The Dark Powers One must never forget that Ravenloft is not a natural realm; it is a construct. Just as a flesh golem is but a mockery of the man from which it is assembled, Ravenloft is an imperfect copy of the worlds that dot the Prime Material Plane. In the case of the golem, the twisted mind of its creator defines this imperfect reflection. Only his grim determination and maniacal devotion give shape and life to the creature. The same is true, after a fashion, of the Demiplane of Dread. All of Ravenloft is a shadowy reflection of the mysterious dark powers who maintain these Realms of Terror. Common Understanding The average citizens of Ravenloft are not truly interested in the existence of the dark powers. To such folk, the dark powers are synonymous with the universal bogeyman they call "the Mists". All matters of misfortune or evil are attributed to the influences of the Mists. If someone dies a mysterious death, it is the influence of the Mists. If a craftsman accidentally cuts off his finger, he has run afoul of the Mists. All things dark and sinister are but a manifestation of these nefarious vapors. Because of this belief, it can be difficult for a group of adventurers to get any useful information about the nature of the Demiplane from the average citizen. In addition to being a remarkably xenophobic lot, the natives of Ravenloft generally have little curiosity about (or knowledge of) the true nature of their world. Scholars and Sages Those who have studied the dark powers and their doings have come to a few definite conclusions about them. While these conclusions have not been proven factual, they are the accepted dogma for discussions and debates about the masters of the Demiplane. Enticements: The dark powers do not lead people astray. While many stories tell of the Mists or dark powers offering innocent people great rewards in exchange for evil services, these appear to be uniformly fictitious. In order for a person to come to the attention of the dark powers, he must first do something evil. In game terms, this is reflected through the making of powers checks as described in Chapter Seven. Pacts: Just as there are many accounts of people being led astray by the dark powers, so too are there stories about those who have struck deals with these mysterious creatures. Most of these stories involve a hero (or villain) giving up his purity in exchange for some terrible power or wish. Intriguing as these stories may be, they are just that - stories. No evidence supports these claims, leading all those who are knowledgeable about the fabric of the Demiplane to conclude that the dark powers never strike pacts with mortals. There are those who point out that the coming of Strahd von Zarovich into Ravenloft would appear to violate this tenet. However, by his own admission, the Great Vampire struck a deal with some tremendously evil entity that he refers to only as "Death". This creature is not necessarily associated with the dark powers. Communing: Despite countless claims to the contrary, it appears that it is impossible for anyone to directly converse with the dark powers. Whether this is a physical reality, perhaps brought on by the fact that the human mind could not comprehend these strange beings, or simply a result of their unwillingness to carry on a dialogue with mortal creatures is unknown. Again, the case of Strahd von Zarovich seems to contradict this doctrine. After all, if the Lord of Barovia did indeed strike a bargain with the dark powers, he must certainly have spoken with them. This would seem to support the belief that the vampire's account of his transformation is not entirely factual. Of course, the possibility that Strahd is accurately relating his experiences remains a distinctly disturbing possibility. Defining the Dark Powers Is it possible, therefore, to learn the secrets of the dark powers through a careful study of the macabre place they have created? One would think so, but proving the validity of the conclusions produced by such a study would be difficult or even impossible. The precise nature of the dark powers is debated by sages and scholars throughout the land. Sages have argued about it since the earliest days of Ravenloft's existence. Quite simply, no one seems to know the answer to this question. More importantly, it is impossible to say whether any given answer is right or wrong. The Demiplane's most educated residents have uncovered conflicting evidence, supporting any number of possible answers. Consider the following arguments: The Dark Powers are Evil: Certainly, evidence exists to support this belief. After all, the dark powers have gone to a great deal of trouble to create a vast region in which to concentrate the evil of the multiverse. Could this be something of a recruiting center from which an incredible army of malevolence will one day be released? That possibility could be the most frightening conclusion one can reach. The Dark Powers are Good: An equal number of scholars put forth the assumption that the dark powers are actually creatures of good, not evil. After all, they have imprisoned some of the most terrible beings in the multiverse. In fact, not only are these creatures imprisoned, they are endlessly tormented. Can any force that so punishes evildoers be considered anything but good? The Dark Powers are Few: Some scholars believe it is incorrect to use the plural when referring to the masters of Ravenloft. It is their assertion that a single entity, whether good or evil, rules the entire Demiplane. This theory is especially popular among those who believe that Ravenloft was created for some special purpose. If this is the case, it is easier for them to believe that a single entity is working behind the scenes to coordinate these events. The Dark Powers are Many: Equally or even more popular, however, is the belief that the dark powers are numerous. According to this theory, no single being could accomplish all that the dark powers have. Of course, exactly how numerous the dark powers are remains a subject of much debate. Some say that there are three, the number in a coven of hags, while others insist they are a legion. To date, however, no one has provided any evidence to support these claims. The Dark Powers are Imaginary: At the root of all debates about the dark powers, of course, is the question of whether or not they even exist. Many say that they are nothing more than a manifestation of the darkest side of the imagination. To be sure, no physical proof of their existence has surfaced. While many people claim to have seen the dark powers, none of these reports are verifiable or even especially reliable. The Dark Powers are Real: Of course, if the dark powers do not exist, it is difficult to explain the creation of the Demiplane of Dread. Most Ravenloft scholars agree that the dark powers, whoever or whatever they are, do exist.

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