Review of Expedition to Castle Ravenloft...

[Mortavius]

Hey all.

Well, I got my copy of this module, and am about 1/2 way through. I'll give my first impressions, and should anyone have questions, feel free to ask!

I'll also warn, there are spoilers in this post. Consider thyself warned.

First off, this module is definately made for a generic campaign setting. There are hooks for placing the adventure in Eberron, Forgotten Realms, and D20 Modern, but this doesn't mean that the module has been changed to fit those worlds. Don't misunderstand that, there are many different gothic elements in the story; but it also veers away quite a bit from the canon Ravenloft material in some senses (for example, the Vistani are portrayed much more as rogues and thieves, and they have a number of Halflings in their number; Madame Eva is an Annis Hag Cleric of 5th level, to name but a few instances).

Taken on it's own, this module seems quite good. I anticipate that it will be well-received by those who purchase it. The new encounter format is both helpful and intuitive, if a little bit more flipping of pages is required. There are beautiful tactictal maps in it, the only hitch would be transfering these maps to actual play (one would have to create or draw them for mini-use).

Taken from a Ravenloft stand-point, it seems that the authors ignored much of the campaign material. However, this isn't a huge problem. Someone who wanted to run the game in the actual campaign settings from White Wolf could do so with some changes, but nothing huge. Mind, there ARE changes. Strahd, for example, is only a 10th level Necromancer. As it is, the module is great, but if you were trying to tie it into what we have from White Wolf, you would have to make some changes. These changes would be somewhat cosmetic and minor (making all the Vistani human and a bit more "Vistani-like" instead of "thieving-gypsy" like).

There are a number of areas in Barovia (more specifically, in the areas around the Village of Barovia, the Tser Falls, and Castle Ravenloft) that are detailed, and there are a number of interesting characters inhabiting them. The rules from Heroes of Horror (regarding Taint) and many creatures from Libris Mortis are present, although the optional rules for Taint are kept optional and the creatures all have their complete stat blocks present.

To my thinking, this module would be good for running in a current-day setting; the goals of Strahd are for the most part new, and would be an interesting direction for him to take.

In the back of the 224 page hardcover we find a few feats (from Libris Mortis), a new prestige class with a distinct Barovian flavor (the Knight of the Raven), a new organization (the Lightbringers), a new spell (from Book of Vile Darkness), substitution levels for characters affiliated with the Lightbringers, new alchemical items, new magic items (including some artifacts; Saint Markovia's Thighbone, anyone?), and two Legacy items (using rules from Weapons of Legacy): the Sunsword, and the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind.

Any questions anyone?

[Jakob]

the optional rules for Taint are kept optional

There IS a god, after all.

a new prestige class with a distinct Barovian flavor (the Knight of the Raven)

I was curious of this since I saw the pic in WotC art gallery... What can you tell me of it?

[Le Noir Faineant]

Mortavius expresses very well what I think of the module, judging from the previews:

It will be better to run RL-based campaign with the old *House of Strahd*, while the new CRL module seems more fitting for generic playing, like indeed a Damara/FR campaign. (That was indeed the campaign option I found most useful).

Definitely, for us purists, it means no more than a nice hommage to the old 2e days...

[tec-goblin]

To my thinking, this module would be good for running in a current-day setting; the goals of Strahd are for the most part new, and would be an interesting direction for him to take.

Nice That was exactly what I was thinking to do. I plan to have agents of Hoffmann institute, but downplaying Hoffman Institute's strength (in order to have them feel more alone).

[cure]

I guess we can look forward to finding out about the vorporal annis bane dagger that took Eva's head.

Is nothing sacred? At least they didn't stat the Dark Powers (I hope and trust) . . .

[Ail]

Mortavius expresses very well what I think of the module, judging from the previews:

It will be better to run RL-based campaign with the old *House of Strahd*, while the new CRL module seems more fitting for generic playing, like indeed a Damara/FR campaign. (That was indeed the campaign option I found most useful).

Definitely, for us purists, it means no more than a nice hommage to the old 2e days...

Honestly, I don't understand this. I would never play a campaign where Strahd got killed or the players deliberately went to Castle Ravenloft try to kill him, so I'd never use any of these modules as part of a campaign as they are written.

But that's just me, anyway.

[Jasper]

For most of the early first/second edition adventures the entitre adventure was set up so you found and killed the big bad.

1-6 was allmost the same but it was viewed to have an unwritten excape clause with Strahd reforming from dust a decade or more latter so your next generation of characters could try battleing him as well.
It was before there was a ravenloft as we know it so they had to have a way to keep Strahd around to become a big time villian.


Now I would like to know more about the d20 modern hook. Is it a d20 past hook I hope? The image of a modern swat team in full tatical gear with combat shotguns and assult rifles with ultraviolit lamps attached swarming into the castle just boggles the mind (but would be very cool you have to admit )

[Ail]

For most of the early first/second edition adventures the entitre adventure was set up so you found and killed the big bad.

1-6 was allmost the same but it was viewed to have an unwritten excape clause with Strahd reforming from dust a decade or more latter so your next generation of characters could try battleing him as well.
It was before there was a ravenloft as we know it so they had to have a way to keep Strahd around to become a big time villian.

Yes, I know that, but I'm questioning that people play campaigns today like that. When they say they aren't using EtCR for a campaign and use HoS instead, I just find it strange.

[Le Noir Faineant]

Now I would like to know more about the d20 modern hook. Is it a d20 past hook I hope? The image of a modern swat team in full tatical gear with combat shotguns and assult rifles with ultraviolit lamps attached swarming into the castle just boggles the mind (but would be very cool you have to admit )

You mean, like my last campaign when our troop of Marines bravely defended Helm's Deep from the thousands of Uruk-hai?

Honestly, I don't understand this. I would never play a campaign where Strahd got killed or the players deliberately went to Castle Ravenloft try to kill him, so I'd never use any of these modules as part of a campaign as they are written.

But that's just me, anyway.

While I ran a line of low-paced campaigns in RL, I now want the people to live something epic - and every higher-paced plot eventually leads to a confrontation with the DLs, be it one of the Tristans, the Nightmare Man, or, while in Barovia, Strahd.

*House of Strahd* is a very good adventure, and beefed up with some other supplements, it's a worthy campaign. ... And if my party manages to win over Strahd, there are still dozens of others Darklords to take down.

[Le Noir Faineant]

As to make Strahd a part of a *whatever* campaign, it always depends of course, but I wouldn't set Castle Ravenloft as the mid-term adventure between, say, Temple of the Elemental Evil and City of the Spider Queen.

*Shudders*

CR'S effect really is played out best with the setting as a background. As part of any other world, like FR maybe, it looses so much of its distinct flavour to me... It's just too good for a simple dungeon crawl...

[Mortavius]

I was curious of this since I saw the pic in WotC art gallery... What can you tell me of it?

It's a prestige class based upon an ancient order of Barovian Knights. To take levels you actually have to be inducted by an existing member, of which there are very few left. They are dedicated to fighting the undead. They get bonuses to combat undead, and some feats to resist their abilities. They also get a Celestial Raven familiar that they can command with some special actions. They get access to the Sun domain. Their biggest ability is their 10th level one, which allows them to use a turning attempt to erase negative levels on themselves or others.

I would say if they are introduced into a current Ravenloft campaign, they should have ties to the ancient Barovian god Andral.

[Mortavius]

Now I would like to know more about the d20 modern hook. Is it a d20 past hook I hope? The image of a modern swat team in full tatical gear with combat shotguns and assult rifles with ultraviolit lamps attached swarming into the castle just boggles the mind (but would be very cool you have to admit )

It is for d20 Modern. It says something about the Shadow Chasers or Urban Arcana campaign settings, whatever those are. I haven't read d20 Modern, so I don't know. It's portrayed as a castle in Eastern Europe that has long been hidden, and anyone who goes in doesn't come out.

As to the comments about the module being about killing Strahd, I can understand where that might be a bit distressing, but that's what this module is about. If you don't want your PC's to do that, fine. But don't pick up this module thinking that it's anything but that. The designers wrote this module as an adventure to kill a classic D&D villian. Not a module that was to fit into a larger campaign; indeed, in the different world options, it only presents options for Eberron, Forgotten Realms, and d20 Modern; it doesn't even mention the old Ravenloft setting (which I found odd).

[Jakob]

I was curious of this since I saw the pic in WotC art gallery... What can you tell me of it?

It's a prestige class based upon an ancient order of Barovian Knights. To take levels you actually have to be inducted by an existing member, of which there are very few left. They are dedicated to fighting the undead. They get bonuses to combat undead, and some feats to resist their abilities. They also get a Celestial Raven familiar that they can command with some special actions. They get access to the Sun domain. Their biggest ability is their 10th level one, which allows them to use a turning attempt to erase negative levels on themselves or others.

I would say if they are introduced into a current Ravenloft campaign, they should have ties to the ancient Barovian god Andral.

Cute.
I think it would work well tieing it to the Keepers of the Black Feathers...
Though I guess there are no ravenkin or Keepers in the adventure...

[Dion of the Fraternity]

it doesn't even mention the old Ravenloft setting (which I found odd)

According to the interview, the writers of EtCR would simply want to just remove any reference to the campaign setting as a whole, whether published by TSR, Wizards or White Wolf. It's purely about the adventure, a move which seems alright with me.

As for EtCR being blended in with d20 Modern, let's all take note that the writers have the intention of letting players from different campaigns have a feel for Ravenloft; I myself don't see anything wrong with EtCR set in high fantasy (Faerun), fantasy noir (Eberron) or even the modern era (Urban Arcana). It gives a chance for other players to have a feel for what Ravenloft is all about.

Let's not find faults in EtCR. I've noticed that a lot of RL fans want things done "by the book," and PURELY by the book, and even imply that if one doesn't do it by the book, then that person is doing it completely wrong. EtCR is our chance to share the Fantasy Gothic experience to the rest of the gamers out there, so let's just be happy that it's here.

[Mortavius]

Cute.
I think it would work well tieing it to the Keepers of the Black Feathers...
Though I guess there are no ravenkin or Keepers in the adventure...

No, there are no Ravenkin or Keepers of the Black Feather present in the module. (I'm on the Castle Ravenloft section now.) But that's a great idea of tying them together like that! Many of the people in Barovia are still there (Parriwimple, Mad Mary, etc.).