Critical Lit

The final vaults in the basement of the Amber Temple hold the best rewards in all of Barovia. If it's wrong to murder your loved one and drink their blood or sacrifice dozens of innocent souls in order to ensure your immortality, then I don't want to be right. You can even bring one person back from the dead, and isn't that worth it? In this episode: Chapter 13 (X33c-X42, Ghastly Vault, playing with Dark Gifts, The Teeth of Dahlver-Nar version history and design, Breached Vault, comparing Dark Gifts, Vault of Harkotha, death slaad, fire giant strength, Vault of Thangob, hell hounds, shield guardian, poltergeists, Sealed Treasury, Amber Vault, vampire spawn, dark gift of Vampyr, dark gift of Tenebrous, dark gift of Zhudun the Corpse Star, Special Events, Rahadin’s Prayer, Kasimir’s Dark Gift, Patrina Velikovna). Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Deep within the Amber Temple, alone in the dark, lurks the most helpful lich in the multiverse. Play your cards right and there's free drinks and body modifications, too. You didn't need those eyeballs, right? In this episode: Chapter 13 (X18-X33b, Architect's Room, ewer trouble, West Shrine trap, Secret Alcove hijinks, Lich's Lair, becoming buddies with Exethanter, Preserved Library, Barovian witches, Amber Vaults, Vault of Shalx, Vault of Maverus, a smorgasbord of Dark Gifts). Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

It's back to Barovia for Chapter 13, and the Amber Temple is sending mixed messages. Does it want us to freeze to death? Burn to a crisp? Get possessed by loot? Maybe this adorably bespectacled jackal-faced creature can help us. Nope, just more fireballs. In this episode: Chapter 13 (The Amber Temple history, Extreme Cold, Areas of the Temple X1-X17, Temple Facade, stealing the statues, Temple of Lost Secrets, arcanaloths, flameskulls, Vilnius, amber golem, mountain folk, Jakarion, staff of frost). Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Our final look at the Caves of Chaos takes 17 man-turns to unpack. The cult fit is very Queen of Hearts and matches the canonically evil furnishings. But the real villain is in accounting. Who else could set up such an enormous slush fund for magic amulets? In this episode: Hobgoblin Lair, Torture Chamber/Playroom/Food Storage, Shunned Cavern, Owl Bear's Den, Bugbear Lair, Caves of the Minotaur, Gnoll Lair, Shrine of Evil Chaos, NPCs, Tips to the Players, Glossary, Final Thoughts. Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Many yawning orifices await as the spelunking finally begins in earnest! The myriad tribes of the Caves of Chaos have complex social hierarchies, tight-knit family units, commerce, treaties, and their own vintners, but their deaths carry absolutely no moral weight. Exterminate at your leisure. But first, we traipse about the friendly wilderness and hunt nothing at all. In this episode: Adventures Outside the Keep, Wilderness Map, Camping Outdoors, Mound of the Lizard Men, Spiders' Lair, Raider Camp, The Mad Hermit, Dungeon Master's tables and insert, The Caves of Chaos A-E, Tribal Alliances and Warfare, Kobold Lair, Orc Lair B, Orc Lair C, Goblin Lair, Ogre Cave. Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Dammit granite! If these walls could talk, they'd blush and tell you "murder hole" is not the preferred nomenclature. Gygax continues to wow us with his commitment to verisimilitude (of a sort), but where do all these armored men keep the bathrooms? Fortunately, this keep is at the top of the hill, not the bottom. Just don't ask who's feeding the snakes. In this episode: Rumor Table, Areas of the Keep 1-27, economics, outhouses, switching sides. Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

What if "Do as I say, not as I do" was a D&D module? In 1979 Gary Gygax wrote The Keep on the Borderlands, cribbing plenty of useful GM advice from TSR colleague Mike Carr. Prepare yourself, friends, to experience the full power of mine imagination, for I am the Dungeon Master. I speak eternities into existence, only truths fall from my lips. Oh and there's a big fort on a hill. Don't be mean to the guards! In this episode: Front cover, Caves of Chaos map, Introduction, Notes for the Dungeon Master, using combat tables, How to Be an Effective Dungeon Master, Time, Dividing Treasure and Computing Experience, Preparation for the Use of the Module, Adventure Background, DM Notes About the Keep. Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Everything's vine down at the Wizard of Wines! Chapter 12 is the nexus of nearly every plot hook in this book, but the wine won't flow until this gemless, ravenless, farm-to-table homestead is restored to its former glory. Too bad it's knee-deep in stick monsters and crazed, teetotaling druids. Remember, they're not dirty because they're evil; they're evil because they're dirty. In this episode: Chapter 12 (The Wizard of Wines, stolen gems, Approaching the Vineyard, The Martikov Family, bad blood, Approaching the Winery, Areas of the Winery W1-W20, blights blights blights blights druid, Special Events, Wine Delivery, Wintersplinter Attacks). Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

It's a Dance Dance Execution at the door of this wizard tower. The wagon nearby is as volatile as a meth lab, and werewolves wait to finish off any survivors. Plus, we take another look at Strahd's potential enemies. In this episode: Chapter 11 (Van Richten's Tower, Khazan's backstory and tomb, Approaching the Tower, Khazan’s Spell Drain, Area's of the Tower V1-V7, Ezmeralda's Wagon, booby trap, dance seal, tower floors, Special Events, Pack Attack, Ez's Retreat) and we revisit the Strahd's Enemy list from Chapter 1's Fortune's of Ravenloft. Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Sure, Strahd had one mother, but what about second mother? In Chapter 10, Baba Lysaga is a boy-mom wannabe, with a parasocial fixation on our titular vamp. To impress him, she wages a never-ending blood feud against Barovia's goat and raven populations. Adventurers are another matter. In this episode: Chapter 10 (The Ruins of Berez, the sad tale of Marina, Baba Lysaga backstory, Approaching the Ruins, Area of Berez U1-U6, Baba Lysaga's Hut, the gemstone, Baba Lysaga's ritual, Goat Pen, Standing Stones, Special Events, flying contraptions). Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

For want of a dress, Krezk was lost. The Abbot gets serious about playing dress-up, Ireena takes a dive, fine feathered fiends guard the pass, and the roc just has the munchies. But the true villain, of course, is Sangzor, the gruffest goat on the mountain. In this episode: the second half of Chapter 8 and all of Chapter 9 (Areas of the Abbey S20-S24, Special Events, Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Barovian souls, hunting for a dress, a happy ending for Sergei and Tatyana, Areas of Tsolenka Pass T1-T9, petrified vrocks, snow maidens, Roc of Mount Ghakis, Sangzor shenanigans). Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit Contact us: Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay Cover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Mutual aid! In my D&D? The Krezkites share everything: food, labor, and a growing horror at the screams emanating from the Abbey above. The empty graves strewn about town are almost as problematic as the portrayal of the people labeled "mongrelfolk" in this book. In this episode: the first half of Chapter 8 (The Village of Krezk, approaching Krezk first, Areas of Krezk S1-S5, Burgomaster Dmitri Krezkov, Krezk Lore, Shrine of the White Sun, Areas of the Abbey S6-S19, mongrelfolk publication history, portrayal of mongrelfolk, The Abbot, Vasilka, Vasilka as Fated Ally, The Madhouse, Clovin Belview).Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Strahd may have tried to bury these gays, but they refused to stay down. In Chapter 7 we meet a goodly order of knights and their defeated dragon lord. What starts off as a side quest to lay unquiet dead to rest soon becomes a tragic love story that reaches across the centuries and literally brings light to this forsaken land. In this episode: Chapter 7 (Argynvostholt, The Order of the Silver Dragon, Revenants of Barovia, Areas Q1 - Q53, Vladimir Horngaard, Sir Godfrey Gwilym, Lighting the Beacon, Special Events).Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Dream Pastries™ are Pediatrically Delicious! Uhh, Tragically Suspicious? Chapter 6 of Curse of Strahd is a bigger deal than its page count lets on. Looks can be deceiving, but the hags don't bother with all that. What you see is what you get, and that's a whole lot of trouble. In this episode: Chapter 6 (Old Bonegrinder, night hags, hag covens, Areas O1 - O4, The Megaliths).Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitMockman Press D&D Walkthrough maps: https://mockman.myshopify.com/collections/walkthrough-map-printsContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Consider us Schick-pilled. We wrap up both our holiday hiatus and the 1979 TSR adventure White Plume Mountain in surprisingly high spirits: arms adorned with shiny new weapons, blood infected with instant super-tetanus, and bellies full of crab forearms. In this episode: Rooms 5-27, origin of I6 Ravenloft, Wave, Whelm, Blackrazor, just about the biggest giant crab anyone's ever seen, End Note, back cover.Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

It's an old school holiday hiatus! We're tackling the first half of S2, the 1979 TSR adventure White Plume Mountain, written exactly one time (to his eternal chagrin) by Lawrence Schick. In this episode: publication history, front cover, map, Introduction, Dungeon Features, Wandering Monsters, Rooms 1-4.Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

As we wrap up Chapter 5, all is not well in Vallaki! Never mind the devil cult hobbyists or the rampaging tiger. The coffin maker has six secrets buried in the attic, and they're waiting for a chance to feast. In this episode: The second half of Chapter 5 (Wachterhaus, Arasek Stockyard, Rictavio, Coffin Maker's Shop, Blinsky Toys, Town Square, Vistani Camp, Kasimir Velikov, Festival of the Blazing Sun, Tyger hunt, Wachter coup, St. Andral's Feast).Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

All will be well! Provided you avoid the murderous man with the barbed devil arm and his eerie collection of identical dolls. Or the incel wizard. The bone thief and his shovel. The priest with a secret. Gaze into the mirror and name your victim. Keep smiling, because you must. All will be well. In this episode: Chapter 5: The Town of Vallaki (pronunciation, maps, Vallaki Lore, St. Andral’s Church, Blue Water Inn, Keepers of the Feather, Rictavio, art style, Burgomaster’s Mansion, Izek Strazni, Magic Mirror, Victor Vallakovich).Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Castle Ravenloft Final Level: Exit here for Entombed Enemies, Plot Devices, Bat Guano, and Bridal Returns. Trust me, you don't want to talk to customer service. In this episode: Chapter 4 (Dungeons and Catacombs, Brazier Room, Crypts 1-40, Sergei's Tomb, Strahd's Tomb, Barov and Ravenovia's Tomb).Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

A cape a day keeps the Dark Powers at bay! Never mind the young woman of indeterminate age in the King's Bedchamber. Just don't use the bathroom if you value your privacy—or sanity. In this episode: Chapter 4 (Treasury, Gertruda, capes, Spires of Ravenloft, Escher, Tower Peaks, Larders of Ill Omen, Kitchen, Cyrus Belview, Chamberlain's Office).Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Now hiring at Castle Ravenloft! Feeling chained to your desk? Make it more than just a feeling, with a career that will last the rest of your life. Maybe even longer! In this episode: Chapter 4 (Main Floor, Chapel, Icon of Ravenloft, Heart of Sorrow, Lief Lipsiege, Wedding Cake, Study).Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

It turns out life (and unlife) at Castle Ravenloft is as zany as the town of Barovia is dour. Trade the gloomy mists for the crack of lightning, chanting witches, the clacking fingernails of crawling claws, and a bevy of rats, bats, cats and other killers. In this episode: Chapter 4 (Random Encounters, Blinsky toys, Ezmerelda d’Avenir, Rahadin, Poster Map, Walls of Ravenloft).Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

It's 10pm in Barovia. Do you know where you children are? Strahd does, and he has plans for them. Or maybe the hags will get to them first. If only you could tear yourself away from these delicious meat pies. In this episode: all of Chapter 3 (The Village of Barovia, Blood of the Vine, Mad Mary, Ireena, Donavich & Doru).Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Only some listeners will be able to comprehend the mysteries laid bare in this episode. And only some of those will be compelled to pursue the eternal truth. The rest are condemned to a base existence, sated by the wit, humor, and dulcet tones of your hosts, never to glimpse the esoteric reality of the conversation. Do not pity them—ignorance is a reward of a kind. In this episode: Strahd as Gnostic Demiurge, map of Barovia, Areas of Barovia A-Z, Madam Eva, Mad Mage.Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

There once was a peasant named Vlad / Who felt neither happy nor sad / With no soul inside / T'wasn't grim when they died / Though the dirt nap did drive them quite mad. In this episode: Lay of the Land, Alterations to Magic, Resurrection Madness, the ramifications of soulless Barovians, Vistani lore, Random Encounters. Favorite Barovians: https://imgur.com/a/KPSYsTISupport us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art by Aram Vartian: @aramvartian.com

Curiosity gets the best of us, and any one of Strahd’s ploys would be enough to drag us into the prison plane of Ravenloft. But three out of five adventure hooks prefer Creeping Fog. Ask your GM if Creeping Fog is right for you. Side effects may include asphyxiation, exhaustion, and resurrection madness. In this episode: using the Tarokka deck, the portrayal of the Vistani, Adventure Hooks, Death House.Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gayCover art: Aram Vartian

Ravenloft history, Tracy Hickman's Foreword, Introduction, Chapter 1. The mists spirit us away to Barovia, a pastiche of gothic horror tropes and modern vampire mythos. We tackle the important questions, like how to run a spooky game, and is Strahd hot or not? One thing's for certain: he sucks. As a person. But he's a compelling villain, a classic presentation of an abusive narcissist who's been serving since 1983.Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gay

We begin at the beginning, with two false entrances and a green devil face. Grab a 10-foot pole and a spare character sheet and join us as we plumb the depths of Tomb of Horrors, TSR's 1978 1st edition D&D adventure, written by Gary Gygax himself. How does it hold up? What does it tell us about the tabletop community of the day? And how did this handful of black-and-white pages, barely a pamphlet, echo down the long years to inspire and traumatize generations of game designers and players? Not with fair play, that's for sure.Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLitContact us:Email: [email protected]: @CriticalLit.bsky.socialDan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.socialI-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.socialAmelia Som: @ameliasom.comSal Tamarkin: @sal.gay