This episode of Rolling Into Fantasy delves into the enchanting world of "The Wizard of Oz" and its lasting impact on fantasy literature, highlighting its whimsical departure from traditional fairy tales. Laurent and Marie-Noor explore the cultural context of the book, discussing how Frank Baum's storytelling was influenced by his experiences and the political landscape of the late 19th century. They also touch on the excitement surrounding the recent film adaptation of "Wicked," which reinterprets the classic tale, and the importance of recognizing the original source material. In the second segment, Marie-Noor shares insights about the animated series "Arcane," based on the popular game League of Legends, emphasizing its masterful storytelling and stunning animation. The hosts conclude with reflections on their hopes for 2025, focusing on supporting emerging writers and expanding their literary explorations.

The 11th episode of Rolling Into Fantasy brings listeners a reflective and engaging discussion as Laurent and Marie-Noor delve into two beloved cultural phenomena: L. Frank Baum's classic, The Wizard of Oz, and the animated series Arcane, inspired by the popular game League of Legends. With the festive season approaching, the hosts candidly acknowledge their busy schedules while emphasizing their commitment to maintaining a bi-weekly podcast rhythm. Laurent shares his enthusiasm for revisiting The Wizard of Oz, sparked by recent movie adaptations like Wicked. He explores the book's historical context, its whimsical departure from darker fairy tales, and its immediate success upon publication, selling over 90,000 copies in its first year. Laurent highlights Baum's storytelling prowess and the book's underlying themes of adventure and optimism, contrasting it with the conventional moralistic tales prevalent in children's literature at the time. As they transition to discussing Arcane, Marie-Noor outlines its narrative focus on character origins and the stunning animation quality, emphasizing its emotional depth and mature themes, paralleling societal issues. The hosts contemplate the evolving landscape of fantasy storytelling and the implications for aspiring writers, culminating in a discussion about their hopes for 2025, including spotlighting underrepresented authors and engaging with their audience more actively.

Takeaways:

• The Wizard of Oz's success in 1900 marked a significant shift in children's literature, moving away from darker themes.
• Arcane's storytelling and animation quality set a new standard for adaptations of video games.
• Laurent and Marie-Noor discussed the importance of cultural context when analyzing classic fantasy works.
• The challenges faced by aspiring writers today include the pressure of audience expectations and critical scrutiny.
• Marie-Noor highlighted the emotional depth and character growth present in Arcane's narrative and animation.
• Both hosts expressed excitement for upcoming fantasy literature and their plans for engaging with new authors.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Riot Games
• Marvel Comics
• Fortiche Productions

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...

This episode of Rolling Into Fantasy features a deep dive into the literary experiences of Laurent and Marie-Noor, highlighting their contrasting views on two fantasy books: "The Last Wish" by Andrzej Sapkowski and "Piranesi" by Susanna Clarke. Marie-Noor shares her struggles with "The Last Wish," citing its slow pacing and philosophical dialogue as barriers to her enjoyment, while Laurent praises "Piranesi" for its unique style and atmospheric writing. They also discuss their recent foray into Magic: The Gathering, including an exciting unboxing of Kamigawa booster packs and their experiences at a local Comic Con. The conversation touches on the significance of storytelling in both books and music, culminating in Marie-Noor's recommendation of the album "Ninth Hour," which offers a modern retelling of Beowulf. The episode wraps up with reflections on upcoming books and potential guest appearances, leaving listeners eager for the next installment.

The ninth episode of Rolling Into Fantasy immerses listeners in a delightful exploration of both literature and gaming. Laurent and Marie-Noor begin by reminiscing about their previous guest episode, expressing excitement about future guests. They then dive into their individual reading experiences, focusing on 'The Last Wish' by Andrzej Sapkowski and 'Piranesi' by Susanna Clarke. Marie-Noor candidly shares her struggles with Sapkowski's writing style, describing it as overly poetic and slow, which made it difficult for her to engage with the story. In contrast, Laurent speaks highly of 'Piranesi,' highlighting its captivating atmosphere and the protagonist's introspective journey through a labyrinthine world. Their discussion underscores the subjective nature of reading and how personal preferences can shape one's literary experiences.

The episode then transitions to a lively discussion on gaming, where Laurent recounts his experience at Comic Con Brussels, providing insights into the atmosphere and organization of the event compared to the more expansive FACTS convention. Despite missing FACTS this year, he shares the joy of participating in a Magic: The Gathering booster draft, emphasizing the thrill of deck-building and the strategic nature of gameplay. The hosts reflect on the community aspect of tabletop gaming and how it fosters connections among gamers, making it a cherished pastime that brings people together.

As the episode draws to a close, the Bard's Ballad segment introduces listeners to 'Ninth Hour,' an album that reinterprets the epic poem Beowulf through music. Marie-Noor delves into the album's themes of humanity, power, and the internal struggles of its characters, paralleling the narrative depth found in literature. Laurent shares his admiration for the death metal band Frozen Soul, noting their positive approach to heavy themes and their unique connection to Magic: The Gathering. This segment encapsulates the rich interplay between music and storytelling, showcasing how both art forms can inspire and resonate with audiences, leaving listeners eager for more insightful discussions in future episodes.

Takeaways:

• The hosts discussed their reading experiences, highlighting their contrasting opinions on the Witcher series.
• Laurent enjoyed Piranesi for its unique style and philosophical depth, rating it highly.
• Marie-Noor found A Monster Calls engaging but questioned its target audience's maturity level.
• The hosts expressed disappointment about missing the Facts event, sharing their friends' feedback.
• Laurent described the Comic Con experience as mixed due to its lack of organization.
• Frozen Soul, a death metal band, creatively merges music with Magic the Gathering gameplay.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Magic the Gathering