E10. Exams, Fantasy, and Concerts: A Whirlwind Episode
Episode 10 of Rolling Into Fantasy delves into the hosts' recent literary explorations, highlighting Laurent's progress in reading the first book of the Liveship Traders trilogy, "Ship of Magic" by Robin Hobb, which features unique elements like sentient ships. As Marie-Noor balances her exam preparations, the conversation touches on the challenges of maintaining a reading routine amidst life's obligations. The episode also includes insights into the newly released Dungeons and Dragons DM's guide, emphasizing its accessibility for new DMs while discussing the pros and cons for seasoned players. Additionally, Laurent shares his excitement about the recent Magic: The Gathering set, Foundations, and the fun of introducing new players to the game through jump-start packs. The episode wraps up with a discussion about a recent concert featuring music from Studio Ghibli films, celebrating the emotional connection these compositions have with fans.
The latest installment of Rolling Into Fantasy dives into the whirlwind of life that has kept hosts Laurent and Marie-Noor from recording more frequently. They candidly share their experiences, such as Marina's exam preparations, which have taken precedence over their podcasting, and the challenges Laurent has faced in tackling his extensive 'to be read' list. Despite their busy schedules, they manage to carve out time to discuss their love for fantasy literature and gaming. Laurent reveals his ongoing journey with the Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide, highlighting its accessibility for new DMs while also addressing the potential complications it introduces. He reflects on the balance of pros and cons in the guide, emphasizing how it streamlines the creation of balanced encounters and introduces new rules for firearms, which sparks a debate on their place in traditional D&D settings. Marie-Noor contributes her insights on the difficulties of being a veteran DM amidst these changes, showcasing the tension between old and new gameplay styles.
The conversation shifts to Laurent's literary pursuits, with a focus on Robin Hobb's Ship of Magic, the first book in the Liveship Traders trilogy. He passionately describes the unique premise of sentient ships and how this element intertwines with themes of family, ambition, and adventure. The rich world-building and character perspectives keep him engaged and eager to explore the rest of the series. Their discussion seamlessly weaves through different literary works, including Magic Realms, a retrospective on fighting fantasy art, which Laurent rates highly due to its nostalgic value. The episode wraps up with a lively recount of their experience attending a Studio Ghibli concert, where they share their thoughts on the music, the atmosphere, and how it connects to their shared love for the movies.
Rolling Into Fantasy takes listeners on a delightful journey through the lives of its hosts, Laurent and Marina, as they navigate the complexities of balancing academic responsibilities with their passion for fantasy literature and gaming. The episode opens with an honest discussion about the reasons behind their recording hiatus, primarily due to Marina's exams, which resonates with anyone familiar with the pressures of academic life. Laurent reflects on the weight of his reading list, expressing both frustration and excitement as he attempts to prioritize his literary interests while preparing for a new D&D campaign. The hosts engage in a thoughtful dialogue about the evolution of the Dungeon Master's Guide, noting its improved accessibility for new DMs, while raising concerns about the inclusion of firearms and the implications for traditional gameplay.
As the episode progresses, Laurent shares his current reading of Robin Hobb's Ship of Magic, highlighting its innovative narrative that centers around sentient ships and complex family dynamics. His enthusiasm for the book is infectious, as he delves into its themes of loyalty and ambition, and how these elements are portrayed through the perspective of both the ships and their human counterparts. The hosts then transition to a discussion about Magic Realms, a tribute to the artistry behind fighting fantasy, where Laurent’s nostalgia shines through as he praises its artistic contributions. The episode concludes on a high note as they recount their experience at a Studio Ghibli concert, discussing the emotional impact of the music and its connection to their favorite films. Through their engaging banter and thoughtful reflections, Laurent and Marina create an episode that is not only informative but also deeply personal, inviting listeners to share in their love for fantasy and storytelling.
Takeaways:
- The hosts discuss the challenges of balancing life priorities with their podcasting schedule, highlighting how exams take precedence.
- Laurent shares insights on a new Dungeons and Dragons DM's guide, emphasizing its accessibility for new players.
- Marie-Noor expresses her preference for fun reading over exam preparation, revealing her struggles with time management.
- The episode features a review of the fantasy novel "Ship of Magic" by Robin Hobb, which includes sentient ships and complex family dynamics.
- Laurent enjoys discussing his experience at a Studio Ghibli concert, focusing on the music's nostalgic impact.
- The hosts reflect on the recent release of Magic the Gathering's Foundation set, exploring its potential to attract new players.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Studio Ghibli
- Magic: The Gathering
Transcript
All right, and welcome to episode 10 of Rolling Into Fantasy.
Laurent:We took a bit of a longer period in between the previous recording and this one.
Laurent:We'll explain why it was.
Laurent:It's absolutely unintentional, but, you know, life happens.
Marina:Yeah.
Marina:Exams are starting.
Marina:I'm sorry, it's my fault.
Laurent:Exactly Right.
Laurent:But, you know, we.
Laurent:We do understand, and that's why we took a bit longer.
Laurent:There are some priorities in life.
Laurent:Apparently, rolling into fantasy is not one of them for my daughter.
Laurent:So.
Marina:Okay, listen, listen, listen.
Marina:We've been over this five times already.
Marina:I do still prefer passing my exams over recording.
Laurent:Cheap, cheap.
Laurent:But okay, no, no, in all earnest.
Laurent:In all earnest.
Laurent:That is correct.
Laurent:That is correct.
Laurent:So that's why it took us a little bit longer.
Laurent:But anyway, welcome back to Rolling Into Fantasy.
Marina:I'm Laurent and I'm still Marina.
Laurent:Excellent.
Laurent:All right, so in this episode, actually, what immediately struck me is that I've had, although I don't have exams, I've had apparently a rough time getting one book read.
Laurent:But.
Laurent:Oh, hang on, hang on.
Laurent:Before you judge me.
Marina:I never said I was judging you.
Laurent:Okay.
Laurent:But anyway.
Laurent:But before you judge me, I do have a very long to be read list list, like so many of us.
Laurent:And the tempting or the temptation of having such a to be read list next to your bed literally is you see all those covers of those books, the titles of the books, and then you just want to flip through them, and then one of them just, you know, intrigued me and I started reading one that wasn't, you know, top shelf, let's say, on my to be read list.
Laurent:But it's a mammoth of a book.
Laurent:But more on that later.
Laurent:So we will cover some books promised.
Marina:And I mean, I have not been reading.
Marina:I mean, I have been reading a lot, but that's exam material and I don't think you're interested in that.
Marina:So.
Laurent:Nope.
Marina:I can't really talk about many books right now because I don't have the time for fun reading.
Marina:I want a fun read, but I can't fun read because I have to do study read.
Laurent:Well, you know, life happens, as I said.
Laurent:Luckily, I did go through some books, at least one novel I'm going through and some other books.
Laurent:And on top of that, we do have some, even if it's a little thing that we already mentioned or teased in our last episode for Lorebound, which is now it's released, of course, the released edition of Magic the Gathering, the foundation set.
Laurent:So we'll talk about briefly about that and then quite exceptional.
Laurent:I Thought it was exceptional in many ways.
Laurent:An episode of Bart's ballad.
Laurent:Quite a atypical little thing, but very nice.
Marina:Yes.
Laurent:All right, so let's dive into it.
Laurent:So, Tales from the Tome.
Laurent:Well, as you said, you won't be doing much talking.
Marina:I'm sorry?
Marina:I mean, I can talk to you about the wondrous world of the youth career.
Marina:Youth.
Marina:Yes.
Marina:Youth care system.
Laurent:Nope.
Marina:Yeah, I.
Marina:Don't you want to hear about that for a sec?
Marina:Like a second time?
Laurent:Nope.
Laurent:So.
Laurent:But you can always comment or ask some questions about the stuff that I've been reading.
Laurent:Let's start first.
Marina:Don't ask me about my exam.
Laurent:I won't.
Laurent:I won't.
Marina:No, no.
Marina:That was to the listeners.
Marina:Don't ask me about that.
Laurent:So, first off is the Dungeons and Dragons DMs guide.
Laurent:Now this one we already have mentioned.
Laurent:Yes.
Laurent:That it was coming out.
Laurent:We did the player's Guidebook.
Laurent:But now, finally, I had some time flipping through and reading some sections.
Marina:Can I just say that the COVID is insanely pretty.
Laurent:Yeah.
Marina:You got the special edition.
Laurent:I got the special edition.
Laurent:Right.
Marina:So breathtaking.
Laurent:It is.
Laurent:It is.
Laurent:Here.
Laurent:Here you go.
Laurent:Here.
Laurent:Don't drop it.
Laurent:It weighs a ton.
Laurent:It's so pretty.
Laurent:What I really enjoyed.
Laurent:And immediately diving into the pros and cons here.
Laurent:I haven't read the whole thing, obviously.
Laurent:I mean, it's really huge.
Laurent:But I'm not only flipping through it, but I'm also using it immediately to prepping a new campaign that I will be running as a dm.
Marina:Hello.
Laurent:In January.
Laurent:Yeah.
Laurent:Hi.
Marina:Hi.
Marina:Yeah, but I volunteer.
Laurent:Yeah, no, honey, because you will be in London then, remember?
Marina:Huh?
Laurent:Huh?
Laurent:Yeah, right.
Laurent:This is an event that will occur January next year, and that will be when you are in London.
Marina:I'm not in London in January.
Laurent:You are not?
Laurent:Oh, okay.
Laurent:When are you in?
Laurent:When are you in?
Laurent:When are you.
Marina:What?
Laurent:When are you then in going to London?
Marina:In June.
Laurent:In June?
Laurent:Oh, man.
Laurent:Oh, I'm getting old.
Laurent:Okay.
Laurent:I thought you were going into.
Laurent:Okay, so anyway, you're most welcome.
Marina:Yes, I am joining.
Marina:Thank you.
Laurent:Excellent.
Laurent:Excellent.
Laurent:Oh, boy.
Laurent:I've really mixed up here.
Laurent:But anyway, so as I said, I'm using it to prepping this new campaign that I will be running as a dm and I'm already regretting, not because of the book, but because of all my comments I already gave about last time being such a.
Laurent:A newbie at it.
Laurent:And for that making the connection with the book, I think the pros.
Laurent:And this has been confirmed by other Reviews is that as the accessibility specifically for new DMs.
Laurent:I think it is improved when just even comparing.
Laurent:Even from comparing the last edition which is already 10 years old.
Laurent:This is the 24 edition we're talking about and the previous one is already 10 years ago.
Laurent:I even saw it.
Laurent:There's a big change in how it's accessible for new DMs and new accessibility means the structure, the approach to teaching dungeon mastering.
Laurent:It's much more beginner friendly.
Marina:I'll have to read this book as well.
Laurent:I really saw it and even the language that is being used, I think they've done a really good job putting new DMs at ease.
Laurent:Give them trust and making them feel at ease, taking the time out.
Laurent:It's really step by step.
Laurent:I think it also explains much better or at least better let's say practical tools, tracking sheets, managing the game elements, NPCs, campaign nodes, et cetera.
Laurent:So that for me is a major pro for the book.
Laurent:But what's also very nice is the expanded toolbox for customization.
Laurent:Now hear me out this Although it does offer resources like templates and stuff for creating or modifying creatures, magic items, the whole thing.
Laurent:Right.
Laurent:It's done in a much more step by step manner than the previous book.
Laurent:But what they included, and this is something that many people pointed out as being a pro, is the inclusion of firearm rules.
Laurent:Rules.
Laurent:And I do get it.
Laurent:You know you want to expand, right?
Laurent:Your adventure, your fantasy.
Laurent:Absolutely.
Laurent:I mean that's the whole point of it.
Laurent:But call me old fashioned, I still have issues with it.
Laurent:To have firearms included in D and.
Marina:D.
Marina:You overall, you're not really a fan of the artificer class as well.
Laurent:Exactly.
Marina:That's a class I have been dying to play for so long.
Laurent:Well, I will allow it in my.
Marina:New campaign, I don't think.
Marina:See, the thing is with artificers I want to play it, but I've also heard that it's one of the most difficult classes to play.
Laurent:You have the rulebook now, so dive into it.
Marina:Yes.
Marina:There's just one vision that I have created and now I somehow want it to become a reality because it's just too funny not to is with one of my characters.
Marina:I ended up going a different route with her, but it was a possibility.
Marina:She started off as a warlock and I wanted to multi class with her and I was thinking, you know, artificer because I wanted to experiment with that for a while now, but I didn't, I didn't end up doing it.
Marina:But she used to use Eldritch Blast to blast herself away.
Laurent:Okay, that's still fine.
Marina:Yeah, I'm still good with that.
Marina:To blast herself away to gain extra speed.
Marina:But the negative side effect was that it did damage her.
Marina:That's what the DM decided on.
Marina:If you keep using Eldritch Blast to use for speed, it's gonna hurt you.
Laurent:Okay.
Marina:So then I designed these roller skates for her.
Laurent:Oh, my God.
Marina:Because, you know, artificer.
Laurent:And then that would push her even further backwards.
Marina:No, the blast bits are at the heel.
Laurent:Oh, okay.
Marina:So she would channel the Eldritch Blast energy into those roller skates.
Laurent:Oh, my God.
Marina:To blast herself forward.
Laurent:I'm not too certain if I'm gonna allow that.
Marina:Anyway, it was.
Marina:It was a very, very fun vision.
Marina:It is funny, but just also for context, this was a campaign that is taking.
Marina: in a fantasy world set in the: Marina:Ish.
Marina:So for the time period, roller skates weren't too far fetched, you know.
Laurent:Okay.
Laurent:Okay.
Marina:It wasn't like the classic medieval fantasy.
Laurent:No, no, exactly.
Marina:In a medieval fantasy setting, I wouldn't have proposed roller skates, granted.
Laurent:I mean, I think I could, you know, going back to the firearms and anything that is, you know, even remotely tied to that, I could tag along.
Laurent:But then I would only use it if I go way, you know, way left or, you know, and have a really crazy campaign.
Marina:I can see how, you know, artificers and firearms and that kind stuff is for some people, very hard to place in a tip like a traditional medieval fantasy D and D campaign, because it just doesn't feel like it's the right place for it.
Marina:But if the.
Marina:If the campaign lends itself to artificers and firearms, then yeah, fuck it.
Marina:That's so much fun.
Marina:But otherwise, I can see why people don't like.
Marina:But don't like it.
Laurent:Yeah, well, so, I mean, that is one.
Laurent:And I think I'll definitely not be the only one saying that, you know, firearms.
Laurent:But anyway, there's pro and con for that specific element.
Laurent:What else?
Laurent:Pom Pom.
Laurent:I think also the fact that you have a very balanced encounter in item design.
Laurent:So the system has been really streamlined.
Laurent:Instead of, you know, older challenge rating system, you know, it.
Laurent:It's easier to create a balanced encounter, you know, really quickly.
Laurent:So that I think that is also positive.
Laurent:Now, on the con side, you know, the downside, I think they overcomplicated new stuff that they introduced.
Marina:Yeah.
Laurent:I mean, and when I say Overcomplicated, making it less exciting as well at the same time.
Laurent:Well, you have stuff like Bastion rules, and the bastions are like headquarters.
Laurent:Bastion is like a military term, you know, it's like literally a headquarter, but it's actually.
Laurent:It's a bit boring.
Marina:Okay.
Marina:And so it's like the typical Adventure guild is that.
Laurent:Yeah, I mean, it's.
Laurent:It's adding potentially unnecessary complexity.
Laurent:You know, I think it's too technical.
Marina:I feel like they wanted to introduce a lot of new stuff and that just some of it just wasn't really needed.
Marina:So it feels redundant to put it in there.
Marina:Because when you're talking about that.
Marina:I haven't read it myself, of course, but to me, that just sounds like some type of adventurous guilt that the DM makes anyway.
Marina:It's like simple NPC stuff.
Laurent:Yeah, I think.
Laurent:Yeah, you might be right.
Marina:But again, I have not read the book yet, so I don't know.
Laurent:And at the same time, all the pros that I've already mentioned is also a downside for more veteran DMs.
Laurent:You know, it's too general DM advice and foundational rules.
Laurent:It rehashes concepts from.
Laurent:From earlier editions, blah, blah, blah.
Laurent:So I totally get it that they wouldn't buy or go with the new one.
Laurent:Or even another critic that they have mentioned is it's over emphasis.
Laurent:There's an over emphasis on simplification, which I felt okay with.
Laurent:I mean, for me, that was a gain.
Laurent:But I do get it.
Laurent:When you have been already a DM for years and you're used to using the previous edition or even once before that.
Marina:I think it's more focused for new dms.
Marina:Exactly like I said.
Laurent:Yeah, exactly like I said.
Laurent:So anyway, I haven't read the whole thing yet, obviously, but I'm really going through it.
Laurent:And I will be using it more and more when I roll or when I go into the campaign creation for January of next year.
Laurent:And then I'll have a better idea of the pros and cons.
Laurent:But up till now, what I've seen, that's what I already told you.
Laurent:And I would still give it for now, I would give it about three and a half out of five.
Marina:Okay.
Marina:I thought for a second you were going to say three and a half out of ten.
Laurent:No, no, no.
Laurent:The rating of Golden Dragons is out of five.
Laurent:All right?
Laurent:But I mean that.
Laurent:I think it's pretty good.
Laurent:But again, I haven't gone through the whole thing.
Laurent:I like it.
Laurent:The art is also really insane.
Laurent:Not only the COVID Not only the.
Marina:COVID Yeah, I've flipped through it, skimmed through it while you were talking.
Laurent:Okay.
Marina:The art.
Marina:I live for the art.
Laurent:Yep.
Laurent:All right, well, so that's one.
Laurent:Now, I did read a fantasy novel.
Laurent:Okay.
Laurent:I met.
Laurent:Well, did read.
Laurent:No, hang on, let me rephrase that.
Laurent:I started.
Laurent:I started.
Laurent:But hey, in my defense, like I mentioned, it's a.
Laurent:I mean, this is like a brick thick book, right?
Marina:It's 800 pages.
Marina:You're fine.
Laurent:It's almost 900.
Laurent:Oh, I'm sorry.
Marina:It's almost 900.
Marina:Okay.
Marina:Yeah, sorry.
Laurent:And this is only tome one.
Marina:How many are there?
Laurent:It's a trilogy.
Marina:Oh, well, see, you're fine.
Marina:You started Wheel of Time.
Marina:Stop complaining.
Laurent:Right.
Laurent:So the one that I'm talking about is the first installment, the first book of the Light Ship Traders by Robin Hopp.
Laurent:And the first book is called Ship of Magic.
Marina:So what's it about?
Laurent:Ah, well, before I dive into it.
Marina:How many pages have you read already?
Laurent:I've.
Laurent:Hang on, let me A little bit.
Laurent:Because I had put a little paper in between.
Laurent:I'm only at page 335.
Laurent:I mean, it's okay, right?
Marina:That's okay.
Laurent:I'm not halfway, but, you know, I'm getting there.
Laurent:Anyway, what I did want to mention, I mean, this is a classic, right?
Laurent:In the fantasy genre, was first published in 98.
Laurent:So it's.
Laurent:It's not new, but it's a classic.
Laurent:Well, no, it's not old, but I.
Marina:Mean, did he start with 19?
Laurent: Yeah,: Marina:Yeah, that's old.
Laurent:Okay, well, whatever.
Marina:I wasn't even born then.
Laurent:Yeah, so it's old or it tells you that you're really, really a child.
Marina: But okay, everything before: Marina:I'm sor.
Laurent:Anywho, what I had already read of her is the Farseer Trilogy, which is really cool.
Laurent:So I had already a taste of Robin Hobb's very gifted talent at writing.
Laurent:Now, to answer your question, what is it about?
Marina:Yes, please.
Laurent:And this again for me is one of the reasons why I like.
Laurent:Although I have only read three books of Robin, hobbies is her approach of.
Laurent:Some fantasy elements are quite unique, at least when she started writing this.
Laurent:Bear with me because the trilogy.
Laurent:So the Liveship Traders trilogy is not only a huge world building stuff, but it revolves around sentient ships.
Laurent:Like, you know, okay, you have ships like in the 16th century or 18th, 17th century, you know, but very complex ships from a technical point of view.
Laurent:But they're sentient, so they Think they live, which is kind of cool.
Laurent:And so you have a lot of seafaring adventures.
Laurent:So the.
Marina:The element of sentient as like they can think or they also feel.
Laurent:Yeah, yeah.
Marina:So do they like having people.
Laurent:Oh, well, I'm not gonna spoil it, but I mean, it's a character, right?
Laurent:The whole ship is a character.
Marina:I am so confused.
Marina:How does that even work?
Laurent:Well, you will have to read it.
Marina:I mean, I don't know if sentient ships really are my thing.
Laurent:Well, it's.
Laurent:I was really interested or intrigued because I like these seafaring adventures, you know.
Marina:Yes, I know.
Laurent:You know, even about pirates.
Laurent:Even non fiction stuff about that.
Laurent:I really like that.
Laurent:So trying to have a fantasy layer on top of that, making the ships like sentient beings, I mean, that is pushing it, right?
Laurent:That is pushing it.
Marina:That's the first time I hear of such a concept.
Laurent:See, there you go.
Laurent:I mean, it's not only about the ships.
Laurent:I mean you have.
Laurent:The story is really centered around the Vestrit family.
Marina:From what point of view does the story get told?
Marina:From the point of view of the.
Laurent:Ships, there's the narrative.
Laurent:You know, it weaves multiple perspectives.
Laurent:Okay, so you have the Vestrit family.
Laurent:So you have several Personas of that family.
Laurent:And they want to claim their rightful place aboard of the ship, which is the.
Laurent:If I'm pronouncing this correctly, Vivek.
Laurent:Vivaksha, I think Vivaksha perhaps.
Laurent:I mean the sea.
Laurent:I don't know how to pronounce it correctly.
Laurent:And then you have also pirates.
Laurent:The pirate Kennet is his name.
Laurent:And the ship itself, it comes to life after generations of bonding with its owners.
Laurent:So you have that bond with the owners and then you have the pirates.
Laurent:And I mean there.
Laurent:You already have different perspectives.
Laurent:Like I said, there's really character building.
Laurent:You have the rebels or the rebellious character.
Laurent:At least you have the pirate canon.
Laurent:But also the different themes when you have all these perspectives.
Laurent:You have the family, loyalty, personal identities, but also the consequences of ambition.
Laurent:And one thing driving their ambition is that magical ship, let's say.
Laurent:And.
Laurent:And the plot itself, it's not only about this sentient ship, but you have political intrigue, you have nautical adventure, which I really like.
Laurent:And there are some emotional stakes.
Laurent:So the story is quite unpredictable.
Laurent:And obviously if you're setting this on a ship of magic, that is really very strong storytelling right there.
Laurent:And.
Laurent:And I think up till now I'm almost halfway.
Laurent:I'm really enjoying this.
Marina:I mean, that's the most important part.
Laurent:Yeah, but granted the idea of Ascendant Ship might not appeal to everybody.
Laurent:That's perhaps pushing it a bit too far.
Laurent:But anyway, up till now, I mean, I won't rate it just yet.
Laurent:I mean, I'm not even halfway.
Laurent:I haven't finished, but I'm working my way through it, so I should be fine by next episode, hopefully, and then moving on, because I'm taking my time.
Laurent:Here is another.
Laurent:Let's say it's not a novel, obviously.
Laurent:It's more like a legacy that came out written by Ian Livingstone and Jonathan Green.
Laurent:Now, these two names, they won't really ring a bell with you, but.
Laurent:Although I did mention these names.
Marina:Can you show me the book?
Laurent:Yeah, sure.
Laurent:There you go.
Marina:I noticed I recognize the COVID You recognize it?
Laurent:Well, good, because this actually is called Magic Realms, and it's about the art of fighting fantasy.
Laurent:Remember those game books that you can.
Laurent:Well, it's the same idea and it's the same era.
Laurent:So it's the 80s.
Laurent:So very old for you.
Laurent:Right.
Marina:See, it's a fun era, but it's old.
Marina:I'm sorry.
Laurent:Okay, fine.
Marina:It's like, I like the 80s.
Marina:It's a fun era.
Laurent:Good.
Laurent:But you were not born in the 80s, so how would you know?
Laurent:But it was.
Laurent:I live my life.
Marina:Documentaries and movies that kind of portray the 80s.
Laurent:Well.
Laurent:It was a fun era.
Laurent:It was my childhood.
Laurent:Anyway, so this book called Magic Realms by Ian Livingstone and Jonathan Green is really putting all the artists in the spotlight, all the artists that created these epic designs of battles, of characters.
Laurent:I mean, there are, I don't know how many books, I mean, tons of books that have been published and are being reissued now.
Laurent:But, yeah, these books have been going on for 40 years now.
Laurent:So it's not a novelization or a full story.
Laurent:It really puts the art, let's say the remarkable art actually really in the center and the contributions of those artists.
Laurent:And, I mean, none of them will ring a bell with you, I'm sure, But you have Chris Nicholson, you have Ian McKagg, John Blanche, I mean, and many, many others.
Marina:I'll believe you.
Laurent:Yeah.
Laurent:But when you flip through the book, I'll give you a look in the book.
Laurent:When you flip through the book, you will recognize this epic, very vintage style of depicting fantasy adventures or battles.
Laurent:They're so cool.
Laurent:Many people find them iconic.
Laurent:I do, too.
Laurent:And they would make, like, a wonderful tattoo, even.
Laurent:I mean.
Laurent:Just saying.
Laurent:Just saying.
Laurent:So, you know, it gives a retrospective.
Laurent:That was the word that I was looking for.
Laurent:It's actually retrospective of the evolution of finding fantasy the gaming books and exploring how the art really defined that genre of gameplay for many fans.
Laurent:And okay, I'm absolutely biased because I mean I just love these books.
Laurent:And so for me it's.
Laurent:It's at least four, four and a half out of five.
Laurent:But this is pure nostalgia for me.
Laurent:Okay.
Laurent:But for the people who haven't played any of those books or even, you know, don't know them, I would highly recommend just flip through the art and even the art might, you know, give you a little sense or a little idea of.
Marina:Usually it does.
Laurent:Oh, but it's.
Laurent:It's really cool because they really play on the mind.
Laurent:You know, there's a theater of mind.
Laurent:But every, you know, 20 pages or so or 10, 15 pages there would be like this, just one image.
Laurent:It's not like a comic.
Laurent:So there's no text, no monologue, no dialogue going on.
Laurent:But it's a scene that is depicted by this awesome image which would usually take up like a full page.
Laurent:Just flip through it.
Laurent:I will definitely also include the link on our website, but I highly recommend it.
Laurent:So for me.
Laurent:Yeah, four, four and a half out of five.
Laurent:Anywho.
Laurent:So that's all I have for what I've been reading.
Laurent:Oh, we have a book related stuff that I've been reading.
Laurent:So let's move on perhaps to a very short lore bound.
Laurent:We already, we already mentioned this.
Laurent:We did a pre release of Magic the Gathering.
Marina:I did?
Laurent:Yeah.
Marina:I was not invited.
Laurent:Oh, you were.
Laurent:You were not invited?
Marina:No, I wasn't.
Marina:No, no, no, no, no, no, no, don't.
Marina:No, no, no, no, no, no, no sir, I don't think so.
Marina:You.
Laurent:Yeah, right, go on.
Marina:I am losing the ability to speak English.
Laurent:I think you simply were not capable of joining us.
Marina:No, I was.
Marina:If you would have notified me that I cannot find this one English word and I.
Laurent:That's okay.
Laurent:So you were not there.
Laurent:But anyway, so I went to the pre release and in the meantime Foundations has.
Laurent:Has been released obviously and it's a massive release.
Laurent:I mean it's over.
Laurent:It's a set that is if you count every extra, you know, blah blah, blah.
Laurent:It's a set over 700 cards.
Laurent:So it's.
Laurent:It's huge.
Laurent:But it's so much fun.
Laurent:I'm really enjoying this.
Laurent:It's been really long time since I've enjoyed it.
Marina:And again, I think we did do the booster draft.
Laurent:Ye.
Laurent:Yes, we did.
Marina:Exactly with Foundation.
Marina:So I have played the set but I just wasn't there for the pre Release.
Laurent:No.
Laurent:And what I also did, not only did we do do some booster ref, but we also played the jump start, which is, I really enjoyed, you know.
Laurent:You know, for those who don't know it, you basically have pre constructed half, half decks.
Marina:Because every, I really like the jump starter.
Marina:Yes, I really love that.
Laurent:20 cards per pack.
Laurent:And so you just pick randomly two packs, you open them, you throw them together and that's it.
Laurent:I mean the lands.
Laurent:So for your generating your mana, your energy, it's all included.
Laurent:So there's no overthinking this.
Laurent:Just pick two packs, throw them together and start playing.
Marina:This is a very fun and quick way to play magic.
Laurent:Exactly.
Marina:I think it's one of the easiest ways to teach someone magic.
Marina:Depending on what set you choose.
Laurent:Oh yeah.
Laurent:And this really caters for me think way more to new players.
Laurent:But even, you know, seasoned players like.
Marina:Myself, I like it.
Laurent:I also like it.
Laurent:And for me it, like you mentioned, it's cool for new players.
Laurent:And that's how I really gave the poison to one of my best friends.
Laurent:Just by offering him some packs, some, you know, a good tease, a good taste of foundations and you know, it's, he's hooked now, which is really cool.
Laurent:So, but I, I, I really am enjoying this set.
Marina:Absolutely.
Marina:It's always fun to pull people into magic.
Laurent:Oh, absolutely.
Marina:You know, the funniest thing happened at work is because I always, I work in a board game cafe.
Laurent:Thank you for the context.
Marina:For context.
Marina:And I always work during the magic evenings where there's like Commander Knight, for example.
Marina:And so I'm ringing out the regulars who just came to play Commander and one of them says, I'm still waiting on the day that you start playing magic.
Marina:And I just look at him like, sir, I have been playing magic since I was 13.
Marina:What do you mean?
Laurent:Challenge accepted?
Marina:Yes, actually I do play magic, but I just work when you guys have fun.
Marina:But yes, I do play magic.
Marina:You just don't see it.
Laurent:So did he challenge you or did you challenge him?
Marina:No.
Laurent:Come on, come put your money where your mouth is, lady.
Marina:I didn't challenge him.
Marina:I just told him like, no, I think they play a little bit more magic than I do.
Laurent:So I think, but there's still this, the factor of luck, you know, you need some luck in the game.
Laurent:You know, you can have a bad hand and you're, you can also just.
Marina:Have a bad deck, you know, or.
Laurent:A bad day at that.
Laurent:Okay, sure.
Marina:If their decks are just way better than mine cooked either way.
Laurent:Sure.
Laurent:That's where, you know, that's why I like Jump Starter, Jumpstart, or even Booster Draft is fun.
Laurent:You know, it levels out the field.
Laurent:Absolutely.
Laurent:Okay, so enough about that for our third section.
Laurent:Bart's ballad.
Marina:Yes.
Laurent:This is something that we actually, you know, attended together.
Marina:Yes.
Laurent:It was a little surprise event activity that I had planned for you.
Laurent:But, you know, I'll let you introduce it and describe what you thought about it.
Laurent:What was it?
Marina:We went to a concert of Studio Ghibli's music.
Marina:So the compositions of Joe Hisaishi?
Laurent:I think so, yeah.
Marina:And they played a lot of the.
Marina:The.
Laurent:Having some troubles finding the words there.
Laurent:Right.
Marina:My brain is so Dutch hardwired right now, and English is just not working.
Marina:I'm so sorry.
Laurent:That's okay.
Laurent:So it was held in Antwerp, Belgium.
Laurent:That was in October, so mid October, so last month.
Marina:And it was performed by the European Philaharmonia and composed by.
Laurent:No, conducted.
Laurent:Not composed, Honey.
Laurent:It was conducted by Walter Prost.
Laurent:You're doing okay.
Laurent:I'll just help you.
Marina:I have been working for my internship in Dutch yesterday for 13 hours, and now it's just.
Marina:English no longer works.
Laurent:Yeah.
Laurent:Computer says no.
Marina:No.
Marina:Computer says no.
Marina:I've been talking Dutch so much, and I've been neglecting my English.
Marina:English the past few days.
Laurent:All right.
Marina:And I feel it.
Marina:Anywho, so what kind of music did they play?
Marina:Well, Studio Ghibli music.
Marina:No kidding.
Marina:Like from music from movies.
Marina:Like Spirited, Spirited Away, House, Moving Castle, My Friendly Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke and other.
Marina:Other movies as well.
Laurent:Yeah.
Marina:But those are the ones that instantly come to mind.
Marina:For example, they played the very iconic Merry Go Around.
Laurent:Okay.
Laurent:Yep.
Laurent:Sure.
Laurent:That was towards the end.
Marina:Right towards the end of the.
Marina:That was the last song of the first part.
Marina:Exactly.
Marina:Which is a very iconic House Moving Castle song.
Marina:And I.
Marina:And it was.
Laurent:It was fun, you know, for those that weren't there or those that have no clue what I'm talking about.
Laurent:We were actually on the.
Laurent:On the second row.
Laurent:Right.
Laurent:No, second row.
Laurent:So really close to the stage, which was really nice because you were really close to the musicians.
Laurent:That's one.
Laurent:But at the same time.
Laurent:And I had hope for this, just for atmosphere.
Laurent:Right.
Laurent:Because I wasn't too sure that they would be showing some scenes or some stills, you know, from the movies.
Laurent:Which they did.
Marina:They didn't.
Laurent:No, they did some stills, you know.
Marina:Yes.
Marina:But not from the movies.
Laurent:No, no, no.
Laurent:Just.
Laurent:Just some images to have.
Marina:Images.
Marina:Yeah, there was.
Marina:There were images to set the Mood.
Laurent:To set the mood.
Laurent:And I really like that because for me, there would have been, like, a disconnect if it would only be the music.
Laurent:And I'm absolutely not, let's say, an expert of these movies.
Laurent:I really like them.
Laurent:I don't think I have seen all of them.
Laurent:No, I'm quite sure.
Marina:I'm pretty certain I have seen all of them.
Laurent:Oh, I'm certain you have.
Marina:Twice.
Laurent:Yep.
Laurent:Well, I mean, I.
Laurent:I have my.
Laurent:My favorites.
Marina:They.
Marina:They played not even a single piece of my favorite movie.
Marina:It's one of the most underrated movies, though, so I get it.
Marina:Which is ar, which is about the tiny little girl living in a normal house and, you know, having to scavenge for food and stuff.
Marina:And it's so cute, and I love it.
Marina:And, yeah, they didn't play music from my favorite movie.
Laurent:Ah, well.
Laurent:But what did you think about it?
Marina:Oh, it was fun.
Marina:It felt like, you know, getting immersed into my favorite movies for a few, few, few hours.
Marina:Especially, like, the songs that I instantly recognized was really fun because then I could just see the scene from the movies play out in my head.
Laurent:That's what it will do.
Marina:That's fun because unlike my dad, I'm absolutely studio Ghibli obsessed.
Laurent:But I do enjoy it.
Marina:Yeah, no, you do not obsess.
Marina:Yeah.
Marina:Because I have seen these movies multiple times, and so certain songs just become engraved into my brain.
Marina:And it's like, if I hear it, I know exactly what's happening.
Laurent:I mean, I totally get what you say, because a few years ago, I went with a good friend and your brother to a very similar kind of event, which was Star Wars.
Marina:Yes, Star Wars.
Laurent:In a huge venue.
Laurent:And there.
Laurent:Because this was an official representation, the one from Ghibli was unofficial.
Laurent:Right.
Laurent:So that's why they couldn't show any scenes from the movies.
Laurent:Yeah.
Laurent:But the Star wars one, and that was awesome because they were scoring scenes while you were viewing, so you knew exactly how the scene sounds, like from a music perspective.
Laurent:And it was in sync with the scenes.
Laurent:So you had, like, the live music from the scene, and the scene was being played on a huge theater screen.
Laurent:So, I mean, that was awesome.
Laurent:So I totally get it how you can relate to that.
Laurent:But even a nun.
Laurent:Huge fan or expert.
Laurent:I had a good.
Laurent:I had a good time.
Laurent:I really enjoyed it.
Laurent:And I mean, it was.
Laurent:Obviously, it was full house.
Laurent:And actually they.
Laurent:They did add several dates.
Marina: ah, they added three dates in: Laurent:But for Belgium, at least for Belgium.
Marina:Yeah.
Marina:They're all sold out.
Laurent:Exactly.
Laurent:So I think we were quite lucky.
Marina:Yes.
Laurent:Or I was quite lucky.
Laurent:When I saw this coming up.
Laurent:I just, you know, took a few spots because I do think that it was near sold out.
Laurent:Right?
Marina:Yes.
Laurent:If any, that we assisted.
Laurent:Yeah.
Laurent:All right, excellent.
Laurent:So this is something that we might want to do again if the opportunity presents itself.
Marina:It's a very, very fun experience.
Laurent:Okay.
Laurent:Would you recommend.
Laurent:I mean, this might be far fetched because these kind of events, they've been doing that also for different iconic movies, Lord of the Rings, stuff like that.
Laurent:You know, I think there.
Laurent:There's also a new.
Laurent:I wouldn't say a trend yet, but we've seen over the last few years, you know, two years.
Laurent:Last two years, this kind of events popping up, you know, and attracting quite big crowds.
Laurent:So I think that might even be a way to introduce people into fantasy.
Marina:I don't know.
Marina:I think this is more a thing for people who are already into a fan of that specific movie or series or whatever that they are playing music from.
Marina:Because first of all, half of the time they're unofficial, so you're not seeing the scenes.
Marina:And then I feel like you have to know what it is to get fully emerged.
Marina:Because if you're just hearing music, sure, you can get the vibe of that certain movie, but I don't know if it can like completely sell you on the idea.
Laurent:Okay, okay.
Marina:If you can see the scenes, sure.
Marina:But then I have a feeling like maybe by going to such a thing, you might spoil yourself because you're just seeing certain scenes without context.
Laurent:Okay, okay, fair enough.
Marina:So I think it's more something for the people who already enjoy that specific movie, specific series, whatever, because it's.
Marina:It's a difficult way to introduce someone to fantasy.
Laurent:Yeah, I think you have a good point.
Laurent:I was just thinking out loud and honestly.
Laurent:Yeah.
Laurent:If.
Laurent:If you're not really into that kind of literature or.
Laurent:Or world diving or getting interested only by some music scoring.
Marina:Yeah, I think that's very difficult.
Laurent:Okay, fair enough.
Laurent:All right.
Laurent:Well, that was what we assisted to what we experienced.
Laurent:And that's all we have for Bart's ballad.
Laurent:And I'd say that's all we have for now.
Laurent:Busy times.
Laurent:But let's make a deal.
Laurent:So by next episode, I will have finished my book.
Laurent:Okay, that's one.
Laurent:And for you, I know you still have exams, so.
Marina:Yes, I still have exams to see what is feasible for me to do.
Laurent:Absolutely.
Laurent:But we'll keep you posted, obviously through our socials and website.
Laurent:So it might take a little longer than two weeks before we have another episode, but stay tuned.
Laurent:Absolutely.
Laurent:Because there is a lot to look forward to.
Laurent:Also looking forward to 25.
Laurent:Absolutely.
Marina:Oh, yes.
Laurent:But we're not there yet, so we'll still have an episode at minimum before that.
Laurent:So, yeah, that's about it.
Marina:This concludes our episode.
Marina:So until next time, stay enchanted, stay.
Laurent:Curious, and keep the fantasy alive.
Laurent:Sa.
