Dragon 368 - Domains of Dread: Sunderheart, the Funeral City

[Klaus]

Eh... Maybe... Neuschwanstein is just so "iconic fairytale castle" like though so anything with tall cone topped spires tends to resemble it.

It's a pretty sweet castle though.

Evertime I was there it always made me think of D&D.

Not "resemble". I mean literally photoshopped in. Both castles, btw (and Neuchswanstein was the basis for Cinderella's Castle in the first place). I'd post the picture, but the article is subscription-only, and I don't want to break copyright rules.

But aside from that, sweet article, and the map artist rocks!

 

[Scribble]

Not "resemble". I mean literally photoshopped in. Both castles, btw (and Neuchswanstein was the basis for Cinderella's Castle in the first place). I'd post the picture, but the article is subscription-only, and I don't want to break copyright rules.

But aside from that, sweet article, and the map artist rocks!

Disney is kind of a thief. There's another one in Europe that is literally the exact same castle as the Disney World castle. It's kind of weird when you're there. It's like- Hey I'm in Disney world? But I'm the only annoying american around...

I have a subscription but I'm still not sure I agree with you. Maybe I'm not looking at the right place in the picture?

 

[WhatGravitas]

Whenever they are victorious they get moved to another realm/adventure locale.

Ravenloft sliders!

Cheers, LT.

 

[Shroomy]

So, I have a question for all the Ravenloft fans out there, how does this Domain of Dread measure up for you?

 

[catsclaw227]

One thing I dislike strongly:

The picture on page 8 of the file (77 of the overall article) has a city vista by Rob Alenxander. You can clearly see in the background Neuschwanstein Castle and Cinderella's Castle photoshopped into the picture.(

I don't know, Claudio, I can't see them wholesale photoshopped in. Maybe some individual spires/towers/etc might have been used, but not sure.

You may have wanted to email and ask him first before you threw this out there, though.

 

[Kirnon_Bhale]

Ravenloft sliders!

Cheers, LT.

That would be sweet. Hard on the players though - always thinking they have made it only to find that once more they must battle against overwhelming evil all while just hoping that one day they will make it home. (Actually had a little "Quantum Leap" moment there [loved that show])

 

[Mouseferatu]

I loved the article, and I'm absolutely looking forward to reading--and hopefully contributing to --the series.

That said, I do hope that not every domain of dread is designed primarily around the notion of making the PCs find a way to escape. I always found that the most satisfying Ravenloft campaigns were the ones in which the PCs were playing natives. Take escape out of the equation--make it so that this is simply the way the world is--and you open up a lot of story potential.

I'm fine with the series not emphasizing that, since the domains are in the Shadowfell as opposed to the mortal world. But I hope they don't completely eschew the possibility.

 

[Klaus]

Disney is kind of a thief. There's another one in Europe that is literally the exact same castle as the Disney World castle. It's kind of weird when you're there. It's like- Hey I'm in Disney world? But I'm the only annoying american around...

I have a subscription but I'm still not sure I agree with you. Maybe I'm not looking at the right place in the picture?

PM me and I'll show it to you.

And let me make it clear: I'm not faulting the artist's work because it's a photomanipulation. Aside from that detail of the castles (which were recognizable), the picture itself is very good (as were several other pictures by Rob Alexander in other products, like Menace of the Icy Spire or the 4e DMG). But any time you do photomanipulation, you run the risk of someone noticing the sources.

 

[M.L. Martin]

I loved the article, and I'm absolutely looking forward to reading--and hopefully contributing to --the series.

That said, I do hope that not every domain of dread is designed primarily around the notion of making the PCs find a way to escape. I always found that the most satisfying Ravenloft campaigns were the ones in which the PCs were playing natives. Take escape out of the equation--make it so that this is simply the way the world is--and you open up a lot of story potential.

I'm fine with the series not emphasizing that, since the domains are in the Shadowfell as opposed to the mortal world. But I hope they don't completely eschew the possibility.

Personally, I think that the 'weekend in Hell' approach is just fine for them to take with Dragon articles, given that those are meant to be for general use. (Although I hope other domains are more friendly to native PCs than Sunderheart.) If/when they do Ravenloft 4E, then they can emphasize the native element.

As it stands, I'd use the 'domains of dread' presented as the equivalent to Islands, with the Core being a world closely linked to the Shadowfell to the point that the Mists are pervasive.

 

[Ethalias]

I like the article, evocative and with suitable info provided. Liking the maps for both versions of the city; the monthly night of revelry sounds more than worthy of inclusion.

And I LOVE the idea of a DnD/Sliders.. Perhaps with a little more control over the situation, but a pressing story line.. *YOINK*

But any time you do photomanipulation, you run the risk of someone noticing the sources.

There's a similar phenomenon in music with sampling. Most of the time, especially with more obscure samples, no one notices. Sometimes someone will notice, and that can be an "Oh WOW" moment, or a *sharp intake of breath* moment, depending on how it's handled. How it strikes you depends on your tastes and disposition. So I sympathise with you, but it doesn't bother me particularly.