Birds of Empire

Set 15,000 years after civilization collapses, Birds of Empire imagines a new world in "New Dakota" where tribal nations -- the Wolves, Rams, Bears, and Birds -- compete for power as a new empire rises from the ashes. Created by Jason Lew, this is easily the most ambitious world-building in the Qcode catalog, and it largely pays off. The show ran for 37 episodes across 2 seasons, mixing main story episodes with "Legends & Lore" bonus content that fleshes out the mythology. That episode count alone sets it apart from the typical Qcode limited series. Individual episodes range from 9 to 46 minutes, and the show uses distinct vocal performances to give each tribal culture its own identity. The narrator for the opening segments and bonus episodes adds a mythic, oral-tradition quality to the storytelling. With a 4.5-star rating from over 500 reviews, listeners praised the "stellar performances" and immersive world-building. The show takes real swings with its scope -- war, natural disasters, political maneuvering across multiple factions -- and mostly lands them. Season two ends on a significant cliffhanger, and fans are actively hoping for a third season. If you miss the epic fantasy of early Game of Thrones and want that feeling in audio form, Birds of Empire is the closest thing you will find.