Is Ravenloft Dead?

[Mortavius]

I mean, okay, the wanderer can TRY to leave a domain with closed borders. But after all, he's a level 15+ character, with the favor of Ezra. At least a chance is ok. And, if he DOES NOT succeed, then usually he's in deep trouble...
I don't have problem with powers like that. Even RL core book said that there might be some artifacts and ways to leave Ravenloft, for example.

I was more referring to the Metaphysician's ability to actually leave Ravenloft all together. I personally don't have a problem with crossing closed domain borders, because 20th level Monks can do it, outsiders with a moral component to their alignment can do it, even educated fleas can do it! (Sorry, had to slip the music reference in there.) The whole "leaving the demiplane" thing though, when it's supposed to be quiet difficult to do got to me.

[Jester of the FoS]

Why this thread hasn't been closed by the moderators is beyond me. This is devolving into into an ad nauseam flame-fest and little or nothing useful is coming out of it.

I view this thread in a cathartic light. Some of the authors posting here have a grudge. They’ve been pissy and mad at each other and carrying their grumpy-stick for so long it’s become second nature. They feel sore from wrongs and slights both real and imagined. With the real ones also being the result of miscommunications, misunderstandings and general mistakes.

They won’t admit they were wrong to get so mad, that’s more than a little hard to do, but they just might relax enough to move on.

One big, giant screaming match followed by some calming deep breaths while they each (hopefully) think to themselves “hmm, maybe I was wrong about that and overreacted.”

This, of course, is not aimed at a single particular author -mostly because all of them have behaved poorly in this thread at one point. Mistakes were made by all and everyone is guilty to some degree.

The other reason this thread is open is the guilty amusement gained from watching this spectacle. Reminds me of the ‘Chicken Fight’ from Family Guy. It goes on so long you start laughing all over again two or three times. It’s all excessive to the point of absurdity and hilarity.

And for the most part it’s a contained flame battle with only one real outside casualty (sorry Jasper ).Let them work it all out now so we can get on with our damn lives.

--edited bceause I'm known for having poor choices of words sometimes myself--

[tec-goblin]

Already out for sale?

It's been 2 months. Yes. It's very thin - search carefully. It's a brown book.

[tec-goblin]

I was more referring to the Metaphysician's ability to actually leave Ravenloft all together. The whole "leaving the demiplane" thing though, when it's supposed to be quiet difficult to do got to me.

Mmm... I forgot it. But he still can do it for a limited amount of time and he still has to be level 15+. It's about the same - as long as dark powers never allow a darklord using that ability to leave the plane (a metaphysician darklord? interesting)

[Steve Miller]

grumpy-stick

Is this an artifact or just a plain-old magic item?

Can we get d20 System stats for it?

[midnightcat]

grumpy-stick

Is this an artifact or just a plain-old magic item?

Can we get d20 System stats for it?

That is too funny. I Iamagine most of the Darklords have one. Especially Godefroy.

[Jester of the FoS]

Grumpy-stick: This long grey rod is typically topped with a clenched fist with a single extended digit. If used in combat it functions as a +1 light mace. It comes with 10 charges, which recharge at the rate of one per day the user spends in a bad mood.
At will this rod can cast Bestow Curse, Confusion, Crushing Despair and Glibness. However, the grumpy-stick only functions against someone with whom the user is angry or irritated with.
Minor Enchantment; CL 10; Craft Rod, cast bestow curse, confusion, crushing despair,glibness; Price 20,000gp.

[Steve Miller]

Nice! But I would have thought you'd have to poke or prod the target with the grumpy stick to enact the effects.

Plus, it seems to me the grumpy stick needs to have an effect on its wielder, too. Perhaps a penalty to Wis or Cha? Or maybe just to Diplomacy and Profession skill checks?

[Le Noir Faineant]

* The Wanderers: These Vistani, although male, are listed as having the Sight. According to R3E (and elsewhere), that makes them Dukkars, aka legendary forces of evil. (Inconsistency with 2E and 3E Ravenloft)

Thank you, Tec!

I had read this a while ago and was thinking I was going mad... Sight making male Vistani Dukkar was honestly the most brutal error in any 3e product I own...
*Apart from the famous "Drizz do Urden, the famous elf from Silvanost..." I registered on a German FR translation*

[Le Noir Faineant]

AKA Daisy wrote:

REALLY?

Oh yes! Anything that I've contributed to is always useful in high-quality campaigns. In fact, if you can't use it in your campaign, it's obviously not a decent one!

Wouldn't it be your Ezra-blessed duty to, for the sake of all Ravenloft-players, send me two free copies of your work to stop my players from suffering?

[Le Noir Faineant]

Already out for sale?

It's been 2 months. Yes. It's very thin - search carefully. It's a brown book.

Thank you for the info!
Then I'll certainly put it on my *books to buy list* like so many others...

[tec-goblin]

Thank you, Tec!

Actually it was Mangrum who pointed it out. I was just commenting on it.

[Mortavius]

I was more referring to the Metaphysician's ability to actually leave Ravenloft all together. The whole "leaving the demiplane" thing though, when it's supposed to be quiet difficult to do got to me.

Mmm... I forgot it. But he still can do it for a limited amount of time and he still has to be level 15+. It's about the same - as long as dark powers never allow a darklord using that ability to leave the plane (a metaphysician darklord? interesting)

I would disagree Tec. After all, in all of published material, there has only ever been *one* item that can allow one to leave Ravenloft. That is the Scroll of Return, published in 2E. It's said that other artifacts might be able to, but nothing more.
I know this seems argumentative; this was just probably the most sore spot in the book for me. It's like giving a 15th level character the ability to leave the demiplane. Or making it so that the Astral Projection spell can allow one to leave. Just breaks one of the fundamental laws, IMO.

[Jason of the Fraternity]

Why this thread hasn't been closed by the moderators is beyond me. This is devolving into into an ad nauseam flame-fest and little or nothing useful is coming out of it.

Much as David already stated above, this thread wasn't closed earlier in order to clear up some of the confusion that has been plaguing the majority of the community. Much like a festering wound, we felt that it would be therapeutic to open it up and let the bad get cleaned away. We were not naive in believing that these discussions would clear up all the animosity between the authors/developers/editors/fans, but our hope was to ease some of the previous feelings.

While there are certainly comments left unsaid, consider this an end to this topic on these boards. This thread has gone been derailed from its original intention more than once, and nothing of significant value has developed over during the past few days (excluding, perhaps, the design of the grumpy stick).

Therefore, consider this thread finished. Since history has a tendancy to repeat itself, any new threads debating this topic will be dealt with accordingly.

Sincerely,

Jason

Fraternity of Shadows