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Dungeon Masters: Ravenloft Play-Along Pack
Darklord Restoration. If Lord Soth dies, he revives with all his Hit Points in 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10", "rollType":"roll", "rollAction":"Darklord Restoration"} weeks somewhere in Sithicus
of his treacherous servant, Caradoc, into the Mists. When the Mists parted again, the domain of Sithicus spread before him.
Villain of Two Worlds
Lord Soth features in adventures in both the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Facing Darklords Each Darklord in this chapter has a stat block from the Monster Manual or chapter 5 that you can use or customize to suit your adventures. Though you might be tempted to make a
to make them vulnerable (topics explored in “The Domain’s Downfall” in chapter 2). A climatic encounter with a Darklord should happen when and how it’s right for your adventures. After all, dread isn’t a factor of challenge rating or character level, but of the suspense your adventures create.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
The Domain’s Downfall Once you know what your domain and Darklord are, think ahead to the climax of your adventures. A Darklord likely can’t be defeated by combat alone, so what is their weakness? In
one or two sentences, describe this weakness, where it is in the domain, how the Darklord attempts to conceal this Achilles’ heel, and how adventures might exploit it to bring the Darklord down
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
Creating a Darklord Domains are reflections of and prisons for the Darklords they confine. To devise a Domain of Dread, first consider its central antagonist and prisoner: its Darklord. The following sections detail how to develop a Darklord as a focal antagonist in your horror adventures.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
. Darklord. A description of the domain’s Darklord appears here, along with details revealing the roots of their evil. Adventures. This section describes the kinds of adventures that naturally fit within
the domain. Domain Focus. For most domains, this final section highlights specific story elements and provides domain-specific tools to aid you in creating adventures around the domain’s Darklord and the horror of their realm.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Adventures The story of a Darklord and their domain is one and the same. Once you know your Darklord and the general shape of their domain, consider the types of encounters and adventures that play
aren’t. Sketch out these characters broadly, perhaps noting only their professions or roles in adventures. You can expand on their details as your adventures take shape. Entangling the Heroes. The Darklord
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
until the Darklord opens the borders or is defeated. Chapter 2 presents stat blocks for numerous Darklords. Chapter 3 explores how to use Darklords in your horror adventures, while chapter 4 aids in creating your own Darklords.
Darklords Helge C. Balzer Every domain torments a Darklord, a villain whose depravity attracted the attention of the Dark Powers and led to their imprisonment in the Domains of Dread. A Darklord
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
must first conceive its central antagonist and prisoner: its Darklord. The following sections detail how to develop a Darklord that contrasts your characters and can serve as a central rival in your horror adventures.
Creating a Darklord Domains are mocking reflections of the evils they confine. Each has a purpose, being a prison designed to torture a deliberately chosen villain. To devise a Domain of Dread, you
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
the following details: Domain. This initial section introduces the domain, its unique horrors, and notable locations. Darklord. The domain’s Darklord, their stat block, effects they create within their
domain, how they close their domain’s borders (see the introduction), and details of their lair appear here. Adventures. This section provides guidance on creating adventures in the domain, a campaign outline, and short adventures. This chapter concludes with an overview of additional domains.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
adventures: Demonstrations. When the characters offend the Darklord, how does the villain express displeasure? Do they take it out on the domain’s inhabitants? Do they dub the characters criminals or heretics
servants should feel like facets of the Darklord’s nature or goals. Characters should overcome these foes during adventures wherein they learn more about the Darklord. Defeating lesser villains gives
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
Unleash Your Horror At this point, you should have a wealth of information about your Darklord and their domain. Review your notes, connect elements, establish recurring themes, and consider ways to
foreshadow circumstances that adventures might focus on. You don’t need to have answers for every question now; you can define many details during adventures or by focusing on elements your players gravitate toward. For examples of fully detailed Darklords and domains, see chapter 2.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
Building a Domain Similar to building a Darklord, you can choose or randomly generate prompts from the tables below to flesh out the domain’s details. To build a Domain of Dread, follow these steps
: Step 1: Choose Genres. Most Domains of Dread are inspired by the same horror genres that shape their imprisoned Darklord, but feel free to mix in new genre elements. Step 2: Develop Details. What are
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
Darklords are fundamental to adventures within their borders. Consider the following questions when developing your campaign: Darklord Plots. Will your campaign involve the history, torment, and
they all call home—or do they have firsthand experience with multiple domains or other settings? Characters’ Significance. Why are the characters special? Why did the Dark Powers, a Darklord, or
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
itself. As you finish fleshing out your Darklord’s details, consider the following options to further connect the Darklord to their domain and the adventures within it. Endless Torment. In every domain
Birth of a Darklord Now trapped in a domain tailor-made to be their prison, the Darklord is immortal, and their greatest desire is just out of reach. At this point, you should have an idea of who the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
Using Domains of Dread Domains of Dread are backdrops to horror tales and the torments of their Darklord. These domains exist to confound and terrify those within. Everything in a Domain of Dread
serves frightful ends, and if something seems like it doesn’t, you just haven’t revealed how yet. While creating horror adventures, consider the following facts about domains.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
threats in your adventures. Dread in Darkon d6 Dread Possibility
1 A prophecy foretells the characters’ involvement in Darkon’s salvation or destruction, and comes with eight unavoidable omens
.
2 The characters were involved in the Hour of Ascension and share a Dark Gift (see chapter 1).
3 One of the characters is the perfect vessel for a new Darklord or Azalin’s rebirth.
4
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
details can fade into the background as your adventures focus on the domain’s threats. Domain Elements Above all else, a domain is a torturous prison for its Darklord. Visceral sights, sounds, and
those specifics to the imprisoned Darklord. Don’t get bogged down with the particulars of a working society. Things like weather, ecosystems, and agriculture needn’t follow logic in a domain. Mundane
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
Horror in Darkon Beyond the adventures you might develop in Darkon’s disconnected regions, the following elements persist across the domain. Azalin’s Fate The events of the Hour of Ascension and the
fate of Azalin loom over adventures in Darkon. The details of these mysteries are yours to decide. You can take inspiration from the following possibilities when determining Azalin’s fate. Severed
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
Adventures by Level Level Adventure 2 The Tithe 3 The Ghost Hunter’s Haunting 4 The Grand Masquerade 5 Isles of Agony 5 Lethal Lavender 6 Blood o’ the Vine 7 Hungry for More 8 Trial of Hearts 9
Siege of Lekar 9 Treacherous Blood 10 Eyes of the Darklord 10 The Shadowborn Sword 11 Tower of Traitors 11 Vault of the Elder 12 Scrolls of the Dead 14 Shadow of the Black Rose 16 Secrets of Avernus
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
your own Darklord, consider the relationship that will define their evil in your adventures: their conflict with your players’ characters. Just as a Darklord is the inspiration for a domain, players
’ characters can be a source of inspiration for a Darklord. Consider a Darklord a sinister reflections of those characters. If you explore this connection, have your players create characters then
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
abilities. This chapter explores ways to help you, the DM, make even the most commonplace monsters more frightening, as well as providing a host of horrors to add to your adventures in the Mists. Darklord Maligno and his carrionette servants ambush
the detectives Alanik Ray and Arthur Sedgwick
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
Darklord. Darklords exert some control over their domains, but they are tormented by their imprisonment. A domain without a Darklord has no purpose; if a domain’s Darklord escapes or is permanently
defeated, it might cease to exist. Chapter 2 describes some of the most notorious Domains of Dread, while chapter 3 explores how to use domains in horror adventures. Use the methods in chapter 4 to create domains of your own.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Darklords Central to each domain is a Darklord, the seed from which a thorny thicket blooms. The villain might be a nation’s leader, a prominent citizen, a notorious monster, a mysterious recluse, or
widely and exceptions occur, Darklords share a number of qualities: Darklords Are Evil. Each Darklord is the ultimate villain of a domain and the root of the suffering and terror that unfold there
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Vhage Agency Darklord: Flimira Vhage Hallmarks: Detective work, memory loss Everything inside the office of the Vhage Agency appears as a monotone gray. Anyone who passes the frosted glass door that
leads into this single-room domain is expected by Flimira “Flintlock” Vhage, the detective agency’s owner. From this hub for occult detective adventures (see chapter 2), Vhage collects mysterious
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
Mist Wanderers Individuals who travel the Mists might ally with characters or share mysteries that lead to adventures elsewhere in the Domains of Dread. Alanik Ray The Great Detective Alanik Ray is a
cases and paranormal mysteries. The practical half of the detective duo, Arthur chronicles their adventures, having published two volumes: The Life of Alanik Ray and The Casebook of Alanik Ray. Ez
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
The Darklord’s Betrayal Harkon Lukas approaches the characters as an ally who eagerly sponsors their adventures and rise to fame. Although he does this in hopes of benefiting from the characters
’ triumphs and stealing their celebrity, the Darklord can be a powerful ally. Ultimately, though, all of Harkon’s relationships walk a familiar path. Meeting the Darklord. Through sycophants and werewolf
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
Domain Details To reinforce the types of horror your adventures explore and give domains their own malicious personalities, consider these setting elements. Sylvain Sarrailh Those who enter the
Mists … Darklord Reflections Every domain can be viewed through the lens of its Darklord, with every part of the domain reflecting some facet of the Darklord’s personality, ambition, or torment. You might
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
sections later in the chapter also detail each genre’s core principles, which drive how you develop the Darklord, the domain, and the adventures within. These genres aren’t mutually exclusive. Feel
philosophical, using restless ghosts to examine the nature of the soul. Before you begin building a Darklord, consider which genres of horror you’d like to explore. The Genres of Horror table describes the six
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
storm, so do domains create inescapable spaces where horror adventures unfold. Domains Are Themed. Each domain reflects its Darklord and facilitates horror tales related to that villain. Just as
. Domains Are Cages. Those who run afoul of a Darklord might find that the Mists prevent them from leaving the villain’s domain. Like a haunted house that conveniently seals its doors or summons a deadly
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
chores or distractions. They might be as simple as a whiteboard for notes or a handwritten letter from a Darklord. Ravenloft has a history of featuring props in its adventures, such as the tarokka deck (see appendix A).
Horror Atmosphere Alejandro Pacheco Light, music, and props all contribute
to a frightful atmosphere Frightful D&D adventures benefit from a game atmosphere that reinforces the horrifying plot
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
Horror in the Shadowlands Adventures in the Shadowlands often include the following elements. Faith-hold’s Crusades Elena Faith-hold rules Nidala, crushing its people under the weight of her
survivor of a great victory. Elena Faith-hold isn’t a Darklord, but should someone ever destroy Ebonbane, she might ascend to that position. Quest of the Four Keys One can destroy Ebonbane permanently
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
. Avoid interacting with multiple domains or traveling the Mists. Make a Darklord your adventures’ focal villain. Islands of Terror In this model, the Domains of Dread are isolated realms that characters
you to shape the setting however best serves your adventures. Consider the following setting models for how you might use the Domains of Dread or use your favorite elements from multiple domains
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Dark Bargains Characters who don’t have a Dark Gift might gain one in the course of their adventures. At the DM’s discretion, sinister forces might contact a character and offer them a Dark Gift in
of such a bargain reflects the agenda of the being or beings offering the bargain, be it the Dark Powers, a Darklord, or a more mysterious force. The particulars of the Dark Gift and how it will
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Wicked Personality Detailing the Darklord’s personality gives them a unique identity that will help motivate them in your adventures. To do this, give them ideals, bonds, and flaws similar to those
you might give any NPC, as detailed in the section on creating nonplayer characters in the Dungeon Master’s Guide: Ideal. In one sentence, describe an ideal that the Darklord holds dear and that
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
demiplanes imprisons a Darklord, a villain tormented by the Dark Powers. Domains ironically twist Darklords’ desires, trapping these villains in cycles of dread and despair. 4: The Mists’ Clutches. Constant
Ravenloft, albeit with an unsettling twist. 7: Rule of Fear. The mysteries of the Dark Powers and the Mists facilitate frightful adventures. Whatever inspires terror and aids your horror adventures is the will of the Dark Powers.