On this episode of Talk of Opportunity, the DM Duo brings us another deep dive discussion when they dig into the lore of Hags! They’ll talk about… ….I’m sorry what? Dune? No, I thought we were done with that… Oh that’s right, the movie, yeah… …yeah no that’s fine, we can talk about the movie…. No it’s cool…I just, you know, wanted to talk about…it’s fine yeah we can compare the movie to the book, sure. Alright, change of plans folks! Heather’s going to join those two one last time to compare Frank Herbert’s Dune to the Denis Villaneuve vehicle, and discuss why despite the severe lack of nearly naked Sting, it might actually be a good film.

It’s back to Dungeons and Dragons as the DM’s doff their stillsuits and don their Groucho Marx masks when they talk about a character played by “that one guy” or another: the joke character. They discuss the pratfalls and faux pas of running one in a campaign, the woes of how it “seemed like a good idea at the time”, and discuss how some things are honestly just best left on the cutting room floor. But then the laughter dies, the music fades, and as the curtains draw to a close they begin to discuss what exactly is comedy in D&D, and how does it really take away from a character, or indeed is it just another stripe of their personality? In a world in constant peril, is a little levity too much to give? Find out all this and more in this episode of A Talk of Opportunity

A Talk of Opportunity draws to a close it’s segment on Dune with this final part. They talk of the fall of the House Harkonnen, how Paul Muad’dib exposes every dirty secret of the universe, and what the future may hold for the Fremen. Their consciousness finally relieved of the prescient visions, they leave this planet of heat and deserts, to return to a land of ice and darkness, following session highlights of Rime of the Frostmaiden. As such, they may yet return to Arrakis, but for now they wait to see what awaits them on the Sword Coast.

With their prescient abilities unlocked fully by the Waters of Life, A Talk of Opportunity gets a further glimpse into the present-future of Paul Usul Muad’dib Atreides as he tragically goes crashing towards jihad destiny. They discuss the Missionari Protectiva and how religious manipulation might in fact be a bad thing (big if true), the intricacies of Fremen culture, and the ramifications of what happens when you go through the most intense Bene Gesserit ritual when you’re pregnant. Join us for all this and more as we go further into Dune!

Everything set up before comes to fruition in this episode, as we discuss the tragic events that led to the fall of House Atreides. The events that unfold, as Paul struggles against his budding powers and his lineage, as Thufir recognizes the untapped potential of Fremen guerilla fighters, and as we explore the less savory aspects of the already debauched Baron Harkonnen. All this and more are discussed in the second part of our journey through Dune!

In the season premiere of A Talk of Opportunity, the boys are joined by none other than Heather to help guide them through the treacherous landscape of Arrakis. Observe as they poorly don their stillsuits and gag at the thought of drinking reclaimed moisture as they talk about the first chunk of the Frank Herbert’s sci-fi classic Dune. Keep that Crysknife in its sheath, as there’s more spicy goodness on the horizon!

As they wrap up the season finale, Jose and Andrew finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. But first they must pass through the phantasm plague town of Mordent, before social distancing their way through the plague filled streets of Richemulot, where they interrupt a courthouse drama concerning rats. After taking a brief detour through the almost too good to be true because it is variety of Tepest, in which they respectfully decline the celebrations and local festivities, they hunt for the most dangerous game (no, not Shadowrun) in the humid jungles of Valachan. They discuss what’s in store for the future of the podcast, and then finally traverse through the fogs, surely to never return to any of these vicious hellscapes

More than halfway through their journey into the Shadowfell, but it looks like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel for Andrew and Jose. They sleepwalk through the dreaming city of unknown I’Cath (being sure to avoid the tooth golem all the while), and find themselves in a sibling rivalry for the ages in Kalakeri. After making the royal siblings apologize (like you mean it) they then find themselves in a jaunty town that’s a little too perfect, with a charismatic man with a fiddle that for some reason always has an excuse to not show up during a full moon. Then they hike the mountain trails of Lamordia and witness how for all its mechanical grandeur, it honestly just seems to be missing something. Join us as we explore the darker parts of Faerun, leading up to our season finale!

The mists of Ravenloft have finally released your favorite DMs from their unending torture, and back with more information regarding the Shadowfell! After braving the dread domain known as Chicago, Jose discusses with Andrew about the social faux pas of Dementlieu, before getting knee deep in the bloody trenches of Falkovnia. They take a bit of a sun bathing break in Har’Akir, the land of sand and song, but then bring their hazmat suits and Geiger counters into the magical wastelands of Hazlan. 3.6 Roentgens, not good, not terrible….

Grab your spirit boards and your poorly lit oil lanterns, because A Talk of Opportunity dives deep into the Shadowfell! A realm of horror and darkness, Jose and Andrew discuss it’s cataclysmic origins, and how it houses some of the most twisted souls in Faerun. From the classic gothic horror of Barovia, to the eldritch horrors of Bluetspur, they wander the mists of Ravenloft in the first of their four parts season finale.