Monday, June 30, 2025

New Zealand’s Actual Play Company Dice Legenz Make Youtube Debut With Bards of Aratai

Share This Post

A new potion, capable of destroying the city, is brewing.

A vicious shape-changer is testing it on captives, preparing to unleash it on the city.

It’s up to three singing, dancing (and ukulele playing?!?) bards to save the lives of a million people.

Might be a good time to leave the city…

The Bards of Aratai is a new YouTube series by New Zealand based Dungeons & Dragons channel, Dice Legenz. It is a fast moving, action packed adventure told over 12 episodes, each of them 20–30min long.

The story revolves around three vigilante bards: Kalahari Belle (Court Theater veteran Monique Clementson) a glamor bard who conceals her beauty behind sunglasses lest her gaze literally breaks hearts; Zozo Cadence (Reylene-Rose Hilaga – Dungeons & Comedians) a ukulele brandishing disguise expert; and Evelyn Havoc (Krystal O’Gorman – Dungeons & Comedians) who likes smashing things.

The Bards of Aratai cast photo

Dice Legenz completed a successful Kickstarter campaign in November, 2024. The campaign funded the post-production of the series. The first episode throws the audience right into the action with the bards in pursuit of a slippery messenger carrying deadly potions. From there, the mystery and adventure take us on a gripping journey through Dice Legenz’ unique setting—the grand walled city of Aratai. We visit seedy underground taverns, glittering mansions, and deadly lairs.

Dice Legenz is a group of professional actors, creatives and technicians from the television and stage industries in New Zealand. They began streaming Dungeons & Dragons content three years ago on Twitch. The Bards of Aratai is their first YouTube focused series.

“We’re keen to connect with audiences on YouTube, but not a lot of people head there to watch three-hour actual play videos, unless perhaps it’s Critical Role,” says Vahid Qualls, producer and DM of The Bards of Aratai. “So, we’ve created a show that’s much more digestible for YouTube audiences: twenty to thirty minutes of pure fun and action. It’s got tight editing, immersive music and sound, and a sprinkling of visual effects for when spells pop off.”

Head to the Dice Legenz YouTube page to watch the series. The first episodes are up now, and the others are released weekly.

Images via Dice Legenz

Have strong thoughts about this piece you need to share? Or maybe there’s something else on your mind you’re wanting to talk about with fellow Fandomentals? Head on over to our Community server to join in the conversation!

Author

Latest Posts

Chip Theory Is Now Publishing High Quality Kid Games – Versus Play Review

Chip Theory Games sets out to bring high quality...

Time to Get Foxy with Katherine Silva’s Indie Author Summer Interview

Welcome back dear readers for Episode 3 of #indieauthorsummer....

Disney’s Lorcana Makes TCG Into Legit Board Game – Palace Heist

Disney Lorcana: Palace Heist is Disney’s Locana’s new TCG...

Tabletop Creators Will Unite At Gen Con For Charity Variety Show Power Word Resist

More than two dozen creators, publishers, and performers from...

Chip Theory’s Magnetic Micro Kids Games Are Perfect Road Trip Puzzles

While best known for their high production value, heavier...

Beadle & Grimm’s Takes Avatar Legends Sky High With Voyage Of The Unity

This week marks the finale of Beadle & Grimm's...