Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Vanquisher‘s Guide

As the clock tower tolls, certain death ticks ever closer. The moon with a horrible grinning face stares unblinking down, moving ever closer to annihilating the world. Standing atop the terrible moon is a creature both sad and evil. What once was a poor and lonely woodland spirit called Skull Kid, prone to playing tricks on people. Has now been possessed by an ancient evil in the form of a foreboding mask. Though newly released, this evil spirit wants only to destroy the world and cause as much suffering as it can. Join us this week on the vanquishers guide as we dive into the lore of Majora’s mask and discuss some theories of where the spirit Majora comes from.

Zombies! One of the most popular monsters in media is also one of the oldest mythical monsters in human history. You can find traces of zombies across the world in different cultures but few are as legendary as the Draugr in Norse mythology. These creatures are fierce warriors who protect treasure and even spread horrifying outbreaks. There’s more than meets the eye with these undead monstrosities.

Does extraterrestrial life exist in our solar system? And if it did exist what form would it take? Would it be giant leviathans or tiny microbes and parasites eager to feast off of any sign of life? The Callisto Protocol explores the terrifying possibilities of what an alien infection could look like, and for this week we dig into the game's lore to find the source of this horrific outbreak.

Although they are not of this world, they still command an imposing presence, sometimes as gods other times as demons but always as powerful being deserving of respect. This week on the Vanquisher’s Guide we are exploring the vast expanse of the elder scroll’s series and one of its most famous, villainous, races the Daedra. A race of supernatural creatures from another plane of existence where time doesn’t exist and a select few rule as omnipotent gods. Come with us as we discover where they came from, what mischief they’ve invoked and why some treat them as deities.

Folklore throughout history is coated with dark undertones and based in wicked truths. We’ve learned in episodes past that groups of people having a strong enough belief in something can cause supernatural like events to occur. In this episode we go to the rich and deep culture belonging to the Lakota people indigenous to North America. Experiencing in past and present some of the most horrific events, this nation of people has survived and continued their beautiful traditions and culture. But because of their history or possibly demonic entities they to this day struggle with something almost otherworldly. Join us in this episode as we discuss the evil that is Walking Sam and a cultural hero known as Iktomi.

Deep in the heart of a strange new world, leeching away the life force of countless elder dragons, grows a mysterious and incredibly powerful threat. In this episode of The Vanquisher's Guide we embark on a legendary expedition to the vibrant world of Monster hunter and investigate two of very unique and powerful elder dragons. From the exotic and alien Xeno'jiiva to the ludicrously powerful and epic Safi'Jiiva these monsters can be some of the toughest fights in the game. Join us as we unravel the mystery and deconstruct these terrifying behemoths, these monster are host to more than a couple of surprises. 

Stalking the baren nuclear wastelands of the new world is a new predator. It’s not a familiar face twisted by radiation, nor a creature newly born to this world. This new threat was man made and it was made to kill. Join us this week on the vanquishers guide as we talk about the video game series fallout and its most dangerous threat the deathclaw. A creature that was engineered for war but has thrived in a new environment where humans are no longer at the top of the food chain.

During this frosty winter season we present a very special and unconventional holiday special. We have searched for some of the most unique and legendary beings we could find, from the intimidating Welsh Mari Lwyd to the more familiar classic Santa Claus, this episode is sure to shed some new light on the holiday season that we all know and love. Join us as we start off the new year with broadened perspectives and a fresh look with this absolutely chilling episode!  

In the war-filled fantasy of War Hammer 40k, there are factions and races that bring an dominating and terrifying presence to the battlefield. But non bring such terror and horrific war as the Tyranids. A perfect hive mind of dinosaur-like creatures that evolve on a fast-paced scale. Join us for our first adventure into the Warhammer universe and talk about one of the most monstrous creatures yet!

Where do the fundamental forces of space and time come from? How and who made them? As we embark on our long overdue expedition into this legendary world we will be focusing on some of the most important and fundamental Pokémon and how they give us answers to these questions. Palkia, the spatial Pokémon, able bend space to travel any distance in the blink of an eye, and Dialga, the temporal Pokémon, able to control the flow of time with simply a whim. Powerful beyond all belief and truly iconic in the series, join us as we investigate these legendary Pokémon and the mythos surrounding them.

In this special episode we find ourselves at the end of the spooky month of October exploring a variety of horrifying and terrible monsters, lurking in abandoned monasteries and dusty mirrors. From the viscously brutal Bloody Mary to the twisted demon Valak from the Conjuring movie series, we explore this wide variety of creatures of the night that the festivities of Halloween remind us of. Join us as we celebrate the end of our horror themed month, and perhaps you too will learn more than you bargained for.

What makes for a worst case scenario in a zombie type infection? A high infection rate, extreme aggression and durability, flat out horrifying disgusting creatures? Take all of these aspects and turn them up to eleven and you get Dead Space, a legendary Sci-Fi series that has showed us perhaps the bleakest zombie outbreak possible. Join us as we dive into the mysterious lore of the markers, explore the stages of a Necromorph outbreak, and gaze at the horrifying possibilities of what the Necromorphs are trying to achieve.

The horror genre is a familiar sight to many; meant to shock, scare, and even repulse the audience. But many years ago, this category of media was not nearly as developed, and the now well-known sense of dread was but an idea. From this era came a timeless classic story so popular that it has carried through the centuries sense its creation. Join us this week on The Vanquisher's Guide as we revitalize the story of Frankenstein's monster. Is he a blood thirsty monster out to destroy humanity or simply a lonely, misunderstood creature trying to find his place in the world. Find out in another week of our Halloween special episodes for the spookiest month of the year.

There are few things in our world that bring with them deep feelings of either terror or joy. Clowns are one such entity that illicit these feelings. For this spooky Halloween season, we wanted to talk about probably the most horrifying clown to hit the big screen. Pennywise is more than just a scary clown and in this episode we sail right into the deep lore of Steven Kings universe. How do you feel about clowns? Do they elicit feelings of happy nostalgia or summon an intense repulsion and terror?  

Largely due to modern movies and other media most people are familiar with the magical blue man that grants you wishes called a genie. But that is not what they used to be called or even how they looked or acted. In fact, the original genie was much different than you, I, or Aladdin know and love it today. Join us this week on the vanquishers guide as we look back in history to the origins of the elusive race called the Jinn, and how they became one of Disney’s most iconic lamp residents.

Imagine a god battling and killing a sea monster, do you picture Thor fighting Jörmungandr at Ragnarök? While that is a story, we have record of a second massive and possibly world ending sea monster. The Leviathan is a biblical creature that threatens the mortal world, and the Abrahamic God kills it to save the world. Join us for this episode as we look at biblical texts to find out more of this torturous serpent!

At the bottom of the cold depths of the Atlantic Ocean lies the shattered hopes and dreams of one man's utopia. Join us as we venture into the failed city of Rapture to see everything from the construction of Andrew Ryan's secret city, to how ADAM lead a genetic revolution that pushed the definition of what is human as well as moral limits, to the ultimate spiral of a once prosperous city into a warzone where genetic abominations had to guard their "little sisters" from ADAM crazed lunatics. This week we remember Bioshock and how it brought us one of video gaming's most iconic creatures, the Big Daddy

Though it can’t quite be considered a cryptid this furry monstrosity is found in the category of the fearsome critters. A distinction that it has rightfully earned through many a mauled ankle and torn up gardens, to be sure. Come with us this week as we hunt the wild stories of the Jackalope and discover where it comes from. A strange creature that is based in reality but who’s story grew larger than anyone could have predicted.

One of the oldest questions in life is why we die and what happens after death. Civilizations have toiled and exhausted themselves over understanding this impossible question. Every culture seems to have personified death to try and understand its mysteries. One of the most famous examples is the Grim Reaper, the cloaked skeleton with the scythe who shepherds the dead to the afterlife. Today we take on this deep question to uncover more stories from around the world.

History is full of a wide variety of Gods and Goddesses, each of them wielding epic and world shaking power worthy of the worship and praise they received. But their is one god that definitely stands out in power as well as popularity, Ra the Egyptian God of the Sun. The Ancient Egyptians had a plethora of diverse myths featuring this luminous god, from creating the world to causing the deaths of countless humans. Throughout all of his myths its clear that this is one god that was pivotal to life and survival, earning him the adoration of millions over hundreds of years.

Stories of mysterious creatures stalking the woods have been told all over the world for generations. Tales of giant footed apes, haunting moths, or living snowmen but all of them have a story. This week on The Vanquisher’s Guide we look deeper into a demonic cryptid, The Jersey Devil. Where did it come from, was it merely a cursed child just trying to live its life, a man rumored to be a witch and a ghost? Or is there perhaps a more mundane explanation to it?

When you think of Halloween and witches the classic Hocus Pocus movie is surly popping in your head. With that the Sanderson sisters have become an iconic witch trio. Take a spell with us as we talk about the powers and abilities of these wicked villains. We want to analyze and break down the timeless movie and discover the depth and lore within.

The Demogorgon has represented many different things to variety of different peoples throughout history. To some a primordial creator deity born out of chaos to sculpt the material world, to others a horrific demon weaving a wicked fate in the underworld.  But to us in modern day it is a wonderfully horrific fusion of murder monster and cosmic abomination that has kept us enthralled in the legendary show Stranger Things. Join us for this episode of the Vanquisher's Guide where we learn all that we can about the historical and TV versions of the legendary Demogorgon as well as its equally intriguing version from Dungeons and Dragons. 

A powerful guardian responsible for countless marvels lived in the rolling plains of North America. It watered the land making trees and crops grow, it protected the people by throwing lightning from the sky, and its wings made claps of thunder when it flew. This week on vanquishers guide join us as we investigate the thunderbird, a magical creature of Native American history that is also featured in the fantastic wizarding world of Harry Potter.

For thousands of years adventures have searched across the globe for mysterious artifacts like the fountain of youth or philosophers stone, items of power said to grant eternal life. Among these stories are creatures that have found ways to live extraordinarily long lives. One creature that has crossed between countless cultures and even into modern media is the Phoenix. A fantastic bird often depicted wreathed in flames and with an incredible ability to live forever through a cycle of fiery rebirth. Join us this week as we adventure into the tangled past of the mythical phoenix, as well as gaze forward to see one of its most iconic depictions from the Harry Potter universe

In the mid-1700’s France was in an uproar due to mass killings from a supposed supernatural beast! The Beast became known as The Beast of Gevaudan, this monstrosity was like a wolf but bigger and almost demonic. This story became one of the first international news stories and appeared in many newspapers across European countries and even the Americas. What may come as the biggest surprise is that the town which the beast was attacking was fighting back! Even gathering support from the king of France himself. What was this beast really? Will we ever truly know?

The area between the coast of Australia and Tasmania is infamous among sailors for extremely rough and dangerous seas as well as being host to a collection of strange and unexplained disappearances. But what if something was causing these disappearances? What if there was something so unspeakably horrible that was abducting people to take them to a small strange undiscovered reef in the sea? Join us as we return to the extensive files of the SCP foundation to get to the bottom of this mystery and figure out what is SCP-5007. After all, we just WANT TO SEE.

Our world is both a beautiful and frightening place full of amazing sights and creatures while at the same time plagued by mysterious oddities. For proof of this one must look no further than the amazon where exotic animals live alongside terrifying entities such as the cordyceps fungus. This week on The Vanquisher's Guide we look at the fantastical worst-case scenario of this real-life fungus. Originating from the video game series The Last of Us comes the zombie-like fungal infection that within weeks turned the world into an apocalyptic terrarium.

In Australia, there is a legend of a beast so terrifying no one was safe on land or in the water. The Aboriginal people called this deadly monster the Bunyip. When Europeans began colonizing Australia they heard rumors of this aquatic horror. We quickly see a rise in Bunyip sightings and attacks. Is this just a fabricated story or is there more to this legend than meets the eye? Today we talk about Australian Aboriginal mythology and try to understand the Bunyips and their stories. 

What happens when a god is so fixated on a task that they will stop at nothing to execute it? The Furies were such a set of gods, they were so set on enacting their vision of justice upon those they felt deserving that they drove themselves to madness. In this episode of The Vanquisher's Guide, we gaze upon this epic trio's origin, how it shaped them to be uncompromising enactors of vengeance, and how a trial against one man can change everything.

In the magical world of Harry Potter, there are countless magical creatures that live amongst the wizards and witches. Some are friendly and helpful while some are passive and seeking only to be left alone. While others are of a much more sinister nature, willing to maim or kill anyone who gets in their way. The most well-known and mysterious entities of this variety are the dementors. Dark creatures of the night that feed on their victims' memories and souls, leaving empty husks trapped in endless nightmares. Join us this week on the Vanquishers Guide as we study the embodiment of depression in the harry potter universe and what makes it such a formidable force.

You may think giants are all but fantasy creatures, but many people in history believed that the world had a race of giants at some point. In the Christian, Islamic, and Judaic religions we have sources of massive beings that were spawns of fallen angels. These giants are known as Nephilim, these beings were warlike and powerful. Some records suggest Nephilim are the reason the earth was flooded in the bible. Stories like these and many more await in this fascinating episode!

Most great old ones of the Lovecraftian universe are beings of unfathomable power and magnitude that give desire only the destruction and death barely even acknowledging our comparatively small and pitiful existence. But what if a great old one was actually existing and working among us? using all mater of deception, manipulation, and even propaganda to achieve the sadistic goal of thrusting us into as much chaos and madness as possible. On The Vanquisher's Guide this week, we examine such an elder god, meet Nyarlathotep, the crawling chaos. 

In the Magic the Gathering multiverse one rule reigns supreme, survival of the fittest whether by natural or magical means. Some creatures grow to colossal size becoming so mighty that few will challenge them, some become swift and evasive to avoid danger while others still learn to be crafty using their wits to outmaneuver their adversaries. But Slivers are not just mighty, nor are they just agile, they are a swarm and together they are unstoppable. Join us this week on the vanquisher's guide as we delve into the history of the Slivers and what makes them the most adaptable and dangerous creature in Magic the Gathering 

While we talk about myths and stories from our own world, there is a place filled with mythical creatures and wonderous stories still being told. Prythian is a land filled with faeries, beings that are both immortal and incredibly powerful, these lands tell an amazing story of love and war. These faeries differ so greatly in looks and abilities and their stories have interesting connections to the faeries and folklore from European mythology. Enjoy the beautiful and ancient world of fae kind! 

What is the most unique kaiju you can think of? This week on The Vanquisher's Guide we examine possibly the most sadistic and brutal kaiju that has ever existed, GIGAN! From his red laser visor to his rotating chest buzzsaw everything about this monster screams that he is something else. Come see what has made this alien kaiju a fan favorite for decades, this is one kaiju that you won't forget. 

Can you feel what’s lurking just beneath your feet? Who knows what animals, bugs, or creatures live mere inches below you, just out of sight. Burrowing through the ground around you sensing the vibrations of your footsteps and following behind. This week on the Vanquisher's guide we wander the desert searching for epic sandworms. Creatures that stock their prey from the safety of the dunes waiting for an opportunity to strike. Join us as we discuss the blood-red intestine called the Mongolian death worm and its fantastical giant cousin the Sandworm from the Dune novels.

A massive elephant snake with incredible dexterity and intelligence, and a vampire firefly. Africa has some of the most terrifying and awesome monsters around. Come listen as we discuss the greedy diamond-loving Grootslang and the Adze a shapeshifting vampire that possess people. These epic stories that have profoundly impacted and terrorized people for generations are not ones to miss!

After examining the lore and origins of the legendary Kraken last week we're back this week with our follow-up episode. In this episode, we submerge ourselves into theories and possible evidence of this mighty creature. Join us and decide for yourself as we separate fact from fiction investigating if there is any legitimate evidence for the existence of the Kraken.

What lurks in the deepest, darkest reaches of our planet. Could there be an absolutely massive undiscovered creature prowling our ocean depths just waiting for the right moment to reach up and crush unsuspecting boats? Long have epic tails of terrifying monsters that prowl the high seas shaken even the most stalwart of sea farers, and this week we immerse ourselves in the Kraken's ages of legendary lore, as we search to discover if there is any truth to this epic creature.

The world of Halo has debuted in many formats over the 21 years since its creation. From video games,  books, comics, movies, and a soon to be live action show. Behind all of these stories, however, is an enemy that has existed for thousands of years almost spelling the end of all life in the known universe on more than one occasion. The Flood, an alien parasite with very few and yet simple goals, it lives only to consume and spread. Join us as we discuss a creature so dangerous it has made several civilizations enact extreme preventative measures and lead others to prefer universal extinction over assimilation.

Everyone knows the classic videogame Minecraft, but what do you know about its lore? This week we venture into the deceptively deep lore of Minecraft, exploring one of its most brutal boss fights, The Wither, as well as the theorized precursor race that constructed it. But why would they do such a thing? was it greed or were they trying to regain something they lost. Discover why on this episode of The Vanquisher's Guide!

Whether hunting down Rouge demons, collecting damned souls, protecting the underworld from the living, or just causing mischief; Man's best friend has been given many jobs in the afterlife. This week on The Vanquisher's Guide we explore the extraordinarily diverse hellhound. A creature that in some stories acts as a protector and a guide for the dead, while in others they are savage beasts, cruelly hunting sinners dragging them to hell. No matter what stories you've heard you can join us this week as we talk about hell's goodest boys.

When you think of monsters in Star Wars how could the mighty rancor not be one of the first things you think of? Watching Luke Skywalker fight this terrible beast is one of the biggest highlights in the Original movies. Today we go into the T.V. shows, books, and games to find out all we can about the Rancor. There is so much more to these complex creatures than meets the eye.

Finnish mythology may not the most popular in the world but it holds very old and deep stories that have lasted the test of time. One of the most interesting stories we find is the of a creature called Hiiden Hirvi, the master of Moose that dwells in the underworld and torments the living. This story predates Christianity and evolves as religion in the area changes. Join us as we uncover this myth!

Charon is an iconic mythical being synonymous with death and the afterlife, but what do you actually know about the ferryman of the river Styx. This week on the Vanquisher's Guide we examine his mysterious origins and the traditions of the ancient cultures that surround him, as well as his Etruscan counterpart the winged hammer-wielding Charun. 

In many cultures, there is a belief that everything has an opposite good and evil, light and dark, order and chaos. This week on vanquishers guide we venture to ancient Egypt to learn more about the creature that is chaos and destruction incarnate, Apep. A being whose sole desire is to wreak havoc on the world and destroy the God of the sun, life, and order Ra. Join us as we learn about the antagonist to the famous God Ra and the battle that these two wage, a battle of order and life vs. chaos and destruction.

Have you ever experienced something that you couldn't explain or didn't understand? Through modern science, we have been able to answer a multitude of questions about the unknown that people throughout history haven't. Two such things are nightmares and sleep paralysis. An early explanation for these in Germany was the mysterious Alp, an elf-like creature that torments people. Join us as we dive into these horrifying and sadistic creatures. We hope you're well-rested for today's nightmarish monster. 

Borderlands is one of the most influential video game franchises, but how much do you know about the overarching story? This week on The Vanquisher's Guide we dive into Borderland's epic tale of an ancient advanced civilization's relentless pursuit for knowledge, how it lead to their ultimate downfall by the primordial terror known as The Destroyer and how this all connects to your vault hunter's legendary quest for loot!

Fantasy is full of tropes and parallels, one of these commonalities is dragons which make an appearance in a majority of fantasy works. These terrifying scourges of the land share many physical similarities amongst each other. However, not all dragons fall into that usual description. This week on The Vanquisher's Guide we break the dragon mold a bit and take a dive into the lore of one of the lesser-known breeds of dragons. Join us as we learn about the confusing origin of the Lindwurm and how its fearsome legacy raged across Europe!