Domains of Dread

This is an adaptation of other material to GURPS

So I say to you, give us up for dead and encircle this land with the symbols of good. Let holy men call upon their power that the devil may be contained within the walls of weeping Barovia. Leave our sorrows to our graves, and save the world from this evil fate of ours.There is much wealth entrapped in this community. Return for your reward after we are all departed for a better life. - Kolyan Indirovich, Burgomaster of Barovia

Domains of Dread (also known Ravenloft or Realms of Terror) is an inner world (pocket universe) that intersects with the "normal" world drawing in people via the Mists. The reason for this is unclear but given the nature of this pocket universe it is not for good reasons. It, by its very nature, is a horror setting. While there are similarities it is seperate from Gothic Earth.

Nature of the Domains of Dread

There are several things core to the Domains of Dread.

Access

• The Domains of Dread, like Yrth, is a Sargasso but worse. It is effectively no mana/sanctity to any spell involving leaving it. Logically this nature extends to innate abilities like Jumper (world/plane) and scientific devices.
• Necromantic College spells are are +5 or better but they risk attracting attention.
• If sealed no travel outside a particular realm is possible.

Domain Lords

• A Domain Lord effectively has Cosmic related to its defensive powers. The only way to defeat a Domain Lord is to discover its weaknesses and exploit them. Note this is defeat not destroy as all Lords have Unkillable 3.
• In terms of power the rankings of Domain Lords are: Demilord (pocket), Lord (island), Overlord (island cluster), Darklord (core domain)
• Beyond Redemption: Regardless of power a lord is beyond any form of redemption.
• Poetic Justice: Not only are the domain lords prisoners in their lands, but they are denied that which they most desire. In a twist of irony a domain lord would willingly give up everything to rid themself of this fate.
• Cruelty and Manipulation: Domain lords are masters of Cruelty and Manipulation. Everything they do is in service to their goals. No matter how polite or "friendly" a Domain lord is not your friend. At best you are a tool to be used...and if it serves their goal discarded.

Actions and Reactions

• Fright Checks are more common than normal
• "Evil" acts attract the attention of the creators of this place though locals are less likely to draw attention for these acts. Local evil beings performing italicized acts generally don't attract attention while Bold actions performed by players will certainly attract attention
  • Acts of violence: Betrayal (Major/Minor), Extortion, Lying, Murder (Brutal, Premeditated, or Nonbrutal), Theft (Grave Robbing, Major, Minor), Threats of Violence, Torture (Routine, Sadistic)
  • Unholy Acts: Breaking Tenet, Breaking an Oath, Breaking a Vow, Defilement, Desecration
  • Laying a Curse: Highly Justified, Justified, Unjustified
  • Any "evil" spell.

Magic

• Power Investiture is twisted, no longer being powered by the proper power but by the creators of this place. Spells not limited by the inner world nature will still work but be corrupted in some manner.
• Magery based spells can similarly be corrupted.

Examples

• Curse of Strahd RPG Replays

Additional Information

• List of Domains of Dread
• Vlad Tepes Dracula - as stand in for Darklord Vlad Drakov of Falkovnia
• Frankenstein's Monster (Adam) - as stand in for Darklord Adam of Lamordia