D&D Icons: Acererak - The Dungeoncast Ep.207

Will and Brian are capping off their Halloween Spooktacular with one of the most terrifying figures in Dungeons & Dragons. Known across the realms, Acererak is known for the creation of some of the most deadly dungeons of all time! Find out just how much devastation and despair is packed into this horrifying spell caster's resume this week on The Dungeoncast!
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The Dungeoncast is a D&D podcast where co-hosts Will and Brian talk about everything Dungeons & Dragons. Everything is up for discussion from Gods and Demon Lords to being a dungeon master and even building characters while keeping the conversational atmosphere lighthearted and friendly. Tune in as they explore the Dragon's Hoard of topics available from #5E, 4E, and all other editions of the world's most popular #ttrpg! Thanks for watching! #dungeonsanddragons

[@starbomber]

Vecna: why don't you become a god already? Acererak: see, if I became a god, I'd have work to do, this way I can just roll around the multiverse and continue my research.

[@AAron-gr3jk]

All the power of a god and none of the responsibilities a giant target on his back. Smart. Of course, .. it's possible he can't become a god unless he obtains a soul first ... he was created as a simulacrum that gained sentience

[@starbomber]

@@AAron-gr3jk That was specifically the one in Tomb, but I think you need more than just one soul.

[@PaulGuy]

Acererak: "LOL, remember that time I tried to take over all u dead in the universe by becoming one with the Negative Energy Plane? That was dope." Vecna: "Yeah, remember that time I brute forced my way out of Ravenloft, forced my way into Sigil, and reorganized all of reality?" Acererak: "Dude, why are you like that? Why do you always have to one-up everybody? You're such a dick."

[@adamgor0035]

Man the video on a lich gets taken down but comes back with a vengeance fitting

[@aliceofspades]

Lich Dust should totally be an in-game thing. The hardest, most expensive necromantic narcotic ever. >:)

[@sethdeverell6564]

I'll be a narcomancer

[@zakmastin4061]

Love your guys show its helped me build a better world for my players.

[@sirgideonofnir6840]

"Why are you evil?" "Because it's fun and interesting that's why!"

[@thickerwheat]

If I had to RP Vecna I would have him look at pictures of Arcerak and be like an evil proud father.

[@nos1429]

I read a story where it was Acererak was responsible for almost killing Vecna. Then Vecna swore to kill him but he escaped before doing so. Vecna then became the keeper of secrets and made sure that his next second in command had Int as a dump stat. Kas.

[@masheroomboi2884]

I've been waiting for this episode forever, now, my thirst for lich lore has been quenched

[@warwerewolf777]

31:56 'I think that mind blank is the brutal one' Nope. You're thinking of feeblemind. (Sets int and Charisma to 1, deals psychic damage. Only get a save every 30 days, can only be removed by wish) Mind blank makes you immune to psychic damage, and you're unaffected by physic damage, anything that effects your mind, (so no charm, having thoughts read, no Divination stuff, etc).

[@Jane_8319]

“2 ninth level spells, everything 3rd level and below is at will” By Pelor that is terrifying!

[@lawaern3474]

18:57 Corellon would be like: SOMEBODY BE MESSIN' WITH THE BAELNORNS! Who does that?

[@thewolfeman5531]

YES! I’ve been waiting for this one. One of my players wants to be an Undying Warlock with Acererak as their patron, and now I got more info. Thanks you guys!

[@sandyd53]

Finally it's back up I was half way through !!!! I can get my lich on 😍😍 keep up the good work guys

[@ColinBauman]

i got so fuckin tripped out when an ad rolled and afterwards the video was private i thought i had gone nuts man. so stoked to finish it now

[@marvynkawano3090]

For me it was a high pitched noise that made me yell in pain and think my headphones were on max and than the video was no more. Anyway, I’m super happy that is finally back up

[@tempestgaming1600]

How are you guys not bigger? I actually found you guys on Spotify where they don't show metrics but I assumed you'd be up at the top considering how entertaining and well researched these episodes are. Listening to you guys has become a daily ritual as I try to catch up on nearly 4 years (less than 5 days!) of content. Once again, great work guys

[@killerkupid]

I’ve been doing a lot of travelling lately, lots of long train rides and a few planes, so this podcast has been wonderful for this, growing my dnd knowledge and being entertained!

[@thenightlydice8307]

My players are most certainly about to fight acererak In the next few weeks hopefully they win 🤞

[@dorianrobinette9712]

I have liked and commented! I continue to serve the risen dungeoncast! Hello again good lords of knowledge and laughter! The time of hallows eve is so very close I can feel it in my bones. Acererak, a legendarily infamous figure. I find it odd that I'm saying this, but even after fighting against the forces of multiple demon lords and other such horrors, acererak May just be one of the most frightening. I pray he never deems to take interest in our fair lands. That could spell doom for us all... still I am a paladin of knowledge and laughter. I must not merely hope such a threat never presents itself, but also prepare for if it does! Should that old bag of bones ever show his rotted mug here he'll meet one helluva challenge! For now though I shouldn't let my mind drift on such things. Not when more prevalent issues take precedence. We've had a few citizens go missing as of late, and nobody knows what's happened to them. I have to lead a search party tonight in hopes of bringing them back home to their families, or if worst comes to it, confirm the deceased's passing so funerals may be prepared... I must go now milords, I await yet another boon of knowledge as always. Sincerely as always, paladin dorian. *as he grabbed his gear and lit a torch to leave into to begin the search, the paladins shadow split into 3. Devious smiles could be seen in the shadows under the pale moons light, an ominous portent of things to come* Welp another episode enjoyed, thanks guys! Personally I'm still more of a vecna man myself. He's the grand daddy of lichdom after all. Acererak is still pretty bada$$ though. Episodes out on an odd day, but nothing wrong with that, it's always worth the wait anyway. Would have watched this last night, but I was dog tired, but hey better late than never right? Can't wait for more SQS, between that and the election the 3rd is going to be a wild rollercoaster of a day. While I don't trust mail in voting like at all, it's awesome you guys have voted. I'm happy to see more people doing it and participating in democracy. Just hope people's votes actually get counted. I'll be voting in person on the 3rd, myself which will just make that day all the more hectic for me, lol. Stay safe and have a good day will and brian! See you next video.

[@mcswaggerduff8946]

A powerful lich who seeks Godhood? Vecna has a bone to pick with you...

[@ashenwuss1651]

This video and comment have re-arisen. How appropriate.

[@GhostlyNomad130]

@@ashenwuss1651 I will grind his bones down into a most potent Lich Dust!

[@dorianrobinette9712]

Sorry I'm late boys, I was chatting up a girl with a great acereRACK...I was actually just busy yesterday and couldn't watch the video till now.

[@sanddry738]

I just want to say THANK YOU for all the research put into this! Almost every other video on Acererak has tons of misinformation or inaccurate statements. Guy has a lot of history for sure

[@NegatveSpace]

I bet I know what Acererak is doing now. Some adventurer got him to send the sphere into a portable hole which sent them all to a random plane of existence. Now all Acererak does is travel to every plane he can discover using his sphere of annihilation whistle to try to get his sphere back.

[@brewticonmohiswarman1584]

"Bad common" First thing I think of is "I know good English and bad english"

[@dorianrobinette9712]

I thought of the fifth element at that line.

[@lloydlicht1302]

Gary Gygax created the Tome of Horrors as a challenge from a friend...who breezed through the module.

[@zackwalters8797]

"Yeah, but we don't." I love that.

[@snarkback]

Glad you guys are back gonna get my superquest on tomorrow while I work!!!

[@codydevries8394]

I was wondering how long it would take for the "At Will" joke, congrats on making it past 200 episodes before doing it!!!

[@paulh3892]

Acererak is one bad dude! Between the Tomb of Horrors and Tomb of Annihilation I would speculate that he probably has the highest KDA of any D&D BBEG. This episode was hilarious and wildly entertaining. 🤘

[@sivartevafal]

“But we don’t!” Almost did a spit take with my morning coffee 😂

[@elysiomage9453]

I come from 1e and 2e original stuff so this podcast helps me understand how 5e works and how to sacrifice to demogorgon

[@arein423]

After preparing for Tomb of Annihilation and reading up about Acererak he just seems like a giant troll, trying to fuck around with everyone at any given time.

[@shrapnelsponge]

Love the chats on my fave demilich! Fell in love with his character after reading about him in ToA, even though he's a small part of it.

[@sullivanwarmonk]

I saw a video where there is two Acererak. One is a simulacrum and one is dead.

[@sanddry738]

This video is probably the most accurate one about Acererak. The one your talking about is Mr. Rhexx’s video which basically has that as a fan theory that isn’t true at all. There was an adventure involving a simulacrum (“Seige of the castle perilous?”) but it doesn’t survive in canon I believe and the original does return later in the 4th Ed. Adventure Tomb of Horrors

[@psoren423]

Wish you guys would do more of these.

[@imanicartwright4463]

He sounds like he said "and I'd have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids".

[@derekmendoza5965]

He has a sphere of annihilation

[@cameronpearce5943]

There was a 4e module that had a good bit on Acererak, How after what happened to his mother he came to see a multiverse that would allow something like that to happen, allow somebody like him to even exist, to deserve a slow and horrifying death by his hand. He's still just a poor cambion kid mourning his mother . It also explained why he even bothers to leave clues in his dungeons, with them being a 'chance' for adventurers to prove themselves worthy, mostly so he can point and laugh when none of them ever figure them out, kinda like the Riddler with his inability to lie.

[@pst5345]

A- cer - ER - ak. Not Acerak!! Acer-ER-ak. Repeat with me, it's not difficult: A-cer-er-ak

[@leorictristram4894]

If you guys make a lich dust shirt i would buy one immediately

[@lawaern3474]

So basically Acererak is DR Doofenshmirtz, but with no Perry the Platypus, and a lack of killer naming sense.

[@pricerowland]

Closing in on 30k subs! Whoo

[@Imjakejones2322]

I took some Lich dust now I have mental problems. Thanks Ace.

[@robertarlett4028]

Was just telling my wife we need to see if you guys made this one. Perfect. Also KZbin is scary lol. Just popped up on my suggestions

[@nathanthaxton7492]

You guy's need to do a video on Kas the Bloody handed. I've been wanting to learn about him for a long time.

[@thedoungeonkeeper1764]

Hey guys you guys are awesome #dungeoncast it's me the dungeons keeper, seriously love the show

[@HandsomeRagz]

Yay its back!

[@aliceofspades]

If I was playing a character who was more braggart than brains, I'd repeatedly refer to Acererak as "A**-Rack", as if I thought that really was his name. Yeah, probably wouldn't live long. ;D

[@rippertrain]

I swear i watched this yesterday. Was it a dream?

[@user-vm9xz4kv9z]

Deja vu

[@paulettesmith299]

I've killed acererak as a lvl 11 vengeance palladian 4 swash buckler rouge 2 fighter with a lvl 13 monk and lvl 13 barbarian the barbarian barley survived and the monk died

[@cameronpearce5943]

From the Tomb of Horrors (4e), Page 5, Poems and Puzzles So why, if he's so eager to prevent anyone from interfering with his schemes, does Acererak leave poems and clues for meddling adventurers to find? Rather than filling the dungeons with puzzles, why not seal them away entirely? Acererak is, frankly, insane... and always has been. He's a being of almost godlike power and a schemer on par with the most devious of devils. But buried away at the core of his soul, so deeply that even he is not aware of it, is the psyche of a young cambion boy who is furious at the world that so terribly mistreated him. It's not enough for Acererak to win; he has to prove his superiority by saying, "I gave you a chance, and you still weren't smart enough to beat me!" All his arrogance, and also the clues and hints he leaves behind, stem from this single unshakable compulsion.

[@AAron-gr3jk]

We need more Vecna, Ostreneth, Soth, bring back all the greyhawk villains (Rary & Robilar need a closing arch)

[@fistimusmaximus6576]

Thought the current acererak is a clone while the og was killed.

[@magicalpuffcorn]

Did you guys repost this? I could of sworn i watched this over the weekend xD

[@NegatveSpace]

I think it's super lame that most of these boss creatures their special abilities and legendary abilities are just copies of spells or a regular liches abilities.

[@darnell1391]

Didn't this go up yesterday?

[@ihatethefuture]

Did this get reposted because of the haunted screech that blew my headphones up and destroyed my ears?

[@calebrenegar1992]

Aye-cer-rur-rak

[@Thedungeoncast]

twitter.com/ChrisPerkinsDnD/status/883036690373267456

[@calebrenegar1992]

Sounds creepier and more ancient though

[@justinmichael9043]

(a-SER-ur-AK)The 5E pronunciation guide is wrong; if you want to hear how you actually pronounce Acererak, listen to Chris Perkins, and other designers here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKjQeYt8gtaNjLcsi=sbmV8dBW-FHkHaeW

[@reptilesarecool6739]

isn’t his name pronounced A-Cer-Er-ak Not acer-rack

[@reptilesarecool6739]

I might be wrong and if I am pls tell me

[@Thedungeoncast]

It's pronounce A-Sair-rack per WotC. It's sounding more like Acer-rak when I say it but I'm trying for A-Sair-rack.

[@SirRayos]

@@Thedungeoncast Dragon #93 gives it as a-SER-ur-æk, WotC changed it for Tomb of Annihilation. I'd hazard a guess it wasn't an intentional discrepancy but a lack of research from whoever wrote the pronunciation guide.

[@reptilesarecool6739]

Yo i seriously appreciate the actual response, I hope my original comment didn’t come off as like, taking the piss or whatever that wasn’t the intention I’ve been considering introducing some acererak-based shenanigans In my campaign so I’m glad I know how to say it correctly thank you

[@pst5345]

you are right. Some things should never change, though.

[@nickabsent958]

I tried to watch this yesterday, but it seemed to glitch out or something. Wouldn't play.

[@skuzzbard3710]

Spoiler alert on the ToA. Shiiiiiit

[@iamvigant]

I think it's pronounced A-ce-re-rak, not... Ay-ce-rack!

[@iamvigant]

I finished the vid and now I see this has already been addressed in previous comments... It's simply that, man, I was triggered by hearing that already at the very beginning of the vid :P

[@davidclark155]

 Christopher Perkins @ChrisPerkinsDnD ah-SAIR-ak (a/cere/rak)

[@philippeleblanc3695]

Larloch is more powerfull make a video on him

[@TaoScribble]

This is just GlaDOS genderbent and in lich form. XD

[@dorianrobinette9712]

Deadly neurotoxin!

[@Azrealophion]

Good vid but you are mispronouncing his name. It’s not Ace...the guides show it as ah-SAIR-ak

[@irisjones6000]

First... Lol

[@goodwill_ken]

Great content but less swearing would make this good for younger audiences. 🙏

[@Christopher_Pug]

I'm REALLY turned off by Brian's constant interrupting and attempts at jokes. I'd like to see a video that's purely the information without the artifice of a discussion between you two. You should both be responsible for researching and talking, or only one of you should. Brian takes value away from these videos for me because he keeps chirping worthless comments.

[@skuzzbard3710]

What the Gruumsh!?

[@pst5345]

and the constant butchering of the name...

[@BryantVonMiller]

I always was under the impression that Acererak and Vecna shared the same goals in so many ways, that they were nearly identical. But as stated Acererak wants knowledge and power, so does Vecna. And I thought that Acererak finds knowledge all around the Multiverse/dimensions and when he records it. Destroys all other sources and in a way, trades it off to Vecna. Or like a servant to Vecna. From all the stories, the short number I've read and what general knowledge I can find. Is that these two were like an adopted father n son relationship. They had such similar life experiences and they grew up together, becoming so identical and sharing the same goals. And have no hatred or malice between the two. But who knows. I personally love the idea that Vecna is hesitant on Acererak sue to his previous betrayal by Cass. And that Acererak knows full well that he could work better by himself. But reports to his previous master. Vecna. Giving him sources of knowledge n power, in exchange for giving him a much wider ability of freedom of movement. But Vecna sends him out, "I hear from multiple covens that there is an old religious group withholding knowledge pertaining the powers of infusing souls into another without need of rituals, bindings and gems. Go forth Acererak, you are of lesser renown and figure. Send forth your underlings and make it appear that no ties can be traced back to I or you. Complete this task" Or something to that affect. It takes so much weight of Vecna, allowing him to get more schemes and what not. Allowing Acererak his freedom to do what he wants and loves doing. In return, Acererak has so much freedom, power and protection. As well as potential. And if Vecna, one of the sources of necromancy. Were to be slain, he is the second runner up. Aside from the other guy, but we aren't talkin bout him. Im just a weird guy putting out my thoughts and ideas