Darklords of the New Age: Comments thread

[Yaoi Huntress Earth]

In writing the above paragraph, I think I've figured out what I'd do with these two. I think personally, I might use them as non-darklords, tucked away in Borca. Replace the rival duchies with warring powerful families, and make Magda a casualty of the gang war, with Baccio's goal the destruction of the two families.

Again, all just IMHO.

I like the idea. One question I have is since Baccio is getting old, I wonder if he's going to try anything to prolong his life or create a new body for himself unless part of his curse is to get older and more decrepid, but never die.

[Checco]

It's just a suggestion. You don't have to modify it on my account. If you think you've got a good reason to leave it as is, please feel free to do so. I'm just a voice in the crowd. (but I do like that version better)

Ofc I don't have to modify it !

But the truth is that you are not the only voice in the crowd making that suggestion...

Baccio's need for vengeance and the whole story setup requires the neverending war, yet the domain doesn't seem to reflect his personality. Perhaps the war itself needs to be fueled by vengeance, as he is, to match him more closely. As it is, the domain matches Chiara much better, since she is an incarnation of strife. But again, we have the Mordenhiem/Adam problem: Built as as creature of strife, empowered by the goddess thereof, did Chiara have a choice in her "fall"? And therefore, who's the darklord? the monster or the creator? You've chosen "both," but I don't know if that's consistent with the precedents.

One problem with two linked Dls is that one always seems more guilty than the other, like in Borca and Lamordia.

By the way, I'm starting to think that using the round 3 just to describe the DLs might not have been the best idea, as readers can hardly remember what was said about the domain last time.

Here is the link to Casteldebole's round 2, which I think will make some things clearer
http://www.fraternityofshadows.com/foru ... sc&start=0

One question I have is since Baccio is getting old, I wonder if he's going to try anything to prolong his life or create a new body for himself unless part of his curse is to get older and more decrepid, but never die.

Nah, as long as he fulfills Discordia's will, the Goddess will prevent him to die of old age. Or at least that's what he deeply persuaded of, and in Ravenloft it seems to work

[whalejudge]

I like this one; it's my favorite so far. However, I'd make Baccio darklord alone, with Chiara a possible darklord-in-waiting. His degree of control over her, and crafting a tool of vengeance, makes me think that he's more deserving of the domain.

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

One problem with two linked Dls is that one always seems more guilty than the other, like in Borca and Lamordia.

Agreed, and that's probably why it doesn't happen often (Borca, and possibly the Nightmare Lands are the only definitive ones in canon, unless I'm forgetting something.)

In Lamordia, Adam is the DL, though the land reflects his creator more than it does him, as part of his curse. (And the argument is often made that Victor deserves it more, since Adam was born with an evil soul.)

Here, I feel that like Victor, Bacchio probably deserves it more, though the domain reflects Chiara more. (even after re-reading the domain blurb, perhaps even moreso.)

By the way, I'm starting to think that using the round 3 just to describe the DLs might not have been the best idea, as readers can hardly remember what was said about the domain last time.

I agree... perhaps a link to the domain description preceding each DL would be good. Honestly, I have trouble keeping them all straight. As soon as I hear Italian names, I keep looking for the undead fetus.

[Igor the Henchman]

(Borca, and possibly the Nightmare Lands are the only definitive ones in canon, unless I'm forgetting something.)

Tepest.

Though I'm a bit puzzled by Checco's comment. I would be at a loss to make out the most evil of the two out of Ivana and Ivan, Adam and Mordenheim. In both couplets, they seem to thoroughly deserve one another.

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

(Borca, and possibly the Nightmare Lands are the only definitive ones in canon, unless I'm forgetting something.)

Tepest.

D'oh! I lose my RL trivia badge to you, Igor.

[WolfKook]

By the way, I'm starting to think that using the round 3 just to describe the DLs might not have been the best idea, as readers can hardly remember what was said about the domain last time.

I agree... perhaps a link to the domain description preceding each DL would be good. Honestly, I have trouble keeping them all straight.

Done. Now the name of the domain on the top of each darklord's description points to the domain's description of round 2 (i.e. In "XXX, darklord of YYY", the link would be in "YYY"). Problem is, as the domains were posted in groups, you'd probably have to scroll down a little, but at least that'll direct you to the right post.

As soon as I hear Italian names, I keep looking for the undead fetus.

Keep looking for the "P", Gon: Those are Patricia Wilding and the Heir, from Prinzipatto della Grazie.

The next will be the long-awaited Black Dragon, the self-aware spelljamming ship who has become the darklord of Annaes.

[Checco]

I like this one; it's my favorite so far. However, I'd make Baccio darklord alone, with Chiara a possible darklord-in-waiting.

I like the idea. One question I have is since Baccio is getting old, I wonder if he's going to try anything to prolong his life or create a new body for himself unless part of his curse is to get older and more decrepid, but never die.

I see my lies cannot hide anymore that the direction where I'm mostly inclined to send Casteldebole to, is Chiara as the only DL, Baccio being just a DL-of-transition .

Sharp, though I'd be curious to know whether the description somehow implies something similar to that or it's just your intuition .

As soon as I hear Italian names, I keep looking for the undead fetus. .

Next contest I'm adding one undead fetus to each domain, be it DL or just bystander .

Though I'm a bit puzzled by Checco's comment. I would be at a loss to make out the most evil of the two out of Ivana and Ivan, Adam and Mordenheim.

I agree with Gonzoron that the creator is more evil of his evil creation, while about Borca I think a manipulative cunning femme fatale is way worse than a deranged aged man in charge, though it's better to discuss this in another topic .

many things and he added the links to the Round 2.

Thanks! I think it's useful for the reader when he wanna analyze a domain like some of ours, with round 3 only for the DL(s).

The only reason why I didn't ask for that before was the fear to be strangled by Wolfkook .

[Manofevil]

No real opinions on this one other than to say it's pretty good.

[whalejudge]

I like this one; it's my favorite so far. However, I'd make Baccio darklord alone, with Chiara a possible darklord-in-waiting.

I like the idea. One question I have is since Baccio is getting old, I wonder if he's going to try anything to prolong his life or create a new body for himself unless part of his curse is to get older and more decrepid, but never die.

I see my lies cannot hide anymore that the direction where I'm mostly inclined to send Casteldebole to, is Chiara as the only DL, Baccio being just a DL-of-transition .

Sharp, though I'd be curious to know whether the description somehow implies something similar to that or it's just your intuition .

For me, at least, it's just that Baccio seems more deserving of the domain. I'd like to see a definite decision on Chiara's part, a choice between the light and the dark, before she's ready for DLship. I'd like to see the priests of Strife and Love contesting for her soul.

[Manofevil]

I'd like to see the priests of Strife and Love contesting for her soul.

Now THAT would be cool!

[Checco]

I'd like to see the priests of Strife and Love contesting for her soul.

Now THAT would be cool!

Well, that is something we didn't think to use, mainly because the Goddesses of Love and Strife are not worshipped nowadays in Casteldebole, they are just legends from an ancient past and different culture.

Venus and Discord were just the inspiration or the mean for Chiara's creation, though a struggle between their priests could have been interesting.

I'd like to see a definite decision on Chiara's part, a choice between the light and the dark, before she's ready for DLship.

Oh she will make a clear choice, I assure you

[whalejudge]

I'd like to see the priests of Strife and Love contesting for her soul.

Now THAT would be cool!

Well, that is something we didn't think to use, mainly because the Goddesses of Love and Strife are not worshipped nowadays in Casteldebole, they are just legends from an ancient past and different culture.

Venus and Discord were just the inspiration or the mean for Chiara's creation, though a struggle between their priests could have been interesting.

I'd like to see a definite decision on Chiara's part, a choice between the light and the dark, before she's ready for DLship.

Oh she will make a clear choice, I assure you

They're not? Ah. I haven't gone digging for the domain; it sounded from the description of Baccio and Chiara that both Discordia and Venus were actively worshipped in the domain.

[DocBeard]

I've gotta say I really dig the Spelljamming helm Darklord.

My only suggestion would be to change the name. "The Black Dragon" is a cool name for a ship but kind of misleading-the PCs will think of the monster, first, and not your villain, and that's an unnecessary hurdle to climb.

[Pale]

I'm late to the party.

I have to admit, like Gonzoron, it's rare for me to find a fan-made domain that satisfies me. And there are plenty of "canon" domains that don't quite come togther for me either. That is no comment about your efforts or ideas, merely a warning that our standards and aspirations may be different. Thank you for sharing your ideas, and I recognize that your word-count-limit might not be doing them the justice they require.



Aischos, Darklord of Cratia - As others have mentioned, I think the transition comes too quickly and I don't think he's "sinned" quite enough to warrant a Domain. In this snapshot, there really isn't an explanation for Diodorus's descent - he's returned from the horrors of war with his eyes opened, kills his father in vengeance, and then... becomes worse than his father? I can see some good seeds here, but as it stands, it doesn't really sing to me.



Guendalina Paganelli and Amedeo Gentileschi, Darklords of Oriebo - Again, as others have mentioned, there is a huge gulf of information around this Call, which I think was explained as a result of the limited space. However, I would say that Amedeo's descent just... does not ring at all right to me. Guendalina has delved into darker elements of her family's already dark heritage, while Amedeo has resisted his until no one believes him, then he goes crazy and starts riots? Was that "vicious grin that was not his" something that Guendalina "unlocked" using her magic, some rite to try to bring him closer to her? A twisted wedding gift - "share this part of my life with me"? If it is a hex that brough out this "vicious grin that was not his", is that why an exorcism drove him away? I also don't see what role this "Fiammetta" plays. The wording is confusing, I think.

It seems like you have a couple who grew apart despite genuine fondness for one another, and the consequences plunged their town into chaos because they weren't available to curb it. Personally, I would remove a lot of the vampiric elements and play up more of the Montague and Capulet angle - two rival families pinning a future peace on their children, only for the children to screw it up both by actually loving one another -and- pursuing the same obsessions that drove the families (and town) to the brink of chaos.



Astylos, Darklord of Felsinea - I liked this one the best, but I don't see a reason for the Darklord to be a mythical creature. That, however, is my own prejudice - I always want to simplify. Human evil is far more intriguing to me. I really like the idea of someone studying philosophy and "seeding" the bright minds around him with insanity in the hopes of puzzling out THE ANSWER. I'd view him almost as a cross between the itinerant bum-philosopher of Socrates and the dottering dean or professor at a prestigious college or university. He's not concerned with morality (potentially the very flaw in his thinking preventing him from finding his answer), and has found a way to compel his assistants, his students, his symposia attendees to fixate on a problem or question - until they go mad. As they lose their rationality but remain fixated, he reads their minds or draws off their innovations - hints of epiphany, but never enough for him to string the answer together out of the pieces gleaned.

I also like the idea of a labyrinth under the city, perhaps under his college, where he goes to pace, walk, and wander while thinking - collating and sifting through the hints he has. Even if someone (the heroes) figure out that he's the source of this madness and manage to track him to this "lair", I think the twisting tunnels could be an excellent metaphor for his mind or thought processes, and could be a good combination-punch to throw at someone along with a hallucination, confusion, or mind-maze style spell.



Baccio di Albanera and Chiara di Albanera, Darklords of Casteldebole - I understand some of the concerns others have voiced in this. I suppose one of mine is that the scale seems "too big". I would recommend reducing the Duchies of Saliceto and Roverino to the families of Saliceto and Roverino - again, a bit in that Montague and Capulet, or Hatfield and McCoy. I also understand the concerns about having Chiara as the Darklord, when Baccio seems much more fitting. Another concern is that the circles Chiara moves in are noble. A pretty face is for a mistress, but you marry for politics.

I also don't see the role of her scream-ability - it seems like the first time she saw blood, that would kick off a city-wide bloodbath.

Thinking it over, I kind of like the idea that Baccio is incapacitated. Age, stress, insanity, and his creation have driven him to catatonia. Chiara runs on hate, but might not know why. Moreover, she runs on hate, but employs "love". She seduces the Dukes, and I assume they feel love for her, as do the common people (considered "a jewel"), but the -opposite- of those feelings power her. How does that affect her? As an artificial creature, can she reconcile that - or even recognize it? Does she need to cause pain or suffering, or feel someone's hatred (at her or near her?) to survive?

Returning the focus to Baccio, what if Chiara isn't the only golem he's created, but rather that he has puppets working at both Dukes - his modus operandi might be seducto-bots that get close and then cause strife, heartbreak, etc. He hates creating the golems, invests them with that hate, they go forth, infiltrate the Dukes' households, and then - well, engage in the behaviour that make soap-operas so popular.

I don't see them easily "sharing" the conspiracy/Darklord's mantle. I think if you elevate one, you kind of have to lower the other to the status of onlooker or tool.



The Black Dragon, darklord of Annaes - On the first, second read-through, I felt that this was inspired by the TV show Lost.

However, to the point... I don't like something so far-out-fantastical as a spelljammer ship showing up in Ravenloft. I personally don't think it works well with the gothic environment - despite the fact that an "alien ship crash lands and takes over a small town" story could work in a lot of ways. I think Lovecraft has done more than a few on that track. But I think the essential story you're trying to tell gets lost in the novelty of the spelljammer ship.

I think my recommendation would be to make it a normal ship, landlocked. It might have been beached with the tide rolled out or a river dried up. It might have been built by a madman as a "hobby" in a building or cave it could never get out of. The more that madman worked on it, invested in it, the more perfect he tried to make it, the more he poured his desire for the open sea into it, well, the more the ship came alive, and shared his ambitions. The original shipwright, Michael Carcaros, died, and the ship has found new "Michaels" to continue the work - dominating and driving each one mad, eternally striving to reach a goal it can't understand? The ship continues working on itself, with more and more materials, increasing it's splendor but perhaps reducing its own seaworthiness.

The tool was created for a purpose, but cannot attain it.