Cast Party: A Dungeons & Dragons Podcast · Pickaxe

It's Not Goodbye, It's Goodnight

March 30, 2026·2 hr 5 min·10 clips

Ryan McManus directs the final episode of a Curse of Strahd campaign, promising consequences and emotional closure.

This episode serves as the series finale for the actual play podcast "Cast Party: A Curse of Strahd Tale," directed by Ryan McManus. Host Ryan McManus is joined by cast members Mae LaFayette and Jose for a reflective closing session. The players discuss their characters and experiences concluding a long-running campaign set in the gothic horror realm of Barovia. Mae played the character ZL, who aimed to "slay in every meaning of the word" during the campaign's finale. Jose portrayed multiple characters, specifically named as Aliro, Viazato, and Alizato, throughout the adventure. The group reflects on the honor and privilege of performing together within this campaign setting. Ryan McManus confirms this recording marks his final time serving as the director for the series. Jose anticipates an emotional period following the conclusion, suggesting the cast will be "crying about this" for a significant time. The cast shares a lighthearted moment about Mae never getting used to the podcast introduction process. Jose references his final intro as "the longest bit I've ever done," asking Ryan for a specific, unstated number. A key insight is the emphasis on the deep personal connections formed through collaborative storytelling over years. The episode highlights the bittersweet nature of concluding a long-term creative project with close friends. Social media handles are shared, directing listeners to CastPartyD&D, RyadonMcManus, and DMJoseG for further community interaction. The tone is warmly conversational, nostalgic, and celebratory of the campaign's completion. The style is informal and personal, focusing on player reflections rather than in-game action. Listeners who followed the "Curse of Strahd" campaign will find essential emotional closure in this finale. Those seeking a standalone adventure or new plot developments should skip this episode.

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