The tabletop world is no stranger to the marriage of music and magic, but few projects attempt the ambitious, genre-defying leap seen in Idols of the Neon Dark. This K-Pop-inspired fantasy experience for Dungeons & Dragons 5E+ promises to transport players to Lumenica, a subterranean metropolis where “style carries meaning” and “togetherness is everything”. With its focus on “Harmony Casting” and unit cohesion, the project aims to redefine the support role for experienced players while remaining accessible enough for families with children as young as five.
A Modern Debut in Lumenica
Dan Thut, Bee Aitkin and the team at Wrenegade Crowdfunding have pulled back the curtain on Idols of the Neon Dark, a K-Pop-inspired fantasy experience designed for Dungeons & Dragons 5E+. This 30-page playtest offers a glimpse into the underground city of Lumenica, where light never fades, and performance is a literal source of power. While the production quality is undoubtedly high and the art style looks superb, this particular “taster” document is perhaps a bit too short to determine how the final 250-page book will truly hold up at the table.
The Setting: Arcane Neon and Ancient Stone
The heart of the experience is Lumenica, a sprawling subterranean metropolis illuminated by a vast floating crystal and “arcane-neon” sigils. The setting blends traditional Korean architecture with modern sensibilities, creating a world where style carries weight and “togetherness is everything”. At the centre of this society is the Spontaneum, a training academy where prospective heroes – known as Idols – learn to forge their magic through rhythm and harmony rather than just isolated study.
Character Classes: The Idol
The playtest introduces the Idol, a new class for the 5E system that uses Charisma as its primary ability. Unlike traditional bards, Idols focus heavily on “Harmonies” – magical effects that require multiple participants to activate and maintain. Players can specialise in the Cadence of Ceremony subclass, which emphasises historical rites and precise timing. The class is designed to be mechanically distinct, with the document even suggesting that, for multiclassing purposes, the Idol is treated as a Ranger regarding spell slot progression.
The System: Harmony Casting
The core mechanical hook is “Harmony Casting,” allowing Idols to tap into natural rhythms to elevate their allies. These harmonies, such as Coordinated Harmony or Reliant Harmony, provide bonuses to attack rolls or saving throws but require careful management. A unique feature is “Harmonic Resonance,” where an Idol can take force damage to themselves to boost the save DC or potency of a harmony. It is a high-risk, high-reward system that encourages players to move and act in sync, reflecting the K-Pop inspiration.
Pre-written Adventure: Harmony Under Pressure
To put these mechanics to the test, the PDF includes Harmony Under Pressure, a one-shot balanced for four 3rd-level characters. The adventure follows students at the Spontaneum as they navigate a “mad dash” to class and deal with a sudden infestation of Dokkaebi – elemental spirits that bind themselves to discarded items. The module provides curated “Scene Soundtracks” featuring artists like BTS, SHINee, and NewJeans to help DMs set the right atmosphere.
Production and Monsters
The visual presentation is a clear highlight, featuring vibrant illustrations by Francisco Somalo and Kim Tae Hyun. The document includes full stat blocks for Low Dokkaebi and Noble Dokkaebi, showcasing elementals that can be bribed with food or challenged to wrestling matches rather than simply fought. With graphic design by Agis Angeleye, the playtest includes pre-generated characters for various species, including Elves and Tieflings, ensuring groups can dive straight into the neon-lit action.
