Introduction: Domains of Dread - Ravenloft: The Horrors Within

Introduction: Domains of Dread. The Mists reach from the darkest shadows of the multiverse, condemning the wicked and the brave to endless nightmares as prisoners of the Domains of Dread. These grim netherworlds compose the Ravenloft setting and are horrific backdrops for Dungeons & Dragons adventures steeped in fear. In these haunted realms, adventurers might oppose villainous Darklords, seek escape from the Mists, or experience any terrifying adventure you can imagine. Using This Book This book explores the Domains of Dread and helps you create frightful adventures and heroes ready to confront horrors. It requires the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual. This introduction provides an overview of Ravenloft and its mysteries. Chapter 1 presents subclasses, backgrounds, species, feats, and more for characters preparing to face nightmarish adventures. Chapter 2 details prominent Domains of Dread, along with their Darklords and adventures within. Chapter 3 provides tools for Dungeon Masters running horror adventures, including ways to develop frightful campaigns and rules for Haunted Bastions. Chapter 4 explores how Dungeon Masters can create their own Domains of Dread. Chapter 5 reveals allies and enemies that might appear in terrifying tales in the Mists or beyond. The appendix details the tarokka deck and how to use it in your adventures. Secrets of Ravenloft Untold mysteries pervade the Domains of Dread, but these truths underpin the setting: 1: Ravenloft Is Malleable The domains of Ravenloft are disconnected demiplanes. They don't share a world or a certain reality. Few truths connect them, and even inviolate facts-such as time or death-might change. The only constant is fear. 2: The Dark Powers Reign Sinister forces known as the Dark Powers manipulate the Domains of Dread. Unknowable and omnipotent, the Dark Powers torment their captives for unfathomable reasons. 3: Domains Imprison Darklords Each of Ravenloft's demiplanes imprisons a...