Role-playing Games Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for gamemasters and players of tabletop, paper-and-pencil role-playing games. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this community
Ravenloft is my pet peeve when it comes to settings. I don't like it, it's too dark for my tastes, but occasionally I had to survive through it, although for a brief time.
Something I never got clear is the set of rules for magic in Ravenloft. My DM introduced harsh situations and troubles associated to enchantments on Ravenloft, but I am not sure if they were in-house development or actual rules. Could you please explain ?
As a player, it's completely understandable to find Ravenloft somewhat frustrating -- especially if you're not expecting it, and its associated changes.
The setting itself is highly unorthodox: Each "domain" in Ravenloft is controlled entirely by its ruler, who typically sees and knows all. Each domain may, in fact, have different effects on spells.
The idea behind the Ravenloft setting is to create the feeling of fear -- fear which may be somewhat alien to the typical D&D role player, who may have (easily) become accustomed to his spells always working, his might always creating "right," and the "good guys" winning.
If this style of play frustrates you, I recommend discussing that with your DM and attempting to work within the group to discourage the setting as a whole.
That said, you may find the setting fun, challenging and exciting in new ways if you understand this goal and become comfortable with it. Your DM is not just messing with you; chances are good that he is tired of the same-old, same-old, and that the flexibility of the Ravenloft setting provides him the opportunity to challenge you.
As a player, the biggest warnings about Ravenloft (and as a DM, I would absolutely forewarn my players about this) are:
If this isn't for you, then it isn't for you: Like I said above, chat with your DM and explain your concerns. If it turns out that this is up your alley, then dive in with both feet, check your expectations at the door, and have a blast with it!
There are very specific changes to how spells work. Sometimes spells work differently depending on the domain. Most spells that involve necromancy or summoning are likely to produce uncontrollable results, and most divination spells are subject to misdirection. Your GM probably wasn't messing with you.
Ive run Ravenloft campaigns and played in a few, and one thing many GMs get wrong is that there often is respite for players (at least based on realm descriptions), unless you are dragging a paladin along in your group. Some domains have peaceful or beautiful locations, but published adventures don't really focus on them. Without them, the creepy stuff isn't creepy, and a Ravenloft campaign devolves into an adventure into a new type of Hell, rather than a fantasy version of a Hammer horror film.
Ravenloft has a lot of rules that change how spells work. I don't have the book on me, so I can't give too many specifics. There are quite a few that just don't function (mostly related to summoning or planar travel). A lot of other spells become less effective or have their effects twisted or perverted in some way. Also, many evil spells require a powers check.
The bottom line is that your DM probably wasn't just screwing with you (at least, no more than a Ravenloft DM should).
