Liars' League

How Gwydion Ellis came to be Born by Morgan Davies

How Gwydion Ellis came to be Born MP3

Read by David Mildon

The moon plays moth-like on the water. Three peaks on three sides hold the lake, high above the distant sea. It is quiet, bottomless and black. It is dark. At the unsheltered edge the water spills gently down through the sedges. It gathers between the folds of the mountain and begins to move towards the trees. It falls under and between them and when it beats against the rocks, the moon is there with it. It races downwards past the Williams farm, the Davies farm, past Yr Hafod until it reaches the village where it grumbles under the old bridge and away.

 

Life After 20 by J J Jordan

Life After 20 MP3

Read by Will Goodhand

Here are the rules to my life. The sky rumbles overhead as the gods roll their dice, most commonly the twenty-sided variety. I can hear the most powerful god of all, the Dungeon Master, narrate what’s going on, sounding like the guy that does movie trailers. I basically do whatever the DM says and I can’t resist the commands. Trust me, I’ve tried.

  

Beneath the Palace by Daniel Key

Beneath the Palace MP3

Read by Al Woodhall

I practised my steps on the deck of the ship that brought me. On the morning we landed I stood with my feet level and my knees bent, toes precisely on the line between two planks. I took a moment to breathe deeply of the salty air and listen to the seagulls. I stepped with my right foot across myself, so that its ball was precisely on the line, two planks ahead of my left foot. I pivoted on that right foot, bringing my left to the same level as its brother as I turned around and faced the way I came. The deck was useful, because in the dusty courtyard outside my house I have to imagine the lines and this can sometimes make my steps sloppy or imprecise. It's important to do things correctly.

 

Gladys's Strange Hostage by Jennifer Rickard

Gladys's Strange Hostage MP3

Read by Lin Sagovsky

Gladys was upset. No, not upset. Angry. Gladys was angry. And when Gladys got angry, people got roasted.

She eyed the cowering messenger, plumes of smoke drifting from her nostrils. “Say that again,” she demanded.

The snivelling messenger snivelled. “Th – there's a ban on smoking, ma'am. You can't have any cigarettes. The king ordered it. He said it was all terribly bad for us and that we would all live much better lives if we partook in some refreshing herbal tea rather than poisoned our lungs with foul smoke and grime – begging ma'am's pardon – so he just...banned them. The city's civilians are no longer allowed to smoke.”

Stockholm Syndrome by Jim Cogan

Stockholm Syndrome MP3

Read by Gloria Sanders

He had no idea how long they’d kept him captive in the village.

From the great stone prison they’d built for him, high on an earthen mound overlooking the centre, he could sense the bustle all around him in the huts, latrines and cookhouses; the sounds and smells from the foodstores and the pens where they kept their animals. Dozens, maybe hundreds of animals – so many for a settlement of that size. At night, the silence was total. No feasting or music. No muted grunts of pleasure from human or beast. A deadness reigned over everything, as it had in the metamorphic womb of the mountain where they’d come upon him, resting.

 

Dungeons & Dragons, Tuesday 14th July

You find yourself in a low tavern, surrounded by all manner of disreputable, strangely-dressed cityfolk sweating profusely as they order tankards of the head-spinning local ale. Suddenly a thin, intense-looking man strides on stage and cries "WELCOME to Liars' League!" And your breathtaking quest begins ...

On your journey, you will encounter Welsh chimaeras, monster-haunted labyrinths, well-endowed Amazonian swordswomen, feisty princesses and probably the scariest literary dragon since Smaug. Hang on to your polygonal dice, brave adventurer - it's going to be quite a ride ...

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS - WINNING STORIES

- BENEATH THE PALACE by Daniel Key *NEW AUTHOR*
- LIFE AFTER 20 by JJ Jordan *NEW AUTHOR*
- HOW GWYDION ELLIS CAME TO BE BORN by Morgan Davies *NEW AUTHOR*
- STOCKHOLM SYNDROME by Jim Cogan

- GLADYS'S STRANGE HOSTAGE by Jennifer Rickard

As ever, our talented professional actors will be reading the stories, and our mighty compere/quizmaster Liam will be asking the questions at the infamous interval book quiz. There will be books to be won, dice to be rolled and fun to be had, so if you're thinking of coming along, please join our Facebook event - it really helps us plan!

WHEN & WHERE?

Tuesday 14th July, 2015 - Doors open at 7pm, show begins at 7.30.

Admission: £5 (on the door) Cash only, no advance sales but tables for 5 or more can be reserved by phone (see below)

Downstairs at The Phoenix
37 Cavendish Square
London W1G 0PP
Info & reservations: 07808 939 535