Café de Nuit

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=pr ... /953937200

The master of Ravenloft is having guests for dinner...
and you are invited.

A dark shape emerges from the shadow of Castle Ravenloft. A flash of lightning reveals the sneering countenance of Count Strahd von Zarovich. His eyes burn with eternal hunger and contempt for life. From a narrow balcony, he peers out into the drizzling twilight at the few sad lights of the village below and mutters a single name:

“Ireena . . .”

Expedition to Castle Ravenloft is a DUNGEONS & DRAGONS deluxe adventure that updates the original 1st Edition Ravenloft module, retaining the Gothic flavor and familiar elements while expanding and reimagining some of the locations to create a deeper, richer adventure experience.

This campaign arc adventure is designed for characters of levels 6–10 and features a new, easy-to-use combat encounter format. This book also presents new magic items, feats, and prestige classes for player characters.

Ireena????? Not Tatyana? I am confused. Imagine how confused poor old Strahd must be. Did she get retconned into a new name? Probably new 3.5 stats , too: a 16th level commoner /8th level vampire bait/ 3rd level cliff diver prestige class , with standard starting wealth[so she can afford a vorpal holy vampire bane sword to use on 'Uncle Strahd' and a rod of resurrection to use on poor Sergei. The PCs can stand by in silent awe as the predetermined plot unfolds, thus allowing them to bear witness to the cleverness of the module's authors.

I understand Strahd was redone in Dragon magazine as some sort of near demi-god with a HUGE CR. Oh, and they left out his entire background. We all know background material is a waste of space, when more PRCs , feats, and stat blocks can be crammed in. Right?

Okay, sorry about the heavy sarcasm. I actually like the D2O system, despite some stylistic concerns. It may be a great module. The original certainly was fun.

So is this the same Ireena Kolyana from the original I6, and this is therefore a return to the campaign setting year 528? (...with all that implies for the single domain of Barovia vs. the entire Core as we now know it?)

I think that it's not a restart for the setting, but just an update and a republication of the original adventure.

Drinnik Shoehorn wrote:I think that it's not a restart for the setting, but just an update and a republication of the original adventure.

Yes, from all I gathered so far, this seems to be the case. - But maybe, if this one sells well, we get other updated scenarios, like, say, House on Gryphon Hill, When Black Roses Bloom, or even Castles Forlorn.

Who knows...?


BTW, am I the only one who thinks this cover looks crappy?

I wish I could see a larger version of the cover. From the one they posted it looks like Strahd's expression is... confused? sarcastic?

I don't care for the cover either, but it looks like it's the new trend for WotC. They appear to be back in the business of publishing adventures. Look at Red Hand of Doom's cover, and also the next adventure after Castle Ravenloft, Scourge of the Howling Horde. It also looks like the covers from all the miniatures mini-adventures they have published in the last year.

I understand Strahd was redone in Dragon magazine as some sort of near demi-god with a HUGE CR.

Good! Strahd was too weak to be horrifying. Though I never saw this magazine...I sort of fear they may have made him TOO powerful now. WotC does seem to have some difficulties keeping things in the realm of moderation (one of my problems as well unfortunately..).

I wish I could see a larger version of the cover. From the one they posted it looks like Strahd's expression is... confused? sarcastic?

He looks like an actor does when he's done one scene too many times...disgusted and irritated. Strahd looks a tad bit horrified to be in their hands again too if I don't say so myself..

At least they didn't update his clothing sytle to be all hip and jazzed up like the vampires in Queen of the Damned or Underworld Oh the horror saves...

This campaign arc adventure is designed for characters of levels 6–10 and features a new, easy-to-use combat encounter format. This book also presents new magic items, feats, and prestige classes for player characters.

It doesn't come with stats for Strahd, he's just so powerful when the party encounters him you just say, "and you lose. Good campaign ladies and gentlemen." The book also comes with a cane to beat off angry players too, just in case.

Though I do wonder how many more feats, prestige classes and magic items WotC can keep coming up with...this would be impressive if it wasn't such a waste of space

gonzoron wrote:I wish I could see a larger version of the cover. From the one they posted it looks like Strahd's expression is... confused? sarcastic?

I can't make out his face. Is he bald?

It looks to me as if the shadowed side of his face is actually skeletal, which would account for the baldness and the twisted expression.

Of course, the picture quality isn't all that great, so it's probably just my overactive imagination.

It is, at the very least, an unflattering likeness.


EDIT: Well, so much for that in-joke. How do I get the Strahd emoticon?

You need to click on the view more emoticons link.

Huh. Apparently, "Strahd" and "strahd" are not the same thing for emoticon purposes. The first works, the second doesn't. Let that be a lesson to you, fellow emoticoners.

Hmmm. Can't see the cover well enough to judge...

But I'm not sure I want to pay forty dollars for an adventure! Not when I can download the original for free and retailor it for 3.5 my own self...

Still, perhaps it's a hopeful sign that WotC won't allow Ravenloft to die? In which case, perhaps I ought to contribute to the books sales, in the feeble hope that, if it does well, WotC will relicense Ravenloft...

Bleargh.

ewancummins wrote: I understand Strahd was redone in Dragon magazine as some sort of near demi-god with a HUGE CR. Oh, and they left out his entire background. We all know background material is a waste of space, when more PRCs , feats, and stat block

You mean the dragon article that presented the update of the original stats and a slightly increased class one (CR 18 IIRC) with full pages of strategy and method combines with maps of the castle.
You know, compared to the Gaz I where he's CR 21 and his history is omitted.

Oh, he's a CR 21 in the Secrets of the Dread Realms, too. I recall staring at that and thinking, "Good grief, he's tougher than the tarrasque!"