Game of Thrones may be back, but this is its final season, and The Lord of the Rings series from Amazon is so far away you might as well walk to Mordor. But fantasy fans, never fear, there is a wealth of stories of elves, magic, knights, and bards waiting for your ears. Behold the world of high fantasy podcasts.

These auditory delights consist of both actual play tabletop role-playing recordings and full-fledged audio fiction productions, complete with sound effects, music, and full casts. There are, of course, the big hitters like Critical Role, The Adventure Zone, and Hello From the Magic Tavern. However, the rise in indie podcasts deserves to be celebrated and showcased. These shows have production values equal to their professional counterparts, diverse characters, players, and worlds, and can take your imagination all sorts of places.

So if you're looking for a bit of extra magic in your life or a good adventure, check out these 12 amazing high fantasy podcasts: