Your Favorite Roleplaying Video Games by Scent
You’ve romanced vampires, looted ancient ruins, and shouted dragons out of the sky, but have you ever stopped to ask what your favorite RPG smells like?
At Cantrip Candles, we believe immersion goes beyond the screen or tabletop. Scent has the power to anchor you in a world, pulling you deeper into forgotten forests, bustling taverns, or windswept cliffside ruins. So we asked ourselves: if iconic RPGs had a signature scent, what would it be? And better yet, which of our candles best captures it?
We’ve matched some of the most beloved role-playing games with candles that feel like they were plucked straight from their worlds. Ready your inventory! We’re about to embark on a scent-based side quest.
What do candles have to do with video games?
More than you’d think. While video games already engage your eyes, ears, and (if you're really into immersion) your sense of time passing, scent is the one sense still left behind. That’s where candles come in. Lighting the right candle can ground you in a fictional world. Just like a good soundtrack, scent can enhance atmosphere, deepen immersion, and make your favorite games feel even more real.
Your favorite RPGs by scent
Got your bag of holding? Good. Here are some of the highest acclaimed video games paired with Cantrip Candle’s fantasy-inspired scents.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
I mean, what Cantrip scent doesn’t pair well with Skyrim? From the alpine forests of Whiterun to the dank tunnels of the Thieves Guild, this game is as gorgeous as it is immersive. Dial up that immersion with these scented soy wax candles.
A Walk in the Woods
Airy notes of pine and sandalwood make this candle a no-brainer for a game like Skyrim. Light it a few minutes before booting up a new save; that way, your room will smell like the forests surrounding Helgen by the time your Dragonborn is “finally awake.”
The Library Scriptorium
Light this candle up when you first enroll at the College of Winterhold—and again when you become Arch Mage. You’ll feel right at home with scent notes of parchment, aged wood, and leather.
Mountaintop
Notes of frosted spruce, copal resin, and coal will transport you to the frozen slopes of High Hrothgar to answer the Greybeard’s call. Just don’t forget to, uh… level up a little bit beforehand.
Den of Thieves
If you find yourself among shady folks in the Ratway beneath Riften, reach for this candle. The scent of red wine, smoke, and aged leather is perfect for petty thievery (and falling in love with Brynjolf).
Baldur’s Gate III
As a company born from a love of TTRPGs, you know we had to feature BG3. We’ve covered the best Cantrip Candles to burn for a full BG3 playthrough, so we’ll only highlight a few of our faves.
Brinewater Tides
From the tide-slick wreckage of the Nautiloid crash to the murky shores near the Shadow-Cursed Lands, this RPG constantly takes you to the sea. Add a little immersion with Brinewater tides—notes of kelp, ozone, salt water, and cedarwood make you feel like you’re standing on the docks of Baldur’s Gate itself.
Black Hound Tavern
Smells like whisky, firewood, and secrets. This tavern-scented candle fits perfectly with the raucous downtime between drow ambushes and dice rolls.
Dungeon Depths
From the necrotic silence of the Gauntlet of Shar to the eerily lit corridors beneath Moonrise Towers, Dungeon Depths is the perfect candle. With notes of clay, icy water, and black powder, this candle will help your room smell nice when the vibes get creepy.
Adventurer’s Emporium
Smelling of polished leather, clove, and amber, this candle captures the essence of long rests in camp, gear upgrades, and quirky merchants who somehow have exactly what you need.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild & Tears of the Kingdom
A quiet apocalypse wrapped in painterly landscapes and open-world freedom—what’s not to love about these games? Hyrule feels so real and alive in these latest installments to the Zelda franchise. These candles help dial up that immersion.
Summerplains
Remember running through Hyrule Field for the first time and seeing Calamity Ganon in the distance? The scent of orange blossom, freshly cut grass, and hemp in this candle bring you right back to that moment again.
Potion of Flight
Invigorating notes of crane flower and green tea make this candle perfect for exploring the Sky Archipelagos while chasing down the mysterious Light Dragon.
Hithmari High Desert
The sagebrush, red clay, and cactus notes in this candle are perfect for when you’re exploring the Gerudo Desert, racing sand seals, and fighting hungry Molduga.
Stamina Potion
For when scaling a cliff-face takes just a bit too much energy, grab a Stamina Potion candle. Notes of thyme, ginger, and peppercorn give you the boost you need to lock in and game hard.
Learn more: A Tears of the Kingdom Candle Experience
Elden Ring
FromSoftware’s magnum opus: an open-world descent into the twisted, myth-laden Lands Between. Equal parts haunting and breathtaking, Elden Ring rewards exploration with triumph and trauma alike. We recommend these candles so you don’t pull your hair out when you die to a crab (again).
HELLSCAPE
This invigorating candle has bright notes of charred persimmon highlighted by the subtle smokiness of chili pepper. Light this up when you’re fighting for your life in Caelid—at least your room will smell nice when you take on General Radahn.
Sanctuary
The clarifying spice of ginger, incense, and saffron conjure up images of quiet, holy places of rest and reflection. It makes us think of the Round Table Hold, the overgrown ruins of a forgotten goddess, and the haunting song of a nomadic merchant.
Realm of Shadows
The scent of this candle is seductive, the notes of pomegranate, star anise, and wet slate like an alluring darkness. There are so many places like this in Elden Ring: the enigmatic Nokrom, the beautiful but deadly Raya Lucaria, lakeside crystal caves full of secrets.
Healing Potion
You’re gonna need it. The zesty scent of sweet citrus and rosemary feels like taking a hit from your Flask of Crimson Tears right when you need it most.
Choose a candle for your own RPG
Whether you're fighting gods, planting potatoes, or seducing morally complex party members, there's a candle that can elevate your experience from memorable to magical. Even if we didn’t include your favorite RPG in this list, we encourage you to browse our full collection to find the perfect candle for your favorite game!
Did we forget about your favorite RPG? Drop a comment and let us know which game you want us to feature next!
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