The Domain Lords Some people confuse the dark powers with the oftcalled darklords. In terms of semantics, this is understandable enough. Those who have even the most basic understanding of the true nature of Ravenloft, however, would never make such a mistake. The lords of Ravenloft's scattered realms are more properly called "domain lords", although the term "darklord" is commonly accepted. Descriptions of individual domain lords appear with their respective domains in Chapters Two, Three, and Four. Domain lords are extremely powerful beings, and they should not be encountered often. The domain lords should be the subject of stories and rumors, not the targets of monster hunts. While it is unknown as to whether domain lords are actually immortal, they have proven to be extremely long-lived. Many do not even seem to have aged since their arrival on the Demiplane. Magnitudes of Evil Just as even the most similar of twins are not perfectly identical, so too are the lords of Ravenloft unique. Because of the variations inherent in these creatures, several categories have been established to define them. In reviewing this information, the reader must keep in mind the fact that no chain of command links these nefarious beings. This is due not only to the fact that no lord can leave his domain, but also because none of these creatures would ever accept a subservient role. Demilords Demilords are the rulers of Ravenloft's Pocket domains (as described in the "Geography" section of this chapter). While these are the least significant of Ravenloft's domain rulers, they are by no means less evil than their more powerful counterparts. In addition to having the smallest domains, demilords usually possess the fewest powers. Examples of demilords include the Phantom Lover, Davion the Mad, and Lemot Sediam Juste. Lords Although the term "lord" is often used to describe any of Ravenloft's domain rulers, it is only correctly applied to the rulers of the various Islands of Terror. These vile creatures are more powerful than demilords but less powerful than the overlords who rule the domains of Ravenloft's scattered Clusters. Examples of Island lords include the Illithid God-brain of Bluetspur and Yagno Petrovna of G'Henna. Overlords From time to time, a group of Islands will drift together to form a Cluster. A more complete discussion of this topic can be found in the "Geography" section of this chapter. The lords of these domains, who are properly called overlords, are among the most powerful beings one is likely to encounter in the Demiplane of Dread. Examples of overlords include the dreadful Anhktepot, master of Har'Akir, and Kas the Destroyer, ruler of Tovag. Adventures featuring overlords should prove challenging for high-level adventurers and deadly to lesser heroes. Darklords The most powerful of Ravenloft's lords are those who rule the domains of the Core, the largest group of domains in the Demiplane of Dread. Known as darklords, these powerful beings can crush even high-level adventurers with little effort. An adventure that features a darklord should prove fatal to any group of adventurers - even very powerful ones - who do not use their brains as well as their brawn. Examples of darklords include Strahd von Zarovich, Harkon Lukas, and Lord Soth. Beyond Redemption Dungeon Masters and players should always remember that the lords of Ravenloft's many domains are utterly evil. This is not to say that they may not be tragic figures, only that the time when they might have been saved from their dark fates has long since passed. The Demiplane of Dread embraces no creature that has any hope of redemption. If even the faintest spark of truth or goodness smolders within a person, he will not be granted his own domain. Player Character Lords Keeping in mind the above information, it should be obvious that no player character can ever become a domain lord. Long before an adventurer descends to the depths of malevolence from which domain lords are born, he will have lost control of his character and seen it transformed into a nonplayer character. Remember, the RAVENLOFT game is about heroes confronting dark forces. Those who submit to, side with, or willingly embrace evil are not heroes. Prisoners of the Mists It must never be forgotten that the lords of Ravenloft's many domains are not there of their own free will. Certainly, they chose to perform the evil acts that brought them to their current states, but they never bargained on the attentions of the dark powers. The domain lords are as much prisoners of the Demiplane as any adventurer. While some have come to terms with this fate, others would do anything to escape the shackles of mist that hold them fast to the Demiplane of Dread. Mirror Images The domain lords are intimately tied to the fabric of Ravenloft. The lord of each land is the very heart of the province. The terrain, the natives, the monsters, the effects of magic, and even the enemies there are all reflections of the being who presides over it all. When a new lord comes into possession of a domain, it will usually seem familiar to him. That is, it will be a mirror of the region he calls home. To be sure, the newly created domain is sometimes a mockery of his former dwelling, but it will always resemble it. In addition to its natural characteristics, the newly created domain will be shaped by the spirit of its lord and the nature of his evil deeds. Buildings may be bent or twisted, reminding one of their hunchbacked lord, or the rivers might be stained red by clay deposits, making them look like the blood upon which their vampiric lord feasts. Poetic Justice While the domain lords do indeed have great power, each also labors under the burden of a terrible curse. They may have been "rewarded" for their evil acts - which range from murdering their own families to destroying entire nations - with their own realms, but this is little consolation. The fate of a domain lord is actually far worse than that of his subjects or the adventurers who explore his domain. Not only are the domain lords prisoners in their lands, but they are denied that which they most desire. The exact nature of this curse varies, but it will always be such that the domain lord would willingly give up everything to rid himself of it. Strahd von Zarovich, for example, longs to possess Tatyana, the woman who threw herself from his castle parapets so many centuries ago. He can never have her, but he is constantly tormented by her image - or by women who look just like her. Strahd's greatest desire will never be fulfilled, and this desire is his greatest weakness. The mere sight of a woman who resembles his beloved Tatyana is so upsetting to him that it will often distract him from far more important matters. The key to understanding the curses under which domain lords labor can be found in their histories. Each and every curse is drawn from the dark past of the domain lord. Not only does it reflect the deeds that have brought the lords to their prisons, it tortures them in a way that no other punishment could. The domain lords designed their own curses long before the dark powers ever took notice of them. Examples of similar curses can be found throughout literature. Those who wish to design their own domains and, thus, create their own cursed lords, are advised to read such works as A Christmas Carol (remember the chains and cashboxes that Marley wore?) and Dante's Divine Comedy (particularly Inferno). Cruelty and Manipulation Domain lords are self-absorbed creatures interested only in satisfying their own debauched hungers. To be sure, an individual lord might have a trusted seneschal or even a beloved bride, but these would be cast aside in a moment if the rewards were sufficient. Adventurers should remember this fact when dealing with these creatures. If a domain lord seeks to strike a bargain with the heroes, he does so only because he sees some measure of personal gain in the deal. Any gift bestowed by these fiends is a double-edged sword that will be, in the end, far more of a curse than a blessing. No good can ever come of dealing with these twisted creatures.

Previous   Next

Up