Ravenloft
Ravenloft, a fictional campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, is a pocket dimension ("demiplane") consisting of a collection of "domains" brought together by a mysterious force known only as Dark Powers. Each domain is mystically ruled by a being called a "darklord", a person who has committed a crime so foul as to attract special attention from the Dark Powers. The darklords are imprisoned within the borders of their domains and cannot escape by any means, although most can seal their borders with a thought. Within their domains, the darklords are forever tormented by the objects of their desire (often the objects they committed their crimes to achieve), which the Dark Powers dangle before them like the fruits of Tantalus. Each darklord's desires and motivations differ; some desire love, glorious victory, or the defeat and humiliation of their enemies.
Ravenloft is primarily a Gothic horror setting. Dungeon Masters (DMs) are encouraged to use scenes that build apprehension and fear, culminating in the eventual face-to-face meeting with the nameless evil. Characters have a much greater significance attached to their acts, especially if they are morally impure, as they risk coming under the influence of the Dark Powers (the "powers check") and gradually transforming themselves into figures of evil.
Ravenloft is noted for its use of analogues of fictional characters from Gothic and horror literature and, rarely, historical figures. Examples include Count Strahd von Zarovich and Vlad Drakov, who are analogues of Bram Stoker's character Count Dracula and his historical inspiration, Vlad Tepes, respectively; Doctor Victor Mordenheim and his creation, Adam, analogues of Mary Shelley's characters Doctor Frankenstein and his Creature; and Frantisek Markov, an analogue of H.G. Wells' character Doctor Moreau.
First published as "I6: Ravenloft" for the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, it was popular enough to spawn a pick-a-path book, a sequel module (I10: The House on Gryphon Hill"), and in the early 90's was launched as a full-fledged campaign setting. The campaign setting was revised three times before Wizards of the Coast cancelled the line after acquiring TSR.
TSR also published series of novels, happening in Ravenloft, such as Knight of The Black Rose which tells of the aftermath of Lord Soth.
Currently Ravenloft is licensed to third-party publisher, White Wolf Game Studio, who publish material compatible with the d20 System under their Sword & Sorcery Studio imprint. White Wolf publishes Ravenloft material under a sub-imprint, Arthaus.
See also
External links
- Fraternity of Shadows (http://www.fraternityofshadows.com/) - Ravenloft fansite and fanzine