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<blockquote data-quote="Remathilis" data-source="post: 9335980" data-attributes="member: 7635">I think part of the charm, and frustration, of Ravenloft is Nightmare Logic. That is, things happen in Ravenloft that would be giant flashing warning signs in any other D&amp;D campaign (let alone the real world) but are completely accepted by the people at large. PCs are unique because they're some of the few who see the inherent contradictions. That is completely in keeping with gothic horror in specific and horror in general (to the point many of the bad-decision points needed to keep the plot moving are lampooned in movies like Scream, but the genre-savvy characters still fall victim to them.)When I started my Ravenloft game, I had to spend a sizable chunk of session zero advising my players to buy in on this trope. That things won't make sense and that's on purpose. That the Dark Powers and the Mists will always find contrivances and smooth over plot holes and that things won't always make sense, much like how a dream can veer into strange areas (he was my brother, but also the village barber) with little explanation. Now, that's not to say the modules weren't inherently bad in other ways. 2e Ravenloft is hella-railroady and really requires you to accept that DM MAGIC is going to keep the plot chugging along. But I think it's worth keeping in mind that a lot of Ravenloft does not sweat the details when it comes to logistics, motivation, or plot contrivance. Its about the vibes.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Remathilis, post: 9335980, member: 7635"] I think part of the charm, and frustration, of Ravenloft is Nightmare Logic. That is, things happen in Ravenloft that would be giant flashing warning signs in any other D&D campaign (let alone the real world) but are completely accepted by the people at large. PCs are unique because they're some of the few who see the inherent contradictions. That is completely in keeping with gothic horror in specific and horror in general (to the point many of the bad-decision points needed to keep the plot moving are lampooned in movies like Scream, but the genre-savvy characters still fall victim to them.) When I started my Ravenloft game, I had to spend a sizable chunk of session zero advising my players to buy in on this trope. That things won't make sense and that's on purpose. That the Dark Powers and the Mists will always find contrivances and smooth over plot holes and that things won't always make sense, much like how a dream can veer into strange areas (he was my brother, but also the village barber) with little explanation. Now, that's not to say the modules weren't inherently bad in other ways. 2e Ravenloft is hella-railroady and really requires you to accept that DM MAGIC is going to keep the plot chugging along. But I think it's worth keeping in mind that a lot of Ravenloft does not sweat the details when it comes to logistics, motivation, or plot contrivance. Its about the vibes. [/QUOTE]

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