Oh. That's not a great sign. No. No it's not. Today's episode was written by Jonathan Sims Produced by Laurie Ann Davis And directed by Alexander J. Newell

Starting point is 00:21:06 It featured Alexander J. Newell as Martin Blackwood Lottie Broomhall as Sasha James Mike LeBeau as Tim Stoker Jonathan Sims as The Archivist Ben Meredith as Jonah Magnus Sue Sims as Gertrude Robinson And Paul Sims as Jürgen Leitner To subscribe, buy merchandise, or join our Patreon,

Starting point is 00:21:26 visit RustyQuill.com. Rate and review us online, tweet us at TheRustyQuill, visit us on Facebook, or email us via mail at RustyQuill.com. Join our community on Discord via the website, or on Reddit at r slash The Magnus Archives. Thanks for listening. Thank you all. We really appreciate your support. If you'd like to join them, go to www.patreon.com forward slash rustyquill and take a look at our rewards. Hello, it's Kareem, the voice of Simon Fairchard from the Magnus Archives,

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Starting point is 00:24:14 which can put us two times more at risk of heart disease or stroke. Know your risks. Visit heartandstroke.ca.

The Magnus Archives - MAG 161 - Dwelling

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