Journeys Through Magnamund

It took 20 adventures and just as many dead Darklords to finally make Naar curse. August and Jonathan do not deliberate on what the swear word was, instead choosing to use this episode to delve into greater mysteries of the universe. For the first time, we go into details about the Planes of Light, unveil how Naar got a hold of the Moonstone, and reveal what Naar's equivalent to the Sommerswerd is. This episode is a straight hour of lore, a start-to-finish gauntlet of answers to some of Magnamund's best kept secrets.

Cast your mind back to a time when gamebooks and Lone Wolf were selling in the millions of copies. In this time, Hugo award winner John Grant/Paul Barnett was given the task of turning the Lone Wolf franchise into a novelized series. What emerged from this was an entirely new take on the Lone Wolf experience, both diversive and innovative. Today, August, Jonathan, and Shane dive into the first book of the series, exploring its themes, the poly-cosmos, and why we are excited to see it coming back into print.

The penultimate book in the series, Light of the Kai, is due out this spring. And so the podcast welcomes for the first time Ben Devere and Vincent Lazarri, co-authors of books 29-32, to discuss this finale, the writing of it, and what fans can expect. Consider this a preview of Book 32! For those who want to limit spoilers, we broke the conversation down into three sections, each with an increasing number of spoilers ("mechanical", "broad story", and finally "some specific story" elements). We offer easy places to jump off the spoiler-train whenever you like and craft your own adventure fear-free in this episode of Journeys Through Magnamund.

August and Jonathan's final words about Rockstarn contain spoilers for characters and events that occur in the latter half of the video game, while providing answers that a sequel never got to. But these are not just our last words -- Joe Dever's voice ends this game, and while it isn't the final tale that he got to tell in Magnamund, this was his final narration.

With a total of four Acts, each broken into multiple chapters, the Lone Wolf video game has too much to offer to cover in a single episode. In August and Jonathan's follow up episode, you will explore what makes Drakkarim swole, learn about the Kai fighting style, dive deeper into Shianti machinations, discover what Pure Bronin is (and why you shouldn't make a mace out of it like Jonathan did), and take a glimpse into the ranks of the Vordak to find out why they are more frightening than most of us who read the gamebooks are aware.

In 2013, Joe Dever realized his dream of turning Lone Wolf into an epic video game experience. Far from the primitive trappings of earlier attempts, Blood on the Snow would incorporate the latest gaming innovations of its time and full 3D models to present Magnamund as never before. For this adventure, new lore would be written, lore which today Jonathan and August explore. Find out all about the game's character of Leandra, what the art tells us about Magnamund, get Jonathan's tips for first time players, and hear behind the scenes details shared for the first time by August, who worked on the game.

The episode you didn't know you needed and a topic that stretches across the entire history of Lone Wolf, starting back in 1984 as a co-release with the very first books in the series. From the ZX Spectrum to the Nintendo Switch, August and Jonathan trace the eclectic and often tumultuous history of Lone Wolf video games. Learn what ended Hutchinson Games, discover what parts of Mirror of Death are cannon, why we should have gotten a Greel game, and get information about the development of the Forge Reply game from August (who reveals for the first time the level of his involvement in the game). All this and more, in this packed-to-the-brim retrospective of one of the most overlooked video game licenses.For information on the cancelled Ksatria game: https://www.projectaon.org/en/Main/LoneWolfKsatriaArticles

We asked you if there was anything you wanted to know that you felt had been missed in the podcast so far. And you said... yes! And then sent us more than a hundred questions. In this episode, August and Jonathan tackle as many as they can, breaking them down into the categories of Joe Lore, Kai Lord Lore, Other Lore, Gamebook writing, and extras that don't fit anywhere else. Learn what system August ran for Joe, how many New Order Kai Lord were at the siege of the monastery, why Agarash couldn't throw the Lorestones into space, whether we'll see The Huntress again, and who August and Jonathan would romantically pair Lone Wolf with.

Hungry for more Journeys Through Magnamund? Hungry like... the wolf? Setting aside 80's pop references, August and Jonathan tackle one of Lone Wolf's stranger adventures, a chase across an alien world for a shape-shifting foe, culminating in one of the biggest reveals of the original series. Such an odd adventure comes with lots of lore. Learn who Naar likes better, the Manoyd or the Drakkarim! Discover what Wolf's Bane character sheet might look like! Hear the story of why this adventure features a map of an area you hardly explore within the book!

Dragons sneak their way into many a fantasy world and Magnamund is no different. Though the final dragon saw its final sunrise many ages ago, an army of them now marches towards the Kai Monastery. And yet, August and Jonathan seem to talk about everything except Dragons, with the discussion leading them instead to examine equine abuse, fallen princelings, promotions of Sommlending captains, and a certain fan favorite baroness.

A newly illustrated map of Northern Magnamund, one hundred and fifty illustrations on cards, two hundred and fifteen miniatures, and a war where you decide who wins: the Freeland Alliance or the Darklords. These are the components that make up VENGEANCE OF THE KAI, the first board game that will be released by Holmgard Press' new game division. Even if you are not traditionally a board gamer, this episode may convince you to become one. Listen as Jonathan, August, and game designer Dan Wegiel recount their war stories and show you how this board game is as cinematic as they come and a must have for those who want to have a true simulation of being a warlord in Magnamund.Click here to visit the Gamefound page for Vengeance of the Kai and learn more!

Don your wizard's robes and grab your potions for this episode where Jonathan and August dive into the magic of Magnamund, taking seventeen different forms of magic practiced in Magnamund and comparing them to see which is the most powerful. Along the way, learn lore about each type of magic as well as how magic in general works within Magnamund. Secrets are shared and questions are answered: do cultists actually get their magic from their gods? Are Ceners more powerful than the Herbalish? Where does Elementalism come from? And who is most powerful of them all?Link to the tier list here!

Many associate Lone Wolf with Gary Chalk's iconic art, as it was this art that launched the series and provided the lens through which we discovered Magnamund for the first time. Just as incredible, however, is the art of Brian Williams, who portrayed Magnamund for over ten years, from books 9 through 28. Today August and Jonathan honor Williams by examining the incredible evolution of his art as well as the transition from Chalk to Williams. Joining them is artist Justin Wyatt, known for his work on the anthology and upcoming Legends finale, and who brings years of professional training and experience to the examination of Williams style. We'll also dive into the secrets behind what makes a certain Baroness so appealing to the fan base!As mentioned in the episode, there is an interview with Gary Chalk which you can listen to here: Gary Chalk on Magnamund

Joe Devere created a world so malleable it has rarely seen an equal in fantasy. Today discover three brand new stories exploring genres that have never been explored before in the world of Lone Wolf and yet which feel right at home among its other epic tales. Newcomer to Lone Wolf, author Harley Truslove (they/them), shares The Forge of Shadows, set in the realm of Steam Punk and told from the perspective of a character many will know. Jonathan Stark (he/him) explores the realm of Psychological Horror with his gamebook, The Weeping Place, which adds a layer of fear to the world beyond anything you've yet experienced. And August Hahn (he/him) ventures into the vast reaches of space in Twilight's Edge, expanding our view of just how large this universe is. These are the Chronicles of Magnamund, a brand new project available this month from Holmgard Press!

What's that you hear? Is it the drumbeat of approaching doom or the bitter groan of ice cracking? You'll find both within the foreboding wastes of Ixia, for here lies the Deathlord, an enigmatic figure in the history of Magnamund. Never fear: Jonathan and August come to tear back the veil on long-kept secrets! Learn the never-before-known origins of the Deathlord, find out who the Ixians were, and discover why skeletons wear aprons. All this and more in the latest episode of Journeys Through Magnamund!

Come and put on your growliest voice and follow Jonathan, August, and Oscar deep into the bowels of the Oubliette, a hitherto unexplored and unsurvived area of Castle Death. with Oscar setting the scene and August guiding the action, it is up to Jonathan to make the right choices to escape. Will he be able to make it out with his heart still beating, or will his blood quench the thirst of a wandering beastman... or worse?SPECIAL DISCOUNT LINK FOR FORTRESS OF DEATH: ⁠https://rlms.cc/fodjtm⁠

Joe once said that Magnamund would go on as long as stories were being told in it. Today, we prove his legacy lives on with ten more stories from fans, collected in the wonderful second volume of the Anthology! Shane Walsh Smith (editor of the anthology) joins August and Jonathan to discuss these works and believe us -- they dive into some lore that fans have long awaited! These stories tease answers to questions like, what was the Red Plague? Who was Vaynar Jupe? Who were the Nebora? And what is Noodnic society like? This episode also includes a special surprise after the credits, a fan made song straight from the world of Magnamund!

A fan requested episode! You asked for it and so we made it happen -- an episode featuring current Lone Wolf illustrator, Richard "Nerdgore" Sampson! Rich joins August and Jonathan for a dive into how Rich got started with Lone Wolf, his approach to the artwork, and some of what makes Magnamund exciting to visualize.

In the legacy of Lone Wolf is there any legacy as vast as Vashna's? Join Jonathan and August for one of their favorite books in the entire series, which they tackle with glee! Among other things, hear the origins of demons, discover what character was one of Joe's favorites, be taught some Magnamund curse words by August, and finally learn whether Shamath's riddle was a cruel joke all along!

Don't be afraid of the Darke: August and Jonathan will be the Capt. Prarg to your Lone Wolf and lead you through the complicated lore which forms the backdrop of this Grandmaster adventure! Even more so than any episode prior, history is important to the Darke Crusade and so we dive into the origins of the Drakkarim, the Lencian army who has long fought them, and the Doomstones of Agarash!

Why, you might ask, is a special unexpected episode being released out of our normal schedule? Well, over one hundred submissions were received when Holmgard Press put out the call for a short story anthology. Now, anthology editor and curator Shane Walsh-Smith once again joins August and Jonathan on the podcast, to share insight into the anthology process and give teasers about all of the stories that will be present in volume one! Join us as we examine every single story and its accompanying art, and experience the incredible creativity which will soon be available to you. You will get insights into people and places of Magnamund that we never have before and we promise you'll leave this episode excited about this upcoming release.

August and Jonathan are extremely excited to be able to do an episode focused on two major players in the Lone Wolf saga: Kai Lord Autumn Snow and her creator, Martin Charbonneau. Today in this early release episode, learn the story of how what started as fan fiction became Lone Wolf legend and was labeled as canon by Joe Dever himself. Discover the tragic tale of its first publication, a tale that is finally about to end in triumph.

Return to the "World of Lone Wolf series" with our second podcast dedicated to Grey Star's desperate and strange quest! Racing against the minions of Shasarak the Wytch-King and the terror of Desolation Valley, our fledgling would-be-wizard must make his way to the Daziarn and seek out the Moonstone before all is lost! Join Jonathan and August for an in-depth analysis of this exciting book and learn what lies beyond the Mountains of Morn, and whose presence sickens the dread halls of the Forbidden City.

This month, Jonathan and August "captivate" you with stories of the dread fortress of Kaag! Discover the strange intentions of the Nadziranim, learn how they managed to subdue a guildmaster of the Brotherhood, and get details on monsters that you won't find even in the RPG materials! Also learn why this entry in the Lone Wolf series is important to August and why it was so important to Joe, as well.

You will rue the day you enter Ruel! Okay, that was a bad one. But we promise the episode is great. Jonathan and August take the podcast into the Grandmaster series for the first time to explore the history of one of Magnamund's most nefarious organizations, the Cener Druids. Questions about these evil alchemists have long plagued the fanbase but today we're here to cure your curiousity! Learn where the Druids came from, how Cadak rose to power, and find out Joe's personal thoughts on this, the first of the Grandmaster adventures!

The Magnakai Series took Lone Wolf from Sommerlund to the far reaches of Dessi and the Stornlands and even out of this world into the vast unknowable Daziarn and the planes beyond. Now, in preparation for the Grandmaster Series, August and Jonathan take a look back and explore their and listener's favorite illustrations, abilities, and books encountered in the hunt for the Lorestones.

As the future of Lone Wolf looks ever brighter, August and Jonathan look at Lone Wolf's relationship with fan fiction and how fan works have kept the series going strong. If you've been part of the fan group for a long time then this episode will be packed with nostalgia. If not, then be prepared to be introduced to a wide range of products, such as the Mongoose Mega Deal, the Magnamund RPG (not by Cubicle 7), and Tower of the Sun!

Lone Wolf goes on his greatest journey yet — to the realm of the graphic novel. And he's not alone. Long-time ally Banedon is joining them! And Mazrah, Master of Assassins. Learn about two of Magnamund's lesser-known projects, soon to be brought back in a glorious new edition: Skull of Agarash and Dawn of the Darklords. We are joined by artist/writer (and long-time fan) Shane Walsh-Smith, who shares some behind-the-scene insight into translating Banedon's adventure to the medium of the graphic novel.

With Lone Wolf having defeated the Masters of Darkness, we give our hero a rest and turn our attention to Southern Magnamund, where a new star is rising. August and Jonathan explore the lore of the Shianti and discuss the themes of Grey Star and how it differs from Lone Wolf. There are secrets in this episode that have never before been revealed, including the truth behind Grey Star's parentage, a truth that will mean we never look at the wizard the same way again!

Criminals spit her name like a curse. Grizzled veterans speak it before a battle to bring them luck. Courtiers are told of secret places they can leave a list of their rivals and, if they are lucky, she will come for their enemies in the night. Old sages whisper that if you would find that which is lost, you need only to seek “The Huntress.” Join us today on Journeys Through Magnamund as we talk about a brand new series in the Lone Wolf canon, and learn about lore, places, characters, and timelines that have never before been explored!

The final Magnakai episode marks a year since August & Jonathan began this Journey through Magnamund! From Lone Wolf's triumphant return home after his travails in the Dazairn to the final confrontation with the vile architect of the Darklands War, they discuss the plots, characters, and deep lore influencing every page. With questions drawn from the fan community, at least two obligatory 'Maters' of Darkness jokes, and some behind-the-scenes information never revealed before, they take down the Darklords in style!

Vastly expanding the scope of Joe Dever's fantasy series, the eleventh adventure turns a fantasy world into a fantasy UNIVERSE. August and Jonathan tag along with the last of the Kai Lords and are cast into the Daziarn plane, a strange limbo dimension where the lore runs deep... and we run swiftly, for the dangers of the Daziarn are immense! Learn the secrets of another world -- as well as the never-before-heard backstories of some infamous villains -- in this episode of Journeys Through Magnamund.

Last time, August and Jonathan took listeners on a quest through the early years of the Darklands War. Now they are back to finish the job, covering some of the most asked-for information in Lone Wolf fandom: how did Banedon become guild master? What happened to Lord Paido? Who is the Slavemaster and why did he betray the Darklords? What became of Vassagonia? Find out, in this epic conclusion to the most devastating war Magnamund has yet seen, part two of THE DARKLANDS WAR!

Lone Wolf has left us stranded in Magnamund just as war breaks out! Join Jonathan and August as they explore a period of time that has never before been explored, the period known as THE DARKLANDS WAR. Discover the secret machinations of Gnaag, how he planted the seeds of war all the way back in MS 5050, and gain information that has not been revealed anywhere else before now, information detailing every major movement and moment of the war.

One of our most awaited episodes, the Dungeons of Torgar is hailed as one of Joe's finest works. Readers can discover new paths after playing it a dozen times. Today August and Jonathan act as navigators, exploring the three main paths to Torgar. Along the way, discover who Baron Shinzar is, the history of Sebb Jarel, and the truth of the Isle of Ghosts.

It's time to enter the Cauldron! Jonathan and August leap head first into the 9th Lone Wolf Adventure, digging up secrets and providing answers to long-asked questions, such as examining the Senate and politics of Tahou and unravelling the story behind a certain psychic ring. But perhaps most exciting, we deep dive into fan-favorite Banedon! Find out his measurements---er, his magical aptitudes and learn more about being a member of the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star.

On September 15th Holmgard Press - in association with Sound Realms Studios - will launch its first official Lone Wolf Kickstarter! Fortress of Death is an audio Lone Wolf adventure, complete with multiple playable characters, branching paths, and combat that you play entirely using your phone. A fully voice acted experience, with music & sound effects complementing the experience. Today, August & Jonathan are joined by the creators of the project to learn more about this brand-new Lone Wolf adventure, its inspirations and aspirations, and some behind-the-scenes details not heard anywhere else!

Welcome to the Jungle! August and Jonathan prep their bug spray and pack extra socks for this journey into Magnamund's most dangerous jungle where we will search for ancient Dessi artifacts and seek to fill out our ever-growing bestiary of nasty creatures. But getting there is half the fun... or more than half, as the majority of this book is spent on actually reaching the borders of the jungle of horrors. Find out why this is, along with secrets of a certain necromancer, details on flora and fauna, and histories of gluttonous monks as Paido and Lone Wolf explore both the overload and river routes!

This iconic adventure inspired the Mirror of Death Lone Wolf video game and the Fortress of Doom audio program. So what can be said about Castle Death that hasn't already been talked about? Turns out, quite a bit! Get ready for one of August and Jonathan's most lore-packed episodes to date, including never before heard histories, back stories to monsters, and the deepest secrets of Kazan-Oud.

Our first adventure in the Magnakai series takes us on a huge journey across the Stornlands in search of an ancient artefact, the Lorestone of Varetta. August and Jonathan are here to dig up the secrets of this wartorn land, filled with never before heard revelations and mysteries. Hear the true history of Castle Taunor, learn about the origins of the Dakomyd, and discover the lore behind a certain famous bow.EDITED: updated in 2025 with a new audio cleanup!

Join Jonathan and August as they discuss the Kai Series, the first five books of the Lone Wolf Saga. From Flight from the Dark to Shadow on the Sand, they rank their favorite encounters, amazing items, and fearsome creatures. There are also special comments sent in directly from fans like you, making this a can't-miss episode!

Concluding the Kai Series, Jonathan and August turn to the desert empire of Vasagonia, where you, Lone Wolf, have been sent as envoy to secure positive relations between the Zahkan and your King. Of course, it wouldn't be an adventure if things didn't go phenominally wrong. Join us as we explore the Baga-Darooz, fight an aerial battle, and meet an old companion. We discuss race and culture and depictions of evil, delving into fantasy tropes and examining them critically, while celebrating the richness of Magnamund's history and lore.

What begins as a simple hunt for missing gold leads to a conspiracy that could threaten all of Magnamund. You, Lone Wolf, find yourself in the new position of leading a platoon. Their fate is in your hands... as is the fate of all the world. Jonathan and August take some of the lesser known paths through this journey, explore never before heard secrets, and share an entire system Joe was going to use for gameplay in this book but which was discarded before the end.

Vonotar the Traitor, the traitorous magician who helped the Darklords slaughter your kin, has been found. The people demand he be brought to justice and so you, Lone wolf, last of the Kai Lords, head on a perilous journey to the frozen wastelands of Kalte. But you won't be alone: August and Jonathan will explore the icy wastes with you, discovering the secrets of Ikaya, learning the machinations of Vonotar, and discussing some major What If scenarios.

The King has sent you on a desperate journey to retrieve the only power in Magnamund that can save your people: the Sommerswerd, the sword of the sun. Team up with August and Jonathan as we embark upon a mission of both urgency and secrecy, all the while pursued by undead shapeshifters, ghostly death-hulks, and assassins. Discover why you should never take a ship anywhere in Magnamund.

The bodies of your brethren lay strewn about you amidst the ruins of your once peaceful home. The Kai Monastery is broken, no two stones left standing upon each other. Their mission, the protection of Sommerlund, now falls upon you, the last of the Kai. Join August and Jonathan as we race towards the capital, explore the mysteries of the Graveyard of the Ancients, and stay one step ahead of the Darklords through the vast Sommerlund forest.

What is Magnamund and why are we journeying through it? Get the answer to this question, learn who your hosts for this podcast are, and discover why Joe Devere and his Lone Wolf series has created a fanbase that has lasted 40 years and which has played an instrumental role in reviving the world of Magnamund.