Ravenloft, otherwise known as the Domains of Dread, Demiplane of Dread, and Land of the Mists, was a demiplane.
Geography & Characteristics[]
There were multiple ways it could be divided into sections. It could be divided into the below named sections, or into individual Domains.
The largest section of Ravenloft was known as the Core. It was divided into Domains known as Core Domains.
There were smaller sections of Ravenloft known as Clusters. These were divided into Domains known as Cluster Domains.
There were Domains known as Islands of Terror.
There were Domains known as Pockets, which were inside other Domains.
All Domains were entrapped in their own demiplane of Dread in the Ethereal Plane. Each Domain was encroached by a Misty Border, preventing escape by anyone within the Domain. There existed four types of Domains: Pockets, Islands of Terror, Cluster Domains, and Core Domains.[1]
Each Domain was ruled by a Domain Lord, who had complete control over their Domain yet could never leave it. Some sages speculate if each Domain was in fact an eternal prison for their respective Domain Lord, created specifically for them by the Dark Powers. In certain cases when a Pocket Domain or Cluster Domain were formed, a Darklord could become a Demilord of a Pocket Domain or a Overlord of a Cluster Domain.[2]
History[]
The beginning of Ravenloft started with the formation of Barovia long before Strahd von Zarovich's entry into the realm. About 547 years after Barovia's creation, most of the Core Domains were formed starting with Forlorn. While Strahd was not the most powerful of Darklords, he was the first, earning him his name in the history of Ravenloft.[3]
Notable Domains and their Domain Lords[]
- Barovia, ruled by Strahd von Zarovich, the oldest and first Domain of Dread.[3]
- Darkon, ruled by Azalin
- Har'Akir, overseen by Anhktepot
- Hazlan, lead by Hazlik
- I'Cath, ruled by Tsien Chiang
- Kartakass, captained by Harkon Lukas
Domains[]
See Domains and List of Domains
Domain Lords[]
See Domain Lords and List of Domain Lords
Background Info[]
It is heavily derived from outside places, including established settings, including Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, Greyhawk, Dark Sun, Masque of the Red Death, Mystara, Eberron, Birthright, and Pathfinder.
It is named after two castles named Castle Ravenloft, the first of which is ironically outside of Ravenloft. (The factual accuracy of this has been disputed.)
Appendix[]
External Links[]
- Domains of Dread article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
- Ravenloft article at Mistipedia, a wiki for the Ravenloft campaign setting run by The Fraternity of Shadows.
Further Readings[]
- William W. Connors, Steve Miller (1997). Domains of Dread. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 978-0786-9067-27.
- Andria Hayday & Bruce Nesmith (1990). Realm of Terror. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 0-88038-853-6.
- Bruce Nesmith, Andria Hayday, William W. Connors (1994). Realm of Terror (Revised). (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 1-56076-942-4.
- John Mangrum, Andrew Wyatt, Andrew Cermak (October 15, 2001). Ravenloft Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Arthaus). ISBN 978-1588460752.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 William W. Connors, Steve Miller (1997). Domains of Dread. (TSR, Inc.), p. 19. ISBN 978-0786-9067-27.
- ↑ William W. Connors, Steve Miller (1997). Domains of Dread. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 12–13. ISBN 978-0786-9067-27.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 William W. Connors, Steve Miller (1997). Domains of Dread. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 16–17. ISBN 978-0786-9067-27.