| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Elrond Half Elven |
Posted - 27 Feb 2004 : 23:56:57
While this is not predominantly a Realms point of discussion, it does concern them dearly- after all many an adventurer has been plucked from Faerun and entered Ravenloft. I point I put forward to thee is "What do you think guides the mists of Ravenloft." Perhaps another way to put it is, what is/are the Dark Power(s) of Ravenloft?
I myself feel that these powers are acting in a fashion that no mere mortal can understand, nor even the Gods of Faerun. I also feel that the Dark Powers are predominantly 'Good' and as such their creating of a domain should be considered a 'good' action. Justification of this would be the Powers have removed an evil from the land. (Such as a Certain Red Wizard, who in the past has been removed- and also a Certain Liche)
Upon the same train of thought, often the Powers actions should also be considered 'evil' actions. Including the innocent bystanders (victims) in a Darklords realm is surely such! The presence of the corrupting element of Ravenloft is also such an action yet this could be the cause of containing so many evil creatures in an unbreakable 'prison'.
The Powers moving players to the demiplane could be considered a 'Good' action- perhaps they are the pawns of the Powers 'crusade' against evil. At the same time perhaps the Power is like a puppet master- they/it/he/she etc enjoys seeing the 'ants fight each other'.
Mechanically speaking the Powers are there for the DM to manipulate certain variables in his/her campaign, and should primarily be used to do so. Even if the Dark powers where a single entity no PC should ever face them in a battle.
I'd love to hear others thoughts and feelings... Oh and Alaundo Sorry for the cross over, but this one, in a somewhat obscure way deals with the realms!
Hanx
Elrond
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| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| The Sage |
Posted - 10 Mar 2004 : 03:12:11
Oh, I understood what you meant, I just felt that those 'restrictions' that are perceived to be apart of the Ravenloft settting are not as enforced as one might believe.
Remember too, that the Darklords (sometimes as part of the DM's campaign plan) have the ultimate authority on the accessing of Domain borders, and for the most part, a PC can cross a border between domains just as easily as one might cross a river on Faerun.
The Domain borders are not meant to be restrictive in the traditional sense. They were originally only meant as a tool for DMs to limit their campaigns to one specific domain, thus having greater control of the entire game environment. I think gamers attitudes, and the various novels served to undermine that perception until it was generally assumed that the domain borders prevent access into different domains - all at the DM's behest.
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| Elrond Half Elven |
Posted - 08 Mar 2004 : 20:13:34
Dearest Sage... (Sorry I've always wanted to write that!)
By freedom of movement, what I actually mean is:
In you basic Forgotten Realms campaign there is very little that can physically restrict movement between Areas. Plus when the party gets to higher levels they can 'Plane-hop'. However Ravenloft the Freedom of movement is very restricted... 'Plane-hoping' spells cease to work and Domain boarders are present to prevent players from entering new Areas. Basically if a DM Wishes to prevent a player leaving a Domain, suddenly the boarders go up! Oops there is someone (Not necessarily in the party) that isn't to leave to Domain, or they leave the domain but a strange mist appears and they are transported back to the middle of the domain.
Just a Though
Hanx
Elrond |
| The Sage |
Posted - 08 Mar 2004 : 02:32:35
The Ravenloft setting has many core aspects - dark, gothic, fiendish - but less freedom for movement...? I don't see it.
I'll expand upon this later...
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| Elrond Half Elven |
Posted - 07 Mar 2004 : 20:13:42
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
my RL DM friend.
Shouldn't that be Fiend? 
Ravenloft certianly provides and interesting concept in the form of the cross-over. The same way as Planescape, but with less freedom for movement.
Hanx
Elrond |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 07 Mar 2004 : 20:09:27
quote:
Originally posted by Elrond Half Elven
Rad! I really like your second Theory on the Dark Powers. To be honest, I don't think that they can be 'classed' in anyway, I honestly believe that the reasons for drawing people into ravenloft is beyond mortal Comprehension.
How many modules actually cross over with the Realms? I know that they all can, but what modules speciffically Deal with the Realms?
The only Realms crossover of which I am aware is the Castle Spulzeer (FR) and The Forgotten Terror (RL) adventure modules. I havent actually played either but it was next down for playing when I take a break from running my FR campaign and handing over to my RL DM friend. |
| Elrond Half Elven |
Posted - 07 Mar 2004 : 17:35:27
Rad! I really like your second Theory on the Dark Powers. To be honest, I don't think that they can be 'classed' in anyway, I honestly believe that the reasons for drawing people into ravenloft is beyond mortal Comprehension.
How many modules actually cross over with the Realms? I know that they all can, but what modules speciffically Deal with the Realms? |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 28 Feb 2004 : 11:30:40
quote:
Originally posted by Elrond Half Elven
I'd love to hear others thoughts and feelings... Oh and Alaundo Sorry for the cross over, but this one, in a somewhat obscure way deals with the realms!
Well met
 Oh very well, i'll let it pass .... for now  |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 28 Feb 2004 : 11:22:13
Now this is a question that ive heard a few times before and can often become quite deep and send people "to-ing and froing"(sp) between the alignment of the Dark Powers 
I often went with your idea, Elrond, that the powers have good intentions in the way of removing evil beings from other lands and confining them to the Domain of Dread. On the other hand, is it not a bit extreme to encase, say, an evil Darklord in a land and have all the citizens of the land suffer under his rule! You may say that its all for the greater good and that someone has to suffer.
On the other hand, maybe the Dark Powers are collating all the evil it can muster in one place, thus having such a huge evil gathering further adding to the force of the Dark Powers - in such a way that the evil life-essence of Darklords and evil-aligned beings within each domain, strengthen the Dark Powers.
I prefer the latter. Whilst the large population of the domains citizens are neutral tending towards good aligned, the lands overall are dark, depressing and have an evil feel to them. The creatures that inhabit Ravenloft are some of the most evil and vile that youll come across with also adds to the overall eminating force.
Apologies if ive rambled a bit  |
| The Sage |
Posted - 28 Feb 2004 : 06:26:25
This is a very interesting question, one which I am sure will attract all types of RL devotees, especially Rad...
Here's a basic interpretation (of a much larger treatise) on what I think the Dark Powers are, and represent within the setting at large -
The Ravenloft setting has been in print now for just under 15 years, and during that time many theories, both official and fan-based have been put forth regarding the true nature of the faceless Dark Powers of RL. Such questions as...Are the Dark Powers good or evil?...Are they only one singular collective creature, or a horde of vile beings?...Do they exist beyond what mortals consider the Grey Realm, or do they live within the real-world?.
Here's what I believe (and for the most part conforms with what has been written in the RLDMG). The DP are a complete mystery, a secret beyond a mortal's ability to learn the truth. They are by necessity, unknowable, and no complete theory should ever be able to explain them in their true form or interpretation.
In other words, I see the DP as a creative device for the DM of a RL campaign. They are whatever the DM wants or needs them to be, and no other theory official or not, should ever dissuade you from this.
I can go on, but I think I'll let others take a 'whack' at this question first...
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