How does Mordent reflect Godefroy?

[Jester of the FoS]

Planning for my Mordent-based campaign and wondering how the Land reflects Godefroy.
I think this is one of the weak points if the Gazeteer entry: there's less of an overall hook for the land. But what are some ideas?

[Mangrum]

One small element I'd planned to include when I was hoping to write the chapter myself was that objects weather quickly, but never seem to collapse entirely.

In other words, build a brand new house, and within a few months the whitewash may be stained, the floors will all creak, and perhaps even one corner will sag slightly--but even if you abandon that house completely, it'll still be standing there centuries later, a rustic ruin in sorry shape but recognizable.

Just a hint that everything in Mordent feels old and worn, yet at the same time the past never quite manages to "give up the ghost."

[High Priest Mikhal]

"give up the ghost."

Very punny.

I'd never thought about the decrepitude angle. It does reflect Godefroy's own spiritual sink into malevolence in life and the idea of haunted houses in general. And I just have to ask: is the House on Gryphon Hill based on 112 Ocean Ave. (the house from the The Amityville Horror)? The parallels between the stories (time lived there, fleeing in abject terror and never returning for their possessions) are pretty obvious. The original Ravenloft Module was written after the novel came out (and the original movie).

If so, what sort of malevolence still lurks in the House that Godefroy found appealing? Hell, what does his attraction to said malevolence say about him?

[starfalconkd]

I always thought that Mordent was an odd domain. Godefroy was rather weak before he accidentally became the Darklord of Mordent. I would think, since Mordent's inclusion in Ravenloft was originally due to Strahd and Azahlin, that Mordent might be different. For one thing, Mordent's Darklord doesn't really leave his estate. I'm not even sure he can leave. He's contained and diminished, despite being described a rank 5 ghost back in 2nd edition. And yet, for such a weak will, Mordent is a fair sized domain. It makes you wonder about the House on Gryphon Hill doesn't it?

[Zilfer]

Star, I'm pretty sure he actually can leave his house. He just doesn't like to, and leaves mortal affairs to well mortals. He makes sure no adventurer's come in bothering him by holding a nice hold on one of the higher ups in Mordent Society. It was Jules Weathermay's Son-In-Law i believe, the father of the twins that he had wrapped around his finger.

I do agree yeah Mordent seems a little bit weird compared to some of the other domains.

[Matthew L. Martin]

On a side note, I'm doing a "Let's Read" on the Black Box over on RPG.net, and I'm picking up hints that Mordent was originally intended to be a much younger domain than it was originally. John, this would be the root of all those date problems that drove you crazy in the Black Box. Similarly, there are clues that Lamordia was meant to have arrived very recently--as in 735.

But yes, Mordent's an odd duck--although I think Godefroy was only fourth magnitude in Van Richten's Guide to Ghosts (5th was reserved for Tristessa and the Phantom Lover). I think that's the result of it being a place where the land was sort of forced to graft it on to hold on to Strahd, and then sub in a replacement when Strahd and Azalin vanished suddenly. (In I10, Godefroy's originally of CN alignment, and his daughter is named Penelope.)

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

One could say that there's a Godefroy reflection in the fact that all the great houses of Mordent have pretty much died out. The root of his crimes was in his disappointment in having no son to carry on the family name. He feared that the Godefroy line would end, and blamed his wife for it, killing her over it. And so it came to pass. The Godefroys have dies out, and so has the rest of the nobility of the land.

[Zilfer]

Save for Weathermay family? o.O' Though I guess the Heir's left are females that would have to marry and thus die out? Unless George wisens up i guess. xD

[starfalconkd]

Zilfer and Matt: Yes, quite correct. I have to re-read a lot if I am going to run Ravenloft again.

Gonzoron: That's a very good point.

[Jester of the FoS]

Buildings and the land look older than they are but somehow keep standing.

Family lines and legacies die out over time.

Both good ideas, and certainly reflect Godefroy.
How about: the ghosts of the past seldom let things lie forgotten. Dark secrets have a way of coming to light and the sins of the past always return. Godefroy cannot escape his past and his dark deeds, and as a result fate conspires to bite everyone else in the ass as well.

[Zilfer]

Heh that might work with my whole family curse thing i got set in mordentshire. xD

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

Another way you might go is little more "adult." Godefroy was insanely jealous regarding his wife, and as he killed her, he was berating her for an alleged affair with a commoner. (Pretty sure it was mostly in his mind, but I don't have my books handy). Perhaps this is reflected in the land somehow. Beneath the civilized veneer of the stodgy Mordentish, maybe infidelity is secretly rampant. Despite class divides in ordinary life, when it comes to nightlife, maybe the noblemen have a fondness for the maids and tavern wenches, while the proper noble ladies go after the grimy stevedores. Of course, this is all kept very hush-hush. Gossip about who's cheating with whom is common in the salons and workshops alike, but is false as often as it is true.

I dunno if that's going too far or not. YMMV.

[Zilfer]

I don't know Adultry doesn't seem that adult to me. Could add another layer though what does the party do if an influential nobleman/woman approached them and propositions? What happens when their lord or lady finds out!?!??! Regardless of whether they said yes or no they might not believe them. That could cause for some.... interesting roll playing. I don't know if Mordentshire is one for the sport of "dueling" but they could be challenged for honor right there. xD

[High Priest Mikhal]

One could say that there's a Godefroy reflection in the fact that all the great houses of Mordent have pretty much died out. The root of his crimes was in his disappointment in having no son to carry on the family name. He feared that the Godefroy line would end, and blamed his wife for it, killing her over it. And so it came to pass. The Godefroys have dies out, and so has the rest of the nobility of the land.

Not all Godefroys died out. Wilfred Godefroy's direct line died, but relatives of his survived. Check Legacies of the Blood if you all have it. Rules for Godefroys are all in there.

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

Not all Godefroys died out. Wilfred Godefroy's direct line died, but relatives of his survived. Check Legacies of the Blood if you all have it. Rules for Godefroys are all in there.

Yup, that's true, but the family decay still fits with his motives for his crimes.