#CURSE OF STRAHD REVIEW SERIES#

In Barovia, the vampiric conqueror Strahd von Zarovich was now lured into evil by the cult of the Priests of Osybus. While most lore changes are benign, the histories of several Darklords have suffered greatly. No longer is Dementlieu ruled by a master manipulator instead, its residents must play a never-ending charade of fairy-tale nobility-where exposure means death. Darkon, the realm of the lich-king Azalin Rex, now faces apocalypse following its DarklordвЂ™s disappearance. The Carnival, 2eвЂ™s travelling band of horror, no longer terrorizes visitors with supernaturally disfigured вЂњFreaksвЂќ (though this is probably for the best). Some traditional Ravenloft fans will doubtless be disappointed to find discrepancies from past lore. When combined with the bookвЂ™s diverse portfolio of horror, few DMs will finish this book feeling uninspired. Rudolph van Richten, gives DMs a colorful suite of NPCs and factions to enhance any session. The вЂњTravelers in the MistsвЂќ described in the book, such as the occultist Keepers of the Feather, the mysterious wanderer Firan ZalвЂ™honan, and the students of famed monster hunter Dr.

#CURSE OF STRAHD REVIEW SERIES#

The isolated Domains may now drift alone through the mists, but RavenloftвЂ™s 5e rendition is remarkably coherent, providing equal support for a series of independent horror romps or an epic campaign seeking escape from the Dark PowersвЂ™ grasp. Though each realm is a DarklordвЂ™s prison, they are also settings in their own right, presenting hooks for exploration and adventure beyond Curse of StrahdвЂ™s villain-centric story.

The Mourning Rail thunders through the cursed fog, its cars echoing with the screams of the damned.ДЇrom the Lovecraftian Bluetspar to the intrigue-infested Borca and the haunted ghost train Cyre 1313 (вЂќThe Mourning RailвЂќ) these horrific realms are evocative and interesting places.

IвЂ™Cath, a domain in which all residents must choose: survive on scraps in a crumbling city, or become a mad queenвЂ™s slave in a never-ending dream.

Falkovnia, in which a cruel and brutal general leads her troops to slaughter at the hands of an eternal zombie apocalypse.

Barovia, the sunless land of the vampire lord Strahd von Zarovich.

Van RichtenвЂ™s Guide to Ravenloft brings Ravenloft to 5th Edition, providing thirty-nine Domains (seventeen of which are fully fleshed out) and Darklords to populate a campaign of horror. Savvy adventurers can navigate the ways between Domains, but escape from Ravenloft itself is nigh-impossible. From time to time, the mists of Ravenloft entrap unwitting victims from across the multiverse. Each Darklord resides in a personal Domain of Dread, which forms a personalized Hell for its ruler. Ravenloft is a prison, a realm of mist and shadow in which Darklords-villains of unspeakable evil-are contained and tormented by the mysterious and omnipotent Dark Powers. In doing so, Van RichtenвЂ™s Guide provides an assortment of new (and old) Ravenloft lore, a suite of DM resources, and a collection of intriguing player options. While DMs may buy this book expecting an encyclopedia of Ravenloft lore, Van RichtenвЂ™s Guide is best viewed as an expansive guide to tabletop horror, supplemented with Ravenloft elements and atmosphere. Van RichtenвЂ™s Guide to Ravenloft presents 5e Dungeon Masters with an updated version of Ravenloft, a Dungeons & Dragons horror campaign setting that has enraptured DMs and players since AD&D. Will you remain and be devoured? Or step forward-and lose yourself in the mists? Featured image credit WotC Van RichtenвЂ™s Guide to Ravenloft.Дisclaimer:В This article contains affiliate links that add gold to our coffers.ДЄhead, the swirling fog beckons.

Curse of strahd review