Would it be an absolute travesty to try to run an adaptation of the Spencer mansion as a Ravenloft adventure? I know that Res Evil isn't gothic horror, but I was hoping to use Toben the many in conjunction with a couple of "scientists" (a cancer mage from Book of Vile Darkness, and an alchemical philosopher form VRA) to create a kind of Toben's fun house. Basically treat the mansion like an island of terror, (not an oubliette because it would technically have a dark lord) and The Cancer mage was experimenting with modifying his viral ally, trying to give it the ability to control it's host. The dark powers reward him, but with Toben as the newly emerging consciousness of the disease. Realizing the potential of an ally that can infect and control a legion of soldiers, or even an entire populace, they either kidnap a good or persuade an evil alchemical philosopher into creating alchemical bodies for Toben to possess, though due to their alchemical nature, they break down quickly, and it begins to shatter Toben's sanity, corrupting the bond between Cancer mage and viral ally to put even the antagonists of the adventures at odds.
My plan is to try to use map assets and maybe a puzzle or two from the first resident Evil video game, and try to create that sense of survival horror with limited item availability, constrictive corridors that only allow for single file travel through them, firearms of course, and an absolute horde of Toben zombies, gleeful at their new playthings. Could even recreate the idea of a crimson head from the res evil games (a zombie that you kill but didn't headshot or burn that rises later as a much faster, clawed, frenzied kind of undead) maybe even have a plot twist that the party themselves are merely alchemical children, grown from the blood of a long since dead adventuring party that happened upon the mansion and failed to eradicate the evil within. So even if they do manage to escape, what life, what purpose do they even have? I guess that would make the themes of the adventures light body horror, the nature of consciousness; whether organic or synthetic, and some good ol fashioned gothic horror survival aesthetics.
Maybe I just really want to play out one of my fandoms in DnD, but I do really think there could be something there worth exploring. Definitely wouldn't make for a long form campaign, but as an origin story for the party, or even for Toben, it could work. Especially if you draw parallels to Toben and the Joker from batman as I think might have been intended, in that there was never just 1 Toben, but he is almost like an entity that arises again and again whenever the conditions are right for him to manifest in that age. (I know there was a vague backstory for him where he was a thief and he pissed off a Vistana, but that's kind of bland and formless, and he is too cool for such a humble beginning in my opinion)
Anyway, would love thoughts or feedback, and definitely have more information available if anyone is interested.
Resident Evil in Ravenloft?
Re: Resident Evil in Ravenloft?
If its going to be D&D Ravenloft, Gothic horror style then convert it into Gothic horror and add elements that will replace some story or add to it (it will change to a degree anyways) a Gothic tale or tales. The survival horror part will remain.
It can become a good adventure.
It can become a good adventure.
Re: Resident Evil in Ravenloft?
There is a Walking Dead "super zombie" you can use in Dragon Magazine #138. Maybe useful. The article has several creatures, some of which may fit.
Page 22 to 35 "The Ungrateful Dead"
not here yet sadly,
https://www.completecompendium.com/catalog/dr/ but can find many zombies with a ctrl+f and zombi term,
https://www.completecompendium.com/appendix/
Page 22 to 35 "The Ungrateful Dead"
not here yet sadly,
https://www.completecompendium.com/catalog/dr/ but can find many zombies with a ctrl+f and zombi term,
https://www.completecompendium.com/appendix/
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Re: Resident Evil in Ravenloft?
Thanks for the advice, I’ll definitely check it out. Yeah, by the time I finish tweaking the adventure I doubt it’s really going to resemble resident evil very much aside from being a zombie adventure set in a puzzle and trap filled mansion. Bare bones will be the same, but I think it can work, especially with a laid back group. I’m definitely interested in the supe zombies. 
Re: Resident Evil in Ravenloft?
Late here but the NES game Sweet Home would also be a good source of inspiration. Resident Evil is considered the Spiritual Sucessor to the game. It should be easy enough to find a Let's Play on Youtube.
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Re: Resident Evil in Ravenloft?
Uploaded by WotCIsolde wrote: Tue Mar 18, 2025 3:25 am There is a Walking Dead "super zombie" you can use in Dragon Magazine #138. Maybe useful. The article has several creatures, some of which may fit.
Page 22 to 35 "The Ungrateful Dead"
https://media.wizards.com/2018/dnd/drag ... Ghosts.pdf
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Re: Resident Evil in Ravenloft?
I love sweet home! Never got to play sadly but my horror game obsession brought me to a let’s play a few years back.Galeros wrote: Wed Apr 09, 2025 7:00 pm Late here but the NES game Sweet Home would also be a good source of inspiration. Resident Evil is considered the Spiritual Sucessor to the game. It should be easy enough to find a Let's Play on Youtube.
Re: Resident Evil in Ravenloft?
It is easily played via an Emulator now a days. I would have a guide handy if you want to get the best ending.Teravala wrote: Fri Apr 11, 2025 12:27 pmI love sweet home! Never got to play sadly but my horror game obsession brought me to a let’s play a few years back.Galeros wrote: Wed Apr 09, 2025 7:00 pm Late here but the NES game Sweet Home would also be a good source of inspiration. Resident Evil is considered the Spiritual Sucessor to the game. It should be easy enough to find a Let's Play on Youtube.![]()
