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My theory is that TSR hired a bunch of creative writing graduates to write these modules, and so they end up reading like stories, and less like what we'd expect from a module where the PCs have actual free will.

Oh man, I've seen that in a couple of places in these modules - someone is dying, and the text says "nothing the PCs do will save them" - like, seriously? You really expect me to buy that? It's so ham-fisted and dumb. I hate it. I'm going through Castles Forlorn at the moment. Gonna take me a...

In the module, it describes it as damaging his larynx, but otherwise doesn't kill him. But he now has a "ghost-like" voice as a result, which adds to the mystique, I suppose.

Invisible Stalker (Dungeon #63) ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it module from Dungeon #63 is a “side trek” module that clocks in at just over two pages long and is intended for a party of 1st-2nd level. The premise is simple – a seamstress was recently the victim of an assault by a man...

Also, can we talk about how heavy-handed these modules are with werewolves? I mentioned this in my review of Feast of Goblyns. To me, werewolves are a bit like dragons. These aren't mindless killing machines. Well, ok, a werewolf kind of is a mindless killing machine, but the body it inhabits...

Well, I'm certainly not paying $20 for that, but it sounds a little different. Mine is a little more .. mundane, I guess? I'm planning on them interacting with all the other patients and trying to find a way to escape. Nothing externally weird going on...

My god, man! That's incredible! Yea, I'm definitely stealing this. Thanks so much!

Never heard of it. Not that familiar with Pathfinder stuff. I'll have to look into that. Thanks!

I should add I'm not actually planning on using D&D rules for this. I'm going to try out "Low Fantasy Gaming" (LFG) by PickPocket Press. The rules seem really solid, and the grittier rules I think will play well into Ravenloft. I'm also going to use Renaissance-era technology, which means I'll...

For those who are curious to know what my campaign looks like, this is what I've constructed. The first session is one of my own creation. I'm still working on it, but I'm planning on starting the PCs off in an Insane Asylum. Somewhat inspired by Bleak House, I suppose. The PCs awaken there...

I agree that Death House seems pretty straightforward. If I run it, I'm changing the hook into it, and moving it out of Barovia, since my campaign isn't set there. But I'd be curious to hear what makes it so terrible? House of Lament looks excellent! But obviously my read-through can't compare...

FYI, some of the modules on my docket to look at next: Night Swarm (from Dungeon #61) Castles Forlorn (god have mercy on my soul) Circle of Darkness Sea Wolf (Dungeon #55) House of on the Edge of Midnight (Dungeon #76)

Look! More reviews!! Some of these are slogs to get through... but this batch is mostly good! In case you can't tell, I'm mostly starting with some of the lower-level stuff first, since I'm primarily interested in piecing them together into a campaign. Night of the Walking Dead ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐...

Ok, that's actually delightfully brilliant, and I might have to steal that! I've already catalogued like 60+ modules. Jesus, as if I don't have enough to look at! That one will take time to ingest, and I know it's pretty much universally panned in most reviews I've read of it. But it might be...

My hope is that others can benefit from A) knowing what to avoid and B) what is great, or at least what can be great with a little bit of work. There are just so few reviews online of this stuff (mostly because it largely predates the internet). Great question! When I started this process, my...

I agree that Ravenloft is kind of an odd bird... the meta-description of it is intentionally vague in the books. But it does almost feel like it's a world created by some sort of sick DM just for the purpose of having a weird little power trip. But it's more than that. The world only takes in...

I think some of the higher level modules do some of that stuff. I haven't really gotten to those yet, but I've seen the reviews. I guess my goal here is two-fold - to find modules that I think are worthy to include in my campaign, by finding the hidden gems, and to make others aware of them as...

The difference is that, in those stories, there's like ONE bad guy - one vampire, one werewolf, what have you. Feast of Goblyns literally has a tavern full of vile wolfweres that kill with impunity. The other thing is that - and I treat dragons like this in my "normal" campaign, is that they...

I can accept that to a certain extent, but I still feel like things should more or less make logical sense - i.e., the NPCs should still behave in a manner that conforms to some semblance of reality. But more importantly, I don't want to have to break the 4th wall to get my players to enjoy some...

My players in my Sunday game are at a slave auction. They'll find plenty of uses for all that gold... :)