Hi all! Hope you're well and keeping safe out there!
I'm doing research on the story of the 1983 D&D cartoon and wondered if people had any time to help me? I'm a huge fan of the cartoon, but I don't have amazing knowledge of the D&D universe as a whole and all the rules etc. which is where I'm hoping you'll come in to correct me...
Portals The portal that transports the kids from the ride to The Forgotten Realm was never explained. What are you theories? My issue is that you assume it's Dungeon Master who did it, but if he had the power to create portals then he'd be able to create their portal home and there wouldn't be much of a story. Are there any interesting theories out there as to who created it and why Dungeon Master can't just make them a portal to go home?
Also, what type of portal would be the likeliest to get them home and how would it be created? Again, Dungeon Master has the ability to make portals but is there a more interesting way for it to be done that doesn't involve him?
Creatures & characters What creatures and characters stand out for you? Also, any particular storylines?
Uni It's not explained how they meet Uni. Does anyone have theories? Were her parents hunted? Did she teleport too far away because she can't control her power?
Venger and Tiamat -Is there a backstory as to why they hate each other? Or is it simply just a power struggle -- Venger knows that Tiamat is more powerful and is the only creature that Venger is scared of?
-How could there be a showdown between Tiamat and Venger that doesn't result in Venger's death? For example, if there was a storyline where the children lured Tiamat to fight Venger in order to rescue a friend of theirs that Venger had kidnapped, could you describe a fight where Tiamat can weaken Venger but not kill him? Also, what powers do you imagine Venger fights back with?
That's it for now! I know they might seem really random, but I'd really appreciate any help you guys might have!
Read this. It is the draft script for the unpublished finale of that TV show and explains several things that you mention. It was posted publicly by one of the writers ~10 years ago.
To answer the question of Tiamat, she was mostly an environmental adversary rather than a dedicated one - a plot coupon as it were. Her purpose was usually to sidestep certain issues facing Venger or create motivation for the adventurers. In the instances where Venger is forced to encounter Tiamat, he always fought defensively in order to flee.
Venger's exhibited powers trended toward necromancy, transmutation, and evocation, but he obviously had access to some greater powers than anything in the books. He seemed to be designed to be able to counter each of the adventurers' specific skills individually but not so much when used coordinately.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider. My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong. I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲 “It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
I don't remember the show too well, but I'm thinking the Venger/Tiamat animosity was a Lawful Evil / Chaotic Evil conflict. Venger wants to rule, Tiamat is driven to destroy. Venger could be thought of as a stand in for Asmodeus and the Venger/Tiamat conflict was like "The Blood War ... for Kids!", but I don't know how well developed the lower planes were in TSR canon at the time. As far as Venger's power set, I thought he was some sort of magic user and had offensive ability arguably similar to what we'd call very amped up eldritch blasts today.
I do remember as a very young (red box) player seeing the cartoon thinking, "This is nothing like the game, and even though you got acrobats and rangers and paladin, I don't think AD&D is much like this either." But to be fair, IIRC, the characters go on a D&D "ride" and aren't plucked from their tabletop, maybe that explains the cartoony not quite tied into the game universe. A deeper dive would be if there were any official D&D theme park rides anywhere, I'm sure there were any number of carnival attractions that unofficially pulled from the franchise's brand popularity.
I do remember an episode where the heroes had Venger dead to rights if they wanted to. He was pinned through some magical force spheres to at least his hands. Ranger kid instead of taking the kill shot, zaps the spheres and they sort of let him live because killing him like they could have isn't what they do. I'm not sure but my head cannon likes to think of that as the last episode.
I"m also trying to remember if Warduke had sensibly armored pants, or wore a "furry battle bikini bottom for dudes" like all the Masters of the Universe so the show could tap into that audience. Still drinking my coffee so my brain isn't completely mine yet.
I"m also trying to remember if Warduke had sensibly armored pants, or wore a "furry battle bikini bottom for dudes" like all the Masters of the Universe so the show could tap into that audience. Still drinking my coffee so my brain isn't completely mine yet.
Warduke made the completely reasonable compromise of wearing chainmail on one leg and leaving the other bare.
Since his name has come up, does anyone know who originally drew Warduke? He looks like he's inspired by early-80's George Perez (think Taskmaster or Deathstroke). I saw a piece attributed to Tim Truman in '82, which seems plausible, but the internet doesn't want to be definitive.
You've got some really useful ideas. Thanks for sharing them.
I think that episode you mention where Ranger spares Venger is one of the most memorable for me too. I watched it recently and actually felt quite emotional when Ranger says that line. I agree, it feels like a finale!
I remember an encounter with two Dungeon Masters and the adventurers were trying to decide which one to trust. The two Dungeon Masters were evenly matched in all discernable ways until one adventurer realized that one of the Dungeon Masters said something wrong. So, they attacked that one, revealing it to be a doppelganger. The Dungeon Master asked how did they know who is real, and they replied that he always spoke in riddles and the one they killed didn't. Then, they asked which way to go and the Dungeon Master replied something like "the opposite of left" or such, and they deduced he meant for them to take the path to the right.
...and to nobody's surprise as soon as the adventurers walked away, the Dungeon Master turned out to be just another doppelganger. Even as young as I was, I was🤦🏻♂️. Seriously? Evenly matched Dungeon Masters. Lame riddle only after explaining what the "tell" was. (Even "Don't go the wrong way" would have been a better riddle since they were to take the right way anyway.)
I sometimes think that the writers didn't give kids enough credit. I don't know why the finale was never published, but I have a slight suspicion that they thought the theme was too mature for kids. IMHO, "be malleable in your beliefs" ("things aren't always what they seem no matter how long you EDIT: and your peers thought it was true") is something kids could understand.
I also remember an encounter where there was a chest that opened to different places and planes depending on where it was positioned in the Material Plane.
(No idea what would happen if it was used on another Plane, but now, I'm wondering... though in 5e, most paradoxical portal devices just lose their magic properties, maybe just temporarily opening a one-way portal somewhere before winking out of existence.)
When Venger managed to disarm the adventurers, the Dungeon Master put all the weapons in the chest and was immediately attacked by Venger. The Dungeon Master allowed Venger to enter the chest to retrieve the items despite the protests of the adventurers. Of course, they made it very obvious that the chest had been moved in the attack before Venger entered it, and when the Dungeon Master moved the chest back into the original position when the weapons were stored in it, the weapons were there. They wondered where they sent Venger, and to nobody's surprise, Venger was sent to Tiamat's lair where he had to fight his way out once again.
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider. My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong. I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲 “It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
Good afternoon, this may appear abrasive but that is not the intent. This a narrative of the answer you would have receive if you ask the question at the time the cartoon airing. Form most of us that were hard core AD&D RPG players and Game-masters.
The Dungeons & Dragons cartoon from the 1980s aired during a time of rising popularity for the role playing game, but also was aimed to squash the controversy due to the “Satanic Panic” that gripped parts of the public. Many players of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) at the time felt disconnected from the cartoon because it didn’t capture the complexity, depth, or darker elements of the role-playing game they loved. The cartoon was clearly aimed at a younger audience and used a simplified, action-packed format that did not reflect the creative, open-ended nature of the Dungeons & Dragons RPG. For those immersed in the game, the cartoon felt like a shallow representation, more interested in selling toys and merchandise from TSR (the company behind Dungeons & Dragons) and LJN (the toy manufacturer). The cartoon received a harsh backlash in the gaming community. Most Hardcore players of AD&D felt the show trivialized what had become an important and immersive hobby for them, leading to a divide between the cartoon’s viewers and the game’s loyal fanbase. The marketing strategy of linking the cartoon to the game seemed to miss the mark for its core audience.
There is a parallel with what happened to Atari with the ET video game—a commercial misstep can harm a brand’s image. Similarly, TSR’s attempts to broaden the appeal of Dungeons & Dragons through ventures like the cartoon backfired, alienating its most dedicated players and contributing to the game’s decline in popularity toward the late 1980s. TSR was already facing challenges, including the waning RPG boom, competition from other games, and internal financial struggles. The combination of cultural backlash (with the Satanic Panic) and misguided marketing strategies contributed to the game’s dip.
I was honestly considering getting back into D&D RPG gaming, which is why I joined D&D Beyond. However, after seeing that the new 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide is going to feature the silly villain protagonist from the cartoon on the cover, and watching and reviewing things such as “ inspiration points” rule giving a player the ability to tell a DM to re-roll a natural 20, I’ve realized this is no longer the Gary Gygax TSR AD&D I loved. As I mentioned before, the new Hasbro version as the D&D cartoon doesn’t capture the complexity, depth, or darker elements of the role-playing game I knew. We had inner-party conflicts, immersive ongoing home brewed campaigns, groups of random adventurers do not always get along. Player vs player was very common. Additionally Hardcore players and DMs wouldn’t tolerate someone showing up with a character from another DM’s world. Player characters always tied to the DM’s world they were created in.
To answer your question the cartoon is not the TSR AD&D universe. Tiamat is a Goddess in the TSR AD&D an Ancient Babylonian primordial goddess that typically takes the form of a multi headed gigantic dragon and the character Venger the main antagonist in the carton is not anything but a sorcerer in the cartoon and does not exist in the original game rules.
Here in Spain the cartoon show was the first step to know the franchise. Then the gamebooks "Endless Quest" also arrived, but these were unknown by most of people.
The cartoon show in Spain had got its own musical theme, and for the current standars, it has got a lot of 80s vibes.
We arrived to a fantastic world full of strange beings the dungeon master gave all us powers. you the barbarian you the archer, acobrat, wizard and the knight. Dragons and dungeons an infernal world hides in the shadows the evil forces.
Hi all! Hope you're well and keeping safe out there!
I'm doing research on the story of the 1983 D&D cartoon and wondered if people had any time to help me? I'm a huge fan of the cartoon, but I don't have amazing knowledge of the D&D universe as a whole and all the rules etc. which is where I'm hoping you'll come in to correct me...
Portals The portal that transports the kids from the ride to The Forgotten Realm was never explained. What are you theories? My issue is that you assume it's Dungeon Master who did it, but if he had the power to create portals then he'd be able to create their portal home and there wouldn't be much of a story. Are there any interesting theories out there as to who created it and why Dungeon Master can't just make them a portal to go home?
Also, what type of portal would be the likeliest to get them home and how would it be created? Again, Dungeon Master has the ability to make portals but is there a more interesting way for it to be done that doesn't involve him?
Creatures & characters What creatures and characters stand out for you? Also, any particular storylines?
Uni It's not explained how they meet Uni. Does anyone have theories? Were her parents hunted? Did she teleport too far away because she can't control her power?
Venger and Tiamat -Is there a backstory as to why they hate each other? Or is it simply just a power struggle -- Venger knows that Tiamat is more powerful and is the only creature that Venger is scared of?
-How could there be a showdown between Tiamat and Venger that doesn't result in Venger's death? For example, if there was a storyline where the children lured Tiamat to fight Venger in order to rescue a friend of theirs that Venger had kidnapped, could you describe a fight where Tiamat can weaken Venger but not kill him? Also, what powers do you imagine Venger fights back with?
That's it for now! I know they might seem really random, but I'd really appreciate any help you guys might have!
Cheers!
I literally have not thought about that TV show until this year, when it was being discussed by Tom and some D&D staff. That being said, no I can't help, since I can't remember anything they did.
Good afternoon, this may appear abrasive but that is not the intent. This a narrative of the answer you would have receive if you ask the question at the time the cartoon airing. Form most of us that were hard core AD&D RPG players and Game-masters.
The Dungeons & Dragons cartoon from the 1980s aired during a time of rising popularity for the role playing game, but also was aimed to squash the controversy due to the “Satanic Panic” that gripped parts of the public. Many players of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) at the time felt disconnected from the cartoon because it didn’t capture the complexity, depth, or darker elements of the role-playing game they loved. The cartoon was clearly aimed at a younger audience and used a simplified, action-packed format that did not reflect the creative, open-ended nature of the Dungeons & Dragons RPG. For those immersed in the game, the cartoon felt like a shallow representation, more interested in selling toys and merchandise from TSR (the company behind Dungeons & Dragons) and LJN (the toy manufacturer). The cartoon received a harsh backlash in the gaming community. Most Hardcore players of AD&D felt the show trivialized what had become an important and immersive hobby for them, leading to a divide between the cartoon’s viewers and the game’s loyal fanbase. The marketing strategy of linking the cartoon to the game seemed to miss the mark for its core audience.
There is a parallel with what happened to Atari with the ET video game—a commercial misstep can harm a brand’s image. Similarly, TSR’s attempts to broaden the appeal of Dungeons & Dragons through ventures like the cartoon backfired, alienating its most dedicated players and contributing to the game’s decline in popularity toward the late 1980s. TSR was already facing challenges, including the waning RPG boom, competition from other games, and internal financial struggles. The combination of cultural backlash (with the Satanic Panic) and misguided marketing strategies contributed to the game’s dip.
I was honestly considering getting back into D&D RPG gaming, which is why I joined D&D Beyond. However, after seeing that the new 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide is going to feature the silly villain protagonist from the cartoon on the cover, and watching and reviewing things such as “ inspiration points” rule giving a player the ability to tell a DM to re-roll a natural 20, I’ve realized this is no longer the Gary Gygax TSR AD&D I loved. As I mentioned before, the new Hasbro version as the D&D cartoon doesn’t capture the complexity, depth, or darker elements of the role-playing game I knew. We had inner-party conflicts, immersive ongoing home brewed campaigns, groups of random adventurers do not always get along. Player vs player was very common. Additionally Hardcore players and DMs wouldn’t tolerate someone showing up with a character from another DM’s world. Player characters always tied to the DM’s world they were created in.
To answer your question the cartoon is not the TSR AD&D universe. Tiamat is a Goddess in the TSR AD&D an Ancient Babylonian primordial goddess that typically takes the form of a multi headed gigantic dragon and the character Venger the main antagonist in the carton is not anything but a sorcerer in the cartoon and does not exist in the original game rules.
Thats a very long winded way of saying “I was an edgelord teenager in the ‘80s who hated anyone having fun in a different way to me so I got very angry about a cartoon. I never grew out of that so now in my 60s I’ve necro’d a four year old thread to say I still hate people having fun in a different way to me so I’m going to storm out of a party I only just arrived at and I’m doing it loudly because no one had realised I’d even arrived”
Good afternoon, this may appear abrasive but that is not the intent. This a narrative of the answer you would have receive if you ask the question at the time the cartoon airing. Form most of us that were hard core AD&D RPG players and Game-masters.
The Dungeons & Dragons cartoon from the 1980s aired during a time of rising popularity for the role playing game, but also was aimed to squash the controversy due to the “Satanic Panic” that gripped parts of the public. Many players of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) at the time felt disconnected from the cartoon because it didn’t capture the complexity, depth, or darker elements of the role-playing game they loved. The cartoon was clearly aimed at a younger audience and used a simplified, action-packed format that did not reflect the creative, open-ended nature of the Dungeons & Dragons RPG. For those immersed in the game, the cartoon felt like a shallow representation, more interested in selling toys and merchandise from TSR (the company behind Dungeons & Dragons) and LJN (the toy manufacturer). The cartoon received a harsh backlash in the gaming community. Most Hardcore players of AD&D felt the show trivialized what had become an important and immersive hobby for them, leading to a divide between the cartoon’s viewers and the game’s loyal fanbase. The marketing strategy of linking the cartoon to the game seemed to miss the mark for its core audience.
There is a parallel with what happened to Atari with the ET video game—a commercial misstep can harm a brand’s image. Similarly, TSR’s attempts to broaden the appeal of Dungeons & Dragons through ventures like the cartoon backfired, alienating its most dedicated players and contributing to the game’s decline in popularity toward the late 1980s. TSR was already facing challenges, including the waning RPG boom, competition from other games, and internal financial struggles. The combination of cultural backlash (with the Satanic Panic) and misguided marketing strategies contributed to the game’s dip.
I was honestly considering getting back into D&D RPG gaming, which is why I joined D&D Beyond. However, after seeing that the new 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide is going to feature the silly villain protagonist from the cartoon on the cover, and watching and reviewing things such as “ inspiration points” rule giving a player the ability to tell a DM to re-roll a natural 20, I’ve realized this is no longer the Gary Gygax TSR AD&D I loved. As I mentioned before, the new Hasbro version as the D&D cartoon doesn’t capture the complexity, depth, or darker elements of the role-playing game I knew. We had inner-party conflicts, immersive ongoing home brewed campaigns, groups of random adventurers do not always get along. Player vs player was very common. Additionally Hardcore players and DMs wouldn’t tolerate someone showing up with a character from another DM’s world. Player characters always tied to the DM’s world they were created in.
To answer your question the cartoon is not the TSR AD&D universe. Tiamat is a Goddess in the TSR AD&D an Ancient Babylonian primordial goddess that typically takes the form of a multi headed gigantic dragon and the character Venger the main antagonist in the carton is not anything but a sorcerer in the cartoon and does not exist in the original game rules.
Thats a very long winded way of saying “I was an edgelord teenager in the ‘80s who hated anyone having fun in a different way to me so I got very angry about a cartoon. I never grew out of that so now in my 60s I’ve necro’d a four year old thread to say I still hate people having fun in a different way to me so I’m going to storm out of a party I only just arrived at and I’m doing it loudly because no one had realised I’d even arrived”
LOL!! They really got me cause I didn't even realise this was a necro lol.
Good afternoon, this may appear abrasive but that is not the intent. This a narrative of the answer you would have receive if you ask the question at the time the cartoon airing. Form most of us that were hard core AD&D RPG players and Game-masters.
The Dungeons & Dragons cartoon from the 1980s aired during a time of rising popularity for the role playing game, but also was aimed to squash the controversy due to the “Satanic Panic” that gripped parts of the public. Many players of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) at the time felt disconnected from the cartoon because it didn’t capture the complexity, depth, or darker elements of the role-playing game they loved. The cartoon was clearly aimed at a younger audience and used a simplified, action-packed format that did not reflect the creative, open-ended nature of the Dungeons & Dragons RPG. For those immersed in the game, the cartoon felt like a shallow representation, more interested in selling toys and merchandise from TSR (the company behind Dungeons & Dragons) and LJN (the toy manufacturer). The cartoon received a harsh backlash in the gaming community. Most Hardcore players of AD&D felt the show trivialized what had become an important and immersive hobby for them, leading to a divide between the cartoon’s viewers and the game’s loyal fanbase. The marketing strategy of linking the cartoon to the game seemed to miss the mark for its core audience.
There is a parallel with what happened to Atari with the ET video game—a commercial misstep can harm a brand’s image. Similarly, TSR’s attempts to broaden the appeal of Dungeons & Dragons through ventures like the cartoon backfired, alienating its most dedicated players and contributing to the game’s decline in popularity toward the late 1980s. TSR was already facing challenges, including the waning RPG boom, competition from other games, and internal financial struggles. The combination of cultural backlash (with the Satanic Panic) and misguided marketing strategies contributed to the game’s dip.
I was honestly considering getting back into D&D RPG gaming, which is why I joined D&D Beyond. However, after seeing that the new 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide is going to feature the silly villain protagonist from the cartoon on the cover, and watching and reviewing things such as “ inspiration points” rule giving a player the ability to tell a DM to re-roll a natural 20, I’ve realized this is no longer the Gary Gygax TSR AD&D I loved. As I mentioned before, the new Hasbro version as the D&D cartoon doesn’t capture the complexity, depth, or darker elements of the role-playing game I knew. We had inner-party conflicts, immersive ongoing home brewed campaigns, groups of random adventurers do not always get along. Player vs player was very common. Additionally Hardcore players and DMs wouldn’t tolerate someone showing up with a character from another DM’s world. Player characters always tied to the DM’s world they were created in.
To answer your question the cartoon is not the TSR AD&D universe. Tiamat is a Goddess in the TSR AD&D an Ancient Babylonian primordial goddess that typically takes the form of a multi headed gigantic dragon and the character Venger the main antagonist in the carton is not anything but a sorcerer in the cartoon and does not exist in the original game rules.
Thats a very long winded way of saying “I was an edgelord teenager in the ‘80s who hated anyone having fun in a different way to me so I got very angry about a cartoon. I never grew out of that so now in my 60s I’ve necro’d a four year old thread to say I still hate people having fun in a different way to me so I’m going to storm out of a party I only just arrived at and I’m doing it loudly because no one had realised I’d even arrived”
Alternately, this is a chatbot. It just reads like AI to me. Add in they made an account, posted this and haven’t been back, and I’m going to say chat bot until I’m proven otherwise.
Alternately, this is a chatbot. It just reads like AI to me. Add in they made an account, posted this and haven’t been back, and I’m going to say chat bot until I’m proven otherwise.
Nah. LLMs are more oblique, meandering, and have muddled "thinking". This one is clear, if overly stilted, and makes their point. This is somebody who's really mad about them using the cartoon in the new books. Could well be an alt account for somebody.
Hi all! Hope you're well and keeping safe out there!
I'm doing research on the story of the 1983 D&D cartoon and wondered if people had any time to help me? I'm a huge fan of the cartoon, but I don't have amazing knowledge of the D&D universe as a whole and all the rules etc. which is where I'm hoping you'll come in to correct me...
Portals
The portal that transports the kids from the ride to The Forgotten Realm was never explained. What are you theories? My issue is that you assume it's Dungeon Master who did it, but if he had the power to create portals then he'd be able to create their portal home and there wouldn't be much of a story. Are there any interesting theories out there as to who created it and why Dungeon Master can't just make them a portal to go home?
Also, what type of portal would be the likeliest to get them home and how would it be created? Again, Dungeon Master has the ability to make portals but is there a more interesting way for it to be done that doesn't involve him?
Creatures & characters
What creatures and characters stand out for you? Also, any particular storylines?
Uni
It's not explained how they meet Uni. Does anyone have theories? Were her parents hunted? Did she teleport too far away because she can't control her power?
Venger and Tiamat
-Is there a backstory as to why they hate each other? Or is it simply just a power struggle -- Venger knows that Tiamat is more powerful and is the only creature that Venger is scared of?
-How could there be a showdown between Tiamat and Venger that doesn't result in Venger's death? For example, if there was a storyline where the children lured Tiamat to fight Venger in order to rescue a friend of theirs that Venger had kidnapped, could you describe a fight where Tiamat can weaken Venger but not kill him? Also, what powers do you imagine Venger fights back with?
That's it for now! I know they might seem really random, but I'd really appreciate any help you guys might have!
Cheers!
Read this. It is the draft script for the unpublished finale of that TV show and explains several things that you mention. It was posted publicly by one of the writers ~10 years ago.
To answer the question of Tiamat, she was mostly an environmental adversary rather than a dedicated one - a plot coupon as it were. Her purpose was usually to sidestep certain issues facing Venger or create motivation for the adventurers. In the instances where Venger is forced to encounter Tiamat, he always fought defensively in order to flee.
Venger's exhibited powers trended toward necromancy, transmutation, and evocation, but he obviously had access to some greater powers than anything in the books. He seemed to be designed to be able to counter each of the adventurers' specific skills individually but not so much when used coordinately.
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider.
My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong.
I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲
“It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
I don't remember the show too well, but I'm thinking the Venger/Tiamat animosity was a Lawful Evil / Chaotic Evil conflict. Venger wants to rule, Tiamat is driven to destroy. Venger could be thought of as a stand in for Asmodeus and the Venger/Tiamat conflict was like "The Blood War ... for Kids!", but I don't know how well developed the lower planes were in TSR canon at the time. As far as Venger's power set, I thought he was some sort of magic user and had offensive ability arguably similar to what we'd call very amped up eldritch blasts today.
I do remember as a very young (red box) player seeing the cartoon thinking, "This is nothing like the game, and even though you got acrobats and rangers and paladin, I don't think AD&D is much like this either." But to be fair, IIRC, the characters go on a D&D "ride" and aren't plucked from their tabletop, maybe that explains the cartoony not quite tied into the game universe. A deeper dive would be if there were any official D&D theme park rides anywhere, I'm sure there were any number of carnival attractions that unofficially pulled from the franchise's brand popularity.
I do remember an episode where the heroes had Venger dead to rights if they wanted to. He was pinned through some magical force spheres to at least his hands. Ranger kid instead of taking the kill shot, zaps the spheres and they sort of let him live because killing him like they could have isn't what they do. I'm not sure but my head cannon likes to think of that as the last episode.
I"m also trying to remember if Warduke had sensibly armored pants, or wore a "furry battle bikini bottom for dudes" like all the Masters of the Universe so the show could tap into that audience. Still drinking my coffee so my brain isn't completely mine yet.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
I always thought the DM was kind of a jerk throwing the big bad at a group of level 1 characters within 30 seconds of starting their campaign.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Warduke made the completely reasonable compromise of wearing chainmail on one leg and leaving the other bare.
Since his name has come up, does anyone know who originally drew Warduke? He looks like he's inspired by early-80's George Perez (think Taskmaster or Deathstroke). I saw a piece attributed to Tim Truman in '82, which seems plausible, but the internet doesn't want to be definitive.
Thanks so much, Eric! Are you a writer by any chance? If you're not then you definitely should be!
I actually listened to a recording of the final episode but must have forgotten a few things so I'll take a look at the script...
If I could just ask you one more question - Are there any specific creatures and/or storylines that stand out for you?
Cheers!
You've got some really useful ideas. Thanks for sharing them.
I think that episode you mention where Ranger spares Venger is one of the most memorable for me too. I watched it recently and actually felt quite emotional when Ranger says that line. I agree, it feels like a finale!
"Furry battle bikini bottoms" made me laugh!!
Pretty harsh - I have to agree!
What kinds of creatures/storylines stand out for you?
Furry battle bikini bottoms ... for dudes. That's important. His clothing was not interchangeable with the acrobat's.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
I remember an encounter with two Dungeon Masters and the adventurers were trying to decide which one to trust. The two Dungeon Masters were evenly matched in all discernable ways until one adventurer realized that one of the Dungeon Masters said something wrong. So, they attacked that one, revealing it to be a doppelganger. The Dungeon Master asked how did they know who is real, and they replied that he always spoke in riddles and the one they killed didn't. Then, they asked which way to go and the Dungeon Master replied something like "the opposite of left" or such, and they deduced he meant for them to take the path to the right.
...and to nobody's surprise as soon as the adventurers walked away, the Dungeon Master turned out to be just another doppelganger. Even as young as I was, I was🤦🏻♂️. Seriously? Evenly matched Dungeon Masters. Lame riddle only after explaining what the "tell" was. (Even "Don't go the wrong way" would have been a better riddle since they were to take the right way anyway.)
I sometimes think that the writers didn't give kids enough credit. I don't know why the finale was never published, but I have a slight suspicion that they thought the theme was too mature for kids. IMHO, "be malleable in your beliefs" ("things aren't always what they seem no matter how long you EDIT: and your peers thought it was true") is something kids could understand.
I also remember an encounter where there was a chest that opened to different places and planes depending on where it was positioned in the Material Plane.
(No idea what would happen if it was used on another Plane, but now, I'm wondering... though in 5e, most paradoxical portal devices just lose their magic properties, maybe just temporarily opening a one-way portal somewhere before winking out of existence.)
When Venger managed to disarm the adventurers, the Dungeon Master put all the weapons in the chest and was immediately attacked by Venger. The Dungeon Master allowed Venger to enter the chest to retrieve the items despite the protests of the adventurers. Of course, they made it very obvious that the chest had been moved in the attack before Venger entered it, and when the Dungeon Master moved the chest back into the original position when the weapons were stored in it, the weapons were there. They wondered where they sent Venger, and to nobody's surprise, Venger was sent to Tiamat's lair where he had to fight his way out once again.
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider.
My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong.
I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲
“It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
It is a well known trope to have individuals or groups be transported from their home to another dimension.
There were a couple instances where they could have gone home but decided not to. The portals were just a TV mechanic to get the job done.
Trying to remember particular episodes is like trying to remember particular episodes of Thundarr the Barbarian. Though I do remember the chest one.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Good afternoon, this may appear abrasive but that is not the intent. This a narrative of the answer you would have receive if you ask the question at the time the cartoon airing. Form most of us that were hard core AD&D RPG players and Game-masters.
The Dungeons & Dragons cartoon from the 1980s aired during a time of rising popularity for the role playing game, but also was aimed to squash the controversy due to the “Satanic Panic” that gripped parts of the public. Many players of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) at the time felt disconnected from the cartoon because it didn’t capture the complexity, depth, or darker elements of the role-playing game they loved.
The cartoon was clearly aimed at a younger audience and used a simplified, action-packed format that did not reflect the creative, open-ended nature of the Dungeons & Dragons RPG. For those immersed in the game, the cartoon felt like a shallow representation, more interested in selling toys and merchandise from TSR (the company behind Dungeons & Dragons) and LJN (the toy manufacturer).
The cartoon received a harsh backlash in the gaming community. Most Hardcore players of AD&D felt the show trivialized what had become an important and immersive hobby for them, leading to a divide between the cartoon’s viewers and the game’s loyal fanbase. The marketing strategy of linking the cartoon to the game seemed to miss the mark for its core audience.
There is a parallel with what happened to Atari with the ET video game—a commercial misstep can harm a brand’s image. Similarly, TSR’s attempts to broaden the appeal of Dungeons & Dragons through ventures like the cartoon backfired, alienating its most dedicated players and contributing to the game’s decline in popularity toward the late 1980s. TSR was already facing challenges, including the waning RPG boom, competition from other games, and internal financial struggles. The combination of cultural backlash (with the Satanic Panic) and misguided marketing strategies contributed to the game’s dip.
I was honestly considering getting back into D&D RPG gaming, which is why I joined D&D Beyond. However, after seeing that the new 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide is going to feature the silly villain protagonist from the cartoon on the cover, and watching and reviewing things such as “ inspiration points” rule giving a player the ability to tell a DM to re-roll a natural 20, I’ve realized this is no longer the Gary Gygax TSR AD&D I loved. As I mentioned before, the new Hasbro version as the D&D cartoon doesn’t capture the complexity, depth, or darker elements of the role-playing game I knew. We had inner-party conflicts, immersive ongoing home brewed campaigns, groups of random adventurers do not always get along. Player vs player was very common. Additionally Hardcore players and DMs wouldn’t tolerate someone showing up with a character from another DM’s world. Player characters always tied to the DM’s world they were created in.
To answer your question the cartoon is not the TSR AD&D universe. Tiamat is a Goddess in the TSR AD&D an Ancient Babylonian primordial goddess that typically takes the form of a multi headed gigantic dragon and the character Venger the main antagonist in the carton is not anything but a sorcerer in the cartoon and does not exist in the original game rules.
Here in Spain the cartoon show was the first step to know the franchise. Then the gamebooks "Endless Quest" also arrived, but these were unknown by most of people.
The cartoon show in Spain had got its own musical theme, and for the current standars, it has got a lot of 80s vibes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KK_POpqE_E
Lyrics translated:
We arrived to a fantastic world
full of strange beings
the dungeon master
gave all us powers.
you the barbarian
you the archer, acobrat,
wizard and the knight.
Dragons and dungeons
an infernal world
hides in the shadows
the evil forces.
I literally have not thought about that TV show until this year, when it was being discussed by Tom and some D&D staff. That being said, no I can't help, since I can't remember anything they did.
Thats a very long winded way of saying “I was an edgelord teenager in the ‘80s who hated anyone having fun in a different way to me so I got very angry about a cartoon. I never grew out of that so now in my 60s I’ve necro’d a four year old thread to say I still hate people having fun in a different way to me so I’m going to storm out of a party I only just arrived at and I’m doing it loudly because no one had realised I’d even arrived”
LOL!! They really got me cause I didn't even realise this was a necro lol.
Alternately, this is a chatbot. It just reads like AI to me. Add in they made an account, posted this and haven’t been back, and I’m going to say chat bot until I’m proven otherwise.
Nah. LLMs are more oblique, meandering, and have muddled "thinking". This one is clear, if overly stilted, and makes their point. This is somebody who's really mad about them using the cartoon in the new books. Could well be an alt account for somebody.
lol, watching the cartoon now, I feel like it’s 5th ed.