Critical Role’s Taliesin Jaffe Creates a Ravenloft Domain of Dread - Part 1 - D&D Beyond

[@CameronRPowell]

It's nice that Amy took Taliesin on a trip down memory lane. You rarely hear so many details about his past!

[@mooxim]

lol I read this before watching the video then again after. I see what you did there.

[@Breadcutter]

That would be one heck of a long trip

[@spudsbuchlaw]

I mean, I'd imagine it's as interesting as any world history book

[@leahsander5490]

@@spudsbuchlaw This, but unironically.

[@AWindy94]

I love his first episode of talks machina

[@stephensommers4628]

I feel like Talisein just creates new Domains of Dread when ever he gets board being a real life Dark Power and all.

[@DnDBeyond]

It's how he meditates.

[@InvasorJim101]

Like beholders, he dreams things (and whole domains) into existance.

[@WardNightstone]

i mean i do tha twith PCs why is that weird?

[@incitingariot9925]

Eldritch Overlord. Get it right.

[@gilesluver]

He hasn't been able to create alternate realities since they instituted a trans-planar Covid lockdown.

[@Jam-Beat]

So Tal comes on here, details his burning of the Library at Alexandria, then tries to wrap it up as fiction?

[@icywinterof88]

Talison just recalling stories of ancient people he met in history. Probably from the ancient Roman days

[@Willqer]

Well, Rome is just rougly 1500-2500 years ago, that's like yesterday for Tal :D I bet he sometimes thinks about that one buddy he drank beer with 5987 years ago in ancient Sumer.

[@dougc84]

Amy: Adorable geek Taliesin: Millenia-old descendant of an ancient evil diety (and also a geek with great hair) Amy: "We come to the section called 'corrupt beyond redemption'." Taliesin: "OOOOOHHHH" I absolutely love this duo.

[@cryofpaine]

I miss Wednesday Club. 😢

[@Chumblechap]

Doom Guy and Isabelle Energy

[@gnomesaiyan1680]

Wow. First time an Ancient Goth God has guested.

[@DnDBeyond]

Hopefully not the last time!

[@christopherbronson3275]

Don't tempt one who causally dabbles with Eldritch brings D&D Beyond

[@snarglblargn4986]

Professor Daillen maintains the last known copy of Tusk Love and our Dread Lord must have it at any cost

[@tylerhecht6476]

Jester will get there first.

[@snarglblargn4986]

@@tylerhecht6476 in another multiverse jester was in tbe library when he burned it down

[@kylejacques8577]

Would be settle for Feather Leather?

[@AVJHalonen]

Jesus...

[@thunderdragonish]

Tal needs to run this domain as a 1 shot on Critical Role!

[@conormurphy1954]

I really like the host. She's joyful and ebullient and makes me like DnD even more.

[@carsonm7292]

Amy Dallen is a gift. I always loved watching her host on TBD RPG. Her exuberance is contagious.

[@cryofpaine]

@@carsonm7292 her version of the Doctor is one of my favorites. Shield of Tomorrow & Callisto 6 were great too.

[@MinersLoveGames]

Kind of weird to have Taliesin appear twice in the thumbnail. But other than that, good video.

[@queenannsrevenge100]

Having Taliesin on this kind of makes me wonder what would Lucien be like as the Darklord of a Domain? SPOILER: Let’s say Lucien fails in his current bid - does Cognoza get pulled into the Domains of Dread? Is he locked in an eternal struggle with both the weakened vestiges of the Somnovum and haunted by Mollymauk as one of the shattered vestiges of his conscious, who fights him and takes physical form to lure brave heroes to their doom trying to take him down?

[@117darksonic]

I so want this to happen now

[@FallenRingbearer]

@@117darksonic Someone send this to Tal NOW!

[@blackpeoplestorytime802]

C3 the group will get pulled into the mists only to visit this domain

[@V3xxe]

Taliesin: *builds a domain* Me: Ah, it's Leitner's library.

[@christopherscherrer6778]

Magnus Archives reference, nice.

[@scouttyra]

"the knowledge is only safe here" (iirc, at least a similar sentiment) really reflects Leitner.

[@scouttyra]

Oh, and Leitner definitely have several books of Taliesins, including the one printed on the skin he flayed from some poor sods back; which is different from the skin book of the dead (the one with Gerry).

[@turkishcoffeeguy]

I understood that reference!

[@MichelleWade1973]

"Evil Reading Rainbow" - I would watch that.

[@looneypersoney]

So taliesin creating his very nerfed self in DnD, sounds about right

[@looneypersoney]

@@T.M.T.M. it's one of his hair who did that

[@MojoBeast]

The sheer delight on Amy's face throughout this whole thing gives me so much positive energy. What a great birthday gift this was!

[@stijnroovers1031]

Happy birthday!

[@pitchforksdragon1252]

HBD

[@foxtoxic9722]

What they said! 👆

[@pvic6959]

I think im in love with amys entire personality LOL

[@shaduko07]

Wow. Cad made the darkest version of Caleb he could muster.

[@ectofrost]

Caleb if he never ended up trusting the mighty nein.

[@ari7579]

YOOOOO AND THE SOMNOVUM TOO

[@grey8288]

Caleb still has time.

[@jag519]

"the knowledge is only safe with me" Sounds like a more evil version of everything Ioun says about percy. haha

[@FullOfSith3230]

Talisein is honestly so cool and seems like a really chill person. Hope to meet him one day and tell him in person

[@icywinterof88]

Thia idea is so utterly fantastic, I adore it.

[@DnDBeyond]

We wrote it all up on the website if you want to play it- check the description for the link!

[@andrewrawlings5220]

I would watch Amy and Taliesin read the phonebook together.

[@forfaerghus8092]

If there's one thing that I think Ravenloft is missing, it's a Domain of Dread centered on dragons. I'd love to see an ancient chromatic dragon as a darklord and what punishment they have to endure.

[@billcasey9672]

And along side the dragons, perhaps in the undersections you have a small section with furbies, tribbles, and suchlike, and there night time alter egos of krites, dark pokemon , and such like. They come ready for grandeur. Agility, and teeth in the dark await them. And each friendly has an unfriendly Shadow, awaiting...

[@SandyTaylor-tv6fc]

A green dragon Darklord who cannot lie to or manipulate anyone or a black dragon Darklord in a Domain where nothing can be destroyed by them are good ideas for a dragon Darklord

[@dekkard4982]

I want to make a Homebrew warlock subclass where Taliesin is my patron.

[@dndknower]

Dude he can be basically any patron you just need to choose the time period

[@Quadraxis]

On one side, we have Taliesin, the undying eternal, long may he reign. On the other side, we have Amy, the most bubbly rainbow that heaven ever poofed into existence. I love this combo.

[@ravenimperatrix]

Just love the way Exec Goth thinks, so much joy when exploring the Darkness within.🖤

[@laurentdebuyst3941]

There has not been enough Amy Dallen on the internet recently. Nice to see some change in that!

[@DnDBeyond]

You can see her right here every week!

[@BoojumFed]

@@DnDBeyond We repeat: "Not Enough Dallen" ! ;^)

[@putinmahcochin1636]

She's also done at least one podcast with Funhaus recently-ish. 'Twas about falconi and the wintah soljah, iirc.

[@AtomikaBlerd]

A mini Wednesday Club reunion with a discussion on a past life of Tal? I’m here for this!

[@basementmadetapes]

This is a good concept for real. It reminds me of someone else who is ultimately covetous of knowledge: The Judge from Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. His attitude is that nothing should exist without his knowledge, for his knowledge is his permission and without his permission life is forfeit. This attitude applied to all life.

[@vladdracula1194]

Literally the moment it popped up on my phone.

[@optimus2200]

Amy getting on blast is one of the cutest thing ever. like how can she be a lord of dread XD XD XD

[@gtl1220]

"Librarian spymaster" you mean the Dimir guild from Ravnica

[@Ken-1313]

This is so great! Not only is it a great exploration of the amazing new stuff that van Richten has, it is so good seeing Tal and Amy back together! It's a mini Wednesdaisy reunion tour! :)

[@CaptainFlintthePirate]

Pretty sure Taliesin has a punch card for the Domains of Dread

[@Rogue.13]

Evil Amy, aka Lady Vecna, Professor Dallen, seeker of secrets, ruler of the Dark Archive, keeper of the Chronicles of Chaos, who is so darn cute you just cannot believe she is truly evil beyond redemption, who will laugh as her army of animated almanacs tear you apart. Good choice for your villain Taliesin.

[@SapphWolf]

18:39 That moment when one phrase causes the umbral spark that ignites the eldrich flame of dark inspiration in Taliesin's mind. Causing a cascade of nightmare creations to be born in it's wake, each more terrible than the last! Amy, what have you done!?!

[@DnDBeyond]

Have you started making your own Domain of Dread? We want to hear about it! And don't forget to check out part 2 with Taliesin: www.youtube.com/watch?v= Buy *Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft* now: dndbeyond.link/vrtaliesin1 Share your purchased content with your party when you subscribe: dndbeyond.link/subtaliesin1 *Download the new D&D Beyond App!* Download on iOS: dndbeyond.page.link/37sP Download on Android: dndbeyond.page.link/oaYd

[@TheScreamingMime]

Working on one heavily influenced by Children of the Corn. Still working on the details, trying to flesh out He Who Walks Between The Rows.

[@Grayson.P]

A domain ruled by an empowered and massive oblex. Massive and deadly. It even grew large and powerful enough to absorb an Elder brain. And take on an identity of its own. It lured many and many individuals into its ever expanding pit. It is now large enough to functionally act out multiple cities and towns. Possibly was "banished into the mists" because a wizard seeking alternative methods to forms of immortality. Was farming and feeding the oblex a cornucopia of creatures and people. The wizard after taking too many was deemed a "dark lord" and as a last effort threw himself into the oblex to become one with it. In its domain there is no life and everything is just them. (A smallish domain) of the few cities and towns the wizard/oblex absorbed. But underneath is an entire sewer network filled with the oblex. The goal of the party will be to defeat the oblex once and for all. The only problem: it is far too powerful to attack at its core. And instead, the party will have to weaken it by killing as much of the surface as they can. Before diving into the sewers to finish the job. Basically the party wont know it, but being "murder hobos" may end up being the best option.( though it will still not be encouraged) And to add some lore as to why they are not outright swarmed once they start an attack: the dark lord is forced into exhibiting itself as all the people he has absorbed. And has gone mad as it is just aware enough to know it is really just him, but the psyche keeps each person distinct so the last ounce of human sanity that remains can be kept. Additional thought: Though the dark lord will return killing the "inhabitants" and oblex slime All that will return will be the wizard. (Though they now have true immortality. But are literally alone in a barren world.)

[@ethanfisk6710]

Working on one inspired by the Bagman called the Detritopolis, an sprawling city of lost things and monstrous scavengers that prey on people unlucky enough to end up there. The mists also target people's memories, causing them to lose their identities along with everything else

[@bigggamer4399]

I'm only 7 mins into the video, but I made a domain with a librarian darklord prior to watching: Altorius the Bookkeeper. He's an archmage who murdered for knowledge. His realm prevent mundane writing to stick, forcing him to us magic ink, requiring jade powder. His subjects must make new books for him to gain access to his library and learn things to make their lives better. He uses magic so they forget the information in a month, in order to get even more books in an increasingly illiterate world he's creating as a result.

[@AKNeal81]

Only 2 paragraphs into the Creating a Domain section of the book and it's crystal clear that Wandavision is a Tier 1 example. As well as proof that the Irredeemable quality of a Darklord is not set in stone. I will definitely hold out hope my players come up with a unique way to deal with a Darklord by turning such a rule on it's head!

[@kobewheeler]

I haven’t finished video but Taliesin gets a like immediately

[@Dannydarko27]

There's a story being born in front of my eyes and I need more!

[@aliceofspades]

This domain needs to be made official. I love sinister libraries! :D

[@DnDBeyond]

Wish granted and as official as we can make it! Link in the description!

[@aliceofspades]

@@DnDBeyond Yay! Thank you so much! 😃❤️

[@Krindig]

OH MY GOD AMY IS THE CUTEST! THE CUTEST!!

[@McGeeInNB]

Unrelated to the topic, but thanks to Taliesin because my little one is tired of having a name (Taliesin) no one else has. Now she knows not only do other people have that name but someone as cool as TJ has it! Plus thanks for giving me that tiny nudge I needed to jump into Ravenloft.

[@TarossBlackburn]

There's also the one torment that you might've overlooked. Since he's dependant on other people reading to him, and he can't verify anything because trying to read it himself will destroy it, he can also NEVER be certain that whatever he's told is actually the truth. He would be immensely paranoid about that fact but the Domain makes sure he can never, ever catch his own servants in a lie. He may have actually already have the book that tells him how to leave. He might have already had his servants read it to him. They will just have skipped that bit because they don't want him to leave. Will a PC tell him? Will the servants try to stop the PC from reading that part? Will the PCs figure out it might be a Bad Thing to let the Dreadlord out and try to lie to him and will they be found out?

[@jlajr1974]

These are two of the worlds most fabulous nerds. Cherish them 💞

[@raistlinmajere5550]

I really really missed seeing Amy and Taliesin together on a thing, i REALLY miss The Wednesday Club

[@karlepeterson8558]

Such a great team up! Thank you both for such a great interview.

[@jamesbailey5859]

Tal is awesome and Amy is a treasure. Adding her to the D&D Beyond team was the best move ever.

[@Razachiel]

I dont think I have ever watched any video, that would include words like "Dread and Despair" with so much jolly and energy in it :-D This was really great and fun to watch, thanks guys. :-)

[@steveme6664]

Imagine if his domain was actually a book, so it can be moved to new domains like the carnival. Readers make a check of some kind, on success your mind enters the book where all of his knowledge is held and failure means you were unable to read the book. Those in library could make an opposed intelligence check against the lord and as time goes by he is stealing information from you.

[@toschiworlds7212]

Sooo... Caleb gone really bad? I mean, books and fire...

[@thomasfellechner6067]

to see these two wonderful persons was a way back memory lane, I so miss the Wednesday Club :'), it is always fun to watch them

[@cjonesnealdeal7817]

This Darklord is sounding more and more like Caleb Widowghast turned evil and got cursed

[@117darksonic]

I was thinking either essek or trent more

[@TheCrimsonElite666]

These new rules inspire me to build my own dread domain based on Silent Hill. Choosing what monsters to populate the domain is easy thanks to the Sorrowsworn from Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes but I'll need more variety than that. For other monsters, I highly recommend everyone to get the Tome of Beast trilogy from Kobold Press, those books have tons of monsters that can fit into any domain. Other than that, choosing the dark lord for the domain is a bit tricky since they have to be an irredeemable person who did something for their realm to be dragged into Ravenloft. It might be easy to base the dark lord on Alessa but she wasn't really an evil person, so maybe I could base them on James Sunderland instead?

[@vobgreat]

Wasn't Percy accused of holding onto knowledge? Is Percy evil Amy? 0.0

[@TokyoKoolProductionz]

Amy's expressions of awe and delight give me dangerous levels of serotonin.

[@prixal]

I think I will be making a lich librarian. With an Indiana Jones type person ans a nemisis.

[@morganbush7775]

This video just makes sense

[@DnDBeyond]

PB and evil, cursed jelly

[@Red_Fudo]

Can we get the full reunion and invite also Matt Key?

[@MikaeruDaiTenshi]

First time I see/hear of Amy Dallen, and I must say, after seing her nickname enthusiamy, I instantly agree with that name-choice!

[@DanielM7979]

Taliesin I don't know if you will ever see this but please for the love of everything unholy and evil you must do a one shot (mini-series would be even better) for Critical Role around Halloween using this Domain of Dread. It would be so amazing!

[@Hoxxed]

Fantastic video, hopefully Taliesin will use some of this in a one-shot (or a follow up to his CoC one-shot)

[@wardcaller]

Didn't think the crafting of a Domain of Dread would be this adorable.

[@gilesluver]

"Evil Reading Rainbow" LOL!

[@dungeonmasterdavyd7029]

It's funny because I was spitballing a custom Dark Domain with someone on the D&D Beyond discord server and we came up with the same thing; a library domain whose Darklord is a covetous librarian. The idea we had was that it was a 'moving' domain, the library appearing to anyone desperately in search of forbidden knowledge. But if you did not return the tome you borrowed, your soul would be forfeit instead; all well and good until you realise that the domain moves on at a whim.....

[@CodenameFanboy]

How about the book is the dark lord’s diary or poetry from when they were an awkward teenager? They’re a blackmailer so they assume the person who has it will eventually use it against them but the ironic thing is they would just give it back if asked.

[@Tharrel]

I didn't know I needed this until I read the title of this video...

[@Sonics1DiscordKitten]

I love how we collectively agreed Taliesin Jaffe is IN FACT, an Eldritch being. Or he influenced us into believing it. Not sure which one, but I'm okay with both

[@suntiger745]

This is a delight! The only thing missing is a Key. ;)

[@lyrix9753]

Ooh another idea, all thoughts of a creature can be heard by the darklord while within 60 ft of them This might give them advantage on all saving throws if you wanna marry it with mechanics

[@aspektx]

Reminds me of a song: You can check out anytime you want, but you can never leave...

[@grendel3218]

Can we please get Amy on Critical Role? She's so precious.

[@VulcanWolf]

Am I the only one enthralled by Tal's reaction(s) around 18:40?

[@zacharynaragon7313]

Taliesin: “no books can leave” The parties wizard: “welp, I live here now”

[@kid14346]

"Steal what they needed, locked the doors, and burned it down." I too have seen Big Hero 6

[@FrostDragon85]

How cool is Amy's back drop. Is that a bookcase quilt?

[@loganhill2771]

Campaign 3 of critical role I feel Taliesin is going to be evil 😂 also the castle is Caleb’s worst Nightmare 😂

[@krispalermo8133]

Mini campaign character run, seven villains base on the seven deadly sins, after the hero kills them all, they come back from the grave as a Sinister Seven to gang up on the hero.

[@paxtenebrae]

A 2/3rds Wednesday Club reunion! I'm so happy to see these two on screen together again!!!

[@Lydario]

spoiler alert, if you're looking for inspiration on these lofty domains of dread look no further than the Magnus Archives podcast. Such a unique and chilling concept for a podcast.

[@hithedragon7842]

That's what I was thinking. It's a similar style of horror.

[@jeffbenefiel2676]

Hah, watching this while texting my GF with the Masters in Library Science, for whom I created a home brew artifact in her honor. Damn you D&D Beyond, get out of my head :)

[@blazejcholewinski2566]

Happy birthday, Amy. I miss Wednesday Comic club. Seeing this was like a taste of that again.

[@arkham7033]

YESSS!! TALIESIN!!!

[@GympyFyn]

I clicked purely because I saw Taliesin and I had no expectations but this was disarmingly delightful.

[@Reoh0z]

I'd like to see their former companions brought through as very spiteful servants forced to bend to their will. Might be something the PC's can work with to undermine the Dark Lord if they can carefully navigate the situation.

[@rustythoughts]

Architecture designed to make a whisper carry is called a Whispering Gallery, for example as in St Paul's in London and many others: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whispering_gallery And this idea is definitely central to my next villain's lair, thanks for the inspiration!

[@cristiaolson7327]

Talisen just created the interdimensional Library Space of Discworld as an Evil Realm, and I'm ok with that.

[@shannononeill482]

Hearing Taliesin call Twilight Zone episodes individual domains of dread may just be the most accurate, best description of the series (old *and* new) that I have ever heard.

[@esther830]

Despite being about horror stuff, this video EXUDES joy

[@FallenRingbearer]

The best horror is followed by joy. Prove me wrong.

[@TylerWx]

Hmm, that part about the Dark Lord being unable to read anything, but can potentially hear anything said in their domain could lead to people using sign language and passing letters, etc, to be able to communicate in secret.

[@blakec1924]

Two great things in one great place.

[@thxcsv]

Once we can get this pandemic-thing behind us, Amy Dallen should do a guest spot CR.

[@nicka3697]

You just know that this dark lord is Chris Perkins forever stalking the corridors of Candlekeep as the launch date nears but never arrives.

[@cathalobrienregan213]

I love just how happy Amy is all the time and it just makes my day I absolutely love the Van Richten's Guide content and am eagerly awaiting for the moment I get to implement the ideas in my games

[@talahar123]

These two together on the internet is something I never get tired of. A perfect nerd amalgamation, and two of the loveliest people you can enjoy on the web.

[@jeancaron9325]

But a part of the Domain of Dread is the Dark lords will Never achieve their final goal.

[@stealthington]

Came for the Domain of Dread, stayed for the cheery conversation. Hope part 2 isnt far off.

[@WexMajor82]

He seeks the Book of Exalted Deeds. The one book he won't EVER be able to even touch.

[@grimmtamer1572]

They got the Lord of Dread himself to make a domain of dread on the internet! Good stuff

[@Dragon_Lair]

Not a Lord of Dread. He's the father of the Dark Powers themselves. He helped us see a Dark Lord he himself trapped.

[@voshadxgathic]

Amy's just such a character. Too high energy for consistent exposure for me, but it's nice to see someone who sees good in things when I have trouble not seeing ulterior motives or hidden intentions in everything.

[@neokoga]

This is incredible, love Taliesin and Amy was such a joy.

[@kylejacques8577]

I suddenly get the sense it was Taliesin that destroyed the Library of Alexandria

[@leachofsouls]

Getting real Wan shi tong vibes. The spirt library was a dope episode of atla