Ravenloft: The Horrors Within Announced, Release Date Scheduled for June 2026

[pukunui]

It sounds to me like this is basically going to be a 5.5e update of Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft.

 

[GreyLord]

It sounds to me like this is basically going to be a 5.5e update of Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft.

That's what it appears to be from the blurb, but I would hope there is more because a repeat of material would seem to be a key point to ensure that this book is highly worthless for most people (unless they are that desperate for the updated and new player options).

I would think it is more of an expansion beyond what Van Richten's covered, with more details and expanding upon what was already found within.

 

[pukunui]

That's what it appears to be from the blurb, but I would hope there is more because a repeat of material would seem to be a key point to ensure that this book is highly worthless for most people (unless they are that desperate for the updated and new player options).

I would think it is more of an expansion beyond what Van Richten's covered, with more details and expanding upon what was already found within.

Sure but I bet a good chunk of it will be verbatim copied over from Van Richten’s, like the descriptions of the domains and such.

 

[Zarithar]

Question: besides being character options being updated to 5.5, what do we think is new in this one?

Lupin are new to 5e as is Cthulhu whom I don't think we've seen in an official D&D product since the original Deities & Demigods for AD&D.

 

[GarrettKP]

Question: besides being character options being updated to 5.5, what do we think is new in this one?

At the very least, Dark Lord stat blocks. Probably some new monsters.

 

[Charlaquin]

At the very least, Dark Lord stat blocks. Probably some new monsters.

Yeah, lack of Dark Lord stat blocks was a major complaint about VRGtR, so I imagine they’ll address that in this one. I also wonder if they might include a Core map, even if it’s labeled as an optional alternative to the all-isolated-islands setup presented in VRGtR. Though that’s more “I could see it” than “I would be surprised if they didn’t.”

 

[Alzrius]

I'm curious if he's a domain lord or are they doing something different with him. I mean, the Dark Powers couldn't hold a demigod, an Elder Evil seems a little out of their league...

Interestingly enough, while not a D&D product per se, Cthulhu was relegated to being a demigod in WotC's Call of Cthulhu d20, specifically in the D&D-centered appendix where it converted various parts of the book, including Mythos entities, to D&D stats.

 

[Artamo]

Lupin are new to 5e as is Cthulhu whom I don't think we've seen in an official D&D product since the original Deities & Demigods for AD&D.

I think Monte Cook stat’d out Cthulhu for his Call of Cthulhu d20 supplement back in 3rd edition.

 

[Remathilis]

Question: besides being character options being updated to 5.5, what do we think is new in this one?

Looks like we are getting proper dark lord stat blocks. Probably additional domains and monsters.

 

[Artamo]

Looks like we are getting proper dark lord stat blocks. Probably additional domains and monsters.

That would be a nice upgrade from VRGR.