Swords Against Madness

In space, forces move against Miria, and an old friend falls into peril…

This episode was created entirely in response to a prompt from the Mythic Game Master Emulator and introduces two new characters.

Just in time for Halloween, this episode is one of the darkest in the series. If you are uncomfortable with psychological torture or mind control, this episode might be very uncomfortable.

Cast

The Assassin was played by Nola Dorren-Rideout

Music in this Episode

From the Free Music Alliance:

King Edward by Mister Smith (CC-BY) from the Free Music Archive

From Pixabay

“Cyberpunk” by Nikita Kondrashev
“Dark Cyberpunk Action” by Energysound
“Chase” by Nikita Kondrashev
“Suspense Dark” by Nikita Kondrashev
“Suspense Tension” by sub_clair
“The Longing for…” by Simon LeGrec
“Tyro (Dark)” by by Nikita Kondrashev
“Taiko and Brams Scene” by Monkredey Sounds

Fear. Isolation. Discover. This is Red Bay

Red Bay is an anthology of found footage horror stories by Brian Rideout and Jon Cohen made using the Red Bay writing tool by Jon Cohen.

Red Bay is intended for mature audiences. Listener discretion is definitely advised.

Visit our website at rebday.media

Say hello on Bluesky @RedBayPod

And try out the tool for yourself on DriveThruRPG

Miria and Kale navigate the City of the Dead, Duat-Nar hoping to find their lost companions. They find much more than they bargained for, including blood, redemption, and strange secrets.

This Episode was Swords & Wizardry at its most entertaining for me, with Mythic GME throwing curveballs every few minutes.

I feature a custom monster inspired by the classic D&D monster, the Yellow Musk Creeper.

Dusking Flower

Dusking Flower: HD: 2+2; AC: 8 [12]; Att: tendril (1d4 + grab); SV: 16; Special: hypnotic polled, strangle; MV: 6; AL: Neutrality; ML: 8; No. Appearing: 1d4; CL/XP: 4/

Creepers that tangle around the souls of those dead claimed by primordial spirits, the dusking flowers keeps souls bound to their reanimated remains in the physical world.

Grab: Any creature hit by a Dusking Flower is coiled i its tendrils. They must make a Save (with Strength Bonus) to break free on their turn. They may attempt to attack the Dusking fFower with a small one-handed weapon instead.

Hypnotic Pollen: Any creature within 15′ of a Dusking Flower when it is trying to keep a hold of a soul must Save (as if against poison) or become entranced. They will approach to within 5′ of the flower and will not take any action. Each creature may attempt a new Save against poison each round to break free of the spell. Once they have successfully saved against Dusking Flower pollen they automatically succeed all other saves against it for one day.

Strangle: A Dusking Flower automatically deals 1d6 damage to a grappled foe each round on its turn. It may attack a different target with its tendril attack.

Cast

Coop the DM as Berle

Carl White as The Dread Silkworm

Craig Husebow as Silas

Music in this Episode

From the Free Music Alliance:

King Edward by Mister Smith (CC-BY) from the Free Music Archive

From Pixabay

“Dark Crime Scene Atmosphere” by Universfield
“Culprit Massacre” by Alexander Nakarada
“Hate” by Mr. Claps
“Dark Matter” by Alex Grohl
“Night Detective (no beat)” by Amaksi
“Inspiring Cinematic Ambience” by Lexin Music
“A Long Way” by Serge Pavkin Music
“Emo Goth Rock metal” by Catch 22 Music
“Nostalgia Post Punk” by Sweetfinger
“Acidcore” by Jumping Bunny”

Miria and Kale tell stories to fight off the numbing effects of the land of the dead as they search for one of the Demenses where the recently passed await judgement. In a flashback, Silas, Tom, and Tina delve one of Yanghu’s dungeons seeking a way home.

WARNING: This episode has lots of graphic violence. Even more graphic than usual for this podcast. It includes gory sounds and references to toxins and paralysis. Also, mild sexual innuendo.

Another round with the Carrion Crawler in this episode!

Miria and Kale struggle against subtle and very dangerous planar effects, inspired by the way planes were handled in Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Ed.

It also included two custom monsters, The Jasconi, and the Riding Dragonfly

Jasconi

Jasconi: HD: 24; AC: 1 [18]; Att: spray (5d8); SV: 4; Special: undertow; MV: swimming 6; AL: Neutrality; ML: 10; No. Appearing: 2d8; CL/XP: 25/28,800

The Jasconi are 600ft. long archer fish who accrue soil and vegetation on their backs. They attack by spitting hot geysers of water, with a range of 500/1500/3000

Undertow: Any creature in the water within 60′ of a moving Jasconi must make a saving throw or be dragged under the water and risk drowning.

Riding Dragonfly

Riding Dragonfly: HD: 2; AC: 5 [14]; Att: bite (1d8); SV: 16; MV: 6, flying 18; AL: Neutrality; ML: 6; No. Appearing: 3d4; CL/XP: 3/160

A massive jewelled dragonfly with an 18′ wingspan; the Riding dragonfly is strong enough to carry an unarmoured man and some gear.

Music in this Episode

From the Free Music Alliance:

King Edward by Mister Smith (CC-BY) from the Free Music Archive

Used with Permission

Combat: Cookie Tin by Jon Cohen

Combat: Silver Cult by Jon Cohen

From Pixabay:

“Acidcore” by Jumping Bunny

“Dark November” by O’Dennehy

“Sigh of Autumn” by Amurich

“The Horizon Always Wins” by White Fox

“Hypnotic Mysterious Music” by Tunetank

“A Windy Day at the Sea” by Billy Ziogas

“Dawning Desert Heat” by Alessia Davina

“Dark Pulse” by Samuel Fjohanns

A summary of Episodes 31-39

Swords Against Madness episode 40 is a summary of the plot from episodes 31 through 39. An opportunity to catch up on the plot or just refresh your memory. It adds nothing to the main plot-line.

Music in this Episode

From the Free Music Alliance:

King Edward by Mister Smith (CC-BY) from the Free Music Archive

From Pixabay:

“Crossroads” by Alexander Nakarada

“Scorched Fields” by Alexander Nakarada

“Dark Suspense Trailer” by Nastel Bom

“The Enchantress” by OB-LIX

“Nepal” by Abydos Music