This started as a topic in FoS, and I thought it would be interesting to see what the opinions here would be.
Personally I want an up to date and well drawn world map =P.
That being said, I'd disregard some of the stuff from the Ravenloft Player's Handbook that most people ignore anyway (Powers checks for gaining levels, magic levels for domains).
I'd also like to see a more detailed map, and the rest of the domains fleshed out to the same level of detail as the Gazetteers presented. (But then again, who wouldn't?)
Most of all, more Ravenloft in general.
Add: A few more adventures (maybe no more than a handful all in all). Expand the map beyond Vechor, either by merging some of the clusters/islands/pockets with it, or by creating three or so new domains. Otherwise, new domains and lords should be added with caution: quality over quantity. More Children of the Night books, listed in order of priority: one for Fiends, one for Walking Dead, one for Vistani, one combining Ancient Dead and Liches, and one split between Hags, Shadow Fey, and Mist creatures. One book devoted to the Demiplane's religions and secret societies. More Masque of the Red Death.
And... new villains ^^
A couple of years ago, shortly after Ravenloft ceased publication under Arthaus, Andrew Wyatt suggested the Kargatane create our own version of the core books, just for our own private gaming purposes. Now, obviously, we never presented this for publication; so don't think this is a "could've been" like our original concept for SotDR.
At any rate, we never progressed very far, with only the monster book receiving any real work. But here's the basic outline of what a "director's cut" of the setting would look like, had the Kargatane been written a blank check and a good deal of hindsight:
First off, Ravenloft would have been presented in three volumes:
Lands of Mist: Ravenloft Player's Companion
Introduction
Chapter I: The Gothic Hero
Character Concept
Homeland
Sidebar: Outlanders
Cultural Level
Religion
Chapter II: Races of Ravenloft
Sidebar: Outcast Rating
Human
Caliban
Dwarf
Elf
Halfling
Half-Elf
Half-Vistani
Chapter III: Character Classes
[In the pipe-dream, no-limits version of this chapter, each class would have been presented in full, so you mostly wouldn't have to check the PHB (or the other books referenced) while creating a character. More realistically, this would be as published, with conversion notes, possibly in addition to optional Gothic-y substitution levels for each class. If it's just conversion notes, then might as well go whole hog and cover all the WotC core classes.]
Introduction
Barbarian
Bard
Cleric
...Sidebar: Variant: Cloistered Cleric
Druid
Fighter
...Sidebar: Variant: Thug
Monk
Paladin
...Sidebar: Paladin’s Steed
Psion
Ranger
Rogue
Samurai
Scholar (adventuring Expert)
Shugenja
Sorcerer
...Sidebar: Familiars
Spirit Shaman
Swashbuckler
Warlock
Wizard
Wu-Jen
Chapter V: Skills
The Hypnotism skill, new uses for existing skills, and conversion notes where necessary. Basically as published.
Chapter VI: Feats
New feats, conversion guidelines on existing feats. Out of the thousands of feats WotC's published, however, really only a handful would change at all in RL.)
Chapter IV: Prestige Classes
Some RL-specific PCs. We never worked on this chapter, so just consider it a compilation of the better published examples.
Chapter VII: Equipment
New equipment. Basically as published. Gunpower weapons would have been expanded on, however.
Chapter VIII: Ways of the World
Fear, Horror, and Madness
Corrupted Magic
New Spells
Summoning Tables [No, we never wrote them up, so don't ask. Otherwise these chapter sections are basically as published.]
Chapter IX: The Land of Mists
[A player's guide to setting. Horrific secrets would be withheld, those hinted at, of course. It might also be nice to steal the Local Knowledge skill checks concept from Eberron.]
History
The Core
...Barovia
......[Structure presented as an example:]
......The Land
......Populace
......Language
......The Law
......Rumors & Folklore
...Blaustein
...Borca
...Darkon
...Dementlieu
...Demise
...Dominia
...Falkovnia
...Forlorn
...Ghastria
...Hazlan
...Invidia
...Kartakass
...Keening
...Lamordia
...Liffe
...Markovia
...Mordent
...Necropolis
...Nocturnal Sea
...Nova Vaasa
...Richmulot
...The Sea of Sorrows
...The Shadow Rift
...Shay-Lot
...Sithicus
...Tepest
...Valachan
...Vechor
...Verbrek
Clusters
...The Amber Wastes
......Har’Akir
......Pharazia
......Sebua
...The Burning Peaks [Oh yeah; this reminds me. In the no-limits version of the book, the "current era" would have been 760 BC, but major-yet-defunct elements from 735 onward would also be included for game use.]
......Cavitius
......Tovag
...The Frozen Reaches
......Sanguinia
......Vorostokov
...The Scattered Lotus Archipelago
......I-Cath
......Rokushima Táiyoo
...Zherisia
......Paridon
......Timor
...The Shadowlands
......Avonleigh
......Nidala
......Shadowborn Manor
...The Verdurous Lands
......Saragoss
......Sri Raji
......The Wildlands
Islands of Terror
...Bluetspur
...Farelle
...G’Henna
...Odiare
...The Nightmare Lands
...Souragne
...Staunton Bluffs
Powers of Darkness: Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Companion
[Here's where we verge wildly away from what actually got published.]
Introduction
Chapter I: The Hidden Ways
The Mists
Domains
Darklords
The Dark Powers
Powers Checks [As a note, I think it would have been worth the considerable effort needed to finally, fully codify powers checks -- so that, in effect, all NPC darklords would finally adhere to these rules. And no, we didn't actually work on this, so don't ask.]
Curse Checks
Chapter II: Other Realities
The Near Ethereal
The Tenebrous Shroud [a.k.a. the "Near Plane of Shadow"]
Sinkholes of Evil
Pocket Domains
...Aggarath
...The House of Lament
...The Undercellar
...Nosos
...[As well as others]
Nightmares
Chapter III: The Unseen World
[A DM's guide to the setting, with all its dark secrets in the fore.]
The Core
...Barovia
......Darklord
......Dreadful Secrets
......[Presented as an example; would cover all the domains in Lands of Mist. "Darklord" is just a brief description and a page reference.]
Clusters
Islands of Terror
Chapter IV: Secret Societies
Pretty self-explanatory.
Chapter V: Who’s Doomed
[NPC entries, with full stats. The list below is obviously the no-limits version.]
Gabrielle Aderre
Malocchio Aderre
Althea
Pharaoh Anhktepot
Arijani
Azalin Rex
Azrael
Bluebeard
Ivana Boritsi
Crocodile
Death
Ivan Dilisnya
Vlad Drakov
Easan the Mad
Ebb
Ebonbane
Elena Faith-hold
Wilfred Godefroy
Duke Gundar
Gwydion
Dr. Daclaud Heinfroth
Tristen Hiregaard/Malken
The Hive Queen
Illithid God-Brain
Inajira
The Kargat: Lady Kazandra, plus leaders 2 and 3, whose names escape me at the moment.
Kas
Tara Kolyana
Inza Kulchevich
Loht
Harkon Lukas
Maeve
Maligno
Frantisek Markov
The Midnight Slasher
Dr. Victor Mordenheim
Mordenheim’s Monster, Adam
Morgoroth
The Nightmare Court
The Nightmare Man
Bastion Teodorus Raines
Bastion Solota Otrova
Draga Salt-Biter
Lady Kateri Shadowborn
Sodo
Lord Soth
The Three Hags
Alfred Timothy
Nathan Timothy
Tristessa
Dr. Rudolph van Richten
Baron Urik von Kharkov
Count Strahd von Zarovich
Natalia Vorishkova
George Weathermay
Gennifer Weathermay-Foxgrove
Laurie Weathermay-Foxgrove
Praesidius wassisname
Vecna
Chapter VI: The Arcane and Profane
I think this chapter was intended to be a grab bag of new evil magic items, artifacts, prestige classes, and so forth. Don't honestly remember.
Chapter VII: Dread Possibilities
True history, adventure hooks, possible future events, etc.
Shadows of Dread: Creatures of Ravenloft
[This one's actually fairly complete.]
* Template
Introduction
Presenting a Gothic Adventure
Chapter I: Children of the Night
Abomination
Arcane head
Avanc
Basilisk, spiriteater
Bat, dread
...Carrion bat
...Sentinel bat
Bloodroot
Bloodrose
Bog hound
...Bog hound
...Moor Hound
...Great Moor Hound
Broken one
...Broken one
...Shattered brethren
*Broken one, Markovian
...*Greater Markovian broken one
Caliban
Carrion stalker
Crawling ivy
Death’s head tree
...Death’s head tree
...Death’s head, detached
Doppelganger plant
...Doppelganger plant
...*Podling
Dream spawn
...Ennui
...Gray morph
...Pale morph
...Shadow morph
Dreamweaver
...Dreamweaver
...Dreamweaver swarm
*Elemental, corrupted
Elemental, dread
...Blood elemental
...Grave elemental
...Mist elemental
...Pyre elemental
*Ermordenung
Fearweed
Fenhound
Furies
...Alecto
...Megarea
...Tisiphone
Goblinoid, dread
...Bakhna rakhna (ghostfolk)
*Goblin beast
...Goblin hunting spider
Goblyn
Grave ooze
Gremishka
...Sidebar: Creeplings, crawlers, and fidgets
Grim
Grim reaper
Head hunter
Hearth fiend
Hebi-no-onna (snake woman)
Horseman, Death’s
...Famine (Starvation)
...Pestilence (Sickness)
...War (Strife)
...Horseman’s steed
Impersonator
King’s raven (corvus regis)
Kizoku
Lantern jack
Lashweed
Maddening flea
...Maddening flea
...Maddening flea swarm
Midnight cat
Mist ferryman
Mist horror
...Mist horror
...Pseudo-horrors
...Wandering horror
Mob
...Riot (mob of humans)
...Shambling horde (mob of zombies)
...Stampede (mob of horses)
Moorfolk
Paka (catkin)
Pickled punk
Quevari
Quickwood (spy tree)
Ravenkin
Red widow (spider queen)
Silver fox (elven fox)
Skin thief
Stakewood tree
Subdweller
Treant, dread
...Sidebar: Warped treant (the MM treant, just NE)
...Wormeaten treant
Troll, dread
...Bridge troll
Unicorn, dread
...Sidebar: Dappled unicorn (the MM unicorn)
...Shadow unicorn
Vampyre
Virus, Phagian
...Combustion virus
...Crystal virus
...Petrification virus
...Phobia virus
...Psionic virus
...Shadow virus
*Wildlands beast
...Wildlands ape
...Wildlands crocodile
Will-o’-wisp, dread
...Will-o’-dawn
...Will-o’-deep
...Will-o’-mist
...Will-o’-sea
Wolfwere
...Wolfwere
...Greater wolfwere
Zombie fog
...Zombie fog
...*Fog cadaver
Zweifalk
Chapter II: Foes of Van Richten: Vampires
[Each of the Foes of Van Richten chapters opens with a basic description of the monster subtype and specific rules -- basically a boiled-down VRG. As an additional note, I've come to the conclusion that "salient abilities" are an increasingly redundant holdover from 2E. The same effects are better achieved in 3E with templates, feats, and "variant" packages.]
Introduction
*Albesadow (elven vampire)
*Chiang-shi (oriental vampire)
*Dhampir (half-vampire)
*Goatsucker (goblin vampire)
*Hulzurdan (dwarven vampire)
*Nonaris (gnomish vampire)
*Nosferatu (daywalker vampire)
...Sidebar: Cerebral vampire
*Vampire, Barovian (the MM vampire)
Vampire spawn
...Albesadow spawn
...Barovian vampire spawn
...Cerebral vampire spawn
...Chiang-shi spawn
...Goatsucker spawn
...Hulzurdan spawn
...Nosferatu spawn
...Vrykolaka spawn
...Wrethfetin spawn
*Vorlog
*Vrykolaka (plague vampire)
*Wrethfetin (halfling vampire)
Chapter III: Foes of Van Richten: Ghosts
Introduction
Ethereal Resonance
Akikage (shadow assassin)
...Ansasshia
*Animator
Arayashka (snow wraith)
Bastellus (dream stalker)
Bowlyn
Corpse candle
*Geist
*Ghost
Odem
*Radiant spirit
*Remnant, elemental
...Airy remnant
...Aquatic remnant
...Earthen remnant
...Fiery remnant
Rushlight
Shadow
...Lesser shadow
Chapter IV: Foes of Van Richten: Liches
Introduction
*Lich, elementalist
*Psilich
*Vassalich
Chapter V: Foes of Van Richten: Werebeasts
[In the no-limits version of this chapter, each lycanthrope phenotype is presented with a monster class progression, since PCs becoming werebeasts is such a probability. Also, the list of phenotypes is nearly the no-limits version; knock off the werehyena, werejackal, werepanther, and weresnake for something closer to a published version, and the MM lycanthropes would just be a sidebar.]
Introduction
*Afflicted beast
*Lycanthrope
...Loup-garou, lowland
...Loup-garou, mountain
...Wereape
...Werebadger
...Werebat
...Werebear
...Wereboar
...Werecrocodile
...Werehyena
...Werejackal
...Werejaguar
...Wereleopard
...Wereooze
...Werepanther
...Wererat
...Wereraven
...Wereray
...Wereshark
...Weresnake
...Weretiger
...Werewolf
Vixen (Werefox) [A lycanthrope-like creature akin to the seawolf.]
Lycanthrope Variants
...Degenerative lycanthrope
...Dire lycanthrope
...Naturebane lycanthrope
...Pathological lycanthrope
...Skinwalking lycanthrope
...Spiritual lycanthrope
Chapter VI: Foes of Van Richten: The Created
Introduction
*Alchemical child
...Alchemical child
...Enlightened child
Carrionette
*Construct of obsession (known in 3E as the dread golem)
Death engine
Doom guard
Figurine
...Ceramic figurine
...Crystal figurine
...Ivory figurine
...Obsidian figurine
...Porcelain figurine
Golem
...Bone golem
...Doll golem
...Gargoyle golem
...Mechanical golem
...Mist golem
...Snow golem
...Zombie golem
Golem, lesser
...Maggot golem
...Wax golem
Living wall
Scarecrow, dread
Chapter VII: Foes of Van Richten: The Ancient Dead
[In this take, the ancient dead are of the deathless type.]
Introduction
*Ancient dead (dread mummy)
Crypt cat
Chapter VIII: Foes of Van Richten: Fiends
[Most of the rules surrounding fiends in Ravenloft would have been greatly modified.]
Introduction
Reality Wrinkles
Power Rituals
Land-Based Powers
Fiendish Phylacteries
Demonwracked creature
...Apeman (demonwracked lgura)
...Bloated (demonwracked dretch)
...Impling (demonwracked mane)
...Rejected
...Shapeless (demonwracked rutterkin)
Devil, imp
...Assassin imp
Fetch, dread
Nightmare
...Dread nightmare
Chapter IX: Foes of Van Richten: The Vistani
[This chapter would be virtually identical to what was published; just a few tweaked rules and sample NPCs]
Introduction
The Vistani
Powers and Weaknesses
Tasques and Tribes
*Darkling
Human, Vistani
...Vistani tradesman (expert)
...Vistani captain (ranger)
...Vistani performer (bard)
...Vistani seer (sorcerer)
Vehrteig
*Vistani recluse (fatah)
Chapter X: Foes of Van Richten: Witches
[Hag magic would have been greatly codified as well.]
Introduction
Hag Magic
*Bruja
*Dread hag
Chapter XI: Foes of Van Richten: The Walking Dead
Introduction
*Boneless
Bony hands
*Composite walking dead
*Crimson bones
Forlorn serpent (Aggie)
*Ghoul lord
Jolly roger
*Lebendtod
Lost soul
Porcelain lady (alabaster bride)
Ravyanatha
Salt shadow
*Scourged
*Skeleton, dread
...Archer skeleton
...Pyroskeleton
...Slain skeleton
*Stitched
*Strahd undead
...Strahd’s skeletal steed
...Strahd skeleton
...Strahd zombie
Swarm-shifter
Valpurleiche (hanged man)
*Zombie, dread
...Desert zombie
...Diseased zombie
...Sea zombie
...Slain zombie
*Zombie lord
Chapter XIII: Foes of Van Richten: The Fey
Introduction
Arak (shadow fey)
...Alven (carrot top, fire flit)
...Brag (whitfolk)
...Fir (tolly-knock, gremlin)
...Muryan (dancing man)
...Portune (hodge-podge)
...Powrie (shadow redcap)
...Shee (shadow faerie)
...Sith (shade)
...Teg (bogie)
Baobhan sith (black sprite)
Bogeyman
...Alligator Lenny
...The Bad Thing
...Monsieur Croquemitaine
...Madame Croquemitaine
...Mister Fox
...The Scissorman
Boowray
Changeling (kin)
Drownling
*Feytouched
*Half-fey
Jack frost
*Widderrìbhinn
Chapter XIV: Foes of Van Richten: Scaly Devils of the Deep
Introduction
Reaver
Sea spawn
...Sea spawn master
...Sea spawn minion
Soul kraken
...Soul kraken
...Elder soul kraken
Chapter XV: Foes of Van Richten: Eldritch Horrors
Introduction
Backward man
Cloaker, dread
...Sidebar: Outlander cloaker (the MM cloaker)
...Sidebar: Yeneskyy (forest haunt)
...Resplendent cloaker
...Shadow cloaker
...Tattered cloaker
Marikith (shadow killer)
...Marikith hunter
...Marikith queen
Appendix I: Animals
Cow
Dog
...Toy dog (suitable as a familiar)
Fox
Pig, domesticated
Plains cat
Sheep
Tortoise (suitable as a familiar)
Appendix II: Vermin
Assassin bug, giant
Beetle, skull (death’s head beetle)
Fumewood termite
Scarab, monstrous (Tiny through Colossal)
Spider, shroud web (lsabet’s kiss)
Appendix III: Grafts and Symbionts
Grafts
...Bestial grafts (Markov's creations)
Symbionts
...Leech, occult
......Mindsapper leech
......Witchbane leech
...*Living tattoo
......Dark man
......Father raven
......Living spear
......Silver wolf
......Violet panther
......Winged snake
Appendix XIII: Monster Conversions
[WotC monsters that only need a converted rule or two to fit
the setting.]
Astral construct, dread
Doppelganger, dread
Fihyr
...Fihyr
...Great fihyr
Jackalwere, dread
Mind flayer, vampiric
*Pennaggolan
*Revenant, dread
Selkie, dread
Shambling mound, dread (mandragora)
but they cover everything I guess. I wish somebody high at WotC reads this.The Chapter III: The Unseen World of the DMG book will be missed!
Joël
If castle raevnloft did well however, who knows it might be rereleased. In some ways I guess the novels and the rerelease of the old adventure is kinda testing the waters.
Hmmm imagine art done by brom and puddnhead (what he did for the grave pact magic card was amazing).
Appearences aside, it would be interesting to see what kind of updates the campaign got in regards to the core story. It would be neat to see what things have changed over the years in the official timeline, as well as having RL versions of newer PC classes such as the Duskblade, Warlock (basically a walking powers check), etc. Sure, we can all justicate our games ourselves, but who knows; maybe Wizards might having an interesting perspective on such things.
As much as I love the facelift WotC gave DnD when they made 3rd Ed, I almost have to say I would be worried if they decided to rerelease Ravenloft. This is all just my opinion, as I am a self-professed detail freak but I love the simple black and white pages and feel of RL when Arthaus published it. For example, when WotC made Heroes of Horror, the book itself didnt strike me as horror themed, even though the material inside was. Everything is too spiffy and colorful, which is the complete opposite of the feel RL gives me. Even the Expedition to Castle Ravenloft book was way too "cheerful" looking in my opinion (especially Elf-Pirate Strahd. What were they thinking???). I know that as a company they want to make their product as appealing as possible to as wide an audience as possible, but the art directors seriously missed the lesson of "less is more"...
Appearences aside, it would be interesting to see what kind of updates the campaign got in regards to the core story. It would be neat to see what things have changed over the years in the official timeline, as well as having RL versions of newer PC classes such as the Duskblade, Warlock (basically a walking powers check), etc. Sure, we can all justicate our games ourselves, but who knows; maybe Wizards might having an interesting perspective on such things.
Keep in mind that EtCR was NOT actually Ravenloft, it was simply the time before it, and thus WotC doesn't really think of it as a Ravenloft adventure. They wanted to make it fun and enjoyable for current D&D fans, not die hard Gothic Horror fans. The large amount of combat alone put me off to actually placing it in Ravenloft (although I did it anyways, and well... it didn't work very well).
I wonder if the rights to Ravenloft still exist to be bought. It would be interesting if a group of fans/former authors or even a company bought the rights and continued the story...
If I was in charge of it, I'd release a special player's guide and DMG with less rules and more oozing theme of a gothic nature.
I like it. Maybe not a PHB and DMG, but something like a Gothic Guide to Ravenloft or Forbidden Lore that details the thematic elements of the plane as a whole and the individual domains, including notable (non-darklord) NPCs, weird rules unique to each domain, more curse ideas, and ideas on how to build a "dungeon" or an adventure that fits the flavor of RL. And secret societies; I was disappointed the Kargatane, the Unholy Order of the Grave, Fraternity of Shadows, Keepers of the Feather, and others only got a sidebox in 3.x.
So I will rebump it with this question, if ravenloft was to be rereleased, what jobs would you have in it as core classes?
I would have:
Binder
Cloistered Cleric
Dead Necromancer