Ravenloft in 4th or Essentials?

[dragonwarriorfan]

Hi,
I was hoping to run a Ravenloft campaign, but don't have the prep time to write or convert as much as I'd like. So, its probably mostly modular for me. Any suggestions? I've heard the Keep on Shadowfell/Thunderspire/Pyramid is vaguely Ravenloft, but I wasn't sure. Any thoughts, ideas, or references are appreciated. Thanks! dwf

 

[pemerton]

I can only speak about Thunderspire, but I wouldn't say its very Ravenloftish.

If you nevertheless end up running it, I've got some suggestions about how to improve it (that don't require doing much work) here.

 

[Tony Vargas]

The Ravenloft property has been used as a boardgame. It's a pretty good boardgame - played it just last weekened - but I'm guessing that makes it unlikely it'll be used as a campaign setting anytime soon. Maybe in 5e.

 

[Stumblewyk]

The Ravenloft property has been used as a boardgame. It's a pretty good boardgame - played it just last weekened - but I'm guessing that makes it unlikely it'll be used as a campaign setting anytime soon. Maybe in 5e.

Ravenloft was actually announced as a box set, similar to Gamma World (uses the basic 4e rules, is compatible with D&D without BEING D&D, etc.) to be released next year.

For the OP, I certainly would not call the core adventure modules "Ravenloft-ish." I'm playing through them currently, and I've DM'd Ravenloft often in 2e, and there are no Gothic Horror elements in those modules.

If you're looking for something "modular" for 4e Ravenloft, you'll most likely end up doing some 2e conversions to 4e. I did it with Night of the Walking Dead, and it wasn't too terribly difficult with the Monster Builder.

Also, I found the 4e materials all (PDFs) on this site useful:

• 4e Ravenloft DM's Guide
• 4e Tables and Charts Cheat Sheet
• 4e Ravenloft Player's Guide
• 4e Manual of Monsters

 

[MatthewJHanson]

In 4e it got folded into Shadowfell. There are a few dungeon articles describing the various domains of dread.

 

[DonAdam]

Last Breath of Ashenport, a Dungeon adventure (from 156 I think) might fit. It's more Lovecraftian than Ravenloftian, but there ain't a lot of horror out there for 4e.

Those guides on Fraternity of Shadows are excellent though.

You could also check out Legends and Labyrinths for more house-ruling ideas.