Podcasts about Ravenloft

We've taken the week off so our team can have a holiday before returning with fresh episodes! In the meantime, please enjoy a couple of episodes of Jesters of Ravenloft celebrating a completely different holiday!In the previous episode...The troupe left Protection Town and set off toward the Barren Hills. Del got her phone out and shared photos of them all in happier times and New Rogue connected again with Shadow Nemesis by reminiscing about Wet Change's more bizarre sketches until they arrived at the Nameless Graveyard. Coming upon a church, they investigated the strange statues atop it, and when Tyler discovered that those stone gargoyles were cursed and would come alive at night, Shadow Nemesis smashed their heads off. But the sun is setting and they've yet to explore the inside the building. Have they done enough to ensure their safety tonight?Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Ryan LaPlante. Enjoying Jesters of Ravenloft?- Consider supporting the show for as little as $1 a month to get BTS fun, an ad-free feed, and even add your own character to the podcast! (https://dumbdumbdice.com/join)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Follow us on social media: @dumbdumbdice- Watch our video episodes on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/), @deltastic on socialsTheme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wet Change entered the church in the Nameless Graveyard and, when Del realized it was Thanksgiving, they decided to celebrate and found some food and drinks. Rumpleforeskin made a berry jelly and baked a calzone inside themself, they all played cards, and the Doctor Deputy put on such an incredible show with the Tech Deck that Tyler gave it to him permanently. They all said what they were thankful for, received gifts from the Watchers, including a goat for New Rogue that he can pet without harming, and discovered that Shadow Nemesis had slept with a Sanguine. Now can they defeat the gargoyle that just landed unexpectedly in their midst?Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Ryan LaPlante.Enjoying Jesters of Ravenloft?- Consider supporting the show for as little as $1 a month to get BTS fun, an ad-free feed, and even add your own character to the podcast! (https://dumbdumbdice.com/join)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Follow us on social media: @dumbdumbdice- Watch our video episodes on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/), @deltastic on socialsTheme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The troupe is locked in combat with the Gargoyle King and five miniature gargoyles. New Rogue focused his powers entirely on keeping his goat safe, Shadow Nemesis tried to strike at the king, but hit Del instead, Tyler effectively conjured illusory clones of himself to draw the attention of the gargoyles, and Del psychically attacked with a Cronenberg-like jamboree band. The Doctor Deputy discovered that he couldn't attack the gargoyle king unless it first attacked every member of the troupe, and with the stone giant swiftly smashing through Tyler's illusions, will the troupe survive another blow?Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Ryan LaPlante.Enjoying Jesters of Ravenloft?- Consider supporting the show for as little as $1 a month to get BTS fun, an ad-free feed, and even add your own character to the podcast! (https://dumbdumbdice.com/join)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Follow us on social media: @dumbdumbdice- Watch our video episodes on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/), @deltastic on socialsTheme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join me as I review The Players of Gilean edited by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman live! Share your thoughts on this second Tales of the War of Souls anthology, released by Wizards of the Coast on February 1, 2003. You can buy a copy here: https://amzn.to/48xk5pw  https://youtube.com/live/L_70rmgiW3k About The Players of Gilean Across the ages roams an immortal troupe of actors, gifted with fantastical powers and led by a mysterious artiste with a penchant for meddling. Wherever they roam, they encounter magic and monsters and evil that requires taming. This is the first anthology based on characters from the extraordinary novella “The Travelling Players of Gilean”, by Margaret Weis and Aron Eisenberg, which was featured in The Best of Tales, Volume One. This new anthology also features novellas by best-selling Dragonlance authors Douglas Niles, Richard A. Knaak, Paul B. Thompson, and a new collaboration by Jean Rabe and Aron Eisenberg. Contents “Command Performance” by Douglas Niles “Papilla” by Fergus Ryan “Enter, a Ghost” by Paul B. Thompson “Perfect” by Donald J. Bingle “A Matter of Honor” by Richard A. Knaak “Rewrites” by Aron Eisenberg and Jean Rabe Review “Command Performance” by Douglas Niles Duke of Fredirko Axel Bloodwart, Ogre King Starlack, centurion Skullrider Bloden Longeye, chief lieutenant Greenshot, hill giant captain Sebastius Sir Eriath, actor, Vinas Solamnus, clownmaster Stacia Delane, Dame Solamnus, Yolanda the Melon Queen Hatch Blackbeard, dwarf Persnick,elf Strawfellow Slipknot, kender Prince Gracefeather Ballracker, fat hobgoblin, captain, general Orik Oilsniffer, hylar dwarf commander Hilderidge, ogre actor Portentius, pudgy illusionist Splint Fireeater, Hylar This story was a lot of fun and had a wonderful twist at the end. Two massive armies are ready to meet on the battlefield separated by a river featuring an island in the center. One army, led by the Duke of Fredirko and the other is led by the ogre king Axel Bloodwart. Both want to seize control of the island as it is strategically of importance for the battle to come. On the island however, is an acting troupe led by Sebastius. The acting troupe plans their performance for the two armies and secretly plants playbills all around each of the armies encampments. The commanders are justifyingly infuriated by their camps being infiltrated, but their men are intrigued by the opportunity to see a play. So both armies come to the island on the morrow. They are introduced to the performers and sit, slowly being turned onto the performances and becoming more and more entertained. Finally the two commanders are invited onstage and play fight over a daughter. They get into it with the ogre king killing the duke, and the armies ready to go to battle right then and there, until it is revealed only to be a ruse, with a collapsible blade and fake blood. The armies nevertheless are poised for battle, but just then a massive lightning storm strikes, and the armies collectively huddle under the tents and trees, planning on battle the following day. The acting troupe offers the ogre king a position on one of their wagons,and he actually agrees to join, as his heart isn’t in the battle anymore. He ends up joining the troupe at the end. I really enjoyed this, and while I can imagine all the stories being connected to this acting troupe could wear thin quickly as a contrivance, for now, I am looking forward to the next tale. “Papilla” by Fergus Ryan Kaleem Bombyx, shopkeeper Ilona, wife Taladas, first son Nando, second son Livia, daughter Yoni, Darl, rat catchers sons Sebastius This short story begins with a merchant who marries a homely Solamnic woman and bears three children. Two boys and a girl. The girl is having her seventh birthday and her father is showing her off to the local town's Ratchatcher family. The two boys have set up a wonderful prank on the daughter however. When the girl is supposed to come and deliver the goose for dinner, she does a raucous dance the boys taught her and embarrasses their parents. This lands them in trouble naturally, and they are grounded. That night an acting troupe arrives in town, and are getting all set up for the following day's performances. It feels a little like Something Wicked This Way Comes, as the eldest boy, grounded and brooding, wants to run away with the troupe. He climbed down from his window at night and approached Sebastius. He is rejected as he offers him a deal on silk curtains for the play from his father, and unspoken rejection of joining the troupe. The boy returns home in a foul mood, and almost gets crushed by a falling wall. He makes a deal with his brother for not telling on him, and helping him back in the house. When the play begins the following day, the older brother plans a trick on Sebastius, to get back at him. The play begins as a woman is taken from a man by an evil wizard, and the family’s daughter is in the front row. The younger brother starts backing out, and the older brother insists that he help him with the prank. The brothers' plan is to put their sister in a sack and throw her at Sebastian on stage to embarrass them and hurt them. The play unfolds perfectly with this plan as the girl in the tower is met by gully dwarves who want to steal her jewels and they put them in a sack and throw them out as the girls are thrown by the brothers. However, the boys follow suit, falling on stage and end up being taken by the crew. The end of the play is a punishment call from Sebastin to the crowd, and the daughter decides the fate of the brothers. She eventually goes on to live a nice life, her mother leaving her father, and the boys are not heard from, seemingly living out pedestrian lives. The story was all wrapped up by saying brothers don't pick on your sisters, and it was a total waste of my time reading. It wasn’t crafted well, it wasn't written well, and I am glad it's over. “Enter, a Ghost” by Paul B. Thompson Tog, minotaur Andura Thronden, master of ceremonies Urtak Paz, Kender Traz, Kender Sebastius, master of the Traveling Players of Gilean Moku, gully dwarf Gree, centaur Camalantharas, cam, dark elf Tensi Rontz, goblin from Throt Thaelix, male ogre Warken, bardic poet Bannur of Nordling Havared Sisandra, Harvard's daughter Carklin Hall Fitter, gnome, visited lunitari Daskhar, dwarf Telda, Daskhar's wife I really enjoyed this tale. It starts with the Players of Gilean arriving in a town in Nordmaar. The town seems drab and quiet, but as they are setting their stage, Andura, an actress, notices two young men wandering around. They eventually leave and she follows them with Moku an Aghar. They wanted to see if there was a wizard in the troupe because this town is cursed. They need a wizard to use a banishment spell from a scroll they bought from another wizard. The keep, Carklin hall is possessed and while the ghost remains, the town remains cursed. Andura agreed to try and headed up in the night with Moku. They discovered it really was haunted by the former lord of the manor, and only dawn saved them from the ghost. The constable arrested them for disturbing the peace but they were bailed out by Sebastius. They ran through their play that night and the ghost appeared during it. He demanded to know why they were interlopers in his town, and Andura tried to banish him again. Moku used shadow play and voice acting to pose as a great red dragon which initially frightened the ghost, but he ended up leaving for the sake of the town. The village resumed normal life, and the play received a rousing applause. This was a great little horror story that reminded me of Ravenloft. It just goes to show you can tell any style of story in Dragonlance and have it feel genuine. This is the best campaign setting, period. “Perfect” by Donald J. Bingle Crawford, actor Maybar Thane, actor Zefta, mage Sebastius, Astinus' brother? Darna Gantry Fornarius Mirinda Benoit Katrice Gilf Aaron Badar Patentworthy Pathwanderer, gnome Cathar Bellowstroke, dwarf Gloria Taewynd This is a story with three main parts. First is the acting troupe and the tension between Sebastius and their wizard slash set maker Zefta. Second is a young woman who was spurned in love, but left pregnant who runs off with her fathers tailor to join the troupe, and third is a pompous Solamnic, former knight, planning his wedding and hiring the troupe to perform a tiresome and ostentatious play at his wedding. Once the wedding play began, the audience was bored to death. They had lived the measure and been paralysed by it in training for years, watching it now was a chore, but as this was a wedding they were stuck. But then one new actor slipped and accidentally flipped a steel coin, and from that moment on, steel was the operative word and item as the play went off the rails, and the mage exercised his craft to wonderful effect. It even turned the stern groom into an enjoying participant. When the wedding vows were read, he romantically dipped her in a passionate kiss, echoed of course by the troupe. The audience loved it and cheered uproariously. The groom paid very well for the performance, and the story of the runaways was completely abandoned. The troupe left after the groom admitted to Sebastius that he wasn't a Solamnic, but it didn't matter anymore. With the conclusion to the story being infinitely better than the set up, I am glad to move on as well. “A Matter of Honor” by Richard A. Knaak Golar the God-Marked, minotaur Heston, human Sebastius Twayne, half-elf Karas of clan Barash, minotaur Dardella Juris, Golar's cousin Well hell, this story touched me. It’s about a minotaur named Golar who fled from a failed battle in the War of the Lance and eventually joined the troupe. He found peace and happiness as almost an ambassador of the minotaur race to viewers, but one day he notices a cloaked figure showing up to his appearances. It ended up being his cousin’s son, Karas, coming to avenge the loss of honor his fleeing the battlefield caused his clan. Golar knocked the youth out, and put him in the woods outside town. They went to the next town for another show, and the youth followed, attacking golar in the play. He sliced his stomach, and the troupe convinced Karas that he had died. They gave him his axe and he rode away. He returned to watch the funeral only to see that Golar was alive. Golar admitted that while he was a member of the troupe he would not age, nor could he die. He showed Karas by running himself through. This led Karas to leave, dispirited at being able to avenge his clan’s honor, and decided to take his own life for his failure, very Samourai in nature. Golar showed up and let Karas know he was there when Karas couldn't go through with it. Karas, now shamed, threw his dagger at Golar and it sank into his chest. Golar gave up his part of the troupe because he couldn't live with his relatives’ death on his hands. He would rather die and let his clan regain their honor than live knowing Karas died because of him. He took the body home and that was the end of the story. As a fan of fantasy, I can’t help but appreciate stories like this. Honor is a complicated mistress that many cultures in our world wrestle with, but I can't accept that one should kill themself or others just to keep a title that amounts to nothing more than a perceived value in the eyes of the beholder. It was a beautiful story by Knaak. “Rewrites” by Aron Eisenberg and Jean Rabe Thronden Blackmoor, Actor, Solamnic Knight Aleena, Actor, Dark Knight Jalas Sebastius Heart, Goblin Catal This final tale is a version of Romeo and Juliet with a new director and writer, traditionally an actor, rewriting the play til the very day it was performed. The insistence on his vision made Sebastius abandon the play, insisting it should be directed by the writer. The other members of the Troupe insisted that there should be some humor, but the writer refused, insisting that it is a drama. As word spread about the play, every nearby town wanted to attend, and a contingent of dark knights learned of it. At the heart of the story is a Knight of Solamnia falling in love with a Knight of Takhisis. The commander of the Dark Knights could not allow this to happen, so he sent his emissary to stop the play. When the director refused, the Dark Knights mounted up to intercept the play mid performance. When they arrived, many of the villagers fled, but equally many stayed. The director insisted they start the play from act one and give the Dark Knights a show, as they all sat down to watch. The tension caused some of the actors to miss lines, or otherwise make small humorous mistakes, which drew enjoyment from the viewers, and when the female dark knight in the play killed the male Solamnic then herself, everyone gave a standing ovation. The Dark Knight commander met the director backstage to say it was an improbable love story, but he had once loved a woman, and with tat left. The writer/director began furiously rewriting the play to add some humor. This was a fun tale, as I am a fan of Shakespear, but I am very glad this collection is done. It was tiring to get through, and while many of the stories were enjoyable, like this one, i did want to get through it. If you are a fan of Dragonlance, I suggest you give this anthology a read, especially if you enjoy the Players of Gilean premise. Otherwise, it does nothing to inform the saga in any way, so if you don't enjoy the troupe, you can skip the anthology and miss out on nothing.

Steve and Rodney discuss the Ravenloft module, have a laugh at the party's antics, and talk a little about Old School games. 

The Monday Night Heroes take on the 1st edition version of the classic gothic adventure.  FINALE!!! The Heroes of Hommlett wander the crypts below Castle Ravenloft and encounter Straud one final time! Featuring: Steve- GM Sylric Tarym, an Elf Squidder "Bagpipes" Cutbait, a Human Bard Dhagmark, Dwarven Cleric of Moradin Baltana, a Drow thief  Timpani, a Drow ranger Music: Action and Adventure by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Ve čtvrté epizodě našeho dobrodružství se skupina dostává do pevnosti řádu Stříbrných rytířů, kde objevuje kosti stříbrného draka Argin Vosta stražené Serghejem von Zarovichem. Družina se dozví co dovedlo Strahda na jeho temnou cestu a následně přijímá pozvání do jeho sídla, zámku Ravenloft.Partnerem epizody je Imago (http://nata.hu/imago).

Ever had a game session so draining that even your dice lose levels? In this episode, the RPGBOT crew resurrects one of D&D's most dreaded mechanics: energy drain, and the undead horrors that made it famous. From the White Box to Pathfinder 2e, Tyler, Randall, and Ash relive decades of pain, permanent debuffs, and emotional damage, all in the name of understanding why we're so glad energy drain is (mostly) dead. Grab your holy symbol, chug a potion, and prepare for a nostalgic necrotic nosedive. Join the RPGBOT Patreon If you want to keep your creative energy undrained, support the RPGBOT.Podcast on Patreon. Patrons get ad-free episodes, early access to our Masterclass recordings, and exclusive bonus content from Tyler, Randall, and Ash. Join us today at patreon.com/rpgbot — and help keep our hit points (and our humor) at full strength. Show Notes The RPGBOT crew takes a dark, funny journey through the history of energy drain — one of tabletop RPGs' most punishing and misunderstood mechanics. Starting with OD&D's dreaded Wight, they trace how "losing levels" evolved across editions — from instant death in AD&D to hit point maximum reduction in D&D 5e and drained conditions in Pathfinder 2e. Along the way, Ash shares stories from her Ravenloft campaign, Tyler explains why undead needed to be terrifying, and Randall asks the eternal question: "Did anyone actually have fun with this rule?" Covered Topics: How energy drain first appeared in the OD&D White Box The connection between Wights, vampires, and permanent level loss Why AD&D and 3.5 made energy drain one of the most hated mechanics ever Pathfinder 1e and the dawn of "negative levels" D&D 5e's kinder, gentler approach — max HP reduction instead of level loss Pathfinder 2e's drained and doomed conditions, and how they replace energy drain The evolution of innervation and life drain spells How modern systems preserve undead flavor without destroying players' progress A philosophical question: Should tabletop games hurt this much? Plus: a tangent about Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and how much punishment is too much Mentioned Creatures & Mechanics: Wight, Vampire Spawn, Shadow, Ghoul, Varghoul Innervation / Enervation spell Negative levels, Hit Point Maximum reduction, Drained condition Resurrection penalties in 3.5e and Pathfinder 1e Afflictions, Fortitude saves, and Constitution death spirals Key Takeaways Energy drain began as a brutally punishing mechanic — losing levels in OD&D and AD&D could erase hours of play progress instantly. Pathfinder 1e softened the blow with temporary negative levels, while still terrifying players with math-heavy penalties. 5e and PF2 modernized the concept into simpler, narratively cleaner effects like HP maximum reduction or the drained condition. Undead identity survived — even as the math got easier, the flavor of losing your vitality to a vampire or wight remained iconic. Players prefer tension over punishment. Modern systems preserve danger without making players rage-quit. Energy drain mechanics reflect evolving design philosophy — from simulationist suffering to storytelling sustainability. DM takeaway: Make undead scary through story and tension, not through math that kills fun. How to Play Holidays This Christmas season, while you're recovering from your own levels of exhaustion, the RPGBOT.Podcast is re-releasing our "How to Play" Series for Pathfinder 2e — perfect for new players and GMs ready to explore the system over the holiday break. And if your friends are just starting out in Dungeons & Dragons, introduce them to the Remastered Series of How to Play Dungeons & Dragons from RPGBOT.Podcast. Whether you're new to Pathfinder, new to D&D, or just want to survive another undead encounter, these episodes are your ultimate player's guide. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Ever had a game session so draining that even your dice lose levels? In this episode, the RPGBOT crew resurrects one of D&D's most dreaded mechanics: energy drain, and the undead horrors that made it famous. From the White Box to Pathfinder 2e, Tyler, Randall, and Ash relive decades of pain, permanent debuffs, and emotional damage, all in the name of understanding why we're so glad energy drain is (mostly) dead. Grab your holy symbol, chug a potion, and prepare for a nostalgic necrotic nosedive. Join the RPGBOT Patreon If you want to keep your creative energy undrained, support the RPGBOT.Podcast on Patreon. Patrons get ad-free episodes, early access to our Masterclass recordings, and exclusive bonus content from Tyler, Randall, and Ash. Join us today at patreon.com/rpgbot — and help keep our hit points (and our humor) at full strength. Show Notes The RPGBOT crew takes a dark, funny journey through the history of energy drain — one of tabletop RPGs' most punishing and misunderstood mechanics. Starting with OD&D's dreaded Wight, they trace how "losing levels" evolved across editions — from instant death in AD&D to hit point maximum reduction in D&D 5e and drained conditions in Pathfinder 2e. Along the way, Ash shares stories from her Ravenloft campaign, Tyler explains why undead needed to be terrifying, and Randall asks the eternal question: "Did anyone actually have fun with this rule?" Covered Topics: How energy drain first appeared in the OD&D White Box The connection between Wights, vampires, and permanent level loss Why AD&D and 3.5 made energy drain one of the most hated mechanics ever Pathfinder 1e and the dawn of "negative levels" D&D 5e's kinder, gentler approach — max HP reduction instead of level loss Pathfinder 2e's drained and doomed conditions, and how they replace energy drain The evolution of innervation and life drain spells How modern systems preserve undead flavor without destroying players' progress A philosophical question: Should tabletop games hurt this much? Plus: a tangent about Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and how much punishment is too much Mentioned Creatures & Mechanics: Wight, Vampire Spawn, Shadow, Ghoul, Varghoul Innervation / Enervation spell Negative levels, Hit Point Maximum reduction, Drained condition Resurrection penalties in 3.5e and Pathfinder 1e Afflictions, Fortitude saves, and Constitution death spirals Key Takeaways Energy drain began as a brutally punishing mechanic — losing levels in OD&D and AD&D could erase hours of play progress instantly. Pathfinder 1e softened the blow with temporary negative levels, while still terrifying players with math-heavy penalties. 5e and PF2 modernized the concept into simpler, narratively cleaner effects like HP maximum reduction or the drained condition. Undead identity survived — even as the math got easier, the flavor of losing your vitality to a vampire or wight remained iconic. Players prefer tension over punishment. Modern systems preserve danger without making players rage-quit. Energy drain mechanics reflect evolving design philosophy — from simulationist suffering to storytelling sustainability. DM takeaway: Make undead scary through story and tension, not through math that kills fun. How to Play Holidays This Christmas season, while you're recovering from your own levels of exhaustion, the RPGBOT.Podcast is re-releasing our "How to Play" Series for Pathfinder 2e — perfect for new players and GMs ready to explore the system over the holiday break. And if your friends are just starting out in Dungeons & Dragons, introduce them to the Remastered Series of How to Play Dungeons & Dragons from RPGBOT.Podcast. Whether you're new to Pathfinder, new to D&D, or just want to survive another undead encounter, these episodes are your ultimate player's guide. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

The Monday Night Heroes take on the 1st edition version of the classic gothic adventure.  Straud entrances Sylric, ordering him to kill the now captured Ireena. Dhagmark manages to drive the vampire off with his divine power while the others struggle with what to do about their incapacitated ally.    Featuring: Steve- GM Sylric Tarym, an Elf Squidder "Bagpipes" Cutbait, a Human Bard Dhagmark, Dwarven Cleric of Moradin Baltana, a Drow thief  Timpani, a Drow ranger Music: Action and Adventure by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

The expedition finally heads to Ravenloft to end things for good.   Gain access to an exclusive campaign, Shroud Over Saltmarsh, over on Patreon: https://legendsofavantris.com/patreon The Crooked Moon, a folk horror supplement for 5e, is available for preorder! Get the Crooked Moon at: https://thecrookedmoon.com/ Watch more D&D adventures in the world of Avantris live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/legendsofavantris Check out our merch store: https://shop.legendsofavantris.com  Join our community on Discord: https://legendsofavantris.com/discord Watch our many campaigns on YouTube: https://legendsofavantris.com/youtube  All other links: https://linktr.ee/legendsofavantris   Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/kcrMwkI2Or8?si=3LfB92M-F7iqZfJY

The Monday Night Heroes take on the 1st edition version of the classic gothic adventure.  Still reeling from their loss to Straud, the heroes take some time to prepare and continue to search for Sergei's sword. In a difficult push, they make their way to the chapel...   Featuring: Steve- GM Sylric Tarym, an Elf Squidder "Bagpipes" Cutbait, a Human Bard Dhagmark, Dwarven Cleric of Moradin Baltana, a Drow thief  Timpani, a Drow ranger Music: Action and Adventure by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

The Monday Night Heroes take on the 1st edition version of the classic gothic adventure.  The Heroes find themselves face to face with Straud! Will they wipe the vampire's evil from the realm or will their corpses stalk the shadows of Castle Ravenloft for eternity.  Featuring: Steve- GM Sylric Tarym, an Elf Squidder "Bagpipes" Cutbait, a Human Bard Dhagmark, Dwarven Cleric of Moradin Baltana, a Drow thief  Timpani, a Drow ranger Music: Action and Adventure by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Strahd, the big bad evil Vampire of Ravenloft castle has his yearly run in with adventurers in the adventure Strahd Must Die. This time the guys bring some street justice to him. Thanks to Orthane Productions for joining in the fun. Jay takes a deep dive into some of the most rare official Dungeons & Dragons settings.

During our hiatus, we continue to delve into the spooky world of Ravenloft in Jesters of Ravenloft! Jesters of Ravenloft is a D&D 5e podcast where a group of comedians are sucked into Dungeons & Dragons - and now it's up to them to become heroes and escape Ravenloft! You can find the more than 160 episodes of Jesters of Ravenloft on whatever podcatcher you're using to listen to this episode now!In the previous episode... The troupe finally got outfitted in their fighting gear! Now that they've accepted the role of the Chosen One and his entourage, the troupe learned that they'll have to defeat the three great evils over the next three days, or they'll be executed as pretenders who took advantage of the prophecy. The only question now is: can they make it to the Black Knight and steal his helm before nightfall, and before the Black Knight comes for them?Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Ryan LaPlante.Jesters of Ravenloft streams live every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dumbdumbdice)Enjoying Jesters of Ravenloft?- Consider supporting the show for as little as $1 a month to get BTS fun, an ad-free feed, and even add your own character to the podcast! (https://dumbdumbdice.com/join)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Follow us on social media: @dumbdumbdice- Watch our video episodes on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/), @deltastic on socialsTheme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

During our hiatus, we continue to delve into the spooky world of Ravenloft in Jesters of Ravenloft! Jesters of Ravenloft is a D&D 5e podcast where a group of comedians are sucked into Dungeons & Dragons - and now it's up to them to become heroes and escape Ravenloft! You can find the more than 160 episodes of Jesters of Ravenloft on whatever podcatcher you're using to listen to this episode now!In the previous episode... To prepare them for their quest, Werner Herzog, Mayor of Happy Town, sent the troupe to see the class leaders to get outfitted with their basic equipment. Guy impressed Smokewing with his archery skills, Del and Tyler frightened the Rogues, Tyler was gifted a Death Loop Watch from the Watchers, and Adam's armour design impressed the Fighters so much, he was assumed to be Chosen One. Will the Chosen One and his entourage live up to the prophecy of the grand fighters that will save Happy Town?Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Ryan LaPlante.Jesters of Ravenloft streams live every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dumbdumbdice)Enjoying Jesters of Ravenloft?- Consider supporting the show for as little as $1 a month to get BTS fun, an ad-free feed, and even add your own character to the podcast! (https://dumbdumbdice.com/join)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Follow us on social media: @dumbdumbdice- Watch our video episodes on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/), @deltastic on socialsTheme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00 Show Start 01:01 Sly Flourish News: Gamehole Panels, Ravenloft with Shadowdark, Models Fuel Creativity, Prep Versus Improv 05:42 D&D & RPG News: StartPlaying.Games RPG Mental Health Survey 11:23 D&D & RPG News: Rob Weiland Passes Away 13:11 D&D & RPG News: Asmodee Takes Control of Lord of the Rings Tabletop License 16:56 D&D & RPG News: 30% Off Chaosium Products on DTRPG 17:50 Kickstarter Spotlight: Origins 4-Volume D&D Product History by Evil Hat 19:45 D&D & RPG News: Glass Cannon Liveplay using Shadowdark and Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master 20:33 D&D & RPG News: D&D 3D VTT Project Sigil Officially Ends 29:48 Product Spotlight: Phantasy Star RPG 37:23 Commentary: Experiences at Gamehole Con 2025 54:15 Patreon Spotlight: Crypts of Karigulon Updates 59:02 Patreon Question: Friend Doesn't Want My AI / LLM Generated Campaign Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Running Ravenloft with Shadowdark Frameworks Fuel Creativity Improv Versus Prep TTRPG Mental Health Survey on StartPlaying.Games Rob Weiland Passed Away Asmodee takes over LOTR RPG rights Chaosium sale on DTRPG Designers and Dragons crowdfunding campaign Glass Cannon Liveplay mentions Lazy DM Project Sigil D&D 3D VTT is No More Phantasy Star RPG

The Monday Night Heroes take on the 1st edition version of the classic gothic adventure.  Now armed with an unfamiliar but powerful holy symbol, the Heroes of Hommlet continue their search for the baron's diary and the key to his power.  Featuring: Steve- GM Sylric Tarym, an Elf Squidder "Bagpipes" Cutbait, a Human Bard Dhagmark, Dwarven Cleric of Moradin Baltana, a Drow thief  Timpani, a Drow ranger Jandar, another Elf Music: Action and Adventure by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

During our hiatus, we continue to delve into the spooky world of Ravenloft in Jesters of Ravenloft! Jesters of Ravenloft is a D&D 5e podcast where a group of comedians are sucked into Dungeons & Dragons - and now it's up to them to become heroes and escape Ravenloft! You can find the more than 160 episodes of Jesters of Ravenloft on whatever podcatcher you're using to listen to this episode now!In the previous episode... After fighting back their immediate assailants, the troupe learned that they were summoned to Ravenloft by Ezra, God of the Mists, who mistook them for warriors. Ezra set them on a quest to find three items they'll need to defeat the Dark One, and when they arrived at a tower, looking for a better vantage point, they were met by fellow earthling, Werner Herzog. Now will they be able to prepare for the return of the Black Knight, who promised to kill them tomorrow night?Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Ryan LaPlante.Jesters of Ravenloft streams live every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dumbdumbdice)Enjoying Jesters of Ravenloft?- Consider supporting the show for as little as $1 a month to get BTS fun, an ad-free feed, and even add your own character to the podcast! (https://dumbdumbdice.com/join)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Follow us on social media: @dumbdumbdice- Watch our video episodes on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/), @deltastic on socialsTheme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Monday Night Heroes take on the 1st edition version of the classic gothic adventure.  The heroes enter Castle Raveloft and begin uncovering the terrors that lurk within!  Featuring: Steve- GM Sylric Tarym, an Elf Squidder "Bagpipes" Cutbait, a Human Bard Dhagmark, Dwarven Cleric of Moradin Baltana, a Drow thief  Timpani, a Drow ranger Jandar, another Elf Music: Action and Adventure by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

You know that moment when your players say, “We want to be the bad guys”? Yeah, this is the episode where we let them. Pull up your black cloaks, pour a glass of something red (preferably not from the paladin), and join us as we wander into the mists of the Domains of Dread—where even your dice fear to roll. Spooktober Returns! It's Spooktober on the RPGBOT.Podcast, and the shadows are thick with story hooks! Whether you're brewing up your own Ravenloft horror campaign or just love watching your players question their morality, we've got the perfect tricks and treats for your tabletop this season. Catch all Spooktober episodes wherever you listen to podcasts, and be sure to leave us a review—if you dare. Show Notes In this chilling episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts descend into the Domains of Dread, exploring what it takes to create a Dungeons & Dragons campaign centered on irredeemably evil characters. From the tortured moors of Ravenloft to homebrewed horror realms, they discuss how to balance story tension, sustain player engagement, and manage moral complexity in games that venture beyond good and evil. Topics include: Campaign Design for Evil Characters – Building motivation and narrative cohesion for villainous parties without descending into chaos. Moral Ambiguity in RPGs – Turning “evil” from caricature into compelling character arcs. The Art of Gothic Horror – Using atmosphere, pacing, and dread to make fear part of the gameplay loop. Domains of Dread in 5e – Exploring Ravenloft, the Darklords, and what makes each domain a reflection of its master's sin. Fear and Power Dynamics – Leveraging fear mechanics and temptation systems to reinforce the campaign's tone. Session Zero for Evil Campaigns – Establishing safety tools and boundaries before diving into depravity. The discussion blends humor, horror, and hard-earned DM wisdom—making this an essential listen for anyone who's ever wondered what would happen if their party actually joined Strahd's HR department. Key Takeaways Evil Doesn't Mean Chaotic – The most compelling villains have goals, loyalties, and internal logic; chaos for chaos' sake burns out fast. Atmosphere Is a Mechanic – In horror RPGs, tone-setting is as crucial as initiative rolls. Lighting, music, and description carry mechanical weight. Safety Tools Are Sacred – Lines and veils aren't optional—they're essential in games exploring darkness and corruption. The World Reflects the Villains – Domains of Dread are metaphors in motion; the land mirrors its Darklord's sins and failures. Power Has a Cost – The higher your characters climb, the closer they draw to their own damnation. Let Players Build the Horror – Player backstories, vices, and obsessions fuel the dread better than any monster stat block. Evil Campaigns Need Boundaries – Trust, tone, and transparency keep the horror immersive, not harmful. Visit the Domains of the Living If this episode sent a chill down your spine (and it should have), then do something warm: visit RPGBOT.net for guides, tools, and advice to make your next horror campaign unforgettable. And when you're done weaving nightmares, tell your friends about the RPGBOT.Podcast—because nothing spreads fear like word of mouth. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

You know that moment when your players say, "We want to be the bad guys"? Yeah, this is the episode where we let them. Pull up your black cloaks, pour a glass of something red (preferably not from the paladin), and join us as we wander into the mists of the Domains of Dread—where even your dice fear to roll. Spooktober Returns! It's Spooktober on the RPGBOT.Podcast, and the shadows are thick with story hooks! Whether you're brewing up your own Ravenloft horror campaign or just love watching your players question their morality, we've got the perfect tricks and treats for your tabletop this season. Catch all Spooktober episodes wherever you listen to podcasts, and be sure to leave us a review—if you dare. Show Notes In this chilling episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts descend into the Domains of Dread, exploring what it takes to create a Dungeons & Dragons campaign centered on irredeemably evil characters. From the tortured moors of Ravenloft to homebrewed horror realms, they discuss how to balance story tension, sustain player engagement, and manage moral complexity in games that venture beyond good and evil. Topics include: Campaign Design for Evil Characters – Building motivation and narrative cohesion for villainous parties without descending into chaos. Moral Ambiguity in RPGs – Turning "evil" from caricature into compelling character arcs. The Art of Gothic Horror – Using atmosphere, pacing, and dread to make fear part of the gameplay loop. Domains of Dread in 5e – Exploring Ravenloft, the Darklords, and what makes each domain a reflection of its master's sin. Fear and Power Dynamics – Leveraging fear mechanics and temptation systems to reinforce the campaign's tone. Session Zero for Evil Campaigns – Establishing safety tools and boundaries before diving into depravity. The discussion blends humor, horror, and hard-earned DM wisdom—making this an essential listen for anyone who's ever wondered what would happen if their party actually joined Strahd's HR department. Key Takeaways Evil Doesn't Mean Chaotic – The most compelling villains have goals, loyalties, and internal logic; chaos for chaos' sake burns out fast. Atmosphere Is a Mechanic – In horror RPGs, tone-setting is as crucial as initiative rolls. Lighting, music, and description carry mechanical weight. Safety Tools Are Sacred – Lines and veils aren't optional—they're essential in games exploring darkness and corruption. The World Reflects the Villains – Domains of Dread are metaphors in motion; the land mirrors its Darklord's sins and failures. Power Has a Cost – The higher your characters climb, the closer they draw to their own damnation. Let Players Build the Horror – Player backstories, vices, and obsessions fuel the dread better than any monster stat block. Evil Campaigns Need Boundaries – Trust, tone, and transparency keep the horror immersive, not harmful. Visit the Domains of the Living If this episode sent a chill down your spine (and it should have), then do something warm: visit RPGBOT.net for guides, tools, and advice to make your next horror campaign unforgettable. And when you're done weaving nightmares, tell your friends about the RPGBOT.Podcast—because nothing spreads fear like word of mouth. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

While we're on hiatus, we hope you enjoy another story perfect for spooky season! DM'ed by Ryan LaPlante, Jesters of Ravenloft is a D&D 5e podcast where a group of comedians (including Canada By Night's own Del Borovic and Tyler Hewitt) are sucked into Dungeons & Dragons - and now it's up to them to become heroes and escape Ravenloft! You can find the more than 160 episodes of Jesters of Ravenloft on whatever podcatcher you're using to listen to this episode now!Welcome to Jesters of Ravenloft. Our story begins with a terrifying secret – the four comedians starting this campaign don't know they're about to be sucked into the spooky-scary realm of Ravenloft. The mist is waiting to kidnap its unknowing Jesters even as we speak…Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Ryan LaPlante.Jesters of Ravenloft streams live every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dumbdumbdice)Enjoying Jesters of Ravenloft?- Consider supporting the show for as little as $1 a month to get BTS fun, an ad-free feed, and even add your own character to the podcast! (https://dumbdumbdice.com/join)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Follow us on social media: @dumbdumbdice- Watch our video episodes on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/), @deltastic on socialsTheme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00 Show Start 00:45 Sly Flourish News: Tab Your Books, Ravenloft with Shadowdark, Gamehole Con 04:01 Patreon Spotlight: 5e Artisanal Database Combat Tracker 10:43 Kickstarter Spotlight: Allies and Enemies for Shadowdark 12:26 Kickstarter Spotlight: Hall of Horrors for Daggerheart, Candela Obscura, and 5e 14:49 Sly Flourish News: Partnering with Let's Quest 16:49 Commentary: Back Up Your Digital RPG Stuff 34:25 DM Tip: The Value of Adventure Types 43:14 Patreon Question: Advanced Traps in 5e 48:18 Patreon Question: Keeping Multiple RPG Rulesets In Our Heads 53:10 Patreon Question: Homebrewing Adventures As Good As Published Adventures Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Tab Your Books Running Ravenloft with Shadowdark Allies and Enemies for Shadowdark Kickstarter Hall of Horrors: Bestiary for Daggerheart, D&D 5E, and CO Let's Quest Adventure Types: Dungeon Crawls

**Thanks to Louie for calling out the janky audio! All fixed now.** The Monday Night Heroes take on the 1st edition version of the classic gothic adventure.  Strahd strikes! The team gets handed a defeat at the hands of the baron. Naturally, they bumble their way directly to Castle Ravenloft in search of the baron's diary.   Featuring: Steve- GM Sylric Tarym, an Elf Squidder "Bagpipes" Cutbait, a Human Bard Dhagmark, Dwarven Cleric of Moradin Baltana, a Drow thief  Timpani, a Drow ranger Jandar, another Elf Music: Action and Adventure by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

What if your next D&D campaign was ruled by dinosaurs? From cursed velociraptor gods to underground triceratops kingdoms, Jesse and Matty explore the wildest ways to bring prehistoric power into your tabletop worlds. What happens when you mix dinosaurs with tabletop roleplaying games? In this episode of The Jaunty Mantis, Jesse and Matty dive headfirst into the prehistoric—exploring how to bring dinosaurs into your RPG worlds through settings, characters, and pure creative chaos. From Ravenloft's “Curse of the Velociraptor” to underground dinosaur kingdoms and divine T-Rex gods, this episode is packed with wild ideas you'll actually want to steal for your campaign. Topics include: Building settings where dinosaurs rule (Lost Worlds, Hollow Earth, and more) Creating dinosaur gods and paladin oaths around them Character archetypes inspired by lizardfolk, druids, and primal forces Dinosaurs in Ravenloft, Gamma World, and beyond And yes… the “Curse of Velociaptor” So grab your dice, your amber-filled cane, and maybe a frog DNA sample—it's time to play prehistoric.

The Monday Night Heroes take on the 1st edition version of the classic gothic adventure.  A mysterious stranger comes to the Heroes of Hommlet with a desperate request and an offer they can't refuse: travel to Barovia and free the burgomaster's daughter from the clutches of Strahd von Zarovich! Featuring: Steve- GM Sylric Tarym, an Elf Squidder "Bagpipes" Cutbait, a Human Bard Dhagmark, Dwarven Cleric of Moradin Baltana, a Drow thief  Timpani, a Drow ranger Jandar, another Elf Music: Action and Adventure by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

On the show this week, Drac tries to not die from the Ravenloft plague that has been in the castle for the past 2 weeks, we cover update 75.3 and 75.4, the new The Volcanic Patron’s Coffer and much more.. Sorry about the coughs! 0:00 Start 02:30 Update 75.3 Release Notes 08:11 Update 75.4 Release […]

Our heroes are deciding the fate of Lexi the bard! Butthole (Ryan LaPlante, @theryanlaplante) spoke with Alyn and determined there is a magical mind-wipe but it can be undone, Juniper (Laura Hamstra, @lauraehamstra) got Mo Dirt to make a more permanent but riskier “mind smear” potion, and Quinny (Tyler Hewitt, @Tyler_Hewitt) made sure Bucky wouldn't talk! But will Lexi choose the potion or the unspoken “Quinny Option”?! Also featuring our awesome DM Tom McGee (@mcgeetd). Enjoying Dumb-Dumbs & Dragons?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun (https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/)- X/Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)

The troupe approached the gate leading into Bree and unintentionally convinced the guards they were inept enough to not be a threat. Making their way through town, a server from The Prancing Pony invited them to perform at the bar in return for free accommodations, but first Adam and Guy needed proper pants. Adam found himself miraculously clad in a kilt, so they made their way to a tailor's shop to clothe Guy. When they failed to flatter the proprietor into giving them free clothes, they instead traded their one slice of pizza and empty Tylenol bottle. Will Wet Change's comedy stylings entertain the patrons of The Prancing Pony? Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Tom McGee. Jesters of Middle-earth streams live every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dumbdumbdice) Enjoying Jesters of Middle-earth?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun(https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/) - Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice)  Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic - Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/) - Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)  Theme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)

The troupe continued to fight the goblins. Adam failed to tame the dog-man, Guy noticed the goblins were sensitive to sunlight and set their tarp on fire to destroy their shade, and Tyler, who had run away, realized the others hadn't followed him, so he came back to help finish things off. They then performed the unsavoury task of searching the bodies and found a crude drawing depicting hobbits and a ring, suggesting the hobbits were the targets of more than just the Black Riders. They finally made it to the gates of Bree, relieved to find it looking well-guarded and safe, but will they find the hobbits, the stranger, and Del inside? Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Tom McGee. Jesters of Middle-earth streams live every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dumbdumbdice) Enjoying Jesters of Middle-earth?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun(https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/) - Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice)  Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic - Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/) - Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)  Theme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)

Our heroes are in pursuit of Lexi the bard! Butthole (Ryan LaPlante, @theryanlaplante) got a break to throw hammers and write, Echo (Laura Hamstra, @lauraehamstra) finished regaling Lexi with every horrifying secret from their trip to Baldur's Gate, and Quinny (Tyler Hewitt, @Tyler_Hewitt) instantly led the charge to find the bard once Juniper let slip about the song being created! Will our heroes be fast enough to save Baldur's Gate from a civil war?! Also featuring our awesome DM Tom McGee (@mcgeetd). Enjoying Dumb-Dumbs & Dragons?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun (https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/)- X/Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)

Wet Change, sans Del, set out east towards the town of Bree. They happened upon the violent willow tree, decided not to burn it down just yet, and travelled across a difficult landscape until they came across a group of goblins. Not wanting to fight, Tyler and Adam tried to run away, and Guy climbed a tree, but still they were discovered. Adam and Guy threw Baguettes and branches, but it was only the rising sun that had the strange creatures drawing back into cover. As the goblins scrambled away, a strange dog-like man in their camp broke free. Will Adam's stroke of inspiration allow him to calm and befriend this feral beast-man? Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Tom McGee. Jesters of Middle-earth streams live every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dumbdumbdice) Enjoying Jesters of Middle-earth?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun(https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/) - Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice)  Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic - Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/) - Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)  Theme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)

Oops, All Corpses: Making TPKs Fun, Fair, and Hilariously Devastating Now on YouTube! That's right—RPGBOT.net is bringing the RPGBOT.Podcast archive to YouTube, so now you can re-live your favorite episodes or finally hear all the ones you missed while you were rolling death saves. Whether you're commuting, cooking, or crying over your latest character sheet, we've got you covered with full episodes, remastered for maximum tabletop chaos. Episode Notes In this hilariously grim episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew puts the "fun" back in "TPK." That's right—we're talking about Total Party Kills: when the dice betray you, the GM stops pulling punches, and your entire party is wiped out like yesterday's initiative order. Tyler, Randall, and Ash dissect the delicious disaster of a good ol' fashioned TPK—from the tactical errors that cause them to the storytelling opportunities they unlock. Whether your death was noble, stupid, or hilariously ironic, the gang's got hot takes and hard truths about why sometimes, failure is the most fun you can have with your character sheet still smoking. Also: funeral pyres, surviving by plot armor, and the one time someone definitely had it coming. RPGBOT.Pocast Episodes RPGBOT.Podcast Episode 10 – Horror RPGBOT.Podcast Episode 9 – Death RPGBOT.Podcast S2E10 – Session 0 Mörk Borg Cult: Heretic – RPGBOT.News S2E32 Fate of the Norns – RPGBOT.News S3E33 Doomed Forgotten Realms – RPGBOT.News S2E50 Content from RPGBOT.net Fate of the Norns – A Review DnD 5e – Practical Guide to Summoning Spells Other Stuff Leroy Jenkins Planescape: Torment Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft (affiliate link) Topics Covered: What actually qualifies as a TPK (spoiler: one wizard running off doesn't count). When to kill 'em all—and when to fudge the dice. How to make character death meaningful and not just “you slipped in a trap again.” Player buy-in and embracing the end like a dramatic Shakespearean hero. GM tips for turning a TPK into a launchpad for the next arc (or next party). The glory of high-stakes gameplay—because sometimes, you really should fight the dragon at level 3. Key Takeaways: Not all TPKs are bad: A well-earned TPK can be an epic finale, a new beginning, or a group-wide punchline. Fairness matters: If you're going to kill the party, make sure they had a fighting chance—or at least a cool last stand. Story is king: A good TPK should feel like a narrative climax, not just a punishment for bad tactics (though sometimes it's both). Session Zero helps: Set expectations early—if your GM is a killer DM, your group should know they're not here for storytime with Elmo. Debrief after death: Processing character loss together helps the group move forward—and maybe even laugh about it. Use TPKs creatively: Whether as a tragic end, a heroic sacrifice, or the cursed prequel to the real campaign, lean into the drama. Reincarnation is a thing: In fantasy RPGs, death might not be the end—unless it really needs to be. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

With Del away on a mysterious adventure of her own, the rest of the troupe rested at Bombadil's house and equipped themselves for the task ahead. Tolkien gave Tyler a broken sword, Guy had the forethought to ask for food and water, and Adam dressed himself in an improvised hat and poorly-constructed toga. The troupe departed and found themselves naturally taking on specific roles within the group: Tyler as the Guide, Adam as the resourceful Hunter, and Guy as the observant Scout. They've been warned to stay off the main road, but can Wet Change avoid the Black Rider, survive the trek to Bree, and find the ringbearer at The Prancing Pony? Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Tom McGee. Jesters of Middle-earth streams live every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dumbdumbdice) Enjoying Jesters of Middle-earth?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun(https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/) - Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice)  Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic - Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/) - Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)  Theme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)

Our heroes are having a series of meetings! Butthole (Ryan LaPlante, @theryanlaplante) met with Mo Dirt, Kevmoth Bellwinter, Captain Vismouth, Krendan and several new heroes, Quinny (Tyler Hewitt, @Tyler_Hewitt) inspired a plan to levy back taxes against the former nobles of Akkah, and Echo (Laura Hamstra, @lauraehamstra) horrified Lexi with tales of Baldur's Gate! But will our heroes plans be enough to keep Assguard safe?! Also featuring our awesome DM Tom McGee (@mcgeetd). Enjoying Dumb-Dumbs & Dragons?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun (https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/)- X/Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)

After Bombadil revealed himself to be J.R.R. Tolkien, Goldberry took Del aside for a private conversation, and the rest of Wet Change were left to question the author. He explained that he had often escaped into his own story, into an ethereal realm between fiction and reality, but lately the narrative had been falling apart. The heroes who usually helped the ring-bearer hadn't shown up, so Tolkien had sought out replacements, only to accidentally bring in the self-nominated Best Ensemble, Wet Change. With Del temporarily called to another adventure, can the boys find the hobbits in Bree and survive the first leg of their journey to Rivendell? Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Tom McGee. Jesters of Middle-earth streams live every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dumbdumbdice) Enjoying Jesters of Middle-earth?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun(https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/) - Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice)  Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic - Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/) - Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)  Theme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)

A malevolent tree put everyone except Tyler to sleep and began pulling them into its trunk! As they awoke, Guy set the branches on fire, Tyler injured himself badly getting Del free, and Del sacrificed her cell phone to wedge open the trunk just enough to grab Adam's hand, but the tree wouldn't let him go. So, Adam negotiated and the tree finally released him in exchange for Tyler chopping off its burning limbs. Tom Bombadil reappeared and brought them all to is house, where he revealed himself to be none other than J.R.R. Tolkien. Something in the world he created has gone terribly wrong, but can Wet Change save it?Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Tom McGee.Jesters of Middle-earth streams live every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dumbdumbdice) Enjoying Jesters of Middle-earth?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun(https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/) - Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice)  Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic - Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/) - Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)  Theme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)

The Triplets come face-to-face with the Master of Ravenloft and his dreaded minions! Onyx switches up her look, Nyack hunts a thief and Jens finds a new home as the Trinyvale X Strahd Crossover continues!Subscribe to NaddPod on Patreon! - Patreon.com/NaddpodCREDITSEditing by Brian Murphy and Caldwell TannerProduction and Sound Design by Daniel Ramos (@Schubirds on IG)Logo Design by Chelsea LeCompteMusic Includes:"Trinyvale Opening Theme" by Emily Axford"Where is the Manager?" by Emily Axford“The Gate” by Emily Axford"Strahd" by Emily Axford“Barovian Tango” by Emily Axford"Lights Out" by Emily Axford"The Tarroka Suite" by Emily Axford"Trinyvale Closing Theme" - Emily AxfordSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our heroes are sorting things out in Assguard! Butthole (Ryan LaPlante, @theryanlaplante) got a bunch of small details resolved with Anyn, Juniper (Laura Hamstra, @lauraehamstra) turned into Echo to relay the tale of Baldur's Gate to Lexi, and Quinny (Tyler Hewitt, @Tyler_Hewitt) made that Krendan's Hall of Heroes would be useful for his spy empire! But what threat will these heroes face next?! Also featuring our awesome DM Tom McGee (@mcgeetd). Enjoying Dumb-Dumbs & Dragons?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun (https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/)- X/Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)

The sketch comedy troupe, Wet Change, was performing at Edinburgh Fringe when suddenly they were engulfed by mist. They emerged from the foggy swirl of leaves onto a forest road. They soon met a friendly and welcoming merchant, who was immediately slain by a terrifying cloaked figure on horseback. Del, Tyler, Adam, and Guy fled through the woods and sought shelter inside a crypt, only to find it was already occupied by a malevolent wight. They fought for their lives until they were rescued by a jolly rhyming man named Tom Bombadil. Will these perfectly normal humans survive long in this mysterious and deadly fantasy world? Featuring players Tyler Hewitt, Del Borovic, Guy Bradford, and Adam McNamara, and Dungeon Master Tom McGee. Jesters of Middle-earth streams live every Thursday at 8:00pm ET on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dumbdumbdice) Enjoying Jesters of Middle-earth?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun(https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/) - Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice) - Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice)  Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic - Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/) - Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)  Theme song by Sound Gallery by Dmitry Taras- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@soundgallerybydmitrytaras)- Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/fantasy-dreamy-childrens-dark-mysterious-halloween-night-scary-creepy-spooky-horror-music-116551/)

Our heroes have returned to Assguard! Butthole (Ryan LaPlante, @theryanlaplante) convinced Cormium Planteer to sign on as the nation's Minister of Communication, Juniper (Laura Hamstra, @lauraehamstra) began planning out the right way to phrase her Baldur's Gate song, and Quinny (Tyler Hewitt, @Tyler_Hewitt) set off to meet Krendan about his Hall of Heroes! But is Assguard truly safe from the Ghost Skull Brigade? Also featuring our awesome DM Tom McGee (@mcgeetd). Enjoying Dumb-Dumbs & Dragons?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun (https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/)- X/Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)

I-Hsien's new podcast is here! Critical Lit is a tongue-in-cheek re-examination of classic RPG modules that answers important questions like What is the nature of a predator? and Is Strahd hot or not? He's joined by Dan Dillon, Amelia Som & Sal Tamarkin. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/critical-lit/id1826377168 In this episode: Ravenloft history, Tracy Hickman's Foreword, Introduction, Chapter 1. The mists spirit us away to Barovia, a pastiche of gothic horror tropes and modern vampire mythos. We tackle the important questions, like how to run a spooky game, and How do we feel about Strahd's fit? One thing's for certain: he sucks. As a person. But he's a compelling villain, a classic presentation of an abusive narcissist who's been serving since 1983. Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: hugepitfilledwith200spikes@gmail.com Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay

Our heroes are returning to Assguard after saving Daggerford! Butthole (Ryan LaPlante, @theryanlaplante) became friends and pen pals with King Melandrach, Juniper (Laura Hamstra, @lauraehamstra) had an argument with a mule, and Quinny (Tyler Hewitt, @Tyler_Hewitt) was cured of his zombie disease by Fallonmeyer Pinkblossom! But what has changed in Assguard while they're away? Also featuring our awesome DM Tom McGee (@mcgeetd). Enjoying Dumb-Dumbs & Dragons?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun (https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/)- X/Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)

Our heroes are waiting for Fallonmeyer Pinkblossom in the Misty Forest! Butthole (Ryan LaPlante, @theryanlaplante) won over the tavern keeper in Daggerford, Juniper (Laura Hamstra, @lauraehamstra) focused on getting medical help for her halfling friend's zombie disease, and Quinny (Tyler Hewitt, @Tyler_Hewitt) was so loopy he ended up talking to a donkey! Can Fallonmeyer save Quinny or will he die while revealing her as a fraud? Also featuring our awesome DM Tom McGee (@mcgeetd). Enjoying Dumb-Dumbs & Dragons?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun (https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/)- X/Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)

Our heroes barely survived combat but are now in charge of the lizardfolk! Butthole (Ryan LaPlante, @theryanlaplante) managed to defeat Redeye through intimidation and fart magic, Juniper (Laura Hamstra, @lauraehamstra) recovered from consciousness and was horrified to still be in an acid pool, and Quinny (Tyler Hewitt, @Tyler_Hewitt) has been inflicted with a zombie virus! Can these heroes survive to create peace in Daggerford? Also featuring our awesome DM Tom McGee (@mcgeetd). Enjoying Dumb-Dumbs & Dragons?- Consider becoming a Patron of Dumb-Dumbs & Dice for as little as $1 a month and gain access to a ton of extra BTS fun (https://www.patreon.com/dumbdumbdice)- Buy merch on our website (https://dumbdumbdice.com/)- Watch us on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Instagram (https://instagram.com/dumbdumbdice)- Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dumbdumbdice) Artwork by the brilliant Del Borovic- Website & Portfolio (https://delborovic.com/)- X/Twitter (https://twitter.com/deltastic)