Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Sysane Nov 16, 2006 8:16:01	Has anyone tried their hand at using HoH for RL? I'm curious to hear what experiences people have had with using this material in order to instill "horror" in their campaigns. Specifically the taint and dread mechanics. Any feedback and input would be greatly appreciated.
#2 dwarfpcfan Nov 16, 2006 8:33:01	I did, best stuff inside is the fluff. Taint and depravity never struck me as appropriate for Ravenloft. I loved the book, I use all the time for my Ravenloft games but not because of mechanics. Althought, Frederick Stonehagan, Dwarven Archivist born in Darkon and exiled to Dementlieu...
#3 Sysane Nov 16, 2006 8:55:23	I tend to agree in that the corruption part of taint isn't really a good fit for RL, but I do feel depravity has a place if used sparingly. It only makes sense that a character's sanity would slowly start to give out with prolonged encounters with the vilest of evil.
#4 dwarfpcfan Nov 17, 2006 9:49:18	Perhaps, but I've always felt that the sanity rules in Uneathed Arcana were more appropriate. As well, for corruption, I use the examples of Paths of Corruption in the Ravenloft Players Handbook, and create my own afterwards...
#5 zombiegleemax Nov 17, 2006 10:35:00	I guess it'd be a good time to add a positive review to the list of fairly negative ones... Personally, I like Taint for Ravenloft. It can be resisted, after all, but upon reading the descriptions of several of the NPCs listed for Ravenloft, it's not too far a stretch to explain some of their perversions with Taint. A few examples? Take The Carnival. Rename The Twisting as Taint, and it's done. Strahd was Tainted by his own actions, and ultimately his Taint took the form of vampirism and a connection to the land. His Taint seeped into the very soil and air itself; thus, he became a progenitor of Taint himself (cite the Sinkhole of Evil effect). The Boritsis and Dilisnyas became what they are because of their betrayal of Strahd, which might even have been prompted and furthered by the Taint they drew from Strahd. Azalin likewise warps and twists his domain and the minds of those living within it; why is the reformatting of memories within Darkon's borders not simply a symptom of Taint? Dominic D'Honaire's Tainting, much like his power, is subtle. It manifests as a wretched appearance to anyone he finds attractive. I could continue through the entire listing of Darklords, but you get the picture. Sinkhole of Evil effects are easily ascribed to Taint, and replacing DP checks with Taint checks is an easy switch, perhaps even easier than DP checks themselves. It remains the DM's prerogative to determine when Taint checks and penalties are to be assessed, so move with caution and with regard for the story. It is, however, how I plan to use the Ravenloft setting in the future (Next campaign: The Hills of Darkon!).
#6 razorboy Nov 24, 2006 10:54:30	I like Heroes of Horror a lot, but I just have to ask: what's wrong with Power Checks and the levels of corruption mechanic already present in Third Edition Ravenloft? I've used it and it works fairly well. Have other people experienced difficulties with it?
#7 humanbing Nov 26, 2006 8:29:40	The mechanics of Taint to me are pretty good inspirations for cosmetic effects of Fear/Horror/Madness/Power checks, but I would prefer to stick with the Ravenloft checks myself. The rest of the book is useful for tips on how to run a horror campaign, and it even mentions Lord Soth by name, although I find it weird that it says nothing about Ravenloft or Strahd von Zarovich. Some of the monsters and new classes are pretty neat, too. I like the Dread Necromancer class, which helps to power up the Necromancy arcane school somewhat, and which could make for an interesting villain character. Some of the magic items and spells are specifically taint-related, though. They may not translate well to RL's mechanics.