Even as a standalone LEGO set, '21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale' is already an excellent display piece. However, when paired with the adventure book co-written by LEGO and Wizards of the Coast, this set transforms into what I believe is the most enjoyable and story-rich LEGO set to date!
If you recall, the original concept for 'Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale' came from Dutch LEGO fan Lucas Bolt's design, 'Dragon's Keep: Journey's End'. Lucas, specializing in game development, applied his professional expertise, combining his love for LEGO, fantasy themes, and castle architecture. He meticulously crafted a fortress filled with numerous traps and treasures, guarded by a mighty dragon, all in line with classic Dungeons & Dragons lore! Although the official product changed the original green dragon to red, the scene construction and architectural outlines remain largely faithful to the original design.
▼ The front of the packaging proudly displays the scene! The Dungeons & Dragons LOGO and the text 'Ideas Series No. 56' are printed at the top, while the bottom right features the Dungeons & Dragons 50th Anniversary emblem.
▼ The back shows another angle of the display and play scenario, along with a deconstruction diagram illustrating how the set can be separated into five parts.
▼ The side indicates the specifications after assembly, with a total height of 48 cm.
▼ There are a total of four instruction manuals, allowing you and your friends to build together~ It's worth noting that this time, the cover of the instruction manual was illustrated by Taiwanese LEGO fan 'Chainsaw BAR'! The way it achieves a relief-like three-dimensional layered effect on flat print is truly spectacular! We also took this opportunity to conduct a brief interview; interested toy collectors can find it at the end of the article.
▼ Upon opening, you'll find the original designer, LEGO fan Lucas Bolt, and our pride of Taiwan, Chainsaw BAR! He mentioned that Wizards of the Coast, the distributor of Dungeons & Dragons games, was also involved in the process. Therefore, all final antagonist characters, including the dragon's head shape, the number of Beholder tentacles, and so on, had to be redrawn according to the story's settings. This truly required a tremendous amount of effort! We sincerely congratulate him.
▼ Classic monsters you can encounter in this LEGO set.
▼ The history of Dungeons & Dragons and the heroic character lineup of this set.
▼ Other contents include 32 numbered parts bags, one baseplate, one dark gray rock wall piece, stickers, and minifigure capes and the wings of the Red Dragon Cinderhowl, packaged in a kraft paper bag.
▼ The Dungeons & Dragons adventure book co-written by Wizards of the Coast and LEGO. This book is not included in the product contents but must be redeemed using LEGO Insiders points.
▼ Let's get building!
To fully convey the charm of this LEGO set and Dungeons & Dragons, we've decided not to simply introduce it. I will have you, the toy collectors reading this, form a party. We will explore this game world together, step by step, following the chapters and content of the adventure book. I will do my best to play the role of Dungeon Master, facilitating the game and providing everything you need to know. In Dungeons & Dragons, there are no winners or losers, only a group of players telling amazing stories! So, let's begin.
It was late when you arrived at the tavern, the warm hearth fire soothing the ache in your bones.
Your companions had already arrived, gathered around a table in the corner.
You are the one they have been waiting for...
Now, your adventure is about to begin!
This adventure party consists of four members. From left to right in the image below, they are an Elf Wizard, a Gnome Fighter, an Orc Rogue, and a Dwarf Cleric. The items they hold are their starting equipment for the adventure. Please choose a profession according to your preference.
▼ Of course, you can also use the extra LEGO head pieces to "customize faces".
The story is set in the ruins of a dilapidated stone tower, where an inn called "Inn Plain Sight" serves as the starting point for the party's adventure.
Adventure Scene 1: Inn Plain Sight
Inn Plain Sight is constructed with high-quality wood, adorned with blue and purple tiles. Not only is its exterior beautiful and a perfect resting place for adventurers, but it also boasts the renowned delicacy, "hot wings"! These are said to be freshly prepared upon order by the innkeeper, "Alax Jadelin"! Tender, juicy, and absolutely nowhere else to be found.
▼ The stone chimney is built brick by brick using traditional methods, making it rustic and sturdy.
As you prepare to enter and rest, a middle-aged man named Merry Rumwell appears to greet you. He claims the inn is undergoing renovations and Alax Jadelin has retired, but if you desire the incredibly delicious hot wings, he can still serve a plate for everyone.
Upon entering the inn, you find no signs of renovation. Just as you begin to feel puzzled, another shocking fact emerges: the hot wings were already prepared, and Merry merely reheated them... At this point, an "uneasy atmosphere" permeates the entire party.
▼ Behind the bar, there's a poster that looks very much like a "Missing Cat" notice.
▼ On the shelves on the first floor are weapons such as battle axes, lutes, spears... but... there are no other adventurers staying in this inn.
▼ Chilled beer paired with the hot wings that will soon be served is truly a perfect match.
While waiting for the wings, your strong sense of caution leads you to check the guest rooms on the second floor. To your surprise, upon touching a bed, you are attacked by a "Mimic" that has transformed into both a bed and a treasure chest! In fact, the items on the first-floor shelves also belong to adventurers who fell victim to Mimics! After dealing with the Mimic, you examine the paintings on the wall, which include the symbol of the Harpers and a portrait of Sir Lucas, a regular patron of Inn Plain Sight.
▼ On the other side of the second floor, you can see a family portrait of the "Dragonborn Family," who are none other than Alax's parents. Just as you rush downstairs to inform everyone that Merry is suspicious, Merry, who was previously behind the bar, vanishes instantly before your eyes as if into thin air.
Adventure Scene 2: The Meadow
Rushing out of the inn to pursue Merry, your efforts are in vain; he has vanished without a trace, leaving even the most skilled Orc rogue stumped... At this moment, you step into a vibrant meadow.
▼ First, observe your surroundings! The stone bridge bears the dragon head emblem of the Cult of the Dragon, indicating that this was once a stronghold for villains, perhaps harboring some secrets.
Suddenly, there's movement in the bushes, and a giant Owlbear leaps out! However, the Owlbear, currently hunting a large spider, will not attack you; if you kill the spider, the Owlbear will devour the dead spider. After eating three spiders, the Owlbear will fall asleep, allowing the party to explore the surroundings. Of course, if you're feeling bold and want to challenge the Owlbear, you can, but it might quickly escape after taking damage.
▼ As you continue your exploration, you discover a hidden space beneath the grass! Inside are coins and a golden key. What could it be used to unlock?
A new species has been discovered: two Myconids beneath the shadow of the stone bridge! Myconids will not attack you proactively unless for self-defense. They use spores to telepathically communicate with surrounding creatures. If you engage in friendly interaction with the Myconids, not only can you obtain treasures from under the bridge: a Sentinel Shield and healing potions, but you can also learn a crucial piece of information: Merri, the innkeeper, is actually the evil sorcerer "Ervan Soulfallen" in disguise, and the true innkeeper, Arax, has been imprisoned.
At the same time, you also discover spiky ivy growing nearby. Though dangerous, it is very sturdy, and you can use the vines to climb upwards; if you decide to climb up, you will skip "The Dungeon" and begin your adventure directly from "The Tower."
Someone in the party is tired. As you lean against a large tree to rest and ponder the purpose of the golden key, the tree suddenly begins to speak! It turns out to be an Awakened Tree, enchanted by magic. Upon further conversation, the Awakened Tree will move from its original position and reveal a hidden door.
▼ The golden key you just found in the grass can be used to unlock it; if the party hasn't found the key yet, magical unlocking or even brute force destruction is also viable.
Adventure Scene 3: The Dungeon
Pushing open the door revealed by the Awakened Tree, you arrive here to find various treasures scattered on the ground, even skeletons, topazes, and... a silver frying pan floating in mid-air??? (This illusion of floating items is actually due to the transparent body of a gelatinous cube.)
▼ The dungeon contains three monsters called Black Puddings. Black Puddings are creatures that cannot communicate with you, are impervious to weapons, but are vulnerable to fire.
▼ After a thorough search, you will collect various items in the dungeon, including magical flail weapons usable by a cleric: Devotee’s Censer, Staff of Frost, a wooden bow, a scimitar, a shield... etc. You can use this opportunity to enhance your party's overall combat strength.
▼ With your keen observation skills, you certainly won't miss the small detail of an amethyst hidden high up.
▼ In the depths of the dungeon, you can find a rare magic book, "Tome of Clear Thought," which also contains a scroll for "Speak with Dead." You immediately think of conversing with the skull inside the gelatinous cube. The deep part of the dungeon can be directly removed from the grass, making it convenient for you to explore its internal secrets.
After initiating a conversation with the skull, you learn that the skeleton was, in life, Estus, the cleric of the adventurer party "The Hard Way." The other three were Grackle the rogue, Kildar the wizard, and Colin the warrior. All four were hired by Merri, on behalf of Ervan Soulfallen, to steal a "dragon egg," but were brutally slaughtered by Ervan after completing the task.
▼ Outside the dungeon, there's a staircase leading to an upstairs cell, where Arax is imprisoned! He's alive! But there's no key. Is there a spell that can unlock it without harming him?
Adventure Scene 4: The Basement
Next, you enter the basement connected to the dungeon, but upon opening the door, you were caught off guard and attacked by a giant axe trap set behind it.
As the story progresses, you will then encounter a Beholder and three skeletons in the basement. However, trying to fit so many characters at once would be too crowded, so we'll take them one by one. First, the Beholder. A Beholder is a spherical creature that fires magical lasers from its various eyes, possessing powerful magic, unpredictability, and is both ruthless and cruel. In Dungeons & Dragons lore, Beholders are often considered a major challenge in team adventures; however, this particular Beholder is actually a Displacer Beast transformed, and the mastermind behind it is, predictably, Ervan. This Displacer Beast is none other than Arax's pet, Pouncy, the star of the inn's "Missing Cat" poster.
If you previously acquired the silver frying pan, you can reflect the Beholder's magic, dispelling the transformation spell on it, and Pouncy will then approach Arax affectionately.
The next three skeletons, unfortunately, are the remains of the remaining three adventurers from "The Hard Way." The warrior wears a breastplate and helmet, wielding a magic sword called the Sword of Sharpness. The rogue carries a Dagger of Venom and a Ring of Invisibility. The wizard is clad in a magic cloak. Let's put them out of their misery quickly.
After defeating the skeletons, you continue exploring the basement and discover a book titled "Quickness of Action" lying behind some pink poisonous plants. Inside the book are magic scrolls of energy protection, along with a lantern, potions, and more.
▼ The design of the spiral staircase is truly ingenious!
Adventure Scene 5: The Tower
Your party slowly ascends the spiral staircase until you reach the first floor of the tower. Here, you find a shrine with an altar shaped like a hand. Besides five dragon head carvings, the center of the altar holds a green Dragon Orb. This sphere, containing the essence of an evil dragon, is powerful enough to summon dragons from within a 40-mile radius to its user.
▼ On the other side of the altar, a golden key lies on the ground. Furthermore, there's a mechanism here where pulling the key will cause the floor to collapse. The challenge you face is how to retrieve the key without triggering the floor trap. This key can open the cell door in the dungeon where Alarax is imprisoned.
▼ Follow the stairs to the second floor! Adventurers~
▼ Unexpectedly, a small crevice is hidden beneath the stone steps, containing a giant wolf spider and a Potion of Clairvoyance.
▼ As you walk, the stunning fortress architecture momentarily makes you drop your guard. "How beautiful," you think to yourself.
▼ The second floor is the Arcane Workshop. Upon entering, you'll discover numerous magical items, and... Mery, the master of this place! He impatiently curses at you a few times before disappearing from sight again. The red candles, magic scrolls, skull brazier, and blue crystals here all create a wonderful atmosphere.
▼ Just as you resolve to finally capture Mery this time, you suddenly feel a malevolent gaze. Mery finally reveals his true form as Elvin the Fallen Soul, staring intently at you.
▼ The third floor of the tower is where Elvin hides the dragon eggs. To keep them warm for successful hatching, he has lit many candles around them.
Adventure Scene 6: Cinderhowl the Red Dragon
In the climax of this adventure, you must face two formidable foes simultaneously: the dangerous evil sorcerer Elvin the Fallen Soul and the enraged great dragon Cinderhowl! You can use Cinderhowl's ability to speak human languages to communicate with it. After all, neither the dragon eggs nor the Dragon Orb are what you seek; you simply want to quickly deal with Elvin and return to the Yawning Portal Inn for some spicy chicken wings. So, find a way to make Cinderhowl confront Elvin!
▼ Cinderhowl's scale structure is quite remarkable, and once the wing framework is attached, it truly looks substantial!
▼ Wings sized for LEGO minifigures appear as mere small ears on Cinderhowl.
▼ Utilize its full range of articulation to strike cool poses!
▼ This time, the editor also brought along the international limited-time gift-with-purchase, the "5008325 Dungeons & Dragons Mimic Chest." After assembling it, there's only one thing to say: it's absolutely fantastic! It can stylishly store your various parts or desktop trinkets... not Frieren.
▼ Playing with minifigures and showcasing the Mimic's terror is also incredibly fun!
This concludes our unboxing report for the "21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale." We hope all toy enthusiasts enjoyed this presentation! Of course, you can completely disregard the adventure book's designs and create your own DnD adventure with friends and family. Until next time.
Finally, here's a brief interview with Chainsaw BAR, allowing all toy enthusiasts to learn more about him and the process behind creating this instruction manual-style cover art!
Toy People: Could Chainsaw BAR please introduce himself briefly and tell us where he is currently employed?
Chainsaw BAR: Chainsaw BAR is the nickname I use in the LEGO community. I am a design company director, and my usual hobbies include LEGO creation, illustration, video games, and anime. You could say I'm a seasoned otaku.
Toy People: What was the most unforgettable experience when participating in and creating for the "DESIGN THE DUNGEONS & DRAGONS BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS COVER!" contest?
Chainsaw BAR: This competition was not exclusively for professional artists, so the rules stated that "winning entries 'have the opportunity' to become the instruction manual cover." This meant that even if an entry won, it might still not be used if the quality wasn't sufficient. Therefore, when creating my submission, I was constantly worried about my artistic skill being inadequate, especially since the real goal was to become the first artist whose submitted work was chosen for an instruction manual cover!
During the process, I referenced a vast amount of materials and diligently practiced my drawing skills. As a result, I almost didn't make the submission deadline, practically pulling all-nighters in the final few days to finish the draft, as if I had returned to my terrifying high school days...
Toy People: In this instruction manual cover artwork, what do you consider the most noteworthy aspects?
Chainsaw BAR: After learning I had won, LEGO quickly contacted me and offered suggestions for revisions to the artwork. Because Wizards of the Coast, the company that publishes Dungeons & Dragons, was also involved, all the villain characters you see now – from the dragon's head shape to the number of tentacles on the Beholder – had to be redrawn according to the story's lore. If you're interested, you can compare it with the official settings to see if I made any mistakes. I shouldn't have made any mistakes, right...?
Toy People: In the cover artwork, which part did you put the most thought into designing, and which do you hope players will fully appreciate?
Chainsaw BAR: This artwork was created in two stages. For the first drawing, after deciding on an embossed style, I spent a lot of time on the composition. As a result, I didn't have much time to refine the drawing technique and three-dimensionality. With the deadline approaching, I had to apply some existing effects, so overall, it was quite rough.
After receiving the winning notification, I proactively requested to redraw it. At that time, I was quite worried, as I'm not a professional artist, and I feared whether I could properly achieve this goal. So, I put a lot of pressure on myself, demanding that I meticulously draw the entire piece. Finally, I enhanced the previously lacking lighting, textures, and so on, to give each object a more three-dimensional, embossed layering. LEGO officials also gave me very positive feedback, which gave me the confidence to continue. The final result looks quite good, probably like the contrast between 720P and 4K; it definitely met the expected standard!
But looking back now, I still can't help but think, "Oh dear... how did I draw this part and that part like that...?"
▼ Chainsaw BAR's original hand-drawn sketch. The editor actually thought the sketch was incredibly cool!
LEGO 21348 Ideas Series "Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale"
Currently a hot seller at LEGO Certified Stores in Taiwan. Suggested retail price: NT$ 11,399. Total number of pieces: 3745.