Wrath of the Sea Lich | Luke Gygax & 50 Years of D&D | Wandering DMs S06 E33

Wandering DMs

Paul and Dan chat with Luke Gygax on the 50th anniversary of D&D and his new old-school mega-adventure, Wrath of the Sea Lich! Wrath of the Sea Lich is a reimagining of his hit series, "Oculus of Senrahbah" originally created for 5e. Luke and Matt enlisted the help of notable designer Sersa Victory to reengineer the scenario for the critically acclaimed Shadowdark system. Together, they have remastered the entire series, the encounters are rebalanced, and the entire work is reformatted to fit the Old School aesthetic of Shadowdark.

n "Wrath of the Sea Lich", the party sets out to recover the Eye of Chentoufi, an ancient artifact sought by a local treasure hunter. Unknown to all, the artifact is sought by the ancient Ydrissid lich, Ireshkigal, who has been dormant for thousands of years in her watery fortress. As the characters venture across the city, they eventually find their way to a submerged ruins and encounter remnants of a forgotten age. As they begin to understand the implications of Ireshkigal’s return, the sense of urgency to find the artifact mounts. The lich’s revival could bring serious consequences to the world, and the party must decide whether to use the power of the Oculus or find a way to destroy it.

Shadowdark RPG is a modern fantasy role-playing game that seamlessly blends classic tabletop RPG elements with innovative mechanics, creating a new experience for players who have grown up with modern role-playing games. Designed to evoke the nostalgia of early dungeon crawlers while introducing streamlined gameplay, Shadowdark encourages exploration, tactical combat, and rich storytelling. Its flexible system accommodates various play styles, making it accessible for both newcomers and experienced adventurers. The game emphasizes fast-paced action, player agency, and a dark atmosphere that challenges players throughout each game session. It won the 2024 Three Castles Award for best game design, as well as four gold ENNIEs: Product of the Year, Best Game, Best Rules, and Best Layout & Design.

• Back Luke Gygax's Wrath of the Sea Lich on Kickstarter here
• Get the Shadowdark RPG system here