Ravenloft Horror Within - source book set for June 2026

[The Dark]

Yeah, I was thinking of how to implement the Mythos into D&D in general, not specifically for Ravenloft. I think it works best with Planescape, and possibly secondarily with Masque, with the various cults being interpreted as qabals (basically a D&D-ified Cthulhu By Gaslight).

In Ravenloft I'd be tempted to (mostly) leave out the big hitters, with cultists getting Misted for being amoral sociopathic powerseekers, with the Mythos filling the outside threat role that the Far Realm plays for late-TSR-era AD&D. If a creature of the Mythos shows up, it has a reality ripple like an angel/demon. I haven't really considered much beyond that, but they should be weird and powerful enough that any Darklord with one in their domain really wants it squashed but also really doesn't want to risk themself trying to do the squashing.

[TheArcaneWeirdo]

Now here's a silly idea:
Cthulhu doesn't belong in the Demiplanes of Dread.
He's not supposed to be there, the mists didn't drag him there, the DP themselves don't have an idea what the hell he's doing there.
He's there anyway. For some reason.
Your job is to find out why and kick him out of here, with minimal damage to your sanity.
Good luck.

[Mistmaster]

Well, in some portrayal, that exactly Gwydion situation. They should not be there, so the Dark Power sealed him halfway.

[Igor the Henchman]

https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/categ ... =DB6015000

So Lord Soth and Sithicus are making a comeback, interesting.

Also: Innsmouth domain confirmed.

[Joël of the FoS]

For the completists:

https://beadleandgrimms.com/products/ra ... dition-d-d

[Le Noir Faineant]

From the page Igor linked to:

https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/categ ... =DB6015000

16 Domains of Dread, including the new cosmic horror domain Innsmouth.
17 Darklords for your party to face or flee from, equipped with challenging stat blocks.
7 subclasses (including the new Reanimator and Hollow Warden), 4 species, 4 backgrounds, 2 Origin feats, and 9 Dark Gifts for building tortured protagonists.
10 genres of horror from gothic to dark fantasy.
A bestiary of 41 monstrosities and 10 domain denizens for your party to encounter.
47 maps and 28 digital quickplay maps for Maps VTT.
Digital Pre-order Bonus: the Mists of Ravenloft Digital Dice Set, Ravenloft Play-Along Pack, and D&D Encounters: Shadows of Sithicus mini-adventure.

So, it's a remake of the setting, not just Strahd vs. Cthulhu.

That makes some sense, at least. -- Keeping it real here: I respect anyone who finds joy in the 2020 version, but it is evident that the silent majority of fans simply wants something else. "Back to the roots", or, "back to 3e" would be good for Ravenloft.



Now, I have to say, the prices floated so far are a turn-off. Sure, the times we live in -- but, at this point, two-hundred bucks for "likely not as good as 3e Ravenloft", that's a problem as long as stuff like "Impossible Landscapes" trades at a third of that price. So, if this one's not really, really, REALLY good: Bad.

[Speedwagon]

Majority of fans on this site, yes. But you'd be surprised at how many people came into the setting from 5e---not just Curse of Strahd but VRGTR. I know that on r/ravenloft and on the Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft Discord Server, just as many folks are excited and optimistic about this as are folks who are skeptical or would prefer a return to 3e. Same on ENWorld Forums & RPG.net. And I say this as someone who got into the setting thanks to CoS and VRGTR but likes to work within the 3e lore of 760 and onward, and loves the work that the Fraternity of Shadows has done to continue that timeline (and the work of other fans here with each Quoth the Raven to contribute to it).

As for my thoughts (reposted from Discord): 47 maps!? Wow! And 68 monsters ain't bad at all; I wonder how many will be completely new versus 5e adaptations of familiar faces from 2e & 3e. And that dungeon master's screen sounds very useful. Really I'm hyped for the map pack. I definitely think that WotC heard a lot of the criticism for VRGTR (no Darklord stat blocks, not enough DM-facing content, etc) and has been acting accordingly to address it (it might not be our/the site's specific criticisms but ones broadly shared even by those who weren't familiar with Ravenloft beyond CoS--just clarifying what I meant by that here).

From DnDBeyond:

Physical and digital versions of Ravenloft: The Horrors Within, containing 16 Domains of Dread, 17 Darklords, 7 subclasses, 4 species, 4 backgrounds, 11 feats, 68 monsters and 47 maps including 28 digital quickplay maps for Maps VTT.
Physical Ravenloft: The Horrors Within Tarokka Deck for weaving terrifying twists into your campaign with 54 fully illustrated cards.
Physical Ravenloft: The Horrors Within Dungeon Master’s Screen for keeping your plans enshrouded in mystery.
Physical and digital versions of the Ravenloft: The Horrors Within Map Pack for plotting out eerie encounters for your party.
Digital Pre-order Bonus: the Mists of Ravenloft Digital Dice Set, Ravenloft Play-Along Pack, and D&D Encounters

288 pages for this book, compared to VRGTR having 256, and the Beadle & Grimm set confirms even more details.

16 Battle Maps
Sized for use with minis. Legendary locations for epic battles.
Blood on the Vine Tavern, 24x32
Sanctuary/Beneath the Tavern/Outside Village, 24x32
Castle Avernus - Eleventh Floor, 20x20
Castle Avernus - Ninth Floor, 20x20
Castle Avernus - Eighth Floor, 20x20
Castle Avernus - Second Floor, 20x20
Castle Avernus - First Floor, Outer Bailey and Gallery, 24x36
Pharaoh's Rest: Shrine of Ankhtepot, 24x34
Pharaoh's Rest: Lesser Tombs, 16x24
Pharaoh's Rest: Funeral Barge & Ankhtepot's Tomb, 18x24
Cthulhu's Vault: Wreck of the Providence, 18x24
Tower of Traitors, 24x34
Van Richten's Herbalist Shop, 20x28
Odaire Toyshop, 16x24
Sithicus Ruins, 24x36
Haunted Bastion, 20x28 (Only found in Strahd's Silver Edition)
Domain and Area Maps
22 Maps for Players and DMs (8.5"x11")
19 Domains of Dread Maps
3 Area Maps for players to plot out their next steps in the key areas of D'honaire Estate, Nedragaard Keep, and Shadowborn Manor.

Even if I use 3e for lore, I'm really excited for all those maps, stat-blocks, Tarokka decks, art pieces, and other mechanical goodies. And even better---an explosion of content for the setting officially means we'll get unofficial support via DMsGuild! While that platform is sadly overrun with AI-generated slop, there are still diamonds in the rough that reach the best-selling list. We could see some really cool Adventurer's League support, like the Mist-Hunters adventures that came out with VRGTR, and some cool homebrew supplements like Strahd Must Die or the various ones for Curse of Strahd, or the really cool ones that users like Libertad had dedicated whole threads on this forum to reviewing!

[TheArcaneWeirdo]

Majority of fans on this site, yes. But you'd be surprised at how many people came into the setting from 5e---not just Curse of Strahd but VRGTR. I know that on r/ravenloft and on the Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft Discord Server, just as many folks are excited and optimistic about this as are folks who are skeptical or would prefer a return to 3e. Same on ENWorld Forums & RPG.net. And I say this as someone who got into the setting thanks to CoS and VRGTR but likes to work within the 3e lore of 760 and onward, and loves the work that the Fraternity of Shadows has done to continue that timeline (and the work of other fans here with each Quoth the Raven to contribute to it).

As for my thoughts (reposted from Discord): 47 maps!? Wow! And 68 monsters ain't bad at all; I wonder how many will be completely new versus 5e adaptations of familiar faces from 2e & 3e. And that dungeon master's screen sounds very useful. Really I'm hyped for the map pack. I definitely think that WotC heard a lot of the criticism for VRGTR (no Darklord stat blocks, not enough DM-facing content, etc) and has been acting accordingly to address it (it might not be our/the site's specific criticisms but ones broadly shared even by those who weren't familiar with Ravenloft beyond CoS--just clarifying what I meant by that here).

From DnDBeyond:

Physical and digital versions of Ravenloft: The Horrors Within, containing 16 Domains of Dread, 17 Darklords, 7 subclasses, 4 species, 4 backgrounds, 11 feats, 68 monsters and 47 maps including 28 digital quickplay maps for Maps VTT.
Physical Ravenloft: The Horrors Within Tarokka Deck for weaving terrifying twists into your campaign with 54 fully illustrated cards.
Physical Ravenloft: The Horrors Within Dungeon Master’s Screen for keeping your plans enshrouded in mystery.
Physical and digital versions of the Ravenloft: The Horrors Within Map Pack for plotting out eerie encounters for your party.
Digital Pre-order Bonus: the Mists of Ravenloft Digital Dice Set, Ravenloft Play-Along Pack, and D&D Encounters

288 pages for this book, compared to VRGTR having 256, and the Beadle & Grimm set confirms even more details.

16 Battle Maps
Sized for use with minis. Legendary locations for epic battles.
Blood on the Vine Tavern, 24x32
Sanctuary/Beneath the Tavern/Outside Village, 24x32
Castle Avernus - Eleventh Floor, 20x20
Castle Avernus - Ninth Floor, 20x20
Castle Avernus - Eighth Floor, 20x20
Castle Avernus - Second Floor, 20x20
Castle Avernus - First Floor, Outer Bailey and Gallery, 24x36
Pharaoh's Rest: Shrine of Ankhtepot, 24x34
Pharaoh's Rest: Lesser Tombs, 16x24
Pharaoh's Rest: Funeral Barge & Ankhtepot's Tomb, 18x24
Cthulhu's Vault: Wreck of the Providence, 18x24
Tower of Traitors, 24x34
Van Richten's Herbalist Shop, 20x28
Odaire Toyshop, 16x24
Sithicus Ruins, 24x36
Haunted Bastion, 20x28 (Only found in Strahd's Silver Edition)
Domain and Area Maps
22 Maps for Players and DMs (8.5"x11")
19 Domains of Dread Maps
3 Area Maps for players to plot out their next steps in the key areas of D'honaire Estate, Nedragaard Keep, and Shadowborn Manor.

Even if I use 3e for lore, I'm really excited for all those maps, stat-blocks, Tarokka decks, art pieces, and other mechanical goodies. And even better---an explosion of content for the setting officially means we'll get unofficial support via DMsGuild! While that platform is sadly overrun with AI-generated slop, there are still diamonds in the rough that reach the best-selling list. We could see some really cool Adventurer's League support, like the Mist-Hunters adventures that came out with VRGTR, and some cool homebrew supplements like Strahd Must Die or the various ones for Curse of Strahd, or the really cool ones that users like Libertad had dedicated whole threads on this forum to reviewing!

I got into the fandom through VRGtR too! High five!

- That's a lot of Castle Avernus. And Azalin is missing again, right? Ahem.... Anyone else wants to go dungeon delving in a lich's lair? We'll probably get ourselves killed, but if we succeed... Like, imagine all the books! And the powerful magic items! But mostly the books!

- 16 domains but 17 darklords means a bidarklord domain. Borca was already covered in VRGtR, so who are these new guys?
Or are we getting expansions of already-covered domains? This would be valuable too. A lot of domains (ahem ahem Saidra's Dementlieu) have one awesome arc concept for starters, but not enough lore about what's beyond it.

- A map of the D'Honaire Estate would be fun. I hope it comes with clues as per the Saidra/Dominic conspiracy.

- I'm probably the only one enthusiastic about that, but if those four new background are cut from the same stuff as the VRGtR ones, I can't wait for them. I think the Haunted One background was one of my first pieces of RL gameplay content (I read about it online before I even got into the fandom), and the Horror Trinkets table gave me so much inspiration. Every single item could be a story prompt in and of itself.

- A map from Odaire implies it's one of the domains that will get covered, as in VRGtR it was 'Other Domains of Dread'-Zoned.

- Sithicus Ruins... Aren't they in Klorr now? Is Klorr getting out of the ODoD-Zone too?

[Le Noir Faineant]

Majority of fans on this site, yes. But you'd be surprised at how many people came into the setting from 5e---not just Curse of Strahd but VRGTR. I know that on r/ravenloft and on the Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft Discord Server, just as many folks are excited and optimistic about this as are folks who are skeptical or would prefer a return to 3e. Same on ENWorld Forums & RPG.net. And I say this as someone who got into the setting thanks to CoS and VRGTR but likes to work within the 3e lore of 760 and onward, and loves the work that the Fraternity of Shadows has done to continue that timeline (and the work of other fans here with each Quoth the Raven to contribute to it).

Please, on no level take my response as a personal rebuke: You and I have interacted on Discord, too, I think. I'm certainly happy to have you here, mate.

That said, I would very, very, very much caution you against doing "internet nerd-o-metrics".

First, Reddit, Discord, and most message boards are like your local shots bar: They're busy places because college students exist. Snapshots from there tell you what people their age, and with a lot of disposable time and income tend to like.

Second, interaction and attention don't equal sympathy. Just take my case: The TSR MotRD map literally hangs over my desktop at home. Yet so, I probably have, what, under fifty posts at the Frat over the course of the last ten years.

Third, when it comes to D&D, sales can be deceiving: IIRC, retail sales for physical copies of Curse of Strahd, different editions and translations considered, should be between 300.000 and 600.000 copies worldwide, between 2016 and 2026. That's a sizeable-enough number, BUT: How many groups actually went on to play the adventure? How many of the people involved went on to buy other 5e RL products after, like VRGtR?

-- The "counter metrics" I'm applying are equally anecdotal, but probably a bit more reliable: At every gaming convention, on every roll-the-dice-here gaming website, in every gaming store, both 2e/3e RL and 2016's Curse are still in high demand. Games are full, threads are crowded, books are on special sales display even years after publication. Ravenloft-y games are in demand, too, namely mini-games like "Mork Borg", "Rangers of the Shadow Deep", et al. - Just not for post-2016 RL.

Now, that's obviously just me reporting from my bubble: What leads me to think this might have a relatively high degree of validity is that people from other places/countries have told me about the same: Very few seem to be particularly interested in RL '21. -- That doesn't say that RL '21 would be bad, or that people who play it would be "doing it rrrong", or whatever some rage-baiters try to insert into the conversation. It simply indicates that consumer demands appear to be shifting.

-- The new book/box seems to do just that: A shift of style and perspective. If it turns out to be well done, it will extend the shelf-life of "modern" Ravenloft for another decade. If it is for me, I positively don't know yet. If it is for you: More power to you.

[TheArcaneWeirdo]

Majority of fans on this site, yes. But you'd be surprised at how many people came into the setting from 5e---not just Curse of Strahd but VRGTR. I know that on r/ravenloft and on the Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft Discord Server, just as many folks are excited and optimistic about this as are folks who are skeptical or would prefer a return to 3e. Same on ENWorld Forums & RPG.net. And I say this as someone who got into the setting thanks to CoS and VRGTR but likes to work within the 3e lore of 760 and onward, and loves the work that the Fraternity of Shadows has done to continue that timeline (and the work of other fans here with each Quoth the Raven to contribute to it).

Please, on no level take my response as a personal rebuke: You and I have interacted on Discord, too, I think. I'm certainly happy to have you here, mate.

That said, I would very, very, very much caution you against doing "internet nerd-o-metrics".

First, Reddit, Discord, and most message boards are like your local shots bar: They're busy places because college students exist. Snapshots from there tell you what people their age, and with a lot of disposable time and income tend to like.

Second, interaction and attention don't equal sympathy. Just take my case: The TSR MotRD map literally hangs over my desktop at home. Yet so, I probably have, what, under fifty posts at the Frat over the course of the last ten years.

Third, when it comes to D&D, sales can be deceiving: IIRC, retail sales for physical copies of Curse of Strahd, different editions and translations considered, should be between 300.000 and 600.000 copies worldwide, between 2016 and 2026. That's a sizeable-enough number, BUT: How many groups actually went on to play the adventure? How many of the people involved went on to buy other 5e RL products after, like VRGtR?

-- The "counter metrics" I'm applying are equally anecdotal, but probably a bit more reliable: At every gaming convention, on every roll-the-dice-here gaming website, in every gaming store, both 2e/3e RL and 2016's Curse are still in high demand. Games are full, threads are crowded, books are on special sales display even years after publication. Ravenloft-y games are in demand, too, namely mini-games like "Mork Borg", "Rangers of the Shadow Deep", et al. - Just not for post-2016 RL.

Now, that's obviously just me reporting from my bubble: What leads me to think this might have a relatively high degree of validity is that people from other places/countries have told me about the same: Very few seem to be particularly interested in RL '21. -- That doesn't say that RL '21 would be bad, or that people who play it would be "doing it rrrong", or whatever some rage-baiters try to insert into the conversation. It simply indicates that consumer demands appear to be shifting.

-- The new book/box seems to do just that: A shift of style and perspective. If it turns out to be well done, it will extend the shelf-life of "modern" Ravenloft for another decade. If it is for me, I positively don't know yet. If it is for you: More power to you.

I think what a lot of older people don't get, is that teens and college students are basically the future. Someday we'll be running things. If we're into something that adults aren't into, it doesn't mean that thing is unimportant - it means it'll grow in importance overtime. (Obviously this doesn't apply to every trend, but I think 5e Ravenloft is a little more serious than 67.)

[alhoon]

From the page Igor linked to:

https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/categ ... =DB6015000

Now, I have to say, the prices floated so far are a turn-off. Sure, the times we live in -- but, at this point, two-hundred bucks for "likely not as good as 3e Ravenloft", that's a problem as long as stuff like "Impossible Landscapes" trades at a third of that price. So, if this one's not really, really, REALLY good: Bad.

I was planning to pre-order parts of it, but at those prices? No, I cannot afford that. Before I get this or that from the offered books, I would expect my fellow Fraternity brothers to take a look first and tell me how the new 5e material fares.

For starters, I would like a lot more Sandra-tier material in there and a lot less Ivan-tier material. I would like to see the domains fleshed out as something we could play a big game at, not a few pages with the darklord. Some of the domains in 5e were barebones outside the Darklord. Also some of the changes of the domains really turned me off some of the domains. Falkovnia is IMO unplayable beyond a few sessions as the domain collapses. That state of siege is unsustainable for more than a few months before the humans are depleted. Hazlan is too ... "evil Harry Potter land" now. Etc.

[TheArcaneWeirdo]

From the page Igor linked to:

https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/categ ... =DB6015000

Now, I have to say, the prices floated so far are a turn-off. Sure, the times we live in -- but, at this point, two-hundred bucks for "likely not as good as 3e Ravenloft", that's a problem as long as stuff like "Impossible Landscapes" trades at a third of that price. So, if this one's not really, really, REALLY good: Bad.

I was planning to pre-order parts of it, but at those prices? No, I cannot afford that. Before I get this or that from the offered books, I would expect my fellow Fraternity brothers to take a look first and tell me how the new 5e material fares.

For starters, I would like a lot more Sandra-tier material in there and a lot less Ivan-tier material. I would like to see the domains fleshed out as something we could play a big game at, not a few pages with the darklord. Some of the domains in 5e were barebones outside the Darklord. Also some of the changes of the domains really turned me off some of the domains. Falkovnia is IMO unplayable beyond a few sessions as the domain collapses. That state of siege is unsustainable for more than a few months before the humans are depleted. Hazlan is too ... "evil Harry Potter land" now. Etc.

I have a theory that 5e Hazlan is literally just normal Hazlan in the future, a few years after the Mulan were wiped out. Meaning you can still use a ton of the previous material in the domain AND have the 'evil Harry Potter land' situation.

[Igor the Henchman]

For starters, I would like a lot more Sandra-tier material in there and a lot less Ivan-tier material.

What's wrong with Ivan?

Hazlan is too ... "evil Harry Potter land" now. Etc.

That doesn't sound bad at all to me, actually.

BTW I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out who is that guy in the painting on the 4th cover. D'Polarno? Evensong?

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

Regarding the prices... don't confuse the Beadle and Grimm deluxe versions with the base version. The base version from WotC is just a single hardcover book, and separate Tarroka deck, DM screen, and Map pack, each sold seprately. Beadle & Grimm targets the high-end with a super-deluxe version with all kinds of accessories etc. (I should mention that B&G has a 10% off coupon if you preorder soon. It's still a luxury item, but if you do intend to get it, why not save a little bit.)

[Le Noir Faineant]

I think what a lot of older people don't get, is that teens and college students are basically the future. Someday we'll be running things. If we're into something that adults aren't into, it doesn't mean that thing is unimportant - it means it'll grow in importance overtime. (Obviously this doesn't apply to every trend, but I think 5e Ravenloft is a little more serious than 67.)

YOU DID NOT just call me "old", or did you, kiddo?! -- Word here is, I am the ancient. AND I am the land. I've seen clouds flee the skies in fear of my yelling.

-- Now, seriously: This is not about "young" and "old". There's criticism of the serious kind - as opposed to criticism of the unserious and dishonest kind, like when people are asking why the Vistani are no longer presented like gypsies in a 1940s movie.
And that criticism of the serious kind is centered on a perceived lack of very practical craftsmanship and care with regards to especially the 2021 book; very down-to-earth and mundane bad content editing, mostly.
Now, most importantly, this is not an "either-or"-situation: You can like the new material despite these flaws, and have great fun with it at the gaming table.

-- I'm not writing that to challenge you: I'm saying, success is going to be your best revenge, here. Show me in 2030 how you've been running a whole series of Ravenloft (-flavored) games based on material that I dismissed. Go and do your thing. Like, it's not like I wasn't here twenty years ago, and argued pretty much the same points that you are debating now.

I was planning to pre-order parts of it, but at those prices? No, I cannot afford that. Before I get this or that from the offered books, I would expect my fellow Fraternity brothers to take a look first and tell me how the new 5e material fares.

I made my horror game purchase of the year yesterday night - and indeed ended up opting for the much-cheaper "Impossible Landscapes" (a Delta Green adventure) instead of RLHW. Like, one of the reasons why I'm posting more, these days, is that I'm pondering to give both "Servants of Darkness" and "When Black Roses Bloom" another spin at the gaming table. I doubt that the 200-bucks-collectible, at least, is going to serve me for those two. Soth back in Ravenloft is cool - but I'd like to see what is done with him first. The Kargatane version of the character's story was AMAZING; so, unless Soth is coming back for Inza, I will stick to the 3e material, I think.