YSGARD: Send us demons so we can kill them!

In this riotously entertaining episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew embarks on a wild ride from the expressive chaos of Nicolas Cage's acting to the mythic battlegrounds of Ysgard, the Viking heaven of Norse mythology. Along the way, the hosts take pit stops in Glorium's rowdy streets, wander the dwarven stronghold of Nidavellir, and contemplate the celestial politics of Seluna and Shar. Whether you came for cinematic hot takes, planar travel lore, or tactical GM advice, this episode has something for everyone who enjoys myth-heavy mayhem and tactical improvisation.

The crew dives into the layers of Ysgard’s lore—from eternal battles and sentient giants to magical gate towns and celestial intrigue—blending serious worldbuilding with their signature humor. They also tackle the practical side of RPG combat, offering advice on reskinning monsters, navigating Challenge Ratings, and surviving those “oh no” moments behind the DM screen.

So strap in for an episode that’s part mythic deep-dive, part Cage-fueled comedy roast, and 100% tabletop chaos.

Key Topics Covered:

Character Creation & Acting Tangents

• The artistry of Nicolas Cage: method actor or chaos incarnate?
• Mark Wahlberg’s variable performance range.
• Why bad movies sometimes make for great inspiration.
• RPG character creation as a narrative tool and personal expression.

Deep Dive: Ysgard, the Plane of Eternal Battle

• Ysgard is Viking heaven: eternal war, mighty mead, and storytelling mayhem.
• The confusing yet compelling structure of Norse myth and its impact on D&D lore.
• Differences between Ysgard and Akaron: glory vs. order.
• Portals, planar access points, and the metaphysical bus schedules to Ysgard.
• The Rumelais: unique native creatures with mysterious motivations.
• Giants in Ysgard: smart, social, and surprisingly civilized.
• Gate Town Glorium: culture-rich, fire-giant-threatened, and narrative gold.
• Nidavellir: a dwarven and gnomish city-state with its own unique governance.
• Celestials and cosmology: the Lilin, transformed by Seluna, and the tension with Shar.

Mythical Bits & Narrative Hooks

• Rattatosker the squirrel: more than a meme, he’s a lore-bearing rodent of mischief.
• How players can plug their own stories into the mythic framework of Ysgard.
• Tirza of Glorium: adding drama, danger, or comic relief to planar campaigns.
• The Gates of the Moon: not just a poetic name, but a powerful location.

GM Tools: Combat on the Fly

• Strategies for improvising combat encounters.
• Why reskinning monsters keeps play