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 January 2025 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.
This Week’s Rediscovered Realms Theme Song:
| Genre: Fantasy Bardic Storytelling | Lyrics1|
“Heroes, Gather Round!”
| Genre: Medieval Bardic Storytelling | Lyrics|
“Heroes, Gather Round! (Remix)”
THE NEWS:
We have a replacement winner for January’s $10 “DriveThruRPG DRAGON’S DRAW” gift card! Pumilio1 graciously declined, so this now goes to RobinPlays!!! Congratulations, Robin! I’ve contacted you through email with the details.
(For anyone else who wants to be a part of future “DriveThruRPG DRAGON’S DRAW” drawings - as well as for our “EPIC FANTASY LOOT” drawings, make sure to snag one of our remaining spots in “THE 300” paid subscription tier before the price increases.


Umm. What else needs to be said about this life-size Warduke helmet and Venger mask? One size fits all. It’s just a matter of time before I test that theory!

Nostalgia often gets a bad rap in today’s society. Yet, it has always been part of the human experience. From greekreporter.com comes this excellent article: “Nostalgia: One of Ancient Greece’s Enduring Concepts” exploring the origins, practices & benefits of nostalgia in myth and real life. Here are some highlights:
“The word “nostalgia” originates from the Greek words “nostos” (return home) and “algos” (pain).”
“In ancient Greece, recalling home preserved identities, aside from helping them cope with the unknown. This longing for home reflected a worldview shaped by constant travel and separation. It permeated their culture, influencing their literature.”
“To them, memory wasn’t just about recalling facts. It was about keeping the past alive and ensuring that the past’s lessons, stories, and experiences continued to influence the present.”
“Consequently, nostalgia intertwined with memory in ancient Greece served to preserve an identity. The Greeks didn’t merely recall events. They relived them, kindling the essence of who they were.”
For anyone who has a 3-D printer, check out the “StageTop 2: 3D Printed Gaming Tables” campaign over on Kickstarter.
Print your own modular & interchangeable gaming table & accessories you can break down and take with you anywhere.
And on Backerkit, there are only a couple days left for the “Epic Playmat Tubes: Master of the Elements”.
Really cool modular playmat storage scroll cases that you can adjust to different sizes and customize the look for. Water, Fire, Air, Vegetation, Rock, Thunders, Crystals, and Time options available. (I’m debating if I could use these to store some of my rolled-up fantasy art prints!)
How about an online course about “Tolkien and his Medieval Sources”?!
This 6-week online course starts on 2/6 and studies a selection of Tolkien’s works in concert with his earlier medieval sources in order to trace the transformation of medieval texts in the popular modern imagination and emphasize their relevance to modern audiences.
Here are the weekly sessions:
Week 1: Tolkien: Medievalist, author, father of fantasy
Week 2: Building Middle Earth: Norse influence
Week 3: The realm of Rohan: Early Medieval England
Week 4: Rivendell, Lothlorien, and Elves: Irish and Welsh influences
Week 5: Crafting Gondor: Chivalry and Conquest
Week 6: Middle Earth in popular culture
Super7 put out a glow-in-the-dark ultimates version of Dekkion, from the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon!
I hear there are going to be at least 2 more waves of D&D cartoon ultimates action figures, so I can’t wait for that.
If you missed out on Wave 1, Amazon has a bundle pack of Sheila, Dekkion (non-glow), Hank, and Shadow Demon you can still grab.
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
Tumulus Magazine - Our friends over at
have released a brand-new quarterly compendium of analog gaming inspiration, tools, design theory, and playable content. Each issue explores a different theme, with articles, games, random tables, and art interpreting that theme in unique ways.“This isn’t a magazine you read once and recycle. My goal is to craft something creative, thought-provoking, and worthy of a permanent place on your shelf.”
In one of my favorite news pieces of this issue comes: “15 Facts You Didn’t Know About The Princess Bride”
If you’re a Princess Bride fan, trust me, you’re going to love this fun gif-filled trivia compilation!
My nephew sent me this fantasy video game news tidbit that I have to say is quite awesome (though very violent!) - “Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns - Official Conan the Barbarian Gameplay Trailer”
The Schwarzenegger audio quips, sword play graphics and finishing move fatalities are epic (viewer discretion advised!)
That’s another Phantasy Snitch wrap! Hope you had fun, you Newsy Adventurer. Make sure to comment below to keep the conversation going.
Let me leave you with the following thought experiment:
The 6 Degrees of Fantasy Movie Revenge
“You killed my mother! You killed my father, you killed my people! You took my father’s sword.”
– Conan
"My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
- Inigo Montoya
Your next piece of fantasy fun is calling.
Remember to check out the new Rediscovered Realms Amazon Storefront for the most epic gift-giving ideas for those important adventurers in your life (including yourself 🗡)
As an Amazon2 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 . . .
. . . 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!
(Featuring artwork from Clyde Caldwell & Luke Eidenschink!)
Catch Up on Previous Phantasy Snitch Editions:
Catch up on what you missed from our other “Phantasy Snitch” issues!
May 2024:
June 2024:
July 2024:
August 2024:
September 2024:
October 2024:
December 2024:
“Heroes, Gather Round!”
[Verse 1] Fantasy news, a call to roll the dice Dragons breathe their breath of fire and ice Heroes clad in armor shining bright Wizards casting spells to snare and smite [Verse 2] Merchants bring you treasures fair and grand Goblins selling mystic relics on demand Elves' artifacts of wonder from the glen Dwarves with crafted games for mortal men [Chorus] Heroes, gather round the village square! Tales of magic realms beyond compare Ancient lore and fresh myths unfold Let Imagination's blaze take hold! [Verse 3] Tales from an age of myth and stone Swords that ring their forgotten master’s tone Shields that tell a story of the past Artifacts new and old now found at last [Verse 4] Minstrels in the taverns sing of yore Journeys to enchanted lands and shores Books of quests and joyful exploits blend Histories from past and present wend [Bridge] Across the seas in misty shrouds unseen Seekers find their fortunes where they glean Maps - old and new - lead to forgotten gold Echoes of adventure and glory bold [Chorus] Heroes, gather round the village square! Tales of magic realms beyond compare Ancient lore and fresh myths unfold Let Imagination's blaze take hold!
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I want that Warduke mask!
Hey, thank you!!! Running to my email right now! 😊😊😊😊😊