Quoth the Raven #30 reaction thread.

[Mistmaster]

A few initial thoughts on this year's Quoth the Raven! It is nowhere near in order...



4. Mistmaster returns to the Mistworld with Blaustein (and Tepest but I'll cover that later)! I enjoy the Tortuga and Berber state influence on Blaustein, as I've always thought that the melange of "pirate paradise island" and "Ottoman" suited Bluebeard's vibe best and showed just how diverse the Ravenloft campaign setting could be, as it didn't need to skew religiously towards a 1:1 or 1:2.5 adaptation of real life lore (the latter would be more like 7th Sea). Though I already really liked the Fraternity of Shadows take on Blaustein and its locales, the introduction of new settlements like Portplasse, Portlant, and more gives me a bit more to work with in my own home games. Even better that they're all relatively distinct from one another in terms of trade resources and overall outlook! I'm also tickled pink with all the references to famous pirate captains and figures in the Golden Age of Piracy and beyond that are given easter-egg style naming conventions and references. As usual, the Famed and the Infamous sections are overflowing with interesting NPC ideas and adventure hooks, and I really have to tip my hat to Mistmaster on consistently not running out of ideas or repeating similar concepts after some time, especially when it comes to making an adventure hook for each and every character shown. I can come up with characters, yeah, but that's on a whole other level. Bravo!

Thanks my friend. Glad you liked that.

[alhoon]

The quality of QtR keeps impressing me every time. Thank you guys.

[Jeremy16]

Alright, everyone. It's time for me to switch hats from author to critic. Here's my first batch of reviews!


The Mist-Borne Post

This is an interesting mechanism to tie Darklords together, especially ones that reside in the (relatively) more inaccessible Islands of Terror. I appreciate the callback to Kislova, as well. I might balk at the idea of the Dark Powers aiding the Darklords in such a fashion (after all, it goes against the forced isolation via domain borders that is just one of the tools they use to torment them), but it doesn't break the campaign setting.


Behind the Mask

I like this article, but it feels like I'm only working with half an adventure here; which makes sense, because I am. Still, this is a really unique, outside-the-box concept and I appreciate what Mephisto cooked up here. I can see a game aid like this working for a murder mystery as well. (Maybe an idea that can be worked on for next year's QTR?)


70 Domains and Nightmarescapes

While these types of articles aren't my favorite, I do appreciate Jack the Reaper's drive-by domains as they are a good exercise in expanding Ravenloft beyond its gothic horror roots. Here we get glimpses of domains that are based off various new, modern horror stories be it from books, movies, or other even other RPGs. I also like that Jack notates his source material, so I can learn more about the scenarios that intrigue me.

Out of this last batch, I particularly like... Dog's Hell (I could see this as a creepy little town or ouiblette to make PCs pass thru), Closet Land (a great crossover with Little Fears), The Game Rooms (a cross between the Jigsaw movies and The Masque of the Red Death short story), Land of the Lost (gives me Nosos vibes), Endless Pain (neat body horror), and Land of Decay (even neater body horror). I also noticed a lot of Stephen King inspired places here (Under the Dome and Road of Misery), and you can never go wrong with that!


Secrets of the Phantasmal Forest

I am familiar with most of this article's content thanks to the various Nidala threads on the FoS forum, and am by no means an expert on Ebonbane and its history, so I don't really have too much to say about this one except that it takes Mangrum's “pearls in the oil” idea and really goes wild with it! I could be picky and say that having Ebonbane be the instigator of so much evil in one land is kinda over-the-top, but that's the point, isn't it? Basically, if anyone wants to run an adventure in the Shadowborn Cluster, this is a must read!

[Rock of the Fraternity]

I've been looking forward to Jeremy16's analysis.

[Speedwagon]

I've been looking forward to Jeremy16's analysis.

Me too! That also reminds me that I need to finish my own reviews and thoughts on everyone else's work, I've been busy with grad school finals

[IanFordam]

Tepest, Land of Fairy Tales and Folklore

I will admit that I quite enjoyed playing "spot the fairy tale" as I read through this article. At the same time, though, the heavy reliance upon specific fairy tale references also made the article harder for me to take seriously.

Since Keening is difficult to make more than a one-note domain, I appreciated its incorporation into Tepest. I also got a kick out of Agatha and Rubinia as NPCs from a certain other nearby land.

Perhaps my favorite part of this article is the expansion of goblin society. Canon Tepest is too small to go far in that direction, but Mistworld Tepest has plenty of room.


Blaustein, Land of Pirates and Jealousy

In its canon form, Blaustein is limited: a single island with a single castle near a single village. As such, it benefits significantly from Mistmaster's inclination to expand each domain's size and population. In this article, Blaustein offers six towns, each of which has something to distinguish it from the others. In particular, I like that not all of the towns are direct ports, which gives adventurers reason to venture inland. Also, "The Hanging Rock" is a fantastic name for a pirate's castle.

As usual in Mistmaster's domain write-ups, one of the standout sections is "The Famous and the Infamous", which offers an extensive list of NPCs and corresponding plot hooks. I appreciate that, in addition to the many pirates of the island, the article includes a number of non-monstrous NPCs such as Jeanne Damien and Roberto Cofresi.

Mistmaster's Blaustein is clearly a land of pirates, including various references to literary characters and people from our real-world history. However, it does not appear to be a particular land of jealousy, apart from its darklord. I would have liked to see that second thread woven more strongly through the NPC roster.

[IanFordam]

Me too! That also reminds me that I need to finish my own reviews and thoughts on everyone else's work, I've been busy with grad school finals

As excuses go, that's a pretty good one. May all go well for you!

[Mistmaster]

Tepest, Land of Fairy Tales and Folklore

I will admit that I quite enjoyed playing "spot the fairy tale" as I read through this article. At the same time, though, the heavy reliance upon specific fairy tale references also made the article harder for me to take seriously.

Since Keening is difficult to make more than a one-note domain, I appreciated its incorporation into Tepest. I also got a kick out of Agatha and Rubinia as NPCs from a certain other nearby land.

Perhaps my favorite part of this article is the expansion of goblin society. Canon Tepest is too small to go far in that direction, but Mistworld Tepest has plenty of room.


Blaustein, Land of Pirates and Jealousy

In its canon form, Blaustein is limited: a single island with a single castle near a single vilage. As such, it benefits significantly from Mistmaster's inclination to expand each domain's size and population. In this article, Blaustein offers six towns, each of which has something to distinguish it from the others. In particular, I like that not all of the towns are direct ports, which gives adventurers reason to venture inland. Also, "The Hanging Rock" is a fantastic name for a pirate's castle.

As usual in Mistmaster's domain write-ups, one of the standout sections is "The Famous and the Infamous", which offers an extensive list of NPCs and corresponding plot hooks. I appreciate that, in addition to the many pirates of the island, the article includes a number of non-monstrous NPCs such as Jeanne Damien and Roberto Cofresi.

Mistmaster's Blaustein is clearly a land of pirates, including various references to literary characters and people from our real-world history. However, it does not appear to be a particular land of jealousy, apart from its darklord. I would have liked to see that second thread woven more strongly through the NPC roster.

I thank you, and yes, the jealousy part has been explored too little. It has been only suggested in the part dedicated to the people.

[Jeremy16]

Tepest: Land of Fairy Tales and Folklore


The Famed and the Infamous – All our favorite storybook characters are here in one form or another (plus a few references that I'm sure went over my head). I especially like that Mistmaster turned Little Red Riding Hood into a frickin' wolfwere. That's the kind of Ravenlofty twist I am here for!

The Covenant of the Apple – This is one of the few elements that I feel is simply way over-the-top. I just don't see that many hags working well together given all the greed and treachery on display when there are just three present. Reducing it to nine (3x3) coveys/witches would seem more appropriate to me.

Queen Grimhilde – While I like what is written here, the fairytale aspect of this domain could be driven home further by making her part of her own covey with Duchess Tristessa (our favorite banshee Darklord) and Duchess Wilhelmine (Lady of the Lake analogue and swan maiden). That way you have a good coven (the reformed hags) and an evil coven working at cross-purposes.

The Goblinwood – I don't approve of goblinoids and humanoids living together in harmony, but as an isolated village I like this idea a lot. Having a “homeland” for goblinfolk is long overdue for Ravenloft. For some it may seem too “high fantasy” but I think it would strengthen the ties between goblins and other “folkloric fey” such as the Shadow Elves.

Under Lament – I see what Mistmaster is trying to do here (an Underdark-like location that fills in for the domains of Lament and the Shadow Rift) but it's a little unimpressive as written. There's too much here (shadow elves, ratfolk, and illithids) and not enough space is given to each group to to let any on thing shine.

Overall - I'm happy (?) to report that Mistmaster's World of Ravenloft seems to be growing (!) on me. I don't see too much to complain about here and I found a couple of the twists to be rather clever. I really like the conversion of the Three Hags into the “fairy godmothers” of the kingdom. This concept could work just as well in a more canon-oriented write-up. And having Queen Grimhilde mirror the story of Disney's Maleficent is well done, too.

[Mistmaster]

Tepest: Land of Fairy Tales and Folklore


The Famed and the Infamous – All our favorite storybook characters are here in one form or another (plus a few references that I'm sure went over my head). I especially like that Mistmaster turned Little Red Riding Hood into a frickin' wolfwere. That's the kind of Ravenlofty twist I am here for!

The Covenant of the Apple – This is one of the few elements that I feel is simply way over-the-top. I just don't see that many hags working well together given all the greed and treachery on display when there are just three present. Reducing it to nine (3x3) coveys/witches would seem more appropriate to me.

Queen Grimhilde – While I like what is written here, the fairytale aspect of this domain could be driven home further by making her part of her own covey with Duchess Tristessa (our favorite banshee Darklord) and Duchess Wilhelmine (Lady of the Lake analogue and swan maiden). That way you have a good coven (the reformed hags) and an evil coven working at cross-purposes.

The Goblinwood – I don't approve of goblinoids and humanoids living together in harmony, but as an isolated village I like this idea a lot. Having a “homeland” for goblinfolk is long overdue for Ravenloft. For some it may seem too “high fantasy” but I think it would strengthen the ties between goblins and other “folkloric fey” such as the Shadow Elves.

Under Lament – I see what Mistmaster is trying to do here (an Underdark-like location that fills in for the domains of Lament and the Shadow Rift) but it's a little unimpressive as written. There's too much here (shadow elves, ratfolk, and illithids) and not enough space is given to each group to to let any on thing shine.

Overall - I'm happy (?) to report that Mistmaster's World of Ravenloft seems to be growing (!) on me. I don't see too much to complain about here and I found a couple of the twists to be rather clever. I really like the conversion of the Three Hags into the “fairy godmothers” of the kingdom. This concept could work just as well in a more canon-oriented write-up. And having Queen Grimhilde mirror the story of Disney's Maleficent is well done, too.

I am glad that you liked this. UndeLament and the Goblinwood are both underdevoleped sadly with my specialistic Phd and other RL issues I did not manage to dedicate this all the time I should have; UnderLament, as well as the Gobliwood would deserve more attentions.Maybe next year I will publish a write-up on both.

[IanFordam]

Behind the Mask

I find this article fascinating because it introduces a new mechanic to influence the path of a game. In fact, it reminds me of the first time I read the original Ravenloft module and discovered how Tracy and Laura Hickman had incorporated a card deck into the adventure.

Nonetheless, I have to agree with Jeremy16's observation that this article provides only half of an adventure. I would be very excited to see what might be done with this mechanic as part of a complete scenario.


70 Domains and Nightmarescapes

I am recurrently amazed at Jack the Reaper's ability to generate an annual collection of snippets and hooks. In this year's collection, I am more interested in those offerings which hint at storylines (Stormborne Citadel, for example) more than those which provide a static scene (such as Frozen Servitude). However, the introductory statement explicitly calls out oubliettes and dreamscapes, so the static scenes are well within the article's remit.

As for my favorites, Endless Graveyard caught my attention because it offers a situation, a solution, and an adversary all in one brief synopsis. Similarly, Dogs' Hell offers both a horrifying situation and a darklord who is emphatically not a Good Boy.

Ultimately, for any DM who needs a disturbing image to throw at their players, this article provides a wealth of possible seeds.

[Mephisto of the FoS]

Behind the Mask
I like this article, but it feels like I'm only working with half an adventure here; which makes sense, because I am. Still, this is a really unique, outside-the-box concept and I appreciate what Mephisto cooked up here. I can see a game aid like this working for a murder mystery as well. (Maybe an idea that can be worked on for next year's QTR?)

Behind the Mask
I find this article fascinating because it introduces a new mechanic to influence the path of a game. In fact, it reminds me of the first time I read the original Ravenloft module and discovered how Tracy and Laura Hickman had incorporated a card deck into the adventure.

Thank you both for the review.

Nonetheless, I have to agree with Jeremy16's observation that this article provides only half of an adventure. I would be very excited to see what might be done with this mechanic as part of a complete scenario.

Well it was what I had ready for that particular adventure, unfortunately because of copyright I couldn't disclose more on it. One has only to find a copy of Dungeon Magazine #53 to make it complete .

It is true that I could have written a complete new adventure for it, but that was not my intention, I used the already published (since 1995) adventure as an example of how to use the card system and a concept of how to adapt that adventure for Ravenloft.

[IanFordam]

Well it was what I had ready for that particular adventure, unfortunately because of copyright I couldn't disclose more on it. One has only to find a copy of Dungeon Magazine #53 to make it complete .

It is true that I could have written a complete new adventure for it, but that was not my intention, I used the already published (since 1995) adventure as an example of how to use the card system and a concept of how to adapt that adventure for Ravenloft.

I appreciate that you gave proper credit where it was due and respected copyright. I just wanted to assert that if you did write a complete new adventure for it, you would find an eager audience!

[IanFordam]

Secrets of the Phantasmal Forest

In this article Speedwagon offers a selection of more than two dozen places which might be found in the Phantasmal Forest of the Shadowlands. Each of these locations has some tie to Kateri Shadowborn, whether extrapolated from canon or a product of the author's own invention. The first four entries, which have firm roots in canon, are among the strongest. However, I found several of the original entries equally compelling. Ozariath's Grove is my favorite; it involves a character both original and yet very much in keeping with the Kateri Shadowborn legend. All in all, there's a wide variety of juicy possibilities to chose from.

Incidentally, I would be curious to know more about the prisoners of the Spire of Howling Hatred. Given the many people who were corrupted by Ebonbane, who proved strong enough to resist the fiend's best efforts?


Vorostokov Gazeteer

The 2nd edition module Dark of the Moon provides the archtypical Vorostokov adventure. It describes Vorostokov as a land slowly dying beneath the dual threats of eternal winter and Boyar Gregor Zolnik. Building upon that foundation, Speedwagon's gazetteer attempts to expand the domain as a whole, justifying the continued existence of its suffering people, incorporating relevant Birthright source material, tying it into the larger Land of Mists, and then shifting the status quo based upon the events of Dark of the Moon. It's ambitious! And I, for one, think that Speedwagon succeeds admirably. (I will also admit to my bias. I reviewed this article before its publication.)

My favorite bit is the Great Thawing of 743BC. The death (even if only temporary) of a darklord should have an impact upon that darklord's domain. Speedwagon uses the finale of Dark of the Moon to perform a slight but crucial reset of both Vorostokov and Gregor Zolnik. No longer is the land locked in an eternal winter with its inhabitants slowly dying. Instead, it's locked in an eternal mostly-winter with its inhabitants dying somewhat less often, and this injection of hope matters. (Even if it's not much hope. This is still Vorostokov, after all.) Particularly in the "Flora and Fauna" and "Food" sections, Speedwagon makes useful arguments for how the Voros can survive their environment, especially following the Great Thawing.

As for Gregor Zolnik, the article builds upon his backstory to give a new twist to his goals and fears. It's not a radical change, but from a DM's point of view it's still a useful one. A wider variety of creatures may now be justified within Vorostokov with a minimal amount of hand-waving. Moreover, not only are these new challenges a direct danger to Gregor Zolnik, but any adventurers who can face them are also a threat to him.

I firmly believe than any domain larger than a pocket should allow for situations which do not directly involve the darklord. As such, I appreciate this article's expansion of the sites to be explored in Vorostokov, both original sites and canon villages which had been little more than names on a map. I like the variety of ruins with their variety of reasons for ruination. I am more hesitant about the Bleak Road Mistway, but as long as Svend Lauritsen holds the key to traversing the Bleak Road, the Vaasi can't invade wholesale and the Voros can't flee en masse.

And I really like Damir Shkut. Even in Vorostokov, there are lights in the darkness.

[Speedwagon]

Secrets of the Phantasmal Forest

In this article Speedwagon offers a selection of more than two dozen places which might be found in the Phantasmal Forest of the Shadowlands. Each of these locations has some tie to Kateri Shadowborn, whether extrapolated from canon or a product of the author's own invention. The first four entries, which have firm roots in canon, are among the strongest. However, I found several of the original entries equally compelling. Ozariath's Grove is my favorite; it involves a character both original and yet very much in keeping with the Kateri Shadowborn legend. All in all, there's a wide variety of juicy possibilities to chose from.

Incidentally, I would be curious to know more about the prisoners of the Spire of Howling Hatred. Given the many people who were corrupted by Ebonbane, who proved strong enough to resist the fiend's best efforts?


Vorostokov Gazeteer

The 2nd edition module Dark of the Moon provides the archtypical Vorostokov adventure. It describes Vorostokov as a land slowly dying beneath the dual threats of eternal winter and Boyar Gregor Zolnik. Building upon that foundation, Speedwagon's gazetteer attempts to expand the domain as a whole, justifying the continued existence of its suffering people, incorporating relevant Birthright source material, tying it into the larger Land of Mists, and then shifting the status quo based upon the events of Dark of the Moon. It's ambitious! And I, for one, think that Speedwagon succeeds admirably. (I will also admit to my bias. I reviewed this article before its publication.)

My favorite bit is the Great Thawing of 743BC. The death (even if only temporary) of a darklord should have an impact upon that darklord's domain. Speedwagon uses the finale of Dark of the Moon to perform a slight but crucial reset of both Vorostokov and Gregor Zolnik. No longer is the land locked in an eternal winter with its inhabitants slowly dying. Instead, it's locked in an eternal mostly-winter with its inhabitants dying somewhat less often, and this injection of hope matters. (Even if it's not much hope. This is still Vorostokov, after all.) Particularly in the "Flora and Fauna" and "Food" sections, Speedwagon makes useful arguments for how the Voros can survive their environment, especially following the Great Thawing.

As for Gregor Zolnik, the article builds upon his backstory to give a new twist to his goals and fears. It's not a radical change, but from a DM's point of view it's still a useful one. A wider variety of creatures may now be justified within Vorostokov with a minimal amount of hand-waving. Moreover, not only are these new challenges a direct danger to Gregor Zolnik, but any adventurers who can face them are also a threat to him.

I firmly believe than any domain larger than a pocket should allow for situations which do not directly involve the darklord. As such, I appreciate this article's expansion of the sites to be explored in Vorostokov, both original sites and canon villages which had been little more than names on a map. I like the variety of ruins with their variety of reasons for ruination. I am more hesitant about the Bleak Road Mistway, but as long as Svend Lauritsen holds the key to traversing the Bleak Road, the Vaasi can't invade wholesale and the Voros can't flee en masse.

And I really like Damir Shkut. Even in Vorostokov, there are lights in the darkness.

I'm very grateful to both your review AND to the help that you've given me throughout the creative process, at least regarding Vorostokov. Without such input I definitely wouldn't have had such a polished product (especially in figuring out where to put the Birthright source material and balancing it with Ravenloft canon) or the confidence to contribute to Quoth the Raven for this year. And I'd also like to give the same shoutout regarding looking-over-my-unfinished-work, even if I wasn't able to publish those articles this year.

To answer a few things: while I don't have a full idea of who proved strong enough to resist the fiend's best efforts, I'd personally like if it were a more diverse ensemble of "heroic resisters" than what one would assume. I'm sure that there might be one or two knights and priestesses of the Great Kingdom, but I'd also hope that there were some rebels in the Grand Caliphate in the south that opposed Ebonbane, instead of the Caliphate being treated as a monolith. That's also me speaking from a Middle Eastern perspective, as I've had varying levels of appreciation and lack thereof of such representation of Middle Eastern-esque cultures in fantasy (as you'd know from my review comments for the Pharazia article). Also, I appreciate that you like Damir Shkut! I tried to make every settlement have at least one NPC that was memorable, but it quickly grew quite taxing on my creativity (once again, shoutout to Mistmaster for his massive collection of the Famed and the Infamous).

And on one last note: I think it's nice that, with this Vorostokov article and your prior Sanguinia article, the Frozen Reaches have been really explored this year. A fun coincidence!