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Claws of the Crown: Turning The Lion King Into a D&D Adventure

Last week I looked at Frozen and was inspired how it could be used as a D&D adventure. I had so much fun with it, I decided to make it a series. You can check out Frozen adventure here. Yeah it might be a bit cheesy but with so many things to inspire D&D content why not. If you have a favorite Mouse movie yo want me to make D&D content from just let me know in the comments.

A fallen prince, a cursed uncle, and a kingdom on the brink

Disney’s The Lion King is already a near-perfect hero’s journey. It has betrayal, exile, magical visions, war for the throne, and some killer sidekicks. But what happens when you reimagine that story for your D&D campaign?

You get a dusty savannah ruled by Tabaxi and Leonin, a corrupted gnoll warband, and a Hexblade warlock uncle who made a pact with a forgotten blade to rule the Pridelands by fear.

This is Claws of the Crown, a full adventure arc where your players team up with the exiled heir of a wild kingdom to take down a tyrant—and face the shadows of the past.

🐾 Recasting the Characters

🌾 The Premise

The kingdom of Ishar’kana was once a land of balance—governed by the Circle of Roars, where Tabaxi and Leonin lived in harmony with the beasts and the plains. But balance was broken when Marazi, the noble Lion-Chieftain, was betrayed by his own brother, Skarrath, during a storm conjured by shadow magic.

With the help of gnoll mercenaries and a sentient shadow blade, Skarrath seized the throne, and the wilds began to wither.

Years later, a wandering adventuring party meets Shembe, an exiled Tabaxi with royal tattoos hidden under travel leathers, burdened by nightmares of fire and roar. The kingdom needs its king—but he can’t do it alone.

🗺️ Act I: Out of Exile

Starting Hook:

The players are hired to protect a caravan of nomads from gnoll raids. During the skirmish, they meet Shembe and learn of his connection to Ishar’kana.

Key Moments:

• Fight with gnoll raiders carrying shards of black metal that reek of warlock magic

• A vision in the flames: the spirit of Marazi calls for Shembe to return

• Meet Sage Bondo, the druid guardian of the Circle of Echoes

• Uncover the tale of Skarrath’s betrayal and his Hexblade pact

Optional encounter: A cracked obelisk holds part of the Shadow Blade’s power—sealed away by ancient druids. The blade “speaks” to those nearby…

🏞️ Act II: The Withering Wilds

The adventurers must lead Shembe across the scarred savannahs of his homeland—now under the boot of gnoll warbands and corrupted fauna. Skarrath’s warlock magic is leeching life from the land.

Goals:

• Liberate Leonin and Tabaxi villages, rallying old allies

• Survive ambushes from shadow-infused beasts and cursed lions

• Reignite the sacred Flame of Kings—a druidic rite that can awaken Shembe’s leadership

Dungeon idea: The Fane of the Fallen Roar, a buried temple to the old kings. Filled with puzzles based on courage, wisdom, and sacrifice.

🛡️ Act III: Battle at Pride Crag

Shembe and the players lead an uprising against Skarrath, now fully bonded to the Shadow Blade. His gnoll lieutenants wield fiendish weapons and raise shadows from slain enemies.

Boss Encounter: Skarrath, Hexblade of the Eclipse

• Legendary Actions using his cursed sword

• Calls on the Echoes of Betrayal, shadow versions of fallen Leonin

• Can possess the blade of a fallen ally, turning it against the party temporarily

• Final phase: Skarrath fuses with his blade, becoming a Leonin-shadow elemental hybrid

Optional twist: If Shembe lands the final blow, the blade’s spirit tries to bond with him. The players must help him reject it—or face a new tyrant.

🧭 Campaign Themes & Tone

This adventure works great with:

• Coming-of-age drama (Simba/Shembe’s growth)

• Redemption arcs (cowardice, trauma, legacy)

• Nature vs corruption (spirit world, druidic traditions)

• Found family (Slink and Borbo are 100% the comic relief heart)

🧪 Magic & Loot Ideas

• Blade of the Forgotten Roar – A +1 longsword that glows when near corruption

• King’s Mantle – A cloak woven from lion’s mane and enchanted with hero’s legacy

• Echo Pearl – Lets the bearer speak with an ancestor spirit once per day

• Hyena Warpaint – Grants temporary rage bonus but has a chance of causing madness

🐾 Final Thoughts: Long Live the Pride

What makes The Lion King so enduring is how universal it is: loss, legacy, identity, and courage. When translated into a D&D game, those themes become a powerful, character-driven campaign. With a little tweaking, you get a savage land, a corrupted throne, and a hero who can’t do it alone.

Let your players fight alongside Shembe, face the darkness in the earth—and in themselves—and rise to restore balance.

Because in Ishar’kana… the roar must return. Next week we will see what Mulan has to offer.

Thanks for reading. Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!!