Players get some goodies too with an assortment of horror-themed player options. Those are just a sampling of the many different genres of horror players can explore in the Domains of Dread, there are cosmic horror, body horror, urban legends and others as well.Ī terrified tiefling gives a glimpse into a horror-themed game, painted by Scott M.
There are settings that easily host the classic Victorian monsters such as mummies, vampires, werewolves, and monsters cobbled together in a laboratory. A Most Dangerous Game-inspired setting gives PCs the opportunity to run through a different jungle. An Indian mythology and folklore inspired setting called Kalakeri is set in a rainforest domain where two evil powers struggle in an endless war for dominance. A zombie apocalypse inspired setting called Falkovnia gives DMs the opportunity to test the PCs’ mettle against hordes of undead. There’s a creepy setting called Dementlieu, which looks at fairy tales through a surreal, twisted lens. While Strahd’s Barovia setting is steeped in gothic horror, the other Domains of Dread give players and DMs alike the chance to explore other genres of horror. Led by senior game designer, Wes Schneider, the team at WotC has compiled a resource book that hands Dungeon Masters the tools they need to create their own horrific stories. Limited to just Barovia in the 5th edition Curse of Strahd adventure, the setting definitely has room for expansion, and Van Richten’s Guide pulls back the veil to dozens of other Domains of Dread scattered in the mists.
Player’s familiar with the Ravenloft setting from previous editions, may have been wondering about what else is hidden behind the veil of mists surrounding Ravenloft. Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft refreshes the setting by giving Dungeon Masters descriptions of more than 30 Domains of Dread beyond Barovia as well as the tools to create their own horrific stories, including details on each domain’s Darklord, a ready-to-play adventure, new monsters, lineages and sub-classes. But Strahd’s domain is just one of the many Domains of Dread that make up the horror-themed setting of Ravenloft. One of the most popular adventures published by D&D in the last few years was Curse of Strahd which begins when characters are pulled by creeping mists into a land called Barovia.