One of the reportedly canceled shows following up on “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” would have been set in an ideal location for an on-screen exploration of the franchise — and the series currently in development should retain that setting. The Dungeons & Dragons franchise has plenty of awe-inspiring and terrifying locations to explore. Players have spent decades adventuring through these settings, with “Honor Among Thieves’s” characters getting to visit some of them. The expansive Forgotten Realms, the massive city Neverwinter, the grim Evermoors Cemetery, and the snowy expanse of Icewind Dale made for memorable locations, providing plenty of action and comedy.
Some of these settings would have potentially been expanded upon in projects like the (now canceled) “Dungeons & Dragons” series. This is a shame, given the reported primary setting of the “Dungeons & Dragons” TV show. This location appeared in one of the best sequences from “Honor Among Thieves.” However, it deserves a greater showcase for all the complex and grim elements that make it so memorable. Full of dark potential, interesting characters, and dangerous threats, the suggested setting for the canceled series would be ideal for any further on-screen shows set in the fantasy world of Dungeons & Dragons.
Writer Derek Kolstad’s Dungeons & Dragons TV show would likely have explored the Underdark, which is still the ideal setting for a Dungeons & Dragons series. The Underdark is a popular setting for players to explore in the tabletop role-playing game. Housed beneath the primary worlds of the fantasy franchise, the Underdark is home to numerous races like the Drow, a variant race of dark underground-dwelling elves. The Underdark was even briefly featured in “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.” While questing alongside the Paladin Xenk to claim the Helm of Disjunction, the party ventured into the dangerous subterranean setting.
The party doesn’t spend much time there, though. Elements of the underground location are teased — including a massive community that could be the Drow city of Menzoberranzan — but the plot of the film takes the cast back to the surface. The canceled Dungeon & Dragons TV show was likely set in the Underdark, according to writer Derek Kolstad. Kolstad referenced the Underdark while discussing the series. It could have utilized concepts dropped from the film for various reasons. It’s possible the show would have focused on the Drow character, Drizzt Do’Urden, who was cut from the “Dungeons & Dragons” movie.
Although it’s only featured for a short period in “Honor Among Thieves,” the Underdark in the film is set up as an ideal location for future adventures. The setting is quickly established as a dangerous one in the film, flush with traps and monsters lurking around every corner. The film’s portrayal of Themberchaud the massive Red Dragon as a lumbering but still fearsome beast fits well into the movie’s overall portrayal of the Dungeons & Dragons universe. Although the Underdark could produce some situational laughs and featured the absurd sight of an obese dragon, it was still a deadly area.
In “Honor Among Thieves,” the cast barely escapes death throughout their adventure into the Underdark multiple times. The Underdark would make for an ideal location, giving the characters plenty of unique creatures to encounter and dangers to overcome. It’d also be a unique way to explore the parts of the fantasy canon that are visited less often, highlighting characters and concepts not usually seen on the surface of the setting. While the Drow Cities could provide some unique flavor to on-screen fantasy, threats like the Hook Holders and the iconic Beholders could stalk any characters that the show focuses on.
FAQ
What are some of the locations explored in “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”?
The series features several awe-inspiring and terrifying locations from the Dungeons & Dragons franchise, including the expansive Forgotten Realms, the massive city of Neverwinter, the grim Evermoors Cemetery, and the snowy expanse of Icewind Dale.
What is the Underdark in the Dungeons & Dragons universe?
The Underdark is a vast underground network of caverns and tunnels beneath the primary worlds of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy franchise. It is home to numerous races, including the Drow, a variant race of dark underground-dwelling elves.
Why is the Underdark considered an ideal setting for a Dungeons & Dragons series?
The Underdark offers a rich and diverse setting filled with dark potential, interesting characters, and dangerous threats. It provides ample opportunities for adventure, exploration, and encounters with unique creatures and challenges.
Was the canceled “Dungeons & Dragons” TV show likely set in the Underdark?
Yes, according to writer Derek Kolstad, the canceled TV show was likely set in the Underdark. This underground setting is a popular choice among players of the tabletop role-playing game and offers rich storytelling possibilities.
What kind of creatures and threats can be found in the Underdark?
The Underdark is home to a variety of deadly creatures, including Beholders, Duergar, Hook Horrors, Kruthik, Oblexes, and Purple Worms. These creatures add to the atmosphere of danger and adventure in the underground realm.
Could a Dungeons & Dragons series set in the Underdark focus on characters like Drizzt Do’Urden?
Yes, Drizzt Do’Urden, a popular character from Dungeons & Dragons lore, could be a central figure in a series set in the Underdark. His story of survival and heroism in the underground realm has been explored in novels and would make for compelling television.
What themes and elements make the Underdark an intriguing setting for a Dungeons & Dragons series?
The Underdark offers opportunities to explore themes of survival, exploration, betrayal, and redemption. Its dark and dangerous environment, coupled with its unique inhabitants and challenges, provides a rich backdrop for storytelling in the Dungeons & Dragons universe.