Critical Lit podcast

Critical Lit

Amelia Som, Dan Dillon, Sal Tamarkin, I-Hsien Sherwood

Critical Lit is a podcast where we revisit and retool (and lambast and lampoon) classic tabletop RPG adventures. Part book review, part heckling commentary, all in good fun. Hosted by industry veterans Dan Dillon (Legends of Avantris, formerly WotC), I-Hsien Sherwood (Total Party Thrill), Amelia Som (Unprepared Casters), and Sal Tamarkin (Cloud Curio).

36 avsnitt

Warhammer 40K Edge of Darkness Walkthrough 02: It's Not Exactly Brain Churgery
2026-11-04
1:40:49
The GM advice flows like leaking promethium, in a neo-Gygaxian tone that's as refreshing as it is informative. Which is good because this system is a lot to digest for players coming straight from the d20 mines. And a who's who of the Southern Coscarla Division of Hive Sibellus is a bleak lineup of cultists, narcogangers, and despondent hab workers with no clue of the real horrors lurking in the night. In this episode: Dark Heresy 1e ruleset, pre-gen characters, Introduction, GMs Briefing, Adventure Background, Synopsis of the Adventure, Dramatis Personae.Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com
Warhammer 40K Edge of Darkness Walkthrough 01: Heresy After Dark
2026-10-28
1:44:21
In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only pointed critique, an eternity of trenchant analysis, and the laughter of satirical excess. We're finally dipping our toes and other augmetics into RPGs other than Dungeons & Dragons. This time, it's the very first Warhammer 40K tabletop RPG, Dark Heresy 1st Edition, published by more companies than you might suspect. The starter adventure, Edge of Darkness, thrusts an Inquisitorial warband into the heart of a derelict hive district. But first, Ames and Sal get a crash course in all things heretical. In this episode: Warhammer 40K primer, RPG systems, publication history, setting overview, faction gazetteer.Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com
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Curse of Strahd Deep Dive 27: You Will Be Mist
2026-10-07
1:33:20
Pour out a little Red Dragon Crush for all our mist connections. As we walk out of Barovia for good, we leave this land and this book changed, and we don't just mean the lidless third eye and hunger for bones, though those are nice too. In this episode: last words, Strahd's MBTI, biggest surprises, advice for new GMs, pie in the sky games, final takeaways.Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com
Curse of Strahd Deep Dive 26: Question Everything
2026-09-26
1:35:51
You had questions about Curse of Strahd, both thought-provoking and simply provocative. Some mechanical, some hypothetical, some satirical, even some heretical. And we have...opinions. Hot takes! Suggestions! Recommendations!Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com
Curse of Strahd Deep Dive 25: Mod Squad
2026-09-10
1:47:03
Is this sandbox too spooky? Parties looking for a less grim take on Barovia have a host of more heroic (and more linear) options. They can be used to spice up an individual encounter, build out a whole plot hook, or even run an entirely different campaign altogether. Plus plenty of official Ravenloft content has dropped in recent years. In this episode: Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft, Ravenloft: The Horrors Within, Curse of Strahd: Reloaded, MandyMod's Fleshing Out series.Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitCurse of Strahd Reloaded: https://www.strahdreloaded.comContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com
Curse of Strahd Deep Dive 24: Slaughter Rinse Repeat
2026-08-27
1:45:30
Strahd gets knocked down, but he gets up again. And again. The "final" battle is a tricky needle to thread, but victory earns a literal Pandora's box of endings. In this episode: Final fight with Strahd, Epilogue, Strahd Prevails, Strahd Dies, Rahadin's Revenge, Sergei and Ireena, Escape from Barovia, Aftermath, Appendix A: Character Options, Haunted One, Gothic Trinkets, Appendix C: Treasures, Tome of Strahd, Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, Sunsword. Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com
Curse of Strahd Deep Dive 23: The Real Housewolves of Barovia
2026-08-12
1:46:27
While Kiril's away, the pups will play! The pack really sinks their claws into each other this time, but the real question is which of the lucky young newcomers to the den will come out on top in this single elimination competition? In this episode: Chapter 15: Werewolf Den (Pack drama, Approaching the Den, Areas of the Den Z1-Z8, Cave Mouth, Guard Post, to the death, Wolf Den, Underground Spring, Deep Caves, no country for young kids, werewolf vs werewolf, Kiril's Cave, Shrine of Mother Night, Ring of Stone, Hunger Games, tourney rules, Special Events, Leader of the Pack, Die Kinder). Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com
Curse of Strahd Deep Dive 22: Reverse of Strahd New Game Plus
2026-07-29
1:36:19
Visit Yester Hill, a planned community for retired berserkers with absolutely no secrets hidden beneath a thin layer of sod. Evil druids seek to unleash their blood-filled wood upon the world, and even Strahd himself comes here to pine among the pines. In this episode: Chapter 14: Yester Hill (Areas of the Hill Y1-Y5, an enormous map, Trail, Berserker Cairns, Druid's Circle, death from above, Wooden Statue, Hidden Graves, Gulthias Tree, dead adventurer, Wall of Fog, Whispering Wall, Special Events, Druid's Ritual, Wintersplinter, tree blights, Gulthias blights, Strahd in the mix, Blood Spear of Kavan, blood spear of Kevin). Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com
Curse of Strahd Deep Dive 21: Would You Still Love Me If I Was a Wisp of Utter Darkness No More Than a Few Inches Long?
2026-07-15
1:51:24
The final vaults in the basement of the Amber Temple hold the best rewards in all of Barovia. If it's wrong to murder your loved one and drink their blood or sacrifice dozens of innocent souls in order to ensure your immortality, then I don't want to be right. You can even bring one person back from the dead, and isn't that worth it? In this episode: Chapter 13 (X33c-X42, Ghastly Vault, playing with Dark Gifts, The Teeth of Dahlver-Nar version history and design, Breached Vault, comparing Dark Gifts, Vault of Harkotha, death slaad, fire giant strength, Vault of Thangob, hell hounds, shield guardian, poltergeists, Sealed Treasury, Amber Vault, vampire spawn, dark gift of Vampyr, dark gift of Tenebrous, dark gift of Zhudun the Corpse Star, Special Events, Rahadin’s Prayer, Kasimir’s Dark Gift, Patrina Velikovna). Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com
Curse of Strahd Deep Dive 20: Vestigial Tales
2026-07-01
1:51:35
Deep within the Amber Temple, alone in the dark, lurks the most helpful lich in the multiverse. Play your cards right and there's free drinks and body modifications, too. You didn't need those eyeballs, right? In this episode: Chapter 13 (X18-X33b, Architect's Room, ewer trouble, West Shrine trap, Secret Alcove hijinks, Lich's Lair, becoming buddies with Exethanter, Preserved Library, Barovian witches, Amber Vaults, Vault of Shalx, Vault of Maverus, a smorgasbord of Dark Gifts). Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

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