Disney Lorcana isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The Disney animation-themed trading card game from Ravensburger just saw the release of its second set, Rise of the Floodborn. Even though we know the gaming company is releasing new cards quarterly, it’s still hard to believe it’s already time to learn about Disney Lorcana‘s third set. Yet here we are. The third installment is called Disney Lorcana: Into the Inklands. The 200+ card set introduces a new type of card, new Disney characters, Lorcana lore, and more.

I love the adventurous look of the Into the Inklands logo. The name is a clue to the new type of cards, too: location cards. These will feature Disney story settings and offer players special abilities and interactions. Settings include Motonui from Moana and the Jolly Roger from Peter Pan. Some locations give bonuses when characters visit them, while other location cards provide benefits just by being in play.

Additionally, Lorcana‘s third set will debut new in-game mini-stories and expand featured characters. This comes through narrative on the cards as stories unfold through quotes and descriptive text. Ravensburger says this will allow players to discover even more links between cards.

As for those new characters, Into the Inklands will have several. The installment brings Pluto, Perdita from 101 Dalmatians, Scrooge McDuck from DuckTales, Kit Cloudkicker from TaleSpin, and Jim Hawkins and the RLS Legacy crew from Treasure Planet. That’s a hefty dose of ’90s Disney nostalgia, and we’re here for it.

The Lorcana lore continues in Into the Inklands, too. A synopsis states:

The Disney Lorcana TCG set Into the Inklands continues the story of the Illumineers who were mysteriously transported to the realm of Lorcana (The First Chapter). After accidentally unleashing a flood of mixed ink (Rise of the Floodborn) that scattered precious lore throughout the realm, Illumineers are now tasked with finding the lore and returning it to the Hall of Lorcana. However, their quest may be more treacherous than they realize, as an ominous shadow storm has been spotted gathering at the edges of Lorcana, adding urgency and mystery to the path ahead.

The Into the Inklands release will include the following items:

• Amber and Emerald Starter Deck ($16.99)
• Sapphire and Ruby Starter Deck ($16.99)
• Booster packs ($5.99)
• Illumineers Trove ($49.99)
• Gift Set ($29.99)
• Play accessories: Card Sleeves, Deck Boxes, Card Portfolios, and Playmats

Disney Lorcana: Into the Inklands will first release at local game stores on February 23, 2024. Mass market retailers will get the third set on March 8, 2024. Hopefully the inventory issues that have plagued Lorcana so far will smooth out with Into the Inklands.

The post DISNEY LORCANA’s Next Set, INTO THE INKLANDS, Adds New Card Type and DUCKTALES appeared first on Nerdist.

The pandemic prevented or delayed the theatrical release of many movies. More than one studio leveraged the closure of theaters to boost their streaming services, including Disney+. Disney made the baffling decision to premiere three Pixar movies directly on Disney+: Soul, Luca, and Turning Red. The latter was especially confusing, as it released in March 2022. Theaters had been open again for months. But now, whatever decisions were made in the past, these three Pixar movies are coming to theaters nationwide. We can finally see Soul, Luca, and Turning Red in the format they (and all the people who worked on them) deserve.

That trailer is a brief reminder of how excellent each of these movies is. Rewatching them on Disney+ hasn’t been the same. Plus, now that Pixar movies will be in theaters, they each get the traditional animated short film airing ahead of them. Even though the shorts aren’t new, it’s comforting to see these films following form.

Here’s the release schedule:

• Soul with “Burrow” – January 12
• Turning Red with “Kitbull” – February 9
• Luca with “For the Birds” – March 22

We can’t wait to go see our friends on the big screen.

Featured Image: Pixar

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No one can be Tony Stark or Iron Man. But with LEGO’s new Avengers Tower set, you can pretend. The massive set replicates the Avengers Tower we know from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s not really the Tower, formerly known as Stark Tower, at any fixed point in time, but more a showpiece of a key MCU location and the Avengers who have made it their base. That’s the best way to look at it—it’s a highlights reel of the Avengers throughout the Infinity Saga in towering LEGO form. Seriously, you don’t realize how tall Avengers Tower is until you assemble it. LEGO sent Nerdist a copy to unbox and snap together, piece by piece. It’s a mostly satisfying build that dwarfs anything else in my LEGO collection.

LEGO Avengers Tower Specs

The LEGO Avengers Tower comes with a whopping 5,201 pieces. (The pieces come in 39 bags!) It’s 10 inches deep, 14 inches wide, and 36 inches tall. That makes it LEGO’s tallest brick-built skyscraper. And so yes, it’s taller than the Daily Bugle set. (For what it’s worth, it’s also a far more interesting design than the Daily Bugle.) The set comes with 31 minifigures, the most ever included in a single LEGO set.

You can get the LEGO Avengers Tower for $499.99.

Building the LEGO Avengers Tower

Build Time

This is a set that will keep you occupied. I put around 13 hours into the build, most of it on my own. A little repetition comes with constructing a tall building with LEGO bricks. I felt that with the windows, of which the set has many. So many. In fact, it has the most windows in a single LEGO set. But watching it all come together to form the elegant outline of the skyscraper made it worth it.

Overall Design

If you have any LEGO City buildings, the Avengers Tower will bring a drastic change to your cityscape. It adds plenty of height and it brings another style of building to put alongside your shops. Adding it to a LEGO City street also means you can scatter some of the minifigs through town. The Kevin Feige minifig should, for example, be guzzling coffee at a café. Instead of attaching a Chitauri Leviathan to the tower, it could be casually invading your LEGO City. You have a lot of posing possibilities.

The options are dang near endless if you construct the tower as a standalone piece, too. You can dangle Hulk and Chitauri warriors off the side or remove the front of the building to showcase scenes from the history of the MCU Avengers. Though one quick note: if you’re used to LEGO City buildings with multiple floors, you are accustomed to the modular way of LEGO life. The Avengers Tower is not modular. Once you get a floor into place, it remains there.

Overall, it’s an architecturally sharp design. I wouldn’t have pegged LEGO as the best medium to bring the Avengers Tower and its curvy building to life, but it’s beautiful. The building’s construction and the storytelling present throughout come together as a tribute to the Marvel superhero team. Once you complete assembly, you’ll see every part of the building has things happening. It’s literally covered in content.

As mentioned earlier, the set comes with 31 minifigs, which is a lot. I would not have chosen the same 31 minifigs. Multiple Tony Stark figures come with the set, but no Bruce Banner. Meanwhile some other minifigs have no direct connection to Avengers Tower, nor are they part of the Avengers.

Surprises

This actually isn’t a surprise, because LEGO always delivers when it comes to detail, but the design goes above and beyond with discovery. It comes with a Captain Marvel beeper to put behind the building. A LEGO shawarma is by the dumpster. Maybe you’ve seen lots of photos or videos of the Avengers Tower set online. Even if you have, discovering and building the Easter eggs and all the MCU scenes is a delight. The set has two Captain America minifigs just to recreate the America’s a*s scene from Endgame. One of the upper floors has a Quinjet launchpad that has room for the ship to roll in and out of place. Those are only a few of the little touches in the set, and they really make it.

Click To View Gallery

In summary, the LEGO Avengers Tower is a beast of a build that shows off the best of the Avengers. The designers are clearly giant MCU nerds, and we appreciate them for it. If you love the MCU and have a passion for LEGO, this is a set to save for.

The post You Are Not Prepared for How Big the LEGO Avengers Tower Is appeared first on Nerdist.

Rockstar Games announced a trailer reveal event for Grand Theft Auto VI, the next installment in the Grand Theft Auto series, for December 5. However, someone on X leaked it a day early. Given that, Rockstar let go of its December 5 launch. The game publisher officially released the GTA VI trailer a day early, saying simply, “Our trailer has leaked so please watch the real thing on YouTube.” The GTA VI trailer confirms two important things. Grand Theft Auto will return to Vice City, and GTA VI will arrive in 2025. Watch the sun-soaked, alligator-filled action here:

Vice City appeared back in the fourth entry in the Grand Theft Auto series. Based on Miami, that story followed a mobster and how he gained power with a criminal empire. GTA VI‘s main character is Lucia. It’s the game series’ first female protagonist in its 20+ year history. The trailer starts with Lucia in prison, but later she’s out and doing crime. It seems she’s pulling someone else into her crimes, saying they need to be a team and stick together.

“Grand Theft Auto VI continues our efforts to push the limits of what’s possible in highly immersive, story-driven open-world experiences,” said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games said in a release. “We’re thrilled to be able to share this new vision with players everywhere.”

We’re sure it’s going to work out fine. We won’t worry about it too much. Instead, we’ll just be excited that new Grand Theft Auto is finally on the way after a 10-year break.

The post Rockstar Reveals the First Trailer for GRAND THEFT AUTO VI appeared first on Nerdist.

What if you were on the International Space Station and war broke out on Earth? That’s the general premise of Bleecker Street‘s space thriller I.S.S. We have the first trailer for the upcoming sci-fi film that tests astronaut’s alliances when the unthinkable happens. Floating untethered in space sure seems like it would magnify every possible emotion. The I.S.S. trailer leverages the heightened feelings of horror and shock with precision.

It’s a messy, dread-infused situation. The movie stars Ariana DeBose, John Gallagher Jr., Masha Mashkova, Pilou Asbæk, Costa Ronin, and Chris Messina. Gabriela Cowperthwaite directs the script from Nick Shafir. The official synopsis for I.S.S. states:

Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station as a worldwide conflict breaks out on Earth. Reeling, the US and Russian astronauts aboard each receive orders from the ground; take control of the station by any means necessary. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite brings together a stellar cast including Academy Award-winner® Ariana DeBose in this high-stakes space thriller.

“Tensions flare” certainly seems like an understatement. All of those astronauts will have to make decisions that will affect the entire Space Station. Does it matter who’s in control if something breaks and threatens everyone?

I.S.S. premieres on January 19, 2024.

Featured Image: Bleecker Street

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Mad Max: Fury Road introduced us to Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa in 2015. We haven’t stopped thinking about the inimitable character since. She blazed across the dusty Wasteland and into our souls. Fury Road writer and director George Miller hasn’t let go of her either. In 2019, he expressed interest in making two more Mad Max movies—one of them being a prequel story about Furiosa. Filming for that tale began in 2022. And now, finally, we have our first trailer and images for the film starring Anya Taylor-Joy as a young Furiosa. And we’ve even learned where in the franchise timeline the movie takes place. It was worth the wait because Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga looks amazing.

The trailer teases Furiosa’s origins and Taylor-Joy showing, even in a couple minutes, how much she is embracing the powerful role. She has a large shaved head to fill, but by all appearances, she’s doing just fine. Set 45 years after the Collapse, Furiosa must find her way home. And we know the world, so we know it won’t be easy. Knowing how her story continues makes watching her challenging odyssey somewhat easier. Only somewhat. And Chris Hemsworth as Warlord Dementus? We’re already sold.

Click To View Gallery

Furiosa: A Mad Max’s Saga official synopsis is as follows:

As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.

Director George Miller additionally clarified where Furiosa fits on the Mad Max franchise timeline. He shared, “This story happens 15 years directly before Mad Max: Fury Road, and it runs straight into it, and Max is lurking around somewhere in this story, but it’s really the story of Furiosa and how she got to be… A lot of the film will be familiar, and a lot of it’s new, which we haven’t seen before.”

Get us back to the Wasteland now, please and thank you. Miller wrote the script with Nico Lathouris and is back in the director’s role.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga will arrive in theaters on May 24, 2024.

Originally published on November 30, 2023.

Featured Image: Warner Bros.

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The time has come for Lucy to leave Vault 33 and see what has transpired since an apocalypse left Los Angeles in tatters. While Vault Dwellers don’t live in the lap of luxury, they have enjoyed a sheltered existence compared to those who’ve tried to survive in the wasteland. We’ll see how the Vault Dweller Lucy does when she leaves her home in Prime Video’s Fallout TV series adaptation. We recently saw first-look images for Fallout, and now it’s time for the first trailer. It has plenty of nods to the video game and hints at the mutated dangers lurking around every corner. The footage even shows Walton Goggins’ face instead of his Ghoul form.

Prime Video shared the trailer at the fan and comic book convention CCXP. Series stars Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, and Walton Goggins appeared alongside executive producer and director Jonathan Nolan, executive producer and co-showrunner Graham Wagner and discussed the series. As the trailer demonstrates, the Fallout TV series is going to have the same tone as the game. That means things are a little tongue-in-cheek—like Dog snacking on flash. The music in the trailer is reminiscent of the game, too.

Fallout’s synopsis states:

Based on one of the greatest video game series of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. Two-hundred years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind—and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, gleefully weird, and highly violent universe waiting for them.

The Fallout TV series will premiere on Prime Video on April 12, 2024.

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Netflix’s adaptation of The Sandman premiered its first season in August 2022. The series brought the comic book series by writer Neil Gaiman and a number of artists to the screen in a faithful retelling. In many instances, it brought the comic book panels to life. We spent time with Morpheus and Dream, but we barely got to know the whimsical and fantastical world of the Endless. However, it’s time for more stories. Last November, Netflix confirmed The Sandman is a go for more. And now, new episodes of The Sandman are officially in production. Fans of the Endless rejoice.

The Sandman Season 2 Shares New Look at Dream and Desire

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Sandman, Netflix announced that more episodes of its hit series were officially in production. And if that weren’t enough, the streamer actually gave us a behind-the-scenes look at Tom Sturridge (he/him, Dream) and Mason Alexander Park (they/them, Desire) in action. We certainly feel excited by this brief new glimpse of the show.

Additionally, Neil Gaiman penned a letter to fans celebrating The Sandman‘s journey and evolution. The letter can be read in full here, but in it, Gaiman notes of the Netflix series:

This week we officially restart production on the next sequence of stories of The Sandman for Netflix. Genius show runner Allan Heinberg and the countless people in front of and behind the camera are building something endlessly special, and bringing these stories to life in a way that would once have been unimaginable.

A journey is beginning that will take us from Destiny’s garden to Hell, from the Heart of the Dreaming to Ancient Greece and revolutionary France, and from there to places even I cannot quite imagine on the screen. I will be patient. Good things are coming.

The Sandman Teases New Episodes

To celebrate the new episodes of The Sandman, Netflix even released a short teaser featuring Morpheus’ helm. And we got a logo, “The dream continues.” We love it. A release from Netflix also shares that the show will return with even more new “episodes and stories to be adapted from multiple The Sandman graphic novels.” For now, though, we have not received confirmation on episode count and story details. We will, however, get The Sandman profile icons.

More new episodes of The Sandman were not guaranteed at any point, even with the show’s success. In a since-deleted tweet, Gaiman noted the show “is really expensive” and that for Netflix to order another season, The Sandman had to “perform incredibly well.” Given that how Netflix measures success is not entirely transparent, we’re not positive what kind of metrics led to this continuation. But we’re glad to see that they have.

More About the The Sandman‘s Next Chapter

Offering us more information about this new, next chapter of The Sandman, Gaiman notes in a release:

Millions upon millions of people have welcomed and watched and loved The Sandman on Netflix, from established Sandman fans to people who were simply curious, and then became obsessed with the Lord of Dreams, his family and their goings-on. It gives me unbelievable pleasure to say that, working with Netflix and Warner Bros., Allan Heinberg, David Goyer and I will be bringing even more of The Sandman stories to life. There are some astonishing stories waiting for Morpheus and the rest of them (not to mention more members of the Endless Family to meet). Nobody is going to be happier about this than the Sandman cast and crew: they are the biggest Sandman fans there are. And now it’s time to get back to work. There’s a family meal ahead, after all. And Lucifer is waiting for Morpheus to return to Hell…

What we do know is that we’re looking forward to seeing more of the Endless. Season one of The Sandman brought a story that showed us why adaptations exist. It brought in a moving deep cut from the Hellblazer comics. And it even wrapped up with a surprise bonus episode. The original Sandman comics series includes ran for 75 issues. So, the series has plenty of material to pull from. The show has plenty more rich, sometimes twisted characters to introduce and explore.

As for when the release date for the new episodes of The Sandman will be, it’s likely going to take a moment.

Originally published on November 3, 2022.

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Disney Lorcana’s second set, Rise of the Floodborn, has been out in the wild for almost two weeks now. The starter decks we reviewed brought depth to the game. Now that I’ve purchased boosters and built a new deck, I’m putting the bounce mechanics that shined the Amethyst and Steel starter deck to use. With the release of new Lorcana decks and booster packs comes additional products from Ravensburger. They sent Nerdist a copy of the Rise of the Floodborn: Illumineer’s Trove and the Disney Lorcana: Disney100 Edition for review. The Illumineer’s Trove shines, but the Disney100 Edition could use a little more oomph.

Rise of the Floodborn: Illumineer’s Trove

The Illumineer’s Trove, which was also available for The First Chapter, is now themed for Rise of the Floodborn. It comes with a collection storage box, two deck storage boxes, eight booster packs, 15 damage tokens, and a player’s guide. The MSRP for the Illumineer’s Trove is $49.99. Eight booster packs alone have a MSRP of $47.92, so it’s already a pretty good value just for the boosters.

While the damage tokens are only slightly nicer than the starter deck ones and the two deck storage boxes are flimsy and not super functional, the collection storage box and player’s guide more than make up for it. The collection storage box is sturdy and with plenty of room to hold your extra cards. It comes with dividers help you keep things straight. The player’s guide is full of Disney Lorcana lore and includes the card catalog so you can mark which cards you have. It also highlights some of the Rise of the Floodborn cards’ abilities. I use the Lorcana app to inventory my collection, but it’s incredibly satisfying to check boxes and mark the cards I have. If they sold a book like this separately for each set, I would absolutely collect them all.

Disney Lorcana: Disney100 Edition

This special edition celebrates Disney’s 100th anniversary. It comes with six cards from The First Chapter and Rise of the Floodborn that feature alternate artwork from Disney animators. The art has a snazzy finish and features the animator’s signature. Additionally, the set has four Rise of the Floodborn booster packs. MSRP for Disney Lorcana: Disney100 Edition is $49.99.

The artwork is flawless. If you’re a Disney animation nerd, having unique Genie art signed by Eric Goldberg is pretty special. All the art is gorgeous and the satin holographic foil finish adds a nice sparkle. I really appreciate that the artwork is the unique part, not the card’s abilities or other stats. The cards include:

• Mickey Mouse – Friendly Face – Mark Henn
• Elsa – Gloves Off – Brittney Lee
• Genie – Powers Unleashed – Eric Goldberg
• Stitch – Abomination – Alex Kupershmidt
• Maleficent – Uninvited – Lorelay Bové
• Maui – Demigod – Bill Schwab

Disney Lorcana: Disney100 Edition‘s packaging and presentation, however, aren’t as premium as I would hope for an item designed for collectors. The box is far too large for four booster packs and the bundle of Disney cards. I actually thought I received an empty box at first, but the cards are sealed in the bottom. That part is good; it prevents them from shaking around in the box. But the special Disney animator cards come wrapped in a somewhat flimsy wax paper-like sealed package. As a result of this packaging, all of the special cards have a noticeable curve. I can probably flatten them with heavy books on top, but I find it weird that the booster pack cards are in better shape than the Disney animator cards.

Both the Illumineer’s Trove and Disney100 Edition have been available at local game stores since November 17, though stock has fluctuated. They’ll both be available at mass market retailers on December 1.

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It’s getting closer to the time to come out of the vault. Prime Video’s TV series adaptation of Fallout will premiere next year, bringing the post-nuclear wasteland of the popular video game to television. The series from executive producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy and Kilter Films will tell a story set hundreds of years after the apocalypse. Those who weathered the storm in fallout shelters are returning to the world. And that means, things are going to get interesting. The first images from the Fallout TV series show the stark difference between the Vault Dwellers and those on the outside. We see Walton Goggins’ The Ghoul, Kyle MacLachlan’s Overseer Hank, power armor suits, and more.

We would not want to meet The Ghoul. Goggins’ character “survives the wasteland as a Bounty Hunter. He is pragmatic, ruthless, and hides a mysterious past.” In the game, ghouls are around the wasteland. Intense radiation has transformed their skin and given them longer lifespans—all at a cost.

The world of Fallout is not a gentle one. As the series synopsis states:

Based on one of the greatest video game series of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. 200 years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind — and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, gleefully weird and highly violent universe waiting for them.

Additional first-look photos show some of that world, revealing Ella Purnell’s Lucy, Aaron Moten’s Maximus, and MacLachlan’s Hank.

Click To View Gallery

We still have a while to wait until Fallout‘s release on April 12, 2024, but these images are helping to get us through. Here’s hoping we get a trailer soon.

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Author Andrzej Sapkowski published the last book in The Witcher world 2013 with Season of Storms. That book was a standalone prequel of sorts set between The Witcher short stories and The Last Wish and told the story of one of Geralt’s monster-hunting contracts that went wrong. To be fair, most of his contracts seem to go wrong in one way or another. Anyway, it turns out Season of Storms is not the end of Sapkowski’s writings in the Continent. Sapkowski said in a livestream with Fantastic Talks that he’s been working on a new Witcher book “quite diligently.” He said that finishing the book should take him around a year, but no longer. And now, Sapkowski has shared the release date window for when we might expect this new entry into The Witcher‘s world as well as a tease of its contents.

We first saw the news of a new Witcher book on Polygon (with translation from Redanian Intelligence). Sapkowski has said more than once the main Witcher series ended with The Lady of the Lake (published in 1999). He won’t write additional books about those events after the series’ conclusion. Then Season of Storms came in 2013. We heard in 2020 that the author had plans for a new Witcher, but this has been the most concrete update since.

Given what Sapkowski has said about the main Witcher series being done, we don’t expect a continuation of that story. The Lady of the Lake wraps Ciri’s story, with the character jumping to the world of Camelot. Yes, that Camelot. Given that, Sapkowski likely will leave the series as is. It sounds like what we’re getting with this upcoming The Witcher book is actually a new Geralt standalone story. Sapkowski shared, “No, that’s not my plan now,” in response to this new title being linked to The Witcher‘s other works. He noted, “This new book is going to be a standalone, but maybe, who can say. The book is directly about Geralt, but I won’t say more. It is outside the pentalogy.”

Most recently, IGN reported on when we might expect the novel to arrive. According to the publication, Sapkowski shared at Comic-Con Vienna that the new Witcher book would debut in Poland in late 2024 and would then release worldwide in early 2025. That’s not too long to wait. It’s kind of fitting to have this new Witcher novel on the horizon as Netflix is on the precipice of a major change in its adaptation. Season three of the series recently ended, and season four will see Liam Hemsworth take the place of Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia.

Originally published on August 7, 2023.

The post THE WITCHER’s New Book Will Be Standalone Tale Focused on Geralt, 2025 Release Window Set appeared first on Nerdist.

It’s hard to believe Ahsoka wrapped its first season well over a month ago. The Star Wars series centered on Ahsoka Tano took fans to a distant galaxy and left behind many questions. With the then-ongoing WGA and SAG strikes, the creators and actors couldn’t discuss the series while it aired, but now both strikes are over. Vanity Fair spoke with Dave Filoni about Ahsoka and more. Filoni served as showrunner on Ahsoka and has worked on all the live-action Star Wars series so far. And now, he has an even larger role to play in the galaxy far, far away. Dave Filoni is Lucasfilm’s chief creative officer.

Filoni shared the new title with Vanity Fair, explaining he’ll be part of the development process for upcoming Star Wars stories sooner. He said, “In the past, in a lot of projects I would be brought into it, I would see it after it had already developed a good ways.” Filoni also added the following about his Lucasfilm promotion, “In this new role, it’s opened up to basically everything that’s going on. When we’re planning the future of what we’re doing now, I’m involved at the inception phase.”

Filoni will work closely with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and head of development Carrie Beck. He worked with Beck for years on animated series. He started his time at Lucasfilm working with George Lucas on Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Filoni then went on to tell stories in Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Resistance, The Bad Batch, and Tales of the Jedi. His involvement in Star Wars animation decreased as he worked more on live-action Star Wars with Jon Favreau, which began with The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.

Filoni has told hours and hours of Star Wars stories. He said to Vanity Fair about his new role, “I’m not telling people what to do. But I do feel I’m trying to help them tell the best story that they want to tell. I need to be a help across the galaxy here, like a part of a Jedi Council almost.”

This new Lucasfilm role comes in addition to Filoni’s upcoming Star Wars feature film and a possible second season of Ahsoka.

The post Dave Filoni Promoted to Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm, Growing His STAR WARS Role appeared first on Nerdist.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World made an impression when it rocked into theaters in 2010. The story, adapted from Bryan Lee O’Malley’s comics about the titular Scott, came to life in stylized live-action with director Edgar Wright. Now, a Netflix series will make the story even more visually splashy with a Scott Pilgrim anime. Titled Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, the eight-episode series goes back to the world of Scott Pilgrim, Ramona Flowers, indie rock sounds, and lots of fighting. The animated show even brings back the entire cast of the cult classic movie. Get your best looks yet at Scott Pilgrim Takes Off with its opening sequence, trailers, and more. The show has even shared a line-up of its exciting guest stars.

The Scott Pilgrim Series Gets an Anime Opening Credits Sequence

It wouldn’t be an anime series without an excellent opening credits sequence. And we love seeing Scott Pilgrim Takes Off follow this tradition. The Scott Pilgrim series’ opening credits sequence features custom animation from Science SARU and “an official theme song “bloom” by Japanese rock band, Necry Talkie.” It’s already stuck in our heads, and gets us excited for what the Scott Pilgrim anime has in store.

Get an even better look at what’s to come with the series’ official trailers.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off Shares Official Trailers

Doesn’t this trailer for the Scott Pilgrim anime make you feel like punching life in the face? In a good way, of course. We love seeing all these familiar characters a whole new way. Of course, it’s not all action. In its final trailer, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off promises us the love story of a generation. And we can really see it starting to take shape. Sparks are definitely flying, and love is “taking off.” Hey, sometimes one date is enough… especially in the world of anime.

Netflix partnered on Scott Pilgrim Takes Off with UCP. We don’t know yet how much of the anime will adapt what Scott Pilgrim vs. the World already did. However, Scott Pilgrim‘s creator Bryan Lee O’Malley is working as an executive producer and writer alongside BenDavid Grabinski, so we know it’s in good hands.

Lee O’Malley notes of the new anime series, “I don’t know who needs to hear this but… It’s not the books. I already wrote those and you can read them anytime. The show is its own new thing in many ways. Do NOT expect a word-for-word remake. Many fun surprises to come.” We do like the sound of that!

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off‘s Official Synopsis and Cast Information

For now, Netflix has shared the following synopsis for the Scott Pilgrim anime series. It doesn’t really give us much new information, but it’s good to know the seven evil exes will still make their appearances. We certainly see them ready for battle in the latest trailer for this anime adaptation. Here’s what the streamer has to say about Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.

In SCOTT PILGRIM TAKES OFF, Scott Pilgrim meets the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers, and discovers he must defeat her seven evil exes in order to date her. But this time, things get even more complicated. Based on the graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley, SCOTT PILGRIM TAKES OFF revisits and reimagines the beloved cult classic, taking Ramona Flowers, her evil exes, Scott, and his friends off on a mysterious new action-packed journey to find love.

Click To View Gallery

The Scott Pilgrim Takes Off cast includes Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Satya Bhabha, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Alison Pill, Aubrey Plaza, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman, Johnny Simmons, Mark Webber, Mae Whitman, Julian Cihi, and Ellen Wong.

As far as guest stars go, the series boasts the likes of Will Forte, Finn Wolfhard, Al Yankovic, Kal Penn, Kirby, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, Nelson Franklin, Bowen Yang, and many more.

Abel Gongora will direct the Scott Pilgrim anime, while Wright is one of the show’s executive producers. Here’s some of the best news: Anamanaguchi will provide original songs and work on the score with Joseph Trapanese.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off arrived on Netflix on November 17, 2023.

Originally published on August 16, 2023.

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Recently, I was talking to someone about the magic of theme parks—specifically about how to share that magic with a cynical adult. He said it’s not about pointing out a ride’s elaborate facade or an incredible feat of engineering. I started to protest, “But these are all important parts of making a theme park special!” No, my friend insisted, it’s about the people. It’s about how those of us visiting a theme park react to and share experiences together and make memories. Whether you’re with a group or alone, it’s about how you interact with elements of the park, characters in the park, and the impressions all of it leaves behind.

This was at the front of my mind when Walt Disney World hosted Nerdist to experience holidays at the parks. I observed adults giggling in delight as fake snow “fell” from the sky. People sang along to a The Nightmare Before Christmas show with exuberance. Puppets from Animal Kingdom’s Merry Menagerie turned a group of grown-ups into excited kids. In moments loud and quiet, I noticed people making memories all around me. My friend was right. That’s what theme parks are about.

Of course, it’s easier to tap into wells of emotion during the holidays. This time of year tends to soften our hearts and awaken a childlike joy. As Walt Disney World ambassador Raevon Redding put it, “I’m normally happy nine times out of 10, so this time of year I’m really happy everyone’s happy—we’re all in unison. And I’m not all the way Buddy the Elf… but I’m close.”

It was hard not to feel a lightness of heart upon seeing the towering Christmas tree upon entering Magic Kingdom or getting up close and personal with Lucille the seal from the Merry Menagerie. That sweet puppet had so much life and personality I believed she was real. Festivities extend beyond the theme park gates too. Walking the trail of themed trees at Disney Springs buoyed my spirit on a blazing Florida day (the Haunted Mansion tree is everything). The smell of gingerbread fills a handful of Disney hotel lobbies thanks to giant confectionary constructions, including the Grand Floridian.

Inside the parks, two different parties fill the calendar for the holiday season: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights. The former is a long-time family favorite, the latter is a brand-new event geared towards adults. I attended Jollywood Nights on its first night and while the event has room to grow and improve, the two shows were stand-outs.

First up, What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along happens four times a night at the Hyperion Theatre. The show takes two performers on a dreamlike adventure through some of the movie’s best songs using creative props and storytelling. This delightful show really leans into the charm of curiosity and wonder. The more you sing along when the show invites it, the more fun you’ll have. And the best part: Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie both appear. The life-size Jack Skellington puppet normally appears at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party. I was so excited to see the impeccable puppet get a holiday outing. It’s like seeing Jack from the film come to life, which means it’s kind of mind-blowing.

Oogie Boogie isn’t as intricate as Jack just because of the nature of the character. Jack Skellington is a spindly skeleton-like being; Oogie Boogie is more of a shapeless burlap sack. Still, the character moves on stage exactly like he does in stop-motion in the animated movie. It’s uncanny. The Sing-Along uses Oogie Boogie’s unraveling to excellent effect, too. I walked away from the show with a need to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas as soon as possible.

The second show, Disney Holidays in Hollywood, also takes place four times an evening during Disney Jollywood Nights. The Theater of the Stars performance is an old school variety-style show celebrating the holidays. Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy cohost the event. And look, The Muppets are criminally underutilized in Disney Parks so I’m overjoyed to see them starring in this show. Miss Piggy remains the best diva ever, and her dialogue in this performance cements it. Kermit keeps it real, while Tiana, Minnie Mouse, and Mickey Mouse bring holiday cheer.

But the part of the show that caught me and my feelings unexpectedly was Belle. Remember Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas? The 1997 direct-to-video holiday film takes place within Beauty and the Beast and is a fun enough movie centered on a kind of bizarre plot about the villainous organ called Forte. But it does have a showstopper of a song: “As Long As There’s Christmas.” Belle sings this live during Disney Holidays in Hollywood. Maybe it was the late (for me) hour or maybe it’s because Belle is one of my favorite characters, but something about hearing this deep cut of a song and its earnest lyrics wrapped around my heart. It brought up warm and fuzzy memories of holidays past and hope for holidays to come.

Blowers above the theater sent snow falling onto the audience as the show ended, eliciting laughs and shrieks. The snow was soapy and manufactured. The feelings were not.

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When Disney Lorcana: The First Chapter arrived over the summer, I followed the Ravensburger game inspired by Disney animation into the trading card rabbit hole. I learned about deck-building, the perils of booster packs and boxes (when I could track them down), and the value of buying single cards. I joined a weekly Lorcana league at a local game store and enjoyed seeing how quickly a community formed around the game. After a few months of perfecting my decks and preferred ink combinations with The First Chapter, it’s all changing with Disney Lorcana: Rise of the Floodborn. The second set’s starter decks bring additional features that, while friendly to beginners, bring depth and fresh challenges to the game.

Ravensburger sent Nerdist one of each starter deck for review purposes. The starter decks have 60 cards each and are designed for immediate play. Both feature different ink combinations than The First Chapter’s starter decks. Additionally, both decks include some cards from the first release. Though they might not have any of the set’s most powerful cards, the starter decks are a well-rounded representation of Rise of the Floodborn. Both have stunning art of Disney characters and hint at the mysterious flood of ink that transformed some of the characters.

Rise of the Floodborn Amethyst and Steel Starter Deck

Called the Might and Magic deck, the Rise of the Floodborn Amethyst and Steel Starter Deck is all about transformation. This deck features several Merlin and Madam Mim transformation cards from their wizard’s duel in The Sword in the Stone. Besides being excited to see the characters from the 1963 film, the Amethyst ink cards come with effects for when the characters enter play and when they leave play. This can mean gaining lore, drawing a card, peeking at the top card of your deck, or returning a card to your hand.

With the Steel ink, you have cards that represent the best of the ink’s traits. That means bodyguards, damage dealers, and solid lore values. The Amethyst cards in this deck thrive with Steel at their back. Though I’m already imagining some modifications I would make with Steel cards from The First Chapter.

A huge selling point of this deck is Resist. After several months playing The First Chapter, it’s going to take me a while to incorporate Resist and to remember its value. This new keyword brings the ability for a character to resist damage. We’ve seen all kinds of modifications to strength values, but not to damage. If you’re playing Lorcana for the first time with Floodborn, use this to your advantage. If you’ve been playing Lorcana, I’d get this deck just to practice using this ability. It has the potential to be a gamechanger.

Play this deck if you’re bold enough to banish your own cards or return them to your hand. (Reader: I am not bold enough. I want to hang on to my cards as long as possible and quest with them).

Rise of the Floodborn Sapphire and Amber Starter Deck

The Rise of the Floodborn Sapphire and Amber Starter Deck focuses on teamwork. It is, in fact, the Tactical Teamwork deck. That’s largely because of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The Seven Dwarfs play off each other, lending Support and abilities triggered upon banishment. They can build up lore and get very quest-y very quickly. Additionally this deck brings in more items (perfect for Tamatoa item deck builders) and adds new faces like Winnie the Pooh and Judy Hopps.

While the Sapphire in this starter deck doesn’t load the inkwell as quickly as Sapphire cards in The First Chapter, it delivers on items and being ink fodder. It also helpfully brings in a character capable of challenging Evasive opponents for only two ink (Cruella de Vil, Fashionable Cruiser). Sapphire has intriguing items, too.

That said, Amber is what shines in this deck. I found myself inking Sapphire cards over and over to get Amber cards in play. I was initially skeptical about the sheer number of Seven Dwarfs cards, thinking I would get tired of seeing them, let alone playing them. They seem to rule the deck. But I quickly became a fan. Using the Seven Dwarfs to their full potential will take more finesse but even in a handful of games, they proved beneficial for challenging the opponent and also for questing. This deck’s features make it easy to get characters with high lore value out on the board and make your opponent go on the defensive. It can go from low lore to high lore quickly to make a comeback, too.

Play this deck if you like to rely on a quest-heavy strategy. (Hi, it’s me).

Overall, the Rise of the Floodborn starter decks complement the existing game’s meta while introducing new possibilities. It delivers on expanding Lorcana’s story while bringing fresh characters and gorgeous new art.

Disney Lorcana: The Rise of the Floodborn will release first at local game stores on November 17. Mass market retailers follow on December 1. Get more information at the official Lorcana website.

Featured Image: Ravensburger

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Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige announced a Fantastic Four movie at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019. Then at the same convention in 2022, Feige announced a release date and that the movie about the quartet would kick off Phase Six. We recently learned the film is being pushed to May 2, 2025—that was after hearing director Matt Shakman say the film will shoot in London in 2024. Shakman said he would be announcing casting soon once the SAG-AFTRA strike ended. Now that strike is over, and rumors point to Pedro Pascal playing Reed Richards, a.k.a. Mister Fantastic.

Daniel Richtman shared the report, and /Film confirmed with sources that Pascal is taking the role. Deadline, however, reports it’s still in negotiations. With Pascal’s very full schedule, it’s hard to imagine adding the superhero flick. Marvel movies aren’t exactly chill, and Reed would be a leading role. Pascal has the Gladiator sequel, The Last of Us, and The Mandalorian (though he’s largely been doing voice-over only for that role). Marvel hasn’t said anything yet, but here’s hoping they’ll tell us about Pascal as Reed and fill us in on casting for Sue, Johnny, and Ben. The Fantastic Four is Marvel’s first family and expectations for their arrival in the MCU are high.

We love the idea of Pascal as Reed. He could bring exactly the right kindness and sharpness for Reed. We know Pascal has the reluctant dad bit down, and Reed is that type of figure for the Fantastic Four.

Regardless of whether this report ends up being true: Pedro, bud, we hope you’re taking care of yourself and staying hydrated. Drink an extra glass of water for us, okay?

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Remember when Marvel Studios explored the multiverse in animated form before Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? Season one of What If…? imagined characters and stories from the MCU going slightly differently. T’Challa was Star-Lord and Peggy Carter became the first Super Soldier. The series introduced those promising ideas and more, though season one didn’t deliver in the way fans hoped. Now, Marvel Studios is back with What If…? season two. The trailer shows that the twists in the Multiverse have become more tangled. Plus, some Christmas hijinks ensue!

The poster for season two is leaning into the holidays aspect, which we’re guessing will be a single episode. So is the show’s marketing. What If…? season two will premiere on Disney+ on December 22. Fans can “unwrap” one episode every day for nine consecutive days. That means the season will end before the new year and that you can watch a new episode on Christmas. If nothing else, we can’t wait to see the Christmas episode and find out who has the nerve to invade Avengers Tower on the holiday.

Besides the holiday cheer, the trailer shows the return of Captain Carter and Strange Supreme. Thanos even appears. One of the episodes is set in medieval times, another brings back characters from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. It seems like wild and weird times are ahead.

Featured Image: Marvel Studios

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What is a villain without a loyal steed? Skeletor wouldn’t be the same without Panthor. The massive purple panther takes his master into battle and also lounges menacingly by Skeletor’s throne. Mondo, who kicked off their Masters of the Universe collection in 2018, is finally adding Panthor to the line-up. Nerdist can exclusively reveal the first look at Mondo’s 1/6 scale Panthor figure. We love this very good kitty.

Panthor is 18 inches long and has over 60 points of articulation. It will be available to purchase as a timed edition. The same team who worked on Mondo’s Battle Cat figure brought their A-game to Skeletor’s buddy. The crew included concept designer Emiliano Santalucia, sculptors Tommy Hodges and Matthew Black, painter Mark Bristow, official MOTU packaging artist Florian Bertmer, and photographer Raúl Barrero. They all worked to make this Panthor collectible look lethal and gorgeous.

The 1/6 scale Panthor comes with:

• Helmetless Swappable Head
• Horned Helmet Swappable Head
• Battle Fanged Helmet Swappable Head
• Classic Panthor Swappable Head
• Fully Removable Body and Leg Armor

Click To View Gallery

If you want an even closer look at Mondo’s Panthor figure, you’re in luck. Mondo’s Senior Creative Directors will be hosting a live stream delving into the collectible on Monday, November 13, at 5:30 PM PT/8:30 PM ET. Tune in to get, if possible, more excited about this amazing Masters of the Universe figure.

The Panthor timed edition will be available between 12:00pm CT on Tuesday, November 14 and 11:59pm CT on Friday, November 24. Mondo will be shipping them in two waves in November on a first come, first shipped basis. And yes, Mondo will be releasing a Skeletor Regular figure alongside the beast. Get your Panthor directly from Mondo for $499. Panthor is limited to three figures per household.

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If it was ever actually a possibility, Kevin Feige’s Star Wars movie is no longer a thing. Entertainment Tonight talked to Feige at the premiere for The Marvels. When the outlet asked if the Star Wars movie was happening, Feige said, “No.” We first heard about this potential project in late 2019. And even though then-Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn told The Hollywood Reporter that it made sense for Feige and Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy to work on a Star Wars film together, Kennedy told IGN earlier this year that “nothing ever got developed.” So, Feige’s Star Wars movie that was maybe only ever sort of in development is not moving forward.

Reports in early 2021 stated Feige hired Loki creator Michael Waldron to write the script. That indeed was true, as Waldron discussed it with Variety in an interview following Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (which he wrote). He said:

We’re finally into it in earnest. I mean, I’m writing away. It’s a lot of fun. I’m enjoying having the freedom on that to do something that’s not necessarily a sequel or anything. It maybe has a little bit less of a — it just doesn’t have a bunch of TV shows and movies that you’re servicing on top of it, the way I did with Doctor Strange. So it’s nice. It feels like a different exercise.

So, it sounds like something did indeed develop. There was at least a script. But Kennedy said at Star Wars Celebration 2023, “We never discussed an idea. As everybody knows, Kevin’s a huge Star Wars fan, and if he did come up with something, I would be all ears, but that’s never really happened. So it’s not an abandoned project, it just didn’t happen.”

Details seem fuzzy all around, but we know now definitively, from Kevin Feige himself, that his Star Wars feature film is not happening. It’s too bad; we were counting on him to bring in some classic Star Wars nods from Marvel Comics.

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Disney Lorcana shifted the world of trading card games (TCGs) with its release in August. Ravensburger’s first TCG celebrates all things Disney animation with thoughtful cards and gorgeous art—not to mention Lorcana‘s overall story. That story is expanding with the game’s second release, Disney Lorcana: Rise of the Floodborn. The upcoming set of cards builds upon The First Chapter. It brings in characters from other stories, new items, and of course, more songs. Today, Nerdist can exclusively reveal five Rise of the Floodborn song cards: Painting the Roses Red, Go the Distance, You Can Fly!, Let the Storm Rage On, and Strength of a Raging Fire. Those of you who favor a “Steelsong” deck are going to be pleased.

Disney Lorcana co-designer and game design manager for Ravensburger North America Steve Warner tells Nerdist choosing the song is a combined effort between the narrative and game design teams. The narrative team writes the story and selects which franchises to highlight for each set. Then, the game design team selects which songs to include based on that information.

Warner explains, “We usually create song designs from either a ‘bottom-up’ or ‘top-down’ approach. ‘Bottom-up’ is when we start with a mechanic that we want to bring into the game and then find the best song name or lyric from those highlighted stories to name it. ‘Top-down’ is sort of the opposite, where the songs or lyrics inspire the mechanics and cards we create.”

Click To View Gallery

The biggest factor in deciding the part of the song to use or its ink color is asking if it makes sense. “I’m not just talking about the song, or the lyrics used to name the card, but also things like whether the scene of the movie or its overall mood matches the mechanic or how it fits into the current set,” Warner says. “We also consider things like what franchise the song is from and even if we’ve done other cards from that song.”

For Rise of the Floodborn specifically, Warner says the Strength of a Raging Fire song card was an ah-ha moment for them. “We were rewatching Mulan for research and the moment we saw the iconic training scene from ‘I’ll Make a Man Out of You,’ we knew exactly what we wanted the card to do.”

We can’t wait to play (and, let’s be real, sing) these new song cards when the second set arrives. Disney Lorcana: The Rise of the Floodborn will release first at local game stores on November 17. Mass market retailers follow on December 1. Get more information at the official website.

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Have any mysteries in need of solving? Don’t worry, Enola Holmes could be on the case again. In news we first saw at Collider, Netflix is developing Enola Holmes 3 and while the deal for a third movie in the film series starring Millie Bobby Brown is far from done, the streamer is back to work on a screenplay to hopefully make it happen. The Legendary-produced movies also star Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes and Helena Bonham Carter as Eudoria Holmes. The two Enola Holmes films have seen the teen detective make a name for herself apart from her more famous brother. Brown has brought Enola’s spunk to the screen with piles of charm, and Scott Stuber, head of Netflix film, talked to Collider about Brown.

Stuber talked about Brown being such a star, which kicked off with her breakout role in Stranger Things. He mentioned Damsel, Brown’s upcoming fantasy adventure for Netflix, and then briefly brought up Enola Holmes. Stuber told Collider, “The Holmes IP is weirdly elastic. Obviously Warner Bros. did an incredible job with Downey and Jude Law, so this idea that we can extend the IP with her is exciting. So, we’re working once again on a screenplay to try to get that. But yes, aspiration. I’d like to do another one.”

It’s the kind of series perfectly suited for revisiting. Enola will always have more mysteries to solve. Plus the end of Enola Holmes 2 introduced Dr. Watson. That all could lead to enough material not just for Enola Holmes 3, but a collection of connected material.

Editor’s Note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks.

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Many of Campbell’s various soups and recipes go into making your favorite side dishes. As we fall into November and get closer to holidays that come with massive meals, we definitely have side dishes on the mind. Sure, main dishes are fun, but they’re no stuffing or casserole. They wish. Campbell’s State of the Sides report shows 67% of 5,000 Americans surveyed prefer side dishes to the entrée. I am one of that group. But Campbell’s is taking its dedication to sides to another level by making Campbell’s recipe-inspired chocolate soup truffles.

Campbell’s teamed up with luxury chocolatier Phillip Ashley Chocolates to create a Holiday Sides Collection of sweets. The six-piece, “soup-infused” savory chocolate truffles set takes inspiration directly from Campbell’s holiday recipes. Are you as skeptical as we are? Well, see if the description of these Campbell’s truffles makes you feel any better.

• Green Bean Casserole – A Campbell’s icon and top side dish, per the State of the Sides, this truffle brings out the umami flavors of the dish by featuring Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom condensed soup, green beans and onion infused sea salt in a dark chocolate fudge bonbon.
• Jalapeño Cheddar Mac & Cheese – A top side dish that continues to grow in popularity around the holidays, this truffle features Campbell’s Cheddar Cheese soup, triple cream Brie, and jalapeño-infused white chocolate ganache in a blond chocolate bonbon.
• Baked Corn Casserole – One of a few holiday side dish options that Americans would eat year-round, this truffle is composed of cornbread, sweet corn and Campbell’s Cream of Chicken soup in a white chocolate bonbon.
• Hot Honey Mashed Sweet Potatoes – The perfect balance of sweet and spicy, this truffle is composed of sweet potatoes, thyme, local Memphis hot honey, Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup and milk in a chocolate bonbon.
• Everything Bagel Mashed Potatoes – A trendy twist on the nation’s favorite side dish, this truffle features a Campbell’s Cheddar Cheese soup caramel coated in a dark chocolate bonbon with everything bagel seasoning.
• Apple, Fennel & Herb Stuffing – A combination of rich flavor, this truffle contains roasted apples, fennel and Campbell’s Cream of Celery Soup bread pudding in a blond chocolate bonbon.

Bringing savory layers to chocolate is a tried-and-true way to amplify its depth and sweet notes. I should have mixed feelings about eating Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom condensed soup in the same bite as dark chocolate fudge. But really, that description only intrigues me.

The limited edition Holiday Sides Collection goes on sale on November 7 for $35 while supplies last.

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If you’ve heard of Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses book series, then you are possibly (likely?) a rabid fan. Frequently abbreviated to ACOTAR, the fantasy series tells the story of Feyre Archeron, a young mortal huntress who gets swept into a journey in the faerie lands of Prythian. With a sprawling world, deeply flawed and intriguing characters, and a whole lot of steamy love scenes, the ACOTAR series has attracted legions of fans since Maas published the first book in 2015. And now the beloved book series is becoming a TV series for Hulu.

In 2021, Maas first shared the news via a now-deleted Instagram post. But that post let us know she was working with Ron Moore (Battlestar Galactica, Outlander) to adapt A Court of Thorns and Roses for Hulu. Since then, we haven’t heard any updates for a while, but recently, Moore shared with TVLine that Hulu is still game for the ACOTAR series. He noted, “It’s still in development… We’ve written some scripts, and we’re just sort of waiting. I think the whole town is kind of waiting to see if we have actors before things really move forward, but it’s still in development.” Hey, we’ll take it.

If there’s one thing that’s for sure, it’s that Moore has plenty of material to work with. The first book, which carries the title of the whole series, is a loose adaptation of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. As punishment for killing a faerie, a faerie leader, Tamlin, imprisons Feyre in Prythian. He and everyone else in his court wear face-obscuring masks; a curse affixed the masks to their faces. Things just get progressively wilder from there in each of the 600-plus-page books.

Bloomsbury Publishing

A Court of Thorns and Roses TV series would have a vast playground to explore. And given Moore’s experience in telling epic stories, he seems like an excellent choice to work with Maas. Especially given his role in bringing Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander to the screen. Given the rise of fantasy books coming to the screen, with series such as Shadow and Bone delighting viewers on Netflix, it’s no surprise to see that it’s ACOTAR‘s turn.

Maas is also known for her Throne of Glass series (which Nerdist Book Club read a portion of). But just anecdotally, I feel like folks get most excited about A Court of Thorns and Roses. By folks, I mean myself. I definitely named my Animal Crossing: New Horizons character Feyre. I’ll just be over here daydreaming about who will play Rhysand.

Originally published on March 26, 2021.

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How did Panem devolve into the casual cruelty we see in The Hunger Games? The capitol of the nation prospers while citizens in many of its districts suffer and struggle to survive. Author Suzanne Collins explored the events before the 74th Hunger Games in a prequel novel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, set 64 years in the past. The story, which Lionsgate is adapting into a film, specifically focuses on Coriolanus Snow. He later becomes the tyrannical leader of Panem. But as a young man, he doesn’t see the world—or the games—so clearly. A girl from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird, gives him a new perspective.

Before you see The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, here’s what you should know about the characters and how they connect to what and who you know from The Hunger Games. We also have a few exclusive character images to share.

Coriolanus Snow

Coriolanus Snow, played by Tom Blyth, is an 18-year-old looking out for his family. He’s decades away from becoming the President Snow we know from the books and movie adaptations. Here, he’s trying to regain status for his family, as the aftermath from the war has left them under financial duress. Snow wants to keep up appearances and improve their situation. As part of this, when he is chosen to mentor a tribute in the 10th Hunger Games, he accepts the position with aplomb—even when he is stuck with a tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird.

Lucy Gray Baird

Lucy Gray Baird, from District 12, is the captivating and enigmatic tribute in the 10th annual Hunger Games who young Coriolanus mentors. Rachel Zegler portrays Lucy Gray. District 12 is, of course, the coal-mining district where we later meet Katniss Everdeen. Lucy Gray charms the Capitol at the reaping and makes a memorable entry to the games. A performer in a musical singing troupe, the Covey, with her family, Lucy Gray is unafraid of the Capitol and the architects of the game. She doesn’t hesitate to enlighten Snow about what life in the districts is like.

Casca Highbottom

Oh, Casca Highbottom. Peter Dinklage plays this character, dean of the Academy and the person who came up with the concept for the Hunger Games. Highbottom once shared that idea with Coriolanus’ father and eventually, their hypothetical ponderings became reality, leaving Highbottom (rightfully) morally conflicted. Highbottom has an addiction to the painkiller morphling.

Tigris

Remember Tigris from Mockingjay? She appeared in Mockingjay – Part 2, played by Eugenie Bondurant. In that time, she owns a clothing shop and has altered her appearance; she offers shelter to Katniss. But Tigris is Coriolanus’ cousin. Hunter Schafer plays her in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Tigris is already stylish and resourceful, and she believes in her cousin and his character.

Sejanus Plinth

Josh Andrés Rivera plays Sejanus Plinth. He attends the Academy with Snow and is also chosen to mentor a Tribute for the 10th Hunger Games. He’s in a privileged position, with his now wealthy and powerful family at his back, but he still must define his allegiance to the Capitol and prove himself.

Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman

Caesar Flickerman brings pizazz to the Hunger Games in Katniss’ time. He’s a well-known figure, playing a key part in the Games’ success. But it’s his predecessor, Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman who kicks off this legacy. Jason Schwartzman plays Lucky, the first-ever host for The Hunger Games broadcast. He’s a weatherman and amateur magician eager for a chance to show his talents in the national spotlight and make the games a can’t-miss event.

Dr. Volumnia Gaul

Dr. Volumnia Gaul, played by Viola Davis, is a cruel force behind the games. An instructor at the Academy and the Head Gamesmaker, Dr. Gaul ensures the Hunger Games are riveting. She wants to show the Capitol’s commitment to the punishment of the Districts and make it an unforgettable spectacle. She operates the Capitol’s weapons division, coming up with inventive and horrific ways to torment the Tributes.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes will arrive in theaters on November 17.

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Mean Girls debuted in 2004, bringing wearing pink on Wednesdays, fetch, and the importance of October 3 with it. The film has continued in memes and through the Mean Girls musical, but there’s never been a sequel (Mean Girls 2 technically exists, but…) following the characters—until now. The Mean Girls cast has reunited to continue the story in an unexpected form: a commercial for Walmart. Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert, Daniel Franzese, and Rajiv Surendra all reprised their roles and returned to North Shore High School in the below Black Friday Mean Girls reunion ad.

Lohan’s Cady Heron narrates the video. She’s a guidance counselor at the school now. Karen Smith is a weather reporter and as… unaware as you’d expect. Gretchen Wieners is a stage mom. Yes, she is still, much to her kid’s embarrassment, trying to make fetch happen in this Mean Girls reunion ad. Kevin Gnapoor is a dad looking out for Kevin Jr., and Damian is there being a supportive friend.

The whole ad is a blast from the past. The new clique of cool girls, one of whom is Gretchen’s daughter, even performs “Jingle Bell Rock,” complete with the sexy Santa Claus outfits. Like Cady says in the video, “Some things never change.” We’re glad to pick up with all our favorite Mean Girls characters in this pseudo-sequel, even if it is only a reunion for a commercial.

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We’re not absolutely positive what makes a haunt happy, but cocktails probably help. That means the ghosts aboard the Disney Treasure will be delighted because the cruise ship will feature the first-ever bar inspired by the Haunted Mansion. The beloved Disney Parks attraction has exactly the right vibe for a cozy bar with its spooky Victorian style. And from the looks of photos, the Haunted Mansion Parlor nails the atmosphere. We can’t wait to be some of the many foolish mortals who sit at this bar.

It’s been quite the year for the Haunted Mansion. The ride inspired a new film adaptation over the summer, and Hatbox Ghost is making his way to Walt Disney World. And now a Haunted Mansion bar! Disney Cruise Line shares that the Haunted Mansion Parlor focuses “on the story of a jovial captain who entered the ghostly realm after a disastrous dinner with his beloved fiancé.” Composer Shruti Kumar wrote a custom musical arrangement inspired by the ride to further set the mood. Walt Disney Imagineering is bringing the illusions to the party, too, with characters from Haunted Mansion rides around the globe haunting the bar.

We can see the iconic purple wallpaper around the Haunted Mansion bar. The space has a number of decor touches that look to be right from the ride. Then you have the three hitchhiking ghosts appearing in a window behind the bar. We wouldn’t be surprised to see other familiar ghouls show up there.

The Haunted Mansion Parlor will serve craft cocktails and sell souvenirs—a music box, a mantle clock, and a parlor mirror—and a sculpted mug. In other words, yes, we will leave one whole suitcase empty just for our Haunted Mansion bar haul. Flip through the gallery below to see them all.

Click To View Gallery

You can wrap your ghostly hands around these cocktails when the Disney Treasure sets sail in December 2024.

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We’re all overdue for a blessing. And we could definitely use some additional joy. Frankly, we’ll take any ounce of happiness we can get. Thankfully StudioCanal, a French film production and distribution company, gave us the best possible entertainment news when they confirmed Paddington 3 was officially in the works. What. A. Gift.

The movie will continue the utterly charming story of Paddington the bear. The StudioCanal representative specifically told Variety: “We can confirm StudioCanal is working very hard on film 3 with the utmost craft and care—as with film 1 and 2.” That’s tremendous news since the first two Paddington movies are so lovely. Since we first received this exciting confirmation, we’ve learned more about Paddington 3‘s title (Paddington in Peru), team, and release date. Here’s what we know about the bearrific movie.

Paddington in Peru‘s Release Date

Paddington in Peru will release in the US on January 17, 2025. In the UK, meanwhile, it will release two months earlier, on November 8, 2024, according to Deadline. It doesn’t seem fair to have to wait the extra months for new Paddington adventures, but we guess we’ll take more of the franchise whenever we can get it.

Paddington 3‘s Title, Team, and Cast

Recently we learned who will direct the third Paddington film. Dougal Wilson will direct the movie. And the title? As mentioned, Paddington in Peru. We like how dramatic this sounds. Wilson takes over the lovable bear movies from director Paul King. King directed the first two installments. And as for Wilson, he comes from a background of music videos and commercials. Paddington in Peru marks his theatrical feature debut. The movie filmed in London and Peru. Production was slated to begin production on July 24.

Additionally, Deadline notes that the cast consists of “Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Antonio Banderas, Olivia Colman, Julie Walters, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Jim Broadbent, and Carla Tous with both Ben Whishaw and Imelda Staunton returning as the respective voices of Paddington and Aunt Lucy.”

In case you aren’t familiar, the popular Paddington Bear stories by author Michael Bond and artists including Peggy Fortnum inspire the Paddington movies. The first live-action film debuted in 2014, with a sequel following in 2017. Both films made bank and warmed hearts as audiences watched Paddington make a home with the Brown family in London. Ben Whishaw voices the titular bear; actors such as Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, and Sally Hawkins star in the movies alongside him. At the end of Paddington 2, the bear reunited with his adoptive aunt Lucy.

Originally published on February 27, 2021.

Amy Ratcliffe is the Managing Editor for Nerdist and the author of The Jedi Mind, available now. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

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The galaxy far, far away is coming to your kitchen courtesy of Hedley & Bennett. The company specializes in bringing chef-grade cookware and apparel to home kitchens. And now the brand has launched a Star Wars collection inspired by The Mandalorian. While Hedley & Bennett already sold a handful of character aprons, it’s expanding the line and making more styles available for adults as well as kids. In addition to character aprons, this new Star Wars kitchen collection includes towels and, our personal favorite, beskar knives.

Imagine the meals Din Djarin could prepare for Grogu with these knives! They’d cut through Grogu’s favorite frog snacks with ease. It’s true that beskar doesn’t exist in our galaxy, and even in the Star Wars galaxy, it’s mostly only Mandalorians who have the metal. But Hedley & Bennett found a workaround. The beskar knife set features 67-layered folded Damascus steel blades patterned like the Star Wars metal. One side of the knives features an Imperial symbol. That makes us suspect stolen beskar is in play. The set of three knives is limited to 3,000 sets and costs $295. It comes with a chef’s knife, a bread knife, and a utility knife.

As for other items in Hedley & Bennett’s Star Wars line-up, you’ll find durable kitchen towels with two different patterns: beskar or hyperspace. The new Star Wars character aprons, made from cotton canvas, feature the titular Mandalorian, Ahsoka Tano, Grogu, and a galactic fleet pattern. Each design has little details from character costumes or the characters themselves—like little Grogu peeking above an apron pocket! Take a look at all the aprons and towels in the gallery below.

Click To View Gallery

If you have a Star Wars fan in your life who likes to cook or bake, you might just be covered for the holidays is all we’re saying. Visit Hedley & Bennett to shop the Star Wars kitchen collection.

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One of the best parts of roleplaying games is sinking into the storytelling and letting loose with friends. And one of the more challenging parts of roleplaying games is finding a consistent game master who will do all the work and preparation to create the space for storytelling. Enter Sharkbomb Studios’ The Mending Circle. This gentle-sounding roleplaying game doesn’t require a game master or extensive prep. Made for exactly three players, The Mending Circle takes the group on a journey of healing.

The Mending Circle‘s designer Martin Nerurkar started working on the game when he was recovering from burnout. It took time for Nerurkar to finish the first edition, released digitally. Now he’s back with the second edition, a cozy and wholesome roleplaying game in which the players come together as a coven of three witches sent to help someone in need. The Mending Circle‘s full synopsis is as follows:

In The Mending Circle you tell healing stories together.
At their heart is always one or more of the Torn: someone in a state of pain or anxiety and in need of support. Most likely they are scared, poor, isolated or marginalized in some way that makes it difficult for them to access help themselves. This pain does not come from a physical ache but rather from a metaphorical, emotional wound. If it persists it often leads to more suffering radiating outwards.
But this Wound catches the attention of three witches that set out to help. Using your magical charms you will help and guide the process of healing. As a first step the Torn needs to reach a state of relative safety and stability. Only after this is achieved can they confront the source of their pain and gain awareness. Finally, they have to make a new meaning for themselves to move forward.

The game features a D6 system, quick start scenarios, and a 130+ page sourcebook. Given the vulnerable nature of the game, you’ll likely want to play with people you already know and feel comfortable being open with.

The Mending Circle is available to back on Kickstarter now.

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Best Buy is saying goodbye to physical media. The retailer plans to phase out Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD sales in stores and online in early 2024. The Digital Bits broke the news, which Best Buy has since confirmed. The company said, “To state the obvious, the way we watch movies and TV shows is much different today than it was decades ago. Making this change gives us more space and opportunity to bring customers new and innovative tech for them to explore, discover and enjoy.”

Best Buy’s supply of physical media has been dwindling in stores of late anyway. However, the retailer did offer exclusive SteelBook titles. The premium metal case releases come with custom artwork. And also, the SteelBooks look cool on a shelf.

The end of DVDs and Blu-rays at Best Buy hasn’t arrived just yet, though. Best Buy will continue to sell physical media for the holidays, online and in brick-and-mortar stores. They will also keep selling video games. But as one of the last big retailers consistently offering DVDs and Blu-rays for all your favorite movies, this doesn’t seem like a good sign. Who knows how long Target, Amazon, and Walmart will keep stocking discs?

With the ephemeral nature of digital media, it’s reassuring to get your hands on tangible copies of the stories you love. It’s why people were excited to see the release of The Mandalorian, WandaVision, and Loki on Blu-ray. Shows and movies disappear from streaming services at an increasing rate. Even digital media you purchase can vanish into the ether. The lesson is, if you want to own a film or TV series, buy a physical copy when you can. Maybe from Best Buy before their physical media is gone.

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Last year marked the 30th anniversary of The Rocketeer. A film which, as we have discussed, deserved so much better. The Disney film from director Joe Johnston debuted in 1991. Set in the late ’30s in Los Angeles, the movie told the story of stunt pilot Cliff Secord (Billy Campbell) and the rocket-powered jet pack he tried to use for the powers of good. And while it definitely should have launched a movie franchise back then, we’re getting more of The Rocketeer in the present. Finally. Deadline reports that Disney is bringing back that world with a new Disney+ Rocketeer movie. At one point, this reboot was called The Return of the Rocketeer, but it’s unclear whether that will remain the name going forward.

Regardless of the exact title, it’s nice to see the world of The Rocketeer get another chance on the big screen. The movie’s stars, Campbell and Jennifer Connelly, specifically had contracts for at least one sequel. But Disney scrapped plans for additional films after The Rocketeer‘s just-okay box office performance. We originally heard about this Rocketeer reboot in 2021 and not since, but finally, it has some kind of an update.

Edward Ricourt (Now You See Me, Jessica Jones) was originally tapped to write the script. However, The Wrap recently reported that Eugene Ashe has come aboard as a writer as well. It’s unclear whether Ashe will engage with anything Ricourt wrote, or whether he will pen an entirely new script. Either way, we’re glad to see motion on the movie.

David and Jessica Oyelowo will produce the Rocketeer film under their Yoruba Saxon banner. Brigham Taylor will produce too, with Mortal Media executive producing. David Oyelowo (Selma, The Lion Guard) will star in the project as the titular Rocketeer.

Though Joe Johnston’s film (of Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo, and William Dear’s script) pulled from Dave Stevens’ Rocketeer comics, The Return of the Rocketeer will go a different route. According to Deadline, Ricourt’s story focuses “on a retired Tuskegee airman who takes up the mantle of the Rocketeer.” The Tuskegee Airmen, of course, served as the first Black aviators in the US Army Air Corps.

We don’t have further details about The Return of the Rocketeer‘s plot, cast, or filming at this time, but we’ll certainly keep you updated.

Originally published on August 30, 2021.

Amy Ratcliffe is the Managing Editor for Nerdist and the author of A Kid’s Guide to Fandom, available now. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

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The ending of The Wheel of Time’s first season brought a small taste of the Seanchan and the immense power they wield. The new enemy arrived in the finale’s last moments, sailing towards a beach in massive ships, bringing a One-Power-made tsunami with them. As the show’s gone on, we’ve seen more of the Seanchan and their lack of mercy. The Seanchan demand fealty. Period. And they have the strongest of the Forsaken, Ishamael, at their side. If you’d like to know more context about the Seanchan from The Wheel of Time books without any plot spoilers, keep reading.

Who Are The Wheel of Time‘s Seanchan?

In season one of The Wheel of Time, characters mentioned something happening with ships in the west. Mysterious occurrences in the west come up in season two, as well. The Seanchan (pronounced SHAWN-chan) have arrived from that direction. But just who are the Seanchan? Well, they have an extensive history in The Wheel of Time books, but we’ll summarize.

The Seanchan empire calls a continent of the same name home in the world of The Wheel of Time. It sits thousands of miles west of the main continent, across the Aryth Ocean. After the Trolloc Wars (the same war that saw the fall of Manetheren), Artur Hawkwing sent a fleet across the ocean. Luthair Paendrag, Artur’s son, led the fleet and started a nearly 800-year process to unite the native nations, a.k.a. the Consolidation. This Consolidation formed the Seanchan Empire, ruled by an Empress or an Emperor with a very rigid class structure.

And now the Seanchan want to retake the continent their ancestors came from. They call it the Return. The Seanchan have been planning and gathering forces and supplies for the Return for decades in The Wheel of Time‘s universe. They’ve made their move thanks to Ishamael’s encouragement. And they’ve arrived in Falme with incredible numbers and formidable warriors, including a number of enslaved channelers. We see all of that in play when the Seanchan attack an unsuspecting village, Atuan’s Mill, and capture the Shienarans and Loial in The Wheel of Time‘s second season.

Alwhin tells the captives, “When the fleet of Luthair Paendrag crossed the Aryth Ocean, the return was promised.” She promises that those who swear fealty “will share in the prosperity of the Seanchan’s return, from Atuan’s Mill to Falme, to our great empire across the sea.”

Later, High Lord Turak explains the Seanchan’s purpose while scolding High Lady Suroth. They want to unite all the people of the world under their Empress to fight the shadow.

Who Rules the Seanchan?

The Seanchan have an Empress or Emperor, but their ruler doesn’t participate in the first wave of the invasion. Instead, we meet High Lady Suroth; she appears to be leading the Seanchan forces. She’s the one taking oaths of fealty in Atuan’s Mill. This The Wheel of Time season two character is part of Seanchan nobility, also known as the Blood. Originally, Seanchan nobles were strictly descendants of Paendrag, hence the name the Blood. However, as a reward for service to the Seanchan, non-descendants are occasionally raised into nobility.

The High Lady Suroth is a member of the High Blood, which sits below only the Seanchan’s Imperial family. The High Blood have the most significant leadership roles. Members of the High Blood shave the sides of their heads and grow two fingernails long and lacquer them. The color of the lacquer is connected to the wearer’s house. As we saw in The Wheel of Time TV series, when the Blood fail in some way, punishment involves cutting their nails, which they hold as a symbol of status. High Lord Turak inflicts this punishment upon Suroth.

Members of the Low Blood are still Seanchan nobility in The Wheel of Time, but they don’t hold positions of great importance.

The Seanchan Threat to Women Who Channel in The Wheel of Time

One of the primary reasons the Seanchan are such threatening conquerors is because they enslave female channelers. As we see in Atuan’s Mill, the Seanchan can identify women who channel. Soldiers then take the channelers into captivity. Women called sul’dam control the enslaved’s every moment of channeling. They call the enslaved channelers damane, which means “leashed one” in the Old Tongue. Seanchan use a ter’angreal, an object made from the One Power, to control women who have the ability to channel. It’s called an a’dam and depicted as a collar with a literal leash to a bracelet the sul-dam wear. Sul’dam means “leash holders” in the Old Tongue. When the sul’dam captured Egwene, we saw the leash. It also demonstrated sul’dam will take damane from wherever they find them and absolutely kidnap Aes Sedai. Damane are forced to enslave other damane.

As we’ve seen from the sul’dam “training” Egwene until she breaks, damane cannot ignore commands from sul’dam. They cannot remove their bonds without experiencing great pain. Damane cannot even think about harming a sul’dam. The connection the a’dam maintains damane and sul’dam prevents it. Escaping from a sul’dam is near impossible. It’s why Ryma has been trying to understand how to work the a’dam she shows Nynaeve and Egwene. She wants to set her captured sisters free.

The Seanchan sul’dam train damane to use the One Power as a weapon—something Aes Sedai make an oath not to do in The Wheel of Time. It’s a horrific use of the One Power, unlike anything we’ve seen in the TV series so far.

The Seanchan and the Battle of Falme

When the Seanchan invaded Falme, the Watchers of the Waves, a group who believe Artur Hawkwing’s descendants would return one day and maintain a watch, sent pleas for help around the world. No one answered, except for the Whitecloaks. They made a plan to remove the invaders and with the help of the Heroes of the Horn, they succeeded. The Seanchan were defeated in The Wheel of Time season two finale. Moiraine used the One Power to destroy their fleet of ships on the ocean outside Falme.

However, it’s unlikely the Seanchan are off the board as a threat. Their numbers are vast. They believe in their Empress’ cause. The Seanchan are probably here to stay.

Originally published on September 1, 2023.

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The Wheel of Time‘s second season is well underway. If you’re not familiar with the books, you may have some questions about the characters, the Aes Sedai, or the world. As Moiraine indicated a few times in season one, the Dragon Reborn sits at the heart of the story. She and Lan searched for the prophesied figure, as has the Dark One and his forces, for years and found the Dragon Reborn in Rand al’Thor. If you’re curious to learn more about who (and what) The Wheel of Time’s Dragon Reborn is without plot spoilers for the books beyond the TV series, here’s a guide.

What Is the Dragon Reborn?

Reincarnation exists in the world of The Wheel of Time. The Wheel turns and spins out a person’s soul and puts that soul in another body. Some key figures have multiple reincarnations within the same Age, but the Dragon comes back only once during an Age. The previous dragon, Lews Therin Telamon, lived during the Age of Legends (the Second Age). He caused the Breaking of the World but also helped seal the Dark One and his powerful followers into prisons. The Dragon Reborn is a reincarnation of Lews Therin, and as such, can channel the One Power—maybe a male channeler like Lews Therin. However, men who can channel have been rare since the Breaking, because the Dark One tainted the male half of the One Power, a.k.a. saidin. Men who channel eventually go mad.

The Dragon Reborn is not an actual dragon. In fact, The Wheel of Time books don’t include your traditional fire-breathing dragons from fantasy. It’s more like a mythical idea of a dragon. Lews Therin’s banner depicted what could be a dragon, though. It’s described as a sinuous figure like a serpent with red and gold scales along its body and legs, and clawed feet.

We should also note The Dragon Reborn is the name of the third book in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series.

Why Is the Dragon Reborn So Important to The Wheel of Time?

The Dragon Reborn will confront the Dark One and the Shadow at the Last Battle in the current age, the Third Age. This person will either save the world or destroy it. Some worry the figure will bring about another Breaking. That’s quite a risk, but without the Dragon Reborn, the world stands no chance at all against the Dark One.

So of course the Aes Sedai want to identify this figure and do what they can to help him or her prepare for the Last Battle, a.k.a. Tarmon Gai’don. Some say the Aes Sedai truly want to control this person to serve their own means. Many groups have that same goal.

Prophecies About the Dragon Reborn

Many prophecies discuss the Dragon Reborn and how to identify him or her. In the TV series, Moiraine references one of her Aes Sedai sisters who saw the Dragon Reborn’s birth. That’s how Moiraine knows approximately how old the Dragon Reborn is. Season two of The Wheel of Time showed Gitara Moroso’s Foretelling of the Dragon’s return. Twenty years ago, Moiraine and Siuan stood as the only witnesses of Gitara’s Foretelling. Gitara saw Rand’s birth, happening as she had the Foretelling on the slopes of Dragonmount. Moiraine and Siuan kept the Foretelling secret and made a plan: Moiraine to find the Dragon and teach and protect him, Siuan to rise through the White Tower’s rank and prepare the Aes Sedai to support the Dragon.

The TV series also mentions prophecies connected to Falme and that the Dragon will reveal himself to the world there. “Above the Watchers shall the Dragon be proclaimed, bannered cross the sky in fire.” This prophecy comes true in the season two finale, albeit with the help of Moiraine.

In the books, we know more details about the Dragon Reborn was born. Many scholars and characters in The Wheel of Time books reference “The Karaethon Cycle: The Prophecies of the Dragon.” The collection of prophecies details signs of the Dragon Reborn’s arrival.

Darkfriends have their own prophecies, too. The Dark One and his followers have their eye on the Dragon Reborn, hoping to turn the figure to their side.

False Dragons

Not all men who have the ability to channel have the potential to be the Dragon Reborn. For example, we met Logain Ablar in the TV series; the Aes Sedai captured and caged him. A male channeler, he proclaimed himself as the Dragon Reborn, but he didn’t fit the prophecies. He’s what’s known as a False Dragon. Aes Sedai, usually the Red Ajah, hunt False Dragons with the purpose of gentling them—taking away their ability to channel.

Aes Sedai must feel certain a man is a False Dragon before they gentle him, however. They don’t want to risk gentling the Dragon Reborn and thus stopping him from being able to fight the Dark One. As you can imagine, it’s not always black and white

Who Is the Dragon Reborn?

The book series pretty much makes the Dragon Reborn’s identity known in the first book, though it doesn’t really cement it until books two and three. But The Wheel of Time TV series obfuscated who the Dragon Reborn was until the end of season one. Then, during the finale, the series unveiled Rand al’Thor as the Dragon Reborn. Rand discovered the truth at the Eye of the World where he encountered who he believed to be the Dark One.

As the Dragon Reborn, Rand carries a heavy burden. He will save the world from the Dark One or break it. As a male channeler, history says he will lose his mind because of that channeling—channeling he definitely needs to do in order to stop the Dark One. With Moiraine losing her connection to the Source, Rand has lost a mentor. He advised Moiraine to tell the others he died at the Eye. Rand must learn to become the Dragon Reborn, though, or the world is lost.

When Siuan, the Amyrlin Seat, learns Moiraine failed in her duty, she references the White Tower’s law about the Dragon Reborn—the law Siuan and Moiraine have been ignoring to this point. Aes Sedai are supposed to cage the Dragon Reborn and keep him shielded and under control. Then, they will pull him out like a weapon at the Last Battle to fight the Dark One.

Rand has escaped the Aes Sedai for now, but this interaction likely did not do much to build trust between him and the White Tower.

Originally published on November 22, 2021.

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The Wheel of Time introduced the Horn of Valere at the end of season one. Padan Fain snuck into Fal Dara and stole the Horn, courtesy of a Shienaran Darkfriend leaving a gate open for him. Perrin then traveled with the Shienarans to pursue Fain and the horn in season two. Unfortunately, working under the Forsaken Ishamael’s instructions, Fain took the Horn to the Seanchan. High Lord Turak did not expect such a powerful gift. He said, “With this… the whole world will be ours.” Here’s what you need to know about The Wheel of Time‘s Horn of Valere and why it’s so important with context from the books, but no plot spoilers beyond the TV series.

What Is the Horn of Valere in The Wheel of Time?

The Horn of Valere is a mysterious artifact in The Wheel of Time books, at least as far as its origins are concerned. It’s not clear who made it or why. The item, stored in an intricate box, looks like a curled, golden horn. We saw a peek of the Horn when Turak opened the box. The metal looks hammered, but it doesn’t appear out of the ordinary. In the books, a silver script winds around the mouth of the bell in Old Tongue. It reads “Tia mi aven Moridin isainde vadin,” or “The grave is no bar to my call.”

What Is the Hunt for the Horn of Valere?

The Horn of Valere hasn’t been seen since the Age of Legends and has since gained a legendary, mythical status. In the books, a guardian kept the Horn safe at the Eye of the World and Rand and company recovered it and moved it to a storeroom in Fal Dara. In The Wheel of Time TV series, the Horn was in Fal Dara with the Shienarans as guardians. Padan Fain stole the Horn in both cases.

But most of the world did not know the location of the Horn. In season two of The Wheel of Time, Selene (before she revealed herself as Lanfear) mentioned the Hunt for the Horn had been called. The second book of the series is called The Great Hunt. Illian occasionally calls for Great Hunts for the Horn and people from around the world gather then search for the object. No such hunt was ever successful.

What Does the Horn of Valere Do and Why Is It So Important?

So why does everyone want the Horn of Valere beyond discovering an artifact from another age? Though no one knows why or how, when someone sounds the Horn, it summons the world’s greatest heroes to battle. These Heroes of the Horn are the Pattern’s most mighty and honorable, bound to the Horn of the Valere. They are dead, hence why the grave is no bar to its call. Some believe the heroes will serve whichever side the person who blows the Horn falls on. The Horn of Valere is meant to be present at the Last Battle. Any army with the Heroes of the Horn at their side has an advantage. High Lord Turak says the Seanchan can use it to conquer the world, but that wouldn’t serve anyone but the Seanchan.

Mat Cauthon gets his hands on the Horn of Valere, though, and in the Battle of Falme, he sounds it and summons the Heroes of the Horn. It turns out he is one of them. In the TV series, around two dozen heroes appear, some legendary people in The Wheel of Time world. In the book, over a hundred heroes appear in Falme. In both cases, the heroes defeat the Seanchan.

After seeing the heroes in action in Falme, you can tell why it’s crucial to have the Horn of Valere at the Last Battle.

Originally published on October 3, 2023.

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The Wheel of Time season two put to rest the notion that Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, fought the Dark One at the Eye of the World. Under the surface, Rand and Moiraine seemed to suspect it couldn’t have been that easy. Indeed, it was not. Moiraine used the poem she obtained from Bayle Domon to determine that the broken cuendillar was part of the seal imprisoning Ishamael. Ishamael is a Forsaken—the most powerful one—and the Dark One’s lieutenant. This isn’t the first time the TV series has mentioned the Forsaken, but who are the Forsaken and why are they bad news? Here’s context with minimal spoilers from the books.

What Are the Forsaken in The Wheel of Time?

The Forsaken were channelers—most of them Aes Sedai—once. They sold their souls to the Dark One for eternal life, swearing allegiance to him. Also known as the Chosen, this group of 13 channelers served the Shadow in the War of the Shadow. That war was the beginning of the Age of Legends’ downhill slide into its end. Though many Forsaken led the Shadow’s armies, these 13 carry the title because they were the ones imprisoned with the Dark One. The last Dragon, Lews Therin Telamon, was responsible for trapping them. The Forsaken’s deeds during the war were so evil that they are remembered for them thousands of years later in the Third Age when The Wheel of Time takes place. Moiraine says the Forsaken are so dangerous, that if all of them escape their prisons, the side of Light has no hope of winning the Last Battle.

In The Wheel of Time, some don’t even think the Forsaken existed. They think of them only as bedtime stories meant to frighten children. Those who know the Forsaken are real believe they are safely sealed in their prisons, unable to inflict harm. Ishamael’s appearance in the world and the broken cuendillar prove those seals are no longer reliable barriers.

Who Are the Forsaken?

The 13 Forsaken are: Demandred, Ishamael, Lanfear, Mesaana, Semirhage, Balthamel, Aginor, Asmodean, Rahvin, Sammael, Be’lal, Graendal, and Moghedien.

As you can imagine, a group of ultra-powerful and ultra-ambitious evil-doers do a lot of jockeying for rank. They ultimately serve the Dark One and do whatever they can to accomplish the most in his name. Selfish and focused, they regularly betray and outmaneuver each other. They form precarious, untrustworthy alliances with each other and whoever they think will help them. In the TV series, Moiraine said the Forsaken spent as much time fighting each other as they did their enemies.

Which Forsaken Have We Met in The Wheel of Time TV Series?

We have met three Forsaken so far in The Wheel of Time TV series.

Ishamael

Rand believed him to be the Dark One, but now we know that is not true. Ishamael mentioned it at the beginning of the first episode when he told the little girl who he was. And now we know Ishamael is working with the Seanchan, one of whom was at his earlier Darkfriend meet-up, which cannot lead to good things. As we mentioned, Ishamael is the most powerful of the Forsaken. He shielded Moiraine from the One Power with a flick of his wrist, tying off a weave and leaving it in place. Ishamael planned to turn Rand to the Dark One by manipulating his friends from the Two Rivers before Rand killed him in Falme.

Lanfear

Surprise, Selene is actually Lanfear. The broken cuendillar Master Domon brought Moiraine was from outside Cairhien, where Selene has been running an inn and hooking up with Rand. Ishamael uttered a dark poem and broke the seal on Lanfear’s prison. In the Old Tongue, her name means “daughter of the night,” another name Lanfear goes by. She is stronger than almost all other female channelers, though not as powerful as Ishamael. Moiraine calls Lanfear the most dangerous of the Forsaken. She’s known for her casual cruelty and her mastery of the World of Dreams, or Tel’Aran’Rhiod. That connects to her Daughter of the Night nickname. We see her walk in Ishamael’s and Rand’s dreams.

Lanfear swore herself to the Dark One as part of an attempt to win back Lews Therin, the previous Dragon. She loved him and he her, until Lews Therin met his wife, leaving Lanfear heartbroken and desperate.

In The Wheel of Time TV series, Lanfear tries to betray Ishamael, perhaps to take all the power for herself or perhaps to endear herself to Rand.

Moghedien

Lanfear planned to drop the Forsaken attached to the six seals in Ishamael’s quarters into the ocean. However, Ishamael, sensing Lanfear’s betrayal, instead broke all the Forsaken out of their prisons. Moghedien snuck up on Lanfear in the final moments of season two. Lanfear is a master of Tel’aran’rhiod, but Moghedien is better. Her name means Spider in the Old Tongue, and fittingly, Moghedien prefers to operate from the shadows. She is the weakest of the Forsaken in terms of the One Power, but she’s still more powerful than Aes Sedai in the current age. And still, she succeeds at taking Lanfear by surprise in the finale. Before she joined the Shadow, Moghedien was an investment advisor (seriously).

Can You Kill a Forsaken?

As we learned in The Wheel of Time‘s fourth episode, killing a Forsaken by traditional means does not necessarily stop them. Lanfear is far from gone. She healed her sliced neck within minutes, or the Dark One resurrected her. It seems the TV series may be handling Forsaken deaths differently than the books, but in those stories, one can kill a Forsaken. It is not easy and usually requires a dangerous weave of the One Power, but it can be done.

We see Rand kill Ishamael in The Wheel of Time season two finale. He stabs Ishamael with his blade—his blade infused with the One Power. The Forsaken crumbles into gray dust.

How Many Forsaken Are in The Wheel of Time TV Series?

We may not see all 13 Forsaken from the books. The Wheel of Time TV series is an adaptation of many thousands of pages, first of all. Also, some of the Forsaken are more interesting (more terrible?) than others. Plus, we saw in season one that the Warder Stepin had statues of the Forsaken. The idea is you make offerings to them to ward off the Forsaken. Stepin had eight statues displayed, which may mean that’s all the Forsaken we’ll see in the TV series. Additionally, Ishamael had only six other seals in his space when Lanfear visited him in the World of Dreams.

And speaking of, Lanfear mentioned some of other Forsaken while talking to Ishamael, so they seem like safe bets. She named Moghedien, Graendal, and “the boys.” The latter probably refers to Asmodean, Be’lal, Rahvin, and Sammael. That would complete the set of eight. However, showrunner Rafe Judkins won’t confirm or deny if there are only eight Forsaken.

Originally published on September 1, 2023.

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Some moments stick with you. Perhaps the moment is a memory, good or anxiety-inducing. Maybe it’s a particular conversation. Or it could be a scene from a story, one so impactful and so wondrous you feel it viscerally. You never forget it, not after reading thousands of pages, not after years pass. Then an adaptation of the book series brings that scene to the screen more beautifully than you could have hoped. And it builds on the scene in a way that further sears the moment into your heart. That’s what happened in The Wheel of Time season two finale when Mat sounded the Horn of Valere. Time slowed. Music softened, then swelled as the horn rang out across Falme. Fog unfurled with pops of color, and then cleared to reveal the Heroes of the Horn.

The Heroes of the Horn. And Mat Cauthon, who has been so unsure about himself and his place, is one of them. He realizes who he is, who he has been all along. Mat, beautifully performed by Dónal Finn, swings his quarterstaff and dagger—his ashandarei—with confidence and knows he is one of them. He is a hero.

The Wheel of Time showrunner Rafe Judkins, who co-wrote the season two finale with Timothy Earle, tells Nerdist, “I still tear up. I’ve literally seen it 100 times, and I still tear up because it was one of those things that we talked about very early in the writer’s room. Writers who didn’t know the books were like, ‘We can’t do that. You can’t really pull it off. It’ll feel silly.’”

They’re not wrong. On paper, the scene sings. Mat sounds this artifact from legend and changes the tide of the battle. An army of dead heroes bound to the Pattern and to the Horn charge into battle. It has every reason not to work on the screen. But Judkins says they were committed to showing the Heroes of the Horn and doing it right. “Everyone worked so hard. Even those writers, too. Everyone really got on board with this idea of, ‘We’re going to figure out how to pull off this moment and make it emotional and make it work,’” Judkins says.

Judkins explains everyone from the VFX team to director of photography Maja Zamojda leaned into what the moment is from the books. That means smoke and mist and heroes from different ages of The Wheel of Time. VFX supervisor Andy Scrase recalls, “Rafe, at the time, was making a point to me about how this would be a big moment for the fans seeing this happen, ‘It’ll mean an awful lot to them.’”

Judkins says everyone started with the scene as written in The Great Hunt. Then they built on it. He says, “We spent unlimited time, really, trying to build to that moment correctly and get every single team building towards it. It took a lot to pull that off. It’s probably the most expensive shot in season two in terms of the costumes and the hair and makeup and the VFX, and all of it.”

The Sounding of the Horn of Valere

The Horn of Valere shines brightly against Falme’s blue skies. It’s plastic (though they considered white glass), prop master Lukas Katakalidis says, but electroplated with real gold. Katakalidis recalls, “We started with different concepts of, you could say, more traditional horns. It was quite a long process and we tried different shapes and sizes. But then, at some point when we showed Rafe—I think he had the idea that this item would come from the Age of Legends era, so we didn’t need to stick to a traditional shape and could come up with something new. We made a new shape that could fit the request.”

The Great Hunt describes the sound of the Horn as “a clear note, golden as the Horn was golden.” The very sound of Horn resonates through the ground and sky. Supervising sound editor Matthew Skelding knew it had to sound beautiful and unlike anything else in the series. “We had to design something completely from scratch, but then we threw out all those ideas and went with the music to see what that was doing,” Skelding says. “Then we worked around Lorne [Balfe]’s score to create something completely new that weaved in and out of the music so that it could tell the story but then disappear. Just sound unique really, and different to anything we’ve done before.”

The sound team combined several elements for the Horn of Valere. They bought a few things off eBay, they used bells. But above all, they wanted to work with Lorne’s music to make sure the horn sounded elegant. But they had to give the Horn of Valere its moment. Skelding says, “We shaped the world around that sound and created the space for it to take over. Doug [Cooper], the mixer, did a great job of shaping that and allowing it to be that big, massive thing and giving that sound some weight.”

The Heroes of the Horn Appear

“The heroes revealing themselves from this mystical fog that forms behind that—I think that was our most expensive shot actually [in season two],” Scrase says. “Just because of the time that goes into it and the type of work requires, there’s a lot of effect simulations, which in the VFX world, it’s a very time-consuming and expensive process. That was one of those moments where you wanted to pour a lot of time and effort into it.”

The Horn of Valere summons at least a dozen of the Heroes from ages past. Artur Hawkwing, Amaresu, and Birgitte Silverbow are easy to spot. They show up in The Great Hunt, as do Rogosh Eagle-eye, Gaidal Cain, Mikel, Paedrig, and Otarin, among others. The heroes appeared through the fog—Scrase notes they took care to make the fog distinct from the mist that obscured the Whitecloaks’ arrival to Falme. It needed to be an eye-catching moment, so Scrase says they went for an idea of explosions of colors in the smoke itself as the heroes formed. The colors are based on the main colors in each hero’s costume. He says, “There was lots of different inspiration I saw for that. Different things were fireworks going off in thick smoke, and the Holi Festival, and exploding paints and things. I looked at loads of different references for that.”

The Heroes Enter the Battle

That exploration led to the look of the heroes as they jumped into battle, holding back the Seanchan across Falme. It wouldn’t make sense for them to move like the other characters, so Scrase turned to his usual sources of inspiration in arts and science and other film and television to depict the heroes in action. He landed on a photography technique to help give the Heroes of the Horn different movement.

“I found some really cool looking things for the heroes early on, which was long exposure photography. I’d used it for inspiration on one or two other areas in the show,” Scrase explains. “But I think for the Heroes of the Horn, it gave a very dramatic look. The look for our heroes came about from all that, and it was executed really well from the Framestore, the VFX vendor working with me on this. What helps is it almost conveys this visualization of movement and drama when the heroes are fighting.”

Amaresu in particular sticks in Scrase’s mind. “With her, I think that’s a really good example because of her colors and her costume by Sharon Gilham. Combining the costumes with the environment, with our effect got this really dramatic look that I was quite happy with in the end. We had the idea that when the heroes first appear, they didn’t feel quite normal. When they’re moving into action, when they’re fighting, when they’re running, you see this hero’s effect on them that makes them stand out.”

The heroes each have a unique look and they have different sounds, too. Skelding says they used the sound to keep the audience focused through the many battle sequences in the last episode. That was especially the case around each of the Heroes of the Horn. “We tried to design sounds for each of them, to be able to pick out each person individually with bigger impacts on the huge hits. It was about picking up Mat onto his journey throughout that entire charge as well. The design is very much based around each of the different fighting styles of each of the heroes and trying to tell each of their own stories throughout the battle.”

Mat Cauthon As a Hero of the Horn

Mat recognizes the heroes immediately. He remembers himself. Artur Hawking tells Mat, “I have fought by your side times beyond number.” Bringing that revelation to Mat was an important part of the scene, Judkins says. “[We wanted to] make it have an emotional impact for Mat who… We needed a way to clearly communicate to the audience that one of his core character traits is that he doesn’t believe he’s a hero, but he is one. That’s a big part of what we wanted his story to hit hard to the audience who isn’t familiar with the books by the end of the season. This is a guy who is a hero, even if he doesn’t believe it.”

By making Mat one of the Heroes of the Horn, The Wheel of Time TV series brings together different pieces of Mat’s history. “There’s a couple of different things that happened for Mat in the books in terms of his ability to speak Old Tongue, the memories in his mind, the holes in his memories, the skills he has with the staff,” Judkins explains.

He continues, “There’s all of these various disparate traits that he has. Sometimes in the show, we’ll try to—Dave Hill from Game of Thrones always calls it fantasy duplication, where sometimes there’s multiple reasons that things happen and that one thing to look for in adaptation is how to bring it to one thing. Mat’s most iconic thing is blowing the Horn of Valere. We tried to tie some of these things to this moment of blowing the Horn of Valere. I think it actually tracks really cleanly and makes a lot of sense.”

And of course, Mat wasn’t the only familiar face among the Heroes of the Horn. Uno Nomesta, who the High Lady Suroth had executed earlier in the season in an extreme departure from the books, is among the heroes. Judkins says, “We did have that plan [for Uno] because we’re combining… This is a little bit of an Easter egg spoiler. Some hardcore fans will notice. But we signal very clearly another character in the books that we’ve combined Uno with. Two swords.”

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The Wheel of Time turns… and in The Wheel of Time season two finale, boy did it make some important moves. The episode, “What Was Meant to Be,” brought all five of the Two Rivers youths to Falme. That’s where the Seanchan and Ishamael have been the whole season. Each scene of the finale took the characters farther along their journeys. Journeys readers of Robert Jordan’s books know all too well. But the episode brought twists and delight along the way, including a moment from The Great Hunt brought so beautifully to the screen I still can’t believe it happened. We talked to The Wheel of Time showrunner Rafe Judkins, who co-wrote this episode with Timothy Earle, about the Dragon Reborn and the role of prophecy, rings, Egwene’s choice, and more.

Nerdist: We have so much to discuss. But first, let’s talk about the rings we see Lanfear, Ishamael, Lews Therin, and more wear. What can you say about those?

Rafe Judkins: We did want to give this hint of the idea that these people used to be Aes Sedai, too. They had their own ring. It’s not something from the books. But it’s something that is just hopefully a subtle thing the audience can pick up on. All of them were the same once. They were all Aes Sedai. They left to join the Dark One. We like things that push you back in the direction of thinking of the better times of Ishamael, Lanfear, and Lews Therin.

Speaking of Lanfear and Ishamael! It seems like the series is focusing on eight Forsaken rather than the 13 in the books. We saw eight statues on Stepin’s altar in season one, we see six seals in Ishamael’s room. Why only eight?

Judkins: A lot of times, you’ll see us take the 13 and make it eight because 13 is such a repeated number in The Wheel of Time series. A lot of times, we’re taking it and making it eight just because it’s simpler to produce eight clans of Aiel. It’s easier than 13. Eight Forsaken could be easier than 13 Forsaken. But I will neither confirm nor deny that there are eight Forsaken.

A real Aes Sedai answer. Let’s jump ahead towards the end of the episode. Egwene kills Renna, and it’s a huge moment for her. Tell me about taking her down this path of revenge.

Judkins: In the books, Nynaeve is there at the final moment with Egwene and Renna. For the room, we started to think about what if Nynaeve wasn’t there. We’re deep enough into the show. We need to start to show the audience who these characters are on their way to becoming. Egwene is someone who is, throughout the book series, able to make incredibly tough decisions that have incredibly severe consequences. Starting to show that here was important for us in the overall storytelling of that character. We felt like if Nynaeve wasn’t there, Egwene might do something different than if she was. This is our version of it and something that hopefully lets the audience start to really understand who Egwene will eventually become in the series.

And Rand… there’s so much to dig into, but I want to ask about his confrontation with Turak. Instead of engaging in a swordfight with a blademaster, he uses the One Power against Turak. How did you develop this scene?

Judkins: For us, we haven’t really told the story of Rand and Lan training together yet. It is coming. But we hadn’t told it yet. But we still needed to pull off this Rand/Turak confrontation. I think it’s just one of those scenes that’s etched into your mind from the second book that we had to do.

What we tried to do is combine it with a scene in the third book with Rand where he kills all these men who are attacking him and they all fall to their knees with the One Power. It’s a very disturbing, unsettling scene in book three that puts a question mark in your mind of what path Rand is headed on and gives the audience its first real glimpse of the amount of power he wields, which I think is really important. That’s what we were trying to do with that scene. We wanted to deliver the iconic scene from the books. But Rand hasn’t had that storyline with Lan yet, so this is a way we could bring it to the show.

Throughout the season, people have talked about the prophecy of the Dragon Reborn proclaiming himself in Falme. Ultimately, Moiraine helps make it happen. How do you view the role of prophecy and how it can be deterministic?

Judkins: One of the big things in the books is this idea of destiny and what it means and how much of it is what the Pattern has woven for you and how much of it is you weaving through the Pattern. Moiraine and Rand are obviously the two characters where that comes most to a head in their character arc. We wanted to give the two of them a really definitive moment at the end of this season that tackled that thematically and, I think, also have this glorious scene of Moiraine channeling again after a season without it.

We combine that together to make this banner moment that should feel really heroic and ecstatic. But also, it’s not Rand’s choice. It’s Moiraine’s choice. That sets them up very well for the storyline that they have moving forward in the books. I think it’s a really important moment for those two characters in the relationship they’re going to be building moving forward.

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Morgan Elsbeth is more than a fervent follower of Grand Admiral Thrawn. She’s a Dathomirian Nightsister. Morgan heard the Great Mothers’ dreams across the galaxy and made the plan to locate Thrawn. It was Morgan who planned the construction of the Eye of Sion and searched for the map to Peridea. In the Ahsoka finale, the Great Mothers, ancient Dathomirian witches, rewarded Morgan for her help and loyalty. They bestowed her with what seemed like greater power and magicks, and they gave her the Blade of Talzin. The weapon, which the Great Mothers conjured from swirling green magicks, is one we’ve seen in Star Wars before.

What Is the Blade of Talzin?

The Blade of Talzin is a sword made out of Dathomirian magick. Nightsisters can bring it into existence for themselves or to give to others. The Blade of Talzin appears to be metal, with green flames wrapping around its blade. There also appears to be an inscription on it. The blade is strong enough to withstand blows from a lightsaber.

Why the Great Mothers Gifted Morgan Elsbeth with the Blade of Talzin in Ahsoka

Morgan answered the call of the Great Mothers. She found a way to successfully travel to a whole other galaxy and to safely return home. By doing so, she honored her Dathomirian heritage in an immeasurable fashion. For her actions, and likely her belief, the Great Mothers gifted Morgan the Blade of Talzin after Morgan pledged herself to the sisterhood and its old ways. Based on Morgan’s reverence in the moment, we can guess the weapon is legendary, known to the Dathomirian witches.

It didn’t take long for Morgan to put the Blade of Talzin to use. In order to give Thrawn and the Great Mothers the best chance at leaving Peridea, she stayed behind to fight Ahsoka, Sabine, and Ezra. Morgan went toe-to-toe with Ahsoka’s two lightsabers, using the Blade of Talzin to destroy one of Ahsoka’s lightsaber hilts. Ultimately, Ahsoka wrested the Blade of Talzin from Morgan and used it to kill her. But with the power the Great Mothers gave her, who knows if Morgan is really dead?

Though Ahsoka held the Blade of Talzin after Morgan’s death, we didn’t see it again as Ahsoka and Sabine made their escape. Perhaps it disappeared back into the ether, waiting to be called upon again.

Has the Blade of Talzin Appeared in Star Wars Before?

We’ve seen the Blade of Talzin once before in Star Wars. In the sixth season of The Clone Wars (nearly 30 years before the events of Ahsoka), Mother Talzin summoned the weapon to fight Mace Windu at the Temple of Malmourral, a Bardottan demon of war. Talzin was there to perform a ritual sacrifice that would grant her a massive amount of power. She brought the blade out of the ether in a rush of green flames, though the hilt here is different than the hilt when Morgan receives it. Talzin’s magical sword held up well against Mace Windu’s lightsaber, but ultimately, Talzin lost the battle. This was the last time we saw Talzin on the screen.

Featured Image: Lucasfilm

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This season of Ahsoka has been all about the fantastical and the darkly strange. And so, we were expecting nothing less from the Star Wars series’ finale, and we were not disappointed. Ahsoka, Sabine, and Ezra have faced many treacherous foes over Ahsoka‘s eight episodes, but one of the most twisted and frightening was saved for last.

Zombie Stormtroopers in Ahsoka‘s Finale

From Grand Admiral Thrawn’s first appearance in Ahsoka, we’ve known of his partnership with the Great Mothers. The powerful Dathomirian witches seem closely connected to the tenacious Imperial. They stand at Thrawn’s side, ready to help. We see red fabric reminiscent of their robes wrapped around Thrawn’s night troopers’ shabby armor. And in the Ahsoka finale, we saw the strength of Great Mothers’ dark magick when, at Thrawn’s behest, they brought dead night troopers back to life. Yes, Ahsoka gave us zombie stormtroopers in live-action, and it was as haunting as you’d imagine. These death troopers, infused with the misty green magick of the Nightsisters, reanimated against Ahsoka, Sabine, and Ezra and could seemingly only be killed with shots (or lightsabers) to the head. The new zombie stormtroopers have gruesome decaying flesh and everything.

Have Zombies Appeared in Star Wars Before?

Your brain may not jump to the word “undead” when you think of Star Wars. That’s fair. But Ahsoka‘s zombie stormtroopers aside, it’s not a new concept. In fact, we’ve seen the ideas of zombies go hand in hand with the Dathomirian Nightsisters before in the current, canonical Star Wars storytelling universe. In Star Wars: The Clone Wars, we saw a Dathomirian Nightsister, Old Daka, resurrect corpses from a graveyard using a specific chant. Daka raised this undead army in “Massacre.” In the Star Wars show, she tasked the resurrected zombie Nightsisters to fight against Separatists who were trying to carry out Count Dooku’s revenge against the witches. Daka tells the corpses, “Rise, sisters. Undead sisters, rise from your sleep. The time has come. Awaken. You have been called upon.”

General Grievous killed Daka in the battle, but she was the oldest of the Nightsisters on Dathomir and very likely the most powerful. Even Mother Talzin didn’t have Daka’s level of knowledge. Perhaps Daka once learned the resurrection chant and other magick from the Great Mothers.

We have to wonder if Marrok, the Inquisitor who fought beside Baylan and Shin, was also an undead servant of some sort.

Additionally, we saw a different kind of reanimated corpse in The Clone Wars when a Geonosian queen used a parasitic brainworm to bring the dead to life and control them like puppets.

Zombie Stormtroopers in Star Wars

We have even seen zombie stormtroopers in Star Wars before, though they’re quite different from the ones in Ahsoka. The Legends novel Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber is specifically about zombie stormtroopers. In the story, set before the events of A New Hope, the stormtroopers become zombies in the more traditional fashion. A virus spreads through a ship, and those infected with it become flesh-craving zombies.

Does Thrawn Plan to Make an Army of Zombie Stormtroopers?

It’s possible that Ahsoka‘s small group of zombie stormtroopers was just the beginning of Thrawn’s undead attacks. As mentioned, we only saw a small group of night troopers become zombies. The Great Mothers’ power infused into them, enhancing their abilities. The zombie stormtroopers seem to be more resilient than Thrawn’s living night troopers.

At the end of Ahsoka, Thrawn is traveling straight to Dathomir, with the Great Mothers on board, and a cargo bay full of coffin-like objects, he could have plans for a massive zombie stormtrooper army. Thrawn, the Imperial Remnant, and a host of hard-to-kill stormtroopers mean trouble ahead for the New Republic.

Featured Image: Lucasfilm

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The world of Dungeons & Dragons is impossibly rich. And that’s before everyone comes to the table and builds on it with their imaginations. The tabletop roleplaying game has continued to evolve with every edition. Dungeons & Dragons‘ fifth edition debuted in 2014, and in recent years, the game’s success has ballooned. A new book, Lore & Legends: A Visual Celebration of the Fifth Edition of the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game by Michael Witwer, Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, and Sam Witwer, delves into the art and history of D&D‘s Fifth Edition. We have an exclusive look at early character sketches featured in this Dungeons & Dragons book.

This spread of sketches shows off some of Dungeons & Dragons‘ most iconic dangers. We have a look at the deadly gelatinous cube from Conceptopolis (which also made an appearance in the recent Dungeons & Dragons movie). Below the cube are hook horror concepts from Cory Trego-Erdner. Then there’s a glimpse of a fresh owlbear look from artist Brynn Metheney. But my absolute favorite sketch on this page is the wereshark. That expression! Those teeth! Dungeons & Dragons rules.

The Lore & Legends synopsis is as follows:

When the reimagined fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons debuted in the summer of 2014, the game was on the brink of obsolescence. But within a few short years, D&D found greater success than it had ever enjoyed before, even surpassing its 1980s golden age. How did an analog game nearly a half century old become a star in a digital world? For the first time, Lore & Legends reveals the incredible ongoing story of Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition from the perspective of the designers, artists, and players who bring it to life. This comprehensive visual guide illuminates contemporary D&D—its development, evolution, cultural relevance, and popularity—through exclusive interviews and more than 900 pieces of artwork, photography, and advertising curated and analyzed by the authors of the bestselling and Hugo Award–nominated Dungeons & Dragons Art & Arcana.

Lore & Legends: A Visual Celebration of the Fifth Edition of the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game arrives on shelves on October 3. And if you can wait until November 28, you can get a special edition of the book. This edition comes with an adventure map, a custom d20, and even a pull-out drawer that doubles as a dice tray. Get all the details on the Lore & Legends special edition here.

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The world of The Wheel of Time comes with its own kind of magic—magic known as the One Power. It’s not referred to as “magic” in-universe, but that’s definitely what it’s like. Really, it’s kind of like the Force in Star Wars. And many women, but not all, who channel the One Power are Aes Sedai. Like Jedi, the phrase “Aes Sedai” can mean both the individual and the organization as a whole. Aes Sedai play an important role in Robert Jordan’s fantasy novels and Prime Video’s television adaptation. They have their hands in much of the world’s happenings and play a big part in the Dragon Reborn’s story.

If you’d like to learn more about The Wheel of Time’s Aes Sedai without spoilers from the books, you’re in the right place.

Who Are The Wheel of Time‘s Aes Sedai?

Put simply, the Aes Sedai are a group of women (during the events of the book and series) who wield the One Power. Many across the world of The Wheel of Time distrust them. In the Old Tongue, Aes Sedai means “servants of all.”

What Is the One Power?

Aes Sedai channel the One Power, which they pull from the True Source. The True Source has a female half and a male half, saidar and saidin respectively. During The Wheel of Time‘s events, saidin is tainted. If a man capable of channeling saidin tries to do so (like the Dragon Reborn, for example), he will eventually lose his mind and probably cause a lot of chaos in the process.

Aes Sedai channel saidar from the True Source, which as one character describes, it is, “the driving force of creation, the force the Creator made to turn the Wheel of Time.” Channelers weave flows from five elements—Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Spirit—for various affects. Aes Sedai, or any trained female channeler, can see when other women are using the One Power. It glows like an aura around the wielder.

Not everyone is born with the ability to channel, or the spark. Sometimes if a girl unknowingly begins channeling and doesn’t receive training from an Aes Sedai, she will die. Others channel on their own and survive without Aes Sedai training or interference.

Can an Aes Sedai Lose the Ability to Use the One Power?

Aes Sedai are born with the ability to use the One Power, but they can lose their powers in different ways. Other channelers can temporarily block Aes Sedai from the One Power using a shield. The shield weave blocks access to the One Power; the person using the weave can actively maintain it or tie the weave off and leave it, though this leaves more of an opening for someone to break the shield.

Another channeler permanently stop an Aes Sedai from using the One Power with stilling (it’s called gentling when it’s done to a male channeler). At the end of season one of The Wheel of Time, Ishamael stilled Moiraine. She lost the ability to use the One Power as a result.

Aes Sedai can accidentally cut themselves off from the One Power by burning out. This can happen when a channeler tries to use too much of the One Power. Burning out can sometimes be lethal for the Aes Sedai and/or her Warder.

However an Aes Sedai loses her powers, it is a jarring, traumatic loss.

Where Do the Aes Sedai Live?

The Aes Sedai call the island of Tar Valon home. They occupy the White Tower, which sits in a kind of campus. Aes Sedai do not have to permanently reside in the White Tower once they’re full sisters, though many do. Aspiring sisters train in the tower from Novice, to Accepted, to Aes Sedai. Warders also train and live on the grounds.

How Does Someone Become an Aes Sedai?

An Aes Sedai can sense if another women has the ability to channel. Whenever possible, they try to bring these women, usually on the younger side, to the White Tower to receive at least enough training to prevent the women from harming themselves with One Power. Some young women find their own way to Tar Valon too. Those who can channel start as Novices, then after they learn and grow in strength (if they do), they become Accepted. At the Accepted level, the woman must pas through the arches and then she receives an Aes Sedai ring—the Great Serpent ring. It depicts a serpent eating its own tail, a symbol of the ever-turning wheel of time. From Accepted, a woman goes on to become full Aes Sedai.

Once a full Aes Sedai, the woman has to take three oaths: to tell no lies, to not make any weapons that be used to harm other beings, and to not wield the One Power as a weapon. They make the oaths on the Oath Rod, which makes the oath unbreakable with the One Power. At this time they choose which Ajah they would like to join.

Aes Sedai Ajahs

The Aes Sedai split themselves into one of seven Ajahs: Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, Gray, Brown, and White. Each Ajah has its own purpose and leaders. When Aes Sedai become full sisters, they choose the Ajah they want to join. Aes Sedai often wear a color representing their Ajah, and in the books, they sometimes don vine-embroidered shawls that have fringe showing their Ajah’s color.

The Yellow Ajah heals, and the Blue Ajah is about righteous causes and justice. The Red Ajah loathes men and focuses on the misuse of the One Power, especially as it pertains to men channeling. The Green Ajah stands ready for the Last Battle, or Tarmon Gai’don. Grays are all about diplomacy and politics, while Browns put their energy towards gathering and preserving knowledge. And finally the White Ajah specializes in philosophy and logic.

An eighth Ajah exists too: the Black Ajah. Members of this Ajah have pledged themselves to the Dark One. They largely keep this allegiance secret and operate from the shadows. Not all Aes Sedai believe the Black Ajah is real. However, The Wheel of Time TV series has revealed Liandrin to be a member of the Black Ajah, possibly meaning she’s the Aes Sedai who attended Ishamael’s gathering of Darkfriends. When an Aes Sedai swears the oath to the Dark One, it breaks her Aes Sedai oath, meaning they can lie and use the One Power as a weapon. We’ve seen Liandrin do both things.

Aes Sedai and Warders

With the exception of the Red Ajah, nearly every Aes Sedai bonds a Warder. Members of the Green Ajah often bond more than one and sometimes marry one of their Warders. Aes Sedai use the One Power to bond a Warder (with permission) to serve as a bodyguard, basically. With the bonding, a Warder gains enhanced abilities such as stamina and strength. They form an emotional bond, and a Warder and Aes Sedai can sense each other’s physical locations.

Aes Sedai Politics

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Like any organization, the Aes Sedai have a leader and a council. They call their leader the Amyrlin Seat; the position’s full title is the Amyrlin Seat, Watcher of the Seals, the Flame of Tar Valon. Once sisters raise her to the position, she leaves her Ajah behind and becomes a mother to all Aes Sedai. The Amyrlin Seat wears a stole with seven stripes to represent the seven Ajahs. The Amyrlin Seat’s right hand woman is the Keeper of the Chronicles. The Amyrlin appoints the Keeper with the Hall of the Tower’s support and typically chooses the Keeper from the same Ajah that the Amyrlin once belonged to. Though the Keeper formally leaves that Ajah like the Amyrlin, the Keeper’s stole is the color of her former Ajah.

During The Wheel of Time, the current Amyrlin Seat is Siuan Sanche and the Keeper of the Chronicles is Leane Sharif.

The Aes Sedai have a council called the Hall of the Tower. Three Sitters from each Ajah sit on the council and implement the Amyrlin’s rules and also create policies for the whole of the organization.

Aes Sedai and the Age of Legends

The events of The Wheel of Time take place in the Third Age, which spans over 3,000 years. But before that was the Second Age, also known as the Age of Legends. During that period, there were more Aes Sedai and they were more powerful. Saidin was not yet tainted, so male and female channelers worked together. The Aes Sedai in this age could make tools that helped them channel more of the One Power—angreal, sa’angreal, and ter’angreal.. The Age of Legends comes up repeatedly in the books and we’ve seen it in the TV series as well. It’s an important era to keep in the back of your mind.

Notable Aes Sedai in The Wheel of Time TV Series So Far

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Since Aes Sedai play a pivotal role in the story, The Wheel of Time TV series includes a number of sisters. We see many in the halls of the White Tower and on the streets of Tar Valon, but let’s look at some of the most notable Aes Sedai in the adaptation’s story so far.

• Siuan Sanche – Amyrlin Seat, formerly of the Blue Ajah
• Leane Sharif – Keeper of the Chronicles, formerly of the Blue Ajah
• Moiraine Damodred – Blue Ajah
• Alanna Mosvani – Green Ajah
• Liandrin Guirale – Black Ajah (formerly Red Ajah)
• Verin Mathwin – Brown Ajah
• Sheriam Bayanar – Mistress of Novices, Blue Ajah
• Adeleas Namelle – Brown Ajah
• Yasicca Cellaech – Brown Ajah
• Ryma Galfrey – Yellow Ajah, currently a damane
• Maigan – Sitter of the Blue Ajah, currently a damane
• Gitara Moroso – former Keeper of the Chronicles and of the Blue Ajah, had the Foretelling about the Dragon Reborn’s birth

Originally published on September 2, 2021.

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In the latest episode of The Wheel of Time, “Daes Dae’mar,” which translates to “the Great Game” in the Old Tongue, a number of characters made important discoveries. Mat found out about Ishamael’s existence. The Seanchan learned of Egwene’s incredible strength in the One Power. Rand probably embraced some newly inflamed feelings about Aes Sedai after his encounter with the Amyrlin Seat. But the biggest revelation involved Moiraine and her loss of the One Power.

A flashback showed the moment Moiraine and Siuan learned about the Dragon Reborn’s coming from a Foretelling. That event 20 years ago changed the course of their lives. Moiraine was to find the Dragon and guide him. Siuan was to prepare the White Tower and gather the Aes Sedai’s support for the Dragon. Siuan lays failure for Rand’s lack of skill at Moiraine’s feet and seemingly blames her for losing access to the One Power. But as it turns out, Ishamael did not still Moiraine; he only shielded her.

Occasionally in season two we’ve heard characters say that women cut off permanently from the One Power, known as being stilled, often lose the will to live. They cannot handle the absence of the connection that has always been present within them. To lose access to the One Power is to undergo a severe trauma. Verin tells Lan how strong Moiraine has been to keep moving forward. Not entirely convinced, and probably fairly unhappy about Moiraine threatening to have Alanna take Lan’s Warder bond by force, Lan does some digging worthy of a sister of the Brown Ajah.

Lan pulls statistics on Aes Sedai who were stilled and how many survived. He questions Logain, a false Dragon who the Aes Sedai gentled but who can still see One Power weaves made by male channelers. Logain tells Lan weaves sit on Moiraine, something Rand later confirms. Rand sees a knot, meaning Ishamael placed the weave and tied it off—an ability lost since the Age of Legends. Aes Sedai believe they have to actively maintain weaves for them to work. We see this in the episode when the sisters take turns maintaining the shield on Rand.

Truth, unbelievable as it may be to Moiraine, uncovered, Lan urges Rand to channel and cut the knot. Moiraine regains access to the One Power and uses it immediately. Moiraine has stood on her own without the One Power all season and confronted some painful external and internal challenges. She probably sees truth in Siuan’s criticism and believes she’s a failure for not guiding and protecting Rand.  It must be bittersweet for Moiraine to regain such an important part of who she believes she is at the same time as her and Siuan’s mutual betrayal.

The Wheel of Time‘s season two finale airs next Friday, October 6.

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It’s never a bad time to be a fan of the Percy Jackson books. However, it certainly is an auspicious time to be a fan these days. The Disney+ Percy Jackson and the Olympians series debuts later this year and we’ve seen the first trailer. The first new Percy Jackson story in 14 years arrived in the world yesterday. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Chalice of the Gods has undoubtedly been flying off shelves. Author Rick Riordan held an event to launch the book and he revealed some huge news to fans attending the event. The author unveiled another brand-new Percy Jackson book! Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Wrath of the Triple Goddess arrives in September 2024.

We first saw this news on Twitter. As you can see from the below video, fans expressed enthusiasm for the news. Though there’s no official word on how many more Percy Jackson books we’ll get, it seems likely Riordan may publish a complete trilogy about this phase of Percy’s life. Chalice of the Gods sees Percy preparing to head to college. That’s not a simple change for a regular human, much less a demigod. And let’s be real. Percy’s been busy with the gods. His school record is not impeccable. Wrath of the Triple Goddess, which will be the seventh book in the Percy Jackson series, will follow Percy as he continues his quests for college recommendation letters.

Two things we do know about Wrath of the Triple Goddess thanks to fans at the launch event: it will feature Hecate and also Mrs. O’Leary. Mrs. O’ Leary is Percy’s pet hellhound and a very good dog.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Wrath of the Triple Goddess will be out on September 24, 2024. It’s not available for pre-order yet. But that’s okay, we have Chalice of the Gods to keep us busy.

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The World of Dreams has entered the chat, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. The Wheel of Time TV adaptation of the book series of the same name by Robert Jordan has already highlighted how important the realm, known as Tel’aran’rhiod, can be. We’ve seen the Forsaken use the World of Dreams repeatedly in season two of the show. Lanfear is a master of moving through Tel’aran’rhiod. Ishamael is skilled too, but his appearance glitches, betraying himself as a dreamwalker to the dreamer he’s visiting. We’ll continue to see how events in Tel’aran’rhiod affect the story, but for now, here’s what you should know about the World of Dreams with context from The Wheel of Time books, but no plot spoilers.

What Is the World of Dreams in The Wheel of Time?

Tel’aran’rhiod is a sort of parallel world. The books basically describe the World of Dreams as an inconstant mirror of the waking world. So when Lanfear tells Rand he can travel and see the world in Tel’aran’rhiod, he can do so. He could visit the White Tower, for example, in the World of Dreams and longstanding buildings will be there. Anything fixed in the waking world is likely to be fixed in the World of Dreams. But objects that do not have permanent locations will flicker in and out. For example, letters on a desk may appear and disappear moment-to-moment in the World of Dreams, while the desk stays put. Dreamwalkers like Lanfear have the ability to change what Tel’aran’rhiod looks like.

Aside from traveling to particular locations, those who know the World of Dreams well can visit a specific person’s dreams—as Lanfear and Ishamael do with Rand (Lanfear is able to kick Ishamael out of Rand’s dreams) and as Lanfear does with both Liandrin and Egwene. It’s how she takes Rand to “see” Egwene in her dreams and why Egwene wakes thinking she’d just heard Rand. Remember the bad dreams the Two Rivers ta’veren had in season one? That was Ishamael. Dreamers remember those who visit their dreams, even if they remain unaware it was because the visitor was dreamwalking.

Can Anyone Enter Tel’aran’rhiod?

Like Perrin’s wolfbrother ability, entering Tel’aran’rhiod does not require use of the One Power. Some can access the World of Dreams at will, some may use a ter’angreal designed for the purpose, and others might stumble into the World of Dreams accidentally. Just falling asleep and dreaming does not a dreamwalker make. One has to enter the realm consciously while being asleep. It was common practice in the Age of Legends, but in contemporary times, Aes Sedai rarely possess the ability.

What Happens to the Dreamwalker’s Body?

While a dreamwalker enters Tel’aran’rhiod, their body remains asleep. If someone is unpracticed in the World of Dreams, they will usually have someone stay awake at their side to pull them out. If a dreamer knows they are at risk of a dreamwalker visiting their dreams, like Rand with Lanfear, they also may have a minder on hand. Moiraine watched over Rand for signs of distress when Lanfear visited his dreams. A body belonging to someone visiting Tel’aran’rhiod does not get as much rest as it would from actual sleep.

Can People Die in Tel’aran’rhiod?

The World of Dreams is dangerous, especially for those new to the realm. Injuries sustained in Tel’aran’rhiod happen to the dream in the waking world. This can include death.

This only scratches the surface of Tel’aran’rhiod’s role in The Wheel of Time. As the series go on, we’ll undoubtedly see how powerful the realm is and we’ll return to dig in further.

New episodes of The Wheel of Time premiere on Fridays on Prime Video.

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Final Fantasy XIV is already a hugely popular multiplayer online game, and now it’s headed to the table. Square Enix has announced the Final Fantasy XIV tabletop roleplaying set for next spring. They’re gearing this transition to tabletop roleplaying towards RPG newcomers with a comprehensive starter set that has everything you could need to run a game or explore the world of Eorzea as an adventurous player.

The Final Fantasy XIV TTRPG Starter Set comes with a player book, a gamemaster book that has three ready-to-go premade scenarios, premade character sheets, custom dice, an encounter map, and more. You can see many of the elements in the below image. The prewritten scenarios connect to Final Fantasy XIV‘s main story to make you feel even more a part of the world. Square Enix recommends five players, though as few as three could join the gaming party.

With four character sheets—for Warrior, White Mage, Dragoon, and Black Mage—already available, jumping in should be straightforward. The play system isn’t clear, though. The Starter Set‘s custom dice are six d20s and 10 d6s, so the system is likely a custom one.

The Final Fantasy XIV TTRPG Starter Set releases next May and costs $59.99. You can place a pre-order now.

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One of the beautiful things about tabletop gaming is variety. A board game that matches your specific interests and preferred play style very likely exists. For example, if you like cooperative gameplay and you have a passion for Greek mythology, Ravensburger’s Horrified: Greek Monsters is for you. Structured around the same format as the game company’s first release in the Horrified series, Horrified: Universal Monsters, and this version is geared towards Greek legends and monsters. As we slide towards the release of Percy Jackson and the Olympians TV series, Horrified: Greek Monsters is an ideal game to get in the mood.

The premise is straightforward enough. You and your fellow players choose a hero to play. Each hero has a special ability, and one of the heroes is a Traveler—a crown-wearing pegasus. Yes, I absolutely chose to play the pegasus for obvious reasons. I also picked the pegasus because that particular hero has the most actions of the group. You’ll choose the monsters based on the difficulty level you desire. Horrified: Greek Monsters comes with Minotaur, Cerberus, Basilisk, Chimera, Medusa, and Siren. Working together, you and your fellow players have to stop the monsters before your horror level hits the max. You win or lose together. Along the way, you can guide legends such as Daedalus around the board to gain perks.

Horrified: Greek Monsters is relatively simple to set up and get into, even if you haven’t played another Horrified game. And if you have played Universal Monsters or American Monsters before, you’ll find it even easier to start. You can use your heroes’ actions to choose from a long list of possibilities, and you and your cohorts will have to determine the optimal strategy. Will you try to collect as many items as possible to meet the requirements necessary to stop the monster(s)? Or will you try to focus on guiding legends to their destination in order to acquire more perk cards that could be handy later? The multi-tasking aspect of this game, like so many, is both a satisfying challenge and a frustration. It can be hard to choose what to focus on, especially when the monsters are coming at you after every turn.

In playing (and losing) a two-player game, I lost sight of the primary strategy: keeping the horror level from climbing. Well, that and we didn’t focus on stopping the more challenging monster first. Your mileage may vary, but I think if we would have turned our attention to stopping Cerberus sooner—his defeat requires precise dice rolls that can be challenging to achieve—we could have been in a stronger place.

Even with losing to Cerberus, Horrified: Greek Monsters was an enjoyable romp of a game. Like its Horrified predecessors, the storytelling around the various monsters’ abilities connects well to what we know about their mythology. The monster miniatures are detailed and would be a blast to paint. Heroes have cardboard tokens, like with the other Horrified games, and I hope one day we’ll see minis offered for those characters as well. I need a miniature of the Traveler to paint.

Horrified: Greek Monsters is set to release on October 1.

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“We’re on a break.” Stede Bonnet, Gentleman Pirate, actually says that about his and Edward Teach’s relationship in the Our Flag Means Death season two trailer. Stede and Ed, a.k.a. Blackbeard, ended season one torn apart. Stede’s crew thinks Blackbeard is going to murder Stede for breaking his heart, but Stede, as ever, is more optimistic than that. He knows he should have been more open about his feelings, and you can tell he wants to make it up to Ed. Season two of Our Flag Means Death is about to explore a lot of break-up wallowing, piracy, fighting soldiers, and hopefully a grand gesture.

Our Flag Means Death Season Two Trailer

The Our Flag Means Death season two trailer shows Blackbeard is processing some emotions. He’s giving up booze, drugs, and Stede and trying to turn things around for himself. Ed even befriends a bunny. But then Stede comes back into Blackbeard’s life. All the while, a group of soldiers are trying to bring an end to piracy. And Stede and his crew? They seem as about as a competent as ever, which is to say, things will probably not go in their favor.

But what they lack in skill, Stede and his crew make up for in resilience. This found family always gets back on their feet. They usually look utterly fabulous while doing so, too.

Our Flag Means Death Season Two Premiere Date and Synopsis

The synopsis for the second season is as follows:

Our Flag Means Death is based (very) loosely on the true adventures of 18th century would-be pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby). After trading the seemingly charmed life of a gentleman for one of a swashbuckling buccaneer, Stede became captain of the pirate ship Revenge. Struggling to earn the respect of his potentially mutinous crew, Stede’s fortunes changed after a fateful run-in with the infamous Captain Blackbeard (Taika Waititi). To their surprise, the wildly different Stede and Blackbeard found more than friendship on the high seas…they found love. Now, they have to survive it.

Our Flag Means Death season two premieres on Max on October 5.

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The Wheel of Time is a story of light and dark. The books by Robert Jordan pit the Dragon Reborn and his allies against the Dark One and his many evildoing minions. Enemies to the Dragon are everywhere. They take the form of Darkfriends doing deeds big and small for the Dark One, Whitecloaks who cause trouble via their fanaticism, or invading forces. Season two of Prime Video’s adaptation of The Wheel of the Time has been bringing two powerful foes together: the Forsaken and the Seanchan.

Members of each group are formidable in their own right. The Forsaken are powerful channelers who devote themselves to the Dark One. Meanwhile the Seanchan are invading with a massive army, spearheaded by enslaved channelers using the One Power as a weapon. Moreover, Ishamael of the Forsaken has seemingly allied with High Lady Suroth of the Seanchan. That makes for a dire situation for the Dragon Reborn, Rand al’ Thor, and those who want to help him.

“I think this season’s very character driven. In season one, we were establishing them all. Season two is following all these characters and they’re all in different places, so we have the breadth,” executive producer Marigo Kehoe told Nerdist on the set of The Wheel of Time (no writers or actors were present during the set visit). “The darkness and the light, it’s explored in all of them, including the Forsaken. So they come in and these characters pose that threat straight away. The story and their journey has that underlying threat.”

And while the Seanchan are overt in their invasion, other enemies are more insidious. Selene, it turns out, is not an innkeeper in Cairhien’s foregate; she’s actually Lanfear, one of the Forsaken. She’s been cozying up with Rand. Of course book readers knew Selene’s actual identity, but director Sanaa Hamri explained such a situation is layered. “It’s very intricate and tricky when bringing in the different dark forces, “ she said. “Because at the same time when we’re directing these scenes and creating the scope, we don’t want to tip the hat. So it has to be, especially for a viewer who’s never read the books, they should not know who a Darkfriend is going to be.”

Hamri continued, “It’s finding that fine balance of being subtle. We want to create an environment where you rewatch the scene and go, ‘Oh my God, that’s the sign.’ Especially later on because there’s a lot of things that are revealed throughout the season until the finale, so when you rewatch the show, you’ll be able to pinpoint and see those little eggs.”

One example of an egg is the name of Selene’s inn, the Crescent Inn. Its sign featured a crescent moon and stars. One of Lanfear’s names in The Wheel of Time’s books is Daughter of the Night.

Lanfear’s in the story now, but the season started with Ishamael and the Seanchan. The stakes were high, particularly with Rand and the audience knowing he is the Dragon. Executive producer Mike Weber said you’re already thinking about what he’s going to do with that incredible power and how it will affect him. So by the time we meet enemies, you can’t help but wonder what Rand will do.

“You see what evil… You see the One Power in the possession of people that do not have the moral code of the Aes Sedai, what that looks like. And the Seanchan really put that forward,” Weber said. “You see all of these different aspects of the One Power’s existence and how it is utilized and I think that really hits home in amping up the stakes.”

The Wheel of Time airs news episodes on Prime Video on Fridays.

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Season two of The Wheel of Time is well underway, and Moiraine and Lan continue to be in a challenging place. When Ishamael cut Moiraine off from the One Power at the Eye of the World in the season one finale, it severed her bond to Lan. An Aes Sedai’s bond with her Warder closely connects them, to the point a Warder knows his Aes Sedai’s moods. It suddenly disappearing affects both Aes Sedai and Warder deeply. Season two began with Moiraine investigating broken cuendillar and keeping Lan in the dark. The split between them has grown wider with each passing episode, and now Moiraine is Cairhien after leaving Lan with Alanna.

While visiting Alanna’s family, Lan seemed to relax. He let his hair down, though it’s shorter than it was in Nynaeve’s possible future, and wore more comfortable-looking clothing. The hair, at least, is symbolic of Lan and Moiraine’s lack of relationship. The Wheel of Time’s hair and makeup designer Davina Lamont told Nerdist it was about representing that change in his character.

“It was about how Moiraine and Lan had gone to another place,” Lamont said. “Moiraine was kicked out of the White Tower, and so we had a more of a relaxed look for both of them for the first episode. Then they wanted to see Lan in an even more relaxed mode as well. So, for that it was taking his hair down. It was great to play with the length and the style for him and what that would look like. So yeah, I was glad that he got a new hairstyle. He [Daniel Henney] loves his long hair.”

Lamont joked that Henney wanted to wear the long hair all the time.

Director Thomas Napper told Nerdist more about Moiraine and Lan’s struggle. The pair is in crisis, complicated by Moiraine shutting Lan out. He said, “Their relationship is in a strange, broken place where they were almost like twins, to a point. It’s so interesting to explore these other aspects of the characters, that I felt coming into the show fresh for series two, that that was a really new aspect to the show, is to see the vulnerability and to see, I guess, the darker sides.”

New episodes of The Wheel of Time premiere on Fridays on Prime Video.

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The Wheel of Time TV series, based on the book series of the same name by Robert Jordan, set up a mystery for Perrin Aybara in season one. His eyes occasionally turned golden, and he didn’t know what was happening. Perrin’s abilities have continued to evolve in season two of the show, ever since he met Elyas. Elyas recently told Perrin what he is: a wolfbrother. Here’s what you need to know about wolfbrothers in The Wheel of Time with some context, but no spoilers, from the books.

What Are Wolfbrothers in The Wheel of Time?

Also known as wolfsisters or wolfkin, wolfbrothers are people who have a close relationship with wolves. The known wolfkin in The Wheel of Time books are all men, but women could be wolfkin, too. There is no known way to detect whether someone has the potential to become a wolfbrother. It’s not necessarily a genetic trait. If someone is a wolfbrother, their condition could lay dormant for years. It usually takes close proximity to wolves and the wolves’ acceptance to bring the traits to the forefront. The person may not know what is happening.

In the first season of The Wheel of Time TV series, a pack of wolves approached Perrin in the woods. One wolf licked his leg. Later in the season, wolves help Perrin and Egwene escape imprisonment by the Whitecloaks. Perrin didn’t know what was going on until he met Elyas in season two.

Wolfbrother Abilities

Being a wolfbrother comes with special abilities, which we’ve seen in season two. Perrin’s eyes turn golden and he can see imprints of things that have happened. He witnesses what occurred in the abandoned village and watches the past when the Shienaran Darkfriend chased down a small child. Elyas uses those abilities as a “sniffer” for hire (this is different from the sniffer in The Wheel of Time books).

Wolfbrothers gain heightened vision and sense of smell, too. In the show, their tastes eventually trend towards raw meat. As we saw with Perrin learning Hopper’s name through a projected image, wolfbrothers can communicate with wolves and each other through a psychic kind of connection focused on images instead of words.

They have other interesting abilities in the books, but let’s wait and see what unfolds in the series to avoid spoilers.

Does Being a Wolfbrother Involve Channeling the One Power?

Being a wolfbrother and using the associated abilities does not involve the One Power or channeling. In fact, it’s believed the condition is older than the One Power, going back before the Age of Legends. Aes Sedai are not entirely convinced that the wolfbrother condition is separate from the One Power. We wouldn’t want to put Perrin or Elyas near a member of the Red Ajah, for example.

Who Are Known Wolfbrothers?

In The Wheel of Time TV series, the known wolfbrothers are Perrin Aybara and Elyas Machera.

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