Tips for Dungeon Mastery
Perhaps the word "Dungeon Master" becomes somewhat inappropriate to Ravenloft. Ravenloft is not about encountering hordes upon hordes of hostile, treasure-laden monsters, but rather about role-playing fear and horror through isolation and description.
The key to roleplaying ravenloft, and running the game, is through description. With description, we achieve atmosphere. Music, props and lighting can also be used to achieve these affects, but primarily its description.
Curses
With the vistani being a prominent feature of Ravenloft, curses are likely to pop up in your campaign sooner or later. Curses are most effective during a session when their exact phrasing is roleplayed. The lines of a curse should allude to why the curse was wraught, what effects it might have and specifically on who, and what might be done to break it.
A good curse should rhyme for maximum effect. Creating an interesting, flowing and responsive curse can be tricky. However, a good resource for creating curses it to use a rhyming dictionary for inspiration. Such a book can be purchased at all good book stores.
Some Quick Tips
- Playing with fewer players in Ravenlot makes things alot easier. Smaller groups work better together, and you can know characters more intimately. I recomend a party of only 4 players.
- Choose your players wisely. Tell them what you want before they commit. A player that doesn't listen is useless in Ravenloft.
- Draw inspiration from wherever possible.
- If you don't like something in the core rulebooks, change it. But make your players aware that there are changes.
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