For The Deconstructed

Join Alicia, Ryan, and Bill Harvat as they talk about his recent successful Backerkit for Righteous Vow vol 2 and OSR gaming with Shadowdark! Bill will be at Garycon this week sharing all thing Righteous Vow and running games for the masses! 

The halls of Argynvostholt echo with whispers of betrayal and power lost to time. As the party uncovers the history of the ruined castle, they learn of Osibis, a power-hungry lich who sought godhood through dark and unspeakable rituals. His rise to power was rivaled by Strav von Zorovi, a general who made her own dark pact, becoming something unnatural—something Osibis could not overcome.Lady Argenvast, the great silver dragon, once led a doomed battle against Strahd, only to be betrayed by Osibis himself. She thought she could bargain and keep her soul, but lost everything—including her head, which now sits as a gruesome trophy in Strahd's castle. Her knights, defeated and scattered, are now trapped in an endless cycle of torment, bound by Osibis' power—a fate that now looms over Ignatius.With the weight of these revelations, Ignatius faces his own twisted fate. Osibis does not just take power—he consumes souls. Those who strike a deal with him become part of his strength, and defeating him means facing what remains of themselves. As the party watches in horror, Ignatius sees the full truth of his own pact: his shadow steps forward, unsheathing a blade, issuing a silent but deadly challenge.Can Ignatius sever himself from the darkness? Or has his fate already been sealed?Listen now and witness the battle for his very soul.

The party explored the ruined castle of Argynvostholt, following the sound of a woman's scream to the upper floors. Along the way, they witnessed a vision of a dragon of ash and soot battling Strahd, with a dark entity Ignatius recognized from his time near death. Even with its Omega tattoo, it was no match for Strahd.At the source of the scream, they found an ancient, enraged woman attacking a wooden bedpost with her longsword. She turned on the party, injuring Quinn before they calmed her spirit and uncovered her identity—Lady Gwilym, once a knight of the castle and the lover of Vlaka Horn Guard, captain of Argenvast Holt's forces under the great dragon Lady Argenvast.With this new knowledge, they climbed another flight of stairs, pushing deeper into the castle's secrets.

With Silme saved and the Wicker Man left smoldering in their wake, the party presses on, their path leading them to the crumbling ruins of a once-magnificent castle. The skeletal remains of towering spires and broken battlements loom in the distance, whispering of long-forgotten battles and lost kings. But as they step through the shattered gates, the air grows thick with an unnatural stillness.Inside, the chapel walls hold suits of armor that should have long rusted away, yet stand pristine. The pews are untouched by time, their wood polished to a near-glowing sheen. But what halts them in their tracks is not the eerie preservation of the castle's remnants—it's the altar at the heart of the chapel.There, bathed in the dim light filtering through stained glass, stands a statue of an otherworldly figure—tall, eyeless, its maw lined with sharp teeth, a dark hood masking the rest. Recognition sends a shiver down their spines. This is no mere effigy; this is the entity that sealed a bargain in the dead of night. And it has been waiting for them.

As Silme's blood seeps into the altar, a pulse of dark green energy erupts from the ancient tree, striking the massive wicker effigy. The druids, once confident in their ritual, are gripped by fear as the towering construct shudders to life, its hollow gaze locking onto Silme with an insatiable hunger. As it takes its first slow, deliberate steps, embers flicker from its joints, and an eerie laughter echoes through the forest. The druids flee—but Silme remains bound, the sacrifice unfinished, and something deep within him begins to stir. Is this the end… or just the beginning? 

In the aftermath of their battle against the needle blights, the adventurers find themselves thrust into a new crisis as druids emerge from the shadows of the vineyard. With eerie precision, the druids ensnare Silme in creeping vines, dragging him into the unholy ground beneath their feet.As panic sets in, Rudolfa's frantic cries echo across the battlefield: "Where did he go? What happened?" The party must now regroup amidst the chaos, grappling with the druids' dark powers and the mysterious forces lurking beneath the vineyard. Can they navigate the perilous terrain and rescue their comrade, or will Silme be lost to the vineyard's dark embrace forever? Stay tuned for a high-stakes adventure filled with tension, courage, and the fight against nature's twisted wrath!

The adventurers, accompanied by their companions Rudolfa and Irina, find themselves on a mission to reclaim a vineyard overtaken by sinister druids. Guided by Dag, a were-raven and a member of the Mardukov family, they approach the overgrown fields shrouded in tension. As they near their destination, Quinn attempts to reach out psionically to detect nearby threats but inadvertently connects with a strange, alien mind that notices his presence.In an eerie moment, the stillness of the vineyard breaks as countless twig-like creatures rise, their beady eyes fixated on the group. Surrounded by needle blights on all sides, the party braces for combat as the sinister forces of the druids begin their assault. Will they manage to survive and reclaim the vineyard, or will the druids' minions overwhelm them? Roll for initiative and find out!

The party finds themselves in the safety of the abandoned wizard's tower, Rudolfa's makeshift headquarters in Barovia. Joined by their newest ally, Quinn, the group gathers to discuss their next move. With the weight of their mission pressing down on them, the adventurers deliberate on how best to prepare for the looming battle against their mysterious enemy.Rudolfa, ever the strategist, turns to the group, eager to hear their ideas: "I am all ears for suggestions. What should we do to begin to prepare to defeat this enemy of ours?"Will they come up with a plan to turn the tide in their favor, or will internal doubts and external threats hinder their preparations? But will it be enough to face the dangers that lie ahead?

Having narrowly escaped Vallaki through an underground tunnel, the party emerges into the safety of the woods, guided by Rudolfa van Richten. Their destination: an abandoned wizard's tower that Rudolfa has been using as her secret headquarters in Barovia.As they trek through the dense and eerie forest, the party's journey takes an unexpected turn. Through the shadows, they spot a figure walking towards them. With tension in the air, the group braces for the unknown.Who is this mysterious traveler, and what role will they play in the unfolding adventure? Join us as the party ventures deeper into Barovia, where secrets and surprises await at every turn.

Welcome back to the last night of Revival weekend here at For the Deconstructed. We are ending this spring event with a special word from Dr. Joesph Laycock,  an author and professor of religious studies at TSU. Dr. Laycock is the authe of the book Dangerous Games: What the Moral Panic over Role-Playing Games Says about Play, Religion, and Imagined Worlds. Tonight we are excited to talk to him about all things relgion, moral panic, and the theology that sparked the satanic panic. Join us as we hear from him on all things religion and Dungeons and Dragons! 

Welcome to night 2 of Revival Weekend here at For the Deconstructed. We end the night with the worlds first media entertainment evangelist, Aimee Semple McPhearson with her words of wisdom on how a weekend revival event changed her life! In this episode of Deconstructing in the Dark, the cast explore the last arch as it comes to a close and discuss the impact each event had on them both as players and their characters. Join us as we dig a little deeper into the backgrounds of these characters and learn what has helped them along the way as they navigate the all knowing Strahd. 

Welcome back to day two of Revival Weekend! This morning we get to hear from one of the most influential evanglists who is thought to be the mother of Healer Faith, Kathryn Kuhlman, as she delievers a serman at Oral Roberts University! As the bones of St. Andral are consecrated and our heroes provide prayers at the alter, things begin to shift and unresloved matters are left inside the walls of Vallaki. False positivty reigns, danger creeps in and our exvangelical millennials are faced with their worst fear. 

Welcome back to Revival weekend here at For the Deconstructed in Barovia!! We are in session 2 of this wicked revival and we are so excited you are with us! A woodshop, its craftswoman, and a stack of coffins greet our fangtastic crew as they search for the bones of St Andral. WIth little help from his friends, Ignatious is left to move the coffins by himself and to his surprise, one of the coffins is lighter than the rest! What could be causing this difference in weight? Join us as we find out what the difference in these coffins are in part two of revival weekend! 

After the bard's identity is revealed, the crew heads to the Burgomeister Vallakovich home and are met with the Baron, a very timid and meek man who bends to his wife's every request. Burgomeister Vallakovich, not a fan of Saahsee and her fur, it is clear that tension is brewing. With Burgomeister Vallakovich acting caging regarding Ismark, Irena is assured that all will be will with him here in Vallaki. 

In this gripping episode of "Curse of Strahd: She is the Ancient," tensions flare when half of our intrepid party arrives in Valaki and comes face-to-face with the formidable Captain of the Guard. The meeting takes an unexpected turn when the Captain lays eyes on Ismark and reveals his true identity as her brother. Amidst the revelation, the group must navigate the complicated dynamics of power, family loyalty, and the dark secrets that weave through the heart of Barovia. Tune in as alliances are tested and the shadows of the unknown threaten to change Irena's life forever.

As the party arrives to the inn, Silme and Sahassee come up with the smartest of ideas to bust curfew in the strictest of cities they have ever encountered simply to meet with Mother Lucia and discuss her abilties to keep Ismark safe. Little does this rag tag duo know that a sneaky little toy crazed child lurks in the shadows.

The team arrives in Vallaki and find themselves in a rather creepy toy shop. Ismark, the happiest kid in the world plays like he has never seen a toy in his life and as he continues to play, something strange happens and they leave the shop as quick as they came in. The sun is setting and curfew is begining and our adventures rush to seek shelter in the local inn. 

As the fangtastic four continue their travels on to Vallaki, the journey is all but easy. At a time where Irena needs a friends, the unethusiastic Sahasshee attempts to be that for a split second, but something happens and questions begin surfacing, again. 

For the Deconstructed has made the collective decission to leave 5th edition and explore She is the Anciet through the amazing system known as Shadow Dark. Shadowdark RPG is what old-school fantasy gaming would look like after being redesigned with 50 years of innovation. The game is fast, familiar, intuitive, and deadly. It's built for sword-and-sorcery adventures where fell monsters slither in darkness and frosty gems glint upon forgotten thrones, waiting to be discovered.In Shadowdark RPG, real time comes into play. A torch only holds back the looming darkness for one hour of actual game time! There isn't a moment to spare when your only light source is guttering low...Get ready for old-school gaming in a whole new light! A bit about Kelsey, they first opened the rune-inscribed doors to The Arcane Library® in 2017. Her work has reached wide critical acclaim, including 450+ five-star reviews and 130,000+ downloads for The Secrets of Skyhorn Lighthouse, the highest-rated adventure ever on DMs Guild.Kelsey released Shadowdark™ RPG, an old-school fantasy adventure game with modern design, in March 2023. It funded on Kickstarter at $1.3 million.At The Arcane Library, you'll find best-in-class RPG content that helps you run your greatest games yet. Step inside and see what legends await!Shadow Dark was created by Kelsey Dionne and can be find at www.thearcanelibrary.com

Join our cast as we sit with the internets youth pastor, Mason Mennenga and talk all things faith, deconstruction, and engaging with those around us! Mason is an aspiring theologian, podcaster, YouTuber, and the Internet's youth pastor.He received his Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in 2020 and a Master of Arts in Theology from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in 2022.He enjoys conversation over a drink, being a music snob, stand-up comedy, and long walks on the valley of the shadow of death.He is the podcast host of A People's Theology. A People's Theology explores inspiring and liberating theologies that transform you and the world.He is also the podcast host of The BlackSheep Podcast: Presented by HM Magazine. In this podcast, he and his co-host and best friend, Cullen, interview musicians, artists, and other creatives about their art, life, faith, and much more.

Our fangtastic four find their way to the Tser Pool outside the village of Barovia where they meet a colorful community of Vistani and the mystical Madame Eva! The Tarokka have a story to tell, but will our adventurers catch its meaning? 

Sahassee and Irena are not seeing eye to eye after a set of puncture wounds on Irena's neck are exposed. Join our adventurers on their way back to the inn as they try to figure out what they just expereinces and attempt to catch some sleep. 

Welcome to Kringlefest and the season of lights and community! Where friends and family find their way back to Iceville for the annual festivities. As friends gather together after being apart, something happens and Kringlefest is at risk. Join us as our four friends fight to find the magik and fix Kringlefest! Guest Gamemaster: Derek White, The Geek PreacherSystem: Shadowdark https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/pages/shadowdark

Welcome back deconstructioners! The crew has a treat for you to mark our 10th episode as we come back from the Novemeber holiday season! Join us as we talk with the Geek Preacher, Derek White and learn 40 decades worth of knowledge in TTRPGS, the Satanic Panic, and where we are today in a post panic world all in under two hours! Please check out the Geek Preacher and his ministry's pateron at https://www.patreon.com/thegeekpreacher

Join us as we talk about consent, purity culture, and if villains are redemptive.

As our adventurers continue to attempt to help Sasha, they quickly learn that there is not much hope for what plagues her. Mother Dona continues with the burial plans and calls on the party to assit in the burial rites but a strang vistor makes their way to the ceremony, leaving the adventurers dumbfounded.Music-ArcaneAnthems

As the adventurers explore Mother Dona's house, a loud noise is heard from below. The call to Mother Dona from her child pains her and the adventurers determine to find a way to fix the issue at hand!

After recieving a strange picnic with a card signed S, the adventurers make their way into the city. There, they meet a man with a cart filled with frogs who is selling pies. Would you give your most beloved possesions to dream another dream?

In this engaging talk-back episode of the "D&D for the Deconstruction" podcast, the cast delves deep into the religious undertones found in the initial four episodes of Beth the Bard's unique gender-bent rendition of "Curse of Strahd." Join us as they unravel the intricate narrative layers, exploring how faith, belief, and spirituality play a pivotal role in this gripping Dungeons and Dragons campaign. With insightful analysis and thought-provoking discussions, this episode promises to shed light on the profound connections between religion and role-playing, making it a must-listen for both avid D&D enthusiasts and those interested in the exploration of faith within the gaming realm.

As our adventurers go deeper into the house, the chanting in their minds gets louded and more pronounced. She is the ancient. She is the land. She is the ancient. She is land. What will our adventurers find when the reach the location of the chanting?

The house isn't what it seems and and the children struggle to remember a time when their family did not worship the bad lady. Join us as our adventurers continue to learn more about the bad lady, who came to visit the house, and attempt to help these children get to where they want to be.

Exploring the Eastern part of the house, our adventurers find some interesting guests at the dinner table. Join us as the adventurers continue to search for an escape route from the house!

Welcome to D&D for the Deconstructed. In our inaugral episode, four adventurers arrive at a campfire with a strange letter. A strange woman meets with the adventurers and with a plea to come help the people of Barovia be freed from the dark lord the adventures follow her into unknown lands.