Tales of Ravenloft
Author: Various
Type: Novel (anthology)
Format: 316 pages book
Release date: September 1994
Other notes:
List of Short Stories:
- The Crucible of Dr. Rudolph van Richten (David Wise)
- The Vanished Ones (Chet Williamson)
- The House of a Hundred Windows (Mark Anthony)
- Song Snatcher (Elaine Cunningham)
- Undefiled (James M. Ward)
- The Briar at the Window (Roger E. Moore)
- Nocturne (Allen C. Kupfer)
- The Wailing (Kate Novak)
- Von Kharkov (Gene DeWeese)
- Sight and Sound (D.J. Heinrich)
- The Judgment of abd-al-Mamat, Jeff Grubb
- The Rigor of the Game (James Lowder)
- Cold, Hard Silver (Juanita Coulson)
- Objects d'Art (J. Robert King)
- The Freak (Nick Pollotta)
- The Weaver's Pride (Elaine Bergstrom)
- The Glass Man (William W. Connors)
- Dark Tryst (Andria Cardarelle, aka Andia Hayday)
- Caretaker (P.N. Elrod)
Reviews:
Stephen Sutton
Tales of Ravenloft is a fine series of stories, each with their own style and interpretation of Ravenloft. The stories within each give a reader a glimpse into a different domain or a different character. The book is an excellent introduction to Ravenloft, giving a dungeon master or even a player an intimate understanding of the motivations of important characters within the setting. Certain stories stand apart from the rest. The story Sight and Sound, for instance, leaves the reader with a shocking climax that epitomizes a horror check. Stories such as Caretaker give great insight into mysterious Darklords. Some of the stories are less than stellar, though they detract very little from the rest of the collection.
4 screams out of five. If you're new to Ravenloft, this is a must-have introductory piece.
Dion Fernandez
In this age of Third Edition semi-horror Ravenloft gaming, I am absolutely glad that I have Tales of Ravenloft to fall back to. This collection of short stories is what I believe Ravenloft should be about: a world that truly defines the "Crucible" of virtue. And "The Crucible of Dr. Rudolph van Richten" epitomizes that premise, appropriately opening the collection. The forlorn tragedy of "The House of a Hundred Windows" seems timeless, in a way: it could very well be set in the Medieval Ages, as well as in the Victorian era. Some stories are very speific, but retain the hallmarks of Gothicism: "The Judgment of abd-al-Mamat" takes places on an Arabian Island of Terror forgotten within the swirls of the Mists. If anyone finds a copy of Tales of Ravenloft, I verily tell them now to not hesitate buying this book. It's well worth the few coins spent.
Five out of five shattered glass panes.
Christonikos "Jander Sunstar" Zonafos
There should be no Ravenloft GM not having read the Tales!
With 18 short stories it provides hints and descriptions for about an equal number of Domains. Moreover, it gives you the chills with breathtaking horrors, combining the talent of 18 great writers, including P.N. Elrod (I, Strahd, Vampire of the Mists), James Lowder (Knight of the Black Rose), J. Robert King (Carnival of Fear), and many others. I have to admit that I have used a couple of these stories as horror tales in camping gatherings around a fire (namely the Song Snatcher and The Judgment of abd-al Mamat) and they were the cause for great responses…
I would give it all the 5 fingers out of a full hand ;)
Paniayotis "Ravenharm" Kollias
some stories were better then others in my opinion, but all are worth reading. it is perhaps one of the most worn and most read ravenloft books in my collection next to the campaign setting book. my only real complaint was they never made a second or third tales.
4 out of 5
Please send your Reviews of art, books, movies, music, television shows, and video games to submissions@fraternityofshadows.com