Haven't play in a long time, got some ??"s - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Haven't play in a long time, got some ??"s

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
mistress_fire_dragon
Nov 22, 2003 20:33:02 I haven't play in Ravenloft in quite a few years and I am just now getting oriented with the 3rd Edition Rules (I was reluctant to give up AD&D 2nd Edition), but now I have a longing to return to Ravenloft. I live in the boone toolies and the one store that sells Wizards stuff doesn't have the 3E Ravenloft and they say they will not order it either, so until I can get my hands on one I have a couple of general questions about Ravenloft.
1. Are the lords still pretty much the same (ie. Strahd, Azalin, Soth, Ivana Boritsi, Nathan Timothy) or have they changed majorly?
2. If their are new Lords, who is the Big Bad this time?
3. Has the land scape changed drastically?
4. Any other info or ideas for a small and breif encounter in Ravenloft for 3E?

Thanks so much!
Mistress Fire Dragon
#2
zombiegleemax
Nov 22, 2003 20:38:44
Originally posted by Mistress Fire Dragon
I haven't play in Ravenloft in quite a few years and I am just now getting oriented with the 3rd Edition Rules (I was reluctant to give up AD&D 2nd Edition), but now I have a longing to return to Ravenloft. I live in the boone toolies and the one store that sells Wizards stuff doesn't have the 3E Ravenloft and they say they will not order it either, so until I can get my hands on one I have a couple of general questions about Ravenloft.
1. Are the lords still pretty much the same (ie. Strahd, Azalin, Soth, Ivana Boritsi, Nathan Timothy) or have they changed majorly?

Yup they're all there except Soth, Vecna and Kas who have left the demiplane (see Die Vecna Die and Spectre of the Black Rose). Not all darklords are detailed yet, only the ones on the Core.
2. If their are new Lords, who is the Big Bad this time?

The only new ones are Inza (Sithicus who replaced Soth) and Death who became a full Darklord (Necropolis is his domain)
3. Has the land scape changed drastically?

Not a all
4. Any other info or ideas for a small and breif encounter in Ravenloft for 3E?

Thanks so much!
Mistress Fire Dragon

I'm afraid I don't have any idea at the moment.
#3
gotten
Nov 23, 2003 7:07:54 I suggest you to get two book - Ravenloft Third edition*, and Secrets of the Dread Realms, these will update you with the setting.

* Do not confuse with recent release of a Ravenloft Player's Handbook, try to get the original. This way, you won't get the heresies

Jo
#4
platinumwarlock
Nov 23, 2003 7:48:53 Actually, I'd recommend getting the Ravenloft DMG before getting the Secrets of the Dread Realms. While it doesn't contain the darklord stats, it gives a nice little summary on each of the darklords and has a lot more material to boot. If you need the darklord stats, though, by all means get it....or buy the corresponding Gazetteers that you need.

That said, I own both....
#5
zombiegleemax
Nov 28, 2003 10:28:30 Does Secrets of the Dread Realms have anything worthwhile, aside from the Darklord stats, that isn't covered in the RL DMG?
#6
zombiegleemax
Nov 28, 2003 10:31:50
Originally posted by Acolyte of Death
Does Secrets of the Dread Realms have anything worthwhile, aside from the Darklord stats, that isn't covered in the RL DMG?

SotDR only has DL stats (including Azrael who isn't a DL) for most Darklords of the Core (excluding the seas) and a Witch Hunter PrC which was ok overall but needed a few tweaks here and there.
Plus the DM's screen which wasn't all that great.
#7
zombiegleemax
Nov 28, 2003 10:35:47
Originally posted by Charney
Plus the DM's screen which wasn't all that great.

Is the D&D screen any good? I might just buy that if it is. Also, are the DL stats in the Gazetteers basically the same as these ones?

Also, is the RL DMG still usable if you don't own the RL PH?
#8
zombiegleemax
Nov 28, 2003 11:00:03
Originally posted by Acolyte of Death
Is the D&D screen any good? I might just buy that if it is. Also, are the DL stats in the Gazetteers basically the same as these ones?

Also, is the RL DMG still usable if you don't own the RL PH?

If you mean the v3.5 screen that came with dragon, it's good. But the RL-screen ain't too bad either. It's just not too complete. I use both, and keep the RL one in front, for atmosphere.

As for your next question: a big, empathic YES!
#9
platinumwarlock
Nov 28, 2003 13:06:43
Originally posted by Acolyte of Death
Also, is the RL DMG still usable if you don't own the RL PH?

Yes. I have it, and only own the RLCS, not the RL PH.
#10
The_Jester
Nov 28, 2003 13:29:05 I do what Malken does with the screen. Pesky RL 3.0 screen...

One thing of importance to note, Azalin is back in 3E.
Il Aluk, the capital of Darkon becomes Necropolis, the Domain of the Dead but the rest of Darkon is back under Azalin's control.
#11
zombiegleemax
Nov 29, 2003 18:05:14
Originally posted by The_Jester
I do what Malken does with the screen. Pesky RL 3.0 screen...

One thing of importance to note, Azalin is back in 3E.
Il Aluk, the capital of Darkon becomes Necropolis, the Domain of the Dead but the rest of Darkon is back under Azalin's control.

I wonder how long until Azalin tries to take back Necropolis and get rid of the pretender, Death, that is currently lord there.
#12
The_Jester
Nov 29, 2003 18:10:56 Probably a while as Death has some power and Azalin probably isn't too interested with a city of undead.

Oh, and another big change that you may not have heard about.
Mistress FD.
It happened in 2nd Edition but is still fairly recent. The political ruler of Invidia is different and the Darklord, while still the DL, no longer rules.
#13
zombiegleemax
Nov 29, 2003 18:14:00
Originally posted by The_Jester
Probably a while as Death has some power and Azalin probably isn't too interested with a city of undead.

Oh, and another big change that you may not have heard about.
Mistress FD.
It happened in 2nd Edition but is still fairly recent. The political ruler of Invidia is different and the Darklord, while still the DL, no longer rules.

Ah, but Azalin is a meglomaniac, so losing anything to anyone else is a blow to the old ego. I doubt Azalin will be able to stand the thought of some upstart ruling a part of his rightful kingdom for long.

This is purely an in character motivation. I doubt he cares about the undead that live there. If anything, he'd just destroy them or add them to his castle garrison :P
#14
keg_of_ale
Nov 29, 2003 18:20:10
Originally posted by KingOfChaos
I wonder how long until Azalin tries to take back Necropolis and get rid of the pretender, Death, that is currently lord there.

He won't, I believe, for the same reason he long ago quit trying conquering Barovia and crushing Strahd. Unlike Drakov, Azalin knows how futile trying to attack other domains is.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mistress_fire_dragon Nov 22, 2003 20:33:02	I haven't play in Ravenloft in quite a few years and I am just now getting oriented with the 3rd Edition Rules (I was reluctant to give up AD&D 2nd Edition), but now I have a longing to return to Ravenloft. I live in the boone toolies and the one store that sells Wizards stuff doesn't have the 3E Ravenloft and they say they will not order it either, so until I can get my hands on one I have a couple of general questions about Ravenloft. 1. Are the lords still pretty much the same (ie. Strahd, Azalin, Soth, Ivana Boritsi, Nathan Timothy) or have they changed majorly? 2. If their are new Lords, who is the Big Bad this time? 3. Has the land scape changed drastically? 4. Any other info or ideas for a small and breif encounter in Ravenloft for 3E? Thanks so much! Mistress Fire Dragon
#2 zombiegleemax Nov 22, 2003 20:38:44	Originally posted by Mistress Fire Dragon I haven't play in Ravenloft in quite a few years and I am just now getting oriented with the 3rd Edition Rules (I was reluctant to give up AD&D 2nd Edition), but now I have a longing to return to Ravenloft. I live in the boone toolies and the one store that sells Wizards stuff doesn't have the 3E Ravenloft and they say they will not order it either, so until I can get my hands on one I have a couple of general questions about Ravenloft. 1. Are the lords still pretty much the same (ie. Strahd, Azalin, Soth, Ivana Boritsi, Nathan Timothy) or have they changed majorly? Yup they're all there except Soth, Vecna and Kas who have left the demiplane (see Die Vecna Die and Spectre of the Black Rose). Not all darklords are detailed yet, only the ones on the Core. 2. If their are new Lords, who is the Big Bad this time? The only new ones are Inza (Sithicus who replaced Soth) and Death who became a full Darklord (Necropolis is his domain) 3. Has the land scape changed drastically? Not a all 4. Any other info or ideas for a small and breif encounter in Ravenloft for 3E? Thanks so much! Mistress Fire Dragon I'm afraid I don't have any idea at the moment.
#3 gotten Nov 23, 2003 7:07:54	I suggest you to get two book - Ravenloft Third edition, and Secrets of the Dread Realms, these will update you with the setting. Do not confuse with recent release of a Ravenloft Player's Handbook, try to get the original. This way, you won't get the heresies Jo
#4 platinumwarlock Nov 23, 2003 7:48:53	Actually, I'd recommend getting the Ravenloft DMG before getting the Secrets of the Dread Realms. While it doesn't contain the darklord stats, it gives a nice little summary on each of the darklords and has a lot more material to boot. If you need the darklord stats, though, by all means get it....or buy the corresponding Gazetteers that you need. That said, I own both....
#5 zombiegleemax Nov 28, 2003 10:28:30	Does Secrets of the Dread Realms have anything worthwhile, aside from the Darklord stats, that isn't covered in the RL DMG?
#6 zombiegleemax Nov 28, 2003 10:31:50	Originally posted by Acolyte of Death Does Secrets of the Dread Realms have anything worthwhile, aside from the Darklord stats, that isn't covered in the RL DMG? SotDR only has DL stats (including Azrael who isn't a DL) for most Darklords of the Core (excluding the seas) and a Witch Hunter PrC which was ok overall but needed a few tweaks here and there. Plus the DM's screen which wasn't all that great.
#7 zombiegleemax Nov 28, 2003 10:35:47	Originally posted by Charney Plus the DM's screen which wasn't all that great. Is the D&D screen any good? I might just buy that if it is. Also, are the DL stats in the Gazetteers basically the same as these ones? Also, is the RL DMG still usable if you don't own the RL PH?
#8 zombiegleemax Nov 28, 2003 11:00:03	Originally posted by Acolyte of Death Is the D&D screen any good? I might just buy that if it is. Also, are the DL stats in the Gazetteers basically the same as these ones? Also, is the RL DMG still usable if you don't own the RL PH? If you mean the v3.5 screen that came with dragon, it's good. But the RL-screen ain't too bad either. It's just not too complete. I use both, and keep the RL one in front, for atmosphere. As for your next question: a big, empathic YES!
#9 platinumwarlock Nov 28, 2003 13:06:43	Originally posted by Acolyte of Death Also, is the RL DMG still usable if you don't own the RL PH? Yes. I have it, and only own the RLCS, not the RL PH.
#10 The_Jester Nov 28, 2003 13:29:05	I do what Malken does with the screen. Pesky RL 3.0 screen... One thing of importance to note, Azalin is back in 3E. Il Aluk, the capital of Darkon becomes Necropolis, the Domain of the Dead but the rest of Darkon is back under Azalin's control.
#11 zombiegleemax Nov 29, 2003 18:05:14	Originally posted by The_Jester I do what Malken does with the screen. Pesky RL 3.0 screen... One thing of importance to note, Azalin is back in 3E. Il Aluk, the capital of Darkon becomes Necropolis, the Domain of the Dead but the rest of Darkon is back under Azalin's control. I wonder how long until Azalin tries to take back Necropolis and get rid of the pretender, Death, that is currently lord there.
#12 The_Jester Nov 29, 2003 18:10:56	Probably a while as Death has some power and Azalin probably isn't too interested with a city of undead. Oh, and another big change that you may not have heard about. Mistress FD. It happened in 2nd Edition but is still fairly recent. The political ruler of Invidia is different and the Darklord, while still the DL, no longer rules.
#13 zombiegleemax Nov 29, 2003 18:14:00	Originally posted by The_Jester Probably a while as Death has some power and Azalin probably isn't too interested with a city of undead. Oh, and another big change that you may not have heard about. Mistress FD. It happened in 2nd Edition but is still fairly recent. The political ruler of Invidia is different and the Darklord, while still the DL, no longer rules. Ah, but Azalin is a meglomaniac, so losing anything to anyone else is a blow to the old ego. I doubt Azalin will be able to stand the thought of some upstart ruling a part of his rightful kingdom for long. This is purely an in character motivation. I doubt he cares about the undead that live there. If anything, he'd just destroy them or add them to his castle garrison :P
#14 keg_of_ale Nov 29, 2003 18:20:10	Originally posted by KingOfChaos I wonder how long until Azalin tries to take back Necropolis and get rid of the pretender, Death, that is currently lord there. He won't, I believe, for the same reason he long ago quit trying conquering Barovia and crushing Strahd. Unlike Drakov, Azalin knows how futile trying to attack other domains is.