RPG Retro Review: I6 Ravenloft

Just in time for Halloween, a look back at the classic gothic horror module I6, Ravenloft!
Ravenloft POD/ PDF: www.drivethrurpg.com/product/...
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[@paulcoy9060]

This should be the basis for a D&D movie, it's super easy to figure out. Vampires, zombies, castle crawl, save the town, leave an after-credit scene of a gypsy gathering up Strahd's ashes for a sequel.

[@kevinbrennan-ji1so]

Couldn’t agree more. Having recently watched the best D&D movie, they could build from that by setting those characters, especially the Paladin, into the Ravenloft setting.

[@paulcoy9060]

5th Edition has Curse Of Strahd, it's pretty good, but haven't run my players through it yet. Maybe when they get to 5th or 6th level. Never liked the poisonous gas gimmick. My Barovia is just fog shrouded, and as you walk, you find yourself back where you started, like a tesseract.

[@paulbooth1917]

Ravenloft is just simply the best Cant get enough of ravenloft

[@zariqueen]

Just watching this now (just before Xmas, 2020)! I went through the original Ravenloft module while I was in college in the 80s. Our group had a wicked awesome DM, btw! This was one of the very BEST modules I've *ever* had the pleasure to run a character in in so many ways! The memory of it and all the cool props our DM used, as well as the atmosphere of the dungeon still brings back wonderful memories.

[@MarshalTennerWinter]

83?! I can't believe it was that long ago!!!

[@dreamakuma]

Ravenloft was the module that got me interested in D&D. My cousin had it and I was allowed to sit in and watch her and her friends play it. I was entranced with the setting ever since. I'm happy to say I have the module and only paid about $25 for it on amazon earlier this year. But prices for these things can fluctuate quite a bit. Some things I'd like to add to this wonderful video. For those into 3.5, Dragon Magazine #315 has an update with Strahd at CR12(suitable for this module) and CR18(which I think was intended for the RM4:House of Strahd Module). The secrets of the dread realms for 3rd edition and the Ravenloft Gazetteer 1(Both published by white wolf's sword and sorcery line of D20 products) have Strahd at above CR20, so with little adjustment, Strahd can be battled against at almost any level. Floating around reddit somewhere is a fan update of I6 for 5th edition D&D as well. I've changed the story quite a bit, focusing on how horrible the Vampire Count is. I've also put a few surprises in the castle using a lot of the flexibility of template monsters in 3.0/3.5.

[@captcorajus]

+dreamakuma Awesome! Thanks for the interesting bits of Trivia!

[@paulcoy9060]

25 bucks?! And the video mentions even higher prices?! Man, I consider myself lucky that I bought this and ten other modules at a library book sale for ten cents each.

[@TheConfessor]

I used to run this one every Halloween for YEARS. Ran it in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ed. Only ever had one group in a decade ever succeed in defeating Count Von Zarovich.

[@captcorajus]

The Count is no joke!

[@TheConfessor]

@@captcorajus Yeah. The PCs used a scroll of Polymorph they found. One of them turned into a Great Wyrm Gold Dragon. From there things got... interesting.

[@captcorajus]

@@TheConfessor Lol, love it! That's great!

[@lionelhutz3142]

Our core group had lots of trouble but we absolutely loved this adventure. The story and castle design stay with me 40 years later. 😥 Only problem was we didn't have a powerful cleric in our group (our cleric was level 4 or 5 I think) and we had to hire one. Is that the only weakness in this adventure desgin you think?

[@TheConfessor]

@@lionelhutz3142 I don't know if I'd call it a weakness, as a Cleric is not ABSOLUTELY necessary to succeed in the adventure. It makes things easier, but a party without an effective Cleric CAN still succeed, they're just going to need to be clever and are already fighting an uphill battle.

[@Alan13448]

The first time i ran this, was 1985. There were 11 players, all high school buddies. 10 died and 1 was a worm in Strahds front pocket. Great stuff. Thanx for video :)

[@nozzer2002]

As a 2nd edition player i love these reviews of these old modules,Ravenloft was one of the best ! :]

[@PurifyWithLight]

Probably my favorite setting. Wish they would do more with it, perhaps a video game & a new series of novels.

[@macc.1132]

Great review and awesome suggestions. Making a female member of the party is a superb idea! I was living in Spain in the 80's when I first came upon Ravenloft. My sister was dating a guy, and perhaps to impress his girlfriend, he let her kid brother have the campaign. The best part about it was that my older sister decided she would read it to me at bedtime. Over the course of few nights, I was spellbound. The passages, the characters, the monsters, the atmosphere - all of it! - made it quite engrossing. I was about 10 years old at the time and it scared me quite a bit, particularly the illustrations, but there was nothing I looked forward to more than listening to Count Strahd's evil (yet tragic) plot to be with Ireena.

[@captcorajus]

+Mac C. Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed, and it brought back pleasant (horrified?) memories! As a rule of thumb I always try to find a way to engage the players by directly involving them in the story. Rather than keeping them outsiders, make them an integral part of the events as they unfold. Hope you're still gaming!

[@lionelhutz3142]

Wow! Awesome review of an RPG classic. Awesome production and music too. I think this was the only adventure our core group played through non-stop in 3 weeks. I still remember the castle map and the battles to this day. 😁 Our DM tried to start a long Gothic campaign connecting "Ravenloft" and the module "Assassin's Knot". Thanks for the great memories!

[@mikegould6590]

I hadn't considered the NPC role reversal. Brilliant!

[@andrewhaldenby4949]

Excellent ty! Interesting to think that the Hickman’s including a story / railroad conclusion for this one - which became the whole thing in their Dragonlance adventures

[@BlackDragonRPGReviews]

Ravenloft is such a classic. I just ordered the print on demand from drive thru rpg and I can’t wait to get it!

[@michealbohmer2871]

Moving the Gypsy camp to wherever it was that the player's would go is exactly want I did. DMing isn't just about giving the player's free will, though you don't want to be corralling your group, that's not very satisfying for them and, as such, it's not very satisfying for the DM -- after all, we are all on the same team. So, the solution to problems like these is doing exactly what you and I both did: make the Gypsy camp a situational encounter rather than a location specific encounter. This gives the player's the illusion of choice and makes for a much better game. Just be sure not to be tempted to make sure your group knows just how clever you are and let them in on you little secret. If you do, you'll have the aforementioned problem with corralling. I wish I could say I was clever enough to have come up with this idea myself, but early in my DMing days, I read the West End Star Wars Gamemaster's Handbook (a wonderful tome which is worth reading whether you play d6 Star Wars or not; much of the advice isn't game or genre specific) and this was one of the many tips and hints the book provided.

[@captcorajus]

I think I got the idea from the same place myself! 🤣

[@DanteTCW]

I really like the reviews you have put up of Classic Modules. I especially enjoy your approach with ideas on how to update the running of the modules for more contemporary RPG "auidences" Great videos and great ideas.

[@MikChaos]

the original I6 Ravenloft remains my favourite all time D&D module.

[@opa-age]

I remember when I first read this module I was just blown away. The writing, atmosphere, and the "cinematic" feel was all leagues beyond anything that came before. And the best thing was that it was more of a battle of wits with the villain than a straightforward hack n slash.

[@Usagi1970]

This is awesome, we've only played 2 sessions of Ravenloft and will probably get to the castle in our next game so I couldn't listen to your full review, but so far it's been one of the best modules I've ever played. We are using B/X rather than AD&D... because we are all more familiar with it. I even made a movie trailer for the game when we were looking for players.

[@stevesketches]

Wow, much of Curse of Strahd (5e Ravenloft) is very much word for word this story! I've run into all the same problems in that book as well. I like your solution for switching up the characters involved. Clever! I'm still running this campaign, and it seems that many of the weaknesses you described in I6 still hold true in the modern adaptation.

[@bcparkerjr]

Awesome! I like how you review old modules! please do more it's very entertaining and makes me want to play these!

[@fredrickwheeler3123]

Very good application of solutions to the plots issues, I'm very impressed. My players loved the adventure when I run it with the D&D 5e rules. Nice review.

[@dancross982]

Another great review. Thanks. Reminiscing about running this back in the day!

[@jimfalaris5709]

Your version of the end of the adventure is perfect! Thanks for sharing

[@kernowgamingsociety652]

Nice review man, I like the look of this module, I've always liked dark fantasy settings in D&D. Good work

[@thejimm2009]

Yes! I love this adventure! I've played it and have ran it. It's so classic and iconic. Very well written. ..and so much fun.

[@guapounggoy]

Back when 5th was being play tested, I was in a Roll 20 group that ran Ravenloft converted to the modern rules. It was great. Like your suggestion he had the gypsy encounter kick things off and actually had a reading for all the PCs. Although he kept the NPC you mentioned, he made one of our PCs the reincarnated Sergi. All in all one of the best modules I've played through. I was glad I managed to avoid spoilers for like thirty years ;)

[@kmoustakas]

Ravenloft is the best. Remember it was a halloween oneshot, of course it requires ways to insert into your campaign. I'd have the players encounter madame Eva FIRST then enter ravenloft. The tavern and shop trade with the vistani, you forgot about that.

[@regdar770]

Thank you for the great review!

[@lionelhutz3142]

I played through "Ravenloft" twice and only successfully defeated him once. My 8th Level Thief and our 5-8th level PC group had a hell of a time but it was great! If I remember the key was to have powerful cleric characters in your party (we had to hire a second one in the village to successfully defeat Strahd). If you didn't you were screwed. Do you all think this was a flaw in the adventure design?

[@captcorajus]

I don't think of it as a 'flaw'but the DM may need to mod the adventure a bit. With any module that is going to hit thousands of tables, its difficult to anticipate every possibility.

[@burbigasmurgnakobaki586]

Love Ravenloft, really cool setting and great video

[@TurboWulfe]

Great work bro. 🤘

[@delsolman24]

Great review.

[@RobbieJennings-cd6cp]

Another great review. While I think DM it all has by far the best review of this module. I think you did a pretty good job. I think more "casual" review of this module is warranted. I've always had a thing for castles and massive super dungeons. Which is one of the reasons why I'm so interested in Castle Greyhawk. In fact, both Ravenloft and Castle Greyhawk has already had an influence on how I want to design adventures. First, I think I will make a castle where the main portion is kind of like Ravenloft where the logic is loose but not unrealistic. (Although weather it's a gothic castle is another matter). And then I take what influence I can from Castle Greyhawk (that being some things from the modules and other things from what we know about Gygax's version of the castle) where the dungeons under It are a complex series of mazes. Or in other words, I'll have a fun house dungeon under a realistic dungeon. I imagine it would be fun to have the first quests be about exploring the castle proper for the beginning of the campaign. And then after those first quests of the campaign are over, I have the players explore the massive complex of mazes under the castle proper. And these mazes makeup the rest of the campaign. And at the end they have to fight an evil wizard who turns himself into a dragon. Why a dragon? Well the answer to that is the game is called dungeons & dragons. And I want more dragons with my dungeons damn it! 😁

[@RPGmodsFan]

Captcorajus, Excellent review of the I6 Mod. On my YT Channel, I finally got around to doing my own review of the Ravelolft Module. In it I do give you a Shout-Out. Cheers!

[@marius712000]

Ive always wanted to play this

[@markfoster7166]

I'm looking to run this as part of a very in depth campaign of temple of elemental evil (total side module) and this has been very helpful. I have an original copy and have never run / read it. I love the suggestion of making a PC (female) the subject of Strahd's love ¬!!!

[@adampender4727]

I'd love a review of Queen of the Spiders and Against the Slave Lords

[@DnDnBeer]

As always, another quality video

[@markhumphries6020]

Alright the Cap is back! Hope you get to crank out a few more videos before you get busy again. And happy Halloween!

[@BuggSmasher]

Your doing some great reviews and I'm living a D&D life I never really had, but wish I did ! So I'm making up for it now! Curious about the image at the end. Is that game being played out on desktop screen ?

[@captcorajus]

That's not Ravenloft being played, but it is a projection onto my table top of a game we played. :) thanks for watching and commenting!

[@xinth23]

This is the best 1st edition module in the universe. Don't believe me? Prove me wrong. Go ahead. Travel the universe and prove me wrong.

[@HighmageDerin]

Love the "hail the heros" intro theme.

[@captcorajus]

Not too many people know the origin of this little diddy.

[@HighmageDerin]

@@captcorajus the cd audio adventures were my entry point into d&d soo many years ago. Have all of them :)

[@johnhansen4794]

When my players find out there's a vampire in the area they always run away.

[@captcorajus]

The Mist of Ravenloft don't allow for 'running away'. 🤣🤣🤣

[@johnhansen4794]

@@captcorajus Which would be a big clue for them that "Smiley Fangs" is No Strahd.

[@captcorajus]

@@johnhansen4794 🤣🤣🤣

[@NicholsBethelUMC]

I agree if this is a regular town, that needs food and trading. Couldn't it be, like, Brigadoon? Captured in time and only comes out for one day a year until the curse gets lifted?

[@Arcboltkonrad13]

Hey, I wonder if you would look into the module "Palace of the Vampire Queen" by Wee Warrior Games, the first "proper module" for OD&D.

[@captcorajus]

I have a PDF copy of it, and its pretty lackluster. A map, and a bunch of monster statistic loosely connected by a modicum of plot. I understand its the first published module for D&D, and a lot of people seem to like it, but I don't have a lot of high praise for it. Given the limited time I have to make videos, I try to bring attention to those things I think my subs would like to use in their games. :) Thank you for commenting!!

[@Aarongorn]

Thanks for this video! A question for you... Which of the I-series 1e modules would you say are must-play modules?

[@captcorajus]

You're very welcome! In my humble opinion 'Dwellers of the Forbidden City", "Pharaoh", "Oasis of the White Palm", and "Tomb of the Lizard King" (and Ravenloft of course!)

[@Aarongorn]

@@captcorajus Cool, thanks! I've taken a beginning group almost all the way through U1-3, and am going to move from there to N1. After that, I wanted to try a couple from the I-series. Time to start hunting for your suggestions!

[@mikewolosz9456]

This module was Awesome but some of the guys I played with just couldn't take it serious. It was a hard module and you had to play as a group

[@neilparker3372]

Can you do a review of Castle Amber,i remember that adventure fondly :]

[@jesternario]

You do realize that the Vistani are capable of coming and going as they please. Do you not think they make a brisk trade in goods that they supplying trade goods to the one shop they can do business with in Barovia (they own the tavern, by the way).

[@captcorajus]

I do realize this, which is why i said to not have them on a fixed place on the map. :)

[@jesternario]

@@captcorajus At the same time, you complained that "the market and tavern should have no items to trade" or something to that effect.

[@captcorajus]

@@jesternario Exactly. Its seems unlikely that a single group or entity could supply an entire village for hundreds of years. The isolation of the village I find problematic.

[@jesternario]

@@captcorajus Or, the Vistani go to places regularly and have indeed been supplying the one shop. When you think about it, it makes sense that the one shop is all they'd be able to supply, and the shop owner makes use of that with hiked up prices.

[@whowantsabighug]

Spooky Crowattic.

[@worldme8153]

Good way to start this years october😂 even if the vid is a year old i am grateful for it

[@mcdan84]

I'm curious as to how you handled the letters from the burgomaster and fake letter after making one of your PCs the Ireena substitute?

[@captcorajus]

+mcdan84 Actually, this is far simpler than it seems. Since one of the PCs is either the reincarnation of Ireena or Sergi, the need to involve the PCs through the letter is not needed. The way I handled it was simply to tell the PC that they were experiencing strange dreams, and basically put her character under the effect of a Geas. Upon investigation, a priest would be unable to remove the affect, and it is in fact Madame Eva who is responsible. The Dream gives the information in the letter, basically, so they follow the instruction and end up in Barovia. Then, things conspire to separate the PC from the party... and Strahd begins to send his own dreams when he senses the return of his lost love, and the bite sequence experienced by Ireena is experienced by the PC. In fact, here's an opportunity to present Strahd as a romantic figure, for in the dream he's quite handsome and dashing... use of charm magic and the like with saving throws is appropriate. Thus, each dream sequence lowers the PC's defense against the vampire when he makes his appearance to her in person. Later, while in the tavern, the PC is 'recognized' by the Burgomiester's son Ismark, who is amazed at the resemblance.. and invites them back to see the painting, then enlists their help against Strahd. The Burgomaster's death is explain differently as well... turning him into a type of Von Helsing character, who tried to construct a magical holy symbol powerful enough to kill the vampire once and for all and lift the curse. Strahd learned of his efforts, attacked, killed him and stole the holy symbol before its work could be completed. Thus, offering another avenue to kill the Vampire. This needs to be done organically, so as not to make the PCs feel they are being railroaded, but the reveal of the painting of the woman who looks like one of the PCs at the deceased Burgomaster's mansion should be quite dramatic.

[@CaptCook999]

After reading the books a DM asked us if we would like to play a Ravenloft campaign. I told him that I would play but I wasn't going to use one of my own characters for it. Needless to say, he decided not to run the campaign.

[@MasterZebulin]

*[bloody tears intensifies]*

[@waltwhitmanleaves]

cap quick question. i am running a greyhawk campaign right now in the early stages. I was thiking down the road into the story possible placing a gateway into the land of Ravenloft. My idea might be the players seeing a large mirror and inside the mirror have them see a strange man dressed with fine clothes smiling and asking them to please step through and enter my land. what do you think ?

[@waltwhitmanleaves]

have the man dressed like royalty and fine clothes. Make him be very likeable and try to lure them into his land.

[@waltwhitmanleaves]

if they take the invite the players will find themselves lost in a new land of horror and mystery. and there only hope of leaving is to try and find the other portal mirror and enter back into there old land.

[@captcorajus]

@@waltwhitmanleaves Of course you can do it any way you like. My personal favorite way is as described in the module. They are walking along a road, surrounded by mists and when the mists clear, they're in Ravenloft. lol

[@waltwhitmanleaves]

@@captcorajus i want to leave the premise open to the group. if they dont go into the mirror its fine. i can always think of other ways to then build up mystery

[@mikep6263]

Here's what I did: The players are travelling a road that they have travelled many times before---on one "dark and stormy night", they encounter a fork in the road that was never there before. This mystery road, of course, leads to Ravenloft. To be honest, the idea is not entirely my own---I got the idea from a 70's era B grade vampire movie that I saw long ago--sorry, but I don't remember the name of the movie.

[@lesleyrussell8200]

im looking for an old artwork of a giant green beetle sitting on a throne with gold and jewels under it, ¿do you know where i can find it?

[@Augustinusgrimdalus]

What is your opinion of 5th edition's version of Ravenloft?

[@captcorajus]

I like it a lot. In fact, I was thinking of doing a little review of it.

[@jayhova3926]

I wonder what everyone here’s opinion is, about the recent editing of the gypsys from the 5e version?

[@captcorajus]

Its not 'recent' they were reedited to the Vistani back with the second boxed set. There is a bit of an issue with their use.. especially in Europe where the term is a slur. So I approve.

[@mikep6263]

Being partly of "Gypsy" descent, it never bothered me in the least. That being said, I always felt that they needed a name that was more "AD&D" sounding and not grounded in real life, so in my world they became the Zimri.

[@geofftottenperthcoys9944]

I must say as a AD&D player from way back I never got into this module.

[@jasonclearwater3303]

Consider streaming the upcoming Dungeons and Dragons Online (DDO) Ravenloft expansion this December 5th, 2017. gc.digitalriver.com/store?Action=custom&CustomPageEnv=DESIGN&Locale=en_US&SiteID=turbine&pbPage=ddo-ravenloft

[@davedogge2280]

the board game is good also

[@flammableghost]

You gonna review Curse of Strahd when it comes out?

[@captcorajus]

+flammableghost Possibly. Its not a retro module, but I think there is enough interest in it to give a treatment.

[@flammableghost]

+captcorajus I just think a comparison between I-6 and that would be interesting. the Hickmans worked on it a bit too IIRC. You probably know about this already but WOTC released a sample of the adventure "Death House"

[@captcorajus]

flammableghost I do, but I wasn't aware that WOTC had released a sample adventure! Thanks, I'll check it out!!

[@andrewstrachan29]

Can this be reused with current rules?

[@captcorajus]

With little modification yes!

[@emperorxander666]

You fool giving the player power to be tatyana mean she can choose to join strahd.

[@krispalermo8133]

But, but , but .. in the module she is listed as lawful good ! First box set, she is a lg paladin .. 2nd box set she is a ng street thief. Van Richten was a rogue. 3.5E, uh .. I don't know. Van Richten listed as an Expert yet should have started off as an Aristocrat multiclassing into rogue/ expert. in the 2nd box set core rule book of spells, Strahd has a 5th-level spell that suppress his vampiric abilities and can walk around during day light hours. So one of the PC can draw a card and end up being Strahd the whole time.

[@johnevans9156]

Do you have some kind of subliminal message going on behind your videos?! I cannot get enough!

[@captcorajus]

Glad you are enjoying. :)

[@Tamlinearthly]

Uh, newsflash man, if you don't have a female PC then there's no reason Strahd can't have his eye on one of them anyway. Get my drift?

[@captcorajus]

Yup. I stand corrected. :)

[@derricgreene]

As to discuss the romantic problem. Turn Strahd into an incestuous homosexual. XD

[@verlandes1]

Or, you know... Strahd might be gay?

[@captcorajus]

Hmmm, interesting. Admittedly the last time I ran this module was a decade or so ago, so my openness to such a plot element just wasn't top of mind. Not that I ever really would have been opposed, but I think if I ran something like that now, and included that option I'd given it more weight, rather than play it for giggles.

[@krispalermo8133]

@@captcorajus Play for .. giggles .. run PCs set up like TMNT. Or D&D3.5e/ Star Wars, .. run the core cast through castle Ravenloft with Vader on their heels and pit Vader vs Strahd. Or a game twist called " Imperial Storm Trooper Nightmare." can a dozen 4hd troopers make it through the castle with blaster rifles ?