Shadows of Drakkenheim Episode 49: Dark Side of the Moon

MONSTERS OF DRAKKENHEIM is 300+ pages of eldritch horror inspired monsters for 5e by the Dungeon Dudes! Coming to Kickstarter March 26th, 2024: www.kickstarte... Drakkenforce deals with an impatient Ryan Greymere while the Dusk Wardens deliberate on the the best path to save Westimar, and the world.
____________________________
Watch us play live Tuesdays 6-9 PM EDT on Twitch:
/ dungeon_dudes
Join our Patreon community:
/ dungeon_dudes
Get our custom t-shirts:
bit.ly/dungeond...
Pick up your next D&D book on Amazon using our affiliate links below. As an Amazon Affliate, we earn from qualifying purchases:
Tasha's Cauldron of Everything -- amzn.to/38SXLK2
Xanathar’s Guide to Everything - amzn.to/2YjaIHY
Volo’s Guide to Monsters - amzn.to/2SseJVu
D&D 5e Starter Set - amzn.to/2Yjbc0K
D&D 5e Core Rulebook Set - amzn.to/2xYTKQG

[@frostburn3266]

I feel like a quote from Albus Dumbledore applies perfectly to Wilhelm. He doesn't want to want to rule, but he deserves to do so because of his kind nature. "It is a curious thing, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well."

[@thetowndrunk988]

Ah, like a fine wine. Just keeps getting better with age, Dudes. Props to Jill on bringing back the southern accent halfway through an episode

[@briancox3526]

I want a scene with Wilhelm and Veo, a scene with Rudy and Pluto, and a scene with Sebastian and Wrath. I think those would be great roleplay sessions.

[@simonwalter5464]

I wonder whether Wrath will respond to Veo as an authority figure because she is a cat

[@briancox3526]

@@simonwalter5464 I hadn't thought of this. This could be a great moment too 🤣

[@bluebird3281]

I am waiting for Wilhelm to meet Pluto. There can only be one king of Westemar

[@BaMK0000]

@@simonwalter5464 they will fight because he will eat her milk

[@quaranteeth]

"I will take my place with the ants" so proud of him

[@JUST_GAUNT_GET_ENOUGH]

Man this series has kept Me hooked for months in a row. This is the only series I was able to sit threw and continue to watch day after day. Time to watch the untold tales of drakenhiem while I wait for more episodes.

[@theomegapotato370]

Same I tried it with a few other D&D shows and this is the only one that has made me want more

[@j.f.5162]

Truth

[@KnicKnac]

@@theomegapotato370 This one helped me get hooked into others. If I can sit through 2+ hrs here I can try for longer shows.

[@thisisarobberyb4398]

spitting facts

[@nightflame69]

I need to watch the untold tales of Drakkenheim and the monster of the week episodes 😵‍💫🥺

[@KaineVillante]

When you want to learn how factions work in D&D you go to Monty Martin.

[@nightflame69]

When you want a master class on voice acting, you go to Monty Martin! He seriously needs to get into movies!

[@cdwarrior6582]

When you want a master class of how to balance encounters and keep your party on their toes you go to Monty Martin.

[@elementzero3379]

Monty is the man, the myth, the legend. Playing in the type of game he runs in only a dream, for most. His players are lucky to have him, and he's lucky to hava such committed players and friends. I guess that leaves the rest of us. How lucky are we that they share their stories with us? We have this mega-campaign, three books, and whatever the future holds.

[@elementzero3379]

I remember that one-shot with Colby and Chris. It puts the original timing of this episode into context. I've watched "Dungeons" and now "Shadows" over a short period of time. Now, as the end of Shadows draws near, I'll soon dive into "Fate of Drakkenheim". As I type this, Fate is already roughly as long-running as Dungeons and Shadows combined! Lots of great story lies ahead! 😁

[@briancox3526]

Is it me or is there a moment in every discussion where Pluto is in favor of whichever faction they are meeting with at the moment? lol

[@logancuster8035]

Joe plays him sooooo well. Love it

[@lauramcmillan9592]

I was certain that “You can’t always count on him to do the right thing…but you can count on him to do SOMETHING” was going to be the quote of the episode. And then Wrath comes out with “I’ve been in a long-term relationship.”

[@wadetettenburn3403]

I almost busted a gut when he said that…while “petting” his cat.

[@andrewoutcalt7625]

Let's applaud Veo! Spine of steel and a keen mind in the face of power!

[@xSilentStrangerx]

You know that feeling when you finish a book that changes your life and perspective? I feel like this episode just did that with S1 and S2. I am completely blown away by everyone's collective contributions and storytelling, and how expertly Monty has weaved these two together. Truly amazing, and one of the most memorable things I have had the pleasure of listening too and being a small part of. Just... wow! Thank you everyone, you're amazing, and I can't wait to see how the two teams come together.

[@mattfitzgerald7836]

I am expecting the next session to be Drakkenforce negotiating with the Duskwardens, whilst Monty just sits back, sipping on his beverage of choice and grinning like the Cheshire Cat. :)

[@AjenjoAnejo]

You mean like dreamland Bruce surely.

[@shanewalsh9644]

This is the greatest dnd story. I wish I could run a game like this, with the same magic. Great interplay, the PC helping flesh out the story. Amazing, always inspires me. I never want this story to end.

[@ashleyhoughton8592]

My bet is that over 50% of the directorate are liches.

[@kyleharrell4853]

And the rest have True Polymorphed themselves into Dragons.

[@agwats85]

@@kyleharrell4853 or they have always been dragons

[@joeschmoe6356]

@@agwats85 or they all true polymorphed into dragons or started a dragons and then became dracoliches

[@josiahtucker1891]

At the very least the one who governs the school of necromancy is, wouldn't be surprised if the rest where too though.

[@cdwarrior6582]

And Pluto might take mage slayer again to kill one directorate of liches

[@nutterbutter9069]

Sebastian being showered with (and completely distracted by) praise is amazing lol - I love how they just leaned into that and got completely off topic

[@shishkabobby]

The came to discuss saving the world and Sebastian turns to jello when they stroke his ego. The world is in trouble....

[@Hawara.]

I love how Kelly roleplays it, so he not just says „sit me on the throne and give me all the power“ which would be very appealing for a player, but really respects and reflects upon the gravity of such a decision. Great work as always :)

[@TeslaandDragons]

The Directorate to Sébastien; can you summon an oar?

[@nendo4344]

“Come back when your foolish plans fail you” “…ok…” I love Pluto

[@BeardedDragonite]

Cant wait to see how these events affect the dusk wardens

[@thisisarobberyb4398]

Laggin behind a little, but I am so stoked for when the 2 parties get together and discuss the future of the world holy shit

[@KnicKnac]

Loving that Magneto helmet for Pluto. Been loving this story since the beginning. Cannot wait for the book.

[@Ryflymaster]

After the past maybe 9 months I’ve been watching the first and second seasons and I’m finally so close to being caught up

[@benclark8229]

Any one else get the feeling the directorate is a group of mind flayers

[@reichspector2413]

Oh no that makes perfect sense

[@patrickmcathey7081]

I hope so, In my drakkenhim campain I made an elderbrain in charge of the acadamy :P It like the elves traveled to flee destruction and is trying to use intellect to control and use delerum. :)

[@williamlazenby314]

At least one is a celestial and one is a demon judging from Wrath and River's heritage. Sebastian's mother was an Elf. I'm pretty sure they are just long-lived/immortal beings that have lost touch with reality.

[@Holycrapitschad]

Probably a mix of highly magical beings. Liches, Illithids, celestials, devils, maybe even a dragon are all very real possibilities We know at least one used to be an elf so I’d imagine its not just a cabal of illithids or any one being

[@elementzero3379]

Nah. I'm sure there are some unnatural or magical creatures in their ranks, but some are likely mortal mages. We know they do die, as membership periodically changes.

[@euansmith3699]

RFP: deep-fried in Minotaur grease, and coated a secret mixture of 13 exotic herbs and spices (may contain traces of Delirium... who are we kidding; may contain chunks of delirium) I'm hoping that, if Sebastian gets to walk the corridors of power, the doors to the directorate's office doors feature names like Leomund, Bigby, Melf, Mordenkainen and Rary. Veo really is a cruel cat; playing with Pluto and Sebastian's neuroses. 2:07:51 Kelly manages to put so much feeling in to "... no wedding..." 😢🤗🤗🤗 2:09:08 "I've been in a long term relationship... " Joe is great a finding new ways to make Wrath strange and wonderful.

[@devin5201]

Aw c'mon Monty, let the dog suplex the wizard.

[@MrBigBentz]

All I can think about watching this is "heavy is the head of the crown bearer that wants no crown" might have a new hook for a game

[@chrisvossler8795]

I half expect next week to involve a dozen or so costume changes as the two teams are meeting!

[@allanmenard1651]

Looks like Monty and gang are going to have to come up with a new book - Edicts of Luman.

[@paulorodrigosilvadecampos4278]

I love the way you're taking the story to. From a monster-hunting, dungeon-delving ragtag of heroes to state-crafting, high politics and saving the world. Politics and the State, or, in the case of Drakkenheim, the Monarchy, are indeed the way to save the world. To balance magic and religion we need a strong Prince, to unite us all in the face of a common threat. The same goes for our own world, but instead of a Monarchy, we need a vibrant and inclusive democracy. But I digress. Congratulations for the awesome campaign!

[@markmendez3939]

I like saying we need a monarch but the monarch is Jesus

[@igayparisjr]

Omg… one more episode and we still have so many things we haven’t concluded! 😢😢😢😢 super stoked about the ending to the season though! ❤❤❤❤

[@chrisframe2227]

Look at Monty using the brand new spells already.

[@quentinstovall9482]

I’m finally caught up!! As a fan of the show, it’s fantastic! As a serial binge watcher, this is terrible.

[@CelticpredGaming]

Masterclass story telling right here! Can't wait to watch more!

[@jensstaal]

In the third, maybe we will see some cross-faction characters, like a falling fire divine soul sorcerer or celestial pact warlock.

[@AjenjoAnejo]

I always though one of them would end up playing somebody who is in the silver order. Not because they are virtuous, but because the order puts them to battle and in the middle of chaos, and they love it. Like the character could just be called "snafu" by other members.

[@Gothbrooks420]

"Can you put a price on Peace?" -- Megadeth

[@chrism6315]

Doesnt matter the price, because whose buying?

[@nightflame69]

Did anyone else notice that once this shield is set up, the worshippers of the falling fire won’t be able to actually worship the falling fire? And the accademy will essentially rule Drakkenheim..

[@donalddouds6033]

2:24:20 Elias “River is dependable” Guess he forgot about her and Eldich leaving the garrison at Shepard’s Gate to the swarm of ratlings

[@elementzero3379]

He's forgotten a lot. Two words that do not apply are "dependable" and "qualified".

[@animatedpsychologist]

*me breaking out into wild, spontaneous applause when Veo tells them destroying the delerium is still an option on the table* THAT'S the Lord Commander we need!

[@j.f.5162]

With the Directorate it makes sense that this is the price/bill for saving the world.

[@pauljaycox1841]

I was wondering what happened to the demons from season one. I know there’s probably a lot in the book, But do you anticipate that being a plot point that will be revisited?

[@nightflame69]

Sebastian actually thinking the people in charge of the academy are going to be “reasonable”…. Yeeeeeeaah…

[@martiansoon9092]

When Reinier left, team keeps on talking openly. Even after they were ambushed with invisible creatures... Eavesdropping is pretty easy against these guys. And err... cat.

[@KuroZetriks]

I need a "Trust in the Bruce" shirt 😂😂😂

[@andrewoutcalt7625]

What if Sebastian, River, Rian, and Eldrik challenged the Directorate?

[@starcravingmatt]

They would need Wrath and River's parents at the minimum to put up a decent fight. Otherwise it wouldn't be a fair fight.

[@daviddodson8922]

Kelly or Sebastian rather completely buying the Academies propaganda is pretty fitting for his character. The complete loyalty that it seems he has for them is weird and Pluto pointing it out was poetic. Sebastian doesn't have trust issues it seems. 😂 Rewatching for the second time.

[@daviddodson8922]

The political landscape is very well crafted. This is exactly how I imagine the world ending would be treated. Not just in Drakkenheim but real life as well. Insane narrative, the second watch through has been amazing.

[@nightflame69]

Watch them get back to where the geode is and the queen of thieves has stolen it

[@ferrous412]

Dungeons vs Shadows, which side will win?!? Looking forward to that battle!

[@timjerrom7173]

Fantastic acting, love this series!

[@noahryan8562]

I have a question for you guys, how are you going to roleplay things when Drakkenforce and the Dusk Wardens meet with each other?

[@diablorose]

Are they gonna be playing 2 characters that'd be WILD for a big fight

[@riccardo6112]

Very entertaining session as always! But I'm wondering why did the small coucil get changed? I don't remember the chancellor and the spymaster. What appened to the guildmaster, the lord mayor and the castellan?

[@DungeonDudes]

We’ve updates a few small bits to align with the book we are releasing. For the book we refined the seals of Drakkenheim.

[@elementzero3379]

I love the dramatically different stances the players have with their dual characters. Jill: Veo distrusts the mages, Rudi the Silver Order Joe: Pluto distrusts the mages, Wrath is the mages Kelly: Wilhelm tries to be sensible, Sebastian is a ball lost in high weeds 😂

[@ruthannekane7935]

Jan 4th is going to be awesome..most of my favorite utuber together ❤

[@chacepassmore6474]

I knowwwww I love Colby and Treantmonk

[@dCash117]

Ask the queen of thieves to enact operation Golden Shield. Convert the heart and purify the planet

[@dCash117]

I know this is long settled in the current episodes but I guess I'm placing bets

[@nubio9452]

The shadow cabal of hands is actually real

[@chuckallerston9997]

You gotta get yourselves "a globe of annihilation "

[@nate2dnn]

Wrath "this goes beyond what you like." wow wrath said something very real, very smart and very true.......... then "also i get to be your mage. on the side" lol

[@starcravingmatt]

The cabal of disembodied hands sounds very much like the like and dislike buttons... we must destroy them. Everyone smash!

[@bigadam]

The Silver Order Chads continue to be vindicated in their distrust of the Amethyst Academy now that we've met rhe directorate😂. Ah, who am I kidding. Im sure the Matriarch is just as messed up as they are. Probably a Lich or something.

[@elementzero3379]

It's awesome. They're as creepy as I've ever imagined.

[@darev2335]

I'm interested to see if season three, we get new characters? Or, even better, we mix the parties a bit. Like Wilhelm, Pluto, and Rudy? Or perhaps Jill will be a new wizard in the group? Edit: called it btw. Lol

[@bautistapappolla2726]

i was thinking that jill might be playing the caster in the 3rd season since that role has been played by the other two already :0

[@darev2335]

@@bautistapappolla2726 same. But I feel like this plot I too important to leave Wilhelm on the back burner. And Pluto seem pivotal to this as well. So who knows? Either way, I'm excited.

[@bautistapappolla2726]

​@@darev2335 100% agree

[@jensstaal]

She has a fun tabaxi caster from one of the one shots

[@kanlith7205]

Since we've had a Sorcerer in Season 1, and a Warlock in Season 2, along with the racial choices, I think Ma'am Jill playing another half-bestial race as a Wizard would be a great theme and a cool character to see in play!

[@dirmusloner7963]

As a Paladin /Ranger main, if my character was there, I would slain every member of the directorate

[@Estarfigam]

Return of the King

[@chimchim1372]

Glyph of warding on paper airplanes anybody

[@40gaetanot]

Soooo all my favorite D&d KZbin channels (treantmonk, d4 network, and dungeon_dudes) are getting together fine…. Don’t threaten me with quality content

[@the_trooper584]

Indeed Jan 4th will be awesome.........take them into the Haze Monty........ Great episodes folks 😁

[@chrisvossler8795]

I'm curious what Kelly's going to pull out for that. Having watched the other 2, I can imagine they'll be somewhat insane, but the "Witch Knight" is the only "min-max abomination" character I remember from the Dungeon Dudes!

[@MageLeaderInc]

None of them should have been surprised since Veo has a Weapon of Warning. How does Sebastian get hit by all three after the bait and switch when the third is on the opposite side of Pluto? Even if the monster has reach Sebastian should at least get cover. And Sentinel doesn't say anything about a sight requirement so Joe could have attacked one of them. Also you forgot to ask about putting Greymire on the directorate.

[@SveinJohnnyFedje]

I'm thinking Kelly will play his Artificer in the 1 shot! ^^

[@chrisvossler8795]

The Battlesmith? That was pretty OP, just about in line with the other two!

[@jacobrichardson9834]

Did I miss it somewhere? Did they cleanse the leader of the silver fangs, of lycanthropy?

[@chrisvossler8795]

That was in the episode right before they switched back to Drakkenforce, "Court of the Countess part 2"

[@AMMO1Sarge]

As soon as Monty said wind I knew who it was

[@dirmusloner7963]

The directorate manipulate everyone. That's the only proof I need as an outside of the story I build a character with mage slayer and slay every mage

[@Maseman90]

Trying to get this together in my head.. are these two different groups of characters running around at the same time? Like within the same timeframe?

[@DungeonDudes]

Season 2 started only a few weeks after the events of season one, so they didn’t overlap exactly with the two groups of characters. This section we’ve just done was river telling the one group from season two about what the group from season one has been up to over the past couple weeks. So it was sort of a flashback story of the immediate last few events.

[@Maseman90]

@@DungeonDudes I see thank you that helped me place things where they belong within my brain lol

[@troymartin7308]

So if River is a few steps ahead does that mean she can use magic to get oars?

[@Charles-ij1ow]

2:06:24 I know it's happening quickly

[@dirmusloner7963]

Sebastian the plan of the directorate is to mind manipulate the king of Westemar

[@BeardedDragonite]

Holy shit if sebastian meets wrath is he taking warlock levels? I wouldn't put it past him

[@dirmusloner7963]

Wilhelm set your CLAIM to the Throne for Westemar sake

[@emophobe]

Are we about to BETRAY THE ACADEMY right now??? 👀

[@Jestylor6]

1:57:50 Bless You...

[@trombaritone86]

I'm here a little late, but I am trying to make sense of the events. I remember the chest present at the meeting, but also that Veo gave it to some guards specifically for safeguarding until they decided what to do with it. Was that a slight discontinuity across multiple sessions, or am I remembering wrong? Also, I'm glad that the Academy is being portrayed as more problematic than before. It bothered me a little that they were the only faction that seemed to be able to work with any of the others.

[@MageLeaderInc]

It made sense that they would work with other factions because they are required to by law.

[@BlackShadow1991]

This is one of the primary examples showing that good world and political building can have massive payoff :D Great stuff, Dudes!

[@dirmusloner7963]

So eldric you do this for YOUR personal goal

[@bluebird3281]

EDIT: Never mind they are 0's in Veo's HP. I need Sebastion's goggles. How in Monty's octarine earth does Veo have 67 more hit points than Pluto? Pluto is only 28 hit points ahead of Sebastian. Does Jill roll really well or does Joe roll really bad?

[@thesenate2390]

Those are not 8's they are 0's. I had thought this too until i realized that Pluto does not have an AC of 20 not 28.

[@bluebird3281]

@@thesenate2390 when I lean onto my screen I can see it. Thank you, I am going to take down my embarrassing post now.

[@zTom_]

I had the same thought a few weeks back! 😅 Even had to google the character profile on DND Beyond to go check if she had gained some kind of legendary item that maxed out her CON or something. Then I came to the same conclusion and felt silly. 😋

[@dirmusloner7963]

Take Wilhelm on HIS THRONE. The throne of Westemar is Wilhelm's by boood

[@ericbishop8046]

People, "I don't like playing paladins, they limit rp opportunities," Monty, "Oh ReAlLy."

[@legendarydigitize2523]

First we got Hololive english's Takanashi Kiara with KFP(Kiara Fried Phoenix) Now we got RFP? gosh people really do love fried birds lol

[@tapwater4425]

28:56 ah yes, *enderman*

[@dirmusloner7963]

Eldric the fault is ON YOU AS THE ACADEMY

[@mkzim91]

Might be a bit of a hot take, but I think I like the Dusk Wardens more. I loved Drakkenforce, and Pluto is still best boy, but I think the quality of characters is better balanced out in the Dusk Wardens. I particularly love how despite Wilhelm's constant criticism of Wrath, there's no mage he trusts more and would rather have at his side at the end of the day. And Rudi is just exponentially better than Veo personality wise. That's probably the real hot take lol.

[@MageLeaderInc]

I like Drakkenforce more, but I hate their decision making process in season one. Their doing better now that they're actually thinking about consequences lol

[@sanjin8867]

Veo Sjena means Veil of Shadows on my language...i wonder if she knows that

[@woutvanostaden1299]

What is your language?

[@sanjin8867]

@@woutvanostaden1299 Bosnian, but it can also be Serbian,Croatian or Montenegrian

[@woutvanostaden1299]

@@sanjin8867 Cool! I'm leaving on (aerial silk) holiday to Pula next friday. Any tips for learning Croatian last minute? (I'm a language learning addict)

[@sanjin8867]

@@woutvanostaden1299 oh...our languages are bit hard but if you manage to learn our ABC's than you will not have issues reading stuff. We write as we speak which is convinient

[@woutvanostaden1299]

@@sanjin8867 I've done some Polish and Russian before and I'm also doing Czech at the moment.

[@nightflame69]

RFP! Stop making me hungry!

[@MandalorV7]

I knew it! 😆😉

[@bigwig8657]

Disembodied puppeteer hand leaving a comment.

[@benrikeman1086]

1:16:58

[@dirmusloner7963]

Sebastian has to stop excusing the amethyst academy

[@GeorgeSmith-x7j]

Nobody see the Directorate "Not Nobody Not no how", Why is this sounding like the Wizard of Oz?

[@chacepassmore6474]

wooooo!

[@nubio9452]

Shadow money wizard gang

[@chuckallerston9997]

Id laugh if the director's are infected

[@drachimera]

Women wizards in this series! Queen of thieves, Ryan, Sebastian’s mom. All the great magic users are most definitely women!