“Under raging storm clouds, a lone figure stands silhouetted against the ancient walls of Castle Ravenloft. The vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich stares down a sheer cliff at the village below. A cold, bitter wind spins dead leaves about him, billowing his cape in the darkness.
Lightning splits the clouds overhead, casting stark white light across him. Strahd turns to the sky, revealing the angular muscles of his face and hands. He has a look of power — and of madness. His once handsome face is contorted by a tragedy darker than the night itself.
Rumbling thunder pounds the castle spires. The wind’s howling increases as Strahd turns his gaze back to the village. Far below, yet not beyond his ken, a party of adventurers has just entered his domain. Strahd’s face forms a twisted smile as his dark plan unfolds. He knew they were coming, and he knows why they have come — all according to his plan. He, the master of Ravenloft, will attend to them.
Another lightning flash rips through the darkness, its thunder echoing through the castle’s towers. But Strahd is gone. Only the howling of the wind — or perhaps a lone wolf — fills the midnight air. The master of Ravenloft is having guests for dinner. And you are invited.” –Curse of Strahd, Chapter 1, “Introduction”
So begins Wizard of the Coast’s Ravenloft adventure. Curse of Strahd and its predecessors are popular adventures for a number of reasons. One of them, I think, is the dark, gothic atmosphere.
By “atmosphere,” I’m referring to what English classes call “mood.” Mood is how creators establish a certain feeling and aesthetic in their stories. As You Like It, Hamlet, and Julius Caesar have different atmospheres, even though Shakespeare wrote all of them. Audiences of shows like One Tree Hill experience feelings different from watching The Office.
And you can use this tool in your campaigns, too! I’m going to go a bit English-major to talk about it, so let’s throw some definitions in here.
Continue reading
