Café de Nuit

We’re getting a new “Ravenloft” novel. And it sounds awful;

A party of adventurers must brave the horrors of Ravenloft in this official Dungeons & Dragons novel!

Five strangers armed with steel and magic awaken in a mist-shrouded land, with no memory of how they arrived: Rotrog, a prideful orcish wizard; Chivarion, a sardonic drow barbarian; Alishai, an embittered tiefling paladin; Kah, a skittish kenku cleric; and Fielle, a sunny human artificer.

After they barely survive a nightmarish welcome to the realm of Barovia, a carriage arrives bearing an invitation:

Fairest Friends,

I pray you accept my humble Hospitality and dine with me tonight at Castle Ravenloft. It is rare we receive Visitors, and I do so Endeavor to Make your Acquaintance. The Carriage shall bear you to the Castle safely, and I await your Arrival with Pleasure.

Your host,
Strahd von Zarovich

With no alternative, and determined to find their way home, the strangers accept the summons and travel to the forbidding manor of the mysterious count. But all is not well at Castle Ravenloft. To survive the twisted enigmas of Strahd and his haunted home, the adventurers must confront the dark secrets in their own hearts and find a way to shift from strangers to comrades—before the mists of Barovia claim them forever.

And I say “Ravenloft” because this is the new 5e version, not the one we know and love.

Sounds iffy, alright. The character concepts for heir of Strahd are over the top.
5e material is a big strike against it - for me - and so what would usually be a 50/50 chance for something moderately worth reading to spend a dull evening becomes 60/40 against.
Add that it's still the same company holding the copyright and - with apologies to the author - that becomes 70/30 against. Not going to bother.
If anyone else wants to read it and enjoys it, just ignore my sour grumbling. It's fine.

I might give it a passing read. Not expecting much, obviously.

Can't be worse than Heaven's Bones, can it?

On one hand, the chosen author can write very dark material. On the other, given the content of the reboot campaign book? I hold heavy doubts. Plus, lots of talent has been held back when making stuff in the last number of years. While it's not certain that this is worthy of passing up, there's probably a strong likelihood. But, as far as I'm concerned, the setting is in the hands of fans like us as it was all those years ago.

I dislike the party I see...

Igor the Henchman wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 7:55 pm I might give it a passing read. Not expecting much, obviously.

Can't be worse than Heaven's Bones, can it?

Better knock on wood, Igor. :-/

I don't have a problem with Ravenloft being more "D&D-ish" and fantasy-themed. But just a novelization of Curse of Strahd, really? I know the adventure made Wizards lots of money, but surely there's other stories to tell in the 5e Ravenloft setting. Especially since the new D&D DMG takes time to explain how Ravenloft is more than just Barovia and to describe several other domains, darklords and famous characters from the setting.

And just how many novels does one brooding balcony-perching cape mannequin need? At least I, Strahd and Vampire of the Mists came up with an original angle...

An orc, a drow, a tiefling, a kenku and a human walk into a bar...

The real joke is that this idea somehow passed muster for print...

Mephisto of the FoS wrote: Wed Nov 13, 2024 1:42 pm An orc, a drow, a tiefling, a kenku and a human walk into a bar...

Yeah, I can't see that as something viable for Barovia. People would freak out.

alhoon wrote: Sat Nov 16, 2024 8:59 am

Mephisto of the FoS wrote: Wed Nov 13, 2024 1:42 pm An orc, a drow, a tiefling, a kenku and a human walk into a bar...

Yeah, I can't see that as something viable for Barovia. People would freak out.

Strahd will probably enjoy the variety in his larder.

I thought, surely it can't be that bad. Not "my" Ravenloft, but I'll give it a fair shake on its own terms... but yeesh... then I looked at the cover and read the blurb. Looks like that party should have more to worry about from Barovian pitchforks than Strahd himself!

I mean, I guess I should be happy that a new novel even exists? And who am I kidding, I know I'll buy it and read it. But I'm not looking forward to it. :/

I am not of the opinion that it is a good thing for something, anything, to come out of the Ravenloft line. The old books are still there.
I consider this several steps towards the wrong direction. I would prefer if we remained stationary, than go towards the direction of a kenku, a drow and an orc walking into a Barovian bar.

I agree with the sentiment that Strahd is doing them a favor calling them to his castle. I honestly can't see "Gothic Horror" possible in those circumstances.

By all means, I hope I am wrong or that at least those that read it would enjoy it. But I am not looking forward to it, I don't plan to buy it unless the "old guard" here reads it and gives it a thumbs up, pointing to some redeeming qualities.
I also hope it is not too "preachy" book, where modern concepts and western sensibilities are at the forefront. Yes, racism is bad, but I hope the entire point of the book is not to point out how a group of weirdos changed hearts and minds within a couple of months.

alhoon wrote: Sun Nov 17, 2024 10:24 pm I also hope it is not too "preachy" book, where modern concepts and western sensibilities are at the forefront. Yes, racism is bad, but I hope the entire point of the book is not to point out how a group of weirdos changed hearts and minds within a couple of months.

I remember that in the old version Ravenloft, definitely in 2e but maybe also in 3e, isolation was one of the horror tropes that were suggested to a DM to create atmosphere in the game and frighten the players. A suggestion to this was the racism the PC's may face in a domain as outsiders (not based just to fantasy races but also cultural differences etc.)

I remember that. And for all its flaws, the 5e Ravenloft has 90% of the population as "soulless" simulations of people that keep the status quo, culturally and all. It is hard to change hearts and minds when 90% of those that will follow your great cultural revolution will bring back the old ideas.