General RPG DiscussionDiscussion of all RPGs and non-system-specific topics. DM/GM/player issues, settings, etc. Rules discussion belongs in one the forums below.
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So, according to Randy Buehler, "October will also see the Domains of Dread return to D&D, with the long-time Ravenloft concept being folded into the core now." Now, this is some big news. Let the speculation begin.
So, according to Randy Buehler, "October will also see the Domains of Dread return to D&D, with the long-time Ravenloft concept being folded into the core now." Now, this is some big news. Let the speculation begin.
I'm surprised no one's commented on it before. During the Daily Gen Con rundowns at Wizards site, it was mentioned. But people didn't even seem to notice it at the time.
Either way, I hope the new Manual of the Planes covers it, along with some new info on Sigil.
I just wonder how different it will be, or if they'll even keep the origins of some of the Dark Lords the same. Like Soth* for example: would they have him from Krynn, or tie him into the default setting, making him perhaps the first person to become a Death Knight.
*I can't recall if Soth was taken out of the third edition due to licensing issues, or if he escaped during the second edition for story reasons.
Think Soth, iirc, repented of his evil and was redeemed, thus leaving Ravenloft?
Like Dark Sun, rather they ignored much of the later stuff and stuck to original, as the later stuff just made it messy as hell :/
If they ignore the later stuff, I hope they bring back Van Ritchen. I know he's a Van Helsing ripoff, but I always liked him. Plus, his original picture in the Black Box Set reminded me of Roddy McDowell in Fright Night.
If they ignore the later stuff, I hope they bring back Van Ritchen. I know he's a Van Helsing ripoff, but I always liked him. Plus, his original picture in the Black Box Set reminded me of Roddy McDowell in Fright Night.
I still read his monster hunter books.
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The domains of dread would float around in the Astral Sea now?
The archipelago of dread... Dun Dun Dunnnnnnn...
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Nah, it wouldn't fit in the Shadowfell for numerous reasons. For one, the Shadowfell is a reflection of a specific world. Faerun has its Shadowfell reflection, Krynn has its Shadowfell reflection, etc. Ravenloft isn't a reflection of any world. There're lands torn or copied from other worlds on it, but it isn't a copy of any one world. Second, it's a whole lot easier to get out of the Shadowfell than it is to get out of Ravenloft. Last but not least, it's a demiplane (which still exist in 4E), and as such, would probably be situated in the Astral Sea. Besides, it'd be nice to have Ravenloft with its own Shadowfell and Feywild reflections.
As for this news, personally I'm sweating bullets at the thought of making it "core". They went to the trouble of keeping demiplanes in 4E, so hopefully they'll keep it as one. One which is insanely difficult to get out of. And hopefully they won't feel the need to force everything in core into Ravenloft. Namely, Dragonborn, Dragons, planar travel, etc. Those're pretty big defining characteristics of Ravenloft, and I'd hate to see it lose them.
I actually think the only things they'll bring into core are Castle Ravenloft, Strahd, Van Richten, Barovia, and a few other elements. Barovia will be a region in PoLand, like the Nentir Vale. The entirety of the Ravenloft Campaign Setting probably won't be put into core.
Think Soth, iirc, repented of his evil and was redeemed, thus leaving Ravenloft?
Like Dark Sun, rather they ignored much of the later stuff and stuck to original, as the later stuff just made it messy as hell :/
Soth was taken out of Ravenloft around 1999 in Spectre of the Black Rose, not because he had been redeemed, but because he somehow managed to ameliorate his torturous existence in Ravenloft. Although never expressly stated, it was hinted at that the Dark Powers realized that Soth could not suffer any more and just got rid of him.
Back in the late 90's/early 2000, rumors were flying that Soth was taken out of Ravenloft and back into Dragonlance because he was supposed to be the big villain in 3E Dragonlance. That was back when Wizards of the Coast were planning on doing Greyhawk as core and Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance as their two campaign settings.
Those were some of the best 2E products period..regardless of campaign setting. Sadly (stupidly ? ) I sold them all sev years ago.
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Back in the late 90's/early 2000, rumors were flying that Soth was taken out of Ravenloft and back into Dragonlance because he was supposed to be the big villain in 3E Dragonlance. That was back when Wizards of the Coast were planning on doing Greyhawk as core and Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance as their two campaign settings.
I thought it was because Weis & Hickman threw a hissy fit because Soth "their character", and then killed him so that nobody could use him anymore.
That was how this long time dragonlance fan heard the situation went down, but I could be clouded by bitterness.
Concerned because:
1. I saw what "making Forgotten Realms core" did to FR.
2. A full Domains of Dread would not fit in a Dragon Mag; what are they cutting out?
3. A culture within WotC that seems unclear on the difference between Emo/goth and actual Gothic horror. I'm looking at you, Tiefling entry in Races & Classes.
4. The RtCR book that seemed to think slasher-fic was a good substitute for tragedy.
Ironically, I do recognize that Wizards really screwing up Ravenloft would be the best way to actually get me in character for playing in Ravenloft (because my nightmares would be realized).
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I haven't been impressed with the new Core. I really haven't been impressed with the new view of the Forgotten Realms. Therefore I'm going to call it that I'm not going to be impressed with their new take on Ravenloft. They need some better writers or thinkers in their world creation ranks.
3. A culture within WotC that seems unclear on the difference between Emo/goth and actual Gothic horror. I'm looking at you, Tiefling entry in Races & Classes.
The tiefling is not intended to be representative of Gothic Horror, so nobody mistook "emo/goth" for it. They're more representative of the concept of original sin.
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The tiefling is not intended to be representative of Gothic Horror, so nobody mistook "emo/goth" for it. They're more representative of the concept of original sin.
Bad example. I didn't want to use RtCR twice. But mistaking Emo/goth for "original sin" is no better, and still cheesy-cheese on cheese crackers.
__________________ I don't "tell stories" when I play D&D. I adventure. Afterward, when the gold is counted and the bodies piled high, we may tell stories about how it all went down. Or not.
I don't honestly have high hopes for this. This setting seems the least suited for 4E. I'd much rather see Dark Sun. Speculation: the domains will sometimes overlay existing sites in the real world, rather than have PCs travel to the demiplane.
But mistaking Emo/goth for "original sin" is no better, and still cheesy-cheese on cheese crackers.
See, that's the thing about opinions... I see you mistaking original sin for "emo/goth," rather than the writers mistaking "emo/goth" for original sin.
"Emo/goth" seems to be code for "I don't like this."
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Ravenloft deserves to be core!
) I sold them all sev years ago.
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