LEGO is at the height of its popularity, so how can they attract even more people to the hobby? The answer lies in intersectionality.

By combining brick building and roleplaying, 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale offers an invitation to D&D fans who are curious about modern LEGO sets. In collaboration with Wizards of the Coast, LEGO has crafted a truly special set — let’s explore both the set itself, and how it comes to life through roleplaying through a unique narrative campaign.

LEGO has been used in Dungeons and Dragons campaigns for decades. This set is the first official marriage of the two hobbies.

About the set

21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale was released on the April 1, 2024. It’s based on a fan contribution through the LEGO IDEAS program. Many great ideas for a Dungeons & Dragons themed set were submitted, and The LEGO Group decided to make this fan-favorite into a set.

21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale comes with a whopping 3745 pieces, and a staggering $359.99/£314.99/€359.99 price tag, putting it at a price per piece of 9.6c/8.4p/9.6c. Despite the hefty price, this set does not hold back: including eleven great minifigures and amazing brick built scenary and monsters. The set itself is large, utilizing both parts and empty space to build volume, taking up a space of 15 inches (37cm) wide by 12 inches (30cm) deep and sporting a height of 19 inches (48cm).

The box captures the details within perfectly.

• LEGO Parts Count: 3745 parts
• LEGO Parts Weight: 2568 grams
• Price per part: $359.99 / 3745 parts = $0.096 per part
• Price per gram: $359.99 / 2568 grams = $0.140 per gram

21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale was released as both a LEGO set and a narrative experience, with LEGO partnering with Wizards of the Coast to build a narrative play experience. One that we will cover in this article. The set itself is split into three modules, each built in a modular fashion to allow you to separate and see details within. The instructions are beautifully detailed, covering details of the creatures within the set alongside detailed information for those new to Dungeons & Dragons. This set serves as a great entry point between two popular hobbies, allowing people to play campaigns in a brick built universe.

The instruction manual is beautifully ornate.

Campaign overview and prerequisites

While marketed as including a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, the set itself does not actually include a campaign. Instead, people who want to play the campaigh need to get a copy through the LEGO Insiders rewards program. Two versions of the campaign could be found in the rewards, a hard copy version that is now sold out (and sells on the aftermarket for $100 or more), or a free PDF downloadable copy. I opted for the latter of the two given that the contents are identical.

The campaign has been designed to be played both with or without Dungeons & Dragons rules. This allows people not familiar with the rules to run the adventure as a storytelling experience. Fifth edition core rulebooks are required to play with the full rules. The rulebooks contain descriptions of the creatures, spells and items that you will encounter in the adventure.

A downloadable copy of the campaign can be found on the LEGO website.

Should you wish to play the campaign but don’t have a copy of the set that is possible as well. Campaign designer Tessa Morecroft has put together adventure maps for this campaign allowing you to play through the campaign without even needing LEGO! Her maps are used as supplement to the set and capture the spirit of it perfectly, flushing out some of the cramped areas of the map to allow for more space. Her maps can be found on her reddit post here.

Tessa Morecroft’s downloadable campaign resources supplement this set well.

The Minifigures

While 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale is marketed as containing eleven minifigures, three of these are skeletons and two are Dreamling/Dreamzzz creatures, leaving us with six official minifigures. The first four are the heroes of the playable campaign: an Elf Wizard, a Dwarf Cleric, an Orc Rogue, and a Gnome Fighter. These characters represent a diverse range of fantasy races and come equipped with a variety of weapons, ensuring a unique play experience each time the campaign is run with different players. Each minifigure is distinct enough to be recognized at a glance, allowing their intricate details to stand out within the collection.

Four heroes are included in this set. Each unique and different in various ways.

The remaining two minifigures in this set represent non-playable characters in the campaign: Merry Rumwell and the Dragonborn Alax Jadescales. Both play significant roles in the story, with character designs that seamlessly align with their narrative importance. Even outside the campaign, these minifigures stand out as highly detailed and visually striking. The Merry Rumwell minifigure includes two interchangeable variants, allowing players to showcase the character’s more sinister side.

The non playable characters in the campaign have unique and beautiful printing.

All six minifigures feature exclusive prints, with every headpiece except for the Gnome Fighter and Elf Wizard being unique to this set. Each torso and leg piece boasts intricate, exclusive printing that enhances the detail of these figures. However, what truly stands out is the thoughtful approach to inclusivity through alternate minifigure heads. Traditional minifigures come with both male and female head variants, allowing players to customize their character’s gender to best match their role in the campaign. This small yet meaningful decision ensures that everyone can feel represented without being locked into a predefined character gender.

Brick-Built Monsters

What makes this set stand out the most are the myriad of monsters included in this set. Over 10 different kinds of creatures are included in this set, ranging from simple single molded creatures like spiders to intricately brick built monsters like the Red Dragon itself. While they all deserve praise in this set I have to pick and choose what stands out both from a narrative and LEGO building experience. Each of the monsters in 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale are iconic denizens in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, being quickly recognizable to fans of the game. Without spoiling the campaign I will briefly touch upon some of the monsters in this set, capturing the colors and shapes of each.

Mimic

Masters of deception, Mimics lurk in dungeons disguised as harmless objects, most famously a treasure chest waiting to ensnare the unwary. Their adhesive bodies and powerful bites make them deadly ambush predators, blending seamlessly into their surroundings until it’s too late. Although small, the Mimics are packed with small details, from printed 192Reddish Brown plates for the eyes to a 23Bright BlueBlue 1×1 Tooth, Horizontal (Part 49668) for a tongue. Details don’t always need to be big!

The Mimic is small but detailed.

Skeleton

Rattling with eerie persistence, skeletons are mindless undead warriors reanimated by dark magic. Though lacking in cunning, their tireless endurance and unwavering obedience make them dangerous foes in numbers. This set includes three skeletons, each adorning various magical trinkets that can be claimed by adventurers to enhance their powers on their adventures. The skeletons in this set are built using the traditional 1White skeleton pieces we have seen fill sets over the last few decades.

Three Skeletons are included, each adorning various accessories.

Gelatinous Cube

Silent and relentless, the gelatinous cube glides through dungeon halls, consuming everything in its path. Nearly invisible until the light catches its quivering surface, this oozing predator traps and dissolves unsuspecting adventurers in its acidic embrace. The LEGO variant of the Gelatinous Cube is built as a four by four cube using 42Transparent Light BlueTrans-Light Blue pieces to capture the creatures’ reflective sheen. Within this monsters’ body are the remains of other adventurers that crossed paths with this creature. The use of transparent pieces helps create the suspended look of the items caught within the Gelatinous Cube’s body.

The Gelatinous Cube’s transparent colors give it a shiny sheen.

Owlbear

A terrifying fusion of owl and bear, the Owlbear is a relentless predator known for its brute strength and razor-sharp instincts. Ferociously territorial and difficult to evade to evade, it hunts with a mix of keen senses, crushing beak, and devastating claws. In LEGO form the Owlbear is built using ball and socket joint connections to allow its appendages to be posed in whatever way you would like. By allowing its head to be posed it helps the creature have various expressions, whether this be curiosity or anger. The Owlbear is built using many small pieces to capture the details effectively, using both regular and side construction through use of SNOT (Studs Not On Top) to create volume and shape that can be appreciated from all angles.

The OwlBear captures the best features of an Owl and a Bear, apt for its name.

Beholder

A true icon of Dungeons & Dragons, the Beholder is a floating nightmare of paranoia and power, its many eyes brimming with reality-warping magic. Each eye stalk fires a different deadly ray, making it one of the most feared and unpredictable foes in the game’s history. To face a Beholder is to stare into the abyss—and have it stare back with lethal intent. This sense of fear is elusiveness is captured perfectly in LEGO form through its vibrant colors, shapes and printed pieces. Before even seeing the amazing detailing accomplished through bricks the first thing that meets your gaze are the amazing printed eyes. With one large eye in the center and ten smaller eyes, one at the end of each stalk.

The walks and the upper half of the Beholder’s head is built using a beautiful 324Medium Lavender color. The bulk of the Beholder is built using SNOT construction to allow for a smooth surface in all directions. The eye stalks are built using 1×1 90° Elbow, 2-Axle Holes (Part 25214). To help allow the eyes themselves to be positioned at more adjacent angles the designers use 1×1 Round Plate w/ 45° Bar, Bottom (Part 65578). These two parts when combined allow the eyes to be positioned at various angles to create unnverving irregularity. My favorite part usage is seen through the use of 1×4 Hinge Plate (Part 1927). The lower jaw of the Beholder is connected to the rest of the head using this hinge allowing its mouth to sit open at a unsettling grimace.

The colors and shapes of the Beholder are menacingly portrayed in LEGO form.

Displacer Beast

A sleek and deadly predator, the Displacer Beast uses its innate ability to bend light, making it appear several feet from its true location. With six powerful legs and whip-like tentacles, this elusive feline strikes with precision, frustrating foes who struggle to land a true hit. Built with a predominantly 26Black and 140Earth BlueDark Blue color palette the Displacer Beast is rather simply built. When compared to the other creatures in this build the monster feels fragile, with its appendages difficult to pose due to the fragility. Instead of using ball joints for posability, we instead see bar and clip joints used, which is not a negative, instead only highlighting the variability of building techniques for the creatures in this set.

The Displacer Beasts’ snakelike appendages are unnerving.

Treant

Having lived for many centuries, treants use unbridled magical abilities to protect the forests in which they dwell. Though they are typically slow to anger, they will defend their domains using powerful limbs to strike down invaders. Their connection to nature allows them to communicate with plants and animals, and they have a deep respect for the natural order, making them both wise allies and formidable opponents. The treant’s appendages are built in 26Black and utilize various horn, tube, tail and trunk pieces to creature the various shapes and sizes. The facial details of the Treant is achieved through the use of a printed piece, capturing the friendly demeanor of this protective monster.

The color of the Treant makes it fit the color palette of traditional LEGO forestmen.

Cinderhowl the Red Dragon

The spotlight monster in this set is Cinderhowl the Red Dragon. Red Dragon’s are a fearsome force of nature; ancient, cunning, and brimming with destructive power. Known for its mastery of fire and arcane magic, it is one of the most intelligent and dangerous creatures in existence, with its fiery breath and domineering presence making it a nearly insurmountable foe for any adventuring party. The designers did not hold back when building what is the most detailed dragon I have ever seen in LEGO form, more impressive than many custom creations I have seen.

The 21Bright RedRed color dominating this build catches your eye immediately, which when combined with other shades through 154Dark Red, 106Bright OrangeOrange and 5Brick YellowTan create gradual color gradients. The Red Dragon is built using the most pieces of any monster in this set, using more pieces than some of the structural builds in this set. This is immediately noticable in its dense and heavy build, with the dragon weighing in at a whopping 348 grams (12.28 oz). All of these pieces are used to build beautiful details on the Red Dragon using SNOT building techniques to allow for a smooth texture along the side of the Dragon, not only allowing it to be aesthetically pleasing as a build but also packed with varying shapes and sizes.

The Red Dragon is a meaty dense build.

LEGO has never shied away from using small, creative parts for intricate detailing, and the Red Dragon is no exception. Built with SNOT construction, its head is one of the most impressive builds of the set, shaped entirely with bricks aside from two printed plates for the eyes. Angled plates and sloped tiles create a natural, streamlined look, a design motif present throughout the build. Two Wing w/ Bar (Part 15082) pieces sit at the base of the head, adding unique texture and shaping. The ridges running from the upper eyelid to the horns are a highlight, with the lighter 5Brick YellowTan contrasting against the dominant 21Bright RedRed, and their rounded form providing a striking visual break from the sleek edges below. A combination of Barb, Small (Part 53451) and Broom Bristles (Part 90826) helps taper the head into an elegant, natural curve. The lower jaw, while visually impressive, is somewhat fragile due to its single-pin connection, making it prone to detachment if not secured properly.

Its layered teeth and 42Bright Reddish VioletMagenta interior add realism, mimicking the fleshy tissue of a real creature’s mouth. What makes the lower jaw stand out for me is the layering between the teeth and the lip. The curves against the jagged teeth contrasting beautifully. The final touch is a dramatic burst of flame, built using 41Transparent RedTrans-Red and 44Transparent YellowTrans-Yellow, extending from the throat past the lips to complete the Dragon’s fearsome look.

The Red Dragon’s head is packed with details.

One of the standout features of the Red Dragon is its impressive articulation, allowing for dynamic posing and expressive body language. Nearly every part of the build incorporates movement, giving the model a remarkable range of motion. The head and neck boast four points of articulation: a hinged jaw for opening and closing, along with three ball joints at the base, middle, and top of the neck, allowing for a natural, lifelike curve. The tail, featuring the most connection points, is designed with eight ball-and-socket joints, enabling smooth yet dramatic curvature.

While these joints provide nearly 360 degrees of motion, the detailed brick-built structure adds realistic limitations, mirroring how real-world joints function. Each of the dragon’s four legs includes two points of articulation: a ball joint at the hip for circular rotation and a sturdy click hinge at the knee for secure, adjustable positioning. Though the recessed hip joint has a slightly reduced range compared to other ball joints, it still allows for natural movement. One of the most striking aspects of the build is the wing articulation. A robust joint, using two Click Joint, 2-Pins (Part 47455), supports the weight of the wings while providing a flapping range of motion. The forewing, constructed with Technic elements for rigidity, is paired with a thin, papery fabric membrane. This lightweight material allows light to shine through, subtly illuminating the forewing joints and adding to the dragon’s mystical appearance.

The Red Dragon is packed with articulation points.

Overall, the Red Dragon is a beautifully engineered model, blending intricate detailing with exceptional articulation, making it easy to pose in a wide variety of dynamic and lifelike stances.

Enhancing your gameplay experience with D&D Collectible Minifigures

We saw the release of 12 Dungeons & Dragons based minifigures on September 1, 2024. This line contains a plethora of different heroes and villains, spanning 12 races. These minifigures are a great way to supplement your Dungeons & Dragons experience and can be used to supplement the minifigures included in 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale. The blind bag nature of the Collectible Minifigures can also add an element of random character generation, should you wish to spice up your play experience across different groups. While these minifigures are no longer available on shelves due to the short shelf life of Collectible Minifigures, they are not too expensive on the aftermarket. As with the minifigures in 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale, each of these minifigures include a gender swapped head to allow for a diverse play experience.

A large number of supplementary CMF heroes can spice up your playthrough.

While the heroes in the Collectible Minifigures line are spectacular, it is the villains that sell this line. Each villain is based of a real Dungeons & Dragons and can be used to play out these campaigns in LEGO form. The new molded pieces across both the heroes and the villains only serve to highlight the attention to detail the designers have put into these minifigures.

The CMF villains available are varied.

Embarking on an adventure – Red Dragon’s Tale

To provide the best understanding of this set’s narrative, I’ve chosen to present it through a stylized storytelling perspective. This article follows the campaign crafted by Adventure Designer Christopher Perkins of Wizards of the Coast, created as part of a collaboration for Dungeons & Dragons. The write-up will recount the journey through this adventure, based on my own experience alongside peers—all of us newcomers to the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Like any campaign, the story can unfold in countless ways, this write-up reflects my personal experience. Be advised, this story contains spoilers. If you plan to experience the campaign yourself, you may want to skip this section and jump to the conclusion.

To help enhance the campaign a bunch of parts not included in the set were used. These include various transparent pieces to pose minifigures in action shots and various energy effect pieces in different colors. I wish they had included a number of these in this set as it would have greatly enhanced the experience. If you plan to play the campaign and have these pieces readily available I encourage you add them to your playthrough.

Our Heroes on this adventure

Four brave heroes, wary and tired after their many adventures make their way to a small waterside inn on their way back home from a failed attempt at adventure. Unbeknownst to them, the real adventure is only about to begin.

• Dwarf Cleric: Thalgrim Ironmantle – A devoted healer and protector, Thalgrim wields his faith like a shield and his hammer like a beacon of hope for his allies. His unyielding sense of duty is matched only by his love of strong ale and ancient hymns.
• Elf Wizard: Sylvarius Everglow – Wise and enigmatic, Sylvarius commands the arcane forces with a grace born of centuries of study. His piercing gaze seems to unravel secrets and as she is always one step ahead.
• Gnome Fighter: Fizzwick Gearblade – Small in stature but huge in courage, Fizzwick fights with ingenuity and an unrelenting spirit, always ready with a clever plan—or a reckless charge.
• Orc Rogue: Vragha Shadowfang – Lurking in the shadows, Vragha strikes with deadly precision, her past a mystery she keeps well-hidden. She thrives on outsmarting her foes, savoring the thrill of the hunt.

Red Dragon’s Tale

Scene 1: Inn Plain Sight

After a long day of travel, our heroes, Thalgrim Ironmantle, Sylvarius Everglow, Fizzwick Gearblade and Vragha Shadowfang arrived at an inn built into the remains of a crumbling stone tower. With rest on their minds, they all agreed that this would be a good place to rest for the day, allowing them to pick up strength as they continue upon their adventure.

Walking along the docks, the party passed a haphazard stack of last week’s delivery crates. The crates’ smooth 312Medium NougatMedium Dark Flesh surface contrasting with the jagged patchwork of 199Dark Stone GreyDark Bluish Gray and 194Medium Stone GreyLight Bluish Gray bricks lining the chimney. The inn itself seemed to hum with an unspoken charm, its worn 268Medium LilacDark Purple tiles clung stubbornly to the peaked roof; their faded color still vibrant beside the 23Bright BlueBlue underlayment. The half-timbered 192Reddish Brown beams wove into the tan plastered walls like an old tapestry, rich with history and warmth. Despite the quiet air about the place, thin pillars of smoke curled from the chimney, proof that someone was inside. There was no need to linger. Whatever awaited them within, it was surely better than the chill seeping in from the docks.

The bright contrasting colors of the Inn make this a stunning structure.

As the party approached the inn’s front door, the wooden sign above it creaked on 297Warm GoldPearl Gold dragon faced post, its painted eye swaying in the wind, and yet somehow, it seemed to fix its gaze directly on them. Sylvarius shivered, her arcane senses flaring as a faint pulse of magic rippled from the sign, vanishing as quickly as it had come. She shook her head, blaming her tired mind for playing tricks on her. The scent of sizzling hot wings drifted out as the door swung open, drawing an eager growl from Thalgrim’s stomach. It had been too long since their last proper meal. Rumors claimed that Alex Jadescales, the inn’s owner, cooked them fresh to order. Inside, the inn’s small space was warm and inviting, its shelves lined with provisions and comforts suited for weary travelers. Instruments and weapons lay racked against the wall, and mugs of ale rested patiently on the barreled tables, yet no voices stirred the air. The inn was quiet, unsettlingly so.

The door to the backroom burst open without warning, and the innkeeper emerged, his dark wild hair highlighting his eccentric nature. He waved his hands urgently to catch Fizzwick’s attention, who had just stepped through the door. “I’m afraid you’ve come at a bad time! We’re closed for renovations,” he declared, his tone apologetic yet oddly cheerful. “But! I’d be more than happy to whip up some hot wings for you to take on your journey.”

Although a little cramped, the bar is cozy and packed with details.

To nobody’s protest, the innkeeper set to work, filling the air with the rich aroma of sizzling wings. As he cooked, he introduced himself as Merry Rumwell, the new proprietor of Inn Plain Sight, having purchased the inn from Alex Jadescales, now retired. While there was no reason to question, something about his story didn’t sit right. The inn showed no signs of construction or renovation, no tools, no displaced furniture and no dust from recent work. Everything was neat, tidy, and unsettlingly perfect. Vragha’s instincts prickled. Something about Merry’s demeanor and the pristine inn felt wrong. While the rest of the party filled their empty bellies and Merry’s focus remained on his cooking, Vragha quietly slipping away unnoticed into the shadows.

Slipping behind the bar, Vragha’s keen eyes scanned the cluttered space for anything out of the ordinary. Amidst the array of dusty 21Bright RedRed hot sauce bottles and beer kegs, her attention snagged on a cluster of notices tacked to the wall. One, written in hasty script, announced the search for a peculiar lost pet: “Missing cat. Large with black fur and tentacles. Answers to Pouncy. Loves milk. Please contact Alax Jadescales if found.” Above it, a scrap of paper caught her eye—a crude sketch of a red dragon’s face emblazoned with the ominous caption: “Symbol of the Cult of the Dragon.” To the right, an “Adventurers of the Month” plaque displayed a rough illustration of a group labeled “The Hard Way,” accompanied by the triumphant claim: “Plundered the lair of the dragon Cinderhowl and returned alive!” Vragha’s lips curled into a faint smirk; Merry Rumwell, shrouded in mystery, seemed to attract as much intrigue as he did peculiar clientele. There was more to this inn than met the eye.

The stickered board behind the bar is packed with Easter eggs for the set.

“Looking for something?” came Merry’s voice, sharp yet polite, masking his displeasure at Vragha’s snooping. Vragha, shrugged nonchalantly. “Just curious,” she replied, her voice smooth and measured, something felt fishy, she didn’t trust this sinister man and his inn. Merry’s expression flickered, betraying his displeasure. He stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate, as if trying to mask his irritation. “Curiosity is a dangerous trait,” he remarked, his tone shifting. Then, almost as if a thought had suddenly occurred to him, his face lit up with mock hospitality. “But you’ve had a long journey, haven’t you? Of course, you’ll need proper rest.” He gestured grandly toward the stairs. “I just remembered, we do, in fact, have a room available—the bedroom on the second floor. It’s quite comfortable, I assure you” That is all the party needed to hear as they made their way up the stairs to the upper floor.

Thalgrim’s heavy boots creaked against the 192Reddish Brown wooden floorboards as the party stepped into the dimly lit bedroom of the inn. The air was thick with a musty smell, and a flickering lantern cast long, dancing shadows across the walls. Sylvarius was the first to notice the ornate trunk near the foot of the bed, pointing it out to the rest of the party. Fizzwick, ever eager to explore, scampered over and poked the trunk with the hilt of his shortsword. That was when chaos erupted. The trunk sprouted jagged 1White teeth and a gnarled tongue, snapping at Fizzwick with alarming speed. The bed heaved grotesquely as its frame twisted into a monstrous shape, its sheets curling like tendrils.

“Bloody mimics!” Thalgrim bellowed, raising his warhammer. Vragha darted into the shadows, already sizing up the creatures for weak points. But it soon became apparent that the mimics’ snarls lacked true ferocity—they snapped at the adventurers sluggishly, as if moving was a chore. “They’re… lazy,” Sylvarius observed, her voice tinged with disbelief. The party’s weapons held the mimics at bay, but the creatures’ snarls shifted to pitiful groans as their bloated forms quivered with hunger.

The upper level is too packed to be filled with action so you will need to be creative.

Fizzwick, always thinking on his feet, fished his leftover hot wings from his satchel that he had saved for later and tossed it toward the trunk and bed. The mimics snapped it up greedily, their hostility melting into a strange, almost grateful expression. Within moments, the once-ferocious monsters lay still, contentedly chewing.

The mimics, now docile, blinked their unnerving eyes and croaked in unison, “What… do you want to know?” Vragha stepped forward, her gaze sharp and calculating. “Tell me about the Hard Way,” she demanded, recalling the curious details she read on the noticeboard earlier. The chest mimic answered at once. “Adventurers,” one said. “A group called the Hard Way… they were here not long ago. That barkeep, Merry, hired ’em… somethin’ about findin’ a dragon egg.” The second mimic shifted uneasily recalling this detail. “Don’t know nothin’ else,” it added. Vragha’s sharp smile widened; loose threads were starting to weave a pattern, a missing tentacled cat, a dragon cult’s symbol, and now adventurers chasing after a dragon egg. Something dangerous was stirring, and the Hard Way had walked straight into its jaws.

Upon hearing this, the party rushed down the stairs to the first floor. Without hesitation, Sylvarius flicked her wrist, sending a trio of glowing missiles streaking through the air. The bolts of force shot past the now overturned barrel and scattered tankards, but they struck only empty space. They were too late as they caught a final glimpse of Merry, hands raised in the final gesture of a spell. With a flicker of green arcane energy, he vanished through a Dimension Door, nowhere to be found. Admist the party’s frustration Fizzwick couldn’t help but chuckle as he announced “I guess we will have an adventure after all!”.

Action elements not included in this set help bring the campaign to life.

Scene 2: The Meadow

The party hurried from the inn, Sylvarius using her magical abilities to sense the faint trace of Merry’s spell. The air was getting colder as day started turning into evening, with the scent of damp earth clinging to the salty ocean tinted breeze. Beside them, the remains of the 194Medium Stone GreyLight Bluish Gray pillars and arches supporting the stone tower bridge stood wrapped in 326Spring Yellowish GreenYellowish Green spiky ivy, its jagged stones barely visible beneath the growth.

The ruins overlooking the meadow is beautiful and peaceful at first glance.

Resting beneath the tower stretched a wild 37Bright Green and 28Dark GreenGreen meadow. An enormous yet ancient tree nestled at its edge. 42Bright Reddish VioletMagenta mushrooms clustered beneath the stone bridge marked with a worn dragon’s face, a symbol Vragha recognized at once.

“Cult of the Dragon” she muttered, narrowing her eyes. Her hand instinctively drifted toward her belt, fingers brushing the hilt of her dagger.

Thalgrim grunted, tightening his grip on his Warhammer. “A bad one.”, remembering the commotion of the mimic parlay and the learnings the party had gained from the information Vragha shared mere moments earlier.

A low growl cut the air. The party froze as an owlbear prowled nearby, its shaggy form moving low through the grass. The beast’s sharp eyes locked on three large 26Black spiders scrambling frantically through the tangled field. With brutal speed, the owlbear lunged, seizing one spider in its powerful beak and thrashing it violently.

Every creature in this campaign is unique yet menacing. Captured perfectly in brick form.

“Let’s lay low and not get involved” Fizzwick whispered, already moving to lay low in the grass.

The remaining spiders bolted, but the beast crushed them in turn before dragging its meal to the trees. The owlbear’s satisfied grunts faded as it climbed to the top of the bridge, slumped against the stone and drifted into a deep sleep. Proving that Fizzwick’s knowledge of husbandry had once again spared the party escalated conflict with the unknown fauna around them.

The party crept past the bloodied earth, keeping their steps light and their breath steady. Once they were clear, Thalgrim knelt and sifted through the trampled grass. His fingers brushed cold metal, a 297Warm GoldPearl Gold key, its intricate symbol glinting faintly in the late afternoon light.

In Dungeons and Dragons you need to keep your eyes peeled for hidden secrets in the environment.

“Seems Merry’s been careless,” Thalgrim muttered, turning the key over in his palm. “Careless or desperate,” Sylvarius said, brushing back a stray lock of her brown hair. “Either way, we follow his trail.”

They pressed on, but Fizzwick’s pace began to slow. He paused, eyeing a broad tree ahead. “We should rest a moment,” he said, stretching his tired legs.

The others agreed, but as they neared the tree, a sudden burst of wings erupted from its branches. Birds scattered into the sky, and the tree’s 26Black limbs twisted and groaned. Bark split, forming a wooden face with deep-set eyes and a wide, creaking smile.

“Ah, travelers,” the tree rumbled in a voice like wind curling through dry leaves. It began to share stories, its speech was slow and winding. It spoke of seasons, storms, and squirrels. It spoke fondly of birds but grumbled about woodpeckers and “the sorcerer who lives in the tower.”

“The sorcerer?” Thalgrim asked, raising an eyebrow. “What can you tell us about him?” The tree chuckled, a dry, rustling sound. “Only those who listen well will learn what they need,” it mused.

Sylvarius leaned forward, a playful smile curling at the corner of his lips. “If we play your game, will you help us find him?” he asked smoothly.

The Treant’s color scheme fits in with the colors of classic Forestmen.

The tree’s wooden face twisted into a thoughtful frown, then slowly nodded. “Before I help you, answer me this,” it intoned, its voice like the groaning of ancient boughs. “I have no mouth, yet I can speak. I have no ears, yet I can hear. I can bring you knowledge, but I can also bring you fear. What am I?”

Sylvarius tapped her chin as she thought, ensuring to not rush to a conclusion. After pondering she smirked as the answer came to her. “A book.”

The tree’s eyes crinkled with delight. “Indeed, clever one. You listen well.”

Pleased, the tree shifted its roots, dragging a heavy stone aside to reveal a narrow door set into the earth. The faint glow of its handle matched the symbol etched on the 297Warm GoldPearl Gold key they found earlier.

Even an unassuming wall can be filled with secrets using built in play features.

“Lucky find,” Thalgrim muttered, spinning the key between his fingers.

“Or fate,” Sylvarius replied, stepping forward with a confident smile.

Scene 3: The Dungeon

The air thickened as the party stepped into the dungeon. The stuffy air reeked of death, as if the fresh breeze of outside air had not touched this space in quite some time. A flickering torch hung on the walls, its light dancing across damp stone walls, illuminating a skeleton slumped against one side. Its skull was missing, but one bony hand clutched a scimitar with a fine 315 Silver MetallicFlat Silver sheen.

Thalgrim knelt beside the skeleton, fingers tracing the scimitar’s hilt. “Poor soul didn’t go down empty-handed.” He recited a clerical prayer for the skeleton, freeing its soul to pass into the realms beyond.

Fizzwick tapped Thalgrim’s shoulder. “Might want to leave that be. We’ve got company.” He said hurriedly, his eyes darting at the moving shapes nearing the party.

Three glistening 26Black puddles slithered across the floor, dragging oily trails of slime. Not far behind them, objects seemed to float in midair: a glowing 44Transparent YellowTrans-Yellow gemstone, a skull, and a silvered frying pan. The faint outline of a 42Transparent Light BlueTrans-Light Blue gelatinous mass shimmered around those objects, barely visible in the dim light as a smaller cube followed close behind.

The lower levels do not have much access to light, making the details within hard to see in the darkness.

The 26Black puddings advanced, their tar-like forms shifting and dividing. Thalgrim swung his hammer, Fizzwick his shortsword, but the creatures merely quivered and reformed. They both cursed as the party came to the realization that these creatures were impervious to their weapons. Taking quick step back, the party moved back towards the entrance of the dungeon, whose door was now sealed firmly shut, pinning them in a corner. The black puddings moved closer then stopped suddenly, recoiling at the sight of the flickering flame of the torch on the wall. “Fire keeps them back,” Thalgrim barked. “Stay close!”

Quickly realizing she was the only one who wielded a non-physical form of attack, Sylvarius conjured a flickering flame in her palm and swept it toward the puddings. They twisted and recoiled as their flesh slowly dissolved as the flames engulfed them entirely.

Without hesitation Vragha moved quickly, drawing a bottle of hard spirit from her pack that she had stolen from the inn earlier. With a flick of her wrist, flammable liquid splashed across the floor around the larger of the two Gelatinous cubes. Grabbing the torch off the wall she threw it towards the enemy, the torch’s flame catching the flammable liquid, igniting a line of fire that forced the cube to recoil and begin its retreat. Amongst the chaos, the ever-nimble Fizzwick darted towards the Gelatinous cube forcing it to step into the flames, meeting the same fiery fate that the black puddings did. The smaller cube, confused, quivered as it made its escape, sliding between the cracks of the dungeon walls to escape the carnage.

You will need to raid your parts bin for extra pieces to help accentuate your campaign.

“That was more hectic than it had to be,” Sylvarius said amongst her tired pants as she paused to catch her breath. “I think that is all of them, we should be safe to explore the dungeon better now”.

The dungeon, now empty of threats that could put the party in danger was filled with loot. Gathering the scattered items, Sylvarius picked up a dusty old tome tucked into the corner of the room. Tucked inside the book was a spell scroll that allowed her to learn how to speak with the dead, something she immediately felt might come of use given there were skeletons everywhere. Resting on the floor, Thalgrim picked up a 309Metalized SilverSilver censer, giving it an experimental swing that left the air fragrant with incense, giving the previously musty space a warm a refreshing scent. Although the room was full of treasures, the party had to be conscious of what they were carrying, knowing that everything they picked up would add weight, prioritizing only items that were useful or small.

Various accessories can be used to upgrade the heroes.

Near the entrance of the dungeon, a faint voice drifted from a cell above. The party hurried to the rusted door. The door sat at the top of an old and rickety ladder. “Only one of us can go up to investigate, and given the state of that ladder we may only have once chance” said Vragha quickly, as the party discussed who would be best versed to attempt to open the door. Thalgrim volunteered without hesitation, brandishing his warhammer. Carefully climbing up he made his way to the door. To his surprise, despite locked and its hinges rusted through, the door stood no chance against the mighty blows of his warhammer. Splintering the wood and iron in a thunderous crash.

Inside, a tired but determined-looking dragonborn staggered forward. He looked tired and hungry, his 28Dark GreenGreen scales glimmering in the light of a wall torch. “Alax Jadescales as your service” he gasped, clutching Thalgrim’s arm. “You’ve no idea how glad I am to see you all” he said, as a smile crept upon his face.

Custom molded heads for Dragon minifigures were first released in 2021 through the unsuccessful Bandmates wave.

With Thalgrim supporting him, Alax limped back to the base of the ladder where the rest of the party waited. As he steadied himself, Thalgrim wasted no time recounting their journey, recalling the mimic ambush, Merry’s deception, and the strange clues that led them here. Alax listened closely, his face growing grim.

“I know all too well what you’re up against,” Alax said at last. “Merry Rumwell isn’t who he claims to be. He’s Ervan Soulfallen, a dangerous sorcerer. He’s hidden a dragon egg in the tower, and it’s going to hatch soon.”

“Ervan’s a killer,” Alax added darkly. “He murdered the last group that tried to stop him. The Hard Way… If you plan to find him you will need to be careful.”

The party thanked Alax for his advice and shared some of their provisions with him, advising him to return to his inn to recover from his imprisonment. Alax hesitated, then nodded. Alax turned back toward the dungeon’s exit, and the party pressed on as they made their separate ways. The party made their way toward a shadowed door. Beyond it, the basement of the tower waited, and with it, Ervan’s dark plans.

While this set is modular, the basement is not, making it difficult to pose figures within.

Scene 4: The Basement

The 192Reddish Brown door from the dungeon to the basement groaned on its hinges as the party heaved it open. A blur of 315 Silver MetallicFlat Silver steel flashed from above, too fast for anyone to react. The axe blade struck Sylvarius hard in the shoulder, piercing through her robes. The elf gasped, her legs buckling beneath her as crimson spread across the fabric. The party were careless, missing the axe trap sitting on the other side of the door.

Every door, corner or chest can be filled with traps. LEGO captures the essence of traps well through play features.

Quick on his feet Thalgrim rushed to Sylvarius and pressed his hands over the wound to stop the flow of blood. “Hold still”, he said as his voice dropped to a low prayer using his holy symbol to aid him with his healing. A soft glow radiated from his fingertips. Flesh knitted together beneath the warmth of divine magic, and Sylvarius exhaled a shaky breath. Vragha tore a strip from her 140Earth BlueDark Blue cloak and secured it over the wound serving as a bandage but they had no time to rest.

At the base of the tower’s spiraling staircase, candlelight flickered across scattered, casting shadows across the moving shapes. Three skeletal figures clad in tattered armor turned their empty gazes toward the intruders, their rusted weapons clutched in bony hands. Floating above them, a 325Lavender monstrous sphere drifted ominously, its jagged teeth baring beneath a single unblinking eye, with ten smaller eyes twitching on stalks above it.

“A beholder,” Fizzwick whispered, his voice tight with dread. “Its gaze can nullify our magic.”

The creature snarled but didn’t advance. It seemed wary, its central eye sweeping over the room. Quick witted and with a flick of her fingers, Sylvarius called forth a spell of dispelling, her arcane words weaving through the air. The beholder’s many eyes flared, and in a blink its form twisted and shrank, revealing a sleek, 26Black panther-like beast with writhing tentacles on its back.

The Beholder is immediately recognizable. An iconic Dungeons and Dragons monster.

“Pouncy!” Vragha exclaimed, stepping forward. The displacer beast’s glowing eyes narrowed; muscles tensed to spring. Vragha slowly knelt, murmuring softly, recalling the notice from the tavern. The beast’s hackles relaxed, and it chuffed with recognition. At her urging, Pouncy turned and slinked away, retreating from the tower to find Alax.

Those with a keen eye will remember Pouncy on the noticeboard at the Inn. Being attentive can help you on your campaigns.

The skeletons, however, showed no such restraint. They clattered forward, blades swinging. Fizzwick deflected a strike with his shield, then lunged low, scattering bones with a swift counter. Thalgrim crushed a second skeleton with his warhammer, shattering ribs and skull alike. The third skeleton disappeared before their eyes, a flash of movement revealing it had donned a ring of invisibility.

A blur of steel lashed out, and Fizzwick staggered back, barely saved by his armor’s solid plating. The faint sound of rattling bones betrayed the attacker’s position, and Vragha struck with ruthless precision, her blade slicing through unseen ribs and ending the threat.

Skeletons are always a great filler minifigure, but in my opinion should not count towards the total minifigure count in a set.

As the party looked at their fallen foes, they felt now was the best time for a breather, Sylvarius still wincing from her earlier wounds. Amongst the bodies of their fallen foes was a myriad of treasures, many of which they realized would aid them in their inevitable fight against Ervan. Sylvarius claimed a shimmering robe from the skeletal remains of one of the fallen skeletons, its fabric glowing with dazzling hues. The elf draped it over her shoulders, feeling its magic stir to life. Vragha slid the ring of invisibility onto her finger, smirking faintly as the shadows seemed to draw closer around her allowing her to hide from sight. This ring did not come without drawback however, as Vragha felt it eating against her willpower, forcing her to quickly take it off to not succumb to its influence.

Taking a few moments to catch their breath, the party knew they had to continue onwards as time was of the essence. As the party approached the staircase to proceed on with the journey, a patch of vivid 113Transparent Medium Reddish VioletTrans-Dark Pink plants swayed unnaturally behind it, catching the light of the candlelight. Their brilliant colors reminded Sylvarius of toxic flora she’d read about before. She eyed the tome nestled among the leaves but decided against risking contact, feeling she had seen too much action recently to risk another incursion. As the party got close to the stairs, the faint scent of bitter poison hung heavy in the air, highlighting that Sylvarius’ instincts had served them well.

The classic spiral staircase piece is paired with a brick built set of stairs with seamless transition.

Satisfied, they gathered themselves and begun ascending the winding staircase to the tower’s upper floors. Danger lay ahead, but they would face it together.

Scene 5: The Tower

The heroes emerged onto the first level of the tower, having climbed the ladders from the basement below. The chamber was dim, its only light coming from the cracks in the 194Medium Stone GreyLight Bluish Gray stone where moonlight filtered through. Against one wall stood a shrine, its surface smooth and ancient, backed by five intricately carved 297Warm GoldPearl Gold dragon heads. Resting atop the shrine’s altar sat a lustrous 119Bright Yellowish GreenLime orb, shimmering ominously in the gloom.

Fizzwick stepped forward into the room his eyes scanning the room for traps. But before he could speak, the floor beneath him gave way with a sudden snap. With a startled cry, he started to fall toward the darkness below.

Quick on her feet at always, Vragha lunged towards Fizzwick, her strong hand clamping around his wrist. Her boots slid against the dusty floor as she fought to keep her footing. Thalgrim rushed forward, gripping Fizzwick’s other arm. “Pull!” he barked, and with a combined effort, they hoisted the gnome back onto solid ground. Fizzwick panted, wide-eyed, brushing off his tunic. “Close call,” he muttered. “Think I’ll let someone else take lead for a bit.”

The trapdoor piece has been a LEGO staple since the 1990s and is always great to see in sets.

With their footing more carefully measured, the group turned their attention to the shrine. Sylvarius stepped forward, eyes narrowing at the 119Bright Yellowish GreenLime orb. “An Orb of Dragonkind,” she breathed. “A relic of immense power, containing the essence of an evil dragon.”

Thalgrim scowled. “That explains the carvings. Tiamat’s five heads… This place reeks of the Cult of the Dragon.”, remembering the visages he saw earlier on the side of the stone bridge outside.

Vragha, ever the kleptomaniac rubbed her chin. “So… can we take it?” As if in answer, the stone heads above the shrine shifted. With an eerie, mechanical grind, the dragon mouths lunged forward, snapping at the air in unison. The party leapt back instinctively, barely avoiding the razor-sharp stone teeth.

The group devised several methods to retrieve the orb, each met with failure. Sylvarius attempted to conjure a spectral hand, only to watch it dissipate as the stone jaws snapped shut. Vragha even tried baiting the jaws with a chunk of rations, hoping to trigger a pattern, but the mechanism seemed relentless. Exhausted and unwilling to risk injury or further energy, they finally conceded. Some things, they agreed, were better left alone.

Sometimes illegal connections need to be made to build a cool scene. For the spectral hand in the picture an actual minifigure hand was used.

Turning their backs on the shrine, they ascended a set of exterior stone-cut stairs that wound around the tower’s weathered structure. The cold night air bit at their skin as they climbed, until at last they reached a heavy wooden door. With a deep breath, Vragha pushed it open.

A lot of details built using SNOT have flat surfaces making it difficult to have a minifigure stand on it without risk of falling over.

Inside, a flickering glow illuminated the sorcerer’s workshop. Shelves of books lined the walls, and an assortment of arcane ingredients littered a worktable: a red candle, a cauldron, parchment scrolls, and a lit brazier made from a human skull.

Standing at the center of the room, hunched over open scrolls, was Merry Rumwell, or rather, the man they now knew as Ervan Soulfallen. He looked up, his eyes widening in shock. “Not you again! Go bother someone else!” Elvan hissed.

To keep parts usage low, a lot of details are packed into a small space which can be overwhelming.

In a blink, his form shimmered. The facade of the simple innkeeper melted away, replaced by the black robes of a sorcerer. His fingers snatched up a scroll from the table, and before anyone could react, he muttered an incantation and vanished from sight.

Fizzwick cursed. “Coward!”

Sylvarius strode forward, examining the scattered scrolls and ingredients. Nothing useful was left behind. Following the trace of magic in the air she quickly exclaimed “He’s heading to the top of the tower.”

Without wasting another second, they climbed. The final ascent was a precarious one, up the remains of a crumbling stairway that clung to the inner walls of the ruined tower. As they reached the top, they emerged onto the tower’s uppermost floor, or what little remained of it.

A dragon egg, large and 326Spring Yellowish GreenYellowish Green scaled, rested in the center of the space, encircled by flickering 48Transparent GreenTrans-Green flames of the candles.

The party approached, but before they could reach it, a sound from above made them freeze. A ladder clung to the wall, leading to the tower’s peak—a mere stone shelf where Ervan now stood, scroll in hand, robes whipping in the wind.

The set is very tall, but fortunately due to the modular nature can be split apart for ease of access.

His voice rang through the night. “That’s my egg!” With unnatural speed, he leapt from the ledge, plummeting toward the egg with outstretched hands to confront the intruders.

All of a sudden, a thunderous roar ripped through the sky, shaking the very stones of the tower as the air trembled with the fury of an approaching storm.

From the clouds, a massive shadow descended, 21Bright RedRed scales glinting in the firelight. Cinderhowl had arrived, her eyes blazing with fury as she locked onto her stolen egg and those who stood before it.

A battle was about to begin, and nothing matches the wrath and fury of an angry mother.

Scene 6: The Dragon

Cinderhowl’s crimson 21Bright RedRed scales shimmered in the firelight, illuminating the otherwise dark tower. Her eyes burned with seething rage as she hovered above the crumbling tower. The gust from her wings sent loose stones tumbling over the edge, and her voice, thick with fury, echoed across the battlefield.

Due to the size of the Red Dragon it is very difficult to pose in scenes, limiting its prowess.

“Thieves! You dare steal from me? You will burn for this!” she bellowed, her maw parting to reveal rows of gleaming 5Brick YellowTan fangs.

The party barely had time to brace themselves when they noticed the other figure quaking at the sight of the dragon. Ervan Soulfallen’s face twisted in fear, yet his fingers moved with urgency, unfurling the scroll in his grasp. His lips parted, ready to incant whatever escape magic he had left, but Thalgrim stepped forward, raising his arms.

“Hold, mighty Cinderhowl! We are no thieves!” he called, voice booming despite the wind. “The true thief stands before you!”

Cinderhowl’s eyes narrowed as she peered at the adventurers. “Lies! You stand over my egg, yet you claim innocence? Why should I not reduce you all to cinders?”

Vragha, always quick with her tongue, took a bold step forward. “If you were robbed, ask yourself, who among us cowers and who stands their ground?” She motioned toward Ervan, who was inching toward the egg, sweat pouring down his brow.

The dragon’s eyes flicked toward the sorcerer. Ervan, realizing he had lost the element of surprise, snarled and lashed out. With a flick of his wrist, 311Transparent Bright GreenTrans-Bright Green lightning arced toward Vragha, striking her, almost landing a mortal blow.

Action elements and energy effects are used to bring action scenes to life.

Fizzwick spoke quickly in light of the danger. “Oh, great and wise Cinderhowl, would a thief fight to return what was stolen? Or would he flee, leaving others to take the blame?”

Cinderhowl exhaled sharply, sending 182Transparent Bright OrangeTrans-Orange embers swirling. “You speak in riddles. You have caught my attention so I will entertain your pleas. But know this: If your words fail, your bones will blacken in my fire.”

Sylvarius, clutching her still wounded side, steadied herself. “Answer me this, Cinderhowl: What is taken before it is given, yet stolen only by the unworthy?”

The dragon growled low, her massive head tilting. “A treasure… claimed in deceit?”

“An oath,” Sylvarius whispered. “Ervan swore loyalty to you when he took your egg, did he not, yet here he stands ready to run with what you prize the most.”

Ervan let out an enraged cry and lunged for the egg, his spell scrolls clenched in his fist. With a shouted incantation, he turned his magic upon the dragon. A wave of 311Transparent Bright GreenTrans-Bright Green arcane energy crackled through the air as he cast a spell of Hold Monster.

Cinderhowl was no ordinary beast. With a shake of her mighty head, the spell shattered around her like glass. Her furious gaze locked onto Ervan, and in that moment, she knew the truth.
“You. You stole from me. You lied to me, deceived me with false words, and thought yourself clever enough to escape my wrath.” Her wings flared wide, blotting out the moon. “And you dare turn your magic against me?”

Ervan paled. He turned to run, but the adventurers blocked his path. Fizzwick’s sword clashed against Ervan’s hastily conjured magical shield as Sylvarius sent a wave of magical force, knocking the sorcerer off balance. Bloodied and desperate, Ervan let out a scream and hurled a bolt of fire toward the egg. “If I cannot have this, nobody shall”.

Cinderhowl reacted faster. The dragon egg, resilient beyond measure, remained untouched by fire, unbroken by falls, and impervious to nonmagical weapons. Even as flames engulfed it, the egg remained unharmed, its surface gleaming in the inferno like a jewel forged in the heart of a volcano.

With a single, blinding burst of flame, Cinderhowl unleashed her fury upon the treacherous sorcerer. The fire roared like an inferno, engulfing Ervan in an instant. His screams of agony were short-lived, swallowed by the searing heat that reduced him to nothing but ash. The dragon loomed over the scorched remains, her nostrils flaring as she exhaled a final breath of smoke, her wrath momentarily appeased.

The size of the Red Dragon is noticeable when next to a minifigure.

The adventurers, exhausted and injured, stepped back as Cinderhowl lowered her great head toward her egg. As she inspected it, a faint crack echoed through the ruined tower. The surface of the egg splintered, then burst open, revealing a tiny, 21Bright RedRed scaled dragon. The newborn let out a weak chirp, its bright eyes blinking up at its mother.

Cinderhowl’s fury melted away in an instant. Her fierce gaze softened, and she curled a protective wing around the hatchling, nudging it gently with her massive snout. The rage that had once threatened to consume everything was forgotten, replaced by an overwhelming sense of maternal instinct.

Unfortunately the baby Dragon is not included in this set, instead locked behind a Collectible Minifigure.

Without so much as a word of thanks, she gathered her newborn close, spreading her wings wide. With a powerful beat, she launched into the sky, stirring up a storm of dust and embers. Within moments, she was gone, vanishing into the night with her child safely in her grasp.

Silence settled over the ruined tower. The battle was over. Fizzwick winced as he clutched his arm. “Well… that went about as well as it could’ve.”

Sylvarius slumped against a stone. “We’re alive. That’s what matters.”

With effort, they gathered themselves, supporting the injured as they made their descent. The journey back to the inn was slow, but when they arrived, Alax was there to greet them, his eyes widening at their battered forms. “By the gods! You’re alive! And Ervan…?” Alax spoke in a hurried tone.

“Dead,” Vragha confirmed, with a satisfied sigh.

Each of the builds come together beautifully to bring the full experience to a close.

Alax clapped his hands together. “Then you’ve done us all a great service. Here is your reward.” He handed them each a small pouch of coins. “And know this—this inn is always open to you, free of charge.”

A warm meal, a soft bed, and the knowledge of a mission complete—the adventurers allowed themselves a rare moment of peace. As the fire crackled in the hearth, they leaned back, weary but victorious.

Tomorrow, they would journey on. But tonight, they would rest, content in the knowledge that, for once, the world was a little safer than before.

Conclusion

Whether the playable campaign or the building experience, 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale has a lot to offer. The $360 price is high but you do get a lot for your money, especially when compared to some of the other sets we have seen at this price point. This set is a great entrypoint into the Dungeons & Dragons hobby and a great example of creative ways that fans can play with their LEGO creations. You can also combine this set with the Collectible Minifigure line to expand storytelling opportunities even further. It’s a shame that the shelf life of Collectible Minifigures is so short, and the blind boxes are already sold out.

There is so much in this set that brings it to life. Jam packed with details.

The completed set is packed with exciting details, from its beautifully designed monsters to the varied building techniques in the castle structures, always a fan favorite. The minifigures are impressively detailed, and I thoroughly enjoyed building the set, playing through the campaign, and now displaying it alongside my other castles.

My biggest gripe with 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale isn’t with the set itself, but with the campaign materials. Locking the physical campaign book behind LEGO Insider Points led to predictable scalping on the secondary market, making it less accessible to fans. While the digital version is available for download, including a physical copy with the set would have been a better choice. Despite this, the set delivers an outstanding experience and earns a strong 4/5 (Excellent), just shy of perfection.