Rulers of the Dark: Preview 5 Darklords from Ravenloft: The Horrors Within

Tags author-mike-bernier Ravenloft: The Horrors Within

Ravenloft's Domains of Dread are some of the most terrifying locales in the entire multiverse, but they're not simply pocket planes full of jump scares and disfigured monstrosities. Each Domain of Dread exists to imprison a Darklord—a villain whose crimes were so profound that they drew the attention of the Dark Powers and were bound within a pocket dimension that twists and torments their darkest desires.

In this article, we explore five infamous Darklords from the 17 included in Ravenloft: The Horrors Within, examining their pasts, the nature of their domains, and the powers that make them deadly and unique threats.

ANNA PODEDWORNA Strahd von Zarovich

Strahd von Zarovich

Past. Strahd von Zarovich is the quintessential and most infamous Darklord. Once a ruthless warlord whose campaign conquered the land now known as Barovia, Strahd’s envy and desire drove him to murder his brother Sergei and attempt to claim Sergei’s beloved, Tatyana. His pact with dark forces transformed him into the first vampire and empowered him to slaughter his entire family and retinue of followers.

Present. After Barovia was claimed by the Dark Powers and turned into the first Domain of Dread, Strahd has brooded within Castle Ravenloft, eternally pursuing reincarnations of Tatyana to no avail. Though he occasionally toys with adventurers, he is relentlessly cruel to those who deny him his desires.

Domain of Dread. Much like Strahd, Barovia exudes classic gothic horror. Isolated settlements are dotted amongst perpetual mists, deadly monsters roam the countryside, and all who try to scrape a meager living are assaulted with a constant, repressing atmosphere of dread.

Signature Abilities

  • The First Vampire. Strahd is a powerful vampire whose powers—and flaws—are shared by those who followed in his wake.
  • Potent Spellcaster. He is particularly skilled in the arcane arts, able to cast a variety of powerful spells such as Fireball, Animate Dead, Greater Invisibility, Polymorph, and Scrying.
  • Charming Bites. He can also imbue the Charmed condition on targets to make them willing recipients of his Bite attack.
BRIAN VALENZUELA Cthulhu

Cthulhu

Past. Cthulhu is unlike most Darklords. Instead of a mortal twisted by ambition, it is a primordial cosmic force from beyond reality. For eons, Cthulhu has warped worlds by invading dreams, unraveling minds, and shattered the boundaries between reality and the Far Realm.

Present. Now imprisoned within the Domains of Dread known as Innsmouth, Cthulhu can only wield a fraction of its terrible might. Even while bound, Cthulhu sends its dreams to seep from its prison and into realms beyond, guiding its cults and manipulating weaker minds toward rituals that might free it.

Domain of Dread. Innsmouth is a domain suffused with elements of cosmic horror. It is an inhospitable expanse of alien mountains, drowned ruins, and what remains of the cult-infested community that lends the domain its name. These bleak expanses are home to twisted creatures and warring cults.

Signature Abilities

  • Impossible Geometry. Cthulhu’s mere presence distorts reality around it, warping the surrounding terrain to create Difficult Terrain and inflicting damage to nearby creatures.
  • Mind-Shattering Magic. Cthulhu’s arsenal of malicious magic contains spells such as Dream, Geas, and Befuddlement, allowing it to manipulate victims across the multiverse.
  • Reality-Warping Assault. Cthulhu’s Eldritch Claw can Grapple targets, setting them up for devastating Tentacle attacks that deal Acid and Psychic damage, drain Hit Points, and heal Cthulhu. It can reposition with Warp or disrupt the battlefield with Fold Space.
LENKA ŠIMEČKOVÁ Viktra Mordenheim

Viktra Mordenheim

Past. Dr. Viktra Mordenheim is Ravenloft’s resident mad scientist. Driven by her obsession with anatomy and reanimation—as well as a lack of conscience for the living—she was able to resurrect her deceased partner through science rather than magic.

Present. In Lamordia, Viktra’s relentless experimentation continues in her castle-laboratory: Schloss Mordenheim. Aided by constructs and chemically animated Undead, Viktra toils endlessly to replicate her greatest invention, the Unbreakable Heart, which allowed her to reunite with Elise.

Domain of Dread. Thanks to Viktra’s industrial influence, Lamordia is a domain of body horror and environmental destruction: Toxic byproducts run off into streams and are dumped in forests, all while abominations born from unchecked experimentation roam the icy landscape.

Signature Abilities

  • Modular Syringe. Mordenheim deploys specialized chemical injections through her Syringe attack—Corrosive, Deadly, or Mind-Altering—that deal damage and can slow, prevent healing, or disrupt Concentration.
  • Animator and Augmenter. Mordenheim can bring objects through Animate Objects and enhances the durability of nearby Construct allies with Temporary Hit Points at the end of each of her turns.
  • Shocking Tactics. Her Lightning Rod attack can deliver Lightning damage and prevent enemies from taking Reactions, while her Static Explosion Legendary Action creates a burst of harmful electricity.
ANNA PODEDWORNA Ankhtepot

Ankhtepot

Past. Once a high priest who betrayed his pharaoh out of ambition, Ankhtepot was cursed by the gods with undeath and stripped of his ka, the vital essence of his soul.

Present. Now ruling Har’Akir as an immortal pharaoh, Ankhtepot is indifferent to power for its own sake. His sole obsession is recovering his lost ka, so that he may die and face the gods that cursed him for eternity.

Domain of Dread. Har’Akir is a land of obsidian sand, ancient tombs, and relentless heat. The lone city is ruled by an authoritarian priest in Ankhtepot’s name; meanwhile, below the sands, a labyrinth of interconnected tombs rife with traps and terrors spreads for miles.

Signature Abilities

  • Touch of Death. Ankhtepot’s most deadly weapon can instantly kill creatures with 80 Hit Points or less, while hardier foes are blasted with Necrotic damage.
  • Timely Dangers. His Sands of Time Legendary Action enables him to teleport, unleash Force damage, and rapidly age creatures nearby.
  • Pharaoh of Deathless Power. He augments his Necrotic offense with spells like Dispel Magic, Sunburst, and Power Word Stun.
MATTHEW G. LEWIS Ebonbane

Ebonbane

Past. Ebonbane is a sentient weapon forged from the collective malice of evils vanquished by the hero, Kateri Shadowborn. As Shadowborn and her retinue destroyed darkness, lingering evils imbued the shards of her shattered blade which her foes reforged into a conscious, evil weapon intent on corrupting its wielder. Through manipulation and whispered promises, Ebonbane ultimately orchestrated the downfall of Shadowborn and her allies.

Present. Now confined to the Shadowlands, Ebonbane is bound to Shadowborn Manor unless carried forth by a mortal wielder. Ebonbane seeks to dominate those who wield it, using them as instruments to destroy its ancient enemies and any lingering ideals of heroism.

Domain of Dread. The Shadowlands is a realm of corrupted heroism and lost ideals, divided between haunted Avonleigh and zealous Nidala. Here virtue is often a mask and excuse for cruelty.

Signature Abilities

  • Possess Dead. Ebonbane can animate a nearby Humanoid corpse, inhabiting it as a vessel and gaining temporary vitality.
  • Whirling Dread. It blinds foes, counters attacks with supernatural speed, and resists many conditions due to its unnatural nature.
  • Corrupting Will. It tempts creatures into becoming its wielder—an offer that can result in immediate attunement and, if they fail, utter destruction.

Face the Darklords of Ravenloft

The Darklords of Ravenloft are among the most dastardly villains in the multiverse. Each has committed atrocities so great that they are imprisoned within domains that reflect their crimes and transform their deepest desires into endless torment.

From the stat blocks of 17 infamous Darklords to ready-to-play adventures in the domains warped by their obsession, Ravenloft: The Horrors Within equips you with everything needed to terrify your players with their own personal nightmare-infused campaign.

Everything You Need to Know About Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
by Mike Bernier
Welcome to Ravenloft: An Adventurer's Guide to the Domains of Dread
by Mike Bernier
Dungeon Masters: The New D&D Actual Play
by D&D Staff

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