Shadows of Drakkenheim Episode 7: Cabin in the Swamp

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... Our heroes may get more than they bargain for when they investigate a lone cabin in a swamp near Schaffburg.
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[@DungeonDudes]

DUNGEONS OF DRAKKENHEIM is coming to Kickstarter in 2021! We’re partnering with Ghostfire Games to publish the complete adventure for Fifth Edition. Sign up at www.drakkenheim.com to get the latest updates!

[@shawnkuhns2187]

Can we see the players stats on the screen with their pic also, like last season?

[@mikerossnagel3965]

Little late to the party but I just have to say whenever the party does/wants to do something that makes Monty reel back in his chair laughing, it gives me warm feelings inside lmao

[@EskayRogue]

Petition to make joe actually grow his hair out and dye it purple to have a purple mohawk!

[@4vilish]

So True on the Intro :) im allways waiting for Joe to say 'Pluto Jackson, the human battlemaster'

[@Ares686]

Pluto was my favorite character from season 1. That character had a lot of personality and depth and everything he did was fun to watch. Plus he was a BEAST!! the manticore fight on the walls was epic!

[@CelticpredGaming]

@@Ares686 He also soloed Theodore Marshall like a champ

[@anthonybeard3238]

I gotta say. The Wrath and Bruce dynamic is by far my favorite part of this campaign!

[@ericbishop8046]

"Yeah we do, right Bruce?" "mmm, 2 steps ahead, such poor planning, we must plan ahead better."

[@nathanh2664]

Yes Bruce

[@jimprice1943]

Monty: "You know when you peel someone's eyelid back who is in REM" . . . . . . . No Monty, I can't say I've ever tried that. I stick to putting their hands in lukewarm bowls of water!

[@westerncivilization]

7:40 love the MONTY python reference

[@capscarlett7859]

And the star wars reference 2:16:20

[@pierowmania2775]

He forgot the 3 time was "burned to the ground then fell into the swamp."

[@captainthorrek262]

Moral of the story: The fourth one, stays up!

[@clitcommander1681]

Now I am wondering if the flamekeepers have huge...tracks of land

[@eduardothomson7592]

I wonder if "him" wields supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at him.

[@fpicotte]

I love how Monty is describing the brain "and there's the limbs coming out of it as well" and no one's having any reaction whatsoever, like that's a completely normal thing...

[@zionich]

Two weeks ago I missed 5 reckless attacks in a row and two advantage dex saves on my barbarian, I feel your pain Kelly.

[@rcschmidt668]

zionich Sounds like a rogue character I had. Our fighter was stuck on a mimic, and I rolled a hit, followed by sneak attack 6d6 that were all 1s for 6 damage.

[@AngelCanseco1]

@@rcschmidt668 emphasis on “had” :p

[@BahadirAcar]

*Wilhelm literally standing next to a campfire* Wilhelm: "DOES ANYONE HAVE FIRE?" I facepalmed so hard...

[@ericbishop8046]

lol panic

[@nutterbutter9069]

“That sounded like a goose, I’m entitled to goose!” - Troll

[@TheGTRacer97]

Everything is cancelled in my country because of the corona virus and I'm bored out of my mind. This upload came at the perfect time!

[@justincredible8184]

Try reading a book. Quit your whining.

[@djohns9295]

Yeah! Just go to the library and get a book! Oh wait, that’s horrible advice. Justin sounds like the kind of guy that whines about people whining.

[@justincredible8184]

@@djohns9295 try buying a book online.....it's better then whining about the guy that's whining about the guy that's whining. That's you........

[@djohns9295]

Why do you feel the need to tell everyone to read a book? As if we never read or something. I’m trying not to paint you as a pretentious ninny muggens... but sometimes the picture just paints itself.

[@justincredible8184]

@@djohns9295 kick rocks. Quit whining!

[@kyubii972]

Also for future reference poison can be applied to three shots of ammunition or 1 slash for melee weapons. Because I'm sure that poison will come in handy later

[@fnglert]

If magic doesn't work out for Linus he could always become an artificer and - like - give tech tips.

[@steele7609]

Lol

[@samehere2206]

I was NOT expecting intellect devourerers! What a turn of events! Also, does that mean... mind flayers?

[@Nights_Angel]

brings a new meaning to picking someone's brain after axing them a question.

[@nightflame69]

Boooooooo! Go to your room! 😂

[@Ramperdos]

I think we need a prequel one-shot story starring Linus at some point. There's some true potential in there with all this lore we are getting. 2:03:03 I really need to learn not to eat while watching Drakkenheim... 2:12:43 Joe's "Stand up" was not encouragement, it was an order!

[@cattrucker8257]

I have to agree with Kelly, Monty did a fairly good swamp. It's all in the atmosphere. Though I'll also admit music does help there too. The total miss with the initial stealth shot was a pretty great "roll screws everything up" moment. Not a deadly one, but sure a trouble-causing one. Also, this time the party gets the results of their mistakes and oversight right away with their camping in the house despite themselves having talked about how the lizard-troglodyte things laired somewhere in there. Merciful, compared to how their mistakes and shortsighted actions blew up on them in the past. Great idea with the intellect devourer reflavour, too. You continue to make a great horror-y D&D campaign, all thanks to those altered and added flavourings and tying them all together very well, Monty.

[@samburchard9921]

I have really enjoyed Shadows of Drakkenheim. You all do such a great job of bringing everything to life. I just tried DMing again and it is so tricky. I have been getting ready to run a classic adventure when I realized it is the same one that you are running! Wow, great job at bringing it to life Monte! I hope that you can figure out how to make the remote D&D sessions happen. I am looking forward to see how this adventure plays out.

[@joshschroeder4582]

Oh is he running a module?

[@RicardoMoralesMassin]

Tabletop audio coming with the absolute best music, that includes a Bruce meowing, hungry for bones and brains. Purrrrfection

[@sephfcuoctasphere1978]

I love it when Kelly say’s “nerdy”!!! It makes me smile!

[@jasonmims6058]

Bruce: "Also, I'd like to eat some of your puke." 2:17:01 .....I absolutely died laughing at this....lol

[@phlipclip5097]

I added a reply but sorted to see if anybody else said anything but " I just imagine after this Bruce always goes up to Ve..I mean Rudy and hunches over imitating vomiting, waiting for a snack haha"

[@phlipclip5097]

2:17:35 I just imagine after this Bruce always goes up to Ve..I mean Rudy and hunches over imitating vomiting, waiting for a snack haha

[@Gothbrooks420]

Wow. Just finished this episode. Had been holding on to it since I knew it was the last for a while. I cannot wait till it can pick back up again! You guys make Tuesdays not suck!

[@gkghk157]

You all ruined me. I tried watching someone else run a campaign and watched about 15 minutes before coming back here again. Also shoutout for Kyle behind the scenes. Thanks kyle!

[@RTAvakian]

I once watched Matt Colville rave about using this specific classic module as one of his go-to starting locations! From 1982- N1 is older than me, and it still works beautifully for 5e!!! Watching your adaptation is a joy!

[@theseeds4554]

100% gonna plan an Eldritch knight Absolutely love Rudi! I'll call mine Ludi, have an owl call Boodini and lots of axes. First time I've seen one in action, so badass...

[@Puckatr0n]

Have her fight with faxes.

[@gteche]

I am always happy to see a new Drakkenheim! You are all so positive and fun. Plus the story is amazing!

[@DungeonDudes]

Thank you so much!

[@EkunA78]

First episode made me wonder how good Rudi can be.. since then she just proves to be one of the most amazing chars I've seen in D&D. It's a true pleasure to watch you all and I love diversity of characters you present, but Rudi is just out of the charts :)

[@Klaital1]

What would be a really awesome plot twist if Bruce was just a regular cat and Wrath was simply a crazy guy takling to his cat all the time.

[@theorycrafters7281]

But it can fly lol

[@Ares686]

Plus he already rattled a treat bag to resummon it in the basement of the tavern

[@jojo-gy9pp]

That troll mini looks awesome. Close ups please

[@ruhuiding42]

I enjoy your sessions so much. And I feel bad for my DM, he is almost as good as Monty, but the players including me are not as good as Rudi, Wrath, or Wilhelm. I have a lot to learn from you guys.

[@RantingRagingRelks]

Really late to the party but remember to self-critique with kindness! The Cast play so well together because they're good friends and springboard off each other. As long as everyone in your group has fun, then you've discovered the secret of winning DND

[@ericbishop8046]

Every time I hear Monty mention a troll I hear Joe's voice in my head, "I killed a troll!" flashback to dungeons of drakkenheim.

[@euchiron]

Great background music for this session! I found myself looking around my place more than once thinking there were actually insects around before I clued in... 😅

[@anonymchen1598]

i dont know why but it was incredible sothing for me...

[@kennethstarbuck4102]

But the 4th castle stayed up! The strongest castle in these isles! 😂

[@JacobMGEvans]

So it has taken me a couple months but I watched all of Drakkenheim and now got to here! You all are awesome, wish more content could be made faster but I know it's won't of time and effort 🤩 love it all!

[@Maninawig]

Two things come to mind as I eagerly await the next installment: 1. Kelly's nails looked good on him! 2. How can an aasimar worship an Old One without becoming a fallen? Wouldn't their celestial not get pissed? (Actual D&D question, not nitpicking)

[@rafaelbordoni516]

Real answer is that their setting is not the Forgotten Realms, so all lore in the books is not necessarily true there. That said though, most people adopt FR lore into their personal settings, so it might be as well. If that was the case, Great Old Ones are not necessarily evil. As far as we can tell, Wrath is doing good, so if I were his angelic guide I wouldn't get pissed.

[@DungeonDudes]

I deliberately mess with the standard D&D cosmology in my campaigns to muddy the waters of morality and ethics. For example, the distinctions between demons, devils, and aberrations are largely academic classifications, and most people don't understand the difference -- to them, they are just "demons". Few people would think there is a difference between a demon lord and a great old one, and many people easily believe such beings are gods -- others deny it. A cleric of the Sacred Fire could commit mortal sins and acts of great evil, and they would not lose their powers in this setting.

[@rafaelbordoni516]

Personally I dislike D&D cosmology. I think moral relativity is much more interesting, it allows for those villains with great causes that make you doupt and think about what's right. In my games, no clerics and paladins will ever lose their powers because me or my NPCs disagree with his views. Instead, they lose their powers if they lose faith in their cause.

[@KoolFoolDebonflair]

Forever entertained and inspired, cheers guys.

[@jrgwatkins]

2 thumbs down why? Can't you see the awesomeness of these dusk wardens.keep the work

[@arcanos9706]

HA! Love the Monty Python reference with the castles falling into the swamp! Only thing missing is Lancelot taking his idiom to 11!

[@tomcroteau6034]

I wonder if emphasizing non-lethal combat will end up paying off for them? I think it would be an interesting opportunity to implement a "dishonored style" chaos/order tracker. If the players are going to keep taking non lethal approaches, then it may be worth considering if your adventures have "Good Endings, Bad Endings, or Neutral Endings". Or at least the consideration of that type of thing...

[@justinc5967]

It pays off in the sense that they aren't just a band of roving murderhobos slaughtering small towns leaving an inexplicable trail of corpses.

[@kostaskazantzis4106]

This episode was freaking hilarious!

[@JodianGaming]

Love you guys! Always a blast! Catching the replay while itching for my crew to get together tonight... :) Happy gaming from frozen Northern Ontario, hope it's warmer in the South.

[@tomnowlin9652]

Hi all! Thank you so much for the incredible content. Being a D&D noob and late to this party, could they have used prestidigitation on the smell of the reptile monsters? Maybe it still poisons them but isn’t making them nauseated?

[@ryaneskritt363]

7:36 - thank you for that great Monty Python Quest for the Holy Grail nod :)

[@kellywilliam3708]

As much as I love you guys and the show, please be safe! Stay healthy!

[@thedisabledviking]

i just wanted to say i loved the dedicated video you did about the hexblade. would you do it with all the warlock sub-classes?

[@minimoose7890]

Such interesting changes and adaptations of the original Reptile God module

[@MrBiloxifireman]

Re-watching 👀 these episodes. I feel like they could have talked the old mage into a reward or using his magic items like the orb. 22:04. Potion 28:20 They talked about taking a wagon to bring the bodies back for research. So why is she carrying him? Lol 😆 1:24:50

[@willwilkins3021]

Monty: “Roll for initiative.”Group: “Did we get our rest…?” Monty: “No.” Group: “Oh… oh…….” 🥳 🎉😂

[@Thesaltywhale]

Im working 50 hour weeks took 3 weeks with s little bit of overtime to listen to all 52 episodes of Season 1... Now i may have to watch the episodes i love the video format

[@abracadabruh7420]

The fact that Kelly has irl ptsd for intellect devourers makes the roleplay of Wilhelm's fear of eldritch abomination even more genuine, high qulality, just like when Legolas broke his leg falling off a horse

[@ronosborne6855]

As a native Oklahoman, I think Jill's accent is pretty good, and I can almost place it to a region. I am thinking Arkansas. Any Arkansans willing to comment?

[@jrgwatkins]

As an okie from Muskogee I second that

[@benjaminkowal7310]

Perhaps a pretty version of an Arkansas accent....

[@thetowndrunk988]

As an east Tennessean, I think her accent sounds bout as southern as Toledo…….WTH are y’all talking about???? I love this group, but come on. Ain’t even close to someone from any state in the south, and I’ve been to every single state many, many, many times. I’m all for having a fan club, but let’s be real here

[@BlackShadow1991]

That was yet another great episodes, I was worried for the party a few times during the encounter, but they played it well :D

[@TheUnspunYarn]

A wild goose chase, I love it!

[@Stragemque]

Why can Wilhelm attack with the rapier and shoot with the crossbow on one turn? - looked up his character sheet, It's because of the Crowwbow expert feat.

[@georgiygerman2251]

Whoooooo the boys and girls are back!!!!!

[@HighmageDerin]

43 Minutes in, Codex starts ringing. "Snake?, Snake, ? SNAKE!!!!!!!

[@williamodom6479]

1:37:24 Kelly knew exactly what they were up against and he feared his DM.

[@joeschlosser687]

From the binging I have done of dungeons and now this, I think Kelly might have THE WORST dice luck I have ever seen 😂

[@nathanh2664]

The Cabin in the Woods... good movie 😂

[@JerichoHombre]

I like to picture when Rudi went down and immediately afterward rolled a 20 to get back up being like Little Mac in the Wii Punchout game. When he's on his way down but occasionally he can hulk out and keep going.

[@nathanmerrifield2309]

I love how you did your fingernails Kelly! Its a nice shade of black(?) Or Dark purple. Suits Wilhelms motif. ^^

[@AsherrTheRed]

Troll pulls out bango, instant Deliverance flash back....

[@TheSixthJR]

this is WAY bigger than ducks guys.

[@aaronhutchinson8911]

"But the fourth castle! That one stood up!" (Nice Holy Grail reference)

[@aaronhutchinson8911]

Also is anyone actually writing all Willhelms rules down, or does he make them up as he goes? (Like Star Treks Rules of Acquisition for Ferrengi)

[@aidandunne5978]

Rudi: I'm going to try and knock these guys out Me watching: you're still in the water. Won't they fall, drown, and still die? 😂

[@jonnymazzola7124]

SPOILER... Kelly's reaction when Monty explained about the brain is priceless! 🤣

[@GaryBoyles342]

Not a retreat, a forward advance to the rear.

[@austinjeral1201]

Alrighty! Time to watch Drakkenheim!

[@zeroxssir492]

It feels like Monty is going for tpk this entire campaign. Just absolutely rough encounters.

[@johnrazler8394]

I'm surprised that no one has leveled up by now...

[@nightflame69]

Milestone leveling..

[@mcphadenmike]

A question about Shield. It lasts until the start of your next turn, so if Rudi cast it stop the first on an enemy’s two attacks, it would still be up for their second attack, right? And presumably other attackers’ strikes following that? (Obv, it doesn’t matter if the attack roll is high enough.)

[@esgeir9499]

Sorry for the late response, but yes it will run from the time she casts it to her turn

[@dainslatton9877]

You forgot about the oil when he was firebolted? :) Just finished Dungeons of Drakkenheim. Really loving your 5e actual plays.

[@peer2pirate]

Great Stuff Guys! Any chance of more close ups of the miniatures in action??

[@DBebeful]

The campaign itself is awesome, I am just riding on some rule issues here, so if you are not interested, please kindly skip my comment and have a nice day. :) 1:30:35 Firebolt has somatic component, where are Rudi's weapons? She cannot cast Firebolt if her hands are full. Also, it should have been a simple attack roll without advantage (disadvantage on the attack roll if you are within 5 feet of a hostile creature who can see you and who isn't incapacitated, but it was negated, thanks to Hoo-dini's Help action). 1:31:45 Also, Shield spell has somatic component, and Rudi's hand are full. Consequently she cannot cast Shield. 2:13:15 Rudi has not attacked after the successful death saving throw (remember, DST was rolled at the start of her turn, so she has a full turn to stand up and act).

[@DungeonDudes]

You are correct on all these rules. We just don’t care to enforce some of these ones for these particular characters (especially the hands-full vs spellcasting rules). As a rule, we don’t bother checking the rules during the show unless we absolutely must, so we do make mistakes! We try to play by the books as well as we can for the most part but there are lots of minor rules we just ignore to keep the pace moving.

[@DBebeful]

@@DungeonDudes Thank you very much for your kind reply, I can't wait to continue the campaign, you are the best!

[@TheLearthur]

why did the eyepatch stopped switching eyes?

[@OriginalShaozey]

Rudi rising out of the muddy water be like Apocalypse Now

[@nathanh2664]

The most powerful of patrons the cat 😂

[@AliAlderete]

I'm loving this dnd version of La plaga from resident evil. I'm waiting for a Nemesis-like boss.

[@zeroxssir492]

I was getting a real ‘Shadow over Innsmouth’ vibe.

[@zeroxssir492]

I love Monty’s Python references!

[@watchface6836]

Kind of apart from the episode, (unfortunately I need to go to work, and I'll finish the episode when I get home) but I had a question. Rudi's the first Eldritch Knight I've seen that didn't take either Green Flame Blade or Booming Blade as one of their Cantrips. On top of that she's the first one I've seen take the Two Weapon Fighting Style. Why did Jill make those choices? They're very out of step with the other Eldritch Knights I've seen.

[@kyubii972]

I think it's just bad ass to be wielding two axes that could literally be the only reason she needed nothing wrong with that. also she has her familiar for extra chance to hit. And both of those spells don't really hold up as soon as the fighter gets extra attack. Because you are taking the cast spell action to perform those cantrips. And shield is just too not pick up. I always thought Eldritch Knight was a little lackluster but I neglected to think about them picking up shield or familiar fantastic spells on wizards but even better on a fighter

[@talongreenlee7704]

kyubii972 green flame blade actually does better damage than extra attack. With four attacks with a one-handed weapon, you deal 4d8 + your strength modifier times 4. Green flame blade does up to 2d8 + your strength modifier times 2 in weapon damage and 6d8 + your intelligence modifier in fire damage, because you can attack once as a bonus action after 7th level when you cast a cantrip. Green flame blade is the only reason I’ve seriously considered using the subclass. It really lets the eldritch knight shine.

[@watchface6836]

I think those cantrips get their utility back once you pick up War Magic at 7th Level. They only really start getting niche when they compete with the extra attack at 11th level. As for spell choice, when I play an Eldritch Knight I typically take Find Familiar, Absorb Elements, and Shield to push my defenses through the roof. Cantrips are typically Booming Blade or Green Flame Blade, and Prestidigitation. In terms of build I prefer to take Defense so the DM can hand out whatever magic items they'd like. After that I typically multiclass into Wizard after 7th level, War Magic Wizard provides a great buff to both my initiative and defenses.

[@watchface6836]

I dont think you get to add your Intelligence modifier on the first enemy, but on the second. I'm more trying to leverage Action Economy with War Magic to gain a little Versatility, Battlefield Control, and Crowd Control with the Cantrips.

[@DungeonDudes]

Jill just had a character in her mind and set out to make it. We all wanted to try something a little different, she wants two axes and a pet owl and loved the idea of being able to call her axe back to her. She’s making it work and it’s fun for her.

[@ronzaebarron2195]

“Could give you brain damage but your not gunna be dead” 😂… ahh I see the Batman approach

[@jimmeier547]

I hope you all are staying safe during this pandemic. It upended our local game as well. Last week we held our first virtual session via Roll20. Though the audio caused trouble for us and we ended up doing a call session through another app while using Roll20 for the tabletop visual map. Still not sure why there was a glitch with those in the session and their audio not working.

[@justsayin...1158]

When Wilhelm says he will keep an eye on something (1:56:12), does that mean he is 100% focused on it?

[@ashleyien1222]

:( I missed this episode live. I had a migraine and went to bed early. I feel bad I forgot about...I should have curled up on the couch and listened. Sorry. I will try to remember next week's episode. {watches} I'm still working on catching up on the first campaign... I'm on episode 29. Switching back to this campaign (which I watched first) I'm now like "what where their characters in this one again?" lol I'm wondering if the players are enjoying the new characters as much as their last ones. These guys aren't good at not killing townspeople. lol Creepy brain monsters... I wonder if there was anything like that in Dungeons of Drakkenheim. Bruce is scary too... :( I keep having to pause due to interruptions... it's taken all day. Nice crit on the death save. :)

[@ashenwuss1651]

Ive tried watching this episode twice before bed, to little avail. Time to set the record straight! *TGIF*

[@magnuschristiansen7941]

mind flayer coming in

[@englewood1701]

I love how he used the intellect devourer

[@dids2389]

My body is ready for the 7th time

[@superj1010]

10:14 "Yes, Bruce."

[@twizzla1139]

Why don't you guys use the initiative tracker anymore?

[@isaackarr6576]

1:05:00 the goose is loose.

[@gregoryjameslewis_versys6584]

When will there be an episode 8,?

[@dhavaram8064]

You really need to make a t-shirt with Wilhelm's Rules

[@SirStanleytheStumbler]

@40:00 was don't split the party a rule?

[@Gabriel-fl8ek]

36:41: im bouta end this man's whole career

[@justinc5967]

Wrath sent them on a wild goose chase.

[@ElionMars]

Any one else watching this in 2021 and getting Weird Feels knowing that this is the last time these five people (Hi Kyle!) all sat in a room together? I mean, I'm happy you all are being safe, but it feels like watching something in grainy black and white footage after this past year. I'm interested to see how your pivot to online play will go. Also, I hope Joe gets a little Bruce stuffy like Houdini!