Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd Review

Like many Ravenloft tabletop adventures, five adventurers are plucked from the realms by the mists to find themselves in Barovia. As usual, Strahd sends one of his minions to invite the newcomers to his castle to enjoy his hospitality, a.k.a. for Strahd to mess with their minds and tempt them.

The characters are:

• Rotrog: An arrogant Orc wizard apprentice
• Kah: A shy Kenku cleric from Waterdeep
• Fielle: A cheerful human artificer from Baldur’s Gate
• Alishai: A moody, hot-tempered Tiefling paladin to Selune
• Chivarion: A good-natured Drow barbarian with a hairless tressym named “Murder” as his pet.

Over the course of the novel, you discover that each one was taken when they were faced with a terrible choice or were poised to take an awful action. That sets the stage for the crux of the novel—which character(s) will succumb to either Strahd’s temptations and/or the malevolent energy of Barovia, embracing their darkest impulses.

Should You Buy It?​

I found Heir to Strahd interesting because while it presented elements of Barovia that Ravenloft players and DMs will be very familiar with, not everything was what I had expected, even though I’ve GM’d Ravenloft adventures. The spirit of Tatyana most notably was presented in a way I did not expect based on the prior information I had read.

I don’t want to explain too much about Tatyana, and how she factors into the plot because it could ruin the mystery of who falls prey to the darkness to become the titular character. I will say that I suspected the doomed character at first, then talked myself out of it, assuming it was a feint to distract from another option. A later character reveal reinforced my original suspicion, but I still thought there might be a twist to go in the another direction. There wasn’t but instead of being unsatisfying, the ending makes me eager for a sequel.

Regardless of how one feels about the mystery and certain aspects of the ending, this Ravenloft novel can be very useful for anyone thinking of DMing an adventure set in Barovia. Dawson, the author of a few Star Wars novels and several fantasy novels, not only sets the tone very well for Barovia but also shows how Strahd could be played by a DM. The audiobook in particular showcased how even a simple conversation with Strahd can be equal parts charming and sinister.

For those who like or prefer audiobooks, the narration by Ellie Gossage was very good. It’s also available in hardcover and ebook editions.

Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd: B+.

 

[Scribe]

How is this book horrific?

Look at the characters!

 

[Prof_Dogg]

Look at the characters!

Heh... No kidding... But bad casting aside, how does Gothic horror play into it? Asking for real...

 

[Tonguez]

Just wanted to say that I love the cover.

personally I hate the cover - especially the presentation of the 5 characters, it is what is keeping me away from investing in the book/audio until I can find a free version {Do I count as a grumpy old grognard now?}

 

[Yaarel]

I havent read the novel, nor have I played Ravenloft setting.

But looking at the characters, the Humanoid species are four "Evil races", plus a cheerful Human.

So. I am going to guess: the cheerful Human is the one that succumbs to temptation and an Evil fate awaits her. The four other species find redemption. And this commentary on racism is the point of the novel.

 

[Dire Bare]

What bugs me about the cover is they all look far too cheerful for people who’ve just been dumped into Barovia.

In the novel, things go sideways pretty much immediately and the party starts out distrustful of each other and at each other's throats.

The character in the top left is Fielle the artificer, and she is initially portrayed as a sweet, doormouse, always-trys-to-see-the-good type of character . . . but even then she is waaaay too cheerful in that image!

Rotrog the orc wizard (front and center) is a grumpy gus for must of the novel, and seems like he is smirking in the above image . . . the others look more neutral . . . something that bugged me throughout the novel (minor nitpick) is it "Ro-trog" or "Rot-rog"?

Alishai the tiefling paladin has anger issues that keeps her mean and crabby for most of the narrative; and Chivaron the drow barbarian is a bit smarmy, amoral, and hedonistic . . . he's a refugee from Menzoberranzan like Drizzt, but has a more survivalist outlook than our famous drow ranger. He dotes on and is extremely attached to his pet, the hairless tressym (which is not only new to the readers, but to the other characters as well).

The cover painting is well done, but yeah, it gives an overall cheerful vibe that is at odds with the actual story and of course the setting. But hey, don't judge a book by its cover!

 

[pukunui]

The cover painting is well done, but yeah, it gives an overall cheerful vibe that is at odds with the actual story and of course the setting. But hey, don't judge a book by its cover!

I figured that was probably the case. Thanks for the brief character summary!

 

[Tonguez]

In the novel, things go sideways pretty much immediately and the party starts out distrustful of each other and at each other's throats.

The character in the top left is Fielle the artificer, and she is initially portrayed as a sweet, doormouse, always-trys-to-see-the-good type of character . . . but even then she is waaaay too cheerful in that image!

Rotrog the orc wizard (front and center) is a grumpy gus for must of the novel, and seems like he is smirking in the above image . . . the others look more neutral . . . something that bugged me throughout the novel (minor nitpick) is it "Ro-trog" or "Rot-rog"?

Alishai the tiefling paladin has anger issues that keeps her mean and crabby for most of the narrative; and Chivaron the drow barbarian is a bit smarmy, amoral, and hedonistic . . . he's a refugee from Menzoberranzan like Drizzt, but has a more survivalist outlook than our famous drow ranger. He dotes on and is extremely attached to his pet, the hairless tressym (which is not only new to the readers, but to the other characters as well).

The cover painting is well done, but yeah, it gives an overall cheerful vibe that is at odds with the actual story and of course the setting. But hey, don't judge a book by its cover!

So is the choice of character species meaningful/impactful to the story in anyway or were they just selected to be edgy?

I dont mind monster parties per se but with Ravenloft gothic sensibilities being so humanocentric, how does it play out? Is it a party of weird but somehow the one 'normal' human is the weirdest of the lot, or does the author craft a more interesting dynamic?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

How is this book horrific?

How is 5E horrific?

Heh... No kidding... But bad casting aside, how does Gothic horror play into it? Asking for real...

Ravenloft is horrific in the same way that the Haunted Mansion is: It's a fun theming atop D&D's heroic fantasy.

If you want a truly horrific RPG experience, Ravenloft/D&D is a bad place to look.

Now, Ravenloft and the Haunted Mansion are both popular and fun, but expecting either to be a horror experience is unrealistic.

 

[Yaarel]

In terms of the morale of a story:
• Humanize a minority identity − yes, do this.
• Demonize a majority identity − no, dont do this.

The ethical difference between the two approaches to conflict, is obvious.

 

[nyvinter]

So is the choice of character species meaningful/impactful to the story in anyway or were they just selected to be edgy?

I think they were selected because, like it or not, this is the standard D&D party of the 2020s. Homemade world, Forgotten Realms, or Ravenloft, it doesn't really matter. If you look at how most people out there play 5e, their party will be the circus (affectionate).