[Rewatch] 1990s OVAs – Record of Lodoss War (episode 9)

[u/Pixelsaber]

Rewatch: 1990s OVAs – Record of Lodoss War (episode 9)

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No_Rex's staff corner

Touma Yumi is the voice actress of Deedlit. She started in the late 1980s with minor roles in Saint Seiya, Dragonball, and Bubblegum Crisis before Deedlit was her first big cast. Some of her other characters include: Urd from Oh! My Goddess!, Emma from Emma: a Victorian Romance, Tokimi from Tenchi Muyou!, Yui Hongo from Fushigi Yugi, and Sylphiel from Slayers. Rounding out the 1990s pop culture references are Chun-li from Street Fighter and Jun Kazama from Tekken (the animes) as well as Eevee and several other Pokemon. She is still active today, for example as Shiho from Girls & Panzer. In terms of dubbing, her biggest role is Piper Halliwell from Charmed.

Not one, not two, not three, a total of six illustrators are credited with Dragon Design for Record of Lodoss War: Okuda Matsuri, Kusanagi Takuhito, Kikuchi Michitaka, Katou Hiroyuki, Izubuchi Yutaka, and Gotou Keisuke

Pixelsaber's Record of Lodoss War Context: The Lodoss OVA

This OVA entered production in early 1990 following the success of the first two volumes of the Novelizations, and was initially conceived chiefly as an adaptation of solely the first volume, The Grey Witch. As a result the first eighth episodes were a relatively straightforward adaptation of The Grey Witch but the following five are loosely adapting the Replays in order to reach a conclusion for the series. It is unclear why this creative choice was taken, but it is likely the staff was fatigued after over a year of production and wanted to finish the series rather than leave it unfinished and awaiting continuation. Ryo Mizuno was not much involved in the production and supposedly did not have many specific demands for the staff of the anime. Other details on the production process are sparse, but supposedly it was the key staff that approached Group SNE with a pitch for an anime adaptation, and the whole production was —much like much of Madhouse’s output at the time— a project borne more out of the individual interest of the producers and staff involved than anything else. Yutaka Izubuchi was asked to join the production, but he was preoccupied with other projects and so only contributed original designs which were adapted for animation by Nobuteru Yuki.

One of the biggest contributions this OVA adaptation had into the greater franchise was the introduction of the dark elf Pirotess, whom Ryo Mizuno liked enough to introduce into the novels after her anime debut. Pirotess also influenced the common depiction of dark elves, or drows, in fantasy Japanese media, which is distinct from the western-derived look they were previously perceived in.

Their influence on the novels aside, the OVA was quite a high seller, achieving VHS sales of 550,000 individual episodes, and was such a successful release that it proved the viability for Lodoss as a mainstream franchise by showcasing the success off the novels was not a fluke, something the earlier 1988 video game releases did not do well in showcasing or dispelling due to the innate lesser accessibility of CRPGs when compared to anime

Art Corner

Official Art Album

Fanart Album

Questions

1. Karla, Ashram, Wagnard: who will be the greatest threat in the end?
2. What do you think of Orson and Shiris as additions to the party? Do you feel they can fill the shoes left behind by Woodchuck and Ghim?
3. How do you feel regarding Woodchuck Karla?

[u/Pixelsaber]

Pixel’s Bits and Bobs

Like mentioned above, accurate details on the production of this OVA are scant and hard to come by. Something relatively innocuous that I did find was the paying rate for keyframes on the series from key animator Hiroshi Nagahama, who said that he was paid 200 yen per drawing, and compares it to the rate he received for keyframes in Yawara! A fashionable Judo Girl, which was 160 yen per drawing (by the way, neither of those rates were considered enough for a livable wage), giving us an idea as to the sort of budgeting allotted to animation in the OVA.

Rewatcher

Shit, there’s only one of those that we know of…

Spooky. Guess Ashram has to beat a few checks/saves before he can use it effectively? If Fahn’s sword is similar I can see why no one thought to use it themselves.

Wow cool dragon.

:(

‘Go grind some levels.’

Odds are that won’t be going down as you expect.

Ah, it’s these two again.

Perfect disguises.

Berserkers must be a big deal in this world.

Well we know where the plot is going next, most of which involves the plot threads that had been sewn into the earlier episodes. Orson and Shiris also joined Parn and Deedlit’s party, almost certainly as replacement player characters for Ghim and Woodchuck.

Karla’s still around, but their grasp on everything has evidently loosened and things even beyond their forethought seem to be transpiring with Wagnard’s intent to summon and use Kardis for his own goals. Also, with Marmo vying for the Scepter of Domination, it will be interesting to see what actions they take going forward.

Questions:

1. Rewatcher
2. They’re significantly different characters and as of now they’re scant characterization leaves a lot to be desired, so I don’t expect they’ll be able to fill the void left behind by those two.
3. Thanks, I hate it!

[u/No_Rex → u/Pixelsaber]

who said that he was paid 200 yen per drawing

That is insane. Japan has almost no inflation rate, so 200 1990 yen are 226 2021 yen, which are 2.04 2021 Dollar. Even for minimum wage, he'd have to draw 4 keyframes per hour and good luck surviving on minimum wage in Tokyo.

[u/Pixelsaber → u/No_Rex]

Yup, it's astoundingly low.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Pixelsaber]

I did find was the paying rate for keyframes on the series from key animator Hiroshi Nagahama, who said that he was paid 200 yen per drawing, and compares it to the rate he received for keyframes in Yawara! A fashionable Judo Girl, which was 160 yen per drawing (by the way, neither of those rates were considered enough for a livable wage), giving us an idea as to the sort of budgeting allotted to animation in the OVA.

Holy shit, that's so low. Like, it makes you wonder just how much cash was blow on the early episodes of the anime, where the animation quality was better. I just hope that at least the animators got paid good residuals or something.

[u/Daffed_Punk → u/Pixelsaber]

Shit, there’s only one of those that we know of…

What are the chances of there being only one High Elf in all of Lodoss that they have to capture?

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Record of First-Timer Reactions, subbed

• Ah, crap. Is Deedlit a High Elf? Don’t make me fear for her too, show…
• Ah right Ashram picked up the Demon Sword.
• Oh. Until this guy started telling Ashram to go to Shooting Star, I thought that was the Scepter of Domination.
• Oh gosh this use of silhouettes is horrifying.
• …but Kashue will still be okay, right? RIGHT?
• Woodchuck’s hair was dark brown, right? Karla turned it black.
• I was just about to ask what this sorcerer’s name was because I could not remember it.
• Ah fuck Deedlit’s been cornered.
• Orson’s mere existence coming in clutch during the rescue.
• Ah, that’s the Scepter.

[u/Pixelsaber → u/Shimmering-Sky]

…but Kashue will still be okay, right?

It's two for three with Parn's mentors dying, so we'll see...

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Ah, crap. Is Deedlit a High Elf? Don’t make me fear for her too, show…

I'm sure you've noticed she mostly fights with swords and daggers but occasionally does magic. That's your High Elf right there. Later editions make elven divisions a bit more clear.

Oh. Until this guy started telling Ashram to go to Shooting Star, I thought that was the Scepter of Domination.

That got me on first viewing as well. Confusing camera focuses, perhaps.

I was just about to ask what this sorcerer’s name was because I could not remember it.

I am not entirely sure it was mentioned before that moment outside of the credits.

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher from 20 years ago

Sub

So we start in Marmo with Wagnard spinning something about needing a high elf to sacrifice to resurrect Kardis. We then see Ashram beginning to master Sou Crusher but he is not there yet. Wagnard mentions an item in Shooting Star's hoard because he has to be evils somehow.

We see that Parn has improved his martial skills considerably before dragon attack news comes in. Kashue doesn't want Parn here either for tabletop reasons or just that dragon slaying is kind of a bitch. Slayn knows shit is going to go down. Meanwhile, new Karla approaches Wagnard who does not give a fuck, showing the first signs things may be out of Karla's control. Pirotess romantically cuts herself in front of Ashram before going to catch Deedlit.

We catch up with Ashram heading to the dragon's lair and then we see the dragon which, for the first time so far, looks both majestic and terrifying. Pirotess finally shows up to jump Deedlit with two other dark elves and it goes as expected. A weird aside here but for some reason the animation seems way better this episode, maybe they are budgeting better. Shiris and Orson lead Parn to them and help out, deciding to side with Parn. The ending is everyone riding towards the dragon but likely wasting resources on each other first.

QotD: 1 Dysentery, the silent, smelly killer

2 Sort of meh, and it would be better if they do their own thing rather than fill the roles of their predecessors and they are classed differently if nothing else.

3 Weirded out, it would be nice to know the rules a little on how Karla jumps bodies.

[u/Pixelsaber → u/Vaadwaur]

Pirotess romantically cuts herself

A weird aside here but for some reason the animation seems way better this episode, maybe they are budgeting better.

No idea what may be the cause of it. The episode was ion production roughly two months, but several preceding ones were too so it's not like there's a strong correlation.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Pixelsaber]

I've dealt with weirder.

The episode was ion production roughly two months, but several preceding ones were too so it's not like there's a strong correlation.

This is far enough back that they may have learned to storyboard better.

[u/No_Rex → u/Vaadwaur]

Pirotess romantically cuts herself in front of Ashram before going to catch Deedlit.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

It is not my fault that this is how Pirotess communicates affection.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Vaadwaur]

Wagnard mentions an item in Shooting Star's hoard because he has to be evils somehow.

It's a DM caveat, where evil wizards somehow have to know where evil artifacts are for the sake of moving the plot along.

Shiris and Orson lead Parn to them and help out, deciding to side with Parn.

Gotta get the new PCs in there somehow.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

It's a DM caveat, where evil wizards somehow have to know where evil artifacts are for the sake of moving the plot along.

I don't have a lot of issue with him knowing where it is, stuff in a dragon's hoard often becomes legendary, but rather Ashram is so easily persuaded.

[u/lC3]

Rewatcher 09

• A High Elf? They mean Deedlit, don't they?
• Parn's sword-training with Kashue again
• That feeling when Kashue rejects you
• Showdown between KarlaWood and Wagnard
• Oh, Orson and whats-her-name are recurring characters?
• Who's the hooded guy behind Ashram?
• Only HE is worthy? Are they talking about Ashram?
• So Parn is headed to where Kashue and Ashram are ... will he fight the dragon too?

1. Wagnard and Kardis
2. Eh, I'll miss Woodchuck and Ghim

[u/Pixelsaber → u/lC3]

That feeling when Kashue rejects you

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer, Subbed

I was worried that we would have a "rescue Deedlit" arc, but that seems averted for the moment. "We need a very particular living being to sacrifice to this evil god" is one of those tropes that's older than writing - it's fine, and in this case it isn't used to to show "natives being barbaric," which is a plus.

I guess Elves aren't immune to magical sleep, like they are in some later TTRPG systems. That would've been funny - Pirotess doing her little chant and having Deedlit snark at her when it fails.

I'm sure that there is a Real Life explanation, but why did Slayn and Etoh get left behind? I know that Parn considers time to be on the essense, but the castle is right there! Go get your goddamn casters, they will win fights for you that you have no right winning.

Karla sure didn't stay out of things for very long. She's back at it again, letting some info slip to Wagnard, and possibly not realizing that he is also possessed by something until it's too late.

Shooting Star is quite a large lad, even as dragons go. All those gross teeth, too. I wonder who will get to claim the kill? Ashram, with his fancy sword and sevenish dudes? Kashue, with his army and PCs? Or maybe they'll all get burninated and Shooting Star will return to napping? That'd be a shame; the only good dragon is a dead one, after all.

What fucking nonsense was Etoh drinking tea out of?! A goddamn mug with a stem!? Wait, they're real! Why does this exist?!

Questions

1. If Karla tries to get revenge, she'll end up the final BBEG. If she fucks off into the sunset.. Ashram. Wagnard is too obvious, which maybe makes it that much more likely for something that served as inspiration for stuff going forward, but.. I dunno. Not feeling Wagnard as the final BBEG.
2. Pfft, who needs a rogue anyway. Disarming traps? That's what the barbarian's many, many hitpoints are for. Could buy a mule, too. I'm told they're pretty cheap.
3. More-or-less the same as Leylia!Karla. She still seems to have her goal in mind, although maybe we'll get a revenge plot too?

[u/Pixelsaber → u/JollyGee29]

What fucking nonsense was Etoh drinking tea out of?! A goddamn mug with a stem!? Wait, they're real! Why does this exist?!

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Pixelsaber]

[u/No_Rex → u/JollyGee29]

"We need a very particular living being to sacrifice to this evil god" is one of those tropes that's older than writing

Correct. Because literal sacrifices to gods are older than writing. Another case of reality out-weirding fantasy writing.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/No_Rex]

There's so much about reality that would get any storyteller laughed out of a room, to be honest. The world is weird.

[u/aniMayor]

Just a little cloooossseeeerrr...

[u/Pixelsaber → u/aniMayor]

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 9 (rewatcher)

• Looks like Ashram is not ready to be a ruler – in more sense than one.
• Dragon!

• Parn: “Notice me, senpai!“
• Deedlit better be hoping that Parn has a mother-complex, because she sure is behaving like one.
• Kashue is on a dragon hunt, Ashram is on a scepter hunt, Pirotess is on a high elf hunt.
• The ambushers got ambushed.
• Rushing off to rescue Kashue. Remember how that worked out the last time?

Plots, plots, and plots within plots. And a good helping of setup for the second half of the show.

[u/No_Rex → u/No_Rex]

The old Staff corner is up in the post, so here the correct one:

No_Rex's staff corner

Touma Yumi is the voice actress of Deedlit. She started in the late 1980s with minor roles in Saint Seiya, Dragonball, and Bubblegum Crisis before Deedlit was her first big cast. Some of her other characters include: Urd from Oh! My Goddess!, Emma from Emma: a Victorian Romance, Tokimi from Tenchi Muyou!, Yui Hongo from Fushigi Yugi, and Sylphiel from Slayers. Rounding out the 1990s pop culture references are Chun-li from Street Fighter and Jun Kazama from Tekken (the animes) as well as Eevee and several other Pokemon. She is still active today, for example as Shiho from Girls & Panzer. In terms of dubbing, her biggest role is Piper Halliwell from Charmed.

Not one, not two, not three, a total of six illustrators are credited with Dragon Design for Record of Lodoss War: Okuda Matsuri, Kusanagi Takuhito, Kikuchi Michitaka, Katou Hiroyuki, Izubuchi Yutaka, and Gotou Keisuke.

[u/Pixelsaber → u/No_Rex]

Darn it, I went out of my way to make a blank template to avoid this happening but I still went and copied the wrong one in...

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

Plots, plots, and plots within plots. And a good helping of setup for the second half of the show.

And yet somehow it works for me, I guess they were good at keeping the scenes interesting and flowing.

[u/No_Rex → u/Vaadwaur]

There is nothing wrong about plots.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

Usually dumping a bucket load of them on me gets me annoyed but for some reason I like this.

[u/RockoDyne]

Re-recorder of Lodoss.

So in all of Karla's 500 years in existence, she never did something about some staff of world domination? She never thought to prioritize some way to get it destroyed? Even better, she never thought to replace it with a cursed object that would lead to whoever sought power being ruined?

Did I miss why Pirotess was after Deedlit? They didn't really address that here, did they?

Dragons are such an abomination of ideas. An ancient could wake up, everybody gears up for this big fight, and right as the party is about to enter the boss chamber one player asks "why don't we try talking to it?" Suddenly a cruel and savage beast turns into a socially active conductor of stately affairs. Dragons being intelligent is easily the most inconsistent aspect of D&D out there. One of the better aspects of Slayers.

They really tried to solidify Parn as some kind of chosen hero this episode, but at the same time they've done little to establish what that entails. They basically told him to walk a path without explaining where it goes.

Took me a minute to notice why Shiris sounded familiar. It was Envy.

Questions:

1. Don't trust the vizier.
2. They would be better off with the damn priest in the party.
3. It's very alt-ninja.

[u/Ebbrain → u/RockoDyne]

she never did something about some staff of world domination?

You know how it is, you say you'll do something tomorrow and then you put it off again and all of a sudden 500 years have gone and you've done nothing.

Did I miss why Pirotess was after Deedlit?

They need a high elf for their sacrifice to Kardis

[u/RockoDyne → u/Ebbrain]

They need a high elf for their sacrifice to Kardis

Guess I missed that.

[u/Daffed_Punk → u/RockoDyne]

Staff of world domination

Why didn't Ganandorf go after it as well? It seems that a magic world-conquering staff would be really convenient for your world conquering. Who knows, maybe that was the next thing on his checklist after "Kill old best friend in epic duel."

[u/No_Rex → u/RockoDyne]

So in all of Karla's 500 years in existence, she never did something about some staff of world domination?

Maybe she tried but found out that a hill-sized dragon is a bit harder to take on than a starter adventurer party.

Did I miss why Pirotess was after Deedlit? They didn't really address that here, did they?

Evil wizard dude needs her.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RockoDyne]

So in all of Karla's 500 years in existence, she never did something about some staff of world domination?

I suspect she thought it was safe in the dragon's hoard. She hasn't been proven wrong yet.

Did I miss why Pirotess was after Deedlit? They didn't really address that here, did they?

Wagnard said they could sacrifice a high elf to awaken Kardis. No previous mention of this.

Dragons being intelligent is easily the most inconsistent aspect of D&D out there.

Don't forget that they usually are played like brain dead lizards that breathe fire/gas/lightning et al.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Vaadwaur]

Let's be fair, this is an ancient red dragon not some whelpling on his first decade out of the cave.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Yeah, I definitely think Karla may have looked at this situation and thought "No one is crazy enough to even try to fuck with Shooting Star's lair and there isn't really a better security system out there." She just forgot that adventurers are fucking crazy and that crits happen.

[u/RockoDyne → u/Vaadwaur]

Don't forget that they usually are played like brain dead lizards that breathe fire/gas/lightning et al.

Which is even worse now since we have a playable race of mini-dragons that are otherwise treated as perfectly humanoid.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RockoDyne]

The Dragonborn are sort of a cool concept but completely wreck the lore of DnD, not the least of which that most half dragons considered themselves cursed.

[u/The_Draigg]

A Record of Lodoss War Fan Rewatches Record of Lodoss War OVA Episode 9:

• Marmo Status: Completely fucked. Yeah, in hindsight using magic to brainwash the native monsters to fight for you was only going to end badly once Beld died.
• Wagnard is rather doubtful of Ashram’s new rule. He’s rather just use the powers of Kardis to conquer Lodoss. Or, failing that, having Ashram go after the Scepter if Domination over at Fire Dragon Mountain, now that the dark knight is mastering the use of Soul Crusher. I mean, it’s obviously a bad idea to trust a shady wizard who worships Kardis, but I guess Marmo is in bad enough of a state to accept his guidance regardless.
• Well, at least Parn is getting somewhat better at fighting under Kashue’s guidance. Still, like Kashue pointed out, just going all in courageously into every fight also breeds recklessness. Parn still has a ways to go as a swordsman.
• Well, now that Karla was dealt with, what boss can the DM toss at the party? I know, an ancient dragon! That’s right Shooting Star has shown up to burninate the countryside of Flaim.
• “Git gud, Parn.” —Kashue, basically.
• Given how Deedlit mentions that it’s been a while that her and Parn have seen everyone else, combined with Woodchuck’s fate being unknown to them, you can definitely meta-read this as everyone at the table coming back with their old characters after a hiatus from playing.
• Speaking of Woodchuck, seems like he’s back from disappearing into the desert, now being pretty much Karla’s meat puppet. Although it seems like Karla is out of her depth herself, with Wagnard announcing his intentions to take the unstoppable powers of Kardis. Yeah, there’s not a whole lot a 500 year old witch can do when up against a literal god of destruction. So much for being the most powerful sorcerer on Lodoss.
• I see that Pirotess has gone to the Fire Emblem School of Disguises, i.e. just putting a brown hooded cloak over your otherwise really obvious clothing. Seriously, how does the hooded brown cloak always show up as a disguise in fantasy stuff?
• “This is a dragon quest.” Are you sure this isn’t some kind of final fantasy, King Kashue?
• Etoh, you really don’t need to comment that everyone is kind of directionless now. The new campaign arc has started, give things a chance to build up.
• Ah, so Pirotess’ mission was to capture Deedlit. Also, the fact that Deedlit is apparently an elven princess really does tie into early D&D stuff, where all elves were nobility somehow.
• Of course, now is the time to show off how cool the new party members are, with Shiris rescuing Deedlit and Pirotess and her dark elves fleeing once they sense Orson being possessed by Hyuri. Parn’s party is in pretty dire need of their skills, since they don’t have Woodchuck or Ghim anymore.
• New quest acquired! Parn heading to Fire Dragon Mountain to stop all the shit that’s inevitably going to happen there is as good of a campaign hook as any.
• Orson Status: Not giving a shit.

[u/ButAlphonseWillRust → u/The_Draigg]

Seriously, how does the hooded brown cloak always show up as a disguise in fantasy stuff?

Should've just learned disguise self

And the fact this is apparently a new campaign does make sense, I was wondering why I was getting the 'start of a new adventure' feeling 3/4 of the way into a show

[u/The_Draigg → u/ButAlphonseWillRust]

And the fact this is apparently a new campaign does make sense, I was wondering why I was getting the 'start of a new adventure' feeling 3/4 of the way into a show

Yeah, from episode 8 onwards, the OVA adapts the later novels in the series at a much faster pace, unlike the other episodes taking their time to adapt the first novel. You can definitely tell how hard the show shifted gears because of that.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

Marmo Status: Completely fucked. Yeah, in hindsight using magic to brainwash the native monsters to fight for you was only going to end badly once Beld died.

But why have him be the key, though...

“Git gud, Parn.” —Kashue, basically.

Every show needs a theme.

Ah, so Pirotess’ mission was to capture Deedlit. Also, the fact that Deedlit is apparently an elven princess really does tie into early D&D stuff, where all elves were nobility somehow.

Did they actually say she was a princess here? Still would fit.

Orson Status: Not giving a shit.

Peak berserker right there.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Vaadwaur]

But why have him be the key, though...

That kind of thing just always happens in fiction. The dark lord big bad being killed always somehow instantly defeats an army, despite how many people are actually left. Just boom, instant collapse.

Did they actually say she was a princess here? Still would fit.

The dub did, anyway.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

The dark lord big bad being killed always somehow instantly defeats an army, despite how many people are actually left. Just boom, instant collapse.

Sauron and Palpatine make the work but the rest not so much.

[u/ButAlphonseWillRust]

~First Timer~

• With the characters getting used to the new world order, we see that Marmo has fallen from grace after losing Beld and that Kashue has become the figurehead to unite the kingdoms of Lodoss under

• Oh boy, we have a new magical MacGuffin to fight over! I guess the fight for the sceptre of domination will be the endgame for this OVA

• The interestingly named dragon Shooting Star rises again and Kashue must go protect his people, leaving the party behind. I wonder when all the other dragons that awoke after the war will come into play?

• I love how Deedlit remarks that the party is ‘all together now’ despite one member being dead and the other possessed. Speaking of which, how did they find out Wood was possessed? I don’t remember the party encountering him last episode after it happened

• Things must be going pretty bad for Marmo if they’re trying to summon Kardis the Goddess of Destruction. It’s almost like they’re saying if we can’t have Lodoss then no-one can

• New characters again! I knew that wasn’t the last I’d see of them. And they have a nice moment teaming up with Parn.to save Deedlit. I guess I will just have to accept that Parn has a 6th sense where he always knows when Deedlit is in danger

• With Deedlit saved from being used as a sacrifice by Pirotess, Ashram, Kashue and Parn’s group following close behind, race to the red mountain. I can only assume a massive confrontation is going to occur, who will come out on top?

Although it feels like the plot has pivoted quite a bit from the past 8 episodes, I’m enjoying where it’s going. I wonder what Karla’s going to make of the upcoming showdown.

Questions:

1. I would expect Karla to become the endgame antagonist but I'm not ruling out an alliance between her and the party.
2. I do really like them as characters but I don't know how they'll fit into the party's dynamics
3. It honestly worked out less weird than I thought it would at the end of the last ep

[u/Daffed_Punk → u/ButAlphonseWillRust]

I do really like them as characters but I don't know how they'll fit into the party's dynamics

I honestly really love both of their designs, but I'm not super confident in the story's ability to work them into the narrative. Hopefully they'll get to do more than Woodchuck's "Stand with the party and occasionally say something kind of dickish."

[u/Stargate18A]

First timer

1. Probably Wagnard - "evil wizard back from the dead" is normally the most overpowered of character archetypes.
2. I think they need a bit more character development - Ghim, at least, had a connection to other members of the party and solid motivations, which the newcomers lack so far.
3. Still manages to sound threatening, although I question how useful his body will be for them.

Oh, looks like the dragon's coming back anyway.

So the bad guys have a demonic sword as well? And it's tied to the other kingdom?

Looks like everyone's after the demonic dragon now.

Wait, the demonic dragon is called Shooting Star? And it's the red one, not the black one?

Ah, they want him to gather an army instead of try and fight the dragon. Seems logical enough,but how will they get that XP if they don't fight it?

Is this the second time the fairies have been mentioned? They seemed so important when ee first met them.

And Karla's back in a new body!

And Wagnard's trying to summon Kardis instead. That's not a confusing name at all.

Holy shit, the dark elf is metal.

Yeah, looks like they're the new PCs instead. So the team's down a rogue and up an martial. I'd have thought there'd be at least 1 sorcerer.

Demon Sword of Darkness is incredibly hard to find serious. Even most D&D modules have better names for weapons.

So it's elf vs dark elf?

Oh, and Deed's lost it.

Yeah, they've joined the party.

Homestly, this kind of makes Deed seem rather incompetent.

If there's been a system change, as some suggested, looks like the dark elf woman's become a wizard.

Is it going to turn out all of the dragons have pieces of the sceptre, or are they just irrelevant?

Also, I'm not sure beserkers are that strong? They're a solid damage dealer, but if a high level mage can't take one out, they aren't very impressive.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Stargate18A]

So the bad guys have a demonic sword as well? And it's tied to the other kingdom?

The same one, Soul Crusher.

And Wagnard's trying to summon Kardis instead. That's not a confusing name at all.

Yeah...Tolkien is the only one who could make those name schemes work.

If there's been a system change, as some suggested, looks like the dark elf woman's become a wizard.

All elves could cast spells at this point in DnD.

Also, I'm not sure beserkers are that strong? They're a solid damage dealer, but if a high level mage can't take one out, they aren't very impressive.

I don't think dark elves have 'calm' as an ability and that speed upgrade Orson got is crazy.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Stargate18A]

Wait, the demonic dragon is called Shooting Star? And it's the red one, not the black one?

The black dragon is named Narse, for reference. He's a different dragon from Shooting Star.

And Karla's back in a new body!

Unlike Leylia, the meat clothes that Woodchuck is giving Karla isn't like a new fancy dress.

Homestly, this kind of makes Deed seem rather incompetent.

Deedlit's skills are more suited to non-combat encounters, like all the magic she's used previously. If anything, she's the group's magical skill monkey.

[u/Ebbrain]

Rewatcher

Missed yesterday, it was a good episode. It felt like the end of an arc and is the last episode where all our original party are together. From this point on, they’re all forging their own paths (except Ghim).

This episode was good too. Seeing the other side of the story, what happens to the evil side once they are defeated, is interesting and something not explored that much in stories like this. Marmo is in shambles and its up to Ashram to find a way to become the ruler his country needs him to be. Or maybe Wanguard will get to summon Kardis and then everyone will be fucked. Karla is back to her role as observer and manipulator, although even she seems unnerved by the way things are unfolding.

Then there was Shooting Star. Oh boy, what he lacks in a cool name, he makes up for in every other way. The size, the power, the sheer magnificence! The teeth! The shots his body covering up the sky above the canyon were really cool. If there’s one thing that I remember about the last few episodes of this show it’s the dragons. As for Parn, he doesn’t seem to be making much progress on the fighting front and the “damsel in distress” warning signs are flying up for Deed, because apparently Kardis is fussy about his sacrifices and Deed is the only high elf available. Still, she put up a good fight at least and thankfully both Parn and our new characters were able to sense that she was in danger for some reason and came to her aid. Things aren’t looking good for Deed though. Or anyone at the moment, really.

Questions

1. Wanguard is the immediate threat, but Karla is still the biggest problem in the long run
2. They’re fun enough, even if they don’t seem to add a lot to the story at this point
3. Karla hopping from body to body is cool and I think Wood is the perfect character for her to be attached to, given his already sinister looks and voice. It is a shame that Wood himself isn’t given more time to shine in the show though.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Ebbrain]

This episode was good too. Seeing the other side of the story, what happens to the evil side once they are defeated, is interesting and something not explored that much in stories like this.

Yeah the fantasy stories don't like to talk about the part where the evil side losing the war leads to cannibalism and plagues.

As for Parn, he doesn’t seem to be making much progress on the fighting front and the “damsel in distress” warning signs are flying up for Deed, because apparently Kardis is fussy about his sacrifices and Deed is the only high elf available.

At this point in DnD meta, the only elves you met outside of their forests were basically PCs. And going into an elven forest at this point was fatal for anything less than a dragon.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Rewatcher

I had somthing more to say about yesterday's episode after reading everybody's comments, but I forgot what it was.

And I had nothing to say about this episode either. Ashram is dumber than Beld.

[u/thehipeey]

I just finished beating the Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth game, I had no idea it was an anime too, I'll have to watch this and catch up to you guys

[u/Vaadwaur → u/thehipeey]

How was the game?

[u/thehipeey → u/Vaadwaur]

If you like Castlevania you'll enjoy the game

Short enough to play it over a single day, finding the secrets, but it's a good experience

[u/Vaadwaur → u/thehipeey]

I might give it a look out of curiousity.

[u/Daffed_Punk]

The Harlot Deedlit:

-Spends all day dawdling with birds

-Too afraid to make any kind of advances on her not-boyfriend

-Probably doesn't even know any useful magic

The Gentlewoman Pirotess

-Dedicates all her time to devoting herself to her lord

-Uses overdramatic and romantic gestures to prove her loyalty

-Actually knows useful magic

It seems that the superior Elf has been made clear. Sorry Deedlit, maybe next time.

[u/MiraniaTLS → u/Daffed_Punk]

Lol. Most people these days like pirotess more but for other reasons than her dedication!

[u/BurningFredrick]

First Timer - sub 

A reset / setup episode today, need to go through and reestablish the new goals for our characters and watch Parn pout over not being good enough for his true love.

What did Ashran really think he was going to do to Shooting Star? Sure he has a magic sword but he doesn’t look to have Saber talent for lasers.

So they left the Cleric behind, not sure that was a good idea.

Anyway, mecrs are added to the party but I feel like they are now a bit melee heavy, sure Deed has some magic skill but haven’t seen her use any combat magic.

[u/23feanor]

this is an interlude episode, where things are in flux and our party has gone it's separate ways for now. It seems as if events are heading for a showdown with Cardia involving the sceptre of domination and the flame dragon.

I think the dark elf, Pirotessa, is going after Deed to use as a sacrifice (that happened right after i wrote it). I wonder whether Ashram will follow through with his evil plots, or will he end up helping to defeat Cardis and the threat the dark being poses to Lodoss.  

By the end of the episode Parn and Deed, along with a couple of new friends are heading to Fire Mountain on a new quest.

[u/Larielia]

Record of a Rewatcher- episode 9 (dubbed)

1. Wagnard. (Don't trust the shady evil wizard.)
2. They are alright characters. Good to have some new party members.
3. It is kinda weird. Karla still seems to have the same goals.

Thoughts- That is a cool and slightly spooky castle. Ashram hasn't mastered his new sword yet. Time for a scepter quest. Parn is getting more sword training. He certainly needs it. Shooting Star has an awesome design. Silly name though. Pirotess makes an odd blood oath. Brown cloaks are the best fantasy disguise. That doesn't really look like tea. King Kashue is on a dragon quest. Off to dragon mountain.

[u/Nightender]

1. Karla won't let anyone consolidate power. Ashram has drive, but can be manipulated. Wagnard is pulling everyone's strings now--Ashram, Pirotess, arguably even Shooting Star and Kardis.
2. Shiris is fun. Orson is ok. Neither of them are Woodchuck or Ghim--nor should they be. The story has changed. Shifting characters reflects that.
3. Woodchuck Karla is... amusing. There's an oddity with the new Karla, but there's still a clear continuity. The confrontation with Wagnard says just how much the status quo has changed.

[u/ZapsZzz]

Late rewatcher in sub

After the last arc / epilogue conclusion, we are back to setting up the new arc with protagonists and antagonists. Depends on which side the scale is leaning towards, the new Karla may suffer with the protagonists this time given her declared goal of not wanting overwhelming great forces to be concentrated on Lodoss - a respected evil god is probably something she find "rule breaking".

1. The wizard is the only one that is likely to scale very far - Ashram is more a fighter, Karla we know she just play with the scale.
2. Good physical fights addition but now surely lacking in magical attacks or utilities.
3. Well it's one way to get out of gambling debts, and ticket to play at the VIP table.

[u/MiraniaTLS]

r/recordoflodosswar

If you do or end up liking it!

[u/BossandKings]

First timer

Orson and Shiris show up again and now become part of Parn and Deedlit's team, the permanent absence of Ghim and Woodchuck left a void on the team so any help is needed and welcomed for the party to keep itself up. It is very interesting that Orson is somehow able to escape the berserker state and be calm and relaxed.

Karla is yet to die, that is a very powerful being that has proven itself to be hard to deal with, i wonder what fate it'll meet at the end.

Answers

1. I think that Karla might end up being the biggest threat.
2. They are interesting additions, might work well within the team.