Announcements: Dragon Week and Listener's Choice Round Two

A couple of quick announcements about revisiting an old darklord and about the next round of Listener's Choice voting!The Maleficent episode is here: https://youtu.be/A53ZxWvrwMs?si=mkVPgRcb9zOGsJUaWe'll link them in those show notes AND these show notes! Visage of Eyes' Tumblr is here: https://www.tumblr.com/ravenloftbythelamplight There's so much great Ravenloft art here, y'all. Do yourself a favor and check it out.Thank you for listening, and happy gaming!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-wonderful-world-of-darklords/exclusive-content

While D's Journal is normally a patrons-only perk, we felt bad that we couldn't give more concrete examples of how to personalize the Labyrinth to your own PCs because the episode was already so. dang. long. That's why we've decided to open up this behind-the-scenes explanation of the imagery and encounters that D experienced to everyone. Patrons, don't worry--you'll still be getting some exclusive D content, it just isn't done yet.All music recordings are in the public domain (mark 1.0) and are licensed through https://musopen.org:Chopin Nocturne in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No.1 (main theme), performed by Eduardo VinuelaChopin Etude Op. 25, No. 12 in C Minor: “Ocean” (darklord theme), performed by Edward NeemanChopin Nocturne in F Minor, Op. 55 No. 1 (land theme), performed by Luke FaulknerRachmaninoff Morceaux de Fantaisie, Op. 3 - 2. Prélude in C sharp minor (Dread Possibilities), performed by Sergei RachmaninoffChopin Nocturne in E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1 (parting thoughts), performed by Luke FaulknerDialog for Yensid was written by Azalin Rex himself: http://www.tumblr.com/darklordazalinThe Wonderful World of Darklords logo was designed by Halite Jones, whom you can find on Tumblr and Instagram: https://www.tumblr.com/halite-jones and http://www.instagram.com/insta_haliteContact us on:Gmail: [email protected]: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsTumblr: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsPatreon: www.patreon.com/WonderfulWorldofDarklordsYouTube: @wonderfulworldofdarklordSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-wonderful-world-of-darklords/exclusive-content

Welcome to Wonderful World of Darklords! In this extremely long episode, Tom and an increasingly thirsty Rachel are talking about a villain who looms large in the imaginations of Xennials everywhere: Jareth, the Goblin King. He's a magnetic and malevolent presence whose domain is a perfect reflection of his disaster bi energy, but he has no canon backstory and may just be a figment of Sarah's imagination, so adapting him posed some challenges. But if Sarah can escape the oubliette, cross the Bog of Eternal Stench, and say no to Jareth looking at her like that in the masquerade ball, we can rise to this challenge. Topics discussed include:Squaring the circle of making Jareth an independent being and a figment of Sarah's imagination at the same time, and how you can make him occupy that same role for your PCs;Adapting the labyrinth so it reflects your PCs' inner worlds in the same way that the canon labyrinth reflects Sarah's, from "give the movie's labyrinth-dwellers the mannerisms of your NPCs" to high-concept lunacy that makes our Christmas Carol episode look straightforward;How to bring your PCs into the labyrinth in the first place, since presumably none of them are going to wish for the goblins to steal their babies;Why everything about the labyrinth, including the thirteen-hour time limit, is ultimately a distraction from Jareth's real game;and more!The full write-up for the Goblin King's Labyrinth is available for free on DM's Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/517199/The-Goblin-Kings-Labyrinth-A-Ravenloft-Domain-of-Dread?view_as_pub=1Our Listener's Choice poll is available as a public post on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/listeners-choice-125322997Timestamps0:00 Introduction6:01 The Lord53:05 The Land1:21:50 Dread Possibilities2:15:37 Parting Thoughts2:41:52 D’s Parting ThoughtsAll music recordings are in the public domain (mark 1.0) and are licensed through https://musopen.org:Chopin Nocturne in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No.1 (main theme), performed by Eduardo VinuelaChopin Etude Op. 25, No. 12 in C Minor: “Ocean” (darklord theme), performed by Edward NeemanChopin Nocturne in F Minor, Op. 55 No. 1 (land theme), performed by Luke FaulknerRachmaninoff Morceaux de Fantaisie, Op. 3 - 2. Prélude in C sharp minor (Dread Possibilities), performed by Sergei RachmaninoffChopin Nocturne in E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1 (parting thoughts), performed by Luke FaulknerDialog for Yensid was written by Azalin Rex himself: http://www.tumblr.com/darklordazalinThe Wonderful World of Darklords logo was designed by Halite Jones, whom you can find on Tumblr and Instagram: https://www.tumblr.com/halite-jones and http://www.instagram.com/insta_haliteContact us on:Gmail: [email protected]: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsTumblr: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsPatreon: www.patreon.com/WonderfulWorldofDarklordsYouTube: @wonderfulworldofdarklordSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-wonderful-world-of-darklords/exclusive-content

Ah, Leslie the Listener! How unexpected...and by unexpected, we mean COMPLETELY EXPECTED! Behold, our April UNFools-inator! You see, back in Gimmelshtump, we always wanted to run a Phineas and Ferb-themed session of Ravenloft, but we didn't know how to do it, and even if we had, no one would have come to our game because they would have been playing Roger's game instead. So with the April UNFools-inator, we're going to turn what would normally be a wacky April Fools Day episode into an actual guide to running a Phineas and Ferb session in your Ravenloft game. Topics discussed include:Why Dr. Doofenshmirtz is the most evil, brilliant, and devastatingly handsome darklord in all of Ravenloft (or will be, when he targets Strahd with the Uglinator);The role of Vanessa's friend Candace, along with her two brothers and her very normal pet platypus;How to bring heavily armed transients into the Tri-State Area. (Heavily armed, that's weird. Like, are their arms heavy? The paladin's wearing plate mail on her arms, that looks heavy, I guess, but what about that gnomish rogue over there?)Aglets;And more!Dr. Doofenshmirtz's stats and the writeup for the Spell-Inator are available as a public post on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/behold-spell-125329957Our Listener's Choice poll is also available as a public post on our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/posts/listeners-choice-125322997Timestamps0:00 Introduction5:20 The Lord26:20 Dread Possibilities45:04 D’s Parting ThoughtsAll music recordings are in the public domain (mark 1.0) and are licensed through https://musopen.org:Chopin Nocturne in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No.1 (main theme), performed by Eduardo VinuelaChopin Etude Op. 25, No. 12 in C Minor: “Ocean” (darklord theme), performed by Edward NeemanRachmaninoff Morceaux de Fantaisie, Op. 3 - 2. Prélude in C sharp minor (Dread Possibilities), performed by Sergei RachmaninoffChopin Nocturne in E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1 (parting thoughts), performed by Luke FaulknerDialog for Yensid was written by Azalin Rex himself: http://www.tumblr.com/darklordazalinThe Wonderful World of Darklords logo was designed by Halite Jones, whom you can find on Tumblr and Instagram: https://www.tumblr.com/halite-jones and http://www.instagram.com/insta_haliteContact us on:Gmail: [email protected]: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsTumblr: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsPatreon: www.patreon.com/WonderfulWorldofDarklordsYouTube: @wonderfulworldofdarklordSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-wonderful-world-of-darklords/exclusive-content

Welcome to Wonderful World of Darklords! We're continuing last month's theme of "traveling to amazing and faraway places" with a very different elderly darklord who mistrusts outsiders. Up is one of the greatest animated movies ever made, but can it be a great D&D setting as well? Topics discussed include:How to make Kevin feel like a singularly beautiful and unique creature in a world with literal unicorns;Why Up is especially suited to low-level play (although it can also be adapted to higher-level parties);The D&D version of "intelligent talking dogs in airplanes that shoot tranquilizer darts;"Why it's critical to enter Paradise Falls with a specific goal in mind in order to make the adventure feel like the movie;and more!The full write-up for Paradise Falls is available for free on DM's Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/514273/Paradise-Falls-A-Ravenloft-Domain-of-Dread?view_as_pub=1Timestamps0:00 Introduction2:41 The Lord28:27 The Land43:37 Dread Possibilities1:18:09 Parting Thoughts1:39:24 D’s Parting ThoughtsAll music recordings are in the public domain (mark 1.0) and are licensed through https://musopen.org:Chopin Nocturne in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No.1 (main theme), performed by Eduardo VinuelaChopin Etude Op. 25, No. 12 in C Minor: “Ocean” (darklord theme), performed by Edward NeemanChopin Nocturne in F Minor, Op. 55 No. 1 (land theme), performed by Luke FaulknerRachmaninoff Morceaux de Fantaisie, Op. 3 - 2. Prélude in C sharp minor (Dread Possibilities), performed by Sergei RachmaninoffChopin Nocturne in E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1 (parting thoughts), performed by Luke FaulknerDialog for Yensid was written by Azalin Rex himself: http://www.tumblr.com/darklordazalinThe Wonderful World of Darklords logo was designed by Halite Jones, whom you can find on Tumblr and Instagram: https://www.tumblr.com/halite-jones and http://www.instagram.com/insta_haliteContact us on:Gmail: [email protected]: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsTumblr: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsPatreon: www.patreon.com/WonderfulWorldofDarklordsYouTube: @wonderfulworldofdarklordRead lessSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-wonderful-world-of-darklords/exclusive-content

Welcome to Wonderful World of Darklords! Many, MANY of you have asked for a domain based on the Disney movie about a team of heavily armed transients who dive through subterranean tunnels in search of either treasure or a sad, unresolved Bond. Atlantis is, without question, the most D&D movie that Disney has ever done, and while it's more Eberron or Spelljammer than Ravenloft, we're here for the challenge. Because, hey, that's what this is all about, right? I mean, imagination, teamwork, intellectual puzzles. Unless, maybe...we're just in it for the cool submarine. Topics discussed include:The challenge of choosing a darklord for Atlantis, since Rourke is there to ransack, not to rule;The D&D equivalent of "technologically advanced immortals who have somehow forgotten how to use their technology and read;"A default adventure for Atlantis that will still (hopefully) have plot twists and surprises for players who have seen the movie;Ideas for adapting Atlantis to Eberron and Dragonlance, with or without Ravenloft attached;And more!The full write-up for Atlantis is available for free on DM's Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/510757/The-Lost-Empire-of-Atlantis-A-Ravenloft-Domain-of-Dread?view_as_pub=1Our fundraiser for Catholic Legal Immigration Services is here: https://gofund.me/628989d5 There doesn't seem to be a place for comments, so please email or message us with your Listener's Choice nominee after donating.Timestamps0:00 Introduction7:32 The Lord43:10 The Land54:15 Dread Possibilities1:18:11 Aging Up (CW racism, slavery, colonialism, inbreeding)1:22:23 Aging Up ends1:35:36 Parting Thoughts1:59:59 D’s Parting ThoughtsAll music recordings are in the public domain (mark 1.0) and are licensed through https://musopen.org:Chopin Nocturne in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No.1 (main theme), performed by Eduardo VinuelaChopin Etude Op. 25, No. 12 in C Minor: “Ocean” (darklord theme), performed by Edward NeemanChopin Nocturne in F Minor, Op. 55 No. 1 (land theme), performed by Luke FaulknerRachmaninoff Morceaux de Fantaisie, Op. 3 - 2. Prélude in C sharp minor (Dread Possibilities), performed by Sergei RachmaninoffChopin Nocturne in E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1 (parting thoughts), performed by Luke FaulknerDialog for Yensid was written by Azalin Rex himself: http://www.tumblr.com/darklordazalinThe Wonderful World of Darklords logo was designed by Halite Jones, whom you can find on Tumblr and Instagram: https://www.tumblr.com/halite-jones and http://www.instagram.com/insta_haliteContact us on:Gmail: [email protected]: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsTumblr: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsPatreon: www.patreon.com/WonderfulWorldofDarklordsYouTube: @wonderfulworldofdarklordSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-wonderful-world-of-darklords/exclusive-content

CONTENT ADVISORY: Because this episode is based on Who Framed Roger Rabbit, it takes place in Langeles, a fantasy version of Los Angeles. I don't think we even mention fire, but if the Los Angeles wildfires hit at all close to home for you, we're putting a detailed content advisory that includes all the neighborhoods and landmarks mentioned at the end of the show notes, with separate entries for the episode proper and the D fiction (so you can skip one or both if you're less worried about content and want to avoid spoilers).Welcome to Wonderful World of Darklords! We're reaching back into our childhood nightmares and pulling out one of our favorite Disney villains: Judge Doom. He's made of pure nightmare fuel, but he's also a man living his best life who only makes sense in a world with living cartoons, so adapting him was a challenge. For Doom, though, we'll take up that challenge, because he's magnificent. Better than Goofy. Topics discussed include:The obscure creature that allows us to adapt toons into D&D terms;More than a minute of Eberron, including how to do Who Framed Roger Rabbit purely as an Eberron game if you choose;A beloved Disney movie we're not planning to adapt into a full domain that you can easily plunder for Roger Rabbit NPCs and storylines;Ideas for running a years-long Toontown/Runetown game with Judge Doom as the spider at the center of the web without it becoming repetitive;and more!The full writeup for Runetown is available on DM's Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/507839/Runetown-A-Ravenloft-Domain-of-Dread?affiliate_id=241770Timestamps0:00 Content Advisory1:26 Introduction9:08 The Lord45:13 The Land1:06:17 Dread Possibilities1:21:42 Aging Up (CW discussion of drug use and erotic body horror)1:29:15 Aging Up ends1:42:54 Parting Thoughts2:10:47 D’s Parting ThoughtsAll music recordings are in the public domain (mark 1.0) and are licensed through https://musopen.org:Chopin Nocturne in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No.1 (main theme), performed by Eduardo VinuelaChopin Etude Op. 25, No. 12 in C Minor: “Ocean” (darklord theme), performed by Edward NeemanChopin Nocturne in F Minor, Op. 55 No. 1 (land theme), performed by Luke FaulknerRachmaninoff Morceaux de Fantaisie, Op. 3 - 2. Prélude in C sharp minor (Dread Possibilities), performed by Sergei RachmaninoffChopin Nocturne in E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1 (parting thoughts), performed by Luke FaulknerDialog for Yensid was written by Azalin Rex himself: http://www.tumblr.com/darklordazalinThe Wonderful World of Darklords logo was designed by Halite Jones, whom you can find on Tumblr and Instagram: https://www.tumblr.com/halite-jones and http://www.instagram.com/insta_haliteContact us on:Gmail: [email protected]: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsTumblr: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsPatreon: www.patreon.com/WonderfulWorldofDarklordsYouTube: @wonderfulworldofdarklordGENERAL CONTENT ADVISORYDiscussion of the destruction of a neighborhood and its residents (Toontown/Runetown)Conspiracy theories involving the Langeles government (primarily Judge Doom, but since it's noir there's a lot of corruption)Discussion of Burbank, the Golden Triangle, Bel Air, and Beverly HillsD'S JOURNAL CONTENT ADVISORY (SPOILERS)A concert hall reminiscent of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA is targeted for sabotage. Nothing comes of it, but D worries about the possibility of it collapsing with people inside.D is briefly exposed to a blast of heat in Toontown that melts her to a puddle before she can reform again.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-wonderful-world-of-darklords/exclusive-content

Happy Holidays, and welcome to the Peddler's Tales! In a Yuletide miracle, we are finally joined by the powerful, the pleasurable, the indestructible Kris Newton as we discuss one of our favorite non-darklord Disney villains: Shan Yu. Topics discussed include:Why Shan Yu not only doesn't work as a darklord, but would be seriously diminished as a villain if you made him one;The existential threat Shan Yu poses to the PCs, the innocent bystanders of Ravenloft, and even the darklords themselves;Rachel's unquenchable Shan Yu thirst, and how you can use it to make Shan Yu a thirst trap, uneasy ally, or living moral dilemma for your PCs;More ways to tie Shan Yu into Vecna: Eve of Ruin than anyone expected;And more!Full writeups for Shan Yu, the doll, and the falconing glove are available for free on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/118783518/There doesn't seem to be a video of just Shan Yu's deleted scene on YouTube, but you can find all the deleted scenes here: https://youtu.be/5zOXI2cnbDE?si=H__nwuc7mtDOuP7iYou can find Kris at the now-completed Gameable Podcast (https://gameabledisneypodcast.tumblr.com/), the now-active MegaDumbCast (https://megadumbcast.podbean.com/ and https://www.patreon.com/megadumbcast), and occasionally on the still-active Hard Choices (https://hardchoices.libsyn.com/).All music recordings are in the public domain (mark 1.0) and are licensed through https://musopen.org:Arabian Dance, from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, via the European ArchiveThe Wonderful World of Darklords logo was designed by Halite Jones, whom you can find on Tumblr and Instagram: https://www.tumblr.com/halite-draw and http://www.instagram.com/insta_haliteContact us on:Gmail: [email protected]: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsTumblr: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/WonderfulWorldofDarklordsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-wonderful-world-of-darklords/exclusive-content

Welcome to Wonderful World of Darklords! In this episode, we're looking at a property that Disney has adapted for both Mickey Mouse and the Muppets: A Christmas Carol. At its heart, A Christmas Carol is a story of redemption--so how do we square that with darklords, who are fundamentally irredeemable? By sending your PCs into a trippy journey through the past, present, and future of a character who isn't the darklord, that's how. Topics discussed include:Why we didn't choose Scrooge as our darklord, instead opting for another miser whose prison comes with hate;Concrete examples of past, present, and future visions for Scrooge, a beloved canon NPC, and two PC archetypes;Ways for your non-Charisma PCs to help Scrooge be a better person (because even the Ghost of Christmas Future had an astronomical Intimidation bonus);Various levels of dreamscape weirdness, from "we're literally just doing A Christmas Carol" to "we just cited the last two episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion;"And more!The full write-up for Scrooge and Marley is available for free on DM's Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/504721/Scrooge-and-Marley-A-Ravenloft-Domain-of-Dread?view_as_pub=1The Verge Games Christmas Carol adventure that we "borrowed" much of this domain from is available on their website: https://vergegames.org/all-products/p/christmas-carol-adventure-bookThe Nightmare Lands, which we "borrowed"...pretty much the rest of this domain from, is available on DM's Guild: The Nightmare Lands (2e) - Wizards of the Coast | Ravenloft | AD&D 2nd Ed. | AD&D 2nd Ed. | Ravenloft | Dungeon Masters Guild YouTimestamps0:00 Introduction08:27 The Lord31:33 The Land40:36 Dread Possibilities1:27:42 Parting Thoughts1:50:51 D’s Parting ThoughtsAll music recordings are in the public domain (mark 1.0) and are licensed through https://musopen.org:Chopin Nocturne in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No.1 (main theme), performed by Eduardo VinuelaChopin Etude Op. 25, No. 12 in C Minor: “Ocean” (darklord theme), performed by Edward NeemanChopin Nocturne in F Minor, Op. 55 No. 1 (land theme), performed by Luke FaulknerRachmaninoff Morceaux de Fantaisie, Op. 3 - 2. Prélude in C sharp minor (Dread Possibilities), performed by Sergei RachmaninoffChopin Nocturne in E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1 (parting thoughts), performed by Luke FaulknerDialog for Yensid was written by Azalin Rex himself: http://www.tumblr.com/darklordazalinThe Wonderful World of Darklords logo was designed by Halite Jones, whom you can find on Tumblr and Instagram: https://www.tumblr.com/halite-jones and http://www.instagram.com/insta_haliteContact us on:Gmail: [email protected]: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsTumblr: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsPatreon: www.patreon.com/WonderfulWorldofDarklordsYouTube: @wonderfulworldofdarklordSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-wonderful-world-of-darklords/exclusive-content

Welcome to Wonderful World of Darklords! In the spirit of Thanksgiving and of thankfulness for you, our listeners, we're presenting the domain you chose in our Listeners' Choice poll: Spirited Away. Yubaba is an excellent villain, Chihiro's parents and No-Face give us some phenomenal horror moments, and we actually see the bathhouse's borders close in the first twenty minutes of the movie...but the bathhouse feels more like a Domain of Delight than of Dread, and Yubaba doesn't have much of a backstory even in ancillary materials, so we had our work cut out for us. Topics discussed include:An Act of Ultimate Darkness and element of tragedy/relatability for Yubaba that plays into some themes we might not have been able to work into the domain otherwise;Why Zeniba and Yubaba hate each other with the fiery passion of a thousand burning suns, and how to play up that rivalry in a way that lends itself to more traditional D&D antics than Ghibli movies typically allow;How to get your PCs to seek out jobs in the bathhouse and sign their names away to Yubaba even though there's no way in the Nine Hells they're going to think it's a good idea;The sorts of adventures one can have in a setting that doesn't lend itself to combat, puzzle-solving, or the disarming of traps;and more!The full write-up for the Bathhouse of the Spirits is available for free on DM's Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/501385/The-Bath-House-of-the-Spirits-A-Ravenloft-Domain-of-Dread?affiliate_id=241770Timestamps0:00 Introduction06:20 The Lord53:02 The Land1:09:29 Dread Possibilities1:32:32 Parting Thoughts2:02:12 D’s Parting ThoughtsAll music recordings are in the public domain (mark 1.0) and are licensed through https://musopen.org:Chopin Nocturne in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No.1 (main theme), performed by Eduardo VinuelaChopin Etude Op. 25, No. 12 in C Minor: “Ocean” (darklord theme), performed by Edward NeemanChopin Nocturne in F Minor, Op. 55 No. 1 (land theme), performed by Luke FaulknerRachmaninoff Morceaux de Fantaisie, Op. 3 - 2. Prélude in C sharp minor (Dread Possibilities), performed by Sergei RachmaninoffChopin Nocturne in E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1 (parting thoughts), performed by Luke FaulknerDialog for Yensid was written by Azalin Rex himself: http://www.tumblr.com/darklordazalinThe Wonderful World of Darklords logo was designed by Halite Jones, whom you can find on Tumblr and Instagram: https://www.tumblr.com/halite-jones and http://www.instagram.com/insta_haliteContact us on:Gmail: [email protected]: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsTumblr: @wonderfulworldofdarklordsPatreon: www.patreon.com/WonderfulWorldofDarklordsYouTube: @wonderfulworldofdarklordSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-wonderful-world-of-darklords/exclusive-content