You enter the ruined chamber.

There are no monsters. No treasure chests. No conveniently abandoned journals explaining precisely what happened here.

Just a strange symbol carved into the stone floor.

And suddenly everyone at the table wants to know what it means.

That, Adventurers, is the power of a good symbol.

Fantasy is filled with them — arcane runes scratched onto dungeon doors, heraldic devices carried into battle, thieves’ marks hidden on alley walls, alchemical glyphs filling a wizard’s notebook, and strange sigils warning sensible travelers that perhaps they should NOT OPEN THIS DOOR.

But we fantasy Gamemasters and writers don’t always have to invent these things from scratch.

Humanity has already spent thousands of years creating an extraordinary visual language of signs, symbols, charms, sacred geometry, alchemical marks, and mysterious little doodads whose meanings range from protection and transformation to death, rebirth, planets, metals, seasons, spirits . . . and apparently even Troll prevention.

Which brings me to a fascinating book sitting in my Fantasy Library: Adele Nozedar’s The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Signs and Symbols.

This hefty A–Z compendium wanders through symbols from cultures, religions, folklore, alchemy, mythology, magic, mathematics, nature, and history from around the world. Rather than attempt to tackle the whole enchanted tome, I’ve pulled out five entries that immediately got my fantasy-worldbuilding gears turning.

We’re not here to practice alchemy or ward off actual trolls.

We’re here to steal ideas.

So grab your campaign notebook, writer’s journal, or whatever you use to chronicle your creative mischief.

Let’s see what secrets these symbols might unlock.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

Alchemical Symbols

Fantasy Inspiration: What I love here isn’t any individual symbol so much as the idea of a consistent magical language. Imagine finding four triangular markings above four dungeon doors. Once the players discover that one represents Water, suddenly those other three symbols aren’t decoration anymore. They’re information.

A fantasy writer could do the same thing: establish a handful of symbols early in a story, teach the reader what they mean, and then let those symbols quietly communicate things later without explanation.

And why stop with the four elements? Metals, planets, seasons, spirits — an entire magical system could be represented through symbols that characters must learn to recognize, combine, and decipher.

GM Trick: Don’t explain every symbol the first-time players encounter it. Let them learn your world’s symbolic language through visual repetition.

The Elven Star

Fantasy Inspiration: Symbols are wonderful vessels for cultural identity. A recurring star, rune, animal, tree, or geometric design can tell us something belongs to a particular people without a paragraph of explanation.

The Elven Star also demonstrates the worldbuilding potential of numbers. Seven points might acquire significance throughout an invented culture — in its mythology, architecture, calendar, religion, heraldry, or even music. Repeat those patterns often enough and they begin to make a fictional civilization feel as though it developed its own traditions rather than simply being invented for the story.

And, of course, the fact that this one is actually called the Elven Star makes it almost criminal not to steal it for fantasy.

GM Trick: Give recurring numbers meaning in your world. If seven is important to the Elves, let players encounter it again and again: seven towers, seven noble houses, seven sacred trees, seven stars on an ancient crown. Eventually, merely encountering the number seven can become a clue.

The Magic Knot

Fantasy Inspiration: There’s something wonderfully intuitive about the symbolism of a knot. We tie bonds, bind agreements, become entangled in problems, and sever ties. Fantasy can make those metaphors literal.

That makes knots particularly useful for representing enchantments, oaths, imprisonment, protection, marriage, curses, alliances, or magical contracts. The more elaborate the knot, perhaps the more powerful - or more difficult to unravel — the thing it represents.

It’s also a reminder that fantasy symbols don’t have to be arbitrary squiggles. Their shape itself can suggest their meaning, allowing readers and players to make educated guesses even before they know the answer.

GM Trick: A magical knot doesn't have to be made of rope to be “unraveled.” A carved knot might be broken by chipping away part of its pattern; an inked one altered with a single stroke; a metal one damaged by bending or breaking it. Let even a small interruption in the knot's continuous design weaken, alter, or destroy whatever magic it binds. Give players a reason to wonder whether disturbing that ancient knot symbol is very clever . . . or a spectacularly bad idea.

The Spiral

Fantasy Inspiration: Few symbols suggest movement as naturally as the spiral. Your eye instinctively follows it inward or outward, making it an evocative symbol for journeys, growth, transformation, cycles, time, death and rebirth.

For fantasy worldbuilding, that symbolism can extend far beyond something carved on a stone. Patterns can appear in architecture, jewelry, clothing, weapons, gardens, maps, ceremonial dances, or the layout of entire settlements. A culture that considers the spiral sacred might incorporate it everywhere.

That’s an especially useful lesson for worldbuilders: a meaningful symbol doesn’t have to appear only as a mysterious rune. It can become part of how a civilization builds, decorates, celebrates, mourns, and understands the world.

GM Trick: Not every important symbol needs to be carved on a door or painted on a shield. Hide the spiral in plain sight: a curling fern, a snail shell, a whirlpool, the horns of a beast, even the pattern of stars overhead. Repeating the same shape in unexpected places can tell observant players that seemingly unrelated things share a mysterious connection.

The Troll Cross

And finally, we arrive at perhaps the single most important discovery I’ve made during my years of fantasy scholarship:

People apparently invented Troll Repellent.

The so-called Troll Cross was an iron amulet said to offer protection against trolls and other troublesome entities.

Which raises the obvious question:

WHERE WAS THIS THING DURING EVERY D&D CAMPAIGN I’VE EVER PLAYED?

Fantasy Inspiration: This one illustrates something particularly valuable to fantasy creators: folklore can make ordinary objects extraordinary.

A simple piece of iron becomes much more interesting once people believe its shape protects them from something lurking beyond the firelight. Whether that protection actually works is almost beside the point. People might wear it, hang it over doors, carve it into buildings, give one to children, or refuse to travel without it.

Those little superstitions can make a fantasy culture feel lived-in. Not every belief needs to be objectively true, either. Some might work. Some might once have worked. Some might be complete nonsense. And some . . . may become useful again one day . . .

The characters living in that world may have no idea which is which.

Symbols aren’t merely puzzle components or magical devices — they’re evidence that the people inhabiting your fantasy world have beliefs, histories, fears, customs, and misunderstandings of their own.

GM Trick: Folklore doesn't have to be reliable. Let NPCs disagree about what a symbol means or whether it actually works. One village swears the Troll Cross keeps Trolls away; another insists it only protects children; a third says everyone has been wearing it upside down for three hundred years. Uncertainty makes folklore feel like folklore — let your players discover where it ends and where truth begins.

Symbols Are Worldbuilding Shortcuts

What fascinates me most about all of these isn’t so much if an ancient symbol really protected someone from trolls, controlled the weather, represented cosmic forces, or opened a portal to Faerie.

It’s that people believed the shape meant something . . . and how often these shapes repeat themselves, seemingly independently, over the eons throughout various cultures.

And that is enormously useful to fantasy creators.

A good fictional world shouldn’t communicate everything through exposition. Sometimes a crescent scratched above a doorway tells us who is welcome there.

A seven-pointed star on a soldier’s shield tells us where his allegiance lies.

A knot carved into a tomb tells us something has been bound.

Four elemental marks surrounding a doorway suggest a puzzle before anyone says a word.

We don’t necessarily need to borrow the original meanings, either.

We can borrow the idea that symbols have meanings.

Create them. Change them. Combine them. Let different cultures interpret the same mark differently. Let modern characters misunderstand symbols left behind by ancient civilizations.

And perhaps most importantly...

Don’t explain all of them.

Because nothing makes a fantasy world feel more real than a mysterious symbol whose meaning has been forgotten to the sands of time . . .

Signs of Adventure Ahead…

There are hundreds more signs and symbols hiding inside Nozedar’s encyclopedia . . . and thousands more scattered throughout human history.

Some beautiful. Some unsettling. Some baffling. And some seemingly designed specifically to make a Gamemaster reach for a notebook and whisper, “Ohhh... I can use that.”

That’s the real treasure here for me.

We spend so much time trying to invent fantastic worlds that it’s easy to forget how fantastically strange our own world already is.

Our ancestors filled it with mysterious marks, protective charms, sacred shapes, secret alphabets, celestial signs, monsters, spirits, magical metals, and symbols whose meanings have changed —or disappeared entirely — across centuries.

That’s an awfully deep dungeon for a fantasy creator to explore.

So the next time your adventurers discover a strange symbol carved into an ancient dungeon wall, don’t settle for:

“It’s some kind of rune.”

Give that little squiggle a history.

Give it a secret.

Show them what it looks like.

And whatever you do...

don’t ever cross a bridge without first making sure you’re wearing your Troll Cross.

Symbolically yours, Adventurer,

-J.Q.

💬Tavern Talk

❓⚔️ Gamemasters: Do you use mysterious signs, runes, or symbols in your adventures?

❓🪶 Writers: Have you created a symbol, sigil, crest, or secret mark for one of your fantasy worlds?

❓🔮 Which of these five symbols would you most like to build an adventure around?

Leave a comment

Your next piece of fantasy fun is calling.

BRODRYK SAYS: “Now this be a proper tome — hundreds of pages of strange signs, ancient symbols, curious meanings, and worldbuilding fodder just waiting to be pilfered. Gamemasters, writers, and other creative miscreants could lose many an hour in here. Why invent every mysterious symbol from scratch when history has already stocked the shelves?”

Secret Signs and Symbols on Amazon

BRODRYK SAYS: “Every worldbuilder needs proper supplies! Brodryk's stocked these shelves with books, tools, and assorted creative loot for writers, Gamemasters, artists, and anyone else foolish enough to build entire worlds in their spare time. Have a rummage through “For Fantasy Writers & Creators” and find something worthy of yer next creation.”

Brodyrk says: “And fer everyone else, remember to check out the Rediscovered Realms Amazon Storefront for the most epic gift-giving ideas for those important adventurers in your life (including yourself 🗡)” - Brodryk (Shopkeep)

(As an Amazon Associate1 I earn from qualifying purchases)

You are not only brave, but a Generous Adventurer whose love of Discovery, Imagination & Fun transcends our mere mortal coils . . .

🗡Buy me a Sword +1 (or ☕...)

. . . and for that, I thank you!

Do you love heroic fantasy gamebooks like me? Consider signing up to be informed when I launch my very 1st one!

FOLLOW ALONG!

(Featuring artwork from Clyde Caldwell & Luke Eidenschink!)

Rediscovered Realms is catching you up on some of the coolest fantasy news that just won’t fit in our regular weekly edition. Welcome to the August 2026 issue of The Phantasy Snitch!

Rediscovered Realms’ denizens . . . er, citizens can now enjoy a curated lite dose of worthy Fantasy-related news, products, and rumours from the RPG, fantasy book, movie, D&D, LOTR, mythology, board game, art & archaeology genres (and you now have extra time to immerse yourself within all our other beefier newsletters!)

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

IN MEMORIAM:

• It’s with a sad heart that I share that our fellow creator at “Critical Hit Parader”, , has lost his wife, Liz this week. For anyone who has ever read his heavy-metal-fueled fantasy newsletter or engaged personally with Matt, you know how great of a guy he is.

  • Here’s the link to his page where you can offer words of support during this most difficult time.

    

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• Another personal hit in this year of 2026 where the hits keep coming is the loss of Peter Cullen, the voice not only of some of the most influential heroes (Optimus Prime) and Villains (Venger), but really one of the primary voices of my entire generation’s childhood. Though I never met him, by all accounts, Peter seemed like a solid guy who I would have loved to hang out with.

  • Some of Peter’s voice acting roles:

    • Optimus Prime (Transformers), Venger (D&D animated series), Eeyore (Winnie the Pooh), KARR (KITT’s mechanical nemesis in Knight Rider) . . . and the sounds of the Predator from the movie Predator!

    • He also voiced characters from these animated series: Voltron, G.I. Joe, Sectaurs, Spider-Man, GoBots, The Pirates of Dark Water, My Little Pony, Scooby-Doo, The Smurfs, Pac-Man, Monchichis, Mister T, Dragon’s Lair, Snorks, Rainbow Brite, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Jetsons, Rambo, Muppet Babies, Ghostbusters, Pound Puppies, Foofur, BraveStarr, DuckTales, Little Wizards, Dino-Riders, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Adventures of the Gummi Bears, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, Saturday Supercade, Visionaries . . . and a whole lot more than that.

    • He was a voice of one of the gremlins in the movie Gremlins, did voiceover work for music albums, video games, theme park rides, and movie promotions.

  • From Wikipedia:

    • 

    • Here’s an endearing clip of Peter telling the story of how he came up with the voice and character for Optimus Prime . . . all based on his older brother who advised him that real heroes are “tough enough to be gentle”:

      And because of how much I love the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon, I can’t not include this best-of compilation of Peter Cullen’s Venger:

THE NEWS:

• From The Alexandrian comes this cool review of old school D&D module A4 - In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords

• From TheDungeonDelver: The Lost Intellivision D&D Game!

  “Before Mattel Electronics collapsed in 1984, they were building an incredible authorized D&D "Super Cartridge" game! But the video game crash plus Mattel's changing fortunes caused it to disappear!”

• I don’t see a purchase link anywhere online, but according to icv2.com, Sirius Dice’s LOTR Adventure Dice Sets Hit Preorder

  • The author mentions: “The dice sets available for preorder are: The Fellowship, Gandalf the Grey, Aragorn, Frodo, The Shire, and The Black Riders.”

  • I looked directly on siriusdice.com but couldn’t find pictures or purchase links of these sets . . . yet . . . but there were some cool Ravenloft sets!

    

• And now, for some humorous Lord of the Rings memes!

  • 

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• Here’s a fun RPG-dice-adjacent article from phys.org: “Dice design solves board gaming’s most surprisingly complex problem—who goes first?”

  “It took nearly 15 years, researchers around the world and enough computing power to search through a universe of possibilities to answer one question: Who goes first?”

• I haven’t read this popular Romantasy yet, but Fourth Wing will have a series of graphic novels, with the 1st edition now available for pre-order (will publish around April 6, 2027)

  • There are at least 6 different editions, with an exclusive Target edition (pictured below) and an exclusive Walmart hardback edition (pictured above), a Walmart paperback edition, as well as a Deluxe Signed Edition (pictured below and available at several retailers). There’s also an exclusive Barnes & Noble Edition (pictured below), and a Books-A-Million and Indigo Exclusive Edition (pictured below). Wow - that’s a lot of editions!!!

    

    

    

    

• Speaking of Romantasy, The Times put out this interesting read: The romantasy bookshop boom — how smutty fairies are saving the high street

  • (Note: You can usually read some of The Times articles without a paid subscription, but you may need to create a free account)

• Personalized Dragon & Gryphon Doorplates!

  • Ok. These looked pretty badass. But . . . they also looked a little AI-like. I’m not sure I trust the company since the prices are pretty low ($37) and their online reputation is a bit sketchy, so I’m not going to post their link. The pictures were cool enough to share as inspiration, though!

    

These Winged Dragon Cast Iron Shelf Brackets from TheKingsBay.com seem legit, though, and may make their way into my realms at some point in the future!

• My nephew, Aidan, loves fantasy-themed video games and sent me this official 8-minute gameplay reveal for the upcoming “Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons” 3rd person single-player video game. Wow - the graphics and atmosphere are pretty insane! Thanks for letting me know about this, Aidan!

• Another fantasy sub-genre I haven’t delved into yet - from CBR comes “10 Greatest Cozy Fantasy Books of 21st Century, Ranked”

  • Now, if you’re like me, you thought, “Hey, I doubt there was any Cozy Fantasy from the 20th Century…” but I guess The Hobbit is included in those ranks. Who knew?

• Switching themes to Sword-and-Sorcery, comes this listicle from Collider: “The 10 Greatest Sword-and-Sorcery Books of All Time, Ranked”

  • I actually got pretty excited when looking through this list, as there were many old school titles (and covers) I had never heard of before.

• Booklovers like me are always tempted by cozy-library things like this: Nightpost Streetlamp Bookend Shelf Light.

  

• But what if you have too many books? I’m glad you asked!

  “Czarina Monroy built her book collection over four years through purchases, gifts and books sent by authors and publishers”

  • The Lowdown:

    • Czarina Monroy stores 500 of her 800 books under her bed, organized by series, genre, and author

    • She began using the unconventional storage system during a gap year after running out of bookshelf space

    • Monroy now uses a hydraulic lift bed and hopes her solution inspires others to creatively use available space

  • Here’s the link to the TikTok to see this solution in action.

• Castles aren’t just for Europe, you know. The U.S. has some classic medieval style with: The 40 Most Beautiful Castles You Can Visit in the United States

• Looks like a good sale on some licensed Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter DIY book nooks!

• Just when you think we’ve seen all there is to see from The Professor . . . “Tolkien’s Unpublished Translation of 13th-Century Allegory “Sawles Warde” Brought to Light”

  • Here’s another article that talks about it: Unpublished Tolkien Translation Discovered in Bodleian Archives. Now Published in Critical Edition

    

• Here’s an interesting article from Hipsters of the Coast about that rascally character . . . “On Gollum”

• Form Fable Beard Co. comes this “natural” product, The Druid - Creek Moss, Tobacco Leaf, and Bergamot Deodorant as well as many other Adventurous scents!

  

  • 💭 Deep Thoughts: Is it really that much better to smell like a Druid than like a Troll? . . .

• “4 Things I Believe as a Red Wizard of Thay”

  

  • One:

    

  • Two:

    

  • Three:

    

  • Four:

    

    (Wizards of the Coast)

• Fantasy Art Video: The Masters of Middle earth & Sci Fi: The Untold Story of the Brothers Hildebrandt

  • I have always LOVED their artwork!

• Fantasy Art Video: BROM | Master of Beautiful Monsters

  • Epic stuff here.

• I just discovered these guys a few weeks ago . . . and they’re hilarious! Embarrassed & Cold voice-acts over their parody animations of our favorite IPs: LOTR, Star Wars (Luke’s whiny voice is hysterical), Harry Potter. I highly recommend. Here are a few of my favorites (Warning: Some foul language in the “Elrond Wants the Fellowship to Leave Already” video)

I haven’t done a Rediscovered Realms theme song in ages, but have kind of missed them. So, to end this edition I invite you to give a listen.

That’s another Phantasy Snitch edition! I’ll see you next week when we return to the regular Rediscovered Realms edition.

Remember to always Keep the Adventure Going STRONG!

💬Tavern Talk

❓Which bit of fantasy news, weirdness, or wonder caught your eye this month?

❓What corner of the fantasy realms should our intrepid goblin reporter go snooping around in next?

Leave a comment

Your next piece of fantasy fun is calling.

“Remember to check out the Rediscovered Realms Amazon Storefront for the most epic gift-giving ideas for those important adventurers in your life (including yourself 🗡)” - Brodryk (Shopkeep)

(As an Amazon1 Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)

You are not only brave, but a Generous Adventurer whose love of Discovery, Imagination & Fun transcends our mere mortal coils . . .

🗡Buy me a Sword+1 (or☕...)

. . . and for that, I thank you!

Do you love heroic fantasy gamebooks like me? Consider signing up to be informed when I launch my very 1st one!

FOLLOW ALONG!

(Featuring artwork from Clyde Caldwell & Luke Eidenschink!)

Remember those inspirational posters that seemed to hang in every office, classroom, and waiting room in the 1990s?

You know the ones: a majestic eagle soaring over a mountain, a lone climber conquering an impossible peak with a single profound word like COURAGE, PERSISTENCE, or TEAMWORK urging us toward greatness.

Well, Adventurers deserve a little inspiration too.

Unfortunately, this isn’t it.

This week, I’m revealing 21 hilariously (de)motivational RPG poster memes I harvested from around the wilds of the internet, celebrating the other side of the adventuring life . . . bad decisions, questionable tactics, impractical armor, overconfident heroes, terrifying monsters, and the sort of hard-earned wisdom best learned at some other Adventurer’s expense.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

Putting the “Quest” in Questionable Life Choices

If you survived an office job in the 1990s, you probably remember the motivational poster invasion.

Those big, black-framed prints, usually featuring dramatic photographs of mountains, eagles, rowers, or impossibly determined rock climbers, paired a single inspirational word with a bit of corporate wisdom about LEADERSHIP, TEAMWORK, COURAGE, or EXCELLENCE.

The style became so recognizable that it practically begged to be parodied. By the late ’90s, Demotivators were turning the whole concept upside down with the same grandiose presentation paired with decidedly less inspiring observations about failure, incompetence, procrastination, and despair.

Naturally, the internet eventually discovered that dragons, wizards, barbarians, scantily clad warriors, and catastrophically bad RPG decisions made the format even better.

And thus we arrive at the questionable nuggets of adventuring wisdom below.

May their wisdom guide you toward slightly better decisions . . .

📢 Speaking of Questionable RPG Humor . . .

A few of you know this but I actually have an RPG Joke book that’s been completed (title, book cover, layout, jokes, images, the whole shebang) and languishing in the depths of Hard Drive Dungeon for over a year and a half.

And I could use your help finally getting it out into the world.

1)I’m looking to release it initially through Kickstarter, with the book living on afterward in print and PDF through DriveThruRPG. If any of you fine party members have experience with either platform, please reach out! There are only a few Troll bridge tolls and a Sphinx riddle or two standing between me and finally escaping Hard Drive Dungeon to complete this quest.

Speaking of Trolls, here’s a sample page:

2. 2)Please take a moment to answer the anonymous polls below. I’d love to get a sense of your interest level — and how you’d prefer to get your adventuring hands on a copy.

3. Thanks, Adventurers! Your feedback will help me decide the best way to finally liberate this hilarious (if I do say so myself) tome from the depths of Hard Drive Dungeon and unleash it upon the Realms. Moohahaha.

   After languishing for over a year and a half, this poor thing deserves a saving throw...

And stay tuned, Adventurers. I’ll be revealing more about this long-imprisoned project in the coming weeks, including the official title, book cover, more sample pages, and an introduction to the dubious fellow responsible for it all . . . the Snarky Bard.

Perhaps the greatest lesson buried among all this questionable wisdom is that adventuring . . . like life . . . is rarely as heroic as the illustrations make it look.

Sometimes the dragon wins. Sometimes the plan goes horribly wrong. Sometimes your armor makes absolutely no practical sense.

And sometimes . . .

. . . the best thing you can do is simply laugh about it.

So go forth, Adventurer. Be brave. Make questionable decisions. Roll poorly.

And if all goes terribly wrong, all is not lost . . . you too might end up on a motivational poster someday.

💬Tavern Talk

❓Which of these (de)motivational posters made you laugh the hardest?

❓Have you ever created any of your own (inspired by hard-won RPG experience, perhaps!)?

Leave a comment

Your next piece of fantasy fun is calling.

BRODRYK SAYS: “If questionable humor be yer thing, Adventurer, come rummage through the Fun(ny) & Geeky shelves at the Rediscovered Realms Amazon Shoppe! I’ve gathered all manner of ridiculous fantasy and RPG treasures guaranteed to lighten yer coin purse . . . and possibly yer mood.”

“Remember to check out the Rediscovered Realms Amazon Storefront for the most epic gift-giving ideas for those important adventurers in your life (including yourself 🗡)” - Brodryk (Shopkeep)

(As an Amazon Associate1 I earn from qualifying purchases)

For Adventurers Who Take Nothing Seriously …

Monster Manual Home Security: 10 D&D Beasts I’d Want Guarding My House

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Mirth of Yore: Cartoons of Fantasy

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Dragon Mirth: Bringing Back The Funny For Fantasy Fans

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Fantastic Fantasy Cartoons

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Rediscovered Relic: 7 Funny Comics Hidden in the 1E Dungeon Masters Guide

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You are not only brave, but a Generous Adventurer whose love of Discovery, Imagination & Fun transcends our mere mortal coils . . .

🗡Buy me a Sword +1 (or ☕...)

. . . and for that, I thank you!

Do you love heroic fantasy gamebooks like me? Consider signing up to be informed when I launch my very 1st one!

FOLLOW ALONG!

(Featuring artwork from Clyde Caldwell & Luke Eidenschink!)

Two pristine paperbacks. One bold adventurer (me) torn between which one to defile.

Join Rediscovered Realms as we size up The Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb against Fairy Tale by Stephen King - then help me choose which one to dive into next!

Oh - and we’re going to announce the winner of last month’s Epic Fantasy Loot Giveaway: Summer Quest 2026!

Oh, Oh (or “Oh”x2) - and a chance for readers to win a brand new set of “Book SLAYER” Bookmarks I found online last month!! (I love me a fantasy-themed bookmark!)

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

The Contenders

These 2 books (like so many others in my hoard) have been calling to me for several moons now.

Summertime is drawing to a close, but there’s still enough time to go on one good adventure.

Will you help me decide?

Let’s look at the first choice:

I’ve always seen Robin Hobb’s name pop-out to me over the years within most Fantasy bookshelves. A few readers here have even recommended her to me over the years.

Seeing this cool Assassin’s Apprentice cover of the Farseer Trilogy at Barnes & Noble pushed me over the edge to pick it up.

But what’s it about?

Bastard son, Outcast, Secret assassin tutoring, Inherited magic, Barbarian raiders, Rise-from-the-ashes trope . . . this book seems to have a lot of fantasy fun to offer!

Weighing in at 438 pages and continuing into several thousand more in the rest of the series, this book is a serious contender!

Fun Facts:

*Robin Hobb is a Pen Name!

Robin Hobb is actually the pen name of author Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden, who had already been publishing fantasy for years as Megan Lindholm before adopting the Robin Hobb name. She continues to be associated with both names, but “Robin Hobb” became the identity behind her sprawling Realm of the Elderlings novels.

*One Apprentice Launched a 16-Book Saga!

Assassin’s Apprentice introduced FitzChivalry Farseer and began the Farseer Trilogy, but Fitz’s world eventually grew into the much larger Realm of the Elderlings, spanning multiple interconnected series. Fitz himself returns in The Tawny Man and The Fitz and the Fool trilogies, turning one assassin’s childhood into a decades-long fantasy saga.

^ Original book cover artwork by legendary Michael Whelan!

Here’s the original 1995 illustration from his website:

Along with one more Whelan gem!

And now, for the second contender! . . .

Truth be told, I’ve never read a Stephen King book.

I’ve seen plenty of his movies, though.

When I saw he had a fantasy/fairy-tale themed book come out with a cool descending-into-the-dungeon cover back in 2022, I was very intrigued.

An Amazon sale I couldn’t pass up led to this 600-pound, err, page, behemoth muscling in on the rest of my fantasy TBR pile.

Here’s what Fairy Tale is about:

Fun Facts:

*Stephen King Wrote Fairy Tale to Make Himself Happy

Early in the COVID pandemic, King asked himself a wonderfully simple question: “What could you write that would make you happy?” Almost immediately, he imagined a deserted city, shattered statues, an overturned gargoyle head, and an enormous palace whose glass towers pierced the clouds. Those images became the seeds of Fairy Tale.

*Stephen King Became One of His Own Characters

The audiobook is primarily narrated by actor Seth Numrich, but King himself performs the recorded messages left behind by the mysterious Howard Bowditch. The production went on to win the 2023 Audie Award for Best Male Narrator, making this an especially fun bit of trivia for readers who have only encountered the print edition.

Orphaned teen, Mysterious shed beholding untold secrets, Gateway fantasy, Good vs. Evil . . . color me intrigued!

Even better is this quote from Laura Miller from Slate:

But I’m not super-drawn to bleak horror-type stuff, and this quote gives me a bit of pause:

And that’s where you come in.

I need your help to decide.

Vote in this Poll, but please leave me some comments as to why you feel the way you do.

Choose wisely . . . my fate is in your hands.

The Epic Fantasy Loot Giveaway: Summer Quest 2026 WINNER!

The winner from our Epic Fantasy Loot Giveaway: Summer Quest 2026 Giveaway Contest is:

RobinPlays!!!

Congratulations, !!! I will reach out to you in email to confirm and arrange delivery.

(Drawings for Epic Fantasy Loot giveaways are available to paid members of Rediscovered Realms)

The July “DriveThruRPG DRAGON’S DRAW” WINNER!

Congratulations to:

Dan Blakely!!!

Congratulations, ! I will contact you through email to confirm which email address you would like to receive this prize.

(Drawings for DriveThruRPG DRAGON’S DRAW giveaways are available to paid members of Rediscovered Realms)

NOTE TO PAST WINNERS: There are a couple of you I still need to arrange delivery due to email issues (and due to Father Time beating me up around the head, neck, and shoulders over the past few months!). I will re-email you this week to arrange any lingering rewards.

Book SLAYER Bookmark Giveaway (Open to ALL subscribers)

Who here likes swords?

Who here likes to read?

Who loves cool bookmarks to put in the books you read?

Open to all Rediscovered Realms readers (free and paid tiers), I have one brand-new set (2 swords) that I will randomly give to one subscriber who Likes or Comments in this edition before September 1st, 2026.

If shipping becomes too cost prohibitive, we’ll work something out to make it fair.

I have a set of these for my own books, and they are SO COOL! They’re made from a neoprene-like flexible material that aren’t only awesome-looking inside your books . . . but are also super fun to duel your friends with!

That’s it for this week’s Rediscovered Realms edition, Adventurer. Make sure to vote for which book I should read next . . .

. . . it’s not just important to me

. . . it’s important also because my Book SLAYER sword bookmark requires a worthy sheath.

💬Tavern Talk

❓Have you read Assassin’s Apprentice or Fairy Tale? What did you think?

❓Do you like/use 3-D bookmarks like the Book SLAYERS, or do you prefer flat styles?

Leave a comment

Your next piece of fantasy fun is calling.

“Oi! You want yer own copy of Assassin’s Apprentice or Fairy Tale? Then check out these deals!

Assassin's Apprentice on Amazon

(This one is currently running a MASSIVE sale btw)

Fairy Tale on Amazon

“Remember to check out the Rediscovered Realms Amazon Storefront for the most epic gift-giving ideas for those important adventurers in your life (including yourself 🗡)” - Brodryk (Shopkeep)

(As an Amazon Associate1 I earn from qualifying purchases)

Liked this Rediscovered Realms edition?

Here are a couple more you’ll love:

DECIDE MY FATE: My Next Fantasy Read

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My Next 12 Fantasy Reads

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ALWAYS Judge A Book By Its Cover: Vol. I

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Desperately Seeking Tolkien: My Journey Through The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams

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A Rediscovered Relic: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

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You are not only brave, but a Generous Adventurer whose love of Discovery, Imagination & Fun transcends our mere mortal coils . . .

🗡Buy me a Sword +1 (or ☕...)

. . . and for that, I thank you!

Do you love heroic fantasy gamebooks like me? Consider signing up to be informed when I launch my very 1st one!

FOLLOW ALONG!

(Featuring artwork from Clyde Caldwell & Luke Eidenschink!)

It’s been a long while since Rediscovered Realms dipped our paintbrush in some fantasy pigments. In fact, this is the first time we’ll be exploring the magical medium of watercolors to bring to life a lonely dragon perched high upon a rocky outcropping.

Will you grab your brush and join me on this quest, or just accompany me in exploring some of the wildly creative pages where this regal dragon was inspired . . . “Dreamscapes: Fantasy Worlds”? Either way, I welcome you, Adventurer!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

Coloring Your World with Fantasy

I’ve felt quite stuck in life as of late.

The daily grind, along with all the incessant pressures of the phrenetic present and the uncertain future has had me in a seemingly constant state of low-grade anxiety.

Details abound, but most do not belong in a magical realm such as this.

My personal tendency is to withdraw and become avoidant when energy is low.

In fact, you may have noticed a shift in my responsivity and the energy of the Rediscovered Realms newsletter this year.

If so, I apologize.

This is meant to be a place of Wonder and Fun and Creativity, mainly for adults to rediscover their sense of Play.

For without a playful attitude and a healthy sense of humor, life gets really hard.

Perhaps you can relate.

Affordability, AI, job losses, wars, health, gaining (just a little!) weight, the political divide, the environment, false friends, children growing up, saving for retirement, getting old enough to see your heroes and loved ones diminish & pass on to the Undying Lands . . .

That’s Life. I get it. But doesn’t it somehow feel different? A bit hopeless . . . a bit lonely?

That’s what I was thinking when my Inner Hero lifted me up by the bootstraps, slapped me across the face and asked:

I replied, “Of course I have! I publish the Rediscovered Realms newsletter every week without fail for going on 3 and-a-half years now. And if you slap me again…”

He interrupted my reply, “Sure, but speaking of “half” what about the gamebook you half-finished? And the joke book you finished but haven’t published? What about sketching or crafting for enjoyment like you used to do? What about the interviews you promised to do with other fantasy creators? What about the community you hoped to build here on Substack? . . .”

He continued, “And worse, you’ve been letting the spirit of the world overtake your sense of adventure.”

Of course, I had a few choice words at the ready to unleash all over this uppity non-entity, but the realization struck . . .

. . . he was right.

I’ve been busying myself so much with concerns & worries that I went into autopilot-avoidant mode, crowding out the magic sense of wonder that had become part of my identity. And my life was worse for it.

I really didn’t have anything else to say to Inner-Hero-Guy, so I went immediately to my closet and picked up an art book I’ve been meaning to explore: “Dreamscapes: Fantasy Worlds”.

Determined to create something, and allowing Fate to (mostly) choose, I scried (a.k.a “flipped through”) instantaneously to a page with a guide to painting a lonely dragon perched on a rock.

The picture was small, tiny even, but it seemed to echo the way I had been feeling.

Yes, this would do nicely. And besides, it seemed to only require 3 steps!

Now, that’s the type of artistic re-introduction I can get behind.

Decision made.

But I hadn’t used watercolors in years. I know I had some laying around, but where were they? Where did I put those brushes? Paper?

Yes, a long title, but a noble one.

My succinctly-titled-quest led me to many a dangerous plastic encased orifice (commonly known as “drawers”) in the Mage’s study and to underground spelunking in the Cavernous Crawlspace of Unnecessary Crap.

But victory was not to be denied - I had been successful in securing all 101 of the items I found necessary for this 3-step illustration.

After taking a long rest to rememorize my Find and Patience spells, I proceeded to get to work.

Would you like to see it?

I bet you would.

But that’s not how this works, pickup lines aside.

Nay, first we must explore a bit o’ the Dreamscapes volume before we get to the nitty-aqueous-gritty.

Here’s a bit about the author/artist, Stephanie Pui-Mun Law:

I won’t be showing every page, but just a sampling of what’s inside. There are several really useful pages on material and techniques.

I like Stephanie’s section descriptions, blending a bit of practicality with the fantastical.

There are sections on specific themes, like Castles, Trees, Clouds, Woods, Shadows, Textures and more.

The book is also interspersed with “Demonstrations” that give the reader the basic steps and materials to create the featured watercolor paintings. Here are several of my favorites:

Ok. That’s enough of the tour. I think you get the idea.

Time to confront our Lonely Dragon.

I took a closeup of the 3 stages in case you decide to paint along.

The 3 steps as interpreted by me are:

(1) Sketch the dragon lightly in pencil & put a watery colored “wash” over the entire thing

(2) Let the wash dry and paint over it (“glaze”) with dragon-colors and rock-colors

(3) Let it dry again and keep adding darker details & shading until you are satisfied.

What’s a “Graded Wash”?

I’m glad you asked.

Oh, and you would like to know a little more about “Glazing”?

I read it a couple times to understand why they call it “Glazing” instead of just “Painting”, but I guess it has to do with the translucent properties of watercolors - when you paint over another color, it can add a pearlescent look to your colors when the base coat is allowed to show through a bit.

Now you know everything I did before I got started.

Time to sketch!

I stayed a bit messy and went heavy on the eraser where I felt like it.

The paints I would be using (Castle) had never seen the light of day, so I didn’t know if the pencil marks would show through, or if I put enough layers (or certain colors) would cover them up.

As you’ll see in a bit, some of my lines did show through the paint, but I didn’t mind. For many of them, I used a darker mix of Burnt Umber or Yellow to outline over the pencil marks.

Oh! And speaking of colors, I didn’t have the exact colors mentioned in the list, so I chose ones that were close enough.

Initial wash. I followed the instructions from above, using a tilted surface to allow gravity to help the paint run down.

Before that, I used a wide brush to apply just water to the entire surface.

I wasn’t satisfied with the boundaries and texture of the wash, so kept adding more paint or more water while brushing side-to side.

Watercolors are meant to have a life of their own, so giving up control and allowing them to bleed into places you weren’t expecting is part of the process (though I’m not opposed to re-wetting and blotting up spots I just don’t like at all!)

I taped down the edges. Technically, I should have “stretched” the paper first before painting, but figured the wash should accomplish the same thing.

(“Stretching” the paper means wetting it, taping it down and letting it dry to prevent it from warping later when you actually paint it and it dries.)

Here’s where you start applying dragon color and details.

I started by watering down the colors the most, then as they dried, they created darker and darker pigments.

If they get too dry?

Just add water!

When you’re using actual watercolor paper, it actually dries pretty fast, but if it’s not drying out fast enough for you, just work on a different area or wait for the other area to dry before painting over (or next to) it.

I also allowed my Lonely Dragon to start to drift from what the original in the book looked like. It’s all good to make it your own (whether intentionally or not!)

I actually painted this over a couple-few days. It’s another thing I like about watercolors. Just reconstitute your pallet and pick up where you left off.

Super easy to clean up between sessions - just wash your brushes real quick with water!

I tried to add some darker shading with using concentrated paint right out of the tube or “dryer” paint or by dabbing my brush in a paper towel after dipping it in the paint to reduce the amount of liquid in the bristles.

I also experimented with adding texture to the dragon skin by dabbing the brush instead of using strokes.

Eventually, you’ll get to a point where you’re either satisfied, tired of dinking with it, . . . or where your spouse yells to get your stuff off the dining table after a week.

That’s exactly when you know you’ve arrived!

Now, I’m no expert at this. My sketching isn’t great. My shading and technique can be magnitudes better. But you know what?

I don’t care.

I had fun.

I like how my Lonely Dragon turned out.

And more importantly, by Creating instead of just Existing - and sharing it with you - I don’t feel quite as lonely anymore.

And neither does the “Lonely” Dragon . . .

💬Tavern Talk

❓Are you going to make your own Lonely Dragon or some other art piece?

❓Do you find that creating something and bringing it into the real world helps relieve stress or brings deep satisfaction?

Leave a comment

Your next piece of fantasy fun is calling.

Dreamscapes: Fantasy Worlds is available as a Kindle eBook for a great price on Amazon (I wouldn’t get the print edition from there, as the prices are way higher than other used markets!)

Dreamscapes on Kindle

“Remember to check out the Rediscovered Realms Amazon Storefront for the most epic gift-giving ideas for those important adventurers in your life (including yourself 🗡)” - Brodryk (Shopkeep)

(As an Amazon Associate1 I earn from qualifying purchases)

Did you like this edition? Then you’ll want to check out:

Fantasy Art Workshop: Sea Hag

along with badass illustrations from the book “Scared! How to Draw Fantastic Horror Comic Characters”

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Fantasy Art Workshop: Cyclops

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You are not only brave, but a Generous Adventurer whose love of Discovery, Imagination & Fun transcends our mere mortal coils . . .

🗡Buy me a Sword +1 (or ☕...)

. . . and for that, I thank you!

Do you love heroic fantasy gamebooks like me? Consider signing up to be informed when I launch my very 1st one!

FOLLOW ALONG!

(Featuring artwork from Clyde Caldwell & Luke Eidenschink!)

Some fantasy artists create beautiful illustrations.

Jesper Ejsing creates adventures.

His artwork rarely feels like static portraits. Instead, it captures split-second moments filled with motion, danger, humor, and larger-than-life characters. Whether he’s depicting reckless rogues, macabre monsters, determined heroes, or impossible creatures, every image feels like the opening scene of an unforgettable quest.

This week we’re exploring 75 awe-inspiring fantasy works from across his remarkable career, spanning Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, Magic: The Gathering, World of Warcraft, Fantasy Flight Games, and other legendary worlds.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

Jesper Ejsing - The Adventurer Behind the Art

“Jesper Ejsing was born in Denmark in 1973. He first discovered fantasy through the works of Tolkien and got introduced to D&D on Christmas Day, 1986. Skipping through the pages of the rulebooks, he set a goal for the rest of his life: He would become a fantasy artist. He would make a living illustrating things that live only in imagination… one way or the other.

He studied Danish literature and Art History before quitting University for a freelance artist life. The early years as a fulltime illustrator meant drawing anything for money. Soon he weeded out the assignments that weren’t historical, and after a while all he did was fantasy art.

When he finally got his first assignment for Dungeons and Dragons it was 20 years since that Christmas when the goal was set. He struck out on a journey, stubbornly, and at times ignorant to the realities of life, and 2 decades of traveling has finally brought him home.

Jesper Ejsing still lives in Copenhagen Denmark, with his 2 sons and wife, Lea. Along with paintings, he has written numerous books. “Jarvis – the Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is the only one translated into English.”

Every Illustration Tells a Story

One of my favorite things about Ejsing’s work is that he rarely illustrates events.

He illustrates moments.

The instant before the dragon strikes.

The desperate dash through an ancient forest.

The terrifying grin of a villain who’s already three steps ahead.

The impossible battle that somehow still feels winnable.

Even without reading a single paragraph of lore, you immediately start imagining what happened just before . . . and what might happen next.

That's the kind of fantasy art I never get tired of discovering.

Now let’s see if you agree . . .

From the World of Dungeons & Dragons

(all rights reserved by Wizards of the Coast)

From the World of Pathfinder

(all rights reserved by Paizo Publishing)

Here’s the cover background progression Jesper created for the Pathfinder Giant Slayer expansion!

From the World of Fantasy Flight Games

(all rights reserved by Fantasy Flight Games)

From the World of Warcraft

(all rights reserved by Blizzard Entertainment)

From the World of Magic The Gathering

(all rights reserved by Wizards of the Coast)

From Other Worlds

Okay... so how incredible was that?!

There are so many of Jesper Ejsing’s illustrations that I absolutely adore. They’re the kind of artwork that makes me want to write stories, or sketch my own characters, or gather around the table for another fantasy roleplaying adventure.

Fantasy art isn’t simply about depicting monsters or heroes.

Sometimes it’s about reminding us that the spirit of adventure still lives within us.

Jesper Ejsing has spent decades creating worlds that invite us to step inside them - to explore forgotten ruins, flee impossible monsters, laugh at mischievous goblins, and cheer for heroes who refuse to back down.

After admiring these 75 illustrations, I find myself wanting to roll initiative, sharpen my sword, and head into the wilds once again.

How about you?

Want Jesper Ejsing to teach YOU how to do fantasy art? Then check out his:

—> Posts on Muddy Colors

—> Wizard painting tutorial on gumroad

—> Fantasy Acrylic Painting course on Domestika

You can also purchase poster prints and find out more about Jesper on his website: https://jesperejsing.com/shop

Jesper also has one of his books, “Jarvis: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” available on Amazon for purchase:

“Jarvis: The Sorcerer's Apprentice brings us a fresh and exciting new direction in fantasy. Jesper Ejsing makes a bold, strong entry into epic storytelling.” - Tracy Hickman, co-author of the acclaimed Dragonlance series

Check price of Jarvis on Amazon

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)

💬Tavern Talk

❓Which illustration in today's gallery would you most want hanging on your wall?

❓Which fantasy creature do you think Jesper paints best: monsters, heroes, or something else?

❓Which game setting has consistently had your favorite fantasy artwork over the years?

Leave a comment

Your next piece of fantasy fun is calling.

“Remember to check out the Rediscovered Realms Amazon Storefront for the most epic gift-giving ideas for those important adventurers in your life (including yourself 🗡)” - Brodryk (Shopkeep)

(As an Amazon Associate1 I earn from qualifying purchases)

You are not only brave, but a Generous Adventurer whose love of Discovery, Imagination & Fun transcends our mere mortal coils . . .

🗡Buy me a Sword +1 (or ☕...)

. . . and for that, I thank you!

Do you love heroic fantasy gamebooks like me? Consider signing up to be informed when I launch my very 1st one!

FOLLOW ALONG!

(Featuring artwork from Clyde Caldwell & Luke Eidenschink!)

Fantasy doesn’t just live on bookshelves.

Every week, talented creators upload fascinating videos celebrating fantasy art, tabletop gaming, medieval history, classic films, craftsmanship, humor, and old-school RPGs.

This week, I’ve gathered some of my favorite recent discoveries from legendary fantasy artwork and forgotten childhood movies to medieval knights, incredible workshop builds, and a few videos guaranteed to make you laugh.

Grab your favorite beverage tankard, settle into a comfortable chair, and enjoy this week’s fantasy viewing expedition.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

OLD SCHOOL D&D

Becoming a Bard in Early D&D Was INSANELY DIFFICULT!

Anyone else remember these rules? I remember wanting to be a Bard but having to reevaluate my life’s choice once I saw all the prerequisites!

Amazing Dungeons & Dragons Thrift Store Find

Makes me want to go to local thrift store to see what I can find.

This AD&D Module Courted Controversy With A RACY Cover!

Jeff Easley cover art!

SILVER SCREEN SORCERY

The forgotten traumatic film from your childhood

Not sure anyone who watched this movie as a kid could ever forget it!

MEDIEVAL MEANDERING

Warhorses: How did a medieval knight and his horse work as a team on the battlefield?

I found this fascinating - and his steed is one of the coolest horses ever.

European Knight DESTROYS Karate Black Belt In SECONDS

Henry VIII’s Armor

This armor (and its girth) is really impressive. Worth a look.

FANTASY GAMES & PLAY

Can you guess the Harry Potter book from the chapter art

How to Play Scoundrel | The Best 1-Player Card Game of All Time

Ummm. I never heard of this, but watching the tutorial has gotten me excited enough to pull out a deck of cards for this evening.

The video does a great job of explaining & visualizing the rules.

Spades & Clubs are monsters:

Diamonds are weapons:

And Hearts are health potions:

Here’s a themed deck they mention that looks pretty bad ass:

You’ll have to watch the video to learn the rest!

Dragon Town is nominated for an Ennie Award!

A fun looking TTRPG with cool art that may tempt me to clear out some shelf space …

FANTASY ARTS & CRAFTS

The Polish Painter Who Mastered Werewolves — The Final Paintings

This artist is impressive and I love the walkthru Jajku Curiosity does for each of these paintings:

btw: Speaking of Werewolves, did you catch the preview for “Werwulf” coming this Christmas?

Meet Mayanna Berrin’s New D&D Character ‘Sapphira Horayas’ | Dungeon Masters Campaign 2

These are a couple of quick shorts showing an artist drawing out 2 players’ characters as they describe them out loud.

Meet Devora Wilde's New D&D Character 'Princess Hobnip' | Dungeon Masters Campaign 2

FRANK FRAZETTA | The Godfather of Fantasy Art | vol.1 — The Essentials

Lots of amazing Frazetta artwork (100 pieces!) to enjoy in this video.

I Made REALISTIC Norse Fantasy Armor

Really well done. I’m always amazed at the creativity and skills of people who commit themselves to their craft.

I Built A Voice Opening Door To Moria (My Garage)

And while we’re “speaking”, this is probably my favorite video of the whole edition. The raw creativity and breadth of skills Quantum Relics Workshop brings to bear are astounding. His humorous commentary throughout made me chuckle in between squeals of glee as I watched this masterpiece unfold.

Now, I invite you to partake of this creative fantasy feast!

Seriously, this is probably the coolest door ever to swing upon 3 hinges . . . so open it up and enter already!

FANTASY HUMOR

How It Feels Talking To A Looksmaxxer (Lord of the Rings Style!)

Have you heard about the “Looksmaxxing” trend? If you have, you are going to love this video. If you haven’t, you may not get all the Looksmaxxing specialized vocabulary, but you’ll still enjoy it.

Trump Ruins Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secret final Part

Some funny lines in this one!

Chris Farley teaches Medieval survival to son Macaulay Culkin

An old gem I don’t remember ever seeing! It’s hard to believe Chris Farley’s been gone for almost 30 years, but still funny to this day.

It’s remarkable how much incredible fantasy content exists today.

One creator spends months building a voice-activated Door of Moria. Another analyzes medieval warhorses in astonishing detail. Someone else painstakingly documents some of the greatest fantasy paintings ever created. And from the mists of time, Chris Farley re-emerges teaching medieval survival.

There’s probably never been a better time to be a fantasy fan.

Hopefully one or two of these videos introduced you to a new creator worth following - or inspired you to dust off a deck of cards, pick up a paintbrush, revisit an old movie, or simply spend an evening rediscovering the sense of wonder that first drew so many of us into fantasy.

Until next time...

Keep the Adventure Going Strong!

💬Tavern Talk

❓Which video was your favorite?

❓In 100 words or less, tell us how much you would hate having a light-up Moria door in your home that opens to your voice?

Leave a comment

Your next piece of fantasy fun is calling.

“Remember to check out the Rediscovered Realms Amazon Storefront for the most epic gift-giving ideas for those important adventurers in your life (including yourself 🗡)” - Brodryk (Shopkeep)

(As an Amazon Associate1 I earn from qualifying purchases)

You are not only brave, but a Generous Adventurer whose love of Discovery, Imagination & Fun transcends our mere mortal coils . . .

🗡Buy me a Sword +1 (or ☕...)

. . . and for that, I thank you!

Do you love heroic fantasy gamebooks like me? Consider signing up to be informed when I launch my very 1st one!

FOLLOW ALONG!

(Featuring artwork from Clyde Caldwell & Luke Eidenschink!)

Every summer deserves at least one great adventure.

This year’s Rediscovered Realms giveaway contest is packed with classic fantasy books, Dragon magazines, gamebooks, collectibles, Lord of the Rings treasures, and a few surprises that span more than four decades of fantasy history.

Even if you’re not entering the giveaway, I hope you’ll enjoy flipping through these relics with me. From classic RPG magazine articles and advertisements to vintage fantasy artwork, comics, computer games, and memorable gamebooks, there’s plenty here to discover . . . or rediscover once more.

Let’s see what’s hiding in this treasure chest.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

What's Waiting Inside the Treasure Chest?

🎁 One Winner Will Receive...

This summer’s prize bundle includes thirteen fantasy treasures:

• Lord of the Rings embroidered polo shirt (new, size Large)

• Dungeons & Dragons Cartoon Diana action figure

• Funko Bitty Pop! Frodo Baggins & The Shire

• The Forest of Doom Fighting Fantasy gamebook

• The Caverns of Kalte (Lone Wolf Book 3)

• Hardcover foil dragon journal with fantasy sword pen

• Rat Queens Vol. 1: Sass and Sorcery

• Berserk Volume 1 (English edition)

• Epic Illustrated (June 1983)

• Dragon Magazine #73 (May 1983)

• Dragon Magazine #173 (September 1991)

• Dragon Magazine #331 (May 2005)

Before we get to the giveaway details, let’s explore the treasures a bit together.

Inner Planes, Half-Ogre lore, early Dark Sun previews, classic fantasy advertisements, vintage comics, fantasy artwork, Fighting Fantasy and Lone Wolf illustrations, and plenty of nostalgic surprises from across the decades.

Think of it as a miniature fantasy museum tour.

Speaking of miniature . . .