Domains of Dread: Shadowrealm =/!= Shadowfell?

[Graethynne]

Only glanced at the new Dragon article briefly. It appears to retain the "prison for a powerful and evil being" vibe which is nice. I'm just not sure about the planar cosmology of it. Pocket dimensions? Isolated pieces of the Shadowfell? Something else?

If anyone knows I would love the info.

Gratzi,

Graydon

 

[MrMyth]

Only glanced at the new Dragon article briefly. It appears to retain the "prison for a powerful and evil being" vibe which is nice. I'm just not sure about the planar cosmology of it. Pocket dimensions? Isolated pieces of the Shadowfell? Something else?

Isolated spot in the Shadowfell seems to be the idea - a region that was dragged over / mirrored from the actual world into a dark reflection in the Shadowfell, surrounded by (mostly) inescapable mists. It seems a remarkably good fit for preserving the original flavor while making it work effectively with the new setting.

 

[hawkwing2k5]

Reminds me of Ravenloft before the campy need to include all hollywood iconic style monsters. Dracula Werewolf, Frankenstine, Boo berry and a boat load of undead.

 

[Kesh]

Especially after the "Weekend in the Realms" adventure, I'm getting a definite Silent Hill vibe from the Shadowfell. And I mean Otherworld, aka blood and chains Silent Hill, not just the foggy version of the town.

 

[-Avalon-]

Last time someone asked me to describe shadowfell in one sentence, my answer was a simple:

Jack the Ripper would be an Upstanding citizen.

 

[DMZ2112]

Only glanced at the new Dragon article briefly. It appears to retain the "prison for a powerful and evil being" vibe which is nice. I'm just not sure about the planar cosmology of it. Pocket dimensions? Isolated pieces of the Shadowfell? Something else?

My understanding is that the Domains of Dread are places that are in both the material plane and in the Shadowfell, simultaneously. The planes overlap one another, and create a new kind of environment.

To put it another way:

Especially after the "Weekend in the Realms" adventure, I'm getting a definite Silent Hill vibe from the Shadowfell. And I mean Otherworld, aka blood and chains Silent Hill, not just the foggy version of the town.

The Otherworld, blood and chains Silent Hill is the Shadowfell, and the foggy town Silent Hill is the Domain of Dread.

Personally, I think this is a pretty awesome reinvention of a D&D staple.