Manual of the Planes Excerpt: Shadowfell

[Shroomy]

That said, I do hope that not all the domains are presented with the "weekend in hell" default. All my best RL campaigns were played with natives, rather than visitors.

So long as there's at least the occasional nod to playing natives--even if it's only in one out of every handful of domains--I think it can work. But if Ravenloft is reduced to just a "not-so-nice place to visit," I think it'll be a missed opportunity.

Ari, get to work and pitch some things to Chris!

I suspect that the majority of domains will be presented as a weekend in hell, but that there will be nothing to prevent you from playing a native, except that being a native of Sunderheart, for example, would really suck.

 

[Relique du Madde]

Soo... does this mean that the "dark powers" still exist? Or are they dead just like ravenloft's rules for taint/corruption and insanity (after all those are not very 4e friendly concepts).

 

[Shroomy]

Soo... does this mean that the "dark powers" still exist? Or are they dead just like ravenloft's rules for taint/corruption and insanity (after all those are not very 4e friendly concepts).

That is currently an open question. My guess is that they will not be an active part of the setting; why the mists create domains and darklords will probably be left a mystery.

 

[Shemeska]

Soo... does this mean that the "dark powers" still exist? Or are they dead just like ravenloft's rules for taint/corruption and insanity (after all those are not very 4e friendly concepts).

Like a lot of unique flavor, it's probably going to be lost as concepts are pushed into the 4e default. I've noticed that when setting elements don't fit the PoL default they change or vanish entirely, and the setting is adapted to the core, rather than the core adapted to incorporate a unique setting. That's horribly backwards in my opinion, and a ton of setting unique elements are likely to suffer (like FR already in a big way) if it's a stance that's adhered to in the future.

I'm rather glad I managed to get a full print run of the 3e WW/Arthaus Ravenloft. Some nice stuff there.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Ari, get to work and pitch some things to Chris!

What makes you think I haven't?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Like a lot of unique flavor, it's probably going to be lost as concepts are pushed into the 4e default. I've noticed that when setting elements don't fit the PoL default they change or vanish entirely, and the setting is adapted to the core, rather than the core adapted to incorporate a unique setting. That's horribly backwards in my opinion, and a ton of setting unique elements are likely to suffer (like FR already in a big way) if it's a stance that's adhered to in the future.

I'm rather glad I managed to get a full print run of the 3e WW/Arthaus Ravenloft. Some nice stuff there.

What I am hoping for eventually is that WotC will open up D&D4 for "flavored" mechanics to support certain different campaign styles. Maybe there could be a "Insanity" rule subsystem (for a Call of Cthulhu inspired experience) added on to facilitate certain goals - and being upfront about what it is for and how it will change the play experience.

But maybe their "Everything is Core" model works against this. I hope not, because as neat as it is, there are some things - even mechanics - that can and have to be campaign specific.

 

[Aloïsius]

What I am hoping for eventually is that WotC will open up D&D4 for "flavored" mechanics to support certain different campaign styles. Maybe there could be a "Insanity" rule subsystem (for a Call of Cthulhu inspired experience) added on to facilitate certain goals - and being upfront about what it is for and how it will change the play experience.

DMG2, I'm looking at you... I wan't grim and gritty rules, horros rules, low magic rules, or light fantasy rules options. Or maybe it will be the unearthed arcana, or whatever... A toolbox or alternative subsystems/rules to manage variant flavours of D&D.

 

[vagabundo]

DMG2, I'm looking at you... I wan't grim and gritty rules, horros rules, low magic rules, or light fantasy rules options. Or maybe it will be the unearthed arcana, or whatever... A toolbox or alternative subsystems/rules to manage variant flavours of D&D.

Snap! This is exactly what I'm thinking. This is what the DMGs need to be for, tons of snap in rules modules to custom make your campaign.

 

[Zsig]

YES!

And it wouldn't be a bad idea if said alternative rules would match current year's Campaign Setting mood/style.

What makes you think I haven't?

That's somehow comforting, way to go Ari!

 

[Joël of the FoS]

You could be right. Still, Strahd had stats and killing him to liberate Barovia from his tyranny was a pretty solid plan in the 3e module, so there certainly is precedent.

Nitpick, if you allow me The original I-6 and the Expedition to CR were NOT part of the RL setting. When I-6 was created, it was a “get in, kill the boss and get out” adventure (and a great one). When EtCR was redone (less greatly), the writers did have I-6 in mind only, and not the RL setting (from the WotC interview when EtCR was released).

Ravenloft won't exist to bring the worlds of Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley to life in D&D, allowing you to play troubled heroes in a land of oppressive fear.

Rather, it will exist to tack on different kinds of dungeons that might give some particularly horrific flavor.

It's a Ravenloft designed as an enhancement to your ongoing D&D campaign, rather than a Ravenloft designed as a replacement for your typical D&D campaign.

Well, as many pointed out here, it’s sad that the 4e mechanics released so far do not translate well setting flavor mechanics (who are in RL the horror, fear, madness checks, by the way (not taint, that was from Heroes of Horrors)). On the RL board, many of us have gone under the impression 4e lacks building blocks for subtelty…

I just hope we’ll be proven wrong!

Joël